AlthoughDanielhimselfwasunreasoning，hasty，impulsive——inaword，oftenthinkingandactingveryfoolishly——yet，somehow，eitherfromsomequalityinhischaracter，orfromtheloyaltyofnatureinthosewithwhomhehadtodealinhisevery—daylife，hehadmadehisplaceandpositionclearasthearbiterandlaw—giverofhishousehold。Onhisdecision，asthatofhusband，father，master，perhapssuperiornatureswaited。Sonowthathewasgoneandhadlefttheminsuchstrangenewcircumstancessosuddenly，itseemedasthoughneitherBellnorSylviaknewexactlywhattodowhentheirgriefwasspent，somuchhadeveryhouseholdactionandplanbeenregulatedbythethoughtofhim。MeanwhilePhiliphadslowlybeenarrivingattheconclusionthathewasmorewantedatMonkshaventolookafterDaniel'sinterests，tolearnwhatwerethelegalprobabilitiesinconsequenceoftheoldman'sarrest，andtoarrangeforhisfamilyaccordingly，thanstandingstillandsilentintheHaytersbankkitchen，toofulloffellow—feelingandheavyforebodingtocomfort，awkwardlyunsympatheticinappearancefromtheveryachingofhisheart。
　　Sowhenhisaunt，withinstinctivesenseofregularityandpropriety，begantoputawaythescarcelytasteddinner，andSylvia，blindedwithcrying，andconvulsivelysobbing，wasyettryingtohelphermother，Philiptookhishat，andbrushingitroundandroundwiththesleeveofhiscoat，said，——
　　'IthinkI'lljustgoback，andseehowmattersstand。'Hehadamoredistinctplaninhisheadthanthesewordsimplied，butitdependedonsomanycontingenciesofwhichhewasignorantthathesaidonlythesefewwords;andwithasilentresolutiontoseethemagainthatday，butadreadofbeingcompelledtoexpresshisfears，sofarbeyondtheirs，hewentoffwithoutsayinganythingmore。ThenSylvialifteduphervoicewithagreatcry。Somehowshehadexpectedhimtodosomething——what，shedidnotknow;buthewasgone，andtheywereleftwithoutstayorhelp。
　　'Hushthee，hushthee，'saidhermother，tremblingalloverherself;
　　'it'sforthebest。TheLordknows。'
　　'ButIniverthoughthe'dleaveus，'moanedSylvia，halfinhermother'sarms，andthinkingofPhilip。HermothertookthewordsasappliedtoDaniel。
　　'Andhe'dniverha'leftus，mywench，ifhecouldha'stayed。'
　　'Oh，mother，mother，it'sPhilipashasleftus，andhecouldha'stayed。'
　　'He'llcomeback，ormebbesend，I'llbebound。Leastwayshe'llbegonetoseefeyther，andhe'llneedcomfortmostonall，inafremdplace——inBridewell——andniveramorselofvictualorapieceo'money。'Andnowshesatedown，andweptthedryhottearsthatcomewithsuchdifficultytotheeyesoftheaged。Andso——firstonegrieving，andthentheother，andeachdrainingherownheartofeverypossiblehopebywayofcomfort，alternatelytryingtocheerandconsole——theFebruaryafternoonpassedaway;thecontinuousrainclosinginthedaylightevenearlierthanusual，andaddingtothedreariness，withthenaturalaccompanimentsofwailingwinds，comingwithlongsweepsoverthemoors，andmakingthesobbingsatthewindowsthatalwayssoundlikethegaspsofsomeoneingreatagony。
　　MeanwhilePhiliphadhastenedbacktoMonkshaven。Hehadnoumbrella，hehadtofacethedrivingrainforthegreaterpartoftheway;buthewasthankfultotheweather，foritkeptmenindoors，andhewantedtomeetnoone，buttohavetimetothinkandmaturehisplans。Thetownitselfwas，sotospeak，inmourning。Therescueofthesailorswasadistinctlypopularmovement;thesubsequentviolence（whichhad，indeed，gonemuchfurtherthanhasbeendescribed，afterDanielleftit）was，ingeneral，consideredasonlyakindofduepunishmentinflictedinwildjusticeonthepress—gangandtheirabettors。ThefeelingoftheMonkshavenpeoplewas，therefore，indecidedoppositiontothevigorousstepstakenbythecountymagistrates，who，inconsequenceofanappealfromthenavalofficersinchargeoftheimpressmentservice，hadcalledoutthemilitia（fromadistantandinlandcounty）stationedwithinafewmiles，andhadthussummarilyquenchedtheriotsthatwerecontinuingontheSundaymorningafterasomewhatlanguidfashion;thegreaterpartofthedestructionofpropertyhavingbeenaccomplishedduringthepreviousnight。Stilltherewaslittledoubtbutthattheviolencewouldhavebeenrenewedaseveningdrewon，andthemoredesperatepartofthepopulationandtheenragedsailorshadhadtheSabbathleisuretobroodovertheirwrongs，andtoencourageeachotherinapassionateattemptatredress，orrevenge。Sotheauthoritieswerequitejustifiedinthedecidedstepstheyhadtaken，bothintheirownestimationthen，andnow，inours，lookingbackontheaffairincoldblood。Butatthetimefeelingranstronglyagainstthem;
　　andallmeansofexpressingitselfinactionbeingprevented，menbroodedsullenlyintheirownhouses。Philip，astherepresentativeofthefamily，theheadofwhichwasnowsufferingforhisdeedsinthepopularcause，wouldhavemetwithmoresympathy，ay，andmorerespectthanheimagined，ashewentalongthestreets，glancingfromsidetoside，fearfulofmeetingsomewhowouldshyhimastherelationofonewhohadbeenignominiouslytakentoBridewellafewhoursbefore。ButinspiteofthiswincingofPhilip'sfromobservationandremark，heneverdreamedofactingotherwisethanasbecameabravetruefriend。Andthishedid，andwouldhavedone，fromanaturalfaithfulnessandconstancyofdisposition，withoutanyspecialregardforSylvia。
　　Heknewhisserviceswereneededintheshop;businesswhichhehadleftatamoment'swarningawaitedhim，unfinished;butatthistimehecouldnotbearthetortureofgivingexplanations，andallegingreasonstothelanguidintelligenceandslowsympathiesofCoulson。
　　HewenttotheofficesofMrDonkin，theoldestestablishedandmostrespectedattorneyinMonkshaven——hewhohadbeenemployedtodrawupthelawpapersanddeedsofpartnershipconsequentonHepburnandCoulsonsucceedingtotheshopofJohnandJeremiahFoster，Brothers。
　　MrDonkinknewPhilipfromthiscircumstance。But，indeed，nearlyeveryoneinMonkshavenkneweachother;ifnotenoughtospeakto，atleastenoughtobeacquaintedwiththepersonalappearanceandreputationofmostofthosewhomtheymetinthestreets。ItsohappenedthatMrDonkinhadafavourableopinionofPhilip;andperhapsforthisreasonthelatterhadashortertimetowaitbeforeheobtainedaninterviewwiththeheadofthehouse，thanmanyoftheclientswhocameforthatpurposefromtownorcountryformanymilesround。
　　Philipwasusheredin。MrDonkinsatewithhisspectaclespusheduponhisforehead，readytowatchhiscountenanceandlistentohiswords。
　　'Goodafternoon，MrHepburn！'
　　'Goodafternoon，sir。'Philiphesitatedhowtobegin。MrDonkinbecameimpatient，andtappedwiththefingersofhislefthandonhisdesk。Philip'ssensitivenervesfeltandrightlyinterpretedtheaction。
　　'Please，sir，I'mcometospeaktoyouaboutDanielRobson，ofHaytersbankFarm。'
　　'DanielRobson？'saidMrDonkin，afterashortpause，totryandcompelPhilipintospeedinhisstory。
　　'Yes，sir。He'sbeentakenuponaccountofthisaffair，sir，aboutthepress—gangonSaturdaynight。'
　　'Tobesure！IthoughtIknewthename。'AndMrDonkin'sfacebecamegrayer，andtheexpressionmoreconcentrated。LookingupsuddenlyatPhilip，hesaid，'YouareawarethatIamtheclerktothemagistrates？'
　　'No，sir，'inatonethatindicatedtheunexpressed'Whatthen？'
　　'Well，butIam。Andsoofcourse，ifyouwantmyservicesoradviceinfavourofaprisonerwhomtheyhavecommitted，oraregoingtocommit，youcan'thavethem，that'sall。'
　　'Iamverysorry——very！'saidPhilip;andthenhewasagainsilentforaperiod;longenoughtomakethebusyattorneyimpatient。
　　'Well，MrHepburn，haveyouanythingelsetosaytome？'
　　'Yes，sir。I'veadealtoaskofyou;foryouseeIdon'trightlyunderstandwhattodo;andyetI'mallasDaniel'swifeanddaughterhastolookto;
　　andI'vetheirgriefheavyonmyheart。YoucouldnottellmewhatistobedonewithDaniel，couldyou，sir？'
　　'He'llbebroughtupbeforethemagistratesto—morrowmorningforfinalexamination，alongwiththeothers，youknow，beforehe'ssenttoYorkCastletotakehistrialatthespringassizes。'
　　'ToYorkCastle，sir？'
　　MrDonkinnodded，asifwordsweretooprecioustowaste。
　　'Andwhenwillhego？'askedpoorPhilip，indismay。
　　'To—morrow:mostprobablyassoonastheexaminationisover。Theevidenceisclearastohisbeingpresent，aidingandabetting，——indictedonthe4thsectionof1GeorgeI。，statute1，chapter5。I'mafraidit'sabadlook—out。Isheafriendofyours，MrHepburn？'
　　'Onlyanuncle，sir，'saidPhilip，hisheartgettingfull;morefromMrDonkin'smannerthanfromhiswords。'Butwhatcantheydotohim，sir？'
　　'Do？'MrDonkinhalfsmiledattheignorancedisplayed。'Why，hanghim，tobesure;ifthejudgeisinahangingmood。He'sbeeneitheraprincipalintheoffence，oraprincipalintheseconddegree，and，assuch，liabletothefullpunishment。Idrewupthewarrantmyselfthismorning，thoughIlefttheexactnametobefilledupbymyclerk。'
　　'Oh，sir！canyoudonothingforme？'askedPhilip，withsharpbeseechinginhisvoice。Hehadneverimaginedthatitwasacapitaloffence;andthethoughtofhisaunt'sandSylvia'signoranceofthepossiblefateawaitinghimwhomtheysomuchloved，waslikeastabtohisheart。
　　'No，mygoodfellow。I'msorry;but，yousee，it'smydutytodoallIcantobringcriminalstojustice。'
　　'Myunclethoughthewasdoingsuchafinedeed。'
　　'Demolishingandpullingdown，destroyingandburningdwelling—housesandouthouses，'saidMrDonkin。'Hemusthavesomepeculiarnotions。'
　　'Thepeopleissomadwiththepress—gang，andDanielhasbeenatseahisself;andtookitsotoheartwhenheheardofmarinersandseafaringfolkbeingcarriedoff，andjustcheatedintodoingwhatwaskindandhelpful——leastways，whatwouldhavebeenkindandhelpful，iftherehadbeenafire。I'magainstviolenceandriotsmyself，sir，I'msure;butIcannothelpthinkingasDanielhadadealtojustifyhimonSaturdaynight，sir。'
　　'Well;youmusttryandgetagoodlawyertobringoutallthatsideofthequestion。There'sagooddealtobesaidonit，butit'smydutytogetupalltheevidencetoprovethatheandotherswerepresentonthenightinquestion;so，asyou'llperceive，Icangiveyounohelpindefendinghim。'
　　'Butwhocan，sir？Icametoyouasafriendwho，Ithought，wouldseemethroughit。AndIdon'tknowanyotherlawyer;leastways，tospeakto。'
　　MrDonkinwasreallymoreconcernedforthemisguidedriotersthanhewasaware;andhewasawareofmoreinterestthanhecaredtoexpress。
　　Sohesoftenedhistonealittle，andtriedtogivethebestadviceinhispower。
　　'You'dbettergotoEdwardDawsonontheothersideoftheriver;hethatwasarticledclerkwithmetwoyearsago，youknow。He'sacleverfellow，andhasnottoomuchpractice;he'lldothebesthecanforyou。
　　He'llhavetobeatthecourt—house，tellhim，to—morrowmorningatten，whenthejusticesmeet。He'llwatchthecaseforyou;andthenhe'llgiveyouhisopinion，andtellyouwhattodo。Youcan'tdobetterthanfollowhisadvice。ImustdoallIcantocollectevidenceforaconviction，youknow。'
　　Philipstoodup，lookedathishat，andthencameforwardandlaiddownsixandeightpenceonthedeskinablushing，awkwardway。
　　'Pooh！pooh！'saidMrDonkin，pushingthemoneyaway。'Don'tbeafool;
　　you'llneeditallbeforethetrial'sover。I'vedonenothing，man。Itwouldbeaprettythingformetobefeedbybothparties。'
　　Philiptookupthemoney，andlefttheroom。Inaninstanthecamebackagain，glancedfurtivelyatMrDonkin'sface，andthen，oncemorehavingrecoursetobrushinghishat，hesaid，inalowvoice——
　　'You'llnotbeharduponhim，sir，Ihope？'
　　'Imustdomyduty，'repliedMrDonkin，alittlesternly，'withoutanyquestionofhardness。'
　　Philip，discomfited，lefttheroom;aninstantofthoughtandMrDonkinhadjumpedup，andhasteningtothedoorheopeneditandcalledafterPhilip。
　　'Hepburn——Hepburn——Isay，he'llbetakentoYorkassoonasmaybeto—morrowmorning;ifanyonewantstoseehimbeforethen，they'dbetterlooksharpaboutit。'
　　PhilipwentquicklyalongthestreetstowardsMrDawson's，ponderinguponthemeaningofallthathehadheard，andwhathehadbetterdo。HehadmadehisplansprettyclearlyoutbythetimehearrivedatMrDawson'ssmartdoorinoneofthenewstreetsontheothersideoftheriver。A
　　clerkassmartasthedooransweredPhilip'shesitatingknock，andrepliedtohisinquiryastowhetherMrDawsonwasathome，inthenegative，adding，afteramoment'spause——
　　'He'llbeathomeinlessthananhour;he'sonlygonetomakeMrsDawson'swill——MrsDawson，ofCollyton——she'snotexpectedtogetbetter。'
　　Probablytheclerkofanolder—establishedattorneywouldnothavegivensomanyparticularsastothenatureofhismaster'semployment;but，asithappeneditwasofnoconsequence，theunnecessaryinformationmadenoimpressiononPhilip'smind;hethoughtthematteroverandthensaid——
　　'I'llbebackinanhour，then。It'sgoneaquartertofour;I'llbebackbeforefive，tellMrDawson。'
　　HeturnedonhisheelandwentbacktotheHighStreetasfastashecould，withafarmorepromptanddecidedstepthanbefore。Hehastenedthroughthestreets，emptiedbythebadweather，totheprincipalinnofthetown，theGeorge——thesignofwhichwasfastenedtoapieceofwoodstretchedacrossthenarrowstreet;andgoinguptothebarwithsometimidity（fortheinnwasfrequentedbythegentryofMonkshavenandtheneighbourhood，andwasconsideredasatouchabovesuchcustomersasPhilip），heaskedifhecouldhaveatax—cartmadereadyinaquarterofanhour，andsentuptothedoorofhisshop。
　　'Tobesurehecould;howfarwasittogo？'
　　Philiphesitatedbeforehereplied——
　　'UptheKnottingLane，tothestileleadingdowntoHaytersbankFarm;
　　they'llhavetowaitthereforsomeasarecoming。'
　　'Theymustnotwaitlongsuchaneveningasthis;standinginsuchrainandwindasthere'llbeupthere，isenoughtokillahorse。'
　　'Theyshan'twaitlong，'saidPhilip，decisively:'inaquarterofanhour，mind。'
　　Henowwentbacktotheshop，beatingagainstthestorm，whichwasincreasingasthetidecameinandthenighthoursapproached。
　　Coulsonhadnowordforhim，buthelookedreproachfullyathispartnerforhislong，unexplainedabsence。Hesterwasputtingawaytheribbonsandhandkerchiefs，andbright—colouredthingswhichhadbeenusedtodeckthewindow;fornomorecustomerswerelikelytocomethisnightthroughtheblusteringweathertoashopdimlylightedbytwotallowcandlesandaninefficientoil—lamp。Philipcameuptoher，andstoodlookingatherwithunseeingeyes;butthestrangeconsciousnessofhisfixedstaremadeheruncomfortable，andcalledthefaintflushtoherpalecheeks，andatlengthcompelledher，asitwere，tospeak，andbreakthespellofthesilence。So，curiouslyenough，allthreespokeatonce。Hesterasked（withoutlookingatPhilip）——
　　'Yo'resadlywet，I'mfeared？'
　　Coulsonsaid——
　　'Thoumighthaveabito'newstotelloneafterbeingonthegadallafternoon。'
　　PhilipwhisperedtoHester——
　　'Wiltcomeintot'parlour？Iwantawordwi'theebyoursel's。'
　　Hesterquietlyfinishedrollinguptheribbonshehadinherhandswhenhespoke，andthenfollowedhimintotheroombehindtheshopbeforespokenof。
　　Philipsetdownonthetablethecandlewhichhehadbroughtoutoftheshop，andturningroundtoHester，tookhertremblinghandintobothofhis，andgrippingitnervously，said——
　　'Oh！Hester，thoumusthelpme——thouwill，willnotthou？'
　　Hestergulpeddownsomethingthatseemedtoriseinherthroatandchokeher，beforesheanswered。
　　'Anything，thouknows，Philip。'
　　'Yes，yes，Iknow。Thouseesthematteristhis:DanielRobson——hewhomarriedmyaunt——istakenupforyonriotonSaturdaynightatt'Mariners'
　　Arms————'
　　'Theyspokeonitthisafternoon;theysaidthewarrantwasout，'saidHester，fillingupthesentenceasPhiliphesitated，lostforaninstantinhisownthoughts。
　　'Ay！thewarrantisout，andhe'sint'lock—up，andwillbecarriedtoYorkCastleto—morrowmorn;andI'mafeareditwillgobadwithhim;
　　andtheyatHaytersbankisnotprepared，andtheymustseehimagainbeforehegoes。Now，Hester，willthougoinatax—cartaswillbehereinlessthantenminutesfromt'George，andbringthembackhere，andtheymuststayallnightfortobereadytoseehimto—morrowbeforehegoes？It'sdreeweatherforthem，butthey'llnotmindthat。'
　　HehadusedwordsasifhewasmakingarequesttoHester;buthedidnotseemtoawaitheranswer，sosurewashethatshewouldgo。Shenoticedthis，andnoticedalsothattherainwasspokenofinreferencetothem，nottoher。Acoldshadowpassedoverherheart，thoughitwasnothingmorethanshealreadyknew——thatSylviawastheonecentreofhisthoughtsandhislove。
　　'I'llgoputonmythingsatonce，'saidshe，gently。
　　Philippressedherhandtenderly，aglowofgratitudeoverspreadhim。
　　'Thou'sarealgoodone，Godblessthee！'saidhe。'Thoumusttakecareofthyself，too，'continuedhe;'there'swrapsandplentyi'th'house，andiftherearenot，there'sthosei'theshopas'llbenonetheworseforoncewearingatsuchatimeasthis;andwraptheewellup，andtakeshawlsandcloaksforthem，andmindastheyput'emon。Thou'llhavetogetoutatastile，I'lltellt'driverwhere;andthoumustgetovert'
　　stileandfollowt'pathdowntwofields，andth'houseisrightbeforeye，andbid'emmakehasteandlockupth'house，fortheymunstayallnighthere。Kester'lllookafterthings。'
　　AllthistimeHesterwashastilyputtingonherhatandcloak，whichshehadfetchedfromtheclosetwheretheyusuallyhungthroughtheday;
　　nowshestoodlistening，asitwere，forfinaldirections。
　　'Butsupposetheywillnotcome，'saidshe;'theydunnotknowme，andmayn'tbelievemywords。'
　　'Theymust，'saidhe，impatiently。'Theydon'tknowwhatawaits'em，'
　　hecontinued。'I'lltellthee，becausethou'llnotletout，anditseemsasifImuntellsomeone——itweresuchashock——he'stobetriedfor'slife。Theyknownotit'ssoserious;and，Hester，'saidhe，goingoninhissearchaftersympathy，'she'slikeasifshewasboundupinherfather。'
　　HislipsquiveredashelookedwistfullyintoHester'sfaceatthesewords。Noneedtotellherwhowasshe。Noneedtoputintowordsthefact，toldplainerthanwordscouldhavespokenit，thathisheartwasboundupinSylvia。
　　Hester'sface，insteadofrespondingtohislook，contractedalittle，and，forthelifeofher，shecouldnothavehelpedsaying，——
　　'Whydon'tyo'goyourself，Philip？'
　　'Ican't，Ican't，'saidhe，impatiently。I'dgivetheworldtogo，forImightbeabletocomforther;butthere'slawyerstosee，andiversomuchtodo，andthey'veniveramanfriendbutmetodoitall。You'lltellher，'saidPhilip，insinuatingly，asifafreshthoughthadstruckhim，'ashowIwouldha'come。Iwouldfainha'comefor'em，myself，butIcouldn't，becauseofth'lawyer——mindyo'saybecauseofth'lawyer。
　　I'dbeloathforhertothinkIwasmindinganybusinessofmyownatthistime;and，whateveryo'do，speakhopeful，and，fort'lifeofyo'，don'tspeakofth'hanging，it'slikelyit'samistakeo'Donkin's;andanyhow——there'st'cart——anyhowIshouldperhapsnotha'telledthee，butit'sacomforttomakeacleanbreasttoafriendattimes。Godblessthee，Hester。I
　　don'tknowwhatIshouldha'donewithoutthee，'saidhe，ashewrappedherwellupinthecart，andplacedthebundlesofcloaksandthingsbyherside。
　　Alongthestreet，inthejoltingcart，aslongasHestercouldseethemistylightstreamingoutoftheshopdoor，solongwasPhilipstandingbareheadedintherainlookingafterher。Butsheknewthatitwasnotherownpoorselfthatattractedhislingeringgaze。Itwasthethoughtofthepersonshewasboundto。
　　chapter26CHAPTERXXVIADREARYVIGILThroughthedarkrain，againstthecoldwind，shakenovertheroughstones，wentHesterinthelittletax—cart。Herheartkeptrisingagainstherfate;
　　thehottearscameunbiddentohereyes。Butrebelliousheartwassoothed，andhottearsweresentbacktotheirsourcebeforethetimecameforheralighting。
　　Thedriverturnedhishorseinthenarrowlane，andshoutedafterheraninjunctiontomakehasteas，withherheadbentlow，shestruggleddowntothepathtoHaytersbankFarm。Shesawthelightinthewindowfromthetopofthebrow，andinvoluntarilysheslackenedherpace。ShehadneverseenBellRobson，andwouldSylviarecollecther？Ifshedidnot，howawkwarditwouldbetogivetheexplanationofwhoshewas，andwhathererrandwas，andwhyshewassent。Nevertheless，itmustbedone;soonshewent，andstandingwithinthelittleporch，sheknockedfaintlyatthedoor;
　　butintheblusteroftheelementsthesoundwaslost。Againsheknocked，andnowthemurmurofwomen'svoicesinsidewashushed，andsomeonecamequicklytothedoor，andopeneditsharply。
　　ItwasSylvia。Althoughherfacewascompletelyinshadow，ofcourseHesterknewherwell;butshe，ifindeedshewouldhaverecognizedHesterlessdisguised，didnotknowintheleastwhothewoman，muffledupinagreatcloak，withherhattieddownwithasilkhandkerchief，standingintheporchatthistimeofnight，couldbe。Nor，indeed，wassheinamoodtocareortoinquire。Shesaidhastily，inavoicerenderedhoarseandaridwithgrief:
　　'Goaway。Thisisnohouseforstrangerstocometo。We'veenoughonourowntothinkon;'andshehastilyshutthedoorinHester'sface，beforethelattercouldputtogethertherightwordsinwhichtoexplainhererrand。
　　Hesterstoodoutsideinthedark，wetporchdiscomfited，andwonderinghownexttoobtainahearingthroughtheshutandbolteddoor。Notlongdidshestand，however;someonewasagainatthedoor，talkinginavoiceofdistressandremonstranceandslowlyunbarringthebolts。Atall，thinfigureofanelderlywomanwasseenagainstthewarmfire—lightinsideassoonasthedoorwasopened;ahandwasputout，likethatwhichtookthedoveintotheark，andHesterwasdrawnintothewarmthandthelight，whileBell'svoicewentonspeakingtoSylviabeforeaddressingthedrippingstranger——
　　'It'snotanighttoturnadogfra't'door;it'silllettingourgriefhardenourhearts。Butoh！missus'（toHester），'yo'munforgiveus，foragreatsorrowhasfallenuponusthisday，an'we'relikebesideourselveswi'cryingan'plaining。'
　　Bellsatedown，andthrewherapronoverherpoorwornface，asifdecentlytoshieldthesignsofhermiseryfromastranger'sgaze。Sylvia，alltear—swollen，andlookingaskanceandalmostfiercelyatthestrangerwhohadmadegoodherintrusion，wasdrawn，asitwere，tohermother'sside，and，kneelingdownbyher，putherarmsroundherwaist，andalmostlayacrossherlap，stillgazingatHesterwithcold，distrustfuleyes，theexpressionofwhichrepelledanddauntedthatpoor，unwillingmessenger，andmadehersilentforaminuteorsoafterherentrance。Bellsuddenlyputdownherapron。
　　'Yo'recoldanddrenched，'saidshe。'Comeneartot'fireandwarmyo'rsel';yo'munpardonusifwedunnotthinkoneverythingatonest。'
　　'Yo'reverykind，verykindindeed，'saidHester，touchedbythepoorwoman'sevidentefforttoforgetherowngriefinthedutiesofhospitality，andlovingBellfromthatmoment。
　　'I'mHesterRose，'shecontinued，halfaddressingSylvia，whoshethoughtmightrememberthename，'andPhilipHepburnhassentmeinatax—carttot'stileyonder，tofetchbothonyo'backtoMonkshaven。'SylviaraisedherheadandlookedintentlyatHester。Bellclaspedherhandstighttogetherandleantforwards。
　　'It'smymasteraswantsus？'saidshe，inaneager，questioningtone。
　　'It'sfortoseeyo'rmaster，'saidHester。'Philipsayshe'llbesenttoYorkto—morrow，andyo'llbefaintoseehimbeforehegoes;andifyou'llcomedowntoMonkshaventonight，yo'llbeont'spotagain'thetimecomeswhent'justiceswillletye。'
　　Bellwasupandabout，makingfortheplacewhereshekeptherout—goingthings，almostbeforeHesterhadbeguntospeak。Shehardlyunderstoodaboutherhusband'sbeingsenttoYork，inthepossessionoftheideathatshemightgoandseehim。Shedidnotunderstandorcarehow，inthiswildnight，shewastogettoMonkshaven;allshethoughtofwas，thatshemightgoandseeherhusband。ButSylviatookinmorepointsthanhermother，and，almostsuspiciously，begantoquestionHester。
　　'WhyaretheysendinghimtoYork？WhatmadePhilipleaveus？Whydidn'thecomehissel'？'
　　'Hecouldn'tcomehissel'，hebademesay;becausehewasboundtobeatthelawyer'satfive，aboutyo'rfather'sbusiness。Ithinkyo'mightha'knownhewouldha'comeforanybusinessofhisown;and，aboutYork，it'sPhilipastelledme，andIneveraskedwhy。Ineverthoughtonyo'raskingmesomanyquestions。Ithoughtyo'dbereadytoflyonanychanceo'seeingyourfather。'Hesterspokeoutthesadreproachthatranfromherhearttoherlips。TodistrustPhilip！tolingerwhenshemighthasten！
　　'Oh！'saidSylvia，breakingoutintoawildcry，thatcarriedwithitmoreconvictionofagonythanmuchweepingcouldhavedone。'Imayberudeandhard，andImayaskstrangequestions，asifIcaredfort'answersyo'maygi'me;an'，inmyhearto'hearts，Icarefornoughtbuttohavefatherbackwi'us，aslovehimsodear。IcanhardlytellwhatIsay，muchlesswhyIsayit。Motherissopatient，itputsmepastmysel'，forIcouldfightwi't'verywalls，I'msomadwi'grieving。Sure，they'lllethimcomebackwi'usto—morrow，whentheyhearfromhisownsel'whyhedidit？'
　　ShelookedeagerlyatHesterforananswertothislastquestion，whichshehadputinasoft，entreatingtone，asifwithHesterherselfthedecisionrested。Hestershookherhead。Sylviacameuptoherandtookherhands，almostfondlingthem。
　　'Yo'dunnotthinkthey'llbehardwi'himwhentheyhearallaboutit，doneyo'？Why，YorkCastle'st'placetheysenda't'thievesandrobbersto，nothonestmenlikefeyther。'
　　HesterputherhandonSylvia'sshoulderwithasoft，caressinggesture。
　　'Philipwillknow，'shesaid，usingPhilip'snameasakindofspell——itwouldhavebeensotoher。'ComeawaytoPhilip，'saidsheagain，urgingSylvia，byherlooksandmanner，toprepareforthelittlejourney。Sylviamovedawayforthispurpose，sayingtoherself，——
　　'It'sgoingtoseefeyther:hewilltellmeail。'
　　PoorMrs。Robsonwascollectingafewclothesforherhusbandwithaneager，tremblinghand，sotremblingthatarticleafterarticlefelltothefloor，anditwasHesterwhopickedthemup;andatlast，aftermanyvainattemptsbythegrief—shakenwoman，itwasHesterwhotiedthebundle，andarrangedthecloak，andfasteneddownthehood;Sylviastandingby，notunobservant，thoughapparentlyabsorbedinherownthoughts。
　　Atlength，allwasarranged，andthekeygivenovertoKester。Astheypassedoutintothestorm，SylviasaidtoHester，——
　　'Thou'sarealgoodwench。Thou'sfittertobeaboutmotherthanme。
　　I'mbutacross—patchatbest，an'nowit'slikeasifIwasnogoodtonobody。'
　　Sylviabegantocry，butHesterhadnotimetoattendtoher，evenhadshetheinclination:allhercarewasneededtohelpthehasty，totteringstepsofthewifewhowasfeeblyspeedingupthewetandslipperybrowtoherhusband。AllBellthoughtofwasthat'he'wasattheendofhertoil。Shehardlyunderstoodwhenshewastoseehim;herwearyheartandbrainhadonlyreceivedoneidea——thateachstepshewasnowtakingwasleadinghertohim。Tiredandexhaustedwithherquickwalkuphill，battlingailthewaywithwindandrain，shecouldhardlyhaveheldupanotherminutewhentheyreachedthetax—cartinthelane，andHesterhadalmosttoliftherontothefrontseatbythedriver。Shecoveredandwrappedupthepooroldwoman，andafterwardsplacedherselfinthestrawatthebackofthecart，packedupclosebytheshivering，weepingSylvia。Neitherofthemspokeawordatfirst;butHester'stenderconsciencesmoteherforhersilencebeforetheyhadreachedMonkshaven。ShewantedtosaysomekindwordtoSylvia，andyetknewnothowtobegin。Somehow，withoutknowingwhy，orreasoninguponit，shehituponPhilip'smessageasthebestcomfortinherpowertogive。Shehaddelivereditbefore，butithadbeenapparentlylittleheeded。
　　'Philipbademesayitwasbusinessaskepthimfromfetchin'yo'hissel'——businesswi'thelawyer，about——aboutyo'rfather。'
　　'Whatdotheysay？'saidSylvia，suddenly，liftingherbowedhead，asthoughshewouldreadhercompanion'sfaceinthedimlight。
　　'Idunnotknow，'saidHester，sadly。Theywerenowjoltingoverthepavedstreets，andnotawordcouldbespoken。TheywerenowatPhilip'sdoor，whichwasopenedtoreceivethemevenbeforetheyarrived，asifsomeonehadbeenwatchingandlistening。Theoldservant，Phoebe，thefixtureinthehouse，whohadbelongedtoitandtotheshopforthelasttwentyyears，cameout，holdingacandleandshelteringitinherhandfromtheweather，whilePhiliphelpedthetotteringstepsofMrsRobsonasshedescendedbehind。AsHesterhadgotinlast，soshehadnowtobethefirsttomove。Justasshewasmoving，Sylvia'scoldlittlehandwaslaidonherarm。
　　'Iammainandthankfultoyo'。Iaskyo'rpardonforspeakingcross，but，indeed，myheart'sa'mostbrokenwi'fearaboutfeyther。'
　　Thevoicewassoplaintive，sofulloftears，thatHestercouldnotbutyearntowardsthespeaker。Shebentoverandkissedhercheek，andthenclamberedunaideddownbythewheelonthedarksideofthecart。