CHAPTER I must go back with to the autumn of 1827 .
, as know , was ; and , by express desire , succeeded in the same quiet occupation , not very willingly , for ambition urged to higher aims , and self-conceit assured that , in disregarding its voice , was burying talent in the earth , and hiding light under a bushel .
had done utmost to persuade that was capable of great achievements ; but , who thought ambition was the surest road to ruin , and change but another word for destruction , would listen to no scheme for bettering either own condition , or that of .
assured it was all rubbish , and exhorted , with dying breath , to continue in the good old way , to follow steps , and those of before , and let highest ambition be to walk honestly through , looking neither to the right hand nor to the left , and to transmit to in , at least , as flourishing a condition as left to .
‘ Well !
— is one of ; and if devote talents to the cultivation of , and the improvement of agriculture in general , shall thereby benefit , not only , but , in some degree , : — hence shall not have lived in vain . ’
With such reflections as these was endeavouring to console , as plodded from , one cold , damp , cloudy evening towards the close of October .
But the gleam of a bright red fire through window had more effect in cheering spirits , and rebuking thankless repinings , than all the sage reflections and good resolutions had forced mind to frame ; — for was young then , remember — only four-and-twenty — and had not acquired half the rule over own spirit that now possess — trifling as that may be .
However , that haven of bliss must not be entered till had exchanged miry boots for a clean pair of shoes , and rough surtout for a respectable coat , and made generally presentable before ; for , with all kindness , was vastly particular on certain points .
In ascending to was met upon by .
need not tell this was .
is , know , , and , doubtless , no less lovely — in eyes — than on the happy day first beheld .
Nothing told then that , a few years hence , would be ; as , besides being more than commonly thick , it was protected by a redundant shock of short , reddish curls , that called auburn .
On entering found .
had swept the hearth , and made a bright blazing fire for reception ; had just brought in the tea-tray ; and was producing the sugar-basin and tea-caddy from the cupboard in the black oak side-board , that shone like polished ebony , in the cheerful twilight .
‘ Well !
here both are , ’ cried , looking round upon without retarding the motion of nimble fingers and glittering needles .
‘ Now shut the door , and come to the fire , while gets the tea ready ; ’m sure must be starved ; — and tell what ’ve been about all day ; — like to know what have been about . ’
‘ ’ve been breaking in the grey colt — no easy business that — directing the ploughing of the last wheat stubble — for has not the sense to direct — and carrying out a plan for the extensive and efficient draining of . ’
‘ That ’s !
— and , what have been doing ? ’
‘ Badger-baiting . ’
And here proceeded to give a particular account of sport , and the respective traits of prowess evinced by the badger and the dogs ; pretending to listen with deep attention , and watching animated countenance with a degree of maternal admiration thought highly disproportioned to its object .
‘ It ’s time should be doing something else , , ’ said , as soon as a momentary pause in narration allowed to get in a word .
‘ What can do ? ’
replied ; ‘ wo n’t let go to or enter ; and ’m determined to do nothing else — except make such a nuisance to all , that will be thankful to get rid of on any terms . ’
soothingly stroked stiff , short curls .
growled , and tried to look sulky , and then all took seats at the table , in obedience to the thrice-repeated summons of .
‘ Now take tea , ’ said ; ‘ and ’ll tell what ’ve been doing .
’ve been to call on ; and it ’s a thousand pities did n’t go with , , for was ! ’
‘ Well !
what of ? ’
‘ Oh , nothing !
— ’m not going to tell about ; — only that ’s , when is in a merry humour , and should n’t mind calling — ’ ‘ Hush , hush , !
has no such idea ! ’
whispered earnestly , holding up finger .
‘ Well , ’ resumed ; ‘ was going to tell an important piece of news heard — have been bursting with it ever since .
know it was reported a month ago , that was going to take — and — what do think ?
has actually been inhabited above a week !
— and never knew ! ’
‘ Impossible ! ’
cried .
‘ Preposterous !!! ’
shrieked .
‘ has indeed !
— and by ! ’
‘ Good gracious , dear !
is in ruins ! ’
‘ has had made habitable ; and lives , all alone — except ! ’
‘ Oh , dear !
that spoils it — ’d hoped was , ’ observed , while carving inch-thick slice of bread and butter .
‘ Nonsense , !
But is n’t it strange , ? ’
‘ Strange !
can hardly believe it . ’
‘ But may believe it ; for has seen .
went with .
is called , and is in mourning — not widow ’s weeds , but slightish mourning — and is quite young , say , — not above five or six and twenty , — but so reserved !
tried all could to find out who was and where came from , and , all about , but neither , with pertinacious and impertinent home-thrusts , nor , with skilful manoeuvring , could manage to elicit a single satisfactory answer , or even a casual remark , or chance expression calculated to allay curiosity , or throw the faintest ray of light upon history , circumstances , or connections .
Moreover , was barely civil to , and evidently better pleased to say ‘ good-by , ’ than ‘ how do do . ’
But says intends to call upon soon , to offer some pastoral advice , which fears needs , as , though is known to have entered early last week , did not make appearance at on Sunday ; and — , that is — will beg to accompany , and is sure can succeed in wheedling something out of — know , , can do anything .
And should call some time , ; it ’s only proper , know . ’
‘ Of course , .
Poor thing !
How lonely must feel ! ’
‘ And pray , be quick about it ; and mind bring word how much sugar puts in tea , and what sort of caps and aprons wears , and all about it ; for do n’t know how can live till know , ’ said , very gravely .
But if intended the speech to be hailed as a master-stroke of wit , signally failed , for laughed .
However , was not much disconcerted at that ; for when had taken a mouthful of bread and butter and was about to swallow a gulp of tea , the humour of the thing burst upon with such irresistible force , that was obliged to jump up from the table , and rush snorting and choking from ; and a minute after , was heard screaming in fearful agony in .
As for , was hungry , and contented with silently demolishing the tea , ham , and toast , while and went on talking , and continued to discuss the apparent or non-apparent circumstances , and probable or improbable history of ; but must confess that , after ’s misadventure , once or twice raised the cup to lips , and put it down again without daring to taste the contents , lest should injure dignity by a similar explosion .