"There will be just light enough to show me the way home," said Miss Keeldar, as she prepared to take leave of Caroline at the rectory garden door.
"You must not go alone, Shirley; Fanny shall accompany you."
"That she shall not. Of what need I be afraid in my own parish? I would walk from Fieldhead to the church any fine midsummer night, three hours later than this, for the mere2 pleasure of seeing the stars and the chance of meeting a fairy."
"But just wait till the crowd is cleared away."
"Agreed. There are the five Misses Armitage streaming by. Here comes Mrs. Sykes's phaeton, Mr. Wynne's close carriage, Mrs. Birtwhistle's car. I don't wish to go through the ceremony of bidding them all good-bye, so we will step into the garden and take shelter amongst the laburnums for an instant."
The rectors, their curates, and their churchwardens now issued from the church porch. There was a great confabulation, shaking of hands, congratulation on speeches, recommendation to be careful of the night air, etc. By degrees the throng3 dispersed4, the carriages drove off. Miss Keeldar was just emerging from her flowery refuge when Mr. Helstone entered the garden and met her.
"Oh, I want you!" he said. "I was afraid you were already gone.—Caroline, come here."
Caroline came, expecting, as Shirley did, a lecture on not having been visible at church. Other subjects, however, occupied the rector's mind.
"I shall not sleep at home to-night," he continued. "I have just met with an old friend, and promised to accompany291 him. I shall return probably about noon to-morrow. Thomas, the clerk, is engaged, and I cannot get him to sleep in the house, as I usually do when I am absent for a night. Now——"
"Now," interrupted Shirley, "you want me as a gentleman—the first gentleman in Briarfield, in short—to supply your place, be master of the rectory and guardian5 of your niece and maids while you are away?"
"Exactly, captain. I thought the post would suit you. Will you favour Caroline so far as to be her guest for one night? Will you stay here instead of going back to Fieldhead?"
"And what will Mrs. Pryor do? she expects me home."
"I will send her word. Come, make up your mind to stay. It grows late; the dew falls heavily. You and Caroline will enjoy each other's society, I doubt not."
"I promise you, then, to stay with Caroline," replied Shirley. "As you say, we shall enjoy each other's society. We will not be separated to-night. Now, rejoin your old friend, and fear nothing for us."
"If there should chance to be any disturbance6 in the night, captain; if you should hear the picking of a lock, the cutting out of a pane7 of glass, a stealthy tread of steps about the house (and I need not fear to tell you, who bear a well-tempered, mettlesome8 heart under your girl's ribbon sash, that such little incidents are very possible in the present time), what would you do?"
"Don't know; faint, perhaps—fall down, and have to be picked up again. But, doctor, if you assign me the post of honour, you must give me arms. What weapons are there in your stronghold?"
"No; I could manage the carving-knife better."
"You will find a good one in the dining-room sideboard—a lady's knife, light to handle, and as sharp-pointed as a poniard."
"I have two pairs. One pair I can place at your disposal. You will find them suspended over the mantelpiece of my study in cloth cases."
"Loaded?"
"Yes, but not on the cock. Cock them before you go to bed. It is paying you a great compliment, captain, to292 lend you these. Were you one of the awkward squad11 you should not have them."
"I will take care. You need delay no longer, Mr. Helstone. You may go now.—He is gracious to me to lend me his pistols," she remarked, as the rector passed out at the garden gate. "But come, Lina," she continued, "let us go in and have some supper. I was too much vexed12 at tea with the vicinage of Mr. Sam Wynne to be able to eat, and now I am really hungry."
Entering the house, they repaired to the darkened dining-room, through the open windows of which apartment stole the evening air, bearing the perfume of flowers from the garden, the very distant sound of far-retreating steps from the road, and a soft, vague murmur14 whose origin Caroline explained by the remark, uttered as she stood listening at the casement15, "Shirley, I hear the beck in the Hollow."
Then she rang the bell, asked for a candle and some bread and milk—Miss Keeldar's usual supper and her own. Fanny, when she brought in the tray, would have closed the windows and the shutters17, but was requested to desist for the present. The twilight18 was too calm, its breath too balmy to be yet excluded. They took their meal in silence. Caroline rose once to remove to the window-sill a glass of flowers which stood on the sideboard, the exhalation from the blossoms being somewhat too powerful for the sultry room. In returning she half opened a drawer, and took from it something that glittered clear and keen in her hand.
"You assigned this to me, then, Shirley, did you? It is bright, keen-edged, finely tapered19; it is dangerous-looking. I never yet felt the impulse which could move me to direct this against a fellow-creature. It is difficult to fancy that circumstances could nerve my arm to strike home with this long knife."
"I should hate to do it," replied Shirley, "but I think I could do it, if goaded20 by certain exigencies21 which I can imagine." And Miss Keeldar quietly sipped22 her glass of new milk, looking somewhat thoughtful and a little pale; though, indeed, when did she not look pale? She was never florid.
The milk sipped and the bread eaten, Fanny was again summoned. She and Eliza were recommended to go to bed, which they were quite willing to do, being weary of the day's exertions24, of much cutting of currant-buns, and filling of urns25 and teapots, and running backwards26 and293 forwards with trays. Ere long the maids' chamber27 door was heard to close. Caroline took a candle and went quietly all over the house, seeing that every window was fast and every door barred. She did not even evade28 the haunted back kitchen nor the vault-like cellars. These visited, she returned.
"There is neither spirit nor flesh in the house at present," she said, "which should not be there. It is now near eleven o'clock, fully29 bedtime; yet I would rather sit up a little longer, if you do not object, Shirley. Here," she continued, "I have brought the brace of pistols from my uncle's study. You may examine them at your leisure."
She placed them on the table before her friend.
"Why would you rather sit up longer?" asked Miss Keeldar, taking up the firearms, examining them, and again laying them down.
"Because I have a strange, excited feeling in my heart."
"So have I."
"Is this state of sleeplessness30 and restlessness caused by something electrical in the air, I wonder?"
"No; the sky is clear, the stars numberless. It is a fine night."
"But very still. I hear the water fret31 over its stony32 bed in Hollow's Copse as distinctly as if it ran below the churchyard wall."
"I am glad it is so still a night. A moaning wind or rushing rain would vex13 me to fever just now."
"Why, Shirley?"
"Because it would baffle my efforts to listen."
"Do you listen towards the Hollow?"
"Yes; it is the only quarter whence we can hear a sound just now."
"The only one, Shirley."
They both sat near the window, and both leaned their arms on the sill, and both inclined their heads towards the open lattice. They saw each other's young faces by the starlight and that dim June twilight which does not wholly fade from the west till dawn begins to break in the east.
"Mr. Helstone thinks we have no idea which way he is gone," murmured Miss Keeldar, "nor on what errand, nor with what expectations, nor how prepared. But I guess much; do not you?"
"I guess something."
"All those gentlemen—your cousin Moore included—think294 that you and I are now asleep in our beds, unconscious."
"Caring nothing about them—hoping and fearing nothing for them," added Caroline.
Both kept silent for full half an hour. The night was silent too; only the church clock measured its course by quarters. Some words were interchanged about the chill of the air. They wrapped their scarves closer round them, resumed their bonnets34, which they had removed, and again watched.
Towards midnight the teasing, monotonous35 bark of the house-dog disturbed the quietude of their vigil. Caroline rose, and made her way noiselessly through the dark passages to the kitchen, intending to appease36 him with a piece of bread. She succeeded. On returning to the dining-room she found it all dark, Miss Keeldar having extinguished the candle. The outline of her shape was visible near the still open window, leaning out. Miss Helstone asked no questions; she stole to her side. The dog recommenced barking furiously. Suddenly he stopped, and seemed to listen. The occupants of the dining-room listened too, and not merely now to the flow of the mill-stream. There was a nearer, though a muffled37, sound on the road below the churchyard—a measured, beating, approaching sound—a dull tramp of marching feet.
It drew near. Those who listened by degrees comprehended its extent. It was not the tread of two, nor of a dozen, nor of a score of men; it was the tread of hundreds. They could see nothing; the high shrubs38 of the garden formed a leafy screen between them and the road. To hear, however, was not enough, and this they felt as the troop trod forwards, and seemed actually passing the rectory. They felt it more when a human voice—though that voice spoke39 but one word—broke the hush40 of the night.
"Halt!"
A halt followed. The march was arrested. Then came a low conference, of which no word was distinguishable from the dining-room.
"We must hear this," said Shirley.
She turned, took her pistols from the table, silently passed out through the middle window of the dining-room, which was, in fact, a glass door, stole down the walk to the garden wall, and stood listening under the lilacs.295 Caroline would not have quitted the house had she been alone, but where Shirley went she would go. She glanced at the weapon on the sideboard, but left it behind her, and presently stood at her friend's side. They dared not look over the wall, for fear of being seen; they were obliged to crouch41 behind it. They heard these words,—
"Only three women—his niece and two servants."
"Do you know where they sleep?"
"The lasses behind; the niece in a front room."
"And Helstone?"
"Yonder is his chamber. He was burning a light, but I see none now."
"Where would you get in?"
"If I were ordered to do his job—and he desarves it—I'd try yond' long window; it opens to the dining-room. I could grope my way upstairs, and I know his chamber."
"How would you manage about the women folk?"
"Let 'em alone except they shrieked43, and then I'd soon quieten 'em. I could wish to find the old chap asleep. If he waked, he'd be dangerous."
"Has he arms?"
"Firearms, allus—and allus loadened."
"Then you're a fool to stop us here. A shot would give the alarm. Moore would be on us before we could turn round. We should miss our main object."
"You might go on, I tell you. I'd engage Helstone alone."
A pause. One of the party dropped some weapon, which rang on the stone causeway. At this sound the rectory dog barked again furiously—fiercely.
"That spoils all!" said the voice. "He'll awake. A noise like that might rouse the dead. You did not say there was a dog. Damn you! Forward!"
"Not a soul remains," she said.
Caroline repeated the ejaculation—not in so steady a tone. She was trembling much. Her heart was beating fast and thick; her face was cold, her forehead damp.
296"Thank God for us!" she reiterated47. "But what will happen elsewhere? They have passed us by that they may make sure of others."
"They have done well," returned Shirley, with composure. "The others will defend themselves. They can do it. They are prepared for them. With us it is otherwise. My finger was on the trigger of this pistol. I was quite ready to give that man, if he had entered, such a greeting as he little calculated on; but behind him followed three hundred. I had neither three hundred hands nor three hundred weapons. I could not have effectually protected either you, myself, or the two poor women asleep under that roof. Therefore I again earnestly thank God for insult and peril48 escaped."
After a second pause she continued: "What is it my duty and wisdom to do next? Not to stay here inactive, I am glad to say, but, of course, to walk over to the Hollow."
"To the Hollow, Shirley?"
"To the Hollow. Will you go with me?"
"Where those men are gone?"
"They have taken the highway; we should not encounter them. The road over the fields is as safe, silent, and solitary49 as a path through the air would be. Will you go?"
"Yes," was the answer, given mechanically, not because the speaker wished or was prepared to go, or, indeed, was otherwise than scared at the prospect50 of going, but because she felt she could not abandon Shirley.
"Then we must fasten up these windows, and leave all as secure as we can behind us. Do you know what we are going for, Cary?"
"Yes—no—because you wish it."
"Is that all? And are you so obedient to a mere caprice of mine? What a docile51 wife you would make to a stern husband! The moon's face is not whiter than yours at this moment, and the aspen at the gate does not tremble more than your busy fingers; and so, tractable52 and terror-struck, and dismayed and devoted53, you would follow me into the thick of real danger! Cary, let me give your fidelity54 a motive55. We are going for Moore's sake—to see if we can be of use to him, to make an effort to warn him of what is coming."
"To be sure! I am a blind, weak fool, and you are297 acute and sensible, Shirley. I will go with you; I will gladly go with you!"
"I do not doubt it. You would die blindly and meekly56 for me, but you would intelligently and gladly die for Moore. But, in truth, there is no question of death to-night; we run no risk at all."
Caroline rapidly closed shutter16 and lattice. "Do not fear that I shall not have breath to run as fast as you can possibly run, Shirley. Take my hand. Let us go straight across the fields."
"But you cannot climb walls?"
"To-night I can."
"You are afraid of hedges, and the beck which we shall be forced to cross?"
"I can cross it."
They started; they ran. Many a wall checked but did not baffle them. Shirley was surefooted and agile57; she could spring like a deer when she chose. Caroline, more timid and less dexterous58, fell once or twice, and bruised59 herself; but she rose again directly, saying she was not hurt. A quickset hedge bounded the last field; they lost time in seeking a gap in it. The aperture60, when found, was narrow, but they worked their way through. The long hair, the tender skin, the silks and the muslins suffered; but what was chiefly regretted was the impediment this difficulty had caused to speed. On the other side they met the beck, flowing deep in a rough bed. At this point a narrow plank61 formed the only bridge across it. Shirley had trodden the plank successfully and fearlessly many a time before; Caroline had never yet dared to risk the transit62.
"I will carry you across," said Miss Keeldar. "You are light, and I am not weak. Let me try."
"If I fall in, you may fish me out," was the answer, as a grateful squeeze compressed her hand. Caroline, without pausing, trod forward on the trembling plank as if it were a continuation of the firm turf. Shirley, who followed, did not cross it more resolutely64 or safely. In their present humour, on their present errand, a strong and foaming65 channel would have been a barrier to neither. At the moment they were above the control either of fire or water. All Stilbro' Moor33, alight and aglow66 with bonfires, would not have stopped them, nor would Calder or Aire thundering in flood. Yet one sound made them pause. Scarce had298 they set foot on the solid opposite bank when a shot split the air from the north. One second elapsed. Further off burst a like note in the south. Within the space of three minutes similar signals boomed in the east and west.
"I thought we were dead at the first explosion," observed Shirley, drawing a long breath. "I felt myself hit in the temples, and I concluded your heart was pierced; but the reiterated voice was an explanation. Those are signals—it is their way—the attack must be near. We should have had wings. Our feet have not borne us swiftly enough."
A portion of the copse was now to clear. When they emerged from it the mill lay just below them. They could look down upon the buildings, the yard; they could see the road beyond. And the first glance in that direction told Shirley she was right in her conjecture67. They were already too late to give warning. It had taken more time than they calculated on to overcome the various obstacles which embarrassed the short cut across the fields.
The road, which should have been white, was dark with a moving mass. The rioters were assembled in front of the closed yard gates, and a single figure stood within, apparently68 addressing them. The mill itself was perfectly69 black and still. There was neither life, light, nor motion around it.
"Surely he is prepared. Surely that is not Moore meeting them alone?" whispered Shirley.
"It is. We must go to him. I will go to him."
"That you will not."
"Why did I come, then? I came only for him. I shall join him."
"Fortunately it is out of your power. There is no entrance to the yard."
"There is a small entrance at the back, besides the gates in front. It opens by a secret method which I know. I will try it."
"Not with my leave."
Miss Keeldar clasped her round the waist with both arms and held her back. "Not one step shall you stir," she went on authoritatively70. "At this moment Moore would be both shocked and embarrassed if he saw either you or me. Men never want women near them in time of real danger."
"I would not trouble—I would help him," was the reply.
299"How?—by inspiring him with heroism71? Pooh! these are not the days of chivalry72. It is not a tilt73 at a tournament we are going to behold74, but a struggle about money, and food, and life."
"It is natural that I should be at his side."
"As queen of his heart? His mill is his lady-love, Cary! Backed by his factory and his frames, he has all the encouragement he wants or can know. It is not for love or beauty, but for ledger75 and broadcloth, he is going to break a spear. Don't be sentimental76; Robert is not so."
"I could help him; I will seek him."
"Off then—I let you go—seek Moore. You'll not find him."
She loosened her hold. Caroline sped like levelled shaft77 from bent78 bow; after her rang a jesting, gibing79 laugh. "Look well there is no mistake!" was the warning given.
But there was a mistake. Miss Helstone paused, hesitated, gazed. The figure had suddenly retreated from the gate, and was running back hastily to the mill.
"Make haste, Lina!" cried Shirley; "meet him before he enters."
Caroline slowly returned. "It is not Robert," she said. "It has neither his height, form, nor bearing."
"I saw it was not Robert when I let you go. How could you imagine it? It is a shabby little figure of a private soldier; they had posted him as sentinel. He is safe in the mill now. I saw the door open and admit him. My mind grows easier. Robert is prepared. Our warning would have been superfluous80; and now I am thankful we came too late to give it. It has saved us the trouble of a scene. How fine to have entered the counting-house toute éperdue, and to have found oneself in presence of Messrs. Armitage and Ramsden smoking, Malone swaggering, your uncle sneering81, Mr. Sykes sipping82 a cordial, and Moore himself in his cold man-of-business vein83! I am glad we missed it all."
"I wonder if there are many in the mill, Shirley!"
"Plenty to defend it. The soldiers we have twice seen to-day were going there, no doubt, and the group we noticed surrounding your cousin in the fields will be with him."
"What are they doing now, Shirley? What is that noise?"
"No; but my heart throbs85 fast. I have a difficulty in standing86. I will sit down. Do you feel unmoved?"
"Hardly that; but I am glad I came. We shall see what transpires87 with our own eyes. We are here on the spot, and none know it. Instead of amazing the curate, the clothier, and the corn-dealer with a romantic rush on the stage, we stand alone with the friendly night, its mute stars, and these whispering trees, whose report our friends will not come to gather."
"Shirley, Shirley, the gates are down! That crash was like the felling of great trees. Now they are pouring through. They will break down the mill doors as they have broken the gate. What can Robert do against so many? Would to God I were a little nearer him—could hear him speak—could speak to him! With my will—my longing88 to serve him—I could not be a useless burden in his way; I could be turned to some account."
"They come on!" cried Shirley. "How steadily89 they march in! There is discipline in their ranks. I will not say there is courage—hundreds against tens are no proof of that quality—but" (she dropped her voice) "there is suffering and desperation enough amongst them. These goads90 will urge them forwards."
"Forwards against Robert; and they hate him. Shirley, is there much danger they will win the day?"
"We shall see. Moore and Helstone are of 'earth's first blood'—no bunglers—no cravens——"
A crash—smash—shiver—stopped their whispers. A simultaneously91 hurled92 volley of stones had saluted93 the broad front of the mill, with all its windows; and now every pane of every lattice lay in shattered and pounded fragments. A yell followed this demonstration—a rioters' yell—a north-of-England, a Yorkshire, a West-Riding, a West-Riding-clothing-district-of-Yorkshire rioters' yell.
You never heard that sound, perhaps, reader? So much the better for your ears—perhaps for your heart, since, if it rends94 the air in hate to yourself, or to the men or principles you approve, the interests to which you wish well, wrath95 wakens to the cry of hate; the lion shakes his mane, and rises to the howl of the hyena96; caste stands up, ireful against caste; and the indignant, wronged spirit of the middle rank bears down in zeal97 and scorn on the famished98 and furious mass of the operative class. It is difficult to be tolerant, difficult to be just, in such moments.
301Caroline rose; Shirley put her arm round her: they stood together as still as the straight stems of two trees. That yell was a long one, and when it ceased the night was yet full of the swaying and murmuring of a crowd.
"What next?" was the question of the listeners. Nothing came yet. The mill remained mute as a mausoleum.
"He cannot be alone!" whispered Caroline.
"I would stake all I have that he is as little alone as he is alarmed," responded Shirley.
Shots were discharged by the rioters. Had the defenders99 waited for this signal? It seemed so. The hitherto inert100 and passive mill woke; fire flashed from its empty window-frames; a volley of musketry pealed101 sharp through the Hollow.
"Moore speaks at last!" said Shirley, "and he seems to have the gift of tongues. That was not a single voice."
"He has been forbearing. No one can accuse him of rashness," alleged102 Caroline. "Their discharge preceded his. They broke his gates and his windows. They fired at his garrison103 before he repelled104 them."
What was going on now? It seemed difficult, in the darkness, to distinguish; but something terrible, a still-renewing tumult105, was obvious—fierce attacks, desperate repulses106. The mill-yard, the mill itself, was full of battle movement. There was scarcely any cessation now of the discharge of firearms; and there was struggling, rushing, trampling107, and shouting between. The aim of the assailants seemed to be to enter the mill, that of the defenders to beat them off. They heard the rebel leader cry, "To the back, lads!" They heard a voice retort, "Come round; we will meet you."
"To the counting-house!" was the order again.
"Welcome! we shall have you there!" was the response. And accordingly the fiercest blaze that had yet glowed, the loudest rattle108 that had yet been heard, burst from the counting-house front when the mass of rioters rushed up to it.
The voice that had spoken was Moore's own voice. They could tell by its tones that his soul was now warm with the conflict; they could guess that the fighting animal was roused in every one of those men there struggling together, and was for the time quite paramount109 above the rational human being.
Both the girls felt their faces glow and their pulses throb;302 both knew they would do no good by rushing down into the mêlée. They desired neither to deal nor to receive blows; but they could not have run away—Caroline no more than Shirley; they could not have fainted; they could not have taken their eyes from the dim, terrible scene—from the mass of cloud, of smoke, the musket-lightning—for the world.
"How and when would it end?" was the demand throbbing110 in their throbbing pulses. "Would a juncture111 arise in which they could be useful?" was what they waited to see; for though Shirley put off their too-late arrival with a jest, and was ever ready to satirize112 her own or any other person's enthusiasm, she would have given a farm of her best land for a chance of rendering113 good service.
The chance was not vouchsafed114 her; the looked-for juncture never came. It was not likely. Moore had expected this attack for days, perhaps weeks; he was prepared for it at every point. He had fortified115 and garrisoned116 his mill, which in itself was a strong building. He was a cool, brave man; he stood to the defence with unflinching firmness. Those who were with him caught his spirit, and copied his demeanour. The rioters had never been so met before. At other mills they had attacked they had found no resistance; an organized, resolute63 defence was what they never dreamed of encountering. When their leaders saw the steady fire kept up from the mill, witnessed the composure and determination of its owner, heard themselves coolly defied and invited on to death, and beheld117 their men falling wounded round them, they felt that nothing was to be done here. In haste they mustered118 their forces, drew them away from the building. A roll was called over, in which the men answered to figures instead of names. They dispersed wide over the fields, leaving silence and ruin behind them. The attack, from its commencement to its termination, had not occupied an hour.
Day was by this time approaching; the west was dim, the east beginning to gleam. It would have seemed that the girls who had watched this conflict would now wish to hasten to the victors, on whose side all their interest had been enlisted119; but they only very cautiously approached the now battered120 mill, and when suddenly a number of soldiers and gentlemen appeared at the great door opening303 into the yard, they quickly stepped aside into a shed, the deposit of old iron and timber, whence they could see without being seen.
It was no cheering spectacle. These premises121 were now a mere blot122 of desolation on the fresh front of the summer dawn. All the copse up the Hollow was shady and dewy, the hill at its head was green; but just here, in the centre of the sweet glen, Discord123, broken loose in the night from control, had beaten the ground with his stamping hoofs124, and left it waste and pulverized125. The mill yawned all ruinous with unglazed frames; the yard was thickly bestrewn with stones and brickbats; and close under the mill, with the glittering fragments of the shattered windows, muskets126 and other weapons lay here and there. More than one deep crimson127 stain was visible on the gravel128, a human body lay quiet on its face near the gates, and five or six wounded men writhed129 and moaned in the bloody130 dust.
Miss Keeldar's countenance131 changed at this view. It was the after-taste of the battle, death and pain replacing excitement and exertion23. It was the blackness the bright fire leaves when its blaze is sunk, its warmth failed, and its glow faded.
"This is what I wished to prevent," she said, in a voice whose cadence132 betrayed the altered impulse of her heart.
"But you could not prevent it; you did your best—it was in vain," said Caroline comfortingly. "Don't grieve, Shirley."
"I am sorry for those poor fellows," was the answer, while the spark in her glance dissolved to dew. "Are any within the mill hurt, I wonder? Is that your uncle?"
"It is, and there is Mr. Malone; and, O Shirley, there is Robert!"
"Well" (resuming her former tone), "don't squeeze your fingers quite into my hand. I see. There is nothing wonderful in that. We knew he, at least, was here, whoever might be absent."
"He is coming here towards us, Shirley!"
"Towards the pump, that is to say, for the purpose of washing his hands and his forehead, which has got a scratch, I perceive."
"He bleeds, Shirley. Don't hold me. I must go."
"Not a step."
"He is hurt, Shirley!"
"Fiddlestick!"
"But I must go to him. I wish to go so much. I cannot bear to be restrained."
"What for?"
"To speak to him, to ask how he is, and what I can do for him."
"To tease and annoy him; to make a spectacle of yourself and him before those soldiers, Mr. Malone, your uncle, et cetera. Would he like it, think you? Would you like to remember it a week hence?"
"For his sake, yes; and still more for your own. I tell you, if you showed yourself now you would repent135 it an hour hence, and so would Robert."
"You think he would not like it, Shirley?"
"Far less than he would like our stopping him to say good-night, which you were so sore about."
"But that was all play; there was no danger."
"And this is serious work; he must be unmolested."
"I only wish to go to him because he is my cousin—you understand?"
"I quite understand. But now, watch him. He has bathed his forehead, and the blood has ceased trickling137. His hurt is really a mere graze; I can see it from hence. He is going to look after the wounded men."
Accordingly Mr. Moore and Mr. Helstone went round the yard, examining each prostrate138 form. They then gave directions to have the wounded taken up and carried into the mill. This duty being performed, Joe Scott was ordered to saddle his master's horse and Mr. Helstone's pony139, and the two gentlemen rode away full gallop140, to seek surgical141 aid in different directions.
"Shirley, Shirley, I should have liked to speak one word to him before he went," she murmured, while the tears gathered glittering in her eyes.
"Why do you cry, Lina?" asked Miss Keeldar a little sternly. "You ought to be glad instead of sorry. Robert has escaped any serious harm; he is victorious143; he has been cool and brave in combat; he is now considerate in triumph. Is this a time—are these causes for weeping?"
"You do not know what I have in my heart," pleaded the other—"what pain, what distraction—nor whence it arises. I can understand that you should exult144 in Robert's305 greatness and goodness; so do I, in one sense, but in another I feel so miserable145. I am too far removed from him. I used to be nearer. Let me alone, Shirley. Do let me cry a few minutes; it relieves me."
Miss Keeldar, feeling her tremble in every limb, ceased to expostulate with her. She went out of the shed, and left her to weep in peace. It was the best plan. In a few minutes Caroline rejoined her, much calmer. She said, with her natural, docile, gentle manner, "Come, Shirley, we will go home now. I promise not to try to see Robert again till he asks for me. I never will try to push myself on him. I thank you for restraining me just now."
"I did it with a good intention," returned Miss Keeldar.
"Now, dear Lina," she continued, "let us turn our faces to the cool morning breeze, and walk very quietly back to the rectory. We will steal in as we stole out. None shall know where we have been or what we have seen to-night; neither taunt146 nor misconstruction can consequently molest136 us. To-morrow we will see Robert, and be of good cheer; but I will say no more, lest I should begin to cry too. I seem hard towards you, but I am not so."
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1
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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2
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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4
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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6
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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mettlesome
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| adj.（通常指马等）精力充沛的，勇猛的 | |
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wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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10
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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13
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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14
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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15
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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16
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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17
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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18
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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19
tapered
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| adj. 锥形的，尖削的，楔形的，渐缩的，斜的 动词taper的过去式和过去分词 | |
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20
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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21
exigencies
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| n.急切需要 | |
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22
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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24
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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25
urns
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| n.壶( urn的名词复数 )；瓮；缸；骨灰瓮 | |
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26
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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27
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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28
evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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29
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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30
sleeplessness
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| n.失眠，警觉 | |
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31
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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32
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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33
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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34
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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35
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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36
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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37
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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38
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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39
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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40
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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41
crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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42
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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43
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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45
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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46
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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47
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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49
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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50
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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51
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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52
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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53
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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54
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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55
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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56
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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57
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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58
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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59
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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60
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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61
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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62
transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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63
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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64
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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65
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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66
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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67
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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70
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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71
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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72
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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73
tilt
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| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
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74
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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75
ledger
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| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
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76
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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77
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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78
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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79
gibing
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| adj.讥刺的，嘲弄的v.嘲笑，嘲弄( gibe的现在分词 ) | |
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80
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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81
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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82
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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83
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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84
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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85
throbs
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| 体内的跳动( throb的名词复数 ) | |
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86
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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87
transpires
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的第三人称单数 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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88
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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89
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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90
goads
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| n.赶牲口的尖棒( goad的名词复数 )v.刺激( goad的第三人称单数 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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91
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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92
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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93
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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94
rends
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| v.撕碎( rend的第三人称单数 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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95
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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96
hyena
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| n.土狼，鬣狗 | |
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97
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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98
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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99
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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100
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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101
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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103
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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104
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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105
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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106
repulses
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| v.击退( repulse的第三人称单数 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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107
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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108
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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109
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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110
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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111
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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112
satirize
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| v.讽刺 | |
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113
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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114
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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115
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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116
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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117
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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118
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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119
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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120
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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121
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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122
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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123
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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124
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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125
pulverized
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| adj.[医]雾化的，粉末状的v.将…弄碎( pulverize的过去式和过去分词 )；将…弄成粉末或尘埃；摧毁；粉碎 | |
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126
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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127
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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128
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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129
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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131
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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132
cadence
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| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
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133
curbed
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| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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134
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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135
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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136
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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137
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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138
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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139
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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140
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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141
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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142
pacified
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| 使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
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143
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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144
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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145
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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