began to ask questions,
which brought out a narration of his adventures in the coal-pit, given
very simply, as if his being there had been a mere chance.

He allowed that he knew it to be dangerous, but added, that it was
impossible to get things done by deputy, and that he had no choice but
to see about it himself, and he dwelt much on the behaviour of the men.

'Did you give up hope?' asked Lord Martindale.

'For myself I did. The confined air oppressed me so much, even before
the sense of hunger came on, that it seemed to take away all power of
thought and action.'

'Yet you did think?' said Violet.

'I was obliged, for the men were more confounded and helpless at
first, though, when once directed, nothing could be more resolute and
persevering! Brave fellows! I would not but have had it happen! One
seldom has such a chance of seeing the Englishman's gallant heart
of obedient endurance. It was curious to observe the instinctive
submission. Some were men who would not for worlds have touched their
hats to me above ground; yet, as soon as I tried to take the lead, and
make them think what could yet be done, they obeyed instantly, though I
knew almost nothing compared to them, and while they worked like giants,
I could hardly move.'

'Was it very acute suffering?'

'For the last two days it was, but it was worse for those who had to
work. I was generally faint and drowsy, and could hardly rouse myself to
speak a word of encouragement, which was what they wanted. They fancied
it was vain to work towards the old shaft, but I was sure none of them
could live to be dug out from above, and that it would be wrong to let
them cease. I think, as well as I recollect, that speaking was the worst
pain of all. But it is no harm to know what the poor undergo.'

'Hardly to such extremity,' said Violet.

'Well, I know I shall never turn indifferently away again when I hear,
"We are starving." A man feels little for what he has not experienced.'

'I suppose,' said Lord Martindale, 'that it has put an extinguisher on
Chartism?'

'There are some determined village Hampdens still, but I think the
fellow-feeling it has excited has done good. I have not been able to go
among them since, but they have indefatigably come to inquire for me.
The first Sunday I was able to come down-stairs, I found the hall
door beset with them in their best, looking like a synod of Methodist
preachers. Poor Lucy shocked my aunt by running about cr