\"Oh!whatisthematternow?\"saidshe。
\"Thematteriswhatithasalwaysbeen，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenit。Youhavedeceivedme，anddisgracedyourself。Lookatthosebills。\"
\"Whatbills?Oh!\"
\"Youhavehadanallowanceforhousekeeping。\"
\"Itwasn\'tenough。\"
\"Itwasplenty，ifyouhadkeptfaithwithme，andpaidreadymoney。Itwasenoughforthefirstfiveweeks。Iamhousekeepernow，andIshallallowmyselftwopoundsaweekless，andnotoweashillingeither。\"
\"Well，allIknowis，Icouldn\'tdoit:nowomancould。\"
\"Then，youshouldhavecometome，andsaidso；andIwouldhaveshownyouhow。WasIinEgypt，orattheNorthPole，thatyoucouldnotfindme，totreatmelikeafriend?Youhaveruinedus:
thesedebtswillsweepawaythelastshillingofourlittlecapital；butitisn\'tthat，oh，no!itisthemiserabledeceit。\"
Rosa\'seyecaughtthesumtotalofMadameCie\'sbill，andsheturnedpale。\"Oh，whatacheatthatwomanis!\"
ButsheturnedpalerwhenChristophersaid，\"Thatistheonehonestbill；forIgaveyouleave。Itisthesethatpartus:these!
these!Lookatthem，falseheart!There，goandpackupyourthings。Wecanliveherenolonger；weareruined。Imustsendyoubacktoyourfather。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwould，soonerorlater，\"saidMrs。Staines，panting，trembling，butshowingalittlefight。\"HetoldyouIwasn\'tfittobeapoorman\'swife。\"
\"Anhonestman\'swife，youmean:thatiswhatyouarenotfitfor。
Youwillgohometoyourfather，andIshallgointosomehumblelodgingtoworkforyou。I\'llcontrivetokeepyou，andfindyouahundredayeartospendindress——theonlythingyourheartcanreallylove。ButIwon\'thaveanenemyhereinthedisguiseofafriend；andIwon\'thaveawifeaboutmeImusttreatlikeaservant，andwatchlikeatraitor。\"
Thewordswereharsh，buttheagonywithwhichtheywerespokendistinguishedthemfromvulgarvituperation。
TheyoverpoweredpoorRosa；shehadbeenailingalittlesometime，andfromremorseandterror，coupledwithothercauses，naturegaveway。Herlipsturnedwhite，shegaspedinarticulately，and，withalittlepiteousmoan，tottered，andswooneddeadaway。
Hewaswalkingwildlyabout，readytotearhishair，whenshetottered；hesawherjustintimetosaveher，andlaidhergentlyonthefloor，andkneeledoverher。
Awaywentangerandeveryotherfeelingbutloveandpityforthepoor，weakcreaturethat，withallherfaults，wassolovableandsoloved。
Heappliednoremediesatfirst:heknewtheywereuselessandunnecessary。Helaidherheadquitelow，andopeneddoorandwindow，andloosenedallherdress，sighingdeeplyallthetimeathercondition。
Whilehewasthusemployed，suddenlyastrangecrybrokefromhim:
acryofhorror，remorse，joy，tenderness，allcombined:acrycomparedwithwhichlanguageisinarticulate。Hisswiftandpracticaleyehadmadeadiscovery。
Hekneeledoverher，withhiseyesdilatingandhishandsclasped，apictureofloveandtenderremorse。
Shestirred。
Thenhemadehaste，andappliedhisremedies，andbroughtherslowlybacktolife；heliftedherup，andcarriedherinhisarmsquiteawayfromthebillsandthings，that，whenshecameto，shemightseenothingtoreviveherdistress。Hecarriedhertothedrawing-room，andkneeleddownandrockedherinhisarms，andpressedheragainandagaingentlytohisheart，andcriedoverher。\"Omydove，mydove!thetendercreatureGodgavemetoloveandcherish，andhaveIuseditharshly?IfIhadonlyknown!ifI
hadonlyknown!\"
Whilehewasthusbemoaningher，andblaminghimself，andcryingoverherliketherain，——he，whomshehadneverseenshedatearbeforeinallhistroubles，——shewascomingtoentirely，andherquickearscaughthiswords，andsheopenedherlovelyeyesonhim。
\"Iforgiveyou，dear，\"shesaidfeebly。\"BUTIHOPEYOUWILLBEA
KINDERFATHERTHANAHUSBAND。\"
Thesequietwords，spokenwithraregravityandsoftness，wentthroughthegreatheartlikeaknife。
Hegaveasortofshiver，butsaidnotaword。
ButthatnighthemadeasolemnvowtoGodthatnoharshwordfromhislipsshouldeveragainstrikeabeingsoweak，soloving，andsobeyondhiscomprehension。Whylookforcourageandcandorinacreaturesotimidandshy，shecouldnoteventellherhusbandTHAT
until，withhersubtlesense，shesawhehaddiscoveredit?
CHAPTERXII。
Tobeafather；tohaveanimageofhisdarlingRosa，andafruitoftheirlovetoliveandworkfor:thisgavethesoreheartaheavenlyglow，andelasticitytobear。Shouldthisdearobjectbeborntoaninheritanceofdebt，ofpoverty?Never。
Hebegantoactasifhewasevennowafather。HeentreatedRosanottotroubleorvexherself；hewouldlookintotheirfinances，andsetallstraight。
Hepaidallthebills，andputbyaquarter\'srentandtaxes。Thenthereremainedofhislittlecapitaljusttenpounds。
Hewenttohisprinters，andhadathousandorder-checksprinted。
Theseformsranthus:——
\"Dr。Staines，of13DearStreet，Mayfair(blankfordate)，ordersof(blankherefortradesmanandgoodsordered)，forcash。
Receivedsametime(blankfortradesman\'sreceipt)。Notice:Dr。
Stainesdisownsallordersnotprintedonthisform，andpaidforatdateoforder。\"
Heexhibitedtheseforms，andwarnedallthetradespeople，beforeawitnesswhomhetookroundforthatpurpose。
HepaidoffPearmanonthespot。PearmanhadmetClara，dressedlikeapauper，hersoldierhavingemptiedherboxtotheverydregs，andhenowofferedtostay。Butitwastoolate。
StainestoldthecookMrs。Staineswasindelicatehealth，andmustnotbetroubledwithanything。Shemustcometohimforallorders。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidshe。Butshenosoonercomprehendedthechecksystemfullythanshegavewarning。Itputastoptoherwholesalepilfering。Rosa\'scookshadmadefullyahundredpoundsoutofheramongstthemsinceshebegantokeepaccounts。
Underthemalehousekeepereveryarticlewasweighedondelivery，andthissoonrevealedthatthebutcherandthefishmongerhadhabituallydeliveredshortweightfromthefirst，besidesputtingdownthesamethingtwice。Thethingsweresentbackthatmoment，withaprintedform，statingthenatureandextentofthefraud。
Thewasherwoman，whohadbeenpilferingwholesalesolongasMrs。
Stainesandhersloppy-headedmaidscountedthelinen，andthenforgotit，wasbroughtupwitharun，bytriplicateforms，andbyStainescountingthethingsbeforetwowitnesses，andcompellingthewasherwomantocountthemaswell，andverifyordisputeonthespot。Thelaundressgavewarning——aplainconfessionthatstealinghadbeenpartofhertrade。
Hekeptthehousewellforthreepoundsaweek，exclusiveofcoals，candles，andwine。Hiswifehadhadfivepounds，andwhateversheaskedfordinner-parties，yetfounditnothalfenoughuponhermethod。
Hekeptnocoachman。Ifhevisitedapatient，amanintheyarddrovehimatashillingperhour。
Bythesemeans，andbyworkinglikeagalleyslave，hedraggedhisexpendituredownalmosttoalevelwithhisincome。
Rosawasquitecontentatfirst，andthoughtherselfluckytoescapereproachesonsucheasyterms。
Butbyandbysorigorousasystembegantogallher。OnedayshefanciedaBathbun；sentthenewmaidtothepastry-cook\'s。
Pastry-cookaskedtoseethedoctor\'sorder。Maidcouldnotshowit，andcamebackbunless。
Rosacameintothestudytocomplaintoherhusband。
\"ABathbun，\"saidStaines。\"Why，theyarecoloredwithannotto，tosaveanegg，andannottoisadulteratedwithchromatesthatarepoison。Adulterationuponadulteration。I\'llmakeyouarealBathbun。\"Offcoat，andintothekitchen，andmadeherthree，pure，butratherheavy。Hebroughtthemherinduecourse。Shedeclinedthemlanguidly。Shewasoffthenotion，astheysayinScotland。
\"IfIcan\'thaveathingwhenIwantit，Idon\'tcareforitatall。\"Suchwastheprincipleshelaiddownforhisfutureguidance。
Hesighed，andwentbacktohiswork；sheclearedtheplate。
Oneday，whensheaskedforthecarriage，hetoldherthetimewasnowcomeforhertoleaveoffcarriageexercise。Shemustwalkwithhimeveryday，instead。
\"ButIdon\'tlikewalking。\"
\"Iamsorryforthat。Butitisnecessarytoyou，andbyandbyyourlifemaydependonit。\"
Quietly，butinexorably，hedraggedheroutwalkingeveryday。
Inoneofthesewalksshestoppedatashopwindow，andfellinlovewithsomebaby\'sthings。\"Oh!Imusthavethat，\"saidshe。
\"Imust。IshalldieifIdon\'t；you\'llseenow。\"
\"Youshall，\"saidhe，\"whenIcanpayforit，\"anddrewheraway。
Thetearsofdisappointmentstoodinhereyes，andhisheartyearnedoverher。Buthekepthishead。
Hechangedthedinnerhourtosix，andusedtogooutdirectlyafterwards。
Shebegantocomplainofhisleavingheralonelikethat。
\"Well，butwaitabit，\"saidhe；\"supposeIammakingalittlemoneybyit，tobuyyousomethingyouhavesetyourhearton，poordarling!\"
Inaveryfewdaysafterthis，hebroughtheralittleboxwithaslitinit。Heshookit，andmoneyrattled；thenheunlockedit，andpouredoutalittlepileofsilver。\"There，\"saidhe，\"putonyourbonnet，andcomeandbuythosethings。\"
Sheputonherbonnet，andonthewaysheaskedhowitcametobeallinsilver。
\"Thatisapuzzler，\"saidhe，\"isn\'tit?\"
\"Andhowdidyoumakeit，dear?bywriting?\"
\"No。\"
\"Byfeesfromthepoorpeople?\"
\"What，undersellmybrethren!Hangit，no!Mydear，Imadeithonestly，andsomedayIwilltellyouhowImadeit；atpresent，allIwilltellyouisthis:Isawmydarlinglongingforsomethingshehadarighttolongfor；Isawthetearsinhersweeteyes，and——oh，comealong，do。IamwretchedtillIseeyouwiththethingsinyourhand。\"
Theywenttotheshop；andStainessatandwatchedRosabuyingbaby-clothes。Oh，itwasaprettysighttoseethismodestyoungcreature，littlemorethanachildherself，anticipatingmaternity，butblushingeverynowandthen，andlookingaskantatherlordandmaster。Howhisverybowelsyearnedoverher!
Andwhentheygothome，shespreadthethingsonatable，andtheysathandinhand，andlookedatthem，andsheleanedherheadonhisshoulder，andwentquietlytosleepthere。
Andyet，astimerolledon，shebecameirritableattimes，andimpatient，andwantedallmannerofthingsshecouldnothave，andmadehimunhappy。
Thenhewasoutfromsixo\'clocktillone，andshetookitintoherheadtobejealous。Somanyhourstospendawayfromher!Nowthatshewantedallhiscomfort。
Presently，Ellen，thenewmaid，gotgossipingintheyard，andagroomtoldherhermasterhadasweetheartonthesly，hethought；
forhedrovethebroughamouteveryeveninghimself；\"and，\"saidtheman，\"hewearsamustacheatnight。\"
Ellenranin，brimfulofthis，andtoldthecook；thecooktoldthewasherwoman；thewasherwomantoldadozenfamilies，tillabouttwohundredpeopleknewit。
AtlastitcametoMrs。Stainesinaroundaboutway，attheverymomentwhenshewascomplainingtoLadyCicelyTreherneofherhardlot。Shehadbeentellinghershewasnothingmorethanalay-
figureinthehouse。
\"Myhusbandishousekeepernow，andcook，andall，andmakesmedeliciousdishes，Icantellyou；SUCHcurries!Icouldn\'tkeepthehousewithfivepoundsaweek，sonowhedoesitwiththree:
andInevergetthecarriage，becausewalkingisbestforme；andhetakesitouteverynighttomakemoney。Idon\'tunderstandit。\"
LadyCicelysuggestedthatperhapsDr。Stainesthoughtitbestforhertoberelievedofallworry，andsoundertookthehousekeeping。
\"No，no，no，\"saidRosa；\"Iusedtopaythemallapartoftheirbills，andthenalittlemore，andsoIkeptgettingdeeper；andI
wasashamedtotellChristie，sothathecallsdeceit；andoh，hespoketomesocruellyonce!Buthewasverysorryafterwards，poordear!Whyaregirlsbroughtupsosilly?allpiano，andnosense；andwhyaremensillierstilltogoandmarrysuchsillythings?Awife!Iamnotsomuchasaservant。Oh，Iamfinelyhumiliated，and，\"withasuddenheartynaiveteallherown，\"itservesmejustright。\"
WhileLadyCicelywaspuzzlingthisout，incamealetter。Rosaopenedit，readit，andgaveacrylikeawoundeddeer。
\"Oh!\"shecried，\"Iamamiserablewoman。Whatwillbecomeofme?\"
Theletterinformedherbluntlythatherhusbanddrovehisbroughamouteverynighttopursueacriminalamour。
WhileRosawaswringingherhandsinrealanguishofheart，LadyCicelyreadthelettercarefully。
\"Idon\'tbelievethis，\"saidshequietly。
\"Nottrue!Why，whowouldbesowickedastostabapoor，inoffensivewretchlikeme，ifitwasn\'ttrue?\"
\"Thefirstuglywomanwould，inaminute。Don\'tyouseethewitercan\'ttellyouwherehegoes?Dwiveshisbwoughamout!Thatisallyourinfaumantknows。\"
\"Oh，mydearfriend，blessyou!WhathaveIbeencomplainingtoyouabout?Allislight，excepttolosehislove。WhatshallI
do?Iwillnevertellhim。IwillneveraffronthimbysayingI
suspectedhim。\"
\"Wosa，ifyoudothat，youwillalwayshaveaserpentgnawingyou。
No；youmustputtheletterquietlyintohishand，andsay，\'Isthereanytruthinthat?\'\"
\"Oh，Icouldnot。Ihaven\'tthecourage。IfIdothat，Ishallknowbyhisfaceifthereisanytruthinit。\"
\"Well，andyoumustknowthetwuth。Youshallknowit。Iwanttoknowittoo；forifhedoesnotloveyoutwuly，Iwillnevaatwustmyselftoanythingsodeceitfulasaman。\"
Rosaatlastconsentedtofollowthisadvice。
AfterdinnersheputtheletterintoChristopher\'shand，andaskedhimquietlywasthereanytruthinthat:thenherhandstrembled，andhereyesdrankhim。
Christopherreadit，andfrowned；thenhelookedup，andsaid，\"No，notaword。Whatscoundrelsthereareintheworld!Togoandtellyouthat，NOW!Why，youlittlegoose!haveyoubeensillyenoughtobelieveit?\"
\"No，\"saidsheirresolutely。\"ButDOyoudrivethebroughamouteverynight?\"
\"ExceptSunday。\"
\"Where?\"
\"Mydearwife，IneverlovedyouasIloveyounow；andifitwasnotforyou，Ishouldnotdrivethebroughamoutofnights。ThatisallIshalltellyouatpresent；butsomedayI\'lltellyouallaboutit。\"
Hetooksuchacalmhighhandwithheraboutit，thatshesubmittedtoleaveitthere；butfromthismomenttheserpentdoubtnibbledher。
Ithadonecuriouseffect，though。Sheleftoffcomplainingoftrifles。
NowithappenedonenightthatLadyCicelyTreherneandafriendwereataconcertinHanoverSquare。Theotherladyfeltratherfaint，andLadyCicelyofferedtotakeherhome。Thecarriageshadnotyetarrived，andMissMacnamarasaidtowalkafewstepswoulddohergood:asmartcabmansawthemfromadistanceanddroveup，andtouchinghishatsaid，\"Cab，ladies?\"
Itseemedaverysuperiorcab，andMissMacnamarasaid\"Yes\"
directly。
Thecabmanbustleddownandopenedthedoor；MissMacnamaragotinfirst，thenLadyCicely；hereyefellonthecabman\'sface，whichwaslightedfullbyastreet-lamp，anditwasChristopherStaines!
Hestartedandwinced；butthewomanoftheworldnevermovedamuscle。
\"Whereto?\"saidStaines，avertinghishead。
Shetoldhimwhere，andwhentheygotout，said，\"I\'llsendityoubytheservant。\"
Aflunkeysoonafterappearedwithhalf-a-crown，andtheamateurcoachmandroveaway。Hesaidtohimself，\"Come，mymustacheisabetterdisguisethanIthought。\"
Nextday，andthedayafter，heaskedRosa，withaffectedcarelessness，hadsheheardanythingofLadyCicely。
\"No，dear；butIdaresayshewillcallthisafternoon:itisherday。\"
Shedidcallatlast，andafterafewwordswithRosa，becamealittlerestless，andaskedifshemightconsultDr。Staines。
\"Certainly，dear。Cometohisstudio。\"
\"No；mightIseehimhere?\"
\"Certainly。\"Sherangthebell，andtoldtheservanttoaskDr。
Stainesifhewouldbekindenoughtostepintothedrawing-room。
Dr。Stainescamein，andbowedtoLadyCicely，andeyedheralittleuncomfortably。
Shebegan，however，inawaythatputhimquiteathisease。\"YouremembertheadviceyougaveusaboutmylittlecousinTadcastah。\"
\"Perfectly:hislifeisveryprecarious；heisbilious，consumptive，and，ifnotwatched，willbeepileptical；andhehasafond，weakmother，whowilllethimkillhimself。\"
\"Exactly:andyouwecommendedaseavoyage，withamedicalattendanttowatchhisdiet，andcontwolhishabits。Well，shetookotheradvice，andtheyouthisworse；sonowsheisfwightened，andamonthagosheaskedmetopwoposetoyoutosailaboutwithTadcastah；andsheofferedmeathousandpoundsayear。
Iputonmystifflook，andsaid，\'Countess，witheverydesiahtoobligeyou，Imustdeclinetocawwythatoffahtoamanofgenius，learning，andweputation，whohastheballathisfeetinLondon。\'\"
\"Lordforgiveyou，LadyCicely。\"
\"LordblessherforstandingupformyChristie。\"
LadyCicelycontinued:\"Now，thisgoodlady，youmustknow，isnotexactlyoneofus:thelateearlmawwiedintocotton，orwool，orsomething。Soshesaid，\'Nameyourpriceforhim。\'Ishwuggedmyshoulders，smiledaffably，andasaffectedlyasyoulike，andchangedthesubject。Butsincethenthingshavehappened。Iamafwaiditismydutytomakeyouthejudgewhetheryouchoosetosailaboutwiththatlittlecub——Rosa，Icanbeataboutthebushnolonger。Isitafitthingthatamanofgenius，atwhosefeetweoughtalltobesittingwithreverence，shoulddriveacabinthepublicstreets?Yes，RosaStaines，yourhusbanddriveshisbroughamoutatnight，nottovisitanyotherlady，asthatanonymouswretchtoldyou，buttomakeafewmisewableshillingsforyou。\"
\"Oh，Christie!\"
\"Itisnouse，Dr。Staines；Imustandwilltellher。Mydear，hedroveMEthreenightsago。Hehadacabman\'sbadgeonhispoorarm。IfyouknewwhatIsufferedinthosefiveminutes!Indeeditseemscrueltospeakofit——butIcouldnotkeepitfromRosa，andthereasonImustercouragetosayitbeforeyou，sir，itisbecauseIknowshehasotherfriendswhokeepyououtoftheirconsultations；and，afterall，itistheworldthatoughttoblush，andnotyou。\"
Herladyship\'skindlybosomheaved，andshewantedtocry；soshetookherhandkerchiefoutofherpocketwithouttheleasthurry，andpresseditdelicatelytohereyes，anddidcryquietly，butwithoutanydisguise，likeabravelady，whoneithercriednordidanythingelseshewasashamedtobeseenat。
AsforRosa，shesatsobbingroundChristopher\'sneck，andkissedhimwithallhersoul。
\"Dearme!\"saidChristopher。\"Youarebothverykind。But，beggingyourpardon，itismuchadoaboutnothing。\"
LadyCicelytooknonoticeofthatobservation。\"So，Rosadear，\"
saidshe，\"Ithinkyouarethepersontodecidewhetherhehadnotbettersailaboutwiththatlittlecub，than——oh!\"
\"Iwillsettlethat，\"saidStaines。\"Ihaveonebelovedcreaturetoprovidefor。Imayhaveanother。IMUSTmakemoney。Turningabroughamintoacab，whateveryoumaythink，isanhonestwayofmakingit，andIamnotthefirstdoctorwhohascoinedhisbroughamatnight。ButifthereisagooddealofmoneytobemadebysailingwithLordTadcaster，ofcourseIshouldpreferthattocab-driving，forIhavenevermadeabovetwelveshillingsanight。\"
\"Oh，astothat，sheshallgiveyoufifteenhundredayear。\"
\"ThenIjumpatit。\"
\"What!andleaveME?\"
\"Yes，love:leaveyou——foryourgood；andonlyforatime。LadyCicely，itisanobleoffer。MydarlingRosawillhaveeverycomfort——ay，everyluxury，tillIcomehome，andthenwewillstartafreshwithagoodbalance，andwithmoreexperiencethanwedidatfirst。\"
LadyCicelygazedonhimwithwonder。Shesaid，\"Oh!whatstoutheartsmenhave!No，no；don\'tlethimgo。See；heisacting。
Hisgreatheartistornwithagony。Iwillhavenohandinpartingmanandwife——no，notforaday。\"Andshehurriedawayinrareagitation。
Rosafellonherknees，andaskedChristopher\'spardonforhavingbeenjealous；andthatdayshewasafloodofdivinetenderness。
Sherepaidhimrichlyfordrivingthecab。ButshewasunnaturallycoolaboutLadyCicely；andtheexquisitereasonsooncameout。
\"Ohyes!Sheisverygood；verykind；butitisnotformenow!
No!youshallnotsailaboutwithhercubofacousin，andleavemeatsuchatime。\"
Christophergroaned。
\"Christie，youshallnotseethatladyagain。Shecameheretopartus。SHEISINLOVEWITHYOU。Iwasblindnottoseeitbefore。\"
Nextday，asLadyCicelysataloneinthemorning-roomthinkingoverthisveryscene，afootmanbroughtinacardandanote。\"Dr。
StainesbegsparticularlytoseeLadyCicelyTreherne。\"
Thelady\'spalecheekcolored；shestoodirresoluteasinglemoment。\"IwillseeDr。Staines，\"saidshe。
Dr。Stainescamein，lookingpaleandworn；hehadnotsleptawinksinceshesawhimlast。
Shelookedathimfull，anddivinedthisataglance。Shemotionedhimtoaseat，andsatdownherself，withherwhitehandpressingherforehead，andherheadturnedalittleawayfromhim。
CHAPTERXIII。
Hetoldherhehadcometothankherforhergreatkindness，andtoaccepttheoffer。
Shesighed。\"Ihopeditwastodeclineit。Thinkofthemiseryofseparation，bothtoyouandher。\"
\"Itwillbemisery。Butwearenothappyasitis，andshecannotbearpoverty。Norisitfairsheshould，whenIcangivehereverycomfortbyjustplayingthemanforayearortwo。\"HethentoldLadyCicelythereweremorereasonsthanhechosetomention:gohemust，andwould；andheimploredhernottolettheaffairdrop。
Inshort，hewassadbutresolved，andshefoundshemustgoonwithit，orbreakfaithwithhim。Shetookherdesk，andwrotealetterconcludingthebargainforhim。Shestipulatedforhalftheyear\'sfeeinadvance。ShereadDr。Stainestheletter。
\"YouAREafriend!\"saidhe。\"Ishouldneverhaveventuredonthat；itwillbeagodsendtomypoorRosa。YouwillbekindtoherwhenIamgone?\"
\"Iwill。\"
\"SowillUnclePhilip，Ithink。IwillseehimbeforeIgo，andshakehands。Hehasbeenagoodfriendtome；buthewastooharduponHER；andIcouldnotstandthat。\"
Thenhethankedandblessedheragain，withthetearsinhiseyes，andlefthermoredisturbedandtearfulthanshehadeverbeensinceshegrewtowoman。\"Ocruelpoverty!\"shethought，\"thatsuchamanshouldbetornfromhishome，andthankmefordoingit——
allforalittlemoney——andherearewepoorcommonplacecreaturesrollinginit。\"
Staineshurriedhome，andtoldhiswife。Sheclungtohimconvulsively，andweptbitterly；butshemadenodirectattempttoshakehisresolution；shesaw，byhisironlook，thatshecouldonlyafflict，notturnhim。
NextdaycameLadyCicelytoseeher。LadyCicelywasveryuneasyinhermind，andwantedtoknowwhetherRosawasreconciledtotheseparation。
Rosareceivedherwithaforcedpolitenessandanicycoldnessthatpetrifiedher。Shecouldnotstaylonginfaceofsuchareception。Atparting，shesaid，sadly，\"Youlookonmeasanenemy。\"
\"Whatelsecanyouexpect，whenyoupartmyhusbandandme?\"saidRosa，withquietsternness。
\"Imeantwell，\"saidLadyCicelysorrowfully；\"butIwishIhadneverinterfered。\"
\"SodoI，\"andshebegantocry。
LadyCicelymadenoanswer。Shewentquietlyaway，hangingherheadsadly。
Rosawasunjust，butshewasnotrudenorvulgar；andLadyCicely\'stemperwassowellgovernedthatitneverblindedherheart。Shewithdrew，butwithouttheleastideaofquarrellingwithherafflictedfriend，orabandoningher。Shewentquietlyhome，andwrotetoLady——，tosaythatsheshouldbegladtoreceiveDr。
Staines\'sadvanceassoonasconvenient，sinceMrs。Staineswouldhavetomakefresharrangements，andthemoneymightbeuseful。
Themoneywasforthcomingdirectly。LadyCicelybroughtittoDearStreet，andhandedittoDr。Staines。Hiseyessparkledatthesightofit。
\"GivemylovetoRosa，\"saidshesoftly，andcuthervisitveryshort。
StainestookthemoneytoRosa，andsaid，\"Seewhatourbestfriendhasbroughtus。Youshallhavefourhundred，andIhope，afterthebitterlessonsyouhavehad，youwillbeabletodowiththatforsomemonths。ThetwohundredIshallkeepasareservefundforyoutodrawon。\"
\"No，no!\"saidRosa。\"Ishallgoandlivewithmyfather，andneverspendapenny。OChristie，ifyouknewhowIhatemyselfforthefollythatispartingus!Oh，whydon\'ttheyteachgirlssenseandmoney，insteadofmusicandtheglobes?\"
ButChristopheropenedabankingaccountforher，andgaveheracheck-book，andentreatedhertopayeverythingbycheck，andrunnobillswhatever；andshepromised。HealsoadvertisedtheBijou，andputabillinthewindow:\"Theleaseofthishouse，andthefurniture，tobesold。\"
Rosacriedbitterlyatsightofit，thinkinghowhighinhopetheywere，whentheyhadtheirfirstdinnerthere，andalsowhenshewenttoherfirstsaletobuythefurniturecheap。
Andnoweverythingmovedwithterriblerapidity。TheAmphitritewastosailfromPlymouthinfivedays；and，meantime，therewassomuchtobedone，thatthedaysseemedtogallopaway。
Dr。Stainesforgotnothing。Hemadehiswillinduplicate，leavingalltohiswife；heleftonecopyatDoctors\'Commonsandanotherwithhislawyer；inventoriedallhisfurnitureandeffectsinduplicate，too；wrotetoUnclePhilip，andthencalledonhimtoseekareconciliation。Unfortunately，Dr。PhilipwasinScotland。
AtlastthissadpairwentdowntoPlymouthtogether，theretomeetLordTadcasterandgoonboardH。M。S。Amphitrite，lyingoutatanchor，underordersfortheAustralianStation。
Theymetattheinn，asappointed；andsentwordoftheirarrivalonboardthefrigate，askingtoremainonshoretillthelastminute。
Dr。StainespresentedhispatienttoRosa；andafteralittlewhiledrewhimapartandquestionedhimprofessionally。Hethenaskedforaprivateroom。HereheandRosareallytookleave；forwhatcouldthepoorthingssaytoeachotheronacrowdedquay?Hebeggedherforgiveness，onhisknees，forhavingoncespokenharshlytoher，andshetoldhim，withpassionatesobs，hehadneverspokenharshlytoher；herfollyitwashadpartedthem。
Poorwretches!theyclungtogetherwithathousandvowsofloveandconstancy。Theyweretoprayforeachotheratthesamehours:tothinkofsomekindwordorlovingact，atotherstatedhours；andsotheytriedtofightwiththeirsufferingmindsagainstthecruelseparation；andifeithershoulddie，theotherwastoliveweddedtomemory，andneverlistentolovefromotherlips；butno!Godwaspitiful；Hewouldletthemmeetagainerelong，topartnomore。Theyrockedineachother\'sarms；theycriedovereachother——itwaspitiful。
