"And it is that very want of courage that I deplore more than all the rest," replied the major. "You, that have done and suffered so much, with all the quiet courage of a real heroine--that you should now sink before such an enemy as this, is what I really cannot see with patience."
"And whence comes this new-born cowardice, my dear Mrs. Richards?" said Rosalind.
"I will tell you, Miss Torrington," replied the black-eyed widow, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke,--"I will tell you: all the courage of which I have ever given proof has been inspired, strengthened, and set in action by my children,--by my love for them, and their love for me. This is over: I have lost their love, I have lost their confidence. They look upon me,--even my Mary, who once shared every feeling of my heart,--they all look upon me as one accursed, separated from them through all eternity, and doomed by a decree of my Maker, decided on thousands of years before I was born, to live for countless ages in torments unspeakable. They repeat all this, and hug the faith that teaches it. Is not this enough to sap the courage of the stoutest heart that ever woman boasted?"
"It is dreadful!" cried Helen; "oh! most dreadful! Such then will be, and already are, the feelings of my mother respecting me,--respecting Charles. Yet, how she loved us! A few short months ago, how dearly she loved us both!"
"Come, come, Miss Mowbray; I did not mean to pain you in this manner," said the major. "Do not fancy things worse than they really are: depend upon it, your brother will take care to prevent this man's impious profanation of religion from doing such mischief at Mowbray as it has done here. Had there been any master of the House at Meadow Cottage, this gentleman, so miscalled _reverend_, would never, never, never, have got a footing there."
"Then I heartily wish there were," said Charles, "if only for the sake of setting a good example to the parish in general; but, for the Park in particular, it is as masterless as the cottage."
"I believe," said Mrs. Richards, "that amongst you I shall gain courage to be mistress here; and this, if effectually done, may answer as well. You really advise me, then, all of you, to forbid the clergyman of the parish from entering my doors?"