andI'veadealofmoneybyme————''Nay，mylass，'saidKester，'thoumunnotgooffsofast;itwerejustwhatIwerefearedoni'tellin'thee。I'veleftherabito'money，andI'llmak'shifttosendhermore;it'sjustakindword，t'keepupherheartwhenI'mgone，asIwant。Ifthou'dstepinandseeherfra'timetotime，andcheerherupabitwi'talkin'toheronme，I'dtak'itverykind，andI'dgooffwi'alighterheart。''ThenI'msureI'lldoitforyo'，Kester。Iniverjustlyfeellikemysel'
　　whenyo'reaway;forI'mlonesomeenoughattimes。SheandIwilltalka't'betteraboutyo'forbothonusgrievingafteryo'。'SoKestertookhisleave，hismindsetateasebySylvia'spromisetogoandseehissisterprettyoftenduringhisabsenceintheNorth。ButSylvia'shabitswerechangedsinceshe，asagirlatHaytersbank，likedtospendhalfhertimeintheopenair，runningoutperpetuallywithoutanythingontoscattercrumbstothepoultry，ortotakeapieceofbreadtotheoldcart—horse，togouptothegardenforahandfulofherbs，ortoclambertothehighestpointaroundtoblowthehornwhichsummonedherfatherandKesterhometodinner。Livinginatownwhereitwasnecessarytoputonhatandcloakbeforegoingoutintothestreet，andthentowalkinasteadyanddecorousfashion，shehadonlycaredtoescapedowntothefreedomofthesea—shoreuntilPhilipwentaway;andafterthattimeshehadlearntsotofearobservationasadesertedwife，thatnothingbutBella'shealthwouldhavebeenasufficientmotivetotakeheroutofdoors。And，asshehadtoldKester，thenecessityofgivingthelittlegirladailywalkwasverymuchlightenedbythegreatloveandaffectionwhichJeremiahFosternowboretothechild。Eversincethedaywhenthebabyhadcometohisknee，alluredbythetemptationofhiswatch，hehadapparentlyconsideredherasinsomesortbelongingtohim;andnowhehadalmostcometothinkthathehadarighttoclaimherashiscompanioninhiswalkbackfromtheBanktohisearlydinner，whereahighchairwasalwaysplacedreadyforthechanceofhercomingtosharehismeal。
　　Ontheseoccasionshegenerallybroughtherbacktotheshop—doorwhenhereturnedtohisafternoon'sworkattheBank。Sometimes，however，hewouldleavewordthatshewastobesentforfromhishouseintheNewTown，ashisbusinessattheBankforthatdaywasended。ThenSylviawascompelledtoputonherthings，andfetchbackherdarling;andexceptingforthiserrandsheseldomwentoutatallonweek—days。AboutafortnightafterKester'sfarewellcall，thisneedforhervisittoJeremiahFoster'sarose;anditseemedtoSylviathattherecouldnotbeabetteropportunityoffulfillingherpromiseandgoingtoseethewidowDobson，whosecottagewasontheothersideoftheriver，lowdownonthecliffside，justatthebendandrushofthefullstreamintotheopensea。Shesetoffprettyearlyinordertogotherefirst。Shefoundthewidowwithherhouse—placetidiedupafterthemiddaymeal，andbusyknittingattheopendoor——notlookingatherrapid—clickingneedles，butgazingattherushandrecessionofthewavesbeforeher;yetnotseeingthemeither，——ratherseeingdayslongpast。ShestartedintoactivecivilityassoonassherecognizedSylvia，whowastoherasagreatlady，neverhavingknownSylviaRobsoninherwildchildishdays。WidowDobsonwasalwaysalittlescandalizedatherbrotherChristopher'sfamiliaritywithMrsHepburn。Shedustedachairwhichneedednodusting，andplaceditforSylvia，sittingdownherselfonathree—leggedstooltomarkhersenseofthedifferenceintheirconditions，fortherewasanotherchairortwointhehumbledwelling;
　　andthenthetwofellintotalk——firstaboutKester，whomhissisterwouldpersistincallingChristopher，asifhisdignityasherelderbrotherwascompromisedbyanyfamiliarabbreviation;andby—and—bysheopenedherheartalittlemore。'Acouldwishasa'dlearnedwrite—of—hand，'saidshe;'fora'vethatfortotellChristopherasmightsethismindatease。Butyo'see，ifawrotehimaletterhecouldn'treadit;soajustcomfortmysel'wi'thinkin'
　　nobodyneedlearnwritin'unlessthey'ngotfriendsascanread。Butareckonhe'dha'beengladtohearasa'vegettenalodger。'Hereshenoddedherheadinthedirectionofthedooropeningoutofthehouse—placeintothe'lean—to，'whichSylviahadobservedondrawingnearthecottage，andtherecollectionofthementionofwhichbyKesterhadenabledhertoidentifywidowDobson'sdwelling。'He'sa—bedyonder，'thelattercontinued，droppinghervoice。'He'saqueer—lookin'tyke，butadon'tthinkashe'sabadun。''Whendidhecome？'saidSylvia，rememberingKester'saccountofhissister'scharacter，andfeelingasthoughitbehovedher，asKester'sconfidanteonthishead，togivecautiousandprudentadvice。'Eh！amatterofas'ennightago。A'mnoanegoodatmindin'time;he'spaidmehisrenttwice，butthenhewerekeentopayaforehand。He'dcomedinonenight，an'satehimdownaforehecouldspeak，heweresodoneup;
　　he'dbeenontrampthismanyaday，areckon。"Canyo'givemeabed？"
　　sayshe，pantinglike，afterabit。"Achapasametnearheresaysasyo'vealodgingfort'let。""Ay，"saysa，"aha'that;butyo'munpaymeashillingaweekfor't。"Thenmymindmisgiveme，forathoughthehadn'tashillingi't'world，an'yetifhehadn't，ashouldjustha'
　　gi'enhimt'beda't'same:a'mnotoneascanturnadogoutifhecomest'meweariedo'hislife。Soheoutswi'ashillin'，an'laysitdownont'table，'boutaword。"A'llnottroubleyo'long，"sayshe。"A'moneasisbestouto't'world，"hesays。Thenathoughtasa'dbeenabitharduponhim。An'saysI，"A'mawidow—woman，andoneashasgettenbutfewfriends:"foryo'seeawerelowaboutourChristopher'sgoin'awaynorth;soa'mforced—liketospeakhardtofolk;buta'vemademysel'somestiraboutformysupper;andifyo'dliket'sharean'shareaboutwi'
　　me，it'sbutputtin'asupmorewatterto't，andGod'sblessing'llbeon't，justassameasif'tweremeal。"Soheupswi'hishandaforehise'en，andsaysnotaword。Atlasthesays，"Missus，"sayshe，"canGod'sblessingbesharedbyasinner——oneo't'devil'schildren？"sayshe。"FortheScriptur'sayshe'st'fathero'lies。"Soawerepuzzled—like;an'
　　atlengthasays，"Thoumunaskt'parsonthat;a'mbutapoorfaint—heartedwidow—woman;buta'veallayshadGod'sblessingsomehow，nowabethinkme，an'a'llshareitwi'theeasfarasmywillgoes。"Soheraxeshishandacrosst'table，an'mutterssummat，ashegripsmine。AthoughtitwereScriptur'ashesaid，buta'dneededa'mystrengthjustthenfort'liftt'potofft'fire——itweret'firstvittlea'dtastedsin'morn，fort'faminecomesdownlikestonesont'heado'uspoorfolk:an'a'
　　asaidwerejust"Coomalong，chap，an'fa'to;an'God'sblessingbeonhimaseatsmost。"An'sin'thatdayhimandme'sbeenasthickasthieves，onlyhe'snivertelledmenoughtofwhoheis，orwheerehecomesfra'。
　　Butathinkhe'soneo'thempoorcolliers，ashasgettenbrunti't'coal—pits;
　　for，t'besure，hisfaceisa'blackwi'fire—marks;an'o'latedayshe'sta'ent'hisbed，an'justliestheresighing，——foronecanhearhimplainasdayleetthro't'bitpartitionwa'。'Asaproofofthis，asigh——almostagroan——startledthetwowomenatthisverymoment。'Poorfellow！'saidSylvia，inasoftwhisper。'There'smoresoreheartsi't'worldthanonereckonsfor！'Butafterawhile，shebethoughtheragainofKester'saccountofhissister's'softness;'andshethoughtthatitbehovedhertogivesomegoodadvice。Sosheadded，inasterner，hardertone——'Still，yo'sayyo'knownoughtabouthim;andtrampsistrampsa'
　　t'worldover;andyo'reawidow，anditbehovesyo'tobecareful。IthinkI'djustsendhimoffassoonashe'sabitrested。Yo'sayhe'splentyo'money？''Nay！Aneversaidthat。Aknownoughtaboutit。Hepaysmeaforehand;
　　an'hepaysmedownforwhativera'vegettenforhim;butthat'sbutlittle;
　　he'snoaneupt'hisvittle，thougha'vemadehimsomebrothasgoodasacouldmake'em。''Iwouldn'tsendhimawaytillhewaswellagain，ifIwereyo;butIthinkyo'dbebetterridonhim，'saidSylvia。'Itwouldbedifferentifyo'rbrotherwereinMonkshaven。'Asshespokesherosetogo。WidowDobsonheldherhandinhersforaminute，thenthehumblewomansaid，——'Yo'llnoanebevexedwi'me，missus，ifacannotfindi'myheartt'turnhimouttillhewantstogohissel'？Forawouldn'tliketovexyo'，forChristopher'ssake;butaknowwhatitisfort'feelforfriendlessfolk，an'choosewhatmaycomeonit，Icannotsendhimaway。''No！'saidSylvia。'WhyshouldIbevexed？it'snobusinesso'mine。OnlyIshouldsendhimawayifIwasyo'。Hemightgolodgewheeretherewasmen—folk，whoknowt'wayso'tramps，andareuptothem。'IntothesunshinewentSylvia。Inthecoldshadowthemiserabletramplaysighing。Shedidnotknowthatshehadbeensoneartohimtowardswhomherheartwassoftening，daybyday。
　　chapter44CHAPTERXLIVFIRSTWORDSItwasthespringof1800。Oldpeopleyetcantellofthehardfamineofthatyear。Theharvestoftheautumnbeforehadfailed;thewarandthecornlawshadbroughtthepriceofcornuptoafaminerate;andmuchofwhatcameintothemarketwasunsound，andconsequentlyunfitforfood，yethungrycreaturesboughtiteagerly，andtriedtocheatdiseasebymixingthedamp，sweet，clammyflourwithriceorpotatomeal。Richfamiliesdeniedthemselvespastryandallunnecessaryandluxurioususesofwheatinanyshape;thedutyonhair—powderwasincreased;andallthesepalliativeswerebutasdropsintheoceanofthegreatwantofthepeople。Philip，inspiteofhimself，recoveredandgrewstronger;andashegrewstrongerhungertooktheplaceofloathingdisliketofood。Butthismoneywasallspent;andwhatwashispoorpensionofsixpenceadayinthatterribleyearoffamine？Manyasummer'snighthewalkedforhoursandhoursroundthehousewhichoncewashis，whichmightbehisnow，withallitshomely，blessedcomforts，couldhebutgoandasserthisrighttoit。Buttogowithauthority，andinhispoor，maimedguiseassertthatright，hehadneedbeotherthanPhilipHepburn。Sohestoodintheoldshelterofthesteep，crookedlaneopeningontothehilloutofthemarketplace，andwatchedthesoftfadingofthesummer'seveintonight;theclosingoftheoncefamiliarshop;theexitofgood，comfortableWilliamCoulson，goingtohisownhome，hisownwife，hiscomfortable，plentifulsupper。
　　ThenPhilip——therewerenopoliceinthosedays，andscarcelyanoldwatchmaninthatprimitivelittletown——wouldgoroundontheshadysidesofstreets，and，quicklyglancingabouthim，crossthebridge，lookingonthequiet，ripplingstream，thegreyshimmerforetellingthecomingdawnoverthesea，theblackmastsandriggingofthestillvesselsagainstthesky;
　　hecouldseewithhiswistful，eagereyestheshapeofthewindows——thewindowoftheveryroominwhimhiswifeandchildslept，unheedingofhim，thehungry，broken—heartedoutcast。Hewouldgobacktohislodging，andsoftlyliftthelatchofthedoor;stillmoresoftly，butneverwithoutanunspoken，gratefulprayer，passbythepoorsleepingwomanwhohadgivenhimashelterandhershareofGod'sblessing——shewho，likehim，knewnotthefeelingofsatisfiedhunger;andthenhelaidhimdownonthenarrowpalletinthelean—to，andagaingaveSylviahappylessonsinthekitchenatHaytersbank，andthedeadwerealive;andCharleyKinraid，thespecksioneer，hadnevercometotroublethehopeful，gentlepeace。ForwidowDobsonhadnevertakenSylvia'sadvice。ThetrampknowntoherbythenameofFreeman——thatinwhichhereceivedhispension——lodgedwithherstill，andpaidhismeagreshillinginadvance，weekly。Ashillingwasmeagreinthoseharddaysofscarcity。Ahungrymanmighteasilyeattheproduceofashillinginaday。WidowDobsonpleadedthistoSylviaasanexcuseforkeepingherlodgeron;toamorecalculatingheaditmighthaveseemedareasonforsendinghimaway。'Yo'see，missus，'saidshe，apologetically，toSylvia，oneevening，asthelattercalleduponthepoorwidowbeforegoingtofetchlittleBella（itwasnowtoohotforthechildtocrossthebridgeinthefullheatofthesummersun，andJeremiahwouldtakeheruptohersupperinstead）——'Yo'
　　see，missus，there'snotamanyas'udtakehiminforashillin'whenitgoessolittleway;oriftheydid，they'dtakeitoutonhimsomeotherway，an'he'snotgettenmuchelse，areckon。Heca'smegranny，buta'mvastmista'enifhe'stenyearyoungernorme;buthe'sgettenafineappetiteofhisown，choosehowyounghemaybe;an'acanseeashecouldeatadealmorenorhe'sgettenmoneytobuy，an'it'sfewascanmak'victualgofarthernorme。Eh，missus，butyo'maytrustmea'llsendhimoffwhentimesisbetter;butjustnowitwouldbesendin'himtohisdeath;foraha'plentyandtospare，thanksbetoGodan'yo'rbonnyface。'SoSylviahadtobecontentwiththeknowledgethatthemoneyshegladlygavetoKester'ssisterwentpartlytofeedthelodgerwhowasneitherlabourernorneighbour，butonlyjustatramp，who，shefeared，waspreyingonthegoodoldwoman。Stillthecruelfaminecutsharpenoughtopenetrateallhearts;andSylvia，anhouraftertheconversationrecordedabove，wasmuchtouched，onherreturnfromJeremiahFoster'swiththelittlemerry，chatteringBella，atseeingthefeeblestepsofone，whomsheknewbydescriptionmustbewidowDobson'slodger，turnupfromthenewly—cutroadwhichwastoleadtotheterracewalkaroundtheNorthCliff，aroadwhichledtonodwellingbutwidowDobson's。Tramp，andvagrant，hemightheintheeyesofthelaw;but，whateverhischaracter，Sylviacouldseehimbeforeherinthesoftdusk，creepingalong，overthebridge，oftenstoppingtorestandholdbysomesupport，andthengoingonagaintowardsthetown，towhichsheandhappylittleBellawerewending。Athoughtcameoverher:shehadalwaysfanciedthatthisunknownmanwassomefiercevagabond，andhaddreadedlestinthelonelybitofroadbetweenwidowDobson'scottageandthepeopledhighway，heshouldfalluponherandrobherifhelearntthatshehadmoneywithher;andseveraltimesshehadgoneawaywithoutleavingthelittlegiftshehadintended，becausesheimaginedthatshehadseenthedoorofthesmallchamberinthe'lean—to'
　　opensoftlywhileshewasthere，asiftheoccupant（whomwidowDobsonspokeofasneverleavingthehousebeforedusk，exceptingonceaweek）
　　werelisteningforthechinkofthecoininherlittleleathernpurse。
　　Nowthatshesawhimwalkingbeforeherwithheavylanguidsteps，thisfeargaveplacetopity;sherememberedhermother'sgentlesuperstitionwhichhadpreventedherfromeversendingthehungryemptyaway，forfearlestsheherselfshouldcometoneedbread。'Lassie，'saidshetolittleBella，whoheldacakewhichJeremiah'shousekeeperhadgivenhertightinherhand，'yonpoormantheereishungry;willBellagivehimhercake，andmotherwillmakeheranotherto—morrowtwiceasbig？'Forthisconsideration，andwiththefeelingofsatisfactionwhichagoodsuppernotanhouragogiveseventothehungrystomachofachildofthreeyearsold，Bella，aftersomethought，graciouslyassentedtothesacrifice。Sylviastopped，thecakeinherhand，andturnedherbacktothetown，andtotheslowwayfarerinfront。Underthecoverofhershawlsheslippedahalf—crowndeepintothecrumbofthecake，andthenrestoringittolittleBella，shegaveherherdirections。'MammywillcarryBella;andwhenBellagoespastthepoorman，sheshallgivehimthecakeovermammy'sshoulder。Poormanissohungry;andBellaandmammyhaveplentytoeat，andtospare。'Thechild'sheartwastouchedbytheideaofhunger，andherlittlearmwasoutstretchedreadyforthemomenthermother'shurriedstepstookherbrushingpastthestartled，tremblingPhilip。'Poorman，eatthis;Bellanothungry。'Theywerethefirstwordshehadeverheardhischildutter。Theechoesofthemranginhisearsashestoodendeavouringtohidehisdisfiguredfacebylookingovertheparapetofthebridgedownuponthestreamrunningawaytowardstheocean，intowhichhishottearsslowlyfell，unheededbytheweeper。Thenhechangedtheintentionwithwhichhehadsetoutuponhisnightlywalk，andturnedbacktohislodging。OfcoursethecasewasdifferentwithSylvia;shewouldhaveforgottenthewholeaffairveryspeedily，ifithadnotbeenforlittleBella'sfrequentrecurrencetothestoryofthehungryman，whichhadtouchedhersmallsympathieswiththesenseofanintelligiblemisfortune。Shelikedtoactthedroppingofthebunintothepoorman'shandasshewentpasthim，andwouldtakeupanyarticlenearherinordertoillustratethegestureshehadused。OnedayshegotholdofHester'swatchforthispurpose，asbeingofthesameroundshapeasthecake;andthoughHester，forwhosebenefitthechildwasrepeatingthestoryinherbrokenlanguageforthethirdorfourthtime，triedtocatchthewatchasitwasintendedthatsheshould（shebeingtherepresentativeofthe'hungryman'forthetimebeing），itwenttothegroundwithasmashthatfrightenedthelittlegirl，andshebegantocryatthemischiefshehaddone。'Don'tcry，Bella，'saidHester。'Niverplaywithwatchesagain。Ididn'tseetheeatmine，orI'dha'stoppedtheeintime。ButI'lltakeittooldDarley'sonth'quay—side，andmaybehe'llsoonsetittorightsagain。
　　OnlyBellamustniverplaywithwatchesagain。''Nivernomore！'promisedthelittlesobbingchild。AndthateveningHestertookherwatchdowntooldDarley's。ThisWilliamDarleywasthebrotherofthegardenerattherectory;theuncletothesailorwhohadbeenshotbythepress—gangyearsbefore，andtohisbed—riddensister。Hewasaclevermechanician，andhisskillasarepairerofwatchesandchronometerswasgreatamongthesailors，withwhomhedidaveryirregularsortoftraffic，conducted。oftenwithoutmuchuseofmoney，butratherontheprincipleofbarter，theybringinghimforeigncoinsandoddcuriositiespickedupontheirtravelsinexchangeforhisservicestotheirnauticalinstrumentsortheirwatches。Ifhehadeverhadcapitaltoextendhisbusiness，hemighthavebeenarichman;butitistobedoubtedwhetherhewouldhavebeenashappyashewasnowinhisqueerlittlehabitationoftworooms，thefrontonebeingbothshopandworkshop，theotherservingthedoublepurposeofbed—roomandmuseum。Theskillofthisodd—tempered，shabbyoldmanwassometimessoughtbythejewellerwhokeptthemoreostentatiousshopintheHighStreet;butbeforeDarleywouldundertakeany'tickle'pieceofdelicateworkmanshipfortheother，hesneeredathisignorance，andtauntedandabusedhimwell。Yethehadsoftplacesinhisheart，andHesterRosehadfoundherwaytoonebyherpatient，enduringkindnesstohisbedriddenniece。Heneversnarledatherashedidattoomany;andonthefewoccasionswhenshehadaskedhimtodoanythingforher，hehadseemedasifshewereconferringthefavouronhim，notheonher，andonlymadethesmallestpossiblecharge。Shefoundhimnowsittingwherehecouldcatchthemostlightforhiswork，spectaclesonnose，andmicroscopeinhand。Hetookherwatch，andexamineditcarefullywithoutawordinreplytoher。Thenhebegantoopenitandtakeittopieces，inordertoascertainthenatureofthemischief。Suddenlyheheardhercatchherbreathwithacheckedsoundofsurprise。
　　Helookedatherfromabovehisspectacles;shewasholdingawatchinherhandwhichshehadjusttakenupoffthecounter。'What'samisswi'theenow？'saidDarley。'Hasttariverseenawatcho'thatmak'afore？orisitthemlettersont'back，asissowonderful？'Yes，itwasthoseletters——thatinterlaced，old—fashionedcipher。ThatZ。H。thatsheknewofoldstoodforZacharyHepburn，Philip'sfather。
　　SheknewhowPhilipvaluedthiswatch。Sherememberedhavingseenitinhishandstheverydaybeforehisdisappearance，whenhewaslookingatthetimeinhisannoyanceatSylvia'sdetentioninherwalkwithbaby。
　　Hesterhadnodoubtthathehadtakenthiswatchasamatterofcourseawaywithhim。Shefeltsurethathewouldnotpartwiththisrelicofhisdeadfatheronanyslightnecessity。Where，then，wasPhilip？——bywhatchanceoflifeordeathhadthis，hisvaluedproperty，founditswayoncemoretoMonkshaven？'Wheredidyo'getthis？'sheasked，inasquietamannerasshecouldassume，sickwitheagernessasshewas。TonooneelsewouldDarleyhaveansweredsuchaquestion。Hemadeamysteryofmostofhisdealings;notthathehadanythingtoconceal，butsimplybecausehedelightedinconcealment。Hetookitoutofherhands，lookedatthenumbermarkedinside，andthemaker'sname——'NatteauGent，York'——andthenreplied，——'Amanbroughtitmeyesterday，atnightfall，fort'sellit。It'samattero'fortyyearsold。NatteauGenthasbeendeadandinhisgraveprettynighaslongasthat。Buthedidhisworkwellwhenhewerealive;andsoIgavehimasbroughtitfort'sellaboutasmuchasitwereworth，i'goodcoin。Atriedhimfirsti't'barteringline，buthewouldn'tbite;
　　likeenoughhewantedfood，——manyaonedoesnow—a—days。''Whowashe？'gaspedHester。'Blesst'woman！howshouldIknow？''Whatwashelike？——howold？——tellme。''Mylass，a'vesummutelsetodowi'myeyesthangopeeringintomen'sfacesi't'dusklight。''Butyo'musthavehadlightfort'judgeaboutthewatch。''Eh！howsharpweare！A'dacandleclosetomynose。Butadidn'ttak'
　　itupfortogazeint'hisface。Thatwouldn'tbemanners，tomythinking。'Hesterwassilent。ThenDarley'sheartrelented。'Ifyo'resosetupo'knowingwhot'fellowwas，acould，mebbe，putyo'
　　onhistracks。''How？'saidHester，eagerly。'Idowanttoknow。Iwanttoknowverymuch，andforagoodreason。''Well，thena'lltellyo'。He'saqueertyke，thatoneis。A'llbeboundheweresorepressedfort'brass;yetheout'swi'agoodhalf—crown，allwrappedupi'paper，andheaxesmet'makeaholeinit。SaysI，"It'smarringgoodking'scoin，ataftera'vemadeaholein't，it'llneverpasscurrentagain。"Sohemumbles，andmumbles，butfora'thatitmustneedsbedone;andhe'sleftithere，anditt'callfor'tto—morrowate'en。''Oh，WilliamDarley！'saidHester，claspingherhandstighttogether。'Findoutwhoheis，whereheis——anything——everythingabouthim——andIwillsoblessyo'。'Darleylookedathersharply，butwithsomesignsofsympathyonhisgraveface。'Mywoman，'hesaid'acouldha'wishedasyou'dniverseent'watch。
　　It'spoor，thanklessworkthinkingtoomuchononeo'God'screatures。
　　Buta'lldothybidding，'hecontinued，inalighteranddifferenttone。
　　'A'ma'cuteoldbadgerwhenneedbe。Comeforthywatchinacoupleo'
　　days，anda'lltellyo'allasa'velearnt。'SoHesterwentaway，herheartbeatingwiththepromiseofknowingsomethingaboutPhilip，——howmuch，howlittle，inthesefirstmoments，shedarednotsayeventoherself。SomesailornewlylandedfromdistantseasmighthavebecomepossessedofPhilip'swatchinfar—offlatitudes;inwhichcase，Philipwouldbedead。Thatmightbe。Shetriedtothinkthatthiswasthemostprobablewayofaccountingforthewatch。Shecouldbecertainastothepositiveidentityofthewatch——beinginWilliamDarley'spossession……
　　Again，itmightbethatPhiliphimselfwasnearathand——washereinthisveryplace——starving，astoomanywere，forinsufficiencyofmeanstobuythehigh—pricedfood。Andthenherheartburntwithinherasshethoughtofthesucculent，comfortablemealswhichSylviaprovidedeveryday——nay，threetimesaday——forthehouseholdinthemarket—place，attheheadofwhichPhilipoughttohavebeen;buthisplaceknewhimnot。ForSylviahadinheritedhermother'stalentforhousekeeping，andonher，inAlice'sdecrepitudeandHester'sotheroccupationsintheshop，devolvedthecaresofdueprovisionforthesomewhatheterogeneousfamily。AndSylvia！HestergroanedinheartovertheremembranceofSylvia'swords，'Icanniverforgivehimthewronghedidtome，'thatnightwhenHesterhadcome，andclungtoher，makingthesad，shamefulconfessionofherunreturnedlove。Whatcouldeverbringthesetwotogetheragain？CouldHesterherself——ignorantofthestrangemysteryofSylvia'sheart，asthosewhoareguidedsolelybyobediencetoprinciplemusteverbeofthecluetotheactionsofthosewhoareledbythepassionateebbandflowofimpulse？CouldHesterherself？
　　Oh！howshouldshespeak，howshouldsheact，ifPhilipwerenear——ifPhilipweresadandinmiserableestate？Herownmiseryatthiscontemplationofthecasewastoogreattobear;andshesoughtherusualrefugeinthethoughtofsometext，somepromiseofScripture，whichshouldstrengthenherfaith。'WithGodallthingsarepossible，'saidshe，repeatingthewordsasthoughtolullheranxietytorest。Yes;withGodallthingsarepossible。ButoftentimesHedoeshisworkwithawfulinstruments。ThereisapeacemakerwhosenameisDeath。
　　chapter45CHAPTERXLVSAVEDANDLOSTHesterwentoutontheeveningofthedayafterthatonwhichtheunknownownerofthehalf—crownhadappointedtocallforitagainatWilliamDarley's。
　　Shehadschooledherselftobelievethattimeandpatiencewouldserveherbest。HerplanwastoobtainalltheknowledgeaboutPhilipthatshecouldinthefirstinstance;andthen，ifcircumstancesallowedit，asinallprobabilitytheywould，toletdropbydropofhealing，peacemakingwordsandthoughtsfallonSylvia'sobdurate，unforgivingheart。SoHesterputonherthings，andwentoutdowntowardstheoldquay—sideonthateveningaftertheshopwasclosed。PoorSylvia！Shewasunforgiving，butnotobduratetothefullextentofwhatHesterbelieved。ManyatimesincePhilipwentawayhadsheunconsciouslymissedhisprotectinglove;whenfolksspokeshortlytoher，whenAlicescoldedherasoneofthenon—elect，whenHester'sgentlegravityhadsomethingofseverityinit;whenherownheartfailedherastowhetherhermotherwouldhavejudgedthatshehaddonewell，couldthatmotherhaveknownall，aspossiblyshedidbythistime。Philiphadneverspokenotherwisethantenderlytoherduringtheeighteenmonthsoftheirmarriedlife，exceptonthetwooccasionsbeforerecorded:oncewhenshereferredtoherdreamofKinraid'spossiblereturn，andonceagainontheeveningofthedaybeforeherdiscoveryofhisconcealmentofthesecretofKinraid'sinvoluntarydisappearance。AftershehadlearntthatKinraidwasmarried，herhearthadstillmorestronglyturnedtoPhilip，shethoughtthathehadjudgedrightlyinwhathehadgivenastheexcuseforhisdoubledealing;shewasevenmoreindignantatKinraid'sficklenessthanshehadanyreasontobe;andshebegantolearnthevalueofsuchenduringloveasPhilip'shadbeen——lastingeversincethedayswhenshefirstbegantofancywhataman'sloveforawomanshouldbe，whenshehadfirstshrunkfromthetoneoftendernessheputintohisespecialtermforher，agirloftwelve——'Littlelassie，'ashewaswonttocallher。Butacrossallthisrelentingcametheshadowofhervow——likethechillofagreatcloudpassingoverasunnyplain。Howshouldshedecide？whatwouldbeherduty，ifhecameagain，andoncemorecalledher'wife'？Sheshrankfromsuchapossibilitywithalltheweaknessandsuperstitionofhernature;andthisitwaswhichmadeherstrengthenherselfwiththere—utteranceofunforgivingwords;andshunallrecurrencetothesubjectontherareoccasionwhenHesterhadtriedtobringitback，withahopeofsofteningtheheartwhichtoherappearedaltogetherhardenedonthisonepoint。Now，onthisbrightsummerevening，whileHesterhadgonedowntothequay—side，Sylviastoodwithherout—of—doorthingsonintheparlour，ratherimpatientlywatchingthesky，fullofhurryingclouds，andflushingwiththewarmtintsoftheapproachingsunset。ShecouldnotleaveAlice:theoldwomanhadgrownsoinfirmthatshewasneverleftbyherdaughterandSylviaatthesametime;yetSylviahadtofetchherlittlegirlfromtheNewTown，whereshehadbeentohersupperatJeremiahFoster's。Hesterhadsaidthatsheshouldnotbeawaymorethanaquarterofanhour;andHesterwasgenerallysopunctualthatanyfailureofhers，inthisrespect，appearedalmostinthelightofaninjuryonthosewhohadlearnttorelyuponher。SylviawantedtogoandseewidowDobson，andlearnwhenKestermightbeexpectedhome。Histwomonthswerelongpast;andSylviahadheardthroughtheFostersofsomesuitableandprofitableemploymentforhim，ofwhichshethoughthewouldbegladtoknowassoonaspossible。Itwasnowsometimesinceshehadbeenabletogetsofarasacrossthebridge;and，foraughtsheknew，KestermightalreadybecomebackfromhisexpeditiontotheCheviots。
　　Kesterwascomeback。Scarcefiveminuteshadelapsedafterthesethoughtshadpassedthroughhermindbeforehishastyhandliftedthelatchofthekitchen—door，hishurriedstepsbroughthimfacetofacewithher。Thesmileofgreetingwasarrestedonherlipsbyonelookathim:hiseyesstaringwide，theexpressiononhisfacewild，andyetpitiful。'That'sreet，'saidhe，seeingthatherthingswerealreadyon。'Thou'rewantedsore。Comealong。''Oh！dearGod！mychild！'criedSylvia，clutchingatthechairnearher;
　　butrecoveringhereddyingsenseswiththestrongfactbeforeherthatwhatevertheterrorwas，shewasneededtocombatit。'Ay;thychild！'saidKester，takingheralmostroughlybythearm，anddrawingherawaywithhimoutthroughtheopendoorsontothequay—side。'Tellme！'saidSylvia，faintly，'isshedead？''She'ssafenow，'saidKester。'It'snother——it'shimassavedherasneedsyo'，ifiverhusbandneededawife。''He？——who？OPhilip！Philip！isityo'atlast？'Unheedingwhatspectatorsmightseehermovements，shethrewupherarmsandstaggeredagainsttheparapetofthebridgetheywerethencrossing。'He！——Philip！——savedBella？Bella，ourlittleBella，asgotherdinnerbymyside，andwentoutwi'Jeremiah，aswellascouldbe。Icannottakeitin;tellme，Kester。'Shekepttremblingsomuchinvoiceandinbody，thathesawshecouldnotstirwithoutdangeroffallinguntilshewascalmed;asitwas，hereyesbecamefilmyfromtimetotime，andshedrewherbreathingreatheavypants，leaningallthewhileagainstthewallofthebridge。'Itwerenoillness，'Kesterbegan。'T'littleunhadgoneforawalkwi'
　　JeremiahFoster，an'heweredrawnfortogoroundt'edgeo't'cliff，wheerethey'smakin't'newwalkreeto'ert'sea。Butit'sbutabitonapathwaynow;an't'onewastoooud，an't'othertooyoungfort'seet'watercomin'alongwi'greatleaps;it'sallaysforcomin'highupagain'
　　t'cliff，an'thisspring—tideit'scomin'ini'terriblebigwaves。Someonesaidastheypassedt'mana—sittin'onabitonarockupabove——adunnotknow，aonlyknowasahearedagreatfearfulscreechi't'air。