MrsForrestersurprisedusinourdarnedcapsandpatchedcollars；
　　andweforgotallabouttheminoureagernesstoseehowshewouldbeartheinformation，whichwehonourablylefttoMissPole，toimpart，although，ifwehadbeeninclinedtotakeunfairadvantage，wemighthaverushedinourselves，forshehadamostout—of—placefitofcoughingforfiveminutesafterMrsForresterenteredtheroom。Ishallneverforgettheimploringexpressionofhereyes，asshelookedatusoverherpocket—handkerchief。Theysaid，asplainaswordscouldspeak，"Don’tletNaturedeprivemeofthetreasurewhichismine，althoughforatimeIcanmakenouseofit。"Andwedidnot。
　　MrsForrester’ssurprisewasequaltoours；andhersenseofinjuryrathergreater，becauseshehadtofeelforherOrder，andsawmorefullythanwecoulddohowsuchconductbroughtstainsonthearistocracy。
　　WhensheandMissPoleleftusweendeavouredtosubsideintocalmness；butMissMattywasreallyupsetbytheintelligenceshehadheard。Shereckoneditup，anditwasmorethanfifteenyearssinceshehadheardofanyofheracquaintancegoingtobemarried，withtheoneexceptionofMissJessieBrown；and，asshesaid，itgaveherquiteashock，andmadeherfeelasifshecouldnotthinkwhatwouldhappennext。
　　Idon’tknowwhetheritisafancyofmine，orarealfact，butI
　　havenoticedthat，justaftertheannouncementofanengagementinanyset，theunmarriedladiesinthatsetflutteroutinanunusualgaietyandnewnessofdress，asmuchastosay，inatacitandunconsciousmanner，"Wealsoarespinsters。"MissMattyandMissPoletalkedandthoughtmoreaboutbonnets，gowns，caps，andshawls，duringthefortnightthatsucceededthiscall，thanIhadknownthemdoforyearsbefore。Butitmightbethespringweather，foritwasawarmandpleasantMarch；andmerinoesandbeavers，andwoollenmaterialsofallsortswerebutungraciousreceptaclesofthebrightsun’sglancingrays。IthadnotbeenLadyGlenmire’sdressthathadwonMrHoggins’sheart，forshewentaboutonhererrandsofkindnessmoreshabbythanever。AlthoughinthehurriedglimpsesIcaughtofheratchurchorelsewheresheappearedrathertoshunmeetinganyofherfriends，herfaceseemedtohavealmostsomethingoftheflushofyouthinit；herlipslookedredderandmoretremblingfullthanintheiroldcompressedstate，andhereyesdweltonallthingswithalingeringlight，asifshewaslearningtoloveCranfordanditsbelongings。MrHogginslookedbroadandradiant，andcreakedupthemiddleaisleatchurchinabrand—newpairoftop—boots—anaudible，aswellasvisible，signofhispurposedchangeofstate；forthetraditionwent，thatthebootshehadworntillnowweretheidenticalpairinwhichhefirstsetoutonhisroundsinCranfordtwenty—fiveyearsago；onlytheyhadbeennew—pieced，highandlow，topandbottom，heelandsole，blackleatherandbrownleather，moretimesthananyonecouldtell。
　　NoneoftheladiesinCranfordchosetosanctionthemarriagebycongratulatingeitheroftheparties。Wewishedtoignorethewholeaffairuntilourliegelady，MrsJamieson，returned。Tillshecamebacktogiveusourcue，wefeltthatitwouldbebettertoconsidertheengagementinthesamelightastheQueenofSpain’slegs—factswhichcertainlyexisted，butthelesssaidaboutthebetter。Thisrestraintuponourtongues—foryouseeifwedidnotspeakaboutittoanyofthepartiesconcerned，howcouldwegetanswerstothequestionsthatwelongedtoask？—wasbeginningtobeirksome，andourideaofthedignityofsilencewaspalingbeforeourcuriosity，whenanotherdirectionwasgiventoourthoughts，byanannouncementonthepartoftheprincipalshopkeeperofCranford，whorangedthetradesfromgrocerandcheesemongertoman—milliner，asoccasionrequired，thatthespringfashionswerearrived，andwouldbeexhibitedonthefollowingTuesdayathisroomsinHighStreet。NowMissMattyhadbeenonlywaitingforthisbeforebuyingherselfanewsilkgown。Ihadoffered，itistrue，tosendtoDrumbleforpatterns，butshehadrejectedmyproposal，gentlyimplyingthatshehadnotforgottenherdisappointmentaboutthesea—greenturban。IwasthankfulthatIwasonthespotnow，tocounteractthedazzlingfascinationofanyyelloworscarletsilk。
　　Imustsayawordortwohereaboutmyself。Ihavespokenofmyfather’soldfriendshipfortheJenkynsfamily；indeed，Iamnotsureiftherewasnotsomedistantrelationship。HehadwillinglyallowedmetoremainallthewinteratCranford，inconsiderationofaletterwhichMissMattyhadwrittentohimaboutthetimeofthepanic，inwhichIsuspectshehadexaggeratedmypowersandmybraveryasadefenderofthehouse。Butnowthatthedayswerelongerandmorecheerful，hewasbeginningtourgethenecessityofmyreturn；andIonlydelayedinasortofoddforlornhopethatifIcouldobtainanyclearinformation，ImightmaketheaccountgivenbythesignoraoftheAgaJenkynstallywiththatof"poorPeter，"hisappearanceanddisappearance，whichIhadwinnowedoutoftheconversationofMissPoleandMrsForrester。
　　CHAPTERXIII—STOPPEDPAYMENT
　　THEveryTuesdaymorningonwhichMrJohnsonwasgoingtoshowthefashions，thepost—womanbroughttwoletterstothehouse。Isaythepost—woman，butIshouldsaythepostman’swife。Hewasalameshoemaker，averyclean，honestman，muchrespectedinthetown；
　　butheneverbroughtthelettersroundexceptonunusualoccasions，suchasChristmasDayorGoodFriday；andonthosedaystheletters，whichshouldhavebeendeliveredateightinthemorning，didnotmaketheirappearanceuntiltwoorthreeintheafternoon，foreveryonelikedpoorThomas，andgavehimawelcomeonthesefestiveoccasions。Heusedtosay，"Hewaswellystawedwi’
　　eating，fortherewerethreeorfourhouseswherenowtwouldserve’embuthemustshareintheirbreakfast；"andbythetimehehaddonehislastbreakfast，hecametosomeotherfriendwhowasbeginningdinner；butcomewhatmightinthewayoftemptation，Tomwasalwayssober，civil，andsmiling；and，asMissJenkynsusedtosay，itwasalessoninpatience，thatshedoubtednotwouldcalloutthatpreciousqualityinsomeminds，where，butforThomas，itmighthavelaindormantandundiscovered。PatiencewascertainlyverydormantinMissJenkyns’smind。Shewasalwaysexpectingletters，andalwaysdrummingonthetabletillthepost—womanhadcalledorgonepast。OnChristmasDayandGoodFridayshedrummedfrombreakfasttillchurch，fromchurch—timetilltwoo’clock—
　　unlesswhenthefirewantedstirring，whensheinvariablyknockeddownthefire—irons，andscoldedMissMattyforit。ButequallycertainwastheheartywelcomeandthegooddinnerforThomas；MissJenkynsstandingoverhimlikeabolddragoon，questioninghimastohischildren—whattheyweredoing—whatschooltheywentto；
　　upbraidinghimifanotherwaslikelytomakeitsappearance，butsendingeventhelittlebabiestheshillingandthemince—piewhichwashergifttoallthechildren，withhalf—a—crowninadditionforbothfatherandmother。ThepostwasnothalfofsomuchconsequencetodearMissMatty；butnotfortheworldwouldshehavediminishedThomas’swelcomeandhisdole，thoughIcouldseethatshefeltrathershyovertheceremony，whichhadbeenregardedbyMissJenkynsasagloriousopportunityforgivingadviceandbenefitingherfellow—creatures。MissMattywouldstealthemoneyallinalumpintohishand，asifshewereashamedofherself。
　　MissJenkynsgavehimeachindividualcoinseparate，witha"There！
　　that’sforyourself；that’sforJenny，"etc。MissMattywouldevenbeckonMarthaoutofthekitchenwhileheatehisfood：andonce，tomyknowledge，winkedatitsrapiddisappearanceintoabluecottonpocket—handkerchief。MissJenkynsalmostscoldedhimifhedidnotleaveacleanplate，howeverheapeditmighthavebeen，andgaveaninjunctionwitheverymouthful。
　　Ihavewanderedalongwayfromthetwolettersthatawaitedusonthebreakfast—tablethatTuesdaymorning。Minewasfrommyfather。
　　MissMatty’swasprinted。Myfather’swasjustaman’sletter；I
　　meanitwasverydull，andgavenoinformationbeyondthathewaswell，thattheyhadhadagooddealofrain，thattradewasverystagnant，andthereweremanydisagreeablerumoursafloat。HethenaskedmeifIknewwhetherMissMattystillretainedhersharesintheTownandCountyBank，astherewereveryunpleasantreportsaboutit；thoughnothingmorethanhehadalwaysforeseen，andhadprophesiedtoMissJenkynsyearsago，whenshewouldinvesttheirlittlepropertyinit—theonlyunwisestepthatcleverwomanhadevertaken，tohisknowledge（theonlytimesheeveractedagainsthisadvice，Iknew）。However，ifanythinghadgonewrong，ofcourseIwasnottothinkofleavingMissMattywhileIcouldbeofanyuse，etc。
　　"Whoisyourletterfrom，mydear？Mineisaverycivilinvitation，signed’EdwinWilson，’askingmetoattendanimportantmeetingoftheshareholdersoftheTownandCountyBank，tobeheldinDrumble，onThursdaythetwenty—first。Iamsure，itisveryattentiveofthemtorememberme。"
　　Ididnotliketohearofthis"importantmeeting，"for，thoughI
　　didnotknowmuchaboutbusiness，Ifeareditconfirmedwhatmyfathersaid：however，Ithought，illnewsalwayscamefastenough，soIresolvedtosaynothingaboutmyalarm，andmerelytoldherthatmyfatherwaswell，andsenthiskindregardstoher。Shekeptturningoverandadmiringherletter。Atlastshespoke—
　　"IremembertheirsendingonetoDeborahjustlikethis；butthatI
　　didnotwonderat，foreverybodyknewshewassoclear—headed。I
　　amafraidIcouldnothelpthemmuch；indeed，iftheycametoaccounts，Ishouldbequiteintheway，forInevercoulddosumsinmyhead。Deborah，Iknow，ratherwishedtogo，andwentsofarastoorderanewbonnetfortheoccasion：butwhenthetimecameshehadabadcold；sotheysentheraverypoliteaccountofwhattheyhaddone。Chosenadirector，Ithinkitwas。Doyouthinktheywantmetohelpthemtochooseadirector？IamsureIshouldchooseyourfatheratonce！’
　　"Myfatherhasnosharesinthebank，"saidI。
　　"Oh，no！Iremember。HeobjectedverymuchtoDeborah’sbuyingany，Ibelieve。Butshewasquitethewomanofbusiness，andalwaysjudgedforherself；andhere，yousee，theyhavepaideightpercent。alltheseyears。"
　　Itwasaveryuncomfortablesubjecttome，withmyhalf—knowledge；
　　soIthoughtIwouldchangetheconversation，andIaskedatwhattimeshethoughtwehadbettergoandseethefashions。"Well，mydear，"shesaid，"thethingisthis：itisnotetiquettetogotillaftertwelve；butthen，yousee，allCranfordwillbethere，andonedoesnotliketobetoocuriousaboutdressandtrimmingsandcapswithalltheworldlookingon。Itisnevergenteeltobeover—curiousontheseoccasions。Deborahhadtheknackofalwayslookingasifthelatestfashionwasnothingnewtoher；amannershehadcaughtfromLadyArley，whodidseeallthenewmodesinLondon，youknow。SoIthoughtwewouldjustslipdown—forIdowantthismorning，soonafterbreakfasthalf—a—poundoftea—andthenwecouldgoupandexaminethethingsatourleisure，andseeexactlyhowmynewsilkgownmustbemade；andthen，aftertwelve，wecouldgowithourmindsdisengaged，andfreefromthoughtsofdress。"
　　WebegantotalkofMissMatty’snewsilkgown。Idiscoveredthatitwouldbereallythefirsttimeinherlifethatshehadhadtochooseanythingofconsequenceforherself：forMissJenkynshadalwaysbeenthemoredecidedcharacter，whateverhertastemighthavebeen；anditisastonishinghowsuchpeoplecarrytheworldbeforethembythemereforceofwill。MissMattyanticipatedthesightoftheglossyfoldswithasmuchdelightasifthefivesovereigns，setapartforthepurchase，couldbuyallthesilksintheshop；and（rememberingmyownlossoftwohoursinatoyshopbeforeIcouldtellonwhatwondertospendasilverthreepence）I
　　wasverygladthatweweregoingearly，thatdearMissMattymighthaveleisureforthedelightsofperplexity。
　　Ifahappysea—greencouldbemetwith，thegownwastobesea—
　　green：ifnot，sheinclinedtomaize，andItosilvergray；andwediscussedtherequisitenumberofbreadthsuntilwearrivedattheshop—door。Weweretobuythetea，selectthesilk，andthenclamberuptheironcorkscrewstairsthatledintowhatwasoncealoft，thoughnowafashionshow—room。
　　TheyoungmenatMrJohnson’shadontheirbestlooks；andtheirbestcravats，andpivotedthemselvesoverthecounterwithsurprisingactivity。Theywantedtoshowusupstairsatonce；butontheprincipleofbusinessfirstandpleasureafterwards，westayedtopurchasethetea。HereMissMatty’sabsenceofmindbetrayeditself。Ifshewasmadeawarethatshehadbeendrinkinggreenteaatanytime，shealwaysthoughtitherdutytolieawakehalfthroughthenightafterward（Ihaveknownhertakeitinignorancemanyatimewithoutsucheffects），andconsequentlygreenteawasprohibitedthehouse；yetto—daysheherselfaskedfortheobnoxiousarticle，undertheimpressionthatshewastalkingaboutthesilk。However，themistakewassoonrectified；andthenthesilkswereunrolledingoodtruth。Bythistimetheshopwasprettywellfilled，foritwasCranfordmarket—day，andmanyofthefarmersandcountrypeoplefromtheneighbourhoodroundcamein，sleekingdowntheirhair，andglancingshylyabout，fromundertheireyelids，asanxioustotakebacksomenotionoftheunusualgaietytothemistressorthelassesathome，andyetfeelingthattheywereoutofplaceamongthesmartshopmenandgayshawlsandsummerprints。Onehonest—lookingman，however，madehiswayuptothecounteratwhichwestood，andboldlyaskedtolookatashawlortwo。Theothercountryfolkconfinedthemselvestothegroceryside；butourneighbourwasevidentlytoofullofsomekindintentiontowardsmistress，wifeordaughter，tobeshy；anditsoonbecameaquestionwithme，whetherheorMissMattywouldkeeptheirshopmenthelongesttime。Hethoughteachshawlmorebeautifulthanthelast；and，asforMissMatty，shesmiledandsighedovereachfreshbalethatwasbroughtout；onecoloursetoffanother，andtheheaptogetherwould，asshesaid，makeeventherainbowlookpoor。
　　"Iamafraid，"saidshe，hesitating，"WhicheverIchooseIshallwishIhadtakenanother。Lookatthislovelycrimson！itwouldbesowarminwinter。Butspringiscomingon，youknow。IwishI
　　couldhaveagownforeveryseason，"saidshe，droppinghervoice—
　　aswealldidinCranfordwheneverwetalkedofanythingwewishedforbutcouldnotafford。"However，"shecontinuedinalouderandmorecheerfultone，"itwouldgivemeagreatdealoftroubletotakecareofthemifIhadthem；so，Ithink，I’llonlytakeone。
　　Butwhichmustitbe，mydear？"
　　Andnowshehoveredoveralilacwithyellowspots，whileIpulledoutaquietsage—greenthathadfadedintoinsignificanceunderthemorebrilliantcolours，butwhichwasneverthelessagoodsilkinitshumbleway。Ourattentionwascalledofftoourneighbour。Hehadchosenashawlofaboutthirtyshillings’value；andhisfacelookedbroadlyhappy，undertheanticipation，nodoubt，ofthepleasantsurprisehewouldgivetosomeMollyorJennyathome；hehadtuggedaleathernpurseoutofhisbreeches—pocket，andhadofferedafive—poundnoteinpaymentfortheshawl，andforsomeparcelswhichhadbeenbroughtroundtohimfromthegrocerycounter；anditwasjustatthispointthatheattractedournotice。Theshopmanwasexaminingthenotewithapuzzled，doubtfulair。
　　"TownandCountyBank！Iamnotsure，sir，butIbelievewehavereceivedawarningagainstnotesissuedbythisbankonlythismorning。IwilljuststepandaskMrJohnson，sir；butI’mafraidImusttroubleyouforpaymentincash，orinanoteofadifferentbank。"
　　Ineversawaman’scountenancefallsosuddenlyintodismayandbewilderment。Itwasalmostpiteoustoseetherapidchange。
　　"Dangit！"saidhe，strikinghisfistdownonthetable，asiftotrywhichwastheharder，"thechaptalksasifnotesandgoldweretobehadforthepickingup。"
　　MissMattyhadforgottenhersilkgowninherinterestfortheman。
　　Idon’tthinkshehadcaughtthenameofthebank，andinmynervouscowardiceIwasanxiousthatsheshouldnot；andsoIbeganadmiringtheyellow—spottedlilacgownthatIhadbeenutterlycondemningonlyaminutebefore。Butitwasofnouse。
　　"Whatbankwasit？Imean，whatbankdidyournotebelongto？"
　　"TownandCountyBank。"
　　"Letmeseeit，"saidshequietlytotheshopman，gentlytakingitoutofhishand，ashebroughtitbacktoreturnittothefarmer。
　　MrJohnsonwasverysorry，but，frominformationhehadreceived，thenotesissuedbythatbankwerelittlebetterthanwastepaper。
　　"Idon’tunderstandit，"saidMissMattytomeinalowvoice。
　　"Thatisourbank，isitnot？—theTownandCountyBank？"
　　"Yes，"saidI。"Thislilacsilkwilljustmatchtheribbonsinyournewcap，Ibelieve，"Icontinued，holdingupthefoldssoastocatchthelight，andwishingthatthemanwouldmakehasteandbegone，andyethavinganewwonder，thathadonlyjustsprungup，howfaritwaswiseorrightinmetoallowMissMattytomakethisexpensivepurchase，iftheaffairsofthebankwerereallysobadastherefusalofthenoteimplied。
　　ButMissMattyputonthesoftdignifiedmanner，peculiartoher，rarelyused，andyetwhichbecamehersowell，andlayingherhandgentlyonmine，shesaid—
　　"Nevermindthesilksforafewminutes，dear。Idon’tunderstandyou，sir，"turningnowtotheshopman，whohadbeenattendingtothefarmer。"Isthisaforgednote？"
　　"Oh，no，ma’am。Itisatruenoteofitskind；butyousee，ma’am，itisajoint—stockbank，andtherearereportsoutthatitislikelytobreak。MrJohnsonisonlydoinghisduty，ma’am，asIamsureMrDobsonknows。"
　　ButMrDobsoncouldnotrespondtotheappealingbowbyanyansweringsmile。Hewasturningthenoteabsentlyoverinhisfingers，lookinggloomilyenoughattheparcelcontainingthelately—chosenshawl。
　　"It’sharduponapoorman，"saidhe，"asearnseveryfarthingwiththesweatofhisbrow。However，there’snohelpforit。Youmusttakebackyourshawl，myman；Lizzlemustgoonwithhercloakforawhile。Andyonfigsforthelittleones—Ipromisedthemto’em—I’lltakethem；butthe’bacco，andtheotherthings"—
　　"Iwillgiveyoufivesovereignsforyournote，mygoodman，"saidMissMatty。"Ithinkthereissomegreatmistakeaboutit，forI
　　amoneoftheshareholders，andI’msuretheywouldhavetoldmeifthingshadnotbeengoingonright。"
　　TheshopmanwhisperedawordortwoacrossthetabletoMissMatty。
　　Shelookedathimwithadubiousair。
　　"Perhapsso，"saidshe。"ButIdon’tpretendtounderstandbusiness；Ionlyknowthatifitisgoingtofail，andifhonestpeoplearetolosetheirmoneybecausetheyhavetakenournotes—
　　Ican’texplainmyself，"saidshe，suddenlybecomingawarethatshehadgotintoalongsentencewithfourpeopleforaudience；"onlyI
　　wouldratherexchangemygoldforthenote，ifyouplease，"turningtothefarmer，"andthenyoucantakeyourwifetheshawl。Itisonlygoingwithoutmygownafewdayslonger，"shecontinued，speakingtome。"Then，Ihavenodoubt，everythingwillbeclearedup。"
　　"Butifitisclearedupthewrongway？"saidI。
　　"Why，thenitwillonlyhavebeencommonhonestyinme，asashareholder，tohavegiventhisgoodmanthemoney。Iamquiteclearaboutitinmyownmind；but，youknow，Icanneverspeakquiteascomprehensiblyasotherscan，onlyyoumustgivemeyournote，MrDobson，ifyouplease，andgoonwithyourpurchaseswiththesesovereigns。"
　　Themanlookedatherwithsilentgratitude—tooawkwardtoputhisthanksintowords；buthehungbackforaminuteortwo，fumblingwithhisnote。
　　"I’mlothtomakeanotheroneloseinsteadofme，ifitisaloss；
　　but，yousee，fivepoundsisadealofmoneytoamanwithafamily；and，asyousay，tentooneinadayortwothenotewillbeasgoodasgoldagain。"
　　"Nohopeofthat，myfriend，"saidtheshopman。
　　"ThemorereasonwhyIshouldtakeit，"saidMissMattyquietly。
　　Shepushedhersovereignstowardstheman，whoslowlylaidhisnotedowninexchange。"Thankyou。IwillwaitadayortwobeforeI
　　purchaseanyofthesesilks；perhapsyouwillthenhaveagreaterchoice。Mydear，willyoucomeupstairs？"
　　Weinspectedthefashionswithasminuteandcuriousaninterestasifthegowntobemadeafterthemhadbeenbought。IcouldnotseethatthelittleeventintheshopbelowhadintheleastdampedMissMatty’scuriosityastothemakeofsleevesorthesitofskirts。Sheonceortwiceexchangedcongratulationswithmeonourprivateandleisurelyviewofthebonnetsandshawls；butIwas，allthetime，notsosurethatourexaminationwassoutterlyprivate，forIcaughtglimpsesofafiguredodgingbehindthecloaksandmantles；and，byadexterousmove，IcamefacetofacewithMissPole，alsoinmorningcostume（theprincipalfeatureofwhichwasherbeingwithoutteeth，andwearingaveiltoconcealthedeficiency），comeonthesameerrandasourselves。Butshequicklytookherdeparture，because，asshesaid，shehadabadheadache，anddidnotfeelherselfuptoconversation。
　　Aswecamedownthroughtheshop，thecivilMrJohnsonwasawaitingus；hehadbeeninformedoftheexchangeofthenoteforgold，andwithmuchgoodfeelingandrealkindness，butwithalittlewantoftact，hewishedtocondolewithMissMatty，andimpressuponherthetruestateofthecase。Icouldonlyhopethathehadheardanexaggeratedrumourforhesaidthathershareswereworsethannothing，andthatthebankcouldnotpayashillinginthepound。
　　IwasgladthatMissMattyseemedstillalittleincredulous；butI
　　couldnottellhowmuchofthiswasrealorassumed，withthatself—controlwhichseemedhabitualtoladiesofMissMatty’sstandinginCranford，whowouldhavethoughttheirdignitycompromisedbytheslightestexpressionofsurprise，dismay，oranysimilarfeelingtoaninferiorinstation，orinapublicshop。
　　However，wewalkedhomeverysilently。Iamashamedtosay，I
　　believeIwasrathervexedandannoyedatMissMatty’sconductintakingthenotetoherselfsodecidedly。Ihadsosetmyheartuponherhavinganewsilkgown，whichshewantedsadly；ingeneralshewassoundecidedanybodymightturnherround；inthiscaseI
　　hadfeltthatitwasnouseattemptingit，butIwasnotthelessputoutattheresult。
　　Somehow，aftertwelveo’clock，webothacknowledgedtoasatedcuriosityaboutthefashions，andtoacertainfatigueofbody（whichwas，infact，depressionofmind）thatindisposedustogooutagain。Butstillweneverspokeofthenote；till，allatonce，somethingpossessedmetoaskMissMattyifshewouldthinkitherdutytooffersovereignsforallthenotesoftheTownandCountyBankshemetwith？IcouldhavebittenmytongueouttheminuteIhadsaidit。Shelookeduprathersadly，andasifIhadthrownanewperplexityintoheralreadydistressedmind；andforaminuteortwoshedidnotspeak。Thenshesaid—myowndearMissMatty—withoutashadeofreproachinhervoice—
　　"Mydear，Ineverfeelasifmymindwaswhatpeoplecallverystrong；andit’softenhardenoughworkformetosettlewhatI
　　oughttodowiththecaserightbeforeme。Iwasverythankfulto—Iwasverythankful，thatIsawmydutythismorning，withthepoormanstandingbyme；butitsratherastrainuponmetokeepthinkingandthinkingwhatIshoulddoifsuchandsuchathinghappened；and，Ibelieve，Ihadratherwaitandseewhatreallydoescome；andIdon’tdoubtIshallbehelpedthenifIdon’tfidgetmyself，andgettooanxiousbeforehand。Youknow，love，I’mnotlikeDeborah。IfDeborahhadlived，I’venodoubtshewouldhaveseenafterthem，beforetheyhadgotthemselvesintothisstate。"
　　Wehadneitherofusmuchappetitefordinner，thoughwetriedtotalkcheerfullyaboutindifferentthings。Whenwereturnedintothedrawing—room，MissMattyunlockedherdeskandbegantolookoverheraccount—books。IwassopenitentforwhatIhadsaidinthemorning，thatIdidnotchoosetotakeuponmyselfthepresumptiontosupposethatIcouldassisther；Iratherleftheralone，as，withpuzzledbrow，hereyefollowedherpenupanddowntheruledpage。By—and—bysheshutthebook，lockedthedesk，andcameanddrewachairtomine，whereIsatinmoodysorrowoverthefire。Istolemyhandintohers；sheclaspedit，butdidnotspeakaword。Atlastshesaid，withforcedcomposureinhervoice，"Ifthatbankgoeswrong，Ishallloseonehundredandforty—ninepoundsthirteenshillingsandfourpenceayear；Ishallonlyhavethirteenpoundsayearleft。"Isqueezedherhandhardandtight。
　　Ididnotknowwhattosay。Presently（itwastoodarktoseeherface）Ifeltherfingersworkconvulsivelyinmygrasp；andIknewshewasgoingtospeakagain。Iheardthesobsinhervoiceasshesaid，"Ihopeit’snotwrong—notwicked—but，oh！IamsogladpoorDeborahissparedthis。Shecouldnothavebornetocomedownintheworld—shehadsuchanoble，loftyspirit。"
　　Thiswasallshesaidaboutthesisterwhohadinsisteduponinvestingtheirlittlepropertyinthatunluckybank。Wewerelaterinlightingthecandlethanusualthatnight，anduntilthatlightshamedusintospeaking，wesattogetherverysilentlyandsadly。
　　However，wetooktoourworkafterteawithakindofforcedcheerfulness（whichsoonbecamerealasfarasitwent），talkingofthatnever—endingwonder，LadyGlenmire’sengagement。MissMattywasalmostcomingroundtothinkitagoodthing。
　　"Idon’tmeantodenythatmenaretroublesomeinahouse。Idon’tjudgefrommyownexperience，formyfatherwasneatnessitself，andwipedhisshoesoncominginascarefullyasanywoman；butstillamanhasasortofknowledgeofwhatshouldbedoneindifficulties，thatitisverypleasanttohaveoneathandreadytoleanupon。Now，LadyGlenmire，insteadofbeingtossedabout，andwonderingwheresheistosettle，willbecertainofahomeamongpleasantandkindpeople，suchasourgoodMissPoleandMrsForrester。AndMrHogginsisreallyaverypersonableman；andasforhismanners，why，iftheyarenotverypolished，Ihaveknownpeoplewithverygoodheartsandveryclevermindstoo，whowerenotwhatsomepeoplereckonedrefined，butwhowerebothtrueandtender。"
　　ShefelloffintoasoftreverieaboutMrHolbrook，andIdidnotinterrupther，IwassobusymaturingaplanIhadhadinmymindforsomedays，butwhichthisthreatenedfailureofthebankhadbroughttoacrisis。Thatnight，afterMissMattywenttobed，I
　　treacherouslylightedthecandleagain，andsatdowninthedrawing—roomtocomposealettertotheAgaJenkyns，aletterwhichshouldaffecthimifhewerePeter，andyetseemamerestatementofdryfactsifhewereastranger。ThechurchclockpealedouttwobeforeIhaddone。
　　Thenextmorningnewscame，bothofficialandotherwise，thattheTownandCountyBankhadstoppedpayment。MissMattywasruined。
　　Shetriedtospeakquietlytome；butwhenshecametotheactualfactthatshewouldhavebutaboutfiveshillingsaweektoliveupon，shecouldnotrestrainafewtears。
　　"Iamnotcryingformyself，dear，"saidshe，wipingthemaway；"I
　　believeIamcryingfortheverysillythoughtofhowmymotherwouldgrieveifshecouldknow；shealwayscaredforussomuchmorethanforherself。Butmanyapoorpersonhasless，andIamnotveryextravagant，and，thankGod，whentheneckofmutton，andMartha’swages，andtherentarepaid，Ihavenotafarthingowing。
　　PoorMartha！Ithinkshe’llbesorrytoleaveme。"
　　MissMattysmiledatmethroughhertears，andshewouldfainhavehadmeseeonlythesmile，notthetears。
　　CHAPTERXIV—FRIENDSINNEED
　　ITwasanexampletome，andIfancyitmightbetomanyothers，toseehowimmediatelyMissMattysetabouttheretrenchmentwhichsheknewtoberightunderheralteredcircumstances。WhileshewentdowntospeaktoMartha，andbreaktheintelligencetoher，IstoleoutwithmylettertotheAgaJenkyns，andwenttothesignor’slodgingstoobtaintheexactaddress。Iboundthesignoratosecrecy；andindeedhermilitarymannershadadegreeofshortnessandreserveinthemwhichmadeheralwayssayaslittleaspossible，exceptwhenunderthepressureofstrongexcitement。
　　Moreover（whichmademysecretdoublysure），thesignorwasnowsofarrecoveredastobelookingforwardtotravellingandconjuringagaininthespaceofafewdays，whenhe，hiswife，andlittlePhoebewouldleaveCranford。Indeed，Ifoundhimlookingoveragreatblackandredplacard，inwhichtheSignorBrunoni’saccomplishmentsweresetforth，andtowhichonlythenameofthetownwherehewouldnextdisplaythemwaswanting。Heandhiswifeweresomuchabsorbedindecidingwheretheredletterswouldcomeinwithmosteffect（itmighthavebeentheRubricforthatmatter），thatitwassometimebeforeIcouldgetmyquestionaskedprivately，andnotbeforeIhadgivenseveraldecisions，thewhichIquestionedafterwardswithequalwisdomofsincerityassoonasthesignorthrewinhisdoubtsandreasonsontheimportantsubject。AtlastIgottheaddress，speltbysound，andveryqueeritlooked。Idroppeditinthepostonmywayhome，andthenforaminuteIstoodlookingatthewoodenpanewithagapingslitwhichdividedmefromtheletterbutamomentagoinmyhand。Itwasgonefrommelikelife，nevertoberecalled。Itwouldgettossedaboutonthesea，andstainedwithsea—wavesperhaps，andbecarriedamongpalm—trees，andscentedwithalltropicalfragrance；
　　thelittlepieceofpaper，butanhouragosofamiliarandcommonplace，hadsetoutonitsracetothestrangewildcountriesbeyondtheGanges！ButIcouldnotaffordtolosemuchtimeonthisspeculation。Ihastenedhome，thatMissMattymightnotmissme。Marthaopenedthedoortome，herfaceswollenwithcrying。
　　Assoonasshesawmesheburstoutafresh，andtakingholdofmyarmshepulledmein，andbangedthedoorto，inordertoaskmeifindeeditwasalltruethatMissMattyhadbeensaying。
　　"I’llneverleaveher！No；Iwon’t。Itelledherso，andsaidI
　　couldnotthinkhowshecouldfindinherhearttogivemewarning。
　　Icouldnothavehadthefacetodoit，ifI’dbeenher。Imightha’beenjustasgoodfornothingasMrsFitz—Adam’sRosy，whostruckforwagesafterlivingsevenyearsandahalfinoneplace。
　　IsaidIwasnotonetogoandserveMammonatthatrate；thatI
　　knewwhenI’dgotagoodmissus，ifshedidn’tknowwhenshe’dgotagoodservant"—
　　"But，Martha，"saidI，cuttinginwhileshewipedhereyes。
　　"Don’t，’butMartha’me，"sherepliedtomydeprecatorytone。
　　"Listentoreason"—
　　"I’llnotlistentoreason，"shesaid，nowinfullpossessionofhervoice，whichhadbeenratherchokedwithsobbing。"Reasonalwaysmeanswhatsomeoneelsehasgottosay。NowIthinkwhatI’vegottosayisgoodenoughreason；butreasonornot，I’llsayit，andI’llsticktoit。I’vemoneyintheSavingsBank，andI’veagoodstockofclothes，andI’mnotgoingtoleaveMissMatty。
　　No，notifshegivesmewarningeveryhourintheday！"
　　Sheputherarmsakimbo，asmuchastosayshedefiedme；and，indeed，Icouldhardlytellhowtobegintoremonstratewithher，somuchdidIfeelthatMissMatty，inherincreasinginfirmity，neededtheattendanceofthiskindandfaithfulwoman。
　　"Well"—saidIatlast。
　　"I’mthankfulyoubeginwith’well！’Ifyou’dhavebegunwith’but，’asyoudidafore，I’dnotha’listenedtoyou。Nowyoumaygoon。"
　　"IknowyouwouldbeagreatlosstoMissMatty，Martha"—
　　"Itelledherso。Alossshe’dneverceasetobesorryfor，"brokeinMarthatriumphantly。
　　"Still，shewillhavesolittle—soverylittle—toliveupon，thatIdon’tseejustnowhowshecouldfindyoufood—shewillevenbepressedforherown。Itellyouthis，Martha，becauseI
　　feelyouarelikeafriendtodearMissMatty，butyouknowshemightnotliketohaveitspokenabout。"
　　ApparentlythiswasevenablackerviewofthesubjectthanMissMattyhadpresentedtoher，forMarthajustsatdownonthefirstchairthatcametohand，andcriedoutloud（wehadbeenstandinginthekitchen）。
　　Atlastsheputheraprondown，andlookingmeearnestlyintheface，asked，"WasthatthereasonMissMattywouldn’torderapuddingto—day？Shesaidshehadnogreatfancyforsweetthings，andyouandshewouldjusthaveamuttonchop。ButI’llbeuptoher。Neveryoutell，butI’llmakeherapudding，andapuddingshe’lllike，too，andI’llpayforitmyself；somindyouseesheeatsit。Manyaonehasbeencomfortedintheirsorrowbyseeingagooddishcomeuponthetable。"
　　IwasrathergladthatMartha’senergyhadtakentheimmediateandpracticaldirectionofpudding—making，foritstavedoffthequarrelsomediscussionastowhethersheshouldorshouldnotleaveMissMatty’sservice。Shebegantotieonacleanapron，andotherwiseprepareherselfforgoingtotheshopforthebutter，eggs，andwhatelseshemightrequire。Shewouldnotuseascrapofthearticlesalreadyinthehouseforhercookery，butwenttoanoldtea—potinwhichherprivatestoreofmoneywasdeposited，andtookoutwhatshewanted。
　　IfoundMissMattyveryquiet，andnotalittlesad；butby—and—byshetriedtosmileformysake。ItwassettledthatIwastowritetomyfather，andaskhimtocomeoverandholdaconsultation，andassoonasthisletterwasdespatchedwebegantotalkoverfutureplans。MissMatty’sideawastotakeasingleroom，andretainasmuchofherfurnitureaswouldbenecessarytofitupthis，andselltherest，andtheretoquietlyexistuponwhatwouldremainafterpayingtherent。Formypart，Iwasmoreambitiousandlesscontented。Ithoughtofallthethingsbywhichawoman，pastmiddleage，andwiththeeducationcommontoladiesfiftyyearsago，couldearnoraddtoalivingwithoutmateriallylosingcaste；
　　butatlengthIputeventhislastclauseononeside，andwonderedwhatintheworldMissMattycoulddo。
　　Teachingwas，ofcourse，thefirstthingthatsuggesteditself。IfMissMattycouldteachchildrenanything，itwouldthrowheramongthelittleelvesinwhomhersouldelighted。Iranoverheraccomplishments。OnceuponatimeIhadheardhersayshecouldplay"Ah！vousdirai—je，maman？"onthepiano，butthatwaslong，longago；thatfaintshadowofmusicalacquirementhaddiedoutyearsbefore。Shehadalsooncebeenabletotraceoutpatternsverynicelyformuslinembroidery，bydintofplacingapieceofsilverpaperoverthedesigntobecopied，andholdingbothagainstthewindow—panewhileshemarkedthescollopandeyelet—holes。Butthatwashernearestapproachtotheaccomplishmentofdrawing，andIdidnotthinkitwouldgoveryfar。Thenagain，astothebranchesofasolidEnglisheducation—fancyworkandtheuseoftheglobes—suchasthemistressoftheLadies’Seminary，towhichallthetradespeopleinCranfordsenttheirdaughters，professedtoteach。MissMatty’seyeswerefailingher，andIdoubtedifshecoulddiscoverthenumberofthreadsinaworsted—workpattern，orrightlyappreciatethedifferentshadesrequiredforQueenAdelaide’sfaceintheloyalwool—worknowfashionableinCranford。
　　Asfortheuseoftheglobes，Ihadneverbeenabletofinditoutmyself，soperhapsIwasnotagoodjudgeofMissMatty’scapabilityofinstructinginthisbranchofeducation；butitstruckmethatequatorsandtropics，andsuchmysticalcircles，wereveryimaginarylinesindeedtoher，andthatshelookeduponthesignsoftheZodiacassomanyremnantsoftheBlackArt。
　　Whatshepiquedherselfupon，asartsinwhichsheexcelled，wasmakingcandle—lighters，or"spills"（asshepreferredcallingthem），ofcolouredpaper，cutsoastoresemblefeathers，andknittinggartersinavarietyofdaintystitches。Ihadoncesaid，onreceivingapresentofanelaboratepair，thatIshouldfeelquitetemptedtodroponeoftheminthestreet，inordertohaveitadmired；butIfoundthislittlejoke（anditwasaverylittleone）wassuchadistresstohersenseofpropriety，andwastakenwithsuchanxious，earnestalarm，lestthetemptationmightsomedayprovetoostrongforme，thatIquiteregrettedhavingventureduponit。Apresentofthesedelicately—wroughtgarters，abunchofgay"spills，"orasetofcardsonwhichsewing—silkwaswoundinamysticalmanner，werethewell—knowntokensofMissMatty’sfavour。
　　Butwouldanyonepaytohavetheirchildrentaughtthesearts？or，indeed，wouldMissMattysell，forfilthylucre，theknackandtheskillwithwhichshemadetriflesofvaluetothosewholovedher？
　　Ihadtocomedowntoreading，writing，andarithmetic；and，inreadingthechaptereverymorning，shealwayscoughedbeforecomingtolongwords。Idoubtedherpowerofgettingthroughagenealogicalchapter，withanynumberofcoughs。Writingshedidwellanddelicately—butspelling！Sheseemedtothinkthatthemoreout—of—the—waythiswas，andthemoretroubleitcosther，thegreaterthecomplimentshepaidtohercorrespondent；andwordsthatshewouldspellquitecorrectlyinherletterstomebecameperfectenigmaswhenshewrotetomyfather。
　　No！therewasnothingshecouldteachtotherisinggenerationofCranford，unlesstheyhadbeenquicklearnersandreadyimitatorsofherpatience，herhumility，hersweetness，herquietcontentmentwithallthatshecouldnotdo。IponderedandpondereduntildinnerwasannouncedbyMartha，withafaceallblubberedandswollenwithcrying。
　　MissMattyhadafewlittlepeculiaritieswhichMarthawasapttoregardaswhimsbelowherattention，andappearedtoconsideraschildishfanciesofwhichanoldladyoffifty—eightshouldtryandcureherself。Butto—dayeverythingwasattendedtowiththemostcarefulregard。ThebreadwascuttotheimaginarypatternofexcellencethatexistedinMissMatty’smind，asbeingthewaywhichhermotherhadpreferred，thecurtainwasdrawnsoastoexcludethedeadbrickwallofaneighbour’sstable，andyetleftsoastoshoweverytenderleafofthepoplarwhichwasburstingintospringbeauty。Martha’stonetoMissMattywasjustsuchasthatgood，rough—spokenservantusuallykeptsacredforlittlechildren，andwhichIhadneverheardherusetoanygrown—upperson。
　　IhadforgottentotellMissMattyaboutthepudding，andIwasafraidshemightnotdojusticetoit，forshehadevidentlyverylittleappetitethisday；soIseizedtheopportunityoflettingherintothesecretwhileMarthatookawaythemeat。MissMatty’seyesfilledwithtears，andshecouldnotspeak，eithertoexpresssurpriseordelight，whenMarthareturnedbearingitaloft，madeinthemostwonderfulrepresentationofalionCOUCHANTthateverwasmoulded。Martha’sfacegleamedwithtriumphasshesetitdownbeforeMissMattywithanexultant"There！"MissMattywantedtospeakherthanks，butcouldnot；soshetookMartha’shandandshookitwarmly，whichsetMarthaoffcrying，andImyselfcouldhardlykeepupthenecessarycomposure。Marthaburstoutoftheroom，andMissMattyhadtoclearhervoiceonceortwicebeforeshecouldspeak。Atlastshesaid，"Ishouldliketokeepthispuddingunderaglassshade，mydear！"andthenotionofthelionCOUCHANT，withhiscurranteyes，beinghoisteduptotheplaceofhonouronamantelpiece，tickledmyhystericalfancy，andIbegantolaugh，whichrathersurprisedMissMatty。
　　"Iamsure，dear，Ihaveseenuglierthingsunderaglassshadebeforenow，"saidshe。
　　SohadI，manyatimeandoft，andIaccordinglycomposedmycountenance（andnowIcouldhardlykeepfromcrying），andwebothfelltouponthepudding，whichwasindeedexcellent—onlyeverymorselseemedtochokeus，ourheartsweresofull。
　　Wehadtoomuchtothinkabouttotalkmuchthatafternoon。Itpassedoververytranquilly。Butwhenthetea—urnwasbroughtinanewthoughtcameintomyhead。WhyshouldnotMissMattyselltea—beanagenttotheEastIndiaTeaCompanywhichthenexisted？I
　　couldseenoobjectionstothisplan，whiletheadvantagesweremany—alwayssupposingthatMissMattycouldgetoverthedegradationofcondescendingtoanythingliketrade。Teawasneithergreasynorsticky—greaseandstickinessbeingtwoofthequalitieswhichMissMattycouldnotendure。Noshop—windowwouldberequired。Asmall，genteelnotificationofherbeinglicensedtosellteawould，itistrue，benecessary，butIhopedthatitcouldbeplacedwherenoonewouldseeit。Neitherwasteaaheavyarticle，soastotaxMissMatty’sfragilestrength。Theonlythingagainstmyplanwasthebuyingandsellinginvolved。
　　WhileIwasgivingbutabsentanswerstothequestionsMissMattywasputting—almostasabsently—weheardaclumpingsoundonthestairs，andawhisperingoutsidethedoor，whichindeedonceopenedandshutasifbysomeinvisibleagency。AfteralittlewhileMarthacamein，draggingafterheragreattallyoungman，allcrimsonwithshyness，andfindinghisonlyreliefinperpetuallysleekingdownhishair。
　　"Please，ma’am，he’sonlyJemHearn，"saidMartha，bywayofanintroduction；andsooutofbreathwasshethatIimagineshehadhadsomebodilystrugglebeforeshecouldovercomehisreluctancetobepresentedonthecourtlysceneofMissMatildaJenkyns’sdrawing—room。
　　"Andplease，ma’am，hewantstomarrymeoff—hand。Andplease，ma’am，wewanttotakealodger—justonequietlodger，tomakeourtwoendsmeet；andwe’dtakeanyhouseconformable；and，ohdearMissMatty，ifImaybesobold，wouldyouhaveanyobjectionstolodgingwithus？JemwantsitasmuchasIdo。"[ToJem]—
　　"Yougreatoaf！whycan’tyoubackme！—Buthedoeswantitallthesame，verybad—don’tyou，Jem？—only，yousee，he’sdazedatbeingcalledontospeakbeforequality。"
　　"It’snotthat，"brokeinJem。"It’sthatyou’vetakenmeallonasudden，andIdidn’tthinkfortogetmarriedsosoon—andsuchquickwordsdoesflabbergastaman。It’snotthatI’magainstit，ma’am"（addressingMissMatty），"onlyMarthahassuchquickwayswithherwhenonceshetakesathingintoherhead；andmarriage，ma’am—marriagenailsaman，asonemaysay。IdaresayIshan’tminditafterit’sonceover。"
　　"Please，ma’am，"saidMartha—whohadpluckedathissleeve，andnudgedhimwithherelbow，andotherwisetriedtointerrupthimallthetimehehadbeenspeaking—"don’tmindhim，he’llcometo；
　　’twasonlylastnighthewasan—axingme，andan—axingme，andallthemorebecauseIsaidIcouldnotthinkofitforyearstocome，andnowhe’sonlytakenabackwiththesuddennessofthejoy；butyouknow，Jem，youarejustasfullasmeaboutwantingalodger。"
　　（Anothergreatnudge。）
　　"Ay！ifMissMattywouldlodgewithus—otherwiseI’venomindtobecumberedwithstrangefolkinthehouse，"saidJem，withawantoftactwhichIcouldseeenragedMartha，whowastryingtorepresentalodgerasthegreatobjecttheywishedtoobtain，andthat，infact，MissMattywouldbesmoothingtheirpathandconferringafavour，ifshewouldonlycomeandlivewiththem。
　　MissMattyherselfwasbewilderedbythepair；their，orratherMartha’ssuddenresolutioninfavourofmatrimonystaggeredher，andstoodbetweenherandthecontemplationoftheplanwhichMarthahadatheart。MissMattybegan—
　　"Marriageisaverysolemnthing，Martha。"
　　"Itisindeed，ma’am，"quothJem。"NotthatI’venoobjectionstoMartha。"
　　"You’veneverletmea—beforaskingmefortofixwhenIwouldbemarried，"saidMartha—herfacealla—fire，andreadytocrywithvexation—"andnowyou’reshamingmebeforemymissusandall。"
　　"Nay，now！Marthadon’tee！don’tee！onlyamanlikestohavebreathing—time，"saidJem，tryingtopossesshimselfofherhand，butinvain。Thenseeingthatshewasmoreseriouslyhurtthanhehadimagined，heseemedtotrytorallyhisscatteredfaculties，andwithmorestraightforwarddignitythan，tenminutesbefore，I
　　shouldhavethoughtitpossibleforhimtoassume，heturnedtoMissMatty，andsaid，"Ihope，ma’am，youknowthatIamboundtorespecteveryonewhohasbeenkindtoMartha。Ialwayslookedonherastobemywife—sometime；andshehasoftenandoftenspokenofyouasthekindestladythateverwas；andthoughtheplaintruthis，Iwouldnotliketobetroubledwithlodgersofthecommonrun，yetif，ma’am，you’dhonourusbylivingwithus，I’msureMarthawoulddoherbesttomakeyoucomfortable；andI’dkeepoutofyourwayasmuchasIcould，whichIreckonwouldbethebestkindnesssuchanawkwardchapasmecoulddo。"
　　MissMattyhadbeenverybusywithtakingoffherspectacles，wipingthem，andreplacingthem；butallshecouldsaywas，"Don’tletanythoughtofmehurryyouintomarriage：praydon’t。
　　Marriageissuchaverysolemnthing！"
　　"ButMissMatildawillthinkofyourplan，Martha，"saidI，struckwiththeadvantagesthatitoffered，andunwillingtolosetheopportunityofconsideringaboutit。"AndI’msureneithershenorIcaneverforgetyourkindness；noryour’seither，Jem。"
　　"Why，yes，ma’am！I’msureImeankindly，thoughI’mabitflutteredbybeingpushedstraightaheadintomatrimony，asitwere，andmayn’texpressmyselfconformable。ButI’msureI’mwillingenough，andgivemetimetogetaccustomed；so，Martha，wench，what’stheuseofcryingso，andslappingmeifIcomenear？"
　　ThislastwasSOTTOVOCE，andhadtheeffectofmakingMarthabounceoutoftheroom，tobefollowedandsoothedbyherlover。
　　WhereuponMissMattysatdownandcriedveryheartily，andaccountedforitbysayingthatthethoughtofMarthabeingmarriedsosoongaveherquiteashock，andthatsheshouldneverforgiveherselfifshethoughtshewashurryingthepoorcreature。IthinkmypitywasmoreforJem，ofthetwo；butbothMissMattyandI
　　appreciatedtothefullthekindnessofthehonestcouple，althoughwesaidlittleaboutthis，andagooddealaboutthechancesanddangersofmatrimony。
　　Thenextmorning，veryearly，IreceivedanotefromMissPole，somysteriouslywrappedup，andwithsomanysealsonittosecuresecrecy，thatIhadtotearthepaperbeforeIcouldunfoldit。
　　AndwhenIcametothewritingIcouldhardlyunderstandthemeaning，itwassoinvolvedandoracular。Imadeout，however，thatIwastogotoMissPole’sateleveno’clock；thenumberELEVENbeingwritteninfulllengthaswellasinnumerals，andA。M。twicedashedunder，asifIwereverylikelytocomeatelevenatnight，whenallCranfordwasusuallya—bedandasleepbyten。
　　TherewasnosignatureexceptMissPole’sinitialsreversed，P。E。；
　　butasMarthahadgivenmethenote，"withMissPole’skindregards，"itneedednowizardtofindoutwhosentit；andifthewriter’snamewastobekeptsecret，itwasverywellthatIwasalonewhenMarthadeliveredit。
　　IwentasrequestedtoMissPole’s。ThedoorwasopenedtomebyherlittlemaidLizzyinSundaytrim，asifsomegrandeventwasimpendingoverthiswork—day。Andthedrawing—roomupstairswasarrangedinaccordancewiththisidea。Thetablewassetoutwiththebestgreencard—cloth，andwritingmaterialsuponit。Onthelittlechiffonierwasatraywithanewly—decantedbottleofcowslipwine，andsomeladies’—fingerbiscuits。MissPoleherselfwasinsolemnarray，asiftoreceivevisitors，althoughitwasonlyeleveno’clock。MrsForresterwasthere，cryingquietlyandsadly，andmyarrivalseemedonlytocallforthfreshtears。
　　Beforewehadfinishedourgreetings，performedwithlugubriousmysteryofdemeanour，therewasanotherrat—tat—tat，andMrsFitz—
　　Adamappeared，crimsonwithwalkingandexcitement。Itseemedasifthiswasallthecompanyexpected；fornowMissPolemadeseveraldemonstrationsofbeingabouttoopenthebusinessofthemeeting，bystirringthefire，openingandshuttingthedoor，andcoughingandblowinghernose。Thenshearrangedusallroundthetable，takingcaretoplacemeoppositetoher；andlastofall，sheinquiredofmeifthesadreportwastrue，asshefeareditwas，thatMissMattyhadlostallherfortune？
　　Ofcourse，Ihadbutoneanswertomake；andIneversawmoreunaffectedsorrowdepictedonanycountenancesthanIdidthereonthethreebeforeme。
　　IwishMrsJamiesonwashere！"saidMrsForresteratlast；buttojudgefromMrsFitz—Adam’sface，shecouldnotsecondthewish。
　　"ButwithoutMrsJamieson，"saidMissPole，withjustasoundofoffendedmeritinhervoice，"we，theladiesofCranford，inmydrawing—roomassembled，canresolveuponsomething。Iimaginewearenoneofuswhatmaybecalledrich，thoughweallpossessagenteelcompetency，sufficientfortastesthatareelegantandrefined，andwouldnot，iftheycould，bevulgarlyostentatious。"
　　（HereIobservedMissPolerefertoasmallcardconcealedinherhand，onwhichIimagineshehadputdownafewnotes。）
　　"MissSmith，"shecontinued，addressingme（familiarlyknownas"Mary"toallthecompanyassembled，butthiswasastateoccasion），"Ihaveconversedinprivate—Imadeitmybusinesstodosoyesterdayafternoon—withtheseladiesonthemisfortunewhichhashappenedtoourfriend，andoneandallofushaveagreedthatwhilewehaveasuperfluity，itisnotonlyaduty，butapleasure—atruepleasure，Mary！"—hervoicewasratherchokedjusthere，andshehadtowipeherspectaclesbeforeshecouldgoon—"togivewhatwecantoassisther—MissMatildaJenkyns。
　　Onlyinconsiderationofthefeelingsofdelicateindependenceexistinginthemindofeveryrefinedfemale"—Iwassureshehadgotbacktothecardnow—"wewishtocontributeourmitesinasecretandconcealedmanner，soasnottohurtthefeelingsIhavereferredto。Andourobjectinrequestingyoutomeetusthismorningisthat，believingyouarethedaughter—thatyourfatheris，infact，herconfidentialadviser，inallpecuniarymatters，weimaginedthat，byconsultingwithhim，youmightdevisesomemodeinwhichourcontributioncouldbemadetoappearthelegalduewhichMissMatildaJenkynsoughttoreceivefrom—Probablyyourfather，knowingherinvestments，canfilluptheblank。"
　　MissPoleconcludedheraddress，andlookedroundforapprovalandagreement。
　　"Ihaveexpressedyourmeaning，ladies，haveInot？AndwhileMissSmithconsiderswhatreplytomake，allowmetoofferyousomelittlerefreshment。"
　　Ihadnogreatreplytomake：IhadmorethankfulnessatmyheartfortheirkindthoughtsthanIcaredtoputintowords；andsoI
　　onlymumbledoutsomethingtotheeffect"thatIwouldnamewhatMissPolehadsaidtomyfather，andthatifanythingcouldbearrangedfordearMissMatty，"—andhereIbrokedownutterly，andhadtoberefreshedwithaglassofcowslipwinebeforeIcouldcheckthecryingwhichhadbeenrepressedforthelasttwoorthreedays。Theworstwas，alltheladiescriedinconcert。EvenMissPolecried，whohadsaidahundredtimesthattobetrayemotionbeforeanyonewasasignofweaknessandwantofself—control。
　　Sherecoveredherselfintoaslightdegreeofimpatientanger，directedagainstme，ashavingsetthemalloff；and，moreover，I
　　thinkshewasvexedthatIcouldnotmakeaspeechbackinreturnforhers；andifIhadknownbeforehandwhatwastobesaid，andhadacardonwhichtoexpresstheprobablefeelingsthatwouldriseinmyheart，Iwouldhavetriedtogratifyher。Asitwas，MrsForresterwasthepersontospeakwhenwehadrecoveredourcomposure。
　　"Idon’tmind，amongfriends，statingthatI—no！I’mnotpoorexactly，butIdon’tthinkI’mwhatyoumaycallrich；IwishI
　　were，fordearMissMatty’ssake—but，ifyouplease，I’llwritedowninasealedpaperwhatIcangive。Ionlywishitwasmore；
　　mydearMary，Idoindeed。"
　　NowIsawwhypaper，pens，andinkwereprovided。Everyladywrotedownthesumshecouldgiveannually，signedthepaper，andsealeditmysteriously。Iftheirproposalwasaccededto，myfatherwastobeallowedtoopenthepapers，underpledgeofsecrecy。Ifnot，theyweretobereturnedtotheirwriters。
　　Whentheceremonyhadbeengonethrough，Irosetodepart；buteachladyseemedtowishtohaveaprivateconferencewithme。MissPolekeptmeinthedrawing—roomtoexplainwhy，inMrsJamieson’sabsence，shehadtakentheleadinthis"movement，"asshewaspleasedtocallit，andalsotoinformmethatshehadheardfromgoodsourcesthatMrsJamiesonwascominghomedirectlyinastateofhighdispleasureagainsthersister—in—law，whowasforthwithtoleaveherhouse，andwas，shebelieved，toreturntoEdinburghthatveryafternoon。OfcoursethispieceofintelligencecouldnotbecommunicatedbeforeMrsFitz—Adam，moreespeciallyasMissPolewasinclinedtothinkthatLadyGlenmire’sengagementtoMrHogginscouldnotpossiblyholdagainsttheblazeofMrsJamieson’sdispleasure。AfewheartyinquiriesafterMissMatty’shealthconcludedmyinterviewwithMissPole。