The Soldier's Wife — page 167: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

146 little Frederick lay in ved, locked in the slumber of innocence—when a gentle tap was heard at Lucy’s door; and she, thinking it to be the land- lady, bade the person enter, But instead of the woman of the house, it was an elderly female, decently dressed, and of somewhat matronly appearance. She had a red face, the rubicund color of which, a close observer would have at once discerned to arise from drinking ; but Luey was too generous in the construction she had put upon outward appearances, to form any such conclusion; while, at the same time, her mind was in too confused a state to allow her to take very particular notice of the personal characteristics of her visitress. A single candle was burning upon the table; and by the light thereof the afflicted wife had been endeavoring to make up for what she considered to be the neglect of her work during the day, The wo- man who now made her appearance, glanced quickly around; and, perceiving that the boy was fast asleep in the bed, an air of satisfaction at once took possession of her features: but even this, Luey failed to observe. “T believe,” said the female, “that I am speaking to Mrs. Lonsdale, the daughter of Mr. Davis, who until recently was in the em- ployment of Sit Archibald Redburn ?” “My poor father!” ejaculated Lucy; “ what of him? Has he at length consented to forgive his daughter # does he now need the solace and comfort which I may be enabled to bestow upon him ?” THE SOLDIER'S WIFE, “Oh! he shall not ask in vain!” eried the warm-hearted Mrs. Lonsdale, “ Where is he? Tell me, my good woman—keep me not in suspense ;” for she experienced a fond and anxious yearning towards that father whom she had not seen for some years; and all the past, so far as his cruelty towards her had been con- cerned, was obliterated in a moment, “He is here—in this, town,’ answered the woman, “He came to Manchester to see you, that you might forgive him for everything ¥ “Oh! speak not to me thus!” interrupted Lucy, vehemently. “It is not for a child to forgive a parent. Where is he ?—where is he? “He took lodgings at my house,” returned the womanu—* not being able ‘to find you out immediately, He was ill when he came: he has grown worse. At length I have discovered your abode—and I have come to conduct you to him.” “J will go immediately,” rejoined Lucy, full of anxiety and suspense, and totally unsuspicious of any treacherous aim on the part of this wo- man, whose speech and manner were more than friendly—they were motherly. To put on her bonnet and shawl, was but the work of a moment; and this being done, Luey followed the female from the room, Stopping on the ground-floor to request the landlady to go up and sit in the chamber during her tem- porary absence, Lucy accompanied the guide out of the house; and as they hurried along through the streets, the feeling that stil] con- “He needs more!” responded the woman;|tinued uppermost in the mind of our heroine “he req ires your presence by the side of that} was totally apart from misgiving and suspicion sick be? sa which care and trouble have stretch |it was the absorbing one of anxiety sad sue | pense in respect to her father CS (E(0) ,00 (eCo)