patience was nearly exhausted; when the death of her mother, who had
been a long time in declining health, cast Elinor, friendless and
unprotected, on the world. This circumstance, hailed with unspeakable
joy by Mr. Hurdlestone, plunged the poor girl, doubly an orphan, into
despair.

A lady in the neighborhood, pitying her distress, received her into her
family, until she could adopt some plan for her future maintenance; but
all her attempts to console Elinor for her loss proved abortive. Her
tears flowed unceasingly, her health and spirits were impaired; and she
felt, with bitterness, that she no longer possessed strength or
fortitude to combat with poverty and the many ills of life.

At this critical juncture, Mark Hurdlestone, generously, as all the
world thought, came forward, and offered her his hand; inviting her, in
the most delicate manner, to share his splendid home and fortune.

His disinterested offer, at such a time, filled Elinor with respect and
gratitude, but she did not love him; and, trembling and irresolute, she
knew not how to act. She had but one relative--an uncle, in India--who
had never written to her mother since her father died upon the scaffold.
Whether this uncle was still living, was married, or single, she could
not ascertain. To him, therefore, it was useless to apply. She had no
home--she was at present dependent upon the bounty of a stranger, who
could ill afford to be burdened with an additional member to her already
large family. What could she do? She consulted that friend; and the
worthy woman strongly advised her to accept the Squire's offer,
wondering, all the while, how she could, for one moment, think of a
refusal. So it was all settled; and Elinor reluctantly consented to
become Mark Hurdlestone's wife.