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what was befalling them； and the pressure of this thought soon
became too strong for her to enjoy the unresponding stillness of
the moonlit fields。 She closed her eyes； that she might feel more
intensely the presence of a Love and Sympathy deeper and more
tender than was breathed from the earth and sky。 That was often
Dinah’s mode of praying in solitude。 Simply to close her eyes and
to feel herself enclosed by the Divine Presence； then gradually her
fears； her yearning anxieties for others； melted away like ice…
crystals in a warm ocean。 She had sat in this way perfectly still；
with her hands crossed on her lap and the pale light resting on her
calm face； for at least ten minutes when she was startled by a loud
sound； apparently of something falling in Hetty’s room。 But like all
sounds that fall on our ears in a state of abstraction； it had no
distinct character； but was simply loud and startling； so that she
felt uncertain whether she had interpreted it rightly。 She rose and
listened； but all was quiet afterwards； and she reflected that Hetty
might merely have knocked something down in getting into bed。
She began slowly to undress； but now； owing to the suggestions of
this sound； her thoughts became concentrated on Hetty—that
sweet young thing； with life and all its trials before her—the
solemn daily duties of the wife and mother—and her mind so
unprepared for them all； bent merely on little foolish； selfish
pleasures； like a child hugging its toys in the beginning of a long
toilsome journey in which it will have to bear hunger and cold and
unsheltered darkness。 Dinah felt a double care for Hetty； because
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she shared Seth’s anxious interest in his brother’s lot； and she had
not come to the conclusion that Hetty did not love Adam well
enough to marry him。 She saw too clearly the absence of any
warm； self…devoting love in Hetty’s nature to regard the coldness
of her behaviour towards Adam as any indication that he was not
the man she would like to have for a husband。 And this blank in
Hetty’s nature； instead of exciting Dinah’s dislike； only touched
her with a deeper pity： the lovely face and form affected her as
beauty always affects a pure and tender mind； free from selfish
jealousies。 It was an excellent divine gift； that gave a deeper
pathos to the need； the sin； the sorrow with which it was mingled；
as the canker in a lily…white bud is more grievous to behold than in
a common pot…herb。
By the time Dinah had undressed and put on her night…gown；
this feeling about Hetty had gathered a painful intensity； her
imagination had created a thorny thicket of sin and sorrow； in
which she saw the poor thing struggling torn and bleeding；
looking with tears for rescue and finding none。 It was in this way
that Dinah’s imagination and sympathy acted and reacted
habitually； each heightening the other。 She felt a deep longing to
go now and pour into Hetty’s ear all the words of tender warning
and appeal that rushed into her mind。 But perhaps Hetty was
already asleep。 Dinah put her ear to the partition and heard still
some slight noises； which convinced her that Hetty was not yet in
bed。 Still she hesitated； she was not quite certain of a divine
direction； the voice that told her to go to Hetty seemed no stronger
that the other voice which said that Hetty was weary； and that
going to her now in an unseasonable moment would only tend to
close her heart more obstinately。 Dinah was not satisfied without a
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more unmistakable guidance than those inward voices。 There was
light enough for her； if she opened her Bible； to discern the text
sufficiently to know what it would say to her。 She knew the
physiognomy of every page； and could tell on what book she
opened； sometimes on what chapter； without seeing title or
number。 It was a small thick Bible； worn quite round at the edges。
Dinah laid it sideways on the window ledge； where the light was
strongest； and then opened it with her forefinger。 The first words
she looked at were those at the top of the left…hand page： “And
they all wept sore； and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him。” That
was enough for Dinah； she had opened on that memorable parting
at Ephesus； when Paul had felt bound to open his heart in a last
exhortation and warning。 She hesitated no longer； but； opening
her own door gently； went and tapped on Hetty’s。 We know she
had to tap twice； because Hetty had to put out her candles and
throw off her black lace scarf； but after the second tap the door
was opened immediately。 Dinah said； “Will you let me come in；
Hetty？” and Hetty； without speaking； for she was confused and
vexed； opened the door wider and let her in。
What a strange contrast the two figures made； visible enough in
that mingled twilight and moonlight！ Hetty； her cheeks flushed
and her eyes glistening from her imaginary drama； her beautiful
neck and arms bare； her hair hanging in a curly tangle down her
back； and the baubles in her ears。 Dinah； covered with her long
white dress； her pale face full of subdued emotion； almost like a
lovely corpse into which the soul has returned charged with
sublimer secrets and a sublimer love。 They were nearly of the
same height； Dinah evidently a little the taller as she put her arm
round Hetty’s waist and kissed her forehead。
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“I knew you were not in bed； my dear；” sh