In answer to this Hester, in a long letter, acknowledged
her mother’s love, and said that the memory
of those two days at Chesterton should lessen neither
her affection nor her filial duty; but, she went on
to say that, in whatever distress might come upon
her, she should turn to her husband for comfort and
support, whether he should be with her, or whether
he should be away from her. ‘But,’
she added, concluding her letter, ’beyond my
husband and my child, you and papa will always be
the dearest to me.’
Bollum
There was not much to enliven the house at Folking
during these days. Caldigate would pass much
of his time walking about the place, applying his
mind as well as he could to the farm, and holding up
his head among the tenants, with whom he was very
popular. He had begun his reign over them with
hands not only full but free. He had drained,
and roofed, and put up gates, and repaired roads,
and shown himself to be an active man, anxious to
do good. And now in his trouble they were very
true to him. But their sympathy could not ease
the burden at his heart. Though by his words
and deeds among them he seemed to occupy himself fully,
there was a certain amount of pretence in every effort
that he made. He was always affecting a courage
in which he felt himself to be deficient. Every
smile was false. Every brave word spoken was an
attempt at deceit. When alone in his walks,—and
he was mostly alone,—his mind would fix
itself on his great trouble, and on the crushing sorrow
which might only too probably fall upon that loved
one whom he had called his wife. Oh, with what
regret now did he think of the good advice which the
captain had given him on board the Goldfinder, and
of the sententious, timid wisdom of Mrs. Callender!
Had she,—his Hester, ever uttered to him
one word of reproach,—had she ever shuddered
in his sight when he had acknowledged that the now
odious woman had in that distant land been in his own
hearing called by his own name,—it would
have been almost better. Her absolute faith added
a sting to his sufferings.
Then, as he walked alone about the estate, he would
endeavour to think whether there might not yet be
some mode of escape,—whether something
might not be done to prevent his having to stand in
the dock and abide the uncertain verdict of a jury.
With Mr. Seely he was discontented. Mr. Seely
seemed to be opposed to any great effort,—would
simply trust to the chance of snatching little advantages
in the Court. He had money at command, if fifty
thousand pounds,—if double that sum,—would
have freed him from this trouble, he thought that
he could have raised it, and was sure that he would
willingly pay it. Twenty thousand pounds two
months since, when Crinkett appeared at the christening
would have sent these people away. The same sum,
no doubt, would send them away now. But then
the arrangement might have been possible. But
