第10章

’Youmustfindit，’cameagaindownthestairs。’’Tissomewhereupinchimley，butinwhichpartIcan’tmind。ReallyIdon’tknowwhetherIbeuponmyheadormyheels，andmybrainisallinaspin，wi’beingraftedupinsuchalarry！’

’Bidewhereyoube，there’sadear，’saidSol。’We’lldoitall。

Justtelluswherethetea-caddyis，andthegridiron，andthenyoucangotosleepagain。’

Thewomanappearedtotakehisadvice，forshegavetheinformation，andsilencesoonreignedupstairs。

Whenonepieceofbaconhadbeenwithdifficultycookedoverthenewly-litfire，SolsaidtoMountclere，withtherasheronhisfork:

’Nowlookhere，sir，IthinkwhileIammakingthetea，yououghttogoongriddlingsomemoreofthese，asyouhaven’tdonenothingatall？’

’Idothepaying……Well，givemethebacon。’

’Andwhenyouhavedoneyours，I’llcooktheman’s，asthepoorfeller’shungry，Imakenodoubt。’

Mountclere，forkinhand，thenbeganwithhisrasher，tossingitaboutthegridironinmasterlystyle，Solattendingtothetea。Hewasattractedfromthisoccupationbyabrilliantflameupthechimney，Mountclereexclaiming，’Nowthecursedthingisonfire！’

’Blowitout——hard——that’sit！Wellnow，sir，doyoucomeandbeginuponmine，asyoumustbehungry。I’llfinishthegriddling。Oughtwetomindthemansittingdowninourcompany，asthere’snootherroomforhim？Ihearhimcomingin。’

’Ono——notatall。Puthimoveratthattable。’

’AndI’lljoinhim。Youcansitherebyyourself，sir。’

Themealwasdespatched，andthecoachmanagainretired，promisingtohavethehorsesreadyinaboutanhourandahalf。SolandMountcleremadethemselvescomfortableuponeithersideofthefireplace，sincetherewasnoremedyforthedelay:aftersittinginsilenceawhile，theynoddedandslept。

Howlongtheywouldhaveremainedthus，inconsequenceoftheirfatigues，thereisnotelling，hadnotthemistressofthecottagedescendedthestairsabouttwohourslater，afterpeepingdownuponthematintervalsoffiveminutesduringtheirsleep，lesttheyshouldleavewithoutherknowledge。Itwassixo’clock，andSolwentoutfortheman，whomhefoundsnoringinthehay-loft。Therewasnowrealnecessityforhaste，andintenminutestheywereagainontheirway。

Daydawneduponthe’RedLion’innatAngleburywithatimidandwateryeye。Fromtheshadowyarchwaycameashininglantern，whichwasseentobedanglingfromthehandofalittlebow-leggedoldman——thehostler，John。Havingreachedthefront，helookedaroundtomeasurethedaylight，openedthelantern，andextinguisheditbyapinchofhisfingers。Hepausedforamomenttohavethecustomarywordortwowithhisneighbourthemilkman，whousuallyappearedatthispointatthistime。

’Itsoundslikethewhistleofthemorningtrain，’themilkmansaidashedrewnear，ascreamfromthefurtherendofthetownreachingtheirears。’Well，Ihope，nowthewind’sinthatquarter，weshallha’ealittlemorefineweather——hey，hostler？’

’Whatbeyeatalkingo’？’

’Canhearthewhistleplain，Isay。’

’Oay。Isupposeyoudo。Butfaith，’tisapoorfistIcanmakeathearinganything。There，Icouldhavetoldallthesamethatthewindwasintheeast，evenifIhadnotseedpoorThomasTribble’ssmokeblowingacrossthelittleorchard。Jointsbeatrueweathercockenoughwhenpastthree-score。Theseeasterlyrains，whentheydocome，whichisnotoften，comewi’mightenoughtosquailamanintohisgrave。’

’Well，wemustlookforit，hostler……Why，whatmightyekkypageisthis，cometotownatsuchapurblinkingtimeofday？’

’’Tiswhattimeonlycantell——though’twillnotbelongfirst，’thehostlerreplied，asthedriverofthepairofhorsesandcarriagecontainingSolandMountclereslackenedpace，anddrewreinbeforetheinn。

Freshhorseswereimmediatelycalledfor，andwhiletheywerebeingputinthetwotravellerswalkedupanddown。

’Itisnowaquartertoseveno’clock，’saidMountclere；’andthequestionarises，shallIgoontoKnollsea，orbranchoffatCorvsgateCastleforEnckworth？IthinkthebestplanwillbetodrivefirsttoEnckworth，setmedown，andthengethimtotakeyouonatoncetoKnollsea。Whatdoyousay？’

’WhenshallIreachKnollseabythatarrangement？’

’Byhalf-pasteighto’clock。WeshallbeatEnckworthbeforeeight，whichisexcellenttime。’

’Verywell，sir，Iagreetothat，’saidSol，feelingthatassoonasoneofthetwobirdshadbeencaught，theothercouldnotmatewithouttheirknowledge。

Thecarriageandhorsesbeingagainready，awaytheydroveatonce，bothhavingbythistimegrowntoorestlesstospendinAngleburyaminutemorethanwasnecessary。

ThehostlerandhisladhadtakenthejadedSandbournehorsestothestable，rubbedthemdown，andfedthem，whenanothernoisewasheardoutsidetheyard；theomnibushadreturnedfrommeetingthetrain。

Relinquishingthehorsestothesmallstable-lad，theoldhostleragainlookedoutfromthearch。

Ayoungmanhadsteppedfromtheomnibus，andhecameforward。’I

wantaconveyanceofsomesorttotakemetoKnollsea，atonce。Canyougetahorseharnessedinfiveminutes？’

’I’llmakeshifttodowhatIcanmaster，notpromisingabouttheminutes。Thetruestmancansaynomore。Won’tyestepintothebar，sir，andgiveyourorder？I’llletyeknowassoonas’tisready。’

Christopherturnedintoaroomsmellingstronglyofthenightbefore，andstoodbythenewly-kindledfiretowait。HehadjustcomeinhastefromMelchester。Theupshotofhisexcitementaboutthewedding，which，asthepossiblehourofitssolemnizationdrewnear，hadincreasedtillitborehimonlikeawind，wasthisunpremeditatedjourney。Lyingawakethepreviousnight，thehangingsofhisbedpulsingtoeverybeatofhisheart，hedecidedthattherewasonelastandgreatservicewhichitbehovedhim，asanhonestmanandfriend，tosaynothingoflover，torendertoEthelbertaatthisjuncture。ItwastoaskherbysomemeanswhetherornotshehadengagedwithopeneyestomarryLordMountclere；andifnot，togiveherawordortwoofenlightenment。

Thatdone，shemightbelefttotakecareofherself。

HisplanwastoobtainaninterviewwithPicotee，andlearnfromheraccuratelythestateofthings。Shouldhe，byanypossibility，bemistakeninhisbeliefastothecontractingparties，aknowledgeofthemistakewouldbecheaplypurchasedbythejourney。Shouldhenot，hewouldsenduptoEthelbertathestrongnoteofexpostulationwhichwasalreadywritten，andwaitinginhispocket。Tointrudeuponheratsuchatimewasunseemly；andtodespatchaletterbyamessengerbeforeevidenceofitsnecessityhadbeenreceivedwasmostundesirable。Thewholeproceedingatbestwasclumsy；yetearnestnessismostlyclumsy；andhowcouldhelettheeventpasswithoutaprotest？Beforedaylightonthatautumnmorninghehadrisen，toldFaithofhisintention，andstartedoff。

Assoonasthevehiclewasready，Christopherhastenedtothedoorandsteppedup。Thelittlestable-boyledthehorseafewpacesonthewaybeforerelinquishinghishold；atthesamemomentarespectablydressedmanonfoot，withasmallblackbaginhishand，cameupfromtheoppositedirection，alongthestreetleadingfromtherailway。Hewasathin，elderlyman，withgreyhair；thatagreatanxietypervadedhimwasasplainlyvisibleaswerehisfeatures。Withoutenteringtheinn，hecameupatoncetooldJohn。

’HaveyouanythinggoingtoKnollseathismorningthatIcangetaliftin？’saidthepedestrian——nootherthanEthelberta’sfather。

’Nothingempty，thatIknowof。’

’Orcarrier？’

’No。’

’Amatteroffifteenshillings，then，Isuppose？’

’Yes——nodoubt。Butyondthere’sayoungmanjustnowstarting；hemightnottakeitillifyeweretoaskhimforaseat，andgohalvesinthehireofthetrap。ShallIcallout？’

’Ah，do。’

Thehostlerbawledtothestable-boy，whoputthequestiontoChristopher。Therewasroomfortwointhedogcart，andJulianhadnoobjectiontosavetheshillingsofafellow-travellerwhowasevidentlynotrich。WhenChickerelmountedtohisseat，Christopherpausedtolookathimaswepauseinsomeenactmentthatseemstohavebeenalreadybeforeusinadreamlongago。Ethelberta’sfacewasthere，asthelandscapeisinthemap，theromanceinthehistory，theaiminthedeed:denuded，rayless，andsorry，butdiscernible。

Forthemoment，however，thisdidnotoccurtoJulian。Hetookthewhip，theboyloosedhisholduponthehorse，andtheyproceededontheirway。

’Whatslap-dashjinksmaytherebegoingonatKnollsea，then，mysonny？’saidthehostlertothelad，asthedogcartandthebacksofthetwomendiminishedontheroad。’YoubeaKnollseaboy:haveanythingreachedyouryoungearsaboutwhat’sinthewindthere，DavidStraw？’

’No，nothing:exceptthat’tisgoingtobeChristmasdayinfiveweeks:andthenahide-boundbullisgoingtobekilledifhedon’tdieaforethetime，andgi’edawaybymylordinthree-poundjunks，asarewardtogoodpeoplewhonevercurseandsingbadsongs，exceptwhentheybedrunk；mothersaysperhapsshewillhavesome，and’tisexcellentifwellstewed，mothersays。’

’Averyfairchronicleforaboytogive，butnotwhatIaskedfor。

Whenyoutrytoansweraoldman’squestion，alwaysbearinmindwhatitwasthatoldmanasked。Ahide-boundbullisgoodwhenwellstewed，Imakenodoubt——fortheywholikeit；butthat’snotit。

WhatIsaidwas，doyouknowwhythreefokes，arichman，amiddlingman，andapoorman，shouldwanthorsesforKnollseaaforeseveno’clockinthemorningonablinkingdayinFall，wheneverythingisaswetasadishclout，whereasthat’smorethanoftenhappensinfinesummerweather？’

’No——Idon’tknow，Johnhostler。’

’Thengohomeandtellyourmotherthatyebenowide-awakeboy，andthatoldJohn，whowenttoschoolwithherfatheraforeshewasbornorthoughto’，saysso……Chok’itall，whyshouldIthinkthere’ssommatgoingonatKnollsea？HonesttravellinghavebeensorascallyabusedsinceIwasaboyinpinners，bytribesofnobodiestearingfromoneendofthecountrytot’other，toseethesungodowninsaltwater，orthemoonplayjack-lanternbehindsomerottentowerorother，that，uponmysong，whenlifeanddeath’sinthewindthere’snotellingthedifference！’

’Iliketheirsixpenceseversomuch。’

’Youngsonny，don’tyouansweruptomewhenyoubaintinthestory——

stoppingmywordsinthatfashion。Iwon’thaveit，David。Nowupinthetalletwithye，there’sagoodboy，anddownwithanotherlockortwoofhay——asfastasyoucandoitforme。’

Theboyvanishedunderthearchway，andthehostlerfollowedathisheels。MeanwhilethecarriagebearingMr。MountclereandSolwasspeedingonitswaytoEnckworth。Whentheyreachedthespotatwhichtheroadforkedintotwo，theylefttheKnollsearoute，andkeepingthenceunderthehillsforthedistanceoffiveorsixmiles，droveintoLordMountclere’spark。Intenminutesthehousewasbeforethem，framedinbydrippingtrees。

Mountclerejumpedout，andenteredwithoutceremony。Sol，beinganxioustoknowifLordMountclerewasthere，orderedthecoachmantowaitafewmoments。Itwasnownearlyeighto’clock，andthesmokewhichascendedfromthenewly-litfiresoftheCourtpaintedsoftbluetintsuponthebrownandgoldenleavesofloftyboughsadjoining。

’O，Ethelberta！’saidSol，asheregardedthefairprospect。

Thegravelofthedrivehadbeenwashedcleanandsmoothbythenight’srain，buttherewerefreshwheelmarksotherthantheirownuponthetrack。Yetthemansionseemedscarcelyawake，andstillnessreignedeverywherearound。

NotmorethanthreeorfourminuteshadpassedwhenthedoorwasopenedforMountclere，andhecamehastilyfromthedoorsteps。

’Imustgoonwithyou，’hesaid，gettingintothevehicle。’He’sgone。’

’Where——toKnollsea？’saidSol。

’Yes，’saidMountclere。’Now，goaheadtoKnollsea！’heshoutedtotheman。’TothinkIshouldbefooledlikethis！Ihadnoideathathewouldbeleavingsosoon！Wemightperhapshavebeenhereanhourearlierbyhardstriving。Butwhowastodreamthathewouldarrangetoleaveitatsuchanunearthlytimeofthemorningatthisdarkseasonoftheyear？Drive——drive！’hecalledagainoutofthewindow，andthepacewasincreased。

’Ihavecometwoorthreemilesoutofmywayonaccountofyou，’

saidSolsullenly。’Andallthistimelost。Idon’tseewhyyouwantedtocomehereatall。Iknewitwouldbeawasteoftime。’

’Damnitall，man，’saidMountclere；’itisnouseforyoutobeangrywithme！’

’Ithinkitis，for’tisyouhavebroughtmeintothismuddle，’saidSol，innosweetertone。’Ha，ha！UponmylifeIshouldbeinclinedtolaugh，ifIwerenotsomuchinclinedtodotheotherthing，atBerta’strickoftryingtomakeclosefamilyalliesofsuchacantankerouspairasyouandI！Somuchofonemindaswebe，soalikeinourwaysofliving，socloseconnectedinourcallingsandprinciples，somatchedinmannersandcustoms！’twouldbeathousandpitiestopartus——hey，Mr。Mountclere！’

Mountclerefaintlylaughedwiththesamehideousmerrimentatthesameidea，andthenbothremainedinawitheringsilence，meanttoexpresstheuttercontemptofeachfortheother，bothinfamilyandinperson。TheypassedtheLodge，andagainsweptintothehighroad。

’Driveon！’saidMountclere，puttinghisheadagainoutofthewindow，andshoutingtotheman。’Drivelikethedevil！’heroaredagainafewminutesafterwards，infumingdissatisfactionwiththeirrateofprogress。

’BaintIdoingofit？’saidthedriver，turningangrilyround。’I

ain’tgoingtoruinmygovernor’shorsesforstrangerswhowon’tpaydoublefor’em——notI。IamdrivingasfastasIcan。IfotherfolksgetinthewaywiththeirtrapsIsupposeImustdriveround’em，sir？’

Therewasaslightcrash。

’There！’continuedthecoachman。’That’swhatcomesofmyturninground！’

Sollookedoutontheotherside，andfoundthattheforewheeloftheircarriagehadbecomelockedinthewheelofadogcarttheyhadovertaken，theroadherebeingverynarrow。Theircoachman，whoknewhewastoblameforthismishap，felttheadvantageoftakingtimebytheforelockinacaseofaccusation，andbeganswearingathisvictimasifhewerethesinner。Soljumpedout，andlookingupattheoccupantsoftheotherconveyance，sawagainsttheskythebackelevationofhisfatherandChristopherJulian，sittinguponalittleseatwhichtheyoverhung，liketwobigpuddingsuponasmalldish。

’Father——what，yougoing？’saidSol。’IsitaboutBertathatyou’vecome？’

’Yes，Igotyourletter，’saidChickerel，’andIfeltIshouldliketocome——thatIoughttocome，tosaveherfromwhatshe’llregret。

Luckily，thisgentleman，astrangertome，hasgivenmealiftfromAnglebury，orImusthavehired。’HepointedtoChristopher。

’Buthe’sMr。Julian！’saidSol。

’YouareMrs。Petherwin’sfather？——Ihavetravelledinyourcompanywithoutknowingit！’exclaimedChristopher，feelingandlookingbothastonishedandpuzzled。Atfirst，ithadappearedtohimthat，indirectantagonismtohisownpurpose，herfriendswerefavouringEthelberta’swedding；butitwasevidentlyotherwise。

’Yes，that’sfather，’saidSol。’Father，thisisMr。Julian。Mr。

Julian，thisgentlemanhereisLordMountclere’sbrother——and，tocutthestoryshort，weallwishtostopthewedding。’

’Thenletusgeton，inHeaven’sname！’saidMountclere。’Youarethelady’sfather？’

’Iam，’saidChickerel。

’Thenyouhadbettercomeintothiscarriage。Weshallgofasterthanthedogcart。Now，driver，arethewheelsrightagain？’

ChickerelhastilyenteredwithMountclere，Soljoinedthem，andtheyspedon。Christopherdrovecloseintheirrear，notquitecertainwhetherhedidwellingoingfurther，nowthattherewereplentyofpeopletoattendtothebusiness，butanxioustoseetheend。Theotherthreesatinsilence，withtheireyesupontheirknees，thoughthecloudsweredispersing，andthemorninggrewbright。InabouttwentyminutesthesquareunembattledtowerofKnollseaChurchappearedbelowtheminthevale，itssummitjusttouchingthedistantlineofseauponsky。Theelementbywhichtheyhadbeenvictimizedonthepreviouseveningnowsmiledfalselytothelowmorningsun。

Theydescendedtheroadtothevillageatalittlemoremannerlypacethanthatoftheearlierjourney，andsawtheraysglanceuponthehandsofthechurchclock，whichmarkedfive-and-twentyminutestonine。

45。KNOLLSEA-THEROADTHENCE-ENCKWORTH

Alleyesweredirectedtothechurch-gate，asthetravellersdescendedthehill。Noweddingcarriageswerethere，nofavours，noslatternlygroupofwomenbrimmingwithinterest，noagedpauperontwosticks，whocomesbecausehehasnothingelsetodotilldyingtime，nonamelessfemalepassingbyontheothersidewithalaughofindifference，noringerstakingofftheircoatsastheyvanishupaturret，nohobbledehoysontiptoeoutsidethechancelwindows——inshort，nonewhateverofthecustomaryaccessoriesofacountryweddingwasanywherevisible。

’ThankGod！’saidChickerel。

’Waittillyouknowhedeservesit，’saidMountclere。

’Nothing’sdoneyetbetweenthem。’

’Itisnotlikelythatanythingisdoneatthistimeofday。ButI

havedecidedtogotothechurchfirst。Youwillprobablygotoyourrelative’shouseatonce？’

Sollookedtohisfatherforareply。

’No，Itooshallgotothechurchfirst，justtoassuremyself，’

saidChickerel。’IshallthengoontoMrsPetherwin’s。’

Thecarriagewasstoppedatthecornerofasteepinclineleadingdowntotheedifice。MountclereandChickerelalightedandwalkedontowardsthegates，Solremaininginhisplace。Christopherwassomewayoff，descendingthehillonfoot，havinghaltedtoleavehishorseandtrapatasmallinnattheentrancetothevillage。

WhenChickerelandMountclerereachedthechurchyardgatetheyfounditslightlyopen。Thechurch-doorbeyonditwasalsoopen，butnobodywasnearthespot。

’Wehavearrivednotaminutetoosoon，however，’saidMountclere。

’Preparationshaveapparentlybegun。Itwastobeanearlywedding，nodoubt。’

Enteringthebuilding，theylookedaround；itwasquiteempty。

Chickerelturnedtowardsthechancel，hiseyebeingattractedbyaredkneeling-cushion，placedataboutthemiddleofthealtar-

railing，asifforearlyuse。Mountclerestrodetothevestry，somewhatatalosshowtoproceedinhisdifficulttaskofunearthinghisbrother，obtainingaprivateinterviewwithhim，andthen，bytheintroductionofSolandChickerel，causingageneralconvulsion。

’Ha！here’ssomebody，’hesaid，observingamaninthevestry。HeadvancedwiththeintentionofaskingwhereLordMountclerewastobefound。Chickerelcameforwardinthesamedirection。

’Areyoutheparishclerk？’saidMountcleretotheman，whowasdressedupinhisbestclothes。

’Ihevthehonourofthatcalling，’themanreplied。

Twolargebookswerelyingbeforehimonthevestrytable，oneofthembeingopen。Astheclerkspokehelookedslantinglyonthepage，asapersonmightdotodiscoverifsomewritingweredry。

MountclereandChickerelgazedonthesamepage。Thebookwasthemarriage-register。

’Toolate！’saidChickerel。

ThereplainlyenoughstoodthesignaturesofLordMountclereandEthelberta。Theviscount’swasveryblack，andhadnotyetdried。

Herstrokeswerefirm，andcomparativelythickforawoman’s，thoughpaledbyjuxtapositionwithherhusband’smuddledcharacters。Inthespaceforwitnesses’namesappearedintremblinglinesasfineassilktheautographofPicotee，thesecondnamebeingthatofastranger，probablytheclerk。

’Yes，yes——wearetoolate，itseems，’saidMountclerecoolly。’Whocouldhavethoughtthey’dmarryateight！’

Chickerelstoodlikeamanbakedhardanddry。Furtherthanhisfirsttwowordshecouldsaynothing。

’Theymusthavesetaboutitearly，uponmysoul，’Mountclerecontinued。’Whendidtheweddingtakeplace？’heaskedoftheclerksharply。

’Itwasoveraboutfiveminutesbeforeyoucamein，’repliedthatluminarypleasantly，asheplayedataninvisiblegameofpitch-and-

tosswithsomehalf-sovereignsinhispocket。’Ireceivedorderstohavethechurchreadyatfiveminutestoeightthismorning，thoughIknewnothingaboutsuchathingtillbedtimelastnight。Itwasveryprivateandplain，notthatIshouldmindanothersuchaone，sir；’andhesecretlypitchedandtossedagain。

MeanwhileSolhadfoundhimselftoorestlesstositwaitinginthecarriageformorethanaminuteaftertheothertwohadleftit。HesteppedoutatthesameinstantthatChristophercamepast，andtogethertheytoowentontothechurch。

’Father，oughtwenottogoonatoncetoEthelberta’s，insteadofwaiting？’saidSol，onreachingthevestry，stillinignorance。

’’Twasnouseincominghere。’

’Nouseatall，’saidChickerel，asifhehadstrawinhisthroat。

’Lookatthis。IwouldalmostsoonerhavehaditthatinleavingthischurchIcamefromhergrave——well，no，perhapsnotthat，butI

fearitisabadthing。’

Solthensawthenamesintheregister，Christophersawthem，andthemanclosedthebook。Christophercouldnotwellcommandhimself，andheretired。

’Iknewit。IalwayssaidthatpridewouldleadBertatomarryanunworthyman，andsoithas！’saidSolbitterly。’Whatshallwedonow？I’llseeher。’

’Donosuchthing，youngman，’saidMountclere。’Thebestcourseistoleavemattersalone。Theyaremarried。Ifyouarewise，youwilltrytothinkthematchagoodone，andbecontenttoletherkeepherpositionwithoutinconveniencingherbyyourintrusionsorcomplaints。Itispossiblethatthesatisfactionofherambitionwillhelphertoendureanyfewsurprisestoherproprietythatmayoccur。Sheisacleveryoungwoman，andhasplayedhercardsadroitly。Ionlyhopeshemayneverrepentofthegame！A-hem。

Goodmorning。’Sayingthis，Mountclereslightlybowedtohisrelations，andmarchedoutofthechurchwithdignity；butitwastoldafterwardsbythecoachman，whohadnoloveforMountclere，thatwhenhesteppedintothefly，andwasashebelievedunobserved，hewasquiteovercomewithfatuousrage，hislipsfrothinglikeamugofhotale。

’Whatanimpertinentgentleman’tis，’saidChickerel。’Asifwehadtriedforhertomarryhisbrother！’

’Heknowsbetterthanthat，’saidSol。’Buthe’llneverbelievethatBertadidn’tlayatrapfortheoldfellow。HethinksatthismomentthatLordMountclerehasneverbeentoldofusandourbelongings。’

’Iwonderifshehasdeceivedhiminanything，’murmuredChickerel。

’Icanhardlysupposeit。Butsheisaltogetherbeyondme。

However，ifshehasmisledhimonanypointshewillsufferforit。’

’Youneednotfearthat，father。Itisn’therwayofworking。Whycouldn’tshehaveknownthatwhenatitleistobehadfortheasking，theownermustbeashockingoneindeed？’

’Thetitleiswellenough。Anypoorscrubsinourplacemustbefoolsnottothinkthematchaveryrareandastonishinghonour，asfarasthepositiongoes。ButthatmybravegirlwillbemiserableisapartofthehonourIcan’tstomachsowell。Ifhehadbeenanyotherlordinthekingdom，wemighthavebeenmerryindeed。I

believehewillruinherhappiness——yes，Ido——notbyanypersonalsnubbingorroughconduct，butbyotherthings，causinghertobedespised；andthatisathingshecan’tendure。’

’She’snottobedespisedwithoutadealoftrouble——wemustrememberthat。Andifheinsultsherbyintroducingnewfavourites，astheysayhedidhisfirstwife，I’llcalluponhimandaskhismeaning，andtakeheraway。’

’Nonsense——weshallneverknowwhathedoes，orhowshefeels；shewillneverletoutaword。Howeverunhappyshemaybe，shewillalwaysdenyit——that’stheunfortunatepartofsuchmarriages。’

’Anoldchaplikethatoughttoleaveyoungwomenalone，damnhim！’

Theclerkcamenearer。’IamafraidIcannotallowbadwordstobespokeinthissacredpile，’hesaid。’Asfarasmypersonalselfgoes，Ishouldhavenoobjectiontoyourcussingasmuchasyoulike，butasaofficialofthechurchmyconsciencewon’tallowittobedone。’

’Yourconsciencehasallowedsomethingtobedonethatcussingandswearingaregodlyworshipto。’

’Theprettiestmaidisleftoutofharness，however，’saidtheclerk。’Thelittlewitnesswasthechickentomytaste——Lordforgivemeforsayingit，andamanwithawifeandfamily！’

Solandhisfatherturnedtowithdraw，andsoonforgottheremark，butitwasfrequentlyrecalledbyChristopher。

’DoyouthinkoftryingtoseeEthelbertabeforeyouleave？’saidSol。

’Certainlynot，’saidChickerel。’Mr。Mountclere’sadvicewasgoodinthat。Themorewekeepoutofthewaythemoregoodwearedoingher。IshallgobacktoAngleburybythecarrier，andgetonatoncetoLondon。Youwillgowithme，Isuppose？’

’Thecarrierdoesnotleaveyetforanhourortwo。’

’Ishallwalkon，andlethimovertakeme。Ifpossible，IwillgetoneglimpseofEnckworthCourt，Berta’snewhome；theremaybetime，ifIstartatonce。’

’Iwillwalkwithyou，’saidSol。

’Thereisroomforonewithme，’saidChristopher。’Ishalldrivebackearlyintheafternoon。’

’Thankyou，’saidSol。’IwillendeavourtomeetyouatCorvsgate。’

Thusitwasarranged。ChickerelcouldhavewishedtosearchforPicotee，andlearnfromherthedetailsofthismysteriousmatter。

Butitwasparticularlypainfultohimtomakehimselfbusyaftertheevent；andtoappearsuddenlyanduselesslywherehewasplainlynotwantedtoappearwouldbeanawkwardnesswhichthepleasureofseeingeitherdaughtercouldscarcelycounterbalance。Hencehehadresolvedtoreturnatoncetotown，andthereawaitthenews，togetherwiththedetaileddirectionsastohisownfuturemovements，carefullyconsideredandlaiddown，whichweresuretobegivenbythefar-seeingEthelberta。

Solandhisfatherwalkedontogether，ChickereltomeetthecarrierjustbeyondEnckworth，SoltowaitforChristopheratCorvsgate。

Hiswishtosee，incompanywithhisfather，theoutlineoftheseattowhichEthelbertahadbeenadvancedthatday，wasthetriumphofyouthfulcuriosityandinterestoverdoggedobjection。Hisfather’swishwasbasedoncalmerreasons。

Christopher，loneandoutofplace，remainedinthechurchyetalittlelonger。Hedesultorilywalkedround。Reachingtheorganchamber，helookedattheinstrument，andwassurprisedtofindbehinditayoungman。Julianfirstthoughthimtobetheorganist；

onsecondinspection，however，heprovedtobeapersonChristopherhadmetbefore，underfardifferentcircumstances；itwasouryoungfriendLadywell，lookingassickandsorryasalilywithasluginitsstalk。

Theoccasion，theplace，andtheirowncondition，madethemkin。

ChristopherhaddespisedLadywell，LadywellhaddislikedChristopher；butathirditemneutralizedtheothertwo——itwastheircommonlot。

Christopherjustnodded，fortheyhadonlymetonEthelberta’sstairs。Ladywellnoddedmore，andspoke。’Thechurchappearstobeinteresting，’hesaid。

’Yes。SuchatowerisrareinEngland，’saidChristopher。

Theythendweltonotherfeaturesofthebuilding，thenceenlargingtothevillage，andthentotherocksandmarinescenery，bothavoidingthemaladytheysufferedfrom——themarriageofEthelberta。

’Thevillagestreetsareverypicturesque，andthecliffsceneryisgoodofitskind，’rejoinedLadywell。’Therocksrepresentthefemininesideofgrandeur。Heretheyarewhite，withdelicatetops。

Onthewestcoasttheyarehigher，black，andwithangularsummits。

Thoserepresentgrandeurinitsmasculineaspect。Itismerelymyownidea，andnotverybright，perhaps。’

’Itisveryingenious，’saidChristopher，’andperfectlytrue。’

Ladywellwaspleased。’Iamhereatpresentmakingsketchesformynextsubject——awintersea。OtherwiseIshouldnothave——happenedtobeinthechurch。’

’YouareacquaintedwithMrs。Petherwin——IthinkyouareMr。

Ladywell，whopaintedherportraitlastseason？’

’Yes，’saidLadywell，colouring。

’YoumayhaveheardherspeakofMr。Julian？’

’Oyes，’saidLadywell，offeringhishand。Thenbydegreestheirtongueswoundcloserroundthesubjectoftheirsadness，eachtacitlyowningtowhathewouldnottell。

’Isawit，’saidLadywellheavily。

’Didshelooktroubled？’

’Notintheleast——brightandfreshasaMaymorning。Shehasplayedmemanyabittertrick，andpoorNeightoo，afriendofmine。

ButIcannothelpforgivingher……Isawacarriageatthedoor，andstrolledin。Theceremonywasjustproceeding，soIsatdownhere。Well，IhavedonewithKnollsea。Theplacehasnofurtherinterestformenow。Imayowntoyouasafriend，thatifshehadnotbeenlivinghereIshouldhavestudiedatsomeothercoast——ofcoursethat’sinconfidence。’

’Iunderstand，quite。’

’Ionlyarrivedintheneighbourhoodtwodaysago，anddidnotseteyesuponhertillthismorning，shehaskeptsoentirelyindoors。’

Thentheyoungmenparted，andhalf-an-hourlatertheingenuousLadywellcamefromthevisitors’innbytheshore，amanwalkingbehindhimwithaquantityofartists’materialsandappliances。Hewentonboardthesteamer，whichthismorninghadperformedthepassageinsafety。EthelbertasinglehavingbeentheloadstoneinthecliffsthathadattractedLadywellhither，Ethelbertamarriedwasthenegativepoleofthesame，sendinghimaway。Andthusdidawomanputanendtotheonlyopportunityofdistinction，onArt-

exhibitionwalls，thateveroffereditselftothetortuousways，quaintalleys，andmarbledbluffsofKnollsea，asaccessoriesinthepictureofawintersea。

Christopher’sinterestinthevillagewasofthesameevaporatingnature。Helookeduponthesea，andthegreatswell，andthewavessendingupasoundlikethehuzzasofmultitudes；butallthewildscenewasirksomenow。Theocean-boundsteamersfarawayonthehorizoninspiredhimwithnocuriosityastotheirdestination；thehouseEthelbertahadoccupiedwaspositivelyhateful；andheturnedawaytowaitimpatientlyforthehouratwhichhehadpromisedtodriveontomeetSolatCorvsgate。

SolandChickerelploddedalongtheroad，inordertoskirtEnckworthbeforethecarriercameup。Reachingthetopofahillontheirway，theypausedtolookdownonapeacefulscene。Itwasaparkandwood，glowinginallthematchlesscoloursoflateautumn，parapetsandpedimentspeeringoutfromacentralpositionafar。Atthebottomofthedescentbeforethemwasalodge，towhichtheynowdescended。Thegatestoodinvitinglyopen。Exclusivenesswasnopartoftheowner’sinstincts:onecouldseethatataglance。Noappearanceofawell-rolledgarden-pathattachedtothepark-drive；

asisthecasewithmany，betokeningbytheperfectionoftheirsurfacestheirproprietor’sdeficiencyinhospitality。Theapproachwaslikeaturnpikeroadfullofgreatruts，clumsymendings；

borderedbytramplededgesandincursionsuponthegrassatpleasure。Butchersandbakersdroveasfreelyhereinaspeersandpeeresses。Christeningparties，weddingcompanies，andfuneraltrainspassedalongbythedoorsofthemansionwithoutcheckorquestion。Awilduntidinessinthisparticularhasitsrecommendations；forguardedgroundseverconveyasuspicionthattheirownerisyoungtolandedpossessions，asreligiousearnestnesssimpliesnewnessofconversion，andconjugaltendernessrecentmarriage。

Half-an-hourbeingwantingasyettoChickerel’stimewiththecarrier，Solandhimself，liketherestoftheworldwhenatleisure，walkedintotheextensivestretchofgrassandgrove。Itformedaparksolargethatnotoneofitsownershadeverwisheditlarger，notoneofitsowner’srivalshadeverfailedtowishitsmaller，andnotoneofitsowner’ssatelliteshadeverseenitwithoutpraise。Theysomewhatavoidedtheroadwaypassingunderthehuge，misshapen，raggedtrees，andthroughfernbrakes，ruddyandcrispintheirdecay。Onreachingasuitableeminence，thefatherandsonstoodstilltolookuponthemany-chimneyedbuilding，orratherconglomerationofbuildings，towhichthesegrovesandgladesformedasetting。

’Wewilljustgiveaglance，’saidChickerel，’andthengoaway。Itdon’tseemwelltomethatEthelbertashouldhavethis；itistoomuch。Thesuddenchangewilldohernogood。Ineverbelieveinanythingthatcomesintheshapeofwonderfulluck。Asitcomes，soitgoes。Hadshebeenbroughthometodaytooneofthosetenant-

farmsinsteadofthesewoodsandwalls，Icouldhavecalleditgoodfortune。Whatsheshouldhavedonewasglorifyherselfbyglorifyingherownlineoflife，notbyforsakingthatlineforanother。Betterhavebeenadmiredasagovernessthanshunnedasapeeress，whichiswhatshewillbe。Butitisjustthesameeverywhereinthesedays。Youngmenwillratherwearablackcoatandstarvethanwearfustiananddowell。’

’Onemantowantsuchamonstroushouseasthat！Well，’tisafineplace。See，there’sthecarpenters’shops，thetimber-yard，andeverything，asifitwerealittletown。PerhapsBertamayhiremeforajobnowandthen。’

’Ialwaysknewshewouldcutherselfofffromus。Shemarkedforitfromchildhood，andshehasfinishedthebusinessthoroughly。’

’Well，itisnomatter，father，forwhyshouldwewanttotroubleher？Shemaywrite，andIshallanswer；butifshecallstoseeme，Ishallnotreturnthevisit；andifshemeetsmewithherhusbandoranyofhernewsocietyabouther，Ishallbehaveasastranger。’

’Itwillbebest，’saidChickerel。’Well，nowImustmove。’

However，bythesorceryofaccident，beforetheyhadveryfarretracedtheirstepsanopencarriagebecamevisibleroundabendinthedrive。Chickerel，withaservant’sinstinct，wasforbeatingaretreat。

’No，’saidSol。’Letusstandourground。Wehavealreadybeenseen，andwedonoharm。’

Sotheystoodstillontheedgeofthedrive，andthecarriagedrewnear。Itwasalandau，andthesunshoneinuponLordMountclere，withLadyMountcleresittingbesidehim，likeAbishagbesideKingDavid。

Veryblithelookedtheviscount，forherodeuponacherubto-day。

Sheappearedfresh，rosy，andstrong，butdubious；thoughifmienwasanything，shewasaviscountesstwiceover。Herdresswasofadove-colouredmaterial，withabonnettomatch，alittletuftedwhitefeatherrestingonthetop，likeatruce-flagbetweenthebloodofnobleandvassal。Uponthecoolgreyofhershouldershungafewlocksofhair，tonedwarmasfirebythesunshinyadditiontoitsnaturalhue。

Chickerelinstinctivelytookoffhishat；Soldidthesame。

ForonlyamomentdidEthelbertaseemuncertainhowtoact。Butasolutiontoherdifficultywasgivenbythefaceofherbrother。

Thereshesawplainlyatoneglancemorethanadozenspeecheswouldhavetold——forSol’sfeaturesthoroughlyexpressedhisintentionthattohimshewastobeastranger。HereyesflewtoChickerel，andheslightlyshookhishead。Sheunderstoodthemnow。Withatearinhereyeforherfather，andasighinherbosomforSol，shebowedinanswertotheirsalute；herhusbandmovedhishatandnodded，andthecarriagerolledon。LordMountcleremightpossiblybemakinguseofthefinemorninginshowinghertheparkandpremises。Chickerel，withamoisteye，nowwentonwithhissontowardsthehighroad。Whentheyreachedthelodge，thelodge-keeperwaswalkinginthesun，smokinghispipe。’Goodmorning，’hesaidtoChickerel。

’AnyrejoicingsattheCourtto-day？’thebutlerinquired。

’Quitethereverse。Notasoulthere。’Tisn’tknowedanywhereatall。Ihadnoideaofsuchathingtillhebroughtmyladyhere。

Notgoingoff，neither。They’vecomehomelikethecommonestcoupleintheland，andnoteventhebellsallowedtoring。’

Theywalkedalongthepublicroad，andthecarriercameinview。

’Father，’saidSol，’Idon’tthinkI’llgofurtherwithyou。She’sgoneintothehouse；andsupposesheshouldrunbackwithouthimtotrytofindus？Itwouldbecrueltodisappointher。I’llbideabouthereforaquarterofanhour，incasesheshould。Mr。Julianwon’thavepassedCorvsgatetillIgetthere。’

’Well，oneortwoofheroldwaysmaybeleftinherstill，anditisnotabadthought。Thenyouwillwalktherestofthedistanceifyoudon’tmeetMr。Julian？ImustbeinLondonbytheevening。’

’Anytimeto-nightwilldoforme。Ishallnotbeginworkuntilto-

morrow，sothatthefouro’clocktrainwillanswermypurpose。’

Thustheyparted，andSolstrolledleisurelyback。Theroadwasquitedeserted，andhelingeredbytheparkfence。

’Sol！’saidabird-likevoice；’howdidyoucomehere？’

Helookedup，andsawafigurepeeringdownuponhimfromthetopoftheparkwall，thegroundontheinsidebeinghigherthantheroad。

ThespeakerwastotheexpectedEthelbertawhatthemoonistothesun，astartothemoon。ItwasPicotee。

’Hullo，Picotee！’saidSol。

’There’salittlegateaquarterofamilefurtheron，’saidPicotee。’Wecanmeettherewithoutyourpassingthroughthebiglodge。I’llbethereassoonasyou。’

Solascendedthehill，passedthroughthesecondgate，andturnedbackagain，whenhemetPicoteecomingforwardunderthetrees。

Theywalkedtogetherinthissecludedspot。

’Bertasaysshewantstoseeyouandfather，’saidPicoteebreathlessly。’Youmustcomeinandmakeyourselvescomfortable。

Shehadnoideayouwereheresosecretly，andshedidn’tknowwhattodo。’

’Father’sgone，’saidSol。

’Howvexedshewillbe！Shethinksthereissomethingthematter——

thatyouareangrywithherfornottellingyouearlier。Butyouwillcomein，Sol？’

’No，Ican’tcomein，’saidherbrother。

’Whynot？Itissuchabighouse，youcan’tthink。Youneednotcomenearthefrontapartments，ifyouthinkweshallbeashamedofyouinyourworkingclothes。Howcameyounottodressupabit，Sol？Still，Bertawon’tminditmuch。ShesaysLordMountcleremusttakeherassheis，orheiskindlywelcometoleaveher。’

’Ah，well！Imighthavehadawordortwotosayaboutthat，butthetimehasgonebyforit，worseluck。PerhapsitisbestthatI

havesaidnothing，andshehashadherway。No，Ishan’tcomein，Picotee。Fatherisgone，andIamgoingtoo。’

’OSol！’

’Weareratherputoutatheractinglikethis——fatherandIandallofus。Shemighthaveletusknowaboutitbeforehand，evenifsheisaladyandwewhatwealwayswas。Itwouldn’thaveletherdownsoterriblemuchtowritealine。Shemighthavelearntsomethingthatwouldhaveledhertotakeadifferentstep。’

’ButyouwillseepoorBerta？Shehasdonenoharm。Shewasgoingtowritelongletterstoallofyouto-day，explainingherwedding，andhowsheisgoingtohelpusallonintheworld。’

Solpausedirresolutely。’No，Iwon’tcomein，’hesaid。’Itwoulddisgraceher，foronething，dressedasIbe；morethanthat，I

don’twanttocomein。ButIshouldliketoseeher，ifshewouldliketoseeme；andI’llgouptheretothatlittlefirplantation，andwalkupanddownbehinditforexactlyhalf-an-hour。Shecancomeouttomethere。’Solhadpointedashespoketoaknotofyoungtreesthathoodedaknollalittlewayoff。

’I’llgoandtellher，’saidPicotee。

’Isupposetheywillbeoffsomewhere，andsheisbusygettingready？’

’Ono。Theyarenotgoingtotraveltillnextyear。Ethelbertadoesnotwanttogoanywhere；andLordMountclerecannotendurethischangeableweatherinanyplacebuthisownhouse。’

’Poorfellow！’

’Thenyouwillwaitforherbythefirs？I’lltellheratonce。’

Picoteelefthim，andSolwentacrosstheglade。

46。ENCKWORTH(continued)-THEANGLEBURYHIGHWAY

HehadnotpacedbehindthefirsmorethantenminuteswhenEthelbertaappearedfromtheoppositeside。Atgreatinconveniencetoherself，shehadcompliedwithhisrequest。

Ethelbertawastrembling。Shetookherbrother’shand，andsaid，’Isfather，then，gone？’

’Yes，’saidSol。’Ishouldhavebeengonelikewise，butIthoughtyouwantedtoseeme。’

’OfcourseIdid，andhimtoo。Whydidyoucomesomysteriously，and，Imustsay，unbecomingly？IamafraidIdidwronginnotinformingyouofmyintention。’

’Toyourselfyoumayhave。Fatherwouldhavelikedawordwithyoubefore——youdidit。’

’YoubothlookedsoforbiddingthatIdidnotliketostopthecarriagewhenwepassedyou。Iwanttoseehimonanimportantmatter——hisleavingMrs。Doncastle’sserviceatonce。Iamgoingtowriteandbeghertodispensewithanotice，whichIhavenodoubtshewilldo。’

’He’sverymuchupsetaboutyou。’

’Mysecrecywasperhapsanerrorofjudgment，’shesaidsadly。’ButIhadreasons。Whydidyouandmyfathercomehereatallifyoudidnotwanttoseeme？’

’Wedidwanttoseeyouuptoacertaintime。’

’Youdidnotcometopreventmymarriage？’

’Wewishedtoseeyoubeforethemarriage——Ican’tsaymore。’

’IthoughtyoumightnotapproveofwhatIhaddone，’saidEthelbertamournfully。’Butatimemaycomewhenyouwillapprove。’

’Never。’

’Don’tbeharsh，Sol。Acoronetcoversamultitudeofsins。’

’Acoronet:goodLord——andyoumysister！Lookatmyhand。’Solextendedhishand。’Lookhowmythumbstandsoutattheroot，asifitwereoutofjoint，andthathardplaceinsidethere。Didyoueverseeanythingsouglyasthathand——amisshapedmonster，isn’the？Thatcomesfromthejackplane，andmypushingagainstitdayafterdayandyearafteryear。IfIwerefounddrownedorburied，dressedorundressed，infustianorinbroadcloth，folkwouldlookatmyhandandsay，"Thatman’sacarpenter。"Wellnow，howcanaman，brandedwithworkasIbe，bebrothertoaviscountesswithoutsomethingbeingwrong？Ofcoursethere’ssomethingwronginit，orhewouldn’thavemarriedyou——somethingwhichwon’tberightedwithoutterriblesuffering。’

’No，no，’saidshe。’Youaremistaken。Thereisnosuchwonderfulqualityinatitleinthesedays。WhatIreallyamissecondwifetoaquietoldcountrynobleman，whohasgivenupsociety。Whatmorecommonplace？Mylifewillbeassimple，evenmoresimple，thanitwasbefore。’

’Berta，youhaveworkedtofalselines。Acreepingupamongtheuselesslumberofournationthat’llbethefirsttoburniftherecomesaflare。Ineverseesuchadeserterofyourownlotasyoube！Butyouwerealwayslikeit，Berta，andIamashamedofye。

Morethanthat，agoodwomannevermarriestwice。’

’Youaretoohard，Sol，’saidthepoorviscountess，almostcrying。

’I’vedoneitallforyou！EvenifIhavemadeamistake，andgivenmyambitionanignobleturn，don’ttellmesonow，oryoumaydomoreharminaminutethanyouwillcureinalifetime。Itisabsurdtoletrepublicanpassionssoblindyoutofact。Afamilywhichcanbehonourablytracedthroughhistoryforfivehundredyears，doesaffecttheheartofapersonnotentirelyhardenedagainstromance。Whetheryoulikethepeerageorno，theyappealtoourhistoricalsenseandloveofoldassociations。’

’Idon’tcareforhistory。Prophecyistheonlythingcandopoormenanygood。Whenyouwereagirl，youwouldn’tdropacurtseyto’em，historicalorotherwise，andthereyouwereright。But，insteadofstickingtosuchprinciples，youmustneedspushup，soastogetgirlssuchasyouwereoncetocurtseytoyou，noteventhinkingmarriagewithabadmantoogreatapricetopayfor’t。’

’Abadman？Whatdoyoumeanbythat？LordMountclereisratherold，buthe’sworthy。Whatdidyoumean，Sol？’

’Nothing——ameresommattosay。’

AtthatmomentPicoteeemergedfrombehindatree，andtoldhersisterthatLordMountclerewaslookingforher。

’Well，Sol，Icannotexplainalltoyounow，’shesaid。’IwillsendforyouinLondon。’Shewishedhimgoodbye，andtheyseparated，PicoteeaccompanyingSolalittleonhisway。

Ethelbertawasgreatlyperturbedbythismeeting。Afterretracingherstepsashortdistance，shestillfeltsodistressedandunpresentablethatsheresolvednottoallowLordMountcleretoseehertillthecloudshadsomewhatpassedoff；itwasbutabareactofjusticetohimtohidefromhissightsuchabridalmoodasthis。

Itwasbettertokeephimwaitingthantomakehimpositivelyunhappy。Sheturnedaside，andwentupthevalley，wheretheparkmergedinmilesofwoodandcopse。

Sheopenedanirongateandenteredthewood，casuallyinterestedinthevastvarietyofcoloursthatthehalf-fallenleavesoftheseasonwore:more，muchmore，occupiedwithpersonalthought。Thepathshepursuedbecamegraduallyinvolvedinbushesaswellastrees，givingtothespotthecharacterratherofacoppicethanawood。Perceivingthatshehadgonefarenough，Ethelbertaturnedbackbyapathwhichatthispointintersectedthatbywhichshehadapproached，andpromisedamoredirectreturntowardstheCourt。

Shehadnotgonemanystepsamongthehazels，whichhereformedaperfectthicket，whensheobservedabeltofholly-bushesintheirmidst；towardstheoutskirtsoftheseanopeningonherlefthanddirectlyled，thencewindingroundintoaclearspaceofgreensward，whichtheycompletelyenclosed。Onthisisolatedandmewed-upbitoflawnstoodatimber-builtcottage，havingornamentalbarge-

boards，balconettes，andporch。Itwasanerectioninterestingenoughasanexperiment，andgrandasatoy，butasabuildingcontemptible。

Abluegauzeofsmokefloatedoverthechimney，asifsomebodywaslivingthere；roundtowardsthesidesomeemptyhen-coopswerepiledaway；whileunderthehollieswerediversframeworksofwirenettingandsticks，showingthatbirdswerekepthereatsomeseasonsoftheyear。

Beingladyofallshesurveyed，Ethelbertacrossedtheleafysward，andknockedatthedoor。Shewasinterestedinknowingthepurposeofthepeculiarlittleedifice。

Thedoorwasopenedbyawomanwearingacleanapronuponanotverycleangown。Ethelbertaaskedwholivedinsoprettyaplace。

’MissGruchette，’theservantreplied。’Butsheisnotherenow。’

’Doessheliveherealone？’

’Yes——exceptingmyselfandafellow-servant。’

’Oh。’

’Shelivesheretoattendtothepheasantsandpoultry，becausesheissocleverinmanagingthem。Theyarebroughtherefromthekeeper’soverthehill。Herfatherwasafancier。’

’MissGruchetteattendstothebirds，andtwoservantsattendtoMissGruchette？’

’Well，totellthetruth，m’m，theservantsdoalmostallofit。

Still，that’swhatMissGruchetteisherefor。Wouldyouliketoseethehouse？Itispretty。’Thewomanspokewithhesitation，asifindoubtbetweenthedesireofearningashillingandthefearthatEthelbertawasnotastranger。ThatEthelbertawasLadyMountcleresheplainlydidnotdream。

’IfearIcanscarcelystaylongenough；yetIwilljustlookin，’

saidEthelberta。Andassoonastheyhadcrossedthethresholdshewasgladofhavingdoneso。

Thecottageinternallymaybedescribedasasortofboudoirextractedfromthebulkofamansionanddepositedinawood。Thefrontroomwasfilledwithnicknacks，curiouswork-tables，filigreebaskets，twistedbracketssupportingstatuettes，inwhichthegrotesqueineverycaseruledthedesign；love-birds，ingiltcages；

Frenchbronzes，wonderfulboxes，needleworkofstrangepatterns，andotherattractiveobjects。Theapartmentwasoneofthosewhichseemtolaughinavisitor’sfaceandoncloserexaminationexpressfrivolitymoredistinctlythanbywords。

’MissGruchetteisheretokeepthefowls？’saidEthelberta，inapuzzledtone，afterasurvey。

’Yes。Buttheydon’tkeepher。’

Ethelbertadidnotattempttounderstand，andceasedtooccupyhermindwiththematter。Theycamefromthecottagetothedoor，whereshegavethewomanatriflingsum，andturnedtoleave。Butfootstepswereatthatmomenttobeheardbeatingamongtheleavesontheothersideofthehollies，andEthelbertawaitedtillthewalkersshouldhavepassed。Thevoicesoftwomenreachedherselfandthewomanastheystood。Theywereclosetothehouse，yetscreenedfromitbytheholly-bushes，whenonecouldbeheardtosaydistinctly，asifwithhisfaceturnedtothecottage——

’LadyMountcleregoneforgood？’

’Isupposeso。Ha-ha！Socome，sogo。’

Thespeakerspassedon，theirbacksbecomingvisiblethroughtheopening。Theyappearedtobewoodmen。

’WhatLadyMountcleredotheymean？’saidEthelberta。

Thewomanblushed。’TheymeantMissGruchette。’

’Oh——anickname。’

’Yes。’

’Why？’

Thewomanwhisperedwhyinastoryofabouttwominutes’length。

Ethelbertaturnedpale。

’Isshegoingtoreturn？’sheinquired，inathinhardvoice。

’Yes；nextweek。Youknowher，m’m？’

’No。Iamastranger。’

’Somuchthebetter。Imaytellyou，then，thatanoldtaleisflyingabouttheneighbourhood——thatLordMountclerewasprivatelymarriedtoanotherwoman，atKnollsea，thismorningearly。Canitbetrue？’

’Ibelieveittobetrue。’

’Andthatsheisofnofamily？’

’Ofnofamily。’

’Indeed。ThentheLordonlyknowswhatwillbecomeofthepoorthing。Therewillbemurderbetween’em。’

’Betweenwhom？’

’Herandtheladywholiveshere。Shewon’tbudgeaninch——notshe！’

Ethelbertamovedaside。Ashadeseemedtooverspreadtheworld，thesky，thetrees，andtheobjectsintheforeground。Shekeptherfaceawayfromthewoman，and，whisperingareplytoherGood-

morning，passedthroughtheholliesintotheleaf-strewnpath。Assoonasshecametoalargetrunksheplacedherhandsagainstitandrestedherfaceuponthem。Shedrewherselflowerdown，lower，lower，tillshecrouchedupontheleaves。’Ay——’tiswhatfatherandSolmeant！OHeaven！’shewhispered。

Shesoonarose，andwentonherwaytothehouse。Herfairfeatureswerefirmlyset，andshescarcelyheededthepathintheconcentrationwhichhadfollowedherparoxysm。Whenshereachedtheparkpropershebecameawareofanexcitementthatwasinprogressthere。

Ethelberta’sabsencehadbecomeunaccountabletoLordMountclere，whocouldhardlypermitherretirementfromhissightforaminute。

Butatfirsthehadmadedueallowanceforhereccentricityasawomanofgenius，andwouldnottakenoticeofthehalf-hour’sdesertion，unpardonableasitmighthavebeeninotherclassesofwives。Thenhehadinquired，searched，beenalarmed:hehadfinallysentmen-servantsinalldirectionsabouttheparktolookforher。Hefearedshehadfallenoutofawindow，downawell，orintothelake。Thenextstageofsearchwastohavebeendragsandgrapnels:butEthelbertaenteredthehouse。

LordMountclererushedforwardtomeether，andsuchwashercontrivancethathenoticednochange。Thesearcherswerecalledin，Ethelbertaexplainingthatshehadmerelyobeyedthewishofherbrotheringoingouttomeethim。Picotee，whohadreturnedfromherwalkwithSol，wasupstairsinoneoftheroomswhichhadbeenallottedtoher。Ethelbertamanagedtoruninthereonherwayupstairstoherownchamber。

’Picotee，putyourthingsonagain，’shesaid。’YouaretheonlyfriendIhaveinthishouse，andIwantonebadly。GotoSol，anddeliverthismessagetohim——thatIwanttoseehimatonce。Youmustovertakehim，ifyouwalkallthewaytoAnglebury。Butthetraindoesnotleavetillfour，sothatthereisplentyoftime。’

’Whatisthematter？’saidPicotee。’Icannotwalkalltheway。’

’Idon’tthinkyouwillhavetodothat——Ihopenot。’