第12章
Butnatureisnotsounfairtohonestmenastogivewisdomtothecunning。RarelydoesreasonprevailagainstpassioninsuchamindasSeverne"s。Itended，asmighthavebeenexpected，inhisgoingdowntoVizardCourtwithZoe。
AnexpresstrainsoonwhirledthemdowntoTaddington，inBarfordshire。
TherewasHarris，withthreeservants，waitingforthem，onewithalightcartfortheirluggage，andtwowithanopencarriageandtwospankingbays，whosecoatsshonelikesatin。Theservants，liveried，andtop-booted，andbuckskin-gloved，andspruceasifjustoutofabandbox，wereallsmartnessandrespectfulzeal。Theygottheluggageoutinatrice，withHarris"sassistance。Mr。Harristhendroveawaylikethewindinhisdog-cart；thetravelingpartyweresooninthebarouche。Itglidedaway，andtheyrolledoneasyspringsattherateoftwelvemilesanhourtilltheycametothelodge-gate。Itwasopenedattheirapproach，andtheydrovefullhalfamileoverabroadgravelpath，withrichgrassoneachside，andgrandoldpatriarchs，oakandbeech，standinghereandthere，anddappleddeer，grazingorlying，inmottledgroups，tilltheycametoanobleavenueofloftylime-trees，withstemsofraresizeandsmoothness，andtoweringpilesonpilesoftranslucentleaves，thatglowedinthesunlikeflakesofgold。
Attheendofthisavenuewasseenanoldmansion，builtofthatbeautifulcleanredbrick——whichseemstohavediedout——andwhite-stonefacingsandmullions，withgablesandorielwindowsbythedozen；butbetweentheavenueandthehousewasalargeovalplotofturf，withabroadgravelroadrunningroundit；andattachedtothehouse，butthrownalittleback，werethestables，whichformedthreesidesofagood-sizedquadrangle，withanenormousclockinthecenter。Thelawn，kitchen-garden，ice-houses，pineries，greenhouses，revealedthemselvesonlyinpeepsasthecarriagesweptroundthespaciousplotanddrewupatthehalldoor。
Noringingofbellsnorknocking。Evenasthecoachmantightenedhisreins，thegreathalldoorwasswungopen，andtwofootmenappeared。
Harrisbroughtuparear-guard，andreceivedthepartyinduestate。
Adoublestaircase，abouttenfeetbroad，roseoutofthehall，andupthisMr。HarrisconductedSeverne，theonlystranger，intoabedroomwithagreatorielwindowlookingwest。
"Thisisyourroom，sir，"saidhe。"ShallIunpackyourthingswhentheycome?"
Severneassented，andthatperfectmajor-domoinformedhimthatluncheonwasready，andretiredcat-like，andclosedthedoorsosoftlynosoundwasheard。
Mr。Severnelookedabouthim，andadmittedtohimselfthat，withallhisexperiencesoflife，thiswashisfirstbedroom。Itwasofgreatsize，tobegin。Theorielwindowwastwentyfeetwide，andhadhalfadozencasements，eachwithrose-coloredblinds，thoughsomeofthemneedednoblinds，forgreencreepers，withflowerslikeclustersofgrapes，curledroundthemullions，andthesunshonemellowedthroughtheirleaves。
Enormouscurtainsofpurplecloth，withcoldborders，hungateachsideinmightyfolds，tobedrawnatnight-timewhentheeyeshouldneedreposefromfeastinguponcolor。
Therewerethreebrassbedsteadsinarow，onlyfourfeetbroad，withspring-beds，hairmattressesafootthick，andsnowysheetsforcoverlets，insteadofcounter-panes；sothat，ifyouwerehot，feverish，orsleeplessinonebed，youmighttryanother，ortwo。
Thickcarpetsandrugs，satin-woodwardrobes，prodigiouswash-handstands，withchinabacksfourfeethigh。Towel-horses，nearlyasbigasadonkey，withshorttowels，longtowels，thicktowels，thintowels，bathingsheets，etc。；bathsofeveryshape；andcansofeverysize；alargeknee-holetable；paperandenvelopesofeverysize。Inshort，aroomtosleepin，studyin，livein，andstickfastin，nightandday。
Butwhatisthis?AGothicarch，curtainedwithvioletmerino。Hedrawsthecurtain。Itisanante-room。Onehalfofitisabathroom，screened，andpavedwithencaustictilesthatrunupthewalls，soyoumaysplashtoyourheart"scontent。Therestisastudio，andcontainsachoicelittlelibraryofwell-boundbooksinglasscases，apiano-forte，andaharmonium。Severnetriedthem；theywerebothinperfecttune。Twoclocks，oneineachroom，werealsoinperfecttime。Thereathewondered。
Butthetruthis，itwasahousewhereinprecisionreigned:atunerandaclockmakervisitedbycontracteverymonth。
This，andtwomoreguest-chambers，andthegreatdining-hall，werebuiltunderthePlantagenets，whenalllargelandownersentertainedkingsandprinceswiththeirretinues。AstothatpartofthehousewhichwasbuiltundertheTudors，therearehundredsofcountryhousesasimportant，onlyMr。Severnehadnotbeeninsidethem，andwashardlyawaretowhatperfectionrationalluxuryisbroughtinthehousesofourlargelandedgentry。Hesatdowninanantiquechairofenormoussize；thebackwenthigherthanhishead，theseatranoutasfarashisankle，whenseated；
therewasroominitfortwo，anditwasstuffed——yegods，howitwasstuffed!Thesides，theback，andtheseatwereallhairmattresses，afootthickatleast。Herenestledoursybarite；withthesunshiningthroughleaves，andsplashinghisbeautifulheadwithgoldentintsandtransparentshadows，andfeltinthetempleofcomfort，andincapableofleavingitalive。
Hewentdowntoluncheon。Itwasdistinguishablefromdinnerinthis，thattheyallgotupafterit，andZoesaid，"Comewithme，children。"
FannyandSeverneroseattheword。Vizardsaidhefeltexcludedfromthatinvitation，havingcuthiswise-teeth；sohewouldlightacigarinstead；andhedid。Zoetooktheothertwointothekitchengarden——fouracres，surroundedwithahighwall，oforange-redbrick，fulloflittleholeswherethenailshadbeen。Zoe，beingnowathome，andqueen，woreanewandprettydeportment。Shewashalfmaternal，andledherfriendandloveraboutliketwokids。Shetookthemtothisandthatfruittree，setthemtoeat，andlookedon，superior。Bywayofclimax，sheledthemtothesouthwall，crimsonwithtenthousandpeachesandnectarines；shesteppedovertheborder，tooksuperbpeachesandnectarinesfromthetrees，andgavethemwithherownhandtoFannyandSeverne。Theheadgardenerglaredindismayatthefairspoliator。Zoeobservedhim，andlaughed。"PoorLucas，"saidshe；"hewouldlikethemalltohangonthetreetilltheyfelloffwithawaspinside。Eatasmanyaseveryoucan，youngpeople；Lucasisamusing。"
"Ineverhadpeachesenoughoffthetreebefore，"saidFanny。
"NomorehaveI，"saidSeverne。"ThismustbetheElysianfields，andI
shallspoilmydinner。"
"Whocares?"saidFanny，recklessly。"Dinnercomeseveryday，andalwaysattheonlytimewhenonehasnoappetite。Butthiseatingofpeaches——
Oh，whatabeauty!"
"Children，"saidZoe，gravely，"Iadviseyounottoeataboveadozen。Donotenteronafatalcourse，whichinonebriefyearwillreduceyoutoahaplesscondition。There——Iwasletlooseamongthematsixteen，andeversincetheypall。ButIdoliketoseeyoueatthem，andyoureyessparkle。"
"Thatistoobadofyou，"saidFanny，drivingherwhiteteethdeepintoapeach。"Theidea!Now，Mr。Severne，domyeyessparkle?"
"Likediamonds。Butthatprovesnothing:itistheirnormalcondition。"
"There，makehimacourtesy，"saidZoe，"andcomealong。"
Shetookthemintothevillage。Itwasoneoftheoldsort；littledetachedhouseswithlittlegardensinfront，inallofwhichwereafewhumbleflowers，andoftenadarkroseofsurpassingbeauty。Behindeachcottagewasalargegarden，withvariousvegetables，andsometimesafewsquareyardsofwheat。Therewasonelittlerowofnewbrickhousesstandingtogether；theirnumberfive，theirnameNewtown。Thistownoffivehouseswastiled；thedetachedhouseswerethatched，andthewallsplasteredandwhitewashedlikesnow。Suchwhitewashseemsnevertobemadeintowns，ortoloseitswhitenessinaday。Thisbroadsurfaceofvividwhitewasabackground，againstwhichtheclingingroses，theclustering，creepinghoneysuckles，andthedeepyoungivywithitstendergreenandpolishedleaves，shonelovely；woodsmokemounted，thinandsilvery，fromacottageortwo，thatwerecooking，andembroideredtheair，notfouledit。Thelittlewindowshaddiamondpanes，asintheMiddleAges，andeverycottagedoorwasopen，suggestinghospitalityanddearthofthieves。Therewasalsothatoldessential，avillagegreen——abroadstripofsacredturf，thatwaseverybody"sbycustom，thoughinstrictlawVizard"s。Hereavillagecowandadonkeywentaboutgrazingtheedges，fortheturfingeneralwassmoothasalawn。Bythesideofthegreenwasthevillageale-house。Afterthegreenothercottages；twoofthem"Quiteovercanopiedwithlushwoodbine，Withsweetmusk-rosesandwitheglantine。"
OneofthesewascalledMarks"scottage，andtheotherAllen"s。Therusticchurchstoodinthemiddleofahillnearlyhalfamilefromthevillage。Theystrolleduptoit。Ithadatowerbuiltofflint，andcladontwosideswithivythreefeetdeep，andthebodyofthechurchwasassnowyasthecottages，andonthesouthsideadozenswallowsandmartinshadlodgedtheirmortarnestsundertheeaves；theylooked，againstthewhite，likeruggedgraystonebosses。Swallowsandmartinsinnumerablewheeled，swiftasarrows，roundthetower，chirping，andinandoutofthechurchthroughanopenwindow，andaddedtheirmusicandtheirmotiontothebeautyoftheplace。
Returningfromthechurchtothevillage，MissDoverlaggedbehind，andthenSeverneinfusedintohisvoicethosetendertones，whichgiveamoroussignificancetothepoorestprose。
"WhatanArcadia!"saidhe。
"Youwouldnotliketobebanishedtoit，"saidZoe，demurely。
"Thatdepends，"saidhe，significantly。Insteadofmeetinghimhalfwayanddemandinganexplanation，ZoeturnedcoyandfelltowonderingwhatFannywasabout。
"Oh，don"tcompelhertojoinus，"saidSeverne。"Sheismeditating。"
"Onwhat?Sheisnotmuchgiventhatway。"
"Onherpastsins；andpreparingnewones。"
"Forshame!Sheisnoworsethanweare。DoyoureallyadmireIslip?"
"IndeedIdo，ifthisisIslip?"
"Itisthen；andthiscottagewiththecluster-rosetreealloverthewallsisMarks"scottage。WeareratherproudofMarks"scottage，"saidshe，timidly。
"Itisabower，"saidhe，warmly。
ThisencouragedZoe，andshesaid，"Istherenotawonderfulcharmincottages?IoftenthinkIshouldliketoliveinMarks"s。Haveyoueverhadthatfeeling?"
"Never。ButIhaveitnow。Ishouldliketoliveinit——withyou。"
Zoeblushedlikearose，butturneditoff。"YouwouldsoonwishyourselfbackagainatVizardCourt，"saidshe。"Fanny——Fanny!"andshestoodstill。
Fannycameup。"Well，whatisthematternow?"saidshe，withpert，yetthoroughlyapathetic，indifference。
"Thematteris——extravagances。HereisamanoftheworldpretendinghewouldliketoendhisdaysinMarks"scottage。"
"Stopabit。ItwastobewithsomebodyIloved。Andwouldn"tyou，MissDover?"
"Ohdear，no。Weshouldbesuretoquarrel，coopedupinsuchamiteofaplace。No；givemeVizardCourt，andplentyofmoney，andthemanofmyheart。"
"Youhavenotgotone，I"mafraid，"saidZoe，"oryouwouldnotputhimlast。"
"Whynot?whenheisofthelastimportance，"saidFanny，flippantly，andturnedthelaughherway。
Theystrolledthroughthevillagetogether，butinthegroundsofVizardCourtFannyfairlygavethemtheslip。Severnesawhischance，andsaid，tenderly，"Didyouhearwhatshesaidaboutalargehousebeingbestforlovers?"
"Yes，Iheardher，"saidZoe，defensively；"butverylikelyshedidnotmeanit。Thatyounglady"swordsareair。Shewillsayonethingonedayandanotherthenext。"
"Idon"tknow。Thereisonethingeveryyounglady"smindismadeupabout，andthatis，whetheritistobeloveormoney。"
"Shewasforboth，ifIremember，"saidZoe，stillcoldly。
"Becausesheisnotinlove。"
"Well，Ireallybelievesheisnot——foronce。"
"There，yousee。Sheisinanunnaturalcondition。"
"Forher，very。"
"Sosheisnojudge。No；IshouldpreferMarks"scottage。Thesmallerthebetter；becausethenthewomanIlovecouldnoteverbefarfromme。"
Heloweredhisvoice，anddrovetheinsidiouswordsintohertenderbosom。Shebegantotrembleandheave，anddefendherselffeebly。
"WhathaveItodowiththat?Youmustn"t。"
"HowcanIhelpit?YouknowthewomanIlove——Iadore——andwouldnotthesmallestcottageinEnglandbeapalaceifIwasblessedwithhersweetloveandherdivinecompany?Oh，Zoe，Zoe!"
Thenshediddefendherself，afterafashion:"Iwon"tlistentosuch——Edward!"Havingutteredhisnamewithdivinetenderness，sheputherhandstoherblushingface，andfledfromhim。AttheheadofthestairssheencounteredFanny，lookingsatirical。Shereprimandedher。
"Fanny，"saidshe，"youreallymustnotdo_that"_——[pause]——"outofourowngrounds。Kissme，darling。Iamahappygirl。"AndshecurledroundFanny，andpantedonhershoulder。
MissArtful，knownuntomenasFannyDover，hadalreadytracedoutinherownmindalineofconduct，whichtheabovereprimand，minustheabovekisses，takenattheirjointalgebraicalvalue，didnotdisturb。Thefactis，Fannyhatedhome；andlikedVizardCourtaboveallplaces。Butshewasdueathome，andhangingontothepalaceofcomfortbyathread。Anydayhermother，outofnaturalaffectionandgood-breeding，mightwriteforher；andunlessoneofherhostsinterfered，sheshouldhavetogo。
ButHarringtonwentfornothinginthis，unfortunately。Hishospitalitywasunobtrusive，butinfinite。ItcametohimfromthePlantagenetsthroughalonglineofgentlemenwhoshoneinvices；butinhospitalitywasunknowntothewholechain，andeveryhumanlinkinit。HemightverylikelyforgettoinviteFannyDoverunlessreminded；but，whenshewasthere，shewaswelcometostayforeverifshechose。Itwasallonetohim。Heneverbotheredhimselftoamusehisguests，andsotheyneverboredhim。Heneverletthem。Hemadethemathome；puthispeopleandhishorsesattheirservice；andpreservedhiseventenor。So，then，thequestionofFanny"sstaylaywithZoe；andZoewoulddooneoftwothings:shewouldeithersay，withwell-bredhypocrisy，sheoughtnottokeepFannyanylongerfromhermother——andsogetridofher；orwouldinterpose，andgivesomereasonorother。Whatthatreasonwouldbe，Fannyhadnopreciseidea。Shewassureitwouldnotbethetrueone；butthereherinsightintofuturityandfemalesceased。Now，ZoewasthoroughlyfascinatedbySeverne，andFannysawit；andyetZoewastoohigh-bredagirltoparadethevillageandtheneighborhoodwithhimalone——andsoplacardherattachment——beforetheywereengaged，andtheengagementsanctionedbytheheadofthehouse。ThisconsiderationenabledMissArtfultomakeherselfnecessarytoZoe。Accordingly，sheshowed，ontheveryfirstafternoon，thatshewaspreparedtoplaytheconvenientfriend，andhelpZoetocombinecourtshipwithpropriety。
Thisplanonceconceived，sheadheredtoitwithpertinacityandskill。
Sherodeandwalkedwiththem，andinpublicputherselfratherforward，andassertedtheleader；butsoonerorlater，atapropertimeandplace，shelaggedbehind，orcanteredahead，andmanipulatedthewooingwithtactanddexterity。
TheconsequencewasthatZoewroteofherownaccordtoMrs。Dover，askingleavetodetainFanny，becauseherbrotherhadinvitedacollegefriend，anditwasratherawkwardforherwithoutFanny，therebeingnootherladyinthehouseatpresent。
SheshowedthistoFanny，whosaid，earnestly，"Aslongaseveryoulike，dear。Mammawillnotmissmeabit。Makeyourmindeasy。"
Vizard，knowinghissister，andentirelydeceivedinSeverne，exercisednovigilance；for，todoZoejustice，nonewasnecessary，ifSevernehadbeenthemanheseemed。
Therewasnomotherinthehousetotrembleforherdaughter，tobejealous，towatch，toquestion，todemandaclearexplanation——inshort，toguardheryoungasonlythemothersofcreationdo。
TheElysiandaysrolledon。Zoewasinheaven，andSeverneinafool"sparadise，enjoyingeverything，hopingeverything，forgettingeverything，andfearingnothing。Hehadcometothis，withallhiscunning；hewasintoxicatedandblindedwithpassion。
NowitwasthattheideaofmarryingZoefirstenteredhishead。Buthewasnotmadenoughforthat。Herepelleditwithterror，rage，anddespair。Hepassedanhourortwoofagonyinhisownroom，andcamedown，lookingpaleandexhausted。But，indeed，thelittleDumas，thoughhedoesnotpassforamoralist，saystrulyandwell，"Lesamoursille"gitimesportenttoujoursdesfruitsamers；"andNedSeverne"sturnwascometosufferafewofthepangshehadinflictedgaylyonmorethanonewomanandherlover。
OnemorningatbreakfastVizardmadetwoannouncements。"Here"snews，"
saidhe；"Dr。Galewritestopostponehervisit。Sheisill，poorgirl!"
"Oh，dear!whatisthematter?"inquiredZoe，alwayskind-hearted。
"Gastritis——soshesays。"
"Whatisthat?"inquiredFanny。
Mr。Severne，whowasmuchpleasedatthisopportuneillness，couldnotrestrainhishumor，andsaiditwasadisorderproducedbythefumesofgas。
Zoe，accustomedtobelievethisgentleman"slies，andnotgivingherselftimetothink，saidtherewasagreatescapeinthepassagethenightshewentthere。
Thentherewasalaughathersimplicity。Shejoinedinit，butshookherfingeratMasterSeverne。
VizardtheninformedZoethatLordUxmoorhadbeenstayingsometimeatBasildonHall，aboutninemilesoff；sohehadaskedhimtocomeoverforaweek，andhehadaccepted。"Hewillbeheretodinner，"saidVizard。Hethenrangthebell，andsentforHarris，andorderedhimtopreparethebluechamberforLordUxmoor，andseethethingsairedhimself。Harrishavingretired，cat-like，Vizardexplained，"MywomankindshallnotkillUxmoor。Heisagoodfellow，andhismania——wehaveallgotamania，myyoungfriends——isarespectableone。Hewantstoimprovetheconditionofthepoor——againsttheirwill。"
"Hisfriend!thatwassoill。Ihopehehasnotlosthim，"saidZoe。
"Hehasn"tlosthiminthisletter，MissGush，"saidVizard。"Butyoucanaskhimwhenhecomes。"
"OfcourseIshallaskhim，"saidZoe。
Halfanhourbeforedinnertherewasagratingofwheelsonthegravel。
Severnelookedoutofhisbedroomwindow，andsawUxmoordriveup。Darkbluecoach；silverharness，glitteringinthesun；fourchestnuts，glossyasvelvet；twoneatgroomsasquickaslightning。Hewasdowninamoment，andhistrapsinthehall，andthegroomsdrovethetraproundtothestables。
Theywereallinthedrawing-roomwhenLordUxmoorappeared；greetedZoewithrespectfulwarmth，Vizardwitheasyfriendship，SeverneandMissDoverwithwell-bredcivility。HetookZoeout，andsatatherrighthandatdinner。
Asthenewguest，hehadthefirstclaimonherattentionandtheyhadatopicready——hissickfriend。Hetoldherallabouthim，andhishappyrecovery，withsimplewarmth。Zoewasinterestedandsympathetic；Fannylistened，andgaveSeverneshortanswers。Severnefeltdethroned。
Hewasrathermortified，andalittleuneasy，buttoobravetoshowit。
Hebidedhistime。Inthedrawing-roomLordUxmoorsingledoutZoe，andcourtedheropenlywithrespectfuladmiration。SevernedrewFannyapart，andexertedhimselftoamuseher。Zoebegantocastuneasyglances。
SevernemadecommoncausewithFanny。"Wehavenochanceagainstalord，oralady，youandI，MissDover。"
"Ihaven"t，"saidshe；"butyouneednotcomplain。Shewishesshewerehere。"
"SodoI。Willyouhelpme?"
"No，Ishallnot。Youcanmakelovetome。Iamtiredofneverbeingmadeloveto。"
"Well，"saidthisingenuousyouth，"youcertainlydonotgetyourdesertsinthishouse。EvenIamsoblindedbymypassionforZoe，thatIforgetshedoesnotmonopolizeallthebeautyandgraceandwitinthehouse。"
"Goon，"saidFanny。"Icanbearagooddealofit——aftersuchafast。"
"Ihavenodoubtyoucanbearagooddeal。Youareoneofthosethatinspirefeelings，butdon"tsharethem。Givemeachance；letmesingyouasong。"
"Alovesong?"
"Ofcourse。"
"Canyousingitaswellasyoucantalkit?"
"Withalittleencouragement。Ifyouwouldkindlystandattheendofthepiano，andletmeseeyourbeautifuleyesfixedonme。"
"Withdisdain?"
"No，no。"
"Withjustsuspicion?"
"No；withunmeritedpity。"Andhebegantoopenthepiano。
"What!doyouaccompanyyourself?"
"Yes，afterafashion；bythatmeansIdon"tgetrunover。"
ThenthisaccomplishedpersonfixedhiseyesonFannyDover，andsungheranItalianlovesongintheartificialpassionatestyleofthatnation；
andtheEnglishgirlreceiveditpointblankwithcomplacentcomposure。
ButZoestartedandthrilledatthefirstnote，andcreptuptothepianoasifdrawnbyanirresistiblecord。Shegazedonthesingerwithamazementandadmiration。Hisvoicewasalowtenor，round，andsweetashoney。Itwasarealvoice，amusicalinstrument。
"Moretunablethanlarktoshepherd"searWhenwheatisgreen，whenhawthornbudsappear。"
AndtheKloskinghadcuredhimofthefatalwhinewhichstainstheamateur，maleorfemale，andhadtaughthimclimax，sothathearticulatedandsungwithperfectpurity，andrangouthisfinalnotesinsteadofslurringthem。Inshort，inplainpassageshewasareflection，onasmallscale，ofthatgreatsinger。Heknewthishimself，andhadkeptclearofsong:itwassofullofreminiscenceandstings。
Butnowjealousydrovehimtoit。
ItwasVizard"sruletoleavetheroomwheneverZoeorFannyopenedthepiano。Sointheeveningthatinstrumentoftorturewasalwaysmute。
Buthearingamalevoice，thesquire，whodotedongoodmusic，asheabhorredbad，strolledinuponthechance；andhestaredatthesinger。
Whenthesongended，therewasalittleclamorofladies"voicescallinghimtoaccountforconcealinghistalentfromthem。
"IwasafraidofVizard，"saidhe；"hehatesbadmusic。"
"Noneofyourtricks，"saidthesquire；"yoursisnotbadmusic；youspeakyourwordsarticulately，andeveneloquently。Youraccompanimentisalittlequeer，especiallyinthebass；butyoufindoutyourmistakes，andslipoutofthemHeavenknowshow。Zoe，youaretame，butaccurate。
Correcthisaccompanimentssomeday——whenI"moutofhearing。Practicedrivesmemad。Giveusanother。"
Severnelaughedgood-humoredly。"Thusencouraged，whocouldresist?"saidhe。"Itissodelightfultosinginashowerbathofcriticism。"
HesungasprightlyFrenchsong，withprodigiousspiritanddash。
Theyallapplauded，andVizardsaid，"Iseehowitis。Wewerenotgoodenough。Hewouldnotcomeoutforus。Hewantedthepublic。Uxmoor，youarethepublic。Itistoyouweowethisprettywarbler。Haveyouanyfavoritesong，Public?Saytheword，andheshallsingityou。"
Severneturnedratherredatthat，andwasabouttoriseslowly，whenUxmoor，whowasinstinctivelyagentleman，thoughnotacourtier，said，"Idon"tpresumetochooseMr。Severne"ssongs；butifwearenottiringhim，IownIshouldliketohearanEnglishsong；forIamnomusician，andthewordsareeverythingwithme。"
Severneassenteddryly，andmadehimashrewdreturnforhiscourtesy。
Zoehadabraveroseinherblackhair。Hegaveheronerapidglanceofsignificance，andsungaScotchsong，almostasfinelyasitcouldbesunginaroom:
"Myloveislikethered，redroseThat"snewlysprunginJune；MyloveislikeamelodyThat"ssweetlyplayedintune。"
Thedogdidnotslurtheshortnotesandhowluponthelongones，asdidalittlefatJewfromLondon，withasweetvoiceandnobrains，whomI
lastheardhowlitintheTheaterRoyal，Edinburgh。No；heretainedthepurerhythmofthecomposition，and，aboveall，sungitwiththegentleearnestnessandunquaveringemotionofaBriton。
ItstruckZoe"sheartpointblank。Shedrewback，blushingliketheroseinherhairandinthesong，andhidingherhappinessfromallbutthekeenFanny。EverybodybutZoeapplaudedthesong。Shespokeonlywithhercheeksandeyes。
Severnerosefromthepiano。Hewasaskedtosinganother，butdeclinedlaughingly。Indeed，soonafterwardheglidedoutoftheroomandwasseennomorethatnight。
Consequentlyhebecamethetopicofconversation；andthethree，whothoughttheyknewhim，viedinhispraises。
Inthemorninganexpeditionwasplanned，andUxmoorprofferedhis"four-in-hand。"Itwasaccepted。Allyoungladiesliketositbehindfourspankingtrotters；andfewobjecttobedrivenbyaviscountwithagloriousbeardandlargeestates。
ZoesatbyUxmoor。SevernesatbehindthemwithFanny，aspectatorofhisopenadmiration。Hecouldnotdefendhimselfsowellaslastnight，andhefelthumiliatedbytheposition。
Itwasreneweddayafterday。Zoeoftencastaglanceback，anddrewhimintotheconversation；yet，onthewhole，Uxmoorthrusthimasidebyhisadvantagesandhisresolutewooing。
Thesamethingatdinner。Itwasonlyatnighthecouldbenumberone。HetunedZoe"sguitar；andonenightwhentherewasaparty，hewalkedabouttheroomwiththis，and，puttinghisleftlegout，serenadedoneladyafteranother。Barfordshirewasamazedanddelightedathim，butUxmoorcourtedZoeasifhedidnotexist。HebegantofeelthathewasthemantoamusewomeninBarfordshire，butUxmoorthemantomarrythem。Hebegantosulk。Zoe"squickeyessawandpitied。Shewaspuzzledwhattodo。LordUxmoorgavehernoexcuseforthrowingcoldwateronhim，becausehisadorationwasimplied，notexpressed；andhefollowedherupsoclosely，shecouldhardlygetawordwithSeverne。Whenshedid，therewasconsolationineverytone；andshetookcaretoletdropthatLordUxmoorwasgoinginadayortwo。Sohewas，buthealteredhismind，andaskedleavetostay。
Severnelookedgloomyatthis，andhebecamedejected。Hewasmiserable，andshowedit，toseewhatZoewoulddo。WhatshedidwastogetratherboredbyUxmoor，andglancefromFannytoSeverne。IbelieveZoeonlymeant，"Dopraysaythingstocomforthim；"butFannyreadthesegentleglances_"ala_Dover。ShegotholdofSeverneoneday，andsaid，"Whatisthematterwithyou?"
"Ofcourseyoucan"tdivine，"saidhe，sarcastically。
"Ohyes，Ican；anditisyourownfault。"
"Myfault!Thatisagoodjoke。DidIinvitethismanwithallhisadvantages?ThatwasVizard"sdoing，whocallshimselfmyfriend。"
"Ifitwasnotthisone，itwouldbesomeother。CanyouhopetokeepZoeVizardfrombeingcourted?Why，sheisthebeautyofthecounty!andherbrothernotmarried。Itisnouseyourmakinglovebyhalvestoher。Shewillgotosomemanwhoisinearnest。"
"AndamInotinearnest?"
"Notsomuchasheis。Youhaveknownherfourmonths，andneveronceaskedhertomarryyou。"
"SoIamtobepunishedformyself-denial。"
"Self-denial!Nonsense。Menhavenoself-denial。Itisyourcowardice。"
"Don"tbecruel。Youknowitismypoverty。"
"Yourpovertyofspirit。Yougaveupmoneyforher，andthatisasgoodasifyouhaditstill，andbetter。IfyouloveZoe，scrapeupanincomesomehow，andsaytheword。Why，Harringtonisbewitchedwithyou，andheisrollinginmoney。Iwouldn"tloseherbycowardice，ifIwereyou。
Uxmoorwilloffermarriagebeforehegoes。Heisstayingonforthat。
Now，takemywordforit，whenonemanoffersmarriage，andtheotherdoesnot，thereisalwaysagoodchanceofthegirlsayingthisoneisinearnest，andtheotherisnot。Wedon"texpectself-denialinaman；wedon"tbelieveinit。Weseeyouseizinguponeverythingelseyoucarefor；and，ifyoudon"tseizeonus，itwoundsourvanity，thestrongestpassionwehave。Consider，Uxmoorhastitle，wealth，everythingtobestowwiththewedding-ring。Ifheoffersallthat，andyoudon"tofferallyouhave，howmuchmoregeneroushelookstoherthanyoudo!"
"Inshort，youthinkshewilldoubtmyaffection，ifIdon"taskhertosharemypoverty。"
"Ifyoudon"t，andarichmanaskshertosharehisall，I"msureshewill。AndsoshouldI。Wordsareonlywords。"
"Youtortureme。I"dratherdiethanloseher。"
"Thenliveandwinher。I"vetoldyoutheway。"
"Iwillscrapeanincometogether，andaskher。"
"Uponyourhonor?"
"Uponmysoul。"
"Then，inmyopinion，youwillhaveherinspiteofLordUxmoor。"
Hotfromthis，EdwardSevernesatdownandwroteamovinglettertoacertaincousinofhisinHuntingdonshire。
"MYDEARCOUSIN——Ihaveoftenheardyousayyouwereunderobligationstomyfather，andhadaregardforme。Indeed，youhaveshownthelatterbylettingtheinterestonmymortgagerunoutmanyyearsandnotforeclosing。Havingnootherfriend，Inowwritetoyou，andthrowmyselfonyourpity。Ihaveformedadeepattachmenttoayoungladyofinfinitebeautyandvirtue。Sheisabovemeineverything，especiallyinfortune。
Yetshedeignstoloveme。Ican"taskherhandasapauper；andbymyownfolly，nowdeeplyrepented，Iamlittlemore。Now，alldependsonyou——myhappiness，myrespectability。Soonerorlater，Ishallbeabletorepayyouall。ForGod"ssakecometotheassistanceofyouraffectionatecousin，EDWARDSEVERNE。"
"Thebrother，amanofimmenseestates，isanoldfriend，andwarmlyattachedtome。IfIcouldonly，throughyourtemporaryassistanceorconnivance，presentmyestateasclear，allwouldbewell，andIcouldrepayyouafterward。"
Tothisletterhereceivedanimmediatereply:
"DEAREDWARD——Ithoughtyouhadforgottenmyveryexistence。Yes，Iowemuchtoyourfather，andhavealwayssaidso，andactedaccordingly。
Whileyouhavebeenwanderingabroad，desertingusall，Ihaveimprovedyourestate。Ihaveboughtalltheothermortgages，andoflatetherenthaspaidtheinterest，withinafewpounds。Inowmakeyouanoffer。Givemealongleaseofthetwofarmsatthreehundredpoundsayear——theywillsoonbevacant——andtwothousandpoundsoutofhand，andIwillcancelallthemortgages，andgiveyouareceiptforthem，aspaidinfull。Thiswillbelikepayingyouseveralthousandpoundsforabeneficiallease。ThetwothousandpoundsImustinsiston，injusticetomyownfamily。
"Youraffectionatecousin，"GEORGESEVERNE。"
ThismunificentoffersurprisedanddelightedSeverne，and，indeed，noothermanbutCousinGeorge，whohadaheartofgold，andwasgratefultoNed"sfather，andalsolovedthescamphimself，aseverybodydid，wouldhavemadesuchanoffer。
Ouradventurerwrote，andclosedwithit，andgushedgratitude。Thenheaskedhimselfhowtogetthemoney。HadhebeenmarriedtoZoe，ornotthinkingofher，hewouldhavegoneatoncetoVizard，forthesecuritywasample。Butinhispresentdelicatesituationthiswouldnotdo。No；
hemustbeabletocomeandsay，"Myestateissmall，butitisclear。
Hereisareceiptforsixthousandpounds"worthofmortgagesIhavepaidoff。Iampoorinlandbutrichinexperience，regrets，andlove。Bemyfriend，andtrustmewithZoe。"
Heturnedandtwisteditinhismind，andresolvedonaboldcourse。HewouldgotoHomburg，andgetthatsumbyhookorbycrookoutofInaKlosking"swinnings。HetookFannyintohisconfidence；onlyhesubstitutedLondonforHomburg。
"Andoh，MissDover，"saidhe，"donotletmesufferbygoingawayandleavingarivalbehind。"
"Sufferbyit!"saidshe。"No，Imeantorewardyoufortakingmyadvice。
Don"tyousayawordto_her。_Itwillcomebetterfromme。I"llletherknowwhatyouaregonefor；andsheisjustthegirltobeuponhonor，andeversomuchcoolertoLordUxmoorbecauseyouareunhappy，buthavegoneawaytrustingher。"
Andhisartfulallykeptherword。ShewentintoZoe"sroombeforedinnertohaveitoutwithher。
IntheeveningSevernetoldVizardhemustgouptoLondonforadayortwo。
"Allright，"saidVizard。"Tellsomeofthemtoorderthedog-cartforyourtrain。"
ButZoetookoccasiontoaskhimforhowlong，andmurmured，"Rememberhowweshallmissyou，"withsuchalookthathewasinElysiumthatevening。
ButatnighthepackedhisbagforHomburg，andthatchilledhim。Helayslumberingallnight，butnotsleeping，andwakingwithstartsandasenseofhorror。
Atbreakfast，afterreadinghisletters，Vizardaskedhimwhattrainhewouldgoby。
Hesaid，theoneo"clock。
"Allright，"saidVizard。Thenherangthebell，countermandedthedog-cart，andorderedthebarouche。
"Abaroucheforme!"saidSeverne。"Why，Iamnotgoingtotaketheladiestothestation。"
"No；itistobringonehere。ShecomesdownfromLondonfiveminutesbeforeyoutaketheuptrain。"
Therewasageneralexclamation:Whowasit?AuntMaitland?
"No，"saidVizard，tossinganotetoZoe——"itisDoctressGale。"
Severne"scountenancefell。
CHAPTERXVII。
EDWARDSEVERNE，masterofarts，dreadedRhodaGale，M。D。Hehaddeluded，invariousdegrees，severalladiesthatwerenofools；butherewasonewhostaggeredandpuzzledhim。Brightandkeenassteel，quickandspirited，yetcontrolledbyjudgmentandalwaysmistressofherself，sheseemedtohimanewspecies。Theworstofitwas，hefelthimselfinthepowerofthisnewwoman，and，indeed，hesawnolimittothemischiefshemightpossiblydohimifsheandZoecomparednotes。Hehadthoughtthematterover，andrealizedthismorethanhedidwheninLondon。Hencethegoodyouth"sdelightatherillness，noticedinaformerchapter。
Hewasverythoughtfulallbreakfasttime，andassoonasitwasoverdrewVizardapart，andsaidhewouldpostponehisvisittoLondonuntilhehadcommunicatedwithhismanofbusiness。Hewouldgotothestationandtelegraphhim，andbythatmeanswoulddothecivilandmeetMissGale。Vizardstaredathim。
"Youmeetmyvirago?Why，Ithoughtyoudisapprovedherentirely。"
"No，no；onlytheideaofafemaledoctor，nottheladyherself。Besides，itisarulewithme，mydearfellow，nevertoletmyselfdisapprovemyfriends"friends。"
"Thatisabrightidea，andyouareagoodfellow，"saidVizard。"Goandmeetthepest，byallmeans，andbringherheretoluncheon。Afterluncheonwewilldriveheruptothefarmandensconceher。"
EdwardSevernehadthisadvantageovermostimpostors，thathewasmasculineorfeminineasoccasionrequired。Forinstance，hecouldbehystericalorboldtoservetheturn。Anotherexample——hewatchedfaceslikeawoman，andyethecouldlookyouinthefacelikeaman，especiallywhenhewaslying。Inthepresentconjunctureacraftywomanwouldhavebristledwithalltheartsofself-defense，butstayedathomeandkeptclosetoZoe。Notsoourmasterofarts；hewentmanfullytomeetRhodaGale，andsosecurea_te"te-"a-te"te，_andlearn，ifpossible，whatshemeanttodo，andwhethershecouldbecannilypropitiated。Hereachedthestationbeforeher，andwiredaveryintelligentpersonwho，heknew，conducteddelicateinquiries，andhadbeenverysuccessfulinadivorcecase，publictwoyearsbefore。Evenashedispatchedthismessagetherewasawhistlingandaringing，andthesoundofacomingtrain，andNedSevernerantomeetRhodaGalewithaheartpalpitatingalittle，andafacebeaminggreatlytoorder。Helookedforherinthefirst-classcarriages，butshewasinthesecond，andsawhim。Hedidnotseehertillshesteppedoutontheplatform。
Thenhemadetowardher。Hetookoffhishat，andsaid，withrespectfulzeal，"Ifyouwilltellmewhatluggageyouhave，thegroomshallgetitout。"
MissGale"seyeswanderedoverhimloftily。"Ihaveonlyaboxandabag，sir，bothmarked"R。G。""
"Joe，"saidhe——forhehadalreadymadefriendswithalltheservants，andwontheirhearts——"boxandbagmarked"R。G。"MissGale，youhadbettertakeyourseatinthecarriage。"
MissGalegavealittlesuperciliousnod，andheshowedherobsequiouslyintothecarriage。Shelaidherheadback，andcontemplatedvacancyaheadinamanneranythingbutencouragingtothisnewadmirerFatehadsenther。Heturnedaway，alittlediscomfited，andwhentheluggagewasbroughtup，hehadthebagplacedinside，andtheboxinasortofboot，andthenjumpedinandseatedhimselfinside。"Home，"saidhetothecoachman，andofftheywent。Whenhecameinshestartedwithwell-feignedsurprise，andstaredathim。
"Oh，"saidshe，"Ihavemetyoubefore。Why，itisMr。Severne。Excusemetakingyouforoneoftheservants。Somepeoplehaveshortmemories，youknow。"
Thisdeliberateaffrontwasdulyfelt，butparriedwithamaster-hand。
"Why，I_am_oneoftheservants，"saidhe；"onlyIamnotVizard"s。I"myours。"
"In-deed!"
"Ifyouwillletme。"
"Iamtoopoortohavefineservants。"
"Saytoohaughty。Youarenottoopoor，forIshan"tcostyouanythingbutagraciouswordnowandthen。"
"UnfortunatelyIdon"tdealingraciouswords，onlytrueones。"
"Iseethat。"