第10章

7。AQUARTER-PASTEIGHTO"CLOCKP。M。

Thereisanattitude——approximativelycalledpensive——inwhichthesoulofahumanbeing，andespeciallyofawoman，dominatesoutwardlyandexpressesitspresencesostrongly，thattheintangibleessenceseemsmoreapparentthanthebodyitself。ThiswasCytherea"sexpressionnow。WhatolddaysandsunnyevesatBudmouthBaywasshepicturing？Herreveriehadcausedhernottonoticehisknock。

"Cytherea！"hesaidsoftly。

Sheletdropherhand，andturnedherhead，evidentlythinkingthathervisitorcouldbenootherthanManston，yetpuzzledatthevoice。

TherewasnoprefaceonSpringrove"stongue；heforgothisposition——

hers——thathehadcometoaskquietlyifManstonhadotherproofsofbeingawidower——everything——andjumpedtoaconclusion。

"Youarenothiswife，Cytherea——comeaway，hehasawifeliving！"

hecriedinanagitatedwhisper。"Owenwillbeheredirectly。"

Shestartedup，recognizedthetidingsfirst，thebearerofthemafterwards。"Nothiswife？O，whatisit——what——whoisliving？"

Sheawokebydegrees。"WhatmustIdo？Edward，itisyou！Whydidyoucome？WhereisOwen？"

"WhathasManstonshownyouinproofofthedeathofhisotherwife？

Tellmequick。"

"Nothing——wehaveneverspokenofthesubject。WhereismybrotherOwen？Iwanthim，Iwanthim！"

"Heiscomingby-and-by。Cometothestationtomeethim——do，"

imploredSpringrove。"IfMr。Manstoncomes，hewillkeepyoufromme：Iamnobody，"headdedbitterly，feelingthereproachherwordshadfaintlyshadowedforth。

"Mr。Manstonisonlygoneouttopostaletterhehasjustwritten，"

shesaid，andwithoutbeingdistinctlycognizantoftheaction，shewildlylookedforherbonnetandcloak，andbeganputtingthemon，butintheactoffasteningthemutteredaspasmodiccry。

"No，I"llnotgooutwithyou，"shesaid，flingingthearticlesdownagain。Runningtothedoorsheflittedalongthepassage，anddownstairs。

"Givemeaprivateroom——quiteprivate，"shesaidbreathlesslytosomeonebelow。

"Numbertwelveisasingleroom，madam，andunoccupied，"saidsometongueinastonishment。

Withoutwaitingforanypersontoshowherintoit，Cythereahurriedupstairsagain，brushedthroughthecorridor，enteredtheroomspecified，andclosedthedoor。Edwardheardhersobout——

"NobodybutOwenshallspeaktome——nobody！"

"Hewillbeheredirectly，"saidSpringrove，closeagainstthepanel，andthenwenttowardsthestairs。Hehadseenher；itwasenough。

Hedescended，steppedintothestreet，andhastenedtomeetOwenattherailway-station。

Asforthepoormaidenwhohadreceivedthenews，sheknewnotwhattothink。ShelistenedtilltheechoofEdward"sfootstepshaddiedaway，thenbowedherfaceuponthebed。Hersuddenimpulsehadbeentoescapefromsight。Herwearinessaftertheunwontedstrain，mentalandbodily，whichhadbeenputuponherbythescenesshehadpassedthroughduringthelongday，renderedhermuchmoretimidandshakenbyherpositionthanshewouldnaturallyhavebeen。Shethoughtandthoughtofthatsinglefactwhichhadbeentoldher——

thatthefirstMrs。Manstonwasstillliving——tillherbrainseemedreadytoburstitsconfinementwithexcessofthrobbing。Itwasonlynaturalthatsheshould，bydegrees，beunabletoseparatethediscovery，whichwasmatteroffact，fromthesuspicionoftreacheryonherhusband"spart，whichwasonlymatterofinference。Andthustherearoseinherapersonalfearofhim。

"Supposeheshouldcomeinnowandseizeme！"Thisatfirstmerefrenziedsuppositiongrewbydegreestoadefinitehorrorofhispresence，andespeciallyofhisintensegaze。Thussheraisedherselftoaheatofexcitement，whichwasnonethelessrealforbeingventedinnocryofanykind。No；shecouldnotmeetManston"seyealone，shewouldonlyseehiminherbrother"scompany。

Almostdeliriouswiththisidea，sheranandlockedthedoortopreventallpossibilityofherintentionsbeingnullified，oralookorwordbeingflungatherbyanybodywhilstsheknewnotwhatshewas。

8。HALF-PASTEIGHTO"CLOCKP。M。

ThenCythereafeltherwayamidthedarknessoftheroomtillshecametotheheadofthebed，whereshesearchedforthebell-ropeandgaveitapull。Hersummonswasspeedilyansweredbythelandladyherself，whosecuriositytoknowthemeaningofthesestrangeproceedingsknewnobounds。Thelandladyattemptedtoturnthehandleofthedoor。Cythereakeptthedoorlocked。"PleasetellMr。ManstonwhenhecomesthatIamill，"shesaidfromtheinside，"andthatIcannotseehim。"

"CertainlyIwill，madam，"saidthelandlady。"Won"tyouhaveafire？"

"No，thankyou。"

"Noralight？"

"Idon"twantone，thankyou。"

"Noranything？"

"Nothing。"

Thelandladywithdrew，thinkinghervisitorhalfinsane。

Manstoncameinaboutfiveminuteslater，andwentatonceuptothesitting-room，fullyexpectingtofindhiswifethere。Helookedround，rang，andwastoldthewordsCythereahadsaid，thatshewastooilltobeseen。

"Sheisinnumbertwelveroom，"addedthemaid。

Manstonwasalarmed，andknockedatthedoor。"Cytherea！"

"Iamunwell，Icannotseeyou，"shesaid。

"Areyouseriouslyill，dearest？Surelynot。"

"No，notseriously。"

"Letmecomein；Iwillgetadoctor。"

"No，hecan"tseemeeither。"

"Shewon"topenthedoor，sir，nottonobodyatall！"saidthechambermaid，withwonder-waitingeyes。

"Holdyourtongue，andbeoff！"saidManstonwithasnap。

Themaidvanished。

"Come，Cytherea，thisisfoolish——indeeditis——notopeningthedoor……Icannotcomprehendwhatcanbethematterwithyou。

Norcanadoctoreither，unlessheseesyou。"

Hervoicehadtrembledmoreandmoreateachanswershegave，butnothingcouldinducehertocomeoutandconfronthim。Hatingscenes，Manstonwentbacktothesitting-room，greatlyirritatedandperplexed。

AndthereCythereafromtheadjoiningroomcouldhearhimpacingupanddown。Shethought，"Supposeheinsistsuponseeingme——heprobablymay——andwillburstopenthedoor！"Thisnotionincreased，andshesankintoacornerinahalf-somnolentstate，butwithearsalivetotheslightestsound。ReasoncouldnotoverthrowthedeliriousfancythatoutsideherdoorstoodManstonandallthepeopleinthehotel，waitingtolaughhertoscorn。

9。HALF-PASTEIGHTTOELEVENP。M。

Inthemeantime，Springrovewaspacingupanddownthearrivalplatformoftherailway-station。Half-pasteighto"clock——thetimeatwhichOwen"strainwasdue——hadcome，andpassed，butnotrainappeared。

"Whenwilltheeight-thirtytrainbein？"heaskedofamanwhowassweepingthemudfromthesteps。

"Sheisnotexpectedyetthishour。"

"Howisthat？"

"Christmas-time，yousee，"tisalwaysso。Peoplearerunningabouttoseetheirfriends。ThetrainshavebeenlikeiteversinceChristmasEve，andwillbeforanotherweekyet。"

Edwardagainwentonwalkingandwaitingunderthedraughtyroof。

Hefounditutterlyimpossibletoleavethespot。HismindwassointentupontheimportanceofmeetingwithOwen，andinforminghimofCytherea"swhereabouts，thathecouldnotbutfancyOwenmightleavethestationunobservedifheturnedhisback，andbecomelosttohiminthestreetsofthetown。

Thehourexpired。Teno"clockstruck。"Whenwillthetrainbein？"

saidEdwardtothetelegraphclerk。

"Infive-and-thirtyminutes。She"snowatL。Theyhaveextrapassengers，andtherailsarebadto-day。"

Atlast，ataquartertoeleven，thetraincamein。

ThefirsttoalightfromitwasOwen，lookingpaleandcold。Hecasuallyglancedrounduponthenearlydesertedplatform，andwashurryingtotheoutlet，whenhiseyesfelluponEdward。Atsightofhisfriendhewasquitebewildered，andcouldnotspeak。

"HereIam，Mr。Graye，"saidEdwardcheerfully。"IhaveseenCytherea，andshehasbeenwaitingforyouthesetwoorthreehours。"

OwentookEdward"shand，pressedit，andlookedathiminsilence。

Suchwastheconcentrationofhismind，thatnottillmanyminutesafterdidhethinkofinquiringhowSpringrovehadcontrivedtobetherebeforehim。

10。ELEVENO"CLOCKP。M。

Ontheirarrivalatthedoorofthehotel，itwasarrangedbetweenSpringroveandGrayethatthelatteronlyshouldenter，Edwardwaitingoutside。Owenhadrememberedcontinuallywhathisfriendhadfrequentlyoverlooked，thattherewasyetapossibilityofhissisterbeingManston"swife，andtherecollectiontaughthimtoavoidanyrashnessinhisproceedingswhichmightleadtobitternesshereafter。

Enteringtheroom，hefoundManstonsittinginthechairwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyCythereaonEdward"svisit，threehoursearlier。

BeforeOwenhadspoken，Manstonarose，andsteppingpasthimclosedthedoor。Hisfaceappearedharassed——muchmoretroubledthantheslightcircumstancewhichhadasyetcometohisknowledgeseemedtoaccountfor。

ManstoncouldformnoreasonforOwen"spresence，butintuitivelylinkeditwithCytherea"sseclusion。"Altogetherthisismostunseemly，"hesaid，"whateveritmaymean。"

"Don"tthinkthereismeantanythingunfriendlybymycominghere，"

saidOwenearnestly；"butlistentothis，andthinkifIcoulddootherwisethancome。"

HetookfromhispockettheconfessionofChinneytheporter，ashastilywrittenoutbythevicar，andreaditaloud。TheaspectsofManston"sfacewhilsthelistenedtotheopeningwordswerestrange，dark，andmysteriousenoughtohavejustifiedsuspicionsthatnodeceitcouldbetoocomplicatedforthepossessorofsuchimpulses，hadtherenotoverriddenthemall，asthereadingwenton，anewandirrepressibleexpression——oneunmistakablyhonest。Itwasthatofunqualifiedamazementinthesteward"smindatthenewsheheard。

Owenlookedupandsawit。Thesightonlyconfirmedhiminthebeliefhehadheldthroughout，inantagonismtoEdward"ssuspicions。

TherecouldnolongerbeashadowofdoubtthatifthefirstMrs。

Manstonlived，herhusbandwasignorantofthefact。Whathecouldhavefearedbyhisghastlylookatfirst，andnowhaveceasedtofear，itwasquitefutiletoconjecture。

"NowIdonotforamomentdoubtyourcompleteignoranceofthewholematter；youcannotsupposeforaninstantthatIdo，"saidOwenwhenhehadfinishedreading。"ButisitnotbestforboththatCythereashouldcomebackwithmetillthematterisclearedup？Infact，underthecircumstances，noothercourseisleftopentomethantorequestit。"

WhateverManston"soriginalfeelingshadbeen，allinhimnowgavewaytoirritation，andirritationtorage。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtillhehadmasteredit；thensaidinordinarytones——

"Certainly，Iknownomorethanyouandothersknow——itwasagratuitousunpleasantnessinyoutosayyoudidnotdoubtme。Whyshouldyou，oranybody，havedoubtedme？"

"Well，whereismysister？"saidOwen。

"Lockedinthenextroom。"

HisownanswerremindedManstonthatCythereamust，bysomeinscrutablemeans，havehadaninklingoftheevent。

OwenhadgonetothedoorofCytherea"sroom。

"Cytherea，darling——"tisOwen，"hesaid，outsidethedoor。A

rustlingofclothes，softfootsteps，andavoicesayingfromtheinside，"Isitreallyyou，Owen，——isitreally？"

"Itis。"

"O，willyoutakecareofme？"

"Always。"

Sheunlockedthedoor，andretreatedagain。Manstoncameforwardfromtheotherroomwithacandleinhishand，asOwenpushedopenthedoor。

Herfrightenedeyeswereunnaturallylarge，andshonelikestarsinthedarknessofthebackground，asthelightfelluponthem。SheleaptuptoOweninonebound，hersmalltaperfingersextendedliketheleavesofalupine。Thensheclaspedhercoldandtremblinghandsroundhisneckandshivered。

ThesightofheragainkindledallManston"spassionsintoactivity。

"Sheshallnotgowithyou，"hesaidfirmly，andsteppingapaceortwocloser，"unlessyouprovethatsheisnotmywife；andyoucan"tdoit！"

"Thisisproof，"saidOwen，holdingupthepaper。

"Noproofatall，"saidManstonhotly。""Tisnotadeath-bedconfession，andthosearetheonlythingsofthekindheldasgoodevidence。"

"Sendforalawyer，"Owenreturned，"andlethimtellusthepropercoursetoadopt。"

"Nevermindthelaw——letmegowithOwen！"criedCytherea，stillholdingontohim。"Youwillletmegowithhim，won"tyou，sir？"

shesaid，turningappealinglytoManston。

"We"llhaveitallrightandsquare，"saidManston，withmorequietness。"Ihavenoobjectiontoyourbrothersendingforalawyer，ifhewantsto。"

Itwasgettingonfortwelveo"clock，buttheproprietorofthehotelhadnotyetgonetobedonaccountofthemysteryonthefirstfloor，whichwasanoccurrenceunusualinthequietfamilylodging。

Owenlookedoverthebanisters，andsawhimstandinginthehall。

ItstruckGrayethatthewisestcoursewouldbetotakethelandlordtoacertainextentintotheirconfidence，appealtohishonourasagentleman，andsoon，inordertoacquiretheinformationhewanted，andalsotopreventtheepisodeoftheeveningfrombecomingapublicpieceofnews。Hecalledthelandlorduptowheretheystood，andtoldhimthemainfactsofthestory。

Thelandlordwasfortunatelyaquiet，prejudicedman，andameditativesmoker。

"Iknowtheverymanyouwanttosee——theveryman，"hesaid，lookingatthegeneralfeaturesofthecandle-flame。"Sharpasaneedle，andnotover-rich。Timmswillputyouallstraightinnotime——trustTimmsforthat。"

"He"sinbedbythistimeforcertain，"saidOwen。

"Nevermindthat——Timmsknowsme，Iknowhim。He"llobligemeasapersonalfavour。Waithereabit。Perhaps，too，he"supatsomepartyoranother——he"sanice，jovialfellow，sharpasaneedle，too；mindyou，sharpasaneedle，too。"

Hewentdownstairs，putonhisovercoat，andleftthehouse，thethreepersonsmostconcernedenteringtheroom，andstandingmotionless，awkward，andsilentinthemidstofit。Cythereapicturedtoherselfthelongwearyminutesshewouldhavetostandthere，whilstasleepymancouldbepreparedforconsultation，tilltheconstraintbetweenthemseemedunendurabletoher——shecouldneverlastoutthetime。OwenwasannoyedthatManstonhadnotquietlyarrangedwithhimatonce；ManstonatOwen"shomelinessofideainproposingtosendforanattorney，asifhewouldbeatouchstoneofinfallibleproof。

Reflectionwascutshortbytheapproachoffootsteps，andinafewmomentstheproprietorofthehotelentered，introducinghisfriend。

"Mr。Timmshasnotbeeninbed，"hesaid；"hehadjustreturnedfromdiningwithafewfriends，sothere"snotroublegiven。TosavetimeIexplainedthematteraswecamealong。"

ItoccurredtoOwenandManstonboththattheymightgetamistyexpositionofthelawfromMr。Timmsatthatmomentofconcludingdinnerwithafewfriends。

"AsfarasIcansee，"saidthelawyer，yawning，andturninghisvisioninwardbymainforce，"itisquiteamatterforprivatearrangementbetweentheparties，whoeverthepartiesare——atleastatpresent。Ispeakmoreasafatherthanasalawyer，itistrue，but，lettheyoungladystaywithherfather，orguardian，safeoutofshame"sway，untilthemysteryissifted，whateverthemysteryis。Shouldtheevidenceprovetobefalse，ortrumpedupbyanybodytogetherawayfromyou，herhusband，youmaysuethemforthedamagesaccruingfromthedelay。"

"Yes，yes，"saidManston，whohadcompletelyrecoveredhisself-

possessionandcommon-sense；"letitallbesettledbyherself。"

TurningtoCythereahewhisperedsosoftlythatOwendidnothearthewords——

"Doyouwishtogobackwithyourbrother，dearest，andleavemeheremiserable，andlonely，orwillyoustaywithme，yourownhusband。"

"I"llgobackwithOwen。"

"Verywell。"Herelinquishedhiscoaxingtone，andwentonsternly：

"Andrememberthis，Cytherea，Iamasinnocentofdeceptioninthisthingasyouareyourself。Doyoubelieveme？"

"Ido，"shesaid。

"Ihadnoshadowofsuspicionthatmyfirstwifelived。Idon"tthinkshedoesevennow。Doyoubelieveme？"

"Ibelieveyou，"shesaid。

"Andnow，good-evening，"hecontinued，openingthedoorandpolitelyintimatingtothethreemenstandingbythattherewasnofurthernecessityfortheirremaininginhisroom。"InthreedaysIshallclaimher。"

Thelawyerandthehotel-keeperretiredfirst。Owen，gatheringupasmuchofhissister"sclothingaslayabouttheroom，tookheruponhisarm，andfollowedthem。Edward，towhomsheowedeverything，whohadbeenleftstandinginthestreetlikeadogwithoutahome，wasutterlyforgotten。Owenpaidthelandlordandthelawyerforthetroublehehadoccasionedthem，lookedtothepacking，andwenttothedoor。

Afly，whichsomewhatunaccountablywasseenlingeringinfrontofthehouse，wascalledup，andCytherea"sluggageputuponit。

"Doyouknowofanyhotelnearthestationthatisopenfornightarrivals？"Oweninquiredofthedriver。

"Aplacehasbeenbespokeforyou，sir，attheWhiteUnicorn——andthegentlemanwishedmetogiveyouthis。"

"BespokenbySpringrove，whoorderedthefly，ofcourse，"saidOwentohimself。Bythelightofthestreet-lamphereadtheselines，hurriedlytracedinpencil：——

"Ihavegonehomebythemail-train。ItisbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldbeoutoftheway。TellCythereathatIapologizeforhavingcausedhersuchunnecessarypain，asitseemsIdid——butitcannotbehelpednow。E。S。"

Owenhandedhissisterintothevehicle，andtoldtheflymantodriveon。

"PoorSpringrove——Ithinkwehaveservedhimratherbadly，"hesaidtoCytherea，repeatingthewordsofthenotetoher。

Athrillofpleasurepassedthroughherbosomasshelistenedtothem。Theywerethegenuinereproachofalovertohismistress；

thetriflingcoldnessofheranswertohimwouldhavebeennoticedbynomanwhowasonlyafriend。But，inentertainingthatsweetthought，shehadforgottenherself，andherpositionfortheinstant。

WasshestillManston"swife——thatwastheterriblesupposition，andherfutureseemedstillapossiblemiserytoher。For，onaccountofthelatejarringaccident，alifewithManstonwhichwouldotherwisehavebeenonlyasadness，mustbecomeaburdenofunutterablesorrow。

Thenshethoughtofthemisrepresentationandscandalthatwouldensueifshewerenowife。Onecauseforthankfulnessaccompaniedthereflection；Edwardknewthetruth。

Theysoonreachedthequietoldinn，whichhadbeenselectedforthembytheforethoughtofthemanwholovedherwell。Heretheyinstalledthemselvesforthenight，arrangingtogotoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextday。

AtthishourEdwardSpringrovewasfastapproachinghisnativecountyonthewheelsofthenight-mail。

XIV。THEEVENTSOFFIVEWEEKS

1。FROMTHESIXTHTOTHETHIRTEENTHOFJANUARY

Manstonhadevidentlyresolvedtodonothinginahurry。

Thismuchwasplain，thathisearnestdesireandintentionwastoraiseinCytherea"sbosomnofeelingsofpermanentaversiontohim。

TheinstantafterthefirstburstofdisappointmenthadescapedhiminthehotelatSouthampton，hehadseenhowfarbetteritwouldbetoloseherpresenceforaweekthanherrespectforever。

"Sheshallbemine；Iwillclaimtheyoungthingyet，"heinsisted。

Andthenheseemedtoreasonovermethodsforcompassingthatobject，which，toallthosewhowereinanydegreeacquaintedwiththerecentevent，appearedtheleastlikelyofpossiblecontingencies。

HereturnedtoKnapwaterlatethenextday，andwaspreparingtocallonMissAldclyffe，whentheconclusionforceditselfuponhimthatnothingwouldbegainedbysuchastep。No；everyactionofhisshouldbedoneopenly——evenreligiously。Atleast，hecalledontherector，andstatedthistobehisresolve。

"Certainly，"saidMr。Raunham，"itisbesttoproceedcandidlyandfairly，orunduesuspicionmayfallonyou。Youshould，inmyopinion，takeactivestepsatonce。"

"Iwilldotheutmostthatliesinmypowertoclearupthemystery，andsilencethehubbubofgossipthathasbeensetgoingaboutme。

ButwhatcanIdo？Theysaythatthemanwhocomesfirstinthechainofinquiryisnottobefound——Imeantheporter。"

"Iamsorrytosaythatheisnot。WhenIreturnedfromthestationlastnight，afterseeingOwenGrayeoff，Iwentagaintothecottagewherehehasbeenlodging，togetmoreintelligence，asIthought。

Hewasnotthere。Hehadgoneoutatdusk，sayinghewouldbebacksoon。Buthehasnotcomebackyet。"

"Iratherdoubtifweshallseehimagain。"

"HadIknownofthis，IwouldhavedonewhatinmyflurryIdidnotthinkofdoing——setawatchuponhim。Butwhynotadvertiseforyourmissingwifeasapreliminary，consultingyoursolicitorinthemeantime？"

"Advertise。I"llthinkaboutit，"saidManston，lingeringonthewordashepronouncedit。"Yes，thatseemsarightthing——quitearightthing。"

Hewenthomeandremainedmoodilyindoorsallthenextdayandthenext——fornearlyaweek，inshort。Then，oneeveningatdusk，hewentoutwithanuncertainairastothedirectionofhiswalk，whichresulted，however，inleadinghimagaintotherectory。

HesawMr。Raunham。"Haveyoudoneanythingyet？"therectorinquired。

"No——Ihavenot，"saidManstonabsently。"ButIamgoingtosetaboutit。"Hehesitated，asifashamedofsomeweaknesshewasabouttobetray。"MyobjectincallingwastoaskifyouhadheardanytidingsfromBudmouthofmy——Cytherea。Youusedtospeakofherasoneyouwereinterestedin。"

Therewas，atanyrate，realsadnessinManston"stonenow，andtherectorpausedtoweighhiswordserehereplied。

"Ihavenothearddirectlyfromher，"hesaidgently。"Butherbrotherhascommunicatedwithsomepeopleintheparish——"

"TheSpringroves，Isuppose，"saidManstongloomily。

"Yes；andtheytellmethatsheisveryill，andIamsorrytosay，likelytobeforsomedays。"

"Surely，surely，Imustgoandseeher！"Manstoncried。

"Iwouldadviseyounottogo，"saidRaunham。"Butdothisinstead——

beasquickasyoucaninmakingamovementtowardsascertainingthetruthasregardstheexistenceofyourwife。Yousee，Mr。

Manston，anout-stepplacelikethisisnotlikeacity，andthereisnobodytobusyhimselfforthegoodofthecommunity；whilstpoorCythereaandherbrotheraresociallytoodependenttobeabletomakemuchstirinthematter，whichisagreaterreasonstillwhyyoushouldbedisinterestedlyprompt。"

Thestewardmurmuredanassent。Stilltherewasthesameindecision！——nottheindecisionofweakness——theindecisionofconsciousperplexity。

OnManston"sreturnfromthisinterviewattherectory，hepassedthedooroftheRisingSunInn。Findinghehadnolightforhiscigar，anditbeingthree-quartersofamiletohisresidenceinthepark，heenteredthetaverntogetone。NobodywasintheouterportionofthefrontroomwhereManstonstood，butaspaceroundthefirewasscreenedofffromtheremainder，andinsidethehighoaksettle，formingapartofthescreen，heheardvoicesconversing。

Thespeakershadnotnoticedhisfootsteps，andcontinuedtheirdiscourse。

Oneofthetwoherecognizedasawell-knownnight-poacher，themanwhohadmethimwithtidingsofhiswife"sdeathontheeveningoftheconflagration。Theotherseemedtobeastrangerfollowingthesamemodeoflife。Theconversationwascarriedonintheemphaticandconfidentialtoneofmenwhoareslightlyintoxicated，itssubjectbeinganunaccountableexperiencethatoneofthemhadhadonthenightofthefire。

Whatthestewardheardwasenough，andmorethanenough，toleadhimtoforgetortorenouncehismotiveinentering。Theeffectuponhimwasstrangeandstrong。Hisfirstobjectseemedtobetoescapefromthehouseagainwithoutbeingseenorheard。

Havingaccomplishedthis，hewentinattheparkgate，andstrodeoffunderthetreestotheOldHouse。Theresittingdownbythefire，andburyinghimselfinreflection，heallowedtheminutestopassbyunheeded。Firstthecandleburntdowninitssocketandstunk：hedidnotnoticeit。Thenthefirewentout：hedidnotseeit。Hisfeetgrewcold；stillhethoughton。

Itmayberemarkedthatalady，ayearandaquarterbeforethistime，had，underthesameconditions——anunrestrictedmentalabsorption——shownnearlythesamepeculiaritiesasthismanevincednow。TheladywasMissAldclyffe。

Itwashalf-pasttwelvewhenManstonmoved，asifhehadcometoadetermination。

ThefirstthinghedidthenextmorningwastocallatKnapwaterHouse；wherehefoundthatMissAldclyffewasnotwellenoughtoseehim。ShehadbeenailingfromslightinternalhaemorrhageeversincetheconfessionoftheporterChinney。Apparentlynotmuchaggrievedatthedenial，heshortlyafterwardswenttotherailway-

stationandtookhisdepartureforLondon，leavingaletterforMissAldclyffe，statingthereasonofhisjourneythither——torecovertracesofhismissingwife。

Duringtheremainderoftheweekparagraphsappearedinthelocalandothernewspapers，drawingattentiontothefactsofthissingularcase。Thewriters，withscarcelyanexception，dweltforciblyuponafeaturewhichhadatfirstescapedtheobservationofthevillagers，includingMr。Raunham——thatiftheannouncementofthemanChinneyweretrue，itseemedextremelyprobablethatMrs。

Manstonleftherwatchandkeysbehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape；andthatthereforeshewouldnotnowletherselfbediscovered，unlessastrongpressurewereputuponher。Thewritersaddedthatthepolicewereonthetrackoftheporter，whoverypossiblyhadabscondedinthefearthathisreticencewascriminal，andthatMr。Manston，thehusband，was，withpraiseworthyenergy，makingeveryefforttoclearthewholematterup。

2。FROMTHEEIGHTEENTHTOTHEENDOFJANUARY

Fivedaysfromthetimeofhisdeparture，ManstonreturnedfromLondonandLiverpool，lookingveryfatiguedandthoughtful。Heexplainedtotherectorandotherofhisacquaintancethatalltheinquirieshehadmadeathiswife"soldlodgingsandhisownhadbeentotallybarrenofresults。

Butheseemedinclinedtopushtheaffairtoaclearconclusionnowthathehadcommenced。Afterthelapseofanotherdayortwoheproceededtofulfilhispromisetotherector，andadvertisedforthemissingwomaninthreeoftheLondonpapers。Theadvertisementwasacarefullyconsideredandevenattractiveeffusion，calculatedtowintheheart，oratleasttheunderstanding，ofanywomanwhohadasparkofherownnatureleftinher。

Therewasnoanswer。

Threedayslaterherepeatedtheexperiment；withthesameresultasbefore。

"Icannottryanyfurther，"saidManstonspeciouslytotherector，hissoleauditorthroughouttheproceedings。"Mr。Raunham，I"lltellyouthetruthplainly：Idon"tloveher；IdoloveCytherea，andthewholeofthisbusinessofsearchingfortheotherwomangoesaltogetheragainstme。IhopetoGodIshallneverseeheragain。"

"Butyouwilldoyourdutyatleast？"saidMr。Raunham。

"Ihavedoneit，"saidManston。"Ifeveramanonthefaceofthisearthhasdonehisdutytowardsanabsentwife，Ihavetowardsher——

livingordead——atleast，"headded，correctinghimself，"sinceI

havelivedatKnapwater。Ineglectedherbeforethattime——Iownthat，asIhaveowneditbefore。"

"Ishould，ifIwereyou，adoptothermeanstogettidingsofherifadvertisingfails，inspiteofmyfeelings，"saidtherectoremphatically。"Butatanyrate，tryadvertisingoncemore。There"sasatisfactioninhavingmadeanyattemptthreeseveraltimes。"

WhenManstonhadleftthestudy，therectorstoodlookingatthefireforaconsiderablelengthoftime，lostinprofoundreflection。

Hewenttohisprivatediary，andaftermanypauses，whichhevariedonlybydippinghispen，lettingitdry，wipingitonhissleeve，andthendippingitagain，hetookthefollowingnoteofevents：——

"January25——Mr。Manstonhasjustseenmeforthethirdtimeonthesubjectofhislostwife。Therehavebeenthesepeculiaritiesattendingthethreeinterviews：——

"Thefirst。Myvisitor，whilstexpressingbywordshisgreatanxietytodoeverythingforherrecovery，showedplainlybyhisbearingthathewasconvincedheshouldneverseeheragain。

"Thesecond。Hehadleftofffeigninganxietytodorightlybyhisfirstwife，andhonestlyaskedafterCytherea"swelfare。

"Thethird(andmostremarkable)。Heseemedtohavelostallconsistency。WhilstexpressinghisloveforCytherea(whichcertainlyisstrong)andevincingtheusualindifferencetothefirstMrs。Manston"sfate，hewasunabletoconcealtheintensityofhiseagernessformetoadvisehimtoADVERTISEAGAINforher。"

Aweekafterthesecond，thethirdadvertisementwasinserted。A

paragraphwasattached，whichstatedthatthiswouldbethelasttimetheannouncementwouldappear。

3。THEFIRSTOFFEBRUARY

Atthis，theeleventhhour，thepostmanbroughtaletterforManston，directedinawoman"shand。

Abachelorfriendofthesteward"s，Mr。Dicksonbyname，whowassomewhatofachatterer——plenusrimarum——andwhoboastedofanendlessstringofacquaintances，hadcomeoverfromCasterbridgetheprecedingdaybyinvitation——aninvitationwhichhadbeenapleasantsurprisetoDicksonhimself，insomuchthatManston，asarule，votedhimaborealmosttohisface。Hehadstayedoverthenight，andwassittingatbreakfastwithhishostwhentheimportantmissivearrived。

Manstondidnotattempttoconcealthesubjectoftheletter，orthenameofthewriter。Firstglancingthepagesthrough，hereadaloudasfollows：——

"“MYHUSBAND，——Iimploreyourforgiveness。

"“DuringthelastthirteenmonthsIhaverepeatedtomyselfahundredtimesthatyoushouldneverdiscoverwhatIvoluntarilytellyounow，namely，thatIamaliveandinperfecthealth。

"“Ihaveseenallyouradvertisements。Nothingbutyourpersistencehaswonmeround。Surely，Ithought，heMUSTlovemestill。Whyelseshouldhetrytowinbackawomanwho，faithfuluntodeathasshewillbe，can，inasocialsense，aidhimtowardsacquiringnothing？——ratherthereverse，indeed。

"“Youyourselfstatemyownmind——thattheonlygroundsuponwhichwecanmeetandlivetogether，withareasonablehopeofhappiness，mustbeamutualconsenttoburyinoblivionallpastdifferences。

Iheartilyandwillinglyforgeteverything——andforgiveeverything。

Youwilldothesame，asyouractionsshow。

"“Therewillbeplentyofopportunityformetoexplainthefewfactsrelatingtomyescapeonthenightofthefire。Iwillonlygivetheheadsinthishurriednote。Iwasgrievedatyournotcomingtofetchme，moregrievedatyourabsencefromthestation，mostofallbyyourabsencefromhome。OnmyjourneytotheinnI

writhedunderapassionatesenseofwrongdoneme。WhenIhadbeenshowntomyroomIwaitedandhopedforyoutillthelandlordhadgoneupstairstobed。Istillfoundthatyoudidnotcome，andthenIfinallymadeupmymindtoleave。Ihadhalfundressed，butIputonmythingsagain，forgettingmywatch(andIsupposedroppingmykeys，thoughIamnotsurewhere)inmyhurry，andslippedoutofthehouse。The——“"

"Well，that"sarumstory，"saidMr。Dickson，interrupting。

"What"sarumstory？"saidManstonhastily，andflushingintheface。

"Forgettingherwatchanddroppingherkeysinherhurry。"

"Idon"tseeanythingparticularlywonderfulinit。Anywomanmightdosuchathing。"

"Anywomanmightifescapingfromfireorshipwreck，oranysuchimmediatedanger。Butitseemsincomprehensibletomethatanywomaninhersenses，whoquietlydecidestoleaveahouse，shouldbesoforgetful。"

"Allthatisrequiredtoreconcileyourseemingwithherfactsistoassumethatshewasnotinhersenses，forthat"swhatshedidplainly，orhowcouldthethingshavebeenfoundthere？Besides，she"struthfulenough。"Hespokeeagerlyandperemptorily。

"Yes，yes，Iknowthat。Imerelymeantthatitseemedratherodd。"

"Oyes。"Manstonreadon：——

"“——andslippedoutofthehouse。Therubbish-heapwasburningupbrightly，butthethoughtthatthehousewasindangerdidnotstrikeme；Ididnotconsiderthatitmightbethatched。

"“Iidledinthelanebehindthewoodtillthelastdown-trainhadcomein，notbeinginamoodtofacestrangers。WhilstIwastherethefirebrokeout，andthisperplexedmestillmore。However，I

wasstilldeterminednottostayintheplace。Iwenttotherailway-station，whichwasnowquiet，andinquiredofthesolitarymanondutythereconcerningthetrains。ItwasnottillIhadleftthemanthatIsawtheeffectthefiremighthaveonmyhistory。I

consideredalso，thoughnotinanydetailedmanner，thattheevent，byattractingtheattentionofthevillagetomyformerabode，mightsetpeopleonmytrackshouldtheydoubtmydeath，andasuddendreadofhavingtogobackagaintoKnapwater——aplacewhichhadseemedinimicaltomefromfirsttolast——promptedmetorunbackandbribetheportertosecrecy。IthenwalkedontoAnglebury，lingeringabouttheoutskirtsofthetowntillthemorningtraincamein，whenIproceededbyittoLondon，andthentooktheselodgings，whereIhavebeensupportingmyselfeversincebyneedlework，endeavouringtosaveenoughmoneytopaymypassagehometoAmerica，butmakingmelancholyprogressinmyattempt。However，allthatischanged——canIbeotherwisethanhappyatit？Ofcoursenot。Iamhappy。TellmewhatIamtodo，andbelievemestilltobeyourfaithfulwife，EUNICE。

"“Mynamehereis(asbefore)

"“MRS。RONDLEY，andmyaddress，79ADDINGTONSTREET，LAMBETH。"“

Thenameandaddresswerewrittenonaseparateslipofpaper。

"Soit"stobeallrightatlastthen，"saidManston"sfriend。"Butafterallthere"sanotherwomaninthecase。Youdon"tseemverysorryforthelittlethingwhoisputtosuchdistressbythisturnofaffairs？Iwonderyoucanlethergosocoolly。"Thespeakerwaslookingoutbetweenthemullionsofthewindow——noticingthatsomeofthelightswereglazedinlozenges，someinsquares——ashesaidthewords，otherwisehewouldhaveseenthepassionateexpressionofagonizedhopelessnessthatflittedacrossthesteward"scountenancewhentheremarkwasmade。Hedidnotseeit，andManstonansweredafterashortinterval。Thewayinwhichhespokeoftheyounggirlwhohadbelievedherselfhiswife，whom，afewshortdaysago，hehadopenlyidolized，andwhom，inhissecretheart，heidolizedstill，asfarassuchaformoflovewascompatiblewithhisnature，showedthatfrompolicyorotherwise，hemeanttoactuptotherequirementsofthepositionintowhichfateappeareddeterminedtodrivehim。

"That"sneitherherenorthere，"hesaid；"itisapointofhonourtodoasIamdoing，andthere"sanendofit。"

"Yes。OnlyIthoughtyouusednottocareovermuchaboutyourfirstbargain。"

"Icertainlydidnotatonetime。Oneisapttofeelratherwearyofwiveswhentheyaresodevilishcivilunderallaspects，assheusedtobe。Butanythingforachange——Abigailislost，butMichalisrecovered。Youwouldhardlybelieveit，butsheseemsinfancytobequiteanotherbride——infact，almostasifshehadreallyrisenfromthedead，insteadofhavingonlydonesovirtually。"

"Youlettheyoungpinkoneknowthattheotherhascomeoriscoming？"

"Cuibono？"Thestewardmeditatedcritically，showingaportionofhisintenselywideandregularteethwithintherubylips。

"Icannotsayanythingtoherthatwilldoanygood，"heresumed。

"Itwouldbeawkward——eitherseeingorcommunicatingwithheragain。

Thebestplantoadoptwillbetoletmatterstaketheircourse——

she"llfinditalloutsoonenough。"

Manstonfoundhimselfaloneafewminuteslater。Heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andmurmured，"Omylostone！OmyCytherea！Thatitshouldcometothisishardforme！"Tisnowalldarkness——“alandofdarknessasdarknessitself；andoftheshadowofdeathwithoutanyorder，andwherethelightisasdarkness。“"

Yes，theartificialbearingwhichthisextraordinarymanhadadoptedbeforestrangerseversincehehadoverheardtheconversationattheinn，lefthimnow，andhemournedforCythereaaloud。

4。THETWELFTHOFFEBRUARY

KnapwaterParkisthepicture——ateleveno"clockonamuddy，quiet，hazy，butbrightmorning——amorningwithoutanybluesky，andwithoutanyshadows，theearthbeingenlivenedandlitupratherbythespiritofaninvisiblesunthanbyitsbodilypresence。

ThelocalHunthadmetfortheday"ssportontheopenspaceofgroundimmediatelyinfrontofthesteward"sresidence——calledinthelistofappointments，"OldHouse，Knapwater"——themeetbeinghereonceeveryseason，forthepleasureofMissAldclyffeandherfriends。

Leaningoutfromoneofthefirst-floorwindows，andsurveyingwiththekeenestinterestthelivelypictureofpinkandblackcoats，rich-colouredhorses，andsparklingbitsandspurs，wasthereturnedandlong-lostwoman，Mrs。Manston。

Theeyesofthoseformingthebrilliantgroupwereoccasionallyturnedtowardsher，showingplainlythatheradventureswerethesubjectofconversationequallywithormorethanthechancesofthecomingday。Shedidnotflushbeneaththeirscrutiny；onthecontrary，sheseemedrathertoenjoyit，hereyesbeingkindledwithalightofcontentedexultation，subduedtosquarewiththecircumstancesofhermatronlyposition。

Shewas，atthedistancefromwhichtheysurveyedher，anattractivewoman——comelyasthetentsofKedar。ButtoacloseobserveritwaspalpableenoughthatGoddidnotdoallthepicture。AppearingatleastsevenyearsolderthanCytherea，shewasprobablyherseniorbydoublethenumber，theartificialmeansemployedtoheightenthenaturalgoodappearanceofherfacebeingverycleverlyapplied。

Herformwasfullandround，itsvoluptuousmaturitystandingoutinstrongcontrasttothememoryofCytherea"slissomgirlishness。

Itseemstobeanalmostuniversalrulethatawomanwhooncehascourted，orwhoeventuallywillcourt，thesocietyofmenontermsdangeroustoherhonourcannotrefrainfromflingingthemeaningglancewheneverthemomentarrivesinwhichtheglanceisstronglyaskedfor，evenifherlifeandwholefuturedependeduponthatmoment"sabstinence。

Hadacautious，uxorioushusbandseeninhiswife"scountenancewhatmightnowhavebeenseeninthisdark-eyedwoman"sasshecaughtastrayglanceofflirtationfromoneorotherofthered-coatedgallantsoutside，hewouldhavepassedmanydaysinanagonyofrestlessjealousyanddoubt。ButManstonwasnotsuchahusband，andhewas，moreover，calmlyattendingtohisbusinessattheotherendofthemanor。

Thestewardhadfetchedhomehiswifeinthemostmatter-of-factwayafewdaysearlier，walkingroundthevillagewithhertheverynextmorning——atonceputtinganend，bythissimplesolution，toalltheriddlinginquiriesandsurmisesthatwererankinthevillageanditsneighbourhood。SomemensaidthatthiswomanwasasfarinferiortoCythereaasearthtoheaven；others，olderandsager，thoughtManstonbetteroffwithsuchawifethanhewouldhavebeenwithoneofCytherea"syouthfulimpulses，andinexperienceinhouseholdmanagement。Allfelttheircuriositydyingoutofthem。

ItwasthesameinCarrifordasinotherpartsoftheworld——

immediatelycircumstantialevidencebecameexchangedfordirect，theloungersincourtyawned，gaveafinalsurvey，andturnedawaytoasubjectwhichwouldaffordmorescopeforspeculation。

XV。THEEVENTSOFTHREEWEEKS

1。FROMTHETWELFTHOFFEBRUARYTOTHESECONDOFMARCH

OwenGraye"srecoveryfromtheillnessthathadincapacitatedhimforsolongatimewas，professionally，thedawnofabrighterprospectforhimineverydirection，thoughthechangewasatfirstverygradual，andhismovementsandeffortswerelittlemorethanmechanical。Withthelengtheningofthedays，andtherevivalofbuildingoperationsfortheforthcomingseason，hesawhimself，forthefirsttime，onaroadwhich，pursuedwithcare，wouldprobablyleadtoacomfortableincomeatsomefutureday。Buthewasstillverylowdownthehillasyet。

ThefirstundertakingentrustedtohiminthenewyearbeganaboutamonthafterhisreturnfromSouthampton。Mr。Gradfieldhadcomebacktohiminthewakeofhisrestoredhealth，andofferedhimthesuperintendence，asclerkofworks，ofachurchwhichwastobenearlyrebuiltatthevillageofTolchurch，fifteenorsixteenmilesfromBudmouth，andabouthalfthatdistancefromCarriford。

"Iamnowbeingpaidattherateofahundredandfiftypoundsayear，"hesaidtohissisterinaburstofthankfulness，"andyoushallnever，Cytherea，beatanytyrannouslady"sbeckandcallagainaslongasIlive。Neverpineorthinkaboutwhathashappened，dear；it"snodisgracetoyou。Cheerup；you"llbesomebody"shappywifeyet。"

HedidnotsayEdwardSpringrove"s，for，greatlytohisdisappointment，areporthadreachedhisearsthatthefriendtowhomCythereaowedsomuchhadbeenabouttopackuphisthingsandsailforAustralia。However，thiswasbeforetheuncertaintyconcerningMrs。Manston"sexistencehadbeendispersedbyherreturn，aphenomenonthatalteredthecloudyrelationshipinwhichCythereahadlatelybeenstandingtowardsheroldlover，tooneofdistinctness；whichresultwouldhavebeendelightfulbutforcircumstancesabouttobementioned。

Cythereawasstillpalefromherrecentillness，andstillgreatlydejected。UntilthenewsofMrs。Manston"sreturnhadreachedthem，shehadkeptherselfcloselyshutupduringtheday-time，neverventuringforthexceptatnight。Sleepingandwakingshehadbeeninperpetualdreadlestsheshouldstillbeclaimedbyamanwhom，onlyafewweeksearlier，shehadregardedinthelightofafuturehusbandwithquietassent，notunmixedwithcheerfulness。

Buttheremovaloftheuneasinessinthisdirection——byMrs。

Manston"sarrival，andherownconsequentfreedom——hadbeentheimpositionofpaininanother。UtterlyfictitiousdetailsofthefindingofCythereaandManstonhadbeeninventedandcirculated，unavoidablyreachingherearsinthecourseoftime。Thusthefreedombroughtnohappiness，anditseemedwell-nighimpossiblethatshecouldeveragainshowherselfthesparklingcreaturesheoncehadbeen——

"Apttoenticeadeity。"

Onthisaccount，andforthefirsttimeinhislife，Owenmadeapointofconcealingfromhertherealstateofhisfeelingswithregardtotheunhappytransaction。Hewrithedinsecretunderthehumiliationtowhichtheyhadbeensubjected，tilltheresentmentitgaveriseto，andforwhichtherewasnovent，wassometimesbeyondendurance；itinducedamoodthatdidseriousdamagetothematerialandploddingperseverancenecessaryifhewouldsecurepermanentlythecomfortsofahomeforthem。

TheygaveuptheirlodgingsatBudmouth，andwenttoTolchurchassoonastheworkcommenced。

Heretheyweredomiciledinonehalfofanoldfarmhouse，standingnotfarfromtheivy-coveredchurchtower(whichwasallthatwastoremainoftheoriginalstructure)。Thelongsteeproofofthispicturesquedwellingslopednearlydowntotheground，theoldtilesthatcovereditbeingovergrownwithricholive-huedmoss。Newredtilesintwosandthreeshadbeenusedforpatchingtheholeswroughtbydecay，lightingupthewholeharmonioussurfacewithdotsofbrilliantscarlet。

Thechiefinternalfeaturesofthissnugabodewereawidefireplace，enormouscupboards，abrownsettle，andseveralsketchesonthewoodmantel，doneinoutlinewiththepointofahotpoker——

thesubjectsmainlyconsistingofoldmenwalkingpainfullyerect，withacurly-taileddogbehind。

AfteraweekortwoofresidenceinTolchurch，andramblesamidthequaintscenerycircumscribingit，atranquillitybegantospreaditselfthroughthemindofthemaiden，whichGrayehopedwouldbeaprefacetohercompleterestoration。Shefeltreadyandwillingtolivethewholeremainderofherdaysintheretirementoftheirpresentquarters：shebegantosingaboutthehouseinlowtremuloussnatches——

"“——Isaid，ifthere"speacetobefoundintheworld，Aheartthatishumblemayhopeforithere。“"

2。THETHIRDOFMARCH

Herconvalescencehadarrivedatthispointonacertaineveningtowardstheendofthewinter，whenOwenhadcomeinfromthebuildinghardby，andwaschanginghismuddybootsforslippers，previouslytosittingdowntotoastandtea。

Aprolongedthoughquietknockingcametothedoor。

Theonlypersonwhoeverknockedattheirdoorinthatwaywasthenewvicar，theprimemoverinthechurch-building。ButhewasthateveningdiningwiththeSquire。

Cythereawasuneasyatthesound——shedidnotknowwhy，unlessitwasbecausehernerveswereweakenedbythesicknessshehadundergone。Insteadofopeningthedoorsheranoutoftheroom，andupstairs。

"Whatnonsense，Cytherea！"saidherbrother，goingtothedoor。

EdwardSpringrovestoodinthegreylightoutside。

"Capital——notgonetoAustralia，andnotgoing，ofcourse！"criedOwen。"What"stheuseofgoingtosuchaplaceasthat？——Ineverbelievedthatyouwould。"

"IamgoingbacktoLondonagainto-morrow，"saidSpringrove，"andI

calledtosayawordbeforegoing。Whereis……？"

"Shehasjustrunupstairs。Comein——nevermindscrapingyourshoes——weareregularcottagersnow；stonefloor，yawningchimney-

corner，andall，yousee。"

"Mrs。Manstoncame，"saidEdwardawkwardly，whenhehadsatdowninthechimney-cornerbypreference。

"Yes。"AtmentionofoneofhisskeletonsOwenlosthisblithenessatonce，andfellintoareverie。

"Thehistoryofherescapeisverysimple。"

"Very。"

"YouknowIalwayshadwondered，whenmyfatherwastellinganyofthecircumstancesofthefiretome，howitcouldbethatawomancouldsleepsosoundlyastobeunawareofherhorridpositiontillitwastoolateeventogiveshoutorsoundofanykind。"

"Well，Ithinkthatwouldhavebeenpossible，consideringherlongwearisomejourney。Peoplehaveoftenbeensuffocatedintheirbedsbeforetheyawoke。Butitwashardlylikelyabodywouldbecompletelyburnttoashesasthiswasassumedtobe，thoughnobodyseemedtoseeitatthetime。Andhowpositivethesurgeonwastoo，aboutthosebitsofbone！Whyheshouldhavebeenso，nobodycantell。Icannothelpsayingthatifithaseverbeenpossibletofindpurestupidityincarnate，itwasinthatjuryofCarriford。

Thereexistedinthemassthestupidityoftwelveandnotthepenetrationofone。"

"Isshequitewell？"saidSpringrove。

"Who？——O，mysister，Cytherea。Thankyou，nearlywell，now。I"llcallher。"

"Waitoneminute。Ihaveawordtosaytoyou。"

Owensatdownagain。

"Youknow，withoutmysayingit，thatIloveCythereaasdearlyasever……Ithinkshelovesmetoo，——doesshereally？"

TherewasinOwenenoughofthatworldlypolicyonthesubjectofmatchmakingwhichnaturallyresidesinthebreastsofparentsandguardians，togivehimacertaincautioninreplying，and，youngerashewasbyfiveyearsthanEdward，ithadanoddeffect。

"Well，shemaypossiblyloveyoustill，"hesaid，asifratherindoubtastothetruthofhiswords。

Springrove"scountenanceinstantlysaddened；hehadexpectedasimple"Yes，"attheveryleast。Hecontinuedinatoneofgreaterdepression——

"Supposingshedoesloveme，woulditbefairtoyouandtoherifI

madeheranofferofmarriage，withthesedrearyconditionsattached——thatwelivedforafewyearsonthenarrowestsystem，tillagreatdebt，whichallhonouranddutyrequiremetopayoff，shallbepaid？Myfather，byreasonofthemisfortunethatbefellhim，isunderagreatobligationtoMissAldclyffe。Heisgettingold，andlosinghisenergies。Iamattemptingtoworkfreeoftheburden。Thismakesmyprospectsgloomyenoughatpresent。

"Butconsideragain，"hewenton。"Cythereahasbeenleftinanamelessandunsatisfactory，thoughinnocentstate，bythisunfortunate，andnowvoid，marriagewithManston。Amarriagewithme，thoughunderthe——materially——untowardconditionsIhavementioned，wouldmakeushappy；itwouldgiveheralocusstandi。

IfshewishedtobeoutofthesoundofhermisfortuneswewouldgotoanotherpartofEngland——emigrate——doanything。"

"I"llcallCytherea，"saidOwen。"Itisamatterwhichshealonecansettle。"Hedidnotspeakwarmly。HispridecouldnotendurethepitywhichEdward"svisitanderrandtacitlyimplied。Yet，intheotheraffair，hisheartwentwithEdward；hewasonthesamebeatforpayingoffolddebtshimself。

"Cythie，Mr。Springroveishere，"hesaid，atthefootofthestaircase。

Hissisterdescendedthecreakingoldstepswithafalteringtread，andstoodinthefirelightfromthehearth。SheextendedherhandtoSpringrove，welcominghimbyameremotionofthelip，hereyesaverted——ahabitwhichhadengendereditselfinhersincethebeginningofherillnessanddefamation。Owenopenedthedoorandwentout——leavingtheloversalone。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethememorablenightatSouthampton。

"Iwillgetalight，"shesaid，withalittleembarrassment。

"No——don"t，please，Cytherea，"saidEdwardsoftly，"Comeandsitdownwithme。"

"Oyes。IoughttohaveaskedYOUto，"shereturnedtimidly。

"Everybodysitsinthechimney-cornerinthisparish。Yousitonthatside。I"llsithere。"

Tworecesses——oneontheright，oneonthelefthand——werecutintheinsideofthefireplace，andheretheysatdownfacingeachother，onbenchesfittedtotherecesses，thefireglowingonthehearthbetweentheirfeet。Itsruddylightshoneontheunderslopesoftheirfaces，andspreadoutovertheflooroftheroomwiththelowhorizontalityofthesettingsun，givingtoeverygrainofsandandtumourinthepavingalongshadowtowardsthedoor。

Edwardlookedathispalelovethroughthethinazuretwinesofsmokethatwentuplikeringletsbetweenthem，andinvestedher，asseenthroughitsmedium，withtheshadowyappearanceofaphantom。

Nothingissopotentforcoaxingbackthelosteyesofawomanasadiscreetsilenceinthemanwhohassolostthem——andthusthepatientEdwardcoaxedhers。Afterlingeringonthehearthforhalfaminute，waitinginvainforanotherwordfromhim，theywereliftedintohisface。

Hewasreadyprimedtoreceivethem。"Cytherea，willyoumarryme？"

hesaid。

Hecouldnotwaitinhisoriginalpositiontilltheanswercame。

Steppingacrossthefrontofthefiretoherownsideofthechimneycorner，hereclinedatherfeet，andsearchedforherhand。Shecontinuedinsilenceawhile。

"Edward，Icanneverbeanybody"swife，"shethensaidsadly，andwithfirmness。

"Thinkofitineverylight，"hepleaded；"thelightoflove，first。

Then，whenyouhavedonethat，seehowwiseastepitwouldbe。I

canonlyofferyoupovertyasyet，butIwant——Idosolongtosecureyoufromtheintrusionofthatunpleasantpast，whichwilloftenandalwaysbethrustbeforeyouaslongasyoulivetheshrinkingsolitarylifeyoudonow——alifewhichpuritychooses，itmaybe；buttotheoutsideworlditappearsliketheenforcedlonelinessofneglectandscorn——andtonguesarebusyinventingareasonforitwhichdoesnotexist。"

"Iknowallaboutit，"shesaidhastily；"andthosearethegroundsofmyrefusal。YouandOwenknowthewholetruth——thetwoIlovebestonearth——andIamcontent。Butthescandalwillbecontinuallyrepeated，andIcannevergiveanyonetheopportunityofsayingtoyou——that——yourwife……"Sheutterlybrokedownandwept。

"Don"t，myowndarling！"heentreated。"Don"t，Cytherea！"

"Pleasetoleaveme——wewillbefriends，Edward——butdon"tpressme——

mymindismadeup——Icannot——Iwillnotmarryyouoranymanunderthepresentambiguouscircumstances——neverwillI——Ihavesaidit：

never！"

Theywerebothsilent。Helistlesslyregardedtheilluminatedblacknessoverhead，wherelongflakesofsootfloatedfromthesidesandbarsofthechimney-throatliketatteredbannersinancientaisles；whilstthroughthesquareopeninginthemidstoneortwobrightstarslookeddownuponthemfromthegreyMarchsky。Thesightseemedtocheerhim。

"Atanyrateyouwillloveme？"hemurmuredtoher。

"Yes——always——foreverandforever！"