We’vemoved，andtheyhaven’t。Sonobodycares。Marriagewithoutadecentchanceofreliefisonlyasortofslave—owning;peopleoughtn’ttoowneachother。Everybodyseesthatnow。IfIrenebrokesuchlaws，whatdoesitmatter？\"
\"It’snotformetodisagreethere，\"saidJolyon;\"butthat’sallquitebesidethemark。Thisisamatterofhumanfeeling。\"
\"Ofcourseitis，\"criedJune，\"thehumanfeelingofthosetwoyoungthings。\"
\"Mydear，\"saidJolyonwithgentleexasperation;\"you’retalkingnonsense。\"
\"I’mnot。Iftheyprovetobereallyfondofeachother，whyshouldtheybemadeunhappybecauseofthepast？\"
\"Youhaven’tlivedthatpast。Ihave——throughthefeelingsofmywife;throughmyownnervesandmyimagination，asonlyonewhoisdevotedcan。\"
June，too，rose，andbegantowanderrestlessly。
\"If，\"shesaidsuddenly，\"shewerethedaughterofPhilipBosinney，I
couldunderstandyoubetter。Irenelovedhim，sheneverlovedSoames。\"
Jolyonutteredadeepsound—thesortofnoiseanItalianpeasantwomanutterstohermule。Hishearthadbegunbeatingfuriously，buthepaidnoattentiontoit，quitecarriedawaybyhisfeelings。
\"Thatshowshowlittleyouunderstand。NeitherInorJon，ifIknowhim，wouldmindalove—past。It’sthebrutalityofaunionwithoutlove。ThisgirlisthedaughterofthemanwhoonceownedJon’smotherasanegro—slavewasowned。Youcan’tlaythatghost;don’ttryto，June！It’saskingustoseeJonjoinedtothefleshandbloodofthemanwhopossessedJon’smotheragainstherwill。It’snogoodmincingwords;Iwantitclearonceforall。AndnowI
mustn’ttalkanymore，orIshallhavetositupwiththisallnight。\"And，puttinghishandoverhisheart，JolyonturnedhisbackonhisdaughterandstoodlookingattheriverThames。
June，whobynatureneversawahornet’snestuntilshehadputherheadintoit，wasseriouslyalarmed。Shecameandslippedherarmthroughhis。Notconvincedthathewasright，andsheherselfwrong，becausethatwasnotnaturaltoher，shewasyetprofoundlyimpressedbytheobviousfactthatthesubjectwasverybadforhim。Sherubbedhercheekagainsthisshoulder，andsaidnothing。
Aftertakingherelderlycousinacross，Fleurdidnotlandatonce，butpulledinamongthereeds，intothesunshine。Thepeacefulbeautyoftheafternoonseducedforalittleonenotmuchgiventothevagueandpoetic。Inthefieldbeyondthebankwhereherskifflayup，amachinedrawnbyagreyhorsewasturninganearlyfieldofhay。Shewatchedthegrasscascadingoverandbehindthelightwheelswithfascination——itlookedsocoolandfresh。Theclickandswishblendedwiththerustleofthewillowsandthepoplars，andthecooingofawood—pigeon，inatrueriversong。Alongside，inthedeepgreenwater，weeds，likeyellowsnakes，werewrithingandnosingwiththecurrent;piedcattleonthefarthersidestoodintheshadelazilyswishingtheirtails。Itwasanafternoontodream。AndshetookoutJon’sletters——notfloweryeffusions，buthauntedintheirrecitalofthingsseenanddonebyalongingveryagreeabletoher，andallending\"YourdevotedJ。\"Fleurwasnotsentimental，herdesireswereeverconcreteandconcentrated，butwhatpoetrytherewasinthedaughterofSoamesandAnnettehadcertainlyinthoseweeksofwaitinggatheredroundhermemoriesofJon。Theyallbelongedtograssandblossom，flowersandrunningwater。Sheenjoyedhiminthescentsabsorbedbyhercrinklingnose。ThestarscouldpersuadeherthatshewasstandingbesidehiminthecentreofthemapofSpain;andofanearlymorningthedewycobwebs，thehazysparkleandpromiseofthedaydowninthegarden，wereJonpersonifiedtoher。
Twowhiteswanscamemajesticallyby，whileshewasreadinghisletters，followedbytheirbroodofsixyoungswansinaline，withjustsomuchwaterbetweeneachtailandhead，aflotillaofgreydestroyers。Fleurthrustherlettersback，gotouthersculls，andpulleduptothelanding—stage。Crossingthelawn，shewonderedwhethersheshouldtellherfatherofJune’svisit。Ifhelearnedofitfromthebutler，hemightthinkitoddifshedidnot。Itgaveher，too，anotherchancetostartleoutofhimthereasonofthefeud。Shewent，therefore，uptheroadtomeethim。
SoameshadgonetolookatapatchofgroundonwhichtheLocalAuthoritieswereproposingtoerectaSanatoriumforpeoplewithweaklungs。Faithfultohisnativeindividualism，hetooknopartinlocalaffairs，contenttopaytherateswhichwerealwaysgoingup。
Hecouldnot，however，remainindifferenttothisnewanddangerousscheme。Thesitewasnothalfamilefromhisownhouse。Hewasquiteofopinionthatthecountryshouldstampouttuberculosis;butthiswasnottheplace。Itshouldbedonefartheraway。Hetook，indeed，anattitudecommontoalltrueForsytes，thatdisabilityofanysortinotherpeoplewasnothisaffair，andtheStateshoulddoitsbusinesswithoutprejudicinginanywaythenaturaladvantageswhichhehadacquiredorinherited。Francie，themostfree—spiritedForsyteofhisgeneration（exceptperhapsthatfellowJolyon）hadonceaskedhiminhermaliciousway:\"DidyoueverseethenameForsyteinasubscriptionlist，Soames？\"Thatwasasitmightbe，butaSanatoriumwoulddepreciatetheneighbourhood，andheshouldcertainlysignthepetitionwhichwasbeinggotupagainstit。
Returningwiththisdecisionfreshwithinhim，hesawFleurcoming。
Shewasshowinghimmoreaffectionoflate，andthequiettimedownherewithherinthissummerweatherhadbeenmakinghimfeelquiteyoung;AnnettewasalwaysrunninguptoTownforonethingoranother，sothathehadFleurtohimselfalmostasmuchashecouldwish。Tobesure，youngMonthadformedahabitofappearingonhismotor—cyclealmosteveryotherday。Thankgoodness，theyoungfellowhadshavedoffhishalf—toothbrushes，andnolongerlookedlikeamountebank！WithagirlfriendofFleur’swhowasstayinginthehouse，andaneighbouringyouthorso，theymadetwocouplesafterdinner，inthehall，tothemusicoftheelectricpianola，whichperformedFox—trotsunassisted，withasurprisedshineonitsexpressivesurface。Annette，even，nowandthenpassedgracefullyupanddowninthearmsofoneorotheroftheyoungmen。AndSoames，comingtothedrawing—roomdoor，wouldlifthisnosealittlesideways，andwatchthem，waitingtocatchasmilefromFleur;thenmovebacktohischairbythedrawing—roomhearth，toperuseTheTimesorsomeothercollector’spricelist。Tohisever—anxiouseyesFleurshowednosignsofrememberingthatcapriceofhers。
Whenshereachedhimonthedustyroad，heslippedhishandwithinherarm。
\"Who，doyouthink，hasbeentoseeyou，Dad？Shecouldn’twait！
Guess！\"
\"Ineverguess，\"saidSoamesuneasily。\"Who？\"
\"Yourcousin，JuneForsyte。\"
QuiteunconsciouslySoamesgrippedherarm。\"Whatdidshewant？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Butitwasratherbreakingthroughthefeud，wasn’tit？\"
\"Feud？Whatfeud？\"
\"Theonethatexistsinyourimagination，dear。\"
Soamesdroppedherarm。Wasshemocking，ortryingtodrawhimon？
\"Isupposeshewantedmetobuyapicture，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Idon’tthinkso。Perhapsitwasjustfamilyaffection。\"
\"She’sonlyafirstcousinonceremoved，\"mutteredSoames。
\"Andthedaughterofyourenemy。\"
\"Whatd’youmeanbythat？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，dear;Ithoughthewas。\"
\"Enemy！\"repeatedSoames。\"It’sancienthistory。Idon’tknowwhereyougetyournotions。\"
\"FromJuneForsyte。\"
Ithadcometoherasaninspirationthatifhethoughtsheknew，orwereontheedgeofknowledge，hewouldtellher。
Soameswasstartled，butshehadunderratedhiscautionandtenacity。
\"Ifyouknow，\"hesaidcoldly，\"whydoyouplagueme？\"
Fleursawthatshehadoverreachedherself。
\"Idon’twanttoplagueyou，darling。Asyousay，whywanttoknowmore？Whywanttoknowanythingofthat’small’mystery——Jem’enfiche，asProfondsays？\"
\"Thatchap！\"saidSoamesprofoundly。
Thatchap，indeed，playedaconsiderable，ifinvisible，partthissummer——forhehadnotturnedupagain。EversincetheSundaywhenFleurhaddrawnattentiontohimprowlingonthelawn，Soameshadthoughtofhimagooddeal，andalwaysinconnectionwithAnnette，fornoreason，exceptthatshewaslookinghandsomerthanforsometimepast。Hispossessiveinstinct，subtle，lessformal，moreelasticsincetheWar，keptallmisgivingunderground。AsonelooksonsomeAmericanriver，quietandpleasant，knowingthatanalligatorperhapsislyinginthemudwithhissnoutjustraisedandindistinguishablefromasnagofwood——soSoameslookedontheriverofhisownexistence，subconsciousofMonsieurProfond，refusingtoseemorethanthesuspicionofhissnout。Hehadatthisepochinhislifepracticallyallhewanted，andwasasnearlyhappyashisnaturewouldpermit。Hissenseswereatrest;hisaffectionsfoundalltheventtheyneededinhisdaughter;hiscollectionwaswellknown，hismoneywellinvested;hishealthexcellent，saveforatouchoflivernowandagain;hehadnotyetbeguntoworryseriouslyaboutwhatwouldhappenafterdeath，incliningtothinkthatnothingwouldhappen。Heresembledoneofhisowngilt—edgedsecurities，andtoknockthegiltoffbyseeinganythinghecouldavoidseeingwouldbe，hefeltinstinctively，perverseandretrogressive。Thosetwocrumpledrose—leaves，Fleur’scapriceandMonsieurProfond’ssnout，wouldlevelawayifhelayonthemindustriously。
ThateveningChance，whichvisitsthelivesofeventhebest—investedForsytes，putaclueintoFleur’shands。Herfathercamedowntodinnerwithoutahandkerchief，andhadoccasiontoblowhisnose。
\"I’llgetyouone，dear，\"shehadsaid，andranupstairs。Inthesachetwhereshesoughtforit——anoldsachetofveryfadedsilk——
thereweretwocompartments:oneheld，handkerchiefs;theotherwasbuttoned，andcontainedsomethingflatandhard。BysomechildishimpulseFleurunbuttonedit。Therewasaframeandinitaphotographofherselfasalittlegirl。Shegazedatit，fascinated，asoneisbyone’sownpresentment。Itslippedunderherfidgetingthumb，andshesawthatanotherphotographwasbehind。Shepressedherowndownfurther，andperceivedaface，whichsheseemedtoknow，ofayoungwoman，verygood—looking，inaveryoldstyleofeveningdress。Slippingherownphotographupoveritagain，shetookoutahandkerchiefandwentdown。Onlyonthestairsdidsheidentifythatface。Surely——surelyJon’smother！Theconvictioncameasashock。
Andshestoodstillinaflurryofthought。Why，ofcourse！Jon’sfatherhadmarriedthewomanherfatherhadwantedtomarry，hadcheatedhimoutofher，perhaps。Then，afraidofshowingbyhermannerthatshehadlightedonhissecret，sherefusedtothinkfurther，and，shakingoutthesilkhandkerchief，enteredthedining—
room。
\"Ichosethesoftest，Father。\"
\"H’m！\"saidSoames;\"Ionlyusethoseafteracold。Nevermind！\"
ThateveningpassedforFleurinputtingtwoandtwotogether;
recallingthelookonherfather’sfaceintheconfectioner’sshop——alookstrangeandcoldlyintimate，aqueerlook。Hemusthavelovedthatwomanverymuchtohavekeptherphotographallthistime，inspiteofhavinglosther。Unsparingandmatter—of—fact，herminddartedtohisrelationswithherownmother。Hadheeverreallylovedher？Shethoughtnot。Jonwasthesonofthewomanhehadreallyloved。Surely，then，heoughtnottomindhisdaughterlovinghim;itonlywantedgettingusedto。Andasighofsheerreliefwascaughtinthefoldsofhernightgownslippingoverherhead。
III
MEETINGS
YouthonlyrecognisesAgebyfitsandstarts。Jon，forone，hadneverreallyseenhisfather’sagetillhecamebackfromSpain。ThefaceofthefourthJolyon，wornbywaiting，gavehimquiteashock——
itlookedsowanandold。Hisfather’smaskhadbeenforcedawrybytheemotionofthemeeting，sothattheboysuddenlyrealisedhowmuchhemusthavefelttheirabsence。Hesummonedtohisaidthethought:’Well，Ididn’twanttogo！’ItwasoutofdateforYouthtodefertoAge。ButJonwasbynomeanstypicallymodern。Hisfatherhadalwaysbeen\"sojolly\"tohim，andtofeelthatonemeanttobeginagainatoncetheconductwhichhisfatherhadsufferedsixweeks’lonelinesstocurewasnotagreeable。
Atthequestion，\"Well，oldman，howdidthegreatGoyastrikeyou？\"
hisconscienceprickedhimbadly。ThegreatGoyaonlyexistedbecausehehadcreatedafacewhichresembledFleur’s。
Onthenightoftheirreturn，hewenttobedfullofcompunction;butawokefullofanticipation。ItwasonlythefifthofJuly，andnomeetingwasfixedwithFleuruntiltheninth。Hewastohavethreedaysathomebeforegoingbacktofarm。Somehowhemustcontrivetoseeher！
Inthelivesofmenaninexorablerhythm，causedbytheneedfortrousers，noteventhefondestparentscandeny。Onthesecondday，therefore，JonwenttoTown，andhavingsatisfiedhisconsciencebyorderingwhatwasindispensableinConduitStreet，turnedhisfacetowardPiccadilly。StrattonStreet，whereherClubwas，adjoinedDevonshireHouse。ItwouldbethemerestchancethatsheshouldbeatherClub。ButhedawdleddownBondStreetwithabeatingheart，noticingthesuperiorityofallotheryoungmentohimself。Theyworetheirclotheswithsuchanair;theyhadassurance;theywereold。HewassuddenlyoverwhelmedbytheconvictionthatFleurmusthaveforgottenhim。Absorbedinhisownfeelingforheralltheseweeks，hehadmislaidthatpossibility。Thecornersofhismouthdrooped，hishandsfeltclammy。Fleurwiththepickofyouthatthebeckofhersmile—Fleurincomparable！Itwasanevilmoment。Jon，however，hadagreatideathatonemustbeabletofaceanything。
Andhebracedhimselfwiththatdourrefectioninfrontofabric—a—
bracshop。Atthishigh—watermarkofwhatwasoncetheLondonseason，therewasnothingtomarkitoutfromanyotherexceptagreytophatortwo，andthesun。Jonmovedon，andturningthecornerintoPiccadilly，ranintoValDartiemovingtowardtheIseeumClub，towhichhehadjustbeenelected。
\"Hallo！youngman！Whereareyouoffto？\"
Jongushed。\"I’vejustbeentomytailor’s。\"
Vallookedhimupanddown。\"That’sgood！I’mgoinginheretoordersomecigarettes;thencomeandhavesomelunch。\"
Jonthankedhim。HemightgetnewsofherfromVal！
TheconditionofEngland，thatnightmareofitsPressandPublicmen，wasseenindifferentperspectivewithinthetobacconist’swhichtheynowentered。
\"Yes，sir;preciselythecigaretteIusedtosupplyyourfatherwith。
Blessme！Mr。MontagueDartiewasacustomerherefrom——letmesee——
theyearMeltonwontheDerby。Oneofmyverybestcustomershewas。\"Afaintsmileilluminedthetobacconist’sface。\"Many’sthetiphe’sgivenme，tobesure！Isupposehetookacoupleofhundredoftheseeveryweek，yearin，yearout，andneverchangedhiscigarette。Veryaffablegentleman，broughtmealotofcustom。I
wassorryhemetwiththataccident。Onemissesanoldcustomerlikehim。\"
Valsmiled。Hisfather’sdeceasehadclosedanaccountwhichhadbeenrunninglonger，probably，thananyother;andinaringofsmokepuffedoutfromthattime—honouredcigaretteheseemedtoseeagainhisfather’sface，dark，good—looking，moustachioed，alittlepuffy，intheonlyhaloithadearned。Hisfatherhadhisfamehere，anyway——amanwhosmokedtwohundredcigarettesaweek，whocouldgivetips，andrunaccountsforever！Tohistobacconistahero！
Eventhatwassomedistinctiontoinherit！
\"Ipaycash，\"hesaid;\"howmuch？\"
\"Tohisson，sir，andcash——tenandsix。IshallneverforgetMr。
MontagueDartie。I’veknownhimstandtalkin’tomehalfanhour。
Wedon’tgetmanylikehimnow，witheverybodyinsuchahurry。TheWarwasbadformanners，sir——itwasbadformanners。Youwereinit，Isee。\"
\"No，\"saidVal，tappinghisknee，\"Igotthisinthewarbefore。
Savedmylife，Iexpect。Doyouwantanycigarettes，Jon？\"
Ratherashamed，Jonmurmured，\"Idon’tsmoke，youknow，\"andsawthetobacconist’slipstwisted，asifuncertainwhethertosay\"GoodGod！\"or\"Now’syourchance，sir！\"
\"That’sright，\"saidVal;\"keepoffitwhileyoucan。You’llwantitwhenyoutakeaknock。Thisisreallythesametobacco，then？\"
\"Identical，sir;alittledearer，that’sall。Wonderfulstayingpower——theBritishEmpire，Ialwayssay。\"
\"Sendmedownahundredaweektothisaddress，andinvoiceitmonthly。Comeon，Jon。\"
JonenteredtheIseeumwithcuriosity。ExcepttolunchnowandthenattheHotch—Potchwithhisfather，hehadneverbeeninaLondonClub。TheIseeum，comfortableandunpretentious，didnotmove，couldnot，solongasGeorgeForsytesatonitsCommittee，wherehisculinaryacumenwasalmostthecontrollingforce。TheClubhadmadeastandagainstthenewlyrich，andithadtakenallGeorgeForsyte’sprestige，andpraiseofhimasa\"goodsportsman，\"tobringinProsperProfond。
Thetwowerelunchingtogetherwhenthehalf—brothers—in—lawenteredthedining—room，andattractedbyGeorge’sforefinger，satdownattheirtable，Valwithhisshrewdeyesandcharmingsmile，Jonwithsolemnlipsandanattractiveshynessinhisglance。Therewasanairofprivilegearoundthatcornertable，asthoughpastmasterswereeatingthere。Jonwasfascinatedbythehypnoticatmosphere。
Thewaiter，leaninthechaps，pervadedwithsuchfree—masonicaldeference。HeseemedtohangonGeorgeForsyte’slips，towatchthegloatinhiseyewithakindofsympathy，tofollowthemovementsoftheheavyclub—markedsilverfondly。HisliveriedarmandconfidentialvoicealarmedJon，theycamesosecretlyoverhisshoulder。
ExceptforGeorge’s\"Yourgrandfathertippedmeonce;hewasadeucedgoodjudgeofacigar！\"neitherhenortheotherpastmastertookanynoticeofhim，andhewasgratefulforthis。Thetalkwasallaboutthebreeding，points，andpricesofhorses，andhelistenedtoitvaguelyatfirst，wonderinghowitwaspossibletoretainsomuchknowledgeinahead。Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthedarkpastmaster——whathesaidwassodeliberateanddiscouraging——suchheavy，queer，smiled—outwords。Jonwasthinkingofbutterflies，whenheheardhimsay:
\"IwanttoseeMr。SoamesForsydetakeaninterestin’orses。\"
\"OldSoames！He’stoodryafile！\"
WithallhismightJontriednottogrowred，whilethedarkpastmasterwenton。
\"Hisdaughter’sanattractivesmallgirl。Mr。SoamesForsydeisabitold—fashioned。Iwanttoseehimhaveapleasuresomeday。\"
GeorgeForsytegrinned。
\"Don’tyouworry;he’snotsomiserableashelooks。He’llnevershowhe’senjoyinganything——theymighttryandtakeitfromhim。
OldSoames！Oncebit，twiceshy！\"
\"Well，Jon，\"saidVal，hastily，\"ifyou’vefinished，we’llgoandhavecoffee。\"
\"Whowerethose？\"Jonasked，onthestairs。\"Ididn’tquite———\"
\"OldGeorgeForsyteisafirstcousinofyourfather’sandofmyUncleSoames。He’salwaysbeenhere。Theotherchap，Profond，isaqueerfish。Ithinkhe’shangingroundSoames’wife，ifyouaskme！\"
Jonlookedathim，startled。\"Butthat’sawful，\"hesaid:\"Imean——
forFleur。\"
\"Don’tsupposeFleurcaresverymuch;she’sveryup—to—date。\"
\"Hermother！\"
\"You’reverygreen，Jon。\"
Jongrewred。\"Mothers，\"hestammeredangrily，\"aredifferent。\"
\"You’reright，\"saidValsuddenly;\"butthingsaren’twhattheywerewhenIwasyourage。There’sa’To—morrowwedie’feeling。That’swhatoldGeorgemeantaboutmyUncleSoames。Hedoesn’tmeantodieto—morrow。\"
Jonsaid，quickly:\"What’sthematterbetweenhimandmyfather？\"
\"Stablesecret，Jon。Takemyadvice，andbottleup。You’lldonogoodbyknowing。Havealiqueur？\"
Jonshookhishead。
\"Ihatethewaypeoplekeepthingsfromone，\"hemuttered，\"andthensneeratoneforbeinggreen。\"
\"Well，youcanaskHolly。Ifshewon’ttellyou，you’llbelieveit’sforyourowngood，Isuppose。\"
Jongotup。\"Imustgonow;thanksawfullyforthelunch。\"
Valsmiledupathimhalf—sorry，andyetamused。Theboylookedsoupset。
\"Allright！SeeyouonFriday。\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"murmuredJon。
Andhedidnot。Thisconspiracyofsilencemadehimdesperate。Itwashumiliatingtobetreatedlikeachild！HeretracedhismoodystepstoStrattonStreet。ButhewouldgotoherClubnow，andfindouttheworst！TohisenquirythereplywasthatMissForsytewasnotintheClub。Shemightbeinperhapslater。ShewasofteninonMonday——theycouldnotsay。Jonsaidhewouldcallagain，and，crossingintotheGreenPark，flunghimselfdownunderatree。Thesunwasbright，andabreezeflutteredtheleavesoftheyounglime—
treebeneathwhichhelay;buthisheartached。Suchdarknessseemedgatheredroundhishappiness。HeheardBigBenchime\"Three\"abovethetraffic。Thesoundmovedsomethinginhim，and，takingoutapieceofpaper，hebegantoscribbleonitwithapencil。Hehadjottedastanza，andwassearchingthegrassforanotherverse，whensomethinghardtouchedhisshoulder—agreenparasol。ThereabovehimstoodFleur！
\"Theytoldmeyou’dbeen，andwerecomingback。SoIthoughtyoumightbeouthere;andyouare——it’sratherwonderful！\"
\"Oh，Fleur！Ithoughtyou’dhaveforgottenme。\"
\"WhenItoldyouthatIshouldn’t！\"
Jonseizedherarm。
\"It’stoomuchluck！Let’sgetawayfromthisside。\"HealmostdraggedheronthroughthattoothoughtfullyregulatedPark，tofindsomecoverwheretheycouldsitandholdeachother’shands。
\"Hasn’tanybodycutin？\"hesaid，gazingroundatherlashes，insuspenseabovehercheeks。
\"Thereisayoungidiot，buthedoesn’tcount。\"
Jonfeltatwitchofcompassionforthe—youngidiot。
\"YouknowI’vehadsunstroke;Ididn’ttellyou。\"
\"Really！Wasitinteresting？\"
\"No。Motherwasanangel。Hasanythinghappenedtoyou？\"
\"Nothing。ExceptthatIthinkI’vefoundoutwhat’swrongbetweenourfamilies，Jon。\"
Hisheartbeganbeatingveryfast。
\"Ibelievemyfatherwantedtomarryyourmother，andyourfathergotherinstead。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Icameonaphotoofher;itwasinaframebehindaphotoofme。
Ofcourse，ifhewasveryfondofher，thatwouldhavemadehimprettymad，wouldn’tit？\"
Jonthoughtforaminute。\"Notifshelovedmyfatherbest。\"
\"Butsupposetheywereengaged？\"
\"Ifwewereengaged，andyoufoundyoulovedsomebodybetter，Imightgocracked，butIshouldn’tgrudgeityou。\"
\"Ishould。Youmustn’teverdothatwithme，Jon。
\"MyGod！Notmuch！\"
\"Idon’tbelievethathe’severreallycaredformymother。\"
Jonwassilent。Val’swords——thetwopastmastersintheClub！
\"Yousee，wedon’tknow，\"wentonFleur;\"itmayhavebeenagreatshock。Shemayhavebehavedbadlytohim。Peopledo。\"
\"Mymotherwouldn’t。\"
Fleurshruggedhershoulders。\"Idon’tthinkweknowmuchaboutourfathersandmothers。Wejustseetheminthelightofthewaytheytreatus;butthey’vetreatedotherpeople，youknow，beforewewereborn—plenty，Iexpect。Yousee，they’rebothold。Lookatyourfather，withthreeseparatefamilies！\"
\"Isn’tthereanyplace，\"criedJon，\"inallthisbeastlyLondonwherewecanbealone？\"
\"Onlyataxi。\"
\"Let’sgetone，then。\"
Whentheywereinstalled，Fleuraskedsuddenly:\"AreyougoingbacktoRobinHill？Ishouldliketoseewhereyoulive，Jon。I’mstayingwithmyauntforthenight，butIcouldgetbackintimefordinner。Iwouldn’tcometothehouse，ofcourse。\"
Jongazedatherenraptured。
\"Splendid！Icanshowityoufromthecopse，weshan’tmeetanybody。
There’satrainatfour。\"
ThegodofpropertyandhisForsytesgreatandsmall，leisured，official，commercial，orprofessional，liketheworkingclasses，stillworkedtheirsevenhoursaday，sothatthosetwoofthefourthgenerationtravelleddowntoRobinHillinanemptyfirst—classcarriage，dustyandsun—warmed，ofthattooearlytrain。Theytravelledinblissfulsilence，holdingeachother’shands。
Atthestationtheysawnooneexceptporters，andavillagerortwounknowntoJon，andwalkedoutupthelane，whichsmelledofdustandhoneysuckle。
ForJon——sureofhernow，andwithoutseparationbeforehim——itwasamiraculousdawdle，morewonderfulthanthoseontheDowns，oralongtheriverThames。Itwaslove—in—a—mist——oneofthoseilluminedpagesofLife，whereeverywordandsmile，andeverylighttouchtheygaveeachotherwereaslittlegoldandredandbluebutterfliesandflowersandbirdsscrolledinamongthetext——ahappycommuning，withoutafterthought，whichlastedthirty—sevenminutes。Theyreachedthecoppiceatthemilkinghour。Jonwouldnottakeherasfarasthefarmyard;onlytowhereshecouldseethefieldleadinguptothegardens，andthehousebeyond。Theyturnedinamongthelarches，andsuddenly，atthewindingofthepath，cameonIrene，sittingonanoldlogseat。
Therearevariouskindsofshocks:tothevertebrae;tothenerves;
tomoralsensibility;and，morepotentandpermanent，topersonaldignity。ThislastwastheshockJonreceived，comingthusonhismother。Hebecamesuddenlyconsciousthathewasdoinganindelicatething。TohavebroughtFleurdownopenly——yes！Buttosneakherinlikethis！Consumedwithshame，heputonafrontasbrazenashisnaturewouldpermit。
