第5章

’Whatwereyougoingtosay？’saidthehonestandunsuspectingGwendoline。 ’Iwillputitoffuntilto-morrow，’Ethelbertamurmuredgloomily； ’Ihaveabadheadache，andIamafraidIcannotstaywithyouafterall。’ Assheascendedthestairs，Ethelbertaachedwithanaddedpainnotmuchlessthantheprimaryonewhichhadbroughtherdown。Itwasthatoldsenseofdisloyaltytoherclassandkinbyfeelingasshefeltnowwhichcausedthepain，andtherewasnoescapingit。 Gwendolinewouldhavegonetotheendsoftheearthforher:shecouldnotconfideathoughttoGwendoline！ ’Ifsheonlyknewofthatunworthyfeelingofmine，howshewouldgrieve，’saidEthelbertamiserably。 Shenextwentuptotheservants’bedrooms，andtowhereCorneliaslept。OnEthelberta’sentranceCornelialookedupfromaperfectwonderofabonnet，whichsheheldinherhands。AtsightofEthelbertathelookofkeeninterestinherworkchangedtooneofgaiety。 ’Iamsoglad——Iwasjustcomingdown，’Corneliasaidinawhisper； whenevertheyspokeasrelationsinthishouseitwasinwhispers。 ’Now，howdoyouthinkthisbonnetwilldo？MayIcomedown，andseehowIlookinyourbigglass？’Sheclappedthebonnetuponherhead。’Won’titdobeautifulforSundayafternoon？’ ’Itlooksveryattractive，asfarasIcanseebythislight，’saidEthelberta。’Butisitnotrathertoobrilliantincolour——blueandredtogether，likethat？Remember，asIoftentellyou，peopleintownneverwearsuchbrightcontrastsastheydointhecountry。’ ’OBerta！’saidCornelia，inadeprecatingtone；’don’tobject。Ifthere’sonethingIdogloryinitisaniceflare-upaboutmyheado’Sundays——ofcourseifthefamily’snotinmourning，Imean。’ But，seeingthatEthelbertadidnotsmile，sheturnedthesubject，andaddeddocilely:’Didyoucomeupformetodoanything？IwillputofffinishingmybonnetifIamwanted。’ ’Iwasgoingtotalktoyouaboutfamilymatters，andPicotee，’saidEthelberta。’But，asyouarebusy，andIhaveaheadache，Iwillputitofftillto-morrow。’ Corneliaseemeddecidedlyrelieved，forfamilymatterswerefarfromattractiveatthebestoftimes；andEthelbertawentdowntothenextfloor，andenteredhermother’sroom。 AfterashortconversationMrs。Chickerelsaid，’Yousayyouwanttoaskmesomething？’ ’Yes:butnothingofimportance，mother。IwasthinkingaboutPicotee，andwhatwouldbethebestthingtodo——’ ’Ah，wellyoumay，Berta。Iamsouneasyaboutthislifeyouhaveledusinto，andfulloffearthatyourplansmaybreakdown；iftheydo，whateverwillbecomeofus？Iknowyouaredoingyourbest；butIcannothelpthinkingthatthecomingtoLondonandlivingwithyouwaswildandrash，andnotwellweighedaforewesetaboutit。Youshouldhavecountedthecostfirst，andnotadvisedit。Ifyoubreakdown，andwearealldiscoveredlivingsoqueerandunnatural，rightintheheartofthearistocracy，weshouldbethelaughing-stockofthecountry:itwouldkillme，andruinusall——utterlyruinus！’ ’Omother，Iknowallthatsowell！’exclaimedEthelberta，tearsofanguishfillinghereyes。’Don’tdepressmemorethanIdepressmyselfbysuchfears，oryouwillbringabouttheverythingwestrivetoavoid！Myonlychanceisinkeepingingoodspirits，andwhydon’tyoutrytohelpmealittlebytakingabrighterviewofthings？’ ’IknowIoughtto，mydeargirl，butIcannot。IdosowishthatI neverletyoutemptmeandthechildrenawayfromtheLodge。I cannotthinkwhyIallowedmyselftobesopersuaded——cannotthink！ Youarenottoblame——itisI。Iammucholderthanyou，andoughttohaveknownbetterthanlistentosuchascheme。Thisundertakingseemstoobig——thebillsfrightenme。Ihaveneverbeenusedtosuchwildadventure，andIcan’tsleepatnightforfearthatyourtale-tellingwillgowrong，andweshallallbeexposedandshamed。 Astory-tellerseemssuchanimpossiblecastle-in-the-airsortofatradeforgettingalivingby——Icannotthinkhoweveryoucametodreamofsuchanunheard-ofthing。’ ’ButitisNOTacastleintheair，anditDOESgetaliving！’saidEthelberta，herlipquivering。 ’Well，yes，whileitisjustanewthing；butIamafraiditcannotlast——that’swhatIfear。Peoplewillfindyououtasoneofafamilyofservants，andtheirpridewillbestungathavinggonetohearyourromancing；thentheywillgonomore，andwhatwillhappentousandthepoorlittleones？’ ’Wemustallscatteragain！’ ’Ifwecouldgetaswewereonce，Iwouldn’tmindthat。Butweshallhavelostourcharacterassimplecountryfolkwhoknownothing，whicharetheonlyclassofpoorpeoplethatsquireswillgiveanyhelpto；andImuchdoubtifthegirlswouldgetplacesaftersuchadiscovery——itwouldbesoawkwardandunheard-of。’ ’Well，allIcansayis，’repliedEthelberta，’thatIwilldomybest。AllthatIhaveistheirsandyoursasmuchasmine，andthesearrangementsaresimplyontheiraccount。Idon’tlikemyrelationsbeingmyservants；butiftheydidnotworkforme，theywouldhavetoworkforothers，andmyserviceismuchlighterandpleasanterthananyotherlady’swouldbeforthem，sotheadvantagesareworththerisk。IfIstoodalone，Iwouldgoandhidemyheadinanyhole，andcarenomoreabouttheworldanditsways。IwishIwaswelloutofit，andatthebottomofaquietgrave——anybodymighthavetheworldformethen！Butdon’tletmedisturbyoulonger；itisgettinglate。’ Ethelbertathenwishedhermothergood-night，andwentaway。Toattemptconfidencesonsuchanetherealmatteraslovewasnowabsurd；herhermitspiritwasdoomedtodwellapartasusual；andsheappliedherselftodeepthinkingwithoutaidandalone。NotonlywastherePicotee’smiserytodisperse；itbecameimperativetoconsiderhowbesttooverpassamoregeneralcatastrophe。 24。ETHELBERTA’SHOUSE(continued)-THEBRITISHMUSEUM Mrs。Chickerel，indeploringtherisksoftheirpresentspeculativemodeoflife，wasfarfromimaginingthatsignsofthefoulfuturesomuchdreadedwereactuallyapparenttoEthelbertaatthetimethelamentwasspoken。Hencethedaughter’suncommonsensitivenesstoprophecy。Itwasasifadead-reckonerporingoverhischartshouldpredictbreakersaheadtoonewhoalreadybeheldthem。 Thatherstory-tellingwouldprovesoattractiveEthelbertahadnotventuredtoexpectforamoment；thathavingonceprovedattractivethereshouldbeanyfalling-offuntilsuchtimehadelapsedaswouldenablehertoharvestsomesolidfruitwasequallyasurprise。 Futureexpectationsareoftenbasedwithouthesitationupononehappyaccident，whentheonlysimilarconditionremainingtosubsequentsetsofcircumstancesisthatthesamepersonformsthecentreofthem。Hersituationwassopeculiar，andsounlikethatofmostpublicpeople，thattherewashardlyanargumentexplainingthistriumphantopeningwhichcouldbeusedinforecastingtheclose；unless，indeed，morestrategywereemployedintheconductofthecampaignthanEthelbertaseemedtoshowatpresent。 Therewasnodenyingthatshecommandedlessattentionthanatfirst:theaudiencehadlessened，and，judgingbyappearances，mightsoonbeexpectedtobedecidedlythin。Inexcessivelownessofspirit，Ethelbertatranslatedthesesignswiththebiasthatalingeringechoofhermother’sdismalwordsnaturallyinduced，readingthemasconclusiveevidencethatheradventurehadbeenchimericalinitsbirth。Yetitwasveryfarlessconclusivethanshesupposed。Publicinterestmightwithoutdoubthavebeenrenewedafteradueinterval，someofthefalling-offbeingonlyanaccidentoftheseason。Hernoveltieshadbeenhailedwithpleasure，theratherthattheirfreshnesstickledthanthattheirintrinsicmeritwasappreciated；and，likemanyinexperienceddispensersofauniquecharm，Ethelberta，bybestowingtooliberallyandtoofrequently，wasdestroyingtheveryelementuponwhichitspopularitydepended。 Herentertainmenthadbeengoodinitsconception，andpartlygoodinitsexecution；yethersuccesshadbutlittletodowiththatgoodness。Indeed，whatmightbecalleditsbadnessinahistrionicsense——thatis，herlooksometimesofbeingoutofplace，thesightofabeautifulwomanonaplatform，revealingtenderairsofdomesticitywhichshowedhertobelongbycharactertoaquietdrawing-room——hadbeenprimarilyanattractivefeature。Butalas，customwasstalingthisbyimprovingheruptothemarkofanutterimpersonator，therebyeradicatingtheprettyabashmentsofapoetessoutofhersphere；andmorethanonewell-wisherwhoobservedEthelbertafromafarfearedthatitmightsomedaycometobesaidofherthatshehad’Enfeoffedherselftopopularity: That，beingdailyswallowedbymen’seyes，Theysurfeitedwithhoney，andbeganToloathethetasteofsweetness，whereofalittleMorethanalittleisbymuchtoomuch。’ Butthisinitsextremitywasnotquiteyet。 Wediscoverheroneday，alittleafterthistime，sittingbeforeatablestrewedwithaccountsandbillsfromdifferenttradesmenoftheneighbourhood，whichsheexaminedwithapaleface，collectingtheirtotalsonablanksheet。Picoteecameintotheroom，butEthelbertatooknonoticewhateverofher。Theyoungersister，whosubsistedonscrapsofnoticeandfavour，likeadependentanimal，evenifthesewereonlyanoccasionalglanceoftheeye，couldnothelpsayingatlast，’Berta，howsilentyouare。Idon’tthinkyouknowIamintheroom。’ ’Ididnotobserveyou，’saidEthelberta。’Iamverymuchengaged: thesebillshavetobepaid。’ ’What，andcannotwepaythem？’saidPicotee，invaguealarm。 ’Oyes，Icanpaythem。Thequestionis，howlongshallIbeabletodoit？’ ’Thatissad；andwearegoingonsonicely，too。Itisnottruethatyouhavereallydecidedtoleaveoffstory-tellingnowthepeopledon’tcrowdtohearitastheydid？’ ’IthinkIshallleaveoff。’ ’Andbeginagainnextyear？’ ’Thatisverydoubtful。’ ’I’lltellyouwhatyoumightdo，’saidPicotee，herfacekindlingwithasenseofgreatoriginality。’Youmighttravelabouttocountrytownsandtellyourstorysplendidly。’ ’Amaninmypositionmightperhapsdoitwithimpunity；butIcouldnotwithoutlosinggroundinotherdomains。AwomanmaydrivetoMayfairfromherhouseinExonburyCrescent，andspeakfromaplatformthere，andbesupposedtodoitasanoriginalwayofamusingherself；butwhenitcomestostarringintheprovincessheestablishesherselfasawomanofadifferentbreedandhabit。I wishIwereaman！Iwouldgiveupthishouse，advertiseittobeletfurnished，andsallyforthwithconfidence。ButIamdriventothinkofotherwaystomanagethanthat。’ Picoteefellintoaconjecturallook，butcouldnotguess。 ’Thewayofmarriage，’saidEthelberta。’OtherwiseperhapsthepoetessmaylivetobecomewhatDrydencalledhimselfwhenhegotoldandpoor——arent-chargeonProvidence……Yes，Imusttrythatway，’shecontinued，withasarcasmtowardspeopleoutofhearing。Imustbuya\"Peerage\"foronething，anda\"Baronetage，\" anda\"HouseofCommons，\"anda\"LandedGentry，\"andlearnwhatpeopleareaboutme。’ImustgotoDoctors’CommonsandreadupwillsoftheparentsofanylikelygudgeonsImayknow。ImustgetaHeraldtoinventanescutcheonofmyfamily，andthrowagenealogicaltreeintothebargaininconsiderationofmytakingafewsecond-handheirloomsofapawnbrokingfriendofhis。Imustgetupshamancestors，andfindoutsomenotoriousnametostartmypedigreefrom。Itdoesnotmatterwhathischaracterwas；eithervillainormartyrwilldo，providedthathelivedfivehundredyearsago。ItwouldbeconsideredfarmorecreditabletomakegoodmydescentfromSatanintheagewhenhewenttoandfroontheearththanfromaministeringangelunderVictoria。’ ’But，Berta，youarenotgoingtomarryanystrangerwhomayturnup？’saidPicotee，whohadcreepingsensationsofdreadwhenEthelbertatalkedlikethis。 ’Ihadnosuchintention。But，havingonceputmyhandtotheplough，howshallIturnback？’ ’YoumightmarryMr。Ladywell，’saidPicotee，whopreferredtolookatthingsintheconcrete。 ’Yes，marryhimvillainously；incoldblood，withoutamomenttopreparehimself。’ ’Ah，youwon’t！’ ’Iamnotsosureaboutthat。Ihavebroughtmotherandthechildrentotownagainstherjudgmentandagainstmyfather’s；theygavewaytomyopinionastoonewhofromsuperioreducationhaslargerknowledgeoftheworldthanthey。Imustprovemypromises，evenifHeavenshouldfalluponmeforit，orwhatamiserablefuturewilltheirsbe！WemustnotbepoorinLondon。Povertyinthecountryisasadness，butpovertyintownisahorror。Thereissomethingnotwithoutgrandeurinthethoughtofstarvationonanopenmountainorinawidewood，andyourboneslyingtheretobleachinthepuresunandrain；butabackgarretinarookery，andtheotherstarversintheroominsistingonkeepingthewindowshut—— anythingtodeliverusfromthat！’ ’Howgloomyyoucanbe，Berta！Itwillneverbesodreadful。Why，Icantakeinplainsewing，andyoucandotranslations，andmothercanknitstockings，andsoon。Howmuchlongerwillthishousebeyours？’ ’Twoyears。IfIkeepitlongerthanthatIshallhavetopayrentattherateofthreehundredayear。ThePetherwinestateprovidesmewithittillthen，whichwillbetheendofLadyPetherwin’sterm。’ ’Iseeit；andyououghttomarrybeforethehouseisgone，ifyoumeantomarryhigh，’murmuredPicotee，inaninadequatevoice，asoneconfrontedbyaworldsotragicthatanyhopeofherassistingthereinwasoutofthequestion。 ItwasnotlongafterthisexpositionofthefamilyaffairsthatChristophercalleduponthem；butPicoteewasnotpresent，havinggonetothinkofsuperhumanworkonthespurofEthelberta’sawakeningtalk。TherewassomethingnewinthewayinwhichEthelbertareceivedtheannouncementofhisname；passionhadtodowithit，sohadcircumspection；thelattermost，forthefirsttimesincetheirreunion。 ’IamgoingtoleavethispartofEngland，’saidChristopher，afterafewgentlepreliminaries。’Iwasoneoftheapplicantsforthepostofassistant-organistatMelchesterCathedralwhenitbecamevacant，andIfindIamlikelytobechosen，throughtheinterestofoneofmyfather’sfriends。’ ’Icongratulateyou。’ ’No，Ethelberta，itisnotworththat。Ididnotoriginallymeantofollowthiscourseatall；buteventsseemedtopointtoitintheabsenceofabetter。’ ’ItooamcompelledtofollowacourseIdidnotoriginallymeantotake。’Aftersayingnomoreforafewmoments，sheadded，inatoneofsuddenopenness，arichertincturecreepinguphercheek，’Iwanttoputaquestiontoyouboldly——notexactlyaquestion——athought。 Haveyouconsideredwhethertherelationsbetweenuswhichhavelatelyprevailedare——arethebestforyou——andforme？’ ’Iknowwhatyoumean，’saidChristopher，hastilyanticipatingallthatshemightbegoingtosay；’andIamgladyouhavegivenmetheopportunityofspeakinguponthatsubject。IthasbeenverygoodandconsiderateinyoutoallowmetoshareyoursocietysofrequentlyasyouhavedonesinceIhavebeenintown，andtothinkofyouasanobjecttoexistforandstrivefor。ButIoughttohaverememberedthat，sinceyouhavenobodyatyoursidetolookafteryourinterests，itbehovedmetobedoublycareful。Inshort，Ethelberta，Iamnotinapositiontomarry，norcanIdiscernwhenIshallbe，andIfeelitwouldbeaninjusticetoaskyoutobeboundinanywaytoonelowerandlesstalentedthanyou。Youcannot，fromwhatyousay，thinkitdesirablethattheengagementshouldcontinue。Ihavenorighttoaskyoutobemybetrothed，withouthavinganearprospectofmakingyoumywife。Idon’tmindsayingthisstraightout——Ihavenofearthatyouwilldoubtmylove；thankHeaven，youknowwhatthatiswellenough！However，asthingsare，IwishyoutoknowthatIcannotconscientiouslyputinaclaimuponyourattention。’ AsecondmeaningwaswritteninChristopher’slook，thoughhescarcelyutteredit。Awomansodelicatelypoiseduponthesocialglobecouldnotinhonourbeaskedtowaitforaloverwhowasunabletosetboundstothewaitingperiod。Yethehadprivilydreamedofanapproachtothatposition——anunreserved，ideallyperfectdeclarationfromEthelbertathattimeandpracticalissueswerenothingtoher；thatshewouldstandasfastwithoutmaterialhopesaswiththem；thatlovewastobeanendwithherhenceforth，havingutterlyceasedtobeameans。Thereforethissurreptitioushopeofhis，foundedonnoreasonableexpectation，waslikeaguiltythingsurprisedwhenEthelbertaanswered，withapredominanceofjudgmentoverpassionstillgreaterthanbefore: ’Itisunspeakablygenerousinyoutoputitallbeforemesonicely，Christopher。Ithinkinfinitelymoreofyouforbeingsounreserved，especiallysinceItoohavebeenthinkingmuchontheindefinitenessofthedaystocome。Wearenotnumberedamongtheblestfewwhocanaffordtotriflewiththetime。Yettoagreetoanythinglikeapositivepartingwillbequiteunnecessary。Youdidnotmeanthat，didyou？foritisharshifyoudid。’Ethelbertasmiledkindlyasshesaidthis，asmuchastosaythatshewasfarfromreallyupbraidinghim。’Letitbeonlythatwewillseeeachotherless。Wewillbearoneanotherinmindasdeeplyattachedfriendsifnotasdefinitelovers，andkeepupfriendlyremembrancesofasortwhich，comewhatmay，willneverhavetobeendedbyanypainfulprocesstermedbreakingoff。Differentpersons，differentnatures；anditmaybethatmarriagewouldnotbethemostfavourableatmosphereforouroldaffectiontoprolongitselfin。 WhendoyouleaveLondon？’ Thedisconnectedqueryseemedtobesubjoinedtodispersethecrudeeffectofwhathadgonebefore。 ’Ihardlyknow，’murmuredChristopher。’IsupposeIshallnotcallhereagain。’ Whilsttheyweresilentsomebodyenteredtheroomsoftly，andtheyturnedtodiscoverPicotee。 ’Comehere，Picotee，’saidEthelberta。 Picoteecamewithanabashedbearingtowheretheothertwowerestanding，andlookeddownsteadfastly。 ’Mr。Julianisgoingaway，’shecontinued，withdeterminedfirmness。 ’Hewillnotseeusagainforalongtime。’AndEthelbertaadded，inalowertone，thoughstillintheunflinchingmannerofonewhohadsetherselftosayathing，andwouldsayit——’Heisnottobedefinitelyengagedtomeanylonger。Wearenotthinkingofmarrying，youknow，Picotee。Itisbestthatweshouldnot。’ ’Perhapsitis，’saidChristopherhurriedly，takinguphishat。 ’Letmenowwishyougood-bye；and，ofcourse，youwillalwaysknowwhereIam，andhowtofindme。’ Itwasatendertime。HeinclinedforwardthatEthelbertamightgivehimherhand，whichshedid；whereupontheireyesmet。 Masteredbyanimpellinginstinctshehadnotreckonedwith，Ethelbertapresentedhercheek。Christopherkisseditfaintly。 TearswereinEthelberta’seyesnow，andshewasheartfullofmanyemotions。PlacingherarmroundPicotee’swaist，whohadneverliftedhereyesfromthecarpet，shedrewtheslightgirlforward，andwhisperedquicklytohim——’Kissher，too。Sheismysister，andIamyours。’ ItseemedallrightandnaturaltotheirrespectivemoodsandthetoneofthemomentthatfreeoldWessexmannersshouldprevail，andChristopherstoopedanddroppeduponPicotee’scheeklikewisesuchafarewellkissashehadimprinteduponEthelberta’s。 ’Careforusbothequally！’saidEthelberta。 ’Iwill，’saidChristopher，scarcelyknowingwhathesaid。 Whenhehadreachedthedooroftheroom，helookedbackandsawthetwosistersstandingashehadleftthem，andequallytearful。 Ethelbertaatoncesaid，inalastfutilestruggleagainstlettinghimgoaltogether，andwiththoughtsofhersister’sheart: ’IthinkthatPicoteemightcorrespondwithFaith；don’tyou，Mr。 Julian？’ ’Mysisterwouldmuchliketodoso，’saidhe。 ’Andyouwouldlikeittoo，wouldyounot，Picotee？’ ’Oyes，’shereplied。’AndIcantellthemallaboutyou。’ ’Thenitshallbeso，ifMissJulianwill。’Shespokeinasettledway，asifsomethingintendedhadbeensetintrain；andChristopherhavingpromisedforhissister，hewentoutofthehousewithapartingsmileofmisgiving。 Hecouldscarcelybelieveashewalkedalongthatthoselatewords，yethanginginhisears，hadreallybeenspoken，thatstillvisiblesceneenacted。Hecouldnotevenrecollectforaminuteortwohowthefinalresulthadbeenproduced。Didhehimselffirstenteruponthelong-loomingtheme，ordidshe？Christopherhadbeensonervouslyalivetotheurgencyofsettingbeforethehard-strivingwomanaclearoutlineofhimself，hissurroundingsandhisfears，thathefanciedthemainimpulsetothisconsummationhadbeenhis，notwithstandingthatafaintinitiativehadcomefromEthelberta。 Allhadcompleteditselfquickly，unceremoniously，andeasily。 Ethelbertahadlethimgoasecondtime；yetonforegoingmorningsandevenings，whencontemplatingthenecessityofsomesuchexplanation，ithadseemedthatnothinglessthanAtlanteanforcecouldoverpowertheirmutualgravitationtowardseachother。 OnhisreachinghomeFaithwasnotinthehouse，and，intherestlessstatewhichdemandssomethingtotalkat，themusicianwentofftofindher，wellknowingherhauntatthistimeoftheday。HeenteredthespikedandgildedgatewayoftheMuseumhardby，turnedtothewingdevotedtosculptures，anddescendedtoaparticularbasementroom，whichwaslinedwithbas-reliefsfromNineveh。Theplacewascool，silent，andsoothing；itwasempty，saveofalittlefigureinblack，thatwasstandingwithitsfacetothewallinaninnermostnook。ThisspotwasFaith’sowntemple；here，amongthesedesertedantiques，Faithwasalwayshappy。Christopherlookedonatherforsometimebeforeshenoticedhim，anddimlyperceivedhowvastlydifferedherhomelysuitandunstudiedcontour——painfullyunstudiedtofastidiouseyes——fromEthelberta’swell-arrangeddraperies，evenfromPicotee’scleverbitsofribbon，bywhichshemadeherselflookprettyoutofnothingatall。Yetthisnegligencewashissister’sessence；withoutitshewouldhavebeenaspoiltproduct。Shehadnoouterworld，andherrustyblackwasasappropriatetoFaith’sunseencoursesaswereEthelberta’scorrectlightsandshadestohermoreprominentcareer。 ’Look，Kit，’saidFaith，assoonassheknewwhowasapproaching。 ’ThisisathingIneverlearntbefore；thispersonisreallySennacherib，sittingonhisthrone；andthesewithflutedbeardsandhairlikeplough-furrows，andfingerswithnobonesinthem，arehiswarriors——reallycarvedatthetime，youknow。OnlyjustthinkthatthisisnotimaginedofAssyria，butdoneinAssyriantimesbyAssyrianhands。Don’tyoufeelasifyouwereactuallyinNineveh； thataswenowwalkbetweentheseslabs，sowalkedNinevitesbetweenthemonce？’ ’Yes……Faith，itisallover。EthelbertaandIhaveparted。’ ’Indeed。AndsomyplanistothinkofversesintheBibleaboutSennacheribandhisdoings，whichresemblethese；thisverse，forinstance，Iremember:\"NowinthefourteenthyearofKingHezekiahdidSennacherib，KingofAssyria，comeupagainstallthefencedcitiesofJudahandtookthem。AndHezekiah，KingofJudah，senttotheKingofAssyriatoLachish，\"andsoon。Well，thereitactuallyis，yousee。There’sSennacherib，andthere’sLachish。Isitnotglorioustothinkthatthisisapicturedoneatthetimeofthoseveryevents？’ ’Yes。Wedidnotquarrelthistime，EthelbertaandI。IfImaysoputit，itisworsethanquarrelling。Wefeltitwasnousegoingonanylonger，andso——Come，Faith，hearwhatIsay，orelsetellmethatyouwon’thear，andthatImayaswellsavemybreath！’ ’Yes，Iwillreallylisten，’shesaid，flutteringhereyelidsinherconcernathavingbeensoabstracted，andexcludingSennacheribthereandthenfromChristopher’saffairsbythefirstsettlementofherfeaturestoapresent-dayaspect，andhereyesuponhisface。 ’YousaidyouhadseenEthelberta。Yes，andwhatdidshesay？’ ’Wasthereeveranybodysoprovoking！Why，Ihavejusttoldyou！’ ’Yes，yes；Iremembernow。Youhaveparted。ThesubjectistoolargeformetoknowallatoncewhatIthinkofit，andyoumustgivemetime，Kit。SpeakingofEthelbertaremindsmeofwhatIhavedone。IjustlookedintotheAcademythismorning——IthoughtI wouldsurpriseyoubytellingyouaboutit。AndwhatdoyouthinkI saw？Ethelberta——inthepicturepaintedbyMr。Ladywell。’ ’Itisneverhung？’saidhe，feelingthattheywereatoneastoatopicatlast。 ’Yes。AndthesubjectisanElizabethanknightpartingfromaladyofthesameperiod——thewordsexplainingthepicturebeing—— \"Farewell！thouarttoodearformypossessing，Andlikeenoughthouknow’stthyestimate。\" TheladyisEthelberta，totheshadeofahair——herlivingface；andtheknightis——’ ’NotLadywell？’ ’Ithinkso；Iamnotsure。’ ’NowonderIamdismissed！Andyetshehateshim。Well，comealong，Faith。Womenallowstrangelibertiesinthesedays。’ 25。THEROYALACADEMY-THEFARNFIELDESTATE Ethelbertawasafirmbelieverinthekindlyeffectsofartisticeducationuponthemasses。Sheheldthatdefilementofmindoftenarosefromignoranceofeye；andherphilanthropybeing，bythesimpleforceofhersituation，ofthatsortwhichlingersintheneighbourhoodofhome，sheconcentratedhereffortsinthiskinduponSolandDan。Accordingly，theAcademyexhibitionhavingnowjustopened，sheorderedthebrotherstoappearintheirbestclothesattheentrancetoBurlingtonHousejustafternoontideontheSaturdayofthefirstweek，thisbeingtheonlydayandhouratwhichtheycouldattendwithout’losingahalf’andthereforeitwasnecessarytoputupwiththeinconvenienceofarrivingatacrowdedandenervatingtime。 WhenEthelbertawassetdowninthequadranglesheperceivedthefaithfulpair，bigastheZamzummimsofoldtime，standinglikesentinelsintheparticularcornerthatshehadnamedtothem:forSolandDanwouldassoonhaveattemptedpettylarcenyasbrokenfaithwiththeiradmiredlady-sisterEthelberta。Theywelcomedherwithapainfullylavishexhibitionoflargenewgloves，andchestscoveredwithbroadtriangularareasofpaddedbluesilk，occupyingthepositionthattheshirt-fronthadoccupiedinearlierdays，andsupposedtobelineallydescendedfromthetieofaneckerchief。 Thedressoftheirsisterforto-daywasexactlythatofarespectableworkman’srelativewhohadnoparticularambitioninthematteroffashion——ablackstuffgown，aplainbonnettomatch。A veilsheworeforobviousreasons:herfacewasgettingwellknowninLondon，andithadalreadyappearedattheprivateviewinanuncoveredstate，whenitwasscrutinizedmorethanthepaintingsaround。Butnowhomelyandusefullabourwasherpurpose。 Catalogueinhandshetookthetwobrothersthroughthegalleries，teachingtheminwhispersastheywalked，andoccasionallycorrectingthem——first，fortooreverentialabearingtowardsthewell-dressedcrowd，amongwhomtheypersistedinwalkingwiththeirhatsintheirhandsandwiththecontritebearingofmeekpeopleinchurch；and，secondly，foratendencywhichtheytoooftenshowedtowardsstrayingfromthecontemplationofthepicturesasarttoindulgeincuriousspeculationsontheintrinsicnatureofthedelineatedsubject，thegildingoftheframes，theconstructionoftheskylightsoverhead，oradmirationforthebracelets，lockets，andloftyeloquenceofpersonsaroundthem。 ’Now，’saidEthelberta，inawarningwhisper，’wearecomingnearthepicturewhichwaspartlypaintedfrommyself。And，Dan，whenyouseeit，don’tyouexclaim\"Hullo！\"or\"That’sBertatoaT，\"oranythingatall。Itwouldnotmatterwereitnotdangerousformetobenoticedhereto-day。Iseeseveralpeoplewhowouldrecognizemeontheleastprovocation。’ ’Notaword，’saidDan。’Don’tyoubeafeardaboutthat。IfeelthatIbaintuponmyowngroundto-day；andwouldn’tdoanythingtocauseanupset，drownmeifIwould。Wouldyou，Sol？’ Inthistempertheyallpressedforward，andEthelbertacouldnotbutbegratifiedatthereceptionofLadywell’spicture，thoughitwasaccordedbycriticsnotveryprofound。Itwasanoperationofsomeminutestogetexactlyopposite，andwhensidebysidethethreestoodtheretheyoverheardtheimmediatereasonofthepressure。’Farewell，thouarttoodearformypossessing’hadbeenlengthilydiscourseduponthatmorningbytheCoryphaeusofpopularopinion；andthespirithavingoncebeenpouredoutsonsanddaughterscouldprophesy。But，intruth，Ladywell’swork，ifnotemphaticallyoriginal，washappilycentredonamiddlestratumoftaste，andapartfromthisadventitioushelpcommanded，anddeservedtocommand，awideareaofappreciation。 WhiletheywerestandinghereintheveryheartofthethrongEthelberta’searswerearrestedbytwomalevoicesbehindher，whosewordsformedanovelcontrasttothoseoftheotherspeakersaround。 ’Somemen，yousee，withextravagantexpectationsofthemselves，coollygetthemgratified，whileothershoperationallyandaredisappointed。Luck，that’swhatitis。Andthemoreeasilyamantakeslifethemorepersistentlydoesluckfollowhim。’ ’Ofcourse；because，ifhe’sindustrioushedoesnotwantluck’sassistance。Naturallawswillhelphiminstead。’ ’Well，ifitistruethatLadywellhaspaintedagoodpicturehehasdoneitbyanexhaustiveprocess。Hehaspaintedeverypossiblebadonetillnothingmoreofthatsortisleftforhim。Youknowwhatlady’sfaceservedastheoriginaltothis，Isuppose？’ ’Mrs。Petherwin’s，Ihear。’ ’Yes，Mrs。AlfredNeighthat’stobe。’ ’What，thatelusivefellowcaughtatlast？’ ’Soitappears；butsheherselfishardlysowellsecuredasyet，itseems，thoughhetakestheuncertaintyascoollyaspossible。I knewnothingaboutittillheintroducedthesubjectaswewerestandinghereonMonday，andsaid，inanoff-handway，\"Imeantomarrythatlady。\"Iaskedhimhow。\"Easily，\"hesaid；\"Iwillhaveherifthereareahundredatherheels。\"Youwillunderstandthatthiswasquiteinconfidence。’ ’Ofcourse，ofcourse。’Thentherewasaslightlaugh，andthecompanionsproceededtoothergossip。 Ethelberta，calmandcompressedinmanner，sidledalongtoextricateherself，notdaringtoturnround，andDanandSolfollowed，tilltheywereallclearofthespot。Thebrothers，whohadheardthewordsequallywellwithEthelberta，madenoremarktoheruponthem，assumingthattheyreferredtosomepeculiarsystemofcourtshipadoptedinhighlife，withwhichtheyhadrightlynoconcern。 Ethelbertaostensiblycontinuedherbusinessoftutoringtheyoungworkmenjustasbefore，thougheveryemotioninherhadbeenputonthealertbythisdiscovery。ShehadknownthatNeighadmiredher； yethispresumptioninutteringsucharemarkashewasreportedtohaveuttered，confidentiallyorotherwise，nearlytookawayherbreath。Perhapsitwasnotaltogetherdisagreeabletohaveherbreathsotakenaway。 ’Imeantomarrythatlady。’Shewhisperedthewordstoherselftwentytimesinthecourseoftheafternoon。SolandDanwereleftconsiderablylongertotheirprivateperceptionsofthefalseandtrueinartthantheyhadbeenearlierintheday。 WhenshereachedhomeEthelbertawasstillfarremovedinherreflections；anditwasnoticedafterwardsthataboutthistimeinhercareerheropennessofmannerentirelydesertedher。Shemostlywassilentastoherthoughts，andsheworeanairofunusualstillness。Itwasthesilenceandstillnessofastarrysky，whereallisforceandmotion。Thisdeepundecipherablehabitsometimessuggested，thoughitdidnotreveal，Ethelberta’sbusybraintohersisters，andtheysaidtooneanother，’Icannotthinkwhat’scomingtoBerta:sheisnotsoniceassheusedtobe。’ TheeveningundernoticewaspasseddesultorilyenoughafterthediscoveryofNeigh’sself-assuredstatement。Amongotherthingsthatshedidafterdark，whilestillmusinglyexaminingtheprobabilitiesofthereportturningouttrue，wastowandertothelargeatticwherethechildrenslept，afrequenthabitofhersatnight，tolearniftheyweresnugandcomfortable。Theyweretalkingnowfrombedtobed，thepersonunderdiscussionbeingherself。Herselfseemedeverywhereto-day。 ’Iknowthatsheisafairy，’Myrtlewasinsisting，’becauseshemustbe，tohavesuchprettythingsinherhouse，andwearsilkdressessuchasmotherandweandPicoteehaven’tgot，andhavemoneytogiveuswheneverwewantit。’ ’Emmelinesaysperhapssheknowsthefairy’sgodmother，andisnotafairyherself，becauseBertaistootallforarealfairy。’ ’Shemustbeone；forwhentherewasanotchburntinthehemofmyprettybluefrockshesaiditshouldbegoneinthemorningifI wouldgotobedandnotcry；andinthemorningitwasgone，andallniceandstraightasnew。’ Ethelbertawasrecallingtomindhowshehadsatupandrepairedthedamagealludedtobycuttingoffhalfaninchoftheskirtallroundandhemmingitanew，whenthebreathingofthechildrenbecameregular，andtheyfellasleep。Herewerebrightlittlemindsreadyforatraining，whichwithoutmoneyandinfluenceshecouldnevergivethem。Thewisdomwhichknowledgebrings，andthepowerwhichwisdommaybring，shehadalwaysassumedwouldbetheirsinherdreamsfortheirsocialelevation。Bywhatmeanswerethesethingstobeensuredtothemifherskillinbread-winningshouldfailher？ Wouldnotawell-contrivedmarriagebeofservice？Shecoveredandtuckedinonemoreclosely，liftedanotheruponthepillowandstraightenedthesoftlimbstoaneasyposition；thensatdownbythewindowandlookedoutattheflashingstars。ThoughtsofNeigh’saudaciousstatementreturnedagainuponEthelberta。Hehadsaidthathemeanttomarryher。Ofwhatstandingwasthemanwhohadutteredsuchanintentionrespectingonetowhomapoliticmarriagehadbecomealmostanecessityofexistence？ ShehadoftenheardNeighspeakindefinitelyofsomeestate——’mylittleplace’hehadcalledit——whichhehadpurchasednoverylongtimeago。AllsheknewwasthatitsnamewasFarnfield，thatitlaythirtyorfortymilesoutofLondoninasouth-westerlydirection，arailwaystationinthedistrictbearingthesamename，sothattherewasprobablyavillageorsmalltownadjoining。Whetherthedignityofthislandedpropertywasthatofdomain，farmstead，allotment，orgarden-plot，Ethelbertahadnottheslightestconception。ShewasalmostcertainthatNeighneverlivedthere，butthatmightsignifynothing。Theexactsizeandvalueoftheestatewould，shemused，becurious，interesting，andalmostnecessaryinformationtoherwhomustbecomemistressofitwereshetoallowhimtocarryouthissingularlycoolandcrude，iftender，intention。Moreover，itsimportancewouldaffordaverygoodrandomsampleofhisworldlysubstancethroughout，fromwhichalone，afterall，couldthetruespiritandworthandseriousnessofhiswordsbeapprehended。 ImpecuniositymayrevelinunqualifiedvowsandbrimoverwithconfessionsasblithelyasabirdofMay，butsuchcarelesspleasuresarenotforthesolvent，whoseverydreamsarenegotiable，andareexpressedwithduecareaccordingly。 ThatNeighhadusedthewordsshehadfarmorethanprima-facieappearancesforbelieving。Neigh’sownconducttowardsher，thoughpeculiarratherthandevoted，foundinthesewordsaloneareasonablekey。But，supposingtheestatetobesuchaverbalhallucinationas，forinstance，hershadbeenatArrowthorne，whenherpoor，unprogressive，hopelesslyimpracticableChristophercametheretovisither，andwassowonderfullyundeceivedabouthersocialstanding:whatafiasco，andwhatacuckoo-crywouldhisutterancesaboutmarriageseemthen。Christopherhadoftentoldherofhisexpectationsfrom’ArrowthorneLodge，’andoftheblundersthathadresultedinconsequence。HadnotEthelberta’saffectionforChristopherpartakenlessoflover’spassionthanofold- establishedtutelarytendernessshemighthavebeenremindedbythisreflectionofthetranscendentfidelityhehadshownunderthattrial——assevereatrial，consideringtheabnormal，almostmorbid，developmentofthepassionforpositioninpresent-daysociety，ascanbepreparedformenwhomoveintheordinary，unheroicchannelsoflife。 Bythefollowingeveningtheconsiderationofthispossibility，thatNeigh’spositionmightfurnishscopeforsuchadisillusivediscoverybyherselfashershadaffordedtoChristopher，decoyedEthelbertaintoacuriouslittlescheme。Shewaspiquedintoapracticalundertakingbythemanwhocouldsaytohisfriendwithsuchsangfroid，’Imeantomarrythatlady。’ MerelytellingPicoteetoprepareforaneveningexcursion，ofwhichshewastotalktonoone，Ethelbertamadereadylikewise，andtheyleftthehouseinacababouthalf-an-hourbeforesunset，anddrovetotheWaterlooStation。 Withthedeclineanddepartureofthesunafoggathereditselfoutofthelowmeadow-landthatborderedtherailwayastheywentalongtowardsthewest，stretchingoveritlikeaplacidlake，tillattheendofthejourney，themistbecamegenerallypervasive，thoughnotdense。Avoidingobservationasmuchastheyconvenientlycould，thetwosisterswalkedfromthelongwoodenshedwhichformedthestationhere，intotherheumyairandalongtheroadtotheopencountry。PicoteeoccasionallyquestionedEthelbertaontheobjectofthestrangejourney:shedidnotquestionclosely，beingsatisfiedthatinsuchsurehandsasEthelberta’sshewassafe。 DeemingitunwisetomakeanyinquiryjustyetbeyondthesimpleoneofthewaytoFarnfield，Ethelbertaledhercompanionalonganewly- fencedroadacrossaheath。Induetimetheycametoanornamentalgatewithacurvedsweepofwalloneachside，signifyingtheentrancetosomeenclosedpropertyorother。Ethelberta，beingquitefreefromanydigestedplanforencouragingNeighinhisresolvetowive，wasstartledtofindahopeinherthatthisveryrespectablebeginningbeforetheireyeswastheentrancetotheFarnfieldproperty:thatshehopeditwasneverthelessunquestionable。Justbeyondlayaturnpike-house，wherewasdimlyvisibleawomanintheactofputtingupashuttertothefrontwindow。 Compelledbythistimetocometospecialquestions，EthelbertainstructedPicoteetoaskofthispersoniftheplacetheyhadjustpassedwastheentrancetoFarnfieldPark。Thewomanrepliedthatitwas。DirectlyshehadgoneindoorsEthelbertaturnedbackagaintowardstheparkgate。 ’Whathavewecomefor，Berta？’saidPicotee，assheturnedalso。 ’I’lltellyousomeday，’repliedhersister。 Itwasnowmuchpasteighto’clock，and，fromthenatureoftheevening，dusk。Thelaststoppingup-trainwasaboutten，sothathalf-an-hourcouldwellbeaffordedforlookinground。Ethelbertawenttothegate，whichwasfoundtobefastenedbyachainandpadlock。 ’Ah，theLondonseason，’shemurmured。 Therewasawicketattheside，andtheyentered。Anavenueofyoungfirtreesthreeorfourfeetinheightextendedfromthegateintothemist，anddownthistheywalked。Thedrivewasnotinverygoodorder，andthetwowomenwerefrequentlyobligedtowalkonthegrasstoavoidtheroughstonesinthecarriage-way。Thedoublelineofyoungfirsnowabruptlyterminated，andtheroadsweptlower，bendingtotheright，immediatelyinfrontbeingalargelake，calmandsilentasasecondsky。Theycouldhearfromsomewhereonthemarginthepurlofaweir，andaroundwereclumpsofshrubs，araucariasanddeodarsbeingthecommonest。 Ethelbertacouldnotresistbeingcharmedwiththereposeofthespot，andhastenedonwithcuriositytoreachtheothersideofthepool，where，byeverylawofmanorialtopography，themansionwouldbesituate。Thefogconcealedallobjectsbeyondadistanceoftwentyyardsorthereabouts，butitwasnearlyfullmoon，andthoughtheorbwashidden，apalediffusedlightenabledthemtoseeobjectsintheforeground。Reachingtheothersideofthelakethedriveenlargeditselfmostlegitimatelytoalargeoval，asforasweepbeforeadoor，apileofrockworkstandinginthemidst。 Butwhereshouldhavebeenthefrontdoorofamansionwassimplyaroughrailfence，aboutfourfeethigh。Theydrewnearandlookedover。 Intheenclosure，andonthesiteoftheimaginaryhouse，wasanextraordinarygroup。Itconsistedofnumeroushorsesinthelaststageofdecrepitude，theanimalsbeingsuchmereskeletonsthatatfirstEthelbertahardlyrecognizedthemtobehorsesatall；theyseemedrathertobespecimensofsomeattenuatedheraldicanimal，scarcelythickenoughthroughthebodytothrowashadow:orenlargedcastingsofthefire-dogofpasttimes。Thesepoorcreatureswereendeavouringtomakeamealfromherbagesotroddenandthinthatscarcelyawholesomebladeremained；thelittlethattherewasconsistedofthesourersortscommononsuchsandysoils，mingledwithtuftsofheatherandsproutingferns。 ’Whyhavewecomehere，dearBerta？’saidPicotee，shuddering。 ’Ihardlyknow，’saidEthelberta。 Adjoiningthisenclosurewasanotherandsmallerone，formedofhighboarding，withinwhichappearedtobesomeshedsandouthouses。 Ethelbertalookedthroughthecrevices，andsawthatinthemidstoftheyardstoodtrunksoftreesasiftheyweregrowing，withbranchesalsoextending，buttheseweresawnoffatthepointswheretheybegantobeflexible，notwigsorboughsremaining。Eachtorsowasnotunlikeahugehat-stand，andsuspendedtothepegsandprongswerelumpsofsomesubstancewhichatfirstshedidnotrecognize；theyprovedtobeachronologicalsequeltothepreviousscene。Horses’skulls，ribs，quarters，legs，andotherjointswerehungthereon，thewholeformingahugeopen-airlarderemittingnottoosweetasmell。 ButwhatStygiansoundwasthis？Therehadarisenatthemomentuponthemuteandsleepyairavariedhowlingfromahundredtongues。Ithadburstfromaspotcloseathand——alowwoodenbuildingbyastreamwhichfedthelake——andreverberatedformiles。 Nofurtherexplanationwasrequired。 ’Weareclosetoakennelofhounds，’saidEthelberta，asPicoteeheldtightlytoherarm。’Theycannotgetout，soyouneednotfear。Theyhaveahorridwayofsuddenlybeginningthusatdifferenthoursofthenight，fornoapparentreason:thoughperhapstheyhearus。Thesepoorhorsesarewaitingtobekilledfortheirfood。’ Theexperiencealtogether，fromitsintensemelancholy，wasverydepressing，almostappallingtothetwoloneyoungwomen，andtheyquicklyretracedtheirfootsteps。Thepleasantlake，thepurloftheweir，therudimentarylawns，shrubberies，andavenue，hadchangedtheircharacterquite。EthelbertafanciedatthatmomentthatshecouldnothavemarriedNeigh，evenhadshelovedhim，sohorriddidhisbelongingsappeartobe。Butformanyotherreasonsshehadbeengraduallyfeelingwithinthishourthatshewouldnotgooutofherwayatabeckfromamanwhoseinterestwassounimpassioned。 Thinkingnomoreofhimasapossiblehusbandsheceasedtobeafraidtomakeinquiriesaboutthepeculiaritiesofhispossessions。 Inthehigh-roadtheycameonalocalman，restingfromwheelingawheelbarrow，andEthelbertaaskedhim，withtheairofacountrywoman，whoownedtheestateacrosstheroad。 ’ThemanowningthatisoneofthenameofNeigh，’saidthenative，wipinghisface。’’Tisafamilythathavemadeaverylargefortunebytheknackerbusinessandtanning，thoughtheybeonlysleepingpartnersinitnow，andlivelikelords。Mr。Neighwasgoingtopulldowntheoldhutshere，andimprovetheplaceandbuildamansion——inshort，hewentsofarastohavethegroundsplanted，andtheroadsmarkedout，andthefish-pondmade，andtheplacechristenedFarnfieldPark；buthedidnomore。\"Ishallneverhaveawife，\"hesaid，\"sowhyshouldIwantahousetoputherin？\" He’saterriblehaterofwomen，Ihear，particularlythelowerclass。’ ’Indeed！’ ’Yes，andsincethenhehaslethalfthelandtotheHonourableMr。 Mountclere，abrotherofLordMountclere’s。Mr。Mountclerewantedthespotforakennel，andasthelandistoopoorandsandyforcropping，Mr。Neighlethimhaveit。’Tishishoundsthatyouhearhowling。’ Theypassedon。’Berta，whydidwecomedownhere？’saidPicotee。 ’Toseethenakednessoftheland。Itwasawhimonly，andasitwillendinnothing，itisnotworthwhileformetomakefurtherexplanation。’ ItwaswithacurioussenseofrenunciationthatEthelbertawenthomeward。Neighwashandsome，grim-natured，ratherwicked，andanindifferentist；andtheseattractionsinterestedherasawoman。 ButthenewsofthiseveningsuggestedtoEthelbertathatherselfandNeighweretoonearlycattleofonecolourforaconfessiononthematteroflineagetobewellreceivedbyhim；andwithoutconfidenceofeverysortonthenatureofhersituation，shewasdeterminedtocontractnounionatall。Thesympathyofunlikenessmightleadthescionofsomefamily，hollowandfungouswithantiquity，andasyetunmarkedbyamesalliance，tobewonoverbyherstory；buttheantipathyofresemblancewouldbeineradicable。 26。ETHELBERTA’SDRAWING-ROOM WhileEthelbertaduringthenextfewdayswasdismissingthateveningjourneyfromherconsideration，asanincidentaltogetherforeigntotheorganizedcourseofherexistence，thehiddenfruitthereofwasroundingtomaturityinaspeciesunforeseen。 Inferencesunassailableasprocesses，are，nevertheless，tobesuspected，fromthealmostcertaindeficiencyofparticularsonsomesideorother。ThetruthinrelationtoNeigh’ssupposedfrigiditywasbroughtbeforeherattheendofthefollowingweek，whenDanandSolhadtakenPicotee，Cornelia，andtheyoungchildrentoKewfortheafternoon。 Earlythatmorning，hoursbeforeitwasnecessary，therehadbeensuchachatterofpreparationinthehouseaswasseldomheardthere。Sundayhatsandbonnetshadbeenretrimmedwithsuchcunningthatitwouldhavetakenamilliner’sapprenticeatleasttodiscoverthatanythreadinthemwasnotquitenew。TherewasananxiouspeepthroughtheblindattheskyatdaybreakbyGeorginaandMyrtle，andtheperplexityoftheseruralchildrenwasgreatattheweather-signsofthetown，whereatmosphericeffectshadnothingtodowithclouds，andfairdaysandfoulcameapparentlyquitebychance。Punctuallyatthehourappointedtwofriendlyhumanshadowsdescendedacrossthekitchenwindow，followedbySolandDan，muchtothereliefofthechildren’sapprehensionsthattheymightforgettheday。 ThebrotherswerebythistimeacquiringsomethingoftheairsandmannersofLondonworkmen；theywerelessspontaneousandmorecomparative；lessgenial，butsmarter；inobediencetotheusuallawbywhichtheemotionthattakestheformofhumourincountryworkmenbecomestransmutedtoironyamongthesameorderintown。 Butthefixedanddoggedfidelitytooneanotherunderapparentcoolness，bywhichthisfamilywasdistinguished，remainedunshakeninthesemembersasinalltherest，leadingthemtoselectthechildrenascompanionsintheirholidayinpreferencetocasualacquaintance。Atlasttheywereready，anddeparted，andEthelberta，afterchattingwithhermotherawhile，proceededtoherpersonalduties。 Thehousewasverysilentthatday，GwendolineandJoeybeingtheonlyonesleftbelowstairs。EthelbertawaswishingthatshehadthrownoffherstateandgonetoKewtohaveanhourofchildhoodoveragaininarompwiththeothers，whenshewasstartledbytheannouncementofamalevisitor——noneotherthanMr。Neigh。 Ethelberta’sattitudeonreceiptofthisinformationsufficientlyexpressedarevivedsensethattheincidenceofMr。Neighonherpathmighthaveameaningafterall。Neighhadcertainlysaidhewasgoingtomarryher，andnowherehewascometoherhouse——justasifhemeanttodoitforthwith。Shehadmentallydiscardedhim； yetshefeltashockwhichwasscarcelypainful，andadreadwhichwasalmostexhilarating。HerflyingvisittoFarnfieldshethoughtlittleofatthismoment。Fromthefactthatthemindprefersimaginingstorecapitulation，conjecturetohistory，EthelbertahaddweltmoreuponNeigh’spossibleplansandanticipationsthanupontheincidentsofhereveningjourney；andtheformerassumedamoredistinctshapeinhermind’seyethananythingonthevisiblesideofthecurtain。 Neighwasperhapsnotquitesoplacidlynonchalantasinordinary； still，hewasbyfarthemosttryingvisitorthatEthelbertahadlatelyfaced，andshecouldnotgetabovethestage——notaveryhighoneforthemistressofahouse——offeelingherpersonalitytobeinconvenientlyinthewayofhiseyes。Hehadsomewhatthebearingofamanwhowasgoingtodowithoutanyfusswhatgushingpeoplewouldcallaphilanthropicaction。 ’Ihavebeenintendingtowritealinetoyou，’saidNeigh；’butI feltthatIcouldnotbesureofwritingmymeaninginawaywhichmightpleaseyou。Iamnotbrightataletter——neverwas。ThequestionImeanisonethatIhopeyouwillbedisposedtoanswerfavourably，eventhoughImayshowtheawkwardnessofafellow- personwhohasneverputsuchaquestionbefore。Willyougivemeawordofencouragement——justahopethatImaynotbeunacceptableasahusbandtoyou？Yourtalentsareverygreat；andofcourseIknowthatIhavenothingatallinthatway。Stillpeoplearehappytogethersometimesinspiteofsuchthings。Willyousay\"Yes，\"andsettleitnow？’ ’Iwasnotexpectingyouhadcomeuponsuchanerrandasthis，’saidshe，lookingupalittle，butmostlylookingdown。’Icannotsaywhatyouwish，Mr。Neigh。 ’PerhapsIhavebeentoosuddenandpresumptuous。Yes，IknowI havebeenthat。However，directlyIsawyouIfeltthatnobodyevercamesonearmyideaofwhatisdesirableinalady，anditoccurredtomethatonlyoneobstacleshouldstandinthewayofthenaturalresults，whichobstaclewouldbeyourrefusal。Incommonkindnessconsider。IdaresayIamjudgedtobeamanofinattentivehabits—— Iknowthat’swhatyouthinkofme；butunderyourinfluenceI shouldbeverydifferent；sopraydonotletyourdisliketolittlemattersinfluenceyou。’ ’Iwouldnotindeed。Butbelievemetherecanbenodiscussionofmarriagebetweenus，’saidEthelbertadecisively。 ’Ifthat’sthecaseImayaswellsaynomore。Toburdenyouwithmyregretswouldbeoutofplace，Isuppose，’saidNeigh，lookingcalmlyoutofthewindow。 ’Apartfrompersonalfeeling，thereareconsiderationswhichwouldpreventwhatyoucontemplated，’shemurmured。’Myaffairsaretoolengthy，intricate，andunpleasantformetoexplaintoanybodyatpresent。Andthatwouldbeanecessaryfirststep。’ ’Notatall。Icannotthinkthatpreliminarytobenecessaryatall。Iwouldputmylawyerincommunicationwithyours，andwewouldleavetheresttothem:Ibelievethatistheproperway。 Youcouldsayanythinginconfidencetoyourfamily-man；andyoucouldinquirethroughhimanythingyoumightwishtoknowaboutmy—— aboutme。Allyouwouldneedtosaytomyselfarejustthetwolittlewords——\"Iwill，\"inthechurchhereattheendoftheCrescent。’ ’Iamsorrytopainyou，Mr。Neigh——sosorry，’saidEthelberta。 ’ButIcannotsaythem。’Shewasratherdistressedthat，despiteherdiscouragingwords，hestillwentonwithhispurpose，asifheimaginedwhatshesodistinctlysaidtobenobar，butratherastimulant，usualunderthecircumstances。 ’Itdoesnotmatteraboutpainingme，’saidNeigh。’Don’ttakethatintoconsiderationatall。ButIdidnotexpectyoutoleavemesoentirelywithouthelp——torefusemeabsolutelyasfaraswordsgo—— afterwhatyoudid。IfithadnotbeenforthatIshouldneverhaveventuredtocall。Imightotherwisehavesupposedyourinteresttobefixedinanotherquarter；butyouractinginthatmannerencouragedmetothinkyoucouldlistentoaword。’ ’Whatdoyoualludeto？’saidEthelberta。’HowhaveIacted？’ Neighappearedreluctanttogoanyfurther；buttheallusionsoonbecamesufficientlyclear。’IwishmylittleplaceatFarnfieldhadbeenworthierofyou，’hesaidbrusquely。’However，that’samatteroftimeonly。Itisuselesstobuildahousethereyet。IwishI hadknownthatyouwouldbelookingoveritatthattimeoftheevening。Asingleword，whenweweretalkingaboutittheotherday，thatyouweregoingtobeintheneighbourhood，wouldhavebeensufficient。Nothingcouldhavegivenmesomuchdelightastohavedrivenyouround。’ HeknewthatshehadbeentoFarnfield:thatknowledgewaswhathadinspiredhimtocalluponherto-day！Ethelbertabreathedasortofexclamation，notrightout，butstealthily，likeaparson’sdamn。 Herfacedidnotchange，sinceafacemustbesaidnottochangewhileitpreservesthesamepleasantlinesinthemobilepartsasbefore；butanybodywhohaspreservedhispleasantlinesunderthehalf-minute’speeroftheinvidiouscamera，andfoundwhatawizened，starchedkindofthingtheystiffentotowardstheendofthetime，willunderstandthetendencyofEthelberta’slovelyfeaturesnow。 ’Yes；Iwalkedround，’saidEthelbertafaintly。 Neighwasdecidedlymasterofthepositionatlast；buthespokeasifhedidnotvaluethat。Hisknowledgehadfurnishedhimwithgroundsforcallinguponher，andhehastenedtoundeceiveherfromsupposingthathecouldthinkillofanymotiveofherswhichgavehimthosedesirablegrounds。 ’Isupposedyou，bythat，togivesomelittlethoughttomeoccasionally，’heresumed，inthesameslowandorderlytone。’HowcouldIhelpthinkingso？Itwasyourdoingthatwhichencouragedme。Now，wasitnotnatural——Iputittoyou？’ Ethelbertawasalmostexasperatedatperceivingtheawfulextenttowhichshehadcompromisedherselfwiththismanbyherimpulsivevisit。Lightlyandphilosophicallyasheseemedtotakeit——asathing，inshort，whicheverywomanwoulddobynatureunlesshinderedbydifficulties——itwasnotrifletoheraslongashewasignorantofherjustification；andthisshedeterminedthatheshouldknowatonce，atallhazards。 ’ItwasthroughyouinthefirstplacethatIdidlookintoyourgrounds！’shesaidexcitedly。’Itwasyourpresumptionthatcausedmetogothere。Ishouldnothavethoughtofsuchathingelse。IfyouhadnotsaidwhatyoudidsayInevershouldhavethoughtofyouorFarnfieldeither——FarnfieldmighthavebeeninKamtschatkaforallIcared。’ ’IhopesincerelythatIneversaidanythingtodisturbyou？’ ’Yes，youdid——nottome，buttosomebody，’saidEthelberta，withhereyesover-fullofretainedtears。 ’WhathaveIsaidtosomebodythatcanbeintheleastobjectionabletoyou？’inquiredNeigh，withmuchconcern。 ’Yousaid——yousaid，youmeanttomarryme——justasifIhadnovoiceinthematter！Andthatannoyedme，andmademegothereoutofcuriosity。’ Neighchangedcolouralittle。’Well，Ididsayit:IownthatI saidit，’herepliedatlast。Probablyheknewenoughofhernaturenottofeellongdisconcertedbyherdisclosure，howevershemighthavebecomepossessedoftheinformation。Theexplanationwascertainlyagreatexcusetohercuriosity；butifEthelbertahadtriedshecouldnothavegivenhimabettergroundformakinglightofherobjectionstohissuit。’IfeltthatImustmarryyou，thatwewerepredestinedtomarryagesago，andIfeelitstill！’hecontinued，withlistlessardour。’YouseemtoregretyourinterestinFarnfield；buttomeitisacharm，andhasbeeneversinceI heardofit。’ ’Ifyouonlyknewall！’shesaidhelplessly，showing，withoutperceivingit，anunnecessaryhumilityintheremark，sincetherewasnomorereasonjustthenthatsheshouldgointodetailsaboutherlifethanthatheshouldabouthis。Butmelancholyandmistakenthoughtsofherselfasacounterfeithadbroughthertothis。 ’Idonotwishtoknowmore，’saidNeigh。 ’Andwouldyoumarryanywomanoff-hand，withoutbeingthoroughlyacquaintedwithhercircumstances？’shesaid，lookingathimcuriously，andwithalittleadmiration，forhisunconscionablyphlegmatictreatmentofhermotivesingoingtoFarnfieldhadanotunbecomingdaringaboutitinEthelberta’seye。 ’Iwouldmarryawomanoff-handwhenthatwomanisyou。IwouldmakeyouminethismomentdidIdare；or，tospeakwithabsoluteaccuracy，withintwenty-fourhours。Doassenttoit，dearMrs。 Petherwin，andletmebesureofyouforever。I’lldrivetoDoctors’Commonsthisminute，andmeetyouto-morrowmorningatnineinthechurchjustbelow。Itisasimpleimpulse，butIwouldadheretoitinthecoolestmoment。Shallitbearrangedinthatway，insteadofourwaitingthroughtheordinaryroutineofpreparation？Iamnotayouthnow，butIcanseetheblissofsuchanactasthat，andthecontemptiblenatureofmethodicalproceedingsbesideit！’ Hehadtakenherhand。Ethelbertagaveitasubtlemovementbackwardstoimplythathewasnottoretaintheprize，andsaid，’Onewhoseinnerlifeisalmostunknowntoyou，andwhomyouhavescarcelyseenexceptatotherpeople’shouses！’ ’Weknoweachotherfarbetterthanwemaythinkatfirst，’saidNeigh。’Wearenotpeopletoloveinahurry，andIhavenotdonesointhiscase。Asforworldlycircumstances，themostimportantitemsinamarriagecontractarethepersonsthemselves，and，asfarasIamconcerned，ifIgetaladyfairandwiseIcarefornothingfurther。Iknowyouarebeautiful，forallLondonownsit；Iknowyouaretalented，forIhavereadyourpoetryandheardyourromances；andIknowyouarepoliticanddiscreet——’ ’ForIhaveexaminedyourproperty，’saidshe，withaweaksmile。 Neighbowed。’AndwhatmorecanIwishtoknow？Come，shallitbe？’ ’Certainlynotto-morrow。’ ’Iwouldbeentirelyinyourhandsinthatmatter。Iwillnoturgeyoutobeprecipitate——Icouldnotexpectyoutobereadyyet。Mysuddennessperhapsoffendedyou；but，havingthoughtdeeplyofthisbrightpossibility，Iwasapttoforgettheforbearancethatoneoughttoshowatfirstinmentioningit。IfIhavedonewrongforgiveme。’ ’Iwillthinkofthat，’saidEthelberta，withacoolermanner。’Butseriously，allthesewordsarenothingtothepurpose。ImustremarkthatIprizeyourfriendship，butitisnotformetomarrynow。Youhaveconvincedmeofyourgoodnessofheartandfreedomfromunworthysuspicions；letthatbeenough。ThebestwayinwhichIinmyturncanconvinceyouofmygoodnessofheartisbyaskingyoutoseemeinprivatenomore。’ ’Anddoyourefusetothinkofmeas。Whydoyoutreatmelikethat，afterall？’saidNeigh，surprisedatthiswantofharmonywithhisprinciplethatoneconverttomatrimonycouldalwaysfindasecondready-made。 ’Icannotexplain，Icannotexplain，’saidshe，impatiently。’I wouldandIwouldnot——explainImean，notmarry。Idon’tloveanybody，andIhavenoheartleftforbeginning。ItisonlyhonestinmetotellyouthatIaminterestedinwatchinganotherman’scareer，thoughthatisnottothepointeither，fornocloserelationshipwithhimiscontemplated。ButIdonotwishtospeakofthisanymore。Donotpressmetoit。’ ’CertainlyIwillnot，’saidNeigh，seeingthatshewasdistressedandsorrowful。’Butdoconsidermeandmywishes；Ihavearighttoaskitforitisonlyaskingacontinuanceofwhatyouhavealreadybeguntodo。To-morrowIbelieveIshallhavethehappinessofseeingyouagain。’ Shedidnotsayno，andlongafterthedoorhadcloseduponhimsheremainedfixedinthought。’Howcanhebeblamedforhismanner，’ shesaid，’afterknowingwhatIdid！’ EthelbertaasshesatfeltherselfmuchlessaPetherwinthanaChickerel，muchlessapoetessrichlyfreightedwithfancythananadventuresswithanebulousprospect。Neighwasoneofthefewmenwhosepresenceseemedtoattenuateherdignityinsomemysteriouswaytoitsveryleastproportions；andthatactofespial，whichhadsoquicklyandinexplicablycometohisknowledge，helpedhisinfluencestillmore。Sheknewlittleofthenatureofthetownbachelor；therewereopaquedepthsinhimwhichherthoughtshadneverdefinitelyplumbed。NotwithstandingherexaltationtotheatmosphereofthePetherwinfamily，EthelbertawasveryfarfromhavingthethoroughbredLondonwoman’sknowledgeofsets，grades，coteries，cliques，forms，glosses，andniceties，particularlyonthemasculineside。Settingtheyearsfromherinfancytoherfirstlookintotownagainstthoselinkingthatepochwiththepresent，theformerperiodcoverednotonlythegreatertime，butcontainedthemassofhermostvividimpressionsoflifeanditsways。Butinrecognizingherignoranceoftheratiobetweenwordstowomenanddeedstowomenintheethicalcodeofthebacheloroftheclub，sheforgotthathumannatureinthegrossdifferslittlewithsituation，andthatagiftwhich，ifthegermswerelacking，noamountoftraininginclubsandcoteriescouldsupply，wasmother-witlikeherown。 27。MRS。BELMAINE’S-CRIPPLEGATECHURCH Neigh’sremarkthathebelievedheshouldseeEthelbertaagainthenextdayreferredtoacontemplatedpilgrimageofanunusualsortwhichhadbeenarrangedforthatdaybyMrs。BelmaineuponthegroundofanincidentalsuggestionofEthelberta’s。Oneafternoonintheweekprevioustheyhadbeenchattingoverteaatthehouseoftheformerlady，Neighbeingpresentasacasualcaller，whentheconversationwasdirecteduponMiltonbysomebodyopeningavolumeofthepoet’sworksthatlayonatablenear。 ’Milton！thoushouldstbelivingatthishour: Englandhathneedofthee——’ saidMrs。Belmainewiththedegreeofflippancywhichisconsideredcorrectforimmortalverse，theBible，God，etc。，inthesedays。 AndEthelbertareplied，litupbyaquickremembrance，’ItisagoodtimetotalkofMilton；forIhavebeenmuchimpressedbyreadingthe\"Life；\"andIhavedecidedtogoandseehistomb。Couldwenotallgo？Weoughttoquickenourmemoriesofthegreat，andofwheretheylie，bysuchavisitoccasionally。’ ’Weought，’saidMrs。Belmaine。 ’Andwhyshouldn’twe？’continuedEthelberta，withinterest。 ’ToWestminsterAbbey？’saidMr。Belmaine，acommonmanofthirty，youngerthanhiswife，whohadlatelycomeintotheroom。 ’No；towhereheliescomparativelyalone——CripplegateChurch。’ ’IalwaysthoughtthatMiltonwasburiedinPoet’sCorner，’saidMr。 Belmaine。 ’SodidI，’saidNeigh；’butIhavesuchanindifferentheadforplacesthatmythinkinggoesfornothing。’ ’Well，itwouldbeaprettythingtodo，’saidMrs。Belmaine，’andinstructivetoallofus。IfMrs。Petherwinwouldliketogo，I should。WecantakeyouinthecarriageandcallroundforMrs。 Doncastleonourway，andsetyoubothdownagaincomingback。’ ’Thatwouldbeexcellent，’saidEthelberta。’ThereisnowhereI likegoingtosomuchasthedepthsofthecity。Theabsurdnarrownessofworld-renownedstreetsissosurprising——socrookedandshadyastheyaretoo，andfullofthequaintsmellsofoldcupboardsandcellars。Walkingthroughoneofthemremindsmeofbeingatthebottomofsomecrevasseorgorge，thepropersurfaceoftheglobebeingthetopsofthehouses。’ ’Youwillcometotakecareofus，John？Andyou，Mr。Neigh，wouldliketocome？WewilltellMr。Ladywellthathemayjoinusifhecaresto，’saidMrs。Belmaine。 ’Oyes，’saidherhusbandquietly；andNeighsaidheshouldlikenothingbetter，afterafaintaspectofapprehensionattheremotenessoftheideafromthedailytrackofhisthoughts。Mr。 Belmaineobservingthis，andmistakingitforanindicationthatNeighhadbeendraggedintothepartyagainsthiswillbyhisover- hastywife，arrangedthatNeighshouldgoindependentlyandmeetthemthereatthehournamedifhechosetodoso，togivehimanopportunityofstayingaway。Ethelbertaalsowasbythistimedoubtingifshehadnotbeentooeagerwithherproposal。Togoonsuchasentimentalerrandmightbethoughtbyherfriendstobesimplytroublesome，theiradherencehavingbeengivenonlyintheregularcourseofcomplaisance。Shewasstillcomparativelyanoutsiderhere，herlifewithLadyPetherwinhavingbeenpassedchieflyinalternationsbetweenEnglishwatering-placesandcontinentaltowns。However，itwastoolatenowtomuseonthis，anditmaybeaddedthatfromfirsttolastEthelbertaneverdiscoveredfromtheBelmaineswhetherherproposalhadbeenaninflictionoracharm，soperfectlyweretheypractisedinsustainingthatcompletedivorcebetweenthinkingandsayingwhichisthehall-markofhighcivilization。 But，howevershemightdoubttheBelmaines，shehadnodoubtastoNeigh’struesentiments:thetimehadcomewhenhe，notwithstandinghisairofbeingoppressedbyalmosteverylivelyinventionoftownandcountryforcharminggriefstorest，wouldnotbeatalloppressedbyaquietvisittothepurlieusofStGiles’s，Cripplegate，sinceshewastheoriginator，andwasgoingherself。 Itwasabrighthope-inspiringafternooninthismid-MaytimewhenthecarriagecontainingMr。andMrs。Belmaine，Mrs。Doncastle，andEthelberta，creptalongtheencumberedstreetstowardsBarbican； tillturningoutofthatthoroughfareintoRedcrossStreettheybeheldtheboldshapeoftheoldtowertheysought，clothedineveryneutralshade，standingclearagainstthesky，duskyandgriminitsupperstage，andhoarygreybelow，whereeverycornerofeverystonewascompletelyroundedoffbythewavesofwindandstorm。 Allpeoplewerebusyhere:ourvisitorsseemedtobetheonlyidlepersonsthecitycontained；andtherewasnodissonance——thereneveris——betweenantiquityandsuchbeehiveindustry；forpureindustry，infailingtoobserveitsownexistenceandaspect，partakesoftheunobtrusivenatureofmaterialthings。Thisintra-muralstirwasaflywheeltransparentbyexcessivemotion，throughwhichMiltonandhisdaycouldbeseenasifnothingintervened。Hadtherebeenostensiblyharmoniousaccessories，acrowdofobservingpeopleinsearchofthepoetical，consciousoftheplaceandthescene，whatadiscordwouldhavearisenthere！ButeverybodypassedbyMilton’sgraveexceptEthelbertaandherfriends，andforthemomentthecity’slessinvidiousconductappearedtohermorerespectfulasapracticethanherown。 Butshewasbroughtoutofthisruminationbythehaltatthechurchdoor，andcompletelyremindedofthepresentbyfindingthechurchopen，andNeigh——the，tillyesterday，unimpassionedNeigh——waitinginthevestibuletoreceivethem，justasifhelivedthere。 Ladywellhadnotarrived。ItwasalongtimebeforeEthelbertacouldgetbacktoMiltonagain，forNeighwascontinuingtoimpendoverherfuturemoreandmorevisibly。Theobjectsalongthejourneyhaddistractedhermindfromhim；butthemomentnowwasasadirectrenewalandprolongationofthedeclaration-timeyesterday，andasifinfurtheranceoftheconclusionoftheepisode。 Theyallalightedandwentin，thecoachmanbeingtoldtotakethecarriagetoaquietnookfurtheron，andreturninhalf-an-hour。 Mrs。BelmaineandhercarriagesomeyearsbeforehadaccidentallygotjammedcrosswiseinCheapsidethroughtheclumsinessofthemaninturningupasidestreet，blockingthatgreatarteryofthecivilizedworldforthespaceofaminuteandahalf，whentheywerepounceduponbyhalf-a-dozenpolicemenandforcedtobackignominiouslyupalittleslitbetweenthehouseswheretheydidnotmeantogo，amidtheshoutsofthehindereddrivers；anditwashernervousrecollectionofthateventwhichcausedMrs。Belmainetobesopreciseinherdirectionsnow。 Bythetimethattheyweregroupedaroundthetombthevisithadassumedamuchmoresolemncomplexionthananyoneamongthemhadanticipated。AshamedoftheinfluencethatshediscoveredNeightobeexercisingoverher，andopposingitsteadily，EthelbertadrewfromherpocketasmalleditionofMilton，andproposedthatsheshouldreadafewlinesfrom’ParadiseLost。’Theresponsibilityofproducingasuccessfulafternoonwasuponhershoulders；shewas，moreover，theonlyonepresentwhocouldproperlymanageblankverse，andthiswassufficienttojustifytheproposal。 Shestoodwithherheadagainstthemarbleslabjustbelowthebust，andbeganaselectedpiece，Neighstandingafewyardsoffonherrightlookingintohishatinordertolistenaccurately，Mr。andMrs。BelmaineandMrs。Doncastleseatingthemselvesinapewdirectlyfacingthemonument。Theripewarmcoloursofafternooncameinuponthemfromthewest，uponthesallowpiersandarches，andtheinfinitelydeepbrownpewsbeneath，theaisleoverEthelberta’sheadbeinginmistyshadethroughwhichglowedaluridlightfromadark-stainedwindowbehind。Thesentencesfellfromherlipsinarhythmicalcadenceonebyone，andshecouldbefanciedapriestessofhimbeforewhoseimageshestood，whenwithavividsuggestivenessshedeliveredhere，notmanyyardsfromthecentralmoney-milloftheworld，yetoutfromtheverytomboftheirauthor，thepassagecontainingthewords: ’Mammonledthemon； Mammon，theleasterectedspiritthatfellFromheaven。’ WhenshefinishedreadingEthelbertaleftthemonument，andtheneachonepresentstrayedindependentlyaboutthebuilding，Ethelbertaturningtotheleftalongthepassagetothesouthdoor。 Neigh——fromwhoseusuallyapatheticfaceandeyestherehadproceededasecretsmoulderinglightashelistenedandregardedher——followedinthesamedirectionandvanishedatherheelsintothechurchyard，whithershehadnowgone。Mr。andMrs。Belmaineexchangedglances，andinsteadoffollowingthepairtheywentwithMrs。DoncastleintothevestrytoinquireofthepersoninchargefortheregisterofthemarriageofOliverCromwell，whichwassolemnizedhere。Thechurchwasnowquiteempty，anditsstillnesswasasavacuumintowhichanoccasionalnoisefromthestreetoverflowedandbecamerarefiedawaytonothing。 Somethinglikefiveminuteshadpassedwhenahansomstoppedoutsidethedoor，andLadywellenteredtheporch。Hestoodstill，and，lookinginquiringlyroundforaminuteortwo，satdowninoneofthehighpews，asifundertheimpressionthattheothershadnotyetarrived。 WhilehesathereNeighreappearedatthesouthdooropposite，andcameslowlyin。Ladywell，inrisingtogotohim，sawthatNeigh’sattentionwasengrossedbysomethingheheldinhishand。Itwashispocket-book，andNeighwaslookingatafewlooseflower-petalswhichhadbeenplacedbetweenthepages。WhenLadywellcameforwardNeighlookedup，started，andclosedthebookquickly，sothatsomeofthepetalsflutteredtothegroundbetweenthetwomen。Theywerestriped，redandwhite，andappearedtobeleavesoftheHarlequinrose。 ’Ah！hereyouare，Ladywell，’hesaid，recoveringhimself。’Wehadgivenyouup:myauntsaidthatyouwouldnotcaretocome。Theyareallinthevestry。’HowitcametopassthatNeighdesignatedthoseinthevestryas’all，’whentherewasoneinthechurchyard，wasathingthathehimselfcouldhardlyhaveexplained，somuchmorehadittodowithinstinctthanwithcalculation。 ’Nevermindthem——don’tinterruptthem，’saidLadywell。’TheplaintruthisthatIhavebeenverygreatlydisturbedinmind；andI couldnotappearearlierbyreasonofit。Ihadsomedoubtaboutcomingatall。’ ’Iamsorrytohearthat。’ ’Neigh——Imayaswelltellyouandhavedonewithit。Ihavefoundthataladyofmyacquaintancehastwostringstoherbow，orIamverymuchinerror。’ ’What——Mrs。Petherwin？’saidNeighuneasily。’ButIthoughtthat—— thatfancywasoverwithyoulongago。Evenyouracquaintancewithherwasatanend，Ithought。’ ’Inameasureitisatanend。Butletmetellyouthatwhatyoucallafancyhasbeenanythingbutafancywithme，tobeoverlikeaspringshower。Tospeakplainly，Neigh，Iconsidermyselfbadlyusedbythatwoman；damnbadlyused。’ ’Badlyused？’saidNeighmechanically，andwonderingallthetimeifLadywellhadbeeninformedthatEthelbertawastobeoneofthepartyto-day。 ’Well，Ioughtnottotalklikethat，’saidLadywell，adoptingalightertone。’Allisfairincourtship，Isuppose，nowasever。 Indeed，Imeantoputagoodfaceuponit:ifIambeaten，Iam。 Butitisveryprovoking，aftersupposingmatterstobegoingonsmoothly，tofindoutthatyouarequitemistaken。’ ’Itoldyouyouwerequitemistakeninsupposingshecaredforyou。’ ’ThatisjustthepointIwasnotmistakenin，’saidLadywellwarmly。’Shedidcareforme，andIstoodaswellwithherasanymancouldstanduntilthisfellowcame，whoeverheis。IsometimesfeelsodisturbedaboutitthatIhaveagoodmindtocalluponherandaskhisname。Wouldn’tyou，Neigh？Willyouaccompanyme？’ ’Iwouldinamoment，but，but——Istronglyadviseyounottogo，’ saidNeighearnestly。’Itwouldberash，youknow，andratherunmannerly；andwouldonlyhurtyourfeelings。’ ’Well，Iamalwaysreadytoyieldtoafriend’sarguments……A sneakingscamp，that’swhatheis。Whydoeshenotshowhimself？’ ’Don’tyoureallyknowwhoheis？’saidNeigh，inapronouncedandexceptionaltone，onpurposetogiveLadywellachanceofsuspecting，forthepositionwasgettingawkward。ButLadywellwasblindasBartimeusinthatdirection，sowellhadindifferencetoEthelberta’scharmsbeenfeignedbyNeighuntilhethoughtseriouslyofmarryingher。Yet，unfortunatelyfortheinterestsofcalmness，Ladywellwaslessblindwithhisoutwardeye。Inhisreflectionshisglancehadlingeredagainuponthepocket-bookwhichNeighstillheldinhishand，anduponthetwoorthreerose-leavesonthefloor，untilhesaididly，superimposinghumorousnessuponmisery，asmeninlovecan: ’Rose-leaves，Neigh？Ithoughtyoudidnotcareforflowers。Whatmakesyouamuseyourselfwithsuchsentimentalobjectsasthose，onlyfitforwomen，orpainterslikeme？IfIhadnotobservedyouwithmyowneyesIshouldhavesaidthatyouwereaboutthelastmanintheworldtocareforthingsofthatsort。Whatevermakesyoukeeprose-leavesinyourpocket-book？’ ’Thebestreasononearth，’saidNeigh。’Awomangavethemtome。’ ’Thatprovesnothingunlesssheisagreatdealtoyou，’saidLadywell，withtheexperiencedairofamanwho，whateverhisinferiorityinyearstoNeigh，wasfarbeyondhiminknowledgeofthatsort，byvirtueofhisrecenttrials。 ’Sheisagreatdealtome。’ ’IfIdidnotknowyoutobesuchaconfirmedmisogynistIshouldsaythatthisisaseriousmatter。’ ’Itisserious，’saidNeighquietly。’TheprobabilityisthatI shallmarrythewomanwhogavemethese。AnyhowIhaveaskedherthequestion，andshehasnotaltogethersaidno。’ ’Iamgladtohearit，Neigh，’saidLadywellheartily。’Iamgladtohearthatyourstarishigherthanmine。’ BeforeNeighcouldmakefurtherreplyLadywellwasattractedbytheglowofgreensunlightreflectedthroughthesouthdoorbythegrassofthechurchyard，nowinallitsspringfreshnessandluxuriance。 Hebenthisstepsthither，followedanxiouslybyNeigh。 ’Ihadnoideatherewassuchalovelygreenspotinthecity，’ Ladywellcontinued，passingout。’Treestoo，plantedinthemannerofanorchard。Whatacharmingplace！’ Theplacewastrulycharmingjustatthatdate。Theuntaintedleavesofthelimeandplanetreesandthenewly-sprunggrasshadinthesunabrilliancyofbeautythatwasbroughtintoextraordinaryprominencebythesablesoilshowinghereandthere，andthecharcoaledstemsandtrunksoutofwhichtheleavesbudded:theyseemedanimportation，notaproduce，andtheirdelicacysuchaswouldperishinaday。 ’Whatisthisroundtower？’Ladywellsaidagain，walkingtowardstheiron-greybastion，partlycoveredwithivyandVirginiacreeper，whichstoodobtrudingintotheenclosure。 ’O，didn’tyouknowthatwashere？That’sapieceoftheoldcitywall，’saidNeigh，lookingfurtivelyaroundatthesametime。 Behindthebastionthechurchyardranintoalongnarrowstrip，grassedliketheotherpart，butcompletelyhiddenfromitbythecylinderofraggedmasonry。Onroundingthisprojection，Ladywellbeheldwithinafewfeetofhimaladywhomheknewtoowell。 ’Mrs。Petherwinhere！’exclaimedhe，provinghowignoranthehadbeenofthecompositionofthepartyhewastomeet，andaccountingatthesametimeforhislaxityinattendingit。 ’Iforgottotellyou，’saidNeighawkwardly，behindhim，’thatMrs。 Petherwinwastocomewithus。’ Ethelberta’slookwassomewhatblushfulandagitated，asiffromsomelatetransaction:sheappearedtohavebeensecludingherselftheretillsheshouldhaverecoveredherequanimity。However，shecameuptohimandsaid，’Ididnotseeyoubeforethismoment:wehadbeenthinkingyouwouldnotcome。’ Whilethesewordswerebeingprettilyspoken，Ladywell’sfacebecamepaleasdeath。OnEthelberta’sbosomwerethestemandgreencalyxofarose，almostallitsflowerhavingdisappeared。IthadbeenaHarlequinrose，fortwoorthreeofitsstripedleavesremainedtotellthetale。 Shecouldnothelpnoticinghisfixedgaze，andshesaidquickly，’Yes，Ihavelostmyprettyrose:thismayaswellgonow，’andshepluckedthestemfromitsfasteninginherdressandflungitaway。 PoorLadywellturnedroundtomeetMr。andMrs。Belmaine，whosevoiceswerebeginningtobeheardjustwithinthechurchdoor，leavingNeighandEthelbertatogether。ItwasagracefulactofyoungLadywell’sthat，inthemidstofhisownpainatthestrangetaletherose-leavessuggested——Neigh’srivalry，Ethelberta’smutability，hisowndefeat——hewasnotregardlessoftheintenseembarrassmentwhichmighthavebeencausedhadheremained。 Thetwoweresilentatfirst，anditwasevidentthatEthelberta’smoodwasoneofangeratsomethingthathadgonebefore。Sheturnedasidefromhimtofollowtheothers，whenNeighspokeinatonesomewhatbitterandsomewhatstern。 ’What——goinglikethat！Afterbeingcompromisedtogether，whydon’tyouclosewithme？Ladywellknowsall:Ihadalreadytoldhimthattherose-leavesweregivenmebymyintendedwife。Weseemtohimtobepractisingdeceptionsallofapiece，andwhatfollyitistoplayoffso！AstowhatIdid，thatIaskyourforgivenessfor。’ Ethelbertalookeduponthegroundandmaintainedacompressedlip。 Neighresumed:’IfIshowedmorefeelingthanyoucarefor，I insistthatitwasnotmorethanwasnaturalunderthecircumstances，ifnotquiteproper。Opinionsmaydiffer，butmyexperiencegoestoprovethatconventionalsqueamishnessatsuchtimesastheseismoretalkedandwrittenaboutthanpractised。