CHAPTER III.
The Lad Jason.
Of Rachel in her dishonor there is now not much to tell, but the little that is left is the kernel of this history.
That night, amid the strain of strong emotions, she was brought to bed before her time was yet full. Her labor was hard, and long she lay between life and death, for the angel of hope did not pull with her. But as the sun shot its first yellow rays through the little skin-covered windows, a child was born to Rachel, and it was a boy. Little joy she found in it, and remembering its father's inhumanity, she turned her face from it to the wall, trying thereby to conquer the yearning that answered to its cry.
It was then for the first time since her lying-in that the old mother came to her. She had been out searching for Stephen, and had just come upon news of him.
"He has gone in an English ship," she cried. "He sailed last night, and I have lost him forever."
And at that she leaned her quivering white face over the bed, and raised her clenched hand over Rachel's face.
"Son for son," she cried again. "May you lose your son, even as you have made me to lose mine."
The child seemed likely to answer to the impious prayer, for its little strength waned visibly. And in those first hours of her shameful widowhood the evil thought came to Rachel to do with it as the baser sort among her people were allowed to do with the children they did not wish to rear—expose it to its death before it had yet touched food. But in the throes, as she thought, of its extremity, the love of the mother prevailed over the hate of the wife, and with a gush of tears she plucked the babe to her breast. Then the neighbor, who out of pity and charity had nursed her in her dark hour, ran for the priest, that with the blessing of baptism the child might die a Christian soul.
The good man came, and took the little, sleep-bound body from Rachel's arms, and asked her the name. She did not answer, and he asked again. Once more, having no reply, he turned to the neighbor to know what the father's name had been.
"Stephen Orry," said the good woman.