![gracious. Seeing her good-humor, Jacob ventured to inform her that
she was sitting in her own carriage.
Sitting in my own cayridge! Well, then, stop th' horses, for I s'll get
out.
Nay, nay, mother, you munnut do so—you munnut do so. You'll stop
o' th' procession. There's no stoppin' now. It's too latt for stoppin'.
Well, if I'd known I'd never a coom! What is th' folk sayin', thinken
ye? Why, they're o' sayin,' one to another, 'There's Mistress Ogden in
her new cayridge, an' who's as fain[25] as fain.'
Well, mother, and what if they do say so? What means it?
Draw them there blinds down.
Nay, but I willn't. We aren't goin' to a funeral.
After a while Mrs. Ogden began to look at the nice blue lining of her
carriage somewhat more approvingly. At last she said, Jacob, I'n
never thanked thee. Thank ye, Jacob—thank ye. I shalln't live to use
it for long, but it'll do for little Jacob wife at afther.
When Mrs. Ogden had made this little speech, her son knew that the
carriage difficulty was at an end, and indeed she never afterwards
evinced any repugnance to entering that very handsome and
comfortable vehicle.
The procession moved at a walking pace for the first two miles, on
account of the people on foot. When these, however, had returned
in the direction of Shayton, the speed was somewhat increased,
though, as the road steadily ascended till it reached the Yorkshire
border, the horses could not go very fast. The road, too, being quite
new, the macadam was rather rough, though Jacob Ogden had sent
a heavy iron roller, drawn by fourteen powerful horses, from one end
to the other.
The weather could not possibly have been more favorable, and it
would be difficult to imagine a more cheerful and exhilarating route.
There had been a slight frost during the night, and the air of the](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2654902-250528052508-71013e7d/85/Dynamics-An-Introduction-For-Civil-And-Structural-Engineers-2nd-Ed-Maguire-20-320.jpg)
![high moorland was deliciously fresh and pure. The startled grouse
frequently whirred over the heads of the horsemen, and made not a
few of them regret the absence of their fowling-pieces, and the
present necessity for marching in military order. The view became
gradually more and more extensive, till at length, on approaching
the border, a splendid prospect was visible on both sides, stretching
in Lancashire far beyond Shayton to the level land near Manchester
—and in Yorkshire, beyond Wenderholme and Rigton to the hills near
Stanithburn Peel. A landmark had been erected on the border, and
as the Shayton procession approached it, the body of horsemen
from Wenderholme were seen approaching it from the other side. It
had been arranged that they should meet at the stone.
When both processions had stopped, the Wenderholme agent came
and presented an address to Mrs. Ogden, which he read in a loud
voice, and then handed to her in the carriage. She was graciously
pleased to say a few words in reply, which were not audible to the
people about. This ceremony being over, the combined procession
formed itself in order of march, and began to descend the long slope
towards Wenderholme.
The road entered the village, and therefore did not go quite directly
to the Hall. As it had been Jacob Ogden's intention from the first to
play the part of Public Benefactor in this matter, he guarded the
privacy of his mansion.
At the entrance of the village there was a triumphal arch made of
heather and evergreens, and decorated with festoons of colored
calico. Here the procession paused a second time, whilst the
villagers came to make their little offering to Mrs. Ogden.
The lord of Wenderholme was both surprised and offended by the
absence of Mr. Prigley. I'll make him pay for't, he thought, if he
wants out[26] doin' at his church, or any subscriptions, or the like o'
that Indeed, the absence of Mr. Prigley was the more surprising that
it was contrary to the traditions of his caste, usually sufficiently
ready to do honor to the powers that be.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2654902-250528052508-71013e7d/85/Dynamics-An-Introduction-For-Civil-And-Structural-Engineers-2nd-Ed-Maguire-21-320.jpg)
![hanged for't, same as Bill o' great John's[27] as shot old Nanny
Suthers wi' a pistil.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2654902-250528052508-71013e7d/85/Dynamics-An-Introduction-For-Civil-And-Structural-Engineers-2nd-Ed-Maguire-35-320.jpg)
Dynamics An Introduction For Civil And Structural Engineers 2nd Ed Maguire
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- 5. Dynamics An introduction for civil and structural engineers
- 6. ICE design and practice guides One of the major aims of the Institution of Civil Engineers is to provide its members with opportunities for continuing professional development. One method by which the Institution is achieving this is the production of design and practice guides on topics relevant to the professional activities of its members. The purpose of the guides is to provide an introduction to the main principles and important aspects of the particular subject, and to offer guidance as to appropriate sources of more detailed information. The Institution has targeted as its principal audience practising civil engineers who are not expert in or familiar with the subject matter. This group includes recently graduated engineers who are undergoing their professional training and more experienced engineers whose work experience has not previously led them into the subject area in any detail. Those professionals who are more familiar with the subject may also find the guides of value as a handy overview or summary of the principal issues. Where appropriate, the guides will feature checklists to be used as an aide-mémoire on major aspects of the subject and will provide, through references and bibliographies, guidance on authoritative, relevant and up-to-date published documents to which reference should be made for reliable and more detailed guidance.
- 7. ICE design and practice guide Dynamics An introduction for civil and structural engineers Second edition J.R. Maguire and T.A. Wyatt
- 8. Published by Thomas Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD www.thomastelford.com First published 1999 Reprinted, with corrections 2000 Second edition, 2002 Distributors for Thomas Telford books are USA: ASCE Press, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4400, USA Japan: Maruzen Co. Ltd, Book Department, 3–10 Nihonbashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103 Australia: DA Books and Journals, 648 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132, Victoria A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Classification Availability: Unrestricted Content: Recommendations based on current practice Status: Refereed User: Practising civil engineers and designers ISBN: 0 7277 3138 6 # Institution of Civil Engineers, 2002 All rights, including translation reserved. Except for fair copying, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Books Publisher, Publishing Division, Thomas Telford Ltd, Thomas Telford House, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD. Every effort has been made to ensure that the statements made and the opinions expressed in this publication provide a safe and accurate guide; however, no liability or responsibility of any kind can be accepted in this respect by the publishers or the authors. Typeset by Gray Publishing, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Printed in Great Britain
- 9. Foreword to the First Edition Dynamics is a far more important subject to civil and structural engineers than it used to be, because structures have become lighter, members more slender and, for buildings especially, cladding has changed from brick and masonry to steel and composite materials in much of modern architecture. These changes have increased amplitudes of vibration and moved frequencies of structures into bands which are both more awkward to deal with as well as being more easily perceived by users. This guide provides an introduction for practising civil and structural engineers seeking to find out more about the subject of dynamics. It is aimed primarily at those approaching chartered status, whatever their age, and will educate practising engineers in the main principles and important aspects of the subject. It provides through the references guidance on authoritative, relevant and up-to-date published documents which practising engineers should refer to for more detailed and reliable guidance. We believe we have provided all the information necessary to satisfy these objectives in a concise manner. It is important to stress that dynamics is a complex and evolving field. This guide is intended as an introductory reference document and should not be expected to provide detailed information, or solutions to, all dynamics problems. If in doubt the reader should seek the assistance of a recognized dynamics specialist. v
- 10. Foreword to the Second Edition In the three years since the first edition was published there has been a marked increase in interest in the dynamic behaviour of: — slender flexible bridges, subject to pedestrian and wind loading; — cantilevered seating decks of grandstands subject to crowd movements; — long span floors, subject to individuals walking and groups dancing; — marine structures, in particular bridge piers, subject to ship impact. In recognition of this, additional text, references and examples have been added to this Guide, while retaining the layout of the original edition. It is emphasized again that this is an introductory reference document and that the guidance should be taken in that spirit. vi
- 11. Acknowledgements This guide has been mainly prepared by Dr John Maguire of Lloyd’s Register and Professor Tom Wyatt of Imperial College, together with other members of SECED (Society for Earthquake and Civil Engineering Dynamics) and WES (Wind Engineering Society), both learned societies within the Institution of Civil Engineers. Their contributions have been primarily as individuals and should not be construed necessarily as the views of their sponsoring organizations. The contributions and assistance of the following in reviewing and contributing to the text are gratefully acknowledged: Edmund Booth Independent Consulting Engineer Professor Norman Jones Impact Research Centre, University of Liverpool Dr Brian Ellis Building Research Establishment Dr Bryan Skipp Independent Consulting Engineer Professor David Key CEP Research Dr Peter Merriman British Nuclear Fuels Ltd Dr Alan Watson University of Sheffield Dr Maurice Petyt ISVR, Southampton This guide also draws significantly on work produced by Dennis Hitchings, Imperial College, and Professor Arthur Bolton of Heriot-Watt University, and their material is acknowledged accordingly. Production of this guide has been the responsibility of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Thomas Telford Limited. vii
- 12. Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Basic dynamics theory 4 Input (loading) 4 The dynamic system 5 Equation of motion 6 Modes of vibration 7 Output (response) 9 3. Design for dynamic loading 12 Natural frequencies 12 Damping and dampers 14 Acceptance criteria: ultimate limit state 15 Acceptance criteria: other limit states 16 Initial design 19 4. Specific dynamic loadings 20 Wind-induced vibrations of structures 20 Earthquake-induced vibration of structures 29 Vibration induced by people 38 Blast effects 46 Machinery 50 Ground transmitted vibration 53 Impact 56 Hydrodynamic loading: wave- and current-induced vibrations 60 5. Summary of selected design issues 63 From Chapter 1 – introduction 63 From Chapter 2 – basic dynamics theory 63 From Chapter 3 – design for dynamic loading – general 64 From Chapter 3 – design for dynamic loading – initial design 64 From Chapter 4 – specific dynamic loadings 64 Illustrative Example 1: response of buildings to a gusty wind 66 Illustrative Example 2: response of a building to an earthquake 71 Illustrative Example 3: floor subject to rhythmic activity 75 Illustrative Example 4: Preliminary design considerations for a footbridge 77 Classified selected vibration standards 78 Bibliographic sources 78 References combined with selected codes and standards 79 ix
- 13. 1. Introduction What is dynamics? Why do I have to know about it? How should I accommodate dynamics in the civil engineering design and design checking process? These questions lie at the heart of this guide, and in attempting to address them, the starting point is statics. Any engineering designer is familiar with the concept of a structure to fulfil the set functional requirements which is checked to ensure that it can robustly withstand the action of one or more sets of static loads. Only rarely, however, are the forces acting on a real structure wholly unchanging with time and thus truly static. The principal distinctive feature of a dynamic analysis is consideration of inertial effects, i.e. inclusion in the analysis of terms of the form (mass acceleration). Ideally, one could solve the resulting equations of motion and use the results for design checking in the same way as with conventional static checks. A full knowledge of the displacements (deformation) of the structure can be fed back to check the internal stresses, but can also be applied to serviceability checks on displacements or on motion-perception criteria or to fatigue cycle counting. In practice, such a rigorous extension rarely is practicable. A rigorous dynamic analysis inevitably requires much more computation than a static analysis; this is especially noticeable when a non-linear structural response characteristic is involved. Even if the computational effort was practicable, many engineers may lack the experience and insight into dynamic design checking to be sure that they are correctly assimilating their accumulated static experience and insight. Fortunately, in many cases it is possible to give guidance by which the designer can decide whether: — dynamics is of marginal importance and is safely covered by load factors in conventional checks; or — dynamics is significant and specific practical design-office procedures should be applied; or — dynamics is crucial and specialist measures and/or advice should be considered. One especially dangerous phenomenon is resonance, resulting from synchronism between a pronounced periodicity in the loading process and a natural vibration frequency of the structure. Resonance can lead to gross magnification of response (one-hundred-fold is not impossible), with potential overstressing or rapid fatigue failure. Every effort should therefore be made to avoid resonance, although this is not always economically practicable; as discussed later, an economic design to a predetermined structural form leads to a broadly predetermined natural frequency. 1
- 14. Where resonance cannot be avoided, it may be possible to reduce the magnitude of the excitation, for example by vibration-control mounting of machinery or by modification of the aerodynamic shape of the structure. Further examples of countermeasures include isolation from ground-borne vibration, and enhancement of natural damping to reduce the dynamic magnification. Similar countermeasures may be applied in many of the cases where a significant dynamic response at a natural vibration frequency arises although the input is seemingly random; such cases include earthquake, wind gust, wave and traffic effects. A somewhat different behaviour emerges in consideration of major impulsive ‘accidental’ loads; collisions with bridge piers, offshore structures, and so on. The requirement is a structure that can safely absorb energy, with emphasis on non-linear structural behaviour rather than dynamic theory. Lack of space does not permit substantial treatment in this guide, although a chapter is devoted to it together with substantial references. Natural frequency, mass and energy dissipation capability are thus all-important. Dynamic response has become more important as a result of trends in all three properties. Natural frequencies have tended to decrease in recent decades because working stresses have increased (as a consequence of both higher-strength materials and more refined design) without commensurate increases in Young’s modulus. Response to wind gusts is thereby considerably increased because not only does this imply a shift towards the peak ordinates of the wind-gust spectrum but the ‘quasi- resonant’ gusts are larger, as described later. Critical wind speeds for aerodynamic instability problems are generally reduced. Similar trends apply to so-called ‘fixed’ (as opposed to ‘compliant’) structures in water. Excitation by traffic (people or vehicles) is also commonly exacerbated, bringing resonance into play either with a more severe Fourier component for a given span of floor, or at a shorter span of a bridge. Earthquake effects may or may not be adversely affected by reduction of structural natural frequency. Reduction of mass is generally adverse where the acceptability criterion is a question of human subjective reaction; other things being equal, response acceleration is proportional to excitation divided by the mass. In many cases, energy dissipation or damping plays a key role. Within the range of response that would be acceptable for any excitation of cumulative duration measured in hours rather than seconds, the natural damping of structures is most often reliant largely on frictional dissipation of energy. Over recent decades welding or friction-grip bolting has replaced ‘black’ bolting; prestressing has been introduced; building parti- tioning has been reduced; building cladding has come to be carried on ‘engineered’ resilient mountings to reduce its susceptibility to frame deformation; the number of expansion-bearings and movement joints has been reduced by continuous construction: all the foregoing have had the effect that frictional dissipation of energy has been reduced. It is notable that many laudable design advances are actually adverse from the viewpoint of dynamic sensitivity. There are very diverse potential acceptance criteria for dynamic response. Earthquake is again an extreme case with the dominant criterion of prevention of complete collapse, because the balance of cost against probability of occurrence marginalizes the importance of lower levels of damage. For the other dynamic problems, analysis is usually linear, carrying the implication that the stresses resulting from dynamic response can be superposed on the static equilibrium solution (a slightly more sophisticated probabilistic approach is taken in wind-gust problems but it is still Dynamics: an introduction for civil and structural engineers 2
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- 17. CHAPTER XII. JACOB OGDEN'S TRIUMPH. At length the great day arrived, towards the end of October, when the new road from Shayton to Wenderholme was to be solemnly inaugurated. Mr. Jacob Ogden had made all his arrangements with that administrative ability which distinguished him. He had gone into every detail just as closely as if the work of this great day had been the earning of money instead of its expenditure. The main features of the programme were: 1. A procession from Shayton to Wenderholme by the new route. 2. A grand dinner at Wenderholme. 3. A ball. The procession was to leave Shayton at noon precisely; and about half-past eleven, a magnificent new carriage, ornamented with massive silver, and drawn by two superb gray horses, whose new harness glittered in the sunshine, rolled up to Mrs. Ogden's door. On the box sat a fine coachman in livery, and a footman jumped down from behind to knock at the Milend front door. Just at the same moment Mr. Jacob Ogden walked quietly up the drive, and when the door opened he walked in. The splendid servants respectfully saluted him. The Shayton tailor had surpassed himself for this occasion, and Mr. Jacob looked so well dressed that anybody would have thought his clothes had been made at Sootythorn. He wore kid gloves also. But however well dressed a man may be, his splendor can never be comparable to a lady's, especially such a lady as Mrs. Ogden, who had a fearlessness in the use of colors like that which distinguished our younger painters twenty years ago. She always managed to
- 18. adorn herself so that every thing about her looked bright, except her complexion and her eyes. Behold her as the door opens! The Queen in all her glory is not so fine as the mistress of Milend! What shining splendor! What dazzling effulgence! A blind man said that he imagined scarlet to be as the sound of a trumpet; but the vision of Mrs. Ogden was equal to a whole brass band. Why, and whose cayridge is this 'ere, Jacob? Cayridge, mother? It's nobbut a two-horse fly, fro' Manchester, new painted. The fact was, it was Mrs. Ogden's own carriage, purchased by her son without her knowledge or consent; but, to avoid a scene before his new domestics, he preferred the above amiable little fiction. So Mrs. Ogden stepped for the first time into her carriage without being aware that she had attained that great object of the nouveau riche. There was no danger that she would recognize the armorial bearings which decorated the panels and the harness. Jacob himself had not known them a month before, but he had sent name and county to a heraldic establishment in Lincoln's Inn Fields; and, as his letter had been duly accompanied by a post-office order, three days afterwards he had received a very neat drawing of his coat of arms, emblazoned in azure and gold. It was cheaper than going to the College of Arms, and did just as well. There was nobody in the new carriage except Mrs. Ogden and her son. Miss Smethurst was invited, but she had a carriage and pair of her own, which she used to do honor to the occasion. Many other friends of the Ogdens (friends or business acquaintances) also came in their carriages, for the tradesmen of those parts had generally adopted the custom of carriage-keeping during the last few years. Even our friend the Doctor now kept a comfortable brougham, in which he joined the procession. Mr. Isaac Ogden of Twistle Farm, and Mr. Jacob Ogden, Jr., his son, joined the procession on horseback, riding very fine animals indeed. A pack of harriers was kept a short distance from Shayton, and it had been agreed that all
- 19. the gentlemen of the hunt who had invitations should be asked to come as equestrians. Jacob Ogden had contrived to give a public character to his triumph by his gift of the new road to the township. The magistrates for the time being were to be the trustees of it, hence the magistrates (including one or two country gentlemen of some standing) found themselves compelled to take part in the triumph. All men were that day compelled to acknowledge Jacob Ogden's greatness, and to do him homage. The telegraph was already established, and when the Shayton procession started on its way, the fact was known instantaneously at Wenderholme. At the same moment a counter-procession left Wenderholme on horseback to meet the one coming from Shayton. The Yorkshire procession consisted chiefly of the tenants of the estate on horseback, headed by the agent. Most of them were in any thing but a congratulatory frame of mind, but as they dreaded the anger of their landlord, they rode forth to meet him to a man. A holiday had been given at the mill, and all the mill hands were to accompany the Shayton procession for two miles upon the road, after which they were to return to Shayton, and there make merry at Mr. Ogden's expense. Most of the hands belonged to benefit clubs such as the Odd Fellows, the Druids, the Robin Hood, and so on; and they borrowed for the occasion the banners used in the solemnities of these societies, and their picturesque and fanciful costumes. These added immensely to the effect, and gave the procession a richness and a variety which it would otherwise have lacked. The departure of the cortège had been timed at the dinner-hour, when all the mills were loosed, so that the whole Shayton population might witness it. As it moved slowly along the streets, the crowd was as dense as if Royalty itself had made a progress through the town. Mrs. Ogden repeatedly recognized acquaintances in the crowd, and bowed and smiled most graciously from her carriage-window— indeed a queen could hardly have looked more radiant or more
- 20. gracious. Seeing her good-humor, Jacob ventured to inform her that she was sitting in her own carriage. Sitting in my own cayridge! Well, then, stop th' horses, for I s'll get out. Nay, nay, mother, you munnut do so—you munnut do so. You'll stop o' th' procession. There's no stoppin' now. It's too latt for stoppin'. Well, if I'd known I'd never a coom! What is th' folk sayin', thinken ye? Why, they're o' sayin,' one to another, 'There's Mistress Ogden in her new cayridge, an' who's as fain[25] as fain.' Well, mother, and what if they do say so? What means it? Draw them there blinds down. Nay, but I willn't. We aren't goin' to a funeral. After a while Mrs. Ogden began to look at the nice blue lining of her carriage somewhat more approvingly. At last she said, Jacob, I'n never thanked thee. Thank ye, Jacob—thank ye. I shalln't live to use it for long, but it'll do for little Jacob wife at afther. When Mrs. Ogden had made this little speech, her son knew that the carriage difficulty was at an end, and indeed she never afterwards evinced any repugnance to entering that very handsome and comfortable vehicle. The procession moved at a walking pace for the first two miles, on account of the people on foot. When these, however, had returned in the direction of Shayton, the speed was somewhat increased, though, as the road steadily ascended till it reached the Yorkshire border, the horses could not go very fast. The road, too, being quite new, the macadam was rather rough, though Jacob Ogden had sent a heavy iron roller, drawn by fourteen powerful horses, from one end to the other. The weather could not possibly have been more favorable, and it would be difficult to imagine a more cheerful and exhilarating route. There had been a slight frost during the night, and the air of the
- 21. high moorland was deliciously fresh and pure. The startled grouse frequently whirred over the heads of the horsemen, and made not a few of them regret the absence of their fowling-pieces, and the present necessity for marching in military order. The view became gradually more and more extensive, till at length, on approaching the border, a splendid prospect was visible on both sides, stretching in Lancashire far beyond Shayton to the level land near Manchester —and in Yorkshire, beyond Wenderholme and Rigton to the hills near Stanithburn Peel. A landmark had been erected on the border, and as the Shayton procession approached it, the body of horsemen from Wenderholme were seen approaching it from the other side. It had been arranged that they should meet at the stone. When both processions had stopped, the Wenderholme agent came and presented an address to Mrs. Ogden, which he read in a loud voice, and then handed to her in the carriage. She was graciously pleased to say a few words in reply, which were not audible to the people about. This ceremony being over, the combined procession formed itself in order of march, and began to descend the long slope towards Wenderholme. The road entered the village, and therefore did not go quite directly to the Hall. As it had been Jacob Ogden's intention from the first to play the part of Public Benefactor in this matter, he guarded the privacy of his mansion. At the entrance of the village there was a triumphal arch made of heather and evergreens, and decorated with festoons of colored calico. Here the procession paused a second time, whilst the villagers came to make their little offering to Mrs. Ogden. The lord of Wenderholme was both surprised and offended by the absence of Mr. Prigley. I'll make him pay for't, he thought, if he wants out[26] doin' at his church, or any subscriptions, or the like o' that Indeed, the absence of Mr. Prigley was the more surprising that it was contrary to the traditions of his caste, usually sufficiently ready to do honor to the powers that be.
- 22. Also, Jacob Ogden thought that the church bells might have rung for him. But they didn't ring. A hostile Prigley or Stanburne influence was apparent there also. It was irritating to have the great triumph marred by this pitiful ecclesiastical opposition. He shall rue it, said Jacob, inwardly—he shall rue it! A table had been set in the middle of Wenderholme green, and on this table was a large and massive silver inkstand, and in the inkstand a gold pen with a jewelled penholder. Here Jacob Ogden descended from his carriage, and, surrounded by all the chief personages in the procession, sat down under a spreading oak, and signed the deed of gift by which the road from Shayton to Wenderholme was transferred in trust to the Shayton magistrates and their successors for ever and ever. The inkstand bore an inscription, and was formally presented to Mr. Ogden. And a great shout rose—all John Stanburne's former tenants distinguishing themselves in the hip, hip, c. After that the procession entered Wenderholme Park, and Mrs. Ogden descended at the grand entrance, and moved across the hall, and up the tapestried staircase.
- 23. CHAPTER XIII. THE BLOW-OUT. The reader is not to suppose, from the parsimony which marked the habitual life of Jacob Ogden and his mother, that when they had made up their minds to what they called a blow-out, there would be any meanness or littleness in their proceedings. Under all circumstances they acted with clear minds, knowing what they were doing; and when they resolved to be extravagant, they were extravagant. The fine principle of that grand and really moral motto, Pecca fortiter, was thoroughly understood and consistently acted upon by the man who had won Wenderholme by his industry and thrift. When he sinned, there was no weak compromise with conscience—he did it manfully and boldly, and no mistake. He never muddled away a sovereign, but his triumph cost him many a hundred sovereigns, and he knew beforehand precisely what he was going to spend. When it was all over he would pay the piper, and lock up his cash-box again, and return to his old careful ways. The Ogdens did not receive many visitors at Milend, and yet they had rather an extensive acquaintance amongst people of their own class—rich people belonging to trade, and living in the great manufacturing towns. And to this festivity they had invited everybody they knew. The house of Wenderholme, large as it was, was filled with Jacob Ogden's guests, and his mother did the honors with a homely but genuine hospitality, which made everybody feel kindly disposed to her; and though they could not help laughing a little at her now and then, they did it without malice. The reader will remember that, from a sort of pride which distinguished her, she had refrained from visiting Wenderholme until the completion of the new road; and as the chariot of the Olympic victor entered his city by a
- 24. breach in the wall, so Mrs. Ogden's carriage came to Wenderholme by a route which no carriage had ever before traversed. It would have been better, however, in some respects, if the good lady had familiarized herself a little with the splendors of Wenderholme before she undertook to receive so many guests therein, for it was quite foreign to the frankness of her nature to act the nil admirari. Thus, on entering the magnificent drawing-room, where many guests were already assembled, she behaved exactly as she had done when, during a visit to Buxton, some friends had taken her to see Chatsworth. Well! she exclaimed, lifting up both her hands, this is a grand room! Nor was she contented with this simple exclamation, but she went on examining and exclaiming, and walked all round, and lifted up the curtains, and the heavy tassels of their cords, and touched the tapestry on the chairs, and, in a word, quite forgot her dignity of hostess in the novelty of the things about her. Those curtains must have cost thirty shillings a-yard! she said, appealing to the judgment of the elder ladies present, and the stuff's narrow beside. Impressions of splendor depend very much upon contrast, so that Wenderholme seemed very astonishing to a person coming directly from Milend. But such impressions are soon obliterated by habit, and in a week Mrs. Ogden will have lost the fresh eye, to which she owes her present sense of enchantment. How long would it take to get accustomed to Blenheim, or Castle Howard, or Compiègne? Would it take a fortnight? However, Mrs. Ogden had the advantage of a far fresher eye than nous autres, who are so accustomed to gilding and glitter in public cafés and picture-galleries, that we are all, as it were, princes, insensible to impressions of splendor. All that Mrs. Ogden said upon that memorable day it would be tedious to relate. She thought aloud, and the burden of her thoughts, their ever-recurring refrain, was her sense of the grandeur that surrounded her. Jacob Ogden had bought a good deal of Colonel Stanburne's fine old silver plate, and this formed the main
- 25. subject of Mrs. Ogden's conversation during dinner. I think our Jacob's gone fair mad with pride, she said to all the company, and in the hearing of the attentive servants, for we'd plenty of silver at Milend—quite plenty for any one; we've all my uncle Adam's silver spoons, and my aunt Alice's, and plenty of silver candlesticks, and a tea-service—and I cannot tell what our Jacob would be at. Then she added, with serene complacency, However, it's all paid for. She had not the art of avoiding a topic likely to be disagreeable either to herself or anybody else, but would make other folks uncomfortable, and torture her own mind by dwelling upon their sores and her own. I don't think that in this she was altogether wrong, or that the most delicate people are altogether right in doing exactly the contrary, for it is as well to grasp nettles with a certain hardihood; but she carried a respectable sort of courage to a very unnecessary excess. Thus, when she had done about the silver and the general extravagance of our Jacob, the next topic she found to talk about was the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Prigley. She launched forth into a catalogue of all the benefits wherewith she had overwhelmed Mrs. Prigley in the days of her poverty at Shayton, and represented that lady as a monster of ingratitude. Why, they were so poor, Mrs. Ogden said, that they couldn't even afford carpets to their floors; but now that they're better off in the world, they turn their backs on those that helped them. We were always helping them, and making them presents. Every one saw that the Ogdens were dreadfully sore about the absence of the vicar and his wife, and it was not very good policy on Mrs. Ogden's part to draw attention to it in that way; for a parson, though ornamental, is not absolutely indispensable to a good dinner, and they might have got on very well without one. The dinner was served in the great hall at five o'clock, and few of the guests, as they sat at the feast, could help lifting their eyes to the wainscot, and the frescoes, and the great armorial ceiling—few could help thinking of the Colonel. No one present, however, was in such a conflicting and contradictory state of mind as young Jacob, nor was any one so thoroughly miserable. The whole triumph had
- 26. disgusted him from beginning to end, and he was not in a humor to be either charitable or indulgent, or to see things on their amusing side. Ever since that last interview with Edith, he had been moody and misanthropical, accepting the position his uncle had made for him, but accepting it without one ray of pleasure. Such a condition of mind, if prolonged for several years, would end by making a man horribly cynical and sour, and probably drive him to take refuge in the lowest pleasures and the lowest aims. When the bark of love is wrecked, and the noble ambition of work and independence lies feeble and half dead, and we allow others to arrange all our life for us, what is the use of being young? what is the use of having health and riches, and all sorts of fine prospects and advantages? When the banquet was over, the company returned to the drawing- room, and young Jacob began to think that Sally Smethurst was the nicest-looking young person there. His uncle was pleased to observe his polite attentions to the young lady, and, taking him aside, said, That's reet, lad—that's reet; ax 'er to dance, and when you've been dancin' a good bit, ax her summat elz. You'll never have such another chance. She's quite fresh to this place, and she never saw out like Wendrum 'All; she's just been tellin' my mother what a rare fine place it is. Well, thought young Jacob to himself, as I cannot have Edith, why not please my uncle and my grandmother? Sally Smethurst is a nice honest-looking young woman, and I daresay she'd make a very good sort of wife. The male nature is so constituted that, when not firmly anchored in some strong attachment, it easily drifts away on the fleuve du tendre, and this poor youth had been cut away from his moorings. What wonder, then, if he drifted? Sally thought him very nice, and handsome, and kind, and she promised to dance with him most willingly. The dining-room had been prepared for dancing, and it answered the purpose all the better as there was a dais at one end of the room which afforded at once a safe retreat and a convenient position for spectators, whilst at the other was a gallery for musicians, now occupied by an
- 27. excellent band of stringed instruments from Manchester. In short, the dining-room at Wenderholme had been arranged strictly on the principle of the old baronial hall. The gallery was supported by fantastic pillars of carved oak, and decorated with gigantic antlers which had been given to Colonel Stanburne by a friend of his, a mighty hunter in South Africa. The ball went on with great spirit till after midnight, when supper was served in the long gallery. Even Mrs. Ogden, old as she was, had danced, and danced well too, to the astonishment of the spectators. The host himself had performed, though his proficiency might be questioned. What with the dancing, and the negus, and the champagne, and the splendors of the noble house, and the flattery of so many guests, and the obsequious service of so many attendants, and the sense of their own greatness and success, not only Jacob Ogden, senior, but all the Ogdens, were a little elevated that night. Young Jacob did not escape this infection—at his age, how could he?—and having taken Miss Smethurst up the grand staircase to supper, rapidly approached that point which his uncle desired him to attain. Amidst the noise of the talk around him, the lad went further and further. He talked about Wenderholme already almost as if it were his own, and forgot, for the time, his old friend the Colonel and his misfortunes in an exulting sense of his own highly promising position. He intended to live at Wenderholme a good deal, he said, and then asked Miss Smethurst whether she would like to live at Wenderholme. But he did not hear her answer. A figure like a ghost, with pale, sad, resolute face, approached silently, moving from the darker end of the long gallery into the blaze of light about the supper-table. It was Mr. Prigley. The master of the house saw him, too, and as he approached said aloud, and not very politely,—
- 28. Better late than never, parson; come and sit down next to my mother and get your supper. But Mr. Prigley still remained standing. However, he approached the table. Still he would not sit down. Every one looked at him, and no one who had looked once took his eyes off Mr. Prigley again. There was that in his face which fixed attention irresistibly. The roar of the conversation was suddenly hushed, and a silence succeeded in which you might have heard the breaking of a piece of bread. Mr. Prigley went straight to Mrs. Ogden, not noticing anybody else. He spoke to her, not loudly, but audibly enough for every one to hear him. I have come to tell you, Mrs. Ogden, that Mrs. Stanburne, mother of Colonel Stanburne of Wenderholme, is now lying in a dying state at the vicarage. Mrs. Ogden did not answer at once. When she had collected her ideas, she said, I thought Mrs. Stanburne had been in her own house and well in health. If I'd known she was dyin', you may be sure, Mr. Prigley, as there should 'ave been no dancin' i' this house, though she's not a relation of ours. We're only plain people, but we know what's fittin' and seemly. Then you cannot be aware, Mrs. Ogden, of what has happened at Wenderholme Cottage. Mrs. Stanburne's illness has been brought on by the suddenness with which the present owner of Wenderholme ordered her to quit her cottage on this estate. She was an old lady, in feeble health, and the trouble of a sudden eviction has proved too much for her. If there is any surgeon here, let him follow me. This said, Mr. Prigley quitted the table without bowing to anybody, and his gaunt figure and pale grave face passed along the gallery to the great staircase. Dr. Bardly left his place at the supper-table, and followed him.
- 29. Miss Smethurst's young partner made no more soft speeches to her that night. A great pang smote him in his breast. Had he forgotten those dear friends who had been so good to him in the time of their prosperity? And what was this horrible story of an eviction? Mrs. Stanburne turned out of Wenderholme Cottage! Could it be possible that his uncle had gone to such a length as that? The boy was down the staircase in an instant, and overtook the Doctor and Mr. Prigley as they were crossing the great hall. They walked swiftly and silently to the vicarage. You'd better wait here, little Jacob, said Dr. Bardly; I'll go upstairs. And he put Jacob into a small sitting-room, which was empty. The lad had been there five minutes when the door opened, and Edith came in. She looked very ill and miserable. All the old tenderness came back into Jacob's heart as he felt for her in this trial. Miss Stanburne, he said, dear Miss Stanburne, what does he say? Weak and shattered as she was by the trials of these last days, that word of tenderness made any farther acting impossible. She went to him, took both his hands in hers, and the tears came. There's no hope; she's dying. Come upstairs—she wants to see you. Mrs. Stanburne was lying in a state of extreme exhaustion, with occasional intervals of consciousness, in which the mind was clear. When Jacob entered the sick-room, she was in one of her better moments. Go quite near to her, said Mr. Prigley; she can only speak in a whisper. There had always existed a great friendship between the youth and the old lady now lying on the brink of the grave. He bent down over her, and tenderly kissed her forehead. God bless you! she whispered, it is very kind of you to come.
- 30. Then she said, in answer to his enquiries,— I shall not live long, but I shall live rather longer than they think. I shan't die to-night. I want my son—my son! After this supervened a syncope, which Jacob and Edith believed to be death. But the Doctor, with his larger experience, reassured them for the present. She will live several hours, he said. Jacob told them that she had asked for Colonel Stanburne, and added, I have not the slightest idea where he is. Then Edith made a sign to him to follow her, and led him downstairs again to the little sitting-room. Papa is a long way off; he is in France. He must be telegraphed for. And she took a writing-case and wrote an address. Now, although there was a telegraph from Wenderholme to Ogden's Mill at Shayton, there was none from Shayton to Sootythorn, which was the nearest town of importance. So the best way appeared to be for Jacob to ride off at once with the despatch to the station, which was ten miles off. And you must telegraph for mamma at the same time. And Edith wrote Lady Helena's address. A little delay occurred now, because Jacob's horse had to be sent for to Wenderholme Hall. Edith went upstairs, and soon came down again with rather favorable news. The syncope had not lasted long, and the patient seemed to rally from it somewhat more easily than she had done from the preceding ones. Miss Stanburne! said Jacob, will you give me a word of explanation? You were hard and unkind the last time we spoke to each other. I did very wrong. I thought I was sacrificing myself for your good. I told you nothing but lies. Half an hour since Miss Smethurst was within a hair's-breadth of being lady of Wenderholme; but her chances are over now, and she
- 31. will not bring her fortune to this place—her coals to this Newcastle. As her late partner in the dance rides galloping, galloping through the wooded lanes to the telegraph station, his brain is full of other hopes, and of a far higher, though less brilliant, ambition. He will free himself from the Milend slavery, and work for independence— and for Edith!
- 32. CHAPTER XIV. Mrs. Ogden's Authority. After the apparition of Mr. Prigley, the supper in the long gallery changed its character completely. Until he came it had been one of the merriest of festivals; after he went away, it became one of the dullest. A sense of uncomfortableness and embarrassment oppressed everybody present, and though many attempts were made to give the conversation something of its old liveliness, the guests soon became aware that for that time it was frozen beyond hope of recovery. It had been intended to resume the dancing after supper, but the dancing was not resumed, and the guests who intended to return to Shayton that night became suddenly impressed with so strong a sense of the distance of that place from Wenderholme, that all the pressing hospitality of the Ogdens availed not to retain them. Notwithstanding the Philistinism of Mrs. Ogden's character, and the external hardness which she had in common with most of her contemporaries in Shayton, she was not without heart; and when she heard that her son had turned old Mrs. Stanburne out of the Cottage, she both felt disapproval and expressed it. Jacob, she said, you shouldn't 'ave done so. And she repeated many a time to other people in the room, Our Jacob shouldn't 'ave done so. And when the carriages had departed, although there were still many people in the house, Mrs. Ogden put her bonnet on, and had herself conducted to the vicarage. The situation there might have been embarrassing for some people, but Mrs. Ogden was a woman who did not feel embarrassment under any circumstances. She did what was right, or she did what was wrong, in a simple and resolute way, and her very immunity
- 33. from nervous reflectiveness often enabled her to do the right thing when a self-conscious person would hardly have ventured to do it. So she knocked at Mrs. Prigley's door. It happened that the person nearest the door at that moment was Edith, who was crossing the passage from one room to another. So Edith opened the door. Mrs. Ogden walked in at once, and asked very kindly after Mrs. Stanburne. Edith was pleased with the genuine interest in her manner, and showed her into the little sitting-room. The news was rather more favorable than might have been hoped for. Mrs. Stanburne had had no return of unconsciousness; and though the Doctor still thought she was gradually sinking, he began to be of opinion that her illness might be much longer than was at first anticipated, and thought that she would live to see the Colonel. You don't know me, said Mrs. Ogden; but as you speak of Mrs. Stanburne as your grandmamma, I know who you are. You're Miss Edith. I'm little Jacob's grandmamma—Mrs. Ogden of Milend, whom no doubt you've heard speak of. Edith bowed slightly, and then there was rather an awkward pause. My son Jacob did very wrong about your grandmother in turning her out of her house. I wish we could make amends. Edith tried to say something polite in acknowledgment of Mrs. Ogden's advance, but it ended in tears. I'm afraid it is too late, she said, finally. The young lady's evident love for her grandmother won the heart of Mrs. Ogden, who was herself a grandmother. Tell me what has been done, my dear. I know nothing about it; I only heard about it to- night. Has Mrs. Stanburne removed her furniture? Not quite all yet. Most of it is here, in Mr. Prigley's out-houses. It was the hurry of the removal that brought on grandmamma's illness.
- 34. Well, my dear, said the old lady, laying her hand upon Edith's, let us pray to God that she may live. And we'll have all the furniture put back into the Cottage. I don't think grandmamma would consent to that. But I'll make my son come and beg her pardon. I'll make him come! Edith could not resist Mrs. Ogden's earnestness. I will try to bring grandmamma round, if she lives. You are very kind, Mrs. Ogden. Now, if you'd like me to sit up with Mrs. Stanburne, if you and Mrs. Prigley was tired, you know? I'm an old woman, but I'm a strong one, and I can sit up well enough. I've been used to nursing. I nursed our Isaac wife all through her last illness. Mrs. Prigley and I can do very well for to-night; but to-morrow, in the day-time, we shall need a little rest, and if you would come we should be much obliged. And if there was any thing I could send from the great 'ouse—any jellies or blomonge? Thank you; if we want any thing we will send for it to the Hall. Mrs. Ogden rose to take her leave, which she did very affectionately. I am very sorry for you, my dear, she said, and I am angry at our Jacob. He shouldn't 'ave done so—he shouldn't 'ave done so. She had no notion of abdicating parental authority—no idea that, because a lad happened to be twenty-one, or thirty-one, or forty- one, he was to be free to do exactly as he liked. And when she got back to the Hall, and the guests were in bed, she treated our Jacob en petit garçon, just as if he had been fifteen. She informed him that Mrs. Stanburne's furniture would be reinstated in Wenderholme Cottage immediately, and that if she recovered he would have to go there and eat humble-pie. An' if who doesn't get better, it'll be thee as has murdered her; and thou'll desarve to be
- 35. hanged for't, same as Bill o' great John's[27] as shot old Nanny Suthers wi' a pistil.
- 36. CHAPTER XV. LADY HELENA RETURNS. Mrs. Ogden returned to the vicarage the next day, and found Mrs. Stanburne in the same condition of extreme exhaustion. The Rigton doctor had arrived in the interval, and relieved Dr. Bardly, who returned to Shayton. The two medical men had expressed the same opinion—namely, that the old lady was gradually, but quite surely, sinking. Mrs. Ogden took her place by the bedside, and relieved Mrs. Prigley and Edith. The patient being perfectly conscious, and in possession of all her mental faculties, Edith had told her about Mrs. Ogden's first visit; and when she came near the bedside, Mrs. Stanburne held out her hand, or rather attempted to do so—for she had not strength to lift it—and it fell upon the counterpane. Then she whispered a few words of thanks and welcome. My son Jacob shouldn't have done so—he shouldn't have done so, said Mrs. Ogden; and in reply there came faint syllables of forgiveness. Then Mrs. Ogden asked Mrs. Stanburne if she would prove her forgiveness by going back to Wenderholme Cottage. If I live, I will. Live! why you're sure to live. You're quite a young woman. Look at me, how strong I am, and I'm older than you are. It's nothing but the hurry and worry of leaving your 'ouse that you was accustomed to that's brought you down in this way. You'll get well again—I'm sure you will; only, we must take care of you. Now we've had enough talking for the present, and I'll get my sewing; and if you want any thing, I'll fetch it for you.
- 37. Then the strong old woman sat down by the bedside of the weaker one, and from that time forth established herself as one of her recognized nurses, and by no means the least efficient. In one essential point she was superior both to Edith and Mrs. Prigley—she was less melancholy and more encouraging. The others could not help crying, and the patient saw that they had been crying, which made her feel as if she were assisting at her own funeral; whereas Mrs. Ogden kept a cheerful countenance, and, though as gentle as a woman could be, had nevertheless a fine firmness and courage which made Mrs. Stanburne feel that she could rely upon her. Another immense advantage was, that in the presence of this hale and active example of a vigorous old age, Mrs. Stanburne altogether ceased to feel the burden of her years, and began to consider herself simply as a sick person in a state of temporary exhaustion, instead of an old woman whose thread of life had come to its inevitable end. Indeed, Mrs. Ogden had not been long with the invalid before both of them had given up the theory that she was gradually sinking, and replaced it by more hopeful views. Young Jacob's interest in Mrs. Stanburne's health proved to be so strong that he could hardly absent himself from the vicarage; yet though Mrs. Ogden must have been perfectly well aware that he passed a good deal of his time there with Miss Edith, she showed no sign of displeasure, but when she found them together, seemed to consider it perfectly natural, and spoke to Edith always affectionately, calling her my dear, and putting an unaccustomed tenderness even into the very tones of her voice. The lord of Wenderholme and his remaining guests left for Shayton in the course of the afternoon, but Mrs. Ogden declared her intention of remaining until her patient was out of danger; and though her son had suggested that young Jacob was not absolutely necessary as a nurse, Mrs. Ogden asserted that it was a great comfort to her to have him near her, and that he should go back to Milend with his grandmother at such times as she might see fit to return thither. Jacob Ogden was a wilful and a mighty man; but either from habit or some genuine filial sentiment, or perhaps because no man can be
- 38. really happy unless he is governed by a woman of some sort—either a wife, or a mother, or a maiden aunt—this hard and terrible master- spirit submitted to the old woman without question, and whatever she willed was done. In saying that all Jacob Ogden's guests went back with him to Shayton, an exception must be made in the case of his elder brother. Captain Ogden, as he was now generally called (for the people had gradually got into the habit of giving militia officers their titles), remained at Wenderholme, for reasons of his own. He knew that Colonel Stanburne had been telegraphed for, and wished to see him. Perhaps, too, he thought it might be agreeable to John Stanburne to find a sincere friend in his old place, and that he might be able in some degree to mitigate the painfulness of an unavoidable return to scenes which could not be revisited without awakening many regretful associations. As all the Prigley children were at school except Conny, now a young lady who was supposed to have come out, though in fact no such ceremony had taken place, from the want of any society to come out in, the vicarage was able to accommodate a good many guests, and the Prigleys were only too happy to place it at the disposal of the family to whom they owed their recent advancement in the world. It was a pleasant and spacious, though not a very elegant, house; and there was a large garden, and an orchard, and a glebe of two or three fields, with sufficient stabling and out-houses. They had set up a small pony-carriage, or rather continued that which belonged to the late vicar, which they had purchased at the sale, with pony and harness complete, for the moderate sum of nine guineas; and Conny Prigley set off in this machine to await the train by which Lady Helena was expected to arrive. This arrangement was made without Mrs. Ogden's knowledge, and when she came to be aware of it, she exclaimed, Well, now, I wish I'd known—I do indeed, I wish I'd known—for there's my cayridge at the 'All, which is quite at your service. Our Jacob's gone back with Miss Smethurst, and he's left me my cayridge, which you would have been quite welcome to. But the Prigleys had tact enough to know, that although her ladyship rather
- 39. liked to be magnificent, she might not particularly care for it to be Mrs. Ogden's magnificence; and that the little green pony-carriage, driven by Conny Prigley, was a more suitable vehicle to bring her ladyship to the vicarage than the sumptuous chariot in which Mrs. Ogden had triumphed the day before. Lady Helena duly arrived. It did not require much explanation from Edith to make the whole situation quite clear to her perspicuous mind. She went upstairs to see Mrs. Stanburne, who was grateful to her for coming so soon, and the first person she saw in the room was Mrs. Ogden. There was a little stiffness at first, but it did not last long. Lady Helena and Mrs. Ogden got into conversation about the state of the patient, and then about other matters connected with what might be called the diocese of the Lady of Wenderholme. Had Mrs. Ogden been one of the examples, so numerous in these days, of amazingly refined ladyhood in the middle classes, Lady Helena might have been jealous of her; but how was it possible for her ladyship to feel jealous of a simple old woman like Mrs. Ogden, who spoke broad Lancashire, and in every movement of her body, and every utterance of her lips, proclaimed the humility of her birth? Lady Helena, moreover, had a keen sense of humor, and it was impossible not to feel interested and amused, as soon as the first anxiety about Mrs. Stanburne was at least temporarily tranquillized, by Mrs. Ogden's quaint turns of expression, and her wonderful reliance on her own wisdom and experience. Even Mrs. Stanburne, ill as she was, could not help smiling, as she lay in her bed of sickness, when Mrs. Ogden came out with some of those sayings which were peculiarly her own. The condition of the invalid had become less distressing and less alarming, though the Doctor still held out no hopes of a recovery. Mrs. Ogden, however, had succeeded in making the patient believe that she would get better because she believed it herself, and she believed it herself because the idea of a person dying of mere weakness at the early age of seventy-two was not admissible to her patriarchal mind. It was a great thing for Mrs. Stanburne to have
- 40. somebody near her who did not consider that she was used up, and she began to regard Mrs. Ogden with the partiality which human nature always feels for those who preach comfortable doctrine. As there were so many ladies to nurse Mrs. Stanburne, and as the invalid now gave comparatively little immediate anxiety, Edith easily got Lady Helena to herself for half an hour. The young lady was firmly resolved upon one thing—namely, that this opportunity for a reconciliation between her father and mother should not be lost through any pusillanimity of hers. Mamma, she said boldly, why did you leave papa when he was ruined? Because he ordered me to leave him; because he turned me out of the house. But why did he do so? It is quite contrary to his character to turn anybody out. When he dismissed the servants, he did it very kindly, and only because he could not afford to keep them. Lady Helena remained silent. Do tell me, mamma, why he behaved so. It isn't like him; you know it isn't like him. There are people, Edith, said her ladyship, who commit great follies; and then, when the misfortunes come which they themselves have caused, they cannot endure to hear one word of blame. They must be pitied and sympathized with, and then they are very nice and amiable; but if you express the least censure, they fly into a passion and insult you. You mean that you censured papa for his imprudence, and that he got angry. I said very little to him. I said a few words which were strictly true. I never scold. No, mamma, you never scold; but scolding would be easier to bear than your blame. I see how it all was; you blamed papa in two or
- 41. three terribly just and severe words, and then, after that, you said nothing to console him in his misery, and he became irritable, and said something hasty. Lady Helena said nothing to this, but she did not look displeased; and she showed no inclination either to leave the room or to change the subject. Dear mamma, I don't think you did wrong in blaming papa's imprudence; but if you had given him one word of kindness afterwards, you would never have lost him. Is not this rather— Impertinent from a daughter, you mean to say. You know I don't want to be impertinent, mamma; but I'm old enough to be of some use, and I mean to be, too, whether your ladyship is quite satisfied or not. Are you aware that papa will be here to-morrow? It is natural that he should come here, as his mother is ill. And when he comes, we must do what we can to help him to bear his afflictions, I suppose. Certainly. Well, we won't pass any more votes of censure, mamma, will we? And we shall forgive him his trespasses, shall we not? To this Lady Helena made no reply; but her face wore a new and a softer expression. This encouraged Edith, who continued:— He has suffered enough. He has been living all by himself in a miserable little French town on the Loire. I have a whole heap of his letters. He told me every thing about his situation. Grandpapa has been allowing him three hundred a-year—he has never touched a penny of it; it is paid regularly to grandmamma Stanburne, who does not know that she is ruined, and who fancies that papa has an allowance, and lives abroad for his pleasure. His letters to her are all about amusements, but he writes to me sincerely, and I know what his life has been. He has got a post as English master in a school,
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