第11章

’HeisgoingtostopatCorvsgatetohaveabitoflunch:Imightovertakehimthere，ifImust！’

’Yes。Andtellhimtocometotheeastpassagedoor。Itisthatdoornexttotheentrancetothestable-yard。Thereisalittleyew-treeoutsideit。Onsecondthoughtsyou，dear，mustnotcomeback。WaitatCorvsgateinthelittleinnparlourtillSolcomestoyouagain。YouwillprobablythenhavetogohometoLondonalone；

butdonotmindit。TheworstpartforyouwillbeingoingfromthestationtotheCrescent；butnobodywillmolestyouinafour-

wheelcab:youhavedoneitbefore。However，hewilltellyouifthisisnecessarywhenhegetsback。Icanbestfightmybattlesalone。Youshallhavealetterfrommethedayafterto-morrow，statingwhereIam。Ishallnotbehere。’

’Butwhatisitsodreadful？’

’Nothingtofrightenyou。’Butshespokewithabreathlessnessthatcompletelynullifiedtheassurance。’ItismerelythatIfindI

mustcometoanexplanationwithLordMountclerebeforeIcanliveherepermanently，andIcannotstipulatewithhimwhileIamhereinhispower。TillIwrite，good-bye。Yourthingsarenotunpacked，soletthemremainhereforthepresent——theycanbesentfor。’

PoorPicotee，moreagitatedthanhersister，butneverquestioningherorders，wentdownstairsandoutofthehouse。Sheranacrosstheshrubberies，intothepark，andtothegatewhereatSolhademergedsomehalf-hourearlier。Shetrottedalongupontheturnpikeroadlikealostdoe，cryingasshewentatthenewtroublewhichhadcomeuponBerta，whateverthattroublemightbe。Behindhersheheardwheelsandthesteppingofahorse，butshewastooconcernedtoturnherhead。Thepaceofthevehicleslackened，however，whenitwasabreastofPicotee，andshelookeduptoseeChristopherasthedriver。

’MissChickerel！’hesaid，withsurprise。

Picoteehadquicklylookeddownagain，andshemurmured，’Yes。’

Christopheraskedwhathecouldnothelpaskinginthecircumstances，’Wouldyouliketoride？’

’Ishouldbeglad，’saidshe，overcomingherflurry。’IamanxioustoovertakemybrotherSol。’

’IhavearrangedtopickhimupatCorvsgate，’saidChristopher。

Hedescended，andassistedhertomountbesidehim，anddroveonagain，almostinsilence。HewasinclinedtobelievethatsomesupernaturallegerdemainhadtodowiththeseperiodicimpactsofPicoteeonhispath。Shesatmuteandmelancholytilltheywerewithinhalf-a-mileofCorvsgate。

’Thankyou，’shesaidthen，perceivingSolupontheroad，’thereismybrother；Iwillgetdownnow。’

’HewasgoingtorideontoAngleburywithme，’saidJulian。

Picoteedidnotreply，andSolturnedround。Seeingherheinstantlyexclaimed，’What’sthematter，Picotee？’

Sheexplainedtohimthathewastogobackimmediately，andmeethersisteratthedoorbytheyew，asEthelbertahadchargedher。

Christopher，knowingthemsowell，wastoomuchaninterestedmemberofthegrouptobeleftoutofconfidence，andsheincludedhiminheraudience。

’Andwhatareyoutodo？’saidSoltoher。

’IamtowaitatCorvsgatetillyoucometome。’

’Ican’tunderstandit，’Solmuttered，withagloomyface。’There’ssomethingwrong；anditwasonlytobeexpected；that’swhatIsay，Mr。Julian。’

’IfnecessaryIcantakecareofMissChickereltillyoucome，’saidChristopher。

’Thankyou，’saidSol。’ThenIwillreturntoyouassoonasIcan，atthe"Castle"Inn，justahead。’Tisveryawkwardforyoutobesoburdenedbyus，Mr。Julian；butweareinatroublethatIdon’tyetseethebottomof。’

’Iknow，’saidChristopherkindly。’Wewillwaitforyou。’

HethendroveonwithPicoteetotheinn，whichwasnotfaroff，andSolreturnedagaintoEnckworth。Feelingsomewhatlikeathiefinthenight，hezigzaggedthroughthepark，behindbeltsandknotsoftrees，untilhesawtheyew，darkandclear，asifdrawnininkuponthefairfaceofthemansion。Thewayuptoitwasinalittlecuttingbetweenshrubs，thedoorbeingaprivateentrance，sunkbelowthesurfaceofthelawn，andinvisiblefromotherpartsofthesamefront。Assoonashereachedit，Ethelbertaopeneditatonce，asifshehadlistenedforhisfootsteps。

Shetookhimalongapassageinthebasement，upaflightofsteps，andintoahuge，solitary，chillapartment。Itwastheball-room。

Spaciousmirrorsingiltframesformedpanelsinthelowerpartofthewalls，theremainderbeingtonedinsage-green。Inarecessbetweeneachmirrorwasastatue。Theceilingroseinasegmentalcurve，andboresprawlinguponitsfacegiltfiguresofwantongoddesses，cupids，satyrswithtambourines，drums，andtrumpets，thewholeceilingseemingalivewiththem。Buttheroomwasverygloomynow，therebeinglittlelightadmittedfromwithout，andthereflectionsfromthemirrorsgaveadepressingcoldnesstothescene。Itwasaplaceintendedtolookjoyousbynight，andwhateveritchosetolookbyday。

’Wearesafehere，’saidshe。’Butwemustlistenforfootsteps。I

haveonlyfiveminutes:LordMountclereiswaitingforme。Imeantoleavethisplace，comewhatmay。’

’Why？’saidSol，inastonishment。

’Icannottellyou——somethinghasoccurred。Godhasgotmeinhispoweratlast，andisgoingtoscourgemeformybaddoings——that’swhatitseemslike。Sol，listentome，anddoexactlywhatIsay。

GotoAnglebury，hireabrougham，bringitonasfarasLittleEnckworth:youwillhavetomeetmewithitatoneoftheparkgateslaterintheevening——probablythewest，athalf-pastseven。

Leaveitatthevillagewiththeman，comeonhereonfoot，andstayunderthetreestilljustbeforesix:itwillthenbequitedark，andyoumuststandundertheprojectingbalustradealittlefurtheronthanthedooryoucameinby。Iwilljuststepuponthebalconyoverit，andtellyoumoreexactlythanIcannowtheprecisetimethatIshallbeabletoslipout，andwherethecarriageistobewaiting。Butitmaynotbesafetospeakonaccountofhisclosenesstome——Iwillhanddownanote。Ifinditisimpossibletoleavethehousebydaylight——Iamcertaintobepursued——healreadysuspectssomething。NowImustbegoing，orhewillbehere，forhewatchesmymovementsbecauseofsomeaccidentalwordsthatescapedme。’

’Berta，Ishan’thaveanythingtodowiththis，’saidSol。’Itisnotright！’

’IamonlygoingtoRouen，toAuntCharlotte！’sheimplored。’I

wanttogettoSouthampton，tobeintimeforthemidnightsteamer。

WhenIamatRouenIcannegotiatewithLordMountclerethetermsonwhichIwillreturntohim。ItistheonlychanceIhaveofrootingoutascandalandadisgracewhichthreatensthebeginningofmylifehere！Myletterstohim，andhistome，canbeforwardedthroughyouorthroughfather，andhewillnotknowwhereIam。Anywomanisjustifiedinadoptingsuchacoursetobringherhusbandtoasenseofherdignity。IfIdon’tgoawaynow，itwillendinapermanentseparation。IfIleaveatonce，andstipulatethathegetsridofher，wemaybereconciled。’

’Ican’thelpyou:youmuststicktoyourhusband。Idon’tlikethem，oranyoftheirsort，barringaboutthreeorfour，forthereasonthattheydespisemeandallmysort。But，Ethelberta，forallthatI’llplayfairwiththem。Nohalf-and-halftrimmingbusiness。Youhavejoined’em，and’rayedyourselfagainstus；andthereyou’dbetterbide。Youhavemarriedyourman，andyourdutyistowardshim。Iknowwhatheisandsodoesfather；butifIweretohelpyoutorunawaynow，IshouldscornmyselfmorethanIscornhim。’

’Idon’tcareforthat，orforanysuchpolitics！TheMountclerelineisnoble，andhowwasItoknowthatthismemberwasnotnoble，too？AstherepresentativeofanillustriousfamilyIwastakenwithhim，butasaman——Imustshunhim。’

’Howcanyoushunhim？Youhavemarriedhim！’

’Nevertheless，Iwon’tstay！NeitherlawnorgospeldemandsitofmeafterwhatIhavelearnt。Andiflawandgospeldiddemandit，I

wouldnotstay。Andifyouwillnothelpmetoescape，Igoalone。’

’Youhadbetternottryanysuchwildthing。’

Thecreakingofadoorwasheard。’OSol，’shesaidappealingly，’don’tgointothequestionwhetherIamrightorwrong——onlyrememberthatIamveryunhappy。Dohelpme——Ihavenootherpersonintheworldtoask！Beunderthebalconyatsixo’clock。Sayyouwill——Imustgo——sayyouwill！’

’I’llthink，’saidSol，verymuchdisturbed。’There，don’tcry；

I’lltrytobeunderthebalcony，atanyrate。Icannotpromisemore，butI’lltrytobethere。’

Sheopenedinthepanellingoneoftheold-fashionedconcealedmodesofexitknownasjib-doors，whichitwasoncethecustomtoconstructwithoutarchitravesinthewallsoflargeapartments，soasnottointerferewiththegeneraldesignoftheroom。Solfoundhimselfinanarrowpassage，runningdownthewholelengthoftheball-room，andatthesametimeheheardLordMountclere’svoicewithin，talkingtoEthelberta。Sol’sescapehadbeenmarvellous:

asitwastheviscountmighthaveseenhertears。Hepasseddownsomesteps，alonganareafromwhichhecouldseeintoarowofservants’offices，amongthemakitchenwithafireplaceflaminglikeanaltarofsacrifice。Nobodyseemedtobeconcernedabouthim；therewereworkmenuponthepremises，andhenearlymatchedthem。Atlasthegotagainintotheshrubberiesandtothesideoftheparkbywhichhehadentered。

OnreachingCorvsgatehefoundPicoteeintheparlourofthelittleinn，ashehaddirected。Mr。Julian，shesaid，hadwalkeduptotheruins，andwouldbebackagaininafewminutes。Solorderedthehorsetobeputin，andbythetimeitwasreadyChristophercamedownfromthehill。RoomwasmadeforSolbyopeningtheflapofthedogcart，andChristopherdroveon。

Hewasanxioustoknowthetrouble，andSolwasnotreluctanttosharetheburdenofitwithonewhomhebelievedtobeafriend。Hetold，scrapbyscrap，thestrangerequestofEthelberta。

Christopher，thoughignorantofEthelberta’sexperiencethatmorning，instantlyassumedthatthediscoveryofsomeconcealedspectrehadledtothisprecipitancy。

’Whendoesshewishyoutomeetherwiththecarriage？’

’Probablyathalf-pastseven，atthewestlodge；butthatistobefinallyfixedbyanoteshewillhanddowntomefromthebalcony。’

’Whichbalcony？’

’Thenearesttotheyew-tree。’

’Atwhattimewillshehandthenote？’

’AstheCourtclockstrikessix，shesays。AndifIamnottheretotakeherinstructionsofcourseshewillgiveuptheidea，whichisjustwhatIwanthertodo。’

ChristopherbeggedSoltogo。WhetherEthelbertawasrightorwrong，hedidnotstoptoinquire。Shewasintrouble；shewastooclear-headedtobeintroublewithoutgoodreason；andshewantedassistanceoutofit。ButsuchwasSol’snaturethatthemorehereflectedthemoredeterminedwasheinnotgivingwaytoherentreaty。BythetimethattheyreachedAngleburyherepentedhavinggivenwaysofarastowithholdadirectrefusal。

’Itcandonogood，’hesaidmournfully。’Itisbettertoniphernotioninitsbeginning。ShesaysshewantstoflytoRouen，andfromtherearrangetermswithhim。Butitcan’tbedone——sheshouldhavethoughtoftermsbefore。’

Christophermadenofurtherreply。Leavingwordatthe’RedLion’

thatamanwastobesenttotakethehorseofhim，hedrovedirectlyonwardstothestation。

’Thenyoudon’tmeantohelpher？’saidJulian，whenSoltookthetickets——oneforhimselfandoneforPicotee。

’Iserveherbestbyleavingheralone！’saidSol。

’Idon’tthinkso。’

’Shehasmarriedhim。’

’Sheisindistress。’

’Shehasmarriedhim。’

SolandPicoteetooktheirseats，Picoteeupbraidingherbrother。

’Icangobymyself！’shesaid，intears。’DogobackforBerta，Sol。ShesaidIwastogohomealone，andIcandoit！’

’Youmustnot。ItisnotrightforyoutobehiringcabsanddrivingacrossLondonatmidnight。Bertashouldhaveknownbetterthanproposeit。’

’Shewasflurried。Go，Sol！’

Butherentreatywasfruitless。

’Haveyougotyourticket，Mr。Julian？’saidSol。’IsupposeweshallgotogethertillwegetnearMelchester？’

’Ihavenotgotmyticketyet——I’llbebackintwominutes。’

Theminuteswentby，andChristopherdidnotreappear。Thetrainmovedoff:Christopherwasseenrunninguptheplatform，asifinavainhopetocatchit。

’Hehasmissedthetrain，’saidSol。Picoteelookeddisappointed，andsaidnothing。Theyweresoonoutofsight。

’Godforgivemeforsuchahollowpretence！’saidChristophertohimself。’ButhewouldhavebeenuneasyhadheknownIwishedtostaybehind。Icannotleaveherintroublelikethis！’

Hewentbacktothe’RedLion’withthemannerandmovementofamanwhoafteralifetimeofdesultorinesshadatlastfoundsomethingtodo。Itwasnowgettinglateintheafternoon。Christopherorderedaone-horsebroughamattheinn，andenteringitwasdrivenoutofthetowntowardsEnckworthastheeveningshadeswerebeginningtofall。TheypassedintothehamletofLittleEnckworthathalf-pastfive，anddrewupatabeer-houseattheend。Jumpingouthere，Juliantoldthemantowaittillheshouldreturn。

ThusfarhehadexactlyobeyedherorderstoSol。Hehopedtobeabletoobeythemthroughout，andsupplyherwiththeaidherbrotherrefused。Healsohopedthatthechangeinthepersonalityofherconfederatewouldmakenodifferencetoherintention。Thathewasputtinghimselfinawrongpositionheallowed，buttimeandattentionwererequisiteforsuchanalysis:meanwhileEthelbertawasintrouble。OntheonehandwasshewaitinghopefullyforSol；

ontheotherwasSolmanymilesonhiswaytotown；betweenthemwashimself。

HeranwithallhismighttowardsEnckworthPark，mountedtheloftystonestepsbythelodge，sawthedarkbronzefiguresonthepiersthroughthetwilight，andthenproceededtothreadthetrees。Amongthesehestruckalightforamoment:itwastenminutestosix。

Inanotherfiveminuteshewaspantingbeneaththewallsofherhouse。

EnckworthCourtwasnotunknowntoChristopher，forhehadfrequentlyexploredthatspotinhisSandbournedays。Heperceivednowwhyshehadselectedthatparticularbalconyforhandingdowndirections；itwastheonlyoneroundthehousethatwaslowenoughtobereachedfromtheoutside，thebasementherebeingalittlewaysunkintheground。

Hewentcloseunder，turnedhisfaceoutwards，andwaited。Aboutafootoverhisheadwasthestonefloorofthebalcony，formingaceilingtohisposition。Athisback，twoorthreefeetbehind，wasablankwall——thewallofthehouse。Infrontofhimwasthemistypark，crownedbyaskysparklingwithwinterstars。Thiswasabruptlycutoffupwardbythedarkedgeofthebalconywhichoverhunghim。

Itwasasifsomepersonwithintheroomabovehadbeenawaitinghisapproach。Hehadscarcelyfoundtimetoobservehissituationwhenahumanhandandportionofabarearmwerethrustbetweenthebalusters，descendedalittlewayfromtheedgeofthebalcony，andremainedhangingacrossthestarlitsky。Somethingwasbetweenthefingers。Christopherliftedhishand，tookthescrap，whichwaspaper，andthearmwaswithdrawn。Asitwithdrew，ajewelononeofthefingerssparkledintheraysofalargeplanetthatrodeintheoppositesky。

Lightstepsretreatedfromthebalcony，andawindowclosed。

ChristopherhadalmostheldhisbreathlestEthelbertashoulddiscoverhimatthecriticalmomenttobeotherthanSol，andmarherdeliverancebyheralarm。Thestillsilencewasanythingbutsilencetohim；hefeltasifhewerelisteningtotheclangingchorusofanoratorio。AndthenhecouldfancyheheardwordsbetweenEthelbertaandtheviscountwithintheroom；theywereevidentlyatveryclosequarters，anddexteritymusthavebeenrequiredofher。Hewentontiptoeacrossthegraveltothegrass，andonceonthathestrodeinthedirectionwhencehehadcome。Bythethicktrunkofoneofagroupofagedtreeshestoppedtogetalight，justastheCourtclockstrucksixinloudlongtones。Thetransactionhadbeencarriedout，throughherimpatiencepossibly，fourorfiveminutesbeforethetimeappointed。

Thenotecontained，inashakenhand，inwhich，however，thewell-

knowncharactersweredistinguishable，thesewordsinpencil:

’Athalf-pastseveno’clock。Justoutsidethenorthlodge；don’tfail。’

ThiswasthetimeshehadsuggestedtoSolasthatwhichwouldprobablybestsuitherescape，ifshecouldescapeatall。Shehadchangedtheplacefromthewesttothenorthlodge——nothingelse。

Thelatterwascertainlymoresecluded，thoughatriflemoreremotefromthecourseoftheproposedjourney；therewasjusttimeenoughandnonetospareforfetchingthebroughamfromLittleEnckworthtothelodge，thevillagebeingtwomilesoff。Thefewminutesgainedbyherreadinessatthebalconywereusefulnow。Hestartedatonceforthevillage，divergingsomewhattoobservethespotappointedforthemeeting。Itwasexcellentlychosen；thegateappearedtobelittleused，thelaneoutsideitwascoveredwithtrees，andallaroundwassilentasthegrave。Afterthishastysurveybythewanstarlight，hehastenedontoLittleEnckworth。

Anhourandaquarterlateralittlebroughamwithoutlampswascreepingalongbytheparkwalltowardsthisspot。Theleavesweresothickupontheunfrequentedroadthatthewheelscouldnotbeheard，andthehorse’spacingmadescarcelymorenoisethanarabbitwouldhavedoneinlimpingalong。Thevehicleprogressedslowly，fortheywereingoodtime。Abouttenyardsfromtheparkentranceitstopped，andChristophersteppedout。

’Wemayhavetowaitheretenminutes，’hesaidtothedriver。’AndthenshallwebeabletoreachAngleburyintimefortheupmail-

traintoSouthampton？’

’Half-pastseven，half-pasteight，half-pastnine——twohours。O

yes，sir，easily。Ayoungladyinthecaseperhaps，sir？’

’Yes。’

’Well，Ihopeshe’llbedonehonestlyby，evenifsheisofhumblestation。’Tisbest，andcheapesttoo，inthelongrun。’Thecoachmanwasapparentlyimaginingthedoveabouttoflitawaytobeoneoftheprettymaid-servantsthataboundedinEnckworthCourt；

suchescapadesasthesewerenotunfrequentamongthem，afairfacehavingbeendeemedasufficientrecommendationtoserviceinthathouse，withouttoocloseaninquiryintocharacter，sincethedeathofthefirstviscountess。

’Nowthen，silence；andlistenforafootstepatthegate。’

Suchcalmnessastherewasinthemusician’svoicehadbeenproducedbyconsiderableeffort。Forhishearthadbeguntobeatfastandloudashestrainedhisattentiveeartocatchthefootfallofawomanwhocouldonlybehisillegally。

Theobscuritywasasgreatasastarryskywouldpermitittobe。

Beneaththetreeswherethecarriagestoodthedarknesswastotal。

47。ENCKWORTHANDITSPRECINCTS-MELCHESTER

Tobewiseaftertheeventisoftentoactfoolishlywithregardtoit；andtopreservetheillusionwhichhasledtotheeventwouldfrequentlybeacoursethatomniscienceitselfcouldnotfindfaultwith。ReactionwithEthelbertawascomplete，andthemoreviolentinthatitthreatenedtobeuseless。Sol’sbitterchidinghadbeenthefirstthingtodiscomposeherfortitude。Itreducedhertoaconsciousnessthatshehadallowedherselftobecoercedinherinstincts，andyethadnottriumphedinherduty。Shemighthavepleasedherfamilybetterbypleasinghertastes，andhaveentirelyavoidedthegrimironyofthesituationdisclosedlaterintheday。

AfterthesecondinterviewwithSolshewastosomeextentcomposedinmindbybeingabletonurseadefiniteintention。Asmomentumcausesthenarrowestwheeltostandupright，ascheme，fairlyimbibed，willgivetheweakestsomepowertomaintainapositionstoically。

InthetemporaryabsenceofLordMountclere，aboutsixo’clock，sheslippedoutuponthebalconyandhandeddownanote。Toherrelief，ahandreceiveditinstantly。

Thehourandahalfwantingtohalf-pastsevenshepassedwithgreateffort。Themainpartofthetimewasoccupiedbydinner，duringwhichsheattemptedtodevisesomeschemeforleavinghimwithoutsuspicionjustbeforetheappointedmoment。

Happily，andasifbyaProvidence，therewasnonecessityforanysuchthing。

Alittlewhilebeforethehalf-hour，whenshemovedtorisefromdinner，healsoarose，tenderlybegginghertoexcusehimforafewminutes，thathemightgoandwriteanimportantnotetohislawyer，untilthatmomentforgotten，thoughthepostmanwasnearlydue。Sheheardhimretirealongthecorridorandshuthimselfintohisstudy，hispromisedtimeofreturnbeingaquarterofanhourthence。

FiveminutesafterthatmemorablepartingEthelbertacamefromthelittledoorbythebushofyew，wellandthicklywrappedupfromheadtoheels。Sheskimmedacrosstheparkandundertheboughslikeashade，mountingthenthestonestepsforpedestrianswhichwerefixedbesidetheparkgateshereasatallthelodges。Outsideandbelowhershesawanoblongshape——itwasabrougham，andithadbeendrawnforwardclosetothebottomofthestepsthatshemightnothaveaninchfurthertogoonfootthantothisbarrier。Thewholeprecinctwasthrongedwithtrees；halftheirfoliagebeingoverhead，theotherhalfunderfoot，forthegardenershadnotyetbeguntorakeandcollecttheleaves；thusitwasthatherdressrustledasshedescendedthesteps。

Thecarriagedoorwasheldopenbythedriver，andsheenteredinstantly。Heshutherin，andmountedtohisseat。Astheydroveawayshebecameconsciousofanotherpersoninside。

’O！Sol——itisdone！’shewhispered，believingthemantobeherbrother。Hercompanionmadenoreply。

Ethelberta，familiarwithSol’smoodsoftroubledsilence，didnotpressforananswer。Itwas，indeed，certainthatSol’sassistancewouldhavebeengivenunderasullenprotest；evenifunwillingtodisappointher，hemightwellhavebeentaciturnandangryathercourse。

Theysatinsilence，andintotaldarkness。Theroadascendedanincline，thehorse’strampbeingstilldeadenedbythecarpetofleaves。Thenthelargetreesoneitherhandbecameinterspersedbyalowbrushwoodofvariedsorts，fromwhichalargebirdoccasionallyflew，initsfrightattheirpresencebeatingitswingsrecklesslyagainstthehardstemswithforceenoughtocripplethedelicatequills。Itshowedhowdesertedwasthespotafternightfall。

’Sol？’saidEthelbertaagain。’Whynottalktome？’

Shenownoticedthatherfellow-travellerkepthisheadandhiswholepersonassnuglybackinthecorner，outofherway，asitwaspossibletodo。Shewasnotexactlyfrightened，butshecouldnotunderstandthereason。Thecarriagegaveaquickturn，andstopped。

’Wherearewenow？’shesaid。’ShallwegettoAngleburybynine？

Whatisthetime，Sol？’

’Iwillsee，’repliedhercompanion。Theywerethefirstwordshehaduttered。

Thevoicewassodifferentfromherbrother’sthatshewasterrified；herlimbsquivered。Inanotherinstantthespeakerhadstruckawaxvesta，andholdingiterectinhisfingershelookedherintheface。

’Hee-hee-hee！’Thelaugherwasherhusbandtheviscount。

Helaughedagain，andhiseyesgleamedlikeacoupleoftarnishedbrassbuttonsinthelightofthewaxmatch。

Ethelbertamighthavefallendeadwiththeshock，soterribleandhideouswasit。Yetshedidnot。Sheneithershriekednorfainted；

butnopoorJanuaryfieldfarewasevercolder，noice-housemoredankwithperspiration，thanshewasthen。

’Averypleasantjoke，mydear——hee-hee！Andnomorethanwastobeexpectedonthismerry，happydayofourlives。NobodyenjoysagoodjestmorethanIdo:Ialwaysenjoyedajest——hee-hee！Nowweareinthedarkagain；andwewillalightandwalk。Thepathistoonarrowforthecarriage，butitwillnotbefarforyou。Takeyourhusband’sarm。’

Whilehehadbeenspeakingadefiantpridehadsprungupinher，instigatinghertoconcealeveryweakness。Hehadopenedthecarriagedoorandsteppedout。Shefollowed，takingtheofferedarm。

’Takethehorseandcarriagetothestables，’saidtheviscounttothecoachman，whowashisownservant，thevehicleandhorsebeingalsohis。Thecoachmanturnedthehorse’sheadandvanisheddownthewoodlandtrackbywhichtheyhadascended。

Theviscountmovedon，utteringprivatechucklesasnumerousasawoodpecker’staps，andEthelbertawithhim。Shewalkedasbyamiracle，butshewouldwalk。Shewouldhavediedratherthannothavewalkedthen。

SheperceivednowthattheyweresomewhereinEnckworthwood。Astheywent，shenoticedafaintshineuponthegroundontheothersideoftheviscount，whichshowedherthattheywerewalkingbesideawetditch。Sherememberedhavingseenitinthemorning:itwasashallowditchofmud。Shemightpushhimin，andrun，andsoescapebeforehecouldextricatehimself。Itwouldnothurthim。

Itwasherlastchance。Shewaitedamomentfortheopportunity。

’Weareonetoone，andIamthestronger！’sheatlastexclaimedtriumphantly，andliftedherhandforathrust。

’Onthecontrary，darling，weareonetohalf-a-dozen，andyouconsiderablytheweaker，’hetenderlyreplied，steppingbackadroitly，andblowingawhistle。Atoncethebushesseemedtobeanimatedinfourorfiveplaces。

’John？’hesaid，inthedirectionofoneofthem。

’Yes，mylord，’repliedavoicefromthebush，andakeepercameforward。

’William？’

Anothermanadvancedfromanotherbush。

’Quiteright。Remainwhereyouareforthepresent。IsTomkinsthere？’

’Yes，mylord，’saidamanfromanotherpartofthethicket。

’Yougoandkeepwatchbythefurtherlodge:therearepoachersabout。WhereisStrongway？’

’Justbelow，mylord。’

’Tellhimandhisbrothertogotothewestgate，andwalkupanddown。Letthemsearchroundit，amongthetreesinside。Anybodytherewhocannotgiveagoodaccountofhimselftobebroughtbeforemeto-morrowmorning。Iamlivingatthecottageatpresent。

That’sallIhavetosaytoyou。’And，turningroundtoEthelberta:

’Now，dearest，wewillwalkalittlefurtherifyouareable。I

haveprovidedthatyourfriendsshallbetakencareof。’Hetriedtopullherhandtowardshim，gently，likeacatopeningadoor。

Theywalkedalittleonward，andLordMountclerespokeagain，withimperturbablegood-humour:

’Iwilltellyouastory，topassthetimeaway。Ihavelearnttheartfromyou——yourmantlehasfallenuponme，andallyourinspirationwithit。Listen，dearest。Isawayoungmancometothehouseto-day。AfterwardsIsawhimcrossapassageinyourcompany。Youenteredtheball-roomwithhim。Thatroomisatreacherousplace。Itispanelledwithwood，andbetweenthepanelsandthewallsarepassagesfortheservants，openingfromtheroombydoorshiddeninthewoodwork。LadyMountclereknewofoneofthese，andmadeuseofittoletoutherconspirator；LordMountclereknewofanother，andmadeuseofittoletinhimself。

Hissightisnotgood，buthisearsareunimpaired。Ameetingwasarrangedtotakeplaceatthewestgateathalf-pastseven，unlessanotehandedfromthebalconymentionedanothertimeandplace。Hehearditall——hee-hee！

’WhenLadyMountclere’sconfederatecameforthenote，Iwasinwaitingabove，andhandedonedownafewminutesbeforethehourstruck，confirmingthetime，butchangingtheplace。WhenLadyMountclerehandeddownhernote，justastheclockwasstriking，herconfederatehadgone，andIwasstandingbeneaththebalconytoreceiveit。Shedroppeditintoherhusband’shands——ho-ho-ho-ho！

’LordMountclereorderedabroughamtobeatthewestlodge，asfixedbyLadyMountclere’snote。ProbablyLadyMountclere’sfriendorderedabroughamtobeatthenorthgate，asfixedbymynote，writteninimitationofLadyMountclere’shand。LadyMountclerecametothespotshehadmentioned，andlikeagoodwiferushedintothearmsofherhusband——hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo！’

Asifbyanungovernableimpulse，Ethelbertabrokeintolaughteralso——laughterwhichhadawildunnaturalsound；itwashysterical。

Shesankdownupontheleaves，andtherecontinuedthefearfullaughjustasbefore。

LordMountclerebecamegreatlyfrightened。Thespottheyhadreachedwasagreenspacewithinagirdleofhollies，andinfrontofthemroseanornamentalcottage。ThiswasthebuildingwhichEthelbertahadvisitedearlierintheday:itwasthePetitTrianonofEnckworthCourt。

Theviscountlefthersideandhurriedforward。Thedoorofthebuildingwasopenedbyawoman。

’Haveyoupreparedforus，asIdirected？’

’Yes，mylord；teaandcoffeearebothready。’

’Nevermindthatnow。LadyMountclereisill；comeandassistherindoors。Telltheotherwomantobringwineandwateratonce。’

HereturnedtoEthelberta。Shewasbetter，andwassittingcalmlyonthebank。Sherosewithoutassistance。

’Youmayretire，’hesaidtothewomanwhohadfollowedhim，andsheturnedround。WhenEthelbertasawthebuilding，shedrewbackquickly。

’WhereistheotherLadyMountclere？’sheinquired。

’Gone！’

’Sheshallneverreturn——never？’

’Never。Itwasnotintendedthatsheshould。’

’Thatsoundswell。LordMountclere，wemayaswellcompromisematters。’

’Ithinksotoo。Itbecomesaladytomakeavirtueofanecessity。’

’Itwasstratagemagainststratagem。Minewasingenious；yourswasmasterly！Acceptmyacknowledgment。Wewillenteruponanarmedneutrality。’

’No。Letmebeyouradorerandslaveagain，asever。Yourbeauty，dearest，coverseverything！Youaremymistressandqueen！Buthereweareatthedoor。Teaispreparedforushere。Ihavealikingforlifeinthiscottagemode，andlivehereonoccasion。

Women，attendtoLadyMountclere。’

ThewomanwhohadseenEthelbertainthemorningwasalarmedatrecognizingher，havingsincebeeninformedofficiallyofthemarriage:shemurmuredentreatiesforpardon。Theyassistedtheviscountesstoachair，thedoorwasclosed，andthewindblewpastasifnobodyhadeverstoodtheretointerruptitsflight。

Fullofmisgivings，Christophercontinuedtowaitatthenorthgate。

Half-pastsevenhadlongsincebeenpast，andnoEthelbertahadappeared。Hedidnotforthemomentsupposethedelaytobehers，andthisgavehimpatience；havingtakenuptheposition，hewasinducedbyfidelitytoabidebytheconsequences。ItwouldbeonlyajourneyoftwohourstoreachAngleburyStation；hewouldrideoutsidewiththedriver，putherintothetrain，andbidheradieuforever。Shehadcriedforhelp，andhehadheardhercry。

AtlastthroughthetreescamethesoundoftheCourtclockstrikingeight，andthen，forthefirsttime，adoubtaroseinhismindwhethershecouldhavemistakenthegate。ShehaddistinctlytoldSolthewestlodge；hernotehadexpressedthenorthlodge。Couldshebyanyaccidenthavewrittenonethingwhilemeaninganother？

Heenteredthecarriage，anddroveroundtothewestgate。Allwasassilentthereasattheother，themeetingbetweenEthelbertaandLordMountclerebeingthenlongpast；andhedrovebackagain。

Heleftthecarriage，andenteredtheparkonfoot，approachingthehouseslowly。Allwassilent；thewindowsweredark；mopingsoundscamefromthetreesandsky，asfromSorrowwhisperingtoNight。Bythistimehefeltassuredthattheschemehadmiscarried。Whilehestoodhereacarriagewithoutlightscameupthedrive；itturnedintowardsthestable-yardwithoutgoingtothedoor。Thecarriagehadplainlybeenempty。

Returningacrossthegrassbythewayhehadcome，hewasstartledbythevoicesoftwomenfromtheroadhardby。

’Haveyezeedanybody？’

’Notasoul。’

’Shallwegoacrossagain？’

’What’sthegood？let’shometosupper。’

’Mylordmusthaveheardsomebody，or’awouldn’thavesaidit。’

’Perhapshe’snervousnowhe’slivinginthecottageagain。I

thoughtthatfancywasover。Well，I’mglad’tisayoungwifehe’sbroughtus。She’llhaveherroutsandherracketsaswellasthehigh-bornones，you’llsee，assoonasshegetsusedtotheplace。’

’ShemustbeaqueerChristiantopickupwithhim。’

’Well，ifshe’vecharity’tisenoughforwepoormen；herfaithandhopemaybeaspleaseGod。NowIbeforon-alonghomeward。’

AssoonastheyhadgoneChristophermovedfromhishiding，and，avoidingthegravel-walk，returnedtohiscoachman，tellinghimtodriveatoncetoAnglebury。

Julianwassoimpatientofthefutilityofhisadventurethathewishedtoannihilateitsexistence。OnreachingAngleburyhedeterminedtogetonatoncetoMelchester，thattheeventofthenightmightbesummarilyended；tobestillintheneighbourhoodwastobestillengagedinit。Hereachedhomebeforemidnight。

Walkingintotheirhouseinaquietstreet，asdissatisfiedwithhimselfasamanwellcouldbewhostillretainedhealthandanoccupation，hefoundFaithsittingupasusual。Hisnewswassimple:themarriagehadtakenplacebeforehecouldgetthere，andhehadseennothingofeitherceremonyorviscountess。Theremainderhereservedforamoreconvenientseason。

Edithlookedanxiouslyathimasheatesupper，smilingnowandthen。

’Well，Iamtiredofthislife，’saidChristopher。

’SoamI，’saidFaith。’Ah，ifwewereonlyrich！’

’Ah，yes。’

’Orifwewerenotrich，’shesaid，turninghereyestothefire。

’Ifwewereonlyslightlyprovidedfor，itwouldbebetterthannothing。Howmuchwouldyoubecontentwith，Kit？’

’AsmuchasIcouldget。’

’Wouldyoubecontentwithathousandayearforbothofus？’

’IdaresayIshould，’hemurmured，breakinghisbread。

’Orfivehundredforboth？’

’Orfivehundred。’

’Oreventhreehundred？’

’Botherthreehundred。Lessthandoublethesumwouldnotsatisfyme。Wemayaswellimaginemuchaslittle。’

Faith’scountenancehadfallen。’OKit，’shesaid，’youalwaysdisappointme。’

’Ido。HowdoIdisappointyouthistime？’

’Bynotcaringforthreehundredayear——ahundredandfiftyeach——

whenthatisallIhavetoofferyou。’

’Faith！’saidhe，lookingupforthefirsttime。’Ah——ofcourse！

Lucy’swill。Ihadforgotten。’

’Itistrue，andIhadpreparedsuchapleasantsurpriseforyou，andnowyoudon’tcare！OurcousinLucydidleaveussomethingafterall。Idon’tunderstandtheexacttotalsum，butitcomestoahundredandfiftyayeareach——morethanIexpected，thoughnotsomuchasyoudeserved。Here’stheletter。Ihavebeendwellinguponitallday，andthinkingwhatapleasureitwouldbe；anditisnotafterall！’

’Goodgracious，Faith，Iwasonlysupposing。Therealthingisanothermatteraltogether。Well，theideaofLucy’swillcontainingournames！IamsureIwouldhavegonetothefuneralhadIknown。’

’Iwishitwereathousand。’

’Ono——itdoesn’tmatteratall。But，certainly，threehundredfortwoisatantalizingsum:notenoughtoenableustochangeourcondition，andenoughtomakeusdissatisfiedwithgoingonasweare。’

’Wemustforgetwehaveit，andletitincrease。’

’Itisn’tenoughtoincreasemuch。Wemayaswelluseit。Buthow？

Takeabiggerhouse——what’stheuse？Giveuptheorgan？——thenI

shallberatherworseoffthanIamatpresent。Positively，itisthemostprovokingamountanybodycouldhaveinventedhadtheytriedeversolong。PoorLucy，todothat，andnoteventocomenearuswhenfatherdied……Ah，Iknowwhatwe’lldo。We’llgoabroad——

we’llliveinItaly。’

SEQUEL。ANGLEBURY-ENCKWORTH-SANDBOURNE

TwoyearsandahalfafterthemarriageofEthelbertaandtheeveningadventureswhichfollowedit，amanyounginyears，thoughconsiderablyolderinmoodandexpression，walkeduptothe’RedLion’InnatAnglebury。Theanachronismsatnotunbecominglyuponhim，andthevoicewaspreciselythatoftheChristopherJulianofheretofore。Hiswayofenteringtheinnandcallingforaconveyancewasmoreoff-handthanformerly；hewasmuchlessafraidofthesoundofhisownvoicenowthanwhenhehadgonethroughthesameperformanceonacertainchilleveningthelasttimethathevisitedthespot。HewantedtobetakentoKnollseatomeetthesteamerthere，andwasnotcomingbackbythesamevehicle。

Itwasaverydifferentdayfromthatofhispreviousjourneyalongthesameroad；differentinseason；differentinweather；andthehumouroftheobserverdifferedyetmorewidelyfromitsconditionthenthandidthelandscapefromitsformerhues。Induetimetheyreachedacommandingsituationupontheroad，fromwhichwerevisibleknotsandplantationsoftreesontheEnckworthmanor。

Christopherbrokethesilence。

’LordMountclereisstillaliveandwell，Iamtold？’

’Oay。He’lllivetobeahundred。Neversuchachangeashascomeoverthemanoflateyears。’

’Indeed！’

’O，’tismylady。She’saonetoputupwith！Still，’tissaidhereandtherethatmarryingherwasthebestday’sworkthatheeverdidinhislife，althoughshe’sgottobemylordandmyladyboth。’

’Isshehappywithhim？’

’Sheisverysharpwiththeporeman——abouthappyIdon’tknow。Hewasagood-naturedoldman，forallhissins，andwouldsooneranydaylayoutmoneyinnewpresentsthanpayitinolddebts。But’tisalterednow。’Tisn’tthesameplace。Ah，intheoldtimesI

haveseentheflooroftheservants’halloverthevampofyourbootinsolidbeerthatwehadpouredasidefromthehornsbecausewecouldn’tseestraightenoughtopouritin。See？No，wecouldn’tseeaholeinaladder！Andnow，evenatChristmasorWhitsuntide，whenaman，ifeverhedesirestobeovercomewithadrop，wouldnaturallywishittobe，youcanwalkoutofEnckworthasstraightasyouwalkedin。Allherdoings。’

’Thensheholdsthereins？’

’Shedo！Therewasalittletussleatfirst；buthowcouldaoldmanholdhisownagainstsuchaspryyoungbodyasthat！Shethreatenedtorunawayfromhim，andkickedupBob’s-a-dying，andI

don’tknowwhatall；andbeingthewoman，ofcourseshewassuretobeatinthelongrun。Poreoldnobleman，shemarcheshimofftochurcheverySundayasregularasaclock，makeshimreadfamilyprayersthathaven’tbeenreadinEnckworthforthelastthirtyyearstomycertainknowledge，andkeepshimdowntothreeglassesofwineaday，strict，sothatyouneverseehimanythemoregenerousforliquororabitelevatedatall，asitusedtobe。

There，’tistrue，ithasdonehimgoodinonesense，fortheysayhe’dhavebeendeadinfiveyearsifhehadgoneonashewasgoing。’

’Sothatshe’sagoodwifetohim，afterall。’

’Well，ifshehadbeenalittleworse’twouldhavebeenalittlebetterforhiminonesense，forhewouldhavehadhisownwaymore。

Buthewasacuriousfelleratonetime，asweallknowandI

suppose’tisasmuchashecanexpect；but’tisastrangereverseforhim。Itissaidthatwhenhe’saskedouttodine，ortoanythinginthewayofajaunt，hiseyefliesacrosstohersaforeheanswers:andifhereyesaysyes，hesaysyes:andifhereyesaysno，hesaysno。’Tisasadconditionforonewhoruledwomankindashe，thatawomanshouldleadhiminastringwhetherhewillorno。’

’Sadindeed！’

’She’ssteward，andagent，andeverything。Shehasgotaroomcalled"mylady’soffice，"andgreatledgersandcash-booksyouneverseethelike。Inoldtimestherewerebailiffstolookaftertheworkfolk，forementolookafterthetradesmen，abuilding-

stewardtolookaftertheforemen，aland-stewardtolookafterthebuilding-steward，andadashinggrandagenttolookaftertheland-

steward:finetimestheyhadthen，Iassureye。Myladysaidtheywereeatingoutthepropertylikeahoneycomb，andthentherewasaterriblerow。Halfof’emweresentflying；andnowthere’sonlytheagent，andtheviscountess，andasortofsurveyorman，andofthethreeshedoesmostworkso’tissaid。Shemarksthetreestobefelled，settleswhathorsesaretobesoldandbought，andisoutinallwindsandweathers。There，ifsomebodyhadn’tlookedintothings’twouldsoonhavebeenallupwithhislordship，hewassoveryextravagant。Inonesense’twasluckyforhimthatshewasborninhumblelife，becauseowingtoitsheknowstheinsandoutsofcontriving，whichheneverdid。’

’Thenamanonthevergeofbankruptcywilldobettertomarryapoorandsensiblewifethanarichandstupidone。Well，hereweareatthetenthmilestone。IwillwalktheremainderofthedistancetoKnollsea，asthereisampletimeformeetingthelaststeamboat。’

WhenthemanwasgoneChristopherproceededslowlyonfootdownthehill，andreachedthatpartofthehighwayatwhichhehadstoppedinthecoldNovemberbreezewaitingforawomanwhonevercame。Hewasoldernow，andhehadceasedtowishthathehadnotbeendisappointed。Therewasthelodge，andarounditwerethetrees，brilliantintheshininggreensofJune。Everytwigsustaineditsbird，andeveryblossomitsbee。Theroadsidewasnotmuffledinagarmentofdeadleavesasithadbeenthen，andthelodge-gatewasnotopenasitalwaysusedtobe。Hepausedtolookthroughthebars。Thedrivewaswellkeptandgravelled；thegrassedgings，formerlymarkedbyhoofsandruts，andotherwisetroddenaway，werenowgreenandluxuriant，bentsticksbeingplacedatintervalsasaprotection。

Whilehelookedthroughthegateawomansteppedfromthelodgetoopenit。Inherhasteshenearlyswungthegateintohisface，andwouldhavecompletelydonesohadhenotjumpedback。

’Ibegpardon，sir，’shesaid，onperceivinghim。’Iwasgoingtoopenitformylady，andIdidn’tseeyou。’

Christophermovedroundthecorner。TheperpetualsnubbingthathehadreceivedfromEthelbertaeversincehehadknownherseemedabouttobecontinuedthroughthemediumofherdependents。

Atrotting，accompaniedbythesoundoflightwheels，hadbecomeperceptible；andthenavehiclecamethroughthegate，andturneduptheroadwhichhehadcomedown。Hesawthebackofabasketcarriage，drawnbyapairofpiebaldponies。Aladinliverysatbehindwithfoldedarms；thedriverwasalady。Hesawherbonnet，hershoulders，herhair——butnomore。Shelessenedinhisgaze，andwassoonoutofsight。

Hestoodalongtimethinking；buthedidnotwishherhis。

Inthiswholesomeframeofmindheproceededonhisway，thankfulthathehadescapedmeetingher，thoughsonarrowly。Butperhapsatthisremoteseasontheembarrassmentofarencounterwouldnothavebeenintense。AtKnollseaheenteredthesteamerforSandbourne。

Mr。ChickerelandhisfamilynowlivedatFirtopVilla，inthatplace，ahousewhich，likemanyothers，hadbeenbuiltsinceJulian’slastvisittothetown。Hewasdirectedtotheoutskirts，andintoafirplantationwheredrivesandintersectingroadshadbeenlaidout，andwherenewvillashadsprunguplikemushrooms。

Heenteredbyaswinggate，onwhich’Firtop’waspainted，andamaid-servantshowedhimintoaneatly-furnishedroom，containingMr。

Chickerel，Mrs。Chickerel，andPicotee，thematronbeingreclinedonacouch，whichimprovedhealthhadpermittedhertosubstituteforabed。

Hehadbeenexpected，andallweregladtoseeagainthesojournerinforeignlands，evendowntotheladyliketabby，whowasallpurrandwarmthtowardshimexceptwhenshewasallclawsandnippers。

ButhadtheprimesentimentofthemeetingshownitselfitwouldhavebeentheunqualifiedsurpriseofChristopheratseeinghowmuchPicotee’sfacehadgrowntoresemblehersister’s:itwaslessaresemblanceincontoursthaninexpressionandtone。

Theyhadanearlytea，andthenMr。Chickerel，sittinginapatriarchalchair，conversedpleasantlywithhisguest，beingwellacquaintedwithhimthroughothermembersofthefamily。TheytalkedofJulian’sresidenceatdifferentItaliantownswithhissister；ofFaith，whowasatthepresentmomentstayingwithsomeoldfriendsinMelchester:and，aswasinevitable，thediscoursehoveredoverandsettleduponEthelberta，theprimerulerofthecoursesofthemall，withlittleexception，throughrecentyears。

’Itwasahardstruggleforher，’saidChickerel，lookingreflectivelyoutatthefirtrees。’Ineverthoughtthegirlwouldhavegotthroughit。Whenshefirstenteredthehouseeverybodywasagainsther。Shehadtofightawholehostofthemsingle-handed。

Therewastheviscount’sbrother，otherrelations，lawyers，ladies，servants，notoneofthemwasherfriend；andnotonewhowouldn’tratherhaveseenherarrivethereinevilrelationshipwithhimthanasshedidcome。Butshestoodherground。Shewasputuponhermettle；andonebyonetheygottofeeltherewassomebodyamongthemwhoselittlefinger，iftheyinsultedher，wasthickerthanaMountclere’sloins。Shemusthavehadawillofiron；itwasasituationthatwouldhavebrokentheheartsofadozenordinarywomen，foreverybodysoonknewthatwewereofnofamily，andthat’swhatmadeitsohardforher。Buttheresheisasmistressnow，andeverybodyrespectingher。IsometimesfancysheisoccasionallytooseverewiththeservantsandIknowwhatserviceis。Butshesaysitisnecessary，owingtoherbirth；andperhapssheisright。’

’Isupposesheoftencomestoseeyou？’

’Fourorfivetimesayear，’saidPicotee。

’Shecannotcomequitesooftenasshewould，’saidMrs。Chickerel，’becauseofherloftyposition，whichhasitsjuties。Well，asI

alwayssay，Bertadoesn’ttakeafterme。Icouldn’thavemarriedthemaneventhoughhedidbringacoronetwithhim。’

’Ishouldn’thavecaredtolethimaskye，’saidChickerel。

’However，that’sneitherherenorthere——allendedbetterthanI

expected。He’sfondofher。’

’Anditiswonderfulwhatcanbedonewithanoldmanwhenyouarehisdarling，’saidMrs。Chickerel。

’IfIwereBertaIshouldgotoLondonoftener，’saidPicotee，toturntheconversation。’Butshelivesmostlyinthelibrary。And，O，whatdoyouthink？Sheiswritinganepicpoem，andemploysEmmelineasherreader。’

’Dearme。AndhowareSolandDan？Youmentionedthemonceinyourletters，’saidChristopher。

’BertahassetthemupasbuildersinLondon。’

’Sheboughtabusinessforthem，’saidChickerel。’ButSolwouldn’tacceptherhelpforalongtime，andnowhehasonlyagreedtoitonconditionofpayingherbackthemoneywithinterest，whichheisdoing。Theyhavejustsignedacontracttobuildahospitalfortwentythousandpounds。’

Picoteebrokein——’YouknewthatbothGwendolineandCorneliamarriedtwoyearsago，andwenttoQueensland？Theymarriedtwobrothers，whowerefarmers，andleftEnglandthefollowingweek。

GeorgieandMyrtleareatschool。’

’AndJoey？’

’WearethinkingofmakingJosephaparson，’saidMrs。Chickerel。

’Indeed！aparson。’

’Yes；’tisagenteellivingfortheboy。Andhe’stalentsthatway。

SincehehasbeenundermastersheknowsallthestrangesoundstheoldRomansandGreeksusedtomakebywayoftalking，andthelovestoriesoftheancientwomenasiftheywerehisown。Iassureyou，Mr。Julian，ifyoucouldhearhowbeautifultheboytellsaboutlittleCupidwithhisbowandarrows，andtherowsbetweenthatpaganapostleJupiterandhiswifebecauseofanotherwoman，andthehandsomeyounggodswhokissedVenus，you’dsayhedeservedtobemadeabishopatonce！’

Theeveningadvanced，andtheywalkedinthegarden。Here，bysomemeans，PicoteeandChristopherfoundthemselvesalone。

’Yourletterstomysisterhavebeencharming，’saidChristopher。

’Andsoregular，too。Itwasasgoodasabirthdayeverytimeonearrived。’

Picoteeblushedandsaidnothing。

Christopherhadfullassurancethatherheartwaswhereitalwayshadbeen。Asuspicionofthefacthadbeenthereasonofhisvisithereto-day。

’OtherletterswereoncewrittenfromEnglandtoItaly，andtheyacquiredgreatcelebrity。Doyouknowwhose？’

’Walpole’s？’saidPicoteetimidly。

’Yes；buttheynevercharmedmehalfasmuchasyours。YoumayrestassuredthatonepersonintheworldthinksWalpoleyoursecond。’

’Youshouldnothavereadthem；theywerenotwrittentoyou。ButI

supposeyouwishedtohearofEthelberta？’

’AtfirstIdid，’saidChristopher。’But，oddlyenough，Igotmoreinterestedinthewriterthaninhernews。Idon’tknowifeverbeforetherehasbeenaninstanceoflovingbymeansofletters。Ifnot，itisbecausetherehaveneverbeensuchsweetoneswritten。

AtlastIlookedforthemmoreanxiouslythanFaith。’

’Yousee，youknewmebefore。’Picoteewouldhavewithdrawnthisremarkifshecould，fearingthatitseemedlikeasuggestionofherlovelongago。

’Then，onmyreturn，IthoughtIwouldjustcallandseeyou，andgoawayandthinkwhatwouldbebestformetodowithaviewtothefuture。ButsinceIhavebeenhereIhavefeltthatIcouldnotgoawaytothinkwithoutfirstaskingyouwhatyouthinkononepoint——

whetheryoucouldevermarryme？’

’IthoughtyouwouldaskthatwhenIfirstsawyou。’

’Didyou。Why？’

’Youlookedatmeasifyouwould。’

’Well，’continuedChristopher，’theworstofitisIamaspoorasJob。FaithandIhavethreehundredayearbetweenus，butonlyhalfismine。SothatbeforeIgetyourpromiseImustletyourfatherknowhowpoorIam。BesideswhatImention，Ihaveonlymyearningsbymusic。ButIamtobeinstalledaschieforganistatMelchestersoon，insteadofdeputy，asIusedtobe；whichissomething。’

’IamtohavefivehundredpoundswhenImarry。ThatwasLordMountclere’sarrangementwithEthelberta。HeisextremelyanxiousthatIshouldmarrywell。’

’That’sunfortunate。Amarriagewithmewillhardlybeconsideredwell。’

’Oyes，itwill，’saidPicoteequickly，andthenlookedfrightened。

Christopherdrewhertowardshim，andimprintedakissuponhercheek，atwhichPicoteewasnotsowretchedasshehadbeensomeyearsbeforewhenhemistookherforanotherinthatperformance。

’Bertawillneverletuscometowant，’shesaid，withvivacity，whenshehadrecovered。’Shealwaysgivesmewhatisnecessary。’

’Wewillendeavournottotroubleher，’saidChristopher，amusedbyPicotee’sutterdependencenowaseveruponhersister，asuponaneternalProvidence。’However，itiswelltobekintoacoachthoughyouneverrideinit。Now，shallwegoindoorstoyourfather？Youthinkhewillnotobject？’

’Ithinkhewillbeveryglad，’repliedPicotee。’Bertawill，Iknow。’

End