第17章
"So_I_thought，tillIheardyousingit。"
"And，afterSiebel，youboughtmyphotograph。"
"Instantly。"
"Andwastedpearlsonit。"
"No，madam。Iwasteditonpearls。"
"IfIwerewell，Ishouldcallthatextravagant。Butitispermittedtoflatterthesick——itiskind。Meyouoverrate，Ifear；butyoudowelltohonormusic。Ay，I，wholieherewoundedandbroken-hearted，dothankGodformusic。Ourbodiesaresooncrushed，ourlovesdecayorturntohate，butartisimmortal。"
Shecouldnolongerrollthisoutinhergrandcontralto，butshecouldstillraisehereyeswithenthusiasm，andherpalefacewasilluminated。
Agrandsoulshonethroughher，thoughshewaspale，weak，andprostrate。
Theyadmiredherinsilence。
Afterawhilesheresumed，andsaid，"IfIlive，Imustliveformyartalone。"
MissGalesawherapproachingadangeroustopic，soshesaid，hastily，"Don"tsay_if_youlive，please，becausethatisarranged。Youhavebeenoutofdangerthistwenty-fourhours，providedyoudonotrelapse；andI
musttakecareofthat。"
"Mykindfriend，"saidIna，"Ishallnotrelapse；onlymyweaknessispitiable。SometimesIcanscarcelyforbearcrying，Ifeelsoweak。WhenshallIbestronger?"
"Youshallbealittlestrongereverythreedays。Therearealwaysupsanddownsinconvalescence。"
"WhenshallIbestrongenoughtomove?"
"Letmeanswerthatquestion，"saidVizard。"WhenyouarestrongenoughtosingusSiebel"sgreatsong。"
"There，"saidFannyDover；"thereisamercenaryhostforyou。Hemeanstohaveasongoutofyou。Tillthenyouarehisprisoner。"
"No，no，sheismine，saidMissGale；"andsheshan"tgotillshehassungme"Hail，Columbia。"NoneofyourItaliantrashforme。"
Inasmiled，andsaiditwasafaircondition，providedthat"Hail，Columbia，"withwhichcomposition，unfortunately，shewasunacquainted，wasnotbeyondherpowers。"Ihaveoftensungformoney，"saidshe；"butthistime"——heresheopenedhergrandarmsandtookRhodaGaletoherbosom——"Ishallsingforlove。"
"Nowwehavesettledthat，"saidVizard，"mymindismoreatease，andI
willretire。"
"Onemoment，"saidIna，turningtohim。Then，inalowandverymeaningvoice，_"Thereissomethingelse。"_
"Nodoubtthereisplenty，"saidMissGale，sharply；"and，bymyauthority，Ipostponeitalltillyouarestronger。Bidusgood-byforthepresent，Mr。Vizard。"
"Iobey，"saidhe。"But，madam，pleaserememberIamalwaysatyourservice。Sendformewhenyouplease，andtheoftenerthebetterforme。"
"Thankyou，mykindhost。Obligemewithyourhand。"
Hegaveherhishand。Shetookit，andputherlipstoitwithpureandgentleandseemlygratitude，andwithnolossofdignity，thoughtheactwashumble。
Heturnedhisheadaway，tohidetheemotionthatactandthetouchofhersweetlipscausedhim；MissGalehurriedhimoutoftheroom。
"Younaughtypatient，"saidshe；"youmustdonothingtoexciteyourself。"
"Sweetphysician，lovingnurse，Iamnotexcited。"
MissGalefeltherhearttosee。
"Gratitudedoesnotexcite，"saidIna。"Itistootameafeelinginthebestofus。"
"Thatisafact，"saidMissGale；"soletusallbegrateful，andavoidexcitingtopics。ThinkwhatIshouldfeelifyouhadarelapse。Why，youwouldbreakmyheart。"
"ShouldI?"
"Ireallythinkyouwould，toughasitis。Onegetssofondofanunselfishpatient。Youcannotthinkhowraretheyare，dear。Youareapearl。Icannotaffordtoloseyou。"
"Thenyoushallnot，"saidIna，firmly。"KnowthatI，whoseemsoweak，amawomanofgreatresolution。Iwillfollowgoodcounsel；IwillpostponealldangeroustopicstillIamstronger；Iwilllive。ForIwillnotgrievethetruefriendscalamityhasraisedme。"
OfcourseFannytoldZoeallaboutthisinterview。Shelistenedgloomily；
andallshesaidwas，"Sistersdonotgoformuchwhenamanisinlove。"
"Dobrothers，whenawomanis?"saidFanny。
"Idaresaytheygoforasmuchastheyareworth。"
"Zoe，thatisnotfair。Harringtonisfullofaffectionforyou。Butyouwillnotgonearhim。Anyothermanwouldbeveryangry。Dopraymakeaneffort，andcomedowntodinnerto-day。"
"No，no。HehasyouandhisKlosking。AndIhavemybrokenheart。I_am_
alone；andsowillbeallalone。"
Shecriedandsobbed，butshewasobstinate，andFannycouldonlyletherhaveherownwayinthat。
Anotherquestionwassoondisposedof。WhenFannyinvitedherintothesickroom，shesaid，haughtily，"Igotherenomore。Cureher，andsendheraway——ifHarringtonwilllethergo。Idaresaysheistobepitied。"
"Ofcoursesheis。Sheisyourfellow-victim，ifyouwouldonlyletyourselfseeit。"
"Unfortunately，insteadofpityingher，Ihateher。Shehasdestroyedmyhappiness，anddoneherselfnogood。Hedoesnotloveher，andneverwill。"
Fannyfoundherselfgettingangry，soshesaidnomore；forshewasdeterminednothingshouldmakeherquarrelwithpoorZoe；butafterdinner，being_te"te-"a-te"te_withVizard，shetoldhimshewasafraidZoecouldnotseethingsastheywere；andsheaskedhimifhehadanyideawhathadbecomeofSeverne。
"Fledthecountry，Isuppose。"
"Areyousureheisnotlurkingabout?"
"Whatfor?"
"TogetawordwithZoe——alone。"
"Hewillnotcomenearthis。Iwillbreakeveryboneinhisskinifhedoes。"
"Butheissosly；hemighthangabout。"
"Whatfor?Shenevergoesout；andifshedid，haveyousopooranopinionofherastothinkshewouldspeaktohim?"
"Oh，no!andshewouldforbidhimtospeaktoher。Buthewouldbesuretopersist；andhehassuchwonderfulpowersofexplanation，andsheisblindedbylove，Ithinkhewouldmakeherbelieveblackwaswhite，ifhehadachance；andifheisabout，hewillgetachancesomeday。Sheisdoingtheveryworstthingshecould——shuttingherselfupso。Anymomentshewillturnwild，andrushoutreckless。Sheisinadangerousstate，youmarkmywords；sheisbroken-hearted，andyetsheisbitteragainsteverybody，exceptthatyoungvillain，andheistheonlyenemyshehasintheworld。Idon"tbelieveMademoiselleKloskingeverwrongedher，noreverwill。Appearancesareagainsther；butsheisagoodwoman，orIamafool。Takemyadvice，Harrington，andbeonyourguard。IfhehadwrittenapenitentlettertoMademoiselleKlosking，thatwouldbeadifferentthing；butheignoresher，andthatfrightensmeforZoe。"
HarringtonwouldnotadmitthatZoeneededanyothersafeguardagainstadetectedscoundrelthanherownsenseofdignity。Heconsented，however，totakeprecautions，ifFannywouldsolemnlypromisenottotellZoe，andsowoundher。Onthatcondition，hewouldseehishead-keepertomorrow，andallthekeepersandwatchersshouldbepostedsoastoencircletheparishwithvigilance。HeassuredFannythesefellowshadawholesystemofsignalstotheearandeye，andSevernecouldnotgetwithinamileofthehouseundetected。"But，"saidhe，"Iwillnottrusttothatalone。I
willsendanadvertisementtothelocalpapersandtheleadingLondonjournals，sowordedthatthescoundrelshallknowhisforgeryisdetected，andthathewillbearrestedonamagistrate"swarrantifhesetsfootinBarfordshire。"
Fannysaidthatwascapital，and，altogether，hehadsethermindatrest。
"Thendoasmuchforme，"saidVizard。"Pleaseexplainaremarkablephenomenon。Youwerealwaysabrightgirl，andnofool；butnotexactlywhathumdrumpeoplewouldcallagoodgirl。Youarenotoffended?"
"Theidea!Why，Ihavepubliclydisownedgoodnessagainandagain。Youhaveheardme。"
"SoIhave。Butwasnotthatratherdeceitfulofyou?foryouhaveturnedoutasgoodasgold。Anxietyhaskeptmeathomeoflate，andIhavewatchedyou。Youliveforothers；youarealloverthehousetoservetwosuffering_women。_Thatisrealcharity，notsexualcharity，whichhumbugstheworld，butnotme。Youarecook，housemaid，butler，nurse，andfriendtobothofthem。Inanintervalofyourtime，socreditablyemployed，youcomeandcheermeupwithyourbrightlittleface，andgivemewiseadvice。Iknowthatwomenareallhumbugs；onlyyouareahumbugreversed，anddeserveastatue——andtrimmings。Youhavebeenpassingyourselfoffforanaughtygirl，andallthetimeyouwereanextragoodone。"
"Andthatpuzzlesthewoman-hater，thecynicalstudent，whosayshehasfathomedwoman。MypoordearHarrington，ifyoucannotreadsoshallowacharacterasIam，howwillyougetonwiththoseladiesupstairs——Zoe，whoisasdeepasthesea，andturbidwithpassion，andtheKlosking，whoisasdeepastheocean?"
Shethoughtamomentandsaid，"There，Iwillhavepityonyou。Youshallunderstandonewomanbeforeyoudie，andthatisme。I"llgiveyoutheclewtomyseeminginconsistencies——if_you_willgive_me_acigarette。"
"What!anotherhiddenvirtue?Yousmoke?"
"NotI，exceptwhenIhappentobewithanoblesoulwhowon"ttell。"
VizardfoundheraRussiancigarette，andlightedhisowncigar，andshelecturedasfollows:
"Whatwomenlove，andcan"tdowithout，iftheyareyoungandhealthyandspirited，is——Excitement。Iamonewhopinesforit。Now，societyissoconstructedthattogetexcitementyoumustbenaughty。Waltzingallnightandflirtingalldayareexcitement。Crochet，andchurch，andexamininggirlsinSt。Matthew，anddining_enfamille，_andgoingtobedatten，arestagnation。Goodgirls——thatmeansstagnantgirls:Ihateanddespisethetamelittlewretches，andIneverwasone，andneverwillbe。
Butnowlookhere:Wehavetwoladiesinlovewithonevillain——thatisexciting。Onegetsnearlykilledinthehouse——thatisgloriouslyexciting。Theotherisbroken-hearted。IfIweretobeabadgirl，andsay，"Itisnotmybusiness；Iwillleavethemtothemselves，andgomylittlemill-roundofselfishnessasbefore，"why，whatafoolImustbe!
IshouldloseExcitement。Insteadofthat，IrunandgetthinksfortheKlosking——Excitement。Icookforher，andnurseher，andsituphalfthenight——Excitement。ThenIruntoZoe，anddomybestforher——andgetsnubbed——Excitement。ThenIsitattheheadofyourtable，andorderyou——Excitement。Oh，itislovely!"
"Shallyounotbesorrywhentheybothgetwell，andRoutinerecommences?"
"OfcourseIshall。ThatisthesortofgoodgirlIam。And，oh!whenthatfataldaycomes，howIshallflirt。Heavenhelpmynextflirtee!I
shallsoonflirtoutthestigmaofagoodgirl。Youmarkmywords，I
shallflirtwithsome_marriedman_afterthis。Ineverdidthatyet。ButIshall；IknowIshall——Ah!——there，Ihaveburnedmyfinger。"
"Nevermind。Thatisexciting。"
"AssuchIacceptit。Good-by。ImustgoandrelieveMissGale。Exitthegoodgirlonhermissionofcharity——ha!ha!"Shehummeda_valse"adeuxtemps，_andwentdancingoutwithsuchawhirlthatherpetticoats，whichwereample，andnot，asnow，likeasacktiedattheknees，madequiteacoolairintheroom。
ShehadnotbeengonelongwhenMissGalecamedown，fullofherpatient。
Shewantedtogetheroutofbedduringthedaytime，butsaidshewasnotstrongenoughtositup。WouldheorderaninvalidcouchdownfromLondon?Shedescribedthearticle，andwhereitwastobehad。
HesaidHarrisshouldgoupinthemorningandbringonedownwithhim。
Hethenputherseveralquestionsaboutherpatient；andatlastaskedher，withananxietyheinvainendeavoredtoconceal，whatshethoughtwastherelationbetweenherandSeverne。
NowitmayberememberedthatMissGalehadoncebeenonthepointoftellinghimallsheknew，andhadwrittenhimaletter。ButatthattimetheKloskingwasnotexpectedtoappearonthesceneinperson。WereshenowtosayshehadseenherandSevernelivingtogether，Rhodafeltthatsheshouldlowerherpatient。Shehadnotthehearttodothat。
RhodaGalewasnotofanamoroustemperament，andshewasallthemoreopentofemaleattachments。WithalittleencouragementshewouldhavelovedZoe，butshehadnowtransferredheraffectiontotheKlosking。SherepliedtoVizardalmostlikeamaleloverdefendingtheobjectofhisaffection。
"TheexactrelationismorethanIcantell；butIthinkhehasliveduponher，forshewasricherthanhewas；andIfeelsurehehaspromisedhermarriage。Andmygreatfearnowislestheshouldgetholdofherandkeephispromise。Heisaspoorasaratorafemalephysician；andshehasafortuneinhervoice，andhasmoneybesides，MissDovertellsme。
Praykeepherheretillsheisquitewell，please。"
"Iwill。"
"AndthenletmehaveherupatHillstoke。Sheisbeginningtoloveme，andIdoteonher。"
"SodoI。"
"Ah，butyoumustnot。"
"Whynot?"
"Because。"
"Well，whynot?"
"Sheisnottoloveanymanagainwhowillnotmarryher。Iwon"tlether。I"llkillherfirst，Iloveherso。Aroguesheshan"tmarry，andI
can"tletyoumarryher，because，herconnectionwiththatSeverneismysterious。Sheseemsthesoulofvirtue，butIcouldnotlet_you_marryheruntilthingsareclearer。"
"Makeyourmindeasy。Iwillnotmarryher——noranybodyelse——tillthingsareagreatdealclearerthanIhaveeverfoundthem，whereyoursexisconcerned。"
MissGaleapprovedtheresolution。
NextdayVizardpostedhiskeepers，andsenthisadvertisementstotheLondonandcountryjournals。
Fannycameintohisstudytotellhimtherewasmoretrouble——MissMaitlandtakenseriouslyill，andhadwrittentoZoe。
"Pooroldsoul!"saidVizard。"Ihaveagreatmindtorideoverandseeher。"
"Somebodyoughttogo，"saidFanny。
"Well，yougo。"
"HowcanI——withZoe，andMademoiselleKlosking，andyou，tolookafter?"
"Insteadofoneoldwoman。Notmuchexcitementinthat。"
"No，cousin。Tothinkofyourremembering!Why，youmusthavegonetobedsober。"
"Ioftendo。"
"Youwerealwaysaneccentriclandowner。"
"Don"tyoutalk。Youareacaricature。"
ThisbanterwasinterruptedbyMissGale，whocametotellHarringtonMademoiselleKloskingdesiredtoseehim，athisleisure。
Hesaidhewouldcomedirectly。
"Beforeyougo，"saidMissGale，"letuscometoanunderstanding。Shehadonlytwodays"fever；butthatfever，andthelossofblood，andtheshocktohernerves，broughthertodeath"sdoorbyexhaustion。Nowsheisslowlyrecoveringherstrength，becauseshehasahealthystomach，andIgivehernostimulantstospurandthenweakenher，butchoiceandsimpleesculents，theeffectofwhichIwatch，andvarythemaccordingly。
Buttheconvalescentperiodisalwaysoneofdanger，especiallyfromchillstothebody，andexcitementstothebrain。Atnoperiodaremorepatientsthrownawayforwantofvigilance。NowIcanguardagainstchillsandotherbodilythings，butnotagainstexcitements——unlessyouco-operate。Thefactis，wemustagreetoavoidspeakingaboutMr。
Severne。Wemustbeonourguard。Wemustparry；wemustevade；wemustbedeaf，stupid，slippery；butnoSeverne——forfiveorsixdaysmore，atallevents。"
Thusforewarned，Vizard，induecourse，paidhissecondvisittoInaKlosking。
Hefoundherproppedupwithpillowsthistime。Shebeggedhimtobeseated。
Shehadevidentlysomethingonhermind，andhernurseswatchedherlikecats。
"Youarefondofmusic，sir?"
"Notofallmusic。Iadoregoodmusic，Ihatebad，andIdespisemediocre。Silenceisgolden，indeed，comparedwithpoormusic。"
"Youareright，sir。Haveyougoodmusicinthehouse?"
"Alittle。Igetalltheoperas，andyouknowtherearegenerallyoneortwogoodthingsinanopera——amongtherubbish。Butthegreatbulkofourcollectionisratherold-fashioned。Itissacredmusic——oratorios，masses，anthems，services，chants。Mymotherwasthecollector。Hertastesweregood，butnarrow。Doyoucareforthatsortofmusic?"
"Sacredmusic?Why，itis，ofallmusic，themostdivine，andsoothesthetroubledsoul。CanInotseethebooks?Ireadmusiclikewords。ByreadingIalmosthear。"
"Wewillbringyouupadozenbookstobeginon。"
Hewentdowndirectly；andsuchwashispleasureindoinganythingfortheKloskingthatheexecutedtheorderinperson，broughtupalittlepileoffoliosandquartos，beautifullyboundandlettered，aladyhavingbeenthecollector。
Now，ashemountedthestairs，withhisverychinuponthepile，whoshouldheseelookingovertherailsathimbuthissisterZoe。
Shewassadlychanged。Therewasafixedashenpalloronhercheek，andadarkcircleunderhereyes。
Hestoppedtolookather。"Mypoorchild，"saidhe，"youlookveryill。"
"Iamveryill，dear。"
"Wouldyounotbebetterforachange?"
"Imight。"
"Whycoopyourselfupinyourownroom?Whydenyyourselfabrother"ssympathy?"
Thegirltrembled，andtearscametohereyes。
"Isitwithmeyousympathize?"saidshe。
"Canyoudoubtit，Zoe?"
Zoehungherheadamoment，anddidnotreply。Thenshemadeadiversion。
"Whatarethosebooks?Oh，Isee——yourmother"smusic-books。Nothingistoogoodfor_her。"_
"Nothinginthewayofmusic-booksistoogoodforher。Forshame!areyoujealousofthatunfortunatelady?"
Zoemadenoreply。
Sheputherhandsbeforeherface，thatVizardmightnotseehermind。
Thenherestedhisbooksonatable，andcameandtookherheadinhishandspaternally。"Donotshutyourselfupanylonger。Solitudeisdangeroustotheafflicted。Bemorewithmethanever，andletthiscruelblowbindusmoreclosely，insteadofdisunitingus。"
Hekissedherlovingly，andhiskindwordssethertearsflowing；buttheydidherlittlegood——theywerebittertears。Betweenherandherbrothertherewasnowabarriersisterlylovecouldnotpass。HehatedanddespisedEdwardSeverne；andsheonlydistrustedhim，andfearedhewasavillain。Shelovedhimstillwitheveryfiberofherheart，andpinedforhisexplanationofallthatseemedsodark。
Sothenheenteredthesick-roomwithhismusic-books；andZoe，afterwatchinghiminwithoutseemingtodoso，creptawaytoherownroom。
Thentherewasratheraprettylittlescene。MissGaleandMissDover，oneachsideofthebed，heldaheavymusic-book，andMademoiselleKloskingturnedtheleavesandread，whenthecompositionwasworthreading。Ifitwasnot，shequietlypasseditover，withoutanyinjuriouscomment。
Vizardwatchedherfromthefootofthebed，andcouldtellinamoment，byherface，whetherthecompositionwasgood，bad，orindifferent。Whenbad，herfaceseemedtoturnimpassive，likemarble；whengood，toexpand；andwhenshelightedonamasterpiece，shewasalmosttransfigured，andherfaceshonewithelevatedjoy。
ThiswasastudytotheenamoredVizard，anditdidnotescapethequick-sighteddoctress。Shedespisedmusiconitsownmerits，butshedespisednothingthatcouldbepressedintotheserviceofmedicine；andshesaidtoherself，"I"llcureherwithesculentsandmusic。"
Thebookwastakenawaytomakeroomforanother。
ThensaidInaKlosking，"Mr。Vizard，Idesiretosayawordtoyou。
Excuseme，mydearfriends。"
MissGalecoloredup。Shehadnotforeseena_te"te-"a-te"te_betweenVizardandherpatient。However，therewasnohelpforit，andshewithdrewtoalittledistancewithFanny；butshesaidtoVizard，openlyandexpressively，"Remember!"
Whentheyhadwithdrawnalittleway，InaKloskingfixedhereyesonVizard，andsaid，inalowvoice，"Yoursister!"
Vizardstartedalittleatthesuddennessofthis，buthesaidnothing:
hedidnotknowwhattosay。
Whenshehadwaitedalittle，andhesaidnothing，shespokeagain。"Tellmesomethingabouther。Isshegood?Forgiveme:itisnotthatIdoubt。"
"Sheisgood，accordingtoherlights。"
"Issheproud?"
"Yes。"
"Isshejust?"
"No。AndInevermetawomanthatwas。"
"Indeeditisrare。Whydoesshenotvisitme?"
"Idon"tknow"
"Sheblamesmeforallthathashappened。"
"Idon"tknow，madam。Mysisterlooksveryill，andkeepsherownroom。
Ifshedoesnotvisityou，sheholdsequallyalooffromusall。Shehasnottakenasinglemealwithmeforsomedays。"
"SinceIwasyourpatientandyourguest。"
"Praydonotconcludefromthat——Whocaninterpretawoman?"
"Anotherwoman。Enigmastoyou，wearetransparenttoeachother。Sir，willyougrantmeafavor?WillyoupersuadeMissVizardtoseemeherealone——allalone?Itwillbeagreatertrialtomethantoher，forIamweak。InthisrequestIamnotselfish。Shecandonothingforme；butI
candoalittleforher，topaythedebtofgratitudeIowethishospitablehouse。MayHeavenblessit，fromtherooftothefoundationstone!"
"Iwillspeaktomysister，andsheshallvisityou——withtheconsentofyourphysician。"
"Itiswell，"saidInaKlosking，andbeckonedherfriends，oneofwhom，MissGale，proceededtofeelherpulse，withsuspiciousglancesatVizard。Butshefoundthepulsecalm，andsaidso。
VizardtookhisleaveandwentstraighttoZoe"sroom。Shewasnotthere。
Hewasgladofthat，foritgavehimhopesshewasgoingtorespecthisadviceandgiveuphersolitarylife。
Hewentdownstairsandontothelawntolookforher。Hecouldnotseeheranywhere。
Atlast，whenhehadgivenuplookingforher，hefoundherinhisstudycrouchedinacorner。
Sheroseatsightofhimandstoodbeforehim。"Harrington，"saidshe，inratheracommandingway，"AuntMaitlandisill，andIwishtogotoher。"
Harringtonstaredatherwithsurprise。"Youarenotwellenoughyourself。"
"Quitewellenoughinbodytogoanywhere。"
"Well，but——"saidHarrington。
Shecaughthimupimpatiently。"SurelyyoucannotobjecttomyvisitingAuntMaitland。Sheisdangerouslyill。Ihadasecondletterthismorning——see。"Andsheheldhimoutaletter。
Harringtonwasinadifficulty。Hefeltsurethiswasnotherrealmotive；buthedidnotliketosaysoharshlytoanunhappygirl。Hetookamoderatecourse。"Notjustnow，dear，"saidhe。
"What!amItowaittillshedies?"criedZoe，gettingagitatedathisopposition。
"Bereasonable，dear。Youknowyouarethemistressofthishouse。Donotdesertmejustnow。Considertheposition。Itisaverychatteringcounty。IentertainMademoiselleKlosking；Icouldnotdootherwisewhenshewasnearlykilledinmyhall。Butformysistertogoawaywhilesheremainsherewouldhaveabadeffect。"
"Itistoolatetothinkofthat，Harrington。Themischiefisdone，andyoumustpleadyoureccentricity。WhyshouldIbeartheblame?Ineverapprovedit。"
"Youwouldhavesenthertoaninn，eh?"
"No；butMissGaleofferedtotakeher。"
"ThenIamtounderstandthatyouproposetomarkyourreprobationofmyconductbyleavingmyhouse。"
"What!publicly?Ohno。YoumaysaytoyourselfthatyoursistercouldnotbeartostayunderthesameroofwithMr。Severne"smistress。Butthischatteringcountyshallneverknowmymind。Myauntisdangerouslyill。Shelivesbutthirtymilesoff。Sheisafitobjectofpity。Sheisa——respectable——lady；sheisallalone；nofemalephysician，noflirtturnedSisterofCharity，nowoman-hater，tofetchandcarryforher。AndsoIshallgotoher。Iamyoursister，notyourslave。Ifyougrudgemeyourhorses，Iwillgoonfoot。"
Vizardwaswhitewithwrath，butgovernedhimselflikeaman。"Goon，younglady!"saidhe；"goon!Jeer，andtaunt，andwoundthebestbrotheranyyoungmadwomaneverhad。Butdon"tthinkI"llansweryouasyoudeserve。I"mtoocunning。IfIwastosayanunkindwordtoyou，Ishouldsufferthetorturesofthedamned。Sogoon!"
"No，no。Forgiveme，Harrington。Itisyouroppositionthatdrivesmewild。Oh，havepityonme!IshallgomadifIstayhere。Do，pray，pray，prayletmegotoAuntMaitland!"
"Youshallgo，Zoe。ButItellyouplainly，thisstepwillbeablowtoouraffection——thefirst。"
Zoecriedatthat。Butasshedidnotwithdrawherrequest，Harringtontoldher，withcoldcivility，thatshemustbegoodenoughtobereadydirectlyafterbreakfastto-morrow，andtakeaslittleluggageasshecouldwithconveniencetoherself。
Horsesweresentonthatnighttothe"Fox，"aninnhalf-waybetweenVizardCourtandMissMaitland"splace。
Inthemorningalightbarouche，withaslingforluggage，cameround，andZoewassoonseatedinit。Then，tohersurprise，Harringtoncameoutandsatbesideher。
Shewaspleasedatthisandsaid，"What!areyougoingwithme，dear，allthatway?"
"Yes，tosaveappearances，"saidhe；andtookoutanewspapertoread。
ThisfrozeZoe，andsheretiredwithinherself。
Itwasafinefreshmorning；thecoachmandrovefast；theairfannedhercheek；themotionwasenlivening；thehorses"shoofsrangquickandclearupontheroad。Freshobjectsmettheeyeeverymoment。Herheartwasassadandachingasbefore，buttherearoseafaintencouragingsensethatsomedayshemightbebetter，orthingsmighttakesometurn。
Whentheyhadrolledabouttenmilesshesaid，inalowvoice，"Harrington。"
"Well?"
"Youwereright。Coopingone"sselfupisthewaytogomad。"
"Ofcourseitis。"
"Ifeelalittlebetternow——averylittle。"
"Iamgladofit。"
Buthewasnothearty，andshesaidnomore。
Hewasextremelyattentivetoherallthejourney，and，indeed，hadneverbeenhalfsopolitetoher。
This，however，ledtoaresulthedidnotintendnoranticipate。Zoe，beingnowcool，fellintoastateofcompunctionanddismay。Shesawhisaffectionleavingherfor_her，_andstiffpolitenesscominginstead。
Sheleanedforward，putherhandsonhisknees，andlooked，allscared，inhisface。"Harrington，"shecried，"Iwaswrong。WhatisAuntMaitlandtome?Youaremyall。Bidhimturnthehorses"headsandgohome。"
"Why，weareonlysixmilesfromtheplace。"
"Whatdoesthatmatter?Weshallhavehadagoodlongdrivetogether，andIwilldinewithyouafterit；andIwillrideordrivewithyoueveryday，ifyouwillletme。"
Vizardcouldnothelpsmiling。Hewasdisarmed。"Youimpulsiveyoungmonkey，"saidhe，"Ishalldonothingofthekind。Inthefirstplace，I
couldn"tturnbackfromanything；I"monlyaman。Inthenextplace，I
havebeenthinkingitover，asyouhave；andthisisagoodmoveofours，thoughIwasalittlemortifiedatfirst。Occupationisthebestcureoflove，andthisoldladywillfindyouplenty。Besides，nursingimprovesthecharacter。LookatthatfrivolousgirlFanny，howshehascomeout。
Andyouknow，Zoe，ifyougetsickofitinadayortwo，youhaveonlytowritetome，andIwillsendforyoudirectly。Ashortabsence，withsoreasonableamotiveasvisitingasickaunt，willprovokenocomments。
Itisallforthebest。"
ThissetZoeatherease，andbrotherandsisterresumedtheirusualmanners。
TheyreachedMissMaitland"shouse，andwereadmittedtohersick-room。
Shewasreallyveryill，andthankedthemsopatheticallyforcomingtovisitapoorloneoldwomanthatnowtheywerebothgladtheyhadcome。
Zoeenteredonherfunctionswithanalacritythatsurprisedherself，andVizarddroveaway。Buthedidnotdrivestraighthome。HehadstartedfromVizardCourtwithotherviews。HehadtelegraphedLordUxmoorthenightbefore，andnowdrovetohisplace，whichwasonlyfivemilesdistant。Hefoundhimathome，andsoontoldhimhiserrand。"Doyouremembermeetingayoungfellowatmyhouse，calledSeverne?"
"Ido，"saidLordUxmoor，drylyenough。
"Well，hehasturnedoutanimpostor。"
Uxmoor"seyeflashed。HehadalwayssuspectedSeverneofbeinghisrivalandamaincauseofhisdefeat。"Animpostor?"saidhe:"thatisratherastrongword。CertainlyIneverheardagentlemantellsuchafalsehoodashevolunteeredabout——what"sthefellow"sname?——adetective。"
"Oh，Poikilus。Thatisnothing。Thatwasoneofhiswhitelies。Heisavillainallround，andaforgerbywayofclimax。"
"Aforger!What，acriminal?"
"Rather!Herearehisdrafts。Thedrawerandacceptordonotexist。ThewholethingwaswrittenbyEdwardSeverne，whoseindorsementfiguresonthebill。Hegotmetocashthesebills。Idepositthemwithyou，andI
askyouforawarranttocommithim——ifheshouldcomethisway。"
"Isthatlikely?"
"Notatall；itisahundredtoonehenevershowshisnoseagaininBarfordshire。Whenhewasfoundout，hebolted，andlefthisveryclothesinmyhouse。Ipackedthemofftothe"Swan"atTaddington。Hehasneverbeenheardofsince；andIhavewarnedhim，byadvertisement，thathewillbearrestedifeverhesetsfootinBarfordshire。"
"Well，then?"
"Well，then，Iamnotgoingtothrowawayachance。ThebeggarhadtheimpudencetospoononmysisterZoe。Thatwasmyfault，nothers。Hewasanoldcollegeacquaintance，andIgavehimopportunities——Ideservetobehorsewhipped。However，Iamnotgoingtocommitthesameblundertwice。Mysisterisinyourneighborhoodforafewdays。"
"Ah!"
"Andperhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtokeepyoureyeonher。"
"Ifeelmuchhonoredbysuchacommission。ButyouhavenottoldmewhereMissVizardis。"
"Withheraunt，MissMaitland，atSomervilleVilla，nearBagley。Apropos，Ihadbettertellyouwhatsheistherefor，oryourgooddowagerwillbeaskinghertoparties。ShehascometonurseherauntMaitland。Theoldladyisseriouslyill，andallouryoungcoquettesaregoinginfornursing。Wehaveasickladyatourhouse，Iamsorrytosay，andsheisnursedlikeaqueenbyDoctressGaleandexFlirtFannyDover。Nowisfulfilledthesayingthatwassaid，"Owoman!inourhoursofease——"
Ispareyoutherest，andsimplyremarkthatourZoe，firedbytheexampleofthosetwoladies，hasdevotedherselftonursingAuntMaitland。Itisverygoodofher，butexperiencetellsmeshewillverysoonfinditextremelytrying；andassheisaveryprettygirl，andthereforeafitsubjectofmalecharity，youmightpayheravisitnowandthen，andshowherthatthisbestofallpossibleworldscontainsyounggentlemenofdistinction，withlongandglossybeards，aswellaspeevisholdwomen，whoareextraselfishandtyrannicalwhentheyhappentobesick。"
Uxmoorpositivelyradiatedasthisprogrammewasunfoldedtohim。Vizardobservedthat，andchuckledinwardly。
Hethenhandedhimtheforgedacceptances。
LordUxmoorbeggedhimtowritedownthefactsonpaper，andalsohisapplicationforthewarrant。Hedidso。LordUxmoorlockedthepaperup，andthefriendsparted。Vizarddroveoff，easyinhismind，andcongratulatinghimself，notunreasonably，onhislittlecombination，bymeansofwhichhehadprovidedhissisterwithawatch-dog，acompanion，andanhonorableloverallinone。
Uxmoorputonhishatandstrodeforthintohisowngrounds，withhisheartbeatinghighatthisstrangeturnofthingsinfavorofhislove。
Neitherforesawthestrangecombinationswhichweretoariseoutofaneventthatappearedsosimpleandone-sided。
CHAPTERXXII。
INAKLOSKING"Scurewasretardedbythestateofhermind。Theexcitementandsharpagonyherphysicianhadfeareddiedawayasthefeverofthebrainsubsided；butthentheresettleddownagrim，listlesslethargy，whichobstructedherreturntohealthandvigor。OnceshesaidtoRhodaGale，"ButIhavenothingtogetwellfor。"
Asarule，shedidnotspeakhermind，butthoughtagreatdeal。SheoftenaskedafterZoe；andhernursescouldseethatheronelanguidanxietywassomehowconnectedwiththatlady。Yetshedidnotseemhostiletohernow，norjealous。Itwashardtounderstandher；shewasreserved，andverydeep。
ThefirstrelieftothedeadlylanguorofhermindcametoherfromMusic。Thatwasnogreatwonder；but，strangetosay，themusicthatdidhergoodwasneitheroldenoughtoberevered，nornewenoughtobefashionable。ItwasEnglishmusictoo，and_passe"_music。ShecameacrossacollectionofAnglicananthemsandservices——written，mostofit，towardtheendofthelastcenturyandthebeginningofthis。Thecomposers"namespromisedlittle:theywereBlow，Nares，Green，Kent，King，Jackson，etc。Thewordsandthemusicofthesecompositionsseemedtosuitoneanother；and，astheywereallquitenewtoher，shewentthroughthemalmosteagerly，andhummedseveralofthestrains，andwithherwhitebutnowthinhandbeattimetoothers。SheevensentforVizard，andsaidtohim，"Youhaveatreasurehere。Doyouknowthesecompositions?"
Heinspectedhistreasure。"Iremember，"saidhe，"mymotherusedtosingthisone，"WhentheEyesawHer，thenitblessedHer；"andpartsofthisone，"HearmyPrayer；"and，letmesee，sheusedtosingthispsalm，"PraisetheLord，"byJackson。IamashamedtosayIusedtoaskfor"PraisetheLordJackson，"meaningtobefunny，notdevout。"
"Shedidnotchooseill，"saidIna。"IthoughtIknewEnglishmusic，yethereisawholestreamofitnewtome。Isitesteemed?"
"Ithinkitwasonce，butithashaditsday。"
"Thatisstrange；forherearesomeimmortalqualities。Thesecomposershadbrains，andbeganattherightend；theyselectedgrandandtunefulwords，greatandpiousthoughts；theyimpregnatedthemselveswiththosewordsandproducedappropriatemusic。Theharmoniesaresometimesthin，andthewritersseemscarcelytoknowtheskillfuluseofdiscords；buttheyhadheartandinvention；theysawtheirwayclearbeforetheywrotethefirstnote；thereisaninspiredsimplicityandfervor:ifallthesechoicethingsaredead，theymusthavefallenuponbadinterpreters。"
"Nodoubt，"saidVizard；"sopleasegetwell，andletmehearthesepiousstrains，whichmypoordearmotherlovedsowell，interpretedworthily。"
TheKlosking"seyesfilled。"Thatisatemptation，"saidshe，simply。
ThensheturnedtoRhodaGale。"Sweetphysician，hehasdonemegood。Hehasgivenmesomethingtogetwellfor。"
Vizard"sheartyearned。"Donottalklikethat，"saidhe，buoyantly；
then，inabrokenvoice，"Heavenforbidyoushouldhavenothingbettertoliveforthanthat。"
"Sir，"saidshe，gravely，"Ihavenothingbettertolivefornowthantointerpretgoodmusicworthily。"
Therewasapainfulsilence。
Inabrokeit。Shesaid，quitecalmly，"Firstofall，Iwishtoknowhowothersinterpretthesestrainsyourmotherloved，andIhavethehonortoagreewithher。"
"Oh，"saidVizard，"wewillsoonmanagethatforyou。Thesethingsarenotdefunct，onlyunfashionable。EverychoirinEnglandhassungthem，andcansingthem，afterafashion；so，attwelveo"clockto-morrow，lookout——forsqualls!"
Hemountedhishorse，rodeintothecathedraltown——distanteightmiles——andarrangedwiththeorganistforhimself，fourleadingboys，andthreelayclerks。Hewastosendacarriageinforthemafterthemorningservice，andreturnthemingoodtimeforvespers。
FannytoldInaKlosking，andsheinsistedongettingup。
BythistimeDoctressGalehadsatisfiedherselfthatalittleexcitementwasdownrightgoodforherpatient，andledtorefreshingsleep。Sotheydressedherlooselybutverywarmly，androlledhertothewindowonherinvalidcouch，setatahighangle。ItwasafinecleardayinOctober，keenbutgenial；andaftermufflingherwell，theyopenedthewindow。
Whileshesatthere，proppedhigh，andinhalingthepureair，Vizardconveyedhislittlechoir，byanotherstaircase，intotheantechamber；
and，underhisadvice，theyavoidedpreludesandopenedinfullchoruswithJackson"ssongofpraise。
Atthefirstburstofsacredharmony，InaKloskingwasobservedtoquiverallover。
Theysungitrathercoarsely，butcorrectlyandboldly，andwithacertainfervor。Therewerenooperaticartificestoremindherofearth；
thepurityandtheharmonystruckherfull。ThegreatsingerandsuffererliftedherclaspedhandstoGod，andthetearsflowedfastdownhercheeks。
Thesetearswerebalmtothatpoorlaceratedsoul，tormentedbymanyblows。
"Olacrymarumfons，tenerosacrosDucemtiumortusexanimo，quaterFelix，inimoquiscatentemPectore，te，pianympha，sensit。"
RhodaGale，whohatedmusiclikepoison，creptuptoher，and，infoldingherdelicately，laidapairofweteyessoftlyonhershoulder。
Vizardnowtappedatthedoor，andwasadmittedfromthemusic-room。HebeggedInatochooseanothercompositionfromherbook。Shemarkedaserviceandtwoanthems，andhandedhimthevolume，butbeggedtheymightnotbedonetoosoon，oneaftertheother。Thatwouldbequiteenoughforoneday，especiallyiftheywouldbegoodenoughtorepeatthehymnofpraisetoconclude；"for，"saidshe，"thesearethingstobedigested。"
Soontheboys"purevoicesroseagainandthosepoordeadEnglishcomposers，withprosaicnames，foundtheirwayagaintothegreatforeignsinger"ssoul。
Theysungananthem，whichisnowespeciallydespisedbythosegreatcritics，theorganistsofthecountry——"MySongshallbeofMercyandJudgment。"
TheKloskingforgavethethinnessoftheharmony，andmanylittlefaultsinthevocalexecution。Thewords，nodoubt，wentfarwithher，beingclearlyspoken。Shesatmeditating，withhermoisteyesraised，andherfacetransfigured，andattheendshemurmuredtoVizard，withhereyesstillraised，"Afterall，theyaregreatandpiouswords，andthemusichasatleastthiscrowningvirtue——itmeansthewords。"Thenshesuddenlyturneduponhimandsaid，"ThereisanotherpersoninthishousewhoneedsthisconsolationasmuchasIdo。Whydoesshenotcome?Butperhapssheiswiththemusicians。"
"Whomdoyoumean?"
"Yoursister。"
"Why，sheisnotinthehouse。"
InaKloskingstartedatthatinformation，andbenthereyeskeenlyandinquiringlyonhim。
"Shelefttwodaysago。"
"Indeed!"
"Tonurseasickaunt。"
"Indeed!Hadshenootherreason?"
"NotthatIknowof，"saidVizard；buthecouldnothelpcoloringalittle。
Thelittlechoirnowsungaservice，KinginF。Theysung"TheMagnificat"rudely，andratherprofanely，butrecoveredthemselvesinthe"Dimittis。"
Whenitwasover，Inawhispered，""TobealighttolightentheGentiles。"Thatisaninspiredduet。Oh，howitmightbesung!"
"Ofcourseitmight，"whisperedVizard；"soyouhavesomethingtogetwellfor。"
"Yes，myfriend——thankstoyouandyoursaintedmother。"
This，utteredinavoicewhich，underthehealinginfluenceofmusic，seemedtohaveregainedsomeofitsrichmelody，wastoomuchforourcynic，andhebustledofftohidehisemotion，andinvitedthemusicianstolunch。
Alltheservantshadbeenlisteningonthestairs，andthehospitableoldbutlerpliedtheboyswithsparklingMoselle，which，beinghimselfrearedonmightyPort；hethoughtalightandplayfulwine——justthethingforwomenandchildren。Soafterluncheontheysungratherwild，andtheKloskingtoldVizard，dryly，thatwoulddoforthepresent。
Thenheorderedthecarriageforthem，andaskedMademoiselleKloskingwhenshewouldlikethemagain。
"When_can_I?"sheinquired，rathertimidly。
"Everyday，ifyoulike——Sundaysandall。"