softest manner; with eyes now uplifted beseechingly, now dropped to
the ground. Her sweet confusion told more than words could do; and Will
turned back, all joyous in his certainty of being beloved, and took her
in his arms, and kissed her.

"My own Susan!" he said.

Meanwhile the mother watched her child in the room above.

It was late in the afternoon before she awoke, for the sleeping draught
had been very powerful. The instant she awoke, her eyes were fixed on
her mother's face with a gaze as unflinching as if she were fascinated.
Mrs. Leigh did not turn away, nor move; for it seemed as if motion would
unlock the stony command over herself which, while so perfectly still,
she was enabled to preserve. But by-and-by Lizzie cried out, in a
piercing voice of agony--

"Mother, don't look at me! I have been so wicked!" and instantly she hid
her face, and grovelled among the bed-clothes, and lay like one dead, so
motionless was she.

Mrs. Leigh knelt down by the bed, and spoke in the most soothing tones.

"Lizzie, dear, don't speak so. I'm thy mother, darling; don't be afeard
of me. I never left off loving thee, Lizzie. I was always a-thinking of
thee. Thy father forgave thee afore he died." (There was a little start
here, but no sound was heard.) "Lizzie, lass, I'll do aught for thee;
I'll live for thee; only don't be afeard of me. Whate'er thou art or
hast been, we'll ne'er speak on't. We'll leave th' oud times behind us,
and go back to the Upclose Farm. I but left it to find thee, my lass;
and God has led me to thee. Blessed be His name. And God is good, too,
Lizzie. Thou hast not forgot thy Bible, I'll be bound, for thou wert
always a scholar. I'm no reader, but I learnt off them texts to comfort
me a bit, and I've said them many a time a day to myself. Lizzie, lass,
don't hide thy head so; it's thy mother as is speaking to thee. Thy
little child clung to me only yesterday; and if it's gone to be an angel,
it will speak to God for thee. Nay, don't sob a that 'as; thou shalt
have it again in heaven; I know thou'lt strive to get there, for thy
little Nancy's sake--and listen! I'll tell thee God's promises to them
that are penitent--only doan't be afeard."

Mrs. Leigh folded her hands, and strove to speak very clearly, while she
repeated every tender and merciful text she could remember. She could
tell from the breathing that her daughter was listening; but she was so
dizzy and sick herself w