第8章

"What!andgetyouintotrouble？"

"Ideserveit。"

"No，indeed，Iwon"t，"saidUnity。"Itisnotsuchamightymatter，MissElfride。Isaystomyself，master"stakingahollerday，andbecausehe"snotbeenkindlatelytoMissElfride，she——"

"Isimitatinghim。Well，doasyoulike。Andwillyounowbringmesomeluncheon？"

Aftersatisfyinganappetitewhichthefreshmarineairhadgivenherinitsvictoryoveranagitatedmind，sheputonherhatandwenttothegardenandsummer-house。Shesatdown，andleantwithherheadinacorner。Hereshefellasleep。

Half-awake，shehurriedlylookedatthetime。Shehadbeentherethreehours。Atthesamemomentsheheardtheoutergateswingtogether，andwheelssweeproundtheentrance；somepriornoisefromthesamesourcehavingprobablybeenthecauseofherawaking。Nextherfather"svoicewasheardcallingtoWorm。

Elfridepassedalongawalktowardsthehousebehindabeltofshrubs。Sheheardatongueholdingconversewithherfather，whichwasnotthatofeitheroftheservants。Herfatherandthestrangerwerelaughingtogether。Thentherewasarustlingofsilk，andMr。Swancourtandhiscompanion，orcompanions，toallseemingenteredthedoorofthehouse，fornothingmoreofthemwasaudible。Elfridehadturnedbacktomeditateonwhatfriendsthesecouldbe，whensheheardfootsteps，andherfatherexclaimingbehindher:

"OElfride，hereyouare!Ihopeyougotonwell？"

Elfride"sheartsmoteher，andshedidnotspeak。

"Comebacktothesummer-houseaminute，"continuedMr。Swancourt；

"IhavetotellyouofthatIpromisedto。"

Theyenteredthesummer-house，andstoodleaningovertheknottywoodworkofthebalustrade。

"Now，"saidherfatherradiantly，"guesswhatIhavetosay。"Heseemedtoberegardinghisownexistencesointently，thathetooknointerestinnorevensawthecomplexionofhers。

"Icannot，papa，"shesaidsadly。

"Try，dear。"

"Iwouldrathernot，indeed。"

"Youaretired。Youlookworn。Theridewastoomuchforyou。

Well，thisiswhatIwentawayfor。Iwenttobemarried!"

"Married!"shefaltered，andcouldhardlycheckaninvoluntary"SodidI。"Amomentafterandherresolvetoconfessperishedlikeabubble。

"Yes；towhomdoyouthink？Mrs。Troyton，thenewowneroftheestateoverthehedge，andoftheoldmanor-house。ItwasonlyfinallysettledbetweenuswhenIwenttoStratleighafewdaysago。"Heloweredhisvoicetoaslytoneofmerriment。"Now，astoyourstepmother，you"llfindsheisnotmuchtolookat，thoughagooddealtolistento。Sheistwentyyearsolderthanmyself，foronething。"

"YouforgetthatIknowher。Shecalledhereonce，afterwehadbeen，andfoundherawayfromhome。"

"Ofcourse，ofcourse。Well，whateverherlooksare，she"sasexcellentawomanaseverbreathed。Shehashadlatelyleftherasabsolutepropertythreethousandfivehundredayear，besidesthedeviseofthisestate——and，bytheway，alargelegacycametoherinsatisfactionofdower，asitiscalled。"

"Threethousandfivehundredayear!"

"Andalarge——well，afair-sized——mansionintown，andapedigreeaslongasmywalking-stick；thoughthatbearsevidenceofbeingratheraraked-upaffair——donesincethefamilygotrich——peopledothosethingsnowastheybuildruinsonmaidenestatesandcastantiquesatBirmingham。"

Elfridemerelylistenedandsaidnothing。

Hecontinuedmorequietlyandimpressively。"Yes，Elfride，sheiswealthyincomparisonwithus，thoughwithfewconnections。

However，shewillintroduceyoutotheworldalittle。WearegoingtoexchangeherhouseinBakerStreetforoneatKensington，foryoursake。Everybodyisgoingtherenow，shesays。AtEastersweshallflytotownfortheusualthreemonths——Ishallhaveacurateofcoursebythattime。Elfride，Iampastlove，youknow，andIhonestlyconfessthatImarriedherforyoursake。

Whyawomanofherstandingshouldhavethrownherselfawayuponme，Godknows。ButIsupposeherageandplainnessweretoopronouncedforatownman。Withyourgoodlooks，ifyounowplayyourcardswell，youmaymarryanybody。Ofcourse，alittlecontrivancewillbenecessary；butthere"snothingtostandbetweenyouandahusbandwithatitle，thatIcansee。LadyLuxellianwasonlyasquire"sdaughter。Now，don"tyouseehowfoolishtheoldfancywas？Butcome，sheisindoorswaitingtoseeyou。Itisasgoodasaplay，too，"continuedthevicar，astheywalkedtowardsthehouse。"Icourtedherthroughtheprivethedgeyonder:notentirely，youknow，butweusedtowalkthereofanevening——nearlyeveryeveningatlast。ButIneedn"ttellyoudetailsnow；everythingwasterriblymatter-of-fact，Iassureyou。

Atlast，thatdayIsawheratStratleigh，wedeterminedtosettleitoff-hand。"

"Andyouneversaidawordtome，"repliedElfride，notreproachfullyeitherintoneorthought。Indeed，herfeelingwastheveryreverseofreproachful。Shefeltrelievedandeventhankful。Whereconfidencehadnotbeengiven，howcouldconfidencebeexpected？

Herfathermistookherdispassionatenessforaveilofpolitenessoverasenseofill-usage。"Iamnotaltogethertoblame，"hesaid。"Thereweretwoorthreereasonsforsecrecy。Onewastherecentdeathofherrelativethetestator，thoughthatdidnotapplytoyou。Butremember，Elfride，"hecontinuedinastiffertone，"youhadmixedyourselfupsofoolishlywiththoselowpeople，theSmiths——anditwasjust，too，whenMrs。Troytonandmyselfwerebeginningtounderstandeachother——thatIresolvedtosaynothingeventoyou。HowdidIknowhowfaryouhadgonewiththemandtheirson？Youmighthavemadeapointoftakingteawiththemeveryday，forallthatIknew。"

Elfrideswallowedherfeelingsasshebestcould，andlanguidlythoughflatlyaskedaquestion。

"DidyoukissMrs。Troytononthelawnaboutthreeweeksago？ThateveningIcameintothestudyandfoundyouhadjusthadcandlesin？"

Mr。Swancourtlookedratherredandabashed，asmiddle-agedloversareapttodowhencaughtinthetricksofyoungerones。

"Well，yes；IthinkIdid，"hestammered；"justtopleaseher，youknow。"Andthenrecoveringhimselfhelaughedheartily。

"AndwasthiswhatyourHoratianquotationreferredto？"

"Itwas，Elfride。"

Theysteppedintothedrawing-roomfromtheverandah。AtthatmomentMrs。Swancourtcamedownstairs，andenteredthesameroombythedoor。

"Here，Charlotte，ismylittleElfride，"saidMr。Swancourt，withtheincreasedaffectionoftoneoftenadoptedtowardsrelationswhennewlyproduced。

PoorElfride，notknowingwhattodo，didnothingatall；butstoodreceptiveofallthatcametoherbysight，hearing，andtouch。

Mrs。Swancourtmovedforward，tookherstep-daughter"shand，thenkissedher。

"Ah，darling!"sheexclaimedgood-humouredly，"youdidn"tthinkwhenyoushowedastrangeoldwomanovertheconservatoryamonthortwoago，andexplainedtheflowerstohersoprettily，thatshewouldsosoonbehereinnewcolours。Nordidshe，Iamsure。"

ThenewmotherhadbeentruthfullyenoughdescribedbyMr。

Swancourt。Shewasnotphysicallyattractive。Shewasdark——verydark——incomplexion，portlyinfigure，andwithaplentifulresiduumofhairintheproportionofhalfadozenwhiteonestohalfadozenblackones，thoughthelatterwereblackindeed。Nofurtherobserved，shewasnotawomantolike。Buttherewasmoretosee。Tothemostsuperficialcriticitwasapparentthatshemadenoattempttodisguiseherage。Shelookedsixtyatthefirstglance，andcloseacquaintanceshipneverprovedherolder。

Anotherandstillmorewinningtraitwasoneattachingtothecornersofhermouth。Beforeshemadearemarktheseoftentwitchedgently:notbackwardsandforwards，theindexofnervousness；notdownuponthejaw，thesignofdetermination；butpalpablyupwards，inpreciselythecurveadoptedtorepresentmirthinthebroadcaricaturesofschoolboys。Onlythiselementinherfacewasexpressiveofanythingwithinthewoman，butitwasunmistakable。Itexpressedhumoursubjectiveaswellasobjective——whichcouldsurveythepeculiaritiesofselfinaswhimsicalalightasthoseofotherpeople。

ThisisnotallofMrs。Swancourt。ShehadheldouttoElfridehandswhosefingerswereliterallystiffwithrings，signisauroquerigentes，likeHelen"srobe。Theserowsofringswerenotworninvanityapparently。Theyweremostlyantiqueanddull，thoughafewwerethereverse。

RIGHTHAND。

1st。Plainlysetovalonyx，representingadevil"shead。2nd。

Greenjasperintaglio，withredveins。3rd。Entirelygold，bearingfigureofahideousgriffin。4th。Asea-greenmonsterdiamond，withsmalldiamondsroundit。5th。Antiquecornelianintaglioofdancingfigureofasatyr。6th。Anangularbandchasedwithdragons"heads。7th。Afacettedcarbuncleaccompaniedbytenlittletwinklingemeralds；&c。&c。

LEFTHAND。

1st。Areddish-yellowtoadstone。2nd。Aheavyringenamelledincolours，andbearingajacynth。3rd。Anamethystinesapphire。

4th。Apolishedruby，surroundedbydiamonds。5th。Theengravedringofanabbess。6th。Agloomyintaglio；&c。&c。

BeyondthisratherquaintarrayofstoneandmetalMrs。Swancourtworenoornamentwhatever。

ElfridehadbeenfavourablyimpressedwithMrs。Troytonattheirmeetingabouttwomonthsearlier；buttobepleasedwithawomanasamomentaryacquaintancewasdifferentfrombeingtakenwithherasastepmother。However，thesuspensionoffeelingwasbutforamoment。Elfridedecidedtolikeherstill。

Mrs。Swancourtwasawomanoftheworldastoknowledge，thereverseastoaction，ashermarriagesuggested。Elfrideandtheladyweresooninextricablyinvolvedinconversation，andMr。

Swancourtleftthemtothemselves。

"Andwhatdoyoufindtodowithyourselfhere？"Mrs。Swancourtsaid，afterafewremarksaboutthewedding。"Youride，Iknow。"

"Yes，Iride。Butnotmuch，becausepapadoesn"tlikemygoingalone。"

"Youmusthavesomebodytolookafteryou。"

"AndIread，andwritealittle。"

"Youshouldwriteanovel。Theregularresourceofpeoplewhodon"tgoenoughintotheworldtoliveanovelistowriteone。"

"Ihavedoneit，"saidElfride，lookingdubiouslyatMrs。

Swancourt，asifindoubtwhethershewouldmeetwithridiculethere。

"That"sright。Now，then，whatisitabout，dear？"

"About——well，itisaromanceoftheMiddleAges。"

"Knowingnothingofthepresentage，whicheverybodyknowsabout，forsafetyyouchoseanageknownneithertoyounorotherpeople。

That"sit，eh？No，no；Idon"tmeanit，dear。"

"Well，IhavehadsomeopportunitiesofstudyingmediaevalartandmannersinthelibraryandprivatemuseumatEndelstowHouse，andIthoughtIshouldliketotrymyhanduponafiction。Iknowthetimeforthesetalesispast；butIwasinterestedinit，verymuchinterested。"

"Whenisittoappear？"

"Oh，never，Isuppose。"

"Nonsense，mydeargirl。Publishit，byallmeans。Allladiesdothatsortofthingnow；notforprofit，youknow，butasaguaranteeofmentalrespectabilitytotheirfuturehusbands。"

"Anexcellentideaofusladies。"

"ThoughIamafraiditratherresemblesthemelancholyruseofthrowingloavesovercastle-wallsatbesiegers，andsuggestsdesperationratherthanplentyinside。"

"Didyouevertryit？"

"No；Iwastoofargoneevenforthat。"

"Papasaysnopublisherwilltakemybook。"

"Thatremainstobeproved。I"llgivemyword，mydear，thatbythistimenextyearitshallbeprinted。"

"Willyou，indeed？"saidElfride，partiallybrighteningwithpleasure，thoughshewassadenoughinherdepths。"Ithoughtbrainsweretheindispensable，eveniftheonly，qualificationforadmissiontotherepublicofletters。Amerecommonplacecreaturelikemewillsoonbeturnedoutagain。"

"Ohno；onceyouarethereyou"llbelikeadropofwaterinapieceofrock-crystal——yourmediumwilldignifyyourcommonness。"

"Itwillbeagreatsatisfaction，"Elfridemurmured，andthoughtofStephen，andwishedshecouldmakeagreatfortunebywritingromances，andmarryhimandlivehappily。

"Andthenwe"llgotoLondon，andthentoParis，"saidMrs。

Swancourt。"Ihavebeentalkingtoyourfatheraboutit。Butwehavefirsttomoveintothemanor-house，andwethinkofstayingatTorquaywhilstthatisgoingon。Meanwhile，insteadofgoingonahoneymoonscamperbyourselves，wehavecomehometofetchyou，andgoalltogethertoBathfortwoorthreeweeks。"

Elfrideassentedpleasantly，evengladly；butshesawthat，bythismarriage，herfatherandherselfhadceasedforevertobethecloserelationstheyhadbeenuptoafewweeksago。ItwasimpossiblenowtotellhimthetaleofherwildelopementwithStephenSmith。

Hewasstillsnuglyhousedinherheart。HisabsencehadregainedforhimmuchofthataureolaofsaintshipwhichhadbeennearlyabstractedduringherreproachfulmoodonthatmiserablejourneyfromLondon。Raptureisoftencooledbycontactwithitscause，especiallyifunderawkwardconditions。AndthatlastexperiencewithStephenhaddoneanythingbutmakehimshineinhereyes。

Hisverykindnessinlettingherreturnwashisoffence。Elfridehadhersex"sloveofsheerforceinaman，howeverill-directed；

andatthatcriticaljunctureinLondonStephen"sonlychanceofretainingtheascendancyoverherthathisfaceandnothispartshadacquiredforhim，wouldhavebeenbydoingwhat，foronething，hewastooyouthfultoundertake——thatwas，draggingherbythewristtotherailsofsomealtar，andperemptorilymarryingher。Decisiveactionisseenbyappreciativemindstobefrequentlyobjectless，andsometimesfatal；butdecision，howeversuicidal，hasmorecharmforawomanthanthemostunequivocalFabiansuccess。

However，someoftheunpleasantaccessoriesofthatoccasionwerenowoutofsightagain，andStephenhadresumednotafewofhisfancycolours。

ChapterXIII

"Hesetinordermanyproverbs。"

ItisLondoninOctober——twomonthsfurtheroninthestory。

Bede"sInnhasthispeculiarity，thatitfaces，receivesfrom，anddischargesintoabustlingthoroughfarespeakingonlyofwealthandrespectability，whilstitsposternabutsonascrowdedandpoverty-strickenanetworkofalleysasaretobefoundanywhereinthemetropolis。Themoralconsequencesare，first，thatthosewhooccupychambersintheInnmayseeagreatdealofshirtlesshumanity"shabitsandenjoymentswithoutdoingmorethanlookdownfromabackwindow；andsecondtheymayhearwholesomethoughunpleasantsocialremindersthroughthemediumofaharshvoice，anunequalfootstep，theechoofabloworafall，whichoriginatesinthepersonofsomedrunkardorwife-beater，ashecrossesandinterfereswiththequietofthesquare。CharactersofthiskindfrequentlypassthroughtheInnfromalittlefoxholeofanalleyattheback，buttheyneverloiterthere。

ItishardlynecessarytostatethatallthesightsandmovementspropertotheInnaremostorderly。OnthefineOctobereveningonwhichwefollowStephenSmithtothisplace，aplacidporterissittingonastoolunderasycamore-treeinthemidst，withalittlecaneinhishand。Wenoticethethickcoatofsootuponthebranches，hangingunderneaththeminflakes，asinachimney。

Theblacknessoftheseboughsdoesnotatpresentimprovethetree——nearlyforsakenbyitsleavesasitis——butinthespringtheirgreenfreshbeautyismadedoublybeautifulbythecontrast。

Withintherailingsisaflower-gardenofrespectabledahliasandchrysanthemums，whereamanissweepingtheleavesfromthegrass。

Stephenselectsadoorway，andascendsanoldthoughwidewoodenstaircase，withmouldedbalustersandhandrail，whichinacountrymanor-housewouldbeconsideredanoteworthyspecimenofRenaissanceworkmanship。Hereachesadooronthefirstfloor，overwhichispainted，inblackletters，"Mr。HenryKnight"——

"Barrister-at-law"beingunderstoodbutnotexpressed。Thewallisthick，andthereisadooratitsouterandinnerface。Theouteronehappenstobeajar:Stephengoestotheother，andtaps。

"Comein!"fromdistantpenetralia。

Firstwasasmallanteroom，dividedfromtheinnerapartmentbyawainscotedarchwaytwoorthreeyardswide。Acrossthisarchwayhungapairofdark-greencurtains，makingamysteryofallwithinthearchexceptthespasmodicscratchingofaquillpen。Herewasgroupedachaoticassemblageofarticles——mainlyoldframedprintsandpaintings——leaningedgewiseagainstthewall，likeroofingslatesinabuilder"syard。Allthebooksvisibleherewerefoliostoobigtobestolen——somelyingonaheavyoaktableinonecorner，someontheflooramongthepictures，thewholeintermingledwitholdcoats，hats，umbrellas，andwalking-sticks。

Stephenpushedasidethecurtain，andbeforehimsatamanwritingawayasifhislifedependeduponit——whichitdid。

Amanofthirtyinaspeckledcoat，withdarkbrownhair，curlybeard，andcrispmoustache:thelatterrunningintothebeardoneachsideofthemouth，and，asusual，hidingtherealexpressionofthatorganunderachronicaspectofimpassivity。

"Ah，mydearfellow，Iknew"twasyou，"saidKnight，lookingupwithasmile，andholdingouthishand。

Knight"smouthandeyescametoviewnow。Bothfeaturesweregood，andhadthepeculiarityofappearingyoungerandfresherthanthebrowandfacetheybelongedto，whichweregettingsickliedo"erbytheunmistakablepalecast。Themouthhadnotquiterelinquishedrotundityofcurveforthefirmangularitiesofmiddlelife；andtheeyes，thoughkeen，permeatedratherthanpenetrated:whattheyhadlostoftheirboy-timebrightnessbyadozenyearsofhardreadinglendingaquietnesstotheirgazewhichsuitedthemwell。

Aladywouldhavesaidtherewasasmelloftobaccointheroom:amanthattherewasnot。

Knightdidnotrise。Helookedatatimepieceonthemantelshelf，thenturnedagaintohisletters，pointingtoachair。

"Well，Iamgladyouhavecome。Ionlyreturnedtotownyesterday；now，don"tspeak，Stephen，fortenminutes；Ihavejustthattimetothelatepost。Attheeleventhminute，I"myourman。"

Stephensatdownasifthiskindofreceptionwasbynomeansnew，andawaywentKnight"spen，beatingupanddownlikeashipinastorm。

Cicerocalledthelibrarythesoulofthehouse；herethehousewasallsoul。Portionsofthefloor，andhalfthewall-space，weretakenupbybook-shelvesordinaryandextraordinary；theremainingparts，togetherwithbrackets，side-tables，&c。，beingoccupiedbycasts，statuettes，medallions，andplaquesofvariousdescriptions，pickedupbytheownerinhiswanderingsthroughFranceandItaly。

Onestreamonlyofeveningsunlightcameintotheroomfromawindowquiteinthecorner，overlookingacourt。Anaquariumstoodinthewindow。Itwasadullparallelopipedonenoughforlivingcreaturesatmosthoursoftheday；butforafewminutesintheevening，asnow，anerrant，kindlyraylightedupandwarmedthelittleworldtherein，whenthemany-colouredzoophytesopenedandputforththeirarms，theweedsacquiredarichtransparency，theshellsgleamedofamoregoldenyellow，andthetimidcommunityexpressedgladnessmoreplainlythaninwords。

WithintheprescribedtenminutesKnightflungdownhispen，rangfortheboytotaketheletterstothepost，andattheclosingofthedoorexclaimed，"There；thankGod，that"sdone。Now，Stephen，pullyourchairround，andtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingallthistime。HaveyoukeptupyourGreek？"

"No。"

"How"sthat？"

"Ihaven"tenoughsparetime。"

"That"snonsense。"

"Well，Ihavedoneagreatmanythings，ifnotthat。AndIhavedoneoneextraordinarything。"

KnightturnedfulluponStephen。"Ah-ha!Now，then，letmelookintoyourface，puttwoandtwotogether，andmakeashrewdguess。"

Stephenchangedtoareddercolour。

"Why，Smith，"saidKnight，afterholdinghimrigidlybytheshoulders，andkeenlyscrutinisinghiscountenanceforaminuteinsilence，"youhavefalleninlove。"

"Well——thefactis——"

"Now，outwithit。"ButseeingthatStephenlookedratherdistressed，hechangedtoakindlytone。"NowSmith，mylad，youknowmewellenoughbythistime，oryououghtto；andyouknowverywellthatifyouchoosetogivemeadetailedaccountofthephenomenonwithinyou，Ishalllisten；ifyoudon"t，Iamthelastmanintheworldtocaretohearit。"

"I"lltellthismuch:IHAVEfalleninlove，andIwanttobeMARRIED。"

KnightlookedominousasthispassedStephen"slips。

"Don"tjudgemebeforeyouhaveheardmore，"criedStephenanxiously，seeingthechangeinhisfriend"scountenance。

"Idon"tjudge。Doesyourmotherknowaboutit？"

"Nothingdefinite。"

"Father？"

"No。ButI"lltellyou。Theyoungperson——"

"Come，that"sdreadfullyungallant。ButperhapsIunderstandtheframeofmindalittle，sogoon。Yoursweetheart——"

"SheisratherhigherintheworldthanIam。"

"Asitshouldbe。"

"Andherfatherwon"thearofit，asInowstand。"

"Notanuncommoncase。"

"AndnowcomeswhatIwantyouradviceupon。Somethinghashappenedatherhousewhichmakesitoutofthequestionforustoaskherfatheragainnow。Sowearekeepingsilent。InthemeantimeanarchitectinIndiahasjustwrittentoMr。HewbytoaskwhetherhecanfindforhimayoungassistantwillingtogoovertoBombaytopreparedrawingsforworkformerlydonebytheengineers。Thesalaryheoffersis350rupeesamonth，orabout35Pounds。Hewbyhasmentionedittome，andIhavebeentoDr。

Wray，whosaysIshallacclimatisewithoutmuchillness。Now，wouldyougo？"

"Youmeantosay，becauseitisapossibleroadtotheyounglady。"

"Yes；IwasthinkingIcouldgooverandmakealittlemoney，andthencomebackandaskforher。Ihavetheoptionofpractisingformyselfafterayear。"

"Wouldshebestaunch？"

"Ohyes!Forever——totheendofherlife!"

"Howdoyouknow？"

"Why，howdopeopleknow？Ofcourse，shewill。"

Knightleantbackinhischair。"Now，thoughIknowherthoroughlyassheexistsinyourheart，Stephen，Idon"tknowherintheflesh。AllIwanttoaskis，isthisideaofgoingtoIndiabasedentirelyuponabeliefinherfidelity？"

"Yes；Ishouldnotgoifitwerenotforher。"

"Well，Stephen，youhaveputmeinratheranawkwardposition。IfIgivemytruesentiments，Ishallhurtyourfeelings；ifIdon"t，Ishallhurtmyownjudgment。Andremember，Idon"tknowmuchaboutwomen。"

"Butyouhavehadattachments，althoughyoutellmeverylittleaboutthem。"

"AndIonlyhopeyou"llcontinuetoprospertillItellyoumore。"

Stephenwincedatthisrap。"Ihaveneverformedadeepattachment，"continuedKnight。"Ineverhavefoundawomanworthit。NorhaveIbeenonceengagedtobemarried。"

"Youwriteasifyouhadbeenengagedahundredtimes，ifImaybeallowedtosayso，"saidStepheninaninjuredtone。

"Yes，thatmaybe。But，mydearStephen，itisonlythosewhohalfknowathingthatwriteaboutit。Thosewhoknowitthoroughlydon"ttakethetrouble。AllIknowaboutwomen，ormeneither，isamassofgeneralities。Iplodalong，andoccasionallyliftmyeyesandskimthewelteringsurfaceofmankindlyingbetweenmeandthehorizon，asacrowmight；nomore。"

Knightstoppedasifhehadfallenintoatrainofthought，andStephenlookedwithaffectionateaweatamasterwhosemind，hebelieved，couldswallowupatonemealallthathisownheadcontained。

Therewasaffectivesympathy，butnogreatintellectualfellowship，betweenKnightandStephenSmith。Knighthadseenhisyoungfriendwhenthelatterwasacherry-cheekedhappyboy，hadbeeninterestedinhim，hadkepthiseyeuponhim，andgenerouslyhelpedtheladtobooks，tillthemereconnectionofpatronagegrewtoacquaintance，andthatripenedtofriendship。Andso，thoughSmithwasnotatallthemanKnightwouldhavedeliberatelychosenasafriend——orevenforoneofagroupofadozenfriends——

hesomehowwashisfriend。Circumstance，asusual，diditall。

Howmanyofuscansayofourmostintimatealterego，leavingalonefriendsoftheoutercircle，thatheisthemanweshouldhavechosen，asembodyingthenetresultafteraddingupallthepointsinhumannaturethatwelove，andprincipleswehold，andsubtractingallthatwehate？Themanisreallysomebodywegottoknowbymerephysicaljuxtapositionlongmaintained，andwastakenintoourconfidence，andevenheart，asamakeshift。

"Andwhatdoyouthinkofher？"Stephenventuredtosay，afterasilence。

"Takinghermeritsontrustfromyou，"saidKnight，"aswedothoseoftheRomanpoetsofwhomweknownothingbutthattheylived，Istillthinkshewillnotsticktoyouthrough，say，threeyearsofabsenceinIndia。"

"Butshewill!"criedStephendesperately。"Sheisagirlalldelicacyandhonour。Andnowomanofthatkind，whohascommittedherselfsointoaman"shandsasshehasintomine，couldpossiblymarryanother。"

"Howhasshecommittedherself？"askedKnightcunously。

Stephendidnotanswer。Knighthadlookedonhislovesoscepticallythatitwouldnotdotosayallthathehadintendedtosaybyanymeans。

"Well，don"ttell，"saidKnight。"Butyouarebeggingthequestion，whichis，Isuppose，inevitableinlove。"

"AndI"lltellyouanotherthing，"theyoungermanpleaded。"Yourememberwhatyousaidtomeonceaboutwomenreceivingakiss。

Don"tyou？Why，thatinsteadofourbeingcharmedbythefascinationoftheirbearingatsuchatime，weshouldimmediatelydoubtthemiftheirconfusionhasanyGRACEinit——thatawkwardbunglingwasthetruecharmoftheoccasion，implyingthatwearethefirstwhohasplayedsuchapartwiththem。"

"Itistrue，quite，"saidKnightmusingly。

Itoftenhappenedthatthedisciplethusrememberedthelessonsofthemasterlongafterthemasterhimselfhadforgottenthem。

"Well，thatwaslikeher!"criedStephentriumphantly。"Shewasinsuchaflurrythatshedidn"tknowwhatshewasdoing。"

"Splendid，splendid!"saidKnightsoothingly。"SothatallIhavetosayis，thatifyouseeagoodopeninginBombaythere"snoreasonwhyyoushouldnotgowithouttroublingtodrawfinedistinctionsastoreasons。Nomanfullyrealizeswhatopinionsheactsupon，orwhathisactionsmean。"

"Yes；IgotoBombay。I"llwriteanotehere，ifyoudon"tmind。"

"Sleepoverit——itisthebestplan——andwriteto-morrow。

Meantime，gotheretothatwindowandsitdown，andlookatmyHumanityShow。Iamgoingtodineoutthisevening，andhavetodresshereoutofmyportmanteau。IbringupmythingslikethistosavethetroubleofgoingdowntomyplaceatRichmondandbackagain。"

Knightthenwenttothemiddleoftheroomandflungopenhisportmanteau，andStephendrewnearthewindow。Thestreakofsunlighthadcreptupward，edgedaway，andvanished；thezoophytesslept:aduskygloompervadedtheroom。Andnowanothervolumeoflightshoneoverthewindow。

"There!"saidKnight，"whereisthereinEnglandaspectacletoequalthat？IsitthereandwatchthemeverynightbeforeIgohome。Softlyopenthesash。"

Beneaththemwasanalleyrunninguptothewall，andthenceturningsidewaysandpassingunderanarch，sothatKnight"sbackwindowwasimmediatelyovertheangle，andcommandedaviewofthealleylengthwise。Crowds——mostlyofwomen——weresurging，bustling，andpacingupanddown。Gaslightsglaredfrombutchers"

stalls，illuminatingthelumpsoffleshtosplotchesoforangeandvermilion，likethewildcolouringofTurner"slaterpictures，whilstthepurlandbabbleoftonguesofeverypitchandmoodwastothishumanwild-woodwhattherippleofabrookistothenaturalforest。

Nearlytenminutespassed。ThenKnightalsocametothewindow。

"Well，now，IcallacabandvanishdownthestreetinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare，"hesaid，buttoninghiswaistcoatandkickinghismorningsuitintoacorner。Stephenrosetoleave。

"Whataheapofliterature!"remarkedtheyoungman，takingafinallongingsurveyroundtheroom，asiftoabidethereforeverwouldbethegreatpleasureofhislife，yetfeelingthathehadalmostoutstayedhiswelcome-while。Hiseyesresteduponanarm-

chairpiledfullofnewspapers，magazines，andbrightnewvolumesingreenandred。

"Yes，"saidKnight，alsolookingatthemandbreathingasighofweariness；"somethingmustbedonewithseveralofthemsoon，I

suppose。Stephen，youneedn"thurryawayforafewminutes，youknow，ifyouwanttostay；Iamnotquiteready。OverhaulthosevolumeswhilstIputonmycoat，andI"llwalkalittlewaywithyou。"

Stephensatdownbesidethearm-chairandbegantotumblethebooksabout。Amongtheresthefoundanoveletteinonevolume，THECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE。ByErnestField。

"Areyougoingtoreviewthis？"inquiredStephenwithapparentunconcern，andholdingupElfride"seffusion。

"Which？Oh，that!Imay——thoughIdon"tdomuchlightreviewingnow。Butitisreviewable。"

"Howdoyoumean？"

Knightneverlikedtobeaskedwhathemeant。"Mean!Imeanthatthemajorityofbookspublishedareneithergoodenoughnorbadenoughtoprovokecriticism，andthatthatbookdoesprovokeit。"

"Byitsgoodnessoritsbadness？"StephensaidwithsomeanxietyonpoorlittleElfride"sscore。

"Itsbadness。Itseemstobewrittenbysomegirlinherteens。"

Stephensaidnotanotherword。HedidnotcaretospeakplainlyofElfrideafterthatunfortunatesliphistonguehadmadeinrespectofherhavingcommittedherself；and，apartfromthat，Knight"ssevere——almostdoggedandself-willed——honestyincriticizingwasunassailablebythehumblewishofayouthfulfriendlikeStephen。

Knightwasnowready。Turningoffthegas，andslammingtogetherthedoor，theywentdownstairsandintothestreet。

ChapterXIV

"Wefrolicwhile"tisMay。"

Ithasnowtoberealizedthatnearlythree-quartersofayearhavepassedaway。Inplaceoftheautumnalscenerywhichformedasettingtothepreviousenactments，wehavetheculminatingbloomsofsummerintheyearfollowing。

StephenisinIndia，slavingawayatanofficeinBombay；

occasionallygoingupthecountryonprofessionalerrands，andwonderingwhypeoplewhohadbeentherelongerthanhecomplainedsomuchoftheeffectoftheclimateupontheirconstitutions。

NeverhadayoungmanafinerstartthanseemednowtopresentitselftoStephen。ItwasjustinthatexceptionalheydayofprosperitywhichshoneoverBombaysomefewyearsago，thathearrivedonthescene。Buildingandengineeringpartookofthegeneralimpetus。Speculationmovedwithanacceleratedvelocityeverysuccessiveday，theonlydisagreeablecontingencyconnectedwithitbeingthepossibilityofacollapse。

Elfridehadnevertoldherfatherofthefour-and-twenty-hours"

escapadewithStephen，norhadit，toherknowledge，cometohisearsbyanyotherroute。Itwasasecrettroubleandgrieftothegirlforashorttime，andStephen"sdeparturewasanotheringredientinhersorrow。ButElfridepossessedspecialfacilitiesforgettingridoftroubleafteradecentinterval。

Whilstaslownaturewasimbibingamisfortunelittlebylittle，shehadswallowedthewholeagonyofitatadraughtandwasbrighteningagain。Shecouldsloughoffasadnessandreplaceitbyahopeaseasilyasalizardrenewsadiseasedlimb。

Andtwosuchexcellentdistractionshadpresentedthemselves。Onewasbringingouttheromanceandlookingfornoticesinthepapers，which，thoughtheyhadbeensignificantlyshortsofar，hadservedtodivertherthoughts。TheotherwasmigratingfromthevicaragetothemorecommodiousoldhouseofMrs。Swancourt"s，overlookingthesamevalley。Mr。Swancourtatfirstdislikedtheideaofbeingtransplantedtofemininesoil，buttheobviousadvantagesofsuchanaccessionofdignityreconciledhimtothechange。Sotherewasaradical"move；"thetwoladiesstayingatTorquayashadbeenarranged，thevicargoingtoandfro。

Mrs。SwancourtconsiderablyenlargedElfride"sideasinanaristocraticdirection，andshebegantoforgiveherfatherforhispoliticmarriage。Certainly，inaworldlysense，ahandsomefaceatthree-and-fortyhadneverservedamaninbetterstead。

ThenewhouseatKensingtonwasready，andtheywereallintown。

TheHydeParkshrubshadbeentransplantedasusual，thechairsrankedinline，thegrassedgingstrimmed，theroadsmadetolookasiftheyweresufferingfromaheavythunderstorm；carriageshadbeencalledforbytheeaseful，horsesbythebrisk，andtheDriveandRowwereagainthegrooveofgaietyforanhour。Wegazeuponthespectacle，atsixo"clockonthismidsummerafternoon，inamelon-frameatmosphereandbeneathavioletsky。TheSwancourtequipageformedoneinthestream。

Mrs。Swancourtwasatalkeroftalkoftheincisivekind，whichherlowmusicalvoice——theonlybeautifulpointintheoldwoman——

preventedfrombeingwearisome。

"Now，"shesaidtoElfride，who，likeAEneasatCarthage，wasfullofadmirationforthebrilliantscene，"youwillfindthatourcompanionlessstatewillgiveus，asitdoeseverybody，anextraordinarypowerinreadingthefeaturesofourfellow-

creatureshere。Ialwaysamalistenerinsuchplacesasthese——

nottothenarrativestoldbymyneighbours"tongues，butbytheirfaces——theadvantageofwhichis，thatwhetherIaminRow，Boulevard，Rialto，orPrado，theyallspeakthesamelanguage。I

mayhaveacquiredsomeskillinthispracticethroughhavingbeenanuglylonelywomanforsomanyyears，withnobodytogivemeinformation；athingyouwillnotconsiderstrangewhentheparallelcaseisborneinmind，——howtrulypeoplewhohavenoclockswilltellthetimeofday。"

"Ay，thattheywill，"saidMr。Swancourtcorroboratively。"IhaveknownlabouringmenatEndelstowandotherfarmswhohadframedcompletesystemsofobservationforthatpurpose。Bymeansofshadows，winds，clouds，themovementsofsheepandoxen，thesingingofbirds，thecrowingofcocks，andahundredothersightsandsoundswhichpeoplewithwatchesintheirpocketsneverknowtheexistenceof，theyareabletopronouncewithintenminutesofthehouralmostatanyrequiredinstant。ThatremindsmeofanoldstorywhichI"mafraidistoobad——toobadtorepeat。"Herethevicarshookhisheadandlaughedinwardly。

"Tellit——do!"saidtheladies。

"Imustn"tquitetellit。"

"That"sabsurd，"saidMrs。Swancourt。

"Itwasonlyaboutamanwho，bythesamecarefulsystemofobservation，wasknowntodeceivepersonsformorethantwoyearsintothebeliefthathekeptabarometerbystealth，soexactlydidheforetellallchangesintheweatherbythebrayingofhisassandthetemperofhiswife。"

Elfridelaughed。

"Exactly，"saidMrs。Swancourt。"Andinjustthewaythatthoselearntthesignsofnature，Ihavelearntthelanguageofherillegitimatesister——artificiality；andthefibbingofeyes，thecontemptofnose-tips，theindignationofbackhair，thelaughterofclothes，thecynicismoffootsteps，andthevariousemotionslyinginwalking-sticktwirls，hat-liftings，theelevationofparasols，thecarriageofumbrellas，becomeasABCtome。

"Justlookatthatdaughter"ssisterclassofmammainthecarriageacrossthere，"shecontinuedtoElfride，pointingwithmerelyaturnofhereye。"Theabsorbingself-consciousnessofherpositionthatisshownbyhercountenanceismosthumiliatingtoaloverofone"scountry。Youwouldhardlybelieve，wouldyou，thatmembersofaFashionableWorld，whoseprofessedzeroisfarabovethehighestdegreeofthehumble，couldbesoignorantoftheelementaryinstinctsofreticence。"

"How？"

"Why，tobearontheirfaces，asplainlyasonaphylactery，theinscription，"Do，pray，lookatthecoronetonmypanels。”"

"Really，Charlotte，"saidthevicar，"youseeasmuchinfacesasMr。PuffsawinLordBurleigh"snod。"

Elfridecouldnotbutadmirethebeautyofherfellowcountrywomen，especiallysinceherselfandherownfewacquaintanceshadalwaysbeenslightlysunburntormarkedonthebackofthehandsbyabramble-scratchatthistimeoftheyear。

"Andwhatlovelyflowersandleavestheywearintheirbonnets!"

sheexclaimed。

"Ohyes，"returnedMrs。Swancourt。"Someofthemareevenmorestrikingincolourthananyrealones。Lookatthatbeautifulrosewornbytheladyinsidetherails。Elegantvine-tendrilsintroduceduponthestemasanimprovementuponprickles，andallgrowingsonaturallyjustoverherear——Isaygrowingadvisedly，forthepinkofthepetalsandthepinkofherhandsomecheeksareequallyfromNature"shandtotheeyesofthemostcasualobserver。"

"Butpraisethemalittle，theydodeserveit!"saidgenerousElfride。

"Well，Ido。SeehowtheDuchessof——wavestoandfroinherseat，utilizingtheswayofherlandaubylookingaroundonlywhenherheadisswungforward，withapassivepridewhichforbidsaresistancetotheforceofcircumstance。Lookattheprettypoutonthemouthsofthatfamilythere，retainingnotracesofbeingarrangedbeforehand，sowellisitdone。Lookatthedemurecloseofthelittlefistsholdingtheparasols；thetinyalertthumb，stickinguperectagainsttheivorystemasknowingascanbe，thesatinoftheparasolinvariablymatchingthecomplexionofthefacebeneathit，yetseeminglybyanaccident，whichmakesthethingsoattractive。There"stheredbooklyingontheoppositeseat，bespeakingthevastnumbersoftheiracquaintance。AndI

particularlyadmiretheaspectofthatabundantlydaughteredwomanontheotherside——Imeanherlookofunconsciousnessthatthegirlsarestaredatbythewalkers，andaboveallthelookofthegirlsthemselves——losingtheirgazeinthedepthsofhandsomemen"seyeswithoutappearingtonoticewhethertheyareobservingmasculineeyesortheleavesofthetrees。There"spraiseforyou。ButIamonlyjesting，child——youknowthat。"

"Piph-ph-ph——howwarmitis，tobesure!"saidMr。Swancourt，asifhismindwerealongdistancefromallhesaw。"IdeclarethatmywatchissohotthatIcanscarcelybeartotouchittoseewhatthetimeis，andalltheworldsmellsliketheinsideofahat。"

"Howthemenstareatyou，Elfride!"saidtheelderlady。"Youwillkillmequite，Iamafraid。"

"Killyou？"

"Asadiamondkillsanopalinthesamesetting。"

"Ihavenoticedseveralladiesandgentlemenlookingatme，"saidElfrideartlessly，showingherpleasureatbeingobserved。

"Mydear，youmustn"tsay"gentlemen"nowadays，"herstepmotheransweredinthetonesofarchconcernthatsowellbecameherugliness。"Wehavehandedover"gentlemen"tothelowermiddleclass，wherethewordisstilltobeheardattradesmen"sballsandprovincialtea-parties，Ibelieve。Itisdonewithhere。"