’Mother，Iwillhaveitout，’wasallthatIcouldanswerher；’leavehertomealtogether；onlyyousitthereandwatch。’ForIfeltthatLornaknewme，andnoothersoulbutme；andthatifnotinterferedwith，shewouldsooncomehometome。ThereforeIsatgentlybyher，leavingnature，asitwere，toherowngoodtimeandwill。Andpresentlytheglancethatwatchedme，asatdistanceandindoubt，begantoflutterandtobrighten，andtodeepenintokindness，thentobeamwithtrustandlove，andthenwithgatheringtearstofalter，andinshametoturnaway。Butthesmallentreatinghandsfoundtheirway，asifbyinstinct，tomygreatprojectingpalms；andtrembledthere，andrestedthere。
　　Foralittlewhilewelingeredthus，neitherwishingtomoveaway，neithercaringtolookbeyondthepresenceoftheother；bothalikesofullofhope，andcomfort，andtruehappiness；ifonlytheworldwouldletusbe。
　　Andthenalittlesobdisturbedus，andmothertriedtomakebelievethatshewasonlycoughing。ButLorna，guessingwhoshewas，jumpedupsoveryrashlythatshealmostsetherfrockonfirefromthegreatashlog；
　　andawaysherantotheoldoakchair，wheremotherwasbytheclock-casepretendingtobeknitting，andshetooktheworkfrommother’shands，andlaidthembothuponherhead，kneelinghumbly，andlookingup。
　　’Godblessyou，myfairmistress!’saidmother，bendingnearer，andthenasLorna’sgazeprevailed，’Godblessyou，mysweetchild!’
　　Andsoshewenttomother’sheartbytheverynearestroad，evenasshehadcometomine；Imeantheroadofpity，smoothedbygrace，andyouth，andgentleness。
　　JeremyStickleswasgonesouth，ereeverthefrostsetin，forthepurposeofmusteringforcestoattacktheDooneGlen。But，ofcourse，thisweatherhadputastoptoeverykindofmovement；forevenifmencouldhavebornethecold，theycouldscarcelybebroughttofacetheperilsofthesnow-drifts。AndtotellthetruthIcarednothowlongthisweatherlasted，solongaswehadenoughtoeat，andcouldkeepourselvesfromfreezing。NotonlythatIdidnotwantMasterSticklesbackagain，tomakemoredisturbances；butalsothattheDoonescouldnotcomeprowlingafterLornawhilethesnowlaypiledbetweenus，withthesurfacesoftanddry。Ofcoursetheywouldverysoondiscoverwheretheirlawfulqueenwas，althoughthetrackofsleddandsnow-shoeshadbeenquiteobliteratedbyanothershower，beforetherevellerscouldhavegrownhalfasdrunkastheyintended。ButMarwooddeWhichehalse，whohadbeensnowedupamongthemasGwennysaid，afterhelpingtostripthebeacon，thatyoungSquirewasalmostcertaintohaverecognisedme，andtohavetoldthevileCarver。AnditgavemenolittlepleasuretothinkhowmadthatCarvermustbewithme，forrobbinghimofthelovelybridewhomhewasstarvingintomatrimony。However，Iwasnotpleasedatallwiththeprospectoftheconsequences；butsetallhandsontothreshthecorn，eretheDoonescouldcomeandburnthericks。ForIknewthattheycouldnotcomeyet，inasmuchasevenaforestponycouldnottraversethecountry，muchlesstheheavyhorsesneededtocarrysuchmenastheywere。Andhundredsoftheforestponiesdiedinthishardweather，somebeingburiedinthesnow，andmoreofthemstarvedforwantofgrass。
　　Goingthroughthisstateofthings，andlayingdownthelawaboutitsubjecttocorrection，IverysoonpersuadedLornathatforthepresentshewassafe，andwhichmadeherstillmorehappythatshewasnotonlywelcome，butasgladdeningtooureyesastheflowersofMay。Ofcourse，sofarasregardedmyself，thiswasnotahundredthpartoftherealtruth；andevenasregardedothers，Imighthavesaidittentimesover。
　　ForLornahadsowonthemall，byherkindandgentleways，andhermodeofhearkeningtoeverybody’strouble，andreplyingwithoutwords，aswellasbyherbeauty，andsimplegraceofallthings，thatIcouldalmostwishsometimestherestwouldleavehermoretome。Butmothercouldnotdoenough；andAnniealmostworshippedher；andevenLizziecouldnotkeepherbitternesstowardsher；especiallywhenshefoundthatLornaknewasmuchofbooksasneedbe。
　　AsforJohnFry，andBetty，andMolly，theywereaperfectplaguewhenLornacameintothekitchen。ForbetwixttheircuriositytoseealiveDooneinthefleshwhencertainnottoeatthem，andtheirhighrespectforbirthwithorwithouthonesty，andtheirintensedesiretoknowallaboutMasterJohn’ssweetheartdropped，astheysaid，fromthesnow-clouds，andmostofalltheiradmirationofabeautysuchasnevereventheirangelscouldhaveseen——betwixtandbetweenallthis，Isay，therewasnogettingthedinnercooked，withLornainthekitchen。
　　AndtheworstofitwasthatLornatookthestrangestofallstrangefanciesforthisverykitchen；anditwashardtokeepheroutofit。Notthatshehadanyspecialbentforcooking，asourAnniehad；ratherindeedthecontrary，forshelikedtohaveherfoodreadycooked；butthatshelovedthelookoftheplace，andthecheerfulfireburning，andtheracksofbacontobeseen，andtherichness，andthehomeliness，andthepleasantsmellofeverything。Andwhoknowsbutwhatshemayhavelikedastheverybestofmaidensdotobeadmired，nowandthen，betweenthetimesofbusiness？
　　ThereforeifyouwantedLornaasIwasalwayssuretodo，Godknowshowmanytimesaday，theverysurestplacetofindherwasourownoldkitchen。Notgossiping，Imean，norloitering，neitherseekingintothings，butseemingtobequiteathome，asifshehadknownitfromachild，andseemingtomyeyesatleasttolightitup，andmakelifeandcolouroutofallthedullness；asIhaveseenthebreakingsundoamongbrownshocksofwheat。
　　Butanyonewhowishedtolearnwhethergirlscanchangeornot，asthethingsaroundthemchangewhileyettheirheartsaresteadfast，andforeveranchored，heshouldjusthaveseenmyLorna，afterafortnightofourlife，andfreedomfromanxiety。Itispossiblethatmycompany——althoughIamaccountedstupidbyfolkwhodonotknowmyway——mayhavehadsomethingtodowithit；butuponthisIwillnotsaymuch，lestIlosemycharacter。Andindeed，asregardscompany，Ihadallthethreshingtoseeto，andmorethanhalftodomyselfthoughanyonewouldhavethoughtthatevenJohnFrymustworkhardthisweather，elseIcouldnothopeatalltogetourcornintosuchcompassthatagoodgunmightprotectit。
　　ButtocomebacktoLornaagainwhichIalwayslongedtodo，andmustlongforever，allthechangebetweennightandday，alltheshiftsofcloudandsun，allthedifferencebetweenblackdeathandbrightsomeliveliness，scarcelymaysuggestorequalLorna’stransformation。Quickshehadalwaysbeenand’peart’
　　aswesayonExmoorandgiftedwithaleapofthoughttooswiftformetofollow；andhenceyoumayfindfaultwithmuch，whenIreporthersayings。Butthroughthewholehadalwaysrun，asablackstringgoesthroughpearls，somethingdarkandtouchedwithshadow，colouredaswithanearlyend。
　　But，now，behold!therewasnoneofthis!Therewasnogettingher，foramoment，eventobeserious。Allherbrightyoungwitwasflashing，likeanewly-awakenedflame，andallherhighyoungspiritsleaped，asifdancingtoitsfire。Andyetsheneverspokeawordwhichgavemorepainthanpleasure。
　　Andeveninheroutwardlooktherewasmuchofdifference。Whetheritwasourwarmth，andfreedom，andourharmlessloveofGod，andtrustinoneanother；
　　orwhetheritwereourair，andwater，andthepea-fedbacon；anyhowmyLornagrewricherandmorelovely，moreperfectandmorefirmoffigure，andmorelightandbuoyant，witheverypassingdaythatlaiditstributeonhercheeksandlips。Iwasallowedonekissaday；onlyoneformanners’sake，becauseshewasourvisitor；andImighthaveitbeforebreakfast，orelsewhenIcametosay’good-night!’accordingasI
　　decided。AndIdecidedeverynight，nottotakeitinthemorning，butputitofftilltheeveningtime，andhavethepleasuretothinkabout，throughallthedayofworking。Butwhenmydarlingcameuptomeintheearlydaylight，fresherthanthedaystar，andwithnoonelooking；onlyherbrighteyessmiling，andsweetlipsquiteready，wasitlikelyIcouldwait，andthinkalldayaboutit？ForsheworeafrockofAnnie’s，nicelymadetofither，takeninatthewaistandcurved——Inevercouldexplainit，notbeingamantua-maker；butIknowhowherfigurelookedinit，andhowitcametowardsme。
　　Butthisisneitherherenorthere；andImustonwithmystory。Thosedaysareverysacredtome，andifI
　　speaklightlyofthem，trustme，’tiswithlipalone；
　　whilefromheartreproachpeepssadlyattheflippanttricksofmind。
　　Althoughitwasthelongestwintereverknowninourpartsneverhavingceasedtofreezeforasinglenight，andscarcelyforasingleday，fromthemiddleofDecembertillthesecondweekinMarch，tomeitwastheveryshortestandthemostdelicious；andverilyIdobelieveitwasthesametoLorna。ButwhentheIdesofMarchwerecomeofwhichIdoremembersomethingdimfromschool，andsomethingclearfrommyfavouritewriterlo，therewereincreasingsignalsofachangeofweather。
　　Oneleadingfeatureofthatlongcold，andathingremarkedbyeveryonehoweverunobservanthadbeenthehollowmoaningsoundeverpresentintheair，morning，noon，andnight-time，andespeciallyatnight，whetheranywindwerestirring，orwhetheritwereaperfectcalm。Ourpeoplesaidthatitwasawitchcursingallthecountryfromthecavernsbythesea，andthatfrostandsnowwouldlastuntilwecouldcatchanddrownher。Buttheland，beingthoroughlyblockedwithsnow，andtheinshorepartsoftheseawithicefloatingingreatfieldsalong，MotherMelldrumifsheitwerehadthecavernsalltoherself，fortherewasnogettingather。Andspeakingofthesearemindsmeofathingreportedtous，andongoodauthority；
　　thoughpeoplemightbefoundhereafterwhowouldnotbelieveit，unlessItoldthemthatfromwhatImyselfbeheldofthechannelIplaceperfectfaithinit：andthisis，thatadozensailorsatthebeginningofMarchcrossedtheice，withtheaidofpolesfromClevedontoPenarth，orwheretheHolmrocksbarredtheflotage。
　　Butnow，aboutthetenthofMarch，thatmiserablemoaningnoise，whichhadbothforegoneandaccompaniedtherigour，diedawayfromouttheair；andwe，beingnowsousedtoit，thoughtatfirstthatwemustbedeaf。Andthenthefog，whichhadhungabouteveninfullsunshinevanished，andtheshroudedhillsshoneforthwithbrightnessmanifold。Andnowtheskyatlengthbegantocometoitstruemanner，whichwehadnotseenformonths，amixtureifIsomayspeakofvariousexpressions。WhereastillnowfromAllhallows-tide，sixweekserethegreatfrostsetin，theheavenshadwornoneheavymaskofashengraywhenclouded，orelseoneamethystinetingewithahazyrim，whencloudless。Soitwaspleasanttobehold，afterthatmonotony，thefickleskywhichsuitsourEngland，thoughabusedbyforeignfolk。
　　Andsoonthedappledsofteningskygavesomeearnestofitsmood；forabrisksouthwindarose，andtheblessedraincamedriving，coldindeed，yetmostrefreshingtotheskin，allparchedwithsnow，andtheeyeballssolongdazzled。NeitherwastheheartmoresluggishinitsthankfulnesstoGod。Peoplehadbeguntothink，andsomebodyhadprophesied，thatweshouldhavenospringthisyear，noseed-time，andnoharvest；forthattheLordhadsentajudgmentonthiscountryofEngland，andthenationdwellinginit，becauseofthewickednessoftheCourt，andtheencouragementshowntoPapists。Andthiswasproved，theysaid，bywhathadhappenedinthetownofLondon；where，formorethanafortnight，suchachillofdarknesslaythatnomanmightbeholdhisneighbour，evenacrossthenarroweststreet；andwheretheiceupontheThameswasmorethanfourfeetthick，andcrushingLondonBridgeintwain。
　　NowtotheseprophetsIpaidnoheed，believingnotthatProvidencewouldfreezeusforotherpeople’ssins；neitherseeinghowEnglandcouldformanygenerationshaveenjoyedgoodsunshine，ifPoperymeantfrostandfogs。Besides，whycouldnotProvidencesettlethebusinessonceforallbyfreezingthePopehimself；eventhoughaccordingtoourviewheweredestinedtoextremesofheat，togetherwithallwhofollowedhim？
　　Nottomeddlewiththatsubject，beingbeyondmyjudgment，letmetellthethingsIsaw，andthenyoumustbelieveme。Thewind，ofcourse，Icouldnotsee，nothavingthepowersofapig；butIcouldseetheladenbranchesofthegreatoaksmoving，hopingtoshakeofftheloadpackedandsaddledonthem。AndherebyImaynoteathingwhichsomeonemayexplainperhapsintheafterages，whenpeoplecometolookatthings。Thisisthatindesperatecoldallthetreeswerepulledawry，eventhoughthewindhadscatteredthesnowburdenfromthem。Ofsomesortsthebranchesbendeddownwards，likeanarchway；ofothersortstheboughscurvedupwards，likeareddeer’sfrontlet。
　　ThisIknownoreason*for；butamreadytoswearthatIsawit。
　　*Thereasonisverysimple，asallnature’sreasonsare；thoughthesubjecthasnotyetbeeninvestigatedthoroughly。Insometreesthevasculartissueismoreopenontheupperside，inothersontheunderside，ofthespreadingbranches；accordingtotheformofgrowth，andhabitofthesap。Henceinveryseverecold，whenthevesselscomparativelyemptyareconstricted，somehavemorepowerofcontractionontheupperside，andsomeupontheunder。
　　Nowwhenthefirstoftherainbegan，andtheoldfamiliarsoftnessspreaduponthewindowglass，andranalittlewayinchannelsthoughfromthecoldnessoftheglassitfrozebeforereachingthebottom，knowingatoncethedifferencefromtheshortsharpthudofsnow，weallranout，andfilledoureyesandfilledourheartswithgazing。True，thesnowwaspiledupnowallinmountainsroundus；true，theairwasstillsocoldthatourbreathfrozeonthedoorway，andtherainwasturnedtoicewhereveritstruckanything；