"Which when his mother saw, she in her mindWas troubled sore, ne wist well what to ween."
SPENSER.
Margaret had not been gone five minutes when Mr. Thornton came in,his face all a-glow.
"I could not come sooner: the superintendent would---- Where is she?"
He looked round the dining-room, and then almost fiercely at hismother, who was quietly re-arranging the disturbed furniture, and didnot instantly reply. "Where is Miss Hale?" asked he again.
"Gone home," said she, rather shortly.
"Gone home!"
"Yes. She was a great deal better. Indeed, I don"t believe it was so verymuch of a hurt; only some people faint at the least thing."
"I am sorry she is gone home," said he, walking uneasily about. "Shecould not have been fit for it."
"She said she was; and Mr. Lowe said she was. I went for him myself."
"Thank you, mother." He stopped, and partly held out his hand to giveher a grateful shake. But she did not notice the movement.
"What have you done with your Irish people?"
"Sent to the Dragon for a good meal for them, poor wretches. And then,luckily, I caught Father Grady, and I"ve asked him in to speak to them,and dissuade them from going off in a body. How did Miss Hale gohome? I"m sure she could not walk."
"She had a cab. Everything was done properly, even to the paying. Letus talk of something else. She has caused disturbance enough."
"I don"t know where I should have been but for her."
"Are you become so helpless as to have to be defended by a girl?" askedMrs. Thornton, scornfully.
He reddened. "Not many girls would have taken the blows on herselfwhich were meant for me;--meant with right down good-will, too."
"A girl in love will do a good deal," replied Mrs. Thornton, shortly.
"Mother!" He made a step forwards; stood still; heaved with passion.
She was a little startled at the evident force he used to keep himselfcalm. She was not sure of the nature of the emotions she had provoked.
It was only their violence that was clear. Was it anger? His eyesglowed, his figure was dilated, his breath came thick and fast. It was amixture of joy, of anger, of pride, of glad surprise, of panting doubt; butshe could not read it. Still it made her uneasy,--as the presence of allstrong feeling, of which the cause is not fully understood orsympathised in, always has this effect. She went to the side-board,opened a drawer, and took out a duster, which she kept there for anyoccasional purpose. She had seen a drop of eau de Cologne on thepolished arm of the sofa, and instinctively sought to wipe it off. But shekept her back turned to her son much longer than was necessary; andwhen she spoke, her voice seemed unusual and constrained.
"You have taken some steps about the rioters, I suppose? You don"tapprehend any more violence, do you? Where were the police? Never athand when they"re wanted!"
"On the contrary, I saw three or four of them, when the gates gave way,struggling and beating about in fine fashion; and more came running upjust when the yard was clearing. I might have given some of the fellowsin charge then, if I had had my wits about me. But there will be nodifficulty, plenty of people can Identify them."
"But won"t they come back to-night?"
"I"m going to see about a sufficient guard for the premises. I haveappointed to meet Captain Hanbury in half an hour at the station."
"You must have some tea first."
"Tea! Yes, I suppose I must. It"s half-past six, and I may be out for sometime. Don"t sit up for me, mother."
"You expect me to go to bed before I have seen you safe, do you?"
"Well, perhaps not." He hesitated for a moment. "But if I"ve time, I shallgo round by Crampton, after I"ve arranged with the police and seenHamper and Clarkson." Their eyes met; they looked at each otherintently for a minute. Then she asked:
"Why are you going round by Crampton?"
"To ask after Miss Hale."
"I will send. Williams must take the water-bed she came to ask for. Heshall inquire how she is."
"I must go myself."
"Not merely to ask how Miss Hale is?"
"No, not merely for that. I want to thank her for the way in which shestood between me and the mob."
"What made you go down at all? It was putting your head into the lion"smouth!"
He glanced sharply at her; saw that she did not know what had passedbetween him and Margaret in the drawing-room; and replied by anotherquestion:
"Shall you be afraid to be left without me, until I can get some of thepolice; or had we better send Williams for them now, and they could behere by the time we have done tea? There"s no time to be lost. I must beoff in a quarter of an hour."
Mrs. Thornton left the room. Her servants wondered at her directions,usually so sharply-cut and decided, now confused and uncertain. Mr.
Thornton remained in the dining-room, trying to think of the businesshe had to do at the police-office, and in reality thinking of Margaret.
Everything seemed dim and vague beyond--behind--besides the touchof her arms round his neck--the soft clinging which made the darkcolour come and go in his cheek as he thought of it.
The tea would have been very silent, but for Fanny"s perpetualdescription of her own feelings; how she had been alarmed--and thenthought they were gone --and then felt sick and faint and trembling inevery limb.
"There, that"s enough," said her brother, rising from the table. "The realitywas enough for me." He was going to leave the room, when his motherstopped him with her hand upon his arm.
"You will come back here before you go to the Hales", said she, in a low,anxious voice.
"I know what I know," said Fanny to herself.
"Why? Will it be too late to disturb them?"
"John, come back to me for this one evening. It will be late for Mrs.
Hale. But that is not it. To-morrow, you will---- Come back to-night,John!" She had seldom pleaded with her son at all--she was too proudfor that: but she had never pleaded in vain.
"I will return straight here after I have done my business You will besure to inquire after them?--after her?"