Maggie miller

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Title:MaggieMiller
Author:MaryJ.Holmes
ReleaseDate:February25,2004[EBook#11280]
Language:English
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MAGGIEMILLER.
THESTORYOFOLDHAGAR'SSECRET.

ByMARYJ.HOLMES,
Authorof"LenaRivers,""TempestandSunshine,""EnglishOrphans,"
"DoraDeane,"etc.,etc.
"Leadusnotintotemptation."


CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I.THEOLDHOUSEBYTHEMILL
II.HAGAR'SSECRET
III.HESTERANDMAGGIE

IV.GIRLHOOD
V.TRIFLES
VI.THEJUNIORPARTNER
VII.THESENIORPARTNER
VIII.STARSANDSTRIPES
IX.ROSEWARNER
X.EXPECTEDGUESTS
XI.UNEXPECTEDGUESTS
XII.THEWATERSARETROUBLED
XIII.SOCIETY
XIV.MADAMCONWAY'SDISASTERS
XV.ARTHURCARROLLTONANDMAGGIE


XVI.PERPLEXITY
XVII.BROTHERANDSISTER
XVIII.THEPEDDLER
XIX.THETELLINGOFTHESECRET
XX.THERESULT
XXI.THESISTERS
XXII.THEHOUSEOFMOURNING
XXIII.NIAGARA
XXIV.HOME
XXV.HAGAR
XXVI.AUGUSTEIGHTEENTH,1858


MAGGIEMILLER.

CHAPTERI.
THEOLDHOUSEBYTHEMILL.

'MidtheNewEnglandhills,andbeneaththeshadowoftheirdimoldwoods,isa
runningbrookwhosedeepwaterswerenotalwaysasmerryandfrolicsomeas
now;foryearsbeforeourstoryopens,pentupandimpededintheircourse,they
dashedangrilyagainsttheirprisonwalls,andturnedthecreakingwheelofanold
sawmillwithasullen,rebelliousroar.Themillhasgonetodecay,andthesturdy
menwhofeditwiththegiantoaksoftheforestaresleepingquietlyinthevillage
graveyard.Thewatersofthemill-pond,too,relievedfromtheirconfinement,
leapgaylyovertheruineddam,tossingforamomentinwantongleetheirlocks
ofsnow-whitefoam,andthenflowingon,halffearfullyasitwere,throughthe
deepgorgeoverhungwiththehemlockandthepine,wheretheshadowsof
twilighteverlie,andwheretherocksfrowngloomilydownuponthestream
below,which,emergingfromthedarkness,losesitselfatlastinthewatersofthe
gracefullywindingChicopee,andleavesfarbehindthemoss-coveredwallsof
whatisfamiliarlyknownasthe"OldHousebytheMill."
'Tisahuge,old-fashionedbuilding,distantnearlyamilefromthepublic
highway,andsurroundedsothicklybyforesttreesthatthebrightsunlight,
dancingmerrilymidsttherustlingleavesabove,fallsbutseldomonthetimestainedwallsofdarkgraystone,wherethedampanddewsofmorethana
centuryhavefallen,andwherenowthegreenmossclingswithalovinggrasp,as
if'twereitsrightfulresting-place.WhenthethundersoftheRevolutionshook
thehillsoftheBayState,andtheroyalbannerfloatedintheeveningbreeze,the
housewasownedbyanoldEnglishmanwho,loyaltohiskingandcountry,
denouncedasrebelsthefollowersofWashington.Againstthese,however,he
wouldnotraisehishand,foramongthemweremanylong-triedfriendswhohad
gatheredwithhimaroundthefestalboard;sohechosetheonlyremaining
alternative,andwentbacktohisnativecountry,cherishingthehopethathe
shouldonedayreturntothehomehelovedsowell,andlistenagaintothe

musicalflowofthebrook,whichcouldbedistinctlyheardfromthedoorofthe
mansion.Buthiswishwasvain,forwhenatlastAmericawasfreeandthe
Britishtroopsrecalled,hesleptbeneaththesodofEngland,andtheoldhouse
wasformanyyearsdeserted.TheEnglishmanhadbeengreatlybeloved,andhis
propertywasunmolested,whiletheweedsandgrassgrewtallandrankinthe
gardenbeds,andthebirdsofheavenbuilttheirnestsbeneaththeprojectingroof
orheldaholidayinthegloomy,silentrooms.
Astimepassedon,however,andnooneappearedtodisputetheirright,different
familiesoccupiedthehouseatintervals,untilatlast,whennearlyfiftyyearshad
elapsed,newswasonedayreceivedthatMadamConway,agranddaughterofthe
oldEnglishman,havingmetwithreversesathome,haddeterminedtoemigrate
totheNewWorld,andrememberingthe"HousebytheMill,"ofwhichshehad
heardsomuch,shewishedtoknowifpeaceablepossessionofitwouldbe
allowedher,incaseshedecideduponremovingthitherandmakingitherfuture
home.Tothisplannoobjectionwasmade,fortheagedpeopleofHillsdalestill
cherishedthememoryofthehospitableoldmanwhoselocksweregraywhile
theywereyetbutchildren,andtheyoungerportionofthecommunityhopedfor
arenewalofthegayetieswhichtheyhadheardwereoncesocommonattheold
stonehouse.
Butinthistheyweredisappointed,forMadamConwaywasaproud,unsociable
woman,desiringnoacquaintancewhateverwithherneighbors,who,aftermany
ineffectualattemptsatsomethinglikefriendlyintercourse,concludedtoleave
herentirelyalone,andcontentedthemselveswithwatchingtheprogressof
mattersat"MillFarm,"asshedesignatedtheplace,whichsoonbegantoshow
visiblemarksofimprovement.TheEnglishmanwasamanoftaste,andMadam
Conway'sfirstworkwasanattempttorestorethegroundstosomethingoftheir
formerbeauty.Theyardandgardenwereclearedofweeds,thewalksand
flower-bedslaidoutwithcare,andthentheneighborslookedtoseehercutaway
afewofthemultitudeoftreeswhichhadsprunguparoundherhome.Butthis

shehadnointentionofdoing."Theyshutmeout,"shesaid,"fromtheprying
eyesofthevulgar,andIwouldratheritshouldbeso."Sothetreesremained,
throwingtheirlongshadowsuponthehigh,narrowwindows,andintothelarge
squarerooms,wherethemorninglightandthenoondayheatseldomfound
entrance,andwhichseemedlikesomanycold,silentcaverns,withtheiroldfashionedmassivefurniture,theirdark,heavycurtains,andthenoiselessfootfall
ofthestatelylady,whomovedeverwiththesamemeasuredtread,speaking
alwayssoftlyandlowtothehouseholdservants,who,havingbeentrainedinher


service,hadfollowedheracrossthesea.
FromthesetheneighborslearnedthatMadamConwayhadinLondonamarried
daughter,Mrs.Miller;thatoldHagarWarren,thestrange-lookingwomanwho
morethananyoneelsesharedhermistress'confidence,hadgrownupinthe
family,receivingaverygoodeducation,andhadnursedtheiryoungmistress,
MissMargaret,whichofcourseentitledhertomorerespectthanwasusually
bestoweduponmenialslikeher;thatMadamConwaywasveryaristocratic,very
proudofherhighEnglishblood;thatthoughshelivedalonesheattendedstrictly
toalltheformalitiesofhighlife,dressingeachdaywiththeutmostprecisionfor
hersolitarydinner—diningoffaserviceofsolidsilver,andpresidingwithgreat
dignityinherstraight,high-backedchair.Shewasfond,too,oftherubywine,
andhercellarwasstoredwiththechoicestliquors,someofwhichshehad
broughtwithherfromhome,whileothers,itwassaid,hadbelongedtoher
grandfather,andforhalfacenturyhadremainedunseenandunmolested,while
thecobwebsoftimehadwovenaroundthemamistycovering,makingthemstill
morevaluabletothelady,whoknewfullwellhowageimprovedsuchthings.
Regularlyeachdaysherodeinherponderouscarriage,sometimesaloneand
sometimesaccompaniedbyHester,thedaughterofoldHagar,ahandsome,
intelligent-lookinggirl,who,aftertwoorthreeyearsofcomparativeidlenessat
MillFarm,wenttoMeriden,Conn.,asseamstressinafamilywhichhad
advertisedforsuchaperson.Withherdepartedtheonlylifeofthehouse,and

duringthefollowingyearthereensuedamonotonousquiet,whichwasbrokenat
lastforHagarbythestartlingannouncementthatherdaughter'syoungmistress
haddiedfourmonthsbefore,andthehusband,agray-haired,elderlyman,had
provedconclusivelythathewasinhisdotagebytalkingofmarriagetoHester,
who,eretheletterreachedhermother,wouldprobablybethethirdbrideofone
whosereputedwealthwastheonlypossibleinducementtoagirllikeHester
Warren.
WithanimmensedegreeofsatisfactionHagarreadtheletterthrough,exulting
thatfortunehadfavoredheratlast.Possessedofmanysterlingqualities,Hagar
Warrenhadoneglaringfault,whichhadimbitteredherwholelife.Whyothers
wererichwhileshewaspoorshecouldnotunderstand,andherheartrebelledat
thefatewhichhadmadeherwhatshewas.
ButHesterwouldbewealthy—nay,wouldperhapsonedayrivalthehaughty
Mrs.Milleracrossthewater,whohadbeenherplaymate;therewascomfortin


that,andshewrotetoherdaughterexpressingherentireapprobation,andhinting
vaguelyofthepossibilitythatsheherselfmightsometimeceasetobeaservant,
andhelpdothehonorsofMr.Hamilton'shouse!Tothistherecamenoreply,and
HagarwasthinkingseriouslyofmakingavisittoMeriden,whenonerainy
autumnalnight,nearlyayearafterHester'smarriage,therecameanotherletter
sealedwithblack.WithasadforebodingHagaropenedit,andreadthatMr.
Hamiltonhadfailed;thathishouseandfarmweresold,andthathe,
overwhelmedwithmortificationbothathisfailureandtheoppositionofhis
friendstohislastmarriage,haddiedsuddenly,leavingHesterwithnohomein
thewideworldunlessMadamConwayreceivedheragainintoherfamily.
"Justmyluck!"wasHagar'smentalcomment,asshefinishedreadingtheletter
andcarriedittohermistress,whohadalwayslikedHester,andwhoreadily
consentedtogiveherahome,providedsheputonnoairsfromhavingbeenfora
timethewifeofareputedwealthyman."Mustn'tputonairs!"mutteredHagar,

asshelefttheroom."Justasifairswasn'tforanybodybuthighbloods!"And
withthecanker-wormofenvyatherheartshewrotetoHester,whocame
immediately;andHagar—whensheheardhertellthestoryofherwrongs,how
herhusband'ssister,indignantathismarriagewithasewing-girl,hadremoved
fromhimthechildren,oneastepchildandonehisown,andhowofallhisvast
fortunetherewasnotleftforherapenny—experiencedagaintheoldbitterness
offeeling,andmurmuredthatfateshouldthusdealwithherandhers.
Withthenextday'smailtherecametoMadamConwayaletterbearingaforeign
postmark,andbringingthesadnewsthatherson-in-lawhadbeenlostinastorm
whilecrossingtheEnglishChannel,andthatherdaughterMargaret,utterly
crushedandheartbroken,wouldsailimmediatelyforAmerica,whereshewished
onlytolayherwearyheaduponhermother'sbosomanddie.
"Sothereisonepersonthathasnorespectforblood,andthatisDeath,"saidold
Hagartohermistress,whensheheardthenews."Hehasservedusbothalike,he
hastakenmyson-in-lawfirstandyoursnext."
Frowninghaughtily,MadamConwaybadeherbesilent,tellingheratthesame
timetoseethattheroomsinthenorthpartofthebuildingwereputinperfect
orderforMrs.Miller,whowouldprobablycomeinthenextvessel.Insullen
silenceHagarwithdrew,andforseveraldaysworkedhalfreluctantlyinthe
"northrooms,"asMadamConwaytermedacomparativelypleasant,airysuiteof
apartments,withabalconyabove,whichlookedoutupontheoldmill-damand


thebrookpouringoverit.
"There'llbebigdoingswhenmyladycomes,"saidHagaronedaytoher
daughter."It'llbeHagarhere,andHagarthere,andHagareverywhere,butI
shan'thurrymyself.I'mgettingtoooldtowaitonachitlikeher."
"Don'ttalkso,mother,"saidHester."Margaretwasalwayskindtome.
Sheisnottoblameforbeingrich,whileIampoor."
"Butsomebody'stoblame,"interruptedoldHagar."Youwasalwaysaccounted

thehandsomestandcleverestofthetwo,andyetforallyou'llbenothingbuta
drudgetowaitonherandthelittlegirl."
Hesteronlysighedinreply,whileherthoughtswentforwardtothefutureand
whatitwouldprobablybringher.HesterWarrenandMargaretConwayhadbeen
childrentogether,andinspiteofthedifferenceoftheirstationstheyhadloved
eachotherdearly;andwhenatlastthewearytravelercame,withherpalesad
faceandmourninggarb,nonegavehersoheartfeltawelcomeasHester;and
duringtheweekwhen,fromexhaustionandexcitement,shewasconfinedtoher
bed,itwasHesterwhonursedherwiththeutmostcare,soothinghertosleep,
andthenamusingthelittleTheo,achildoftwoyears.Hagar,too,softenedby
heryoungmistress'sorrow,repentedofherharshwords,andwatchedeachnight
withtheinvalid,whoonce,whenhermindseemedwanderingfarbackinthe
past,whisperedsoftly,"TellmetheLord'sprayer,dearHagar,justasyoutoldit
tomeyearsagowhenIwasalittlechild."
ItwasalongtimesinceHagarhadbreathedthatprayer,butatMrs.Miller's
requestshecommencedit,repeatingitcorrectlyuntilshecametothewords,
"Giveusthisdayourdailybread";thenshehesitated,andbendingforwardsaid,
"Whatcomesnext,MissMargaret?Isit'Leadusnotintotemptation?"
"Yes,yes,"whisperedthehalf-unconsciouslady."'Leadusnotintotemptation,'
that'sit."Then,asiftherewerearoundheradimforebodingofthegreatwrong
Hagarwastodo,shetookheroldnurse'shandbetweenherown,andcontinued,
"Sayitoften,Hagar,'Leadusnotintotemptation';youhavemuchneedforthat
prayer."
Amomentmore,andMargaretMillerslept,whilebesidehersatHagarWarren,
halfshuddering,sheknewnotwhy,asshethoughtofhermistress'words,which
seemedtohersomuchlikethespiritofprophecy.


"WhydoIneedthatprayermorethananyoneelse?"shesaidatlast."Ihave
neverbeentemptedmorethanIcouldbear—nevershallbetempted—andifI

am,oldHagarWarren,badassheis,canresisttemptationwithoutthatprayer."
Still,reasonasshewould,Hagarcouldnotshakeoffthestrangefeeling,andas
shesathalfdozinginherchair,withthedimlamplightflickeringoverherdark
face,shefanciedthattheOctoberwind,sighingsomournfullythroughthelocust
treesbeneaththewindow,andthendyingawayinthedistance,boreuponits
wing,"'Leadusnotintotemptation.'Hagar,youhavemuchneedtosaythat
prayer."
Aye,HagarWarren—muchneed,muchneed!


CHAPTERII
HAGAR'SSECRET.

Thewintrywindswereblowingcoldandchillaroundtheoldstonehouse,and
thedeepuntroddensnowlayhighlypiledupontheground.Formanydaysthe
gray,leadencloudshadfrownedgloomilydownupontheearthbelow,covering
itwithathickveilofwhite.Butthestormwasovernow;withthesettingsunit
hadgonetorest,andthepalemoonlightstolesoftlyintothesilentchamber,
whereMadamConwaybentanxiouslydowntoseeifbutthefaintestbreath
camefromthepartedlipsofheronlydaughter.Therehadbeenborntoherthat
nightanothergrandchild—alittle,helplessgirl,whichnowinanadjoiningroom
wasHagar'sspecialcare;andHagar,sittingtherewiththeweecreatureuponher
lap,andthedreadfearatherheartthatheryoungmistressmightdie,forgotfor
oncetorepineatherlot,anddidcheerfullywhateverwasrequiredofhertodo.
Therewassilenceintheroomsbelow—silenceinthechambersabove,—silence
everywhere,—forthesickwomanseemedfastnearingthedeep,darkriver
whosewatersmoveonward,butneverreturn.
Almostaweekwentby,andthen,inaroomfarmorehumblethanwhere
MargaretMillerlay,anotherimmortalbeingwasgiventotheworld;and,witha
softenedlightinherkeenblackeyes,oldHagartoldtoherstatelymistress,when

shemetheronthestair,thatshetoowasagrandmother.
"YoumustnotonthataccountneglectMargaret'schild,"wasMadamConway's
answer,aswithawaveofherhandshepassedon;andthiswasallshesaid—not
awordofsympathyorcongratulationforthepeculiaroldwomanwhoseheart,
solongbenumbed,hadbeenrousedtoabetterstateoffeeling,andwhointhe
firstjoyofhernewbornhappinesshadhurriedtohermistress,fancyingforthe
momentthatshewasalmostherequal.


"Don'tneglectMargaret'schildforthat!"Howthewordsranginherearsasshe
fledupthenarrowstairsandthroughthedarkhall,tillthelowroomwasreached
wherelaythebabeforwhomMargaret'schildwasnottobeneglected.Allthe
oldbitternesshadreturned,andashourafterhourwentby,andMadamConway
camenotnear,whilethephysicianandtheservantslookedinforamomentonly
andthenhurriedawaytotheothersickroom,wherealltheirserviceswerekept
inrequisition,shemuttered:"LittlewouldtheycareifHesterdieduponmy
hands.Andshewilldietoo,"shecontinued,asbythefadingdaylightshesaw
thepallordeepenonherdaughter'sface.
AndHagarwasright,forHester'ssandswerenearerrunthanthoseofMrs.
Miller.Theutmostcaremightnot,perhaps,havesavedher;butthematterwas
nottested;andwhenthelongclockattheheadofthestairsstruckthehourof
midnightshemurmured:"Itisgettingdarkhere,mother—sodark—andIam
growingcold.Canitbedeath?"
"Yes,Hester,'tisdeath,"answeredHagar,andhervoicewasunnaturallycalmas
shelaidherhandontheclammybrowofherdaughter.
Anhourlater,andMadamConway,whosatdozingintheparlorbelow,ready
foranysummonswhichmightcomefromMargaret'sroom,wasrousedbythe
touchofacold,hardhand,andHagarWarrenstoodbeforeher.
"Come,"shesaid,"comewithme;"and,thinkingonlyofMargaret,Madam
Conwayarosetofollowher."Notthere—butthisway,"saidHagar,asher

mistressturnedtowardsMrs.Miller'sdoor,andgraspingfirmlythelady'sarm
sheledtotheroomwhereHesterlaydead,withheryoungbabyclaspedlovingly
toherbosom."Lookather—andpitymenow,ifyouneverdidbefore.Shewas
allIhadintheworldtolove,"saidHagarpassionately.
MadamConwaywasnotnaturallyahard-heartedwoman,andsheanswered
gently:"Idopityyou,Hagar,andIdidnotthinkHesterwassoill.Whyhaven't
youletmeknow?"TothisHagarmadenodirectreply,andafterafewmore
inquiriesMadamConwaylefttheroom,sayingshewouldsenduptheservants
todowhateverwasnecessary.Whenitwasknownthroughoutthehousethat
Hesterwasdeadmuchsurprisewasexpressedandagooddealofsympathy
manifestedforoldHagar,who,withagloomybrow,huggedtoherheartthe
demonofjealousy,whichkeptwhisperingtoherofthedifferencetherewould
bewereMargarettodie.ItwasdeemedadvisabletokeepHester'sdeathasecret


fromMrs.Miller;so,withaslittleceremonyaspossible,thebodywasburiedat
thecloseoftheday,inaninclosurewhichhadbeensetapartasafamily
burying-ground;andwhenagainthenightshadowsfellHagarWarrensatinher
silentroom,broodingoverhergrief,andlookingoftattheplainpinecradle
wherelaythelittlemotherlesschild,hergranddaughter.Occasionally,too,her
eyewanderedtowardsthemahoganycrib,whereanotherinfantslept.Perfect
quietseemednecessaryforMrs.Miller,andMadamConwayhadorderedher
babytoberemovedfromtheantechamberwherefirstithadbeenkept,sothat
Hagarhadthetwochildreninherownroom.
Inthepinecradletherewasarustlingsound;thebabywasawaking,andtaking
ituponherlapHagarsootheditagaintosleep,gazingearnestlyuponittoseeif
itwerelikeitsmother.Itwasabright,healthy-lookinginfant,andthoughfive
daysyoungerthanthatofMrs.Millerwasquiteaslargeandlookedasold.
"Andyouwillbeadrudge,whileshewillbealady,"mutteredHagar,asher
tearsfellonthefaceofthesleepingchild."Whyneedthisdifferencebe?"

OldHagarhadforgottenthewords"Leadusnotintotemptation";andwhenthe
Tempteranswered,"Itneednotbe,"sheonlystartedsuddenlyasifsmittenbya
heavyblow;butshedidnotdrivehimfromher,andshesattherereasoningwith
herselfthat"itneednotbe."NeitherthephysiciannorMadamConwayhadpaid
anyattentiontoMargaret'schild;ithadbeenherspecialcare,whilenoonehad
noticedhers,andnewlybornbabiesweresomuchalikethatdeceptionwasan
easymatter.Butcouldshedoit?Couldshebearthatsecretonhersoul?Madam
Conway,thoughproud,hadbeenkindtoher,andcouldshethusdeceiveher!
Wouldherdaughter,sleepinginherearlygrave,approvethedeed."No,no,"she
answeredaloud,"shewouldnot!"andthegreatdropsofperspirationstoodthick
uponherdark,haggardfaceasshearoseandlaidbackinhercradlethechild
whomshehadthoughttomakeanheiress.
ForatimetheTempterlefther,butreturnederelong,andcreepingintoherheart
sungtoherbeautifulsongsofthefuturewhichmightbewereHester'sbabya
lady.AndHagar,listeningtothatsong,fellasleep,dreamingthatthedeedwas
donebyotheragencythanhers—thatthelittlefacerestingonthedownypillow,
andshadedbythecostlylace,waslowlyborn;whilethechildwrappedinthe
coarserblanketcameofnoblerblood,eventhatoftheConways,whoboasted
morethanonelordlytitle.Withanervousstartsheawokeatlast,andcreepingto
thecradleofmahoganylookedtoseeifherdreamweretrue;butitwasnot.She


knewitbythepinched,bluelookaboutthenose,andthethincoveringofhair.
Thiswasallthedifferencewhichevenhereyecouldsee,andprobablynoother
personhadnoticedthat,forthechildhadneverbeenseensaveinadarkened
room.
Thesinwasgrowinggraduallylessheinous,andshecouldnowcalmlycalculate
thechancesfordetection.Still,theconflictwaslongandsevere,anditwasnot
untilmorningthattheTemptergainedapointbycompromisingthematter,and
suggestingthatwhiledressingtheinfantssheshouldchangetheirclothesfor

once,justtoseehowfinecambricsandsoftflannelswouldlookupona
grandchildofHagarWarren!"Icaneasilychangethemagain—itisonlyan
experiment,"shesaid,aswithtremblinghandssheproceededtodivestthe
childrenoftheirwrappings.Butherfingersseemedallthumbs,andmorethan
onesharppinpiercedthetenderfleshofherlittlegrandchildasshefastened
togethertheembroideredslip,teachingherthusearly,hadshebeenabletolearn
thelesson,thatthepathwayoftherichisnotfreefromthorns.
Theirtoiletwascompletedatlast—theircradlebedsexchanged;andthen,witha
strange,undefinedfeeling,oldHagarstoodbackandlookedtoseehowthelittle
usurperbecamehernewposition.Shebecameitwell,andtoHagar'spartialeyes
itseemedmoremeetthatsheshouldlietherebeneaththesilkencoveringthan
theotherone,whosenoselookedstillmorepinchedandblueintheplainwhite
dressandcradleofpine.Still,therewasagnawingpainatHagar'sheart,andshe
wouldperhapshaveundonethewronghadnotMadamConwayappearedwith
inquiriesforthebaby'shealth.Hagarcouldnotfacehermistress,sosheturned
awayandpretendedtobusyherselfwiththearrangementoftheroom,whilethe
lady,bendingoverthecradle,said,"Ithinksheisimproving,Hagar;Ineversaw
herlooksowell";andshepushedbackthewindowcurtaintoobtainabetter
view.
Withawild,startledlookinhereye,Hagarheldherbreathtohearwhatmight
comenext,butherfearsweregroundless;for,inheranxietyforherdaughter,
MadamConwayhadheretoforescarcelyseenhergrandchild,andhadno
suspicionnowthatthesleeperbeforeherwasofplebeianbirth,noryetthatthe
otherlittleone,atwhomshedidnotdeigntolook,wasboneofherboneand
fleshofherflesh.Shestartedtoleavetheroom,but,impelledbysomesudden
impulse,turnedbackandstoopedtokissthechild.InvoluntarilyoldHagar
sprangforwardtostaytheact,andgraspedthelady'sarm,butshewastoolate;
thearistocraticlipshadtouchedthecheekofHagarWarren'sgrandchild,andthe

secret,ifnowconfessed,wouldneverbeforgiven.
"Itcan'tbehelped,"mutteredHagar,andthen,whenMrs.Conwayaskedan
explanationofherconduct,sheanswered,"Iwasafraidyou'dwakeherup,and
mercyknowsI'vehadworryenoughwithboththebrats."
NottillthenhadMadamConwayobservedhowhaggardandwornwasHagar's
face,andinsteadofreprovingherforherboldnessshesaidgently:"Youhave
indeedbeensorelytried!ShallIsendupBerthatorelieveyou!"
"No,no,"answeredHagarhurriedly,"Iambetteralone."
ThenextmomentMadamConwaywasmovingsilentlydownthenarrowhall,
whileHagaronherkneeswasweepingpassionately.Onewordofkindnesshad
effectedmorethanathousandreproacheswouldhavedone;andwringingher
handsshecried,"Iwillnotdoit;Icannot."
Approachingthecradle,shewasabouttoliftthechild,whenagainMadam
Conwaywasatthedoor.Shehadcome,shesaid,totakethebabetoMargaret,
whoseemedbetterthismorning,andhadaskedtoseeit.
"Notnow,notnow.WaittillIputonherahandsomerdress,andI'llbringher
myself,"pleadedHagar.
ButMadamConwaysawnofaultinthefinecambricwrapper,andtakingthe
infantinherarmsshewalkedaway,whileHagarfollowedstealthily.Very
lovinglythemotherfoldedtoherbosomthebabe,callingitherfatherlessone,
andwettingitsfacewithhertears,whilethroughthehalf-closeddoorpeered
Hagar'swilddarkeyes—onemomentlightingupwithexultationasshe
muttered,"It'smyflesh,myblood,proudlady!"andthenextgrowingdimwith
tears,asshethoughtoftheevilshehaddone.
"Ididnotknowshehadsomuchhair,"saidMrs.Miller,partingthesilkenlocks.
"Ithinkitwillbelikemine,"andshegavethechildtohermother,whileHagar
glidedswiftlybacktoherroom.
ThatafternoontheclergymanwhosechurchMrs.Conwayusuallyattended,
calledtoseeMrs.Miller,whosuggestedthatboththechildrenshouldreceivethe
riteofbaptism.Hagarwasaccordinglybiddentopreparethemfortheceremony,

andresolvingtomakeonemoreefforttoundowhatshehaddoneshedressed


thechildwhomshehadthoughttowronginitsownclothes,andthenanxiously
awaitedhermistress'coming.
"HagarWarren!Whatdoesthismean?Areyoucrazy!"sternlydemanded
MadamConway,whentheoldnurseheldupbeforeherthechildwiththeblue
nose.
"No,notcrazyyet;butIshallbe,ifyoudon'ttakethisonefirst,"answered
Hagar.
MorethanoncethatdayMadamConwayhadheardtheservantshintthat
Hagar'sgriefhaddrivenherinsane;andnowwhensheobservedtheunnatural
brightnessinhereyes,andsawwhatshehaddone,shetoothoughtitpossible
thathermindwaspartiallyunsettled;soshesaidgently,butfirmly:"Thisisno
timeforfoolishness,Hagar.Theyarewaitingforusinthesickroom;somake
hasteandchangethebaby'sdress."
Therewassomethingauthoritativeinhermanner,andHagarobeyed,whispering
incoherentlytoherself,andthusfurtherconfirminghermistress'suspicionsthat
shewaspartiallyinsane.Duringtheceremonyshestoodtallanderectlikesome
dark,grimstatue,herhandsfirmlylockedtogether,andhereyesfixeduponthe
faceofthelittleonewhowasbaptizedMargaretMiller.Astheclergyman
pronouncedthatnamesheutteredalow,gaspingmoan,butherfacebetrayedno
emotion,andverycalmlyshesteppedforwardwiththeotherchilduponherarm.
"Whatname?"askedtheminister;andsheanswered,"Hermother's;callherfor
hermother!"
"Hester,"saidMadamConway,turningtotheclergyman,whounderstood
nothingfromHagar'sreply.
SoHesterwasthenamegiventothechildinwhoseveinsthebloodofEnglish
noblemenwasflowing;andwhentheceremonywasendedHagarborebackto
herroomHesterHamilton,thechilddefraudedofherbirthright,andMaggie

Miller,theheroineofourstory.


CHAPTERIII
HESTERANDMAGGIE.

"Itisovernow,"oldHagarthought,asshelaidthechildrenupontheirpillows.
"Thedeedisdone,andbytheirownhandstoo.Thereisnothingleftformenow
butaconfession,andthatIcannotmake;"sowithaheavyweightuponhersoul
shesatdown,resolvingtokeepherowncounselandabidetheconsequence,
whateveritmightbe.
Butitworeuponherterribly,—thatsecret,—andthoughithelpedinameasureto
diverthermindfromdwellingtoomuchuponherdaughter'sdeathithauntedher
continually,makingherastrange,eccentricwomanwhomtheservantspersisted
incallingcrazy,whileevenMadamConwayfailedtocomprehendher.Herface,
alwaysdark,seemedtohaveacquiredadarker,harderlook,whilehereyeswore
awild,startledexpression,asifshewereconstantlyfollowedbysome
tormentingfear.AtfirstMrs.Millerobjectedtotrustingherwiththebabe;but
whenMadamConwaysuggestedthatthewomanwhohadchargeoflittleTheo
shouldalsotakecareofMaggieshefelluponherkneesandbeggedmost
piteouslythatthechildmightnotbetakenfromher."EverythingIhaveever
lovedhasleftme,"saidshe,"andIcannotgiveherup."
"Buttheysayyouarecrazy,"answeredMadamConway,somewhatsurprised
thatHagarshouldmanifestsomuchaffectionforachildnotatallconnectedto
her."Theysayyouarecrazy,andnoonetrustsacrazywoman."
"Crazy!"repeatedHagarhalf-scornfully;"crazy—'tisnotcraziness—'tisthe
trouble—thetrouble—that'skillingme!ButI'llhideitcloserthanit'shidden
now,"shecontinued,"ifyou'llletherstay;and'foreHeavenIswearthatsooner
thanharmonehairofMaggie'sheadI'dpartwithmyownlife;"andtakingthe
sleepingchildinherarmsshestoodlikeawildbeastatbay.

MadamConwaydidnotherselfreallybelieveinHagar'sinsanity.Shehad
heretoforebeenperfectlyfaithfultowhateverwascommittedtohercare,soshe
badeherbequiet,sayingtheywouldtrustherforatime.
"It'sthetalkingtomyself,"saidHagar,whenleftalone."It'sthetalkingtomyself
whichmakesthemcallmecrazy;andthoughImighttalktomanyaworse
womanthanoldHagarWarren,I'llstopit;I'llbestillasthegrave,andwhennext
theygossipaboutmeitshallbeofsomethingbesidescraziness."
SoHagarbecamesuddenlysilentanduncommunicative,minglingbutlittlewith
theservants,butstayingalldaylonginherroom,whereshewatchedthe
childrenwithuntiringcare.EspeciallywasshekindtoHester,whoastime
passedonprovedtobeapuny,sicklything,nevernoticinganyone,butmoaning
frequentlyasifinpain.VerytenderlyoldHagarnursedher,carryingheroftenin
herarmsuntiltheyachedfromveryweariness,whileMadamConway,who
watchedherwithavigilanteye,complainedthatsheneglectedlittleMaggie.
"AndwhatifIdo?"returnedHagarsomewhatbitterly."Aintthereavast
differencebetweenthetwo?S'poseHesterwasyourownfleshandblood,would
youthinkIcoulddotoomuchforthepoorthing?"Andsheglanced
compassionatelyatthepoorwastedformwhichlayuponherlap,gaspingfor
breath,andpresentingastrikingcontrasttolittleMaggie,whoinhercradlewas
crowingandlaughinginchildishgleeatthebrightfirelightwhichblazedupon
thehearth.
Maggiewasindeedabeautifulchild.Fromhermothershehadinheritedthe
boonofperfecthealth,andshethrovewellinspiteofthebumpedheadsand
pinchedfingerswhichfrequentlyfelltoherlot,whenHagarwastoobusywith
thefeeblechildtonoticeher.Theplaythingofthewholehouse,shewasgreatly
pettedbytheservants,whoviedwitheachotherintracingpointsofresemblance
betweenherandtheConways;whilethegrandmotherpridedherselfparticularly
onthearchedeyebrowsandfinelycutupperlip,whichshesaidweresuremarks

ofhighblood,andneverfoundinthelowerranks!Withascornfulexpressionon
herface,oldHagarwouldlistentotheseremarks,andthen,whensurethatno
oneheardher,shewouldmutter:"Marksofblood!Whatnonsense!I'malmost
gladI'vesolvedtheriddle,andknow'taintbloodthatmakesthedifference.Just
tellherthetruthonce,andshe'dquicklychangehermind.Hester'sblue,pinched
nose,whichmakesonethinkoffits,wouldbetheveryessenceofaristocracy,
whileMaggie'slipwouldcomeofthelittlePaddybloodthereisrunninginher


veins!"
AndstillMadamConwayherselfwasnotone-halfsoproudofthebright,playful
MaggieaswasoldHagar,who,whentheywerealone,wouldhughertoher
bosom,andgazefondlyonherfair,roundfaceandlocksofsilkenhair,solike
thosenowrestinginthegrave.InthemeantimeMrs.Miller,whosinceher
daughter'sbirth,hadneverleftherroom,wasgrowingdailyweaker,andwhen
Maggiewasnearlyninemonthsoldshedied,withthelittleonefoldedtoher
bosom,justasHesterHamiltonhadhelditwhenshetoopassedfromearth.
"Doublyblessed,"whisperedoldHagar,whowaspresent,andthenwhenshe
rememberedthattopoorlittleHesteramother'sblessingwouldneverbegiven
shefeltthatherloadofguiltwasgreaterthanshecouldbear."Shewillperhaps
forgivemeifIconfessittoheroverMissMargaret'scoffin,"shethought;and
oncewhentheystoodtogetherbythesleepingdead,andMadamConway,with
Maggieinherarms,wasbiddingthechildkisstheclay-coldlipsofitsmother,
oldHagarattemptedtotellher."CouldyoubearMissMargaret'sdeathaswell,"
shesaid,"ifMaggie,insteadofbeingbrightandplayfulassheis,wereweakand
sicklikeHester?"andhereyesfastenedthemselvesuponMadamConwaywith
anagonizingintensitywhichthatladycouldnotfathom."Say,wouldyoubearit
aswell—couldyouloveherasmuch—wouldyouchangewithme,takeHester
foryourown,andgivemelittleMaggie?"shepersisted,andMadamConway,
surprisedatherexcitedmanner,whichsheattributedinameasuretoenvy,

answeredcoldly:"Ofcoursenot.Still,ifGodhadseenfittogivemeachildlike
Hester,Ishouldtrytobereconciled,butIamthankfulhehasnotthusdealtwith
me."
"'Tisenough.Iamsatisfied,"thoughtHagar."Shewouldnotthankmefortelling
her.Thesecretshallbekept;"andhalfexultinglysheanticipatedtheprideshe
shouldfeelinseeinghergranddaughtergrownupaladyandanheiress.
Anon,however,therecamestealingoverherafeelingofremorse,asshe
reflectedthatthechilddefraudedofitsbirthrightwould,ifitlived,becompelled
toserveinthecapacityofaservant;andmanyanight,whenallelsewassilent
intheoldstonehouse,shepacedupanddowntheroom,herlonghair,nowfast
turninggray,fallingoverhershoulders,andherlargeeyesdimmedwithtears,as
shethoughtwhatthefuturewouldbringtotheinfantshecarriedinherarms.
Buttheevilshesomuchdreadednevercame,forwhenthewintersnowswere


againfallingtheymadealittlegravebeneaththesamepinetreewhereHester
Hamiltonlaysleeping,and,whiletheydugthatgrave,oldHagarsat,withfolded
armsandtearlesseyes,gazingfixedlyuponthestillwhitefaceandthinbluelips
whichwouldneveragainbedistortedwithpain.Herhabitoftalkingtoherself
hadreturned,andasshesatthereshewouldatintervalswhisper:"Poorlittle
babe!Iwouldwillinglyhavecaredforyouallmylife,butIamgladyouare
gonetoMissMargaret,who,itmaybe,willwonderwhatlittlethin-facedangel
iscallinghermother!Butsomebody'llintroduceyou,somebody'lltellherwho
youare,andwhensheknowshowproudhermotherisofMaggieshe'llforgive
oldHagarWarren!"
"Gonestarkmad!"wasthereportcarriedbytheservantstotheirmistress,who
believedthestorywhenHagarherselfcametoherwiththerequestthatHester
mightbeburiedinsomeofMaggie'sclothes.
Touchedwithpitybyherworn,haggardface,MadamConwayanswered,"Yes,
takesomeofhercommonones,"and,choosingthecambricrobewhichHester

hadwornonthemorningwhentheexchangewasmade,Hagardressedthebody
forthegrave.Whenatlasteverythingwasready,andthetinycoffinstoodupon
thetable,MadamConwaydrewnearandlookedforamomentontheemaciated
formwhichrestedquietlyfromallitspain.HoveringathersidewasHagar,and
feelingitherdutytosayawordofcomfortthestatelyladyremarkedthatitwas
bestthebabeshoulddie;thatwereithergrandchildsheshouldfeelrelieved;for
haditlived,itwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenphysicallyandintellectuallyfeeble.
"Thankyou!Iamconsiderablycomforted,"wasthecoolreplyofHagar,who
felthowcruelwerethewords,andwhoforamomentwasstronglytemptedto
claimthebeautifulMaggieasherown,andgivebacktothecold,proudwoman
thesenselessclayonwhichshelookedsocalmly.
Butloveforhergrandchildconquered.Therewasnothinginthewayofher
advancementnow,andwhenatthegraveshekneltherdowntoweep,asthe
bystandersthought,overherdead,shewasbreathingthereavowthatneverso
longasshelivedshouldthesecretofMaggie'sbirthbegiventotheworldunless
somecircumstancethenunforeseenshouldmakeitabsolutelyandunavoidably
necessary.ToseeMaggiegrowupintoabeautiful,refined,andcultivated
womanwasnowthegreatobjectofHagar'slife;and,fearinglestbysome
inadvertentwordoractionthesecretshouldbedisclosed,shewishedtoliveby
herself,wherenaughtbutthewindsofheavencouldlistentotheincoherent


whisperingswhichmadeherfellow-servantsaccuseherofinsanity.
Downinthedeepestshadowofthewoods,anddistantfromtheoldstonehouse
nearlyamile,wasahalf-ruinedcottagewhich,yearsbefore,hadbeenoccupied
byminers,whohadduginthehillsideforparticlesofyelloworewhichthey
fanciedtobegold.Longandfrequentwerethenightrevelssaidtohavebeen
heldintheoldhut,whichhadatlastfallenintobadreputeandbeenforyears
deserted.ToonelikeHagar,however,therewasnothingintimidatinginits
creakingoldfloors,itsrattlingwindowsandnoisomechimney,wherethebats

andtheswallowsbuilttheirnests;andwhenonedayMadamConwayproposed
givinglittleMaggieintothechargeofayoungerandlessnervouspersonthan
herselfshemadenoobjection,butsurprisedhermistressbyaskingpermissionto
livebyherselfinthe"cottagebythemine,"asitwascalled.
"Itisbetterformetobealone,"saidshe,"forImaydosomethingterribleifI
stayhere,somethingIwouldsoonerdiethando,"andhereyesfelluponMaggie
sleepinginhercradle.
ThissatisfiedMadamConwaythatthehalf-crazedwomanmeditatedharmtoher
favoritegrandchild,andsheconsentedreadilytoherremovaltothecottage,
whichbyherorderswasmadecomparativelycomfortable.Forseveralweeks,
whenshecame,asshedideachday,tothehouse,MadamConwaykeptMaggie
carefullyfromhersight,untilatlastshebeggedsohardtoseeherthatherwish
wasgratified;andasshemanifestednodispositionwhatevertomolestthechild,
MadamConway'sfearsgraduallysubsided,andHagarwaspermittedtofondle
andcaressherasoftenasshechose.
Herenow,foratime,weleavethem;Hagarinhercottagebythemine;Madam
Conwayinhergloomyhome;Maggieinhernurse'sarms;andTheo,ofwhomas
yetbutlittlehasbeensaid,playingonthenurseryfloor;whilewithourreaders
wepasssilentlyoveraperiodoftimewhichshallbringustoMaggie'sgirlhood.


CHAPTERIV.
GIRLHOOD.

Fifteenyearshavepassedaway,andaroundtheoldstonehousethereis
outwardlynochange.Themossstillclingstothedamp,darkwall,justasit
clungtherelongago,whiletheswayingbranchesoftheforesttreesstillcast
theirshadowsacrossthefloor,orscreamtotheautumnblast,justastheydidin
yearsgoneby,whenHagarWarrenbreathedthatprayer,"Leadusnotinto
temptation."MadamConway,stiffandstraightandcoldasever,moveswiththe

samemeasuredtreadthroughhergloomyrooms,whicharenotasnoiselessnow
astheywerewonttobe,forgirlhood—joyous,merrygirlhood—hasahomein
thosedarkrooms,andtheirsilenceisbrokenbythesoundofotherfeet,not
movingstealthilyandslow,asiffollowinginafuneraltrain,butdancingdown
thestairs,trippingthroughthehalls,skippingacrossthefloor,andbounding
overthegrass,theygo,nevertiring,neverceasing,tillthebirdsandthesunhave
gonetorest.
Anddowhatshemay,thegoodladycannotcheckthegleefulmirth,orhushthe
clearringinglaughterofoneatleastofthefairmaidens,who,sincelastwe
lookeduponthem,havegrownuptowomanhood.Wondrouslybeautifulis
MaggieMillernow,withherbrightsunnyface,hersoftdarkeyesandravenhair,
soglossyandsmooththathersister,thepale-faced,blue-eyedTheo,likensittoa
pieceofshiningsatin.Now,asever,thepetanddarlingofthehousehold,she
movesamongthemlikearayofsunshine;andtheservants,whentheyhearher
bird-likevoicewakingtheechoesoftheweirdoldplace,pauseintheirworkto
listen,blessingMissMargaretforthejoyandgladnessherpresencehasbrought
them.
OldHagar,inhercottagebythemine,haskepthersecretwell,whisperingit
onlytotherushingwindandtherunningbrook,whichhavetoldnotalestothe
gay,light-heartedgirl,savetomurmurinherearthatalifeuntrammeledby


etiquetteandformwouldbeablissfullifeindeed.AndMaggie,listeningtothe
voiceswhichspeaktohersooftintheautumnwind,therunningbrook,the
openingflower,andthefallingleaf,haslearnedalessondifferentfarfromthose
taughtherdailybytheprim,stiffgoverness,who,importedfromEnglandsix
yearsago,hasdrilledbothTheoandMaggieinalltheprescribedrulesofhigh
lifeaspracticedintheOldWorld.Shehastaughtthemhowtositandhowto
stand,howtoeatandhowtodrink,asbecomesyoungladiesofConwayblood
andbirth.AndMadamConway,throughhergoldenspectacles,lookseachday

toseesomegoodfromallthisteachingcometothebold,dashing,untamable
Maggie,who,spurningbirthandbloodalike,laughsatformandetiquetteas
taughtbyMrs.Jeffrey,and,windingherarmsaroundhergrandmother'sneck,
crumplesherrichlacerufflewithamostunladylikehug,andthenboundsaway
tothestables,pretendingnottohearthedistressedMrs.Jeffreycallingafterher
nottorun,"itissoYankeefiedandvulgar";orifshedidhear,answeringback,"I
amaYankee,nativeborn,andshallrunforallJohnnyBull!"
Greatlyhorrifiedatthisevidenceoftotaldepravity,Mrs.Jeffreybrushesdown
herblacksilkapronandgoesbacktoTheo,hermoretractablepupil;while
Maggie,emergingerelongfromthestable,clearsthefencewithoneleapofher
high-mettledpony,whichJohn,thecoachman,hadboughtatanenormousprice,
ofatravelingcircus,onpurposeforhisyoungmistress,whocomplainedthat
grandma'shorseswerealltoolazyandaristocraticintheirmovementsforher.
InperfectamazementMadamConwaylookedoutwhenfirstGritty,asthepony
wascalled,wasleduptothedoor,prancing,pawing,chafingatthebit,and
impatienttobeoff."Margaretshallnevermountthatanimal,"shesaid;but
Margarethadruledforsixteenyears,andnow,atasignfromJohn,shesprang
gaylyuponthebackofthefierysteed,who,feelinginstinctivelythattheriderhe
carriedwasastrangertofear,becameunderhertrainingperfectlygentle,
obeyingherslightestcommand,andfollowinghererelonglikeasagaciousdog.
NotthuseasilycouldMadamConwaymanageMaggie,andwithagroanshe
sawhereachdayflyoverthegardengateandoutintothewoods,whichshe
scouredinalldirections.
"She'llbreakherneck,Iknow,"thedisturbedoldladywouldsay,asMaggie's
flowingskirtandwavingplumesdisappearedintheshadowofthetrees."She'll
breakhernecksomeday;"andthinkingsomeonemustbeinfault,hereyes
wouldturnreprovinglyuponMrs.JeffreyforhavingfailedinsubduingMaggie,
whomtheoldgovernesspronouncedthe"veriestmadcap"intheworld."There