Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell Page B

above eighteen miles—we only
charge for eighteen; it may not be much above seventeen; and we're
quite full, indeed, more's the pity."
    "Well, but Jenny, to oblige me, an old friend, you can find lodgings
out for some of your people—the house across, for instance."
    "Indeed, sir, and it's at liberty; perhaps you would not mind lodging
there yourself; I could get you the best rooms, and send over a
trifle or so of furniture, if they wern't as you'd wish them to be."
    "No, Jenny! here I stay. You'll not induce me to venture over into
those rooms, whose dirt I know of old. Can't you persuade some one
who is not an old friend to move across? Say, if you like, that I had
written beforehand to bespeak the rooms. Oh! I know you can manage
it—I know your good-natured ways."
    "Indeed, sir—well! I'll see, if you and the lady will just step into
the back parlour, sir—there's no one there just now; the lady is
keeping her bed to-day for a cold, and the gentleman is having a
rubber at whist in number three. I'll see what I can do."
    "Thank you, thank you. Is there a fire? if not, one must be lighted.
Come, Ruthie, come."
    He led the way into a large, bow-windowed room, which looked gloomy
enough that afternoon, but which I have seen bright and buoyant with
youth and hope within, and sunny lights creeping down the purple
mountain slope, and stealing over the green, soft meadows, till they
reached the little garden, full of roses and lavender-bushes, lying
close under the window. I have seen—but I shall see no more.
    "I did not know you had been here before," said Ruth, as Mr
Bellingham helped her off with her cloak.
    "Oh, yes; three years ago I was here on a reading party. We were here
above two months, attracted by Jenny's kind heart and oddities; but
driven away finally by the insufferable dirt. However, for a week or
two it won't much signify."
    "But can she take us in, sir? I thought I heard her saying her house
was full."
    "Oh, yes—I dare say it is; but I shall pay her well; she can easily
make excuses to some poor devil, and send him over to the other side;
and, for a day or two, so that we have shelter, it does not much
signify."
    "Could not we go to the house on the other side, sir?"
    "And have our meals carried across to us in a half-warm state, to say
nothing of having no one to scold for bad cooking! You don't know
these out-of-the-way Welsh inns yet, Ruthie."
    "No! I only thought it seemed rather unfair—" said Ruth, gently; but
she did not end her sentence, for Mr Bellingham formed his lips into
a whistle, and walked to the window to survey the rain.
    The remembrance of his former good payment prompted many little lies
of which Mrs Morgan was guilty that afternoon, before she succeeded
in turning out a gentleman and lady, who were only planning to remain
till the ensuing Saturday at the outside, so, if they did fulfil
their threat, and leave on the next day, she would be no very great
loser.
    These household arrangements complete, she solaced herself with tea
in her own little parlour, and shrewdly reviewed the circumstances of
Mr Bellingham's arrival.
    "Indeed! and she's not his wife," thought Jenny, "that's clear as
day. His wife would have brought her maid, and given herself twice as
many airs about the sitting-rooms; while this poor miss never spoke,
but kept as still as a mouse. Indeed, and young men will be young
men; and, as long as their fathers and mothers shut their eyes, it's
none of my business to go about asking questions."
    In this manner they settled down to a week's enjoyment of that Alpine
country. It was most true enjoyment to Ruth. It was opening a new
sense; vast ideas of beauty and grandeur filled her mind at the sight
of the mountains now first beheld in full majesty. She was almost
overpowered by the vague and solemn delight; but by-and-by her love
for them equalled her awe, and in the night-time she would softly
rise, and steal to the window to see the white moonlight, which gave
a new