第8章

Theoldman"seyessweptthehorizon，thenheturnedtogoin，withoutmakinganotherobservation。Alllightseemedextinguishedinhimagain。WhenEdwardwentinhefoundhisfatherwiththebureauopen，unfoldingtheleaseswithashakinghand，foldingthemupagainwithoutreadingthem，thenputtingthemintheirnicheonlytoremovethemagain。

Adelaidewasintheroom。ShesaidthoughtfullytoEdward，asshewatchedthefarmer——

"Ihopeitwon"tkillpooruncle，Edward。Whatshouldwedoifanythingweretohappentohim？HeistheonlynearrelativeyouandIhaveintheworld。"Itwasperfectlytrue，andsomehowEdwardfeltmoreboundupwithherafterthatremark。

Shecontinued："Andhewasonlysayingsohopefullythedaybeforethefire，thathewouldn"tfortheworldletanyoneelsegivemeawaytoyouwhenwearemarried。"

ForthefirsttimeaconscientiousdoubtaroseinEdward"smindastothejusticeofthecoursehewaspursuinginresolvingtorefusethealternativeofferedbyMissAldclyffe。Coulditbeselfishnessaswellasindependence？Howmuchhehadthoughtofhisownheart，howlittlehehadthoughtofhisfather"speaceofmind！

Theoldmandidnotspeakagaintillsupper-time，whenhebeganaskinghissonanendlessnumberofhypotheticalquestionsonwhatmightinduceMissAldclyffetolistentokinderterms；speakingofhernownotasanunfairwoman，butasaLachesisorFatewhosecourseitbehovednobodytocondemn。InhisearnestnessheonceturnedhiseyesonEdward"sface：theirexpressionwaswoful：thepupilsweredilatedandstrangeinaspect。

"Ifshewillonlyagreetothat！"hereiteratedforthehundredthtime，increasingthesadnessofhislisteners。

Anaristocraticknockingcametothedoor，andJaneenteredwithaletter，addressed——

"MR。EDWARDSPRINGROVE，Junior。"

"CharlesfromKnapwaterHousebroughtit，"shesaid。

"MissAldclyffe"swriting，"saidMr。Springrove，beforeEdwardhadrecognizedithimself。"Now"tisallright；she"sgoingtomakeanoffer；shedoesn"twantthehousesthere，notshe；theyaregoingtomakethatthewayintothepark。"

Edwardopenedthesealandglancedattheinside。Hesaid，withasupremeeffortofself-command——

"ItisonlydirectedbyMissAldclyffe，andreferstonothingconnectedwiththefire。Iwonderathertakingthetroubletosenditto-night。"

Hisfatherlookedabsentlyathimandturnedawayagain。Shortlyafterwardstheyretiredforthenight。AloneinhisbedroomEdwardopenedandreadwhathehadnotdaredtorefertointheirpresence。

TheenvelopecontainedanotherenvelopeinCytherea"shandwriting，addressedto"——Manston，Esq。，OldManorHouse。"Insidethiswasthenoteshehadwrittentothestewardafterherdetentioninhishousebythethunderstorm——

"KNAPWATERHOUSE，September20th。

"IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno"clockbythewaterfallasI

promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。

"C。GRAYE。"

MissAldclyffehadnotwrittenaline，and，bytheunvaryingruleobservablewhenwordsarenotanabsolutenecessity，hersilenceseemedtentimesasconvincingasanyexpressionofopinioncouldhavebeen。

Hethen，stepbystep，recalledalltheconversationonthesubjectofCytherea"sfeelingsthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandMissAldclyffeintheafternoon，andbyaconfusionofthought，naturalenoughunderthetryingexperience，concludedthatbecausetheladywastruthfulinherportraitureofeffects，shemustnecessarilyberightinherassumptionofcauses。Thatis，hewasconvincedthatCytherea——thehitherto-believedfaithfulCytherea——had，atanyrate，lookedwithsomethingmorethanindifferenceupontheextremelyhandsomefaceandformofManston。

Didheblameher，asguiltyoftheimproprietyofallowingherselftolovethenewcomerinthefaceofhisnotbeingfreetoreturnherlove？No；neverforamomentdidhedoubtthatallhadoccurredinherold，innocent，impulsiveway；thatherheartwasgonebeforesheknewit——beforesheknewanything，beyondhisexistence，ofthemantowhomithadflown。Perhapstheverynoteenclosedtohimwastheresultoffirstreflection。Manstonhewouldunhesitatinglyhavecalledascoundrel，butforonestrikinglyredeemingfact。Ithadbeenpatenttothewholeparish，andhadcometoEdward"sownknowledgebythatindirectchannel，thatManston，asamarriedman，conscientiouslyavoidedCythereaafterthosefirstfewdaysofhisarrivalduringwhichherirresistiblybeautifulandfatalglanceshadresteduponhim——hisuponher。

Takingfromhiscoatacreasedandpocket-wornenvelopecontainingCytherea"slettertohimself，Springroveopeneditandreaditthrough。Hewasupbraidedtherein，andhewasdismissed。ItborethedateofthelettersenttoManston，andbycontainingwithinitthephrase，"AllthedaylongIhavebeenthinking，"affordedjustifiablegroundforassumingthatitwaswrittensubsequentlytotheother(andinEdward"ssightfarsweeterone)tothesteward。

Butthoughheaccusedheroffickleness，hewouldnotdoubtthegenuineness，initskind，ofherpartialityforhimatBudmouth。Itwasashortandshallowfeeling——notperfectlove：

"LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds。"

Butitwasnotflirtation；afeelinghadbeenborninherandhaddied。Itwouldbewellforhispeaceofmindifhisloveforhercouldflitawaysosoftly，andleavesofewtracesbehind。

MissAldclyffehadshownherselfdesperatelyconcernedinthewholematterbythealacritywithwhichshehadobtainedtheletterfromManston，andherlabourstoinducehimselftomarryhiscousin。

Takeninconnectionwithherapparentinterestin，ifnotlovefor，Cytherea，hereagerness，too，couldonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthatCythereaindeedlovedthesteward。

5。DECEMBERTHEFOURTH

Edwardpassedthenighthescarcelyknewhow，tossingfeverishlyfromsidetoside，thebloodthrobbinginhistemples，andsinginginhisears。

Beforethedaybegantobreakhedressedhimself。Ongoingoutuponthelandinghefoundhisfather"sbedroomdooralreadyopen。Edwardconcludedthattheoldmanhadrisensoftly，aswashiswont，andgoneoutintothefieldstostartthelabourers。Butneitheroftheouterdoorswasunfastened。Heenteredthefrontroom，andfounditempty。Thenanimatedbyanewidea，hewentroundtothelittlebackparlour，inwhichthefewwreckssavedfromthefireweredeposited，andlookedinatthedoor。Here，nearthewindow，theshuttersofwhichhadbeenopenedhalfway，hesawhisfatherleaningonthebureau，hiselbowsrestingontheflap，hisbodynearlydoubled，hishandsclaspinghisforehead。Besidehimwereghostly-lookingsquarefoldsofparchment——theleasesofthehousesdestroyed。

HisfatherlookedupwhenEdwardentered，andwearilyspoketotheyoungmanashisfacecameintothefaintlight。

"Edward，whydidyougetupsoearly？"

"Iwasuneasy，andcouldnotsleep。"

Thefarmerturnedagaintotheleasesonthebureau，andseemedtobecomelostinreflection。Inaminuteortwo，withoutliftinghiseyes，hesaid——

"Thisismorethanwecanbear，Ted——morethanwecanbear！Ted，thiswillkillme。Notthelossonly——thesenseofmyneglectabouttheinsuranceandeverything。BorrowIneverwill。"Tisallmiserynow。Godhelpus——allmiserynow！"

Edwarddidnotanswer，continuingtolookfixedlyatthedrearydaylightoutside。

"Ted，"thefarmerwenton，"thisupsetofbe-enburntouto"homemakesmeverynervousanddoubtfulabouteverything。There"sthistroublesmebesides——ourlivenherewithyourcousin，andfillenupherhouse。Itmustbeveryawkwardforher。Butshesaysshedoesn"tmind。Haveyousaidanythingtoherlatelyaboutwhenyouaregoingtomarryher？"

"Nothingatalllately。"

"Well，perhapsyoumayaswell，nowwearesomixedintogether。

Youknow，notimehaseverbeenmentionedtoheratall，firstorlast，andIthinkitrightthatnow，sinceshehaswaitedsopatientlyandsolong——youarealmostcalledupontosayyouareready。Itwouldsimplifymattersverymuch，ifyouweretowalkuptochurchwi"heroneofthesemornings，getthethingdone，andgoonlivenhereasweare。Ifyoudon"tImustgetahouseallthesooner。Itwouldlightenmymind，too，aboutthetwolittlefreeholdsoverthehill——notamorsela-piece，dividedastheywerebetweenhermotherandme，butatidybittiedtogetheragain。Justthinkaboutit，willye，Ted？"

Hestoppedfromexhaustionproducedbytheintenseconcentrationofhisminduponthewearysubject，andlookedanxiouslyathisson。

"Yes，Iwill，"saidEdward。

"ButIamgoingtoseeheroftheGreatHousethismorning，"thefarmerwenton，histhoughtsrevertingtotheoldsubject。"Imustknowtherightsofthematter，thewhenandthewhere。Idon"tlikeseeingher，butI"drathertalktoherthanthesteward。Iwonderwhatshe"llsaytome。"

Theyoungermanknewexactlywhatshewouldsay。Ifhisfatheraskedherwhathewastodo，andwhen，shewouldsimplyreferhimtoManston：hercharacterwasnotthatofawomanwhoshrankfromapropositionshehadoncelaiddown。Ifhisfatherweretosaytoherthathissonhadatlastresolvedtomarryhiscousinwithintheyear，andhadgivenherapromisetothateffect，shewouldsay，"Mr。Springrove，thehousesareburnt：we"llletthemgo：troublenomoreaboutthem。"

Hismindwasalreadymadeup。Hesaidcalmly，"Father，whenyouaretalkingtoMissAldclyffe，mentiontoherthatIhaveaskedAdelaideifsheiswillingtomarrymenextChristmas。SheisinterestedinmyunionwithAdelaide，andthenewswillbewelcometoher。"

"Andyetshecanbeironwithreferencetomeandherproperty，"thefarmermurmured。"Verywell，Ted，I"lltellher。"

6。DECEMBERTHEFIFTH

Ofthemanycontradictoryparticularsconstitutingawoman"sheart，twohadshowntheirvigorouscontrastinCytherea"sbosomjustatthistime。

Itwasadarkmorning，themorningafteroldMr。Springrove"svisittoMissAldclyffe，whichhadterminatedasEdwardhadintended。

Havingrisenanhourearlierthanwasusualwithher，Cythereasatatthewindowofanelegantlittlesitting-roomonthegroundfloor，whichhadbeenappropriatedtoherbythekindnessorwhimofMissAldclyffe，thatshemightnotbedrivenintothatlady"spresenceagainstherwill。Sheleantwithherfaceonherhand，lookingoutintothegloomygreyair。Ayellowglimmerfromtheflappingflameofthenewly-litfireflutteredononesideofherfaceandnecklikeabutterflyabouttosettlethere，contrastingwarmlywiththeothersideofthesamefairface，whichreceivedfromthewindowthefaintcoldmorninglight，soweakthathershadowfromthefirehadadistinctoutlineonthewindow-shutterinspiteofit。Theretheshadowdancedlikeademon，blueandgrim。

ThecontradictionalludedtowasthatinspiteofthedecisivemoodwhichtwomonthsearlierintheyearhadcausedhertowriteaperemptoryandfinallettertoEdward，shewasnowhopingforsomeanswerotherthantheonlypossibleoneamanwho，assheheld，didnotloveherwildly，couldsendtosuchacommunication。Foraloverwhodidlovewildly，shehadleftonelittleloopholeinherotherwisestraightforwardepistle。Whysheexpectedtheletteronsomemorningofthisparticularweekwas，thathearingofhisreturntoCarriford，shefondlyassumedthathemeanttoaskforaninterviewbeforeheleft。Henceitwas，too，thatforthelastfewdays，shehadnotbeenabletokeepinbedlaterthanthetimeofthepostman"sarrival。

Theclockpointedtohalf-pastseven。Shesawthepostmanemergefrombeneaththebareboughsoftheparktrees，comethroughthewicket，divethroughtheshrubbery，reappearonthelawn，stalkacrossitwithoutreferencetopaths——ascountrypostmendo——andcometotheporch。Sheheardhimflingthebagdownontheseat，andturnawaytowardsthevillage，withouthinderinghimselfforasinglepace。

Thenthebutleropenedthedoor，tookupthebag，broughtitin，andcarrieditupthestaircasetoplaceitontheslabbyMissAldclyffe"sdressing-roomdoor。Thewholeproceedinghadbeendepictedbysounds。

Shehadapresentimentthatherletterwasinthebagatlast。Shethoughtthenindiminishingpulsationsofconfidence，"Heaskstoseeme！Perhapsheaskstoseeme：Ihopeheaskstoseeme。"

Aquartertoeight：MissAldclyffe"sbell——ratherearlierthanusual。"Shemusthaveheardthepost-bagbrought，"saidthemaiden，as，tiredofthechillyprospectoutside，sheturnedtothefire，anddrewimaginativepicturesofherfuturetherein。

Atapcametothedoor，andthelady"s-maidentered。

"MissAldclyffeisawake，"shesaid；"andsheaskedifyouweremovingyet，miss。"

"I"llrunuptoher，"saidCytherea，andflittedoffwiththeutteranceofthewords。"Veryfortunatethis，"shethought；"I

shallseewhatisinthebagthismorningallthesooner。"

Shetookitupfromthesidetable，wentintoMissAldclyffe"sbedroom，pulleduptheblinds，andlookedroundupontheladyinbed，calculatingtheminutesthatmustelapsebeforeshelookedatherletters。

"Well，darling，howareyou？Iamgladyouhavecomeintoseeme，"

saidMissAldclyffe。"Youcanunlockthebagthismorning，child，ifyoulike，"shecontinued，yawningfactitiously。

"Strange！"Cythereathought；"itseemsasifsheknewtherewaslikelytobealetterforme。"

FromherbedMissAldclyffewatchedthegirl"sfaceasshetremblinglyopenedthepost-bagandfoundthereanenvelopeaddressedtoherinEdward"shandwriting；onehehadwrittenthedaybefore，afterthedecisionhehadcometoonanimpartial，andonthataccounttorturing，surveyofhisown，hisfather"s，hiscousinAdelaide"s，andwhathebelievedtobeCytherea"s，position。

Thehaughtymistress"ssoulsickenedremorsefullywithinherwhenshesawsuddenlyappearuponthespeakingcountenanceoftheyoungladybeforeherawandesolatelookofagony。

Themaster-sentencesofEdward"sletterwerethese："Youspeaktruly。Thatwenevermeetagainisthewisestandonlypropercourse。ThatIregretthepastasmuchasyoudoyourself，itishardlynecessaryformetosay。"

XII。THEEVENTSOFTENMONTHS

1。DECEMBERTOAPRIL

Weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，thetimehadflownby。

Christmashadpassed；drearywinterwithdarkeveningshadgivenplacetomoredrearywinterwithlightevenings。Thawshadendedinrain，raininwind，windindust。Showerydayshadcome——theperiodofpinkdawnsandwhitesunsets；withthethirdweekinAprilthecuckoohadappeared，withthefourth，thenightingale。

EdwardSpringrovewasinLondon，attendingtothedutiesofhisnewoffice，andithadbecomeknownthroughouttheneighbourhoodofCarrifordthattheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissAdelaideHintonwouldterminateinmarriageattheendoftheyear。

TheonlyoccasiononwhichherloveroftheidledeliciousdaysatBudmouthwatering-placehadbeenseenbyCythereaafterthetimeofthedecisivecorrespondence，wasonceinchurch，whenhesatinfrontofher，andbesideMissHinton。

Therencounterwasquiteanaccident。SpringrovehadcomethereinthefullbeliefthatCythereawasawayfromhomewithMissAldclyffe；andhecontinuedignorantofherpresencethroughouttheservice。

Itisatsuchmomentsasthese，whenasensitivenaturewrithesundertheconceptionthatitsmostcherishedemotionshavebeentreatedwithcontumely，thatthesphere-descendedMaid，Music，friendofPleasureatothertimes，becomesapositiveenemy——

racking，bewildering，unrelenting。ThecongregationsangthefirstPsalmandcametotheverse——

"Likesomefairtreewhich，fedbystreams，Withtimelyfruitdothbend，Hestillshallflourish，andsuccessAllhisdesignsattend。"

Cytherea"slipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundescapeher；butcouldshehelpsingingthewordsinthedepthsofherbeing，althoughthemantowhomsheappliedthemsatatherrival"sside？

Perhapsthemoralcompensationforallawoman"spettyclevernessunderthrivingconditionsistherealnobilitythatliesinherextremefoolishnessattheseothertimes；hersheerinabilitytobesimplyjust，herexerciseofanillogicalpowerentirelydeniedtomeningeneral——thepowernotonlyofkissing，butofdelightingtokisstherodbyapunctiliousobservanceoftheself-immolatingdoctrinesintheSermonontheMount。

AsforEdward——alittlelikeothermenofhistemperament，towhom，itissomewhathumiliatingtothink，theaberrancyofagivenloveisinitselfarecommendation——hissentiment，ashelookedoverhiscousin"sbook，wasofalowerrank，HoratianratherthanPsalmodic——

"O，whathastthouofher，ofherWhoseeverylookdidloveinspire；

Whoseeverybreathingfannedmyfire，Andstolemefrommyselfaway！"

Then，withoutlettinghimseeher，Cythereasliptoutofchurchearly，andwenthome，thetonesoftheorganstilllingeringinherearsasshetriedbravelytokillajealousthoughtthatwouldneverthelesslive："Mynatureisonecapableofmore，farmore，intensefeelingthanhers！Shecan"tappreciateallthesidesofhim——sheneverwill！Heismoretangibletomeevennow，asathought，thanhispresenceitselfistoher！"Shewaslessnoblethen。

Butshecontinuallyrepressedhermiseryandbitternessofhearttilltheefforttodososhowedsignsoflessening。Atlengthsheeventriedtohopethatherlostloverandherrivalwouldloveoneanotherverydearly。

Thesceneandthesentimentdroppedintothepast。Meanwhile，Manstoncontinuedvisiblybeforeher。He，thoughquietandsubduedinhisbearingforalongtimeafterthecalamityofNovember，hadnotsimulatedagriefthathedidnotfeel。Atfirsthislossseemedsotoabsorbhim——thoughasastartlingchangeratherthanasaheavysorrow——thathepaidCythereanoattentionwhatever。Hisconductwasuniformlykindandrespectful，butlittlemore。Then，asthedateofthecatastrophegrewremoter，hebegantowearadifferentaspecttowardsher。Healwayscontrivedtoobliteratebyhismannerallrecollectiononhersidethatshewascomparativelymoredependentthanhimself——makingmuchofherwomanhood，nothingofhersituation。Prompttoaidherwheneveroccasionoffered，andfullofdelightfulpetitssoinsatalltimes，hewasnotofficious。

Inthiswayheirresistiblywonforhimselfapositionasherfriend，andthemoreeasilyinthatheallowednotthefaintestsymptomoftheoldlovetobeapparent。

MattersstoodthusinthemiddleofthespringwhenthenextmoveonhisbehalfwasmadebyMissAldclyffe。

2。THETHIRDOFMAY

SheledCythereatoasummer-housecalledtheFane，builtintheprivategroundsaboutthemansionintheformofaGreciantemple；

itoverlookedthelake，theislandonit，thetrees，andtheirundisturbedreflectioninthesmoothstillwater。Heretheoldandyoungmaidhalted；heretheystood，sidebyside，mentallyimbibingthescene。

ThemonthwasMay——thetime，morning。Cuckoos，thrushes，blackbirds，andsparrowsgaveforthaperfectconfusionofsongandtwitter。Theroadwasspottedwhitewiththefallenleavesofapple-blossoms，andthesparklinggreydewstilllingeredonthegrassandflowers。Twoswansfloatedintoviewinfrontofthewomen，andthencrossedthewatertowardsthem。

"Theyseemtocometouswithoutanywilloftheirown——quiteinvoluntarily——don"tthey？"saidCytherea，lookingatthebirds"

gracefuladvance。

"Yes，butifyoulooknarrowlyyoucanseetheirhipsjustbeneaththewater，workingwiththegreatestenergy。"

"I"drathernotseethat，itspoilstheideaofproudindifferencetodirectionwhichweassociatewithaswan。"

"Itdoes；we"llhave“involuntarily。“Ah，nowthisremindsmeofsomething。"

"Ofwhat？"

"Ofahumanbeingwhoinvoluntarilycomestowardsyourself。"

CytherealookedintoMissAldclyffe"sface；hereyesgrewroundascircles，andlinesofwondermentcamevisiblyuponhercountenance。

ShehadnotonceregardedManstonasaloversincehiswife"ssuddenappearanceandsubsequentdeath。Thedeathofawife，andsuchadeath，wasanoverwhelmingmatterinherideasofthings。

"Isitamanorwoman？"shesaid，quiteinnocently。

"Mr。Manston，"saidMissAldclyffequietly。

"Mr。ManstonattractedbymeNOW？"saidCytherea，standingatgaze。

"Didn"tyouknowit？"

"CertainlyIdidnot。Why，hispoorwifehasonlybeendeadsixmonths。"

"Ofcourseheknowsthat。Butlovingisnotdonebymonths，ormethod，orrule，ornobodywouldeverhaveinventedsuchaphraseas“fallinginlove。“Hedoesnotwanthislovetobeobservedjustyet，ontheveryaccountyoumention；butconcealitashemayfromhimselfandus，itexistsdefinitely——andveryintensely，Iassureyou。"

"Isupposethen，thatifhecan"thelpit，itisnoharmofhim，"

saidCythereanaively，andbeginningtoponder。

"Ofcourseitisn"t——youknowthatwellenough。Shewasagreatburdenandtroubletohim。Thismaybecomeagreatgoodtoyouboth。"

Arushoffeelingatrememberingthatthesamewoman，beforeManston"sarrival，hadjustasfranklyadvocatedEdward"sclaims，checkedCytherea"sutteranceforawhile。

"There，don"tlookatmelikethat，forHeaven"ssake！"saidMissAldclyffe。"Youcouldalmostkillapersonbytheforceofreproachyoucanputintothoseeyesofyours，Iverilybelieve。"

Edwardonceintheyounglady"sthoughts，therewasnogettingridofhim。Shewantedtobealone。

"Doyouwantmehere？"shesaid。

"Nowthere，there；youwanttobeoff，andhaveagoodcry，"saidMissAldclyffe，takingherhand。"Butyoumustn"t，mydear。

There"snothinginthepastforyoutoregret。CompareMr。

Manston"shonourableconducttowardshiswifeandyourself，withSpringrovetowardshisbetrothedandyourself，andthenseewhichappearsthemoreworthyofyourthoughts。"

3。FROMTHEFOURTHOFMAYTOTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNE

ThenextstageinManston"sadvancestowardsherhandwasaclearlydefinedcourtship。Shewassadlyperplexed，andsomecontrivancewasnecessaryonhispartinordertomeetwithher。Butitisnexttoimpossibleforanappreciativewomantohaveapositiverepugnancetowardsanunusuallyhandsomeandgiftedman，eventhoughshemaynotbeinclinedtolovehim。HenceCythereawasnotsoalarmedatthesightofhimastorenderameetingandconversationwithhermorethanamatterofdifficulty。

Comingandgoingfromchurchwashisgrandopportunity。Manstonwasveryreligiousnow。Itiscommonlysaidthatnomanwaseverconvertedbyargument，butthereisasingleonewhichwillmakeanyLaodiceaninEngland，lethimbeoncelove-sick，wearprayer-booksandbecomeazealousEpiscopalian——theargumentthathissweetheartcanbeseenfromhispew。

Manstonintroducedintohismethodasystemofbewitchingflattery，everywherepervasive，yet，too，sotransitoryandintangible，that，asinthecaseofthepoetWordsworthandtheWanderingVoice，thoughshefeltitpresent，shecouldneverfindit。Asafoiltoheightenitseffect，heoccasionallyspokephilosophicallyoftheevanescenceoffemalebeauty——theworthlessnessofmereappearance。

"Handsomeisthathandsomedoes"heconsideredaproverbwhichshouldbewrittenonthelooking-glassofeverywomanintheland。

"Yourform，yourmotions，yourhearthavewonme，"hesaid，inatoneofplayfulsadness。"Theyarebeautiful。ButIseethesethings，anditcomesintomymindthattheyaredoomed，theyareglidingtonothingasIlook。Pooreyes，poormouth，poorface，poormaiden！“Wherewillhergloriesbeintwentyyears？”Isay。

“Wherewillallofherbeinahundred？”ThenIthinkitiscruelthatyoushouldbloomaday，andfadeforeverandever。ItseemshardandsadthatyouwilldieasordinarilyasI，andbeburied；befoodforrootsandworms，beforgottenandcometoearth，andgrowupamerebladeofchurchyard-grassandanivyleaf。Then，MissGraye，whenIseeyouareaLovelyNothing，Ipityyou，andtheloveIfeelthenisbetterandsounder，largerandmorelastingthanthatIfeltatthebeginning。"Againanardentflashofhishandsomeeyes。

Itwasbythisroutethatheventuredonanindirectdeclarationandofferofhishand。

Sheimpliedinthesameindirectmannerthatshedidnotlovehimenoughtoacceptit。

Anactualrefusalwasmorethanhehadexpected。Cursinghimselfforwhathecalledhisegregiousfollyinmakinghimselftheslaveofamerelady"sattendant，andforhavinggiventheparish，shouldtheyknowofherrefusal，achanceofsneeringathim——certainlyagroundforthinkinglessofhisstandingthanbefore——hewenthometotheOldHouse，andwalkedindecisivelyupanddownhisback-yard。

Turningaside，heleanthisarmsupontheedgeoftherain-water-

buttstandinginthecorner，andlookedintoit。ThereflectionfromthesmoothstagnantsurfacetingedhisfacewiththegreenishshadesofCorreggio"snudes。Stavesofsunlightslanteddownthroughthestillpool，lightingitupwithwonderfuldistinctness。

Hundredsofthousandsofminutelivingcreaturessportedandtumbledinitsdepthwitheverycontortionthatgaietycouldsuggest；

perfectlyhappy，thoughconsistingonlyofahead，oratail，oratmostaheadandatail，andalldoomedtodiewithinthetwenty-fourhours。

"Damnmyposition！Whyshouldn"tIbehappythroughmylittledaytoo？Lettheparishsneeratmyrepulses，letit。I"llgether，ifImoveheavenandearthtodoit！"

Indeed，theinexperiencedCythereahad，towardsEdwardinthefirstplace，andManstonafterwards，unconsciouslyadoptedbearingsthatwouldhavebeentheverytacticsofaprofessionalfisherofmenwhowishedtohavethemeachsuccessivelydanglingatherheels。Forifanyruleatallcanbelaiddowninamatterwhich，formencollectively，isnotoriouslybeyondregulation，itisthattosnubapettedman，andtopetasnubbedman，isthewaytowininsuitsofbothkinds。ManstonwithSpringrove"sencouragementwouldhavebecomeindifferent。EdwardwithManston"srepulseswouldhavesheeredoffattheoutset，ashedidafterwards。HersupremeindifferenceaddedfueltoManston"sardour——itcompletelydisarmedhispride。TheinvulnerableNobodyseemedgreatertohimthanasusceptiblePrincess。

4。FROMTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNETOTHEENDOFJULY

Cythereahadinthemeantimereceivedthefollowingletterfromherbrother。Itwasthefirstdefinitenotificationoftheenlargementofthatcloudnobiggerthanaman"shandwhichhadfornearlyatwelvemonthhungbeforetheminthedistance，andwhichwassoontogiveacolourtotheirwholeskyfromhorizontohorizon。

"BUDMOUTHREGIS，Saturday。

"DARLINGSIS，——Ihavedelayedtellingyouforalongtimeofalittlematterwhich，thoughnotonetobeseriouslyalarmedabout，issufficientlyvexing，anditwouldbeunfairinmetokeepitfromyouanylonger。ItisthatforsometimepastIhaveagainbeendistressedbythatlamenesswhichIfirstdistinctlyfeltwhenwewenttoLulsteadCove，andagainwhenIleftKnapwaterthatmorningearly。Itisanunusualpaininmyleftleg，betweenthekneeandtheankle。Ihadjustfoundfreshsymptomsofitwhenyouwerehereforthathalf-houraboutamonthago——whenyousaidinfunthatI

begantomovelikeanoldman。Ihadagoodmindtotellyouthen，butfancyingitwouldgooffinafewdays，Ithoughtitwasnotworthwhile。Sincethattimeithasincreased，butIamstillabletoworkintheoffice，sittingonthestool。MygreatfearisthatMr。G。willhavesomeout-doormeasuringworkformetodosoon，andthatIshallbeobligedtodeclineit。However，wewillhopeforthebest。Howitcame，whatwasitsorigin，orwhatittendsto，I

cannotthink。Youshallhearagaininadayortwo，ifitisnobetter——Yourlovingbrother，OWEN。"

Thissheanswered，beggingtoknowtheworst，whichshecouldbear，butsuspenseandanxietynever。Intwodayscameanotherletterfromhim，ofwhichthesubjoinedparagraphisaportion：——

"Ihadquitedecidedtoletyouknowtheworst，andtoassureyouthatitwastheworst，beforeyouwrotetoaskit。AndagainIgiveyoumywordthatIwillconcealnothing——sothattherewillbenoexcusewhateverforyourwearingyourselfoutwithfearsthatIamworsethanIsay。Thismorningthen，forthefirsttime，Ihavebeenobligedtostayawayfromtheoffice。Don"tbefrightenedatthis，dearCytherea。Restisallthatiswanted，andbynursingmyselfnowforaweek，Imayavoidanillnessofsixmonths。"

Afteravisitfromherhewroteagain：——

"Dr。Chestmanhasseenme。Hesaidthattheailmentwassomesortofrheumatism，andIamnowundergoingpropertreatmentforitscure。Mylegandfoothavebeenplacedinhotbran，linimentshavebeenapplied，andalsoseverefrictionwithapad。HesaysIshallbeasrightaseverinaveryshorttime。DirectlyIamIshallrunupbythetraintoseeyou。Don"ttroubletocometomeifMissAldclyffegrumblesagainaboutyourbeingaway，forIamgoingoncapitally……Youshallhearagainattheendoftheweek。"

Atthetimementionedcamethefollowing：——

"Iamsorrytotellyou，becauseIknowitwillbesodishearteningaftermylastletter，thatIamnotsowellasIwasthen，andthattherehasbeenasortofhitchintheproceedings。AfterIhadbeentreatedforrheumatismafewdayslonger(inwhichtreatmenttheyprickedtheplacewithalongneedleseveraltimes，)IsawthatDr。

Chestmanwasindoubtaboutsomething，andIrequestedthathewouldcallinabrotherprofessionalmantoseemeaswell。Theyconsultedtogetherandthentoldmethatrheumatismwasnotthediseaseafterall，buterysipelas。Theythenbegantreatingitdifferently，asbecameadifferentmatter。Blisters，flour，andstarch，seemtobetheorderofthedaynow——medicine，ofcourse，besides。

"Mr。Gradfieldhasbeenintoinquireaboutme。Hesayshehasbeenobligedtogetadesignerinmyplace，whichgrievesmeverymuch，though，ofcourse，itcouldnotbeavoided。"

Amonthpassedaway；throughoutthisperiod，Cythereavisitedhimasoftenasthelimitedtimeathercommandwouldallow，andworeascheerfulacountenanceasthewomanlydeterminationtodonothingwhichmightdepresshimcouldenablehertowear。Anotherletterfromhimthentoldhertheseadditionalfacts：——

"Thedoctorsfindtheyareagainonthewrongtack。Theycannotmakeoutwhatthediseaseis。OCytherea！howIwishtheyknew！

Thissuspenseiswearingmeout。CouldnotMissAldclyffespareyouforaday？Docometome。Wewilltalkaboutthebestcoursethen。

Iamsorrytocomplain，butIamwornout。“

CythereawenttoMissAldclyffe，andtoldherofthemelancholyturnherbrother"sillnesshadtaken。MissAldclyffeatoncesaidthatCythereamightgo，andofferedtodoanythingtoassistherwhichlayinherpower。Cytherea"seyesbeamedgratitudeassheturnedtoleavetheroom，andhastentothestation。

"O，Cytherea，"saidMissAldclyffe，callingherback；"justoneword。HasMr。Manstonspokentoyoulately？"

"Yes，"saidCytherea，blushingtimorously。

"Heproposed？"

"Yes。"

"Andyourefusedhim？"

"Yes。"

"Tut，tut！Nowlistentomyadvice，"saidMissAldclyffeemphatically，"andaccepthimbeforehechangeshismind。Thechancewhichheoffersyouofsettlinginlifeisonethatmaypossibly，probably，notoccuragain。Hispositionisgoodandsecure，andthelifeofhiswifewouldbeahappyone。Youmaynotbesurethatyoulovehimmadly；butsupposeyouarenotsure？Myfatherusedtosaytomeasachildwhenhewasteachingmewhist，“Whenindoubtwinthetrick！”Thatadviceistentimesasvaluabletoawomanonthesubjectofmatrimony。Inrefusingamanthereisalwaystheriskthatyoumaynevergetanotheroffer。"

"Whydidn"tyouwinthetrickwhenyouwereagirl？"saidCytherea。

"Come，myladyPert；I"mnotthetext，"saidMissAldclyffe，herfaceglowinglikefire。

Cytherealaughedstealthily。

"Iwasabouttosay，"resumedMissAldclyffeseverely，"thathereisMr。Manstonwaitingwiththetenderestsolicitudeforyou，andyouoverlookingit，asifitwerealtogetherbeneathyou。ThinkhowyoumightbenefityoursickbrotherifyouwereMrs。Manston。YouwillpleasemeVERYMUCHbygivinghimsomeencouragement。Youunderstandme，Cythiedear？"

Cythereawassilent。

"And，"saidMissAldclyffe，stillmoreemphatically，"onyourpromisingthatyouwillaccepthimsometimethisyear，Iwilltakeespecialcareofyourbrother。Youarelistening，Cytherea？"

"Yes，"shewhispered，leavingtheroom。

ShewenttoBudmouth，passedthedaywithherbrother，andreturnedtoKnapwaterwretchedandfullofforeboding。Owenhadlookedstartlinglythinandpale——thinnerandpalerthanevershehadseenhimbefore。Thebrotherandsisterhadthatdaydecidedthatnotwithstandingthedrainupontheirslenderresources，anothersurgeonshouldseehim。Timewaseverything。

Owentoldhertheresultinhisnextletter：——

"Thethreepractitionersbetweenthemhaveatlasthitthenailonthehead，Ihope。Theyprobedtheplace，anddiscoveredthatthesecretlayinthebone。Iunderwentanoperationforitsremovalthreedaysago(aftertakingchloroform)……ThankGoditisover。

ThoughIamsoweak，myspiritsareratherbetter。IwonderwhenI

shallbeatworkagain？Iaskedthesurgeonshowlongitwouldbefirst。Isaidamonth？Theyshooktheirheads。Ayear？Isaid。

Notsolong，theysaid。Sixmonths？Iinquired。Theywouldnot，orcouldnot，tellme。Butnevermind。

"Rundown，whenyouhavehalfadaytospare，forthehoursdragonsodrearily。OCytherea，youcan"tthinkhowdrearily！"

Shewent。ImmediatelyonherdepartureMissAldclyffesentanotetotheOldHouse，toManston。Onthemaiden"sreturn，tiredandsickatheartasusual，shefoundManstonatthestationawaitingher。HeaskedpolitelyifhemightaccompanyhertoKnapwater。Shetacitlyacquiesced。Duringtheirwalkheinquiredtheparticularsofherbrother"sillness，andwithanirresistibledesiretopourouthertroubletosomeone，shetoldhimofthelengthoftimewhichmustelapsebeforehecouldbestrongagain，andofthelackofcomfortinlodgings。

Manstonwassilentawhile。Thenhesaidimpetuously："MissGraye，Iwillnotmincematters——Iloveyou——youknowit。Stratagemtheysayisfairinlove，andIamcompelledtoadoptitnow。Forgiveme，forIcannothelpit。Consenttobemywifeatanytimethatmaysuityou——anyremotedayyoumaynamewillsatisfyme——andyoushallfindhimwellprovidedfor。"

Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshetrulydreadedthehandsomemanathersidewhopleadedthusselfishly，andshrankfromthehotvoluptuousnatureofhispassionforher，which，disguiseitashemightunderaquietandpolishedexterior，attimesradiatedforthwithascorchingwhiteheat。Sheperceivedhowanimalwasthelovewhichbargained。

"Idonotloveyou，Mr。Manston，"sherepliedcoldly。

5。FROMTHEFIRSTTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST

Thelongsunnydaysofthelatersummer-timebroughtonlythesamedrearyaccountsfromBudmouth，andsawCythereapayingthesamesadvisits。

Shegrewperceptiblyweaker，inbodyandmind。Manstonstillpersistedinhissuit，butwithmoreofhisformerindirectness，nowthathesawhowunexpectedlywellshestoodanopenattack。HiswasthesystemofDaresattheSiciliangames——

"He，likeacaptainwhobeleaguersroundSomestrong-builtcastleonarisingground，Viewsalltheapproacheswithobservingeyes，Thisandthatotherpartagainhetries，Andmoreonindustrythanforcerelies。"

MissAldclyffemadeitappearmoreclearlythaneverthataidtoOwenfromherselfdependedentirelyuponCytherea"sacceptanceofhersteward。Hemmedinanddistressed，Cytherea"sanswerstohisimportunitiesgrewlessuniform；theywerefirm，orwavering，asOwen"smaladyfluctuated。Hadaregisterofherpitifuloscillationsbeenkept，itwouldhaverivalledinpathosthediarywhereinDeQuinceytabulateshiscombatwithOpium——perhapsasnoticeableaninstanceasanyinwhichathrillingdramaticpowerhasbeengiventomerenumerals。Thusshewearilyandmonotonouslylivedthroughthemonth，listeningonSundaystothewellknownroundofchaptersnarratingthehistoryofElijahandElishainfamineanddrought；onweek-daystobuzzingfliesinhotsunnyrooms。"Solike，soverylike，wasdaytoday。"Extremelassitudeseemedallthattheworldcouldshowher。

Herstatewasinthiswise，whenoneafternoon，havingbeenwithherbrother，shemetthesurgeon，andbeggedhimtotelltheactualtruthconcerningOwen"scondition。

Thereplywasthathefearedthatthefirstoperationhadnotbeenthorough；thatalthoughthewoundhadhealed，anotherattemptmightstillbenecessary，unlessnaturewerelefttoeffectherowncure。

Butthetimesuchaself-healingproceedingwouldoccupymightberuinous。

"Howlongwoulditbe？"shesaid。

"Itisimpossibletosay。Ayearortwo，moreorless。"

"Andsupposehesubmittedtoanotherartificialextraction？"

"Thenhemightbewellinfourorsixmonths。"

Nowtheremainderofhisandherpossessions，togetherwithasumhehadborrowed，wouldnotprovidehimwithnecessarycomfortsforhalfthattime。Tocombatthemisfortune，thereweretwocoursesopen——

herbecomingbetrothedtoManston，orthesendingOwentotheCountyHospital。

Thusterrified，drivenintoacorner，pantingandflutteringaboutforsomeloopholeofescape，yetstillshrinkingfromtheideaofbeingManston"swife，thepoorlittlebirdendeavouredtofindoutfromMissAldclyffewhetheritwaslikelyOwenwouldbewelltreatedinthehospital。

"CountyHospital！"saidMissAldclyffe；"why，itisonlyanothernameforslaughter-house——insurgicalcasesatanyrate。Certainlyifanythingaboutyourbodyissnaptintwotheydojoinyoutogetherinafashion，but"tissoaskewandugly，thatyoumayaswellbeapartagain。"Thensheterrifiedtheinquiringandanxiousmaidenbyrelatinghorridstoriesofhowthelegsandarmsofpoorpeoplewerecutoffatamoment"snotice，especiallyincaseswheretherestorativetreatmentwaslikelytobelongandtedious。

"YouknowhowwillingIamtohelpyou，Cytherea，"sheaddedreproachfully。"Youknowit。Whyareyousoobstinatethen？Whydoyouselfishlybartheclear，honourable，andonlysisterlypathwhichleadsoutofthisdifficulty？Icannot，onmyconscience，countenanceyou；no，Icannot。"

Manstononcemorerepeatedhisoffer；andoncemoresherefused，butthistimeweakly，andwithsignsofaninternalstruggle。Manston"seyesparkled；hesawforthehundredthtimeinhislife，thatperseverance，ifonlysystematic，wasirresistiblebywomankind。

6。THETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST

OngoingtoBudmouththreedayslater，shefoundtohersurprisethatthestewardhadbeenthere，hadintroducedhimself，andhadseenherbrother。Afewdelicacieshadbeenbroughthimalsobythesamehand。OwenspokeinwarmtermsofManstonandhisfreeandunceremoniouscall，ashecouldnothaverefrainedfromdoingofanyperson，ofanykind，whosepresencehadservedtohelpawaythetedioushoursofalongday，andwhohad，moreover，shownthatsortofconsiderationforhimwhichtheaccompanyingbasketimplied——

antecedentconsideration，sotellinguponallinvalids——andwhichhesoseldomexperiencedexceptfromthehandsofhissister。

Howshouldheperceive，amidthistithe-payingofmint，andanise，andcummin，theweightiermatterswhichwereleftundone？

AgainthestewardmetheratCarrifordRoadStationonherreturnjourney。Insteadofbeingfrigidasattheformermeetingatthesameplace，shewasembarrassedbyastrifeofthought，andmurmuredbrokenlyherthanksforwhathehaddone。Thesamerequestthathemightseeherhomewasmade。

HehadperceivedhiserrorinmakinghiskindnesstoOwenaconditionalkindness，andhadhastenedtoeffaceallrecollectionofit。"ThoughIletmyofferonherbrother"s——myfriend"s——behalf，seemdependentonmylady"sgraciousnesstome，"hewhisperedwooinglyinthecourseoftheirwalk，"Icouldnotconscientiouslyadheretomystatement；itwassaidwithalltheimpulsiveselfishnessoflove。Whetheryouchoosetohaveme，orwhetheryoudon"t，Iloveyoutoodevotedlytobeanythingbutkindtoyourbrother……MissGraye，Cytherea，Iwilldoanything，"hecontinuedearnestly，"togiveyoupleasure——indeedIwill。"

Shesawontheonehandherpoorandmuch-lovedOwenrecoveringfromhisillnessandtroublesbythedisinterestedkindnessofthemanbesideher，ontheothershedrewhimdying，whollybyreasonofherself-enforcedpoverty。Tomarrythismanwasobviouslythecourseofcommonsense，torefusehimwasimpolitictemerity。Therewasreasoninthis。Buttherewasmorebehindthanahundredreasons——awoman"sgratitudeandherimpulsetobekind。

Thewaveringofhermindwasvisibleinhertell-taleface。Henoticedit，andcaughtattheopportunity。

Theywerestandingbytheruinousfoundationsofanoldmillinthemidstofameadow。Betweengreyandhalf-overgrownstonework——theonlysignsofmasonryremaining——thewatergurgleddownfromtheoldmillpondtoalowerlevel，underthecloakofrankbroadleaves——thesensuousnaturesofthevegetableworld。Ontherighthandthesun，restingonthehorizon-line，streamedacrossthegroundfrombelowcopper-colouredandlilacclouds，stretchedoutinflatsbeneathaskyofpalesoftgreen。Alldarkobjectsontheearththatlaytowardsthesunwereoverspreadbyapurplehaze，againstwhichaswarmofwailinggnatsshoneforthluminously，risingupwardandfloatingawaylikesparksoffire。

Thestillnessoppressedandreducedhertomerepassivity。Theonlywishthehumidityoftheplaceleftinherwastostandmotionless。

Thehelplessflatnessofthelandscapegaveher，asitgivesallsuchtemperaments，asenseofbareequalitywith，andnosuperiorityto，asingleentityunderthesky。

Hecamesoclosethattheirclothestouched。"Willyoutrytoloveme？Dotrytoloveme！"hesaid，inawhisper，takingherhand。Hehadnevertakenitbefore。Shecouldfeelhishandtremblingexceedinglyasitheldhersinitsclasp。

Consideringhiskindnesstoherbrother，hisloveforherself，andEdward"sfickleness，oughtshetoforbidhimtodothis？Howtrulypitifulitwastofeelhishandtrembleso——allforher！Shouldshewithdrawherhand？Shewouldthinkwhethershewould。Thinking，andhesitating，shelookedasfarastheautumnalhazeonthemarshygroundwouldallowhertoseedistinctly。Therewasthefragmentofahedge——allthatremainedofa"wetoldgarden"——standinginthemiddleofthemead，withoutadefinitebeginningorending，purposelessandvalueless。Itwasovergrown，andchokedwithmandrakes，andshecouldalmostfancysheheardtheirshrieks……

Shouldshewithdrawherhand？No，shecouldnotwithdrawitnow；itwastoolate，theactwouldnotimplyrefusal。Shefeltasoneinaboatwithoutoars，driftingwithclosedeyesdownariver——sheknewnotwhither。

Hegaveherhandagentlepressure，andrelinquishedit。

Thenitseemedasifhewerecomingtothepointagain。No，hewasnotgoingtourgehissuitthatevening。Anotherrespite。

7。THEEARLYPARTOFSEPTEMBER

Saturdaycame，andshewentonsometrivialerrandtothevillagepost-office。Itwasalittlegreycottagewithaluxuriantjasmineencirclingthedoorway，andbeforegoinginCythereapausedtoadmirethispleasingfeatureoftheexterior。Hearingasteponthegravelbehindthecornerofthehouse，sheresignedthejasmineandentered。Nobodywasintheroom。ShecouldhearMrs。Leat，thewidowwhoactedaspostmistress，walkingaboutoverherhead。

CythereawasgoingtothefootofthestairstocallMrs。Leat，butbeforeshehadaccomplishedherobject，anotherformstoodatthehalf-opendoor。Manstoncamein。

"Bothonthesameerrand，"hesaidgracefully。

"Iwillcallher，"saidCytherea，movinginhastetothefootofthestairs。

"Onemoment。"Heglidedtoherside。"Don"tcallherforamoment，"herepeated。

Butshehadsaid，"Mrs。Leat！"

HeseizedCytherea"shand，kissedittenderly，andcarefullyreplaceditbyherside。

Shehadthatmorningdeterminedtocheckhisfurtheradvances，untilshehadthoroughlyconsideredherposition。Theremonstrancewasnowonhertongue，butasaccidentwouldhaveit，beforethewordcouldbespokenMrs。Leatwassteppingfromthelaststairtothefloor，andnoremonstrancecame。

Withthesubtletywhichcharacterizedhiminallhisdealingswithher，hequicklyconcludedhisownerrand，badeheragood-bye，inthetonesofwhichlovewassogarnishedwithpurepolitenessthatitonlyshoweditspresencetoherself，andleftthehouse——puttingitoutofherpowertorefusehimhercompanionshiphomeward，ortoobjecttohislateactionofkissingherhand。

TheFridayofthenextweekbroughtanotherletterfromherbrother。

Inthisheinformedherthat，inabsolutegrieflestheshoulddistressherunnecessarily，hehadsometimeearlierborrowedafewpounds。Aweekago，hesaid，hiscreditorbecameimportunate，butthatonthedayonwhichhewrote，thecreditorhadtoldhimtherewasnohurryforasettlement，that"hisSISTER"SSUITORhadguaranteedthesum。""IsheMr。Manston？tellme，Cytherea，"saidOwen。

Healsomentionedthatawheeledchairhadbeenanonymouslyhiredforhisespecialuse，thoughasyethewashardlyfarenoughadvancedtowardsconvalescencetoavailhimselfoftheluxury。"IsthisMr。Manston"sdoing？"heinquired。

Shecoulddallywithherperplexity，evadeit，trusttotimeforguidance，nolonger。Thematterhadcometoacrisis：shemustonceandforallchoosebetweenthedictatesofherunderstandingandthoseofherheart。Shelonged，tillhersoulseemednightobursting，forherlostmother"sreturntoearth，butforoneminute，thatshemighthavetendercounseltoguideherthroughthis，hergreatdifficulty。

Asforherheart，shehalffanciedthatitwasnotEdward"stoquitetheextentthatitoncehadbeen；shethoughthimcruelinconductinghimselftowardsherashedidatBudmouth，cruelafterwardsinmakingsolightofher。Sheknewhehadstifledhisloveforher——wasutterlylosttoher。Butforallthatshecouldnothelpindulginginawoman"spleasureofrecreatingdefunctagonies，andlaceratingherselfwiththemnowandthen。

"IfIwererich，"shethought，"Iwouldgivewaytotheluxuryofbeingmorbidlyfaithfultohimforeverwithouthisknowledge。"

Butsheconsidered；inthefirstplaceshewasahomelessdependent；

andwhatdidpracticalwisdomtellhertodoundersuchdesperatecircumstances？Toprovideherselfwithsomeplaceofrefugefrompoverty，andwithmeanstoaidherbrotherOwen。ThiswastobeMr。

Manston"swife。

Shedidnotlovehim。

Butwhatwaslovewithoutahome？Misery。Whatwasahomewithoutlove？Alas，notmuch；butstillakindofhome。

"Yes，"shethought，"IamurgedbymycommonsensetomarryMr。

Manston。"

Didanythingnoblerinhersaysotoo？

Withthedeath(toher)ofEdwardherheart"soccupationwasgone。

Wasitnecessaryorevenrightforhertotenditandtakecareofitassheusedtointheoldtime，whenitwasstillacapableminister？

Byaslightsacrificehereshecouldgivehappinesstoatleasttwoheartswhoseemotionalactivitieswerestillunwounded。Shewoulddogoodtotwomenwhoseliveswerefarmoreimportantthanhers。

"Yes，"shesaidagain，"evenChristianityurgesmetomarryMr。

Manston。"

DirectlyCythereahadpersuadedherselfthatakindofheroicself-

abnegationhadtodowiththematter，shebecamemuchmorecontentintheconsiderationofit。Awilfulindifferencetothefuturewaswhatreallyprevailedinher，illandwornout，asshewas，bytheperpetualharassmentsofhersadfortune，andsheregardedthisindifference，asgushingnatureswilldoundersuchcircumstances，asgenuineresignationanddevotedness。

Manstonmetheragainthefollowingday：indeed，therewasnoescapinghimnow。Attheendofashortconversationbetweenthem，whichtookplaceinthehollowoftheparkbythewaterfall，obscuredontheoutersidebythelowhangingbranchesofthelimes，shetacitlyassentedtohisassumptionofaprivilegegreaterthananythathadprecededit。Hestoopedandkissedherbrow。

BeforegoingtobedshewrotetoOwenexplainingthewholematter。

Itwastoolateintheeveningforthepostman"svisit，andsheplacedtheletteronthemantelpiecetosenditthenextday。

Themorning(Sunday)broughtahurriedpostscripttoOwen"sletterofthedaybefore：——

"September9，1865。

"DEARCYTHEREA——IhavereceivedafrankandfriendlyletterfromMr。

Manstonexplainingthepositioninwhichhestandsnow，andalsothatinwhichhehopestostandtowardsyou。Can"tyoulovehim？

Whynot？Try，forheisagood，andnotonlythat，butaculturedman。Thinkofthewearyandlaboriousfuturethatawaitsyouifyoucontinueforlifeinyourpresentposition，anddoyouseeanywayofescapefromitexceptbymarriage？Idon"t。Don"tgoagainstyourheart，Cytherea，butbewise——Everaffectionatelyyours，OWEN。"

ShethoughtthatprobablyhehadrepliedtoMr。Manstoninthesamefavouringmood。Shehadaconvictionthatthatdaywouldsettleherdoom。Yet"Sotrueafoolislove，"

thatevennowshenourishedahalf-hopethatsomethingwouldhappenatthelastmomenttothwartherdeliberately-formedintentions，andfavourtheoldemotionshewasusingallherstrengthtothrustdown。

8。THETENTHOFSEPTEMBER

TheSundaywasthethirteenthafterTrinity，andtheafternoonserviceatCarrifordwasnearlyover。ThepeopleweresingingtheEveningHymn。

ManstonwasatchurchasusualinhisaccustomedplacetwoseatsforwardfromthelargesquarepewoccupiedbyMissAldclyffeandCytherea。

Theordinarysadnessofanautumnalevening-serviceseemed，inCytherea"seyes，tobedoubledonthisparticularoccasion。Shelookedatallthepeopleastheystoodandsang，wavingbackwardsandforwardslikeaforestofpinesswayedbyagentlebreeze；thenatthevillagechildrensingingtoo，theirheadsinclinedtooneside，theireyeslistlesslytracingsomecrackintheoldwalls，orfollowingthemovementofadistantboughorbirdwithfeaturespetrifiedalmosttopainfulness。ThenshelookedatManston；hewasalreadyregardingherwithsomepurposeinhisglance。

"Itiscomingthisevening，"shesaidinhermind。Aminutelater，attheendofthehymn，whenthecongregationbegantomoveout，Manstoncamedowntheaisle。Hewasoppositetheendofherseatasshesteppedfromit，theremainderoftheirprogresstothedoorbeingincontactwitheachother。MissAldclyffehadlingeredbehind。

"Don"tlet"shurry，"hesaid，whenCythereawasabouttoentertheprivatepathtotheHouseasusual。"WouldyoumindturningdownthiswayforaminutetillMissAldclyffehaspassed？"

Shecouldnotverywellrefusenow。Theyturnedintoasecludedpathontheirleft，leadingroundthroughathicketoflaurelstotheothergateofthechurch-yard，walkingveryslowly。Bythetimethefurthergatewasreached，thechurchwasclosed。Theymetthesextonwiththekeysinhishand。

"Wearegoinginsideforaminute，"saidManstontohim，takingthekeysunceremoniously。"Iwillbringthemtoyouwhenwereturn。"

Thesextonnoddedhisassent，andCythereaandManstonwalkedintotheporch，andupthenave。

Theydidnotspeakawordduringtheirprogress，orinanywayinterferewiththestillnessandsilencethatprevailedeverywherearoundthem。Everythingintheplacewastheembodimentofdecay：

thefadingredglarefromthesettingsun，whichcameinatthewestwindow，emphasizingtheendofthedayandallitscheerfuldoings，themildewedwalls，theunevenpaving-stones，thewormypews，thesenseofrecentoccupation，andthedankairofdeathwhichhadgatheredwiththeevening，wouldhavemadegravealightermoodthanCytherea"swasthen。

"Whatsensationsdoestheplaceimpressyouwith？"shesaidatlast，verysadly。

"Ifeelimperativelycalledupontobehonest，fromverydespairofachievinganythingbystratageminaworldwherethematerialsaresuchasthese。"He，too，spokeinadepressedvoice，purposelyorotherwise。

"IfeelasifIwerealmostashamedtobeseenwalkingsuchaworld，"shemurmured；"that"stheeffectithasuponme；butitdoesnotinducemetobehonestparticularly。"

Hetookherhandinbothhis，andlookeddownuponthelidsofhereyes。

"Ipityyousometimes，"hesaidmoreemphatically。

"Iampitiable，perhaps；soaremanypeople。Whydoyoupityme？"

"Ithinkthatyoumakeyourselfneedlesslysad。"

"Notneedlessly。"

"Yes，needlessly。Whyshouldyoubeseparatedfromyourbrothersomuch，whenyoumighthavehimtostaywithyoutillheiswell？"

"Thatcan"tbe，"shesaid，turningaway。

Hewenton，"IthinktherealandonlygoodthingthatcanbedoneforhimistogethimawayfromBudmouthawhile；andIhavebeenwonderingwhetheritcouldnotbemanagedforhimtocometomyhousetoliveforafewweeks。Onlyaquarterofamilefromyou。

Howpleasantitwouldbe！"

"Itwould。"

Hemovedhimselfroundimmediatelytothefrontofher，andheldherhandmorefirmly，ashecontinued，"Cytherea，whydoyousay“Itwould，“soentirelyinthetoneofabstractsupposition？Iwanthimthere：Iwanthimtobemybrother，too。Thenmakehimso，andbemywife！Icannotlivewithoutyou。OCytherea。mydarling，mylove，comeandbemywife！"

Hisfacebentcloserandclosertohers，andthelastwordssanktoawhisperasweakastheemotioninspiringitwasstrong。

Shesaidfirmlyanddistinctly，"Yes，Iwill。"

"Nextmonth？"hesaidontheinstant，beforetakingbreath。

"No；notnextmonth。"

"Thenext？"

"No。"

"December？ChristmasDay，say？"

"Idon"tmind。"

"O，youdarling！"Hewasabouttoimprintakissuponherpale，coldmouth，butshehastilycovereditwithherhand。

"Don"tkissme——atleastwherewearenow！"shewhisperedimploringly。

"Why？"

"WearetoonearGod。"

Hegaveasuddenstart，andhisfaceflushed。Shehadspokensoemphaticallythatthewords"NearGod"echoedbackagainthroughthehollowbuildingfromthefarendofthechancel。

"Whatathingtosay！"heexclaimed；"surelyapurekissisnotinappropriatetotheplace！"

"No，"shereplied，withaswellingheart；"Idon"tknowwhyIburstoutso——Ican"ttellwhathascomeoverme！Willyouforgiveme？"

"HowshallIsay“Yes“withoutjudgingyou？HowshallIsay“No“

withoutlosingthepleasureofsaying“Yes？”"Hewashimselfagain。

"Idon"tknow，"sheabsentlymurmured。

"I"llsay“Yes，“"heanswereddaintily。"Itissweetertofancyweareforgiven，thantothinkwehavenotsinned；andyoushallhavethesweetnesswithouttheneed。"

Shedidnotreply，andtheymovedaway。Thechurchwasnearlydarknow，andmelancholyintheextreme。Shestoodbesidehimwhilehelockedthedoor，thentookthearmhegaveher，andwoundherwayoutofthechurchyardwithhim。Thentheywalkedtothehousetogether，butthegreatmatterhavingbeensetatrest，shepersistedintalkingonlyonindifferentsubjects。

"ChristmasDay，then，"hesaid，astheywerepartingattheendoftheshrubbery。

"ImeantOldChristmasDay，"shesaidevasively。

"H"m，peopledonotusuallyattachthatmeaningtothewords。"

"No；butIshouldlikeitbestifitcouldnotbetillthen？"Itseemedtobestillherinstincttodelaythemarriagetotheutmost。

"Verywell，love，"hesaidgently。""Tisafortnightlongerstill；

butnevermind。OldChristmasDay。"

9。THEELEVENTHOFSEPTEMBER

"There。ItwillbeonaFriday！"

Shesatuponalittlefootstoolgazingintentlyintothefire。Itwastheafternoonofthedayfollowingthatofthesteward"ssuccessfulsolicitationofherhand。

"IwonderifitwouldbeproperinmetorunacrosstheparkandtellhimitisaFriday？"shesaidtoherself，risingtoherfeet，lookingatherhatlyingnear，andthenoutofthewindowtowardstheOldHouse。Properornot，shefeltthatshemustatallhazardsremovethedisagreeable，though，assheherselfowned，unfoundedimpressionthecoincidencehadoccasioned。Sheleftthehousedirectly，andwenttosearchforhim。

Manstonwasinthetimber-yard，lookingatthesawyersastheyworked。Cythereacameuptohimhesitatingly。Tillwithinadistanceofafewyardsshehadhurriedforwardwithalacrity——nowthatthepracticalexpressionofhisfacebecamevisibleshewishedalmostshehadneversoughthimonsuchanerrand；inhisbusiness-

moodhewasperhapsverystern。

"ItwillbeonaFriday，"shesaidconfusedly，andwithoutanypreface。

"Comethisway！"saidManston，inthetoneheusedforworkmen，notbeingabletoalterataninstant"snotice。Hegaveherhisarmandledherbackintotheavenue，bywhichtimehewasloveragain。"OnaFriday，willit，dearest？YoudonotmindFridays，surely？

That"snonsense。"

"Notseriouslymindthem，exactly——butifitcouldbeanyotherday？"

"Well，letussayOldChristmasEve，then。ShallitbeOldChristmasEve？"

"Yes，OldChristmasEve。"

"Yourwordissolemn，andirrevocablenow？"

"Certainly，Ihavesolemnlypledgedmyword；IshouldnothavepromisedtomarryyouifIhadnotmeantit。Don"tthinkIshould。"

Shespokethewordswithadignifiedimpressiveness。

"Youmustnotbevexedatmyremark，dearest。Canyouthinktheworseofanardentman，Cytherea，forshowingsomeanxietyinlove？"

"No，no。"Shecouldnotsaymore。Shewasalwaysillateasewhenhespokeofhimselfasapieceofhumannatureinthatanalyticalway，andwantedtobeoutofhispresence。Thetimeofday，andtheproximityofthehouse，affordedherameansofescape。"ImustbewithMissAldclyffenow——willyouexcusemyhastycomingandgoing？"

shesaidprettily。Beforehehadrepliedshehadpartedfromhim。

"Cytherea，wasitMr。ManstonIsawyouscuddingawayfromintheavenuejustnow？"saidMissAldclyffe，whenCythereajoinedher。

"Yes。"

"“Yes。“Come，whydon"tyousaymorethanthat？Ihatethosetaciturn“Yesses“ofyours。Itellyoueverything，andyetyouareascloseaswaxwithme。"

"IpartedfromhimbecauseIwantedtocomein。"

"Whatanovelandimportantannouncement！Well，isthedayfixed？"

"Yes。"

MissAldclyffe"sfacekindledintointenseinterestatonce。"Isitindeed？Whenisittobe？"

"OnOldChristmasEve。"

"OldChristmasEve。"MissAldclyffedrewCytherearoundtoherfront，andtookahandineachofherown。"Andthenyouwillbeabride！"shesaidslowly，lookingwithcriticalthoughtfulnessuponthemaiden"sdelicatelyroundedcheeks。

Thenormalareaofthecolouruponeachofthemdecreasedperceptiblyafterthatslowandemphaticutterancebytheelderlady。

MissAldclyffecontinuedimpressively，"Youdidnotsay“OldChristmasEve“asafianceeshouldhavesaidthewords：andyoudon"treceivemyremarkwiththewarmexcitementthatforeshadowsabrightfuture……Howmanyweeksaretheretothetime？"

"Ihavenotreckonedthem。"

"Not？Fancyagirlnotcountingtheweeks！IfindImusttaketheleadinthismatter——youaresochildish，orfrightened，orstupid，orsomething，aboutit，Bringmemydiary，andwewillcountthematonce。"

Cythereasilentlyfetchedthebook。

MissAldclyffeopenedthediaryatthepagecontainingthealmanac，andcountedsixteenweeks，whichbroughthertothethirty-firstofDecember——aSunday。Cythereastoodby，lookingonasifshehadnoappetiteforthescene。

"Sixteentothethirty-first。Thenletmesee，MondaywillbethefirstofJanuary，Tuesdaythesecond，Wednesdaythird，Thursdayfourth，Fridayfifth——youhavechosenaFriday，asIdeclare！"

"AThursday，surely？"saidCytherea。

"No：OldChristmasDaycomesonaSaturday。"

Theperturbedlittlebrainhadreckonedwrong。"Well，itmustbeaFriday，"shemurmuredinareverie。

"No：haveitaltered，ofcourse，"saidMissAldclyffecheerfully。

"There"snothingbadinFriday，butsuchacreatureasyouwillbethinkingaboutitsbeingunlucky——infact，Iwouldn"tchooseaFridaymyselftobemarriedon，sincealltheotherdaysareequallyavailable。"

"Ishallnothaveitaltered，"saidCythereafirmly；"ithasbeenalteredoncealready：Ishallletitbe。"