第6章

CHAPTERVIII。

NEST-BUILDING。

Ifyouwillhaveatreebearmorefruitthanithathusedtodo，itisnotanythingyoucandototheboughs，butitisthestirringoftheearth，andputtingnewmouldabouttheroots，thatmustworkit。

LORDBACON"SAdvancementofLearning，b。ii。

InashorttimeHarry"shealthwassomuchimproved，andconsequentlythestrengthandactivityofhismindsomuchincreased，thatHughbegantogivehimmoreexactmentaloperationstoperform。ButasifhehadbeenareaderofLordBacon，whichasyethewasnot，andhadlearnedfromhimthat“wonderistheseedofknowledge，“hecame，byakindofsympatheticinstinct，tothesameconclusionpractically，inthecaseofHarry。Hetriedtowakeaquestioninhim，byshowinghimsomethingthatwouldrousehisinterest。Thereplytothisquestionmightbethewholerudimentsofascience。

Thingsthemselvesshouldleadtothescienceofthem。Ifthingsarenotinterestinginthemselves，howcananyamountofknowledgeaboutthembe？Tobesure，thereissuchathingasapurelyorabstractlyintellectualinterest——thepleasureofthemereoperationoftheintellectuponthesignsofthings；butthismustspringfromahighlyexercisedintellectualcondition，andisnottobeexpectedbeforethepleasuresofintellectualmotionhavebeenexperiencedthroughtheemploymentofitsmeansforotherends。Whetherthisisahigherconditionornot，isopentomuchdisquisition。

OnedayHughwaspurposelyengagedintakingthealtitudeofthehighestturretofthehouse，withanoldquadranthehadfoundinthelibrary，whenHarrycameup。

“Whatareyoudoing，bigbrother？”saidhe；fornowthathewasquiteathomewithHugh，therewasawonderfulmixtureoffamiliarityandrespectinhim，thatwasquitebewitching。

“Findingouthowhighyourhouseis，littlebrother，“answeredHugh。

“Howcanyoudoitwiththatthing？Willitmeasuretheheightofotherthingsbesidesthehouse？”

“Yes，theheightofamountain，oranythingyoulike。“

“Doshowmehow。“

Hughshowedhimasmuchofitashecould。

“ButIdon"tunderstandit。“

“Oh！thatisquiteanotherthing。Todothat，youmustlearnagreatmanythings——Euclidtobeginwith。“

ThatveryafternoonHarrybeganEuclid，andsoonfoundquiteenoughofinterestontheroadtothequadrant，topreventhimfromfeelinganytediousnessinitslength。

OfanafternoonHughhadtakentoreadingShaksperetoHarry。

Euphrawasalwaysalistener。OnoneoccasionHarrysaid：

“Iamsosorry，Mr。Sutherland，butIdon"tunderstandthehalfofit。SometimeswhenEuphraandyouarelaughing，——andsometimeswhenEuphraiscrying，“addedhe，lookingatherslyly，“Ican"tunderstandwhatitisallabout。AmIsoverystupid，Mr。

Sutherland？”Andhealmostcriedhimself。

“Notabitofit，Harry，myboy；onlyyoumustlearnagreatmanyotherthingsfirst。“

“HowcanIlearnthem？Iamwillingtolearnanything。Idon"tfindittiremenowasitused。“

“TherearemanythingsnecessarytounderstandShaksperethatI

cannotteachyou，andthatsomepeopleneverlearn。Mostofthemwillcomeofthemselves。Butofonethingyoumaybesure，Harry，thatifyoulearnanything，whateveritbe，youaresofarnearertounderstandingShakspere。“

Thesameafternoon，whenHarryhadwakedfromhissiesta，uponwhichHughstillinsisted，theywentoutforawalkinthefields。Thesunwashalfwaydownthesky，butveryhotandsultry。

“Iwishwehadourcaveofstrawtocreepintonow，“saidHarry。“I

feltexactlylikethelittlefield-mouseyoureadtomeaboutinBurns"spoems，whenwewentinthatmorning，andfounditalltornup，andhalfofitcarriedaway。Wehavenoplacetogotonowforapeculiarownplace；andtheconsequenceis，youhavenottoldmeanystoriesabouttheRomansforawholeweek。“

“Well，Harry，isthereanywayofmakinganother？”

“There"snomorestrawlyingaboutthatIknowof，“answeredHarry；

“anditwon"tdotopulltheinsideoutofarick，Iamafraid。“

“Butdon"tyouthinkitwouldbepleasanttohaveachangenow；andaswehavelivedunderground，orsayinthesnowliketheNorthpeople，trylivingintheair，likesomeoftheSouthpeople？”

“Delightful！”criedHarry——“Aballoon？”

“No，notquitethat。Don"tyouthinkanestwoulddo？”

“Upinatree？”

“Yes。“

Harrydartedoffforarun，astheonlymeansofexpressinghisdelight。Whenhecameback，hesaid：

“Whenshallwebegin，Mr。Sutherland？”

“Wewillgoandlookforaplaceatonce；butIamnotquitesurewhenweshallbeginyet。Ishallfindoutto-night，though。“

Theyleftthefields，andwentintothewoodsintheneighbourhoodofthehouse，attheback。Herethetreeshadgrowntoagreatsize，someofthembeingveryoldindeed。Theysoonfixeduponagrotesqueoldoakasapropertreeinwhichtobuildtheirnest；andHarry，who，aswellasHugh，hadagooddealofconstructivenessinhisnature，wassodelighted，thattheheatseemedtohavenomoreinfluenceuponhim；andHugh，fearfulofthereaction，wascompelledtorestrainhisgambols。

Pursuingtheirwaythroughthedarkwarpofthewood，withitsgoldenweftofcrossingsunbeams，HughbegantotellHarrythestoryofthekillingofC鎠arbyBrutusandtherest，fillinguptheaccountwithportionsfromShakspere。Fortunately，hewasabletogivetheorationsofBrutusandAntonyinfull。Harrywasinecstasyovertheeloquenceofthetwomen。

“Well，whatlanguagedoyouthinktheyspoke，Harry？”saidHugh。

“Why，“saidHarry，hesitating，“Isuppose——“then，asifasuddenlightbrokeuponhim——“Latinofcourse。Howstrange！”

“Whystrange？”

“Thatsuchmenshouldtalksuchadry，unpleasantlanguage。“

“Iallowitisadifficultlanguage，Harry；andveryponderousandmechanical；butnotnecessarilydryorunpleasant。TheRomans，youknow，wereparticularlyfondoflawineverything；andsotheymadeagreatmanylawsfortheirlanguage；orrather，itgrewso，becausetheywereofthatsort。Itwasliketheirswordsandarmourgenerally，notverygraceful，butverystrong；——liketheirarchitecturetoo，Harry。Nobodycaneverunderstandwhatapeopleis，withoutknowingitslanguage。Itisnotonlythatwefindallthesestoriesaboutthemintheirlanguage，butthelanguageitselfismorelikethemthananythingelsecanbe。Besides，Harry，I

don"tbelieveyouknowanythingaboutLatinyet。“

“Iknowallthedeclensionsandconjugations。“

“Butdon"tyouthinkitmusthavebeenaverydifferentthingtohearitspoken？”

“Yes，tobesure——andbysuchmen。Buthowevercouldtheyspeakit？”

“TheyspokeitjustasyoudoEnglish。Itwasasnaturaltothem。

Butyoucannotsayyouknowanythingaboutit，tillyoureadwhattheywroteinit；tillyourearsdelightinthesoundoftheirpoetry；——“

“Poetry？”

“Yes；andbeautifulletters；andwiselessons；andhistoriesandplays。“

“Oh！Ishouldlikeyoutoteachme。Willitbeashardtolearnalwaysasitisnow？”

“Certainlynot。Iamsureyouwilllikeit。“

“Whenwillyoubeginme？”

“To-morrow。Andifyougetonprettywell，wewillbeginournest，too，intheafternoon。“

“Oh，howkindyouare！Iwilltryveryhard。“

“Iamsureyouwill，Harry。“

Nextmorning，accordingly，Hughdidbeginhim，afterafashionofhisown；namely，bygivinghimashortsimplestorytoread，findingoutallthewordswithhiminthedictionary，andtellinghimwhattheterminationsofthewordssignified；forhefoundthathehadalreadyforgottenaverygreatdealofwhat，accordingtoEuphra，hehadbeenthoroughlytaught。Noonecanrememberwhatisentirelyuninterestingtohim。

HughwasaspreciseaboutthegrammarofalanguageasanyScotchProfessorofHumanity，oldProsodynotexcepted；buthethoughtittimeenoughtobegintothat，whensomeinterestinthewordsthemselvesshouldhavebeenawakenedinthemindofhispupil。Hehatedslovenlinessasmuchasanyone；butthequestionwas，howbesttoarriveatthoroughnessintheend，withoutlosingthehigherobjectsofstudy；andnothow，atallrisks，tocommenceteachingthelessonofthoroughnessatonce，andsowasteontheshapeofapin-headtheintellectwhich，properlydirected，mightarriveatthefarmoreminuteaccuraciesofasteam-engine。ThefaultofEuphrainteachingHarry，hadbeenthat，withacertainkindoftyrannicalaccuracy，shehaddeterminedtohavethethingdone——notmerelydecentlyandinorder，butprudishlyandpedantically；sothatshedeprivedprogressofthepleasurewhichoughtnaturallytoattendit。Shespoiledthewalktothedistantoutlook，bystoppingateverystep，notmerelytopickflowers，buttobotaniseontheweeds，andtocalculatethedistanceadvanced。Itisquitetruethatweoughttolearntodothingsirrespectiveofthereward；butplentyofopportunitieswillbegivenintheprogressoflife，andinmuchhigherkindsofaction，toexerciseoursenseofdutyinsevereloneliness。Wehavenorighttoturnintellectualexercisesintopureoperationsofconscience：theseoughttoinvolveessentialduty；althoughnodoubtthereisplentyofroomforminglingdutywiththose；while，ontheotherhand，thehighestactofsufferingself-denialisnotwithoutitsaccompanyingreward。Neitheristhereanyexerciseofthehigherintellectualpowersinlearningthemeregrammarofalanguage，necessaryasitisforameans。Andlanguagehavingbeenmadebeforegrammar，alanguagemustbeinsomemeasureunderstood，beforeitsgrammarcanbecomeintelligible。

Harry"sweak(thoughtrueandkeen)lifecouldnotforceitswayintoanychannel。Hiswasanatureessentiallydependentonsympathy。Itcouldflowintotruththroughanotherlovingmind：

lefttoitself，itcouldnotfindtheway，andsankinthedrysandofennuiandself-imposedobligations。Euphrawasutterlyincapableofunderstandinghim；andtheboyhadbeendyingforlackofsympathy，thoughneitherhenoranyoneabouthimhadsuspectedthefact。

Therewasastrangedisproportionbetweenhisknowledgeandhiscapacity。Hewasable，whenhisattentionwasdirected，hisgazefixed，andhiswholenaturesupportedbyHugh，toseedeepintomanythings，andhisremarkswereoftenstrikinglyoriginal；buthewasoneofthemostignorantboys，forhisyears，thatHughhadevercomeacross。Alongandsevereillness，whenhewasjustpassingintoboyhood，hadthrownhimbackfarintohischildhood；andhewasonlynowbeginningtoshowthathehadanythingoftheboy-lifeinhim。Hencearosethatunequaldevelopmentwhichhasbeensufficientlyevidentinthestory。

Intheafternoon，theywenttothewood，andfoundthetreetheyhadchosenfortheirnest。ToHarry"sintenseadmiration，Hugh，ashesaid，wentupthetreelikeasquirrel，onlyhewastoobigforabeareven。Justonelayeroffoliageabovethelowestbranches，hecametoaplacewherehethoughttherewasasuitablefoundationforthenest。FromthegroundHarrycouldscarcelyseehim，as，withanaxewhichhehadborrowedforthepurpose(fortherewasacarpenter"swork-shoponthepremises)，hecutawayseveralsmallbranchesfromthreeoftheprincipalones；andsohadthesethreeasrafters，readydressedandplaced，forthefoundationofthenest。

Havingmadesomemeasurements，hedescended；andrepairingwithHarrytothework-shop，procuredsomeboardingandsometools，whichHarryassistedincarryingtothetree。Ascendingagain，anddrawinguphismaterials，bythehelpofHarry，withapieceofstring，Hughinaverylittlewhilehadalevelfloor，fourfeetsquare，intheheartoftheoaktree，quiteinvisiblefrombelow——buriedinacloudofgreenleaves。Forgreatersafety，hefastenedropesashandrailsallarounditfromonebranchtoanother。Andnownothingremainedbuttoconstructabenchtositon，andsuchastairasHarrycouldeasilyclimb。Theboywasquiterestlesswithanxietytogetupandseethenest；andkeptcallingoutconstantlytoknowifhemightnotcomeupyet。AtlengthHughallowedhimtotry；butthepoorboywasnothalfstrongenoughtoclimbthetreewithouthelp。SoHughdescended，andwithhisaidHarrywassoonstandingonthenew-builtplatform。

“Ifeeljustlikeaneagle，“hecried；butherehisvoicefaltered，andhewassilent。

“Whatisthematter，Harry？”saidhistutor。

“Oh，nothing，“repliedhe；“onlyIdidn"texactlyknowwhereaboutsweweretillIgotuphere。“

“Whereaboutsarewe，then？”

“ClosetotheendoftheGhost"sWalk。“

“Butyoudon"tmindthatnow，surely，Harry？”

“No，sir；thatis，notsomuchasIused。“

“ShallItakeallthisdownagain，andbuildournestsomewhereelse？”

“Oh，no，ifyoudon"tthinkitmatters。Itwouldbeagreatpity，afteryouhavetakensomuchtroublewithit。Besides，Ishallneverbeherewithoutyou；andIdonotthinkIshouldbeafraidoftheghostherself，ifyouwerewithme。“

YetHarryshudderedinvoluntarilyatthethoughtofhisowndaringspeech。

“Verywell，Harry，myboy；wewillfinishithere。Now，ifyoustandthere，Iwillfastenaplankacrossherebetweenthesetwostumps——no，thatwon"tdoexactly。Imustputapieceontothisone，toraiseittoalevelwiththeother——thenweshallhaveaseatinafewminutes。“

Hammerandnailswerebusyagain；andinafewminutestheysatdowntoenjoythe“softpiplingcold“whichswungalltheleavesaboutlikelittletrap-doorsthatopenedintotheInfinite。Harrywashighlycontented。Hedrewadeepbreathofsatisfactionas，lookingaboveandbeneathandallabouthim，hesawthattheywerefoldedinanalmostimpenetrablenetoffoliage，throughwhichnothingcouldstealintotheirsanctuary，save“thecharteredlibertine，theair，“

andafewstraybeamsofthesettingsun，filteringthroughthemultitudinousleaves，fromwhichtheycaughtagreentintastheypassed。

“Fancyyourselfafish，“saidHugh，“inthedepthofacavernofseaweed，whichfloatsaboutintheslowswingingmotionoftheheavywaters。“

“Whatafunnynotion！”

“Notsoabsurdasyoumaythink，Harry；forjustassomefishescrawlaboutonthebottomofthesea，sodowemenatthebottomofanoceanofair；which，ifitbeathinnerone，iscertainlyadeeperone。“

“Thenthebirdsaretheswimmingfishes，aretheynot？”

“Yes，tobesure。“

“AndyouandIaretwomermen——doingwhat？Waitingformothermermaidtogiveusourdinner。Iamgettinghungry。Butitwillbealongtimebeforeamermaidgetsuphere，Iamafraid。“

“Thatremindsme，“saidHugh，“thatImustbuildastairforyou，MasterHarry；foryouarenotmermanenoughtogetupwithastrokeofyourscalytail。Soheregoes。YoucansittheretillIfetchyou。“

Nailingalittlerudebrackethereandthereonthestemofthetree，justwhereHarrycouldavailhimselfofhand-holdaswell，Hughhadsoonfinishedastrangelyirregularstaircase，whichittookHarrytwoorthreetimestrying，tolearnquiteoff。

CHAPTERIX。

GEOGRAPHYPOINT。

Iwillfetchyouatooth-pickernowfromthefarthestinchofAsia；

bringyouthelengthofPresterJohn"sfoot；fetchyouahairoffthegreatCham"sbeard；doyouanyembassagetothePigmies。

MuchAdoaboutNothing。

Thenextday，afterdinner，Mr。Arnoldsaidtothetutor：

“Well，Mr。Sutherland，howdoesHarrygetonwithhisgeography？”

Mr。Arnold，beitunderstood，hadaweaknessforgeography。

“Wehavenotdoneanythingatthatyet，Mr。Arnold。“

“Notdoneanythingatgeography！Andtheboygettingquiterobustnow！Iamastonished，Mr。Sutherland。Why，whenhewasamerechild，hecouldrepeatallthecountiesofEngland。“

“Perhapsthatmaybethereasonforthedecideddistasteheshowsforitnow，Mr。Arnold。ButIwillbegintoteachhimatonce，ifyoudesireit。“

“Idodesireit，Mr。Sutherland。Athoroughgeographicalknowledgeisessentialtotheeducationofagentleman。Askmeanyquestionyouplease，Mr。Sutherland，onthemapoftheworld，oranyofitsdivisions。“

Hughaskedafewquestions，whichMr。Arnoldansweredatonce。

“Pooh！pooh！”saidhe，“thisismerechild"splay。Letmeaskyousome，Mr。Sutherland。“

HisveryfirstquestionposedHugh，whoseknowledgeinthissciencewasnotbyanymeansminute。

“IfearIamnogentleman，“saidhe，laughing；“butIcanatleastlearnaswellasteach。Weshallbeginto-morrow。“

“Whatbookshaveyou？”

“Oh！nobooks，ifyouplease，justyet。IfyouaresatisfiedwithHarry"sprogresssofar，letmehavemyownwayinthistoo。“

“Butgeographydoesnotseemyourstrongpoint。“

“No；butImaybeabletoteachitallthebetterfromfeelingthedifficultiesofalearnermyself。“

“Well，youshallhaveafairtrial。“

NextmorningHughandHarrywentoutforawalktothetopofahillintheneighbourhood。Whentheyreachedit，Hughtookasmallcompassfromhispocket，andsetitontheground，contemplatingitandthehorizonalternately。

“Whatareyoudoing，Mr。Sutherland？”

“Iamtryingtofindtheexactlinethatwouldgothroughmyhome，“

saidhe。

“Isthatfunnylittlethingabletotellyou？”

“Yes；thisalongwithotherthings。Isn"titcurious，Harry，tohaveinmypocketalittlethingwithakindofspiritinit，thatunderstandsthespiritthatisinthebigworld，andalwayspointstoitsNorthPole？”

“Explainittome。“

“Itisnearlyasmuchamysterytomeastoyou。“

“WhereistheNorthPole？”

“Look，thelittlethingpointstoit。“

“ButIwillturnitaway。Oh！itwon"tgo。Itgoesbackandback，dowhatIwill。“

“Yes，itwill，ifyouturnitawayalldaylong。Look，Harry，ifyouweretogostraightoninthisdirection，youwouldcometoaLaplander，harnessinghisbroad-hornedreindeertohissledge。He"satitnow，Idaresay。Ifyouweretogointhislineexactly，youwouldgothroughthesmokeandfireofaburningmountaininalandofice。Ifyouweretogothisway，straighton，youwouldfindyourselfinthemiddleofaforestwithalionglaringatyourfeet，foritisdarknighttherenow，andsohot！Andoverthere，straighton，thereissuchalovelysunset。Thetopofasnowymountainisallpinkwithlight，thoughthesunisdown——oh！suchcoloursallabout，likefairyland！Andthere，thereisadesertofsand，andacameldying，andallhiscompanionsjustdisappearingonthehorizon。Andthere，thereisanawfulsea，withoutaboattobeseenonit，darkanddismal，withhugerocksallaboutit，andwastebordersofsand——sodreadful！”

“Howdoyouknowallthis，Mr。Sutherland？Youhaveneverwalkedalongthoselines，Iknow，foryoucouldn"t。“

“Geographyhastaughtme。“

“No，Mr。Sutherland！”saidHarry，incredulously。

“Well，shallwetravelalongthisline，justacrossthatcrownoftreesonthehill？”

“Yes，doletus。“

“Then，“saidHugh，drawingatelescopefromhispocket，“thishillishenceforthGeographyPoint，andalltheworldliesroundaboutit。Doyouknowweareintheverymiddleoftheearth？”

“Arewe，indeed？”

“Yes。Don"tyouknowanypointyouliketochooseonaballisthemiddleofit？”

“Oh！yes——ofcourse。“

“Verywell。Whatliesatthebottomofthehilldownthere？”

“Arnstead，tobesure。“

“Andwhatbeyondthere？”

“Idon"tknow。“

“Lookthroughhere。“

“Oh！thatmustbethevillagewerodetoyesterday——Iforgetthenameofit。“

Hughtoldhimthename；andthenmadehimlookwiththetelescopeallalongtherecedinglinetothetreesontheoppositehill。Justashecaughtthem，avoicebesidethemsaid：

“Whatareyouabout，Harry？”

Hughfeltaglowofpleasureasthevoicefellonhisear。

ItwasEuphra"s。

“Oh！”repliedHarry，“Mr。Sutherlandisteachingmegeographywithatelescope。It"ssuchfun！”

“He"sawonderfultutor，thatofyours，Harry！”

“Yes，isn"thejust？But，“Harrywenton，turningtoHugh，“whatarewetodonow？Wecan"tgetfartherforthathill。“

“Ah！wemustapplytoyourpapanow，tolendussomeofhisbeautifulmaps。Theywillteachuswhatliesbeyondthathill。Andthenwecanreadinsomeofhisbooksabouttheplaces；andsogoonandon，tillwereachthebeautiful，wide，restlesssea；overwhichwemustsailinspiteofwindandtide——straightonandon，tillwecometolandagain。Butwemustmakeagreatmanysuchjourneysbeforewereallyknowwhatsortofaplacewearelivingin；andweshallhaveeversomanythingstolearnthatwillsurpriseus。“

“Oh！itwillbenice！”criedHarry。

Afteralittlemoregeographicaltalk，theyputuptheirinstruments，andbegantodescendthehill。HarrywasinnoneedofHugh"sbacknow，butEuphrawasinneedofhishand。Infact，shespelledforitssupport。

“Howawkwardofme！Iamstumblingovertheheathershamefully！”

Shewas，infact，stumblingoverherowndress，whichshewouldnotholdup。Hughofferedhishand；andhersmalloneseemedquitecontenttobeswallowedupinhislargeone。

“Whydoyouneverletmeputyouonyourhorse？”saidHugh。“Youalwaysmanagetopreventmesomehoworother。Thelasttime，Ijustturnedmyhead，and，behold！whenIlooked，youweregatheringyourreins。“

“Itisonlyatrickofindependence，Hugh——Mr。Sutherland——Ibegyourpardon。“

IcanmakenoexcuseforEuphra，forshehadpositivelyneverheardhimcalledHugh：therewasnoonetodoso。But，thesliphadnot，therefore，thelesseffect；foritsoundedasifshehadbeensayinghisnameoverandoveragaintoherself。

“Ibegyourpardon，“repeatedEuphra，hastily；for，asHughdidnotreply，shefearedherarrowhadswervedfromitsmark。

“Forasweetfault，Euphra——Ibegyourpardon——MissCameron。“

“Youpunishmewithforgiveness，“returnedshe，withoneofhersweetestlooks。

Hughcouldnothelppressingthelittlehand。

Wasthepressurereturned？Soslight，soairywasthetouch，thatitmighthavebeenonlythethrobofhisownpulses，allconsciouslyvitalaboutthewonderfulwoman-handthatrestedinhis。Ifhehadclaimedit，shemighteasilyhavedeniedit，soetherealanduncertainwasit。Yethebelievedinit。Heneverdreamedthatshewasexercisingherskilluponhim。Whatcouldbeherobjectinbewitchingapoortutor？Ah！whatindeed？

Meantimethismuchiscertain，thatshewasdrawingHughcloserandclosertoherside；thatasoothingdreamofdelighthadbeguntostealoverhisspirit，soontomakeittossinfeverousunrest——asthefirsteffectsofsomepoisonsarelikeadawnoftenfoldstrength。Themountainwindblewfromhertohim，sometimessweepinghergarmentsabouthim，andbathinghimintheirfaintsweetodours——odourswhichsomehowseemedtobelongtoherwhomtheyhadonlylastvisited；sometimes，sokindlystrongdiditblow，compellingher，oratleastgivingherexcuseenough，toleavehishandandclingcloselytohisarm。Afreshspringbegantoburstfromtheverybosomofwhathadseemedbeforeaperfectsummer。A

springtosummer！Whatwouldthefollowingsummerbe？Ah！andwhattheautumn？Andwhatthewinter？Forifthesummerbetenfoldsummer，thenmustthewinterbetenfoldwinter。

Butthoughknowledgeisgoodforman，foreknowledgeisnotsogood。

And，thoughLovebegood，atempestofitinthebrainwillnotripenthefruitslikeasoftsteadywind，orwafttheshipshometotheirdesiredhaven。

Perhaps，whatenslavedHughmost，wasthefeelingthatthedamselstoopedtohim，withoutknowingthatshestooped。Sheseemedtohimineverywayabovehim。Sheknewsomanythingsofwhichhewasignorant；couldsaysuchlovelythings；could，hedidnotdoubt，writelovelyverses；couldsinglikeanangel；(thoughScotchsongsarenotofessentiallyangelicstrain，norItaliansongseither，ingeneral；andtheywereallthatshecoulddo)；wasmistressofagreatrichwonderfulhouse，withahistory；and，morethanall，was，orappearedtohimtobe——abeautifulwoman。Itwastruethathisfamilywasasgoodashers；buthehaddisownedhisfamily——sohispridedeclared；andthesamepridemadehimdespisehispresentposition，andlookuponatutor"semploymentas——as——well，asotherpeoplelookuponit；asarathercontemptibleoneinfact，especiallyforayoung，powerful，six-footfellow。

TheinfluenceofEuphrasiawasnotofthebestuponhimfromthefirst；forithadgreatlyincreasedthisfeelingabouthisoccupation。ItcouldnotaffecthisfeelingstowardsHarry；sotheboydidnotsufferasyet。Butitsethimuponaveryunprofitablekindofcastle-building：hewouldbeasoldierlikehisfather；hewouldleaveArnstead，torevisititwithaswordbyhisside，andaSirbeforehisname。SirHughSutherlandwouldbesomebodyevenintheeyesofthemasterofArnstead。Yes，asix-footfellow，thoughhemaybesensibleinthemain，isnot，therefore，freefromsmallvanities，especiallyifhebeinlove。ButhowleaveEuphra？

AgainIoutrunmystory。

CHAPTERX。

ITALIAN。

Permesivanellacitt？dolente。

DANTE

Throughmethougoestintothecityofgrief。

Ofnecessity，withsomanyshaftsopenedintothemountainofknowledge，afargreateramountoftimemustbedevotedbyHarryandhistutortotheworkingofthemine，thantheyhadgivenhitherto。

Thismadeaconsiderablealterationintheintercourseoftheyouthandthelady；for，althoughEuphrawasoftenpresentduringschool-hours，itmustbesaidforHughthat，duringthosehours，hepaidalmostallhisattentiontoHarry；somuchofit，indeed，thatperhapstherewasnotenoughlefttopleasethelady。Butshedidnotsayso。Shesatbesidetheminsilence，occupiedwithherwork，andsavingupherglancesforuse。Nowandthenshewouldread；

takinganopportunitysometimes，butnotoften，whenafittingpauseoccurred，toaskhimtoexplainsomepassageaboutwhichshewasindoubt。Itmustbeconcededthatsuchpassageswerewellchosenforthepurpose；forshewastoowisetodoherownintellectdiscreditbyfeigningadifficultywhereshesawnone；intellectbeingtheonlygiftinothersforwhichshewasconsciousofanyreverence。

By-and-byshebegantodiscontinuethesevisitstotheschoolroom。

Perhapsshefoundthemdull。Perhaps——butweshallsee。

Onemorning，inthecourseoftheirstudy——Euphranotpresent——Hughhadoccasiontogofromhisownroom，where，forthemostpart，theycarriedonthesevererportionoftheirlabours，downtothelibraryforabook，toenlightenthemuponsomepointonwhichtheywereindoubt。Ashewaspassinganopendoor，Euphra"svoicecalledhim。

Heentered，andfoundhimselfinherprivatesitting-room。Hehadnotknownbeforewhereitwas。

“Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Sutherland，forcallingyou，butIamatthismomentinadifficulty。IcannotmanagethislineintheInferno。Dohelpme。“

Shemovedthebooktowardshim，ashenowstoodbyherside，sheremainingseatedathertable。Tohismortification，hewascompelledtoconfesshisutterignoranceofthelanguage。

“Oh！Iamdisappointed，“saidEuphra。

“NotsomuchasIam，“repliedHugh。“ButcouldyousparemeoneortwoofyourItalianbooks？”

“Withpleasure，“sheanswered，risingandgoingtoherbookshelves。

“Iwantonlyagrammar，adictionary，andaNewTestament。“

“Theretheyare，“shesaid，takingthemdownoneaftertheother，andbringingthemtohim。“Idaresayyouwillsoongetupwithpoorstupidme。“

“Ishalldomybesttogetwithinhearingofyourvoice，atleast，inwhichItalianmustbelovely。“

Noreply，butasuddendroopofthehead。

“But，“continuedHugh，“uponsecondthoughts，lestIshouldbecompelledtoremaindumb，orelseannoyyourdelicateearwithdiscordantsounds，justgivemeonelessoninthepronunciation。

Letmehearyoureadalittlefirst。“

“Withallmyheart。“

Euphrabegan，andreaddelightfully；forshewasanexcellentItalianscholar。ItwasnecessarythatHughshouldlookoverthebook。Thiswasdifficultwhileheremainedstanding，asshedidnotoffertoliftitfromthetable。Gradually，therefore，andhardlyknowinghow，hesettledintoachairbyherside。Half-an-hourwentbylikeaminute，ashelistenedtothesilverytonesofhervoice，breakingintoabell-likesounduponthedoubleconsonantsofthatsweetlady-tongue。Thenitwashisturntoreadandbecorrected，andreadagainandbeagaincorrected。Anotherhalf-hourglidedaway，andyetanother。Butitmustbeconfessedhemadegooduseofthetime——ifonlyithadbeenhisowntouse；forattheendofithecouldpronounceItalianverytolerably——wellenough，atleast，tokeephimfromfixingerrorsinhispronunciation，whilestudyingthelanguagealone。Suddenlyhecametohimself，andlookedupasfromadream。Hadshebeenbewitchinghim？HewasinEuphra"sroom——alonewithher。Andthedoorwasshut——howorwhen？And——helookedathiswatch——poorlittleHarryhadbeenwaitinghisreturnfromthelibrary，forthelasthourandahalf。Hewasconscience-stricken。Hegatheredupthebookshastily，thankedEuphrainthesamehurriedmanner，andlefttheroomwithconsiderabledisquietude，closingthedoorverygently，almostguiltily，behindhim。

IamafraidEuphrahadbeenperfectlyawarethatheknewnothingaboutItalian。Didsheseeherowneyesshineinthemirrorbeforeher，asheclosedthedoor？Wassheinlovewithhim，then？

WhenHughreturnedwiththeItalianbooks，insteadoftheencyclop鎑iahehadgonetoseek，hefoundHarrysittingwherehehadlefthim，withhisarmsandheadonthetable，fastasleep。

“Poorboy！”saidHughtohimself；buthecouldnothelpfeelinggladhewasasleep。Hestoleoutoftheroomagain，passedthefataldoorwithalongingpain，foundthevolumeofhisquestinthelibrary，and，returningwithit，satdownbesideHarry。Therehesattillheawoke。

Whenhedidawakeatlast，itwasalmosttimeforluncheon。Theshame-facedboywasexceedinglypenitentforwhatwasnofault，whileHughcouldnotrelievehimbyconfessinghis。Hecouldonlysay：

“Itwasmyfault，Harrydear。Istayedawaytoolong。Youweresonicelyasleep，Iwouldnotwakeyou。Youwillnotneedasiesta，thatisall。“

Hewasashamedofhimself，asheutteredthefalsewordstothetrue-heartedchild。Butthis，alas！wasnottheendofitall。

Desirousoflearningthelanguage，butfarmoredesirousofcommendinghimselftoEuphra，Hughbeganindownrightearnest。Thatveryevening，hefeltthathehadalittleholdofthelanguage。

Harrywaslefttohisownresources。Norwasthereanyharminthisinitself：Hughhadarighttopartofeverydayforhisownuses。Butthen，hehadbeenwithHarryalmosteveryevening，oragreatpartofit，andtheboymissedhimmuch；forhewasnotyetself-dependent。HewouldhavegonetoEuphrasia，butsomehowshehappenedtobeengagedthatevening。Sohetookrefugeinthelibrary，where，inthedesolationofhisspirit，Polexanderbegan，almostimmediately，toexerciseitsolddrearyfascinationuponhim。

AlthoughhehadnotopenedthebooksinceHughhadrequestedhimtoputitaway，yethehadnotgivenuptheintentionoffinishingitsomeday；andnowhetookitdown，andopeneditlistlessly，withtheintentionofdoingsomethingtowardsthegradualredeemingofthepledgehehadgiventohimself。Buthefounditmoreirksomethanever。Stillhereadon；tillatlengthhecoulddiscovernomeaningatallinthesentences。Thenhebegantodoubtwhetherhehadreadthewords。Hefixedhisattentionbymainforceoneveryindividualword；buteventhenhebegantodoubtwhetherhecouldsayhehadreadthewords，forhemighthavemissedseeingsomeoftheletterscomposingeachword。Hegrewsonervousandmiserableoverit，almostcountingeveryletter，thatatlastheburstintotears，andthrewthebookdown。

Hisintellect，whichinitselfwasexcellent，wasquiteoftheparasiticorder，requiringtowinditselfaboutastrongerintellect，tokeepitselfintheregionoffreshairandpossiblegrowth。Lefttoitself，itsweakstemcouldnotraiseitabovetheground：itwouldgrowandmassupontheearth，tillitdecayedandcorrupted，forlackofroom，light，andair。But，ofcourse，therewasnodangerinthemeantime。Thiswasbutthepassingsadnessofanoccasionalloneliness。

HecrepttoHugh"sroom，andreceivedaninvitationtoenter，inanswertohisgentleknock；butHughwassoabsorbedinhisnewstudy，thathehardlytookanynoticeofhim，andHarryfounditalmostasdrearyhereasinthestudy。Hewouldhavegoneout，butadrizzlingrainwasfalling；andheshrankintohimselfatthethoughtoftheGhost"sWalk。Thedinner-bellwasawelcomesummons。

Hugh，inspiritedbythereactionfromcloseattention，bythepresenceofEuphra，andbythedesiretomakehimselfgenerallyagreeable，whichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofhavingdonewrong，talkedalmostbrilliantly，delightingEuphra，overcomingHarrywithreverentastonishment，andeveninterestingslowMr。Arnold。WiththelatterHughhadbeengraduallybecomingafavourite；partlybecausehehaddiscoveredinhimwhatheconsideredhigh-mindedsentiments；for，howeverstupidandconventionalMr。Arnoldmightbe，hehadafoundationofsterlingworthinessofcharacter。

Euphra，insteadofshowinganyjealousyofthisgrowingfriendliness，favoureditineverywayinherpower，andnowandthenalludedtoitinherconversationswithHugh，asaffordinghergreatsatisfaction。

“Iamsogladhelikesyou！”shewouldsay。

“Whyshouldshebeglad？”thoughtHugh。

Thisgentleclaimofakindofpropertyinhim，addedconsiderablytothestrengthoftheattractionthatdrewhimtowardsher，astowardsthecentreofhisspiritualgravitation；ifindeedthatcouldbecalledspiritualwhichhadsolittleoftheelementofmoralorspiritualadmiration，orevenapproval，mingledwithit。

HeneverfeltthatEuphrawasgood。Heonlyfeltthatshedrewhimwithavagueforceoffemininesovereignty——acharmwhichhecouldnomoreresistorexplain，thantheironcouldtheattractionoftheloadstone。Neithercouldhehavesaid，hadhereallyconsideredthematter，thatshewasbeautiful——onlythatsheoften，veryoften，lookedbeautiful。Isuspectifshehadbeenratherugly，itwouldhavebeenallthesameforHugh。

HepursuedhisItalianstudieswithasinglenessofaimandeffortthatcarriedhimonrapidly。HeaskednoassistancefromEuphra，andsaidnothingtoherabouthisprogress。Buthewassoabsorbedinit，thatitdrewhimstillfurtherfromhispupil。Ofcoursehewentoutwithhim，walkingorridingeverydaythattheweatherwouldpermit；andhehadregularschoolhourswithhimwithindoors。

Butduringthelatter，whileHarrywasdoingsomethingonhisslate，orwriting，orlearningsomelesson(whichkindofworkhappenedoftenernowthanhecouldhaveapprovedof)，hewouldtakeuphisItalian；and，notwithstandingHarry"squiethintsthathehadfinishedwhathadbeensethim，remainburiedinitforalongtime。

Whenhewokeatlasttothenecessityoftakingsomenoticeoftheboy，hewouldonlyappointhimsomethingelsetooccupyhimagain，soastoleavehimselffreetofollowhisnewbent。Nowandthenhewouldbecomeawareofhisblameableneglect，andmakeafeeblestruggletorectifywhatseemedtobegrowingintoahabit——andoneoftheworstforatutor；buthegraduallysankbackintothemire，formireitwas，comfortinghimselfwiththeresolutionthatassoonashewasabletoreadItalianwithoutabsolutelyspellinghisway，hewouldletEuphraseewhatprogresshehadmade，andthenreturnwithrenewedenergytoHarry"seducation，keepinguphisownnewaccomplishmentbymoremoderateexercisetherein。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thatalongcourseoftimepassedinthisway。

Attheendofafortnight，hethoughthemightventuretorequestEuphratoshowhimthepassagewhichhadperplexedher。Thistimeheknewwhereshewas——inherownroom；forhismindhadbeguntohauntherwhereabouts。Heknockedatherdoor，heardthesilvery，thrilling，happysound，“Comein；“andenteredtrembling。

“WouldyoushowmethepassageinDantethatperplexedyoutheotherday？”

Euphralookedalittlesurprised；butgotthebookandpointeditoutatonce。

Hughglancedatit。Hissuperioracquaintancewiththegeneralformsoflanguageenabledhim，afterfindingtwowordsinEuphra"slargerdictionary，toexplainit，toherimmediatesatisfaction。

“Youastonishme，“saidEuphra。

“Latingivesmeanadvantage，yousee，“saidHughmodestly。

“Itseemstobeverywonderful，nevertheless。“

TheseweresweetsoundstoHugh"sear。Hehadgainedhisend。Andshehers。

“Well，“shesaid，“Ihavejustcomeuponanotherpassagethatperplexesmenotalittle。Willyoutryyourpowersuponthatforme？”

Sosaying，sheproceededtofindit。

“Itisschool-time，“saidHugh“IfearImustnotwaitnow。“

“Pooh！pooh！Don"tmakeapedagogueofyourself。Youknowyouareheremoreasaguardian——bigbrother，youknow——tothedearchild。

Bytheway，Iamratherafraidyouareworkinghimalittlemorethanhisconstitutionwillstand。“

“Doyouthinkso？”returnedHughquitewillingtobeconvinced。“I

shouldbeverysorry。“

“Thisisthepassage，“saidEuphra。

Hughsatdownoncemoreatthetablebesideher。Hefoundthismorselconsiderablytougherthanthelast。Butatlengthhesucceededinpullingittopiecesandreconstructingitinasimplerformforthelady。Shewasfullofthanksandadmiration。

Naturallyenough，theywentontothenextline，andthenextstanza，andthenextandthenext；till——shallIbebelieved？——theyhadreadawholecantoofthepoem。EuphraknewmorewordsbyagreatmanythanHugh；sothat，whatwithherknowledgeofthewords，andhisinsightintotheconstruction，theymaderareprogress。

“Whatabeautifulpassageitis！”saidEuphra。

“Itisindeed，“respondedHugh；“Ineverreadanythingmorebeautiful。“

“IwonderifitwouldbepossibletoturnthatintoEnglish。I

shouldliketotry。“

“Youmeanverse，ofcourse？”

“Tobesure。“

“Letustry，then。IwillbringyouminewhenIhavefinishedit。

Ifearitwilltakesometime，though，todoitwell。Shallitbeinblankverse，orwhat？”

“Oh！don"tyouthinkwehadbetterkeeptheTerzaRimaoftheoriginal？”

“Asyouplease。Itwilladdmuchtothedifficulty。“

“Recreantknight！willyoushrinkfromfollowingwhereyourladyleads？”

“Never！sohelpme，mygoodpen！”answeredHugh，andtookhisdeparture，withburningcheeksandatremblingattheheart。Alas！

themorningwasgone。Harrywasnotinhisstudy：hesoughtandfoundhiminthelibrary，apparentlyburiedinPolexander。

“Iamsogladyouarecome，“saidHarry；“Iamsotired。“

“Whydoyoureadthatstupidbook，then？”

“Oh！youknow，Itoldyou。“

“Tut！tut！nonsense！Putitaway，“saidHugh，hisdissatisfactionwithhimselfmakinghimcrosswithHarry，whofelt，inconsequence，tentimesmoredesolatethanbefore。Hecouldnotunderstandthechange。

Ifitwentillbeforewiththehoursdevotedtocommonlabour，itwentworsenow。Hughseizedeverygapoftime，andwideneditsmarginsshamefully，inordertoworkathistranslation。HefounditverydifficulttorendertheItalianinclassicalandpoeticEnglish。Thethreerhymingwords，andthemodeinwhichthestanzasareloopedtogether，addedgreatlytothedifficulty。Blankversehewouldhavefoundquiteeasycomparedtothis。Buthewouldnotblench。Thethoughtofherpraise，andoftheyetbetterfavourhemightgain，spurredhimon；andHarrywasthesacrifice。Buthewouldmakeitalluptohim，whenthiswasonceover。Indeed，hewould。

ThushebakedcakesofclaytochokethebarkingofCerberianconscience。Butitwouldgrowlnotwithstanding。

Theboy"sspiritwassinking；butHughdidnotorwouldnotseeit。

Hisstepgrewlesselastic。Hebecamemorelistless，morelikehisformerself——saunteringaboutwithhishandsinhispockets。AndHugh，ofcourse，foundhimselfcaringlessabouthim；forthethoughtofhim，rousingasitdidthesenseofhisownneglect，hadbecometroublesome。SometimesheevenpassedpoorHarrywithoutspeakingtohim。

Gradually，however，hegrewstillfurtherintothefavourofMr。

Arnold，untilheseemedtohaveevenacquiredsomeinfluencewithhim。Mr。Arnoldwouldgooutridingwiththemhimselfsometimes，andexpressgreatsatisfaction，notonlywiththewayHarrysathispony，forwhichheaccordedHughthecreditduetohim，butwiththewayinwhichHughmanagedhisownhorseaswell。Mr。Arnoldwasagoodhorseman，andhispraisewasespeciallygratefultoHugh，becauseEuphrawasalwaysnear，andalwaysheardit。Ifear，however，thathisprogressinthegoodgracesofMr。Arnold，was，inaconsiderabledegree，theresultofthegreateranxietytoplease，whichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofnotdeservingapprobation。

Pleasingwasaneasysubstituteforwell-doing。Notacceptabletohimself，hehadthegreaterdesiretobeacceptabletoothers；andsoreflecttheside-beamsofafalseapprobationonhimself——whoneededtruelightandwouldbeill-providedforwithanysubstitute。

Foramanwhoisreceivedasamillionairecanhardlyhelpfeelinglikeoneattimes，evenifheknowshehasoverdrawnhisbanker"saccount。ThenecessitytoHugh"snatureoffeelingright，drovehimtothisfalsemodeofproducingthefalseimpression。Ifoneonlywantstofeelvirtuous，thereareseveralroyalroadstothatend。

But，fortunately，theenditselfwouldbeunsatisfactoryifgained；

whilenotoneoftheseroadsdoesmorethanpretendtoleadeventothatlandofdelusion。

ThereactioninHugh"smindwassometimestorturingenough。ButhehadnotstrengthtoresistEuphra，andsoreform。

Wellorilldone，atlengthhistranslationwasfinished。SowasEuphra"s。Theyexchangedpapersforaprivatereadingfirst；andarrangedtomeetafterwards，inordertocomparecriticisms。

CHAPTERXI。

THEFIRSTMIDNIGHT。

Well，ifanythingbedamned，Itwillbetwelveo"clockatnight；thattwelveWillneverscape。

CYRILTOURNEUR——TheRevenger"sTragedy。

LettersarrivedatArnsteadgenerallywhilethefamilywasseatedatbreakfast。Onemorning，thepost-baghavingbeenbroughtin，Mr。

Arnoldopenedithimself，accordingtohisunvaryingcustom；andfound，amongstotherletters，oneinanold-fashionedfemalehand，which，afterreadingit，hepassedtoEuphra。

“YourememberMrs。Elton，Euphra？”

“Quitewell，uncle——adearoldlady！”

Buttheexpressionwhichpassedacrossherface，ratherbeliedherwords，andseemedtoHughtomean：“Ihopesheisnotgoingtoboreusagain。“

Shetookcare，however，toshownosignwithregardtothecontentsoftheletter；but，layingitbesideheronthetable，waitedtohearheruncle"smindfirst。

“Poor，deargirl！”saidheatlast。“Youmusttrytomakeherascomfortableasyoucan。Thereisconsumptioninthefamily，yousee，“headded，withameditativesigh。

“OfcourseIwill，uncle。Poorgirl！Ihopethereisnotmuchamissthough，afterall。“

But，asshespoke，anirrepressibleflashofdislike，ordispleasureofsomesort，brokefromhereyes，andvanished。NoonebuthimselfseemedtoHughtohaveobservedit；buthewaslearnedinthelady"seyes，andtheirweather-signs。Mr。Arnoldrosefromthetableandlefttheroom，apparentlytowriteananswertotheletter。Assoonashewasgone，EuphragavethelettertoHugh。Hereadasfollows：——

“MYDEARMR。ARNOLD，“Willyouextendthehospitalityofyourbeautifulhousetomeandmyyoungfriend，whohasthehonourofbeingyourrelative，LadyEmilyLake？Forsometimeherhealthhasseemedtobefailing，andsheisorderedtospendthewinterabroad，atPau，orsomewhereinthesouthofFrance。Itisconsideredhighlydesirablethatinthemeantimesheshouldhaveasmuchchangeaspossible；anditoccurredtome，rememberingthecharmingmonthIpassedatyourseat，andrecallingthefactthatLadyEmilyiscousinonlyonceremovedtoyourlatemostlovelywife，thattherewouldbenoimproprietyinwritingtoaskyouwhetheryoucould，withoutinconvenience，receiveusasyourguestsforashorttime。Isayus；forthedeargirlhastakensuchafancytounworthyoldme，thatshealmostrefusestosetoutwithoutme。Nottobecumbersomeeithertoourfriendsorourselves，weshallbringonlyourtwomaids，andasteadyoldman-servant，whohasbeeninmyfamilyformanyyears——Itrustyouwillnothesitatetorefusemyrequest，shouldIhappentohavemadeitatanunsuitableseason；assured，asyoumustbe，thatwecannotattributetherefusaltoanylackofhospitalityorfriendlinessonyourpart。Atallevents，Itrustyouwillexcusewhatseems——nowI

havecommittedittopaper——agreatliberty，Ihopenotpresumption，onmine。Iam，mydearMr。Arnold，“Yoursmostsincerely，“HANNAHELTON。“

Hughrefoldedtheletter，andlaiditdownwithoutremark。Harryhadlefttheroom。

“Isn"titabore？”saidEuphra。

Hughansweredonlybyalook。Apausefollowed。

“WhoisMrs。Elton？”hesaidatlast。

“Oh，agood-heartedcreatureenough。Frightfullyprosy。“

“Butthatisawell-writtenletter？”

“Oh，yes。Sheisfamedforherletter-writing；and，Ibelieve，practiseseverymorningonaslate。Itistheonlythingthatredeemsherfromabsolutestupidity。“

Euphra，withhertaperfore-finger，tappedthetable-clothimpatiently，andshiftedbackinherchair，asifstrugglingwithaninwardannoyance。

“AndwhatsortofpersonisLadyEmily？”askedHugh。

“Ihaveneverseenher。Someblue-eyedmilk-maidwithatitle，I

suppose。Andinaconsumption，too！Ipresumethedeargirlisasreligiousastheoldone——Goodheavens！whatshallwedo？”sheburstoutatlength；and，risingfromherchair，shepacedabouttheroomhurriedly，butallthetimewithaglidingkindoffootfall，thatwouldhaveshakennonebutthecraziestfloor。

“DearEuphra！”Hughventuredtosay，“nevermind。Letustrytomakethebestofit。“

Shestoppedinherwalk，turnedtowardshim，smiledasifashamedanddelightedatthesamemoment，andslidoutoftheroom。HadEuphrabeenthesameallthrough，shecouldhardlyhavesmiledsowithoutbeinginlovewithHugh。

Thatmorninghesoughtheragaininherroom。TheytalkedovertheirversionsofDante。Hugh"swascertainlythebest，forhewasmorepractisedinsuchthingsthanEuphra。Heshowedhermanyfaults，whichsheatonceperceivedtobefaults，andsoroseinhisestimation。Butatthesametimetherewereindividuallinesandpassagesofhers，whichheconsiderednotmerelybetterthanthecorrespondinglinesandpassages，butbetterthananypartofhisversion。Thishewasdelightedtosay；andsheseemedasdelightedthatheshouldthinkso。Agreatpartofthemorningwasspentthus。

“Icannotstaylonger，“saidHugh。

“Letusreadforanhour，then，afterwecomeupstairsto-night。“

“WithmorepleasurethanIdaretosay。“

“Butyoumeanwhatyoudosay？”

“Youcandoubtitnomorethanmyself。“

YethedidnotlikeEuphra"smakingtheproposal。Nomoredidheliketheflippant，almostcruelwayinwhichshereferredtoLadyEmily"sillness。Butheputitdowntoannoyanceandhaste——gotoveritsomehow——anyhow；andbegantofeelthatifshewereadevilhecouldnothelplovingher，andwouldnothelpitifhecould。

Thehopeofmeetingheralonethatnight，gavehimspiritandenergywithHarry；andthepoorboywasmorecheeryandactivethanhehadbeenforsometime。Hethoughthisbigbrotherwasgoingtolovehimagainasatthefirst。Hugh"streatmentofhispupilmightstillhaveseemedkindfromanother，butHarryfeltitagreatchangeinhim。

Inthecourseoftheday，Euphratookanopportunityofwhisperingtohim：

“Notinmyroom——inthelibrary。“Ipresumeshethoughtitwouldbemoreprudent，inthecaseofanyinterruption。

Afterdinnerthatevening，HughdidnotgotothedrawingroomwithMr。Arnold，butoutintothewoodsaboutthehouse。Itwasearlyinthetwilight；fornowthesunsetlate。ThemonthwasJune；andtheevenarich，dreamful，rosyeven——thesleepofagorgeousday。“Itislikethesoulofagraciouswoman，“thoughtHugh，charmedintoalucidintervalofpassionbythelovelinessofthenaturearoundhim。Strangetotell，atthatmoment，insteadofthehushedgloomofthelibrary，towardswhichhewashopingandleaninginhissoul，therearosebeforehimthebare，stern，leaflesspine-wood——forwhocancallitsfoliageleaves？——withthechillywindofanorthernspringmorningblowingthroughitwithawailingnoiseofwaters；

andbeneathaweirdfir-tree，lofty，gaunt，andhuge，withbaregoblinarms，contortedsweepily，inastrangeminglingofthesublimeandthegrotesque——beneaththisfir-tree，Margaretsittingononeofitstwistedroots，theveryimageofpeace，withafacethatseemedstilledbytheexpectedapproachofasacredandunknowngladness；afacethatwouldblossomthemoregloriouslybecauseitsjoydelayeditscoming。Andaboveit，thetreeshonea“still，“

almost“awfulred，“inthelevellightofthemorning。

Thevisioncameandpassed，forhedidnotinviteitsstay：itrebukedhimtothedeepestsoul。Hestrayedintroubledpleasure，restlessanddissatisfied。Woodsoftherichestgrowthwerearoundhim；heapsonheapsofleavesfloatingabovehimlikeclouds，atracklesswildernessofairygreen，whereinonemightwishtodwellforever，lookingdownintothevaultsandaislesofthelong-rangingbolesbeneath。Butnopeacecouldrestonhisface；

only，atbest，afalsemask，putontohidethetroubleoftheunrestingheart。HadhebeendoinghisdutytoHarry，hisloveforEuphra，howeverunworthyshemightbe，wouldnothavetroubledhimthus。

Hecameuponanavenue。Atthefurtherendtheboughsoftheoldtrees，bareofleavesbeneath，metinaperfectpointedarch，acrosswhichwerebarredthelingeringcoloursofthesunset，transformingthewholeintoarichwindowfullofstainedglassandcomplextracery，closingupaGothicaisleinatempleofeverlastingworship。Akindofholycalmfelluponhimasheregardedthedim，dyingcolours；andthespiritofthenight，asomethingthatisneithersilencenorsound，andyetislikeboth，sankintohissoul，andmadeamomentofsummertwilightthere。Hewalkedalongtheavenueforsomedistance；andthen，leavingit，passedonthroughthewoods——SuddenlyitflasheduponhimthathehadcrossedtheGhost"sWalk。Aslightbutcoldshudderpassedthroughtheregionofhisheart。Thenhelaughedathimself，and，asitwereindespiteofhisowntremor，turned，andcrossedyetagainthepathoftheghost。

Aspiritualepicureinhispleasures，hewouldnotspoiltheeffectofthecomingmeeting，byseeingEuphrainthedrawingroomfirst：hewenttohisownstudy，whereheremainedtillthehourhadnearlyarrived。Hetriedtowritesomeverses。Buthefoundthat，althoughthelovelyformofitsownNaiadlayonthebrinkoftheWellofSong，itswaterswouldnotflow：duringthesiroccoofpassion，itsspringswithdrawintothecoolcavesoftheLifebeneath。Atlengthherose，toomuchpreoccupiedtomindhiswantofsuccess；and，goingdownthebackstair，reachedthelibrary。

Thereheseatedhimself，andtriedtoreadbythelightofhischamber-candle。Butitwasscarcelyevenanattempt，foreverymomenthewaslookinguptothedoorbywhichheexpectedhertoenter。

Suddenlyanincreaseoflightwarnedhimthatshewasintheroom。

Howshehadenteredhecouldnottell。Onehandcarriedhercandle，thelightofwhichfellonherpaleface，withitshaloofblackness——herhair，whichlookedlikeawellofdarkness，thatthreatenedtobreakfromitsbondsandoverfloodtheroomwithasecondnight，darkenoughtoblotoutthatwhichwasnowlookingin，treefulanddeep，attheuncurtainedwindows。Theotherhandwasbusytryingtoincarcerateastraytresswhichhadescapedfromitsnet，andmadeheroliveshoulderslookwhitebesideit。

“Letitalone，“saidHugh，“letitbebeautiful。“

Butshegentlyrepelledthehandheraisedtohers，and，thoughshewasforcedtoputdownhercandlefirst，persistedinconfiningtherefractorytress；thenseatedherselfatthetable，andtakingfromherpocketthemanuscriptwhichHughhadbeencriticisinginthemorning，unfoldedit，andshowedhimallthepassageshehadobjectedto，neatlycorrectedoraltered。Itwaswonderfullydoneforthetimeshehadhad。Hewentoveritallwithheragain，seatedclosetoher，theirfacesalmostmeetingastheyfollowedthelines。Theyhadjustfinishedit，andwereabouttocommencereadingfromtheoriginal，whenHugh，whomissedasheetofEuphra"stranslation，stoopedunderthetabletolookforit。Afewmomentswerespentinthesearch，beforehediscoveredthatEuphra"sfootwasuponit。Hebeggedhertomovealittle，butreceivednoreplyeitherbywordoract。Lookingupinsomealarm，hesawthatshewaseitherasleeporinafaint。Byanimpulseinexplicabletohimselfatthetime，hewentatoncetothewindows，anddrewdownthegreenblinds。Whenheturnedtowardsheragain，shewasrevivingorawaking，hecouldnottellwhich。

“Howstupidofmetogotosleep！”shesaid。“Letusgoonwithourreading。“

Theyhadreadforabouthalfanhour，whenthreetapsupononeofthewindows，slight，butpeculiar，andasifgivenwiththepointofafinger，suddenlystartledthem。Hughturnedatoncetowardsthewindows；but，ofcourse，hecouldseenothing，havingjustloweredtheblinds。HeturnedagaintowardsEuphra。Shehadastrangewildlook；herlipswereslightlyparted，andhernostrilswide；herfacewasrigid，andglimmeringpaleasdeathfromthecloudofherblackhair。

“Whatwasit？”saidHugh，affectedbyherfearwiththehorroroftheunknown。Butshemadenoanswer，andcontinuedstaringtowardsoneofthewindows。Heroseandwasabouttoadvancetoit，whenshecaughthimbythehandwithagraspofwhichherswouldhavebeenincapableexceptundertheinfluenceofterror。Atthatmomentaclockintheroombegantostrike。Itwasaslowclock，andwentondeliberately，strikingone……two……three……tillithadstrucktwelve。Everystrokewasablowfromthehammeroffear，andhisheartwasthebell。Hecouldnotbreathefordreadsolongastheawfulclockwasstriking。Whenithadended，theylookedateachotheragain，andHughbreathedonce。

“Euphra！”hesighed。

Butshemadenoanswer；sheturnedhereyesagaintooneofthewindows。Theywerebothstanding。Hesoughttodrawhertohim，butsheyieldednomorethanamarblestatue。

“IcrossedtheGhost"sWalkto-night，“saidhe，inahardwhisper，scarcelyknowingthatheutteredit，tillheheardhisownwords。

Theyseemedtofalluponhisearasifspokenbysomeoneoutsidetheroom。Shelookedathimoncemore，andkeptlookingwithafixedstare。Graduallyherfacebecamelessrigid，andhereyeslesswild。Shecouldmoveatlast。

“Come，come，“shesaid，inahurriedwhisper。“Letusgo——no，no，notthatway；“——asHughwouldhaveledhertowardstheprivatestair——“letusgothefrontway，bytheoakstaircase。“

Theywentuptogether。Whentheyreachedthedoorofherroom，shesaid，“Goodnight，“withoutevenlookingathim，andpassedin。

Hughwenton，inastateofutterbewilderment，tohisownapartment；shutthedoorandlockedit——athinghehadneverdonebefore；lightedboththecandlesonhistable；andthenwalkedupanddowntheroom，trying，likeoneawarethatheisdreaming，tocometohisrealself。

“Pshaw！”hesaidatlast。“Itwasonlyalittlebird，oralargemoth。Howodditisthatdarknesscanmakeafoolofone！Iamashamedofmyself。IwishIhadgoneoutatthewindow，ifonlytoshowEuphraIwasnotafraid，thoughofcoursetherewasnothingtobeseen。“

Ashesaidthisinhismind，——hecouldnothavespokenitaloud，forfearofhearinghisownvoiceinthesolitude，——hewenttooneofthewindowsofhissitting-room，whichwasnearlyoverthelibrary，andlookedintothewood——Coulditbe？——Yes——Hedidseesomethingwhite，glidingthroughthewood，awayinthedirectionoftheGhost"sWalk。Itvanished；andhesawitnomore。