Chapter X

           ThetruthwasthatMrs.Errolhadfoundagreatmanysadthingsinthecourseofherworkamongthepoorofthelittlevillagethatappearedsopicturesquewhenitwasseenfromthemoor-sides.Everythingwasnotaspicturesque,whenseennearby,asitlookedfromadistance.Shehadfoundidlenessandpovertyandignorancewherethereshouldhavebeencomfortandindustry.Andshehaddiscovered,afterawhile,thatErleborowasconsideredtobetheworstvillageinthatpartofthecountry.Mr.Mordaunthadtoldheragreatmanyofhisdifficultiesanddiscouragements,andshehadfoundoutagreatdealbyherself.TheagentswhohadmanagedthepropertyhadalwaysbeenchosentopleasetheEarl,andhadcarednothingforthedegradationandwretchednessofthepoortenants.Manythings,therefore,hadbeenneglectedwhichshouldhavebeenattendedto,andmattershadgonefrombadtoworse.

           AstoEarl’sCourt,itwasadisgrace,withitsdilapidatedhousesandmiserable,careless,sicklypeople.WhenfirstMrs.Errolwenttotheplace,itmadehershudder.Suchuglinessandslovenlinessandwantseemedworseinacountryplacethaninacity.Itseemedasifthereitmightbehelped.Andasshelookedatthesqualid,uncared-forchildrengrowingupinthemidstofviceandbrutalindifference,shethoughtofherownlittleboyspendinghisdaysinthegreat,splendidcastle,guardedandservedlikeayoungprince,havingnowishungratified,andknowingnothingbutluxuryandeaseandbeauty.Andaboldthoughtcameinherwiselittlemother-heart.