Five-and-twenty years ago, where was there a
girl like her? A gay, handsome, laughing, bright-eyed damsel! Think what
she was, sir. It makes my heart ache now, even now, though I'm an old
man, with a woman for a daughter, to think what she was and what she is.
We all change, but that's with Time; Time does his work honestly, and
I don't mind him. A fig for Time, sir. Use him well, and he's a hearty
fellow, and scorns to have you at a disadvantage. But care and suffering
(and those have changed her) are devils, sir--secret, stealthy,
undermining devils--who tread down the brightest flowers in Eden, and do
more havoc in a month than Time does in a year. Picture to yourself for
one minute what Mary was before they went to work with her fresh
heart and face--do her that justice--and say whether such a thing is
possible.'
'You're a good fellow, Varden,' said Mr Haredale, 'and are quite right.
I have brooded on that subject so long, that every breath of suspicion
carries me back to it. You are quite right.'
'It isn't, sir,' cried the locksmith with brightened eyes, and sturdy,
honest voice; 'it isn't because I courted her before Rudge, and failed,
that I say she was too good for him.
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