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diff --git a/old/54901-0.txt b/old/54901-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d44964d..0000000 --- a/old/54901-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7107 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Kitty Alone (vol. 3 of 3), by S. Baring Gould - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Kitty Alone (vol. 3 of 3) - A Story of Three Fires - -Author: S. Baring Gould - -Release Date: June 13, 2017 [EBook #54901] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KITTY ALONE (VOL. 3 OF 3) *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, David Edwards and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note: - -This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. -Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. Bold text and -text in blackletter font are delimited with ‘=’. - -Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding -the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. - - - - - KITTY ALONE - - - - - MORRISON AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH - - - - - KITTY ALONE - - A STORY OF THREE FIRES - - - - - - - BY - - S. BARING GOULD - - AUTHOR OF - “IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA” “THE QUEEN OF LOVE” - “MEHALAH” “CHEAP JACK ZITA” ETC. ETC. - - - - - IN THREE VOLUMES - - VOL. III - - - - - METHUEN & CO. - 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. - LONDON - 1894 - - - - - CONTENTS OF VOL. II - - ---------- - - CHAP. PAGE - - XXXVII. THE ANSWER OF CAIN 7 - XXXVIII. WANTED AT LAST 16 - XXXIX. ONE FOR THEE AND TWO FOR ME 25 - XL. A GREAT FEAR 35 - XLI. TAKING SHAPE 45 - XLII. AN UGLY HINT 54 - XLIII. MUCH CRY AND A LITTLE WOOL 64 - XLIV. PUDDICOMBE IN F 74 - XLV. DAYLIGHT 82 - XLVI. A TRIUMPH 91 - XLVII. PARTED 100 - XLVIII. A SHADOW-SHAPE 110 - XLIX. FLAGRANTE DELICTO 118 - L. THE THIRD FIRE 128 - LI. THE PASS’N’S PRESCRIPTION 137 - LII. IN COURT 145 - LIII. JASON’S STORY 156 - LIV. CON AFFETTUOSO CAPRIZIO 165 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - KITTY ALONE - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII - THE ANSWER OF CAIN - - -The accommodation of the little inn was not extensive, so Pasco had to -be put into the same room with the lawyer, and Kitty slept with the -innkeeper’s daughter. - -Pasco would have greatly preferred a room to himself. He was in a -condition of unrest. As it was not possible for him to return to Coombe -Cellars that night, he was in ferment of mind, uncertain whether it were -advisable that he should return there that week, whether he should not -go with Mr. Squire to Tavistock to make provision for the burial of his -uncle, and to see after his estate. He had added crime to crime to save -his credit as a man of substance, and all had been in vain. The -succession to his uncle’s estate supplied him with what he required. Why -had not the old man died a day earlier? Why, but that fate had impelled -him into crime only then to mock him. If fate could play such malicious -tricks with him, might it not pursue its grim joke further, lift the -veil, disclose what he had done, and just as the property of his -relative came to him, just as the money from the insurance company was -due–strike him down, drive him into penal servitude, if not send him to -the gallows? He tossed on his bed; he could not sleep. - -At one moment he resolved to go with the solicitor to Tavistock, and -remain there till the funeral, or till he received news of what had -taken place at home. But a devouring desire to know what had happened, -what was the extent of his crime, to know whether Jason had escaped, -whether the fire had been put out, what his wife thought, what was the -general opinion relative to the fire,–all this drew him homewards. - -Moreover, his sprained ankle and arm were painful, and he could lie on -one side only. In the night he put out his hand for his coat, drew it to -him, and groped for the box of lucifer matches. He desired to light a -candle, rise, and bind a wet towel round his foot. - -But the box was missing. - -Alarmed, he started from bed and explored the pockets of his trousers -and of his waistcoat, and then again went through all those of his coat, -but in vain. He had lost the box. - -Here was fresh cause for uneasiness. Where had he lost it? Surely not at -Coombe Cellars. With a sigh of relief, he recalled having struck a light -in the linhay in Miller Ash’s field, and that it had excited the -interest of Kate. He had then slipped it back into his pocket, as he -believed. In all likelihood it had fallen out when he was thrown from -the cart on the moor. - -Towards morning he dropped into broken sleep, from which he started -every few moments in terror, imagining that a constable was laying hold -of him, or that he saw Jason Quarm leaping upon him enveloped in flames. - -When he woke, he saw the lawyer dressing himself and shaving. His face -was lathered about chin and neck and upper lip. He turned towards -Pepperill and said, “You are a nice fellow to have as a comrade in a -bedroom.” - -“Am I? Well, I daresay I am,” answered Pasco, always prepared for a -recognition of his merits. - -“I was speaking ironically, man,” said Mr. Squire. “By George! how you -did toss and tumble in the night. If I had had an uneasy conscience, you -would have kept me awake. What was the matter with you?” - -“With me? Nothing. I never slept sounder.” - -“Then you must give your wife bad nights at home. I thought it might -have been your spill.” - -“Oh yes, to be sure it was that. I suffered in my arm and foot; and -look, I’m all black and yellow this morning. I shall go back at once to -Coombe Cellars.” - -“You will? Why, man alive, we want you at Tavistock. There is your poor -uncle’s funeral, you know, to see to. I say, if we are to travel -together, you won’t cry over-much, will you? I love tears, but in -moderation.” - -“I must return to the Cellars, if only for an hour. I wish to tell -Zerah’that’s my wife’our piece of good fortune’I mean, our sad -bereavement. And I must put together my black clothes and get my hat.” - -“If it must be, it must. I wish you had been communicated with earlier.” - -“Earlier? Was that possible?” - -“Of course it was; the old gentleman died two days ago.” - -“Two days ago? Why, to-day is Wednesday.” - -“Well, his decease took place at five in the morning of Monday.” - -“Why did you not tell me at once?” almost shrieked Pasco, swinging from -his bed, and then collapsing on his crippled foot. - -“Bless you, man, it was not my place to do so. I knew nothing of you; -the housekeeper was the person he trusted. I came to know of it, as I -managed your uncle’s affairs. When I inquired about relatives, then I -heard of you, or rather got your address, and came off. You see, as he -died on Monday, it won’t do for you to be away long. The housekeeper has -instructions, and is a sensible woman, but you are the proper person to -be on the spot.” - -“Is she honest? Will she make away with things?” - -Mr. Squire shrugged his shoulders. - -“I will run to Coombe; we will go in the chaise, and return to Tavistock -directly I have been there. Kitty shall be driven by the boy to Brimpts -in my trap.” - -Pasco would not have his niece at Coombe for some time if he could help -it. - -As soon as he was dressed he was impatient to be off. He hurried -breakfast, and hardly ate anything himself. He gave instructions that -Kate was to be sent on at once, and was not content till he had seen her -off. He had not deemed it prudent to warn her again not to speak of his -return to the Cellars after leaving Coombe. To do so might excite her -suspicions. Besides, she would be at Brimpts, where there was no one -interested in the affairs of Coombe’no one who belonged to it. It would -suffice to caution her when she came back to the Cellars, and that -return he would delay on one excuse or another. - -When Pasco seated himself in the chaise beside the solicitor, an -expression of satisfaction came over his face. He was returning to -Coombe as a man of consequence, and in good society. How the villagers -would stare to see him in a carriage drawn by post-horses. An April -weather reigned in his heart, now darkening with apprehension, then -brightening with pride and self-satisfaction. - -Ever and anon the ghastly figure of his brother-in-law in the sack, -burning, rose before his mind’s eye, but he put it from him. - -As the chaise entered Ashburton, Pepperill said to his companion’“Will -you accommodate me with a sum of money till I come in for my -inheritance?” - -“With the greatest pleasure, but I have not much loose cash about me.” - -“You have your cheque-book. The circumstances are these’I owe money for -wool to a fellow named Coaker, and gave him a bill’unfortunately, I -could not meet it, the bank returned it, only a few days ago, and this -has made me very angry. I should like to show the bank and Coaker that I -am not the moneyless chap that they choose to consider me.” - -“I shall be happy to assist you. Let us go to the bank at once; I’ll -settle that little matter with them. Shall I do it for you?” - -“I shall be obliged, but I think I must go also.” - -It was possible that the tidings of what had taken place might have -reached Ashburton’possible, though hardly probable. - -His uneasiness was relieved when he entered the bank. No allusion was -made to any fire. The banker was profuse in his apologies. He could not -help himself. There were certain rules in his affairs that he was bound -to follow. He had no doubt it was an oversight of Mr. Pepperill not to -pay in the sum required, but a man so full of business as he was reputed -to be was liable to such slips of memory. The banker knew Mr. Squire by -reputation, was quite sure all was as it should be. He would at once -communicate with Coaker’indeed, Coaker was sure to be in Ashburton that -day, and let him have the money of the bill. - -For some distance Pasco held up his head, and talked boastfully. He had -taught that banker what he really was. Everyone else knew he was a man -of his word and a man of substance. The solicitor was glad of this -change in his companion’s mood, and talked chirpily. - -But the change in Pepperill’s manner did not last long. As he neared -Newton, he leaned back in the carriage. He did not desire to be -recognised and saluted with the news of the fire. The chaise drew up for -the horses to be watered at the inn which had been rebuilt after a fire. - -“Will you have a drop of something?” asked the solicitor. “I shall -descend for a minute. I suppose we have not got far to go now?” - -He left the chaise, and left the door open. Pasco closed it, and being -affected with sneezing, opened his pocket-handkerchief and buried his -face in the napkin, as the landlord came to the door. - -He did not lower the kerchief, he listened from behind it to the host -conversing with Mr. Squire. - -“Fine morning, sir’come from far?” - -“No, nothing very great to-day. Off the moor and through Ashburton.” - -“Going on to Teignmouth, sir?” - -“No, only to a place called Coombe.” - -“Coombe-in-Teignhead? You haven’t many miles more. Nice place. Just -heard there has been a fire there.” - -“Indeed. Insured?” - -“Can’t say, sir. My little place was burnt down. A tramp slept in the -tallat over the pigs and set it ablaze with his pipe. Happily, I was -insured, and now I have a very respectable house over my head. What will -you please to take, sir?” - -“Some rum and milk, I think.” - -Then Mr. Squire and the landlord went within, and Pasco lowered his -kerchief. He wished he had heard more’that the man had entered into -particulars, and yet he dared not inquire. - -Presently the lawyer stepped into the carriage. The host attended him, -and in shutting the door, caught sight of Pasco. - -“Halloo!” he exclaimed. “Mr. Pepperill, have you heard the news?” - -“News’what news?” - -“Why, rather bad for you. There’s been a terrible fire at your place.” - -“The house?” - -“I really don’t know particulars. They say it’s been dreadful. I’m sorry -to have to say it, but I hope there’s no lives lost, and that you are -insured.” - -“Drive on!” shouted Pasco to the postilion. “Drive on’lose no time. -There is a fire at my house.” - -The horses whirled away, and Pasco no longer disguised his nervousness. -It was natural that he should be uneasy. - -“You needn’t trouble yourself,” said Mr. Squire. “If lives had been lost -you would have heard, and if you are insured to full value, well”’ - -On reaching the summit of the hill whence Coombe was visible, a sickly -scented smoke was wafted into the carriage windows. - -“By George, I can smell it!” exclaimed the solicitor. “It is a sort of -concentrated essence of burnt wool.” - -“Then my stores are gone!” cried Pepperill. “And all the fleeces for -which I have just borrowed two hundred pounds of you to pay’all lost. -I’m a ruined man.” - -“Not a bit,” answered the lawyer. “You are insured.” - -The postilion needed no urging; he cracked his whip, and the horses flew -down hill, the chaise rattled through the village, past the church and -the inn, whence the host came out to see whether a distinguished guest -was coming, and drew up at the entrance to the paddock before the -Cellars. - -A crowd of villagers, men, women, and children, was assembled round the -wreck of the storehouse, from which volumes of smoke still ascended. -Every now and then stones and bricks exploded, and the children shouted -or screamed if a hot cinder flew out and fell near them. - -Pasco burst out of the carriage and rushed towards his house, pushed his -way through the assembled crowd, and ran to his door. - -There stood Zerah, ghastly in her pallor, her usually well-ordered hair -dishevelled, with clenched hands held to her breast, a look of despair -in her face. Directly she saw her husband, she shrank from him, and when -he put out his hands to her, she thrust him away, with an expression of -horror. - -“I will not be touched by you,” she said hoarsely. “Where is Jason?” - -“Jason? Am I his keeper?” - -“The answer of Cain,” retorted Zerah. “This is your doing. I knew it -would come, when you insured. And you have destroyed my brother also. O -my God! my God! Would that I had never seen this day!” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII - WANTED AT LAST - - -Pasco thrust his wife within and shut the door behind. Zerah had -returned early in the morning, and had found that her husband and Kate -were away, and the house locked, whilst the stores were in -conflagration. Half the parish was present. The fire had broken out some -time after nightfall’at least, it had been observed about nine o’clock -by a boy connected with the mill, who ran to the alehouse and roused the -village orchestra, which was practising there, and in ten minutes nearly -everyone in the little place was at the Cellars. The fire was pouring in -dense sheets of flame out of the windows. It had apparently begun below, -the wool above dropped into it as the rafters and boards gave way. -Nothing could be done to arrest it, but precautions were adopted to -prevent the fire communicating with a little rick of straw that -Pepperill had for litter near the stables. The flames and smoke were -carried inland, and no apprehensions were entertained of the house -becoming ignited. - -Much comment was made on the absence of Pasco, his wife, and niece. But -that which excited most uneasiness was the presence of Jason Quarm’s -cart and donkey in the yard. If they were at the Cellars, then Jason -could not be far distant. Was it possible that, finding the house locked -up, and his relatives absent, he had made his way into the store-shed -and perished there? This was the question hotly debated. - -When Mrs. Pepperill arrived from the other side of the river, and saw -the conflagration, and heard that there was a probability that her -brother had fallen a victim, she was driven frantic with terror and -grief. In her mind connecting her husband with the occurrence, she -charged him with the firing of the stores and with the death of her -brother. - -Pepperill endeavoured to pacify her. He protested his innocence; he -declared that he had left the house soon after herself, and by entreaty, -remonstrance, and threat urged Zerah to hold her tongue and not -recklessly put him in peril by rousing against him suspicion which was -without grounds. - -As to Jason, he knew nothing about him. He had probably left his trap at -the Cellars and crossed the water on some business of his own. He would -return shortly. The fact of his cart and ass being there was not -sufficient to cause alarm for his safety. If anything transpired more -grave, Pasco would be the first to take the necessary steps to -investigate what had become of him. Meanwhile, let Zerah moderate her -transports and listen to the news he had to tell. He must leave her, and -that immediately, to go with the lawyer to Tavistock, and make provision -for his uncle’s interment and for securing his property. - -Pepperill was unable to get away as soon as he wished. He was forced to -show himself among the crowd, to give expression to consternation, to -answer questions as to his surmises about the origin of the fire, to -explain how he had left the place before it broke out, and to offer -suggestions as to the whereabouts of Quarm. He scouted the idea of his -brother-in-law having been burnt in the stores; he said he suspected the -fellow Redmore of having set fire to his buildings. Redmore was at large -still; he, Pasco, had given him occasion of resentment by sending the -workmen at Brimpts in pursuit of him. The man was a bitter hater and -revengeful, as was proved by his having burned the stack of Farmer -Pooke. What more likely than that he had paid off his grudge against -himself’Pepperill’in like manner? - -As soon as ever Pasco was able to disengage himself from the crowd, he -re-entered the chaise and departed with the lawyer, glad to escape the -scene. When the chaise had got outside Coombe, he leaned back with a -puff of relief and said, “That is now well over.” - -“I should hardly say _that_,” observed the lawyer, “till you have the -insurance money clinking in your pocket. Now look here, Mr. Pepperill; -it may be you will have a hitch about the same. If so, apply to me.” - -Among those looking on upon the mass of glowing, spluttering combustible -material was the rector, with his hands behind him, and his hat at the -back of his head. He was touched on the arm, and, turning, saw the -pretty face of Rose Ash looking entreatingly towards him. - -“What is it, my child?” - -“Please, sir, do you think anything dreadful has happened to Kitty’s -father?” - -The rector paused before he answered. Then he said leisurely, “I do not -know what reply to make. I saw him last night about seven. I was at my -garden-gate when he drove by, and we exchanged salutations.” - -“The neddy is in the stable here, and there is his cart,” said Rose. - -“He may have crossed the water.” - -“But, sir, Mrs. Pepperill had the boat.” - -“True’is there no other?” - -“Yes; the old boat. I did not think of that. I’ll run and see if her be -in place.” - -Rose left, and returned shortly, discouraged, and said’ - -“The old boat be moored to the landing-stage as well as the new boat. -And, sir, I do not think he could have got across the water after seven -by any boat. The tide was out. By nine, when it was flowing, the people -were running about here because of the fire.” - -“I will go and see Mrs. Pepperill.” - -“May I come with you, sir? Kitty is my very dear friend.” - -“Kitty?’I thought she had no friends?” - -“It is only quite lately we have become friends. I would do anything for -her. I am not happy. I think she ought to know what has taken place, and -yet I wouldn’t frighten and make her miserable without reason. That is -why I so much wish to know what is really thought about poor Mr. Quarm. -It would be too dreadful if he had come by his end here, and it will -break Kitty’s heart.” - -“You shall come with me, certainly, Rose.” - -On entering the house, they found Mrs. Pepperill moving restlessly about -the kitchen. Her mood had gone through a change since the visit of her -husband. The wildness of her first terror and grief had passed away, and -given place to great nervous unrest. She had smoothed her hair as well -as she could with her trembling fingers; her lips quivered, her eye was -unsteady, and she could not remain in one posture or in one place for -more than half a minute. - -She had hitherto appeared a hard, iron-natured woman without sympathy, -but now the shock had completely broken her down. She had rushed to the -conclusion that her husband had deliberately set fire to his warehouse, -and without scruple had sacrificed her brother. The horror of the death -Jason had undergone, and the greater horror to her of the thought that -this was the callous act of her own husband, had shaken the woman out of -all her self-restraint and rigidity of nerve. She was morally as well as -physically broken down. A woman stern, uncompromising, strictly honest -and upright, harsh and unpitying in her severity, she found herself -involved in a terrible crime that touched her in the most sensitive -part. It was the conceit mingled with stupidity in Pasco, his -recklessness in speculation, and his obstinacy in refusing to listen to -her voice, which had hardened and embittered the woman. - -Something he had said, something in his manner, had led her to fear he -contemplated an escape from his difficulties by dishonest means, and it -was to avert the necessity of his having recourse to these that she had -produced her little store, the savings of many years. When she returned -from Teignmouth to find that her husband, notwithstanding, had carried -out his purpose, and in doing so had swept her own brother out of his -path’then all her fortitude gave way. - -After the first paroxysm of resentment and despair had passed, she felt -the need of using self-control, and of concealing what she thought, of -endeavouring to avert suspicion from falling on Pasco. Now also, for the -first time in her life, did this stern woman crave for sympathy, and her -heart turned at once instinctively to the girl she had disregarded and -despised. Dimly she had perceived, though she had never allowed it to -herself, that there was a something in her niece of a strong, noble, and -superior nature to her own. And in this moment of terrible prostration -of her self-respect and weakness of nerve, her heart cried out with -almost ravenous impatience for Kate. To Kitty alone could she speak her -mind, in Kitty’s breast alone find sympathy. - -When, therefore, the door opened and the rector entered with a girl at -his side, her eyes, dazzled by the sunlight behind them, unable to -distinguish at the moment through the haze of tears that formed and -dried in her eyes, she cried out hoarsely’ - -“It is Kitty! I want you, Kitty!” - -“I am not Kitty,” said Rose. “I am only her dear friend. If you want -Kitty, I will fetch her.” - -“I do want her. I must have her,” said Zerah vehemently. “I have no one. -My brother is dead, my husband is gone. My Kitty’where is she? I do not -know if it is true that she is on the moor. She may be burning yonder, -along wi’ her father.” - -The woman threw herself into the settle, and burst into a convulsion of -tears. - -Mr. Fielding spoke words intended to console her. She must not rush to a -conclusion so dreadful without sufficient cause; it was possible enough -that in the course of the day something might transpire which would give -them reason to believe that Mr. Quarm was safe. Then, to divert her mind -from this point to one less distressing, as he thought, he inquired -whether she had any idea as to how the fire had originated. - -He could hardly have asked a question more calculated to agitate her. -Zerah sprang from the settle, walked hurriedly about the room, hiding -her eyes with her hand, and crying’ - -“I know nothing. I cannot think. I want Kitty.” - -Then Mr. Fielding put forth his arm, stayed her, and said’ - -“Mrs. Pepperill, remember, however dear to you your brother may be, he -must be dearer to Kitty, as he is her father. You are advanced in life, -have had your losses and sorrows, and have acquired a certain power to -sustain a loss and command sorrow, but Kitty’s is a fresh young heart, -that has never known the cutting blows to which yours has been -subjected. Spare her what may be unnecessary. Let us wait over to-day, -and if nothing happens to relieve our minds of the terrible fear that -clouds them, we will send to Dart-meet for the child. Indeed, she must -be brought here’if our fears receive confirmation. All I ask is, spare -her what, please God, is an unnecessary agony.” - -Then Rose Ash came up close to the bewildered woman. - -“Mrs. Pepperill, I will go after Kitty, I promise you, if you will wait -over to-day. I am Kitty’s friend, as I was once the friend of your -Wilmot, and if you will suffer me, I will remain in the house with you, -to relieve you, all day, and do what work you desire.” - -“No, no!” gasped Zerah; “I must be alone. I will have no one here but -Kitty.” - -“You consent to the delay?” - -The woman did not refuse; she shook herself free from Rose and the -rector, retreated to the window, and cast herself on the bench in it, -and cried and moaned in her hands held over her face. - -When Rose proposed to Mrs. Pepperill that she should go to Brimpts to -fetch Kate, a scheme had formed itself in her brain. She would ask Jan -Pooke to drive her. At the time of our story two-wheeled conveyances, -gigs, buggies, tax-carts, were kept only by the well-to-do, and there -were but three in all Coombe’the parson’s trap, and those of Pasco -Pepperill and yeoman Pooke. Her own father, the miller, though a man of -substance, had not taken the step of providing himself with a trap; to -have done so would have been esteemed in the parish an assertion of -wealth and importance that would have provoked animadversion, and might -have hurt his trade. The miller is ever regarded with mistrust. His fist -is said to be too much in the meal-sack, and had he dared to start a -two-wheeled conveyance, it would at once have been declared that it was -maintained, as well as purchased, at the expense of those who sent their -corn to be ground at his mill. - -But now that Rose considered her scheme at leisure, it did not smile on -her as at first. At the moment she proposed it, the prospect of a long -drive by Jan’s side, of union in sympathy for Kitty, had promised -something. Now that she reviewed her plan, she foresaw that it might be -disastrous. Kate, when she heard the tidings of the fire and the news of -the disappearance of her father, would be thrown into great distress, -and a distressed damsel is proverbially irresistible to a swain. It -might undo all that Kate had done, make Jan more enamoured than ever, -and he as a comforter might gain what he had failed to win when he -approached as a lover. Rose was a good-hearted, if a somewhat wayward -girl. She desired to do a kind thing to Kitty, but not at such a cost to -herself. - -She turned the matter over in her head, and finally reached a -compromise. She would ask Jan to drive her to Brimpts so as to fetch -Kate, but lay the injunction on him, for Kitty’s sake, not to say a word -relative to the loss of her father. Grieved Kate would be to hear of the -burning of the storehouse, but not heart-broken. The consumption of so -much coal would not extort tears. A sorrowful girl is only interesting’a -heart-broken one is irresistible. - - - - - XXXIX - ONE FOR THEE AND TWO FOR ME - - -Rose and Ja by side in the trap that belonged to the Pookes. In his -good-nature and readiness to do whatever was kind, Jan had promptly -acceded to Rose’s request that he should help her to bring Kitty home. -It was not right, she said, that the child should be left on the moor, -when her father was dead, and her aunt in despair. - -“You know, Jan,” she said, pressing against the driver’s side, and -speaking low and confidentially, “I am dear Kitty’s very, very best -friend,’I may say, her only real friend,’and have to fight her battles -like a Turk.” - -“I did not know that,” observed Jan in surprise, ill-disguised, for his -mind ran to the incidents of the Ashburton fair. - -“You boys don’t know everything. I love Kitty dearly, and I believe she -loves me. We have no secrets from each other, and now that she is in -trouble, my heart flies out to she, and I want to be with her, and break -the news to her very, very gently.” - -“I thought”’began Jan, then paused. - -Rose looked up in his dull, kindly face, and said roguishly, “Oh, Jan, a -penny for your thoughts. No, really; I will give half a crown’a thought -with you must be _so_ precious, because so rare.” - -A little nettled, Jan said, “I thought this, Rose: from your treatment -of Kate the other day at the fair, that you were her enemy rather than -her friend.” - -“That is because you are an old buffle-head. Of course we are bosom -friends, but I’m full of fun, and we tease one another’we girls’just as -kids gambol. You are so heavy and solemn and dull, you don’t understand -our gambols. You are like a great ox looking on at kids and lambs, and -wondering what it all means when they frisk, and you take it for solemn -earnest.” - -“But about the quarrel at the stall’the kerchief?” - -“That was play.” - -“And the workbox that Noah knocked from under her arm? Was that play?” - -“Purely. Jan, I had a much better workbox which I wanted to give Kate, -and you went and spoiled my purpose by giving her that trumpery affair. -I am not ashamed to own it. I told Noah to strike it from under her arm, -that I might give her the box I had put aside for her.” - -“And she has it?” - -“Yes; oh dear, yes!’of course she has it.” - -Jan shook his head; he was puzzled, but supposed all was right’supposed, -because he was too straightforward and good-hearted to mistrust the girl -who spoke so frankly, with great eyes looking him full in the face, and -smiling. Impudence is more convincing than innocence. - -Then Rose said, “How good you are, Jan’how tremendously good! Really, it -is a privilege to live in the same parish, and drive in the same buggy -beside so excellent a Christian.” - -“What are you at now?” was Jan’s outspoken response. - -“I mean what I say, Jan. Considering how you’ve been treated, I declare -that by your conduct you do a lot more good to me than any number of -sermons.” - -“How so? You are making game of me.” - -“Not a bit; I’m serious. How is it you show your goodness? Why, by -driving me to Brimpts.” - -“Oh, I have nothing else to do, and I like a drive.” - -“With me?’or perhaps I just spoil the pleasure,” Rose asked, with a -roguish look out of the corners of her eyes. - -The young yeoman was unaccustomed to making gallant speeches, and he let -slip the opportunity thus adroitly offered him. Rose curled her lip, as -he replied’ - -“It is always pleasanter to have someone to talk to than to be alone, -especially for a long drive.” - -“But it is so good, so _very_ good of you to fetch _her_.” - -“Why should I be such a churl as not to go when asked?” - -“After what has occurred, you know. What a fellow you are! In the -orchard, you know.” - -Pooke turned blood-red. A fly was tickling him; he raised the butt-end -of his whip and rubbed his nose with it. - -“Get along, Tucker!” he shouted. Tucker was the horse. - -“I hope I shall profit better from your example than I have from all the -parson’s sermons,” pursued Rose. - -“What are you at?” asked Pooke uneasily, conscious that some ulterior -end was in his companion’s view, as she thus lavished encomiums on him, -and then dug into his nerves a needlepoint of sharp remark. - -“What am I at? Oh, Jan! nothing at all, but sitting here with my hands -in my lap, so happy to have a drive’and in such excellent -company’company so good.” - -“I don’t understand what you mean.” - -“It is not every man would lend his cart, nay, drive himself, to do a -favour to a girl who had treated him outrageously.” - -“When did you treat me so?” - -“I’oh, Jan’not I! I could not have done that. A thousand times no”’ Rose -spoke in pretty agitation, and fluttered at his side. “I mean Kitty.” - -“Kitty? Get along, Tucker!’it’s no use your trying to scratch yourself -with your hind hoof, and run at the same time.” He addressed the horse, -which was executing awkward gymnastics. “Excuse me, Rose; I must -dismount. There is a briar stinging Tucker.” - -Jan drew up, descended, and slapped with his open hand where a horse-fly -was engaged sucking blood. The fly was too wide awake to be killed; it -rose, and sailed away. Then young Pooke mounted again. - -“Get along, Tucker!” he said, and applied the whip. - -“I mean,” pursued Rose, as if there had ensued no interruption. “I mean, -after you had been treated so shamefully.” - -“I didn’t know it.” - -“Really, Jan! Everyone knows that Kitty refused you. It is the village -talk, and everyone says it was scandalous.” - -“Drat it! there is that fly again at Tucker.” - -“Oh, if you can think of nothing but Tucker, I’ll be silent.” - -“Don’t be cross, Rose, I must consider Tucker, as I am driver. There -might be accidents.” - -“Not for the world. Of course you must consider Tucker, and poor little -I must be content to come into your mind in the loops and gaps not took -up by the horse and the gadfly.” - -“What do you suppose Tucker cost father?” asked Pooke, clumsily -endeavouring to change the topic. - -“I really don’t know.” - -“Eight pounds, and he is worth twenty. That was a piece of luck for -father.” - -“Luck comes to those who desarve it,” said Rose. “I am not surprised at -you and your family being prosperous in all you undertake. There’s no -knowing, Jan,”’she spoke solemnly,’“you may feel low and discouraged at -being, so to speak, kicked over the orchard hedge by Kate, but it may be -a blessing in disguise, who can tell? but Providence may have in view -someone for you much better suited’_much_ in every way, than Kitty.” - -“Drat it! there is that fly again.” - -“Mr. Puddicombe’what a good soul he is!’has been about the place -spreading the news.” - -“What news?” - -“About Kitty and the schoolmaster.” - -“Kitty and the schoolmaster?” echoed Pooke. His brows went up, his jaw -dropped, and his cheek became mottled. - -“Haven’t you heard? Why, poor dear Jan, she went helter-skelter away -from the orchard where she had trampled on you to fling herself into the -arms of Mr. Thingamy-jig. I cannot tell his name’I mean the new -schoolmaster.” - -“How do you know?” - -“Of course I know. Mr. Puddicombe is brimming with the news. They went -like a pair of turtle-doves cooing and billing to Mr. Puddicombe, and he -has nearly run his legs down to stumps since. The schoolmaster”’ - -“But I don’t mean about the schoolmaster.” Pooke spoke with a tremble in -his voice. - -“Oh! about that affair, that comical affair in the orchard? Half the -village, I reckon, was out behind the hedges looking and listening. -There was Betsy Baker, and there was Jenny Jones, and that sprig of a -chap, Tommy Croft’I won’t be sure they heard, but I fancy so’anyhow, -everyone has been talking of it, and pitying you that you were made -ridiculous; and then to go off, right on end, and accept a -schoolmaster.” In a tone of infinite contempt, Rose added, “A -schoolmaster! It takes ten tailors to make a man, and ten schoolmasters -to make a tailor; Puddicombe excepted’that was a man, and was so highly -respected, he knew how to make himself looked up to, and folk forgave -him his profession for his own sake. But this new whipper-snapper! And -to be rejected for _him_!” - -Jan Pooke writhed. He had not heard the news of Kate’s engagement. -Somehow it had been kept from, or had not reached, him. The fire had -distracted men’s and women’s thoughts from the affairs of Kate, Bramber, -and himself. His colour changed, and he flushed purple. He shared the -prejudice entertained by farmers and labourers’by all who were -semi-educated and wholly uneducated’for the man of culture that was -striving to enlighten dull minds and wake torpid intelligences. Parsons -and schoolmasters are in the same category. The heavy soul resents being -raised to spiritual life, and the heavy mind resents being wakened to -intellectual life. It ever will be so, and it ever has been so. A man -going along a road found a sodden toper lying in a ditch. He tried to -pull him out. “Leave alone!” roared the drunken man. “I likes it, I -enjoys it. I’ll knock you down if you don’t let me lie in my ditch. -There are effets there, and slugs there, and frogs and toads; get along -your own way and leave me where I am.” - -Pooke and Rose Ash had imbibed the views of their parents and -companions, and the prevailing atmosphere in a country parish. They had -not risen above it, and their ideas took colour from it. - -“It was scandalous conduct, was it not, Jan?” asked Rose. “If I were -you, I wouldn’t stand it, not half an hour.” - -“But what can I do?” - -“What’? do’? Oh, lots!” - -“I can do lots. I do not see it. If Kitty chooses”’His lips quivered, -and he gulped down something. - -“If Kitty chooses a beggarly schoolmaster instead of you, you must not -let the neighbours see you are crestfallen. It will never do in coming -out of church for everyone to point at you and say, ‘Poor chap! There he -goes, Jan Pooke, whom Kitty Alone would not have; and here comes Mr. -Thingamy-jig, whom she prefers so highly, looking like the cock of the -walk.’ It would be very shaming, Jan, and I don’t think your dear father -would like it terrible much.” - -“I can do nothing,” said Jan, looking wistfully at the horse’s ears: “if -Kitty likes Mr. Bramber, and don’t care for me.” - -“And if the story of the silver peninks gets about?” - -“Don’t, Rose!” His face expressed pain. - -“I don’t wish to hurt you, I wish you well, Jan, you know. I was anxious -that you should not be the laughing-stock of Coombe and the -neighbourhood. That would be too dreadful. I have such a regard for you. -Mind you, I love dear Kitty, but I cannot blind my eyes that her has -made a mistake’a happy mistake for you, because, dear, good girl as she -is, I do not think that she could ha’ made you happy.” - -“Why not?” - -“She would have been eternally axin’ questions which you could never -answer.” - -“There is something in that.” - -“She’d have been wanting to take you to the bottoms of wells, you know, -so as to see the stars by day. You would not like that, Jan?” - -“No’there is something in that.” - -“And to make you read that stupid book’Wordsworth, her calls it’in the -evening, whilst she knitted. You couldn’t have stood that, Jan?” - -“Horrible!’I should ha’ died.” - -“Then you may rejoice that Providence has ordained that she should go -after the schoolmaster. Now you must look out and see what step you can -take to recover the respect of the parish.” - -“How can I do that?” - -“Oh, there be more fishes in the sea than come out of it, I reckon.” - -Jan remained in meditation, speechless. Rose pressed close to his side. - -“Have you no room?” he asked. - -“Oh, ’tisn’t that altogether; my feelings overcame me. I do so, so pity -you, you dear, poor Jan.” - -Presently, as he continued silent, she said, “If I were you, when -shortly you meet Kitty, and when she will be in my place at your side, -and I ride behind, I would not look like an apple that has gone under -the rollers, nor hang my ears like a whipped dog, but laugh and joke and -whistle and be jolly, you know.” - -“That don’t seem right, with her father burned to death.” - -“She knows nothing of that, and is to know nothing of it from us. The -proper person to tell her is Mrs. Pepperill. So mind, Jan, not a word -about Mr. Quarm. Understand, not a word. So look cheerful and whistle.” - -“What shall I whistle? Jackson’s ‘Tee-dum’?” - -“Of course not, something lively. The ‘Green Bushes.’” - -“Why the ‘Green Bushes’?” - -“Oh, silly Jan!” Then she began to sing’ - - “’The old lover arrived, the maiden was gone; - He sighed very deeply, he stood all alone, - “She is on with another, before off with me, - So adieu ye green bushes for ever!” said he.‘ - -“Green bushes’that is the orchard, Jan, where grow the silver peninks.” - -“Drat that fly!” exclaimed Jan, flicking with his whip. “Her’s at it -again.” - - - - - CHAPTER XL - A GREAT FEAR - - -Kate was among the felled timber at Brimpts, skipping about the logs, -stooping, then rising again, and withal singing merrily, when Jan and -Rose, having put up the horse at Dart-meet, came up the valley to join -her. - -The peeled trunks lay white as bones on the surface of the moor, and a -fresh and stimulating odour was exhaled from them. The bark was piled up -in stacks at intervals. The whortleberry was flowering in the spring -sun. The heather was still dead. Horns of ferns, brown, and curled like -pastoral staves, stood up between the trunks. - -After the first greetings had been exchanged, Rose asked Kitty, “What in -the world are you doing here’bobbing about? In search of long cripples -(vipers)?” - -“No; I do not want them. I have started some basking in the hot sun, but -they slip away at once and do no harm. I am counting the rings on the -trees.” - -“What for?” - -“To learn their age.” - -“Who cares how old the trees are?” - -“I do; and thus one can find out in what years the trees grew fast, and -which summers were wet and cold.” - -“Really, Kitty, you are going silly.” - -“It is interesting,” pursued Kate; “and then, Rose, I do not altogether -believe in the rings telling the age truly. I think the oaks are much -older than they pretend to be.” - -“Like old maids?” suggested Rose. - -“Yes, Rose; after a certain age they cease to grow’cease to swell, they -just live on as they were, or go back in their hearts, then they make no -rings. The rings tell you for how many years they went on expanding, but -say nothing about those when they were at a standstill. Then, look here: -the rings are on one side much thicker than on the other, and that is -because of a cold and stormy wind. They thicken their bark against the -wind, just as I might put on a shawl.” - -“Oh,’by the way’touching a shawl”’ - -But Kate was too eager and interested in her subject to bear -interruption. - -“I have the oddest and most wonderful thing to show you, Rose. You do -not care about the rings, but this you will be truly pleased to see.” - -“What is that?” - -“Follow me.” - -Kate skipped among the prostrate oaks till she reached one large trunk. -As she skipped, she sang merrily’ - - “’All in the wood there grew a fine tree.‘” - -“What song is that, Kate?” asked Rose. - -“It is one that the head woodcutter taught me. - - ’All in the wood there grew a fine tree, - The finest tree that ever you might see, - And the green leaves flourished around.‘ - -All on this tree there grew a fine bough, and all on this bough there -grew a fine twig. Then it goes on to tell how on this twig there was a -fine nest, and how in this nest there was a fine bird, the finest bird -that ever you did see; and on this bird there grew a fine feather, and -out of the feather was made a fine bed, and on this fine bed was laid a -fine babe, and out of the babe there grew a fine man, and the man put an -acorn into the earth, and out of the acorn there grew a fine tree, and -the tree was of the acorn, and the acorn of the man, and the man was -from the babe, and the babe was on the bed, and the bed was of the -feather, and the feather of the bird, and the bird was in the nest, and -the nest was on the twig, and the twig was on the bough, and the bough -was on the tree, and the tree was in the wood. - - ’And the green leaves flourished around’around’around, - And the green leaves flourished around.‘” - -“What nonsense, Kate!” - -“It is not nonsense. There is a great deal in it. The song goes on -without an end, always the same; just as at the end of the psalm, ’As it -was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.‘ See!’this is what I -have to show you.” - -She pointed to some lettering that ran round the white peeled trunk, -brown as coffee; somewhat large and strained the characters seemed, and -Rose was not able to decipher them, but she said’ - -“However came letters to be there, under the bark?” - -“That is the great curiosity,” answered Kate. “Someone cut them in the -bark with his knife when the tree was young, two hundred years ago. The -tree has grown big since then, and has healed up its wounds, but still -bears the scars; and it has drawn its bark round it, and for years upon -years has hidden what was written from the eyes of man. Only now that -the dear old oak is hewn down, and the bark stripped away, is the -writing revealed which was cut on it two hundred years ago.” - -“What are the words?” - -“Listen’I have spelled them out. - - ’O Tree defying Time - Witness bear - That two loving Hearts - 1643 - Did meet here.‘ - -[Illustration: hearts] - -Is not this wonderful? The tree was trusted, and it has fulfilled its -trust, and would have done so till it died. Two hundred years ago, two -young lovers met here, and the youth cut this on the bark. Two hundred -years after, it gives up its witness. If it had not been cut down, two -hundred years hence it would have done the same.” - -Rose looked at Jan, and took his hand and sighed. - -“Jan, let us sit down on this tree. This touches me; does it not you, -Jan?” - -“What’your hand?” - -“No, silly; I mean this about the lovers.” - -Then Kate began to sing’ - - “‘All in the wood there grew a fine tree, - The finest tree that ever you did see, - And the green leaves flourished around.’” - -Then Kate said, clapping her hands’ - -“Is there not a great deal in that song of the tree in the wood? I -suppose in paradise that Adam stood by the tree of life and felt happy -when he held Eve by the hand and looked into her eyes. If he could have -written, he would have cut these same words in the bark of the tree of -life. And years went by, and it was always and ever the same story: the -young grew old, and then others came in their places, and loving hearts -met, and again and again in an endless whirl, and an ever-returning -tide, and a perpetual circling of the stars in heaven, and the new -flowers coming after the old have died’‘As it was in the beginning, is -now, and ever shall be.’” - -Then Jan started up, drew his hand from Rose, and said’ - -“We have come for you, Kitty. As soon as the horse has had a feed, we -must be off.” - -“Is there such a terrible hurry?” asked Rose with a tone of reproach in -her voice. - -“We have no time to lose.” - -“Lose, Jan?” - -“To waste, I mean.” - -“Waste, Jan?” - -“I mean’bother it!’we must be off as soon as the horse is a bit rested. -We have a long journey to take, up and down, and little trotting ground. -We have come for Kitty. You must return with us,” looking at Kate. -“There has been something”’ - -“Let me speak,” interrupted Rose, afraid lest Pooke should let out too -much. “Kitty, your uncle and aunt have met with a great loss. The stores -have been burnt, and Mrs. Zerah does nothing but sob and cry after you.” - -“Auntie cry for me?” - -“Yes. She will not be at rest till you return.” - -“I’ll go at once,” said Kate, flushing with pleasure. “When did this -happen?” - -“Tuesday night.” - -“That is the night we came here. Is my father at the Cellars?” - -“I have not seen him. Now, Jan”’Pooke was about to speak. Rose stopped -his mouth. “Leave me to speak. You are a blunderer.” - -“But I know he passed us going to Coombe,” said Kate. - -“Passed you’where?” - -“On the hill. We were in the linhay.” - -Rose held out a shawl. - -“Kitty, is this yours?” - -“Yes; it is. I lost it on my way here. Where did you find it?” - -“In the linhay in Furze Park. I went there with our cow, Buttercup. The -calf is taken from her. There I found it.” - -“We turned into the field, and I remained a long time in the linhay,” -said Kate. - -“And your uncle?” - -“Oh, he went back to the Cellars.” - -“What, by the road?” - -“No; by the waterside. I was tired, and the time was long, or I thought -it was; so I folded my shawl to keep the prickles from my head,’there is -so much furze there,’and I lay down and slept.” - -“I found this also,” said Rose, extending a match-box. “I don’t -understand what it is.” - -“It is a lucifer-box. My uncle had it. He pulled a match across -something, and it blazed up. I suppose he dropped it in the linhay, -also, whilst getting the horse and cart out.” - -“What! you had horse and cart there?” - -“Yes.” - -“And your uncle went back to the Cellars?” - -“Yes; just before. Indeed, as we turned into the field, I heard my -father go by; I heard him speak to Neddy. He always talks to the donkey -as he goes along.” - -“You did not speak to your father?” - -“No. Uncle was impatient, and father was rattling along at a fine pace, -and you know from that place it is all down hill to Coombe.” - -“Your uncle returned to the Cellars after that; you are quite sure of -it?” - -“Yes; certain. He told me he had forgotten to lock up.” - -“Why did he not go by the road?” - -“I cannot tell’perhaps he thought the other way shortest.” - -“It is not that. Was he long away?” - -“I cannot tell. I fell asleep. Have you not anything to tell me of -father? I know he went to Coombe.” - -“I have told you’I have not seen him.” - -“Where can he be?” - -Neither answered that question. - -Even into Jan’s dull brain there penetrated an idea that some mystery -connected with Pasco Pepperill was involved’that it was singular that -he, his wife, and niece should have all left the Cellars before the fire -broke out, and that Pasco should have returned there secretly after -having left. He said nothing. If he tried to think, his thoughts became -entangled, and he saw nothing clearly. An uneasy feeling pervaded him, -which he was unable to explain to himself. - -During the first part of the journey back to the Cellars, Kate talked. -She sat beside Jan Pooke. Rose was behind, keeping a ready ear to hear -what was said, and interfere should she deem it expedient. - -“Where can my father be?” asked Kitty. - -As no answer was given to her query, she said further’ - -“It is very strange, and I cannot understand how he is not there. He -must have been at Coombe just before the fire broke out. I know he -passed along the road. Where are the donkey and cart?” - -“They are at the Cellars,” answered Jan. - -“Then my father must be there. He cannot be far off. He cannot get about -easily, as he is so lame.” - -“I suppose he must be somewhere,” was the wise observation of Pooke. - -“Hasn’t my aunt seen him?” - -“No, Kitty.” - -“Nor anyone.” - -Jan hesitated, and presently said’ - -“I did hear something about the parson having spoke with her, but I -don’t know the rights of it.” - -“He must be there. He cannot be far off. We shall see him when we -arrive. I daresay he had some business that took him off; but if he -heard of the fire, he would come back at once. He will be a loser by it -as well as my uncle.” - -“Folk say there will be no loss, as Mr. Pepperill insured so terrible -heavy. They do tell that he has insured for two thousand pounds, and -that only about fifty pounds worth of goods is burnt.” - -Kate shrank together. Rose touched Pooke significantly to hold his -tongue. - -After that Kitty remained very silent. A feeling of unrest took -possession of her, even of alarm, at some impending catastrophe. That -her uncle had been in difficulty she knew. That he was in want of money -to pay for the timber before he could realise on it, and to meet his -dishonoured bill for the wool, she knew. A chill ran through her veins. - -After a long period of silence Rose said to her’ - -“Kitty, is it true that you and the schoolmaster went to old Mr. -Puddicombe about being engaged?” - -“Yes,” answered the girl addressed. - -“He took it as a mark of proper respect?” - -“Yes.” - -“Jan, dear,” said Rose, touching Pooke, “as soon as we get to Coombe, -you and I will go and call on Mr. Puddicombe. It will please him. He was -the first who heard about your engagement, Kitty?” - -“Not quite that’we told Mr. Fielding.” - -“Oh, the parson! But everyone respects Mr. Puddicombe _so_ much, that I -think Jan and I will go to him first. You know, Kitty, we have settled -it between us’I mean, Jan and I’on our way to Brimpts, and Mr. -Puddicombe ought to know.” - - - - - CHAPTER XLI - TAKING SHAPE - - -It was evening when Kate was driven up to the Cellars, yet not so dark -but that she could see the donkey in the paddock, and dark enough to -make the glow of the still smoking heap visible, here and there, in red -seams and yellow sparks. - -“There is Neddy,” exclaimed Kate. “My father must be here.” - -As she was descending from the cart, she said, “Why, he may have crossed -the Teign in the boat.” - -“No, Kitty,” answered Jan; “I don’t think that.” - -“Why not?” - -Pooke was afraid of answering lest he should involve himself; and Rose -had jumped down at the mill, and so was not there to prevent him from -committing an error. - -Before entering the house, in her anxiety about her father, Kate ran to -the mooring-place of the boats, and came back in some exultation to Jan. -“I said so. He has crossed. The old boat is gone.” - -“It was there yesterday. It was there all the night of the fire and next -day. It has been taken since,” answered Pooke. - -Kate was downcast. She held out her hand to Jan, took her little bundle, -and entered the house. Her aunt had not come out to meet her. That she -had not expected. No one in that house had shown her graciousness and -desire for her presence, and she had ceased to expect it. - -When she entered, it was with a hesitating foot. She thought that Rose, -out of good nature and desire to please, had represented her aunt as -more desirous to have her than she really was. Having never met with -affection on the part of Zerah, hardly with recognition of her services, -she did not anticipate a complete change in demeanour. She was surprised -to find that her aunt had not lighted a candle. - -She called to her, when Zerah replied, with a cry that thrilled Kate to -her heart’s core, “Is that my Kitty? My child come back to me?” - -In another moment aunt and niece were locked in each other’s arms, and -sobbing out their hearts,’Kate, through joy, dashed with dread of evil; -Zerah, through joy at seeing her niece again, a joy that sprang out of -despair. - -A singular relation now developed itself between them. After a very -short while, Kitty perceived that there was something on her aunt’s -mind, that Zerah was weighed down with a sense of some calamity far -exceeding that of the loss of so many tons of coal and so many fleeces -of wool. The woman was suddenly become timid and apprehensive. It gave -her pain to speak of what had taken place, and she avoided by every kind -of subterfuge expressing an opinion as to the cause of the fire, and as -to the extent of the damage done. She had for some years faced the -prospect of financial ruin, and if this had come upon her, Kate was sure -she would have met it, not indeed with equanimity, but with sullen -assurance that it was inevitable, and have prepared herself to accept -the new position of poverty. - -But that which occupied and disorganised the heart of Zerah was -something else, something more tearful. Kate saw that she shrank not -only from allusion to the fire, but from inquiries as to the fate of her -brother, and whenever Jason was named or referred to, the woman caught -her niece to her bosom and covered her with kisses, wept, trembled, but -said nothing. - -Mrs. Pepperill took Kate from her little attic-room to share her bed -during the absence of Pasco, and the girl found that the trouble which -weighed on her aunt during the day haunted and tortured her during the -night. Zerah slept little, tossed in her bed; and if she slept, broke -into moans and exclamations. - -Meanwhile, Kitty did not rest from making inquiries relative to her -father. She visited the rector, and ascertained from his lips that he -had seen and exchanged words with Jason Quarm on the evening of the -fire, in fact, only an hour or two before the fire must have broken out. - -But where was her father? The old boat was gone, that was true; but it -was in its place on the morning after the fire, as well as all that -night. It had been taken later; and there was, perhaps, not much to -marvel at in this, when the Cellars were crowded with all conditions of -sightseers and mischief-doers pervading the precincts. Dishonest men -might have taken advantage of the confusion to purloin the boat, or -mischievous boys to have loosed the cable and let her drift with the -tide where it chose to sweep her. - -Inevitably Kate became aware of the opinion prevailing in the village, -that her father was burned to death in the storehouse, and it was hard -for her to come to any other conclusion. She went to Mrs. Redmore to -inquire whether he had been to his old cottage, but the timid, not very -bright woman nervously denied any knowledge of him. - -Her distress was very great, but she sought to conceal it from her aunt, -who wanted nothing to augment her own trouble. - -Hitherto the fire had smouldered on in the ruins, but it became less, -and though the charred masses still gave out gusts of heat, there was no -more smoke rising from them, only a quivering of the air above the -ashes. - -The fire was naturally the main topic of conversation in the -neighbourhood. Minds as well as tongues were exercised. Comments were -made on the absence of Pasco, which were rendered hardly more favourable -by the knowledge that he had gone to a funeral. He knew nothing of his -uncle’s illness and death when he started. Why had he sent his wife -away? Why had he carried his niece back to Dartmoor, from which she had -been recently brought? - -Incautious exclamations of Zerah, when first made aware of the fire and -of her brother’s disappearance, together with her reticence since, were -discussed. - -Prowlers came round the house, peering into this part, then another. An -agent from the insurance office suddenly presented himself, listened to -and noted down the various rumours in circulation, and threw out a hint -that his office would consider before it paid the sum for which the -storehouse and its contents were inscribed. - -The rector called on Mrs. Pepperill, and without appearing to intrude on -her troubles, endeavoured to gain from her something which might -elucidate the mystery of Quarm’s disappearance. Her mouth remained shut, -and her eyes scrutinised him with suspicion. - -Mr. Pooke senior was constable, and he considered it his duty to -intervene. He owed a grudge, nay, two, to Pasco Pepperill, and this fire -was an opportunity for paying it off. He was angry with Pepperill -because he had not shown him the deference that Pooke considered his -due, and had wrested from him the office of churchwarden. A triumph -indeed would it prove were he to be able to make Pepperill amenable to -the law. Moreover, Pepperill was uncle to the chit who had -dared’positively dared!’to refuse his son. He had not desired the -engagement’he had disliked the idea of it’he would have vastly preferred -his son’s union with the miller’s daughter. But that Pepperill’s -niece’the daughter of that donkey-driver, Jason Quarm’should have the -temerity to refuse his son was a fact he could not stomach; it was a -spot in his mantle of pride. - -When he heard the talk about Pepperill, he considered himself -justified’nay, called upon by virtue of his office’to make himself -acquainted with all the facts, and, if possible, to get his rival into -difficulties. A rival Pepperill was. Pooke regarded himself as a sort of -king in Coombe, where his family had held lands for centuries; never, -indeed, extending the patrimony; never suing for a grant of arms, but -holding on to the paternal acres as yeomen’substantial, self-esteeming, -defiant of new-comers. - -Pasco was not exactly in this latter category, but he was a man who gave -himself great airs, who showed the yeoman no deference, and took a -delight in thwarting him, and heading a clique against him at vestry, -and generally in the parish. - -Pooke listened attentively to all that was said relative to the fire, -and prejudice against the man induced him to believe that Pasco had -fired his own stores in order to obtain the insurance money; by what -means Quarm was made the victim he could not tell. If he could prove -Pepperill to be a rascal, it would be great satisfaction, but if he -proved him to be a villain guilty of murder, that would be ecstasy. - -Without warning given to Mrs. Pepperill, Mr. Pooke made a descent on the -Cellars, attended by four of his men armed with shovels and picks. He -did not even ask her leave to overturn the ruins and search among the -heaps of ash for the remains of the man who, it was surmised, had -perished in the fire. With an imperious voice and a consequential air he -gave his orders; and when the men were engaged in testing the cinders to -find whether they were cool, and might safely be turned over, and in -hacking and removing the beams charred and menacing a fall, he betook -himself to the outhouse, where was the cart, so as to examine that. - -He returned speedily, carrying a bundle fastened in a handkerchief, and -this he proceeded to open. It contained a clean shirt, stockings, a -razor, and other articles such as a man would be likely to take with him -when about to stay abroad a night or two. - -“There!” exclaimed Pooke. “I have found at once what no one else -saw’indubitable evidence not only that Jason Quarm came here, but that -he never left this place. If he is not under these cinders, I ask, where -else can he be?” - -Kate and her aunt looked out at the door timidly. They knew that Mr. -Pooke was constable, and they had no idea of any limit to his authority. -He came towards them. - -“I must know all about it’the ins and outs; the ups and downs. No -blinking with me’no rolling of the matter up in blather. What do you -know of Jason Quarm?” He turned to Mrs. Pepperill. - -“Nothing at all,” she answered. “I do not even know that he came here.” - -“Come here he did,” said Pooke. “Here is the donkey’here the cart’here -his bundle of clothes. Now, did he go away?” - -“I was not here; I was at Teignmouth. I know nothing,” said Zerah in -nervous terror. - -“The girl’the girl who had the impudence’to’to refuse my son’she knows -something about this! She was with her uncle. Why did he ask Mr. Ash, -the miller, to not only date his receipt of a trifle by the day of -month, but by the hour of the evening? That is not ordinarily done. And -why did he sneak back to the Cellars, after he had got a little way -along the road, putting his trap up, and leaving it with the girl? I -want to know all that!” - -“Here is my uncle; he will answer you himself,” gasped Kitty, perplexed -and alarmed at the string of questions, and then relieved to see Pasco -arrive. - -“What is the meaning of this?” shouted Pepperill, jumping out of a hired -conveyance. He was in profound mourning, very new and glossy. “What is -this you are doing, Pooke? Where is your authority?” - -“I am constable.” - -“A constable without a warrant! Off!’leave my ground at once! I’ll -communicate with my solicitor, and have a summons taken out against you. -My solicitor is not a man to understand jokes’nor am I.” - -“You may be in the right for the moment,” said Pooke, becoming purple -with vexation at being caught going beyond his powers, and with anger at -being sent off, when he had come to the spot with such blare and blaze -of authority. “But I’ll tell you what it is, Master Pepperill, there are -queer tales abroad about you and this fire, and we want to know, where -is Jason Quarm?” - -“Quarm?’gone to Portsmouth.” - -“To Portsmouth?” - -“Of course; we are in treaty with the dockyard for our timber at -Brimpts.” - -“I don’t believe it! He is burnt!’here!” - -“Burnt? Fudge! He said he was going to Portsmouth.” - -“He said that? When did you see him?” - -“I mean I heard from him to that effect. Now be off! I’ll have no -overhauling of my premises! I’ll have no cross-questioning here! I have -a solicitor of my own now, and he shall know the reason of everything. -Get you gone!’and be blowed!” - - - - - CHAPTER XLII - AN UGLY HINT - - -Talking loudly, laughing noisily, boisterously threatening proceedings -against all trespassers, Pasco Pepperill came in at his door. - -“For heaven’s sake, what are you doing?” was his first salutation from -his wife. “How dare you behave as you do? You’you?” - -He saw at once that she believed in his guilt, and designed to caution -him against overacting his part. - -A great transformation had taken place in Pepperill. Now that he had -done the deed, all dread of the consequences seemed to have been swept -away; he must assume an innocent part, look people full in the face, and -resent suspicion as an insult. The fact that he had come in for a -handsome legacy assisted him to shake off the consciousness of guilt. He -was now a man worth three or four thousand pounds, and when the -assurance was paid he would be worth an additional thousand. - -What could be proved against him? Nothing. Suspicion might be -entertained, but what was suspicion when it had nothing substantial as a -basis? - -“Give me a jug of cider,” he commanded, and Zerah hastened to obey. She -put a tumbler on the table beside the jug. - -Pasco leisurely poured out a glass, and held it up between himself and -the light, and was pleased to observe how steady his hand was. - -“Zerah! come and look here. There is rope in the liquor’it is turning -sour.” - -Kate looked fixedly at her uncle’s face. The child was in distress and -doubt. Was her father alive, or had he died a death of the worst -description? Was he away on his business, carrying out some risky -speculation, or did his bones lie resolved to ash in the great -cinder-heap that had smouldered on so long, and was but just extinct? - -She had not met with anything in her uncle’s character which would -justify her in attributing to him so deliberate and desperate a crime as -firing his own warehouse, and sacrificing, intentionally or -accidentally, the life of his brother-in-law; and yet his wife, who -ought to know him best, had arrived at the worst conclusion, and though -she said nothing, Kate saw by her manner that she was for ever estranged -from her husband, and regarded him as guilty of the crime in its worst -form. - -Zerah had retained Kitty in her room, and had more than once said to her -that after the return of Pasco she would make him occupy Kate’s old -attic; she would no longer treat Pasco other than as a stranger. Her -reception of him now showed repugnance and restraint; the shrinking of -an upright nature from one tainted with dishonesty, and exhibiting -restraint from saying all that was felt. - -Kate looked on her uncle with his self-satisfied expression, holding the -glass between him and the light with a steady hand, concerning his mind -about the ropiness of the cider, and in her simple mind, ignorant of -evil, direct, with no trickiness or dissimulation in it, she felt vast -relief. She could not believe that Pasco had done wrong, nor that he had -any misgivings as to the well-being of her father. - -She drew a long sigh, and passed her hand across her brow, as though to -brush away the cloud that had hung over it and darkened all her -thoughts. - -In the new confidence established between herself and her aunt, Kate had -whispered to her that she was engaged to Walter Bramber, but the news -seemed to make as little impression on Zerah as it had on Pasco, and for -the same reason, that each mind was engrossed in other more immediately -interesting matters. The girl submitted with that resignation which -characterised her. She made little account of herself, and did not -suppose that what concerned her could excite lively emotions in the -hearts of her uncle and aunt. Even Mr. Puddicombe had shown more -sympathy and pleasure. But then, Kate could make allowance for the -preoccupation of her aunt’s mind consequent on the fire. - -Kate now timidly approached her uncle, keeping her eyes riveted on his -face, and, standing on the other side of the little round table on which -was his jug, she asked’ - -“Are you quite sure my dear father is all right?” - -Pasco looked sharply at her. - -“Questions again?” he said hastily, and a flush came into his cheek. - -“I have a right to ask this question,” said Kate firmly. - -His eye fell under hers; he set down the glass unsteadily and upset the -cider. - -“Hang it! why have you a right?” - -“I want to know that my father is alive.” - -“I say he’s gone to Portsmouth.” - -“But how did he go?” - -“That was his affair, not mine; the Atmospheric, I suppose.” - -“He could not cross during that night’at least, not till near dawn, and -so must have been here when the warehouse was burnt.” - -“I don’t see that; there are other ways of getting away. He went on to -Shaldon.” - -That was certainly possible. Quarm might have pursued the right bank of -the river to where it could be crossed at any tide, but this was not -probable. - -An interruption was occasioned by the entry of the rector. After the -usual salutations, he at once turned to the topic which had been -engaging thoughts and tongues before he appeared. - -“I have no desire to intrude,” said he, “but I have come to prevent a -scandal, if possible, and perhaps a quarrel. Mr. Pooke is in a great -heat, and vows he will have a search-warrant to turn over the heaps, as -you have refused him to explore them. You are churchwarden, Mr. -Pepperill, and I not only desire to prevent unpleasantness on your own -account, but on that of the Church. You have, I believe, sent Mr. Pooke -off?” - -“I have.” - -“But why so? He may have acted irregularly, but it was with good -intentions, and you were absent.” - -“He had no right to touch what was mine.” - -“No doubt he erred, but you were absent, consider; and your wife, your -niece, the whole village, were in excitement and alarm. He did what -seemed fit to allay this unrest; to find out whether Mr. Quarm had been -here or not.” - -“It is no good. He’ll get no warrant, unless magistrates be fools. He -has no case’not a ghost of a case. Jason went to Shaldon, and so over -the water.” - -“You are sure?” - -“I fancy he did. I heard he wanted to reach Portsmouth, and the tide was -out when he got here, so he could not cross in the ferry. He went on. At -Teignmouth he would get into the Atmospheric.” - -“That is readily ascertained. We have but to send to Shaldon and -inquire. The boatman who took him across can be found. If he crossed the -wooden bridge, then the man who takes toll will be able to say -something.” - -“He may have gone round the head of the estuary.” - -“Not likely, if he left his cart and donkey here.” - -Pepperill was unable to answer. He was a heavy-headed man, not quick at -invention. - -“Then,” continued the rector, “the warehouse did not catch fire of -itself; someone must have fired it.” - -“Of course,” said Pepperill. - -“I may as well tell you,” continued Mr. Fielding, “that Mr. Bramber, the -schoolmaster, came to the Cellars the evening of the fire”’ - -“The deuce he did!” - -“Just after dusk.” - -“And what brought him here, the puppy?” - -“He came,” answered Mr. Fielding, “because he wished to see Kitty and -you.” - -“Pray what did he want with Kitty?” - -“Surely, Mr. Pepperill, you know that the two young people have come to -an understanding.” - -Pasco shrugged his shoulders. “I may have heard something of the sort, -but I have other things more important to interest and occupy my mind. I -gave it no heed.” - -“Well, he desired to speak with you, as her father was away, and you -stood in a semi-parental relation to her, living as she did in your -house.” - -“Well, he found no one here,” observed Pasco, with some uneasiness of -manner. - -“As he approached the Cellars he heard an altercation, and then the -house door violently slammed. Then, thinking the occasion unpropitious, -he turned back.” - -“It was fancy. No one was here. My wife was over the water, and I on my -way to Brimpts. If you doubt my word, ask Mr. Ash, he receipted my bill, -and I had a talk as well with the landlord.” - -“That is true, Mr. Pepperill, but Jason Quarm was here. I saw him drive -past my gate, and I cast a good-even to him. If an altercation took -place here, he was probably one of those engaged in it. I took it for -granted that you were the other.” - -“I’I’I?” stuttered Pasco. - -“Yes, because you returned to the Cellars after you had got to the head -of the hill.” - -“Who said that? It is a lie!” - -“Kitty, I understand, said as much to John Pooke.” - -“Kitty said it?” - -“Kitty told Jan and Rose as she was being driven home from the moor’so I -have been informed.” - -“It’s a lie!” roared Pasco, glaring round at the girl with a curl up of -his thick lips, showing his teeth like a dog about to bite. “It’s a ’–– -lie!” - -“Mr. Pepperill!” said the rector, rising in dignified anger from the -seat that had been accorded him, “I will not suffer you to use such an -expression in my presence, even in your own house. You do not add one -jot to the force of your repudiation’to your charge against Kate’by -burdening it with an oath.” - -“It’s like that beggarly schoolmaster’s impudence to come poking his -snout here, where he’s not wanted, where”’with some energy’“I won’t have -him! I’ll have the law of him for trespass!” - -“He did not trespass. It is free to anyone to approach a house door.” - -“I don’t care; I’ll shoot him if he shows his face here again.” - -“You are branching away from the matter in immediate consideration. -There seems to be a conflict of testimony. Kitty, whom I have always -found true and direct as a needle, has made one statement,’not indeed to -me, but to others,’and this you contradict.” - -“I’m churchwarden’I’m a man of means and in a good business. I should -think my word was worth more than that of a sly, chattering, idle minx.” - -“Sly, chattering, that my little Kitty is not; I have ever found her -straightforward and reserved. As to her work in the house, her aunt is -better qualified to express an opinion than you, Mr. Pepperill.” - -“I don’t see that you’ve any call to come here, poking into matters and -axin’ questions like another Kitty, if I may make so bold as to say so,” -said Pasco, defiant and then qualifying his defiance. - -“As I told you at the outset, Mr. Pepperill, I have come here not to -make an official inquiry, but to prevent one. There is a mistake -somewhere. My wish was to clear it up before matters grew to a head. You -and Mr. Pooke are both stubborn men, and may knock heads and crack -skulls over nothing. A word will probably lighten what is now dark, and -dissipate a growing mistrust. I cannot, and I will not, believe half of -what is being said relative to you. I have come to your house as a -peacemaker, to entreat you to so account for little matters which puzzle -the good people here, before what is now whispered may be brayed, what -is now a conjecture may be crystallised into a conviction. As far as is -known, the matter stands thus: Mr. Quarm came here, and here have been -found his donkey and cart and his little bundle of clothes. If he had -crossed the water, he would have taken the latter with him. Two persons -were heard in altercation here shortly after his having passed through -Coombe, and the door was shut violently. Next morning the door was -locked, and Mrs. Pepperill when she came found the key in a hiding-place -known, as she then said, only to herself and you.” - -“Don’t you suppose Kitty knew it also?” - -“I daresay she did. Your wife’s words, when she arrived, found the -stores burnt, and the house locked, and the key in a certain place’her -words were, ‘Pasco has put the key where I have found it.’ It was of -course surmised that before you left you had locked the door, but Kitty -told young Pooke that when you reached the top of the hill you returned -to the Cellars, saying that you had forgotten to lock the house. It, -therefore, seemed to me probable that on your return, you and Quarm came -to high words about something.” - -“Nothing of the sort I never came back.” - -“Oh, uncle!” escaped Kate’s lips. - -He turned his menacing eyes on her, with the same snarl on his mouth. - -“I’ll tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” -said he. “That is, if you will insist on having it, and you can make of -it what you like, pass’n. When I got to the top o’ the hill, where is -Ash’s linhay, it is true that I remembered I’d not locked up the -dwelling-house. Then I sent Kitty back and told her to lock and put the -key where her aunt would find it, and I’d stay and mind the hoss.” - -“Uncle!” Kitty turned white and rigid. - -“And, dash it! if someone must ha’ set fire to the old place,’and I -reckon there was someone, them things don’t do themselves,’it must ha’ -been either she or Jason, or both together. And I reckon he’s run away -to escape the consequences.” - -The rector stood up. He had reseated himself after his protest. His face -was very grave. - -“I see,” said he, taking his hat, and moving to the door. “This affair -wears a different colour from what I supposed. It must be elucidated -irrespective of me. My part is done. It must be taken up and -investigated by the proper authorities.” - - - - - CHAPTER XLIII - MUCH CRY AND A LITTLE WOOL - - -“Aunt!” exclaimed Kitty, blank and trembling, turning to Zerah, the -moment the rector had left the house. “Oh, auntie dear, this is not -true’this that Uncle Pasco says. I did not go back. I was left in the -linhay with the cart. What does he mean?” - -“He means to shelter himself,” answered Mrs. Pepperill. Then the woman -stepped in front of her husband, and, in her harshest tones and hardest -manner, said, “Pasco! A yea or nay from Kitty is, as pass’n said, worth -a thousand of your protestations, though bolstered up wi’ oaths.” - -“Of course Kitty is everything to you and the pass’n, and I am nothing. -I know that very well. I’ve had enough of your violence o’ tongue-lash -these twenty years; and let me tell you, Zerah, I’ve got hard to it and -don’t care a snap for it.” And he suited the action to the word, with an -insolence of expression and manner that would have made the woman blaze -forth into fury at any other time. Now she passed his rudeness with -disregard. - -“Pasco!” she said in metallic tones, “there has been a load o’ lead -crushing down my heart. I’ll shake it off and run it into bullets -against you now, and every word shall be a bullet. Now, before Kitty, I -will say what I have had on my mind. It is you who have lied. I have -known for some time what you were thinking of. I’ve seen you hovering -like a hawk, and the moment I was gone’had crossed the water’you -dropped. You durstn’t do it whilst I was here. You feared me because I -feared God. There’s no bigger coward on earth than the man who fears his -fellow because that fellow has God before his eyes. No sooner was I out -of the way than you at once seized the chance offered; and I’I had gone -with all my little lay-by to get you out of your difficulties and -prevent you doing what I feared was in your intent. You’d never spoke a -word to me of that purpose of yourn, you durst not do it; but I saw it -formin’ in you; I saw it, looking into your eyes, just as you may see -the sediment settlin’ in dirty water. When I was out of the way, then -you thought you could do it. You took Kitty away’who was but just home -from the moor, and all for no reason save that you didn’t want any -witness. Then you left her with the cart and hoss at Ash’s linhay in -Furze Park, and came back here to carry out your purpose. So far I can -see. Then my sight becomes thick, a mist is over my eyes, and all the -rest is doubtful. What happened when you came back here’what passed -between you and Jason’what became of my brother? All that I know not’but -know I must and will.” - -Pasco’s face grew more sullen, and his demeanour dogged to defiance. He -could not look his wife in the face, he kept his eyes on the ground, and -with his boot scratched the floor in fantastic figures. - -“I can see all that passes in your heart,” pursued Zerah. “It’s like as -if I were outside a window, and see’d shadows on the blind as this and -that went by and this and that rose up or sat down. Now the folk begin -to talk and to suspect you, and say how that you insured for a big sum, -and when the goods weren’t paid for, burnt ’em all to secure the -insurance; then you try and throw the suspicion off on to Kitty or -Jason, or both together. It is like you, you black coward. But it shall -not be. I will stand betwixt you and Kitty, and no harm from you shall -hurt her. What I and Kitty want to know is’What has become of Jason? -Where is he? If you will not answer, we will work out the answer for our -own selves’she with the heable (fork), I with the phisgie (pick). We -have strong arms, and we will ourselves root about in the ruins, till we -learn something to satisfy our minds.” - -“I don’t know how you’ve the face to talk to me like this, Zerah,” said -Pasco surlily. “I’ve come into something like four thousand pounds -through my uncle, and there’ll be another thousand and more from the -insurance. On five thousand pounds’Lord! I’m a Christian and a -gentleman.” - -“Bank-notes won’t plaster sore consciences,” retorted Zerah. “You think -money is everything, and no matter how it be come by. So it has ever -been with you.” - -“Am I like to be a villain,” queried Pasco in exasperation, “when I knew -my uncle was worth a pot o’ coin that was sure to come to me?” - -“You did not know he was dead.” - -“I knew he was sickening and worn out. A man of means don’t do criminal -acts; that’s the perquisite of beggars and labouring men.” - -“I do not ask for excuses and evasions. I ask’where is my brother?” -persisted Zerah. - -At that moment the door was thrown open, a hand was thrust in, waving a -paper, and a voice shouted’ - -“There you be, Pasco Pepperill. I’ve got my warranty. I said I would, -and I’m the man o’ my word. I went full gallop up to Squire Carew. None -can stand agin me.” - -Pepperill went to the door, saw the back of Mr. Pooke as he walked away, -and the faces of a number of workmen with pick and crowbar and shovel, -backed by a crowd of all descriptions of persons from the village and -neighbourhood. - -He hesitated for some moments. He stood irresolute, holding the -door-posts and working his nails at the paint, picking it off in flakes. -His heart turned sick within him. If the heaps of cinders were thrown -back, then surely the remains of Jason Quarm would be discovered, and -with the discovery there would ensue an inquest, and much unpleasantness -if not danger to himself. With low cunning he resolved to make the best -of the inevitable. He shouted to his wife’ - -“Zerah! bring out cider for the good fellows. They are working for us, -as you know. If you have saffron cake, out with that too. I daresay I -shall find a shilling apiece as well.” - -He went behind Pooke, slapped him on the back, and said boisterously’ - -“Well done, old man! That is what I wanted. If a thing has to be -executed, let all be above-board and legal. That’s my doctrine. I don’t -like no hole-and-corner proceedings. Meddlin’ wi’out authority makes the -end a botch. If you hadn’t begun, I would have done it myself.” - -In the house Zerah restrained Kitty with one hand and closed the door -with the other. The woman was labouring for breath, so great was her -excitement. Her face was now flushed, then became wan as death. - -“Kitty, my darling,” she said, “I reckon I’ve been hard and exactin’ in -the past. The old pass’n were right, though I wouldn’t believe him, and -said he was insultin’ of me to say it. ’Twas love, he told, as you -wanted, and I didn’t give it you. Love, the very air of heaven, wi’out -which the little maid couldn’t thrive. I wi’held it from you’so he -told’and I shut my ears and hardened my heart. But in the end he were -right. When I found out what had been done, then it broke me down. I -cannot respect and love _him_ no longer. I tried my best when he was -foolish and unfortunate. But now he’s guilty, I cannot’I cannot, and -then all my love turns to you.” - -Kitty threw herself into her aunt’s arms and sobbed. - -“There’s no time now for tears,” said Zerah, with a gulp in her throat. -“We cannot tell what is coming on us. It may be that the remains of your -poor father will be found. If so, then’” Zerah shivered as if -frost-smitten. “God bless us! It will be too horrible’to live under the -same roof, to eat at the same table, to see the face, hear the voice of -the man’” She was unable to conclude her sentence. After a long pause -and a hug of Kitty, she continued: “I cannot say how it all came about. -Bad as he may be, I hardly think he did it of purpose. ’Twas some -accident. I don’t mean the burning the stores’but of your father. No; he -was not so bad as that, please God! I hope, I trust not! Now, Kitty, you -and I must make up our minds to whatever happens. And I reckon there is -but one thing us can do.” - -“What is that, dear auntie?” - -“Hold our tongues.” - -After a long pause, whilst the girl clung to her, she added, “No good -can come of us speaking what we know, and what we fancy. It can but heap -up a great pile of misery and shame. If it comes to an inquiry in -court’that’s another matter. They won’t call on me, as I am Pasco’s -wife, but they will on you, and you must up and speak the truth at any -cost. But if there be no such inquiry, then hold your tongue, as I will -mine. The mischief, so far, has come from what we have said. We can do -no good; we may make the affair worse for ourselves if we talk. Leave -him in the hands of God, to do wi’ him as He wills.” - -Kate kissed her aunt and promised silence. - -Then both went forth, and reached the crowd about the ruins and piles of -ashes, as Pepperill was saying in a loud tone, “I don’t say you won’t -find bones. I believe now I had a pile, but all mutton and beef bones.” - -“Why, what were you doing wi’ bones?” asked Pooke. - -“Collecting of ’em for dressing,” answered Pepperill promptly. “I’ve -been in the hide line some while, and lately I took a fancy to bones -also; but I didn’t do much, just begun on it, so to speak’all ox and -sheep bones’nothing else. Pound bones up wi’ a hammer, they’re fine for -turnips. Jason put me up to speculating in bones.” - -The mass of crumbling wall, charred beam, and cinder was speedily -attacked by the workmen under the direction of the constable, who had -much difficulty in keeping the curious at a distance; men, women, and -children were eager to assist with their hands, or advise with their -tongues. They ran into danger by approaching tottering walls. They -trampled down the ashes; they got in the way of the workmen; and -occasionally a scream and an objurgation was the result of a labourer -casting his shovelful of cinders in the face of an inquisitive spectator -who got in his way. Mr. Pooke protested and stormed, but with little -avail; all were too interested to attend to his orders, and he was -without assistants to enforce them. - -Pepperill bustled about, vociferating, driving spectators back, -encouraging workmen, running after cakes and cider, and making the -confusion greater. Kate sat on a fallen beam, chin in hand, watching -intently every spade as it turned the ashes, wincing at every pick -driven into the cinder heaps. The tears were trickling down her cheeks. - -Then Walter Bramber, who had just arrived, went up to Farmer Pooke and -asked leave to run a cord across from one rail to another, and -volunteered with the assistance of Noah Flood and John Pooke to keep the -people from interference. - -“Why should they be kept back? Don’t they want to find what has become -of Mr. Quarm every whit as much as me? Let ’em come on,” shouted -Pepperill. - -But the constable saw the advantage of the proposal, and gave the order. -In ten minutes the scene of the conflagration was freed from sightseers, -who were confined at a distance. - -Then Bramber went to Kitty and said in a low tone, “You do not think it -is hopeless, I trust?” - -“I do not know what to think,” she answered. - -“Is it true what I have heard, that your uncle returned here after dark -and left you at the top of the hill?” - -Kate did not answer. - -“That is what is said. Jan Pooke told me he had heard it from your own -lips.” - -She continued silent. - -“I should like to know, Kitty, the truth in this matter.” - -“I can say nothing,” she answered, and hung her head lower. - -Bramber was surprised, but he had not time to expend in conversation: he -had undertaken to keep off the crowd, and some were diving under the -rope, others attempting to stride over it. - -An hour was expended in turning about the refuse. All the coal had been -consumed, but, singularly and inexplicably, not all the fleeces. Bundles -of wool were found’not many, indeed, but some, singed, not consumed, -which, when exposed, exhaled a sickening odour. The dangerous portions -of tottering walls had been thrown down, the slate flooring exposed. Not -a trace of Jason Quarm could be found. - -Pasco, who had been nervous, watching all the operations of the -excavators in deadly fear of a revelation of the charred remains of his -brother-in-law, breathed freely, recovered all his audacity and -boisterousness. - -“I said as much, but none believed me. Jason is gone; he was not the man -to sit quiet in a fire. How the fire came about is a question we won’t -go into too close.” - -“The bones you spoke of,” said Pooke, “we ha’n’t come on them. They’ve -been consumed’perhaps poor Quarm as well. The fire must have been deadly -hot.” - -“It didn’t burn those fleeces,” answered Pasco triumphantly. “I’ll tell -you what; Jason made off for reasons well known to himself. If we don’t -hear of him again, I sha’n’t wonder; but burned here he certainly was -not, as any fool can see. He was not the man to let himself burn. -Cripple though he was, he could hop out of danger.” - -Pasco turned to Bramber. “What is that you have been saying to the -parson about hearing Mr. Quarm and his daughter argyfying at my door the -night of the fire?” - -Walter Bramber was taken aback. - -“Yes, you said you had heard them in hot dispute.” - -“I said,” answered Bramber in surprise and indignation, “something very -different from that. I said”’ - -His hand was caught by Kate, who looked pleadingly into his face. - -“A word alone.” - -“What is it, Kitty?” - -“Say nothing to anyone of what you saw and heard that night.” - - - - - CHAPTER XLIV - PUDDICOMBE IN F - - -The mystery of the disappearance of Jason Quarm was not cleared up; on -the contrary, it had become more profound. The excavation of the ruins -had revealed nothing. It had disclosed no remains of the lost man, and -opinions were divided. Some contended that the intense heat of the mass -of coals, a heat which had split the flooring slates and burnt the soil -beneath them to the depth of six inches, reddening it like brick, that -this heat had completely consumed the unhappy man. On the other hand, -others asked, How could that be? Some of the wool was scorched, not -burnt; a man would make his way from fire; he had eyes and arms, and -though Quarm was crippled, yet he could extricate himself from danger, -or at all events use his powerful lungs so as to call for help. -Moreover, Quarm wore brass buttons. Even if his body had been resolved -to ashes, the molten buttons would be found; but no metal of any sort -had been discovered on the floor. - -To this responded the first: If Quarm were not burnt, how was it that he -had not put in an appearance? His bundle of clothes was found in the -cart. If he had escaped, he would surely either have made known his -escape, or have gone off with his parcel of necessaries. Some hinted -that, finding the Cellars locked, he had made his way into the -warehouse, there to spend the night, and had gone to sleep with his pipe -alight, and the pipe had set fire to combustibles in the place. But -then, supposing this, why was his body not found if he had been -smothered by smoke? and if he had escaped, why had he not gone off with -donkey, and cart, and bundle? There was the puzzle. - -Others hinted that Pasco Pepperill was the gainer by the fire, and that -he had had a finger in setting the stores alight. It was suspicious that -he had sent away his wife, and had gone away with his niece just before -the conflagration broke out. There was an ugly rumour afloat, that he -had returned secretly to the Cellars, and had there met and quarrelled -with his brother-in-law. This rumour was constructed out of the reported -admission of Kate, and something, it was believed, that the schoolmaster -had said. But neither of these, on being interrogated by the -inquisitive, would say a word. The schoolmaster, with the cheek of a -stuck-up creature, had answered all inquiries with the question, “Who -has authorised you to catechise me? If the matter is brought into court, -I will say what little I know on oath before the magistrate. I will say -nothing to self-constituted inquisitors.” - -Whenever this answer of the schoolmaster was repeated, and it was so a -hundred times in the course of a week, it never failed to elicit an -indignant remark, generally couched thus: “Them schoolmasters want -setting down. They’re owdacious cocky monkeys. But they’re a low -lot’they must be taught their place, which is under our heels. They -gives theirselves airs, as if they was parsons and knew everything, but -they lives on our voluntary subscriptions, and unless they come to eat -humble-pie, we’ll withdraw our farthing-in-the-pound rate. ’Tisn’t for -our pleasure or profit they exist, but just because of a fad o’ the -pass’n. Mr. Puddicombe was the man for us. Him we could respect. And now -they sez that Mr. Puddicombe is compoging a Tee-dum which will cut out -even Jackson.” - -The minds and hearts of Kitty and her aunt were sensibly relieved. The -girl had watched the exploration of the cinder heaps with quivering -nerves and brooding fear. What might not each spade disclose? Into what -an object of horror might not her poor father be reduced? But, as the -floor of the warehouse was cleared, and every mass of ash turned over, -and nothing revealed, her heart swelled, and the blood began again to -pulsate in her arteries. She covered her face with her hands, and lifted -her heart half in thanksgiving and half in prayer. And yet, what had -become of him? How was it that, if he were alive, he had given no signs -of life? - -It was ascertained that Jason Quarm had not crossed the estuary, either -by the bridge or by boat, at Shaldon. It was inconceivable that he had -traced the creek up to its head, below Newton Abbot, to cross the water -there, as there was no path along the water-side, and he must have come -into the road and made such a circuit as was not possible for a man in -his crippled condition. - -At one moment Kitty was sanguine, at the next her spirits fell. It was -to be hoped’nay, believed’that he had not perished in the fire; but was -it not possible’nay, probable’that he had died by some other means, that -he may have fallen into the mud, and been smothered therein? That mud -would swallow up the man that sank in it and never restore him again. If -he had come by his end thus, had he fallen in, or had he been cast in? - -Again, with a chill, as if pierced by an icicle, came the thought of her -uncle. Undoubtedly, he could explain all if he chose. He had returned to -the Cellars and found her father there. The altercation which Walter had -imperfectly heard must have taken place between her father and her -uncle. It could not have occurred at that time, in that place, between -any others. Her father had passed by the road as the cart entered the -linhay, her uncle had gone home immediately after. Therefore, these two -had met at the Cellars. What had been the occasion of the quarrel? and -what the result of that quarrel? The result was the disappearance of her -father. How had he disappeared? That, she felt convinced, her uncle -could answer, and he alone. But for motives which she dared not -investigate, he remained silent; nay, worse, he endeavoured, by denial -of his having returned to the Cellars, to cast the suspicion of having -fired the storehouse from himself on other shoulders. These questions -turned and twisted in Kitty’s brain without rest. They occupied her by -day, they tortured her by night. She did not venture to express them to -her aunt. She knew that the same thoughts, the same questions, were -working in her mind; and she knew also that her aunt could not endure -their discussion. Meanwhile, the work of the house must be carried on, -and Mrs. Pepperill called in the assistance of Mrs. Redmore. With their -preoccupied minds, neither she nor Kitty was capable of doing all that -had been done as in days gone by. - -Pasco grumbled at the introduction of this woman into his house’the wife -of the wretch who had set fire to the rick of Farmer Pooke, and who had -escaped pursuit. But Mrs. Pepperill did not yield. There were no other -women disengaged in Coombe, and of girls she would have none to break -dishes, and throw away spoons, and melt the blades out of the handles of -knives. - -Pasco acquiesced, with a growl, and a malicious look at Kate, and a -mutter that some folk were mighty fond of incendiaries and their -belongings, backing them up, helping them to escape, providing for their -families; to which neither Kate nor her aunt made reply. - -Pasco found that he was not comfortable at home; his wife would not -unbend, and Kate kept out of his way. To his boisterous mirth, to his -boastfulness, they made no response; when he stormed, they withdrew. He -was uneasy in himself, suspicious of what men said of him, and alarmed -when he heard from his lawyer, Mr. Squire, that the insurance company -refused to pay the sum for which he had insured. Society, distraction, -were necessary for him. As he could find none at home, he wandered to -the village tavern, the Lamb and Flag, to seek both there. - -The first occasion was the evening of the practice of the village -orchestra, and it was attended by every member of the same, not only -because all desired to say something relative to the matter exercising -all minds, but also because the score of a new Te Deum had been placed -before them, the composition of the ex-schoolmaster. Puddicombe in F was -to be rehearsed by the instruments before the vocalists were called in. -Puddicombe in F was expected to be a huge success, and to make -Puddicombe known through the wide world of music, and to render -Coombe-in-Teignhead famous in after generations, just as Exeter was -known as the place which had produced Mr. Jackson, who had won such a -fame with his Te Deum. - -Each instrumentalist had his separate sheet of music, and each devoted -himself to his score with seriousness. - -Puddicombe in F began with a movement slow and stately, with all the -harmonies in thirds and fifths, and a solemn tum-tum bass. Then, -precipitately, it transformed itself into something headed _Fugg_. If it -had been entitled _fugue_, no one would have understood what was meant. -But “fugg” signified that the instruments were to perform a sort of -musical leap-frog, to go higgledy-piggledy, one after the other, like -children tumbling out of school, with the master behind them threatening -to whack the hindermost. - -And, verily, never was a fugue more of a higgledy-piggledy -devil-take-the-hindermost character than this one of Puddicombe in F, -never such a caterwauling of cats that could surpass it in discords, -with random gruntings in and out of the violoncello. - -A villager, standing breathless outside, listening, ventured to say to -the landlord, who was smoking complacently at his door, “There don’t -seem to be much tune in it.” - -“No; but there’s tremendous noise.” - -The landlord drew whiffs, blew out the smoke in a long column, and said, -smiling, “Wait till we come to the _largo molto tranquillo con -affettuoso caprizio_.” - -“What’s that?” asked the bumpkin, in an awestruck tone. - -“It’s something writ on the music by the hand of Mr. Puddicombe. The -Lord knows what it means!” - -The hubbub of the “fugg” came to an end, and the instruments paused, -drew a sort of sigh, and, with stately tread, marched in unison _largo -molto tranquillo con affettuoso caprizio_, and stalked through it to the -end. - -“There’s tune there now, and be blowed,” said the landlord triumphantly. - -“It’s the tune of ‘Kitty Alone and I,’” retorted the irreverent -countryman, and he began to sing’ - - “‘There was a frog lived in a well, - Crock-a-mydaisy, Kitty alone; - And a merry mouse lived in a mill, - Kitty alone and I.’” - -The instruments behind the lighted window-curtains were hushed. They had -heard the rustic song. - -“It is that, ain’t it?” pursued the man. “I’ll sing another verse, and -make sure’ - - “‘So here’s an end to the lovers three, - Crock-a-mydaisy, Kitty alone, - The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frogee, - Kitty alone and I.’” - -Within, the instrumentalists looked at each other. None spoke for a -minute, and then the ’cello said, in a deep voice, as from a tomb, -“Puddicombe han’t riz to the theme. He’s forgot and worked in that frog -and mouse tune. Not but what it’s a good ’un, only unsootable.” - -“It’s easy set right,” observed the first violin. “If you’ll wait, -brothers, I’ll clap on my hat and run up to his house, and get him to -titch it up a bit, and git the Kitty tune out of it altogether. The fugg -was famous.” - -“Yes,” said the second violin; “it’s only to stir it about a bit and -shuffle as you do cards. Cut along with all your legs.” - -At that moment Pasco Pepperill came up, puffing, looking about him half -suspiciously, half defiantly. “How are ye, gents?” said he. “What! -practising? I don’t mind if I sit a bit and listen to you. I’m fond of -music, especially sacred music, as I’m churchwarden.” - - - - - CHAPTER XLV - DAYLIGHT - - -The musicians looked at each other. They could hardly continue to -practise Puddicombe in F till the little awkwardness of the passage -_largo molto con affettuoso caprizio_ was set to rights. It would be -half an hour before this was done. Meanwhile, the orchestra might as -well work their tongues as well as their arms and fingers, and blow -questions and puff opinions in place of musical notes. They had -assembled that evening with a double intent: the excuse for their -meeting was the rehearsal; the real object, the airing of their views on -the fire at the Cellars, its probable origin, and what had become of -Jason Quarm. - -For the gathering of information on such matters, what was more -fortunate than the presence in their midst of Pasco Pepperill, the man -of all others best qualified to give information relative to the matters -troubling all hearts? It was true that a good many’the bassoon and the -ophicleide among the orchestra’entertained grave views relative to the -conduct of Pepperill. Well! there the man was. They might prove him with -keen questions, catch him off his guard with sly hits, entangle him in a -net of incautious admissions into which they had lured him, and then sit -in judgment on him and the whole case, after he had withdrawn. - -“Gents and neighbours, and friends all,” said Pasco, seating himself, -“as churchwarden, my place is among you, and allow me to stand treat of -rum and water all round’no, better than that, a grand bowl of punch, and -we’ll spoon it out with our good host’s whalebone ladle, and the Queen -Anne shilling in the bottom. Landlord, don’t spare the rum; thanks to my -uncle, I’m a man of means, and can pay my way.” - -Marvellous as a solvent is punch. The mere mention of a bowl began to -melt and break up prejudice and fixed opinions. The bassoon had been -persistent in insisting on the criminality of Pepperill; he had urged -every point against him, he had turned aside every argument that tended -to exonerate him. As a man of strict integrity, he was now placed in a -difficult position. Either he must hold to his opinion, rise, bow -stiffly, and decline to drink out of the bowl, to wet his lips with the -generous liquor the churchwarden provided, or else his judgment must -undergo modifications, then a complete _volte face_. - -The popping of a cork was heard. At once the bassoon acknowledged that -he had been precipitate in forming his conclusions. A waft of rum and -lemons entered the room. He began to see that there were weighty -considerations which had escaped him hitherto, and which undermined his -convictions. Then came the clink of the ladle in the bowl, as the bowl -was being brought in. The bassoon’s preconceptions went down like a pack -of cards. The whole room was redolent with a fragrant steam, as the -great iron-stoneware bowl was planted on the table. The bassoon was -converted into an ardent, enthusiastic believer in the churchwarden. - -Wondrous is the power of conscience. It may lie asleep, it may remain -for long inert, but a little something comes, unexpectedly touches it, -and it springs up to full energy, and resolves amidst much self-reproach -to make amends for the past. So was it in the interior of the bassoon. -The sniff of punch was to his conscience what “Hey, rats!” is to the -dozing dog. It was alive, it was stinging him, it had brought him -metaphorically in penitence to his knees before Pasco Pepperill. He -could not think, say, show himself, sufficiently convinced that that man -who provided and paid for the punch was the embodiment of all virtues, -with a character unstained as is the lily. He trampled on his own base -self, he spurned at it, for having for a while thought evil of so -admirable a man. - -“Peter Squance bain’t here. ’Tis a pity’our first fiddle,” said the -second violin. “He’ll be mazed when he comes back with the _molto -largo_, and finds the punch all gone.” - -“Gone?” exclaimed Pepperill. “Not a bit of it. When this bowl is done, -we will have another.” - -Mr. Pepperill stood up and stirred the steaming sea before him, in which -floated yellow islets of lemon. All eyes were on the bowl, all nostrils -were dilated and sniffing, all mouths watering. - -Pasco filled each glass, and then ensued a nodding all round; eyes were -turned up, lips smacked, and the precious liquor allowed to trickle down -the throats in thin rills over the tongue. - -Presently the clarionet put down his glass and said, “It was a lucky -job, Pasco, that your rick o’ straw escaped t’other night.” - -“Ay, ’twas a first-rate chance,” said the landlord, who had come and -remained to taste his own brew and hear encomiums on it. - -“You see the wind was t’other way,” said the ’cello. - -“And ’twasn’t insured,” added the clarionet. - -All the rest looked round, and frowned, and reared their chins. The -clarionet shrank together. What had he said? Something stupid or -uncivil? He was too dull to see where his error lay. - -“That had nothing to do with it. ’Twas water chucked over it as saved -it,” threw in the bassoon, flying to the rescue. - -“My straw rick suffered more from well-intentioned assistants than from -anything else,” said Pepperill. “The wind was direct away from it, and -so it couldn’t hurt.” - -“It was coorious, though, the fire taking place when everyone was away -from home,” said the clarionet. - -Again all looked indignantly at him. That instrument had a way of always -sounding out of key. - -“There was nothing coorious at all in it,” answered the churchwarden, -with promptitude. “It was just because everyone was away that the fire -got the upper hand.” - -“There’s something in that,” said the hautboy. - -“There is everything,” answered Pasco. “If I or my wife had been at the -Cellars, we would have speedily called help and had the fire -extinguished before it could take hold. No one was there, so it was -allowed freedom to get the mastery, and then, no one could do nothing.” - -“That’s true,” said the second violin. - -“It’s true,” said the rest of the instruments in unison, looking into -each other’s faces; “it couldn’t be truer.” - -“You don’t happen to know how the fire came about?” asked the clarionet. - -“I don’t _know_,” answered the churchwarden. - -“You don’t know,” repeated the violoncello, “but you guess.” - -“I have my ideas,” observed Pasco. “Gents! let me fill your glasses -again.” - -“And if I might make so bold to ask?” pursued the clarionet. - -“My mouth is shut,” answered Pasco. “I don’t want to hurt nobody, least -of all a relation. Just fancy, gents all! the insurance company have -refused payment.” - -“You don’t say so! Well! what is the world coming to? But it all stands -in prophecy, in the Book o’ Dan’l,” said the hautboy. - -“It is one of them beasts in Revelation!” said the second fiddle. “The -question only is which.” - -“But,” pursued Pepperill, “I’ve set my solicitor at ’em. He’ll make ’em -dance a Halantow.” - -“Very glad to hear it,” said the bassoon. “I drink to his and your -success.” - -“We’re going to institute proceedings,” continued Pasco. - -“What is proceedings?” asked the clarionet under his hand of the -hautboy. - -“It’s a sort of blister o’ Spanish fly,” was the answer, also in -confidence. - -“Then it will make ’em dance, no mistake,” said the clarionet. “Do you -think, churchwarden, it will draw?” - -“Draw?” Pasco rubbed his hands and looked round. “It’ll draw getting on -for fifteen hundred pound. If that bain’t drawin’, show me what is!” - -This announcement produced a great effect. - -“To go back to the p’int,” said the clarionet. “It would be a comfort to -us all if you’d give us your ideas on the matter of the fire. You see, -we’re all abroad.” - -“I wouldn’t hurt nobody’not a fly. I was always tender-hearted,” said -Pasco. “Besides, you’d talk.” - -“We are all friends,” urged the bassoon. “You see, coals don’t as a rule -set alight to themselves, nor wool, nor hides neither.” - -“That’s what I’ve said all along,” observed the second fiddle. “Someone -must ha’ done it. The question is’who?” - -“I’ll have another thimbleful of punch,” said the bass viol. “It’s -uncommon good, and does credit to all parties’ - - ‘Come let’s drink, and drown all sorrow, - For perchance we may not’ - For perchance we may not meet here to-morrow.’” - -Then the hautboy trolled out’ - - “‘He that goes to bed, goes to bed sober - Falls as the leaves does’ - Falls as the leaves does’in October.’” - -“Someone must ha’ done it,” observed the clarionet. - -“Of course some one did,” said Pepperill, “and when folk begin yarnin’ -lies, you ain’t got to go far to find the evil-doer.” - -“That’s true,” was the chorus. - -“And no one was at the Cellars at the time but one or two persons,” said -the clarionet. - -“One was Jason Quarm,” said Pasco; “and burnt he was not, as was proved -by the constable.” - -“I don’t know,” said the second fiddle. “The fire was so tremendous hot, -and lasted so tremendous long, it would ha’ burned a fatter man nor -Jason Quarm.” - -“Jason’s not burnt. He’s runned away.” - -“Runned away?” - -“Yes,” pursued Pasco; “’cos he didn’t want to have to give evidence as -to what he knew.” - -“What wor that?” - -“He comed to the Cellars, and found someone there doin’ of the -wickedness, and he runned away so as not to have to say what he didn’t -want to be forced to say.” - -“What was that?” - -“It’s not for me to speak!” - -“Someone did it! who could ha’ done it?” said the clarionet. “I thought -it wor proved, if I may be so bould, that you, Mr. Churchwarden, comed -back to the Cellars.” - -“I?” exclaimed Pasco, becoming purple in the face. “It suited somebody’s -convenience to say so, but I was in the linhay minding the hoss, and I -put it to the company’no one can be in two places at once, can they?” - -“There’s something in that.” - -“I was minding the hoss, but I sent somebody back to lock up. I name no -names, and she’s gone and put it on me to clear herself.” - -The eyebrows of all the instrumentalists went up. - -“Kitty? What! Kitty Alone?” - -“I name no names,” said Pasco; “but I must say this to clear myself. -I’ve borne hard words too long for the sake of sheltering she. The -schoolmaster heard her father lecturing of her for what she’d done.” - -“But she wouldn’t do it out of pure wickedness,” urged the clarionet; -“and what reason had she?” - -“There it is,” answered Pasco. “I see I’m among friends, and it won’t go -no farther. I’d been speaking to her rather sharp for her goings-on with -young men, drawin’ on Jan Pooke, then kicking him over, then Noah Flood, -and same with he. Noah, poor fellow, was took cruel bad along of -she’ever since Ashburton fair had a pain in the stomach; if that ain’t -love, show me what love is. Then she took up with that schoolmaster -chap, and when I said I wouldn’t have it, and I wasn’t going to have the -family disgraced wi’ bringing schoolmasters into it, she cut rusty, and -sulked, and I believe it were naught but spite.” - -“But,” observed the clarionet, “the tale I was told of what the -schoolmaster said wasn’t quite that.” - -“You are right there,” said Pasco. “He’d alter his tale when he found -what she’d been about. As is nat’ral. I put it to the company, if you -was sweetheartin’, and you found your love had been up to wickedness, -you wouldn’t tell tales of her, but would do all you could to screen -her.” - -“That’s true,” was the general opinion. - -“And you think Jason see’d her, and made off?” said the bassoon. - -“That explains everything,” observed the violoncello. - -“I begin to see daylight,” remarked the hautboy. - -At that moment, in rushed the first violin, waving the score above his -head. - -“I’ve got it!” he said. “Nothing easier. It wasn’t no fault o’ -Puddicombe, he said it were our stoopidity. ‘What does _largo molto con -affettuoso caprizio_ mean?’ he asked. ‘_Largo molto_, turn the score -upside down, _con affettuoso caprizio_, and go ahead like blazes!’” - - - - - CHAPTER XLVI - A TRIUMPH - - -The fumes of the punch had been dissipated, not only from the room of -the Lamb and Flag, but also from the brain of the orchestra. - -The bassoon’s scruples revived; he was still grateful for the punch, but -resentful for the headache it had produced. - -The several points brought out by the clarionet, that provoking advocate -for Pasco, who asked awkward questions and propounded awkward -suggestions, stood twinkling like sparks in tinder. The bassoon thought -that punch, good thing though it might be, did but momentarily overflow, -and did not drown, doubts. It darkened the burning questions, but did -not quench them. The disappearance of Quarm was not satisfactorily -explained. The coincidence of the voiding of the Cellars conveniently -for the fire, was not explained. The contradiction between the -statements made by the uncle and the niece was unsifted. The bassoon -grunted in his bed a grunt of dissatisfaction with himself for having -yielded his opinions, a grunt of resentment against Pasco for having -obfuscated his clear judgment, a grunt of resolve never again to allow -his opinions to give way before punch. Conscience, that capricious -factor, which had pricked him in one direction last night, pricked him -in another this morning. - -The hautboy, also, was out of tune. On review of the events of the past -night, he considered that the entry of Pasco was an unwarrantable -intrusion. The rule was well known that during a practice of the -orchestra no one should be admitted. Pepperill had entered uninvited, -had forced himself into their society, and he must have done that for a -purpose. For what purpose but to cajole, to hoodwink them? - -In vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird. The hautboy was a -very wideawake and watchful bird, and he saw the meshes clearly. In vain -is the hook cast in clear water; and the medium was so transparent that -the hautboy plainly saw the hook. He resolved to maintain an -independent, observant attitude, to form his own opinion, not accept -ready-made views served up to him with punch. When before had the -churchwarden favoured the village orchestra with punch? Never’since -Pasco had been churchwarden. Never when in a private capacity. Only when -popular feeling became suspicious or hostile, did he show himself -free-handed. His present liberality told against him. - -The violoncello also entered into commune with himself. Was there any -chance of another brew? Would another bowl of punch be produced to keep -up the favourable opinion formed on the preceding evening, or would a -mistrustful attitude act as a stimulant to excite greater liberality? -One brew of punch was not much, it prepared the soil, a second would sow -the seed, a third make it germinate, a fourth develop, and only a fifth -fructify conviction in the integrity of the provider. - -The words spoken by Pepperill relative to Kate had spread. The orchestra -confided them to their spouses, and the wives whispered them to their -intimates. There arose in Coombe-in-Teignhead two rival factions. One -party contended that Pasco was guilty, the other argued that Kitty had -fired the storehouse. The advantage of the latter view was that it -explained what was otherwise inexplicable’the disappearance of Quarm. -The story was worked into shape; it was elaborated in detail. Kitty, of -a morose and vindictive nature, had been exasperated because her uncle -had forbidden her engagement to the schoolmaster. Kitty had never been -as other girls were. Her reserve was slyness, her bashfulness sulkiness. -Her schoolfellows had disliked her. Their mothers shared the feelings of -their daughters. As the proverb says, “Still waters run deep,” and of -the stillness of Kitty there could be no question. - -The dislike entertained of Kitty had been vague and unreasonable. Now a -reason was supplied, and consistency given to what had been shapeless. - -It was suspicious that Kitty had volunteered the statement relative to -her being left in the linhay before she had been asked questions -relative to her whereabouts. Why should she have blurted this out to Jan -Pooke and Rose Ash, but for the purpose of throwing dust in their eyes? - -Kitty had been unwarrantably forward in telling her tale, and the -schoolmaster unwarrantably reticent relative to his experience. Why did -the schoolmaster refuse to speak out what he had seen and heard at -Coombe Cellars, on that eventful night. The reason was plain enough. He -did not desire to compromise Kitty. But it was clear what had occurred. -She had been sent back to the Cellars by her uncle, and there her -malignant spirit had induced her, out of revenge, to set fire to her -uncle’s stores. Her father had come on her red-handed, and had rebuked -her sharply. That was what the schoolmaster had overheard. Then Quarm, -finding it too late to undo the mischief done by his daughter, afraid to -call in neighbours to his aid, lest Kitty should be compromised, had -made his escape. There were a thousand other ways by which he might get -away besides crossing the Teign. No one had thought of that. Every one -had considered only whether he had crossed by ferry or by bridge. There -were a score of lanes at the back of Coombe by which he might get away -unperceived. All attention and investigation had been devoted to the -water, and every other means of evasion left unconsidered. - -Thus was the case worked out against Kitty. It assumed deeper colouring -when it was remembered that she had allowed Roger Redmore to escape when -entrusted with the charge of him by Jan Pooke, and Jan had said that as -he left Roger he could not free himself, without Kate’s consent. It was -noted, also, that she had, as her uncle had told, deliberately and of -_malice prepense_, frustrated the efforts he made to catch the -incendiary at Dart-meet. - -She had, moreover, induced her father to give up his house to Jane -Redmore. Birds of a feather flock together’and surely fireflies are -actuated by mutual sympathy. - -On the other hand, the party that held Pepperill to be guilty were not -silent. Who was the gainer by the fire? Pasco, to the amount of twelve -hundred pounds. Was it not certain that he had been greatly embarrassed -for money? that a bill of his had just been dishonoured? Was it not just -as probable that his story was false as that of Kate? Was it she who -sent away Zerah across the water? Who persuaded Pasco to drive in the -direction of Newton? Did not all his proceedings on that eventful -evening show a deep-laid plan? And so on. - -The pros and cons were thrashed and re-thrashed over the tavern table -and the ale-mugs, and over the tea in private houses. Hardly any other -topic occupied men’s minds and women’s mouths, till suddenly something -happened which silenced everyone. - -The insurance company had refused payment, and the solicitor of the -company sent down an agent to Coombe that he might collect information -which might justify them in their refusal. At once all became mum. No -one knew anything, no one suspected anybody. Nothing had happened but -what was natural and easily accounted for. This change was due to the -fact that there is, and more than half a century ago there was, a strong -_esprit de corps_ in a secluded village, that resented any intrusion of -a stranger into its affairs. The rural mind is naturally suspicious, and -naturally mistrusts anyone not intimately known, and regards any -questions asked as something to be evaded, and on no account to be -answered. - -When, accordingly, the agent came among the Coombe-in-Teignheadites, and -busied himself in cross-examining the people, they snapped their mouths -as an oyster snaps before a lobster; or they may be likened to hedgehogs -that rolled themselves up and presented nothing but prickles to the -inquirer intruding in their midst. Never in his life had the man come -among people like these; they neither saw with their eyes, nor heard -with their ears, nor thought with what they called their brains. - -Pasco took no measures to protect himself. He knew his fellow-villagers -well enough to be sure that they would say nothing against him. - -After a week spent in unprofitable investigation, the agent retired. At -once the whole place woke up. Everyone uncoiled, every mouth opened, and -every brain worked again. The rival factions recommenced their warfare, -and the difference in opinion became poignant. - -In due course the case of Pepperill against the insurance company came -off, or rather, was announced to come off. - -Pepperill was full of consequence. - -He had felt acutely that suspicion hung about him like a cloud which he -could not dissipate. Men who had hitherto courted his society now -avoided him. The rector was especially cold in demeanour towards him. -The orchestra remained divided in opinion, agreed only in desire for -more punch. When, after church, he approached a group at the graveyard -gate that was in eager conversation, his approach silenced the talkers -and broke up the conclave. He was certain that he had been their topic. -Hands that had formerly been extended to him now remained buried in -trousers-pockets. Voices that had given him the good-day now withheld -salutations. Customers were reluctant to deal with him. His appearance -in the bar of the Lamb and Flag induced a hasty rise, a payment of shot, -and a departure of all save sodden topers. By no other means were they -to be retained save by the offer of drink at his expense. When he -bragged, his boasts fell flat; when he joked, none laughed. - -In ill-humour and uneasy, Pasco departed for Exeter. The case, however, -never got into court. At the last moment the Company, convinced it had -no grounds to go upon, agreed to pay. - -This was a triumph for Pepperill. He deferred his return to Coombe for a -week, that the news might be carried to everyone there, and have time to -ripen in the somewhat sluggish brains of the natives, and produce the -effect he anticipated. - -The triumph of Pepperill was more than his own individual triumph. When -the tidings had well soaked in, then Coombe awoke to the knowledge that -the entire parish had achieved a victory, and that over an influential, -moneyed, and powerful society. Whether Pepperill was guilty or not -guilty was immaterial. The fact remained that a little parish like -Coombe, by its representative, Pasco, its churchwarden, had stood up -face to face with the capital of the county, represented by the -insurance company, and that the latter had cringed and acknowledged -defeat without daring to measure arms. That was something unheard of -heretofore. If Coombe-in-Teignhead were not proud of its doughty -champion, then it would cover itself with disgrace. The situation was -discussed in the bar of the Lamb and Flag, and a self-constituted -committee formed to celebrate this momentous achievement. The rector was -to be solicited to have a special service, at which Puddicombe in F -would be performed and a sermon preached. The rector had a service on -Saints’ Day, attended only by a few old women. Who cared for the saints? -But Pepperill’who had extorted one thousand two hundred pounds from the -insurance company’that was the sort of man to honour, and the service in -his honour would be attended by all Coombe. The bells should be rung. -There had been a disturbance with the parson about the right to the -belfry on the occasion of Puddicombe’s return. The parish must assert -and maintain its right to ring the bells when it chose, and defy the -rector if he objected. - -As was feared, Mr. Fielding raised objections to both the thanksgiving -service and to the peal of bells. Thereupon ensued another meeting in -the bar. - -Now Mr. Pooke, senior, came forward. He had been opposed to Mr. -Pepperill; he had disapproved of his conduct. But when it came to a -matter of ringing of bells, he felt that a principle was involved. If -once the parishioners yielded that point, they might as well yield -everything, and be priest-ridden. There were two church-wardens; Pasco -Pepperill was one, Mr. Ash, the miller, was the other, having succeeded -at Lady-Day to Whiteaway, the grocer. Let Mr. Ash insist on the bells -being rung, and if the rector withheld the key, then let him authorise -the blacksmith to break open the door. He, Yeoman Pooke, would back him -up. - -They could not force Mr. Fielding to preach a sermon, but that didn’t -matter; they’d have music, and have it in the road, and escort Pasco -Pepperill home to the strains of Puddicombe in F. - -Carried by acclamation. - - - - - CHAPTER XLVII - PARTED - - -If anything had been needed to clinch in Pasco Pepperill the sense of -his conduct being irreproachable, the ovation on his return to -Coombe-in-Teignhead would have served this purpose; but nothing was -necessary after that the insurance office had thrown up the ball. The -retirement of the Company from the contest, and the payment of the money -for which his stores were insured, acted on his conscience as much as -would a plenary papal absolution on that of a Roman Catholic. - -Previous to this his conscience had given occasional twitches, now it -glowed with conscious sense of righteousness. It was vexed with neither -qualm nor scruple. He held his head higher, boasted louder, strutted -with more consequence, and became impatient and offended at his wife’s -maintaining her distance. He might deceive himself, deceive the world, -but he could not blind her, and this made him angry. He was slighted in -his home, where he had best claims for recognition. - -He was, moreover, disappointed that there was so little real enthusiasm -for himself at the back of the demonstration, which was organised rather -in honour of the parish than of himself. The same suspicion attended -him, the same reluctance to deal with him, and the same indifference to -his society. - -The demonstration was destined not to pass without leaving some -unpleasant consequences. - -At the urgency of Farmer Pooke, Miller Ash, the second churchwarden, had -forced the belfry door and admitted the ringers, and authorised them to -give a peal of welcome to the returning conqueror. - -Mr. Fielding was of a mild and kindly disposition, but he was a stickler -in matters of discipline, and he could not suffer this high-handed -conduct to pass unquestioned. Ash was cited before the archdeacon, and -legal proceedings were instituted to establish the sole right of the -incumbent to order when and by whom the bells should be rung. Ash was -dismayed at the prospect of a suit. He attempted to fall back on Pooke, -but found that Pooke was by no means inclined to find money for the -defence. - -Mr. Fielding was reluctant to proceed against a parishioner and a -churchwarden, and a man eminently worthy, but he considered that it -would be a neglect of duty not to do so. Twice had he been defied, and -twice had the bells been rung on improper occasions. He was aware that -his action must produce ill-feeling against himself, but he was too -conscientious a man to allow this consideration to weigh with him. -Nothing is easier than for a man in authority to court popularity by -giving way at every point. Mr. Fielding did not desire popularity, and -he did not believe that in discharging a duty he would interfere with -his ministerial influence in the place. - -And, in fact, Ash did not so much resent the action of the rector as the -unreliability of Pooke’a man who had urged him to act, and had promised -to take the responsibility on himself for such action; a man whose son -was about to marry his own daughter. Ash was bitter at heart, in the -first line with Pooke, and the second with Pepperill, for having -occasioned this affair. If Pepperill had never insured, never had -allowed his warehouse to be burnt, never had confronted the Company, -this unpleasantness would not have arisen; and only in the third line -did his resentment touch the rector. Moreover, Pooke was discontented -and uncomfortable. He was well aware that he was morally responsible for -the infraction of the belfry, but he would not admit it, lest it should -cost him money. Pooke was a man ready to admit a moral obligation up to -ten-and-six; not a penny beyond. He allowed that the parson was in the -right to stick out for his authority, and if the law gave him command of -the bell-ropes’well, he was justified in trying to obtain it. But it was -Pasco Pepperill who was really to blame. He ought not to have delayed -his return from Exeter. Why did he stick at that city for seven whole -days after he had got what he wanted? Had he come flying home by the -Atmospheric the day he received payment, there would have been no -demonstration. By dawdling in Exeter, he allowed time for the -organisation of a demonstration, and he did not deserve one, Heaven -knew! So Pooke’s self-reproach converted itself into anger against -Pepperill. In the physical world all forces are correlated, and it is so -in the world of feeling. Love becomes hate, and joy turns into grief, -and, as we have seen, compunction glances away from self and converts -itself into a sting aimed at another. - -Kitty’s position in the place became one full of discomfort. Not only -was she regarded as guilty of the fire by one body of the inhabitants, -but she had given offence to others by her engagement to the -schoolmaster. - -Walter Bramber was not merely a pleasant-looking man, but a good-looking -one as well, and several young and middle-aged women in the place had -set their caps at him. - -One of these was the distorted milliner, designed for him by his -landlady, and encouraged by her in hopes of exchanging her condition of -maid without a home for wife in the schoolhouse. This person went about -to all the farmhouses making garments for the farmers’ wives and -daughters, and was able, without allowing it to transpire that she had -aspired to Bramber, to stir up a good deal of ill-feeling against Kitty, -who had been lucky where she had failed. - -Another was a good-looking wench with a flaw in her reputation, who had -hoped that the new-comer would be ignorant of her past history, and -would succumb to her charms, and enable her to repair her faulty -character out of the respectability of the position she would acquire. - -Another, a damsel of erratic ecclesiasticism, who became a Particular -Baptist or an Anglican Churchwoman, according as desirable young men -attended chapel or church. - -The last was a widow on a nice income of her own, some twenty years -Bramber’s senior, who had made up her mind to marry again, and marry a -young man. - -Pasco was subjected to passive suspicions, Kate to active hostility. The -art of ingeniously tormenting is one that men are too dull to acquire, -and too clumsy to exercise. It is an art easily exercised and rapidly -perfected by women. In a hundred ways Kate was annoyed by those of her -own sex in Coombe; and these were ways skilfully contrived to excite the -maximum of pain. She endeavoured to keep entirely to herself, but this -was beyond her power. No mosquito curtains have been contrived which a -person can draw about himself as a protection against malignant and -poisonous tongues. - -Without malicious interest’on the contrary, with the kindest desire for -Kate’s welfare’Rose Ash interfered and caused her the greatest distress. - -Rose had set her mind on matching Kate with Noah; she by no means -approved of the engagement to Walter Bramber. A girl like Kate, enjoying -her friendship, might look higher, do better than throw herself away on -a two-penny-ha’penny schoolmaster, of whose origin nobody knew anything; -and when Rose took an idea into her head, she left no stone unturned -till she had carried it out. - -She visited Kate, she assured her that a union with Bramber was out of -the question. There was so strong a feeling against her in the place -that, were she to marry the schoolmaster, it would damage his prospects. -The farmers would withdraw their subscriptions from the school, and the -parents refuse to send their children to be educated there. - -“Of course,” said Rose, “I don’t believe you burnt the warehouse, but a -lot of people in the place do. Some say you did it out of spite, because -your uncle wouldn’t let you have the schoolmaster; others say he sent -you back to set the wares alight, being too much of a coward to do it -himself. I know better’but folks won’t listen to me. I don’t see how you -can put the notion out of them but by marrying Noah. He’s related to -nearly everyone in the place, and if you became his wife, you see, all -the relations of Noah would take your part; they’d be bound to do it. -Noah is a good fellow, and he’s terribly in love’got a pain under his -ribs, and walks bent’all along of love. You’d best chuck over the -schoolmaster and stop their mouths with Noah. There’s no other way of -doin’ it.” - -“You really think that my engagement to Walter Bramber will injure him?” - -“If it goes on, he may as well leave the place. It would be made too hot -to hold him. You see, Kitty, the Coombites ha’ never taken much to -him’he bain’t like Mr. Puddicombe in nothing. But they might get used to -him and put up wi’ him. If you go on holding him to his engagement, -then’what everyone says is’he must go.” - -Zerah, moreover, sought to influence her niece. She was a selfish woman, -and now that she had opened her heart to Kitty, she was jealous of -anyone else claiming a share in the girl. Moreover, she could not endure -to live at the Cellars if left there alone with Pasco, of that she was -convinced. She therefore extorted a promise from Kate not to leave her. - -Kitty had become more than ever thoughtful, and was nervous and -depressed in spirits. She could not clear herself of this suspicion that -attached to her without incriminating her uncle, and she greatly doubted -whether her word would avail against his. She could not hear anything of -her father, the same mystery enveloped his fate unrelieved. She would -have liked to pour her troubles into the ear of Walter, but her uncle -had forbidden his coming to the house, and she would not go and seek -him, observed, watched by all, and everything she did subject to -misconstruction. Kate’s time was more at her disposal than formerly, as -Jane Redmore came in charing. This was a disadvantage to her, so far -that it allowed her time to brood over her troubles and annoyances. - -After Rose had gone, she went on the water side of the house and seated -herself on the parapet above the rippling inflowing tide, with her head -sunk on her bosom. - -Presently the tears began to course down her cheeks. She had not been -seated there long before the timid, feeble Jane Redmore came fluttering -out to her, looking over her shoulder as she came. The woman touched -her: “I wouldn’t take on so,” she said. “You ain’t sure Jason Quarm’s -dead, you know. He wasn’t found, and for why?” - -Kate looked at the poor woman with tear-filled eyes. - -“I can’t say nothin’,” said Mrs. Redmore hastily. “Only’there’it makes -me bad to see you cry, it do, and I reckon there’s no reason.” - -Then she slipped back in the same wavering, timid manner to the kitchen, -without another word. - -But Kate’s distress of mind was not due solely, as the woman believed, -to her anxiety concerning the fate of her father. She had been debating -in her heart whether she ought to continue her engagement with Bramber, -and, perhaps, never had Kitty felt how truly she was “alone” as now, -when she had satisfied herself that for his sake it were well for her to -release him. - -She stood up, when her purpose was formed, and walked quietly, firmly, -to the Rectory. One friend she had there, ever faithful’the parson. He -knew that she was innocent, he alone could appreciate her difficulties, -and he would approve her determination. - -She entered the study where he was at work on a sermon. He smiled, and -his face brightened when he saw her, and he signed to a chair. - -Kate, direct, clear, and firm in all she said and did, told the rector -of her intention. She informed him of what he knew already, that a body -of feeling was engaged against her, that she was incapable of -establishing her innocence. That, under the circumstances, it was out of -the question her holding Walter Bramber to his promise. She had, -furthermore, passed her word to her aunt not to leave her. Mr. Fielding, -though disappointed, saw that under the circumstances nothing could be -done; and he felt that Kate was acting honourably and in accordance with -her conscience. He knew, therefore, he must not dissuade her from -obedience to that inner voice. He took a more hopeful view than did she, -and this he expressed. - -“If things change, then no harm has been done,” said Kate. “I have to -say what is in my mind as made up on things as they are. Will you be so -kind, sir, as to speak to Walter?” - -“I see him coming in at the gate,” said Mr. Fielding. “He is with me -about this time every day for a Greek lesson’a bit of New Testament in -the original tongue.” - -Kate stood up. - -“Yes,” said he. “You go to meet him at the mulberry tree.” - -The girl left quietly and composedly, as she had entered, and, crossing -the lawn, came on the young man just as he reached the bench under the -mulberry. - -“Walter,” she said, “I want a word with you. Have you a knife?” - -“Yes; why?” - -“Will you cut this in the mulberry bark? Mr. Fielding will not object’ - - ‘O Tree, defying time, witness bear, - That two’”’ - -She hesitated, slightly coloured’ - - “‘That two friends met and parted here.’” - -“What do you mean, Kitty?” - -“Ask the rector’he will tell you all.” - -Then hastily, unable further to control herself, she passed him, and -left the garden. - -CHAPTER XLVIII - -A SHADOW-SHAPE - -Kate walked at once to the house of Mr. Puddicombe, and, without giving -any reasons, announced to him that the engagement to Walter Bramber was -at an end. She calculated on his publishing the fact, but she had not -calculated on his inventing and promulgating reasons of his own -supposition for explaining the rupture. According to him, she had formed -a preference for Noah Flood, and regarded an alliance with Noah more to -her advantage than one with a person of whose origin nothing was known, -and whose prospects were uncertain. One of the first to hear the news -was Rose Ash, and she made an excursion immediately to the house of the -Floods, where Noah lived with his mother, a widow. The Floods were a -well-to-do yeoman family, with land of their own. The father of Noah had -died three years previous to the events recorded in this tale. Noah was -the only child, and had been the idol of his mother. That he should seek -a wife, she admitted, was natural. She would greatly have preferred his -taking someone of more position and means, and in greater favour than -Kitty Alone, but she was accustomed to regard everything her son did as -right, and she would not offer any opposition to what he determined on. -As Rose Ash was not to be won, he might take Kitty; though she would -have vastly preferred Rose. The old woman was, it is true, made uneasy -by the reports relative to Kitty and the fire at the Cellars, but her -son knew how to set her mind at rest, by ridiculing them as idle and -baseless, bred of malice or stupidity. - -Rose was really energetic on behalf of Kitty. She did brave battle for -her, and combated every adverse opinion. She was thoroughly resolved to -forward the match between Noah and Kate, and now that the field was -cleared of the schoolmaster, she hurried to the house of the Floods to -spur on Noah to immediate action. - -The evening was already closing in, and the house of the Floods was at -some distance out of Coombe; but Rose was impulsive, and what she did -was done in impulse. She was generous, so far as did not interfere with -her own prospects and wishes and comforts. Mrs. Flood was her aunt, and -with her she was ever welcome. Noah was happily at home when Rose -arrived. She was not the girl to beat about the bush, and she rushed at -once upon the topic uppermost in her mind. - -“You must put on your hat at once, Noah, and come with me. I’m going to -the Cellars, and going to make all right between you and Kitty. The time -has arrived. The door is ajar, and you must thrust your shoulder in -before it is shut. It’s off with the schoolmaster, and must be on with -you at once.” - -“Noah hasn’t been hisself of late,” said Mrs. Flood. “I don’t think he -ought to be out with the dew falling heavy.” - -“Nonsense, Aunt Sally! it’s love,” said Rose. “The dew won’t hurt. It’s -his disappointment has upset him.” - -“He’s been off his feed terrible,” said the mother; “there is a nice -piece of boiled bacon I’ve had cold, but he don’t seem to relish it.” - -“That’s love,” said Rose; “and I heard Mr. Pepperill say that Noah had a -pain under his ribs.” - -“It’s like a hot pertater lodged here,” said Noah; “I can’t get no rest -at all from it.” - -“That’s love also; I know it. I’ve had the same till Jan came to his -senses.” - -“And I don’t seem to take no interest in the farm; do I, mother?” asked -Noah. - -“Indeed you don’t, Noah.” - -“That also is love,” said Rose; “we’ll soon put that to rights.” - -“I thought it was liver,” observed the mother; “and that blue pill”’ - -“Oh, nothing of the sort,” interrupted Rose. “I know all the symptoms: -hot potato, distaste for biled bacon, and indifference to farm -affairs’it’s love; I had it all badly till Jan came round. Love turns -heavy on the chest, if disappointed. That’s what Noah feels under his -ribs. Come on, Noah, take your hat, and we will go to the Cellars -together.” - -Noah complied with as much alacrity as he was capable of displaying. He -was a docile youth; he had fallen in love with Kitty, partly at Rose’s -bidding, partly out of compunction at his conduct at the fair. - -That evening had closed in rapidly. There were dense clouds overhead, so -that the twilight was cut off, also all danger of dew, as Rose at once -pointed out to Mrs. Flood. As, however, the mother feared her dear boy -might get wet in the event of rain, Noah was induced to take a -greatcoat. - -The young man was shy and timid. - -“You know, Rose, I treated her terrible bad at Ashburton, when I knocked -away the workbox from under her arm.” - -“She will like you all the better for it,” answered the girl. “Young -maidens like a lad of spirit, and you may be sure it gave her pleasure -to see you and Jan punching each other’s heads. That schoolmaster! he -ain’t up to nothing but whacking childer with a cane. If you like, I’ll -try and egg him on to fight you, and then you can knock him all to -pieces; and there’s nothing surer for finding your way to Kitty’s heart. -If she’s like me, she’ll like to see lads fighting about her.” - -“You don’t think, Rose, she really had anything to do wi’ the fire?” - -“The fire?” snapped the girl. “No more than you or I. Her uncle did it. -He wanted the insurance money. That’s a fine tale’that she set fire to -the warehouse, because her uncle wouldn’t hear of her marrying the -schoolmaster’and now, of her own accord, she throws the fellow over. If -she had been so set on him, she wouldn’t have done _that_. Can’t you -see, Noah, or are you stupid, that her giving up Mr. Bramber is the best -answer to that story? It shows it could not have been. And then, as to -that other tale,’that Mr. Pepperill sent her back to set the place in a -blaze,’no one who knows Kitty can believe _that_. She’s not the girl to -do a wrong thing at anyone’s bidding. Besides, what good would it have -been to her?” - -Noah did not answer. - -“You can’t do better than go right up to her and ask her to be -yours’now. Everything is in your favour. Folk talk a pass’l of nonsense -and spiteful lies about her. It makes her cruel unhappy. She’s been -doing little else but cry for some days. You show her you don’t mind one -snap what folks say, and you don’t believe a word o’ the lies against -her, and I tell you she’d jump into your arms. It’s my belief that the -schoolmaster turned nasty’that he began to show her he thought there -might be something in it, that he knew people said they’d take away -their subscription if he married her, and he made it so unpleasant for -Kitty that she gave him up. And now you march in and conquer.” - -“I’ll do so,” said Noah. - -“And,” pursued Rose, “you must begin by making Kitty cry; that’s the -preparing of the ground.” - -“How am I to do that?” - -“Talk about her father. Ask if she has heard any news of him.” - -“Why? it don’t seem kind to make her cry.” - -“What a noodle you are, Noah! Nothing is more profitable for what you -intend than to get her into a crying mood, regular soft and tender, and -then pity her about her father, and so out with it when she is in tears. -That’s the way to win her!” - -Noah mused awhile, walking by the side of Rose, in silence. After a -minute he said, “What is your notion, Rose? I mean about Jason Quarm. Is -he dead or not?” - -“Of course he is. Burnt to ashes.” - -“But the ashes were not found.” - -“My dear Noah, you saw the fire as well as I; you know with what fury it -burnt, and how it lasted three days. He was no Shadrach, Meshach, and -Abednego all pounded into one.” - -“You really think he is dead?” - -“Sure of it. Would he not have turned up and let folk know he was alive, -if he had not perished? Would he have allowed Kitty to go on’and not -Kitty only, his sister Zerah as well’all this long time, suffering and -miserable, because they believe he died a terrible death, if he could -relieve their minds by a letter, or, better still, by appearing?” - -Suddenly Rose started, caught her cousin by the arm, and drew back. - -“What is the matter?” asked the young man. - -“There is something there’moving’in the hedge.” - -They were in a true Devonshire lane, with the hedges high on each side, -planted with trees that extended their branches overhead, almost -interlocking. Through the boughs and leaves the grey sky glimmered, and -the soil in the lane here and there showed in the light from above, but -all was indistinct and dark. A turn in the lane, and a fork beyond the -turn, lay before them, and through one of the lanes the light of the -estuary reflecting the sky made a partial gleam, as though that lane -were a tube with ground glass at the end. - -Both remained motionless and listened. - -“Hark!” whispered Rose; “did you hear something?” - -“I heard you speaking.” - -“Before I spoke’a clitter, as of a foot on stones.” - -“Well, what of that? This is a road, and people may go along it, I -reckon.” - -“Look’look!” gasped Rose, pointing down the funnel-like lane, at the end -of which was the light of the steely water. - -Rose maintained her grasp of Noah. - -The young man looked in the direction indicated, and both saw a figure -in the vista, lurching as it went along, as though lame; a thickset -figure, as far as they could make out in the uncertain light. In another -moment it had disappeared. - -“Go after it!” said Rose, relaxing her hold. - -“It? What do you mean?” - -“That’s just like Jason Quarm.” - -“But he’s dead. You said so.” - -“I know he is, but that’s his ghost. Run, Noah, and force it to speak. -It’s walking, because it can’t rest wi’out burial.” - -“I won’t!” said Noah. “Go yourself.” - -“You are a man. It’s vanished now. That’s the way to the cottage he had, -which Kitty gave up to the Redmores. Oh, Noah, do run!” - -“I’ll do nothing o’ the sort. Come on, Rose’we are going along t’other -lane, thanks be. Lord, that we should ha’ seen a ghost! I shan’t be able -to propose. I shall be so terrible took aback.” - -“Nonsense, Noah!” - -“But consider’it’s terrible frightening to propose right on end to a -ghost’s daughter.” - - - - - CHAPTER XLIX - FLAGRANTE DELICTO - - -Noah and Rose reached the Cellars just as Pasco and his family were -about to seat themselves to supper. Pepperill somewhat boisterously -welcomed them, and insisted on their sharing the evening meal. - -“You see,” said he, “it is dull here. Zerah ain’t much in the way of -entertainment, and Kitty be just as heavy. Stupid place this, and stupid -people; I shall get away as soon as possible.” - -“Going to leave the Cellars, Mr. Pepperill?” asked Rose. - -“I don’t find this place lively enough for me, now I’m a man of -independent means. I want amusement, and can get none here; society, and -here no one can talk of anything but bullocks.” - -“I don’t know that,” said Noah; “there is the fire, everyone is talking -of that.” - -Rose cast a reproachful glance at her cousin. His remark made Pasco -wince, and Zerah look down into her plate. - -“You see,” pursued Pepperill, “having come in for a little property”’ - -“The insurance money?” asked the blundering Noah. - -“My uncle’s little fortune,” answered Pasco hastily. “There’s no -occasion for me to toil and drudge like a slave selling coals, and wool, -and hides, and the like; so I think I’ll take a little box somewhere -near Exeter, somewhere where I can amuse myself, and have agreeable -neighbours.” - -As soon as opportunity offered, Rose drew Kate aside and said to her -cheerily, “I have brought you Noah.” - -“Noah! Why?” - -“I heard you were off with the schoolmaster.” - -“Yes, I am.” - -“Then it is high time you were on with another.” - -“I want no one.” - -“Oh, that’s nonsense! You must have Noah. He’s a nice fellow and has a -good property; besides, he is cruel sweet on you.” - -“Indeed, indeed, Rose, I wish to be left alone.” - -“It won’t do, Kate. When the circus girl goes round driving two horses, -she skips off one back and on to another. You can’t skip off one saddle -wi’out another saddle to skip into, that ain’t reason.” - -“I am not a circus girl.” - -“We all are going round and round in one ring, and then comes a fool and -holds up the hoop for us to go through. Jack has been my clown, and Noah -shall be yours.” - -“I do not wish it,” said Kate hastily. “I desire only to be let alone.” - -“My dear, I know what is best for you. I’ll call Noah.” - -Kate sprang up. “I have to wash up after supper with Mrs. Redmore,” she -said, and hastened into the kitchen. - -Rose was vexed. She returned to the others, and gave Noah a sign to -follow the girl; and he obeyed with his usual docility. Then Rose began -to propound her scheme to the uncle and aunt, to explain Noah’s -prospects and dilate on his attachment for Kate. The aunt alone raised -objections, which Rose combated in the most airy manner. Zerah doubted -whether Kate felt any regard for Noah; Rose was positive that this would -come as a matter of course, now that she was free from entanglement with -Bramber. - -Pepperill said he would be glad, after what had happened, to have Kate -married and out of his house. Whereupon Zerah caught him up and asked -his meaning. - -Before he could answer, Kitty came in trembling, and, standing before -Rose, asked, “What does he mean? Noah says he has seen my father.” - -Rose tossed her head, and cast an angry glance over Kate’s shoulder at -the stupid young man who was following. - -“Noah is a blundering fellow,” she said, “and does not know what he -says. Your father! Do you think that if we had seen him we would not at -once have made him come on here with us?” - -“You told me”’began Noah apologetically. - -“Whatever I may have said, you are too dull to understand, and you turn -everything cat-in-the-pan.” - -Apparently satisfied, Kate prepared to go back into the kitchen, and -Noah would have followed her; but she stood in the doorway and said -firmly, “No, I do not wish to have you in the kitchen. If you persist in -following, I shall pin a dish-clout to your back. Jane Redmore wants to -get home to her little ones, the night is dark as pitch. I must help her -to clean up, and we can have no one to interfere with us; you nearly -made me break a dish with what you said just now.” - -“Come here,” said Rose. “You are a duffer, and don’t know how to -manage”; and Noah obeyed, and seated himself in the settle. Kate shut -the kitchen door. - -“What was that you said about my brother Jason?” asked Zerah. - -“It was nonsense,” answered Rose sharply. - -“But Noah meant something, when he said he had seen him.” - -“Noah is a fool: are you not, Noah?” - -“I suppose you know,” answered the young man meekly. - -“Tell me what it was that made Kate nigh on drop the dish,” persisted -Zerah, always a resolute woman to have her way. - -“It was nought but a parcel of nonsense,” said Rose evasively. - -“There must have been something,” persisted Zerah. - -“Well, I don’t mind saying,” Rose replied,’“that is, if you will -hear’but it was fancy, I reckon.” - -“What was fancy?” - -“Thinking we saw him. I had told Noah to propose to Kate, and to get her -into proper humour for accepting, first by making her cry, and then I -told him he could make her cry by speaking in a sort of sympathising way -about her father; and like an old buffle-head he went and said he had -seen his ghost.” - -“His ghost?” exclaimed Zerah, and Pasco drew back in the settle with a -scared expression on his face. - -“We were coming down the road from Noah’s, and before us was the fork of -the lane,” said Rose. “Well, then, if you will hear all, Noah and me, us -thought us see’d someone in the lane as went towards Jane Redmore’s -cottage. The night was dark, but there was light at the end of the lane -because of the Teign, which was full of the tide; and there was, sure -enough, someone walking down that road. Us see’d him, whoever he was. He -walked like a lapwing.” - -“’Twas Jones Maker, the roadman,” said Pasco in a voice that was not -firm. “He’s lame.” - -“He goes on a crutch,” answered Rose. “What we saw was different, was it -not so, Noah?” - -“Yes,” assented the young man. “He walked lop o’ this side like, just -the same as Jason Quarm.” - -“’Twas Jonas Maker,” persisted Pasco. - -“It can’t ha’ been Jonas,” answered Rose; “Jonas is tall, and this we -saw was stout and thickset.” - -“Did he speak?” asked Zerah breathlessly. Pasco fidgeted in his seat. - -“No, he did not; us weren’t very near, and I axed Noah to run on and -catch him up, and ax him questions why he walked, but he wouldn’t.” - -“I reckon Mr. Pepperill would ha’ been shy to do that,” growled Noah. - -Then a dead silence fell on all; and in that dead silence a sound like -the tread of a man with a limp was audible, coming up the steps to the -door. Next as if a hand were laid on the door-hasp, and all saw that the -latch was raised, and cautiously lowered, without the door being opened. -Then ensued the halting hobble down the steps again. - -No one stirred. Every face was blank. Possibly one of those present -would have started up and gone to the door to look forth into the black -night, but at this moment Kate entered, and, going up to a crook, took -down a lantern. - -“Jane Redmore is going home,” she said, “and she’s axed me just to show -her off the premises and into the lane, with a light; it’s too dark to -find the way at once, when one has been in the room with plenty of -light.” - -Kate opened the lantern and looked in. - -“There is a candle,” she said, and proceeded to ignite it. - -Rose looked at Noah, and Noah at Rose. - -“I think,” said the girl, “we will ask you, Kate, to show us a light on -our way presently, after you have put Jane Redmore into hers.” - -“I will do so cheerfully,” answered Kitty, and went back with the -lighted lantern into the kitchen to fetch Jane. Then the two passed -through the room where the rest sat, and Mrs. Redmore wished them all a -good-night. - -Silence ensued after the door was shut. The glitter of the lantern was -visible through the window for a moment, and then disappeared. - -Pasco looked uneasily at the door. He was the first to break silence. “I -wish you to know,” said he, “that if you marry Kitty, Noah, you do not -take a beggar. On the contrary, you take an heiress.” - -“How do you make that out?” asked Zerah. - -“Kitty is not of my blood,” said Pasco, gaining firmness, “but I have no -relations of my own, and I intend to treat Kitty as my child. Noah, you -marry an heiress.” - -“What will you give her?” asked Zerah. - -“Great expectations,” answered Pasco pompously. - -“I don’t count much on expectations,” said his wife contemptuously. -“Give her something down.” - -“I’ll do better than that,” said Pasco. “I’ll make my will and -constitute her my heir.” - -“That’s moonshine and tall talk,” scoffed Zerah. - -“It is nothing of the sort,” said Pasco. “Here you are, Rose and Noah, -and I’ll make my will before you, and you shall witness it. Then Noah -will know what he takes, when he takes Kitty.” - -Zerah looked at her husband with surprise. This was the first intimation -she had received that he intended to do anything for his niece. She did -not see deep enough into his heart to read his reasons. At that moment -he was alarmed and uneasy at the story of the apparition of Jason Quarm, -whom he knew to be dead, and then at the mysterious tread and the -raising of the hasp of the door. He was not a superstitious man, but the -guilt on his soul made him subject to terrors. He thought that the -spirit of the man he had brought to his death might be walking, and -would trouble him, not only on account of the wrong done to him, but -also to his daughter. In his mean mind Pasco hoped that by constituting -Kitty heir to all he possessed, he might lay the troubled spirit of her -father. - -“I will do it at once,” said Pepperill, opening his desk and drawing -forth ink and pen and paper, and laying them on the table. - -“I will show you that I understand legal forms,’I keep a solicitor of my -own,’and that I am the man who can deal generously and with a free hand. -I, Pasco Pepperill of Coombe Cellars, being in sound condition of mind -and body”’ - -He wrote the words, then looked round complacently and added, “I -bequeath to my niece, Kate Quarm, the sum of three thousand pounds. -Three thousand pounds,” repeated Pasco, looking round. “Also to my wife -Zerah, two thousand pounds and my house at Coombe Cellars, and my house -property at Tavistock, inherited from my uncle,”’he turned his head -consequentially to look at Noah, then at Rose,’“during the term of her -natural life.” - -“What do you mean by natural life?” asked Zerah. - -“It is an expression always used,” answered Pasco. - -“It is nonsense,” said Zerah, “If there be a natural life, there must be -one which is unnatural.” - -“It means, plain as Scripture,” replied Pasco, “that you may have my -house as long as your nat’ral life lasts, and after that lie quiet in -your grave, and not walk and bother people. Your right to the house is -tied up to your nat’ral life. That’s the meaning o’ that there legal -term. It stops and prevents all after unpleasantness.” - -“Now I understand,” said Zerah. “But you need not get hot over it.” - -“I’m not hot, but some folk be stupid and understand nothing. Now I will -proceed. After my wife’s decease,’that’s the legal term for death,’then -all goes to my niece, or reputed niece, the aforesaid Kate Quarm. This -is my last will and testament, and true act and deed. Here you see me -sign it. Now then, Rose Ash, and you, Noah Flood, witness my signature. -You, Zerah, cannot, because you are beneficially affected.” - -Mr. Pepperill had completely recovered his self-consequence and his -courage. He had shown Noah that he was a man of means, a man with house -property, a man of capital as well, and he had eased his conscience by -making satisfaction for the wrong he had done to Kate. - -As soon as Pasco had seen the young people witness his signature, he -handed the will to Zerah. “There, wife, keep it.” - -At that moment the door was thrown open, and Kate entered, and stood by -the table, with changes of expression flying over her countenance, like -flaws of wind on the face of a pool. - -She put down the lantern on the board. - -“Why, Kitty, the light is out!” said Zerah, and opened the horn door. -“Why, Kitty, where be the candle to? She’s gone.” - -At that moment, a flare that illumined the entire room, a sheet of -light, entering by door and window. - -“Good heavens!” exclaimed Pasco, springing up. “My rick.” Then with a -scream of triumph, as he pointed with one hand to Kate, with the other -to the lantern, “I told you so, now you will believe me. Caught in the -act.” - - - - - CHAPTER L - THE THIRD FIRE - - -The light poured into the room like a flood, yellow as sunlight, and -more intense in brilliancy. Kitty standing at the table had her face in -shadow. Pasco opposite was as a mass of gold. The fire glittered in his -eyeballs, it flashed in the new heavy gold watch-chain that he had -purchased in Exeter. - -“Now’now I shall be believed. Now’now the world will know how falsely I -have been judged. Now’now is revealed what a viper I have nu’ssed at my -hearth.” - -“We had best go and put out the fire,” said Noah, and he went to the -door, to see that no possibility existed of arresting the flames. The -rick was all but enveloped as in a blazing sheet that was drawing round -it to meet at the only side which was dark. Little wind blew, so that -the flame poured up in one tongue. - -Voices could be heard, loud shouts in the village, where the -conflagration had attracted attention, and had broken up the session of -the orchestra. The bassoon was braying a loud note, prolonged and -hideous, to rouse such as were behind curtains, and did not observe the -glare. - -“How did this come about?” asked Rose, catching Kate by the arm. - -“I’I cannot say. I cannot say,” answered the girl addressed; “but, -indeed, I am not guilty.” - -“Is it insured?” asked Noah. - -“No, it is not insured,” answered Pasco triumphantly. “I hope now you -won’t go and say _I_ did it’and that I did it to get money out of a -company.” - -Except the words recorded, nothing further was spoken. The little party -was too dismayed at the occurrence, and at the prospect of what must -spring from it, to stir, to speak. It was in vain to think of doing -aught to the rick. No outbuilding was endangered. An attempt to tear -down the stack would result in spreading the fire. - -Then in at the door burst the constable. - -“Halloo! what is the meaning of this?” he shouted. “Insured again?” - -“I am not insured,” answered Pepperill. “If you want to arrest the -culprit’there she is.” - -“How came this about?” asked Pooke. “I’m not going to arrest nobody -without a cause.” - -“There is cause enough,” said Pasco. “Kitty is the person who has set -fire to my rick. I have plenty of evidence for that. And now that I -have, you’ll all see I’m innocent’white as driven snow.” - -“What is the meaning of this?” asked the constable, turning Kitty about -that the blaze might illumine her face. In the yellow glare it could be -seen that she was deathlike in complexion, and that her eyes were wide -distended in terror. She trembled, and seemed unable to stand without -the support of the table. - -“I’ll tell you all,” said Pasco majestically, “and then, perhaps, Mr. -Pooke, you’ll believe my word in preference to that of such as she.” - -“What is it?” asked Pooke. “I’ll not arrest nobody without good cause -shown, as satisfies my judgment. I said so before.” - -“Look at that lantern,” said Pasco. - -“Well, I sees it.” - -“Open it. There’s no candle in it’is there? But there was’a quarter of -an hour ago.” - -Numerous voices were now audible around the burning rick. The constable -looked out, and hesitated whether to go forth and ensure order without, -or to hear what had to be said within. - -He saw that there was not much chance of further mischief, the intensity -of the fire kept everyone at a distance. - -“Go on,” said he. “What have you to say against the girl?” - -“She was in the kitchen with Jane Redmore. And Jane Redmore asked her to -go along with she on her way home, wi’ a lantern, because of the pitch -darkness. Was it not so, Zerah?” - -“I can’t say. I wasn’t in the kitchen,” answered Mrs. Pepperill -reluctantly. - -“Was it as he says?” asked the constable, turning to Kate. - -“Yes.” Then suddenly, she woke out of a condition of almost -stupefaction; and throwing herself on her knees before her uncle, she -entreated, “Do not say that I did it!” - -“I leave that to the magistrate, when he tries, and commits you to -prison.” - -“No, no, you will not send me there!” - -“I shall certainly have you tried and punished.” - -“Uncle! I beseech you! Let me speak to you alone. I did not do it. I -must have a word with you, where no one can see, no one can hear.” - -“Indeed, I shall not consent. You want to induce me not to prosecute. I -know what you will say. I know how you will appeal to my feelings. You -know well enough what a lovin’ and tender and feelin’ heart I’ve always -shown. But this won’t do. It won’t do. I’ve borne the slights and the -slanders because o’ the last fire, and folk cried out again’ me’I did it -for the insurance; and now’now I hope I’ll make all believe I’m not the -guilty party. They must look elsewhere. Take her in charge as an -incendiary, constable. Do your duty.” - -“Uncle! I beseech you! For my sake, for your own, go no further in -this.” - -“I must proceed, if only to clear myself.” - -“Uncle!” In her anxiety she held him. “You do not know my reasons. I -pray you, I pray you on behalf of me and dear aunt, as well as -yourself’some terrible thing will happen otherwise!” - -“I’ll look to that’that no more terrible things happen. Now, constable, -she’s threatenin’ to burn the house down over my head, to burn me and my -missus in our beds. You heard her. You all heard her threaten us. I call -you to witness.” - -“I will do no harm to anyone. I entreat a word, a word in private,” -urged Kate. - -“I’ll have no word in private,” said Pepperill. “What you have to say, -say out; lies, lies all it will be,” he added. - -“I cannot say it before all. I must speak it in your ear.” - -“I won’t listen to nothing,” said Pepperill. - -“And I,” said Pooke, “I won’t allow of no tamperin’ wi’ justice, no -persuadin’ not to prosecute. We’ve had enough of these little games -here. This is the third fire, and we’ll have someone punished for this -if I can manage it.” - -“You do not know what you are doing, uncle,” gasped Kitty, staggering to -her feet. - -“I reckon I know pretty well,” he answered coldly. - -“You do not. You will bitterly, bitterly rue it. Do not rush on what -must happen, and then tear yourself in grief and dismay that you did not -listen to me.” - -“Listen how she threatens. Tell’e what, Mr. Pooke, there’ll be no safety -for none i’ the parish so long as she’s at large. Silence, Kitty! -Neither the constable nor I will hear another word but what concerns -this fire, and what will serve to convict you.” - -“Did you go with the lantern all along wi’ Jane Redmore?” asked Pooke. - -Kate recovered her composure, and, with a despairing action of the -hands, dashed the tears from her eyes. - -“Answer me,” said Pooke; “no prevarication.” - -“I went out with Jane.” - -“Did you accompany her home?” - -“No, only a little way.” - -“How far?” - -“To the gate.” - -“What! not into the lane even?” - -“No.” - -“How long was she absent?” asked Pooke. - -“Long enough for me to draw up a document,” said Pepperill. “What should -you say, Zerah? Half an hour?” - -Zerah was in no condition to answer. - -“And why did you not go on with Jane Redmore?” asked the constable of -Kitty. - -“Because’I cannot say.” - -“Oh, you cannot say? Mind, what you speak now may be used again’ you at -your trial. I’m bound to tell you that, and you ain’t obliged to answer. -Nevertheless, if you can give a reasonable account of yourself, I’m not -called on to think you guilty, and arrest you. What was you a-doing of -yourself all that half an hour, when you wasn’t with Jane Redmore, -a-seeing of her home?” - -He paused for an answer, and received none. - -“Am I to understand you won’t say? You ain’t forced to do so, you know.” - -“I had rather not say,” replied Kate in a low voice. - -“I suppose there was a candle in the lantern when you went out?” - -“Yes.” - -“Was it burnt out?” Pooke looked into the socket in the lantern. “No,” -he said; “it has illicitly been removed. There is no guttering of -grease. How do you account for that?” - -Kate made no answer. - -“We know very well how your rick was fired,” said Pepperill. “It seems -to me, Mr. Pooke, that mine was set alight to in much the same way.” - -“How do you account for the candle being gone?” asked the constable. - -Again no answer. - -“Now, look here,” said he. “You’re a little maid, and I don’t want to -deal hard with you. If you can give me an explanation of your conduct as -will satisfy, why, I’ll not proceed to extremities. But I must say that -things look ugly. If you was innocent, you could say so.” - -“I am innocent.” - -“Then how came the rick to be fired?” - -Kate made no reply. She was trembling, and nervously plucking at her -light shawl, tearing away and unravelling the fringe. - -“You alone had the lantern. It wasn’t Mrs. Redmore now’eh?’or her -husband?” - -“Oh no, no!” replied Kate eagerly. “She had nothing to do with it. She -had gone away along the lane, some time before”’She halted. - -“Oh! you know how the fire arose?” - -Kate gave no reply. - -“I’m afraid it’s a bad case, and I must do my duty, and convey you to -the lock-up.” - -“Oh, aunt!” cried the girl, turning towards Zerah, who stood cowed, -speechless, in the background. “Oh, aunt! let me speak with you alone.” - -“No! it is of no use,” said Pasco, stepping between the girl and his -wife. “Nothin’ that she can say to Zerah will avail, and certainly -nothin’ that Zerah can say will persuade me. Remove her at once.” - -The constable laid his hand on Kate’s shoulder. - -“One question more. Mind, I caution you not to answer unless you choose. -If Mrs. Redmore was not with you, she had gone on. Were you alone, -Kitty, in the stackyard after she left; and how was it you were there so -long? Say, was there anyone with you?” - -“Aunt, let me speak to you!” in a despairing cry. - -Zerah made a movement towards her niece, but Pepperill intercepted her, -and, catching her by the shoulders, rudely thrust her back. “You shall -not speak with her.” Then, turning his head, with a coarse laugh, “So, -someone with her! The schoolmaster, I suppose. She had given him up, and -was inclined to take him on again. Women change like weathercocks.” - -“Mr. Bramber was not there,” said Kate, a flush mantling her brow. - -“Then who was it?” - -Dead silence. - -“Come, Kate Quarm, with me. I must do my duty,” said the constable. - -“Stay!” said the rector, who had entered unperceived. “Trust her with -me. I solemnly promise that I will keep her secure. Let her go with me -to the parsonage, and do not, in pity, take the frightened, innocent -child”’ - -“Innocent?” in a mocking tone from Pasco. - -“Innocent child,” repeated the rector, with his eye on Pepperill, who -dropped his at once. “Mr. Pooke, rely on me to produce her when you -require. In pity, do not frighten her; she may be able easily to clear -herself. That she is innocent, I stake my word. Trust her to me.” - -The constable hesitated. The lock-up was in a bad condition. It had not -been occupied for years, and had been turned into a poultry-house. - -“Come, Kitty,” said the rector. “I have made myself answerable for you. -And I am proud to do so.” - - - - - CHAPTER LI - THE PASS’N’S PRESCRIPTION - - -Not a word on that evening would the old rector allow himself to speak -to Kitty relative to the fire, nor would he suffer her to speak about -it. He saw that she was in a condition of nervous excitability, and that -she must be tranquillised. But, indeed, she made hardly an attempt to -speak about the rick, and how it was set on fire; and directly the -rector put up his hand to indicate that the topic was taboo, she -submitted with a sense of relief. - -Mr. Fielding had a kind, motherly housekeeper, with tact, and, at a word -from him, she understood how that Kate was to be treated. The rector -was, indeed, alarmed lest the fright and mental excitement he found the -girl labouring under might throw her into fever. He knew that she was -not strong in constitution, and that she was endowed with high-strung -and sensitive nerves. - -Walter Bramber, having heard of the fire, of the threatened arrest of -Kate, of her having been taken to the Rectory, hastened to the parsonage -in the hope of seeing her. But this Mr. Fielding would not allow. The -young man was greatly agitated, grievously distressed. He entreated to -be permitted an interview, but the rector was peremptory in refusing it. - -“Remember, all is off between you, at all events for a time. That she -likes you, has not ceased to like you, I am convinced. In her present -trouble the sight of you would but increase her distress. There is -something behind all this’something of mystery, which I do not fathom. -Kitty cannot justify herself; not that she is guilty, that neither you -nor I credit. There is something that ties her tongue. She is, perhaps, -afraid of compromising another, and who that is I do not know.” - -“I believe,” said Walter impetuously, “that this is a wicked conspiracy -against Kitty. Mr. Pepperill, to clear himself of the suspicion that he -caused the burning down of his stores, painfully laboured to spread the -report that Kitty had done it, and done it out of revenge because he -refused to allow of my suit. And now he has contrived, by some means or -other, to get his rick fired’which is not insured’in such a manner as to -make it appear that Kitty, and Kitty alone, could have done it. It is a -vile plot to ruin her, and she is innocent as a lamb.” - -“That she is innocent I am assured,” said the rector. “How this last -fire has come about I cannot even venture to guess. The material for -forming an opinion is not to hand. Till Kitty speaks we probably shall -not know, and I do not know what will induce her to speak. Of one thing -be confident, Walter: whatever Kitty believes is right, that she will -do. I would not urge her to speak, because her sense of duty, her -conscience, tells her to be silent. I have that perfect, unshaken trust -in her, that I simply leave matters alone, and all I seek is to relieve -her of unnecessary trial.” - -“I am a poor man,” said Bramber, “but I will give every penny I have,’I -will sell my books, ay, and my violin, to secure the best counsel for -her defence, if it comes to that.” - -“You need not trouble yourself on that score,” said Mr. Fielding, with a -smile. “Kitty has other friends besides you. There is her aunt, who -loves her, and there is her pastor, who watches over her with much -care.” - -Bramber moved in restless unhappiness. The rector saw how wretched the -young man was, and he said gently, “Bramber, do you not see that the -case is taken almost completely out of our hands?” - -“I suppose it is’to some extent.” - -“Almost entirely. I will not urge Kitty to say what she thinks should be -withheld. There is but one thing you and I can do, and that is what I -shall advise Kitty, before she goes to bed, that which will be better -than any sleeping draught, that which alone will strengthen her to bear -what is to come, that will cool the fevered heart, and calm the working -brain.” - -“What is that? I have tried my violin’music will not ease my mind.” - -“No, it is something else. A prescription I had long ago from a Great -Physician: one I have often tried, and never found to fail.” - -“What is that?” - -“Cast all your care upon God, for He careth for you.” - -Walter clasped the old rector’s hand, he could not speak, something rose -in his throat. He turned away, and found that the prescription availed. - -Before Kitty went to bed that night, the rector sought her. She had been -standing for an hour at a window, looking in the direction of the -Cellars. - -In the few hours that had passed she had become whiter, more sunken -under the eyes, more tremulous in her limbs and mouth. It was with her -as the rector surmised. Her mind was torn with doubt as to what course -she should pursue. If she were to save herself, it must be at the cost -of others. - -“Mr. Fielding, is it possible to prevent my being brought before the -magistrates? that is, can I see my uncle in private here, and induce him -to withdraw what he has said?” - -“I do not think it is possible.” - -“I could tell him something which would make him most anxious to hush -the matter up.” - -“Nevertheless, he cannot withdraw. He has made a charge against you. It -has gone beyond the stage at which a recall is possible. Remember, -Kitty, this is not a mere prosecution for injury done; it is a criminal -charge, and your uncle dare not now hold back without making himself -guilty of compounding a felony. I am nothing of a lawyer, but I fancy -such is the law. Even if your uncle did not take the matter up, Mr. -Pooke would be bound to do so. You must make up your mind to that.” - -“Then something dreadful will happen.” - -“Kitty,” said the rector, “you will have to take my prescription’not -mine, but one given by the Greatest of physicians. Unless you do that, -you will have no rest for mind or body, no sleep, and you will be worn -out before the trial.” - -“What is that?” - -He told her. “The matter, you see, is taken out of your hands. You can -do nothing by torturing your brain with thoughts how to avoid this, how -to modify that.” - -“It is so.” - -“Then cast all your care upon God, for He careth for you. Now go to -sleep, and be fresh to-morrow.” - -The rector left his house and visited the Cellars. The rick was resolved -into a huge glowing ember, from which fell avalanches of fiery powder. -Above the mass flickered ghost-like blue flames, not in touch with the -incandescent heap below. - -At the door of the house the rector encountered Pasco Pepperill. - -“There’see how I am served by the public!” exclaimed Pasco. “When a -misfortune happens, there are always some wanton rascals to do mischief -above and beyond what is the main loss.” - -“What has happened to you now, Mr. Pepperill?” asked the rector. - -“Some idle vagabonds have been at my boat again,” answered Pasco. “It -was so when my stores were burnt’not the same night, but soon after’out -of sheer wickedness they cut my old boat adrift, and I lost her. She was -carried out by the tide, and never have I heard of her from that day to -this.” - -“Well, and now?” - -“And now they’ve gone and done the same’or worse. Before it was my old -boat, and now it’s the new one’cut the rope, and away she’s gone. It’s -wickedness. Oh my! You should preach and pray against it. There be such -a lot of it in the world’and cost me six guineas did that boat.” - -“I am very sorry to hear of this additional loss,” said the rector. - -“I suppose the next thing they will say is, I cut my own boat away and -let her go out to sea, because I had insured her. But you may tell -everyone, pass’n, that I hadn’t insured my boat no more than I had my -rick o’ straw. Oh dear! the wickedness there is in the world!” - -“I wish to see your wife for a moment.” - -“Zerah’s inside, in a fine take-on. She’s gone about like a weathercock -lately, and can’t make enough of Kitty. And now that Kitty is proved to -ha’ done all these horrible crimes, she’s in a bad way, I can assure -you.” - -The rector entered the house and found the poor woman. Her former -hardness had given way under the troubles she had undergone; her pride -had been broken down beneath the burden of the knowledge that her -husband had been guilty of setting fire to his stores for the sake of -the insurance money, and of the gnawing suspicion that her brother had -died in the flames; that he had been remorselessly sacrificed by Pasco -to conceal his own guilt. And now that this new conflagration had -occurred, and that Kitty was apparently implicated in it, she was nigh -in despair. - -“Mrs. Pepperill,” said the rector, “I have come to you after having -dismissed Kitty to rest.” - -“Rest?” echoed Zerah. “Can she sleep? That is more than I can.” - -“Yes; so also will you when you have taken the same prescription.” - -“I want no medicine.” - -“You will take this. You can do nothing for your niece, can you?” - -“Nothing but fret,” said Mrs. Pepperill. - -“That will not help her. You believe her to be innocent?” asked the -rector. - -“I am sure of it.” - -“Nothing you can say or do will prove it?” - -“Nothing; but if I’m called to bear witness, and I must speak the truth, -then what I say may go against her. That troubles me, terrible. I’m -mazed wi’ the thought. You see, I looked, and there was a can’l-end in -the lantern when she took it; and I saw there was none at all when she -brought back the lantern. I don’t want to say it, as it may go against -her; but I can’t go against my oath and against the truth.” - -“Of course not. Speak out what is true.” - -“And I can’t have no rest thinkin’, and thinkin’, and frettin’ about it -all.” - -“No, Mrs. Pepperill; but you will rest and sleep peacefully after you -have taken my prescription’a sovereign one, as many a vexed soul has -found’the only one possible in many a case’‘Cast all your care upon God, -for He careth for you.’” - - - - - CHAPTER LII - IN COURT - - -The day of the petty sessions at Newton followed closely in the same -week, within two days, and whilst excitement was at its height. The -court-house was packed, there was hardly standing room; and there was a -full bench of magistrates. - -Kate was brought in, looking pale; her broad white forehead like ivory, -with the dark hair drawn back on either side; the dark eyebrows and long -dusky lashes showing conspicuously on account of her pallor; and the -lustrous blue eyes, so full of light, alone giving brightness to her -face. Though pale, she was composed. She no longer trembled, and her -lips were closed and firm. - -The transparent purity, the innocent modesty of her bearing and -appearance, impressed the court. - -She wore a black dress, as she had been accustomed to wear since the -fire at the Cellars, in which it was supposed her father had died, but -the black was spotted with white, as a sort of concession to the -supposition that he might be still alive. - -Mr. Fielding was present. He had been courteously accommodated with a -chair within the precincts of the bench; he caught Kitty’s eye, and -raised his finger, pointing upwards. She understood him, and smiled -reassuringly. - -Far more anxious than Kitty was Walter Bramber, who had given a holiday -to the school, with the rector’s consent, and had come into Newton to -hear the case. He was not able to master his agitation; his pain to see -Kitty in so conspicuous a position, and in such danger, labouring under -an accusation which he was certain was unfounded. - -Pasco Pepperill was present; he would have to appear in the witness-box. -He had sent for his solicitor to conduct the prosecution. - -As soon as the case was called, Mr. Squire stood up. He had, he said, a -painful task imposed on him, and none felt it more deeply than his -client, the plaintiff, who naturally shrank from taking a step of so -grave a character, against one who was his wife’s niece, young in age, -and who had been for many years an inmate of his house, and one for whom -hitherto he had entertained an almost fatherly regard. Indeed, so deeply -did the plaintiff feel this, that if possible he would have held back -altogether, and have borne his loss in silence. But there were attendant -circumstances which precluded him from adopting this course. He acted in -the matter solely from a sense of duty he owed to himself and to the -neighbourhood, and he might add, of humanity towards the unhappy -individual placed before the bench under the grave charge of arson. - -It was no secret’it could be no secret’that the most serious and -damaging reports had been circulated relative to his client in -connection with a recent fire at Coombe Cellars, reports most wounding -to a man of high integrity and irreproachable character, peculiarly -distressing to one of so sensitive and scrupulous a conscience as Mr. -Pasco Pepperill, who was churchwarden of his parish, and had served in -several important parochial offices, as guardian of the poor, waywarden -and overseer, always to the satisfaction of everyone, and had borne, in -all his dealings, the character of a straight and upright man. - -Mr. Pepperill had formed his own opinions relative to the fire that had -occurred on his premises previous to this last, but with them, he, Mr. -Squire, would not trouble the bench. Suffice it to say that his view -relative to the origin of that fire had impelled him to act with -promptitude on the present occasion, not merely to bring to justice the -perpetrator of this last atrocious deed, but also to exhibit to the -neighbourhood the fact that he had harboured in his house one who was -capable of such acts, for which he himself had been most unjustly and -cruelly charged by the popular voice. - -Moreover, in consideration of the fact that three cases of malicious -burning had taken place within a twelvemonth in the parish of Coombe, -Mr. Pepperill had thought himself morally bound, in the interest of the -public, to prosecute in this last instance, where the criminal had been -taken, so to speak, red-handed. And, lastly, he acted in her interest; -for he felt, and felt with the most sincere conviction, that it was for -the young girl’s own good in this world and in the next that a career so -badly begun should be checked; and that by wholesome correction she -might be induced to enter into her own heart and root out from it all -malice and resentfulness which had been allowed, as it would appear, to -harbour there and drive her to the commission of crime. In conclusion, -Mr. Squire hoped to produce such witnesses’all most reluctant to -speak’as would place the matter clearly before their worships, and leave -them no choice but to refer the case to the Quarter Sessions. The case -being one of felony, they were precluded from dealing with it as in a -case of summary jurisdiction. - -Then Mr. Squire proceeded to call Mrs. Zerah Pepperill into the -witness-box. Zerah cast an appealing glance at Kitty, who acknowledged -it gently, with a faint smile. - -The solicitor then questioned Mrs. Pepperill. - -“You are, I believe, the aunt of the accused?” - -“Yes, sir?” - -“And you are greatly attached to her?” - -“Very greatly. I have known her from a babe.” - -“Then we may be quite satisfied that you are most unwilling to say -anything to her prejudice; and that only an overwhelming sense of duty -and responsibility induces you to give witness’and true witness?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Now, Mrs. Pepperill, will you look towards the Bench and tell their -worships, in order, the events of the evening of the 16th ultimo.” - -Zerah was silent for a while. - -“Do not be afraid; speak out,” said the chairman. - -“Well, sir,” began Zerah, “it was supper’we mostly has our supper at -seven, or thereabout. Sometimes we can’t be exact. That clock of ours -ain’t over partic’lar to a minute, and us sets it by the Atmospheric, -and the Atmospheric is most irregular of all. Then us took the clock to -Mr. Ford, to Newton, to have ’n put to rights, and us paid ’n seven and -six, and he sent ’n home worse than he was afore. He used to go, -reg’lar, right on end till he runned down, tho’ he didn’t always keep -time exact-ly. But after Mr. Ford took ’n in hand, then he began to -stand still, after he wor winded up, out o’ pure wickedness; and if you -gentlemen would make Mr. Ford pay me back that there seven and six”’ - -The chairman interrupted her. “Come to the point, please, Mrs. -Pepperill.” - -“Is it the leg o’ pork you mean?” asked Zerah. “I’m comin’ to her -direct-ly. You see, sirs, ’twern’t cured proper, not as I likes it, and -so the maggots got to the bone. Which do your worships like, -gentlemen’rubbin’ in the salt dry, or soakin’ in brine? I hold to the -dry rubbin’’that is, if it be well done; but to have a thing well done -you must do it yourself. You can’t trust nobody now. And so the -maggots”’ - -“Never mind the maggots, my good woman.” - -“So I sed to Pasco. Us can’t waste thickey leg o’ pork; us must eat ’n, -and so I’ll get ’n out as well as I can, and you go and take plenty o’ -exercise and work up a cruel strong appetite, and you won’t make no -count o’ there having been maggots in the leg o’ pork.” - -The chairman again intervened, and requested Mr. Squire to extract what -was necessary to be known from this good woman by interrogation. If -allowed her own course, she would not know where to stop, like the clock -before taken in hand by Mr. Ford, and run clean away, as was threatened -by the leg of pork. - -“Mrs. Pepperill,” said Mr. Squire, “you seem to be diffusive in your -evidence. However engrossing may be the interest attaching to your clock -and leg of pork, still we are not concerned, thank goodness, with -either’specially, thank goodness, we are not here to discuss that same -leg of pork.” - -“The leg ought to ha’ been turned in the brine twice a day, and her -wasn’t. If her had been, her’d ha’ been famous.” - -“I rather think, Mrs. Pepperill, this leg of pork is likely to become -famous now, as I see a local reporter present, and it will appear in the -paper. But this leg is blocking our way; let us lay it on the shelf and -proceed, as the French say, to our mutton. Where were you at seven, or, -may be, half-past seven, on the evening of the 16th ultimo?” - -“I don’t think I was nowhere.” - -“What! nowhere three days ago?” - -“That wor the 16th August.” - -“Well, I said so.” - -“Beg pardon, sir, you asked for the 16th of Ultimo, and I never heered -tell o’ that month. It ain’t in the calendar.” - -“Come; on the evening of the 16th last, were you at supper with your -husband and others?” - -“Yes.” - -“And those others were”’ - -“Rose Ash and Noah Flood. They came in”’ - -“Never mind that. Answer shortly my questions. Where was Kate Quarm?” - -“She had her supper, too.” - -“And when she had done, did she go into the back kitchen to clean up?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Was anyone with her then?” - -“Yes, sir; Jane Redmore.” - -“And when Jane Redmore went home, did your niece accompany her?” - -“She said she was going with her.” - -“Did your niece take a lantern?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And did you see there was a candle in the lantern?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Sufficient to burn for an hour?” - -“I don’t know that exactly.” - -“Well, three-quarters of an hour?” - -“Perhaps so. I didn’t notice exactly how long the candle was.” - -“Anyhow, it would have burnt for more than a quarter of an hour?” - -“Oh yes.” - -“Or for half an hour?” - -“I daresay it would.” - -“You know it would. Now be careful as to your statements, Mrs. -Pepperill. You are quite sure it would have burnt for three-quarters of -an hour, if not an hour?” - -“Perhaps’I cannot say.” - -“You can say it would have lasted three-quarters, but are not sure it -would last an hour?” - -“I suppose so.” - -“It is not the way of candles, like legs of pork, to run away of -themselves, is it?” - -“I don’t understand you, sir!” - -“I mean, that if you put a candle into a lantern, it will remain in the -lantern till it is burnt out.” - -“Unless someone takes it out.” - -“Exactly! and when the lantern was brought back by Kate Quarm, was the -candle there?” - -“N’n’o.” - -“It was not there. It was not burnt out, and it had not run away, eh?” - -“I suppose so.” - -“Then someone must have removed the candle. This is a point, your -worships, I wish to establish, and that you should observe. Kate Quarm -went out with a lantern in her hand, in which was a piece of candle that -would certainly last three-quarters of an hour, if not an entire hour. -When she returned, no candle was in the socket. I shall call other -witnesses to establish this, and the fact that there were no signs of -the candle having melted away; indeed, the lantern is here. Constable, -please to produce it. If the Bench will kindly look at it, your worships -will perceive that the candle was put in with a piece of brown paper -wrapped about it. The paper is still there. The candle is gone. It was -taken out. I will call the constable presently to testify that he took -charge of the lantern immediately after the event, and that it has not -been tampered with since. I now proceed to ask Mrs. Pepperill how long a -time Kate Quarm was absent after she went out with Mrs. Jane Redmore. -Now, Mrs. Pepperill, pray concentrate your mind and exercise your -memory. How long was Kate absent?” - -“What’washing up?” asked Zerah. - -“No’we have nothing to do with the washing up. After that, when she went -out with Jane Redmore.” - -“I didn’t look at the clock.” - -“About how long?” - -“I can’t say.” - -“Do you think it was half an hour?” - -“It might be so.” - -“Or less.” - -“I really can’t tell.” - -“Then she was absent for half an hour at the outside, possibly.” - -“I suppose so.” - -“You may go now. I shall want you again. I proceed to summon Jane -Redmore.” - -This poor woman was in such a nervous condition that she would have -fainted, had she not been provided with a chair. Nothing but what was of -absolute importance could be drawn from her; which was that Kitty had -not accompanied her beyond the gate from the Coombe premises, a distance -of hardly three hundred yards. - -“This,” said the solicitor, “is what I require. I will not trouble this -feeble and timorous creature any longer. We have ascertained that the -defendant, Kate Quarm, went out with Mrs. Redmore, under the pretext -that she was going to accompany her home.” - -“I do not think this point was established,” said the chairman. - -“I beg your worship’s pardon. You are right. The next witness I shall -call will establish the pretext without a doubt. I summon Pasco -Pepperill!” - -“Stay a moment’what is this noise, this disturbance in the court?” -called the chairman. “It is not possible for me or my brother -magistrates to hear what is said. Unless the disturbance be allayed -instantly, I shall give orders for the court to be cleared.” - -The requisite stillness ensued. - -“Now then, Mr. Pepperill, stand forward, take the book, and such -answers,” etc. - -Again there ensued a movement among the crowd outside the -rails’exclamations, mutterings, and heaving and tossing, as though the -mass of mankind there densely packed was boiling up from below. - -“I insist on order in the court!” called the chairman. - -Then Pasco, having kissed the Bible, turned his face to the Bench. He -was elate, had spread his breast, and tossed back his head, a -self-complacent smirk was on his countenance. - -“I have felt it my duty,” he said, “to speak’to clear my own self, and -to cut short the career of crime of the girl I have regarded as my -niece.” - -Again the agitation among the public; and now through the mob came a -man, elbowing his way, till he had forced himself to the front, and -stood face to face with Pasco Pepperill. - -Pasco, disturbed in his pompous address, turned and saw before him’Jason -Quarm! - -He put his hand to his head with a gasp, staggered back, and fell -senseless to the ground. - - - - - CHAPTER LIII - JASON’S STORY - - -The court was full of commotion. Pasco Pepperill had fallen, as though -struck down by a hammer, and was insensible. He was carried out with -difficulty, and with the crowd rushing about him and his bearers, unable -to realise what had taken place, anxious to see if he were dead. - -He was not dead: a doctor was hastily summoned to the house into which -he was taken, and he pronounced the case to be one of apoplexy brought -on by sudden and violent emotion. - -Meantime, inside the court order was gradually restored. - -The chairman made a feeling allusion to the sudden illness which had -fallen on the most important witness in the case’which was the less to -be wondered at, since the case was one that must deeply move Mr. -Pepperill, as he had to appear against a member of his own family. - -Then Mr. Pooke, with a mottled face, pushed up to the Bench, and -whispered something in the ear of the chairman. - -“I beg pardon, I do not understand,” said he. - -“Sir,” said Mr. Pooke, “the real culprit has come to deliver himself -up’Jason Quarm, who set fire to the rick, for which his daughter stands -here accused wrongfully by the biggest rascal that ever breathed.” - -“Call Jason Quarm!” said the magistrate. - -Jason at once hobbled forward and pushed himself in beside Kate, who was -trembling with emotions of the most varied nature. Jason cleared his -throat and said’ - -“I, your worships, I, and none but I, set fire to the rick at Coombe -Cellars, and I did it by inadvertence. Please you to remove my daughter -from this dock, and hear her presently as witness.” - -“Let us hear first what you have to say. We cannot discharge her till we -know that she is innocent.” - -“She is innocent, as innocent as the day. May it please your worships to -hear what I have to relate. It’s a main long story,” said Jason. - -“What is to the point we will listen to. So you surrender yourself as -having fired the rick.” - -“I did it, your worship. This is how it came about’you may put me on -oath if you will.” - -“Stay a moment. I have to caution you that you are not obliged to say -anything, unless you desire to do so; but whatever you say will be taken -down in writing, and may be given in evidence against you upon your -trial.” - -“I quite understand that,” said Quarm. “If I may be allowed a seat, I -shall be obliged. I’ve got one leg a bit shorter than the other, and -it’s rayther a trouble for me to stand long, and I’ve a goodish long -tale to tell.” - -“I again remind you that what you say must be to the point.” - -“I shan’t wander,” answered Jason. “But I shall have to begin some way -back, and that in March last, when Mr. Pooke’s rick was set a-blazin’. -That were thought to ha’ been the doin’ of Roger Redmore, and there was -a warrant out agin him, but he wor niver ketched.” - -“Does this concern the case before the court?” - -“Ay, it do’intimate like.” - -“Very well, then, proceed. We have ordered you to be accommodated with a -chair, and your daughter likewise.” - -“Roger Redmore, he runned away, and the constables never ketched he. My -daughter Kitty, her took on terrible over the poor wife as was turned -out of house and home by Mr. Pooke, and her persuaded me to let the -woman have my cottage, for she and the little ones. I didn’t mind, as I -was away on the moor busy about Brimpts oak wood, and when I comed back -to Coombe, I wor mostly at the Cellars. My sister Zerah, she be that -rapscallion Pasco’s wife, you understand, your worship.” - -“Is this really to the point? You are speaking of the fire at Mr. -Pooke’s, not of that at Mr. Pepperill’s.” - -“One fire hangs on to the other. You’ll find that out, gents, when -you’ve heard my tale.” - -“Proceed, then.” - -“Well’it seems that Roger Redmore felt mighty grateful because of what -Kitty and I had done. I was agent for an insurance company, and I -persuaded my brother-in-law to insure in it, but I must say he rather -astonished me at the figure at which he insured, and made me a bit -uneasy; I hadn’t such a terrible high opinion of him as to think he -might not be up to tricks.” - -“What do you mean by tricks?” - -“Doin’ something to his insured goods that weren’t worth much, and -gettin’ for ’em payment as if they was gold. But, your worship, that -you’ll say ain’t to the point. No more it is’we come to facts, not -opinions, don’t us? Well, I had been to Brimpts about the oak we was -fellin’ and barkin’, and I wanted to tell my brother-in-law as how I -thought we could deal with the dockyard at Portsmouth. So I left the -moor and drove down in my conveyance,’which is nothing but a donkey cart -and a jackass to draw’n,’and when I came in the dark o’ the evening to -my cottage, there I found Roger Redmore in the bosom of his family, so -to speak. ’Twas awk’ard for he and awk’ard for me, as there was a -warrant out again’ him, and so I drove right on and on to the Cellars. I -found Pasco there in the house all by hisself, which was coorious. He -had sent his wife, my sister Zerah, away somewhere, and Kitty, my -daughter, away somewhere else, and he was in a pretty take-on because I -turned up unexpected. I didn’t quite understand why he was in so poor a -temper, and why he should turn me out of the house as he did’and I had -got nowhere to go to for a night’s lodgin’. You see, your worships, I -couldn’t go home, what wi’ all the beds and every hole and corner -chockfull o’ childer as thick as fleas in a dog’s back, not to mention -the woman and that chap Roger in hiding, who didn’t want to be found. -But Pasco, he wouldn’t listen to reason, and he was that suspicious and -that queer in all his goings-on, that I thought some mischief wor up, -and that I’d bide handy and keep an eye on him. Well, gentlemen, when he -jostled me out o’ the house door, I went to the warehouse, and it wasn’t -locked, so I stepped in and found the ladder and clambered up that. -Thinks I to myself, if Pasco don’t mean no wickedness, well, I can sleep -here comfortable enough, anyhow. There were plenty o’ fleeces’they -weren’t over clean and sweet, but in such a case one can’t be -partic’lar. I hadn’t been there a terrible long time before I heard the -door open and I see’d a light. So I went to the ladder head and looked -down, and there sure enough wor Pasco! I watched him awhile to see what -May-games he wor up to, and at last I spied what it wor. He were -arranging and settling shavings among the coal knobs, so as to make up -grand fires, and he was gettin’ everything ready to burn down the whole -consarn, coals and fleeces and building, and me in it, if I were that -jack fool to bide where I was. So I hollered out to he, and let ’n -understand who was there, and that I marked his little game. I were on -the ladder. He looked towards me, and came at me, and shook the ladder, -and shook me down, and I fell on my head, I reckon, and remember nothing -more till I came to myself, bound hand and foot in a sack, and throwed -a-top of a heap o’ coal, that were afire and fizzing out in flame and -smoke, and a’most stifled I were, and didn’t know ’xactly where I were, -whether I’d got to the wrong place down below. I cried out, and I tried -to get free, but couldn’t move, and then I rolled myself down over fire -and coals, and scorched I were a bit; but what’d been the end I cannot -tell, if it had not been for Roger Redmore, who broke open the door and -came in, and dragged me out of the smoke and smother, and cut the bands -and got me out o’ the sack, and helped me off to where his missis were, -that is to say, my cottage.” - -Jason paused and looked about him. - -“That, I reckon, is the first chapter. Now to go on. When I came there, -I thought it all over, and I got Roger to put me in the outhouse, where -none of the children might see, and himself he dursn’t bide more than -the night lest he should be took, but he told Jane to mind me and let me -have what I wanted. Well, I turned the matter well over in my head, and -I thought as how Pasco were my brother-in-law, and if all came out, I’d -bring trouble on Zerah, and on my own child; I’d have to say as how -Pasco had fired his own building so as to get the insurance money, and -tried to kill me too, ’cause I see’d what he were up to. So I didn’t -like to do that, and I thought it ’ud be best for all parties if I got -out o’ the way. I dursn’t stir all the day that followed. But at night I -got out when I knowed the tide was suitable, and I took the old boat at -the Cellars and I made off wi’ that, and I rowed out to sea, and rowed -along the coast to Torquay, and I landed there, and there I ha’ been, -unbeknown to the Coombe folk’there or in London. When I’d been a bit to -Torquay, I seemed to smell money. I see’d as how a lot o’ fortune could -be got there by building and making a great place of it for invalids and -such folk; and I went up to London to start a company, and get a -building firm to take the matter up. I’ve been off and on about this -idee, and a fine idee it is like to turn out’so I reckon. I did hear as -how Pasco, he’d dra’ed twelve hundred pounds out o’ the insurance -company. Blessed if I knowed ’xactly what I should do. On the one side, -I were agent for the company; on the other, I were brother-in-law to -Pasco, and if I peached on Pasco, I might just as well ha’ stuck a knife -into my sister’s heart. And then I owed him something for having reared -my daughter in his house since she wor a baby. And Pasco and me, us got -on famous together about speculations, and taken in the lump he weren’t -a bad chap till he began to look to gettin’ money by burning down his -warehouse.” - -Jason stood up, stretched his limbs, sat down again, and proceeded’after -a word of cheer to his daughter, who had risen and was standing -speechless, looking at him with dismayed eyes. She knew that her uncle -was false, but Jason had revealed a depth of wickedness in the man which -she had not conceived to be possible. - -She had been satisfied that he had set fire to his magazines for the -sake of the insurance, and she knew that, basely, he endeavoured to -throw the guilt of the act on her. She had feared that her father had -been sacrificed when the warehouse was burned, but had never supposed -that her uncle had done this deliberately. - -“Now,” continued Quarm, “I reckon I come to the third chapter. After a -bit, I thought I’d come back to Coombe, but not openly, and see how -Kitty were getting along. So I came unbeknown to everyone, and went to -Mrs. Redmore, and her put me in the same old outhouse as I were in -before, and I told her, as she worked at the Cellars, to say nothing -about it to Kitty, but find an excuse for getting her out from the house -after dark. That is what Jane Redmore did, and I met Kitty at the rick, -and us went together behind the rick, so as the light might not be seen -from the house whilst we talked. Well, I’d been wi’out my bacca-pipe for -some time, and seein’ as how Kitty had a light, I told her to open the -lantern, and I’d have a bit o’ a smoke for comfort. Her opened the -lantern door’but Lor’! gentlemen, I han’t told you how struck wi’ amaze -and main glad the little maid was to see her father, whom she had -believed to be dead, come to life again, hearty and wi’ fine prospects -of makin’ money out of building speculations to Torquay. But you must -imagine all that, your worships; it ain’t, as you may say, to the point; -but this here little affair o’ the pipe and lightin’ it is. Well, when -she opened the lantern door, I took out the bit end of a candle as was -therein, and I put it to my pipe to kindle my ’baccy. She was talkin’ -and tellin’ of me all as had happened, and when her said as how Pasco -Pepperill had tried to lay the firing of his warehouse on she, then I -were that angry I burnt my fingers wi’ the candle-end, not thinking what -I were about, and throwed it down right among the straw, and afore I -could say Jack Robinson, there was a blaze as no stamping would put out. -The first thing Kate did was to run in, and the first thing I did was to -tumble into the boat and make off. I didn’t know what the consequences -might be, and I first thought I’d consider it, and learn what came of it -all before I stirred. If Pasco didn’t make a fuss, why, it might pass -and no harm come of it; if he made a stir, why, all must come out. The -little maid, I reckon, she would say nothing, because her knowed it was -my doing the stack catching alight, and thought she’d bring me into -trouble; and then there was that other fire behind; she didn’t know what -might come if it were examined into, and I made my appearance as one -returned from the dead. But I heard of it all. Jane Redmore sent to tell -me. And now, your worships, I reckon I’m the guilty one of the fire, but -it was accident, and she’s innocent and may be discharged. That is my -story.” - -The Bench withdrew for a few minutes. When the magistrates returned, the -buzz of voices in court ceased at once. - -“We have decided,” said the chairman, “that the case against Kate Quarm -be dismissed. She leaves the court without an imputation against her -character. You, Mr. Jason Quarm, must stand security in yourself and -find two others to stand bail for you to reappear before the court when -required.” - - - - - CHAPTER LIV - CON AFFETTUOSO CAPRIZIO - - -Pasco Pepperill did not recover. The shock had been too great’it had -sent the blood rushing to his head, and his consciousness never -returned. By midnight he was a dead man. - -Now that he was gone, the will’made partly in a moment of scare, partly -out of compunction, partly also out of boastfulness’came into force, and -Kitty was provided with a small income of her own. The first thing done -by her and her aunt, as soon as the will was proved, was to refund to -the insurance company the whole of the money paid by them to Pasco on -account of the burned stores. - -The Cellars belonged now to Zerah for her life. It was not long before -an understanding was reached between Walter Bramber and Kitty, the -purport of which was that next spring Kitty should cease to be Alone. No -inscription, such as the girl had desired, had been cut in the bark of -the mulberry tree, and now, were one to be traced there, it would be of -a different nature’a legend of two who met and parted, and met again -never more to part. - -Jason Quarm for once had succeeded in a speculation. The Torquay -building society promised to be a prosperous company, and to pay good -dividends. Jason was not able to contribute much in capital, but as -promoter of the scheme he received certain shares. He was occupied, his -mind engrossed in carrying out the plans of the company, in making -contracts, in buying materials, in supervising, in altering, in scheming -terraces and detached villas, in planting Belle Views and Sea Prospects, -and Rosebank Cottages, and Lavender Walks, and Marine Parades, and he -could afford no time to be at Coombe. - -Zerah was wrapped up in her niece. She could not have loved her more -dearly had Kitty been her own child. The hardness in the woman’s -character gave way; the trouble she had undergone had softened and -sweetened a nature really good and kind, but ruffled and soured by -adverse circumstances and uncongenial associations. A great change had -taken place in the opinion of the public in Coombe-in-Teignhead relative -to Kitty. The general feeling was, that she had been hardly treated, in -having a crime attributed to her of which she had been guiltless; that -if she had been reserved in her manner, it was her way, and all folk -were not constituted alike; that if she asked questions, no one was -bound to answer them unless he liked, and if he couldn’t give the -required information. Kitty was quiet’she harmed nobody. She had done -Rose Ash a great favour in stepping out of the way when Jan Pooke was -inclined to “make a fool of himself wi’ her.” She was worth three -thousand pounds for certain, and it was said that her father was piling -up a fortune in Torquay. Coombe Cellars would ultimately be hers, as -well as the little bit of ground about it’or rather, at the back of it, -which was what remained of the farm. And she had been grown in Coombe, -she had foothold there, and “all knew the worst o’ her, and that weren’t -so cruel bad.” Finally, and conclusively, Mr. Puddicombe pronounced in -her favour. - -So public opinion veered round, and was prepared to make much of Kate. -The worst that could be spoken of her was that she had taken up with -that schoolmaster again. But then, just as Scripture said that the -believing wife might sanctify the heathen husband, so it was reasoned -that the indigenous Kitty might naturalise the foreign Walter, and that -because she belonged to the place, he might be accepted as a strange -plant, given room to root in at Coombe. - -It was very well known that sometimes a stray cat came to a house from -nobody knew where, and meeowed, entreating to be fed and harboured, and -few housewives would shut it out. They would take in the stranger, give -it milk and a place by the fire, and domesticate it. Even so came this -Walter Bramber into Coombe out of space; whom he had belonged to, and -from what sort of habitation, no one knew. He asked to be domiciled in -Coombe, and Kitty took him in. What was allowable to a cat was surely -not to be refused to a schoolmaster. - -If Walter Bramber was afflicted with superior education, it was probably -no more his fault than is water on the brain in a rickety child. And if -he was a schoolmaster by profession, perhaps it was not his fault, but -his misfortune. He’d been bred to it by his unfeeling and unnatural -parents, just as in London some boys were brought up to be thieves and -pickpockets. Mr. Puddicombe, indeed, had taken up schoolmastering, but -that was a different matter; he had not been reared to anything of the -sort, and had adopted it rather as a pastime than a profession, and had -never allowed it to interfere with his robust and intelligent pleasures, -such as cock-fighting; and Mr. Puddicombe drank and smoked and swore -sometimes, and all that showed he was a man. On the whole, -Coombe-in-Teignhead agreed to accept Walter Bramber and Kitty as his -wife, with the proviso that it would kick them over should they attempt -to give themselves airs. - -As for the rector, he was radiant with happiness. Now at last he saw -some prospect of making an impression for good on his parishioners, if -not of elevating the existing generation, of greatly raising the moral -and intellectual tone of that which would follow. He had striven hard -for years in isolation and with absolutely no success. Now, with the aid -of a peculiarly well-qualified schoolmaster, and with Kitty at that -master’s side to direct the girls as Bramber guided the minds of the -boys, he was sanguine of success, not of much that he would see himself, -but of a success in the far future. Of no profession can that be said -more truly than of that of the pastor, “One soweth’another reapeth.” - -“Walter,” said he to his schoolmaster, “I was not sent here to blow -Sunday soap-bubbles, sometimes iridescent emptiness, sometimes emptiness -without the iridescence. Soap-bubbles please for the moment, but they do -not satisfy. No father, the gospel says, when asked for bread, will give -his children a stone, but a stone has in it substance, whereas a -soap-bubble has but emptiness. But the children will not ask for bread -unless they be hungry, and will always be pleased to see soap-bubbles -sail over their heads. I believe the apostles were sent forth to be the -salt of the earth. Their successors are self-satisfied if they be but -insipid carbonate of soda. I have striven to feed, not to amuse, but -nothing can avail till the hunger come. You find that in the school, I -find it in the church. Some Indians chew clay, because they have not -bread. Our people have quite a fancy for this stodgy substance; we have -to rectify their appetites, so that they may come to desire nourishing -diet, and not what is merely stuffing’to seek for instruction, and not -amusement. You in your sphere, I in mine, have a similar office, and -similar obligations weighing on us, and similar difficulties to -encounter. If you seek for popularity, make Puddicombe your model; take -the level of the people among whom you are set, and do not stir to cure -them of clay-chewing. If you seek to do your duty, then do not expect to -have a path of soft herbage to tread, but one of thorns. If I had been -indefinite, flowery, hollow in my teaching here, I should have been the -most popular man in the parish, and after forty years’ ministration -would have passed away with a smile of self-satisfaction that I had -given no offence to anyone’only to awake in the vast beyond to the -startling conviction that I had done no good to anyone! - -“Cast your bread on the waters, and you will find it after many days; -cast chaff, and it will be blown, washed, rotted away. Many a man in my -profession and in yours’we are both teachers’is like the -cuckoo-spittle-insect, which throws out a great froth bubble about it. -So do some of my profession surround themselves with a copious discharge -of words’words without substance. Avoid that in your school, Bramber. -Teaching must be definite, or it is trifling, not teaching; and in -sacred matters trifling is a guilty desertion of a duty. We are sent to -feed, not befool our flocks. Form a clear conception in your mind of -what you want to teach, and then impress it sharply, well defined, on -the minds given you to act upon. So only will you rear a generation in -advance of that to which we belong. But you will get no praise for so -doing, save from your own conscience.” - -Roger Redmore had surrendered to justice, by the advice of Jason, and he -had been sentenced to a nominal punishment of two months’ imprisonment. -Mr. Pooke had readily pleaded for him, had frankly acknowledged that the -man had been greatly aggravated, and was perhaps hardly sensible of what -he _was_ doing. - -On leaving prison, Roger was taken, along with his wife, into the -service of the Cellars, and gave promise of being a faithful and -energetic workman. - -The spring arrived in course, and with the warm May air and flowers came -the day of Kitty’s marriage. - -There had been grave discussions among the instrumentalists of the -village orchestra previous to the event, as to how it was to be honoured -by their performance. In compliment to the ex-schoolmaster, who took a -lively interest in the marriage, it was unanimously decided that -Puddicombe in F should be performed, if not in its entirety, at all -events in part. The “fugg,” it was thought, might be omitted, as only a -critical and scientific musician could appreciate its merits and -disentangle the chaos of sounds. But there was the _largo molto con -affettuoso caprizio_ at their disposal. As _largo molto_ meant, Turn the -score upside down, then if the score were not inverted, it would flow in -the melody of “Kitty Alone and I.” Mr. Puddicombe was approached with -the demand whether it were permissible to execute this movement without -the _largo molto_, _i.e._ the inversion of the score. Puddicombe at once -assented. That, as he pointed out, was the magnificent brilliancy of the -composition, that it could be turned about anyhow, and played right off, -and the effect was superb any way. Let them disregard _largo molto_ and -simply play _con affettuoso caprizio_’which meant, go ahead with the -score upright’and there you are. - -Accordingly, after the ceremony, when bride and bridegroom issued from -the church, the orchestra, which was in readiness, struck up the -movement of Puddicombe in F, _con affettuoso caprizio_; and most -certainly as it so stood in the score, and so was performed, the air was -none other than “The Frog and the Mouse’Crock-a-mydaisy, Kitty alone.” - -Forward marched the band, playing hautboy, clarionet, first fiddle, -second fiddle, the bass labouring along as best he could, tumbling over -his viol, throwing out a grunt and a growl when he was able. - -The people of Coombe-in-Teignhead were at their doors wishing happiness -to the young couple. The children strewed flowers, and every now and -then broke out into chorus’ - - “Crock-a-mydaisy, Kitty alone.” - -The ploughmen whistled the air and waved their caps. The church bells -burst out into clamour and drowned it. The rooks in the elms of the -churchyard poured forth volleys of “Caw, caw, caw,” introducing a new -element into the musical medley. - -Through the street went the little procession, headed by children, who -danced and sang before the band; then came the musicians, and lastly the -married young people. They were on their way to the Cellars, where Zerah -was waiting for them, and had brought forth cake and ale in abundance, -to feast children, musicians, well-wishers’everyone who would drink the -health of bride and bridegroom. - -Then, when the regaling was over, and thundering cheers had been given -for the schoolmaster, for Kitty, for Zerah’Walter Bramber and Kitty -appeared at the door, and half singing, with a smile on his face, to the -strain of “The Frog and the Mouse,” Walter thus tendered his thanks’ - - “Curtsey, Kitty, and say with me’ - Neighbours, thanks for company; - On all the world we will shut the door: - In all the world I need nothing more - Than Kitty, my wife, and Kitty Alone, - Kitty Alone and I.” - - THE END - - MORRISON AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - A LIST OF NEW BOOKS - AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF - METHUEN AND COMPANY - PUBLISHERS: LONDON - 36 ESSEX STREET - W.C. - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - FORTHCOMING BOOKS, 2 - POETRY, 13 - GENERAL LITERATURE, 15 - THEOLOGY, 17 - LEADERS OF RELIGION, 18 - WORKS BY S. BARING GOULD, 19 - FICTION, 21 - NOVEL SERIES, 24 - BOOKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, 25 - THE PEACOCK LIBRARY, 26 - UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERIES, 26 - SOCIAL QUESTIONS OF TO-DAY, 28 - CLASSICAL TRANSLATIONS, 29 - COMMERCIAL SERIES, 29 - WORKS BY A. M. M. STEDMAN, M.A., 30 - SCHOOL EXAMINATION SERIES, 32 - PRIMARY CLASSICS, 32 - - - - - OCTOBER 1894 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - October 1894. - - - MESSRS. METHUEN’S - - ANNOUNCEMENTS - - ---------- - - Poetry - - [_May_ 1895. - =Rudyard Kipling.= BALLADS. By RUDYARD KIPLING. - _Crown 8vo. Buckram. 6s_ - - The announcement of a new volume of poetry from Mr. Kipling will - excite wide interest. The exceptional success of ‘Barrack-Room - Ballads,’ with which this volume will be uniform, justifies the hope - that the new book too will obtain a wide popularity. - -=Henley.= ENGLISH LYRICS. Selected and Edited by W. E. HENLEY. _Crown - 8vo. Buckram. 6s._ - - Also 30 copies on hand-made paper _Demy 8vo. £1, 1s._ - Also 15 copies on Japanese paper. _Demy 8vo. £2, 2s._ - - Few announcements will be more welcome to lovers of English verse than - the one that Mr. Henley is bringing together into one book the - finest lyrics in our language. Robust and original the book will - certainly be, and it will be produced with the same care that made - ‘Lyra Heroica’ delightful to the hand and eye. - -=“Q”= THE GOLDEN POMP: A Procession of English Lyrics from Surrey to - Shirley, arranged by A. T. QUILLER COUCH. _Crown 8vo. Buckram. 6s._ - - Also 40 copies on hand-made paper. _Demy 8vo. £1, 1s._ - Also 15 copies on Japanese paper. _Demy 8vo. £2, 2s._ - - Mr. Quiller Couch’s taste and sympathy mark him out as a born - anthologist, and out of the wealth of Elizabethan poetry he has made - a book of great attraction. - -=Beeching.= LYRA SACRA: An Anthology of Sacred Verse. Edited by H. C. - BEECHING, M.A. _Crown 8vo. Buckram. 6s._ - - Also 25 copies on hand-made paper. _21s._ - - This book will appeal to a wide public. Few languages are richer in - serious verse than the English, and the Editor has had some - difficulty in confining his material within his limits. - -=Yeats.= AN ANTHOLOGY OF IRISH VERSE. Edited by W. B. YEATS. _Crown 8vo. - 3s. 6d._ - - - Illustrated Books - -=Baring Gould.= A BOOK OF FAIRY TALES retold by S. BARING GOULD. With - numerous illustrations and initial letters by ARTHUR J. GASKIN. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - Also 75 copies on hand-made paper. _Demy 8vo._ £1, 1_s._ - Also 20 copies on Japanese paper. _Demy 8vo._ £2, 2_s._ - - Few living writers have been more loving students of fairy and folk - lore than Mr. Baring Gould, who in this book returns to the field in - which he won his spurs. This volume consists of the old stories - which have been dear to generations of children, and they are fully - illustrated by Mr. Gaskin, whose exquisite designs for Andersen’s - Tales won him last year an enviable reputation. - -=Baring Gould.= A BOOK OF NURSERY SONGS AND RHYMES. Edited by S. BARING - GOULD, and illustrated by the Students of the Birmingham Art School. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - Also 50 copies on hand-made paper. _4to. 21s._ - - A collection of old nursery songs and rhymes, including a number which - are little known. The book contains some charming illustrations by - the Birmingham students under the superintendence of Mr. Gaskin, and - Mr. Baring Gould has added numerous notes. - -=Beeching.= A BOOK OF CHRISTMAS VERSE. Edited by H. C. BEECHING, M.A., - and Illustrated by WALTER CRANE. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - Also 75 copies on hand-made paper. _Demy 8vo._ £1, 1_s._ - Also 20 copies on Japanese paper. _Demy 8vo._ £2, 2_s._ - - A collection of the best verse inspired by the birth of Christ from - the Middle Ages to the present day. Mr. Walter Crane has designed - some beautiful illustrations. A distinction of the book is the large - number of poems it contains by modern authors, a few of which are - here printed for the first time.. - -=Jane Barlow.= THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE, translated by JANE - BARLOW, Author of ‘Irish Idylls’ and pictured by F. D. BEDFORD. - _Small 4to. 6s. net._ - - Also 50 copies on hand-made paper. _4to. 21s. net._ - - This is a new version of a famous old fable. Miss Barlow, whose - brilliant volume of ‘Irish Idylls’ has gained her a wide reputation, - has told the story in spirited flowing verse, and Mr. Bedford’s - numerous illustrations and ornaments are as spirited as the verse - they picture. The book will be one of the most beautiful and - original books possible. - - - =Devotional Books= - _With full-page Illustrations._ - -THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. By THOMAS À KEMPIS. With an Introduction by - ARCHDEACON FARRAR. Illustrated by C. M. GERE. _Fcap. 8vo. 5s._ - - Also 50 copies on hand-made paper. 15_s._ - -THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. By JOHN KEBLE. With an Introduction and Notes by W. - LOCK, M.A., Sub-Warden of Keble College, Author of ‘The Life of John - Keble,’ Illustrated by R. ANNING BELL. _Fcap. 8vo. 5s._ - - Also 50 copies on hand-made paper. 15_s._ - - These two volumes will be charming editions of two famous books, - finely illustrated and printed in black and red. The scholarly - introductions will give them an added value, and they will be - beautiful to the eye, and of convenient size. - - - General Literature - -=Gibbon.= THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. By EDWARD GIBBON. A - New Edition, edited with Notes and Appendices and Maps by J. B. - BURY, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. _In seven volumes. - Crown 8vo._ - - The time seems to have arrived for a new edition of Gibbon’s great - work—furnished with such notes and appendices as may bring it up to - the standard of recent historical research. Edited by a scholar who - has made this period his special study, and issued in a convenient - form and at a moderate price, this edition should fill an obvious - void. - -=Flinders Petrie.= A HISTORY OF EGYPT, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE - HYKSOS. By W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE, D.C.L., Professor of Egyptology at - University College. _Fully Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - This volume is the first of an illustrated History of Egypt in six - volumes, intended both for students and for general reading and - reference, and will present a complete record of what is now known, - both of dated monuments and of events, from the prehistoric age down - to modern times. For the earlier periods every trace of the various - kings will be noticed, and all historical questions will be fully - discussed. The volumes will cover the following periods;— - - I. Prehistoric to Hyksos times. By Prof. Flinders Petrie. II. - xviiith to xxth Dynasties. III. xxist to xxxth Dynasties. IV. - The Ptolemaic Rule. V. The Roman Rule. VI. The Muhammedan Rule. - - The volumes will be issued separately. The first will be ready in - the autumn, the Muhammedan volume early next year, and others at - intervals of half a year. - -=Flinders Petrie.= EGYPTIAN DECORATIVE ART. By W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE, - D.C.L. With 120 Illustrations. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ A book which - deals with a subject which has never yet been seriously treated. - -=Flinders Petrie.= EGYPTIAN TALES. Edited by W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE. - Illustrated by TRISTRAM ELLIS. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - A selection of the ancient tales of Egypt, edited from original - sources, and of great importance as illustrating the life and - society of ancient Egypt. - -=Southey.= ENGLISH SEAMEN (Howard, Clifford, Hawkins, Drake, Cavendish). - By ROBERT SOUTHEY. Edited, with an Introduction, by DAVID HANNAY. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - This is a reprint of some excellent biographies of Elizabethan seamen, - written by Southey and never republished. They are practically - unknown, and they deserve, and will probably obtain, a wide - popularity. - -=Waldstein.= JOHN RUSKIN: a Study. By CHARLES WALDSTEIN, M.A., Fellow of - King’s College, Cambridge. With a Photogravure Portrait after - Professor HERKOMER. _Post 8vo. 5s._ - - Also 25 copies on Japanese paper. _Demy 8vo._ 21_s._ - - This is a frank and fair appreciation of Mr. Ruskin’s work and - influence—literary and social—by an able critic, who has enough - admiration to make him sympathetic, and enough discernment to make - him impartial. - -=Henley and Whibley.= A BOOK OF ENGLISH PROSE. Collected by W. E. HENLEY - and CHARLES WHIBLEY. _Cr. 8vo. 6s._ - - Also 40 copies on Dutch paper. 21_s._ _net._ - Also 15 copies on Japanese paper. 42_s._ _net._ - - A companion book to Mr. Henley’s well-known ‘Lyra Heroica.’ It is - believed that no such collection of splendid prose has ever been - brought within the compass of one volume. Each piece, whether - containing a character-sketch or incident, is complete in itself. - The book will be finely printed and bound. - -=Robbins.= THE EARLY LIFE OF WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE. By A. F. ROBBINS. - _With Portraits. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A full account of the early part of Mr. Gladstone’s extraordinary - career, based on much research, and containing a good deal of new - matter, especially with regard to his school and college days. - -=Baring Gould.= THE DESERTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL FRANCE. By S. BARING GOULD, - With numerous Illustrations by F. D. BEDFORD, S. HUTTON, etc. _2 - vols. Demy 8vo. 32s._ - - This book is the first serious attempt to describe the great barren - tableland that extends to the south of Limousin in the Department of - Aveyron, Lot, etc., a country of dolomite cliffs, and canons, and - subterranean rivers. The region is full of prehistoric and historic - interest, relics of cave-dwellers, of mediæval robbers, and of the - English domination and the Hundred Years’ War. The book is lavishly - illustrated. - -=Baring Gould.= A GARLAND OF COUNTRY SONG: English Folk Songs with their - traditional melodies. Collected and arranged by S. BARING GOULD and - H. FLEETWOOD SHEPPARD. _Royal 8vo. 6s._ - - In collecting West of England airs for ‘Songs of the West,’ the - editors came across a number of songs and airs of considerable - merit, which were known throughout England and could not justly be - regarded as belonging to Devon and Cornwall. Some fifty of these are - now given to the world. - -=Oliphant.= THE FRENCH RIVIERA. By Mrs. OLIPHANT and F. R. OLIPHANT. - With Illustrations and Maps. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A volume dealing with the French Riviera from Toulon to Mentone. - Without falling within the guide-book category, the book will supply - some useful practical information, while occupying itself chiefly - with descriptive and historical matter. A special feature will be - the attention directed to those portions of the Riviera, which, - though full of interest and easily accessible from many - well-frequented spots, are generally left unvisited by English - travellers, such as the Maures Mountains and the St. Tropez - district, the country lying between Cannes, Grasse and the Var, and - the magnificent valleys behind Nice. There will be several original - illustrations. - -=George.= BRITISH BATTLES. By H. B. GEORGE, M.A., Fellow of New College, - Oxford. _With numerous Plans. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - -This book, by a well-known authority on military history, will be an - important contribution to the literature of the subject. All the great - battles of English history are fully described, connecting chapters - carefully treat of the changes wrought by new discoveries and - developments, and the healthy spirit of patriotism is nowhere absent - from the pages. - -=Shedlock.= THE PIANOFORTE SONATA: Its Origin and Development. By J. S. - SHEDLOCK. _Crown 8vo. 5s._ - - This is a practical and not unduly technical account of the Sonata - treated historically. It contains several novel features, and an - account of various works little known to the English public. - -=Jenks.= ENGLISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT. By E. JENKS, M.A., Professor of Law - at University College, Liverpool. _Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d._ - - A short account of Local Government, historical and explanatory, which - will appear very opportunely. - -=Dixon.= A PRIMER OF TENNYSON. By W. M. DIXON, M. A., Professor of - English Literature at Mason College. _Fcap. 8vo. 1s. 6d._ - - This book consists of (1) a succinct but complete biography of Lord - Tennyson; (2) an account of the volumes published by him in - chronological order, dealing with the more important poems - separately; (3) a concise criticism of Tennyson in his various - aspects as lyrist, dramatist, and representative poet of his day; - (4) a bibliography. Such a complete book on such a subject, and at - such a moderate price, should find a host of readers. - -=Oscar Browning.= THE AGE OF THE CONDOTTIERI: A Short History of Italy - from 1409 to 1530. By OSCAR BROWNING, M.A., Fellow of King’s - College, Cambridge. _Crown 8vo. 5s._ - - This book is a continuation of Mr. Browning’s ‘Guelphs and - Ghibellines,’ and the two works form a complete account of Italian - history from 1250 to 1530. - -=Layard.= RELIGION IN BOYHOOD. Notes on the Religious Training of Boys. - With a Preface by J. R. ILLINGWORTH. by E. B. LAYARD, M.A. 18_mo._ - 1_s._ - -=Hutton.= THE VACCINATION QUESTION. A Letter to the Right Hon. H. H. - ASQUITH, M.P. by A. W. HUTTON, M.A. _Crown 8vo. 1s._ - - - Leaders of Religion - _NEW VOLUMES_ - _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -LANCELOT ANDREWES, Bishop of Winchester. By R. L. OTTLEY, Principal of - Pusey House, Oxford, and Fellow of Magdalen. _With Portrait._ - -St. AUGUSTINE of Canterbury. By E. L. CUTTS, D.D. _With a Portrait._ - -THOMAS CHALMERS. By Mrs. OLIPHANT. _With a Portrait. Second Edition._ - -JOHN KEBLE. By WALTER LOCK, Sub-Warden of Keble College. _With a - Portrait. Seventh Edition._ - - - English Classics - Edited by W. E. HENLEY. - -Messrs. Methuen propose to publish, under this title, a series of the - masterpieces of the English tongue. - -The ordinary ‘cheap edition’ appears to have served its purpose: the - public has found out the artist-printer, and is now ready for - something better fashioned. This, then, is the moment for the issue of - such a series as, while well within the reach of the average buyer, - shall be at once an ornament to the shelf of him that owns, and a - delight to the eye of him that reads. - -The series, of which Mr. William Ernest Henley is the general editor, - will confine itself to no single period or department of literature. - Poetry, fiction, drama, biography, autobiography, letters, essays—in - all these fields is the material of many goodly volumes. - -The books, which are designed and printed by Messrs. Constable, will be - issued in two editions— - -(1) A small edition, on the finest Japanese vellum, limited in most - cases to 75 copies, demy 8vo, 21_s._ a volume nett; - -(2) The popular edition on laid paper, crown 8vo, buckram, 3_s._ 6_d._ a - volume. - - The first six numbers are:— - -THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF TRISTRAM SHANDY. By LAWRENCE STERNE. With an - Introduction by CHARLES WHIBLEY, and a Portrait. 2 _vols._ - -THE WORKS OF WILLIAM CONGREVE. With an Introduction by G. S. STREET, and - a Portrait. 2 _vols._ - -THE LIVES OF DONNE, WOTTON, HOOKER, HERBERT, and SANDERSON. By IZAAK - WALTON. With an Introduction by VERNON BLACKBURN, and a Portrait. - -THE ADVENTURES OF HADJI BABA OF ISPAHAN. By JAMES MORIER. With an - Introduction by E. S. BROWNE, M.A. - -THE POEMS OF ROBERT BURNS. With an Introduction by W. E. HENLEY, and a - Portrait. 2 _vols._ - -THE LIVES OF THE ENGLISH POETS. By SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. With an - Introduction by JAMES HEPBURN MILLAR, and a Portrait. 3 _vols._ - - - Classical Translations - _NEW VOLUMES_ - _Crown 8vo. Finely printed and bound in blue buckram._ - -LUCIAN—Six Dialogues (Nigrinus, Icaro-Menippus, The Cock, The Ship, The - Parasite, The Lover of Falsehood). Translated by S. T. IRWIN, M.A., - Assistant Master at Clifton; late Scholar of Exeter College, Oxford. - 3_s._ 6_d._ - -SOPHOCLES—Electra and Ajax. Translated by E. D. A. MORSHEAD, M.A., late - Scholar of New College, Oxford; Assistant Master at Winchester. - 2_s._ 6_d._ - -TACITUS—Agricola and Germania. Translated by R. B. TOWNSHEND, late - Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. 2_s._ 6_d._ - -CICERO—Select Orations (Pro Milone, Pro Murena, Philippic II., In - Catilinam). Translated by H. E. D. BLAKISTON, M.A., Fellow and Tutor - of Trinity College, Oxford. 5_s._ - - - University Extension Series - _NEW VOLUMES. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d._ - -THE EARTH. An Introduction to Physiography. By EVAN SMALL, M.A. - _Illustrated._ - -INSECT LIFE. By F. W. THEOBALD, M.A. _Illustrated._ - - - Social Questions of To-day - _NEW VOLUME. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d._ - -WOMEN’S WORK. By LADY DILKE, MISS BULLEY, and MISS WHITLEY. - - - Cheaper Editions - -=Baring Gould.= THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAESARS: The Emperors of the Julian - and Claudian Lines. With numerous Illustrations from Busts, Gems, - Cameos, etc. By S. BARING GOULD, Author of ‘Mehalah,’ etc. _Third - Edition._ _Royal 8vo._ 15_s._ - - ‘A most splendid and fascinating book on a subject of undying - interest. The great feature of the book is the use the author has - made of the existing portraits of the Caesars, and the admirable - critical subtlety he has exhibited in dealing with this line of - research. It is brilliantly written, and the illustrations are - supplied on a scale of profuse magnificence.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - -=Clark Russell.= THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL LORD COLLINGWOOD. By W. CLARK - RUSSELL, Author of ‘The Wreck of the Grosvenor.’ With Illustrations - by F. BRANGWYN. _Second Edition. 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘A most excellent and wholesome book, which we should like to see in - the hands of every boy in the country.’—_St. James’s Gazette._ - - - Fiction - -=Baring Gould.= KITTY ALONE. By S. BARING GOULD, Author of ‘Mehalah,’ - ‘Cheap Jack Zita,’ etc. _3 vols. Crown 8vo._ - - A romance of Devon life. - -=Norris.= MATTHEW AUSTIN. By W. E. NORRIS, Author of ‘Mdle. de Mersai,’ - etc. _3 vols. Crown 8vo._ in 4 A story of English social life by the - well-known author of ‘The Rogue.’ - -=Parker.= THE TRAIL OF THE SWORD. By GILBERT PARKER, Author of ‘Pierre - and his People,’ etc. _2 vols. Crown 8vo._ - - A historical romance dealing with a stirring period in the history of - Canada. - -=Anthony Hope.= THE GOD IN THE CAR. By ANTHONY HOPE, Author of ‘A Change - of Air,’ etc. 2 VOLS. CROWN 8VO. - - A story of modern society by the clever author of ‘The Prisoner of - Zenda.’ - -=Mrs. Watson.= THIS MAN’S DOMINION. By the Author of ‘A High Little - World.’ _2 vols. Crown 8vo._ - - A story of the conflict between love and religious scruple. - -=Conan Doyle.= ROUND THE RED LAMP. By A. CONAN DOYLE, Author of ‘The - White Company,’ ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,’ etc. _Crown - 8vo. 6s._ - - This volume, by the well-known author of ‘The Refugees,’ contains the - experiences of a general practitioner, round whose ‘Red Lamp’ - cluster many dramas—some sordid, some terrible. The author makes an - attempt to draw a few phases of life from the point of view of the - man who lives and works behind the lamp. - -=Barr.= IN THE MIDST OF ALARMS. By ROBERT BARR, Author of ‘From Whose - Bourne,’ etc. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A story of journalism and Fenians, told with much vigour and humour. - -=Benson.= SUBJECT TO VANITY. By MARGARET BENSON. With numerous - Illustrations. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - A volume of humorous and sympathetic sketches of animal life and home - pets. - -=X. L.= AUT DIABOLUS AUT NIHIL, and Other Stories. By X. L. _Crown 8vo. - 3s. 6d._ - - A collection of stories of much weird power. The title story appeared - some years ago in ‘Blackwood’s Magazine,’ and excited considerable - attention. The ‘Spectator’ spoke of it as ‘distinctly original, and - in the highest degree imaginative. The conception, if - self-generated, is almost as lofty as Milton’s.’ - -=Morrison.= LIZERUNT, and other East End Idylls. By ARTHUR MORRISON. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A volume of sketches of East End life, some of which have appeared in - the ‘National Observer,’ and have been much praised for their truth - and strength and pathos. - -=O’Grady.= THE COMING OF CURCULAIN. By STANDISH O’GRADY, Author of ‘Finn - and his Companions,’ etc. Illustrated by MURRAY SMITH. _Crown 8vo. - 3s. 6d._ - - The story of the boyhood of one of the legendary heroes of Ireland. - - - New Editions - -=E. F. Benson.= THE RUBICON. By E. F. BENSON, Author of ‘Dodo.’ _Fourth - Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - Mr. Benson’s second novel has been, in its two volume form, almost as - great a success as his first. The ‘Birmingham Post’ says it is - ‘_well written, stimulating, unconventional, and, in a word, - characteristic_’: the ‘National Observer’ congratulates Mr. Benson - upon ‘_an exceptional achievement_,’ and calls the book ‘_a notable - advance on his previous work_.’ - -=Stanley Weyman.= UNDER THE RED ROBE. By STANLEY WEYMAN, Author of ‘A - Gentleman of France.’ With Twelve Illustrations by R. Caton - Woodville. _Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A cheaper edition of a book which won instant popularity. No - unfavourable review occurred, and most critics spoke in terms of - enthusiastic admiration. The ‘Westminster Gazette’ called it ‘_a - book of which we have read every word for the sheer pleasure of - reading, and which we put down with a pang that we cannot forget it - all and start again_.’ The ‘Daily Chronicle’ said that ‘_every one - who reads books at all must read this thrilling romance, from the - first page of which to the last the breathless reader is haled - along_.’ It also called the book ‘_an inspiration of manliness and - courage_.’ The ‘Globe’ called it ‘_a delightful tale of chivalry and - adventure, vivid and dramatic, with a wholesome modesty and - reverence for the highest_.’ - -=Baring Gould.= THE QUEEN OF LOVE. By S. BARING GOULD, Author of ‘Cheap - Jack Zita,’ etc. _Second Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s._.in 2 - - ‘The scenery is admirable and the dramatic incidents most - striking.’—_Glasgow Herald._ - - ‘Strong, interesting, and clever.’—_Westminster Gazette._ - - ‘You cannot put it down till you have finished it.’—_Punch._ - - ‘Can be heartily recommended to all who care for cleanly, energetic, - and interesting fiction.’—_Sussex Daily News._ - -=Mrs. Oliphant.= THE PRODIGALS. By Mrs. OLIPHANT. _Second Edition. Crown - 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Richard Pryce.= WINIFRED MOUNT. By RICHARD PRYCE. _Second Edition. - Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - The ‘Sussex Daily News’ called this book ‘_a delightful story_’, and - said that the writing was ‘_uniformly bright and graceful_.’ The - ‘Daily Telegraph’ said that the author was a ‘_deft and elegant - story-teller_,’ and that the book was ‘_an extremely clever story, - utterly untainted by pessimism or vulgarity_.’ - -=Constance Smith.= A CUMBERER OF THE GROUND. By CONSTANCE SMITH, Author - of ‘The Repentance of Paul Wentworth,’ etc. _New Edition. Crown 8vo. - 3s. 6d._ - - - School Books - -A VOCABULARY OF LATIN IDIOMS AND PHRASES. By A. M. M. STEDMAN, M.A. - 18_mo._ 1_s._ - -STEPS TO GREEK. By A. M. M. STEDMAN, M.A. 18mo. 1_s._ 6_d._ - -A SHORTER GREEK PRIMER OF ACCIDENCE AND SYNTAX. By A. M. M. STEDMAN, - M.A. _Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d._ - -SELECTIONS FROM THE ODYSSEY. With Introduction and Notes. By E. D. - STONE, M.A., late Assistant Master at Eton. _Fcap. 8vo. 2s._ - -THE ELEMENTS OF ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. With numerous Illustrations. - By R. G. STEEL, M. A., Head Master of the Technical Schools, - Northampton. _Crown 8vo. 4s. 6d._ - -THE ENGLISH CITIZEN: HIS RIGHTS AND DUTIES. By H. E. MALDEN, M.A. _Crown - 8vo. 1s. 6d._ A simple account of the privileges and duties of the - English citizen. - -INDEX POETARUM LATINORUM. By E. F. BENECKE, M.A. _Crown 8vo. 4s. 6d._ A - concordance to Latin Lyric Poetry. - - - Commercial Series - -A PRIMER OF BUSINESS. By S. JACKSON, M.A. _Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d._ - -COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIC. By F. G. TAYLOR. _Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d._ - - - =New and Recent Books= - - Poetry - -=Rudyard Kipling.= BARRACK-ROOM BALLADS; And Other Verses. By RUDYARD - KIPLING. _Seventh Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A Special Presentation Edition, bound in white buckram, with extra - gilt ornament. 7_s._ 6_d._ - - ‘Mr. Kipling’s verse is strong, vivid, full of character.... - Unmistakable genius rings in every line.’—_Times._ - - ‘The disreputable lingo of Cockayne is henceforth justified before the - world; for a man of genius has taken it in hand, and has shown, - beyond all cavilling, that in its way it also is a medium for - literature. You are grateful, and you say to yourself, half in envy - and half in admiration: “Here is a _book_; here, or one is a - Dutchman, is one of the books of the year.”’—_National Observer._ - - ‘“Barrack-Room Ballads” contains some of the best work that Mr. - Kipling has ever done, which is saying a good deal. “Fuzzy-Wuzzy,” - “Gunga Din,” and “Tommy,” are, in our opinion, altogether superior - to anything of the kind that English literature has hitherto - produced.’—_Athenæum._ - - ‘These ballads are as wonderful in their descriptive power as they are - vigorous in their dramatic force. There are few ballads in the - English language more stirring than “The Ballad of East and West,” - worthy to stand by the Border ballads of Scott.’—_Spectator._ - - ‘The ballads teem with imagination, they palpitate with emotion. We - read them with laughter and tears; the metres throb in our pulses, - the cunningly ordered words tingle with life; and if this be not - poetry, what is?’—_Pall Mall Gazette._ - -=Henley.= LYRA HEROICA: An Anthology selected from the best English - Verse of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries. By WILLIAM ERNEST - HENLEY, Author of ‘A Book of Verse,’ ‘Views and Reviews,’ etc. - _Crown 8vo. Stamped gilt buckram, gilt top, edges uncut. 6s._ - - ‘Mr. Henley has brought to the task of selection an instinct alike for - poetry and for chivalry which seems to us quite wonderfully, and - even unerringly, right.’—_Guardian._ - -=Tomson.= A SUMMER NIGHT, AND OTHER POEMS. By GRAHAM R. TOMSON. With - Frontispiece by A. TOMSON. _Fcap. 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - An edition on hand-made paper, limited to 50 copies. 10_s._ 6_d._ - _net._ - - ‘Mrs. Tomson holds perhaps the very highest rank among poetesses of - English birth. This selection will help her reputation.’—_Black and - White._ - -=Ibsen.= BRAND. A Drama by HENRIK IBSEN. Translated by WILLIAM WILSON. - _Crown 8vo. Second Edition. 3s. 6d._ - - ‘The greatest world-poem of the nineteenth century next to “Faust.” - “Brand” will have an astonishing interest for Englishmen. It is in - the same set with “Agamemnon,” with “Lear,” with the literature that - we now instinctively regard as high and holy.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - -=“Q.”= GREEN BAYS: Verses and Parodies. By “Q.,” Author of ‘Dead Man’s - Rock’ etc. _Second Edition. Fcap. 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - ‘The verses display a rare and versatile gift of parody, great command - of metre, and a very pretty turn of humour.’—_Times._ - -=“A. G.”= VERSES TO ORDER. By “A. G.” _Cr. 8vo. 2s.6d. net._ - - A small volume of verse by a writer whose initials are well known to - Oxford men. - - ‘A capital specimen of light academic poetry. These verses are very - bright and engaging, easy and sufficiently witty.’—_St. James’s - Gazette._ - -=Hosken.= VERSES BY THE WAY. By J. D. HOSKEN. _Crown 8vo. 5s._ - - A small edition on hand-made paper. _Price 12s. 6d. net._ - - A Volume of Lyrics and Sonnets by J. D. Hosken, the Postman Poet. Q, - the Author of ‘The Splendid Spur,’ writes a critical and - biographical introduction. - -=Gale.= CRICKET SONGS. By NORMAN GALE. _Crown 8vo. Linen. 2s. 6d._ - - Also a limited edition on hand-made paper. _Demy 8vo. 10s. 6d. net._ - - ‘They are wrung out of the excitement of the moment, and palpitate - with the spirit of the game.’—_Star._ - - ‘As healthy as they are spirited, and ought to have a great - success.’—_Times._ - - ‘Simple, manly, and humorous. Every cricketer should buy the - book.’—_Westminster Gazette._ - - ‘Cricket has never known such a singer.’—_Cricket._ - -=Langbridge.= BALLADS OF THE BRAVE: Poems of Chivalry, Enterprise, - Courage, and Constancy, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. - Edited, with Notes, by Rev. F. LANGBRIDGE. _Crown 8vo. Buckram 3s. - 6d._ School Edition, _2s. 6d._ - - ‘A very happy conception happily carried out. These “Ballads of the - Brave” are intended to suit the real tastes of boys, and will suit - the taste of the great majority.’—_Spectator._ - - ‘The book is full of splendid things.’—_World._ - - - General Literature - -=Collingwood.= JOHN RUSKIN: His Life and Work. By W. G. COLLINGWOOD, - M.A., late Scholar of University College, Oxford, Author of the ‘Art - Teaching of John Ruskin,’ Editor of Mr. Ruskin’s Poems. _2 vols. - 8vo. 32s. Second Edition._ - - This important work is written by Mr. Collingwood, who has been for - some years Mr. Ruskin’s private secretary, and who has had unique - advantages in obtaining materials for this book from Mr. Ruskin - himself and from his friends. It contains a large amount of new - matter, and of letters which have never been published, and is, in - fact, a full and authoritative biography of Mr. Ruskin. The book - contains numerous portraits of Mr. Ruskin, including a coloured one - from a water-colour portrait by himself, and also 13 sketches, never - before published, by Mr. Ruskin and Mr. Arthur Severn. A - bibliography is added. - - ‘No more magnificent volumes have been published for a long - time....’—_Times._ - - ‘This most lovingly written and most profoundly interesting - book.’—_Daily News._ - - ‘It is long since we have had a biography with such varied delights of - substance and of form. Such a book is a pleasure for the day, and a - joy for ever.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - - ‘Mr. Ruskin could not well have been more fortunate in his - biographer.’—_Globe._ - - ‘A noble monument of a noble subject. One of the most beautiful books - about one of the noblest lives of our century.’—_Glasgow Herald._ - -=Gladstone.= THE SPEECHES AND PUBLIC ADDRESSES OF THE RT. HON. W. E. - GLADSTONE, M.P. With Notes and Introductions. Edited by A. W. - HUTTON, M.A. (Librarian of the Gladstone Library), and H. J. COHEN, - M.A. With Portraits. _8vo. Vols. IX. and X. 12s. 6d. each._ - -=Clark Russell.= THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL LORD COLLINGWOOD. By W. CLARK - RUSSELL, Author of ‘The Wreck of the Grosvenor.’ With Illustrations - by F. BRANGWYN. _Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘A really good book.’—_Saturday Review._ - - ‘A most excellent and wholesome book, which we should like to see in - the hands of every boy in the country.’—_St. James’s Gazette._ - -=Clark.= THE COLLEGES OF OXFORD: Their History and their Traditions. By - Members of the University. Edited by A. CLARK, M.A., Fellow and - Tutor of Lincoln College. _8vo. 12s. 6d._ - - ‘Whether the reader approaches the book as a patriotic member of a - college, as an antiquary, or as a student of the organic growth of - college foundation, it will amply reward his attention.’—_Times._ - - ‘A delightful book, learned and lively.’—_Academy._ - - ‘A work which will certainly be appealed to for many years as the - standard book on the Colleges of Oxford.’—_Athenæum._ - -=Wells.= OXFORD AND OXFORD LIFE. By Members of the University. Edited by - J. WELLS, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Wadham College. _Crown 8vo. 3s. - 6d._ - - This work contains an account of life at Oxford—intellectual, social, - and religious—a careful estimate of necessary expenses, a review of - recent changes, a statement of the present position of the - University, and chapters on Women’s Education, aids to study, and - University Extension. - - ‘We congratulate Mr. Wells on the production of a readable and - intelligent account of Oxford as it is at the present time, - written by persons who are, with hardly an exception, possessed of - a close acquaintance with the system and life of the - University.’—_Athenæum._ - -=Perrens.= THE HISTORY OF FLORENCE FROM THE TIME OF THE MEDICIS TO THE - FALL OF THE REPUBLIC. By F. T. PERRENS. Translated by HANNAH LYNCH. - _In Three Volumes. Vol. I. 8vo. 12s. 6d._ - - This is a translation from the French of the best history of Florence - in existence. This volume covers a period of profound - interest—political and literary—and is written with great vivacity. - - ‘This is a standard book by an honest and intelligent historian, who - has deserved well of his countrymen, and of all who are interested - in Italian history.’—_Manchester Guardian._ - -=Browning.= GUELPHS AND GHIBELLINES: A Short History of Mediæval Italy, - A.D. 1250-1409. By OSCAR BROWNING, Fellow and Tutor of King’s - College, Cambridge. _Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 5s._ - - ‘A very able book.’—_Westminster Gazette._ - - ‘A vivid picture of mediæval Italy.’—_Standard._ - -=O’Grady.= THE STORY OF IRELAND. By STANDISH O’GRADY, Author of ‘Finn - and his Companions.’ _Cr. 8vo. 2s. 6d._ - - ‘Novel and very fascinating history. Wonderfully alluring.’—_Cork - Examiner._ - - ‘Most delightful, most stimulating. Its racy humour, its original - imaginings, its perfectly unique history, make it one of the - freshest, breeziest volumes.’—_Methodist Times._ - - ‘A survey at once graphic, acute, and quaintly written.’—_Times._ - -=Dixon.= ENGLISH POETRY FROM BLAKE TO BROWNING. By W. M. DIXON, M.A. - _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - A Popular Account of the Poetry of the Century. - - ‘Scholarly in conception, and full of sound and suggestive - criticism.’—_Times._ - - ‘The book is remarkable for freshness of thought expressed in graceful - language.’—_Manchester Examiner._ - -=Bowden.= THE EXAMPLE OF BUDDHA: Being Quotations from Buddhist - Literature for each Day in the Year. Compiled by E. M. BOWDEN. With - Preface by Sir EDWIN ARNOLD. _Third Edition. 16mo. 2s. 6d._ - -=Flinders Petrie.= TELL EL AMARNA. By W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE, D.C.L. With - chapters by Professor A. H. SAYCE, D.D.; F. LL. GRIFFITH, F.S.A.; - and F. C. J. SPURRELL, F.G.S. With numerous coloured illustrations. - _Royal 4to. 20s. net._ - -=Massee.= A MONOGRAPH OF THE MYXOGASTRES. By GEORGE MASSEE. With 12 - Coloured Plates. _Royal 8vo. 18s. net._ - - ‘A work much in advance of any book in the language treating of this - group of organisms. It is indispensable to every student of the - Myxogastres. The coloured plates deserve high praise for their - accuracy and execution.’—_Nature._ - -=Bushill.= PROFIT SHARING AND THE LABOUR QUESTION. By T. W. BUSHILL, a - Profit Sharing Employer. With an Introduction by SEDLEY TAYLOR, - Author of ‘Profit Sharing between Capital and Labour.’ _Crown 8vo. - 2s. 6d._ - -=John Beever.= PRACTICAL FLY-FISHING, Founded on Nature, by JOHN BEEVER, - late of the Thwaite House, Coniston. A New Edition, with a Memoir of - the Author by W. G. COLLINGWOOD, M.A. Also additional Notes and a - chapter on Char-Fishing, by A. and A. R. SEVERN. With a specially - designed title-page. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - A little book on Fly-Fishing by an old friend of Mr. Ruskin. It has - been out of print for some time, and being still much in request, is - now issued with a Memoir of the Author by W. G. Collingwood. - - - Theology - -=Driver.= SERMONS ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT. By S. R. - DRIVER, D.D., Canon of Christ Church, Regius Professor of Hebrew in - the University of Oxford. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘A welcome companion to the author’s famous ‘Introduction.’ No man can - read these discourses without feeling that Dr. Driver is fully alive - to the deeper teaching of the Old Testament.’—_Guardian._ - -=Cheyne.= FOUNDERS OF OLD TESTAMENT CRITICISM: Biographical, - Descriptive, and Critical Studies. By T. K. CHEYNE, D.D., Oriel - Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford. _Large - crown 8vo. 7s. 6d._ - - This important book is a historical sketch of O.T. Criticism in the - form of biographical studies from the days of Eichhorn to those of - Driver and Robertson Smith. It is the only book of its kind in - English. - - ‘The volume is one of great interest and value. It displays all the - author’s well-known ability and learning, and its opportune - publication has laid all students of theology, and specially of - Bible criticism, under weighty obligation.’—_Scotsman._ - - ‘A very learned and instructive work.’—_Times._ - -=Prior.= CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. Edited by C. H. PRIOR, M.A., Fellow and - Tutor of Pembroke College. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A volume of sermons preached before the University of Cambridge by - various preachers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop - Westcott. - - ‘A representative collection. Bishop Westcott’s is a noble - sermon.’—_Guardian._ - - ‘Full of thoughtfulness and dignity.’—_Record._ - -=Beeching.= BRADFIELD SERMONS. Sermons by H. C. BEECHING, M.A., Rector - of Yattendon, Berks. With a Preface by CANON SCOTT HOLLAND. _Crown - 8vo. 2s. 6d._ - - Seven sermons preached before the boys of Bradfield College. - -=James.= CURIOSITIES OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY PRIOR TO THE REFORMATION. By - CROAKE JAMES, Author of ‘Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.’ _Crown - 8vo. 7s. 6d._ - - ‘This volume contains a great deal of quaint and curious matter, - affording some “particulars of the interesting persons, episodes, - and events from the Christian’s point of view during the first - fourteen centuries.” Wherever we dip into his pages we find - something worth dipping into.’—_John Bull._ - -=Kaufmann.= CHARLES KINGSLEY. By M. KAUFMANN, M.A. _Crown 8vo. Buckram. - 5s._ - - A biography of Kingsley, especially dealing with his achievements in - social reform. - - ‘The author has certainly gone about his work with conscientiousness - and industry.’—_Sheffield Daily Telegraph._ - - - Leaders of Religion - Edited by H. C. BEECHING, M.A. _With Portraits, crown 8vo._ - - 2/6 & 3/6 - A series of short biographies of the most prominent - leaders of religious life and thought of all ages and countries. - - The following are ready— =2s. 6d.= - -CARDINAL NEWMAN. By R. H. HUTTON. _Second Edition._ - - ‘Few who read this book will fail to be struck by the wonderful - insight it displays into the nature of the Cardinal’s genius and the - spirit of his life.’—WILFRID WARD, in the _Tablet_. - - ‘Full of knowledge, excellent in method, and intelligent in criticism. - We regard it as wholly admirable.’—_Academy._ - -JOHN WESLEY. By J. H. OVERTON, M.A. - - ‘It is well done: the story is clearly told, proportion is duly - observed, and there is no lack either of discrimination or of - sympathy.’—_Manchester Guardian._ - -BISHOP WILBERFORCE. By G. W. DANIEL, M.A. - -CARDINAL MANNING. By A. W. HUTTON, M.A. - -CHARLES SIMEON. By H. C. G. MOULE, M.A. - - 3s. 6d. - -JOHN KEBLE. By WALTER LOCK, M.A. _Seventh Edition._ - -THOMAS CHALMERS. By Mrs. OLIPHANT. _Second Edition._ - - Other volumes will be announced in due course. - - - Works by S. Baring Gould - -OLD COUNTRY LIFE. With Sixty-seven Illustrations by W. PARKINSON, F. D. - BEDFORD, and F. MASEY. _Large Crown 8vo, cloth super extra, top edge - gilt, 10s. 6d. Fourth and Cheaper Edition. 6s._ - - ‘“Old Country Life,” as healthy wholesome reading, full of breezy life - and movement, full of quaint stories vigorously told, will not be - excelled by any book to be published throughout the year. Sound, - hearty, and English to the core.’—_World._ - -HISTORIC ODDITIES AND STRANGE EVENTS. _Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘A collection of exciting and entertaining chapters. The whole volume - is delightful reading.’—_Times._ - -FREAKS OF FANATICISM. _Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘Mr. Baring Gould has a keen eye for colour and effect, and the - subjects he has chosen give ample scope to his descriptive and - analytic faculties. A perfectly fascinating book.’—_Scottish - Leader._ - -SONGS OF THE WEST: Traditional Ballads and Songs of the West of England, - with their Traditional Melodies. Collected by S. BARING GOULD, M.A., - and H. FLEETWOOD SHEPPARD, M.A. Arranged for Voice and Piano. In 4 - Parts (containing 25 Songs each), _Parts I., II., III., 3s. each. - Part IV., 5s. In one Vol., French morocco, 15s._ - - ‘A rich and varied collection of humour, pathos, grace, and poetic - fancy.’—_Saturday Review._ - -YORKSHIRE ODDITIES AND STRANGE EVENTS. _Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - -STRANGE SURVIVALS AND SUPERSTITIONS. With Illustrations. By S. BARING - GOULD. _Crown 8vo. Second Edition. 6s._ - - A book on such subjects as Foundations, Gables, Holes, Gallows, - Raising the Hat, Old Ballads, etc. etc. It traces in a most - interesting manner their origin and history. - - ‘We have read Mr. Baring Gould’s book from beginning to end. It is - full of quaint and various information, and there is not a dull page - in it.’—_Notes and Queries._ - -_THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAESARS_: The Emperors of the Julian and Claudian - Lines. With numerous Illustrations from Busts, Gems, Cameos, etc. By - S. BARING GOULD, Author of ‘Mehalah,’ etc. _Third Edition. Royal - 8vo. 15s._ - - ‘A most splendid and fascinating book on a subject of undying - interest. The great feature of the book is the use the author has - made of the existing portraits of the Caesars, and the admirable - critical subtlety he has exhibited in dealing with this line of - research. It is brilliantly written, and the illustrations are - supplied on a scale of profuse magnificence.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - - ‘The volumes will in no sense disappoint the general reader. Indeed, - in their way, there is nothing in any sense so good in English.... - Mr. Baring Gould has presented his narrative in such a way as not to - make one dull page.’—_Athenæum._ - - _MR. BARING GOULD’S NOVELS_ - -‘To say that a book is by the author of “Mehalah” is to imply that it - contains a story cast on strong lines, containing dramatic - possibilities, vivid and sympathetic descriptions of Nature, and a - wealth of ingenious imagery.’—_Speaker._ - -‘That whatever Mr. Baring Gould writes is well worth reading, is a - conclusion that may be very generally accepted. His views of life are - fresh and vigorous, his language pointed and characteristic, the - incidents of which he makes use are striking and original, his - characters are life-like, and though somewhat exceptional people, are - drawn and coloured with artistic force. Add to this that his - descriptions of scenes and scenery are painted with the loving eyes - and skilled hands of a master of his art, that he is always fresh and - never dull, and under such conditions it is no wonder that readers - have gained confidence both in his power of amusing and satisfying - them, and that year by year his popularity widens.’—_Court Circular._ - - =SIX SHILLINGS EACH= - - IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA: A Tale of the Cornish Coast. - MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN. - CHEAP JACK ZITA. - THE QUEEN OF LOVE. - - =THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE EACH= - - ARMINELL: A Social Romance. - URITH: A Story of Dartmoor. - MARGERY OF QUETHER, and other Stories. - JACQUETTA, and other Stories. - - - Fiction - - SIX SHILLING NOVELS - -=Corelli.= BARABBAS: A DREAM OF THE WORLD’S TRAGEDY. By MARIE CORELLI, - Author of ‘A Romance of Two Worlds,’ ‘Vendetta,’ etc. _Eleventh - Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - Miss Corelli’s new romance has been received with much disapprobation - by the secular papers, and with warm welcome by the religious - papers. By the former she has been accused of blasphemy and bad - taste; ‘a gory nightmare’; ‘a hideous travesty’; ‘grotesque - vulgarisation’; ‘unworthy of criticism’; ‘vulgar redundancy’; - ‘sickening details’—these are some of the secular flowers of speech. - On the other hand, the ‘Guardian’ praises ‘the dignity of its - conceptions, the reserve round the Central Figure, the fine imagery - of the scene and circumstance, so much that is elevating and - devout’; the ‘Illustrated Church News’ styles the book ‘reverent and - artistic, broad based on the rock of our common nature, and - appealing to what is best in it’; the ‘Christian World’ says it is - written ‘by one who has more than conventional reverence, who has - tried to tell the story that it may be read again with open and - attentive eyes’; the ‘Church of England Pulpit’ welcomes ‘a book - which teems with faith without any appearance of irreverence.’ - -=Benson.= DODO: A DETAIL OF THE DAY. By E. F. BENSON. _Crown 8vo. - Fourteenth Edition. 6s._ - - A story of society by a new writer, full of interest and power, which - has attracted by its brilliance universal attention. The best - critics were cordial in their praise. The ‘Guardian’ spoke of ‘Dodo’ - as _unusually clever and interesting_; the ‘Spectator’ called it _a - delightfully witty sketch of society_; the ‘Speaker’ said the - dialogue was _a perpetual feast of epigram and paradox_; the - ‘Athenæum’ spoke of the author as _a writer of quite exceptional - ability_; the ‘Academy’ praised his _amazing cleverness_; the - ‘World’ said the book was _brilliantly written_; and half-a-dozen - papers declared there _was not a dull page in the book_. - -=Baring Gould.= IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA: A Tale of the Cornish Coast. By - S. BARING GOULD. _New Edition. 6s._ - -=Baring Gould.= MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN. By S. BARING GOULD. _Third - Edition. 6s._ - - A story of Devon life. The ‘Graphic’ speaks of it as _a novel of - vigorous humour and sustained power_; the ‘Sussex Daily News’ says - that _the swing of the narrative is splendid_; and the ‘Speaker’ - mentions _its bright imaginative power_. - -=Baring Gould.= CHEAP JACK ZITA. By S. BARING GOULD. _Third Edition. - Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A Romance of the Ely Fen District in 1815, which the ‘Westminster - Gazette’ calls ‘a powerful drama of human passion’; and the - ‘National Observer’ ‘a story worthy the author.’ - -=Baring Gould.= THE QUEEN OF LOVE. By S. BARING GOULD. _Second Edition. - Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - The ‘Glasgow Herald’ says that ‘the scenery is admirable, and the - dramatic incidents are most striking.’ The ‘Westminster Gazette’ - calls the book ‘strong, interesting, and clever.’ ‘Punch’ says that - ‘you cannot put it down until you have finished it.’ ‘The Sussex - Daily News’ says that it ‘can be heartily recommended to all who - care for cleanly, energetic, and interesting fiction.’ - -=Norris.= HIS GRACE. By W. E. NORRIS, Author of ‘Mademoiselle de - Mersac.’ _Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘The characters are delineated by the author with his characteristic - skill and vivacity, and the story is told with that ease of manners - and Thackerayean insight which give strength of flavour to Mr. - Norris’s novels. No one can depict the Englishwoman of the better - classes with more subtlety.’—_Glasgow Herald._ - - ‘Mr. Norris has drawn a really fine character in the Duke of - Hurstbourne, at once unconventional and very true to the - conventionalities of life, weak and strong in a breath, capable of - inane follies and heroic decisions, yet not so definitely portrayed - as to relieve a reader of the necessity of study on his own - behalf.’—_Athenæum._ - -=Parker.= MRS. FALCHION. By GILBERT PARKER, Author of ‘Pierre and His - People.’ _New Edition. 6s._ - - Mr. Parker’s second book has received a warm welcome. The ‘Athenæum’ - called it _a splendid study of character_; the ‘Pall Mall Gazette’ - spoke of the writing as _but little behind anything that has been - done by any writer of our time_; the ‘St. James’s’ called it _a very - striking and admirable novel_; and the ‘Westminster Gazette’ applied - to it the epithet of _distinguished_. - -=Parker.= PIERRE AND HIS PEOPLE. By GILBERT PARKER. _Crown 8vo. Buckram. - 6s._ - - ‘Stories happily conceived and finely executed. There is strength and - genius in Mr. Parker’s style.’—_Daily Telegraph._ - -=Parker.= THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE. By GILBERT PARKER, Author of - ‘Pierre and His People,’ ‘Mrs. Falchion,’ etc. _Crown 8vo. 5s._ - -‘The plot is original and one difficult to work out; but Mr. Parker has - done it with great skill and delicacy. The reader who is not - interested in this original, fresh, and well-told tale must be a - dull person indeed.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - -‘A strong and successful piece of workmanship. The portrait of - Lali, strong, dignified, and pure, is exceptionally well - drawn.’—_Manchester Guardian._ - -‘A very pretty and interesting story, and Mr. Parker tells it with much - skill. The story is one to be read.’—_St. James’s Gazette._ - -=Anthony Hope.= A CHANGE OF AIR: A Novel. By ANTHONY HOPE, Author of - ‘The Prisoner of Zenda,’ etc. _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A bright story by Mr. Hope, who has, the _Athenæum_ says, ‘a decided - outlook and individuality of his own.’ - - ‘A graceful, vivacious comedy, true to human nature. The characters - are traced with a masterly hand.’—_Times._ - -=Pryce.= TIME AND THE WOMAN. By RICHARD PRYCE, Author of ‘Miss Maxwell’s - Affections,’ ‘The Quiet Mrs. Fleming,’ etc. New and Cheaper Edition. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - ‘Mr. Pryce’s work recalls the style of Octave Feuillet, by its - clearness, conciseness, its literary reserve.’—_Athenæum._ - -=Marriott Watson.= DIOGENES OF LONDON and other Sketches. By H. B. - MARRIOTT WATSON, Author of ‘The Web of the Spider.’ _Crown 8vo. - Buckram. 6s._ - - ‘By all those who delight in the uses of words, who rate the exercise - of prose above the exercise of verse, who rejoice in all proofs of - its delicacy and its strength, who believe that English prose is - chief among the moulds of thought, by these Mr. Marriott Watson’s - book will be welcomed.’—_National Observer._ - -=Gilchrist.= THE STONE DRAGON. By MURRAY GILCHRIST. _Crown 8vo. Buckram. - 6s._ - - ‘The author’s faults are atoned for by certain positive and admirable - merits. The romances have not their counterpart in modern - literature, and to read them is a unique experience.’—_National - Observer._ - - =THREE-AND-SIXPENNY NOVELS= - -=Baring Gould.= ARMINELL: A Social Romance. By S. BARING GOULD. _New - Edition. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Baring Gould.= URITH: A Story of Dartmoor. By S. BARING GOULD. _Third - Edition. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - ‘The author is at his best.’—_Times._ - - ‘He has nearly reached the high water-mark of “Mehalah.”’—_National - Observer._ - -=Baring Gould.= MARGERY OF QUETHER, and other Stories. By S. BARING - GOULD. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Baring Gould.= JACQUETTA, and other Stories. By S. BARING GOULD. _Crown - 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Gray.= ELSA. A Novel. By E. M’QUEEN GRAY. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -‘A charming novel. The characters are not only powerful sketches, but - minutely and carefully finished portraits.’—_Guardian._ - -=Pearce.= JACO TRELOAR. By J. H. PEARCE, Author of ‘Esther Pentreath.’ - _New Edition. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - A tragic story of Cornish life by a writer of remarkable power, whose - first novel has been highly praised by Mr. Gladstone. - - The ‘Spectator’ speaks of Mr. Pearce as _a writer of exceptional - power_; the ‘Daily Telegraph’ calls the book _powerful and - picturesque_; the ‘Birmingham Post’ asserts that it is _a novel of - high quality_. - -=Edna Lyall.= DERRICK VAUGHAN, NOVELIST. By EDNA LYALL, Author of - ‘Donovan,’ etc. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Clark Russell.= MY DANISH SWEETHEART. By W. CLARK RUSSELL, Author of - ‘The Wreck of the Grosvenor,’ etc. _Illustrated. Third Edition. - Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Author of ‘Vera.’= THE DANCE OF THE HOURS. By the Author of ‘Vera.’ - _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Esmè Stuart.= A WOMAN OF FORTY. By ESMÈ STUART, Author of ‘Muriel’s - Marriage,’ ‘Virginié’s Husband,’ etc. _New Edition. Crown 8vo. 3s. - 6d._ - - ‘The story is well written, and some of the scenes show great dramatic - power.’—_Daily Chronicle._ - -=Fenn.= THE STAR GAZERS. By G. MANVILLE FENN, Author of ‘Eli’s - Children,’ etc. _New Edition. Cr. 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - - ‘A stirring romance.’—_Western Morning News._ - - ‘Told with all the dramatic power for which Mr. Fenn is - conspicuous.’—_Bradford Observer._ - -=Dickinson.= A VICAR’S WIFE. By EVELYN DICKINSON. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Prowse.= THE POISON OF ASPS. By R. ORTON PROWSE. _Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d._ - -=Grey.= THE STORY OF CHRIS. By ROWLAND GREY. _Crown 8vo. 5s._ - -=Lynn Linton.= THE TRUE HISTORY OF JOSHUA DAVIDSON, Christian and - Communist. By E. LYNN LINTON. Eleventh Edition. _Post 8vo. 1s._ - - =HALF-CROWN NOVELS= - - 2/6 - - - _A Series of Novels by popular Authors, tastefully bound in cloth._ - - 1. THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. By F. MABEL ROBINSON. - 2. DISENCHANTMENT. By F. MABEL ROBINSON. - 3. MR. BUTLER’S WARD. By F. MABEL ROBINSON. - 4. HOVENDEN, V.C. By F. MABEL ROBINSON. - 5. ELI’S CHILDREN. By G. MANVILLE FENN. - 6. A DOUBLE KNOT. By G. MANVILLE FENN. - 7. DISARMED. By BETHAM EDWARDS. - 8. A LOST ILLUSION. By LESLIE KEITH. - 9. A MARRIAGE AT SEA. By W. CLARK RUSSELL. - 10. IN TENT AND BUNGALOW. By the Author of ‘Indian Idylls.’ - 11. MY STEWARDSHIP. By E. M’QUEEN GRAY. - 12. A REVEREND GENTLEMAN. By J. M. COBBAN. - 13. A DEPLORABLE AFFAIR. By W. E. NORRIS. - 14. JACK’S FATHER. By W. E. NORRIS. - - Other volumes will be announced in due course. - - - Books for Boys and Girls - -=Baring Gould.= THE ICELANDER’S SWORD. By S. BARING GOULD, Author of - ‘Mehalah,’ etc. With Twenty-nine Illustrations by J. MOYR SMITH. - _Crown 8vo. 6s._ - - A stirring story of Iceland, written for boys by the author of ‘In the - Roar of the Sea.’ - -=Cuthell.= TWO LITTLE CHILDREN AND CHING. By EDITH E. CUTHELL. Profusely - Illustrated. _Crown 8vo. 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