The wronged have always a hope that as time passes it will put the
wrong right. But it was getting toward the close of the third year,
and Elizabeth's trial was no lighter. There had been variations in
it. Sometime during the first year an opinion had gained ground, that
she was saving in order to pay her brother's debts. As there were many
in the neighborhood interested in such a project, this report met
with great favor; and while the hope survived Elizabeth was graciously
helped in her task of self-denial by a lifted hat, or a civil
good-morning. But when two years had passed, and no meeting of the
creditors had been called, hope in this direction turned to
unreasonable anger.
"She must hev saved nigh unto L10,000. Why, then, doesn't she do t'
right thing wi' it?"
"She sticks to t' brass like glue; and it's none hers. I'm fair cap't
wi' t' old squire. I did think he were an honest man; but I've given
up that notion long sin'. He knew well enough what were coming, and
so he left Hallam to t' lass. It's a black shame a' through, thet it
is!"--and thus does the shadow of sin stretch backward and forward;
and not only wrong the living, but the dead also.
In the summer after Lady Evelyn's death the rector returned. Elizabeth
did not hear of his arrival for a few days, and in those days the
rector heard many things about Elizabeth.
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