Herfathercriedforhelpindismay。InranHarriet，saw，andscreamed，butdidnotloseherhead；thisveraciouspersonwhippedapairofscissorsoffthetable，andcuttheyounglady\'sstay-
lacesdirectly。Thentherewasaburstofimprisonedbeauty；adeep，deepsighofreliefcamefromabosomthatwouldhavedonehonortoDiana；andthescenesoonconcludedwithfitsofharmlessweeping，renewedatintervals。
Whenithadsettleddowntothis，herfather，tosootheher，saidhewouldwritetoDr。Staines，andbringaboutareconciliation，ifsheliked。
\"No，\"saidshe，\"youshallkillmesooner。Ishoulddieofshame。\"
Sheadded，\"Oh，pray，fromthishour，nevermentionhisnametome。\"
Andthenshehadanothercry。
Mr。Lusignanwasasensibleman:hedroppedthesubjectforthepresent；buthemadeuphismindtoonething——thathewouldneverpartwithDr。Stainesasaphysician。
NextdayRosakeptherownroomuntildinner-time，andwasasunhappyasshedeservedtobe。Shespenthertimeinsewingonstiffflannelliningsandcrying。ShehalfhopedChristopherwouldwritetoher，sothatshemightwritebackthatsheforgavehim。
Butnotaline。
Athalf-pastsixhervolatilemindtookaturn，realoraffected。
Shewouldcrynomoreforanungratefulfellow，——ungratefulfornotseeingthroughthestonewallshowshehadbeenemployedallthemorning；andmakingitup。Soshebathedherredeyes，madeagreatalterationinherdress，andcamedancingintotheroomhumminganItalianditty。
Astheyweresittingtogetherinthedining-roomafterdinner，twoletterscamebythesameposttoMr。LusignanfromMr。WymanandDr。Snell。
Mr。Wyman\'sletter:——
DEARSIR，——IamsorrytohearfromMissLusignanthatsheintendstodiscontinuemedicaladvice。Thedisorderwasprogressingfavorably，andnothingtobefeared，underpropertreatment。
Yours，etc。
Dr。Snell\'sletter:——
DEARSIR，——MissLusignanhaswrittentomesomewhatimpatientlyandseemsdisposedtodispensewithmyvisits。Idonot，however，thinkitrighttowithdrawwithouttellingyoucandidlythatthisisanunwisestep。Yourdaughter\'shealthisinaveryprecariouscondition。
Yours，etc。
Rosaburstoutlaughing。\"Ihavenothingtofear，andI\'monthebrinkofthegrave。Thatcomesofwritingwithoutaconsultation。
Iftheyhadwrittenatonetable，Ishouldhavebeenneitherwellnorill。PoorChristopher!\"andhersweetfacebegantoworkpiteously。
\"There!there!drinkaglassofwine。\"
Shedid，andatearwithit，thatranintotheglasslikelightning。
Warnedbythisthatgriefsatverynearthebright，hilarioussurface，Mr。Lusignanavoidedallemotionalsubjectsforthepresent。Nextday，however，hetoldhershemightdismissherlover，butnopowershouldmakehimdismisshispetphysician，unlessherhealthimproved。
\"Iwillnotgiveyouthatexcuseforinflictinghimonmeagain，\"
saidtheyounghypocrite。
Shekeptherword。Shegotbetterandbetter，stronger，brighter，gayer。
Shetooktowalkingeveryday，andincreasingthedistance，tillshecouldwalktenmileswithoutfatigue。
Herfavoritewalkwastoacertaincliffthatcommandedanobleviewofthesea。TogettoitshemustpassthroughthetownofGravesend；andwemaybesureshedidnotpasssooftenthroughthatcitywithoutsomeideaofmeetingthelovershehadusedsoill，andelicitinganAPOLOGYfromhim。Slypuss!
Whenshehadwalkedtwentytimes，orthereabouts，throughthetown，andneverseenhim，shebegantofearshehadoffendedhimpasthope。Thensheusedtocryattheendofeverywalk。
Butbyandbybodilyhealth，vanity，andtempercombinedtorousethedefiantspirit。Saidshe，\"Ifhereallylovedme，hewouldnottakemywordinsuchahurry。Andbesides，whydoeshenotwatchme，andfindoutwhatIamdoing，andwhereIwalk?\"
Atlastshereallybegantopersuadeherselfthatshewasanill-
usedandslightedgirl。Shewasveryangryattimes，anddisconsolateatothers；amixedstateinwhichhastyandimpulsiveyoungladiescommitlifelongfollies。
Mr。Lusignanobservedthesurfaceonly:hesawhisinvaliddaughtergettingbettereveryday，tillatlastshebecameapictureofhealthandbodilyvigor。Relievedofhisfears，hetroubledhisheadbutlittleaboutChristopherStaines。Yetheesteemedhim，andhadgottolikehim；butRosawasabeauty，andcoulddobetterthanmarryastrugglingphysician，howeverable。Helaunchedoutintoalittlegayety，resumedhisquietdinner-parties；and，aftersomepersuasion，tookhisnowbloomingdaughtertoaballgivenbytheofficersofChatham。
Shewasthebelleoftheballbeyonddispute，anddancedwithetherealgraceandathleticendurance。Shewasmadlyfondofwaltzing，andheresheencounteredwhatshewaspleasedtocalladivinedancer。ItwasaMr。ReginaldFalcon，agentlemanwhohadretiredtotheseasidetorecruithishealthandfinancessoretriedbyLondonandParis。Falconhadrunthroughhisfortune，buthadacquired，intheprocess，certaintalentswhich，astheycosttheacquirerdear，sotheysometimesrepayhim，especiallyifheisnotoverburdenedwithprinciple，andadoptsthenotionthat，theworldhavingpluckedhim，hehasarighttoplucktheworld。Hecouldplaybilliardswell，butneversowellaswhenbackinghimselfforaheavystake。Hecouldshootpigeonswell，andhisshootingimprovedunderthatwhichmakessomemarksmenmiss——aheavybetagainstthegun。Hedancedtoperfection；andbeingawell-bred，experienced，brazen，adroitfellow，whoknewalittleofeverythingthatwasgoing，hehadalwaysplentytosay。Aboveall，hehadmadeaparticularstudyofthefairsex；hadmetwithmanysuccesses，manyrebuffs；and，atlast，bykeenstudyoftheirminds，andahabithehadacquiredofwatchingtheirfaces，andshiftinghishelmaccordingly，hadlearnedthegreatartofpleasingthem。Theyadmiredhisface；tome，theshortspacebetweenhiseyesandhishair，hisaquilinenose，andthinstraightlips，suggestedthebirdofpreyalittletoomuch:buttofairdoves，borntobeclutched，thissimilitudeperhapswasnotveryalarming，eveniftheyobservedit。
Rosadancedseveraltimeswithhim，andtoldhimhedancedlikeanangel。Heinformedherthatwasbecause，foronce，hewasdancingwithanangel。Shelaughedandblushed。Heflattereddeliciously，anditcosthimlittle；forhefellinlovewithherthatnight，deeperthanhehadeverbeeninhiswholelifeofintrigue。Heaskedleavetocallonher:shelookedalittleshyatthat，anddidnotrespond。Heinstantlywithdrewhisproposal，withanapologyandasighthatraisedherpity。However，shewasnotaforwardgirl，evenwhenexcitedbydancingandcharmedwithherpartner；soshelefthimtofindhisownwayoutofthatdifficulty。
Hewasnotlongaboutit。Attheendofthenextwaltzheaskedherifhemightventuretosolicitanintroductiontoherfather。
\"Oh，certainly，\"saidshe。\"WhataselfishgirlIam!thisisterriblydullforhim。\"
Theintroductionbeingmade，andRosabeingengagedforthenextthreedances，Mr。FalconsatbyMr。Lusignanandentertainedhim。
Forthislittlepieceofapparentself-denialhewaspaidinvariouscoin:Lusignanfoundouthewasthesonofanoldacquaintance，andsothedoorofKentVillaopenedtohim；
meantime，RosaLusignanneverpassedhim，eveninthearmsofacavalryofficer，withoutbestowingaglanceofapprovalandgratitudeonhim。\"Whatagood-heartedyoungman!\"thoughtshe。
\"Howkindofhimtoamusepapa；andnowIcanstaysomuchlonger。\"
Falconfollowedupthedancebyacall，andwasinfinitelyagreeable:followedupthecallbyanother，andadmiredRosawithsolittledisguisethatMr。Lusignansaidtoher，\"Ithinkyouhavemadeaconquest。HisfatherhadconsiderableestatesinEssex。I
presumeheinheritsthem。\"
\"Oh，nevermindhisestates，\"saidRosa，\"hedanceslikeanangel，andgossipscharmingly，andISsonice。\"
ChristopherStainespinedforthisgirlinsilence:hisfineframegotthinner，hispalecheekpaler，asshegotrosierandrosier；
andhow?Why，byfollowingtheveryadviceshehadsnubbedhimforgivingher。Atlast，heheardshehadbeenthebelleofaball，andthatshehadbeenseenwalkingmilesfromhome，andbloomingasaHebe。Thenhisdeepanxietyceased，hispridestunghimfuriously；hebegantothinkofhisownvalue，andtostrugglewithallhismightagainsthisdeeplove。Sometimeshewouldeveninveighagainsther，andcallherafickle，ungratefulgirl，capableofnostrongpassionbutvanity。Manyahardtermheappliedtoherinhissorrowfulsolitude；butnotawordwhenhehadahearer。Hefoundithardtorest:hekeptdashinguptoLondonandback。Heplungedfuriouslyintostudy。Hegroanedandsighed，andfoughtthehardandbitterfightthatistoooftenthelotofthedeepthatlovetheshallow。Strong，butsingle-hearted，nootherladycouldcomforthim。Heturnedfromfemalecompany，andshunnedallforthefaultofone。
Theinwardcontestworehim。Hebegantolookverythinandwan；
andallforaSimpleton!
Mr。Falconprolongedhisstayintheneighborhood，anddroveahandsomedogcartovertwiceaweektovisitMr。Lusignan。
Heusedtocallonthatgentlemanatfouro\'clock，foratthathourMr。Lusignanwasalwaysout，andhisdaughteralwaysathome。
Shewasathomeatthathourbecauseshetookherlongwalksinthemorning。Whilehernewadmirerwasinbed，ordressing，orbreakfasting，shewasspringingalongtheroadwithalltheelasticityofyouth，andhealth，andnativevigor，bracedbydailyexercise。
Twenty-oneofthesewalksdidshetake，withnootherresultthanhealthandappetite；butthetwenty-secondwasmorefertile——
extremelyfertile。Startinglaterthanusual，shepassedthroughGravesendwhileReginaldFalconwassmokingathisfrontwindow。
Hesawher，andinstantlydoffedhisdressing-gownanddonnedhiscoattofollowher。Hewasmadlyinlovewithher，andbeingamanwhohadlearnedtoshootpigeonsandopportunitiesflying，heinstantlyresolvedtojoinherinherwalk，getherclearofthetown，bythesea-beach，wherebeautymelts，andproposetoher。
Yes，marriagehadnotbeenhithertohishabit，butthisgirlwaspeerless:hewaspledgedbyhonorandgratitudetoPhoebeDale；buthangallthatnow。\"Nomanshouldmarryonewomanwhenhelovesanother；itisdishonorable。\"Hegotintothestreetandfollowedherasfastashecouldwithoutrunning。
Itwasnotsoeasytocatchher。Ladiesarenotbuiltforrunning；
butafine，tall，symmetricalgirlwhohaspractisedwalkingfastcancoverthegroundwonderfullyinwalking——ifshechooses。ItwasasighttoseehowRosaLusignansquaredhershouldersandsteppedoutfromthewaistlikeaCanadiangirlskating，whileherelasticfootslappedthepavementasshespankedalong。
ShehadnearlyclearedthetownbeforeFalconcameupwithher。
Hewashardlytenyardsfromherwhenanunexpectedincidentoccurred。ShewhiskedroundthecornerofBirdStreet，andranplumpagainstChristopherStaines；infact，shedartedintohisarms，andherfacealmosttouchedthebreastshehadwoundedsodeeply。
CHAPTERIV。
Rosacried\"Oh!\"andputupherhandstoherfaceinlovelyconfusion，coloringlikeapeony。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidChristopher，stiffly，butinavoicethattrembled。
\"No，\"saidRosa，\"itwasIranagainstyou。Iwalksofastnow。
HopeIdidnothurtyou。\"
\"Hurtme?\"
\"Well，then，frightenyou?\"
Noanswer。
\"Oh，pleasedon\'tquarrelwithmeintheSTREET，\"saidRosa，cunninglyimplyingthathewasthequarrelsomeone。\"Iamgoingonthebeach。Good-by!\"Thisadieusheutteredsoftly，andinahesitatingtonethatbeliedit。Shestartedoff，however，butmuchmoreslowlythanshewasgoingbefore；and，asshewent，sheturnedherheadwithinfinitegrace，andkeptlookingaskantdownatthepavementtwoyardsbehindher:moreovershewentclosetothewall，andleftroomathersideforanothertowalk。
Christopherhesitatedamoment；butthemuteinvitation，soarchyettimid，sopretty，tender，sly，andwomanly，wastoomuchforhim，asithasgenerallyprovedformales，andthephilosopher\'sfootwassoonintheveryplacetowhichtheSimpletonwiththemeretailofhereyedirectedit。
Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，insilence，Stainesagitated，gloomy，confused，Rosaradiantandglowing，yetnotknowingwhattosayforherself，andwantingChristophertobegin。Sotheywalkedalongwithoutaword。
Falconfollowedthematsomedistancetoseewhetheritwasanadmireroronlyanacquaintance。Aloverheneverdreamedof；shehadshownsuchevidentpleasureinhiscompany，andhadreceivedhisvisitsalonesoconstantly。
However，whenthepairhadgottothebeach，andwerewalkingslowerandslower，hefeltapangofrageandjealousy，turnedonhisheelwithanaudiblecurse，andfoundPhoebeDaleafewyardsbehindhimwithawhitefaceandapeculiarlook。Heknewwhatthelookmeant；hehadbroughtittothatfaithfulfacebeforeto-day。
\"Youarebetter，MissLusignan。\"
\"Better，Dr。Staines?Iamhealthitselfthanksto——hem!\"
\"Ourestrangementhasagreedwithyou?\"Thisverybitterly。
\"Youknowverywellitisnotthat。Oh，pleasedon\'tmakemecryinthestreets。\"
Thishumblepetition，orrathermeekthreat，ledtoanotherlongsilence。Itwascontinuedtilltheyhadnearlyreachedtheshore。
But，meantime，Rosa\'sfurtiveeyesscannedChristopher\'sface，andherconsciencesmoteheratthesignsofsuffering。Shefeltadesiretobeghispardonwithdeephumility；butshesuppressedthatweakness。Shehungherheadwithapretty，sheepishair，andaskedhimifhecouldnotthinkofsomethingagreeabletosaytooneafterdesertingonesolong。
\"Iamafraidnot，\"saidChristopher，bluntly。\"Ihaveanawkwardhabitofspeakingthetruth；andsomepeoplecan\'tbearthat，notevenwhenitisspokenfortheirgood。\"
\"Thatdependsontemper，andnerves，andthings，\"saidRosa，deprecatingly；thensoftly，\"Icouldbearanythingfromyounow。\"
\"Indeed!\"saidChristopher，grimly。\"Well，then，Ihearyouhadnosoonergotridofyouroldlover，forlovingyoutoowellandtellingyouthetruth，thanyoutookupanother，——someflimsymanoffashion，whowilltellyouanylieyoulike。\"
\"Itisastory，awickedstory，\"criedRosa，thoroughlyalarmed。
\"Me，alover!Hedanceslikeanangel；Ican\'thelpthat。\"
\"Arehisvisitsatyourhouselikeangels\'——fewandfarbetween?\"
Andthetruelover\'sbrowloweredblackuponherforthefirsttime。
Rosachangedcolor，andhereyesfellamoment。\"Askpapa，\"shesaid。\"Hisfatherwasanoldfriendofpapa\'s。\"
\"Rosa，youareprevaricating。Youngmendonotcallonoldgentlemenwhenthereisanattractiveyoungladyinthehouse。\"
Theargumentwasgettingtooclose；soRosaoperatedadiversion。
\"So，\"saidshe，withasuddenairofloftydisdain，swiftlyandadroitlyassumed，\"youhavehadmewatched?\"
\"NotI；Ionlyhearwhatpeoplesay。\"
\"Listentogossipandnothavemewatched!Thatshowshowlittleyoureallycaredforme。Well，ifyouhad，youwouldhavemadealittlediscovery，thatisall。\"
\"ShouldI?\"saidChristopher，puzzled。\"What?\"
\"Ishallnottellyou。Thinkwhatyouplease。Yes，sir，youwouldhavefoundoutthatItakelongwalkseveryday，allalone；andwhatismore，thatIwalkthroughGravesend，hoping——likeagoose——
thatsomebodyreallylovedme，andwouldmeetme，andbegmypardon；andifhehad，Ishouldhavetoldhimitwasonlymytongue，andmynerves，andthings；myheartwashis，andmygratitude。Andafterall，whatdowordssignify，whenIamagood，obedientgirlatbottom?Sothatiswhatyouhavelostbynotcondescendingtolookafterme。Finelove!——Christopher，begmypardon。\"
\"MayIinquireforwhat?\"
\"Why，fornotunderstandingme；fornotknowingthatIshouldbesorrythemomentyouweregone。Itookthemofftheverynextday，topleaseyou。\"
\"Tookoffwhom?——Oh，Iunderstand。Youdid?ThenyouAREagoodgirl。\"
\"Didn\'tItellyouIwas?Agood，obedientgirl，andanythingbutaflirt。\"
\"Idon\'tsaythat。\"
\"ButIdo。Don\'tinterrupt。ItistoyourgoodadviceIowemyhealth；andtoloveanybodybutyou，whenIoweyoumyloveandmylife，Imustbeaheartless，ungrateful，worthless——Oh，Christopher，forgiveme!No，no；Imean，begmypardon。\"
\"I\'lldoboth，\"saidChristopher，takingherinhisarms。\"Ibegyourpardon，andIforgiveyou。\"
Rosaleanedherheadtenderlyonhisshoulder，andbegantosigh。
\"Oh，dear，dear!Iamawicked，foolishgirl，notfittowalkalone。\"
Onthisadmission，Christopherspokeout，andurgedhertoputanendtoalltheseunhappymisunderstandings，andtohisnewtorment，jealousy，bymarryinghim。
\"AndsoIwouldthisveryminute，ifpapawouldconsent。But，\"
saidshe，slyly，\"younevercanbesofoolishtowishit。What!awisemanlikeyoumarryasimpleton!\"
\"DidIevercallyouthat?\"askedChristopher，reproachfully。
\"No，dear；butyouaretheonlyonewhohasnot；andperhapsI
shouldloseeventheone，ifyouweretomarryme。Oh，husbandsarenotsopoliteaslovers!Ihaveobservedthat，simpletonornot。\"
Christopherassuredherthathetookquiteadifferentviewofhercharacter；hebelievedhertobetooprofoundforshallowpeopletoreadallinamoment:heevenintimatedthathehimselfhadexperiencednolittledifficultyinunderstandingheratoddtimes。
\"Andso，\"saidhe，\"theyturnrounduponyou，andinsteadofsaying，\'Wearetooshallowtofathomyou，\'theypretendyouareasimpleton。\"
ThissolutionofthemysteryhadneveroccurredtoRosa，norindeedwasitlikelytooccurtoanycreaturelessingeniousthanalover:
itpleasedherhugely；herfineeyessparkled，andshenestledcloserstilltothestrongarmthatwastoparryeveryill，frommortaldiseasetogallingepithets。
Shelistenedwithawillingeartoallhisreasons，hishopes，hisfears，and，whentheyreachedherfather\'sdoor，itwassettledthatheshoulddinetherethatday，andurgehissuittoherfatherafterdinner。Shewouldimploretheoldgentlemantolistentoitfavorably。
Theloversparted，andChristopherwenthomelikeonewhohasawakenedfromahideousdreamtodaylightandhappiness。
Hehadnotgonefarbeforehemetadashingdogcart，drivenbyanexquisite。Heturnedtolookafterit，andsawitdriveuptoKentVilla。
Inamomenthedivinedhisrival，andasicknessofheartcameoverhim。Butherecoveredhimselfdirectly，andsaid，\"Ifthatisthefellow，shewillnotreceivehimnow。\"
Shedidreceivehimthough:atallevents，thedogcartstoodatthedoor，anditsmasterremainedinside。
Christopherstood，andcountedtheminutes:five，ten，fifteen，twentyminutes，andstillthedogcartstoodthere。
Itwasmorethanhecouldbear。Heturnedsavagely，andstrodebacktoGravesend，resolvingthatallthistortureshouldendthatnight，onewayorother。
PhoebeDalewasthedaughterofafarmerinEssex，andoneofthehappiestyoungwomeninEnglandtillsheknewReginaldFalcon，Esq。
Shewasrearedonwholesomefood，inwholesomeair，andusedtochurnbutter，makebread，cookabitnowandthen，cutoutandsewallherowndresses，getupherownlinen，makehay，rideanythingonfourlegs；and，forallthat，wasagreatreader，andtaughtintheSundayschooltoobligethevicar；wroteaneathand，andwasagoodarithmetician，keptallthehouseaccountsandfarmaccounts。
Shewasamusician，too，——notprofound，butverycorrect。Shewouldtakeherturnattheharmoniuminchurch，and，whenshewasthere，youneverheardawrongnoteinthebass，noraninappropriateflourish，norbadtime。Shecouldsing，too，butneverwould，exceptherpartinapsalm。Hervoicewasadeepcontralto，andshechosetobeashamedofthisheavenlyorgan，becauseapackofenviousgirlshadgiggled，andsaiditwaslikeaman\'s。
Inshort，hernaturalabilityandtherangeandvarietyofherusefulaccomplishmentswereconsiderable；notthatshewasaprodigy；butshebelongedtoasmallclassofwomeninthisislandwhoarenottoohightousetheirarms，nortoolowtocultivatetheirminds；and，havingafacultyandahabitdeplorablyrareamongsthersex，viz。，Attention，shehadprofitedbyhermiscellaneousadvantages。
Herfigureandfacebothtoldherbreedatonce:herewasanoldEnglishpastoralbeauty；nottheround-backed，narrow-chestedcottager，butthewell-fed，erectrustic，withbroad，fullbustandmassiveshoulder，andarmashardasarockwithhealthandconstantuse；ahandfinelycut，thoughneithersmallnorverywhite，andjustalittlehardinside，comparedwithLuxury\'ssoftpalm；afacehonest，fair，andratherlargethansmall；notbeautiful，butexceedinglycomely；acomplexionnotpinkandwhite，butthatdelicatelyblendedbrickdustycolor，whichtintsthewholecheekinfinegradation，outlastsothercomplexionstwentyyears，andbeautifiesthetrueNorthern，eveninoldage。Gray，limpid，honest，point-blank，searchingeyes；hairtruenut-brown，withoutashadeofredorblack；andahigh，smoothforehead，fullofsense。
Acrossitranonedeepwrinklethatdidnotbelongtoheryouth。
Thatwrinklewasthebrandoftrouble，thelineofagony。Ithadcomeoflovingaboveher，yetbelowher，andoflovinganegotist。
Threeyearsbeforeourtalecommenced，agentleman\'shorseranawaywithhim，andthrewhimonaheapofstonesbytheroadside，notveryfarfromFarmerDale\'sgate。Thefarmerhadhimtakenin。
Thedoctorsaidhemustnotbemoved。Hewasinsensible；hischeeklikedelicatewax；hisfairhairlikesilkstainedwithblood。HebecamePhoebe\'spatient，and，induecourse，herconvalescent:hispale，handsomefaceandfascinatingmannersgainedonecharmmorefromweakness；hisviceswereinabeyance。
Thewomanlynurse\'sheartyearnedoverherchild；forhewasfeebleasachild；and，whenhegotwellenoughtoamusehiswearyhoursbymakinglovetoher，andtellingherapackofarrantlies，shewasareadydupe。Hewastomarryherassoonaseverhisolduncledied，andlefthimthemeans，etc。，etc。Atlasthegotwellenoughtoleaveher，andwentaway，heropenadmirerandsecretlover。Heborrowedtwentypoundsofherthedayheleft。
Heusedtowritehercharmingletters，andfeedtheflame；butonedayherfathersentheruptoLondon，onhisownbusiness，allofasudden，andshecalledonMr。Falconathisrealaddress。Shefoundhedidnotlivethere——onlyreceivedletters。However，half-
a-crownsoonboughthisrealaddress，andthitherPhoebeproceededwithatroubledheart，forshesuspectedthathertrueloverwasindebtortrouble，andobligedtohide。Well，hemustbegotoutofit，andhideatthefarmmeantime。
Sothelovinggirlknockedatthedoor，askedforMr。Falcon，andwasshownintoaladyrathershowilydressed，whoaskedherbusiness。
PhoebeDalestaredather，andthenturnedpaleasashes。Shewasparalyzed，andcouldnotfindhertongue。
\"Why，whatisthematternow?\"saidtheother，sharply。
\"AreyoumarriedtoReginaldFalcon?\"
\"OfcourseIam。Lookatmywedding-ring。\"
\"ThenIamnotwantedhere，\"falteredPhoebe，readytosinkonthefloor。
\"Certainlynot，ifyouareoneofthebygones，\"saidthewoman，coarsely；andPhoebeDalewaitedtohearnomore，butfoundherway，Heavenknowshow，intothestreet，andthereleaned，half-
fainting，onarail，tillapolicemancame，andtoldhershehadbeendrinking，andsuggestedacoolcellasthebestcure。
\"Notdrink；onlyabreakingheart，\"saidshe，inherlow，mellowvoicethatfewcouldresist。
Hegotheraglassofwater，droveawaytheboysthatcongregateddirectly，andsheleftthestreet。Butshesooncamebackagain，andwaitedaboutforReginaldFalcon。
Itwasnightwhenheappeared。Sheseizedhimbythebreast，andtaxedhimwithhisvillany。
Whatwithherirongrasp，paleface，andflashingeyes，helosthiscoolimpudence，andblurtedoutexcuses。Itwasanoldandunfortunateconnection；hewouldgivetheworldtodissolveit，ifhecoulddoitlikeagentleman。
Phoebetoldhimtopleasehimself:hemustpartwithoneortheother。
\"Don\'ttalknonsense，\"saidthismanofbrass；\"I\'llun-Falconheronthespot。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidPhoebe。\"Iamgoinghome；and，ifyouarenottherebyto-morrowatnoon\"——Shesaidnomore，butlookedagreatdeal。Thenshedeparted，andrefusedhimherhandatparting。\"Wewillseeaboutthatbyandby，\"saidshe。
Atnoonmylordcamedowntothefarm，and，unfortunatelyforPhoebe，playedthepenitentsoskilfullyforaboutamonth，thatsheforgavehim，andlovedhimallthemoreforhavingsonearlypartedwithhim。
Herpeacewasnottoendurelong。Hewasdetectedinanintrigueintheveryvillage。
TheinsultstrucksohomethatPhoebeherself，toherparents\'
satisfaction，orderedhimoutofthehouseatonce。
But，whenhewasgone，shehadfitsofweeping，andcouldsettletonothingforalongtime。
Monthshadelapsed，andshewasgettingasortofdulltranquillity，when，oneevening，takingawalkshehadoftenwithhim，andmourninghersolitudeandwastedaffection，hewaylaidher，andclungtoherknees，andshedcrocodiletearsonherhands，and，afteralongresistance，violentatfirst，butfainterandfainter，gotherinhispoweragain，andthatsocompletelythatshemethimseveraltimesbynight，beingashamedtobeseenwithhiminthosepartsbyday。
Thisendedinfreshpromisesofmarriage，andinaconstantcorrespondencebyletter。Thispestknewexactlyhowtotalktoawoman，andhowtowritetoone。Hislettersfedtheunhappyflame；
and，mindyou，hesometimesdeceivedhimself，andthoughthelovedher；butitwasonlyhimselfheloved。Shewasaninvaluablelover；afaithful，disinterestedfriend；herswasavilebargain；
his，anexcellentone，andheclungtoit。
Andsotheywenton。Shedetectedhiminanotherinfidelity，andreproachedhimbitterly；butshehadnolongerthestrengthtobreakwithhim。Nevertheless，thistimeshehadthesensetomakeastruggle。Sheimploredhim，onherveryknees，toshowheralittlemercyinreturnforallherlove。\"Forpity\'ssake，leaveme!\"shecried。\"Youarestrong，andIamweak。Youcanenditforever，andpraydo。Youdon\'twantme；youdon\'tvalueme:then，leaveme，onceandforall，andendthishellyoukeepmein。\"
No；hecouldnot，orhewouldnot，leaveheralone。Lookatabird\'swings!——howlikeanangel\'s!Yetsovileathingasabitofbirdlimesubduesthemutterly；andsuchwasthefascinatingpowerofthismeanmanoverthisworthywoman。Shewasareader，athinker，amodelofrespectability，industry，andsense；abusinesswoman，keenandpractical；couldencountersharphandsinsharptrades；couldbuyorsellhogs，calves，orbeastswithanyfarmerorbutcherinthecountry，yetnomatchforacunningfool。
Shehadenshrinedanidolinherheart，andthatheartadoredit，andclungtoit，thoughthesuperiorheadsawthroughit，dreadedit，despisedit。
