EthelbertaadheredaswellasshecouldtoherresolvethatNeighshouldnotspeakwithheralone，butbydintofperseverancehedidmanagetoaddressherwithoutbeingoverheard。
’Willyougivemeananswer？’saidNeigh。’Ihavecomeonpurpose。’
’Icannotjustnow。Ihavebeenledtodoubtyou。’
’Doubtme？WhatnewwronghaveIdone？’
’SpokenjestinglyofmyvisittoFarnfield。’
’Good——！Ididnotspeakorthinkofyou。WhenItoldthatincidentIhadnoideawhotheladywas——Ididnotknowitwasyoutilltwodayslater，andIatonceheldmytongue。IvowtoyouuponmysoulandlifethatwhatIsayistrue。HowshallIprovemytruthbetterthanbymyerrandhere？’
’Don’tspeakofthisnow。Iamsooccupiedwithotherthings。IamgoingtoRouen，andwillthinkofitonmyway。’
’Iamgoingtheretoo。Whendoyougo？’
’IshallbeinRouennextWednesday，Ihope。’
’MayIaskwhere？’
’HotelBeauSejour。’
’Willyougivemeananswerthere？Icaneasilycalluponyou。Itisnowamonthandmoresinceyoufirstledmetohope——’
’Ididnotleadyoutohope——atanyrateclearly。’
’Indirectlyyoudid。AndalthoughIamwillingtobeasconsiderateasanymanoughttobeingivingyoutimetothinkoverthequestion，thereisalimittomypatience。AnynecessarydelayI
willputupwith，butIwon’tbetrifledwith。Ihateallnonsense，andcan’tstandit。’
’Indeed。Goodmorning。’
’ButMrs。Petherwin——justoneword。’
’Ihavenothingtosay。’
’IwillmeetyouatRouenforananswer。IwouldmeetyouinHadesforthematterofthat。Rememberthis:nextWednesday，ifIlive，IshallcalluponyouatRouen。’
Shedidnotsaynay。
’MayI？’headded。
’Ifyouwill。’
’Butsayitshallbeanappointment？’
’Verywell。’
LordMountclerewasbythistimetoddlingtowardsthemtoaskiftheywouldcomeontohishouse，EnckworthCourt，notveryfardistant，tolunchwiththerestoftheparty。Neigh，havingalreadyarrangedtogoontotownthatafternoon，wasobligedtodecline，andEthelbertathoughtfittodothesame，idlyaskingLordMountclereifEnckworthCourtlayinthedirectionofagorgethatwasvisiblewheretheystood。
’No；considerablytotheleft，’hesaid。’Theopeningyouarelookingatwouldrevealtheseaifitwerenotforthetreesthatblocktheway。Ah，thosetreeshaveahistory；theyarehalf-a-
dozenelmswhichIplantedmyselfwhenIwasaboy。Howtimeflies！’
’Itisunfortunatetheystandjustsoastocoverthebluebitofsea。Thatadditionwoulddoublethevalueoftheviewfromhere。’
’Youwouldprefertheblueseatothetrees？’
’InthatparticularspotIshould；theymighthavelookedjustaswell，andyethavehiddennothingworthseeing。Thenarrowslitwouldhavebeeninvaluablethere。’
’Theyshallfallbeforethesunsets，indeferencetoyouropinion，’
saidLordMountclere。
’Thatwouldberashindeed，’saidEthelberta，laughing，’whenmyopiniononsuchapointmaybeworthnothingwhatever。’
’Wherenootherisactedupon，itispracticallytheuniversalone，’
herepliedgaily。
AndthenEthelberta’selderlyadmirerbadeheradieu，andawaythewholepartydroveinalongtrainoverthehillstowardsthevalleywhereinstoodEnckworthCourt。Ethelberta’scarriagewassupposedbyherfriendstohavebeenleftatthevillageinn，asweremanyothers，andherretiringfromviewonfootattractednonotice。
Shewatchedthemoutofsight，andshealsosawtherestdepart——
thosewho，theirinterestinarchaeologyhavingbegunandendedwiththisspot，had，likeherself，declinedthehospitableviscount’sinvitation，andstartedtodriveorwalkatoncehomeagain。
ThereuponthecastlewasquitedesertedexceptbyEthelberta，theass，andthejackdaws，nowflounderingateaseagaininandabouttheivyofthekeep。
NotwishingtoenterKnollseatilltheeveningshadeswerefalling，shestillwalkedamidtheruins，examiningmoreleisurelysomepointswhichthestressofkeepingherselfcompanionablewouldnotallowhertoattendtowhiletheassemblagewaspresent。Attheendofthesurvey，beingsomewhatwearywithherclambering，shesatdownontheslopecommandingthegorgewherethetreesgrew，tomakeapencilsketchofthelandscapeasitwasrevealedbetweentheraggedwalls。ThusengagedsheweighedthecircumstancesofLordMountclere’sinvitation，andcouldnotbecertainifitwereprudishnessorsimpleproprietyinherselfwhichhadinstigatedhertorefuse。Shewouldhavelikedthevisitformanyreasons，andifLordMountclerehadbeenanybodybutaremarkablyattentiveoldwidower，shewouldhavegone。Asitwas，ithadoccurredtoherthattherewassomethinginhistonewhichshouldleadhertohesitate。Wereanyamongtheelderlyormarriedladieswhohadappeareduponthegroundinadetachedformasshehaddone——andmanyhadappearedthus——invitedtoEnckworth；andifnot，whyweretheynot？ThatLordMountclereadmiredhertherewasnodoubt，andforthisreasonitbehovedhertobecareful。Hisdisappointmentatpartingfromherwas，inoneaspect，simplylaughable，fromitsoddresemblancetotheunfeignedsorrowofaboyoffifteenatafirstpartingfromhisfirstlove；inanotheraspectitcausedreflection；
andshethoughtagainofhiscuriosityaboutherdoingsfortheremainderofthesummer。
Whileshesketchedandthoughtthus，theshadowsgrewlonger，andthesunlow。Andthensheperceivedamovementinthegorge。Oneofthetreesformingthecurtainacrossitbegantowavestrangely:
itwentfurthertooneside，andfell。Wherethetreehadstoodwasnowarentinthefoliage，andthroughthenarrowrentcouldbeseenthedistantsea。
Ethelbertautteredasoftexclamation。Itwasnotcausedbythesurpriseshehadfelt，norbytheintrinsicinterestofthesight，norbywantofcomprehension。Itwasasuddenrealizationofvaguethingshithertodreamedoffromadistanceonly——asenseofnovelpowerputintoherhandswithoutrequestorexpectation。A
landscapewastobealteredtosuitherwhim。Shehadinherlifetimemovedessentiallylargermountains，buttheyhadseemedoffarlesssplendidmaterialthanthis；foritwasthenatureofthegratificationratherthanitsmagnitudewhichenchantedthefancyofawomanwhosepoetry，inspiteofhernecessities，washardlyyetextinguished。Buttherewassomethingmore，withwhichpoetryhadlittletodo。WhethertheopinionofanyprettywomaninEnglandwasofmoreweightwithLordMountclerethanmemoriesofhisboyhood，orwhetherthatdistinctionwasreservedforheralone；
thiswasapointthatshewouldhavelikedtoknow。
Theenjoymentofpowerinanewelement，anenjoymentsomewhatresemblinginkindthatwhichisgivenbyafirstrideorswim，heldEthelbertatothespot，andshewaited，butsketchednomore。
Anothertree-topswayedandvanishedasbefore，andtheslitofseawaslargerstill。Hermindandeyeweresooccupiedwiththismatterthat，sittinginhernook，shedidnotobserveathinyoungman，hisbootswhitewiththedustofalongjourneyonfoot，whoarrivedatthecastlebythevalley-roadfromKnollsea。Helookedawhileattheruin，and，skirtingitsflankinsteadofenteringbythegreatgateway，climbedupthescarpandwalkedinthroughabreach。Afterstandingforamomentamongthewalls，nowsilentandapparentlyempty，withadisappointedlookhedescendedtheslope，andproceededalongonhisway。
Ethelberta，whowasinquiteanotherpartofthecastle，sawtheblackspotdiminishingtothesizeofaflyasherecededalongthedustyroad，andsoonaftershedescendedontheotherside，wheresheremountedtheass，andambledhomewardasshehadcome，innobrightmood。What，seeingtheprecariousnessofherstate，wastheday’striumphworthafterall，unless，beforeherbeautyabated，shecouldensureherpositionagainsttheattacksofchance？
’Tobethusisnothing；
Buttobesafelythus。’——
shesaiditmorethanonceonherjourneythatday。
Onenteringthesitting-roomoftheircotupthehillshefounditempty，andfromachangeperceptibleinthepositionofsmallarticlesoffurniture，somethingunusualseemedtohavetakenplaceinherabsence。Thedwellingbeingofthatsortinwhichwhatevergoesoninoneroomisaudiblethroughalltherest，Picotee，whowasupstairs，heardthearrivalandcamedown。Picotee’sfacewasrosedoverwiththebrillianceofsomeexcitement。’WhatdoyouthinkIhavetotellyou，Berta？’shesaid。
’Ihavenoidea，’saidhersister。’Surely，’sheadded，herfaceintensifyingtoawansadness，’Mr。Julianhasnotbeenhere？’
’Yes，’saidPicotee。’Andwewentdowntothesands——he，andMyrtle，andGeorgina，andEmmeline，andI——andCorneliacamedownwhenshehadputawaythedinner。AndthenwedugwrigglesoutofthesandwithMyrtle’sspade:wegotsuchalot，andhadsuchfun；
theyareinadishinthekitchen。Mr。Juliancametoseeyou；butatlasthecouldwaitnolonger，andwhenItoldhimyouwereatthemeetinginthecastleruinshesaidhewouldtrytofindyouthereonhiswayhome，ifhecouldgettherebeforethemeetingbrokeup。’
’ThenitwasheIsawfarawayontheroad——yes，itmusthavebeen。’
Sheremainedingloomyreverieafewmoments，andthensaid，’Verywell——letitbe。Picotee，getmesometea:Idonotwantdinner。’
ButthenewsofChristopher’svisitseemedtohavetakenawayherappetiteforteaalso，andaftersittingalittlewhilesheflungherselfdownuponthecouch，andtoldPicoteethatshehadsettledtogoandseetheirauntCharlotte。
’IamgoingtowritetoSolandDantoaskthemtomeetmethere，’
sheadded。’Iwantthem，ifpossible，toseeParis。Itwillimprovethemgreatlyintheirtrades，Iamthinking，iftheycanseethekindsofjoineryanddecorationpractisedinFrance。Theyagreedtogo，ifIshouldwishit，beforeweleftLondon。You，ofcourse，willgoasmymaid。’
Picoteegazedupontheseawithacrestfallenlook，asifshewouldrathernotcrossitinanycapacityjustthen。
’Itwouldscarcelybeworthgoingtotheexpenseoftakingme，wouldit？’shesaid。
ThecauseofPicotee’ssuddensenseofeconomywassoplainthathersistersmiled；butyounglove，howeverfoolish，istoathinkingpersonfartootragicapowerforridicule；andEthelbertaforbore，goingonasifPicoteehadnotspoken:’Imusthaveyouwithme。I
maybeseenthere:somanyarepassingthroughRouenatthistimeoftheyear。Corneliacantakeexcellentcareofthechildrenwhilewearegone。IwanttogetoutofEngland，andIwillgetoutofEngland。Thereisnothingbutvanityandvexationhere。’
’Iamsorryyouwereawaywhenhecalled，’saidPicoteegently。
’O，Idon’tmeanthat。Iwishtherewerenodifferentranksintheworld，andthatcontrivancewerenotanecessaryfacultytohaveatall。Well，wearegoingtocrossbythelittlesteamerthatputsinhere，andwearegoingonMonday。’Sheaddedinanotherminute，’WhathadMr。Juliantotellusthathecamehere？Howdidhefindusout？’
’ImentionedthatwewerecominghereinmylettertoFaith。Mr。
Juliansaysthatperhapsheandhissistermayalsocomeforafewdaysbeforetheseasonisover。IshouldliketoseeMissJulianagain。Sheissuchanicegirl。’
’Yes。’Ethelbertaplayedwithherhair，andlookedattheceilingasshereclined。’Ihavedecidedafterall，’shesaid，’thatitwillbebettertotakeCorneliaasmymaid，andleaveyouherewiththechildren。Corneliaisstrongerasacompanionthanyou，andshewillbedelightedtogo。DoyouthinkyouarecompetenttokeepMyrtleandGeorginaoutofharm’sway？’
’Oyes——Iwillbeexceedinglycareful，’saidPicotee，withgreatvivacity。’AndifthereistimeIcangoonteachingthemalittle。’ThenPicoteecaughtEthelberta’seye，andcolouringred，sankdownbesidehersister，whispering，’Iknowwhyitis！ButifyouwouldratherhavemewithyouIwillgo，andnotoncewishtostay。’
Ethelbertalookedasifsheknewallaboutthat，andsaid，’OfcoursetherewillbenonecessitytotelltheJuliansaboutmydepartureuntiltheyhavefixedthetimeforcoming，andcannotaltertheirminds。’
ThesoundofthechildrenwithCornelia，andtheirappearanceoutsidethewindow，pushingbetweenthefuchsiabusheswhichoverhungthepath，putanendtothisdialogue；theyenteredarmedwithbucketsandspades，averymoistandsandyaspectpervadingthemasfarupasthehigh-watermarkoftheirclothing，andbegantotellEthelbertaofthewondersofthedeep。
32。AROOMINENCKWORTHCOURT
’Areyousurethereportistrue？’
’IamsurethatwhatIsayistrue，mylord；butitishardlytobecalledareport。Itisasecret，knownatpresenttonobodybutmyselfandMrs。Doncastle’smaid。’
ThespeakerwasLordMountclere’strustyvalet，andtheconversationwasbetweenhimandtheviscountinadressing-roomatEnckworthCourt，ontheeveningafterthemeetingofarchaeologistsatCorvsgateCastle。
’H’m-h’m；thedaughterofabutler。DoesMrs。Doncastleknowofthisyet，orMr。Neigh，oranyoftheirfriends？’
’No，mylord。’
’Youarequitepositive？’
’Quitepositive。Iwas，byaccident，thefirstthatMrs。Menlovenamedthematterto，andItoldheritmightbemuchtoheradvantageifshetookparticularcareitshouldgonofurther。’
’Mrs。Menlove！Who’sshe？’
’Thelady’s-maidatMrs。Doncastle’s，mylord。’
’O，ah——ofcourse。Youmayleavemenow，Tipman。’LordMountclereremainedinthoughtforamoment。’Acleverlittlepuss，tohoodwinkusalllikethis——hee-hee！’hemurmured。’Hereducation——
howfinished；andherbeauty——soseldomthatImeetwithsuchawoman。Cutdownmyelmstopleaseabutler’sdaughter——whatajoke——
certainlyagoodjoke！Tointerestmeinherontherightsideinsteadofthewrongwasstrange。Butitcanbemadetochangesides——hee-hee！——itcanbemadetochangesides！Tipman！’
Tipmancameforwardfromthedoorway。
’Willyoutakecarethatthatpieceofgossipyoumentionedtomeisnotrepeatedinthishouse？Istronglydisapproveoftalebearingofanysort，andwishtohearnomoreofthis。Suchstoriesarenevertrue。Answerme——doyouhear？Suchstoriesarenevertrue。’
’Ibegpardon，butIthinkyourlordshipwillfindthisonetrue，’
saidthevaletquietly。
’Thenwheredidshegethermannersandeducation？Doyouknow？’
’Idonot，mylord。Isupposeshepicked’emupbyherwits。’
’Nevermindwhatyousuppose，’saidtheoldmanimpatiently。
’WheneverIaskaquestionofyoutellmewhatyouknow，andnomore。’
’Quiteso，mylord。Ibegyourlordship’spardonforsupposing。’
’H’m-h’m。Havethefashion-booksandplatesarrivedyet？’
’LeFollethas，mylord；butnottheothers。’
’Letmehaveitatonce。Alwaysbringittomeatonce。Arethereanyhandsomeonesthistime？’
’Theyaremuchthesameclassoffemaleasusual，Ithink，mylord，’
saidTipman，fetchingthepaperandlayingitbeforehim。
’Yes，theyare，’saidtheviscount，leaningbackandscrutinizingthefacesofthewomenonebyone，andtalkingsoftlytohimselfinawaythathadgrownuponhimashisageincreased。’Yettheyareverywell:thatonewithhershoulderturnedispureandcharming——
thebrown-hairedonewillpass。Allveryharmlessandinnocent，butwithoutcharacter；nosoul，orinspiration，oreloquenceofeye。
Whataneyewashers！Thereisnotagirlamongthemsobeautiful……Tipman！Comeandtakeitaway。Idon’tthinkIwillsubscribetothesepapersanylonger——howlonghaveIsubscribed？
Nevermind——Itakenointerestinthesethings，andIsupposeImustgivethemup。WhatwhitearticleisthatIseeontheflooryonder？’
’Icanseenothing，mylord。’
’Yes，yes，youcan。Attheotherendoftheroom。Itisawhitehandkerchief。Bringittome。’
’Ibegpardon，mylord，butIcannotseeanywhitehandkerchief。
Whereaboutsdoesyourlordshipmean？’
’Thereinthecorner。Ifitisnotahandkerchief，whatisit？
Walkalongtillyoucometoit——thatisit；nowalittlefurther——
nowyourfootisagainstit。’
’Othat——itisnotanything。Itisthelightreflectedagainsttheskirting，sothatitlookslikeawhitepatchofsomething——thatisall。’
’H’m-hm。Myeyes——howweaktheyare！Iamgettingold，that’swhatitis:Iamanoldman。’
’Ono，mylord。’
’Yes，anoldman。’
’Well，weshallallbeoldsomeday，andsowillyourlordship，I
suppose；butasyet——’
’ItellyouIamanoldman！’
’Yes，mylord——Ididnotmeantocontradict。Anoldmaninonesense——oldinayoungman’ssense，butnotinahouse-of-parliamentorhistoricalsense。Alittleoldish——Imeantthat，mylord。’
’Imaybeanoldmaninonesenseorinanothersenseinyourmind；
butletmetellyoutherearemenolderthanI——’
’Yes，sothereare，mylord。’
’Peoplemaycallmewhattheyplease，andyoumaybeimpertinentenoughtorepeattomewhattheysay，butletmetellyouIamnotaveryoldmanafterall。Iamnotanoldman。’
’OldinknowledgeoftheworldImeant，mylord，notinyears。’
’Well，yes。ExperienceofcourseIcannotbewithout。AndIlikewhatisbeautiful。Tipman，youmustgotoKnollsea；don’tsend，butgoyourself，asIwishnobodyelsetobeconcernedinthis。GotoKnollsea，andfindoutwhenthesteamboatforCherbourgstarts；andwhenyouhavedonethat，IshallwantyoutosendTaylortome。I
wishCaptainStrongtobringtheFawnroundintoKnollseaBay。NextweekImaywantyoutogotoCherbourgintheyachtwithme——iftheChannelisprettycalm——andthenperhapstoRouenandParis。ButI
willspeakofthatto-morrow。’
’Verygood，mylord。’
’MeanwhileIrecommendthatyouandMrs。Menloverepeatnothingyoumayhaveheardconcerningtheladyyoujustnowspokeof。HereisaslightpresentforMrs。Menlove；andacceptthisforyourself。’Hehandedmoney。
’Yourlordshipmaybesurewewillnot，’thevaletreplied。
33。THEENGLISHCHANNEL-NORMANDY
OnMondaymorningthelittlesteamerSpeedwellmadeherappearanceroundthepromontorybyKnollseaBay，totakeinpassengersforthetransittoCherbourg。Breezesthefreshestthatcouldblowwithoutvergingonkeennessflewoverthequiveringdeepsandshallows；andthesunbeamspiercedeverydetailofbarrow，pathandrabbit-runupontheloftyconvexityofdownandwastewhichshutinKnollseafromtheworldtothewest。
Theyleftthepierateighto’clock，takingatfirstashorteasterlycoursetoavoidasinisterledgeoflimestonesjuttingfromthewaterlikecrocodile’steeth，whichfirstobtainednotorietyinEnglishhistorythroughbeingthespotwhereonaformidableDanishfleetwenttopiecesathousandyearsago。AtthemomentthattheSpeedwellturnedtoenteruponthedirectcourse，aschooner-yacht，whosesheetsgleamedlikebridalsatin，loosedfromaremoterpartofthebay；continuingtobearoff，shecutacrossthesteamer’swake，andtookacoursealmostduesoutherly，whichwaspreciselythatoftheSpeedwell。Thewindwasveryfavourablefortheyacht，blowingafewpointsfromnorthinasteadypressureonherquarter，and，havingbeenbuiltwitheverymodernappliancethatshipwrightscouldoffer，theschoonerfoundnodifficultyingettingabreast，andevenahead，ofthesteamer，assoonasshehadescapedtheshelterofthehills。
ThemoreorlessparallelcoursesofthevesselscontinuedforsometimewithoutcausinganyremarkamongthepeopleonboardtheSpeedwell。Atlengthonenoticedthefact，andanother；andthenitbecamethegeneraltopicofconversationinthegroupuponthebridge，whereEthelberta，herhairgettingfrizzedandhercheekscarnationedbythewind，satuponacamp-stoollookingtowardstheprow。
’SheisboundforGuernsey，’saidone。’Inhalf-an-hourshewillputaboutforamorewesterlycourse，you’llsee。’
’SheisnotforGuernseyoranywherethatway，’saidanacquaintance，lookingthroughhisglass。’Ifsheisoutforanythingmorethanamorningcruise，sheisboundforourport。I
shouldnotwonderifsheiscrossingtogetstocked，asmostofthemdo，tosavethedutyonherwineandprovisions。’
’Doyouknowwhoseyachtitis？’
’Idonot。’
Ethelbertalookedatthelightleaningfigureoftheprettyschooner，whichseemedtoskatealonguponherbilgeandmakewhiteshavingsofalltheseathattouchedher。SheatfirstimaginedthatthismightbetheyachtNeighhadarrivedinattheendofthepreviousweek，forsheknewthathecameasoneofayachtingparty，andshehadnoticednootherboatofthatsortinthebaysincehisarrival。Butasallhispartyhadgoneashoreandnotyetreturned，shewassurprisedtoseethesupposedvesselhere。Toaddtoherperplexity，shecouldnotbepositive，nowthatitcametoarealnauticalquery，whetherthecraftofNeigh’sfriendshadonemastortwo，forshehadcaughtbutafragmentaryviewofthetopsailovertheapple-trees。
’IsthattheyachtwhichhasbeenlyingatKnollseaforthelastfewdays？’sheinquiredofthemasteroftheSpeedwell，assoonasshehadanopportunity。
Themasterwarmedbeneathhiscopper-colouredrind。’Ono，miss；
thatoneyousawwasacutter——asmallerboataltogether，’hereplied。’Builtonthesliding-keelprinciple，youunderstand，miss——andredbelowherwater-line，ifyounoticed。ThisisLordMountclere’syacht——theFawn。Youmighthaveseenherre’chinginroundOld-HarryRockthismorningaforewestarted。’
’LordMountclere’s？’
’Yes——anoblemanofthisneighbourhood。Buthedon’tdosomuchatyachtingasheusedtoinhisyoungerdays。Ibelievehe’saboardthismorning，however。’
Ethelbertanowbecamemoreabsorbedthaneverintheiroceancomrade，andwatcheditsmotionscontinually。Theschoonerwasconsiderablyinadvanceofthembythistime，andseemedtobegettingbydegreesoutoftheircourse。ShewonderedifLordMountclerecouldbereallygoingtoCherbourg:ifso，whyhadhesaidnothingaboutthetriptoherwhenshespokeofherownapproachingvoyagethither？Theyachtchangeditscharacterinhereyes；losingtheindefiniteinterestoftheunknown，itacquiredthecharmofariddleonmotives，ofwhichthealternativeswere，hadLordMountclere’sjourneyanythingtodowithherown，orhaditnot？Commonprobabilitypointedtothelattersupposition；butthetimeofstarting，thecourseoftheyacht，andrecollectionsofLordMountclere’shomage，suggestedthemoreextraordinarypossibility。
ShewentacrosstoCornelia。’Themanwhohandedusonboard——
didn’tIseehimspeakingtoyouthismorning？’shesaid。
’Oyes，’saidCornelia。’HeaskedifmymistresswasthepopularMrs。Petherwin？
’Andyoutoldhim，Isuppose？’
’Yes。’
’Whatmadeyoudothat，Cornelia？’
’IthoughtImight:Icouldn’thelpit。WhenIwentthroughthetoll-gate，suchagentlemanly-lookingmanaskedmeifheshouldhelpmetocarrythethingstotheendofthepier；andaswewentontogetherhesaidhesupposedmetobeMrs。Petherwin’smaid。I
said，\"Yes。\"Thetwomenmetafterwards，sotherewouldha’beennogoodinmydenyingittooneof’em。’
’Whowasthisgentlemanlyperson？’
’Iaskedtheothermanthat，andhetoldmeoneofLordMountclere’supperservants。Iknewthentherewasnoharminhavingbeenciviltohim。Heiswell-mannered，andtalkssplendidlanguage。’
’ThatyachtyouseeonourrighthandisLordMountclere’sproperty。
IfIdonotmistake，weshallhavehercloserby-and-by，andyoumaymeetyourgentlemanlyfriendagain。Becarefulhowyoutalktohim。’
Ethelbertasatdown，thoughtofthemeetingatCorvsgateCastle，ofthedinner-partyatMr。Doncastle’s，ofthestrangepositionshehadtherebeenin，andthenofherfather。Shesuddenlyreproachedherselfforthoughtlessness；forinherpocketlayaletterfromhim，whichshehadtakenfromthepostmanthatmorningatthemomentofcomingfromthedoor，andinthehurryofembarkinghadforgotteneversince。Openingitquickly，sheread:——
’MYDEARETHELBERTA，——Yourletterreachedmeyesterday，andIcalledroundatExonburyCrescentintheafternoon，asyouwished。
Everythingisgoingonrightthere，andyouhavenooccasiontobeanxiousaboutthem。Idonotleavetownforanotherweekortwo，andbythetimeIamgoneSolandDanwillhavereturnedfromParis，ifyourmotherandGwendolinewantanyhelp:sothatyouneednothurrybackontheiraccount。
’Ihavesomethingelsetotellyou，whichisnotquitesosatisfactory，anditisthisthatmakesmewriteatonce；butdonotbealarmed。Itbeganinthisway。Afewnightsafterthedinner-
partyhereIwasdeterminedtofindoutiftherewasanytruthinwhatyouhadbeentoldaboutthatboy，andhavingseenMenlovegooutasusualafterdark，Ifollowedher。Sureenough，whenshehadgotintothepark，upcamemasterJoe，smokingacigar。AssoonastheyhadmetIwenttowardsthem，andMenlove，seeingsomebodydrawnigh，begantoedgeoff，whentheblockheadsaid，\"Nevermind，mylove，itisonlytheoldman。\"Beingveryprovokedwithbothofthem，thoughshewasreallythemosttoblame，Igavehimsomesmartcutsacrosstheshoulderswithmycane，andtoldhimtogohome，whichhedidwithafleainhisear，therascal。IbelieveIhavecuredhiscourtingtricksforsomelittletime。
’Well，Menlovethenwalkedbyme，quitecool，asifsheweremerelyaladypassingbychanceatthetime，whichprovokedmestillmore，knowingthewholetruthofit，andIcouldnothelpturninguponherandsaying，\"You，madam，oughttobeservedthesameway。\"Sherepliedinveryhaughtywords，andIwalkedaway，sayingthatIhadsomethingbettertodothanarguewithawomanofhercharacteratthathouroftheevening。Thissosetherupthatshefollowedmehome，marchedintomypantry，andtoldmethatifIhadbeenmorecarefulaboutmymannersincallingherabadcharacter，itmighthavebeenbetterbothformeandmystuck-updaughter——adawineagle’splumes——andsoon。NowitseemsthatshemusthavecoaxedsomethingoutofJoeyaboutyou——forwhatladintheworldcouldbeamatchforawomanofherexperienceandarts！Ihopeshewilldoyounoseriousdamage；butItellyouthewholestateofaffairsexactlyastheyare，thatyoumayformyourownopinions。Afterall，thereisnorealdisgrace，fornoneofushaveeverdonewrong，buthaveworkedhonestlyforaliving。However，Iwillletyouknowifanythingseriousreallyhappens。’
Thiswasallthatherfathersaidonthematter，theletterconcludingwithmessagestothechildrenanddirectionsfromtheirmotherwithregardtotheirclothes。
Ethelbertafeltverydistinctlythatshewasinastrait；theoldimpressionthat，unlessherpositionweresecuredsoon，itneverwouldbesecured，returnedwithgreatforce。Adoubtwhetheritwasworthsecuringwouldhavebeenverystrongerethis，hadnotothersbesidesherselfbeenconcernedinherfortunes。Shelookedupfromherletter，andbeheldthepertinaciousyacht；itledheruptoaconvictionthatthereinlayameansandanopportunity。
Nothingfurtherofimportanceoccurredincrossing。Ethelberta’sheadachedafterawhile，andCornelia’shealthycheeksofredwerefoundtohavediminishedtheircolourtothesizeofawaferandthequalityofastain。TheSpeedwellenteredthebreakwateratCherbourgtofindtheschooneralreadyintheroadstead；andbythetimethesteamerwasbroughtupEthelbertacouldseethemenonboardtheyachtclewingupandmakingthingssnuginawayfromwhichsheinferredthattheywerenotgoingtoleavetheharbouragainthatday。Withtheaspectofafairgalleonthatcouldeasilyout-manoeuvreherperseveringbuccaneer，Ethelbertapassedalongside。CoulditbepossiblethatLordMountclerehadonheraccountfixedthisdayforhisvisitacrosstheChannel？
’Well，IwouldratherbehauntedbyhimthanbyMr。Neigh，’shesaid；andbeganlayingherplanssoastoguardagainstinconvenientsurprises。
ThenextmorningEthelbertawasattherailwaystation，takingticketsforherselfandCornelia，whenshesawanoldyetslyandsomewhatmerry-facedEnglishmanalittlewayoff。Hewasattendedbyayoungerman，whoappearedtobehisvalet。
’Iwillexchangeoneofthesetickets，’shesaidtotheclerk，andhavingdonesoshewenttoCorneliatoinformherthatitwouldafterallbeadvisableforthemtotravelseparate，adding，’LordMountclereisinthestation，andIthinkheisgoingonbyourtrain。Remember，youaremymaidagainnow。Isnotthatthegentlemanlymanwhoassistedyouyesterday？’Shesignifiedthevaletasshespoke。
’Itis，’saidCornelia。
Whenthepassengersweretakingtheirseats，andEthelbertawasthinkingwhethershemightnotafterallenterasecond-classwithCorneliainsteadofsittingsolitaryinafirstbecauseofanoldman’sproximity，sheheardashufflingatherelbow，andthenextmomentfoundthathewasovertlyobservingherasifhehadnotdonesoinsecretatall。Sheatoncegavehimanunsurprisedgestureofrecognition。’Isawyousometimeago；whatasingularcoincidence，’shesaid。
’Acharmingone，’saidLordMountclere，smilingahalf-minutesmile，andmakingasifhewouldtakehishatoffandwouldnotquite。
’Perhapswemustnotcallitcoincidenceentirely，’hecontinued；
’myjourney，whichIhavecontemplatedforsometime，wasnotfixedthisweekaltogetherwithoutathoughtofyourpresenceontheroad——
hee-hee！Doyougofarto-day？’
’AsfarasCaen，’saidEthelberta。
’Ah！That’stheendofmyday’sjourney，too，’saidLordMountclere。Theypartedandtooktheirrespectiveplaces，LordMountclerechoosingacompartmentnexttotheoneEthelbertawasentering，andnot，asshehadexpected，attemptingtojoinher。
Nowshehadinstantlyfanciedwhentheviscountwasspeakingthatthereweresignsofsomedeparturefromhisformerrespectfulmannertowardsher；andanenigmalayinthat。Attheirearliermeetingshehadneverventureduponadistinctcouplingofhimselfandherselfashehaddoneinhisbroadcomplimentto-day——ifcomplimentitcouldbecalled。Shewasnotsurethathedidnotexceedhislicenseintellingherdeliberatelythathehadmeanttohovernearherinaprivatejourneywhichshewastakingwithoutreferencetohim。Shedidnotobjecttotheact，buttotheavowaloftheact；
and，beingassensitiveasabarometeronsignsaffectinghersocialcondition，itdarteduponEthelbertaforonelittlemomentthathemightpossiblyhaveheardawordortwoaboutherbeingnothingmorenorlessthanoneofatribeofthralls；hencehisfreedomofmanner。Certainlyaplainremarkofthatsortwasexactlywhatasusceptiblepeermightbesupposedtosaytoaprettywomanoffarinferiordegree。Arapidrednessfilledherfaceatthethoughtthathemighthavesmileduponherasuponadomesticwhomhewasdisposedtochuckunderthechin。’Butno，’shesaid。’Hewouldneverhavetakenthetroubletofollowandmeetwithmehadhelearnttothinkmeotherthanalady。Itisextremityofdevotion——
that’sall。’
ItwasnotEthelberta’sinexperience，butthatherconceptionofselfprecludedsuchanassociationofideas，whichledhertodismissthesurmisethathisattendancecouldbeinspiredbyamotivebeyondthatofpayingherlegitimateattentionsasaco-
ordinatewithhimandhisinthesocialfield。Evenifheonlymeantflirtation，shereaditasofthatsortfromwhichcourtshipwithaneyetomatrimonydiffersonlyindegree。Hence，shethought，hisinterestinherwasnotlikely，undertheordinaryinfluencesofcastefeeling，tocontinuelongerthanwhilehewaskeptinignoranceofherconsanguinitywithastockproscribed。Shesighedattheanticipatedcloseofherfull-featheredtoweringwhenhertiesandbondsshouldbeuncovered。Shemighthaveseenmattersinadifferentlight，andsighedmore。Butinthestirofthemomentitescapedherthoughtthatignoranceofherposition，andaconsequentregardforherasawomanofgoodstanding，wouldhavepreventedhisindulgenceinanycoursewhichwasopentotheconstructionofbeingdisrespectful。
Valognes，Carentan，Isigny，Bayeux，werepassed，andthetraindrewupatCaen。Ethelberta’sintentionhadbeentostayhereforonenight，buthavinglearntfromLordMountclere，aspreviouslydescribed，thatthiswashisdestination，shedecidedtogoon。OnturningtowardsthecarriageafterafewminutesofpromenadingattheCaenstation，shewassurprisedtoperceivethatLordMountclere，whohadalightedasiftoleave，wasstillthere。
Theyspokeagaintoeachother。’IfindIhavetogofurther，’hesuddenlysaid，whenshehadchattedwithhimalittletime。Andbeckoningtothemanwhowasattendingtohisbaggage，hedirectedthethingstobeagainplacedinthetrain。
Timepassed，andtheychangedatthenextjunction。WhenEthelbertaenteredacarriageonthebranchlinetotakeherseatfortheremainderofthejourney，theresattheviscountinthesamedivision。HeexplainedthathewasgoingtoRouen。
Ethelbertacametoaquickresolution。Heraudacity，likethatofachildgettingnearerandneareraparent’sside，becamewonderfullyvigorousassheapproachedherdestination；andthoughtherewerethreegoodhoursoftraveltoRouenasyet，theheavierpartofthejourneywaspast。Atheraunt’swouldbeasaferefuge，playwhatpranksshemight，andthereshewouldto-morrowmeetthosebravestofdefendersSolandDan，towhomshehadsentasmuchmoneyasshecouldconvenientlysparetowardstheirexpenses，withdirectionsthattheyweretocomebythemosteconomicalroute，andmeetheratthehouseofheraunt，MadameMoulin，previoustotheireducationaltriptoParis，theirowncontributionbeingthevalueoftheweek’sworktheywouldhavetolose。ThusbackedupbySolandDan，heraunt，andCornelia，Ethelbertafeltquitethereverseofalonelyfemalepersecutedbyawickedlordinaforeigncountry。’Heshallpayforhisweaknesses，whatevertheymean，’shethought；’andwhattheymeanIwillfindoutatonce。’
’IamgoingtoParis，’shesaid。
’Youcannotto-night，Ithink。’
’To-morrow，Imean。’
’Ishouldliketogoonto-morrow。PerhapsImay。Sothatthereisachanceofourmeetingagain。’
’Yes；butIdonotleaveRouentilltheafternoon。Ifirstshallgotothecathedral，anddriveroundthecity。’
LordMountcleresmiledpleasantly。Thereseemedasortofencouragementinherwords。Ethelberta’sthoughts，however，hadflownatthatmomenttotheapproachingsituationatheraunt’shotel:itwouldbeextremelyembarrassingifheshouldgothere。
’Wheredoyoustay，LordMountclere？’shesaid。
Thusdirectlyasked，hecouldnotbutcommithimselftothenameofthehotelhehadbeenaccustomedtopatronize，whichwasoneintheupperpartofthecity。
’Mineisnotthatone，’saidEthelbertafrigidly。
Nofurtherremarkwasmadeunderthishead，andtheyconversedfortheremainderofthedaylightonsceneryandothertopics，LordMountclere’sairoffestivitylendinghimallthequalitiesofanagreeablecompanion。Butnotwithstandingherresolve，Ethelbertafailed，forthatdayatleast，tomakehermindclearuponLordMountclere’sintentions。Tothatendshewouldhavelikedfirsttoknowwhatweretheexactlimitssetbysocietytoconductunderpresentconditions，ifsocietyhadeversetanyatall，whichwasopentoquestion:sinceexperiencehadlongagotaughtherthatmuchmorefreedomactuallyprevailsinthecommunionofthesexesthanisputonpaperasetiquette，oradmittedinsomanywordsascorrectbehaviour。Inshort，everythingturneduponwhetherhehadlearntofherpositionwhenofftheplatformatMayfairHall。
Weariedwiththesesurmises，andtheday’stravel，sheclosedhereyes。Andthenherenamouredcompanionmorewidelyopenedhis，andtracedthebeautifulfeaturesoppositehim。Thearchofthebrows——
likeaslurinmusic——thedroopofthelashes，themeetingofthelips，andthesweetrotundityofthechin——onebyone，andalltogether，theywereadored，tillhisheartwaslikearetortfullofspiritsofwine。
Itwasawarmevening，andwhentheyarrivedattheirjourney’senddistantthunderrolledbehindheavyandopaqueclouds。Ethelbertabadeadieutoherattentivesatellite，calledtoCornelia，andenteredacab；butbeforetheyreachedtheinnthethunderhadincreased。Thenacloudcrackedintoflamebehindtheironspireofthecathedral，showinginreliefitsblackribsandstanchions，asiftheywerethebarsofablazingcressetheldonhigh。
’Ah，wewillclamberupthereto-morrow，’saidEthelberta。
Awondrousstillnesspervadedthestreetsofthecityafterthis，thoughitwasnotlate；andtheirarrivalatM。Moulin’sdoorwasquiteaneventforthequay。Noraincame，astheyhadexpected，andbythetimetheyhaltedthewesternskyhadcleared，sothatthenewly-litlampsonthequay，andtheeveningglowshiningovertheriver，inwovetheirharmoniousraysasthewarpandwoofofonelustroustissue。BeforetheyhadalightedthereappearedfromthearchwayMadameMoulininperson，followedbytheservantsofthehotelinamannersignifyingthattheydidnotreceiveavisitoronceafortnight，thoughatthatmomenttheclatterofsixtyknives，forks，andtongueswasaudiblethroughanopenwindowfromtheadjoiningdining-room，tothegreatinterestofagroupofidlersoutside。EthelbertahadnotseenherauntsinceshelastpassedthroughthetownwithLadyPetherwin，whothentoldherthatthislandladywastheonlyrespectablerelativesheseemedtohaveintheworld。
AuntCharlotte’sfacewasanEnglishoutlinefilledinwithFrenchshadesundertheeyes，onthebrows，androundthemouth，bythenaturaleffectofyears；sheresembledtheBritishhostessaslittleaswellcouldbe，nopointinhercausingtheslightestsuggestionofdropstakenforthestomach’ssake。Tellingthetwoyoungwomenshewouldgladlyhavemetthematthestationhadsheknownthehouroftheirarrival，shekissedthembothwithoutmuchapparentnoticeofadifferenceintheirconditions；indeed，seemingrathertoinclinetoCornelia，whosecountryfaceandhomelystyleofclothingmayhavebeenmoretohermindthanEthelberta’sfinishedtravelling-dress，aclassofarticletowhichsheappearedtobewellaccustomed。Herhusbandwasatthistimeattheheadofthetable-d’hote，andmentioningthefactasanexcuseforhisnon-
appearance，sheaccompaniedthemupstairs。
AfterthestrainofkeepingupsmileswithLordMountclere，therattleandshaking，andthegeneralexcitementsofthechaseacrossthewaterandalongtherail，afaceinwhichshesawadimreflexofhermother’swassoothingintheextreme，andEthelbertawentuptothestaircasewithafeelingofexpansivethankfulness。Corneliapausedtoadmirethecleancourtandthesmallcagedbirdssleepingontheirperches，theboxesofveronicainbloom，ofoleander，andoftamarisk，whichfreshenedtheairofthecourtandlentaromancetothelamplight，thecooksintheirpapercapsandwhiteblousesappearingatoddmomentsfromanAvernusbehind；whiletheprompt’v’la！’ofteetotumsinmobcaps，spinningdownthestaircaseinanswertotheperiodicclangofbells，filledherwithwonder，andprickedherconsciencewiththoughtsofhowseldomsuchtranscendentnimblenesswasattemptedbyherselfinapartsonearlysimilar。
34。THEHOTELBEAUSEJOURANDSPOTSNEARIT
Thenextday，muchtoEthelberta’ssurprise，therewasaletterforherinhermother’sup-hillhand。Sheneglectedalltherestofitscontentsforthefollowingengrossingsentences:——
’MenlovehaswormedeverythingoutofpoorJoey，wefind，andyourfatherismuchupsetaboutit。Shehadanotherquarrelwithhim，andthendeclaredshewouldexposeyouandustoMrs。Doncastleandallyourfriends。IthinkthatMenloveisthekindofwomanwhowillsticktoherword，andthequestionforyoutoconsideris，howcanyoubestfaceoutanyreportofthetruthwhichshewillspread，andcontradicttheliesthatshewilladdtoit？Itappearstometobeadreadfulthing，andsoitwillprobablyappeartoyou。Theworstpartwillbethatyoursistersandbrothersareyourservants，andthatyourfatherisactuallyengagedinthehousewhereyoudine。Iamdreadfulafraidthatthiswillbeconsideredafinejokeforgossips，andwillcausenoendoflaughsinsocietyatyourexpense。Atanyrate，shouldMenlovespreadthereport，itwouldabsolutelypreventpeoplefromattendingyourlecturesnextseason，fortheywouldfeellikedupes，andbeangrywiththeirselves，andyou，andallofus。
’TheonlywayoutofthemuddlethatIcanseeforyouistoputsomeschemeofmarryingintoeffectassoonaspossible，andbeforethesethingsareknown。Surelybythistime，withallyouropportunities，youhavebeenabletostrikeupanacquaintancewithsomegentlemanorother，soastomakeasuitablematch。Yousee，mydearBerta，marriageisathingwhich，oncecarriedout，fixesyoumorefirminapositionthananypersonalbrainscando；forasyoustandatpresent，everyloosetooth，andeverycombed-outhair，andeverynewwrinkle，andeverysleeplessnight，issomuchtookawayfromyourchanceforthefuture，dependingasitdouponyourskillincharming。Iknowthatyouhavehadsomegoodoffers，sodolistentome，andwarmupthebestmanofthemagainabit，andgethimtorepeathiswordsbeforeyourroundnessshrinksaway，and’tistoolate。
’Mr。Ladywellhascalledheretoseeyou；itwasjustafterIhadheardthatthisMenlovemightdoharm，soIthoughtIcoulddonobetterthansenddownwordtohimthatyouwouldmuchliketoseehim，andwerewonderingsadlywhyhehadnotcalledlately。IgavehimyouraddressatRouen，thathemightfindyou，ifhechose，atonce，andbegottopropose，sinceheisbetterthannobody。I
believehesaid，directlyJoeygavehimtheaddress，thathewasgoingabroad，andmyopinionisthathewillcometoyou，becauseoftheencouragementIgavehim。Ifso，youmustthankmeformyforesightandcareforyou。
’IheaveasighofreliefsometimesatthethoughtthatI，atanyrate，foundahusbandbeforethepresentman-faminebegan。Don’trefusehimthistime，there’sadear，or，markmywords，you’llhavecausetorueit——unlessyouhavebeforehandgotengagedtosomebodybetterthanhe。Youwillnotifyouhavenotalready，fortheexposureissuretocomesoon。’
’O，thisfalseposition！——itisruiningyournature，mytoothoughtfulmother！ButIwillnotacceptanyofthem——I’llbrazenitout！’saidEthelberta，throwingtheletterwhereveritchosetofly，andpickingituptoreadagain。Shestoodandthoughtitallover。’Imustdecidetodosomething！’washersighagain；and，feelinganirresistibleneedofmotion，sheputonherthingsandwentouttoseewhatresolvethemorningwouldbring。
Norainhadfallenduringthenight，andtheairwasnowquietinawarmheavyfog，throughwhicholdcider-smells，remindingherofWessex，occasionallycamefromnarrowstreetsinthebackground。
EthelbertapasseduptheRueGrand-PontintothelittleduskyRueSaint-Romain，behindthecathedral，beingdrivenmechanicallyalongbythefeverandfretofherthoughts。Shewasabouttoenterthebuildingbythetranseptdoor，whenshesawLordMountclerecomingtowardsher。
Ethelbertafeltequaltohim，oradozensuch，thismorning。Theloomingspectresraisedbyhermother’sinformation，thewearingsenseofbeingover-weightedintherace，weredrivinghertoaHamlet-likefantasticismanddefianceofaugury；moreover，shewasabroad。
’Iamabouttoascendtotheparapetsofthecathedral，’saidshe，inanswertoahalfinquiry。
’Ishouldbedelightedtoaccompanyyou，’herejoined，inamannerascapableofexplanationbyhisknowledgeofhersecretaswasEthelberta’smannerbyhersenseofnearingtheendofhermaying。
Butwhetherthisfrequentglideintohercompanywasmeantasephemeralflirtation，tofillthehalf-hoursofhisjourney，orwhetheritmeantaseriouslove-suit——whichweretheonlyalternativesthathadoccurredtoheronthesubject——didnottroublehernow。’Iamboundtobeciviltosogreatalord，’shelightlythought，andexpressingnoobjectiontohispresence，shepassedwithhimthroughtheoutbuildings，containingGothiclumberfromtheshadowypileabove，andascendedthestonestaircase。
Emergingfromitswindings，theydulycametothelongwoodenladdersuspendedinmid-airthatledtotheparapetofthetower。Thisbeingwideenoughfortwoabreast，shecouldhardlydootherwisethanwaitamomentfortheviscount，whouptothispointhadneverfaltered，andwhoamusedherastheywentbyscrapsofhisexperienceinvariouscountries，which，todohimjustice，hetoldwithvivacityandhumour。Thustheyreachedtheendoftheflight，andenteredbehindabalustrade。
’Theprospectwillbeverylovelyfromthispointwhenthefoghasblownoff，’saidLordMountclerefaintly，forclimbingandchatteringatthesametimehadfairlytakenawayhisbreath。Heleantagainstthemasonrytoresthimself。’Theairisclearingalready；IfancyIsawasunbeamortwo。’
’Itwillbelovelierabove，’saidEthelberta。’Letusgototheplatformatthebaseofthefleche，andwaitforaviewthere。’
’Withallmyheart，’saidherattentivecompanion。
Theypassedinatadoorandupsomemorestonesteps，whichlandedthemfinallyintheupperchamberofthetower。LordMountcleresankonabeam，andaskedsmilinglyifherambitionwasnotsatisfiedwiththisgoal。’Irecollectgoingtothetopsomeyearsago，’headded，’anditdidnotoccurtomeasbeingathingworthdoingasecondtime。Andtherewasnofogthen，either。’
’O，’saidEthelberta，’itisoneofthemostsplendidthingsapersoncando！Thefogisgoingfast，andeverybodywiththeleastartisticfeelinginthedirectionofbird’s-eyeviewsmakestheascenteverytimeofcominghere。’
’Ofcourse，ofcourse，’saidLordMountclere。’AndIamonlytoohappytogotoanyheightwithyou。’
’Sinceyousokindlyoffer，wewillgototheverytopofthespire——
upthroughthefogandintothesunshine，’saidEthelberta。
LordMountclerecoveredagrimmisgivingbyagaysmile，andawaytheywentupaladderadmittingtothebaseofthehugeironframeworkabove；thentheyenteredupontheregularascentofthecage，towardsthehoped-forcelestialblue，andamongbreezeswhichneverdescendedsolowasthetown。ThejourneywasenlivenedwithmorebreathlesswitticismsfromLordMountclere，tillshesteppedaheadofhimagain；whenheaskedhowmanymorestepstherewere。
Sheinquiredofthemanintheblueblousewhoaccompaniedthem。
’Fifty-five，’shereturnedtoLordMountclereamomentlater。
Theywentround，andround，andyetaround。
’Howmanyaretherenow？’LordMountcleredemandedthistimeoftheman。
’Ahundredandninety，Monsieur，’hesaid。
’Buttherewereonlyfifty-fiveeversolongago！’
’Twohundredandfive，then，’saidtheman’PerhapsthemistpreventedMademoisellehearingmedistinctly？’
’Nevermind:Iwouldfollowweretherefivethousandmore，didMademoisellebidme！’saidtheexhaustednoblemangallantly，inEnglish。
’Hush！’saidEthelberta，withdispleasure。
’Hedoesn’tunderstandaword，’saidLordMountclere。
Theypacedtheremainderoftheirspiralpathwayinsilence，andhavingatlastreachedthesummit，LordMountcleresankdownononeofthesteps，pantingout，’Dearme，dearme！’
Ethelbertaleanedandlookedaround，andsaid，’Howextraordinarythisis。Itisskyabove，below，everywhere。’
Hedraggedhimselftogetherandsteppedtoherside。Theyformedasitwerealittleworldtothemselves，beingcompletelyenspheredbythefog，whichherewasdenseasaseaofmilk。Belowwasneithertown，country，norcathedral——simplywhiteness，intowhichtheironlegsoftheirgiganticperchfadedtonothing。
’Wehavelostourlabour；thereisnoprospectforyou，afterall，LordMountclere，’saidEthelberta，turninghereyesuponhim。Helookedatherfaceasiftherewere，andshecontinued，’Listen；I
hearsoundsfromthetown:people’svoices，andcarts，anddogs，andthenoiseofarailway-train。Shallwenowdescend，andownourselvesdisappointed？’
’Wheneveryouchoose。’
Beforetheyhadputtheirintentioninpracticethereappearedtobereasonsforwaitingawhile。Outoftheplainoffogbeneath，astonetoothseemedtobeupheavingitself:thenanothershowedforth。ThesewerethesummitsoftheSt。RomainandtheButterTowers——atthewesternendofthebuilding。Asthefogstratumcollapsedothersummitsmanifestedtheirpresencefurtheroff——amongthemthetwospiresandlanternofSt。Ouen’s；whentotheleftthedomeofSt。Madeline’scaughtafirstrayfromthepeeringsun，underwhichitsscalysurfaceglitteredlikeafish。Thenthemistrolledoffinearnest，andrevealedfarbeneaththemawholecity，itsred，blue，andgreyroofsformingavariegatedpattern，smallandsubduedasthatofapavementinmosaic。EastwardinthespaciousoutlooklaythehillofSt。Catherine，breakingintrusivelyintothelargelevelvalleyoftheSeine；southwastheriverwhichhadbeentheparentofthemist，andtheIleLacroix，gorgeousinscarlet，purple，andgreen。Onthewesternhorizoncouldbedimlydiscernedmelancholyforests，andfurthertotherightstoodthehillandrichgrovesofBoisguillaume。
Ethelbertahavingnowdonelookingaround，thedescentwasbegunandcontinuedwithoutintermissiontilltheycametothepassagebehindtheparapet。
Ethelbertawasabouttostepairilyforward，whentherereachedherearthevoicesofpersonsbelow。SherecognizedasoneofthemtheslowunaccentedtonesofNeigh。
’Pleasewaitaminute！’shesaidinaperemptorymannerofconfusionsufficienttoattractLordMountclere’sattention。
Arecollectionhadsprungtohermindinamoment。ShehadhalfmadeanappointmentwithNeighatheraunt’shotelforthisveryweek，andherewasheinRouentokeepit。TomeethimwhileindulginginthisvagarywithLordMountclere——which，nowthatthemoodithadbeenengenderedbywaspassingoff，shesomewhatregretted——wouldbetheheightofimprudence。
’Ishouldliketogoroundtotheothersideoftheparapetforafewmoments，’shesaid，withdecisivequickness。’Comewithme，LordMountclere。’
Theywentroundtotheotherside。HereshekepttheviscountandtheirsuisseuntilshedeemeditprobablethatNeighhadpassedby，whenshereturnedwithhercompanionsanddescendedtothebottom。
TheyemergedintotheRueSaint-Romain，whereuponawomancalledfromtheoppositesideofthewaytotheirguide，statingthatshehadtoldtheotherEnglishgentlemanthattheEnglishladyhadgoneintothefleche。
Ethelbertaturnedandlookedup。ShecouldjustdiscernNeigh’sformuponthestepsoftheflecheabove，ascendingtoilsomelyinsearchofher。
’WhatEnglishgentlemancouldthathavebeen？’saidLordMountclere，afterpayingtheman。Hespokeinawaywhichshowedhehadnotoverlookedherconfusion。’Itseemsthathemusthavebeensearchingforus，orratherforyou？’
’OnlyMr。Neigh，’saidEthelberta。’Hetoldmehewascominghere。
Ibelieveheiswaitingforaninterviewwithme。’
’H’m，’saidLordMountclere。
’Business——onlybusiness，’saidshe。
’ShallIleaveyou？Perhapsthebusinessisimportant——mostimportant。’
’Unfortunatelyitis。’
’Youmustforgivemethisonce:Icannothelp——willyougivemepermissiontomakeadifficultremark？’saidLordMountclere，inanimpatientvoice。
’Withpleasure。’
’Well，then，thebusinessImeantwas——anengagementtobemarried。’
HaditbeenpossibleforawomantobeperpetuallyonthealertshemightnowhavesupposedthatLordMountclereknewallabouther；amechanicaldeferencemusthaverestrainedsuchanillusionhadheseenherinanyotherlightthanthatofadistractingslave。Butsheansweredquietly，’SodidI。’
’Buthowdoesheknow——dearme，dearme！Ibegpardon，’saidtheviscount。
Shelookedathimcuriously，asiftoimplythathewasseriouslyoutofhisreckoninginrespectofherifhesupposedthathewouldbeallowedtocontinuethislittleplayatlove-makingaslongashechose，whenshewasofferedthepositionofwifebyamansogoodasNeigh。
Theystoodinsilencesidebysidetill，muchtoherease，Corneliaappearedatthecornerwaiting。Atthelastmomenthesaid，insomewhatagitatedtones，andwithwhatappearedtobearenewaloftherespectwhichhadbeenimperceptiblydroppedsincetheycrossedtheChannel，’IwasnotawareofyourengagementtoMr。Neigh。I
fearIhavebeenactingmistakenlyonthataccount。’
’Thereisnoengagementasyet，’saidshe。
LordMountclerebrightenedlikeachild。’ThenmayIhaveafewwordsinprivate——’
’Notnow——notto-day，’saidEthelberta，withacertainirritationatsheknewnotwhat。’Believeme，LordMountclere，youaremistakeninmanythings。Imean，youthinkmoreofmethanyouought。A
timewillcomewhenyouwilldespisemeforthisday’swork，anditismadnessinyoutogofurther。’
LordMountclere，knowingwhathedidknow，mayhaveimaginedwhatshereferredto；butEthelbertawaswithouttheleastproofthathehadthekeytoherhumour。’Well，well，I’llberesponsibleforthemadness，’hesaid。’Iknowyoutobe——afamouswoman，atallevents；andthat’senough。Iwouldsaymore，butIcannothere。
MayIcalluponyou？’
’Notnow。’
’WhenshallI？’
’Ifyoumust，letitbeamonthhenceatmyhouseintown，’shesaidindifferently，theHamletmoodbeingstilluponher。’Yes，calluponusthen，andIwilltellyoueverythingthatmayremaintobetold，ifyoushouldbeinclinedtolisten。Arumourisafloatwhichwillundeceiveyouinmuch，anddepressmetodeath。AndnowIwillwalkback:prayexcuseme。’Sheenteredthestreet，andjoinedCornelia。
LordMountclerepacedirregularlyalong，turnedthecorner，andwenttowardshisinn，nearingwhichhistreadgrewlighter，tillhescarcelyseemedtotouchtheground。Hebecamegleeful，andsaidtohimself，nervouslypalminghishipwithhislefthand，asifprevioustoplungingitintohotwaterforsomeprize:’UponmylifeI’veagoodmind！UponmylifeIhave！……Imustmakeastraightforwardthingofit，andatonce；orhewillhaveher。Butheshallnot，andIwill——hee-hee！’
Thefascinatedman，screaminginwardlywiththeexcitement，glee，andagonyofhisposition，enteredthehotel，wroteahastynotetoEthelbertaanddespatcheditbyhand，lookedtohisdressandappearance，orderedacarriage，andinaquarterofanhourwasbeingdriventowardstheHotelBeauSejour，whitherhisnotehadprecededhim。
35。THEHOTEL(continued)，ANDTHEQUAYINFRONT
Ethelberta，havingarrivedtheresometimeearlier，hadgonestraighttoheraunt，whomshefoundsittingbehindalargeledgerintheoffice，makinguptheaccountswithherhusband，awell-
framedreflectivemanwithagreybeard。M。Moulinbustled，waitedforherremarksandreplies，andmademuchofherinageneralway，whenEthelbertasaid，whatshehadwantedtosayinstantly，’HasagentlemancalledMr。Neighbeenhere？’
’Oyes——IthinkitisNeigh——there’sacardupstairs，’repliedheraunt。’Itoldhimyouwerealoneatthecathedral，andIbelievehewalkedthatway。Besidesthatone，anotherhascomeforyou——aMr。
Ladywell，andheiswaiting。’
’Notforme？’
’Yes，indeed。Ithoughtheseemedsoanxious，underasortofassumedcalmness，thatIrecommendedhimtoremaintillyoucamein。’
’Goodness，aunt；whydidyou？’Ethelbertasaid，andthoughthowmuchhermother’ssisterresembledhermotherindoingsofthatsort。
’Ithoughthehadsomegoodreasonforseeingyou。Arethesemenintruders，then？’
’Ono——awomanwhoattemptsapubliccareermustexpecttobetreatedaspublicproperty:whatwouldbeanintrusiononadomiciledgentlewomanisatributetome。Youcannothavecelebrityandsex-privilegeboth。’ThusEthelbertalaughedofftheawkwardconjuncture，inwardlydeploringtheunconscionablematernalmeddlingwhichhadledtothis，thoughnotresentfully，forshehadtoomuchstaunchnessofhearttodecryaparent’smisdirectedzeal。HadtheclanshipfeelingbeenuniversallyasstrongasintheChickerelfamily，thefableofthewell-bondedfagotmighthaveremainedunwritten。
Ladywellhadsentheraletteraboutgettinghispictureofherselfengravedforanillustratedpaper，andshehadnotreplied，consideringthatshehadnothingtodowiththematter，herformandfeaturehavingbeengiveninthepaintingasnoportraitatall，butasthoseofanideal。Toseehimnowwouldbevexatious；andyetitwaschillyandformaltoanungenerousdegreetokeepalooffromhim，sittinglonelyinthesamehouse。’Afewweekshence，’shethought，’whenMenlove’sdisclosuresmakemeridiculous，hemayslightmeasalackey’sgirl，anupstart，anadventuress，andhardlyreturnmybowinthestreet。ThenImaywishIhadgivenhimnopersonalcauseforadditionalbitterness。’So，puttingoffthefinelady，EthelbertathoughtshewouldseeLadywellatonce。
Ladywellwasunaffectedlygladtomeether；soglad，thatEthelbertawishedheartily，forhissake，therecouldbewarmfriendshipbetweenherselfandhim，aswellasallherlovers，withoutthatinsistentcourtship-and-marriagequestion，whichsentthemallscatteringlikeleavesinapestilentblast，atenmitywithoneanother。ShewaslesspleasedwhenshefoundthatLadywell，aftersayingalltherewastosayabouthispainting，gentlysignifiedthathehadbeenmisinformed，ashebelieved，concerningherfutureintentions，whichhadledtohisabsentinghimselfentirelyfromher；theremarkbeingofcourse，anaturalproductofhermother’sinjudiciousmessagetohim。
Shecuthimshortwithtersecandour。’Yes，’shesaid，’afalsereportisincirculation。Iamnotyetengagedtobemarriedtoanyone，ifthatisyourmeaning。’
Ladywelllookedcheerfulatthisfrankanswer，andsaidtentatively，’AmIforgotten？’
’No；youareexactlyasyoualwayswereinmymind。’
’ThenIhavebeencruellydeceived。Iwasguidedtoomuchbyappearances，andtheywereverydelusive。IambeyondmeasuregladIcamehereto-day。Icalledatyourhouseandlearntthatyouwerehere；andasIwasgoingoutoftown，inanyindefinitedirection，I
settledthentocomethisway。Whatahappyideaitwas！Tothinkofyounow——andImaybepermittedto——’
’Assuredlyyoumaynot。HowmanytimesIhavetoldyouthat！’
’ButIdonotwishforanyformalengagement，’saidLadywellquickly，fearingshemightcommitherselftosomeexpressionofpositivedenial，whichhecouldneversurmount。’I’llwait——I’llwaitanylengthoftime。Remember，youhaveneverabsolutelyforbiddenmy——friendship。Willyoudelayyouranswertillsometimehence，whenyouhavethoroughlyconsidered；sinceIfearitmaybeahastyonenow？’
’Yes，indeed；itmaybehasty。’
’Youwilldelayit？’
’Yes。’
’Whenshallitbe？’
’Sayamonthhence。Isuggestthat，becausebythattimeyouwillhavefoundananswerinyourownmind:strangethingsmayhappenbeforethen。\"Sheshallfollowafterherlovers，butsheshallnotovertakethem；andsheshallseekthem，butshallnotfindthem；
thenshallshesay，Iwillgoandreturntomyfirst\"——however，that’snomatter。’
’What——didyou——？’Ladywellbegan，altogetherbewilderedbythis。
’ItisapassageinHoseawhichcametomymind，aspossiblyapplicabletomyselfsomeday，’sheanswered。’Itwasmereimpulse。’
’Ha-ha！——ajest——oneofyourromancesbrokenloose。Thereisnolawforimpulse:thatiswhyIamhere。’
Thusfancifullytheyconversedtilltheinterviewconcluded。
Gettinghertopromisethatshewouldseehimagain，Ladywellretiredtoasitting-roomonthesamelanding，inwhichhehadbeenwritinglettersbeforeshecameup。Immediatelyuponthisheraunt，whobegantosuspectthatsomethingpeculiarwasinthewind，cametotellherthatMr。Neighhadbeeninquiringforheragain。
’Sendhimin，’saidEthelberta。
Neigh’sfootstepsapproached，andthewell-knownfigureentered。
Ethelbertareceivedhimsmilingly，forshewasgettingsousedtoawkwardjuxtapositionsthatshetreatedthemquiteasanaturalsituation。ShemerelyhopedthatLadywellwouldnothearthemtalkingthroughthepartition。
Neighscarcelysaidanythingasabeginning:sheknewhiserrandperfectly；andunaccountableasitwastoher，thestrangeandunceremoniousrelationshipbetweenthem，thathadoriginatedinthepeculiarconditionsoftheirfirstclosemeeting，wascontinuednowasusual。
’Haveyoubeenabletobestowathoughtonthequestionbetweenus？
Ihopeso，’saidNeigh。
’Itisnouse，’saidEthelberta。’Waitamonth，andyouwillnotrequireananswer。Youwillnotmindspeakinglow，becauseofapersoninthenextroom？’
’Notatall——Whywillthatbe？’
’Imightsay；butletusspeakofsomethingelse。’
’Idon’tseehowwecan，’saidNeighbrusquely。’Ihadnootherreasononearthforcallinghere。Iwishedtogetthemattersettled，andIcouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutseeingyou。Ihatewritingonmattersofthissort。InfactIcan’tdoit，andthat’swhyIamhere。’
Hewasstillspeakingwhenanattendantenteredwithanote。
’Willyouexcusemeonemoment？’saidEthelberta，steppingtothewindowandopeningthemissive。Itcontainedthesewordsonly，inascrawlsofullofdeformitiesthatshecouldhardlypieceitsmeaningtogether:——
’Imustseeyouagainto-dayunlessyouabsolutelydenyyourselftome，whichIshalltakeasarefusaltomeetmeanymore。Iwillarrive，punctually，fiveminutesafteryoureceivethisnote。Dopraybealoneifyoucan，andeternallygratify，——Yours，’MOUNTCLERE。’
’IfanythinghashappenedIshallbepleasedtowait，’saidNeigh，seeingherconcernwhenshehadclosedthenote。
’Ono，itisnothing，’saidEthelbertaprecipitately。’YetIthinkIwillaskyoutowait，’sheadded，notlikingtodismissNeighinahurry；forshewasnotinsensibletohisperseveranceinseekingheroverallthesemilesofseaandland；andsecondly，shefearedthatifheweretoleaveontheinstanthemightrunintothearmsofLordMountclereandLadywell。
’Ishallbeonlytoohappytostaytillyouareatleisure，’saidNeigh，intheunimpassioneddeliveryheusedwhetherhismeaningwereatritecomplimentortheexpressionofhismostearnestfeeling。
’Imayberatheralongtime，’saidEthelbertadubiously。
’Mytimeisyours。’
Ethelbertalefttheroomandhurriedtoheraunt，exclaiming，’O，AuntCharlotte，Ihopeyouhaveroomsenoughtospareformyvisitors，fortheyarelikethefox，thegoose，andthecorn，intheriddle；Icannotleavethemtogether，andIcanonlybewithoneatatime。Iwantthenicestdrawing-roomyouhaveforaninterviewofabaretwominuteswithanoldgentleman。Iamsosorrythishashappened，butitisnotaltogethermyfault！Ionlyarrangedtoseeoneofthem；buttheotherwassenttomebymother，inamistake，andthethirdmetwithmeonmyjourney:that’stheexplanation。
There’stheoldestofthemjustcome。’
Shelookedthroughtheglasspartition，andunderthearchofthecourt-gate，asthewheelsoftheviscount’scarriagewereheardoutside。Ethelbertaascendedtoaroomonthefirstfloor，LordMountclerewasshownup，andthedoorcloseduponthem。
AtthistimeNeighwasverycomfortablylounginginanarm-chairinEthelberta’sroomonthesecondfloor。Thiswasapleasantenoughwayofpassingtheminuteswithsuchatenderinterviewinprospect；
andasheleanthelookedwithlanguidandluxuriousinterestthroughtheopencasementatthesparsandriggingofsomeluggersontheSeine，thepillarsofthesuspensionbridge，andthesceneryoftheFaubourgSt。Severontheothersideoftheriver。Howlanguidhisinterestmightultimatelyhavebecomethereisnoknowing；buttheresoonaroseuponhiseartheaccentsofEthelbertainlowdistinctnessfromsomewhereoutsidetheroom。
’Yes；thesceneispleasantto-day，’shesaid。’Ilikeaviewoverariver。’
’Ishouldthinkthesteamboatsareobjectionablewhentheystophere，’saidanotherperson。
Neigh’sfaceclosedintoanaspectofperplexity。’SurelythatcannotbeLordMountclere？’hemuttered。
HadhebeencertainthatEthelbertawasonlytalkingtoastranger，Neighwouldprobablyhavefelttheirconversationtobenobusinessofhis，muchashemighthavebeensurprisedtofindhergivingaudiencetoanothermanatsuchaplace。Buthisimpressionthatthevoicewasthatofhisacquaintance，LordMountclere，coupledwithdoubtsastoitspossibility，wasenoughtoleadhimtorisefromthechairandputhisheadoutofthewindow。
Uponabalconybeneathhimwerethespeakers，ashehadsuspected——
Ethelbertaandtheviscount。
Lookingrightandleft，hesawprojectingfromthenextwindowtheheadofhisfriendLadywell，gazingrightandleftlikewise，apparentlyjustdrawnoutbythesamevoicewhichhadattractedhimself。
’What——you，Neigh！——howstrange，’camefromLadywell’slipsbeforehehadtimetorecollectthatgreatcoolnessexistedbetweenhimselfandNeighonEthelberta’saccount，whichhadledtothereductionoftheirintimacytothemostattenuatedofnodsandgood-morningseversincetheHarlequin-roseincidentatCripplegate。
’Yes；itisratherstrange，’saidNeigh，withsaturnineevenness。
’Stillafellowmustbesomewhere。’
Eachthenlookedoverhiswindow-silldownwards，uponthespeakerswhohadattractedthemthither。
LordMountclereutteredsomethinginalowtonewhichdidnotreachtheyoungmen；towhichEthelbertareplied，’AsIhavesaid，LordMountclere，Icannotgiveyouananswernow。ImustconsiderwhattodowithMr。NeighandMr。Ladywell。Itistoosuddenformetodecideatonce。IcouldnotdosountilIhavegothometoEngland，whenIwillwriteyoualetter，statingfranklymyaffairsandthoseofmyrelatives。Ishallnotconsiderthatyouhaveaddressedmeonthesubjectofmarriageuntil，havingreceivedmyletter，you——’
’Repeatmyproposal，’saidLordMountclere。
’Yes。’
’MydearMrs。Petherwin，itisasgoodasrepeated！ButIhavenorighttoassumeanythingyoudon’twishmetoassume，andIwillwait。HowlongisitthatIamtosufferinthisuncertainty？’
’Amonth。BythattimeIshallhavegrownwearyofmyothertwosuitors。’
’Amonth！Reallyinflexible？’
Ethelbertahadreturnedinsidethewindow，andheranswerwasinaudible。LadywellandNeighlookedup，andtheireyesmet。Bothhadbeenreluctanttoremainwheretheystood，buttheyweretoofascinatedtoinstantlyretire。Neighmovednow，andLadywelldidthesame。Eachsawthatthefaceofhiscompanionwasflushed。
’Comeinandseeme，’saidLadywellquickly，beforequitewithdrawinghishead。’Iamstayinginthisroom。’
’Iwill，’saidNeigh；andtakinghishatheleftEthelberta’sapartmentforthwith。
Onenteringthequartersofhisfriendhefoundhimseatedatatablewhereonwritingmaterialswerestrewn。Theyshookhandsinsilence，butthemeaningintheirlookswasenough。
’Justletmewriteanote，Ladywell，andI’myourman，’saidNeighthen，withthefreedomofanoldacquaintance。
’Iwasgoingtodothesamething，’saidLadywell。
Neighthensatdown，andforaminuteortwonothingwastobeheardbutthescratchingofapairofpens，endingontheonesidewithamoreboisterousscratch，asthewritershaped’EustaceLadywell，’
andontheotherwithslowfirmnessinthecharacters’AlfredNeigh。’
’There’sforyou，myfairone，’saidNeigh，closinganddirectinghisletter。
’YoursisforMrs。Petherwin？Soismine，’saidLadywell，graspingthebell-pull。’ShallIdirectittobeputonhertablewiththisone？’
’Thanks。’AndthetwoletterswentofftoEthelberta’ssitting-
room，whichshehadvacatedtoreceiveLordMountclereinanemptyonebeneath。Neigh’sletterwassimplyapleadingofasuddencallawaywhichpreventedhiswaitingtillsheshouldreturn；Ladywell’s，thoughstatingthesamereasonforleaving，wasmoreofanupbraidingnature，andmightalmosthavetolditsreader，wereshetotakethetroubletoguess，thatheknewofthebusinessofLordMountclerewithherto-day。
’Now，letusgetoutofthisplace，’saidNeigh。Heproceededatoncedownthestairs，followedbyLadywell，who——settlinghisaccountatthebureauwithoutcallingforabill，anddirectinghisportmanteautobesenttotheRight-bankrailwaystation——wentwithNeighintothestreet。
TheyhadnotwalkedfiftyyardsupthequaywhentwoBritishworkmen，inholidaycostume，whohadjustturnedthecorneroftheRueJeanned’Arc，approachedthem。SeeinghimtobeanEnglishman，oneofthetwoaddressedNeigh，saying，’Canyoutellustheway，sir，totheHotelBoldSoldier？’
Neighpointedouttheplacehehadjustcomefromtothetallyoungmen，andcontinuedhiswalkwithLadywell。
Ladywellwasthefirsttobreaksilence。’Ihavebeenconsiderablymisled，Neigh，’hesaid；’andIimaginefromwhathasjusthappenedthatyouhavebeenmisledtoo。’
’Justalittle，’saidNeigh，bringingabstractedlinesofmeditationintohisface。’Butitwasmyownfault:forIoughttohaveknownthatthesestageandplatformwomenhavewhattheyarepleasedtocallBohemianismsothoroughlyengrainedwiththeirnaturesthattheyarenomoreconstanttousageintheirsentimentsthantheyareintheirwayofliving。GoodLord，tothinkshehascaughtoldMountclere！Sheissuretohavehimifshedoesnotdallywithhimsolongthathegetscoolagain。’
’Abeautifulcreaturelikehertothinkofmarryingsuchaninfatuatedidiotashe！’
’Hecangiveheratitleaswellasyoungermen。Itwillnotbethefirsttimethatsuchmatcheshavebeenmade。’
’Ican’tbelieveit，’saidLadywellvehemently。’Shehastoomuchpoetryinher——toomuchgoodsense；hernatureistheessenceofallthat’sromantic。Ican’thelpsayingit，thoughshehastreatedmecruelly。’
’Shehasgoodlooks，certainly。I’llowntothat。Asforherromanceandgood-feeling，thatIleavetoyou。Ithinkshehastreatedyounomorecruelly，asyoucallit，thanshehasme，cometothat。’
’Shetoldmeshewouldgivemeananswerinamonth，’saidLadywellemotionally。
’Soshetoldme，’saidNeigh。
’Andsoshetoldhim，’saidLadywell。
’AndIhavenodoubtshewillkeepherwordtohiminherusualprecisemanner。’
’Butseewhatsheimpliedtome！Idistinctlyunderstoodfromherthattheanswerwouldbefavourable。’
’SodidI。’
’Sodoeshe。’
’Andheissuretobetheonewhogetsit，sinceonlyoneofuscan。
Well，Iwouldn’tmarryherforlove，money，nor——’
’Offspring。’
’Exactly:Iwouldnot。\"I’llgiveyouananswerinamonth\"——toallthreeofus！ForGod’ssakelet’ssitdownhereandhavesomethingtodrink。’
Theydrewupacoupleofchairstooneofthetablesofawine-shopcloseby，andshoutedtothewaiterwiththevigourofpersonsgoingtothedogs。Here，behindthehorizontal-headedtreesthatdottedthispartofthequay，theysatovertheirbottlesdenouncingwomankindtillthesungotlowdownupontheriver，andthehousesonthefurthersidebegantobetonedbyabluemist。Atlasttheyrosefromtheirseatsanddeparted，Neightodineandconsiderhisroute，andLadywelltotakethetrainforDieppe。
WhiletheseincidentshadbeeninprogressthetwoworkmenhadfoundtheirwayintothehotelwhereEthelbertawasstaying。Passingthroughtheentrance，theystoodatgazeinthecourt，muchperplexedastothedoortobemadefor；thedifficultywassolvedbytheappearanceofCornelia，whoinexpectationofthemhadbeenforthelasthalf-hourleaningoverthesillofherbed-roomwindow，whichlookedintotheinterior，amusingherselfbywatchingthemovementstoandfrointhecourtbeneath。
Afterconversingawhileinundertonesasiftheyhadnorealrightthereatall，Corneliatoldthemshewouldcalltheirsister，ifanoldgentlemanwhohadbeentoseeherweregoneagain。Corneliathenranaway，andSolandDanstoodaloof，tilltheyhadseentheoldgentlemanalludedtogotothedooranddriveoff，shortlyafterwhichEthelbertarandowntomeetthem。
