Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. I, 1855.djvu/303

 held out his hand to give her a grateful shake. But she did not notice the movement.

"What have you done with your Irish people?"

"Sent to the Dragon for a good meal for them, poor wretches. And then, luckily, I caught Father Grady, and I've asked him in to speak to them, and dissuade them from going off in a body. How did Miss Hale go home? I'm sure she could not walk."

"She had a cab. Everything was done properly, even to the paying. Let us talk of something else. She has caused disturbance enough."

"I don't know where I should have been but for her."

"Are you become so helpless as to have to be defended by a girl?" asked Mrs. Thornton scornfully.

He reddened. "Not many girls would have taken the blows on herself which were meant for me;— meant with right down goodwill, too."

"A girl in love will do a good deal," replied Mrs. Thornton, shortly.

"Mother!" He made a step forwards; stood still; heaved with passion.

She was a little startled at the evident force he used to keep himself calm. She was not sure of the nature of the emotions she had provoked. It was only their violence that was clear. Was it anger? His eyes glowed, his figure was dilated, his breath came thick and fast. It was a mixture of joy, of anger, of pride, of glad surprise, of panting doubt; but she could not read it. Still it made her uneasy,—as the presence of all strong feeling, of which the cause is not fully understood or sympathised in, always has this effect. She went to the side-