第1章

Thissomewhatfrivolousnarrativewasproducedasaninterludebetweenstoriesofamoresoberdesign，anditwasgiventhesub-

titleofacomedytoindicate——thoughnotquiteaccurately——theaimoftheperformance。Ahighdegreeofprobabilitywasnotattemptedinthearrangementoftheincidents，andtherewasexpectedofthereaderacertainlightnessofmood，whichshouldinformhimwithagood-naturedwillingnesstoaccepttheproductioninthespiritinwhichitwasoffered。Thecharactersthemselves，however，weremeanttobeconsistentandhuman。

Onitsfirstappearancethenovelsuffered，perhapsdeservedly，forwhatwasinvolvedintheseintentions——foritsqualityofunexpectednessinparticular——thatunforgivablesininthecritic’ssight——theimmediateprecursorof’Ethelberta’havingbeenapurelyruraltale。Moreover，initschoiceofmedium，andlineofperspective，itundertookadelicatetask:toexciteinterestinadrama——ifsuchadignifiedwordmaybeusedintheconnection——

whereinservantswereasimportantas，ormoreimportantthan，theirmasters；whereinthedrawing-roomwassketchedinmanycasesfromthepointofviewoftheservants’hall。Suchareversalofthesocialforegroundhas，perhaps，sincegrownmorewelcome，andreadersevenofthefinercrustedkindmaynowbedisposedtopardonawriterforpresentingthesonsanddaughtersofMr。andMrs。

Chickerelasbeingswhocomewithinthescopeofacongenialregard。

T。H。

December1895。

TheHandofEthelberta1。ASTREETINANGLEBURY-AHEATHNEARIT-INSIDETHE’REDLION’INN

YoungMrs。Petherwinsteppedfromthedoorofanoldandwell-

appointedinninaWessextowntotakeacountrywalk。Byherlookandcarriagesheappearedtobelongtothatgentleorderofsocietywhichhasnoworldlysorrowexceptwhenitsjewellerygetsstolen；

but，asafactnotgenerallyknown，herclaimtodistinctionwasratheroneofbrainsthanofblood。Shewasthedaughterofagentlemanwholivedinalargehousenothisown，andbeganlifeasababychristenedEthelbertaafteraninfantoftitlewhodoesnotcomeintothestoryatall，havingmerelyfurnishedEthelberta’smotherwithasubjectofcontemplation。Shebecameteacherinaschool，waspraisedbyexaminers，admiredbygentlemen，notadmiredbygentlewomen，wastouchedupwithaccomplishmentsbymasterswhowerecoaxedintopainstakingbyhermanygraces，and，enteringamansionasgovernesstothedaughterthereof，wasstealthilymarriedbytheson。He，aminorlikeherself，diedfromachillcaughtduringtheweddingtour，andafewweekslaterwasfollowedintothegravebySirRalphPetherwin，hisunforgivingfather，whohadbequeathedhiswealthtohiswifeabsolutely。

ThesecalamitieswereasufficientreasontoLadyPetherwinforpardoningallconcerned。ShetookbythehandtheforlornEthelberta——whoseemedratheradetachedbridethanawidow——andfinishedhereducationbyplacingherfortwoorthreeyearsinaboarding-schoolatBonn。LatterlyshehadbroughtthegirltoEnglandtoliveunderherroofasdaughterandcompanion，theconditionattachedbeingthatEthelbertawasneveropenlytorecognizeherrelations，forreasonswhichwillhereafterappear。

Theelegantyounglady，asshehadafullrighttobecalledifshecaredforthedefinition，arrestedallthelocalattentionwhensheemergedintothesummer-eveninglightwiththatdiadem-and-sceptrebearing——manypeopleforreasonsofhereditydiscoveringsuchgracesonlyinthosewhosevestibulesarelinedwithancestralmail，forgettingthatabearmaybetaughttodance。Whilethisairofherslasted，eventheinanimateobjectsinthestreetappearedtoknowthatshewasthere；butfromawayshehadofcarelesslyoverthrowingherdignitybyversatilemoods，onecouldnotcalculateuponitspresencetoacertaintywhenshewasroundcornersorinlittlelaneswhichdemandednorepressionofanimalspirits。

’Welltobesure！’exclaimedamilkman，regardingher。’Weshouldfreezeinourbedsif’twerenotforthesun，and，dangme！ifsheisn’taprettypiece。Amancouldmakeamealbetweenthemeyesandchin——eh，hostler？Oddnationdangmyoldsidesifhecouldn’t！’

Thespeaker，whohadbeencarryingapairofpailsonayoke，depositedthemupontheedgeofthepavementinfrontoftheinn，andstraightenedhisbacktoanexcruciatingperpendicular。Hisremarkshadbeenaddressedtoaricketyperson，wearingawaistcoatofthatpreternaturallengthfromthetoptothebottombuttonwhichprevailsamongmenwhohavetodowithhorses。Hewassweepingstrawsfromthecarriage-waybeneaththestonearchthatformedapassagetothestablesbehind。

’Nevermindthecursingandswearing，orsomebodywho’sneveroutofhearingmayclapyernamedowninhisblackbook，’saidthehostler，alsopausing，andliftinghiseyestothemullionedandtransomedwindowsandmouldedparapetabovehim——nottostudythemasfeaturesofancientarchitecture，butjusttogiveashealthfulastretchtotheeyesashisacquaintancehaddonetohisback。’Michael，aoldmanlikeyououghttothinkaboutotherthings，andnotbelookingtwowaysatyourtimeoflife。Pouncinguponyoungfleshlikeacarrioncrow——’tisavilethinginaoldman。’

’’Tis；andyet’tisnot，for’tisanatereltaste，’saidthemilkman，againsurveyingEthelberta，whohadnowpauseduponabridgeinfullview，tolookdowntheriver。’Now，ifapoorneedyfellerlikemyselfcouldonlycatchheralonewhenshe’sdresseduptotheninesforsomegrandparty，andcarryherofftosomelonelyplace——sakes，whatapotofjewelsandgooldthingsIwarranthe’dfindabouther！’Twouldpayenforhistrouble。’

’Idon’tdisputethepicter；but’tisslyanduntimelytothinksuchroguery。ThoughI’vehadthoughtslikeit，’tistrue，abouthighwomen——Lordforgivemefor’t。’

’Andthatfigureoffashionstandingthereisawidowwoman，soI

hear？’

’Lady——notapennylessthanlady。Ay，athingoftwenty-oneorthereabouts。’

’Awidowladyandtwenty-one。’Tisabackwardageforabodywho’ssoforwardinherstateoflife。’

’Well，bethatas’twill，here’smyshowingsforherage。Shewasaboutthefigureoftwoorthree-and-twentywhena’gotoffthecarriagelastnight，tiredoutwi’boamingaboutthecountry；andnineteenthismorningwhenshecamedownstairsafterasleeproundtheclockandaclane-washedface:soIthoughttomyself，twenty-

one，Ithought。’

’Andwhat’stheyoungwoman’sname，makesobold，hostler？’

’Ay，andthehousewereallinastoorwithherandtheoldwoman，andtheirboxesandcamp-kettles，thattheycarrytowashinbecausehand-basonsbain’tbigenough，andIdon’tknowwhatall；andt’otherfolkstoppingherewerenomorethandirtthencefor’ard。’

’Isupposethey’vecomeoutofsomenoblecityalongwayherefrom？’

’Andtherewasherhairupinbuckleasifshe’dneverseenaclay-

coldmanatall。However，tocutalongstoryshort，allIknowbesidesabout’emisthatthenameupontheirluggageisLadyPetherwin，andshe’sthewidowofacitygentleman，whowasamanofvalourintheLordMayor’sShow。’

’Who’sthatchapinthegaitersandpackathisback，comeoutofthedoorbutnow？’saidthemilkman，noddingtowardsafigureofthatdescriptionwhohadjustemergedfromtheinnandtrudgedoffinthedirectiontakenbythelady——nowoutofsight。

’Chapinthegaiters？Chok’itall——why，thefatherofthatnoblemanthatyoucallchapinthegaitersusedtobehandinglovewithhalftheQueen’scourt。’

’Whatd’yetello’？’

’Thatman’sfatherwasoneofthemayorandcorporationofSandbourne，andwasthatfamiliarwithmenofmoney，thathe’dslap’emupontheshoulderasyouorIoranyotherpoorfoolwouldtheclerkoftheparish。’

’O，what’smylordlin’sname，makesobold，then？’

’Ay，thetoppermostclassnowadayshaveleftofftheuseofwheelsforthegoodoftheirconstitutions，sotheytraipseandwalkformanyyearsupforeignhills，whereyoucanseenothingbutsnowandfog，tillthere’snomorelefttowalkup；andiftheyreachhomealive，andha’n’tgottoooldandwearedout，theywalkandseealittleoftheirownparishes。Sotheytoweraboutwithapackandastickandaclanewhitepocket-handkerchiefovertheirhatsjustasyouseehe’sgotonhis。He’sbeenstayinghereanight，andisoffnowagain。"Youngman，youngman，"Ithinktomyself，"ifyourshoulderswerebentlikeabandyandyourkneesbowedoutasminebe，tillthereisnotaninchofstraightboneorgristlein’ee，th’wouldstn’tgodoinghardworkforplay’ab’lieve。"’

’True，true，uponmysong。SuchapainasIhavehadinmylynesallthisdaytobesure；wordsdon’tknowwhatshipwreckIsufferintheselyneso’mine——thattheydonot！Andwhatwasthisyoungwidowlady’smaidenname，then，hostler？Folkhavebeenpeepingafterher，that’strue；buttheydon’tseemtoknowmuchaboutherfamily。’

’AndwhileI’vetendedhorsesfiftyyearthatotherfolkmightstraddle’em，hereIbenownotapennythebetter！Often-times，whenIseesomanygoodthingsabout，Ifeelinclinedtohelpmyselfincommonjusticetomypocket。

"Workhardandbepoor，Donothingandgetmore。"

ButIdrawinthehornsofmymindandthinktomyself，"Forbear，JohnHostler，forbear！"——Hermaidenname？Faith，Idon’tknowthewoman’smaidenname，thoughshesaidtome，"Goodevening，John；"

butIhadnomemoryofeverseeingherafore——no，nomorethanthedeadinsidechurch-hatch——whereIshallsoonbelikewise——Ihadnot。

"Ay，mynabs，"Ithinktomyself，"moreknowTomFoolthanTomFoolknows。"’

’MoreknowTomFool——whatramblingoldcanticleisityousay，hostler？’inquiredthemilkman，liftinghisear。’Let’shaveitagain——agoodsayingwellspitoutisaChristmasfiretomywitheredheart。MoreknowTomFool——’

’ThanTomFoolknows，’saidthehostler。

’Ah！That’stheveryfeelingI’vefeeledoverandoveragain，hostler，butnotinsuchgiftedlanguage。’TisathoughtI’vehadinmeforyears，andnevercouldlickintoshape！——O-ho-ho-ho！

Splendid！Sayitagain，hostler，sayitagain！Tohearmyownpoornotionthathadnonamebroughtintoformlikethat——Iwouldn’tha’

lostitfortheworld！MoreknowTomFoolthan——than——h-ho-ho-ho-

ho！’

’Don’tletyoursenseo’vitnessbreakoutinsuchuproar，forheaven’ssake，orfolkwillsurelythinkyou’vebeenlaughingattheladyandgentleman。Well，here’satitagain——Nightt’ee，Michael。’

Andthehostlerwentonwithhissweeping。

’Nightt’ee，hostler，Imustmovetoo，’saidthemilkman，shoulderinghisyoke，andwalkingoff；andtherereachedtheinninagradualdiminuendo，asherecededupthestreet，shakinghisheadconvulsively，’Moreknow——TomFool——thanTomFool——ho-ho-ho-ho-ho！’

The’RedLion，’astheinnorhotelwascalledwhichoflateyearshadbecomethefashionamongtourists，becauseoftheabsencefromitsprecinctsofallthatwasfashionableandnew，stoodnearthemiddleofthetown，andformedacornerwhereinwinterthewindswhistledandassembledtheirforcesprevioustoplunginghelter-

skelteralongthestreets。Insummeritwasafreshandpleasantspot，convenientforsuchquietcharactersassojournedtheretostudythegeologyandbeautifulnaturalfeaturesofthecountryround。

TheladywhoseappearancehadassertedadifferencebetweenherselfandtheAngleburypeople，withouttooclearlyshowingwhatthatdifferencewas，passedoutofthetowninafewmomentsand，followingthehighwayacrossmeadowsfedbytheFroom，shecrossedtherailwayandsoongotintoalonelyheath。Shehadbeenwatchingthebaseofacloudasitcloseddownuponthelineofadistantridge，likeanupperuponalowereyelid，shuttinginthegazeoftheeveningsun。Shewasabouttoreturnbeforeduskcameon，whensheheardacommotionintheairimmediatelybehindandaboveherhead。Thesauntererlookedupandsawawild-duckflyingalongwiththegreatestviolence，justinitsrearbeinganotherlargebird，whichacountrymanwouldhavepronouncedtobeoneofthebiggestduck-hawksthathehadeverbeheld。Thehawkneareditsintendedvictim，andtheduckscreamedandredoubleditsefforts。

Ethelbertaimpulsivelystartedoffinarapidrunthatwouldhavemadealittledogbarkwithdelightandrunafter，herobjectbeing，ifpossible，toseetheendofthisdesperatestruggleforalifesosmallandunheard-of。Herstatelinesswentaway，anditcouldbeforgivenfornotremaining；forherfeetsuddenlybecameasquickasfingers，andsheracedalongovertheunevengroundwithsuchforceoftreadthat，beingawomanslightlyheavierthangossamer，herpatentheelspunchedlittleD’sinthesoilwithunerringaccuracywhereveritwasbare，crippledtheheather-twigswhereitwasnot，andsuckedtheswampyplaceswithasoundofquickkisses。

Herrateofadvancewasnottobecomparedwiththatofthetwobirds，thoughshewentswiftlyenoughtokeepthemwellinsightinsuchanopenplaceasthataroundher，havingatonepointinthejourneybeensonearthatshecouldhearthewhiskoftheduck’sfeathersagainstthewindasitliftedandlowereditswings。Whenthebirdseemedtobebutafewyardsfromitsenemyshesawitstrikedownwards，andafteralevelflightofaquarterofaminute，vanish。Thehawkswoopedafter，andEthelbertanowperceivedawhitelyshiningovalofstillwater，lookingamidtheswarthyleveloftheheathlikeaholethroughtoanethersky。

Intothislargepond，whichtheduckhadbeenmakingtowardsfromthebeginningofitsprecipitateflight，ithaddivedoutofsight。

Theexcitedandbreathlessrunnerwasinafewmomentscloseenoughtoseethedisappointedhawkhoveringandfloatingintheairasifwaitingforthereappearanceofitsprey，uponwhichgrimpastimeitwassointentthatbycreepingalongsoftlyshewasenabledtogetveryneartheedgeofthepoolandwitnesstheconclusionoftheepisode。Whenevertheduckwasunderthenecessityofshowingitsheadtobreathe，theotherbirdwoulddarttowardsit，invariablytoolate，however；forthediverwasfartooexperiencedintheroughhumourofthebuzzardfamilyatthisgametocomeuptwicenearthesamespot，unaccountablyemergingfromoppositesidesofthepoolinsuccession，andbobbingagainbythetimeitsadversaryreachedeachplace，sothatatlengththehawkgaveupthecontestandflewaway，asatanicmoodinessbeingalmostperceptibleinthemotionofitswings。

Theyoungladynowlookedaroundherforthefirsttime，andbegantoperceivethatshehadrunalongdistance——verymuchfurtherthanshehadoriginallyintendedtocome。Hereyeshadbeensolongfixeduponthehawk，asitsoaredagainstthebrightandmottledfieldofsky，thatonregardingtheheatherandplainagainitwasasifshehadreturnedtoahalf-forgottenregionafteranabsence，andthewholeprospectwasdarkenedtooneuniformshadeofapproachingnight。Shebeganatoncetoretracehersteps，buthavingbeenindiscriminatelywheelingroundthepondtogetagoodviewoftheperformance，andhavingfollowednopaththither，shefoundtheproperdirectionofherjourneytobeamatterofsomeuncertainty。

’Surely，’shesaidtoherself，’Ifacedthenorthatstarting:’andyetonwalkingnowwithherbackwhereherfacehadbeenset，shedidnotapproachanymarksonthehorizonwhichmightseemtosignifythetown。Thusdubiously，butwithlittlerealconcern，shewalkedontilltheeveninglightbegantoturntodusk，andtheshadowstodarkness。

PresentlyinfrontofherEthelbertasawawhitespotintheshade，anditprovedtobeinsomewayattachedtotheheadofamanwhowascomingtowardsheroutofaslightdepressionintheground。Itwasasyettooearlyintheeveningtobeafraid，butitwastoolatetobealtogethercourageous；andwithbalancedsensationsEthelbertakepthereyesharplyuponhimasherosebydegreesintoview。Thepeculiararrangementofhishatandpugreesoonstruckherasbeingthatshehadcasuallynoticedonapeginoneoftheroomsofthe’RedLion，’andwhenhecamecloseshesawthathisarmsdiminishedtoapeculiarsmallnessattheirjunctionwithhisshoulders，likethoseofadoll，whichwasexplainedbytheirbeinggirtroundatthatpointwiththestrapsofaknapsackthathecarriedbehindhim。Encouragedbytheprobabilitythathe，likeherself，wasstayingorhadbeenstayingatthe’RedLion，’shesaid，’CanyoutellmeifthisisthewaybacktoAnglebury？’

’Itisoneway；butthenearestisinthisdirection，’saidthetourist——thesamewhohadbeencriticizedbythetwooldmen。

Athearinghimspeakallthedelicateactivitiesintheyounglady’spersonstoodstill:shestoppedlikeaclock。Whenshecouldagainfencewiththeperceptionwhichhadcausedallthis，shebreathed。

’Mr。Julian！’sheexclaimed。Thewordswereutteredinawaywhichwouldhavetoldanybodyinamomentthatherelaysomethingconnectedwiththelightofotherdays。

’Ah，Mrs。Petherwin！——Yes，IamMr。Julian——thoughthatcanmatterverylittle，Ishouldthink，afteralltheseyears，andwhathaspassed。’

Noremarkwasreturnedtothisruggedreply，andhecontinuedunconcernedly，’ShallIputyouinthepath——itisjusthere？’

’Ifyouplease。’

’Comewithme，then。’

Shewalkedinsilenceathisheels，notawordpassingbetweenthemalltheway:theonlynoiseswhichcamefromthetwowerethebrushingofherdressandhisgaitersagainsttheheather，orthesmartrapofastrayflintagainsthisboot。

Theyhadnowreachedalittleknoll，andheturnedabruptly:’ThatisAnglebury——justwhereyouseethoselights。Thepathdownthereistheoneyoumustfollow；itleadsroundthehillyonderanddirectlyintothetown。’

’Thankyou，’shemurmured，andfoundthathehadneverremovedhiseyesfromhersincespeaking，keepingthemfixedwithmathematicalexactnessupononepointinherface。Shemovedalittletogoonherway；hemovedalittleless——togoonhis。

’Good-night，’saidMr。Julian。

Themoment，upontheveryfaceofit，wascritical；andyetitwasoneofthosewhichhavetowaitforafuturebeforetheyacquireadefinitecharacterasgoodorbad。

Thusmuchwouldhavebeenobvioustoanyoutsider；itmayhavebeendoublysotoEthelberta，forshegavebackmorethanshehadgot，replying，’Good-bye——ifyouaregoingtosaynomore。’

TheninstruckMr。Julian:’WhatcanIsay？Youarenothingtome……Icouldforgiveawomandoinganythingforspite，exceptmarryingforspite。’

’Theconnectionofthatwithourpresentmeetingdoesnotappear，unlessitreferstowhatyouhavedone。Itdoesnotrefertome。’

’Iamnotmarried:youare。’

Shedidnotcontradicthim，asshemighthavedone。’Christopher，’

shesaidatlast，’thisishowitis:youknewtoomuchofmetorespectme，andtoolittletopityme。Ahalfknowledgeofanother’slifemostlydoesinjusticetothelifehalfknown。’

’Thensincecircumstancesforbidmyknowingyoumore，Imustdomybesttoknowyouless，andelevatemyopinionofyournaturebyforgettingwhatitconsistsin，’hesaidinavoicefromwhichallfeelingwaspolishedaway。

’IfIdidnotknowthatbitternesshadmoretodowiththosewordsthanjudgment，I——shouldbe——bittertoo！Youneverknewhalfaboutme；youonlyknewmeasagoverness；youlittlethinkwhatmybeginningswere。’

’Ihaveguessed。IhavemanytimestoldmyselfthatyourearlylifewassuperiortoyourpositionwhenIfirstmetyou。IthinkImaysaywithoutpresumptionthatIrecognizealadybybirthwhenIseeher，evenunderreversesofanextremekind。Andcertainlythereisthistobesaid，thatthefactofhavingbeenbredinawealthyhomedoesslightlyredeemanattempttoattaintosuchaoneagain。’

Ethelbertasmiledasmileofmanymeanings。

’However，wearewastingwords，’heresumedcheerfully。’Itisbetterforustopartaswemet，andcontinuetobethestrangersthatwehavebecometoeachother。IoweyouanapologyforhavingbeenbetrayedintomorefeelingthanIhadarighttoshow，andletuspartfriends。Goodnight，Mrs。Petherwin，andsuccesstoyou。

Wemaymeetagain，someday，Ihope。’

’Goodnight，’shesaid，extendingherhand。Hetouchedit，turnedabout，andinashorttimenothingremainedofhimbutquickregularbrushingsagainsttheheatherinthedeepbroadshadowofthemoor。

Ethelbertaslowlymovedoninthedirectionthathehadpointedout。

Thismeetinghadsurprisedherinseveralways。First，therewastheconjunctureitself；butmorethanthatwasthefactthathehadnotpartedfromherwithanyofthetragicresentmentthatshehadfromtimetotimeimaginedforthatsceneifiteveroccurred。Yettherewasreallynothingwonderfulinthis:itispartofthegenerousnatureofabachelortobenotindisposedtoforgiveaportionlesssweetheartwho，bymarryingelsewhere，hasdeprivedhimoftheblissofbeingobligedtomarryherhimself。Ethelbertawouldhavebeendisappointedquitehadtherenotbeenacomfortingdevelopmentofexasperationinthemiddlepartofhistalk；butafterallitformedapoorsubstituteforthelovinghatredshehadexpected。

Whenshereachedthehotelthelampoverthedoorshowedafacealittleflushed，buttheagitationwhichatfirsthadpossessedherwasgonetoamerenothing。Inthehallshemetaslenderwomanwearingasilkdressofthatpeculiarblackwhichinsunlightproclaimsitselftohaveonceseenbetterdaysasabrown，anddaysevenbetterthanthoseasalavender，green，orblue。

’Menlove，’saidthelady，’didyounoticeifanygentlemanobservedandfollowedmewhenIleftthehoteltogoforawalkthisevening？’

Thelady’s-maid，thussuddenlypulledupinanightforageafterlovers，putahandtoherforeheadtoshowthattherewasnomistakeaboutherhavingbeguntomeditateonreceivingorderstothateffect，andsaidatlast，’Youoncetoldme，ma’am，ifyourecollect，thatwhenyouweredressed，IwasnottogostaringoutofthewindowafteryouasifyouwereadollIhadjustmanufacturedandsentroundforsale。’

’Yes，soIdid。’

’SoIdidn’tseeifanybodyfollowedyouthisevening。’

’Thendidyouhearanygentlemanarriveherebythelatetrainlastnight？’

’Ono，ma’am——howcouldI？’saidMrs。Menlove——anexclamationwhichwasmoreappositethanhermistresssuspected，consideringthatthespeaker，afterretiringfromduty，hadslippeddownherdarkskirttorevealalight，puffed，andfestoonedone，putonahatandfeather，togetherwithseveralpennyweightsofmetalintheformofrings，brooches，andearrings——allinatimewhilstonecouldcountahundred——andenjoyedhalf-an-hourofprimecourtshipbyanhonourableyoungwaiterofthetown，whohadprovedconstantasthemagnettothepoleforthespaceofthedayandahalfthatshehadknownhim。

Goingatonceupstairs，Ethelbertarandownthepassage，andaftersomehesitationsoftlyopenedthedoorofthesitting-roominthebestsuiteofapartmentsthattheinncouldboastof。

Inthisroomsatanelderlyladywritingbythelightoftwocandleswithgreenshades。Wellknowing，asitseemed，whotheintruderwas，shecontinuedheroccupation，andhervisitoradvancedandstoodbesidethetable。Theoldladyworeherspectacleslowdownhercheek，herglancebeingdepressedtoabouttheslopeofherstraightwhitenoseinordertolookthroughthem。Hermouthwaspurseduptoalmostayouthfulshapeassheformedtheletterswithherpen，andaslightmoveofthelipaccompaniedeverydownstroke。

Thereweretwolargeantiqueringsonherforefinger，againstwhichthequillrubbedinmovingbackwardsandforwards，therebycausingasecondarynoiserivallingtheprimaryoneofthenibuponthepaper。

’Mamma，’saidtheyoungerlady，’hereIamatlast。’

Awriter’smindinthemidstofasentencebeinglikeashipatsea，knowingnorestorcomforttillsafelypilotedintotheharbourofafullstop，LadyPetherwinjustrepliedwith’What，’inanoccupiedtone，notrisingtointerrogation。Aftersigninghernametotheletter，sheraisedhereyes。

’Why，howlateyouare，Ethelberta，andhowheatedyoulook！’shesaid。’Ihavebeenquitealarmedaboutyou。Whatdoyousayhashappened？’

Thegreat，chief，andaltogethereclipsingthingthathadhappenedwastheaccidentalmeetingwithanoldloverwhomshehadoncequarrelledwith；andEthelberta’shonestywouldhavedeliveredthetidingsatonce，hadnot，unfortunately，alltherestofherattributesbeendeadagainstthatact，fortheoldlady’ssakeevenmorethanforherown。

’Isawagreatcruelbirdchasingaharmlessduck！’sheexclaimedinnocently。’AndIranaftertoseewhattheendofitwouldbe——

muchfurtherthanIhadanyideaofgoing。However，theduckcametoapond，andinrunningroundittoseetheendofthefight，I

couldnotrememberwhichwayIhadcome。’

’Mercy！’saidhermother-in-law，liftingherlargeeyelids，heavyaswindow-shutters，andspreadingoutherfingerslikethehornsofasnail。’Youmighthavesunkuptoyourkneesandgotlostinthatswampyplace——suchatimeofnight，too。Whatatomboyyouare！

Andhowdidyoufindyourwayhomeafterall！’

’O，somemanshowedmetheway，andthenIhadnodifficulty，andafterthatIcamealongleisurely。’

’Ithoughtyouhadbeenrunningalltheway；youlooksowarm。’

’Itisawarmevening……Yes，andIhavebeenthinkingofoldtimesasIwalkedalong，’shesaid，’andhowpeople’spositionsinlifealter。HaveInotheardyousaythatwhileIwasatBonn，atschool，somefamilythatwehadknownhadtheirhouseholdbrokenupwhenthefatherdied，andthatthechildrenwentawayyoudidn’tknowwhere？’

’DoyoumeantheJulians？’

’Yes，thatwasthename。’

’Why，ofcourseyouknowitwastheJulians。YoungJulianhadadayortwo’sfancyforyouonesummer，hadhenot？——justafteryoucametous，atthesametime，orjustbeforeit，thatmypoorboyandyouweresodesperatelyattachedtoeachother。’

’Oyes，Irecollect，’saidEthelberta。’Andhehadasister，I

think。Iwonderwheretheywenttoliveafterthefamilycollapse。’

’Idonotknow，’saidLadyPetherwin，takingupanothersheetofpaper。’Ihaveadimnotionthattheson，whohadbeenbroughtuptonoprofession，becameateacherofmusicinsomecountrytown——

musichavingalwaysbeenhishobby。Butthefactsarenotverydistinctinmymemory。’Andshedippedherpenforanotherletter。

Ethelberta，witharatherfallencountenance，thenlefthermother-

in-law，andwentwhereallladiesaresupposedtogowhentheywanttotormenttheirmindsincomfort——toherownroom。Hereshethoughtfullysatdownawhile，andsometimelatersherangforhermaid。

’Menlove，’shesaid，withoutlookingtowardsarustleandhalfafootstepthathadjustcomeinatthedoor，butleaningbackinherchairandspeakingtowardsthecornerofthelooking-glass，’willyougodownandfindoutifanygentlemannamedJulianhasbeenstayinginthishouse？Gettoknowit，Imean，Menlove，notbydirectlyinquiring；youhavewaysofgettingtoknowthings，haveyounot？IfthedevotedGeorgewereherenow，hewouldhelp——’

’Georgewasnothingtome，ma’am。’

’James，then。’

’AndIonlyhadJamesforaweekortendays:whenIfoundhewasamarriedman，Iencouragedhisaddressesverylittleindeed。’

’Ifyouhadencouragedhimheartandsoul，youcouldn’thavefumedmoreatthelossofhim。Butpleasetogoandmakethatinquiry，willyou，Menlove？’

InafewminutesEthelberta’swomanwasbackagain。’Agentlemanofthatnamestayedherelastnight，andleftthisafternoon。’

’Willyoufindouthisaddress？’

Nowthelady’s-maidhadalreadybeenquick-wittedenoughtofindoutthat，andindeedallabouthim；butitchancedthatafashionableillustratedweeklypaperhadjustbeensentfromthebookseller’s，andbeinginwantofalittletimetolookitoverbeforeitreachedhermistress’shands，Mrs。Menloveretired，asiftogoandaskthequestion——tostandmeanwhileunderthegas-lampinthepassage，inspectingthefascinatingengravings。Butastimewillnotwaitfortire-women，anaturallengthofabsencesoonelapsed，andshereturnedagainandsaid，’Hisaddressis，UpperStreet，Sandbourne。’

’Thankyou，thatwilldo，’repliedhermistress。

Thehourgrewlater，andthatdreamyperiodcameroundwhenladies’

fancies，thathavelainshutupcloseastheirfansduringtheday，begintoassertthemselvesanew。AtthistimeagoodguessatEthelberta’sthoughtsmighthavebeenmadefromhermannerofpassingtheminutesaway。Insteadofreading，enteringnotesinherdiary，ordoinganyordinarything，shewalkedtoandfro，curledherprettynetherlipwithinherprettyupperoneagreatmanytimes，madeacradleofherlockedfingers，andpausedwithfixedeyeswherethewallsoftheroomsetlimitsuponherwalktolookatnothingbutapicturewithinhermind。

2。CHRISTOPHER’SHOUSE-SANDBOURNETOWN-SANDBOURNEMOOR

Duringthewetautumnofthesameyear，thepostmanpassedonemorningasusualintoaplainstreetthatranthroughthelessfashionableportionofSandbourne，amoderncoasttownandwatering-

placenotmanymilesfromtheancientAnglebury。Heknockedatthedoorofaflat-facedbrickhouse，anditwasopenedbyaslight，thoughtfulyoungman，withhishaton，justthencomingout。Thepostmanputintohishandsabookpacket，addressed，’ChristopherJulian，Esq。’

Christophertookthepackageupstairs，openeditwithcuriosity，anddiscoveredwithinagreenvolumeofpoems，byananonymouswriter，thetitle-pagebearingtheinscription，’MetresbyE。’Thebookwasnew，thoughitwascut，anditappearedtohavebeenlookedinto。

Theyoungman，afterturningitoverandwonderingwhereitcamefrom，laiditonthetableandwenthisway，beinginhastetofulfilhisengagementsfortheday。

Intheevening，onreturninghomefromhisoccupations，hesathimselfdowncosilytoreadthenewly-arrivedvolume。Thewindsofthisuncertainseasonweresnarlinginthechimneys，anddropsofrainspatthemselvesintothefire，revealingplainlythattheyoungman’sroomwasnotfarenoughfromthetopofthehousetoadmitofatwistintheflue，andrevealingdarklyalittlemore，ifthatsocialrule-of-threeinverse，thehigherinlodgingsthelowerinpocket，wereapplicablehere。However，theaspectoftheroom，thoughhomely，wascheerful，asomewhatcontradictorygroupoffurnituresuggestingthatthecollectionconsistedofwaifsandstraysfromaformerhome，thegrimyfacesoftheoldarticlesexercisingacuriousandsubduingeffectonthebrightfacesofthenew。Anovalmirrorofrococoworkmanship，andaheavycabinet-

pianowithacornicelikethatofanEgyptiantemple，adjoinedaharmoniumofyesterday，andaharpthatwasalmostasnew。Printedmusicofthelastcentury，andmanuscriptmusicofthepreviousevening，laythereinsuchquantityastoendangerthetidinessofaretreatwhichwasindeedonlysavedfromachronicstateoflitterbyapairofhandsthatsometimesplayed，withthelightnessofbreezes，aboutthesewing-machinestandinginaremotecorner——ifanycornercouldbecalledremoteinaroomsosmall。

Firelightsandshadesfromtheshakingflamesstruckinabutterflyflutterontheunderpartsofthemantelshelf，anduponthereader’scheekashesat。Presently，andallatonce，amuchgreaterintentnesspervadedhisface:heturnedbackagain，andreadanewthesubjectthathadarrestedhiseyes。Hewasamanwhosecountenancevariedwithhismood，thoughitkeptsomewhatintherearofthatmood。Helookedsadwhenhefeltalmostserene，andonlyserenewhenhefeltquitecheerful。Itisahabitpeopleacquirewhohavehadrepressingexperiences。

Afaintsmileandflushnowlightenedhisface，andjumpingupheopenedthedoorandexclaimed，’Faith！willyoucomehereforamoment？’

Apromptstepwasheardonthestairs，andtheyoungpersonaddressedasFaithenteredtheroom。Shewassmallinfigure，andborelessintheformofherfeaturesthanintheirshadeswhenchangingfromexpressiontoexpressiontheevidencethatshewashissister。

’Faith——Iwantyouropinion。But，stop，readthisfirst。’Helaidhisfingeruponapageinthebook，andplaceditinherhand。

Thegirldrewfromherpocketalittlegreen-leathersheath，wornattheedgestowhity-brown，andoutofthatapairofspectacles，unconsciouslylookingroundtheroomforamomentasshedidso，asiftoensurethatnostrangersawherintheactofusingthem。

Hereaweaknesswasuncoveredatonce；itwasasmall，pretty，andnaturalone；indeed，asweaknessesgointhegreatworld，itmightalmosthavebeencalledacommendabletrait。Shethenbegantoread，withoutsittingdown。

These’MetresbyE。’composedacollectionofsoftandmarvellouslymusicalrhymes，ofanatureknownastheversdesociete。Thelinespresentedaseriesofplayfuldefencesofthesupposedstrategyofwomankindinfascination，courtship，andmarriage——thewholeteemingwithideasbrightasmirrorsandjustasunsubstantial，yetformingabrilliantargumenttojustifythewaysofgirlstomen。Thepervadingcharacteristicofthemasswasthemeansofforcingintonotice，bystrangenessofcontrast，thesinglemournfulpoemthatthebookcontained。Itwasplacedattheveryend，andunderthetitleof’CancelledWords，’formedawhimsicalandratheraffectinglove-lament，somewhatinthetoneofmanyofSirThomasWyatt’spoems。ThiswasthepiecewhichhadarrestedChristopher’sattention，andhadbeenpointedoutbyhimtohissisterFaith。

’Itisverytouching，’shesaid，lookingup。

’WhatdoyouthinkIsuspectaboutit——thatthepoemisaddressedtome！Doyouremember，whenfatherwasaliveandwewereatSolentseathatseason，aboutagovernesswhocametherewithaSirRalphPetherwinandhiswife，peoplewithasicklylittledaughterandagrown-upson？’

’Ineversawanyofthem。IthinkIrememberyourknowingsomethingaboutayoungmanofthatname。’

’Yes，thatwasthefamily。Well，thegovernesstherewasaveryattractivewoman，andsomehoworotherIgotmoreinterestedinherthanIoughttohavedone(thisisnecessarytothehistory)，andweusedtomeetinromanticplaces——and——andthatkindofthing，youknow。Theendofitwas，shejiltedmeandmarriedtheson。’

’YouwereanxioustogetawayfromSolentsea。’

’WasI？Thenthatwaschieflythereason。Well，Idecidedtothinknomoreofher，andIwashelpedtodoitbythetroublesthatcameuponusshortlyafterwards；itisablessedarrangementthatonedoesnotfeelasentimentalgriefatallwhenadditionalgriefcomesintheshapeofpracticalmisfortune。However，onthefirstafternoonofthelittleholidayItookformywalkingtourlastsummer，IcametoAnglebury，andstayedabouttheneighbourhoodforadayortwotoseewhatitwaslike，thinkingwemightsettlethereifthisplacefailedus。ThenexteveningIleft，andwalkedacrosstheheathtoFlychett——that’savillageaboutfivemilesfurtheron——

soastobethatdistanceonmywayfornextmorning；andwhileI

wascrossingtheheaththereImetthisverywoman。Wetalkedalittle，becausewecouldn’thelpit——youmayimaginethekindoftalkitwas——andpartedascoollyaswehadmet。Nowthisstrangebookcomestome；andIhaveastrongconvictionthatsheisthewriterofit，forthatpoemsketchesasimilarscene——orrathersuggestsit；andthetonegenerallyseemsthekindofthingshewouldwrite——notthatshewasasadwoman，either。’

’Sheseemstobeawarm-hearted，impulsivewoman，tojudgefromthesetenderverses。’

’Peoplewhoprintverywarmwordshavesometimesverycoldmanners。

Iwonderifitisreallyherwriting，andifshehassentittome！’

’Woulditnotbeasingularthingforamarriedwomantodo？Thoughofcourse’——(sheremovedherspectaclesasiftheyhinderedherfromthinking，andhidthemunderthetimepiecetillsheshouldgoonreading)——’ofcoursepoetshavemoralsandmannersoftheirown，andcustomisnoargumentwiththem。IamsureIwouldnothavesentittoamanfortheworld！’

’Idonotseeanyabsoluteharminhersendingit。Perhapsshethinksthat，sinceitisallover，wemayaswelldiefriends。’

’IfIwereherhusbandIshouldhavedoubtsaboutthedying。And"allover"maynotbesoplaintootherpeopleasitistoyou。’

’Perhapsnot。Andwhenamanchecksallawoman’sfinersentimentstowardshimbymarryingher，itisonlynaturalthatitshouldfindaventsomewhere。However，sheprobablydoesnotknowofmydownfallsincefather’sdeath。Ihardlythinkshewouldhavecaredtodoithadsheknownthat。(IamassumingthatitisEthelberta——

Mrs。Petherwin——whosendsit:ofcourseIamnotsure。)WemustrememberthatwhenIknewherIwasagentlemanatease，whohadnottheleastnotionthatIshouldhavetoworkforaliving，andnotonlyso，butshouldhavefirsttoinventaprofessiontoworkatoutofmyoldtastes。’

’Kit，youhavemadetwomistakesinyourthoughtsofthatlady。

EventhoughIdon’tknowher，Icanshowyouthat。NowI’lltellyou！thefirstisinthinkingthatamarriedladywouldsendthebookwiththatpoeminitwithoutatanyrateaslightdoubtastoitspropriety:thesecondisinsupposingthat，hadshewishedtodoit，shewouldhavegiventhethingupbecauseofourmisfortunes。

Withatruewomanthesecondreasonwouldhavehadnoeffecthadsheoncegotoverthefirst。I’mawoman，andthat’swhyIknow。’

Christophersaidnothing，andturnedoverthepoems。

Helivedbyteachingmusic，and，incomparisonwithstarving，thrived；thoughthewealthymightpossiblyhavesaidthatincomparisonwiththrivinghestarved。Duringthisnighthehummedairsinbed，thoughthewoulddofortheballadofthefairpoetesswhatothermusicianshaddonefortheballadsofotherfairpoetesses，anddreamedthatshesmiledonhimasherprototypeSapphosmiledonPhaon。

Thenextmorningbeforestartingonhisroundsanewcircumstanceinducedhimtodirecthisstepstothebookseller’s，andaskaquestion。Hehadfoundonexaminingthewrapperofthevolumethatitwaspostedinhisowntown。

’Nocopyofthebookhasbeensoldbyme，’thebookseller’svoicerepliedfromfaruptheAlpineheightoftheshop-ladder，wherehestooddustingstalevolumes，aswashishabitofamorningbeforecustomerscame。’Ihaveneverheardofit——probablynevershall；’

andheshookouttheduster，soastohitthedelicatemeanbetweenstiflingChristopherandnotstiflinghim。

’Surelyyoudon’tlivebyyourshop？’saidChristopher，drawingback。

Thebookseller’seyesrestedonthespeaker’s；hisfacechanged；hecamedownandplacedhishandonthelapelofChristopher’scoat。

’Sir，’hesaid，’countrybooksellingisamiserable，impoverishing，exasperatingthinginthesedays。Canyouunderstandtherest？’

’Ican；Iforgiveastarvingmananything，’saidChristopher。

’Yougoalongwayverysuddenly，’saidthebookseller。’Halfasmuchpitywouldhaveseemedbetter。However，waitamoment。’Helookedintoalistofnewbooks，andadded:’Theworkyoualludetowasonlypublishedlastweek；though，mindyou，ifithadbeenpublishedlastcenturyImightnothavesoldacopy。’

Althoughhistimewasprecious，Christopherhadnowbecomesointerestedinthecircumstancethattheunseensenderwassomebodybreathinghisownatmosphere，possiblytheverywriterherself——thebookbeingtoonewtobeknown——thatheagainpassedthroughtheblueshadowofthespirewhichstretchedacrossthestreetto-day，andwenttowardsthepost-office，animatedbyabrightintention——toaskthepostmasterifheknewthehandwritinginwhichthepacketwasaddressed。

NowthepostmasterwasanacquaintanceofChristopher’s，but，asregardedputtingthatquestiontohim，therewasadifficulty。

Everythingturneduponwhetherthepostmasteratthemomentofaskingwouldbeinhisunder-governmentmanner，orinthemannerwithwhichmerenaturehadendowedhim。Inthelattercasehisreplywouldbeallthatcouldbewished；intheformer，amanwhohadsunkinsocietymightaswellputhistongueintoamousetrapasmakeaninquirysoobviouslyoutsidethepaleoflegalityaswasthis。

Sohepostponedhisbusinessforthepresent，andrefrainedfromenteringtillhepassedbyafterdinner，whenpleasantmaltliquor，ofthatcapacityforcheeringwhichisexpressedbyfourlargeletterX’smarchinginarow，hadrefilledtheglobulartrunkofthepostmasterandneutralizedsomeoftheeffectsofofficiality。Thetimewaswellchosen，buttheinquirythreatenedtoprovefruitless:

thepostmasterhadnever，tohisknowledge，seenthewritingbefore。

Christopherwasturningawaywhenaclerkinthebackgroundlookedupandstatedthatsomeyoungladyhadbroughtapacketwithsuchanaddressuponitintotheofficetwodaysearliertogetitstamped。

’Doyouknowher？’saidChristopher。

’Ihaveseenherabouttheneighbourhood。Shegoesbyeverymorning；Ithinkshecomesintothetownfrombeyondthecommon，andreturnsagainbetweenfourandfiveintheafternoon。’

’Whatdoesshewear？’

’Awhitewooljacketwithzigzagsofblackbraid。’

Christopherleftthepost-officeandwenthisway。AmonghisotherpupilsthereweretwowholivedatsomedistancefromSandbourne——

oneoftheminthedirectionindicatedasthathabituallytakenbytheyoungperson；andintheafternoon，ashereturnedhomeward，Christopherloiteredandlookedaround。Atfirsthecouldseenobody；butwhenaboutamilefromtheoutskirtsofthetownhediscernedalightspotaheadofhim，whichactuallyturnedouttobethejacketalludedto。Induetimehemetthewearerfacetoface；

shewasnotEthelbertaPetherwin——quiteadifferentsortofindividual。Hehadlongmadeuphismindthatthiswouldbethecase，yethewasinsomeindescribablewaydisappointed。

Ofthetwoclassesintowhichgentleyoungwomennaturallydivide，thosewhogrowredattheirweddings，andthosewhogrowpale，thepresentonebelongedtotheformerclass。ShewasanApril-natured，pink-cheekedgirl，witheyesthatwouldhavemadeanyjewellerinEnglandthinkofhistrade——onewhoevidentlytookherdayinthedaytime，frequentlycaughttheearlyworm，andhadlittletodowithyawnsorcandlelight。Shecameandpassedhim；hefanciedthathercountenancechanged。Butonemayfancyanything，andthepairrecededeachfromeachwithoutturningtheirheads。Hecouldnotspeaktoher，plainandsimpleassheseemed。

Itisrarelythatamanwhocanbeenteredandmadetothrobbythechannelofhisearsisnotopentoasimilarattackthroughthechannelofhiseyes——formanydoorswilladmittoonemansion——

allowancebeingmadeforthereadiercapacityofchosenandpractisedorgans。Hencethebeauties，concords，andeloquencesofthefemaleformwereneverwithouttheireffectuponChristopher，abornmusician，artist，poet，seer，mouthpiece——whicheveratranslatorofNature’soraclesintosimplespeechmaybecalled。

Theyounggirlwhohadgonebywasfreshandpleasant；moreover，shewasasortofmysteriouslinkbetweenhimselfandthepast，whichthesethingswerevividlyrevivinginhim。

ThefollowingweekChristophermetheragain。Shehadnotmuchdignity，hehadnotmuchreserve，andthesuddenresolutiontohaveaholidaywhichsometimesimpelsaplumphearttoriseupagainstabrainthatoverweightsitwasnottoberesisted。Hejustliftedhishat，andputtheonlyquestionhecouldthinkofasabeginning:

’HaveIthepleasureofaddressingtheauthorofabookofverymelodiouspoemsthatwassentmetheotherday？’

Thegirl’sforefingertwirledrapidlytheloopofbraidthatithadpreviouslybeentwirlingslowly，anddrawinginherbreath，shesaid，’No，sir。’

’Thesender，then？’

’Yes。’

ShesomehowpresentedherselfassoinsignificantbythecombinedeffectofthemannerandthewordsthatChristopherloweredhismethodofaddresstoherlevelatonce。’Ah，’hesaid，’suchanatmosphereasthewriterof"MetresbyE。"seemstobreathewouldsoonspoilcheeksthatarefreshandroundaslady-apples——eh，littlegirl？Butareyoudisposedtotellmethatwriter’sname？’

Byapplyingageneralideatoaparticularcaseapersonwiththebestofintentionsmayfindhimselfimmediatelylandedinaquandary。Insayingtothecountrygirlbeforehimwhatwouldhavesuitedthemassofcountrylasseswellenough，Christopherhadoffendedherbeyondthecureofcompliment。

’Iamnotdisposedtotellthewriter’sname，’shereplied，withadudgeonthatwasverygreatforonewhosewholestockofitwasatrifle。Andshepassedonandlefthimstandingalone。

Thusfurtherconversationwaschecked；but，throughhavingrearrangedthehoursofhiscountrylessons，ChristophermetherthenextWednesday，andthenextFriday，andthroughoutthefollowingweek——nofurtherwordspassingbetweenthem。Forawhileshewentbyverydemurely，apparentlymindfulofhisoffence。Buteffronteryisnotprovedtobepartofaman’snaturetillhehasbeenguiltyofasecondact:thebestofmenmaycommitafirstthroughaccidentorignorance——mayevenbebetrayedintoitbyover-zealforexperiment。Somesuchconclusionmayormaynothavebeenarrivedatbythegirlwiththelady-applecheeks；atanyrate，afterthelapseofanotherweekanewspectaclepresenteditself；herrednessdeepenedwheneverChristopherpassedherby，andembarrassmentpervadedherfromtheloweststitchtothetipofherfeather。Shehadlittlechanceofescapinghimbydivergingfromtheroad，forafigurecouldbeseenacrosstheopengroundtothedistanceofhalfamileoneitherside。Onedayashedrewnearasusual，shemethimaswomenmeetacloudofdust——sheturnedandlookedbackwardstillhehadpassed。

Thiswouldhavebeendisconcertingbutforonereason:Christopherwasceasingtonoticeher。Hewasamanwhooften，whenwalkingabroad，andlookingasitwereatthescenebeforehiseyes，discernedsuccessesandfailures，friendsandrelations，episodesofchildhood，weddingfeastsandfunerals，thelandscapesufferinggreatlybythesevisions，untilitbecamenomorethanthepatternedwall-tintsaboutthepaintingsinagallery；somethingnecessarytothetone，yetnotregarded。Nothingbutaspecialconcentrationofhimselfonexternalscouldinterruptthishabit，andnowthatherappearancealongthewayhadchangedfromachancetoacustomhebegantolapseagainintotheoldtrick。Hegazedonceortwiceatherformwithoutseeingit:hedidnotnoticethatshetrembled。

Hesometimesreadashewalked，andbookinhandhefrequentlyapproachedhernow。Thiswentontillsixweekshadpassedfromthetimeoftheirfirstencounter。Latterlymighthavebeenonceortwiceheard，whenhehadmovedoutofearshot，asoundlikeasmallgaspingsigh；butnoarrangementsweredisturbed，andChristophercontinuedtokeepdownhiseyesaspersistentlyasasaintinachurchwindow。

Thelastdayofhisengagementhadarrived，andwithitthelastofhiswalksthatway。Onhisfinalreturnhecarriedinhishandabunchofflowerswhichhadbeenpresentedtohimatthecountry-

housewherehislessonsweregiven。HewastakingthemhometohissisterFaith，whoprizedthelingeringblossomsoftheseedingseason。Soonappearedasusualhisfellow-traveller；whereuponChristopherlookeddownuponhisnosegay。’Sweetsimplegirl，’hethought，’I’llendeavourtomakepeacewithherbymeansoftheseflowersbeforewepartforgood。’

Whenshecameupheheldthemouttoherandsaid，’Willyouallowmetopresentyouwiththese？’

Thebrightcoloursofthenosegayinstantlyattractedthegirl’shand——perhapsbeforetherehadbeentimeforthoughttothoroughlyconstruetheposition；forithappenedthatwhenherarmwasstretchedintotheairshesteadieditquickly，andstoodwiththeposeofastatue——rigidwithuncertainty。Butitwastoolatetorefuse:Christopherhadputthenosegaywithinherfingers。

Whateverpleasantexpressionofthanksmayhaveappearedinhereyesfellonlyonthebunchofflowers，forduringthewholetransactiontheyreachedtonohigherlevelthanthat。Tosaythathewascomingnomoreseemedscarcelynecessaryunderthecircumstances，andwishingher’Goodafternoon’veryheartily，hepassedon。

Hehadlearntbythistimeheroccupation，whichwasthatofpupil-

teacheratoneoftheschoolsinthetown，whithershewalkeddailyfromavillagenear。Ifhehadnotbeenpoorandthelittleteacherhumble，Christophermightpossiblyhavebeentemptedtoinquiremorebrisklyabouther，andwhoknowshowsuchapursuitmighthaveended？Buthardexternalsrulevolatilesentiment，andundertheseuntowardinfluencesthegirlandthebookandthetruthaboutitsauthorweremattersuponwhichhecouldnotaffordtoexpendmuchtime。AllChristopherdidwastothinknowandthenoftheprettyinnocentfaceandrounddeepeyes，notoncewonderingifthemindwhichenlivenedthemeverthoughtofhim。

3。SANDBOURNEMOOR(continued)

Itwasoneofthosehostiledaysoftheyearwhenchatterboxladiesremainmiserablyintheirhomestosavethecarriageandharness，whenclerks’wiveshatelivinginlodgings，whenvehiclesandpeopleappearinthestreetwithduplicatesofthemselvesunderfoot，whenbricklayers，slaters，andotherout-doorjourneymensitinashedanddrinkbeer，whenducksanddrakesplaywithhilariousdelightattheirownfamilygame，orspreadoutonewingafteranotherintheslowerenjoymentoflettingthedeliciousmoisturepenetratetotheirinnermostdown。ThesmokefromthefluesofSandbournehadbarelystrengthenoughtoemergeintothedrizzlingrain，andhungdownthesidesofeachchimney-potlikethestreamerofabecalmedship；andatroopofratsmighthaverattleddownthepipesfromrooftobasementwithlessnoisethandidthewaterthatday。

Onthebroadmoorbeyondthetown，whereChristopher’smeetingswiththeteacherhadsoregularlyoccurred，wereastreamandsomelargepools；andbesideoneofthese，nearsomehatchesandaweir，stoodalittlesquarebuilding，notmuchlargerinsidethantheLordMayor’scoach。Itwasknownsimplyas’TheWeirHouse。’Onthiswetafternoon，whichwastheonefollowingthedayofChristopher’slastlessonovertheplain，anearlyinvisiblesmokecamefromthepunychimneyofthehut。Thoughthedoorwasclosed，soundsofchattingandmirthfizzedfromtheinterior，andwouldhavetoldanybodywhohadcomenear——whichnobodydid——thattheusuallyemptyshellwastenantedto-day。

Thescenewithinwasalargefireinafireplacetowhichthewholefloorofthehousewasnomorethanahearthstone。Theoccupantsweretwogentlemanlypersons，inshootingcostume，whohadbeentraversingthemoorformilesinsearchofwildduckandteal，awaterman，andasmallspaniel。Inthecornerstoodtheirguns，andtwoorthreewildmallards，whichrepresentedthescantyproductoftheirmorning’slabour，theiridescentnecksofthedeadbirdsreplyingtoeveryflickerofthefire。Thetwosportsmenweresmoking，andtheirmanwasmostlyoccupyinghimselfinpokingandstirringthefirewithastick:allthreeappearedtobeprettywellwetted。

Oneofthegentlemen，bywayofvaryingthenotveryexhilaratingstudyoffourbrickwallswithinmicroscopicdistanceofhiseye，turnedtoasmallsquareholewhichadmittedlightandairtothehut，andlookedoutuponthedrearyprospectbeforehim。Thewideconcaveofcloud，ofthemonotonoushueofdullpewter，formedanunbrokenhoodoverthelevelfromhorizontohorizon；beneathit，reflectingitswanlustre，wastheglazedhigh-roadwhichstretched，hedgelessandditchless，pastadirecting-postwhereanotherroadjoinedit，andontothelessregulargroundbeyond，lyinglikearibandunrolledacrossthescene，tillitvanishedoverthefurthermostundulation。Besidethepoolswereoccasionaltallsheavesofflagsandsedge，andabouttheplainafewbushes，theseformingtheonlyobstructionstoaviewotherwiseunbroken。

Thesportsman’sattentionwasattractedbyafigureinastateofgradualenlargementasitapproachedalongtheroad。

’Ishouldthinkthatifpleasurecan’ttemptanativeoutofdoorsto-day，businesswillneverforcehimout，’heobserved。’Thereis，forthefirsttime，somebodycomingalongtheroad。’

’Ifbusinessdon’tdraghimoutpleasure’llnevertempten，ismorelikeournaterintheseparts，sir，’saidtheman，whowaslookingintothefire。

Theconversationshowednovitality，anddownitdroppeddeadasbefore，themanwhowasstandingupcontinuingtogazeintothemoisture。Whathadatfirstappearedasanepiceneshapethedecreasingspaceresolvedintoacloakedfemaleunderanumbrella:

shenowrelaxedherpace，till，reachingthedirecting-postwheretheroadbranchedintotwo，shepausedandlookedabouther。

Insteadofcomingfurthersheslowlyretracedherstepsforaboutahundredyards。

’That’sanappointment，’saidthefirstspeaker，asheremovedthecigarfromhislips；’andbythelords，whatadayandplaceforanappointmentwithawoman！’

’What’sanappointment？’inquiredhisfriend，atownyoungman，withaTussaudcomplexionandwell-pencilledbrowshalfwayuphisforehead，sothathisuppereyelidsappearedtopossesstheuncommonqualityoftallness。

’Lookouthere，andyou’llsee。Bythatdirecting-post，wherethetworoadsmeet。Asamandevotedtoart，Ladywell，whohashadthehonourofbeinghunghigherupontheAcademywallsthananyotherlivingpainter，youshouldtakeoutyoursketch-bookanddashoffthescene。’

Wherenothingparticularisgoingon，oneincidentmakesadrama；

and，interestedinthatproportion，theart-sportsmanputsuphiseyeglass(aformheadheredtobeforefiringatgamethathadrisen，bywhichmercifularrangementthebirdgotsafeoff)，placedhisfacebesidehiscompanion’s，andalsopeeredthroughtheopening。

Theyoungpupil-teacher——forshewastheobjectoftheirscrutiny——

re-approachedthespotwhereonshehadbeenaccustomedforthelastmanyweeksofherjourneyhometomeetChristopher，nowforthefirsttimemissing，andagainsheseemedreluctanttopassthehand-

post，forthatmarkedthepointwherethechanceofseeinghimended。Sheglidedbackwardsasbefore，thistimekeepingherfacestilltothefront，asiftryingtopersuadetheworldatlarge，andherownshamefacedness，thatshehadnotyetapproachedtheplaceatall。

’Query，howlongwillshewaitforhim(foritisamantoacertainty)？’resumedtheelderofthesmokers，attheendofseveralminutesofsilence，when，fullofvacillationanddoubt，shebecamelosttoviewbehindsomebushes。’Willshereappear？’Thesmokingwenton，andupshecameintoopengroundasbefore，andwalkedby。

’Iwonderwhothegirlis，tocometosuchaplaceinthisweather？

Theresheisagain，’saidtheyoungmancalledLadywell。

’Somecottagelass，notyetoldenoughtomakethemostofthevaluesetonherbyherfollower，smallasthatappearstobe。Nowwemaygetanideaofthehournamedbythefellowfortheappointment，for，dependuponit，thetimewhenshefirstcame——aboutfiveminutesago——wasthetimeheshouldhavebeenthere。Itisnowgettingontowardsfive——half-pastfourwasdoubtlessthetimementioned。’

’She’snotcomeo’purpose:’tisherwayhomefromschooleveryday，’saidthewaterman。

’Anexperimentonwoman’senduranceandpatienceunderneglect。Twotooneagainstherstayingaquarterofanhour。’

’Thesameoddsagainsthernotstayingtillfivewouldbenearerprobability。What’shalf-an-hourtoagirlinlove？’

’Onamoorlandinwetweatheritisthirtyperceptibleminutestoanyfiresideman，woman，orbeastinChristendom——minutesthatcanbefelt，liketheEgyptianplagueofdarkness。Now，littlegirl，gohome:heisnotworthit。’

Twentyminutespassed，andthegirlreturnedmiserablytothehand-

post，stilltowanderbacktoherretreatbehindthesedge，andleadanychancecomerfromtheoppositequartertobelievethatshehadnotyetreachedthisultimatepointbeyondwhichameetingwithChristopherwasimpossible。

’Nowyou’llfindthatshemeanstowaitthecompletehalf-hour，andthenoffshegoeswithabrokenheart。’

Allthreenowlookedthroughtheholetotestthetruthoftheprognostication。Thehouroffivecompleteditselfontheirwatches；thegirlagaincameforward。Andthenthethreeinambuscadecouldseeherpulloutherhandkerchiefandplaceittohereyes。

’She’sgrievingnowbecausehehasnotcome。Poorlittlewoman，whatabrutehemustbe；forabrokenheartinawomanmeansabrokenvowinaman，asIinferfromathousandinstancesinexperience，romance，andhistory。Don’topenthedoortillsheisgone，Ladywell；itwillonlydisturbher。’

Astheyhadguessed，thepupil-teacher，hearingthedistanttown-

clockstrikethehour，gavewaytoherfancynolonger，andlaunchedintothedivergingpath。ThislingeringforChristopher’sarrivalhad，asisknown，beenfoundedonnothingmoreofthenatureofanassignationthanlayinhisregularwalkalongtheplainatthattimeeveryMonday，Wednesday，andFridayofthesixpreviousweeks。

Itmustbesaidthathewasveryfarindeedfromdiviningthathisinjudiciouspeace-offeringoftheflowershadstirredintolifesuchawearing，anxious，hopeful，despairingsolicitudeasthis，whichhadbeenlatentforsometimeduringhisconstantmeetingswiththelittlestranger。

Shevanishedinthemisttowardstheleft，andtheloiterersinthehutbegantomoveandopenthedoor，remarking，’NowthenforWyndwayHouse，achangeofclothes，andadinner。’

4。SANDBOURNEPIER-ROADTOWYNDWAY-BALL-ROOMINWYNDWAYHOUSE

ThelastlightofawinterdayhadgonedownbehindthehousesofSandbourne，andnightwasshutcloseoverall。Christopher，abouteighto’clock，wasstandingattheendofthepierwithhisbacktowardstheopensea，whencethewaveswerepushingtotheshoreinfrillsandcoilsthatwerejustrenderedvisibleinalltheirbleakinstabilitybytherowoflightsalongthesidesofthejetty，therapidmotionlandwardofthewavetipsproducinguponhiseyeanapparentprogressofthepierouttosea。Thispier-headwasaspotwhichChristopherenjoyedvisitingonsuchmoaningandsighingnightsasthepresent，whenthesportiveandvariegatedthrongthathauntedthepieronautumndayswasnolongerthere，andheseemedalonewithweatherandtheinvinciblesea。

Somebodycametowardshimalongthedesertedfootway，andraysfromthenearestlampstreakedthefaceofhissisterFaith。

’OChristopher，Iknewyouwerehere，’shesaideagerly。’Youarewanted；there’saservantcomefromWyndwayHouseforyou。Heissenttoaskifyoucancomeimmediatelytoplayatalittledancetheyhaveresolveduponthisevening——quitesuddenlyitseems。Ifyoucancome，youmustbringwithyouanyassistantyoucanlayyourhandsuponatamoment’snotice，hesays。’

’WyndwayHouse；whyshouldthepeoplesendformeaboveallothermusiciansinthetown？’

Faithdidnotknow。’Ifyoureallydecidetogo，’shesaid，astheywalkedhomeward，’youmighttakemeasyourassistant。Ishouldanswerthepurpose，shouldInot，Kit？sinceitisonlyadanceortwotheyseemtowant。’

’AndyourharpIsupposeyoumean。Yes；youmightbecompetenttotakeapart。Itcannotbearegularball；theywouldhavehadthequadrillebandforanythingofthatsort。Faith——we’llgo。

However，letusseethemanfirst，andinquireparticulars。’

Reachinghome，Christopherfoundathisdoorahorseandwagonetteinchargeofaman-servantinlivery，whorepeatedwhatFaithhadtoldherbrother。WyndwayHousewasawell-knowncountry-seatthreeorfourmilesoutofthetown，andthecoachmanmentionedthatiftheyweregoingitwouldbewellthattheyshouldgetreadytostartassoonastheyconvenientlycould，sincehehadbeentoldtoreturnbytenifpossible。Christopherquicklypreparedhimself，andputanewstringortwointoFaith’sharp，bywhichtimeshealsowasdressed；and，wrappingupherselfandherinstrumentsafefromthenightair，awaytheydroveathalf-pastnine。

’Isitalargeparty？’saidChristopher，astheywhizzedalong。

’No，sir；itiswhatwecalladance——thatis，’tislikeaball，youknow，onasmallscale——aballonaspurt，thatyouneverthoughtoftillyouhadit。Inshort，itgrewoutofatalkatdinner，I

believe；andsomeoftheyoungpeoplepresentwantedajig，anddidn’tcaretoplaythemselves，youknow，youngladiesbeinganidleclassofsocietyatthebestoftimes。We’veahousefullofsleepingcompany，youunderstand——beenthereaweeksomeof’em——

mostof’embeingmistress’srelations。’

’Theyprobablyfounditalittledull。’

’Well，yes——itisratherdullfor’em——Christmas-timeandall。Assoonasitwasproposedtheywerewildforsendingpost-hasteforsomebodyorothertoplaytothem。’

’Didtheynamemeparticularly？’saidChristopher。

’Yes；"Mr。ChristopherJulian，"shesays。"Thegentwho’sturnedmusic-man？"Isaid。"Yes，that’shim，"saysshe。’

’Thereweremusic-menlivingnearertoyourendofthetownthanI。’

’Yes，butIknowitwasyouparticular:thoughIdon’tthinkmistressthoughtanythingaboutyouatfirst。Mr。Joyce——that’sthebutler——saidthatyournamewasmentionedtoouroldparty，whenhewasintheroom，byayoungladystayingwithus，andmistresssaysthen，"TheJulianshavehadadownfall，andthesonhastakentomusic。"Thenwhendancingwastalkedof，theysaid，"O，let’shavehimbyallmeans。"’

’Wastheyoungladywhofirstinquiredformyfamilythesameonewhosaid，"Let’shavehimbyallmeans？"’

’Ono；butitwasonaccountofheraskingthattherestsaidtheywouldlikeyoutoplay——atleastthat’sasIhaditfromJoyce。’

’Doyouknowthatlady’sname？’

’Mrs。Petherwin。’

’Ah！’

’Cold，sir？’

’Ono。’

Christopherdidnotliketoquestionthemananyfurther，thoughwhathehadheardaddednewlifetohispreviouscuriosity；andtheydrovealongthewayinsilence，Faith’sfigure，wrappeduptothetopofherhead，cuttingintotheskybehindthemlikeasugar-loaf。

Suchgatesascrossedtheroadshadbeenleftopenbytheforethoughtofthecoachman，and，passingthelodge，theyproceededabouthalf-a-milealongaprivatedrive，thenascendedarise，andcameinviewofthefrontofthemansion，puncturedwithwindowsthatwerenowmostlylightedup。

’Whatisthat？’saidFaith，catchingaglimpseofsomethingthatthecarriage-lampshowedonthefaceofonewallastheypassed，amarblebas-reliefofsomebattle-piece，builtintothestonework。

’That’sthesceneofthedeathofoneofthesquire’sforefathers——

ColonelSirMartinJones，whowaskilledatthemomentofvictoryinthebattleofSalamanca——butIhaven’tbeenherelongenoughtoknowtherightsofit。WhenIaminoneofmymeditations，asIwaitherewiththecarriagesometimes，Ithinkhowmanymoregetkilledatthemomentofvictorythanatthemomentofdefeat。Thisistheentranceforyou，sir。’Andheturnedthecornerandpulledupbeforeasidedoor。

Theyalightedandwentin，ChristophershoulderingFaith’sharp，andshemarchingmodestlybehind，withcurly-earedmusic-booksunderherarm。Theywereshownintothehouse-steward’sroom，andusheredthencealongabadly-litpassageandpastadoorwithinwhichahumandlaughterwereaudible。Thedoornexttothiswasthenopenedforthem，andtheyentered。

ScarcelyhadFaith，orChristophereither，everbeheldamoreshiningscenethanwaspresentedbythesalooninwhichtheynowfoundthemselves。Comingdirectfromthegloomypark，andledtotheroombythatbackpassagefromtheservants’quarter，thelightfromthechandelierandbranchesagainstthewalls，strikingongildingatallpoints，quitedazzledtheirsightforaminuteortwo；itcausedFaithtomoveforwardwithhereyesonthefloor，andfilledChristopherwithanimpulsetoturnbackagainintosomeduskycornerwhereeverythreadofhisnotover-newdresssuit——

rathermoth-eatenthroughlackoffeastsforairingit——couldbecountedlesseasily。

Hewassoonseatedbeforeagrandpiano，andFaithsatdownundertheshadowofherharp，bothbeingarrangedonadaiswithinanalcoveatoneendoftheroom。AscreenofivyandhollyhadbeenconstructedacrossthefrontofthisrecessforthegamesofthechildrenonChristmasEve，anditstillremainedthere，asmallcreep-holebeingleftforentranceandexit。

Thenthemerrygueststumbledthroughdoorsatthefurtherend，anddancingbegan。Theminglingofblack-coatedmenandbrightladiesgaveacharmingappearancetothegroupsasseenbyFaithandherbrother，thewholespectaclederivinganunexpectednoveltyfromtheaccidentofreachingtheireyesthroughintersticesinthetraceryofgreenleaves，whichaddedtothepictureasoftnessthatitwouldnototherwisehavepossessed。Ontheotherhand，themusicians，havingamuchweakerlight，couldhardlybediscernedbytheperformersinthedance。

Themusicwasnowrattlingon，andtheladiesintheirfoam-likedresseswerebusilythreadingandspinningaboutthefloor，whenFaith，casuallylookingupintoherbrother’sface，wassurprisedtoseethatachangehadcomeoverit。Attheendofthequadrilleheleantacrosstoherbeforeshehadtimetospeak，andsaidquietly，’She’shere！’

’Who？’saidFaith，forshehadnotheardthewordsofthecoachman。

’Ethelberta。’

’Whichisshe？’askedFaith，peepingthroughwiththekeenestinterest。

’Theonewhohastheskirtsofherdressloopedupwithconvolvulusflowers——theonewithherhairfastenedinasortofVenusknotbehind；shehasjustbeendancingwiththatperfumedpieceofamantheycallMr。Ladywell——itishewiththehigheyebrowsarchedlikeagirl’s。’Headded，withawrinkledsmile，’Icannotformylifeseeanybodyansweringtothecharacterofhusbandtoher，foreverymantakesnoticeofher。’

Theywereinterruptedbyanotherdancebeingcalledfor，andthen，hisfingerstappingaboutuponthekeysasmechanicallyasfowlspeckingatbarleycorns，ChristophergavehimselfupwithacuriousandfarfromunalloyedpleasuretotheoccupationofwatchingEthelberta，nowagaincrossingthefieldofhisvisionlikeareturnedcometwhosecharacteristicswerebecomingpurelyhistorical。Shewasaplump-armedcreature，withawhiteroundneckasfirmasafort——altogetheravigorousshape，asrefreshingtotheeyeasthegreenleavesthroughwhichhebeheldher。Shedancedfreely，andwithazestthatwasapparentlyirrespectiveofpartners。Hehadbeenwaitinglongtohearherspeak，andwhenatlengthhervoicedidreachhisears，itwastherevelationofastrangemattertofindhowgreatathingthatsmalleventhadbecometohim。Heknewtheoldutterance——rapidbutnotfrequent，anobstructivethoughtcausingsometimesasuddenhaltinthemidstofastreamofwords。Butthefeaturesbywhichacoolobserverwouldhavesingledheroutfromothersinhismemorywhenaskinghimselfwhatshewaslike，wasapeculiargazeintoimaginaryfar-awaydistancewhenmakingaquietremarktoapartner——notwithcontractedeyeslikeaseafaringman，butwithanopenfulllook——aremarkinwhichlittlewordsinalowtoneweremadetoexpressagreatdeal，asseveralsinglegentlemenafterwardsfound。

Theproductionofdance-musicwhenthecriticizingstageamongthedancershaspassed，andtheyhavegrownfullofexcitementandanimalspirits，doesnotrequiremuchconcentrationofthoughtintheproducersthereof；anddesultoryconversationaccordinglywentonbetweenFaithandherbrotherfromtimetotime。

’Kit，’shesaidononeoccasion，’areyoulookingatthewayinwhichtheflowersarefastenedtotheleaves？——takingameanadvantageofbeingatthebackofthetapestry？Youcannotthinkhowyoustareatthem。’

’Iwaslookingthroughthem——certainlynotatthem。Ihaveafeelingofbeingmovedaboutlikeapuppetinthehandsofapersonwholegallycanbenothingtome。’

’Thatcharmingwomanwiththeshiningbunchofhairandconvolvuluses？’

’Yes:itisthroughherthatwearebroughthere，andthroughherwritingthatpoem，"CancelledWords，"thatthebookwassentme，andthroughtheaccidentalrenewalofacquaintancebetweenusonAngleburyHeath，thatshewrotethepoem。Iwas，however，atthemomentyouspoke，thinkingmoreparticularlyofthelittleteacherwhomEthelbertamusthavecommissionedtosendthebooktome；andwhythatgirlwaschosentodoit。’

’Theremaybeahundredreasons。Kit，Ihaveneveryetseenherlookoncethisway。’

Christopherhadcertainlynotyetreceivedlookorgesturefromher；

buthistimecame。Itwaswhilehewasforamomentoutsidetherecess，andhecaughtherintheact。Shebecameslightlyconfused，turnedaside，andenteredintoconversationwithaneighbour。

Itwasonlyalook，andyetwhatalookitwas！Onemaysayofalookthatitiscapableofdivisionintoasmanyspecies，genera，orders，andclasses，astheanimalworlditself。ChristophersawEthelbertaPetherwin’sperformanceinthiskind——thewell-knownsparkoflightuponthewell-knowndepthsofmystery——andfeltsomethinggoingoutofhimwhichhadgoneoutofhimoncebefore。

Thuscontinuallybeholdingherandhercompanionsinthegiddywhirl，thenightworeonwiththemusicians，lastdancesandmorelastdancesbeingadded，tilltheintentionsoftheoldonthematterwerethriceexceededintheinterestsoftheyoung。Watchingthecoupleswhirlandturn，advanceandrecedeasgentlyasspirits，knotthemselveslikehouse-fliesandpartagain，andlullabiedbythefaintregularbeatoftheirfootstepstothetune，theplayerssankintothepeculiarmesmericquietwhichcomesoverimpressionablepeoplewhoplayforagreatlengthoftimeinthemidstofsuchscenes；andatlasttheonlynoisesthatChristophertookcognizanceofwerethoseoftheexceptionalkind，breakingabovethegeneralseaofsound——acasualsmartrustleofsilk，alaugh，astumble，themonosyllabictalkofthosewhohappenedtolingerforamomentclosetotheleafyscreen——allcomingtohisearslikevoicesfromthoseoldtimeswhenhehadmingledinsimilarscenes，notasservantbutasguest。

5。ATTHEWINDOW-THEROADHOME

Thedancingwasoveratlast，andtheradiantcompanyhadlefttheroom。Alongandwearynightithadbeenforthetwoplayers，thoughastimulatedinteresthadhinderedphysicalexhaustioninoneofthemforawhile。Withtinglingfingersandachingarmstheycameoutofthealcoveintothelonganddesertedapartment，nowpervadedbyadryhaze。Thelightshadburntlow，andFaithandherbrotherwerewaitingbyrequesttillthewagonettewasreadytotakethemhome，abreakfastbeingincourseofpreparationforthemmeanwhile。

Christopherhadcrossedtheroomtorelievehiscrampedlimbs，andnow，peepingthroughacreviceinthewindowcurtains，hesaidsuddenly，’Who’sforatransformationscene？Faith，lookhere！’

Hetouchedtheblind，upitflew，andagorgeousscenepresenteditselftohereyes。Ahugeinflamedsunwasbreastingthehorizonofawidesheetofseawhich，tohersurpriseanddelight，themansionoverlooked。Thebrilliantdiscfiredallthewavesthatlaybetweenitandtheshoreatthebottomofthegrounds，wherethewatertossedtheruddylightfromoneundulationtoanotheringlaresaslargeandclearasmirrors，incessantlyalteringthem，destroyingthem，andcreatingthemagain；whilefurtherofftheymultiplied，thickened，andranintooneanotherlikestrugglingarmies，tilltheymetthefierysourceofthemall。

’O，howwonderfulitis！’saidFaith，puttingherhandonChristopher’sarm。’Whoknewthatwhilstwewereallshutinherewithourpunyilluminationsuchanexhibitionasthiswasgoingonoutside！Howsorryandmeanthegrandandstatelyroomlooksnow！’

Christopherturnedhisbackuponthewindow，andtherewerethehithertobeamingcandle-flamesshiningnomoreradiantlythantarnishedjavelin-heads，whilethesnow-whitelengthsofwaxshowedthemselvesclammyandcadaverousasthefingersofacorpse。Theleavesandflowerswhichhadappearedsoverygreenandbloomingbytheartificiallightwerenowseentobefadedanddusty。Onlythegildingoftheroominsomedegreebroughtitselfintokeepingwiththesplendoursoutside，straydartsoflightseizinguponitandlengtheningthemselvesoutalongfillet，quirk，arris，andmoulding，tillwastedaway。

’Itseems，’saidFaith，’asifallthepeoplewhowerelatelysomerryherehaddied:weourselveslooknomorethanghosts。’Sheturnedupherwearyfacetoherbrother’s，whichtheincomingrayssmoteaslant，makinglittlefurrowsofeverywrinklethereon，andshadyravinesofeverylittlefurrow。

’Youareverytired，Faith，’hesaid。’Suchaheavynight’sworkhasbeenalmosttoomuchforyou。’

’O，Idon’tmindthat，’saidFaith。’ButIcouldnothaveplayedsolongbymyself。’

’Wefilleduponeanother’sgaps；andtherewereplentyofthemtowardsthemorning；but，luckily，peopledon’tnoticethosethingswhenthesmallhoursdrawon。’

’Whattroublesmemost，’saidFaith，’isnotthatIhaveworked，butthatyoushouldbesosituatedastoneedsuchmiserableassistanceasmine。Wearepoor，arewenot，Kit？’

’Yes，weknowalittleaboutpoverty，’hereplied。

Whilethuslingering’Inshadowythoroughfaresofthought，’

Faithinterruptedwith，’Ibelievethereisoneofthedancersnow！——

why，Ishouldhavethoughttheyhadallgonetobed，andwouldn’tgetupagainfordays。’Sheindicatedtohimafigureonthelawntowardstheleft，lookinguponthesameflashingsceneasthattheythemselvesbeheld。