Essential Novelists - Elizabeth Gaskell. Elizabeth Gaskell

      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 his mother, who was quietly re-arranging the disturbed furniture, and did not 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 very much of a hurt; only some people faint at the least thing.'

      'I am sorry she is gone home,' said he, walking uneasily about. 'She could 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 give her 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 go home? I'm sure she could not walk.'

      'She had a cab. Everything was done properly, even to the paying. Let us 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?' asked Mrs. Thornton, scornfully.

      He reddened. 'Not many girls would have taken the blows on herself which 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 himself calm. 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 eyes glowed, his figure was dilated, his breath came thick and fast. It was a mixture of joy, of anger, of pride, of glad surprise, of panting doubt; but she could not read it. Still it made her uneasy,—as the presence of all strong feeling, of which the cause is not fully understood or sympathised in, always has this effect. She went to the side-board, opened a drawer, and took out a duster, which she kept there for any occasional purpose. She had seen a drop of eau de Cologne on the polished arm of the sofa, and instinctively sought to wipe it off. But she kept her back turned to her son much longer than was necessary; and when she spoke, her voice seemed unusual and constrained.

      'You have taken some steps about the rioters, I suppose? You don't apprehend any more violence, do you? Where were the police? Never at hand 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 up just when the yard was clearing. I might have given some of the fellows in charge then, if I had had my wits about me. But there will be no difficulty, 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 have appointed 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 some time. 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 shall go round by Crampton, after I've arranged with the police and seen Hamper and Clarkson.' Their eyes met; they looked at each other intently 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. He shall 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 she stood between me and the mob.'

      'What made you go down at all? It was putting your head into the lion's mouth!' He glanced sharply at her; saw that she did not know what had passed between him and Margaret in the drawing-room; and replied by another question:

      'Shall you be afraid to be left without me, until I can get some of the police; or had we better send Williams for them now, and they could be here by the time we have done tea? There's no time to be lost. I must be off 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 business he had to do at the police-office, and in reality thinking of Margaret. Everything seemed dim and vague beyond—behind—besides the touch of her arms round his neck—the soft clinging which made the dark colour come and go in his cheek as he thought of it.

      The tea would have been very silent, but for Fanny's perpetual description of her own feelings; how she had been alarmed—and then thought they were gone—and then felt