Mother paid
no attention to that, but continued, 'The woman raved all night, and
died early the next morning.' I said with a good deal of anger, that
her husband's brutality had killed her and that the grave was the only
place for a poor woman who was married to such a monster. And then I
heard the trampling of horses' feet and I came away without another
word. But my heart was hot and I was sick and trembling and I rode so
recklessly that it was a wonder I ever reached home."
"My dear Jane, I think--"
"Nay, John, I do not want you to express any opinion on the subject. I
should not respect you if you said your mother could do wrong, and I do
not wish to hear you say she did right. I only want you to understand
why I refuse to go to Hatton Hall any more."
"Do not say that, Jane. I am sure mother was conscious of no feeling but
a desire to do good."
"I do not like her way of doing good. I will not voluntarily go to
receive it. Would you do so, John?"
"She is my mother. A few words could not drive us apart.
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