\'WhatmustIsay，then？\'
\'\"LadiesandMEN\"always。\'
Atthismomentappearedinthestreamofvehiclesmovinginthecontrarydirectionachariotpresentinginitsgeneralsurfacetherichindigohueofamidnightsky，thewheelsandmarginsbeingpickedoutindelicatelinesofultramarine；theservants\'
liveriesweredark-bluecoatsandsilverlace，andbreechesofneutralIndianred。Thewholeconcernformedanorganicwhole，andmovedalongbehindapairofdarkchestnutgeldings，whoadvancedinanindifferentlyzealoustrot，verydaintilyperformed，andoccasionallyshruggeddiverspointsoftheirveinysurfaceasiftheywereratherabovethebusiness。
Inthissatagentlemanwithnodecidedcharacteristicsmorethanthathesomewhatresembledagood-naturedcommercialtravellerofthesuperiorclass。Besidehimwasaladywithskim-milkyeyesandcomplexion，belongingtothe\"interesting\"classofwomen，wherethatclassmergesinthesickly，hergreatestpleasurebeingapparentlytoenjoynothing。Oppositethispairsattwolittlegirlsinwhitehatsandbluefeathers。
TheladysawElfride，smiledandbowed，andtouchedherhusband\'selbow，whoturnedandreceivedElfride\'smovementofrecognitionwithagallantelevationofhishat。ThenthetwochildrenhelduptheirarmstoElfride，andlaughedgleefully。
\'Whoisthat？\'
\'Why，LordLuxellian，isn\'tit？\'saidMrs。Swancourt，whowiththevicarhadbeenseatedwithherbacktowardsthem。
\'Yes，\'repliedElfride。\'HeistheonemanofthoseIhaveseenherewhomIconsiderhandsomerthanpapa。\'
\'Thankyou，dear，\'saidMr。Swancourt。
\'Yes；butyourfatherissomucholder。WhenLordLuxelliangetsalittlefurtheroninlife，hewon\'tbehalfsogood-lookingasourman。\'
\'Thankyou，dear，likewise，\'saidMr。Swancourt。
\'See，\'exclaimedElfride，stilllookingtowardsthem，\'howthoselittledearswantme!Actuallyoneofthemiscryingformetocome。\'
\'Weweretalkingofbraceletsjustnow。LookatLadyLuxellian\'s，\'saidMrs。Swancourt，asthatbaronessliftedupherarmtosupportoneofthechildren。\'Itisslippingupherarm——
toolargebyhalf。Ihatetoseedaylightbetweenabraceletandawrist；Iwonderwomenhaven\'tbettertaste。\'
\'Itisnotonthataccount，indeed，\'Elfrideexpostulated。\'Itisthatherarmhasgotthin，poorthing。Youcannotthinkhowmuchshehasalteredinthislasttwelvemonth。\'
Thecarriageswerenownearertogether，andtherewasanexchangeofmorefamiliargreetingsbetweenthetwofamilies。ThentheLuxellianscrossedoveranddrewupundertheplane-trees，justintherearoftheSwancourts。LordLuxellianalighted，andcameforwardwithamusicallaugh。
Itwashisattractionasaman。Peoplelikedhimforthosetones，andforgotthathehadnotalents。AcquaintancesrememberedMr。
Swancourtbyhismanner；theyrememberedStephenSmithbyhisface，LordLuxellianbyhislaugh。
Mr。Swancourtmadesomefriendlyremarks——amongothersthingsupontheheat。
\'Yes，\'saidLordLuxellian，\'weweredrivingbyafurrier\'swindowthisafternoon，andthesightfilledusallwithsuchasenseofsuffocationthatweweregladtogetaway。Ha-ha!\'HeturnedtoElfride。\'MissSwancourt，Ihavehardlyseenorspokentoyousinceyourliteraryfeatwasmadepublic。IhadnoideaachielwastakingnotesdownatquietEndelstow，orIshouldcertainlyhaveputmyselfandfriendsuponourbestbehaviour。Swancourt，whydidn\'tyougivemeahint!\'
Elfridefluttered，blushed，laughed，saiditwasnothingtospeakof，&c。&c。
\'Well，IthinkyouwereratherunfairlytreatedbythePRESENT，I
certainlydo。WritingaheavyreviewlikethatuponaneleganttrifleliketheCOURTOFKELLYONCASTLEwasabsurd。\'
\'What？\'saidElfride，openinghereyes。\'WasIreviewedinthePRESENT？\'
\'Ohyes；didn\'tyouseeit？Why，itwasfourorfivemonthsago!\'
\'No，Ineversawit。HowsorryIam!Whatashameofmypublishers!Theypromisedtosendmeeverynoticethatappeared。\'
\'Ah，then，IamalmostafraidIhavebeengivingyoudisagreeableinformation，intentionallywithheldoutofcourtesy。Dependuponittheythoughtnogoodwouldcomeofsendingit，andsowouldnotpainyouunnecessarily。\'
\'Ohno；Iamindeedgladyouhavetoldme，LordLuxellian。Itisquiteamistakenkindnessontheirpart。Isthereviewsomuchagainstme？\'sheinquiredtremulously。
\'No，no；notthatexactly——thoughIalmostforgetitsexactpurportnow。Itwasmerely——merelysharp，youknow——ungenerous，I
mightsay。Butreallymymemorydoesnotenablemetospeakdecidedly。\'
\'We\'lldrivetothePRESENToffice，andgetonedirectly；shallwe，papa？\'
\'Ifyouaresoanxious，dear，wewill，orsend。Butto-morrowwilldo。\'
\'Anddoobligemeinalittlematternow，Elfride，\'saidLordLuxellianwarmly，andlookingasifheweresorryhehadbroughtnewsthatdisturbedher。\'IaminrealitysenthereasaspecialmessengerbymylittlePollyandKatietoaskyoutocomeintoourcarriagewiththemforashorttime。IamjustgoingtowalkacrossintoPiccadilly，andmywifeisleftalonewiththem。Iamafraidtheyareratherspoiltchildren；butIhavehalfpromisedthemyoushallcome。\'
Thestepswereletdown，andElfridewastransferred——totheintensedelightofthelittlegirls，andtothemildinterestofloungerswithredskinsandlongnecks，whocursorilyeyedtheperformancewiththeirwalking-stickstotheirlips，occasionallylaughingfromfardowntheirthroatsandwiththeireyes，theirmouthsnotbeingconcernedintheoperationatall。LordLuxellianthentoldthecoachmantodriveon，liftedhishat，smiledasmilethatmisseditsmarkandalightedonatotalstranger，whobowedinbewilderment。LordLuxellianlookedlongatElfride。
Thelookwasamanly，open，andgenuinelookofadmiration；amomentarytributeofakindwhichanyhonestEnglishmanmighthavepaidtofairnesswithoutbeingashamedofthefeeling，orpermittingittoencroachintheslightestdegreeuponhisemotionalobligationsasahusbandandheadofafamily。ThenLordLuxellianturnedaway，andwalkedmusinglytotheupperendofthepromenade。
Mr。SwancourthadalightedatthesametimewithElfride，crossingovertotheRowforafewminutestospeaktoafriendherecognizedthere；andhiswifewasthusleftsoletenantofthecarriage。
Now，whilstthislittleacthadbeenincourseofperformance，therestoodamongthepromenadingspectatorsamanofsomewhatdifferentdescriptionfromtherest。Behindthegeneralthrong，intherearofthechairs，andleaningagainstthetrunkofatree，helookedatElfridewithquietandcriticalinterest。
ThreepointsaboutthisunobtrusivepersonshowedpromptlytotheexercisedeyethathewasnotaRowmanpursang。First，anirrepressiblewrinkleortwointhewaistofhisfrock-coat——
denotingthathehadnotdamnedhistailorsufficientlytodrivethattradesmanuptotheorthodoxhighpressureofcunningworkmanship。Second，aslightslovenlinessofumbrella，occasionedbyitsowner\'shabitofrestingheavilyuponit，andusingitasaveritablewalking-stick，insteadoflettingitspointtouchthegroundinthemostcoquettishofkisses，asistheproperRowmannertodo。Third，andchiefreason，thattryhowyoumight，youcouldscarcelyhelpsupposing，onlookingathisface，thatyoureyeswerenotfarfromawell-finishedmind，insteadofthewell-finishedskinetpraetereanihil，whichisbyrightstheMarkoftheRow。
Theprobabilityisthat，hadnotMrs。Swancourtbeenleftaloneinhercarriageunderthetree，thismanwouldhaveremainedinhisunobservedseclusion。Butseeingherthus，hecameroundtothefront，stoopedundertherail，andstoodbesidethecarriage-door。
Mrs。Swancourtlookedreflectivelyathimforaquarterofaminute，thenheldoutherhandlaughingly:
\'Why，HenryKnight——ofcourseitis!My——second——third——fourthcousin——whatshallIsay？Atanyrate，mykinsman。\'
\'Yes，oneofaremnantnotyetcutoff。Iscarcelywascertainofyou，either，fromwhereIwasstanding。\'
\'IhavenotseenyousinceyoufirstwenttoOxford；considerthenumberofyears!Youknow，Isuppose，ofmymarriage？\'
Andtheresprangupadialogueconcerningfamilymattersofbirth，death，andmarriage，whichitisnotnecessarytodetail。Knightpresentlyinquired:
\'Theyoungladywhochangedintotheothercarriageis，then，yourstepdaughter？\'
\'Yes，Elfride。Youmustknowher。\'
\'AndwhowastheladyinthecarriageElfrideentered；whohadanill-definedandwaterylook，asifshewereonlythereflectionofherselfinapool？\'
\'LadyLuxellian；veryweakly，Elfridesays。Myhusbandisremotelyconnectedwiththem；butthereisnotmuchintimacyonaccountof。However，Henry，you\'llcomeandseeus，ofcourse。24ChevronSquare。Comethisweek。Weshallonlybeintownaweekortwolonger。\'
\'Letmesee。I\'vegottorunuptoOxfordto-morrow，whereI
shallbeforseveraldays；sothatImust，Ifear，losethepleasureofseeingyouinLondonthisyear。\'
\'ThencometoEndelstow；whynotreturnwithus？\'
\'IamafraidifIweretocomebeforeAugustIshouldhavetoleaveagaininadayortwo。Ishouldbedelightedtobewithyouatthebeginningofthatmonth；andIcouldstayanicelongtime。
Ihavethoughtofgoingwestwardallthesummer。\'
\'Verywell。Nowrememberthat\'sacompact。Andwon\'tyouwaitnowandseeMr。Swancourt？Hewillnotbeawaytenminuteslonger。\'
\'No；I\'llbegtobeexcused；forImustgettomychambersagainthiseveningbeforeIgohome；indeed，Ioughttohavebeentherenow——Ihavesuchapressofmatterstoattendtojustatpresent。
Youwillexplaintohim，please。Good-bye。\'
\'Andletusknowthedayofyourappearanceassoonasyoucan。\'
\'Iwill\'
ChapterXV
\'Awanderingvoice。\'
Thoughsheerandintelligiblegriefsarenotcharmedawaybybeingconfidedtomereacquaintances，theprocessisapalliativetocertainill-humours。Amongthese，perplexedvexationisone——aspeciesoftroublewhich，likeastream，getsshallowerbythesimpleoperationofwideningitinanyquarter。
OntheeveningofthedaysucceedingthatofthemeetinginthePark，ElfrideandMrs。Swancourtwereengagedinconversationinthedressing-roomofthelatter。Suchatreatmentofsuchacasewasincourseofadoptionhere。
ElfridehadjustbeforereceivedanaffectionateletterfromStephenSmithinBombay，whichhadbeenforwardedtoherfromEndelstow。Butsincethisisnotthecasereferredto，itisnotworthwhiletopryfurtherintothecontentsoftheletterthantodiscoverthat，withrashthoughpardonableconfidenceincomingtimes，headdressedherinhighspiritsashisdarlingfuturewife。Probablytherecannotbeinstancedabrieferandsurerrule-
of-thumbtestofaman\'stemperament——sanguineorcautious——thanthis:didheordoesheante-datethewordwifeincorrespondingwithasweet-hearthehonestlyloves？
Shehadtakenthisepistleintoherownroom，readalittleofit，thenSAVEDtherestforto-morrow，notwishingtobesoextravagantastoconsumethepleasureallatonce。Nevertheless，shecouldnotresistthewishtoenjoyyetalittlemore，sooutcametheletteragain，andinspiteofmisgivingsastoprodigalitythewholewasdevoured。Theletterwasfinallyreperusedandplacedinherpocket。
Whatwasthis？AlsoanewspaperforElfride，whichshehadoverlookedinherhurrytoopentheletter。ItwastheoldnumberofthePRESENT，containingthearticleuponherbook，forwardedashadbeenrequested。
Elfridehadhastilyreaditthrough，shrunkperceptiblysmaller，andhadthengonewiththepaperinherhandtoMrs。Swancourt\'sdressing-room，tolightenoratleastmodifyhervexationbyadiscriminatingestimatefromherstepmother。
Shewasnowlookingdisconsolatelyoutofthewindow。
\'Nevermind，mychild，\'saidMrs。Swancourtafteracarefulperusalofthematterindicated。\'Idon\'tseethatthereviewissuchaterribleone，afterall。Besides，everybodyhasforgottenaboutitbythistime。I\'msuretheopeningisgoodenoughforanybookeverwritten。Justlisten——itsoundsbetterreadaloudthanwhenyouporeoveritsilently:\"THECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE。
AROMANCEOFTHEMIDDLEAGES。BYERNESTFIELD。Inthebeliefthatwewereforawhileescapingthemonotonousrepetitionofwearisomedetailsinmodernsocialscenery，analysesofuninterestingcharacter，ortheunnaturalunfoldingsofasensationplot，wetookthisvolumeintoourhandswithafeelingofpleasure。Weweredisposedtobeguileourselveswiththefancythatsomenewchangemightpossiblyberungupondonjonkeeps，chainandplatearmour，deeplyscarredcheeks，tendermaidensdisguisedaspages，towhichwehadnotlistenedlongago。”Now，that\'saverygoodbeginning，inmyopinion，andonetobeproudofhavingbroughtoutofamanwhohasneverseenyou。\'
\'Ah，yes，\'murmuredElfridewofully。\'But，then，seefurtheron!\'
\'Wellthenextbitisratherunkind，Imustown，\'saidMrs。
Swancourt，andreadon。\'\"Insteadofthiswefoundourselvesinthehandsofsomeyounglady，hardlyarrivedatyearsofdiscretion，tojudgebythesillydeviceithasbeenthoughtworthwhiletoadoptonthetitle-page，withtheideaofdisguisinghersex。”\'
\'Iamnot\"silly\"!\'saidElfrideindignantly。\'Hemighthavecalledmeanythingbutthat。\'
\'Youarenot，indeed。Well:——\"Handsofayounglady……whosechaptersaresimplydevotedtoimpossibletournaments，towers，andescapades，whichreadlikeflatcopiesoflikescenesinthestoriesofMr。G。P。R。James，andthemostunrealportionsofIVANHOE。Thebaitissopalpablyartificialthatthemostcredulousgudgeonturnsaway。”Now，mydear，Idon\'tseeovermuchtocomplainofinthat。ItprovesthatyouwerecleverenoughtomakehimthinkofSirWalterScott，whichisagreatdeal。\'
\'Ohyes；thoughIcannotromancemyself，Iamabletoremindhimofthosewhocan!\'Elfrideintendedtohurlthesewordssarcasticallyatherinvisibleenemy，butasshehadnomoresatiricalpowerthanawood-pigeon，theymerelyfellinaprettymurmurfromlipsshapedtoapout。
\'Certainly:andthat\'ssomething。Yourbookisgoodenoughtobebadinanordinaryliterarymanner，anddoesn\'tstandbyitselfinamelancholypositionaltogetherworsethanassailable——\"Thatinterestinanhistoricalromancemaynowadayshaveanychanceofbeingsustained，itisindispensablethatthereaderfindhimselfundertheguidanceofsomenearlyextinctspeciesoflegendary，who，inadditiontoanimpulsetowardsantiquarianresearchandanunweakenedfaithinthemediaevalhalo，shallpossessaninventivefacultyinwhichdelicacyofsentimentisfarovertoppedbyapowerofweldingtostirringincidentaspiritedvarietyoftheelementaryhumanpassions。”Well，thatlong-windedeffusiondoesn\'trefertoyouatall，Elfride，merelysomethingputintofillup。Letmesee，whendoeshecometoyouagain；……nottilltheveryend，actually。Hereyouarefinallypolishedoff:
\'\"Buttoreturntothelittleworkwehaveusedasthetextofthisarticle。Wearefarfromaltogetherdisparagingtheauthor\'spowers。Shehasacertainversatilitythatenableshertousewitheffectastyleofnarrationpeculiartoherself，whichmaybecalledamurmuringofdelicateemotionaltrifles，theparticulargiftofthosetowhomthesocialsympathiesofapeacefultimeareasdailyfood。Hence，wheremattersofdomesticexperience，andthenaturaltoucheswhichmakepeoplereal，canbeintroducedwithoutanachronismstoostriking，sheisoccasionallyfelicitous；
anduponthewholewefeeljustifiedinsayingthatthebookwillbearlookingintoforthesakeofthoseportionswhichhavenothingwhatevertodowiththestory。”
\'Well，Isupposeitisintendedforsatire；butdon\'tthinkanythingmoreofitnow，mydear。Itisseveno\'clock。\'AndMrs。
Swancourtrangforhermaid。
Attackismorepiquantthanconcord。Stephen\'sletterwasconcerningnothingbutonenesswithher:thereviewwastheveryreverse。Andastrangerwithneithernamenorshape，agenorappearance，butamightyvoice，isnaturallyratheraninterestingnoveltytoaladyhechoosestoaddress。WhenElfridefellasleepthatnightshewaslovingthewriteroftheletter，butthinkingofthewriterofthatarticle。
ChapterXVI
\'Thenfancyshapes——asfancycan。\'
Onadayaboutthreeweekslater，theSwancourttrioweresittingquietlyinthedrawing-roomofTheCrags，Mrs。Swancourt\'shouseatEndelstow，chatting，andtakingeasefulsurveyoftheirpreviousmonthortwooftown——atangiblewearinesseventopeoplewhoseacquaintancestheremightbecountedonthefingers。
AmereseasoninLondonwithherpractisedstep-motherhadsoadvancedElfride\'sperceptions，thathercourtshipbyStephenseemedemotionallymeagre，andtohavedriftedbackseveralyearsintoachildishpast。Inregardingourmentalexperiences，asinvisualobservation，ourownprogressreadslikeadwindlingofthatweprogressfrom。
Shewasseatedonalowchair，lookingoverherromancewithmelancholyinterestforthefirsttimesinceshehadbecomeacquaintedwiththeremarksofthePRESENTthereupon。
\'Stillthinkingofthatreviewer，Elfie？\'
\'Notofhimpersonally；butIamthinkingofhisopinion。Really，onlookingintothevolumeafterthislongtimehaselapsed，heseemstohaveestimatedonepartofitfairlyenough。\'
\'No，no；Iwouldn\'tshowthewhitefeathernow!Fancythatofallpeopleintheworldthewriterherselfshouldgoovertotheenemy。HowshallMonmouth\'smenfightwhenMonmouthrunsaway？\'
\'Idon\'tdothat。ButIthinkheisrightinsomeofhisarguments，thoughwronginothers。AndbecausehehassomeclaimtomyrespectIregretallthemorethatheshouldthinksomistakenlyofmymotivesinoneortwoinstances。Itismorevexingtobemisunderstoodthantobemisrepresented；andhemisunderstandsme。IcannotbeeasywhilstapersongoestorestnightafternightattributingtomeintentionsIneverhad。\'
\'Hedoesn\'tknowyourname，oranythingaboutyou。Andhehasdoubtlessforgottenthereissuchabookinexistencebythistime。\'
\'Imyselfshouldcertainlylikehimtobeputrightupononeortwomatters，\'saidthevicar，whohadhithertobeensilent。\'Yousee，criticsgoonwriting，andarenevercorrectedorarguedwith，andthereforeareneverimproved。\'
\'Papa，\'saidElfridebrightening，\'writetohim!\'
\'Iwouldassoonwritetohimaslookathim，forthematterofthat，\'saidMr。Swancourt。
\'Do!Andsay，theyoungpersonwhowrotethebookdidnotadoptamasculinepseudonyminvanityorconceit，butbecauseshewasafraiditwouldbethoughtpresumptuoustopublishhername，andthatshedidnotmeanthestoryforsuchashe，butasasweetenerofhistoryforyoungpeople，whomighttherebyacquireatasteforwhatwentonintheirowncountryhundredsofyearsago，andbetemptedtodivedeeperintothesubject。Oh，thereissomuchtoexplain；IwishImightwritemyself!\'
\'Now，Elfie，I\'lltellyouwhatwewilldo，\'answeredMr。
Swancourt，tickledwithasortofbucolichumourattheideaofcriticizingthecritic。\'Youshallwriteaclearaccountofwhatheiswrongin，andIwillcopyitandsenditasmine。\'
\'Yes，now，directly!\'saidElfride，jumpingup。\'Whenwillyousendit，papa？\'
\'Oh，inadayortwo，Isuppose，\'hereturned。Thenthevicarpausedandslightlyyawned，andinthemannerofelderlypeoplebegantocoolfromhisardourfortheundertakingnowthatitcametothepoint。\'But，really，itishardlyworthwhile，\'hesaid。
\'Opapa!\'saidElfride，withmuchdisappointment。\'Yousaidyouwould，andnowyouwon\'t。Thatisnotfair!\'
\'Buthowcanwesenditifwedon\'tknowwhomtosenditto？\'
\'Ifyoureallywanttosendsuchathingitcaneasilybedone，\'
saidMrs。Swancourt，comingtoherstep-daughter\'srescue。\'Anenvelopeaddressed，\"TotheCriticofTHECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE，careoftheEditorofthePRESENT，\"wouldfindhim。\'
\'Yes，Isupposeitwould。\'
\'Whynotwriteyouransweryourself，Elfride？\'Mrs。Swancourtinquired。
\'Imight，\'shesaidhesitatingly；\'andsenditanonymously:thatwouldbetreatinghimashehastreatedme。\'
\'Nouseintheworld!\'
\'ButIdon\'tliketolethimknowmyexactname。SupposeIputmyinitialsonly？Thelessyouareknownthemoreyouarethoughtof。\'
\'Yes；youmightdothat。\'
Elfridesettoworkthereandthen。Heronedesireforthelastfortnightseemedlikelytoberealized。Ashappenswithsensitiveandsecludedminds，acontinualdwellinguponthesubjecthadmagnifiedtocolossalproportionsthespacesheassumedherselftooccupyortohaveoccupiedintheoccultcritic\'smind。Atnoonandatnightshehadbeenpesteringherselfwithendeavourstoperceivemoredistinctlyhisconceptionofherasawomanapartfromanauthor:whetherhereallydespisedher；whetherhethoughtmoreorlessofherthanofordinaryyoungwomenwhoneverventuredintothefireofcriticismatall。Nowshewouldhavethesatisfactionoffeelingthatatanyrateheknewhertrueintentincrossinghispath，andannoyinghimsobyherperformance，andbetaughtperhapstodespiseitalittleless。
Fourdayslateranenvelope，directedtoMissSwancourtinastrangehand，madeitsappearancefromthepost-bag。
\'0h，\'saidElfride，herheartsinkingwithinher。\'Canitbefromthatman——alectureforimpertinence？AndactuallyoneforMrs。
Swancourtinthesamehand-writing!\'Shefearedtoopenhers。
\'Yethowcanheknowmyname？No；itissomebodyelse。\'
\'Nonsense!\'saidherfathergrimly。\'Yousentyourinitials，andtheDirectorywasavailable。Thoughhewouldn\'thavetakenthetroubletolookthereunlesshehadbeenthoroughlysavagewithyou。Ithoughtyouwrotewithrathermoreasperitythansimpleliterarydiscussionrequired。\'Thistimelyclausewasintroducedtosavethecharacterofthevicar\'sjudgmentunderanyissueofaffairs。
\'Well，hereIgo，\'saidElfride，desperatelytearingopentheseal。
\'Tobesure，ofcourse，\'exclaimedMrs。Swancourt；andlookingupfromherownletter。\'Christopher，Iquiteforgottotellyou，whenImentionedthatIhadseenmydistantrelative，HarryKnight，thatIinvitedhimhereforwhateverlengthoftimehecouldspare。AndnowhesayshecancomeanydayinAugust。\'
\'Write，andsaythefirstofthemonth，\'repliedtheindiscriminatevicar。
Shereadom\'Goodnessme——andthatisn\'tall。HeisactuallythereviewerofElfride\'sbook。Howabsurd，tobesure!IhadnoideahereviewednovelsorhadanythingtodowiththePRESENT。Heisabarrister——andIthoughtheonlywroteintheQuarterlies。Why，Elfride，youhavebroughtaboutanoddentanglement!Whatdoeshesaytoyou？\'
Elfridehadputdownherletterwithadissatisfiedflushonherface。\'Idon\'tknow。Theideaofhisknowingmynameandallaboutme!……Why，hesaysnothingparticular，onlythis——
\'\"MYDEARMADAM，——ThoughIamsorrythatmyremarksshouldhaveseemedharshtoyou，itisapleasuretofindthattheyhavebeenthemeansofbringingforthsuchaningeniouslyarguedreply。
Unfortunately，itissolongsinceIwrotemyreview，thatmymemorydoesnotservemesufficientlytosayasinglewordinmydefence，evensupposingthereremainsonetobesaid，whichisdoubtful。You，willfindfromaletterIhavewrittentoMrs。
Swancourt，thatwearenotsuchstrangerstoeachotheraswehavebeenimagining。Possibly，Imayhavethepleasureofseeingyousoon，whenanyargumentyouchoosetoadvanceshallreceivealltheattentionitdeserves。”
\'Thatisdimsarcasm——Iknowitis。\'
\'Ohno，Elfride。\'
\'Andthen，hisremarksdidn\'tseemharsh——ImeanIdidnotsayso。\'
\'Hethinksyouareinafrightfultemper，\'saidMr。Swancourt，chucklinginundertones。
\'Andhewillcomeandseeme，andfindtheauthoressascontemptibleinspeechasshehasbeenimpertinentinmanner。I
doheartilywishIhadneverwrittenawordtohim!\'
\'Nevermind，\'saidMrs。Swancourt，alsolaughinginlowquietjerks；\'itwillmakethemeetingsuchacomicalaffair，andaffordsplendidby-playforyourfatherandmyself。TheideaofourrunningourheadsagainstHarryKnightallthetime!Icannotgetoverthat。\'
ThevicarhadimmediatelyrememberedthenametobethatofStephenSmith\'spreceptorandfriend；buthavingceasedtoconcernhimselfinthematterhemadenoremarktothateffect，consistentlyforbearingtoalludetoanythingwhichcouldrestorerecollectionofthe(tohim)disagreeablemistakewithregardtopoorStephen\'slineageandposition。Elfridehadofcourseperceivedthesamething，whichaddedtothecomplicationofrelationshipameshthatherstepmotherknewnothingof。
TheidentificationscarcelyheightenedKnight\'sattractionsnow，thoughatwelvemonthagoshewouldonlyhavecaredtoseehimfortheinteresthepossessedasStephen\'sfriend。FortunatelyforKnight\'sadvent，suchareasonforwelcomehadonlybeguntobeawkwardtoheratatimewhentheinteresthehadacquiredonhisownaccountmadeitnolongernecessary。
Thesecoincidences，incommonwithallrelatingtohim，tendedtokeepElfride\'sminduponthestretchconcerningKnight。Aswashercustomwhenuponthehornsofadilemma，shewalkedoffbyherselfamongthelaurelbushes，andthere，standingstillandsplittingupaleafwithoutremovingitfromitsstalk，fetchedbackrecollectionsofStephen\'sfrequentwordsinpraiseofhisfriend，andwishedshehadlistenedmoreattentively。Then，stillpullingtheleaf，shewouldblushatsomefanciedmortificationthatwouldaccruetoherfromhiswordswhentheymet，inconsequenceofherintrusiveness，asshenowconsideredit，inwritingtohim。
Thenextdevelopmentofhermeditationswasthesubjectofwhatthisman\'spersonalappearancemightbe——washetallorshort，darkorfair，gayorgrim？ShewouldhaveaskedMrs。Swancourtbutfortheriskshemighttherebyincurofsometeasingremarkbeingreturned。UltimatelyElfridewouldsay，\'Oh，whataplaguethatrevieweristome!\'andturnherfacetowheresheimaginedIndialay，andmurmurtoherself，\'Ah，mylittlehusband，whatareyoudoingnow？Letmesee，whereareyou——south，east，where？Behindthathill，eversofarbehind!\'
ChapterXVII
\'Herwelcome，spokeinfalteringphrase。\'
\'ThereisHenryKnight，Ideclare!\'saidMrs。Swancourtoneday。
TheyweregazingfromthejuttingangleofawildenclosurenotfarfromTheCrags，whichalmostoverhungthevalleyalreadydescribedasleadingupfromtheseaandlittleportofCastleBoterel。Thestonyescarpmentuponwhichtheystoodhadthecontourofaman\'sface，anditwascoveredwithfurzeaswithabeard。Peopleinthefieldabovewerepreservedfromanaccidentalrolldowntheseprominencesandhollowsbyahedgeontheverycrest，whichwasdoingthatkindlyserviceforElfrideandhermothernow。
Scramblinghigherintothehedgeandstretchingherneckfurtheroverthefurze，Elfridebeheldtheindividualsignified。Hewaswalkingleisurelyalongthelittlegreenpathatthebottom，besidethestream，asatchelslunguponhislefthip，astoutwalking-stickinhishand，andabrown-hollandsun-hatuponhishead。Thesatchelwaswornandold，andtheouterpolishedsurfaceoftheleatherwascrackedandpeelingoff。
KnighthavingarrivedoverthehillstoCastleBotereluponthetopofacrazyomnibus，preferredtowalktheremainingtwomilesupthevalley，leavinghisluggagetobebroughton。
Behindhimwandered，helter-skelter，aboyofwhomKnighthadbrieflyinquiredthewaytoEndelstow；andbythatnaturallawofphysicswhichcauseslesserbodiestogravitatetowardsthegreater，thisboyhadkeptneartoKnight，andtrottedlikealittledogcloseathisheels，whistlingashewent，withhiseyesfixeduponKnight\'sbootsastheyroseandfell。
WhentheyhadreachedapointpreciselyoppositethatinwhichMrs。andMissSwancourtlayinambush，Knightstoppedandturnedround。
\'Lookhere，myboy，\'hesaid。
Theboypartedhislips，openedhiseyes，andanswerednothing。
\'Here\'ssixpenceforyou，onconditionthatyoudon\'tagaincomewithintwentyyardsofmyheels，allthewayupthevalley。\'
Theboy，whoapparentlyhadnotknownhehadbeenlookingatKnight\'sheelsatall，tookthesixpencemechanically，andKnightwentonagain，wraptinmeditation。
\'Anicevoice，\'Elfridethought；\'butwhatasingulartemper!\'
\'Nowwemustgetindoorsbeforeheascendstheslope，\'saidMrs。
Swancourtsoftly。Andtheywentacrossbyashortcutoverastile，enteringthelawnbyasidedoor，andsoontothehouse。
Mr。Swancourthadgoneintothevillagewiththecurate，andElfridefelttoonervoustoawaittheirvisitor\'sarrivalinthedrawing-roomwithMrs。Swancourt。Sothatwhentheelderladyentered，Elfridemadesomepretenceofperceivinganewvarietyofcrimsongeranium，andlingeredbehindamongtheflowerbeds。
Therewasnothinggainedbythis，afterall，shethought；andafewminutesafterboldlycameintothehousebytheglassside-
door。Shewalkedalongthecorridor，andenteredthedrawing-
room。Nobodywasthere。
Awindowattheangleoftheroomopeneddirectlyintoanoctagonalconservatory，enclosingthecornerofthebuilding。
Fromtheconservatorycamevoicesinconversation——Mrs。
Swancourt\'sandthestranger\'s。
Shehadexpectedhimtotalkbrilliantly。Tohersurprisehewasaskingquestionsinquitealearner\'smanner，onsubjectsconnectedwiththeflowersandshrubsthatshehadknownforyears。Whenafterthelapseofafewminuteshespokeatsomelength，sheconsideredtherewasahardsquaredecisivenessintheshapeofhissentences，asif，unlikeherownandStephen\'s，theywerenotthereandthennewlyconstructed，butweredrawnforthfromalargestoreready-made。Theywerenowapproachingthewindowtocomeinagain。
\'Thatisaflesh-colouredvariety，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。\'Butoleanders，thoughtheyaresuchbulkyshrubs，aresoveryeasilywoundedastobeunprunable——giantswiththesensitivenessofyoungladies。Oh，hereisElfride!\'
ElfridelookedasguiltyandcrestfallenasLadyTeazleatthedroppingofthescreen。Mrs。Swancourtpresentedhimhalfcomically，andKnightinaminuteortwoplacedhimselfbesidetheyounglady。
AcomplexityofinstinctscheckedElfride\'sconventionalsmilesofcomplaisanceandhospitality；and，tomakeherstilllesscomfortable，Mrs。Swancourtimmediatelyafterwardsleftthemtogethertoseekherhusband。Mr。Knight，however，didnotseematallincommodedbyhisfeelings，andhesaidwithlighteasefulness:
\'So，MissSwancourt，Ihavemetyouatlast。YouescapedmebyafewminutesonlywhenwewereinLondon。\'
\'Yes。IfoundthatyouhadseenMrs。Swancourt。\'
\'Andnowreviewerandreviewedarefacetoface，\'headdedunconcernedly。
\'Yes:thoughthefactofyourbeingarelationofMrs。Swancourt\'stakesofftheedgeofit。Itwasstrangethatyoushouldbeoneofherfamilyallthetime。\'Elfridebegantorecoverherselfnow，andtolookintoKnight\'sface。\'IwasmerelyanxioustoletyouknowmyREALmeaninginwritingthebook——extremelyanxious。\'
\'Icanquiteunderstandthewish；andIwasgratifiedthatmyremarksshouldhavereachedhome。Theyveryseldomdo，Iamafraid。\'
Elfridedrewherselfin。Herehewas，stickingtohisopinionsasfirmlyasiffriendshipandpolitenessdidnotintheleastrequireanimmediaterenunciationofthem。
\'Youmademeveryuneasyandsorrybywritingsuchthings!\'shemurmured，suddenlydroppingthemerecacueterieofafashionablefirstintroduction，andspeakingwithsomeofthedudgeonofachildtowardsasevereschoolmaster。
\'Thatisrathertheobjectofhonestcriticsinsuchacase。Nottocauseunnecessarysorrow，but:\"Tomakeyousorryafterapropermanner，thatyemayreceivedamagebyusinnothing，\"asapowerfulpenoncewrotetotheGentiles。Areyougoingtowriteanotherromance？\'
\'Writeanother？\'shesaid。\'Thatsomebodymaypenacondemnationand\"nail\'twi\'Scripture\"again，asyoudonow，Mr。Knight？\'
\'Youmaydobetternexttime，\'hesaidplacidly:\'Ithinkyouwill。ButIwouldadviseyoutoconfineyourselftodomesticscenes。\'
\'Thankyou。Butneveragain!\'
\'Well，youmayberight。Thatayoungwomanhastakentowritingisnotbyanymeansthebestthingtohearabouther。\'
\'Whatisthebest？\'
\'Iprefernottosay。\'
\'Doyouknow？Then，dotellme，please。\'
\'Well\'——(Knightwasevidentlychanginghismeaning)——\'Isupposetohearthatshehasmarried。\'
Elfridehesitated。\'Andwhatwhenshehasbeenmarried？\'shesaidatlast，partlyinordertowithdrawherownpersonfromtheargument。
\'Thentohearnomoreabouther。ItisasSmeatonsaidofhislighthouse:hergreatestrealpraise，whenthenoveltyofherinaugurationhaswornoff，isthatnothinghappenstokeepthetalkofheralive。\'
\'Yes，Isee，\'saidElfridesoftlyandthoughtfully。\'Butofcourseitisdifferentquitewithmen。Whydon\'tyouwritenovels，Mr。Knight？\'
\'BecauseIcouldn\'twriteonethatwouldinterestanybody。\'
\'Why？\'
\'Forseveralreasons。Itrequiresajudiciousomissionofyourrealthoughtstomakeanovelpopular，foronething。\'
\'Isthatreallynecessary？Well，Iamsureyoucouldlearntodothatwithpractice，\'saidElfridewithanex-cathedraair，asbecameapersonwhospokefromexperienceintheart。\'Youwouldmakeagreatnameforcertain，\'shecontinued。
\'Somanypeoplemakeanamenowadays，thatitismoredistinguishedtoremaininobscurity。\'
\'Tellmeseriously——apartfromthesubject——whydon\'tyouwriteavolumeinsteadofloosearticles？\'sheinsisted。
\'Sinceyouarepleasedtomakemetalkofmyself，Iwilltellyouseriously，\'saidKnight，notlessamusedatthiscatechismbyhisyoungfriendthanhewasinterestedinherappearance。\'AsIhaveimplied，Ihavenotthewish。AndifIhadthewish，Icouldnotnowconcentratesufficiently。Weallhaveonlyouronecruseofenergygivenustomakethebestof。Andwherethatenergyhasbeenleakedawayweekbyweek，quarterbyquarter，asminehasforthelastnineortenyears，thereisnotenoughdammedbackbehindthemillatanygivenperiodtosupplytheforceacompletebookonanysubjectrequires。Thenthereistheself-confidenceandwaitingpower。Wherequickresultshavegrowncustomary，theyarefataltoalivelyfaithinthefuture。\'
\'Yes，Icomprehend；andsoyouchoosetowriteinfragments？\'
\'No，Idon\'tchoosetodoitinthesenseyoumean；choosingfromawholeworldofprofessions，allpossible。Itwasbytheconstraintofaccidentmerely。NotthatIobjecttotheaccident。\'
\'Whydon\'tyouobject——Imean，whydoyoufeelsoquietaboutthings？\'Elfridewashalfafraidtoquestionhimso，butherintensecuriositytoseewhattheinsideofliteraryMr。Knightwaslike，kepthergoingon。
Knightcertainlydidnotmindbeingfrankwithher。Instancesofthistraitinmenwhoarenotwithoutfeeling，butarereticentfromhabit，mayberecalledbyallofus。Whentheyfindalistenerwhocanbynopossibilitymakeuseofthem，rivalthem，orcondemnthem，reservedandevensuspiciousmenoftheworldbecomefrank，keenlyenjoyingtheinnersideoftheirfrankness。
\'WhyIdon\'tmindtheaccidentalconstraint，\'hereplied，\'isbecause，inmakingbeginnings，achancelimitationofdirectionisoftenbetterthanabsolutefreedom。\'
\'Isee——thatis，IshouldifIquiteunderstoodwhatallthosegeneralitiesmean。\'
\'Why，this:Thatanarbitraryfoundationforone\'swork，whichnolengthofthoughtcanalter，leavestheattentionfreetofixitselfontheworkitself，andmakethebestofit。\'
\'Lateralcompressionforcingaltitude，aswouldbesaidinthattongue，\'shesaidmischievously。\'AndIsupposewherenolimitexists，asinthecaseofarichmanwithawidetastewhowantstodosomething，itwillbebettertochoosealimitcapriciouslythantohavenone。\'
\'Yes，\'hesaidmeditatively。\'Icangoasfarasthat。\'
\'Well，\'resumedElfride，\'Ithinkitbetterforaman\'snatureifhedoesnothinginparticular。\'
\'Thereissuchacaseasbeingobligedto。\'
\'Yes，yes；Iwasspeakingofwhenyouarenotobligedforanyotherreasonthandelightintheprospectoffame。Ihavethoughtmanytimeslatelythatathinwidespreadhappiness，commencingnow，andofapiecewiththedaysofyourlife，ispreferabletoananticipatedheapfarawayinthefuture，andnonenow。\'
\'Why，that\'stheverythingIsaidjustnowasbeingtheprincipleofallephemeraldoerslikemyself。\'
\'Oh，Iamsorrytohaveparodiedyou，\'shesaidwithsomeconfusion。\'Yes，ofcourse。Thatiswhatyoumeantaboutnottryingtobefamous。\'Andsheadded，withthequicknessofconvictioncharacteristicofhermind:\'Thereismuchlittlenessintryingtobegreat。Amanmustthinkagooddealofhimself，andbeconceitedenoughtobelieveinhimself，beforehetriesatall。\'
\'Butitissoonenoughtosaythereisharminaman\'sthinkingagooddealofhimselfwhenitisprovedhehasbeenthinkingwrong，andtoosoonthensometimes。Besides，weshouldnotconcludethatamanwhostrivesearnestlyforsuccessdoessowithastrongsenseofhisownmerit。Hemayseehowlittlesuccesshastodowithmerit，andhismotivemaybehisveryhumility。\'
ThismanneroftreatingherratherprovokedElfride。Nosoonerdidsheagreewithhimthanheceasedtoseemtowishit，andtooktheotherside。\'Ah，\'shethoughtinwardly，\'Ishallhavenothingtodowithamanofthiskind，thoughheisourvisitor。\'
\'Ithinkyouwillfind，\'resumedKnight，pursuingtheconversationmoreforthesakeoffinishingoffhisthoughtsonthesubjectthanforengagingherattention，\'thatinactuallifeitismerelyamatterofinstinctwithmen——thistryingtopushon。Theyawaketoarecognitionthattheyhave，withoutpremeditation，beguntotryalittle，andtheysaytothemselves，\"SinceIhavetriedthusmuch，Iwilltryalittlemore。”Theygoonbecausetheyhavebegun。\'
Elfride，inherturn，wasnotparticularlyattendingtohiswordsatthismoment。Shehad，unconsciouslytoherself，awayofseizinganypointintheremarksofaninterlocutorwhichinterestedher，anddwellinguponit，andthinkingthoughtsofherownthereupon，totallyobliviousofallthathemightsayincontinuation。Onsuchoccasionssheartlesslysurveyedthepersonspeaking；andthentherewasatimeforapainter。Hereyesseemedtolookatyou，andpastyou，asyouwerethen，intoyourfuture；andpastyourfutureintoyoureternity——notreadingit，butgazinginanunused，unconsciousway——hermindstillclingingtoitsoriginalthought。
ThisishowshewaslookingatKnight。
