hard cash-第86章

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But　enter　it　he　must；　it　was　his　fate。

The　wife　of　the　poor　Captain　he　had　driven　mad　met　him　in　the　passage；　her　motherly　eyes　full　of　tears　for　him；　and　both　hands　held　out　to　him　like　a　pitying　angel。　〃Oh；　Mr。　Hardie；〃　she　said　in　a　broken　voice；　and　took　him；　and　led　him；　wonder…struck；　stupefied；　shivering　with　dark　fears；　to　the　room　where　his　crushed　daughter　lay。


CHAPTER　XXXVIII

MR。　HARDIE　found　his　daughter　lying　ashy　pale　on　a　little　bed　in　the　drawing…room　of　Albion　Villa。　She　was　now　scarce　conscious。　The　old　doctor　sat　at　her　head　looking　very　grave；　and　Julia　kneeled　over　her　beloved　friend；　pale　as　herself；　with　hands　clasped　convulsively；　and　great　eyes　of　terror　and　grief。

That　vivid　young　face；　full　of　foreboding　and　woe；　struck　Mr。　Hardie　the　moment　he　entered；　and　froze　his　very　heart。　The　strong　man　quivered　and　sank　slowly　like　a　felled　tree　by　the　bedside；　and　his　face　and　the　poor　girl's；　whose　earthly　happiness　he　had　coldly　destroyed；　nearly　met　over　his　crushed　daughter。

〃Jane；　my　child；〃　he　gasped；　〃my　poor　little　Jane！〃

〃Oh　let　me　sleep；〃　she　moaned　feebly。

〃Darling；　it's　your　own　papa；〃　said　Julia　softly。

〃Poor　papa！〃　said　she；　turning　rather　to　Julia　than　to　him。　〃Let　me　sleep。〃

She　was　in　a　half　lethargic　state。

Mr。　Hardie　asked　the　doctor　in　an　agitated　whisper　if　he　might　move　her　home。　The　doctor　shook　his　head：　〃Not　by　my　advice；　her　pulse　is　scarce　perceptible。　We　must　not　move　her　nor　excite　her；　nor　yet　let　her　sink　into　lethargy。　She　is　in　great　danger；　very　great。〃

At　these　terrible　words　Mr。　Hardie　groaned：　and　they　all　began　to　speak　below　the　breath。

〃Edward；〃　murmured　Mrs。　Dodd　hurriedly；　〃run　and　put　off　the　auction：　put　it　off　altogether；　then　go　to　the　railway；　nothing　must　come　here　to　make　a　noise；　and　get　straw　put　down　directly。　Do　that　first；　dear。〃

〃You　are　kinder　to　me　than　I　deserve；〃　muttered　Mr。　Hardie　humbly；　quite　cowed　by　the　blow　that　had　fallen　on　him。　The　words　agitated　Mrs。　Dodd　with　many　thoughts；　but　she　whispered　as　calmly　as　she　could；　〃Let　us　think　of　nothing　now　but　this　precious　life。〃

Mr。　Hardie　begged　to　see　the　extent　of　the　injury。

Mrs。　Dodd　dissuaded　him；　but　he　persisted。　Then　the　doctor　showed　her　poor　head。

At　that　the　father　uttered　a　scream　and　sat　quivering。　Julia　buried　her　face　in　the　bed…clothes　directly；　and　sobbed　vehemently。　It　passed　faintly　across　the　benumbed　and　shuddering　father；　〃How　she　loves　my　child；　they　all　love　her；〃　but　the　thought　made　little　impression　at　the　time；　the　mind　was　too　full　of　terror　and　woe。　The　doctor　now　asked　for　brandy　in　a　whisper。　Mrs。　Dodd　left　the　room　with　stealthy　foot；　and　brought　it。　He　asked　for　a　quill。　Julia　went　with　swift；　stealthy　foot；　and　brought　it。　With　adroit　and　tender　hands　they　aided　the　doctor；　and　trickled　stimulants　down　her　throat。　Then　sat　like　statues　of　grief　about　the　bed；　only　every　now　and　then　eye　sought　eye；　and　endeavoured　to　read　what　the　other　thought。　Was　there　hope？　Was　there　none？　And　by…and…bye；　so　roving　is　the　mind；　especially　when　the　body　is　still；　these　statues　began　to　thrill　with　thoughts　of　the　past　as　well　as　the　absorbing　present。

Ay；　here　were　met　a　strange　party；　a　stranger；　for　its　size；　methinks；　never　yet　met　on　earth；　to　mingle　their　hearts　together　in　one　grief。

Just　think！　Of　him　who　sat　there　with　his　face　hidden　in　his　hands；　and　his　frame　shuddering；　all　the　others　were　the　victims。

Yet　the　lady；　whose　husband　he　had　robbed　and　driven　mad；　pitied　and　sympathised　with　him；　and　he　saw　it；　the　lady；　whom　he　had　insulted　at　the　altar　and　blighted　her　young　heart　and　life；　pitied　and　sympathised　with　him；　the　poor　old　doctor　pitied　and　sympathised；　and　was　more　like　an　anxious　father　than　a　physician。

Even　Jane　was　one　of　his　victims；　for　she　fell　by　the　hand　of　a　man　he　had　dishonestly　ruined　and　driven　out　of　his　senses。

Thinking　of　all　he　had　done；　and　this　the　end　of　it；　he　was　at　once　crushed　and　melted。

He　saw　with　awe　that　a　mightier　hand　than　man's　was　upon　him；　it　had　tossed　him　and　his　daughter　into　the　house　and　the　arms　of　the　injured　Dodds；　in　defiance　of　all　human　calculation；　and　he　felt　himself　a　straw　in　that　hand：　so　he　was；　and　the　great　globe　itself。　Oh；　if　Jane　should　die！　the　one　creature　he　loved；　the　one　creature；　bereaved　of　whom　he　could　get　no　joy　even　from　riches。

What　would　he　not　give　to　recall　the　past；　since　all　his　schemes　had　but　ended　in　this。　Thus　stricken　by　terror　of　the　divine　wrath；　and　touched　by　the　goodness　and　kindness　of　those　he　had　cruelly　wronged；　all　the　man　was　broken　with　remorse。　Then　he　vowed　to　undo　his　own　work　as　far　as　possible：　he　would　do　anything；　everything；　if　Heaven　would　spare　him　his　child。

Now　it　did　so　happen　that　these　resolves；　earnest　and　sincere　but　somewhat　vague；　were　soon　put　to　the　test；　and；　as　often　occurs；　what　he　was　called　on　to　do　first　was　that　which　he　would　rather　have　done　last。　Thus　it　was：　about　five　o'clock　in　the　afternoon　Jane　Hardie　opened　her　eyes　and　looked　about　her。

It　was　a　moment　of　intense　anxiety。　They　all　made　signals；　but　held　their　breath。　She　smiled　at　sight　of　Mr。　Hardie；　and　said；　〃Papa！　dear　papa！〃

There　was　great　joy：　silent　on　the　part　of　Mrs。　Dodd　and　Julia；　but　Mr。　Hardie；　who　saw　in　this　a　good　omen；　Heaven　recognising　his　penitence；　burst　out：　〃She　knows　me；　she　speaks；　she　will　live。　How　good　God　is！　Yes；　my　darling　child；　it　is　your　own　father。　You　will　be　brave　and　get　well；　for　my　sake。〃

Jane　did　not　seem　to　pay　much　heed　to　these　words：　she　looked　straight　before　her　like　one　occupied　with　her　own　thought；　and　said　distinctly　and　solemnly；　〃Papasend　for　Alfred。〃


It　fell　on　all　three　like　a　clap　of　thunder；　those　gentle　but　decided　tones；　those　simple　natural　words。

Julia's　eyes　flashed　into　her　mother's；　and　then　sought　the　ground　directly。

There　was　a　dead　silence。


Mr。　Hardie　was　the　one　to　speak　〃Why　for　him；　dear？　Those　who　love　you　best　are　all　here。〃

〃For　Heaven's　sake；　don't　thwart　her；　sir；〃　said　the　doctor；　in　alarm。　〃This　is　no　time　to　refuse　her　anything　in　your　power。　Sometimes　the　very　expectation　of　a　beloved　person　coming　keeps　them　alive；　stimulates　the　powers。〃

Mr。　Hardie　was　sore　perplexed。　He　recoiled　from　the　sudden　exposure　that　might　take　place；　if　Alfred　without　any　preparation　or　previous　conciliatory　measures　were　allowed　to　burst　in　upon　them。　And　while　his　mind　was　whirling　within　him　in　doubt　and　perplexity；　Jane　spoke　again；　but　no　longer　calmly　and　connectedly；　she　was　beginning　to　wander。　Presently　in　her　wandering　she　spoke　of　Edward；　called　him　dear　Edward。　Mrs。　Dodd　rose　hastily；　and　her　first　impulse　was　to　ask　both　gentlemen　to　retire：　so　instinctively　does　a　good　woman　protect　her　own　sex　against　the　other。　But；　reflecting　that　this　was　the　father；　she　made　an　excuse　and　retired　herself　instead；　followed　by　Julia。　The　doctor　divined；　and　went　to　the　window。　The　father　sat　by　the　bed；　and　soon　gathered　his　daughter　loved　Edward　Dodd。

The　time　was　gone　by　when　this　would　have　greatly　pained　him。

He　sighed　like　one　overmatched　by　fate；　but　said；　〃You　shall　have　him；　my　darling；　he　is　a　good　young　man；　he　shall　be　your　husband；　you　shall　be　happy。　Only　live　for　my　sake；　for　all　our　sakes。〃　She　paid　no　attention　and　wandered　on　a　little；　but　her　mind　gradually　cleared；　and　by…and…bye　she　asked　quietly　for　a　glass　of　water。　Mr。　Hardie　gave　it　her。　She　sipped；　and　he　took　it　from　her。　She　looked　at　him　close；　and　said　distinctly；　〃Have　you　sent　for　Alfred？〃

〃No；　love；　not　yet。〃

〃Not　yet？　There　is　no　time　to　lose；〃　she　said　gravely。

Mr。　Hardie　trembled。　Then；　being　alone　with　her；　the　miserable　man　unable　to　say　no；　unwilling　to　say　yes；　tried　to　persuade　her　not　to　ask　for　Alfred。　〃My　dear；〃　he　whispered；　〃I　will　not　refuse　you：　but　I　have　a　secret　to　confide　to　you。　Will　you　keep　it？〃

〃Yes；　papa；　faithfully。〃

〃Poor　Alfred　is　not　himself。　He　has　delusions：　he　is　partly　insane。　My　brother　Thomas　has　thought　it　best　for　us　all　to　put　him　under　gentle　restraint　for　a　time。　It　would　retard　his　cure　to　have　him　down　here　and　subject　him　to　excitement。〃

〃Papa；〃　said　Jane；　〃are　you　deceiving　me；　or　are　you　imposed　upon？　Alfred　insane！　It　is　a　falsehood。　He　came　to　me　the　night　before　the　wedding　that　was　to　be。　Oh；　my　brother；　my　darling　brother；　how　dare　they　say　you　are　insane！　That　letter　you　showed　me　then　was　a　falsehood？　Oh；　papa！〃

〃I　feared　to　frighten　you；〃　said　Mr。　Hardie；　and　hung　his　head。

〃I　see　it　all；〃　she　cried　〃those　wicked　men　with　their　dark　words　have　imposed　on　you。　Bring　him　to　me　that　I　may　reconcile　you　all；　and　end　all　this　misery　ere　I　go　hence　and　be　no　more　seen。〃

〃Oh；　my　child；　don't　talk　so；〃　cried　Mr。　Hardie；　trembling。　〃Think　of　your　poor　father。〃

〃I　do；〃　she　cried；　〃I　do。　Oh；　papa；　I　lie　here　between　two　worlds；　and　see　them　both　so　clear。　Trust　to　me：　and；　if　you　love　me〃

〃If　I　love　you；　Jane？　Better　than　all　the　world　twice　told。〃

〃Then　don't　refuse　me　this　one　favour：　the　last；　perhaps；　I　shall　ever　ask　you。　I　want　my　brother　here　before　it　is　too　late。　Tell　him　he　must　come　to　his　little　sister；　who　loves　him　dearly；　andis　dying。

〃Oh　no！　no！　no！〃　cried　the　agonised　father；　casting　everything　to　the　winds。　〃I　will。　He　shall　be　here　in　twelve　hours。　Only　promise　me　to　bear　up。　Have　a　strong　will；　have　courage。　You　shall　have　Alfred；　you　shall　have　anything　you　like　on　earth；　anything　that　money　can　get　you。　What　am　I　saying？　I　have　no　money；　it　is　all　gone。　But　I　have　a　father's　heart。　Madam；　Mrs。　Dodd！〃　She　came　directly。

〃Can　you　give　me　paper？　No；　I　won't　trust　to　a　letter。　I'll　send　off　a　special　messenger　this　moment。　It　is　for　my　son；　madam。　He　will　be　here　to…morrow　morning。　God　knows　how　it　will　all　end。　But　how　can　I　refuse　my　dying　child？　Oh；　madam；　you　are　good；　kind；　forgiving；　keep　my　poor　girl　alive　for　me：　keep　telling　her　Alfred　is　coming；　she　cares　more　for　him　than　for　her　poor　heart…broken　father。〃

And　the　miserable　man　rushed　out；　leaving　Mrs。　Dodd　in　tears　for　him。

He　was　no　sooner　gone　than　Julia　came　in；　and　clasped　her　mother；　and　trembled　on　her　bosom。　Then　Mrs。　Dodd　knew　she　had　overheard　Mr。　Hardie's　last　words。

Jane　Hardie；　too；　though　much　exhausted　by　the　scene　with　her　father；　put　out　her　hand　to　Julia；　and　took　hers；　and　said　feebly；　but　with　a　sweet　smile；　〃He　is　coming；　love；　all　shall　be　well。〃　Then　to　herself　as　it　were；　and　looking　up　with　a　gentle　rapture　in　her　pale　face

〃Blessed　are　the　peacemakers；　for　they　shall　be　called　the　children　of　God。〃

On　this　thought　she　seemed　to　feed　with　innocent　joy；　but　for　a　long　time　was　too　weak　to　speak　again。

Mr。　Hardie；　rushing　from　the　house；　found　Edward　at　work　outside；　he　was　crying　undisguisedly；　and　with　his　coat　off；　working　harder　at　spreading　the　straw　than　both　the　two　men　together　he　had　got　to　help　him。　Mr。　Hardie　took　his　hand　and　wrung　it；　but　could　not　speak。

In　half　an　hour　a　trusty　agent　he　had　often　employed　was　at　the　station　waiting　for　the　up　train；　nearly　due。

He　came　back　to　Albion　Villa。　Julia　met　him　on　the　stairs　with　her　fingers　to　her　lips。　〃She　is　sleeping；　the　doctor　has　hopes。　Oh；　sir；　let　us　all　pray　for　her　day　and