Volume II Part 49 (1/2)

”I have not--that is, I--I have not yet ordered it to be undone.”

”And why?” said Eleanor, now raising her soft blue eyes with an expression of wonder and curiosity on her cousin. ”It did not use to be thus when there came one of these couriers from town.”

”'Tis not from Harry Downes; and--I care not just now to have the trouble on't, being jaded and out of spirits.”

”I will relieve you of the trouble presently, if you will permit me,”

said Eleanor, who was not without a secret hope, notwithstanding Maria's a.s.sertion, that it was a message of gladness from Harry, with the customary present for his sister, and perhaps a token of kindness for herself.

”Stay!” said Maria, laying her hand on Eleanor as she rose, whilst with a solemn and startling tone she cried, ”Not yet!” She sat down; Eleanor, pale and trembling, sat down too; but her cousin was silent, evidently unwilling to resume the topic.

”To-morrow,” said she, when urged; but all further converse on the subject was suspended.

Maria, as the day closed and the evening drew on apace, gave orders that the box should be removed into a vacant outbuilding until morning, when, she said, it might be opened in her presence, as it probably contained some articles that she expected, but of which she was not just then in need.

”It's an ugly c.u.mbersome thing,” said d.i.c.k, as he lugged the wearisome box to its destination. ”I wonder what for mistress dunna break it open. Heigho!”

Here he put down his burden, giving it a l.u.s.ty kick for sheer wantonness and malice.

”What is't sent here for, think'st 'ou?” said Betty the housemaid, who had followed d.i.c.k for a bit of gossip and a sort of incipient liking which had not yet issued on his part into any overt acts of courts.h.i.+p and declaration. It was nigh dark, ”the light that lovers choose;” and Betty, having disposed herself to the best advantage, awaited the reply of d.i.c.k with becoming modesty.

”How do I know the nature o' women's fancies? It would be far easier to know why there's a change o' wind or weather than the meaning o'

their tricks and humours.”

”I know not what thee has to complain on,” said Betty. ”They behaven better to thee nor thou deserves.”

”Hoity, toity, mistress; dunna be cross, wench. Come, gie's a buss an'

so”----

”Keep thy jobbernowl to thysel',” said the indignant Betty, when she had made sure of this favour. ”Thy great leather paws are liker for Becky Pinnington's red neck nor mine,” continued she, bridling up, and giving vent to some long-suppressed jealousy.

”Lorjus days; but thou's mighty quarrelsome and peevish; I ne'er touch'd Becky's neck, nor nought belongin' to her.”

”Hush,” said Betty, withdrawing herself from the approaches of her admirer. ”Some'at knocks!”

d.i.c.k hastened to the door, supposing that somebody was dodging them.

”'Tis somethin' i' that box!” said Betty; and they listened in the last extremity of terror. Again there was a low dull knock, which evidently came from the box, and the wooers were certain that the old one was inside. In great alarm they rushed forth, and at the kitchen-chimney corner d.i.c.k and his companion were seen with blanched lips and staring eyes, almost speechless with affright.

Next morning the story was bruited forth, with amendments and additions, according to the fancy of the speaker, so that, in the end, the first promulgers could hardly recognise their own. The grim-looking despatch was now the object of such terror that scarcely one of them durst go into the place where it stood. It was not long ere Maria Downes became acquainted with the circ.u.mstance, and she thought it was high time these imaginary terrors should be put an end to. She felt ashamed that she had given way to her own apprehensions on the subject, which doubtless were, in part, the occasion of the reports she heard, by the seeming mystery that was observed in her manner and conduct. She determined that the box should be opened forthwith. It was daylight, be it remembered, when this resolution was made, and consequently she felt sufficiently courageous to make the attempt.

But there was not one amongst the domestics who durst accompany her on this bold errand--an attack, they conceived, on the very den of some evil spirit, who would inevitably rush forth and destroy them.

Alone, therefore, and armed with the necessary implements, was she obliged to go forth to the adventure.

The terrified menials saw her depart; and some felt certain she would never come back alive; others did not feel satisfied as to their own safety, should their mistress be the victim. All was terror and distress; pale and anxious faces huddled together, and every eye prying into his neighbour's for some ground of hope or confidence.

Some thought they heard the strokes--dull, heavy blows--breaking through the awful stillness which they almost felt. These intimations ceased: and a full half-hour had intervened; an age of suspended horror, when--just as their apprehensions were on the point of leading them on to some desperate measures for relieving the suspense which was almost beyond endurance--to their great joy, their mistress returned; who, though appearing much agitated, spoke to them rather hastily, and with an attempt to smile at their alarm.

”Yonder box,” said she, pa.s.sing by, ”is like to shame your silly fears. Some wag hath sent ye a truss of straw--for a scrubbing wisp, maybe.” But there was, in the hurried and unusual hilarity of her speech, something so forced and out of character, that it did not escape even the notice of her domestics. Some, however, went immediately to the place, and after much hesitation lifted up the lid, when lo! a bundle of straw was the reward of their curiosity. By degrees they began to rummage farther into the contents; but the whole interior was filled with this rare and curious commodity. They could hardly believe their eyes; and d.i.c.k, especially, shook his head, and looked as though he knew or suspected more than he durst tell; a common expedient with those whose mountain hath brought forth something very like the product of this gigantic mystery.

d.i.c.k was the most dissatisfied with the result, feeling himself much chagrined at so unlooked-for a termination to his wonderful story, and he kept poking into and turning about the straw with great sullenness and pertinacity. His labours were not altogether without success.