第8章

’Whateverhaveyougotasyourluggage？’shesaid，afterhearingafewwordsabouttheirjourney，andlookingatacuriousobjectlikeahugeextendedaccordionwithbellowsofgorgeous-patternedcarpeting。

’Well，Ithoughttomyself，’saidSol，’’tisaterriblebotheraboutcarryingourthings。SowhatdidIdobutturntoandmakeacarpet-bagthatwouldholdallmineandDan’stoo。This，yousee，Berta，isadealtopandbottomoutofthree-quarterstuff，stainedandvarnished。Well，thenyouseeI’vegotcarpetsidestackedonwiththesebrassnails，whichmakeitlookveryhandsome；andsowhenmybagisempty’twillshutupandbeonlyacoupleofboardsunderyerarm，andwhen’tisopenitwillholda’mostanythingyouliketoputinit。Thatportmantledidn’tcostmorethanthreehalf-crownsaltogether，andtenpoundwouldn’tha’gotanythingsostrongfromaportmantlemaker，wouldit，Dan？’

’Well，no。’

’Andthenyousee，Berta，’Solcontinuedinthesameearnesttone，andfurtherexhibitingthearticle，’I’vemadethistrap-doorinthetopwithhingesandpadlockcomplete，sothat——’

’Iamafraiditistiringyouafteryourjourneytoexplainallthistome，’saidEthelbertagently，noticingthatafewGallicsmilersweregatheringround。’Aunthasfoundaniceroomforyouatthetopofthestaircaseinthatcorner——"EscalierD"you’llseepaintedatthebottom——andwhenyouhavebeenupcomeacrosstomeatnumberthirty-fouronthisside，andwe’lltalkabouteverything。’

’Lookhere，Sol，’saidDan，whohadlefthisbrotherandgoneontothestairs。’Whatarumstaircase——thetreadsallinlittleblocks，andpaintedchocolate，asIamalive！’

’IamafraidIshallnotbeabletogoontoPariswithyou，afterall，’EthelbertacontinuedtoSol。’SomethinghasjusthappenedwhichmakesitdesirableformetoreturnatoncetoEngland。ButI

willwritealistofallyouaretosee，andwhereyouaretogo，sothatitwillmakelittledifference，Ihope。’

TenminutesbeforethistimeEthelbertahadbeenfranklyandearnestlyaskedbyLordMountcleretobecomehisbride；notonlyso，buthepressedhertoconsenttohavetheceremonyperformedbeforetheyreturnedtoEngland。Ethelbertahadunquestionablybeenmuchsurprised；and，barringthefactthattheviscountwassomewhatancientincomparisonwithherself，thetemptationtoclosewithhisofferwasstrong，andwouldhavebeenfeltassuchbyanywomaninthepositionofEthelberta，nowalittlerecklessbystressofcircumstances，andtingedwithabitternessofspiritagainstherselfandtheworldgenerally。Butshewasexperiencedenoughtoknowwhatheavinessmightresultfromahastymarriage，enteredintowithamindfullofconcealmentsandsuppressionswhich，iftold，werelikelytostopthemarriagealtogether；andaftertryingtobringherselftospeakofherfamilyandsituationtoLordMountclereashestood，acertaincautiontriumphed，andsheconcludedthatitwouldbebettertopostponeherreplytillshecouldconsiderwhichoftwocoursesitwouldbeadvisabletoadopt；

towriteandexplaintohim，ortoexplainnothingandrefusehim。

Thethirdcourse，toexplainnothingandhastenthewedding，sherejectedwithouthesitation。WithapervadingsenseofherownobligationsinformingthiscompactitdidnotoccurtohertoaskifLordMountcleremightnothavedutiesofexplanationequallywithherself，thoughbearingratheronthemoralthanthesocialaspectsofthecase。

HerresolutionnottogoontoPariswasformedsimplybecauseLordMountclerehimselfwasproceedinginthatdirection，whichmightleadtootherunseemlyrencounterswithhimhadshe，too，perseveredinherjourney。SheaccordinglygaveSolandDandirectionsfortheirguidancetoParisandback，startingherselfwithCorneliathenextdaytoreturnagaintoKnollsea，andtodecidefinallyandforeverwhattodointhevexedquestionatpresentagitatingher。

Neverbeforeinherlifehadshetreatedmarriageinsuchaterriblycoolandcynicalspiritasshehaddonethatday；shewasalmostfrightenedatherselfinthinkingofit。Howfaranyknownsystemofethicsmightexcuseheronthescoreofthosecuriouspressureswhichhadbeenbroughttobearuponherlife，orwhetheritcouldexcuseheratall，shehadnospirittoinquire。Englishsocietyappearedagloomyconcretionenoughtoabideinasshecontemplateditonthisjourneyhome；yet，sinceitsgloominesswaslessanessentialqualitythananaccidentofherpointofview，thatpointofviewshehaddeterminedtochange。

Therelayopentohertwodirectionsinwhichtomove。Shemightannexherselftotheeasy-goinghighbyweddinganoldnobleman，orshemightjoinforgoodandalltheeasy-goinglow，byplungingbacktothelevelofherfamily，givingupallherambitionsforthem，settlingasthewifeofaprovincialmusic-masternamedJulian，withalittleshopoffiddlesandflutes，acoupleofoldpianos，afewsheetsofstalemusicpinnedtoastring，andanarrowbackparlour，whereinshewouldwaitforthephenomenonofacustomer。Andeachofthesedivergentgrooveshaditsfascinations，tillshereflectedwithregardtothefirstthat，eventhoughshewerealegalandindisputableLadyMountclere，shemightbedespisedbymylord’scircle，andleftloneandlorn。TheintermediatepathofacceptingNeighorLadywellhadnomoreattractionsforhertastethanthefactofdisappointingthemhadqualmsforherconscience；andhowfewtheseweremaybeinferredfromheropinion，trueorfalse，thattwowordsaboutthespigotonherescutcheonwouldsweepherlovers’

affectionstotheantipodes。ShehadnowandthenimaginedthatherpreviousintermarriagewiththePetherwinfamilymighteffacemuchbesideshersurname，butexperienceprovedthatthehavingbeenwifeforafewweekstoaminorwhodiedinhisfather’slifetime，didnotweavesuchatissueofgloryabouthercourseaswouldresistaspeedyundoingbystartlingconfessionsonherstationbeforehermarriage，andherenvironmentsnow。

36。THEHOUSEINTOWN

ReturningbywayofKnollsea，wheresheremainedaweekortwo，EthelbertaappearedoneeveningattheendofSeptemberbeforeherhouseinExonburyCrescent，accompaniedbyapairofcabswiththechildrenandluggage；butPicoteewasleftatKnollsea，forreasonswhichEthelbertaexplainedwhenthefamilyassembledinconclave。

Herfatherwasthere，andbegantellingherofasurprisingchangeinMenlove——anunasked-forconcessiontotheircause，andavowofsecrecywhichhecouldnotaccountfor，unlessanyfriendofEthelberta’shadbribedher。

’Ono——thatcannotbe，’saidshe。AnyinfluenceofLordMountcleretothateffectwasthelastthingthatcouldenterherthoughts。

’However，whatMenlovedoesmakeslittledifferencetomenow。’Andsheproceededtostatethatshehadalmostcometoadecisionwhichwouldentirelyaltertheirwayofliving。

’Ihopeitwillnotbeofthesortyourlastdecisionwas，’saidhermother。

’No；quitethereverse。Ishallnotlivehereinstateanylonger。

Wewillletthehousethroughoutaslodgings，whileitisours；andyouandthegirlsmustmanageit。Iwillretirefromthescenealtogether，andstayforthewinteratKnollseawithPicotee。I

wanttoconsidermyplansfornextyear，andIwouldratherbeawayfromtown。Picoteeisleftthere，andIreturnintwodayswiththebooksandpapersIrequire。’

’Whatareyourplanstobe？’

’Iamgoingtobeaschoolmistress——IthinkIam。’

’Aschoolmistress？’

’Yes。AndPicoteereturnstothesameoccupation，whichsheoughtnevertohaveforsaken。WearegoingtostudyarithmeticandgeographyuntilChristmas；thenIshallsendheradrifttofinishhertermaspupil-teacher，whileIgointoatraining-school。BythetimeIhavetogiveupthishouseIshalljusthavegotalittlecountryschool。’

’But，’saidhermother，aghast，’whynotwritemorepoemsandsell’em？’

’Whynotbeagovernessasyouwere？’saidherfather。

’WhynotgoonwithyourtalesatMayfairHall？’saidGwendoline。

’I’llansweraswellasIcan。IhavedecidedtogiveupromancingbecauseIcannotthinkofanymorethatpleasesme。IhavebeentryingatKnollseaforafortnight，anditisnouse。Iwillneverbeagovernessagain:Iwouldratherbeaservant。IfIamaschoolmistressIshallbeentirelyfreefromallcontactwiththegreat，whichiswhatIdesire，forIhatethem，andamgettingalmostasrevolutionaryasSol。Father，Icannotendurethiskindofexistenceanylonger；IsleepatnightasifIhadcommittedamurder:Istartupandseeprocessionsofpeople，audiences，battalionsofloversobtainedunderfalsepretences——alldenouncingmewiththefingerofridicule。Mother’ssuggestionaboutmymarryingIfollowedoutasfarasdoggedresolutionwouldcarryme，butduringmyjourneyhereIhavebrokendown；forIdon’twanttomarryasecondtimeamongpeoplewhowouldregardmeasanupstartorintruder。Iamsickofambition。Myonlylongingnowistoflyfromsocietyaltogether，andgotoanyhovelonearthwhereIcouldbeatpeace。’

’What——hasanybodybeeninsultingyou？’saidMrs。Chickerel。

’Yes；orratherIsometimesthinkhemayhave:thatis，ifaproposalofmarriageisonlyremovedfrombeingaproposalofaverydifferentkindbyanaccident。’

’Aproposalofmarriagecanneverbeaninsult，’hermotherreturned。

’Ithinkotherwise，’saidEthelberta。

’SodoI，’saidherfather。

’Unlessthemanwasbeneathyou，andIdon’tsupposehewasthat，’

addedMrs。Chickerel。

’Youarequiteright；hewasnotthat。Butwewillnottalkofthisbranchofthesubject。ByfarthemostseriousconcernwithmeisthatIoughttodosomegoodbymarriage，orbyheroicperformanceofsomekind；whilegoingbacktogivetherudimentsofeducationtoremotehamleteerswilldononeofyouanygoodwhatever。’

’Neveryoumindus，’saidherfather；’mindyourself。’

’Ishallhardlybemindingmyselfeither，inyouropinion，bydoingthat，’saidEthelbertadryly。’ButitwillbemoretolerablethanwhatIamdoingnow。Georgina，andMyrtle，andEmmeline，andJoeywillnotgettheeducationIintendedforthem；butthatmustgo，I

suppose。’

’Howfullofvagariesyouare，’saidhermother。’Whywon’titdotocontinueasyouare？NosoonerhaveIlearntupyourschemes，andgotenoughusedto’emtoseesomethingin’em，thanyoumustneedsbewildermeagainbystartingsomefreshone，sothatmymindgetsnorestatall。’

Ethelbertatookeenlyfeltthejusticeofthisremark，querulousasitwas，tocaretodefendherself。Itwashopelesstoattempttoexplaintohermotherthattheoscillationsofhermindmightariseasnaturallyfromtheperfectionofitsbalance，likethoseofalogan-stone，asfrominherentlightness；andsuchanexplanation，howevercomfortingtoitssubject，waslittlebetterthannonetosimpleheartswhoonlycouldlooktotangibleoutcrops。

’Really，Ethelberta，’remonstratedhermother，’thisisveryodd。

Makingyourselfmiserableintryingtogetapositiononouraccountisonething，andnotnecessary；butIthinkitridiculoustorushintotheotherextreme，andgowilfullydowninthescale。Youmayjustaswellexerciseyourwitsintryingtoswimasintryingtosink。’

’Yes；that’swhatIthink，’saidherfather。’ButofcourseBertaknowsbest。’

’Ithinksotoo，’saidGwendoline。

’AndsodoI，’saidCornelia。’IfIhadoncemovedaboutinlargecircleslikeEthelberta，Iwouldn’tgodownandbeaschoolmistress——

notI。’

’Iownitisfoolish——supposeitis，’saidEthelbertawearily，andwithareadinessofmisgivingthatshowedhowrecentandhastywasthescheme。’Perhapsyouareright，mother；anythingratherthanretreat。Iwonderifyouareright！Well，Iwillthinkagainofitto-night。Donotletusspeakmoreaboutitnow。’

Shedidthinkofitthatnight，verylongandpainfully。Theargumentsofherrelativesseemedponderousasopposedtoherowninconsequentlongingforescapefromgallingtrammels。Ifshehadstoodalone，thesentimentthatshehadbeguntobuildbutwasnotabletofinish，bywhomsoeveritmighthavebeenentertained，wouldhavehadfewterrors；butthattheopinionshouldbeheldbyhernearestofkin，tocausethempainforlife，wasagrievousthing。

Themoreshethoughtofit，thelesseasyseemedthejustificationofherdesireforobscurity。Fromregardingitasahighinstinctshepassedintoahumourthatgavethatdesiretheappearanceofawhim。Butcouldshereallysetintrainevents，which，ifnotabortive，wouldtakehertothealtarwithViscountMountclere？

Inonedeterminationsheneverfaltered；tocommithersinthoroughlyifshecommitteditatall。HerrelativesbelievedherchoicetoliebetweenNeighandLadywellalone。ButoncehavingdecidedtopassoverChristopher，whomshehadloved，therecouldbenopausingforLadywellbecauseshelikedhim，orforNeighinthatshewasinfluencedbyhim。Theywerebothtoonearherleveltobetrustedtobeartheshockofreceivingherfromherfather’shands。

Butitwaspossiblethatthoughhergenesismighttingewithvulgarityacommoner’shousehold，susceptibleofsuchdepreciation，itmightshowasapicturesquecontrastinthefamilycircleofapeer。Henceitwasjustaswelltogototheendofherlogic，wherereasonsfortergiversationwouldbemostpronounced。Thisthoughtoftheviscount，however，wasasecretforherownbreastalone。

Nearlythewholeofthatnightshesatweighing——first，thequestionitselfofmarryingLordMountclere；and，atothertimes，whether，forsafety，shemightmarryhimwithoutpreviouslyrevealingfamilyparticularshithertoheldnecessarytoberevealed——apieceofconductshehadoncefelttobeindefensible。TheingeniousEthelberta，muchmorepronethanthemajorityofwomentotheorizeonconduct，felttheneedofsomesoothingdefenceoftheactionsinvolvedinanyambiguouscoursebeforefinallycommittingherselftoit。

Shetookdownawell-knowntreatiseonUtilitarianismwhichshehadperusedoncebefore，andtowhichshehadgivenheradherenceereanyinstancehadarisenwhereinshemightwishtotakeitasaguide。Hereshedesultorilysearchedforargument，andfoundit；

buttheapplicationofherauthor’sphilosophytothemarriagequestionwasanoperationofherown，asunjustifiableasitwaslikelyinthecircumstances。

’Theultimateend，’sheread，’withreferencetoandforthesakeofwhichallotherthingsaredesirable(whetherweareconsideringourowngoodorthatofotherpeople)isanexistenceexemptasfaraspossiblefrompain，andasrichaspossibleinenjoyments，bothinpointofquantityandquality……Thisbeing，accordingtotheutilitarianopinion，theendofhumanaction，isnecessarilyalsothestandardofmorality。’

Itwasanopenquestion，sofar，whetherherownhappinessshouldorshouldnotbepreferredtothatofothers。Butthatherpersonalinterestswerenottobeconsideredasparamountappearedfurtheron:——

’Thehappinesswhichformsthestandardofwhatisrightinconductisnottheagent’sownhappinessbutthatofallconcerned。Asbetweenhisownhappinessandthatofothers，utilitarianismrequireshimtobeasstrictlyimpartialasadisinterestedandbenevolentspectator。’

Astowhosehappinesswasmeantbythatof’otherpeople，’’allconcerned，’andsoon，herluminousmoralistsoonenlightenedher:——

’Theoccasionsonwhichanyperson(exceptoneinathousand)hasitinhispowertodothisonanextendedscale——inotherwords，tobeapublicbenefactor——arebutexceptional；andontheseoccasionsaloneishecalledontoconsiderpublicutility；ineveryothercaseprivateutility，theinterestorhappinessofsomefewpersons，isallhehastoattendto。’

Andthatthesefewpersonsshouldbethoseendearedtoherbyeverydomestictienoargumentwasneededtoprove。Thattheirhappinesswouldbeinproportiontoherownwell-doing，andpowertoremovetheirrisksofindigence，requirednoprovingeithertohernow。

ByasorrybutunconsciousmisapplicationofsoundandwidereasoningdidtheactivemindofEthelbertathusfinditselfasolace。AtaboutthemidnighthourshefeltmorefortifiedontheexpediencyofmarriagewithLordMountclerethanshehaddoneatallsincemusingonit。Inrespectofthesecondquery，whetherornot，inthatevent，toconcealfromLordMountclerethecircumstancesofherpositiontillitshouldbetoolateforhimtoobjecttothem，shefoundherconscienceinconvenientlyinthewayofhertheory，andtheoraclebeforeheraffordednohint。’Ah——itisapointforacasuist！’shesaid。

AnoldtreatiseonCasuistrylayonthetopshelf。Sheopenedit——

morefromcuriositythanfromguidancethistime，itmustbeobserved——atachapterbearingonherownproblem，’Thedisciplinaarcani，or，thedoctrineofreserve。’

HereshereadthattherewereplentyofapparentinstancesofthisinScripture，andthatitwasformedintoarecognizedsystemintheearlyChurch。Withreferencetodirectactsofdeception，itwasarguedthatsincetherewereconfessedlycaseswherekillingisnomurder，mighttherenotbecaseswherelyingisnosin？Itcouldnotberight——or，indeed，anythingbutmostabsurd——tosayineffectthatnodoubtcircumstanceswouldoccurwhereeverysoundmanwouldtellalie，andwouldbeabruteorafoolifhedidnot，andtosayatthesametimethatitisquiteindefensibleinprinciple。Dutywasthekeytoconductthen，andifinsuchcasesdutiesappearedtoclashtheywouldbefoundnottodosoonexamination。Thelesserdutywouldyieldtothegreater，andthereforeceasedtobeaduty。

Thisauthorshefoundtobenotsotolerable；hedistractedher。

Sheputhimasideandgaveoverreading，havingdecidedonthissecondpoint，thatshewould，atanyhazard，representthetruthtoLordMountclerebeforelisteningtoanotherwordfromhim。’Well，atlastIhavedone，’shesaid，’andamreadyformyrole。’

Inlookingbackuponherpastassheretiredtorest，Ethelbertacouldalmostdoubtherselftobetheidenticalwomanwithherwhohadenteredonaromanticcareerafewshortyearsago。Forthatdoubtshehadgoodreason。ShehadbegunasapoetoftheSatanicschoolinasweetenedform；shewasendingasapseudo-utilitarian。

Wasthereeversuchatransmutationeffectedbeforebytheactionofahardenvironment？Itwasnotwithoutaqualmofregretthatshediscernedhowthelastinfirmityofanoblemindhadatlengthnearlydepartedfromher。Shewonderedifherearlynoteshadhadthegenuineringinthem，orwhetherapoetwhocouldbethrustbyrealitiestoadistancebeyondrecognitionassuchwasatruepoetatall。YetEthelberta’sgradienthadbeenregular:emotionalpoetry，lightverse，romanceasanobject，romanceasameans，thoughtsofmarriageasanaidtoherpursuits，avowtomarryforthegoodofherfamily；inotherwords，fromsoftandplayfulRomanticismtodistortedBenthamism。Wasthemoralinclineupwardordown？

37。KNOLLSEA-ANORNAMENTALVILLA

Herenergiescollectedandfermentedanewbytheresultsofthevigil，EthelbertalefttownforKnollsea，whereshejoinedPicoteethesameevening。Picoteeproducedaletter，whichhadbeenaddressedtohersisterattheirLondonresidence，butwasnotreceivedbyherthere，Mrs。ChickerelhavingforwardedittoKnollseathedaybeforeEthelbertaarrivedintown。

Thecrinkledwriting，incharacterlikethecoast-lineofTierradelFuego，wasbecomingfamiliarbythistime。WhilereadingthenotesheinformedPicotee，betweenaquickbreathandarustleoffrills，thatitwasfromLordMountclere，whowroteonthesubjectofcallingtoseeher，suggestingadayinthefollowingweek。’Now，Picotee，’shecontinued，’weshallhavetoreceivehim，andmakethemostofhim，forIhavealteredmyplanssinceIwaslastinKnollsea。’

’Alteredthemagain？Whatareyougoingtobenow——notapoorpersonafterall？’

’Indeednot。AndsoIturnandturn。CanyouimaginewhatLordMountclereiscomingfor？Butdon’tsaywhatyouthink。BeforeI

replytothisletterwemustgointonewlodgings，togivethemasouraddress。Thefirstbusinessto-morrowmorningwillbetolookforthegayesthousewecanfind；andCaptainFlowerandthislittlecabinofhismustbethingswehaveneverknown。’

Thenextdayafterbreakfasttheyaccordinglysalliedforth。

Knollseahadrecentlybeguntoattractnoticeintheworld。Ithadthisyearundergonevisitationfromascoreofprofessionalgentlemenandtheirwives，aminorcanon，threemarinepainters，sevenyoungladieswithbooksintheirhands，andnine-and-thirtybabies。Henceafewlodging-houses，ofadashandpretentiousnessfarbeyondthemarkoftheoldcottageswhichformedtheoriginalsubstanceofthevillage，hadbeenerectedtomeetthewantsofsuchasthese。ToabuildingofthisclassEthelbertanowbenthersteps，andthecrushoftheseasonhavingdepartedinthepersonsofthree-quartersoftheabove-namedvisitors，whowentawaybyacoach，avan，andacoupleofwagonettesonemorning，shefoundnodifficultyinarrangingforaredandyellowstreakedvilla，whichwassobrightandglowingthatthesunseemedtobeshininguponitevenonacloudyday，andtheruddiestnativelookedpalewhenstandingbyitswalls。Itwasnotwithoutregretthatsherenouncedthesailor’sprettycottageforthisporticoedandbalconieddwelling；butherlineswerelaiddownclearlyatlast，andthithersheremovedforthwith。

Fromthisbrand-newhousedidEthelbertapentheletterfixingthetimeatwhichshewouldbepleasedtoseeLordMountclere。

Whenthehourdrewnighenormousforceofwillwasrequiredtokeepherperturbationdown。ShehadnotdistinctlytoldPicoteeoftheobjectoftheviscount’svisit，butPicoteeguessednearlyenough。

Ethelbertawasuponthewholebetterpleasedthattheinitiativehadagaincomefromhimthanifthefirststepinthenewcampaignhadbeenhersendingtheexplanatoryletter，asintendedandpromised。

ShehadthoughtalmostdirectlyaftertheinterviewatRouenthattoenlightenhimbywritingaconfessionincoldblood，accordingtoherfirstintention，wouldbelittlelessawkwardforherinthemethodoftellingthaninthefactstobetold。

Sothelasthairwasarrangedandthelastfoldadjusted，andshesatdowntoawaitanewpageofherhistory。Picoteesatwithher，underorderstogointothenextroomwhenLordMountclereshouldcall；andEthelbertadeterminedtowastenotime，directlyhebegantomakeadvances，inclearingupthephenomenaofherexistencetohim；totheendthatnofactwhich，intheeventofhistakinghertowife，couldbeusedagainstherasanexampleofconcealment，mightremainunrelated。Thecollapseofhisattachmentunderthetestmight，however，formthegrandclimaxofsuchaplayasthis。

Thedaywasrathercoldfortheseason，andEthelbertasatbyafire；butthewindowswereopen，andPicoteewasamusingherselfonthebalconyoutside。Thehourstruck:Ethelbertafanciedshecouldhearthewheelsofacarriagecreepingupthesteepascentwhichledtothedrivebeforethedoor。

’Isithe？’shesaidquickly。

’No，’saidPicotee，whoseindifferencecontrastedstrangelywiththerestlessnessofherwhowasusuallythecoolest。’Itisamanshakingdownapplesinthegardenoverthewall。’

Theylingeredontillsomethreeorfourminuteshadgoneby。

’Surelythat’sacarriage？’saidEthelberta，then。

’Ithinkitis，’saidPicoteeoutside，stretchingherneckforwardasfarasshecould。’No，itisthemenonthebeachdragginguptheirboats；theyexpectwindto-night。’

’Howwearisome！Picotee，youmayaswellcomeinside；ifhemeanstocallhewill；butheoughttobeherebythistime。’

Itwasonlyoncemore，andthatsometimelaterthatsheagainsaid’Listen！’

’That’snotthenoiseofacarriage；itisthefizzofarocket。

Thecoastguardsmenarepractisingthelife-apparatusto-day，tobereadyfortheautumnwrecks。’

’Ah！’saidEthelberta，herfaceclearingup。Hershadnotbeenasweetheart’simpatience，buthermoodhadintensifiedduringtheseminutesofsuspensetoaharassingmistrustofherman-compellingpower，whichwas，ifthatwerepossible，moregloomythandisappointedlove。’Iknownowwhereheis。Thatoperationwiththecradle-apparatusisveryinteresting，andheisstoppingtoseeit……ButIshallnotwaitindoorsmuchlonger，whateverhemaybestoppingtosee。Itisveryunaccountable，andvexing，aftermovingintothisnewhousetoo。Weweremuchmorecomfortableintheoldone。InkeepinganypreviousappointmentinwhichIhavebeenconcernedhehasbeenridiculouslyearly。’

’ShallIrunround？’saidPicotee，’andifheisnotwatchingthemwewillgoout。’

’Verywell，’saidhersister。

ThetimeofPicotee’sabsenceseemedanage。Ethelbertaheardtheroarofanotherrocket，andstillPicoteedidnotreturn。’Whatcanthegirlbethinkingof？’shemused……’Whatahalf-and-halfpolicyminehasbeen！Thinkingofmarryingforposition，andyetnotmakingitmyrigidplantosecurethemanthefirstmomentthathemadehisoffer。SoIlosethecomfortofhavingasoulaboveworldliness，andmycompensationfornothavingitlikewise！’A

minuteortwomoreandincamePicotee。

’Whathaskeptyousolong——andhowexcitedyoulook，’saidEthelberta。

’IthoughtIwouldstayalittlewhile，asIhadneverseenarocket-apparatus，’saidPicotee，faintlyandstrangely。

’Butishethere？’askedhersisterimpatiently。

’Yes——hewas。He’sgonenow！’

’LordMountclere？’

’No。Thereisnooldmanthereatall。MrJulianwasthere。’

Alittle’Ah！’camefromEthelberta，likeanotefromastorm-birdatnight。Sheturnedroundandwentintothebackroom。’IsMr。

Juliangoingtocallhere？’sheinquired，comingforwardagain。

’No——he’sgonebythesteamboat。HewasonlypassingthroughonhiswaytoSandbourne，whereheisgonetosettleasmallbusinessrelatingtohisfather’saffairs。HewasnotinKnollseatenminutes，owingtosomethingwhichdetainedhimontheway。’

’Didheinquireforme？’

’No。Andonlythink，Ethelberta——sucharemarkablethinghashappened，thoughInearlyforgottotellyou。Hesaysthatcomingalongtheroadhewasovertakenbyacarriage，andwhenithadjustpassedhimoneofthehorsesshied，pushedtheotherdownaslope，andoverturnedthecarriage。Onewheelcameoffandtrundledtothebottomofthehillbyitself。Christopherofcourseranup，andhelpedoutofthecarriageanoldgentleman——nowdoyouknowwhat’slikely？’

’ItwasLordMountclere。Iamgladthat’sthecause，’saidEthelbertainvoluntarily。

’IimaginedyouwouldsupposeittobeLordMountclere。ButMr。

Juliandidnotknowthegentleman，andsaidnothingaboutwhohemightbe。’

’Didhedescribehim？’

’Notmuch——justalittle。’

’Well？’

’Hesaidhewasaslyolddogapparently，tohearhowhesworeinwhispers。ThisaffairiswhatmadeMr。Juliansolatethathehadnotimetocallhere。LordMountclere’sankle——ifitwasLordMountclere——wasbadlysprained。Buttheservantswerenotinjuredbeyondascratchonthecoachman’sface。Thentheygotanothercarriageanddroveatoncebackagain。Itmustbehe，orelsewhyishenotcome？Itisapity，too，thatMr。Julianwashinderedbythis，sothattherewasnoopportunityforhimtobideabitinKnollsea。’

EthelbertawasnotdisposedtobelievethatChristopherwouldhavecalled，hadtimefavouredhimtotheutmost。Betweenhimselfandhertherewasthatkindofdivisionwhichismoreinsurmountablethanenmity；forestrangementsproducedbygoodjudgmentwilllastwhenthoseoffeelingbreakdowninsmiles。Nottheloverswhopartinpassion，buttheloverswhopartinfriendship，arethosewhomostfrequentlypartforever。

’DidyoutellMr。JulianthattheinjuredgentlemanwaspossiblyLordMountclere，andthathewascominghere？’saidEthelberta。

’Imadenoremarkatall——Ididnotthinkofhimtillafterwards。’

Theinquirywashardlynecessary，forPicotee’swordswoulddryawaylikeabrookinthesandswhensheheldconversationwithChristopher。

Astheyhadanticipated，thesuffererwasnootherthantheirintendingvisitor。Nextmorningtherewasanoteexplainingtheaccident，andexpressingitswriter’ssufferingfromthecrueldelayasgreaterthanthatfromtheswollenankle，whichwasprogressingfavourably。

NothingfurtherwasheardofLordMountclereformorethanaweek，whenshereceivedanotherletter，whichputanendtoherseasonofrelaxation，andoncemorebracedhertothecontest。Thisepistlewasverycourteouslywritten，andinpointofcorrectness，propriety，andgravity，mighthavecomefromthequillofabishop。

Hereintheoldnoblemangaveafurtherdescriptionoftheaccident，butthemainbusinessofthecommunicationwastoaskherif，sincehewasnotasyetveryactive，shewouldcometoEnckworthCourtanddelighthimselfandasmallgroupoffriendswhowerevisitingthere。

Sheponderedovertheletterasshewalkedbytheshorethatday，andaftersomehesitationdecidedtogo。

38。ENCKWORTHCOURT

Itwasonadull，stagnant，noiselessafternoonofautumnthatEthelbertafirstcrossedthethresholdofEnckworthCourt。ThedaylightwassoloweredbytheimperviousroofofcloudoverheadthatitscarcelyreachedfurtherintoLordMountclere’sentrance-

hallthantothesplaysofthewindows，evenbutanhourortwoaftermidday；andindoorstheglitterofthefirereflecteditselffromtheverypanes，soinconsiderableweretheopposingrays。

EnckworthCourt，initsmainpart，hadnotbeenstandingmorethanahundredyears。Atthatdatetheweakenedportionsoftheoriginalmediaevalstructurewerepulleddownandclearedaway，oldjambsbeingcarriedoffforrick-staddles，andthefoliatedtimbersofthehallroofmakingthemselvesusefulasfancychairsinthesummer-

housesofrisinginns。Anewblockofmasonrywasbuiltupfromthegroundofsuchheightandlordlinessthattheremnantoftheoldpileleftstandingbecameasamerecup-bearerandculinarymenialbesideit。Theroomsinthisoldfragment，whichhadintimespastbeenconsideredsufficientlydignifiedfordining-hall，withdrawing-

room，andsoon，werenowreckonedbarelyhighenoughforsculleries，servants’hall，andlaundries，thewholeofwhichwerearrangedtherein。

Themodernportionhadbeenplannedwithsuchatotaldisregardofassociation，thattheveryrudenessofthecontrastgaveaninteresttothemasswhichitmighthavewantedhadperfectharmonybeenattemptedbetweentheoldnucleusanditsadjuncts，aprobableresultiftheenlargementhadtakenplacelateronintime。Theissuewasthatthehoodedwindows，simplestring-courses，andrandommasonryoftheGothicworkman，stoodelbowtoelbowwiththeequal-

spacedashlar，architraves，andfasciaeoftheClassicaddition，eachtellingitsdistincttaleastostageofthoughtanddomestichabitwithoutanyofthoseartificesofblendingorrestorationbywhichtheseekerforhistoryinstoneswillbeutterlyhoodwinkedintimetocome。

TotheleftofthedoorandvestibulewhichEthelbertapassedthroughrosetheprincipalstaircase，constructedofafreestonesomilk-whiteanddelicatelymouldedastobeeasilyconceivedinthelamplightasofbiscuit-ware。Who，unacquaintedwiththesecretsofgeometricalconstruction，couldimaginethat，hangingsoairilythere，toallappearancesupportedonnothing，weretwentyormoretonsdeadweightofstone，thatwouldhavemadeaprisonforanelephantifsoarranged？Theartwhichproducedthisillusionwasquestionable，butitssuccesswasundoubted。’Howlovely！’saidEthelberta，asshelookedatthefairyascent。’Hisstaircasealoneisworthmyhand！’

Passingalongbythecolonnade，whichpartlyfencedthestaircasefromthevisitor，thesaloonwasreached，anapartmentformingadoublecube。Abouttheleft-handendofthisweregroupedthedrawing-roomsandlibrary；whileontherightwasthedining-hall，withbilliard，smoking，andgunroomsinmysteriousremotenessbeyond。

Withoutattemptingtotraceananalogybetweenamanandhismansion，itmaybestatedthateverythinghere，thoughsodignifiedandmagnificent，wasnotconceivedinquitethetrueandeternalspiritofart。ItwasahouseinwhichPuginwouldhavetornhishair。Thosemassiveblocksofred-veinedmarbleliningthehall——

emulatingintheirsurface-glittertheEscalierdeMarbreatVersailles——werecunningimitationsinpaintandplasterbyworkmenbroughtfromafarforthepurpose，ataprodigiousexpense，bythepresentviscount’sfather，andrecentlyrepairedandre-varnished。

Thedarkgreencolumnsandpilasterscorrespondingwerebrickatthecore。Nay，theexternalwalls，apparentlyofmassiveandsolidfreestone，wereonlyveneeredwiththatmaterial，being，likethepillars，ofbrickwithin。

Toastonemaskwornbyabrickfaceastorynaturallyappertained——

onewhichhassincedoneserviceinotherquarters。WhenthevastadditionhadjustbeencompletedKingGeorgevisitedEnckworth。Itsownerpointedoutthefeaturesofitsgrandarchitecturalattempt，andwaitedforcommendation。

’Brick，brick，brick，’saidtheking。

TheGeorgianLordMountclereblushedfaintly，albeittohisverypoll，andsaidnothingmoreabouthishousethatday。Whenthekingwasgonehesentfranticallyforthecraftsmenrecentlydismissed，andsoonthegreenlawnsbecameagainthecolourofaNine-Elmscementwharf。Thinfreestoneslabswereaffixedtothewholeseriesoffrontsbycoppercrampsanddowels，eachoneofsubstancesufficienttohavefurnishedapoorboy’spocketwithpenniesforamonth，tillnotaspeckoftheoriginalsurfaceremained，andtheedificeshoneinallthegrandeurofmassivemasonrythatwasnotmassiveatall。Butwhorememberedthissavethebuilderandhiscrew？andaslongasnobodyknewthetruth，pretencelookedjustaswell。

WhatwashonestinEnckworthCourtwasthatportionoftheoriginaledificewhichstillremained，nowdegradedtosubservientuses。

WheretheuntitledMountclereoftheWhiteRosefactionhadspreadhiskneesoverthebrands，whentheplacewasacastleandnotacourt，thestill-roommaidnowsimmeredherpreserves；andwhereElizabethanmothersanddaughtersofthatsturdylinehadtapestriedthelove-scenesofIsaacandJacob，bootsandshoeswerenowcleanedandcoalsstowedaway。

LordMountclerehadsofarrecoveredfromthesprainastobenominallyquitewell，underpressureofawishtoreceiveguests。

Thesprainhadinonesenseservedhimexcellently。Hehadnowareason，apartfromthatofyears，forwalkingwithhisstick，andtookcaretoletthereasonbefrequentlyknown。To-dayheentertainedalargernumberofpersonsthanhadbeenassembledwithinhiswallsforagreatlengthoftime。

UntilafterdinnerEthelbertafeltasifshewerestayingatanhotel。FewofthepeoplewhomshehadmetatthemeetingoftheImperialAssociationgreetedherhere。Theviscount’sbrotherwasnotpresent，butSirCyrilBlandsburyandhiswifewerethere，alivelypairofpersons，entertainingasactors，andfriendlyasdogs。Beyondtheseallthefacesandfigureswerenewtoher，thoughtheywerehandsomeanddashingenoughtosatisfyacourtchronicler。Ethelberta，inadressslopedaboutashighovertheshoulderaswouldhavedrawnapprovalfromReynolds，andexpostulationfromLely，thawedandthawedeachfriendwhocamenearher，andsenthimorherawaysmiling；yetshefeltalittlesurprise。Shehadseldomvisitedatacountry-house，andknewlittleoftheordinarycompositionofagroupofvisitorswithinitswalls；butthepresentassemblageseemedtowantmuchofthatold-

fashionedstabilityandquaintmonumentaldignityshehadexpectedtofindunderthishistoricalroof。Nobodyofherentertainer’sownrankappeared。Notasingleclergymanwasthere。AtendencytotalkWalpoleanscandalaboutforeigncourtswasparticularlymanifest。Andalthoughtropicaltravellers，Indianofficersandtheirwives，courteousexiles，anddescendantsofIrishkings，wereinfinitelymorepleasantthanLordMountclere’slandedneighbourswouldprobablyhavebeen，tosuchacosmopoliteasEthelbertaacalmToryoroldWhigcompanywouldhavegivenagreatertreat。Theywouldhavestruckasgratefullyuponhersensesassylvansceneryaftercragsandcliffs，orsilenceaftertheroarofacataract。

Itwasevening，andallthesepersonagesatEnckworthCourtweremerry，snug，andwarmwithinitswalls。Dinner-timehadpassed，andeverythinghadgoneonwell，whenMrs。TaraO’Fanagan，whohadagold-clampedtooth，whichshoneeverynowandthen，askedEthelbertaifshewouldamusethembytellingastory，sincenobodypresent，exceptLordMountclere，hadeverheardonefromherlips。

SeeingthatEthelbertahadbeenworkingatthatartasaprofession，itcanhardlybesaidthatthequestionwasconceivedwithtact，thoughitwasputwithgrace。LordMountclereevidentlythoughtitobjectionable，forhelookedunhappy。Toonlyonepersoninthebrilliantroomdidtherequestappearasatimelyaccident，andthatwastoEthelbertaherself。Herhonestywasalwaysmakingwaruponhermanoeuvres，andshatteringtheirdelicatemeshes，tohergreatinconvenienceanddelay。Thustherearosethosedeviousimpulsesandtangentialflightswhichspoiltheworksofeverywould-beschemerwhoinsteadofbeingwhollymachineishalfheart。Oneofthesenowwastoshowherselfasshereallywas，notonlytoLordMountclere，buttohisfriendsassembled，whom，inherignorance，sherespectedmorethantheydeserved，andsogetridofthatself-

reproachwhichhadbythistimereachedamorbidpitch，throughherover-sensitivenesstoasituationinwhichalargemajorityofwomenandmenwouldhaveseennofalseness。

Fullofthiscuriousintention，shequietlyassentedtotherequest，andlaughinglybadethemputthemselvesinlisteningorder。

’Anoldstorywillsuitus，’saidtheladywhohadimportunedher。

’Wehaveneverheardone。’

’No；itshallbequitenew，’shereplied。’Onenotyetmadepublic；

thoughitsoonwillbe。’

Thenarrativebeganbyintroducingtotheirnoticeagirlofthepoorestandmeanestparentage，thedaughterofaserving-man，andthefifthoftenchildren。Shegraphicallyrecounted，asiftheywereherown，thestrangedreamsandambitiouslongingsofthischildwhenyoung，herattemptstoacquireeducation，partialfailures，partialsuccesses，andconstantstruggles；instancinghow，ononeoftheseoccasions，thegirlconcealedherselfunderabookcaseofthelibrarybelongingtothemansioninwhichherfatherservedasfootman，andhavingtakenwithherthere，likeayoungFawkes，matchesandahalfpennycandle，wasgoingtositupallnightreadingwhenthefamilyhadretired，untilherfatherdiscoveredandpreventedherscheme。Thenfollowedherexperiencesasnursery-governess，hereveninglessonsunderself-selectedmasters，andherultimaterisetoahighergradeamongtheteachingsisterhood。Nextcameanotherepoch。Tothemansioninwhichshewasengagedreturnedatruantson，betweenwhomandtheheroineanattachmentsprangup。Themasterofthehousewasanambitiousgentlemanjustknighted，who，perceivingthestateoftheirhearts，harshlydismissedthehomelessgoverness，andratedtheson，theconsequencebeingthattheyouthfulpairresolvedtomarrysecretly，andcarriedtheirresolutionintoeffect。Therunawayjourneycamenext，andthenamovingdescriptionofthedeathoftheyounghusband，andtheterrorofthebride。

Theguestsbegantolookperplexed，andoneortwoexchangedwhispers。Thiswasnotatallthekindofstorythattheyhadexpected；itwasquitedifferentfromherusualutterances，thenatureofwhichtheyknewbyreport。EthelbertakepthereyeuponLordMountclere。Soon，toheramazement，therewasthatinhisfacewhichtoldherthatheknewthestoryanditsheroinequitewell。

Whenshedeliveredthesentenceendingwiththeprofessedlyfictitiouswords:’Ithuswasreducedtogreatdistress，andvainlycastaboutmefordirectionswhattodo，’LordMountclere’smannerbecamesoexcitedandanxiousthatitactedreciprocallyuponEthelberta；hervoicetrembled，shemovedherlipsbututterednothing。Tobringthestoryuptothedateofthatveryeveninghadbeenherintent，butitwasbeyondherpower。Thespellwasbroken；

sheblushedwithdistressandturnedaway，forthefollyofadisclosureherewasbuttooapparent。

Thougheveryonesawthatshehadbrokendown，noneofthemappearedtoknowthereasonwhy，ortohavethecluetoherperformance。

FortunatelyLordMountclerecametoheraid。

’Letthefirstpartendhere，’hesaid，risingandapproachingher。

’Wehavebeenwellentertainedsofar。IcouldscarcelybelievethatthestoryIwaslisteningtowasutterlyaninvention，sovividlydoesMrs。Petherwinbringthescenesbeforeoureyes。Shemustnowbeexhausted；wewillhavetheremainderto-morrow。’

Theyallagreedthatthiswaswell，andsoonafterfellintogroups，anddispersedabouttherooms。Wheneverybody’sattentionwasthusoccupiedLordMountclerewhisperedtoEthelbertatremulously，’Don’ttellmore:youthinktoomuchofthem:theyarenobetterthanyou！Willyoumeetmeinthelittlewintergardentwominuteshence？Passthroughthatdoor，andalongtheglasspassage。’Hehimselflefttheroombyanoppositedoor。

Shehadnotsetthreestepsinthewarmsnugoctagonofglassandplantswhenheappearedontheotherside。

’Youknewitallbefore！’shesaid，lookingkeenlyathim。’Whotoldyou，andhowlonghaveyouknownit？’

’Beforeyesterdayorlastweek，’saidLordMountclere。’EvenbeforewemetinFrance。Whyareyousosurprised？’

Ethelbertahadbeensurprised，andverygreatly，tofindhim，asitwere，secretedintheveryrearofherposition。Thatnothingshecouldtellwasnewtohimwasagooddealtothinkof，butitwaslittlebesidetherecollectionthathehadactuallymadehisfirstdeclarationinthefaceofthatknowledgeofherwhichshehadsupposedsofataltoallhermatrimonialambitions。

’Andnowonlyonepointremainstobesettled，’hesaid，takingherhand。’YoupromisedatRouenthatatournextinterviewyouwouldhonourmewithadecisivereply——onetomakemehappyforever。’

’Butmyfatherandfriends？’saidshe。

’Arenothingtobeconcernedabout。Moderndevelopmentshaveshakenuptheclasseslikepeasinahopper。Anannuity，andacomfortablecottage——’

’Mybrothersareworkmen。’

’Manufactureisthesinglevocationinwhichaman’sprospectsmaybesaidtobeillimitable。Hee-hee！——theymaybuymeupbeforetheydie！Andnowwhatstandsintheway？Itwouldtakefiftyallianceswithfiftyfamiliessolittledisreputableasyours，darling，todragminedown。’

Ethelbertahadanticipatedthescene，andsettledhercourse；whathadtobesaidanddoneherewasmereformality；yetshehadbeenunabletogostraighttotheassentrequired。However，afterthesewordsofself-depreciation，whichwereletfallasmuchforherownfutureeaseofconscienceasforhispresentwarning，shemadenomoreado。

’Ishallthinkitagreathonourtobeyourwife，’shesaidsimply。

39。KNOLLSEA-MELCHESTER

Theyearwasnowmovingonapace，butEthelbertaandPicoteechosetoremainatKnollsea，inthebrilliantvariegatedbrickandstonevillatowhichtheyhadremovedinordertobeinkeepingwiththeirascendingfortunes。Autumnhadbeguntomakeitselffeltandseeninbolderandlesssubtlewaysthanatfirst。Inthemorningnow，oncomingdownstairs，inplaceofayellowish-greenleafortwolyinginacorneroftheloweststep，whichhadbeentheonlyprevioussymptomsaroundthehouse，shesawdozensofthemplayingatcorkscrewsinthewind，directlythedoorwasopened。Beyond，towardsthesea，theslopesandscarpsthathadbeenmuffledwithathickrobeofcliffherbage，wereshowingtheirchillgreysubstancethroughthewitheredverdure，likethebackgroundofvelvetwhencethepilehasbeenfrettedaway。Unexpectedbreezesbroomedandraspedthesmoothbayinevanescentpatchesofstippledshade，and，besidesthesmallboats，theponderouslightersusedinshippingstonewerehauledupthebeachinanticipationoftheequinoctialattack。

AfewdaysafterEthelberta’sreceptionatEnckworth，animprovedstanhope，drivenbyLordMountclerehimself，climbedupthehilluntilitwasoppositeherdoor。Afewnotesfromapianosoftlyplayedreachedhisearashedescendedfromhisplace:onbeingshownintohisbetrothed，hecouldperceivethatshehadjustlefttheinstrument。Moreover，atearwasvisibleinhereyewhenshecamenearhim。

TheydiscoursedforseveralminutesinthemannernaturalbetweenadefencelessyoungwidowandanoldwidowerinLordMountclere’spositiontowhomshewasplighted——agreatdealofformalconsideratenessmakingitselfvisibleonherpart，andofextremetendernessonhis。Whilethusoccupied，heturnedtothepiano，andcasuallyglancedatapieceofmusiclyingopenuponit。Somewordsofwritingatthetopexpressedthatitwasthecomposer’soriginalcopy，presentedbyhim，ChristopherJulian，totheauthorofthesong。Seeingthathenoticedthesheetsomewhatlengthily，Ethelbertaremarkedthatithadbeenanofferingmadetoheralongtimeago——amelodywrittentooneofherownpoems。

’Inthewritingofthecomposer，’observedLordMountclere，withinterest。’Anofferingfromthemusicianhimself——verygratifyingandtouching。Mr。ChristopherJulianisthenameIseeuponit，I

believe？Iknewhisfather，Dr。Julian，aSandbourneman，ifI

recollect。’

’Yes，’saidEthelbertaplacidly。Butitwasreallywithaneffort。

ThesongwastheidenticalonewhichChristophersentuptoherfromSandbournewhenthefireofherhopeburnthighforlessmaterialends；andthediscoveryofthesheetamonghermusicthatdayhadstartededdiesofemotionforsometimechecked。

’Iamsorryyouhavebeengrieved，’saidLordMountclere，withgloomyrestlessness。

’Grieved？’saidEthelberta。

’DidInotseeatearthere？ordidmyeyesdeceiveme？’

’Youmighthaveseenone。’

’Ah！atear，andasong。Ithink——’

’Younaturallythinkthatawomanwhocriesoveraman’sgiftmustbeinlovewiththegiver？’Ethelbertalookedhimserenelyintheface。

LordMountclere’sjealoussuspicionswereconsiderablyshaken。

’Notatall，’hesaidhastily，asifashamed。’Onewhocriesoverasongismuchaffectedbyitssentiment。’

’Doyouexpectauthorstocryovertheirownwords？’sheinquired，mergingdefenceinattack。’Iamafraidtheydon’toftendothat。’

’Youwouldmakemeuneasy。’

’Onthecontrary，Iwouldreassureyou。Areyounotstilldoubting？’sheasked，withapleasantsmile。

’Icannotdoubtyou！’

’Swear，likeafaithfulknight。’

’Iswear，myfairy，myflower！’

Afterthistheoldmanappearedtobepondering；indeed，histhoughtscouldhardlybesaidtobepresentwhenheutteredthewords。Forthoughthetabernaclewasgettingshakybyreasonofyearsandmerryliving，sothatwhatwasgoingoninsidemightoftenbeguessedwithoutbythemovementofthehangings，asinapuppet-

showwithworncanvas，hecouldbequietenoughwhenscheminganyplotofparticularneatness，whichhadlessemotionthanimpishnessinit。Suchaninnocentamusementhewasponderingnow。

Beforeleavingher，heaskedifshewouldaccompanyhimtoamorninginstrumentalconcertatMelchester，whichwastotakeplaceinthecourseofthatweekforthebenefitofsomelocalinstitution。

’Melchester，’sherepeatedfaintly，andobservedhimassearchinglyasitwaspossibletodowithoutexposingherselftoarakingfireinreturn。CouldheknowthatChristopherwaslivingthere，andwasthissaidinprolongationofhisrecentsuspicion？ButLordMountclere’sfacegavenosign。

’Youforgetonefatalobjection，’saidshe；’thesecrecyinwhichitisimperativethattheengagementbetweenusshouldbekept。’

’IamnotknowninMelchesterwithoutmycarriage；norareyou。’

’Wemaybeknownbysomebodyontheroad。’

’Thenletitbearrangedinthisway。Iwillnotcallheretotakeyouup，butwillmeetyouatthestationatAnglebury；andwecangoontogetherbytrainwithoutnotice。Surelytherecanbenoobjectiontothat？Itwouldbemereprudishnesstoobject，sincewearetobecomeonesoshortly。’Hespokealittleimpatiently。ItwasplainthatheparticularlywantedhertogotoMelchester。

’Imerelymeantthattherewasachanceofdiscoveryinourgoingouttogether。Anddiscoverymeansnomarriage。’Shewaspalenow，andsickatheart，foritseemedthattheviscountmustbeawarethatChristopherdweltatthatplace，andwasabouttotestherconcerninghim。

’Whydoesitmeannomarriage？’saidhe。

’Myfathermight，andalmostcertainlywould，objecttoit。

Althoughhecannotcontrolme，hemightentreatme。’

’Whywouldheobject？’saidLordMountclereuneasily，andsomewhathaughtily。

’Idon’tknow。’

’Butyouwillbemywife——sayagainthatyouwill。’

’Iwill。’

Hebreathed。’Hewillnotobject——hee-hee！’hesaid。’Ono——I

thinkyouwillbeminenow。’

’Ihavesaidso。Butlooktomeallthesame。’

’Youmalignyourself，dearone。ButyouwillmeetmeatAnglebury，asIwish，andgoontoMelchesterwithme？’

’Ishallbepleasedto——ifmysistermayaccompanyme。’

’Ah——yoursister。Yes，ofcourse。’

Theysettledthetimeofthejourney，andwhenthevisithadbeenstretchedoutaslongasitreasonablycouldbewithpropriety，LordMountcleretookhisleave。

Whenhewasagainseatedonthedriving-phaetonwhichhehadbroughtthatday，LordMountclerelookedgleeful，andshrewdenoughinhisownopiniontooutwitMephistopheles。Assoonastheywereascendingahill，andhecouldfindtimetofreehishand，hepulledoffhisglove，anddrawingfromhispocketaprogrammeoftheMelchesterconcertreferredto，contemplatedthereinthenameofoneoftheintendedperformers。ThenamewasthatofMr。C。Julian。

Replacingitagain，helookedahead，andsometimeaftermurmuredwithwilymirth，’Anexcellenttest——aluckythought！’

Nothingofimportanceoccurredduringtheinterveningdays。Attwoo’clockontheappointedafternoonEthelbertasteppedfromthetrainatMelchesterwiththeviscount，whohadmetherasproposed；shewasfollowedbehindbyPicotee。

TheconcertwastobeheldattheTown-hallhalf-an-hourlater。

Theyenteredaflyinwaiting，andsecurefromrecognition，weredrivenleisurelyinthatdirection，Picoteesilentandabsorbedwithherownthoughts。

’There’stheCathedral，’saidLordMountclerehumorously，astheycaughtaviewofoneofitstowersthroughastreetleadingintotheClose。

’Yes。’

’Itboastsofaveryfineorgan。’

’Ah。’

’Andtheorganistisacleveryoungman。’

’Oh。’

LordMountclerepausedamomentortwo。’Bytheway，youmayrememberthatheistheMr。Julianwhosetyoursongtomusic！’

’Irecollectitquitewell。’HerheartwashorrifiedandshethoughtLordMountcleremustbedevelopingintoaninquisitor，whichperhapshewas。Butnoneofthisreachedherface。

TheyturnedinthedirectionoftheHall，weresetdown，andentered。

Thelargeassembly-roomsetapartfortheconcertwasupstairs，anditwaspossibletoenteritintwoways:bythelargedoorwayinfrontofthelanding，orbyturningdownasidepassageleadingtocouncil-roomsandsubsidiaryapartmentsofsmallsize，whichwereallottedtoperformersinanyexhibition；thustheycouldenterfromoneofthesedirectlyupontheplatform，withoutpassingthroughtheaudience。

’Willyouseatyourselveshere？’saidLordMountclere，who，insteadofenteringbythedirectdoor，hadbroughttheyoungwomenroundintothisgreen-room，asitmaybecalled。’Youseewehavecomeinprivatelyenough；whenthemusiciansarrivewecanpassthroughbehindthem，andstepdowntoourseatsfromthefront。’

Theplayerscouldsoonbeheardtuninginthenextroom。Thenonecamethroughthepassage-roomwherethethreewaited，andwentin，thenanother，thenanother。LastofallcameJulian。

Ethelbertasatfacingthedoor，butChristopher，neverintheleastexpectingherthere，didnotrecognizehertillhewasquiteinside。

Whenhehadreallyperceivedhertobetheonewhohadtroubledhissoulsomanytimesandlong，thebloodinhisface——neververymuch——

passedoffandleftit，liketheshadeofacloud。Betweenthemstoodatablecoveredwithgreenbaize，which，reflectingupwardsabandofsunlightshiningacrossthechamber，flunguponhisalreadywhitefeaturesthevirescenthuesofdeath。Thepoormusician，whoseperson，muchtohisowninconvenience，constitutedacompletebreviaryofthegentleemotions，lookedasifheweregoingtofalldowninafaint。

EthelbertaflungatLordMountclerealookwhichclippedhimlikepincers:heneverforgotitaslongashelived。

’Thisisyourprettyjealousscheme——Iseeit！’shehissedtohim，andwithoutbeingabletocontrolherselfwentacrosstoJulian。

ButaslightgaspcamefrombehindthedoorwherePicoteehadbeensitting。EthelbertaandLordMountclerelookedthatway:andbehold，Picoteehadnearlyswooned。

Ethelberta’sshowofpassionwentasquicklyasithadcome，forshefeltthatasplendidtriumphhadbeenputintoherhands。’Nowdoyouseethetruth？’shewhisperedtoLordMountclerewithoutadrachmoffeeling；pointingtoChristopherandthentoPicotee——aslikeastwosnowdropsnow。

’Ido，Ido，’murmuredtheviscounthastily。

TheybothwentforwardtohelpChristopherinrestoringthefragilePicotee:hehadsethimselftothattaskassuddenlyashepossiblycouldtocoverhisownnearapproachtothesamecondition。Notmuchhelpwasrequired，thelittlegirl’sindispositionbeingquitemomentary，andshesatupinthechairagain。

’Areyoubetter？’saidEthelbertatoChristopher。

’Quitewell——quite，’hesaid，smilingfaintly。’Iamgladtoseeyou。Imust，Ithink，gointothenextroomnow。’Hebowedandwalkedoutawkwardly。

’Areyoubetter，too？’shesaidtoPicotee。

’Quitewell，’saidPicotee。

’Youarequitesureyouknowbetweenwhomtheloveliesnow——eh？’

EthelbertaaskedinasarcasticwhisperofLordMountclere。

’Iam——beyondadoubt，’murmuredtheanxiousnobleman；hefearedthatlookofhers，whichwasnotlessdominantthanirresistible。

SomeadditionalmomentsgiventothoughtonthecircumstancesrenderedEthelbertastillmoreindignantandintractable。Shewentoutatthedoorbywhichtheyhadentered，alongthepassage，anddownthestairs。Ashufflingfootstepfollowed，butshedidnotturnherhead。Whentheyreachedthebottomofthestairsthecarriagehadgone，theirexitnotbeingexpectedtilltwohourslater。Ethelberta，nothingdaunted，sweptalongthepavementanddownthestreetinaturbulentprance，LordMountcleretrottingbehindwithajowlreducedtoamerenothingbyhisconcernatthediscourtesyintowhichhehadbeenluredbyjealouswhisperings。

’Mydearest——forgiveme；IconfessIdoubtedyou——butIwasbesidemyself，’cametoherearsfromoverhershoulder。ButEthelbertawalkedonasbefore。

LordMountcleresighedlikeapoetoveraledger。’Anoldman——whoisnotveryold——naturallytormentshimselfwithfearsoflosing——

no，no——itwasaninnocentjestofmine——youwillforgiveajoke——

hee-hee？’hesaidagain，ongettingnoreply。

’Youhadnorighttomistrustme！’

’Idonot——youdidnotblench。Youshouldhavetoldmebeforethatitwasyoursisterandnotyourselfwhowasentangledwithhim。’

’YoubroughtmetoMelchesteronpurposetoconfronthim！’

’Yes，Idid。’

’Areyounotashamed？’

’Iamsatisfied。Itisbettertoknowthetruthbyanymeansthantodieofsuspense；betterforusboth——surelyyouseethat？’

Theyhadbythistimegottotheendofalongstreet，andintoadesertedsideroadbywhichthestationcouldbeindirectlyreached。

Picoteeappearedinthedistanceasameredistractedspeckofgirlhood，followingthembecausenotknowingwhatelsetodoinhersicknessofbodyandmind。Onceoutofsighthere，Ethelbertabegantocry。

’Ethelberta，’saidLordMountclere，inanagonyoftrouble，’don’tbevexed！Itwasaninconsideratetrick——Iownit。Dowhatyouwill，butdonotdesertmenow！Icouldnotbearit——youwouldkillmeifyouweretoleaveme。Anything，butbemine。’

Ethelbertacontinuedherway，anddryinghereyesenteredthestation，where，onsearchingthetime-tables，shefoundtherewouldbenotrainforAngleburyforthenexttwohours。Thenmoreslowlysheturnedtowardsthetownagain，meetingPicoteeandkeepinginhercompany。

LordMountcleregaveupthechase，butashewishedtogetintothetownagain，hefollowedinthesamedirection。WhenEthelbertahadproceededasfarastheRedLionHotel，sheturnedtowardsitwithhercompanion，andbeingshowntoaroom，thetwosistersshutthemselvesin。LordMountclerepausedandenteredtheWhiteHart，therivalhoteltotheRedLion，whichstoodinanadjoiningstreet。

Havingsecludedhimselfinanapartmenthere，walkedfromwindowtowindowawhile，andmadehimselfgenerallyuncomfortable，hesatdowntothewritingmaterialsonthetable，andconcoctedanote:——

’WHITEHARTHOTEL。

’MYDEARMRS。PETHERWIN，——Youdonotmeantobesocruelastobreakyourplightedwordtome？Remember，thereisnolovewithoutmuchjealousy，andloversareeverfullofsighsandmisgiving。Ihaveownedtoasmuchcontritionascanreasonablybeexpected。Icouldnotendurethesuspicionthatyoulovedanother——Yoursalways，’MOUNTCLERE。’

Thishesent，watchingfromthewindowitsprogressalongthestreet。Heawaitedanxiouslyforananswer，andwaitedlong。Itwasnearlytwentyminutesbeforehecouldhearamessengerapproachingthedoor。Yes——shehadactuallysentareply；heprizeditasifithadbeenthefirstencouragementhehadeverinhislifereceivedfromwoman:——

’MYLORD’(wroteEthelberta)，——’Iamnotpreparedatpresenttoenterintothequestionofmarriageatall。Theincidentwhichhasoccurredaffordsmeeveryexcuseforwithdrawingmypromise，sinceitwasgivenundermisapprehensionsonapointthatmateriallyaffectsmyhappiness。

’E。PETHERWIN。’

’Ho-ho-ho——MissHoity-toity！’saidLordMountclere，trottingupanddown。But，rememberingitwasherJuneagainsthisNovember，thisdidnotlastlong，andhefranticallyreplied:——

’MYDARLING，——Icannotreleaseyou——Imustdoanythingtokeepmytreasure。Willyounotseemeforafewminutes，andletbygonesgotothewinds？’

Waseverathrushsosafeinacherrynetbefore！

ThemessengercamebackwiththeinformationthatMrs。PetherwinhadtakenawalktotheClose，hercompanionaloneremainingatthehotel。Therebeingnothingelseleftfortheviscounttodo，heputonhishat，andwentoutonfootinthesamedirection。HehadnotwalkedfarwhenhesawEthelbertamovingslowlyalongtheHighStreetbeforehim。

Ethelbertawasatthishourwanderingwithoutanyfixedintentionbeyondthatofconsumingtime。Shewasverywretched，andveryindifferent:theformerwhenthinkingofherpast，thelatterwhenthinkingofthedaystocome。Whileshewalkedthusunconsciousofthestreets，andtheirgroupsofotherwayfarers，shesawChristopheremergefromadoornotmanypacesinadvance，andcloseitbehindhim:hestoodforamomentonthestepbeforedescendingintotheroad。

Shecouldnot，evenhadshewishedit，easilycheckherprogresswithoutrenderingthechanceofhisperceivingherstillmorecertain。Butshedidnotwishanysuchthing，anditmadelittledifference，forhehadalreadyseenherintakinghissurveyround，andcamedownfromthedoortoherside。Itwasimpossibleforanythingformaltopassbetweenthemnow。

’Youarenotattheconcert，Mr。Julian？’shesaid。’Iamgladtohaveabetteropportunityofspeakingtoyou，andofaskingforyoursister。Unfortunatelythereisnottimeforustocalluponherto-

day。’

’Thankyou，butitmakesnodifference，’saidJulian，withsomewhatsadreserve。’IwilltellherIhavemetyou；sheisawayfromhomejustatpresent。’AndfindingthatEthelbertadidnotrejoinimmediatelyheobserved，’Thechieforganist，oldDr。Breeve，hastakenmyplaceattheconcert，asitwasarrangedheshoulddoaftertheopeningpart。IamnowgoingtotheCathedralfortheafternoonservice。Youaregoingtheretoo？’

’Ithoughtoflookingattheinteriorforamoment。’

Sotheywentonsidebyside，sayinglittle；foritwasasituationinwhichscarcelyanyappropriatethingcouldbespoken。EthelbertawasthelessreluctanttowalkinhiscompanybecauseoftheprovocationtoskittishnessthatLordMountclerehadgiven，aprovocationwhichshestillresented。Butshewasfarfromwishingtoincreasehisjealousy；andyetthiswaswhatshewasdoing，LordMountclerebeingaperturbedwitnessfrombehindofallthatwaspassingnow。

TheyturnedthecorneroftheshortstreetofconnectionwhichledunderanarchwaytotheCathedralClose，theoldpeerdoggingthemstill。Christopherseemedtowarmupalittle，andrepeatedtheinvitation。’Youwillcomewithyoursistertoseeusbeforeyouleave？’hesaid。’Wehaveteaatsix。’

’WeshallhaveleftMelchesterbeforethattime。Iamnowonlywaitingforthetrain。’

’YoutwohavenotcomeallthewayfromKnollseaalone？’

’Partoftheway，’saidEthelbertaevasively。

’Andgoingbackalone？’

’No。Onlyforthelastfivemiles。Atleastthatwasthearrangement——Iamnotquitesureifitholdsgood。’

’Youdon’twishmetoseeyousafelyinthetrain？’

’Itisnotnecessary:thankyouverymuch。Wearewellusedtogettingabouttheworldalone，andfromMelchestertoKnollseaisnoseriousjourney，lateorearly……YetIthinkIought，inhonesty，totellyouthatwearenotentirelybyourselvesinMelchesterto-day。’

’IrememberIsawyourfriend——relative——intheroomattheTown-

hall。Itdidnotoccurtomymindforthemomentthathewasanyotherthanastrangerstandingthere。’

’Heisnotarelative，’shesaid，withperplexity。’Ihardlyknow，Christopher，howtoexplaintoyoumypositionhereto-day，becauseofsomedifficultiesthathavearisensincewehavebeeninthetown，whichmayalteritentirely。OnthataccountIwillbelessfrankwithyouthanIshouldliketobe，consideringhowlongwehaveknowneachother。Itwouldbewrong，however，ifIwerenottotellyouthattherehasbeenapossibilityofmymarriagewithhim。’

’Theelderlygentleman？’

’Yes。AndIcamehereinhiscompany，intendingtoreturnwithhim。

Butyoushallknowallsoon。PicoteeshallwritetoFaith。’

’IalwaysthinktheCathedrallooksbetterfromthispointthanfromthepointusuallychosenbyartists，’hesaid，withnervousquickness，directingherglanceupwardstothesilentstructure，nowmistyandunrelievedbyeitherhighlightordeepshade。’Wegetthegroupingofthechapelsandchoir-aislesmoreclearlyshown——andthewholeculminatestoamoreperfectpyramidfromthisspot——doyouthinkso？’

’Yes。Ido。’

Alittlefurther，andChristopherstoppedtoenter，whenEthelbertabadehimfarewell。’Ithoughtatonetimethatourfuturesmighthavebeendifferentfromwhattheyareapparentlybecoming，’hesaidthen，regardingherasastall-readerregardsthebrilliantbookhecannotaffordtobuy。’Butonegetswearyofrepiningaboutthat。

IwishPicoteeandyourselfcouldseeusoftener；IamasconfirmedabachelornowasFaithisanoldmaid。Iwonderif——shouldtheeventyoucontemplateoccur——youandhewillevervisitus，orweshallevervisityou！’

Christopherwasevidentlyimaginingtheelderlygentlemantobesomeretiredfarmer，orprofessionalmanalreadysointermixedwiththemetamorphicclassesofsocietyasnottobesurprisedorinconveniencedbyherbeginnings；onewhowishedtosecureEthelbertaasanornamenttohisparlourfireinaquietspirit，andinnointoxicatedmoodregardlessofissues。Shecouldscarcelyreplytohissupposition；andthepartingwaswhatmighthavebeenpredictedfromaconversationsocarefullycontrolled。

Ethelberta，asshehadintended，nowwentonfurther，andenteringthenavebegantoinspectthesallowmonumentswhichlinedthegrizzledpile。Shedidnotperceiveamidtheshadowsanoldgentlemanwhohadcreptintothemouldyplaceasstealthilyasawormintoaskull，andwaskeepinghimselfcarefullybeyondherobservation。Shecontinuedtoregardfeatureafterfeaturetillthechoristershadfiledinfromthesouthside，andpealsbrokeforthfromtheorganontheblackoakenmassatthejunctionofnaveandchoir，shakingeverycobwebintheduskyvaults，andEthelberta’sheartnoless。Sheknewthefingersthatwerepressingoutthoserollingsounds，andknowingthem，becameabsorbedintracingtheirprogress。Togotowardstheorgan-loftwasanactofunconsciousness，andshedidnotpausetillshestoodalmostbeneathit。

Ethelbertawasawakenedfromvagueimaginingsbythecloseapproachoftheoldgentlemanalludedto，whospokewithagreatdealofagitation。

’Ihavebeentryingtomeetwithyou，’saidLordMountclere。’Come，letusbefriendsagain！——Ethelberta，IMUSTnotloseyou！Youcannotmeanthattheengagementshallbebrokenoff？’Hewasfartoodesiroustopossessheratanypricenowtorunasecondriskofexasperatingher，andforboretomakeanyallusiontotherecentpantomimebetweenherselfandChristopherthathehadbeheld，thoughitmightreasonablyhavefilledhimwithdreadandpetulance。

’Idonotmeananythingbeyondthis，’saidshe，’thatIentirelywithdrawfromitonthefaintestsignthatyouhavenotabandonedsuchmiserablejealousproceedingsasthoseyouadoptedto-day。’

’Ihavequiteabandonedthem。Willyoucomealittlefurtherthisway，andwalkintheaisle？Youdostillagreetobemine？’

’Ifitgivesyouanypleasure，Ido。’

’Yes，yes。Iimplorethatthemarriagemaybesoon——verysoon。’

Theviscountspokehastily，forthenotesoftheorganwhichwereplungingintotheirearseverandanonfromthehandsofhisyoungrivalseemedinconvenientlyandsolemnlyinthewayofhissuit。

’Well，LordMountclere？’

’Sayinafewdays？——itistheonlythingthatwillsatisfyme。’

’Iamabsolutelyindifferentastotheday。IfitpleasesyoutohaveitearlyIamwilling。’

’DareIaskthatitmaybethisweek？’saidthedelightedoldman。

’Icouldnotsaythat。’

’Butyoucannametheearliestday？’

’Icannotnow。Wehadbetterbegoingfromhere，Ithink。’

TheCathedralwasfillingwithshadows，andcoldbreathingscameroundthepiers，foritwasNovember，whennightverysoonsucceedsnooninspotswherenoonissoberedtothepallorofeve。Buttheservicewasnotyetover，andbeforequiteleavingthebuildingEthelbertacastoneotherglancetowardstheorganandthoughtofhimbehindit。AtthismomentherattentionwasarrestedbytheformofhersisterPicotee，whocameinatthenorthdoor，closedthelobby-wicketsoftly，andwentlightlyforwardtothechoir。

Whenwithinafewyardsofitshepausedbyapillar，andlingeredtherelookingupattheorganasEthelbertahaddone。Nosoundwascomingfromtheponderousmassoftubesjustthen；butinashortspaceawholecrowdoftonesspreadfromtheinstrumenttoaccompanythewordsofaresponse。Picoteestartedattheburstofmusicasiftakeninadishonestaction，andmovedoninamannerintendedtoeffacethelover’sloiteroftheprecedingmomentsfromherownconsciousnessnolessthanfromotherpeople’seyes。

’Doyouseethat？’saidEthelberta。’Thatlittlefigureismydearestsister。Couldyoubutensureamarriagebetweenherandhimshelistensto，Iwoulddoanythingyouwish！’

’Thatisindeedagraciouspromise，’saidLordMountclere。’AndwouldyouagreetowhatIaskedjustnow？’

’Yes。’

’When？’Agleefulsparkaccompaniedthis。

’Asyourequested。’

’Thisweek？Thedayafterto-morrow？’

’Ifyouwill。Butrememberwhatliesonyoursideofthecontract。

IfancyIhavegivenyouataskbeyondyourpowers。’

’Well，darling，weareatoneatlast，’saidLordMountclere，rubbinghishandagainsthisside。’AndifmytaskisheavyandI

cannotguaranteetheresult，Icanmakeitveryprobable。MarrymeonFriday——thedayafterto-morrow——andIwilldoallthatmoneyandinfluencecaneffecttobringabouttheirunion。’

’Yousolemnlypromise？Youwillneverceasetogivemealltheaidinyourpoweruntilthethingisdone？’

’Idosolemnlypromise——ontheconditionsnamed。’

’Verygood。YouwillhaveensuredmyfulfilmentofmypromisebeforeIcanensureyours；butItakeyourword。’

’YouwillmarrymeonFriday！Givemeyourhanduponit。’

Shegavehimherhand。

’Isitacovenant？’heasked。

’Itis，’saidshe。

LordMountclerewarmedfromsurfacetocentreasifhehaddrunkofhippocras，and，afterholdingherhandforsomemoments，raiseditgentlytohislips。

’Twodaysandyouaremine，’hesaid。

’ThatIbelieveInevershallbe。’

’Nevershallbe？Why，darling？’

’Idon’tknow。Somecatastrophewillpreventit。Ishallbedeadperhaps。’

’Youdistressme。Ah，——youmeantme——youmeantthatIshouldbedead，becauseyouthinkIamold！Butthatisamistake——Iamnotveryold！’

’Ithoughtonlyofmyself——nothingofyou。’

’Yes，Iknow。Dearest，itisdismalandchillinghere——letusgo。’

Ethelbertamechanicallymovedwithhim，andfelttherewasnoretreatingnow。Inthemeantimetheyoungladykinwhomthesolemnvowingconcernedhadlingeredroundthechoirscreen，asiffearingtoenter，yetlothtogoaway。Theserviceterminated，theheavybookswereclosed，doorswereopened，andthefeetofthefewpersonswhohadattendedevensongbeganpatteringdownthepavedalleys。NotwishingPicoteetoknowthattheobjectofhersecretexcursionhadbeendiscovered，EthelbertanowsteppedoutofthewestdoorwaywiththeviscountbeforePicoteehademergedfromtheother；andtheywalkedalongthepathtogetheruntilsheovertookthem。

’IfearitbecomesnecessaryformetostayinMelchesterto-night，’

saidLordMountclere。’Ihaveafewmatterstoattendtohere，astheresultofourarrangements。ButIwillfirstaccompanyyouasfarasAnglebury，andseeyousafelyintoacarriagetherethatshalltakeyouhome。To-morrowIwilldrivetoKnollsea，whenwewillmakethefinalpreparations。’

Ethelbertawouldnothavehimgosofarandbackagain，merelytoattenduponher；hencetheypartedattherailway，withdueandcorrecttenderness；andwhenthetrainhadgone，LordMountclerereturnedintothetownonthespecialbusinesshehadmentioned，forwhichthereremainedonlythepresenteveningandthefollowingmorning，ifheweretocalluponherintheafternoonofthenextday——thedaybeforethewedding——nowsorecklesslyhastenedonhispart，andsocoollyassentedtoonhers。

Bythetimethatthetwoyoungpeoplehadstarteditwasnearlydark。Someportionsoftherailwaystretchedthroughlittlecopsesandplantationswhere，theleaf-sheddingseasonbeingnowatitsheight，redandgoldenpatchesoffallenfoliagelayoneithersideoftherails；andasthetravellerspassed，allthesedeath-strickenbodiesboiledupinthewhirlwindcreatedbythevelocity，andweresentflyingrightandleftoftheminmyriads，aclean-fannedtrackbeingleftbehind。

Picoteewascalledfromtheobservationofthesephenomenabyaremarkfromhersister:’Picotee，themarriageistobeveryearlyindeed。Itistobethedayafterto-morrow——ifitcan。

NeverthelessIdon’tbelieveinthefact——Icannot。’

’Didyouarrangeitso？Nobodycanmakeyoumarrysosoon。’

’Iagreedtotheday，’murmuredEthelbertalanguidly。

’Howcanitbe？Thegaydressesandthepreparationsandthepeople——howcantheybecollectedinthetime，Berta？Andsomuchmoreofthatwillberequiredforalordofthelandthanforacommonman。O，Ican’tthinkitpossibleforasisterofminetomarryalord！’

’Andyetithasbeenpossibleanytimethislastmonthortwo，strangeasitseemstoyou……Itistobenotonlyaplainandsimplewedding，withoutanyloftyappliances，butasecretone——assecretasifIweresomeunder-ageheiresstoanIndianfortune，andheayoungmanofnothingayear。’

’HasLordMountcleresaiditmustbesoprivate？Isupposeitisonaccountofhisfamily。’

’No。Isayso；anditisonaccountofmyfamily。Fathermightobjecttothewedding，Iimagine，fromwhatheoncesaid，orhemightbemuchdisturbedaboutit；soIthinkitbetterthatheandtherestshouldknownothingtillallisover。Youmustdressagainasmysisterto-morrow，dear。LordMountclereisgoingtopayusanearlyvisittoconcludenecessaryarrangements。’

’O，thelifeasaladyatEnckworthCourt！Theflowers，thewoods，therooms，thepictures，theplate，andthejewels！Horsesandcarriagesrattlingandprancing，seneschalsandpages，footmenhoppingupandhoppingdown。Itwillbeglorythen！’

’Wemighthireourfatherasoneofmyretainers，toincreaseit，’

saidEthelbertadrily。

Picotee’scountenancefell。’Howshallwemanageallaboutthat？

’Tisterrible，really！’

’Themarriagegranted，thosethingswillrightthemselvesbytimeandweightofcircumstances。Youtakeawrongviewinthinkingofgloriesofthatsort。Myonlyhopeisthatmylifewillbequiteprivateandsimple，aswillbestbecomemyinferiorityandLordMountclere’sstaidness。SuchasplendidlibraryasthereisatEnckworth，Picotee——quartos，folios，history，verse，Elzevirs，Caxtons——allthathasbeendoneinliteraturefromMosesdowntoScott——withsuchcompanionsIcandowithoutallothersortsofhappiness。’

’AndyouwillnotgototownfromEastertoLammastide，asothernobleladiesdo？’askedtheyoungergirl，ratherdisappointedatthisaspectofaviscountess’slife。

’Idon’tknow。’

’Butyouwillgivedinners，andtravel，andgotoseehisfriends，andhavethemtoseeyou？’

’Idon’tknow。’

’Willyounotbe，then，asanyotherpeeress；andshallnotIbeasanyotherpeeress’ssister？’

’That，too，Idonotknow。Allismystery。NordoIevenknowthatthemarriagewilltakeplace。Ifeelthatitmaynot；andperhapssomuchthebetter，sincethemanisastrangertome。Iknownothingwhateverofhisnature，andheknowsnothingofmine。’