Elizabeth Gaskell,
Sylvia's Lovers — Chapter XLIV: First words
“ Could Hester herself--ignorant of the strange mystery of Sylvia's heart, as those who are guided solely by obedience to principle must ever be of the clue to the actions of those who are led by the passionate ebb and flow of impulse? Could Hester herself? Oh! how should she speak, how should she act, if Philip were near--if Philip were sad and in miserable estate? ”
Elizabeth Gaskell,
Sylvia's Lovers — Chapter XLIV: First words
“ Still the cruel famine cut sharp enough to penetrate all hearts; and Sylvia, an hour after the conversation recorded above, was much touched, on her return from Jeremiah Foster's with the little merry, chattering Bella, at seeing the feeble steps of one, whom she knew by description must be widow Dobson's lodger, turn up from the newly-cut road which was to lead to the terrace walk around the North Cliff, a road which led to no dwelling but widow Dobson's. ”
Elizabeth Gaskell,
Sylvia's Lovers — Chapter XLIV: First words
“ Darley looked at her sharply, but with some signs of sympathy on his grave face. 'My woman,' he said 'a could ha' wished as you'd niver seen t' watch. It's poor, thankless work thinking too much on one o' God's creatures. But a'll do thy bidding,' he continued, in a lighter and different tone. 'A'm a 'cute old badger when need be. Come for thy watch in a couple o' days, and a'll tell yo' all as a've learnt.'So Hester went away, her heart beating with the promise of knowing something about Philip,--how much, how little, in these first moments, she dared not say even to herself. ”
