Thissomewhatfrivolousnarrativewasproducedasaninterludebetweenstoriesofamoresoberdesign，anditwasgiventhesub-
titleofacomedytoindicate——thoughnotquiteaccurately——theaimoftheperformance。Ahighdegreeofprobabilitywasnotattemptedinthearrangementoftheincidents，andtherewasexpectedofthereaderacertainlightnessofmood，whichshouldinformhimwithagood-naturedwillingnesstoaccepttheproductioninthespiritinwhichitwasoffered。Thecharactersthemselves，however，weremeanttobeconsistentandhuman。
Onitsfirstappearancethenovelsuffered，perhapsdeservedly，forwhatwasinvolvedintheseintentions——foritsqualityofunexpectednessinparticular——thatunforgivablesininthecritic’ssight——theimmediateprecursorof’Ethelberta’havingbeenapurelyruraltale。Moreover，initschoiceofmedium，andlineofperspective，itundertookadelicatetask:toexciteinterestinadrama——ifsuchadignifiedwordmaybeusedintheconnection——
whereinservantswereasimportantas，ormoreimportantthan，theirmasters；whereinthedrawing-roomwassketchedinmanycasesfromthepointofviewoftheservants’hall。Suchareversalofthesocialforegroundhas，perhaps，sincegrownmorewelcome，andreadersevenofthefinercrustedkindmaynowbedisposedtopardonawriterforpresentingthesonsanddaughtersofMr。andMrs。
Chickerelasbeingswhocomewithinthescopeofacongenialregard。
T。H。
December1895。
TheHandofEthelberta1。ASTREETINANGLEBURY-AHEATHNEARIT-INSIDETHE’REDLION’INN
YoungMrs。Petherwinsteppedfromthedoorofanoldandwell-
appointedinninaWessextowntotakeacountrywalk。Byherlookandcarriagesheappearedtobelongtothatgentleorderofsocietywhichhasnoworldlysorrowexceptwhenitsjewellerygetsstolen；
but，asafactnotgenerallyknown，herclaimtodistinctionwasratheroneofbrainsthanofblood。Shewasthedaughterofagentlemanwholivedinalargehousenothisown，andbeganlifeasababychristenedEthelbertaafteraninfantoftitlewhodoesnotcomeintothestoryatall，havingmerelyfurnishedEthelberta’smotherwithasubjectofcontemplation。Shebecameteacherinaschool，waspraisedbyexaminers，admiredbygentlemen，notadmiredbygentlewomen，wastouchedupwithaccomplishmentsbymasterswhowerecoaxedintopainstakingbyhermanygraces，and，enteringamansionasgovernesstothedaughterthereof，wasstealthilymarriedbytheson。He，aminorlikeherself，diedfromachillcaughtduringtheweddingtour，andafewweekslaterwasfollowedintothegravebySirRalphPetherwin，hisunforgivingfather，whohadbequeathedhiswealthtohiswifeabsolutely。
ThesecalamitieswereasufficientreasontoLadyPetherwinforpardoningallconcerned。ShetookbythehandtheforlornEthelberta——whoseemedratheradetachedbridethanawidow——andfinishedhereducationbyplacingherfortwoorthreeyearsinaboarding-schoolatBonn。LatterlyshehadbroughtthegirltoEnglandtoliveunderherroofasdaughterandcompanion，theconditionattachedbeingthatEthelbertawasneveropenlytorecognizeherrelations，forreasonswhichwillhereafterappear。
Theelegantyounglady，asshehadafullrighttobecalledifshecaredforthedefinition，arrestedallthelocalattentionwhensheemergedintothesummer-eveninglightwiththatdiadem-and-sceptrebearing——manypeopleforreasonsofhereditydiscoveringsuchgracesonlyinthosewhosevestibulesarelinedwithancestralmail，forgettingthatabearmaybetaughttodance。Whilethisairofherslasted，eventheinanimateobjectsinthestreetappearedtoknowthatshewasthere；butfromawayshehadofcarelesslyoverthrowingherdignitybyversatilemoods，onecouldnotcalculateuponitspresencetoacertaintywhenshewasroundcornersorinlittlelaneswhichdemandednorepressionofanimalspirits。
’Welltobesure！’exclaimedamilkman，regardingher。’Weshouldfreezeinourbedsif’twerenotforthesun，and，dangme！ifsheisn’taprettypiece。Amancouldmakeamealbetweenthemeyesandchin——eh，hostler？Oddnationdangmyoldsidesifhecouldn’t！’
Thespeaker，whohadbeencarryingapairofpailsonayoke，depositedthemupontheedgeofthepavementinfrontoftheinn，andstraightenedhisbacktoanexcruciatingperpendicular。Hisremarkshadbeenaddressedtoaricketyperson，wearingawaistcoatofthatpreternaturallengthfromthetoptothebottombuttonwhichprevailsamongmenwhohavetodowithhorses。Hewassweepingstrawsfromthecarriage-waybeneaththestonearchthatformedapassagetothestablesbehind。
’Nevermindthecursingandswearing，orsomebodywho’sneveroutofhearingmayclapyernamedowninhisblackbook，’saidthehostler，alsopausing，andliftinghiseyestothemullionedandtransomedwindowsandmouldedparapetabovehim——nottostudythemasfeaturesofancientarchitecture，butjusttogiveashealthfulastretchtotheeyesashisacquaintancehaddonetohisback。’Michael，aoldmanlikeyououghttothinkaboutotherthings，andnotbelookingtwowaysatyourtimeoflife。Pouncinguponyoungfleshlikeacarrioncrow——’tisavilethinginaoldman。’
’’Tis；andyet’tisnot，for’tisanatereltaste，’saidthemilkman，againsurveyingEthelberta，whohadnowpauseduponabridgeinfullview，tolookdowntheriver。’Now，ifapoorneedyfellerlikemyselfcouldonlycatchheralonewhenshe’sdresseduptotheninesforsomegrandparty，andcarryherofftosomelonelyplace——sakes，whatapotofjewelsandgooldthingsIwarranthe’dfindabouther！’Twouldpayenforhistrouble。’
’Idon’tdisputethepicter；but’tisslyanduntimelytothinksuchroguery。ThoughI’vehadthoughtslikeit，’tistrue，abouthighwomen——Lordforgivemefor’t。’
’Andthatfigureoffashionstandingthereisawidowwoman，soI
hear？’
’Lady——notapennylessthanlady。Ay，athingoftwenty-oneorthereabouts。’
’Awidowladyandtwenty-one。’Tisabackwardageforabodywho’ssoforwardinherstateoflife。’
’Well，bethatas’twill，here’smyshowingsforherage。Shewasaboutthefigureoftwoorthree-and-twentywhena’gotoffthecarriagelastnight，tiredoutwi’boamingaboutthecountry；andnineteenthismorningwhenshecamedownstairsafterasleeproundtheclockandaclane-washedface:soIthoughttomyself，twenty-
one，Ithought。’
’Andwhat’stheyoungwoman’sname，makesobold，hostler？’
’Ay，andthehousewereallinastoorwithherandtheoldwoman，andtheirboxesandcamp-kettles，thattheycarrytowashinbecausehand-basonsbain’tbigenough，andIdon’tknowwhatall；andt’otherfolkstoppingherewerenomorethandirtthencefor’ard。’
’Isupposethey’vecomeoutofsomenoblecityalongwayherefrom？’
’Andtherewasherhairupinbuckleasifshe’dneverseenaclay-
coldmanatall。However，tocutalongstoryshort，allIknowbesidesabout’emisthatthenameupontheirluggageisLadyPetherwin，andshe’sthewidowofacitygentleman，whowasamanofvalourintheLordMayor’sShow。’
’Who’sthatchapinthegaitersandpackathisback，comeoutofthedoorbutnow？’saidthemilkman，noddingtowardsafigureofthatdescriptionwhohadjustemergedfromtheinnandtrudgedoffinthedirectiontakenbythelady——nowoutofsight。
’Chapinthegaiters？Chok’itall——why，thefatherofthatnoblemanthatyoucallchapinthegaitersusedtobehandinglovewithhalftheQueen’scourt。’
’Whatd’yetello’？’
’Thatman’sfatherwasoneofthemayorandcorporationofSandbourne，andwasthatfamiliarwithmenofmoney，thathe’dslap’emupontheshoulderasyouorIoranyotherpoorfoolwouldtheclerkoftheparish。’
’O，what’smylordlin’sname，makesobold，then？’
’Ay，thetoppermostclassnowadayshaveleftofftheuseofwheelsforthegoodoftheirconstitutions，sotheytraipseandwalkformanyyearsupforeignhills，whereyoucanseenothingbutsnowandfog，tillthere’snomorelefttowalkup；andiftheyreachhomealive，andha’n’tgottoooldandwearedout，theywalkandseealittleoftheirownparishes。Sotheytoweraboutwithapackandastickandaclanewhitepocket-handkerchiefovertheirhatsjustasyouseehe’sgotonhis。He’sbeenstayinghereanight，andisoffnowagain。\"Youngman，youngman，\"Ithinktomyself，\"ifyourshoulderswerebentlikeabandyandyourkneesbowedoutasminebe，tillthereisnotaninchofstraightboneorgristlein’ee，th’wouldstn’tgodoinghardworkforplay’ab’lieve。\"’
’True，true，uponmysong。SuchapainasIhavehadinmylynesallthisdaytobesure；wordsdon’tknowwhatshipwreckIsufferintheselyneso’mine——thattheydonot！Andwhatwasthisyoungwidowlady’smaidenname，then，hostler？Folkhavebeenpeepingafterher，that’strue；buttheydon’tseemtoknowmuchaboutherfamily。’
’AndwhileI’vetendedhorsesfiftyyearthatotherfolkmightstraddle’em，hereIbenownotapennythebetter！Often-times，whenIseesomanygoodthingsabout，Ifeelinclinedtohelpmyselfincommonjusticetomypocket。
\"Workhardandbepoor，Donothingandgetmore。\"
ButIdrawinthehornsofmymindandthinktomyself，\"Forbear，JohnHostler，forbear！\"——Hermaidenname？Faith，Idon’tknowthewoman’smaidenname，thoughshesaidtome，\"Goodevening，John；\"
butIhadnomemoryofeverseeingherafore——no，nomorethanthedeadinsidechurch-hatch——whereIshallsoonbelikewise——Ihadnot。
\"Ay，mynabs，\"Ithinktomyself，\"moreknowTomFoolthanTomFoolknows。\"’
’MoreknowTomFool——whatramblingoldcanticleisityousay，hostler？’inquiredthemilkman，liftinghisear。’Let’shaveitagain——agoodsayingwellspitoutisaChristmasfiretomywitheredheart。MoreknowTomFool——’
’ThanTomFoolknows，’saidthehostler。
’Ah！That’stheveryfeelingI’vefeeledoverandoveragain，hostler，butnotinsuchgiftedlanguage。’TisathoughtI’vehadinmeforyears，andnevercouldlickintoshape！——O-ho-ho-ho！
Splendid！Sayitagain，hostler，sayitagain！Tohearmyownpoornotionthathadnonamebroughtintoformlikethat——Iwouldn’tha’
lostitfortheworld！MoreknowTomFoolthan——than——h-ho-ho-ho-
ho！’
’Don’tletyoursenseo’vitnessbreakoutinsuchuproar，forheaven’ssake，orfolkwillsurelythinkyou’vebeenlaughingattheladyandgentleman。Well，here’satitagain——Nightt’ee，Michael。’
Andthehostlerwentonwithhissweeping。
’Nightt’ee，hostler，Imustmovetoo，’saidthemilkman，shoulderinghisyoke，andwalkingoff；andtherereachedtheinninagradualdiminuendo，asherecededupthestreet，shakinghisheadconvulsively，’Moreknow——TomFool——thanTomFool——ho-ho-ho-ho-ho！’
The’RedLion，’astheinnorhotelwascalledwhichoflateyearshadbecomethefashionamongtourists，becauseoftheabsencefromitsprecinctsofallthatwasfashionableandnew，stoodnearthemiddleofthetown，andformedacornerwhereinwinterthewindswhistledandassembledtheirforcesprevioustoplunginghelter-
skelteralongthestreets。Insummeritwasafreshandpleasantspot，convenientforsuchquietcharactersassojournedtheretostudythegeologyandbeautifulnaturalfeaturesofthecountryround。
TheladywhoseappearancehadassertedadifferencebetweenherselfandtheAngleburypeople，withouttooclearlyshowingwhatthatdifferencewas，passedoutofthetowninafewmomentsand，followingthehighwayacrossmeadowsfedbytheFroom，shecrossedtherailwayandsoongotintoalonelyheath。Shehadbeenwatchingthebaseofacloudasitcloseddownuponthelineofadistantridge，likeanupperuponalowereyelid，shuttinginthegazeoftheeveningsun。Shewasabouttoreturnbeforeduskcameon，whensheheardacommotionintheairimmediatelybehindandaboveherhead。Thesauntererlookedupandsawawild-duckflyingalongwiththegreatestviolence，justinitsrearbeinganotherlargebird，whichacountrymanwouldhavepronouncedtobeoneofthebiggestduck-hawksthathehadeverbeheld。Thehawkneareditsintendedvictim，andtheduckscreamedandredoubleditsefforts。
Ethelbertaimpulsivelystartedoffinarapidrunthatwouldhavemadealittledogbarkwithdelightandrunafter，herobjectbeing，ifpossible，toseetheendofthisdesperatestruggleforalifesosmallandunheard-of。Herstatelinesswentaway，anditcouldbeforgivenfornotremaining；forherfeetsuddenlybecameasquickasfingers，andsheracedalongovertheunevengroundwithsuchforceoftreadthat，beingawomanslightlyheavierthangossamer，herpatentheelspunchedlittleD’sinthesoilwithunerringaccuracywhereveritwasbare，crippledtheheather-twigswhereitwasnot，andsuckedtheswampyplaceswithasoundofquickkisses。
Herrateofadvancewasnottobecomparedwiththatofthetwobirds，thoughshewentswiftlyenoughtokeepthemwellinsightinsuchanopenplaceasthataroundher，havingatonepointinthejourneybeensonearthatshecouldhearthewhiskoftheduck’sfeathersagainstthewindasitliftedandlowereditswings。Whenthebirdseemedtobebutafewyardsfromitsenemyshesawitstrikedownwards，andafteralevelflightofaquarterofaminute，vanish。Thehawkswoopedafter，andEthelbertanowperceivedawhitelyshiningovalofstillwater，lookingamidtheswarthyleveloftheheathlikeaholethroughtoanethersky。
Intothislargepond，whichtheduckhadbeenmakingtowardsfromthebeginningofitsprecipitateflight，ithaddivedoutofsight。
Theexcitedandbreathlessrunnerwasinafewmomentscloseenoughtoseethedisappointedhawkhoveringandfloatingintheairasifwaitingforthereappearanceofitsprey，uponwhichgrimpastimeitwassointentthatbycreepingalongsoftlyshewasenabledtogetveryneartheedgeofthepoolandwitnesstheconclusionoftheepisode。Whenevertheduckwasunderthenecessityofshowingitsheadtobreathe，theotherbirdwoulddarttowardsit，invariablytoolate，however；forthediverwasfartooexperiencedintheroughhumourofthebuzzardfamilyatthisgametocomeuptwicenearthesamespot，unaccountablyemergingfromoppositesidesofthepoolinsuccession，andbobbingagainbythetimeitsadversaryreachedeachplace，sothatatlengththehawkgaveupthecontestandflewaway，asatanicmoodinessbeingalmostperceptibleinthemotionofitswings。
Theyoungladynowlookedaroundherforthefirsttime，andbegantoperceivethatshehadrunalongdistance——verymuchfurtherthanshehadoriginallyintendedtocome。Hereyeshadbeensolongfixeduponthehawk，asitsoaredagainstthebrightandmottledfieldofsky，thatonregardingtheheatherandplainagainitwasasifshehadreturnedtoahalf-forgottenregionafteranabsence，andthewholeprospectwasdarkenedtooneuniformshadeofapproachingnight。Shebeganatoncetoretracehersteps，buthavingbeenindiscriminatelywheelingroundthepondtogetagoodviewoftheperformance，andhavingfollowednopaththither，shefoundtheproperdirectionofherjourneytobeamatterofsomeuncertainty。
’Surely，’shesaidtoherself，’Ifacedthenorthatstarting:’andyetonwalkingnowwithherbackwhereherfacehadbeenset，shedidnotapproachanymarksonthehorizonwhichmightseemtosignifythetown。Thusdubiously，butwithlittlerealconcern，shewalkedontilltheeveninglightbegantoturntodusk，andtheshadowstodarkness。
PresentlyinfrontofherEthelbertasawawhitespotintheshade，anditprovedtobeinsomewayattachedtotheheadofamanwhowascomingtowardsheroutofaslightdepressionintheground。Itwasasyettooearlyintheeveningtobeafraid，butitwastoolatetobealtogethercourageous；andwithbalancedsensationsEthelbertakepthereyesharplyuponhimasherosebydegreesintoview。Thepeculiararrangementofhishatandpugreesoonstruckherasbeingthatshehadcasuallynoticedonapeginoneoftheroomsofthe’RedLion，’andwhenhecamecloseshesawthathisarmsdiminishedtoapeculiarsmallnessattheirjunctionwithhisshoulders，likethoseofadoll，whichwasexplainedbytheirbeinggirtroundatthatpointwiththestrapsofaknapsackthathecarriedbehindhim。Encouragedbytheprobabilitythathe，likeherself，wasstayingorhadbeenstayingatthe’RedLion，’shesaid，’CanyoutellmeifthisisthewaybacktoAnglebury？’
’Itisoneway；butthenearestisinthisdirection，’saidthetourist——thesamewhohadbeencriticizedbythetwooldmen。
Athearinghimspeakallthedelicateactivitiesintheyounglady’spersonstoodstill:shestoppedlikeaclock。Whenshecouldagainfencewiththeperceptionwhichhadcausedallthis，shebreathed。
’Mr。Julian！’sheexclaimed。Thewordswereutteredinawaywhichwouldhavetoldanybodyinamomentthatherelaysomethingconnectedwiththelightofotherdays。
’Ah，Mrs。Petherwin！——Yes，IamMr。Julian——thoughthatcanmatterverylittle，Ishouldthink，afteralltheseyears，andwhathaspassed。’
Noremarkwasreturnedtothisruggedreply，andhecontinuedunconcernedly，’ShallIputyouinthepath——itisjusthere？’
’Ifyouplease。’
’Comewithme，then。’
Shewalkedinsilenceathisheels，notawordpassingbetweenthemalltheway:theonlynoiseswhichcamefromthetwowerethebrushingofherdressandhisgaitersagainsttheheather，orthesmartrapofastrayflintagainsthisboot。
Theyhadnowreachedalittleknoll，andheturnedabruptly:’ThatisAnglebury——justwhereyouseethoselights。Thepathdownthereistheoneyoumustfollow；itleadsroundthehillyonderanddirectlyintothetown。’
’Thankyou，’shemurmured，andfoundthathehadneverremovedhiseyesfromhersincespeaking，keepingthemfixedwithmathematicalexactnessupononepointinherface。Shemovedalittletogoonherway；hemovedalittleless——togoonhis。
’Good-night，’saidMr。Julian。
Themoment，upontheveryfaceofit，wascritical；andyetitwasoneofthosewhichhavetowaitforafuturebeforetheyacquireadefinitecharacterasgoodorbad。
Thusmuchwouldhavebeenobvioustoanyoutsider；itmayhavebeendoublysotoEthelberta，forshegavebackmorethanshehadgot，replying，’Good-bye——ifyouaregoingtosaynomore。’
TheninstruckMr。Julian:’WhatcanIsay？Youarenothingtome……Icouldforgiveawomandoinganythingforspite，exceptmarryingforspite。’
’Theconnectionofthatwithourpresentmeetingdoesnotappear，unlessitreferstowhatyouhavedone。Itdoesnotrefertome。’
’Iamnotmarried:youare。’
Shedidnotcontradicthim，asshemighthavedone。’Christopher，’
shesaidatlast，’thisishowitis:youknewtoomuchofmetorespectme，andtoolittletopityme。Ahalfknowledgeofanother’slifemostlydoesinjusticetothelifehalfknown。’
’Thensincecircumstancesforbidmyknowingyoumore，Imustdomybesttoknowyouless，andelevatemyopinionofyournaturebyforgettingwhatitconsistsin，’hesaidinavoicefromwhichallfeelingwaspolishedaway。
’IfIdidnotknowthatbitternesshadmoretodowiththosewordsthanjudgment，I——shouldbe——bittertoo！Youneverknewhalfaboutme；youonlyknewmeasagoverness；youlittlethinkwhatmybeginningswere。’
’Ihaveguessed。IhavemanytimestoldmyselfthatyourearlylifewassuperiortoyourpositionwhenIfirstmetyou。IthinkImaysaywithoutpresumptionthatIrecognizealadybybirthwhenIseeher，evenunderreversesofanextremekind。Andcertainlythereisthistobesaid，thatthefactofhavingbeenbredinawealthyhomedoesslightlyredeemanattempttoattaintosuchaoneagain。’
Ethelbertasmiledasmileofmanymeanings。
’However，wearewastingwords，’heresumedcheerfully。’Itisbetterforustopartaswemet，andcontinuetobethestrangersthatwehavebecometoeachother。IoweyouanapologyforhavingbeenbetrayedintomorefeelingthanIhadarighttoshow，andletuspartfriends。Goodnight，Mrs。Petherwin，andsuccesstoyou。
Wemaymeetagain，someday，Ihope。’
’Goodnight，’shesaid，extendingherhand。Hetouchedit，turnedabout，andinashorttimenothingremainedofhimbutquickregularbrushingsagainsttheheatherinthedeepbroadshadowofthemoor。
Ethelbertaslowlymovedoninthedirectionthathehadpointedout。
Thismeetinghadsurprisedherinseveralways。First，therewastheconjunctureitself；butmorethanthatwasthefactthathehadnotpartedfromherwithanyofthetragicresentmentthatshehadfromtimetotimeimaginedforthatsceneifiteveroccurred。Yettherewasreallynothingwonderfulinthis:itispartofthegenerousnatureofabachelortobenotindisposedtoforgiveaportionlesssweetheartwho，bymarryingelsewhere，hasdeprivedhimoftheblissofbeingobligedtomarryherhimself。Ethelbertawouldhavebeendisappointedquitehadtherenotbeenacomfortingdevelopmentofexasperationinthemiddlepartofhistalk；butafterallitformedapoorsubstituteforthelovinghatredshehadexpected。
Whenshereachedthehotelthelampoverthedoorshowedafacealittleflushed，buttheagitationwhichatfirsthadpossessedherwasgonetoamerenothing。Inthehallshemetaslenderwomanwearingasilkdressofthatpeculiarblackwhichinsunlightproclaimsitselftohaveonceseenbetterdaysasabrown，anddaysevenbetterthanthoseasalavender，green，orblue。
’Menlove，’saidthelady，’didyounoticeifanygentlemanobservedandfollowedmewhenIleftthehoteltogoforawalkthisevening？’
Thelady’s-maid，thussuddenlypulledupinanightforageafterlovers，putahandtoherforeheadtoshowthattherewasnomistakeaboutherhavingbeguntomeditateonreceivingorderstothateffect，andsaidatlast，’Youoncetoldme，ma’am，ifyourecollect，thatwhenyouweredressed，IwasnottogostaringoutofthewindowafteryouasifyouwereadollIhadjustmanufacturedandsentroundforsale。’
’Yes，soIdid。’
’SoIdidn’tseeifanybodyfollowedyouthisevening。’
’Thendidyouhearanygentlemanarriveherebythelatetrainlastnight？’
’Ono，ma’am——howcouldI？’saidMrs。Menlove——anexclamationwhichwasmoreappositethanhermistresssuspected，consideringthatthespeaker，afterretiringfromduty，hadslippeddownherdarkskirttorevealalight，puffed，andfestoonedone，putonahatandfeather，togetherwithseveralpennyweightsofmetalintheformofrings，brooches，andearrings——allinatimewhilstonecouldcountahundred——andenjoyedhalf-an-hourofprimecourtshipbyanhonourableyoungwaiterofthetown，whohadprovedconstantasthemagnettothepoleforthespaceofthedayandahalfthatshehadknownhim。
Goingatonceupstairs，Ethelbertarandownthepassage，andaftersomehesitationsoftlyopenedthedoorofthesitting-roominthebestsuiteofapartmentsthattheinncouldboastof。
Inthisroomsatanelderlyladywritingbythelightoftwocandleswithgreenshades。Wellknowing，asitseemed，whotheintruderwas，shecontinuedheroccupation，andhervisitoradvancedandstoodbesidethetable。Theoldladyworeherspectacleslowdownhercheek，herglancebeingdepressedtoabouttheslopeofherstraightwhitenoseinordertolookthroughthem。Hermouthwaspurseduptoalmostayouthfulshapeassheformedtheletterswithherpen，andaslightmoveofthelipaccompaniedeverydownstroke。
Thereweretwolargeantiqueringsonherforefinger，againstwhichthequillrubbedinmovingbackwardsandforwards，therebycausingasecondarynoiserivallingtheprimaryoneofthenibuponthepaper。
’Mamma，’saidtheyoungerlady，’hereIamatlast。’
Awriter’smindinthemidstofasentencebeinglikeashipatsea，knowingnorestorcomforttillsafelypilotedintotheharbourofafullstop，LadyPetherwinjustrepliedwith’What，’inanoccupiedtone，notrisingtointerrogation。Aftersigninghernametotheletter，sheraisedhereyes。
’Why，howlateyouare，Ethelberta，andhowheatedyoulook！’shesaid。’Ihavebeenquitealarmedaboutyou。Whatdoyousayhashappened？’
Thegreat，chief，andaltogethereclipsingthingthathadhappenedwastheaccidentalmeetingwithanoldloverwhomshehadoncequarrelledwith；andEthelberta’shonestywouldhavedeliveredthetidingsatonce，hadnot，unfortunately，alltherestofherattributesbeendeadagainstthatact，fortheoldlady’ssakeevenmorethanforherown。
’Isawagreatcruelbirdchasingaharmlessduck！’sheexclaimedinnocently。’AndIranaftertoseewhattheendofitwouldbe——
muchfurtherthanIhadanyideaofgoing。However，theduckcametoapond，andinrunningroundittoseetheendofthefight，I
couldnotrememberwhichwayIhadcome。’
’Mercy！’saidhermother-in-law，liftingherlargeeyelids，heavyaswindow-shutters，andspreadingoutherfingerslikethehornsofasnail。’Youmighthavesunkuptoyourkneesandgotlostinthatswampyplace——suchatimeofnight，too。Whatatomboyyouare！
Andhowdidyoufindyourwayhomeafterall！’
’O，somemanshowedmetheway，andthenIhadnodifficulty，andafterthatIcamealongleisurely。’
’Ithoughtyouhadbeenrunningalltheway；youlooksowarm。’
’Itisawarmevening……Yes，andIhavebeenthinkingofoldtimesasIwalkedalong，’shesaid，’andhowpeople’spositionsinlifealter。HaveInotheardyousaythatwhileIwasatBonn，atschool，somefamilythatwehadknownhadtheirhouseholdbrokenupwhenthefatherdied，andthatthechildrenwentawayyoudidn’tknowwhere？’
’DoyoumeantheJulians？’
’Yes，thatwasthename。’
’Why，ofcourseyouknowitwastheJulians。YoungJulianhadadayortwo’sfancyforyouonesummer，hadhenot？——justafteryoucametous，atthesametime，orjustbeforeit，thatmypoorboyandyouweresodesperatelyattachedtoeachother。’
’Oyes，Irecollect，’saidEthelberta。’Andhehadasister，I
think。Iwonderwheretheywenttoliveafterthefamilycollapse。’
’Idonotknow，’saidLadyPetherwin，takingupanothersheetofpaper。’Ihaveadimnotionthattheson，whohadbeenbroughtuptonoprofession，becameateacherofmusicinsomecountrytown——
musichavingalwaysbeenhishobby。Butthefactsarenotverydistinctinmymemory。’Andshedippedherpenforanotherletter。
Ethelberta，witharatherfallencountenance，thenlefthermother-
in-law，andwentwhereallladiesaresupposedtogowhentheywanttotormenttheirmindsincomfort——toherownroom。Hereshethoughtfullysatdownawhile，andsometimelatersherangforhermaid。
’Menlove，’shesaid，withoutlookingtowardsarustleandhalfafootstepthathadjustcomeinatthedoor，butleaningbackinherchairandspeakingtowardsthecornerofthelooking-glass，’willyougodownandfindoutifanygentlemannamedJulianhasbeenstayinginthishouse？Gettoknowit，Imean，Menlove，notbydirectlyinquiring；youhavewaysofgettingtoknowthings，haveyounot？IfthedevotedGeorgewereherenow，hewouldhelp——’
’Georgewasnothingtome，ma’am。’
’James，then。’
’AndIonlyhadJamesforaweekortendays:whenIfoundhewasamarriedman，Iencouragedhisaddressesverylittleindeed。’
’Ifyouhadencouragedhimheartandsoul，youcouldn’thavefumedmoreatthelossofhim。Butpleasetogoandmakethatinquiry，willyou，Menlove？’
InafewminutesEthelberta’swomanwasbackagain。’Agentlemanofthatnamestayedherelastnight，andleftthisafternoon。’
’Willyoufindouthisaddress？’
Nowthelady’s-maidhadalreadybeenquick-wittedenoughtofindoutthat，andindeedallabouthim；butitchancedthatafashionableillustratedweeklypaperhadjustbeensentfromthebookseller’s，andbeinginwantofalittletimetolookitoverbeforeitreachedhermistress’shands，Mrs。Menloveretired，asiftogoandaskthequestion——tostandmeanwhileunderthegas-lampinthepassage，inspectingthefascinatingengravings。Butastimewillnotwaitfortire-women，anaturallengthofabsencesoonelapsed，andshereturnedagainandsaid，’Hisaddressis，UpperStreet，Sandbourne。’
’Thankyou，thatwilldo，’repliedhermistress。
Thehourgrewlater，andthatdreamyperiodcameroundwhenladies’
fancies，thathavelainshutupcloseastheirfansduringtheday，begintoassertthemselvesanew。AtthistimeagoodguessatEthelberta’sthoughtsmighthavebeenmadefromhermannerofpassingtheminutesaway。Insteadofreading，enteringnotesinherdiary，ordoinganyordinarything，shewalkedtoandfro，curledherprettynetherlipwithinherprettyupperoneagreatmanytimes，madeacradleofherlockedfingers，andpausedwithfixedeyeswherethewallsoftheroomsetlimitsuponherwalktolookatnothingbutapicturewithinhermind。
2。CHRISTOPHER’SHOUSE-SANDBOURNETOWN-SANDBOURNEMOOR
Duringthewetautumnofthesameyear，thepostmanpassedonemorningasusualintoaplainstreetthatranthroughthelessfashionableportionofSandbourne，amoderncoasttownandwatering-
placenotmanymilesfromtheancientAnglebury。Heknockedatthedoorofaflat-facedbrickhouse，anditwasopenedbyaslight，thoughtfulyoungman，withhishaton，justthencomingout。Thepostmanputintohishandsabookpacket，addressed，’ChristopherJulian，Esq。’
Christophertookthepackageupstairs，openeditwithcuriosity，anddiscoveredwithinagreenvolumeofpoems，byananonymouswriter，thetitle-pagebearingtheinscription，’MetresbyE。’Thebookwasnew，thoughitwascut，anditappearedtohavebeenlookedinto。
Theyoungman，afterturningitoverandwonderingwhereitcamefrom，laiditonthetableandwenthisway，beinginhastetofulfilhisengagementsfortheday。
Intheevening，onreturninghomefromhisoccupations，hesathimselfdowncosilytoreadthenewly-arrivedvolume。Thewindsofthisuncertainseasonweresnarlinginthechimneys，anddropsofrainspatthemselvesintothefire，revealingplainlythattheyoungman’sroomwasnotfarenoughfromthetopofthehousetoadmitofatwistintheflue，andrevealingdarklyalittlemore，ifthatsocialrule-of-threeinverse，thehigherinlodgingsthelowerinpocket，wereapplicablehere。However，theaspectoftheroom，thoughhomely，wascheerful，asomewhatcontradictorygroupoffurnituresuggestingthatthecollectionconsistedofwaifsandstraysfromaformerhome，thegrimyfacesoftheoldarticlesexercisingacuriousandsubduingeffectonthebrightfacesofthenew。Anovalmirrorofrococoworkmanship，andaheavycabinet-
pianowithacornicelikethatofanEgyptiantemple，adjoinedaharmoniumofyesterday，andaharpthatwasalmostasnew。Printedmusicofthelastcentury，andmanuscriptmusicofthepreviousevening，laythereinsuchquantityastoendangerthetidinessofaretreatwhichwasindeedonlysavedfromachronicstateoflitterbyapairofhandsthatsometimesplayed，withthelightnessofbreezes，aboutthesewing-machinestandinginaremotecorner——ifanycornercouldbecalledremoteinaroomsosmall。
Firelightsandshadesfromtheshakingflamesstruckinabutterflyflutterontheunderpartsofthemantelshelf，anduponthereader’scheekashesat。Presently，andallatonce，amuchgreaterintentnesspervadedhisface:heturnedbackagain，andreadanewthesubjectthathadarrestedhiseyes。Hewasamanwhosecountenancevariedwithhismood，thoughitkeptsomewhatintherearofthatmood。Helookedsadwhenhefeltalmostserene，andonlyserenewhenhefeltquitecheerful。Itisahabitpeopleacquirewhohavehadrepressingexperiences。
Afaintsmileandflushnowlightenedhisface，andjumpingupheopenedthedoorandexclaimed，’Faith！willyoucomehereforamoment？’
Apromptstepwasheardonthestairs，andtheyoungpersonaddressedasFaithenteredtheroom。Shewassmallinfigure，andborelessintheformofherfeaturesthanintheirshadeswhenchangingfromexpressiontoexpressiontheevidencethatshewashissister。
’Faith——Iwantyouropinion。But，stop，readthisfirst。’Helaidhisfingeruponapageinthebook，andplaceditinherhand。
Thegirldrewfromherpocketalittlegreen-leathersheath，wornattheedgestowhity-brown，andoutofthatapairofspectacles，unconsciouslylookingroundtheroomforamomentasshedidso，asiftoensurethatnostrangersawherintheactofusingthem。
Hereaweaknesswasuncoveredatonce；itwasasmall，pretty，andnaturalone；indeed，asweaknessesgointhegreatworld，itmightalmosthavebeencalledacommendabletrait。Shethenbegantoread，withoutsittingdown。
These’MetresbyE。’composedacollectionofsoftandmarvellouslymusicalrhymes，ofanatureknownastheversdesociete。Thelinespresentedaseriesofplayfuldefencesofthesupposedstrategyofwomankindinfascination，courtship，andmarriage——thewholeteemingwithideasbrightasmirrorsandjustasunsubstantial，yetformingabrilliantargumenttojustifythewaysofgirlstomen。Thepervadingcharacteristicofthemasswasthemeansofforcingintonotice，bystrangenessofcontrast，thesinglemournfulpoemthatthebookcontained。Itwasplacedattheveryend，andunderthetitleof’CancelledWords，’formedawhimsicalandratheraffectinglove-lament，somewhatinthetoneofmanyofSirThomasWyatt’spoems。ThiswasthepiecewhichhadarrestedChristopher’sattention，andhadbeenpointedoutbyhimtohissisterFaith。
’Itisverytouching，’shesaid，lookingup。
’WhatdoyouthinkIsuspectaboutit——thatthepoemisaddressedtome！Doyouremember，whenfatherwasaliveandwewereatSolentseathatseason，aboutagovernesswhocametherewithaSirRalphPetherwinandhiswife，peoplewithasicklylittledaughterandagrown-upson？’
’Ineversawanyofthem。IthinkIrememberyourknowingsomethingaboutayoungmanofthatname。’
’Yes，thatwasthefamily。Well，thegovernesstherewasaveryattractivewoman，andsomehoworotherIgotmoreinterestedinherthanIoughttohavedone(thisisnecessarytothehistory)，andweusedtomeetinromanticplaces——and——andthatkindofthing，youknow。Theendofitwas，shejiltedmeandmarriedtheson。’
’YouwereanxioustogetawayfromSolentsea。’
’WasI？Thenthatwaschieflythereason。Well，Idecidedtothinknomoreofher，andIwashelpedtodoitbythetroublesthatcameuponusshortlyafterwards；itisablessedarrangementthatonedoesnotfeelasentimentalgriefatallwhenadditionalgriefcomesintheshapeofpracticalmisfortune。However，onthefirstafternoonofthelittleholidayItookformywalkingtourlastsummer，IcametoAnglebury，andstayedabouttheneighbourhoodforadayortwotoseewhatitwaslike，thinkingwemightsettlethereifthisplacefailedus。ThenexteveningIleft，andwalkedacrosstheheathtoFlychett——that’savillageaboutfivemilesfurtheron——
soastobethatdistanceonmywayfornextmorning；andwhileI
wascrossingtheheaththereImetthisverywoman。Wetalkedalittle，becausewecouldn’thelpit——youmayimaginethekindoftalkitwas——andpartedascoollyaswehadmet。Nowthisstrangebookcomestome；andIhaveastrongconvictionthatsheisthewriterofit，forthatpoemsketchesasimilarscene——orrathersuggestsit；andthetonegenerallyseemsthekindofthingshewouldwrite——notthatshewasasadwoman，either。’
’Sheseemstobeawarm-hearted，impulsivewoman，tojudgefromthesetenderverses。’
’Peoplewhoprintverywarmwordshavesometimesverycoldmanners。
Iwonderifitisreallyherwriting，andifshehassentittome！’
’Woulditnotbeasingularthingforamarriedwomantodo？Thoughofcourse’——(sheremovedherspectaclesasiftheyhinderedherfromthinking，andhidthemunderthetimepiecetillsheshouldgoonreading)——’ofcoursepoetshavemoralsandmannersoftheirown，andcustomisnoargumentwiththem。IamsureIwouldnothavesentittoamanfortheworld！’
’Idonotseeanyabsoluteharminhersendingit。Perhapsshethinksthat，sinceitisallover，wemayaswelldiefriends。’
’IfIwereherhusbandIshouldhavedoubtsaboutthedying。And\"allover\"maynotbesoplaintootherpeopleasitistoyou。’
’Perhapsnot。Andwhenamanchecksallawoman’sfinersentimentstowardshimbymarryingher，itisonlynaturalthatitshouldfindaventsomewhere。However，sheprobablydoesnotknowofmydownfallsincefather’sdeath。Ihardlythinkshewouldhavecaredtodoithadsheknownthat。(IamassumingthatitisEthelberta——
Mrs。Petherwin——whosendsit:ofcourseIamnotsure。)WemustrememberthatwhenIknewherIwasagentlemanatease，whohadnottheleastnotionthatIshouldhavetoworkforaliving，andnotonlyso，butshouldhavefirsttoinventaprofessiontoworkatoutofmyoldtastes。’
’Kit，youhavemadetwomistakesinyourthoughtsofthatlady。
EventhoughIdon’tknowher，Icanshowyouthat。NowI’lltellyou！thefirstisinthinkingthatamarriedladywouldsendthebookwiththatpoeminitwithoutatanyrateaslightdoubtastoitspropriety:thesecondisinsupposingthat，hadshewishedtodoit，shewouldhavegiventhethingupbecauseofourmisfortunes。
Withatruewomanthesecondreasonwouldhavehadnoeffecthadsheoncegotoverthefirst。I’mawoman，andthat’swhyIknow。’
Christophersaidnothing，andturnedoverthepoems。
Helivedbyteachingmusic，and，incomparisonwithstarving，thrived；thoughthewealthymightpossiblyhavesaidthatincomparisonwiththrivinghestarved。Duringthisnighthehummedairsinbed，thoughthewoulddofortheballadofthefairpoetesswhatothermusicianshaddonefortheballadsofotherfairpoetesses，anddreamedthatshesmiledonhimasherprototypeSapphosmiledonPhaon。
Thenextmorningbeforestartingonhisroundsanewcircumstanceinducedhimtodirecthisstepstothebookseller’s，andaskaquestion。Hehadfoundonexaminingthewrapperofthevolumethatitwaspostedinhisowntown。
’Nocopyofthebookhasbeensoldbyme，’thebookseller’svoicerepliedfromfaruptheAlpineheightoftheshop-ladder，wherehestooddustingstalevolumes，aswashishabitofamorningbeforecustomerscame。’Ihaveneverheardofit——probablynevershall；’
andheshookouttheduster，soastohitthedelicatemeanbetweenstiflingChristopherandnotstiflinghim。
’Surelyyoudon’tlivebyyourshop？’saidChristopher，drawingback。
Thebookseller’seyesrestedonthespeaker’s；hisfacechanged；hecamedownandplacedhishandonthelapelofChristopher’scoat。
’Sir，’hesaid，’countrybooksellingisamiserable，impoverishing，exasperatingthinginthesedays。Canyouunderstandtherest？’
’Ican；Iforgiveastarvingmananything，’saidChristopher。
’Yougoalongwayverysuddenly，’saidthebookseller。’Halfasmuchpitywouldhaveseemedbetter。However，waitamoment。’Helookedintoalistofnewbooks，andadded:’Theworkyoualludetowasonlypublishedlastweek；though，mindyou，ifithadbeenpublishedlastcenturyImightnothavesoldacopy。’
Althoughhistimewasprecious，Christopherhadnowbecomesointerestedinthecircumstancethattheunseensenderwassomebodybreathinghisownatmosphere，possiblytheverywriterherself——thebookbeingtoonewtobeknown——thatheagainpassedthroughtheblueshadowofthespirewhichstretchedacrossthestreetto-day，andwenttowardsthepost-office，animatedbyabrightintention——toaskthepostmasterifheknewthehandwritinginwhichthepacketwasaddressed。
NowthepostmasterwasanacquaintanceofChristopher’s，but，asregardedputtingthatquestiontohim，therewasadifficulty。
Everythingturneduponwhetherthepostmasteratthemomentofaskingwouldbeinhisunder-governmentmanner，orinthemannerwithwhichmerenaturehadendowedhim。Inthelattercasehisreplywouldbeallthatcouldbewished；intheformer，amanwhohadsunkinsocietymightaswellputhistongueintoamousetrapasmakeaninquirysoobviouslyoutsidethepaleoflegalityaswasthis。
Sohepostponedhisbusinessforthepresent，andrefrainedfromenteringtillhepassedbyafterdinner，whenpleasantmaltliquor，ofthatcapacityforcheeringwhichisexpressedbyfourlargeletterX’smarchinginarow，hadrefilledtheglobulartrunkofthepostmasterandneutralizedsomeoftheeffectsofofficiality。Thetimewaswellchosen，buttheinquirythreatenedtoprovefruitless:
thepostmasterhadnever，tohisknowledge，seenthewritingbefore。
Christopherwasturningawaywhenaclerkinthebackgroundlookedupandstatedthatsomeyoungladyhadbroughtapacketwithsuchanaddressuponitintotheofficetwodaysearliertogetitstamped。
’Doyouknowher？’saidChristopher。
’Ihaveseenherabouttheneighbourhood。Shegoesbyeverymorning；Ithinkshecomesintothetownfrombeyondthecommon，andreturnsagainbetweenfourandfiveintheafternoon。’
’Whatdoesshewear？’
’Awhitewooljacketwithzigzagsofblackbraid。’
Christopherleftthepost-officeandwenthisway。AmonghisotherpupilsthereweretwowholivedatsomedistancefromSandbourne——
oneoftheminthedirectionindicatedasthathabituallytakenbytheyoungperson；andintheafternoon，ashereturnedhomeward，Christopherloiteredandlookedaround。Atfirsthecouldseenobody；butwhenaboutamilefromtheoutskirtsofthetownhediscernedalightspotaheadofhim，whichactuallyturnedouttobethejacketalludedto。Induetimehemetthewearerfacetoface；
shewasnotEthelbertaPetherwin——quiteadifferentsortofindividual。Hehadlongmadeuphismindthatthiswouldbethecase，yethewasinsomeindescribablewaydisappointed。
Ofthetwoclassesintowhichgentleyoungwomennaturallydivide，thosewhogrowredattheirweddings，andthosewhogrowpale，thepresentonebelongedtotheformerclass。ShewasanApril-natured，pink-cheekedgirl，witheyesthatwouldhavemadeanyjewellerinEnglandthinkofhistrade——onewhoevidentlytookherdayinthedaytime，frequentlycaughttheearlyworm，andhadlittletodowithyawnsorcandlelight。Shecameandpassedhim；hefanciedthathercountenancechanged。Butonemayfancyanything，andthepairrecededeachfromeachwithoutturningtheirheads。Hecouldnotspeaktoher，plainandsimpleassheseemed。
Itisrarelythatamanwhocanbeenteredandmadetothrobbythechannelofhisearsisnotopentoasimilarattackthroughthechannelofhiseyes——formanydoorswilladmittoonemansion——
allowancebeingmadeforthereadiercapacityofchosenandpractisedorgans。Hencethebeauties，concords，andeloquencesofthefemaleformwereneverwithouttheireffectuponChristopher，abornmusician，artist，poet，seer，mouthpiece——whicheveratranslatorofNature’soraclesintosimplespeechmaybecalled。
Theyounggirlwhohadgonebywasfreshandpleasant；moreover，shewasasortofmysteriouslinkbetweenhimselfandthepast，whichthesethingswerevividlyrevivinginhim。
ThefollowingweekChristophermetheragain。Shehadnotmuchdignity，hehadnotmuchreserve，andthesuddenresolutiontohaveaholidaywhichsometimesimpelsaplumphearttoriseupagainstabrainthatoverweightsitwasnottoberesisted。Hejustliftedhishat，andputtheonlyquestionhecouldthinkofasabeginning:
’HaveIthepleasureofaddressingtheauthorofabookofverymelodiouspoemsthatwassentmetheotherday？’
Thegirl’sforefingertwirledrapidlytheloopofbraidthatithadpreviouslybeentwirlingslowly，anddrawinginherbreath，shesaid，’No，sir。’
’Thesender，then？’
’Yes。’
ShesomehowpresentedherselfassoinsignificantbythecombinedeffectofthemannerandthewordsthatChristopherloweredhismethodofaddresstoherlevelatonce。’Ah，’hesaid，’suchanatmosphereasthewriterof\"MetresbyE。\"seemstobreathewouldsoonspoilcheeksthatarefreshandroundaslady-apples——eh，littlegirl？Butareyoudisposedtotellmethatwriter’sname？’
Byapplyingageneralideatoaparticularcaseapersonwiththebestofintentionsmayfindhimselfimmediatelylandedinaquandary。Insayingtothecountrygirlbeforehimwhatwouldhavesuitedthemassofcountrylasseswellenough，Christopherhadoffendedherbeyondthecureofcompliment。
’Iamnotdisposedtotellthewriter’sname，’shereplied，withadudgeonthatwasverygreatforonewhosewholestockofitwasatrifle。Andshepassedonandlefthimstandingalone。
Thusfurtherconversationwaschecked；but，throughhavingrearrangedthehoursofhiscountrylessons，ChristophermetherthenextWednesday，andthenextFriday，andthroughoutthefollowingweek——nofurtherwordspassingbetweenthem。Forawhileshewentbyverydemurely，apparentlymindfulofhisoffence。Buteffronteryisnotprovedtobepartofaman’snaturetillhehasbeenguiltyofasecondact:thebestofmenmaycommitafirstthroughaccidentorignorance——mayevenbebetrayedintoitbyover-zealforexperiment。Somesuchconclusionmayormaynothavebeenarrivedatbythegirlwiththelady-applecheeks；atanyrate，afterthelapseofanotherweekanewspectaclepresenteditself；herrednessdeepenedwheneverChristopherpassedherby，andembarrassmentpervadedherfromtheloweststitchtothetipofherfeather。Shehadlittlechanceofescapinghimbydivergingfromtheroad，forafigurecouldbeseenacrosstheopengroundtothedistanceofhalfamileoneitherside。Onedayashedrewnearasusual，shemethimaswomenmeetacloudofdust——sheturnedandlookedbackwardstillhehadpassed。
Thiswouldhavebeendisconcertingbutforonereason:Christopherwasceasingtonoticeher。Hewasamanwhooften，whenwalkingabroad，andlookingasitwereatthescenebeforehiseyes，discernedsuccessesandfailures，friendsandrelations，episodesofchildhood，weddingfeastsandfunerals，thelandscapesufferinggreatlybythesevisions，untilitbecamenomorethanthepatternedwall-tintsaboutthepaintingsinagallery；somethingnecessarytothetone，yetnotregarded。Nothingbutaspecialconcentrationofhimselfonexternalscouldinterruptthishabit，andnowthatherappearancealongthewayhadchangedfromachancetoacustomhebegantolapseagainintotheoldtrick。Hegazedonceortwiceatherformwithoutseeingit:hedidnotnoticethatshetrembled。
Hesometimesreadashewalked，andbookinhandhefrequentlyapproachedhernow。Thiswentontillsixweekshadpassedfromthetimeoftheirfirstencounter。Latterlymighthavebeenonceortwiceheard，whenhehadmovedoutofearshot，asoundlikeasmallgaspingsigh；butnoarrangementsweredisturbed，andChristophercontinuedtokeepdownhiseyesaspersistentlyasasaintinachurchwindow。
Thelastdayofhisengagementhadarrived，andwithitthelastofhiswalksthatway。Onhisfinalreturnhecarriedinhishandabunchofflowerswhichhadbeenpresentedtohimatthecountry-
housewherehislessonsweregiven。HewastakingthemhometohissisterFaith，whoprizedthelingeringblossomsoftheseedingseason。Soonappearedasusualhisfellow-traveller；whereuponChristopherlookeddownuponhisnosegay。’Sweetsimplegirl，’hethought，’I’llendeavourtomakepeacewithherbymeansoftheseflowersbeforewepartforgood。’
Whenshecameupheheldthemouttoherandsaid，’Willyouallowmetopresentyouwiththese？’
Thebrightcoloursofthenosegayinstantlyattractedthegirl’shand——perhapsbeforetherehadbeentimeforthoughttothoroughlyconstruetheposition；forithappenedthatwhenherarmwasstretchedintotheairshesteadieditquickly，andstoodwiththeposeofastatue——rigidwithuncertainty。Butitwastoolatetorefuse:Christopherhadputthenosegaywithinherfingers。
Whateverpleasantexpressionofthanksmayhaveappearedinhereyesfellonlyonthebunchofflowers，forduringthewholetransactiontheyreachedtonohigherlevelthanthat。Tosaythathewascomingnomoreseemedscarcelynecessaryunderthecircumstances，andwishingher’Goodafternoon’veryheartily，hepassedon。
Hehadlearntbythistimeheroccupation，whichwasthatofpupil-
teacheratoneoftheschoolsinthetown，whithershewalkeddailyfromavillagenear。Ifhehadnotbeenpoorandthelittleteacherhumble，Christophermightpossiblyhavebeentemptedtoinquiremorebrisklyabouther，andwhoknowshowsuchapursuitmighthaveended？Buthardexternalsrulevolatilesentiment，andundertheseuntowardinfluencesthegirlandthebookandthetruthaboutitsauthorweremattersuponwhichhecouldnotaffordtoexpendmuchtime。AllChristopherdidwastothinknowandthenoftheprettyinnocentfaceandrounddeepeyes，notoncewonderingifthemindwhichenlivenedthemeverthoughtofhim。
3。SANDBOURNEMOOR(continued)
Itwasoneofthosehostiledaysoftheyearwhenchatterboxladiesremainmiserablyintheirhomestosavethecarriageandharness，whenclerks’wiveshatelivinginlodgings，whenvehiclesandpeopleappearinthestreetwithduplicatesofthemselvesunderfoot，whenbricklayers，slaters，andotherout-doorjourneymensitinashedanddrinkbeer，whenducksanddrakesplaywithhilariousdelightattheirownfamilygame，orspreadoutonewingafteranotherintheslowerenjoymentoflettingthedeliciousmoisturepenetratetotheirinnermostdown。ThesmokefromthefluesofSandbournehadbarelystrengthenoughtoemergeintothedrizzlingrain，andhungdownthesidesofeachchimney-potlikethestreamerofabecalmedship；andatroopofratsmighthaverattleddownthepipesfromrooftobasementwithlessnoisethandidthewaterthatday。
Onthebroadmoorbeyondthetown，whereChristopher’smeetingswiththeteacherhadsoregularlyoccurred，wereastreamandsomelargepools；andbesideoneofthese，nearsomehatchesandaweir，stoodalittlesquarebuilding，notmuchlargerinsidethantheLordMayor’scoach。Itwasknownsimplyas’TheWeirHouse。’Onthiswetafternoon，whichwastheonefollowingthedayofChristopher’slastlessonovertheplain，anearlyinvisiblesmokecamefromthepunychimneyofthehut。Thoughthedoorwasclosed，soundsofchattingandmirthfizzedfromtheinterior，andwouldhavetoldanybodywhohadcomenear——whichnobodydid——thattheusuallyemptyshellwastenantedto-day。
Thescenewithinwasalargefireinafireplacetowhichthewholefloorofthehousewasnomorethanahearthstone。Theoccupantsweretwogentlemanlypersons，inshootingcostume，whohadbeentraversingthemoorformilesinsearchofwildduckandteal，awaterman，andasmallspaniel。Inthecornerstoodtheirguns，andtwoorthreewildmallards，whichrepresentedthescantyproductoftheirmorning’slabour，theiridescentnecksofthedeadbirdsreplyingtoeveryflickerofthefire。Thetwosportsmenweresmoking，andtheirmanwasmostlyoccupyinghimselfinpokingandstirringthefirewithastick:allthreeappearedtobeprettywellwetted。
Oneofthegentlemen，bywayofvaryingthenotveryexhilaratingstudyoffourbrickwallswithinmicroscopicdistanceofhiseye，turnedtoasmallsquareholewhichadmittedlightandairtothehut，andlookedoutuponthedrearyprospectbeforehim。Thewideconcaveofcloud，ofthemonotonoushueofdullpewter，formedanunbrokenhoodoverthelevelfromhorizontohorizon；beneathit，reflectingitswanlustre，wastheglazedhigh-roadwhichstretched，hedgelessandditchless，pastadirecting-postwhereanotherroadjoinedit，andontothelessregulargroundbeyond，lyinglikearibandunrolledacrossthescene，tillitvanishedoverthefurthermostundulation。Besidethepoolswereoccasionaltallsheavesofflagsandsedge，andabouttheplainafewbushes，theseformingtheonlyobstructionstoaviewotherwiseunbroken。
Thesportsman’sattentionwasattractedbyafigureinastateofgradualenlargementasitapproachedalongtheroad。
’Ishouldthinkthatifpleasurecan’ttemptanativeoutofdoorsto-day，businesswillneverforcehimout，’heobserved。’Thereis，forthefirsttime，somebodycomingalongtheroad。’
’Ifbusinessdon’tdraghimoutpleasure’llnevertempten，ismorelikeournaterintheseparts，sir，’saidtheman，whowaslookingintothefire。
Theconversationshowednovitality，anddownitdroppeddeadasbefore，themanwhowasstandingupcontinuingtogazeintothemoisture。Whathadatfirstappearedasanepiceneshapethedecreasingspaceresolvedintoacloakedfemaleunderanumbrella:
shenowrelaxedherpace，till，reachingthedirecting-postwheretheroadbranchedintotwo，shepausedandlookedabouther。
Insteadofcomingfurthersheslowlyretracedherstepsforaboutahundredyards。
’That’sanappointment，’saidthefirstspeaker，asheremovedthecigarfromhislips；’andbythelords，whatadayandplaceforanappointmentwithawoman！’
’What’sanappointment？’inquiredhisfriend，atownyoungman，withaTussaudcomplexionandwell-pencilledbrowshalfwayuphisforehead，sothathisuppereyelidsappearedtopossesstheuncommonqualityoftallness。
’Lookouthere，andyou’llsee。Bythatdirecting-post，wherethetworoadsmeet。Asamandevotedtoart，Ladywell，whohashadthehonourofbeinghunghigherupontheAcademywallsthananyotherlivingpainter，youshouldtakeoutyoursketch-bookanddashoffthescene。’
Wherenothingparticularisgoingon，oneincidentmakesadrama；
and，interestedinthatproportion，theart-sportsmanputsuphiseyeglass(aformheadheredtobeforefiringatgamethathadrisen，bywhichmercifularrangementthebirdgotsafeoff)，placedhisfacebesidehiscompanion’s，andalsopeeredthroughtheopening。
Theyoungpupil-teacher——forshewastheobjectoftheirscrutiny——
re-approachedthespotwhereonshehadbeenaccustomedforthelastmanyweeksofherjourneyhometomeetChristopher，nowforthefirsttimemissing，andagainsheseemedreluctanttopassthehand-
post，forthatmarkedthepointwherethechanceofseeinghimended。Sheglidedbackwardsasbefore，thistimekeepingherfacestilltothefront，asiftryingtopersuadetheworldatlarge，andherownshamefacedness，thatshehadnotyetapproachedtheplaceatall。
’Query，howlongwillshewaitforhim(foritisamantoacertainty)？’resumedtheelderofthesmokers，attheendofseveralminutesofsilence，when，fullofvacillationanddoubt，shebecamelosttoviewbehindsomebushes。’Willshereappear？’Thesmokingwenton，andupshecameintoopengroundasbefore，andwalkedby。
’Iwonderwhothegirlis，tocometosuchaplaceinthisweather？
Theresheisagain，’saidtheyoungmancalledLadywell。
’Somecottagelass，notyetoldenoughtomakethemostofthevaluesetonherbyherfollower，smallasthatappearstobe。Nowwemaygetanideaofthehournamedbythefellowfortheappointment，for，dependuponit，thetimewhenshefirstcame——aboutfiveminutesago——wasthetimeheshouldhavebeenthere。Itisnowgettingontowardsfive——half-pastfourwasdoubtlessthetimementioned。’
’She’snotcomeo’purpose:’tisherwayhomefromschooleveryday，’saidthewaterman。
’Anexperimentonwoman’senduranceandpatienceunderneglect。Twotooneagainstherstayingaquarterofanhour。’
’Thesameoddsagainsthernotstayingtillfivewouldbenearerprobability。What’shalf-an-hourtoagirlinlove？’
’Onamoorlandinwetweatheritisthirtyperceptibleminutestoanyfiresideman，woman，orbeastinChristendom——minutesthatcanbefelt，liketheEgyptianplagueofdarkness。Now，littlegirl，gohome:heisnotworthit。’
Twentyminutespassed，andthegirlreturnedmiserablytothehand-
post，stilltowanderbacktoherretreatbehindthesedge，andleadanychancecomerfromtheoppositequartertobelievethatshehadnotyetreachedthisultimatepointbeyondwhichameetingwithChristopherwasimpossible。
’Nowyou’llfindthatshemeanstowaitthecompletehalf-hour，andthenoffshegoeswithabrokenheart。’
Allthreenowlookedthroughtheholetotestthetruthoftheprognostication。Thehouroffivecompleteditselfontheirwatches；thegirlagaincameforward。Andthenthethreeinambuscadecouldseeherpulloutherhandkerchiefandplaceittohereyes。
’She’sgrievingnowbecausehehasnotcome。Poorlittlewoman，whatabrutehemustbe；forabrokenheartinawomanmeansabrokenvowinaman，asIinferfromathousandinstancesinexperience，romance，andhistory。Don’topenthedoortillsheisgone，Ladywell；itwillonlydisturbher。’
Astheyhadguessed，thepupil-teacher，hearingthedistanttown-
clockstrikethehour，gavewaytoherfancynolonger，andlaunchedintothedivergingpath。ThislingeringforChristopher’sarrivalhad，asisknown，beenfoundedonnothingmoreofthenatureofanassignationthanlayinhisregularwalkalongtheplainatthattimeeveryMonday，Wednesday，andFridayofthesixpreviousweeks。
Itmustbesaidthathewasveryfarindeedfromdiviningthathisinjudiciouspeace-offeringoftheflowershadstirredintolifesuchawearing，anxious，hopeful，despairingsolicitudeasthis，whichhadbeenlatentforsometimeduringhisconstantmeetingswiththelittlestranger。
Shevanishedinthemisttowardstheleft，andtheloiterersinthehutbegantomoveandopenthedoor，remarking，’NowthenforWyndwayHouse，achangeofclothes，andadinner。’
4。SANDBOURNEPIER-ROADTOWYNDWAY-BALL-ROOMINWYNDWAYHOUSE
ThelastlightofawinterdayhadgonedownbehindthehousesofSandbourne，andnightwasshutcloseoverall。Christopher，abouteighto’clock，wasstandingattheendofthepierwithhisbacktowardstheopensea，whencethewaveswerepushingtotheshoreinfrillsandcoilsthatwerejustrenderedvisibleinalltheirbleakinstabilitybytherowoflightsalongthesidesofthejetty，therapidmotionlandwardofthewavetipsproducinguponhiseyeanapparentprogressofthepierouttosea。Thispier-headwasaspotwhichChristopherenjoyedvisitingonsuchmoaningandsighingnightsasthepresent，whenthesportiveandvariegatedthrongthathauntedthepieronautumndayswasnolongerthere，andheseemedalonewithweatherandtheinvinciblesea。
Somebodycametowardshimalongthedesertedfootway，andraysfromthenearestlampstreakedthefaceofhissisterFaith。
’OChristopher，Iknewyouwerehere，’shesaideagerly。’Youarewanted；there’saservantcomefromWyndwayHouseforyou。Heissenttoaskifyoucancomeimmediatelytoplayatalittledancetheyhaveresolveduponthisevening——quitesuddenlyitseems。Ifyoucancome，youmustbringwithyouanyassistantyoucanlayyourhandsuponatamoment’snotice，hesays。’
’WyndwayHouse；whyshouldthepeoplesendformeaboveallothermusiciansinthetown？’
Faithdidnotknow。’Ifyoureallydecidetogo，’shesaid，astheywalkedhomeward，’youmighttakemeasyourassistant。Ishouldanswerthepurpose，shouldInot，Kit？sinceitisonlyadanceortwotheyseemtowant。’
’AndyourharpIsupposeyoumean。Yes；youmightbecompetenttotakeapart。Itcannotbearegularball；theywouldhavehadthequadrillebandforanythingofthatsort。Faith——we’llgo。
However，letusseethemanfirst，andinquireparticulars。’
Reachinghome，Christopherfoundathisdoorahorseandwagonetteinchargeofaman-servantinlivery，whorepeatedwhatFaithhadtoldherbrother。WyndwayHousewasawell-knowncountry-seatthreeorfourmilesoutofthetown，andthecoachmanmentionedthatiftheyweregoingitwouldbewellthattheyshouldgetreadytostartassoonastheyconvenientlycould，sincehehadbeentoldtoreturnbytenifpossible。Christopherquicklypreparedhimself，andputanewstringortwointoFaith’sharp，bywhichtimeshealsowasdressed；and，wrappingupherselfandherinstrumentsafefromthenightair，awaytheydroveathalf-pastnine。
’Isitalargeparty？’saidChristopher，astheywhizzedalong。
’No，sir；itiswhatwecalladance——thatis，’tislikeaball，youknow，onasmallscale——aballonaspurt，thatyouneverthoughtoftillyouhadit。Inshort，itgrewoutofatalkatdinner，I
believe；andsomeoftheyoungpeoplepresentwantedajig，anddidn’tcaretoplaythemselves，youknow，youngladiesbeinganidleclassofsocietyatthebestoftimes。We’veahousefullofsleepingcompany，youunderstand——beenthereaweeksomeof’em——
mostof’embeingmistress’srelations。’
’Theyprobablyfounditalittledull。’
’Well，yes——itisratherdullfor’em——Christmas-timeandall。Assoonasitwasproposedtheywerewildforsendingpost-hasteforsomebodyorothertoplaytothem。’
’Didtheynamemeparticularly？’saidChristopher。
’Yes；\"Mr。ChristopherJulian，\"shesays。\"Thegentwho’sturnedmusic-man？\"Isaid。\"Yes，that’shim，\"saysshe。’
’Thereweremusic-menlivingnearertoyourendofthetownthanI。’
’Yes，butIknowitwasyouparticular:thoughIdon’tthinkmistressthoughtanythingaboutyouatfirst。Mr。Joyce——that’sthebutler——saidthatyournamewasmentionedtoouroldparty，whenhewasintheroom，byayoungladystayingwithus，andmistresssaysthen，\"TheJulianshavehadadownfall，andthesonhastakentomusic。\"Thenwhendancingwastalkedof，theysaid，\"O，let’shavehimbyallmeans。\"’
’Wastheyoungladywhofirstinquiredformyfamilythesameonewhosaid，\"Let’shavehimbyallmeans？\"’
’Ono；butitwasonaccountofheraskingthattherestsaidtheywouldlikeyoutoplay——atleastthat’sasIhaditfromJoyce。’
’Doyouknowthatlady’sname？’
’Mrs。Petherwin。’
’Ah！’
’Cold，sir？’
’Ono。’
Christopherdidnotliketoquestionthemananyfurther，thoughwhathehadheardaddednewlifetohispreviouscuriosity；andtheydrovealongthewayinsilence，Faith’sfigure，wrappeduptothetopofherhead，cuttingintotheskybehindthemlikeasugar-loaf。
Suchgatesascrossedtheroadshadbeenleftopenbytheforethoughtofthecoachman，and，passingthelodge，theyproceededabouthalf-a-milealongaprivatedrive，thenascendedarise，andcameinviewofthefrontofthemansion，puncturedwithwindowsthatwerenowmostlylightedup。
’Whatisthat？’saidFaith，catchingaglimpseofsomethingthatthecarriage-lampshowedonthefaceofonewallastheypassed，amarblebas-reliefofsomebattle-piece，builtintothestonework。
’That’sthesceneofthedeathofoneofthesquire’sforefathers——
ColonelSirMartinJones，whowaskilledatthemomentofvictoryinthebattleofSalamanca——butIhaven’tbeenherelongenoughtoknowtherightsofit。WhenIaminoneofmymeditations，asIwaitherewiththecarriagesometimes，Ithinkhowmanymoregetkilledatthemomentofvictorythanatthemomentofdefeat。Thisistheentranceforyou，sir。’Andheturnedthecornerandpulledupbeforeasidedoor。
Theyalightedandwentin，ChristophershoulderingFaith’sharp，andshemarchingmodestlybehind，withcurly-earedmusic-booksunderherarm。Theywereshownintothehouse-steward’sroom，andusheredthencealongabadly-litpassageandpastadoorwithinwhichahumandlaughterwereaudible。Thedoornexttothiswasthenopenedforthem，andtheyentered。
ScarcelyhadFaith，orChristophereither，everbeheldamoreshiningscenethanwaspresentedbythesalooninwhichtheynowfoundthemselves。Comingdirectfromthegloomypark，andledtotheroombythatbackpassagefromtheservants’quarter，thelightfromthechandelierandbranchesagainstthewalls，strikingongildingatallpoints，quitedazzledtheirsightforaminuteortwo；itcausedFaithtomoveforwardwithhereyesonthefloor，andfilledChristopherwithanimpulsetoturnbackagainintosomeduskycornerwhereeverythreadofhisnotover-newdresssuit——
rathermoth-eatenthroughlackoffeastsforairingit——couldbecountedlesseasily。
Hewassoonseatedbeforeagrandpiano，andFaithsatdownundertheshadowofherharp，bothbeingarrangedonadaiswithinanalcoveatoneendoftheroom。AscreenofivyandhollyhadbeenconstructedacrossthefrontofthisrecessforthegamesofthechildrenonChristmasEve，anditstillremainedthere，asmallcreep-holebeingleftforentranceandexit。
Thenthemerrygueststumbledthroughdoorsatthefurtherend，anddancingbegan。Theminglingofblack-coatedmenandbrightladiesgaveacharmingappearancetothegroupsasseenbyFaithandherbrother，thewholespectaclederivinganunexpectednoveltyfromtheaccidentofreachingtheireyesthroughintersticesinthetraceryofgreenleaves，whichaddedtothepictureasoftnessthatitwouldnototherwisehavepossessed。Ontheotherhand，themusicians，havingamuchweakerlight，couldhardlybediscernedbytheperformersinthedance。
Themusicwasnowrattlingon，andtheladiesintheirfoam-likedresseswerebusilythreadingandspinningaboutthefloor，whenFaith，casuallylookingupintoherbrother’sface，wassurprisedtoseethatachangehadcomeoverit。Attheendofthequadrilleheleantacrosstoherbeforeshehadtimetospeak，andsaidquietly，’She’shere！’
’Who？’saidFaith，forshehadnotheardthewordsofthecoachman。
’Ethelberta。’
’Whichisshe？’askedFaith，peepingthroughwiththekeenestinterest。
’Theonewhohastheskirtsofherdressloopedupwithconvolvulusflowers——theonewithherhairfastenedinasortofVenusknotbehind；shehasjustbeendancingwiththatperfumedpieceofamantheycallMr。Ladywell——itishewiththehigheyebrowsarchedlikeagirl’s。’Headded，withawrinkledsmile，’Icannotformylifeseeanybodyansweringtothecharacterofhusbandtoher，foreverymantakesnoticeofher。’
Theywereinterruptedbyanotherdancebeingcalledfor，andthen，hisfingerstappingaboutuponthekeysasmechanicallyasfowlspeckingatbarleycorns，ChristophergavehimselfupwithacuriousandfarfromunalloyedpleasuretotheoccupationofwatchingEthelberta，nowagaincrossingthefieldofhisvisionlikeareturnedcometwhosecharacteristicswerebecomingpurelyhistorical。Shewasaplump-armedcreature，withawhiteroundneckasfirmasafort——altogetheravigorousshape，asrefreshingtotheeyeasthegreenleavesthroughwhichhebeheldher。Shedancedfreely，andwithazestthatwasapparentlyirrespectiveofpartners。Hehadbeenwaitinglongtohearherspeak，andwhenatlengthhervoicedidreachhisears，itwastherevelationofastrangemattertofindhowgreatathingthatsmalleventhadbecometohim。Heknewtheoldutterance——rapidbutnotfrequent，anobstructivethoughtcausingsometimesasuddenhaltinthemidstofastreamofwords。Butthefeaturesbywhichacoolobserverwouldhavesingledheroutfromothersinhismemorywhenaskinghimselfwhatshewaslike，wasapeculiargazeintoimaginaryfar-awaydistancewhenmakingaquietremarktoapartner——notwithcontractedeyeslikeaseafaringman，butwithanopenfulllook——aremarkinwhichlittlewordsinalowtoneweremadetoexpressagreatdeal，asseveralsinglegentlemenafterwardsfound。
Theproductionofdance-musicwhenthecriticizingstageamongthedancershaspassed，andtheyhavegrownfullofexcitementandanimalspirits，doesnotrequiremuchconcentrationofthoughtintheproducersthereof；anddesultoryconversationaccordinglywentonbetweenFaithandherbrotherfromtimetotime。
’Kit，’shesaidononeoccasion，’areyoulookingatthewayinwhichtheflowersarefastenedtotheleaves？——takingameanadvantageofbeingatthebackofthetapestry？Youcannotthinkhowyoustareatthem。’
’Iwaslookingthroughthem——certainlynotatthem。Ihaveafeelingofbeingmovedaboutlikeapuppetinthehandsofapersonwholegallycanbenothingtome。’
’Thatcharmingwomanwiththeshiningbunchofhairandconvolvuluses？’
’Yes:itisthroughherthatwearebroughthere，andthroughherwritingthatpoem，\"CancelledWords，\"thatthebookwassentme，andthroughtheaccidentalrenewalofacquaintancebetweenusonAngleburyHeath，thatshewrotethepoem。Iwas，however，atthemomentyouspoke，thinkingmoreparticularlyofthelittleteacherwhomEthelbertamusthavecommissionedtosendthebooktome；andwhythatgirlwaschosentodoit。’
’Theremaybeahundredreasons。Kit，Ihaveneveryetseenherlookoncethisway。’
Christopherhadcertainlynotyetreceivedlookorgesturefromher；
buthistimecame。Itwaswhilehewasforamomentoutsidetherecess，andhecaughtherintheact。Shebecameslightlyconfused，turnedaside，andenteredintoconversationwithaneighbour。
Itwasonlyalook，andyetwhatalookitwas！Onemaysayofalookthatitiscapableofdivisionintoasmanyspecies，genera，orders，andclasses，astheanimalworlditself。ChristophersawEthelbertaPetherwin’sperformanceinthiskind——thewell-knownsparkoflightuponthewell-knowndepthsofmystery——andfeltsomethinggoingoutofhimwhichhadgoneoutofhimoncebefore。
Thuscontinuallybeholdingherandhercompanionsinthegiddywhirl，thenightworeonwiththemusicians，lastdancesandmorelastdancesbeingadded，tilltheintentionsoftheoldonthematterwerethriceexceededintheinterestsoftheyoung。Watchingthecoupleswhirlandturn，advanceandrecedeasgentlyasspirits，knotthemselveslikehouse-fliesandpartagain，andlullabiedbythefaintregularbeatoftheirfootstepstothetune，theplayerssankintothepeculiarmesmericquietwhichcomesoverimpressionablepeoplewhoplayforagreatlengthoftimeinthemidstofsuchscenes；andatlasttheonlynoisesthatChristophertookcognizanceofwerethoseoftheexceptionalkind，breakingabovethegeneralseaofsound——acasualsmartrustleofsilk，alaugh，astumble，themonosyllabictalkofthosewhohappenedtolingerforamomentclosetotheleafyscreen——allcomingtohisearslikevoicesfromthoseoldtimeswhenhehadmingledinsimilarscenes，notasservantbutasguest。
5。ATTHEWINDOW-THEROADHOME
Thedancingwasoveratlast，andtheradiantcompanyhadlefttheroom。Alongandwearynightithadbeenforthetwoplayers，thoughastimulatedinteresthadhinderedphysicalexhaustioninoneofthemforawhile。Withtinglingfingersandachingarmstheycameoutofthealcoveintothelonganddesertedapartment，nowpervadedbyadryhaze。Thelightshadburntlow，andFaithandherbrotherwerewaitingbyrequesttillthewagonettewasreadytotakethemhome，abreakfastbeingincourseofpreparationforthemmeanwhile。
Christopherhadcrossedtheroomtorelievehiscrampedlimbs，andnow，peepingthroughacreviceinthewindowcurtains，hesaidsuddenly，’Who’sforatransformationscene？Faith，lookhere！’
Hetouchedtheblind，upitflew，andagorgeousscenepresenteditselftohereyes。Ahugeinflamedsunwasbreastingthehorizonofawidesheetofseawhich，tohersurpriseanddelight，themansionoverlooked。Thebrilliantdiscfiredallthewavesthatlaybetweenitandtheshoreatthebottomofthegrounds，wherethewatertossedtheruddylightfromoneundulationtoanotheringlaresaslargeandclearasmirrors，incessantlyalteringthem，destroyingthem，andcreatingthemagain；whilefurtherofftheymultiplied，thickened，andranintooneanotherlikestrugglingarmies，tilltheymetthefierysourceofthemall。
’O，howwonderfulitis！’saidFaith，puttingherhandonChristopher’sarm。’Whoknewthatwhilstwewereallshutinherewithourpunyilluminationsuchanexhibitionasthiswasgoingonoutside！Howsorryandmeanthegrandandstatelyroomlooksnow！’
Christopherturnedhisbackuponthewindow，andtherewerethehithertobeamingcandle-flamesshiningnomoreradiantlythantarnishedjavelin-heads，whilethesnow-whitelengthsofwaxshowedthemselvesclammyandcadaverousasthefingersofacorpse。Theleavesandflowerswhichhadappearedsoverygreenandbloomingbytheartificiallightwerenowseentobefadedanddusty。Onlythegildingoftheroominsomedegreebroughtitselfintokeepingwiththesplendoursoutside，straydartsoflightseizinguponitandlengtheningthemselvesoutalongfillet，quirk，arris，andmoulding，tillwastedaway。
’Itseems，’saidFaith，’asifallthepeoplewhowerelatelysomerryherehaddied:weourselveslooknomorethanghosts。’Sheturnedupherwearyfacetoherbrother’s，whichtheincomingrayssmoteaslant，makinglittlefurrowsofeverywrinklethereon，andshadyravinesofeverylittlefurrow。
’Youareverytired，Faith，’hesaid。’Suchaheavynight’sworkhasbeenalmosttoomuchforyou。’
’O，Idon’tmindthat，’saidFaith。’ButIcouldnothaveplayedsolongbymyself。’
’Wefilleduponeanother’sgaps；andtherewereplentyofthemtowardsthemorning；but，luckily，peopledon’tnoticethosethingswhenthesmallhoursdrawon。’
’Whattroublesmemost，’saidFaith，’isnotthatIhaveworked，butthatyoushouldbesosituatedastoneedsuchmiserableassistanceasmine。Wearepoor，arewenot，Kit？’
’Yes，weknowalittleaboutpoverty，’hereplied。
Whilethuslingering’Inshadowythoroughfaresofthought，’
Faithinterruptedwith，’Ibelievethereisoneofthedancersnow！——
why，Ishouldhavethoughttheyhadallgonetobed，andwouldn’tgetupagainfordays。’Sheindicatedtohimafigureonthelawntowardstheleft，lookinguponthesameflashingsceneasthattheythemselvesbeheld。
