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。