第1章

SEQUEL

PREFATORYNOTE

Thefollowingstory，thefirstpublishedbytheauthor，waswrittennineteenyearsago，atatimewhenhewasfeelinghiswaytoamethod。Theprinciplesobservedinitscompositionare，nodoubt，tooexclusivelythoseinwhichmystery，entanglement，surprise，andmoralobliquityaredependedonforexcitinginterest；butsomeofthescenes，andatleastoneofthecharacters，havebeendeemednotunworthyofalittlelongerpreservation；andastheycouldhardlybereproducedinafragmentaryformthenovelisreissuedcomplete——

themorereadilythatithasforsomeconsiderabletimebeenreprintedandwidelycirculatedinAmerica。

January1889。

TotheforegoingnoteIhaveonlytoaddthat，inthepresenteditionof"DesperateRemedies，"someWessextownsandotherplacesthatarecommontothescenesofseveralofthesestorieshavebeencalledforthefirsttimebythenamesunderwhichtheyappearelsewhere，forthesatisfactionofanyreaderwhomaycareforconsistencyinsuchmatters。

Thisistheonlymaterialchange；for，asithappenedthatcertaincharacteristicswhichprovokedmostdiscussioninmylateststorywerepresentinthismyfirst——publishedin1871，whentherewasnoFrenchnameforthemithasseemedbesttoletthemstandunaltered。

T。H。

February1896。

I。THEEVENTSOFTHIRTYYEARS

1。DECEMBERANDJANUARY，1835-36

InthelongandintricatelyinwroughtchainofcircumstancewhichrendersworthyofrecordsomeexperiencesofCythereaGraye，EdwardSpringrove，andothers，thefirsteventdirectlyinfluencingtheissuewasaChristmasvisit。

Intheabove-mentionedyear，1835，AmbroseGraye，ayoungarchitectwhohadjustbegunthepracticeofhisprofessioninthemidlandtownofHocbridge，tothenorthofChristminster，wenttoLondontospendtheChristmasholidayswithafriendwholivedinBloomsbury。

TheyhadgoneuptoCambridgeinthesameyear，and，aftergraduatingtogether，Huntway，thefriend，hadtakenorders。

Grayewashandsome，frank，andgentle。Hehadaqualityofthoughtwhich，exercisedonhomeliness，washumour；onnature，picturesqueness；onabstractions，poetry。Being，asarule，broadcast，itwasallthree。

Ofthewickednessoftheworldhewastooforgetful。Todiscoverevilinanewfriendistomostpeopleonlyanadditionalexperience：tohimitwaseverasurprise。

WhileinLondonhebecameacquaintedwitharetiredofficerintheNavynamedBradleigh，who，withhiswifeandtheirdaughter，livedinastreetnotfarfromRussellSquare。Thoughtheywereinnomorethancomfortablecircumstances，thecaptain"swifecameofanancientfamilywhosegenealogicaltreewasinterlacedwithsomeofthemostillustriousandwell-knowninthekingdom。

Theyounglady，theirdaughter，seemedtoGrayebyfarthemostbeautifulandqueenlybeinghehadeverbeheld。Shewasaboutnineteenortwenty，andhernamewasCytherea。Intruthshewasnotsoveryunlikecountrygirlsofthattypeofbeauty，exceptinonerespect。Shewasperfectinhermannerandbearing，andtheywerenot。Ameredistinguishingpeculiarity，bycatchingtheeye，isoftenreadasthepervadingcharacteristic，andsheappearedtohimnolessthanperfectionthroughout——transcendingherruralrivalsinverynature。Grayedidathingtheblissfulnessofwhichwasonlyeclipsedbyitshazardousness。Helovedheratfirstsight。

HisintroductionshadledhimintocontactwithCythereaandherparentstwoorthreetimesonthefirstweekofhisarrivalinLondon，andaccidentandalover"scontrivancebroughtthemtogetherasfrequentlytheweekfollowing。TheparentslikedyoungGraye，andhavingfewfriends(fortheirequalsinbloodweretheirsuperiorsinposition)，hewasreceivedonverygenerousterms。HispassionforCythereagrewnotonlystrong，butineffablyexalted：

she，withoutpositivelyencouraginghim，tacitlyassentedtohisschemesforbeingnearher。Herfatherandmotherseemedtohavelostallconfidenceinnobilityofbirth，withoutmoneytogiveeffecttoitspresence，andlookeduponthebuddingconsequenceoftheyoungpeople"sreciprocalglanceswithplacidity，ifnotactualfavour。

Graye"swholeimpassioneddreamterminatedinasadandunaccountableepisode。Afterpassingthroughthreeweeksofsweetexperience，hehadarrivedatthelaststage——akindofmoralGaza——

beforeplungingintoanemotionaldesert。ThesecondweekinJanuaryhadcomeround，anditwasnecessaryfortheyoungarchitecttoleavetown。

Throughouthisacquaintanceshipwiththeladyofhishearttherehadbeenthismarkedpeculiarityinherlove：shehaddelightedinhispresenceasasweetheartshoulddo，yetfromfirsttolastshehadrepressedallrecognitionofthetruenatureofthethreadwhichdrewthemtogether，blindingherselftoitsmeaningandonlynaturaltendency，andappearingtodreadhisannouncementofthem。Thepresentseemedenoughforherwithoutcumulativehope：usually，evenifloveisinitselfanend，itmustberegardedasabeginningtobeenjoyed。

Inspiteofevasionsasanobstacle，andinconsequenceofthemasaspur，hewouldputthematteroffnolonger。Itwasevening。Hetookherintoalittleconservatoryonthelanding，andthereamongtheevergreens，bythelightofafewtinylamps，infinitelyenhancingthefreshnessandbeautyoftheleaves，hemadethedeclarationofaloveasfreshandbeautifulasthey。

"Mylove——mydarling，bemywife！"

Sheseemedlikeonejustawakened。"Ah——wemustpartnow！"shefaltered，inavoiceofanguish。"Iwillwritetoyou。"Sheloosenedherhandandrushedaway。

InawildfeverGrayewenthomeandwatchedforthenextmorning。

Whoshallexpresshismiseryandwonderwhenanotecontainingthesewordswasputintohishand？

"Good-bye；good-byeforever。Asrecognizedloverssomethingdividesuseternally。Forgiveme——Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore；

butyourlovewassweet！Nevermentionme。"

Thatveryday，andasitseemed，toputanendtoapainfulconditionofthings，daughterandparentsleftLondontopayoffapromisedvisittoarelativeinawesterncounty。Nomessageorletterofentreatycouldwringfromheranyexplanation。Shebeggedhimnottofollowher，andthemostbewilderingpointwasthatherfatherandmotherappeared，fromthetoneofaletterGrayereceivedfromthem，asvexedandsadasheatthissuddenrenunciation。Onethingwasplain：withoutadmittingherreasonasvalid，theyknewwhatthatreasonwas，anddidnotintendtorevealit。

AweekfromthatdayAmbroseGrayelefthisfriendHuntway"shouseandsawnomoreoftheLovehemourned。FromtimetotimehisfriendansweredanyinquiryGrayemadebyletterrespectingher。

Butverypoorfoodtoaloverisintelligenceofamistressfilteredthroughafriend。Huntwaycouldtellnothingdefinitely。HesaidhebelievedtherehadbeensomepriorflirtationbetweenCythereaandhercousin，anofficeroftheline，twoorthreeyearsbeforeGrayemether，whichhadsuddenlybeenterminatedbythecousin"sdepartureforIndia，andtheyounglady"stravellingontheContinentwithherparentsthewholeoftheensuingsummer，onaccountofdelicatehealth。EventuallyHuntwaysaidthatcircumstanceshadrenderedGraye"sattachmentmorehopelessstill。

Cytherea"smotherhadunexpectedlyinheritedalargefortuneandestatesinthewestofEnglandbytherapidfallofsomeinterveninglives。ThishadcausedtheirremovalfromthesmallhouseinBloomsbury，and，asitappeared，arenunciationoftheiroldfriendsinthatquarter。

YoungGrayeconcludedthathisCythereahadforgottenhimandhislove。Buthecouldnotforgether。

2。FROM1843TO1861

Eightyearslater，feelinglonelyanddepressed——amanwithoutrelatives，withmanyacquaintancesbutnofriends——AmbroseGrayemetayoungladyofadifferentkind，fairlyendowedwithmoneyandgoodgifts。AstocaringverydeeplyforanotherwomanafterthelossofCytherea，itwasanabsoluteimpossibilitywithhim。Withall，thebeautifulthingsoftheearthbecomemoredearastheyeludepursuit；butwithsomenaturesutterelusionistheonespecialeventwhichwillmakeapassinglovepermanentforever。

ThissecondyoungladyandGrayeweremarried。Thathedidnot，firstorlast，lovehiswifeasheshouldhavedone，wasknowntoall；butfewknewthathisunmanageableheartcouldneverbeweanedfromuselessrepiningatthelossofitsfirstidol。

Hischaractertosomeextentdeteriorated，asemotionalconstitutionswillunderthelongsenseofdisappointmentathavingmissedtheirimagineddestiny。Andthus，thoughnaturallyofagentleandpleasantdisposition，hegrewtobenotsotenderlyregardedbyhisacquaintancesasitisthelotofsomeofthosepersonstobe。Thewinningandsanguinereceptivityofhisearlylifedevelopedbydegreesamoodynervousness，andwhennotpicturingprospectsdrawnfrombaselesshopehewasthevictimofindescribabledepression。Thepracticalissueofsuchaconditionwasimprovidence，originallyalmostanunconsciousimprovidence，foreverydebtincurredhadbeenmentallypaidoffwithareligiousexactnessfromthetreasuresofexpectationbeforementioned。Butasyearsrevolved，thesamecoursewascontinuedfromthelackofspiritsufficientforshiftingoutofanoldgroovewhenithasbeenfoundtoleadtodisaster。

Intheyear1861hiswifedied，leavinghimawidowerwithtwochildren。Theelder，asonnamedOwen，nowjustturnedseventeen，wastakenfromschool，andinitiatedaspupiltotheprofessionofarchitectinhisfather"soffice。Theremainingchildwasadaughter，andOwen"sjuniorbyayear。

HerchristiannamewasCytherea，anditiseasytoguesswhy。

3。OCTOBERTHETWELFTH，1863

Wepassovertwoyearsinordertoreachthenextcardinaleventofthesepersons"lives。ThesceneisstilltheGrayes"nativetownofHocbridge，butasitappearedonaMondayafternooninthemonthofOctober。

Theweatherwassunnyanddry，buttheancientboroughwastobeseenwearingoneofitsleastattractiveaspects。Firstonaccountofthetime。Itwasthatstagnanthourofthetwenty-fourwhenthepracticalgarishnessofDay，havingescapedfromthefreshlongshadowsandenliveningnewnessofthemorning，hasnotyetmadeanyperceptibleadvancetowardsacquiringthosemellowandsoothingtoneswhichgraceitsdecline。Next，itwasthatstageintheprogressoftheweekwhenbusiness——which，carriedonunderthegablesofanoldcountryplace，isnotdevoidofaromanticsparkle——

waswell-nighextinguished。Lastly，thetownwasintentionallybentuponbeingattractivebyexhibitingtoaninfluxofvisitorsthelocaltalentfordramaticrecitation，andprovincialtownstryingtobelivelyarethedullestofdullthings。

Littletownsarelikelittlechildreninthisrespect，thattheyinterestmostwhentheyareenactingnativepeculiaritiesunconsciousofbeholders。Discoveringthemselvestobewatchedtheyattempttobeentertainingbyputtingonanantic，andproducedisagreeablecaricatureswhichspoilthem。

Theweather-stainedclock-faceinthelowchurchtowerstandingattheintersectionofthethreechiefstreetswasexpressinghalf-pasttwototheTownHallopposite，wherethemuchtalked-ofreadingfromShakespearewasabouttobegin。Thedoorswereopen，andthosepersonswhohadalreadyassembledwithinthebuildingwerenoticingtheentranceofthenew-comers——silentlycriticizingtheirdress——

questioningthegenuinenessoftheirteethandhair——estimatingtheirprivatemeans。

Amongtheselateronescameanexceptionalyoungmaidenwhoglowedamidthedulnesslikeasinglebright-redpoppyinafieldofbrownstubble。Sheworeanelegantdarkjacket，lavenderdress，hatwithgreystringsandtrimmings，andglovesofacolourtoharmonize。

Shelightlywalkedupthesidepassageoftheroom，castaslightglancearound，andenteredtheseatpointedouttoher。

TheyounggirlwasCythereaGraye；heragewasnowabouteighteen。

Duringherentry，andatvarioustimeswhilstsittinginherseatandlisteningtothereaderontheplatform，herpersonalappearanceformedaninterestingsubjectofstudyforseveralneighbouringeyes。

Herfacewasexceedinglyattractive，thoughartisticallylessperfectthanherfigure，whichapproachedunusuallyneartothestandardoffaultlessness。Buteventhisfeatureofhersyieldedthepalmtothegracefulnessofhermovement，whichwasfascinatinganddelightfultoanextremedegree。

Indeed，motionwasherspeciality，whethershownonitsmostextendedscaleofbodilyprogression，orminutely，asintheupliftingofhereyelids，thebendingofherfingers，thepoutingofherlip。Thecarriageofherhead——motionwithinmotion——aglideuponaglide——wasasdelicateasthatofamagneticneedle。Andthisflexibilityandelasticityhadneverbeentaughtherbyrule，norevenbeenacquiredbyobservation，but，nullocultu，hadnaturallydevelopeditselfwithheryears。Inchildhood，astoneorstalkintheway，whichhadbeentheinevitableoccasionofafalltoherplaymates，hadusuallylefthersafeanduprightonherfeetafterthenarrowestescapebyoscillationsandwhirlsforthepreservationofherbalance。AtmixedChristmasparties，whenshenumberedbuttwelveorthirteenyears，andwasheartilydespisedonthataccountbyladswhodeemedthemselvesmen，heraptlightnessinthedancecoveredthisincompletenessinherwomanhood，andcompelledtheself-sameyouthsinspiteofresolutionstoseizeuponherchildishfigureasapartnerwhomtheycouldnotaffordtocontemn。Andinlateryears，whentheinstinctsofhersexhadshownherthispointasthebestandrarestfeatureinherexternalself，shewasnotfoundwantinginattentiontothecultivationoffinishinitsdetails。

Herhairrestedgailyuponhershouldersincurlsandwasofashiningcornyellowinthehighlights，deepeningtoadefinitenut-

brownaseachcurlwoundroundintotheshade。Shehadeyesofasapphirehue，thoughratherdarkerthanthegemordinarilyappears；

theypossessedtheaffectionateandliquidsparkleofloyaltyandgoodfaithasdistinguishablefromthatharderbrightnesswhichseemstoexpressfaithfulnessonlytotheobjectconfrontingthem。

Buttoattempttogainaviewofher——orindeedofanyfascinatingwoman——fromameasuredcategory，isasdifficultastoappreciatetheeffectofalandscapebyexploringitatnightwithalantern——

orofafullchordofmusicbypipingthenotesinsuccession。

Neverthelessitmayreadilybebelievedfromthedescriptionhereventured，thatamongthemanywinningphasesofheraspect，thesewereparticularlystriking：——

Duringpleasantdoubt，whenhereyesbrightenedstealthilyandsmiled(aseyeswillsmile)asdistinctlyasherlips，andinthespaceofasingleinstantexpressedclearlythewholeroundofdegreesofexpectancywhichlieoverthewideexpansebetweenYeaandNay。

Duringthetellingofasecret，whichwasinvoluntarilyaccompaniedbyasuddenminutestart，andecstaticpressureofthelistener"sarm，side，orneck，asthepositionanddegreeofintimacydictated。

Whenanxiouslyregardingonewhopossessedheraffections。

Shesuddenlyassumedthelast-mentionedbearingintheprogressofthepresententertainment。Herglancewasdirectedoutofthewindow。

Whytheparticularsofayounglady"spresenceataverymediocreperformancewerepreventedfromdroppingintotheoblivionwhichtheirintrinsicinsignificancewouldnaturallyhaveinvolved——whytheywererememberedandindividualizedbyherselfandothersthroughafteryears——wassimplythatsheunknowinglystood，asitwere，upontheextremeposterioredgeofatractinherlife，inwhichtherealmeaningofTakingThoughthadneverbeenknown。Itwasthelasthourofexperiencesheeverenjoyedwithamindentirelyfreefromaknowledgeofthatlabyrinthintowhichshesteppedimmediatelyafterwards——tocontinueaperplexedcoursealongitsmazesforthegreaterportionoftwenty-ninesubsequentmonths。

TheTownHall，inwhichCythereasat，wasabuildingofbrownstone，andthroughoneofthewindowscouldbeseenfromtheinterioroftheroomthehousetopsandchimneysoftheadjacentstreet，andalsotheupperpartofaneighbouringchurchspire，nowincourseofcompletionunderthesuperintendenceofMissGraye"sfather，thearchitecttothework。

ThatthetopofthisspireshouldbevisiblefromherpositionintheroomwasafactwhichCytherea"sidlingeyeshaddiscoveredwithsomeinterest，andshewasnowengagedinwatchingthescenethatwasbeingenactedaboutitsairysummit。Roundtheconicalstoneworkroseacageofscaffoldingagainstthebluesky，anduponthisstoodfivemen——fourinclothesaswhiteasthenewerectionclosebeneaththeirhands，thefifthintheordinarydarksuitofagentleman。

Thefourworking-meninwhitewerethreemasonsandamason"slabourer。Thefifthmanwasthearchitect，Mr。Graye。Hehadbeengivingdirectionsasitseemed，andretiringasfarasthenarrowfootwayallowed，stoodperfectlystill。

ThepicturethuspresentedtoaspectatorintheTownHallwascuriousandstriking。Itwasanilluminatedminiature，framedinbythedarkmarginofthewindow，thekeen-edgedshadinessofwhichemphasizedbycontrastthesoftnessoftheobjectsenclosed。

Theheightofthespirewasaboutonehundredandtwentyfeet，andthefivemenengagedthereonseemedentirelyremovedfromthesphereandexperiencesofordinaryhumanbeings。Theyappearedlittlelargerthanpigeons，andmadetheirtinymovementswithasoft，spirit-likesilentness。Oneideaaboveallotherswasconveyedtothemindofapersononthegroundbytheiraspect，namely，concentrationofpurpose：thattheywereindifferentto——evenunconsciousof——thedistractedworldbeneaththem，andallthatmoveduponit。Theyneverlookedoffthescaffolding。

Thenoneofthemturned；itwasMr。Graye。Againhestoodmotionless，withattentiontotheoperationsoftheothers。Heappearedtobelostinreflection，andhaddirectedhisfacetowardsanewstonetheywerelifting。

"Whydoeshestandlikethat？"theyoungladythoughtatlength——uptothatmomentaslistlessandcarelessasoneoftheancientTarentines，who，onsuchanafternoonasthis，watchedfromtheTheatretheentryintotheirHarbourofapowerthatoverturnedtheState。

Shemovedherselfuneasily。"Iwishhewouldcomedown，"shewhispered，stillgazingattheskybackedpicture。"Itissodangeroustobeabsent-mindedupthere。"

Whenshehaddonemurmuringthewordsherfatherindecisivelylaidholdofoneofthescaffold-poles，asiftotestitsstrength，thenletitgoandsteppedback。Instepping，hisfootslipped。Aninstantofdoublingforwardandsideways，andhereeledoffintotheair，immediatelydisappearingdownwards。

Hisagonizeddaughterrosetoherfeetbyaconvulsivemovement。

Herlipsparted，andshegaspedforbreath。Shecouldutternosound。Onebyonethepeopleabouther，unconsciousofwhathadhappened，turnedtheirheads，andinquiryandalarmbecamevisibleupontheirfacesatthesightofthepoorchild。Amomentlonger，andshefelltothefloor，ThenextimpressionofwhichCythereahadanyconsciousnesswasofbeingcarriedfromastrangevehicleacrossthepavementtothestepsofherownhousebyherbrotherandanolderman。

Recollectionofwhathadpassedevolveditselfaninstantlater，andjustastheyenteredthedoor——throughwhichanotherandsadderburdenhadbeencarriedbutafewinstantsbefore——hereyescaughtsightofthesouth-westernsky，and，withoutheeding，sawwhitesunlightshininginshaft-likelinesfromariftinaslatycloud。

Emotionswillattachthemselvestoscenesthataresimultaneous——

howeverforeigninessencethesescenesmaybe——aschemicalwaterswillcrystallizeontwigsandwires。EvenafterthattimeanymentalagonybroughtlessvividlytoCytherea"smindthescenefromtheTownHallwindowsthansunlightstreaminginshaft-likelines。

4。OCTOBERTHENINETEENTH

Whendeathentersahouse，anelementofsadnessandanelementofhorroraccompanyit。Sadness，fromthedeathitself：horror，fromthecloudsofblacknesswedesignedlylabourtointroduce。

Thefuneralhadtakenplace。Depressed，yetresolvedinhisdemeanour，OwenGrayesatbeforehisfather"sprivateescritoire，engagedinturningoutandunfoldingaheterogeneouscollectionofpapers——forbiddingandinharmonioustotheeyeatalltimes——mostofalltooneundertheinfluenceofagreatgrief。Laminaeofwhitepapertiedwithtwinewereindiscriminatelyintermixedwithotherwhitepapersboundedbyblackedges——thesewithbluefoolscapwrappedroundwithcruderedtape。

Thebulkoftheseletters，bills，andotherdocumentsweresubmittedtoacarefulexamination，bywhichtheappendedparticularswereascertained：——

First，thattheirfather"sincomefromprofessionalsourceshadbeenverysmall，amountingtonotmorethanhalftheirexpenditure；

andthathisownandhiswife"sproperty，uponwhichhehadreliedforthebalance，hadbeensunkandlostinunwiseloanstounscrupulousmen，whohadtradedupontheirfather"stooopen-

heartedtrustfulness。

Second，thatfindinghismistake，hehadendeavouredtoregainhisstandingbytheillusorypathofspeculation。Themostnotableinstanceofthiswasthefollowing。Hehadbeeninduced，whenatPlymouthintheautumnofthepreviousyear，toventureallhissparecapitalonthebottomrysecurityofanItalianbrigwhichhadputintotheharbourindistress。Theprofitwastobeconsiderable，sowastherisk。Thereturnedouttobenosecuritywhatever。Thecircumstancesofthecasetendereditthemostunfortunatespeculationthatamanlikehimself——ignorantofallsuchmatters——couldpossiblyengagein。Thevesselwentdown，andallMr。Graye"smoneywithit。

Third，thatthesefailureshadlefthimburdenedwithdebtsheknewnothowtomeet；sothatatthetimeofhisdeatheventhefewpoundslyingtohisaccountatthebankwerehisonlyinname。

Fourth，thatthelossofhiswifetwoyearsearlierhadawakenedhimtoakeensenseofhisblindness，andofhisdutybyhischildren。Hehadthenresolvedtoreinstatebyunflaggingzealinthepursuitofhisprofession，andbynospeculation，atleastaportionofthelittlefortunehehadletgo。

Cythereawasfrequentlyatherbrother"selbowduringtheseexaminations。Sheoftenremarkedsadly——

"Poorpapafailedtofulfilhisgoodintentionforwantoftime，didn"the，Owen？Andtherewasanexcuseforhispast，thoughheneverwouldclaimit。Ineverforgetthatoriginaldishearteningblow，andhowthatfromitsprangalltheillsofhislife——

everythingconnectedwithhisgloom，andthelassitudeinbusinessweusedsooftentoseeabouthim。"

"Irememberwhathesaidonce，"returnedthebrother，"whenIsatuplatewithhim。Hesaid，“Owen，don"tlovetooblindly：blindlyyouwillloveifyouloveatall，butalittlecareisstillpossibletoawell-disciplinedheart。Maythatheartbeyoursasitwasnotmine，“fathersaid。“Cultivatetheartofrenunciation。“AndIamgoingto，Cytherea。"

"Andoncemammasaidthatanexcellentwomanwaspapa"sruin，becausehedidnotknowthewaytogiveherupwhenhehadlosther。

Iwonderwheresheisnow，Owen？Weweretoldnottotrytofindoutanythingabouther。Papanevertoldushername，didhe？"

"Thatwasbyherownrequest，Ibelieve。Butnevermindher；shewasnotourmother。"

TheloveaffairwhichhadbeenAmbroseGraye"sdishearteningblowwaspreciselyofthatnaturewhichladstakelittleaccountof，butgirlsponderintheirhearts。

5。FROMOCTOBERTHENINETEENTHTOJULYTHENINTH

ThusAmbroseGraye"sgoodintentionswithregardtothereintegrationofhispropertyhadscarcelytakentangibleformwhenhissuddendeathputthemforeveroutofhispower。

Heavybills，showingtheextentofhisobligations，tumbledinimmediatelyupontheheelsofthefuneralfromquarterspreviouslyunheardandunthoughtof。Thuspressed，abillwasfiledinChancerytohavetheassets，suchastheywere，administeredbytheCourt。

"Whatwillbecomeofusnow？"thoughtOwencontinually。

Thereisinusanunquenchableexpectation，whichatthegloomiesttimepersistsininferringthatbecauseweareOURSELVES，theremustbeaspecialfutureinstoreforus，thoughournatureandantecedentstotheremotestparticularhavebeencommontothousands。ThustoCythereaandOwenGrayethequestionhowtheirliveswouldendseemedthedeepestofpossibleenigmas。Tootherswhoknewtheirpositionequallywellwiththemselvesthequestionwastheeasiestthatcouldbeasked——"Likethoseofotherpeoplesimilarlycircumstanced。"

ThenOwenheldaconsultationwithhissistertocometosomedecisionontheirfuturecourse，andamonthwaspassedinwaitingforanswerstoletters，andintheexaminationofschemesmoreorlessfutile。Suddenhopesthatwererainbowstothesightprovedbutmiststothetouch。Inthemeantime，unpleasantremarks，disguisethemassomewell-meaningpeoplemight，werefloatingaroundthemeveryday。Theundoubtedtruth，thattheywerethechildrenofadreamerwholetslipawayeveryfarthingofhismoneyandranintodebtwithhisneighbours——thatthedaughterhadbeenbroughtuptonoprofession——thatthesonwhohad，hadmadenoprogressinit，andmightcometothedogs——couldnotfromthenatureofthingsbewrappedupinsilenceinorderthatitmightnothurttheirfeelings；andasamatteroffact，itgreetedtheirearsinsomeformorotherwherevertheywent。Theirfewacquaintancespassedthemhurriedly。Ancientpot-wallopers，andthrivingshopkeepers，intheirintervalsofleisure，stoodattheirshop-

doors——theirtoeshangingovertheedgeofthestep，andtheirobesewaistshangingovertheirtoes——andindiscourseswithfriendsonthepavement，formulatedthecourseoftheimprovident，andreducedthechildren"sprospectstoashadow-likeattenuation。Thesonsofthesemen(whoworebreastpinsofasarcastickind，andsmokedhumorouspipes)staredatCythereawithastareunmitigatedbyanyoftherespectthathadformerlysoftenedit。

Nowitisanoticeablefactthatwedonotmuchmindwhatmenthinkofus，orwhathumiliatingsecrettheydiscoverofourmeans，parentage，orobject，providedthateachthinksandactsthereuponinisolation。Itistheexchangeofideasaboutusthatwedreadmost；andthepossessionbyahundredacquaintances，severallyinsulated，oftheknowledgeofourskeleton-closet"swhereabouts，isnotsodistressingtothenervesasachatoveritbyapartyofhalf-a-dozen——exclusivedepositariesthoughthesemaybe。

Perhaps，thoughHocbridgewatchedandwhispered，itsanimuswouldhavebeenlittlemorethanatrifletopersonsinthrivingcircumstances。Butunfortunately，poverty，whilstitisnew，andbeforetheskinhashadtimetothicken，makespeoplesusceptibleinverselytotheiropportunitiesforshieldingthemselves。InOwenwasfound，inplaceofhisfather"simpressibility，alargershareofhisfather"spride，andasquarenessofideawhich，ifcoupledwithalittlemoreblindness，wouldhaveamountedtopositiveprejudice。Tohimhumanity，sofarashehadthoughtofitatall，wasratherdividedintodistinctclassesthanblendedfromextremetoextreme。Hencebyasequenceofideaswhichmightbetracedifitwereworthwhile，heeitherdetestedorrespectedopinion，andinstinctivelysoughttoescapeacoldshadethatmeresensitivenesswouldhaveendured。Hecouldhavesubmittedtoseparation，sickness，exile，drudgery，hungerandthirst，withstoicalindifference，butsuperciliousnesswastooincisive。

Afterlivingonforninemonthsinattemptstomakeanincomeashisfather"ssuccessorintheprofession——attemptswhichwereutterlyfruitlessbyreasonofhisinexperience——Grayecametoasimpleandsweepingresolution。TheywouldprivatelyleavethatpartofEngland，dropfromthesightofacquaintances，gossips，harshcritics，andbittercreditorsofwhosemisfortunehewasnotthecause，andescapethepositionwhichgalledhimbytheonlyroadtheirgreatpovertyleftopentothem——thatofhisobtainingsomeemploymentinadistantplacebyfollowinghisprofessionasahumbleunder-draughtsman。

Hethoughtoverhiscapabilitieswiththesensationsofasoldiergrindinghisswordattheopeningofacampaign。Whatwithlackofemployment，owingtothedecreaseofhislatefather"spractice，andtheabsenceofdirectanduncompromisingpressuretowardsmonetaryresultsfromapupil"slabour(whichseemstobealwaysthecasewhenaprofessionalman"spupilisalsohisson)，Owen"sprogressintheartandscienceofarchitecturehadbeenveryinsignificantindeed。Thoughanythingbutanidleyoungman，hehadhardlyreachedtheageatwhichindustriousmenwholackanexternalwhiptosendthemonintheworld，areinducedbytheirowncommonsensetowhiponthemselves。Hencehisknowledgeofplans，elevations，sections，andspecifications，wasnotgreaterattheendoftwoyearsofprobationthanmighteasilyhavebeenacquiredinsixmonthsbyayouthofaverageability——himself，forinstance——amidabustlingLondonpractice。

Butatanyratehecouldmakehimselfhandytooneoftheprofession——somemaninaremotetown——andtherefulfilhisindentures。Atangibleinducementlayinthisdirectionofsurvey。

Hehadaslightconceptionofsuchaman——aMr。Gradfield——whowasinpracticeinBudmouthRegis，aseaporttownandwatering-placeinthesouthofEngland。

Aftersomedoubts，Grayeventuredtowritetothisgentleman，askingthenecessaryquestion，shortlyalludingtohisfather"sdeath，andstatingthathistermofapprenticeshiphadonlyhalfexpired。Hewouldbegladtocompletehisarticlesataverylowsalaryforthewholeremainingtwoyears，providedpaymentcouldbeginatonce。

TheanswerfromMr。GradfieldstatedthathewasnotinwantofapupilwhowouldservetheremainderofhistimeonthetermsMr。

Grayementioned。Buthewouldjustaddoneremark。Hechancedtobeinwantofsomeyoungmaninhisoffice——forashorttimeonly，probablyabouttwomonths——totracedrawings，andattendtoothersubsidiaryworkofthekind。IfMr。Grayedidnotobjecttooccupysuchaninferiorpositionasthesedutieswouldentail，andtoacceptweeklywageswhichtoonewithhisexpectationswouldbeconsideredmerelynominal，thepostwouldgivehimanopportunityforlearningafewmoredetailsoftheprofession。

"Itisabeginning，and，aboveall，anabiding-place，awayfromtheshadowofthecloudwhichhangsoverushere——Iwillgo，"saidOwen。

Cytherea"splanforherfuture，anintenselysimpleone，owingtotheevengreaternarrownessofherresources，wasalreadymarkedout。Oneadvantagehadaccruedtoherthroughhermother"spossessionofafairshareofpersonalproperty，andperhapsonlyone。Shehadbeencarefullyeducated。Uponthisconsiderationherplanwasbased。Shewastotakeupherabodeinherbrother"slodgingatBudmouth，whenshewouldimmediatelyadvertiseforasituationasgoverness，havingobtainedtheconsentofalawyeratAldbrickhamwhowaswindingupherfather"saffairs，andwhoknewthehistoryofherposition，toallowhimselftobereferredtointhematterofherpastlifeandrespectability。

Earlyonemorningtheydepartedfromtheirnativetown，leavingbehindthemscarcelyatraceoftheirfootsteps。

Thenthetownpitiedtheirwantofwisdomintakingsuchastep。

"Rashness；theywouldhavemadeabetterincomeinHocbridge，wheretheyareknown！Thereisnodoubtthattheywould。"

ButwhatisWisdomreally？Asteadyhandlingofanymeanstobringaboutanyendnecessarytohappiness。

Yetwhetherone"sendbetheusualend——awealthypositioninlife——

orno，thenameofwisdomisseldomappliedbuttothemeanstothatusualend。

II。THEEVENTSOFAFORTNIGHT

1。THENINTHOFJULY

Thedayoftheirdeparturewasoneofthemostglowingthattheclimaxofalongseriesofsummerheatscouldevolve。Thewideexpanseoflandscapequiveredupanddownliketheflameofataper，astheysteamedalongthroughthemidstofit。Placidflocksofsheeprecliningundertreesalittlewayoffappearedofapalebluecolour。Cloverfieldswerelividwiththebrightnessofthesunupontheirdeepredflowers。Allwaggonsandcartsweremovedtotheshadebytheircarefulowners，rain-waterbuttsfelltopieces；

well-bucketswereloweredinsidethecoversofthewell-hole，topreservethemfromthefateofthebutts，andgenerally，waterseemedscarcerinthecountrythanthebeerandciderofthepeasantrywhotoiledoridledthere。

Toseepersonslookingwithchildren"seyesatanyordinaryscenery，isaproofthattheypossessthecharmingfacultyofdrawingnewsensationsfromanoldexperience——ahealthysign，rareinthesefeverishdays——themarkofanimperishablebrightnessofnature。

Bothbrotherandsistercoulddothis；Cythereamorenoticeably。

Theywatchedtheundulatingcorn-lands，monotonoustoalltheircompanions；thestonyandclayeyprospectsucceedingthose，withitsangularandabrupthills。Boggymoorscamenext，nowwitheredanddry——thespotsuponwhichpoolsusuallyspreadtheirwatersshowingthemselvesascirclesofsmoothbaresoil，over-runbyanet-workofinnumerablelittlefissures。Thenaroseplantationsoffirs，abruptlyterminatingbesidemeadowscleanlymown，inwhichhigh-

hipped，rich-colouredcows，withbackshorizontalandstraightastheridgeofahouse，stoodmotionlessorlazilyfed。Glimpsesoftheseanowinterestedthem，whichbecamemoreandmorefrequenttillthetrainfinallydrewupbesidetheplatformatBudmouth。

"Thewholetownislookingoutforus，"hadbeenGraye"simpressionthroughouttheday。HecalleduponMr。Gradfield——theonlymanwhohadbeendirectlyinformedofhiscoming——andfoundthatMr。

Gradfieldhadforgottenit。

However，arrangementsweremadewiththisgentleman——astout，active，grey-beardedburgherofsixty——bywhichOwenwastocommenceworkinhisofficethefollowingweek。

ThesamedayCythereadrewupandsentofftheadvertisementappended：——

"AYOUNGLADYisdesirousofmeetingwithanENGAGEMENTasGOVERNESS

orCOMPANION。SheiscompetenttoteachEnglish，French，andMusic。

Satisfactoryreferences——Address，C。G。，Post-Office，Budmouth。"

Itseemedamorematerialexistencethanherownthatshesawthusdelineatedonthepaper。"Thatcan"tbemyself；howoddIlook！"

shesaid，andsmiled。

2。JULYTHEELEVENTH

OntheMondaysubsequenttotheirarrivalinBudmouth，OwenGrayeattendedatMr。Gradfield"sofficetoenteruponhisduties，andhissisterwasleftintheirlodgingsaloneforthefirsttime。

Despitethesadoccurrencesoftheprecedingautumn，anunwontedcheerfulnesspervadedherspiritthroughouttheday。Changeofscene——andthattountravelledeyes——conjoinedwiththesensationoffreedomfromsupervision，revivedthesparkleofawarmyoungnaturereadyenoughtotakeadvantageofanyadventitiousrestoratives。

Point-blankgrieftendsrathertosealuphappinessforatimethantoproducethatattritionwhichresultsfromgriefsofanticipationthatmoveonwardwiththedays：thesemaybesaidtofurrowawaythecapacityforpleasure。

Herexpectationsfromtheadvertisementbegantobeextravagant。A

thrivingfamily，whohadalwayssadlyneededher，wasalreadydefinitelypicturedinherfancy，which，initsexuberance，ledherontopicturingitsindividualmembers，theirpossiblepeculiarities，virtues，andvices，andobliteratedforatimetherecollectionthatshewouldbeseparatedfromherbrother。

Thusmusing，asshewaitedforhisreturnintheevening，hereyesfellonherlefthand。Thecontemplationofherownleftfourthfingerbysymbol-lovinggirlhoodofthisageis，itseems，veryfrequently，ifnotalways，followedbyapeculiartrainofromanticideas。Cytherea"sthoughts，stillplayingaboutherfuture，becamedirectedintothisromanticgroove。Sheleantbackinherchair，andtakingholdofthefourthfinger，whichhadattractedherattention，shelifteditwiththetipsoftheothers，andlookedatthesmoothandtaperingmemberforalongtime。

Shewhisperedidly，"Iwonderwhoandwhathewillbe？

"Ifhe"sagentlemanoffashion，hewilltakemyfingerso，justwiththetipsofhisown，andwithsomeflutteringoftheheart，andtheleasttremblingofhislip，sliptheringsolightlyonthatI

shallhardlyknowitisthere——lookingdelightfullyintomyeyesallthetime。

"Ifhe"sabold，dashingsoldier，Iexpecthewillproudlyturnround，taketheringasifitequalledherMajesty"scrowninvalue，anddesperatelysetitonmyfingerthus。Hewillfixhiseyesunflinchinglyuponwhatheisdoing——justasifhestoodinbattlebeforetheenemy(though，inreality，veryfondofme，ofcourse)，andblushasmuchasIshall。

"Ifhe"sasailor，hewilltakemyfingerandtheringinthisway，anddeckitoutwithahousewifelytouchandatendernessofexpressionabouthismouth，assailorsdo：kissit，perhaps，withasimpleair，asifwewerechildrenplayinganidlegame，andnotattheveryheightofobservationandenvybyagreatcrowdsaying，“Ah！theyarehappynow！”

"Ifheshouldberatherapoorman——noble-mindedandaffectionate，butstillpoor——"

Owen"sfootstepsrapidlyascendingthestairs，interruptedthisfancy-freemeditation。Reproachingherself，evenangrywithherselfforallowinghermindtostrayuponsuchsubjectsinthefaceoftheirpresentdesperatecondition，sherosetomeethim，andmaketea。

Cytherea"sinteresttoknowhowherbrotherhadbeenreceivedatMr。

Gradfield"sbrokeforthintowordsatonce。Almostbeforetheyhadsatdowntotable，shebegancross-examininghimintheregularsisterlyway。

"Well，Owen，howhasitbeenwithyouto-day？Whatistheplacelike——doyouthinkyouwilllikeMrGradfield？"

"Oyes。Buthehasnotbeenthereto-day；Ihaveonlyhadtheheaddraughtsmanwithme。"

Youngwomenhaveahabit，notnoticeableinmen，ofputtingonatamoment"snoticethedramaofwhosoever"slifetheychoose。

Cytherea"sinterestwastransferredfromMr。Gradfieldtohisrepresentative。

"Whatsortofamanishe？"

"Heseemsaverynicefellowindeed；thoughofcourseIcanhardlytelltoacertaintyasyet。ButIthinkhe"saveryworthyfellow；

there"snononsenseinhim，andthoughheisnotapublicschoolmanhehasreadwidely，andhasasharpappreciationofwhat"sgoodinbooksandart。Infact，hisknowledgeisn"tnearlysoexclusiveasmostprofessionalmen"s。"

"That"sagreatdealtosayofanarchitect，forofallprofessionalmentheyare，asarule，themostprofessional。"

"Yes；perhapstheyare。Thismanisratherofamelancholyturnofmind，Ithink。"

"Hasthemanagingclerkanyfamily？"shemildlyasked，afterawhile，pouringoutsomemoretea。

"Family；no！"

"Well，dearOwen，howshouldIknow？"

"Why，ofcourseheisn"tmarried。Buttherehappenedtobeaconversationaboutwomengoingonintheoffice，andIheardhimsaywhatheshouldwishhiswifetobelike。"

"Whatwouldhewishhiswifetobelike？"shesaid，withgreatapparentlackofinterest。

"O，hesaysshemustbegirlishandartless：yethewouldbelothtodowithoutadashofwomanlysubtlety，"tissopiquant。Yes，hesaid，thatmustbeinher；shemusthavewomanlycleverness。“AndyetIshouldlikehertoblushifonlyacock-sparrowweretolookatherhard，“hesaid，“whichbringsmebacktothegirlagain：andsoIflitbackwardsandforwards。Imusthavewhatcomes，I

suppose，“hesaid，“andwhatevershemaybe，thankGodshe"snoworse。However，ifhemightgiveafinalhinttoProvidence，“hesaid，“achildamongpleasures，andawomanamongpainswastheroughoutlineofhisrequirement。“"

"Didhesaythat？Whatamusingcreaturehemustbe。"

"Hedid，indeed。"

3。FROMTHETWELFTHTOTHEFIFTEENTHOFJULY

Asiswellknown，ideasaresoelasticinahumanbrain，thattheyhavenoconstantmeasurewhichmaybecalledtheiractualbulk。Anyimportantideamaybecompressedtoamoleculebyanunwontedcrowdingofothers；andanysmallideawillexpandtowhateverlengthandbreadthofvacuumthemindmaybeabletomakeovertoit。Cytherea"sworldwastolerablyvacantatthistime，andtheyoungarchitecturaldesigner"simagebecameverypervasive。Thenexteveningthissubjectwasagainrenewed。

"HisnameisSpringrove，"saidOwen，inreplytoher。"Heisathoroughartist，butamanofratherhumbleorigin，itseems，whohasmadehimselfsofar。Ithinkheisthesonofafarmer，orsomethingofthekind。"

"Well，he"snonetheworseforthat，Isuppose。"

"Nonetheworse。Aswecomedownthehill，weshallbecontinuallymeetingpeoplegoingup。"ButOwenhadfeltthatSpringrovewasalittletheworsenevertheless。

"Ofcoursehe"sratheroldbythistime。"

"Ono。He"saboutsix-and-twenty——notmore。"

"Ah，Isee……Whatishelike，Owen？"

"Ican"texactlytellyouhisappearance："tisalwayssuchadifficultthingtodo。"

"Amanyouwoulddescribeasshort？Mostmenarethoseweshoulddescribeasshort，Ifancy。"

"Ishouldcallhim，Ithink，ofthemiddleheight；butasIonlyseehimsittingintheoffice，ofcourseIamnotcertainabouthisformandfigure。"

"Iwishyouwere，then。"

"Perhapsyoudo。ButIamnot，yousee。"

"Ofcoursenot，youarealwayssoprovoking。Owen，Isawamaninthestreetto-daywhomIfanciedwashe——andyet，Idon"tseehowitcouldbe，either。Hehadlightbrownhair，asnubnose，veryroundface，andapeculiarhabitofreducinghiseyestostraightlineswhenhelookednarrowlyatanything。"

"Ono。Thatwasnothe，Cytherea。"

"Notabitlikehiminallprobability。"

"Notabit。Hehasdarkhair——almostaGreciannose，regularteeth，andanintellectualface，asnearlyasIcanrecalltomind。"

"Ah，therenow，Owen，youHAVEdescribedhim！ButIsupposehe"snotgenerallycalledpleasing，or——"

"Handsome？"

"Iscarcelymeantthat。Butsinceyouhavesaidit，ishehandsome？"

"Rather。"

"Histoutensembleisstriking？"

"Yes——Ono，no——Iforgot：itisnot。Heisratheruntidyinhiswaistcoat，andneck-ties，andhair。"

"Howvexing！……itmustbetohimself，poorthing。"

"He"sathoroughbookworm——despisesthepap-and-daisyschoolofverse——knowsShakespearetotheverydregsofthefoot-notes。

Indeed，he"sapoethimselfinasmallway。"

"Howdelicious！"shesaid。"Ihaveneverknownapoet。"

"Andyoudon"tknowhim，"saidOwendryly。

Shereddened。"OfcourseIdon"t。Iknowthat。"

"Haveyoureceivedanyanswertoyouradvertisement？"heinquired。

"Ah——no！"shesaid，andtheforgottendisappointmentwhichhadshoweditselfinherfaceatdifferenttimesduringtheday，becamevisibleagain。

Anotherdaypassedaway。OnThursday，withoutinquiry，shelearntmoreoftheheaddraughtsman。HeandGrayehadbecomeveryfriendly，andhehadbeentemptedtoshowherbrotheracopyofsomepoemsofhis——someseriousandsad——somehumorous——whichhadappearedinthepoets"cornerofamagazinefromtimetotime。OwenshowedthemnowtoCytherea，whoinstantlybegantoreadthemcarefullyandtothinkthemverybeautiful。

"Yes——Springrove"snofool，"saidOwensententiously。

"Nofool！——Ishouldthinkheisn"t，indeed，"saidCytherea，lookingupfromthepaperinquiteanexcitement："towritesuchversesasthese！"

"Whatlogicareyouchopping，Cytherea？Well，Idon"tmeanonaccountoftheverses，becauseIhaven"treadthem；butforwhathesaidwhenthefellowsweretalkingaboutfallinginlove。"

"Whichyouwilltellme？"

"Hesaysthatyourtrueloverbreathlesslyfindshimselfengagedtoasweetheart，likeamanwhohascaughtsomethinginthedark。Hedoesn"tknowwhetheritisabatorabird，andtakesittothelightwhenheiscooltolearnwhatitis。Helookstoseeifsheistherightage，butrightageorwrongage，hemustconsiderheraprize。Sometimelaterheponderswhethersheistherightkindofprizeforhim。Rightkindorwrongkind——hehascalledherhis，andmustabidebyit。Afteratimeheaskshimself，“Hasshethetemper，hair，andeyesImeanttohave，andwasfirmlyresolvednottodowithout？”Hefindsitisallwrong，andthencomesthetussle——"

"Dotheymarryandlivehappily？"

"Who？O，thesupposedpair。Ithinkhesaid——well，Ireallyforgetwhathesaid。"

"ThatISstupidofyou！"saidtheyoungladywithdismay。

"Yes。"

"Buthe"sasatirist——Idon"tthinkIcareabouthimnow。"

"Thereyouarejustwrong。Heisnot。Heis，asIbelieve，animpulsivefellowwhohasbeenmadetopaythepenaltyofhisrashnessinsomeloveaffair。"

ThusendedthedialogueofThursday，butCythereareadtheversesagaininprivate。OnFridayherbrotherremarkedthatSpringrovehadinformedhimhewasgoingtoleaveMr。Gradfield"sinafortnighttopushhisfortunesinLondon。

AnindescribablefeelingofsadnessshotthroughCytherea"sheart。

Whyshouldshebesadatsuchanannouncementasthat，shethought，concerningamanshehadneverseen，whenherspiritswereelasticenoughtoreboundafterhardblowsfromdeepandrealtroublesasifshehadscarcelyknownthem？Thoughshecouldnotanswerthisquestion，sheknewonething，shewassaddenedbyOwen"snews。

4。JULYTHETWENTY-FIRST

AverypopularlocalexcursionbysteamboattoLulsteadCovewasannouncedthroughthestreetsofBudmouthoneThursdaymorningbytheweak-voicedtown-crier，tostartatsixo"clockthesameday。

Theweatherwaslovely，andtheopportunitybeingthefirstofthekindofferedtothem，OwenandCythereawentwiththerest。

TheyhadreachedtheCove，andhadwalkedlandwardfornearlyanhouroverthehillwhichrosebesidethestrand，whenGrayerecollectedthattwoorthreemilesyetfurtherinlandfromthisspotwasaninterestingmediaevalruin。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwithitscharacteristicsthroughthemediumofanarchaeologicalwork，andnowfindinghimselfsoclosetothereality，feltinclinedtoverifysometheoryhehadformedrespectingit。Concludingthattherewouldbejustsufficienttimeforhimtogothereandreturnbeforetheboathadlefttheshore，hepartedfromCythereaonthehill，struckdownwards，andthenupaheatheryvalley。

Sheremainedonthesummitwherehehadlefthertillthetimeofhisexpectedreturn，scanningthedetailsoftheprospectaround。

PlacidlyspreadoutbeforeheronthesouthwastheopenChannel，reflectingablueintenserbymanyshadesthanthatoftheskyoverhead，anddottedintheforegroundbyhalf-a-dozensmallcraftofcontrastingrig，theirsailsgraduatinginhuefromextremewhitenesstoreddishbrown，thevaryingactualcoloursvariedagaininadoubledegreebytheraysofthedecliningsun。

Presentlythedistantbellfromtheboatwasheard，warningthepassengerstoembark。Thiswasfollowedbyalivelyairfromtheharpsandviolinsonboard，theirtones，astheyarose，becomingintermingledwith，thoughnotmarredby，thebrushofthewaveswhentheircrestsrolledover——atthepointwherethecheckoftheshallowswasfirstfelt——andthenthinnedawayuptheslopeofpebblesandsand。

Sheturnedherfacelandwardandstrainedhereyestodiscern，ifpossible，somesignofOwen"sreturn。Nothingwasvisiblesavethestrikinglybrilliant，stilllandscape。Thewideconcavewhichlayatthebackofthehillinthisdirectionwasblazingwiththewesternlight，addinganorangetinttothevividpurpleoftheheather，nowattheveryclimaxofbloom，andfreefromtheslightesttouchoftheinvidiousbrownthatsosooncreepsintoitsshades。Thelightsointensifiedthecoloursthattheyseemedtostandabovethesurfaceoftheearthandfloatinmid-airlikeanexhalationofred。Intheminorvalleys，betweenthehillocksandridgeswhichdiversifiedthecontourofthebasin，butdidnotdisturbitsgeneralsweep，shemarkedbrakesoftall，heavy-stemmedferns，fiveorsixfeethigh，inabrilliantlight-greendress——abroadribandofthemwiththepathintheirmidstwindinglikeastreamalongthelittleravinethatreachedtothefootofthehill，anddeliveredupthepathtoitsgrassyarea。Amongthefernsgrewhollybushesdeeperintintthananyshadowaboutthem，whilstthewholesurfaceofthescenewasdimpledwithsmallconicalpits，andhereandtherewereroundponds，nowdry，andhalfovergrownwithrushes。

Thelastbellofthesteamerrang。Cythereahadforgottenherself，andwhatshewaslookingfor。InafeverofdistresslestOwenshouldbeleftbehind，shegatheredupinherhandthecornersofherhandkerchief，containingspecimensoftheshells，plants，andfossilswhichthelocalityproduced，startedofftothesands，andmingledwiththeknotsofvisitorstherecongregatedfromotherinterestingpointsaround；fromtheinn，thecottages，andhiredconveyancesthathadreturnedfromshortdrivesinland。Theyallwentaboardbytheprimitiveplanofanarrowplankontwowheels——

thewomenbeingassistedbyarope。Cytherealingeredtilltheverylast，reluctanttofollow，andlookingalternatelyattheboatandthevalleybehind。HerdelayprovokedaremarkfromCaptainJacobs，athicksetmanofhybridstains，resultingfromthemixedeffectsoffireandwater，peculiartosailorswhereenginesarethepropellingpower。

"Nowthen，missy，ifyouplease。Iamsorrytotell"eeourtime"sup。Whoareyoulookingfor，miss？"

"Mybrother——hehaswalkedashortdistanceinland；hemustbeheredirectly。Couldyouwaitforhim——justaminute？"

"Really，Iamafraidnot，m"m。"Cytherealookedatthestout，round-facedman，andatthevessel，withalightinhereyessoexpressiveofherownopinionbeingthesame，onreflection，ashis，andwithsuchresignation，too，that，fromaninstinctivefeelingofprideatbeingabletoprovehimselfmorehumanethanhewasthoughttobe——worksofsupererogationaretheonlysacrificesthatenticeinthisway——andthatataverysmallcost，hedelayedtheboattillsomeamongthepassengersbegantomurmur。

"There，nevermind，"saidCythereadecisively。"Goonwithoutme——I

shallwaitforhim。"

"Well，"tisaveryawkwardthingtoleaveyouhereallalone，"saidthecaptain。"Icertainlyadviseyounottowait。"

"He"sgoneacrosstotherailwaystation，forcertain，"saidanotherpassenger。

"No——hereheis！"Cythereasaid，regarding，asshespoke，thehalfhiddenfigureofamanwhowasseenadvancingataheadlongpacedowntheravinewhichlaybetweentheheathandtheshore。

"Hecan"tgethereinlessthanfiveminutes，"apassengersaid。

"Peopleshouldknowwhattheyareabout，andkeeptime。Really，if——

"

"Yousee，sir，"saidthecaptain，inanapologeticundertone，"since"tisherbrother，andshe"sallalone，"tisonlynatertowaitaminute，nowhe"sinsight。Suppose，now，youwereayoungwoman，asmightbe，andhadabrother，likethisone，andyoustoodofaneveninguponthisherewildlonelyshore，likeher，whyyou"dwantustowait，too，wouldn"tyou，sir？Ithinkyouwould。"

Thepersonsohastilyapproachinghadbeenlosttoviewduringthisremarkbyreasonofahollowintheground，andtheprojectingcliffimmediatelyathandcoveredthepathinitsrise。Hisfootstepswerenowheardstrikingsharplyupontheflintyroadatadistanceofabouttwentyorthirtyyards，butstillbehindtheescarpment。

Tosavetime，Cythereapreparedtoascendtheplank。

"Letmegiveyoumyhand，miss，"saidCaptainJacobs。

"No——pleasedon"ttouchme，"saidshe，ascendingcautiouslybyslidingonefootforwardtwoorthreeinches，bringinguptheotherbehindit，andsoonalternately——herlipscompressedbyconcentrationonthefeat，hereyesgluedtotheplank，herhandtotherope，andherimmediatethoughttothefactofthedistressingnarrownessofherfooting。Stepsnowshookthelowerendoftheboard，andinaninstantwereuptoherheelswithabound。

"O，Owen，Iamsogladyouarecome！"shesaidwithoutturning。

"Don"t，don"tshaketheplankortouchme，whateveryoudo……

There，Iamup。Wherehaveyoubeensolong？"shecontinued，inalowertone，turningroundtohimasshereachedthetop。

Raisinghereyesfromherfeet，which，standingonthefirmdeck，demandedherattentionnolonger，sheacquiredperceptionsofthenew-comerinthefollowingorder：unknowntrousers；unknownwaistcoat；unknownface。Themanwasnotherbrother，butatotalstranger。

Offwenttheplank；thepaddlesstarted，stopped，backed，patteredinconfusion，thenrevolveddecisively，andtheboatpassedoutintodeepwater。

Oneortwopersonshadsaid，"Howd"yedo，Mr。Springrove？"andlookedatCytherea，toseehowsheboreherdisappointment。Herearshadbutjustcaughtthenameoftheheaddraughtsman，whenshesawhimadvancingdirectlytoaddressher。

"MissGraye，Ibelieve？"hesaid，liftinghishat。

"Yes，"saidCytherea，colouring，andtryingnottolookguiltyofasurreptitiousknowledgeofhim。

"IamMr。Springrove。IpassedCorvsgateCastleaboutanhourago，andsoonafterwardsmetyourbrothergoingthatway。Hehadbeendeceivedinthedistance，andwasabouttoturnwithoutseeingtheruin，onaccountofalamenessthathadcomeoninhislegorfoot。

Iproposedthatheshouldgoon，sincehehadgotsonear；andafterwards，insteadofwalkingbacktotheboat，getacrosstoAngleburyStation——ashorterwalkforhim——wherehecouldcatchthelatetrain，andgodirectlyhome。Icouldletyouknowwhathehaddone，andallayanyuneasiness。"

"Isthelamenessserious，doyouknow？"

"Ono；simplyfromover-walkinghimself。Still，itwasjustaswelltoridehome。"

RelievedfromherapprehensionsonOwen"sscore，shewasableslightlytoexaminetheappearanceofherinformant——EdwardSpringrove——whonowremovedhishatforawhile，tocoolhimself。

Hewasratheraboveherbrother"sheight。Althoughtheupperpartofhisfaceandheadwashandsomelyformed，andboundedbylinesofsufficientlymasculineregularity，hisbrowsweresomewhattoosoftlyarched，andfinelypencilledforoneofhissex；withoutprejudice，however，tothebeliefwhichthesumtotalofhisfeaturesinspired——thatthoughtheydidnotprovethatthemanwhothoughtinsidethemwoulddomuchintheworld，menwhohaddonemostofallhadhadnobetterones。Acrosshisforehead，otherwiseperfectlysmooth，ranonethinline，thehealthyfreshnessofhisremainingfeaturesexpressingthatithadcomethereprematurely。

Thoughsomeyearsshortoftheageatwhichtheclearspiritbidsgood-byetothelastinfirmityofnoblemind，andtakestohouse-

huntingandinvestments，hehadreachedtheperiodinayoungman"slifewhenepisodicperiods，withahopefulbirthandadisappointingdeath，havebeguntoaccumulate，andtobearafruitofgeneralities；hisglancesometimesseemingtostate，"Ihavealreadythoughtouttheissueofsuchconditionsastheseweareexperiencing。"Atothertimesheworeanabstractedlook："Iseemtohavelivedthroughthismomentbefore。"

Hewascarelesslydressedindarkgrey，wearingarolled-upblackkerchiefasaneck-cloth；theknotofwhichwasdisarranged，andstoodobliquely——adepositofwhitedusthavinglodgedinthecreases。

"Iamsorryforyourdisappointment，"hecontinued，glancingintoherface。Theireyeshavingmet，became，asitwere，mutuallylockedtogether，andthesingleinstantonlywhichgoodbreedingallowsasthelengthofsuchalook，becametrebled：aclearpenetratingrayofintelligencehadshotfromeachintoeach，givingbirthtooneofthoseunaccountablesensationswhichcarryhometotheheartbeforethehandhasbeentouchedorthemerestcomplimentpassed，bysomethingstrongerthanmathematicalproof，theconviction，"Atiehasbeguntouniteus。"

Bothfacesalsounconsciouslystatedthattheirownershadbeenmuchineachother"sthoughtsoflate。OwenhadtalkedtotheyoungarchitectofhissisterasfreelyastoCythereaoftheyoungarchitect。

Aconversationbegan，whichwasnonethelessinterestingtothepartiesengagedbecauseitconsistedonlyofthemosttrivialandcommonplaceremarks。Thenthebandofharpsandviolinsstruckupalivelymelody，andthedeckwasclearedfordancing；thesundippingbeneaththehorizonduringtheproceeding，andthemoonshowingherselfattheirstern。Theseawassocalm，thatthesofthissproducedbytheburstingoftheinnumerablebubblesoffoambehindthepaddlescouldbedistinctlyheard。Thepassengerswhodidnotdance，includingCythereaandSpringrove，lapsedintosilence，leaningagainstthepaddle-boxes，orstandingaloof——noticingthetremblingofthedecktothestepsofthedance——watchingthewavesfromthepaddlesastheyslidthinlyandeasilyundereachother"sedges。

NighthadquiteclosedinbythetimetheyreachedBudmouthharbour，sparklingwithitswhite，red，andgreenlightsinoppositiontotheshimmeringpathofthemoon"sreflectionontheotherside，whichreachedawaytothehorizontillthefleckedripplesreducedthemselvestosparklesasfineasgolddust。

"Iwillwalktothestationandfindouttheexacttimethetrainarrives，"saidSpringrove，rathereagerly，whentheyhadlanded。

Shethankedhimmuch。

"Perhapswemightwalktogether，"hesuggestedhesitatingly。Shelookedasifshedidnotquiteknow，andhesettledthequestionbyshowingtheway。

Theyfound，onarrivingthere，thatonthefirstdayofthatmonththeparticulartrainselectedforGraye"sreturnhadceasedtostopatAngleburystation。

"IamverysorryImisledhim，"saidSpringrove。

"O，Iamnotalarmedatall，"repliedCytherea。

"Well，it"ssuretobeallright——hewillsleepthere，andcomebythefirstinthemorning。Butwhatwillyoudo，alone？"

"Iamquiteeasyonthatpoint；thelandladyisveryfriendly。I

mustgoindoorsnow。Good-night，Mr。Springrove。"

"Letmegoroundtoyourdoorwithyou？"hepleaded。

"No，thankyou；welivecloseby。"

Helookedatherasawaiterlooksatthechangehebringsback。

Butshewasinexorable。

"Don"t——forgetme，"hemurmured。Shedidnotanswer。

"Letmeseeyousometimes，"hesaid。

"Perhapsyouneverwillagain——Iamgoingaway，"sherepliedinlingeringtones；andturningintoCrossStreet，ranindoorsandupstairs。

Thesuddenwithdrawalofwhatwassuperfluousatfirst，isoftenfeltasanessentialloss。Itwasfeltnowwithregardtothemaiden。More，too，afterameetingsopleasantandsoenkindling，shehadseemedtoimplythattheywouldnevercometogetheragain。

Theyoungmansoftlyfollowedher，stoodoppositethehouseandwatchedhercomeintotheupperroomwiththelight。Presentlyhisgazewascutshortbyherapproachingthewindowandpullingdowntheblind——EdwarddwellinguponhervanishingfigurewithahopelesssenseoflossakintothatwhichAdamissaidbylogicianstohavefeltwhenhefirstsawthesunset，andthought，inhisinexperience，thatitwouldreturnnomore。

Hewaitedtillhershadowhadtwicecrossedthewindow，when，findingthecharmingoutlinewasnottobeexpectedagain，heleftthestreet，crossedtheharbour-bridge，andenteredhisownsolitarychamberontheotherside，vaguelythinkingashewent(forundefinedreasons)，"OnehopeistoolikedespairForprudencetosmother。"