’Whateverhaveyougotasyourluggage？’shesaid，afterhearingafewwordsabouttheirjourney，andlookingatacuriousobjectlikeahugeextendedaccordionwithbellowsofgorgeous-patternedcarpeting。
’Well，Ithoughttomyself，’saidSol，’’tisaterriblebotheraboutcarryingourthings。SowhatdidIdobutturntoandmakeacarpet-bagthatwouldholdallmineandDan’stoo。This，yousee，Berta，isadealtopandbottomoutofthree-quarterstuff，stainedandvarnished。Well，thenyouseeI’vegotcarpetsidestackedonwiththesebrassnails，whichmakeitlookveryhandsome；andsowhenmybagisempty’twillshutupandbeonlyacoupleofboardsunderyerarm，andwhen’tisopenitwillholda’mostanythingyouliketoputinit。Thatportmantledidn’tcostmorethanthreehalf-crownsaltogether，andtenpoundwouldn’tha’gotanythingsostrongfromaportmantlemaker，wouldit，Dan？’
’Well，no。’
’Andthenyousee，Berta，’Solcontinuedinthesameearnesttone，andfurtherexhibitingthearticle，’I’vemadethistrap-doorinthetopwithhingesandpadlockcomplete，sothat——’
’Iamafraiditistiringyouafteryourjourneytoexplainallthistome，’saidEthelbertagently，noticingthatafewGallicsmilersweregatheringround。’Aunthasfoundaniceroomforyouatthetopofthestaircaseinthatcorner——\"EscalierD\"you’llseepaintedatthebottom——andwhenyouhavebeenupcomeacrosstomeatnumberthirty-fouronthisside，andwe’lltalkabouteverything。’
’Lookhere，Sol，’saidDan，whohadlefthisbrotherandgoneontothestairs。’Whatarumstaircase——thetreadsallinlittleblocks，andpaintedchocolate，asIamalive！’
’IamafraidIshallnotbeabletogoontoPariswithyou，afterall，’EthelbertacontinuedtoSol。’SomethinghasjusthappenedwhichmakesitdesirableformetoreturnatoncetoEngland。ButI
willwritealistofallyouaretosee，andwhereyouaretogo，sothatitwillmakelittledifference，Ihope。’
TenminutesbeforethistimeEthelbertahadbeenfranklyandearnestlyaskedbyLordMountcleretobecomehisbride；notonlyso，buthepressedhertoconsenttohavetheceremonyperformedbeforetheyreturnedtoEngland。Ethelbertahadunquestionablybeenmuchsurprised；and，barringthefactthattheviscountwassomewhatancientincomparisonwithherself，thetemptationtoclosewithhisofferwasstrong，andwouldhavebeenfeltassuchbyanywomaninthepositionofEthelberta，nowalittlerecklessbystressofcircumstances，andtingedwithabitternessofspiritagainstherselfandtheworldgenerally。Butshewasexperiencedenoughtoknowwhatheavinessmightresultfromahastymarriage，enteredintowithamindfullofconcealmentsandsuppressionswhich，iftold，werelikelytostopthemarriagealtogether；andaftertryingtobringherselftospeakofherfamilyandsituationtoLordMountclereashestood，acertaincautiontriumphed，andsheconcludedthatitwouldbebettertopostponeherreplytillshecouldconsiderwhichoftwocoursesitwouldbeadvisabletoadopt；
towriteandexplaintohim，ortoexplainnothingandrefusehim。
Thethirdcourse，toexplainnothingandhastenthewedding，sherejectedwithouthesitation。WithapervadingsenseofherownobligationsinformingthiscompactitdidnotoccurtohertoaskifLordMountcleremightnothavedutiesofexplanationequallywithherself，thoughbearingratheronthemoralthanthesocialaspectsofthecase。
HerresolutionnottogoontoPariswasformedsimplybecauseLordMountclerehimselfwasproceedinginthatdirection，whichmightleadtootherunseemlyrencounterswithhimhadshe，too，perseveredinherjourney。SheaccordinglygaveSolandDandirectionsfortheirguidancetoParisandback，startingherselfwithCorneliathenextdaytoreturnagaintoKnollsea，andtodecidefinallyandforeverwhattodointhevexedquestionatpresentagitatingher。
Neverbeforeinherlifehadshetreatedmarriageinsuchaterriblycoolandcynicalspiritasshehaddonethatday；shewasalmostfrightenedatherselfinthinkingofit。Howfaranyknownsystemofethicsmightexcuseheronthescoreofthosecuriouspressureswhichhadbeenbroughttobearuponherlife，orwhetheritcouldexcuseheratall，shehadnospirittoinquire。Englishsocietyappearedagloomyconcretionenoughtoabideinasshecontemplateditonthisjourneyhome；yet，sinceitsgloominesswaslessanessentialqualitythananaccidentofherpointofview，thatpointofviewshehaddeterminedtochange。
Therelayopentohertwodirectionsinwhichtomove。Shemightannexherselftotheeasy-goinghighbyweddinganoldnobleman，orshemightjoinforgoodandalltheeasy-goinglow，byplungingbacktothelevelofherfamily，givingupallherambitionsforthem，settlingasthewifeofaprovincialmusic-masternamedJulian，withalittleshopoffiddlesandflutes，acoupleofoldpianos，afewsheetsofstalemusicpinnedtoastring，andanarrowbackparlour，whereinshewouldwaitforthephenomenonofacustomer。Andeachofthesedivergentgrooveshaditsfascinations，tillshereflectedwithregardtothefirstthat，eventhoughshewerealegalandindisputableLadyMountclere，shemightbedespisedbymylord’scircle，andleftloneandlorn。TheintermediatepathofacceptingNeighorLadywellhadnomoreattractionsforhertastethanthefactofdisappointingthemhadqualmsforherconscience；andhowfewtheseweremaybeinferredfromheropinion，trueorfalse，thattwowordsaboutthespigotonherescutcheonwouldsweepherlovers’
affectionstotheantipodes。ShehadnowandthenimaginedthatherpreviousintermarriagewiththePetherwinfamilymighteffacemuchbesideshersurname，butexperienceprovedthatthehavingbeenwifeforafewweekstoaminorwhodiedinhisfather’slifetime，didnotweavesuchatissueofgloryabouthercourseaswouldresistaspeedyundoingbystartlingconfessionsonherstationbeforehermarriage，andherenvironmentsnow。
36。THEHOUSEINTOWN
ReturningbywayofKnollsea，wheresheremainedaweekortwo，EthelbertaappearedoneeveningattheendofSeptemberbeforeherhouseinExonburyCrescent，accompaniedbyapairofcabswiththechildrenandluggage；butPicoteewasleftatKnollsea，forreasonswhichEthelbertaexplainedwhenthefamilyassembledinconclave。
Herfatherwasthere，andbegantellingherofasurprisingchangeinMenlove——anunasked-forconcessiontotheircause，andavowofsecrecywhichhecouldnotaccountfor，unlessanyfriendofEthelberta’shadbribedher。
’Ono——thatcannotbe，’saidshe。AnyinfluenceofLordMountcleretothateffectwasthelastthingthatcouldenterherthoughts。
’However，whatMenlovedoesmakeslittledifferencetomenow。’Andsheproceededtostatethatshehadalmostcometoadecisionwhichwouldentirelyaltertheirwayofliving。
’Ihopeitwillnotbeofthesortyourlastdecisionwas，’saidhermother。
’No；quitethereverse。Ishallnotlivehereinstateanylonger。
Wewillletthehousethroughoutaslodgings，whileitisours；andyouandthegirlsmustmanageit。Iwillretirefromthescenealtogether，andstayforthewinteratKnollseawithPicotee。I
wanttoconsidermyplansfornextyear，andIwouldratherbeawayfromtown。Picoteeisleftthere，andIreturnintwodayswiththebooksandpapersIrequire。’
’Whatareyourplanstobe？’
’Iamgoingtobeaschoolmistress——IthinkIam。’
’Aschoolmistress？’
’Yes。AndPicoteereturnstothesameoccupation，whichsheoughtnevertohaveforsaken。WearegoingtostudyarithmeticandgeographyuntilChristmas；thenIshallsendheradrifttofinishhertermaspupil-teacher，whileIgointoatraining-school。BythetimeIhavetogiveupthishouseIshalljusthavegotalittlecountryschool。’
’But，’saidhermother，aghast，’whynotwritemorepoemsandsell’em？’
’Whynotbeagovernessasyouwere？’saidherfather。
’WhynotgoonwithyourtalesatMayfairHall？’saidGwendoline。
’I’llansweraswellasIcan。IhavedecidedtogiveupromancingbecauseIcannotthinkofanymorethatpleasesme。IhavebeentryingatKnollseaforafortnight，anditisnouse。Iwillneverbeagovernessagain:Iwouldratherbeaservant。IfIamaschoolmistressIshallbeentirelyfreefromallcontactwiththegreat，whichiswhatIdesire，forIhatethem，andamgettingalmostasrevolutionaryasSol。Father，Icannotendurethiskindofexistenceanylonger；IsleepatnightasifIhadcommittedamurder:Istartupandseeprocessionsofpeople，audiences，battalionsofloversobtainedunderfalsepretences——alldenouncingmewiththefingerofridicule。Mother’ssuggestionaboutmymarryingIfollowedoutasfarasdoggedresolutionwouldcarryme，butduringmyjourneyhereIhavebrokendown；forIdon’twanttomarryasecondtimeamongpeoplewhowouldregardmeasanupstartorintruder。Iamsickofambition。Myonlylongingnowistoflyfromsocietyaltogether，andgotoanyhovelonearthwhereIcouldbeatpeace。’
’What——hasanybodybeeninsultingyou？’saidMrs。Chickerel。
’Yes；orratherIsometimesthinkhemayhave:thatis，ifaproposalofmarriageisonlyremovedfrombeingaproposalofaverydifferentkindbyanaccident。’
’Aproposalofmarriagecanneverbeaninsult，’hermotherreturned。
’Ithinkotherwise，’saidEthelberta。
’SodoI，’saidherfather。
’Unlessthemanwasbeneathyou，andIdon’tsupposehewasthat，’
addedMrs。Chickerel。
’Youarequiteright；hewasnotthat。Butwewillnottalkofthisbranchofthesubject。ByfarthemostseriousconcernwithmeisthatIoughttodosomegoodbymarriage，orbyheroicperformanceofsomekind；whilegoingbacktogivetherudimentsofeducationtoremotehamleteerswilldononeofyouanygoodwhatever。’
’Neveryoumindus，’saidherfather；’mindyourself。’
’Ishallhardlybemindingmyselfeither，inyouropinion，bydoingthat，’saidEthelbertadryly。’ButitwillbemoretolerablethanwhatIamdoingnow。Georgina，andMyrtle，andEmmeline，andJoeywillnotgettheeducationIintendedforthem；butthatmustgo，I
suppose。’
’Howfullofvagariesyouare，’saidhermother。’Whywon’titdotocontinueasyouare？NosoonerhaveIlearntupyourschemes，andgotenoughusedto’emtoseesomethingin’em，thanyoumustneedsbewildermeagainbystartingsomefreshone，sothatmymindgetsnorestatall。’
Ethelbertatookeenlyfeltthejusticeofthisremark，querulousasitwas，tocaretodefendherself。Itwashopelesstoattempttoexplaintohermotherthattheoscillationsofhermindmightariseasnaturallyfromtheperfectionofitsbalance，likethoseofalogan-stone，asfrominherentlightness；andsuchanexplanation，howevercomfortingtoitssubject，waslittlebetterthannonetosimpleheartswhoonlycouldlooktotangibleoutcrops。
’Really，Ethelberta，’remonstratedhermother，’thisisveryodd。
Makingyourselfmiserableintryingtogetapositiononouraccountisonething，andnotnecessary；butIthinkitridiculoustorushintotheotherextreme，andgowilfullydowninthescale。Youmayjustaswellexerciseyourwitsintryingtoswimasintryingtosink。’
’Yes；that’swhatIthink，’saidherfather。’ButofcourseBertaknowsbest。’
’Ithinksotoo，’saidGwendoline。
’AndsodoI，’saidCornelia。’IfIhadoncemovedaboutinlargecircleslikeEthelberta，Iwouldn’tgodownandbeaschoolmistress——
notI。’
’Iownitisfoolish——supposeitis，’saidEthelbertawearily，andwithareadinessofmisgivingthatshowedhowrecentandhastywasthescheme。’Perhapsyouareright，mother；anythingratherthanretreat。Iwonderifyouareright！Well，Iwillthinkagainofitto-night。Donotletusspeakmoreaboutitnow。’
Shedidthinkofitthatnight，verylongandpainfully。Theargumentsofherrelativesseemedponderousasopposedtoherowninconsequentlongingforescapefromgallingtrammels。Ifshehadstoodalone，thesentimentthatshehadbeguntobuildbutwasnotabletofinish，bywhomsoeveritmighthavebeenentertained，wouldhavehadfewterrors；butthattheopinionshouldbeheldbyhernearestofkin，tocausethempainforlife，wasagrievousthing。
Themoreshethoughtofit，thelesseasyseemedthejustificationofherdesireforobscurity。Fromregardingitasahighinstinctshepassedintoahumourthatgavethatdesiretheappearanceofawhim。Butcouldshereallysetintrainevents，which，ifnotabortive，wouldtakehertothealtarwithViscountMountclere？
Inonedeterminationsheneverfaltered；tocommithersinthoroughlyifshecommitteditatall。HerrelativesbelievedherchoicetoliebetweenNeighandLadywellalone。ButoncehavingdecidedtopassoverChristopher，whomshehadloved，therecouldbenopausingforLadywellbecauseshelikedhim，orforNeighinthatshewasinfluencedbyhim。Theywerebothtoonearherleveltobetrustedtobeartheshockofreceivingherfromherfather’shands。
Butitwaspossiblethatthoughhergenesismighttingewithvulgarityacommoner’shousehold，susceptibleofsuchdepreciation，itmightshowasapicturesquecontrastinthefamilycircleofapeer。Henceitwasjustaswelltogototheendofherlogic，wherereasonsfortergiversationwouldbemostpronounced。Thisthoughtoftheviscount，however，wasasecretforherownbreastalone。
Nearlythewholeofthatnightshesatweighing——first，thequestionitselfofmarryingLordMountclere；and，atothertimes，whether，forsafety，shemightmarryhimwithoutpreviouslyrevealingfamilyparticularshithertoheldnecessarytoberevealed——apieceofconductshehadoncefelttobeindefensible。TheingeniousEthelberta，muchmorepronethanthemajorityofwomentotheorizeonconduct，felttheneedofsomesoothingdefenceoftheactionsinvolvedinanyambiguouscoursebeforefinallycommittingherselftoit。
Shetookdownawell-knowntreatiseonUtilitarianismwhichshehadperusedoncebefore，andtowhichshehadgivenheradherenceereanyinstancehadarisenwhereinshemightwishtotakeitasaguide。Hereshedesultorilysearchedforargument，andfoundit；
buttheapplicationofherauthor’sphilosophytothemarriagequestionwasanoperationofherown，asunjustifiableasitwaslikelyinthecircumstances。
’Theultimateend，’sheread，’withreferencetoandforthesakeofwhichallotherthingsaredesirable(whetherweareconsideringourowngoodorthatofotherpeople)isanexistenceexemptasfaraspossiblefrompain，andasrichaspossibleinenjoyments，bothinpointofquantityandquality……Thisbeing，accordingtotheutilitarianopinion，theendofhumanaction，isnecessarilyalsothestandardofmorality。’
Itwasanopenquestion，sofar，whetherherownhappinessshouldorshouldnotbepreferredtothatofothers。Butthatherpersonalinterestswerenottobeconsideredasparamountappearedfurtheron:——
’Thehappinesswhichformsthestandardofwhatisrightinconductisnottheagent’sownhappinessbutthatofallconcerned。Asbetweenhisownhappinessandthatofothers，utilitarianismrequireshimtobeasstrictlyimpartialasadisinterestedandbenevolentspectator。’
Astowhosehappinesswasmeantbythatof’otherpeople，’’allconcerned，’andsoon，herluminousmoralistsoonenlightenedher:——
’Theoccasionsonwhichanyperson(exceptoneinathousand)hasitinhispowertodothisonanextendedscale——inotherwords，tobeapublicbenefactor——arebutexceptional；andontheseoccasionsaloneishecalledontoconsiderpublicutility；ineveryothercaseprivateutility，theinterestorhappinessofsomefewpersons，isallhehastoattendto。’
Andthatthesefewpersonsshouldbethoseendearedtoherbyeverydomestictienoargumentwasneededtoprove。Thattheirhappinesswouldbeinproportiontoherownwell-doing，andpowertoremovetheirrisksofindigence，requirednoprovingeithertohernow。
ByasorrybutunconsciousmisapplicationofsoundandwidereasoningdidtheactivemindofEthelbertathusfinditselfasolace。AtaboutthemidnighthourshefeltmorefortifiedontheexpediencyofmarriagewithLordMountclerethanshehaddoneatallsincemusingonit。Inrespectofthesecondquery，whetherornot，inthatevent，toconcealfromLordMountclerethecircumstancesofherpositiontillitshouldbetoolateforhimtoobjecttothem，shefoundherconscienceinconvenientlyinthewayofhertheory，andtheoraclebeforeheraffordednohint。’Ah——itisapointforacasuist！’shesaid。
AnoldtreatiseonCasuistrylayonthetopshelf。Sheopenedit——
morefromcuriositythanfromguidancethistime，itmustbeobserved——atachapterbearingonherownproblem，’Thedisciplinaarcani，or，thedoctrineofreserve。’
HereshereadthattherewereplentyofapparentinstancesofthisinScripture，andthatitwasformedintoarecognizedsystemintheearlyChurch。Withreferencetodirectactsofdeception，itwasarguedthatsincetherewereconfessedlycaseswherekillingisnomurder，mighttherenotbecaseswherelyingisnosin？Itcouldnotberight——or，indeed，anythingbutmostabsurd——tosayineffectthatnodoubtcircumstanceswouldoccurwhereeverysoundmanwouldtellalie，andwouldbeabruteorafoolifhedidnot，andtosayatthesametimethatitisquiteindefensibleinprinciple。Dutywasthekeytoconductthen，andifinsuchcasesdutiesappearedtoclashtheywouldbefoundnottodosoonexamination。Thelesserdutywouldyieldtothegreater，andthereforeceasedtobeaduty。
Thisauthorshefoundtobenotsotolerable；hedistractedher。
Sheputhimasideandgaveoverreading，havingdecidedonthissecondpoint，thatshewould，atanyhazard，representthetruthtoLordMountclerebeforelisteningtoanotherwordfromhim。’Well，atlastIhavedone，’shesaid，’andamreadyformyrole。’
Inlookingbackuponherpastassheretiredtorest，Ethelbertacouldalmostdoubtherselftobetheidenticalwomanwithherwhohadenteredonaromanticcareerafewshortyearsago。Forthatdoubtshehadgoodreason。ShehadbegunasapoetoftheSatanicschoolinasweetenedform；shewasendingasapseudo-utilitarian。
Wasthereeversuchatransmutationeffectedbeforebytheactionofahardenvironment？Itwasnotwithoutaqualmofregretthatshediscernedhowthelastinfirmityofanoblemindhadatlengthnearlydepartedfromher。Shewonderedifherearlynoteshadhadthegenuineringinthem，orwhetherapoetwhocouldbethrustbyrealitiestoadistancebeyondrecognitionassuchwasatruepoetatall。YetEthelberta’sgradienthadbeenregular:emotionalpoetry，lightverse，romanceasanobject，romanceasameans，thoughtsofmarriageasanaidtoherpursuits，avowtomarryforthegoodofherfamily；inotherwords，fromsoftandplayfulRomanticismtodistortedBenthamism。Wasthemoralinclineupwardordown？
37。KNOLLSEA-ANORNAMENTALVILLA
Herenergiescollectedandfermentedanewbytheresultsofthevigil，EthelbertalefttownforKnollsea，whereshejoinedPicoteethesameevening。Picoteeproducedaletter，whichhadbeenaddressedtohersisterattheirLondonresidence，butwasnotreceivedbyherthere，Mrs。ChickerelhavingforwardedittoKnollseathedaybeforeEthelbertaarrivedintown。
Thecrinkledwriting，incharacterlikethecoast-lineofTierradelFuego，wasbecomingfamiliarbythistime。WhilereadingthenotesheinformedPicotee，betweenaquickbreathandarustleoffrills，thatitwasfromLordMountclere，whowroteonthesubjectofcallingtoseeher，suggestingadayinthefollowingweek。’Now，Picotee，’shecontinued，’weshallhavetoreceivehim，andmakethemostofhim，forIhavealteredmyplanssinceIwaslastinKnollsea。’
’Alteredthemagain？Whatareyougoingtobenow——notapoorpersonafterall？’
’Indeednot。AndsoIturnandturn。CanyouimaginewhatLordMountclereiscomingfor？Butdon’tsaywhatyouthink。BeforeI
replytothisletterwemustgointonewlodgings，togivethemasouraddress。Thefirstbusinessto-morrowmorningwillbetolookforthegayesthousewecanfind；andCaptainFlowerandthislittlecabinofhismustbethingswehaveneverknown。’
Thenextdayafterbreakfasttheyaccordinglysalliedforth。
Knollseahadrecentlybeguntoattractnoticeintheworld。Ithadthisyearundergonevisitationfromascoreofprofessionalgentlemenandtheirwives，aminorcanon，threemarinepainters，sevenyoungladieswithbooksintheirhands，andnine-and-thirtybabies。Henceafewlodging-houses，ofadashandpretentiousnessfarbeyondthemarkoftheoldcottageswhichformedtheoriginalsubstanceofthevillage，hadbeenerectedtomeetthewantsofsuchasthese。ToabuildingofthisclassEthelbertanowbenthersteps，andthecrushoftheseasonhavingdepartedinthepersonsofthree-quartersoftheabove-namedvisitors，whowentawaybyacoach，avan，andacoupleofwagonettesonemorning，shefoundnodifficultyinarrangingforaredandyellowstreakedvilla，whichwassobrightandglowingthatthesunseemedtobeshininguponitevenonacloudyday，andtheruddiestnativelookedpalewhenstandingbyitswalls。Itwasnotwithoutregretthatsherenouncedthesailor’sprettycottageforthisporticoedandbalconieddwelling；butherlineswerelaiddownclearlyatlast，andthithersheremovedforthwith。
Fromthisbrand-newhousedidEthelbertapentheletterfixingthetimeatwhichshewouldbepleasedtoseeLordMountclere。
Whenthehourdrewnighenormousforceofwillwasrequiredtokeepherperturbationdown。ShehadnotdistinctlytoldPicoteeoftheobjectoftheviscount’svisit，butPicoteeguessednearlyenough。
Ethelbertawasuponthewholebetterpleasedthattheinitiativehadagaincomefromhimthanifthefirststepinthenewcampaignhadbeenhersendingtheexplanatoryletter，asintendedandpromised。
ShehadthoughtalmostdirectlyaftertheinterviewatRouenthattoenlightenhimbywritingaconfessionincoldblood，accordingtoherfirstintention，wouldbelittlelessawkwardforherinthemethodoftellingthaninthefactstobetold。
Sothelasthairwasarrangedandthelastfoldadjusted，andshesatdowntoawaitanewpageofherhistory。Picoteesatwithher，underorderstogointothenextroomwhenLordMountclereshouldcall；andEthelbertadeterminedtowastenotime，directlyhebegantomakeadvances，inclearingupthephenomenaofherexistencetohim；totheendthatnofactwhich，intheeventofhistakinghertowife，couldbeusedagainstherasanexampleofconcealment，mightremainunrelated。Thecollapseofhisattachmentunderthetestmight，however，formthegrandclimaxofsuchaplayasthis。
Thedaywasrathercoldfortheseason，andEthelbertasatbyafire；butthewindowswereopen，andPicoteewasamusingherselfonthebalconyoutside。Thehourstruck:Ethelbertafanciedshecouldhearthewheelsofacarriagecreepingupthesteepascentwhichledtothedrivebeforethedoor。
’Isithe？’shesaidquickly。
’No，’saidPicotee，whoseindifferencecontrastedstrangelywiththerestlessnessofherwhowasusuallythecoolest。’Itisamanshakingdownapplesinthegardenoverthewall。’
Theylingeredontillsomethreeorfourminuteshadgoneby。
’Surelythat’sacarriage？’saidEthelberta，then。
’Ithinkitis，’saidPicoteeoutside，stretchingherneckforwardasfarasshecould。’No，itisthemenonthebeachdragginguptheirboats；theyexpectwindto-night。’
’Howwearisome！Picotee，youmayaswellcomeinside；ifhemeanstocallhewill；butheoughttobeherebythistime。’
Itwasonlyoncemore，andthatsometimelaterthatsheagainsaid’Listen！’
’That’snotthenoiseofacarriage；itisthefizzofarocket。
Thecoastguardsmenarepractisingthelife-apparatusto-day，tobereadyfortheautumnwrecks。’
’Ah！’saidEthelberta，herfaceclearingup。Hershadnotbeenasweetheart’simpatience，buthermoodhadintensifiedduringtheseminutesofsuspensetoaharassingmistrustofherman-compellingpower，whichwas，ifthatwerepossible，moregloomythandisappointedlove。’Iknownowwhereheis。Thatoperationwiththecradle-apparatusisveryinteresting，andheisstoppingtoseeit……ButIshallnotwaitindoorsmuchlonger，whateverhemaybestoppingtosee。Itisveryunaccountable，andvexing，aftermovingintothisnewhousetoo。Weweremuchmorecomfortableintheoldone。InkeepinganypreviousappointmentinwhichIhavebeenconcernedhehasbeenridiculouslyearly。’
’ShallIrunround？’saidPicotee，’andifheisnotwatchingthemwewillgoout。’
’Verywell，’saidhersister。
ThetimeofPicotee’sabsenceseemedanage。Ethelbertaheardtheroarofanotherrocket，andstillPicoteedidnotreturn。’Whatcanthegirlbethinkingof？’shemused……’Whatahalf-and-halfpolicyminehasbeen！Thinkingofmarryingforposition，andyetnotmakingitmyrigidplantosecurethemanthefirstmomentthathemadehisoffer。SoIlosethecomfortofhavingasoulaboveworldliness，andmycompensationfornothavingitlikewise！’A
minuteortwomoreandincamePicotee。
’Whathaskeptyousolong——andhowexcitedyoulook，’saidEthelberta。
’IthoughtIwouldstayalittlewhile，asIhadneverseenarocket-apparatus，’saidPicotee，faintlyandstrangely。
’Butishethere？’askedhersisterimpatiently。
’Yes——hewas。He’sgonenow！’
’LordMountclere？’
’No。Thereisnooldmanthereatall。MrJulianwasthere。’
Alittle’Ah！’camefromEthelberta，likeanotefromastorm-birdatnight。Sheturnedroundandwentintothebackroom。’IsMr。
Juliangoingtocallhere？’sheinquired，comingforwardagain。
’No——he’sgonebythesteamboat。HewasonlypassingthroughonhiswaytoSandbourne，whereheisgonetosettleasmallbusinessrelatingtohisfather’saffairs。HewasnotinKnollseatenminutes，owingtosomethingwhichdetainedhimontheway。’
’Didheinquireforme？’
’No。Andonlythink，Ethelberta——sucharemarkablethinghashappened，thoughInearlyforgottotellyou。Hesaysthatcomingalongtheroadhewasovertakenbyacarriage，andwhenithadjustpassedhimoneofthehorsesshied，pushedtheotherdownaslope，andoverturnedthecarriage。Onewheelcameoffandtrundledtothebottomofthehillbyitself。Christopherofcourseranup，andhelpedoutofthecarriageanoldgentleman——nowdoyouknowwhat’slikely？’
’ItwasLordMountclere。Iamgladthat’sthecause，’saidEthelbertainvoluntarily。
’IimaginedyouwouldsupposeittobeLordMountclere。ButMr。
Juliandidnotknowthegentleman，andsaidnothingaboutwhohemightbe。’
’Didhedescribehim？’
’Notmuch——justalittle。’
’Well？’
’Hesaidhewasaslyolddogapparently，tohearhowhesworeinwhispers。ThisaffairiswhatmadeMr。Juliansolatethathehadnotimetocallhere。LordMountclere’sankle——ifitwasLordMountclere——wasbadlysprained。Buttheservantswerenotinjuredbeyondascratchonthecoachman’sface。Thentheygotanothercarriageanddroveatoncebackagain。Itmustbehe，orelsewhyishenotcome？Itisapity，too，thatMr。Julianwashinderedbythis，sothattherewasnoopportunityforhimtobideabitinKnollsea。’
EthelbertawasnotdisposedtobelievethatChristopherwouldhavecalled，hadtimefavouredhimtotheutmost。Betweenhimselfandhertherewasthatkindofdivisionwhichismoreinsurmountablethanenmity；forestrangementsproducedbygoodjudgmentwilllastwhenthoseoffeelingbreakdowninsmiles。Nottheloverswhopartinpassion，buttheloverswhopartinfriendship，arethosewhomostfrequentlypartforever。
’DidyoutellMr。JulianthattheinjuredgentlemanwaspossiblyLordMountclere，andthathewascominghere？’saidEthelberta。
’Imadenoremarkatall——Ididnotthinkofhimtillafterwards。’
Theinquirywashardlynecessary，forPicotee’swordswoulddryawaylikeabrookinthesandswhensheheldconversationwithChristopher。
Astheyhadanticipated，thesuffererwasnootherthantheirintendingvisitor。Nextmorningtherewasanoteexplainingtheaccident，andexpressingitswriter’ssufferingfromthecrueldelayasgreaterthanthatfromtheswollenankle，whichwasprogressingfavourably。
NothingfurtherwasheardofLordMountclereformorethanaweek，whenshereceivedanotherletter，whichputanendtoherseasonofrelaxation，andoncemorebracedhertothecontest。Thisepistlewasverycourteouslywritten，andinpointofcorrectness，propriety，andgravity，mighthavecomefromthequillofabishop。
Hereintheoldnoblemangaveafurtherdescriptionoftheaccident，butthemainbusinessofthecommunicationwastoaskherif，sincehewasnotasyetveryactive，shewouldcometoEnckworthCourtanddelighthimselfandasmallgroupoffriendswhowerevisitingthere。
Sheponderedovertheletterasshewalkedbytheshorethatday，andaftersomehesitationdecidedtogo。
38。ENCKWORTHCOURT
Itwasonadull，stagnant，noiselessafternoonofautumnthatEthelbertafirstcrossedthethresholdofEnckworthCourt。ThedaylightwassoloweredbytheimperviousroofofcloudoverheadthatitscarcelyreachedfurtherintoLordMountclere’sentrance-
hallthantothesplaysofthewindows，evenbutanhourortwoaftermidday；andindoorstheglitterofthefirereflecteditselffromtheverypanes，soinconsiderableweretheopposingrays。
EnckworthCourt，initsmainpart，hadnotbeenstandingmorethanahundredyears。Atthatdatetheweakenedportionsoftheoriginalmediaevalstructurewerepulleddownandclearedaway，oldjambsbeingcarriedoffforrick-staddles，andthefoliatedtimbersofthehallroofmakingthemselvesusefulasfancychairsinthesummer-
housesofrisinginns。Anewblockofmasonrywasbuiltupfromthegroundofsuchheightandlordlinessthattheremnantoftheoldpileleftstandingbecameasamerecup-bearerandculinarymenialbesideit。Theroomsinthisoldfragment，whichhadintimespastbeenconsideredsufficientlydignifiedfordining-hall，withdrawing-
room，andsoon，werenowreckonedbarelyhighenoughforsculleries，servants’hall，andlaundries，thewholeofwhichwerearrangedtherein。
Themodernportionhadbeenplannedwithsuchatotaldisregardofassociation，thattheveryrudenessofthecontrastgaveaninteresttothemasswhichitmighthavewantedhadperfectharmonybeenattemptedbetweentheoldnucleusanditsadjuncts，aprobableresultiftheenlargementhadtakenplacelateronintime。Theissuewasthatthehoodedwindows，simplestring-courses，andrandommasonryoftheGothicworkman，stoodelbowtoelbowwiththeequal-
spacedashlar，architraves，andfasciaeoftheClassicaddition，eachtellingitsdistincttaleastostageofthoughtanddomestichabitwithoutanyofthoseartificesofblendingorrestorationbywhichtheseekerforhistoryinstoneswillbeutterlyhoodwinkedintimetocome。
TotheleftofthedoorandvestibulewhichEthelbertapassedthroughrosetheprincipalstaircase，constructedofafreestonesomilk-whiteanddelicatelymouldedastobeeasilyconceivedinthelamplightasofbiscuit-ware。Who，unacquaintedwiththesecretsofgeometricalconstruction，couldimaginethat，hangingsoairilythere，toallappearancesupportedonnothing，weretwentyormoretonsdeadweightofstone，thatwouldhavemadeaprisonforanelephantifsoarranged？Theartwhichproducedthisillusionwasquestionable，butitssuccesswasundoubted。’Howlovely！’saidEthelberta，asshelookedatthefairyascent。’Hisstaircasealoneisworthmyhand！’
Passingalongbythecolonnade，whichpartlyfencedthestaircasefromthevisitor，thesaloonwasreached，anapartmentformingadoublecube。Abouttheleft-handendofthisweregroupedthedrawing-roomsandlibrary；whileontherightwasthedining-hall，withbilliard，smoking，andgunroomsinmysteriousremotenessbeyond。
Withoutattemptingtotraceananalogybetweenamanandhismansion，itmaybestatedthateverythinghere，thoughsodignifiedandmagnificent，wasnotconceivedinquitethetrueandeternalspiritofart。ItwasahouseinwhichPuginwouldhavetornhishair。Thosemassiveblocksofred-veinedmarbleliningthehall——
emulatingintheirsurface-glittertheEscalierdeMarbreatVersailles——werecunningimitationsinpaintandplasterbyworkmenbroughtfromafarforthepurpose，ataprodigiousexpense，bythepresentviscount’sfather，andrecentlyrepairedandre-varnished。
Thedarkgreencolumnsandpilasterscorrespondingwerebrickatthecore。Nay，theexternalwalls，apparentlyofmassiveandsolidfreestone，wereonlyveneeredwiththatmaterial，being，likethepillars，ofbrickwithin。
Toastonemaskwornbyabrickfaceastorynaturallyappertained——
onewhichhassincedoneserviceinotherquarters。WhenthevastadditionhadjustbeencompletedKingGeorgevisitedEnckworth。Itsownerpointedoutthefeaturesofitsgrandarchitecturalattempt，andwaitedforcommendation。
’Brick，brick，brick，’saidtheking。
TheGeorgianLordMountclereblushedfaintly，albeittohisverypoll，andsaidnothingmoreabouthishousethatday。Whenthekingwasgonehesentfranticallyforthecraftsmenrecentlydismissed，andsoonthegreenlawnsbecameagainthecolourofaNine-Elmscementwharf。Thinfreestoneslabswereaffixedtothewholeseriesoffrontsbycoppercrampsanddowels，eachoneofsubstancesufficienttohavefurnishedapoorboy’spocketwithpenniesforamonth，tillnotaspeckoftheoriginalsurfaceremained，andtheedificeshoneinallthegrandeurofmassivemasonrythatwasnotmassiveatall。Butwhorememberedthissavethebuilderandhiscrew？andaslongasnobodyknewthetruth，pretencelookedjustaswell。
WhatwashonestinEnckworthCourtwasthatportionoftheoriginaledificewhichstillremained，nowdegradedtosubservientuses。
WheretheuntitledMountclereoftheWhiteRosefactionhadspreadhiskneesoverthebrands，whentheplacewasacastleandnotacourt，thestill-roommaidnowsimmeredherpreserves；andwhereElizabethanmothersanddaughtersofthatsturdylinehadtapestriedthelove-scenesofIsaacandJacob，bootsandshoeswerenowcleanedandcoalsstowedaway。
LordMountclerehadsofarrecoveredfromthesprainastobenominallyquitewell，underpressureofawishtoreceiveguests。
Thesprainhadinonesenseservedhimexcellently。Hehadnowareason，apartfromthatofyears，forwalkingwithhisstick，andtookcaretoletthereasonbefrequentlyknown。To-dayheentertainedalargernumberofpersonsthanhadbeenassembledwithinhiswallsforagreatlengthoftime。
UntilafterdinnerEthelbertafeltasifshewerestayingatanhotel。FewofthepeoplewhomshehadmetatthemeetingoftheImperialAssociationgreetedherhere。Theviscount’sbrotherwasnotpresent，butSirCyrilBlandsburyandhiswifewerethere，alivelypairofpersons，entertainingasactors，andfriendlyasdogs。Beyondtheseallthefacesandfigureswerenewtoher，thoughtheywerehandsomeanddashingenoughtosatisfyacourtchronicler。Ethelberta，inadressslopedaboutashighovertheshoulderaswouldhavedrawnapprovalfromReynolds，andexpostulationfromLely，thawedandthawedeachfriendwhocamenearher，andsenthimorherawaysmiling；yetshefeltalittlesurprise。Shehadseldomvisitedatacountry-house，andknewlittleoftheordinarycompositionofagroupofvisitorswithinitswalls；butthepresentassemblageseemedtowantmuchofthatold-
fashionedstabilityandquaintmonumentaldignityshehadexpectedtofindunderthishistoricalroof。Nobodyofherentertainer’sownrankappeared。Notasingleclergymanwasthere。AtendencytotalkWalpoleanscandalaboutforeigncourtswasparticularlymanifest。Andalthoughtropicaltravellers，Indianofficersandtheirwives，courteousexiles，anddescendantsofIrishkings，wereinfinitelymorepleasantthanLordMountclere’slandedneighbourswouldprobablyhavebeen，tosuchacosmopoliteasEthelbertaacalmToryoroldWhigcompanywouldhavegivenagreatertreat。Theywouldhavestruckasgratefullyuponhersensesassylvansceneryaftercragsandcliffs，orsilenceaftertheroarofacataract。
Itwasevening，andallthesepersonagesatEnckworthCourtweremerry，snug，andwarmwithinitswalls。Dinner-timehadpassed，andeverythinghadgoneonwell，whenMrs。TaraO’Fanagan，whohadagold-clampedtooth，whichshoneeverynowandthen，askedEthelbertaifshewouldamusethembytellingastory，sincenobodypresent，exceptLordMountclere，hadeverheardonefromherlips。
SeeingthatEthelbertahadbeenworkingatthatartasaprofession，itcanhardlybesaidthatthequestionwasconceivedwithtact，thoughitwasputwithgrace。LordMountclereevidentlythoughtitobjectionable，forhelookedunhappy。Toonlyonepersoninthebrilliantroomdidtherequestappearasatimelyaccident，andthatwastoEthelbertaherself。Herhonestywasalwaysmakingwaruponhermanoeuvres，andshatteringtheirdelicatemeshes，tohergreatinconvenienceanddelay。Thustherearosethosedeviousimpulsesandtangentialflightswhichspoiltheworksofeverywould-beschemerwhoinsteadofbeingwhollymachineishalfheart。Oneofthesenowwastoshowherselfasshereallywas，notonlytoLordMountclere，buttohisfriendsassembled，whom，inherignorance，sherespectedmorethantheydeserved，andsogetridofthatself-
reproachwhichhadbythistimereachedamorbidpitch，throughherover-sensitivenesstoasituationinwhichalargemajorityofwomenandmenwouldhaveseennofalseness。
Fullofthiscuriousintention，shequietlyassentedtotherequest，andlaughinglybadethemputthemselvesinlisteningorder。
’Anoldstorywillsuitus，’saidtheladywhohadimportunedher。
’Wehaveneverheardone。’
’No；itshallbequitenew，’shereplied。’Onenotyetmadepublic；
thoughitsoonwillbe。’
Thenarrativebeganbyintroducingtotheirnoticeagirlofthepoorestandmeanestparentage，thedaughterofaserving-man，andthefifthoftenchildren。Shegraphicallyrecounted，asiftheywereherown，thestrangedreamsandambitiouslongingsofthischildwhenyoung，herattemptstoacquireeducation，partialfailures，partialsuccesses，andconstantstruggles；instancinghow，ononeoftheseoccasions，thegirlconcealedherselfunderabookcaseofthelibrarybelongingtothemansioninwhichherfatherservedasfootman，andhavingtakenwithherthere，likeayoungFawkes，matchesandahalfpennycandle，wasgoingtositupallnightreadingwhenthefamilyhadretired，untilherfatherdiscoveredandpreventedherscheme。Thenfollowedherexperiencesasnursery-governess，hereveninglessonsunderself-selectedmasters，andherultimaterisetoahighergradeamongtheteachingsisterhood。Nextcameanotherepoch。Tothemansioninwhichshewasengagedreturnedatruantson，betweenwhomandtheheroineanattachmentsprangup。Themasterofthehousewasanambitiousgentlemanjustknighted，who，perceivingthestateoftheirhearts，harshlydismissedthehomelessgoverness，andratedtheson，theconsequencebeingthattheyouthfulpairresolvedtomarrysecretly，andcarriedtheirresolutionintoeffect。Therunawayjourneycamenext，andthenamovingdescriptionofthedeathoftheyounghusband，andtheterrorofthebride。
Theguestsbegantolookperplexed，andoneortwoexchangedwhispers。Thiswasnotatallthekindofstorythattheyhadexpected；itwasquitedifferentfromherusualutterances，thenatureofwhichtheyknewbyreport。EthelbertakepthereyeuponLordMountclere。Soon，toheramazement，therewasthatinhisfacewhichtoldherthatheknewthestoryanditsheroinequitewell。
Whenshedeliveredthesentenceendingwiththeprofessedlyfictitiouswords:’Ithuswasreducedtogreatdistress，andvainlycastaboutmefordirectionswhattodo，’LordMountclere’smannerbecamesoexcitedandanxiousthatitactedreciprocallyuponEthelberta；hervoicetrembled，shemovedherlipsbututterednothing。Tobringthestoryuptothedateofthatveryeveninghadbeenherintent，butitwasbeyondherpower。Thespellwasbroken；
sheblushedwithdistressandturnedaway，forthefollyofadisclosureherewasbuttooapparent。
Thougheveryonesawthatshehadbrokendown，noneofthemappearedtoknowthereasonwhy，ortohavethecluetoherperformance。
FortunatelyLordMountclerecametoheraid。
’Letthefirstpartendhere，’hesaid，risingandapproachingher。
’Wehavebeenwellentertainedsofar。IcouldscarcelybelievethatthestoryIwaslisteningtowasutterlyaninvention，sovividlydoesMrs。Petherwinbringthescenesbeforeoureyes。Shemustnowbeexhausted；wewillhavetheremainderto-morrow。’
Theyallagreedthatthiswaswell，andsoonafterfellintogroups，anddispersedabouttherooms。Wheneverybody’sattentionwasthusoccupiedLordMountclerewhisperedtoEthelbertatremulously，’Don’ttellmore:youthinktoomuchofthem:theyarenobetterthanyou！Willyoumeetmeinthelittlewintergardentwominuteshence？Passthroughthatdoor，andalongtheglasspassage。’Hehimselflefttheroombyanoppositedoor。
Shehadnotsetthreestepsinthewarmsnugoctagonofglassandplantswhenheappearedontheotherside。
’Youknewitallbefore！’shesaid，lookingkeenlyathim。’Whotoldyou，andhowlonghaveyouknownit？’
’Beforeyesterdayorlastweek，’saidLordMountclere。’EvenbeforewemetinFrance。Whyareyousosurprised？’
Ethelbertahadbeensurprised，andverygreatly，tofindhim，asitwere，secretedintheveryrearofherposition。Thatnothingshecouldtellwasnewtohimwasagooddealtothinkof，butitwaslittlebesidetherecollectionthathehadactuallymadehisfirstdeclarationinthefaceofthatknowledgeofherwhichshehadsupposedsofataltoallhermatrimonialambitions。
’Andnowonlyonepointremainstobesettled，’hesaid，takingherhand。’YoupromisedatRouenthatatournextinterviewyouwouldhonourmewithadecisivereply——onetomakemehappyforever。’
’Butmyfatherandfriends？’saidshe。
’Arenothingtobeconcernedabout。Moderndevelopmentshaveshakenuptheclasseslikepeasinahopper。Anannuity，andacomfortablecottage——’
’Mybrothersareworkmen。’
’Manufactureisthesinglevocationinwhichaman’sprospectsmaybesaidtobeillimitable。Hee-hee！——theymaybuymeupbeforetheydie！Andnowwhatstandsintheway？Itwouldtakefiftyallianceswithfiftyfamiliessolittledisreputableasyours，darling，todragminedown。’
Ethelbertahadanticipatedthescene，andsettledhercourse；whathadtobesaidanddoneherewasmereformality；yetshehadbeenunabletogostraighttotheassentrequired。However，afterthesewordsofself-depreciation，whichwereletfallasmuchforherownfutureeaseofconscienceasforhispresentwarning，shemadenomoreado。
’Ishallthinkitagreathonourtobeyourwife，’shesaidsimply。
39。KNOLLSEA-MELCHESTER
Theyearwasnowmovingonapace，butEthelbertaandPicoteechosetoremainatKnollsea，inthebrilliantvariegatedbrickandstonevillatowhichtheyhadremovedinordertobeinkeepingwiththeirascendingfortunes。Autumnhadbeguntomakeitselffeltandseeninbolderandlesssubtlewaysthanatfirst。Inthemorningnow，oncomingdownstairs，inplaceofayellowish-greenleafortwolyinginacorneroftheloweststep，whichhadbeentheonlyprevioussymptomsaroundthehouse，shesawdozensofthemplayingatcorkscrewsinthewind，directlythedoorwasopened。Beyond，towardsthesea，theslopesandscarpsthathadbeenmuffledwithathickrobeofcliffherbage，wereshowingtheirchillgreysubstancethroughthewitheredverdure，likethebackgroundofvelvetwhencethepilehasbeenfrettedaway。Unexpectedbreezesbroomedandraspedthesmoothbayinevanescentpatchesofstippledshade，and，besidesthesmallboats，theponderouslightersusedinshippingstonewerehauledupthebeachinanticipationoftheequinoctialattack。
AfewdaysafterEthelberta’sreceptionatEnckworth，animprovedstanhope，drivenbyLordMountclerehimself，climbedupthehilluntilitwasoppositeherdoor。Afewnotesfromapianosoftlyplayedreachedhisearashedescendedfromhisplace:onbeingshownintohisbetrothed，hecouldperceivethatshehadjustlefttheinstrument。Moreover，atearwasvisibleinhereyewhenshecamenearhim。
TheydiscoursedforseveralminutesinthemannernaturalbetweenadefencelessyoungwidowandanoldwidowerinLordMountclere’spositiontowhomshewasplighted——agreatdealofformalconsideratenessmakingitselfvisibleonherpart，andofextremetendernessonhis。Whilethusoccupied，heturnedtothepiano，andcasuallyglancedatapieceofmusiclyingopenuponit。Somewordsofwritingatthetopexpressedthatitwasthecomposer’soriginalcopy，presentedbyhim，ChristopherJulian，totheauthorofthesong。Seeingthathenoticedthesheetsomewhatlengthily，Ethelbertaremarkedthatithadbeenanofferingmadetoheralongtimeago——amelodywrittentooneofherownpoems。
’Inthewritingofthecomposer，’observedLordMountclere，withinterest。’Anofferingfromthemusicianhimself——verygratifyingandtouching。Mr。ChristopherJulianisthenameIseeuponit，I
believe？Iknewhisfather，Dr。Julian，aSandbourneman，ifI
recollect。’
’Yes，’saidEthelbertaplacidly。Butitwasreallywithaneffort。
ThesongwastheidenticalonewhichChristophersentuptoherfromSandbournewhenthefireofherhopeburnthighforlessmaterialends；andthediscoveryofthesheetamonghermusicthatdayhadstartededdiesofemotionforsometimechecked。
’Iamsorryyouhavebeengrieved，’saidLordMountclere，withgloomyrestlessness。
’Grieved？’saidEthelberta。
’DidInotseeatearthere？ordidmyeyesdeceiveme？’
’Youmighthaveseenone。’
’Ah！atear，andasong。Ithink——’
’Younaturallythinkthatawomanwhocriesoveraman’sgiftmustbeinlovewiththegiver？’Ethelbertalookedhimserenelyintheface。
LordMountclere’sjealoussuspicionswereconsiderablyshaken。
’Notatall，’hesaidhastily，asifashamed。’Onewhocriesoverasongismuchaffectedbyitssentiment。’
’Doyouexpectauthorstocryovertheirownwords？’sheinquired，mergingdefenceinattack。’Iamafraidtheydon’toftendothat。’
’Youwouldmakemeuneasy。’
’Onthecontrary，Iwouldreassureyou。Areyounotstilldoubting？’sheasked，withapleasantsmile。
’Icannotdoubtyou！’
’Swear，likeafaithfulknight。’
’Iswear，myfairy，myflower！’
Afterthistheoldmanappearedtobepondering；indeed，histhoughtscouldhardlybesaidtobepresentwhenheutteredthewords。Forthoughthetabernaclewasgettingshakybyreasonofyearsandmerryliving，sothatwhatwasgoingoninsidemightoftenbeguessedwithoutbythemovementofthehangings，asinapuppet-
showwithworncanvas，hecouldbequietenoughwhenscheminganyplotofparticularneatness，whichhadlessemotionthanimpishnessinit。Suchaninnocentamusementhewasponderingnow。
Beforeleavingher，heaskedifshewouldaccompanyhimtoamorninginstrumentalconcertatMelchester，whichwastotakeplaceinthecourseofthatweekforthebenefitofsomelocalinstitution。
’Melchester，’sherepeatedfaintly，andobservedhimassearchinglyasitwaspossibletodowithoutexposingherselftoarakingfireinreturn。CouldheknowthatChristopherwaslivingthere，andwasthissaidinprolongationofhisrecentsuspicion？ButLordMountclere’sfacegavenosign。
’Youforgetonefatalobjection，’saidshe；’thesecrecyinwhichitisimperativethattheengagementbetweenusshouldbekept。’
’IamnotknowninMelchesterwithoutmycarriage；norareyou。’
’Wemaybeknownbysomebodyontheroad。’
’Thenletitbearrangedinthisway。Iwillnotcallheretotakeyouup，butwillmeetyouatthestationatAnglebury；andwecangoontogetherbytrainwithoutnotice。Surelytherecanbenoobjectiontothat？Itwouldbemereprudishnesstoobject，sincewearetobecomeonesoshortly。’Hespokealittleimpatiently。ItwasplainthatheparticularlywantedhertogotoMelchester。
’Imerelymeantthattherewasachanceofdiscoveryinourgoingouttogether。Anddiscoverymeansnomarriage。’Shewaspalenow，andsickatheart，foritseemedthattheviscountmustbeawarethatChristopherdweltatthatplace，andwasabouttotestherconcerninghim。
’Whydoesitmeannomarriage？’saidhe。
’Myfathermight，andalmostcertainlywould，objecttoit。
Althoughhecannotcontrolme，hemightentreatme。’
’Whywouldheobject？’saidLordMountclereuneasily，andsomewhathaughtily。
’Idon’tknow。’
’Butyouwillbemywife——sayagainthatyouwill。’
’Iwill。’
Hebreathed。’Hewillnotobject——hee-hee！’hesaid。’Ono——I
thinkyouwillbeminenow。’
’Ihavesaidso。Butlooktomeallthesame。’
’Youmalignyourself，dearone。ButyouwillmeetmeatAnglebury，asIwish，andgoontoMelchesterwithme？’
’Ishallbepleasedto——ifmysistermayaccompanyme。’
’Ah——yoursister。Yes，ofcourse。’
Theysettledthetimeofthejourney，andwhenthevisithadbeenstretchedoutaslongasitreasonablycouldbewithpropriety，LordMountcleretookhisleave。
Whenhewasagainseatedonthedriving-phaetonwhichhehadbroughtthatday，LordMountclerelookedgleeful，andshrewdenoughinhisownopiniontooutwitMephistopheles。Assoonastheywereascendingahill，andhecouldfindtimetofreehishand，hepulledoffhisglove，anddrawingfromhispocketaprogrammeoftheMelchesterconcertreferredto，contemplatedthereinthenameofoneoftheintendedperformers。ThenamewasthatofMr。C。Julian。
Replacingitagain，helookedahead，andsometimeaftermurmuredwithwilymirth，’Anexcellenttest——aluckythought！’
Nothingofimportanceoccurredduringtheinterveningdays。Attwoo’clockontheappointedafternoonEthelbertasteppedfromthetrainatMelchesterwiththeviscount，whohadmetherasproposed；shewasfollowedbehindbyPicotee。
TheconcertwastobeheldattheTown-hallhalf-an-hourlater。
Theyenteredaflyinwaiting，andsecurefromrecognition，weredrivenleisurelyinthatdirection，Picoteesilentandabsorbedwithherownthoughts。
’There’stheCathedral，’saidLordMountclerehumorously，astheycaughtaviewofoneofitstowersthroughastreetleadingintotheClose。
’Yes。’
’Itboastsofaveryfineorgan。’
’Ah。’
’Andtheorganistisacleveryoungman。’
’Oh。’
LordMountclerepausedamomentortwo。’Bytheway，youmayrememberthatheistheMr。Julianwhosetyoursongtomusic！’
’Irecollectitquitewell。’HerheartwashorrifiedandshethoughtLordMountcleremustbedevelopingintoaninquisitor，whichperhapshewas。Butnoneofthisreachedherface。
TheyturnedinthedirectionoftheHall，weresetdown，andentered。
Thelargeassembly-roomsetapartfortheconcertwasupstairs，anditwaspossibletoenteritintwoways:bythelargedoorwayinfrontofthelanding，orbyturningdownasidepassageleadingtocouncil-roomsandsubsidiaryapartmentsofsmallsize，whichwereallottedtoperformersinanyexhibition；thustheycouldenterfromoneofthesedirectlyupontheplatform，withoutpassingthroughtheaudience。
’Willyouseatyourselveshere？’saidLordMountclere，who，insteadofenteringbythedirectdoor，hadbroughttheyoungwomenroundintothisgreen-room，asitmaybecalled。’Youseewehavecomeinprivatelyenough；whenthemusiciansarrivewecanpassthroughbehindthem，andstepdowntoourseatsfromthefront。’
Theplayerscouldsoonbeheardtuninginthenextroom。Thenonecamethroughthepassage-roomwherethethreewaited，andwentin，thenanother，thenanother。LastofallcameJulian。
Ethelbertasatfacingthedoor，butChristopher，neverintheleastexpectingherthere，didnotrecognizehertillhewasquiteinside。
Whenhehadreallyperceivedhertobetheonewhohadtroubledhissoulsomanytimesandlong，thebloodinhisface——neververymuch——
passedoffandleftit，liketheshadeofacloud。Betweenthemstoodatablecoveredwithgreenbaize，which，reflectingupwardsabandofsunlightshiningacrossthechamber，flunguponhisalreadywhitefeaturesthevirescenthuesofdeath。Thepoormusician，whoseperson，muchtohisowninconvenience，constitutedacompletebreviaryofthegentleemotions，lookedasifheweregoingtofalldowninafaint。
EthelbertaflungatLordMountclerealookwhichclippedhimlikepincers:heneverforgotitaslongashelived。
’Thisisyourprettyjealousscheme——Iseeit！’shehissedtohim，andwithoutbeingabletocontrolherselfwentacrosstoJulian。
ButaslightgaspcamefrombehindthedoorwherePicoteehadbeensitting。EthelbertaandLordMountclerelookedthatway:andbehold，Picoteehadnearlyswooned。
Ethelberta’sshowofpassionwentasquicklyasithadcome，forshefeltthatasplendidtriumphhadbeenputintoherhands。’Nowdoyouseethetruth？’shewhisperedtoLordMountclerewithoutadrachmoffeeling；pointingtoChristopherandthentoPicotee——aslikeastwosnowdropsnow。
’Ido，Ido，’murmuredtheviscounthastily。
TheybothwentforwardtohelpChristopherinrestoringthefragilePicotee:hehadsethimselftothattaskassuddenlyashepossiblycouldtocoverhisownnearapproachtothesamecondition。Notmuchhelpwasrequired，thelittlegirl’sindispositionbeingquitemomentary，andshesatupinthechairagain。
’Areyoubetter？’saidEthelbertatoChristopher。
’Quitewell——quite，’hesaid，smilingfaintly。’Iamgladtoseeyou。Imust，Ithink，gointothenextroomnow。’Hebowedandwalkedoutawkwardly。
’Areyoubetter，too？’shesaidtoPicotee。
’Quitewell，’saidPicotee。
’Youarequitesureyouknowbetweenwhomtheloveliesnow——eh？’
EthelbertaaskedinasarcasticwhisperofLordMountclere。
’Iam——beyondadoubt，’murmuredtheanxiousnobleman；hefearedthatlookofhers，whichwasnotlessdominantthanirresistible。
SomeadditionalmomentsgiventothoughtonthecircumstancesrenderedEthelbertastillmoreindignantandintractable。Shewentoutatthedoorbywhichtheyhadentered，alongthepassage，anddownthestairs。Ashufflingfootstepfollowed，butshedidnotturnherhead。Whentheyreachedthebottomofthestairsthecarriagehadgone，theirexitnotbeingexpectedtilltwohourslater。Ethelberta，nothingdaunted，sweptalongthepavementanddownthestreetinaturbulentprance，LordMountcleretrottingbehindwithajowlreducedtoamerenothingbyhisconcernatthediscourtesyintowhichhehadbeenluredbyjealouswhisperings。
’Mydearest——forgiveme；IconfessIdoubtedyou——butIwasbesidemyself，’cametoherearsfromoverhershoulder。ButEthelbertawalkedonasbefore。
LordMountcleresighedlikeapoetoveraledger。’Anoldman——whoisnotveryold——naturallytormentshimselfwithfearsoflosing——
no，no——itwasaninnocentjestofmine——youwillforgiveajoke——
hee-hee？’hesaidagain，ongettingnoreply。
’Youhadnorighttomistrustme！’
’Idonot——youdidnotblench。Youshouldhavetoldmebeforethatitwasyoursisterandnotyourselfwhowasentangledwithhim。’
’YoubroughtmetoMelchesteronpurposetoconfronthim！’
’Yes，Idid。’
’Areyounotashamed？’
’Iamsatisfied。Itisbettertoknowthetruthbyanymeansthantodieofsuspense；betterforusboth——surelyyouseethat？’
Theyhadbythistimegottotheendofalongstreet，andintoadesertedsideroadbywhichthestationcouldbeindirectlyreached。
Picoteeappearedinthedistanceasameredistractedspeckofgirlhood，followingthembecausenotknowingwhatelsetodoinhersicknessofbodyandmind。Onceoutofsighthere，Ethelbertabegantocry。
’Ethelberta，’saidLordMountclere，inanagonyoftrouble，’don’tbevexed！Itwasaninconsideratetrick——Iownit。Dowhatyouwill，butdonotdesertmenow！Icouldnotbearit——youwouldkillmeifyouweretoleaveme。Anything，butbemine。’
Ethelbertacontinuedherway，anddryinghereyesenteredthestation，where，onsearchingthetime-tables，shefoundtherewouldbenotrainforAngleburyforthenexttwohours。Thenmoreslowlysheturnedtowardsthetownagain，meetingPicoteeandkeepinginhercompany。
LordMountcleregaveupthechase，butashewishedtogetintothetownagain，hefollowedinthesamedirection。WhenEthelbertahadproceededasfarastheRedLionHotel，sheturnedtowardsitwithhercompanion，andbeingshowntoaroom，thetwosistersshutthemselvesin。LordMountclerepausedandenteredtheWhiteHart，therivalhoteltotheRedLion，whichstoodinanadjoiningstreet。
Havingsecludedhimselfinanapartmenthere，walkedfromwindowtowindowawhile，andmadehimselfgenerallyuncomfortable，hesatdowntothewritingmaterialsonthetable，andconcoctedanote:——
’WHITEHARTHOTEL。
’MYDEARMRS。PETHERWIN，——Youdonotmeantobesocruelastobreakyourplightedwordtome？Remember，thereisnolovewithoutmuchjealousy，andloversareeverfullofsighsandmisgiving。Ihaveownedtoasmuchcontritionascanreasonablybeexpected。Icouldnotendurethesuspicionthatyoulovedanother——Yoursalways，’MOUNTCLERE。’
Thishesent，watchingfromthewindowitsprogressalongthestreet。Heawaitedanxiouslyforananswer，andwaitedlong。Itwasnearlytwentyminutesbeforehecouldhearamessengerapproachingthedoor。Yes——shehadactuallysentareply；heprizeditasifithadbeenthefirstencouragementhehadeverinhislifereceivedfromwoman:——
’MYLORD’(wroteEthelberta)，——’Iamnotpreparedatpresenttoenterintothequestionofmarriageatall。Theincidentwhichhasoccurredaffordsmeeveryexcuseforwithdrawingmypromise，sinceitwasgivenundermisapprehensionsonapointthatmateriallyaffectsmyhappiness。
’E。PETHERWIN。’
’Ho-ho-ho——MissHoity-toity！’saidLordMountclere，trottingupanddown。But，rememberingitwasherJuneagainsthisNovember，thisdidnotlastlong，andhefranticallyreplied:——
’MYDARLING，——Icannotreleaseyou——Imustdoanythingtokeepmytreasure。Willyounotseemeforafewminutes，andletbygonesgotothewinds？’
Waseverathrushsosafeinacherrynetbefore！
ThemessengercamebackwiththeinformationthatMrs。PetherwinhadtakenawalktotheClose，hercompanionaloneremainingatthehotel。Therebeingnothingelseleftfortheviscounttodo，heputonhishat，andwentoutonfootinthesamedirection。HehadnotwalkedfarwhenhesawEthelbertamovingslowlyalongtheHighStreetbeforehim。
Ethelbertawasatthishourwanderingwithoutanyfixedintentionbeyondthatofconsumingtime。Shewasverywretched，andveryindifferent:theformerwhenthinkingofherpast，thelatterwhenthinkingofthedaystocome。Whileshewalkedthusunconsciousofthestreets，andtheirgroupsofotherwayfarers，shesawChristopheremergefromadoornotmanypacesinadvance，andcloseitbehindhim:hestoodforamomentonthestepbeforedescendingintotheroad。
Shecouldnot，evenhadshewishedit，easilycheckherprogresswithoutrenderingthechanceofhisperceivingherstillmorecertain。Butshedidnotwishanysuchthing，anditmadelittledifference，forhehadalreadyseenherintakinghissurveyround，andcamedownfromthedoortoherside。Itwasimpossibleforanythingformaltopassbetweenthemnow。
’Youarenotattheconcert，Mr。Julian？’shesaid。’Iamgladtohaveabetteropportunityofspeakingtoyou，andofaskingforyoursister。Unfortunatelythereisnottimeforustocalluponherto-
day。’
’Thankyou，butitmakesnodifference，’saidJulian，withsomewhatsadreserve。’IwilltellherIhavemetyou；sheisawayfromhomejustatpresent。’AndfindingthatEthelbertadidnotrejoinimmediatelyheobserved，’Thechieforganist，oldDr。Breeve，hastakenmyplaceattheconcert，asitwasarrangedheshoulddoaftertheopeningpart。IamnowgoingtotheCathedralfortheafternoonservice。Youaregoingtheretoo？’
’Ithoughtoflookingattheinteriorforamoment。’
Sotheywentonsidebyside，sayinglittle；foritwasasituationinwhichscarcelyanyappropriatethingcouldbespoken。EthelbertawasthelessreluctanttowalkinhiscompanybecauseoftheprovocationtoskittishnessthatLordMountclerehadgiven，aprovocationwhichshestillresented。Butshewasfarfromwishingtoincreasehisjealousy；andyetthiswaswhatshewasdoing，LordMountclerebeingaperturbedwitnessfrombehindofallthatwaspassingnow。
TheyturnedthecorneroftheshortstreetofconnectionwhichledunderanarchwaytotheCathedralClose，theoldpeerdoggingthemstill。Christopherseemedtowarmupalittle，andrepeatedtheinvitation。’Youwillcomewithyoursistertoseeusbeforeyouleave？’hesaid。’Wehaveteaatsix。’
’WeshallhaveleftMelchesterbeforethattime。Iamnowonlywaitingforthetrain。’
’YoutwohavenotcomeallthewayfromKnollseaalone？’
’Partoftheway，’saidEthelbertaevasively。
’Andgoingbackalone？’
’No。Onlyforthelastfivemiles。Atleastthatwasthearrangement——Iamnotquitesureifitholdsgood。’
’Youdon’twishmetoseeyousafelyinthetrain？’
’Itisnotnecessary:thankyouverymuch。Wearewellusedtogettingabouttheworldalone，andfromMelchestertoKnollseaisnoseriousjourney，lateorearly……YetIthinkIought，inhonesty，totellyouthatwearenotentirelybyourselvesinMelchesterto-day。’
’IrememberIsawyourfriend——relative——intheroomattheTown-
hall。Itdidnotoccurtomymindforthemomentthathewasanyotherthanastrangerstandingthere。’
’Heisnotarelative，’shesaid，withperplexity。’Ihardlyknow，Christopher，howtoexplaintoyoumypositionhereto-day，becauseofsomedifficultiesthathavearisensincewehavebeeninthetown，whichmayalteritentirely。OnthataccountIwillbelessfrankwithyouthanIshouldliketobe，consideringhowlongwehaveknowneachother。Itwouldbewrong，however，ifIwerenottotellyouthattherehasbeenapossibilityofmymarriagewithhim。’
’Theelderlygentleman？’
’Yes。AndIcamehereinhiscompany，intendingtoreturnwithhim。
Butyoushallknowallsoon。PicoteeshallwritetoFaith。’
’IalwaysthinktheCathedrallooksbetterfromthispointthanfromthepointusuallychosenbyartists，’hesaid，withnervousquickness，directingherglanceupwardstothesilentstructure，nowmistyandunrelievedbyeitherhighlightordeepshade。’Wegetthegroupingofthechapelsandchoir-aislesmoreclearlyshown——andthewholeculminatestoamoreperfectpyramidfromthisspot——doyouthinkso？’
’Yes。Ido。’
Alittlefurther，andChristopherstoppedtoenter，whenEthelbertabadehimfarewell。’Ithoughtatonetimethatourfuturesmighthavebeendifferentfromwhattheyareapparentlybecoming，’hesaidthen，regardingherasastall-readerregardsthebrilliantbookhecannotaffordtobuy。’Butonegetswearyofrepiningaboutthat。
IwishPicoteeandyourselfcouldseeusoftener；IamasconfirmedabachelornowasFaithisanoldmaid。Iwonderif——shouldtheeventyoucontemplateoccur——youandhewillevervisitus，orweshallevervisityou！’
Christopherwasevidentlyimaginingtheelderlygentlemantobesomeretiredfarmer，orprofessionalmanalreadysointermixedwiththemetamorphicclassesofsocietyasnottobesurprisedorinconveniencedbyherbeginnings；onewhowishedtosecureEthelbertaasanornamenttohisparlourfireinaquietspirit，andinnointoxicatedmoodregardlessofissues。Shecouldscarcelyreplytohissupposition；andthepartingwaswhatmighthavebeenpredictedfromaconversationsocarefullycontrolled。
Ethelberta，asshehadintended，nowwentonfurther，andenteringthenavebegantoinspectthesallowmonumentswhichlinedthegrizzledpile。Shedidnotperceiveamidtheshadowsanoldgentlemanwhohadcreptintothemouldyplaceasstealthilyasawormintoaskull，andwaskeepinghimselfcarefullybeyondherobservation。Shecontinuedtoregardfeatureafterfeaturetillthechoristershadfiledinfromthesouthside，andpealsbrokeforthfromtheorganontheblackoakenmassatthejunctionofnaveandchoir，shakingeverycobwebintheduskyvaults，andEthelberta’sheartnoless。Sheknewthefingersthatwerepressingoutthoserollingsounds，andknowingthem，becameabsorbedintracingtheirprogress。Togotowardstheorgan-loftwasanactofunconsciousness，andshedidnotpausetillshestoodalmostbeneathit。
Ethelbertawasawakenedfromvagueimaginingsbythecloseapproachoftheoldgentlemanalludedto，whospokewithagreatdealofagitation。
’Ihavebeentryingtomeetwithyou，’saidLordMountclere。’Come，letusbefriendsagain！——Ethelberta，IMUSTnotloseyou！Youcannotmeanthattheengagementshallbebrokenoff？’Hewasfartoodesiroustopossessheratanypricenowtorunasecondriskofexasperatingher，andforboretomakeanyallusiontotherecentpantomimebetweenherselfandChristopherthathehadbeheld，thoughitmightreasonablyhavefilledhimwithdreadandpetulance。
’Idonotmeananythingbeyondthis，’saidshe，’thatIentirelywithdrawfromitonthefaintestsignthatyouhavenotabandonedsuchmiserablejealousproceedingsasthoseyouadoptedto-day。’
’Ihavequiteabandonedthem。Willyoucomealittlefurtherthisway，andwalkintheaisle？Youdostillagreetobemine？’
’Ifitgivesyouanypleasure，Ido。’
’Yes，yes。Iimplorethatthemarriagemaybesoon——verysoon。’
Theviscountspokehastily，forthenotesoftheorganwhichwereplungingintotheirearseverandanonfromthehandsofhisyoungrivalseemedinconvenientlyandsolemnlyinthewayofhissuit。
’Well，LordMountclere？’
’Sayinafewdays？——itistheonlythingthatwillsatisfyme。’
’Iamabsolutelyindifferentastotheday。IfitpleasesyoutohaveitearlyIamwilling。’
’DareIaskthatitmaybethisweek？’saidthedelightedoldman。
’Icouldnotsaythat。’
’Butyoucannametheearliestday？’
’Icannotnow。Wehadbetterbegoingfromhere，Ithink。’
TheCathedralwasfillingwithshadows，andcoldbreathingscameroundthepiers，foritwasNovember，whennightverysoonsucceedsnooninspotswherenoonissoberedtothepallorofeve。Buttheservicewasnotyetover，andbeforequiteleavingthebuildingEthelbertacastoneotherglancetowardstheorganandthoughtofhimbehindit。AtthismomentherattentionwasarrestedbytheformofhersisterPicotee，whocameinatthenorthdoor，closedthelobby-wicketsoftly，andwentlightlyforwardtothechoir。
Whenwithinafewyardsofitshepausedbyapillar，andlingeredtherelookingupattheorganasEthelbertahaddone。Nosoundwascomingfromtheponderousmassoftubesjustthen；butinashortspaceawholecrowdoftonesspreadfromtheinstrumenttoaccompanythewordsofaresponse。Picoteestartedattheburstofmusicasiftakeninadishonestaction，andmovedoninamannerintendedtoeffacethelover’sloiteroftheprecedingmomentsfromherownconsciousnessnolessthanfromotherpeople’seyes。
’Doyouseethat？’saidEthelberta。’Thatlittlefigureismydearestsister。Couldyoubutensureamarriagebetweenherandhimshelistensto，Iwoulddoanythingyouwish！’
’Thatisindeedagraciouspromise，’saidLordMountclere。’AndwouldyouagreetowhatIaskedjustnow？’
’Yes。’
’When？’Agleefulsparkaccompaniedthis。
’Asyourequested。’
’Thisweek？Thedayafterto-morrow？’
’Ifyouwill。Butrememberwhatliesonyoursideofthecontract。
IfancyIhavegivenyouataskbeyondyourpowers。’
’Well，darling，weareatoneatlast，’saidLordMountclere，rubbinghishandagainsthisside。’AndifmytaskisheavyandI
cannotguaranteetheresult，Icanmakeitveryprobable。MarrymeonFriday——thedayafterto-morrow——andIwilldoallthatmoneyandinfluencecaneffecttobringabouttheirunion。’
’Yousolemnlypromise？Youwillneverceasetogivemealltheaidinyourpoweruntilthethingisdone？’
’Idosolemnlypromise——ontheconditionsnamed。’
’Verygood。YouwillhaveensuredmyfulfilmentofmypromisebeforeIcanensureyours；butItakeyourword。’
’YouwillmarrymeonFriday！Givemeyourhanduponit。’
Shegavehimherhand。
’Isitacovenant？’heasked。
’Itis，’saidshe。
LordMountclerewarmedfromsurfacetocentreasifhehaddrunkofhippocras，and，afterholdingherhandforsomemoments，raiseditgentlytohislips。
’Twodaysandyouaremine，’hesaid。
’ThatIbelieveInevershallbe。’
’Nevershallbe？Why，darling？’
’Idon’tknow。Somecatastrophewillpreventit。Ishallbedeadperhaps。’
’Youdistressme。Ah，——youmeantme——youmeantthatIshouldbedead，becauseyouthinkIamold！Butthatisamistake——Iamnotveryold！’
’Ithoughtonlyofmyself——nothingofyou。’
’Yes，Iknow。Dearest，itisdismalandchillinghere——letusgo。’
Ethelbertamechanicallymovedwithhim，andfelttherewasnoretreatingnow。Inthemeantimetheyoungladykinwhomthesolemnvowingconcernedhadlingeredroundthechoirscreen，asiffearingtoenter，yetlothtogoaway。Theserviceterminated，theheavybookswereclosed，doorswereopened，andthefeetofthefewpersonswhohadattendedevensongbeganpatteringdownthepavedalleys。NotwishingPicoteetoknowthattheobjectofhersecretexcursionhadbeendiscovered，EthelbertanowsteppedoutofthewestdoorwaywiththeviscountbeforePicoteehademergedfromtheother；andtheywalkedalongthepathtogetheruntilsheovertookthem。
’IfearitbecomesnecessaryformetostayinMelchesterto-night，’
saidLordMountclere。’Ihaveafewmatterstoattendtohere，astheresultofourarrangements。ButIwillfirstaccompanyyouasfarasAnglebury，andseeyousafelyintoacarriagetherethatshalltakeyouhome。To-morrowIwilldrivetoKnollsea，whenwewillmakethefinalpreparations。’
Ethelbertawouldnothavehimgosofarandbackagain，merelytoattenduponher；hencetheypartedattherailway，withdueandcorrecttenderness；andwhenthetrainhadgone，LordMountclerereturnedintothetownonthespecialbusinesshehadmentioned，forwhichthereremainedonlythepresenteveningandthefollowingmorning，ifheweretocalluponherintheafternoonofthenextday——thedaybeforethewedding——nowsorecklesslyhastenedonhispart，andsocoollyassentedtoonhers。
Bythetimethatthetwoyoungpeoplehadstarteditwasnearlydark。Someportionsoftherailwaystretchedthroughlittlecopsesandplantationswhere，theleaf-sheddingseasonbeingnowatitsheight，redandgoldenpatchesoffallenfoliagelayoneithersideoftherails；andasthetravellerspassed，allthesedeath-strickenbodiesboiledupinthewhirlwindcreatedbythevelocity，andweresentflyingrightandleftoftheminmyriads，aclean-fannedtrackbeingleftbehind。
Picoteewascalledfromtheobservationofthesephenomenabyaremarkfromhersister:’Picotee，themarriageistobeveryearlyindeed。Itistobethedayafterto-morrow——ifitcan。
NeverthelessIdon’tbelieveinthefact——Icannot。’
’Didyouarrangeitso？Nobodycanmakeyoumarrysosoon。’
’Iagreedtotheday，’murmuredEthelbertalanguidly。
’Howcanitbe？Thegaydressesandthepreparationsandthepeople——howcantheybecollectedinthetime，Berta？Andsomuchmoreofthatwillberequiredforalordofthelandthanforacommonman。O，Ican’tthinkitpossibleforasisterofminetomarryalord！’
’Andyetithasbeenpossibleanytimethislastmonthortwo，strangeasitseemstoyou……Itistobenotonlyaplainandsimplewedding，withoutanyloftyappliances，butasecretone——assecretasifIweresomeunder-ageheiresstoanIndianfortune，andheayoungmanofnothingayear。’
’HasLordMountcleresaiditmustbesoprivate？Isupposeitisonaccountofhisfamily。’
’No。Isayso；anditisonaccountofmyfamily。Fathermightobjecttothewedding，Iimagine，fromwhatheoncesaid，orhemightbemuchdisturbedaboutit；soIthinkitbetterthatheandtherestshouldknownothingtillallisover。Youmustdressagainasmysisterto-morrow，dear。LordMountclereisgoingtopayusanearlyvisittoconcludenecessaryarrangements。’
’O，thelifeasaladyatEnckworthCourt！Theflowers，thewoods，therooms，thepictures，theplate，andthejewels！Horsesandcarriagesrattlingandprancing，seneschalsandpages，footmenhoppingupandhoppingdown。Itwillbeglorythen！’
’Wemighthireourfatherasoneofmyretainers，toincreaseit，’
saidEthelbertadrily。
Picotee’scountenancefell。’Howshallwemanageallaboutthat？
’Tisterrible，really！’
’Themarriagegranted，thosethingswillrightthemselvesbytimeandweightofcircumstances。Youtakeawrongviewinthinkingofgloriesofthatsort。Myonlyhopeisthatmylifewillbequiteprivateandsimple，aswillbestbecomemyinferiorityandLordMountclere’sstaidness。SuchasplendidlibraryasthereisatEnckworth，Picotee——quartos，folios，history，verse，Elzevirs，Caxtons——allthathasbeendoneinliteraturefromMosesdowntoScott——withsuchcompanionsIcandowithoutallothersortsofhappiness。’
’AndyouwillnotgototownfromEastertoLammastide，asothernobleladiesdo？’askedtheyoungergirl，ratherdisappointedatthisaspectofaviscountess’slife。
’Idon’tknow。’
’Butyouwillgivedinners，andtravel，andgotoseehisfriends，andhavethemtoseeyou？’
’Idon’tknow。’
’Willyounotbe，then，asanyotherpeeress；andshallnotIbeasanyotherpeeress’ssister？’
’That，too，Idonotknow。Allismystery。NordoIevenknowthatthemarriagewilltakeplace。Ifeelthatitmaynot；andperhapssomuchthebetter，sincethemanisastrangertome。Iknownothingwhateverofhisnature，andheknowsnothingofmine。’
