“‘If a man is not satisfied with repentance and confession he is no Christian,’ said Joe.
“‘But we don’t repent, and we only confess what is already known; and perhaps Joseph is sick,’ suggested Lil.
“Then Joe wrote a confidential letter to a mutual friend in Stockton, making inquiries concerning Mr. Joseph Wyvil. In due time he received an answer, stating that Mr. Wyvil was well and prosperous, but so very deeply offended by the runaway marriage that he would not permit his sister’s or his cousin’s name to be mentioned in his presence. The writer concluded his letter in some such words as these:
“‘Give him time and he will come around. He is too good-hearted a man and too fond of his sister, and even of you, to hold out against you both much longer.’
“Lil cried a good deal over this, but Joe encouraged her, and so did their landlady, Mrs. Claxton, who had taken a great fancy to the young pair.
“Fortunately, Joe had thirty pounds saved up from his three years’ pay as captain’s clerk, and so there was no fear of immediate embarrassment.
“Lil, led on by the landlady, interested herself in farm life, in the dairy and in the poultry yard. She was pleased to be permitted to help to skim the milk, or to churn the butter, or to look after the newly hatched, pretty little fluffy chickens and ducklings; and though she often heaved a sigh at the thought of her brother, it soon passed away, leaving no trace behind.
“Joe was more to be pitied. He was in more danger from his idle and objectless life of the present moment. He went daily to the village, and what was worse, he went nightly to the Tawny Lion, the village ale-house, where he formed acquaintance with the young farmers and mechanics of the neighborhood, all tenants of Squire Hawkhurst, of Hawkhurst Hall.
CHAPTER XXV
A FATAL SNARE
“Just now the whole neighborhood was excited over the situation at the Hall. Young Mr. James Hawkhurst, nephew and heir of Squire Hawkhurst, was a sort of Prince Hal, in his way, and had by his wild life and free manners at the same time won the love of all his young tenants, whose boon companion at the ale-house he frequently became, and the indignation of his uncle, who threatened to disinherit him.