hard cash-第85章

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〃Did　you　read　it？〃　asked　Julia；　trembling　now　like　an　aspen；　and　fluttering　like　a　bird。

〃No；　but　I　read　the　address；　and　the　date　inside；　and　I　saw　the　handwriting；　and　I　was　offered　the　letter；　but　papa　told　me　it　was　full　of　abuse　of　him；　so　I　declined*　to　read　it；　however；　I　will　get　it　for　_you。_〃

*　This　was　one　of　those　involuntary　inaccuracies　which　creep　into　mortal　statements。

Mrs。　Dodd　thanked　her　warmly；　but　asked　her　if　she　could　not　in　the　meantime　give　some　idea　of　the　contents。

〃Oh　yes；　Mrs。　Dodd：　papa　read　me　out　a　great　deal　of　it。　He　was　in　Paris；　but　just　starting　for　London：　and　he　demanded　his　money　and　his　accounts。　You　know　papa　is　one　of　his　trustees。〃

〃Well；　but；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd；　〃there　was　nothingnothing　about？〃

〃Oh　yes；　there　was；〃　said　Jane；　〃only　Iwell　then；　for　dear　Julia's　sakethe　letter　said；　'What　wonder　the　son　of　a　sharper　should　prove　a　traitor？　_You_　have　stolen　her　money　and　_I_　her　affections；　and'oh；　I　can't；　I　can't。〃　And　Jane　Hardie　began　to　cry。

Mrs。　Dodd　embraced　her　like　a　mother；　and　entered　into　her　filial　feelings：　Mrs。　Dodd　had　never　seen　her　so　weak；　and；　therefore；　never　thought　her　so　amiable。　Thus　occupied　they　did　not　at　first　observe　how　these　tidings　were　changing　Julia。

But　presently　looking　up；　they　saw　her　standing　at　her　full　height　on　fire　with　wrath　and　insulted　pride。

〃Ah；　you　have　brought　me　comfort；〃　she　cried。　〃　Mamma；　I　shall　hate　and　scorn　this　man　some　day；　as　much　as　I　hate　and　scorn　myself　now　for　every　tear　I　have　shed　for　him。〃

They　tried　to　calm　her；　but　in　vain；　a　new　gust　of　passion　possessed　the　ardent　young　creature　and　would　have　vent。　She　reddened　from　bosom　to　brow；　and　the　scalding　tears　ran　down　her　flaming　cheeks；　and　she　repeated　between　her　clenched　teeth；　〃My　veins　are　not　filled　with　skim…milk；　I　can　tell　you：　you　have　seen　how　I　can　love；　you　shall　see　how　I　can　hate。〃　And　with　this　she　went　haughtily　out　of　the　room；　not　to　expose　the　passion　which　overpowered　her。

Mrs。　Dodd　took　advantage　of　her　absence　to　thank　Jane　for　her　kindness；　and　told　her　she　had　also　received　some　letters　by　this　morning's　post；　and　thought　it　would　be　neither　kind　on　her　part　nor　just　to　conceal　their　purport　from　her。　She　then　read　her　a　letter　from　Mrs。　Beresford；　and　another　from　Mr。　Grey；　in　answer　to　queries　about　the　L。　14；000。

Sharpe；　I　may　as　well　observe；　was　at　sea；　Bayliss　drowned。

Mrs。　Beresford　knew　nothing　about　the　matter。

Mr。　Grey　was　positive　Captain　Dodd；　when　in　command；　had　several　thousand　pounds　in　his　cabin；　Mrs。　Beresford's　Indian　servant　had　been　detected　trying　to　steal　it；　and　put　in　irons：　believed　the　lady　had　not　been　told　the　causeout　of　delicacy！　and　Captain　Roberts　had　liberated　him。　As　to　whether　the　money　had　escaped　the　wreckif　on　Captain　Dodd's　person；　it　might　have　been　saved；　but　if　not；　it　was　certainly　lost：　for　Captain　Dodd　to　his　knowledge　had　run　on　deck　from　the　passenger's　cabin　the　moment　the　ship　struck；　and　had　remained　there　till　she　went　to　pieces；　and　everything　was　washed　out　of　her。

〃Our　own　opinion；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd；　〃I　mean　Edward's　and　mine；　is　now；　that　the　money　was　lost　in　the　ship；　and　you　can　tell　your　papa　so　if　you　like。〃

Jane　thanked　her；　and　said　she　thought　so　too：　and　what　a　sad　thing　it　was。

Soon　after　this　Julia　returned；　pale　and　calm　as　a　statue；　and　sat　down　humbly　beside　Jane。　〃Oh；　pray　with　me；〃　she　said：　〃pray　that　I　may　not　hate；　for　to　hate　is　to　be　wicked；　and　pray　that　I　may　not　love；　for　to　love　is　to　be　miserable。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　retired；　with　her　usual　tact　and　self…denial。

Then　Jane　Hardie；　being　alone　with　her　friend；　and　full　of　sorrow；　sympathy；　and　faith；　found　words　of　eloquence　almost　divine　to　raise　her。

With　these　pious　consolations　Julia's　pride　and　self…respect　now　co…operated。　Relieved　of　her　great　terror；　she　felt　her　insult　to　her　fingers'　ends：　〃I'll　never　degrade　myself　so　far　as　to　pine　for　another　lady's　lover；〃　she　said。　〃I'll　resume　my　duties　in　another　sphere；　and　try　to　face　the　world　by　degrees。　I　am　not　quite　alone　in　it；　I　have　my　mother　stilland　my　Redeemer。〃

Some　tears　forced　their　way　at　these　brave；　gentle　words。　Jane　gave　her　time。

Then　she　said：　〃Begin　by　putting　on　your　bonnet；　and　visiting　with　me。　Come　with　one　who　is　herself　thwarted　in　the　carnal　affections；　come　with　her　and　see　how　sick　some　are；　and　we　two　in　health；　how　racked　with　pain　some　are；　and　we　two　at　ease；　how　hungry　some；　and　we　have　abundance；　and；　above　all；　in　what　spiritual　deserts　some　lie；　while　we　walk　in　the　Gospel　light。〃

〃Oh　that　I　had　the　strength；〃　said　Julia；　〃I'll　try。〃

She　put　on　her　bonnet；　and　went　down　with　her　friend；　but　at　the　street　door　the　strange　feeling　of　shame　overpowered　her；　she　blushed　and　trembled；　and　begged　to　substitute　the　garden　for　the　road。　Jane　consented；　and　said　everything　must　have　a　beginning。

The　fresh　air；　the　bursting　buds；　and　all　the　face　of　nature；　did　Julia　good；　and　she　felt　it。　〃You　little　angel；〃　said　she；　with　something　of　her　old　impetuosity；　〃　you　have　saved　me。　I　was　making　myself　worse　by　shutting　myself　up　in　that　one　miserable　room。〃

They　walked　hand　in　hand　for　a　good　half　hour；　and　then　Jane　said　she　must　go；　papa　would　miss　her。　Julia　was　sorry　to　part　with　her；　and　almost　without　thinking；　accompanied　her　through　the　house　to　the　front　gate；　and　that　was　another　point　gained。　〃I　never　was　so　sorry　to　part　with　you；　love；〃　said　she。　〃When　will　you　come　again？　We　leave　to…morrow。　I　am　selfish　to　detain　you；　but　it　seems　as　if　my　guardian　angel　was　leaving　me。〃

Jane　smiled。　〃I　must　go；〃　said　she；　〃but　I'll　leave　better　angels　than　I　am　behind　me。　I　leave　you　this：　'Humble　yourself　under　the　mighty　hand　of　God！'　When　it　seems　most　harsh；　then　it　is　most　loving。　Pray　for　faith　to　say　with　me；　'Lead　us　by　a　way　that　we　know　not。'〃

They　kissed　one　another；　and　Julia　stood　at　the　gate　and　looked　lovingly　after　her；　with　the　tears　standing　thick　in　her　own　violet　eyes。

Now　Maxley　was　coming　down　the　road；　all　grizzly　and　bloodshot；　baited　by　the　boys；　who　had　gradually　swelled　in　number　as　he　drew　nearer　the　town。

Jane　was　shocked　at　their　heathenish　cruelty；　and　went　off　the　path　to　remonstrate　with　them。

On　this；　Maxley　fell　upon　her；　and　began　beating　her　about　the　head　and　shoulders　with　his　heavy　stick。

The　miserable　boys　uttered　yells　of　dismay；　but　did　nothing。

Julia　uttered　a　violent　scream；　but　flew　to　her　friend's　aid；　and　crying；　〃Oh　you　wretch！　you　wretch！〃　actually　caught　the　man　by　the　throat　and　shook　him　violently。　He　took　his　hand　off　Jane　Hardie；　who　instantly　sank　moaning　on　the　ground；　and　he　cowered　like　a　cur　at　the　voice　and　the　purple　gleaming　eyes　of　the　excited　girl。

The　air　filled　with　cries；　and　Edward　ran　out　of　the　house　to　see　what　was　the　matter；　but　on　the　spot　nobody　was　game　enough　to　come　between　the　furious　man　and　the　fiery　girl。　The　consequence　was；　her　impetuous　courage　began　to　flag　and　her　eye　to　waver；　the　demented　man　found　this　out　by　some　half　animal　instinct；　and　instantly　caught　her　by　the　shoulder　and　whirled　her　down　on　her　knees；　then　raised　his　staff　high　to　destroy　her。

She　screamed；　and　was　just　putting　up　her　hands；　womanlike；　not　to　see　her　death　as　well　as　feel　it；　when　something　dark　came　past　her　like　a　rushing　winda　blow；　that　sounded　exactly　like　that　of　a　paving　ram；　caught　Maxley　on　the　jaw：　and　there　was　Edward　Dodd　blowing　like　a　grampus　with　rage；　and　Maxley　on　his　back　in　the　road。　But　men　under　cerebral　excitement　are　not　easily　stunned；　and　know　no　pain：　he　bounded　off　the　ground；　and　came　at　Edward　like　a　Spanish　bull。　Edward　slipped　aside；　and　caught　him　another　ponderous　blow　that　sent　him　staggering；　and　his　bludgeon　flew　out　of　his　hand；　and　Edward　caught　it。　Lo！　the　maniac　flew　at　him　again　more　fiercely　than　ever；　but　the　young　Hercules　had　seen　Jane　bleeding　on　the　ground：　he　dealt　her　assailant　in　full　career　such　a　murderous　stroke　with　the　bludgeon；　that　the　people；　who　were　running　from　all　quarters；　shrieked　with　dismaynot　for　Jane；　but　for　Maxley；　and　well　they　might；　that　awful　stroke　laid　him　senseless；　motionless　and　mute；　in　a　pool　of　his　own　blood。

〃Don't　kill　him；　sir；　don't　kill　the　man；〃　was　the　cry。

〃Why　not？〃　said　Edward　sternly。　He　then　kneeled　over　his　sweetheart　and　lifted　her　in　his　arms　like　a　child。　Her　bonnet　was　all　broken；　her　eyes　were　turned　upwards　and　set；　and　a　little　blood　trickled　down　her　cheek；　and　that　cheek　seemed　streaked　white　and　red。

He　was　terrified；　agonised；　yet　he　gasped　out；　〃You　are　safe；　dear；　don't　be　frightened。〃

She　knew　the　voice。

〃Oh；　Edward！〃　she　said　piteously　and　tenderly；　and　then　moaned　a　little　on　his　broad　bosom。　He　carried　her　into　the　house　out　of　the　crowd。

Poor　old　doctor　Phillips；　coming　in　to　end　his　days　in　the　almshouse；　had　seen　it　all：　he　got　out　of　his　cart　and　hobbled　up。　He　had　been　in　the　army；　and　had　both　experience　and　skill。　He　got　her　bonnet　off；　and　at　sight　of　her　head　looked　very　grave。

In　a　minute　a　bed　was　laid　in　the　drawing…room；　and　all　the　windows　and　doors　open：　and　Edward；　trembling　now　in　every　limb；　ran　to　Musgrove　Cottage；　while　Mrs。　Dodd　and　Julia　loosened　the　poor　girl's　dress；　and　bathed　her　wounds　with　tepid　water　（the　doctor　would　not　allow　cold）；　and　put　wine　carefully　to　her　lips　with　a　teaspoon。

〃Wanted　at　your　house；　pray　what　for？〃　said　Mr。　Hardie　superciliously。

〃Oh；　sir；〃　said　Edward；　〃such　a　calamity。　Pray　come　directly。　A　ruffian　has　struck　her；　has　hurt　her　terribly；　terribly。〃

〃Her！　Who？〃　asked　Mr。　Hardie；　beginning　to　be　uneasy。

〃Who！　why　Jane；　your　daughter；　man；　and　there　you　sit　chattering；　instead　of　coming　at　once。〃

Mr。　Hardie　rose　hurriedly　and　put　on　his　hat；　and　accompanied　him；　half　confused。

Soon　Edward's　mute　agitation　communicated　itself　to　him；　and　he　went　striding　and　trembling　by　his　side。

The　crowd　had　gone　with　insensible　Maxley　to　the　hospital；　but　the　traces　of　the　terrible　combat　were　there。　Where　Maxley　fell　the　last　time；　a　bullock　seemed　to　have　been　slaughtered　at　the　least。

The　miserable　father　came　on　this；　and　gave　a　great　scream　like　a　woman；　and　staggered　back　white　as　a　sheet。

Edward　laid　his　hand　on　him；　for　he　seemed　scarce　able　to　stand。

〃No；　no；　no；〃　he　cried；　comprehending　the　mistake　at　last；　that　is　not　hersHeaven　forbid！　That　is　the　madman's　who　did　it；　I　knocked　him　down　with　his　own　cudgel。〃

〃God　bless　you！　you've　killed　him；　I　hope。〃

〃Oh；　sir；　be　more　merciful；　and　then　perhaps　He　will　be　merciful　to　us；　and　not　take　this　angel　from　us。〃

〃No！　no！　you　are　right；　good　young　man。　I　little　thought　I　had　such　a　friend　in　your　house。〃

〃Don't　deceive　yourself；　sir；〃　said　Edward；　〃it's　not　you　I　care　for：〃　then；　with　a　great　cry　of　anguish；　_〃I　love　her。_〃

At　this　blunt　declaration；　so　new　and　so　offensive　to　him；　Mr。　Hardie　winced；　and　stopped　bewildered。

But　they　were　at　the　gate；　and　Edward　hurried　him　on。　At　the　house　door　he　drew　back　once　more；　for　he　felt　a　shiver　of　repugnance　at　entering　this　hateful　house；　of　whose　happiness　he　was　the　destroyer。

But　enter　it　he　must；　it　was　his　fate。

The　wife　of　the　poor　Captain　he　had　driven　mad　met　him　in　the