“I fell into the mountain stream, and it rolled me down, nearly to here. I think I must have fainted on the bank. I found myself lying covered with snow; it was your beloved voice that recalled me to life.”
Henry turned yellow, and rose to his feet.
Grace observed him, and replied, “Oh, Mr. Coventry, this is too high-flown. Let us both return thanks to the Almighty2, who has preserved us, and, in the next place, to Mr. Little: we should both be dead but for him.” Then, before he could reply, she turned to Little, and said, beseechingly3, “Mr. Coventry has been the companion of my danger.”
“Oh, I'll do the best I can for him,” said Henry, doggedly4. “Draw nearer the fire, sir.” He then put some coal on the forge, and blew up an amazing fire: he also gave the hand-bellows5 to Mr. Coventry, and set him to blow at the small grates in the mausoleum. He then produced a pair of woolen6 stockings. “Now, Miss Carden,” said he, “just step into that pew, if you please, and make a dressing-room of it.”
“And now, please take off your shoes and stockings, and hand them over the pew to me.”
“Oh, Mr. Little: you are giving yourself so much trouble.”
“Nonsense. Do what you are bid.” He said this a little roughly.
“I'll do whatever YOU bid me,” said she, meekly8: and instantly took off her dripping shoes, and stockings, and handed them over the pew. She received, in return, a nice warm pair of worsted stockings.
“Put on these directly,” said he, “while I warm your shoes.”
He dashed all the wet he could out of the shoes, and, taking them to the forge, put hot cinders9 in: he shook the cinders up and down the shoes so quickly, they had not time to burn, but only to warm and dry them. He advised Coventry to do the same, and said he was sorry he had only one pair of stockings to lend. And that was a lie: for he was glad he had only one pair to lend. When he had quite dried the shoes, he turned round, and found Grace was peeping over the pew, and looking intolerably lovely in the firelight. He kissed the shoes furtively10, and gave them to her. She shook her head in a remonstrating11 way, but her eyes filled.
He turned away, and, rousing all his generous manhood, said, “Now you must both eat something, before you go.” He produced a Yorkshire pie, and some bread, and a bottle of wine. He gave Mr. Coventry a saucepan, and set him to heat the wine; then turned up his sleeves to the shoulder, blew his bellows, and, with his pincers, took a lath of steel and placed it in the white embers. “I have only got one knife, and you won't like to eat with that. I must forge you one apiece.”
Then Grace came out, and stood looking on, while he forged knives, like magic, before the eyes of his astonished guests. Her feet were now as warm as a toast, and her healthy young body could resist all the rest. She stood, with her back to the nearest pew, and her hands against the pew too, and looked with amazement13, and dreamy complacency, at the strange scene before her: a scene well worthy14 of Salvator Rosa; though, in fact, that painter never had the luck to hit on so variegated15 a subject.
Three broad bands of light shot from the fires, expanding in size, but weakening in intensity16. These lights, and the candles at the west end, revealed in a strange combination the middle ages, the nineteenth century, and eternal nature.
Nature first. Snow gleaming on the windows. Oh, it was cozy17 to see it gleam and sparkle, and to think “Aha! you all but killed me; now King Fire warms both thee and me.” Snow-flakes, of enormous size, softly descending18, and each appearing a diamond brooch, as it passed through the channels of fiery19 light.
The middle ages. Massive old arches, chipped, and stained; a moldering altar-piece, dog's-eared (Henry had nailed it up again all but the top corner, and in it still faintly gleamed the Virgin20's golden crown). Pulpit, richly carved, but moldering: gaunt walls, streaked21 and stained by time. At the west end, one saint—the last of many—lit by two candles, and glowing ruby22 red across the intervening gulf23 of blackness: on the nearest wall an inscription24, that still told, in rusty25 letters, how Giles de la Beche had charged his lands with six merks a year forever, to buy bread and white watered herrings, the same to be brought into Cairnhope Church every Sunday in Lent, and given to two poor men and four women; and the same on Good Friday with a penny dole26, and, on that day, the clerk to toll27 the bell at three of the clock after noon, and read the lamentation28 of a sinner, and receive one groat.
Ancient monuments, sculptures with here an arm gone, and here a head, that yet looked half-alive in the weird29 and partial light.
And between one of those mediaeval sculptures, and that moldering picture of the Virgin, stood a living horse, munching30 his corn; and in the foreground was a portable forge, a mausoleum turned into fires and hot plate, and a young man, type of his century, forging table-knives amidst the wrecks31 of another age.
When Grace had taken in the whole scene with wonder, her eye was absorbed by this one figure, a model of manly33 strength, and skill, and grace. How lightly he stepped: how easily his left arm blew the coals to a white heat, with blue flames rising from them. How deftly34 he drew out the white steel. With what tremendous force his first blows fell, and scattered35 hot steel around. Yet all that force was regulated to a hair—he beat, he molded, he never broke. Then came the lighter36 blows; and not one left the steel as it found it. In less than a minute the bar was a blade, it was work incredibly unlike his method in carving37; yet, at a glance, Grace saw it was also perfection, but in an opposite style. In carving, the hand of a countess; in forging, a blacksmith's arm.
She gazed with secret wonder and admiration38; and the comparison was to the disadvantage of Mr. Coventry; for he sat shivering, and the other seemed all power. And women adore power.
When Little had forged the knives and forks, and two deep saucers, with magical celerity, he plunged39 them into water a minute, and they hissed40; he sawed off the rim42 of a pew, and fitted handles.
Then he washed his face and hands, and made himself dry and glowing; let down his sleeves, and served them some Yorkshire pie, and bread, and salt, and stirred a little sugar into the wine, and poured it into the saucers.
“Now eat a bit, both of you, before you go.”
Mr. Coventry responded at once to the invitation.
But Grace said, timidly, “Yes, if you will eat with us.”
“No, no,” said he. “I've not been perished with snow, nor rolled in a river.”
Grace hesitated still; but Coventry attacked the pie directly. It was delicious. “By Jove, sir,” said he, “you are the prince of blacksmiths.”
“Blacksmiths!” said Grace, coloring high. But Little only smiled satirically.
Grace, who was really faint with hunger, now ate a little; and then the host made her sip43 some wine.
The food and wine did Mr. Coventry so much good, that he began to recover his superiority, and expressed his obligations to Henry in a tone which was natural, and not meant to be offensive; but yet, it was so, under all the circumstances: there was an underlying44 tone of condescension45, it made Grace fear he would offer Henry his purse at leaving.
Henry himself writhed46 under it; but said nothing. Grace, however, saw his ire, his mortification47, and his jealousy48 in his face, and that irritated her; but she did not choose to show either of the men how much it angered her.
What she did was this; she did not utter one word of remonstrance50, but she addressed most of her remarks to Mr. Little; and, though the remarks were nothing in themselves, she contrived51 to throw profound respect into them. Indeed, she went beyond respect. She took the tone of an inferior addressing a superior.
This was nicely calculated to soothe52 Henry, and also to make Coventry, who was a man of tact, change his own manner.
Nor was it altogether without that effect. But then it annoyed Coventry, and made him wish to end it.
After a while he said, “My dear Grace, it can't be far from Raby Hall. I think you had better let me take you home at once.”
Grace colored high, and bit her lip.
“Quite; thanks to this good fellow's hospitality.”
“Then WOULD you mind going to Raby, and sending some people for me? I really feel hardly equal to fresh exertion55 just yet.”
This proposal brought a flush of pleasure to Henry's cheek, and mortified56 Mr. Coventry cruelly in his turn.
“What, go and leave you here? Surely you can not be serious.”
“Oh, I don't wish you to leave me. Only you seemed in a hurry.”
Coventry did not let well alone, he alluded58 delicately but tenderly to what had passed between them, and said he could not bear her out of his sight until she was safe at Raby. The words and the tone were those of a lover, and Henry was in agony: thereupon Grace laughed it off, “Not bear me out of your sight!” said she. “Why, you ran away from me, and tumbled into the river. Ha! ha! ha! And” (very seriously) “we should both be in another world but for Mr. Little.”
“You are very cruel,” said Mr. Coventry. “When you gave up in despair, I ran for help. You punish me for failure; punish me savagely59.”
“Yes, I was ungenerous,” said Grace. “Forgive me.” But she said it rather coolly, and not with a very penitent60 air.
She added an explanation more calculated to please Henry than him. “Your gallantry is always graceful62; and it is charming, in a drawing-room; but in this wild place, and just after escaping the grave, let us talk like sensible people. If you and I set out for Raby Hall alone, we shall lose our way again, and perish, to a certainty. But I think Mr. Little must know the way to Raby Hall.”
“Oh, then,” said Coventry, catching63 at her idea, “perhaps Mr. Little would add to the great obligation, under which he has laid us both, by going to Raby Hall and sending assistance hither.”
“I can't do that,” said Henry, roughly.
“And that is not at all what I was going to propose,” said Grace, quietly. “But perhaps you would be so good as to go with us to Raby Hall? Then I should feel safe; and I want Mr. Raby to thank you, for I feel how cold and unmeaning all I have said to you is; I seem to have no words.” Her voice faltered64, and her sweet eyes filled.
“Miss Carden,” said the young man, gravely, “I can't do that. Mr. Raby is no friend of mine, and he is a bigoted65 old man, who would turn me out of this place if he knew. Come, now, when you talk about gratitude66 to me for not letting you be starved to death, you make me blush. Is there a man in the world that wouldn't? But this I do say; it would be rather hard if you two were to go away, and cut my throat in return; and, if you open your mouths ever so little, either of you, you WILL cut my throat. Why, ask yourselves, have I set up my workshop in such a place as this—by choice? It takes a stout67 heart to work here, I can tell you, and a stout heart to sleep here over dead bones.”
“I see it all. The Trades unions!”
“That is it. So, now, there are only two ways. You must promise me never to breathe a word to any living soul, or I must give up my livelihood68, and leave the country.”
“What can not you trust me? Oh, Mr. Little!”
“No, no; it's this gentleman. He is a stranger to me, you know; and, you see, my life may be at stake, as well as my means.”
“I should hope so,” said Coventry. “I pledge you the word of a gentleman I will never let any human creature know that you are working here.”
“Give me your hand on that, if you please.”
Young Little was reassured71. “Come,” said he, “I feel I can trust you both. And, sir, Miss Carden will tell you what happened to me in Cheetham's works; and then you will understand what I risk upon your honor.”
“I accept the responsibility; and I thank you for giving me this opportunity to show you how deeply I feel indebted to you.”
“That is square enough. Well, now my mind is at ease about that, I'll tell you what I'll do; I won't take you quite to Raby Hall; but I'll take you so near to it, you can't miss it; and then I'll go back to my work.”
“Come,” said he, almost violently, and led the way out of church. But he stayed behind to lock the door, and then joined them.
They all three went together, Grace in the middle.
There was now but little snow falling, and the air was not so thick; but it was most laborious74 walking, and soon Mr. Coventry, who was stiff and in pain, fell a little behind, and groaned75 as he hobbled on.
Grace whispered to Henry: “Be generous. He has hurt himself so.”
This made Henry groan76 in return. But he said nothing. He just turned back to Coventry—“You can't get on without help, sir; lean on me.”
The act was friendly, the tone surly. Coventry accepted the act, and noted77 the tone in his memory.
When Grace had done this, she saw Henry misunderstood it, and she was sorry, and waited an opportunity to restore the balance; but, ere one came, a bell was heard in the air; the great alarm-bell of Raby Hall.
Then faint voices were heard of people calling to each other here and there in the distance.
“What is it?” asked Grace.
Henry replied, “What should it be? The whole country is out after you. Mr Raby has sense enough for that.”
“Oh, I hope they will not see the light in the church, and find you out.”
“You are very good to think of that. Ah! There's a bonfire: and here comes a torch. I must go and quench78 my fires. Good-by, Miss Carden. Good-evening, sir.”
Grace said to Coventry, “Oh, I forgot to ask him a question;” and ran after him. “Mr. Little!”
He heard and came back to her.
He gave it to her.
“I mortified you; and you have saved me.” She took his hand, and, holding it gently in both her little palms, sobbed81 out,—“Oh, think of something I can do, to show my gratitude, my esteem82. Pray, pray, pray.”
“Wait two years for me.”
“Oh, not that. I don't mean that.”
“That or nothing. In two years, I'll be as good a gentleman as HE is. I'm not risking my life in that church, for nothing. If you have one grain of pity or esteem for me, wait two years.”
“Incurable!” she murmured: but he was gone.
Coventry heard the prayer. That was loud and earnest enough. Her reply he could not bear.
She rejoined him, and the torch came rapidly forward.
It was carried by a lass, with her gown pinned nearly to her knees, and displaying grand and powerful limbs; she was crying, like the tenderest woman, and striding through the snow, like a young giant.
When the snow first came down, Mr. Raby merely ordered large fires to be lighted and fed in his guests' bedrooms; he feared nothing worse for them than a good wetting.
When dinner-time came, without them, he began to be anxious, and sent a servant to the little public-house, to inquire if they were there.
The servant had to walk through the snow, and had been gone about an hour, and Mr. Raby was walking nervously83 up and down the hall, when Jael Dence burst in at the front door, as white as a sheet, and gasped84 out in his face: “THE GABRIEL HOUNDS!!”
Raby ran out directly, and sure enough, that strange pack were passing in full cry over the very house. It was appalling85. He was dumb with awe41 for a moment. Then he darted86 into the kitchen and ordered them to ring the great alarm-bell incessantly87; then into the yard, and sent messengers to the village, and to all his tenants88, and in about an hour there were fifty torches, and as many sheep-bells, directed upon Cairnhope hill; and, as men and boys came in from every quarter, to know why Raby's great alarm-bell was ringing, they were armed with torches and sent up Cairnhope.
At last the servant returned from “The Colley Dog,” with the alarming tidings that Miss Carden and Mr. Coventry had gone up the hill, and never returned. This, however, was hardly news. The Gabriel hounds always ran before calamity89.
At about eleven o'clock, there being still no news of them, Jael Dence came to Mr. Raby wringing90 her hands. “Why do all the men go east for them?”
“Because they are on the east side.”
“How can ye tell that? They have lost their way.”
“I am afraid so,” groaned Raby.
“Then why do you send all the men as if they hadn't lost their way? East side of Cairnhope! why that is where they ought to be, but it is not where they are, man.”
“You are a good girl, and I'm a fool,” cried Raby. “Whoever comes in after this, I'll send them up by the old church.”
“Give me a torch, and I'll run myself.”
“Ay, do, and I'll put on my boots, and after you.”
Then Jael got a torch, and kilted her gown to her knees, and went striding through the snow with desperate vigor, crying as she went, for her fear was great and her hope was small, from the moment she heard the Gabriel hounds.
Owing to the torch, Grace saw her first, and uttered a little scream; a loud scream of rapture91 replied: the torch went anywhere, and gentle and simple were locked in each other's arms, Jael sobbing92 for very joy after terror, and Grace for sympathy, and also because she wanted to cry, on more accounts than one.
Another torch came on, and Jael cried triumphantly93, “This way, Squire94. She is here!” and kissed her violently again.
Mr. Raby came up, and took her in his arms, without a word, being broken with emotion: and, after he had shaken Coventry by both hands, they all turned homeward, and went so fast that Coventry gave in with a groan.
Then Grace told Jael what had befallen him, and just then another torch came in, held by George the blacksmith, who, at sight of the party, uttered a stentorian95 cheer, and danced upon the snow.
“Behave, now,” said Jael, “and here's the gentleman sore hurt in the river; Geordie, come and make a chair with me.”
George obeyed and put out his hands, with the fingers upward, Jael did the same, with the fingers downward: they took hands, and, putting their stalwart arms under Coventry, told him to fling an arm round each of their necks: he did so, and up he went; he was no more than a feather to this pair, the strongest man and woman in Cairnhope.
As they went along, he told them his adventure in the stream, and, when they heard it, they ejaculated to each other, and condoled96 with him kindly97, and assured him he was alive by a miracle.
They reached Raby, and, in the great hall, the Squire collected his people and gave his orders. “Stop the bell. Broach98 a barrel of ale, and keep open house, so long as malt, and bacon, and cheese last. Turn neither body nor beast from my door this night, or may God shut His gate in your faces. Here are two guineas, George, to ring the church-bells, you and your fellows; but sup here first. Cans of hot water upstairs, for us. Lay supper, instead of dinner; brew99 a bowl of punch. Light all the Yule candles, as if it was Christmas eve. But first down on your knees, all of ye, whilst I thank God, who has baffled those Gabriel Hell-hounds for once, and saved a good man and a bonny lass from a dog's death.”
They all went down on their knees, on the marble floor, directly, and the Squire uttered a few words of hearty100 thanksgiving, and there was scarcely a dry eye.
Then the guests went upstairs, and had their hot baths, and changed their clothes, and came down to supper in the blazing room.
Whilst they were at supper, the old servant who waited on them said something in a low voice to his master. He replied that he would speak to the man in the hall.
As soon as he was gone, Miss Carden said in French, “Did you hear that?”
“No.”
“Well, I did. Now, mind your promise. We shall have to fib. You had better say nothing. Let me speak for you; ladies fib so much better than gentlemen.”
Mr. Raby came back, and Grace waited to see if he would tell her. I don't think he intended to, at first: but he observed her eyes inquiring, and said, “One of the men, who was out after you tonight, has brought in word there is a light in Cairnhope old church.”
“Do you believe it?”
“No. But it is a curious thing; a fortnight ago (I think, I told you) a shepherd brought me the same story. He had seen the church on fire; at least he said so. But mark the paralyzing effect of superstition101. My present informant no sooner saw this light—probably a reflection from one of the distant torches—than he coolly gave up searching for you. 'They are dead,' says he, 'and the spirits in the old church are saying mass for their souls. I'll go to supper.' So he came here to drink my ale, and tell his cock-and-bull story.”
Grace put in her word with a sweet, candid102 face. “Sir, if there had been a light in that church, should we not have seen it?”
“Why, of course you would: you must have been within a hundred yards of it in your wanderings. I never thought of that.”
Grace breathed again.
“However, we shall soon know. I have sent George and another man right up to the church to look. It is quite clear now.”
Grace felt very anxious, but she forced on a careless air. “And suppose, after all, there should be a light?”
“Then George has his orders to come back and tell me; if there is a light, it is no ghost nor spirit, but some smuggler103, or poacher, or vagrant104, who is desecrating105 that sacred place; and I shall turn out with fifty men, and surround the church, and capture the scoundrel, and make an example of him.”
Grace turned cold and looked at Mr. Coventry. She surprised a twinkle of satisfaction in his eye. She never forgot it.
She sat on thorns, and was so distraite she could hardly answer the simplest question.
At last, after an hour of cruel suspense106, the servant came in, and said, “George is come back, sir.”
“Oh, please let him come in here, and tell us.”
“By all means. Send him in.”
“Well?” said Grace, pale, but self-possessed.
“Well,” said George, sulkily, “it is all a lie. Th' old church is as black as my hat.”
“I thought as much,” said Mr. Raby. “There, go and get your supper.”
Soon after this Grace went up to bed, and Jael came to her, and they talked by the fire while she was curling her hair. She was in high spirits, and Jael eyed her with wonder and curiosity.
“But, miss,” said Jael, “the magpie108 was right. Oh, the foul109 bird! That's the only bird that wouldn't go into the ark with Noah and his folk.”
“Indeed! I was not aware of the circumstance.”
“'Twas so, miss; and I know the reason. A very old woman told me.”
“She must have been very old indeed, to be an authority on that subject. Well, what was the reason?”
“She liked better to perch110 on the roof of th' ark, and jabber111 over the drowning world; that was why. So, ever after that, when a magpie flies across, turn back, or look to meet ill-luck.”
“That is to say the worst creatures are stronger than their Creator, and can bring us bad luck against His will. And you call yourself a Christian112? Why this is Paganism. They were frightened at ravens113, and you at magpies114. A fig32 for your magpies! and another for your Gabriel hounds! God is high above them all.”
“Ay, sure; but these are signs of His will. Trouble and all comes from God. And so, whenever you see a magpie, or hear those terrible hounds—”
“Then tremble! for it is all to end in a bowl of punch, and a roaring fire; and Mr. Raby, that passes for a Tartar, being so kind to me; and me being in better spirits than I have been for ever so long.”
“Oh, miss!”
“And oh, miss, to you. Why, what is the matter? I have been in danger! Very well; am I the first? I have had an adventure! All the better. Besides, it has shown me what good hearts there are in the world, yours amongst the rest.” (Kissing her.) “Now don't interrupt, but listen to the words of the wise and their dark sayings. Excitement is a blessing115. Young ladies need it more than anybody. Half the foolish things we do, it is because the old people are so stupid and don't provide us enough innocent excitement. Dancing till five is a good thing now and then; only that is too bodily, and ends in a headache, and feeling stupider than before. But to-night, what glorious excitement! Too late for dinner—drenched with snow—lost on a mountain—anxiety—fear—the Gabriel hounds—terror—despair—resignation—sudden relief—warm stockings—delightful sympathy—petted on every side—hungry—happy—fires—punch! I never lived till to-night—I never relished116 life till now. How could I? I never saw Death nor Danger near enough to be worth a straw.”
Jael made no attempt to arrest this flow of spirits. She waited quietly for a single pause, and then she laid her hand on the young lady's, and, fastening her eyes on her, she said quietly,—
“You have seen HIM.”
Grace Carden's face was scarlet117 in a moment, and she looked with a rueful imploring118 glance, into those great gray searching eyes of Jael Dence.
Her fine silvery tones of eloquence119 went off into a little piteous whine120 “You are very cunning—to believe in a magpie.” And she hid her blushing face in her hands. She took an early opportunity of sending this too sagacious rustic121 to bed.
Next day Mr. Coventry was so stiff and sore he did not come down to breakfast. But Grace Carden, though very sleepy, made her appearance, and had a most affectionate conversation with Mr. Raby. She asked leave to christen him again. “I must call you something, you know, after all this. Mr. Raby is cold. Godpapa is childish. What do you say to—'Uncle'?”
He said he should be delighted. Then she dipped her forefinger122 in water. He drew back with horror.
“Come, young lady,” said he, “I know it is an age of burlesque123. But let us spare the sacraments, and the altar, and such trifles.”
“I am not half so wicked as you think,” said Grace. Then she wrote “Uncle” on his brow, and so settled that matter.
Mr. Coventry came down about noon, and resumed his courtship. He was very tender, spoke124 of the perils125 they had endured together as an additional tie, and pressed his suit with ardor126.
But he found a great change in the lady.
Yesterday, on Cairnhope Peak, she was passive, but soft and complying. To-day she was polite, but cool, and as slippery as an eel12. There was no pinning her.
And, at last, she said, “The fact is I'm thinking of our great preservation127, and more inclined to pray than flirt128, for once.”
“And so am I,” said the man of tact; “but what I offer is a sacred and life-long affection.”
“Oh, of course.”
“A few hours ago you did me the honor to listen to me. You even hinted I might speak to your father.”
“No, no. I only asked if you HAD spoken to him.”
“I will not contradict you. I will trust to your own candor129. Dear Grace, tell me, have I been so unfortunate as to offend you since then?”
“No.”
“Have I lost your respect?”
“Oh, no.”
“Then how is it that I love you better, if possible, than yesterday, and you seem not to like me so well as yesterday?”
“One is not always in the same humor.”
“Then you don't like me to-day?”
“Oh yes, but I do. And I shall always like you: if you don't tease me, and urge me too much. It is hardly fair to hurry me so; I am only a girl, and girls make such mistakes sometimes.”
“That is true; they marry on too short an acquaintance. But you have known me more than two years, and, in all that time, have I once given you reason to think that you had a rival in my admiration, my love?”
“I never watched you to see. But all that time you have certainly honored me with your attention, and I do believe you love me more than I deserve. Please do not be angry: do not be mortified. There is no occasion; I am resolved not to marry until I am of age; that is all; and where's the harm of that?”
“I will wait your pleasure; all I ask you, at present, is to relieve me of my fears, by engaging yourself to me.”
“Ah! but I have always been warned against long engagements.”
“Long engagements! Why, how old are you, may I ask?”
“Only nineteen. Give me a little time to think.”
“If I wait till you are of age, THAT WILL BE TWO YEARS.”
“Just about. I was nineteen on the 12th of December. What is the matter?”
“Oh, nothing. A sudden twinge. A man does not get rolled over sharp rocks, by a mountain torrent132, for nothing.”
“No, indeed.”
“Never mind that, if I'm not to be punished in my heart as well. This resolution, not to marry for two years, is it your own idea? or has somebody put it into your head since we stood on Cairnhope, and looked at Bollinghope?”
“Please give me credit for it,” said Grace, turning very red: “it is the only sensible one I have had for a long time.”
Mr. Coventry groaned aloud, and turned very pale.
Grace said she wanted to go upstairs for her work, and so got away from him.
She turned at the door, and saw him sink into a chair, with an agony in his face that was quite new to him.
She fled to her own room, to think it all over, and she entered it so rapidly that she caught Jael crying, and rocking herself before the fire.
The moment she came in Jael got up, and affected133 to be very busy, arranging things; but always kept her back turned to Grace.
The young lady sat down, and leaned her cheek on her hand, and reflected very sadly and seriously on the misery134 she had left in the drawing-room, and the tears she had found here.
Accustomed to make others bright and happy by her bare presence, this beautiful and unselfish young creature was shocked at the misery she was sowing around her, and all for something her judgment135 told her would prove a chimera136. And again she asked herself was she brave enough, and selfish enough, to defy her father and her godfather, whose mind was written so clearly in that terrible inscription.
She sat there, cold at heart, a long time, and at last came to a desperate resolution.
“Give me my writing-desk.”
Jael brought it her.
“Sit down there where I can see you; and don't hide your tears from me. I want to see you cry. I want every help. I wasn't born to make everybody miserable: I am going to end it.”
She wrote a little, and then she stopped, and sighed; then she wrote a little more, and stopped, and sighed. Then she burned the letter, and began again; and as she wrote, she sighed; and as she wrote on, she moaned.
And, as she wrote on, the tears began to fall upon the paper.
It was piteous to see the struggle of this lovely girl, and the patient fortitude137 that could sigh, and moan, and weep, yet go on doing the brave act that made her sigh, and moan, and weep.
At last, the letter was finished, and directed; and Grace put it in her bosom138, and dismissed Jael abruptly139, almost harshly, and sat down, cold and miserable, before the fire.
At dinner-time her eyes were so red she would not appear. She pleaded headache, and dined in her own room.
Meantime Mr. Coventry passed a bitter time.
He had heard young Little say, “Wait two years.” And now Grace was evading140 and procrastinating141, and so, literally142, obeying that young man, with all manner of false pretenses143. This was a revelation, and cast back a bright light on many suspicious things he had observed in the church.
He was tortured with jealous agony. And it added to his misery that he could not see his way to any hostilities144.
Little could easily be driven out of the country, for that matter; he had himself told them both how certainly that would befall him if he was betrayed to the unions. But honor and gratitude forbade this line; and Coventry, in the midst of his jealous agony, resisted that temptation fiercely, would not allow his mind even to dwell upon it for a moment.
He recalled all his experiences; and, after a sore struggle of passion, he came to some such conclusion as this: that Grace would have married him if she had not unexpectedly fallen in with Little, under very peculiar145 and moving circumstances; that an accident of this kind would never occur again, and he must patiently wear out the effect of it.
He had observed that in playing an uphill game of love the lover must constantly ask himself, “What should I do, were I to listen to my heart?” and having ascertained146 that, must do the opposite. So now Mr. Coventry grimly resolved to control his wishes for a time, to hide his jealousy, to hide his knowledge of her deceit, to hide his own anger. He would wait some months before he again asked her to marry him, unless he saw a change in her; and, meantime, he would lay himself out to please her, trusting to this, that there could be no intercourse148 by letter between her and a workman, and they were not likely to meet again in a hurry.
It required considerable fortitude to curb149 his love and jealousy, and settle on this course. But he did conquer after a hard struggle, and prepared to meet Miss Carden at dinner with artificial gayety.
But she did not appear; and that set Mr. Coventry thinking again. Why should she have a headache? He had a rooted disbelief in women's headaches. His own head had far more reason to ache, and his heart too. He puzzled himself all dinner-time about this headache, and was very bad company.
Soon after dinner he took a leaf out of her book, pretended headache, and said he should like to take a turn by himself in the air.
What he really wanted to do was to watch Miss Carden's windows, for he had all manner of ugly suspicions.
There seemed to be a strong light in the room. He could see no more.
He walked moodily150 up and down, very little satisfied with himself, and at last he got ashamed of his own thoughts.
“Oh, no!” he said, “she is in her room, sure enough.”
He turned his back, and strolled out into the road.
Presently he heard the rustle151 of a woman's dress. He stepped into the shade of the firs directly, and his heart began to beat hard.
But it was only Jael Dence. She came out within a few yards of him. She had something white in her hand, which, however, she instinctively152 conveyed into her bosom the moment she found herself in the moonlight. Coventry saw her do it though.
She turned to the left, and walked swiftly up the road.
Now Coventry knew nothing about this girl, except that she belonged to a class with whom money generally goes a long way. And he now asked himself whether it might not be well worth his while to enlist153 her sympathies on his side.
While he was coming to this conclusion, Jael, who was gliding154 along at a great pace, reached a turn in the road, and Mr. Coventry had to run after her to catch her.
When he got to the turn in the road, she was just going round another turn, having quickened her pace.
Coventry followed more leisurely155. She might be going to meet her sweetheart; and, if so, he had better talk to her on her return.
He walked on till he saw at some distance a building, with light shining though it in a peculiar way; and now the path became very rugged156 and difficult. He came to a standstill, and eyed the place where his rival was working at that moment. He eyed it with a strange mixture of feelings. It had saved his life and hers, after all. He fell into another mood, and began to laugh at himself for allowing himself to be disturbed by such a rival.
But what is this? Jael Dence comes in sight again: she is making for the old church.
Coventry watched her unseen. She went to the porch, and, after she had been there some time, the door was opened just a little, then wide, and she entered the building. He saw it all in a moment: the girl was already bought by the other side, and had carried his rival a letter before his eyes.
A clandestine157 correspondence!
All his plans and his resolutions melted away before this discovery. There was nothing to be done but to save the poor girl from this miserable and degrading attachment158, and its inevitable159 consequences.
He went home, pale with fury, and never once closed his eyes all night.
Next day he ordered his dog-cart early; and told Mr. Raby and Grace he was going to Hillsborough for medical advice: had a pain in his back he could not get rid of.
He called on the chief constable160 of Hillsborough, and asked him, confidentially161, if he knew any thing about a workman called Little.
“I shouldn't wonder. Yes; I think he is. A friend of mine takes an interest in him.”
“And so do I. His case was a disgrace to the country, and to the constabulary of the place. It occurred just ten days before I came here, and it seems to me that nothing was done which ought to have been done.”
Mr. Coventry put in a question or two, which elicited163 from Mr. Ransome all he knew about the matter.
“I don't know; but I think you could learn at Mr. Cheetham's. The only time I ever saw Little, he was walking with the foreman of those works. He was pointed165 out to me. A dark young man; carries himself remarkably166 well—doesn't look like a workman. If they don't know at Cheetham's, I'll find him out for you in twenty-four hours.”
“But this Grotait. Do you know him?”
“Oh, he is a public character. Keeps 'The Cutlers' Arms,' in Black Street.”
“He does. But the workmen themselves are behind the scenes; and what do they call him? Why, 'Old Smitem.'”
“Ah! You are one of those who look below the surface,” said the courtier.
He then turned the conversation, and, soon after, went away. He had been adroit170 enough to put his questions in the languid way of a man who had no personal curiosity, and was merely discharging a commission.
Mr. Ransome, as a matter of form, took a short note of the conversation; but attached no importance to it. However, he used the means at his command to find out Little's abode171. Not that Mr. Coventry had positively172 asked him to do it; but, his attention being thus unexpectedly called to the subject, he felt desirous to talk to Little on his own account.
Mr. Coventry went straight to “The Cutlers' Arms,” but he went slowly. A powerful contest was now going on within him; jealousy and rage urged him onward173, honor and gratitude held him back. Then came his self-deceiving heart, and suggested that Miss Carden had been the first to break her promise (she had let Jael Dence into Little's secret), and that he himself was being undermined by cunning and deceit: strict notions of honor would be out of place in such a combat. Lastly, he felt it his DUTY to save Miss Carden from a degrading connection.
All these considerations, taken together, proved too strong for his good faith; and so stifled174 the voice of conscience, that it could only keep whispering against the deed, but not prevent it.
He went direct to “The Cutlers' Arms.” He walked into the parlor175 and ordered a glass of brandy-and-water, and asked if he could see Mr. Grotait, privately176. Mr. Grotait came in.
“Sit down, Mr. Grotait. Will you have any thing?”
“A glass of ale, sir, if you please.”
When this had been brought, and left, and the parties were alone, Coventry asked him whether he could receive a communication under a strict promise of secrecy177.
“If it is a trade matter, sir, you can trust me. A good many have.”
“Well then, I can tell you something about a workman called Little. But before I say a word, I must make two express conditions. One is, that no violence shall be used toward him; the other, that you never reveal to any human creature, it was I who told you.”
“What, is he working still?”
“My conditions, Mr. Grotait?”
“I promise you absolute secrecy, sir, as far as you are concerned. As to your other condition, the matter will work thus: if your communication should be as important as you think, I can do nothing—the man is not in the saw-trade—I shall carry the information to two other secretaries, and shall not tell them I had it from Mr. Coventry, of Bollinghope.” (Mr. Coventry started at finding himself known.) “Those gentlemen will be sure to advise with me, and I shall suggest to them to take effectual measures, but to keep it, if possible, from the knowledge of all those persons who discredit178 us by their violent acts.”
“Well then, on that understanding—the man works all night in a deserted180 church at Cairnhope; it is all up among the hills.”
Grotait turned red. “Are you sure of this?”
“Quite sure?”
“You have seen him?”
“Yes.”
“Has he a forge?”
“Yes; and bellows, and quantities of molds, and strips of steel. He is working on a large scale.”
“It shall be looked into, sir, by the proper persons. Indeed, the sooner they are informed, the better.”
“Yes, but mind, no violence. You are strong enough to drive him out of the country without that.”
“I should hope so.”
Coventry then rose, and left the place; but he had no sooner got into the street, than a sort of horror fell on him; horror of himself, distrust and dread181 of the consequences, to his rival but benefactor182.
Almost at the door he was met by Mr. Ransome, who stopped him and gave him Little's address; he had obtained it without difficulty from Bayne.
“I am glad you reminded me, sir,” said he; “I shall call on him myself, one of these days.”
These words rang in Coventry's ears, and put him in a cold perspiration183. “Fool!” thought he, “to go and ask a public officer, a man who hears every body in turn.”
What he had done disinclined him to return to Cairnhope. He made a call or two first, and loitered about, and then at last back to Raby, gnawed184 with misgivings185 and incipient186 remorse187.
Mr. Grotait sent immediately for Mr. Parkin, Mr. Jobson, and Mr. Potter, and told them the secret information he had just received.
They could hardly believe it at first; Jobson, especially, was incredulous. He said he had kept his eye on Little, and assured them the man had gone into woodcarving, and was to be seen in the town all day.
“Ay,” said Parkin, “but this is at night; and, now I think of it, I met him t'other day, about dusk, galloping188 east, as hard as he could go.”
“My information is from a sure source,” said Grotait, stiffly.
Parkin.—“What is to be done?”
Jobson.—“Is he worth another strike?”
Potter.—“The time is unfavorable: here's a slap of dull trade.”
The three then put their heads together, and various plans were suggested and discussed, and, as the parties were not now before the public, that horror of gunpowder189, vitriol, and life-preservers, which figured in their notices and resolutions, did not appear in their conversation. Grotait alone was silent and doubtful. This Grotait was the greatest fanatic190 of the four, and, like all fanatics191, capable of vast cruelty: but his cruelty lay in his head, rather than in his heart. Out of Trade questions, the man, though vain and arrogant192, was of a genial193 and rather a kindly nature; and, even in Trade questions, being more intelligent than his fellows, he was sometimes infested194 with a gleam of humanity.
“I'm perplexed,” said he: “I don't often hesitate on a Trade question neither. But the men we have done were always low-lived blackguards, who would have destroyed us, if we had not disabled them. Now this Little is a decent young chap. He struck at the root of our Trades, so long as he wrought196 openly. But on the sly, and nobody knowing but ourselves, mightn't it be as well to shut our eyes a bit? My informant is not in trade.”
The other three took a more personal view of the matter. Little was outwitting, and resisting them. They saw nothing for it but to stop him, by hook or by crook197.
While they sat debating his case in whispers, and with their heads so close you might have covered them all with a tea-tray, a clear musical voice was heard to speak to the barmaid, and, by her direction, in walked into the council-chamber—Mr. Henry Little.
This visit greatly surprised Messrs. Parkin, Jobson, and Potter, and made them stare, and look at one another uneasily. But it did not surprise Grotait so much, and it came about in the simplest way. That morning, at about eleven o'clock, Dr. Amboyne had called on Mrs. Little, and had asked Henry, rather stiffly, whether he was quite forgetting Life, Labor73 and Capital. Now the young man could not but feel that, for some time past, he had used the good doctor ill; had neglected and almost forgotten his benevolent198 hobby; so the doctor's gentle reproach went to his heart, and he said, “Give me a day or two, sir, and I'll show you how ashamed I am of my selfish behavior.” True to his pledge, he collected all his notes together, and prepared a report, to be illustrated199 with drawings. He then went to Cheetham's, more as a matter of form than any thing, to see if the condemned200 grindstone had been changed. To his infinite surprise he found it had not, and Bayne told him the reason. Henry was angry, and went direct to Grotait about it.
But as soon as he saw Jobson, and Parkin, and Potter, he started, and they started. “Oh!” said he, “I didn't expect to find so much good company. Why, here's the whole quorum201.”
“We will retire, sir, if you wish it.”
“Not at all. My orders are to convert you all to Life, Labor, and Capital (Grotait pricked202 up his ears directly); and, if I succeed, the Devil will be the next to come round, no doubt. Well, Mr. Grotait, Simmons is on that same grindstone you and I condemned. And all for a matter of four shillings. I find that, in your trade, the master provides the stone, but the grinder hangs and races it, which, in one sense, is time lost. Well, Simmons declines the new stone, unless Cheetham will pay him by time for hanging and racing203 it; Cheetham refuses; and so, between them, that idiot works on a faulty stone. Will you use your influence with the grinder?”
“Well, Mr. Little, now, between ourselves don't you think it rather hard that the poor workman should have to hang and race the master's grindstone for nothing?”
“Why, they share the loss between them. The stone costs the master three pounds; and hanging it costs the workman only four or five shillings. Where's the grievance204?”
“Hanging and racing a stone shortens the grinder's life; fills his lungs with grit205. Is the workman to give Life and Labor for a forenoon, and is Capital to contribute nothing? Is that your view of Life, Labor, and Capital, young man?”
Henry was staggered a moment. “That is smart,” said he. “But a rule of trade is a rule, till it is altered by consent of the parties that made it. Now, right or wrong, it is the rule of trade here that the small grinders find their own stones, and pay for power; but the saw-grinders are better off, for they have not to find stones, nor power, and their only drawback is that they must hang and race a new stone, which costs the master sixty shillings. Cheetham is smarting under your rules, and you can't expect him to go against any rule, that saves him a shilling.”
“What does the grinder think?”
“You might as well ask what the grindstone thinks.”
“Well, what does the grinder say, then?”
“Says he'd rather run the stone out, than lose a forenoon.”
“Well, sir, it is his business.”
“It may be a man's business to hang himself; but it is the bystanders' to hinder him.”
“You mistake me. I mean that the grinder is the only man who knows whether a stone is safe.”
“Well, but this grinder does not pretend his stone is safe. All he says is, safe or not, he'll run it out. So now the question is, will you pay four shillings from your box for this blockhead's loss of time in hanging and racing a new stone?”
All the four secretaries opened their eyes with surprise at this. But Grotait merely said he had no authority to do that; the funds of the union were set apart for specified206 purposes.
“Very likely,” said Henry, getting warm: “but, when there's life to be TAKEN, your union can find money irregularly; so why grudge207 it, when there's life to be saved perhaps, and ten times cheaper than you pay for blood?”
“Young man,” said Grotait, severely208, “did you come here to insult us with these worn-out slanders209?”
“No, but I came to see whether you secretaries, who can find pounds to assassinate210 men, and blow up women and children with gunpowder, can find shillings to secure the life of one of your own members; he risks it every time he mounts his horsing.”
“Well, sir, the application is without precedent211, and I must decline it; but this I beg to do as courteously212, as the application has been made uncourteously.”
“Oh, it is easy to be polite, when you've got no heart.”
“You are the first ever brought that charge against me.”
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” said Potter, warmly. “No heart! Mr. Grotait is known for a good husband, a tender father, and the truest friend in Hillsborough.”
The others echoed these sentiments warmly and sincerely; for, as strange as it may appear to those who have not studied human nature at first hand, every word of this eulogy213 was strictly214 true.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” said Grotait. “But we must make allowances. Mr. Little is smarting under a gross and dastardly outrage169, and also under a fair defeat; and thinks his opponents must be monsters. Now I should like to show him the contrary. Let Simmons take care of himself. You have given him good advice, and much to your credit: now have you nothing to say to us, on your own account?”
“But suppose I could suggest a way by which you could carry on your trade in Hillsborough, and offend nobody?”
“I should decline to hear it even. You and I are at war on that. You have done your worst, and I shall do my best to make you all smart for it, the moment I get a chance.”
Grotait's cheek reddened with anger at this rebuff, and it cost him an effort to retain his friendly intentions. “Come, come,” said he, rather surlily, “don't be in a hurry till you have heard the nature of my proposal. Here, Jess, a quart of the best ale. Now, to begin, let us drink and be comfortable together.”
He passed the glass to Little first. But the young man's blood was boiling with his wrongs, and this patronizing air irritated him to boot. He took the glass in his hand, “Here's quick exposure—sudden death—and sure damnation—to all hypocrites and assassins!” He drained the glass to this toast, flung sixpence on the table, and strode out, white with passion himself, and leaving startled faces behind him.
“So be it,” said Grotait; and his wicked little eye glittered dangerously.
That same evening, a signal, well known to certain workmen in Hillsborough, peeped in the window of “The Cutlers' Arms.” And, in consequence, six or seven ill-conditioned fellows gathered about the doors and waited patiently for further information.
Amongst these was a sturdy fellow of about nine-and-twenty, whose existence was a puzzle to his neighbors. During the last seven years he had worked only eighteen months all together. The rest of the time he had been on the Saw-Grinders' box, receiving relief, viz.: seven shillings and sixpence for his wife, and two shillings for each child; and every now and then he would be seen with three or four sovereigns in his possession.
The name of this masterful beggar, of this invalid216 in theory, who, in fact, could eat three pounds of steak at a sitting, was Biggs; but it is a peculiarity217 of Hillsborough to defy baptismal names, and substitute others deemed spicier218. Out of the parish register and the records of the police courts, the scamp was only known as Dan Tucker.
This Dan stood, with others, loitering about “The Cutlers' Arms.”
Dan went in after him.
“Drat his luck!” said one of the rejected candidates, “he always gets the job.” The rest then dispersed221.
Tucker was shown into a pitch-dark room, and there a bargain was struck between him and men unseen. He and two more were to go to Cairnhope, and DO Little. He was to avoid all those men who had lately stood at the door with him, and was to choose for his companions Simmons the grinder, and one Sam Cole, a smooth, plausible222 fellow, that had been in many a dark job, unsuspected even by his wife and family, who were respectable.
Thus instructed, Tucker went to the other men, and soon reported to Grotait that he had got Cole all right, but that Simmons looked coldly on the job. He was in full work, for one thing, and said Little had had his squeak223 already, and he didn't see following him eleven miles off; he had, however, asked him whether Little had a wife and children, which question he, Tucker, could not answer.
“But I can,” said Grotait. “He is a bachelor. You can tell Simmons so. There are reasons why Ned Simmons must be in this. Try him to-morrow at dinner-time. Bid two pounds more; and—his wife is near her time—tell him this job will help him buy her wine and things,” said the kind, parental224, diabolical225 Grotait.
Next morning Henry worked with the pen for Dr. Amboyne till twelve o'clock. He then, still carrying out his friend's views, went down to Mr Cheetham's words to talk to Simmons.
But he found an ill-looking fellow standing179 by the man's side, and close at his ear. This was no other than Dan Tucker, who by a neat coincidence was tempting226 him to DO Little.
Yesterday's conversation had unsettled Simmons, and he did not come to work till twelve o'clock. He then fixed227 a small pulley-wheel to his grindstone, to make up for lost time.
He was still resisting the tempter, but more faintly than yesterday, when Little came in, and spoke to him. Both he and Dan were amazed at his appearance on the scene at that particular moment. They glared stupidly but said nothing.
“Look here, Simmons,” said Little. “I have been to your friend Grotait, and asked him to pay you for what you call time lost in hanging and racing a new stone. He won't do it. That's your FRIEND. Now I'm your ENEMY; so the union says. Well, enemy or not, I'll do what Grotait won't. I'll pay you the four shillings for lost time, if you will stop that stone at once, and hang another.”
“Why, what's wrong with the stone?”
“The best judge in Hillsborough condemned it; and now, if you are not running it with an undersized pulley-wheel, to try it worse!”
Simmons got stupid and irritated between the two. His bit of manhood revolted against Little's offer, made whilst he was half lending his ear to Tucker's proposal; and, on the other hand, that very offer irritated him with Tucker, for coming and tempting him to DO this very Little, who was a good sort.
“—— you both!” said the rough fellow. “I wish you'd let me alone. Here I've lost my morning's work already.” Then to Little, “Mind thyself, old lad. Happen thou's in more danger than I am.”
“What d'ye mean by that?” said Little, very sharply.
Henry turned to Tucker. “I don't know who you are, but I call you witness that I have done all I can for this idiot. Now, if he comes to harm, his blood be upon his own head.”
Then Henry went off in dudgeon, and, meeting Bayne in the yard, had a long discussion with him on the subject.
The tempter took advantage of Little's angry departure, and steadily resumed his temptation.
But he was interrupted in his turn.
The defect in this grindstone was not so serious but that the stone might perhaps have been ground out with fair treatment: but, by fixing a small pulley-wheel, Simmons had caused it to rotate at furious speed. This tried it too hard, and it flew in two pieces, just as the grinder was pressing down a heavy saw on it with all his force.
One piece, weighing about five hundredweight, tore the horsing chains out of the floor, and went clean through the window (smashing the wood-work), out into the yard, and was descending on Little's head; but he heard the crash and saw it coming; he ran yelling out of the way, and dragged Bayne with him. The other fragment went straight up to the ceiling, and broke a heavy joist as if it had been a cane229; then fell down again plump, and would have destroyed the grinder on the spot, had he been there; but the tremendous shock had sent him flying clean over the squatter230 board, and he fell on his stomach on the wheel-band of the next grindstone, and so close to the drum, that, before any one could recover the shock and seize him, the band drew him on to the drum, and the drum, which was drawing away from the window, pounded him against the wall with cruel thuds.
One ran and screamed to stop the power, another to cut the big wheel-bands. All this took several seconds; and here seconds were torn flesh and broken bones. Just as Little darted into the room, pale with his own narrow escape, and awe-stricken at the cries of horror within, the other grinders succeeded in dragging out, from between the wall and the drum, a bag of broken bones and blood and grease, which a minute before was Ned Simmons, and was talking over a deed of violence to be done.
The others carried him and laid him on a horsing; and there they still supported his head and his broken limbs, sick with horror.
The man's face was white, and his eyes stared, and his body quivered. They sprinkled him with water.
Then he muttered, “All right. I am not much hurt.—Ay, but I am though. I'm done for.”
After the first terror of the scene had passed, the men were for taking him to the infirmary. But Little interposed, eagerly, “No, no. I'll pay the doctor myself sooner. He shall be nursed at home, and have all that skill can do to save him. Oh, why, why would he not listen to me?”
A stretcher was got, and a mattress231 put on it, and they carried him through the streets, while one ran before to tell the unhappy wife, and Little took her address, and ran to Dr. Amboyne. The doctor went instantly to the sufferer.
Tucker assisted to carry the victim home. He then returned to Grotait, and told him the news. Dan was not so hardened but what he blubbered in telling it, and Grotait's eyes were moist with sympathy.
They neither of them spoke out, and said, “This upsets our design on Little.” Each waited to see whether that job was to go on. Each was ashamed to mention it now. So it came to a standstill.
As for Little, he was so shocked by this tragedy and so anxious about its victim, that he would not go out to Cairnhope. He came, in the evening to Dr. Amboyne, to inquire, “Can he live?”
“I can't say yet. He will never work again.”
Then, after a silence, he fixed his eyes on young Little, and said, “I am going to make a trial of your disposition232. This is the man I suspected of blowing you up; and I'm of the same opinion still.”
“Then he has got his deserts,” were Henry's first words, after a pause of astonishment233.
“Does that mean you forgive him, or you don't forgive him?”
“And not without?”
“No. I might try and put it out of my head; but that is all I could do.”
“Is it true that you are the cause of his not being taken to the infirmary?”
“Yes, I said I'd pay out of my own pocket sooner; and I'm not the sort to go from my word. The man shall want for nothing, sir. But please don't ask me to love my enemies, and all that Rot. I scorn hypocrisy235. Every man hates his enemies; he may hate 'em out like a man, or palaver236 'em, and beg God to forgive 'em (and that means damn 'em), and hate 'em like a sneak237; but he always hates 'em.”
The doctor laughed heartily238. “Oh, how refreshing239 a thing it is to fall in with a fellow who speaks his real mind. However, I am not your enemy, am I?”
“No. You are the best friend I ever had—except my mother.”
“I am glad you think so; because I have a favor to ask you.”
“Granted, before ever you speak.”
“I want to know, for certain, whether Simmons was the man who blew you up; and I see but one way of learning it. You must visit him and be kind to him; and then my art tells me, he won't leave the world without telling you. Oblige me by taking him this bottle of wine, at once, and also this sedative240, which you can administer if he is in violent pain, but not otherwise.”
“Doctor,” said the young man, “you always get your own way with me. And so you ought.”
Little stood by Simmons's bedside.
The man's eye was set, his cheek streaked with red, and his head was bandaged. He labored241 in breathing.
Young Little looked at him gravely, and wondered whether this battered242 figure was really the man who had so nearly destroyed him.
After some minutes of this contemplation, he said gravely “Simmons, I have brought you some wine.”
The man stared at him, and seemed confused. He made no reply.
“Give me a spoon,” said Henry.
Mrs. Simmons sat by the bedside rocking herself; she was stupefied with grief; but her sister, a handy girl, had come to her in her trouble: she brought Henry a spoon directly.
He poured out a little wine, and put it to the sufferer's lips. He drank it, and said it was rare good stuff. Henry gave him a little more.
Simmons then looked at him more intelligently and attentively243, and gave a sort of shiver. “Who be you?”
“Henry Little; who advised you not to run that stone.”
“Ah!” said Simmons, “I thought it was you.” He seemed puzzled. But, after a while, he said, “I wish I had hearkened thee, lad. Give me some more of yonder stuff. What is it?”
“Port wine.” Then he turned to the girl, and gave her a sovereign, and sent her out for some mutton-chops. “Meat and wine are all the physic you are to have, my poor fellow.”
“It won't be for long, lad. And a good job too. For I'm a bad 'un. I'm a bad 'un.”
Henry then turned to the poor woman, and tried to say something to console her, but the words stuck in his throat. She was evidently near her confinement244; and there lay her husband, worse than in his grave. Little broke down himself, while trying to comfort her.
The sufferer heard him, and said, all of a sudden, “Hold a light here.”
Henry took the candle, and held it over him.
Henry was puzzled at the request, but did as he was asked.
Simmons gave a groan. “Ay,” said he, “thou'st all right. And I lie here. That seems queer.”
The sister now returned, and Henry wrote her his address, and conversed246 with her, and told her the whole story of the grindstone, and said that, as he had hindered Simmons from being taken to the infirmary, he felt bound to see he did not suffer by that interference. He gave her his address, and said, if anything was wanted, she must come to him, or to his mother if he should be out.
No doubt the women talked of his kindness by the sick bed, and Simmons heard it.
Early in the morning Eliza Watney called at Little's house, with her eyes very red, and said her brother-in-law wanted to speak to him.
He went with her directly; and, on the road, asked her what it was about.
“I'm ashamed to tell you,” said she, and burst out crying. “But I hope God will reward you; and forgive him: he is a very ignorant man.”
“Here I am, Simmons.”
“So I see.”
“Anything I can do for you?”
“No.”
“You sent for me.”
“Did I? Well, I dare say I did. But gi' me time. Gi' me time. It's noane so easy to look a man in the face, and tell him what I'm to tell thee. But I can't die with it on me. It chokes me, ever since you brought me yonder stuff, and the women set a-talking. I say—old lad—'twas I did thee yon little job at Cheetham's. But I knew no better.”
There was a dead silence. And then Henry spoke.
“Who set you on?”
“Nay, that's their business.”
“How did you do it?”
At this question—will it be believed?—the penitent's eye twinkled with momentary247 vanity. “I fastened a tea-cup to an iron rake, and filled the cup with powder; then I passed it in, and spilt the powder out of cup, and raked it in to the smithy slack, and so on, filling and raking in. But I did thee one good turn, lad; I put powder as far from bellows as I could. Eh, but I was a bad 'un to do the like to thee; and thou's a good 'un to come here. When I saw thee lie there, all scorched248 and shaking, I didn't like my work; and now I hate it. But I knew no better at the time. And, you see, I've got it worse myself. And cheap served too.”
“Oh, Mr. Little,” said Eliza Watney; “TRY and forgive him.”
“My girl,” said Henry, solemnly, “I thought I never could forgive the man who did that cruel deed to me, and I had never injured any one. But it is hard to know one's own mind, let alone another man's. Now I look at him lying pale and battered there, it seems all wiped out. I forgive you, my poor fellow, and I hope God will forgive you too.”
“Nay. He is not so soft as thou. This is how He forgives me. But I knew no better. Old gal61, learn the young 'un to read, that's coming just as I'm going; it is sore against a chap if he can't read. Right and wrong d—n 'em, they are locked up in books, I think: locked away from a chap like me. I know a little better now. But, eh, dear, dear, it is come too late.” And now the poor wretch began to cry at a gleam of knowledge of right and wrong having come to him only just when he could no longer profit by it.
Henry left him at last, with the tears in his eyes. He promised them all to come every day.
He called on Dr. Amboyne, and said, “You are always right, doctor. Simmons was the man, he has owned it, and I forgave him.”
He then went and told Mr. Holdfast. That gentleman was much pleased at the discovery, and said, “Ah, but who employed him? That is what you must discover.”
“I will try,” said Henry. “The poor fellow had half a mind to make a clean breast; but I didn't like to worry him over it.”
Returning home he fell in with Grotait and Parkin. They were talking earnestly at the door of a public-house, and the question they were discussing was whether or not Little's affair should be revived.
They were both a good deal staggered by the fate of Simmons, Parkin especially, who was rather superstitious249. He had changed sides, and was now inclined to connive250, or, at all events to temporize251; to abandon the matter till a more convenient time. Grotait, on the other hand, whose vanity the young man had irritated, was bent252 on dismounting his forge. But even he had cooled a little, and was now disinclined to violence. He suggested that it must be easy to drive a smith out of a church, by going to the parochial authorities; and they could also send Little an anonymous253 letter, to tell him the Trades had their eyes on him; by this double stroke, they would probably bring him to some reasonable terms.
It certainly was a most unfortunate thing that Little passed that way just then; unfortunate that Youth is so impetuous.
He crossed the street to speak to these two potentates254, whom it was his interest to let alone—if he could only have known it.
“Well, gentlemen, have you seen Simmons?”
“No,” said Mr. Parkin.
“What, not been to see the poor fellow who owes his death to you?”
“He is not dead yet.”
“No, thank Heaven! He has got a good work to do first; some hypocrites, assassins, and cowards to expose.”
Parkin turned pale; Grotait's eye glistened255 like a snake's: he made Parkin a rapid signal to say nothing, but only listen.
“He has begun by telling me who it was that put gunpowder into my forge, and how it was done. I have forgiven him. He was only the tool of much worse villains256; base, cowardly, sneaking257 villains. Those I shall not forgive. Oh, I shall know all about it before long. Good-morning.”
This information and threat, and the vindictive258 bitterness and resolution with which the young man had delivered it, struck terror into the gentle Parkin, and shook even Grotait. The latter, however, soon recovered himself, and it became a battle for life or death between him and Little.
He invited Parkin to his own place, and there the pair sat closeted.
Dan Tucker and Sam Cole were sent for.
Tucker came first. He was instantly dispatched to Simmons, with money from the Saw Grinders' box. He was to ascertain147 how much Simmons had let out, and to adjure259 him to be true to the Trade, and split on no man but himself. When he had been gone about twenty minutes, Sam Cole came in, and was instructed to get two other men in place of Simmons, and be in readiness to do Little.
By-and-by Tucker returned with news. Simmons had at present split only on himself; but the women were evidently in love with Little; said he was their only friend; and he, Tucker, foresaw that, with their co-operation, Simmons would be turned inside out by Little before he died.
Grotait struck his hand on the table. “The unions are in danger,” said he. “There is but one way, Little must be made so that he can't leave Cairnhope while Simmons is alive.”
So important did the crisis appear to him, that he insisted on Parkin going with him at once to Cairnhope, to reconnoiter the ground.
Parkin had a gig and a fast horse: so, in ten minutes more, they were on the road.
They reached Cairnhope, put up at the village inn, and soon extracted some particulars about the church. They went up to it, and examined it, and Grotait gave Parkin a leg up, to peer through the window.
In this position they were nailed by old George.
“What be you at?”
“What is that to you?” said Grotait.
“It is plenty. You mustn't come trespassing260 here. Squire won't have it.”
“Trespassing in a churchyard! Why it belongs to all the world.”
“Well, we won't hurt your church. Who keeps the key?”
“Squire Raby.”
Old George from this moment followed them about everywhere, grumbling262 at their heels, like a mastiff.
Grotait, however, treated him with cool contempt, and proceeded to make a sketch263 of the door, and a little map showing how the church could be approached from Hillsborough on foot without passing through Cairnhope village. This done, he went back with Parkin to the inn, and thence to Hillsborough.
It was old Christmas Eve. Henry was working at his forge, little dreaming of danger. Yet it was close at hand, and from two distinct quarters.
Four men, with crape masks, and provided with all manner of tools, and armed with bludgeons, were creeping about the churchyard, examining and listening. Their orders were to make Little so that he should not leave Cairnhope for a month. And that, in plain English, meant to beat him within an inch of his life, if not kill him.
At the same time, a body of nine men were stealing up the road, with designs scarcely less hostile to Little.
These assailants were as yet at a considerable distance, but more formidable in appearance than the others being most of them armed with swords, and led by a man with a double-barreled gun.
Grotait's men, having well surveyed the ground, now crept softly up to the porch, and examined the lock.
The key was inside, and they saw no means of forcing the lock without making a noise, and putting their victim on his guard.
After a long whispered consultation264, they resolved to unscrew the hinges.
These hinges were of great length, and were nailed upon the door, but screwed into the door-post with four screws each.
Two men, with excellent tools, and masters of the business, went softly to work. One stood, and worked on the upper screws; the other kneeled, and unfastened the lower screws.
They made no more noise than a rat gnawing265; yet, such was their caution, and determination to surprise their victim, that they timed all their work by Little's. Whenever the blows of his hammer intermitted, they left off; and began again when he did.
When all the screws were out but two, one above, one below, they beckoned the other two men, and these two drove large gimlets into the door, and so held it that it might not fall forward when the last screw should come out.
“Are all screws out?” whispered Cole, who was the leader.
“Ay,” was the whispered reply.
“Then put in two more gimlets.”
That was done.
“Now, men,” whispered Cole. “Lay the door softly down outside: then, up sticks—into church—and DO HIM!”
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1
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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2
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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woolen
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| adj.羊毛(制)的；毛纺的 | |
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demurred
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| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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remonstrating
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的现在分词 )；告诫 | |
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eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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14
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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17
cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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21
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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22
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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23
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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24
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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25
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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26
dole
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| n.救济，（失业）救济金；vt.（out）发放，发给 | |
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27
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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28
lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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29
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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30
munching
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
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31
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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32
fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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33
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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35
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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36
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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37
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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38
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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39
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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40
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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41
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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42
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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43
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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44
underlying
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| adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的 | |
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45
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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46
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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47
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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48
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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49
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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50
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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51
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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52
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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53
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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54
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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55
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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56
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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57
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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58
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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60
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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61
gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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62
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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63
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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64
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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65
bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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66
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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68
livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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69
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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70
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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71
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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72
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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73
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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74
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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75
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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76
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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77
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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78
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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79
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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80
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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81
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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82
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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83
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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84
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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85
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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86
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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87
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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88
tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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89
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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90
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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91
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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92
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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93
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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94
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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95
stentorian
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| adj.大声的，响亮的 | |
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96
condoled
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| v.表示同情，吊唁( condole的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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98
broach
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| v.开瓶，提出(题目) | |
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99
brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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100
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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101
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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102
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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103
smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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104
vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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105
desecrating
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| 毁坏或亵渎( desecrate的现在分词 ) | |
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106
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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107
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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108
magpie
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| n.喜欢收藏物品的人，喜鹊，饶舌者 | |
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109
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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110
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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111
jabber
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| v.快而不清楚地说；n.吱吱喳喳 | |
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112
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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113
ravens
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| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
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114
magpies
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| 喜鹊（magpie的复数形式） | |
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115
blessing
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|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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116
relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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117
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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118
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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119
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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120
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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121
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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122
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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123
burlesque
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| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
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124
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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125
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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126
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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127
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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128
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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129
candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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130
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
pettishly
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132
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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133
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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134
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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135
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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136
chimera
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| n.神话怪物；梦幻 | |
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137
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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138
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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139
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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140
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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141
procrastinating
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| 拖延，耽搁( procrastinate的现在分词 )； 拖拉 | |
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142
literally
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|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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143
pretenses
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| n.借口（pretense的复数形式） | |
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144
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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145
peculiar
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|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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146
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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148
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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149
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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150
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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151
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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152
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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153
enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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154
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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155
leisurely
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|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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156
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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157
clandestine
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| adj.秘密的，暗中从事的 | |
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158
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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159
inevitable
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|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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160
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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161
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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162
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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163
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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165
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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166
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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167
repudiates
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|
| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的第三人称单数 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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168
outrages
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|
| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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169
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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170
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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171
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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172
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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173
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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174
stifled
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|
| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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175
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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176
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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177
secrecy
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|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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178
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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179
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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180
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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181
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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182
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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183
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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184
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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185
misgivings
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|
| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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186
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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187
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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188
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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189
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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190
fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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191
fanatics
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| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
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192
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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193
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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194
infested
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|
| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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195
bigotry
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| n.偏见，偏执，持偏见的行为[态度]等 | |
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196
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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197
crook
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| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
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198
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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199
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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200
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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201
quorum
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| n.法定人数 | |
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202
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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203
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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204
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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205
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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206
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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207
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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208
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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209
slanders
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| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
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210
assassinate
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| vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤 | |
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211
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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212
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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213
eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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214
strictly
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|
| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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215
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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216
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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217
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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218
spicier
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|
| adj.用香料调味的( spicy的比较级 )；有香料味的；有刺激性的；（故事、新闻等） 刺激的 | |
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219
rascally
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|
| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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220
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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221
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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squatter
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| n.擅自占地者 | |
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mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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236
palaver
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| adj.壮丽堂皇的；n.废话，空话 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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sedative
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| adj.使安静的，使镇静的；n. 镇静剂，能使安静的东西 | |
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labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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connive
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| v.纵容；密谋 | |
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251
temporize
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| v.顺应时势；拖延 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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anonymous
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| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
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potentates
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| n.君主，统治者( potentate的名词复数 )；有权势的人 | |
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glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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258
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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adjure
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| v.郑重敦促(恳请) | |
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260
trespassing
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| [法]非法入侵 | |
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261
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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263
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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264
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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