第16章

"Iamgoingmyrounds:youcancomewithme，ifIamsoattractive。"

Hesaidheshouldbeproud，andsheputonherhatinthirtyseconds。

Theywalkedtogetherinsilence。Hefeltasifhewerepromenadingatigercat，thatmightstopanymomenttofalluponhim。

Shewalkedhimintoacottage:therewasalittledeadwoodburningonthatportionofthebrickfloorcalledthehearth。Apaleoldmansatclosetothefire，inawoodenarmchair。Shefelthispulse，andwrotehimaprescription。

"ToMr。Vizard"shousekeeper，VizardCourt:

"Pleasegivethebearertwopoundsofgoodroastbeeformutton，notsalted，andonepintportwine，"RHODAGALE，M。D。"

"Here，Jenny，"shesaidtoasharplittlegirl，theman"sgrandniece，"takethisdowntoVizardCourt，andifthehousekeeperobjects，gotothefront-dooranddemandinmynametoseethesquireorMissVizard，andgive_them_thepaper。Don"tyougiveitupwithoutthemeat。Takethisbasketonyourarm。"

Thenshewalkedoutofthecottage，andSevernefollowedher:heventuredtosaythatwasanovelprescription。

Sheexplained。"Physiciansareobligedtosendtherichtothechemist，orelsethefoolswouldthinktheywereslighted。Butweneednotbesonicewiththepoor；wecanprescribetodothemgood。Whenyouinflictedyourcompanyonme，Iwassketchingoutatreatise，tobeentitled，"CureofDisordersbyEsculents。"Thatoldmanisnearlyexsanguis。Thereisnotadrugincreationthatcoulddohimanatomofgood。Nourishingfoodmay。Ifnot，why，heisbookedforthelongjourney。Well，hehashadhisinnings。Heisfourscore。Doyouthink_you_willeverseefourscore——youandyourvices?"

"Oh，no。ButIthink_you_will；andIhopeso；foryougoaboutdoinggood。"

"Andsomepeopleonecouldnamegoaboutdoingmischief?"

Severnemadenoreply。

Soonaftertheydiscoveredalittlegroup，principallywomenandchildren。Thesewereinspectingsomethingontheground，andchatteringexcitedly。Thewordsofdireimport，"Shehavepossessedhimwithadevil，"strucktheirear。ButsoontheycaughtsightofMissGale，andweredeadsilent。Shesaid，"Whatisthematter?Oh，Isee，thevermifugehasacted。"

Itwasso:aputty-facedboyhadbeenunabletoeathisbreakfast；hadsufferedmalaiseforhoursafterward，andatlasthadbeenseizedwithasortofdryretching，andhadrestoredtotheworldtheysoadornanumberofamphibia，whichnowwriggledinaheap，andnodoubtbitterlyregrettedtherecklessimpatiencewithwhichtheyhadfledfromanunpleasantmedicinetoacold-heartedworld。

"Well，goodpeople，"saidMissGale，whatareyoumakingafussabout?

Aretheybetterintheboyoroutofhim?"

Thewomencouldnotfindtheircandoratamoment"snotice，butoldGilesrepliedheartily，"Why，hout!betteranemptyhousethanabadtenant。"

"Thatistrue，"saidhalfadozenvoicesatonce。Theycouldresistcommonsenseinitsliquidform，butnotwhensolidifiedintoaproverb。

"Catchmetheboy，"saidMissGale，severely。

Habitualculpabilitydestroysself-confidence；sotheboysuspectedhimselfofcrime，andinstantlytooktoflight。Hiscompanionslovedhunting；sothreeswifterboysfollowedhimwithacheerfulyell，securedhim，andbroughthimupforsentence。

"Don"tbefrightened，Jacob，"saidthedoctress。"Ionlywanttoknowwhetheryoufeelbetterorworse。"

Hismotherputinherword:"Hewaseversobadallthemorning。"

"Holdyourjaw，"saidoldGiles，"andlettheboytellhisowntale。"

"Well，then，"saidJacob，"Iwasmortalbad，butnowdoIfeellikeafeather；wuston"tis，Ibesoblessedhungrynow。Dall"difIcouldn"teatthedevil——stuffedwiththunderandlightning。"

"I"llprescribeaccordingly，"saidMissGale，andwroteinpencilanorderonabeefsteakpietheyhadsentherfromtheCourt。

Theboy"scompanionsputtheirheadstogetheroverthisorder，andofferedtheirservicestoescorthim。

"No，thankyou，"saidthedoctress。"Hewillgoalone，youyoungmonkeys。

Yourturnwillcome。"

Thensheproceededonherrounds，withMr。Severneatherheels，untilitwaspastoneo"clock。

Thensheturnedroundandfacedhim。"Wewillparthere，"saidshe，"andIwillexplainmyconducttoyou，asyouseeminthedark。Ihavebeenco-operatingwithMissVizardallthistime。IreckonshesentyououtofthewaytogiveLordUxmoorhisopportunity，soIhavedetainedyou。

Whileyouhavebeenstudyingmedicine，hehasbeenpoppingthequestion，ofcourse。Good-by，Mr。Villain。"

Herwordswentthroughthemanlikecoldsteel。Itwasonewomanreadinganother。Heturnedverywhite，andputhishandtohisheart。Butherecoveredhimself，andsaid，"Ifsheprefersanothertome，Imustsubmit。Itisnotmyabsenceforafewhoursthatwillmakethedifference。YoucannotmakemeregretthehoursIhavepassedinyourcompany。Good-by，"andheseemedtoleaveherveryreluctantly。

"Oneword，"saidshe，softeningalittle。"I"mnotproofagainstyourcharm。UnlessIseeZoeVizardindanger，youhavenothingtofearfromme。ButIlove_her，_youunderstand。"

Hereturnedtoherdirectly，andsaid，inmostearnest，supplicatingtones，"Butwillyoueverforgiveme?"

"Iwilltry。"

Andsotheyparted。

Hewenthomeatagreatrate；forMissGale"sinsinuationshadraisedsomefearinhisbreast。

MeantimethisiswhathadreallypassedbetweenZoeandLordUxmoor。

Vizardwenttohisstudy，andFannyretiredatasignalfromZoe。Sherose，butdidnotgo；shewalkedslowlytowardthewindow；Uxmoorjoinedher:forhesawhewastohavehisanswerfromhermouth。

Herbosomheavedalittle，andhercheeksflushed。"LordUxmoor，"shesaid，"youhavedonemethegreatesthonoranymancanpayawoman，andfromyouitisindeedanhonor。IcouldnotwritesuchananswerasI

couldwish；and，besides，IwishtospareyouallthemortificationI

can。"

"Ah!"saidUxmoor，piteously。

"Youareworthyofanylady"slove；butIhaveonlymyesteemtogiveyou，andthatwasgivenlongago。"

Uxmoor，whohadbeengraduallyturningverywhite，faltered，"Ihadmyfears。Good-by。"

Shegavehimherhand。Heputitrespectfullytohislips:thenturnedandlefther，sickatheart，buttoobravetoletitbeseen。Hepreferredheresteemtoherpity。

Bythismeanshegotboth。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyeswithoutdisguise。Butheonlyturnedatthedoortosay，inaprettyfirmvoice，"Godblessyou!"

Inlessthananhourhedrovehisteamfromthedoor，sittingheartbrokenanddesolate，butfirmandunflinchingasarock。

Sothen，onhisreturnfromHillstoke，SevernefoundthemallatluncheonexceptUxmoor。HedetailedhisvisittoMissGale，and，whilehetalked，observed。Zoewasbeamingwithloveandkindness。Hefeltsureshehadnotdeceivedhim。Helearned，bymerelylistening，thatLordUxmoorwasgone，andheexultedinwardly。

Afterluncheon，Elysium。Hewalkedwiththetwogirls，andFannylaggedbehind；andZoeprovedherselfnocoquette。Acoquettewouldhavebeenalittlecrossandshownhimshehadmadeasacrifice。NotsoZoeVizard。

Shenevertoldhim，norevenFanny，shehadrefusedLordUxmoor。Sheesteemedthegreatsacrificeshehadmadeforhimasalittleone，andsolovedhimalittlemorethathehadcostheranearl"scoronetandalargefortune。

ThepartyresumedtheirhabitsthatUxmoorhadinterrupted，andnowarningvoicewasraised。

TheboringcommencedatHillstoke，andDoctressGalehoveredoverthework。Thevariousstrataandtheirfossildepositswereanendlessstudy，andkepthermicroscopeemployed。Withthis，andhertreatiseon"CurebyEsculents"shewassoemployedthatshedidnotvisittheCourtforsomedays:thencameaninvitationfromLordUxmoortostayaweekwithhim，andinspecthisvillage。Sheacceptedit，anddroveherselfinthebailiff"sgig，allalone。Shefoundherhostattendingtohisduties，butdejected；sothenshesuspected，andturnedtheconversationtoZoeVizard，andsoonsatisfiedherselfhehadnohopesinthatquarter。Yethespokeofherwithundisguisedandtenderadmiration。Thenshesaidtoherself，"Thisisaman，andheshallhaveher。"

ShesatdownandwrotealettertoVizard，tellinghimallsheknew，andwhatshethought，viz。，thatanotherwoman，andarespectableone，hadaclaimonMr。Severne，whichoughttobecloselyinquiredinto，and_thelady"sversionheard。_"Thinkofit，"saidshe。"Hedisownedthewomanwhohadsavedhislife，hewassoafraidIshouldtellMissVizardunderwhatcircumstancesIfirstsawhim。"

Shefoldedandaddressedtheletter。

Buthavingrelievedhermindinsomedegreebythis，sheaskedherselfwhetheritwouldnotbekindertoallpartiestotryandsaveZoewithoutanexposure。ProbablySevernebenefitedbyhisgraceandhisdisarmingqualities；forherultimateresolutionwastogivehimachance，offerhimanalternative:hemusteitherquietlyretire，orbeopenlyexposed。

Sothensheputtheletterinherdesk，madeouthervisit，ofwhichnofurtherparticularscanbegivenatpresent，returnedhome，andwalkeddowntotheCourtnextmorningtohaveitoutwithEdwardSeverne。

But，unfortunately，fromtheverydaysheofferedhimtermsupatHillstoke，thetidebegantoruninSeverne"sfavorwithgreatrapidity。

Alettercamefromthedetective。Severnereceiveditatbreakfast，andlaiditbeforeZoe，whichhadafavorableeffectonhermindtobegin。

Poikilusreportedthatthemoneywasingoodhands。Hehadseenthelady。

Shemadenosecretofthething——thesumwas4，900pounds，andshesaidhalfbelongedtoherandhalftoagentleman。Shedidnotknowhim，butheragent，Ashmead，did。Poikilusaddedthathehadaskedherwouldshehonorthatgentleman"sdraft?Shehadrepliedsheshouldbeafraidtodothat；butMr。Ashmeadshouldhandittohimondemand。Poikilussummedupthattheladywasevidentlyrespectable，andthewholethingsquare。

Severnepostedthislettertohiscousin，undercover，toshowhimhewasreallygoingtoclearhisestate，butbeggedhimtoreturnitimmediatelyandlendhim50pounds。Theaccommodatingcousinsenthim50pounds，toaidhiminwooinghisheiress。Heboughtherahoopring，apologizedforitssmallvalue，andexpressedhisregretthatallhecouldofferherwasonassmallascale，excepthislove。

Sheblushed，andsmiledonhim，likeheavenopening。"Smallandgreat，I

takethem，"saidshe；andherlovelyheadrestedonhisshoulder。

Theywereengaged。

Fromthathourhecouldcommanda_te"te-"a-te"te_withherwheneverhechose，andhisinfernalpassionbegantosuggestallmannerofwild，wickedandunreasonablehopes。

Meantimetherewasnostopping。HesoonfoundhemustspeakseriouslytoVizard。Hewentintohisstudyandbegantoopenthesubject。Vizardstoppedhim。"Fetchtheotherculprit，"saidhe；andwhenZoecame，blushing，hesaid，"NowIamgoingtomakeshorterworkofthisthanyouhavedone。Zoehastenthousandpounds。Whathaveyougot?"

"Onlyasmallestate，wortheightthousandpounds，thatIhopetoclearofallincumbrances，ifIcangetmymoney。"

"Fondofeachother?Well，don"tstrikemedeadwithyoureyes。Ihavewatchedyou，andIownaprettierpairofturtledovesIneversaw。Well，youhavegotloveandIhavegotmoney。I"lltakecareofyouboth。Butyoumustlivewithme。Ipromisenevertomarry。"

ThisbroughtZoeroundhisneck，withtearsandkissesofpureaffection。

Hereturnedthem，andpartedherhairpaternally。

"Thisisabeautifulworld，isn"tit?"saidhe，withmoretendernessthancynicismthistime。

"Ah，thatitis!"criedZoe，earnestly。"ButIcan"thaveyousayyouwillneverbeashappyasIam。Therearetrueheartsinthisheavenlyworld；forIhavefoundone。"

"Ihavenot，anddon"tmeantotryagain。Iamgoinginforthepaternalnow。Youtwoaremychildren。Ihaveatalismantokeepmefrommarrying。

I"llshowityou。"Hedrewaphotographfromhisdrawer，setroundwithgoldandpearls。Heshoweditthemsuddenly。Theybothstarted。AfinephotographofInaKlosking。Shewasdressedasplainlyasatthegambling-table，butwithoutabonnet，andonlyoneroseinherhair。Hernobleforeheadwasshown，andherface，amodelofintelligence，womanliness，andserenedignity。

Hegazedatit，andtheyathimandit。

Hekissedit。"HereismyFate，"saidhe。"Nowmarktheingenuityofaparent。IkeepoutofmyFate"sway。ButIusehertokeepoffanyotherlittleFatesthatmaybeabout。NootherhumbugcanevercatchmewhileI

havesuchanoblehumbugasthistocontemplate。Ah!andheresheisasSiebel。Whatagoddess!Justlookather。Adorable!There，thisshallstanduponmytable，andtheothershallbehunginmybedroom。Then，mydearZoe，youwillbesafefromastepmother。ForIamyourfathernow。

Pleaseunderstandthat。"

ThisbroughtpoorZoeroundhisneckagainwithsuchaneffusionthatatlasthehandedhertoSeverne，andheledherfromtheroom，quiteovercome，and，toavoidallconversationaboutwhathadjustpassed，gaveherovertoFanny，whileheretiredtocomposehimself。

Bydinner-timehewasashappyasaprinceagainandrelievedofallcompunction。

HeheardafterwardfromFannythatZoeandshehaddiscussedtheincidentandVizard"sinfatuation，FannybeingspeciallywrothatVizard"sabuseofpearls；butshetoldhimshehadadvisedZoenottomentionthatlady"sname，butletherdieout。

And，inpointoffact，Zoedidavoidthesubject。

Therecameaneventfulday。Vizardgotaletter，atbreakfast，fromhisbankers，thatmadehimstare，andthenknithisbrows。ItwasaboutEdwardSeverne"sacceptances。Hesaidnothing，butorderedhishorseandrodeintoTaddington。

Thedaywaskeenbutsunny，and，seeinghimafootsoearly，Zoesaidsheshouldlikeadrivebeforeluncheon。ShewouldshowSeverneandFannysomeruinsonPagnellHill。Theycouldleavethetrapatthevillageinnandwalkupthehill。Fannybeggedoff，andSevernewasveryglad。TheprospectofalongwalkupahillwithZoe，andthenadayspentinutterseclusionwithher，firedhisimaginationandmadehisheartbeat。Herewasoneoftheopportunitieshehadlongsighedforofmakingpassionatelovetoinnocenceandinexperience。

Zoeherselfwaseagerforthedrive，andcamedown，followedbyRosawithsomewraps，andwaitedinthemorning-roomforthedog-cart。Itwasbehindtimeforonce，becausethecarefulcoachmanhadinsistedontheaxlebeingoiled。Atlastthesoundofwheelswasheard。Acarriagedrewupatthedoor。

"TellMr。Severne，"saidZoe。"Heisinthedining-room，Ithink。"

Butitwasnotthedog-cart。

Avigilantfootmancamehastilyoutandopenedthehalldoor。Aladywasonthesteps，andspoketohim，but，inspeaking，shecaughtsightofZoeinthehall。Sheinstantlyslippedpassthemanandstoodwithinthegreatdoor。

"MissVizard?"saidshe。

Zoetookasteptowardherandsaid，withastonishment，"MademoiselleKlosking!"

Theladieslookedateachother，andZoesawsomethingstrangewascoming；fortheKloskingwasverypale，yetfirm，andfixedhereyesuponherasiftherewasnothingelseinsight。

"Youhaveavisitor——Mr。Severne?"

"Yes，"saidZoe，drawingup。

"CanIspeakwithhim?"

"Hewillanswerforhimself。EDWARD!"

AthercallSevernecameouthastilybehindInaKlosking。

Sheturned，andtheyfacedeachother。

"Ah!"shecried；andinspiteofall，therewasmoreofjoythananyotherpassionintheexclamation。

Notsohe。Heutteredascreamofdismay，andstaggered，whiteasaghost，butstillglaredatInaKlosking。

Zoe"svoicefellonhimlikeaclapofthunder:"What!——Edward!——Mr。

Severne!——Hasthisladystillanyright——"

"No，nonewhatever!"hecried；"itisallpastandgone。"

"Whatispast?"saidInaKlosking，grandly。"Areyououtofyoursenses?"

Thenshewasclosetohiminamoment，byonegrandmovement，andtookhimbybothlapelsofhiscoat，andheldhimfirmly。"Speakbeforethislady，"shecried。"Have——I——no——rights——overyou?"andhervoicewasmajestic，andherDanisheyesgleamedlightning。

Thewretch"skneesgavewayamomentandheshookinherhands。Then，suddenly，heturnedwild。"Fiend!youhaveruinedme!"heyelled；andthen，withhisnaturalstrength，whichwasgreat，andthesuperhumanpowerofmadexcitement，hewhirledherrightroundandflungherfromhim，anddashedoutofthedoor，utteringcriesofrageanddespair。

Theunfortunatelady，thustakenbysurprise，fellheavily，and，bycruelillluck，struckhertemple，infalling，againstthesharpcornerofamarbletable。Itgashedherforeheadfearfully，andshelaysenseless，withthebloodspurtinginjetsfromherwhitetemple。

Zoescreamedviolently，andthehallandthehallstaircaseseemedtofillbymagic。

Intheterrorandconfusion，HarringtonVizardstrodeintothehall，fromTaddington。"Whatisthematter?"hecried。"Awomankilled?"

Someonecriedoutshehadfallen。

"Water，fools——asponge——don"tstandgaping!"andheflunghimselfonhisknees，andraisedthewoman"sheadfromthefloor。Oneeagerlookintoherwhiteface——onewildcry——"GreatGod!itis——"Hehadrecognizedher。

CHAPTERXX。

ITwaspiteoustoseeandhear。Thebloodwouldnotstop；itspurtednolonger，butitflowedalarmingly。VizardsentHarrisoffinhisownflyforadoctor，tosavetime。Hecalledforice。Hecriedoutinagonytohisservants，"Cannoneofyouthinkofanything?There——thathat。Here，youwomen；tearmethenapoffwithyourfingers。MyGod!whatistobedone?She"llbleedtodeath!"Andheheldhertohisbreast，andalmostmoanedwithpityoverher，ashepressedthecoldspongetoherwound——invain；forstilltheredbloodwouldflow。

Wheelsgroundthegravel。Servantsflewtothedoor，crying，"Thedoctor!

thedoctor!"

Asifhecouldhavebeenfetchedinfiveminutesfromthreemilesoff。

Yetitwasadoctor。HarrishadmetMissGalewalkingquietlydownfromHillstoke。Hehadtoldherinafewhurriedwords，andbroughtherasfastasthehorsescouldgo。

Sheglidedinswiftly，keen，butself-possessed，andtookitallindirectly。

Vizardsawher，andcried，"Ah!Help!——sheisbleedingtodeath!"

"Sheshallnot，"saidRhoda。Thentoonefootman，"Bringafootstool，_you；"_toanother，_"You_bringmeacork；"toVizard，_"You_holdhertowardmeso。Nowspongethewound。"

Thisdone，shepinchedthelipsofthewoundtogetherwithherneat，strongfingers。"SeewhatIdo，"shesaidtoVizard。"Youwillhavetodoit，whileI——Ah，thestool!Nowlayherheadonthat；theotherside，man。Now，sir，compressthewoundasIdid，vigorously。Holdthecork，_you，_tillIwantit。"

Shetookoutofherpocketsomeadhesiveplaster，andflakesofsomestrongstyptic，andapieceofelastic。"Now，"saidshetoVizard，"givemealittleopeninginthemiddletoplasterthesestripsacrossthewound。"Hedidso。Theninamomentshepassedtheelasticunderthesufferer"shead，drewitoverwiththestypticbetweenherfingerandthumb，andcrack!thestypticwastightonthecompressedwound。Sheforcedinmorestyptic，increasingthepressure，thenshewhippedoutasortofsurgicalhousewife，andwithsomecuttinginstrumentreducedthecork，thencutitconvex，andfasteneditonthestypticbyanotherelastic。Therewasnoflutter，yetitwasalldoneinfiftyseconds。

"There，"saidshe，"shewillbleednomore，tospeakof。Nowseatherupright。Why!Ihaveseenherbefore。Thisis——sir，youcansendthemenaway。""

"Yes；and，Harris，packupMr。Severne"sthings，andbringthemdownherethismoment。"

Themaleservantsretired，thewomenheldaloof。FannyDovercameforward，paleandtrembling，andhelpedtoplaceInaKloskinginthehallporter"schair。Shewasinsensiblestill，butmoanedfaintly。

Hermoanswereechoed:alleyesturned。ItwasZoe，seatedapart，allbowedandbroken——ghastlypale，andglaringstraightbeforeher。

"Poorgirl!"saidVizard。"Weforgother。Itisherheartthatbleeds。

Whereisthescoundrel，thatImaykillhim?"andherushedoutatthedoortolookforhim。Theman"slifewouldnothavebeenworthmuchifSquireVizardcouldhavefoundhimthen。

Buthesooncamebacktohiswretchedhome，andeyedthedismalscene，andthehavoconemanhadmade——themarblefloorallstainedwithblood——InaKloskingsupportedinachair，white，andfaintlymoaning——Zoestillcrushedandglaringatvacancy，andFannysobbingroundherwithpityandterror；forsheknewtheremustbeworsetocomethanthiswildstupor。

"Takehertoherroom，Fannydear，"saidVizard，inahurried，falteringvoice，"anddon"tleaveher。Rosa，helpMissDover。Donotleaveheralone，nightnorday。"ThentoMissGale，"Shewilllive?Tellmeshewilllive。"

"Ihopeso，"saidRhodaGale。"Oh，theblowwillnotkillher，noryetthelossofblood。ButIfeartherewillbedistressofmindaddedtothebodilyshock。Andsuchanobleface!Myownheartbleedsforher。Oh，sir，donotsendherawaytostrangers!Letmetakeheruptothefarm。

Itisnursingshewillneed，andtact，whenshecomestoherself。"

"Sendhereawaytostrangers!"criedVizard。"Never!No。Noteventothefarm。Hereshereceivedherwound；hereallthatyouandIcandoshallbedonetosaveher。Ah，here"sHarris，withthevillain"sthings。Getthelady"sboxesout，andputMr。Severne"sintothefly。Givethemantwoguineas，andlethimleavethematthe"Swan，"inTaddington。"

Hethenbeckoneddownthewomen，andhadInaKloskingcarriedupstairstotheveryroomSevernehadoccupied。

Hethenconvenedtheservants，andplacedthemformallyunderMissGale"sorders，andonefemaleservanthavingmadearemark，heturnedheroutofthehouse，neckandcrop，directlywithhermonth"swages。Theothershadtohelpherpack，onlyhalfanhourbeingallowedforherexit。

Thehouseseemedallchanged。CouldthisbeVizardCourt?Deadgloom——hurriedwhispers——andeverybodywalkingsoftly，andscared——noneknowingwhatmightbethenextcalamity。

Vizardfeltsickatheartandhelpless。Hehaddoneallhecould，andwasreducedtothatconditionwomenbearfarbetterthanmen——hemustwait，andhope，andfear。Hewalkedupanddownthecarpetedlanding，rackedwithanxiety。

AtlasttherecameasinglescreamofagonyfromInaKlosking"sroom。

Itmadethestrongmanquake。

Hetappedsoftlyatthedoor。

Rhodaopenedit。

"Whatisit?"hefaltered。

Shereplied，gravely，"Onlywhatmustbe。Sheisbeginningtorealizewhathasbefallenher。Don"tcomehere。Youcandonogood。IwillrundowntoyouwheneverIdare。Givemeanursetohelp，thisfirstnight。"

Hewentdownandsentintothevillageforawomanwhoboreagreatnamefornursing。Thenhewanderedaboutdisconsolate。

Theleadenhourspassed。Hewenttodress，anddiscoveredInaKlosking"sblooduponhisclothes。Itshockedhimfirst，andthenitmeltedhim:hefeltaninexpressibletendernessatsightofit。Thebloodthathadflowedinherveinsseemedsacredtohim。Hefoldedthatsuit，andtieditupinasilkhandkerchief，andlockeditaway。

Induecoursehesatdowntodinner——weareallsuchcreaturesofhabit。

Therewaseverythingasusual，exceptthefamiliarfaces。Therewastheglitteringplateonthepolishedsideboard，thepyramidofflowerssurroundedwithfruits。Therewereevenchairsatthetable，fortheservantsdidnotknowhewastobequitealone。Buthewas。Onedelicatedishafteranotherwasbroughthim，andsentawayuntasted。SoonafterdinnerRhodaGalecamedownandtoldhimherpatientwasinaprecariouscondition，andshefearedfeveranddelirium。Shebeggedhimtosendoneservantuptothefarmforcertainmedicamentsshehadthere，andanothertothechemistatTaddington。Theseweredispatchedonswifthorses，andbothwerebackinhalfanhour。

By-and-byFannyDovercamedowntohim，withredeyes，andbroughthimZoe"slove。"But，"saidshe，"don"taskhertocomedown。Sheisashamedtolookanybodyintheface，poorgirl。"

"Why?whathas_she_done?"

"Oh，Harrington，shehasmadenosecretofheraffection；andnow，atsightofthatwoman，hehasabandonedher。"

"TellherIlovehermorethanIeverdid，andrespecthermore。Whereisherpride?"

"Pride!sheisfullofit；anditwillhelpher——by-and-by。Butshehasabittertimetogothroughfirst。Youdon"tknowhowsheloveshim。"

"What!lovehimstill，afterwhathehasdone?"

"Yes!Sheinterpretsitthiswayandthat。Shecannotbeartobelieveanotherwomanhasanyrealrighttoseparatethem。"

"Separatethem!Thescoundrelknocked_her_downforlovinghimstill，andfledfromthemboth。Waseverguiltmoreclear?Ifshedoubtsthatheisavillain，tellherfrommeheisaforger，andhasgivenmebillswithfalsenamesonthem。Thebankersgavemenoticeto-day，andIwascominghometoorderhimoutofthehousewhenthismiserablebusinesshappened。"

"Aforger!isitpossible?"saidFanny。"Butitisnousemytellingherthatsortofthing。Ifhehadcommittedmurder，andwastruetoher，shewouldclingtohim。Sheneverknewtillnowhowshelovedhim，norI

neither。SheputhiminCoventryfortellingalie；butshewasfarmoreunhappyallthetimethanhewas。Thereisnothingtodobuttobekindtoher，andletherhideherface。Don"thurryher。"

"NotI。Godhelpher!Ifshehasawish，itshallbegratified。Iampowerless。Sheisyoung。Surelytimewillcureherofavillain，nowheisdetected。"

Fannysaidshehopedso。

Thetruthis，ZoehadnotopenedherhearttoFanny。Sheclungtoher，andwrithedinherarms；butshespokelittle，andonebrokensentencecontradictedtheother。Butmentalagony，likebodily，findsitsvent，notinspeech，thebrain"sgreatinterpreter，butininarticulatecries，andmoans，andsighs，thatproveusanimalseveninthethroesofmind。

Zoewasinthatcruelstageofsuffering。

Sopassedthatmiserableday。

CHAPTERXXI。

INAKLOSKINGrecoveredhersensesthatevening，andaskedMissGalewhereshewas。MissGaletoldhershewasinthehouseofafriend。

"Whatfriend?"

"That，"saidMissGale，"Iwilltellyouby-and-by。Youareingoodhands，andIamyourphysician。"

"Ihaveheardyourvoicebefore，"saidIna，"butIknownotwhere；anditissodark!Whyisitsodark?"

"Becausetoomuchlightisnotgoodforyou。Youhavemetwithanaccident。"

"Whataccident，madam?"

"Youfellandhurtyourpoorforehead。See，Ihavebandagedit，andnowyoumustletmewetthebandage——tokeepyourbrowcool。"

"Thankyou，madam，"saidIna，inherownsweetbutqueenlyway。"Youareverygoodtome。IwishIcouldseeyourfacemoreclearly。Iknowyourvoice。"Then，afterasilence，duringwhichMissGaleeyedherwithanxiety，shesaid，likeonegropingherwaytothetruth，"I——fell——and——hurt——myforehead?——_Ah!"_

ThenitwassheutteredthecrythatmadeVizardquakeatthedoor，andshookforamomentevenRhoda"snerves，though，asarule，theywereironinasituationofthiskind。

IthadallcomebacktoInaKlosking。

Afterthatpiteouscrysheneversaidaword。Shedidnothingbutthink，andputherhandtoherhead。

Andsoonaftermidnightshebegantotalkincoherently。

Thephysiciancouldonlyproceedbyphysicalmeans。Sheattackedthecomingfeveratonce，withtheremediesoftheday，andalsowithaninfusionofmonk"s-hood。Thatpoison，promptlyadministered，didnotdeceiveher。Sheobtainedaslightperspiration，whichwassomuchgainedinthebattle。

Inthemorningshegotthepatientshiftedintoanotherbed，andshesleptalittleafterthat。Butsoonshewasawake，restless，andraving:

stillhercharacterpervadedherdelirium。Noviolence。Nothinganysoreinjuredwomanneedbeashamedtohavesaid:onlyitwasalldisconnected。

Onemomentshewasspeakingtotheleaderoftheorchestra，atanothertoMr。Ashmead，atanother，withdivinetenderness，toherstillfaithfulSeverne。Andthoughnothurried，asusualinthesecases，itwasalmostincessantandpitiabletohear，eachobservationwassowiseandgood；

yet，allbeingdisconnected，thehearercouldnotbutfeelthatanoblemindlaybeforehim，overthrownandbrokenintofragmentslikesomeAtticcolumn。

Inthemiddleofthisthehandlewassoftlyturned，andZoeVizardcamein，paleandsomber。

LongbeforethisshehadsaidtoFannyseveraltimes，"Ioughttogoandseeher；"andFannyhadsaid，"Ofcourseyouought。"

Sonowshecame。Shefoldedherarmsandstoodatthefootofthebed，andlookedatherunhappyrival，unhappyaspossibleherself。

Whatcontraryfeelingsfoughtinthatyoungbreast!Pityandhatred。Shemusthatetherivalwhohadcomebetweenherandhimsheloved；shemustpitythewomanwholaythere，pale，wounded，andlittlelikelytorecover。

And，withallthis，agreatdesiretoknowwhetherthissuffererhadanyrighttocomeandseizeEdwardSevernebythearm，andsodrawdowncalamityonboththewomenwholovedhim。

Shelookedandlistened，andRhodaGalethoughtitharduponherpatient。

Butitwasnotinhumannaturethegirlshoulddootherwise；soRhodasaidnothing。

WhatfellfromIna"slipswasnotofakindtomakeZoemoreherfriend。

Hermindseemednowlikeabirdtiedbyalongsilkenthread。Itmadelargeexcursions，butconstantlycamebacktoherlove。Sometimesthatlovewashappy，sometimesunhappy。Oftenshesaid"Edward!"intheexquisitetoneofalovingwoman；andwhenevershedid，Zoereceiveditwithasortofshiver，asifadagger，fineasaneedle，hadpassedthroughherwholebody。

Atlast，aftertellingsometenorthathehadsungFnaturalinsteadofF

sharp，andpraisedsomebody"srenderingofasongin"IlFlautoMagico，"

andtoldAshmeadtomakenomoreengagementsforheratpresent，forshewasgoingtoVizardCourt，thepoorsoulpausedaminute，andutteredadeepmoan。

_"Struckdownbytheveryhandthatwasvowedtoprotectme!"_saidshe。

Thenwassilentagain。Thenbegantocry，andsob，andwringherhands。

Zoeputherhandtoherheartandmovedfeeblytowardthedoor。However，shestoppedamomenttosay，"Iamnousehere。Youwouldsoonhavemeravinginthenextbed。IwillsendFanny。"Thenshedrewherselfup。

"MissGale，everybodyhereisatyourcommand。Praysparenothingyoucanthinkoftosave——_mybrother"sguest。"_

Therecameoutthebitterdrop。

Whenshehadsaidthat，shestalkedfromtheroomlikesomeredIndianbearingamortalarrowinhim，buttooproudtoshowit。

Butwhenshegottoherownroomsheflungherselfonhersofa，andwrithedandsobbedinagony。

FannyDovercameinandfoundherso，andflewtoher。

Butsheorderedheroutquitewildly。"No，no；goto_her，_likealltherest，andleavepoorZoeallalone。She_is_alone。"

ThenFannyclungtoher，andtriedhardtocomforther。

Thisyoungladynowbecameveryzealousandactive。Shedividedhertimebetweenthetwosufferers，andwasindefatigableintheirservice。WhenshewasnotsupportingZoe，shewasalwaysatMissGale"selbowofferingherservices。"Doletmehelpyou，"shesaid。"Doprayletmehelp。Wearepoorathome，andthereisnothingIcannotdo。I"mworthanythreeservants。"

Shealwayshelpedshiftthepatientintoafreshbed，andthatwasdoneveryoften。Shewouldruntothecookorthebutlerforanythingthatwaswantedinahurry。Sheflunggentilityandhumbugtothewinds。Thenshedressedintenminutes，andwentanddinedwithVizard，andmadeexcusesforZoe"sabsence，tokeepeverythingsmooth；andfinallysheinsistedonsittingupwithInaKloskingtillthreeinthemorning，andmadeMissGalegotobedintheroom。"Paidnurses!"saidshe；"theyarenouseexcepttosnoreanddrinkthepatient"swine。YouandIwillwatchhereverymomentofthenight；andifI"meveratalosswhattodo，Iwillcallyou。"

MissGalestaredatheronce，andthenacceptedthisnewphaseofhercharacter。

Thefeverwashotwhileitlasted；butitwassoencounteredwithtonics，andportwine，andstrongbeefsoup(notyourrubbishybeeftea)，thatinforty-eighthoursitbegantoabate。InarecognizedRhodaGaleastheladywhohadsavedSeverne"slifeatMontpellier，andweptlongandsilentlyuponherneck。Induecourse，Zoe，hearingtherewasagreatchange，cameinagaintolookather。Shestoodandeyedher。SoonInaKloskingcaughtsightofher，andstaredather。

"Youhere!"saidshe。"Ah!youareMissVizard。Iaminyourhouse。I

willgetupandleaveit；"andshemadeafeebleattempttorise，butfellback，andthetearswelledoutofhereyesatherhelplessness。

Zoewasindignant，butforthemomentmoreshockedthananythingelse。

Shemovedawayalittle，anddidnotknowwhattosay。

"Letmelookatyou，"saidthepatient。"Ah!youarebeautiful。WhenI

sawyouatthetheater，youfascinatedme。Howmuchmoreaman?Iwillresistnomore。Youaretoobeautifultoberesisted。Takehim，andletmedie。"

"Idohernogood，"saidZoe，halfsullenly，halftrembling。

"Indeedyoudonot，"saidRhoda，bluntly，andalmostbitterly。Shewasallnurse。

"I"llcomeherenomore，"saidZoe，sadlybutsternly，andlefttheroom。

ThenInaturnedtoMissGaleandsaid，patiently，"IhopeIwasnotrudetothatlady——whohasbrokenmyheart。"

FannyandRhodatookeachahandandtoldhershecouldnotberudetoanybody。

"Myfriends，"saidIna，lookingpiteouslytoeachinturn，"itisherhouse，youknow，andsheisverygoodtomenow——afterbreakingmyheart。"

ThenFannyshowedadealoftact。_"Her_house!"saidshe。"Itisnomorehersthanmine。Why，thishousebelongstoagentleman，andheismadaftermusic。Heknowsyouverywell，thoughyoudon"tknowhim，andhethinksyouthefirstsingerinEurope。"

"Youflatterme，"saidIna，sadly。

"Well，hethinksso；andheisreckonedaverygoodjudge。Ah!nowI

thinkofit，Iwillshowyousomething，andthenyouwillbelieveme。"

Sheranofftothelibrary，snatchedupIna"spicturesetroundwithpearls，andcamepantinginwithit。"There，"saidshe；"nowyoulookatthat!"andsheputitbeforehereyes。"Now，whoisthat，ifyouplease?"

"Oh!ItisInaKloskingthatwas。Pleasebringmeaglass。"

Thetwoladieslookedateachother。MissGalemadeanegativesignal，andFannysaid，"By-and-by。Thiswilldoinstead，foritisaslikeastwopeas。Nowaskyourselfhowthiscomestobeinthehouse，andsetinpearls。Why，theyareworththreehundredpounds。Iassureyouthatthemasterofthishouseis_fanaticoperlamusica；_heardyousingSiebelatHomburg——ravedaboutyou——wantedtocallonyou。Wehadtodraghimawayfromtheplace；andhedeclaresyouarethefirstsingerintheworld；andyoucannotdoubthissincerity，for_herearethepearls。"_

InaKlosking"spalecheekcolored，andthensheopenedhertwoarmswide，andputthemroundFanny"sneckandkissedher:herinnocentvanitywasgratified，andhergraciousnaturesuggestedgratitudetoherwhohadbroughtherthecompliment，insteadoftheusualungratefulbumptiousnesspraiseelicitsfromvanity。

ThenMissGaleputinherword——"Whenyoumetwiththisunfortunateaccident，Iwasfortakingyouuptomyhouse。Itisthreemilesoff；buthewouldnothearofit。Hesaid，"No；hereshegotherwound，andhereshemustbecured。""

"So，"saidFanny，"praysetyourmindatease。MycousinHarringtonisaverygoodsoul，butratherarbitrary。Ifyouwanttoleavethisplace，youmustgetthoroughlywellandstrong，forhewillneverletyougotillyouare。"

Betweenthesetwoladies，cleverandcooperating，Inasmiled，andseemedrelieved；butshewastooweaktoconverseanymorejustthen。

SomehoursafterwardshebeckonedFannytoher，andsaid，"Themasterofthehouse——whatishisname?"

"HarringtonVizard。"

"What!——_her_father?"

"La，no；onlyherhalf-brother。"

"IfheissokindtomebecauseIsing，whycomeshenottoseeme?_She_

hascome。"

Fannysmiled。"ItisplainyouarenotanEnglishwoman，thoughyouspeakitsobeautifully。AnEnglishgentlemandoesnotintrudeintoalady"sroom。"

"Itishisroom。"

"Hewouldsaythat，whileyouoccupyit，itisyours，andnothis。"

"Heawaitsmyinvitation，then。"

"Idaresayhewouldcomeifyouweretoinvitehim，butcertainlynotwithout。"

"Iwishtoseehimwhohasbeensokindtome，andsolovesmusic；butnotto-day——Ifeelunable。"

Thenextdaysheaskedforaglass，andwasdistressedatherappearance。

Shebeggedforacap。

"Whatkindofacap?"askedFanny。

"Onelikethat，"saidshe，pointingtoaportraitonthewall。Itwasofaladyinaplainbrownsilkdressandalittlewhiteshawl，andaneatcapwithanarrowlaceborderallroundherface。

Thisparticularcapwasoutofdatefullsixtyyears；butthehousehadastoreroomofrelics，andFanny，withVizard"shelp，soonrummagedoutacapofthesort，withanarrowfrillallround。

Herhairwassmoothed，awhitesilkbandpassedoverthenowclosedwound，andthecapfittedonher。Shelookedpale，butangelic。

FannywentdowntoVizard，andinvitedhimtocomeandseeMademoiselleKlosking——byherdesire。"But，"sheadded，"MissGaleisveryanxiouslestyoushouldgettalkingofSeverne。Shesaysthefeverandlossofbloodhaveweakenedherterribly；andifwebringthefeveronagain，shecannotanswerforherlife。"

"Hasshespokenofhimtoyou?"

"Notonce。"

"Thenwhyshouldshetome?"

"Becauseyouareaman，andshemaythinktogetthe_truth_outofyou:

sheknows_we_shallonlysaywhatisforthebest。Sheisverydeep，andwedon"tknowhermindyet。"

Vizardsaidhewouldbeasguardedashecould；butiftheysawhimgoingwrong，theymustsendhimaway。

"Oh，MissGalewilldothat，youmaybesure，"saidFanny。

Thusprepared，VizardfollowedFannyupthestairstothesick-room。

Eitherthereissuchathingasloveatfirstsight，oritissomethingmorethanfirstsight，whenanobservantmangazesatawomanforanhourinablazeoflight，anddrinksinherlooks，herwalk，hervoice，andalltheoutwardsignsofabeautifulsoul；forthestoutcynic"sheartbeatatenteringthatroomasithadnotbeatforyears。Tobesure，hehadnotonlyseenheronthestageinallherglory，buthadheldher，paleandbleeding，tohismanlybreast，andhisheartwarmedtoherallthemore，and，indeed，fairlymeltedwithtenderness。

Fannywentinandannouncedhim。Hefollowedsoftly，andlookedather。

Wealthcanmakeevenasick-roompretty。TheKloskinglayonsnowypillowswhoseglossydamaskwasedgedwithlace；anduponherformwasaneider-downquiltcoveredwithviolet-coloredsatin，andherfacewassetinthatsweetcapwhichhidherwound，andmadehereloquentfacelessghastly。

Sheturnedtolookathim，andhegazedatherinawaythatspokevolumes。

"Aseat，"saidshe，softly。

Fannywasforputtingoneclosetoher。"No，"saidMissGale，"lowerdown；thensheneednottoturnherhead。"

Sohesatdownnearerherfeet。

"Mygoodhost，"saidshe，inhermellowvoice，thatretaineditsquality，butnotitspower，"Idesiretothankyouforyourgoodnesstoapoorsinger，struckdown——bythehandthatwasboundtoprotecther。"

Vizardfalteredoutthattherewasnothingtothankhimfor。Hewasproudtohaveherunderhisroof，thoughdeeplygrievedatthecause。

Shelookedathim，andhertwonurseslookedatherandateachother，asmuchastosay，"Sheisgoingupondangerousground。"

Theywereright。Butshehadnotthecourage，or，perhaps，asmostwomenarealittlecat-likeinthis，thattheygoawayonceortwicefromthesubjectnearesttheirheartbeforetheyturnandpounceonit，shemustspeakofotherthingsfirst。Saidshe，"ButifIwasunfortunateinthat，Iwasfortunateinthis，thatIfellintogoodhands。Theseladiesaresisterstome，"andshegaveMissGaleherhand，andkissedtheotherhandtoFanny，thoughshecouldscarcelyliftit；"andIhaveahostwholovesmusic，andoverratesmypoorability。"Then，afterapause，"Whathaveyouheardmesing?"

"Siebel。"

"OnlySiebel!why，thatisapoorlittlething。"