CHAPTER III.

WHAT WAS HER DUTY?


Ann Holland was a great favorite with Mrs, Bolton. The elderly,
old-fashioned woman held firmly to all old-fashioned ways; knew her duty
to God and her duty to her neighbor, as taught by the Church Catechism,
and faithfully fulfilled them to the best of her power. She ordered
herself lowly and reverently to all her betters, especially to the widow
of an archdeacon. No new-fangled, radical notions, such as her drunken
brother picked up, could find any encouragement from her. Mrs. Bolton
always enjoyed an interview with her, so marked was her deference. She
had occasionally condescended to visit Ann Holland in her kitchen, and
sit on the projecting angle of the three-cornered chair, a favor duly
appreciated by her delighted hostess. Mr. Chantrey ran in often, as he
was passing by, partly because he felt a real friendship, for the
true-hearted, struggling old maid, and partly to see after her
good-for-nothing brother. As Ann Holland had said herself, she was ready
to go through fire and water for the sake of these friends and patrons
of hers, whose kindness was the brightest element in her life.

After much tearful deliberation, she received upon the daring step of
going to Bolton Villa, on an errand to Mrs. Bolton, with a vague hope
that she might discover how false this cruel scandal was. There was a
bridle of Mrs. Bolton's in the shop, which had been sent for a new curb,
and she would take it home herself. Early the next afternoon, therefore.
she clad herself in her best Sunday clothes, and made her way slowly