hard cash-第8章

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　gentlemen。〃　She　gave　an　expressive　shake　of　her　fair　shoulders；　like　a　swan　flapping　the　water　off　its　downy　wings；　and　so　dismissed　the　subject　from　her　mind。

Then　she　said　her　prayers。

Then　she　rose　from　her　knees；　and　in　tones　of　honey　said；　〃Puss！　puss！　pretty　puss！〃　and　awaited　a　result。

Thieves　and　ghosts　she　did　not　believe　in；　yet　credited　cats　under　beds；　and　thought　them　neither　〃harmless〃　nor　〃necessary〃　there。

After　tenderly　evoking　the　dreaded　and　chimerical　quadruped；　she　proceeded　none　the　less　to　careful　research；　especially　of　cupboards。　The　door　of　one　resisted；　and　then　yielded　with　a　crack；　and　blew　out　the　candle。　〃There　now；〃　said　she。

It　was　her　only　light；　except　her　beauty。　They　allotted　each　Hebe　but　one　candle；　in　that　ancient　burgh。　〃Well；〃　she　thought；　〃there　is　moonlight　enough　to　_un_dress　by。〃　She　went　to　draw　back　one　of　the　curtains；　but　in　the　act　she　started　back　with　a　little　scream。　There　was　a　tall　figure　over　the　way　watching　the　house。

The　moon　shone　from　her　side　of　the　street　full　on　him；　and　in　that　instant　her　quick　eye　recognised　Mr。　Hardie。

〃Well！〃　said　she　aloud；　and　with　an　indescribable　inflexion；　and　hid　herself　swiftly　in　impenetrable　gloom。

But；　after　a　while；　Eve's　daughter　must　have　a　peep。　She　stole　with　infinite　caution　to　one　side　of　the　curtain；　and　made　an　aperture　just　big　enough　for　one　bright　eye。　Yes；　there　he　was；　motionless。　〃I'll　tell　mamma；〃　said　she　to　him；　malignantly；　as　if　the　sound　could　reach　him。

Unconscious　of　the　direful　threat；　he　did　not　budge。

She　was　unaffectedly　puzzled　at　this　phenomenon；　and；　not　being　the　least　vain；　fell　to　wondering　whether　he　played　the　nightly　sentinel　opposite　every　lady's　window　who　exchanged　civilities　within　him。　〃Because；　if　he　does；　he　is　a　fool；〃　said　she；　promptly。　But　on　reflection；　she　felt　sure　he　did　nothing　of　the　kind　habitually；　for　he　had　too　high　an　opinion　of　himself；　she　had　noted　that　trait　in　him　at　a　very　early　stage。　She　satisfied　herself；　by　cautious　examination；　that　he　did　not　know　her　room。　He　was　making　a　temple　of　the　whole　lodging。　〃How　ridiculous　of　him！〃　Yet　he　appeared　to　be　happy　over　it；　there　was　an　exalted　look　in　his　moonlit　face；　she　seemed　now　first　to　see　his　soul　there。　She　studied　his　countenance　like　an　inscription；　and　deciphered　each　rapt　expression　that　crossed　it；　and　stored　them　in　her　memory。

Twice　she　heft　her　ambuscade　to　go　to　bed；　and　twice　Curiosity；　or　Something；　drew　her　back。　At　last；　having　looked；　peered；　and　peeped；　till　her　feet　were　cold；　and　her　face　the　reverse；　she　informed　herself　that　the　foolish　Thing　had　tired　her　out。

〃Good…night；　Mr。　Policeman；〃　said　she；　pretending　to　bawl　to　him。　〃And　oh！　Do　rain！　As　hard　as　ever　you　can。　With　this　benevolent　aspiration；　a　little　too　violent　to　he　sincere；　she　laid　her　cheek　on　her　pillow　doughtily。

But　her　sentinel；　when　out　of　sight；　had　more　power　to　disturb　her。　She　lay　and　wondered　whether　he　was　still　there；　and　what　it　all　meant；　and　whatever　mamma　would　say；　and　which　of　the　two；　she　or　he；　was　the　head　culprit　in　this　strange　performance；　to　which　Earth；　she　conceived；　had　seen　no　parallel；　and；　above　all；　what　he　would　do　next。　Her　pulse　galloped；　and　her　sleep　was　broken；　and　she　came　down　in　the　morning　a　little　pale。　Mrs。　Dodd　saw　it　at　once；　with　the　quick　maternal　eye；　and　moralised：　〃It　is　curious；　youth　is　so　fond　of　pleasure；　yet　pleasure　seldom　agrees　with　youth；　this　little　excitement　has　done　your　mother　good；　who　is　no　longer　young；　but　it　has　been　too　much　for　you。　I　shall　he　glad　to　have　you　back　to　our　quiet　home。〃

Ah！　Will　that　home　be　as　tranquil　now？


CHAPTER　III

THE　long　vacation　commenced　about　a　month　afterwards；　and　Hardie　came　to　his　father's　house；　to　read　for　honours；　unimpeded　by　university　races　and　college　lectures；　and　the　ploughed　and　penitent　one　packed　up　his　Aldrich　and　his　Whately；　the　then　authorities　in　Logic；　and　brought　them　home；　together　with　a　firm　resolution　to　master　that　joyous　science　before　the　next　examination　for　Smalls　in　October。　But　lo！　ere　he　had　been　an　hour　at　home；　he　found　his　things　put　neatly　away　in　his　drawers　on　the　feminine　or　vertical　systemdeep　strata　of　waistcoats；　strata　of　trousers；　strata　of　coats；　strata　of　papersand　his　Logic　gone。

In　the　course　of　the　evening　he　taxed　his　sister　good…humouredly；　and　asked　〃What　earthly　use　that　book　was　to　her；　not　wearing　curls。〃

〃I　intend　to　read　it；　and　study　it；　and　teach　you　it；〃　replied　Julia；　rather　languidlyconsidering　the　weight　of　the　resolve。

〃Oh；　if　you　have　boned　it　to　read；　I　say　no　more；　the　crime　will　punish　itself。〃

〃Be　serious；　Edward；　and　think　of　mamma！　I　cannot　sit　with　my　hands　before　me；　and　let　you　be　reploughed。〃

〃I　don't　want。　Butreploughed！haw；　haw！　but　you　can't　help　me　at　Logic；　as　you　used　at　Syntax。　Why；　all　the　world　knows　a　girl　can't　learn　Logic。〃

〃A　girl　can　learn　anything　she　chooses　to　learn。　What　she　can't　learn　is　things　other　people　set　her　down　to。〃　Before　Edward　could　fully　digest　this　revelation；　she　gave　the　argument　a　new　turn　by　adding　fretfully；　〃And　don't　be　so　unkind；　thwarting　and　teasing　me！〃　and　all　in　a　moment　she　was　crying。

〃Halloa！〃　ejaculated　Edward；　taken　quite　by　surprise。　〃What　is　the　matter；　dears？〃　inquired　maternal　vigilance　from　the　other　end　of　the　room。　〃You　did　not　speak　brusquely　to　her；　Edward？〃

〃No；　no；〃　said　Julia　eagerly。　〃It　is　I　that　am　turned　so　cross　and　so　peevish。　I　am　quite　a　changed　girl。　Mamma；　what　_is_　the　matter　with　me？〃　And　she　laid　her　brow　on　her　mother's　bosom。

Mrs。　Dodd　caressed　the　lovely　head　soothingly　with　one　hand；　and　made　a　sign　over　it　to　Edward　to　leave　them　alone。　She　waited　quietly　till　Julia　was　composed：　and　then　said；　softly；　〃　Come；　tell　me　what　it　is：　nothing　that　Edward　said　to　you；　for　I　heard　almost　every　word；　and　I　was　just　going　to　smile；　or　nearly；　when　you　And；　my　love；　it　is　not　the　first　time；　you　know。　I　would　not　tell　Edward；　but　I　have　more　than　once　seen　your　eyes　with　tears　in　them。〃

〃Have　you；　mamma？〃　said　Julia；　scarcely　above　a　whisper。

〃Why；　you　know　I　have。　But　I　said　to　myself　it　was　no　use　forcing　confidence。　I　thought　I　would　be　very　patient；　and　wait　till　you　came　to　me　with　it；　so　now；　what　is　it；　my　darling？　Why　do　you　speak　of　one　thing　and　think　of　another？　and　cry　without　any　reason　that　your　mother　can　see？〃

〃I　don't　know；　mamma；〃　said　Julia；　hiding　her　head。　〃I　think　it　is　because　I　sleep　so　badly。　I　rise　in　the　morning　hot　and　quivering；　and　more　tired　then　I　lay　down。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　inquired　how　long　this　had　been。

Julia　did　not　answer　this　question；　she　went　on；　with　her　face　still　hidden：　〃Mamma；　I　do　feel　so　depressed　and　hysterical；　or　else　in　violent　spirits：　but　not　nice　and　cheerful　as　you　are；　and　I　used　to　be；　and　I　go　from　one　thing　to　another；　and　can　settle　to　nothingeven　in　church　I　attend　by　fits　and　starts：　I　forgot　to　water　my　very　flowers　last　night：　and　I　heard　Mrs。　Maxley　out　of　my　window　tell　Sarah　I　am　losing　my　colour。　Am　I？　But　what　does　it　matter？　I　am　losing　my　sense；　for　I　catch　myself　for　ever　looking　in　the　glass；　and　that　is　a　sure　sign　of　a　fool；　you　know。　And　I　cannot　pass　the　shops：　I　stand　and　look　in；　and　long　for　the　very　dearest　silks；　and　for　diamonds　in　my　hair。〃　A　deep　sigh　followed　the　confession　of　these　multiform　imperfections；　and　the　culprit　half　raised　her　head　to　watch　their　effect。

As　for　Mrs。　Dodd；　she　opened　her　eyes　wide　with　surprise；　but　at　the　end　of　the　heterogeneous　catalogue　she　smiled；　and　said；　〃I　cannot　believe　_that。_　If　ever　there　was　a　young　lady　free　from　personal　vanity；　it　is　my　Julia。　Why；　your　thoughts　run　by　nature　away　from　yourself；　you　were　born　for　others。〃

Her　daughter　kissed　her　gratefully；　and　smiled：　but　after　a　pause；　said；　sorrowfully；　〃Ah！　that　was　the　old　Julia；　as　seen　with　your　dear　eyes。　I　have　almost　forgotten　_her。_　The　new　one　is　what　I　tell　you；　dear　mamma；　and　that〃　（within　sudden　fervour）　〃is　a　dreamy；　wandering；　vain；　egotistical；　hysterical；　abominable　girl。〃

〃Let　me　kiss　this　monster　that　I　have　brought　into　the　world；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd。　〃And　now　let　me　think。〃　She　rested　her　eyes　calm　and　penetrating　upon　her　daughter；　and　at　this　mere　look；　but　a　very　searching　one；　the　colour　mounted　and　mounted　in　Julia's　cheek　strangely。

〃After　all；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd　thoughtfully；　〃yours　is　a　critical　age。　Perhaps　my　child　is　turning　to　a　woman；　my　rosebud　to　a　rose。　And　she　sighed。　Mothers　will　sigh　at　things　none　other　ever　sighed　at。

〃To　a　weed；　I　fear；〃　replied　Julia。　〃What　will　you　say　when　I　own　I　felt　no　real　joy　at　Edward's　return　this　time？　And　yesterday　I　cried；　'Do　get　away；　and　don't　pester　me！'〃

〃To　your　brother？　Oh！〃

〃Oh；　no；　mamma；　that　was　to　poor　Spot。　He　jumped　on　me　in　a　reverie；　all　affection；　poor　thing。〃

〃Well；　for　your　comfort；　dogs　do　not　appreciate　the　niceties　of　our　language。〃

〃I　am　afraid　they　do；　when　we　kick　them。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　smiled　at　the　admission　implied　here；　and　the　deep　penitence　it　was　uttered　with。　But　Julia　remonstrated；　〃Oh　no！　no！　don't　laugh　at　me；　but　help　me　within　your　advice：　you　are　so　wise　and　so　experienced：　you　must　have　been　a　girl　before　you　were　an　angel。　You　_must_　know　what　is　the　matter　with　me。　Oh；　do　pray　cure　me；　or　else　kill　me；　for　I　cannot　go　on　like　this；　all　my　affections　deadened　and　my　peace　disturbed。〃

And　now　the　mother　looked　serious　and　thoughtful　enough；　and　the　daughter　watched　her　furtively。　〃Julia；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd；　very　gravely；　〃if　it　was　not　my　child；　reared　under　my　eye；　and　never　separated　from　me　a　single　day；　I　should　say；　this　young　lady　is　either　afflicted　with　some　complaint；　and　it　affects　her　nerves　and　spirits；　or　else　she　hasshe　iswhat　inexperienced　young　people　call　'in　love。'　You　need　not　look　so　frightened；　child；　nobody　in　their　senses　suspects　_you_　of　imprudence　or　indelicacy；　and　therefore　I　feel　quite　sure　that　your　constitution　is　at　a　crisis；　or　your　health　has　suffered　some　shockpray　Heaven　it　may　not　be　a　serious　one。　You　will　have　the　best　advice；　and　without　delay；　I　promise　you。〃

That　very　evening；　Mrs。　Dodd　sent　a　servant　into　the　town　with　a　note　like　a　cocked…hat　for　Mr。　Osmond；　a　consulting　surgeon；　who　bore　a　high　reputation　in　Barkington。　He　came；　and　proved　too　plump　for　that　complete　elegance　she　would　have　desired　in　a　medical　attendant；　but　had　a　soft　hand；　a　gentle　touch；　and　a　subdued　manner。　He　spoke　to　the　patient　with　a　kindness　which　won　the　mother　directly；　had　every　hope　of　setting　her　right　without　any　violent　or　disagreeable　remedies；　but；　when　she　had　retired；　altered　his　tone；　and　told　Mrs。　Dodd　seriously　she　had　done　well　to　send　for　him　in　time：　it　was　a　case　of　〃Hyperaesthesia〃　（Mrs。　Dodd　clasped　her　hands　in　alarm）；　〃or　as　unprofessional　persons　would　say；　'excessive　sensibility。'〃

Mrs。　Dodd　was　somewhat　relieved。　Translation　blunts　thunderbolts。　She　told　him　she　had　always　feared　for　her　child　on　that　score。　But　was　sensibility　curable？　Could　a　nature　be　changed？

He　replied　that　the　Idiosyncrasy　could　not；　but　its　morbid　excess　could；　especially　when　taken　in　time。　Advice　was　generally　called　in　too　late。　However；　here　the　only　serious　symptom　was　the　Insomnia