第7章

EthelbertaadheredaswellasshecouldtoherresolvethatNeighshouldnotspeakwithheralone，butbydintofperseverancehedidmanagetoaddressherwithoutbeingoverheard。

’Willyougivemeananswer？’saidNeigh。’Ihavecomeonpurpose。’

’Icannotjustnow。Ihavebeenledtodoubtyou。’

’Doubtme？WhatnewwronghaveIdone？’

’SpokenjestinglyofmyvisittoFarnfield。’

’Good——！Ididnotspeakorthinkofyou。WhenItoldthatincidentIhadnoideawhotheladywas——Ididnotknowitwasyoutilltwodayslater，andIatonceheldmytongue。IvowtoyouuponmysoulandlifethatwhatIsayistrue。HowshallIprovemytruthbetterthanbymyerrandhere？’

’Don’tspeakofthisnow。Iamsooccupiedwithotherthings。IamgoingtoRouen，andwillthinkofitonmyway。’

’Iamgoingtheretoo。Whendoyougo？’

’IshallbeinRouennextWednesday，Ihope。’

’MayIaskwhere？’

’HotelBeauSejour。’

’Willyougivemeananswerthere？Icaneasilycalluponyou。Itisnowamonthandmoresinceyoufirstledmetohope——’

’Ididnotleadyoutohope——atanyrateclearly。’

’Indirectlyyoudid。AndalthoughIamwillingtobeasconsiderateasanymanoughttobeingivingyoutimetothinkoverthequestion，thereisalimittomypatience。AnynecessarydelayI

willputupwith，butIwon’tbetrifledwith。Ihateallnonsense，andcan’tstandit。’

’Indeed。Goodmorning。’

’ButMrs。Petherwin——justoneword。’

’Ihavenothingtosay。’

’IwillmeetyouatRouenforananswer。IwouldmeetyouinHadesforthematterofthat。Rememberthis:nextWednesday，ifIlive，IshallcalluponyouatRouen。’

Shedidnotsaynay。

’MayI？’headded。

’Ifyouwill。’

’Butsayitshallbeanappointment？’

’Verywell。’

LordMountclerewasbythistimetoddlingtowardsthemtoaskiftheywouldcomeontohishouse，EnckworthCourt，notveryfardistant，tolunchwiththerestoftheparty。Neigh，havingalreadyarrangedtogoontotownthatafternoon，wasobligedtodecline，andEthelbertathoughtfittodothesame，idlyaskingLordMountclereifEnckworthCourtlayinthedirectionofagorgethatwasvisiblewheretheystood。

’No；considerablytotheleft，’hesaid。’Theopeningyouarelookingatwouldrevealtheseaifitwerenotforthetreesthatblocktheway。Ah，thosetreeshaveahistory；theyarehalf-a-

dozenelmswhichIplantedmyselfwhenIwasaboy。Howtimeflies！’

’Itisunfortunatetheystandjustsoastocoverthebluebitofsea。Thatadditionwoulddoublethevalueoftheviewfromhere。’

’Youwouldprefertheblueseatothetrees？’

’InthatparticularspotIshould；theymighthavelookedjustaswell，andyethavehiddennothingworthseeing。Thenarrowslitwouldhavebeeninvaluablethere。’

’Theyshallfallbeforethesunsets，indeferencetoyouropinion，’

saidLordMountclere。

’Thatwouldberashindeed，’saidEthelberta，laughing，’whenmyopiniononsuchapointmaybeworthnothingwhatever。’

’Wherenootherisactedupon，itispracticallytheuniversalone，’

herepliedgaily。

AndthenEthelberta’selderlyadmirerbadeheradieu，andawaythewholepartydroveinalongtrainoverthehillstowardsthevalleywhereinstoodEnckworthCourt。Ethelberta’scarriagewassupposedbyherfriendstohavebeenleftatthevillageinn，asweremanyothers，andherretiringfromviewonfootattractednonotice。

Shewatchedthemoutofsight，andshealsosawtherestdepart——

thosewho，theirinterestinarchaeologyhavingbegunandendedwiththisspot，had，likeherself，declinedthehospitableviscount’sinvitation，andstartedtodriveorwalkatoncehomeagain。

ThereuponthecastlewasquitedesertedexceptbyEthelberta，theass，andthejackdaws，nowflounderingateaseagaininandabouttheivyofthekeep。

NotwishingtoenterKnollseatilltheeveningshadeswerefalling，shestillwalkedamidtheruins，examiningmoreleisurelysomepointswhichthestressofkeepingherselfcompanionablewouldnotallowhertoattendtowhiletheassemblagewaspresent。Attheendofthesurvey，beingsomewhatwearywithherclambering，shesatdownontheslopecommandingthegorgewherethetreesgrew，tomakeapencilsketchofthelandscapeasitwasrevealedbetweentheraggedwalls。ThusengagedsheweighedthecircumstancesofLordMountclere’sinvitation，andcouldnotbecertainifitwereprudishnessorsimpleproprietyinherselfwhichhadinstigatedhertorefuse。Shewouldhavelikedthevisitformanyreasons，andifLordMountclerehadbeenanybodybutaremarkablyattentiveoldwidower，shewouldhavegone。Asitwas，ithadoccurredtoherthattherewassomethinginhistonewhichshouldleadhertohesitate。Wereanyamongtheelderlyormarriedladieswhohadappeareduponthegroundinadetachedformasshehaddone——andmanyhadappearedthus——invitedtoEnckworth；andifnot，whyweretheynot？ThatLordMountclereadmiredhertherewasnodoubt，andforthisreasonitbehovedhertobecareful。Hisdisappointmentatpartingfromherwas，inoneaspect，simplylaughable，fromitsoddresemblancetotheunfeignedsorrowofaboyoffifteenatafirstpartingfromhisfirstlove；inanotheraspectitcausedreflection；

andshethoughtagainofhiscuriosityaboutherdoingsfortheremainderofthesummer。

Whileshesketchedandthoughtthus，theshadowsgrewlonger，andthesunlow。Andthensheperceivedamovementinthegorge。Oneofthetreesformingthecurtainacrossitbegantowavestrangely:

itwentfurthertooneside，andfell。Wherethetreehadstoodwasnowarentinthefoliage，andthroughthenarrowrentcouldbeseenthedistantsea。

Ethelbertautteredasoftexclamation。Itwasnotcausedbythesurpriseshehadfelt，norbytheintrinsicinterestofthesight，norbywantofcomprehension。Itwasasuddenrealizationofvaguethingshithertodreamedoffromadistanceonly——asenseofnovelpowerputintoherhandswithoutrequestorexpectation。A

landscapewastobealteredtosuitherwhim。Shehadinherlifetimemovedessentiallylargermountains，buttheyhadseemedoffarlesssplendidmaterialthanthis；foritwasthenatureofthegratificationratherthanitsmagnitudewhichenchantedthefancyofawomanwhosepoetry，inspiteofhernecessities，washardlyyetextinguished。Buttherewassomethingmore，withwhichpoetryhadlittletodo。WhethertheopinionofanyprettywomaninEnglandwasofmoreweightwithLordMountclerethanmemoriesofhisboyhood，orwhetherthatdistinctionwasreservedforheralone；

thiswasapointthatshewouldhavelikedtoknow。

Theenjoymentofpowerinanewelement，anenjoymentsomewhatresemblinginkindthatwhichisgivenbyafirstrideorswim，heldEthelbertatothespot，andshewaited，butsketchednomore。

Anothertree-topswayedandvanishedasbefore，andtheslitofseawaslargerstill。Hermindandeyeweresooccupiedwiththismatterthat，sittinginhernook，shedidnotobserveathinyoungman，hisbootswhitewiththedustofalongjourneyonfoot，whoarrivedatthecastlebythevalley-roadfromKnollsea。Helookedawhileattheruin，and，skirtingitsflankinsteadofenteringbythegreatgateway，climbedupthescarpandwalkedinthroughabreach。Afterstandingforamomentamongthewalls，nowsilentandapparentlyempty，withadisappointedlookhedescendedtheslope，andproceededalongonhisway。

Ethelberta，whowasinquiteanotherpartofthecastle，sawtheblackspotdiminishingtothesizeofaflyasherecededalongthedustyroad，andsoonaftershedescendedontheotherside，wheresheremountedtheass，andambledhomewardasshehadcome，innobrightmood。What，seeingtheprecariousnessofherstate，wastheday’striumphworthafterall，unless，beforeherbeautyabated，shecouldensureherpositionagainsttheattacksofchance？

’Tobethusisnothing；

Buttobesafelythus。’——

shesaiditmorethanonceonherjourneythatday。

Onenteringthesitting-roomoftheircotupthehillshefounditempty，andfromachangeperceptibleinthepositionofsmallarticlesoffurniture，somethingunusualseemedtohavetakenplaceinherabsence。Thedwellingbeingofthatsortinwhichwhatevergoesoninoneroomisaudiblethroughalltherest，Picotee，whowasupstairs，heardthearrivalandcamedown。Picotee’sfacewasrosedoverwiththebrillianceofsomeexcitement。’WhatdoyouthinkIhavetotellyou，Berta？’shesaid。

’Ihavenoidea，’saidhersister。’Surely，’sheadded，herfaceintensifyingtoawansadness，’Mr。Julianhasnotbeenhere？’

’Yes，’saidPicotee。’Andwewentdowntothesands——he，andMyrtle，andGeorgina，andEmmeline，andI——andCorneliacamedownwhenshehadputawaythedinner。AndthenwedugwrigglesoutofthesandwithMyrtle’sspade:wegotsuchalot，andhadsuchfun；

theyareinadishinthekitchen。Mr。Juliancametoseeyou；butatlasthecouldwaitnolonger，andwhenItoldhimyouwereatthemeetinginthecastleruinshesaidhewouldtrytofindyouthereonhiswayhome，ifhecouldgettherebeforethemeetingbrokeup。’

’ThenitwasheIsawfarawayontheroad——yes，itmusthavebeen。’

Sheremainedingloomyreverieafewmoments，andthensaid，’Verywell——letitbe。Picotee，getmesometea:Idonotwantdinner。’

ButthenewsofChristopher’svisitseemedtohavetakenawayherappetiteforteaalso，andaftersittingalittlewhilesheflungherselfdownuponthecouch，andtoldPicoteethatshehadsettledtogoandseetheirauntCharlotte。

’IamgoingtowritetoSolandDantoaskthemtomeetmethere，’

sheadded。’Iwantthem，ifpossible，toseeParis。Itwillimprovethemgreatlyintheirtrades，Iamthinking，iftheycanseethekindsofjoineryanddecorationpractisedinFrance。Theyagreedtogo，ifIshouldwishit，beforeweleftLondon。You，ofcourse，willgoasmymaid。’

Picoteegazedupontheseawithacrestfallenlook，asifshewouldrathernotcrossitinanycapacityjustthen。

’Itwouldscarcelybeworthgoingtotheexpenseoftakingme，wouldit？’shesaid。

ThecauseofPicotee’ssuddensenseofeconomywassoplainthathersistersmiled；butyounglove，howeverfoolish，istoathinkingpersonfartootragicapowerforridicule；andEthelbertaforbore，goingonasifPicoteehadnotspoken:’Imusthaveyouwithme。I

maybeseenthere:somanyarepassingthroughRouenatthistimeoftheyear。Corneliacantakeexcellentcareofthechildrenwhilewearegone。IwanttogetoutofEngland，andIwillgetoutofEngland。Thereisnothingbutvanityandvexationhere。’

’Iamsorryyouwereawaywhenhecalled，’saidPicoteegently。

’O，Idon’tmeanthat。Iwishtherewerenodifferentranksintheworld，andthatcontrivancewerenotanecessaryfacultytohaveatall。Well，wearegoingtocrossbythelittlesteamerthatputsinhere，andwearegoingonMonday。’Sheaddedinanotherminute，’WhathadMr。Juliantotellusthathecamehere？Howdidhefindusout？’

’ImentionedthatwewerecominghereinmylettertoFaith。Mr。

Juliansaysthatperhapsheandhissistermayalsocomeforafewdaysbeforetheseasonisover。IshouldliketoseeMissJulianagain。Sheissuchanicegirl。’

’Yes。’Ethelbertaplayedwithherhair，andlookedattheceilingasshereclined。’Ihavedecidedafterall，’shesaid，’thatitwillbebettertotakeCorneliaasmymaid，andleaveyouherewiththechildren。Corneliaisstrongerasacompanionthanyou，andshewillbedelightedtogo。DoyouthinkyouarecompetenttokeepMyrtleandGeorginaoutofharm’sway？’

’Oyes——Iwillbeexceedinglycareful，’saidPicotee，withgreatvivacity。’AndifthereistimeIcangoonteachingthemalittle。’ThenPicoteecaughtEthelberta’seye，andcolouringred，sankdownbesidehersister，whispering，’Iknowwhyitis！ButifyouwouldratherhavemewithyouIwillgo，andnotoncewishtostay。’

Ethelbertalookedasifsheknewallaboutthat，andsaid，’OfcoursetherewillbenonecessitytotelltheJuliansaboutmydepartureuntiltheyhavefixedthetimeforcoming，andcannotaltertheirminds。’

ThesoundofthechildrenwithCornelia，andtheirappearanceoutsidethewindow，pushingbetweenthefuchsiabusheswhichoverhungthepath，putanendtothisdialogue；theyenteredarmedwithbucketsandspades，averymoistandsandyaspectpervadingthemasfarupasthehigh-watermarkoftheirclothing，andbegantotellEthelbertaofthewondersofthedeep。

32。AROOMINENCKWORTHCOURT

’Areyousurethereportistrue？’

’IamsurethatwhatIsayistrue，mylord；butitishardlytobecalledareport。Itisasecret，knownatpresenttonobodybutmyselfandMrs。Doncastle’smaid。’

ThespeakerwasLordMountclere’strustyvalet，andtheconversationwasbetweenhimandtheviscountinadressing-roomatEnckworthCourt，ontheeveningafterthemeetingofarchaeologistsatCorvsgateCastle。

’H’m-h’m；thedaughterofabutler。DoesMrs。Doncastleknowofthisyet，orMr。Neigh，oranyoftheirfriends？’

’No，mylord。’

’Youarequitepositive？’

’Quitepositive。Iwas，byaccident，thefirstthatMrs。Menlovenamedthematterto，andItoldheritmightbemuchtoheradvantageifshetookparticularcareitshouldgonofurther。’

’Mrs。Menlove！Who’sshe？’

’Thelady’s-maidatMrs。Doncastle’s，mylord。’

’O，ah——ofcourse。Youmayleavemenow，Tipman。’LordMountclereremainedinthoughtforamoment。’Acleverlittlepuss，tohoodwinkusalllikethis——hee-hee！’hemurmured。’Hereducation——

howfinished；andherbeauty——soseldomthatImeetwithsuchawoman。Cutdownmyelmstopleaseabutler’sdaughter——whatajoke——

certainlyagoodjoke！Tointerestmeinherontherightsideinsteadofthewrongwasstrange。Butitcanbemadetochangesides——hee-hee！——itcanbemadetochangesides！Tipman！’

Tipmancameforwardfromthedoorway。

’Willyoutakecarethatthatpieceofgossipyoumentionedtomeisnotrepeatedinthishouse？Istronglydisapproveoftalebearingofanysort，andwishtohearnomoreofthis。Suchstoriesarenevertrue。Answerme——doyouhear？Suchstoriesarenevertrue。’

’Ibegpardon，butIthinkyourlordshipwillfindthisonetrue，’

saidthevaletquietly。

’Thenwheredidshegethermannersandeducation？Doyouknow？’

’Idonot，mylord。Isupposeshepicked’emupbyherwits。’

’Nevermindwhatyousuppose，’saidtheoldmanimpatiently。

’WheneverIaskaquestionofyoutellmewhatyouknow，andnomore。’

’Quiteso，mylord。Ibegyourlordship’spardonforsupposing。’

’H’m-h’m。Havethefashion-booksandplatesarrivedyet？’

’LeFollethas，mylord；butnottheothers。’

’Letmehaveitatonce。Alwaysbringittomeatonce。Arethereanyhandsomeonesthistime？’

’Theyaremuchthesameclassoffemaleasusual，Ithink，mylord，’

saidTipman，fetchingthepaperandlayingitbeforehim。

’Yes，theyare，’saidtheviscount，leaningbackandscrutinizingthefacesofthewomenonebyone，andtalkingsoftlytohimselfinawaythathadgrownuponhimashisageincreased。’Yettheyareverywell:thatonewithhershoulderturnedispureandcharming——

thebrown-hairedonewillpass。Allveryharmlessandinnocent，butwithoutcharacter；nosoul，orinspiration，oreloquenceofeye。

Whataneyewashers！Thereisnotagirlamongthemsobeautiful……Tipman！Comeandtakeitaway。Idon’tthinkIwillsubscribetothesepapersanylonger——howlonghaveIsubscribed？

Nevermind——Itakenointerestinthesethings，andIsupposeImustgivethemup。WhatwhitearticleisthatIseeontheflooryonder？’

’Icanseenothing，mylord。’

’Yes，yes，youcan。Attheotherendoftheroom。Itisawhitehandkerchief。Bringittome。’

’Ibegpardon，mylord，butIcannotseeanywhitehandkerchief。

Whereaboutsdoesyourlordshipmean？’

’Thereinthecorner。Ifitisnotahandkerchief，whatisit？

Walkalongtillyoucometoit——thatisit；nowalittlefurther——

nowyourfootisagainstit。’

’Othat——itisnotanything。Itisthelightreflectedagainsttheskirting，sothatitlookslikeawhitepatchofsomething——thatisall。’

’H’m-hm。Myeyes——howweaktheyare！Iamgettingold，that’swhatitis:Iamanoldman。’

’Ono，mylord。’

’Yes，anoldman。’

’Well，weshallallbeoldsomeday，andsowillyourlordship，I

suppose；butasyet——’

’ItellyouIamanoldman！’

’Yes，mylord——Ididnotmeantocontradict。Anoldmaninonesense——oldinayoungman’ssense，butnotinahouse-of-parliamentorhistoricalsense。Alittleoldish——Imeantthat，mylord。’

’Imaybeanoldmaninonesenseorinanothersenseinyourmind；

butletmetellyoutherearemenolderthanI——’

’Yes，sothereare，mylord。’

’Peoplemaycallmewhattheyplease，andyoumaybeimpertinentenoughtorepeattomewhattheysay，butletmetellyouIamnotaveryoldmanafterall。Iamnotanoldman。’

’OldinknowledgeoftheworldImeant，mylord，notinyears。’

’Well，yes。ExperienceofcourseIcannotbewithout。AndIlikewhatisbeautiful。Tipman，youmustgotoKnollsea；don’tsend，butgoyourself，asIwishnobodyelsetobeconcernedinthis。GotoKnollsea，andfindoutwhenthesteamboatforCherbourgstarts；andwhenyouhavedonethat，IshallwantyoutosendTaylortome。I

wishCaptainStrongtobringtheFawnroundintoKnollseaBay。NextweekImaywantyoutogotoCherbourgintheyachtwithme——iftheChannelisprettycalm——andthenperhapstoRouenandParis。ButI

willspeakofthatto-morrow。’

’Verygood，mylord。’

’MeanwhileIrecommendthatyouandMrs。Menloverepeatnothingyoumayhaveheardconcerningtheladyyoujustnowspokeof。HereisaslightpresentforMrs。Menlove；andacceptthisforyourself。’Hehandedmoney。

’Yourlordshipmaybesurewewillnot，’thevaletreplied。

33。THEENGLISHCHANNEL-NORMANDY

OnMondaymorningthelittlesteamerSpeedwellmadeherappearanceroundthepromontorybyKnollseaBay，totakeinpassengersforthetransittoCherbourg。Breezesthefreshestthatcouldblowwithoutvergingonkeennessflewoverthequiveringdeepsandshallows；andthesunbeamspiercedeverydetailofbarrow，pathandrabbit-runupontheloftyconvexityofdownandwastewhichshutinKnollseafromtheworldtothewest。

Theyleftthepierateighto’clock，takingatfirstashorteasterlycoursetoavoidasinisterledgeoflimestonesjuttingfromthewaterlikecrocodile’steeth，whichfirstobtainednotorietyinEnglishhistorythroughbeingthespotwhereonaformidableDanishfleetwenttopiecesathousandyearsago。AtthemomentthattheSpeedwellturnedtoenteruponthedirectcourse，aschooner-yacht，whosesheetsgleamedlikebridalsatin，loosedfromaremoterpartofthebay；continuingtobearoff，shecutacrossthesteamer’swake，andtookacoursealmostduesoutherly，whichwaspreciselythatoftheSpeedwell。Thewindwasveryfavourablefortheyacht，blowingafewpointsfromnorthinasteadypressureonherquarter，and，havingbeenbuiltwitheverymodernappliancethatshipwrightscouldoffer，theschoonerfoundnodifficultyingettingabreast，andevenahead，ofthesteamer，assoonasshehadescapedtheshelterofthehills。

ThemoreorlessparallelcoursesofthevesselscontinuedforsometimewithoutcausinganyremarkamongthepeopleonboardtheSpeedwell。Atlengthonenoticedthefact，andanother；andthenitbecamethegeneraltopicofconversationinthegroupuponthebridge，whereEthelberta，herhairgettingfrizzedandhercheekscarnationedbythewind，satuponacamp-stoollookingtowardstheprow。

’SheisboundforGuernsey，’saidone。’Inhalf-an-hourshewillputaboutforamorewesterlycourse，you’llsee。’

’SheisnotforGuernseyoranywherethatway，’saidanacquaintance，lookingthroughhisglass。’Ifsheisoutforanythingmorethanamorningcruise，sheisboundforourport。I

shouldnotwonderifsheiscrossingtogetstocked，asmostofthemdo，tosavethedutyonherwineandprovisions。’

’Doyouknowwhoseyachtitis？’

’Idonot。’

Ethelbertalookedatthelightleaningfigureoftheprettyschooner，whichseemedtoskatealonguponherbilgeandmakewhiteshavingsofalltheseathattouchedher。SheatfirstimaginedthatthismightbetheyachtNeighhadarrivedinattheendofthepreviousweek，forsheknewthathecameasoneofayachtingparty，andshehadnoticednootherboatofthatsortinthebaysincehisarrival。Butasallhispartyhadgoneashoreandnotyetreturned，shewassurprisedtoseethesupposedvesselhere。Toaddtoherperplexity，shecouldnotbepositive，nowthatitcametoarealnauticalquery，whetherthecraftofNeigh’sfriendshadonemastortwo，forshehadcaughtbutafragmentaryviewofthetopsailovertheapple-trees。

’IsthattheyachtwhichhasbeenlyingatKnollseaforthelastfewdays？’sheinquiredofthemasteroftheSpeedwell，assoonasshehadanopportunity。

Themasterwarmedbeneathhiscopper-colouredrind。’Ono，miss；

thatoneyousawwasacutter——asmallerboataltogether，’hereplied。’Builtonthesliding-keelprinciple，youunderstand，miss——andredbelowherwater-line，ifyounoticed。ThisisLordMountclere’syacht——theFawn。Youmighthaveseenherre’chinginroundOld-HarryRockthismorningaforewestarted。’

’LordMountclere’s？’

’Yes——anoblemanofthisneighbourhood。Buthedon’tdosomuchatyachtingasheusedtoinhisyoungerdays。Ibelievehe’saboardthismorning，however。’

Ethelbertanowbecamemoreabsorbedthaneverintheiroceancomrade，andwatcheditsmotionscontinually。Theschoonerwasconsiderablyinadvanceofthembythistime，andseemedtobegettingbydegreesoutoftheircourse。ShewonderedifLordMountclerecouldbereallygoingtoCherbourg:ifso，whyhadhesaidnothingaboutthetriptoherwhenshespokeofherownapproachingvoyagethither？Theyachtchangeditscharacterinhereyes；losingtheindefiniteinterestoftheunknown，itacquiredthecharmofariddleonmotives，ofwhichthealternativeswere，hadLordMountclere’sjourneyanythingtodowithherown，orhaditnot？Commonprobabilitypointedtothelattersupposition；butthetimeofstarting，thecourseoftheyacht，andrecollectionsofLordMountclere’shomage，suggestedthemoreextraordinarypossibility。

ShewentacrosstoCornelia。’Themanwhohandedusonboard——

didn’tIseehimspeakingtoyouthismorning？’shesaid。

’Oyes，’saidCornelia。’HeaskedifmymistresswasthepopularMrs。Petherwin？

’Andyoutoldhim，Isuppose？’

’Yes。’

’Whatmadeyoudothat，Cornelia？’

’IthoughtImight:Icouldn’thelpit。WhenIwentthroughthetoll-gate，suchagentlemanly-lookingmanaskedmeifheshouldhelpmetocarrythethingstotheendofthepier；andaswewentontogetherhesaidhesupposedmetobeMrs。Petherwin’smaid。I

said，"Yes。"Thetwomenmetafterwards，sotherewouldha’beennogoodinmydenyingittooneof’em。’

’Whowasthisgentlemanlyperson？’

’Iaskedtheothermanthat，andhetoldmeoneofLordMountclere’supperservants。Iknewthentherewasnoharminhavingbeenciviltohim。Heiswell-mannered，andtalkssplendidlanguage。’

’ThatyachtyouseeonourrighthandisLordMountclere’sproperty。

IfIdonotmistake，weshallhavehercloserby-and-by，andyoumaymeetyourgentlemanlyfriendagain。Becarefulhowyoutalktohim。’

Ethelbertasatdown，thoughtofthemeetingatCorvsgateCastle，ofthedinner-partyatMr。Doncastle’s，ofthestrangepositionshehadtherebeenin，andthenofherfather。Shesuddenlyreproachedherselfforthoughtlessness；forinherpocketlayaletterfromhim，whichshehadtakenfromthepostmanthatmorningatthemomentofcomingfromthedoor，andinthehurryofembarkinghadforgotteneversince。Openingitquickly，sheread:——

’MYDEARETHELBERTA，——Yourletterreachedmeyesterday，andIcalledroundatExonburyCrescentintheafternoon，asyouwished。

Everythingisgoingonrightthere，andyouhavenooccasiontobeanxiousaboutthem。Idonotleavetownforanotherweekortwo，andbythetimeIamgoneSolandDanwillhavereturnedfromParis，ifyourmotherandGwendolinewantanyhelp:sothatyouneednothurrybackontheiraccount。

’Ihavesomethingelsetotellyou，whichisnotquitesosatisfactory，anditisthisthatmakesmewriteatonce；butdonotbealarmed。Itbeganinthisway。Afewnightsafterthedinner-

partyhereIwasdeterminedtofindoutiftherewasanytruthinwhatyouhadbeentoldaboutthatboy，andhavingseenMenlovegooutasusualafterdark，Ifollowedher。Sureenough，whenshehadgotintothepark，upcamemasterJoe，smokingacigar。AssoonastheyhadmetIwenttowardsthem，andMenlove，seeingsomebodydrawnigh，begantoedgeoff，whentheblockheadsaid，"Nevermind，mylove，itisonlytheoldman。"Beingveryprovokedwithbothofthem，thoughshewasreallythemosttoblame，Igavehimsomesmartcutsacrosstheshoulderswithmycane，andtoldhimtogohome，whichhedidwithafleainhisear，therascal。IbelieveIhavecuredhiscourtingtricksforsomelittletime。

’Well，Menlovethenwalkedbyme，quitecool，asifsheweremerelyaladypassingbychanceatthetime，whichprovokedmestillmore，knowingthewholetruthofit，andIcouldnothelpturninguponherandsaying，"You，madam，oughttobeservedthesameway。"Sherepliedinveryhaughtywords，andIwalkedaway，sayingthatIhadsomethingbettertodothanarguewithawomanofhercharacteratthathouroftheevening。Thissosetherupthatshefollowedmehome，marchedintomypantry，andtoldmethatifIhadbeenmorecarefulaboutmymannersincallingherabadcharacter，itmighthavebeenbetterbothformeandmystuck-updaughter——adawineagle’splumes——andsoon。NowitseemsthatshemusthavecoaxedsomethingoutofJoeyaboutyou——forwhatladintheworldcouldbeamatchforawomanofherexperienceandarts！Ihopeshewilldoyounoseriousdamage；butItellyouthewholestateofaffairsexactlyastheyare，thatyoumayformyourownopinions。Afterall，thereisnorealdisgrace，fornoneofushaveeverdonewrong，buthaveworkedhonestlyforaliving。However，Iwillletyouknowifanythingseriousreallyhappens。’

Thiswasallthatherfathersaidonthematter，theletterconcludingwithmessagestothechildrenanddirectionsfromtheirmotherwithregardtotheirclothes。

Ethelbertafeltverydistinctlythatshewasinastrait；theoldimpressionthat，unlessherpositionweresecuredsoon，itneverwouldbesecured，returnedwithgreatforce。Adoubtwhetheritwasworthsecuringwouldhavebeenverystrongerethis，hadnotothersbesidesherselfbeenconcernedinherfortunes。Shelookedupfromherletter，andbeheldthepertinaciousyacht；itledheruptoaconvictionthatthereinlayameansandanopportunity。

Nothingfurtherofimportanceoccurredincrossing。Ethelberta’sheadachedafterawhile，andCornelia’shealthycheeksofredwerefoundtohavediminishedtheircolourtothesizeofawaferandthequalityofastain。TheSpeedwellenteredthebreakwateratCherbourgtofindtheschooneralreadyintheroadstead；andbythetimethesteamerwasbroughtupEthelbertacouldseethemenonboardtheyachtclewingupandmakingthingssnuginawayfromwhichsheinferredthattheywerenotgoingtoleavetheharbouragainthatday。Withtheaspectofafairgalleonthatcouldeasilyout-manoeuvreherperseveringbuccaneer，Ethelbertapassedalongside。CoulditbepossiblethatLordMountclerehadonheraccountfixedthisdayforhisvisitacrosstheChannel？

’Well，IwouldratherbehauntedbyhimthanbyMr。Neigh，’shesaid；andbeganlayingherplanssoastoguardagainstinconvenientsurprises。

ThenextmorningEthelbertawasattherailwaystation，takingticketsforherselfandCornelia，whenshesawanoldyetslyandsomewhatmerry-facedEnglishmanalittlewayoff。Hewasattendedbyayoungerman，whoappearedtobehisvalet。

’Iwillexchangeoneofthesetickets，’shesaidtotheclerk，andhavingdonesoshewenttoCorneliatoinformherthatitwouldafterallbeadvisableforthemtotravelseparate，adding，’LordMountclereisinthestation，andIthinkheisgoingonbyourtrain。Remember，youaremymaidagainnow。Isnotthatthegentlemanlymanwhoassistedyouyesterday？’Shesignifiedthevaletasshespoke。

’Itis，’saidCornelia。

Whenthepassengersweretakingtheirseats，andEthelbertawasthinkingwhethershemightnotafterallenterasecond-classwithCorneliainsteadofsittingsolitaryinafirstbecauseofanoldman’sproximity，sheheardashufflingatherelbow，andthenextmomentfoundthathewasovertlyobservingherasifhehadnotdonesoinsecretatall。Sheatoncegavehimanunsurprisedgestureofrecognition。’Isawyousometimeago；whatasingularcoincidence，’shesaid。

’Acharmingone，’saidLordMountclere，smilingahalf-minutesmile，andmakingasifhewouldtakehishatoffandwouldnotquite。

’Perhapswemustnotcallitcoincidenceentirely，’hecontinued；

’myjourney，whichIhavecontemplatedforsometime，wasnotfixedthisweekaltogetherwithoutathoughtofyourpresenceontheroad——

hee-hee！Doyougofarto-day？’

’AsfarasCaen，’saidEthelberta。

’Ah！That’stheendofmyday’sjourney，too，’saidLordMountclere。Theypartedandtooktheirrespectiveplaces，LordMountclerechoosingacompartmentnexttotheoneEthelbertawasentering，andnot，asshehadexpected，attemptingtojoinher。

Nowshehadinstantlyfanciedwhentheviscountwasspeakingthatthereweresignsofsomedeparturefromhisformerrespectfulmannertowardsher；andanenigmalayinthat。Attheirearliermeetingshehadneverventureduponadistinctcouplingofhimselfandherselfashehaddoneinhisbroadcomplimentto-day——ifcomplimentitcouldbecalled。Shewasnotsurethathedidnotexceedhislicenseintellingherdeliberatelythathehadmeanttohovernearherinaprivatejourneywhichshewastakingwithoutreferencetohim。Shedidnotobjecttotheact，buttotheavowaloftheact；

and，beingassensitiveasabarometeronsignsaffectinghersocialcondition，itdarteduponEthelbertaforonelittlemomentthathemightpossiblyhaveheardawordortwoaboutherbeingnothingmorenorlessthanoneofatribeofthralls；hencehisfreedomofmanner。Certainlyaplainremarkofthatsortwasexactlywhatasusceptiblepeermightbesupposedtosaytoaprettywomanoffarinferiordegree。Arapidrednessfilledherfaceatthethoughtthathemighthavesmileduponherasuponadomesticwhomhewasdisposedtochuckunderthechin。’Butno，’shesaid。’Hewouldneverhavetakenthetroubletofollowandmeetwithmehadhelearnttothinkmeotherthanalady。Itisextremityofdevotion——

that’sall。’

ItwasnotEthelberta’sinexperience，butthatherconceptionofselfprecludedsuchanassociationofideas，whichledhertodismissthesurmisethathisattendancecouldbeinspiredbyamotivebeyondthatofpayingherlegitimateattentionsasaco-

ordinatewithhimandhisinthesocialfield。Evenifheonlymeantflirtation，shereaditasofthatsortfromwhichcourtshipwithaneyetomatrimonydiffersonlyindegree。Hence，shethought，hisinterestinherwasnotlikely，undertheordinaryinfluencesofcastefeeling，tocontinuelongerthanwhilehewaskeptinignoranceofherconsanguinitywithastockproscribed。Shesighedattheanticipatedcloseofherfull-featheredtoweringwhenhertiesandbondsshouldbeuncovered。Shemighthaveseenmattersinadifferentlight，andsighedmore。Butinthestirofthemomentitescapedherthoughtthatignoranceofherposition，andaconsequentregardforherasawomanofgoodstanding，wouldhavepreventedhisindulgenceinanycoursewhichwasopentotheconstructionofbeingdisrespectful。

Valognes，Carentan，Isigny，Bayeux，werepassed，andthetraindrewupatCaen。Ethelberta’sintentionhadbeentostayhereforonenight，buthavinglearntfromLordMountclere，aspreviouslydescribed，thatthiswashisdestination，shedecidedtogoon。OnturningtowardsthecarriageafterafewminutesofpromenadingattheCaenstation，shewassurprisedtoperceivethatLordMountclere，whohadalightedasiftoleave，wasstillthere。

Theyspokeagaintoeachother。’IfindIhavetogofurther，’hesuddenlysaid，whenshehadchattedwithhimalittletime。Andbeckoningtothemanwhowasattendingtohisbaggage，hedirectedthethingstobeagainplacedinthetrain。

Timepassed，andtheychangedatthenextjunction。WhenEthelbertaenteredacarriageonthebranchlinetotakeherseatfortheremainderofthejourney，theresattheviscountinthesamedivision。HeexplainedthathewasgoingtoRouen。

Ethelbertacametoaquickresolution。Heraudacity，likethatofachildgettingnearerandneareraparent’sside，becamewonderfullyvigorousassheapproachedherdestination；andthoughtherewerethreegoodhoursoftraveltoRouenasyet，theheavierpartofthejourneywaspast。Atheraunt’swouldbeasaferefuge，playwhatpranksshemight，andthereshewouldto-morrowmeetthosebravestofdefendersSolandDan，towhomshehadsentasmuchmoneyasshecouldconvenientlysparetowardstheirexpenses，withdirectionsthattheyweretocomebythemosteconomicalroute，andmeetheratthehouseofheraunt，MadameMoulin，previoustotheireducationaltriptoParis，theirowncontributionbeingthevalueoftheweek’sworktheywouldhavetolose。ThusbackedupbySolandDan，heraunt，andCornelia，Ethelbertafeltquitethereverseofalonelyfemalepersecutedbyawickedlordinaforeigncountry。’Heshallpayforhisweaknesses，whatevertheymean，’shethought；’andwhattheymeanIwillfindoutatonce。’

’IamgoingtoParis，’shesaid。

’Youcannotto-night，Ithink。’

’To-morrow，Imean。’

’Ishouldliketogoonto-morrow。PerhapsImay。Sothatthereisachanceofourmeetingagain。’

’Yes；butIdonotleaveRouentilltheafternoon。Ifirstshallgotothecathedral，anddriveroundthecity。’

LordMountcleresmiledpleasantly。Thereseemedasortofencouragementinherwords。Ethelberta’sthoughts，however，hadflownatthatmomenttotheapproachingsituationatheraunt’shotel:itwouldbeextremelyembarrassingifheshouldgothere。

’Wheredoyoustay，LordMountclere？’shesaid。

Thusdirectlyasked，hecouldnotbutcommithimselftothenameofthehotelhehadbeenaccustomedtopatronize，whichwasoneintheupperpartofthecity。

’Mineisnotthatone，’saidEthelbertafrigidly。

Nofurtherremarkwasmadeunderthishead，andtheyconversedfortheremainderofthedaylightonsceneryandothertopics，LordMountclere’sairoffestivitylendinghimallthequalitiesofanagreeablecompanion。Butnotwithstandingherresolve，Ethelbertafailed，forthatdayatleast，tomakehermindclearuponLordMountclere’sintentions。Tothatendshewouldhavelikedfirsttoknowwhatweretheexactlimitssetbysocietytoconductunderpresentconditions，ifsocietyhadeversetanyatall，whichwasopentoquestion:sinceexperiencehadlongagotaughtherthatmuchmorefreedomactuallyprevailsinthecommunionofthesexesthanisputonpaperasetiquette，oradmittedinsomanywordsascorrectbehaviour。Inshort，everythingturneduponwhetherhehadlearntofherpositionwhenofftheplatformatMayfairHall。

Weariedwiththesesurmises，andtheday’stravel，sheclosedhereyes。Andthenherenamouredcompanionmorewidelyopenedhis，andtracedthebeautifulfeaturesoppositehim。Thearchofthebrows——

likeaslurinmusic——thedroopofthelashes，themeetingofthelips，andthesweetrotundityofthechin——onebyone，andalltogether，theywereadored，tillhisheartwaslikearetortfullofspiritsofwine。

Itwasawarmevening，andwhentheyarrivedattheirjourney’senddistantthunderrolledbehindheavyandopaqueclouds。Ethelbertabadeadieutoherattentivesatellite，calledtoCornelia，andenteredacab；butbeforetheyreachedtheinnthethunderhadincreased。Thenacloudcrackedintoflamebehindtheironspireofthecathedral，showinginreliefitsblackribsandstanchions，asiftheywerethebarsofablazingcressetheldonhigh。

’Ah，wewillclamberupthereto-morrow，’saidEthelberta。

Awondrousstillnesspervadedthestreetsofthecityafterthis，thoughitwasnotlate；andtheirarrivalatM。Moulin’sdoorwasquiteaneventforthequay。Noraincame，astheyhadexpected，andbythetimetheyhaltedthewesternskyhadcleared，sothatthenewly-litlampsonthequay，andtheeveningglowshiningovertheriver，inwovetheirharmoniousraysasthewarpandwoofofonelustroustissue。BeforetheyhadalightedthereappearedfromthearchwayMadameMoulininperson，followedbytheservantsofthehotelinamannersignifyingthattheydidnotreceiveavisitoronceafortnight，thoughatthatmomenttheclatterofsixtyknives，forks，andtongueswasaudiblethroughanopenwindowfromtheadjoiningdining-room，tothegreatinterestofagroupofidlersoutside。EthelbertahadnotseenherauntsinceshelastpassedthroughthetownwithLadyPetherwin，whothentoldherthatthislandladywastheonlyrespectablerelativesheseemedtohaveintheworld。

AuntCharlotte’sfacewasanEnglishoutlinefilledinwithFrenchshadesundertheeyes，onthebrows，androundthemouth，bythenaturaleffectofyears；sheresembledtheBritishhostessaslittleaswellcouldbe，nopointinhercausingtheslightestsuggestionofdropstakenforthestomach’ssake。Tellingthetwoyoungwomenshewouldgladlyhavemetthematthestationhadsheknownthehouroftheirarrival，shekissedthembothwithoutmuchapparentnoticeofadifferenceintheirconditions；indeed，seemingrathertoinclinetoCornelia，whosecountryfaceandhomelystyleofclothingmayhavebeenmoretohermindthanEthelberta’sfinishedtravelling-dress，aclassofarticletowhichsheappearedtobewellaccustomed。Herhusbandwasatthistimeattheheadofthetable-d’hote，andmentioningthefactasanexcuseforhisnon-

appearance，sheaccompaniedthemupstairs。

AfterthestrainofkeepingupsmileswithLordMountclere，therattleandshaking，andthegeneralexcitementsofthechaseacrossthewaterandalongtherail，afaceinwhichshesawadimreflexofhermother’swassoothingintheextreme，andEthelbertawentuptothestaircasewithafeelingofexpansivethankfulness。Corneliapausedtoadmirethecleancourtandthesmallcagedbirdssleepingontheirperches，theboxesofveronicainbloom，ofoleander，andoftamarisk，whichfreshenedtheairofthecourtandlentaromancetothelamplight，thecooksintheirpapercapsandwhiteblousesappearingatoddmomentsfromanAvernusbehind；whiletheprompt’v’la！’ofteetotumsinmobcaps，spinningdownthestaircaseinanswertotheperiodicclangofbells，filledherwithwonder，andprickedherconsciencewiththoughtsofhowseldomsuchtranscendentnimblenesswasattemptedbyherselfinapartsonearlysimilar。

34。THEHOTELBEAUSEJOURANDSPOTSNEARIT

Thenextday，muchtoEthelberta’ssurprise，therewasaletterforherinhermother’sup-hillhand。Sheneglectedalltherestofitscontentsforthefollowingengrossingsentences:——

’MenlovehaswormedeverythingoutofpoorJoey，wefind，andyourfatherismuchupsetaboutit。Shehadanotherquarrelwithhim，andthendeclaredshewouldexposeyouandustoMrs。Doncastleandallyourfriends。IthinkthatMenloveisthekindofwomanwhowillsticktoherword，andthequestionforyoutoconsideris，howcanyoubestfaceoutanyreportofthetruthwhichshewillspread，andcontradicttheliesthatshewilladdtoit？Itappearstometobeadreadfulthing，andsoitwillprobablyappeartoyou。Theworstpartwillbethatyoursistersandbrothersareyourservants，andthatyourfatherisactuallyengagedinthehousewhereyoudine。Iamdreadfulafraidthatthiswillbeconsideredafinejokeforgossips，andwillcausenoendoflaughsinsocietyatyourexpense。Atanyrate，shouldMenlovespreadthereport，itwouldabsolutelypreventpeoplefromattendingyourlecturesnextseason，fortheywouldfeellikedupes，andbeangrywiththeirselves，andyou，andallofus。

’TheonlywayoutofthemuddlethatIcanseeforyouistoputsomeschemeofmarryingintoeffectassoonaspossible，andbeforethesethingsareknown。Surelybythistime，withallyouropportunities，youhavebeenabletostrikeupanacquaintancewithsomegentlemanorother，soastomakeasuitablematch。Yousee，mydearBerta，marriageisathingwhich，oncecarriedout，fixesyoumorefirminapositionthananypersonalbrainscando；forasyoustandatpresent，everyloosetooth，andeverycombed-outhair，andeverynewwrinkle，andeverysleeplessnight，issomuchtookawayfromyourchanceforthefuture，dependingasitdouponyourskillincharming。Iknowthatyouhavehadsomegoodoffers，sodolistentome，andwarmupthebestmanofthemagainabit，andgethimtorepeathiswordsbeforeyourroundnessshrinksaway，and’tistoolate。

’Mr。Ladywellhascalledheretoseeyou；itwasjustafterIhadheardthatthisMenlovemightdoharm，soIthoughtIcoulddonobetterthansenddownwordtohimthatyouwouldmuchliketoseehim，andwerewonderingsadlywhyhehadnotcalledlately。IgavehimyouraddressatRouen，thathemightfindyou，ifhechose，atonce，andbegottopropose，sinceheisbetterthannobody。I

believehesaid，directlyJoeygavehimtheaddress，thathewasgoingabroad，andmyopinionisthathewillcometoyou，becauseoftheencouragementIgavehim。Ifso，youmustthankmeformyforesightandcareforyou。

’IheaveasighofreliefsometimesatthethoughtthatI，atanyrate，foundahusbandbeforethepresentman-faminebegan。Don’trefusehimthistime，there’sadear，or，markmywords，you’llhavecausetorueit——unlessyouhavebeforehandgotengagedtosomebodybetterthanhe。Youwillnotifyouhavenotalready，fortheexposureissuretocomesoon。’

’O，thisfalseposition！——itisruiningyournature，mytoothoughtfulmother！ButIwillnotacceptanyofthem——I’llbrazenitout！’saidEthelberta，throwingtheletterwhereveritchosetofly，andpickingituptoreadagain。Shestoodandthoughtitallover。’Imustdecidetodosomething！’washersighagain；and，feelinganirresistibleneedofmotion，sheputonherthingsandwentouttoseewhatresolvethemorningwouldbring。

Norainhadfallenduringthenight，andtheairwasnowquietinawarmheavyfog，throughwhicholdcider-smells，remindingherofWessex，occasionallycamefromnarrowstreetsinthebackground。

EthelbertapasseduptheRueGrand-PontintothelittleduskyRueSaint-Romain，behindthecathedral，beingdrivenmechanicallyalongbythefeverandfretofherthoughts。Shewasabouttoenterthebuildingbythetranseptdoor，whenshesawLordMountclerecomingtowardsher。

Ethelbertafeltequaltohim，oradozensuch，thismorning。Theloomingspectresraisedbyhermother’sinformation，thewearingsenseofbeingover-weightedintherace，weredrivinghertoaHamlet-likefantasticismanddefianceofaugury；moreover，shewasabroad。

’Iamabouttoascendtotheparapetsofthecathedral，’saidshe，inanswertoahalfinquiry。

’Ishouldbedelightedtoaccompanyyou，’herejoined，inamannerascapableofexplanationbyhisknowledgeofhersecretaswasEthelberta’smannerbyhersenseofnearingtheendofhermaying。

Butwhetherthisfrequentglideintohercompanywasmeantasephemeralflirtation，tofillthehalf-hoursofhisjourney，orwhetheritmeantaseriouslove-suit——whichweretheonlyalternativesthathadoccurredtoheronthesubject——didnottroublehernow。’Iamboundtobeciviltosogreatalord，’shelightlythought，andexpressingnoobjectiontohispresence，shepassedwithhimthroughtheoutbuildings，containingGothiclumberfromtheshadowypileabove，andascendedthestonestaircase。

Emergingfromitswindings，theydulycametothelongwoodenladdersuspendedinmid-airthatledtotheparapetofthetower。Thisbeingwideenoughfortwoabreast，shecouldhardlydootherwisethanwaitamomentfortheviscount，whouptothispointhadneverfaltered，andwhoamusedherastheywentbyscrapsofhisexperienceinvariouscountries，which，todohimjustice，hetoldwithvivacityandhumour。Thustheyreachedtheendoftheflight，andenteredbehindabalustrade。

’Theprospectwillbeverylovelyfromthispointwhenthefoghasblownoff，’saidLordMountclerefaintly，forclimbingandchatteringatthesametimehadfairlytakenawayhisbreath。Heleantagainstthemasonrytoresthimself。’Theairisclearingalready；IfancyIsawasunbeamortwo。’

’Itwillbelovelierabove，’saidEthelberta。’Letusgototheplatformatthebaseofthefleche，andwaitforaviewthere。’

’Withallmyheart，’saidherattentivecompanion。

Theypassedinatadoorandupsomemorestonesteps，whichlandedthemfinallyintheupperchamberofthetower。LordMountcleresankonabeam，andaskedsmilinglyifherambitionwasnotsatisfiedwiththisgoal。’Irecollectgoingtothetopsomeyearsago，’headded，’anditdidnotoccurtomeasbeingathingworthdoingasecondtime。Andtherewasnofogthen，either。’

’O，’saidEthelberta，’itisoneofthemostsplendidthingsapersoncando！Thefogisgoingfast，andeverybodywiththeleastartisticfeelinginthedirectionofbird’s-eyeviewsmakestheascenteverytimeofcominghere。’

’Ofcourse，ofcourse，’saidLordMountclere。’AndIamonlytoohappytogotoanyheightwithyou。’

’Sinceyousokindlyoffer，wewillgototheverytopofthespire——

upthroughthefogandintothesunshine，’saidEthelberta。

LordMountclerecoveredagrimmisgivingbyagaysmile，andawaytheywentupaladderadmittingtothebaseofthehugeironframeworkabove；thentheyenteredupontheregularascentofthecage，towardsthehoped-forcelestialblue，andamongbreezeswhichneverdescendedsolowasthetown。ThejourneywasenlivenedwithmorebreathlesswitticismsfromLordMountclere，tillshesteppedaheadofhimagain；whenheaskedhowmanymorestepstherewere。

Sheinquiredofthemanintheblueblousewhoaccompaniedthem。

’Fifty-five，’shereturnedtoLordMountclereamomentlater。

Theywentround，andround，andyetaround。

’Howmanyaretherenow？’LordMountcleredemandedthistimeoftheman。

’Ahundredandninety，Monsieur，’hesaid。

’Buttherewereonlyfifty-fiveeversolongago！’

’Twohundredandfive，then，’saidtheman’PerhapsthemistpreventedMademoisellehearingmedistinctly？’

’Nevermind:Iwouldfollowweretherefivethousandmore，didMademoisellebidme！’saidtheexhaustednoblemangallantly，inEnglish。

’Hush！’saidEthelberta，withdispleasure。

’Hedoesn’tunderstandaword，’saidLordMountclere。

Theypacedtheremainderoftheirspiralpathwayinsilence，andhavingatlastreachedthesummit，LordMountcleresankdownononeofthesteps，pantingout，’Dearme，dearme！’

Ethelbertaleanedandlookedaround，andsaid，’Howextraordinarythisis。Itisskyabove，below，everywhere。’

Hedraggedhimselftogetherandsteppedtoherside。Theyformedasitwerealittleworldtothemselves，beingcompletelyenspheredbythefog，whichherewasdenseasaseaofmilk。Belowwasneithertown，country，norcathedral——simplywhiteness，intowhichtheironlegsoftheirgiganticperchfadedtonothing。

’Wehavelostourlabour；thereisnoprospectforyou，afterall，LordMountclere，’saidEthelberta，turninghereyesuponhim。Helookedatherfaceasiftherewere，andshecontinued，’Listen；I

hearsoundsfromthetown:people’svoices，andcarts，anddogs，andthenoiseofarailway-train。Shallwenowdescend，andownourselvesdisappointed？’

’Wheneveryouchoose。’

Beforetheyhadputtheirintentioninpracticethereappearedtobereasonsforwaitingawhile。Outoftheplainoffogbeneath，astonetoothseemedtobeupheavingitself:thenanothershowedforth。ThesewerethesummitsoftheSt。RomainandtheButterTowers——atthewesternendofthebuilding。Asthefogstratumcollapsedothersummitsmanifestedtheirpresencefurtheroff——amongthemthetwospiresandlanternofSt。Ouen’s；whentotheleftthedomeofSt。Madeline’scaughtafirstrayfromthepeeringsun，underwhichitsscalysurfaceglitteredlikeafish。Thenthemistrolledoffinearnest，andrevealedfarbeneaththemawholecity，itsred，blue，andgreyroofsformingavariegatedpattern，smallandsubduedasthatofapavementinmosaic。EastwardinthespaciousoutlooklaythehillofSt。Catherine，breakingintrusivelyintothelargelevelvalleyoftheSeine；southwastheriverwhichhadbeentheparentofthemist，andtheIleLacroix，gorgeousinscarlet，purple，andgreen。Onthewesternhorizoncouldbedimlydiscernedmelancholyforests，andfurthertotherightstoodthehillandrichgrovesofBoisguillaume。

Ethelbertahavingnowdonelookingaround，thedescentwasbegunandcontinuedwithoutintermissiontilltheycametothepassagebehindtheparapet。

Ethelbertawasabouttostepairilyforward，whentherereachedherearthevoicesofpersonsbelow。SherecognizedasoneofthemtheslowunaccentedtonesofNeigh。

’Pleasewaitaminute！’shesaidinaperemptorymannerofconfusionsufficienttoattractLordMountclere’sattention。

Arecollectionhadsprungtohermindinamoment。ShehadhalfmadeanappointmentwithNeighatheraunt’shotelforthisveryweek，andherewasheinRouentokeepit。TomeethimwhileindulginginthisvagarywithLordMountclere——which，nowthatthemoodithadbeenengenderedbywaspassingoff，shesomewhatregretted——wouldbetheheightofimprudence。

’Ishouldliketogoroundtotheothersideoftheparapetforafewmoments，’shesaid，withdecisivequickness。’Comewithme，LordMountclere。’

Theywentroundtotheotherside。HereshekepttheviscountandtheirsuisseuntilshedeemeditprobablethatNeighhadpassedby，whenshereturnedwithhercompanionsanddescendedtothebottom。

TheyemergedintotheRueSaint-Romain，whereuponawomancalledfromtheoppositesideofthewaytotheirguide，statingthatshehadtoldtheotherEnglishgentlemanthattheEnglishladyhadgoneintothefleche。

Ethelbertaturnedandlookedup。ShecouldjustdiscernNeigh’sformuponthestepsoftheflecheabove，ascendingtoilsomelyinsearchofher。

’WhatEnglishgentlemancouldthathavebeen？’saidLordMountclere，afterpayingtheman。Hespokeinawaywhichshowedhehadnotoverlookedherconfusion。’Itseemsthathemusthavebeensearchingforus，orratherforyou？’

’OnlyMr。Neigh，’saidEthelberta。’Hetoldmehewascominghere。

Ibelieveheiswaitingforaninterviewwithme。’

’H’m，’saidLordMountclere。

’Business——onlybusiness，’saidshe。

’ShallIleaveyou？Perhapsthebusinessisimportant——mostimportant。’

’Unfortunatelyitis。’

’Youmustforgivemethisonce:Icannothelp——willyougivemepermissiontomakeadifficultremark？’saidLordMountclere，inanimpatientvoice。

’Withpleasure。’

’Well，then，thebusinessImeantwas——anengagementtobemarried。’

HaditbeenpossibleforawomantobeperpetuallyonthealertshemightnowhavesupposedthatLordMountclereknewallabouther；amechanicaldeferencemusthaverestrainedsuchanillusionhadheseenherinanyotherlightthanthatofadistractingslave。Butsheansweredquietly，’SodidI。’

’Buthowdoesheknow——dearme，dearme！Ibegpardon，’saidtheviscount。

Shelookedathimcuriously，asiftoimplythathewasseriouslyoutofhisreckoninginrespectofherifhesupposedthathewouldbeallowedtocontinuethislittleplayatlove-makingaslongashechose，whenshewasofferedthepositionofwifebyamansogoodasNeigh。

Theystoodinsilencesidebysidetill，muchtoherease，Corneliaappearedatthecornerwaiting。Atthelastmomenthesaid，insomewhatagitatedtones，andwithwhatappearedtobearenewaloftherespectwhichhadbeenimperceptiblydroppedsincetheycrossedtheChannel，’IwasnotawareofyourengagementtoMr。Neigh。I

fearIhavebeenactingmistakenlyonthataccount。’

’Thereisnoengagementasyet，’saidshe。

LordMountclerebrightenedlikeachild。’ThenmayIhaveafewwordsinprivate——’

’Notnow——notto-day，’saidEthelberta，withacertainirritationatsheknewnotwhat。’Believeme，LordMountclere，youaremistakeninmanythings。Imean，youthinkmoreofmethanyouought。A

timewillcomewhenyouwilldespisemeforthisday’swork，anditismadnessinyoutogofurther。’

LordMountclere，knowingwhathedidknow，mayhaveimaginedwhatshereferredto；butEthelbertawaswithouttheleastproofthathehadthekeytoherhumour。’Well，well，I’llberesponsibleforthemadness，’hesaid。’Iknowyoutobe——afamouswoman，atallevents；andthat’senough。Iwouldsaymore，butIcannothere。

MayIcalluponyou？’

’Notnow。’

’WhenshallI？’

’Ifyoumust，letitbeamonthhenceatmyhouseintown，’shesaidindifferently，theHamletmoodbeingstilluponher。’Yes，calluponusthen，andIwilltellyoueverythingthatmayremaintobetold，ifyoushouldbeinclinedtolisten。Arumourisafloatwhichwillundeceiveyouinmuch，anddepressmetodeath。AndnowIwillwalkback:prayexcuseme。’Sheenteredthestreet，andjoinedCornelia。

LordMountclerepacedirregularlyalong，turnedthecorner，andwenttowardshisinn，nearingwhichhistreadgrewlighter，tillhescarcelyseemedtotouchtheground。Hebecamegleeful，andsaidtohimself，nervouslypalminghishipwithhislefthand，asifprevioustoplungingitintohotwaterforsomeprize:’UponmylifeI’veagoodmind！UponmylifeIhave！……Imustmakeastraightforwardthingofit，andatonce；orhewillhaveher。Butheshallnot，andIwill——hee-hee！’

Thefascinatedman，screaminginwardlywiththeexcitement，glee，andagonyofhisposition，enteredthehotel，wroteahastynotetoEthelbertaanddespatcheditbyhand，lookedtohisdressandappearance，orderedacarriage，andinaquarterofanhourwasbeingdriventowardstheHotelBeauSejour，whitherhisnotehadprecededhim。

35。THEHOTEL(continued)，ANDTHEQUAYINFRONT

Ethelberta，havingarrivedtheresometimeearlier，hadgonestraighttoheraunt，whomshefoundsittingbehindalargeledgerintheoffice，makinguptheaccountswithherhusband，awell-

framedreflectivemanwithagreybeard。M。Moulinbustled，waitedforherremarksandreplies，andmademuchofherinageneralway，whenEthelbertasaid，whatshehadwantedtosayinstantly，’HasagentlemancalledMr。Neighbeenhere？’

’Oyes——IthinkitisNeigh——there’sacardupstairs，’repliedheraunt。’Itoldhimyouwerealoneatthecathedral，andIbelievehewalkedthatway。Besidesthatone，anotherhascomeforyou——aMr。

Ladywell，andheiswaiting。’

’Notforme？’

’Yes，indeed。Ithoughtheseemedsoanxious，underasortofassumedcalmness，thatIrecommendedhimtoremaintillyoucamein。’

’Goodness，aunt；whydidyou？’Ethelbertasaid，andthoughthowmuchhermother’ssisterresembledhermotherindoingsofthatsort。

’Ithoughthehadsomegoodreasonforseeingyou。Arethesemenintruders，then？’

’Ono——awomanwhoattemptsapubliccareermustexpecttobetreatedaspublicproperty:whatwouldbeanintrusiononadomiciledgentlewomanisatributetome。Youcannothavecelebrityandsex-privilegeboth。’ThusEthelbertalaughedofftheawkwardconjuncture，inwardlydeploringtheunconscionablematernalmeddlingwhichhadledtothis，thoughnotresentfully，forshehadtoomuchstaunchnessofhearttodecryaparent’smisdirectedzeal。HadtheclanshipfeelingbeenuniversallyasstrongasintheChickerelfamily，thefableofthewell-bondedfagotmighthaveremainedunwritten。

Ladywellhadsentheraletteraboutgettinghispictureofherselfengravedforanillustratedpaper，andshehadnotreplied，consideringthatshehadnothingtodowiththematter，herformandfeaturehavingbeengiveninthepaintingasnoportraitatall，butasthoseofanideal。Toseehimnowwouldbevexatious；andyetitwaschillyandformaltoanungenerousdegreetokeepalooffromhim，sittinglonelyinthesamehouse。’Afewweekshence，’shethought，’whenMenlove’sdisclosuresmakemeridiculous，hemayslightmeasalackey’sgirl，anupstart，anadventuress，andhardlyreturnmybowinthestreet。ThenImaywishIhadgivenhimnopersonalcauseforadditionalbitterness。’So，puttingoffthefinelady，EthelbertathoughtshewouldseeLadywellatonce。

Ladywellwasunaffectedlygladtomeether；soglad，thatEthelbertawishedheartily，forhissake，therecouldbewarmfriendshipbetweenherselfandhim，aswellasallherlovers，withoutthatinsistentcourtship-and-marriagequestion，whichsentthemallscatteringlikeleavesinapestilentblast，atenmitywithoneanother。ShewaslesspleasedwhenshefoundthatLadywell，aftersayingalltherewastosayabouthispainting，gentlysignifiedthathehadbeenmisinformed，ashebelieved，concerningherfutureintentions，whichhadledtohisabsentinghimselfentirelyfromher；theremarkbeingofcourse，anaturalproductofhermother’sinjudiciousmessagetohim。

Shecuthimshortwithtersecandour。’Yes，’shesaid，’afalsereportisincirculation。Iamnotyetengagedtobemarriedtoanyone，ifthatisyourmeaning。’

Ladywelllookedcheerfulatthisfrankanswer，andsaidtentatively，’AmIforgotten？’

’No；youareexactlyasyoualwayswereinmymind。’

’ThenIhavebeencruellydeceived。Iwasguidedtoomuchbyappearances，andtheywereverydelusive。IambeyondmeasuregladIcamehereto-day。Icalledatyourhouseandlearntthatyouwerehere；andasIwasgoingoutoftown，inanyindefinitedirection，I

settledthentocomethisway。Whatahappyideaitwas！Tothinkofyounow——andImaybepermittedto——’

’Assuredlyyoumaynot。HowmanytimesIhavetoldyouthat！’

’ButIdonotwishforanyformalengagement，’saidLadywellquickly，fearingshemightcommitherselftosomeexpressionofpositivedenial，whichhecouldneversurmount。’I’llwait——I’llwaitanylengthoftime。Remember，youhaveneverabsolutelyforbiddenmy——friendship。Willyoudelayyouranswertillsometimehence，whenyouhavethoroughlyconsidered；sinceIfearitmaybeahastyonenow？’

’Yes，indeed；itmaybehasty。’

’Youwilldelayit？’

’Yes。’

’Whenshallitbe？’

’Sayamonthhence。Isuggestthat，becausebythattimeyouwillhavefoundananswerinyourownmind:strangethingsmayhappenbeforethen。"Sheshallfollowafterherlovers，butsheshallnotovertakethem；andsheshallseekthem，butshallnotfindthem；

thenshallshesay，Iwillgoandreturntomyfirst"——however，that’snomatter。’

’What——didyou——？’Ladywellbegan，altogetherbewilderedbythis。

’ItisapassageinHoseawhichcametomymind，aspossiblyapplicabletomyselfsomeday，’sheanswered。’Itwasmereimpulse。’

’Ha-ha！——ajest——oneofyourromancesbrokenloose。Thereisnolawforimpulse:thatiswhyIamhere。’

Thusfancifullytheyconversedtilltheinterviewconcluded。

Gettinghertopromisethatshewouldseehimagain，Ladywellretiredtoasitting-roomonthesamelanding，inwhichhehadbeenwritinglettersbeforeshecameup。Immediatelyuponthisheraunt，whobegantosuspectthatsomethingpeculiarwasinthewind，cametotellherthatMr。Neighhadbeeninquiringforheragain。

’Sendhimin，’saidEthelberta。

Neigh’sfootstepsapproached，andthewell-knownfigureentered。

Ethelbertareceivedhimsmilingly，forshewasgettingsousedtoawkwardjuxtapositionsthatshetreatedthemquiteasanaturalsituation。ShemerelyhopedthatLadywellwouldnothearthemtalkingthroughthepartition。

Neighscarcelysaidanythingasabeginning:sheknewhiserrandperfectly；andunaccountableasitwastoher，thestrangeandunceremoniousrelationshipbetweenthem，thathadoriginatedinthepeculiarconditionsoftheirfirstclosemeeting，wascontinuednowasusual。

’Haveyoubeenabletobestowathoughtonthequestionbetweenus？

Ihopeso，’saidNeigh。

’Itisnouse，’saidEthelberta。’Waitamonth，andyouwillnotrequireananswer。Youwillnotmindspeakinglow，becauseofapersoninthenextroom？’

’Notatall——Whywillthatbe？’

’Imightsay；butletusspeakofsomethingelse。’

’Idon’tseehowwecan，’saidNeighbrusquely。’Ihadnootherreasononearthforcallinghere。Iwishedtogetthemattersettled，andIcouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutseeingyou。Ihatewritingonmattersofthissort。InfactIcan’tdoit，andthat’swhyIamhere。’

Hewasstillspeakingwhenanattendantenteredwithanote。

’Willyouexcusemeonemoment？’saidEthelberta，steppingtothewindowandopeningthemissive。Itcontainedthesewordsonly，inascrawlsofullofdeformitiesthatshecouldhardlypieceitsmeaningtogether:——

’Imustseeyouagainto-dayunlessyouabsolutelydenyyourselftome，whichIshalltakeasarefusaltomeetmeanymore。Iwillarrive，punctually，fiveminutesafteryoureceivethisnote。Dopraybealoneifyoucan，andeternallygratify，——Yours，’MOUNTCLERE。’

’IfanythinghashappenedIshallbepleasedtowait，’saidNeigh，seeingherconcernwhenshehadclosedthenote。

’Ono，itisnothing，’saidEthelbertaprecipitately。’YetIthinkIwillaskyoutowait，’sheadded，notlikingtodismissNeighinahurry；forshewasnotinsensibletohisperseveranceinseekingheroverallthesemilesofseaandland；andsecondly，shefearedthatifheweretoleaveontheinstanthemightrunintothearmsofLordMountclereandLadywell。

’Ishallbeonlytoohappytostaytillyouareatleisure，’saidNeigh，intheunimpassioneddeliveryheusedwhetherhismeaningwereatritecomplimentortheexpressionofhismostearnestfeeling。

’Imayberatheralongtime，’saidEthelbertadubiously。

’Mytimeisyours。’

Ethelbertalefttheroomandhurriedtoheraunt，exclaiming，’O，AuntCharlotte，Ihopeyouhaveroomsenoughtospareformyvisitors，fortheyarelikethefox，thegoose，andthecorn，intheriddle；Icannotleavethemtogether，andIcanonlybewithoneatatime。Iwantthenicestdrawing-roomyouhaveforaninterviewofabaretwominuteswithanoldgentleman。Iamsosorrythishashappened，butitisnotaltogethermyfault！Ionlyarrangedtoseeoneofthem；buttheotherwassenttomebymother，inamistake，andthethirdmetwithmeonmyjourney:that’stheexplanation。

There’stheoldestofthemjustcome。’

Shelookedthroughtheglasspartition，andunderthearchofthecourt-gate，asthewheelsoftheviscount’scarriagewereheardoutside。Ethelbertaascendedtoaroomonthefirstfloor，LordMountclerewasshownup，andthedoorcloseduponthem。

AtthistimeNeighwasverycomfortablylounginginanarm-chairinEthelberta’sroomonthesecondfloor。Thiswasapleasantenoughwayofpassingtheminuteswithsuchatenderinterviewinprospect；

andasheleanthelookedwithlanguidandluxuriousinterestthroughtheopencasementatthesparsandriggingofsomeluggersontheSeine，thepillarsofthesuspensionbridge，andthesceneryoftheFaubourgSt。Severontheothersideoftheriver。Howlanguidhisinterestmightultimatelyhavebecomethereisnoknowing；buttheresoonaroseuponhiseartheaccentsofEthelbertainlowdistinctnessfromsomewhereoutsidetheroom。

’Yes；thesceneispleasantto-day，’shesaid。’Ilikeaviewoverariver。’

’Ishouldthinkthesteamboatsareobjectionablewhentheystophere，’saidanotherperson。

Neigh’sfaceclosedintoanaspectofperplexity。’SurelythatcannotbeLordMountclere？’hemuttered。

HadhebeencertainthatEthelbertawasonlytalkingtoastranger，Neighwouldprobablyhavefelttheirconversationtobenobusinessofhis，muchashemighthavebeensurprisedtofindhergivingaudiencetoanothermanatsuchaplace。Buthisimpressionthatthevoicewasthatofhisacquaintance，LordMountclere，coupledwithdoubtsastoitspossibility，wasenoughtoleadhimtorisefromthechairandputhisheadoutofthewindow。

Uponabalconybeneathhimwerethespeakers，ashehadsuspected——

Ethelbertaandtheviscount。

Lookingrightandleft，hesawprojectingfromthenextwindowtheheadofhisfriendLadywell，gazingrightandleftlikewise，apparentlyjustdrawnoutbythesamevoicewhichhadattractedhimself。

’What——you，Neigh！——howstrange，’camefromLadywell’slipsbeforehehadtimetorecollectthatgreatcoolnessexistedbetweenhimselfandNeighonEthelberta’saccount，whichhadledtothereductionoftheirintimacytothemostattenuatedofnodsandgood-morningseversincetheHarlequin-roseincidentatCripplegate。

’Yes；itisratherstrange，’saidNeigh，withsaturnineevenness。

’Stillafellowmustbesomewhere。’

Eachthenlookedoverhiswindow-silldownwards，uponthespeakerswhohadattractedthemthither。

LordMountclereutteredsomethinginalowtonewhichdidnotreachtheyoungmen；towhichEthelbertareplied，’AsIhavesaid，LordMountclere，Icannotgiveyouananswernow。ImustconsiderwhattodowithMr。NeighandMr。Ladywell。Itistoosuddenformetodecideatonce。IcouldnotdosountilIhavegothometoEngland，whenIwillwriteyoualetter，statingfranklymyaffairsandthoseofmyrelatives。Ishallnotconsiderthatyouhaveaddressedmeonthesubjectofmarriageuntil，havingreceivedmyletter，you——’

’Repeatmyproposal，’saidLordMountclere。

’Yes。’

’MydearMrs。Petherwin，itisasgoodasrepeated！ButIhavenorighttoassumeanythingyoudon’twishmetoassume，andIwillwait。HowlongisitthatIamtosufferinthisuncertainty？’

’Amonth。BythattimeIshallhavegrownwearyofmyothertwosuitors。’

’Amonth！Reallyinflexible？’

Ethelbertahadreturnedinsidethewindow，andheranswerwasinaudible。LadywellandNeighlookedup，andtheireyesmet。Bothhadbeenreluctanttoremainwheretheystood，buttheyweretoofascinatedtoinstantlyretire。Neighmovednow，andLadywelldidthesame。Eachsawthatthefaceofhiscompanionwasflushed。

’Comeinandseeme，’saidLadywellquickly，beforequitewithdrawinghishead。’Iamstayinginthisroom。’

’Iwill，’saidNeigh；andtakinghishatheleftEthelberta’sapartmentforthwith。

Onenteringthequartersofhisfriendhefoundhimseatedatatablewhereonwritingmaterialswerestrewn。Theyshookhandsinsilence，butthemeaningintheirlookswasenough。

’Justletmewriteanote，Ladywell，andI’myourman，’saidNeighthen，withthefreedomofanoldacquaintance。

’Iwasgoingtodothesamething，’saidLadywell。

Neighthensatdown，andforaminuteortwonothingwastobeheardbutthescratchingofapairofpens，endingontheonesidewithamoreboisterousscratch，asthewritershaped’EustaceLadywell，’

andontheotherwithslowfirmnessinthecharacters’AlfredNeigh。’

’There’sforyou，myfairone，’saidNeigh，closinganddirectinghisletter。

’YoursisforMrs。Petherwin？Soismine，’saidLadywell，graspingthebell-pull。’ShallIdirectittobeputonhertablewiththisone？’

’Thanks。’AndthetwoletterswentofftoEthelberta’ssitting-

room，whichshehadvacatedtoreceiveLordMountclereinanemptyonebeneath。Neigh’sletterwassimplyapleadingofasuddencallawaywhichpreventedhiswaitingtillsheshouldreturn；Ladywell’s，thoughstatingthesamereasonforleaving，wasmoreofanupbraidingnature，andmightalmosthavetolditsreader，wereshetotakethetroubletoguess，thatheknewofthebusinessofLordMountclerewithherto-day。

’Now，letusgetoutofthisplace，’saidNeigh。Heproceededatoncedownthestairs，followedbyLadywell，who——settlinghisaccountatthebureauwithoutcallingforabill，anddirectinghisportmanteautobesenttotheRight-bankrailwaystation——wentwithNeighintothestreet。

TheyhadnotwalkedfiftyyardsupthequaywhentwoBritishworkmen，inholidaycostume，whohadjustturnedthecorneroftheRueJeanned’Arc，approachedthem。SeeinghimtobeanEnglishman，oneofthetwoaddressedNeigh，saying，’Canyoutellustheway，sir，totheHotelBoldSoldier？’

Neighpointedouttheplacehehadjustcomefromtothetallyoungmen，andcontinuedhiswalkwithLadywell。

Ladywellwasthefirsttobreaksilence。’Ihavebeenconsiderablymisled，Neigh，’hesaid；’andIimaginefromwhathasjusthappenedthatyouhavebeenmisledtoo。’

’Justalittle，’saidNeigh，bringingabstractedlinesofmeditationintohisface。’Butitwasmyownfault:forIoughttohaveknownthatthesestageandplatformwomenhavewhattheyarepleasedtocallBohemianismsothoroughlyengrainedwiththeirnaturesthattheyarenomoreconstanttousageintheirsentimentsthantheyareintheirwayofliving。GoodLord，tothinkshehascaughtoldMountclere！Sheissuretohavehimifshedoesnotdallywithhimsolongthathegetscoolagain。’

’Abeautifulcreaturelikehertothinkofmarryingsuchaninfatuatedidiotashe！’

’Hecangiveheratitleaswellasyoungermen。Itwillnotbethefirsttimethatsuchmatcheshavebeenmade。’

’Ican’tbelieveit，’saidLadywellvehemently。’Shehastoomuchpoetryinher——toomuchgoodsense；hernatureistheessenceofallthat’sromantic。Ican’thelpsayingit，thoughshehastreatedmecruelly。’

’Shehasgoodlooks，certainly。I’llowntothat。Asforherromanceandgood-feeling，thatIleavetoyou。Ithinkshehastreatedyounomorecruelly，asyoucallit，thanshehasme，cometothat。’

’Shetoldmeshewouldgivemeananswerinamonth，’saidLadywellemotionally。

’Soshetoldme，’saidNeigh。

’Andsoshetoldhim，’saidLadywell。

’AndIhavenodoubtshewillkeepherwordtohiminherusualprecisemanner。’

’Butseewhatsheimpliedtome！Idistinctlyunderstoodfromherthattheanswerwouldbefavourable。’

’SodidI。’

’Sodoeshe。’

’Andheissuretobetheonewhogetsit，sinceonlyoneofuscan。

Well，Iwouldn’tmarryherforlove，money，nor——’

’Offspring。’

’Exactly:Iwouldnot。"I’llgiveyouananswerinamonth"——toallthreeofus！ForGod’ssakelet’ssitdownhereandhavesomethingtodrink。’

Theydrewupacoupleofchairstooneofthetablesofawine-shopcloseby，andshoutedtothewaiterwiththevigourofpersonsgoingtothedogs。Here，behindthehorizontal-headedtreesthatdottedthispartofthequay，theysatovertheirbottlesdenouncingwomankindtillthesungotlowdownupontheriver，andthehousesonthefurthersidebegantobetonedbyabluemist。Atlasttheyrosefromtheirseatsanddeparted，Neightodineandconsiderhisroute，andLadywelltotakethetrainforDieppe。

WhiletheseincidentshadbeeninprogressthetwoworkmenhadfoundtheirwayintothehotelwhereEthelbertawasstaying。Passingthroughtheentrance，theystoodatgazeinthecourt，muchperplexedastothedoortobemadefor；thedifficultywassolvedbytheappearanceofCornelia，whoinexpectationofthemhadbeenforthelasthalf-hourleaningoverthesillofherbed-roomwindow，whichlookedintotheinterior，amusingherselfbywatchingthemovementstoandfrointhecourtbeneath。

Afterconversingawhileinundertonesasiftheyhadnorealrightthereatall，Corneliatoldthemshewouldcalltheirsister，ifanoldgentlemanwhohadbeentoseeherweregoneagain。Corneliathenranaway，andSolandDanstoodaloof，tilltheyhadseentheoldgentlemanalludedtogotothedooranddriveoff，shortlyafterwhichEthelbertarandowntomeetthem。