第9章
XIII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
1。THEFIFTHOFJANUARY。BEFOREDAWN
Wepassovertheinterveningweeks。Thetimeofthestoryisthusadvancedmorethanaquarterofayear。
Onthemidnightprecedingthemorningwhichwouldmakeherthewifeofamanwhosepresencefascinatedherintoinvoluntarinessofbearing，andwhominabsenceshealmostdreaded，Cytherealayinherlittlebed，vainlyendeavouringtosleep。
Shehadbeenlookingbackamidtheyearsofhershortthoughvariedpast，andthinkingofthethresholduponwhichshestood。DaysandmonthshaddimmedtheformofEdwardSpringrovelikethegauzesofavanishingstage-scene，buthisdyingvoicecouldstillbeheardfaintlybehind。Thatasoftsmallchordinherstillvibratedtruetohismemory，shewouldnotadmit：thatshedidnotapproachManstonwithfeelingswhichcouldbyanystretchofwordsbecalledhymeneal，shecalmlyowned。
"WhydoImarryhim？"shesaidtoherself。"BecauseOwen，dearOwenmybrother，wishesmetomarryhim。BecauseMr。Manstonis，andhasbeen，uniformlykindtoOwen，andtome。“Actinobediencetothedictatesofcommon-sense，“Owensaid，“anddreadthesharpstingofpoverty。Howmanythousandsofwomenlikeyoumarryeveryyearforthesamereason，tosecureahome，andmereordinary，materialcomforts，whichafterallgofartomakelifeendurable，evenifnotsupremelyhappy。“
""Tisright，Isuppose，forhimtosaythat。O，ifpeopleonlyknewwhatatimidityandmelancholyuponthesubjectofherfuturegrowsupintheheartofafriendlesswomanwhoisblownaboutlikeareedshakenwiththewind，asIam，theywouldnotcallthisresignationofone"sselfbythenameofschemingtogetahusband。Schemetomarry？I"dratherschemetodie！IknowIamnotpleasingmyheart；IknowthatifIonlywereconcerned，Ishouldlikeriskingasinglefuture。ButwhyshouldIpleasemyuselessselfovermuch，whenbydoingotherwiseIpleasethosewhoaremorevaluablethanI？"
Inthemidstofdesultoryreflectionslikethese，whichalternatedwithsurmisesastotheinexplicableconnectionthatappearedtoexistbetweenherintendedhusbandandMissAldclyffe，shehearddullnoisesoutsidethewallsofthehouse，whichshecouldnotquitefancytobecausedbythewind。Sheseemeddoomedtosuchdisturbancesatcriticalperiodsofherexistence。"Itisstrange，"
shepondered，"thatthismylastnightinKnapwaterHouseshouldbedisturbedpreciselyasmyfirstwas，nooccurrenceofthekindhavingintervened。"
Astheminutesglidedbythenoiseincreased，soundingasifsomeonewerebeatingthewallbelowherwindowwithabunchofswitches。
Shewouldgladlyhaveleftherroomandgonetostaywithoneofthemaids，buttheywerewithoutdoubtallasleep。
Theonlypersoninthehouselikelytobeawake，orwhowouldhavebrainsenoughtocomprehendhernervousness，wasMissAldclyffe，butCythereanevercaredtogotoMissAldclyffe"sroom，thoughshewasalwayswelcomethere，andwasoftenalmostcompelledtogoagainstherwill。
Theoft-repeatednoiseofswitchesgrewheavieruponthewall，andwasnowintermingledwithcreaks，andarattlingliketherattlingofdice。Thewindblewstronger；therecamefirstasnapping，thenacrash，andsomeportionofthemysterywasrevealed。Itwasthebreakingoffandfallofabranchfromoneofthelargetreesoutside。Thesmackingagainstthewall，andtheintermediaterattling，ceasedfromthattime。
Well，itwasthetreewhichhadcausedthenoises。Theunexplainedmatterwasthatneitherofthetreesevertouchedthewallsofthehouseduringthehighestwind，andthattreescouldnotrattlelikeamanplayingcastanetsorshakingdice。
Shethought，"IsittheintentionofFatethatsomethingconnectedwiththesenoisesshallinfluencemyfutureasinthelastcaseofthekind？"
Duringthedilemmashefellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamtthatshewasbeingwhippedwithdrybonessuspendedonstrings，whichrattledateveryblowlikethoseofamalefactoronagibbet；thatsheshiftedandshrankandavoidedeveryblow，andtheyfellthenuponthewalltowhichshewastied。Shecouldnotseethefaceoftheexecutionerforhismask，buthisformwaslikeManston"s。
"ThankHeaven！"shesaid，whensheawokeandsawafaintlightstrugglingthroughherblind。"Nowwhatwerethosenoises？"Tosettlethatquestionseemedmoretoherthantheeventoftheday。
Shepulledtheblindasideandlookedout。Allwasplain。Theeveningprevioushadclosedinwithagreydrizzle，borneuponapiercingairfromthenorth，andnowitseffectswerevisible。Thehoarydrizzlestillcontinued；butthetreesandshrubswereladenwithiciclestoanextentsuchasshehadneverbeforewitnessed。A
shootofthediameterofapin"sheadwasicedasthickasherfinger；alltheboughsintheparkwerebentalmosttotheearthwiththeimmenseweightoftheglisteningincumbrance；thewalkswerelikealooking-glass。Manyboughshadsnappedbeneaththeirburden，andlayinheapsupontheicygrass。Oppositehereye，onthenearesttree，wasafreshyellowscar，showingwherethebranchthathadterrifiedherhadbeensplinteredfromthetrunk。
"Inevercouldhavebelieveditpossible，"shethought，surveyingthebowed-downbranches，"thattreeswouldbendsofaroutoftheirtruepositionswithoutbreaking。"Bywatchingatwigshecouldseeadropcollectuponitfromthehoaryfog，sinktothelowestpoint，andtherebecomecoagulatedastheothershaddone。
"OrthatIcouldsoexactlyhaveimitatedthem，"shecontinued。"OnthismorningIamtobemarried——unlessthisisaschemeofthegreatMothertohinderaunionofwhichshedoesnotapprove。Isitpossibleformyweddingtotakeplaceinthefaceofsuchweatherasthis？"
2。MORNING
HerbrotherOwenwasstayingwithManstonattheOldHouse。
Contrarytotheopinionofthedoctors，thewoundhadhealedafterthefirstsurgicaloperation，andhislegwasgraduallyacquiringstrength，thoughhecouldonlyasyetgetaboutoncrutches，orride，orbedraggedinachair。
MissAldclyffehadarrangedthatCythereashouldbemarriedfromKnapwaterHouse，andnotfromherbrother"slodgingsatBudmouth，whichwasCytherea"sfirstidea。Owen，too，seemedtoprefertheplan。Thecapriciousoldmaidhadlatterlytakentothecontemplationoftheweddingwithevengreaterwarmththanhadatfirstinspiredher，andappeareddeterminedtodoeverythinginherpower，consistentwithherdignity，torendertheadjunctsoftheceremonypleasingandcomplete。
Buttheweatherseemedinflatcontradictionofthewholeproceeding。Ateighto"clockthecoachmancreptuptotheHousealmostuponhishandsandknees，enteredthekitchen，andstoodwithhisbacktothefire，pantingfromhisexertionsinpedestrianism。
ThekitchenwasbyfarthepleasantestapartmentinKnapwaterHouseonsuchamorningasthis。Thevastfirewasthecentreofthewholesystem，likeasun，andthrewitswarmraysuponthefiguresofthedomestics，wheelingaboutitintrueplanetarystyle。A
nervously-feebleimitationofitsflickerwascontinuallyattemptedbyafamilyofpolishedmetallicutensilsstandinginrowsandgroupsagainstthewallsopposite，thewholecollectionofshinesnearlyannihilatingtheweakdaylightfromoutside。Astepfurtherin，andthenostrilsweregreetedbythescentofgreenherbsjustgathered，andtheeyebytheplumpformofthecook，wholesome，white-aproned，andfloury——lookingasedibleasthefoodshemanipulated——hermovementsbeingsupportedandassistedbyhersatellites，thekitchenandscullerymaids。Minuterecurrentsoundsprevailed——theclickofthesmoke-jack，theflapoftheflames，andthelighttouchesofthewomen"sslippersuponthestonefloor。
Thecoachmanhemmed，spreadhisfeetmorefirmlyuponthehearthstone，andlookedhardatasmallplateintheextremecornerofthedresser。
"Noweddenthismornen——that"smyopinion。Infact，therecan"tbe，"hesaidabruptly，asifthewordswerethemeretorsoofamany-memberedthoughtthathadexistedcompleteinhishead。
Thekitchen-maidwastoastingasliceofbreadattheendofaverylongtoasting-fork，whichsheheldatarm"slengthtowardstheunapproachablefire，travestyingtheFlanconnadeinfencing。
"Badoutofdoors，isn"tit？"shesaid，withalookofcommiserationforthingsingeneral。
"Bad？Notevenalivensoul，gentleorsimple，canstandonlevelground。Astogettenuphilltothechurch，"tisperfectlunacy。
AndIspeakoffoot-passengers。Astohorsesandcarriage，"tismurdertothinkof"em。Iamgoingtosendstraightasalineintothebreakfast-room，andsay"tisacloser……Hullo——here"sClerkCrickettandJohnDaya-comen！Nowjustlookat"emandpictureaweddenifyoucan。"
Alleyeswereturnedtothewindow，fromwhichtheclerkandgardenerwereseencrossingthecourt，bowedandstoopinglikeBelandNebo。
"You"llhavetogoifitbreaksallthehorses"legsinthecounty，"
saidthecook，turningfromthespectacle，knockingopentheoven-
doorwiththetongs，glancingcriticallyin，andslammingittogetherwithaclang。
"O，O；whyshallI？"askedthecoachman，includinginhisauditorybyaglancetheclerkandgardenerwhohadjustentered。
"BecauseMr。Manstonisinthebusiness。Didyoueverknowhimtogiveupforweatherofanykind，orforanyothermortalthinginheavenorearth？"
"——Mornenso"s——suchasitis！"interruptedMr。Crickettcheerily，comingforwardtotheblazeandwarmingonehandwithoutlookingatthefire。"Mr。Manstongieupforanythinginheavenorearth，didyousay？Youmightha"cutitshortbysayen“toMissAldclyffe，“andleavenoutheavenandearthastrifles。Butitmightbeputoff；puttenoffathingisn"tgettenridofathing，ifthatthingisawoman。Ono，no！"
Thecoachmanandgardenernownaturallysubsidedintosecondaries。
Thecookwentonrathersharply，asshedribbledmilkintotheexactcentreofalittlecraterofflourinaplatter——
"Itmightbeinthiscase；she"ssoindifferent。"
"Dangmyoldsides！andsoitmightbe。Ihaveabitofnews——I
thoughttherewassomethinguponmytongue；but"tisasecret；notaword，mind，notaword。Why，MissHintontookaholidayyesterday。"
"Yes？"inquiredthecook，lookingupwithperplexedcuriosity。
"D"yethinkthat"sall？"
"Don"tbesothree-cunning——ifitisall，deliveryoufromtheevilofraisingawoman"sexpectationswrongfully；I"llskimmeryourpateassureasyoucryAmen！"
"Well，itisn"tall。WhenIgothomelastnightmywifesaid，“MissAdelaidetookaholidaythismornen，“saysshe(mywife，thatis)；
“walkedovertoNetherMynton，metthecomenman，andgotmarried！”
saysshe。"
"Gotmarried！what，Lord-a-mercy，didSpringrovecome？"
"Springrove，no——no——Springrove"snothentodowi"it——"twasFarmerBollens。They"vebeenplayingbo-peepforthesetwoorthreemonthsseemingly。WhilstMasterTeddySpringrovehasbeendaddlen，andhawken，andspettenabouthavingher，she"squietlylefthimallforsook。Servehimright。Idon"tblamethelittlewomanabit。"
"FarmerBollensisoldenoughtobeherfather！"
"Ay，quite；andrichenoughtobetenfathers。Theysayhe"ssorichthathehasbusinessineverybank，andmeasureshismoneyinhalf-pintcups。"
"Lord，Iwishitwasme，don"tIwish"twasme！"saidthescullery-
maid。
"Yes，"twasasneatabitofstitchingaseverIheardof，"
continuedtheclerk，withafixedeye，asifhewerewatchingtheprocessfromadistance。"Notasoulknewanythingaboutit，andmywifeistheonlyoneinourparishwhoknowsityet。MissHintoncamebackfromthewedden，wenttoMr。Manston，puffedherselfoutlarge，andsaidshewasMrs。Bollens，butthatifhewished，shehadnoobjectiontokeeponthehousetilltheregulartimeofgivingnoticehadexpired，ortillhecouldgetanothertenant。"
"Justlikeherindependence，"saidthecook。
"Well，independentorno，she"sMrs。Bollensnow。Ah，IshallneverforgetoncewhenIwentbyFarmerBollens"sgarden——yearsagonow——
years，whenhewastakingupashleaftaties。AmerryfellerIwasatthattime，averymerryfeller——for"twasbeforeItookholyorders，anditdidn"tprickmyconscienceas"twouldnow。“Farmer，“
saysI，“littletatiesseemtoturnoutsmallthisyear，don"tem？”
“Ono，Crickett，“sayshe，“somebefair-sized。“He"sadullman——
FarmerBollensis——healwayswas。However，that"sneitherherenorthere；he"sa-marriedtoasharpwoman，andifIdon"tmakeamistakeshe"llbringhimaprettygoodfamily，giehertime。"
"Well，itdon"tmatter；there"saProvidenceinit，"saidthescullery-maid。"GodA"mightyalwayssendsbreadaswellaschildren。"
"But"tisthebreadtoonehouseandthechildrentoanotherveryoften。However，IthinkIcanseemyladyHinton"sreasonforchosenyesterdaytosickness-or-health-it。Youryoungmiss，andthatone，hadcrossedoneanother"spathinregardtoyoungMasterSpringrove；andIexpectthatwhenAddyHintonfoundMissGrayewasn"tcarentohaveen，shethoughtshe"dbebeforehandwithheroldenemyinmarryingsomebodyelsetoo。That"smaids"logicallover，andmaids"malicelikewise。"
Womenwhoarebadenoughtodivideagainstthemselvesunderaman"spartialityaregoodenoughtoinstantlyuniteinacommoncauseagainsthisattack。"I"lljusttellyouonethingthen，"saidthecook，shakingoutherwordstothetimeofawhiskshewasbeatingeggswith。"Whatevermaids"logicisandmaids"malicetoo，ifCythereaGrayeevennowknowsthatyoungSpringroveisfreeagain，she"llflingoverthestewardassoonaslookathim。"
"No，no：notnow，"thecoachmanbrokeinlikeamoderator。
"There"shonourinthatmaid，ifevertherewasinone。NoMissHinton"stricksinher。She"llsticktoManston。"
"Pifh！"
"Don"tletawordbesaidtilltheweddenisover，forHeaven"ssake，"theclerkcontinued。"MissAldclyffewouldfairlyhangandquarterme，ifmynewsbrokeoffthatthereweddenatalastminutelikethis。"
"Thenyouhadbettergetyourwifetoboltyouintheclosetforanhourortwo，foryou"llchatterityourselftothewholeboilingparishifshedon"t！"Tisapoorwomanlyfeller！"
"Youshouldn"tha"begunit，clerk。Iknewhow"twouldbe，"saidthegardenersoothingly，inawhispertotheclerk"smangledremains。
Theclerkturnedandsmiledatthefire，andwarmedhisotherhand。
3。NOON
Theweathergaveway。Inhalf-an-hourtherebeganarapidthaw。Byteno"clocktheroads，thoughstilldangerous，werepracticabletotheextentofthehalf-milerequiredbythepeopleofKnapwaterPark。Onemassofheavyleadencloudspreadoverthewholesky；theairbegantofeeldampandmildoutofdoors，thoughstillcoldandfrostywithin。
Theyreachedthechurchandpassedupthenave，thedeep-colouredglassofthenarrowwindowsrenderingthegloomofthemorningalmostnightitselfinsidethebuilding。Thentheceremonybegan。
Theonlywarmthorspiritimportedintoitcamefromthebridegroom，whoretainedavigorous——evenSpenserian——bridal-moodthroughoutthemorning。
Cythereawasasfirmasheatthiscriticalmoment，butascoldastheairsurroundingher。Thefewpersonsformingthewedding-partywereconstrainedinmovementandtone，andfromthenaveofthechurchcameoccasionalcoughs，emittedbythosewho，inspiteoftheweather，hadassembledtoseetheterminationofCytherea"sexistenceasasinglewoman。Manypoorpeoplelovedher。Theypitiedhersuccess，why，theycouldnottell，exceptthatitwasbecausesheseemedtostandmorelikeastatuethanCythereaGraye。
Yetshewasprettilyandcarefullydressed；astrangecontradictioninaman"sideaofthings——asaddening，perplexingcontradiction。
Arethereanypointsinwhichadifferenceofsexamountstoadifferenceofnature？Thenthisissurelyone。Notsomuch，asitiscommonlyput，inregardtotheamountofconsiderationgiven，butintheconceptionofthethingconsidered。Amanemasculatedbycoxcombrymayspendmoretimeuponthearrangementofhisclothesthananywoman，buteventhenthereisnofetichisminhisideaofthem——theyarestillonlyacoveringheusesforatime。ButherewasCytherea，inthebottomofherheartalmostindifferenttolife，yetpossessinganinstinctwithwhichherhearthadnothingtodo，theinstincttobeparticularlyregardfulofthosesorrytrifles，herrobe，herflowers，herveil，andhergloves。
Theirrevocablewordsweresoonspoken——theindeliblewritingsoonwritten——andtheycameoutofthevestry。Candleshadbeennecessaryheretoenablethemtosigntheirnames，andontheirreturntothechurchthelightfromthecandlesstreamedfromthesmallopendoor，andacrossthechanceltoablackchestnutscreenonthesouthside，dividingitfromasmallchapelorchantry，erectedforthesoul"speaceofsomeAldclyffeofthepast。Throughtheopen-workofthisscreencouldnowbeseenilluminated，insidethechantry，therecliningfiguresofcross-leggedknights，dampandgreenwithage，andabovethemahugeclassicmonument，alsoinscribedtotheAldclyffefamily，heavilysculpturedincadaverousmarble。
Leaninghere——almosthangingtothemonument——wasEdwardSpringrove，orhisspirit。
Theweakdaylightwouldneverhaverevealedhim，shadedashewasbythescreen；buttheunexpectedraysofcandle-lightinthefrontshowedhimforthinstartlingrelieftoanyandallofthosewhoseeyeswanderedinthatdirection。Thesightwasasadone——sadbeyondalldescription。Hiseyeswerewild，theirorbitsleaden。
Hisfacewasofasicklypaleness，hishairdryanddisordered，hislipspartedasifhecouldgetnobreath。Hisfigurewasspectre-
thin。Hisactionsseemedbeyondhisowncontrol。
Manstondidnotseehim；Cythereadid。Thehealingeffectuponherheartofayear"ssilence——ayearandahalf"sseparation——wasundoneinaninstant。Oneofthosestrangerevivalsofpassionbymeresight——commonerinwomenthaninmen，andinoppressedwomencommonestofall——hadtakenplaceinher——sotranscendently，thateventoherselfitseemedmorelikeanewcreationthanarevival。
Marryingforahome——whatamockeryitwas！
Itmaybesaidthatthemeansmostpotentforrekindlingoldloveinamaiden"sheartare，toseeherloverinlaughterandgoodspiritsinherdespitewhenthebreachhasbeenowingtoaslightfromherself；whenowingtoaslightfromhim，toseehimsufferingforhisownfault。Ifheishappyinaclearconscience，sheblameshim；ifheismiserablebecausedeeplytoblame，sheblamesherself。
ThelatterwasCytherea"scasenow。
First，anagonyoffacetoldofthesuppressedmiserywithinher，whichpresentlycouldbesuppressednolonger。Whentheywerecomingoutoftheporch，therebrokefromherinalowplaintivescreamthewords，"He"sdying——dying！OGod，saveus！"Shebegantosinkdown，andwouldhavefallenhadnotManstoncaughther。Thechiefbridesmaidappliedhervinaigrette。
"Whatdidshesay？"inquiredManston。
Owenwastheonlyonetowhomthewordswereintelligible，andhewasfartoodeeplyimpressed，orratheralarmed，toreply。Shedidnotfaint，andsoonbegantorecoverherself-command。Owentookadvantageofthehindrancetostepbacktowheretheapparitionhadbeenseen。HewasenragedwithSpringroveforwhatheconsideredanunwarrantableintrusion。
ButEdwardwasnotinthechantry。Ashehadcome，sohehadgone，nobodycouldtellhoworwhither。
4。AFTERNOON
ItmightalmosthavebeenbelievedthatatransmutationhadtakenplaceinCytherea"sidiosyncrasy，thathermoralnaturehadfled。
Thewedding-partyreturnedtothehouse。Assoonashecouldfindanopportunity，Owentookhissisterasidetospeakprivatelywithheronwhathadhappened。Theexpressionofherfacewashard，wild，andunreal——anexpressionhehadneverseentherebefore，anditdisturbedhim。Hespoketoherseverelyandsadly。
"Cytherea，"hesaid，"Iknowthecauseofthisemotionofyours。
Butrememberthis，therewasnoexcuseforit。Youshouldhavebeenwomanenoughtocontrolyourself。Rememberwhosewifeyouare，anddon"tthinkanythingmoreofamean-spiritedfellowlikeSpringrove；
hehadnobusinesstocomethereashedid。Youarealtogetherwrong，Cytherea，andIamvexedwithyoumorethanIcansay——veryvexed。"
"Sayashamedofmeatonce，"shebitterlyanswered。
"Iamashamedofyou，"heretortedangrily；"themoodhasnotleftyouyet，then？"
"Owen，"shesaid，andpaused。Herliptrembled；hereyetoldofsensationstoodeepfortears。"No，Owen，ithasnotleftme；andI
willbehonest。Iownnowtoyou，withoutanydisguiseofwords，whatlastnightIdidnotowntomyself，becauseIhardlyknewofit。IloveEdwardSpringrovewithallmystrength，andheart，andsoul。Youcallmeawantonforit，don"tyou？Idon"tcare；Ihavegonebeyondcaringforanything！"Shelookedstonilyintohisfaceandmadethespeechcalmly。
"Well，poorCytherea，don"ttalklikethat！"hesaid，alarmedathermanner。
"IthoughtthatIdidnotlovehimatall，"shewentonhysterically。"Ayearandahalfhadpassedsincewemet。Icouldgobythegateofhisgardenwithoutthinkingofhim——lookathisseatinchurchandnotcare。ButIsawhimthismorning——dyingbecausehelovesmeso——Iknowitisthat！CanIhelplovinghimtoo？No，Icannot，andIwilllovehim，andIdon"tcare！Wehavebeenseparatedsomehowbysomecontrivance——Iknowwehave。O，ifI
couldonlydie！"
Heheldherinhisarms。"Manyawomanhasgonetoruinherself，"
hesaid，"andbroughtthosewholoveherintodisgrace，byactinguponsuchimpulsesaspossessyounow。Ihaveareputationtoloseaswellasyou。ItseemsthatdowhatIwillbywayofremedyingthestainswhichfelluponus，itisalldoomedtobeundoneagain。"
Hisvoicegrewhuskyashemadethereply。
Therightandonlyeffectivechordhadbeentouched。SinceshehadseenEdward，shehadthoughtonlyofherselfandhim。Owen——hername——position——future——hadbeenasiftheydidnotexist。
"Iwon"tgivewayandbecomeadisgracetoYOU，atanyrate，"shesaid。
"Besides，yourdutytosociety，andthoseaboutyou，requiresthatyoushouldlivewith(atanyrate)alltheappearanceofagoodwife，andtrytoloveyourhusband。"
"Yes——mydutytosociety，"shemurmured。"Butah，Owen，itisdifficulttoadjustourouterandinnerlifewithperfecthonestytoall！Thoughitmayberighttocaremoreforthebenefitofthemanythanfortheindulgenceofyourownsingleself，whenyouconsiderthatthemany，anddutytothem，onlyexisttoyouthroughyourownexistence，whatcanbesaid？Whatdoourownacquaintancescareaboutus？Notmuch。Ithinkofmine。Minewillnow(dotheylearnallthewickedfrailtyofmyheartinthisaffair)lookatme，smilesickly，andcondemnme。Andperhaps，farintimetocome，whenIamdeadandgone，someother"saccent，orsomeother"ssong，orthought，likeanoldoneofmine，willcarrythembacktowhatI
usedtosay，andhurttheirheartsalittlethattheyblamedmesosoon。Andtheywillpausejustforaninstant，andgiveasightome，andthink，“Poorgirl！”believingtheydogreatjusticetomymemorybythis。Buttheywillnever，neverrealizethatitwasmysingleopportunityofexistence，aswellasofdoingmyduty，whichtheyareregarding；theywillnotfeelthatwhattothemisbutathought，easilyheldinthosetwowordsofpity，“Poorgirl！”wasawholelifetome；asfullofhours，minutes，andpeculiarminutes，ofhopesanddreads，smiles，whisperings，tears，astheirs：thatitwasmyworld，whatistothemtheirworld，andtheyinthatlifeofmine，howevermuchIcaredforthem，onlyasthethoughtIseemtothemtobe。Nobodycanenterintoanother"snaturetruly，that"swhatissogrievous。"
"Well，itcannotbehelped，"saidOwen。
"Butwemustnotstayhere，"shecontinued，startingupandgoing。
"Weshallbemissed。I"lldomybest，Owen——Iwill，indeed。"
Ithadbeendecidedthatonaccountofthewretchedstateoftheroads，thenewly-marriedpairshouldnotdrivetothestationtillthelatesthourintheafternoonatwhichtheycouldgetatraintotakethemtoSouthampton(theirdestinationthatnight)byareasonabletimeintheevening。TheyintendedthenextmorningtocrosstoHavre，andthencetoParis——aplaceCythereahadnevervisited——fortheirweddingtour。
Theafternoondrewon。Thepackingwasdone。Cythereawassorestlessthatshecouldstaystillnowhere。MissAldclyffe，who，thoughshetooklittlepartintheday"sproceedings，was，asitwere，instinctivelyconsciousofalltheirmovements，putdownhercharge"sagitationforonceasthenaturalresultofthenovelevent，andManstonhimselfwasasindulgentascouldbewished。
AtlengthCythereawanderedaloneintotheconservatory。Wheninit，shethoughtshewouldrunacrosstothehot-houseintheoutergarden，havinginherheartawhimsicaldesirethatsheshouldalsoliketotakealastlookatthefamiliarflowersandluxuriantleavescollectedthere。Shepulledonapairofovershoes，andthithershewent。Notasoulwasinoraroundtheplace。ThegardenerwasmakingmerryonManston"sandheraccount。
Thehappinessthatagenerousspiritderivesfromthebeliefthatitexistsinothersisoftengreaterthantheprimaryhappinessitself。
Thegardenerthought"Howhappytheyare！"andthethoughtmadehimhappierthanthey。
Comingoutoftheforcing-houseagain，shewasonthepointofreturningindoors，whenafeelingthatthesemomentsofsolitudewouldbeherlastoffreedominducedhertoprolongthemalittle，andshestoodstill，unheedingthewintryaspectofthecurly-leavedplants，thestraw-coveredbeds，andthebarefruit-treesaroundher。
Thegarden，nopartofwhichwasvisiblefromthehouse，slopeddowntoanarrowriveratthefoot，dividingitfromthemeadowswithout。
Amanwaslingeringalongthepublicpathontheothersideoftheriver；shefanciedsheknewtheform。Herresolutions，takeninthepresenceofOwen，didnotfailhernow。Shehopedandprayedthatitmightnotbeonewhohadstolenherheartaway，andstillkeptit。Whyshouldhehavereappearedatall，whenhehaddeclaredthathewentoutofhersightforever？
Shehastilyhidherself，inthelowestcornerofthegardenclosetotheriver。Alargedeadtree，thicklyrobedinivy，hadbeenconsiderablydepressedbyitsicyloadofthemorning，andhunglowoverthestream，whichhereranslowanddeep。Thetreescreenedherfromtheeyesofanypasserontheotherside。
Shewaitedtimidly，andhertimidityincreased。Shewouldnotallowherselftoseehim——shewouldhearhimpass，andthenlooktoseeifithadbeenEdward。
But，beforesheheardanything，shebecameawareofanobjectreflectedinthewaterfromunderthetreewhichhungovertheriverinsuchawaythat，thoughhidingtheactualpath，andobjectsuponit，itpermittedtheirreflectedimagestopassbeneathitsboughs。
Thereflectedformwasthatofthemanshehadseenfurtheroff，butbeinginverted，shecouldnotdefinitelycharacterizehim。
HewaslookingattheupperwindowsoftheHouse——athers——wasitEdward，indeed？Ifso，hewasprobablythinkinghewouldliketosayonepartingword。Hecamecloser，gazedintothestream，andwalkedveryslowly。ShewasalmostcertainthatitwasEdward。Shekeptmoresafelyhidden。Consciencetoldherthatsheoughtnottoseehim。Butshesuddenlyaskedherselfaquestion："Canitbepossiblethatheseesmyreflectedimage，asIseehis？Ofcoursehedoes！"
Hewaslookingatherinthewater。
Shecouldnothelpherselfnow。Shesteppedforwardjustasheemergedfromtheothersideofthetreeandappearederectbeforeher。ItwasEdwardSpringrove——tilltheinvertedvisionmethiseye，dreamingnomoreofseeinghisCythereatherethanofseeingthedeadthemselves。
"Cytherea！"
"Mr。Springrove，"shereturned，inalowvoice，acrossthestream。
Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。
"Sincewehavemet，Iwanttotellyousomething，beforewebecomequiteasstrangerstoeachother。"
"No——notnow——Ididnotmeantospeak——itisnotright，Edward。"
Shespokehurriedlyandturnedawayfromhim，beatingtheairwithherhand。
"Notonecommonwordofexplanation？"heimplored。"Don"tthinkI
ambadenoughtotrytoleadyouastray。Well，go——itisbetter。"
Theireyesmetagain。Shewasnearlychoked。O，howshelonged——
anddreaded——tohearhisexplanation！
"Whatisit？"shesaiddesperately。
"ItisthatIdidnotcometothechurchthismorninginordertodistressyou：Ididnot，Cytherea。Itwastotrytospeaktoyoubeforeyouwere——married。"
Hesteppedcloser，andwenton，"Youknowwhathastakenplace？
Surelyyoudo？——mycousinismarried，andIamfree。"
"Married——andnottoyou？"Cythereafaltered，inaweakwhisper。
"Yes，shewasmarriedyesterday！Arichmanhadappeared，andshejiltedme。Shesaidsheneverwouldhavejiltedastranger，butthatbyjiltingme，sheonlyexercisedtherighteverybodyhasofsnubbingtheirownrelations。Butthat"snothingnow。Icametoyoutoaskoncemoreif……ButIwastoolate。"
"But，Edward，what"sthat，what"sthat！"shecried，inanagonyofreproach。"Whydidyouleavemetoreturntoher？Whydidyouwritemethatcruel，cruelletterthatnearlykilledme！"
"Cytherea！Why，youhadgrowntolove——like——Mr。Manston，andhowcouldyoubeanythingtome——orcareforme？SurelyIactednaturally？"
"Ono——never！Ilovedyou——onlyyou——nothim——alwaysyou！——tilllately……Itrytolovehimnow。"
"Butthatcan"tbecorrect！MissAldclyffetoldmethatyouwantedtohearnomoreofme——provedittome！"saidEdward。
"Never！shecouldn"t。"
"Shedid，Cytherea。Andshesentmealetter——alove-letter，youwrotetoMr。Manston。"
"Alove-letterIwrote？"
"Yes，alove-letter——youcouldnotmeethimjustthen，yousaidyouweresorry，buttheemotionyouhadfeltwithhimmadeyouforgetfulofrealities。"
Thestrifeofthoughtintheunhappygirlwholistenedtothisdistortionofhermeaningcouldfindnoventinwords。Andthentherefollowedtheslowrevelationinreturn，bringingwithitallthemiseryofanexplanationwhichcomestoolate。ThequestionwhetherMissAldclyffewereschemerordupewasalmostpassedoverbyCytherea，undertheimmediateoppressivenessofherdespairinthesensethatherpositionwasirretrievable。
NotsoSpringrove。Hesawthroughallthecunninghalf-
misrepresentations——worsethandownrightlies——whichhadjustbeensufficienttoturnthescalebothwithhimandwithher；andfromthebottomofhissoulhecursedthewomanandmanwhohadbroughtallthisagonyuponhimandhisLove。Buthecouldnotaddmoremiserytothefutureofthepoorchildbyrevealingtoomuch。Thewholeschemesheshouldneverknow。
"Iwasindifferenttomyownfuture，"Edwardsaid，"andwasurgedtopromiseadherencetomyengagementwithmycousinAdelaidebyMissAldclyffe：nowyouaremarriedIcannottellyouhow，butitwasonaccountofmyfather。Beingforbiddentothinkofyou，whatdidI
careaboutanything？Mynewthoughtthatyoustilllovedmewasfirstraisedbywhatmyfathersaidintheletterannouncingmycousin"smarriage。HesaidthatalthoughyouweretobemarriedonOldChristmasDay——thatisto-morrow——hehadnoticedyourappearancewithpity：hethoughtyoulovedmestill。Itwasenoughforme——I
camedownbytheearliestmorningtrain，thinkingIcouldseeyousometimeto-day，theday，asIthought，beforeyourmarriage，hoping，buthardlydaringtohope，thatyoumightbeinducedtomarryme。Ihurriedfromthestation；whenIreachedthevillageI
sawidlersaboutthechurch，andtheprivategateleadingtotheHouseopen。Iranintothechurchbythesmalldoorandsawyoucomeoutofthevestry；Iwastoolate。Ihavenowtoldyou。Iwascompelledtotellyou。O，mylostdarling，nowIshalllivecontent——ordiecontent！"
"Iamtoblame，Edward，Iam，"shesaidmournfully；"Iwastaughttodreadpauperism；mynightsweremadesleepless；therewascontinuallyreiteratedinmyearstillIbelievedit——
"“Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth，AndtopressapointwheretheseopposeWereasimplepolicy。“
ButIwillsaynothingaboutwhoinfluenced——whopersuaded。Theactismine，afterall。Edward，ImarriedtoescapedependenceformybreaduponthewhimofMissAldclyffe，orotherslikeher。Itwasclearlyrepresentedtomethatdependenceisbearableifwehaveanotherplacewhichwecancallhome；buttobeadependentandtohavenootherspotforthehearttoanchorupon——O，itismournfulandharassing！……Butthatwithoutwhichallpersuasionwouldhavebeenasair，wasaddedbymymiserableconvictionthatyouwerefalse；thatdidit，thatturnedme！Youweretobeconsideredasnobodytome，andMr。Manstonwasinvariablykind。Well，thedeedisdone——Imustabidebyit。IshallneverlethimknowthatIdonotlovehim——never。Ifthingshadonlyremainedastheyseemedtobe，ifyouhadreallyforgottenmeandmarriedanotherwoman，I
couldhaveborneitbetter。IwishIdidnotknowthetruthasI
knowitnow！Butourlife，whatisit？Letusbebrave，Edward，andliveoutourfewremainingyearswithdignity。Theywillnotbelong。O，Ihopetheywillnotbelong！……Now，good-bye，good-
bye！"
"IwishIcouldbenearandtouchyouonce，justonce，"saidSpringrove，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtokeepfirmandclear。
Theylookedattheriver，thenintoit；ashoalofminnowswasfloatingoverthesandybottom，liketheblackdashesonminiver；
thoughnarrow，thestreamwasdeep，andtherewasnobridge。
"Cytherea，reachoutyourhandthatImayjusttouchitwithmine。"
Shesteppedtothebrinkandstretchedoutherhandandfingerstowardshis，butnotintothem。Theriverwastoowide。
"Nevermind，"saidCytherea，hervoicebrokenbyagitation，"Imustbegoing。Godblessandkeepyou，myEdward！Godblessyou！"
"Imusttouchyou，Imustpressyourhand，"hesaid。
Theycamenear——nearer——nearerstill——theirfingersmet。Therewasalongfirmclasp，socloseandstillthateachhandcouldfeeltheother"spulsethrobbingbesideitsown。
"MyCytherea！mystolenpetlamb！"
Sheglancedamutefarewellfromherlargeperturbedeyes，turned，andranupthegardenwithoutlookingback。Allwasoverbetweenthem。Theriverflowedonasquietlyandobtuselyasever，andtheminnowsgatheredagainintheirfavouritespotasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbed。
Nobodyindoorsguessedfromhercountenanceandbearingthatherheartwasneartobreakingwiththeintensityofthemiserywhichgnawedthere。Atthesetimesawomandoesnotfaint，orweep，orscream，asshewillinthemomentofsuddenshocks。Whenlancedbyamentalagonyofsuchrefinedandspecialtorturethatitisindescribablebymen"swords，shemovesamongheracquaintancesmuchasbefore，andcontrivessotocastheractionsintheoldmouldsthatsheisonlyconsideredtoberatherdullerthanusual。
5。HALF-PASTTWOTOFIVEO"CLOCKP。M。
Owenaccompaniedthenewly-marriedcoupletotherailway-station，andinhisanxietytoseethelastofhissister，leftthebroughamandstooduponhiscrutcheswhilstthetrainwasstarting。
Whenthehusbandandwifewereabouttoentertherailway-carriagetheysawoneoftheporterslookingfrequentlyandfurtivelyatthem。Hewaspale，andapparentlyveryill。
"Lookatthatpoorsickman，"saidCythereacompassionately，"surelyheoughtnottobehere。"
"He"sbeenveryqueerto-day，madam，veryqueer，"anotherporteranswered。"Hedohardlyhearwhenhe"sspokento，andd"seemgiddy，orasifsomethingwasonhismind。He"sbeenlikeitforthismonthpast，butnothingsobadasheisto-day。"
"Poorthing。"
Shecouldnotresistaninnatedesiretodosomejustthingonthismostdeceitfulandwretcheddayofherlife。Goinguptohimshegavehimmoney，andtoldhimtosendtotheoldmanor-houseforwineorwhateverhewanted。
Thetrainmovedoffasthetremblingmanwasmurmuringhisincoherentthanks。Owenwavedhishand；Cythereasmiledbacktohimasifitwereunknowntoherthatsheweptallthewhile。
OwenwasdrivenbacktotheOldHouse。Buthecouldnotrestinthelonelyplace。Hisconsciencebegantoreproachhimforhavingforcedonthemarriageofhissisterwithalittletoomuchperemptoriness。Takinguphiscrutcheshewentoutofdoorsandwanderedaboutthemuddyroadswithnoobjectinviewsavethatofgettingridoftime。
Thecloudswhichhadhungsolowanddenselyduringthedayclearedfromthewestjustnowasthesunwassetting，callingforthaweaklytwitterfromafewsmallbirds。Owencrawleddownthepathtothewaterfall，andlingeredthereabouttillthesolitudeoftheplaceoppressedhim，whenheturnedbackandintotheroadtothevillage。Hewassad；hesaidtohimself——
"Ifthereiseveranymeaninginthoseheavyfeelingswhicharecalledpresentiments——andIdon"tbelievethereis——therewillbeinmineto-day……PoorlittleCytherea！"
Atthatmomentthelastlowraysofthesuntouchedtheheadandshouldersofamanwhowasapproaching，andshowedhimuptoOwen"sview。ItwasoldMr。Springrove。TheyhadgrownfamiliarwitheachotherbyreasonofOwen"svisitstoKnapwaterduringthepastyear。ThefarmerinquiredhowOwen"sfootwasprogressing，andwasgladtoseehimsonimbleagain。
"Howisyourson？"saidOwenmechanically。
"Heisathome，sittingbythefire，"saidthefarmer，inasadvoice。"ThismorningheslippedindoorsfromGodknowswhere，andtherehesitsandmopes，andthinks，andthinks，andpresseshisheadsohard，thatIcan"thelpfeelingforhim。"
"Ishemarried？"saidOwen。Cythereahadfearedtotellhimoftheinterviewinthegarden。
"No。Ican"tquiteunderstandhowthematterrests……Ah！
Edward，too，whostartedwithsuchpromise；thatheshouldnowhavebecomesuchacarelessfellow——notamonthinoneplace。There，Mr。
Graye，Iknowwhatitismainlyowingto。Ifithadn"tbeenforthatheartaffair，hemighthavedone——butthelesssaidabouthimthebetter。Idon"tknowwhatweshouldhavedoneifMissAldclyffehadinsistedupontheconditionsoftheleases。Yourbrother-in-
law，thesteward，hadahandinmakingitlightforus，Iknow，andIheartilythankhimforit。"Heceasedspeaking，andlookedroundatthesky。
"Haveyouheardo"what"shappened？"hesaidsuddenly；"Iwasjustcomingouttolearnaboutit。"
"Ihaven"theardofanything。"
"Itissomethingveryserious，thoughIdon"tknowwhat。AllIknowiswhatIheardamancalloutbynow——thatitverymuchconcernssomebodywholivesintheparish。"
Itseemssingularenough，eventomindswhohavenodimbeliefsinadumbrationandpresentiment，thatatthatmomentnottheshadowofathoughtcrossedOwen"smindthatthesomebodywhomthematterconcernedmightbehimself，oranybelongingtohim。Theeventabouttotranspirewasasportentoustothewomanwhosewelfarewasmoredeartohimthanhisown，asany，shortofdeathitself，couldpossiblybe；andeverafterwards，whenheconsideredtheeffectoftheknowledgethenexthalf-hourconveyedtohisbrain，evenhispracticalgoodsensecouldnotrefrainfromwonderthatheshouldhavewalkedtowardthevillageafterhearingthosewordsofthefarmer，insoleisurelyandunconcernedaway。"HowunutterablymeanmustmyintelligencehaveappearedtotheeyeofaforeseeingGod，"hefrequentlysaidinafter-time。"Columbusontheeveofhisdiscoveryofaworldwasnotsocontemptiblyunaware。"
Afterafewadditionalwordsofcommon-placethefarmerlefthim，and，ashasbeensaid，Owenproceededslowlyandindifferentlytowardsthevillage。
Thelabouringmenhadjustleftwork，andpassedtheparkgate，whichopenedintothestreetasOwencamedowntowardsit。Theywentalonginadrift，earnestlytalking，andwerefinallyabouttoturninattheirrespectivedoorways。Butuponseeinghimtheylookedsignificantlyatoneanother，andpaused。Hecameintotheroad，onthatsideofthevillage-greenwhichwasoppositetherowofcottages，andturnedroundtotheright。WhenOwenturned，alleyesturned；oneortwomenwenthurriedlyindoors，andafterwardsappearedatthedoorstepwiththeirwives，whoalsocontemplatedhim，talkingastheylooked。Theyseemeduncertainhowtoactinsomematter。
"Iftheywantme，surelytheywillcallme，"hethought，wonderingmoreandmore。Hecouldnolongerdoubtthathewasconnectedwiththesubjectoftheirdiscourse。
Thefirstwhoapproachedhimwasaboy。
"Whathasoccurred？"saidOwen。
"O，amanha"gotcrazy-religious，andsentforthepa"son。"
"Isthatall？"
"Yes，sir。Hewishedhewasdead，hesaid，andhe"salmostoutofhismindwi"wishenitsomuch。ThatwasbeforeMr。Raunhamcame。"
"Whoishe？"saidOwen。
"JosephChinney，oneoftherailway-porters；heusedtobenight-
porter。"
"Ah——themanwhowasillthisafternoon；bytheway，hewastoldtocometotheOldHouseforsomething，buthehasn"tbeen。Buthasanythingelsehappened——anythingthatconcernstheweddingto-day？"
"No，sir。"
ConcludingthattheconnectionwhichhadseemedtobetracedbetweenhimselfandtheeventmustinsomewayhavearisenfromCytherea"sfriendlinesstowardstheman，Owenturnedaboutandwenthomewardsinamuchquieterframeofmind——yetscarcelysatisfiedwiththesolution。Theroutehehadchosenledthroughthedairy-yard，andheopenedthegate。
Fiveminutesbeforethispointoftime，EdwardSpringrovewaslookingoveroneofhisfather"sfieldsatanoutlyinghamletofthreeorfourcottagessomemileandahalfdistant。Aturnpike-
gatewasclosebythegateofthefield。
ThecarriertoCasterbridgecameupasEdwardsteppedintotheroad，andjumpeddownfromthevantopaytoll。HerecognizedSpringrove。
"Thisisaprettyset-toinyourplace，sir，"hesaid。"Youdon"tknowaboutit，Isuppose？"
"What？"saidSpringrove。
Thecarrierpaidhisdues，cameuptoEdward，andspoketenwordsinaconfidentialwhisper：thensprangupontheshaftsofhisvehicle，gaveaclinchingnodofsignificancetoSpringrove，andrattledaway。
Edwardturnedpalewiththeintelligence。Hisfirstthoughtwas，"Bringherhome！"
Thenext——didOwenGrayeknowwhathadbeendiscovered？Heprobablydidbythattime，butnorisksofprobabilitymustberunbyawomanheloveddearerthanalltheworldbesides。Hewouldatanyratemakeperfectlysurethatherbrotherwasinpossessionoftheknowledge，bytellingithimwithhisownlips。
Offheraninthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
Thepathwasacrossarableland，andwasploughedupwiththerestofthefieldeveryautumn，afterwhichitwastroddenoutafresh。
Thethawhadsoloosenedthesoftearth，thatlumpsofstiffmudwereliftedbyhisfeetateveryleaphetook，andflungagainsthimbyhisrapidmotion，asitweredoggedlyimpedinghim，andincreasingtenfoldthecustomaryeffortofrunning，Butheranon——uphill，anddownhill，thesamepacealike——liketheshadowofacloud。Hisnearestdirection，too，likeOwen"s，wasthroughthedairy-barton，andasOwenenteredithesawthefigureofEdwardrapidlydescendingtheoppositehill，atadistanceoftwoorthreehundredyards。Owenadvancedamidthecows。
Thedairyman，whohadhithertobeentalkingloudlyonsomeabsorbingsubjecttothemaidsandmenmilkingaroundhim，turnedhisfacetowardstheheadofthecowwhenOwenpassed，andceasedspeaking。
Owenapproachedhimandsaid——
"Asingularthinghashappened，Ihear。Themanisnotinsane，I
suppose？"
"Nothe——he"ssensibleenough，"saidthedairyman，andpaused。Hewasamannoisywithhisassociates——stolidandtaciturnwithstrangers。
"IsittruethatheisChinney，therailway-porter？"
"That"stheman，sir。"Themaidsandmensittingunderthecowswereallattentivelylisteningtothisdiscourse，milkingirregularly，andsoftlydirectingthejetsagainstthesidesofthepail。
Owencouldcontainhimselfnolonger，muchashisminddreadedanythingofthenatureofridicule。"Thepeopleallseemtolookatme，asifsomethingseriouslyconcernedme；isitthisstupidmatter，orwhatisit？"
"Surely，sir，youknowbetterthananybodyelseifsuchastrangethingconcernsyou。"
"Whatstrangething？"
"Don"tyouknow！HisconfessingtoParsonRaunham。"
"Whatdidheconfess？Tellme。"
"Ifyoureallyha"n"theard，"tisthis。Hewasasusualondutyatthestationonthenightofthefirelastyear，otherwisehewouldn"tha"knownit。"
"Knownwhat？ForGod"ssaketell，man！"
Butatthisinstantthetwooppositegatesofthedairy-yard，oneontheeast，theotheronthewestside，slammedalmostsimultaneously。
Therectorfromone，Springrovefromtheother，camestridingacrossthebarton。
Edwardwasnearest，andspokefirst。Hesaidinalowvoice："Yoursisterisnotlegallymarried！Hisfirstwifeisstillliving！HowitcomesoutIdon"tknow！"
"O，hereyouareatlast，Mr。Graye，thankHeaven！"saidtherectorbreathlessly。"IhavebeentotheOldHouse，andthentoMissAldclyffe"slookingforyou——somethingveryextraordinary。"HebeckonedtoOwen，afterwardsincludedSpringroveinhisglance，andthethreesteppedasidetogether。
"Aporteratthestation。Hewasacuriousnervousman。Hehadbeeninastrangestateallday，buthewouldn"tgohome。Yoursisterwaskindtohim，itseems，thisafternoon。Whensheandherhusbandhadgone，hewentonwithhiswork，shiftingluggage-vans。
Well，hegotintheway，asifhewerequitelosttowhatwasgoingon，andtheysenthimhomeatlast。Thenhewishedtoseeme。I
wentdirectly。Therewassomethingonhismind，hesaid，andtoldit。AboutthetimewhenthefireoflastNovembertwelvemonthwasgotunder，whilsthewasbyhimselfintheporter"sroom，almostasleep，somebodycametothestationandtriedtoopenthedoor。HewentoutandfoundthepersontobetheladyhehadaccompaniedtoCarrifordearlierintheevening，Mrs。Manston。Sheasked，whenwouldbeanothertraintoLondon？Thefirstthenextmorning，hetoldher，wasataquarter-pastsixo"clockfromBudmouth，butthatitwasexpress，anddidn"tstopatCarrifordRoad——itdidn"tstoptillitgottoAnglebury。“HowfarisittoAnglebury？”shesaid。
Hetoldher，andshethankedhim，andwentawayuptheline。Inashorttimesheranbackandtookoutherpurse。“Don"tonanyaccountsayawordinthevillageoranywherethatIhavebeenhere，orasinglebreathaboutme——I"mashamedevertohavecome。“Hepromised；shetookouttwosovereigns。“SwearitontheTestamentinthewaiting-room，“shesaid，“andI"llpayyouthese。“Hegotthebook，tookanoathuponit，receivedthemoney，andshelefthim。Hewasoffdutyathalf-pastfive。Hehaskeptsilenceallthroughtheinterveningtimetillnow，butlatelytheknowledgehepossessedweighedheavilyuponhisconscienceandweakmind。Yetthenearercamethewedding-day，themorehefearedtotell。Theactualmarriagefilledhimwithremorse。Hesaysyoursister"skindnessafterwardswaslikeaknifegoingthroughhisheart。Hethoughthehadruinedher。"
"Butwhatevercanbedone？Whydidn"thespeaksooner？"criedOwen。
"Heactuallycalledatmyhousetwiceyesterday，"therectorcontinued，"resolved，itseems，tounburdenhismind。Iwasoutbothtimes——heleftnomessage，and，theysay，helookedrelievedthathisobjectwasdefeated。ThenhesaysheresolvedtocometoyouattheOldHouselastnight——started，reachedthedoor，anddreadedtoknock——andthenwenthomeagain。"
"Herewillbeataleforthenewsmongersofthecounty，"saidOwenbitterly。"Theideaofhisnotopeninghismouthsooner——thecriminalityofthething！"
"Ah，that"stheinconsistencyofaweaknature。Butnowthatitisputtousinthisway，howmuchmoreprobableitseemsthatsheshouldhaveescapedthanhavebeenburnt——"
"Youwill，ofcourse，gostraighttoMr。Manston，andaskhimwhatitallmeans？"Edwardinterrupted。
"OfcourseIshall！Manstonhasnorighttocarryoffmysisterunlesshe"sherhusband，"saidOwen。"Ishallgoandseparatethem。"
"Certainlyyouwill，"saidtherector。
"Where"stheman？"
"Inhiscottage。"
""Tisnousegoingtohim，either。Imustgooffatonceandovertakethem——laythecasebeforeManston，andaskhimforadditionalandcertainproofsofhisfirstwife"sdeath。Anup-
trainpassessoon，Ithink。"
"Wherehavetheygone？"saidEdward。
"ToParis——asfarasSouthamptonthisafternoon，toproceedto-
morrowmorning。"
"WhereinSouthampton？"
"Ireallydon"tknow——somehotel。IonlyhavetheirParisaddress。
ButIshallfindthembymakingafewinquiries。"
Therectorhadinthemeantimebeentakingouthispocket-book，andnowopeneditatthefirstpage，whereonitwashiscustomeverymonthtogumasmallrailwaytime-table——cutfromthelocalnewspaper。
"Theafternoonexpressisjustgone，"hesaid，holdingopenthepage，"andthenexttraintoSouthamptonpassesattenminutestosixo"clock。Nowitwants——letmesee——five-and-fortyminutestothattime。Mr。Graye，myadviceisthatyoucomewithmetotheporter"scottage，whereIwillshortlywriteoutthesubstanceofwhathehassaid，andgethimtosignit。YouwillthenhavefarbettergroundsforinterferingbetweenMr。andMrs。Manstonthanifyouwenttothemwithamerehearsaystory。"
Thesuggestionseemedagoodone。"Yes，therewillbetimebeforethetrainstarts，"saidOwen。
Edwardhadbeenmusingrestlessly。
"LetmegotoSouthamptoninyourplace，onaccountofyourlameness？"hesaidsuddenlytoGraye。
"Iammuchobligedtoyou，butIthinkIcanscarcelyaccepttheoffer，"returnedOwencoldly。"Mr。Manstonisanhonourableman，andIhadmuchbetterseehimmyself。"
"Thereisnodoubt，"saidMr。Raunham，"thatthedeathofhiswifewasfullybelievedinbyhimself。"
"Nonewhatever，"saidOwen；"andthenewsmustbebrokentohim，andthequestionofotherproofsasked，inafriendlyway。ItwouldnotdoforMr。Springrovetoappearinthecaseatall。"Hestillspokerathercoldly；therecollectionoftheattachmentbetweenhissisterandEdwardwasnotapleasantonetohim。
"Youwillneverfindthem，"saidEdward。"YouhaveneverbeentoSouthampton，andIknoweveryhousethere。"
"Thatmakeslittledifference，"saidtherector；"hewillhaveacab。CertainlyMr。Grayeisthepropermantogoontheerrand。"
"Stay；I"lltelegraphtoaskthemtomeetmewhenIarriveattheterminus，"saidOwen；"thatis，iftheirtrainhasnotalreadyarrived。"
Mr。Raunhampulledouthispocket-bookagain。"Thetwo-thirtytrainreachedSouthamptonaquarterofanhourago，"hesaid。
Itwastoolatetocatchthematthestation。Nevertheless，therectorsuggestedthatitwouldbeworthwhiletodirectamessageto"alltherespectablehotelsinSouthampton，"onthechanceofitsfindingthem，andthussavingadealofpersonallabourtoOweninsearchingabouttheplace。
"I"llgoandtelegraph，whilstyoureturntotheman，"saidEdward——
anofferwhichwasaccepted。Grayeandtherectorthenturnedoffinthedirectionoftheporter"scottage。
Edward，todespatchthemessageatonce，hurriedlyfollowedtheroadtowardsthestation，stillrestlesslythinking。AllOwen"sproceedingswerebasedontheassumption，naturalunderthecircumstances，ofManston"sgoodfaith，andthathewouldreadilyacquiesceinanyarrangementwhichshouldclearupthemystery。
"But，"thoughtEdward，"suppose——andHeavenforgiveme，Icannothelpsupposingit——thatManstonisnotthathonourableman，whatwillayoungandinexperiencedfellowlikeOwendo？Willhenotbehoodwinkedbysomespeciousstoryoranother，framedtolasttillManstongetstiredofpoorCytherea？Andthenthedisclosureofthetruthwillruinandblackenboththeirfuturesirremediably。"
However，heproceededtoexecutehiscommission。ThisheputintheformofasimplerequestfromOwentoManston，thatManstonwouldcometotheSouthamptonplatform，andwaitforOwen"sarrival，ashevaluedhisreputation。Themessagewasdirectedastherectorhadsuggested，Edwardguaranteeingtotheclerkwhosentitoffthateveryexpenseconnectedwiththesearchwouldbepaid。
Nosoonerhadthetelegrambeendespatchedthanhisheartsankwithinhimatthewantofforesightshowninsendingit。HadManston，allthetime，aknowledgethathisfirstwifelived，thetelegramwouldbeaforewarningwhichmightenablehimtodefeatOwenstillmoresignally。
Whilstthemachinewasstillgivingoffitsmultitudinousseriesofraps，Edwardheardapowerfulrushundertheshedoutside，followedbyalongsonorouscreak。Itwasatrainofsomesort，stealingsoftlyintothestation，anditwasanup-train。Therewastheringofabell。Itwascertainlyapassengertrain。
Yetthebooking-officewindowwasclosed。
"Ho，ho，John，seventeenminutesaftertimeandonlythreestationsuptheline。Theinclineagain？"Thevoicewasthestationmaster"s，andthereplyseemedtocomefromtheguard。
"Yes，theothersideofthecutting。Thethawhasmadeitallinaperfectcloudoffog，andtherailsareasslipperyasglass。Wehadtobringthemthroughthecuttingattwice。"
"Anybodyelseforthefour-forty-fiveexpress？"thevoicecontinued。
Thefewpassengers，havingcrossedovertotheothersidelongbeforethistime，hadtakentheirplacesatonce。
AconvictionsuddenlybrokeinuponEdward"smind；thenawishoverwhelmedhim。Theconviction——asstartlingasitwassudden——wasthatManstonwasavillain，whoatsomeearliertimehaddiscoveredthathiswifelived，andhadbribedhertokeepoutofsight，thathemightpossessCytherea。Thewishwas——toproceedatoncebythisverytrainthatwasstarting，findManstonbeforehewouldexpectfromthewordsofthetelegram(ifhegotit)thatanybodyfromCarrifordcouldbewithhim——chargehimboldlywiththecrime，andtrusttohisconsequentconfusion(ifhewereguilty)forasolutionoftheextraordinaryriddle，andthereleaseofCytherea！
Theticket-officehadbeenlockedupattheexpirationofthetimeatwhichthetrainwasdue。Rushingoutastheguardblewhiswhistle，Edwardopenedthedoorofacarriageandleaptin。Thetrainmovedalong，andhewassoonoutofsight。
Springrovehadlongsincepassedthatpeculiarlinewhichliesacrossthecourseoffallinginlove——if，indeed，itmaynotbecalledtheinitialitselfofthecompletepassion——alongingtocherish；whenthewomanisshiftedinaman"smindfromtheregionofmereadmirationtotheregionofwarmfellowship。Atthisassumptionofhernature，shechangestohimintone，hue，andexpression。Allaboutthelovedonethatsaid"She"before，says"We"now。Eyesthatweretobesubduedbecomeeyestobefearedfor：abrainthatwastobeprobedbycynicismbecomesabrainthatistobetenderlyassisted；feetthatweretobetestedinthedancebecomefeetthatarenottobedistressed；theonce-criticizedaccent，manner，anddress，becometheclientsofaspecialpleader。
6。FIVETOEIGHTO"CLOCKP。M。
Nowthathewasfairlyonthetrack，andhadbeguntocooldown，Edwardrememberedthathehadnothingtoshow——nolegalauthoritywhatevertoquestionManstonorinterferebetweenhimandCythereaashusbandandwife。Henowsawthewisdomoftherectorinobtainingasignedconfessionfromtheporter。Thedocumentwouldnotbeadeath-bedconfession——perhapsnotworthanythinglegally——
butitwouldbeheldbyOwen；andhealone，asCytherea"snaturalguardian，couldseparatethemonthemeregroundofanunprovedprobability，orwhatmightperhapsbecalledthehallucinationofanidiot。Edwardhimself，however，wasasfirmlyconvincedastherectorhadbeenofthetruthoftheman"sstory，andpacedbackwardandforwardthesolitarycompartmentasthetrainwoundthroughthedarkheatheryplains，themazywoods，andmoaningcoppices，asresolvedasevertopounceonManston，andchargehimwiththecrimeduringthecriticalintervalbetweenthereceptionofthetelegramandthehouratwhichOwen"strainwouldarrive——trustingtocircumstancesforwhatheshouldsayanddoafterwards，butmakinguphismindtobeareadysecondtoOweninanyemergencythatmightarise。
Atthirty-threeminutespastsevenhestoodontheplatformofthestationatSouthampton——aclearhourbeforethetraincontainingOwencouldpossiblyarrive。
Makingafewinquirieshere，buttooimpatienttopursuehisinvestigationcarefullyandinductively，hewentintothetown。
Attheexpirationofanotherhalf-hourhehadvisitedsevenhotelsandinns，largeandsmall，askingthesamequestionsateach，andalwaysreceivingthesamereply——nobodyofthatname，oransweringtothatdescription，hadbeenthere。Aboyfromthetelegraph-
officehadcalled，askingforthesamepersons，iftheyrecollectedrightly。
Hereflectedawhile，struckagainbyapainfulthoughtthattheymightpossiblyhavedecidedtocrosstheChannelbythenight-boat。
Thenhehastenedofftoanotherquarterofthetowntopursuehisinquiriesamonghotelsofthemoreold-fashionedandquietclass。
Hisstainedandwearyappearanceobtainedforhimbutamodicumofcivility，whereverhewent，whichmadehistaskyetmoredifficult。
Hecalledatthreeseveralhousesinthisneighbourhood，withthesameresultasbefore。Heenteredthedoorofthefourthhousewhilsttheclockofthenearestchurchwasstrikingeight。
"HaveatallgentlemannamedManston，andayoungwifearrivedherethisevening？"heaskedagain，inwordswhichhadgrownoddtohisearsfromveryfamiliarity。
"Anew-marriedcouple，didyousay？"
"Theyare，thoughIdidn"tsayso。"
"Theyhavetakenasitting-roomandbedroom，numberthirteen。"
"Aretheyindoors？"
"Idon"tknow。Eliza！"
"Yes，m"m。"
"Seeifnumberthirteenisin——thatgentlemanandhiswife。"
"Yes，m"m。"
"Hasanytelegramcomeforthem？"saidEdward，whenthemaidhadgoneonhererrand。
"No——nothingthatIknowof。"
"SomebodydidcomeandaskifaMr。andMrs。Masters，orsomesuchname，wereherethisevening，"saidanothervoicefromthebackofthebar-parlour。
"Anddidtheygetthemessage？"
"Ofcoursetheydidnot——theywerenothere——theydidn"tcometillhalf-an-hourafterthat。Themanwhomadeinquiriesleftnomessage。Itoldthemwhentheycamethatthey，oranamesomethingliketheirs，hadbeenaskedfor，buttheydidn"tseemtounderstandwhyitshouldbe，andsothematterdropped。"
Thechambermaidcameback。"Thegentlemanisnotin，buttheladyis。WhoshallIsay？"
"Nobody，"saidEdward。Foritnowbecamenecessarytoreflectuponhismethodofproceeding。Hisobjectinfindingtheirwhereabouts——
apartfromthewishtoassistOwen——hadbeentoseeManston，askhimflatlyforanexplanation，andconfirmtherequestofthemessageinthepresenceofCytherea——soastopreventthepossibilityofthesteward"spalmingoffastoryuponCytherea，oreludingherbrotherwhenhecame。Buthereweretwoimportantmodificationsoftheexpectedconditionofaffairs。Thetelegramhadnotbeenreceived，andCythereawasinthehousealone。
HehesitatedastotheproprietyofintrudinguponherinManston"sabsence。Besides，thewomenatthebottomofthestairswouldseehim——hisintrusionwouldseemodd——andManstonmightreturnatanymoment。Hecertainlymightcall，andwaitforManstonwiththeaccusationuponhistongue，ashehadintended。Butitwasadoubtfulcourse。ThatideahadbeenbasedupontheassumptionthatCythereawasnotmarried。Ifthefirstwifewerereallydeadafterall——andhefeltsickatthethought——Cythereaasthesteward"swifemightinafter-years——perhaps，atonce——besubjectedtoindignityandcrueltyonaccountofanoldlover"sinterferencenow。
Yes，perhapstheannouncementwouldcomemostproperlyandsafelyforherfromherbrotherOwen，thetimeofwhosearrivalhadalmostexpired。
But，onturninground，hesawthatthestaircaseandpassagewerequitedeserted。Heandhiserrandhadascompletelydiedfromthemindsoftheattendantsasiftheyhadneverbeen。TherewasabsolutelynothingbetweenhimandCytherea"spresence。Reasonwaspowerlessnow；hemustseeher——rightorwrong，fairorunfairtoManston——offensivetoherbrotherorno。Hislipsmustbethefirsttotellthealarmingstorytoher。Wholovedherashe！Hewentbacklightlythroughthehall，upthestairs，twoatatime，andfollowedthecorridortillhecametothedoornumberedthirteen。
Heknockedsoftly：nobodyanswered。
TherewasnotimetoloseifhewouldspeaktoCythereabeforeManstoncame。Heturnedthehandleofthedoorandlookedin。Thelamponthetableburnedlow，andshowedwritingmaterialsopenbesideit；thechieflightcamefromthefire，thedirectraysofwhichwereobscuredbyasweetfamiliaroutlineofheadandshoulders——stillasprecioustohimasever。