The Reverend Henry Lambent paused for a few moments to compose himself, and then, wondering at his want of confidence, he entered the schools as we have seen.
The change that came over him instantly was startling. A moment before he had expected to be alone with Hazel Thorne, the girls counting for nothing he could speak in their presence, and say all he wished and he had felt a curious feeling of diffidence and pleasure pervade his breast. Now all was altered. He was not to be alone with Hazel Thorne, for his sisters were there, and he needed no showing that there had been a scene, while his heart told him that his sisters had been taking Miss Thorne to task for receiving a visit from George Canninge; perhaps they had come and found him there.
He glanced at Hazel, who stood looking pale and indignant with the little book in her hand, and from her to his sisters, who both seemed nervous and excited, consequent upon the encounter that had taken place.
You here? he said wonderingly.
There was nothing to wonder at, for it was a matter of course that the sisters should visit the school, and there was no need for explanations; but both brother and sisters were agitated, and Rebecca broke out with:
Yes; we came down to have a little conversation with Miss Thorne upon the subject of
Speak lower, Rebecca, said the vicar; we do not wish the children to hear.
Exactly, dear Henry, continued Rebecca. We came down to advise Miss Thorne, and to
Tell her it was not seemly for her to receive so many gentlemen visitors, said Beatrice.
Then Mr Canninge has been here! said the vicar involuntarily.
Indeed no, I hope not, cried Rebecca, while Beatrice turned paler than usual. Why did you say that?
The vicar felt that he had made a false move, and he regretted it.
I met him just now. I thought he might have had a message from Mrs Canninge.
We have been speaking seriously to Miss Thorne, continued Rebecca: and after a little show of indignation I think she has seen the folly of her ways, and is ready to take our good counsel home to her heart. I am glad that you came, for you can endorse our words. Miss Thorne, after our preparation of the soil, will be ready to
hear.
The Reverend Henry Lambent had turned to Hazel as these words were spoken, and their eyes met. He was not a clever reader of the human hearty but he saw the shame and humiliation which the poor girl suffered, for there was an indignant protest in her look a look that seemed to say: I am a helpless woman and have done no wrong. You are a gentleman; protect me from these cruel insults, or I must go.
We have also given her a book to read and study, continued Miss Lambent, and that and our words
I am afraid that you have chosen a very bad time for making an appeal to Miss Thorne, Rebecca, said the vicar, interrupting, in low, grave, measured tones; and I am not sure but that the interference was uncalled for.
Henry! ejaculated Beatrice, as Hazel cast a grateful look at her brother.
Miss Thorne, will you allow me to look at that book? continued the Reverend Henry, taking it from her hand. Yes, as I thought. It is most unsuitable to a young he was going to say person, but he changed it to lady of Miss Thornes education. It is such a book as I should have given to some very young girl just come into our service.
Henry! ejaculated Beatrice again, for it was all she could say in her astonishment.
I think this interview must be rather painful to Miss Thorne, he continued quietly, and we will not prolong it. I was going to question some of the girls, Miss Thorne, but another time. Good-day.
He bowed and walked to the door, waiting there for his sisters to pass, which they did with heads erect and a severe, injured expression, quite ignorant of the fact that they were being imitated by Miss Feelier Potts, for the benefit of her class. Then he looked once at Hazel, and saw that there were tears in her eyes as she gazed after him.
He went out then, ready to do battle with fifty sisters, for Hazels look had clothed him with moral armour cap-à-pie .
Chapter Fifteen. Shes Mine!
She had been very low-spirited for some time, but as she recalled the quiet, gentlemanly manner of the vicar, she felt relieved, and wished she had said a few words of thanks, making up her mind to atone for the omission at the first opportunity, and then setting so busily to work that her troubles were temporarily forgotten.
While she was very busy, a lad arrived with a note from Miss Burge, asking her to come up to the house to tea and talk over a proposal Mr William Forth Burge had made about the schools, and ending with a promise to drive her back in the pony-chaise. Hazel hesitated for a few moments, but she did not like to slight Miss Burges invitation, so she wrote back saying that she would come.
Then the girls had to be dismissed, and the pence counted up and placed in a canvas-bag along with the money received for the months coal and blanket club, neither of the amounts being heavy as a sum total, but, being all in copper, of a goodly weight avoirdupois.