Mrs. Thornton was restless in her pristine dining room, unable to concentrate on her needlework. Everything went wrong. Everything he grew used to rely on was suddenly lost. Their livelihood, position in society, the very house they lived was to be lost in a matter of days. She tried to comfort herself that things were not going back to the worst point of their life when her husband died. They were neither truly penniless, nor hopeless.
Fanny was taken care of. She and John needed very little. John was one of the best in business, and offers of managers positions and even partnerships were coming as news of his giving up the mill spread. No hardship such as not having food on the table was threatening them. And yet, and yet, things were so hard for John!Never mind her, she was an old woman, and she lived her life. But her poor, poor boy! He worked so hard, so diligently, so responsibly, and all that did not save him. It torn her heart to think how painful thelast few years were to her beloved son.
And if that was enough, she knew that his heart was breaking day by day in private torture. She was wrong back then. She thought that when Miss Hale rejected him, all his affections would once again belong to his mother. But his love for that woman remained unchanged and was bringing him more and more suffering, and all her mother's love could not heal this hurt. That woman! Mrs. Thornton used to say that she hated her. And she did, for the pain she caused her son. But hate was not all. The girl was worth respect. She had spirit, and pride, and flavor, not a weakling or a fortune hunter as so many other girls. It would be unfair to her son to deny the worthiness of his love. Even if she herself would not have seen the merits of the girl, she would have trusted his sense and heart not to bestow love on an unworthy subject. But she did, she did see the worth in the girl, despite herself and the pain that Miss Hale caused.
She so wanted to find reason to despise her, she jumped on a chance to upbraid her under excuse of fulfilling a promises to her mother. She wished to believe the worst. But in heart of her hearts she could not. There was such truth and dignity in the girl when she admitted doing wrong, but not the wrong she was accused of, no guilty woman would have behave like that. And Miss Hale's generosity unforgiving her impertinence after her father's death, it was not an action of someone trying to gloss over a shameful episode. No, she believed the girl, whatever the reason for her actions was. And as she did, girl's fortitude in withstanding accusation earned her respect. That did not erase the bitter feelings, of course. Oh no! It made them worse, for it added regret to bitterness, and more understanding of her son's pain.
And seeing her today! She was startled to find the girl wandering in the empty mill. She tried to find strength in anger, tried to interpret her coming once again in the worst possible way, and failed in the face of girls sympathy and understanding. The younger woman behaved wiser than the older one, not rising to insults, but instead admitting her past mistakes once again, and sharing her own . Thornton could not remain unjust. She answered unasked question,because it was her own question, too – whereabouts of John and her concern for him. At that moment two women shared understanding so intense Mrs. Thornton had to turn away. She was not comfortable being laid so bare in front of others. And yet, even then it seemed that Miss Hale only understood her deeper. She said nothing in words, all she needed to say was said by the gentle hand laid on Mrs. Thornton arm.
Oh, where was John! He went away, he never said where. And she needed to start packing! But not yet. She tried to avoid admitting to herself her own weakness, but in truth she was delaying it because she could not bring herself to start the dreadful task of tearing apart her own home, home her son worked so hard to build for her. She went to the window once again, probably twentieth time this , it would not help to bring John home any sooner, but if she saw him coming, her heart would rejoice a few moments earlier if she saw him walking home before he entered the house. But no, there was not all, proud figure of her son on the street. The street was one was coming to the closed mill. No one had any business there was no one who would want to visit family in such was on the street but a hired coach, probably taking someone from the station, as the London train has come just a few minutes ago. Could John have come with the same train? It would take him another twenty minutes to walk home if he did. She wondered idly fora moment if people in the coach saw him disembark. But it was he did come, he will be home shortly. If not, she will continue to wait.
And yet, the coach rolled right to the mill gate. She could not see it anymore behind the wall, but she heard the gates opening. John did come! For a moment her joy pushed all other concerns. But why did he take a coach? He always walked. Could he be tired? It did not sound like John. And yet, who else would come so late, unannounced,and open the gates with his own key? She should stop behaving so silly. She is perfectly capable of waiting right here in the dining room as usual, until he is ready to come and tell her about his can do needle work. Here. She sucked on the punctured finger. She just needed to take a few calming breaths and reflect a little. He will be up very shortly. Yes, she can hear his steps downstairs, and the sound of a match struck. There was some light now coming from the hall. He will be right up.
And yet, minutes were passing without any sign of John. Was something wrong? Was he so broken down with his troubles that he was not ready to face his own mother? Where was that boy? There was a sound of something falling down in the hall. What was happening?
At last, she could not wait any further. She got up and walked out of the dining room and to the top of the staircase. Was that a laughter? It was an unexpected, happy, low sound she has not heard for years.
Yes, John was there all right. His back was to her, and he was not alone. He had his arms around a woman, he was kissing her as if his life depended on it! Who was she? Where did he get her? Why did he bring her in his mother's home so late, without proper invitation?And why the small hall table was overturned, and his hat and unfamiliar carpet bag that were evidently placed on it previously,now laying on the floor in disarray?
At least the last question was answered quickly. John laughed again, lifted his lover off her feet and twirled her around himself in his exuberant joy, effectively sweeping his own hat on the floor out of the harms way with her wide petticoats. Apparently he was unaware of anyone or anything around him at the moment. Still who was she? The stripped green skirt looked vaguely familiar.
John head slowly dipped down, as he placed a kiss on the girl's neck. Mrs. Thornton pressed her lips together at the sign of such shameless behavior, but in the next moment opened them again in surprise. Woman's face was no longer hidden by her son's head, her own head thrown back in rupture, eyes closed, lips swollen and Hale! But she left Milton this afternoon!
She took a step back in her astonishment. Finally, the thought of how inappropriate was her staring at the couple hit her. Well, they were inappropriate, it went without saying. But so was her should not be peeping like that. She must go and wait for explanations.
Mrs. Thornton stole back into the dining room and adjusted her work lamp. Her breathing was labored and oppressed. Was she seething in anger? She would not have been surprised if she did, at such wanton behavior, my, servants can walk in at any moment! And yet, it did not feel like anger. Her mind was presenting her will all reasons to be angry, but in her heart she wasn't, not truly. She saw her son suffering for too long, and could not bear it any longer. What she felt was a confused mixture of jealousy of his regard, and joy at his happiness, and triumph over that proud Miss Hale's humbled acceptance of her. Why was she so jittery? She got her goal: she knew that John was home and all right. Well, better than all right, he was obviously enjoying himself in most shameless way. Right in her home! Well, notquite. It was home rented by him, from the girl he was kissing this very moment, and Mrs. Thornton was only his mother, playing a role ofthe lady of the house until she is replaced in this role. And the replacement was now obvious.
Ha. That presented an entire new avenue of thought. Miss of half of Milton. Rich heiress. Who was apparently so smitten with John as to disregard all the demands of morality and throw herself at his merci with complete abandon. Naturally, with that fortune of hers she can afford to do things like that with little fear of being ever jilted. In fact, John was in more danger of her changing her mind... No. The tone of her voice earlier that day, when she was speaking about man she has rejected... She knew in her heart even then that by now the girl had a real attachment to her son. And she brought her fortune to his feet, when he was brought down so he was rich and she was poor, she rejected him. And now...Strange girl. But brave and proud. Mrs. Thornton felt herself warming up to her, for all her efforts to censure such behavior.
In fact, Mrs. Thornton had been better informed about dealings in Hale's household and the true nature of Miss Hale than many would know. Servants, of course. She was never above listening what they had to say. While Mrs. Hale was still alive Mrs. Thornton has recommended a girl in whom she took particular interest some years before for a household help. The girl spent many months in that home before joining Thornton household again, and her reports were invaluable. They threw entirely positive light on Miss Hale. She was described as kind and patient, and despite all her outward pride not above doing the meanest tasks at home when needed. What inspired even more respect, was her ability to take full burden of responsibility on herself when her mother was too sick and her father too frail and indecisive to do so. Even the story of the mysterious stranger on the train station did not appear so damaging. To be sure, Martha was sent off for a few weeks before Mrs. Hale death, but she returned later,when Hales were too stricken by grief to bee guarded. Martha was a quiet girl, but she could listen well. She soon learned that there was a visitor in the house while she was away, and that Mr. Hale knew him well. In fact, he frequently talked to Miss Hale about"Frederic", and whether or not Miss Hale was sure her brother left England shores safely; and even once mentioned an episode at the train station as a close call. If Martha understood correctly, there was indeed no blame attached to Miss Hale behavior.
Still, Mrs. Thornton could not stop pondering the implications of this new development. John not only won the woman of his dreams,marrying her would resolve all his financial troubles. The thought of Miss Hale owning the house even before coming into the rights of its mistress through the marriage did not seat very well with , but she was not a woman to cry over the things that can not be changed. He could have chosen so much worse. Yes, Mrs. Thornton felt bitterly that her supreme place in his heart was now challenged by another. But what would she have instead? Her son forever alone and unhappy? No. She one said that she would give her life blood for his happiness, and she was not about to take her words back. After all, sharing his heart is a lesser sacrifice.
There was a sound of another crush. Probably the umbrella they going to go like that all night? But what could be done? It would be silly to chaperone her 30-years old son. He was his own master, and Miss Hale was her own woman. They were both of age and,well, in their own house. Assuming that they were now engaged to be married, the worst they can be charged with was being a little overenthusiastic during their courting period. Mrs. Thornton, though always ready to uphold propriety in everything, was not ignorant or prudish. She knew that couples in love could be a little , were their recent actions all that much worse than to through herself onto him in full view of the crowd? Certainly she to upbraid Miss Hale for that and cause pain her son? No. It will do no good to anyone. She will, of course, enforce a little decorum to the events and will speak to her son about controlling his passions until wedding. But there is no call for making a scene where a scene will be of no use whatsoever.
Finally, there were steps on the stairs. Slow, and halting, and interspersed with whispers and, yes, giggles. Mrs. Thornton collected her thought to meet them.
They came holding hands, so deeply immersed in each other that at first did not even notice Mrs. Thornton sitting at her work and looking at them. The happiness that they radiated was palpable even on the distance across the dining room. Mrs. Thornton has not seen her son so happy for many, many years. Yet, the proper things needed to be done. She cleared her throat, startling the lovers into noticing that they are no longer alone. John seemed not prepared to say anything just yet, and Miss Hale only bowed her head and blushed in greeting.
"Ah, Miss Hale, how kind of you to visit old woman. I was going to write an invitation asking to come for a few weeks to give me some comfort of companionship. I Am so happy that I have now an opportunity to invite you to do so in person. I did not dare to hope that you would be so obliging as to come tonight. I expect he told you how lonely I was after Fanny left. John, please ring the bell for tea. I am sure Martha is still in the kitchen. You will excuse me, Miss Hale, we had to let some of the servants go. But be assured that your comforts shell not suffer for it during your visit"
She enjoyed the confusion that played on their faces, as her speech progressed. It gave the situation a proper light, one lady in visiting terms with another invites her for companionship. Nothing was wrong with that. After all, Ms Thornton was, nominally, the lady of the house, and it was the only way for Miss Hale to visit it.
John frowned, and smiled, and whispered a few words to answered with an arch smile of her own and then turned back to Mrs. Thornton, with warm civility of a lady paying a visit. But her eyes sparkled with laughter when she inquired after Mrs. Thornton health and well-being of some Milton acquaintances.
The tea was finally brought up, giving them all some occupation and giving an official status to the improvised visit. Mrs. Thornton charged her to prepare Miss Hale's room, hinting that the visit might be of some duration. The tea progressed with formal civility between Mrs. Thornton and Miss Hale and furtive tenderness between new lovers. Mrs. Thornton, to her own surprise, caught herself thinking of them jointly as "children". Probably because she used to think like that of John and Funny. Or maybe because they both looked so much younger and happier than she was used of seeing them. John was obviously relieved that his mother did not need any explanations and not only sanctioned their union, but was making an effort to help out in a difficult situation. And Miss Hale was grateful for every gesture of acceptance on Mrs. Thornton side. It was, perhaps, the strangest and merriest tea time in the house for a very long time.
When Martha came back to collect the tea things, Mrs. Thornton got up, lit a candle and proposed to show Miss Hale her bedchamber,mentioning the probable fatigue of the journey that might make early retirement desirable. Both Miss Hale and John seemed a little dismayed by this offer. Though Mrs. Thornton knew perfectly well that they hoped to be a little together after the tea, but she chose notto notice anything. She had very good reasons to do so: first, at least someone had to bring some propriety to the events. Second, she wanted to talk to John herself. And lastly, she did not want any more fragile ornaments to be knocked over.