"Beginagain，Jarber，"saidI。
　　"Wouldyoubemuchsurprised，ifthisHousetoLetshouldturnouttobethepropertyofarelationofyourown?"
　　"Ishouldindeedbeverymuchsurprised。"
　　"ThenitbelongstoyourfirstcousinIlearn，bytheway，thatheisillatthistimeGeorgeForley。"
　　"Thenthatisabadbeginning。IcannotdenythatGeorgeForleystandsintherelationoffirstcousintome；butIholdnocommunicationwithhim。GeorgeForleyhasbeenahard，bitter，stonyfathertoachildnowdead。GeorgeForleywasmostimplacableandunrelentingtooneofhistwodaughterswhomadeapoormarriage。GeorgeForleybroughtalltheweightofhisbandtobearasheavilyagainstthatcrushedthing，ashebroughtittobearlightly，favouringly，andadvantageouslyuponhersister，whomadearichmarriage。Ihopethat，withthemeasureGeorgeForleymeted，itmaynotbemeasuredouttohimagain。IwillgiveGeorgeForleynoworsewish。"
　　Iwasstronguponthesubject，andIcouldnotkeepthetearsoutofmyeyes；for，thatyounggirl'swasacruelstory，andIhaddroppedmanyatearoveritbefore。
　　"ThehousebeingGeorgeForley's，"saidI，"isalmostenoughtoaccountfortherebeingaFateuponit，ifFatethereis。IsthereanythingaboutGeorgeForleyinthosesheetsofpaper?"
　　"Notaword。"
　　"Iamgladtohearit。Pleasetoreadon。Trottle，whydon'tyoucomenearer?Whydoyousitmortifyingyourselfinthosearcticregions?Comenearer。"
　　"Thankyou，ma'am；IamquitenearenoughtoMr。Jarber。"
　　Jarberroundedhischair，togethisbackfulltomyopinionatedfriendandservant，and，beginningtoread，tossedthewordsathimoverhisJabezJarber'sownearandshoulder。
　　Hereadwhatfollows:
　　THEMANCHESTERMARRIAGE
　　Mr。andMrs。OpenshawcamefromManchestertoLondonandtooktheHouseToLet。Hehadbeen，whatiscalledinLancashire，aSalesmanforalargemanufacturingfirm，whowereextendingtheirbusiness，andopeningawarehouseinLondon；whereMr。Openshawwasnowtosuperintendthebusiness。Heratherenjoyedthechangeofresidence；havingakindofcuriosityaboutLondon，whichhehadneveryetbeenabletogratifyinhisbriefvisitstothemetropolis。Atthesametimehehadanodd，shrewd，contemptfortheinhabitants；whomhehadalwayspicturedtohimselfasfine，lazypeople；caringnothingbutforfashionandaristocracy，andloungingawaytheirdaysinBondStreet，andsuchplaces；ruininggoodEnglish，andreadyintheirturntodespisehimasaprovincial。Thehoursthatthemenofbusinesskeptinthecityscandalisedhimtoo；accustomedashewastotheearlydinnersofManchesterfolk，andtheconsequentlyfarlongerevenings。Still，hewaspleasedtogotoLondon；thoughhewouldnotfortheworldhaveconfessedit，eventohimself，andalwaysspokeofthesteptohisfriendsasonedemandedofhimbytheinterestsofhisemployers，andsweetenedtohimbyaconsiderableincreaseofsalary。HissalaryindeedwassoliberalthathemighthavebeenjustifiedintakingamuchlargerHousethanthisone，hadhenotthoughthimselfboundtosetanexampletoLondonersofhowlittleaManchestermanofbusinesscaredforshow。Inside，however，hefurnishedtheHousewithanunusualdegreeofcomfort，and，inthewintertime，heinsistedonkeepingupaslargefiresasthegrateswouldallow，ineveryroomwherethetemperaturewasintheleastchilly。Moreover，hisnorthernsenseofhospitalitywassuch，that，ifhewereathome，hecouldhardlysufferavisitortoleavethehousewithoutforcingmeatanddrinkuponhim。Everyservantinthehousewaswellwarmed，wellfed，andkindlytreated；fortheirmasterscornedallpettysavinginaughtthatconducedtocomfort；
　　whileheamusedhimselfbyfollowingoutallhisaccustomedhabitsandindividualwaysindefianceofwhatanyofhisnewneighboursmightthink。
　　Hiswifewasapretty，gentlewoman，ofsuitableageandcharacter。
　　Hewasforty-two，shethirty-five。Hewasloudanddecided；shesoftandyielding。Theyhadtwochildrenorrather，Ishouldsay，shehadtwo；fortheelder，agirlofeleven，wasMrs。Openshaw'schildbyFrankWilsonherfirsthusband。Theyoungerwasalittleboy，Edwin，whocouldjustprattle，andtowhomhisfatherdelightedtospeakinthebroadestandmostunintelligibleLancashiredialect，inordertokeepupwhathecalledthetrueSaxonaccent。
　　Mrs。Openshaw'sChristian-namewasAlice，andherfirsthusbandhadbeenherowncousin。Shewastheorphannieceofasea-captaininLiverpool:aquiet，gravelittlecreature，ofgreatpersonalattractionwhenshewasfifteenorsixteen，withregularfeaturesandabloomingcomplexion。Butshewasveryshy，andbelievedherselftobeverystupidandawkward；andwasfrequentlyscoldedbyheraunt，herownuncle'ssecondwife。Sowhenhercousin，FrankWilson，camehomefromalongabsenceatsea，andfirstwaskindandprotectivetoher；secondly，attentiveandthirdly，desperatelyinlovewithher，shehardlyknewhowtobegratefulenoughtohim。Itistrueshewouldhavepreferredhisremaininginthefirstorsecondstagesofbehaviour；forhisviolentlovepuzzledandfrightenedher。Heruncleneitherhelpednorhinderedtheloveaffairthoughitwasgoingonunderhisowneyes。Frank'sstep-
　　motherhadsuchavariabletemper，thattherewasnoknowingwhetherwhatshelikedonedayshewouldlikethenext，ornot。Atlengthshewenttosuchextremesofcrossness，thatAlicewasonlytoogladtoshuthereyesandrushblindlyatthechanceofescapefromdomestictyrannyofferedherbyamarriagewithhercousin；and，likinghimbetterthananyoneintheworldexceptherunclewhowasatthistimeatseashewentoffonemorningandwasmarriedtohim；heronlybridesmaidbeingthehousemaidatheraunt's。Theconsequencewas，thatFrankandhiswifewentintolodgings，andMrs。Wilsonrefusedtoseethem，andturnedawayNorah，thewarm-
　　heartedhousemaid；whomtheyaccordinglytookintotheirservice。
　　WhenCaptainWilsonreturnedfromhisvoyage，hewasverycordialwiththeyoungcouple，andspentmanyaneveningattheirlodgings；
　　smokinghispipe，andsippinghisgrog；buthetoldthemthat，forquietness'sake，hecouldnotaskthemtohisownhouse；forhiswifewasbitteragainstthem。Theywerenotveryunhappyaboutthis。
　　TheseedoffutureunhappinesslayratherinFrank'svehement，passionatedisposition；whichledhimtoresenthiswife'sshynessandwantofdemonstrationasfailuresinconjugalduty。Hewasalreadytormentinghimself，andhertoo，inaslighterdegree，byapprehensionsandimaginationsofwhatmightbefallherduringhisapproachingabsenceatsea。AtlasthewenttohisfatherandurgedhimtoinsistuponAlice'sbeingoncemorereceivedunderhisroof；
　　themoreespeciallyastherewasnowaprospectofherconfinementwhileherhusbandwasawayonhisvoyage。CaptainWilsonwas，ashehimselfexpressedit，"breakingup，"andunwillingtoundergotheexcitementofascene；yethefeltthatwhathissonsaidwastrue。
　　Sohewenttohiswife。AndbeforeFrankwenttosea，hehadthecomfortofseeinghiswifeinstalledinheroldlittlegarretinhisfather'shouse。TohaveplacedherintheonebestspareroomwasastepbeyondMrs。Wilson'spowersofsubmissionorgenerosity。Theworstpartaboutit，however，wasthatthefaithfulNorahhadtobedismissed。Herplaceashousemaidhadbeenfilledup；and，evenhaditnot，shehadforfeitedMrs。Wilson'sgoodopinionforever。Shecomfortedheryoungmasterandmistressbypleasantpropheciesofthetimewhentheywouldhaveahouseholdoftheirown；ofwhich，inwhateverserviceshemightbeinthemeantime，sheshouldbesuretoformpart。AlmostthelastactionFrankWilsondid，beforesettingsail，wasgoingwithAlicetoseeNorahoncemoreathermother'shouse。Andthenhewentaway。
　　Alice'sfather-in-lawgrewmoreandmorefeebleaswinteradvanced。
　　Shewasofgreatusetoherstep-motherinnursingandamusinghim；
　　and，althoughtherewasanxietyenoughinthehousehold，therewasperhapsmoreofpeacethantherehadbeenforyears；forMrs。Wilsonhadnotabadheart，andwassoftenedbythevisibleapproachofdeathtoonewhomsheloved，andtouchedbythelonelyconditionoftheyoungcreature，expectingherfirstconfinementinherhusband'sabsence。TothisrelentingmoodNorahowedthepermissiontocomeandnurseAlicewhenherbabywasborn，andtoremaintoattendonCaptainWilson。
　　BeforeoneletterhadbeenreceivedfromFrankwhohadsailedfortheEastIndiesandChina，hisfatherdied。Alicewasalwaysgladtorememberthathehadheldherbabyinhisarms，andkissedandblesseditbeforehisdeath。Afterthat，andtheconsequentexaminationintothestateofhisaffairs，itwasfoundthathehadleftfarlesspropertythanpeoplehadbeenledbyhisstyleoflivingtoimagine；and，whatmoneytherewas，wasallsettleduponhiswife，andatherdisposalafterherdeath。ThisdidnotsignifymuchtoAlice，asFrankwasnowfirstmateofhisship，and，inanothervoyageortwo，wouldbecaptain。Meanwhilehehadlefthersomehundredsallhissavingsinthebank。
　　ItbecametimeforAlicetohearfromherhusband。OneletterfromtheCapeshehadalreadyreceived。ThenextwastoannouncehisarrivalinIndia。Asweekafterweekpassedover，andnointelligenceoftheship'sarrivalreachedtheofficeoftheowners，andtheCaptain'swifewasinthesamestateofignorantsuspenseasAliceherself，herfearsgrewmostoppressive。Atlengththedaycamewhen，inreplytoherinquiryattheShippingOffice，theytoldherthattheownershadgivenupHopeofeverhearingmoreoftheBetsy-Jane，andhadsentintheirclaimupontheunderwriters。Nowthathewasgoneforever，shefirstfeltayearning，longingloveforthekindcousin，thedearfriend，thesympathisingprotector，whomsheshouldneverseeagain，——firstfeltapassionatedesiretoshowhimhischild，whomshehadhithertorathercravedtohavealltoherself——herownsolepossession。Hergriefwas，however，noiseless，andquiet——rathertothescandalofMrs。Wilson；whobewailedherstep-sonasifheandshehadalwayslivedtogetherinperfectharmony，andwhoevidentlythoughtitherdutytoburstintofreshtearsateverystrangefaceshesaw；dwellingonhispooryoungwidow'sdesolatestate，andthehelplessnessofthefatherlesschild，withanunction，asifshelikedtheexcitementofthesorrowfulstory。
　　SopassedawaythefirstdaysofAlice'swidowhood。Bye-and-byethingssubsidedintotheirnaturalandtranquilcourse。But，asifthisyoungcreaturewasalwaystobeinsomeheavytrouble，herewe-
　　lambbegantobeailing，piningandsickly。Thechild'smysteriousillnessturnedouttobesomeaffectionofthespinelikelytoaffecthealth；butnottoshortenlife——atleastsothedoctorssaid。ButthelongdrearysufferingofonewhomamotherlovesasAlicelovedheronlychild，ishardtolookforwardto。OnlyNorahguessedwhatAlicesuffered；noonebutGodknew。
　　Andsoitfellout，thatwhenMrs。Wilson，theelder，cametoheronedayinviolentdistress，occasionedbyaverymaterialdiminutioninthevaluethepropertythatherhusbandhadlefther，——
　　adiminutionwhichmadeherincomebarelyenoughtosupportherself，muchlessAlice——thelattercouldhardlyunderstandhowanythingwhichdidnottouchhealthorlifecouldcausesuchgrief；
　　andshereceivedtheintelligencewithirritatingcomposure。Butwhen，thatafternoon，thelittlesickchildwasbroughtin，andthegrandmother——whoafterallloveditwell——beganafreshmoanoverherlossestoitsunconsciousears——sayinghowshehadplannedtoconsultthisorthatdoctor，andtogiveitthisorthatcomfortorluxuryinafteryearnbutthatnowallchanceofthishadpassedaway——Alice'sheartwastouched，andshedrewneartoMrs。Wilsonwithunwontedcaresses，and，inaspiritnotunliketothatof，Ruth，entreated，thatcomewhatwould，theymightremaintogether。
　　Aftermuchdiscussioninsucceedingdays，itwasarrangedthatMrs。
　　WilsonshouldtakeahouseinManchester，furnishingitpartlywithwhatfurnitureshehad，andprovidingtherestwithAlice'sremainingtwohundredpounds。Mrs。WilsonwasherselfaManchesterwoman，andnaturallylongedtoreturntohernativetown。Someconnectionsofherownatthattimerequiredlodgings，forwhichtheywerewillingtopayprettyhandsomely。Aliceundertooktheactivesuperintendenceandsuperiorworkofthehousehold。Norah，willingfaithfulNorah，offeredtocook，scour，doanythinginshort，sothat，shemightbutremainwiththem。
　　Theplansucceeded。Forsomeyearstheirfirstlodgersremainedwiththem，andallwentsmoothly，——withtheonesadexceptionofthelittlegirl'sincreasingdeformity。Howthatmotherlovedthatchild，isnotforwordstotell!
　　Thencameabreakofmisfortune。Theirlodgersleft，andnoonesucceededtothem。Aftersomemonthstheyhadtoremovetoasmallerhouse；andAlice'stenderconsciencewastornbytheideathatsheoughtnottobeaburdentohermother-in-law，butoughttogooutandseekherownmaintenance。Andleaveherchild!Thethoughtcamelikethesweepingboomofafuneralbelloverherheart。
　　Bye-and-bye，Mr。Openshawcametolodgewiththem。Hehadstartedinlifeastheerrand-boyandsweeper-outofawarehouse；hadstruggledupthroughallthegradesofemploymentintheplace，fightinghiswaythroughthehardstrivingManchesterlifewithstrongpushingenergyofcharacter。Everysparemomentoftimehadbeensternlygivenuptoself-teaching。Hewasacapitalaccountant，agoodFrenchandGermanscholar，akeen，far-seeingtradesman；understandingmarkets，andthebearingofevents，bothnearanddistant，ontrade:andyet，withsuchvividattentiontopresentdetails，thatIdonotthinkheeversawagroupofflowersinthefieldswithoutthinkingwhethertheircolourswould，orwouldnot，formharmoniouscontrastsinthecomingspringmuslinsandprints。Hewenttodebatingsocieties，andthrewhimselfwithallhisheartandsoulintopolitics；esteeming，itmustbeowned，everymanafooloraknavewhodifferedfromhim，andoverthrowinghisopponentsratherbytheloudstrengthofhislanguagethanthecalmstrengthifhislogic。TherewassomethingoftheYankeeinallthis。IndeedhistheoryranparalleltothefamousYankeemotto——
　　"Englandflogscreation，andManchesterflogsEngland。"Suchaman，asmaybefancied，hadhadnotimeforfallinginlove，oranysuchnonsense。Attheagewhenmostyoungmengothroughtheircourtingandmatrimony，hehadnotthemeansofkeepingawife，andwasfartoopracticaltothinkofhavingone。Andnowthathewasineasycircumstances，arisingman，heconsideredwomenalmostasincumbrancestotheworld，withwhomamanhadbetterhaveaslittletodoaspossible。HisfirstimpressionofAlicewasindistinct，andhedidnotcareenoughabouthertomakeitdistinct。"Aprettyyea-naykindofwoman，"wouldhavebeenhisdescriptionofher，ifhehadbeenpushedintoacorner。Hewasratherafraid，inthebeginning，thatherquietwaysarosefromalistlessnessandlazinessofcharacterwhichwouldhavebeenexceedinglydiscordanttohisactiveenergeticnature。But，whenhefoundoutthepunctualitywithwhichhiswisheswereattendedto，andherworkwasdone；whenhewascalledinthemorningattheverystrokeoftheclock，hisshaving-waterscaldinghot，hisfirebright，hiscoffeemadeexactlyashispeculiarfancydictated，forhewasamanwhohadhistheoryabouteverything，baseduponwhatheknewofscience，andoftenperfectlyoriginal——thenhebegantothink:notthatAlicehadanypeculiarmerit；butthathehadgotintoremarkablygoodlodgings:hisrestlessnessworeaway，andhebegantoconsiderhimselfasalmostsettledforlifeinthem。
　　Mr。Openshawhadbeentoobusy，allhislife，tobeintrospective。
　　Hedidnotknowthathehadanytendernessinhisnature；andifhehadbecomeconsciousofitsabstractexistence，hewouldhaveconsidereditasamanifestationofdiseaseinsomepartofhisnature。Buthewasdecoyedintopityunawares；andpityledontotenderness。Thatlittlehelplesschild——alwayscarriedaboutbyoneofthethreebusywomenofthehouse，orelsepatientlythreadingcolouredbeadsinthechairfromwhich，bynoeffortofitsown，coulditevermove；thegreatgraveblueeyes，fullofserious，notuncheerful，expression，givingtothesmalldelicatefacealookbeyonditsyears；thesoftplaintivevoicedroppingoutbutfewwords，sounlikethecontinualprattleofachild——caughtMr。
　　Openshaw'sattentioninspiteofhimself。Oneday——hehalfscornedhimselffordoingso——hecutshorthisdinner-hourtogoinsearchofsometoywhichshouldtaketheplaceofthoseeternalbeads。I
　　forgetwhathebought；but，whenhegavethepresentwhichhetookcaretodoinashortabruptmanner，andwhennoonewasbytoseehimhewasalmostthrilledbytheflashofdelightthatcameoverthatchild'sface，andcouldnothelpallthroughthatafternoongoingoverandoveragainthepictureleftonhismemory，bythebrighteffectofunexpectedjoyonthelittlegirl'sface。Whenhereturnedhome，hefoundhisslippersplacedbyhissitting-roomfire；andevenmorecarefulattentionpaidtohisfanciesthanwashabitualinthosemodellodgings。WhenAlicehadtakenthelastofhistea-thingsaway——shehadbeensilentasusualtillthen——shestoodforaninstantwiththedoorinherhand。Mr。Openshawlookedasifheweredeepinhisbook，thoughinfacthedidnotseealine；butwasheartilywishingthewomanwouldbegone，andnotmakeanypalaverofgratitude。Butsheonlysaid:
　　"Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，sir。Thankyouverymuch，"andwasgone，evenbeforehecouldsendherawaywitha"There，mygoodwoman，that'senough!"
　　Forsometimelongerhetooknoapparentnoticeofthechild。Heevenhardenedhisheartintodisregardinghersuddenflushofcolour，andlittletimidsmileofrecognition，whenhesawherbychance。But，afterall，thiscouldnotlastforever；and，havingasecondtimegivenwaytotenderness，therewasnorelapse。Theinsidiousenemyhavingthusenteredhisheart，intheguiseofcompassiontothechild，soonassumedthemoredangerousformofinterestinthemother。Hewasawareofthischangeoffeeling，despisedhimselfforit，struggledwithitnay，internallyyieldedtoitandcherishedit，longbeforehesufferedtheslightestexpressionofit，byword，action，orlook，toescapehim。HewatchedAlice'sdocileobedientwaystoherstepmother；thelovewhichshehadinspiredintheroughNorahroughenedbythewearandtearofsorrowandyears；butaboveall，hesawthewild，deep，passionateaffectionexistingbetweenherandherchild。Theyspokelittletoanyoneelse，orwhenanyoneelsewasby；but，whenalonetogether，theytalked，andmurmured，andcooed，andchatteredsocontinually，thatMr。Openshawfirstwonderedwhattheycouldfindtosaytoeachother，andnextbecameirritatedbecausetheywerealwayssograveandsilentwithhim。Allthistime，hewasperpetuallydevisingsmallnewpleasuresforthechild。Histhoughtsran，inapertinaciousway，uponthedesolatelifebeforeher；andoftenhecamebackfromhisday'sworkloadedwiththeverythingAlicehadbeenlongingfor，buthadnotbeenabletoprocure。
　　Onetimeitwasalittlechairfordrawingthelittlesuffereralongthestreets，andmanyaneveningthatensuingsummerMr。Openshawdrewheralonghimself，regardlessoftheremarksofhisacquaintances。Onedayinautumnheputdownhisnewspaper，asAlicecameinwiththebreakfast，andsaid，inasindifferentavoiceashecouldassume:
　　"Mrs。Frank，isthereanyreasonwhywetwoshouldnotputupourhorsestogether?"
　　Alicestoodstillinperplexedwonder。Whatdidhemean?Hehadresumedthereadingofhisnewspaper，asifhedidnotexpectanyanswer；soshefoundsilencehersafestcourse，andwentonquietlyarranginghisbreakfastwithoutanotherwordpassingbetweenthem。
　　Justashewasleavingthehouse，togotothewarehouseasusual，heturnedbackandputhisheadintothebright，neat，tidykitchen，whereallthewomenbreakfastedinthemorning:
　　"You'llthinkofwhatIsaid，Mrs。Frank"thiswashernamewiththelodgers，"andletmehaveyouropinionuponitto-night。"
　　AlicewasthankfulthathermotherandNorahweretoobusytalkingtogethertoattendmuchtothisspeech。Shedeterminednottothinkaboutitatallthroughtheday；and，ofcourse，theeffortnottothinkmadeherthinkallthemore。AtnightshesentupNorahwithhistea。ButMr。OpenshawalmostknockedNorahdownasshewasgoingoutatthedoor，bypushingpastherandcallingout"Mrs。
　　Frank!"inanimpatientvoice，atthetopofthestairs。
　　Alicewentup，ratherthanseemtohaveaffixedtoomuchmeaningtohiswords。
　　"Well，Mrs。Frank，"hesaid，"whatanswer?Don'tmakeittoolong；
　　forIhavelotsofoffice-worktogetthroughto-night。"
　　"Ihardlyknowwhatyoumeant，sir，"saidtruthfulAlice。
　　"Well!Ishouldhavethoughtyoumighthaveguessed。You'renotnewatthissortofwork，andIam。However，I'llmakeitplainthistime。Willyouhavemetobethyweddedhusband，andserveme，andloveme，andhonourme，andallthatsortofthing?Becauseifyouwill，Iwilldoasmuchbyyou，andbeafathertoyourchild——
　　andthat'smorethanisputintheprayer-book。Now，I'mamanofmyword；andwhatIsay，Ifeel；andwhatIpromise，I'lldo。Now，foryouranswer!"
　　Alicewassilent。Hebegantomakethetea，asifherreplywasamatterofperfectindifferencetohim；but，assoonasthatwasdone，hebecameimpatient。
　　"Well?"saidhe。
　　"Howlong，sir，mayIhavetothinkoverit?"
　　"Threeminutes!"lookingathiswatch。"You'vehadtwoalready——
　　thatmakesfive。Beasensiblewoman，sayYes，andsitdowntoteawithme，andwe'lltalkitovertogether；for，aftertea，Ishallbebusy；sayNo"hehesitatedamomenttotryandkeephisvoiceinthesametone，"andIshan'tsayanotherwordaboutit，butpayupayear'srentformyroomsto-morrow，andbeoff。Time'sup!Yesorno?"
　　"Ifyouplease，sir，——youhavebeensogoodtolittleAilsie——"
　　"There，sitdowncomfortablybymeonthesofa，andletushaveourteatogether。IamgladtofindyouareasgoodandsensibleasI
　　tookfor。"
　　AndthiswasAliceWilson'ssecondwooing。
　　Mr。Openshaw'swillwastoostrong，andhiscircumstancestoogood，forhimnottocarryallbeforehim。HesettledMrs。Wilsoninacomfortablehouseofherown，andmadeherquiteindependentoflodgers。ThelittlethatAlicesaidwithregardtofutureplanswasinNorah'sbehalf。
　　"No，"saidMr。Openshaw。"Norahshalltakecareoftheoldladyaslongasshelives；and，afterthat，sheshalleithercomeandlivewithus，or，ifshelikesitbetter，sheshallhaveaprovisionforlife——foryoursake，missus。Noonewhohasbeengoodtoyouorthechildshallgounrewarded。Buteventhelittleonewillbebetterforsomefreshstuffabouther。Getherabright，sensiblegirlasanurse:onewhowon'tgorubbingherwithcalf's-footjellyasNorahdoes；wastinggoodstuffoutsidethatoughttogoin，butwillfollowdoctors'directions；which，asyoumustseeprettyclearlybythistime，Norahwon't；becausetheygivethepoorlittlewenchpain。Now，I'mnotabovebeingneshforotherfolksmyself。Icanstandagoodblow，andneverchangecolour；but，setmeintheoperating-roomintheinfirmary，andIturnassickasagirl。Yet，ifneedwere，Iwouldholdthelittlewenchonmykneeswhileshescreechedwithpain，ifitweretodoherpoorbackgood。Nay，nay，wench!keepyourwhitelooksforthetimewhenitcomes——Idon'tsayiteverwill。ButthisIknow，Norahwillsparethechildandcheatthedoctorifshecan。Now，Isay，givethebairnayearortwo'schance，andthen，whenthepackofdoctorshavedonetheirbest——
　　and，maybe，theoldladyhasgone——we'llhaveNorahback，ordobetterforher。"
　　ThepackofdoctorscoulddonogoodtolittleAilsie。Shewasbeyondtheirpower。Butherfatherforsoheinsistedonbeingcalled，andalsoonAlice'snolongerretainingtheappellationofMama，butbecominghenceforwardMother，byhishealthycheerfulnessofmanner，hiscleardecisionofpurpose，hisoddturnsandquirksofhumour，addedtohisrealstrongloveforthehelplesslittlegirl，infusedanewelementofbrightnessandconfidenceintoherlife；and，thoughherbackremainedthesame，hergeneralhealthwasstrengthened，andAlice——nevergoingbeyondasmileherself——hadthepleasureofseeingherchildtaughttolaugh。
　　AsforAlice'sownlife，itwashappierthanithadeverbeen。Mr。
　　Openshawrequirednodemonstration，noexpressionsofaffectionfromher。Indeed，thesewouldratherhavedisgustedhim。Alicecouldlovedeeply，butcouldnottalkaboutit。Theperpetualrequirementoflovingwords，looks，andcaresses，andmisconstruingtheirabsenceintoabsenceoflove，hadbeenthegreattrialofherformermarriedlife。Now，allwentonclearandstraight，undertheguidanceofherhusband'sstrongsense，warmheart，andpowerfulwill。Yearbyyeartheirworldlyprosperityincreased。AtMrs。
　　Wilson'sdeath，Norahcamebacktothem，asnursetothenewly-bornlittleEdwin；intowhichpostshewasnotinstalledwithoutaprettystrongorationonthepartoftheproudandhappyfather；whodeclaredthatifhefoundoutthatNorahevertriedtoscreentheboybyafalsehood，ortomakehimnesheitherinbodyormind，sheshouldgothatveryday。NorahandMr。Openshawwerenotonthemostthoroughlycordialterms；neitherofthemfullyrecognisingorappreciatingtheother'sbestqualities。
　　ThiswastheprevioushistoryoftheLancashirefamilywhohadnowremovedtoLondon，andhadcometooccupytheHouse。
　　Theyhadbeenthereaboutayear，whenMr。Openshawsuddenlyinformedhiswifethathehaddeterminedtoheallong-standingfeuds，andhadaskedhisuncleandauntChadwicktocomeandpaythemavisitandseeLondon。Mrs。Openshawhadneverseenthisuncleandauntofherhusband's。Yearsbeforeshehadmarriedhim，therehadbeenaquarrel。Allsheknewwas，thatMr。ChadwickwasasmallmanufacturerinacountrytowninSouthLancashire。Shewasextremelypleasedthatthebreachwastobehealed，andbeganmakingpreparationstorendertheirvisitpleasant。
　　Theyarrivedatlast。GoingtoseeLondonwassuchaneventtothem，thatMrs。Chadwickhadmadeallnewlinenfreshfortheoccasion-fromnight-capsdownwards；and，asforgowns，ribbons，andcollars，shemighthavebeengoingintothewildsofCanadawhereneverashopis，solargewasherstock。AfortnightbeforethedayofherdepartureforLondon，shehadformallycalledtotakeleaveofallheracquaintance；sayingsheshouldneedalltheintermediatetimeforpackingup。Itwaslikeasecondweddinginherimagination；and，tocompletetheresemblancewhichanentirelynewwardrobemadebetweenthetwoevents，herhusbandbroughtherbackfromManchester，onthelastmarket-daybeforetheysetoff，agorgeouspearlandamethystbrooch，saying，"LunnonshouldseethatLancashirefolksknewahandsomethingwhentheysawit。"