第5章
’Whatwereyougoingtosay？’saidthehonestandunsuspectingGwendoline。
’Iwillputitoffuntilto-morrow，’Ethelbertamurmuredgloomily；
’Ihaveabadheadache，andIamafraidIcannotstaywithyouafterall。’
Assheascendedthestairs，Ethelbertaachedwithanaddedpainnotmuchlessthantheprimaryonewhichhadbroughtherdown。Itwasthatoldsenseofdisloyaltytoherclassandkinbyfeelingasshefeltnowwhichcausedthepain，andtherewasnoescapingit。
Gwendolinewouldhavegonetotheendsoftheearthforher:shecouldnotconfideathoughttoGwendoline！
’Ifsheonlyknewofthatunworthyfeelingofmine，howshewouldgrieve，’saidEthelbertamiserably。
Shenextwentuptotheservants’bedrooms，andtowhereCorneliaslept。OnEthelberta’sentranceCornelialookedupfromaperfectwonderofabonnet，whichsheheldinherhands。AtsightofEthelbertathelookofkeeninterestinherworkchangedtooneofgaiety。
’Iamsoglad——Iwasjustcomingdown，’Corneliasaidinawhisper；
whenevertheyspokeasrelationsinthishouseitwasinwhispers。
’Now，howdoyouthinkthisbonnetwilldo？MayIcomedown，andseehowIlookinyourbigglass？’Sheclappedthebonnetuponherhead。’Won’titdobeautifulforSundayafternoon？’
’Itlooksveryattractive，asfarasIcanseebythislight，’saidEthelberta。’Butisitnotrathertoobrilliantincolour——blueandredtogether，likethat？Remember，asIoftentellyou，peopleintownneverwearsuchbrightcontrastsastheydointhecountry。’
’OBerta！’saidCornelia，inadeprecatingtone；’don’tobject。Ifthere’sonethingIdogloryinitisaniceflare-upaboutmyheado’Sundays——ofcourseifthefamily’snotinmourning，Imean。’
But，seeingthatEthelbertadidnotsmile，sheturnedthesubject，andaddeddocilely:’Didyoucomeupformetodoanything？IwillputofffinishingmybonnetifIamwanted。’
’Iwasgoingtotalktoyouaboutfamilymatters，andPicotee，’saidEthelberta。’But，asyouarebusy，andIhaveaheadache，Iwillputitofftillto-morrow。’
Corneliaseemeddecidedlyrelieved，forfamilymatterswerefarfromattractiveatthebestoftimes；andEthelbertawentdowntothenextfloor，andenteredhermother’sroom。
AfterashortconversationMrs。Chickerelsaid，’Yousayyouwanttoaskmesomething？’
’Yes:butnothingofimportance，mother。IwasthinkingaboutPicotee，andwhatwouldbethebestthingtodo——’
’Ah，wellyoumay，Berta。Iamsouneasyaboutthislifeyouhaveledusinto，andfulloffearthatyourplansmaybreakdown；iftheydo，whateverwillbecomeofus？Iknowyouaredoingyourbest；butIcannothelpthinkingthatthecomingtoLondonandlivingwithyouwaswildandrash，andnotwellweighedaforewesetaboutit。Youshouldhavecountedthecostfirst，andnotadvisedit。Ifyoubreakdown，andwearealldiscoveredlivingsoqueerandunnatural，rightintheheartofthearistocracy，weshouldbethelaughing-stockofthecountry:itwouldkillme，andruinusall——utterlyruinus！’
’Omother，Iknowallthatsowell！’exclaimedEthelberta，tearsofanguishfillinghereyes。’Don’tdepressmemorethanIdepressmyselfbysuchfears，oryouwillbringabouttheverythingwestrivetoavoid！Myonlychanceisinkeepingingoodspirits，andwhydon’tyoutrytohelpmealittlebytakingabrighterviewofthings？’
’IknowIoughtto，mydeargirl，butIcannot。IdosowishthatI
neverletyoutemptmeandthechildrenawayfromtheLodge。I
cannotthinkwhyIallowedmyselftobesopersuaded——cannotthink！
Youarenottoblame——itisI。Iammucholderthanyou，andoughttohaveknownbetterthanlistentosuchascheme。Thisundertakingseemstoobig——thebillsfrightenme。Ihaveneverbeenusedtosuchwildadventure，andIcan’tsleepatnightforfearthatyourtale-tellingwillgowrong，andweshallallbeexposedandshamed。
Astory-tellerseemssuchanimpossiblecastle-in-the-airsortofatradeforgettingalivingby——Icannotthinkhoweveryoucametodreamofsuchanunheard-ofthing。’
’ButitisNOTacastleintheair，anditDOESgetaliving！’saidEthelberta，herlipquivering。
’Well，yes，whileitisjustanewthing；butIamafraiditcannotlast——that’swhatIfear。Peoplewillfindyououtasoneofafamilyofservants，andtheirpridewillbestungathavinggonetohearyourromancing；thentheywillgonomore，andwhatwillhappentousandthepoorlittleones？’
’Wemustallscatteragain！’
’Ifwecouldgetaswewereonce，Iwouldn’tmindthat。Butweshallhavelostourcharacterassimplecountryfolkwhoknownothing，whicharetheonlyclassofpoorpeoplethatsquireswillgiveanyhelpto；andImuchdoubtifthegirlswouldgetplacesaftersuchadiscovery——itwouldbesoawkwardandunheard-of。’
’Well，allIcansayis，’repliedEthelberta，’thatIwilldomybest。AllthatIhaveistheirsandyoursasmuchasmine，andthesearrangementsaresimplyontheiraccount。Idon’tlikemyrelationsbeingmyservants；butiftheydidnotworkforme，theywouldhavetoworkforothers，andmyserviceismuchlighterandpleasanterthananyotherlady’swouldbeforthem，sotheadvantagesareworththerisk。IfIstoodalone，Iwouldgoandhidemyheadinanyhole，andcarenomoreabouttheworldanditsways。IwishIwaswelloutofit，andatthebottomofaquietgrave——anybodymighthavetheworldformethen！Butdon’tletmedisturbyoulonger；itisgettinglate。’
Ethelbertathenwishedhermothergood-night，andwentaway。Toattemptconfidencesonsuchanetherealmatteraslovewasnowabsurd；herhermitspiritwasdoomedtodwellapartasusual；andsheappliedherselftodeepthinkingwithoutaidandalone。NotonlywastherePicotee’smiserytodisperse；itbecameimperativetoconsiderhowbesttooverpassamoregeneralcatastrophe。
24。ETHELBERTA’SHOUSE(continued)-THEBRITISHMUSEUM
Mrs。Chickerel，indeploringtherisksoftheirpresentspeculativemodeoflife，wasfarfromimaginingthatsignsofthefoulfuturesomuchdreadedwereactuallyapparenttoEthelbertaatthetimethelamentwasspoken。Hencethedaughter’suncommonsensitivenesstoprophecy。Itwasasifadead-reckonerporingoverhischartshouldpredictbreakersaheadtoonewhoalreadybeheldthem。
Thatherstory-tellingwouldprovesoattractiveEthelbertahadnotventuredtoexpectforamoment；thathavingonceprovedattractivethereshouldbeanyfalling-offuntilsuchtimehadelapsedaswouldenablehertoharvestsomesolidfruitwasequallyasurprise。
Futureexpectationsareoftenbasedwithouthesitationupononehappyaccident，whentheonlysimilarconditionremainingtosubsequentsetsofcircumstancesisthatthesamepersonformsthecentreofthem。Hersituationwassopeculiar，andsounlikethatofmostpublicpeople，thattherewashardlyanargumentexplainingthistriumphantopeningwhichcouldbeusedinforecastingtheclose；unless，indeed，morestrategywereemployedintheconductofthecampaignthanEthelbertaseemedtoshowatpresent。
Therewasnodenyingthatshecommandedlessattentionthanatfirst:theaudiencehadlessened，and，judgingbyappearances，mightsoonbeexpectedtobedecidedlythin。Inexcessivelownessofspirit，Ethelbertatranslatedthesesignswiththebiasthatalingeringechoofhermother’sdismalwordsnaturallyinduced，readingthemasconclusiveevidencethatheradventurehadbeenchimericalinitsbirth。Yetitwasveryfarlessconclusivethanshesupposed。Publicinterestmightwithoutdoubthavebeenrenewedafteradueinterval，someofthefalling-offbeingonlyanaccidentoftheseason。Hernoveltieshadbeenhailedwithpleasure，theratherthattheirfreshnesstickledthanthattheirintrinsicmeritwasappreciated；and，likemanyinexperienceddispensersofauniquecharm，Ethelberta，bybestowingtooliberallyandtoofrequently，wasdestroyingtheveryelementuponwhichitspopularitydepended。
Herentertainmenthadbeengoodinitsconception，andpartlygoodinitsexecution；yethersuccesshadbutlittletodowiththatgoodness。Indeed，whatmightbecalleditsbadnessinahistrionicsense——thatis，herlooksometimesofbeingoutofplace，thesightofabeautifulwomanonaplatform，revealingtenderairsofdomesticitywhichshowedhertobelongbycharactertoaquietdrawing-room——hadbeenprimarilyanattractivefeature。Butalas，customwasstalingthisbyimprovingheruptothemarkofanutterimpersonator，therebyeradicatingtheprettyabashmentsofapoetessoutofhersphere；andmorethanonewell-wisherwhoobservedEthelbertafromafarfearedthatitmightsomedaycometobesaidofherthatshehad’Enfeoffedherselftopopularity:
That，beingdailyswallowedbymen’seyes，Theysurfeitedwithhoney，andbeganToloathethetasteofsweetness，whereofalittleMorethanalittleisbymuchtoomuch。’
Butthisinitsextremitywasnotquiteyet。
Wediscoverheroneday，alittleafterthistime，sittingbeforeatablestrewedwithaccountsandbillsfromdifferenttradesmenoftheneighbourhood，whichsheexaminedwithapaleface，collectingtheirtotalsonablanksheet。Picoteecameintotheroom，butEthelbertatooknonoticewhateverofher。Theyoungersister，whosubsistedonscrapsofnoticeandfavour，likeadependentanimal，evenifthesewereonlyanoccasionalglanceoftheeye，couldnothelpsayingatlast，’Berta，howsilentyouare。Idon’tthinkyouknowIamintheroom。’
’Ididnotobserveyou，’saidEthelberta。’Iamverymuchengaged:
thesebillshavetobepaid。’
’What，andcannotwepaythem？’saidPicotee，invaguealarm。
’Oyes，Icanpaythem。Thequestionis，howlongshallIbeabletodoit？’
’Thatissad；andwearegoingonsonicely，too。Itisnottruethatyouhavereallydecidedtoleaveoffstory-tellingnowthepeopledon’tcrowdtohearitastheydid？’
’IthinkIshallleaveoff。’
’Andbeginagainnextyear？’
’Thatisverydoubtful。’
’I’lltellyouwhatyoumightdo，’saidPicotee，herfacekindlingwithasenseofgreatoriginality。’Youmighttravelabouttocountrytownsandtellyourstorysplendidly。’
’Amaninmypositionmightperhapsdoitwithimpunity；butIcouldnotwithoutlosinggroundinotherdomains。AwomanmaydrivetoMayfairfromherhouseinExonburyCrescent，andspeakfromaplatformthere，andbesupposedtodoitasanoriginalwayofamusingherself；butwhenitcomestostarringintheprovincessheestablishesherselfasawomanofadifferentbreedandhabit。I
wishIwereaman！Iwouldgiveupthishouse，advertiseittobeletfurnished，andsallyforthwithconfidence。ButIamdriventothinkofotherwaystomanagethanthat。’
Picoteefellintoaconjecturallook，butcouldnotguess。
’Thewayofmarriage，’saidEthelberta。’OtherwiseperhapsthepoetessmaylivetobecomewhatDrydencalledhimselfwhenhegotoldandpoor——arent-chargeonProvidence……Yes，Imusttrythatway，’shecontinued，withasarcasmtowardspeopleoutofhearing。Imustbuya"Peerage"foronething，anda"Baronetage，"
anda"HouseofCommons，"anda"LandedGentry，"andlearnwhatpeopleareaboutme。’ImustgotoDoctors’CommonsandreadupwillsoftheparentsofanylikelygudgeonsImayknow。ImustgetaHeraldtoinventanescutcheonofmyfamily，andthrowagenealogicaltreeintothebargaininconsiderationofmytakingafewsecond-handheirloomsofapawnbrokingfriendofhis。Imustgetupshamancestors，andfindoutsomenotoriousnametostartmypedigreefrom。Itdoesnotmatterwhathischaracterwas；eithervillainormartyrwilldo，providedthathelivedfivehundredyearsago。ItwouldbeconsideredfarmorecreditabletomakegoodmydescentfromSatanintheagewhenhewenttoandfroontheearththanfromaministeringangelunderVictoria。’
’But，Berta，youarenotgoingtomarryanystrangerwhomayturnup？’saidPicotee，whohadcreepingsensationsofdreadwhenEthelbertatalkedlikethis。
’Ihadnosuchintention。But，havingonceputmyhandtotheplough，howshallIturnback？’
’YoumightmarryMr。Ladywell，’saidPicotee，whopreferredtolookatthingsintheconcrete。
’Yes，marryhimvillainously；incoldblood，withoutamomenttopreparehimself。’
’Ah，youwon’t！’
’Iamnotsosureaboutthat。Ihavebroughtmotherandthechildrentotownagainstherjudgmentandagainstmyfather’s；theygavewaytomyopinionastoonewhofromsuperioreducationhaslargerknowledgeoftheworldthanthey。Imustprovemypromises，evenifHeavenshouldfalluponmeforit，orwhatamiserablefuturewilltheirsbe！WemustnotbepoorinLondon。Povertyinthecountryisasadness，butpovertyintownisahorror。Thereissomethingnotwithoutgrandeurinthethoughtofstarvationonanopenmountainorinawidewood，andyourboneslyingtheretobleachinthepuresunandrain；butabackgarretinarookery，andtheotherstarversintheroominsistingonkeepingthewindowshut——
anythingtodeliverusfromthat！’
’Howgloomyyoucanbe，Berta！Itwillneverbesodreadful。Why，Icantakeinplainsewing，andyoucandotranslations，andmothercanknitstockings，andsoon。Howmuchlongerwillthishousebeyours？’
’Twoyears。IfIkeepitlongerthanthatIshallhavetopayrentattherateofthreehundredayear。ThePetherwinestateprovidesmewithittillthen，whichwillbetheendofLadyPetherwin’sterm。’
’Iseeit；andyououghttomarrybeforethehouseisgone，ifyoumeantomarryhigh，’murmuredPicotee，inaninadequatevoice，asoneconfrontedbyaworldsotragicthatanyhopeofherassistingthereinwasoutofthequestion。
ItwasnotlongafterthisexpositionofthefamilyaffairsthatChristophercalleduponthem；butPicoteewasnotpresent，havinggonetothinkofsuperhumanworkonthespurofEthelberta’sawakeningtalk。TherewassomethingnewinthewayinwhichEthelbertareceivedtheannouncementofhisname；passionhadtodowithit，sohadcircumspection；thelattermost，forthefirsttimesincetheirreunion。
’IamgoingtoleavethispartofEngland，’saidChristopher，afterafewgentlepreliminaries。’Iwasoneoftheapplicantsforthepostofassistant-organistatMelchesterCathedralwhenitbecamevacant，andIfindIamlikelytobechosen，throughtheinterestofoneofmyfather’sfriends。’
’Icongratulateyou。’
’No，Ethelberta，itisnotworththat。Ididnotoriginallymeantofollowthiscourseatall；buteventsseemedtopointtoitintheabsenceofabetter。’
’ItooamcompelledtofollowacourseIdidnotoriginallymeantotake。’Aftersayingnomoreforafewmoments，sheadded，inatoneofsuddenopenness，arichertincturecreepinguphercheek，’Iwanttoputaquestiontoyouboldly——notexactlyaquestion——athought。
Haveyouconsideredwhethertherelationsbetweenuswhichhavelatelyprevailedare——arethebestforyou——andforme？’
’Iknowwhatyoumean，’saidChristopher，hastilyanticipatingallthatshemightbegoingtosay；’andIamgladyouhavegivenmetheopportunityofspeakinguponthatsubject。IthasbeenverygoodandconsiderateinyoutoallowmetoshareyoursocietysofrequentlyasyouhavedonesinceIhavebeenintown，andtothinkofyouasanobjecttoexistforandstrivefor。ButIoughttohaverememberedthat，sinceyouhavenobodyatyoursidetolookafteryourinterests，itbehovedmetobedoublycareful。Inshort，Ethelberta，Iamnotinapositiontomarry，norcanIdiscernwhenIshallbe，andIfeelitwouldbeaninjusticetoaskyoutobeboundinanywaytoonelowerandlesstalentedthanyou。Youcannot，fromwhatyousay，thinkitdesirablethattheengagementshouldcontinue。Ihavenorighttoaskyoutobemybetrothed，withouthavinganearprospectofmakingyoumywife。Idon’tmindsayingthisstraightout——Ihavenofearthatyouwilldoubtmylove；thankHeaven，youknowwhatthatiswellenough！However，asthingsare，IwishyoutoknowthatIcannotconscientiouslyputinaclaimuponyourattention。’
AsecondmeaningwaswritteninChristopher’slook，thoughhescarcelyutteredit。Awomansodelicatelypoiseduponthesocialglobecouldnotinhonourbeaskedtowaitforaloverwhowasunabletosetboundstothewaitingperiod。Yethehadprivilydreamedofanapproachtothatposition——anunreserved，ideallyperfectdeclarationfromEthelbertathattimeandpracticalissueswerenothingtoher；thatshewouldstandasfastwithoutmaterialhopesaswiththem；thatlovewastobeanendwithherhenceforth，havingutterlyceasedtobeameans。Thereforethissurreptitioushopeofhis，foundedonnoreasonableexpectation，waslikeaguiltythingsurprisedwhenEthelbertaanswered，withapredominanceofjudgmentoverpassionstillgreaterthanbefore:
’Itisunspeakablygenerousinyoutoputitallbeforemesonicely，Christopher。Ithinkinfinitelymoreofyouforbeingsounreserved，especiallysinceItoohavebeenthinkingmuchontheindefinitenessofthedaystocome。Wearenotnumberedamongtheblestfewwhocanaffordtotriflewiththetime。Yettoagreetoanythinglikeapositivepartingwillbequiteunnecessary。Youdidnotmeanthat，didyou？foritisharshifyoudid。’Ethelbertasmiledkindlyasshesaidthis，asmuchastosaythatshewasfarfromreallyupbraidinghim。’Letitbeonlythatwewillseeeachotherless。Wewillbearoneanotherinmindasdeeplyattachedfriendsifnotasdefinitelovers，andkeepupfriendlyremembrancesofasortwhich，comewhatmay，willneverhavetobeendedbyanypainfulprocesstermedbreakingoff。Differentpersons，differentnatures；anditmaybethatmarriagewouldnotbethemostfavourableatmosphereforouroldaffectiontoprolongitselfin。
WhendoyouleaveLondon？’
Thedisconnectedqueryseemedtobesubjoinedtodispersethecrudeeffectofwhathadgonebefore。
’Ihardlyknow，’murmuredChristopher。’IsupposeIshallnotcallhereagain。’
Whilsttheyweresilentsomebodyenteredtheroomsoftly，andtheyturnedtodiscoverPicotee。
’Comehere，Picotee，’saidEthelberta。
Picoteecamewithanabashedbearingtowheretheothertwowerestanding，andlookeddownsteadfastly。
’Mr。Julianisgoingaway，’shecontinued，withdeterminedfirmness。
’Hewillnotseeusagainforalongtime。’AndEthelbertaadded，inalowertone，thoughstillintheunflinchingmannerofonewhohadsetherselftosayathing，andwouldsayit——’Heisnottobedefinitelyengagedtomeanylonger。Wearenotthinkingofmarrying，youknow，Picotee。Itisbestthatweshouldnot。’
’Perhapsitis，’saidChristopherhurriedly，takinguphishat。
’Letmenowwishyougood-bye；and，ofcourse，youwillalwaysknowwhereIam，andhowtofindme。’
Itwasatendertime。HeinclinedforwardthatEthelbertamightgivehimherhand，whichshedid；whereupontheireyesmet。
Masteredbyanimpellinginstinctshehadnotreckonedwith，Ethelbertapresentedhercheek。Christopherkisseditfaintly。
TearswereinEthelberta’seyesnow，andshewasheartfullofmanyemotions。PlacingherarmroundPicotee’swaist，whohadneverliftedhereyesfromthecarpet，shedrewtheslightgirlforward，andwhisperedquicklytohim——’Kissher，too。Sheismysister，andIamyours。’
ItseemedallrightandnaturaltotheirrespectivemoodsandthetoneofthemomentthatfreeoldWessexmannersshouldprevail，andChristopherstoopedanddroppeduponPicotee’scheeklikewisesuchafarewellkissashehadimprinteduponEthelberta’s。
’Careforusbothequally！’saidEthelberta。
’Iwill，’saidChristopher，scarcelyknowingwhathesaid。
Whenhehadreachedthedooroftheroom，helookedbackandsawthetwosistersstandingashehadleftthem，andequallytearful。
Ethelbertaatoncesaid，inalastfutilestruggleagainstlettinghimgoaltogether，andwiththoughtsofhersister’sheart:
’IthinkthatPicoteemightcorrespondwithFaith；don’tyou，Mr。
Julian？’
’Mysisterwouldmuchliketodoso，’saidhe。
’Andyouwouldlikeittoo，wouldyounot，Picotee？’
’Oyes，’shereplied。’AndIcantellthemallaboutyou。’
’Thenitshallbeso，ifMissJulianwill。’Shespokeinasettledway，asifsomethingintendedhadbeensetintrain；andChristopherhavingpromisedforhissister，hewentoutofthehousewithapartingsmileofmisgiving。
Hecouldscarcelybelieveashewalkedalongthatthoselatewords，yethanginginhisears，hadreallybeenspoken，thatstillvisiblesceneenacted。Hecouldnotevenrecollectforaminuteortwohowthefinalresulthadbeenproduced。Didhehimselffirstenteruponthelong-loomingtheme，ordidshe？Christopherhadbeensonervouslyalivetotheurgencyofsettingbeforethehard-strivingwomanaclearoutlineofhimself，hissurroundingsandhisfears，thathefanciedthemainimpulsetothisconsummationhadbeenhis，notwithstandingthatafaintinitiativehadcomefromEthelberta。
Allhadcompleteditselfquickly，unceremoniously，andeasily。
Ethelbertahadlethimgoasecondtime；yetonforegoingmorningsandevenings，whencontemplatingthenecessityofsomesuchexplanation，ithadseemedthatnothinglessthanAtlanteanforcecouldoverpowertheirmutualgravitationtowardseachother。
OnhisreachinghomeFaithwasnotinthehouse，and，intherestlessstatewhichdemandssomethingtotalkat，themusicianwentofftofindher，wellknowingherhauntatthistimeoftheday。HeenteredthespikedandgildedgatewayoftheMuseumhardby，turnedtothewingdevotedtosculptures，anddescendedtoaparticularbasementroom，whichwaslinedwithbas-reliefsfromNineveh。Theplacewascool，silent，andsoothing；itwasempty，saveofalittlefigureinblack，thatwasstandingwithitsfacetothewallinaninnermostnook。ThisspotwasFaith’sowntemple；here，amongthesedesertedantiques，Faithwasalwayshappy。Christopherlookedonatherforsometimebeforeshenoticedhim，anddimlyperceivedhowvastlydifferedherhomelysuitandunstudiedcontour——painfullyunstudiedtofastidiouseyes——fromEthelberta’swell-arrangeddraperies，evenfromPicotee’scleverbitsofribbon，bywhichshemadeherselflookprettyoutofnothingatall。Yetthisnegligencewashissister’sessence；withoutitshewouldhavebeenaspoiltproduct。Shehadnoouterworld，andherrustyblackwasasappropriatetoFaith’sunseencoursesaswereEthelberta’scorrectlightsandshadestohermoreprominentcareer。
’Look，Kit，’saidFaith，assoonassheknewwhowasapproaching。
’ThisisathingIneverlearntbefore；thispersonisreallySennacherib，sittingonhisthrone；andthesewithflutedbeardsandhairlikeplough-furrows，andfingerswithnobonesinthem，arehiswarriors——reallycarvedatthetime，youknow。OnlyjustthinkthatthisisnotimaginedofAssyria，butdoneinAssyriantimesbyAssyrianhands。Don’tyoufeelasifyouwereactuallyinNineveh；
thataswenowwalkbetweentheseslabs，sowalkedNinevitesbetweenthemonce？’
’Yes……Faith，itisallover。EthelbertaandIhaveparted。’
’Indeed。AndsomyplanistothinkofversesintheBibleaboutSennacheribandhisdoings，whichresemblethese；thisverse，forinstance，Iremember:"NowinthefourteenthyearofKingHezekiahdidSennacherib，KingofAssyria，comeupagainstallthefencedcitiesofJudahandtookthem。AndHezekiah，KingofJudah，senttotheKingofAssyriatoLachish，"andsoon。Well，thereitactuallyis，yousee。There’sSennacherib，andthere’sLachish。Isitnotglorioustothinkthatthisisapicturedoneatthetimeofthoseveryevents？’
’Yes。Wedidnotquarrelthistime，EthelbertaandI。IfImaysoputit，itisworsethanquarrelling。Wefeltitwasnousegoingonanylonger，andso——Come，Faith，hearwhatIsay，orelsetellmethatyouwon’thear，andthatImayaswellsavemybreath！’
’Yes，Iwillreallylisten，’shesaid，flutteringhereyelidsinherconcernathavingbeensoabstracted，andexcludingSennacheribthereandthenfromChristopher’saffairsbythefirstsettlementofherfeaturestoapresent-dayaspect，andhereyesuponhisface。
’YousaidyouhadseenEthelberta。Yes，andwhatdidshesay？’
’Wasthereeveranybodysoprovoking！Why，Ihavejusttoldyou！’
’Yes，yes；Iremembernow。Youhaveparted。ThesubjectistoolargeformetoknowallatoncewhatIthinkofit，andyoumustgivemetime，Kit。SpeakingofEthelbertaremindsmeofwhatIhavedone。IjustlookedintotheAcademythismorning——IthoughtI
wouldsurpriseyoubytellingyouaboutit。AndwhatdoyouthinkI
saw？Ethelberta——inthepicturepaintedbyMr。Ladywell。’
’Itisneverhung？’saidhe，feelingthattheywereatoneastoatopicatlast。
’Yes。AndthesubjectisanElizabethanknightpartingfromaladyofthesameperiod——thewordsexplainingthepicturebeing——
"Farewell！thouarttoodearformypossessing，Andlikeenoughthouknow’stthyestimate。"
TheladyisEthelberta，totheshadeofahair——herlivingface；andtheknightis——’
’NotLadywell？’
’Ithinkso；Iamnotsure。’
’NowonderIamdismissed！Andyetshehateshim。Well，comealong，Faith。Womenallowstrangelibertiesinthesedays。’
25。THEROYALACADEMY-THEFARNFIELDESTATE
Ethelbertawasafirmbelieverinthekindlyeffectsofartisticeducationuponthemasses。Sheheldthatdefilementofmindoftenarosefromignoranceofeye；andherphilanthropybeing，bythesimpleforceofhersituation，ofthatsortwhichlingersintheneighbourhoodofhome，sheconcentratedhereffortsinthiskinduponSolandDan。Accordingly，theAcademyexhibitionhavingnowjustopened，sheorderedthebrotherstoappearintheirbestclothesattheentrancetoBurlingtonHousejustafternoontideontheSaturdayofthefirstweek，thisbeingtheonlydayandhouratwhichtheycouldattendwithout’losingahalf’andthereforeitwasnecessarytoputupwiththeinconvenienceofarrivingatacrowdedandenervatingtime。
WhenEthelbertawassetdowninthequadranglesheperceivedthefaithfulpair，bigastheZamzummimsofoldtime，standinglikesentinelsintheparticularcornerthatshehadnamedtothem:forSolandDanwouldassoonhaveattemptedpettylarcenyasbrokenfaithwiththeiradmiredlady-sisterEthelberta。Theywelcomedherwithapainfullylavishexhibitionoflargenewgloves，andchestscoveredwithbroadtriangularareasofpaddedbluesilk，occupyingthepositionthattheshirt-fronthadoccupiedinearlierdays，andsupposedtobelineallydescendedfromthetieofaneckerchief。
Thedressoftheirsisterforto-daywasexactlythatofarespectableworkman’srelativewhohadnoparticularambitioninthematteroffashion——ablackstuffgown，aplainbonnettomatch。A
veilsheworeforobviousreasons:herfacewasgettingwellknowninLondon，andithadalreadyappearedattheprivateviewinanuncoveredstate，whenitwasscrutinizedmorethanthepaintingsaround。Butnowhomelyandusefullabourwasherpurpose。
Catalogueinhandshetookthetwobrothersthroughthegalleries，teachingtheminwhispersastheywalked，andoccasionallycorrectingthem——first，fortooreverentialabearingtowardsthewell-dressedcrowd，amongwhomtheypersistedinwalkingwiththeirhatsintheirhandsandwiththecontritebearingofmeekpeopleinchurch；and，secondly，foratendencywhichtheytoooftenshowedtowardsstrayingfromthecontemplationofthepicturesasarttoindulgeincuriousspeculationsontheintrinsicnatureofthedelineatedsubject，thegildingoftheframes，theconstructionoftheskylightsoverhead，oradmirationforthebracelets，lockets，andloftyeloquenceofpersonsaroundthem。
’Now，’saidEthelberta，inawarningwhisper，’wearecomingnearthepicturewhichwaspartlypaintedfrommyself。And，Dan，whenyouseeit，don’tyouexclaim"Hullo！"or"That’sBertatoaT，"oranythingatall。Itwouldnotmatterwereitnotdangerousformetobenoticedhereto-day。Iseeseveralpeoplewhowouldrecognizemeontheleastprovocation。’
’Notaword，’saidDan。’Don’tyoubeafeardaboutthat。IfeelthatIbaintuponmyowngroundto-day；andwouldn’tdoanythingtocauseanupset，drownmeifIwould。Wouldyou，Sol？’
Inthistempertheyallpressedforward，andEthelbertacouldnotbutbegratifiedatthereceptionofLadywell’spicture，thoughitwasaccordedbycriticsnotveryprofound。Itwasanoperationofsomeminutestogetexactlyopposite，andwhensidebysidethethreestoodtheretheyoverheardtheimmediatereasonofthepressure。’Farewell，thouarttoodearformypossessing’hadbeenlengthilydiscourseduponthatmorningbytheCoryphaeusofpopularopinion；andthespirithavingoncebeenpouredoutsonsanddaughterscouldprophesy。But，intruth，Ladywell’swork，ifnotemphaticallyoriginal，washappilycentredonamiddlestratumoftaste，andapartfromthisadventitioushelpcommanded，anddeservedtocommand，awideareaofappreciation。
WhiletheywerestandinghereintheveryheartofthethrongEthelberta’searswerearrestedbytwomalevoicesbehindher，whosewordsformedanovelcontrasttothoseoftheotherspeakersaround。
’Somemen，yousee，withextravagantexpectationsofthemselves，coollygetthemgratified，whileothershoperationallyandaredisappointed。Luck，that’swhatitis。Andthemoreeasilyamantakeslifethemorepersistentlydoesluckfollowhim。’
’Ofcourse；because，ifhe’sindustrioushedoesnotwantluck’sassistance。Naturallawswillhelphiminstead。’
’Well，ifitistruethatLadywellhaspaintedagoodpicturehehasdoneitbyanexhaustiveprocess。Hehaspaintedeverypossiblebadonetillnothingmoreofthatsortisleftforhim。Youknowwhatlady’sfaceservedastheoriginaltothis，Isuppose？’
’Mrs。Petherwin’s，Ihear。’
’Yes，Mrs。AlfredNeighthat’stobe。’
’What，thatelusivefellowcaughtatlast？’
’Soitappears；butsheherselfishardlysowellsecuredasyet，itseems，thoughhetakestheuncertaintyascoollyaspossible。I
knewnothingaboutittillheintroducedthesubjectaswewerestandinghereonMonday，andsaid，inanoff-handway，"Imeantomarrythatlady。"Iaskedhimhow。"Easily，"hesaid；"Iwillhaveherifthereareahundredatherheels。"Youwillunderstandthatthiswasquiteinconfidence。’
’Ofcourse，ofcourse。’Thentherewasaslightlaugh，andthecompanionsproceededtoothergossip。
Ethelberta，calmandcompressedinmanner，sidledalongtoextricateherself，notdaringtoturnround，andDanandSolfollowed，tilltheywereallclearofthespot。Thebrothers，whohadheardthewordsequallywellwithEthelberta，madenoremarktoheruponthem，assumingthattheyreferredtosomepeculiarsystemofcourtshipadoptedinhighlife，withwhichtheyhadrightlynoconcern。
Ethelbertaostensiblycontinuedherbusinessoftutoringtheyoungworkmenjustasbefore，thougheveryemotioninherhadbeenputonthealertbythisdiscovery。ShehadknownthatNeighadmiredher；
yethispresumptioninutteringsucharemarkashewasreportedtohaveuttered，confidentiallyorotherwise，nearlytookawayherbreath。Perhapsitwasnotaltogetherdisagreeabletohaveherbreathsotakenaway。
’Imeantomarrythatlady。’Shewhisperedthewordstoherselftwentytimesinthecourseoftheafternoon。SolandDanwereleftconsiderablylongertotheirprivateperceptionsofthefalseandtrueinartthantheyhadbeenearlierintheday。
WhenshereachedhomeEthelbertawasstillfarremovedinherreflections；anditwasnoticedafterwardsthataboutthistimeinhercareerheropennessofmannerentirelydesertedher。Shemostlywassilentastoherthoughts，andsheworeanairofunusualstillness。Itwasthesilenceandstillnessofastarrysky，whereallisforceandmotion。Thisdeepundecipherablehabitsometimessuggested，thoughitdidnotreveal，Ethelberta’sbusybraintohersisters，andtheysaidtooneanother，’Icannotthinkwhat’scomingtoBerta:sheisnotsoniceassheusedtobe。’
TheeveningundernoticewaspasseddesultorilyenoughafterthediscoveryofNeigh’sself-assuredstatement。Amongotherthingsthatshedidafterdark，whilestillmusinglyexaminingtheprobabilitiesofthereportturningouttrue，wastowandertothelargeatticwherethechildrenslept，afrequenthabitofhersatnight，tolearniftheyweresnugandcomfortable。Theyweretalkingnowfrombedtobed，thepersonunderdiscussionbeingherself。Herselfseemedeverywhereto-day。
’Iknowthatsheisafairy，’Myrtlewasinsisting，’becauseshemustbe，tohavesuchprettythingsinherhouse，andwearsilkdressessuchasmotherandweandPicoteehaven’tgot，andhavemoneytogiveuswheneverwewantit。’
’Emmelinesaysperhapssheknowsthefairy’sgodmother，andisnotafairyherself，becauseBertaistootallforarealfairy。’
’Shemustbeone；forwhentherewasanotchburntinthehemofmyprettybluefrockshesaiditshouldbegoneinthemorningifI
wouldgotobedandnotcry；andinthemorningitwasgone，andallniceandstraightasnew。’
Ethelbertawasrecallingtomindhowshehadsatupandrepairedthedamagealludedtobycuttingoffhalfaninchoftheskirtallroundandhemmingitanew，whenthebreathingofthechildrenbecameregular，andtheyfellasleep。Herewerebrightlittlemindsreadyforatraining，whichwithoutmoneyandinfluenceshecouldnevergivethem。Thewisdomwhichknowledgebrings，andthepowerwhichwisdommaybring，shehadalwaysassumedwouldbetheirsinherdreamsfortheirsocialelevation。Bywhatmeanswerethesethingstobeensuredtothemifherskillinbread-winningshouldfailher？
Wouldnotawell-contrivedmarriagebeofservice？Shecoveredandtuckedinonemoreclosely，liftedanotheruponthepillowandstraightenedthesoftlimbstoaneasyposition；thensatdownbythewindowandlookedoutattheflashingstars。ThoughtsofNeigh’saudaciousstatementreturnedagainuponEthelberta。Hehadsaidthathemeanttomarryher。Ofwhatstandingwasthemanwhohadutteredsuchanintentionrespectingonetowhomapoliticmarriagehadbecomealmostanecessityofexistence？
ShehadoftenheardNeighspeakindefinitelyofsomeestate——’mylittleplace’hehadcalledit——whichhehadpurchasednoverylongtimeago。AllsheknewwasthatitsnamewasFarnfield，thatitlaythirtyorfortymilesoutofLondoninasouth-westerlydirection，arailwaystationinthedistrictbearingthesamename，sothattherewasprobablyavillageorsmalltownadjoining。Whetherthedignityofthislandedpropertywasthatofdomain，farmstead，allotment，orgarden-plot，Ethelbertahadnottheslightestconception。ShewasalmostcertainthatNeighneverlivedthere，butthatmightsignifynothing。Theexactsizeandvalueoftheestatewould，shemused，becurious，interesting，andalmostnecessaryinformationtoherwhomustbecomemistressofitwereshetoallowhimtocarryouthissingularlycoolandcrude，iftender，intention。Moreover，itsimportancewouldaffordaverygoodrandomsampleofhisworldlysubstancethroughout，fromwhichalone，afterall，couldthetruespiritandworthandseriousnessofhiswordsbeapprehended。
ImpecuniositymayrevelinunqualifiedvowsandbrimoverwithconfessionsasblithelyasabirdofMay，butsuchcarelesspleasuresarenotforthesolvent，whoseverydreamsarenegotiable，andareexpressedwithduecareaccordingly。
ThatNeighhadusedthewordsshehadfarmorethanprima-facieappearancesforbelieving。Neigh’sownconducttowardsher，thoughpeculiarratherthandevoted，foundinthesewordsaloneareasonablekey。But，supposingtheestatetobesuchaverbalhallucinationas，forinstance，hershadbeenatArrowthorne，whenherpoor，unprogressive，hopelesslyimpracticableChristophercametheretovisither，andwassowonderfullyundeceivedabouthersocialstanding:whatafiasco，andwhatacuckoo-crywouldhisutterancesaboutmarriageseemthen。Christopherhadoftentoldherofhisexpectationsfrom’ArrowthorneLodge，’andoftheblundersthathadresultedinconsequence。HadnotEthelberta’saffectionforChristopherpartakenlessoflover’spassionthanofold-
establishedtutelarytendernessshemighthavebeenremindedbythisreflectionofthetranscendentfidelityhehadshownunderthattrial——assevereatrial，consideringtheabnormal，almostmorbid，developmentofthepassionforpositioninpresent-daysociety，ascanbepreparedformenwhomoveintheordinary，unheroicchannelsoflife。
Bythefollowingeveningtheconsiderationofthispossibility，thatNeigh’spositionmightfurnishscopeforsuchadisillusivediscoverybyherselfashershadaffordedtoChristopher，decoyedEthelbertaintoacuriouslittlescheme。Shewaspiquedintoapracticalundertakingbythemanwhocouldsaytohisfriendwithsuchsangfroid，’Imeantomarrythatlady。’
MerelytellingPicoteetoprepareforaneveningexcursion，ofwhichshewastotalktonoone，Ethelbertamadereadylikewise，andtheyleftthehouseinacababouthalf-an-hourbeforesunset，anddrovetotheWaterlooStation。
Withthedeclineanddepartureofthesunafoggathereditselfoutofthelowmeadow-landthatborderedtherailwayastheywentalongtowardsthewest，stretchingoveritlikeaplacidlake，tillattheendofthejourney，themistbecamegenerallypervasive，thoughnotdense。Avoidingobservationasmuchastheyconvenientlycould，thetwosisterswalkedfromthelongwoodenshedwhichformedthestationhere，intotherheumyairandalongtheroadtotheopencountry。PicoteeoccasionallyquestionedEthelbertaontheobjectofthestrangejourney:shedidnotquestionclosely，beingsatisfiedthatinsuchsurehandsasEthelberta’sshewassafe。
DeemingitunwisetomakeanyinquiryjustyetbeyondthesimpleoneofthewaytoFarnfield，Ethelbertaledhercompanionalonganewly-
fencedroadacrossaheath。Induetimetheycametoanornamentalgatewithacurvedsweepofwalloneachside，signifyingtheentrancetosomeenclosedpropertyorother。Ethelberta，beingquitefreefromanydigestedplanforencouragingNeighinhisresolvetowive，wasstartledtofindahopeinherthatthisveryrespectablebeginningbeforetheireyeswastheentrancetotheFarnfieldproperty:thatshehopeditwasneverthelessunquestionable。Justbeyondlayaturnpike-house，wherewasdimlyvisibleawomanintheactofputtingupashuttertothefrontwindow。
Compelledbythistimetocometospecialquestions，EthelbertainstructedPicoteetoaskofthispersoniftheplacetheyhadjustpassedwastheentrancetoFarnfieldPark。Thewomanrepliedthatitwas。DirectlyshehadgoneindoorsEthelbertaturnedbackagaintowardstheparkgate。
’Whathavewecomefor，Berta？’saidPicotee，assheturnedalso。
’I’lltellyousomeday，’repliedhersister。
Itwasnowmuchpasteighto’clock，and，fromthenatureoftheevening，dusk。Thelaststoppingup-trainwasaboutten，sothathalf-an-hourcouldwellbeaffordedforlookinground。Ethelbertawenttothegate，whichwasfoundtobefastenedbyachainandpadlock。
’Ah，theLondonseason，’shemurmured。
Therewasawicketattheside，andtheyentered。Anavenueofyoungfirtreesthreeorfourfeetinheightextendedfromthegateintothemist，anddownthistheywalked。Thedrivewasnotinverygoodorder，andthetwowomenwerefrequentlyobligedtowalkonthegrasstoavoidtheroughstonesinthecarriage-way。Thedoublelineofyoungfirsnowabruptlyterminated，andtheroadsweptlower，bendingtotheright，immediatelyinfrontbeingalargelake，calmandsilentasasecondsky。Theycouldhearfromsomewhereonthemarginthepurlofaweir，andaroundwereclumpsofshrubs，araucariasanddeodarsbeingthecommonest。
Ethelbertacouldnotresistbeingcharmedwiththereposeofthespot，andhastenedonwithcuriositytoreachtheothersideofthepool，where，byeverylawofmanorialtopography，themansionwouldbesituate。Thefogconcealedallobjectsbeyondadistanceoftwentyyardsorthereabouts，butitwasnearlyfullmoon，andthoughtheorbwashidden，apalediffusedlightenabledthemtoseeobjectsintheforeground。Reachingtheothersideofthelakethedriveenlargeditselfmostlegitimatelytoalargeoval，asforasweepbeforeadoor，apileofrockworkstandinginthemidst。
Butwhereshouldhavebeenthefrontdoorofamansionwassimplyaroughrailfence，aboutfourfeethigh。Theydrewnearandlookedover。
Intheenclosure，andonthesiteoftheimaginaryhouse，wasanextraordinarygroup。Itconsistedofnumeroushorsesinthelaststageofdecrepitude，theanimalsbeingsuchmereskeletonsthatatfirstEthelbertahardlyrecognizedthemtobehorsesatall；theyseemedrathertobespecimensofsomeattenuatedheraldicanimal，scarcelythickenoughthroughthebodytothrowashadow:orenlargedcastingsofthefire-dogofpasttimes。Thesepoorcreatureswereendeavouringtomakeamealfromherbagesotroddenandthinthatscarcelyawholesomebladeremained；thelittlethattherewasconsistedofthesourersortscommononsuchsandysoils，mingledwithtuftsofheatherandsproutingferns。
’Whyhavewecomehere，dearBerta？’saidPicotee，shuddering。
’Ihardlyknow，’saidEthelberta。
Adjoiningthisenclosurewasanotherandsmallerone，formedofhighboarding，withinwhichappearedtobesomeshedsandouthouses。
Ethelbertalookedthroughthecrevices，andsawthatinthemidstoftheyardstoodtrunksoftreesasiftheyweregrowing，withbranchesalsoextending，buttheseweresawnoffatthepointswheretheybegantobeflexible，notwigsorboughsremaining。Eachtorsowasnotunlikeahugehat-stand，andsuspendedtothepegsandprongswerelumpsofsomesubstancewhichatfirstshedidnotrecognize；theyprovedtobeachronologicalsequeltothepreviousscene。Horses’skulls，ribs，quarters，legs，andotherjointswerehungthereon，thewholeformingahugeopen-airlarderemittingnottoosweetasmell。
ButwhatStygiansoundwasthis？Therehadarisenatthemomentuponthemuteandsleepyairavariedhowlingfromahundredtongues。Ithadburstfromaspotcloseathand——alowwoodenbuildingbyastreamwhichfedthelake——andreverberatedformiles。
Nofurtherexplanationwasrequired。
’Weareclosetoakennelofhounds，’saidEthelberta，asPicoteeheldtightlytoherarm。’Theycannotgetout，soyouneednotfear。Theyhaveahorridwayofsuddenlybeginningthusatdifferenthoursofthenight，fornoapparentreason:thoughperhapstheyhearus。Thesepoorhorsesarewaitingtobekilledfortheirfood。’
Theexperiencealtogether，fromitsintensemelancholy，wasverydepressing，almostappallingtothetwoloneyoungwomen，andtheyquicklyretracedtheirfootsteps。Thepleasantlake，thepurloftheweir，therudimentarylawns，shrubberies，andavenue，hadchangedtheircharacterquite。EthelbertafanciedatthatmomentthatshecouldnothavemarriedNeigh，evenhadshelovedhim，sohorriddidhisbelongingsappeartobe。Butformanyotherreasonsshehadbeengraduallyfeelingwithinthishourthatshewouldnotgooutofherwayatabeckfromamanwhoseinterestwassounimpassioned。
Thinkingnomoreofhimasapossiblehusbandsheceasedtobeafraidtomakeinquiriesaboutthepeculiaritiesofhispossessions。
Inthehigh-roadtheycameonalocalman，restingfromwheelingawheelbarrow，andEthelbertaaskedhim，withtheairofacountrywoman，whoownedtheestateacrosstheroad。
’ThemanowningthatisoneofthenameofNeigh，’saidthenative，wipinghisface。’’Tisafamilythathavemadeaverylargefortunebytheknackerbusinessandtanning，thoughtheybeonlysleepingpartnersinitnow，andlivelikelords。Mr。Neighwasgoingtopulldowntheoldhutshere，andimprovetheplaceandbuildamansion——inshort，hewentsofarastohavethegroundsplanted，andtheroadsmarkedout，andthefish-pondmade，andtheplacechristenedFarnfieldPark；buthedidnomore。"Ishallneverhaveawife，"hesaid，"sowhyshouldIwantahousetoputherin？"
He’saterriblehaterofwomen，Ihear，particularlythelowerclass。’
’Indeed！’
’Yes，andsincethenhehaslethalfthelandtotheHonourableMr。
Mountclere，abrotherofLordMountclere’s。Mr。Mountclerewantedthespotforakennel，andasthelandistoopoorandsandyforcropping，Mr。Neighlethimhaveit。’Tishishoundsthatyouhearhowling。’
Theypassedon。’Berta，whydidwecomedownhere？’saidPicotee。
’Toseethenakednessoftheland。Itwasawhimonly，andasitwillendinnothing，itisnotworthwhileformetomakefurtherexplanation。’
ItwaswithacurioussenseofrenunciationthatEthelbertawenthomeward。Neighwashandsome，grim-natured，ratherwicked，andanindifferentist；andtheseattractionsinterestedherasawoman。
ButthenewsofthiseveningsuggestedtoEthelbertathatherselfandNeighweretoonearlycattleofonecolourforaconfessiononthematteroflineagetobewellreceivedbyhim；andwithoutconfidenceofeverysortonthenatureofhersituation，shewasdeterminedtocontractnounionatall。Thesympathyofunlikenessmightleadthescionofsomefamily，hollowandfungouswithantiquity，andasyetunmarkedbyamesalliance，tobewonoverbyherstory；buttheantipathyofresemblancewouldbeineradicable。
26。ETHELBERTA’SDRAWING-ROOM
WhileEthelbertaduringthenextfewdayswasdismissingthateveningjourneyfromherconsideration，asanincidentaltogetherforeigntotheorganizedcourseofherexistence，thehiddenfruitthereofwasroundingtomaturityinaspeciesunforeseen。
Inferencesunassailableasprocesses，are，nevertheless，tobesuspected，fromthealmostcertaindeficiencyofparticularsonsomesideorother。ThetruthinrelationtoNeigh’ssupposedfrigiditywasbroughtbeforeherattheendofthefollowingweek，whenDanandSolhadtakenPicotee，Cornelia，andtheyoungchildrentoKewfortheafternoon。
Earlythatmorning，hoursbeforeitwasnecessary，therehadbeensuchachatterofpreparationinthehouseaswasseldomheardthere。Sundayhatsandbonnetshadbeenretrimmedwithsuchcunningthatitwouldhavetakenamilliner’sapprenticeatleasttodiscoverthatanythreadinthemwasnotquitenew。TherewasananxiouspeepthroughtheblindattheskyatdaybreakbyGeorginaandMyrtle，andtheperplexityoftheseruralchildrenwasgreatattheweather-signsofthetown，whereatmosphericeffectshadnothingtodowithclouds，andfairdaysandfoulcameapparentlyquitebychance。Punctuallyatthehourappointedtwofriendlyhumanshadowsdescendedacrossthekitchenwindow，followedbySolandDan，muchtothereliefofthechildren’sapprehensionsthattheymightforgettheday。
ThebrotherswerebythistimeacquiringsomethingoftheairsandmannersofLondonworkmen；theywerelessspontaneousandmorecomparative；lessgenial，butsmarter；inobediencetotheusuallawbywhichtheemotionthattakestheformofhumourincountryworkmenbecomestransmutedtoironyamongthesameorderintown。
Butthefixedanddoggedfidelitytooneanotherunderapparentcoolness，bywhichthisfamilywasdistinguished，remainedunshakeninthesemembersasinalltherest，leadingthemtoselectthechildrenascompanionsintheirholidayinpreferencetocasualacquaintance。Atlasttheywereready，anddeparted，andEthelberta，afterchattingwithhermotherawhile，proceededtoherpersonalduties。
Thehousewasverysilentthatday，GwendolineandJoeybeingtheonlyonesleftbelowstairs。EthelbertawaswishingthatshehadthrownoffherstateandgonetoKewtohaveanhourofchildhoodoveragaininarompwiththeothers，whenshewasstartledbytheannouncementofamalevisitor——noneotherthanMr。Neigh。
Ethelberta’sattitudeonreceiptofthisinformationsufficientlyexpressedarevivedsensethattheincidenceofMr。Neighonherpathmighthaveameaningafterall。Neighhadcertainlysaidhewasgoingtomarryher，andnowherehewascometoherhouse——justasifhemeanttodoitforthwith。Shehadmentallydiscardedhim；
yetshefeltashockwhichwasscarcelypainful，andadreadwhichwasalmostexhilarating。HerflyingvisittoFarnfieldshethoughtlittleofatthismoment。Fromthefactthatthemindprefersimaginingstorecapitulation，conjecturetohistory，EthelbertahaddweltmoreuponNeigh’spossibleplansandanticipationsthanupontheincidentsofhereveningjourney；andtheformerassumedamoredistinctshapeinhermind’seyethananythingonthevisiblesideofthecurtain。
Neighwasperhapsnotquitesoplacidlynonchalantasinordinary；
still，hewasbyfarthemosttryingvisitorthatEthelbertahadlatelyfaced，andshecouldnotgetabovethestage——notaveryhighoneforthemistressofahouse——offeelingherpersonalitytobeinconvenientlyinthewayofhiseyes。Hehadsomewhatthebearingofamanwhowasgoingtodowithoutanyfusswhatgushingpeoplewouldcallaphilanthropicaction。
’Ihavebeenintendingtowritealinetoyou，’saidNeigh；’butI
feltthatIcouldnotbesureofwritingmymeaninginawaywhichmightpleaseyou。Iamnotbrightataletter——neverwas。ThequestionImeanisonethatIhopeyouwillbedisposedtoanswerfavourably，eventhoughImayshowtheawkwardnessofafellow-
personwhohasneverputsuchaquestionbefore。Willyougivemeawordofencouragement——justahopethatImaynotbeunacceptableasahusbandtoyou？Yourtalentsareverygreat；andofcourseIknowthatIhavenothingatallinthatway。Stillpeoplearehappytogethersometimesinspiteofsuchthings。Willyousay"Yes，"andsettleitnow？’
’Iwasnotexpectingyouhadcomeuponsuchanerrandasthis，’saidshe，lookingupalittle，butmostlylookingdown。’Icannotsaywhatyouwish，Mr。Neigh。
’PerhapsIhavebeentoosuddenandpresumptuous。Yes，IknowI
havebeenthat。However，directlyIsawyouIfeltthatnobodyevercamesonearmyideaofwhatisdesirableinalady，anditoccurredtomethatonlyoneobstacleshouldstandinthewayofthenaturalresults，whichobstaclewouldbeyourrefusal。Incommonkindnessconsider。IdaresayIamjudgedtobeamanofinattentivehabits——
Iknowthat’swhatyouthinkofme；butunderyourinfluenceI
shouldbeverydifferent；sopraydonotletyourdisliketolittlemattersinfluenceyou。’
’Iwouldnotindeed。Butbelievemetherecanbenodiscussionofmarriagebetweenus，’saidEthelbertadecisively。
’Ifthat’sthecaseImayaswellsaynomore。Toburdenyouwithmyregretswouldbeoutofplace，Isuppose，’saidNeigh，lookingcalmlyoutofthewindow。
’Apartfrompersonalfeeling，thereareconsiderationswhichwouldpreventwhatyoucontemplated，’shemurmured。’Myaffairsaretoolengthy，intricate，andunpleasantformetoexplaintoanybodyatpresent。Andthatwouldbeanecessaryfirststep。’
’Notatall。Icannotthinkthatpreliminarytobenecessaryatall。Iwouldputmylawyerincommunicationwithyours，andwewouldleavetheresttothem:Ibelievethatistheproperway。
Youcouldsayanythinginconfidencetoyourfamily-man；andyoucouldinquirethroughhimanythingyoumightwishtoknowaboutmy——
aboutme。Allyouwouldneedtosaytomyselfarejustthetwolittlewords——"Iwill，"inthechurchhereattheendoftheCrescent。’
’Iamsorrytopainyou，Mr。Neigh——sosorry，’saidEthelberta。
’ButIcannotsaythem。’Shewasratherdistressedthat，despiteherdiscouragingwords，hestillwentonwithhispurpose，asifheimaginedwhatshesodistinctlysaidtobenobar，butratherastimulant，usualunderthecircumstances。
’Itdoesnotmatteraboutpainingme，’saidNeigh。’Don’ttakethatintoconsiderationatall。ButIdidnotexpectyoutoleavemesoentirelywithouthelp——torefusemeabsolutelyasfaraswordsgo——
afterwhatyoudid。IfithadnotbeenforthatIshouldneverhaveventuredtocall。Imightotherwisehavesupposedyourinteresttobefixedinanotherquarter；butyouractinginthatmannerencouragedmetothinkyoucouldlistentoaword。’
’Whatdoyoualludeto？’saidEthelberta。’HowhaveIacted？’
Neighappearedreluctanttogoanyfurther；buttheallusionsoonbecamesufficientlyclear。’IwishmylittleplaceatFarnfieldhadbeenworthierofyou，’hesaidbrusquely。’However，that’samatteroftimeonly。Itisuselesstobuildahousethereyet。IwishI
hadknownthatyouwouldbelookingoveritatthattimeoftheevening。Asingleword，whenweweretalkingaboutittheotherday，thatyouweregoingtobeintheneighbourhood，wouldhavebeensufficient。Nothingcouldhavegivenmesomuchdelightastohavedrivenyouround。’
HeknewthatshehadbeentoFarnfield:thatknowledgewaswhathadinspiredhimtocalluponherto-day！Ethelbertabreathedasortofexclamation，notrightout，butstealthily，likeaparson’sdamn。
Herfacedidnotchange，sinceafacemustbesaidnottochangewhileitpreservesthesamepleasantlinesinthemobilepartsasbefore；butanybodywhohaspreservedhispleasantlinesunderthehalf-minute’speeroftheinvidiouscamera，andfoundwhatawizened，starchedkindofthingtheystiffentotowardstheendofthetime，willunderstandthetendencyofEthelberta’slovelyfeaturesnow。
’Yes；Iwalkedround，’saidEthelbertafaintly。
Neighwasdecidedlymasterofthepositionatlast；buthespokeasifhedidnotvaluethat。Hisknowledgehadfurnishedhimwithgroundsforcallinguponher，andhehastenedtoundeceiveherfromsupposingthathecouldthinkillofanymotiveofherswhichgavehimthosedesirablegrounds。
’Isupposedyou，bythat，togivesomelittlethoughttomeoccasionally，’heresumed，inthesameslowandorderlytone。’HowcouldIhelpthinkingso？Itwasyourdoingthatwhichencouragedme。Now，wasitnotnatural——Iputittoyou？’
Ethelbertawasalmostexasperatedatperceivingtheawfulextenttowhichshehadcompromisedherselfwiththismanbyherimpulsivevisit。Lightlyandphilosophicallyasheseemedtotakeit——asathing，inshort，whicheverywomanwoulddobynatureunlesshinderedbydifficulties——itwasnotrifletoheraslongashewasignorantofherjustification；andthisshedeterminedthatheshouldknowatonce，atallhazards。
’ItwasthroughyouinthefirstplacethatIdidlookintoyourgrounds！’shesaidexcitedly。’Itwasyourpresumptionthatcausedmetogothere。Ishouldnothavethoughtofsuchathingelse。IfyouhadnotsaidwhatyoudidsayInevershouldhavethoughtofyouorFarnfieldeither——FarnfieldmighthavebeeninKamtschatkaforallIcared。’
’IhopesincerelythatIneversaidanythingtodisturbyou？’
’Yes，youdid——nottome，buttosomebody，’saidEthelberta，withhereyesover-fullofretainedtears。
’WhathaveIsaidtosomebodythatcanbeintheleastobjectionabletoyou？’inquiredNeigh，withmuchconcern。
’Yousaid——yousaid，youmeanttomarryme——justasifIhadnovoiceinthematter！Andthatannoyedme，andmademegothereoutofcuriosity。’
Neighchangedcolouralittle。’Well，Ididsayit:IownthatI
saidit，’herepliedatlast。Probablyheknewenoughofhernaturenottofeellongdisconcertedbyherdisclosure，howevershemighthavebecomepossessedoftheinformation。Theexplanationwascertainlyagreatexcusetohercuriosity；butifEthelbertahadtriedshecouldnothavegivenhimabettergroundformakinglightofherobjectionstohissuit。’IfeltthatImustmarryyou，thatwewerepredestinedtomarryagesago，andIfeelitstill！’hecontinued，withlistlessardour。’YouseemtoregretyourinterestinFarnfield；buttomeitisacharm，andhasbeeneversinceI
heardofit。’
’Ifyouonlyknewall！’shesaidhelplessly，showing，withoutperceivingit，anunnecessaryhumilityintheremark，sincetherewasnomorereasonjustthenthatsheshouldgointodetailsaboutherlifethanthatheshouldabouthis。Butmelancholyandmistakenthoughtsofherselfasacounterfeithadbroughthertothis。
’Idonotwishtoknowmore，’saidNeigh。
’Andwouldyoumarryanywomanoff-hand，withoutbeingthoroughlyacquaintedwithhercircumstances？’shesaid，lookingathimcuriously，andwithalittleadmiration，forhisunconscionablyphlegmatictreatmentofhermotivesingoingtoFarnfieldhadanotunbecomingdaringaboutitinEthelberta’seye。
’Iwouldmarryawomanoff-handwhenthatwomanisyou。IwouldmakeyouminethismomentdidIdare；or，tospeakwithabsoluteaccuracy，withintwenty-fourhours。Doassenttoit，dearMrs。
Petherwin，andletmebesureofyouforever。I’lldrivetoDoctors’Commonsthisminute，andmeetyouto-morrowmorningatnineinthechurchjustbelow。Itisasimpleimpulse，butIwouldadheretoitinthecoolestmoment。Shallitbearrangedinthatway，insteadofourwaitingthroughtheordinaryroutineofpreparation？Iamnotayouthnow，butIcanseetheblissofsuchanactasthat，andthecontemptiblenatureofmethodicalproceedingsbesideit！’
Hehadtakenherhand。Ethelbertagaveitasubtlemovementbackwardstoimplythathewasnottoretaintheprize，andsaid，’Onewhoseinnerlifeisalmostunknowntoyou，andwhomyouhavescarcelyseenexceptatotherpeople’shouses！’
’Weknoweachotherfarbetterthanwemaythinkatfirst，’saidNeigh。’Wearenotpeopletoloveinahurry，andIhavenotdonesointhiscase。Asforworldlycircumstances，themostimportantitemsinamarriagecontractarethepersonsthemselves，and，asfarasIamconcerned，ifIgetaladyfairandwiseIcarefornothingfurther。Iknowyouarebeautiful，forallLondonownsit；Iknowyouaretalented，forIhavereadyourpoetryandheardyourromances；andIknowyouarepoliticanddiscreet——’
’ForIhaveexaminedyourproperty，’saidshe，withaweaksmile。
Neighbowed。’AndwhatmorecanIwishtoknow？Come，shallitbe？’
’Certainlynotto-morrow。’
’Iwouldbeentirelyinyourhandsinthatmatter。Iwillnoturgeyoutobeprecipitate——Icouldnotexpectyoutobereadyyet。Mysuddennessperhapsoffendedyou；but，havingthoughtdeeplyofthisbrightpossibility，Iwasapttoforgettheforbearancethatoneoughttoshowatfirstinmentioningit。IfIhavedonewrongforgiveme。’
’Iwillthinkofthat，’saidEthelberta，withacoolermanner。’Butseriously，allthesewordsarenothingtothepurpose。ImustremarkthatIprizeyourfriendship，butitisnotformetomarrynow。Youhaveconvincedmeofyourgoodnessofheartandfreedomfromunworthysuspicions；letthatbeenough。ThebestwayinwhichIinmyturncanconvinceyouofmygoodnessofheartisbyaskingyoutoseemeinprivatenomore。’
’Anddoyourefusetothinkofmeas。Whydoyoutreatmelikethat，afterall？’saidNeigh，surprisedatthiswantofharmonywithhisprinciplethatoneconverttomatrimonycouldalwaysfindasecondready-made。
’Icannotexplain，Icannotexplain，’saidshe，impatiently。’I
wouldandIwouldnot——explainImean，notmarry。Idon’tloveanybody，andIhavenoheartleftforbeginning。ItisonlyhonestinmetotellyouthatIaminterestedinwatchinganotherman’scareer，thoughthatisnottothepointeither，fornocloserelationshipwithhimiscontemplated。ButIdonotwishtospeakofthisanymore。Donotpressmetoit。’
’CertainlyIwillnot，’saidNeigh，seeingthatshewasdistressedandsorrowful。’Butdoconsidermeandmywishes；Ihavearighttoaskitforitisonlyaskingacontinuanceofwhatyouhavealreadybeguntodo。To-morrowIbelieveIshallhavethehappinessofseeingyouagain。’
Shedidnotsayno，andlongafterthedoorhadcloseduponhimsheremainedfixedinthought。’Howcanhebeblamedforhismanner，’
shesaid，’afterknowingwhatIdid！’
EthelbertaasshesatfeltherselfmuchlessaPetherwinthanaChickerel，muchlessapoetessrichlyfreightedwithfancythananadventuresswithanebulousprospect。Neighwasoneofthefewmenwhosepresenceseemedtoattenuateherdignityinsomemysteriouswaytoitsveryleastproportions；andthatactofespial，whichhadsoquicklyandinexplicablycometohisknowledge，helpedhisinfluencestillmore。Sheknewlittleofthenatureofthetownbachelor；therewereopaquedepthsinhimwhichherthoughtshadneverdefinitelyplumbed。NotwithstandingherexaltationtotheatmosphereofthePetherwinfamily，EthelbertawasveryfarfromhavingthethoroughbredLondonwoman’sknowledgeofsets，grades，coteries，cliques，forms，glosses，andniceties，particularlyonthemasculineside。Settingtheyearsfromherinfancytoherfirstlookintotownagainstthoselinkingthatepochwiththepresent，theformerperiodcoverednotonlythegreatertime，butcontainedthemassofhermostvividimpressionsoflifeanditsways。Butinrecognizingherignoranceoftheratiobetweenwordstowomenanddeedstowomenintheethicalcodeofthebacheloroftheclub，sheforgotthathumannatureinthegrossdifferslittlewithsituation，andthatagiftwhich，ifthegermswerelacking，noamountoftraininginclubsandcoteriescouldsupply，wasmother-witlikeherown。
27。MRS。BELMAINE’S-CRIPPLEGATECHURCH
Neigh’sremarkthathebelievedheshouldseeEthelbertaagainthenextdayreferredtoacontemplatedpilgrimageofanunusualsortwhichhadbeenarrangedforthatdaybyMrs。BelmaineuponthegroundofanincidentalsuggestionofEthelberta’s。Oneafternoonintheweekprevioustheyhadbeenchattingoverteaatthehouseoftheformerlady，Neighbeingpresentasacasualcaller，whentheconversationwasdirecteduponMiltonbysomebodyopeningavolumeofthepoet’sworksthatlayonatablenear。
’Milton！thoushouldstbelivingatthishour:
Englandhathneedofthee——’
saidMrs。Belmainewiththedegreeofflippancywhichisconsideredcorrectforimmortalverse，theBible，God，etc。，inthesedays。
AndEthelbertareplied，litupbyaquickremembrance，’ItisagoodtimetotalkofMilton；forIhavebeenmuchimpressedbyreadingthe"Life；"andIhavedecidedtogoandseehistomb。Couldwenotallgo？Weoughttoquickenourmemoriesofthegreat，andofwheretheylie，bysuchavisitoccasionally。’
’Weought，’saidMrs。Belmaine。
’Andwhyshouldn’twe？’continuedEthelberta，withinterest。
’ToWestminsterAbbey？’saidMr。Belmaine，acommonmanofthirty，youngerthanhiswife，whohadlatelycomeintotheroom。
’No；towhereheliescomparativelyalone——CripplegateChurch。’
’IalwaysthoughtthatMiltonwasburiedinPoet’sCorner，’saidMr。
Belmaine。
’SodidI，’saidNeigh；’butIhavesuchanindifferentheadforplacesthatmythinkinggoesfornothing。’
’Well，itwouldbeaprettythingtodo，’saidMrs。Belmaine，’andinstructivetoallofus。IfMrs。Petherwinwouldliketogo，I
should。WecantakeyouinthecarriageandcallroundforMrs。
Doncastleonourway，andsetyoubothdownagaincomingback。’
’Thatwouldbeexcellent，’saidEthelberta。’ThereisnowhereI
likegoingtosomuchasthedepthsofthecity。Theabsurdnarrownessofworld-renownedstreetsissosurprising——socrookedandshadyastheyaretoo，andfullofthequaintsmellsofoldcupboardsandcellars。Walkingthroughoneofthemremindsmeofbeingatthebottomofsomecrevasseorgorge，thepropersurfaceoftheglobebeingthetopsofthehouses。’
’Youwillcometotakecareofus，John？Andyou，Mr。Neigh，wouldliketocome？WewilltellMr。Ladywellthathemayjoinusifhecaresto，’saidMrs。Belmaine。
’Oyes，’saidherhusbandquietly；andNeighsaidheshouldlikenothingbetter，afterafaintaspectofapprehensionattheremotenessoftheideafromthedailytrackofhisthoughts。Mr。
Belmaineobservingthis，andmistakingitforanindicationthatNeighhadbeendraggedintothepartyagainsthiswillbyhisover-
hastywife，arrangedthatNeighshouldgoindependentlyandmeetthemthereatthehournamedifhechosetodoso，togivehimanopportunityofstayingaway。Ethelbertaalsowasbythistimedoubtingifshehadnotbeentooeagerwithherproposal。Togoonsuchasentimentalerrandmightbethoughtbyherfriendstobesimplytroublesome，theiradherencehavingbeengivenonlyintheregularcourseofcomplaisance。Shewasstillcomparativelyanoutsiderhere，herlifewithLadyPetherwinhavingbeenpassedchieflyinalternationsbetweenEnglishwatering-placesandcontinentaltowns。However，itwastoolatenowtomuseonthis，anditmaybeaddedthatfromfirsttolastEthelbertaneverdiscoveredfromtheBelmaineswhetherherproposalhadbeenaninflictionoracharm，soperfectlyweretheypractisedinsustainingthatcompletedivorcebetweenthinkingandsayingwhichisthehall-markofhighcivilization。
But，howevershemightdoubttheBelmaines，shehadnodoubtastoNeigh’struesentiments:thetimehadcomewhenhe，notwithstandinghisairofbeingoppressedbyalmosteverylivelyinventionoftownandcountryforcharminggriefstorest，wouldnotbeatalloppressedbyaquietvisittothepurlieusofStGiles’s，Cripplegate，sinceshewastheoriginator，andwasgoingherself。
Itwasabrighthope-inspiringafternooninthismid-MaytimewhenthecarriagecontainingMr。andMrs。Belmaine，Mrs。Doncastle，andEthelberta，creptalongtheencumberedstreetstowardsBarbican；
tillturningoutofthatthoroughfareintoRedcrossStreettheybeheldtheboldshapeoftheoldtowertheysought，clothedineveryneutralshade，standingclearagainstthesky，duskyandgriminitsupperstage，andhoarygreybelow，whereeverycornerofeverystonewascompletelyroundedoffbythewavesofwindandstorm。
Allpeoplewerebusyhere:ourvisitorsseemedtobetheonlyidlepersonsthecitycontained；andtherewasnodissonance——thereneveris——betweenantiquityandsuchbeehiveindustry；forpureindustry，infailingtoobserveitsownexistenceandaspect，partakesoftheunobtrusivenatureofmaterialthings。Thisintra-muralstirwasaflywheeltransparentbyexcessivemotion，throughwhichMiltonandhisdaycouldbeseenasifnothingintervened。Hadtherebeenostensiblyharmoniousaccessories，acrowdofobservingpeopleinsearchofthepoetical，consciousoftheplaceandthescene，whatadiscordwouldhavearisenthere！ButeverybodypassedbyMilton’sgraveexceptEthelbertaandherfriends，andforthemomentthecity’slessinvidiousconductappearedtohermorerespectfulasapracticethanherown。
Butshewasbroughtoutofthisruminationbythehaltatthechurchdoor，andcompletelyremindedofthepresentbyfindingthechurchopen，andNeigh——the，tillyesterday，unimpassionedNeigh——waitinginthevestibuletoreceivethem，justasifhelivedthere。
Ladywellhadnotarrived。ItwasalongtimebeforeEthelbertacouldgetbacktoMiltonagain，forNeighwascontinuingtoimpendoverherfuturemoreandmorevisibly。Theobjectsalongthejourneyhaddistractedhermindfromhim；butthemomentnowwasasadirectrenewalandprolongationofthedeclaration-timeyesterday，andasifinfurtheranceoftheconclusionoftheepisode。
Theyallalightedandwentin，thecoachmanbeingtoldtotakethecarriagetoaquietnookfurtheron，andreturninhalf-an-hour。
Mrs。BelmaineandhercarriagesomeyearsbeforehadaccidentallygotjammedcrosswiseinCheapsidethroughtheclumsinessofthemaninturningupasidestreet，blockingthatgreatarteryofthecivilizedworldforthespaceofaminuteandahalf，whentheywerepounceduponbyhalf-a-dozenpolicemenandforcedtobackignominiouslyupalittleslitbetweenthehouseswheretheydidnotmeantogo，amidtheshoutsofthehindereddrivers；anditwashernervousrecollectionofthateventwhichcausedMrs。Belmainetobesopreciseinherdirectionsnow。
Bythetimethattheyweregroupedaroundthetombthevisithadassumedamuchmoresolemncomplexionthananyoneamongthemhadanticipated。AshamedoftheinfluencethatshediscoveredNeightobeexercisingoverher，andopposingitsteadily，EthelbertadrewfromherpocketasmalleditionofMilton，andproposedthatsheshouldreadafewlinesfrom’ParadiseLost。’Theresponsibilityofproducingasuccessfulafternoonwasuponhershoulders；shewas，moreover，theonlyonepresentwhocouldproperlymanageblankverse，andthiswassufficienttojustifytheproposal。
Shestoodwithherheadagainstthemarbleslabjustbelowthebust，andbeganaselectedpiece，Neighstandingafewyardsoffonherrightlookingintohishatinordertolistenaccurately，Mr。andMrs。BelmaineandMrs。Doncastleseatingthemselvesinapewdirectlyfacingthemonument。Theripewarmcoloursofafternooncameinuponthemfromthewest，uponthesallowpiersandarches，andtheinfinitelydeepbrownpewsbeneath，theaisleoverEthelberta’sheadbeinginmistyshadethroughwhichglowedaluridlightfromadark-stainedwindowbehind。Thesentencesfellfromherlipsinarhythmicalcadenceonebyone，andshecouldbefanciedapriestessofhimbeforewhoseimageshestood，whenwithavividsuggestivenessshedeliveredhere，notmanyyardsfromthecentralmoney-milloftheworld，yetoutfromtheverytomboftheirauthor，thepassagecontainingthewords:
’Mammonledthemon；
Mammon，theleasterectedspiritthatfellFromheaven。’
WhenshefinishedreadingEthelbertaleftthemonument，andtheneachonepresentstrayedindependentlyaboutthebuilding，Ethelbertaturningtotheleftalongthepassagetothesouthdoor。
Neigh——fromwhoseusuallyapatheticfaceandeyestherehadproceededasecretsmoulderinglightashelistenedandregardedher——followedinthesamedirectionandvanishedatherheelsintothechurchyard，whithershehadnowgone。Mr。andMrs。Belmaineexchangedglances，andinsteadoffollowingthepairtheywentwithMrs。DoncastleintothevestrytoinquireofthepersoninchargefortheregisterofthemarriageofOliverCromwell，whichwassolemnizedhere。Thechurchwasnowquiteempty，anditsstillnesswasasavacuumintowhichanoccasionalnoisefromthestreetoverflowedandbecamerarefiedawaytonothing。
Somethinglikefiveminuteshadpassedwhenahansomstoppedoutsidethedoor，andLadywellenteredtheporch。Hestoodstill，and，lookinginquiringlyroundforaminuteortwo，satdowninoneofthehighpews，asifundertheimpressionthattheothershadnotyetarrived。
WhilehesathereNeighreappearedatthesouthdooropposite，andcameslowlyin。Ladywell，inrisingtogotohim，sawthatNeigh’sattentionwasengrossedbysomethingheheldinhishand。Itwashispocket-book，andNeighwaslookingatafewlooseflower-petalswhichhadbeenplacedbetweenthepages。WhenLadywellcameforwardNeighlookedup，started，andclosedthebookquickly，sothatsomeofthepetalsflutteredtothegroundbetweenthetwomen。Theywerestriped，redandwhite，andappearedtobeleavesoftheHarlequinrose。
’Ah！hereyouare，Ladywell，’hesaid，recoveringhimself。’Wehadgivenyouup:myauntsaidthatyouwouldnotcaretocome。Theyareallinthevestry。’HowitcametopassthatNeighdesignatedthoseinthevestryas’all，’whentherewasoneinthechurchyard，wasathingthathehimselfcouldhardlyhaveexplained，somuchmorehadittodowithinstinctthanwithcalculation。
’Nevermindthem——don’tinterruptthem，’saidLadywell。’TheplaintruthisthatIhavebeenverygreatlydisturbedinmind；andI
couldnotappearearlierbyreasonofit。Ihadsomedoubtaboutcomingatall。’
’Iamsorrytohearthat。’
’Neigh——Imayaswelltellyouandhavedonewithit。Ihavefoundthataladyofmyacquaintancehastwostringstoherbow，orIamverymuchinerror。’
’What——Mrs。Petherwin？’saidNeighuneasily。’ButIthoughtthat——
thatfancywasoverwithyoulongago。Evenyouracquaintancewithherwasatanend，Ithought。’
’Inameasureitisatanend。Butletmetellyouthatwhatyoucallafancyhasbeenanythingbutafancywithme，tobeoverlikeaspringshower。Tospeakplainly，Neigh，Iconsidermyselfbadlyusedbythatwoman；damnbadlyused。’
’Badlyused？’saidNeighmechanically，andwonderingallthetimeifLadywellhadbeeninformedthatEthelbertawastobeoneofthepartyto-day。
’Well，Ioughtnottotalklikethat，’saidLadywell，adoptingalightertone。’Allisfairincourtship，Isuppose，nowasever。
Indeed，Imeantoputagoodfaceuponit:ifIambeaten，Iam。
Butitisveryprovoking，aftersupposingmatterstobegoingonsmoothly，tofindoutthatyouarequitemistaken。’
’Itoldyouyouwerequitemistakeninsupposingshecaredforyou。’
’ThatisjustthepointIwasnotmistakenin，’saidLadywellwarmly。’Shedidcareforme，andIstoodaswellwithherasanymancouldstanduntilthisfellowcame，whoeverheis。IsometimesfeelsodisturbedaboutitthatIhaveagoodmindtocalluponherandaskhisname。Wouldn’tyou，Neigh？Willyouaccompanyme？’
’Iwouldinamoment，but，but——Istronglyadviseyounottogo，’
saidNeighearnestly。’Itwouldberash，youknow，andratherunmannerly；andwouldonlyhurtyourfeelings。’
’Well，Iamalwaysreadytoyieldtoafriend’sarguments……A
sneakingscamp，that’swhatheis。Whydoeshenotshowhimself？’
’Don’tyoureallyknowwhoheis？’saidNeigh，inapronouncedandexceptionaltone，onpurposetogiveLadywellachanceofsuspecting，forthepositionwasgettingawkward。ButLadywellwasblindasBartimeusinthatdirection，sowellhadindifferencetoEthelberta’scharmsbeenfeignedbyNeighuntilhethoughtseriouslyofmarryingher。Yet，unfortunatelyfortheinterestsofcalmness，Ladywellwaslessblindwithhisoutwardeye。Inhisreflectionshisglancehadlingeredagainuponthepocket-bookwhichNeighstillheldinhishand，anduponthetwoorthreerose-leavesonthefloor，untilhesaididly，superimposinghumorousnessuponmisery，asmeninlovecan:
’Rose-leaves，Neigh？Ithoughtyoudidnotcareforflowers。Whatmakesyouamuseyourselfwithsuchsentimentalobjectsasthose，onlyfitforwomen，orpainterslikeme？IfIhadnotobservedyouwithmyowneyesIshouldhavesaidthatyouwereaboutthelastmanintheworldtocareforthingsofthatsort。Whatevermakesyoukeeprose-leavesinyourpocket-book？’
’Thebestreasononearth，’saidNeigh。’Awomangavethemtome。’
’Thatprovesnothingunlesssheisagreatdealtoyou，’saidLadywell，withtheexperiencedairofamanwho，whateverhisinferiorityinyearstoNeigh，wasfarbeyondhiminknowledgeofthatsort，byvirtueofhisrecenttrials。
’Sheisagreatdealtome。’
’IfIdidnotknowyoutobesuchaconfirmedmisogynistIshouldsaythatthisisaseriousmatter。’
’Itisserious，’saidNeighquietly。’TheprobabilityisthatI
shallmarrythewomanwhogavemethese。AnyhowIhaveaskedherthequestion，andshehasnotaltogethersaidno。’
’Iamgladtohearit，Neigh，’saidLadywellheartily。’Iamgladtohearthatyourstarishigherthanmine。’
BeforeNeighcouldmakefurtherreplyLadywellwasattractedbytheglowofgreensunlightreflectedthroughthesouthdoorbythegrassofthechurchyard，nowinallitsspringfreshnessandluxuriance。
Hebenthisstepsthither，followedanxiouslybyNeigh。
’Ihadnoideatherewassuchalovelygreenspotinthecity，’
Ladywellcontinued，passingout。’Treestoo，plantedinthemannerofanorchard。Whatacharmingplace！’
Theplacewastrulycharmingjustatthatdate。Theuntaintedleavesofthelimeandplanetreesandthenewly-sprunggrasshadinthesunabrilliancyofbeautythatwasbroughtintoextraordinaryprominencebythesablesoilshowinghereandthere，andthecharcoaledstemsandtrunksoutofwhichtheleavesbudded:theyseemedanimportation，notaproduce，andtheirdelicacysuchaswouldperishinaday。
’Whatisthisroundtower？’Ladywellsaidagain，walkingtowardstheiron-greybastion，partlycoveredwithivyandVirginiacreeper，whichstoodobtrudingintotheenclosure。
’O，didn’tyouknowthatwashere？That’sapieceoftheoldcitywall，’saidNeigh，lookingfurtivelyaroundatthesametime。
Behindthebastionthechurchyardranintoalongnarrowstrip，grassedliketheotherpart，butcompletelyhiddenfromitbythecylinderofraggedmasonry。Onroundingthisprojection，Ladywellbeheldwithinafewfeetofhimaladywhomheknewtoowell。
’Mrs。Petherwinhere！’exclaimedhe，provinghowignoranthehadbeenofthecompositionofthepartyhewastomeet，andaccountingatthesametimeforhislaxityinattendingit。
’Iforgottotellyou，’saidNeighawkwardly，behindhim，’thatMrs。
Petherwinwastocomewithus。’
Ethelberta’slookwassomewhatblushfulandagitated，asiffromsomelatetransaction:sheappearedtohavebeensecludingherselftheretillsheshouldhaverecoveredherequanimity。However，shecameuptohimandsaid，’Ididnotseeyoubeforethismoment:wehadbeenthinkingyouwouldnotcome。’
Whilethesewordswerebeingprettilyspoken，Ladywell’sfacebecamepaleasdeath。OnEthelberta’sbosomwerethestemandgreencalyxofarose，almostallitsflowerhavingdisappeared。IthadbeenaHarlequinrose，fortwoorthreeofitsstripedleavesremainedtotellthetale。
Shecouldnothelpnoticinghisfixedgaze，andshesaidquickly，’Yes，Ihavelostmyprettyrose:thismayaswellgonow，’andshepluckedthestemfromitsfasteninginherdressandflungitaway。
PoorLadywellturnedroundtomeetMr。andMrs。Belmaine，whosevoiceswerebeginningtobeheardjustwithinthechurchdoor，leavingNeighandEthelbertatogether。ItwasagracefulactofyoungLadywell’sthat，inthemidstofhisownpainatthestrangetaletherose-leavessuggested——Neigh’srivalry，Ethelberta’smutability，hisowndefeat——hewasnotregardlessoftheintenseembarrassmentwhichmighthavebeencausedhadheremained。
Thetwoweresilentatfirst，anditwasevidentthatEthelberta’smoodwasoneofangeratsomethingthathadgonebefore。Sheturnedasidefromhimtofollowtheothers，whenNeighspokeinatonesomewhatbitterandsomewhatstern。
’What——goinglikethat！Afterbeingcompromisedtogether，whydon’tyouclosewithme？Ladywellknowsall:Ihadalreadytoldhimthattherose-leavesweregivenmebymyintendedwife。Weseemtohimtobepractisingdeceptionsallofapiece，andwhatfollyitistoplayoffso！AstowhatIdid，thatIaskyourforgivenessfor。’
Ethelbertalookeduponthegroundandmaintainedacompressedlip。
Neighresumed:’IfIshowedmorefeelingthanyoucarefor，I
insistthatitwasnotmorethanwasnaturalunderthecircumstances，ifnotquiteproper。Opinionsmaydiffer，butmyexperiencegoestoprovethatconventionalsqueamishnessatsuchtimesastheseismoretalkedandwrittenaboutthanpractised。