Mrs. Hanson felt that she was much indebted to the kindness evidently intended by this arrangement, especially as it was a plain case, that Zebby had been retained in the family for her accommodation; yet she could not help thinking that the contrast between Matilda’s past and present situation was too great: although she had a thousand times desired that some great change might be adopted in her education, yet her heart shrunk at the idea of the discipline which she had so long felt to be necessary. She was afraid that the terrible passions her child had manifested, had rendered terrible changes necessary, and a train of inflictions and privations arose to her view, which maternal tenderness was unequal to contemplate unmoved; she therefore apologized to her friends, and retired to her room, but her pillow was strewed with those thorns which solicitude had planted there.
CHAPTER XII.
THE following morning the young people arose early, and were surprised to find Mrs. Harewood also stirring; her amiable, affectionate heart promised itself a treat, in witnessing the sweet emotions of Matilda, on hearing the joyful tidings of her mother’s arrival; nor was she disappointed—the delighted girl manifested all the rapture of which her warm susceptible heart was capable; and on hearing her mother slept in the crimson room, was hastily bending her steps to the chamber, thus named from the colour of the bed.
“But, my dear, it is yet early; your mamma was much fatigued with her long journey from Falmouth: is it not a pity to disturb her, especially as she has already seen and kissed you, although she would not awake you?”
Matilda stopped—“I do so wish to see mamma,” said she, “and to hear her speak! but then to awake her for my own pleasure would be selfish, as I used to be—I won’t be selfish.”
“That’s right, my dear—you are now proving yourself truly affectionate—you are preferring mamma to yourself.”
“But I may just stand at the door and listen to her breathing, and so wait till she moves.”
“Certainly, my dear.”
Away flew Matilda, happiest of the happy; and she had scarcely been ten minutes on her station when Mrs. Hanson’s bell rang, and Matilda instantly opened the door, in silent but delightful expectation.