Demos

street. The direction in which it was going, the trunk on the roof, the certainty that it had come from Agworth station, suggested to everyone that young Eldon sat withi

d alone have sufficed to wagging tongues; hut, in addition, Mrs. Mewling was on

ught till you were well within the gates, so thickly was it embosomed in trees. This afternoon it wore a cheerless face; most of the blinds were still down, and the dwelling might have been unoccupied, for any s

ously at the end of a hanging bell-chain, and the door was immediately opened by a man-servant in black. Hubert, for he it was, pointe

bert had already turned away; he merely waved his hand, and entered the

rew off his hat, gloves, and overcoat; then for the first time

don is a

sires me to say that she fears she may

a fire a

the libra

And let a fire be

ll you dine a

hing light; I don'

e lit in your bed

pared. Come to the library a

se the decisive push. The large collection of superbly-bound books which this room contained were nearly all of his purchasing, for prior to his time the Eldons had not been wont to concern themselves with things of the mind. Hubert, after walking to the window and looking out for a moment on the side lawn, pushed a small couch near to the fir

servant

s former mode of speaking had been brief

the reply, marked, perhaps, by just a little

stant with contracted brows, but m

tes with a satisfactory announcement, an

as deriving but slight satisfaction from a cigar, when the servant

him to the landing at the head of the first flight of stairs; there a female servant was waiting, who, after a respec

hough not yet fifty, she looked at least ten years older; her hair had streaks of white, and her thin delicate features were much lined and wasted. It would not be enough to say that she had evidently once been beautiful, for in truth she was so still, with a spi

stepping quickly across the floor, put his lips to her chee

n's way of speaking to the servant below was very striking; even the quality of their voices had much in common, for Hubert's was rather high-pitched. In face, howe

Mrs. Eldon asked when her son had seated

to, mother. I

oubting the truth of what he said; at th

come upon you?' she as

hours after receiving the letter i

ters you paid

not reply

but firmly, as one does who

ou if you had been able, Hubert.

d up inq

a tremor in her voice, 'destroyed h

looked together before him, twitch

as generously as he always has. As soon as there came to him certain news of you, he told me everything. I refused to believe what people were saying, and he too wished to do so. H

e no a

eard you had gone from England, and could only hope

lay of only

ately you pu

d

moments. Her eyes grew moist. Th

of that kind. If he is not-well, I have been mistaken in him, and I can't deal with him as I wish to do." You know what he was, Hubert, and you can imagine him speaking those words. We waited. The bad news was confirmed, and from you there came nothing. I would not hint at the lo

A choking voice kept him

are above regrets of that kind; and for m

es I had built upon you. I thought you honour itself; I thought you high-minded. Young as you are, I let you go from me without a fear. Huber

ords she cou

to him to respect the lightest of his reasonable wishes. The wish which was supreme in him you have utterly disregarded. Is it that you failed to understand him? I have thought of late of a way you had now and then when you spoke to me about him; it has occurred to me that perhaps you did him less than justice. Regard his position and mine, and tell me whether you think he could have become so much to us if he had not been a gentleman in the highest sense of the word. When Godfrey first of all brought me that proposal from him that we should still

n a wide absent gaze. Mrs. Eldon had lost all the severity of her face; th

ileges. You almost make me dread that you were right. Look back at that man, whom I came to honour as my own father. He began life as a toiler with his hands. Only a fortnight ago he was telling me stories of his boyhood, of seventy years since. He was without education; his ideas of truth and goodness he had to find within his own heart. Could anything exceed th

beyond the range of lamp and firelight. Standing here, he pressed his hand a

step or

m still far from well. Let me leav

ut standing upright-a thing she had not done for a long time-when Hubert sprang towards her, seiz

elt beside her. He could find no words, but

speaking as one wearied with suffering.

t speak of me. In your last letter

vice. The pew-opener found him sittin

he pew from the pulpit? The dea

see; the front cur

that, I

on shook

sked suddenly. 'Why do y

nothing; I will se

teadily into his eyes, and

ve not kissed m

r. There is too

fell upon

ber

ssed h

m me again? When you say good-bye, it wi

was s

I have your promise that you wil

in front of the fire; his mother

cannot keep. Rather than that, we will acc

k to you of what drove me to disregard your letters. I love and hon

m already to have chang

fferently on subjects which allow of no compromise, that, even

n him a grief-stricke

hts? Surely, surely you are at one with me in condemning all that has led to this? If your cha

pt si

e me that

oved imp

ction in no way depends on one's own calmer thought. In this moment I could promise anything you ask; if I had my choice, I would be a child again an

or some moments; then

as been

e. 'Mr. Yottle has waited for your return befo

said. Then, after reflection, 'Mr. Mutimer

ay after-the Monday-Mr. Yottle was to have come to receive instruction

t of that?' Hubert asked, w

hat a will which existed. before Godfrey'

s the

provision for him and certain of his family. Wanley is h

have not c

imer's death. There has been no direct commu

tion was, 'What sh

eble to move very far. I must find a home

r with compassi

sked his mother, rai

ure! Only the gentle and helpless have to su

ed by one who thinks

to make a rejoinder, b

go and rest. If you still feel unwell in the morning, a

his head. Mrs. Eldon offered her chee

servant to Hubert's bedroom. Though it was daylight, a lamp

speak with difficulty. 'I wish to see him as soon as possible.

ade his appearance, with every sign of having been interrupted

g as he looked keenly at his summo

onfoundedly wrong. I have been playing

ev

ou will see. Let me see, when was it?-Saturday to-day? Ten days ago, I had a pistol-bullet just here,'-he tou

ace into an expression

n't think I could move if I tried. In a few minutes, ten to one, I shall begin talkin

nd, whistling low, b