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Mastering Numericals and Objectives of

Physics for Class X Second Edition


Stalin Malhotra
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2nd Edition

CLASS
X
2nd Edition

CLASS
X

Stalin Malhotra
Former Director
Delhi Public School
Faridabad

McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited


McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited

Published by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited,


444/1, Sri Ekambara Naicker Industrial Estate, Alapakkam, Porur, Chennai-600116
Mastering Numericals and Objectives of Physics for Class-X, 2e
Copyright © 2020, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior written permis-
sion of the publishers. The program listings (if any) may be entered, stored and executed in a computer system, but
they may not be reproduced for publication.
This edition can be exported from India only by the publishers,
McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited.

1 23456789 7101155 24 23 22 21 20

ISBN (13): 978-93-89691-94-8


ISBN (10): 93-89691-94-X

Information contained in this work has been obtained by McGraw Hill Education (India), from sources
believed to be reliable. However, neither McGraw Hill Education (India) nor its authors guarantee the
accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, and neither McGraw Hill Education
(India) nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or damages arising out of use of
this information. This work is published with the understanding that McGraw Hill Education (India) and
its authors are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or other professional
services. If such services are required, the assistance of an appropriate professional should be sought.

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Preface
Physics is an extremely important branch of science that has developed rapidly in the last few decades.
The study of Physics calls for logical and analytical thinking. Solving numerical problems develops the
mental abilities required for such study, and is also a satisfying experience. However, it has been the
general experience of science teachers that students find it difficult to solve numerical problems. There
has also been a dearth of good books on Numerical Physics. I have come across many students who have
not solved a single numerical throughout their career. They were either scared of calculations or detested
doing them. Some students simply read a few solved numericals and never attempt doing unsolved
exercises. The situation can be rectified by giving the students regular practice in solving numericals.
Care should be taken not to force it on them; instead they should be motivated.
It is generally felt that the traditional system of examinations overemphasises “Learning-by-rote” rather
than acquiring an in-depth understanding of the subject. But, of late, the objective-type questions have been
introduced to meet the situation. Such questions test the skills required to solve specific problem. Students
should practice a lot before taking their final examination as the time allotted for these tests is limited.
A part from students of Class X, this book will also meet the needs of those appearing for competitive
examinations such as the JSTSE, NTSE, KVPY, Physics Olympiads, NDA and Medical/Engineering
Entrance Examinations.
The present book can be regarded as a base book in Physics by all the students who intend to take any
competition in Physics. Students will gain confidence by solving problems from this book. I encourage
them to solve as many problems as they can.
Some of the key features of this book are as follows:
1. Based on the latest CBSE syllabus.
2. Plenty of solved questions have been added in each chapter.
3. Brief overview of important concepts at the beginning of each chapter.
4. Solved numerical problems have been graded according to their degree of difficulty.
5. Difficult problems for star performers have been included in each chapter.
6. Numerical problems drawn from various competitive examinations have also been included.
7. Each chapter includes a large number of Objective Questions such as Multiple Choice Questions,
fill in the blanks, Matching the Items, Assertion-Reason, Questions Based on Unseen Passages and
True or False Statements along with their answers. They will greatly help the students who are
preparing for various competitive examinations.
8. SI units have been emphasised wherever necessary.
9. All the conceptual questions, with hints, from NCERT text book have been included.
10. Important Objective Questions, with hints, from various competitive exams have been included in
a separate unit.
11. Questions based on Higher Order Thinking skills (HOTS) have been added.
12. Objective questions based on concepts and practical skills have been included.
13. Problems from NCERT Exemplar have been included.
14. Frequently Asked Questions in Board Examination have been given in a separate chapter.
All suggestions for further improvement of this book will be appreciated and gratefully accepted.
Stalin Malhotra
vi Numericals and Objectives in Physics for Class-X
Measurement vii

Contents
Preface v
1. Reflection of Light 1.1–1.34
Understanding Basic Concepts 1.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 1.3
Solved Numerical Problems 1.8
Unsolved Numerical Problems 1.15
Objective Evaluation 1.16
2. Refraction of Light 2.1–2.51
Understanding Basic Concepts 2.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 2.7
Solved Numerical Problems 2.18
Unsolved Numerical Problems 2.25
Objective Evaluation 2.26
3. Dispersion of Light 3.1–3.19
Understanding Basic Concepts 3.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 3.2
Objective Evaluation 3.8
4. Current Electricity 4.1–4.56
Understanding Basic Concepts 4.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 4.5
Solved Numerical Problems 4.13
Unsolved Numerical Problems 4.32
Objective Evaluation 4.36
5. Heating and Magnetic Effects of Current 5.1–5.33
Understanding Basic Concepts 5.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 5.6
Solved Numerical Problems 5.10
Unsolved Numerical Problems 5.16
Objective Evaluation 5.21
6. Sources of Energy 6.1–6.26
Understanding Basic Concepts 6.1
Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 6.7
Solved Numerical Problems 6.10
Unsolved Numerical Problems 6.13
Objective Evaluation 6.14
7. The Sun and Nuclear Energy 7.1–7.20
Understanding Basic Concepts 7.1
viii Contents

Short Answer Questions (Based on Concepts) 7.6


Solved Numerical Problems 7.7
Unsolved Numerical Problems 7.10
Objective Evaluation 7.10
8. Conceptual Questions Based on NCERT Textbook 8.1–8.22
Light—Reflection and Refraction 8.1
Test Yourself 8.5
Human Eye and Colourful World 8.6
Test Yourself 8.9
Electricity 8.10
Test Yourself 8.15
Magnetic Effects of Electric Current 8.16
Test Yourself 8.19
Sources of Energy 8.20
Test Yourself 8.21
9. Objective Questions from Competitive Examinations 9.1–9.35
Light—Reflection and Refraction 9.1
Human Eye and Colourful World 9.10
Electricity 9.13
Magnetic Effects of Current 9.25
Sources of Energy 9.31
10. Questions Based on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) 10.1–10.9
Light—Reflection, Refraction, Dispersion and Scattering 10.1
Electricity 10.3
Magnetic Effects of Electric Current 10.6
Sources of Energy 10.8
11. Multiple Choice Questions Based on Practicals 11.1–12.23
12. Problems from NCERT Exemplar 12.1–12.26
13. Frequently Asked Questions 13.1–13.51
14. Questions Based on Assertion – Reason and Unseen Passages 14.1–14.26
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of the pins Andrew had made, I had got three or four of the
older girls, along with Peggy Mellish, nicely started in
knitting. Now, as I have said, Margaret could do most things
better than any one else; but she had never known how to
knit till she had learned it of me, and she was by no means
quick at it. The truth was, she had expected to take up the
art at once and knit at the very first start as fast and as well
as I did, and when she found that she must needs begin as
slowly as one of the maids at the school, and that she
dropped stitches and split threads when she tried to knit
fast, she was a good deal out of patience. I must needs
confess that it gave me a little wicked pleasure to think of
the embarrassment she would fall into over the knitting.

I busied myself all the morning in arranging our affairs


and in looking over the house and grounds. I made various
interesting discoveries—of an old carved spinning-wheel,
which I determined at once to have put to rights; of various
odd bits of tapestry and hangings; and last, but not least, a
light closet full of books. A great many of them were books
of divinity, which I took little interest, but among the other
volumes I found Stowe's "Annals," my old friends the
"Arcadia" and Hackluyt's "Voyages," a volume of
Shakespeare's plays, and the whole of Spenser's "The
Faerie Queene," of which I had read only one odd volume.
Mindful of my late troubles, I did not open one of these
books till I told my mother of them and asked her consent.

"I will look them over and then tell you," said my
mother.

"You will find no ill in them, madame, I venture to say,"


observed Dinah. "Those books mostly belonged to my
honored father, and I do not believe there is one from which
my young lady would take any harm."
"Then, if the books belonged to your father, they are
yours now," I observed.

"You know he was not really my father," answered


Dinah. "I was but a foundling, and could inherit nothing,
and he never made a will. I have kept his books and some
other things as it were in trust, till the rightful heir should
appear to claim them. At all events, you and Mrs. Vevette
are quite welcome to the use of any of the books."

"You do not remember anything of what your life was


before you came here, I suppose," said my mother.

"No, madame, not with any distinctness. I recollect


dimly a fine mansion-house or castle, and a room hung with
tapestry. I remember a lady who used to pet me and teach
me verses and prayers. Then I recollect being taken from
my bed in the dark, hastily wrapped in my clothes and told
not to cry, and being carried abroad in the night. After that,
all is confusion till I came here."

"That is like our own escape," remarked my mother.

"Yes, madame, and I think it likely that my parents may


also have been among those who had to fly for their lives.
But who they were or what has become of them will, I
suppose, always remain a mystery."

"You say your mother, or the lady you remember, taught


you verses. Can you recollect any of them?" asked my
mother.

"Only a line or two, madame," and she repeated a few


lines, which my mother recognized instantly. "Why, that is
the beginning of the 'Noble Lesson,' one of the most
honored symbols of the Vaudois!" said she. "My husband
could repeat it from end to end, and so can I, if I have not
forgotten."

And she repeated a number of lines in the same


language which is that still spoken in the Vaudois vales, and
to some extent in Provence. I never saw any one more
delighted than our poor little lady-in-waiting at this
unexpected discovery. She had always liked my mother and
me, but now she seemed ready to kiss the very hem of our
garments. She showed us the little golden dove she had
worn around her neck. It seemed as if made to open, but
we could not find the way to do it. My mother said a dove in
silver or gold was a very common ornament among the
Protestants of Provence and Languedoc, to some family of
which she now believed Dinah to belong.

Of course this discovery bound us all the more closely


together. Jeanne was delighted, and would fain have
recalled for Dinah's benefit her native tongue, but Dinah
could only remember the few words she had repeated to us.

That afternoon my mother would go down to the shore


and see the poor fishermen's families, several of whom
lived at the entrance of the Coombe. We found them rude
enough in their manner of living, of course, but courteous,
and pleased with our visit, especially old Dame Madge, who
had known my mother when a girl, and who was vehement
in her expressions of delight at having her so near.

"But, do tell, madame; is it true that you have taken


Dinah to be your waiting-woman?"

"Quite true. Why not?" asked my mother. "She is most


skilful with her needle, and well bred, and I think myself
fortunate in keeping her about me."
"And do you think then, madame, that she is a natural-
born woman, and no sea-maid? They say down here that
she can go back into the sea whenever she pleases and
bring back the finest fish. Why, my son-in-law—and a fine
good lad he is, and like an own son to me, though my poor
daughter, his wife, only lived with him four years before she
died of a waste—my son-in-law says that she once asked
him for some fish for her father, as she called him. And Ben
said he had none, but if the old gentleman was ill and
fancied fish, he would go out and try what he could do, and
she thanked him and said he was very kind; and if you will
believe me, madame, though he had had the worst of luck
for ever so long, that night he had the best catch ever he
made. I can tell you, we were all ready to please Dinah
after that. And she knows more about herbs than any one I
ever saw—more than she ought, some think—though she
says she learned it all out of a book she has. Never was
anything like the medicine she made for my poor child's
cough."

"It seems, then, that she uses her knowledge to good


purpose," said my mother, smiling. "No, dame, I do not
think her a sea-dame, but the child of some one-wrecked
upon the coast."

"Ah, well, no doubt you know best, madame. Anyhow,


she does naught but good that we know on, and 'tis best to
be on the right side of such creatures."

We went next to visit Anne Barker, who was a widow


with two daughters, one of whom was lame and confined to
her bed and chair, while the other was one of the best girls
in Margaret's school. We found the poor thing—Lois was her
name—sitting up in her great three-cornered chair, trying to
knit with two slender pegs which she had made from wood.
She had partly learned the stitch from her sister, and was
succeeding but indifferent well. I at once sat down by her
and began to give her instruction, and she soon mastered
the stitch, to her great delight.

"Ah, poor maid, she is pleased enough!" said her


mother. "She cannot take the spinning-wheel, and the net-
making is too hard for her, so time hangs but heavily with
her."

"What was the cause of her malady?" asked my mother.

"She was pisky-struck, madame. The very week after


she was born, the careless woman who was with me went
out and left us alone, and I asleep with an unchristened
babe. I was waked by a great noise, as of something
running up the wall, and the next minute I heard the babe
scream, and there it lay on the ground. No doubt the piskies
would have carried it off altogether, if I had not waked just
in time. After that it never thrived, poor dear."

"Perhaps is was hurt falling from the bed," I ventured to


suggest.

"But what made it fall? No, madame, it was the piskies.


I had the luck to displease them by accidentally treading on
a fairy ring, and no doubt they meant to have their
revenge."

"You did not see them?"

"No, madame, but I heard them as plain as I hear you.


A better maid than poor Lois never lived, though I say it
that shouldn't, but she can do little for herself or any one
else."

"Can you read?" asked my mother of Lois.


"No, madame," was the answer. "My sister hath taught
me a little, but not to read a book."

"And would you like to learn?"

"Oh, yes indeed, madame. My father could read, and we


have his great Bible. Dibby tells me what she hears parson
read in church sometimes, and I often wish I could make it
out for myself."

We sat a little while longer and then took our leave,


promising to come again. When we were outside the door,
my mother remarked:

"Well, Vevette, here is work come to your hand, and of


the sort you like. Why should you not teach poor Lois to
read?"

"I was going to ask you if I might," said I. "And then,


perhaps, I might have some of the others. Really and truly,
maman, the walk is very hard and long for the little ones,
especially in bad weather."

"Well, well, we will see. Begin with poor Lois, at all


events."

So I did, the very next day. My proposal to teach her


was received with rapture by both mother and daughter. I
had always a knack of teaching, and I soon had Lois
prosperously started upon a pair of hose, and able, with
some help, to make out a chapter in the Testament.
Besides, I read to her every day as a reward, and I shall
never forget her delight over the stories in the Gospels. But
a good many things happened in the meantime.

Rosamond came down next day with her Italian book,


and we had a lesson in that and in music from my mother.
The next day she came again, this time with Meg, who
in rather a shamefaced way asked me whether I was not
coming to the school any more.

"That depends," said I. "I thought you were not going to


allow me."

Then, as Meg colored, I felt sorry for her confusion, and


said, "I suppose you want help about the knitting."

"I can make nothing of it," answered Meg, "and I


thought—I did not know—" then she stopped, still more
confused at the smile I could by no means repress.

Rosamond came to her aid.

"Margaret, why not say at once that you are sorry for
what you said about Vevette, and that you will be glad if
she will overlook it and help you again. That is the easiest
way out of the trouble."

I expected to see Meg angry, but she was not.

"Thank you, Rosamond, that is what I mean," said she.


"I was too hasty in condemning Vevette, and I am sorry,
and shall be very glad of her help. Will that be enough,
cousin, or must I ask downright Dunstable here to make my
peace for me?"

"That is enough, and more than enough," said I. "I will


help you, of course, though I have also a pupil down here."

And I told her about Lois. She was greatly pleased, and
we talked again over my plan of establishing a dame school
for the little ones, under the care of the widow and her lame
daughter. Margaret, with all her pride, had not an atom of
venom or malice about her. Once she made up her mind to
pass over a thing, that was the end of it.

"And how is Betty?" I asked.

"She is far from well, and keeps her chamber the last
two days," said Margaret; "but my mother cannot tell what
ails her, only she is giddy as soon as she sits up. She is very
easily disturbed, and likes to stay alone best."

"I hope it is not a fever," said I.

"No, she hath no fever, and her appetite is good


enough. It is only the pain and giddiness in her head. Then
you will come to the school to-morrow?"

"Yes, if you desire it," said I, and so the matter was


settled.

We had not seen Andrew since we parted from him at


the door of the house on our first arrival. Now, however, he
came down to walk home with his sisters. He saluted my
mother and myself as usual, and to maman he was just the
same; but there was a kind of sad constraint in his manner
to me which I felt at once.
In my maidenly pride, I was determined to show that I
was not affected by it, and I chatted on with the girls,
making a great deal of talk over the embroidery stitch
Margaret was showing me, and laughing at my own
stupidity, while my heart swelled with mingled grief and
anger. I thought Andrew was hard and unjust toward me,
and hardness and injustice from one we love and respect is
very hard to bear. I was glad when they all went away, and
I could run up to my own room and relieve myself by a few
bitter tears.

The next day Andrew came again, and this time with
great news. There was a certain estate in Devonshire which
should have descended to my mother by the will of her
grandmother, but which had long been in dispute, and had
threatened to eat itself up, as the saying goes, in law
expenses. Andrew brought word that by the discovery of
some new evidence—a later will, I believe—the matter was
definitely settled, and that when our honest share of the
expenses was paid the estate would be worth no less than
three hundred a year to my mother and me. He proposed to
go at once to Exeter to attend to the final settlement, if my
mother wished it and would give him proper powers.

"But that is hardly fair," said my mother. "It will take a


week or more out of your short remaining time at home."

"That does not matter," answered Andrew abruptly; and


then added, "Besides, the sailing of the ship is put off
another two weeks. I begin to think she will never go at all."

"Are you, then, in such a hurry to be gone?" I said,


without thinking. I could have bitten my tongue with
vexation a moment after.
"Sailors soon grow tired of life on shore," said he not
unkindly. "The sea never lets go of any one it has once
taken hold of, and you know the saying is that it always
draws those whose parents it has drowned." Then, after a
little silence, "Vevette, will you walk up the church-path
with me? I want to show you a new plant I have found."

I was in two minds to refuse, but after a moment's


consideration I agreed, and went to fetch my mantle and
hood. We walked a little while in silence, enjoying the fresh
evening air and the breeze perfumed with that strange,
sweet scent of the cave and the moorland together which
one meets nowhere but by the sea. Then Andrew said—

"Vevette, if you could tell me one thing it would ease


my mind wonderfully."

"Well," said I, "what is it?"

"Was the other day the first time you—the first time—"

"The first time I ever deceived my mother?" I said, to


help him out. "Was that what you want to know?"

Then, as he nodded assent, "No, Andrew, it was not.


When I was quite a child, not more than twelve years old,
my Uncle Charles sent my mother some tales and play-
books, and I stole two or three of them and read them in
secret. I had them till the day before we went to the supper
at the grange, and then I burned them all. Since then I
have read nothing of the sort till that day Betty persuaded
me to read with her the book my Aunt Jem gave me."

"And this is the whole truth!" said he. Then, as I


withdrew a step and looked at him, he added eagerly,
"Forgive me, Vevette, but this matter is of such great
importance to me. So much depends upon it."
"So much depends upon it!" I repeated. "What?"

Then, as he did not answer, I went on firmly, though


with a mortal pang at my heart, "Andrew, I want you to
understand one thing. If you have any doubt of me, any
doubt whatever of my being worthy, if you have any
hesitation in the matter, I will never consent to be your wife
—never, for all the family compacts ever made in the
world."

I spoke vehemently, yet with low voice, as I was apt to


do when greatly moved. We had just come to a turn in the
path, and before us lay the half-ruined cottage—Torden's
cottage. It was a place avoided after dark, for it had an ill
name on account of a wrecker who had once lived there,
and who had died a fearful death. As we came in sight of it,
we saw two figures before us—the two whom Rosamond
had described—a tall slender man in a cloak, and a female
figure in a gray homespun gown. As we drew near she
turned her head a very little.

Andrew gripped my hand hard. "Betty!" said he, in a


hoarse whisper.

"Nonsense," I whispered in return. "Did you not say


Betty was ill in bed?"

But at that moment she turned her head again and I


saw her face plainly. It was Betty. I laid a restraining hand
on my cousin's arm, but he shook it off, and one stride, as it
seemed, brought him to the side of the two before us. They
turned at his approach, and stood for a moment in
speechless confusion. Then Betty recovered her presence of
mind, if such it could be called.

"Vevette, you have betrayed us," said she. "So much for
trusting a French girl."
Andrew turned absolutely white as he heard these
words.

"How could I betray what I never knew?" I asked,


finding my voice, for at first I was dumbfounded by the
unexpected attack. "You never placed any confidence in me,
nor did I ever desire it."

What was my amazement to hear Betty declare that I


had been in her secret from the first, and had aided her in
meeting with her lover. She appealed to Mr. Lovel if it were
not so, and he confirmed her words with an oath. Andrew
turned from her to me, with a face full of wrath and grief.

"What am I to believe?" said he.

"Believe what you like," said I, for my blood was up.


"Every word that Betty says is false, and she knows it."

"Gently, my fair cousin that is to be," interposed Mr.


Lovel, with a supercilious little laugh. "I do not allow such
language to my betrothed bride. Mr. Corbet, methinks you
and I can settle this matter better without female
witnesses. Let us attend these fair ladies to their respective
homes, and then we will endeavor to come to an
understanding."

"Charles, remember your promise," said Betty, turning


pale.

"Fear nothing, child. I shall not forget that Mr. Corbet is


your brother, nor do I think we shall find it hard to come to
an amicable agreement. Mrs. d'Antin, shall we turn your
way first?"

"Do not discommode yourself, sir," said Andrew, with


lofty courtesy. "I am able to take care both of my sister and
my cousin. Perhaps you will have the goodness to call upon
me to-morrow, or allow me to wait upon you wherever you
are staying. For the present, I must say good-night."

Mr. Lovel seemed at first ready to fly upon Andrew like


an angry dog, but in a moment, he restrained himself, and
replied, with equal courtesy—

"To-morrow, then, at ten o'clock, I will do myself the


honor of waiting upon you."

And raising his hat, he strode away toward the village.


It seemed for a moment that Betty meant to run after him,
but if so she thought better of it, and snatching her hand
from Andrew's, she fled toward home, like a startled deer.

"Go after her; she may do something desperate," said I.


"I can find my way home well enough."

So saying, I turned from him and walked deliberately


down the path till I was out of sight, when I began to run,
and never stopped till I found myself at home and in the
arms of my mother, who had come to the door to look for
me.

"What is it, my child?" she exclaimed, as I clung to her,


sobbing and out of breath. "Has anything frightened you?
Where is Andrew?"

As soon as I could recover composure enough to speak,


I drew her into the little parlor and told her the whole story.
My mother heard it in silence, but with a very troubled face.

"Oh, maman, you do not believe what Betty says," I


exclaimed, as she did not speak.
"Tell me the exact truth, my child," said she, "What did
Betty ever say to you on the subject? Try to remember
every word."

I did so, and told her all—how Betty had spoken to me


of Mr. Lovel, and, as I believed, had meant to draw me into
a confidence, which I had declined. I also told her of the
advice I had given on the occasion.

"That was well," said my mother. "And had you no


suspicion that Betty was keeping up a connection with Mr.
Lovel?"

"None at all," I told her. "The first time I ever suspected


anything was when Rosamond told us of the two figures she
had seen near Torden's cottage, and which she had believed
to be spectres or somewhat else of supernatural."

"Why did you not mention your suspicion?" asked my


mother.

"Dear maman, how could I?" I asked. "I hardly


entertained it a moment. Then when I saw Betty afterward
turn so white when the affair was mentioned, and when that
very night Rosamond saw the same man's figure in the
entrance to the court, I did think more about it; but I had
no proof, and it was no concern of mine, and afterward I
quite forgot it. How could I mention the affair when I had
no proofs, and to whom?"

"True, you could not," said my mother; "but it is very


unlucky, and I fear trouble will arise to you from the affair.
My sister will believe harm of any one sooner than of her
own daughters, though she knows and has said as much to
me, that Betty is both malicious and deceitful. Well, my
love, we must do our best, and leave the event in other
hands. I believe you have been quite guiltless in the whole
matter; and not only so, but that you have acted with great
discretion. But, coming so soon after the affair of the book,
I fear you will be blamed for what you have had no hand
in."

"Then you do believe in me, maman?" I asked, kissing


her hand.

"Most surely I do, my child. What did Andrew say?"

"He looked at me and asked what he was to believe,


and then I told him he could believe what he pleased. He
had been talking before that about the book, and asked me
whether it was the first time, and I told him—what I told
you, maman. Then he did not speak again till we came
upon Betty and Mr. Lovel."

"Andrew shows a side of his character which does not


please me," remarked my mother. "With all his good
qualities there is a certain hardness about him. It was not
generous in him to bring the subject up again."

I had thought the same, and I now spoke with a


decision and boldness which surprised myself.

"Maman, you must let me say one thing, and please do


not be angry. I will never consent to marry Andrew while he
is as he is now—while he distrusts me, or shows such a
coldness toward me. Nothing shall force me to it."

"Certainly I shall not force you to it," returned my


mother, with equal decision. "My child shall never go to a
cold or unwilling bridegroom."

"I wish I had never seen him," said I, and with that I
fell a-weeping with such violence that my mother was
alarmed. She led me up to bed herself, administered a
quieting potion, and sat by me till I fell asleep.

The next morning I awaked refreshed in body, but so


heavily burdened in mind and heart that I shut my eyes and
wished the daylight would never come. But daylight and
darkness do not change to suit our moods, and I reflected
that I must not add to my mother's cares; so I rose and
dressed, and tried to be composed if I could not be
cheerful. We had hardly finished our breakfast when a
messenger came down requesting our presence at the
court. We found the whole family assembled in the cedar
room, together with Mr. Level. Betty was pale as death, but
demure and collected. Mr. Level was trying, with some
success, to play the easy fine gentleman and man of the
world. Andrew was stern and silent. The moment we
entered my aunt fell upon me with violent and incoherent
reproaches for leading her child astray.

"Hush, mother!" said Andrew. "Let Vevette be heard in


her own defence, if she hath anything to say."

My mother drew herself up, declining the seat which


Andrew placed for her. "Perhaps, nephew, you will allow her
mother to understand why my child is to be put upon her
defence. Of what hath she been accused, and by whom?"

"Betty says," returned Andrew, "that Vevette was in her


confidence all along, and abetted her meetings with Mr.
Level."

"She did," said Betty. "We talked of the affair when she
first came here, and afterward, when she was angry about
the book, she taunted me with it and threatened to tell."

"What have you to say, Vevette?" asked my mother.


I simply repeated the story just as it was.

"Can you deny that you taunted me that night with


meeting Mr. Lovel?" asked Betty.

"I did not taunt you with meeting him, for I never knew
for certain that you did meet him. A suspicion came into my
mind, and in my anger I spoke it out."

Betty smiled superior.

"Well, all I can say is, that it was an unlucky day when
you ever darkened my doors, and still more when you were
betrothed to my son," said any aunt, who was one of those
persons that say first and think afterward.

"Oh, mother!" said Margaret.

Andrew never spoke.

"Ay, and oh mother again!" retorted my aunt. "I say it


was an unlucky day, and I will say so. It is she who has led
my child astray and poisoned her mind with her play-books
and her fine stories of London, to an innocent country maid
who had no chance to learn aught of such wickedness. She
has ruined any Betty, and she will ruin my son."

"Have no fears for your son, sister Corbet," said my


mother, now fully roused. "The engagement between him
and my daughter is from this moment at an end. I leave
your house, nor will I or my daughter ever again enter its
doors till you have taken back your words. Mr. Lovel, I will
thank you to see that my horse and servant are at the
door."

Mr. Lovel obeyed with all courtesy. Andrew started


forward, but my mother rejected his hand with a stately
bow, and leaning on my arm, she left the room. Mr. Lovel
assisted us both to mount—for I had ridden my pony—and
proffered his services to see us safe home, which my
mother declined.

Not a word was spoken on the way. When we arrived I


would have entered upon the subject, but my mother
declined it.

"Not at present, my child. Let us both be a little cooler


before we talk it over. My poor Vevette, if we had but stayed
in Jersey! It was my self-willed determination to come
hither which has brought all this upon you."

"No, maman, I think not so," I answered. "If Andrew


hath such a temper—so jealous and distrustful—it is well to
know it in time. But who would have guessed it in
Normandy?"

"Who indeed! But there was nothing to bring it out.


However, we will talk more another time."

The next morning Margaret and Rosamond appeared


early. I dreaded meeting them; but they both kissed me
cordially.

"We do not suspect you—neither Rosamond nor I," said


Meg. "Now that my eyes are opened, I can see a hundred
things which might have roused my suspicions with regard
to Betty, if I had not been blind as an owl. As to Rosamond,
she never sees anything."

"But I did see something, and told you what it was, and
you did not suspect more than I," returned Rosamond.
"Don't you remember how confused and angry Betty was?"

"But how is it to end?" I asked.


"Oh, they are to be married. There is no other way,
after the scandal that has been raised. Just think that they
made Lucy Trehorn their go-between, and they have been
meeting at her mother's cottage—the old witch!"

"And they are to be married!" said my mother. "Well,


perhaps it is the only way, but it does not seem a well-
omened beginning of married life. When is the wedding to
be?"

"The week after next. My mother is already consulting


with Deborah about the wedding-clothes and so on. She
was saying this morning it was a pity you and Andrew
should not be married at the same time, since she has linen
enough ready for both of you."

"She can give it all to Betty," said I; "I shall not need
it."

"Are you really in earnest?" said Rosamond.

"I am," I answered firmly.

The girls both looked at maman.

"Yes, it is best so," said my mother. "I cannot give my


child to one who could have her accused as Andrew did
yesterday—nay, who could himself put her on the defence,
as if she were the culprit, and never say a word in her
behalf."

"I don't blame you, and yet I am sorry," said Meg. "I
think Andrew greatly to blame, and I believe now he thinks
so himself."

"His thoughts come rather late," said my mother. "If he


thinks so, why does he not say so? But we will not discuss
the matter. So Betty and Mr. Lovel are to be married. Where
are they to live?"

"With his father for the present," answered Margaret.


"The old man now lives quite alone in his great house at
Allinstree, and I believe will be glad of anything which will
keep his son at home. I do not know at all how he and
Betty will agree, for he is a great Puritan."

"Oh, they will agree well enough so long as Betty has


anything to gain," said I. And then recollecting myself, as I
saw my mother look at me, "I crave your pardon, Meg. I
should remember that she is your sister."

"She is no sister of mine," said Margaret. "I will never


own her as such again. She has disgraced us all."

"She is your sister, and you cannot help it," said


Rosamond, in that trenchant fashion of hers. "You cannot
reverse the decrees of Heaven because you are displeased.
Betty hath acted a base, treacherous part toward us all, and
especially toward Vevette, but still she is our sister, and as
such we must needs treat her."

"Very true, Rosamond," said my mother. "Betty hath


cruelly injured me and mine as well as you, her sisters, but
we must try to forgive her."

Margaret was silent, but I saw in her face the hard


expression I knew so well in Andrew's.

I suppose my mother thought there was no use in


argument, for after a moment's silence, she began to talk of
somewhat else, and then she proposed that we should have
a music lesson to quiet our spirits. The girls agreed, and we
got out our music and sang several hymns and songs, and

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