She beheld him with no little interest; this mysterious name
that had sounded so often in her young ears, and was
associated with so many strange and high hopes, and some dark
blending of doubt and apprehension and discordant thoughts.
Hatton in his appearance realised little of the fancies in
which Sybil had sometime indulged with regard to him. That
appearance was prepossessing: a frank and even benevolent
expression played upon his intelligent and handsome
countenance: his once rich brown hair, still long though very
thin, was so arranged as naturally to conceal his baldness; he
was dressed with great simplicity, but with remarkable taste
and care: nor did the repose and suavity of his manner and the
hushed tone of his voice detract from the favourable effect
that he always at once produced.
"Qui laborat, orat," said Sybil with a smile, "is the
privilege of the people."
"Of whom I am one," said Hatton bowing, well recollecting that
he was addressing the daughter of a chartist delegate.
"But is your labour, their labour," said Sybil. "Is yours
that life of uncomplaining toil wherein there is so much of
beauty and of goodness, that by the fine maxim of our Church,
it is held to include the force and efficacy of prayer?"
"I am sure that I should complain of no toil that would
benefit you," said Hatton; and then addressing himself again
to Gerard, he led him to a distant part of the room where
they were soon engaged in earnest converse.
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