beginning to contemplate events. His
anger ruffled him, although such anger had been just, and such
indignation well deserved; and both had been unconsciously present in
his heart for years against the unknown seducer, whom he met face to
face by the death-bed of Ruth.

It gave him a shock which he did not recover from for many days. He
was nervously afraid lest Mr Donne should appear at the funeral; and
not all the reasons he alleged to himself against this apprehension,
put it utterly away from him. Before then, however, he heard casually
(for he would allow himself no inquiries) that he had left the town.
No! Ruth's funeral passed over in calm and simple solemnity. Her
child, her own household, her friend, and Mr Farquhar, quietly walked
after the bier, which was borne by some of the poor to whom she had
been very kind in her lifetime. And many others stood aloof in the
little burying-ground, sadly watching that last ceremony.

They slowly dispersed; Mr Benson leading Leonard by the hand, and
secretly wondering at his self-restraint. Almost as soon as they had
let themselves into the Chapel-house, a messenger brought a note from
Mrs Bradshaw, with a pot of quince marmalade, which, she said to Miss
Benson, she thought that Leonard might fancy, and if he did, they
were to be sure and let her know, as she had plenty more; or, was
there anything else that he would like? She would gladly make him
whatever he fancied.

Poor Leonard! he lay stretched on the sofa, white and tearless,
beyond the power of any such comfort, however kindly offered; but
this was only one of the many homely, simple attentions, which all
came round him to offer, from Mr Grey, the rector, down to the
nameless poor who called at the back door to inquire how it fared
with _her_ child.

Mr Benson was anxious, according to Dissenting custom, to preach an
appropriate funeral sermon. It was the last office he could render to
her; it should be done well and carefully. Moreover, it was possible
that the circumstances of her life, which were known to all, might
be made effective in this manner to work conviction of many truths.
Accordingly, he made great preparation of thought and paper; he
laboured hard, destroying sheet after sheet--his eyes filling with
tears between-whiles, as he remembered some fresh proof of the
humility and sweetness of her life. Oh, that he could do her justice!
but words seemed hard and inflexible, and refused to fit themselves