But she said this as one who rather hopes for a contradiction.

All Jeremiah replied, however, was, ‘Poor wee child!’ in a pitiful tone, addressed to the baby.

Sylvia’s eyes filled with tears.

‘Oh, sir, I’ll do anything as iver yo’ can tell me for her.  That’s what I came for t’ ask yo’.  I know I mun not stay theere, and Philip gone away; and I dunnot know what to do:  and I’ll do aught, only I must keep her wi’ me.  Whativer can I do, sir?’

Jeremiah thought it over for a minute or two.  Then he replied,

‘I must have time to think.  I must talk it over with brother John.’

‘But you’ve given me yo’r word, sir!’ exclaimed she.

’I have given thee my word never to tell any one of what has passed between thee and thy husband, but I must take counsel with my brother as to what is to be done with thee and thy child, now that thy husband has left the shop.’

This was said so gravely as almost to be a reproach, and he got up, as a sign that the interview was ended.

He gave the baby back to its mother; but not without a solemn blessing, so solemn that, to Sylvia’s superstitious and excited mind, it undid the terrors of what she had esteemed to be a curse.

’The Lord bless thee and keep thee!  The Lord make His face to shine upon thee!’

All the way down the hill-side, Sylvia kept kissing the child, and whispering to its unconscious ears,—­

’I’ll love thee for both, my treasure, I will.  I’ll hap thee round wi’ my love, so as thou shall niver need a feyther’s.’

CHAPTER XXXVII

BEREAVEMENT

Hester had been prevented by her mother’s indisposition from taking Philip’s letter to the Fosters, to hold a consultation with them over its contents.

Alice Rose was slowly failing, and the long days which she had to spend alone told much upon her spirits, and consequently upon her health.

All this came out in the conversation which ensued after reading Hepburn’s letter in the little parlour at the bank on the day after Sylvia had had her confidential interview with Jeremiah Foster.

He was a true man of honour, and never so much as alluded to her visit to him; but what she had then told him influenced him very much in the formation of the project which he proposed to his brother and Hester.

He recommended her remaining where she was, living still in the house behind the shop; for he thought within himself that she might have exaggerated the effect of her words upon Philip; that, after all, it might have been some cause totally disconnected with them, which had blotted out her husband’s place among the men of Monkshaven; and that it would be so much easier for both to resume their natural relations, both towards each other and towards the world, if Sylvia remained where her husband had left her—­in an expectant attitude, so to speak.