She declined to see Reginald. She could not bear the sight of him.
Compton came to her many times a day, with a face full of concern, and
even terror. But she would not talk to him of herself.
He brought her all the news he heard, having no other way to cheer her.
One day he told her there were robbers about. Two farmhouses had been
robbed, a thing not known in these parts for many years.
Lady Bassett shuddered, but said nothing.
But by-and-by her beloved son came to her in distress with a grief of
his own.
Ruperta Bassett was now the beauty of the county, and it seems Mr.
Rutland had danced with her at her first ball, and been violently
smitten with her; he had called more than once at Highmore, and his
attentions were directly encouraged by Mr. Bassett. Now Mr. Rutland was
heir to a peerage, and also to considerable estates in the county.
Compton was sick at heart, and, being young, saw his life about to be
blighted; so now he was pale and woe-begone, and told her the sad news
with such deep sighs, and imploring, tearful eyes, that all the mother
rose in arms. "Ah!" said she, "they say to themselves that I am down,
and cannot fight for my child; but I would fight for him on the edge of
the grave. Let me think all by myself, dear. Come back to me in an
hour.
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