Plainbehaviourmustbeexpectedwhenmarriageisthequestion。
Nevertheless，Idosay——andIcannotsaymore——thatIamsincerelysorrytohaveoffendedyoubyexceedingmyprivileges。Iwillneverdosoagain。’
’Don’tsayprivileges。Youhavenone。’
’IamsorrythatIthoughtotherwise，andthatotherswillthinksotoo。Ladywellis，atanyrate，bentonthinkingso……Itmighthavebeenmadeknowntohiminagentleway——butGoddisposes。’
’Thereisnothingtomakeknown——Idon’tunderstand，’saidEthelberta，goingfromhim。
BythistimeLadywellhadwalkedroundthegravelwalkswiththetwootherladiesandMr。Belmaine，andtheywereallturningtocomebackagain。Theyoungpainterhaddeputedhisvoicetoreplytotheirremarks，buthisunderstandingcontinuedporinguponotherthings。WhenhecameuptoEthelberta，hisagitationhadlefthim:
shetoowasfreefromconstraint；whileNeighwassomedistanceoff，carefullyexaminingnothinginparticularinanoldfragmentofwall。
Thelittlepartywasnowunitedagainastoitspersons；thoughinspiritfarotherwise。Theywentthroughthechurchingeneraltalk，Ladywellsadbutserene，andEthelbertakeepingfar-removedbothfromhimandfromNeigh。ShehadatthisjunctureentereduponthatSphinx-likestageofexistenceinwhich，contrarytoherearliermanner，shesignifiedtonooneofherways，plans，orsensations，andspokelittleonanysubjectatall。Therewereoccasionalsmilesnowwhichcameonlyfromtheface，andspeechesfromthelipsmerely。
Thejourneyhomewasperformedastheyhadcome，LadywellnotacceptingtheseatinNeigh’scabwhichwasphlegmaticallyofferedhim。Mrs。Doncastle’sacquaintancewithEthelbertahadbeenslightuntilthisday；buttheafternoon’sproceedinghadmuchimpressedthematronwithheryoungerfriend。Beforetheypartedshesaid，withthesortofaffabilitywhichismeanttosignifythebeginningofpermanentfriendship:’Afriendofmyhusband’s，LordMountclere，hasbeenanxiousforsometimetomeetyou。Heisagreatadmirerofthepoems，andmorestillofthestory-tellinginvention，andyourpowerinit。HehasbeenpresentmanytimesattheMayfairHalltohearyou。Whenwillyoudinewithustomeethim？Iknowyouwilllikehim。WillThursdaybeconvenient？’
Ethelbertastoodforamomentreflecting，andreflectinghopedthatMrs。Doncastlehadnotnoticedhermomentaryperplexity。Criseswerebecomingascommonwithherasblackberries；andshehadforeseenthisonealongtime。ItwasnotthatshewastomeetLordMountclere，forhewasonlyanameandadistantprofiletoher:itwasthatherfatherwouldnecessarilybepresentatthemeeting，inthemostanomalouspositionthathumannaturecouldendure。
However，havingoftenprovedinherdisjointedexperiencethattheshortestwayoutofadifficultyliesstraightthroughit，EthelbertadecidedtodineattheDoncastles’，and，asshemurmuredthatsheshouldhavegreatpleasureinmeetinganyfriendoftheirs，setaboutcontrivinghowtheencounterwithherdearestrelativemightbemadesafeandunsuspected。Shebadethemadieublithely；
butthethoughtsengenderedbytheinvitationstoodbeforeherassorrowfulandraylessghostswhichcouldnotbelaid。Oftenatsuchconjuncturesasthese，whenthefutilityofhergreatundertakingwasmorethanusuallymanifest，didEthelbertalonglikeatiredchildfortheconclusionofthewholematter；whenherworkshouldbeover，andtheeveningcome；whenshemightdrawherboatupontheshore，andinsomethymynookawaiteternalnightwithaplacidmind。
28。ETHELBERTA’S-MR。CHICKEREL’SROOM
ThequestionofNeighornoNeighhadreachedapitchofinsistencewhichnolongerpermittedofdallying，evenbyapopularbeauty。
HischaracterwasbecomingdefinedtoEthelbertaassomethingverydifferentlycomposedfromthatofherfirstimagining。Shehadsethimdowntobeamanwhoseexternalinexcitabilityowednothingtoself-repression，butstoodasthenaturalsurfaceofthemasswithin。Neigh’surbantorpor，shesaid，mighthavebeeninthefirstinstanceproducedbyart，but，wereitthus，ithadgonesofarastopermeatehim。Thishadbeendisproved，firstsurprisingly，byhisreportedstatement；wondrously，inthesecondplace，byhiscalluponherandsuddenproposal；thirdly，toadegreesimplyastounding，bywhathadoccurredinthecitythatday。
ForNeigh，beforethefervourhadsubsidedwhichwasproducedinhimbyherlookandgeneralpowerwhilereading’ParadiseLost，’foundhimselfalonewithherinanookoutsidethechurch，andtherehadalmostdemandedherpromisetobehiswife。Shehadrepliedbyaskingfortime，andidlyofferinghimthepetalsofherrose，thathadshedthemselvesinherhand。Neigh，intakingthem，pressedherfingersmorewarmlythanshethoughtshehadgivenhimwarrantfor，whichoffendedher。Itwascertainlyaverymomentaryaffair，andwhenitwasoverseemedtosurprisehimselfalmostasmuchasithadvexedher；butithadremindedherofonetruthwhichshewasindangerofforgetting。ThetowngentlemanwasnothalfsofarremovedfromSolandDan，andthehard-handedorderingeneral，inhispassionsasinhisphilosophy。Hestillcontinuedtobethemaleofhisspecies，andwhentheheartwashotwithadreamPallMallhadmuchthesameaspectasWessex。
Well，shehadnotacceptedhimyet；indeed，forthemomenttheywereinapetwithoneanother。Yetthatmightsoonbeclearedoff，andthenrecurredtheperpetualquestion，wouldtheadvantagethatmightaccruetoherpeoplebyhermarriagebeworththesacrifice？Onepalliativefeaturemustberememberedwhenwesurveythematrimonialponderingsofthepoetessandromancer。Whatshecontemplatedwasnotmeanlytoensnareahusbandjusttoprovideincomesforherandherfamily，buttofindsomemanshemightrespect，whowouldmaintainherinsuchastageofcomfortasshould，bysettinghermindfreefromtemporalanxiety，enablehertofurtherorganizehertalent，andprovideincomesforthemherself。Plentyofsaleableoriginalitywasleftinherasyet，butitwasgettingcrushedundertherubbishofhernecessities。
ShewasnotsurethatNeighwouldstandthetestofherrevelations。
Itwouldbepossibletoleadhimtomarryherwithoutrevealinganything——theeventsofthelastfewdayshadshownherthat——yetEthelberta’shonestyshrankfromthesafecourseofholdinghertongue。Itmightbepleasanttomanyamoderngentlemantofindhimselfalliedwithalady，noneofwhoseancestorshadeverpanderedtoacourt，lostanarmy，takenabribe，oppressedacommunity，orbrokenabank；buttheaddeddisclosurethat，inavoidingthesestains，herkindredhadworkedandcontinuedtoworkwiththeirhandsforbread，mightleadsuchanonetoconsiderthatthenoveltywasdearlypurchased。
Ethelbertawas，uponthewhole，dissatisfiedwithherprogressthusfar。Shehadplannedmanythingsandfulfilledfew。Hadherfatherbeenbythistimeprovidedforandmadeindependentoftheworld，asshehadthoughthemightbe，notonlywouldhercoursewithregardtoNeighbequiteclear，buttheimpendingawkwardnessofdiningwithherfatherbehindherchaircouldnothaveoccurred。True，thatwasasmallmatterbesideherregretforhisownsakethathewasstillinharness；andamerechangeofoccupationwouldbebutatributetoafastidiousnesswhichhedidnothimselfshare。Shehadfrequentlytriedtothinkofavocationforhimthatwouldhaveamoredignifiedsound，andbelessdangerouslyclosetoherownpath:
thepostofcare-takeratsomeprovinciallibrary，countrystationer，registrarofbirthsanddeaths，andmanyothershadbeendiscussedanddismissedinfaceoftheunmanageablefactthatherfatherwasserenelyhappyandcomfortableasabutler，lookingwithdreadatanyhintofchangeshortofperfectretirement。Since，then，shecouldnotofferhimthisretirement，whatrighthadshetointerferewithhismodeoflifeatall？Innoothersocialgrooveonearthwouldhethriveashethroveinhispresentone，towhichhehadbeenaccustomedfromboyhood，andwheretheremunerationwasactuallygreaterthaninprofessionstentimesasstatelyinname。
Fortherest，too，Ethelbertahadindulgedinhopes，thehigheducationoftheyoungeronesbeingthechiefofthesedarlingwishes。Picoteewantedlookingtobadlyenough。SolandDanrequirednomaterialhelp；theyhadquicklyobtainedgoodplacesofworkunderaPimlicobuilder；forthoughthebrothersscarcelyshowedasyetthelight-fingereddeftnessofLondonartizans，thewantwasinameasurecompensatedbytheirpainstaking，andemployersarefarfromdespisingcountryhandswhobringwiththemstrength，industry，andadesiretoplease。Buttheirsisterhadotherlineslaiddownforthemthanthoseoflevelprogress；tostartthemsomedayasmastersinsteadofmenwasalong-cherishedwishofEthelberta’s。
Thusshehadquiteenoughmachineryinherhandstokeepdecentlygoing，evenwereshetomarryamanwhowouldtakeakindlyviewofherpeculiarsituation，andaffordheropportunitiesofstrengtheningherpowersforherkindred’sgood。Butwhatwouldbetheresultif，eighteenmonthshence——thedateatwhichheroccupationofthehouseinExonburyCrescentcametoanend——shewerestillawidow，withnoaccumulatedcapital，herplatformtalentsgrownhomelyandstuntedthroughnarrowliving，andhertenderveinofpoesycompletelydispersedbyit？Tocalmlyrelinquishthestruggleatthatpointwouldhavebeentheactofastoic，butnotofawoman，particularlywhensheconsideredthechildren，thehopesofhermotherforthem，andherowncondition——
thoughthiswasleast——undertheironicalcheerswhichwouldgreetaslipbackintothemire。
ItherebecomesnecessarytoturnforamomenttoMasterJoeyChickerel，Ethelberta’stroublesomepageandbrother。ThefaceofthisjuvenilewasthatofaGraeco-Romansatyrtothefurthestdegreeofcompleteness。Viewedinfront，theouterlineofhisupperliproseinadoublearchnearlytohislittleroundnostrils，givinganexpressionofajollitysodelicioustohimselfastocompelaperpetualdrawinginofhisbreath。Duringhalf-laughshislipspartedinthemiddle，andremainedclosedatthecorners，whichweresmallroundpitslikehisnostrils，thesameformbeingrepeatedasdimplesalittlefurtherbackuponhischeek。Theopeningforeacheyeformedasparklingcrescent，bothupperandunderlidhavingtheconvexityupwards。
Butduringsomefewdaysprecedingthedinner-partyattheDoncastles’allthischanged。Theluxuriantcurvesdeparted，acompressedlinealitywastobeobservedeverywhere，thepupilsofhiseyesseemedflattened，andthecarriageofhisheadwaslimpandsideways。ThiswasafeaturesoremarkableandnewinhimthatPicoteenoticedit，andwasliftedfromthemelancholycurrentofherownaffairsincontemplatinghis。
’Well，what’sthematter？’saidPicotee。
’O——nothing，’saidJoey。
’Nothing？Howcanyousayso？’
’Theworld’sahollermockery——that’swhatIsay。’
’Yes，soitis，tosome；butnottoyou，’saidPicotee，sighing。
’Don’ttalkargument，Picotee。Ionlyhopeyou’llneverfeelwhatI
feelnow。Ifitwasn’tformyjutieshereIknowwhatI’ddo；I’d’list，that’swhatI’ddo。Buthavingmypositiontofillhereastheonlyresponsibleman-servantinthehouse，Ican’tleave。’
’Hasanybodybeenbeatingyou？’
’Beating！DoIlooklikeapersonwhogetsbeatings？No，itisamadness，’saidJoey，puttinghishanduponhischest。’Thecaseis，Iaminlove。’
’OJoey，aboynobiggerthanyouare！’saidPicoteereprovingly。
Herpersonalinterestinthepassion，however，provokedhertoinquire，inthenextbreath，’Whoisit？Dotell，Joey。’
’NobiggerthanI！Whathevbignesstodowithit？That’sjustlikeyourold-fashionednotions。Bignessisnomorewantedincourtingnowadaysthaninsoldieringorsmokingoranyotherdutyofman。Husbandsisrare；andapromisingcourterwhomeansbusinesswillfetchhispriceinthesetimes，bigorsmall，Iassureye。I
mighthavebeenengagedadozentimesoverasfarasthebignessgoes。Youshouldseewhatamiserablelittlefellowmyrivalisaforeyoutalklikethat。NowyouknowI’vegotarival，perhapsyou’llowntheremustbesomethinginit。’
’Yes，thatseemsliketherealthing。Butwhoistheyoungwoman？’
’Well，Idon’tmindtellingyou，Picotee。ItisMrs。Doncastle’snewmaid。Icalledtoseefatherlastnight，andhadsupperthere；
andyoushouldhaveseenhowlovelyshewere——eatingsparrowgrasssideways，asifshewereborntoit。But，ofcourse，there’sarival——therealwaysis——Imighthaveknownthat，andIwillcrushhim！’
’ButMrs。Doncastle’snewmaid——ifthatwassheIcaughtaglimpseoftheotherday——iseversomucholderthanyou——adozenyears。’
’What’sthattoamaninlove？Pooh——Iwishyouwouldleaveme，Picotee；Iwantstobealone。’
AshorttimeafterthisPicoteewasinthecompanyofEthelberta，andshetookoccasiontomentionJoey’sattachment。Ethelbertagrewexceedinglyangrydirectlysheheardofit。
’Whatafearfulnuisancethatboyisbecoming，’shesaid。’Doesfatherknowanythingofthis？’
’Ithinknot，’saidPicotee。’Ono，hecannot；hewouldnotallowanysuchthingtogoon；sheissomucholderthanJoey。’
’Ishouldthinkhewouldn’tallowit！ThefactisImustbemorestrictaboutthisgrowingfriendlinessbetweenyouallandtheDoncastleservants。Thereshallbeabsolutelynointimacyorvisitingofanysort。Whenfatherwantstoseeanyofyouhemustcomehere，unlessthereisamostseriousreasonforyourcallinguponhim。Somedisclosureorreferencetomeotherwisethanasyourmistress，willcertainlybemadeelse，andthenIamruined。IwillspeaktofathermyselfaboutJoey’sabsurdnonsensethisevening。I
amgoingtoseehimonanothermatter。’AndEthelbertasighed。’I
amtodinethereonThursday，’sheadded。
’Todinethere，Berta？Well，thatisastrangething！Why，fatherwillbeclosetoyou！’
’Yes，’saidEthelbertaquietly。
’HowIshouldliketoseeyousittingatagranddinner-table，amonglordlydishesandshiningpeople，andfatherabouttheroomunnoticed！Berta，Ihaveneverseenadinner-partyinmylife，andfathersaidthatIshouldsomeday；hepromisedmelongago。’
’Howwillhebeabletocarryoutthat，mydearchild？’saidEthelberta，drawinghersistergentlytoherside。
’Fathersaysthatforanhourandahalftheguestsarequitefixedinthedining-room，andasunlikelytomoveasiftheyweretreesplantedroundthetable。Doletmegoandseeyou，Berta，’Picoteeaddedcoaxingly。’Iwouldgiveanythingtoseehowyoulookinthemidstofelegantpeopletalkingandlaughing，andyoumyownsisterallthetime，andmelookingonlikepuss-in-the-corner。’
Ethelbertacouldhardlyresisttheentreaty，inspiteofherrecentresolution。
’WewillleavethattobeconsideredwhenIcomehometo-night，’shesaid。’Imusthearwhatfathersays。’
Afterdarkthesameeveningawoman，dressedinplainblackandwearingahood，wenttotheservants’entranceofMr。Doncastle’shouse，andinquiredforMr。Chickerel。Ethelbertafoundhiminaroombyhimself，andonenteringsheclosedthedoorbehindher，andunwrappedherface。
’Canyousitwithmeafewminutes，father？’shesaid。
’Yes，foraquarterofanhourorso，’saidthebutler。’Hasanythinghappened？IthoughtitmightbePicotee。’
’No。All’swellyet。ButIthoughtitbesttoseeyouupononeortwomatterswhichareharassingmealittlejustnow。Thefirstis，thatstupidboyJoeyhasgotentangledinsomewaywiththelady’s-
maidatthishouse；aridiculousaffairitmustbebyallaccount，butitistooseriousformetotreatlightly。Shewillwormeverythingoutofhim，andaprettybusinessitwillbethen。’
’Godblessmysoul！why，thewomanisoldenoughtobehismother！
Ihaveneverheardasoundofittillnow。Whatdoyouproposetodo？’
’Ihavehardlythought:Icannottellatall。ButwewillconsiderthatafterIhavedone。Thenextthingis，IamtodinehereThursday——thatis，to-morrow。’
’Yougoingtodinehere，areyou？’saidherfatherinsurprise。
’Dearme，that’snews。Wehaveadinner-partyto-morrow，butIwasnotawarethatyouknewourpeople。’
’Ihaveacceptedtheinvitation，’saidEthelberta。’ButifyouthinkIhadbetterstayaway，Iwillgetoutofitbysomemeans。
Heavens！whatdoesthatmean——willanybodycomein？’sheadded，rapidlypullingupherhoodandjumpingfromtheseatastheloudtonesofabellclangedforthinstartlingproximity。
’Ono——itisallsafe，’saidherfather。’Itistheareadoor——
nothingtodowithme。Aboutthedinner:Idon’tseewhyyoumaynotcome。Ofcourseyouwilltakenonoticeofme，norshallIofyou。Itistoberatheralargeparty。LordWhat’s-his-nameiscoming，andseveralgoodpeople。’
’Yes；heiscomingtomeetme，itappears。But，father，’shesaidmoresoftlyandslowly，’howwrongitwillbeformetocomesoclosetoyou，andneverrecognizeyou！Idon’tlikeit。Iwishyoucouldhavegivenupservicebythistime；itwouldhavebeensomuchlesspainfulforusallround。Ithoughtwemighthavebeenabletomanageitsomehow。’
’Nonsense，nonsense，’saidMr。Chickerelcrossly。’ThereisnottheleastreasonwhyIshouldgiveup。Iwanttosavealittlemoneyfirst。Ifyoudon’tlikemeasIam，youmustkeepawayfromme。
Don’tbeuneasyaboutmycomfort；Iamrightenough，thankGod。I
canmindmyselfformanyayearyet。’
Ethelbertalookedathimwithtearsinhereyes，butshedidnotspeak。Shenevercouldhelpcryingwhenshemetherfatherhere。
’Ihavebeeninservicenowformorethanseven-and-thirtyyears，’
herfatherwenton。’Itisanhonourablecalling；andwhyshouldyoumaintainmebecauseyoucanearnafewpoundsbyyourgifts，andanoldwomanleftyouherhouseandafewsticksoffurniture？Ifshehadleftyouanymoneyitwouldhavebeenadifferentthing，butasyouhavetoworkforeverypennyyouget，Icannotthinkofit。
SupposeIshouldagreetocomeandlivewithyou，andthenyoushouldbeill，orsuchlike，andInolongerabletohelpmyself？O
no，I’llstickwhereIam，forhereIamsafeastofoodandshelteratanyrate。Surely，Ethelberta，itisonlyrightthatI，whooughttokeepyouall，shouldatleastkeepyourmotherandmyself？Astoourposition，thatwecannothelp；andIdon’tmindthatyouareunabletoownme。’
’IwishIcouldownyou——allofyou。’
’Well，youchoseyourcourse，mydear；andyoumustabidebyit。
Havingputyourhandtotheplough，itwillbefoolishtoturnback。’
’Itwould，Isuppose。YetIwishIcouldgetalivingbysomesimplehumbleoccupation，anddropthenameofPetherwin，andbeBertaChickerelagain，andliveinagreencottageasweusedtodowhenIwassmall。Iammiserabletoapitiabledegreesometimes，andsinkintoregretsthatIeverfellintosuchagrooveasthis。
Idon’tlikecovertdeeds，suchascominghereto-night，andmanyarenecessarywithmefromtimetotime。Thereissomethingwithoutwhichsplendidenergiesareadrug；andthatisacoldheart。Thereisanotherthingnecessarytoenergy，too——thepowerofdistinguishingyourvisionsfromyourreasonableforecastswhenlookingintothefuture，soastoallowyourenergytolayholdoftheforecastsonly。IbegintohaveafearthatmotherisrightwhensheimpliesthatIundertooktocarryoutvisionsandall。Buttenofusaresomanytocopewith。IfGodAlmightyhadonlykilledoffthree-quartersofuswhenwewerelittle，abodymighthavedonesomethingfortherest；butasweareitishopeless！’
’Thereisnouseinyourgoingintohighdoctrinelikethat，’saidChickerel。’AsIsaidbefore，youchoseyourcourse。Youhavebeguntoflyhigh，andyouhadbetterkeepthere。’
’Andtodothatthereisonlyoneway——thatis，todoitsurely，sothatIhavesomegroundworktoenablemetokeepuptothemarkinmyprofession。Thatwayismarriage。’
’Marriage？Whoareyougoingtomarry？’
’Godknows。PerhapsLordMountclere。Strangerthingshavehappened。’
’Yes，sotheyhave；thoughnotmanywretchederthings。Iwouldsoonerseeyouinyourgrave，Ethelberta，thanLordMountclere’swife，orthewifeofanybodylikehim，greatasthehonourwouldbe。’
’Ofcoursethatwasonlysomethingtosay；Idon’tknowthemaneven。’
’Iknowhisvalet。However，marrywhoyoumay，Ihopeyou’llbehappy，mydeargirl。Youwouldbestillmoredividedfromusinthatevent；butwhenyourmotherandIaredead，itwillmakelittledifference。’
Ethelbertaplacedherhanduponhisshoulder，andsmiledcheerfully。
’Now，father，don’tdespond。Allwillbewell，andweshallseenosuchmisfortuneasthatformanyayear。Leavealltome。Iamararehandatcontrivances。’
’Youareindeed，Berta。Itseemstomequitewonderfulthatweshouldbelivingsoneartogetherandnobodysuspecttherelationship，becauseoftheprecautionsyouhavetaken。’
’YettheprecautionswereratherLadyPetherwin’sthanmine，asyouknow。Considerhowshekeptmeabroad。Mymarriagebeingsosecretmadeiteasytocutoffalltraces，unlessanybodyhadmadeitaspecialbusinesstosearchforthem。Thatpeopleshouldsuspectasyetwouldbebyfarthemorewonderfulthingofthetwo。Butwemust，foronething，havenovisitingbetweenourgirlsandtheservantshere，ortheysoonwillsuspect。’
Ethelbertathenlaiddownafewlawsonthesubject，and，explainingtheotherdetailsofhervisit，toldherfathersoonthatshemustleavehim。
Hetookheralongthepassageandintothearea。Theywerestandingatthebottomofthesteps，sayingafewpartingwordsaboutPicotee’svisittoseethedinner，whenafemalefigureappearedbytherailingabove，slippedinatthegate，andflewdownthestepspastthefatheranddaughter。Atthemomentofpassingshewhisperedbreathlesslytohim，’Isthatyou，Mr。Chickerel？’
’Yes，’saidthebutler。
Shetossedintohisarmsaquantityofwearingapparel，andadding，’Pleasetakethemupstairsforme——Iamlate，’rushedintothehouse。
’Goodheavens，whatdoesthatmean？’saidEthelberta，holdingherfather’sarminheruneasiness。
’That’sthenewlady’s-maid，justcomeinfromaneveningwalk——thatyoungscamp’ssweetheart，ifwhatyoutellmeistrue。Idon’tyetknowwhathercharacteris，butsherunsneckandneckwithtimecloserthananywomanIevermet。Shestaysoutatnightlikethistillthelastmoment，andoftenthrowsoffherdashingcourting-
clothesinthisway，assherunsdownthesteps，tosaveajourneytothetopofthehousetoherroombeforegoingtoMrs。
Doncastle’s，whoisinfactatthisminutewaitingforher。Onlylookhere。’Chickerelgatheredupahatdeckedwithfeathersandflowers，aparasol，andalightmuslintrain-skirt，outofthepocketofthelattertumblingsomelonggoldentressesofhair。
’Whatanextraordinarywoman，’saidEthelberta。’AperfectCinderella。TheideaofJoeygettingdesperateaboutawomanlikethat；nodoubtshehasjustcomeinfrommeetinghim。’
’Nodoubt——ablockhead。That’shistaste，isit！I’llsoonseeifIcan’tcurehistasteifitinclinestowardsMrs。Menlove。’
’Mrs。what？’
’Menlove；that’shername。Shecameaboutafortnightago。’
’AndisthatMenlove——whatshallwedo！’exclaimedEthelberta。’Theideaoftheboysinglingouther——whyitisruintohim，tome，andtousall！’
ShehastilyexplainedtoherfatherthatMenlovehadbeenLadyPetherwin’smaidandherownatsometimebeforethedeathofhermother-in-law，thatshehadonlystayedwiththemthroughathreemonths’tourbecauseofherflightiness，andhencehadlearntnothingofEthelberta’shistory，andprobablyhadneverthoughtatallaboutit。Butneverthelesstheywereaswellacquaintedasaladyandhermaidwellcouldbeinthetime。’Likeallsuchdoubtfulcharacters，’continuedEthelberta，’shewasoneofthecleverestandlightest-handedwomenweeverhadaboutus。Whenshefirstcame，myhairwasgettingquiteweak；butbybrushingiteverydayinapeculiarmanner，andtreatingitasonlysheknewhow，shebroughtitintosplendidcondition。’
’Well，thisisthedeviltopay，uponmylife！’saidMr。Chickerel，withamiserablegazeatthebundleofclothesandthegeneralsituationatthesametime。’Unfortunatelyforherfriendship，I
havesnubbedhertwoorthreetimesalready，forIdon’tcareabouthermanner。Youknowshehasawayoftradingonaman’ssenseofhonourtillitputshimintoanawkwardposition。Sheisperfectlywellawarethat，whateverscrapeIfindheroutin，Ishallnothavetheconsciencetoreporther，becauseIamaman，andsheisadefencelesswoman；andsoshetakesadvantageofone’sfeelingbymakingme，oreitherofthemenservants，herbottle-holder，asyouseeshehasdonenow。’
’Thisisallsimplydreadful，’saidEthelberta。’Joeyisshrewdandtrustworthy；butinthehandsofsuchawomanasthat！Isupposeshedidnotrecognizeme。’
’Therewasnochanceofthatinthedark。’
’Well，Icannotdoanythinginit，’saidshe。’IcannotmanageJoeyatall。’
’IwillseeifIcan，’saidMr。Chickerel。’Courtingathisage，indeed——whatshallwehearnext！’
Chickerelthenaccompaniedhisdaughteralongthestreettillanemptycabpassedthem，andputtingherintoithereturnedtothehouseagain。
29。ETHELBERTA’SDRESSING-ROOM-MR。DONCASTLE’SHOUSE
ThedressingofEthelbertaforthedinner-partywasanundertakingintowhichPicoteethrewherwholeskillastirewoman。HerenergieswerebriskerthatdaythantheyhadbeenatanytimesincetheJuliansfirstmadepreparationsfordeparturefromtown；foraletterhadcometoherfromFaith，tellingoftheirarrivalattheoldcathedralcity，whichwasfoundtosuittheirinclinationsandhabitsinfinitelybetterthanLondon；andthatshewouldlikePicoteetovisitthemtheresomeday。Picoteefelt，andsoprobablyfeltthewriteroftheletter，thatsuchavisitwouldnotbeverypracticablejustnow；butitwasapleasantidea，andforfasteningdreamsuponwasbetterthannothing。
SuchmusingswereencouragedalsobyEthelberta’sremarksasthedressingwenton。
’Wewillhaveachangesoon，’shesaid；’wewillgooutoftownforafewdays。Itwilldogoodinmanyways。Iamgettingsoalarmedaboutthehealthofthechildren；theirfacesarebecomingsowhiteandthinandpinchedthatanoldacquaintancewouldhardlyknowthem；andtheyweresoplumpwhentheycame。Youarelookingaspaleasaghost，andIdaresayIamtoo。AweekortwoatKnollseawillseeusright。’
’O，howcharming！’saidPicoteegladly。
Knollseawasavillageonthecoast，notveryfarfromMelchester，thenewhomeofChristopher；notveryfar，thatistosay，intheeyeofasweetheart；butseeingthattherewas，asthecrowflies，astretchofthirty-fivemilesbetweenthetwoplaces，andthatmorethanone-thirdthedistancewaswithoutarailway，anelderlygentlemanmighthaveconsideredtheirsituationssomewhatremotefromeachother。
’WhyhaveyouchosenKnollsea？’inquiredPicotee。
’Becauseofaunt’sletterfromRouen——haveyouseenit？’
’Ididnotreaditthrough。’
’Shewantsustogetacopyoftheregisterofherbaptism；andsheisnotabsolutelycertainwhichoftheparishesinandaboutKnollseatheywerelivinginwhenshewasborn。Mother，beingayearyounger，cannottellofcourse。FirstIthoughtofwritingtotheclergymanofeachparish，butthatwouldbetroublesome，andmightrevealthesecretofmybirth；butifwegodownthereforafewdays，andtakesomelodgings，weshallbeabletofindoutallaboutitatleisure。GwendolineandJoeycanattendtomotherandthepeopledownstairs，especiallyasfatherwilllookineveryeveninguntilhegoesoutoftown，toseeiftheyaregettingonproperly。Itwillbesuchaweightoffmysoultoslipawayfromacquaintanceshere。’
’Willit？’
’Yes。AtthesametimeIoughtnottospeakso，fortheyhavebeenverykind。IwishwecouldgotoRouenafterwards；auntrepeatsherinvitationasusual。However，thereistimeenoughtothinkofthat。’
Ethelbertawasdressedatlast，and，beholdingthelonelylookofpoorPicoteewhenabouttoleavetheroom，shecouldnothelphavingasympatheticfeelingthatitwasratherhardforhersistertobedeniedsosmallanenjoymentasamenialpeepatafeastwhensheherselfwastositdowntoitasguest。
’Ifyoustillwanttogoandseetheprocessiondownstairsyoumaydoso，’shesaidreluctantly；’providedthatyoutakecareofyourtonguewhenyoucomeincontactwithMenlove，andadheretofather’sinstructionsastohowlongyoumaystay。Itmaybeinthehighestdegreeunwise；butnevermind，go。’
ThenEthelbertadepartedforthesceneofaction，justatthehourofthesun’slowestdecline，whenitwasfadingaway，yellowandmildascandle-light，andwhenupperwindowsfacingnorth-westreflectedtopersonsinthestreetdissolvingviewsoftawnycloudwithbrazenedges，theoriginalpictureofthesamebeinghiddenfromsightbysoiledwallsandslatyslopes。
Beforeenteringthepresenceofhostandhostess，Ethelbertacontrivedtoexchangeafewwordswithherfather。
’Inexcellenttime，’hewhispered，fullofpaternalprideatthesuperbaudacityofhersituationhereinrelationtohis。’Abouthalfofthemarecome。’
’Mr。Neigh？’
’Notyet；he’scoming。’
’LordMountclere？’
’Yes。Hecameabsurdlyearly；tenminutesbeforeanybodyelse，sothatMrs。D。couldhardlygetonherbraceletsandthingssoonenoughtoscrambledownstairsandreceivehim；andhe’sasnervousasaboy。Keepupyourspirits，dear，anddon’tmindme。’
’Iwill，father。AndletPicoteeseemeatdinnerifyoucan。Sheisveryanxioustolookatme。Shewillbeheredirectly。’
AndEthelberta，havingbeenannounced，joinedthechamberfulofassembledguests，amongwhomforthepresentwelosesightofher。
Meanwhiletheeveningoutsidethehousewasdeepeningintone，andthelampsbegantoblinkup。Hersisterhavingdeparted，Picoteehastilyarrayedherselfinalittleblackjacketandchiphat，andtrippedacrosstheparktothesamepoint。Chickerelhaddirectedamaid-servantknownasJanetoreceivehishumblerdaughterandmakehercomfortable；andthatfriendlyperson，whospokeasifshehadknownPicoteefive-and-twentyyears，tookhertothehousekeeper’sroom，wherethevisitordepositedherjacketandhat，andrestedawhile。
Aquick-eyed，light-haired，slight-builtwomancameinwhenJanehadgone。’AreyouMissChickerel？’shesaidtoPicotee。
’Yes，’saidPicotee，guessingthatthiswasMenlove，andfearingheralittle。
’Janetellsmethatyouhavecometovisityourfather，andwouldliketolookatthecompanygoingtodinner。Well，theyarenotmuchtosee，youknow；butsuchastheyareyouarewelcometothesightof。Comealongwithme。’
’IthinkIwouldratherwaitforfather，ifyouwillexcuseme，please。’
’Yourfatherisbusynow；itisnouseforyoutothinkofsayinganythingtohim。’
Picoteefollowedherguideupabackstaircasetotheheightofseveralflights，andthen，crossingalanding，theydescendedtotheupperpartofthefrontstairs。
’Nowlookoverthebalustrade，andyouwillseethemallinaminute，’saidMrs。Menlove。’O，youneednotbetimid；youcanlookoutasfarasyoulike。Weareallindependenthere；noslaveryforus:itisnotasitisinthecountry，whereservantsareconsideredtobeofdifferentbloodandbonefromtheiremployers，andtohavenoeyesforanythingbuttheirwork。Heretheyarecoming。’
Picoteethenhadthepleasureoflookingdownuponaseriesofhumancrowns——someblack，somewhite，somestrangelybuiltupon，somesmoothandshining——descendingthestaircaseindisorderedcolumnandgreatdiscomfort，theirownerstryingtotalk，butbreakingoffinthemidstofsyllablestolooktotheirfooting。Theyounggirl’seyeshadnotdroopedoverthehandrailmorethanafewmomentswhenshesoftlyexclaimed，’Theresheis，theresheis！Howlovelyshelooks，doesshenot？’
’Who？’saidMrs。Menlove。
Picoteerecollectedherself，andhastilydrewinherimpulses。’Mydearmistress，’shesaidblandly。’ThatissheonMr。Doncastle’sarm。Andlook，whoisthatfunnyoldmantheelderlyladyishelpingdownstairs？’
’Heisourhonouredguest，LordMountclere。Mrs。Doncastlewillhavehimallthroughthedinner，andafterthathewilldevotehimselftoMrs。Petherwin，your\"dearmistress。\"Hekeepslookingtowardshernow，andnodoubtthinksitanuisancethatsheisnotwithhim。Well，itisuselesstostayhere。Comealittlefurther——
we’llfollowthem。’Menlovebegantoleadthewaydownstairs，butPicoteeheldback。
’Won’ttheyseeus？’shesaid。
’No。Andiftheydo，itdoesn’tmatter。Mrs。Doncastlewouldnotobjectintheleasttothedaughterofherrespectedheadmanbeingaccidentallyseeninthehall。’
Theydescendedtothebottomandstoodinthehall。’O，there’sfather！’whisperedPicotee，withchildlikegladness，asChickerelbecamevisibletoherbythedoor。Thebutlernoddedtohisdaughter，andbecameagainengrossedinhisduties。
’IwishIcouldseeher——mymistress——again，’saidPicotee。
’Youseemmightilyconcernedaboutyourmistress，’saidMenlove。
’Doyouwanttoseeifyouhavedressedherproperly？’
’Yes，partly；andIlikeher，too。Sheisverykindtome。’
’Youwillhaveachanceofseeinghersoon。Whenthedoorisnicelyopenyoucanlookinforamoment。Imustleaveyounowforafewminutes，butIwillcomeagain。’
Menlovedeparted，andPicoteestoodwaiting。ShewonderedhowEthelbertawasgettingon，andwhethersheenjoyedherselfasmuchasitseemedherdutytodoinsuchasuperblyhospitableplace。
Picoteethenturnedherattentiontothehall，everyarticleoffurniturethereinappearingworthyofscrutinytoherunaccustomedeyes。Hereshewalkedandlookedaboutforalongtimetillanexcellentopportunityoffereditselfofseeinghowaffairsprogressedinthedining-room。
Throughthepartly-openeddoortherebecamevisibleasideboardwhichfirstattractedherattentionbyitsrichness。Itwas，indeed，anoticeableexampleofmodernart-workmanship，inbeingexceptionallylarge，withcuriousebonymouldingsatdifferentstages；and，whiletheheavycupboarddoorsatthebottomwereenrichedwithinlaysofpalerwood，otherpanelsweredecoratedwithtiles，asifthemassivecompositionhadbeenerectedonthespotaspartofthesolidbuilding。However，itwasonaspacehigherupthatPicotee’seyesandthoughtswerefixed。Inthegreatmirrorabovethemiddleledgeshecouldseereflectedtheupperpartofthedining-room，andthissuggestedtoherthatshemightseeEthelbertaandtheotherguestsreflectedinthesamewaybystandingonachair，which，quickasthought，shedid。
ToPicotee’sdazedyoungvisionherbeautifulsisterappearedasthechieffigureofagloriouspleasure-parliamentofbothsexes，surroundedbywholeregimentsofcandlesgroupedhereandthereabouttheroom。Sheandhercompanionswereseatedbeforealargeflowerbed，orsmallhanginggarden，fixedatabouttheleveloftheelbow，theattentionofallbeingconcentratedratherupontheuninterestingmarginofthebed，anduponeachother，thanonthebeautifulnaturalobjectsgrowinginthemiddle，asitseemedtoPicotee。IntherippleofconversationEthelberta’sclearvoicecouldoccasionallybeheard，andheryoungsistercouldseethathereyeswerebright，andherfacebeaming，asifdiverssocialwantsandloomingpenuriousnesshadneverbeenwithinherexperience。Mr。
Doncastlewasquiteabsorbedinwhatshewassaying。SowasthequeeroldmanwhomMenlovehadcalledLordMountclere。
’Thedashingwidowlooksverywell，doesshenot？’saidapersonatPicotee’selbow。
ItwasherconductorMenlove，nowreturnedagain，whomPicoteehadquiteforgotten。
’Shewilldosomedamagehereto-nightyouwillfind，’continuedMenlove。’Howlonghaveyoubeenwithher？’
’O，alongtime——Imeanratherashorttime，’stammeredPicotee。
’Iknowherwellenough。Iwashermaidonce，orratherhermother-
in-law’s，butthatwaslongbeforeyouknewher。IdidnotbyanymeansfindhersolovableasyouseemtothinkherwhenIhadtodowithheratclosequarters。Anawfulflirt——awful。Don’tyoufindherso？’
’Idon’tknow。’
’Ifyoudon’tyetyouwillknow。Butcomedownfromyourperch——thedining-roomdoorwillnotbeopenagainforsometime——andIwillshowyouabouttheroomsupstairs。ThisisalargerhousethanMrs。
Petherwin’s，asyousee。Justcomeandlookatthedrawing-rooms。’
WishingmuchtogetridofMenlove，yetfearingtooffendher，Picoteefollowedupstairs。Dinnerwasalmostoverbythistime，andwhentheyenteredthefrontdrawing-roomayoungman-servantandmaidwerethererekindlingthelights。
’Nowlet’shaveagameofcat-and-mice，’saidthemaid-servantcheerily。’There’splentyoftimebeforetheycomeup。’
’Agreed，’saidMenlovepromptly。’Youwillplay，willyounot，MissChickerel？’
’No，indeed，’saidPicotee，aghast。
’Nevermind，then；youlookon。’
AwaythenranthehousemaidandMenlove，andtheyoungfootmanstartedattheirheels。Roundtheroom，overthefurniture，underthefurniture，throughthefurniture，outofonewindow，alongthebalcony，inatanotherwindow，againroundtheroom——sotheyglidedwiththeswiftnessofswallowsandthenoiselessnessofghosts。
Thenthehousemaiddrewajew’s-harpfromherpocket，andstruckupalivelywaltzsottovoce。ThefootmanseizedMenlove，whoappearednothingloth，andbeganspinninggentlyroundtheroomwithher，tothetimeofthefascinatingmeasure’Whichfashionhails，fromcountessestoqueens，Andmaidsandvaletsdancebehindthescenes。’
Picotee，whohadbeenaccustomedtounceiledcountrycottagesallherlife，whereinthescamperofamouseishearddistinctlyfromfloortofloor，exclaimedinaterrifiedwhisper，atviewingallthis，’They’llhearyouunderneath，they’llhearyou，andweshallallberuined！’
’Notatall，’camefromthecautiousdancers。’ThesearesomeofthebestbuilthousesinLondon——doublefloors，filledinwithmaterialthatwilldeadenanyrowyouliketomake，andwemakenone。Butcomeandhaveaturnyourself，MissChickerel。’
TheyoungmanrelinquishedMenlove，andonthespurofthemomentseizedPicotee。Picoteeflouncedawayfromhiminindignation，backingintoacornerwithruffledfeathers，likeapullettryingtoappearahen。
’Howdareyoutouchme！’shesaid，withroundedeyes。’I’lltellsomebodydownstairsofyou，who’llsoonseeaboutit！’
’Whatababy；she’lltellherfather。’
’NoIshan’t；somebodyyouareallafraidof，that’swhoI’lltell。’
’Nonsense，’saidMenlove；’hemeantnoharm。’
Playtimewasnowgettingshort，andfurtheranticsbeingdangerousonthataccount，theperformersretiredagaindownstairs，Picoteeofnecessityfollowing。Hernerveswerescreweduptothehighestpitchofuneasinessbythegrotesquehabitsofthesemenandmaids，whowerequiteunlikethecountryservantsshehadknown，andresemblednothingsomuchaspixies，elves，orgnomes，peepingupuponhumanbeingsfromtheirshadyhauntsunderground，sometimesforgood，sometimesforill——sometimesdoingheavywork，sometimesnone；
teasingandworryingwithimpishlaughterhalfsuppressed，andvanishingdirectlymortaleyeswerebentonthem。Separateanddistinctfromovertexistenceunderthesun，thislifecouldhardlybewithoutitsdistinctivepleasures，allofthembeingmoreorlesspervadedbythrillsandtitillationsfromgamesofhazard，andtheperpetualriskofsensationalsurprises。
LongbeforethistimePicoteehadbeguntobeanxioustogethomeagain，butMenloveseemedparticularlytodesirehercompany，andpressedhertositawhile，tellingheryoungfriend，bywayofentertainment，ofvariousextraordinaryloveadventuresinwhichshehadfiguredasheroinewhentravellingontheContinent。Thesestorieshadoneandallaremarkablelikenessinacertainpoint——
Menlovewasalwaysunwillingtolovetheadorer，andtheadorerwasalwaysunwillingtoliveafterwardsonaccountofit。
’Ha-ha-ha！’inmen’svoiceswasheardfromthedistantdining-roomasthetwowomenwentontalking。
’Andthen，’continuedMenlove，’therewasthatduelIwasthecauseofbetweenthecourierandtheFrenchvalet。Dearme，whatatroublethatwas；yetIcoulddonothingtopreventit。Thiscourierwasaveryhandsomeman——theyarehandsomesometimes。’
’Yes，theyare。Myauntmarriedone。’
’Didshe？Wheredotheylive？’
’TheykeepanhotelatRouen，’murmuredPicotee，indoubtwhetherthisshouldhavebeentoldornot。
’Well，heusedtofollowmetotheEnglishChurcheverySundayregularly，andIwassodeterminednottogivemyhandwheremyheartcouldneverbe，thatIslippedoutattheotherdoorwhilehestoodexpectingmebytheoneIentered。HereImetM。Pierre，when，asillluckwouldhaveit，theothercameroundthecorner，andseeingmetalkingtothevalet，hechallengedhimatonce。’
’Ha-ha-ha！’washeardagainafar。
’Didtheyfight？’saidPicotee。
’Yes，Ibelievetheydid。WeleftNicethenextday；butIheardsometimeafterofaduelnotmanymilesoff，andalthoughIcouldnotgetholdofthenames，Imakenodoubtitwasbetweenthosetwogentlemen。Ineverknewwhichofthemfell；poorfellow，whicheveritwas。’
’Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha！’camefromthedining-room。
’Whateverarethoseboozymenlaughingat，Iwonder？’saidMenlove。
’Theyarealwayssonoisywhentheladieshavegoneupstairs。Uponmysoul，I’llrunupandfindout。’
’No，no，don’t，’entreatedPicotee，puttingherhandonherentertainer’sarm。’Itseemswrong；itisnoconcernofours。’
’Wrongbehanged——anythingonanimpulse，’saidMrs。Menlove，skippingacrosstheroomandoutofthedoor，whichstoodopen，asdidothersinthehouse，theeveningbeingsultryandoppressive。
Picoteewaitedinherseatuntilitoccurredtoherthatshecouldescapethelady’s-maidbygoingoffintoherfather’spantryinherabsence。ButbeforethishadbeenputintoeffectMenloveappearedagain。
’Suchfunastheyarehavingupthere，’shesaid。’SomebodyaskedMr。Neightotellastorywhichhehadtoldatsomeprevioustime，buthewasveryreluctanttodoso，andpretendedhecouldnotrecollectit。Well，then，theotherman——Icouldnotdistinguishhimbyhisvoice——begantellingit，topromptMr。Neigh’smemory；
and，asfarasIcouldunderstand，itwasaboutsomeladywhothoughtMr。Neighwasinlovewithher，and，tofindwhetherhewasworthacceptingornot，shewentwithhermaidatnighttoseehisestate，andwanderedaboutandgotlost，andwasfrightened，andI
don’tknowwhatbesides。ThenMr。Neighlaughedtoo，andsaidhelikedsuchcommonsenseinawoman。Nonameswerementioned，butI
fancy，fromtheawkwardnessofMr。Neighatbeingcompelledtotellit，thattheladyisoneofthoseinthedrawing-room。Ishouldliketoknowwhichitwas。’
’Iknow——haveheardsomethingaboutit，’saidPicotee，blushingwithanger。’Itwasnothingatalllikethat。IwonderMr。Neighhadtheaudacityevertotalkofthematter，andtomisrepresentitsogreatly！’
’Tellallaboutit，do，’saidMenlove。
’Ono，’saidPicotee。’Ipromisednottosayaword。’
’Itisyourmistress，Iexpect。’
’Youmaythinkwhatyoulike；buttheladyisanythingbutamistressofmine。’
TheflightyMenlovepressedhertotellthewholestory，butfindingthisuselessthesubjectwaschanged。Presentlyherfathercamein，and，takingnonoticeofMenlove，toldhisdaughterthatshehadbeencalledfor。Picoteeveryreadilyputonherthings，andongoingoutsidefoundJoeyawaitingher。Mr。Chickerelfollowedclosely，withsharpglancesfromthecornerofhiseye，anditwasplainfromJoey’snervousmanneroflingeringintheshadowsoftheareadoorwayinsteadofenteringthehouse，thatthebutlerhadinsomewaysethimselftopreventallcommunionbetweenthefairlady’s-maidandhissonforthateveningatleast。
HewatchedPicoteeandherbrotheroffthepremises，andthepairwentontheirwaytowardsExonburyCrescent，veryfewwordspassingbetweenthem。Picotee’sthoughtshadturnedtotheproposedvisittoKnollsea，andJoeywassulkyunderdisappointmentandtheblankofthwartedpurposes。
30。ONTHEHOUSETOP
’Picotee，areyouasleep？’Ethelbertawhisperedsoftlyatdawnthenextmorning，bythehalf-openeddoorofhersister’sbedroom。
’No，Ikeepwaking，itissowarm。’
’SodoI。Supposewegetupandseethesunrise。Theeastisfillingwithflame。’
’Yes，Ishouldlikeit，’saidPicotee。
TherestlessnesswhichhadbroughtEthelbertahitherinslippersanddressing-gownatsuchanearlyhouroweditsorigintoanothercausethanthewarmthoftheweather；butofthatshedidnotspeakasyet。Picotee’sroomwasanattic，withwindowsintheroof——achamberdismalenoughatalltimes，andveryshadowynow。WhilePicoteewaswrappingup，Ethelbertaplacedachairunderthewindow，andmountinguponthistheysteppedoutside，andseatedthemselveswithintheparapet。
Theairwasasclearandfreshasonamountainside；sparrowschattered，andbirdsofaspeciesunsuspectedatlaterhourscouldbeheardsingingintheparkhardby，whilehereandthereonridgesandflatsacatmightbeseengoingcalmlyhomefromthedevilriesofthenighttoresumetheamiabilitiesoftheday。
’IamsosorryIwasasleepwhenyoureachedhome，’saidPicotee。
’IwassoanxioustotellyousomethingIheardof，andtoknowwhatyoudid；butmyeyeswouldshut，tryasImight，andthenItriednolonger。Didyouseemeatall，Berta？’
’Neveronce。Ihadanimpressionthatyouwerethere。Ifanciedyouwerefromfather’scarefullyvacuouslookwheneverIglancedathisface。Butwereyoucarefulaboutwhatyousaid，anddidyouseeMenlove？IfeltallthetimethatIhaddonewronginlettingyoucome；thegratificationtoyouwasnotworththerisktome。’
’Isawher，andtalkedtoher。ButIamcertainshesuspectednothing。Ienjoyedmyselfverymuch，andtherewasnoriskatall。’
’Iamgladitisnoworsenews。However，youmustnotgothereagain:uponthatpointIamdetermined。’
’ItwasagoodthingIdidgo，allthesame。I’lltellyouwhywhenyouhavetoldmewhathappenedtoyou。’
’Nothingofimportancehappenedtome。’
’Iexpectyougottoknowthelordyouweretomeet？’
’Oyes——LordMountclere。’
’Andit’sdreadfulhowfondheisofyou——quiteridiculouslytakenupwithyou——Isawthatwellenough。Suchanoldman，too；I
wouldn’thavehimfortheworld！’
’Don’tjumpatconclusionssoabsurdly，Picotee。Whywouldn’tyouhavehimfortheworld？’
’Becauseheisoldenoughtobemygrandfather，andyourstoo。’
’Indeedheisnot；heisonlymiddle-aged。’
’OBerta！Sixty-fiveatleast。’
’Hemayormaynotbethat；andifheis，itisnotold。Heissoentertainingthatoneforgetsallaboutageinconnectionwithhim。’
’Helaughslikethis——\"Hee-hee-hee！\"’Picoteeintroducedasmuchantiquityintoherfaceasshecouldbyscrewingitupandsuitingtheactiontotheword。
’Thisveryoddthingoccurred，’saidEthelberta，togetPicoteeoffthetrackofLordMountclere’speculiarities，asitseemed。’IwassayingtoMr。NeighthatweweregoingtoKnollseaforatime，feelingthathewouldnotbelikelytoknowanythingaboutsuchanout-of-the-wayplace，whenLordMountclere，whowasnear，said，\"I
shallbeatEnckworthCourtinafewdays，probablyatthetimeyouareatKnollsea。TheImperialArchaeologicalAssociationholdsitsmeetingsinthatpartofWessexthisseason，andCorvsgateCastle，nearKnollsea，isoneoftheplacesonourlist。\"ThenhehopedI
shouldbeabletoattend。Didyoueverhearanythingsostrange？
Now，Ishouldliketoattendverymuch，notonLordMountclere’saccount，butbecausesuchgatheringsareinteresting，andIhaveneverbeentoone；yetthereisthistobeconsidered，woulditberightformetogowithoutafriendtosuchaplace？Anotherpointis，thatweshallliveinmenageriestyleatKnollseaforthesakeofthechildren，andwemustdoiteconomicallyincaseweacceptAuntCharlotte’sinvitationtoRouen；hence，ifheorhisfriendsfindusoutthereitwillbeawkwardforme。SothealternativeisKnollseaorsomeotherplaceforus。’
’LetitbeKnollsea，nowwehaveoncesettledit，’saidPicoteeanxiously。’IhavementionedtoFaithJulianthatweshallbethere。’
’Mentioneditalready！Youmusthavewritteninstantly。’
’Ihadafewminutestospare，andIthoughtImightaswellwrite。’
’Verywell；wewillsticktoKnollsea，’saidEthelberta，halfindoubt。’Yes——otherwiseitwillbedifficulttoseeaboutaunt’sbaptismalcertificate。Wewillhopenobodywilltakethetroubletopryintoourhousehold……Andnow，Picotee，Iwanttoaskyousomething——somethingveryserious。HowwouldyoulikemetomarryMr。Neigh？’
Ethelbertacouldnothelplaughingwithafaintshynessassheaskedthequestionunderthesearchingeastray。’Hehasaskedmetomarryhim，’shecontinued，’andIwanttoknowwhatyouwouldsaytosuchanarrangement。Idon’tmeantoimplythattheeventiscertaintotakeplace；but，asameresupposition，whatdoyousaytoit，Picotee？’EthelbertawasfarfromputtingthismatterbeforePicoteeforadviceoropinion；but，likeallpeoplewhohaveaninnatedisliketohole-and-cornerpolicy，shefeltcompelledtospeakofittosomeone。
’Ishouldnotlikehimforyouatall，’saidPicoteevehemently。’I
wouldratheryouhadMr。Ladywell。’
’O，don’tnamehim！’
’Iwouldn’thaveMr。Neighatanyprice，nevertheless。ItisabouthimthatIwasgoingtotellyou。’PicoteeproceededtorelateMenlove’saccountofthestoryofEthelberta’sescapade，whichhadbeendraggedfromNeighthepreviouseveningbythefriendtowhomhehadrelateditbeforehewassoenamouredofEthelbertaastoregardthatperformanceasapositivevirtueinher。’Nobodywastold，orevensuspected，whotheladyoftheanecdotewas，’Picoteeconcluded；’butIknewinstantly，ofcourse，andIthinkitveryunfortunatethatweeverwenttothatdreadfulghostlyestateofhis，Berta。’
Ethelberta’sfaceheatedwithmortification。ShehadnofearthatNeighhadtoldnamesorotherparticularswhichmightleadtoheridentificationbyanyfriendofhis，andshecouldmakeallowanceforburstsofconfidence；butthereremainedtheawkwardfactthathehimselfknewhertobetheheroineoftheepisode。WhatannoyedhermostwasthatNeighcouldeverhavelookeduponherindiscretionasahumorousincident，whichhecertainlymusthavedoneatsometimeorothertoaccountforhistellingit。Hadhebeenangrywithher，orsneeredatherforgoing，shecouldhaveforgivenhim；buttoseehermanoeuvreinthelightofajoke，touseitasillustratinghisgrimtheoryofwomankind，andneithertolikenortodislikeherthemoreforitfromfirsttolast，thiswastotreatherwithacynicismwhichwasintolerable。ThatNeigh’suseoftheincidentasastockanecdoteceasedlongbeforehehaddecidedtoaskhertomarryhimshehadnodoubt，butitshowedthathisloveforherwasofthatsortinwhichpassionmakeswaruponjudgment，andprevailsinspiteofwill。Moreover，hemighthavebeenspeakingironicallywhenhealludedtotheactasavirtueinawoman，whichseemedthemorelikelywhensherememberedhiscoolbearingtowardsherinthedrawing-room。Possiblyitwasanantipatheticreaction，inducedbytherenewedrecollectionofherproceeding。
’IwillnevermarryMr。Neigh！’shesaid，withdecision。’Thatshallsettleit。Youneednotthinkoveranysuchcontingency，Picotee。Heisoneofthosehorridmenwholovewiththeireyes，theremainderpartofhimobjectingallthetimetothefeeling；andevenifhisobjectionsprovetheweaker，andthemanmarries，hisgeneralnatureconquersagainbythetimetheweddingtripisover，sothatthewomanismiserableatlast，andhadbetternothavehadhimatall。’
’ThatappliesstillmoretoLordMountclere，tomythinking。I
neversawanythinglikethelookofhiseyesuponyou。’
’Ono，no——youunderstandnothingifyousaythat。Butonethingbesureof，thereisnomarriagelikelytotakeplacebetweenmyselfandMr。Neigh。Ihavelongedforasoundreasonfordislikinghim，andnowIhavegotit。Well，wewilltalknomoreofthis——letusthinkofthenicelittlepleasurewehaveinstore——ourstayatKnollsea。Therewewillbeasfreeasthewind。Andwhenwearedownthere，IcandriveacrosstoCorvsgateCastleifIwishtoattendtheImperialAssociationmeeting，andnobodywillknowwhereIcamefrom。KnollseaisnotmorethanfivemilesfromtheCastle，Ithink。’
Picoteewasbythistimebeginningtoyawn，andEthelbertadidnotfeelnearlysowakefulasshehadfelthalf-an-hourearlier。Tallandswarthycolumnsofsmokewerenowsoaringupfromthekitchenchimneysaround，spreadinghorizontallywhenatagreatheight，andformingaroofofhazewhichwasturningthesuntoacoppercolour，andbydegreesspoilingthesweetnessofthenewatmospherethathadrolledinfromthecountryduringthenight，givingittheusualcitysmell。Theresolvetomakethisrisingthebeginningofalongandbusyday，whichshouldsetthembeforehandwiththerestoftheworld，weakenedwiththeirgrowingweariness，andanimpulsetoliedownjustforaquarterofanhourbeforedressing，endedinasoundsleepthatdidnotrelinquishitsholduponthemtilllateintheforenoon。
31。KNOLLSEA-ALOFTYDOWN-ARUINEDCASTLE
Knollseawasaseasidevillagelyingsnugwithintwoheadlandsasbetweenafingerandthumb。Everybodyintheparishwhowasnotaboatmanwasaquarrier，unlesshewerethegentlemanwhoownedhalfthepropertyandhadbeenaquarryman，ortheothergentlemanwhoownedtheotherhalf，andhadbeentosea。
Theknowledgeoftheinhabitantswasofthesamespecialsortastheirpursuits。Thequarrymeninwhitefustianunderstoodpracticalgeology，thelawsandaccidentsofdips，faults，andcleavage，farbetterthanthewaysoftheworldandmammon；theseafaringmeninGuernseyfrockshadaclearernotionofAlexandria，Constantinople，theCape，andtheIndiesthanofanyinlandtownintheirowncountry。This，forthem，consistedofabusyportion，theChannel，wheretheylivedandlaboured，andadullportion，thevagueunexploredmilesofinterioratthebackoftheports，whichtheyseldomthoughtof。
Somewivesofthevillage，itistrue，hadlearnedtoletlodgings，andotherstokeepshops。Thedoorsoftheselatterplaceswereformedofanupperhatch，usuallykeptopen，andalowerhatch，withabellattached，usuallykeptshut。Wheneverastrangerwentin，hewouldhearawhisperingofastonishmentfromabackroom，afterwhichawomancameforward，lookingsuspiciouslyathimasanintruder，andadvancingslowlyenoughtoallowhermouthtogetclearofthemealshewaspartakingof。Meanwhilethepeopleinthebackroomwouldstoptheirknivesandforksinabsorbedcuriosityastothereasonofthestranger’sentry，whobythistimefeelsashamedofhisunwarrantableintrusionintothishermit’scell，andthinkshemusttakehishatoff。Thewomanisquitealarmedatseeingthatheisnotoneofthefifteennativewomenandchildrenwhopatronizeher，andnervouslyputsherhandtothesideofherface，whichshecarriesslanting。Thevisitorfindshimselfsayingwhathewantsinanapologetictone，whenthewomantellshimthattheydidkeepthatarticleonce，butdonotnow；thatnobodydoes，andprobablyneverwillagain；andasheturnsawayshelooksrelievedthatthedilemmaofhavingtoprovideforastrangerhaspassedoffwithnoworsemishapthandisappointinghim。
Acottagewhichstoodonahighslopeabovethistownletanditsbayresoundedonemorningwiththenotesofamerrycompany。Ethelbertahadmanagedtofindroomforherselfandheryoungrelationsinthehouseofoneoftheboatmen，whosewifeattendeduponthemall。
CaptainFlower，thehusband，assistedherinthedinnerpreparations，whenheslippedaboutthehouseaslightlyasagirlandspokeofhimselfascook’smate。Thehousewassosmallthatthesailor’srichvoice，developedbyshoutinginhighwindsduringatwentyyears’experienceinthecoastingtrade，couldbeheardcomingfromthekitchenbetweenthechirpingsofthechildrenintheparlour。Thefurnitureofthisapartmentconsistedmostlyofthepaintingofafull-riggedship，donebyamanwhomthecaptainhadspeciallyselectedforthepurposebecausehehadbeenseven-and-
twentyyearsatseabeforetouchingabrush，andtherebyofferedasufficientguaranteethatheunderstoodhowtopaintavesselproperly。
BeforethispicturesatEthelbertainalightlinendress，andwithtightly-knottedhair——nowagainBertaChickerelasofold——servingoutbreakfasttotherestoftheparty，andsometimesliftinghereyestotheoutlookfromthewindow，whichpresentedahappycombinationofgrangescenerywithmarine。Upontheirregularslopebetweenthehouseandthequaywasanorchardofagedtreeswhereineveryappleripeningontheboughspresenteditsrubicundsidetowardsthecottage，becausethatbuildingchancedtolieupwardsinthesamedirectionasthesun。UnderthetreeswereafewCapesheep，andoverthemthestonechimneysofthevillagebelow:
outsidetheselaythetannedsailsofaketchorsmack，andthevioletwatersofthebay，seamedandcreasedbybreezesinsufficienttoraisewaves；beyondallacurvedwallofcliff，terminatinginapromontory，whichwasflankedbytallandshiningobelisksofchalkrisingsheerfromthetremblingblueracebeneath。
Byonesittingintheroomthatcommandedthisprospect，awhitebutterflyamongtheapple-treesmightbemistakenforthesailsofayachtfarawayonthesea；andintheeveningwhenthelightwasdim，whatseemedlikeaflycrawlinguponthewindow-panewouldturnouttobeaboatinthebay。
Whenbreakfastwasover，Ethelbertasatleaningonthewindow-sillconsideringhermovementsfortheday。ItwasthetimefixedforthemeetingoftheImperialAssociationatCorvsgateCastle，thecelebratedruinfivemilesoff，andthemeetinghadsomefascinationsforher。Foronething，shehadneverbeenpresentatagatheringofthekind，althoughwhatwasleftinanyshapefromthepastwasherconstantinterest，becauseitrecalledhertoherselfandfortifiedhermind。Personswagingaharassingsocialfightareaptintheinterestofthecombattoforgetthesmallnessoftheendinview；andthehintsthatperishinghistoricalremnantsaffordedheroftheattenuatingeffectsoftimeevenupongreatstrugglescorrectedtheapparentscaleofherown。Shewasremindedthatinastrifeforsuchaludicrouslysmallobjectastheentryofdrawing-rooms，winning，equallywithlosing，isbelowthezeroofthetruephilosopher’sconcern。
Therecouldneverbeamoreexcellentreasonthanthisforgoingtoviewthemeagrestumpsremainingfromflourishingbygonecenturies，andithadweightwithEthelbertathisveryday；butitwouldbedifficulttostatethewholecompositionofhermotive。TheapproachingmeetinghadbeenoneofthegreatthemesatMr。
Doncastle’sdinner-party，andLordMountclere，onlearningthatshewastobeatKnollsea，hadrecommendedherattendanceatsome，ifnotallofthemeetings，asadesirableandexhilaratingchangeafterherlaboriousseason’sworkintown。Itwaspleasanttohavewonherwaysofarinhighplacesthatherhealthofbodyandmindshouldbethusconsidered——pleasant，lessaspersonalgratification，thanthatitcasuallyreflectedaproofofhergoodjudgmentinacoursewhicheverybodyamongherkindredhadcondemnedbycallingafoolhardyundertaking。
Andshemightgowithouttherestraintofceremony。
Unconventionality——almosteccentricity-wasderigueurforonewhohadbeenfirstheardofasapoetess；fromwhoseredlipsmagicromancehadsincetrilledforweekstocrowdsoflisteners，asfromaperennialspring。
SoEthelbertawent，afteraconsiderableponderinghowtogettherewithouttheneedlesssacrificeeitherofdignityorcash。Itwouldbeinconsideratetothechildrentospendapoundonabroughamwhenasmuchasshecouldsparewaswantedfortheirholiday。Itwasalmosttoofartoowalk。Shehad，however，decidedtowalk，whenshemetaboywithadonkey，whoofferedtolendittoherforthreeshillings。Theanimalwasrathersad-looking，butEthelbertafoundshecouldsituponthepadwithoutdiscomfort。Consideringthatshemightpullupsomedistanceshortofthecastle，andleavetheassatacottagebeforejoiningherfour-wheeledfriends，shestruckthebargainandrodeonherway。
Thiswas，firstbyapathontheshorewherethetidedraggedhuskilyupanddowntheshinglewithoutdisturbingit，andthenceupthesteepcrestoflandopposite，whereonshelingeredawhiletolettheassbreathe。Ononeofthespiresofchalkintowhichthehillherehadbeensplitwasperchedacormorant，silentandmotionless，withwingsspreadouttodryinthesunafterhismorning’sfishing，theirwhitesurfaceshininglikemail。Retiringwithoutdisturbinghimandturningtotheleftalongtheloftyridgewhichraninland，thecountryoneachsidelaybeneathherlikeamap，domainsbehinddomains，parishesbythescore，harbours，fir-woods，andlittleinlandseasmixingcuriouslytogether。Thencesheambledalongthroughahugecemeteryofbarrows，containinghumandustfromprehistorictimes。
Standingonthetopofagiant’sgraveinthisantiqueland，EthelbertaliftedhereyestobeholdtwosortsofweatherpervadingNatureatthesametime。Farbelowontherighthanditwasafineday，andthesilversunbeamslightedupamany-armedinlandseawhichstretchedroundanislandwithfir-treesandgorse，andamidbrilliantcrimsonheathswhereinwhitepathsandroadsoccasionallymettheeyeindashesandzigzagslikeflashesoflightning。
Outside，wherethebroadChannelappeared，aberyllineandopalizedvariegationofripples，currents，deeps，andshallows，layasfairunderthesunasaNewJerusalem，theshoresbeingofgleamingsand。
Upontheradiantheatherbeesandbutterflieswerebusy，sheknew，andthebirdsonthatsidewerejustbeginningtheirautumnsongs。
Ontheleft，quiteuptoherposition，wasdarkandcloudyweather，shadingavalleyofheavygreensandbrowns，whichatitsfurthersiderosetomeettheseaintallcliffs，suggestingevenhereattheirbackhowterribleweretheiraspectsseawardinagrowlingsouthwestgale。Heregrassedhillsroselikeknucklesglovedindarkolive，andlittleplantationsbetweenthemformedastilldeeperandsaddermonochrome。Azincskymetaleadenseaonthishand，thelowwindgroanedandwhined，andnotabirdsang。
TheridgealongwhichEthelbertarodedividedthesetwoclimateslikeawall；itsoonbecameapparentthattheywerewrestlingformasteryimmediatelyinherpathway。Theissuelongremaineddoubtful，andthisbeinganimaginativehourwithher，shewatchedastypicalofherownfortuneshowthefrontofbattleswayed——nowtothewest，floodingherwithsun，nowtotheeast，coveringherwithshade:thenthewindmovedroundtothenorth，ablueholeappearedintheoverhangingcloud，atabouttheplaceofthenorthstar；andthesunlightspreadonbothsidesofher。
Thetowersofthenotableruintobevisitedroseoutofthefurthermostshoulderoftheuplandassheadvanced，itssitebeingtheslopeandcrestofasmoothlynibbledmountatthetoeoftheridgeshehadfollowed。WhenobservingthepreviousuncertaintyoftheweatheronthissideEthelbertahadbeenledtodoubtifthemeetingwouldbeheldhereto-day，andshewasnowstrengthenedinheropinionthatitwouldnotbythetotalabsenceofhumanfiguresamidtheruins，thoughthetimeofappointmentwaspast。Thisdisposedofanotherquestionwhichhadperplexedher:wheretofindastablefortheassduringthemeeting，forshehadscarcelylikedtheideaoffacingthewholebodyoflordsandgentlemenupontheanimal’sback。Shenowdecidedtoretainherseat，rideroundtheruin，andgohomeagain，withouttroublingfurtheraboutthemovementsoftheAssociationoracquaintancewiththememberscomposingit。
AccordinglyEthelbertacrossedthebridgeoverthemoat，androdeunderthefirstarchwayintotheouterward。Asshehadexpected，notasoulwashere。Thearrow-slits，portcullis-grooves，andstaircasesmethereyeasfamiliarfriends，forinherchildhoodshehadoncepaidavisittothespot。Ascendingthegreeninclineandthroughanotherarchintothesecondward，shestillpressedon，tillatlasttheasswasunabletoclamberaninchfurther。Hereshedismounted，andtyinghimtoastonewhichprojectedlikeafangfromarawedgeofwall，performedtheremainderoftheascentonfoot。Onceamongthetowersabove，shebecamesointerestedinthewindycorridors，mildeweddungeons，andthetribeofdawspeeringinvidiouslyuponherfromoverhead，thatsheforgottheflightoftime。
Nearlythree-quartersofanhourpassedbeforeshecameoutfromtheimmensewalls，andlookedfromanopeningtothefrontoverthewideexpanseoftheouterward，bywhichshehadascended。
Ethelbertawastakenabacktoseethereafileofshiningcarriages，whichhadarrivedduringherseclusioninthekeep。Fromthesebegantoburstamiscellanyofmany-coloureddraperies，blue，buff，pied，andblack；theyunitedintoone，andcreptuptheinclinelikeacloud，whichthenpartedintofragments，divedintoolddoorways，andlostsubstancebehindprojectingpiles。Recognizinginthistheladiesandgentlemenofthemeeting，herfirstthoughtwashowtoescape，forshewassuddenlyovercomewithdreadtomeetthemallsingle-handedasshestood。Shedrewbackandhurriedroundtotheside，asthelaughterandvoicesoftheassemblybegantobeaudible，and，morethanevervexedthatshecouldnothavefalleninwiththeminsomeunobtrusiveway，Ethelbertafoundthattheywereimmediatelybeneathher。
Venturingtopeepforwardagain，whatwashermortificationatfindingthemgatheredinaring，roundnoobjectofinterestbelongingtotheruin，butroundherfaithfulbeast，whohadloosenedhimselfinsomewayfromthestone，andstoodinthemiddleofaplatofgrass，placidlyregardingthem。
BeingnowintheteethoftheAssociation，therewasnothingtodobuttogoon，since，ifshedidnot，thenextfewstepsoftheiradvancewoulddiscloseher。Shemadethebestofit，andbegantodescendinthebroadviewoftheassembly，fromthemidstofwhichproceededalaugh——’Hee-hee-hee！’EthelbertaknewthatLordMountclerewasthere。
’Thepoorthinghasstrayedfromitsowner，’saidonelady，astheyallstoodeyeingtheapparitionoftheass。
’Itmaybelongtosomeofthevillagers，’saidthePresidentinahistoricalvoice:’anditmaybeappropriatetomentionthatmanywerekepthereinoldentimes:theywerelargelyusedasbeastsofburdeninvictuallingthecastleprevioustothelastsiege，intheyearsixteenhundredandforty-five。’
’Itisveryweary，andhascomealongway，Ithink，’saidalady；
adding，inanimaginativetone，’thehumblecreaturelookssoagedandissoquaintlysaddledthatwemaysupposeittobeonlyananimatedrelic，ofthesamedateastheotherremains。’
BythistimeLordMountclerehadnoticedEthelberta’spresence，andstraighteninghimselftotenyearsyounger，heliftedhishatinanswertohersmile，andcameupjauntily。Itwasagoodtimenowtoseewhattheviscountwasreallylike。Heappearedtobeaboutsixty-five，andthedignifiedaspectwhichheworetoagazeratadistancebecamedepreciatedtojocundslynessuponnearerview，whenthesmalltypecouldbereadbetweentheleadinglines。Thenitcouldbeseenthathisupperlipdroppedtoapointinthemiddle，asifimpressingsilenceuponhistoodemonstrativelowerone。Hisrightandleftprofilesweredifferent，onecornerofhismouthbeingmorecompressedthantheother，producingadeeplinethencedownwardstothesideofhischin。Eacheyebrowroseobliquelyoutwardsandupwards，andwasthusfarabovethelittleeye，shiningwiththeclearnessofapondthathasjustbeenabletoweathertheheatsofsummer。Belowthiswasapreternaturallyfatjowl，which，bythrustingagainstcheeksandchin，causedthearcholdmouthtobealmostburiedatthecorners。
Afewwordsofgreetingpassed，andEthelbertatoldhimhowshewasfearingtomeetthemall，unitedandprimedwiththeirmorning’sknowledgeastheyappearedtobe。
’Well，wehavenotdonemuchyet，’saidLordMountclere。’Asformyself，Ihavegivennothoughtatalltoourday’swork。Ihadnotforgottenyourpromisetoattend，ifyoucouldpossiblydriveacross，and——hee-hee-hee！——Ihavefrequentlylookedtowardsthehillwheretheroaddescends……Willyounowpermitmetointroducesomeofmyparty——asmanyofthemasyoucaretoknowbyname？I
thinktheywouldallliketospeaktoyou。’
Ethelbertathenfoundherselfnominallymadeknowntotenoradozenladiesandgentlemenwhohadwishedforspecialacquaintancewithher。Shestoodthere，asallwomenstandwhohavemadethemselvesremarkablebytheiroriginality，ordevotiontoanysingularcause，asapersonfreedofherhamperingandinconvenientsex，and，byvirtueofherpopularity，unfetteredfromtheconventionalitiesofmannerprescribedbycustomforhouseholdwomankind。Thechartertomoveabroadunchaperoned，whichsocietyforgoodreasonsgrantsonlytowomenofthreesorts——thefamous，theministering，andtheimproper——Ethelbertawasinafairwaytomakesplendiduseof:
insteadofwalkinginprotectedlanessheexperiencedthatluxuryofisolationwhichnormallyisenjoyedbymenalone，inconjunctionwiththeattentionnaturallybestowedonawomanyoungandfair。
AmongthepresentationswereMr。andMrs。Tynn，memberandmember’smainspringforNorthWessex；SirCyrilandLadyBlandsbury；LadyJaneJoy；andtheHonourableEdgarMountclere，theviscount’sbrother。TherealsohoverednearherthelearnedDoctorYore；Mr。
Small，aprofoundwriter，whoneverprintedhisworks；theReverendMr。Brook，rector；theVeryReverendDr。Taylor，dean；andtheundoubtedlyReverendMr。Tinkleton，Nonconformist，whohadslippedintothefoldbychance。
TheseandotherslookedwithinterestatEthelberta:theoldcountyfathershard，asataquestionabletownphenomenon，thecountysonstenderly，asataprettycreature，andthecountydaughterswithgreatadmiration，asataladyreportedbytheirmammastobenobetterthansheshouldbe。ItwillbeseenthatEthelbertawasthesortofwomanthatwell-rootedlocalpeoplemightliketolookatonsuchafreeandfriendlyoccasionasanarchaeologicalmeeting，where，togratifyapleasantwhim，thepicturesqueformofacquaintanceisforthenoncepreferredtotheuseful，thespiritsbeingsobriskastoswervefromstrictattentiontotheselectandsequentgiftsofheaven，bloodandacres，toconsiderforanidlemomentthesubversiveMephistophelianendowment，brains。
’Ourprogressinthesurveyofthecastlehasnotbeenfarasyet，’
LordMountclereresumed；’indeed，wehaveonlyjustarrived，theweatherthismorningbeingsounsettled。Whenyoucameupwewereengagedinapreliminarystudyofthepooranimalyouseethere:
howitcouldhavegotupherewecannotunderstand。’
HepointedashespoketothedonkeywhichhadbroughtEthelbertathither，whereuponshewassilent，andgazedatheruntowardbeastasifshehadneverbeforebeheldhim。
TheasslookedatEthelbertaasthoughhewouldsay，’Whydon’tyouownme，aftersafelybringingyouoverthosewearyhills？’Buttheprideandemulationwhichhadmadeherwhatshewaswouldnotpermither，asthemostlovelywomanthere，totakeuponherownshoulderstheridiculethathadalreadybeencastupontheass。Hadhebeenyoungandgailycaparisoned，shemighthavedoneit；buthisage，theclumsytrappingsofrusticmake，andhisneedywofullookofhardservitude，weretoomuchtoendure。
’Manycomeandpicnichere，’shesaidserenely，’andtheanimalmayhavebeenlefttilltheyreturnfromsomewalk。’
’True，’saidLordMountclere，withouttheslightestsuspicionofthetruth。Thehumbleasshunghisheadinhisusualmanner，anditdemandedlittlefancyfromEthelbertatoimaginethathedespisedher。Andthenhermindflewbacktoherhistoryandextraction，toherfather——perhapsatthatmomentinventingaprivateplate-powderinanundergroundpantry——andwithagroanatherinconsistencyinbeingashamedoftheass，shesaidinherheart，’MyGod，whatathingamI！’
Theythenallmovedontoanotherpartofthecastle，theviscountbusyinghimselfroundandroundherpersonliketheheadscraperatapig-killing；andastheywentindiscriminatelymingled，jestinglightlyortalkinginearnest，shebeheldaheadofhertheformofNeighamongtherest。
Now，therecouldonlybeonereasononearthforNeigh’spresence——
herremarkthatshemightattend——forNeightooknomoreinterestinantiquitiesthaninthebackofthemoon。Ethelbertawasalittleflurried；perhapshehadcometoscoldher，ortotreatherbadlyinthatindefinablewayofhisbywhichhecouldmakeawomanfeelasnothingwithoutanydirectactatall。Shewasafraidofhim，and，determiningtoshunhim，wasthankfulthatLordMountclerewasnear，totakeofftheedgeofNeigh’smannertowardsherifheapproached。
’Doyouknowinwhatpartoftheruinsthelectureistobegiven？’
shesaidtotheviscount。
’Whereveryoulike，’herepliedgallantly。’Doyouproposeaplace，andIwillgetDr。Yoretoadoptit。Say，shallitbehere，orwheretheyarestanding？’
HowcouldEthelbertarefrainfromexercisingalittlepowerwhenitwasputintoherhandsinthisway？
’Letitbehere，’shesaid，’ifitmakesnodifferencetothemeeting。’
’Itshallbe，’saidLordMountclere。
AndthenthelivelyoldnoblemanskippedlikearoetothePresidentandtoDr。Yore，whowastoreadthepaperonthecastle，andtheysoonappearedcomingbacktowheretheviscount’spartyandEthelbertawerebeginningtoseatthemselves。Thebulkofthecompanyfollowed，andDr。Yorebegan。
Hemusthavehadacountenanceofleather——as，indeed，fromhiscolourheappearedtohave——tostandunmovedinhisposition，andread，andlookuptogiveexplanations，withoutachangeofmuscle，underthedozensofbrighteyesthatwerethereconvergeduponhim，likethesticksofafan，fromtheladieswhosatroundhiminasemicircleuponthegrass。However，hewentoncalmly，andthewomenshelteredthemselvesfromtheheatwiththeirumbrellasandsunshades，theirearslulledbythehumofinsects，andbythedroneofthedoctor’svoice。Thereaderbuzzedonwiththehistoryofthecastle，tracingitsdevelopmentfromamoundwithafewearthworkstoitsconditioninNormantimes；herelatedmonkishmarvelsconnectedwiththespot；itsresistanceunderMatildatoStephen，itsprobableshapewhilearesidenceofKingJohn，andthesadstoryoftheDamselofBrittany，sisterofhisvictimArthur，whowasconfinedhereincompanywiththetwodaughtersofAlexander，kingofScotland。HewentontorecounttheconfinementofEdwardII。
herein，previoustohismurderatBerkeley，thegaydoingsinthereignofElizabeth，andsodownwardthroughtimetothefinaloverthrowofthesternoldpile。Asheproceeded，thelecturerpointedwithhisfingeratthevariousfeaturesappertainingtothedateofhisstory，whichhetoldwithsplendidvigourwhenhehadwarmedtohiswork，tillhisnarrative，particularlyintheconjecturalandromanticparts，whereitbecamecolouredratherbythespeaker’simaginationthanbythepigmentsofhistory，gatheredtogetherthewanderingthoughtsofall。Itwaseasyforhimthentomeetthosefairconcentredeyes，whenthesunshadeswerethrownback，andcomplexionsforgotten，intheinterestofthehistory。
Thedoctor’sfacewasthennolongercriticizedasaruggedboulder，adriedfig，anoakcarving，orawalnutshell，butbecameblottedoutlikeamountaintopinashininghazebythenebulouspicturesconjuredbyhistale。
Thenthelectureended，andquestionswereasked，andindividualsofthecompanywanderedatwill，thelightdressesoftheladiessweepingoverthehotgrassandbrushingupthistledownwhichhadhithertolainquiescent，sothatitroseinaflightfromtheskirtsofeachlikeacomet’stail。
SomeofLordMountclere’sparty，includinghimselfandEthelberta，wanderednowintoacooldungeon，partlyopentotheairoverhead，wherelongarmsofivyhungbetweentheireyesandthewhitesky。
Whiletheywerehere，LadyJaneJoyandsomeotherfriendsoftheviscounttoldEthelbertathattheywereprobablycomingontoKnollsea。
Sheinstantlyperceivedthatgettingintoclosequartersinthatwaymightbeveryinconvenient，consideringtheyoungstersshehadunderhercharge，andstraightwaydecideduponapointthatshehaddebatedforseveraldays——avisittoherauntinNormandy。InLondonithadbeenamerethought，buttheChannelhadlookedsotemptingfromitsbrinkthatthejourneywasvirtuallyfixedassoonasshereachedKnollsea，andfoundthatalittlepleasuresteamercrossedtoCherbourgonceaweekduringthesummer，sothatshewouldnothavetoenterthecrowdedroutesatall。
’IamafraidIshallnotseeyouinKnollsea，’shesaid。’IamabouttogotoCherbourgandthentoRouen。’
’HowsorryIam。Whendoyouleave？’
’Atthebeginningofnextweek，’saidEthelberta，settlingthetimethereandthen。
’DidIhearyousaythatyouweregoingtoCherbourgandRouen？’
LordMountclereinquired。
’Ithinktodoso，’saidEthelberta。
’IamgoingtoNormandymyself，’saidavoicebehindher，andwithoutturningsheknewthatNeighwasstandingthere。
Theynextwentoutside，andLordMountclereofferedEthelbertahisarmonthegroundofassistingherdowntheburnishedgrassslope。
Ethelberta，takingpityuponhim，tookit；buttheassistancewasallonherside；shestoodlikeastatueamidhisslipsandtotterings，someofwhichtaxedherstrengthheavily，andheringenuitymore，toappearasthesupportedandnotthesupporter。
TheincidentbroughtNeighstillfurtherfromhisretirement，andshelearntthathewasoneofayachtingpartywhichhadputinatKnollseathatmorning；shewasgreatlyrelievedtofindthathewasjustnowonhiswaytoLondon，whencehewouldprobablyproceedonhisjourneyabroad。
