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that man； and pray don’t trust him；’ but he had turned his horse’s
head； and was standing close to them。 She had therefore nothing
for it but to suffer Joe to give her hand a gentle squeeze； and when
the chaise had gone on for some distance； to look back and wave it；
as he still lingered on the spot where they had parted； with the tall
dark figure of Hugh beside him。
What she thought about； going home； and whether the coach…
maker held as favourable a place in her meditations as he had
occupied in the morning； is unknown。 They reached home at
last—at last； for it was a long way； made none the shorter by Mrs
Varden’s grumbling。 Miggs hearing the sound of wheels was at the
door immediately。
‘Here they are； Simmun！ Here they are！’ cried Miggs； clapping
her hands； and issuing forth to help her mistress to alight。 ‘Bring a
chair； Simmun。 Now； an’t you the better for it； mim？ Don’t you
feel more yourself than you would have done if you’d have stopped
at home？ Oh； gracious！ how cold you are！ Goodness me； sir； she’s a
perfect heap of ice。’
‘I can’t help it； my good girl。 You had better take her in to the
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fire；’ said the locksmith。
‘Master sounds unfeeling； mim；’ said Miggs； in a tone of
commiseration； ‘but such is not his intentions； I’m sure。 After what
he has seen of you this day； I never will believe but that he has a
deal more affection in his heart than to speak unkind。 Come in and
sit yourself down by the fire； there’s a good dear—do。’
Mrs Varden complied。 The locksmith followed with his hands in
his pockets； and Mr Tappertit trundled off with the chaise to a
neighbouring stable。
‘Martha； my dear；’ said the locksmith； when they reached the
parlour； ‘if you’ll look to Dolly yourself or let somebody else do it；
perhaps it will be only kind and reasonable。 She has been
frightened； you know； and is not at all well to…night。’
In fact； Dolly had thrown herself upon the sofa； quite regardless
of all the little finery of which she had been so proud in the
morning； and with her face buried in her hands was crying very
much。
At first sight of this phenomenon （for Dolly was by no means
accustomed to displays of this sort； rather learning from her
mother’s example to avoid them as much as possible） Mrs Varden
expressed her belief that never was any woman so beset as she；
that her life was a continued scene of trial； that whenever she was
disposed to be well and cheerful； so sure were the people around
her to throw； by some means or other； a damp upon her spirits；
and that； as she had enjoyed herself that day； and Heaven knew it
was very seldom she did enjoy herself so she was now to pay the
penalty。 To all such propositions Miggs assented freely。 Poor
Dolly； however； grew none the better for these restoratives； but
rather worse； indeed； and seeing that she was really ill； both Mrs
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Varden and Miggs were moved to compassion； and tended her in
earnest。
But even then； their very kindness shaped itself into their usual
course of policy； and though Dolly was in a swoon； it was rendered
clear to the meanest capacity； that Mrs Varden was the sufferer。
Thus when Dolly began to get a little better； and passed into that
stage in which matrons hold that remonstrance and argument
may be successfully applied； her mother represented to her； with
tears in her eyes； that if she had been flurried and worried that
day； she must remember it was the common lot of humanity； and
in especial of womankind； who through the whole of their
existence must expect no less； and were bound to make up their
minds to meek endurance and patient resignation。 Mrs Varden
entreated her to remember that one of these days she would； in all
probability； have to do violence to her feelings so far as to be
married； and that marriage； as she might see every day of her life
（and truly she did） was a state requiring great fortitude and
forbearance。 She represented to her in lively colours； that if she
（Mrs V。） had not； in steering her course through this vale of tears；
been supported by a strong principle of duty which alone upheld
and prevented her from drooping； she must have been in her
grave many years ago； in which case she desired to know what
would have become of that errant spirit （meaning the locksmith）；
of whose eye she was the very apple； and in whose path she was；
as it were； a shining light and guiding star？
Miss Miggs also put in her word to the same effect。 She said
that indeed and indeed Miss Dolly might take pattern by her
blessed mother； who； she always had said； and always would say；
though she were to be hanged； drawn； and quartered for it next
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minute； was the mildest； amiablest； forgivingest…spirited； longest…
sufferingest female as ever she could have believed； the mere
narration of whose excellencies had worked such a wholesome
change in the mind of her own sister…in…law； that； whereas； before；
she and her husband lived like cat and dog； and were in the habit
of exchanging brass candlesticks； pot…lids； flat…irons； and other
such strong resentments； they were now the happiest and
affectionatest couple upon earth； as could be proved any day on
application at Golden Lion Court； number twenty…sivin； second
bell…handle on the right…hand door…post。 After glancing at herself
as a comparatively worthless vessel； but still as one of some desert；
she besought her to bear in mind that her aforesaid dear and only
mother was of a weakly constitution and excitable tem