WistfullyshelongedforonewordofthanksorrecognitionfromPhilip，inwhoseserviceshehadperformedthishardtask;buthewasotherwiseoccupied，andoncastingafurtherglancebackassheturnedthecornerofthestreet，shesawPhilipliftingSylviacarefullydowninhisarmsfromherfootingonthetopofthewheel，andthentheyallwentintothelightandthewarmth，thedoorwasshut，thelightenedcartdrovebrisklyaway，andHester，inrain，andcold，anddarkness，wenthomewardswithhertiredsadheart。
　　Philiphaddoneallhecould，sincehisreturnfromlawyerDawson's，tomakehishousebrightandwarmforthereceptionofhisbeloved。HehadastrongapprehensionoftheprobablefateofpoorDanielRobson;hehadawarmsympathywiththemiserabledistressofthewifeanddaughter;
　　butstillatthebackofhismindhisspiritsdancedasifthiswastothemafestaloccasion。HehadeventakenunconsciouspleasureinPhoebe'ssuspiciouslooksandtones，ashehadhurriedandsuperintendedherinheroperations。Afireblazedcheerilyintheparlour，almostdazzlingtothetravellersbroughtinfromthedarknessandtherain;candlesburned——twocandles，muchtoPhoebe'sdiscontent。PoorBellRobsonhadtositdownalmostassoonassheenteredtheroom，sowornoutwasshewithfatigueandexcitement;yetshegrudgedeverymomentwhichseparatedher，asshethought，fromherhusband。
　　'I'mreadynow，'saidshe，standingup，andratherrepulsingSylvia'scares;'I'mreadynow，'saidshe，lookingeagerlyatPhilip，asifforhimtoleadtheway。
　　'It'snotto—night，'repliedhe，almostapologetically。'Youcan'tseehimto—night;it'sto—morrowmorningbeforehegoestoYork;itwasbetterforyo'tobedownhereintownready;andbesideIdidn'tknowwhenI
　　sentforyethathewaslockedupforthenight。'
　　'Well—a—day，well—a—day，'saidBell，rockingherselfbackwardsandforwards，andtryingtosootheherselfwiththesewords。Suddenlyshesaid，——
　　'ButI'vebroughthiscomforterwi'me——hisredwoollencomforterashe'sallayssleptinthistwelvemonthpast;he'llgethisrheumatizagain;
　　oh，Philip，cannotIgetittohim？'
　　'I'llsenditbyPhoebe，'saidPhilip，whowasbusymakingtea，hospitableandawkward。
　　'CannotItakeitmysel'？'repeatedBell。'Icouldmakesurernoranybodyelse;they'dmaybenotmindyonwoman——Phoebed'yecallher？'
　　'Nay，mother，'saidSylvia，'thou'snotfittogo。'
　　'ShallIgo？'askedPhilip，hopingshewouldsay'no，'andbecontentwithPhoebe，andleavehimwherehewas。
　　'Oh，Philip，wouldyo'？'saidSylvia，turninground。
　　'Ay，'saidBell，'ifthouwouldtakeitthey'dbemindingyo'。'
　　Sotherewasnothingforitbutforhimtogo，inthefirstflushofhisdelightfulritesofhospitality。
　　'It'snotfar，'saidhe，consolinghimselfratherthanthem。'I'llbebackintenminutes，theteaismaskit，andPhoebewilltakeyo'rwetthingsanddry'embyt'kitchenfire;andhere'sthestairs，'openingadoorinthecorneroftheroomfromwhichthestairsimmediatelyascended。'There'stworoomsatthetop;thattot'leftisallmadeready，t'otherismine，'
　　saidhe，reddeningalittleashespoke。Bellwasbusyundoingherbundlewithtremblingfingers。
　　'Here，'saidshe;'andoh，lad，here'sabito'peppermintcake;he'smainandfondonit，andIcatchedsightonitbygoodluckjustt'lastminute。'
　　Philipwasgone，andtheexcitementofBellandSylviaflaggedoncemore，andsankintowonderingdespondency。Sylvia，however，rousedherselfenoughtotakeoffhermother'swetclothes，andshetookthemtimidlyintothekitchenandarrangedthembeforePhoebe'sfire。
　　Phoebeopenedherlipsonceortwicetospeakinremonstrance，andthen，withaneffort，gulpedherwordsdownforhersympathy，likethatofalltherestoftheMonkshavenworld，wasinfavourofDanielRobson;andhisdaughtermightplaceherdrippingcloakthisnightwherevershewouldforPhoebe。
　　Sylviafoundhermotherstillsittingonthechairnextthedoor，whereshehadfirstplacedherselfonenteringtheroom。
　　'I'llgi'eyousometea，mother，'saidshe，struckwiththeshrunkenlookofBell'sface。
　　'No，no'saidhermother。'It'snotmannersfort'helpoursel's。'
　　'I'msurePhilipwouldha'wishedyo'fortotakeit，'saidSylvia，pouringoutacup。
　　Justthenhereturned，andsomethinginhislook，somedumbexpressionofdelightatheroccupation，madeherblushandhesitateforaninstant;
　　butthenshewenton，andmadeacupofteaready，sayingsomethingalittleincoherentallthetimeabouthermother'sneedofit。AfterteaBellRobson'swearinessbecamesoextreme，thatPhilipandSylviaurgedhertogotobed。Sheresistedalittle，partlyoutof'manners，'andpartlybecauseshekeptfancying，poorwoman，thatsomehoworotherherhusbandmightsendforher。Butaboutseveno'clockSylviapersuadedhertocomeupstairs。
　　Sylvia，too，badePhilipgood—night，andhislookfollowedthelastwaveofherdressasshedisappearedupthestairs;thenleaninghischinonhishand，hegazedatvacancyandthoughtdeeply——forhowlongheknewnot，sointentwashismindonthechancesoffuturity。
　　HewasarousedbySylvia'scomingdownstairsintothesitting—roomagain。
　　Hestartedup。
　　'Motherissoshivery，'saidshe。'MayIgointhere，'indicatingthekitchen，'andmakeheradropofgruel？'
　　'Phoebeshallmakeit，notyou，'saidPhilip，eagerlypreventingher，bygoingtothekitchendoorandgivinghisorders。Whenheturnedroundagain，Sylviawasstandingoverthefire，leaningherheadagainstthestonemantel—pieceforthecomparativecoolness。Shedidnotspeakatfirst，ortakeanynoticeofhim。Hewatchedherfurtively，andsawthatshewascrying，thetearsrunningdownhercheeks，andshetoomuchabsorbedinherthoughtstowipethemawaywithherapron。
　　Whilehewasturningoverinhismindwhathecouldbestsaytocomforther（hisheart，likehers，beingalmosttoofullforwords），shesuddenlylookedhimfullintheface，saying，——
　　'Philip！won'ttheysoonlethimgo？whatcantheydotohim？'Heropenlipstrembledwhileawaitinghisanswer，thetearscameupandfilledhereyes。Itwasjustthequestionhehadmostdreaded;itledtotheterrorthatpossessedhisownmind，butwhichhehadhopedtokeepoutofhers。
　　Hehesitated。'Speak，lad！'saidshe，impatiently，withalittlepassionategesture。'Icanseethouknows！'
　　Hehadonlymadeitworsebyconsideration;herushedblindfoldatareply。
　　'He'sta'enupforfelony。'
　　'Felony，'saidshe。'Therethou'reout;he'sinforlettingyonmenout;thoumaycallitriotingifthou'samindtosetfolksagain'him，butit'stoobadtocastsuchhardwordsathimasyon——felony，'sherepeated，inahalf—offendedtone。
　　'It'swhatthelawyerscallit，'saidPhilip，sadly;'it'snowordo'
　　mine。'
　　'Lawyersisallaysformakingtheworsto'things，'saidshe，alittlepacified，'butfolksshouldn'tallaysbelievethem。'
　　'It'slawyersashastojudgei't'longrun。'
　　'Cannotthejustices，MrHarterandthemasisnolawyers，givehimasentenceto—morrow，wi'outsendinghimtoYork？'
　　'No！'saidPhilip，shakinghishead。Hewenttothekitchendoorandaskedifthegruelwasnotready，soanxiouswashetostoptheconversationatthispoint;butPhoebe，whoheldheryoungmasterinbutlittlerespect，scoldedhimforastupidman，whothought，likeallhissex，thatgruelwastobemadeinaminute，whateverthefirewas，andbadehimcomeandmakeitforhimselfifhewasinsuchahurry。
　　HehadtoreturndiscomfitedtoSylvia，whomeanwhilehadarrangedherthoughtsreadytoreturntothecharge。
　　'Andsayhe'ssenttoYork，andsayhe'striedtheere，what'st'worsttheycandoagain'him？'askedshe，keepingdownheragitationtolookatPhilipthemoresharply。Hereyesneverslackenedtheirpenetratinggazeathiscountenance，untilhereplied，withtheutmostunwillingness，andmostapparentconfusion，——
　　'TheymaysendhimtoBotanyBay。'
　　Heknewthatheheldbackaworsecontingency，andhewasmortallyafraidthatshewouldperceivethisreserve。Butwhathedidsaywassomuchbeyondherutmostapprehension，whichhadonlyreachedtovarioustermsofimprisonment，thatshedidnotimaginethedarkshadowlurkingbehind。Whathehadsaidwastoomuchforher。Hereyesdilated，herlipsblanched，herpalecheeksgrewyetpaler。Afteraminute'slookintohisface，asiffascinatedbysomehorror，shestumbledbackwardsintothechairinthechimneycomer，andcoveredherfacewithherhands，moaningoutsomeinarticulatewords。
　　Philipwasonhiskneesbyher，dumbfromexcessofsympathy，kissingherdress，allunfeltbyher;hemurmuredhalf—words，hebeganpassionatesentencesthatdiedawayuponhislips;andshe——shethoughtofnothingbutherfather，andwaspossessedandraptoutofherselfbythedreadoflosinghimtothatfearfulcountrywhichwasalmostlikethegravetoher，soallbutimpassablewasthegulf。ButPhilipknewthatitwaspossiblethattheseparationimpendingmightbethatofthedark，mysteriousgrave——thatthegulfbetweenthefatherandchildmightindeedbethatwhichnoliving，breathing，warmhumancreaturecanevercross。
　　'Sylvie，Sylvie！'saidhe，——andalltheirconversationhadtobecarriedoninlowtonesandwhispers，forfearofthelisteningearsabove，——'don't——don't，thou'rtrendingmyheart。Oh，Sylvie，hearken。There'snotathingI'llnotdo;there'snotapennyI'vegot，——th'lastdropofbloodthat'sinme，——I'llgiveupmylifeforhis。'
　　'Life，'saidshe，puttingdownherhands，andlookingathimasifherlookscouldpiercehissoul;'whotalkso'touchinghislife？Thou'regoingcrazy，Philip，Ithink;'butshedidnotthinkso，althoughshewouldfainhavebelievedit。Inherkeenagonyshereadhisthoughtsasthoughtheywereanopenpage;shesatethere，uprightandstony，theconvictioncreepingoverherfacelikethegreyshadowofdeath。Nomoretears，nomoretrembling，almostnomorebreathing。Hecouldnotbeartoseeher，andyetsheheldhiseyes，andhefearedtomaketheeffortnecessarytomoveortoturnaway，lesttheshunningmotionshouldcarryconvictiontoherheart。Alas！
　　convictionoftheprobabledangertoherfather'slifewasalreadythere:
　　itwasthatthatwascalmingherdown，tighteninghermuscles，bracinghernerves。Inthathourshelostallherearlyyouth。
　　'Thenhemaybehung，'saidshe，lowandsolemnly，afteralongpause。
　　Philipturnedawayhisface，anddidnotutteraword。Againdeepsilence，brokenonlybysomehomelysoundinthekitchen。'Mothermustnotknowonit，'saidSylvia，inthesametoneinwhichshehadspokenbefore。
　　'It'st'worstascanhappentohim，'saidPhilip。'Morelikelyhe'llbetransported:maybehe'llbebroughtininnocentafterall。'
　　'No，'saidSylvia，heavily，asonewithouthope——asifshewerereadingsomedreadfuldoominthetabletsoftheawfulfuture。'They'llhanghim。
　　Oh，feyther！feyther！'shechokedout，almoststuffingherapronintohermouthtodeadenthesound，andcatchingatPhilip'shand，andwringingitwithconvulsiveforce，tillthepainthathelovedwasnearlymorethanhecouldbear。Nowordsofhiscouldtouchsuchagony;butirrepressibly，andashewouldhavedoneittoawoundedchild，hebentoverher，andkissedherwithatender，tremblingkiss。Shedidnotrepulseit，probablyshedidnotevenperceiveit。
　　AtthatmomentPhoebecameinwiththegruel。Philipsawher，andknew，inaninstant，whattheoldwoman'sconclusionmustneedsbe;butSylviahadtobeshakenbythenowstandingPhilip，beforeshecouldbebroughtbacktotheleastconsciousnessofthepresenttime。Sheliftedupherwhitefacetounderstandhiswords，thensheroseuplikeonewhoslowlycomestotheuseofherlimbs。
　　'IsupposeImungo，'shesaid:'butI'dsoonerfacethedead。Ifsheasksme，Philip，whatmunIsay？'
　　'She'llnotaskyo'，'saidhe，'ifyo'goaboutascommon。She'sneveraskedyo'allthistime，an'ifshedoes，putherontome。I'llkeepitfromheraslongasIcan;I'llmanagebetternorI'vedonewi'thee，Sylvie，'
　　saidhe，withasad，faintsmile，lookingwithfondpenitenceatheralteredcountenance。
　　'Thoumustn'tblamethysel'，'saidSylvia，seeinghisregret。'Ibroughtitonmemysel';IthoughtIwouldha't'truth，whativercameonit，andnowI'mnotstrongenoughtostandit，Godhelpme！'shecontinued，piteously。
　　'Oh，Sylvie，letmehelpyo'！IcannotdowhatGodcan，——I'mnotmeaningthat，butIcandonexttoHimofanyman。Ihavelovedyo'foryearsan'
　　years，inawayit'sterribletothinkon，ifmylovecandonoughtnowtocomfortyo'inyoursoredistress。'
　　'CousinPhilip，'shereplied，inthesamemeasuredtoneinwhichshehadalwaysspokensinceshehadlearnttheextentofherfather'sdanger，andtheslowstillnessofherwordswasinharmonywiththestonylookofherface，'thou'sacomforttome，Icouldn'tbidemylifewithoutthee;
　　butIcannottakeinthethoughto'love，itseemsbesidemequite;Icanthinkonnoughtbutthemthatisquickandthemthatisdead。'
　　chapter27CHAPTERXXVIIGLOOMYDAYSPhiliphadmoneyintheFosters'bank，notsomuchasitmighthavebeenifhehadnothadtopayforthefurnitureinhishouse。Muchofthisfurniturewasold，andhadbelongedtothebrothersFoster，andtheyhadletPhiliphaveitataveryreasonablerate;butstillthepurchaseofithaddiminishedtheamountofhissavings。Butonthesumwhichhepossessedhedrewlargely——hedrewall——nay，heoverdrewhisaccountsomewhat，tohisformermaster'sdismay，althoughthekindnessoftheirheartsoverruledtheharderargumentsoftheirheads。
　　AllwaswantedtodefendDanielRobsonattheapproachingYorkassizes。
　　HiswifehadhandedovertoPhilipallthemoneyormoney'sworthshecouldlayherhandsupon。Danielhimselfwasnotonetobemuchbeforehandwiththeworld;buttoBell'sthriftyimaginationtheroundgoldenguineas，tiedupintheoldstocking—footagainstrent—day，seemedamintofmoneyonwhichPhilipmightdrawinfinitely。Asyetshedidnotcomprehendtheextentofherhusband'sdanger。Sylviawentaboutlikeoneinadream，keepingbackthehottearsthatmightinterferewiththecourseoflifeshehadprescribedforherselfinthatterriblehourwhenshefirstlearntall。EverypennyofmoneyeithersheorhermothercouldsavewenttoPhilip。
　　Kester'shoard，too，wasplacedinHepburn'shandsatSylvia'searnestentreaty;forKesterhadnogreatopinionofPhilip'sjudgment，andwouldratherhavetakenhismoneystraighthimselftoMrDawson，andbeggedhimtouseitforhismaster'sbehoof。
　　Indeed，ifanything，thenoiselessbreachbetweenKesterandPhiliphadwidenedoflate。Itwasseed—time，andPhilip，inhisgreatanxietyforeverypossibleinterestthatmightaffectSylvia，andalsoassomedistractionfromhisextremeanxietyaboutherfather，hadtakentostudyagricultureofaneveninginsomeoldbookswhichhehadborrowed——TheFarmer'sCompleteGuide，andsuchlike;andfromtimetotimehecamedownuponthepracticaldoggedKesterwithdirectionsgatheredfromthetheoriesinhisbooks。Ofcoursethetwofellout，butwithoutmanywords。
　　Kesterperseveredinhisoldways，makinglightofPhilipandhisbooksinmannerandaction，tillatlengthPhilipwithdrewfromthecontest。
　　'Manyamanmayleadahorsetowater，butthere'sfewcanmakehimdrink，'
　　andPhilipcertainlywasnotoneofthosefew。Kester，indeed，lookeduponhimwithjealouseyesonmanyaccounts。HehadfavouredCharleyKinraidasaloverofSylvia's;andthoughhehadnoideaofthetruth——thoughhebelievedinthedrowningofthespecksioneerasmuchasanyone——yettheyearwhichhadelapsedsinceKinraid'ssupposeddeathwasbutaveryshortwhiletothemiddle—agedman，whoforgothowslowlytimepasseswiththeyoung;andhecouldoftenhavescoldedSylvia，ifthepoorgirlhadbeenawhitlessheavyatheartthanshewas，forlettingPhilipcomesomuchabouther——come，thoughitwasonherfather'sbusiness。Forthedarknessoftheircommondreaddrewthemtogether，occasionallytothecomparativeexclusionofBellandKester，whichthelatterperceivedandresented。
　　KesterevenallowedhimselftogosofarastowonderwhatPhilipcouldwantwithallthemoney，whichtohimseemedunaccountable;andonceortwicetheuglythoughtcrossedhismind，thatshopsconductedbyyoungmenwereoftennotsoprofitableaswhenguidedbyolderheads，andthatsomeofthecoinpouredintoPhilip'skeepingmighthaveanotherdestinationthanthedefenceofhismaster。PoorPhilip！andhewasspendingallhisown，andmorethanallhisownmoney，andnooneeverknewit，ashehadbounddownhisfriendlybankerstosecrecy。
　　OnceonlyKesterventuredtospeaktoSylviaonthesubjectofPhilip。
　　Shehadfollowedhercousintothefieldjustinfrontoftheirhouse，justoutsidetheporch，toaskhimsomequestionshedarednotputinhermother'spresence——（Bell，indeed，inheranxiety，usuallyabsorbedallthequestionswhenPhilipcame）——andstood，afterPhiliphadbidhergood—by，hardlythinkingabouthimatall，butlookingunconsciouslyafterhimasheascendedthebrow;andatthetophehadturnedtotakealastglanceattheplacehisloveinhabited，and，seeingher，hehadwavedhishatingratifiedfarewell。She，meanwhile，wasrousedfromfarotherthoughtsthanofhim，andofhisnowacknowledgedlove，bythemotionagainstthesky，andwasturningbackintothehousewhensheheardKester'slowhoarsecall，andsawhimstandingattheshippendoor。
　　'Comehither，wench，'saidhe，indignantly;'isthisatimeforcourtin'？'
　　'Courting？'saidshe，drawingupherhead，andlookingbackathimwithprouddefiance。
　　'Ay，courtin'！whatothermak'o'thingis'twhenthou'sgazin'afteryonmeddlesomechap，asifthou'dsendthyeyesafterhim，andhemakingmarlocksbackatthee？It'swhatweca'edcourtin'i'myyoungdaysanyhow。
　　Andit'snoaneatimeforawenchtogocourtin'whenherfeyther'si'
　　prison，'saidhe，withaconsciousnessasheutteredtheselastwordsthathewascruelandunjustandgoingtoofar，yetcarriedontosaythembyhishotjealousyagainstPhilip。
　　Sylviacontinuedlookingathimwithoutspeaking:shewastoomuchoffendedforexpression。
　　'Thoumaygloweran'thoumaylook，lass，'saidhe，'buta'dthoughtbetteronthee。It'slikelastweekthylastsweetheartweredrowned;butthou'snotonetowastetimei'rememberin'themasisgone——if，indeed，thouivercaredabuttonforyonKinraid——ifitwasn'tamake—believe。'
　　Herlipswerecontractedanddrawnup，showinghersmallglitteringteeth，whichwerescarcelyapartasshebreathedout——
　　'Thouthinksso，doesthou，thatI'veforgettenhim？Thou'dbetterhaveacareo'thytongue。'
　　Then，asiffearfulthatherself—commandmightgiveway，sheturnedintothehouse;andgoingthroughthekitchenlikeablindperson，shewentuptohernowunusedchamber，andthrewherself，facedownwards，flatonherbed，almostsmotheringherself。
　　EversinceDaniel'scommittal，thedecaythathadimperceptiblybeguninhiswife'sbodilyandmentalstrengthduringherillnessofthepreviouswinter，hadbeenmakingquickerprogress。Shelostherreticenceofspeech，andoftentalkedtoherself。Shehadnotsomuchforethoughtasofold;
　　slightdifferences，itistrue，butwhich，withsomeothersofthesamedescription，gavefoundationforthehomelyexpressionwhichsomenowappliedtoBell，'She'llneverbet'samewomanagain。
　　ThisafternoonshehadcriedherselftosleepinherchairafterPhilip'sdeparture。ShehadnotheardSylvia'ssweepingpassagethroughthekitchen;
　　buthalfanhourafterwardsshewasstartledupbyKester'sabruptentry。
　　'Where'sSylvie？'askedhe。
　　'Idon'tknow，'saidBell，lookingscared，andasifshewasreadytocry。'It'snonewsabouthim？'saidshe，standingup，andsupportingherselfonthestickshewasnowaccustomedtouse。
　　'Blessyo'，no，dunnotbeafeared，missus;it'sonlyasaspokehastytot'wench，an'awantt'tellherasa'msorry，saidKester，advancingintothekitchen，andlookingroundforSylvia。
　　'Sylvie，Sylvie！'shoutedhe;'shemunbei't'house。
　　Sylviacameslowlydownthestairs，andstoodbeforehim。Herfacewaspale，hermouthsetanddetermined;thelightofhereyesveiledingloom。
　　Kestershrankfromherlook，andevenmorefromhersilence。
　　'A'mcometoaxpardon，'saidhe，afteralittlepause。
　　Shewasstillsilent。
　　'A'mnoaneaboveaxingpardon，thougha'mfiftyandmore，andthee'sbutasillywench，asa'venursedi'myarms。A'llsaybeforethymotherasaoughtnivertoha'usedthemwords，andashowa'msorryfor't。'
　　'Idon'tunderstanditall，'saidBell，inahurriedandperplexedtone。
　　'WhathasKesterbeensaying，mylass？'sheadded，turningtoSylvia。
　　Sylviawentasteportwonearertohermother，andtookholdofherhandasiftoquietenher;thenfacingoncemoreround，shesaiddeliberatelytoKester，——
　　'Ifthouwasn'tKester，I'dniverforgivethee。Niver，'sheadded，withbitterness，asthewordshehadusedrecurredtohermind。'It'sinmetohatetheenow，forsayingwhatthoudid;butthou'redearoldKesterafterall，andIcan'thelpmysel'，Imunneedsforgivethee，'andshewenttowardshim。Hetookherlittleheadbetweenhishornyhandsandkissedit。Shelookedupwithtearsinhereyes，sayingsoftly，——
　　'Niversaythingslikethemagain。Niverspeakon————'
　　'A'llbitemytongueofffirst，'heinterrupted。
　　Hekepthisword。
　　InallPhilip'scomingsandgoingstoandfromHaytersbankFarmatthistime，heneverspokeagainofhislove。Inlook，words，manner，hewaslikeathoughtful，tenderbrother;nothingmore。Hecouldbenothingmoreinthepresenceofthegreatdreadwhichloomedlargeruponhimaftereveryconversationwiththelawyer。
　　ForMrDonkinhadbeenrightinhisprognostication。GovernmenttookuptheattackontheRendezvouswithahighandheavyhand。Itwasnecessarytoassertauthoritywhichhadbeenoflatetoooftenbraved。Anexamplemustbemade，tostrikedismayintothosewhoopposedanddefiedthepress—gang;
　　andalltheminorauthoritieswhoheldtheirpowersfromGovernmentwereinasimilarmannersevereandrelentlessintheexecutionoftheirduty。
　　Sotheattorney，whowentovertoseetheprisonerinYorkCastle，toldPhilip。HeaddedthatDanielstillretainedhisprideinhisachievement，andcouldnotbebroughttounderstandthedangerouspositioninwhichhewasplaced;thatwhenpressedandquestionedastocircumstancesthatmightpossiblybeusedinhisdefence，healwayswanderedofftoaccountsofpreviousoutragescommittedbythepress—gang，ortopassionateabuseofthetrickbywhichmenhadbeenluredfromtheirhomesonthenightinquestiontoassistinputtingoutanimaginaryfire，andthenseizedandcarriedoff。Someofthisverynaturalindignationmightpossiblyhavesomeeffectonthejury;andthisseemedtheonlygroundofhope，andwasindeedaslightone，asthejudgewaslikelytowarnthejuryagainstallowingtheirnaturalsympathyinsuchacasetodiverttheirmindsfromtherealquestion。
　　SuchwasthesubstanceofwhatPhilipheard，andheardrepeatedly，duringhismanyvisitstoMrDawson。Andnowthetimeoftrialdrewnear;fortheYorkassizesopenedonMarchthetwelfth;notmuchabovethreeweekssincetheoffencewascommittedwhichtookDanielfromhishomeandplacedhiminperilofdeath。
　　Philipwasgladthat，theextremityofhisdangerneverhavingbeenhintedtoBell，andtravellingsomefortymilesbeingamostunusualexertionatthattimetopersonsofherclass，theideaofgoingtoseeherhusbandatYorkhadneversuggesteditselftoBell'smind。Herincreasingfeeblenessmadethisseemasteponlytobetakenincaseofthefatalextremenecessity;
　　suchwastheconclusionthatbothSylviaandhehadcometo;anditwastheknowledgeofthisthatmadeSylviastrangleherowndailylongingtoseeherfather。Notbutthatherhopeswerestrongerthanherfears。Philipnevertoldherthecausesfordespondency;shewasyoung，andshe，likeherfather，couldnotunderstandhowfearfulsometimesisthenecessityforpromptandseverepunishmentofrebellionagainstauthority。
　　PhilipwastobeinYorkduringthetimeoftheassizes;anditwasunderstood，almostwithoutwords，thatiftheterribleworstoccurred，thewifeanddaughterweretocometoYorkassoonasmightbe。ForthisendPhilipsilentlymadeallthenecessaryarrangementsbeforeleavingMonkshaven。Thesympathyofallmenwaswithhim;itwastoolargeanoccasionforCoulsontobeanythingbutmagnanimous。HeurgedPhiliptotakeallthetimerequisite;toleaveallbusinesscarestohim。AndasPhilipwentaboutpaleandsad，therewasanothercheekthatgrewpalerstill，anothereyethatfilledwithquiettearsashisheavinessofheartbecamemoreandmoreapparent。Thedayforopeningtheassizescameon。PhilipwasinYorkMinster，watchingthesolemnantiqueprocessioninwhichthehighestauthorityinthecountyaccompaniesthejudgestotheHouseoftheLord，tobethereadmonishedastothenatureoftheirduties。AsPhiliplistenedtothesermonwithastrainedandbeatingheart，hishopesrosehigherthanhisfearsforthefirsttime，andthateveninghewrotehisfirstlettertoSylvia。
　　'DEARSYLVIA，'ItwillbelongerfirstthanIthoughtfor。MrDawsonsaysTuesdayinnextweek。Butkeepupyourheart。Ihavebeenhearingthesermonto—daywhichispreachedtothejudges;andtheclergymansaidsomuchinitaboutmercyandforgiveness，Ithinktheycannotfailtobelenientthisassize。
　　Ihaveseenuncle，wholooksbutthin，butisingoodheart:onlyhewillkeepsayinghewoulddoitoveragainifhehadthechance，whichneitherMrDawsonnorIthinkiswiseinhim，inespecialasthegaolerisbyandhearseverywordasissaid。Hewasveryfainofhearingallabouthome;
　　andwantsyoutorearDaisy'scalf，ashethinksshewillproveagoodone。Hebademegivehisbestlovetoyouandmyaunt，andhiskinddutytoKester。
　　'Sylvia，willyoutryandforgethowIusedtoscoldyouaboutyourwritingandspelling，andjustwritemetwoorthreelines。IthinkIwouldratherhavethembadlyspeltthannot，becausethenIshallbesuretheyareyours。Andnevermindaboutcapitals;Iwasafooltosaysuchadealaboutthem，foramandoesjustaswellwithoutthem。AletterfromyouwoulddoavasttokeepmepatientallthesedaystillTuesday。Direct——
　　'MrPhilipHepburn，'CareofMrFraser，Draper，'Micklegate，York。'Myaffectionatedutytomyaunt。'Yourrespectfulcousinandservant，'PHILIPHEPBURN。'P。S。Thesermonwasgrand。ThetextwasZechariabvii。9，"Executetruejudgmentandshowmercy。"Godgrantitmayhaveputmercyintothejudge'sheartasistotrymyuncle。'Heavilythedayspassedover。OnSundayBellandSylviawenttochurch，withastrange，half—superstitiousfeeling，asiftheycouldpropitiatetheMostHightoordertheeventsintheirfavourbypayingHimthecomplimentofattendingtodutiesintheirtimeofsorrowwhichtheyhadtoooftenneglectedintheirprosperousdays。ButHe'whoknowethourframe，andremembereththatwearedust，'tookpityuponHischildren，andsentsomeofHisblessedpeaceintotheirhearts，elsetheycouldscarcehaveenduredtheagonyofsuspenseofthosenexthours。Forastheycameslowlyandwearilyhomefromchurch，Sylviacouldnolongerbearhersecret，buttoldhermotheroftheperilinwhichDanielstood。ColdastheMarchwindblew，theyhadnotfeltit，andhadsatedownonahedgebankforBelltorest。AndthenSylviaspoke，tremblingandsickforfear，yetutterlyunabletokeepsilenceanylonger。Bellheavedupherhands，andletthemfalldownonherkneesbeforeshereplied。'TheLordisaboveus，'saidshe，solemnly。'Hehassentafearo'thisintomyheartaforenow。Iniverbreathedittothee，mylass————''AndIniverspokeonittothee，mother，because————'Sylviachokedwithcrying，andlaidherheadonhermother'slap，feelingthatshewasnolongerthestrongone，andtheprotector，buttheprotected。
　　Bellwenton，strokingherhead，'TheLordislikeatendernurseasweansachildtolookonandtolikewhatitlothedonce。Hehassentmedreamsashaspreparedmeforthis，ifsobeitcomestopass。'Philipishopeful，'saidSylvia，raisingherheadandlookingthroughhertearsathermother。'Ay，heis。AndIcannottell，butIthinkit'snotfornoughtastheLordhasta'enawayallfearo'deathouto'myheart。IthinkHemeansasDanielandmeistogohand—in—handthroughthevalley——likeaswewalkeduptoourweddinginCrosthwaiteChurch。Icouldneverguideth'housewithoutDaniel，andIshouldbefearedhe'dtakeadealmorenorisgoodforhimwithoutme。''Butme，mother，thou'sforgettingme，'moanedoutSylvia。'Oh，mother，mother，thinkonme！''Nay，mylass，I'mnoaneforgettingyo'。I'dasorehearta'lastwintera—thinkingonthee，whenthatchapKinraidwerehangingaboutthee。