第7章

Themorningwasfaradvancedbeforehecouldgotobed。Whenthefirstlightoftheaurorabrokethesky，helookedoutagain；——andthefirstglimmeringsofthemorninginthewoodweremoredreadfulthanthedeepestdarknessofthepastnight。Possessedbyanewhorror，hethoughthowawfulitwouldbetoseeabelatedghost，hurryingawayinhelplesshaste。Thespectrewouldbeyetmoreterribleinthegreylightofthecomingday，andtheazurebreezesofthemorning，whichtoitwouldbelikeanewandmorefearfuldeath，thanamidstitsownhomelysepulchraldarkness；whilethesilenceallaround——silenceinlight——couldbefitonlythatdreadseasonoflonelinesswhenmenarelostinsleep，andghosts，iftheywalkatall，walkindismay。

Butatlengthfearyieldedtosleep，thoughstillhetroubledhershortreign。

Whenheawoke，hefounditsolate，thatitwasallhecoulddotogetdownintimeforbreakfast。Butsoanxiouswashenottobelaterthanusual，thathewasintheroombeforeMr。Arnoldmadehisappearance。Euphra，however，wastherebeforehim。Shegreetedhimintheusualway，quitecircumspectly。Butshelookedtroubled。

Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeswerered，asiffromsleeplessnessorweeping。Whenheruncleentered，sheaddressedhimwithmoregaietythanusual，andhedidnotperceivethatanythingwasamisswithher。Butthewholeofthatdayshewalkedasinareverie，avoidingHughtwoorthreetimesthattheychancedtomeetwithoutathirdpersonintheneighbourhood。Onceintheforenoon——whenshewasgenerallytobefoundinherroom——hecouldnotrefrainfromtryingtoseeher。Thechangeandthemysterywereinsupportabletohim。Butwhenhetappedatherdoor，noanswercame；andhewalkedbacktoHarry，feeling，asif，byanunknowndoorinhisownsoul，hehadbeenshutoutofthehalfofhisbeing。

Orrather——awallseemedtohavebeenbuiltrightbeforehiseyes，whichstillwastherewhereverhewent。

Astotheglidingphantomofthepreviousnight，thedaydenieditall，tellinghimitwasbutthecoinageofhisownover-wroughtbrain，weakenedbyprolongedtensionoftheintellect，andexcitedbythepresenceofEuphraatanhourclaimedbyphantomswhennotyieldedtosleep。Thiswastheeasiestandmostnaturalwayofdisposingofthedifficulty。ThecloudaroundEuphrahidtheghostinitsskirts。

Althoughfearinsomemeasurereturnedwiththereturningshadows，heyetresolvedtotrytogetEuphratomeethimagaininthelibrarythatnight。Butshenevergavehimachanceofevendroppingahinttothatpurpose。Shehadnotgoneoutwiththeminthemorning；andwhenhefollowedherintothedrawing-room，shewasalreadyatthepiano。Hethoughthemightconveyhiswishwithoutinterruptingthemusic；butasoftenasheapproachedher，shebroke，orratherglided，outintosong，asifshehadbeensinginginanundertoneallthewhile。Hecouldnothelpseeingshedidnotintendtolethimspeaktoher。But，allthetime，whatevershesangwassomethingsheknewheliked；andasoftenasshespoketohiminthehearingofheruncleorcousin，itwasinamannerpeculiarlygracefulandsimple。

Hecouldnotunderstandher；andwasmorebewitched，morefascinatedthanever，byseeingherthroughthefoldsoftheincomprehensible，inwhichelementshehadwrappedherselffromhisnearervision。

Shehadalwaysseemedabovehim——nowsheseemedmilesawayaswell；

aregionofParadise，intowhichhewasforbiddentoenter。

Everythingabouther，toherhandkerchiefandhergloves，washauntedbyavaguemysteryofworshipfulness，anddrewhimtowardsitwithwonderandtrembling。Whentheypartedforthenight，sheshookhandswithhimwithacoolfrankness，thatputhimnearlybesidehimselfwithdespair；andwhenhefoundhimselfinhisownroom，itwassometimebeforehecouldcollecthisthoughts。Havingsucceeded，however，heresolved，inspiteofgrowingfears，togotothelibrary，andseewhetheritwerenotpossibleshemightbethere。Hetookupacandle，andwentdownthebackstair。Butwhenheopenedthelibrarydoor，agustofwindblewhiscandleout；allwasdarknesswithin；asuddenhorrorseizedhim；and，afraidofyieldingtotheinclinationtoboundupthestair，lestheshouldgowildwiththeterrorofpursuit，hecreptslowlyback，feelinghiswaytohisownroomwithadetermineddeliberateness——Couldthelibrarywindowhavebeenleftopen？Elsewhencethegustofwind？

Nextday，andthenext，andthenext，hefarednobetter：herbehaviourcontinuedthesame；andsheallowedhimnoopportunityofrequestinganexplanation。

CHAPTERXII。

ASUNDAY。

Amanmaybeahereticinthetruth；andifhebelievethingsonlybecausehispastorsaysso，ortheassemblysodetermines，withoutknowingotherreason，thoughhisbeliefbetrue，yettheverytruthheholdsbecomeshisheresy——MILTON——Areopagitica。

Atlengththeexpectedvisitorsarrived。Hughsawnothingofthemtilltheyassembledfordinner。Mrs。Eltonwasabenevolentoldlady——notoldenoughtogiveintobeingold——rathertall，andratherstout，inrichwidow-costume，whosedepthhadbeenmoderatedbytime。Herkindlygreyeyeslookedoutfromacalmface，whichseemedtohavetakencomfortfromlovingeverybodyinamildandmoderatefashion。LadyEmilywasaslendergirl，rathershy，withfairhair，andapaleinnocentface。Sheworeavioletdress，whichputoutherblueeyes。SheshowedtonoadvantagebesidethesuppressedglowoflifewhichmadeEuphralooklikeatropicaltwilight——Iamawarethereisnosuchthing，butiftherewere，itwouldbejustlikeher。

Mrs。Eltonseemedtohaveconcentratedthemotherhoodofhernature，whichwashermostprominentcharacteristic，notwithstanding——orperhapsinvirtueof——herchildlessness，uponLadyEmily。ToherMrs。Eltonwassolicitouslyattentive；andshe，onherpart，receiveditallsweetlyandgratefully，takingnoumbrageatbeingtreatedasmoreofaninvalidthanshewas。

LadyEmilyatenothingbutchicken，andcustard-puddingorrice，allthetimeshewasatArnstead。

Thericherandmoreseasonedanydish，themoregratefulitwastoEuphra。

Mr。Arnoldwasasaddle-of-muttonman。

Hughpreferredroast-beef，butateanything。

“Whatsortofaclergymanhaveyounow，Mr。Arnold？”askedMrs。

Elton，atthedinner-table。

“Oh！averyrespectableyounggentleman，brothertoSirRichard，whohasthegift，youknow。Averymoderate，excellentclergymanhemakes，too！”

“All！butyouknow，LadyEmilyandI“——hereshelookedatLadyEmily，whosmiledandblushedfaintly，“areverydependentonourSundays，and“——

“Weallgotochurchregularly，Iassureyou，Mrs。Elton；andofcoursemycarriageshallbealwaysatyourdisposal。“

“Iwasinnodoubtabouteitherofthosethings，indeed，Mr。Arnold。

Butwhatsortofapreacherishe？”

“Ah，well！letmesee——WhatwasthesubjectofhissermonlastSunday，Euphra，mydear？”

“Thedevilandallhisangels，“answeredEuphra，withawickedflashinhereyes。

“Yes，yes；soitwas。Oh！Iassureyou，Mrs。Elton，heisquitearespectablepreacher，aswellasclergyman。Heisanhonourtothecloth。“

Hughcouldnothelpthinkingthatthetailorshouldhavehisdue，andthatMr。Arnoldgaveithim。

“HeisnoPuseyiteeither，“addedMr。Arnold，seeingbutnotunderstandingMrs。Elton"sbaffledexpression，“thoughhedoespreachonceamonthinhissurplice。“

“Iamafraidyouwillnotfindhimveryoriginal，though，“saidHugh，wishingtohelptheoldlady。

“Original！”interposedMr。Arnold。“Really，IamboundtosayI

don"tknowhowtheremarkapplies。Howisamantobeoriginalonasubjectthatisalllaiddowninplainprint——touseavulgarexpression——andhasbeencommenteduponforeighteenhundredyearsandmore？”

“Verytrue，Mr。Arnold，“respondedMrs。Elton。“Wedon"twantoriginality，dowe？Itisonlythegospelwewant。Doeshepreachthegospel？”

“Howcanhepreachanythingelse？HistextisalwaysoutofsomepartoftheBible。“

“IamgladtoseeyouholdbytheInspirationoftheScriptures，Mr。

Arnold，“saidMrs。Elton，chaoticallybewildered。

“Goodheavens！Madam，whatdoyoumean？Couldyouforamomentsupposemetobeanatheist？SurelyyouhavenotbecomeastudentofGermanNeology？”AndMr。Arnoldsmiledagrimsmile。

“NotI，indeed！”protestedpoorMrs。Elton，movinguneasilyinherseat；——“Iquiteagreewithyou，Mr。Arnold。“

“Thenyoumaytakemywordforit，thatyouwillhearnothingbutwhatishighlyorthodox，andperfectlyworthyofagentlemanandaclergyman，fromthepulpitofMr。Penfold。Hedinedwithusonlylastweek。“

Thislastassertionwasmadeinaninjuredtone，justsufficienttocurlthetailofthesentence。Afterwhich，whatwastobesaid？

Severalvainattemptsfollowed，beforeanewsubjectwasstarted，sufficientlyuninterestingtocause，neitherfromwarmthnorstupidity，anydangerofdissension，andquiteworthyofbeinghereomitted。

Dinnerover，andtheceremonyoftea——inLadyEmily"scase，milkandwater——havingbeenobserved，thevisitorswithdrew。

ThenextdaywasSunday。LadyEmilycamedownstairsinblack，whichsuitedherbetter。Shewasapretty，gentlecreature，interestingfromherillness，andgood，becausesheknewnoevil，exceptwhatsheheardoffromthepulpit。Theywalkedtochurch，whichwasatnogreatdistance，alongameadow-pathpavedwithflags，someofthemwornthroughbytheheavyshoesofcountrygenerations。Thechurchwasoneofthosewhichare，insomemeasure，typicaloftheChurchitself；foritwasveryold，andwouldhavebeenverybeautiful，haditnotbeenallplasteredover，andwhitenedtoasmoothuniformityofugliness——theattempthavingbeenmoresuccessfulinthecaseofthetype。TheopenroofhadhadaFrenchheavenaddedtoit——Imeanaceiling；andthepillars，which，eveniftheywerenotcarved——thoughitwasimpossibletocometoaconclusiononthatpoint——mustyethavebeenwornintothebeautyofage，hadbeenfilledup，andstainedwithyellowochre。

Eventheremnantsofstainedglassinsomeofthewindows，werehalfconcealedbymodernappliancesforthepartialexclusionofthelight。ThechurchhadfaredasChaucerinthehandsofDryden。Sohadthetruth，thatflickeredthroughthesermon，faredinthehandsoftheclergyman，orofthesermon-wrightwhosemanuscripthehadboughtforeighteenpence——Iamtoldthatsermonsaretobeprocuredatthatprice——onhislastvisittoLondon。Having，althoughaScotchman，hadanepiscopalianeducation，HughcouldnothelprejoicingthatnotmerelytheBible，buttheChurch-serviceaswell，hadbeenfixedbeyondthereachofsuchdegeneratinginfluencesasthosewhichhadoperatedonthemorematerialembodimentsofreligion；forotherwisesuchwouldcertainlyhavebeenthefirsttooperate，andwouldhavefoundthegreatestscopeinanyalteration。

Wemayhopethatnothingbutatruegrowthinsuchreligionasneedsandseeksnewexpressionfornewdepthandbreadthoffeeling，willeverbepermittedtolaythehandofchangeuponit——ahand，otherwise，ofdesecrationandruin。

ThesermonwaschieflyoccupiedwithprovingthatGodisnorespecterofpersons；amarkofindubitablecondescensionintheclergyman，therankinsocietywhichhecouldclaimforhimselfdulyconsidered。But，unfortunately，thechurchwassoconstructed，thatitsareacontainedthreeplatformsofposition，actuallyofdifferinglevel；theloftiest，inthechancel，ontherighthandofthepulpit，occupiedbythegentry；themiddle，oppositethepulpit，occupiedbythetulip-bedsoftheirservants；andthethird，ontheleftofthepulpit，occupiedbythecommonparishioners。

Unfortunately，too，bytheperpetuationofsomeoldcustom，whosesignificancewasnotwornout，allontheleftofthepulpitwereexpected，asoftenastheystooduptosing——whichwasthreetimes——toturntheirbackstothepulpit，andsofaceawayfromthechancelwherethegentrystood。Buttherewasnotmuchinconsistency，afterall；thesermonfoundingitsargumentchieflyontheantitheticalfacts，thatdeath，loweringtherichtothelevelofthepoor，wasadeadleveller；andthat，ontheotherhand，thelifetocomewouldraisethepoortotheleveloftherich。Itwasapitythattherewasnophraseinthelanguagetojustifyhimincarryingouttheantithesis，andsobalancinghissentencelikearope-walker，bysayingthatlifewasaliveleveller。Thesermonendedwithasolemnwarning：“Thosewhoneglectthegospel-scheme，andneverthinkofdeathandjudgment——betheyrichorpoor，betheywiseorignorant——whethertheydwellinthepalaceorthehut——shallbedamned。GlorybetotheFather，andtotheSon，andtotheHolyGhost，“&c。

LadyEmilywasforcedtoconfessthatshehadnotbeenmuchinterestedinthesermon。Mrs。Eltonthoughthespokeplainly，buttherewasnotmuchofthegospelinit。Mr。Arnoldopinedthatpeopleshouldnotgotochurchtohearsermons，buttomaketheresponses；whoeverreadprayers，itmadenodifference，fortheprayersweretheChurch"s，nottheparson"s；andforthesermon，aslongasitshowedtheuneducatedhowtobesaved，andtaughtthemtodotheirdutyinthestationoflifetowhichGodhadcalledthem，andsolongastheparsonpreachedneitherPuseyismnorRadicalism——(hefrownedsolemnlyanddisgustedlyasherepeatedtheword)——norRadicalism，itwasofcomparativelylittlemomentwhetherhewasamanofintellectornot，forhecouldnotgowrong。

Littlewassaidinreplytothis，exceptsomethingnotveryaudibleordefinite，byMrs。Elton，aboutthenecessityoffaith。Theconversation，whichtookplaceatluncheon，flagged，andthevisitorswithdrewtotheirrespectiverooms，tocomfortthemselveswiththeirDailyPortions。

Atdinner，Mr。Arnold，evidentlybelievinghehadmadeanimpressionbyhisharangueofthemorning，resumedthesubject。Hughwasalittlesurprisedtofindthathehad，evenofanegativesort，strongopinionsonthesubjectofreligion。

“Whatdoyouthink，then，Mrs。Elton，mydearmadam，thataclergymanoughttopreach？”

“Ithink，Mr。Arnold，thatheoughttopreachsalvationbyfaithinthemeritsoftheSaviour。“

“Oh！ofcourse，ofcourse。Weshallnotdifferaboutthat。

Everybodybelievesthat。“

“Idoubtitverymuch——Heought，inorderthatmenmaybelieve，toexplainthedivineplan，bywhichthedemandsofdivinejusticearesatisfied，andthepunishmentduetosinavertedfromtheguilty，andlaidupontheinnocent；that，bybearingoursins，hemightmakeatonementtothewrathofajustlyoffendedGod；andso——“

“Now，mydearmadam，permitmetoaskwhatrightwe，thesubjectsofaSupremeAuthority，havetoinquireintothereasonsofhisdoings？

Itseemstome——Ishouldbesorrytooffendanyone，butitseemstomequiteaspresumptuousasthepresentarroganceofthelowerclassesininterferingwithgovernment，anddemandingarighttogivetheiropinion，forsooth，astothelawsbywhichtheyshallbegoverned；asiftheywerecapableofunderstandingtheprinciplesbywhichkingsrule，andgovernorsdecreejustice——IbelieveIquoteScripture。“

“Arewe，then，toremaininutterignoranceofthedivinecharacter？”

“Whatbusinesshavewewiththedivinecharacter？Orhowcouldweunderstandit？Itseemstomewehaveenoughtodowithourown。

DoIinquireintothecharacterofmysovereign？Allwehavetodois，tolistentowhatwearetoldbythosewhoareeducatedforsuchstudies，whomtheChurchapproves，andwhoareappointedtotakecareofthesoulscommittedtotheircharge；toteachthemtorespecttheirsuperiors，andtoleadhonest，hard-workinglives。“

MuchmoreofthesamesortflowedfromtheoracularlipsofMr。

Arnold。Whenheceased，hefoundthattheconversationhadceasedalso。Assoonastheladieswithdrew，hesaid，withoutlookingatHugh，ashefilledhisglass：

“Mr。Sutherland，Ihatecant。“

Andsohecantedagainstit。

Butthenextday，andduringthewholeweek，heseemedtolayhimselfouttomakeamendsforthesharpnessofhisremarksontheSunday。Hewasafraidhehadmadehisguestsuncomfortable，andsosinnedagainsthisowncharacterasahost。Everythingthathecoulddevise，wasbroughttobearfortheirentertainment；dailyridesintheopencarriage，inwhichhealwaysaccompaniedthem，toshowhisestate，andtheimprovementshewasmakinguponit；visitssometimestothemoredeserving，ashecalledthem，ofthepooruponhisproperty——themoredeservingbeingthemostsubmissiveandobedienttothewishesoftheirlord；inspectionsoftheschools，&c。，&c。；inallofwhichmattershetookastupid，benevolentinterest。Forifpeoplewouldbecontenttooccupythecornerinwhichhechosetoplacethem，hewouldthrowthemmorselaftermorsel，aslongasevertheychosetopickitup。Butwoetothemiftheyleftthiscornerasinglepace！

Euphramadeoneofthepartyalways；anditwasdrearyindeedforHughtobeleftinthedesolatehousewithouther，thoughbutforafewhours。Andwhenshewasathome，sheneveryetpermittedhimtospeaktoheralone。

TheremighthavebeensomehopeforHarryinHugh"sseparationfromEuphra；buttheresultwas，that，althoughhespentschool-hoursmoreregularlywithhim，Hughwasyetmoredull，anduninterestedinthework，thanhehadbeenbefore。Insteadofcaringthathispupilshouldunderstandthisorthatparticular，hewouldbespeculatingonEuphra"sbehaviour，tryingtoaccountforthisorthatindividuallookortone，orseeking，perhaps，aspecialsymbolicmeaninginsomegeneralremarkthatshehadhappenedtoletfall。Meanwhile，poorHarrywouldbestupifyinghimselfwithworkwhichhecouldnotunderstandforlackofsomeexplanationorotherthatoughttohavebeengivenhimweeksago。Still，however，heclungtoHughwithafar-off，worshippinglove，neversuspectingthathecouldbetoblame，butthinkingatonetimethathemustbeill，atanotherthathehimselfwasreallytoostupid，andthathisbigbrothercouldnothelpgettingtiredofhim。WhenHughwouldbewanderingabouttheplace，seekingtocatchaglimpseoftheskirtofEuphra"sdress，asshewentaboutwithherguests，ordevisinghowhecouldprocureaninterviewwithheralone，Harrywouldbefollowinghimatadistance，likealittleterrierthathadlostitsmaster，anddidnotknowwhetherthismanwouldbefriendlyornot；neverspyingonhisactions，butmerelylongingtobenearhim——forhadnotHughsethimgoinginthewayoflife，evenifhehadnowlefthimtowalkinitalone？IfHughcouldhaveonceseenintothatwarm，true，pininglittleheart，hewouldnothaveneglecteditashedid。Hehadnoeyes，however，butforEuphra。

Still，itmaybethatevennowHarrywasabletogather，thoughwithtears，someadvantagefromHugh"sneglect。Heusedtowanderaboutalone；anditmaybethatthehintswhichhistutorhadalreadygivenhim，enabledhimnowtofindforhimselftheinterestbelongingtomanyobjectsneverbeforeremarked。Perhapsevennowhebegantotakeafewstepsalone；thewakingindependenceofwhichwasofmorevalueforthefuturegrowthofhisnature，thanathousandmilesaccomplishedbytheaidofthestrongarmofhistutor。Onecertainadvantagewas，thattheconstitutionaltroubleoftheboy"snaturehadnowassumedadefiniteform，bygatheringaroundadefiniteobject，andblendingitsownshadowybeingwiththesorrowheexperiencedfromthelossofhistutor"ssympathy。

Shouldthatsorroweverbeclearedaway，muchbesidesmightbeclearedawayalongwithit。

Meantime，naturefoundsomechannels，wornbyhisgrief，throughwhichhercomforts，that，likewaters，pressonallsides，andenterateverycrannyandfissureinthehouseoflife，mightgentlyflowintohimwiththeirsympatheticsoothing。OftenhewouldcreepawaytothenestwhichHughhadbuiltandthenforsaken；andseatedthereinthesolitudeofthewide-bourgeonedoak，hewouldsometimesfeelforamomentasifliftedupabovetheworldanditssorrows，tobevisitedbyanall-healingwindfromGod，thatcametohim，throughthewildernessofleavesaroundhim——gently，likeallpowerfulthings。

ButIamputtingtheboy"sfeelingsintoformsandwordsforhim。

Hehadnoneofeitherforthem。

CHAPTERXIII。

ASTORM。

Whenthemind"sfree，Thebody"sdelicate：thetempestinmymindDothfrommysensestakeallfeelingelseSavewhatbeatsthere。

KingLear。

WhileHarrytooktowanderingabroadintheafternoonsun，Hugh，onthecontrary，foundthebrightweathersodistastefultohim，thathegenerallytrifledawayhisafternoonswithsomeoldromanceinthedarklibrary，orlayonthecouchinhisstudy，listlessandsuffering。Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite。Whathefelthemustdohedid；butnothingmore。

Oneday，aboutnoon，theweatherbegantochange。Intheafternoonitgrewdark；andHugh，goingtothewindow，perceivedwithdelight——thefirsthehadexperiencedformanydays——thatagreatthunder-stormwasathand。Harrywasratherfrightened；butunderhisfear，thereevidentlylayadeepdelight。Thestormcamenearerandnearer；tillatlengthavividflashbrokefromthemassofdarknessoverthewoods，lastedforonebrilliantmoment，andvanished。Thethunderfollowed，likeapursuingwildbeast，closeonthetracesofthevanishinglight；asifthedarknesswerehuntingthelightfromtheearth，andbellowingwithragethatitcouldnotovertakeandannihilateit。Withouttheusualpreludeofafewgreatdrops，therainpouredatonce，incontinuousstreams，fromthedensecanopyoverhead；andinafewmomentsthereweresixinchesofwaterallroundthehouse，whichtheforceofthefallingstreamsmadetofoam，andfume，andflashlikeaseethingtorrent。

HarryhadcreptclosetoHugh，whostoodlookingoutofthewindow；

andasiftheconvulsionoftheelementshadbeguntoclearthespiritualandmoral，aswellasthephysicalatmosphere，Hughlookeddownontheboykindly，andputhisarmroundhisshoulders。Harrynestledcloser，andwisheditwouldthunderforever。Butlongingtohearhistutor"svoice，heventuredtospeak，lookinguptohisface：

“Euphrasaysitisonlyelectricity，Mr。Sutherland。Whatisthat？”

Acommontutorwouldhaveseizedtheopportunityofexplainingwhatheknewofthelawsandoperationsofelectricity。ButHughhadbeenlongenoughapupilofDavidtofeelthattotalkatsuchatimeofanythinginnaturebutGod，wouldbetodotheboyaseriouswrong。Onecapableofsodoingwould，inthepresenceoftheSaviourhimself，speculateonthenatureofhisownfaith；oruponthedeathofhischild，seizetheopportunityoflecturingonanatomy。ButbeforeHughcouldmakeanyreply，aflash，almostinvisiblefromexcessoflight，wasaccompaniedratherthanfollowedbyaroarthatmadethehouseshake；andinamomentmoretheroomwasfilledwiththeterrifiedhousehold，which，byanunreasoningimpulse，rushedtotheneighbourhoodofhimwhowasconsideredthestrongest——Mr。Arnoldwasnotathome。

“Comefromthewindowinstantly，Mr。Sutherland。Howcanyoubesoimprudent！”criedMrs。Elton，herusuallycalmvoiceelevatedincommand，buttremulouswithfear。

“Why，Mrs。Elton，“answeredHughonwhosetemper，aswellasconduct，recenteventshadhadtheiroperation，“doyouthinkthedevilmakesthethunder？”

LadyEmilygaveafaintshriek，whetheroutofreverenceforthedevil，orfearofGod，Ihesitatetodecide；andflittingoutoftheroom，divedintoherbed，anddrewtheclothesoverherhead——atleastsoshewasfoundatalaterperiodoftheday。EuphrawalkeduptothewindowbesideHugh，asiftoshowherapprovalofhisrudeness；andstoodlookingoutwitheyesthatfilledtheirownnightwithhome-bornflashes，thoughherlipwaspale，andquiveredalittle。Mrs。Elton，confoundedatHugh"sreply，andperhapsfearingthehousemightinconsequencesharethefateofSodom，notwithstandingthepresenceofagoodlyproportionoftherighteous，fled，accompaniedbythehousekeeper，tothewine-cellar。

Therestofthehouseholdcreptintocorners，exceptthecoachman，who，retaininghiscomposure，invirtueofagreaterdegreeofinsensibilityfromhisnearerapproximationtotheinanimatecreation，emptiedthejugofaleintendedforthedinnerofthecompany，andwentouttolookafterhishorses。

Buttherewasoneinthehousewho，leftalone，threwthewindowwideopen；and，withgentlyclaspedhandsandcalmcountenance，lookedupintotheheavens；andtheclearnessofwhoseeyeseemedthepropheticsymboloftheclearnessthatrosealluntroubledabovetheturmoiloftheearthlystorm。TrulyGodwasinthestorm；buttherewasmoreofGodintheclearheavenbeyond；andyetmoreofHimintheeyethatregardedthewholewithastilljoy，inwhichwasminglednodismay。

Euphra，Hugh，andHarrywerelefttogether，lookingoutuponthestorm。HughcouldnotspeakinHarry"spresence。Atlengththeboysatdowninadarkcorneronthefloor，concealedfromtheothersbyawindow-curtain。Hughthoughthehadlefttheroom。

“Euphra，“hebegan。

EuphralookedroundforHarry，andnotseeinghim，thoughtlikewisethathehadlefttheroom：sheglidedawaywithoutmakinganyanswertoHugh"sinvocation。

Hestoodforafewmomentsinmotionlessdespair；thenglancingroundtheroom，andtakinginallitsdesertedness，caughtuphishat，andrushedoutintothestorm。Itwasthebestreliefhisfeelingscouldhavehad；forthesullengloom，alternatedwithburstsofflame，invasionsofhorriduproar，andlongwailingblastsoftyrannouswind，gavehimhisownmoodtowalkin；methisspiritwithitsownelement；widened，asitwere，hismicrocosmtotheexpanseofthemacrocosmaroundhim。Allthewallsofseparationwerethrowndown，andhelived，notinhisownframe，butintheuniversalframeofnature。Theworldwasforthetime，totherealityofhisfeeling，whatSchleiermacher，inhisMonologen，describesitasbeingtoman，anextensionofthebodyinwhichhedwells。Hisspiritflashedinthelightning，ravedinthethunder，moanedinthewind，andweptintherain。

Butthiscouldnotlastlong，eitherwithoutorwithinhim。

Hecametohimselfinthewoods。Howfarhehadwandered，orwhereabouthewas，hedidnotknow。Thestormhaddiedaway，andallthatremainedwasthewindandtherain。Thetree-topsswayedwildlyintheirregularblasts，andshooknew，fitful，distracted，andmomentaryshowersuponhim。Itwasevening，butwhathouroftheeveninghecouldnottell。Hewaswettotheskin；butthattoayoungScotchmanisamatteroflittlemoment。

Althoughhehadnointentionofreturninghomeforsometime，andmeantespeciallytoavoidthedinner-table——for，inthemoodhewasin，itseemedmorethanhecouldendure——heyetfelttheweaknesstowhichwearesubjectasembodiedbeings，inacommonenoughform；

that，namely，ofthenecessityofknowingthepreciseportionofspacewhichatthemomentwefill；aconvictionofouridentitynotbeingsufficienttomakeuscomfortable，withoutaknowledgeofourlocality。So，lookingallabouthim，andfindingwherethewoodseemedthinnest，hewentinthatdirection；andsoon，byforcinghiswaythroughobstaclesofallsalvagekinds，foundhimselfinthehighroad，withinaquarterofamileofthecountrytownnexttoArnstead，removedfromitaboutthreemiles。Thislittletownheknewprettywell；and，beginningtofeelexhausted，resolvedtogotoaninnthere，dryhisclothes，andthenwalkbackinthemoonlight；forhefeltsurethestormwouldbequiteoverinanhourorso。Thefatiguehenowfeltwasproofenoughinitself，thattheinwardstormhad，forthetime，raveditselfoff；andnow——mustitbeconfessed？——hewishedverymuchforsomethingtoeatanddrink。

Hewassoonseatedbyablazingfire，withachopandajugofalebeforehim。

CHAPTERXIV。

ANEVENINGLECTURE。

TheNightmareShallcalltheewhenitwalks。

MIDDLETON——TheWitch。

TheinntowhichHughhadbetakenhimself，thoughnotthefirstinthetown，wasyetwhatiscalledarespectablehouse，andwaspossessedofaroomofconsiderablesize，inwhichthefarmersoftheneighbourhoodwereaccustomedtoholdtheirgatherings。Whileeatinghisdinner，Hughlearnedfromtheconversationaroundhim——forhesatinthekitchenforthesakeofthefire——thatthisroomwasbeinggotreadyforalectureonBilology，asthelandladycalledit。Billsinredandbluehadbeenpostedalloverthetown；

andbeforehehadfinishedhisdinner，theaudiencehadbeguntoarrive。Partlyfromcuriosityaboutasubjectofwhichheknewnothing，andpartlybecauseitstillrained，and，havinggotnearlydry，hedidnotcareaboutasecondwettingifhecouldhelpit，Hughresolvedtomakeoneofthem。Sohestoodbythefiretillhewasinformedthatthelecturerhadmadehisappearance，whenhewentup-stairs，paidhisshilling，andwasadmittedtooneofthefrontseats。Theroomwastolerablylightedwithgas；andaplatformhadbeenconstructedforthelecturerandhissubjects。Whentheplacewasabouthalf-filled，hecamefromanotherroomalone——alittle，thick-set，bull-neckedman，withvulgarfaceandrustyblackclothes；and，mountingtheplatform，commencedhislecture；iflectureitcouldbecalled，inwhichthereseemedtobenoorder，andscarcelyanysequence。Noattemptevenatatheory，showeditselfinthemassofwhathecalledfactsandscientifictruths；

andheperpeturatedthemostawfulblundersinhisEnglish。ItwillnotbedesiredthatIshouldgiveanyfurtheraccountofsuchalecture。Thelecturerhimselfseemedtodependchieflyforhissuccess，uponthemanifestationsofhisartwhichheproceededtobringforward。HecalledhisfamiliarbythenameofWilli-am，andastunted，pale-faced，dull-lookingyouthstartedupfromsomewhere，andscrambledupontheplatformbesidehismaster。Uponthistutoredslaveanumberofexperimentswasperformed。Hewasfirstcastintowhateverabnormalconditionisnecessaryfortheoperationsofbiology，andthencompelledtomakeafoolofhimselfbyexhibitingactionsthemostinconsistentwithhisrealcircumstancesandnecessities。But，awarethatallthiswasopentothemostpalpableobjectionofcollusion，theoperatornextinvitedanyofthecompanythatpleased，tosubmitthemselvestohisinfluences。Afterapauseofafewmoments，astoutcountryfellow，floridandhealthy，gotupandslouchedtotheplatform。Certainly，whatevermightbethenatureoftheinfluencethatwasbroughttobear，itsoperativepowercouldnot，withtheleastprobability，beattributedtoanover-activityofimaginationineitherofthesubjectssubmittedtoitsexercise。Inthelatter，aswellasintheformercase，theoperatorwaseminentlysuccessful；andtheclownreturnedtohisseat，lookingremarkablyfoolishandconsciousofdisgrace——asufficientvouchertomostpresent，thatinthiscaseatleasttherehadbeennocollusion。Severalothersvolunteeredtheirnegativeservices；butwithnooneofthemdidhesucceedsowell；andinonecasethefailurewasevident。Thelecturerpretendedtoaccountforthis，inmakingsomeconfusedandunintelligibleremarksaboutthestateoftheweather，thethunder-storm，electricity，&c。，ofwhichthingsheevidentlydidnotunderstandthebestknownlaws。

“Theblunderingidiot！”growled，closetoHugh"sear，avoicewithaforeignaccent。

Helookedroundsharply。

Atall，powerful，eminentlyhandsomeman，withafaceasforeignashistoneandaccent，satbesidehim。

“Ibegyourpardon，“hesaidtoHugh；“Ithoughtaloud。“

“Ishouldliketoknow，ifyouwouldn"tmindtellingme，whatyoudetectoftheblundererinhim。Iamquiteignorantofthesematters。“

“Ihavehadmanyopportunitiesofobservingthem；andIseeatoncethatthisman，thoughhehasthenaturalpower，isexcessivelyignorantofthewholesubject。“

ThiswasalltheanswerhevouchsafedtoHugh"smodestinquiry。

Hughhadnotyetlearnedthatonewillalwaysfarebetterbyconcealingthanbyacknowledgingignorance。Theman，whateverhiscapacity，whohonestlyconfessesevenapartialignorance，willinstantlybetreatedasmoreorlessincapable，bytheordinarymanwhohasalreadygainedapartialknowledge，oriscapableofassumingaknowledgewhichhedoesnotpossess。But，forGod"ssake！letthehonestandmodestmansticktohishonestyandmodesty，costwhattheymay。

Hughwassilent，andfixedhisattentiononcemoreonwhatwasgoingon。Butpresentlyhebecameawarethattheforeignerwasscrutinizinghimwiththeclosestattention。Heknewthis，somehow，withouthavinglookedround；andtheknowledgewasaccompaniedwithafeelingofdiscomfortthatcausedhimtomakearestlessmovementonhisseat。Presentlyhefeltthattheannoyancehadceased；butnotmanyminuteshadpassed，beforeitagaincommenced。Inordertorelievehimselffromafeelingwhichhecouldonlycomparetothatwhichmightbeproducedbythepresenceofthedead，heturnedtowardshisneighboursosuddenly，thatitseemedforamomenttoembarrasshim，hiseyesbeingcaughtintheveryactofdevouringthestolenindulgence。Butthestrangerrecoveredhimselfinstantlywiththequestion：

“Willyoupermitmetoaskofwhatcountryyouare？”

Hughthoughthemadetherequestonlyforthesakeofcoveringhisrudeness；andsomerelyanswered：

“Why，anEnglishman，ofcourse。“

“Ah！yes；itisnotnecessarytobetoldthat。Butitseemstome，fromyouraccent，thatyouareaScotchman。“

“SoIam。“

“AHighlander？”

“IwasbornintheHighlands。Butifyouareveryanxioustoknowmypedigree，IhavenoreasonforconcealingthefactthatIam，bybirth，halfaScotchmanandhalfaWelchman。“

Theforeignerrivetedhisgaze，thoughbutforthebriefestmomentsufficienttojustifyitsbeingcalledagaze，oncemoreuponHugh；

andthen，withaslightbow，asofacquiescence，turnedtowardsthelecturer。

Whenthelecturewasover，andHughwaswalkingawayinthemidstofthewithdrawingaudience，thestrangertouchedhimontheshoulder。

“Yousaidthatyouwouldliketoknowmoreofthisscience：willyoucometomylodging？”saidhe。

“Withpleasure，“Hughanswered；thoughthelookwithwhichheaccompaniedthewords，musthavebeenoneratherofsurprise。

“Youareastonishedthatastrangershouldinviteyouso。Ah！youEnglishalwaysdemandanintroduction。Thereismine。“

HehandedHughacard：HerrvonFunkelstein。Hughhappenedtobeprovidedwithoneinexchange。

Thetwowalkedoutoftheinn，alongtheoldHighStreet，fullofgablesandallthedelightfulirregularitiesofanoldcountry-town，tilltheycametoacourt，downwhichHerrvonFunkelsteinledtheway。

Helethimselfinwithapass-keyatalowdoor，andthenconductedHugh，byastairwhosenarrownesswasequalledbyitssteepness，toaroom，which，thoughnotmanyyardsabovethelevelofthecourt，wasyetnexttotheroofofthelowhouse。Hughcouldseenothingtillhisconductorlightedacandle。Thenhefoundhimselfinaratherlargeroomwithashakyfloorandalowroof。A

chintz-curtainedbedinonecornerhadtheskinofatigerthrownoverit；andatableinanotherhadapairoffoilslyinguponit。

TheGerman——forsuchheseemedtoHugh——offeredhimachairinthepolitestmanner；andHughsatdown。

“Iamonlyinlodgingshere，“saidthehost；“soyouwillforgivethepovertyofmyestablishment。“

“Thereisnooccasionforforgiveness，Iassureyou，“answeredHugh。

“Youwishedtoknowsomethingofthesubjectwithwhichthatlecturerwasbefoolinghimselfandtheaudienceatthesametime。“

“Ishallbegratefulforanyenlightenment。“

“Ah！itisasubjectforthestudyofabenevolentscholar，notforsuchaclownasthat。Hejumpsatnoconclusions；yethesharesthefateofonewhodoes：hefloundersinthemirebetween。Nomanwillmakeanythingofitwhohasnotthebenefitofthehumanraceatheart。Humanityistheonlysafeguideinmatterssuchasthese。

Thisisadangerousstudyindeedinunskilfulhands。“

HereafrightfulcaterwaulinginterruptedHerrvonFunkelstein。Theroomhadastorm-window，ofwhichthelatticestoodopen。Infrontofit，ontheroof，seenagainstawhitehouseopposite，stoodademonofacat，archedtohalfitslength，withatailexpandedtodoubleitsnaturalthickness。ItsantagonistwasinvisiblefromwhereHughsat。VonFunkelsteinstartedupwithoutmakingtheslightestnoise，trodassoftlyasacattothetable，tookuponeofthefoils，removedthebutton，and，creepingclosetothewindow，madeonerapidpassattheenemy，whichvanishedwithashriekofhatredandfear。Hethen，replacingthebutton，laidthefoildown，andresumedhisseatandhisdiscourse。This，afterdealingwithgeneralitiesandcommonplacesforsometime，gavenosignofcomingeithertoanendortothepoint。AllthetimehewaswatchingHugh——atleastsoHughthought——asifspeculatingonhimingeneral。

Thenappearingtohavecometosomeconclusion，hegavehismindmoretohistalk，andencouragedHughtospeakaswell。Theconversationlastedfornearlyhalfanhour。Atitsclose，Hughfeltthatthestrangerhadtoucheduponavarietyofinterestingsubjects，asonepossessedofaminuteknowledgeofthem。Buthedidnotfeelthathehadgainedanyinsightfromhisconversation。

Itseemedratherasifhehadbeengivinghimanumberofpsychological，social，literary，andscientificreceipts。Duringthecourseofthetalk，hiseyehadappearedtorestonHughbyakindofcompulsion；asifbyitsownwillitwouldhaveretiredfromthescrutiny，butthewillofitsownerwastoostrongforit。Inseemed，inrelationtohim，tobeonlyakindoftool，whichheusedforaparticularpurpose。

AtlengthFunkelsteinrose，and，marchingacrosstheroomtoacupboard，broughtoutabottleandglasses，saying，inthemostby-the-byeway，ashewent：

“Haveyouthesecond-sight，Mr。Sutherland？”

“Certainlynot，asfarasIamaware。“

“Ah！theWelchdohaveit，dotheynot？”

“Oh！yes，ofcourse，“answeredHughlaughing。“Ishouldliketoknow，though，“headded，“whethertheyinheritthegiftasCeltsorasmountaineers。“

“Willyoutakeaglassof——？”

“Ofnothing，thankyou，“answeredandinterruptedHugh。“Itistimeformetobegoing。Indeed，IfearIhavestayedtoolongalready。

Goodnight，HerrvonFunkelstein。“

“Youwillallowmethehonourofreturningyourvisit？”

Hughfelthecoulddonoless，althoughhehadnotthesmallestdesiretokeepuptheacquaintance。HewroteArnsteadonhiscard。

Asheleftthehouse，hestumbledoversomethinginthecourt。

Lookingdown，hesawitwasacat，apparentlydead。

“CanitbethecatHerrFunkelsteinmadethepassat？”thoughthe。

Butpresentlyheforgotallaboutit，inthevisionsofEuphrawhichfilledhismindduringhismoonlightwalkhome。Itjustoccurredtohim，however，beforethosevisionshadblottedeverythingelsefromhisview，thathehadlearnedsimplynothingwhateveraboutbiologyfromhislatehost。

Whenhereachedhome，hewasadmittedbythebutler，andretiredtobedatonce，wherehesleptsoundly，forthefirsttimeformanynights。

But，ashedrewnearhisownroom，hemighthaveseen，thoughhesawnot，alittlewhitefigureglidingawayinthefardistanceofthelongpassage。ItwasonlyHarry，whocouldnotliestillinhisbed，tillheknewthathisbigbrotherwassafeathome。

CHAPTERXV。

ANOTHEREVENINGLECTURE。

ThisEneasiscometoParadiseOutoftheswoloweofHell。

CHAUCER——LegendofDido。

Thenextday，HughwasdeterminedtofindormakeanopportunityofspeakingtoEuphra；andfortuneseemedtofavourhim——OrwasitEuphraherself，inoneorotherofherinexplicablemoods？Atallevents，shehadthatmorningallowedtheladiesandheruncletogowithouther；andHughmetherashewenttohisstudy。

“MayIspeaktoyouforonemoment？”saidhe，hurriedly，andwithtremblinglips。

Yes，certainly，“sherepliedwithasmile，andaglanceinhisfaceasofwonderastowhatcouldtroublehimsomuch。Thenturning，andleadingtheway，shesaid：

“Comeintomyroom。“

Hefollowedher。Sheturnedandshutthedoor，whichhehadleftopenbehindhim。Healmostknelttoher；butsomethingheldhimbackfromthat。

“Euphra，“hesaid，“whathaveIdonetooffendyou？”

“Offendme！Nothing。“——Thiswasutteredinaperfecttoneofsurprise。

“Howisitthatyouavoidmeasyoudo，andwillnotallowmeonemoment"sspeechwithyou？Youaredrivingmetodistraction。“

“Why，youfoolishman！”sheanswered，halfplayfully，pressingthepalmsofherlittlehandstogether，andlookingupinhisface，“howcanI？Don"tyouseehowthosetwodearoldladiesswallowmeupintheirfaddles？Oh，dear？Oh，dear！Iwishtheywouldgo。Thenitwouldbeallrightagain——wouldn"tit？”

ButHughwasnottobesoeasilysatisfied。

“Beforetheycame，eversincethatnight——“

“Hush-sh！”sheinterrupted，puttingherfingeronhislips，andlookinghurriedlyroundherwithanairoffright，ofwhichhecouldhardlyjudgewhetheritwasrealorassumed——“hush！”

Comfortedwondrouslybythehushingfinger，Hughwouldyetunderstandmore。

“Iamnobaby，dearEuphra，“hesaid，takingholdofthehandtowhichthefingerbelonged，andlayingitonhismouth；“donotmakeoneofme。Thereissomemysteryinallthis——atleastsomethingI

donotunderstand。“

“Iwilltellyouallaboutitoneday。But，seriously，youmustbecarefulhowyoubehavetome；forifmyuncleshould，butforonemoment，entertainasuspicion——good-byetoyou——perhapsgood-byetoArnstead。AllmyinfluencewithhimcomesfromhisthinkingthatI

likehimbetterthananybodyelse。Soyoumustnotmakethepooroldmanjealous。Bythebye，“shewenton——rapidly，asifshewouldturnthecurrentoftheconversationaside——“whatafavouriteyouhavegrownwithhim！Youshouldhaveheardhimtalkofyoutotheoldladies。Imightwellbejealousofyou。Thereneverwasatutorlikehis。“

Hugh"sheartsmotehimthatthepraiseofeventhiscommonman，proudofhisownvanity，shouldbeundeservedbyhim。Hewastroubled，too，attheflippancywithwhichEuphraspoke；yetnotthelessdidhefeelthathelovedherpassionately。

“Idaresay，“hereplied，“hepraisedmeashewouldanythingelsethathappenedtobehis。Isn"tthatoldbayhorseofhisthebesthackinthecounty？”

“Younaughtyman！Areyougoingtobesatirical？”

“Youclaimthatasyourprivilege，doyou？”

“Worseandworse！Iwillnottalktoyou。But，seriously，forI

mustgo——bringyourItalianto——to——“Shehesitated。

“Tothelibrary——whynot？”suggestedHugh。

“No-o，“sheanswered，shakingherhead，andlookingquitesolemn。

“Well，willyoucometomystudy？Willthatpleaseyoubetter？”

“Yes，Iwill，“sheanswered，withadefinitivetone。“Good-bye，now。“

Sheopenedthedoor，andhavinglookedouttoseethatnoonewaspassing，toldhimtogo。Ashewent，hefeltasiftheoakenfloorwereelasticbeneathhistread。

Itwassometimeafterthehouseholdhadretired，however，beforeEuphramadeherappearanceatthedoorofhisstudy。Sheseemedrathershyofentering，andhesitated，asifshefeltshewasdoingsomethingsheoughtnottodo。Butassoonasshehadentered，andthedoorwasshut，sheappearedtorecoverherselfquite；andtheysatdownatthetablewiththeirbooks。Theycouldnotgetonverywellwiththeirreading，however。Hughoftenforgotwhathewasabout，inlookingather；andsheseemednowiseinclinedtoaverthisgazes，orcheckthegrowthofhisadmiration。

Ratherabruptly，butapparentlystartingfromsomesuggestioninthebook，shesaidtohim：

“Bythebye，hasMr。Arnoldeversaidanythingtoyouaboutthefamilyjewels？”

“No，“saidHugh。“Aretheremany？”

“Yes，agreatmany。Mr。Arnoldisveryproudofthem，aswellasoftheportraits；sohetreatstheminthesameway——keepsthemlockedup。Indeedheseldomallowsthemtoseedaylight，exceptitbeasamarkofespecialfavourtosomeone。“

“Ishouldlikemuchtoseethem。Ihavealwaysbeencuriousaboutstones。Theyarewonderful，mysteriousthingstome。“

Euphragavehimaverypeculiar，searchingglance，ashespoke。

“ShallI，“hecontinued，“givehimahintthatIshouldliketoseethem？”

“Bynomeans，“answeredEuphra，emphatically，“exceptheshouldrefertothemhimself。Heisveryjealousofhispossessions——hisfamilypossessions，Imean。Pooroldman！hehasnotmuchelsetoplumehimselfupon；hashe？”

“Heiskindtoyou，Euphra。“

Shelookedathimasifshedidnotunderstandhim。

“Yes。Whatthen？”

“Yououghtnottobeunkindtohim。“

“Youoddcreature！Iamnotunkindtohim。Ilikehim。Butwearenotgettingonwithourreading。Whatcouldhaveledmetotalkaboutfamily-jewels？Oh！Isee。Whatastrangethingtheassociationofideasis！Thereisnotaveryobviousconnexionhere；isthere？”

“No。Onecannotaccountforsuchthings。Thelinksinthechainofideasaresometimesslenderenough。Yettheslenderestissufficienttoenabletheelectricflashofthoughttopassalongtheline。“

Sheseemedponderingforamoment。

“Thatstrikesmeasafinesimile，“shesaid。“Yououghttobeapoetyourself。“

Hughmadenoreply。

“Idaresayyouhavehundredsofpoemsinthatolddesk，now？”

“Ithinktheymightbecountedbytens。“

“Doletmeseethem。“

“Youwouldnotcareforthem。“

“Wouldn"tI，Hugh？”

“Iwill，ononecondition——twoconditions，Imean。“

“Whatarethey？”

“Oneis，thatyoushowmeyours。“

“Mine？”

“Yes。“

“WhotoldyouIwroteverses？Thatsillyboy？”

“No——IsawyourversesbeforeIsawyou。Youremember？”

“Itwasverydishonourableinyoutoreadthem。“

“Ionlysawtheywereverses。Ididnotreadaword。“

“Iforgiveyou，then。Youmustshowmeyoursfirst，tillIseewhetherIcouldventuretoletyouseemine。Ifyourswereverybadindeed，thenImightriskshowingmine。“

Andmuchmoreofthissort，withwhichIwillnotwearymyreaders。

ItendedinHugh"stakingfromtheoldescritoireabundleofpapers，andhandingthemtoEuphra。ButthereaderneednotfearthatIamgoingtoprintanyoftheseverses。Ihavemorerespectformyhonestprosepagethantobreakitupso。Indeed，thewholeofthisinterviewmighthavebeenomitted，butfortwocircumstances。Oneofthemwas，thatingettingthesepapers，Hughhadtoopenaconcealedportionoftheescritoire，whichhismathematicalknowledgehadenabledhimtodiscover。Ithadevidentlynotbeenopenedformanyyearsbeforehefoundit。Hehadmadeuseofittoholdtheonlytreasureshehad——poorenoughtreasures，certainly！Notalovingnote，notalockofhairevenhadhe——nothingbutthefewcobwebsspunfromhisownbrain。Itistrue，wearerichorpooraccordingtowhatweare，notwhatwehave。Butwhatamanhasproduced，isnotwhatheis。Hemayevenimpoverishhistrueselfbyproduction。

WhenEuphrasawhimopenthisplace，sheutteredasuppressedcryofastonishment。

“Ah！”saidHugh，“youdidnotknowofthishidie-hole，didyou？”

“Indeed，Ididnot。Ihadusedthedeskmyself，forthiswasafavouriteroomofminebeforeyoucame，butIneverfoundthat。

Dearme！Letmelook。“

Sheputherhandonhisshoulderandleanedoverhim，ashepointedoutthewayofopeningit。

“Didyoufindnothinginit？”shesaid，withaslighttremourinhervoice。

“Nothingwhatever。“

“Theremaybemoreplaces。“

“No。Ihaveaccountedforthewholebulk，Ibelieve。“

“Howstrange！”

“Butnowyoumustgivememyguerdon，“saidHughtimidly。

Thefactwas，thepooryouthhadbargained，inaplayfulmanner，andyetwithanearnest，covetousheart，forone，thefirstkiss，inreturnforthepoemsshebeggedtosee。

Sheturnedherfacetowardshim。

Thesecondcircumstancewhichmakestheinterviewworthrecordingis，that，atthismoment，threedistinctknockswereheardonthewindow。Theysprangasunder，andsaweachother"sfacepaleasdeath。InEuphra"s，theexpressionoffrightwasmingledwithoneofannoyance。Hugh，thoughhishearttrembledlikeabird，leapedtothewindow。Nothingwastobeseenbutthetreesthat“stretchedtheirdarkarms“withinafewfeetoftheoriel。TurningagaintowardsEuphra，hefound，tohismortification，thatshehadvanished——andhadleftthepacketofpoemsbehindher。

Hereplacedthemintheiroldquartersintheescritoire；andhisvaguedismayattheunaccountablenoises，wasdrownedinthebitterwatersofmiserablehumiliation。Hesleptatlast，fromtheexhaustionofdisappointment。

Whenheawoke，however，hetriedtopersuadehimselfthathehadmadefartoomuchofthetriflingcircumstanceofherleavingtheversesbehind。Forwasshenotterrified？——Why，then，didsheleavehimandgoalonetoherownroom？——Shemusthavefeltthatsheoughtnottobeinhis，atthathour，andthereforedarednotstay——Whydarednot？Didshethinkthehousewashauntedbyaghostofpropriety？Whatrationaltheorycouldheinventtoaccountforthestrangeandrepeatedsounds？——Hepuzzledhimselfoverittothevergeofabsoluteintellectualprostration。

Hewasgenerallythefirstinthebreakfast-room；thatis，afterEuphra，whowasalwaysthefirst。Shewentuptohimasheentered，andsaid，almostinawhisper：

“Haveyougotthepoemsforme？Quick！”

Hughhesitated。Shelookedathim。

“No，“hesaidatlast——“Youneverwantedthem。“

“Thatisveryunkind；whenyouknowIwasfrightenedoutofmywits。

Dogivemethem。“

“Theyarenotworthgivingyou。Besides，Ihavenotgotthem。I

don"tcarrytheminmypocket。Theyareintheescritoire。I

couldn"tleavethemlyingabout。Nevermindthem。“

“Ihavearighttothem，“shesaid，lookingupathimslylyandshyly。

“Well，Igaveyouthem，andyoudidnotthinkthemworthkeeping。I

keptmypartofthebargain。“

Shelookedannoyed。

“Nevermind，dearEuphra；youshallhavethem，oranythingelseI

have；——thebrainthatmadethem，ifyoulike。“

“Wasitonlythebrainthathadtodowiththemakingofthem？”

“Perhapsthehearttoo；butyouhavethatalready。“

Herfaceflushedlikeadamaskrose。

AtthatmomentMrs。Eltonentered，andlookedalittlesurprised。

Euphrainstantlysaid：

“Ithinkitisrathertoobadofyou，Mr。Sutherland，tokeepthepoorboysohardtohiswork，whenyouknowheisnotstrong。Mrs。

Elton，IhavebeenbeggingaholidayforpoorHarry，tolethimgowithustoWottonHouse；buthehassuchahardtask-master！Hewillnothearofit。“

Theflush，whichshecouldnotgetridofallatonce，wasthusmadetododutyasoneofdispleasure。Mrs。Eltonwasthoroughlydeceived，andunitedherentreatiestothoseofMissCameron。Hughwascompelledtojoininthedeception，andpretendtoyieldaslowconsent。ThusaholidaywasextemporisedforHarry，subjecttotheapprobationofhisfather。Thiswasreadilygranted；andMr。

Arnold，turningtoHugh，said：

“Youwillhavenothingtodo，Mr。Sutherland：hadyounotbetterjoinus？”

“Withpleasure，“repliedhe；“butthecarriagewillbefull。“

“Youcantakeyourhorse。“

“Thankyouverymuch。Iwill。“

Thedaywasdelightful；oneofthosegreysummer-days，thatarefarbetterforanexcursionthanbrightones。Inthebestofspirits，mountedonagoodhorse，ridingalongsideofthecarriageinwhichwastheladywhowasallwomankindtohim，andwho，withouttakingmuchnoticeofhim，yetcontrivedtothrowhimaglancenowandthen，Hughwouldhavebeenoverflowinglyhappy，butforanunquiet，distressedfeeling，whichallthetimemadehimawareofthepresenceofasickconsciencesomewherewithin。Mr。Arnoldwasexceedinglypleasant，forhewasmuchtakenwiththesweetnessandmodestyofLadyEmily，who，havingnostrongopinionsuponanything，receivedthoseofMr。Arnoldwithattentivesubmission。Hesaw，orfanciedhesawinher，agreatresemblancetohisdeceasedwife，towhomhehadbeenassincerelyattachedashisnaturewouldallow。

Infact，LadyEmilyadvancedsorapidlyinhisgoodgraces，thateitherEuphrawas，orthoughtfittoappear，ratherjealousofher。

Shepaidhereveryattention，however，andseemedtogratifyMr。

Arnoldbyhercareoftheinvalid。Sheevenjoinedintheentreatieswhich，ontheirwayhome，hemadewithevidentearnestness，foranextensionoftheirvisittoamonth。LadyEmilywasalreadysomuchbetterforthechange，thatMrs。Eltonmadenoobjectiontotheproposal。EuphragaveHughonelookofmisery，and，turningagain，insistedwithincreasedwarmthontheirimmediateconsent。Itwasgainedwithoutmuchdifficultybeforetheyreachedhome。

Harry，too，wascaptivatedbythegentlekindnessofLadyEmily，andhardlytookhiseyesoffheralltheway；while，ontheotherhand，hisdelicatelittleattentionshadalreadygainedtheheartofgoodMrs。Elton，whofromthefirsthadremarkedandpitiedthesadlooksoftheboy。

CHAPTERXVI。

ANEWVISITORANDANOLDACQUAINTANCE。

He"senoughTobringawomantoconfusion，Morethanawiserman，orafargreater。

MIDDLETON——TheWitch。

Whentheyreachedthelodge，LadyEmilyexpressedawishtowalkuptheavenuetothehouse。TothisMr。Arnoldgladlyconsented。Thecarriagewassentroundthebackway；andHugh，dismounting，gavehishorsetothefootmaninattendance。Astheydrewnearthehouse，therestofthepartyhavingstoppedtolookatanoldtreewhichwasafavouritewithitsowner，HughandHarryweresomeyardsinadvance；whentheformerspied，approachingthemfromthehouse，thedistinguishedfigureofHerrvonFunkelstein。Salutingastheymet，thevisitorinformedHughthathehadjustbeenleavinghiscardforhim，andwouldcallsomeothermorningsoon；for，ashewasrusticating，hehadlittletooccupyhim。Hughturnedwithhimtowardstherestoftheparty，whowerenowcloseathand；whenFunkelsteinexclaimed，inatoneofsurprise，“What！MissCameronhere！”andadvancedwithaprofoundobeisance，holdinghishatinhishand。

Hughthoughthesawherlookannoyed；butsheheldoutherhandtohim，and，inavoiceindicating——stillasitappearedtoHugh——somereluctance，introducedhimtoheruncle，withthewords：

“WemetatSirEdwardLaston"s，whenIwasvisitingMrs。Elkingham，twoyearsago，uncle。“

Mr。Arnoldliftedhishatandbowedpolitelytothestranger。HadEuphrainformedhimthat，althoughapersonofconsiderableinfluenceinSirEdward"shousehold，HerrvonFunkelsteinhadhisstandingthereonlyasSirEdward"sprivatesecretary，Mr。Arnold"saversiontoforeignersgenerallywouldnothavebeensoscrupulouslybanishedintothebackgroundofhisbehaviour。Ordinarycivilitiespassedbetweenthem，markedbyanairofflatteringdeferenceonFunkelstein"spart，whichmighthavebeendisagreeabletoamanlessuninterruptedlyconsciousofhisownimportancethanMr。Arnold；andthenewvisitorturnedoncemore，asifforgetfulofhispreviousdirection，andaccompaniedthemtowardsthehouse。Beforetheyreachedithehad，eveninthatshortspace，ingratiatedhimselfsofarwithMr。Arnold，thatheaskedhimtostayanddinewiththem——aninvitationwhichwasacceptedwithmanifestpleasure。

“Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，“willyoushowyourfriendanythingworthnoteabouttheplace？Hehaskindlyconsentedtodinewithus；andinthemeantimeIhavesomeletterstowrite。“

“Withpleasure，“answeredHugh。

Butallthistimehehadbeeninwardlycommentingontheappearanceofhisfriend，asMr。Arnoldcalledhim，withthejealousyofayouthinlove；forwasnotFunkelsteinanoldacquaintanceofMissCameron？Whatmightnothavepassedbetweentheminthatoldhiddentime？——forloveisjealousofthepastaswellasofthefuture。

Love，aswellasmetaphysics，hasalastingquarrelwithtimeandspace：thelowerlovefearsthem，whilethehigherdefiesthem——AndhecouldnothelpseeingthatFunkelsteinwasonetowinfavourinladies"eyes。VeryregularfeaturesandadarkcomplexionwerelightedupbyeyesasblackasEuphra"s，andcapableofawonderfulplayoflight；whilehisformwasremarkableforstrengthandsymmetry。Hughfeltthatinanycompanyhewouldattractimmediateattention。Hislongdarkbeard，ofwhichjustthecentrewasremovedtoexposeafinely-turnedchin，blewovereachshoulderasoftenastheymetthewindingoingroundthehouse。FromwhatI

haveheardofhimfromotherdeponentsbesidesHugh，Ishouldjudgethathedidwelltoconcealthelinesofhismouthinalongmoustache，whichflowedintohisbifurcatedbeard。Hehadjustenoughoftheforeigninhisdresstoaddtotheappearanceoffashionwhichitbore。

Astheywalked，Hughcouldnothelpobservinganoddpeculiarityinthecarriageofhiscompanion。Itwas，that，everyfewsteps，hegaveabackwardanddownwardglancetotheright，withasweepingbendofhisbody，asifheweretryingtogetaviewofthecalfofhisleg，orasifhefanciedhefeltsomethingtrailingathisfoot。

Soprobable，fromhismotion，didthelattersuppositionseem，thatHughchangedsidestosatisfyhimselfwhetherornottherewassomedraggingbriarorstrawannoyinghim；butnofollowerwastobediscovered。

“Youareahappyman，Mr。Sutherland，“saidtheguest，“toliveunderthesameroofwiththatbeautifulMissCameron。“

“AmI？”thoughtHugh；butheonlysaid，affectingsomesurprise：

“Doyouthinkhersobeautiful？”

Funkelstein"seyeswerefixeduponhim，asiftoseetheeffectofhisremark。Hughfeltthem，andcouldnotconformhisfacetotheindifferenceofhiswords。Buthiscompaniononlyansweredindifferently：

“Well，Ishouldsayso；butbeautyisnot，thatisnotbeautyforus。“

Whetherornottherewaspoisonintheforkofthisremark，Hughcouldonlyconjecture。Hemadenoreply。

Astheywalkedabouttheprecinctsofthehouse，FunkelsteinaskedmanyquestionsofHugh，whichhisentireignoranceofdomesticarchitecturemadeitimpossibleforhimtoanswer。Thisseemedonlytoexcitethequestioner"sdesireforinformationtoahigherpitch；

andasiftheverystonescouldreplytohisdemands，heexaminedthewholerangeofthevariousbuildingsconstitutingthehouseofArnstead“ashewoulddrawit。“

“Certainly，“saidhe，“thereisatleastvarietyenoughinthestyleofthismassofmaterial。Thereisenoughforonepyramid。“

“Thatwouldberatherattheexpenseofthevariety，woulditnot？”

saidHugh，inspitefulresponsetotheinconsequenceofthesecondmemberofFunkelstein"sremark。Butthelatterwasapparentlytoomuchabsorbedinhiscontinuedinspectionofthehouse，fromeveryattainablepointofnearview，toheedthecomment。

“ThistheycalltheGhost"sWalk，“saidHugh。

“Ah！abouttheseoldhousestherearealwayssuchtales。“

“Whatsortoftalesdoyoumean？”

“Imeanofparticularspotsandtheirghosts。Youmusthaveheardmanysuch？”

“No，notI。“

“IthinkGermanyismoreprolificofsuchstories。Icouldtellyouplenty。“

“Butyoudon"tmeanyoubelievesuchthings？”

“Tomeitisequal。Ilookatthementirelyasobjectsofart。“

“Thatisanewviewofaghosttome。Anobjectofart？Ishouldhavethoughtthemconsiderablymoresuitableobjectsprevioustotheirdisembodiment。“

“Ah！youdonotunderstand。Youcallartpainting，don"tyou——orsculptureatmost？Igiveupsculpturecertainly——andpaintingtoo。

Butdon"tyouthinkaghostaveryeffectiveobjectinliteraturenow？Confess：doyounotlikeaghost-storyverymuch？”

“Yes，ifitisaverygoodone。“

“Hamletnow？”

“Ah！wedon"tspeakofShakspere"splaysasstories。Hischaractersaresorealtous，that，inthinkingoftheirdevelopment，wegobackeventotheirfathersandmothers——andsometimesevenspeculateabouttheirfuture。“

“Youislandersarealwaysinearliestsomehow。SoareweGermans。

Weareallone。“

“Ihopeyoucanbeinearnestaboutdinner，then，forIhearthebell。“

“Wemustrenderourselvesinthedrawing-room，then？Yes。“

Whentheyenteredthedrawing-room，theyfoundMissCameronalone。

Funkelsteinadvanced，andaddressedafewwordstoherinGerman，whichHugh"slimitedacquaintancewiththelanguagepreventedhimfromcatching。Atthesamemoment，Mr。Arnoldentered，andFunkelstein，turningtohimimmediately，proceeded，asifbywayofapologyforspeakinginanunknowntongue，tointerpretforMr。

Arnold"sbenefit：

“IhavejustbeentellingMissCameroninthelanguageofmycountry，howmuchbettershelooksthanwhenIsawheratSirEdwardLastons。“

“IknowIwasquiteascare-crowthen，“saidEuphra，attemptingtolaugh。

“Andnowyouarequiteadecoy-duck，eh，Euphra？”saidMr。Arnold，laughinginrealityathisownjoke，whichputhimingreatgood-humourforthewholetimeofdinneranddessert。

“Thankyou，uncle，“saidEuphra，withaprettilypretendedaffectationofhumility。Thensheaddedgaily：

“WhendidyouriseonourSussexhorizon，HerrvonFunkelstein？”

“Oh！Ihavebeenintheneighbourhoodforafewdays；butIowemymeetingwithyoutooneofthosecoincidenceswhich，weretheynotsopleasant——tomeinthiscase，atleast——onewouldthinkcouldonlyresultfromtheblunderingofoldDameNatureoverherknitting。IfIhadnothadthegoodfortunetomeetMr。Sutherlandtheotherevening，Ishouldhaveremainedinutterignoranceofyourneighbourhoodandmyownfelicity，MissCameron。Indeed，Icallednowtoseehim，notyou。“

HughsawMr。Arnoldlookingratherdoubtfuloftheforeigner"sfinespeeches。