The Solitary Farm

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Hume Fergus. The Solitary Farm

CHAPTER I. THE DOMAIN OF CERES

CHAPTER II. THE WOOIN' O'T

CHAPTER III. A TARDY LOVER

CHAPTER IV. SUDDEN DEATH

CHAPTER V. A MYSTERIOUS CRIME

CHAPTER VI. THE INQUEST

CHAPTER VII. CYRIL AND BELLA

CHAPTER VIII. THE WITCH-WIFE

CHAPTER IX. THE COMING OF DURGO

CHAPTER X. A LOVERS' MEETING

CHAPTER XI. A RECOGNITION

CHAPTER XII. CYRIL'S STORY

CHAPTER XIII. MRS. TUNKS' DISCOVERY

CHAPTER XIV. WHAT SILAS PENCE KNEW

CHAPTER XV. DURGO, THE DETECTIVE

CHAPTER XVI. THE PAPERS

CHAPTER XVII. A CONFESSION

CHAPTER XVIII. THE GHOST

CHAPTER XIX. AN AWKWARD POSITION

CHAPTER XX. THE MASTER MAGICIAN

CHAPTER XXI. A DESPERATE ATTEMPT

CHAPTER XXII. MRS. VAND'S REPENTANCE

CHAPTER XXIII. WHAT LUKE TUNKS SAW

CHAPTER XXIV. A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY

CHAPTER XXV. RUN TO EARTH

Отрывок из книги

Imagine a man wrapped from infancy in the cotton wool of civilisation suddenly jerked out of the same into barbaric nakedness. Deprived of the strong protection of the law, brought suddenly face to face with the "might-is-right" theory, he would have to fight for his own land, even to the extent of slaying anyone who thwarted his needs. Such a man, amazed and horrified at first, would gradually become accustomed to his Ishmael existence, since habit is second nature. Silas Pence felt sick when he reflected on the offer made by Captain Huxham, and to him of all people – a minister of the Gospel, a follower of the Prince of Peace. For the first time in his guarded life, he became aware of the evil which underlies the smiling surface of things, and it was as though an abyss had opened suddenly at his feet. But although he did not know it at the time, the seed had been sown in his heart at the right moment, and would germinate almost without his knowledge. In a few days Silas could look back at the horrifying suggestion with calmness, and could even consider the advantages it offered.

But just now he felt sick, physically sick, and descending with trembling limbs to the ground floor of the house, staggered towards the hall and door. All he desired was to get away, and put the corn-fields between himself and the evil atmosphere of Bleacres. But his legs failed him as he laid hands on the latch, and he sank white-faced and shaking into a chair. In this state he was discovered by Mrs. Coppersley, the captain's sister and housekeeper. She was a buxom, amiable woman, with a fixed smile meaning nothing. The expression of her rosy face changed to one of alarm when she saw the heap in the chair. "Save us, Mr. Pence, what's wrong?"

.....

"Stop, stop!" She flung up her hand. "I assure you, Mr. Pence, that it is impossible. Forget that you ever said anything."

"I cannot forget. Why should I forget?"

.....