第11章
CHAPTERXXIX。
HUGH"SAWAKING。
Butah！believeme，thereismorethanso，Thatworkssuchwondersinthemindsofmen；
I，thathaveoftenproved，toowellitknow；
Andwhosolistthelikeassaystoken，Shallfindbytrial，andconfessitthen，Thatbeautyisnot，asfondmenmisdeem，Anoutwardshowofthingsthatonlyseem！
Butye，fairdames，theworld"sdearornaments，Andlivelyimagesofheaven"slight，LetnotyourbeamswithsuchdisparagementsBedimmed，andyourbrightglorydarkenedquite；
But，mindfulstillofyourfirstcountry"ssight，Dostillpreserveyourfirstinformedgrace，Whoseshadowyetshinesinyourbeauteousface。
SPENSER——HymninHonourofBeauty。
WhenHughcametohimself，hewaslying，inthefirstgreyofthedawn，amidstthedewsandvapoursofthemorningwoods。Heroseandlookedaroundhim。TheGhost"sWalklayinlongsilencebeforehim。
Hereandtherealittlebirdmovedandpeeped。Thegloryofanewdaywasclimbinguptheeasterncoastofheaven。Itwouldbeadayoflatesummer，crownedwithflame，andthrobbingwithripeninglife。Butforhimthespiritwasgoneoutoftheworld，anditwasnoughtbutamassofblind，heartlessforces。
Possibly，hadheoverheardtheconversation，themotionsonlyofwhichhehadoverseentheprecedingnight，hewould，althoughequallyperplexed，havethoughtmoregentlyofEuphra；but，inthemoodintowhicheventhenhemusthavebeenthrown，hisdeeperfeelingstowardshercouldhardlyhavebeendifferentfromwhattheywerenow。AlthoughhehadoftenfeltthatEuphrawasnotverygood，notasuspicionhadcrossedhismindastowhathewouldhavecalledthepurityofhernature。Likemanyyouths，evenofcharacterinferiortohisown，hehadtheloftiestnotionsoffemininegrace，andunspottednessinthoughtandfeeling，nottosayactionandaim。
Nowhefoundthathehadlovedawomanwhowouldcreepfromherchamber，atthecostofgreatsuffering，andalmostattheriskofherlife，tomeet，inthenightandthewoods，amannobetterthananassassin——probablyathief。Hadhebeenmoreversedinthewaysofwomen，orintheprobabilitiesofthings，hewouldhavejudgedthattheveryextravaganceoftheactiondemandedadeeperexplanationthanwhatseemedtolieonthesurface。Yet，althoughhejudgedEuphraveryhardlyuponthosegrounds，wouldhehavejudgedherdifferentlyhadheactuallyknownall？AboutthisIamlefttoconjecturealone。
ButtheeffectonHughwasdifferentfromwhattheordinaryreaderofhumannaturemightanticipate。Insteadofbeingtorninpiecesbystormsofjealousy，allthesummergrowthsofhislovewerechilledbyanabsolutefrostofdeath。AkindofannihilationsankupontheimageofEuphra。TherehadbeennosuchEuphra。Shehadbeenbutacreationofhisownbrain。Itwasnotsomuchthatheceasedtolove，asthatthebeingbeloved——notdied，but——ceasedtoexist。Thereweremomentsinwhichheseemedtoloveherstillwithawildoutcryofpassion；butthefrenzysoonvanishedintheselfishfeelingofhisownloss。Hislovewasnotahighone——notsuchasthine，myFalconer。Thinewasloveindeed；thoughitstaleistoogoodtotell，simplybecauseitistoogoodtobebelieved；
andwedomenawrongsometimeswhenwetellthemmorethantheycanreceive。
Thought，Speculation，Suggestion，crowdeduponeachother，tillatlengthhismindsankpassive，andservedonlyasthelistsinwhichtheantagonistthoughtsfoughtaconfusedbattlewithoutheraldorumpire。
Butitisamazingtothinkhowsoonhebegantolookbackuponhisformerfascinationwithakindofwonderingunbelief。ThisbespokethestrengthofHugh"sidealsense，aswellastheweaknessofhisactuallove。Hecouldhardlyevenrecallthefeelingswithwhich，onsomewell-rememberedoccasion，hehadregardedher，andwhichthenithadseemedimpossibleheshouldeverforget。Hadhediscoveredtheclovenfootofademonunderthosetrailinggarments——hecouldhardlyhaveceasedtolovehermoresuddenlyorentirely。Butthereisanachingthatisworsetobearthanpain。
ItrustmyreaderwillnotjudgeveryhardlyofHugh，becauseofthechangewhichhadthussuddenlypasseduponhisfeelings。Hefeltnowjustashehadfeltonwakinginthemorningandfindingthathehadbeeninlovewithadream-ladyallthenight：ithadbeenverydelightful，anditwassadthatitwasallgone，andcouldcomebacknomore。Butthewondertomeis，notthatsomeloveswillnotstandthetestofabsence，butthat，theirnaturebeingwhatitis，theyshouldoutlastoneweekoffamiliarintercourse。
Hemournedbitterlyoverthelossofthosefeelings，fortheyhadbeenprecioustohim。Butcouldhehelpit？Indeedhecouldnot；
forhislovehadbeenfascination；andthefascinationhavingceased，thelovewasgone。
IbelievesomeofmyreaderswillnotneedthisapologyforHugh；
butwillratheradmirethefacilitywithwhichheroseaboveamisplacedpassion，anddismisseditsobject。SodonotI。Itcameofhishavingneverloved。HadhereallylovedEuphra，herself，herownself，thelivingwomanwholookedathimoutofthoseeyes，outofthatface，suchpitywouldhaveblendedwiththeloveaswouldhavemadeitgreater，andpermittednoindignationtooverwhelmit。
Asitwas，hewasutterlypassiveandhelplessinthematter。Thefaultlayintheoriginalweaknessthatsubmittedtobesofascinated；thatgaveintoit，notwithstandingthevagueexpostulationsofhisbetternature，andtheconsciousnessthathewasneglectinghisdutytoHarry，inordertopleaseEuphraandenjoyhersociety。Hadhepersistedindoinghisduty，itwouldatleasthavekepthismindmorehealthy，lessenedtheabsorptionofhispassion，andgivenhimopportunitiesofreflection，andmomentsoftrueperceptionastowhathewasabout。Butnowthespellwasbrokenatonce，andthepoorgirlhadlostaworshipper。Thegoldenimagewiththefeetofclaymightariseinaprophet"sdream，butitcouldneverabideinsuchalover"s。Herglancewaspowerlessnow。
Alas，forthewitheringofsuchadream！Perhapsshedeservednothingelse；butourdeserts，whenwegetthem，aresadenoughsometimes。
Allthatdayhewalkedasinadreamofloss。AsforthepersonwhomhehadusedtocallEuphra，shewasremovedtoavastdistancefromhim。Anabsolutelyimpassablegulflaybetweenthem。
Shesentforhim。Hewenttoherfilledwithasenseofinsensibility。Shewasmuchworse，andsufferinggreatpain。Hughsawatoncethatsheknewthatallwasoverbetweenthem，andthathehadseenherpasshisdoor，orhadbeeninherroom，forhehadleftherdooralittleopen，andshehadleftitshut。Onepathetic，mostpitifulglanceofdeprecatingentreatyshefixeduponhim，asafterafewmomentsofspeechlesswaiting，heturnedtoleavetheroom——whichwouldhaveremaineddeathlessinhisheart，butthatheinterpretedittomean：“Don"ttell；“sohegotridofitatoncebythegrantofitssupposedrequest。Shemadenoefforttodetainhim。Sheturnedherfaceaway，and，hard-hearted，heheardhersob，notasifherheartwouldbreak——thatislittle——butlikeanimmortalwomaninimmortalagony，andhedidnotturntocomforther。Perhapsitwasbetter——howcouldhecomforther？Somekindsofcomfort——theonlykindswhichpoormortalssometimeshavetogive——arelikethefoodonwhichthepatientandthediseaselivetogether；andsomegriefsaresoonestgotridofbylettingthemburnout。Allthefire-enginesincreationcanonlyprolongthetime，andincreasethesenseofburning。Thereisbutonecure：thefellow-feelingofthehumanGod，whichconvertstheagonyitselfintothecreativefireofahigherlife。
AsforVonFunkelstein，Hughcomfortedhimselfwiththeconvictionthattheyweredestinedtomeetagain。
Thedaywenton，asdayswillgo，unstayed，unhastenedbythehumansouls，throughwhichtheyglidesilentandawful。AftersuchlessonsashewasabletogetthroughwithHarry，——who，feelingthathistutordidnotwanthim，lefttheroomassoonastheywereover——hethrewhimselfonthecouch，andtriedtothink。Butthinkhecouldnot。Thoughtspassedthroughhim，buthedidnotthinkthem。Hewaspowerlessinregardtothem。Theycameandwentoftheirownwill：hecouldneithersaycomenorgo。Tiredatlengthofthecouch，hegotupandpacedabouttheroomforhours。Whenhecametohimselfalittle，hefoundthatthesunwasnearlysetting。
Throughthetopofabeech-treetallerthantherest，itsentagoldenlight，fullofthefloatingshadowsofleavesandbranches，uponthewallofhisroom。Buttherewasnobeautyforhiminthegoingdownofthesun；nogloryinthegoldenlight；nomessagefromdream-landintheflittingandblendingandparting，theconstantlydissolvingyeteverremainingplayofthelovelyandwonderfulshadow-leaves。Thesunsankbelowthebeech-top，andwashiddenbehindacloudofgreenleaves，thickasthewoodwasdeep。Agreylightinsteadofagoldenfilledtheroom。Thechangehadnointerestforhim。Thepainofalostpassiontormentedhim——theachingthatcameofthefallingtogetheroftheetherealwallsofhissoul，aboutthespacewheretherehadbeenandwheretherewasnolongeraworld。
Ayoungbirdflewagainstthewindow，andfluttereditswingstwoorthreetimes，vainlyseekingtoovercometheunseenobstaclewhichtheglasspresentedtoitsflight。Hughstartedandshuddered。
Thenfirstheknew，intheinfluenceofthesignsoftheapproachingdarkness，howmuchhisnerveshadsufferedfromthechangethathadpassed。HetookrefugewithHarry。Hispupilwasnowtobehisconsoler；whoinhisturnwouldfarehenceforththebetter，forthedecayofHugh"spleasures。Thepoorboywasfilledwithdelightathavinghisbigbrotheralltohimselfagain；andworkedharderthanevertomakethebestofhisprivileges。ForHugh，itwaswonderfulhowsoonhispeaceofmindbegantoreturnafterhegavehimselftohisduty，andhowsoonthecloudsofdisappointmentdescendedbelowthefarhorizon，leavingtheairclearaboveandaround。PainfulthoughtsaboutEuphrawouldstillpresentthemselves；butinsteadofbecomingmoregentleandsorrowfulasthedayswenton，theygrewmoreandmoresevereandunjustandangry。Heevenentertaineddoubtswhethershedidnotknowallaboutthetheftofbothrings，fortoheronlyhadhediscoveredthesecretplaceintheolddesk。Ifshewascapableofwhathebelieved，whyshouldshenotbecapableofanythingelse？
Itseemedtohimmostsimpleandcredible。Animpurewomanmightjustaswellbeathieftoo——IamonlydescribingHugh"sfeelings。
Butalongwiththesefeelingsandthoughts，ofmingledgoodandbad，cameonefeelingwhichheneededmorethanany——repentance。Seatedaloneuponafallentreeoneday，thefaceofpoorHarrycamebacktohim，ashesawitfirst，poringoverPolexanderinthelibrary；
and，fullofthejoyoflifehimself，notwithstandinghispasttroubles，strongasasunrise，andhopefulasaPrometheus，thequiveringperplexityofthatsicklylittlefacesmotehimwithapang。“WhatmightInothavedonefortheboy！He，too，wasinthehandsoftheenchantress，and，insteadoffreeinghim，Ibecameherslavetoenchainhimfurther。“Yet，eveninthis，hedidEuphrainjustice；forhehadcometotheconclusionthatshehadlaidherplanswiththeintentionofkeepingtheboyadwarf，bygivinghimonlyfoodforbabes，andnotgoodfoodeither，withholdingfromhimeverystimulustomentaldigestionandconsequenthunger；andthatshehadobjectsofherownindoingso——oneperhaps，tokeepherselfnecessarytotheboyasshewastothefather，andsosecurethefuture。ButpoorEuphra"sownnatureandtrueeducationhadbeensadlyneglected。AfineknowledgeofmusicandItalian，andthedevelopmentofasensuoussympathywithnature，couldhardlybecallededucation。Itwasnotcertainlysuchadevelopmentofherownnatureaswouldenablehertosympathisewiththenecessitiesofaboy"snature。PerhapstheworstthatcouldjustlybesaidofherbehaviourtoHarrywas，that，withastronginclinationtodespotism，andsomefeelingofloneliness，shehadexercisedtheoneuponhiminordertoalleviatetheotherinherself。Uponhim，therefore，sheexpendedacertain，orratheranuncertainkindofaffection，which，ifitmighthavebeenmorefittinglyspentuponalapdog，andwasworthbutlittle，mightyethavebecomewortheverything，hadshebeenmoderatelygood。
HughdidnotseeEuphraagainformorethanafortnight。
CHAPTERXXX。
CHANGES。
Hey，andtheruegrowsbonnywi"thyme！
Andthethymeitiswithered，andrueisinprime。
RefrainofanoldScotchsong，alteredbyBURNS。
Hehathwrongedme；indeedhehath；——ataword，hehath；——believeme；RobertShallow，Esquire，saithheiswronged。
MerryWivesofWindsor。
Atlength，oneevening，enteringthedrawing-roombeforedinner，HughfoundEuphratherealone。Hebowedwithembarrassment，andutteredsomecommonplacecongratulationonherrecovery。Sheansweredhimgentlyandcoldly。Herwholeairandappearanceweresignsofacutesuffering。Shedidnotmaketheslightestapproachtotheirformerfamiliarity，butshespokewithoutanyembarrassment，likeonewhohadgivenherselfup，andwas，therefore，indifferent。Hughcouldnothelpfeelingasifshekneweverythoughtthatwaspassinginhismind，and，havingwithdrawnherselffromhim，waswatchinghimwithacold，ghostlyinterest。
Shetookhisarmtogointothedining-room，andactuallyleaneduponit，as，indeed，shewascompelledtodo。Herunclewasdelightedtoseeheroncemore。Mrs。Eltonaddressedherwithkindness，andLadyEmilywithsweetcordiality。Sheherselfseemedtocarefornobodyandnothing。Assoonasdinnerwasover，shesentforhermaid，andwithdrewtoherownroom。ItwasagreatrelieftoHughtofeelthathewasnolongerindangerofencounteringhereyes。
Graduallysherecoveredstrength，thoughitwasagainsomedaysbeforesheappearedatthedinner-table。ThedistancebetweenHughandherseemedtoincreaseinsteadofdiminish，tillatlengthhescarcelydaredtoofferherthesmallestcivility，lestsheshoulddespisehimasahypocrite。Thefurthersheremovedherselffromhim，themorehefeltinclinedtorespecther。Bycommonconsenttheyavoided，asmuchasbefore，anybehaviourthatmightattractattention；thoughtheeffortwasofaverydifferentnaturenow。Itwaswretchedenough，nodoubt，forbothofthem。
ThetimedrewnearforLadyEmily"sdeparture。
“Whatareyourplansforthewinter，Mrs。Elton？”saidMr。Arnold，oneday。
“IintendspendingthewinterinLondon，“sheanswered。
“ThenyouarenotgoingwithLadyEmilytoMadeira？”
“No。Herfatherandoneofhersistersaregoingwithher。“
“Ihaveagreatmindtospendthewinterabroadmyself；butthedifficultyiswhattodowithHarry。“
“CouldyounotleavehimwithMr。Sutherland？”
“No。Idonotchoosetodothat。“
“Thenlethimcometome。Ishallhaveallmylittleestablishmentup，andtherewillbeplentyofroomforHarry。“
“Averykindoffer。Imaypossiblyavailmyselfofit。“
“Ifearwecouldhardlyaccommodatehistutor，though。Butthatwillbeveryeasilyarranged。Hecouldsleepoutofthehouse，couldhenot？”
“Giveyourselfnotroubleaboutthat。IwishHarrytohavemastersforthevariousbrancheshewillstudy。Itwillteachhimmoreofmenandtheworldgenerally，andpreventhisbeingtoomuchinfluencedbyonestyleofthinking。“
“ButMr。Sutherlandisaverygoodtutor。“
“Yes。Very。“
Tothistherecouldbenoreplybutaquestion；andMr。Arnold"smannernotinvitingone，theconversationwasdropped。
Euphragraduallyresumedherdutiesinthehouse，asfarasgreatlamenesswouldpermit。ShecontinuedtoshowaquietanddignifiedreservetowardsHugh。Shemadenoattemptstofascinatehim，andneveravoidedhislookwhenitchancedtomeethers。Butalthoughtherewasnoreproachanymorethanfascinationinhereyes，Hugh"salwaysfellbeforehers。ShewalkedsoftlylikeAhab，asif，nowthatHughknew，she，too，waseverconscious。
HerbehaviourtoMrs。EltonandLadyEmilywaslikewiseimproved，butapparentlyonlyfromanincreaseofindifference。Whenthetimecame，andtheydeparted，shedidnotevenappeartobemuchrelieved。
OncesheaskedHughtohelpherwithapassageofDante，butbetrayednomemoryofthepast。Hispleasedhastetoassisther，showedthatheatleast，iffancy-free，wasnotmemory-clear。Shethankedhimverygentlyandtruly，tookupherbooklikeaschool-girl，andlimpedaway。Hughwassmittentotheheart。“IfI
couldbutdosomethingforher！”thoughthe；buttherewasnothingtobedone。Althoughshehaddeservedit，somehowherbehaviourmadehimfeelasifhehadwrongedherinceasingtoloveher。
Oneday，intheendofSeptember，Mr。ArnoldandHughwerealoneafterbreakfast。Mr。Arnoldspoke：
“Mr。Sutherland，IhavealteredmyplanswithregardtoHarry。I
wishhimtospendthewinterinLondon。“
Hughlistenedandwaited。Mr。Arnoldwenton，afteraslightpause：
“ThereIwishhimtoreapsuchadvantagesasaretobegainedinthemetropolis。Hehasimprovedwonderfullyunderyourinstruction；andisnow，Ithink，tobebenefitedprincipallybyavarietyofteachers。Ithereforeintendthatheshallhavemastersforthedifferentbrancheswhichitisdesirableheshouldstudy。
ConsequentlyIshallbecompelledtodenyhimyourservices，valuableastheyhavehithertobeen。“
“Verywell，Mr。Arnold，“saidMr。Sutherland，withtheindifferenceofonewhofeelshimselfill-used。“WhenshallItakemyleaveofhim？”
“Notbeforethemiddleofthenextmonth，attheearliest。ButI
willwriteyouachequeforyoursalaryatonce。“
Sosaying，Mr。Arnoldlefttheroomforamoment，andreturning，handedHughachequeforayear"ssalary。Hughglancedatit，andofferingitagaintoMr。Arnold，said：
“No，Mr。Arnold；Icanclaimscarcelymorethanhalfayear"ssalary。“
“Mr。Sutherland，yourengagementwasatsomuchayear；andifI
preventyoufromfulfillingyourpartofit，Iamboundtofulfilmine。Indeed，youmightclaimfurtherprovision。“
“Youareverykind，Mr。Arnold。“
“Onlyjust，“rejoinedMr。Arnold，withconsciousdignity。“IamundergreatobligationtoyouforthewayinwhichyouhavedevotedyourselftoHarry。“
Hugh"sconsciencegavehimapang。Isanythingmorepainfulthanundeservedpraise？
“Ihavehardlydonemydutybyhim，“saidhe。
“Icanonlysaythattheboyiswonderfullyalteredforthebetter，andIthankyou。Iamobligedtoyou：obligemebyputtingthechequeinyourpocket。“
Hughpersistednolongerinhisrefusal；andindeedithadbeenfarmoreafeelingofpridethanofjusticethatmadehimdeclineacceptingitatfirst。NorwasthereanygenerosityinMr。Arnold"scheque；forHugh，asheadmitted，mighthaveclaimedboardandlodgingaswell。ButMr。Arnoldwasoneoftheordinarilyhonourable，who，withperfectcharactersforuprightness，alwayscontrivetoerronthesafesideofthepurse，andthedoubtfulsideofaseverelyinterpretedobligation。Suchpeople，insodoing，notunfrequentlysecureforthemselves，atthesametime，thereputationofgenerosity。
Hughcouldnotdoubtthathisdismissalwassomehoworotherconnectedwiththelossofthering；buthewouldnotstooptoinquireintothematter。Hehopedthattimewouldsetallright；
and，infact，feltconsiderableindifferencetotheopinionofMr。
Arnold，orofanyoneinthehouse，exceptHarry。
Theboyburstintotearswheninformedofhisfather"sdecisionwithregardtohiswinterstudies，andcouldonlybeconsoledbythehopewhichHughheldouttohim——certainlyuponaveryslightfoundation——thattheymightmeetsometimesinLondon。Forthelittletimethatremained，Hughdevotedhimselfunceasinglytohispupil；notmerelystudyingwithhim，butwalking，riding，readingstories，andgoingthroughallsortsofexercisesforthestrengtheningofhispersonandconstitution。ThebestresultsfollowedbothforHarryandhistutor。
CHAPTERXXXI。
EXPLANATIONS。
Ihavedonenothinggoodtowinbelief，Mylifehathbeensofaithless；allthecreaturesMadeforheaven"shonours，havetheirends，andgoodones；
Allbut……falsewomen……Whentheydie，liketalesIll-told，andunbelieved，theypassaway。
Iwillredeemoneminuteofmyage，Or，likeanotherNiobe，I"llweepTillIamwater。
BEAUMONTANDFLETCHER——TheMaid"sTragedy。
Thedayspassedquicklyby；andthelasteveningthatHughwastospendatArnsteadarrived。Hewanderedoutalone。HehadbeenwithHarryallday，andnowhewishedforafewmomentsofsolitude。Itwasalovelyautumnevening。Hewentintothewoodsbehindthehouse。Theleaveswerestillthickuponthetrees，butmostofthemhadchangedtogold，andbrown，andred；andthesweetfaintodoursofthosethathadfallen，andlaythickunderfoot，ascendedlikeavoicefromthegrave，saying：“Heredwellethsomesadness，butnodespair。“Ashestrolledaboutamongthem，thewholehistoryofhispastlifearosebeforehim。Thisoftenhappensbeforeanychangeinourhistory，andissuresttotakeplaceattheapproachofthegreatestchangeofall，whenweareabouttopassintotheunknown，whencewecame。
Inthismood，itwasnaturalthathissinsshouldrisebeforehim。
Theycameastheshadowsofhisbestpleasures。Fornow，inlookingback，hecouldfixonnoperiodofhishistory，aroundwhichtheaureole，whichglorifiesthesacredthingsofthepast，hadgatheredinsogoldenahue，asaroundthememoryoftheholycottage，thetempleinwhichabodeDavid，andJanet，andMargaret。
Allthestoryglidedpast，asthenecromanticWillcalledupthesleepingdeadinthemausoleumofthebrain。Andthatsolemn，kingly，graciousoldman，whohadbeentohimafather，hehadforgotten；thehomelytendernesswhich，fromfearofitsownforce，concealeditselfbehindahumorousroughnessofmanner，hehad——no，notdespised——butforgotten，too；andifthedimpearlylovelinessofthetrustful，gratefulmaidenhadnotbeenquiteforgotten，yetshetoohadbeenneglected，haddied，asitwere，andbeenburiedinthechurchyardofthepast，wherethegrassgrowslongoverthegraves，andthemosssoonbeginstofillupthechiselledrecords。
Hewasungrateful。Hedarednotallowtohimselfthathewasunloving；buthemustconfesshimselfungrateful。
Musingsorrowfullyandself-reproachfully，hecametotheGhost"sAvenue。Upanddownitsaislehewalked，afitplaceforrememberingthepast，andthesinsofthepresent。Yieldinghimselftowhatthoughtsmightarise，thestrangesighthehadseenhereonthatmoonlitnight，oftwosilentwanderingfigures——orcoulditbethattheywereoneandthesame，suddenlychangedinhue？——returneduponhim。ThisvisionhadbeensospeedilyfollowedbythesecondandmorealarmingapparitionofLadyEuphrasia，thathehadhardlyhadtimetospeculateonwhattheformercouldhavebeen。Hewasmeditatinguponallthesestrangeevents，andremarkingtohimselfthat，sincehismidnightencounterwithLadyEuphrasia，thehousehadbeenasquietasachurch-yardatnoon，whenallsuddenly，hesawbeforehim，atsomelittledistance，adarkfigureapproachinghim。Hisheartseemedtoboundintohisthroatandchokehim，ashesaidtohimself：“Itisthenunagain！”ButthenextmomenthesawthatitwasEuphra。Idonotknowwhichhewouldhavepreferrednotmeetingalone，andinthedeepeningtwilight：Euphra，too，hadbecomelikeaghosttohim。Hisfirstimpulsewastoturnasideintothewood，butshehadseenhim，andwasevidentlygoingtoaddresshim。Hethereforeadvancedtomeether。Shespokefirst，approachinghimwithpainfulsteps。
“Ihavebeenlookingforyou，Mr。Sutherland。Iwantedverymuchtohavealittleconversationwithyoubeforeyougo。Willyouallowme？”
Hughfeltlikeaculpritdirectly。Euphra"smannerwasquitecollectedandkind；yetthroughitallaconsciousnessshoweditself，thattherelationwhichhadonceexistedbetweenthemhadpassedawayforever。Inhervoicetherewassomethinglikethetoneofwindblowingthrougharuin。
“Ishallbemosthappy，“saidhe。
Shesmiledsadly。Agreatchangehadpasseduponher。
“Iamgoingtobequiteopenwithyou，“shesaid。“Iamperfectlyaware，aswellasyouare，thattheboyishfancyyouhadformeisgone。Donotbeoffended。Youaremanlyenough，butyourloveformewasboyish。Mostfirstlovesarechildish，quiteirrespectiveofage。Idonotblameyouintheleast。“
ThisseemedtoHughratherastrangestyletoassume，ifallwastruethathisowneyeshadreported。Shewenton：
“Normustyouthinkithascostmemuchtoloseit。“
Hughfelthurt，atwhichnoonewhounderstandswillbesurprised。
“ButIcannotaffordtoloseyou，theonlyfriendIhave，“sheadded。
Hughturnedtowardsherwithafacefullofmanhoodandtruth。
“Youshallnotloseme，Euphra，ifyouwillbehonesttoyourselfandtome。“
“Thankyou。Icantrustyou。Iwillbehonest。“
Atthatmoment，withouttherevivalofatraceofhisformerfeelings，Hughfeltnearertoherthanhehadeverfeltbefore。Nowthereseemedtobetruthbetweenthem，theonlymediumthroughwhichbeingscanunite。
“IfearIhavewrongedyoumuch，“shewenton。“Idonotmeansometimeago。“Hereshehesitated——“IfearIamthecauseofyourleavingArnstead。“
“You，Euphra？No。Youmustbemistaken。“
“Ithinknot。ButIamcompelledtomakeanunwillingdisclosureofasecret——asadsecretaboutmyself。Donothatemequite——Iamasomnambulist。“
Shehidherfaceinherhands，asifthenightwhichhadnowclosedaroundthemdidnothideherenough。Hughdidnotreply。Absorbedintheinterestwhichbothherselfandherconfessionarousedinhim，hecouldonlylisteneagerly。Shewenton，afteramoment"spause：
“IdidnotthinkatfirstthatIhadtakenthering。Ithoughtanotherhad。Butlastnight，andnottillthen，IdiscoveredthatI
wastheculprit。“
“How？”
“Thatrequiresexplanation。IhavenorecollectionoftheeventsofthepreviousnightwhenIhavebeenwalkinginmysleep。Indeed，theutterabsenceofasenseofdreamingalwaysmakesmesuspectthatIhavebeenwandering。ButsometimesIhaveavividdream，whichIknow，thoughIcangivenoproofofit，tobeareproductionofsomeprevioussomnambulicexperience。DonotaskmetorecallthehorrorsIdreamedlastnight。IamsureItookthering。“
“Thenyoudreamedwhatyoudidwithit？”
“Yes，Igaveitto——“
Herehervoicesankandceased。Hughwouldnoturgeher。
“HaveyoumentionedthistoMr。Arnold？”
“No。Idonotthinkitwoulddoanygood。ButIwill，ifyouwishit，“sheaddedsubmissively。
“Notatall。Justasyouthinkbest。“
“Icouldnottellhimeverything。Icannottellyoueverything。IfIdid，Mr。Arnoldwouldturnmeoutofthehouse。Iamaveryunhappygirl，Mr。Sutherland。“
>Fromthetoneofthesewords，HughcouldnotforamomentsupposethatEuphrahadanyremainingdesignoffascinationinthem。
“Perhapshemightwanttokeepyou，ifItoldhimall；butIdonotthink，afterthewayhehasbehavedtoyou，thatyoucouldstaywithhim，forhewouldneverapologize。Itisveryselfishofme；butindeedIhavenotthecouragetoconfesstohim。“
“Iassureyounothingcouldmakemeremainnow。ButwhatcanIdoforyou？”
“Onlyletmedependuponyou，incaseIshouldneedyourhelp；or——“
HereEuphrastoppedsuddenly，andcaughtholdofHugh"slefthand，whichhehadliftedtobrushaninsectfromhisface。
“Whereisyourring？”shesaid，inatoneofsuppressedanxiety。
“Gone，Euphra。Myfather"sring！ItwaslyingbesideLadyEuphrasia"s。“
Euphra"sfacewasagainhiddeninherhands。Shesobbedandmoanedlikeoneindespair。Whenshegrewalittlecalmer，shesaid：
“IamsureIdidnottakeyourring，dearHugh——Iamnotathief。I
hadakindofrighttotheother，andhesaiditoughttohavebeenhis，forhisrealnamewasCountvonHalkar——thesamenameasLadyEuphrasia"sbeforeshewasmarried。Hetookit，Iamsure。“
“Itwashethatknockedmedowninthedarkthatnightthen，Euphra。“
“Didhe？Oh！Ishallhavetotellyouall——Thatwretchhasaterriblepoweroverme。Ilovedhimonce。ButIrefusedtotaketheringfromyourdesk，becauseIknewitwouldgetyouintotrouble。Hethrewmeintoasomnambulicsleep，andsentmeforthering。ButIshouldhaverememberedifIhadtakenyours。Eveninmysleep，Idon"tthinkhecouldhavemademedothat。YoumayknowIspeakthetruth，whenIamtellingmyowndisgrace。HepromisedtosetmefreeifIwouldgetthering；buthehasnotdoneit；andhewillnot。“
Sobsagaininterruptedher。
“Iwasafraidyourringwasgone。Idon"tknowwhyIthoughtso，exceptthatyouhadn"titon，whenyoucametoseeme。OrperhapsitwasbecauseIamsometimesforcedtothinkwhatthatwretchisthinking。Hemademegotohimthatnightyousawme，Hugh。ButI
wassoill，Idon"tthinkIshouldhavebeenable，butthatIcouldnotresttillIhadaskedhimaboutyourring。Hesaidheknewnothingaboutit。“
“Iamsurebehasit，“saidHugh。AndherelatedtoEuphrathestrugglehehadhadwithFunkelsteinanditsresult。Sheshuddered。
“Ihavebeenadeviltoyou，Hugh；Ihavebetrayedyoutohim。Youwillneverseeyourringagain。Here，takemine。Itisnotsogoodasyours，butforthesakeoftheoldwayyouthoughtofme，takeit。“
“No，no，Euphra；Mr。Arnoldwouldmissit。Besides，youknowitwouldnotbemyfather"sring，anditwasnotforthevalueofthediamondIcaredmostaboutit。AndIamnotsurethatIshallnotfinditagain。IamgoinguptoLondon，whereIshallfallinwithhim，Ihope。“
“Butdotakecareofyourself。Hehasnoconscience。Godknows，I
havehadlittle，buthehasnone。“
“Iknowhehasnone；butaconscienceisnotabadauxiliary，andthereIshallhavesomeadvantageofhim。ButwhatcouldhewantthatringofLadyEuphrasia"sfor？”
“Idon"tknow。Henevertoldme。“
“Itwasnotworthmuch。“
“Nexttonothing。“
“Ishallbesurertofindthatthanmyown。AndIwillfindit，ifIcan，thatMr。ArnoldmaybelieveIwasnottoblame。“
“Do。Butbecareful。“
“Don"tfear。Iwillbecareful。“
Sheheldoutherhand，asiftotakeleaveofhim，butwithdrewitagainwiththesuddencry：
“WhatshallIdo？Ithoughthehadleftmetomyself，tillthatnightinthelibrary。“
Shehelddownherheadinsilence。Thenshesaid，slowly，inatoneofagony：
“Iamaslave，bodyandsoul——Hugh！”sheadded，passionately，andlookingupinhisface，“doyouthinkthereisaGod？”
Hereyesglimmeredwiththefaintreflexfromgatheredtears，thatsilentlyoverflowed。
AndnowHugh"sownpovertystruckhimwithgriefandhumiliation。
HerewasasoulseekingGod，andhehadnorighttosaythattherewasaGod，forheknewnothingabouthim。Hehadbeentoldso；butwhatcouldthatfar-offwitnessdofortheneedofadesolateheart？
Shehadbeentoldsoamillionoftimes。Hecouldnotsaythatheknewit。Thatwaswhatshewantedandneeded。
Hewashonest，andsoreplied：
“Idonotknow。Ihopeso。“
Hefeltthatshewasalreadybeyondhim；forshehadbeguntocryintothevague，seeminglyheartlessvoid，andsay：
“IsthereaGodsomewheretohearmewhenIcry？”
Andwithalltheteachinghehadhad，hehadnowordofcomforttogive。Yes，hehad：hehadknownDavidElginbrod。
Beforehehadshapedhisthought，shesaid：
“Ithink，iftherewereaGod，hewouldhelpme；forIamnothingbutapoorslavenow。Ihavehardlyawillofmyown。“
Thesighsheheavedtoldofahopelessoppression。
“Thebestman，andthewisest，andthenoblestIeverknew，“saidHugh，“believedinGodwithhiswholeheartandsoulandstrengthandmind。Infact，hecaredfornothingbutGod；orrather，hecaredforeverythingbecauseitbelongedtoGod。Hewasneverafraidofanything，nevervexedatanything，nevertroubledaboutanything。
Hewasagoodman。“
HughwassurprisedatthelightwhichbrokeuponthecharacterofDavid，ashehelditbeforehismind"seye，inordertodescribeittoEuphra。Heseemednevertohaveunderstoodhimbefore。
“Ah！IwishIknewhim。Iwouldgotothatman，andaskhimtosaveme。Wheredoeshelive？”
“Alas！Idonotknowwhetherheisaliveordead——themoretomyshame。Buthelives，ifhelives，farawayinthenorthofScotland。“
Shepaused。
“No。Icouldnotgothere。Iwillwritetohim。“
Hughcouldnotdiscourageher，thoughhedoubtedwhetherarealcommunicationcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem。
“Iwillwritedownhisaddressforyou，whenIgoin，“saidhe。“Butwhatcanhesaveyoufrom？”
“FromnoGod，“sheanswered，solemnly。“IfthereisnoGod，thenI
amsurethatthereisadevil，andthathehasgotmeinhispower。“
Hugh。felthershudder，forshewasleaningonhisarm，shewasstillsolame。Shecontinued：
“Oh！ifIhadaGod，hewouldrightme，Iknow。“
Hughcouldnotreply。Apausefollowed。
“Good-bye。Ifeelprettysureweshallmeetagain。Mypresentimentsaregenerallytrue，“saidEuphra，atlength。
Hughkissedherhandwithfarmorerealdevotionthanhehadeverkisseditwithbefore。
Shelefthim，andhastenedtothehouse"withfeeblespeed。"Hewassorryshewasgone。Hewalkedupanddownforsometime，meditatingonthestrangegirlandherstrangewords；till，hearingthedinnerbell，hetoomusthastenintodress。
Euphramethimatthedinner-tablewithoutanychangeofherlatemanner。Mr。Arnoldwishedhimgoodnightmorekindlythanusual。
Whenhewentuptohisroom，hefoundthatHarryhadalreadycriedhimselftosleep。
CHAPTERXXXII。
DEPARTURE。
Ifancydeemedfitguidetoleadmyway，AndasIdeemedIdidpursuehertrack；
Witlosthisaim，andwillwasfancy"sprey；
Therebelwon，therulerwenttowrack。
Butnowsithfancydidwithfollyend，Wit，boughtwithloss——will，taughtbywit，willmend。
SOUTHWELL——David"sPeccavi。
Afterdinner，Hughwanderedoverthewell-knownplaces，tobidthemgood-bye。Thenhewentuptohisroom，and，withthevanityofayoungauthor，tookhispoemsoutofthefatalolddesk；wrote：“Takethem，please，suchastheyare。Letmebeyourfriend；“inclosedthemwiththewriting，andaddressedthemtoEuphra。Bythetimehesawthemagain，theyweresomuchwastepaperinhiseyes。
Butwhatwerehisplansforthefuture？
Firstofall，hewouldgotoLondon。Therehewoulddomanythings。
HewouldtrytofindFunkelstein。Hewouldwrite。HewouldmakeacquaintancewithLondonlife；forhadhenotplentyofmoneyinhispocket？Andwhocouldlivemorethriftilythanhe？——DuringhislastsessionatAberdeen，hehadgivensomeprivatelessons，andsocontrivedtoekeouthissmallmeans。Thesewerewretchedlypaidfor，namely，notquiteattherateofsevenpence-halfpennyalesson！
butstillthatwassomething，wheremorecouldnotbehad——NowhewouldtrytodothesameinLondon，wherehewouldbemuchbetterpaid。Orperhapshemightgetasituationinaschoolforashorttime，ifheweredriventoultimatenecessity。Atallevents，hewouldseeLondon，andlookabouthimforalittlewhile，beforehesettledtoanythingdefinite。
Withthishopefulprospectbeforehim，henextmorningbadeadieutoArnstead。IwillnotdescribethepartingwithpoorHarry。Theboyseemedreadytobreakhisheart，andHughhimselfhadenoughtodotorefrainfromtears。Oneofthegroomsdrovehimtotherailwayinthedog-cart。Astheycamenearthestation，Hughgavehimhalf-a-crown。Enlivenedbythegift，themanbegantotalk。
“He"sarumcustomer，thateregemmanwiththeforingname。ThecolourofhispussIcouldn"tsweartonow。Neversawsixpenceo"
his"n。Myopinionis，masterhadbetterlookarterhisspoons。Andformissus——well，it"sapity！He"sarumun，asIsay，anyhow。“
Themanherenoddedseveraltimes，halfcompassionately，halfimportantly。
Hughdidnotchoosetoinquirewhathemeant。Theyreachedthestation，andinafewminuteshewasshootingalongtowardsLondon，thatsocialvortex，whichdrawseverythingtowardsitscentraltumult。
Butthereisacentralreposebeyondthemotionsoftheworld；andthroughtheturmoilofLondon，Hughwasjourneyingtowardsthatwidestillness——thatsilenceofthesoul，whichisnotdesolate，butrichwithunutterableharmonies。
ENDOFTHESECONDBOOK。
BOOKIII。
LONDON。
Artthoupoor，yethastthougoldenslumbers？
Oh，sweetcontent！
Artthourich，yetisthymindperplexed？
Oh，punishment！
DostthoulaughtoseehowfoolsarevexedToaddtogoldennumbers，goldennumbers？
Oh，sweetcontent！
Workapace，apace，apace，apace；
Honestlabourbearsalovelyface。
ProbablyTHOMASDEKKER——ComedyofPatientGrissell。
CHAPTERI。
LODGINGS。
Heighho！singheighho！untothegreenholly：
Mostfriendshipisfeigning，mostlovingmerefolly：
Then，heighho！theholly！
Thislifeismostjolly。
SonginAsYouLikeIt。
Hughfeltratherdrearyas，throughBermondsey，hedrewnightotheLondonBridgeStation。Fog，anddrizzle，andsmoke，andstenchcomposedtheatmosphere。Hegotoutinadriftofhumanatoms。
Leavinghisluggageattheoffice，hesetoutonfoottoexplore——infact，togoandlookforhisfuture，which，evenwhenhemetit，hewouldnotbeabletorecognisewithanycertainty。Thefirstforminwhichhewasinterestedtofinditembodied，wasthatoflodgings；butwhereeventolook，hedidnotknow。HehadbeeninLondonforafewdaysinthespringonhiswaytoArnstead，sohewasnotutterlyignorantoftheanatomyofthemonstercity；buthislittleknowledgecouldnotbeofmuchservicetohimnow。AndhowdifferentitwasfromtheLondonofspring，whichhadlingeredinhismemoryandimagination；when，transformedbythe“heavenlyalchemy“ofthepiercingsunbeamsthatslantedacrossthestreetsfromchimney-topstooppositebasements，thedustandsmokeshowedgreatinclinedplanesoflight，upwhosesteepslopesonelongedtoclimbtothefountainglorywhencetheyflowed！Nowthestreets，fromgarrettocellar，seemedlikehugekennelsofmuddy，moist，filthyair，downthroughwhichsettledtheheavierparticlesofsmokeandrainuponthemiserablehumanbeingswhocrawledbelowinthedeposit，likeshrimpsinthetide，orwhitebaitatthebottomofthemuddyThames。Hehadtowadethroughdeepthinmudevenonthepavements。Everybodylookeddepressed，andhurriedbywithacowedlook；asifconsciousthattherainandgeneralmiserywereaplaguedrawndownonthecitybyhisownindividualcrime。Nobodyseemedtocareforanybodyoranything。“Goodheavens！”thoughtHugh；“whataplacethismustbeforonewithoutmoney！”Itlookedlikeachaosofhumanmonads。Andyet，inreality，thewholemasswassoboundtogether，interwoven，andmatted，bythecrossingandinter-twistingthreadsofinterest，mutualhelp，andrelationshipofeverykind，thatHughsoonfoundhowharditwastogetwithinthemassatall，soastobeinanydegreepartakerofthebenefitsitsharedwithinitself。
Hedidnotwishtogetlodgingsintheoutskirts，forhethoughtthatwouldremovehimfromeverycentreofactionoremployment。
Buthesawnolodgingsanywhere。Growingtiredandhungry，hewentatlengthintoaneating-house，whichhethoughtlookedcheap；andproceededtodineuponacinder，whichhadbeenasteak。Hetriedtodeludehimselfintotheideathatitwasasteakstill，bywithdrawinghisattentionfromit，andfixingituponanewspapertwodaysold。Findingnothingofinterest，hedalliedwiththeadvertisements。Hesooncameuponacolumnfromwhichsinglegentlemenappearedtobeinrequestaslodgers。Lookingovertheseadvertisements，whichhadmoreinterestforhimatthemomentthanallhomeandforeignnews，battlesandmurdersincluded，hedrewamapfromhispocket，andbegantotrytofindoutsomeofthelocalitiesindicated。Mostofthemwereinortowardsthesuburbs。
Atlasthespiedoneinacertainsquare，which，afterlonganddiligentsearch，andwiththeassistanceofthegirlwhowaitedonhim，hefoundonhismap。ItwasintheneighbourhoodofHolborn，and，fromtheplaceitoccupiedinthemap，seemedcentralenoughforhisvaguepurposes。Aboveall，thetermsweresaidtobemoderate。Butnodescriptionofthecharacterofthelodgingswasgiven，elseHughwouldnothaveventuredtolookatthem。WhathewantedwassomethingofthesamesortashehadhadinAberdeen——asingleroom，oraroomandbed-room，forwhichheshouldhavetopayonlyafewshillingsaweek。
Refreshedbyhisdinner，wretchedasitwas，hesetoutagain。Tohisgreatjoy，therainwasover，andanafternoonsunwastrying，withsomeslightmeasureofsuccess，topiercethecloudsoftheLondonatmosphere：ithadalreadysucceededwiththecloudsoftheterrene。HesoonfoundhiswayintoHolborn，andthenceintothesquareinquestion。Itlookedtohimveryattractive；foritwasquietnessitself，andhadnothoroughfare，exceptacrossoneofitscorners。True，itwasinvadedbytheuniversalroar——forwhatplaceinLondonisnot？——butitcontributedlittleornothingofitsownmanufacturetothegeneralproductionofsoundinthemetropolis。
Thecentrewasoccupiedbygrassandtrees，inclosedwithinanironrailing。Alltheleaveswerewithered，andmanyhaddroppedalreadyonthepavementbelow。Inthemiddlestoodthestatueofaqueen，ofdaysgoneby。Thetideoffashionhadrolledawayfartothewest，andyieldedafreepassagetotheinroadsofcommerce，andofthegeneralstruggleforignobleexistence，uponthisoncefavouredislandinitsfluctuatingwaters。Oldwindows，flushwiththeexternalwalls，whencehadglancedfaireyestowhichfashionwasevendearerthanbeauty，nowdisplayedLodgingstoLetbetweenknittedcurtains，fromwhichallideaofdraperyhadbeenexpelledbyseverestarchingAmongstthesehesoonfoundthehousehesought，andshrunkfromitsimportantsizeandbrightequipments；but，summoningcourage，thoughtitbettertoringthebell。Awitheredoldlady，injustthesamestageofdecayasthesquare，andadornedafterthesamefashionasthehouse，cametothedoor，castadoubtfullookatHugh，andwhenhehadstatedhisobject，askedhim，inahard，keen，unmodulatedvoice，towalkin。Hefollowedher，andfoundhimselfinadining-room，whichtohim，judgingbyhispurse，andnotbywhathehadbeenusedtooflate，seemedsumptuous。Hesaidatonce：
“Itisneedlessformetotroubleyoufurther。Iseeyourroomswillnotsuitme。“
Theoldladylookedannoyed。
“Willyouseethedrawing-roomapartments，then？”shesaid，crustily。
“No，thankyou。Itwouldbegivingyouquiteunnecessarytrouble。“
“Myapartmentshavealwaysgivensatisfaction，Iassureyou，sir。“
“Indeed，Ihavenoreasontodoubtit。IwishIcouldaffordtotakethem，“saidHugh，thinkingitbettertobeopenthantohurtherfeelings。“IamsureIshouldbeverycomfortable。Butapoor——“
Hedidnotknowwhattocallhimself。
“O-oh！”saidthelandlady。Then，afterapause——“Well？”
interrogatively。
“Well，Iwasatutorlast，butIdon"tknowwhatImaybenext。“
Shekeptlookingathim。Onceortwiceshelookedathimfromheadtofoot。
“Youarerespectable？”
“Ihopeso，“saidHugh，laughing。
“Well！”——thistimenotinterrogatively。
“Howmanyroomswouldyoulike？”
“Thefewerthebetter。Halfaone，iftherewerenobodyintheotherhalf。“
“Well！——andyouwouldn"tgivemuchtrouble，Idaresay。“
“Onlyforcoalsandwatertowashanddrink。“
“Andyouwouldn"tdineathome？”
“No——noranywhereelse，“saidHugh；butthesecondandlargerclausewassottovoce。
“Andyouwouldn"tsmokein-doors？”
“No。“
“Andyouwouldwipeyourbootscleanbeforeyouwentup-stairs？”
“Yes，certainly。“Hughwasbeginningtobeexceedinglyamused，buthekepthisgravitywonderfully。
“Haveyouanymoney？”
“Yes；plentyforthemeantime。ButwhenIshallgetmore，Idon"tknow，yousee。“
“Well，I"vearoomatthetopofthehouse，whichI"llmakecomfortableforyou；andyoumaystayaslongasyouliketobehaveyourself。“
“Butwhatistherent？”
“Fourshillingsaweek——toyou。Wouldyouliketoseeit？”
“Yes，ifyouplease。“
Sheconductedhimuptothethirdfloor，andshowedhimagood-sizedroom，ratherbare，butclean。
“Thiswilldodelightfully，“saidHugh。
“Iwillmakeitalittlemorecomfortableforyou，youknow。“
“Thankyouverymuch。ShallIpayyouamonthinadvance？”
“No，no，“sheanswered，withagrimsmile。“Imightwanttogetridofyou，youknow。Itmustbeaweek"swarning，nomore。“
“Verywell。Ihavenoobjection。Iwillgoandfetchmyluggage。
IsupposeImaycomeinatonce？”
“Thesoonerthebetter，youngman，inaplacelikeLondon。ThesooneryoucomehomethebetterpleasedIshallbe。Therenow！”
Sosaying，shewalkedsolemnlydown-stairsbeforehim，andlethimout。Hughhurriedawaytofetchhisluggage，delightedthathehadsosoonsucceededinfindingjustwhathewanted。Ashewent，hespeculatedonthenatureofhislandlady，tryingtoaccountforheroddroughmanner，andtherealkindnessofherrudewords。Hecametotheconclusionthatshewasnaturallykindtoprofusion，andthatthiskindnesshad，sometimeorother，perhapsrepeatedly，beentakenshamefuladvantageof；thatatlastshehadcometotheresolutiontodefendherselfbymeansofageneralmisanthropy，andsupposedthatshehadsucceeded，whenshehadgotnofurtherthantohavesooftenimitatedthetoneofherownbehaviourwhenatitscrossest，astohavemadeithabitualbyrepetition。
InallprobabilitysomeunknownsympathyhaddrawnhertoHugh。Shemighthavehadasonabouthisage，whohadrunawaythirtyyearsago。Orrather，forsheseemedanoldmaid，shehadbeenjiltedsometimebyayouthaboutthesamesizeasHugh；andthereforeshelovedhimthemomentshesawhim。Or，inshort，athousandthings。
Certainlyseldomhavelodgingsbeenletsooddlyorsocheaply。
Butsomeimpulseorotherofthewhimsicaloldhumanheart，whichwillhaveitsway，wassatisfiedtherein。
Whenhereturnedinacoupleofhours，withhisboxesonthetopofacab，thedoorwasopened，beforeheknocked，byatidymaid，who，withoutbeingtheleastlikehermistress，yetresembledherexcessively。Shehelpedhimtocarryhisboxesup-stairs；andwhenhereachedhisroom，hefoundafireburningcheerily，amuffindownbeforeit，atea-kettlesingingonthehob，andthetea-traysetuponanicewhiteclothonatablerightinfrontofthefire，withanold-fashionedhigh-backedeasy-chairbyitsside——theverychairtogotosleepinoveranovel。Theoldladysoonmadeherappearance，withtheteapotinonehand，andaplateofbutterintheother。
“Oh！thankyou，“saidHugh。“Thisiscomfortable！”
Sheansweredonlybycompressingherlipstillhermouthvanishedaltogether，andnoddingherheadasmuchastosay：“Iknowitis。
Iintendeditshouldbe。“Shethenpouredwaterintotheteapot，setitdownbythefire，andvanished。
Hughsatdownintheeasy-chair，andresolvedtobecomfortable，atleasttillhehadhadhistea；afterwhichhewouldthinkwhathewastodonext。Aknockatthedoor——andhislandladyentered，laidapennynewspaperonthetable，andwentaway。Thiswasjustwhathewantedtocompletehiscomfort。Hetookitup，andreadwhileheconsumedhisbreadandbutter。Whenhehadhadenoughofteaandnewspaper，hesaidtohimself：
“Now，whatamItodonext？”
Itisahappythingforusthatthisisreallyallwehavetoconcernourselvesabout——whattodonext。Nomancandothesecondthing。Hecandothefirst。Ifheomitsit，thewheelsofthesocialJuggernautrolloverhim，andleavehimmoreorlesscrushedbehind。Ifhedoesit，hekeepsinfront，andfindsroomtodothenextagain；andsoheissuretoarriveatsomething，fortheonwardmarchwillcarryhimwithit。Thereisnosayingtowhatperfectionofsuccessamanmaycome，whobeginswithwhathecando，andusesthemeansathishand。Hemakesavortexofaction，howeverslight，towardswhichallthemeansinstantlybegintogravitate。Letamanbutlayholdofsomething——anything，andheisinthehighroadtosuccess——thoughitmaybeverylongbeforehecanwalkcomfortablyinit——Itistruethesuccessmaybemeasuredoutaccordingtoastandardverydifferentfromhis。
ButinHugh"scase，thedifficultywastograspanything——tomakeabeginninganywhere。Heknewnobody；andtheglobeofsocietyseemedlikeamassofadamant，onwhichhecouldnotgaintheslightesthold，ormaketheslightestimpression。Whowouldintroducehimtopupils？Nobody。Hehadthetestimonialsofhisprofessors；butwhowouldasktoseethem？——Hiseyefellonthepaper。Hewouldadvertise。