Mrs. Hilyard laid down her work, and looked across at him with undisguised amusement. I am sorry there is nobody here to perceive this beautiful situation, she said. Who would not have their ghostly father commit himself, if he repented after this fashion? Thank you, Mr. Vincent, for what you dont say. And now we shall drop the subject, dont you think? Were the deacons all charmed with the tea-meeting last night?
You want me to go now, said Vincent, rising, with disconcerted looks.
Not because I am angry. I am not angry, she said, rising and holding out her hand to him. It was a pity, but it was an inadvertence, and no dishonourable action. Yes, go. I am best to be avoided till I hear how this journey has been managed, and what your mother says. It was a sudden thought, that sending them to Lonsdale. I know that, even if he has not already found the right one, he will search all the others now. And your Lonsdale has been examined and exhausted; all is safe there. Yes, go. I am glad you know; but dont say anything to Alice, if you see her, as she is sure to seek you out. You know who I mean by Alice? Lady Western yes. Good-bye. I trust you, notwithstanding the vestry window; but close it after this on January nights.
She had sunk into her seat again, and was absorbed in her needlework, before Vincent left the room. He looked back upon her before he shut the door, but she had no look to spare from that all-engrossing work; her thin fingers were more scarred than ever, and stained with the coarse blue stuff. All his life after the young man never saw that colour without thinking of the stains on those poor hands.
He went about his work assiduously all that day, visiting sick people, poor people, men and women, which were sinners. That dark ocean of life with which he had frightened the Salem people last night, Mr. Vincent made deeper investigations into this day than he had made before during all the time he had been in Carlingford. He kept clear of the smug comfort of the leading people of the connection. Absolute want, suffering, and sorrow, were comparatively new to him; and being as yet a stranger to philanthropic schemes, and not at all scientific in the distribution of his sympathies, the minister of Salem conducted himself in a way which would have called forth the profoundest contempt and pity of the curate of St. Roques. He believed everybodys story, and emptied his purse with the wildest liberality; for, indeed, visitation of the poor had not been a branch of study at Homerton. Tired and all but penniless, he did not turn his steps homeward till the wintry afternoon was sinking into night, and the lamps
of an aching heart, worn out by fatigue and suspense, came forward, holding out anxious hands to him, and dropped in an utter abandon of weariness and distress into his astonished arms.
CHAPTER XII
Oh, my dear boy! said Mrs. Vincent, recovering herself, but still trembling in her agitation oh, my affectionate boy, always thinking of us in his good heart! No, dear. Its its nothing particular happened. Let me compose myself a little, Arthur, and take breath.
But, Susan? cried the excited young man.
Susan, poor dear! she is very well; and and very happy up to this moment, my darling boy, said Mrs. Vincent, though whether she ought to be happy under the circumstances or whether its only a cruel trick or whether I havent been foolish and precipitate but, my dear, what could I do but come to you, Arthur? I could not have kept it from her if I had stayed an hour longer at home. And to put such a dreadful suspicion into her head, when it might be all a falsehood, would have only been killing her; and, my dear boy, now I see your face again, Im not so frightened and surely it can be cleared up, and all will be well.
Vincent, whose anxiety conquered his impatience, even while exciting it, kneeled down by his mothers side and took her hands, which still trembled, into his own. Mother, think that I am very anxious; that I dont know what you are referring to; and that the sudden sight of you has filled me with all sort of terrors for I know you would not lightly take such a journey all by yourself, said the young man, growing still more anxious as he thought of it and try to collect your thoughts and tell me what is wrong.
His mother drew one of her hands out of his, laid it on his head, and fondly smoothed back his hair. My dear good son! you were always so sensible I wish you had never left us, she said, with a little groan; and indeed it was a great thought to undertake such a journey; and since I came here, Arthur, I have felt so flurried and strange, that I have not, as you see, even taken off my bonnet; but I think now youve come, dear, if you would ring the bell and order up the tea? When I see you, and see you looking so well, Arthur, it seems as if things could never be so bad, you know. My dear, she said at last, with a little quiver in her voice, stopping and looking at him with a kind of nervous alarm, it was about Mr. Fordham, you may be sure.