第3章

She"sanextraordinarypictureofwomankind——veryextraordinary。"

"Inwhatwaybesides？"

"You"llknowsoonenough，miss。Shehashadsevenlady"s-maidsthislasttwelvemonth。Iassureyou"tisonebody"sworktofetch"emfromthestationandtake"embackagain。TheLordmustbeaneglectfulpartyatheart，orhe"dneverpermitsuchoverbearengoingson！"

"Doesshedismissthemdirectlytheycome！"

"Notatall——sheneverdismissesthem——theygotheirselves。Yesee"tislikethis。She"sgotaveryquicktemper；shefleesinapassionwiththemfornothingatall；nextmornentheycomeupandsaytheyaregoing；she"ssorryforitandwishesthey"dstay，butshe"sasproudasalucifer，andherpridewon"tlethersay，“Stay，“andawaytheygo。"Tislikethisinfact。Ifyousaytoheraboutanybody，“Ah，poorthing！”shesays，“Pooh！indeed！”Ifyousay，“Pooh，indeed！”“Ah，poorthing！”shesaysdirectly。Shehangsthechiefbaker，asmidbe，andrestoresthechiefbutler，asmidbe，thoughthedevilbutPharaohherselfcanseethedifferencebetween"em。"

Cythereawassilent。Shefearedshemightbeagainaburdentoherbrother。

"However，youstandaverygoodchance，"themanwenton，"forI

thinkshelikesyoumorethancommon。Ihaveneverknownhersendthepony-carriagetomeetonebefore；"tisalwaysthetrap，butthistimeshesaid，inaveryparticularladyliketone，“Roobert，gaowwiththepony-kerriage。“……There，"tistrue，ponyandcarriagetooaregettenrathershabbynow，"headded，lookingrounduponthevehicleasiftokeepCytherea"spridewithinreasonablelimits。

""Tistobehopedyou"llpleaseindressenherto-night。"

"Whyto-night？"

"There"sadinner-partyofseventeen；"tisherfather"sbirthday，andshe"sveryparticularaboutherlooksatsuchtimes。Nowsee；

thisisthehouse。Livelieruphere，isn"tit，miss？"

Theywerenowonrisingground，andhadjustemergedfromaclumpoftrees。Stillalittlehigherthanwheretheystoodwassituatedthemansion，calledKnapwaterHouse，theofficesgraduallylosingthemselvesamongthetreesbehind。

2。EVENING

Thehousewasregularlyandsubstantiallybuiltofcleangreyfreestonethroughout，inthatplainerfashionofGreekclassicismwhichprevailedatthelatterendofthelastcentury，whenthecopyistscalleddesignershadgrownwearyoffantasticvariationsintheRomanorders。Themainblockapproximatedtoasquareonthegroundplan，havingaprojectioninthecentreofeachside，surmountedbyapediment。Fromeachangleoftheinferiorsideranalineofbuildingslowerthantherest，turninginwardsagainattheirfurtherend，andformingwithinthemaspaciousopencourt，withinwhichresoundedanechoofastonishingclearness。Theseerectionswereintheirturnbackedbyivy-coveredice-houses，laundries，andstables，thewholemassofsubsidiarybuildingsbeinghalfburiedbeneathclose-setshrubsandtrees。

Therewasopeningsufficientthroughthefoliageontherighthandtoenableheronnearerapproachtoformanideaofthearrangementoftheremoterorlawnfrontalso。Thenaturalfeaturesandcontourofthisquarterofthesitehadevidentlydictatedthepositionofthehouseprimarily，andwereoftheordinary，anduponthewhole，mostsatisfactorykind，namely，abroad，gracefulsloperunningfromtheterracebeneaththewallstothemarginofaplacidlakelyingbelow，uponthesurfaceofwhichadozenswansandagreenpuntfloatedatleisure。Anirregularwoodedislandstoodinthemidstofthelake；beyondthisandthefurthermarginofthewaterwereplantationsandgreenswardofvariedoutlines，thetreesheightening，byhalfveiling，thesoftnessoftheexquisitelandscapestretchingbehind。

Theglimpsesshehadobtainedofthisportionwerenowcheckedbytheangleofthebuilding。Inaminuteortwotheyreachedthesidedoor，atwhichCythereaalighted。Shewaswelcomedbyanelderlywomanoflengthysmilesandgeneralpleasantness，whoannouncedherselftobeMrs。Morris，thehousekeeper。

"Mrs。Graye，Ibelieve？"shesaid。

"Iamnot——Oyes，yes，weareallmistresses，"saidCytherea，smiling，butforcedly。Thetitleaccordedherseemeddisagreeablylikethefirstslightscarofabrand，andshethoughtofOwen"sprophecy。

Mrs。MorrisledherintoacomfortableparlourcalledTheRoom。

Hereteawasmadeready，andCythereasatdown，looking，wheneveroccasionallowed，atMrs。Morriswithgreatinterestandcuriosity，todiscover，ifpossible，somethinginherwhichshouldgiveacluetothesecretofherknowledgeofherself，andtherecommendationbaseduponit。Butnothingwastobelearnt，atanyratejustthen。

Mrs。Morriswasperpetuallygettingup，feelinginherpockets，goingtocupboards，leavingtheroomtwoorthreeminutes，andtrottingbackagain。

"You"llexcuseme，Mrs。Graye，"shesaid，"but"tistheoldgentleman"sbirthday，andtheyalwayshavealotofpeopletodinneronthatday，thoughhe"sgettingupinyearsnow。However，noneofthemaresleepers——shegenerallykeepsthehouseprettyclearoflodgers(beingaladywithnointimatefriends，thoughmanyacquaintances)，which，thoughitgivesuslesstodo，makesitallthedullerfortheyoungermaidsinthehouse。"Mrs。Morristhenproceededtogiveinfragmentaryspeechesanoutlineoftheconstitutionandgovernmentoftheestate。

"Now，areyousureyouhavequitedonetea？Notabitordropmore？

Why，you"veeatennothing，I"msure……Well，now，itisratherinconvenientthattheothermaidisnotheretoshowyouthewaysofthehousealittle，butsheleftlastSaturday，andMissAldclyffehasbeenmakingshiftwithpooroldclumsymeforamaidallyesterdayandthismorning。Sheisnotcomeinyet。Iexpectshewillaskforyou，Mrs。Graye，thefirstthing……Iwasgoingtosaythatifyouhavereallydonetea，Iwilltakeyouupstairs，andshowyouthroughthewardrobes——MissAldclyffe"sthingsarenotlaidoutforto-nightyet。"

SheprecededCythereaupstairs，pointedoutherownroom，andthentookherintoMissAldclyffe"sdressing-room，onthefirst-floor；

where，afterexplainingthewhereaboutsofvariousarticlesofapparel，thehousekeeperlefther，tellingherthatshehadanhouryetuponherhandsbeforedressing-time。Cytherealaidoutuponthebedinthenextroomallthatshehadbeentoldwouldberequiredthatevening，andthenwentagaintothelittleroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtoherself。

Hereshesatdownbytheopenwindow，leantoutuponthesilllikeanotherBlessedDamozel，andlistlesslylookeddownuponthebrilliantpatternofcoloursformedbytheflower-bedsonthelawn——

nowrichlycrowdedwithlatesummerblossom。Butthevivacityofspiritwhichhadhithertoenlivenedher，wasfastebbingunderthepressureofprosaicrealities，andthewarmscarletofthegeraniums，glowingmostconspicuously，andminglingwiththevividcoldredandgreenoftheverbenas，therichdepthofthedahlia，andtheripemellownessofthecalceolaria，backedbythepalehueofaflockofmeeksheepfeedingintheopenpark，closetotheothersideofthefence，were，toagreatextent，lostuponhereyes。Shewasthinkingthatnothingseemedworthwhile；thatitwaspossibleshemightdieinaworkhouse；andwhatdiditmatter？Thepetty，vulgardetailsofservitudethatshehadjustpassedthrough，herdependenceuponthewhimsofastrangewoman，thenecessityofquenchingallindividualityofcharacterinherself，andrelinquishingherownpeculiartastestohelponthewheelofthisalienestablishment，madehersickandsad，andshealmostlongedtopursuesomefree，out-of-doorsemployment，sleepundertreesorahut，andknownoenemybutwinterandcoldweather，likeshepherdsandcowkeepers，andbirdsandanimals——ay，likethesheepshesawthereunderherwindow。Shelookedsympathizinglyatthemforseveralminutes，imaginingtheirenjoymentoftherichgrass。

"Yes——likethosesheep，"shesaidaloud；andherfacereddenedwithsurpriseatadiscoveryshemadethatveryinstant。

Theflockconsistedofsomeninetyorahundredyoungstockewes：

thesurfaceoftheirfleecewasasroundedandevenasacushion，andwhiteasmilk。Nowshehadjustobservedthatontheleftbuttockofeveryoneofthemweremarkedindistinctredletterstheinitials"E。S。"

"E。S。"couldbringtoCytherea"smindonlyonethought；butthatimmediatelyandforever——thenameofherlover，EdwardSpringrove。

"O，ifitshouldbe——！"Sheinterruptedherwordsbyaresolve。

MissAldclyffe"scarriageatthesamemomentmadeitsappearanceinthedrive；butMissAldclyffewasnotherobjectnow。Itwastoascertaintowhomthesheepbelonged，andtosethersurmiseatrestonewayortheother。SheflewdownstairstoMrs。Morris。

"Whosesheeparethoseinthepark，Mrs。Morris？"

"FarmerSpringrove"s。"

"WhatFarmerSpringroveisthat？"shesaidquickly。

"Why，surelyyouknow？Yourfriend，FarmerSpringrove，thecider-

maker，andwhokeepstheThreeTrantersInn；whorecommendedyoutomewhenhecameintoseemetheotherday？"

Cytherea"smother-witsuddenlywarnedherinthemidstofherexcitementthatitwasnecessarynottobetraythesecretofherlove。"Oyes，"shesaid，"ofcourse。"Herthoughtshadrunasfollowsinthatshortinterval：——

"FarmerSpringroveisEdward"sfather，andhisnameisEdwardtoo。

"EdwardknewIwasgoingtoadvertiseforasituationofsomekind。

"HewatchedtheTimes，andsawit，myaddressbeingattached。

"Hethoughtitwouldbeexcellentformetobeherethatwemightmeetwheneverhecamehome。

"HetoldhisfatherthatImightberecommendedasalady"s-maid；

andheknewmybrotherandmyself。

"HisfathertoldMrs。Morris；Mrs。MorristoldMissAldclyffe。"

Thewholechainofincidentsthatdrewhertherewasplain，andtherewasnosuchthingaschanceinthematter。ItwasallEdward"sdoing。

Thesoundofabellwasheard。Cythereadidnotheedit，andstillcontinuedinherreverie。

"That"sMissAldclyffe"sbell，"saidMrs。Morris。

"Isupposeitis，"saidtheyoungwomanplacidly。

"Well，itmeansthatyoumustgouptoher，"thematroncontinued，inatoneofsurprise。

Cythereafeltaburningheatcomeoverher，mingledwithasuddenirritationatMrs。Morris"shint。Butthegoodsensewhichhadrecognizedsternnecessityprevailedoverrebelliousindependence；

theflushpassed，andshesaidhastily——

"Yes，yes；ofcourse，Imustgotoherwhenshepullsthebell——

whetherIwanttoorno。"

However，inspiteofthispainfulreminderofhernewpositioninlife，Cytherealefttheapartmentinamoodfardifferentfromthegloomysadnessoftenminutesprevious。Theplacefeltlikehometohernow；shedidnotmindthepettinessofheroccupation，becauseEdwardevidentlydidnotmindit；andthiswasEdward"sownspot。

ShefoundtimeonherwaytoMissAldclyffe"sdressing-roomtohurriedlyglideoutbyasidedoor，andlookforamomentattheunconscioussheepbearingthefriendlyinitials。Shewentuptothemtotrytotouchoneoftheflock，andfeltvexedthattheyallstaredscepticallyatherkindadvances，andthenranpell-melldownthehill。Then，fearinganyoneshoulddiscoverherchildishmovements，sheslippedindoorsagain，andascendedthestaircase，catchingglimpses，asshepassed，ofsilver-buttonedfootmen，whoflashedaboutthepassageslikelightning。

MissAldclyffe"sdressing-roomwasanapartmentwhich，onacasualsurvey，conveyedanimpressionthatitwasavailableforalmostanypurposesavetheadornmentofthefeminineperson。Initshoursofperfectordernothingpertainingtothetoiletwasvisible；eventheinevitablemirrorswiththeiraccessorieswerearrangedinaroomyrecessnotnoticeablefromthedoor，lightedbyawindowofitsown，calledthedressing-window。

Thewashing-standfiguredasavastoakchest，carvedwithgrotesqueRenaissanceornament。Thedressingtablewasinappearancesomethingbetweenahighaltarandacabinetpiano，thesurfacebeingrichlyworkedinthesamestyleofsemi-classicdecoration，buttheextraordinaryoutlinehavingbeenarrivedatbyaningeniousjoineranddecoratorfromtheneighbouringtown，aftermonthsofpainfultoilincuttingandfitting，underMissAldclyffe"simmediateeye；thematerialsbeingtheremainsoftwoorthreeoldcabinetstheladyhadfoundinthelumber-room。Abouttwo-thirdsofthefloorwascarpeted，theremainingportionbeinglaidwithparquetryoflightanddarkwoods。

MissAldclyffewasstandingatthelargerwindow，awayfromthedressing-niche。Shebowed，andsaidpleasantly，"Iamgladyouhavecome。Weshallgetoncapitally，Idaresay。"

Herbonnetwasoff。Cythereadidnotthinkhersohandsomeasontheearlierday；thequeenlinessofherbeautywasharderandlesswarm。ButaworsediscoverythanthiswasthatMissAldclyffe，withtheusualobliviousnessofrichpeopletotheirdependents"

specialities，seemedtohavequiteforgottenCytherea"sinexperience，andmechanicallydeliveredupherbodytoherhandmaidwithoutathoughtofdetails，andwithamildyawn。

Everythingwentwellatfirst。Thedresswasremoved，stockingsandblackbootsweretakenoff，andsilkstockingsandwhiteshoeswereputon。MissAldclyffethenretiredtobatheherhandsandface，andCythereadrewbreath。Ifshecouldgetthroughthisfirstevening，allwouldberight。Shefeltthatitwasunfortunatethatsuchacrucialtestforherpowersasabirthdaydinnershouldhavebeenappliedonthethresholdofherarrival；butsettoagain。

MissAldclyffewasnowarrayedinawhitedressing-gown，anddroppedlanguidlyintoaneasy-chair，pushedupbeforetheglass。TheinstinctsofhersexandherownpracticetoldCythereathenextmovement。SheletMissAldclyffe"shairfallabouthershoulders，andbegantoarrangeit。Itprovedtobeallreal；asatisfaction。

MissAldclyffewasmusinglylookingonthefloor，andtheoperationwentonforsomeminutesinsilence。Atlengthherthoughtsseemedtoturntothepresent，andsheliftedhereyestotheglass。

"Why，whatonearthareyoudoingwithmyhead？"sheexclaimed，withwidelyopenedeyes。AtthewordsshefeltthebackofCytherea"slittlehandtrembleagainstherneck。

"Perhapsyoupreferitdonetheotherfashion，madam？"saidthemaiden。

"No，no；that"sthefashionrightenough，butyoumustmakemoreshowofmyhairthanthat，orIshallhavetobuysome，whichGodforbid！"

"ItishowIdomyown，"saidCythereanaively，andwithasweetnessoftonethatwouldhavepleasedthemostacrimoniousunderfavourablecircumstances；buttyrannywasintheascendantwithMissAldclyffeatthismoment，andshewasassuredofpalatablefoodforhervicebyhavingfeltthetremblingofCytherea"shand。

"Yours，indeed！YOURhair！Come，goon。"ConsideringthatCythereapossessedatleastfivetimesasmuchofthatvaluableauxiliarytowoman"sbeautyastheladybeforeher，therewasatthesametimesomeexcuseforMissAldclyffe"soutburst。Sherememberedherself，however，andsaidmorequietly，"Nowthen，Graye——By-the-

bye，whatdotheycallyoudownstairs？"

"Mrs。Graye，"saidthehandmaid。

"Thentellthemnottodoanysuchabsurdthing——notbutthatitisquiteaccordingtousage；butyouaretooyoungyet。"

ThisdialoguetidedCythereasafelyonwardthroughthehairdressingtilltheflowersanddiamondsweretobeplaceduponthelady"sbrow。Cythereabeganarrangingthemtastefully，andtotheverybestofherjudgment。

"Thatwon"tdo，"saidMissAldclyffeharshly。

"Why？"

"Ilooktooyoung——anolddresseddoll。"

"Willthat，madam？"

"No，Ilookafright——aperfectfright！"

"Thisway，perhaps？"

"Heavens！Don"tworrymeso。"Sheshutherlipslikeatrap。

Havingonceworkedherselfuptothebeliefthatherhead-dresswastobeafailurethatevening，noclevernessofCytherea"sinarrangingitcouldpleaseher。Shecontinuedinasmoulderingpassionduringtheremainderoftheperformance，keepingherlipsfirmlyclosed，andthemusclesofherbodyrigid。Finally，snatchinguphergloves，andtakingherhandkerchiefandfaninherhand，shesilentlysailedoutoftheroom，withoutbetrayingtheleastconsciousnessofanotherwoman"spresencebehindher。

Cytherea"sfearsthatattheundressingthissuppressedangerwouldfindavent，keptheronthornsthroughouttheevening。Shetriedtoread；shecouldnot。Shetriedtosew；shecouldnot。Shetriedtomuse；shecouldnotdothatconnectedly。"Ifthisisthebeginning，whatwilltheendbe！"shesaidinawhisper，andfeltmanymisgivingsastothepolicyofbeingoverhastyinestablishinganindependenceattheexpenseofcongruitywithacherishedpast。

3。MIDNIGHT

Theclockstrucktwelve。TheAldclyffestatedinnerwasover。Thecompanyhadallgone，andMissAldclyffe"sbellrangloudlyandjerkingly。

Cythereastartedtoherfeetatthesound，whichbrokeinuponafitfulsleepthathadovertakenher。Shehadbeensittingdrearilyinherchairwaitingminuteafterminuteforthesignal，herbraininthatstateofintentnesswhichtakescognizanceofthepassageofTimeasarealmotion——motionwithoutmatter——theinstantsthrobbingpastinthecompanyofafeverishpulse。Shehastenedtotheroom，tofindtheladysittingbeforethedressingshrine，illuminatedonbothsides，andlookingsoqueenlyinherattitudeofabsoluterepose，thattheyoungerwomanfelttheawfullestsenseofresponsibilityatherVandalisminhavingundertakentodemolishsoimposingapile。

Thelady"sjewelledornamentsweretakenoffinsilence——somebyherownlistlesshands，somebyCytherea"s。Thenfollowedtheouterstratumofclothing。Thedressbeingremoved，Cythereatookitinherhandandwentwithitintothebedroomadjoining，intendingtohangitinthewardrobe。Butonsecondthoughts，inorderthatshemightnotkeepMissAldclyffewaitingamomentlongerthannecessary，sheflungitdownonthefirstresting-placethatcametohand，whichhappenedtobethebed，andre-enteredthedressing-roomwiththenoiselessfootfallofakitten。Shepausedinthemiddleoftheroom。

Shewasunnoticed，andhersuddenreturnhadplainlynotbeenexpected。DuringtheshorttimeofCytherea"sabsence，MissAldclyffehadpulledoffakindofchemisetteofBrusselsnet，drawnhighabovethethroat，whichshehadwornwithhereveningdressasasemi-opaquecoveringtohershoulders，andinitsplacehadputhernight-gownroundher。Herrighthandwasliftedtoherneck，asifengagedinfasteninghernight-gown。

ButonasecondglanceMissAldclyffe"sproceedingwasclearertoCytherea。Shewasnotfasteninghernight-gown；ithadbeencarelesslythrownroundher，andMissAldclyffewasreallyoccupiedinholdinguptohereyessomesmallobjectthatshewaskeenlyscrutinizing。AndnowonsuddenlydiscoveringthepresenceofCythereaatthebackoftheapartment，insteadofnaturallycontinuingorconcludingherinspection，shedesistedhurriedly；thetinysnapofaspringwasheard，herhandwasremoved，andshebeganadjustingherrobes。

Modestymighthavedirectedherhastyactionofenwrappinghershoulders，butitwasscarcelylikely，consideringMissAldclyffe"stemperament，thatshehadallherlifebeenusedtoamaid，Cytherea"syouth，andtheelderlady"smarkedtreatmentofherasifshewereamerechildorplaything。Thematterwastooslighttoreasonabout，andyetuponthewholeitseemedthatMissAldclyffemusthaveapracticalreasonforconcealingherneck。

WithatimidsenseofbeinganintruderCythereawasabouttostepbackandoutoftheroom；butatthesamemomentMissAldclyffeturned，sawtheimpulse，andtoldhercompaniontostay，lookingintohereyesasifshehadhalfanintentiontoexplainsomething。

Cythereafeltcertainitwasthelittlemysteryofherlatemovements。Theotherwithdrewhereyes；Cythereawenttofetchthedressing-gown，andwheeledroundagaintobringituptoMissAldclyffe，whohadnowpartlyremovedhernight-dresstoputitontheproperway，andstillsatwithherbacktowardsCytherea。

Herneckwasagainquiteopenanduncovered，andthoughhiddenfromthedirectlineofCytherea"svision，shesawitreflectedintheglass——thefairwhitesurface，andtheinimitablecombinationofcurvesbetweenthroatandbosomwhichartistsadore，beingbrightlylitupbythelightburningoneitherside。

Andthelady"spriorproceedingswerenowexplainedinthesimplestmanner。Inthemidstofherbreast，likeanislandinaseaofpearl，reclinedanexquisitelittlegoldlocket，embellishedwitharabesqueworkofblue，red，andwhiteenamel。ThatwasundoubtedlywhatMissAldclyffehadbeencontemplating；and，moreover，nothavingbeenputoffwithherotherornaments，itwastoberetainedduringthenight——aslightdeparturefromthecustomofladieswhichMissAldclyffehadatfirstnotcaredtoexhibittohernewassistant，thoughnow，onfurtherthought，sheseemedtohavebecomeindifferentonthematter。

"Mydressing-gown，"shesaid，quietlyfasteninghernight-dressasshespoke。

Cythereacameforwardwithit。MissAldclyffedidnotturnherhead，butlookedinquiringlyathermaidintheglass。

"YousawwhatIwearonmyneck，Isuppose？"shesaidtoCytherea"sreflectedface。

"Yes，madam，Idid，"saidCythereatoMissAldclyffe"sreflectedface。

MissAldclyffeagainlookedatCytherea"sreflectionasifshewereonthepointofexplaining。Againshecheckedherresolve，andsaidlightly——

"FewofmymaidsdiscoverthatIwearitalways。Igenerallykeepitasecret——notthatitmattersmuch。ButIwascarelesswithyou，andseemedtowanttotellyou。Youwinmetomakeconfidencesthat……"

Sheceased，tookCytherea"shandinherown，liftedthelocketwiththeother，touchedthespringanddisclosedaminiature。

"Itisahandsomeface，isitnot？"shewhisperedmournfully，andeventimidly。

"Itis。"

ButthesighthadgonethroughCytherealikeanelectricshock，andtherewasaninstantaneousawakeningofperceptioninher，sothrillinginitspresenceastobewell-nighinsupportable。Thefaceintheminiaturewasthefaceofherownfather——youngerandfresherthanshehadeverknownhim——butherfather！

Wasthisthewomanofhiswildandunquenchableearlylove？Andwasthisthewomanwhohadfiguredinthegate-man"sstoryasansweringthenameofCythereabeforeherjudgmentwasawake？Surelyitwas。

Andifso，herewasthetangibleoutcropofaromanticandhiddenstratumofthepasthithertoseenonlyinherimagination；butasfarasherscopeallowed，clearlydefinedthereinbyreasonofitsstrangeness。

MissAldclyffe"seyesandthoughtsweresointentupontheminiaturethatshehadnotbeenconsciousofCytherea"sstartofsurprise。

Shewentonspeakinginalowandabstractedtone。

"Yes，Ilosthim。"Sheinterruptedherwordsbyashortmeditation，andwentonagain。"Ilosthimbyexcessofhonestyasregardedmypast。Butitwasbestthatitshouldbeso……Iwasledtothinkrathermorethanusualofthecircumstancesto-nightbecauseofyourname。Itispronouncedthesameway，thoughdifferentlyspelt。"

TheonlymeansbywhichCytherea"ssurnamecouldhavebeenspelttoMissAldclyffemusthavebeenbyMrs。MorrisorFarmerSpringrove。

ShefanciedFarmerSpringrovewouldhavespeltitproperlyifEdwardwashisinformant，whichmadeMissAldclyffe"sremarkobscure。

Womenmakeconfidencesandthenregretthem。TheimpulsiverushoffeelingwhichhadledMissAldclyffetoindulgeinthisrevelation，triflingasitwas，diedoutimmediatelyherwordswerebeyondrecall；andtheturmoil，occasionedinherbydwellinguponthatchapterofherlife，foundventinanotherkindofemotion——theresultofatrivialaccident。

Cytherea，afterlettingdownMissAldclyffe"shair，adoptedsomeplanwithittowhichtheladyhadnotbeenaccustomed。Arapidrevulsiontoirritationensued。Themaiden"smeretouchseemedtodischargethepent-upregretoftheladyasifshehadbeenajarofelectricity。

"Howstrangelyyoutreatmyhair！"sheexclaimed。

Asilence。

"IhavetoldyouwhatInevertellmymaidsasarule；ofcourseNOTHINGthatIsayinthisroomistobementionedoutsideit。"Shespokecrosslynolessthanemphatically。

"Itshallnotbe，madam，"saidCytherea，agitatedandvexedthatthewomanofherromanticwonderingsshouldbesodisagreeabletoher。

"WhyonearthdidItellyouofmypast？"shewenton。

Cythereamadenoanswer。

Thelady"svexationwithherself，andtheaccidentwhichhadledtothedisclosureswelledlittlebylittletillitknewnobounds。Butwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthoughCythereahadshownamostwinningresponsiveness，quarrelMissAldclyffemust。SherecurredtothesubjectofCytherea"swantofexpertness，likeabitterreviewer，whofindingthesentimentsofapoetunimpeachable，quarrelswithhisrhymes。

"Never，neverbeforedidIservemyselfsuchatrickasthisinengagingamaid！"Shewaitedforanexpostulation：nonecame。

MissAldclyffetriedagain。

"Theideaofmytakingagirlwithoutaskinghermorethanthreequestions，orhavingasinglereference，allbecauseofhergoodl——

，theshapeofherfaceandbody！ItWASafool"strick。There，I

amservedright，quiteright——bybeingdeceivedinsuchaway。"

"Ididn"tdeceiveyou，"saidCytherea。Thespeechwasanunfortunateone，andwasthevery"fueltomaintainitsfires"thattheother"spetulancedesired。

"Youdid，"shesaidhotly。

"ItoldyouIcouldn"tpromisetobeacquaintedwitheverydetailofroutinejustatfirst。"

"Willyoucontradictmeinthisway！Youaretellinguntruths，I

say。"

Cytherea"slipquivered。"Iwouldanswertheremarkif——if——"

"Ifwhat？"

"Ifitwerealady"s！"

"Yougirlofimpudence——whatdoyousay？Leavetheroomthisinstant，Itellyou。"

"AndItellyouthatapersonwhospeakstoaladyasyoudotome，isnoladyherself！"

"Toalady？Alady"s-maidspeaksinthisway。Theidea！"

"Don"t“lady"s-maid“me：nobodyismymistressIwon"thaveit！"

"GoodHeavens！"

"Iwouldn"thavecome——no——Iwouldn"t！ifIhadknown！"

"What？"

"Thatyouweresuchanill-tempered，unjustwoman！"

"PossestbeyondtheMuse"spainting，"MissAldclyffeexclaimed——

"AWoman，amI！I"llteachyouifIamaWoman！"andliftedherhandasifshewouldhavelikedtostrikehercompanion。Thisstungthemaidenintoabsolutedefiance。

"Idareyoutotouchme！"shecried。"Strikemeifyoudare，madam！

Iamnotafraidofyou——whatdoyoumeanbysuchanactionasthat？"

MissAldclyffewasdisconcertedatthisunexpectedshowofspirit，andashamedofherunladylikeimpulsenowitwasputintowords。

Shesankbackinthechair。"Iwasnotgoingtostrikeyou——gotoyourroom——Ibegyoutogotoyourroom！"sherepeatedinahuskywhisper。

Cytherea，redandpanting，tookuphercandlestickandadvancedtothetabletogetalight。Asshestoodclosetothemtheraysfromthecandlesstrucksharplyonherface。Sheusuallyboreamuchstrongerlikenesstohermotherthantoherfather，butnow，lookingwithagrave，reckless，andangeredexpressionofcountenanceatthekindlingwickasshehelditslantingintotheotherflame，herfather"sfeaturesweredistinctinher。ItwasthefirsttimeMissAldclyffehadseenherinapassionatemood，andwearingthatexpressionwhichwasinvariablyitsconcomitant。ItwasMissAldclyffe"sturntostartnow；andtheremarkshemadewasaninstanceofthatsuddenchangeoftonefromhigh-flowninvectivetothepettinessofcuriositywhichsooftenmakeswomen"squarrelsridiculous。EvenMissAldclyffe"sdignityhadnotsufficientpowertopostponetheabsorbingdesireshenowfelttosettlethestrangesuspicionthathadenteredherhead。

"Youspellyournamethecommonway，G，R，E，Y，don"tyou？"shesaid，withassumedindifference。

"No，"saidCytherea，poisedonthesideofherfoot，andstilllookingintotheflame。

"Yes，surely？Thenamewasspeltthatwayonyourboxes：Ilookedandsawitmyself。"

TheenigmaofMissAldclyffe"smistakewassolved。"O，wasit？"

saidCytherea。"Ah，IrememberMrs。Jackson，thelodging-housekeeperatBudmouth，labelledthem。WespellournameG，R，A，Y，E。"

"Whatwasyourfather"strade？"

Cythereathoughtitwouldbeuselesstoattempttoconcealfactsanylonger。"Hiswasnotatrade，"shesaid。"Hewasanarchitect。"

"Theideaofyourbeinganarchitect"sdaughter！"

"There"snothingtooffend，youinthat，Ihope？"

"Ono。"

"Whydidyousay“theidea“？"

"Leavethatalone。DidheevervisitinGowerStreet，Bloomsbury，oneChristmas，manyyearsago？——butyouwouldnotknowthat。"

"IhaveheardhimsaythatMr。Huntway，acuratesomewhereinthatpartofLondon，andwhodiedthere，wasanoldcollegefriendofhis。"

"WhatisyourChristianname？"

"Cytherea。"

"No！Andisitreally？AndyouknewthatfaceIshowedyou？Yes，Iseeyoudid。"MissAldclyffestopped，andclosedherlipsimpassibly。Shewasalittleagitated。

"Doyouwantmeanylonger？"saidCytherea，standingcandleinhandandlookingquietlyinMissAldclyffe"sface。

"Well——no：nolonger，"saidtheotherlingeringly。

"Withyourpermission，Iwillleavethehousetomorrowmorning，madam。"

"Ah。"MissAldclyffehadnonotionofwhatshewassaying。

"AndIknowyouwillbesogoodasnottointrudeuponmeduringtheshortremainderofmystay？"

SayingthisCytherealefttheroombeforehercompanionhadanswered。MissAldclyffe，then，hadrecognizedheratlast，andhadbeencuriousabouthernamefromthebeginning。

Theothermembersofthehouseholdhadretiredtorest。AsCythereawentalongthepassageleadingtoherroomherskirtsrustledagainstthepartition。Adooronherleftopened，andMrs。Morrislookedout。

"Iwaitedoutofbedtillyoucameup，"shesaid，"itbeingyourfirstnight，incaseyoushouldbeatalossforanything。HowhaveyougotonwithMissAldclyffe？"

"Prettywell——thoughnotsowellasIcouldhavewished。"

"Hasshebeenscolding？"

"Alittle。"

"She"saveryoddlady——"tisallonewayortheotherwithher。

She"snotbadatheart，butunbearableinclosequarters。Thoseofuswhodon"thavemuchtodowithherpersonally，stayonforyearsandyears。"

"HasMissAldclyffe"sfamilyalwaysbeenrich？"saidCytherea。

"Ono。Theproperty，withthename，camefromhermother"suncle。

HerfamilyisabranchoftheoldAldclyffefamilyonthematernalside。HermothermarriedaBradleigh——amerenobodyatthattime——

andwasonthataccountcutbyherrelations。Butverysingularlytheotherbranchofthefamilydiedoutonebyone——threeofthem，andMissAldclyffe"sgreat-unclethenleftallhisproperty，includingthisestate，toCaptainBradleighandhiswife——MissAldclyffe"sfatherandmother——onconditionthattheytooktheoldfamilynameaswell。There"sallaboutitinthe“LandedGentry。“

"Tisathingveryoftendone。"

"O，Isee。Thankyou。Well，nowIamgoing。Good-night。"

VI。THEEVENTSOFTWELVEHOURS

1。AUGUSTTHENINTH。ONETOTWOO"CLOCKA。M。

Cythereaenteredherbedroom，andflungherselfonthe，bed，bewilderedbyawhirlofthought。Onlyonesubjectwasclearinhermind，anditwasthat，inspiteoffamilydiscoveries，thatdaywastobethefirstandlastofherexperienceasalady"s-maid。

Starvationitselfshouldnotcompelhertoholdsuchahumiliatingpostforanotherinstant。"Ah，"shethought，withasigh，atthemartyrdomofherlastlittlefragmentofself-conceit，"OwenknowseverythingbetterthanI。"

Shejumpedupandbeganmakingreadyforherdepartureinthemorning，thetearsstreamingdownwhenshegrievedandwonderedwhatpracticalmatteronearthshecouldturnherhandtonext。Allthesepreparationscompleted，shebegantoundress，hermindunconsciouslydriftingawaytothecontemplationofherlatesurprises。Tolookintheglassforaninstantatthereflectionofherownmagnificentresourcesinfaceandbosom，andtomarktheirattractivenessunadorned，wasperhapsbutthenaturalactionofayoungwomanwhohadsolatelybeenchiddenwhilstpassingthroughtheharassingexperienceofdecoratinganolderbeautyofMissAldclyffe"stemper。

Butshedirectlycheckedherweaknessbysympathizingreflectionsonthehiddentroubleswhichmusthavethrongedthepastyearsofthesolitarylady，tokeepher，thoughsorichandcourted，inamoodsorepellentandgloomyasthatinwhichCythereafoundher；andthentheyounggirlmarvelledagainandagain，asshehadmarvelledbefore，atthestrangeconfluenceofcircumstanceswhichhadbroughtherselfintocontactwiththeonewomanintheworldwhosehistorywassoromanticallyintertwinedwithherown。Shealmostbegantowishshewerenotobligedtogoawayandleavethelonelybeingtolonelinessstill。

Inbedandinthedark，MissAldclyffehauntedhermindmorepersistentlythanever。Insteadofsleeping，shecalledupstaringvisionsofthepossiblepastofthisqueenlylady，hermother"srival。Upthelongvistaofbygoneyearsshesaw，behindall，theyounggirl"sflirtation，littleormuch，withthecousin，thatseemedtohavebeennippedinthebud，ortohaveterminatedhastilyinsomeway。ThenthesecretmeetingsbetweenMissAldclyffeandtheotherwomanatthelittleinnatHammersmithandotherplaces：

thecommonplacenamesheadopted：herswoonatsomepainfulnews，andtheveryslightknowledgetheelderfemalehadofherpartnerinmystery。Then，morethanayearafterwards，theacquaintanceshipofherownfatherwiththishisfirstlove；theawakeningofthepassion，hisactsofdevotion，theunreasoningheatofhisrapture，hertacitacceptanceofit，andyetheruneasinessunderthedelight。Thenhisdeclarationamidtheevergreens：theutterchangeproducedinhermannerthereby，seeminglytheresultofarigiddetermination：andthetotalconcealmentofherreasonbyherselfandherparents，whateveritwas。Thenthelady"scoursedroppedintodarkness，andnothingmorewasvisibletillshewasdiscoveredhereatKnapwater，nearlyfiftyyearsold，stillunmarriedandstillbeautiful，butlonely，embittered，andhaughty。

Cythereaimaginedthatherfather"simagewasstillwarmlycherishedinMissAldclyffe"sheart，andwasthankfulthatsheherselfhadnotbeenbetrayedintoannouncingthatsheknewmanyparticularsofthispageofherfather"shistory，andthechiefone，thelady"sunaccountablerenunciationofhim。Itwouldhavemadeherbearingtowardsthemistressofthemansionmoreawkward，andwouldhavebeennobenefittoeither。

Thusconjuringupthepast，andtheorizingonthepresent，shelayrestless，changingherposturefromonesidetotheotherandbackagain。Finally，whencourtingsleepwithallherart，sheheardaclockstriketwo。Aminutelater，andshefanciedshecoulddistinguishasoftrustleinthepassageoutsideherroom。

Toburyherheadinthesheetswasherfirstimpulse；thentouncoverit，raiseherselfonherelbow，andstretchhereyeswideopeninthedarkness；herlipsbeingpartedwiththeintentnessofherlistening。Whateverthenoisewas，ithadceasedforthetime。

Itbeganagainandcameclosetoherdoor，lightlytouchingthepanels。Thentherewasanotherstillness；Cythereamadeamovementwhichcausedafaintrustlingofthebed-clothes。

Beforeshehadtimetothinkanotherthoughtalighttapwasgiven。

Cythereabreathed：thepersonoutsidewasevidentlybentuponfindingherawake，andtherustleshehadmadehadencouragedthehope。Themaiden"sphysicalconditionshiftedfromonepoletoitsopposite。Thecoldsweatofterrorforsookher，andmodestytookthealarm。Shebecamehotandred；herdoorwasnotlocked。

Adistinctwoman"swhispercametoherthroughthekeyhole：

"Cytherea！"

OnlyonebeinginthehouseknewherChristianname，andthatwasMissAldclyffe。Cythereasteppedoutofbed，wenttothedoor，andwhisperedback，"Yes？"

"Letmecomein，darling。"

Theyoungwomanpausedinaconflictbetweenjudgmentandemotion。

Itwasnowmistressandmaidnolonger；womanandwomanonly。Yes；

shemustlethercomein，poorthing。

Shegotalightinaninstant，openedthedoor，andraisinghereyesandthecandle，sawMissAldclyffestandingoutsideinherdressing-

gown。

"Nowyouseethatitisreallymyself；putoutthelight，"saidthevisitor。"Iwanttostayherewithyou，Cythie。Icametoaskyoutocomedownintomybed，butitissnuggerhere。Butrememberthatyouaremistressinthisroom，andthatIhavenobusinesshere，andthatyoumaysendmeawayifyouchoose。ShallIgo？"

"Ono；youshan"tindeedifyoudon"twantto，"saidCythiegenerously。

TheinstanttheywereinbedMissAldclyffefreedherselffromthelastremnantofrestraint。Sheflungherarmsroundtheyounggirl，andpressedhergentlytoherheart。

"Nowkissme，"shesaid。

Cytherea，uponthewhole，wasratherdiscomposedatthischangeoftreatment；and，discomposedorno，herpassionswerenotsoimpetuousasMissAldclyffe"s。Shecouldnotbringhersoultoherlipsforamoment，tryhowshewould。

"Come，kissme，"repeatedMissAldclyffe。

Cythereagaveheraverysmallone，assoftintouchandinsoundastheburstingofabubble。

"Moreearnestlythanthat——come。"

Shegaveanother，alittlebutnotmuchmoreexpressively。

"Idon"tdeserveamorefeelingone，Isuppose，"saidMissAldclyffe，withanemphasisofsadbitternessinhertone。"Iamanill-temperedwoman，youthink；halfoutofmymind。Well，perhapsI

am；butIhavehadgriefmorethanyoucanthinkordreamof。ButI

can"thelplovingyou——yournameisthesameasmine——isn"titstrange？"

Cythereawasinclinedtosayno，butremainedsilent。

"Now，don"tyouthinkImustloveyou？"continuedtheother。

"Yes，"saidCythereaabsently。ShewasstillthinkingwhetherdutytoOwenandherfather，whichaskedforsilenceonherknowledgeofherfather"sunfortunatelove，ordutytothewomanembracingher，whichseemedtoaskforconfidence，oughttopredominate。Herewasasolution。ShewouldwaittillMissAldclyffereferredtoheracquaintanceshipandattachmenttoCytherea"sfatherinpasttimes：

thenshewouldtellherallsheknew：thatwouldbehonour。

"Whycan"tyoukissmeasIcankissyou？Whycan"tyou！"SheimpresseduponCytherea"slipsawarmmotherlysalute，givenasifintheoutburstofstrongfeeling，longchecked，andyearningforsomethingtoloveandbelovedbyinreturn。

"Doyouthinkbadlyofmeformybehaviourthisevening，child？I

don"tknowwhyIamsofoolishastospeaktoyouinthisway。Iamaveryfool，Ibelieve。Yes。Howoldareyou？"

"Eighteen。"

"Eighteen！……Well，whydon"tyouaskmehowoldIam？"

"BecauseIdon"twanttoknow。"

"Nevermindifyoudon"t。Iamforty-six；anditgivesmegreaterpleasuretotellyouthisthanitdoestoyoutolisten。Ihavenottoldmyagetrulyforthelasttwentyyearstillnow。"

"Whyhaven"tyou？"

"Ihavemetdeceitbydeceit，tillIamwearyofit——weary，weary——

andIlongtobewhatIshallneverbeagain——artlessandinnocent，likeyou。ButIsupposethatyou，too，will，provetobenotworthathought，aseverynewfrienddoesonmoreintimateknowledge。

Come，whydon"tyoutalktome，child？Haveyousaidyourprayers？"

"Yes——no！Iforgotthemto-night。"

"Isupposeyousaythemeverynightasarule？"

"Yes。"

"Whydoyoudothat？"

"BecauseIhavealwaysdoneso，anditwouldseemstrangeifIwerenotto。Doyou？"

"I？Awickedoldsinnerlikeme！No，Ineverdo。Ihavethoughtallsuchmattershumbugforyears——thoughtsosolongthatIshouldbegladtothinkotherwisefromveryweariness；andyet，suchisthecodeofthepoliteworld，thatIsubscriberegularlytoMissionarySocietiesandothersofthesort……Well，sayyourprayers，dear——youwon"tomitthemnowyourecollectit。Ishouldliketohearyouverymuch。Willyou？"

"Itseemshardly——"

"Itwouldseemsolikeoldtimestome——whenIwasyoung，andnearer——farnearerHeaventhanIamnow。Do，sweetone，"

Cythereawasembarrassed，andherembarrassmentarosefromthefollowingconjunctureofaffairs。SinceshehadlovedEdwardSpringrove，shehadlinkedhisnamewithherbrotherOwen"sinhernightlysupplicationstotheAlmighty。Shewishedtokeepherloveforhimasecret，and，aboveall，asecretfromawomanlikeMissAldclyffe；yetherconscienceandthehonestyofherlovewouldnotforaninstantallowhertothinkofomittinghisdearname，andsoendangertheefficacyofallherpreviousprayersforhissuccessbyanunworthyshamenow：itwouldbewickedofher，shethought，andagrievouswrongtohim。Underanyworldlycircumstancesshemighthavethoughtthepositionjustifiedalittlefinesse，andhaveskippedhimforonce；butprayerwastoosolemnathingforsuchtrifling。

"Iwouldrathernotsaythem，"shemurmuredfirst。Itstruckherthenthatthisdecliningaltogetherwasthesamecowardiceinanotherdress，andwasdeliveringherpoorEdwardovertoSatanjustasunceremoniouslyasbefore。"Yes；Iwillsaymyprayers，andyoushallhearme，"sheaddedfirmly。

Sheturnedherfacetothepillowandrepeatedinlowsofttonesthesimplewordsshehadusedfromchildhoodonsuchoccasions。Owen"snamewasmentionedwithoutfaltering，butintheothercase，maidenlyshynesswastoostrongevenforreligion，andthatwhensupportedbyexcellentintentions。AtthenameofEdwardshestammered，andhervoicesanktothefaintestwhisperinspiteofher。

"Thankyou，dearest，"saidMissAldclyffe。"Ihaveprayedtoo，I

verilybelieve。Youareagoodgirl，Ithink。"Thentheexpectedquestioncame。

"“BlessOwen，“andwhom，didyousay？"

Therewasnohelpforitnow，andoutitcame。"OwenandEdward，"

saidCytherea。

"WhoareOwenandEdward？"

"Owenismybrother，madam，"falteredthemaid。

"Ah，Iremember。WhoisEdward？"

Asilence。

"Yourbrother，too？"continuedMissAldclyffe。

"No。"

MissAldclyffereflectedamoment。"Don"tyouwanttotellmewhoEdwardis？"shesaidatlast，inatoneofmeaning。

"Idon"tmindtelling；only……"

"Youwouldrathernot，Isuppose？"

"Yes。"

MissAldclyffeshiftedherground。"Wereyoueverinlove？"sheinquiredsuddenly。

Cythereawassurprisedtohearhowquicklythevoicehadalteredfromtendernesstoharshness，vexation，anddisappointment。

"Yes——IthinkIwas——once，"shemurmured。

"Aha！Andwereyoueverkissedbyaman？"

Apause。

"Well，wereyou？"saidMissAldclyffe，rathersharply。

"Don"tpressmetotell——Ican"t——indeed，Iwon"t，madam！"

MissAldclyfferemovedherarmsfromCytherea"sneck。""Tisnowwithyouasitisalwayswithallgirls，"shesaid，injealousandgloomyaccents。"Youarenot，afterall，theinnocentItookyoufor。No，no。"Shethenchangedhertonewithfitfulrapidity。

"Cytherea，trytolovememorethanyoulovehim——do。Iloveyoumoresincerelythananymancan。Do，Cythie：don"tletanymanstandbetweenus。O，Ican"tbearthat！"SheclaspedCytherea"sneckagain。

"ImustlovehimnowIhavebegun，"repliedtheother。

"Must——yes——must，"saidtheelderladyreproachfully。"Yes，womenareallalike。IthoughtIhadatlastfoundanartlesswomanwhohadnotbeensulliedbyaman"slips，andwhohadnotpractisedorbeenpractiseduponbytheartswhichruinallthetruthandsweetnessandgoodnessinus。Findagirl，ifyoucan，whosemouthandearshavenotbeenmadearegularhighwayofbysomemanoranother！Leavetheadmittedlynotoriousspots——thedrawing-roomsofsociety——andlookinthevillages——leavethevillagesandsearchintheschools——andyoucanhardlyfindagirlwhosehearthasnotbeenHAD——isnotanoldthinghalfwornoutbysomeHeoranother！Ifmenonlyknewthestalenessofthefreshestofus！thatninetimesoutoftenthe“firstlove“theythinktheyarewinningfromawomanisbutthehulkofanoldwreckedaffection，fittedwithnewsailsandre-used。OCytherea，canitbethatyou，too，areliketherest？"

"No，no，no，"urgedCytherea，awedbythestormshehadraisedintheimpetuouswoman"smind。"Heonlykissedmeonce——twiceImean。"

"Hemighthavedoneitathousandtimesifhehadcaredto，there"snodoubtaboutthat，whoeverhislordshipis。YouareasbadasI——

weareallalike；andI——anoldfool——havebeensippingatyourmouthasifitwerehoney，becauseIfanciednowastingloverknewthespot。Butaminuteago，andyouseemedtomelikeafreshspringmeadow——nowyouseemadustyhighway。"

"Ono，no！"Cythereawasnotweakenoughtoshedtearsexceptonextraordinaryoccasions，butshewasfaintobeginsobbingnow。ShewishedMissAldclyffewouldgotoherownroom，andleaveherandhertreasureddreamsalone。Thisvehementimperiousaffectionwasinonesensesoothing，butyetitwasnotofthekindthatCytherea"sinstinctsdesired。Thoughitwasgenerous，itseemedsomewhattoorankandcapriciousforendurance。

"Well，"saidtheladyincontinuation，"whoishe？"

Hercompanionwasdesperatelydeterminednottotellhisname：shetoomuchfearedatauntwhenMissAldclyffe"sfierymoodagainruledhertongue。

"Won"tyoutellme？nottellmeafteralltheaffectionIhaveshown？"

"Iwill，perhaps，anotherday。"

"DidyouwearahatandwhitefeatherinBudmouthfortheweekortwoprevioustoyourcominghere？"

"Yes。"

"ThenIhaveseenyouandyourloveratadistance！Herowedyouroundthebaywithyourbrother。"

"Yes。"

"Andwithoutyourbrother——fie！There，there，don"tletthatlittleheartbeatitselftodeath：throb，throb：itshakesthebed，yousillything。Ididn"tmeanthattherewasanyharmingoingalonewithhim。IonlysawyoufromtheEsplanade，incommonwiththerestofthepeople。IoftenrundowntoBudmouth。Hewasaverygoodfigure：nowwhowashe？"

"I——Iwon"ttell，madam——Icannotindeed！"

"Won"ttell——verywell，don"t。Youareveryfoolishtotreasureuphisnameandimageasyoudo。Why，hehashadlovesbeforeyou，trusthimforthat，whoeverheis，andyouarebutatemporarylinkinalongchainofotherslikeyou：whoonlyhaveyourlittledayastheyhavehadtheirs。"

""Tisn"ttrue！"tisn"ttrue！"tisn"ttrue！"criedCythereainanagonyoftorture。"Hehasneverlovedanybodyelse，Iknow——Iamsurehehasn"t。"

MissAldclyffewasasjealousasanymancouldhavebeen。Shecontinued——

"Heseesabeautifulfaceandthinkshewillneverforgetit，butinafewweeksthefeelingpassesoff，andhewondershowhecouldhavecaredforanybodysoabsurdlymuch。"

"No，no，hedoesn"t——Whatdoeshedowhenhehasthoughtthat——Come，tellme——tellme！"

"Youareashotasfire，andthethrobbingofyourheartmakesmenervous。Ican"ttellyouifyougetinthatflusteredstate。"

"Do，dotell——O，itmakesmesomiserable！buttell——cometellme！"

"Ah——thetablesareturnednow，dear！"shecontinued，inatonewhichmingledpitywithderision——

"“Love"spassionsshallrocktheeAsthestormrockstheravensonhigh，BrightreasonwillmocktheeLikethesunfromawintrysky。“

"Whatdoeshedonext？——Why，thisiswhathedoesnext：ruminateonwhathehasheardofwomen"sromanticimpulses，andhoweasilymentorturethemwhentheyhavegivenwaytothosefeelings，andhaveresignedeverythingfortheirhero。Itmaybethatthoughhelovesyouheartilynow——thatis，asheartilyasamancan——andyoulovehiminreturn，yourlovesmaybeimpracticableandhopeless，andyoumaybeseparatedforever。You，astheweary，wearyyearspassbywillfadeandfade——brighteyesWILLfade——andyouwillperhapsthendieearly——truetohimtoyourlatestbreath，andbelievinghimtobetruetothelatestbreathalso；whilsthe，insomegayandbusyspotfarawayfromyourlastquietnook，willhavemarriedsomedashinglady，andnotpurelyobliviousofyou，willlonghaveceasedtoregretyou——willchataboutyou，asyouwereinlongpastyears——

willsay，“Ah，littleCythereausedtotieherhairlikethat——poorinnocenttrustingthing；itwasapleasantuselessidledream——thatdreamofmineforthemaidwiththebrighteyesandsimple，sillyheart；butIwasafoolishladatthattime。“ThenhewilltellthetaleofallyourlittleWillsandWont"sandparticularways，andashespeaks，turntohiswifewithaplacidsmile。"

"Itisnottrue！Hecan"t，hec-can"tbes-socruel——andyouarecrueltome——youare，youare！"Shewasatlastdriventodesperation：hernaturalcommonsenseandshrewdnesshadseenallthroughthepiecehowimaginaryheremotionswere——shefeltherselftobeweakandfoolishinpermittingthemtorise；buteventhenshecouldnotcontrolthem：beagonizedshemust。Shewasonlyeighteen，andthelongday"slabour，herweariness，herexcitement，hadcompletelyunnervedher，andwornherout：shewasbenthitherandthitherbythistyrannicalworkinguponherimagination，asayoungrushinthewind。Sheweptbitterly。"AndnowthinkhowmuchIlikeyou，"resumedMissAldclyffe，whenCythereagrewcalmer。"I

shallneverforgetyouforanybodyelse，asmendo——never。Iwillbeexactlyasamothertoyou。Nowwillyoupromisetolivewithmealways，andalwaysbetakencareof，andneverdeserted？"

"Icannot。Iwillnotbeanybody"smaidforanotherdayonanyconsideration。"

"No，no，no。Youshan"tbealady"s-maid。Youshallbemycompanion。Iwillgetanothermaid。"

Companion——thatwasanewidea。Cythereacouldnotresisttheevidentlyheartfeltdesireofthestrange-temperedwomanforherpresence。Butshecouldnottrusttothemoment"simpulse。

"Iwillstay，Ithink。Butdonotaskforafinalanswerto-night。"

"Nevermindnow，then。Putyourhairroundyourmamma"sneck，andgivemeonegoodlongkiss，andIwon"ttalkanymoreinthatwayaboutyourlover。Afterall，someyoungmenarenotsofickleasothers；butevenifhe"stheficklest，thereisconsolation。Theloveofaninconstantmanistentimesmoreardentthanthatofafaithfulman——thatis，whileitlasts。"

Cythereadidasshewastold，toescapethepunishmentoffurthertalk；flungthetwiningtressesofherlong，richhairoverMissAldclyffe"sshouldersasdirected，andthetwoceasedconversing，makingthemselvesupforsleep。MissAldclyffeseemedtogiveherselfovertoaluxurioussenseofcontentandquiet，asifthemaidenathersideaffordedheraprotectionagainstdangerswhichhadmenacedherforyears；shewassoonsleepingcalmly。

2。TWOTOFIVEA。M。

WithCythereaitwasotherwise。Unusedtotheplaceandcircumstances，shecontinuedwakeful，illatease，andmentallydistressed。Shewithdrewherselffromhercompanion"sembrace，turnedtotheotherside，andendeavouredtorelieveherbusybrainbylookingatthewindow-blind，andnoticingthelightoftherisingmoon——nowinherlastquarter——creeprounduponit：itwasthelightofanoldwaningmoonwhichhadbutafewdayslongertolive。

Thesightledhertothinkagainofwhathadhappenedundertheraysofthesamemonth"smoon，alittlebeforeitsfull，theecstaticeveningscenewithEdward：thekiss，andtheshortnessofthosehappymoments——maidenimaginationbringingabouttheapotheosisofastatusquowhichhadhadseveralunpleasantnessesinitsearthlyreality。

Butsoundswereintheascendantthatnight。Herearsbecameawareofastrangeandgloomymurmur。

Sherecognizedit：itwasthegushingofthewaterfall，faintandlow，broughtfromitssourcetotheunwonteddistanceoftheHousebyafaintbreezewhichmadeitdistinctandrecognizablebyreasonoftheutterabsenceofalldisturbingsounds。Thegroom"smelancholyrepresentationlenttothesoundamoredismaleffectthanitwouldhavehadofitsownnature。Shebegantofancywhatthewaterfallmustbelikeatthathour，underthetreesintheghostlymoonlight。Blackatthehead，andoverthesurfaceofthedeepcoldholeintowhichitfell；whiteandfrothyatthefall；

blackandwhite，likeapallanditsborder；sadeverywhere。

Shewasinthemoodforsoundsofeverykindnow，andstrainedherearstocatchthefaintest，inwaywardenmitytoherquietofmind。

Anothersooncame。