LadyPetherwincrashedoutoftheroominawindofindignation，andwentupstairsandheardnomore。Adjoiningherchamberwasasmalleronecalledherstudy，and，onreachingthis，sheunlockedacabinet，tookoutasmalldeed-box，removedfromitafoldedpacket，unfoldedit，crumpleditup，andturningroundsuddenlyflungitintothefire。Thenshestoodandbehelditeatenawaywordafterwordbytheflames，’Testament’——’allthatfreehold’——’heirsandassigns’appearingoccasionallyforamomentonlytodisappearforever。Nearlyhalfthedocumenthadturnedintoaglossyblackwhentheladyclaspedherhands。
’WhathaveIdone！’sheexclaimed。Springingtothetongssheseizedwiththemtheportionofthewritingyetunconsumed，anddraggeditoutofthefire。Ethelbertaappearedatthedoor。
’Quick，Ethelberta！’saidLadyPetherwin。’Helpmetoputthisout！’Andthetwowomenwenttramplingwildlyuponthedocumentandsmotheringitwithacornerofthehearth-rug。
’Whatisit？’saidEthelberta。
’Mywill！’saidLadyPetherwin。’Ihavekeptitbymelately，forI
havewishedtolookoveritatleisure——’
’Goodheavens！’saidEthelberta。’AndIwasjustcomingintotellyouthatIwouldalwaysclingtoyou，andneverdesertyou，ill-usemehowyoumight！’
’Suchanaffectionateremarksoundscuriousatsuchatime，’saidLadyPetherwin，sinkingdowninachairattheendofthestruggle。
’But，’criedEthelberta，’youdon’tsuppose——’
’Selfishness，mydear，hasgivenmesuchcrookedlooksthatIcanseeitroundacorner。’
’Ifyoumeanthatwhatisyourstogivemaynotbeminetotake，itwouldbeaswelltonameitinanimpersonalway，ifyoumustnameitatall，\"saidthedaughter-in-law，withweteyelids。’GodknowsIhadnoselfishthoughtinsayingthat。Icameupstairstoaskyoutoforgiveme，andknewnothingaboutthewill。Buteveryexplanationdistortsitallthemore！’
’Wetwohavegotallawry，dear——itcannotbeconcealed——awry——awry。
Ah，whoshallsetusrightagain？However，nowImustsendforMr。
Chancerly——no，Iamgoingoutonotherbusiness，andIwillcalluponhim。There，don’tspoilyoureyes:youmayhavetosellthem。’
Sherangthebellandorderedthecarriage；andhalf-an-hourlaterLadyPetherwin’scoachmandrovehismistressuptothedoorofherlawyer’sofficeinLincoln’sInnFields。
11。SANDBOURNEANDITSNEIGHBOURHOOD-SOMELONDONSTREETS
Whilethiswasgoingonintown，Christopher，athislodgingsinSandbourne，hadbeenthrownintorareoldvisionsanddreamsbytheappearanceofEthelberta’sletter。Flatteredandencouragedtoambitionaswellastolovebyherinspiritingsermon，heputoffnowthelastremnantofcynicaldoubtuponthegenuinenessofhisoldmistress，andonceandforallsetdownasdisloyalabeliefhehadlatterlyacquiredthat’Come，woome，woome；forIamlikeenoughtoconsent，’wasallayoungwomanhadtotell。
AllthereasoningofpoliticalandsocialeconomistswouldnothaveconvincedChristopherthathehadabetterchanceinLondonthaninSandbourneofmakingadecentincomebyreasonableandlikelylabour；butabeliefinafarmoreimprobableproposition，impetuouslyexpressed，warmedhimwiththeideathathemightbecomefamousthere。Thegreaterisfrequentlymorereadilycreditedthantheless，andanargumentwhichwillnotconvinceonamatterofhalfpenceappearsunanswerablewhenappliedtoquestionsofgloryandhonour。
Theregulationwettowelandstrongcoffeeoftheambitiousandintellectualstudentfloatedbeforehiminvisions；butitwaswithasenseofreliefthatherememberedthatmusic，inspiteofitsdrawbacksasameansofsustenance，wasaprofessionhappilyunencumberedwiththoseexcruciatingpreliminariestogreatness。
Christophertalkedaboutthenewmovetohissister，andhewasvexedthatherhopefulnesswasnotrousedtoquitethepitchofhisown。Aswithothersofhissort，histoogeneralhabitofacceptingthemostcloudedpossibilitythatchancesofferedwasonlytranscendedbyhisreadinesstokindlewithafitfulexcitementnowandthen。Faithwasmuchmoreequable。’IfyouwerenotthemostmelancholymanGodevercreated，’shesaid，kindlylookingathisvaguedeepeyesandthinface，whichwasbutafewdegreestoorefinedandpoeticaltoescapetheepithetoflantern-jawedfromanyonewhohadquarrelledwithhim，’youwouldnotmindmycoolnessaboutthis。Itisagoodthingofcoursetogo；Ihavealwaysfanciedthatweweremistakenincominghere。Mediocritystamped\"London\"fetchesmorethantalentmarked\"provincial。\"ButIcannotfeelsoenthusiastic。’
’Still，ifwearetogo，wemayaswellgobyenthusiasmasbycalculation；itisasensationpleasantertothenerves，andleadstojustasgoodaresultwhenthereisonlyoneresultpossible。’
’Verywell，’saidFaith。’Iwillnotdepressyou。IfIhadtodescribeyouIshouldsayyouwereachildinyourimpulses，andanoldmaninyourreflections。Haveyouconsideredwhenweshallstart？’
’Yes。’
’Whathaveyouthought？’
’Thatwemayverywellleavetheplaceinsixweeksifwewish。’
’Wereallymay？’
’Yes。Andwhatismore，wewill。’
ChristopherandFaitharrivedinLondononanafternoonattheendofwinter，andbeheldfromoneoftheriverbridgessnow-whitescrollsofsteamfromthetallchimneysofLambeth，risingagainstthelividskybehind，asifdrawninchalkontonedcardboard。
Thefirstthinghedidthatevening，whensettledintheirapartmentsneartheBritishMuseum，beforeapplyinghimselftothebeginningofthemeansbywhichsuccessinlifemightbeattained，wastogooutinthedirectionofEthelberta’sdoor，leavingFaithunpackingthethings，andsniffingextraordinarysmoke-smellswhichshediscoveredinallnooksandcranniesoftherooms。ItwassomesatisfactiontoseeEthelberta’shouse，althoughthesinglefeatureinwhichitdifferedfromtheotherhousesintheCrescentwasthatnolampshonefromthefanlightovertheentrance——aspecialitywhich，ifhecaredforomens，washardlyencouraging。Fearingtolingernearlesthemightbedetected，Christopherstoleaglimpseatthedoorandatthesteps，imaginedwhatatrifleofthedepressionwornineachstepherfeethadtendedtoproduce，andstrolledhomeagain。
Feelingthathisreasonsforcallingjustnowwerescarcelysufficient，hewentnextdayaboutthebusinessthathadbroughthimtotown，whichreferredtoasituationasorganistinalargechurchinthenorth-westdistrict。Thepostwashalfensuredalready，andheintendedtomakeofitthenucleusofaprofessionaloccupationandincome。Thenhesatdowntothinkofthepreliminarystepstowardspublishingthesongthathadsopleasedher，andhadalso，asfarashecouldunderstandfromherletter，hitthepopulartasteverysuccessfully；afactwhich，howeverlittleitmaysayforthevirtuesofthesongasacomposition，wasagreatrecommendationtoitasaproperty。Christopherwasdelightedtoperceivethatoutofthispositionhecouldframeanadmissible，ifnotanunimpeachable，reasonforcallinguponEthelberta。Hedeterminedtodosoatonce，andobtaintherequiredpermissionbywordofmouth。
Hewasgreatlysurprised，whenthefrontofthehouseappearedinviewonthisspringafternoon，toseewhatawhiteandsightlessaspectpervadedallthewindows。Hecameclose:theeyeballblanknesswascausedbyalltheshuttersandblindsbeingshuttightfromtoptobottom。Possiblythishadbeenthecaseforsometime——
hecouldnottell。Inoneofthewindowswasacardbearingtheannouncement，’ThisHousetobeletFurnished。’Herewasamercilessclashbetweenfancyandfact。Regrettingnowhisfaint-
heartednessinnotlettingherknowbeforehandbysomemeansthathewasabouttomakeanewstartintheworld，andcomingtodwellnearher，Christopherrangthebelltomakeinquiries。Agloomycaretakerappearedafterawhile，andtheyoungmanaskedwhithertheladieshadgonetolive。HewasbeyondmeasuredepressedtolearnthattheywereintheSouthofFrance——Arles，themanthoughttheplacewascalled——thetimeoftheirreturntotownbeingveryuncertain；thoughonethingwasclear，theymeanttomisstheforthcomingLondonseasonaltogether。
AsChristopher’shopetoseeheragainhadbroughtaresolvetodoso，sonowresolveledtodoggedpatience。Insteadofattemptinganythingbyletter，hedecidedtowait；andhewaitedwell，occupyinghimselfinpublishinga’March’anda’MorningandEveningServiceinEflat。’Somefour-partsongs，too，engagedhisattentionwhentheheavierdutiesofthedaywereover——thesedutiesbeingthegivingoflessonsinharmonyandcounterpoint，inwhichhewasaidedbytheintroductionsofamanwellknowninthemusicalworld，whohadbeenacquaintedwithyoungJulianasapromisingamateurlongbeforeheadoptedmusicasthestaffofhispilgrimage。
ItwastheendofsummerwhenheagaintriedhisfortuneatthehouseinExonburyCrescent。Scarcelycalculatinguponfindingheratthisstagnanttimeofthetownyear，andonlyhopingforinformation，Julianwassurprisedandexcitedtoseetheshuttersopen，andthehousewearingaltogetheralivinglook，itsneighbourshavingdecidedlydiedoffmeanwhile。
’Thefamilyhere，’saidafootmaninanswertohisinquiry，’areonlytemporarytenantsofthehouse。ItisnotLadyPetherwin’speople。’
’DoyouknowthePetherwins’presentaddress？’
’Underground，sir，fortheoldlady。ShediedsometimeagoinSwitzerland，andwasburiedthere，Ibelieve。’
’AndMrs。Petherwin——theyounglady，’saidChristopher，starting。
’Wearenotacquaintedpersonallywiththefamily，’themanreplied。
’Mymasterhasonlytakenthehouseforafewmonths，whilstextensivealterationsarebeingmadeinhisownontheothersideofthepark，whichhegoestolookaftereveryday。IfyouwantanyfurtherinformationaboutLadyPetherwin，Mrs。Petherwinwillprobablygiveit。Icanletyouhaveheraddress。’
’Ah，yes；thankyou，’saidChristopher。
Thefootmanhandedhimoneofsomecardswhichappearedtohavebeenleftforthepurpose。Julian，thoughtremblinglyanxioustoknowwhereEthelbertawas，didnotlookatittillhecouldtakeacoolsurveyinprivate。Theaddresswas’ArrowthorneLodge，UpperWessex。’
’Dearme！’saidChristophertohimself，’notfarfromMelchester；
andnotdreadfullyfarfromSandbourne。’
12。ARROWTHORNEPARKANDLODGE
SummerwasjustoverwhenChristopherJulianfoundhimselfrattlingalonginthetraintoSandbourneonsometriflingbusinessappertainingtohislatefather’saffairs，whichwouldaffordhimanexcuseforcallingatArrowthorneaboutthesongofhersthathewishedtoproduce。HealightedintheafternoonatalittlestationsometwentymilesshortofSandbourne，andleavinghisportmanteaubehindhimthere，decidedtowalkacrossthefields，obtainifpossibletheinterviewwiththelady，andreturnthentothestationtofinishthejourneytoSandbourne，whichhecouldthusreachataconvenienthourintheevening，and，ifhechose，takeleaveofagainthenextday。
Itwasanafternoonwhichhadafungoussmelloutofdoors，allbeingsunlessandstagnantoverheadandaround。Thevariousspeciesoftreeshadbeguntoassumethemoredistinctivecoloursoftheirdecline，andwheretherehadbeenonepervasivegreenwerenowtwentygreenishyellows，theairinthevistasbetweenthembeinghalfopaquewithblueexhalation。Christopherinhiswalkovertookacountryman，andinquiredifthepaththeywerefollowingwouldleadhimtoArrowthorneLodge。
’’Twilltake’eeintoArr’thornePark，’themanreplied。’Butyouwon’tcomeanightheLodge，unlessyoubearroundtotheleftasmightbe。’
’Mrs。Petherwinlivesthere，Ibelieve？’
’No，sir。Leastwiseunlessshe’sbutlatelycome。Ihaveneverheardofsuchawoman。’
’Shemaypossiblybeonlyvisitingthere。’
’Ah，perhapsthat’stheshapeo’t。Well，nowyoutello’t，Ihaveseenastrangefacethereaboutsonceortwicelately。Ayounggood-
lookingmaidenough，seemingly。’
’Yes，she’sconsideredaveryhandsomelady。’
’I’veheardthewoodmensay，nowthatyoutello’t，thattheymeethereverynowandthen，justattheclosinginoftheday，astheycomehomealongwiththeirnitchesofsticks；ay，stalkingaboutunderthetreesbyherself——atallblackmartel，solong-leggedandawful-likethatyou’dthink’twastheoldfellerhimselfa-coming，theysay。Nowawomanmustbeaqueerbodytomythinking，toroamaboutbynightsolonesomeandthat？Ay，nowthatyoutello’t，thereissuchawoman，but’aneverhaveshowedintheparish；sureIneverthoughtwhothebodywas——no，notonceabouther，norwhere’awaslivingandthat——notI，tillyouspoke。Well，there，sir，that’sArr’thorneLodge；doyouseetheythreeelms？’Hepointedacrossthegladetowardssomeconfusedfoliagealongwayoff。
’Iamnotsureaboutthesortoftreeyoumean，’saidChristopher，’Iseeanumberoftreeswithedgesshapedlikeedgesofclouds。’
’Ay，ay，theybeoaks；Imeantheelmstothelefthand。’
’Butamancanhardlytelloaksfromelmsatthatdistance，mygoodfellow！’
’That’acanverywell——leastwise，ifhe’sgotthesense。’
’Well，IthinkIseewhatyoumean，’saidChristopher’Whatnext？’
’Whenyougetthere，youbearawaysmarttonor’-west，andyou’llcomestraightasalinetotheLodge。’
’HowthedeuceamItoknowwhichisnorth-westinastrangeplace，withnosuntotellme？’
’What，notknownor-west？Well，Ishouldthinkaboycouldneverliveandgrowuptobeamanwithoutknowingthefourquarters。I
knowed’emwhenIwasamosselofachiel。Webenogreatscholarshere，that’strue，butthereisn’taTom-rigorJack-strawinthesepartsthatdon’tknowwheretheylieaswellasI。NowI’velived，manandboy，theseeight-and-sixtyyears，andnevermetamaninmylifeaforewhohadn’tlearntsuchacommonthingasthefourquarters。’
Christopherpartedfromhiscompanionandsoonreachedastile，clamberingoverwhichheenteredapark。Herehethreadedhisway，androundingaclumpofagedtreestheyoungmancameinviewofalightandelegantcountry-houseinthehalf-timberedGothicstyleofthelaterevival，apparentlyonlyafewyearsold。Surprisedatfindinghimselfsonear，Christopher’sheartflutteredunmanageablytillhehadtakenanabstractviewofhisposition，and，inimpatienceathiswantofnerve，adoptedasombretrainofreasoningtoconvincehimselfthat，farfromindulgenceinthepassionoflovebringingbliss，itwasafolly，leadingtogriefanddisquiet——
certainlyonewhichwoulddohimnogood。Cooleddownbythis，hesteppedintothedriveandwentuptothehouse。
’IsMrs。Petherwinathome？’hesaidmodestly。
’Whodidyousay，sir？’
Herepeatedthename。
’Don’tknowtheperson。’
’Theladymaybeavisitor——Icallonbusiness。’
’Sheisnotvisitinginthishouse，sir。’
’IsnotthisArrowthorneLodge？’
’Certainlynot。’
’ThenwhereisArrowthorneLodge，please？’
’Well，itisnearlyamilefromhere。Underthetreesbythehigh-
road。Ifyougoacrossbythatfootpathitwillbringyououtquickerthanbyfollowingthebendofthedrive。’
Christopherwonderedhowhecouldhavemanagedtogetintothewrongpark；but，settingitdowntohisignoranceofthedifferencebetweenoakandelm，heimmediatelyretracedhissteps，passingacrosstheparkagain，throughthegateattheendofthedrive，andintotheturnpikeroad。Noothergate，park，orcountryseatofanydescriptionwaswithinview。
’CanyoutellmethewaytoArrowthorneLodge？’heinquiredofthefirstpersonhemet，whowasalittlegirl。
’Youarejustcomingawayfromit，sir，’saidshe。’I’llshowyou；
Iamgoingthatway。’
Theywalkedalongtogether。Gettingabreasttheentranceoftheparkhehadjustemergedfrom，thechildsaid，’Thereitis，sir；I
livetheretoo。’
Christopher，withadazedcountenance，lookedtowardsacottagewhichstoodnestlingintheshrubberyandivylikeamushroomamonggrass。’IsthatArrowthorneLodge？’herepeated。
’Yes，andifyougoupthedrive，youcometoArrowthorneHouse。’
’ArrowthorneLodge——whereMrs。Petherwinlives，Imean。’
’Yes。Shelivestherealongwi’motherandwe。Butshedon’twantanybodytoknowit，sir，causeshe’scelebrate，and’twouldn’tdoatall。’
Christophersaidnomore，andthelittlegirlbecameinterestedintheproductsofthebankandditchbythewayside。Helefther，pushedopentheheavygate，andtappedattheLodgedoor。
Thelatchwaslifted。’DoesMrs。Petherwin，’hebegan，and，determinedthatthereshouldbenomistake，repeated，’DoesMrs。
EthelbertaPetherwin，thepoetess，livehere？’turningfulluponthepersonwhoopenedthedoor。
’Shedoes，sir，’saidafalteringvoice；andhefoundhimselffacetofacewiththepupil-teacherofSandbourne。
13。THELODGE(continued)-THECOPSEBEHIND
’Thisisindeedasurprise；I——amgladtoseeyou！’Christopherstammered，withawire-drawn，radicallydifferentsmilefromtheonehehadintended——asmilenotwithoutatingeofghastliness。
’Yes——Iamhomefortheholidays，’saidtheblushingmaiden；and，afteracriticalpause，sheadded，’Ifyouwishtospeaktomysister，sheisintheplantationwiththechildren。’
’Ono——no，thankyou——notnecessaryatall，’saidChristopher，inhaste。’IonlywishforaninterviewwithaladycalledMrs。
Petherwin。’
’Yes；MrsPetherwin——mysister，’saidPicotee。’Sheisintheplantation。Thatlittlepathwilltakeyoutoherinfiveminutes。’
TheamazedChristopherpersuadedhimselfthatthisdiscoverywasverydelightful，andwentonpersuadingsolongthatatlasthefeltittobeso。Unable，likemanyotherpeople，toenjoybeingsatirizedinwordsbecauseoftheirritationitcausedhimasaimed-
atvictim，hesometimeshadphilosophyenoughtoappreciateasatireofcircumstance，becausenobodyintendedit。Pursuingthepathindicated，hefoundhimselfinathicketofscrubbyundergrowth，whichcoveredanareaenclosedfromtheparkproperbyadecayingfence。Theboughsweresotangledthathewasobligedtoscreenhisfacewithhishands，toescapetheriskofhavinghiseyesfillipedoutbythetwigsthatimpededhisprogress。Thusslowlyadvancing，hisearcaught，betweentherustles，thetonesofavoiceinearnestdeclamation；and，pushingroundinthatdirection，hebeheldthroughsomebeechboughsanopenspaceabouttenyardsindiameter，flooredatthebottomwithdeepbedsofcurledoldleaves，andcushionsoffurrymoss。Inthemiddleofthisnaturaltheatrewasthestumpofatreethathadbeenfelledbyasaw，andupontheflatstoolthusformedstoodEthelberta，whomChristopherhadnotbeheldsincetheballatWyndwayHouse。
Roundher，leaningagainstbranchesorprostrateontheground，werefiveorsixindividuals。Twowereyoungmechanics——oneofthemevidentlyacarpenter。Thentherewasaboyaboutthirteen，andtwoorthreeyoungerchildren。Ethelberta’sappearanceansweredasfullyasevertothatofanEnglishladyskilfullyperfectedinmanner，carriage，look，andaccent；andtheincongruityofherpresentpositionamongliveswhichhadhadmanyofNature’sbeautiesstampedoutofthem，andfewofthebeautiesofArtstampedin，broughthim，asasecondfeeling，aprideinherthatalmostequalledhisfirstsentimentofsurprise。Christopher’sattentionwasmeanwhileattractedfromtheconstitutionofthegrouptothewordsofthespeakerinthecentreofit——wordstowhichherauditorswerelisteningwithstillattention。
ItappearedtoChristopherthatEthelbertahadlatelybeenundergoingsomeveryextraordinaryexperiences。Whatthebeginningofthemhadbeenhecouldnotintheleastunderstand，buttheportionshewasdescribingcamedistinctlytohisears，andhewonderedmoreandmore。
’Hecameforwardtillhe，likemyself，wasabouttwentyyardsfromtheedge。Iinstinctivelygraspedmyuselessstiletto。HowI
longedfortheassistancewhichalittleearlierIhadsomuchdespised！ReachingtheblockorboulderuponwhichIhadbeensitting，heclaspedhisarmsaroundfrombehind；hishandsclosedupontheemptyseat，andhejumpedupwithanoath。Thismethodofattacktoldmeanewthingwithwretcheddistinctness；hehad，asI
suppose，discoveredmysex，maleattirewastoservemyturnnolonger。Thenextinstant，indeed，madeitclear，forheexclaimed，\"Youdon’tescapeme，masqueradingmadam，\"orsomesuchwords，andcameon。Myonlyhopewasthatinhisexcitementhemightforgettonoticewherethegrassterminatedneartheedgeofthecliff，thoughthiscouldbeeasilyfeltbyacarefulwalker:tomakemyownfeelingmoredistinctonthispointIhastilybaredmyfeet。’
Thelistenersmoistenedtheirlips，Ethelbertatookbreath，andthenwentontodescribethescenethatensued，’AdreadfulvariationonthegameofBlindman’sbuff，’beingthewordsbywhichshecharacterizedit。
Ethelberta’smannerhadbecomesoimpassionedatthispointthatthelipsofheraudienceparted，thechildrenclungtotheirelders，andChristophercouldcontrolhimselfnolonger。Hethrustasidetheboughs，andbrokeinuponthegroup。
’ForHeaven’ssake，Ethelberta，’heexclaimedwithgreatexcitement，’wheredidyoumeetwithsuchaterribleexperienceasthat？’
Thechildrenshrieked，asiftheythoughtthattheinterruptionwasinsomewaythecatastropheoftheeventsincourseofnarration。
Everyonestartedup；thetwoyoungmechanicsstared，andoneoftheminquired，inreturn，’What’sthematter，friend？’
ChristopherhadnotyetmadereplywhenEthelbertasteppedfromherpedestaldownuponthecracklingcarpetofdeepleaves。
’Mr。Julian！’saidshe，inaserenevoice，turninguponhimeyesofsuchadisputablestageofcolour，betweenbrownandgrey，aswouldhavecommendeditselftoagallantduellistofthelastcenturyasapointonwhichitwasabsolutelynecessarytotakesomefriend’slifeorother。Butthecalmnesswasartificiallydone，andtheastonishmentthatdidnotappearinEthelberta’stoneswasexpressedbyhergaze。Christopherwasnotinamoodtodrawfinedistinctionsbetweenrecognizedandunrecognizedorgansofspeech。
Herepliedtotheeyes。
’Iownthatyoursurpriseisnatural，’hesaid，withananxiouslookintoherface，asifhewishedtogetbeyondthisinterpolatedscenetosomethingmorecongenialandunderstood。’ButmyconcernatsuchahistoryofyourselfsinceIlastsawyouisevenmorenaturalthanyoursurpriseatmymannerofbreakingin。’
’Thathistorywouldjustifyanyconductinonewhohearsit——’
’Yes，indeed。’
’Ifitweretrue，’addedEthelberta，smiling。’Butitisasfalseas——’Shecouldnamenothingnotoriouslyfalsewithoutraisinganimageofwhatwasdisagreeable，andshecontinuedinabettermanner:’ThestoryIwastellingisentirelyafiction，whichIamgettingupforaparticularpurpose——verydifferentfromwhatappearsatpresent。’
’Iamsorrytherewassuchamisunderstanding，’Christopherstammered，lookinguponthegrounduncertainandashamed。’YetIamnot，either，forIamverygladyouhavenotundergonesuchtrials，ofcourse。Butthefactis，I——beingintheneighbourhood——I
venturedtocallonamatterofbusiness，relatingtoapoemwhichI
hadthepleasureofsettingtomusicatthebeginningoftheyear。’
EthelbertawasonlyalittlelessillateasethanChristophershowedhimselftobebythiswayoftalking。
’Willyouwalkslowlyon？’shesaidgentlytothetwoyoungmen，’andtakethechildrenwithyou；thisgentlemanwishestospeaktomeonbusiness。’
Thebiggestyoungmancaughtupalittleoneunderhisarm，andplungedamidtheboughs；anotherlittleonelingeredbehindforafewmomentstolookshylyatChristopher，withanobliquemannerofhidinghermouthagainsthershoulderandhereyesbehindherpinafore。Thenshevanished，theboyandthesecondyoungmanfollowed，andEthelbertaandChristopherstoodwithinthewood-boundcirclealone。
’IhopeIhavecausednoinconveniencebyinterruptingtheproceedings，’saidChristophersoftly；’butIsoverymuchwishedtoseeyou！’
’Didyou，indeed——reallywishtoseeme？’shesaidgladly。’Nevermindinconveniencethen；itisawordwhichseemsshallowinmeaningunderthecircumstances。Isurelymustsaythatavisitistomyadvantage，mustInot？IamnotasIwas，yousee，andmayreceiveasadvantageswhatIusedtoconsiderastroubles。’
’Hasyourlifereallychangedsomuch？’
’Ithaschanged。ButwhatIfirstmeantwasthataninterestingvisitoratawrongtimeisbetterthanastupidoneatarighttime。’
’Ihadbeenbehindthetreesforsomeminutes，lookingatyou，andthinkingofyou；butwhatyouweredoingratherinterruptedmyfirstmeditation。Ihadthoughtofameetinginwhichweshouldcontinueourintercourseatthepointatwhichitwasbrokenoffyearsago，asiftheomittedparthadnotexistedatall；butsomething，I
cannottellwhat，hasupsetallthatfeeling，and——’
’Icansoontellyouthemeaningofmyextraordinaryperformance，’
Ethelbertabrokeinquickly，andwithalittletrepidation。’Mymother-in-law，LadyPetherwin，isdead；andshehasleftmenothingbutherhouseandfurnitureinLondon——morethanIdeserve，butlessthanshehaddistinctlyledmetoexpect；andsoIamsomewhatinacorner。’
’Itisalwaysso。’
’Notalways，Ithink。Butthisishowithappened。LadyPetherwinwasverycapricious；whenshewasnotfoolishlykindshewasunjustlyharsh。Agreatmanyarelikeit，neverthinkingwhatagoodthingitwouldbe，insteadofgoingontackingfromsidetosidebetweenfavourandcruelty，tokeeptoameanlineofcommonjustice。Andsowequarrelled，andshe，beingabsolutemistressofallherwealth，destroyedherwillthatwasinmyfavour，andmadeanother，leavingmenothingbutthefag-endoftheleaseofthetown-houseandthefurnitureinit。Then，whenwewereabroad，sheturnedtomeagain，forgaveeverything，and，becomingillafterwards，wrotealettertothebrother，towhomshehadleftthebulkofherproperty，statingthatIwastohavetwenty-thousandoftheone-hundred-thousandpoundsshehadbequeathedtohim——asintheoriginalwill——doingthisbyletterincaseanythingshouldhappentoherbeforeanewwillcouldbeconsidered，drawn，andsigned，andtrustingtohishonourquitethathewouldobeyherexpressedwishshouldshedieabroad。Well，shediddie，inthefullpersuasionthatIwasprovidedfor；butherbrother(asIsecretlyexpectedallthetime)refusedtobemorallyboundbyadocumentwhichhadnolegalvalue，andtheresultisthathehaseverything，except，ofcourse，thefurnitureandthelease。Itwouldhavebeenenoughtobreaktheheartofapersonwhohadcalculatedupongettingafortune，whichIneverdid；forIfeltalwayslikeanintruderandabondswoman，andhadwishedmyselfoutofthePetherwinfamilyahundredtimes，withmycrustofbreadandliberty。Foronething，I
wasalwaysforbiddentoseemyrelatives，anditpainedmemuch。
NowIamgoingtomoveformyself，andconsiderthatIhaveagoodchanceofsuccessinwhatImayundertake，becauseofanindifferenceIfeelaboutsucceedingwhichgivesthenecessarycoolnessthatanygreattaskrequires。’
’Ipresumeyoumeantowritemorepoems？’
’Icannot——thatis，Icanwritenomorethatsatisfyme。Toblossomintorhymeonthesparklingpleasuresoflife，youmustbeundertheinfluenceofthosepleasures，andIamatpresentquiteremovedfromthem——surroundedbygauntrealitiesofaverydifferentdescription。’
’Thentrythemournful。Tradeuponyoursufferings:manydo，andthrive。’
’Itisnousetosaythat——nouseatall。Icannotwritealineofverse。Andyettheothersflowedfrommyheartlikeastream。Butnothingissoeasyastoseemcleverwhenyouhavemoney。’
’Excepttoseemstupidwhenyouhavenone，’saidChristopher，lookingatthedeadleaves。
Ethelbertaallowedherselftolingeronthatthoughtforafewseconds；andcontinued，’Thenthequestionarose，whatwasItodo？
Ifeltthattowriteprosewouldbeanuncongenialoccupation，andaltogetherapoorprospectforawomanlikeme。FinallyIhavedecidedtoappearinpublic。’
’Notonthestage？’
’Certainlynotonthestage。Thereisnonoveltyinapoorladyturningactress，andnoveltyiswhatIwant。Ordinarypowersexhibitedinanewwayeffectasmuchasextraordinarypowersexhibitedinanoldway。’
’Yes——sotheydo。Andextraordinarypowers，andanewwaytoo，wouldbeirresistible。’
’Idon’tcalculateuponboth。Ihadwrittenaprosestorybyrequest，whenitwasfoundthatIhadgrownutterlyinaneoververse。Itwaswritteninthefirstperson，andthestylewasmodelledafterDeFoe’s。Thenightbeforesendingitoff，whenI
hadalreadypackeditup，Iwasreadingabouttheprofessionalstory-tellersofEasterncountries，whodevotedtheirlivestothetellingoftales。Iunfastenedthemanuscriptandretainedit，convincedthatIshoulddobetterbyTELLINGthestory。’
’Wellthoughtof！’exclaimedChristopher，lookingintoherface。
’Thereisawayforeverybodytolive，iftheycanonlyfinditout。’
’Itoccurredtome，’shecontinued，blushingslightly，’thattalesoftheweirdkindweremadetobetold，notwritten。Theactionofatelleriswantedtogivedueeffecttoallstoriesofincident；
andIhopethatatimewillcomewhen，asofold，insteadofanunsocialreadingoffictionathomealone，peoplewillmeettogethercordially，andsitatthefeetofaprofessedromancer。IamgoingtotellmytalesbeforeaLondonpublic。Asachild，Ihadaconsiderablepowerinarrestingtheattentionofotherchildrenbyrecountingadventureswhichhadneverhappened；andmenandwomenarebutchildrenenlargedalittle。Lookatthis。’
Shedrewfromherpocketafoldedpaper，shookitabroad，anddisclosedaroughdraftofanannouncementtotheeffectthatMrs。
Petherwin，ProfessedStory-teller，woulddevoteaneveningtothatancientformoftheromancer’sart，atawell-knownfashionablehallinLondon。’Nowyousee，’shecontinued，’themeaningofwhatyouobservedgoingonhere。ThatyouheardwasoneofthreetalesIampreparing，withaviewofselectingthebest。Asareservedone，I
havethetaleofmyownlife——tobeplayedasalastcard。Itwasaprivaterehearsalbeforemybrothersandsisters——notwithanyviewofobtainingtheircriticism，butthatImightbecomeaccustomedtomyownvoiceinthepresenceoflisteners。’
’IfIonlyhadhadhalfyourenterprise，whatImighthavedoneintheworld！’
’NowdidyoueverconsiderwhatapowerDeFoe’smannerwouldhaveifpractisedbywordofmouth？Indeed，itisastylewhichsuitsitselfinfinitelybettertotellingthantowriting，aboundingasitdoesincolloquialismsthataresomewhatoutofplaceonpaperinthesedays，buthaveawonderfulpowerinmakinganarrativeseemreal。Andso，inshort，IamgoingtotalkDeFoeonasubjectofmyown。Well？’
Thelastwordhadbeengiventenderly，withalong-drawnsweetness，andwascausedbyalookthatChristopherwasbendinguponheratthemoment，inwhichherevealedthathewasthinkinglessofthesubjectshewassoeagerlyandhopefullydescantinguponthanuponheraspectinexplainingit。Itisafaultofmannerparticularlycommonamongmennewlyimportedintothesocietyofbrightandbeautifulwomen；andwewillhopethat，springingasitdoesfromnounworthysource，itisassoonforgiveninthegeneralworldasitwashere。
’Iwasonlyfollowingathought，’saidChristopher:——’athoughtofhowIusedtoknowyou，andthenlostsightofyou，andthendiscoveredyoufamous，andhowwearehereunderthesesadautumntrees，andnobodyinsight。’
’Ithinkitmustbetea-time，’shesaidsuddenly。’Teaisagreatmealwithushere——youwilljoinus，willyounot？’AndEthelbertabegantomakeforherselfapassagethroughtheboughs。Anotherrustlewasheardalittlewayoff，andoneofthechildrenappeared。
’Emmelinewantstoknow，please，ifthegentlemanthatcometosee’eewillstaytotea；because，ifso，she’sagoingtoputinanotherspoonfulforhimandabitofbestgreen。’
’OGeorgina——howcandid！Yes，putinsomebestgreen。’
BeforeChristophercouldsayanymoretoher，theywereemergingbythecornerofthecottage，andoneofthebrothersdrewnearthem。
’Mr。Julian，you’llbideandhaveacupofteawi’us？’heinquiredofChristopher。’Anoldfriendofyours，ishenot，Mrs。Petherwin？
DanandIbegoingbacktoSandbourneto-night，andwecanwalkwith’eeasfarasthestation。’
’Ishallbedelighted，’saidChristopher；andtheyallenteredthecottage。Theeveninghadgrownclearerbythistime；thesunwaspeepingoutjustprevioustodeparture，andsentgoldwiresoflightacrossthegladesandintothewindows，throwingapatternofthediamondquarries，andoutlinesofthegeraniumsinpots，againsttheoppositewall。Oneendoftheroomwaspolygonal，suchashapebeingdictatedbytheexteriordesign；inthispartthewindowswereplaced，asattheeastendofcontinentalchurches。Thus，fromthecombinedeffectsoftheecclesiasticallancetlightsandtheapsidalshapeoftheroom，itoccurredtoChristopherthatthesisterswerealladelightfulsetofprettysaints，exhibitingthemselvesinaladychapel，andbackedupbyunkemptmajorprophets，asrepresentedbytheformsoftheirbigbrothers。
Christophersatdowntoteaasinvited，squeezinghimselfinbetweentwochildrenwhosenameswerealmostaslongastheirpersons，andwhosetincupsdiscoursedprimitivemusicbymeansofspoonsrattledinsidethemuntiltheywerefilled。Theteaproceededpleasantly，notwithstandingthatthecake，beingalittleburnt，tastedontheoutsidelikethelatterplumsinsnapdragon。ChristophernevercouldmeettheeyeofPicotee，whocontinuedinawildstateofflushingallthetime，fixingherlooksuponthesugar-basin，exceptwhensheglancedoutofthewindowtoseehowtheeveningwasgoingon，andspeakingnowordatallunlessitwastocorrectasmallsisterofsomewhatcrudemannersasregardsfillingthemouth，whichPicoteedidinawhisper，andagentleinclinationofhermouthtothelittleone’sear，andastilldeeperblushthanbefore。
Theirvisitornextnoticedthatanadditionalcup-and-saucerandplatemadetheirappearanceoccasionallyatthetable，weresilentlyreplenished，andthencarriedoffbyoneofthechildrentoaninnerapartment。
’Ourmotherisbedridden，’saidEthelberta，noticingChristopher’slookattheproceeding。’Emmelineattendstothehousehold，exceptwhenPicoteeisathome，andJoeyattendstothegate；butourmother’safflictionisaveryunfortunatethingforthepoorchildren。Wearethinkingofaplanoflivingwhichwill，Ihope，bemoreconvenientthanthisis；butwehavenotyetdecidedwhattodo。’Atthisminuteacarriageandpairofhorsesbecamevisiblethroughoneoftheangularwindowsoftheapse，intheactofturninginfromthehighwaytowardstheparkgate。TheboywhoansweredtothenameofJoeysprangupfromthetablewiththepromptnessofaJack-in-the-box，andranoutatthedoor。Everybodyturnedasthecarriagepassedthroughthegate，whichJoeyheldopen，puttinghisotherhandwherethebrimofhishatwouldhavebeenifhehadwornone，andlapsingintoacarelessboyagaintheinstantthatthevehiclehadgoneby。
’There’satremendouslargedinner-partyattheHouseto-night，’
saidEmmelinemethodically，lookingattheequipageovertheedgeofherteacup，withoutleavingoffsipping。’ThatwasLordMountclere。
He’sawickedoldman，theysay。’
’LordMountclere？’saidEthelbertamusingly。’Iusedtoknowsomefriendsofhis。Inwhatwayishewicked？’
’Idon’tknow，’saidEmmeline，withsimplicity。’Isupposeitisbecausehebreaksthecommandments。ButIwonderhowabigrichlordcanwanttostealanything。’Emmeline’sthoughtsofbreakingcommandmentsinstinctivelyfellupontheeighth，asbeinginherideastheonlycasewhereinthegaincouldbeconsideredasatallworththehazard。
Ethelbertasaidnothing；butChristopherthoughtthatashadeofdepressionpassedoverher。
’Hookbackthegate，Joey，’shoutedEmmeline，whenthecarriagehadproceededupthedrive。’There’smoretocome。’
Joeydidasordered，andbythetimehegotindoorsanothercarriageturnedinfromthepublicroad——aone-horsebroughamthistime。
’Iknowwhothatis:that’sMr。Ladywell，’saidEmmeline，inthesamematter-of-facttone。’He’sbeenhereafore:he’sadistantrelationofthesquire’s，andheoncegavemesixpenceforpickinguphisgloves。’
’WhatshallIlivetosee？’murmuredthepoetess，underherbreath，nearlydroppingherteacupinaninvoluntarytrepidation，fromwhichshemadeitapointofdignitytorecoverinamoment。
Christopher’seyes，atthatexhibitionfromEthelberta，enteredherownlikeapairoflances。Picotee，seeingChristopher’squicklookofjealousy，becameinvolvedinherturn，andgrewpaleasalilyinherendeavourstoconcealthecomplicationstowhichitgavebirthinherpoorlittlebreastlikewise。
’Youjudgemeverywrongly，’saidEthelberta，inanswertoChristopher’shastylookofresentment。
’InsupposingMr。Ladywelltobeagreatfriendofyours？’saidChristopher，whohadinsomeindescribablewaysuddenlyassumedarighttoEthelbertaashisoldproperty。
’Yes:forIhardlyknowhim，andcertainlydonotvaluehim。’
Afterthistherewassomethinginthemutuallookofthetwo，thoughtheirwordshadbeenprivate，whichdidnottendtoremovetheanguishoffragilePicotee。Christopher，assuredthatEthelberta’sembarrassmenthadbeencausedbynothingmorethanthesenseofheroddsocialsubsidence，recoveredmoreblissthanhehadlost，andregardedcalmlytheprofileofyoungLadywellbetweenthetwowindowsofhisbroughamasitpassedtheopencottagedoor，bearinghimalongunconsciousasthedeadofthenearnessofhisbelovedone，andofthesadbuffoonerythatfate，fortune，andtheguardianangelshadbeenplayingwithEthelbertaoflate。HerecognizedthefaceasthatoftheyoungmanwhomhehadencounteredwhenwatchingEthelberta’swindowfromRookingtonPark。
’PerhapsyourememberseeinghimattheChristmasdanceatWyndway？’
sheinquired。’Heisagood-naturedfellow。Afterwardshesentmethatportfolioofsketchesyouseeinthecorner。Hemightpossiblydosomethingintheworldasapainterifhewereobligedtoworkattheartforhisbread，whichheisnot。’Sheaddedwithbitterpleasantry:’Inbaremercytohisself-respectImustremainunseenhere。’
ItimpressedChristophertoperceivehow，undertheestrangementwhicharosefromdifferencesofeducation，surroundings，experience，andtalent，thesympathiesofcloserelationshipwereperceptibleinEthelberta’sbearingtowardsherbrothersandsisters。Ataremarkuponsomesimplepleasurewhereinshehadnotparticipatedbecauseabsentandoccupiedbyfarmorecomprehensiveinterests，agloomasofbanishmentwouldcrossherfaceanddimitforawhile，showingthatthefreehabitsandenthusiasmsofcountrylifehadstilltheircharmwithher，inthefaceofthesubtlergratificationsofabridgedbodices，candlelight，andnofeelingsinparticular，whichprevailedintown。Perhapstheoneconditionwhichcouldworkupintoapermanentfeelingthepassingrevivalofhisfancyforawomanwhosechiefattributehehadsupposedtobesprightlinesswasaddednowbytheromanticubiquityofstationthatattachedtoher。
Adiscoverywhichmighthavegratedonthesensesofamanweddedtoconventionalitywasapositivepleasuretoonewhosefaithinsocietyhaddepartedwithhisownsocialruin。
Theroombegantodarken，whereuponChristopherarosetoleave；andthebrothersSolandDanofferedtoaccompanyhim。
14。ATURNPIKEROAD
’WebethinkingofcomingtoLondonourselvessoon，’saidSol，acarpenterandjoinerbytrade，ashewalkedalongatChristopher’slefthand。’There’ssomuchmorechanceforamanupthecountry。
Now，ifyouwasme，howshouldyousetaboutgettingajob，sir？’
’Whatcanyoudo？’saidChristopher。
’Well，Iamaverygoodstaircasehand；andIhavebeencalledneatatsash-frames；andIcanknocktogetherdoorsandshuttersverywell；andIcandoalittleatthecabinet-making。Idon’tmindframingaroof，neither，iftherestbebusy；andIamalwaysreadytofillupmytimeatplaningfloor-boardsbythefoot。’
’AndIcanmixandlayflattints，’saidDan，whowasahousepainter，’andpickoutmouldings，andgrainineverykindofwoodyoucanmention——oak，maple，walnut，satinwood，cherry-tree——’
’Youcanbothdotoomuchtostandtheleastchanceofbeingallowedtodoanythinginacity，wherelimitationisalltheruleinlabour。Tohaveanysuccess，Sol，youmustbeamanwhocanthoroughlylookatadoortoseewhatoughttobedonetoit，butastolookingatawindow，that’snotyourline；orapersonwho，totheremotestparticular，understandsturningascrew，butwhodoesnotprofessanyknowledgeofhowtodriveanail。Danmustknowhowtopaintbluetoamarvel，butmustbequiteinthedarkaboutpaintinggreen。Ifyousticktosomesuchprincipleofspecialtyasthis，youmaygetemploymentinLondon。’
’Ha-ha-ha！’saidDan，strikingatastoneintheroadwiththestoutgreenhazelhecarried。’Awinkisasgoodasanod:thank’ee——
we’llmindallthatnow。’
’Ifwedocome，’saidSol，’weshallnotmixupwithMrs。Petherwinatall。’
’Oindeed！’
’Ono。(Perhapsyouthinkitoddthatwecallher\"Mrs。Petherwin，\"
butthat’sbyagreementassaferandbetterthanBerta，becausewebesuchroughchapsyousee，andshe’ssolofty。)’Twoulddemeanhertoclaimkinwi’herinLondon——twojourneymenlikewe，thatknownothingbesidesourtrades。’
’Notatall，’saidChristopher，bywayofchimingininthefriendliestmanner。’Shewouldbepleasedtoseeanystraightforwardhonestmanandbrother，Ishouldthink，notwithstandingthatshehasmovedinothersocietyforatime。’
’Ah，youdon’tknowBerta！’saidDan，lookingasifhedid。
’How——inwhatwaydoyoumean？’saidChristopheruneasily。
’Solofty——soverylofty！Isn’tshe，Sol？Whyshe’llneverstiroutfrommother’stillafterdark，andthenherdaybegins；andshe’lltraipseaboutunderthetrees，andnevergointothehigh-
road，sothatnobodyinthewayofgentle-peopleshallrunupagainstherandknowherlivinginsuchalittlesmallhutafterbidinginabigmansion-place。There，wedon’tfindfaultwi’heraboutit:welikeherjustthesame，thoughshedon’tspeaktousinthestreet；forafellermustbeafooltomakeapieceofworkaboutawoman’spride，when’tishisownsister，andhanguponherandbotherherwhenheknows’tisforhergoodthatheshouldnot。
Yes，herlifehasbeenquareenough。Ihopesheenjoysit，butformypartIlikeplainsailing。Noneofyourupsanddownsforme。
There，Isuppose’twashernatertowanttolookintotheworldabit。’
’FatherandmotherkeptBertatoschool，youunderstand，sir，’
explainedthemorethoughtfulSol，’becauseshewassuchaquickchild，andtheyalwayshadanotionofmakingagovernessofher。
Sums？Ifyousaidtothatchild，\"Berta，’levenpence-three-
farthingsaday，howmuchayear？\"shewouldtell’eeinthreesecondsoutofherownlittlehead。Andthathardsumabouttheherringsshehaddoneaforeshewasnine。’
’True，shehad，’saidDan。’Andweallknowthattodothatistodosomethingthat’snononsense。’
’Whatisthesum？’Christopherinquired。
’What——notknowthesumabouttheherrings？’saidDan，spreadinghisgazealloverChristopherinamazement。
’Neverheardofit，’saidChristopher。
’Whydowninthesepartsjustasyoutryaman’ssoulbytheTenCommandments，youtryhisheadbythattheresum——hey，Sol？’
’Ay，thatwedo。’
’Aherringandahalfforthree-halfpence，howmanycanyegetfor’levenpence:that’sthefeller；andamortalteaserheis，Iassure’ee。Ourparson，who’snotaltogetherwithoutsenseo’weekdays，saidoneafternoon，\"Ifcunningcanbefoundinthemultiplicationtableatall，Chickerel，’tisinconnectionwiththatsum。\"Well，BertawassocleverinarithmeticthatshewasaskedtoteachsummingatMissCourtley’s，andthereshegottolikeforeigntonguesmorethanciphering，andatlastshehatedciphering，andtooktobooksentirely。Motherandwewereveryproudofheratthattime:notthatwebestuck-uppeopleatall——bewe，Sol？’
’Notatall；nobodycansaythatwebethat，thoughthere’smoreofitinthecountrythanthereshouldbebyallaccount。’
’You’dbesurprisedtoseehowvainthegirlsaboutherebegetting。
Littlerascals，whytheywon’tcurtseytotheloftiestladyintheland；no，notifyouweretopay’emtodoit。Now，themenbedifferent。Anymanwilltouchhishatforapintofbeer。Butthen，ofcourse，there’ssomedifferencebetweenthetwo。Touchingyourhatisagooddeallesstodothanbendingyourknees，asBertausedtosay，whenshewasblowedupfornotdoingit。Shewasalwaysoneoftheindependentsort——youneverseedsuchamaidasshewas！Now，Picoteewasquitetheotherway。’
’HasPicoteeleftSandbourneentirely？’
’Ono；sheishomefortheholidays。Well，Mr。Julian，ourroadpartsfromyoursjusthere，unlessyouwalkintothenexttownalongwithus。ButIsupposeyougetacrosstothisstationandgobyrail？’
’Iamobligedtogothatwayformyportmanteau，’saidChristopher，’orIshouldhavebeenpleasedtowalkfurther。ShallIseeyouinSandbourneto-morrow？Ihopeso。’
’Well，no。’Tishardlylikelythatyouwillseeus——hardly。Weknowhowunpleasantitisforahighsortofmantohaveroughchapslikeushailinghim，sowethinkitbestnottomeetyou——thankyouallthesame。Soifyoushouldrunupagainstusinthestreet，weshouldbejustaswellpleasedbyyourtakingnonotice，ifyouwouldn’tmind。’Twillsavesomuchawkwardness——beinginourworkingclothes。’TisalwaystheplanthatMrs。Petherwinandweagreetoactupon，andwefinditbestforboth。Ihopeyoutakeourmeaningright，andasnooffence，Mr。Julian。’
’AnddoyoudothesamewithPicotee？’
’OLord，no——’tisn’tabitofusetotry。That’stheworstofPicotee——there’snogettingridofher。Themoreintheroughwebethemoreshe’llsticktous；andifwesaysheshan’tcome，she’llbideandfretaboutittillwebeforcedtolether。’
Christopherlaughed，andpromised，onconditionthattheywouldretractthestatementabouttheirnotbeingproud；andthenhewishedhisfriendsgood-night。
15。ANINNERROOMATTHELODGE
AttheLodgeatthistimeadiscussionofsomeimportancewasinprogress。ThescenewasMrs。Chickerel’sbedroom，towhich，unfortunately，shewasconfinedbysomespinalcomplaint；andhereshenowappearedasaninterestingwomanoffive-and-forty，properlydressedasfarasvisible，andproppedupinabedcoveredwithaquiltwhichpresentedafieldoflittlesquaresinmanytints，lookingaltogetherlikeabird’s-eyeviewofamarketgarden。
Mrs。Chickerelhadbeennurseinanobleman’sfamilyuntilhermarriage，andafterthatsheplayedthepartofwifeandmother，uponthewhole，affectionatelyandwell。Amongherminordifferenceswithherhusbandhadbeenoneaboutthenamingofthechildren；amatterthatwasatlastcompromisedbyanagreementunderwhichthechoiceofthegirls’namesbecameherprerogative，andthatoftheboys’herhusband’s，wholimitedhisfieldofselectiontostricthistoricalprecedentasaset-offtoMrs。
Chickerel’stendencytostrayintotheregionsofromance。
Theonlygrown-updaughtersathome，EthelbertaandPicotee，withtheirbrotherJoey，weresittingnearher；thetwoyoungestchildren，GeorginaandMyrtle，whohadbeenstruttinginandoutoftheroom，andotherwiseendeavouringtowalk，talk，andspeaklikethegentlemanjustgoneaway，werepackedofftobed。Emmeline，ofthattransitionalagewhichcausesitsexponenttolookwistfullyatthesitterswhenrompingandattheromperswhensitting，uncertainwhetherherpositioninthehouseholdisthatofchildorwoman，wasidlinginacorner。Thetwoabsentbrothersandtwoabsentsisters——
eldestmembersofthefamily——completedtheroundtenwhomMrs。
Chickerelwiththoughtlessreadinesshadpresentedtoacrowdedworld，tocostEthelbertamanywakefulhoursatnightwhilesherevolvedschemeshowtheymightbedecentlymaintained。
’Istillthink，’Ethelbertawassaying，’thattheplanIfirstproposedisthebest。IamconvincedthatitwillnotdotoattempttokeepontheLodge。Ifwearealltogetherintown，Icanlookafteryoumuchbetterthanwhenyouarefarawayfrommedownhere。’
’Shallwenotinterferewithyou——yourplansforkeepingupyourconnections？’inquiredhermother，glancinguptowardsEthelbertabyliftingthefleshofherforehead，insteadoftroublingtoraiseherfacealtogether。
’Notnearlysomuchasbystayinghere。’
’But，’saidPicotee，’ifyouletlodgings，won’tthegentlemenandladiesknowit？’
’Ihavethoughtofthat，’saidEthelberta，’andthisishowIshallmanage。Inthefirstplace，ifmotheristhere，thelodgingscanbeletinhername，allbillswillbereceiptedbyher，andalltradesmen’sorderswillbegivenasfromherself。Then，wewilltakenoEnglishlodgersatall；wewilladvertisetheroomsonlyinContinentalnewspapers，assuitableforaFrenchorGermangentlemanortwo，andbythismeanstherewillbelittledangerofmyacquaintancediscoveringthatmyhouseisnotentirelyaprivateone，orofanylodgerbeingafriendofmyacquaintance。IhavethoughtovereverypossiblewayofcombiningthedignifiedsocialpositionImustmaintaintomakemystory-tellingattractive，withmyabsolutelackofmoney，andIcanseenobetterone。’
’ThenifGwendolineistobeyourcook，shemustsoongivenoticeatherpresentplace？’
’Yes。EverythingdependsuponGwendolineandCornelia。Butthereistimeenoughforthemtogivenotice——Christmaswillbesoonenough。Iftheycannotorwillnotcomeascookandhousemaid，Iamafraidtheplanwillbreakdown。AvitalconditionisthatIdonothaveasoulinthehouse(beyondthelodgers)whoisnotoneofmyownrelations。WhenwehaveputJoeyintobuttons，hewilldoverywelltoattendtothedoor。’
’Buts’pose，’saidJoey，afteraglassylookathisfutureappearanceinthepositionalludedto，’thatanyofyourgentle-
peoplecometoseeye，andwhenIopensthedoorandlets’eminaswingingbiglodgerstalksdownstairs。Whatwill’emthink？Upwillgotheireye-glassesatoneanothertilltheyglareseachotherintoholes。Mygracious！’
’Theonewhocallswillonlythinkthatanothervisitorisleaving，Joey。ButIshallhavenovisitors，orveryfew。Ishallletitbewellknownamongmylatefriendsthatmymotherisaninvalid，andthatonthisaccountwereceivenonebutthemostintimatefriends。
Theseintimatefriendsnotexisting，wereceivenobodyatall。’
’ExceptSolandDan，iftheygetajobinLondon？They’llhavetocalluponusatthebackdoor，won’tthey，Berta？’saidJoey。
’Theymustgodowntheareasteps。Buttheywillnotmindthat；
theyliketheidea。’
’Andfather，too，musthegodownthesteps？’
’Hemaycomewhicheverwayhelikes。Hewillbegladenoughtohaveusnearatanyprice。Iknowthatheisnotatallhappyatleavingyoudownhere，andheawayinLondon。YourememberthathehasonlytakenthesituationatMr。Doncastle’sonthesuppositionthatyouallcometotownassoonashecanseeanopeningforgettingyouthere；andasnothingofthesorthasoffereditselftohim，thiswillbetheverything。Ofcourse，ifIsucceedwonderfullywellinmyschemesforstory-tellings，readingsofmyballadsandpoems，lecturesontheartofversification，andwhatnot，weneedhavenolodgers；andthenweshallallbelivingahappyfamily——alltakingourshareinkeepingtheestablishmentgoing。’
’Exceptpoorme！’sighedthemother。
’Mydearmother，youwillbenecessaryasasteadyingpower——aflywheel，inshort，totheconcern。Iwishthatfathercouldlivethere，too。’
’He’llnevergiveuphispresentwayoflife——ithasgrowntobeapartofhisnature。Poorman，heneverfeelsathomeexceptinsomebodyelse’shouse，andisnervousandquiteastrangerinhisown。Sichisthefataleffectsofservice！’
’Omother，don’t！’saidEthelbertatenderly，butwithherteethonedge；andPicoteecurleduphertoes，fearingthathermotherwasgoingtomoralize。
’Well，whatImeanis，thatyourfatherwouldnotliketoliveuponyourearnings，andsoforth。Butintownweshallbenearhim——
that’sonecomfort，certainly。’
’AndIshallnotbewantedatall，’saidPicotee，inamelancholytone。
’Itismuchbettertostaywhereyouare，’hermothersaid。’Youwillcomeandspendtheholidayswithus，ofcourse，asyoudonow。’
’IshouldliketoliveinLondonbest，’murmuredPicotee，herheadsinkingmournfullytooneside。’IHATEbeinginSandbournenow！’
’Nonsense！’saidEthelbertaseverely。’Weareallcontrivinghowtolivemostcomfortably，anditisbyfarthebestthingforyoutostayattheschool。Youusedtobehappyenoughthere。’
Picoteesighed，andsaidnomore。
16。ALARGEPUBLICHALL
ItwasthesecondweekinFebruary，Parliamenthadjustmet，andEthelbertaappearedforthefirsttimebeforeanaudienceinLondon。
Therewassomenoveltyinthespeciesofentertainmentthattheactiveyoungwomanhadproposedtoherself，andthisdoubtlesshaddueeffectincollectingthebodyofstrangersthatgreetedherentry，overandabovethosefriendswhocametolistentoherasamatterofcourse。Menandwomenwhohadbecometotallyindifferenttonewactresses，newreaders，andnewsingers，oncemorefeltthefreshnessofcuriosityastheyconsideredthepromiseoftheannouncement。Butthechiefinducementtoattendlayinthefactthatherewastobeseeninthefleshawomanwithwhomthetongueofrumourhadbeenbusyinmanyromanticways——awomanwho，whateverelsemightbedoubted，hadcertainlyproducedavolumeofverseswhichhadbeenthetalkofthemanywhohadreadthem，andofthemanymorewhohadnot，forseveralconsecutiveweeks。
Whatwasherstorytobe？Personsinterestedintheinquiry——asmallproportion，itmaybeowned，ofthewholeLondonpublic，andchieflyyoungmen——answeredthisquestionforthemselvesbyassumingthatitwouldtaketheformofsomepungentandgratifyingrevelationoftheinnermosteventsofherownlife，fromwhichhergushinglineshadsprungasaninevitableconsequence，andwhichbeingonceknown，wouldcausesuchmusicalpoesytoappearnolongerwonderful。
Thefrontpartoftheroomwaswellfilled，rowsoflistenersshowingthemselveslikeadrilled-incropofwhichnotaseedhasfailed。Theywerelistenersoftherightsort，amajorityhavingnosesoftheprominentanddignifiedtype，whichwhenviewedinobliqueperspectiverangedasregularlyasbow-windowsatawateringplace。Ethelberta’splanwastotellherpretendedhistoryandadventureswhilesittinginachair——asifshewereatherownfireside，surroundedbyacircleoffriends。Bythistouchofdomesticityagreatappearanceoftruthandnaturalnesswasgiven，thoughreallytheattitudewasatfirstmoredifficulttomaintainsatisfactorilythananyonewhereinstricterformalityshouldbeobserved。Shegentlybeganhersubject，asifscarcelyknowingwhetherathrongwerenearherornot，and，inherfearofseemingartificial，spoketoolow。Thisdefect，however，shesooncorrected，andultimatelywentoninacharminglycolloquialmanner。
WhatEthelbertarelieduponsoonbecameevident。Itwasnotupontheintrinsicmeritsofherstoryasapieceofconstruction，butuponhermethodoftellingit。Whateverdefectsthetalepossessed——
andtheywerenotafew——ithad，asdeliveredbyher，theonepre-
eminentmeritofseemingliketruth。AmoderncritichaswellobservedofDeFoethathehadthemostamazingtalentonrecordfortellinglies；andEthelberta，inwishingherfictiontoappearlikearealnarrativeofpersonaladventure，didwiselytomakeDeFoehermodel。Hisisastyleevenbetteradaptedforspeakingthanforwriting，andthepeculiaritiesofdictionwhichheadoptstogiveverisimilitudetohisnarrativesacquiredenormousadditionalforcewhenexhibitedasviva-vocemannerisms。Andalthoughtheseartificeswerenot，perhaps，slavishlycopiedfromthatmasteroffeigning，theywouldundoubtedlyhaveremindedherhearersofhim，hadtheynotmostlybeendrawnfromaneasefulsectioninsocietywhichisespeciallycharacterizedbythementalconditionofknowingnothingaboutanyauthoraweekaftertheyhavereadhim。ThefewtherewhodidrememberDeFoewereimpressedbyafancythathiswordsgreetedthemanewinawingedauricularform，insteadofbytheweakerchannelsofprintandeyesight。Thereadermayimaginewhataneffectthiswell-studiedmethodmusthaveproducedwhenintensifiedbyaclear，livingvoice，animatedaction，andthebrilliantandexpressiveeyeofahandsomewoman——attributeswhichofthemselvesalmostcompelledbelief。Whenshereachedthemosttellingpassages，insteadofaddingexaggeratedactionandsound，Ethelbertawouldlapsetoawhisperandasustainedstillness，whichweremorestrikingthangesticulation。Allthatcouldbedonebyartwasthere，andifinspirationwaswantingnobodymissedit。
ItwasinperformingthisfeatthatEthelbertaseemedfirsttodiscoverinherselfthefullpowerofthatself-commandwhichfurtheronwardinhercareermoreandmoreimpressedherasasingularpossession，untilatlastshewastemptedtomakeofitmanyfantasticuses，leadingtoresultsthataffectedmorehouseholdsthanherown。Atalentfordemurenessunderdifficultieswithoutthecold-bloodednesswhichrenderssuchabearingnaturalandeasy，afaceandhandreigningunmovedoutsideaheartbynatureturbulentasawave，isaconstitutionalarrangementmuchtobedesiredbypeopleingeneral；yet，hadEthelbertabeenframedwithlessofthatgiftinher，herlifemighthavebeenmorecomfortableasanexperience，andbrighterasanexample，thoughperhapsdullerasastory。
’Ladywell，howcamethisMrs。Petherwintothinkofsuchaqueertrickastellingromances，afterdoingsowellasapoet？’saidamaninthestallstohisfriend，whohadbeengazingattheStory-
tellerwitharaptface。
’What——don’tyouknow？——everybodydid，Ithought，’saidthepainter。
’Amistake。Indeed，IshouldnothavecomehereatallhadInotheardthesubjectmentionedbyaccidentyesterdayatGrey’s；andthenIrememberedhertobethesamewomanIhadmetatsomeplace——
Belmaine’sIthinkitwas——lastyear，whenIthoughtherjustgettingonforhandsomeandclever，nottoputittoostrongly。’
’Ah！naturallyyouwouldnotknowmuch，’repliedLadywell，inaneagerwhisper。’PerhapsIamjudgingothersbymyselfalittlemorethan——but，asyouhaveheard，sheisanacquaintanceofmine。I
knowherverywell，and，infact，Ioriginallysuggestedtheschemetoherasapleasantwayofaddingtoherfame。\"Dependuponit，dearMrs。Petherwin，\"Isaid，duringapauseinoneofourdancestogethersometimeago，\"anypublicappearanceofyourswouldbesuccessfulbeyonddescription。\"’
’O，Ihadnoideathatyouknewhersowell！Thenitisquitethroughyouthatshehasadoptedthiscourse？’
’Well，notentirely——Icouldnotsayentirely。Shesaidthatsomeday，perhaps，shemightdosuchathing；and，inshort，Ireducedhervagueideastoform。’
’Ishouldnotmindknowingherbetter——Imustgetyoutothrowustogetherinsomeway，’saidNeigh，withsomeinterest。’Ihadnoideathatyouweresuchanoldfriend。Youcoulddoit，Isuppose？’
’Really，Iamafraid——hah-hah——maynothavetheopportunityofobligingyou。ImetheratWyndway，youknow，whereshewasvisitingwithLadyPetherwin。Itwassometimeago，andIcannotsaythatIhaveevermethersince。’
’Orbefore？’saidNeigh。
’Well——no；Ineverdid。’
’Ladywell，ifIhadhalfyourpowerofgoingtoyourimaginationforfacts，IwouldbethegreatestpainterinEngland。’
’NowNeigh——that’stoobad——butwithregardtothismatter，Idospeakwithsomeinterest，’saidLadywell，withapleasedsenseofhimself。
’Inlovewithher？——Smittendown？——Donefor？’
’Now，now！However，severalotherfellowschaffmeabouther。ItwasonlyyesterdaythatJonessaid——’
’Doyouknowwhyshecarestodothissortofthing？’
’Merelyadesireforfame，Isuppose。’
’Ishouldthinkshehasfameenoughalready。’
’ThatIcanexpressnoopinionupon。IamthinkingofgettingherpermissiontouseherfaceinasubjectIampreparing。Itisafinefaceforcanvas。Gloriouscontour——glorious。Ah，heresheisagain，forthesecondpart。’
’Dreamon，youngfellow。You’llmakeararecouple！’saidNeigh，withaflavourofsuperciliousnessunheededbyhisoccupiedcompanion。
Furtherbackintheroomwereapairoffaceswhosekeeninterestintheperformancecontrastedmuchwiththelanguidlypermissiveairofthoseinfront。Whenthetenminutes’breakoccurred，Christopherwasthefirstofthetwotospeak。’Well，whatdoyouthinkofher，Faith？’hesaid，shiftingrestlesslyonhisseat。
’Ilikethequietpartsofthetalebest，Ithink\"repliedthesister；’but，ofcourse，Iamnotagoodjudgeofthesethings。Howstillthepeopleareattimes！Icontinuallytakemyeyesfromhertolookatthelisteners。Didyounoticethefatoldladyinthesecondrow，withhercloakalittlethrownback？Shewasabsolutelyunconscious，andstayedwithherfaceupandlipspartedlikealittlechildofsix。’
’Shewellmay！thethingisatriumph。ThatfellowLadywellishere，Ibelieve——yes，itishe，busilytalkingtothemanonhisright。IfIwereawomanIwouldrathergodonkey-drivingthanstickmyselfupthere，forgapingfopstoquizandsaywhattheylikeabout！Butshehadnochoice，poorthing；foritwasthatornothingwithher。’
Faith，whohadsecretdoubtsabouttheabsolutenecessityofEthelberta’sappearanceinpublic，said，withremotemeanings，’Perhapsitisnotaltogetheraseverepunishmenttohertobelookedatbywell-dressedmen。Supposeshefeelsitasablessing，insteadofanaffliction？’
’Sheisadifferentsortofwoman，Faith，andsoyouwouldsayifyouknewher。Ofcourse，itisnaturalforyoutocriticizeherseverelyjustnow，andIdon’twishtodefendher。’
’Ithinkyoudoalittle，Kit。’
’No；Iamindifferentaboutitall。PerhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterformeifIhadneverseenher；andpossiblyitmighthavebeenbetterforherifshehadneverseenme。Shehasaheart，andtheheartisatroublesomeencumbrancewhengreatthingshavetobedone。Iwishyouknewher:Iamsureyouwouldlikeeachother。’
’Oyes，’saidFaith，inavoiceofratherweakconviction。’But，asweliveinsuchaplainway，itwouldbehardlydesirableatpresent。’
Ethelbertabeingregarded，incommonwiththelatestconjurer，spirit-medium，aeronaut，giant，dwarformonarch，asanewsensation，shewasdulycriticizedinthemorningpapers，andevenobtainedanoticeinsomeoftheweeklyreviews。
’Ahandsomewoman，’saidoneofthese，’mayhaveherownreasonsforcausingthefleshoftheLondonpublictocreepuponitsbonesbyherundoubtedlyremarkablenarrativepowers；butwequestionifmuchgoodcanresultfromsuchaformofentertainment。Nevertheless，somepraiseisdue。Wehavehadthenovel-writeramongusforsometime，andthenovel-readerhasoccasionallyappearedonourplatforms；butwebelievethatthisisthefirstinstanceonrecordofaNovel-teller——one，thatistosay，whorelatesprofessedlyasfictionaromantictalewhichhasneverbeenprinted——thewholeowingitschiefinteresttothemethodwherebythetelleridentifiesherselfwiththeleadingcharacterinthestory。’
Anotherobserved:’Whenoncewegetawayfromthemagicinfluenceofthestory-teller’seyeandtongue，weperceivehowimprobable，evenimpossible，isthetissueofeventstowhichwehavebeenlisteningwithsogreatasenseofreality，andwefeelalmostangrywithourselvesathavingbeenthevictimsofsuchutterillusion。’
’Mrs。Petherwin’spersonalappearanceisdecidedlyinherfavour，’
saidanother。’Sheaffectsnounconsciousnessofthefactthatformandfeaturearenomeanvehiclesofpersuasion，andsheusesthepowersofeachtotheutmost。Therespreadsuponherfacewheninreposeanairofinnocencewhichischarminglybeliedbythesubtletywediscoverbeneathitwhenshebeginshertale；andthisamusingdiscrepancybetweenherphysicalpresentmentandtheinnerwomanisfurtherillustratedbythemisgiving，whichseizesusonherentrance，thatsoimpressionablealadywillneverbearupinthefaceofsotryinganaudience……ThecombinationsofincidentwhichMrs。Petherwinpersuadesherhearersthatshehaspassedthrougharenotalittlemarvellous；andifwhatisrumouredbetrue，thatthetalesaretoagreatextentbaseduponherownexperiences，shehasprovedherselftobenolessdaringinadventurethanfacileinherpowerofdescribingit。’
17。ETHELBERTA’SHOUSE
Aftersuchsuccessesasthese，Christophercouldnotforegotheseductiveintentionofcallinguponthepoetessandromancer，athernowestablishedtownresidenceinExonburyCrescent。Onewintryafternoonhereachedthedoor——nowforthethirdtime——andgaveaknockwhichhadiniteverytenderrefinementthatcouldbethrownintothesomewhatantagonisticvehicleofnoise。Turninghisfacedownthestreethewaitedrestlesslyonthestep。Therewasastrangelightintheatmosphere:theglassofthestreet-lamps，thevarnishedbackofapassingcab，amilk-woman’scans，andarowofchurch-windowsglaredinhiseyeslikenew-rubbedcopper；andonlookingtheotherwayhebeheldabloodysunhangingamongthechimneysattheupperend，asadanger-lamptowarnhimoff。
Bythistimethedoorwasopened，andbeforehimstoodEthelberta’syoungbrotherJoey，thicklypopulatedwithlittlebuttons，theremainderofhimconsistingofinvisiblegreen。
’Ah，Joseph，’saidChristopher，instantlyrecognizingtheboy。
’What，areyouhereinoffice？Isyour——’
Joeyliftedhisforefingerandspreadhismouthinagenialmanner，asiftosignifyparticularfriendlinessmingledwithgeneralcaution。
’Yes，sir，Mrs。Petherwinismymistress。I’llseeifsheisathome，sir，’hereplied，raisinghisshouldersandwinkingawinkofstrategicmeaningsbywayoffinish——allwhichsignsshowed，ifevidencewerewanted，howeffectuallythispleasantyoungpageunderstood，thoughquitefreshfromWessex，thedutiesofhispeculiarposition。Mr。Julianwasshowntothedrawing-room，andtherehefoundEthelbertaalone。
ShegavehimahandsocoolandstillthatChristopher，muchashedesiredthecontact，wasliterallyashamedtoletherseeandfeelhisown，tremblingwithunmanageableexcessoffeeling。Itwasalwaysso，alwayshadbeenso，alwayswouldbeso，atthesemeetingsoftheirs:shewasimmeasurablythestrongest；andthedeep-eyedyoungmanfancied，inthechagrinwhichtheperceptionofthisdifferencealwaysbredinhim，thatshetriumphedinhersuperiorcontrol。Yetitwasonlyinlittlethingsthattheirsexeswerethusreversed:Christopherwouldreceivequiteashockifalittledogbarkedathisheels，andbetotallyunmovedwhenindangerofhislife。
Certainlythemostself-possessedwomanintheworld，underpressureoftheincongruitybetweentheirlastmeetingandthepresentone，mighthaveshownmoreembarrassmentthanEthelbertashowedongreetinghimto-day。Christopherwasonlyamaninbelievingthattheshynesswhichshedidevincewaschieflytheresultofpersonalinterest。Shemightormightnothavebeensaidtoblush——perhapsthestealthychangeuponherfacewastooslowanoperationtodeservethatname:but，thoughpalewhenhecalled，theendoftenminutessawhercolourhighandwide。Shesoonsethimathisease，andseemedtorelaxalong-sustainedtensionasshetalkedtohimofherarrangements，hopes，andfears。
’AndhowdoyoulikeLondonsociety？’saidEthelberta。
’Prettywell，asfarasIhaveseenit:tothesurfaceofitsfrontdoor。’
’Youwillfindnothingtobealarmedatifyougetinside。’
’Ono——ofcoursenot——exceptmyownshortcomings，’saidthemodestmusician。’Londonsocietyismadeupofmuchmorerefinedpeoplethansocietyanywhereelse。’
’That’saveryprevalentopinion；anditisnowherehalfsoprevalentasinLondonsocietyitself。However，comeandseemyhouse——unlessyouthinkitatroubletolookoverahouse？’
’No；Ishouldlikeitverymuch。’
Thedecorationstendedtowardstheartisticgymnasticsprevalentinsomequartersatthepresentday。Uponageneralflattintofduck’s-egggreenappearedquaintpatternsofconventionalfoliage，andbirds，doneinbrightauburn，severalshadesnearertoredbreast-redthanwasEthelberta’shair，whichwasthusthrustfurthertowardsbrownbysuchjuxtaposition——apossiblereasonforthechoiceoftint。Upontheglazedtileswithinthechimney-pieceweretheformsofowls，bats，snakes，frogs，mice，spidersintheirwebs，moles，andotherobjectsofaversionanddarkness，shapedinblackandburntinaftertheapprovedfashion。
’MybrothersSolandDandidmostoftheactualwork，’saidEthelberta，’thoughIdrewtheoutlines，anddesignedthetilesroundthefire。Theflowers，mice，andspidersaredoneverysimply，youknow:youonlypressarealflower，mouse，orspideroutflatunderapieceofglass，andthencopyit，addingalittlemoreemaciationandangularityatpleasure。’
’Inthat\"atpleasure\"iswherealltheartlies，’saidhe。
’Well，yes——thatisthecase，’saidEthelbertathoughtfully；andprecedinghimupstairs，shethrewopenadoorononeofthefloors，disclosingDaninperson，engageduponasimilartreatmentofthisflooralso。Solappearedbulgingfromthedoorofacloset，alittlefurtheron，wherehewasfixingsomeshelves；andbothworeworkmen’sblouses。Atoncecomingdownfromtheshortladderhewasstandingupon，DanshookChristopher’shandwithsomevelocity。
’Wedoalittleatatime，yousee，’hesaid，’becauseColoneldownbelow，andMrs。Petherwin’svisitors，shan’tsmelltheturpentine。’
’Webepushingonto-daytogetitoutoftheway，’saidSol，alsocomingforwardandgreetingtheirvisitor，butmorereluctantlythanhisbrotherhaddone。’NowI’lltellyewhat——youtwo，’headded，afteranuneasypause，turningfromChristophertoEthelbertaandbackagainingreatearnestness；’you’dbetternotbidehere，talkingtoweroughones，youknow，forfolksmightfindoutthatthere’ssomethingcloserbetweenusthanworkmenandemployerandemployer’sfriend。SoBertaandMr。Julian，ifyou’llgoonandtakenomorenoticeo’us，incaseofvisitors，itwouldbewiser——
else，perhaps，ifweshouldbefoundoutintimatewithye，andbringdownyourgentility，you’llblameusforit。IgetasnervousasacatwhenIthinkImaybethecauseofanydisgracetoye。’
’Don’tbesosilly，Sol，’saidEthelberta，laughing。
’Ah，that’sallverywell，’saidSol，withanunbelievingsmile；
’butifwebain’tcompanyforyououtofdoors，youbain’tcompanyforwewithin——notthatIfindfaultwithyeormindit，andshan’ttakeanythingforpaintingyourhouse，norwillDanneither，anymoreforthat——no，notapenny；infact，wearegladtodoitfor’ee。Atthesametime，youkeeptoyourclass，andwe’llkeeptoours。Andso，goodafternoon，Berta，whenyouliketogo，andthesametoyou，Mr。Julian。Dan，isthatyourmind？’
’Icanbutownit，’saidDan。
Thetwobrothersthenturnedtheirbacksupontheirvisitors，andwentonworking，andEthelbertaandherloverlefttheroom。’Mybrothers，youperceive，’saidshe，’representtherespectableBritishworkmaninhisentirety，andatouchyindividualheis，I
assureyou，onpointsofdignity，afterimbibingafewtownideasfromhisleaders。Theyarepainfullyoff-handwithme，absolutelyrefusingtobeintimate，fromamistakennotionthatIamashamedoftheirdressandmanners；which，ofcourse，isabsurd。’
’Which，ofcourse，isabsurd，’saidChristopher。
’Ofcourseitisabsurd！’sherepeatedwithwarmth，andlookingkeenlyathim。But，findingnoharminhisface，shecontinuedasbefore:’Yet，allthetime，theywilldoanythingunderthesunthattheythinkwilladvancemyinterests。Inourheartsweareone。Alltheyaskmetodoistoleavethemtothemselves，andthereforeIdoso。Now，wouldyouliketoseesomemoreofyouracquaintance？’
Sheintroducedhimtoalargeattic；wherehefoundhimselfinthesocietyoftwoorthreepersonsconsiderablybelowthemiddleheight，whosemannerswereofthatgushingkindsometimescalledContinental，theiragesrangingfromfiveyearstoeight。Theseweretheyoungestchildren，presidedoverbyEmmeline，asprofessorofletters，capitalandsmall。
’Iamgivingthemtherudimentsofeducationhere，’saidEthelberta；
’butIforeseeseveraldifficultiesinthewayofkeepingthemhere，whichImustgetoverasbestIcan。Onetroubleis，thattheydon’tgetenoughairandexercise。’
’IsMrs。Chickerellivinghereaswell？’Christopherventuredtoinquire，whentheyweredownstairsagain。
’Yes；butconfinedtoherroomasusual，Iregrettosay。Twomoresistersofmine，whomyouhaveneverseenatall，arealsohere。
Theyareolderthananyoftherestofus，andhad，broadlyspeaking，noeducationatall，poorgirls。Theeldest，Gwendoline，ismycook，andCorneliaismyhousemaid。Isuffermuchsadness，andalmostmiserysometimes，inreflectingthatherearewe，tenbrothersandsisters，bornofonefatherandmother，whomighthavemixedtogetherandsharedallinthesamescenes，andbeenproperlyhappy，ifitwerenotforthestrangeaccidentsthathavesplitusupintosectionsasyousee，cuttingmeofffromthemwithoutthecompensationofjoiningmetoanyothers。Theyarealltrueassteelinkeepingthesecretofourkin，certainly；butthatbringslittlejoy，thoughsomesatisfactionperhaps。’
’Youmightbelessdespondent，Ithink。Thetale-tellinghasbeenoneofthesuccessesoftheseason。’
’Yes，Imight；butImayobservethatyouscarcelysettheexampleofblitheness。’
’Ah——that’snotbecauseIdon’trecognizethepleasureofbeinghere。Itisfromamoregeneralcause:simplyanunderfeelingI
havethatatthemostpropitiousmomentthedistancetothepossibilityofsorrowissoshortthataman’sspiritsmustnotrisehigherthanmerecheerfulnessoutofbarerespecttohisinsight。
\"Aslongasskiesareblue，andfieldsaregreen，Eveningmustushernight，nighturgethemorrow，Monthfollowmonthwithwoe，andyearwakeyeartosorrow。\"’
Ethelbertaboweduncertainly；theremarkmightrefertoherpastconductoritmightnot。’Mygreatcauseofuneasinessisthechildren，’shepresentlysaid，asanewpageofmatter。’Itismyduty，atallriskandallsacrificeofsentiment，toeducateandprovideforthem。Thegrown-upones，olderthanmyself，Icannothelpmuch，butthelittleonesIcan。IkeepmytwoFrenchlodgersforthesakeofthem。’
’Thelodgers，ofcourse，don’tknowtherelationshipbetweenyourselfandtherestofthepeopleinthehouse？’
’Ono！——norwilltheyever。Mymotherissupposedtoletthegroundandfirstfloorstome——astrangelady——asshedoesthesecondandthirdfloorstothem。Still，Imaybediscovered。’
’Well——ifyouare？’
’Letmebe。Lifeisabattle，theysay；butitisonlysointhesensethatagameofchessisabattle——thereisnoseriousnessinit；itmaybeputanendtoatanyinconvenientmomentbyowningyourselfbeaten，withacareless\"Ha-ha！\"andsweepingyourpiecesintothebox。Experimentally，Icaretosucceedinsociety；butatthebottomofmyheart，Idon’tcare。’
’Forthatveryreasonyouarelikelytodoit。Myideais，makeambitionyourbusinessandindifferenceyourrelaxation，andyouwillfail；butmakeindifferenceyourbusinessandambitionyourrelaxation，andyouwillsucceed。Soimpisharethewaysofthegods。’
’Ihopethatyouatanyratewillsucceed，’shesaid，attheendofasilence。
’Inevercan——ifsuccessmeansgettingwhatonewants。’
’Whyshouldyounotgetthat？’
’Ithasbeenforbiddentome。’
Hercomplexionchangedjustenoughtoshowthatsheknewwhathemeant。’Ifyouwereasboldasyouaresubtle，youwouldtakeamorecheerfulviewofthematter，’shesaid，withalooksignifyinginnermostthings。
’Iwillinstantly！ShallItestthetruthofmycheerfulviewbyawordofquestion？’
’Idenythatyouarecapableoftakingthatview，anduntilyouprovethatyouare，noquestionisallowed，’shesaid，laughing，andstillwarmerinthefaceandneck。’Nothingbutmelancholy，gentlemelancholy，nowasinoldtimeswhentherewasnothingtocauseit。’
’Ah——youonlytease。’
’Youwillnotthrowasidethatbittermedicineofdistrust，fortheworld。Youhavegrownsousedtoit，thatyoutakeitasfood，assomeinvalidsdotheirmixtures。’
’Ethelberta，youhavemyheart——mywholeheart。YouhavehaditeversinceIfirstsawyou。Nowyouunderstandme，andnopretendingthatyoudon’t，mind，thissecondtime。’
’Iunderstoodyoulongago；youhavenotunderstoodme。’
