第12章
CHAPTERII。
LETTERSFORTHEPOST。
Nothingbutdroughtanddearth，butbushandbrake，Whichwaysoe"erIlook，Isee。
Somemaydreammerrily，butwhentheywake，Theydressthemselves，andcometothee。
GEORGEHERBERT——Home。
Hegothiswritingmaterials，andwrotetotheeffect，thatagraduateofaScotchuniversitywaspreparedtogiveprivatelessonsintheclassicsandmathematics，oreveninanyoftheinferiorbranchesofeducation，&c。，&c。ThishewouldtaketotheTimesnextday。
Assoonashehaddonethis，Dutyliftedupherhead，andcalledhim。Heobeyed，andwrotetohismother。Dutycalledagain；andhewrote，thoughwithmuchtrepidationandhumiliation，toDavidElginbrod。
Itwasagoodbeginning。HehadcommencedhisLondonlifeindoingwhatheknewheoughttodo。HistrepidationinwritingtoDavid，aroseinpart，itmustbeconfessed，fromthestrangeresultofoneoftheexperimentsatArnstead。
Thiswashisletter。Buthesatandmeditatedalongtimebeforehebeganit。
“MYDEARFRIEND，——IfIdidnotthinkyouwouldforgiveme，Ishouldfeel，nowthatIhaveonceallowedmymindtorestuponmyconducttoyou，asifIcouldneverholdupmyheadagain。Aftermuchoccupationofthoughtandfeelingwithotherthings，aseasonofsilencehascome，andmysinslookmeintheface。Firstofthemallismyneglectofyou，towhomIowemorethantoanymanelse，except，perhaps，myfather。Forgiveme，forforgiveness"sake。Youknowittakesalongtimeforachildtoknowitsmother。Ittakeseverythingasamatterofcourse，tillsuddenlyonedayitliftsupitseyes，andknowsthatafaceislookingatit。Ihavebeenlikethechildtowardsyou；butIambeginningtofeelwhatyouhavebeentome。Iwanttobegood。IamverylonelynowingreatnoisyLondon。Writetome，ifyouplease，andcomfortme。IwishIwereasgoodasyou。Theneverythingwouldgorightwithme。DonotsupposethatIamingreattroubleofanykind。AsyetIamverycomfortable，asfarasexternalcircumstancesgo。ButIhaveakindofachinginsideme。Somethingisnotright，andIwantyourhelp。
YouwillknowwhatImean。WhatamItodo？Pleasetoremembermeinthekindest，mostgratefulmannertoMrs。ElginbrodandMargaret。
ItismorethanIdeserve，butIhopetheyhavenotforgottenmeasIhaveseemedtoforgetthem。
“Iam，mydearMr。Elginbrod，“Youroldfriend，“HUGHSUTHERLAND。“
Imayaswellinserthereanotherletter，whicharrivedatTurriepuffit，likewiseaddressedtoDavid，somesixweeksaftertheforegoing。TheywerebothtakentoJanet，ofcourse：
“SIR，——Ihaveheardfromonewhoknowsyou，thatyoubelieve——reallybelieveinGod。ThatiswhyIwritetoyou。Itmayseemverystrangeinmetodoso，buthowcanIhelpit？Iamaveryunhappywoman，forIaminthepowerofabadman。Icannotexplainitalltoyou，andIwillnotattemptit；forsometimesIalmostthinkIamoutofmymind，andthatitisalladelusion。But，alas！delusionornot，itisadreadfulrealitytomeinallitsconsequences。Itisofsuchanaturethatnoonecanhelpme——butGod，iftherebeaGod；andifyoucanmakemebelievethatthereisaGod，Ishallnotneedtobepersuadedthathewillhelpme；forIwillbesiegehimwithprayersnightanddaytosetmefree。AndevenifIamoutofmymind，whocanhelpmebuthim？Ah！isitnotwhenwearedriventodespair，whenthereisnomorehelpanywhere，thatwelookaroundforsomepowerofgoodthatcanputrightallthatiswrong？Tellme，dearsir，whattodo。TellmethattherecertainlyisaGod；
elseIshalldieraving。Hesaidyouknewabouthimbetterthananybodyelse。
“Iam，honouredSir，“Yourobedientservant，“EUPHRASIACAMERON。
“Arnstead，Surrey，&c。，&c。“
David"sanswertothisletter，wouldhavebeensomethingworthhaving。ButIthinkitwouldhavebeenallsummedupinoneword：
Tryandsee：callandlisten。
ButwhatcouldJanetdowithsuchletters？Shedidtheonlythingshecould：shesentthemtoMargaret。
Hughfounditnogreathardshiptogotobedinthesameroominwhichhesat。Thebedlookedpeculiarlyinviting；for，strangetotell，itwasactuallyhungwiththesamepatternofold-fashionedchintz，asthebedwhichhadbeenhisfromhisearliestrecollection，tillhelefthisfather"shouse。Howcouldhemistakethetrees，growingwithtuftstotheground，orthegreatbirdswhichheusedtothinkwerecrows，notwithstandingtheirredandyellowplumage？Itwasalloverred，brown，andyellow。Hecouldremember，andreconstructtheveryfaces，distortedandawful，which，inthedeliriumofchildishsicknesses，heusedtodiscoverinthefoliageandstemsofthetrees。Itmadethewholeplaceseemtohimhomelyandkind。Whenhegottired，hekneltbyhisbedside，whichhehadnotdoneforalongtime，andthenwenttobed。
Hardship！No。Itwasverypleasanttoseethedyingfire，andhisbooksaboutandhispapers；andtodream，half-asleepandhalf-awake，thatthehouse-fairieswerestealingouttogambolforalittleinthefire-lightedsilenceoftheroomasheslept，andtovanishastheembersturnedblack。Hehadnotbeensohappyforalongtimeasnow。Thewritingofthatletterhadremovedaloadfromhisheart。True，wecanneverbeatpeacetillwehaveperformedthehighestdutyofall——tillwehavearisen，andgonetoourFather；buttheperformanceofsmallerduties，yes，evenofthesmallest，willdomoretogiveustemporaryrepose，willactmoreashealthfulanodynes，thanthegreatestjoysthatcancometousfromanyotherquarter。Hesoonfellasleep，anddreamedthathewasalittlechildlostinasnow-storm；andthatjustasthesnowhadreachedabovehishead，andhewasbeginningtobesmothered，agreathandcaughtholdofhimbythearmandliftedhimout；and，lo！thestormhadceased，andthestarsweresparklingoverheadlikediamondsthathadbeendrinkingthelightofthesunallday；andhesawthatitwasDavid，asstrongasever，whohadrescuedhim，thelittlechild，andwasleadinghimhometoJanet。Buthegotsleepyandfaintupontheway，whichwaslongandcold；andthenDavidliftedhimupandcarriedhiminhisbosom，andhefellasleep。
Whenhewoke，and，openinghiseyes，lookeduptohimwhoborehim，itwasDavidnolonger。Thefacewasthatwhichwasmarredmorethananyman"s，becausethesoulwithinhadlovedmore；itwasthefaceoftheSonofMan，andhewascarryinghimlikealambinhisbosom。Hegazedmoreandmoreastheytravelledthroughthecoldnight；andthejoyoflyingintheembraceofthatman，grewandgrew，tillitbecametoostrongforthebondsofsleep；andheawokeinthefogofaLondonmorning。
CHAPTERIII。
ENDEAVOURS。
And，evenshouldmisfortunescome，——I，herewhasit，haemetwi"some，An"sthankfu"forthemyet。
Theygiethewitofagetoyouth；
Theyletuskenoursel"；
Theymak"usseethenakedtruth，Therealguidandill。
Tho"losses，andcrosses，Belessonsrightsevere，There"switthere，ye"llgetthere，Ye"llfindnaeotherwhere。
BURNS。
HughtookhisadvertisementtotheTimesoffice，andpaidwhatseemedtohimanawfulamountforitsinsertion。ThenhewanderedaboutLondontillthemiddleoftheday，whenhewentintoabaker"sshop，andboughttwopennyloaves，whichheputinhispocket。
HavingfoundhiswaytotheBritishMuseum，hedevouredthemathisleisureashewalkedthroughtheGrecianandRomansaloons。“Whatistheuseofgoodhealth，“hesaidtohimself，“ifamancannotliveuponbread？”Porridgeandoatmealcakeswouldhavepleasedhimaswell；butthatfoodforhorsesisnotsoeasilyprocuredinLondon，andcostsmorethantheother。AcousinofhishadlivedinEdinburghforsixmonthsuponeighteen-penceaweekinthatway，andhadsleptthegreaterpartofthetimeuponthefloor，traininghimselfforthehardshipsofasoldier"slife。Andhecouldnotforgetthecollegeyouthwhomhiscomradeshadconsideredmean，tilltheylearnedthat，outofhispoorbursaryoffourteenpoundsasession，andwhathecouldmakebesidesbyprivateteachingattheratepreviouslymentionedorevenless，hehelpedhisparentstoeducateayoungerbrother；and，inordertodoso，livedhimselfuponoatmealandpotatoes。Buttheydidnotfindthisouttillafterhewasdead，poorfellow！Hecouldnotstandit。
Ioughtatthesametimetomention，thatHughrarelymadeuseofacrossingonamuddyday，withoutfindingahalf-pennysomewhereabouthimforthesweeper。Hewouldratherwalkthroughoceansofmud，thancrossatthenaturalplacewhenhehadnocoppers——especiallyifhehadpatentleatherbootson。
Afterhehadeatenhisbread，hewenthometogetsomewater。Then，ashehadnothingelsetodo，hesatdowninhisroom，andbegantomanufactureastory，thinkingitjustpossibleitmightbeacceptedbyoneorotherofthepseudo-literarypublicationswithwhichLondonisinundatedinhebdomadalfloods。Hefoundspinningalmostaseasyasifhehadbeenaspider，forhehadareadyinvention，andanaturalgiftofspeech；sothat，inafewdays，hehadfinishedastory，quiteasgoodasmostofthosethatappearinthebettersortofweeklypublications。This，inhismodesty，hesenttooneoftheinferiorsort，andheardnothingmoreofitthanifhehadflungitintothesea。Possiblyheflewtoolow。Hetriedagain，butwithnobettersuccess。Hisambitiongrewwithhisdisappointments，orperhapsratherwiththeexerciseofhisfaculties。Beforemanydayshadpassedhemadeuphismindtotryanovel。Forthreemonthsheworkedatthissixhoursadayregularly。Whenmaterialfailedhim，fromtheexhaustionconsequentuponuninterruptedproduction，hewouldrecreatehimselfbylyingfallowforanhourortwo，orwalkingoutinamoodformerelypassiveobservation。Butthisanticipates。
Hisadvertisementdidnotproduceasingleinquiry，andheshrunkfromspendingmoremoneyinsuchanapparentlyunprofitableappliance。Dayafterdaywentby，andnovoicereachedhimfromtheunknownworldoflabour。Hewentatlasttoseveralstationers"
shopsintheneighbourhood，boughtsomenecessaryarticles，andtooktheseopportunitiesofaskingiftheyknewofanyoneinwantofsuchassistanceashecouldgive。Butunpleasantashefeltittomakesuchinquiries，hesoonfoundthattomostpeopleitwasequallyunpleasanttoreplytothem。Thereseemedtobesomethingdisreputableinhavingtoanswersuchquestions，tojudgefromtheconstrained，indifferent，andsometimes，thoughnotoften，surlyanswerswhichhereceived。“Canitbe，“thoughtHugh，“asdisgracefultoaskforworkastoaskforbread？”Ifhehadhadathousandayear，andhadwantedasituationofanotherthousand，itwouldhavebeenquitecommendable；buttotrytoeludecoldandhungerbyinquiringafterpaltryshillings"worthsofhardlabour，wasdespicable。
Soheplacedthemorehopeuponhisnovel，andworkedatthatdiligently。Buthedidnotfinditquitesoeasyashehadatfirstexpected。Noonefindsanythingeithersoeasyorsodifficultas，inoppositemoods，hehadexpectedtofindit。Everythingispossible；butwithoutlabourandfailurenothingisachievable。Thelabour，however，comesnaturally，andexperiencegrowswithoutagonizingtransitions；whilethefailuregenerallypoints，initsdetectedcause，tothewayoffuturesuccess。Heworkedon。
Hedidnot，however，forgetthering。Frequentwerehismeditations，inthepausesofhisstory，andwhenwalkinginthestreets，astothebestmeansofrecoveringit。Ishouldrathersayanymeansthanbest；foritwasnotyetaquestionofchoiceanddegrees。Thecountcouldnotbuthaveknownthattheringwasofnomoneyvalue；thereforeitwasnotlikelythathehadstolenitinordertopartwithitagain。Consequentlyitwouldbeofnousetoadvertiseit，ortosearchforitinthepawnbrokers"orsecond-handjewellers"shops。Tofindthecrystal，itwasclearasitselfthathemustfirstfindthecount。
Buthow？——Hecouldthinkofnoplan。Anyalarmwouldplacethecountonthedefensive，andthejewelatoncebeyondreach。
Besides，hewishedtokeepthewholematterquiet，andgainhisobjectwithouthisoranyothernamecomingbeforethepublic。
Thereforehewouldnotventuretoapplytothepolice，thoughdoubtlesstheywouldbeabletodiscovertheman，ifhewereanywhereinLondon。Hesurmisedthatinallprobabilitytheyknewhimalready。Buthecouldnotcometoanyconclusionastotheobjecthemusthavehadinviewinsecuringsuchatrifle。
Hughhadallbutforgottenthecount"schequeforahundredguineas；
for，inthefirstplace，hehadneverintendedpresentingit——therepugnancewhichsomemindsfeeltousingmoneywhichtheyhaveneitherreceivedbygiftnoracquiredbyhonestearning，beingatleastequaltothepleasureothermindsfeelingainingitwithouttheexpenseofeitherlabourorobligation；andinthesecondplace，sinceheknewmoreaboutthedrawer，hehadfeltsurethatitwouldbeofnousetopresentit。Tomakethislatterconvictionacertainty，hedidpresentit，andfoundthattherewerenoeffects。
CHAPTERIV。
ALETTERFROMTHEPOST。
Hipolito。Isyourwifethendeparted？
Orlando。She"sanolddwellerinthosehighcountries，yetnotfromme：here，she"shere；agoodcoupleareseldomparted——DEKKER。
Whatwonderfulthingslettersare！Intremblingandhopethefingersunclasp，andthefoldedsheetdropsinto——no，notthepost-officeletter-box——butintospace。
Ihavereadastorysomewhereofapoorchildthatdroppedaletterintothepost-office，addressedtoJesusChristinHeaven。Anditreachedhim，andthechildhadheranswer。ForwasitnotChristpresentinthegoodmanorwoman——Iforgettheparticularsofthestory——whosentthechildthehelpsheneeded？Therewasnonecessityforhimtoanswerinperson，asinthecaseofAbgarus，kingofEdessa。
Outofspacefromsomewherecomestheanswer。Suchlettersasthosegiveninapreviouschapter，areeachaspirit-crysentout，likeaNoah"sdove，intotheabyss；andthespiritturnsitsear，whereitsmouthhadbeenturnedbefore，andleanslisteningforthespirit-echo——theechowithasoulinit——theansweringvoicewhichoutoftheabysswillenterbythegatenowturnedtoreceiveit。
Whosewillbethevoice？Whatwillbethesense？Whatchordsontheharpoflifehavebeenstruckafaroffbythearrow-wordsoftheletter？Whattoneswilltheysendbacktothelonging，hungeringear？Themouthhathspoken，thatthefaintingearmaybefilledbythereturnofitswordsthroughthealembicofanothersoul。
OnecauseofgreatuneasinesstoHughwas，that，forsometimeafterareplymighthavebeenexpected，hereceivednoanswerfromDavidElginbrod。Atlength，however，aletterarrived，uponthehand-writingofwhichhespeculatedinvain，perplexedwitharesemblanceinittosomewritingthatheknew；andwhenheopenedit，hefoundthefollowinganswertohisown：
“DEARMR。SUTHERLAND，——Yourlettertomyfatherhasbeensenttomebymymother，forwhatyouwillfeeltobethesadreason，thatheisnomoreinthisworld。ButIcannotsayitissoverysadtometothinkthatheisgonehome，wheremymotherandIwillsoonjoinhim。Truelovecanwaitwell。Norindeed，dearMr。Sutherland，mustyoubetoomuchtroubledthatyourletterneverreachedhim。
MyfatherwaslikeGodinthis，thathealwaysforgaveanythingthemomenttherewasanythingtoforgive；forwhenelsecouldtherebesuchagoodtime？——although，ofcourse，thepersonforgivencouldnotknowittillheaskedforforgiveness。But，dearMr。
Sutherland，ifyoucouldseemesmilingasIwrite，andcouldyetseehowearnestmyheartisinwritingit，Iwouldventuretosaythat，invirtueofmyknowingmyfatherasIdo——forIamsureI
knowhisverysoul，asnearashumanlovecouldknowit——Iforgiveyou，inhisname，foranythingandeverythingwithwhichyoureproachyourselfinregardtohim。Ah！howmuchIoweyou！Andhowmuchheusedtosayheowedyou！Weshallthankyouoneday，whenweallmeet。
“Iam，dearMr。Sutherland，“Yourgratefulscholar，“MARGARETELGINBROD。“
Hughburstintotearsonreadingthisletter，——withnooverpoweringsenseofhisownsin，forhefeltthathewasforgiven；butwithasuddeninsightintothebeautyandgrandeurofthemanwhomhehadneglected，andthewondrouslovelinesswhichhehadtransmittedfromthefemininepartofhisnaturetothewhollyfeminineandthereforedelicatelypowerfulnatureofMargaret。ThevisionhehadbeheldinthelibraryatArnstead，aboutwhich，aswellasaboutmanyotherthingsthathadhappenedtohimthere，hecouldformnotheorycapableofembracingallthefacts——thisvisionreturnedtohismind"seye，andhefeltthattheglorifiedfacehehadbeheldmustsurelyhavebeenMargaret"s，whetherhehadseenitinthebodyoroutofthebody：suchafacealoneseemedtohimworthyofthewriterofthisletter。Purposelyornot，therewasnoaddressgiveninit；andtohissurprise，whenheexaminedtheenvelopewiththeutmostcare，hecoulddiscovernopostmarkbuttheLondonone。Thedate-stamplikewiseshowedthatitmusthavebeenpostedinLondon。
“So，“saidhetohimself，“inmyquestofadevil，Imaycrossthetrackofanangel，whoknows？Buthowcanshebehere？”
Tothisofcoursehehadnoanswerathand。
CHAPTERV。
BEGINNINGS。
Sinceamanisboundnofarthertohimselfthantodowisely，chanceisonlytotroublethemthatstanduponchance——SIRPHILIP
SIDNEY——TheArcadia。
Meantimeafeeblestar，butsparklingsomeraysofcomfort，begantoshineuponHugh"swintryprospects。Thestararoseinagrocer"sshop。Foronedayhislandlady，whosegrimattentionshadbeenincreasingratherthandiminishing，addressedhimsuddenlyasshewasremovinghisbreakfastapparatus。Thiswasaveryextraordinaryevent，forsheseldomaddressedhimitall；andreplied，whenheaddressedher，onlyinthebriefestmannerpossible。
“Haveyougotanypupilsyet，Mr。Sutherland？”
“No——Iamsorrytosay。ButhowdidyoucometoknowIwantedany，MissTalbot？”
“Youshouldn"thavesecretsathome，Mr。Sutherland。Iliketoknowwhatconcernsmyownfamily，andIgenerallyfindout。“
“Yousawmyadvertisement，perhaps？”
TothissuggestionMissTalbotmadenootheranswerthantheusualcompressionofherlips。
“Youwouldn"tbeaboveteachingatradesman"ssontobeginwith？”
“Certainlynot。Ishouldbeveryhappy。Doyouknowofsuchapupil？”
“Well，Ican"texactlysayIdoknoworIdon"tknow；butIhappenedtomentiontomygrocerroundthecornerthatyouwantedpupils。
Don"tsuppose，Mr。Sutherland，thatI"minthewayoftalkingaboutanyyoungmenofmine；butit——“
“Notforamoment，“interruptedHugh；andMissTalbotresumed，evidentlygratified。
“Well，ifyouwouldn"tmindsteppingroundthecorner，Ishouldn"twonderifyoumightmakeanarrangementwithMr。Appleditch。Hesaidyoumightcalluponhimifyouliked。“
Hughjumpedup，andgothishatatonce；receivedthefewnecessarydirectionsfromMissTalbot，andsoonfoundtheshop。Therewereagoodmanypoorpeopleinit，buyingsugar，andsoap，&c。；andoneladyapparentlygivingalargeorder。AyoungmancametoHugh，andbentoverthecounterinarecipientposition，likealivepointofinterrogation。Hughanswered——
“Mr。Appleditch。“
“Mr。Appleditchwillbedisengagedinafewminutes。Willyoutakeaseat？”
Thegrocerwasoccupiedwiththeladyandherorder；butassoonasshedeparted，heapproachedHughbehindtherampart，andstoodtowardshimintheusualretailattitude。
“MynameisSutherland。“
“Sutherland？”saidMr。Appleditch；“IthinkI"ve"eardthenamesomewheres，butIdon"tknowtheface。“
“MissTalbotmentionedmetoyou，Iunderstand，Mr。Appleditch。“
“Oh！ah！Iremember。Ibegyourpardon。Willyoustepthisway，Mr。Sutherland？”
Hughfollowedhimthroughasortofdraw-bridgewhichheliftedinthecounter，intoalittleappendixatthebackoftheshop。Mr。
Appleditchwasameek-lookingman，withlargeeyes，plumppastycheeks，andathinlittleperson。
“"Owdedo，Mr。Sutherland？”saidhe，holdingouthishand，assoonastheyhadreachedthisretreat。
“Thankyou——quitewell；“answeredSutherland，shakinghandswithhimaswellashecould，thecontactnotbeingaltogetherpleasant。
“Soyouwantpupils，doyou，sir？”
“Yes。“
“Ah！wellyousee，sir，pupilsisscarceatthisseason。Theyain"ttobeboughtineveryshop——ha！ha！”(Thelaughwasverymild。)“ButIthinkMrs。Appleditchcouldfindyouone，ifyoucouldagreewithheraboutthecharge，youknow，andallthat。“
“Howoldishe？Aboy，Isuppose？”
“Well，you"reright，sir。Itisaboy。Notveryold，though。MySamuelisjustten，butawonderfulforwardboyforhisyears——blesshim！”
“Andwhatwouldyouwishhimtolearn？”
“Oh！LatinandGreek，andallthat。Weintendbringinghimupfortheministry——Ihopeyouropinionsaredecided，sir？”
“Onsomepoints，theyare。ButIdonotknowtowhatyourefer，exactly。“
“Imeantheologicalopinions，sir。“
“ButIshallnothavetoteachyourlittleboytheology。“
“Certainlynot，sir。ThatdepartmentbelongstohismotherandI。
Unworthyvessels，sir；mereearthenvessels；butfilledwiththegraceofGod，Ihope，sir。“
Thegrocerpartedhishands，whichhehadbeenrubbingtogetherduringthisconversation，andliftedthemupwardsfromthewrists，likethefinsofaseal；then，droppingthem，felltorubbingthemagain。
“Ihopeso。Well——youknowthebestwaywillbeforme——notknowingyouropinions——toavoideverythingofareligiouskind。“
“Ah！butitshouldbelineuponline，youknow；herealittle，andtherealittle，sir。Asthebowisbent，youknow——the——hoopismade，youknow，sir。“
HereMr。Appleditchsteppedtothedoorsuddenly，andpeepedout，asifhefearedhewaswanted；butpresentlyreturning，hecontinued：
“Buttime"sapreciousgift，sir，andwemustnotwasteit。So，ifyou"lldousthehonour，sir，todinewithusnextLord"sday——wemaycallitaworkofnecessity，youknow——youwillseethelittleSamuel，and——and——Mrs。Appleditch。“
“Ishallbeveryhappy。Whatisyouraddress，Mr。Appleditch？”
“YouhadbettercometoSalemChapel，Dervishtown，andwecangohometogether。Servicecommencesateleven。Mrs。Appleditchwillbegladtoseeyou。AskforMr。Appleditch"spew。Goo-oodmorning，sir。“
Hughtookhisleave，halfinclinedtosendanexcusebeforethedayarrived，anddeclinetheconnection。Buthisprinciplewas，totakewhateveroffered，andthusmakewayforthenextthing。Besides，hethusavoidedtheresponsibilityofchoice，fromwhichhealwaysshrunk。
Hereturnedtohisnovel；but，alas！theinventivefacultypoint-blankrefusedtoworkundertheweightofsuchaSundayinprospect。Hewanderedout，quitedispirited；but，beforelong，totakehisrevengeuponcircumstances，resolvedatleasttohaveadinneroutofthem。Sohewenttoachophouse，hadachopandaglassofale，andwasastonishedtofindhowmuchheenjoyedthem。
Infact，abstinencegavehisveryplaindinnermorethanallthecharmsofafeast——afactofwhichHughhasnotbeentheonlydiscoverer。HestudiedPunchallthetimeheate，androsewithhisspiritsperfectlyrestored。
“NowIaminforit，“saidhe，“Iwillbeextravagantforonce。“Sohewentandboughtacigar，whichhespunoutintothreemilesofsmoke，ashewanderedthroughShoreditch，andHoundsditch，andPetticoat-lane，gazingatthefacesofhisbrothersandsisters；
whichfaceshavingbeensomanyyearswraptinafogbothmoralandphysical，nowlookedoutofitasiftheywereonlythecondensednucleiofthesamefogandfilth。
AshewasreturningthroughWhitechapel，hepassedamanonthepavement，whoseappearancewassoremarkablethathecouldnothelplookingbackafterhim。Whenhereflectedaboutit，hethoughtthatitmusthavebeenacertainindescribableresemblancetoDavidElginbrodthathadsoattractedhim。Themanwasverytall。
Six-foot。Hughfeltdwarfedbesidehim；forhehadtolookrightup，ashepassed，toseehisface。Hewasdressedinloose，shabbyblack。Hehadhighandotherwiseverymarkedfeatures，andadarkcomplexion。Ageneralcarelessnessofdemeanourwasstrangelycombinedwithanexpressionofreposefulstrengthandquietconcentrationofwill。AthowmuchofthisconclusionHugharrivedafterknowingmoreofhim，Icannottell；butsuchwasthedescriptionhegaveofhimashesawhimfirst：anditwasthoroughlycorrect。Hiscountenancealwaysseemedtome(forIknewhimwell)torepresentanatureeverbentinonedirection，butneverinhaste，becauseneverindoubt。
Tocarryhisextravaganceanddissipationstillfurther，HughnowbetookhimselftothepitoftheOlympicTheatre；andnoonecouldhavelaughedmoreheartily，orcriedmorehelplessly，thatnight，thanhe；forhegavehimselfwhollyuptotheinfluencesoftherulerofthehour，theadmirableRobson。Butwhatwashissurprisewhen，standingupatthecloseofthefirstact，andlookingaroundandabovehim，hesaw，unmistakeably，thesameremarkablecountenancelookingdownuponhimfromthefrontrowofthegallery。
Hecontinuedhiscircuitofobservation，tryingtodiscoverthefaceofFunkelsteinintheboxesorcircles；butinvoluntarilyheturnedhisgazebacktothestrangecountenance，whichstillseemedbenttowardshis。Thecurtainrose，andduringthesecondactheforgotallabouteverythingelse。Atitscloseheglanceduptothegalleryagain，andtherewasthefacestill，andstilllookingathim。Atthecloseofthethirdactithadvanished，andhesawnothingmoreofitthatevening。Whentheafter-piecewasover，forhesatitout，hewalkedquietlyhome，muchrefreshed。Hehadneededsomerelaxation，aftermanydaysofcloseandcontinuouslabour。
ButawfullysolemnwasthefaceofgoodMissTalbot，assheopenedthedoorforhimatmidnight。Hughtookespecialpainswithhisbootsandthedoor-mat，butitwasofnouse：theausterityofhercountenancewouldnotrelaxintheleast。Sohetookhiscandleandwalkedup-stairstohisroom，sayingonlyashewent——beingunabletothinkofanythingelse：
“Goodnight，MissTalbot。“
Butnoresponseproceededfromtheoffendeddivinityoftheplace。
Hewenttobed，somewhatdistressedatthebehaviourofMissTalbot，forhehadaweaknessforbeingongoodtermswitheverybody。Butheresolvedtohaveitoutwithhernextmorning；andsofellasleepanddreamedofthestrangemanwhohadwatchedhimatthetheatre。
Herosenextmorningattheusualtime。Buthisbreakfastwasdelayedhalfanhour；andwhenitcame，themaidwaiteduponhim，andnothermistress，asusual。Whenhehadfinished，andshereturnedtotakeawaytheruins，heaskedhertosaytohermistressthathewantedtospeaktoher。Shebroughtbackamessage，whichshedeliveredwithsomedifficulty，andevidentlyundercompulsion——thatifMr。Sutherlandwantedtospeaktoher，hewouldfindherinthebackparlour。Hughwentdowninstantly，andfoundMissTalbotinadoublyfrozencondition，herfaceabsolutelybluewithphysicalandmentalcoldcombined。Shewaitedforhimtospeak。Hughbegan：
“MissTalbot，itseemssomethingiswrongbetweenyouandme。“
“Yes，Mr。Sutherland。“
“IsitbecauseIwasratherlatelastnight。“
“Ratherlate，Mr。Sutherland？”
MissTalbotshowednoexcitement。Withher，thethermometer，inplaceofrisingundertheinfluenceofirritation，steadilysank。
“Icannotmakemyselfaprisoneronparole，youknow，MissTalbot。
Youmustleavememyliberty。“
“Oh，yes，Mr。Sutherland。Takeyourliberty。You"llgothewayofalltherest。It"snousetryingtosaveanyofyou。“
“ButI"mnotawarethatIaminanyparticularwantofsaving，MissTalbot。“
“Thereitis！——Well，tillasinneriscalledandawakened，ofcourseit"snouse。SoI"lljustdothebestIcanforyou。WhocantellwhentheSpiritmaybepouredfromonhigh？Butit"sverysadtome，Mr。Sutherland，toseeanamiableyoungmanlikeyougoingthewayoftransgressors，whichishard。Iamsorryforyou，Mr。
Sutherland。“
Thoughtheicewasnotgoneyet，ithadbeguntomeltundertheinfluencesofHugh"sgood-temper，andMissTalbot"ssympathywithhisthreateningfate。Conscience，too，hadsomethingtodowiththechange；for，muchasoneofhertemperamentmusthavedislikedmakingsuchaconfession，sheendedbyadding，afterapause：
“Andverysorry，Mr。Sutherland，thatIshowedyouanybadtemperlastnight。“
PoorMissTalbot！Hughsawthatshewasgenuinelytroubledabouthim，andresolvedtooffendbutseldom，whilehewasunderherroof。
“Perhaps，whenyouknowmelonger，youwillfindIamsteadierthanyouthink。“
“Well，itmaybe。Butsteadinesswon"tmakeaChristianofyou。“
“Itmaymakeatolerablelodgerofme，though，“answeredHugh；“andyouwouldn"tturnmeintothestreetbecauseIamsteadyandnothingmore，wouldyou？”
“IsaidIwassorry，Mr。Sutherland。Doyouwishmetosaymore？”
“Blessyourkindheart！”saidHugh。“Iwasonlyjoking。“
HeheldouthishandtoMissTalbot，andhereyesglistenedasshetookit。Shepresseditkindly，andabandoneditinstantly。
Soallwasrightbetweenthemoncemore。
“Whoknows，“murmuredMissTalbot，“buttheLordmaysavehim？He"ssurelynotfarfromthekingdomofheaven。I"lldoallIcantomakehimcomfortable。“
CHAPTERVI。
ASUNDAY"SDINNER。
Somebooksareliesfraeendtoend，Andsomegreatlieswereneverpenned：
Evenministers，theyhaebeenkenned，Inholyrapture，Greatliesandnonsensebaithtovend，Andnail"twi"Scripture。
BURNS。
TothegreatdiscomposureofHugh，Sundaywasinevitable，andhehadtosetoutforSalemChapel。HefounditaneatlittleNoah"sArkofaplace，builtintheshapeofacathedral，andconsequentlysharinginthegeneraldisadvantagestowhichdwarfsofallkindsaresubjected，absurdityincluded。HewasshowntoMr。Appleditch"spew。Thatworthymanreceivedhiminsleekblackclothes，withwhiteneck-cloth，andSundayfacecomposedofanabsurdmixtureofstupidityandsanctity。Hestoodup，andMrs。Appleditchstoodup，andMasterAppleditchstoodup，andHughsawthattheceremonyoftheplacerequiredthatheshouldforcehiswaybetweenthefrontofthepewandthepersonofeachofthehumanbeingsoccupyingit，tillhereachedthetop，wheretherewasroomforhimtositdown。
Nootherrecognitionwastakentillafterservice。
Meantimetheministerascendedthepulpitstair，withallthesolemnityofoneoftheself-elect，andapriestbesides。Hewasjustoldenoughfortheintermittentattacksofself-importancetowhichallyouthisexposed，tohaveinhiscasebecomechronic。Hestoodupandworshippedhiscreatoraloud，afteramannerwhichseemedtosayineverytone：“BeholdIamhethatworshippethThee！
HowmightyartThou！”ThenhereadtheBibleinaquarrelsomesortofway，asifhewereabantam，andeveryversewereacrowofdefiancetothesinner。ThentheysangahymninafashionwhichbroughtdearoldScotlandtoHugh"smind，whichhasthesweetestsongsinitscottages，andtheworstsinginginitschurches，ofanycountryintheworld。Butitwasalmostequalledhere；thechiefcauseofitsbadnessbeingtheabsenceofamodestself-restraint，andconsequenttemperingofthetones，onthepartofthesingers；
sothattheresultwaswhatHughcoulddescribeonlyasscraichin。1
Iwasoncepresentattheworshipofsomebeingwhoissupposedbynegroestolovedrumsandcymbals，andallclangorousnoises。Theresemblance，accordingtoHugh"sdescription，couldnothavebeenaverydistantone。AndyetIdoubtnotthatsomethoughtsofworshippinglovemingledwiththenoise；andperhapstheharmonyofthesewiththesphericmelodies，soundedthesweetertotheangels，fromtheearthlydiscordinwhichtheywerelapped。
Thencamethesermon。ThetextwasthestoryofthegoodSamaritan。
Someidea，ifnotofthesermon，yetofthevalueofit，maybeformedfromthefact，thatthefirstthingtobeconsidered，or，inotherwords，thefirstheadwas，“TheculpableimprudenceofthemaningoingfromJerusalemtoJerichowithoutanescort。“
Itwasintruthastrange，grotesque，andsomewhatawfulmedley——notunlikeadanceofdeath，inwhichthepainterhasgivenherealovelyface，andthereabeautifularmoranexquisitefoot，tothewild-prancingandexultantskeletons。Butthepartsofthesermoncorrespondingtothebeautifulfaceorarmorfoot，werebutthefragmentsofScripture，shininglikegoldamidsttheworthlessoreoftheman"sownproduction——worthless，saveasgravelorchafforhuskshaveworth，inaworldwheredilution，andnotalwaysconcentration，isnecessaryforhealthfulness。
ButthereareIndianswhoeatclay，andthriveonitmoreorless，I
suppose。Thepowerofassimilationwhichagrowingnaturemustpossessisastonishing。Itwillfinditsfood，itsrealSundaydinner，inthemidstofawholecartloadofrefuse；anditwilldothewholeweek"sworkonit。OnnoothersuppositionwoulditbepossibletoaccountfortheearnestfaceofMissTalbot，whichHughespiedturneduptothepreacher，asifhisfaceweretheverystarintheeast，shiningtoguidethechosenkings。ItwaswellforHugh"spowerofendurance，thathehadheardmuchthesamethinginScotland，andthesamethingbetterdressed，andlessgrotesque，butmorelifeless，andatheartasill-mannered，inthechurchofArnstead。
Justbeforeconcludingtheservice，thepastormadeanannouncementinthefollowingterms：“Afterthecloseofthepresentservice，I
shallbefoundintheadjoiningvestrybyallpersonsdesirousofcommunicatingwithmeonthestateoftheirsouls，orofbeingadmittedtotheprivilegesofchurch-fellowship。Brethren，wehavethistreasureinearthenvessels，andsolongasthisvessellasts“——herehestruckhischestsothatitresounded——“itshallbefaithfullyandliberallydispensed。Letuspray。“
Aftertheprayer，hespreadabroadhisarmsandhandsasifhewouldclasptheworldinhisembrace，andpronouncedthebenedictioninastyleofarrogancethatthepopehimselfwouldhavebeenashamedof。
Theservicebeingthusconcluded，theorganabsolutelyblastedthecongregationoutofthechapel，sodiditstormandravewithafervouranythingbutdivine。
MyreadersmustnotsupposethatIgivethischapelasthetypeoforthodoxdissentingchapels。Igiveitonlyasanapproximatespecimenofalargeclassofthem。Thereligiouslifewhichthesecommunitiesoncepossessed，stilllingersinthoseofmanycountrydistrictsandsmalltowns，butis，Ifear，allbutgonefromthoseofthecitiesandlargertowns。Whatofitremainsinthese，hasitschiefmanifestationinthefungousgrowthofsuchchapelsastheoneIhavedescribed，thecongregationsthemselvestakingthisforasureindicationoftheprosperityofthebody。Howmuchevenofthekindofprosperitywhichtheyoughttoindicate，isinrealityatthefoundationoftheseappearances，Iwouldrecommendthosetojudgewhoareversedinthemysteriesofchapel-buildingsocieties。
AstoHugh，whetheritwasthatthewholewassuggestiveofEgyptianbondage，orthathisownmoodwas，atthetime，oftheleastcomfortablesort，Iwillnotpretendtodetermine；butheassuredmethathefeltallthetime，asif，insteadofbeinginachapelbuiltofbricksharmoniouslyarranged，asbythelyreofAmphion，hewerewanderinginthewaste，wretchedfieldwhencethesebrickshadbeendug，ofallplacesontheearth"ssurfacethemostmiserable，assailedbythenauseousodours，whichhavenotcharacterenoughtobedescribed，andonlyremindoneofthecoloursonasnake"sback。
Whentheyreachedtheopenair，Mr。AppleditchintroducedHughtoMrs。Appleditch，onthestepsinfrontofthechapel。
“ThisisMr。Sutherland，Mrs。Appleditch。“
Hughliftedhishat，andMrs。Appleditchmadeacourtesy。Shewasaverytallwoman——aheadbeyondherhusband，extremelythin，withsharpnose，hollowcheeks，andgoodeyes。Infact，shewaspartlypretty，andmighthavebeenpleasant-looking，butforalarge，thin-lipped，vampire-likemouth，andageneralexpressionofgreedandcontempt。Shewasmeantforalady，andhadmadeherselfamoney-maggot。Shewasrichlyandplainlydressed；anduntilshebegantobeatherease，mighthavepassedforanunpleasantlady。
MasterAppleditch，thefuturepastor，wasafatboy，dressedlikeadwarf，inafrockcoatandman"shat，withafaceinwhichthemeannessandkeennessstroveformastery，andbetweenthemkeptdowntheappearanceofstupidityconsequentonfatness。Theywalkedhomeinsilence，Mr。andMrs。Appleditchapparentlyponderingeitheruponthespiritualfoodtheyhadjustreceived，orthecorporealfoodforwhichtheywereabouttobethankful。
Theirhousewasoneofmanyinacrescent。Notcontentwithhissignintown，thegrocerhadalargebrassplateonhisdoor，withAppleditchengraveduponitincapitals：itsavedthemalwayslookingatthenumbers。Theboyranonbefore，andassailedthisdoorwithasuccessionofexplosiveknocks。
Assoonasitwasopened，inherushed，bawling：
“Peter，Peter，here"sthenewapprentice！Papa"sbroughthimhometodinner，becausehewasatchapelthismorning。“Theninalowertone——“Imeantohavearideonhisbackthisafternoon。“
Thefatherandmotherlaughed。Asolemnpriggishlittlevoiceanswered：
“Oh，no，Johnny。Don"tyouknowwhatdaythisis？ThisistheSabbath-day。“
“Thedearboy！”sighedhismother。
“Thatboyistoogoodtolive，“respondedthefather。
Hughwasshownintothedining-room，wherethetablewasalreadylaidfordinner。ItwasevidentthattheAppleditcheswerewell-to-dopeople。Theroomwasfullofwhatiscalledhandsomefurniture，inahighstateofpolish。Overthechimney-piecehungtheportraitofapreacheringownandbands，themostprominentofwhosefeatureswerehischeeks。
Inafewminutesthehostandhostessentered，followedbyapale-facedlittleboy，theownerofthevoiceofreproof。
“Comehere，Peetie，“saidhismother，“andtellMr。Sutherlandwhatyouhavegot。“Shereferredtosometoy——no，nottoy，foritwastheSabbath——tosomebook，probably。
Peetieansweredinasolemnvoice，mouthingeveryvowel：
“I"vegotfivebagsofgoldintheBankofEngland。“
“Poorchild！”saidhismother，withascornfulgiggle。“Youwouldn"thavemuchtoreckonon，ifthatwereall。“
Twoorthreegailydressedriflemenpassedthewindow。Thepoorfellows，unabletobearthelookoftheirSundayclothes，iftheyhadany，afterbeingusedtotheiruniform，hadcomeoutinallitsmagnificence。
“Ah！”saidMr。Appleditch，“that"sallverywellinastateofnature；butwhenamanisoncebornintoastateofgrace，Mr。
Sutherland——ah！”
“Really，“respondedMrs。Appleditch，“theworldlinessofthelowerclassesisquiteawful。Buttheyaresparedforadayofwrath，poorthings！IamsurethataccidentontherailwaylastSabbath，mighthavebeenawarningtothemall。Afterthattheycan"tsaythereisnotaGodthatrulethintheearth，andtakethvengeanceforhisbrokenSabbaths。“
“Mr。Idon"tknowyourname，“saidPeter，whoseageHughhadjustbeentryinginvaintoconjecture。
“Mr。Sutherland，“saidthemother。
“Mr。Slubberman，areyouaconvertedcharacter？”resumedPeter。
“Whydoyouaskmethat，MasterPeter？”saidHugh，tryingtosmile。
“Ithinkyoulookgood，butmammasaysshedon"tthinkyouare，becauseyousaySundayinsteadofSabbath，andshealwaysfindspeoplewhodoareworldly。“
Mrs。Appleditchturnedred——notblushed，andsaid，quickly：
“Petershouldn"trepeateverythinghehears。“
“NomoreIdo，ma。Ihaven"ttoldwhatyousaidabout——“Herehismothercaughthimup，andcarriedhimoutoftheroom，saying：
“Younaughtyboy！Youshallgotobed。“
“Oh，no，Ishan"t！”
“Yes，youshall。Here，Jane，takethisnaughtyboytobed。“
“I"llscream。“
“Willyou？”
“Yes，Iwill！”
AndsuchayellwasthereOfsuddenandportentousbirth，Asif……
tencatswerebeingcookedalive。
“Well！well！well！myPeetie！Heshan"tgotobed，ifhe"llbeagoodboy。Willhebegood？”
“MayIstayuptosupper，then？MayI？”
“Yes，yes；anythingtostopsuchdreadfulscreaming。Youareverynaughty——verynaughtyindeed。“
“No。I"mnotnaughty。I"llscreamagain。“
“No，no。Goandgetyourpinaforeon，andcomedowntodinner。
Anythingratherthanascream。“
Iamsickofallthis，anddoubtifitisworthprinting；butitamusedmeverymuchonenightasHughrelateditoverabottleofChablisandapipe。
HecertainlydidnotrepresentMrs。Appleditchinaveryfavourablelightonthewhole；buthetookcaretosaythattherewasacertainliberalityaboutthetable，andakindofheartinessinherwayofpressinghimtohavemorethanhecouldpossiblyeat，whichcontrastedstrangelywithherbehaviourafterwardsinmoneymatters。
Therearemanypeoplewhocanbeliberalinalmostanythingbutmoney。Theyseemtosay，“Takeanythingbutmypurse。“MissTalbottoldhimafterwards，thatthissameladywasquiteactiveamongstthepoorofherdistrict。Shemadeitarulenevertogivemoney，oratleastnevermorethansixpence；butsheturnedscrapsofvictualsandcast-offclothestothebestaccount；and，ifshedidnotmakefriendswiththemammonofunrighteousness，sheyetkeptaneyeontheeternalhabitationsinthedistributionofthecrumbsthatfellfromhertable。PoorMr。Appleditch，ontheotherhand，oftenembezzledashillingorahalf-crownfromthetill，fortheuseofapoormemberofthesamechurch——meaningbychurch，theindividualcommunitytowhichhebelonged；butofthis，Mrs。
Appleditchwascarefullykeptignorant。
Afterdinnerwasover，andthechildrenhadbeensentaway，whichwaseffectedwithoutagreateramountofdifficultythan，fromtheanticipativeprecautionsadopted，appearedtobelawfulandordinary，Mr。Appleditchproceededtobusiness。
“Now，Mr。Sutherland，whatdoyouthinkofJohnnie，sir？”
“Itisimpossibleformetosayyet；butIamquitewillingtoteachhimifyoulike。“
“He"saforwardboy，“saidhismother。
“Notadoubtofit，“respondedHugh；forherememberedtheboyaskinghim，acrossthetable：“Isn"tourMr。Lixom“——(thepastor)——“aoner？”
“Andveryeagerandretentive，“saidhisfather。
Hughhadseenthelittlegluttonpaintbothcheekstotheeyeswithdamsontart，andrendermorethanaquantityproportionatetothecolouring，invisible。
“Yes，heiseager，andretentive，too，Idaresay，“hesaid；“butmuchwilldependonwhetherhehasaturnforstudy。“
“Well，youwillfindthatoutto-morrow。Ithinkyouwillbesurprised，sir。“
“Atwhathourwouldyoulikemetocome？”
“Stop，Mr。Appleditch，“interposedhiswife。“Youhavesaidnothingyetaboutterms；andthatisofsomeimportance，consideringtherentandtaxeswepay。“
“Well，mylove，whatdoyoufeelinclinedtogive？”
“Howmuchdoyouchargealesson，Mr。Sutherland？Onlyletmeremindyou，sir，thatheisaverylittleboy，althoughstout，andthatyoucannotexpecttoputmuchGreekandLatinintohimforsometimeyet。Besides，wewantyoutocomeeveryday，whichoughttobeconsideredintherateofcharge。“
“Ofcourseitought，“saidHugh。
“Howmuchdoyousay，then，sir？”
“Ishouldbecontentwithhalf-a-crownalesson。“
“Idaresayyouwould！”repliedthelady，withindignation。
“Half-a-crown！That"s——sixhalf-crownsis——fifteenshillings。
Fifteenshillingsaweekforthatmiteofaboy！Mr。Sutherland，yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。“
“Youforget，Mrs。Appleditch，thatitisasmuchtroubletometoteachonelittleboy——yes，agreatdealmorethantoteachtwentygrownmen。“
“Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。YouaChristianman，andtalkoftroubleinteachingsuchalittlecherubasthat？”
“ButdoprayrememberthedistanceIhavetocome，andthatitwilltakenearlyfourhoursofmytimeeveryday。“
“Thenyoucangetlodgingsnearer。“
“ButIcouldnotgetanysocheap。“
“Thenyoucanthebetteraffordtodoit。“
Andshethrewherselfbackinherchair，asifshehadstruckthedecisiveblow。Mr。Appleditchremarked，gently：
“Itisgoodforyourhealthtowalkthedistance，sir。“
Mrs。Appleditchresumed：
“Iwon"tgiveafarthingmorethanoneshillingalesson。There，now！”
“Verywell，“saidHugh，rising；“thenImustwishyougoodday。Weneednotwastemoretimeintalkingaboutit。“
“SurelyyouarenotgoingtomakeanyuseofyourtimeonaSunday？”
saidthegrocer，mildly。“Don"tbeinahurry，Mr。Sutherland。Wetradespeopleliketomakethebestbargainwecan。“
“Mr。Appleditch，Iamashamedofyou。Youalwayswillbevulgar。
Youalwayssmelloftheshop。“
“Well，mydear，howcanIhelpit？Thesugarandsoft-soapwillsmell，youknow。“
“Mr。Appleditch，youdisgustme！”
“Dear！dear！Iamsorryforthat——SupposewesaytoMr。
Sutherland——“
“Now，youleavethattome。I"lltellyouwhat，Mr。
Sutherland——I"llgiveyoueighteenpencealesson，andyourdinnerontheSabbath；thatis，ifyousitunderMr。Lixominourpew，andwalkhomewithus。“
“ThatImustdecline“saidHugh。“ImusthavemySundaysformyself。“
Mrs。Appleditchwasdisappointed。Shehadcovetedtheadditionalimportancewhichthevisiblepossessionofalivetutorwouldsecureherat“Salem。“
“Ah！Mr。Sutherland，“shesaid。“AndImusttrustmychild，withanimmortalsoulinhisinside，toonewhowantstheLord"sonlydayforhimself！——forhimself，Mr。Sutherland！”
Hughmadenoanswer，becausehehadnonetomake。AgainMrs。
Appleditchresumed：
“Shallitbeabargain，Mr。Sutherland？Eighteen-pencealesson——that"snineshillingsaweek——andbegintomorrow？”
Hugh"sheartsunkwithinhim，notsomuchwithdisappointmentaswithdisgust。
Buttoamanwhoismakingnothing，theprospectofearningeversolittle，isirresistiblyattractive。Evenonashillingaday，hecouldkeephungeratarm"slength。Andabeginningishalfthebattle。Heresolved。
“Letitbeabargain，then，Mrs。Appleditch。“
Theladyimmediatelybrightenedup，andatonceputonhercompany-mannersagain，behavingtohimwithgreatpoliteness，andasneerthatwouldnotbehidawayunderit。FromthisHughsuspectedthatshehadmadeabetterbargainthanshehadhoped；butthediscoverywasnowtoolate，evenifhecouldhavebroughthimselftotakeadvantageofit。Hehatedbargain-makingasheartilyasthegrocer"swifelovedit。
Heverysoonrosetotakehisleave。
“Oh！”saidMrs。Appleditchtoherhusband，“butMr。Sutherlandhasnotseenthedrawing-room！”
Hughwonderedwhattherecouldberemarkableaboutthedrawing-room；
buthesoonfoundthatitwastheprideofMrs。Appleditch"sheart。
Sheabstainedfromalluseofitexceptupongreatoccasions——whenpartiesofherfriendscametodrinkteawithher。Shemadeapoint，however，ofshowingittoeverybodywhoenteredthehouseforthefirsttime。SoHughwasledup-stairs，toundergotheoperationofbeingshownthedrawing-room，andbeingexpectedtobeastonishedatit。
Iaskedhimwhatitwaslike。Heanswered：“Itwasjustwhatitoughttobe——richandugly。Mr。Appleditch，inhisdeacon"suniform，hungoverthefire，andMrs。Appleditch，inherwedding-dress，overthepiano；fortherewasapiano，andshecouldplaypsalm-tunesonitwithonefinger。Theroundtableinthemiddleoftheroomhadbooksingildedredandbluecoverssymmetricallyarrangedallroundit。ThisisallIcanrecollect。“
Havingfeastedhiseyesonthemagnificencethusdiscoveredtohim，hewalkedhome，moredepressedattheprospectofhisnewemploymentthanhecouldhavebelievedpossible。
OnhiswayheturnedasideintotheRegent"sPark，wherethesightofthepeopleenjoyingthemselves——foritwasafinedayfortheseason——partiallydispelledthesenseoflivingcorruptionandprematureburialwhichhehadexperiencedalldaylong。Hekeptasfarofffromtherankofopen-airpreachersaspossible，andreallywasabletothankGodthatalltheworlddidnotkeepScotchSabbath——adayneitherMosaic，norJewish，norChristian：notMosaic，inasmuchasitkillstheveryessenceofthefourthcommandment，whichisRest，transmutingitintowhatthechemistswouldcallamechanicalmixtureofserviceandinertia；notJewish，inasmuchasitistentimesmoresevere，andformal，andfullofnegations，thanthatoftheSabbatarianJewsreprovedbytheSaviourfortheiridolatryoftheday；andunchristian，inasmuchasitinsists，beyondappeal，ontheobservanceoftimesandseasons，abolished，asfaraslawisconcerned，bythewordofthechiefoftheapostles；andelevatesintoanespecialtestofpietyacustomnotevenmentionedbythefoundersofchristianityatall——that，namely，ofaccountingthisdaymoreholythanalltherest。
Theselastarebutoutsidereasonsforcallingitunchristian。
Therearefardeeperandmoreimportantones，whichcannotwellbeproducedhere。
ItisnotHugh，however，whoistobeconsideredaccountableforallthis，butthehistorianofhisfortunes，betweenwhomandthevisionofaLord"sDayindeed，therearisestoooftenthenightmare-memoryofaScotchSaabbath——betweenwhichanditscousin，theEnglishSunday，thereistoomuchofafamilylikeness。ThegrandmenandwomenwhomIhaveknowninScotland，seemtome，asIlookback，tomoveaboutinthemistsofaScotchSabbath，likeacompanyofway-wornangelsintheLimboofVanity，inwhichthereisnoairwhereupontosmitetheirsoundingwings，thattheymayriseintothesunlightofGod"spresence。
CHAPTERVII。
SUNDAYEVENING。
Nowrestethinmymemorybutthispoint，whichindeedisthechieftoyouofallothers；whichisthechoiceofwhatmenyouaretodirectyourselfto；foritiscertainnovesselcanleaveaworsetasteintheliquoritcontains，thanawrongteacherinfectsanunskilfulhearerwiththatwhichhardlywilleverout……Butyoumaysay，“HowshallIgetexcellentmentotakepainstospeakwithme？”
Truly，infewwords，eitherbymuchexpenseormuchhumbleness。
LetterofSirPhilipSidneytohisbrotherRobert。
Howmanythingswhich，atthefirstmoment，strikeusascuriouscoincidences，afterwardsbecomesooperativeonourlives，andsointerwovenwiththewholeweboftheirhistories，thatinsteadofappearinganymoreasstrangeaccidents，theyassumetheshapeofunavoidablenecessities，ofhomely，ordinary，lawfuloccurrences，asmuchintheirownplaceasanyshaftorpinionofagreatmachine！
ItwasduskbeforeHughturnedhisstepshomeward。Hewanderedalong，thinkingofEuphraandtheCountandthestolenrings。HegreatlydesiredtoclearhimselftoMr。Arnold。HesawthatthenatureoftheringtendedtojustifyMr。Arnold"ssuspicions；foramanwhowouldnotstealformoney"sworth，mightyetstealforvalueofanothersort，addressingitselftosomepeculiarweakness；andMr。Arnoldmighthavemetwithinstancesofthisnatureinhispositionasmagistrate。Hegreatlydesired，likewise，forEuphra"ssake，tohaveFunkelsteininhispower。Hisownringwasbeyondrecovery；butif，byitsmeans，hecouldholdsuchalashoverhimaswouldterrifyhimfromagainexercisinghisvillanousinfluencesonher，hewouldhesatisfied。
Whileplungedinthiscontemplation，hecameupontwopolicementalkingtogether。HerecognizedoneofthemasaScotchman，fromhisspeech。Itoccurredtohimatoncetoaskhisadvice，inamodifiedmanner；andamoment"sreflectionconvincedhimthatitwouldatleastdonoharm。Hewoulddoit。Itwasoneofthoseresolutionsatwhichonearrivesbyanarrowflightoftheintellect。
“Youareacountrymanofmine，Ithink，“saidhe，assoonasthetwohadparted。
“Ifye"reaScotchman，sir——maybeay，maybeno。“
“Whaurcomeyefrae，man？”
“Ou，Aberdeen-awa。“
“It"smineaincalf-country。An"whatdotheyca"ye？”
“Theyca"meJohnMacPherson。“
“Myname"sSutherland。“
“Eh，man！It"smyainmither"sname。Gie"sagrupo"yerhan"，MaisterSutherlan"——Eh，man！”herepeated，shakingHugh"shandwithvehemence。
“Ihavenodoubt，“saidHugh，relapsingintoEnglish，“thatwearesomecousinsorother。It"sveryluckyformetofindarelative，forIwantedsome——advice。“
Hetookcaretosayadvice，whichaScotchmanisgenerallypreparedtobestowofhisbest。Haditbeensixpence，thecousinshipwouldhaverequiredelaborateproof，beforethetreatycouldhavemadefurtherprogress。
“I"mfullyatyourservice，sir。“
“Whenwillyoubeoffduty？”
“Atnineo"clockpreceesely。“
“CometoNo。13，——Square，andaskforme。It"snotfar。“
“Wi"pleesir，sir，"gin"twartwiseasfar。“
HughwouldnothaveventuredtoaskhimtohishouseonSundaynight，whennorefreshmentscouldbeprocured，hadhenotrememberedasmallpig(Anglic？stonebottle)ofrealmountaindew，whichhehadcarriedwithhimwhenhewenttoArnstead，andwhichhadlainunopenedinoneofhisboxes。
MissTalbotreceivedherlodgerwithmoreshowofpleasurethanusual，forhecamelappedintheodourofthedeacon"ssanctity。
Butshewasconsiderablyalarmedandbeyondmeasureshockedwhenthepolicemancalledandrequestedtoseehim。Sallyhadrushedintohermistressindismay。
“Please"m，there"sapleacemanwantsMr。Sutherland。Oh！lor"m！”
“Well，goandletMr。Sutherlandknow，youstupidgirl，“answeredhermistress，trembling。
“Oh！lor"m！”wasallSally"sreply，asshevanishedtobeartheawfultidingstoHugh。
“Hecan"thavebeenhousebreakingalready，“saidMissTalbottoherself，assheconfessedafterwards。“Butitmaybeforgeryorembezzlement。Itoldthepoordeludedyoungmanthatthewayoftransgressorswashard。“
“Please，sir，you"rewanted，sir，“saidSally，outofbreath，andpaleasherSundayapron。
“Whowantsme？”askedHugh。
“Please，sir，thepleaceman，sir，“answeredSally，andburstintotears。
Hughwasperfectlybewilderedbythegirl"sbehaviour，andsaidinatoneofsurprise：
“Well，showhimup，then。“
“Ooh！sir，“saidSally，withaPlutonicsigh，andbegantoundothehooksofherdress；“ifyouwouldn"tmind，sir，justputonmyfrockandapron，andtakeajuginyourhand，an"thepleaceman"llneverlookatyou。I"lltakecareofeverythingtillyoucomeback，sir。“
Andagainsheburstintotears。
SallywasagreatreaderoftheFamilyHerald，andknewthatthiswasanorthodoxplanofrescuingaprisoner。ThekindnessofheranxietymoderatedtheexpressionofHugh"samusement；andhavingconvincedherthathewasinnodanger，heeasilyprevaileduponhertobringthepolicemanupstairs。
Overatumbleroftoddy，theweakeringredientsofwhichwereprocuredbySally"sgladconnivance，withalingeringideaofpropitiation，andagentlehintthatMissusmustn"tknow——thetwoScotchmen，seatedatoppositecornersofthefire，hadalongchat。
Theybeganabouttheoldcountry，andtheplacesandpeopletheybothknew，andbothdidn"tknow。IftheyhadmetontheshoresofthecentrallakeofAfrica，theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmorecouthytogether。AtlengthHughreferredtotheobjectofhisapplicationtoMacPherson。
“Whatplanwouldyouhavemepursue，John，togetholdofamaninLondon？”
“Icouldmanagethatforye，sir。Ikenmaistthehaillmengieo"
thedetaictives。“
“Butyousee，unfortunately，Idon"twish，forparticularreasons，thatthepoliceshouldhaveanythingtodowithit。“
“Ay！ay！Hm！Hm！Iseebrawly。Ye"llbeefterastraysheep，naedoot？”
Hughdidnotreply；soleavinghimtoformanyconclusionhepleased。
“Yesee，“MacPhersoncontinued，“it"snothateasytoabodythat"snouptothetrade。Haeyeonycluelike，tosetyespierin"upo"？”
“Nottheleast。“
Themanponderedawhile。
“Ihae"t，“heexclaimedatlast。“WhatafuleIwasnotothinko"
thatafore！Gin"tbeapuirbityow-lammielike，"atye"reefter，I"lltellyewhat：there"saeman，acountrymano"ourain，an"agentlemanforbye，that"lldomairforyeinthatway，nora"thedetaictivesthegither；an"that"sRobertFalconer，Esquire——Ikenhimweel。“
“ButIdon"t，“saidHugh。
“ButI"llintroduceyetill"im。Hebidescloseathan"here；roun"
twacornersjist。An"I"mthinkin"he"llbeathamethenoo；forI
sawhimgaeinthatget，aforeyecam"uptome。An"thesunerwegang，thebetter；forhe"snoayetobegottenhando"。Fegs！hemaybeinShoreditchorthis。“
“Butwillhenotconsideritanintrusion？”
“Na，na；there"snofearo"that。He"sonyman"san"ilkawoman"sfreen——sobehecandothemaguidturn；buthe"snofordrinkin"
anddaffin"an"that。Comeawa"，MaisterSutherlan"，he"syerverraman。“
Thusurged，Hughroseandaccompaniedthepoliceman。Hetookhimroundrathermorethantwocorners；butwithinfiveminutestheystoodatMr。Falconer"sdoor。Johnrang。Thedooropenedwithoutvisibleservice，andtheyascendedtothefirstfloor，whichwasenclosedsomethingaftertheScotchfashion。Herearespectablelookingwomanawaitedtheirascent。
“IsMr。Falconerathom"，mem？”saidHugh"sguide。
“Heis；butIthinkhe"sjustgoingoutagain。“
“Willyetellhim，mem，"athooJohnMacPherson，thepoliceman，wouldlikesairtoseehim？”
“Iwill，“sheanswered；andwentin，leavingthematthedoor。
Shereturnedinamoment，and，invitingthemtoenter，usheredthemintoalargebareroom，inwhichtherewasjustlightenoughforHughtorecognize，tohisastonishment，theunmistakeablefigureofthemanwhomhehadmetinWhitechapel，andwhomhehadafterwardsseenapparentlywatchinghimfromthegalleryoftheOlympicTheatre。
“Howareyou，MacPherson？”saidadeeppowerfulvoice，outofthegloom。
“Verraweel，Ithankye，Mr。Falconer。Hooareyeyersel"，sir？”
“Verywelltoo，thankyou。Whoiswithyou？”
“It"sagentleman，sir，bythenameo"Mr。Sutherlan"，whawantsyourhelp，sir，abootsomebodyorither"athe"senteresstitin，wha"sdisappeared。“
Falconeradvanced，and，bowingtoHughsaid，verygraciously：
“IshallbemosthappytoserveMr。Sutherland，ifinmypower。OurfriendMacPhersonhasrathertooexaltedanideaofmycapabilities，however。“
“Weel，MaisterFalconer，Ionlyjistspieratyersel"，whetherornoyewaseverdungwi"onythingyetookinhan"。“
Falconermadenoreplytothis。Therewasthestoryofawholelifeinhissilence——pastandtocome。
Hemerelysaid：
“Youcanleavethegentlemanwithme，then，John。I"lltakecareofhim。“
“Nofearo"that，sir。Deilabit！thougha"thepolicemeni"
Lonnonwarefter"im。“
“I"mmuchobligedtoyouforbringinghim。“
“Theobligation"sminesir——an"thegentleman"s。Goodnicht，sir。
Goodnicht，Mr。Sutherlan"。Ye"llkenwhaurtofin"meginyewantme。Yon"smybeatforanitherfortnicht。“
“Andyouknowmyquarters，“saidHugh，shakinghimbythehand。“I
amgreatlyobligedtoyou。“
“Notabit，sir。Orginyewar，yesudbehertilywelcome。“
“Bringcandles，Mrs。Ashton，“Falconercalledfromthedoor。Then，turningtoHugh，“Sitdown，Mr。Sutherland，“hesaid，“ifyoucanfindachairthatisnotillegallyoccupiedalready。Perhapswehadbetterwaitforthecandles。Whatapleasantdaywehavehad！”
“ThenyouhavebeenmorepleasantlyoccupiedthanIhave，“thoughtHugh，towhosemindreturnedtheimagesoftheAppleditchfamilyanditsdrawing-room，followedbytheanticipationofthedistastefuldutiesofthemorrow。Butheonlysaid：
“Ithasbeenamostpleasantday。“
“Ispentitstrangely，“saidFalconer。