suggestedshehadbetterdosoatonce，andthentherewouldbenofurthertroubleeitherwithrememberingorforgetting。Shecomplied，onconditionthatIwouldnotthinkofreading，orbotheringwiththebooksnow；forshewantedtoshowmethegardens，andtakeawalkintheparkwithme，beforeitbecametoohotforenjoyment；which，indeed，wasnearlythecasealready。
OfcourseIreadilyassented；andwetookourwalkaccordingly。
Aswewerestrollinginthepark，talkingofwhatmycompanionhadseenandheardduringhertravellingexperience，agentlemanonhorsebackrodeupandpassedus。Asheturned，inpassing，andstaredmefullintheface，Ihadagoodopportunityofseeingwhathewaslike。Hewastall，thin，andwasted，withaslightstoopintheshoulders，apaleface，butsomewhatblotchy，anddisagreeablyredabouttheeyelids，plainfeatures，andageneralappearanceoflanguorandflatness，relievedbyasinisterexpressioninthemouthandthedull，soullesseyes。
\'Idetestthatman!\'whisperedLadyAshby，withbitteremphasis，asheslowlytrottedby。
\'Whoisit？\'Iasked，unwillingtosupposethatsheshouldsospeakofherhusband。
\'SirThomasAshby，\'shereplied，withdrearycomposure。
\'AnddoyouDETESThim，MissMurray？\'saidI，forIwastoomuchshockedtorememberhernameatthemoment。
\'Yes，Ido，MissGrey，anddespisehimtoo；andifyouknewhimyouwouldnotblameme。\'
\'Butyouknewwhathewasbeforeyoumarriedhim。\'
\'No；Ionlythoughtso:Ididnothalfknowhimreally。
Iknowyouwarnedmeagainstit，andIwishIhadlistenedtoyou:butit\'stoolatetoregretthatnow。Andbesides，mammaoughttohaveknownbetterthaneitherofus，andsheneversaidanythingagainstit-quitethecontrary。AndthenIthoughtheadoredme，andwouldletmehavemyownway:hedidpretendtodosoatfirst，butnowhedoesnotcareabitaboutme。YetIshouldnotcareforthat:hemightdoashepleased，ifImightonlybefreetoamusemyselfandtostayinLondon，orhaveafewfriendsdownhere:
butHEWILLdoashepleases，andImustbeaprisonerandaslave。
ThemomenthesawIcouldenjoymyselfwithouthim，andthatothersknewmyvaluebetterthanhimself，theselfishwretchbegantoaccusemeofcoquetryandextravagance；andtoabuseHarryMeltham，whoseshoeshewasnotworthytoclean。Andthenhemustneedshavemedowninthecountry，toleadthelifeofanun，lestI
shoulddishonourhimorbringhimtoruin；asifhehadnotbeententimesworseeveryway，withhisbetting-book，andhisgaming-
table，andhisopera-girls，andhisLadyThisandMrs。That-yes，andhisbottlesofwine，andglassesofbrandy-and-watertoo!
Oh，IwouldgivetenthousandworldstobeMssMurrayagain!ItisTOO
badtofeellife，health，andbeautywastingaway，unfeltandunenjoyed，forsuchabruteasthat!\'exclaimedshe，fairlyburstingintotearsinthebitternessofhervexation。
Ofcourse，Ipitiedherexceedingly；aswellforherfalseideaofhappinessanddisregardofduty，asforthewretchedpartnerwithwhomherfatewaslinked。IsaidwhatIcouldtocomforther，andofferedsuchcounselsasIthoughtshemostrequired:advisingher，first，bygentlereasoning，bykindness，example，andpersuasion，totrytoameliorateherhusband；andthen，whenshehaddoneallshecould，ifshestillfoundhimincorrigible，toendeavourtoabstractherselffromhim-towrapherselfupinherownintegrity，andtroubleherselfaslittleabouthimaspossible。
IexhortedhertoseekconsolationindoingherdutytoGodandman，toputhertrustinHeaven，andsolaceherselfwiththecareandnurtureofherlittledaughter；assuringhershewouldbeamplyrewardedbywitnessingitsprogressinstrengthandwisdom，andreceivingitsgenuineaffection。
\'ButIcan\'tdevotemyselfentirelytoachild，\'saidshe；\'itmaydie-whichisnotatallimprobable。\'
\'But，withcare，manyadelicateinfanthasbecomeastrongmanorwoman。\'
\'ButitmaygrowsointolerablylikeitsfatherthatIshallhateit。\'
\'Thatisnotlikely；itisalittlegirl，andstronglyresemblesitsmother。\'
\'Nomatter；Ishouldlikeitbetterifitwereaboy-onlythatitsfatherwillleaveitnoinheritancethathecanpossiblysquanderaway。WhatpleasurecanIhaveinseeingagirlgrowuptoeclipseme，andenjoythosepleasuresthatIamforeverdebarredfrom？ButsupposingIcouldbesogenerousastotakedelightinthis，stillitisONLYachild；andIcan\'tcentreallmyhopesinachild:thatisonlyonedegreebetterthandevotingoneselftoadog。Andasforallthewisdomandgoodnessyouhavebeentryingtoinstilintome-thatisallveryrightandproper，Idaresay，andifIweresometwentyyearsolder，Imightfructifybyit:butpeoplemustenjoythemselveswhentheyareyoung；andifotherswon\'tletthem-why，theymusthatethemforit!\'
\'Thebestwaytoenjoyyourselfistodowhatisrightandhatenobody。TheendofReligionisnottoteachushowtodie，buthowtolive；andtheearlieryoubecomewiseandgood，themoreofhappinessyousecure。Andnow，LadyAshby，Ihaveonemorepieceofadvicetoofferyou，whichis，thatyouwillnotmakeanenemyofyourmother-in-law。Don\'tgetintothewayofholdingheratarms\'length，andregardingherwithjealousdistrust。Ineversawher，butIhaveheardgoodaswellasevilrespectingher；andI
imaginethat，thoughcoldandhaughtyinhergeneraldemeanour，andevenexactinginherrequirements，shehasstrongaffectionsforthosewhocanreachthem；and，thoughsoblindlyattachedtoherson，sheisnotwithoutgoodprinciples，orincapableofhearingreason。Ifyouwouldbutconciliateheralittle，andadoptafriendly，openmanner-andevenconfideyourgrievancestoher-
realgrievances，suchasyouhavearighttocomplainof-itismyfirmbeliefthatshewould，intime，becomeyourfaithfulfriend，andacomfortandsupporttoyou，insteadoftheincubusyoudescribeher。\'ButIfearmyadvicehadlittleeffectupontheunfortunateyounglady；and，findingIcouldrendermyselfsolittleserviceable，myresidenceatAshbyParkbecamedoublypainful。Butstill，Imuststayoutthatdayandthefollowingone，asIhadpromisedtodoso:though，resistingallentreatiesandinducementstoprolongmyvisitfurther，Iinsistedupondepartingthenextmorning；affirmingthatmymotherwouldbelonelywithoutme，andthatsheimpatientlyexpectedmyreturn。
Nevertheless，itwaswithaheavyheartthatIbadeadieutopoorLadyAshby，andleftherinherprincelyhome。Itwasnoslightadditionalproofofherunhappiness，thatsheshouldsoclingtotheconsolationofmypresence，andearnestlydesirethecompanyofonewhosegeneraltastesandideasweresolittlecongenialtoherown-whomshehadcompletelyforgotteninherhourofprosperity，andwhosepresencewouldberatheranuisancethanapleasure，ifshecouldbuthavehalfherheart\'sdesire。
chapter24
CHAPTERXXIV-THESANDS
OURschoolwasnotsituatedintheheartofthetown:onenteringA-fromthenorth-westthereisarowofrespectable-lookinghouses，oneachsideofthebroad，whiteroad，withnarrowslipsofgarden-groundbeforethem，Venetianblindstothewindows，andaflightofstepsleadingtoeachtrim，brass-handleddoor。InoneofthelargestofthesehabitationsdweltmymotherandI，withsuchyoungladiesasourfriendsandthepublicchosetocommittoourcharge。Consequently，wewereaconsiderabledistancefromthesea，anddividedfromitbyalabyrinthofstreetsandhouses。
Buttheseawasmydelight；andIwouldoftengladlypiercethetowntoobtainthepleasureofawalkbesideit，whetherwiththepupils，oralonewithmymotherduringthevacations。Itwasdelightfultomeatalltimesandseasons，butespeciallyinthewildcommotionofaroughsea-breeze，andinthebrilliantfreshnessofasummermorning。
IawokeearlyonthethirdmorningaftermyreturnfromAshbyPark-thesunwasshiningthroughtheblind，andIthoughthowpleasantitwouldbetopassthroughthequiettownandtakeasolitaryrambleonthesandswhilehalftheworldwasinbed。Iwasnotlonginformingtheresolution，norslowtoactuponit。OfcourseIwouldnotdisturbmymother，soIstolenoiselesslydownstairs，andquietlyunfastenedthedoor。Iwasdressedandout，whenthechurchclockstruckaquartertosix。Therewasafeelingoffreshnessandvigourintheverystreets；andwhenIgotfreeofthetown，whenmyfootwasonthesandsandmyfacetowardsthebroad，brightbay，nolanguagecandescribetheeffectofthedeep，clearazureoftheskyandocean，thebrightmorningsunshineonthesemicircularbarrierofcraggycliffssurmountedbygreenswellinghills，andonthesmooth，widesands，andthelowrocksoutatsea-looking，withtheirclothingofweedsandmoss，likelittlegrass-grownislands-andaboveall，onthebrilliant，sparklingwaves。Andthen，theunspeakablepurity-andfreshnessoftheair!Therewasjustenoughheattoenhancethevalueofthebreeze，andjustenoughwindtokeepthewholeseainmotion，tomakethewavescomeboundingtotheshore，foamingandsparkling，asifwildwithglee。Nothingelsewasstirring-nolivingcreaturewasvisiblebesidesmyself。Myfootstepswerethefirsttopressthefirm，unbrokensands；-nothingbeforehadtrampledthemsincelastnight\'sflowingtidehadobliteratedthedeepestmarksofyesterday，andleftthemfairandeven，exceptwherethesubsidingwaterhadleftbehinditthetracesofdimpledpoolsandlittlerunningstreams。
Refreshed，delighted，invigorated，Iwalkedalong，forgettingallmycares，feelingasifIhadwingstomyfeet，andcouldgoatleastfortymileswithoutfatigue，andexperiencingasenseofexhilarationtowhichIhadbeenanentirestrangersincethedaysofearlyyouth。Abouthalf-pastsix，however，thegroomsbegantocomedowntoairtheirmasters\'horses-firstone，andthenanother，tillthereweresomedozenhorsesandfiveorsixriders:
butthatneednottroubleme，fortheywouldnotcomeasfarasthelowrockswhichIwasnowapproaching。WhenIhadreachedthese，andwalkedoverthemoist，slipperysea-weed(attheriskofflounderingintooneofthenumerouspoolsofclear，saltwaterthatlaybetweenthem)，toalittlemossypromontorywiththeseasplashingroundit，Ilookedbackagaintoseewhonextwasstirring。Still，therewereonlytheearlygroomswiththeirhorses，andonegentlemanwithalittledarkspeckofadogrunningbeforehim，andonewater-cartcomingoutofthetowntogetwaterforthebaths。Inanotherminuteortwo，thedistantbathingmachineswouldbegintomove，andthentheelderlygentlemenofregularhabitsandsoberquakerladieswouldbecomingtotaketheirsalutarymorningwalks。Buthoweverinterestingsuchascenemightbe，Icouldnotwaittowitnessit，forthesunandtheseasodazzledmyeyesinthatdirection，thatIcouldbutaffordoneglance；andthenIturnedagaintodelightmyselfwiththesightandthesoundofthesea，dashingagainstmypromontory-withnoprodigiousforce，fortheswellwasbrokenbythetangledsea-weedandtheunseenrocksbeneath；otherwiseIshouldsoonhavebeendelugedwithspray。Butthetidewascomingin；thewaterwasrising；thegulfsandlakeswerefilling；thestraitswerewidening:itwastimetoseeksomesaferfooting；soIwalked，skipped，andstumbledbacktothesmooth，widesands，andresolvedtoproceedtoacertainboldprojectioninthecliffs，andthenreturn。
Presently，Iheardasnufflingsoundbehindmeandthenadogcamefriskingandwrigglingtomyfeet。ItwasmyownSnap-thelittledark，wire-hairedterrier!WhenIspokehisname，heleaptupinmyfaceandyelledforjoy。Almostasmuchdelightedashimself，I
caughtthelittlecreatureinmyarms，andkissedhimrepeatedly。
Buthowcamehetobethere？Hecouldnothavedroppedfromthesky，orcomeallthatwayalone:itmustbeeitherhismaster，therat-catcher，orsomebodyelsethathadbroughthim；so，repressingmyextravagantcaresses，andendeavouringtorepresshislikewise，Ilookedround，andbeheld-Mr。Weston!
\'Yourdogremembersyouwell，MissGrey，\'saidhe，warmlygraspingthehandIofferedhimwithoutclearlyknowingwhatIwasabout。
\'Youriseearly。\'
\'Notoftensoearlyasthis，\'Ireplied，withamazingcomposure，consideringallthecircumstancesofthecase。
\'Howfardoyoupurposetoextendyourwalk？\'
\'Iwasthinkingofreturning-itmustbealmosttime，Ithink。\'
Heconsultedhiswatch-agoldonenow-andtoldmeitwasonlyfiveminutespastseven。
\'But，doubtless，youhavehadalongenoughwalk，\'saidhe，turningtowardsthetown，towhichInowproceededleisurelytoretracemysteps；andhewalkedbesideme。
\'Inwhatpartofthetowndoyoulive？\'askedhe。\'Inevercoulddiscover。\'
Nevercoulddiscover？Hadheendeavouredtodosothen？
Itoldhimtheplaceofourabode。Heaskedhowweprosperedinouraffairs。Itoldhimweweredoingverywell-thatwehadhadaconsiderableadditiontoourpupilsaftertheChristmasvacation，andexpectedastillfurtherincreaseatthecloseofthis。
\'Youmustbeanaccomplishedinstructor，\'heobserved。
\'No，itismymother，\'Ireplied；\'shemanagesthingssowell，andissoactive，andclever，andkind。\'
\'Ishouldliketoknowyourmother。Willyouintroducemetohersometime，ifIcall？\'
\'Yes，willingly。\'
\'Andwillyouallowmetheprivilegeofanoldfriend，oflookinginuponyounowandthen？\'
\'Yes，if-Isupposeso。\'
Thiswasaveryfoolishanswer，butthetruthwas，IconsideredthatIhadnorighttoinviteanyonetomymother\'shousewithoutherknowledge；andifIhadsaid，\'Yes，ifmymotherdoesnotobject，\'itwouldappearasifbyhisquestionIunderstoodmorethanwasexpected；so，SUPPOSINGshewouldnot，Iadded，\'Isupposeso:\'butofcourseIshouldhavesaidsomethingmoresensibleandmorepolite，ifIhadhadmywitsaboutme。Wecontinuedourwalkforaminuteinsilence；which，however，wasshortlyrelieved(nosmallrelieftome)byMr。Westoncommentinguponthebrightnessofthemorningandthebeautyofthebay，andthenupontheadvantagesA-possessedovermanyotherfashionableplacesofresort。
\'Youdon\'taskwhatbringsmetoA-\'saidhe。\'Youcan\'tsupposeI\'mrichenoughtocomeformyownpleasure。\'
\'IheardyouhadleftHorton。\'
\'Youdidn\'thear，then，thatIhadgotthelivingofF-？\'
F-wasavillageabouttwomilesdistantfromA。
\'No，\'saidI；\'welivesocompletelyoutoftheworld，evenhere，thatnewsseldomreachesmethroughanyquarter；exceptthroughthemediumofthe-GAZETTE。ButIhopeyoulikeyournewparish；
andthatImaycongratulateyouontheacquisition？\'
\'Iexpecttolikemyparishbetterayearortwohence，whenIhaveworkedcertainreformsIhavesetmyheartupon-or，atleast，progressedsomestepstowardssuchanachievement。Butyoumaycongratulatemenow；forIfinditveryagreeabletoHAVEaparishalltomyself，withnobodytointerferewithme-tothwartmyplansorcripplemyexertions:andbesides，Ihavearespectablehouseinaratherpleasantneighbourhood，andthreehundredpoundsayear；and，infact，Ihavenothingbutsolitudetocomplainof，andnothingbutacompaniontowishfor。\'
Helookedatmeasheconcluded:andtheflashofhisdarkeyesseemedtosetmyfaceonfire；greatlytomyowndiscomfiture，fortoevinceconfusionatsuchajuncturewasintolerable。Imadeaneffort，therefore，toremedytheevil，anddisclaimallpersonalapplicationoftheremarkbyahasty，ill-expressedreply，totheeffectthat，ifhewaitedtillhewaswellknownintheneighbourhood，hemighthavenumerousopportunitiesforsupplyinghiswantamongtheresidentsofF-anditsvicinity，orthevisitorsofA-，ifherequiredsoampleachoice:notconsideringthecomplimentimpliedbysuchanassertion，tillhisanswermademeawareofit。
\'Iamnotsopresumptuousastobelievethat，\'saidhe，\'thoughyoutellitme；butifitwereso，Iamratherparticularinmynotionsofacompanionforlife，andperhapsImightnotfindonetosuitmeamongtheladiesyoumention。\'
\'Ifyourequireperfection，youneverwill。\'
\'Idonot-Ihavenorighttorequireit，asbeingsofarfromperfectmyself。\'
Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbyawater-cartlumberingpastus，forwewerenowcometothebusypartofthesands；and，forthenexteightortenminutes，betweencartsandhorses，andasses，andmen，therewaslittleroomforsocialintercourse，tillwehadturnedourbacksuponthesea，andbeguntoascendtheprecipitousroadleadingintothetown。Heremycompanionofferedmehisarm，whichIaccepted，thoughnotwiththeintentionofusingitasasupport。
\'Youdon\'toftencomeontothesands，Ithink，\'saidhe，\'forI
havewalkedtheremanytimes，bothmorningandevening，sinceI
came，andneverseenyoutillnow；andseveraltimes，inpassingthroughthetown，too，Ihavelookedaboutforyourschool-butI
didnotthinkofthe-Road；andonceortwiceImadeinquiries，butwithoutobtainingtherequisiteinformation。\'
Whenwehadsurmountedtheacclivity，Iwasabouttowithdrawmyarmfromhis，butbyaslighttighteningoftheelbowwastacitlyinformedthatsuchwasnothiswill，andaccordinglydesisted。
Discoursingondifferentsubjects，weenteredthetown，andpassedthroughseveralstreets。Isawthathewasgoingoutofhiswaytoaccompanyme，notwithstandingthelongwalkthatwasyetbeforehim；and，fearingthathemightbeinconveniencinghimselffrommotivesofpoliteness，Iobserved-\'IfearIamtakingyououtofyourway，Mr。Weston-IbelievetheroadtoF-liesquiteinanotherdirection。\'
\'I\'llleaveyouattheendofthenextstreet，\'saidhe。
\'Andwhenwillyoucometoseemamma？\'
\'To-morrow-Godwilling。\'
Theendofthenextstreetwasnearlytheconclusionofmyjourney。
Hestoppedthere，however，bidmegood-morning，andcalledSnap，whoseemedalittledoubtfulwhethertofollowhisoldmistressorhisnewmaster，buttrottedawayuponbeingsummonedbythelatter。
\'Iwon\'toffertorestorehimtoyou，MissGrey，\'saidMr。Weston，smiling，\'becauseIlikehim。\'
\'Oh，Idon\'twanthim，\'repliedI，\'nowthathehasagoodmaster；
I\'mquitesatisfied。\'
\'YoutakeitforgrantedthatIamagoodone，then？\'
Themanandthedogdeparted，andIreturnedhome，fullofgratitudetoheavenforsomuchbliss，andprayingthatmyhopesmightnotagainbecrushed。
chapter25
CHAPTERXXV-CONCLUSION
\'WELL，Agnes，youmustnottakesuchlongwalksagainbeforebreakfast，\'saidmymother，observingthatIdrankanextracupofcoffeeandatenothing-pleadingtheheatoftheweather，andthefatigueofmylongwalkasanexcuse。Icertainlydidfeelfeverishandtiredtoo。
\'Youalwaysdothingsbyextremes:now，ifyouhadtakenaSHORT
walkeverymorning，andwouldcontinuetodoso，itwoulddoyougood。\'
\'Well，mamma，Iwill。\'
\'Butthisisworsethanlyinginbedorbendingoveryourbooks:
youhavequiteputyourselfintoafever。\'
\'Iwon\'tdoitagain，\'saidI。
IwasrackingmybrainswiththinkinghowtotellheraboutMr。
Weston，forshemustknowhewascomingto-morrow。However，I
waitedtillthebreakfastthingswereremoved，andIwasmorecalmandcool；andthen，havingsatdowntomydrawing，Ibegan-\'Imetanoldfriendonthesandsto-day，mamma。\'
\'Anoldfriend!Whocoulditbe？\'
\'Twooldfriends，indeed。Onewasadog；\'andthenIremindedherofSnap，whosehistoryIhadrecountedbefore，andrelatedtheincidentofhissuddenappearanceandremarkablerecognition；\'andtheother，\'continuedI，\'wasMr。Weston，thecurateofHorton。\'
\'Mr。Weston!Ineverheardofhimbefore。\'
\'Yes，youhave:I\'vementionedhimseveraltimes，Ibelieve:
butyoudon\'tremember。\'
\'I\'veheardyouspeakofMr。Hatfield。\'
\'Mr。Hatfieldwastherector，andMr。Westonthecurate:IusedtomentionhimsometimesincontradistinctiontoMr。Hatfield，asbeingamoreefficientclergyman。However，hewasonthesandsthismorningwiththedog-hehadboughtit，Isuppose，fromtherat-catcher；andheknewmeaswellasitdid-probablythroughitsmeans:andIhadalittleconversationwithhim，inthecourseofwhich，asheaskedaboutourschool，Iwasledtosaysomethingaboutyou，andyourgoodmanagement；andhesaidheshouldliketoknowyou，andaskedifIwouldintroducehimtoyou，ifheshouldtakethelibertyofcallingto-morrow；soIsaidIwould。WasI
right？\'
\'Ofcourse。Whatkindofamanishe？\'
\'AveryRESPECTABLEman，Ithink:butyouwillseehimto-morrow。
HeisthenewvicarofF-，andashehasonlybeenthereafewweeks，Isupposehehasmadenofriendsyet，andwantsalittlesociety。\'
Themorrowcame。WhatafeverofanxietyandexpectationIwasinfrombreakfasttillnoon-atwhichtimehemadehisappearance!
Havingintroducedhimtomymother，Itookmyworktothewindow，andsatdowntoawaittheresultoftheinterview。Theygotonextremelywelltogether-greatlytomysatisfaction，forIhadfeltveryanxiousaboutwhatmymotherwouldthinkofhim。Hedidnotstaylongthattime:butwhenherosetotakeleave，shesaidsheshouldbehappytoseehim，wheneverhemightfinditconvenienttocallagain；andwhenhewasgone，Iwasgratifiedbyhearinghersay，-\'Well!Ithinkhe\'saverysensibleman。
Butwhydidyousitbackthere，Agnes，\'sheadded，\'andtalksolittle？\'
\'Becauseyoutalkedsowell，mamma，Ithoughtyourequirednoassistancefromme:and，besides，hewasyourvisitor，notmine。\'
Afterthat，heoftencalleduponus-severaltimesinthecourseofaweek。Hegenerallyaddressedmostofhisconversationtomymother:andnowonder，forshecouldconverse。Ialmostenviedtheunfettered，vigorousfluencyofherdiscourse，andthestrongsenseevincedbyeverythingshesaid-andyet，Ididnot；for，thoughIoccasionallyregrettedmyowndeficienciesforhissake，itgavemeverygreatpleasuretositandhearthetwobeingsI
lovedandhonouredaboveeveryoneelseintheworld，discoursingtogethersoamicably，sowisely，andsowell。Iwasnotalwayssilent，however；norwasIatallneglected。IwasquiteasmuchnoticedasIwouldwishtobe:therewasnolackofkindwordsandkinderlooks，noendofdelicateattentions，toofineandsubtletobegraspedbywords，andthereforeindescribable-butdeeplyfeltatheart。
Ceremonywasquicklydroppedbetweenus:Mr。Westoncameasanexpectedguest，welcomeatalltimes，andneverderangingtheeconomyofourhouseholdaffairs。Heevencalledme\'Agnes:\'thenamehadbeentimidlyspokenatfirst，but，findingitgavenooffenceinanyquarter，heseemedgreatlytopreferthatappellationto\'MissGrey；\'andsodidI。Howtediousandgloomywerethosedaysinwhichhedidnotcome!Andyetnotmiserable；
forIhadstilltheremembranceofthelastvisitandthehopeofthenexttocheerme。Butwhentwoorthreedayspassedwithoutmyseeinghim，Icertainlyfeltveryanxious-absurdly，unreasonablyso；for，ofcourse，hehadhisownbusinessandtheaffairsofhisparishtoattendto。AndIdreadedthecloseoftheholidays，whenMYbusinessalsowouldbegin，andIshouldbesometimesunabletoseehim，andsometimes-whenmymotherwasintheschoolroom-
obligedtobewithhimalone:apositionIdidnotatalldesire，inthehouse；thoughtomeethimoutofdoors，andwalkbesidehim，hadprovedbynomeansdisagreeable。
Oneevening，however，inthelastweekofthevacation，hearrived-unexpectedly:foraheavyandprotractedthunder-showerduringtheafternoonhadalmostdestroyedmyhopesofseeinghimthatday；
butnowthestormwasover，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。
\'Abeautifulevening，Mrs。Grey!\'saidhe，asheentered。\'Agnes，Iwantyoutotakeawalkwithmeto-\'(henamedacertainpartofthecoast-aboldhillonthelandside，andtowardstheseaasteepprecipice，fromthesummitofwhichagloriousviewistobehad)。\'Therainhaslaidthedust，andcooledandclearedtheair，andtheprospectwillbemagnificent。Willyoucome？\'
\'CanIgo，mamma？\'
\'Yes；tobesure。\'
Iwenttogetready，andwasdownagaininafewminutes；though，ofcourse，ItookalittlemorepainswithmyattirethanifIhadmerelybeengoingoutonsomeshoppingexpeditionalone。Thethunder-showerhadcertainlyhadamostbeneficialeffectupontheweather，andtheeveningwasmostdelightful。Mr。Westonwouldhavemetotakehisarm；hesaidlittleduringourpassagethroughthecrowdedstreets，butwalkedveryfast，andappearedgraveandabstracted。Iwonderedwhatwasthematter，andfeltanindefinitedreadthatsomethingunpleasantwasonhismind；andvaguesurmises，concerningwhatitmightbe，troubledmenotalittle，andmademegraveandsilentenough。Butthesefantasiesvanisheduponreachingthequietoutskirtsofthetown；forassoonaswecamewithinsightofthevenerableoldchurch，andthe-hill，withthedeepbluebeyondit，Ifoundmycompanionwascheerfulenough。
\'I\'mafraidI\'vebeenwalkingtoofastforyou，Agnes，\'saidhe:
\'inmyimpatiencetoberidofthetown，Iforgottoconsultyourconvenience；butnowwe\'llwalkasslowlyasyouplease。Isee，bythoselightcloudsinthewest，therewillbeabrilliantsunset，andweshallbeintimetowitnessitseffectuponthesea，atthemostmoderaterateofprogression。\'
Whenwehadgotabouthalf-wayupthehill，wefellintosilenceagain；which，asusual，hewasthefirsttobreak。
\'Myhouseisdesolateyet，MissGrey，\'hesmilinglyobserved，\'andIamacquaintednowwithalltheladiesinmyparish，andseveralinthistowntoo；andmanyothersIknowbysightandbyreport；
butnotoneofthemwillsuitmeforacompanion；infact，thereisonlyonepersonintheworldthatwill:andthatisyourself；
andIwanttoknowyourdecision？\'
\'Areyouinearnest，Mr。Weston？\'
\'Inearnest!HowcouldyouthinkIshouldjestonsuchasubject？\'
Helaidhishandonmine，thatrestedonhisarm:hemusthavefeltittremble-butitwasnogreatmatternow。
\'IhopeIhavenotbeentooprecipitate，\'hesaid，inaserioustone。\'Youmusthaveknownthatitwasnotmywaytoflatterandtalksoftnonsense，oreventospeaktheadmirationthatIfelt；
andthatasinglewordorglanceofminemeantmorethanthehoniedphrasesandferventprotestationsofmostothermen。\'
Isaidsomethingaboutnotlikingtoleavemymother，anddoingnothingwithoutherconsent。
\'IsettledeverythingwithMrs。Grey，whileyouwereputtingonyourbonnet，\'repliedhe。\'ShesaidImighthaveherconsent，ifI
couldobtainyours；andIaskedher，incaseIshouldbesohappy，tocomeandlivewithus-forIwassureyouwouldlikeitbetter。
Butsherefused，sayingshecouldnowaffordtoemployanassistant，andwouldcontinuetheschooltillshecouldpurchaseanannuitysufficienttomaintainherincomfortablelodgings；and，meantime，shewouldspendhervacationsalternatelywithusandyoursister，andshouldbequitecontentedifyouwerehappy。
AndsonowIhaveoverruledyourobjectionsonheraccount。Haveyouanyother？\'
\'No-none。\'
\'Youlovemethen？\'saidbe，ferventlypressingmyhand。
\'Yes。\'
HereIpause。MyDiary，fromwhichIhavecompiledthesepages，goesbutlittlefurther。Icouldgoonforyears，butIwillcontentmyselfwithadding，thatIshallneverforgetthatglorioussummerevening，andalwaysrememberwithdelightthatsteephill，andtheedgeoftheprecipicewherewestoodtogether，watchingthesplendidsunsetmirroredintherestlessworldofwatersatourfeet-withheartsfilledwithgratitudetoheaven，andhappiness，andlove-almosttoofullforspeech。
Afewweeksafterthat，whenmymotherhadsuppliedherselfwithanassistant，IbecamethewifeofEdwardWeston；andneverhavefoundcausetorepentit，andamcertainthatInevershall。Wehavehadtrials，andweknowthatwemusthavethemagain；butwebearthemwelltogether，andendeavourtofortifyourselvesandeachotheragainstthefinalseparation-thatgreatestofallafflictionstothesurvivor。But，ifwekeepinmindthegloriousheavenbeyond，wherebothmaymeetagain，andsinandsorrowareunknown，surelythattoomaybeborne；and，meantime，weendeavourtolivetothegloryofHimwhohasscatteredsomanyblessingsinourpath。
Edward，byhisstrenuousexertions，hasworkedsurprisingreformsinhisparish，andisesteemedandlovedbyitsinhabitants-ashedeserves；forwhateverhisfaultsmaybeasaman(andnooneisentirelywithout)，Idefyanybodytoblamehimasapastor，ahusband，orafather。
Ourchildren，Edward，Agnes，andlittleMary，promisewell；theireducation，forthetimebeing，ischieflycommittedtome；andtheyshallwantnogoodthingthatamother\'scarecangive。Ourmodestincomeisamplysufficientforourrequirements:andbypractisingtheeconomywelearntinhardertimes，andneverattemptingtoimitateourricherneighbours，wemanagenotonlytoenjoycomfortandcontentmentourselves，buttohaveeveryyearsomethingtolaybyforourchildren，andsomethingtogivetothosewhoneedit。
AndnowIthinkIhavesaidsufficient。
