第13章
Herethecandleswerebroughtin。
Thetwomenlookedateachotherfullintheface。Hughsawthathehadnotbeeninerror。Thesameremarkablecountenancewasbeforehim。Falconersmiled。
“Wehavemetbefore，“saidhe。
“Wehave，“saidHugh。
“Ihadaconvictionweshouldbebetteracquainted，butIdidnotexpectitsosoon。“
“Areyouaclairvoyant，then？”
“Notintheleast。“
“Or，perhaps，beingaScotchman，youhavethesecondsight？”
“IamhardlyCeltenoughforthat。ButIamasortofaseer，afterall——fromaninstinctofthespiritualrelationsofthings，Ihope；
notintheleastfromthenervo-materialside。“
“IthinkIunderstandyou。“
“Areyouatleisure？”
“Entirely。“
“Hadwenotbetterwalk，then？IhavetogoasfarasSomersTown——nogreatway；andwecantalkaswellwalkingassitting。“
“Withpleasure，“answeredHugh，rising。
“Willyoutakeanythingbeforeyougo？Aglassofport？ItistheonlywineIhappentohave。“
“Notadrop，thankyou。Iseldomtasteanythingstrongerthanwater。“
“Ilikethat。ButIlikeaglassofporttoo。Comethen。“
AndFalconerrose——andagreatrisingitwas；for，asIhavesaid，hewastwoorthreeinchestallerthanHugh，andmuchbroaderacrosstheshoulders；andHughwasnostriplingnow。Hecouldnothelpthinkingagainofhisoldfriend，DavidElginbrod，towhomhehadtolookuptofindthelivingeyesofhim，justasnowhelookeduptofindFalconer"s。Buttherewasagreatdifferencebetweenthoseorgansinthetwomen。David"shadbeenofanordinarysize，purekeenblue，sparklingoutofceruleandepthsofpeaceandhope，fulloflambentgleamswhenhewaslovinganyone，andeverreadytobedimmedwiththemistsofrisingemotion。AllthatHughcouldyetdiscoverofFalconer"seyeswas，thattheywerelarge，andblackasnight，andsetsofarbackinhishead，thateachgleamedoutofitscavernedarchlikethereversedtorchoftheGreekGeniusofDeath，justbeforegoingoutinnight。Eitherthefrontalsinuswasverylarge，orhisobservantfacultieswerepeculiarlydeveloped。
Theywentout，andwalkedforsomedistanceinsilence。Hughventuredtosayatlength：
“Yousaidyouhadspentthedaystrangely：mayIaskhow？”
“InacondemnedcellinNewgate，“answeredFalconer。“Iamnotinthehabitofgoingtosuchplaces，butthemanwantedtoseeme，andIwent。“
AsFalconersaidnomore，andasHughwasafraidofshowinganythinglikevulgarcuriosity，thisthreadofconversationbroke。NothingworthrecordingpasseduntiltheyenteredanarrowcourtinSomersTown。
“Areyouafraidofinfection？”Falconersaid。
“Notintheleast，iftherebeanyreasonforexposingmyselftoit。“
“Thatisright——AndIneednotaskifyouareingoodhealth。“
“Iaminperfecthealth。“
“ThenIneednotmindaskingyoutowaitformetillIcomeoutofthishouse。Thereistyphusinit。“
“Iwillwaitwithpleasure。IwillgowithyouifIcanbeofanyuse。“
“Thereisnooccasion。Itisnotyourbusinessthistime。“
Sosaying，Falconeropenedthedoor，andwalkedin。
SaidHughtohimself：“Imusttellthismanthewholestory；andwithitallmyown。“
InafewminutesFalconerrejoinedhim，lookingsolemn，butwithakindofrelievedexpressiononhisface。
“Thepoorfellowisgone，“saidhe。
“Ah！”
“Whatathingitmustbe，Mr。Sutherland，foramantobreakoutofthechoke-dampofatyphusfeverintotheclearairofthelifebeyond！”
“Yes，“saidHugh；adding，afteraslighthesitation，“ifhebeatallpreparedforthechange。“
“Whereachangebelongstothenaturalorderofthings，“saidFalconer，“andarrivesinevitablyatsomehour，theremustalwaysbemoreorlesspreparednessforit。Besides，Ithinkamanisgenerallypreparedforabreathoffreshair。“
Hughdidnotreply，forhefeltthathedidnotfullycomprehendhisnewacquaintance。Buthehadastrongsuspicionthatitwasbecausehemovedinahigherregionthanhimself。
“Ifyouwillstillaccompanyme，“resumedFalconer，whohadnotyetadvertedtoHugh"sobjectinseekinghisacquaintance，“youwill，I
think，besooncompelledtobelievethat，atwhatevertimedeathmayarrive，orinwhateverconditionthemanmaybeatthetime，itcomesasthebestandonlygoodthatcanatthatmomentreachhim。
Weare，perhaps，toomuchinthehabitofthinkingofdeathastheculminationofdisease，which，regardedonlyinitself，isanevil，andaterribleevil。ButIthinkratherofdeathasthefirstpulseofthenewstrength，shakingitselffreefromtheoldmouldyremnantsofearth-garments，thatitmaybegininfreedomthenewlifethatgrowsoutoftheold。Thecaterpillardiesintothebutterfly。Whoknowsbutdiseasemaybethecoming，thekeenerlife，breakingintothis，andbeginningtodestroylikefiretheinferiormodesorgarmentsofthepresent？Andthendiseasewouldbebutthesignofthesalvationoffire；oftheagonyofthegreaterlifetoliftustoitself，outofthatwhereinwearefailingandsinning。Andsowepraisetheconsumingfireoflife。“
“Butsurelyallcannotfarealikeinthenewlife。“
“Farfromit。Accordingtothecondition。Butwhatwouldbehelltoone，willbequietness，andhope，andprogresstoanother；
becausehehasleftworsebehindhim，andinthisthelifeassertsitself，andis——Butperhapsyouarenotinterestedinsuchsubjects，Mr。Sutherland，andIwearyyou。“
“IfIhavenotbeeninterestedinthemhitherto，Iamreadytobecomesonow。Letmegowithyou。“
“Withpleasure。“
AsIhaveattemptedtotellagreatdealaboutRobertFalconerandhispursuitselsewhere，IwillnothererelatetheparticularsoftheirwalkthroughsomeofthemostwretchedpartsofLondon。
Sufficeittosaythat，ifHugh，ashewalkedhome，wasnotyetpreparedtoreceiveandunderstandthehalfofwhatFalconerhadsaidaboutdeath，andhadnotyetthatfaithinGodthatgivesasperfectapeaceforthefutureofourbrothersandsisters，who，alas！haveasyetbeenfedwithhusks，asforthatofourselves，whohaveeatenbreadofthefinestofthewheat，andhavebeenbutalittlethankful，——heyetfeltatleastthatitwasablessedthingthatthesemenandwomenwouldalldie——mustalldie。Thatspectrefromwhichmenshrink，asifitwouldtakefromthemthelastshiveringremnantofexistence，heturnedtoforsomeconsolationevenforthem。Hewaspreparedtobelievethattheycouldnotbegoingtoworseintheend，thoughsomeoftherichandrespectableandeducatedmighthavetoreceivetheirevilthingsfirstintheotherworld；andhewasreadytounderstandthatgreatsayingofSchiller——fullofafaithevidentenoughtohimwhocanlookfarenoughintothesaying：
“Deathcannotbeanevil，foritisuniversal。“
CHAPTERVIII。
EUPHRA。
Samson。OthattormentshouldnotbeconfinedTothebody"swoundsandsores，ButmustsecretpassagefindTotheinmostmind。
Direinflammation，whichnocoolingherbOrmedicinalliquorcanasswage，NorbreathofvernalairfromsnowyAlp。
Sleephathforsookandgivenmeo"erTodeath"sbenummingopiumasmyonlycure，Thencefaintings，swooningsofdespair，Andsenseofheaven"sdesertion。
MILTON——SamsonAgonistes。
HithertoIhavechieflyfollowedthehistoryofmyhero，ifheroinanysensehecanyetbecalled。NowImustleavehimforawhile，andtakeupthestoryoftherestofthefewpersonsconcernedinmytale。
LadyEmilyhadgonetoMadeira，andMr。Arnoldhadfollowed。Mrs。
EltonandHarry，andMargaret，ofcourse，hadgonetoLondon。
EuphrawasleftaloneatArnstead。
Agreatalterationhadtakenplaceinthisstrangegirl。Theservantswerepositivelyafraidofhernow，fromthebutlerdowntothekitchen-maid。Sheusedtogointoviolentfitsofpassion，inwhichthemereflashofhereyeswasoverpowering。Theseoutbreakswouldbefollowedalmostinstantaneouslybyseasonsofthedeepestdejection，inwhichshewouldconfineherselftoherroomforhours，or，lameasshewas，wanderaboutthehouseandtheGhost"sWalk，herselfpaleasaghost，andlookingmeagreandwretched。
Also，shebecamesubjecttofrequentfaintingfits，thefirstofwhichtookplacethenightbeforeHugh"sdeparture，aftershehadreturnedtothehousefromherinterviewwithhimintheGhost"sWalk。Shewasevidentlymiserable。
Forthismiseryweknowthattherewereverysufficientreasons，withouttakingintoaccountthefactthatshehadnoonetofascinatenow。Hercontinuedlameness，whichherrestlessnessaggravated，likewisegavehergreatcauseforanxiety。ButI
presumethat，evenduringtheearlypartofherconfinement，hermindhadbeenthrownbackuponitself，inthatconsciousnesswhichoftenarisesinlonelinessandsuffering；andthateventhenshehadbeguntofeelthatherownselfwasaworsetyrantthanthecount，andmadeheramorewretchedslavethananyexerciseofhisunlawfulpowercouldmakeher。
Somenatureswillendureanimmenseamountofmiserybeforetheyfeelcompelledtolookthereforhelp，whenceallhelpandhealingcomes。Theycannotbelievethatthereisverilyanunseenmysteriouspower，tilltheworldandallthatisinithasvanishedinthesmokeofdespair；tillcauseandeffectisnothingtotheintellect，andpossibleglorieshavefadedfromtheimagination；
then，deprivedofallthatmadelifepleasantorhopeful，theimmortalessence，lonelyandwretchedandunabletocease，looksupwithitsnowunfetteredandwakenedinstinct，tothesourceofitsownlife——tothepossibleGodwho，notwithstandingalltheimprobabilitiesofhisexistence，mayyetperhapsbe，andmayyetperhapshearhiswretchedcreaturethatcalls。Inthislonelinessofdespair，lifemustfindTheLife；forjoyisgone，andlifeisallthatisleft：itiscompelledtoseekitssource，itsroot，itseternallife。Thisaloneremainsasapossiblething。StrangeconditionofdespairintowhichtheSpiritofGoddrivesaman——aconditioninwhichtheBestaloneisthePossible！
Othersimplernatureslookupatonce。Evenbeforethefirstpanghaspassedaway，asbyaholyinstinctofcelestialchildhood，theylifttheireyestotheheavenswhencecomeththeiraid。OfthisclassEuphrawasnot。Shebelongedtotheformer。Andyetevenshehadbeguntolookupward，forthewatershadclosedaboveherhead。
ShebetookherselftotheonemanofwhomshehadheardasknowingaboutGod。Shewrote，butnoanswercame。Daysanddayspassedaway，andtherewasnoreply。
“Ah！justso！”shesaid，inbitterness。“AndifIcriedtoGodforever，Ishouldhearnowordofreply。Ifhebe，hesitsapart，andleavestheweaktobethepreyofthebad。Whatcareshe？”
Yet，asshespoke，sherose，and，byasuddenimpulse，threwherselfonthefloor，andcriedforthefirsttime：
“OGod，helpme！”
Wastherevoiceorhearing？
Sheroseatleastwithalittlehope，andwiththefeelingthatifshecouldcrytohim，itmightbethathecouldlistentoher。Itseemednaturaltopray；itseemedtocomeofitself：thatcouldnotbeexceptitwasfirstnaturalforGodtohear。Thefoundationofherownactionmustbeinhimwhomadeher；forhercallcouldbeonlyaresponseafterall。
Thetimepassedwearilyby。Dim，slowNovemberdayscameon，withthefallofthelastbrownshredofthosecloudsoflivinggreenthathadfloatedbetwixtearthandheaven。ThroughthebareboughsoftheoverarchingavenueoftheGhost"sWalk，themselveslivingskeletons，shecouldnowlookstraightuptothebluesky，whichhadbeenthereallthetime。Andshehadbeguntolookuptoahigherheaven，throughthebareskeletonshapesoflife；forthefoliageofjoyhadwhollyvanished——shallwesayinorderthatthechildrenofthespringmightcome？——certainlyinorderfirstthattheblueskyofadeeperpeacemightreflectitselfinthehithertodarkenedwatersofhersoul。
Perhapssomeofmyreadersmaythinkthatshehadenoughtorepentoftokeepherfromweariness。Shehadplentytorepentof，nodoubt；butrepentance，betweentheparoxysmsofitsbitterness，isaverydrearyandNovember-likestateofthespiritualweather。Foritsfoggymorningsandcheerlessnoonscannotbelieveinthesunofspring，soontoripenintothesunofsummer；anditsbesttimeisthenight，thatshutsouttheworldandweepsitsfillofslowtears。Butshewasnotaltogethersoblameworthyasshemayhaveappeared。Heraffectationshadnotbeenaltogetherfalse。Shevalued，andinameasurepossessed，thefeelingsforwhichshesoughtcredit。Shehadagenuineenjoymentofnature，thoughafterasensuous，Keats-likefashion，notaWordsworthian。Itwasthebody，ratherthanthesoul，ofnaturethatsheloved——itsbeautyratherthanitstruth。Hadherloveofnaturebeenofthedeepest，shewouldhaveturnedasidetoconcealheremotionsratherthanhaveheldthemupasallurementsintheeyesofhercompanion。Butasnobodyandnobeautycanexistwithoutsoulandtruth，shewholovestheformermustatleastbecapableoflovingthedeeperessencetowhichtheyowetheirveryexistence。
ThisviewofhercharacterisborneoutbyherloveofmusicandherlikingforHugh。Bothweregenuine。Hadthelatterbeeneithermoreorlessgenuinethanitwas，thetaskoffascinationwouldhavebeenmoredifficult，anditssuccesslesscomplete。Whetherherownfeelingsbecamefurtherinvolvedthanshehadcalculatedupon，I
cannottell；butsurelyitsayssomethingforher，inanycase，thatshedesiredtoretainHughasherfriend，insteadofhatinghimbecausehehadbeenherlover。
HowgladshewouldhavebeenofHarrynow！Thedayscrawledoneaftertheotherlikewearysnakes。ShetriedtoreadtheNewTestament：itwastoherlikeamouldychamberofworm-eatenparchments，whosewindowshadnotbeenopenedtothesunorthewindforcenturies；andinwhichthedustofthedecayingleaveschokedthefewbeamsthatfoundtheirwaythroughtheage-blindedpanes。
Thisstateofthingscouldnothavelastedlong；forEuphrawouldhavedied。Itlasted，however，untilshefeltthatshehadbeenleadingafalse，worthlesslife；thatshehadbeencastingfromhereverydaythefewremainingfragmentsoftruthandrealitythatyetkepthernaturefromfallinginaheapofhelplessruin；thatshehadneverbeenatruefriendtoanyone；thatshewasofnovalue——fitfornoone"sadmiration，noone"slove。Shemustleaveherformerself，likeadeadbody，behindher，andriseintoapurerairoflifeandreality，elseshewouldperishwiththateverlastingdeathwhichisthediseaseandcorruptionofthesoulitself。
Tothosewhoknowanythingofsuchexperiences，itwillnotbesurprisingthatsuchfeelingsastheseshouldbealternatedwithfierceburstsofpassion。Theoldselfthenstartedupwithfeverishenergy，andwrithedforlife。Neveranyonetriedtobebetter，without，foratime，seemingtohimself，perhapstoothers，tobeworse。Forthesufferingofthespiritweakensthebrainitself，andthewholephysicalnaturegroansunderit；whiletheenergyspentintheefforttoawake，andarisefromthedust，leavestheregionspreviouslyguardedbyprudencenakedtothewildinroadsofthesuddendestroyingimpulsesbornofsuffering，self-sickness，andhatred。Asinthedeliriouspatient，theywoulddashtotheearthwhatevercomesfirstwithinreach，asifthethingfirstperceived，andso(byperceptionalone)broughtintocontactwiththesuffering，werethecauseofallthedistress。
Onedayaletterarrivedforher。Shehadhadnoletterfromanyoneforweeks。Yet，whenshesawthedirection，sheflungitfromher。ItwasfromMrs。Elton，whomshedisliked，becauseshefoundherutterlyuninterestingandverystupid。
PoorMrs。Eltonlaidnoclaimtothecontrariesoftheseepithets。
Butinproportionassheabjuredthought，sheclaimedspeech，bothbywordofmouthandbyletter。Whynot？Therewasnothinginit。
Sheconsideredreasonasanawfulenemytothesoul，andobnoxioustoGod，especiallywhenappliedtofindoutwhathemeanswhenheaddressesusasreasonablecreatures。Butspeech？Therewasnoharminthat。Perhapsitwassomelatentconvictionthatthispowerofspeechwasthechiefdistinctionbetweenherselfandtheloweranimals，thatmadeheruseitsofreely，andatthesametimeopenherpursesoliberallytotheHospitalforOrphanDogsandCats。Haditnotbeenforherowndirenecessity，thefactthatMrs。EltonwasreligiouswouldhavebeenenoughtoconvinceEuphrathattherecouldnotpossiblybeanythinginreligion。
Theletterlayunopenedtillnextday——afacteasytoaccountfor，improbableasitmayseem；forbesideswritingaslargelyasshetalked，andlessamusinglybecausemorecorrectly，Mrs。Eltonwrotesuchanindistinctthoughpunctiliouslyneathand，thatthereadingofaletterofhersinvolvednosmallamountoflabour。Butthesunshiningoutnextmorning，Euphratookcouragetoreadit，whiledrinkinghercoffee，althoughshecouldnotexpecttomakethatceremonymorepleasantthereby。ItcontainedaninvitationtovisitMrs。Eltonatherhousein——Street，HydePark，withtheassurancethat，nowthateverythingwasarranged，theyhadplentyofroomforher。Mrs。EltonwassureshemustbelonelyatArnstead；andMrs。
Hortoncould，nodoubt，betrusted——andsoon。
Hadthisletterarrivedafewweeksearlier，Euphrawouldhaveinfusedintoheransweraskilfulconcoctionofdelicatecontempt；
notfortheamusementofknowingthatMrs。Eltonwouldneverdiscoveratraceofit，butsimplyforarelieftoherowndislike。
Nowshewouldhavewrittenaplainletter，containingasbriefandastrueanexcuseasshecouldfind，haditnotbeen，that，inclosedinMrs。Elton"snoteshefoundanother，whichranthus：
“DEAREUPHRA，——Docomeandseeus。IdonotlikeLondonatallwithoutyou。TherearenohappydaysherelikethosewehadatArnsteadwithMr。Sutherland。Mrs。EltonandMargaretareverykindtome。ButIwishyouwouldcome。Do，do，do。Pleasedo。
“Youraffectionatecousin，“HARRYARNOLD。“
“Thedearboy！”saidEuphra，withagushofpureandgratefulaffection；“Iwillgoandseehim。“
Harryhadbeguntoworkwithhismasters，andwasdoinghisbest，whichwasverygood。Ifhisheartwasnotsomuchinitaswhenhewasstudyingwithhisbigbrother，hegainedagreatbenefitfromtheincreaseofexercisetohiswill，inthedoingofwhatwaslesspleasant。EversinceHughhadgivenhisfacultiesarightdirection，andaidedhimbyhealthfulmanlysympathy，hehadbeenmakingupfortheperiodduringwhichchildhoodhadbeenprotractedintoboyhood；andnowhewasmakingrapidprogress。
WhenEuphraarrived，Harryrushedtothehalltomeether。Shetookhiminherarms，andburstintotears。Hertearsdrewforthhis。
Hestrokedherpaleface，andsaid：
“DearEuphra，howillyoulook！”
“Ishallsoonbebetternow，Harry。“
“Iwasafraidyoudidnotloveme，Euphra；butnowIamsureyoudo。“
“IndeedIdo。IamverysorryforeverythingthatmadeyouthinkI
didnotloveyou。“
“No，no。Itwasallmyfancy。Nowweshallbeveryhappy。“
AndsoHarrywas。AndEuphra，throughmeansofHarry，begantogainalittleofwhatisbetterthanmostkindsofhappiness，becauseitisnearesttothebesthappiness——Imeanpeace。Thisforetasteofrestcametoherfromthedevotednesswithwhichshenowappliedherselftoaidtheintellect，whichshehadunconsciouslyrepressedandstuntedbefore。ShetookHarry"sbookswhenhehadgonetobed；
andreadoverallhislessons，thatshemightbeabletoassisthiminpreparingthem；venturingthusintosomeregionsoflabourintowhichladiesaretooseldomconductedbythosewhoinstructthem。
Thisproducedinherquitenewexperiences。Oneofthesewas，thatinproportionasshelabouredforHarry，hopegrewforherself。Itwaslikewiseofthegreatestimmediatebenefitthattheintervalsofthought，insteadoflyingvacanttomelancholy，orthevapoursthatsprungfromtheforegoingstrifeofthespiritualelements，shouldbeoccupiedbyhealthymentalexercise。
Still，however，shewassubjecttogreatvicissitudesoffeeling。A
kindofpeevishness，towhichshehadformerlybeenastranger，wasbuttooreadytoappear，evenwhenshewasmostanxious，inherconversewithHarry，tobehavewelltohim。Butthepureforgivenessoftheboywaswonderful。Insteadofplaguinghimselftofindoutthecauseofherbehaviour，orresentingitintheleast，heonlylaboured，byincreasedattentionandsubmission，toremoveit；andseemedperfectlysatisfiedwhenitwasfollowedbyakindword，whichtohimwasrepentance，apology，amends，andbetterment，allinone。Whenhehadthusdrivenawaytheevilspirit，therewasEuphraherownself。Soperfectlydidshesee，andsothoroughlyappreciatethiskindnessandloveofHarry，thathebegantolooktoherlikeanangelofforgivenesscometoliveaboy"slife，thathemightdoanangel"swork。
Herhealthcontinuedverypoor。Shesufferedconstantlyfrommoreorlessheadache，andattimesfromfaintings。Butshehadnotforsometimediscoveredanysignsofsomnambulism。
Ofthispeculiarityherfriendswereentirelyignorant。Theoccasions，indeed，onwhichithadmanifesteditselftoanexcessivedegree，hadbeenbutfew。
CHAPTERIX。
THENEWPUPILS。
Thinkyoualittledincandauntmineears？
HaveInotinmytimeheardlionsroar？
Anddoyoutellmeofawoman"stongue，Thatgivesnothalfsogreatablowtohear，Aswillachestnutinafarmer"sfire？
Tush！tush！fearboyswithbugs。
TamingoftheShrew。
DuringthewholeofhisfirstinterviewwithFalconer，whichlastedsolongthathehadbeengladtomakeabedofFalconer"ssofa，HughneveroncereferredtotheobjectforwhichhehadacceptedMacPherson"sprofferedintroduction；nordidFalconeraskhimanyquestions。HughwastoomuchinterestedandsaddenedbythescenesthroughwhichFalconerledhim，nottoshrinkfromspeakingofanythinglessimportant；andwithFalconeritwasarule，aprinciplealmost，nevertoexpediteutteranceofanysort。
Inthemorning，feelingalittlegood-naturedanxietyastohislandlady"sreceptionofhim，Hughmadesomeallusiontoit，ashesatathisnewfriend"sbreakfast-table。
Falconersaid：
“Whatisyourlandlady"sname？”
“MissTalbot。“
“Oh！littleMissTalbot？Youareingoodquarters——toogoodtolose，Icantellyou。JustsaytoMissTalbotthatyouwerewithme。“
“Youknowher，then？”
“Oh，yes。“
“Youseemtoknoweverybody。“
“IfIhavespokentoapersononce，Ineverforgethim。“
“Thatseemstomeverystrange。“
“Itissimpleenough。Thesecretofitis，that，asfarasIcanhelpit，Ineverhaveanymerelybusinessrelationswithanyone。I
tryalwaysnottoforgetthatthereisadeeperrelationbetweenus。
Icommonlysucceedworstinadrawing-room；yeteventhere，forthetimewearetogether，Itrytorecognisethepresenthumanity，howevermuchdistortedorconcealed。Theconsequenceis，Ineverforgetanybody；andIgenerallyfindthatothersrememberme——atleastthosewithwhomIhavehadanyrealrelations，springingfrommyneedorfromtheirs。Themanwhomendsabrokenchairforyou，orarentinyourcoat，rendersyouahumanservice；and，invirtueofthat，comesnearertoyourinnerself，thannine-tenthsoftheladiesandgentlemenwhomyoumeetonlyinwhatiscalledsociety，arelikelytodo。“
“Butdoyounotfinditawkwardsometimes？”
“Notintheleast。Iamneverashamedofknowinganyone；andasI
neverassumeafamiliaritythatdoesnotexist，Ineverfinditassumedtowardsme。“
HughfoundtheadvantageofFalconer"ssociologywhenhementionedtoMissTalbotthathehadbeenhisguestthatnight。
“Youshouldhavesentusword，Mr。Sutherland，“wasallMissTalbot"sreply。
“Icouldnotdosobeforeyoumusthavebeenallinbed。Iwassorry，butIcouldhardlyhelpit。“
MissTalbotturnedawayintothekitchen。Theonlyotherindicationofherfeelinginthematterwas，thatshesenthimupacupofdeliciouschocolateforhislunch，beforehesetoutforMr。
Appleditch"s，whereshehadheardattheshopthathewasgoing。
MyreadermustnotbelefttofearthatIamabouttogiveadetailedaccountofHugh"splanswiththeseunpleasantlittleimmortals，whoseearthlynaturesprangfromapairwhosereligionconsistedchieflyinnegations，andwhosemaindutyseemedtobetomakemoneyinsmallsums，andspenditinsmaller。WhenhearrivedatBuccleuchCrescent，hewasshownintothedining-room，intowhichtheboyswereseparatelydragged，toreceivethefirstinstalmentofthementallegacyleftthembytheirancestors。Butthelegacy-dutywassoheavythattheywouldgladlyhavedeclinedpayingit，evenwiththelossofthelegacyitself；andHughwasdismayedattheimpossibilityofinterestingtheminanything。Hetriedtellingthemstorieseven，withoutsuccess。Theystaredathim，itistrue；
butwhethertherewasmorespeculationintheopenmouths，orinthefishy，overfedeyes，hefounditimpossibletodetermine。HecouldnothelpfeelingtheriddleofProvidenceinregardtothebirthofthese，muchhardertoreadthanthatinvolvedinthecaseofsomeofthelittlethieveswhoseacquaintancehehadmade，whenwithFalconer，theeveningbefore。Buthedidhisbest；andbeforethetimehadexpired——twohours，namely，——hehadfoundout，tohissatisfaction，thattheelderhadaturnforsums，andtheyoungerfordrawing。Sohemadeuseofthesepredilectionstobribethemtotheexerciseoftheirintellectuponless-favouredbranchesofhumanaccomplishment。Hefoundtheplanoperateaswellasitcouldhavebeenexpectedtooperateuponsuchmaterial。
Butoneortwolittleincidents，relatingtohisintercoursewithMrs。Appleditch，Imustnotomit。Thoughamother"sloveismorereadytopurifyitselfthanmostotherloves——yetthereisaclassofmothers，whoseloveisonlyanextended，scarcelyanexpanded，selfishness。Mrs。Appleditchdidnotintheleastloveherchildrenbecausetheywerechildren，andchildrencommittedtohercarebytheFatherofallchildren；butshelovedthemdearlybecausetheywereherchildren。
OnedayHughgaveMasterAppleditchasmartslapacrossthefingers，astheultimateresource。Thechildscreamedashewellknewhow。
Hismotherburstintotheroom。
“Johnny，holdyourtongue！”
“Teacher"sbeenandhurtme。“
“Holdyourtongue，Isay。Myhead"sliketosplit。Getoutoftheroom，youlittleruffian！”
Sheseizedhimbytheshoulders，andturnedhimout，administeringaboxonhisearthatmadetheroomring。ThenturningtoHugh，“Mr。Sutherland，howdareyoustrikemychild？”shedemanded。
“Herequiredit，Mrs。Appleditch。Ididhimnoharm。HewillmindwhatIsayanothertime。“
“Iwillnothavehimtouched。It"sdisgraceful。Tostrikeachild！”
Shebelongedtothatclassofhumaneparentswhoconsideritcrueltoinflictanycorporalsufferinguponchildren，excepttheydoitthemselves，andinapassion。Johnniebehavedbetterafterthis，however；andtheonlyrevengeMrs。Appleditchtookforthisinterferencewiththedignityofhereldestborn，and，consequently，withherownashismother，was，that——withtheview，probably，ofimpressinguponHughaduesenseofthemenialpositionheoccupiedinherfamily——shealwayspaidhimhisfeeofoneshillingandsixpenceeverydaybeforeheleftthehouse。Onceortwiceshecontrivedaccidentallythatthesixpenceshouldbeincoppers。Hughwastoomuchofaphilosopher，however，tomindthisfromsuchawoman。Iamafraidheratherenjoyedherspite；forhefeltitdidnottouchhim，seeingitcouldnotbelesshonourabletobepaidbythedaythanbythequarterorbytheyear。Certainlythecopperswereanannoyance；butifthecopperscouldbecarried，theannoyancecouldbeborne。Therealdisgustintheaffairwas，thathehadtomeetandspeakwithawomaneveryday，forwhomhecouldfeelnothingbutcontemptandaversion。Hughwasnotyetabletominglewiththesefeelingsanyoftheleavenofthatcharitywhichtheyneedmostofallwhoarecontemptibleintheeyeoftheirfellows。Contemptismurdercommittedbytheintellect，ashatredismurdercommittedbytheheart。Charityhavinglifeinitself，istheoppositeanddestroyerofcontemptaswellasofhatred。
Afterthis，nothingwentamissforsometime。Butitwasverydrearyworktoteachsuchboys——fortheyoungercameinfortheoddsixpence。Slow，stupid，resistanceappearedtobetheonlyprincipleoftheirbehaviourtowardshim。Theyscornedthemanwhomtheirmotherdespisedandvaluedfortheself-samereason，namely，thathewascheap。Theywouldhavedefiedhimhadtheydared，buthemanagedtoestablishanauthorityoverthem——andtoincreaseit。
Still，hecouldnotrousethemtoanyrealinterestintheirstudies。Indeed，theywereasnearbeinglittlebeastsasitwaspossibleforchildrentobe。Theireyesgrewdullatastory-book，butgreedilybrightatthesightofbull"seyesortoffee。Itwasthesamedayafterday，tillhewassickofit。Nodoubttheymadesomeprogress，butitwasscarcelyperceptibletohim。Throughfogandfair，throughfrostandsnow，throughwindandrain，hetrudgedtothatwretchedhouse。Noonemindstheweather——noyoungScotchman，atleast——whereanypleasurewaitsthecloseofthestruggle：tofighthiswaytomiserywasmorethanhecouldwellendure。Buthisdeliverancewasnearerthanheexpected。Itwasnottocomejustyet，however。
Allwentonwithfrightfulsameness，tillsundrydoubtfulsymptomsofanalterationinthepersonalappearanceofHughhavingaccumulatedatlastintoamassofevidence，forcedtheconvictionuponthemindofthegrocer"swife，thathertutorwasactuallygrowingabeard。Couldshebelievehereyes？Shesaidshecouldnot。Butsheactedontheirtestimonynotwithstanding；andonedaysuddenlyaddressingHugh，said，inherusualcold，thin，cuttingfashionofspeech：
“Mr。Sutherland，Iamastonishedandgrievedthatyou，ateacherofbabes，whoshouldsetanexampletothem，shoulddisguiseyourselfinsuchanoutlandishfigure。“
“Whatdoyoumean，Mrs。Appleditch？”askedHugh，who，thoughhehadmadeuphismindtofollowtheexampleofFalconer，yetfeltuncomfortableenough，duringthetransitionperiod，toknowquitewellwhatshemeant。
“WhatdoImean，sir？Itisashameforamantolethisbeardgrowlikeamonkey。“
“Butamonkeyhasn"tabeard，“retortedHugh，laughing。“Manistheonlyanimalwhohasone。“
Thisassertion，ifnotquitecorrect，wasapproximatelyso，andwentmuchnearerthetruththanMrs。Appleditch"sargument。
“It"snojokingmatter，Mr。Sutherland，withmytwodarlingsgrowinguptobeministersofthegospel。“
“What！bothofthem？”thoughtHugh。“Goodheavens！”Buthesaid：
“Well，butyouknow，Mrs。Appleditch，theApostlesthemselvesworebeards。“
“Yes，whentheywereJews。Butwhowouldhavebelievedthemiftheyhadpreachedthegospellikeoldclothesmen？No，no，Mr。
Sutherland，Iseethroughallthat。Myownunclewasapreacheroftheword——AssoonastheApostlesbecameChristians，theyshaved。
ItwasthesignofChristianity。TheApostlePaulhimselfsaysthatcleanlinessisnexttogodliness。“
Hughrestrainedhislaughter，andshiftedhisground。
“Butthereisnothingdirtyaboutthem，“hesaid。
“Notdirty？Nowreally，Mr。Sutherland，youprovokeme。Nothingdirtyinlonghairallroundyourmouth，andgoingintoiteveryspoonfulyoutake？”
“Butitcanbekeptproperlytrimmed，youknow。“
“Butwho"stotrustyoutodothat？No，no，Mr。Sutherland；youmustnotmakeaguyofyourself。“
Hughlaughed，andsaidnothing。Ofcoursehisbeardwouldgoongrowing，forhecouldnothelpit。
SodidMrs。Appleditch"swrath。
CHAPTERX。
CONSULTATIONS。
WokeineG鰐tersind，waltenGespenster。
NOVALIS——Christenheit。
Wheregodsarenot，spectresrule。
EinCharakteristeinvollkommengebildeterWille。
NOVALIS——MoralischeAnsichten。
Acharacterisaperfectlyformedwill。
ItwasnotlongbeforeHughrepeatedhisvisittoFalconer。Hewasnotathome。Hewentagainandagain，butstillfailedinfindinghim。Thedayafterthethirdfailure，however，hereceivedanotefromFalconer，mentioninganhouratwhichhewouldbeathomeonthefollowingevening。Hughwent。Falconerwaswaitingforhim。
“Iamverysorry。Iamoutsomuch，“saidFalconer。
“IoughttohavetakentheopportunitywhenIhadit，“repliedHugh。
“Iwanttoaskyourhelp。MayIbeginatthebeginning，andtellyouallthestory？ormustIepitomizeandcurtailit？”
“Beasdiffuseasyouplease。Ishallunderstandthethingthebetter。“
SoHughbegan，andtoldthewholeofhishistory，inasfarasitboreuponthestoryofthecrystal。Heendedwiththewords：
“Itrust，Mr。Falconer，youwillnotthinkthatitisfromaloveoftalkingthatIhavesaidsomuchaboutthisaffair。“
“Certainlynot。Itisaremarkablestory。Iwillthinkwhatcanbedone。MeantimeIwillkeepmyeyesandearsopen。Imayfindthefellow。Tellmewhatheislike。“
Hughgaveasminuteadescriptionofthecountashecould。
“IthinkIseetheman，“saidFalconer。“IamprettysureIshallrecognisehim。“
“Haveyouanyideawhathecouldwantwiththering？”
“Itisoneofthecuriouscoincidenceswhicharealwayshappening，“
answeredFalconer，“thatanewspaperofthisverydaywouldhaveenabledme，withoutanypreviousknowledgeofsimilarfacts，togiveaprobablycorrectsuggestionastohisobject。Butyoucanjudgeforyourself。“
Sosaying，Falconerwenttoaside-table，heapedupwithbooksandpapers，maps，andinstrumentsofvariouskinds，apparentlyintriumphantconfusion。Withoutamoment"shesitation，notwithstanding，heselectedthepaperhewanted，andhandedittoHugh，whoreadinitalettertotheeditor，ofwhichthefollowingisaportion：——
“Ihaveforoverthirtyyearsbeeninthehabitofinvestigatingthequestionbymeansofcrystals。Andsince18——，Ihavepossessedthecelebratedcrystal，oncebelongingtoLadyBlessington，inwhichverymanypersons，bothchildrenandadults，haveseenvisionsofthespiritsofthedeceased，orofbeingsclaimingtobesuch，andofnumerousangelsandotherbeingsofthespiritualworld。ThesehaveinallcasessupportedthepurestandmostliberalChristianity。ThefacultyofseeinginthecrystalIhavefoundtoexistinaboutonepersonintenamongadults，andinnearlynineineverytenamongchildren；manyofwhomappeartolosethefacultyastheygrowtoadultage，unlesstheypractiseitcontinually。“
“Isitpossible，“saidHugh，pausing，“thatthiscanbeaveritablepaperofto-day？Aretherepeopletobelievesuchthings？”
“Therearemorefoolsintheworld，Mr。Sutherland，thantherearecrystalsinitsmountains。“
Hughresumedhisreading。Hecameatlengthtothispassage：
“Thespirits——whichIfeelcertaintheyare——whichappear，donothesitatetoinformusonallpossiblesubjectswhichmaytendtoimproveourmorals，andconfirmourfaithintheChristiandoctrines……Thecharactertheygiveoftheclassofspiritswhoareinthehabitofcommunicatingwithmortalsbyrappingandsuchproceedings，issuchthatitbehovesallChristianpeopletobeontheirguardagainsterroranddelusionthroughtheirmeans。“
Hughhadreadthispassagealoud。
“Isnotthatacomfort，now，Mr。Sutherland？”saidFalconer。“ForinallthereportswhichIhaveseenofthereligiousinstructioncommunicatedinthathighlyarticulatemanner，Calvinism，highandlow，haspredominated。IstronglysuspectthecrystalphantomsofArminianism，though。FancytheolddisputesofinfantChristendomperpetuatedamongstthepaltryghostsofanotherrealm！”
“But，“saidHugh，“Idonotquiteseehowthisistohelpme，astothecount"sobjectinsecuringthering；forcertainly，howeverdeficienthemaybeinsuchknowledge，heisnotlikelytohavecommittedthetheftforthesakeofinstructioninthedoctrinesofthesects。“
“No。Butsuchacrystalmightbeputtoother，nottosaybetter，uses。Besides，LadyBlessington"scrystalmightbeapiouscrystal；
andtheotherwhichbelongedtoLady——“
“LadyEuphrasia。“
“ToLadyEuphrasia，mightbeaworldlycrystalaltogether。Thismightrevealdemonsandtheircounsels，whilethatwashauntedbytheologicalangelsandevangelicalghosts。“
“Ah！Isee。Ishouldhavethought，however，thatthecounthadbeentoomuchofamanoftheworldtobelievesuchthings。“
“Hemightfindhisaccountinit，notwithstanding。Butnoamountofworld-wisdomcansetamanabovetheinroadsofsuperstition。Infact，thereisbutonethingthatcanfreeamanfromsuperstition，andthatisbelief。Allhistoryprovesit。Themostscepticalhaveeverbeenthemostcredulous。Thisisoneofthebestargumentsfortheexistenceofsomethingtobelieve。“
“YouremindmeofapassageinmystorywhichIomitted，asirrelevanttothematterinhand。“
“Doletmehaveit。Itcannotfailtointerestme。“
Hughgaveacompleteaccountoftheexperimentstheyhadmadewiththecareeringplate。NowthewritingofthenameofDavidElginbrodwasthemostremarkablephenomenonofthewhole，andHughwascompelled，inrespondingtothenaturalinterestofFalconer，togiveadescriptionofDavid。ThisledtoasketchofhisownsojournatTurriepuffit；inwhichthecharacterofDavidcameoutfarmoreplainlythanitcouldhavecomeoutinanydescription。
Whenhehadfinished，Falconerbrokeout，asifhehadbeenhithertorestraininghiswrathwithdifficulty：
“Andthatwasthemanthecreaturesdaredtopersonate！Ihatethewholething，Sutherland。Itisfullofimpudenceandirreverence。
Perhapsthewretchedbeingsmaywantanotherthousandyears"
damnation，becauseoftheinjurydonetotheircharacterbythehomageofmenwhooughttoknowbetter。“
“Idonotquiteunderstandyou。“
“Imean，thatyououghttobelieveaseasilythatsuchamanasyoudescribeislaughingwiththedevilandhisangels，asthathewroteacopyattheorderofacharlatan，orworse。“
“Butitcouldhardlybedeception。“
“Notdeception？Amanlikehimcouldnotgetthroughthemwithoutbeingrecognised。“
“Idon"tunderstandyou。Bywhom？”
“Byswarmsoflowmiserablecreaturesthatsolamentthelossoftheirbeggarlybodiesthattheywouldbrooduponthemintheshapeofflesh-flies，ratherthanforsaketheputrifyingremnants。Afterthat，chairortableoranythingthattheycancomeintocontactwith，possessesquitesufficientorganizationforsuch。Don"tyourememberthatonce，ratherthanhavenobodytogointo，theycreptintotheveryswine？Therewasafinepassionforself-embodimentandsympathy！Buttheswinethemselvescouldnotstandit，andpreferreddrowning。“
“Thenyoudothinktherewassomethingsupernaturalinit？”
“Nothingintheleast。Itrequirednosupernaturalpowerstobeawarethatagreatmanwasdead，andthatyouhadknownhimwell。
Itannoysme，Sutherland，thatablemen，ay，andgoodmentoo，shouldconsultwithghostswhoseonlypossiblesuperiorityconsistsintheirbeingoutofthebody。Whyshouldtheybethewiserforthat？Ishouldassoonexpecttogainwisdombytakingoffmyclothes，andtoloseitbygettingintobed；ortoriseintotheseventhheavenofspiritualitybyhavingmyhaircut。Animpudentforgeryofthatgoodman"sname！IfIwereyou，Sutherland，Iwouldhavenothingtodowithsuchalowset。Theyarethecanailleoftheotherworld。It"sofnousetolayholdontheirskirts，fortheycan"tfly。They"rejustlikethevultures——easytocatch，becausethey"refullofgarbage。Idoubtiftheyhavemoreintellectleftthanjustenoughtoliewith——Ihavebeencompelledtothinkagooddealaboutthesethingsoflate。“
FalconerputagoodmanyquestionstoHugh，aboutEuphraandherrelationtothecount；andsuchwastheconfidencewithwhichhehadinspiredhim，thatHughfeltatperfectlibertytoanswerthemallfully，notavoidingeventheexposureofhisownfeelings，wherethatwasinvolvedbythestory。
“Now，“saidFalconer，“Ihavematerialoutofwhichtoconstructatheory。Thecountisatpresentlikealawofnatureconcerningwhichaprudentquestionisthefirsthalfoftheanswer，asLordBaconsays；andyoucanputnoquestionwithouthavingfirstformedatheory，howeverslightortemporary；forotherwisenoquestionwillsuggestitself。But，inthemeantime，asIsaidbefore，IwillmakeinquiryuponthetheorythatheissomewhereinLondon，althoughIdoubtit。“
“ThenIwillnotoccupyyourtimeanylongeratpresent，“saidHugh。
“Couldyousay，withoutfetteringyourselfintheleast，whenI
mightbeabletoseeyouagain？”
“Letmesee。Iwillmakeanappointmentwithyou——NextSunday；
here；atteno"clockinthemorning。Makeanoteofit。“
“Thereisnofearofmyforgettingit。MyconsolationsarenotsonumerousthatIcanaffordtoforgetmysolepleasure。You，I
shouldthink，havemoreneedtomakeanoteofitthanI，thoughI
amquitewillingtobeforgotten，ifnecessary。“
“Ineverforgetmyengagements，“saidFalconer。
Theyparted，andHughwenthometohisnovel。
CHAPTERXI。
QUESTIONSANDDREAMS。
OnacertaintimetheLadySt。MaryhadcommandedtheLordJesustofetchhersomewateroutofthewell。Andwhenhehadgonetofetchthewater，thepitcher，whenitwasbroughtupfull，brake。ButJesus，spreadinghismantle，gatheredupthewateragain，andbroughtitinthattohismother——TheFirst(apocryphal)GospeloftheINFANCYofJESUSCHRIST。
Mrs。Eltonreadprayersmorningandevening；——veryelaboratecompositions，whichwouldhaveinstructedtheapostlesthemselvesinmanythingstheyhadneveranticipated。But，unfortunately，Mrs。
Eltonmustlikewisereadcertainremarks，intheformofahomily，intendedtoimpressthescripturewhichprecededituponthemindsofthelisteners。Betweenthemortarofthehomilist"sfaith，andthedullblowsofthepestleofhisarrogance，thefairformoftruthwasgroundintothepowderofpioussmalltalk。ThisresultwasnotpleasanteithertoHarryortoEuphra。Euphra，withherlifethreateningtogotoruinabouther，wascryingoutforhimwhomadethesoulofman，“wholovedusintobeing，“2andwhoalonecanrenewthelifeofhischildren；andinsuchwordsasthoseascoffingdemonseemedtomockatherneeds。Harryhadthenaturaldislikeofallchildlikenaturestoeverythingformal，exclusive，andunjust。But，havingreceivednothingofwhatiscommonlycalledareligioustraining，thisadvantageresultedfromhisnewexperiencesinMrs。Elton"sfamily，thatagooddirectionwasgiventohisthoughtsbythedislikewhichhefelttosuchutterances。
Morethanthis：ahorrorfelluponhimlestthesethingsshouldbetrue；lestthemightyAllofnatureshouldbeonlyamechanism，withoutexpressionandwithoutbeauty；lesttheGodwhomadeusshouldbelikeusonlyinthis，thathetoowasselfishandmeanandproud；lesthisideasshouldresemblethosethatinhabitthebrainofaretiredmoney-maker，orofanarbitrarymonarchclaimingadivineright——insteadoftoweringastheheavensovertheearth，abovetheloftiestmoodsofhighestpoet，mostgenerouschild，ormostdevotedmother。IdonotmeanthatthesethoughtstooktheseshapesinHarry"smind；butthathisfeelingsweresuchasmighthavebeencondensedintosuchthoughts，hadhisintellectbeenmoremature。
Onemorning，thepassageofscripturewhichMrs。EltonreadwasthestoryoftheyoungmanwhocametoJesus，andwentawaysorrowful，becausetheLordthoughtsowellofhim，andlovedhimsoheartily，thathewantedtosethimfreefromhisriches。AgreatportionofthehomilywasoccupiedwithprovingthattheevangelistcouldnotpossiblymeanthatJesuslovedtheyoungmaninanypregnantsenseoftheword；butmerelymeantthatJesus“feltkindlydisposedtowardshim“——feltapoorlittlehumaninterestinhim，infact，anddidnotlovehimdivinelyatall。
Harry"sfacewasinaflameallthetimeshewasreading。Whentheservicewasover——andabondserviceitwasforEuphraandhim——theylefttheroomtogether。Assoonasthedoorwasshut，heburstout：
“Isay，Euphra！Wasn"tthatashame？TheywouldhaveJesusasbadasthemselves。WeshallhavesomebodywritingabooknexttoprovethatafterallJesuswasaPharisee。“
“Nevermind，“saidtheheart-sore，scepticalEuphra；“nevermind，Harry；it"sallnonsense。“
“No，it"snotallnonsense。Jesusdidlovetheyoungman。I
believethestoryitselfbeforealltheDoctorsofDivinityintheworld。Helovesallofus，hedoes——withallhisheart，too。“
“Ihopeso，“wasallshecouldreply；butshewascomfortedbyHarry"svehementconfessionoffaith。
Euphrawassofarsoftened，orperhapsweakened，bysuffering，thatsheyieldedmanythingswhichwouldhaveseemedimpossiblebefore。
OneofthesewasthatshewenttochurchwithMrs。Elton，wherethatladyhopedshewouldgetgoodtohersoul。Harryofcoursewasnotleftbehind。Thechurchshefrequentedwasafashionableone，withavicarmorefashionablestill；forhadheleftthatchurch，morethanhalfhiscongregation，whichconsistedmostlyofladies，wouldhaveleftitalso，andfollowedhimtotheendsofLondon。Hewasamiddle-agedman，witharubicundcountenance，andagentlefamiliarityofmanner，thatwasexceedinglypleasingtothefashionablesheepwho，consciousthattheyhadwanderedfromthefold，werewaitingwithexemplarypatienceforthebarouchesandmail-phaetonsoftheskiestocarrythembackwithoutthetroubleofwalking。Alasforthem！theyhavetolearnthatthechariotsofheavenarechariotsoffire。
TheSundaymorningfollowingtheconversationIhavejustrecorded，theclergyman"ssermonwasdevotedtotheillustrationofthegreatnessandcondescensionoftheSaviour。Afteracertainamountoftameexcitementexpendedupontheconsiderationofhispowerandkingdom，onepassagewaswoundupinthisfashion：
“Yes，myfriends，evenhermostgraciousMajesty，QueenVictoria，therulerovermillionsdiverseinspeechandinhue，towhomwealllookupwithhumblesubmission，andwhomweacknowledgeasoursovereignlady——evenshe，greatassheis，addsbyherhomageajeweltohiscrown；and，hailinghimasherLord，bowsandrendershimworship！Yetthisishewhocomesdowntovisit，yea，dwellswithhisownelect，hischosenones，whomhehasledbacktothefoldofhisgrace。“
Forsomereason，knowntohimself，FalconerhadtakenHugh，whohadgonetohimaccordingtoappointmentthatmorning，tothissamechurch。Astheycameout，Hughsaid：
“Mr——isquiteproudofthehonourdonehismasterbythequeen。“
“Idonotthink，“answeredFalconer，“thathismasterwillthinksomuchofit；forheoncehadhisfeetwashedbyawomanthatwasasinner。“
ThehomilywhichMrs。Eltonreadatprayersthatevening，boreuponthesamesubjectnominallyasthechapterthatprecededit——thatofelection；adoctrinewhichintheBibleassertsthefactofGod"schoosingcertainpersonsforthespecificpurposeofreceivingfirst，andsocommunicatingthegiftsofhisgracetothewholeworld；butwhich，inthehomilyreferredto，wastakentomeanthechoiceofcertainpersonsforultimatesalvation，totheexclusionoftherest。Theyweresittinginsilenceaftertheclose，whenHarrystartedupsuddenly，saying：“Idon"twantGodtoloveme，ifhedoesnotloveeverybody；“and，burstingintotears，hurriedoutoftheroom。Mrs。Eltonwasawfullyshockedathiswickedness。
Euphra，hastenedafterhim；buthewouldnotreturn，andwentsupperlesstobed。Euphra，however，carriedhimsomesupper。Hesatupinbedandateitwiththetearsinhiseyes。Shekissedhim，andbadehimgoodnight；when，justasshewasleavingtheroom，hebrokeoutwith：
“Butonlythink，Euphra，ifitshouldbetrue！Iwouldrathernothavebeenmade。“
“Itisnottrue，“saidEuphra，inwhomafaintglimmeroffaithinGodawokeforthesakeoftheboywhomsheloved——awoketocomforthim，whenitwouldnotopenitseyesforherself。“No，Harrydear，ifthereisaGodatall，heisnotlikethat。“
“No，hecan"tbe，“saidHarry，vehemently，andwiththebrightnessofasuddenthought；“forifhewerelikethat，hewouldn"tbeaGodworthbeing；andthatcouldn"tbe，youknow。“
Euphrakneltbyherbedside，andprayedmorehopefullythanformanydaysbefore。SheprayedthatGodwouldletherknowthathewasnotanidolofman"sinvention。
Tillfriendlysleepcame，anduntiedtheknotofcare，bothEuphraandHarrylaytroubledwiththingstoogreatforthem。Evenintheirsleep，thecarewouldgatheragain，andbodyitselfintodreams。ThefirstthoughtthatvisitedHarrywhenheawoke，wasthememoryofhisdream：thathediedandwenttoheaven；thatheavenwasagreatchurchjustliketheoneMrs。Eltonwentto，onlylarger；thatthepewswerefilledwithangels，socrowdedtogetherthattheyhadtotuckuptheirwingsverycloseindeed——andHarrycouldnothelpwonderingwhattheywantedthemfor；thattheywereallsingingpsalms；thatthepulpitbyalittlechangehadbeenconvertedintoathrone，onwhichsatGodtheFather，lookingverysolemnandsevere；thatJesuswasseatedinthereading-desk，lookingverysad；andthattheHolyGhostsatontheclerk"sdesk，intheshapeofawhitedove；thatacherub，whosefaceremindedhimverymuchofapolicemanheknew，tookhimbytheshoulderfortryingtopluckasplendidgreenfeatheroutofanarchangel"swing，andledhimuptothethrone，whereGodshookhisheadathiminsuchadreadfulway，thathewasterrified，andthenstretchedouthishandtolayholdonhim；thatheshriekedwithfear；andthatJesusputouthishandandliftedhimintothereading-desk，andhidhimdownbelow。AndthereHarrylay，feelingsosafe，strokingandkissingthefeetthathadbeenwearyandwoundedforhim，till，inthegrowingdelightofthethoughtthatheactuallyheldthosefeet，hecameawakeandremembereditall。Trulyitwasachildishdream，butnotwithoutitsownsignificance。ForsurelytheonlyrefugefromheathenishrepresentationsofGodunderChristianforms，theonlyrefugefromman"sblindingandparalysingtheories，fromthedeadwoodenshapessubstitutedforthelivingformsofhumanloveandhopeandaspiration，fromtheinterpretationswhichrenderscriptureasdryasaspeechinChancery——surelytheonerefugefromalltheseawfulevilsistheSonofman；fornomisrepresentationandnomisconceptioncandestroythebeautyofthatfacewhichthemarringofsorrowhaselevatedintotheregionofreality，beyondthemarringofirreverentspeculationandscholasticdefinition。
>FromtheGodofman"spainting，weturntothemanofGod"sbeing，andheleadsustothetrueGod，theradiationofwhoseglorywefirstseeinhim。Happyisthatmanwhohasaglimpseofthis，eveninadreamsuchasHarry"s！——adreaminotherrespectschildishandincongruous，butnotmoreabsurdthantheinstructionwhenceitsprung。
Butthetroublesreturnedwiththeday。Prayersrevivedthem。HesoughtEuphrainherroom。
“TheysayImustrepentandbesorryformysins，“saidhe。“Ihavebeentryingveryhard；butIcan"tthinkofany，exceptoncethatI
gaveGog“(hisWelshpony)“suchabeatingbecausehewouldgowhereIdidn"twanthim。Buthe"sforgottenitlongago；andIgavehimtwofeedsofcornafterit，andsosomehowIcan"tfeelverysorrynow。WhatshallIdo？——Butthat"snotwhatImindmost。ItalwaysseemstomeitwouldbesomuchgranderofGodtosay："Comealong，nevermind。I"llmakeyougood。Ican"twaittillyouaregood；I
loveyousomuch。"“
HisownwordsweretoomuchforHarry，andheburstintotearsatthethoughtofGodbeingsokind。Euphra，insteadoftryingtocomforthim，criedtoo。Thustheycontinuedforsometime，Harrywithhisheadonherknees，andshekindlyfondlingitwithherdistressedhands。Harrywasthefirsttorecover；forhiswastheApriltime，whenrainclearstheheavens。Allatoncehesprungtohisfeet，andexclaimed：
“Onlythink，Euphra！Whatif，afterall，IshouldfindoutthatGodisaskindasyouare！”
HowEuphra"sheartsmoteher！
“DearHarry，“answeredshe，“GodmustbeagreatdealkinderthanI
am。Ihavenotbeenkindtoyouatall。“
“Don"tsaythat，Euphra。IshallbequitecontentifGodisaskindasyou。“
“Oh，Harry！IhopeGodislikewhatIdreamedaboutmymotherlastnight。“
“Tellmewhatyoudreamedabouther，dearEuphra。“
“IdreamedthatIwasalittlechild——“
“Wereyoualittlegirlwhenyourmotherdied？”
“Oh，yes；suchatiny！ButIcanjustrememberher。“
“Tellmeyourdream，then。“
“IdreamedthatIwasalittlegirl，outallaloneonawildmountain-moor，trippingandstumblingonmynight-gown。Andthewindwassocold！And，somehoworother，thewindwasanenemytome，anditfollowedandcaughtme，andwhirledandtossedmeabout，andthenranawayagain。ThenIhastenedon，andthethornswentintomyfeet，andthestonescutthem。AndIheardthebloodfromthemtricklingdownthehill-sideasIwalked。“
“ThentheywouldbelikethefeetIsawinmydreamlastnight。“
“Whosefeetwerethey？”
“Jesus"feet。“
“Tellmeaboutit。“
“Youmustfinishyoursfirst，please，Euphra。“
SoEuphrawenton：
“Igotdreadfullylame。Andthewindranafterme，andcaughtmeagain，andtookmeinhisgreatblueghostlyarms，andshookmeabout，andthendroppedmeagaintogoon。Butitwasveryhardtogoon，andIcouldn"tstop；andtherewasnouseinstopping，forthewindwaseverywhereinamoment。ThensuddenlyIsawbeforemeagreatcataract，allinwhite，fallingflashfromaprecipice；andIthoughtwithmyself，"Iwillgointothecataract，anditwillbeatmylifeout，andthenthewindwillnotgetmeanymore。"SoI
hastenedtowardsit，butthewindcaughtmemanytimesbeforeIgotnearit。AtlastIreachedit，andthrewmyselfdownintothebasinithadhollowedoutoftherocks。ButasIwasfalling，somethingcaughtmegently，andheldmefast，anditwasnotthewind。I
openedmyeyes，andbehold！Iwasinmymother"sarms，andshewasclaspingmetoherbreast；forwhatIhadtakenforacataractfallingintoagulf，wasonlymymother，withherwhitegrave-clothesfloatingallabouther，standingupinhergrave，tolookafterme。"Itwastimeyoucamehome，mydarling，"shesaid，andstoopeddownintohergravewithmeinherarms。Andoh！Iwassohappy；andherbosomwasnotcold，orherarmshard，andshecarriedmejustlikeababy。Andwhenshestoopeddown，thenadooropenedsomewhereinthegrave，Icouldnotfindoutwhereexactly——andinamomentafter，weweresittingtogetherinasummergrove，withthetree-topssteepedinsunshine，andwavingaboutinaquietlovingwind——oh，howdifferentfromtheonethatchasedmehome！——andweunderneathintheshadowofthetrees。AndthenI
said，"Mother，I"vehurtmyfeet。"“
“Didyoucallhermotherwhenyouwerealittlegirl？”interposedHarry。
“No，“answeredEuphra。“Icalledhermamma，likeotherchildren；butinmydreamsIalwayscallhermother。“
“Andwhatdidshesay？”
“Shesaid——"Poorchild！"——andheldmyfeettoherbosom；andafterthat，whenIlookedatthem，thebleedingwasallgone，andIwasnotlameanymore。“
Euphra，pausedwithasigh。
“Oh，Harry！Idonotliketobelame。“
“Whatmore？”saidHarry，intentonlyonthedream。
“Oh！thenIwassohappy，thatIwokeupdirectly。“
“Whatapity！Butifitshouldcometrue？”
“Howcoulditcometrue，dearHarry？”
“Why，thisworldissometimescold，andtheroadishard——youknowwhatImean，Euphra。“
“Yes，Ido。“
“IwishIcoulddreamdreamslikethat！Howcleveryoumustbe！”
“Butyoudreamdreams，too，Harry。Tellmeyours。“
“Oh，no，Ineverdreamdreams；thedreamsdreamme，“answeredHarry，withasmile。
Thenhetoldhisdream，towhichEuphralistenedwithaninterestuninjuredbythegrotesquenessofitsfancy。Eachinterpretedtheother"swithreverence。
Theyceasedtalking；andsatsilentforawhile。ThenHarry，puttinghisarmsroundEuphra"sneck，andhislipsclosetoherear，whispered：
“PerhapsGodwillsaymydarlingtoyousomeday，Euphra；justasyourmotherdidinyourdream。“
Shewassilent。Harrylookedroundintoherface，andsawthatthetearswereflowingfast。
Atthatinstant，agentleknockcametothedoor。Euphracouldnotreplytoit。Itwasrepeated。Afteranothermoment"sdelay，thedooropened，andMargaretwalkedin。