第9章

40。MELCHESTER(continued) ThecommotionwroughtinJulian’smindbytheabruptincursionofEthelbertaintohisquietspherewasthoroughandprotracted。Thewitcheryofherpresencehehadgrownstrongenoughtowithstandinpart；buthercomposedannouncementthatshehadintendedtomarryanother，and，asfarashecouldunderstand，wasintendingitstill，addedanewchilltotheoldshadeofdisappointmentwhichcustomwasdaybydayenablinghimtoendure。Duringthewholeintervalinwhichhehadproducedthosediapasonblasts，heardwithsuchinharmoniousfeelingsbythethreeauditorsoutsidethescreen，histhoughtshadwanderedwiderthanhisnotesinconjecturesonthecharacterandpositionofthegentlemanseeninEthelberta’scompany。OwingtohisassumptionthatLordMountclerewasbutastrangerwhohadaccidentallycomeinatthesidedoor，Christopherhadbarelycastaglanceuponhim，andthewidedifferencebetweentheyearsoftheviscountandthoseofhisbetrothedwasnotsoparticularlyobservedastoraisethatpointtoaniteminhisobjectionsnow。LordMountclerewasdressedwithallthecunningthatcouldbedrawnfromthemetropolisbymoneyandreiterateddissatisfaction；hepridedhimselfonhisuprightcarriage；hisstickwassothinthatthemostmalevolentcouldnotinsinuatethatitwasofanypossibleuseinwalking；histeethhadputonallthevigourandfreshnessofasecondspring。Hencehislookwastheslowestofpossibleclocksinrespectofhisage，andhismannerwasequallyasmuchintherearofhisappearance。 Christopherwasnowoverfive-and-twenty。Hewasgettingsowellaccustomedtothespectacleofaworldpassinghimbyandsplashinghimwithitswheelsthathewonderedwhyhehadevermindedit。Hishabitofdreaminginsteadofdoinghadledhimuptoacuriousdiscovery。Itisnonewthingforamantofathomprofunditiesbyindulginghumours:theactive，therapid，thepeopleofsplendidmomentum，havebeensurprisedtobeholdwhatresultsattendthelivesofthosewhoseusualplanfordischargingtheiractivelabourshasbeentopostponethemindefinitely。Certainly，theimmediateresultinthepresentcasewas，toallbuthimself，smallandinvisible；butitwasofthenatureofhighestthings。Whathehadlearntwasthatawomanwhohasoncemadeapermanentimpressionuponamancannotaltogetherdenyhimherimagebydenyinghimhercompany，andthatbysedulouslycultivatingtheacquaintanceofthisCreatureofContemplationshebecomestohimalmostalivingsoul。 HenceasublimatedEthelbertaaccompaniedhimeverywhere——onewhoneverteasedhim，eludedhim，ordisappointedhim:whenhesmiledshesmiled，whenhewassadshesorrowed。Hemaybesaidtohavebecometheliteralduplicateofthatwhimsicalunknownrhapsodistwhowroteofhisownsimilarsituation—— ’ByabsencethisgoodmeansIgain，ThatIcancatchher，Wherenonecanwatchher，Insomeclosecornerofmybrain: ThereIembraceandkissher； AndsoIbothenjoyandmissher。’ Thisframeofmindnaturallyinducedanamazingabstractionintheorganist，neververyvigilantatthebestoftimes。Hewouldstandandlookfixedlyatafroginashadypool，andneveroncethinkofbatrachians，orpausebyagreenbanktosplitsometallbladeofgrassintofilamentswithoutremovingitfromitsstalk，passingonignorantthathehadmadeacat-o’-nine-tailsofagracefulslipofvegetation。Hewouldhearthecathedralclockstrikeone，andgothenextminutetoseewhattimeitwas。’IneverseedsuchamanasMr。Julianis，’saidtheheadblower。’He’llmeetmeanywhereout-of-doors，andneverwinkornod。You’dhardlyexpectit。I don’tfindfault，butyou’dhardlyexpectit，seeinghowIplaythesameinstrumentashedohimself，andhavedoneitforsomanyyearslongerthanhe。HowIhaveindulgedthatman，too！If’tisPedalsfortwomartelhoursofpracticeInevercomplain；andhehasplentyofvagaries。When’tishotsummerweatherthere’snothingwilldoforhimbutChoir，Great，andSwellaltogether，tillyerfaceisinavapour；andonafrostywinternighthe’llkeepmetherewhilehetweedlesupontheTwelfthandSixteenthtillmyarmsbescrammedforwantofmotion。Andneverspeakawordout-of-doors。’SomebodysuggestedthatperhapsChristopherdidnotnoticehiscoadjutor’spresenceinthestreet；andtimeprovedtotheorgan-blowerthattheremarkwasjust。 WheneverChristophercaughthimselfatthesevacuoustrickshewouldbestruckwithadmirationofEthelberta’swisdom，foresight，andself-commandinrefusingtowedsuchanincapableman:hefeltthatheoughttobethankfulthatabrightmemoryofherwasnotalsodeniedtohim，andresolvedtobecontentwithitasapossession，sinceitwasasmuchofherashecoulddecentlymaintain。 Wrappedthusinahumoroussadnesshepassedtheafternoonundernotice，andintheeveningwenthometoFaith，whostilllivedwithhim，andshowednosignofeverbeinglikelytodootherwise。Theirpresentplaceandmodeoflifesuitedherwell。SherevivedatMelchesterlikeanexoticsenthomeagain。TheleafyClose，theclimbingbuttresses，theponderingecclesiastics，thegreatdoors，thesingularkeys，thewhisperedtalk，echoesoflonelyfootsteps，thesunsetshadowofthetallsteeple，reachingfurtherintothetownthanthegoodbishop’steaching，andthegeneralcomplexionofaspotwheremorninghadthestillnessofeveningandspringsomeofthetonesofautumn，formedaproperbackgroundtoapersonconstitutedasFaith，who，likeMissHepzibahPyncheon’schicken，possessedinminiaturealltheantiquityofherprogenitors。 AfterteaChristopherwentintothestreets，aswasfrequentlyhiscustom，lesstoseehowtheworldcreptontherethantowalkupanddownfornothingatall。Ithadbeenmarket-day，andremnantsoftheruralpopulationthathadvisitedthetownstilllingeredatcorners，theirtoeshangingovertheedgeofthepavement，andtheireyeswanderingaboutthestreet。 Theanglewhichformedtheturning-pointofChristopher’spromenadewasoccupiedbyajeweller’sshop，ofastandingwhichcompletelyoutshoneeveryothershopinthatoranytradethroughoutthetown。 Indeed，itwasastaplesubjectofdiscussioninMelchesterhowashopofsuchpretensionscouldfindpatronagesufficienttosupportitsexistenceinaplacewhich，thoughwellpopulated，wasnotfashionable。Ithadnotlongbeenestablishedthere，andwastheenterpriseofanincomingmanwhosewholecourseofprocedureseemedtobedictatedbyanintentiontoastonishthenativecitizensveryconsiderablybeforehehaddone。Nearlyeverythingwasglassinthefrontageofthisfairymart，anditscontentsglitteredlikethehammochrysosstone。Thepanesbeingofplate-glass，andtheshophavingtwofronts，adiagonalviewcouldbehadthroughitfromonetotheotherofthestreetstowhichitformedacorner。 Thisevening，asonallevenings，afloodofradiancespreadfromthewindow-lampsintothethickautumnair，sothatfromadistancethatcornerappearedastheglisteningnucleusofallthelightinthetown。Towardsitidlemenandwomenunconsciouslybenttheirsteps，andclosedinuponthepaneslikenight-birdsuponthelanternofalighthouse。 WhenChristopherreachedthespottherestoodclosetothepavementaplainclosecarriage，apparentlywaitingforsomepersonwhowaspurchasinginside。Christopherwouldhardlyhavenoticedthishadhenotalsoperceived，pressedagainsttheglassoftheshopwindow，anunusualnumberoflocalnosesbelongingtoovergrownworkinglads，tosspots，anidiot，theham-smoker’sassistantwithhissleevesrolledup，ascot-and-lotfreeholder，threeorfourseamstresses，theyoungwomanwhobroughthomethewashing，andsoon。Theinterestofthesegazersinsomeproceedingswithin，whichbyreasonofthegaslightwereaspublicasifcarriedonintheopenair，wasverygreat。 ’Yes，that’swhathe’sabuyingo’——haw，haw！’saidoneoftheyoungmen，astheshopmanremovedfromthewindowagorgeousbluevelvettrayofwedding-rings，andlaiditonthecounter。 ’’Tiswhatyoumaycometoyerself，soonerorlater，Godhavemercyuponye；andassuchnoscoffingmatter，’saidanolderman。 ’Faith，I’dasliefcryaslaughtoseeamaninthatcorner。’ ’He’sagentgettingupinyearstoo。Hemusthevbeenthroughitafewtimesafore，seemingly，tositdownandbuythetoolssocoolasthat。’ ’Well，no。Seewhattheshyestwilldoatsuchtimes。Youbain’tyerselfthen；nomanlivingishisselfthen。’ ’True，’saidtheham-smoker’sman。’’Tisathoughttolookatthatachapwilltakeallthistroubletogetawomanintohishouse，andatwelvemonthafterwouldassoonhearitthunderashearhersing！’ Thepolicemanstandingnearwasahumaneman，throughhavingayoungfamilyhecouldhardlykeep，andhehesitatedabouttellingthemtomoveon。Christopherhadbeforethistimeperceivedthatthearticleswerelaiddownbeforeanoldgentlemanwhowasseatedintheshop，andthatthegentlemanwasnoneotherthanhewhohadbeenwithEthelbertaintheconcert-room。Thediscoverywassostartlingthat，constitutionallyindisposedashewastostandandwatch，hebecameasgluedtothespotastheotheridlers。FindinghimselfnowforthefirsttimedirectlyconfrontingthepreliminariesofEthelberta’smarriagetoastranger，hewasleftwithfarlessequanimitythanhecouldhavesupposedpossibletothesituation。 ’Sonearthetime！’hesaid，andlookedhardatLordMountclere。 ChristopherhadnowafarbetteropportunitythanbeforeforobservingEthelberta’sbetrothed。Apartfromanybiasofjealousy，disappointment，ormortification，hewasledtojudgethatthiswasnotquitethemantomakeEthelbertahappy。Hehadfanciedhercompaniontobeamanunderfifty；hewasnowvisiblysixtyormore。 Anditwasnotthesortofsexagenarianismbesidewhichayoungwoman’shappinesscansometimescontrivetokeepitselfaliveinaquietsleepyway。SuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatthiswasthemanwhomhehadhelpedinthecarriageaccidentonthewaytoKnollsea。 Helookedagain。 Bynomeansundignified，thefacepresentedthatcombinationofslynessandjocunditywhichweareaccustomedtoimagineofthecanonicaljolly-dogsinmediaevaltales。ThegamesomeCurateofMeudonmighthavesuppliedsomepartsofthecountenance；cunningFriarTucktheremainder。Nothingbuttheviscount’sconstanthabitofgoingtochurcheverySundaymorningwhenathiscountryresidencekeptunholinessoutofhisfeatures，forthoughhelivedtheologicallyenoughontheSabbath，asitbecameamaninhispositiontodo，hewasstrikinglymundanealltherestoftheweek，alwayspreferringthedeviltoGodinhisoaths。Andnothingbutantecedentgood-humourpreventedtheshortfitsofcrossnessincidenttohispassinginfirmitiesfrombecomingestablished。Hislookwasexceptionallyjovialnow，andthecornersofhismouthtwitchedasthetelegraph-needlesofahundredlittleeroticmessagesfromhishearttohisbrain。Anybodycouldseethathewasamerrymanstill，wholovedgoodcompany，warmingdrinks，nymph- likeshapes，andprettywords，inspiteofthedisagreeablesuggestionshereceivedfromthepupilsofhiseyes，andthejointsofhislivelylimbs，thatimpsofmischiefwerebusysappingandmininginthoseregions，withtheviewoftumblinghimintoacertaincoolcellarunderthechurchaisle。 Ingeneral，ifalovercanfindanygroundatallforserenityinthetideofanelderlyrival’ssuccess，hefindsitinthefactitselfofthatancientness。Theothersideseemslessarivalthanamakeshift。ButChristophernolongerfeltthis，andthesignificantsignsbeforehiseyesoftheimminenceofEthelberta’sunionwiththisoldherofilledhimwithrestlessdread。True，thegentleman，asheappearedilluminatedbythejeweller’sgas-jets，seemedmorelikelytoinjureEthelbertabyindulgencethanbyseverity，whileherbeautylasted；buttherewasanamelesssomethinginhimlesstolerablethanthis。 Thepurchaserhavingcompletedhisdealingswiththegoldsmith，wasconductedtothedoorbythemasteroftheshop，andintothecarriage，whichwasatoncedrivenoffupthestreet。 Christophernowmuchdesiredtoknowthenameofthemanwhomanicechainofcircumstantialevidencetaughthimtoregardasthehappywinnerwherescoreshadlost。HewasgrievedthatEthelberta’sconfessedreserveshouldhaveextendedsofarastolimithertomereindefinitehintsofmarriagewhentheyweretalkingalmostonthebrinkofthewedding-day。Thattheceremonywastobeaprivateone——whichitprobablywouldbebecauseofthedisparityofages—— didnotinhisopinionjustifyhersecrecy。Hehadshownhimselfcapableofatransmutationasvaluableasitisrareinmen，thechangefrompesteringlovertostaunchfriend，andthiswasallhehadgotforit。Butevenanoldloversunktoanindifferentistmighthavebeentemptedtospendanunoccupiedhalf-hourindiscoveringparticularsnow，andChristopherhadnotlapsednearlysofarastoabsoluteunconcern。 Thatevening，however，nothingcameinhiswaytoenlightenhim。 Butthenextday，whenskirtingtheCloseonhisordinaryduties，hesawthesamecarriagestandingatadistance，andpausedtobeholdthesameoldgentlemancomefromawell-knownofficeandre-enterthevehicle——LordMountclere，infact，inearnestpursuitofthebusinessofyesternight，havingjustpocketedadocumentinwhichromance，rashness，law，andgospelaresohappilymadetoworktogetherthatitmaysafelyberegardedastheneatestcompromisewhichhaseverbeeninventedsinceAdamsinned。 ThistimeJulianperceivedthatthebroughamwasonebelongingtotheWhiteHartHotel，whichLordMountclerewasusingpartlyfromthenecessitiesofthesehastyproceedings，andalsobecause，bysodoing，heescapedthenoticethatmighthavebeenbestoweduponhisownequipage，ormen-servants，theMountclerehammer-clothsbeingknowninMelchester。Christophernowwalkedtowardsthehotel，leisurely，yetwithanxiety。Heinquiredofaporterwhatpeoplewerestayingtherethatday，andwasinformedthattheyhadonlyonepersoninthehouse，LordMountclere，whomsuddenandunexpectedbusinesshaddetainedinMelchestersincethepreviousday。 Christopherlingeredtohearnomore。Heretracedthestreetmuchmorequicklythanhehadcome；andheonlysaid，’LordMountclere—— itmustneverbe！’ Assoonasheenteredthehouse，Faithperceivedthathewasgreatlyagitated。Heatoncetoldherofhisdiscovery，andsheexclaimed，’Whatabrilliantmatch！’ ’OFaith，’saidChristopher，’youdon’tknow！Youarefarfromknowing。Itisasgloomyasmidnight。GoodGod，canitbepossible？’ Faithblinkedinalarm，withoutspeaking。 ’DidyouneverhearanythingofLordMountclerewhenwelivedatSandbourne？’ ’Iknewthename——nomore。’ ’No，no——ofcourseyoudidnot。Well，thoughIneversawhisface，tomyknowledge，tillashorttimeago，Iknowenoughtosaythat，ifearnestrepresentationscanpreventit，thismarriageshallnotbe。Fatherknewhim，orabouthim，verywell；andheoncetoldme—— whatIcannottellyou。Fancy，Ihaveseenhimthreetimes—— yesterday，lastnight，andthismorning——besideshelpinghimontheroadsomeweeksago，andneveronceconsideredthathemightbeLordMountclere。Heisherealmostindisguise，onemaysay；neithermannorhorseiswithhim；andhisobjectaccountsforhisprivacy。I seehowitis——sheisdoingthistobenefitherbrothersandsisters，ifpossible；butsheoughttoknowthatifsheismiserabletheywillneverbehappy。That’sthenatureofwomen——theytaketheformfortheessence，andthat’swhatsheisdoingnow。Ishouldthinkherguardianangelmusthavequittedherwhensheagreedtoamarriagewhichmaytearherheartoutlikeaclaw。’ ’Youaretoowarmaboutit，Kit——itcannotbesobadasthat。Itisnotthething，butthesensitivenesstothething，whichisthetruemeasureofitspain。Perhapswhatseemssobadtoyoufallslightlyonhermind。Acampaignerinaheavyrainisnotmoreuncomfortablethanweareinaslightdraught；andEthelberta，fortifiedbyhersapphiresandgoldcupsandwaxcandles，willnotmindfactswhichlooklikespectrestousoutside。Atitlewillturntroublesintoromances，andshewillshineasaninterestingviscountessinspiteofthem。’ ThediscussionwithFaithwasnotcontinued，ChristopherstoppingtheargumentbysayingthathehadagoodmindtogooffatoncetoKnollsea，andshowherherdanger。ButtillthenextmorningEthelbertawascertainlysafe；nomarriagewaspossibleanywherebeforethen。Hepassedtheafternooninastateofgreatindecision，constantlyreiterating，’Iwillgo！’ 41。WORKSHOPS-ANINN-THESTREET Onanextensiveplotofground，lyingsomewherebetweentheThamesandtheKensingtonsquares，stoodthepremisesofMessrs。NockettandPerch，buildersandcontractors。Theyardwithitsworkshopsformedpartofoneofthosefrontierlinesbetweenmangybusinessandgarnisheddomesticitythatoccurinwhatarecalledimprovingneighbourhoods。Weareaccustomedtoregardincreaseasthechieffeatureinagreatcity’sprogress，itswell-knownsignsgreetingoureyesoneveryoutskirt。Slush-pondsmaybeseenturningintobasement-kitchens；abroadcausewayofshatteredearthenwaresmothersplotsofbuddinggooseberry-bushesandvegetabletrenches，foundationsfollowingsocloselyupongardensthatthehouseholdermaybeexpectedtofindcadaveroussproutsfromoverlookedpotatoesrisingthroughthechinksofhiscellarfloor。Buttheothergreatprocess，thatofinternaltransmutation，isnotlesscuriousthanthisencroachmentofgreyupongreen。Itsfirsterectionsareoftenonlythemilk-teethofasuburb，andasthedistrictrisesindignitytheyaredislodgedbythosewhicharetoendure。Slightnessbecomessupplantedbycomparativesolidity，commonnessbynovelty，lownessandirregularitybysymmetryandheight。 Anobserveroftheprecinctwhichhasbeennamedasaninstanceinpointmighthavestoodunderalamp-postandheardsimultaneouslythepealofthevisitor’sbellfromthenewterraceontherighthand，andthestrokeoftoolsfromthemustyworkshopsontheleft。 Waggonsladenwithdealscameuponthisside，andlandauscamedownontheother——theformertolumberheavilythroughtheold- establishedcontractors’gates，thelattertosweepfashionablyintothesquare。 Abouttwelveo’clockonthedayfollowingLordMountclere’sexhibitionofhimselftoChristopherinthejeweller’sshopatMelchester，andalmostattheidenticaltimewhentheviscountwasseentocomefromtheofficeformarriage-licencesinthesameplace，acarriagedrovenearlyuptothegatesofMessrs。NockettandCo。’syard。Agentlemansteppedoutandlookedaround。Hewasamanwhoseyearswouldhavebeenpronouncedasfive-and-fortybythefriendly，fiftybythecandid，fifty-twoorthreebythegrim。 Hewasashandsomeastudyingreyascouldbeseenintown，therebeingfarmoreoftheraven’splumagethanofthegull’sinthemixtureasyet；andhehadaglanceofthatpractisedsortwhichcanmeasurepeople，weighthem，repressthem，encouragethemtosproutandblossomasaMarchsunencouragescrocuses，askthemquestions，givethemanswers——inshort，aglancethatcoulddoasmanythingsasanAmericancooking-stoveoramultum-in-parvopocket-knife。 But，aswithmostmenoftheworld，thiswasmeremechanism:hisactualemotionswerekeptsofarwithinhispersonthattheywererarelyheardorseennearhisfeatures。 Onreadingthebuilders’namesoverthegatewayheenteredtheyard，andaskedattheofficeifSolomonChickerelwasengagedonthepremises。Theclerkwasgoingtobeveryattentive，butfindingthevisitorhadcomeonlytospeaktoaworkman，histenseattitudeslackenedalittle，andhemerelysignifiedthefootofaFlemishladderontheothersideoftheyard，saying，’Youwillfindhim，sir，upthereinthejoiner’sshop。’ Whenthemanintheblackcoatreachedthetophefoundhimselfattheendofalongapartmentaslargeasachapelandaslowasamalt-room，acrosswhichranparallelcarpenters’benchestothenumberoftwentyormore，agangwaybeingleftatthesideforaccessthroughout。Behindeverybenchtherestoodamanortwo，planing，fitting，orchiselling，asthecasemightbe。Thevisitorpausedforamoment，asifwaitingforsomecessationoftheirviolentmotionsanduproartillhecouldmakehiserrandknown。Hewaitedtenseconds，hewaitedtwenty；but，beyondthataquicklookhadbeenthrownuponhimbyeverypairofeyes，themuscularperformanceswereinnowayinterrupted:everyoneseemedobliviousofhispresence，andabsolutelyregardlessofhiswish。Intruth，thetextureofthatsalmon-colouredskincouldbeseentobearistocraticwithoutamicroscope，andtheexceptiousartizanhasanoffhandwaywhencontrastsaremadepainfullystrongbyanidlerofthiskindcoming，glovedandbrushed，intotheverydenwhereheissweatingandmuddlinginhisshirt-sleeves。 Thegentlemanfromthecarriagethenproceededdowntheworkshop，wadinguptohiskneesinaseaofshavings，andbruisinghisanklesagainstcornersofboardandsawn-offblocks，thatlayhiddenlikereefsbeneath。Attheninthbenchhemadeanotherventure。 ’SolChickerel？’saidthemanaddressed，ashetouchedhisplane- ironupontheoilstone。’He’soneofthemjustbehind。’ ’Damnitall，can’toneofyoushowme？’thevisitorangrilyobserved，forhehadbeenusedtomoreattentionthanthis。’Here，pointhimout。’Hehandedthemanashilling。 ’Notroubletodothat，’saidtheworkman；andheturnedandsignifiedSolbyanodwithoutmovingfromhisplace。 ThestrangerenteredSol’sdivision，and，nailinghimwithhiseye，saidatonce:’Iwanttospeakafewwordswithyouinprivate。IsnotaMrs。Petherwinyoursister？’ Solstartedsuspiciously。’Hasanythinghappenedtoher？’heatlengthsaidhurriedly。 ’Ono。ItisonabusinessmatterthatIhavecalled。Youneednotmindowningtherelationshiptome——thesecretwillbekept。Iamthebrotherofonewhomyoumayhaveheardoffromher——LordMountclere。’ ’Ihavenot。Butifyouwillwaitaminute，sir——’Hewenttoalittleglazedboxattheendoftheshop，wheretheforemanwassitting，and，afterspeakingafewwordstothisperson，SolledMountcleretothedoor，anddowntheladder。 ’Isupposewecannotverywelltalkhere，afterall？’saidthegentleman，whentheyreachedtheyard，andfoundseveralmenmovingabouttherein。 ’Perhapswehadbettergotosomeroom——thenearestinnwillanswerthepurpose，won’tit？’ ’Excellently。’ ’There’sthe\"GreenBushes\"overtheway。Theyhaveaveryniceprivateroomupstairs。’ ’Yes，thatwilldo。’Andpassingoutoftheyard，themanwiththeglanceenteredtheinnwithSol，wheretheywereshowntotheparlourasrequested。 Whilethewaiterwasgoneforsomewine，whichMountclereordered，themoreingenuousofthetworesumedtheconversationbysaying，awkwardly:’Yes，Mrs。Petherwinismysister，asyousupposed，sir； butonheraccountIdonotletitbeknown。’ ’Indeed，’saidMountclere。’Well，IcametoseeyouinordertospeakofamatterwhichIthoughtyoumightknowmoreaboutthanI do，forithastakenmequitebysurprise。Mybrother，LordMountclere，is，itseems，tobeprivatelymarriedtoMrs。Petherwinto-morrow。’ ’Isthatreallythefact？’saidSol，becomingquiteshaken。’Ihadnothoughtthatsuchathingcouldbepossible！’ ’Itisimminent。’ ’Fatherhastoldmethatshehaslatelygottoknowsomenobleman； butIneversupposedtherecouldbeanymeaninginthat。’ ’Youwerealtogetherwrong，’saidMountclere，leaningbackinhischairandlookingatSolsteadily。’Doyoufeelittobeamatteruponwhichyouwillcongratulateher？’ ’Averydifferentthing！’saidSolvehemently。’Thoughheisyourbrother，sir，Imustsaythis，thatIwouldrathershemarriedthepoorestmanIknow。’ ’Why？’ ’Fromwhatmyfatherhastoldmeofhim，heisnot——amoredesirablebrother-in-lawtomethanIshallbeinalllikelihoodtohim。WhatbusinesshasamanofthatcharactertomarryBerta，Ishouldliketoask？’ ’That’swhatIsay，’returnedMountclere，revealinghissatisfactionatSol’sestimateofhisnoblebrother:itshowedthathehadcalculatedwellincominghere。’Mybrotherisgettingold，andhehaslivedstrangely:yoursisterisahighlyrespectableyounglady。’ ’Andheisnotrespectable，youmean？Iknowheisnot。IworkednearEnckworthonce。’ ’Icannotsaythat，’returnedMountclere。Possiblyacertainfraternalfeelingrepressedadirectassent:andyetthiswastheonlyrepresentationwhichcouldbeexpectedtoprejudicetheyoungmanagainstthewedding，ifheweresuchanoneasthevisitorsupposedSoltobe——amanvulgarinsentimentandambition，butpureinhisanxietyforhissister’shappiness。’Atanyrate，weareagreedinthinkingthatthiswouldbeanunfortunatemarriageforboth，’addedMountclere。 ’AboutbothIdon’tknow。Itmaybeagoodthingforhim。Whendoyousayitistobe，sir——to-morrow？’ ’Yes。’ ’Idon’tknowwhattodo！’saidSol，walkingupanddown。’IfhalfwhatIhaveheardistrue，Iwouldloseawinter’sworktopreventhermarryinghim。Whatdoesshewanttogomixinginwithpeoplewhodespiseherfor？Nowlookhere，Mr。Mountclere，sinceyouhavebeenandcalledmeouttotalkthisover，itisonlyfairthatyoushouldtellmetheexacttruthaboutyourbrother。Isitalie，orisittrue，thatheisnotfittobethehusbandofadecentwoman？’ ’Thatisacuriousinquiry，’saidMountclere，whosemannerandaspect，neutralasawinterlandscape，hadlittleincommonwithSol’swarmandunrestrainedbearing。’TherearereasonswhyIthinkyoursisterwillnotbehappywithhim。’ ’Thenitistruewhattheysay，’saidSol，bringingdownhisfistuponthetable。’Iknowyourmeaningwellenough。What’stobedone？IfIcouldonlyseeherthisminute，shemightbekeptoutofit。’ ’Youthinkyourpresencewouldinfluenceyoursister——ifyoucouldseeherbeforethewedding？’ ’Ithinkitwould。Butwho’stogetather？’ ’Iamgoing，soyouhadbettercomeonwithme——unlessitwouldbebestforyourfathertocome。’ ’Perhapsitmight，’saidthebewilderedSol。’Buthewillnotbeabletogetaway；andit’snouseforDantogo。IfanybodygoesI must！Ifshehasmadeuphermindnothingcanbedonebywritingtoher。’ ’IleaveatoncetoseeLordMountclere，’theothercontinued。’I feelthatasmybrotherisevidentlyignorantofthepositionofMrs。Petherwin’sfamilyandconnections，itisonlyfairinme，ashisnearestrelative，tomakethemcleartohimbeforeitistoolate。’ ’Youmeanthatifheknewherfriendswereworking-peoplehewouldnotthinkofherasawife？’Tisareasonablethought。Butmakeyourmindeasy:shehastoldhim。Imakeagreatmistakeifshehasforamomentthoughtofconcealingthatfromhim。’ ’Shemaynothavedeliberatelydoneso。But——andIsaythiswithnoill-feeling——itisamatterknowntofew，andshemayhavetakennostepstoundeceivehim。Ihopetobringhimtoseethematterclearly。Unfortunatelythethinghasbeensosecretandhurriedthatthereisbarelytime。Iknewnothinguntilthismorning——neverdreamtofsuchapreposterousoccurrence。’ ’Preposterous！Ifitshouldcometopass，shewouldplayherpartashisladyaswellasanyotherwoman，andbetter。Iwishtherewasnomorereasonforfearonmysidethanthereisonyours！ Thingshavecometoasoreheadwhensheisnotconsideredladyenoughforsuchashe。Butperhapsyourmeaningis，thatifyourbrotherweretohaveason，youwouldloseyourheir-presumptivetitletothecor’netofMountclere？Well，’twouldberatherhardforye，nowIcometothinko’t——uponmylife，’twould。’ ’Thesuggestionisasdelicateasthe——atmosphereofthisvileroom。Butletyourignorancebeyourexcuse，myman。Itishardlyworthwhileforustoquarrelwhenwebothhavethesameobjectinview:doyouthinkso？’ ’That’strue——that’strue。Whendoyoustart，sir？’ ’Wemustleavealmostatonce，’saidMountclere，lookingathiswatch。’Ifwecannotcatchthetwoo’clocktrain，thereisnogettingthereto-night——andto-morrowwecouldnotpossiblyarrivebeforeone。’ ’Iwishtherewastimeformetogoandtidymyselfabit，’saidSol，anxiouslylookingdownathisworkingclothes。’Isupposeyouwouldnotlikemetogowithyoulikethis？’ ’Confoundtheclothes！Ifyoucannotstartinfiveminutes，weshallnotbeabletogoatall。’ ’Verywell，then——waitwhileIrunacrosstotheshop，thenIamready。Howdowegettothestation？’ ’Mycarriageisatthecornerwaiting。WhenyoucomeoutIwillmeetyouatthegates。’ Solthenhurrieddownstairs，andaminuteortwolaterMr。 Mountclerefollowed，lookinglikeamanbentonpolicyatanyprice。 ThecarriagewasbroughtroundbythetimethatSolreappearedfromtheyard。HeenteredandsatdownbesideMountclere，notwithoutasensethathewasspoilinggoodupholstery；thecoachmanthenallowedthelashofhiswhiptoalightwiththeforceofasmallflyuponthehorses，whichsetthemupinanangrytrot。Solrolledonbesidehisnewacquaintancewiththeshamefacedlookofamangoingtoprisoninavan，forpedestriansoccasionallygazedathim，fullofwhatseemedtohimselftobeironicalsurprise。 ’IamafraidIoughttohavechangedmyclothesafterall，’hesaid，writhingunderaperceptionofthecontrastbetweenthem。’Notknowinganythingaboutthis，Iain’tabitprepared。IfIhadgotevenmysecond-besthat，itwouldn’tbesobad。’ ’Itmakesnodifference，’saidMountclereinanimately。 ’OrImighthavebroughtmyportmantle，withsomethings。’ ’Itreallyisnotimportant。’ Onreachingthestationtheyfoundtherewereyetafewminutestospare，whichSolmadeuseofinwritinganotetohisfather，toexplainwhathadoccurred。 42。THEDONCASTLES’RESIDENCE，ANDOUTSIDETHESAME Mrs。Doncastle’sdressing-bellhadrung，butMenlove，thelady’smaid，havingatthesametimereceivedaletterbytheeveningpost，pausedtoreaditbeforereplyingtothesummons:—— ’ENCKWORTHCOURT，Wednesday。 DARLINGLOUISA，——IcanassureyouthatIamnomorelikelythanyourselftoformanotherattachment，asyouwillperceivebywhatfollows。BeforewelefttownIthoughtthattobeabletoseeyouoccasionallywassufficientforhappiness，butdowninthislonelyplacethecaseisdifferent。Inshort，mydear，Iaskyoutoconsenttoaunionwithmeassoonasyoupossiblycan。Yourprettinesshaswonmyeyesandlipscompletely，sweet，andIlieawakeatnighttothinkofthegoldencurlsyouallowedtoescapefromtheirconfinementonthosenicetimesofprivateclothes，whenwewalkedintheparkandslippedthebondsofservice，whichyouwereneverborntoanymorethanI…… ’Hadnotmyownfeelingsbeensostrong，IshouldhavetoldyouatthefirstdashofmypenthatwhatIexpectediscomingtopassatlast——theolddogisgoingtobeprivatelymarriedtoMrs。P。Yes，indeed，andtheweddingiscomingoffto-morrow，secretasthegrave。Allherfriendswilldoubtlessleaveserviceonaccountofit。Whathedoesnowmakeslittledifferencetome，ofcourse，asI hadalreadygivenwarning，butIshallsticktohimlikeaBritoninspiteofit。Hehasto-daymademeapresent，andafurtherfivepoundsforyourself，expectingyoutoholdyourtongueoneverymatterconnectedwithMrs。P。’sfriends，andtosaynothingtoanyofthemaboutthismarriageuntilitisover。Hislordshipimpressedthisuponmeverystrong，andfamiliarasabrother，andofcourseweobeyhisinstructionstotheletter；forIneedhardlysaythatunlesshekeepshispromisetohelpmeinsettinguptheshop，ournuptialscannotbeconsumed。Hishelpdependsuponourobedience，asyouareaware……’ This，andmuchmore，wasfromherverylastlover，LordMountclere’svalet，whohadbeentakeninhanddirectlyshehadconvincedherselfofJoey’shopelessyouthfulness。ThemissivesentMrs。Menlove’sspiritssoaringlikespringlarks；sheflewupstairsinanswertothebellwithajoyful，triumphantlook，whichtheilluminatedfigureofMrs。Doncastleinherdressing-roomcouldnotquiterepress。OnecouldalmostforgiveMenloveherartswhensomodestaresultbroughtsuchvastcontent。 Mrs。Doncastleseemedinclinedtomakenoremarkduringthedressing，andatlastMenlovecouldrepressherselfnolonger。 ’Ishouldliketonamesomethingtoyou，m’m。’ ’Yes。’ ’Ishallbewishingtoleavesoon，ifitisconvenient。’ ’Verywell，Menlove，’answeredMrs。Doncastle，assheserenelysurveyedherrighteyebrowintheglass。’AmItotakethisasaformalnotice？’ ’Ifyouplease；butIcouldstayaweekortwobeyondthemonthifsuitable。Iamgoingtobemarried——that’swhatitis，m’m。’ ’O！Iamgladtohearit，thoughIamsorrytoloseyou。’ ’ItisLordMountclere’svalet——Mr。Tipman——m’m。’ ’Indeed。’ MenlovewentonbuildingupMrs。Doncastle’shairawhileinsilence。 ’Isupposeyouheardtheothernewsthatarrivedintownto-day，m’m？’shesaidagain。’LordMountclereisgoingtobemarriedto- morrow。’ ’To-morrow？Areyouquitesure？’ ’Oyes，m’m。Mr。Tipmanhasjusttoldmesoinhisletter。HeisgoingtobemarriedtoMrs。Petherwin。Itistobequiteaprivatewedding。’ Mrs。Doncastlemadenoremark，andsheremainedinthesamestillpositionasbefore；butacountenanceexpressingtranscendentsurprisewasreflectedtoMenlovebytheglass。 AtthissightMenlove’stonguesoburnedtogofurther，andunfoldthelady’srelationswiththebutlerdownstairs，thatshewouldhavelostamonth’swagestobeatlibertytodoit。Thedisclosurewasalmosttoomagnificenttoberepressed。Todenyherselfsoexquisiteanindulgencerequiredaneffortwhichnothingonearthcouldhavesustainedsavetheonethingthatdidsustainit——theknowledgethatuponhersilencehungthemostenormousdesideratumintheworld，herownmarriage。Shesaidnomore，andMrs。 Doncastlewentaway。 Itwasanordinaryfamilydinnerthatday，buttheirnephewNeighhappenedtobepresent。JustastheyweresittingdownMrs。 Doncastlesaidtoherhusband:’Whyhaveyounottoldmeoftheweddingto-morrow？——ordon’tyouknowanythingaboutit？’ ’Wedding？’saidMr。Doncastle。 ’LordMountclereistobemarriedtoMrs。Petherwinquiteprivately。’ ’GoodGod！’saidsomeperson。 Mr。Doncastledidnotspeakthewords；theywerenotspokenbyNeigh:theyseemedtofloatovertheroomandroundthewalls，asiforiginatinginsomespiritualisticsource。YetMrs。Doncastle，rememberingthesymptomsofattachmentbetweenEthelbertaandhernephewwhichhadappearedduringthesummer，lookedtowardsNeighinstantly，asifshethoughtthewordsmusthavecomefromhimafterall；butNeigh’sfacewasperfectlycalm；he，togetherwithherhusband，wassittingwithhiseyesfixedinthedirectionofthesideboard；andturningtothesamespotshebeheldChickerelstandingpaleasdeath，hislipsbeingpartedasifhedidnotknowwherehewas。 ’Didyouspeak？’saidMrs。Doncastle，lookingwithastonishmentatthebutler。 ’Chickerel，what’sthematter——areyouill？’saidMr。Doncastlesimultaneously。’Wasityouwhosaidthat？’ ’Idid，sir，’saidChickerelinahuskyvoice，scarcelyaboveawhisper。’Icouldnothelpit。’ ’Why？’ ’Sheismydaughter，anditshallbeknownatonce！’ ’Whoisyourdaughter？’ Hepausedafewmomentsnervously。’Mrs。Petherwin，’hesaid。 UponthisannouncementNeighlookedatpoorChickerelasifhesawthroughhimintothewall。Mrs。Doncastleutteredafaintexclamationandleantbackinherchair:thebarepossibilityofthetruthofChickerel’sclaimstosuchpaternityshookhertopieceswhensheviewedherintimacieswithEthelbertaduringthepastseason——thecourtshehadpaidher，thearrangementsshehadenteredintotopleaseher；aboveall，thedinner-partywhichshehadcontrivedandcarriedoutsolelytogratifyLordMountclereandbringhimintopersonalcommunicationwiththegeneralfavourite； thusmakingherselfprobablythechiefthoughunconsciousinstrumentinpromotingamatchbywhichherbutlerwastobecomefather-in-lawtoapeershedelightedtohonour。Thecrowdofperceptionsalmosttookawayherlife；sheclosedhereyesinawhiteshiver。 ’DoyoumeantosaythattheladywhosathereatdinneratthesametimethatLordMountclerewaspresent，isyourdaughter？’askedDoncastle。 ’Yes，sir，’saidChickerelrespectfully。 ’Howdidshecometobeyourdaughter？’ ’I——Well，sheismydaughter，sir。’ ’Didyoueducateher？’ ’Notaltogether，sir。Shewasaverycleverchild。LadyPetherwintookadealoftroubleabouthereducation。Theywerebothleftwidowsaboutthesametime:thesondied，thenthefather。Mydaughterwasonlyseventeenthen。Butthoughshe’soldernow，hermarriagewithLordMountcleremeansmisery。Heoughttomarryanotherwoman。’ ’Itisveryextraordinary，’Mr。Doncastlemurmured。’Ifyouareillyouhadbettergoandrestyourself，Chickerel。SendinThomas。’ Chickerel，whoseemedtobemuchdisturbed，thenverygladlylefttheroom，anddinnerproceeded。Butsuchwasthepeculiarityofthecase，that，thoughtherewasinitneithermurder，robbery，illness，accident，fire，oranyotherofthetragicandlegitimateshakersofhumannerves，twoofthethreewhoweregatheredtheresatthroughthemealwithouttheleastconsciousnessofwhatviandshadcomposedit。Impressivenessdependsasmuchuponpropinquityasuponmagnitude；andtohavehonouredunawaresthedaughterofthevilestAntipodeanmiscreantandmurdererwouldhavebeenlessdiscomfitingtoMrs。Doncastlethanitwastomakethesameblunderwiththedaughterofarespectableservantwhohappenedtoliveinherownhouse。ToNeightheannouncementwasasthecatastropheofastoryalreadybegun，ratherthanasanisolatedwonder。Ethelberta’swordshadpreparedhimforsomething，thoughthenatureofthatthingwasunknown。 ’Chickereloughtnottohavekeptusinignoranceofthis——ofcourseheoughtnot！’saidMrs。Doncastle，assoonastheywereleftalone。 ’Idon’tseewhynot，’repliedMr。Doncastle，whotookthematterverycoolly，aswashiscustom。 ’Thensheherselfshouldhaveletitbeknown。’ ’Nordoesthatfollow。Youdidn’ttellMrs。Petherwinthatyourgrandfathernarrowlyescapedhangingforshootinghisrivalinaduel。’ ’Ofcoursenot。TherewasnoreasonwhyIshouldgiveextraneousinformation。’ ’Norwasthereanyreasonwhysheshould。AsforChickerel，hedoubtlessfelthowunbecomingitwouldbetomakepersonalremarksupononeofyourguests——Ha-ha-ha！Well，well——Ha-ha-ha-ha！’ ’Iknowthis，’saidMrs。Doncastle，ingreatanger，’thatifmyfatherhadbeenintheroom，Ishouldnothaveletthefactpassunnoticed，andtreatedhimlikeastranger！’ ’WouldyouhavehadherintroduceChickereltousallround？MydearMargaret，itwasacomplicatedpositionforawoman。’ ’Thensheoughtnottohavecome！’ ’Theremaybesomethinginthat，thoughshewasdiningoutatotherhousesasgoodasours。Well，Ishouldhavedonejustasshedid，forthejokeofthething。Ha-ha-ha！——itisverygood——very。Itwasacaseinwhichtheappetiteforajestwouldoverpowerthestingofconscienceinanywell-constitutedbeing——that，mydear，I mustmaintain。’ ’Isaysheshouldnothavecome！’answeredMrs。Doncastlefirmly。 ’OfcourseIshalldismissChickerel。’ ’Ofcourseyouwilldonosuchthing。Ihaveneverhadabutlerinthehousebeforewhosuitedmesowell。Itisagreatcredittothemantohavesuchadaughter，andIamnotsurethatwedonotderivesomelustreofahumblekindfromhispresenceinthehouse。But，seriously，Iwonderatyourshort-sightedness，whenyouknowthetroubleswehavehadthroughgettingnewmenfromnobodyknowswhere。’ Neigh，perceivingthatthebreezeintheatmospheremightultimatelyintensifytoapalpableblacksquall，seemedtothinkitwouldbewelltotakeleaveofhisuncleandauntassoonasheconvenientlycould；nevertheless，hewasmuchlessdiscomposedbythesituationthanbytheactivecausewhichhadledtoit。WhenMrs。Doncastlearose，herhusbandsaidhewasgoingtospeaktoChickerelforaminuteortwo，andNeighfollowedhisauntupstairs。 PresentlyDoncastlejoinedthem。’IhavebeentalkingtoChickerel，’hesaid。’Itisaverycuriousaffair——thismarriageofhisdaughterandLordMountclere。ThewholesituationisthemostastoundingIhaveevermetwith。Themanisquiteillaboutthenews。Hehasshownmealetterwhichhasjustreachedhimfromhissononthesamesubject。LordMountclere’sbrotherandthisyoungmanhaveactuallygoneofftogethertotrytopreventthewedding，andChickerelhasaskedtobeallowedtogohimself，ifhecangetsoonenoughtothestationtocatchthenightmail。Ofcoursehemaygoifhewishes。’ ’Whatafunnything！’saidthelady，withawretchedlyfactitioussmile。’Thetimeshavetakenastrangeturnwhentheangryparentofthecomedy，whogoespost-hastetopreventtheundutifuldaughter’srashmarriage，isagentlemanfrombelowstairs，andtheunworthyloverapeeroftherealm！’ Neighspokeforalmostthefirsttime。’Idon’tblameChickerelinobjectingtoLordMountclere。IshouldobjecttohimmyselfifI hadadaughter。Ineverlikedhim。’ ’Why？’saidMrs。Doncastle，liftinghereyelidsasiftheactwereaheavytask。 ’Forreasonswhichdon’tgenerallyappear。’ ’Yes，’saidMr。Doncastle，inalowtone。’Still，wemustnotbelieveallwehear。’ ’IsChickerelgoing？’saidNeigh。 ’Heleavesinfiveortenminutes，’saidDoncastle。 AfterafewfurtherwordsNeighmentionedthathewasunabletostaylongerthatevening，andleftthem。Whenhehadreachedtheoutsideofthedoorhewalkedalittlewayupthepavementandbackagain，asifreluctanttolosesightofthestreet，finallystandingunderalamp-postwhencehecouldcommandaviewofMr。Doncastle’sfront。 Presentlyamancameoutinagreat-coatandwithasmallbaginhishand；NeighatoncerecognizingthepersonasChickerel，wentuptohim。 ’Mr。Doncastletellsmeyouaregoingonasuddenjourney。Atwhattimedoesyourtrainleave？’Neighasked。 ’Igobytheteno’clock，sir:Ihopeitisathird-class，’saidChickerel；’thoughIamafraiditmaynotbe。’ ’Itisasmuchasyouwilldotogettothestation，’saidNeigh，turningthefaceofhiswatchtothelight。’Here，comeintomycab——Iamdrivingthatway。’ ’Thankyou，sir，’saidChickerel。 Neighcalledacabatthefirstopportunity，andtheyenteredanddrovealongtogether。Neitherspokeduringthejourney。WhentheyweredrivinguptothestationentranceNeighlookedagaintoseethehour。 ’Youhavenotaminutetolose，’hesaid，inrepressedanxiety。 ’Andyourjourneywillbeexpensive:insteadofwalkingfromAngleburytoKnollsea，youhadbetterdrive——aboveall，don’tlosetime。Nevermindwhatclassthetrainis。Takethisfromme，sincetheemergencyisgreat。’HehandedsomethingtoChickerelfoldedupsmall。 Thebutlertookitwithoutinquiry，andsteppedouthastily。 ’Isincerelyhopeshe——Well，good-night，Chickerel，’continuedNeigh，endinghiswordsabruptly。Thecabcontaininghimdroveagaintowardsthestation-gates，leavingChickerelstandingonthekerb。 Hepassedthroughthebooking-office，andlookedatthepaperNeighhadputintohishand。Itwasafive-poundnote。 Chickerelmusedonthecircumstanceashetookhisticketandgotintothetrain。 43。THERAILWAY-THESEA-THESHOREBEYOND BythistimeSolandtheHonourableEdgarMountclerehadgonefarontheirjourneyintoWessex。EnckworthCourt，Mountclere’sdestination，thoughseveralmilesfromKnollsea，wasmosteasilyaccessiblebythesamerouteasthattothevillage，thelatterbeingtheplaceforwhichSolwasbound。 Fromthefewwordsthatpassedbetweenthemontheway，MountclerebecamemorestubbornthaneverinabeliefthatthiswasacarefullylaidtrapofthefairEthelberta’stoensnarehisbrotherwithoutrevealingtohimherfamilyties，whichitthereforebehovedhimtomakeclear，withtheutmostforceofrepresentation，beforethefatalunionhadbeencontracted。Beinghimselftheviscount’sonlyremainingbrotherandnearrelative，thedisinterestednessofhismotivesmaybelefttoimagination；thattherewasmuchrealexcuseforhisconductmust，however，beborneinmind。Whetherhisattemptwouldpreventtheunionwasanotherquestion:hebelievedthat，conjoinedwithhispersonalinfluenceovertheviscount，andtheimportationofSolasafirebrandtothrowbetweenthebetrothedpair，itmightdoso。 Abouthalf-an-hourbeforesunsetthetwoindividuals，linkedbytheirdifferences，reachedthepointofrailwayatwhichthebranchtoSandbourneleftthemainline。TheyhadtakenticketsforSandbourne，intendingtogothencetoKnollseabythesteamerthatpliedbetweenthetwoplacesduringthesummermonths——makingthisashortanddirectroute。ButitoccurredtoMountclereonthewaythat，summerbeingover，thesteamermightpossiblyhaveleftoffrunning，thewindmightbetoohighforasmallboat，andnolargeonemightbeathandforhire:thereforeitwouldbesafertogobytraintoAnglebury，andtheremainingsixteenmilesbydrivingoverthehills，evenatagreatlossoftime。 Accident，however，determinedotherwise。Theywereinthestationatthejunction，inquiringofanofficialiftheSpeedwellhadceasedtosail，whenacountrymanwhohadjustcomeupfromSandbournestatedthat，thoughtheSpeedwellhadleftofffortheyear，therewasthatdayanothersteameratSandbourne。ThissteamerwouldofnecessityreturntoKnollseathatevening，partlybecauseseveralpeoplefromthatplacehadbeenonboard，andalsobecausetheKnollseafolkwerewaitingforgroceriesanddraperiesfromLondon:therewasnotanounceofteaorahundredweightofcoalinthevillage，owingtotherecentwinds，whichhaddetainedtheprovisionparcelsatSandbourne，andkeptthecolliersup- channeluntilthechangeofweatherthisday。Tointroducenecessariesbyaroundaboutlandjourneywasnoteasywhentheyhadbeenorderedbytheotherandhabitualroute。Theboatreturnedatsixo’clock。 SoontheywenttoSandbourne，drivingofftothepierdirectlytheyreachedthatplace，foritwasgettingtowardsnight。Thesteamerwasthere，asthemanhadtoldthem，muchtothereliefofSol，who，beingextremelyanxioustoenterKnollseabeforealatehour，hadknownthatthiswastheonlywayinwhichitcouldbedone。 Someunforeseenincidentdelayedtheboat，andtheywalkedupanddownthepiertowait。Theprospectwasgloomyenough。Thewindwasnorth-east；theseaalongshorewasachalky-green，thoughcomparativelycalm，thispartofthecoastformingashelterfromwindinitspresentquarter。Thecloudshaddifferentvelocities，andsomeofthemshonewithacopperyglare，producedbyraysfromthewestwhichdidnotentertheinferioratmosphereatall。Itwasreflectedonthedistantwavesinpatches，withaneffectasifthewaterswereatthoseparticularspotsstainedwithblood。Thisdeparted，andwhatdaylightwaslefttotheearthcamefromstrangeandunusualquartersoftheheavens。Thezenithwouldbebright，asifthatweretheplaceofthesun；thenalloverheadwouldclose，andawhitenessintheeastwouldgivetheappearanceofmorning； whileabankasthickasawallbarricadedthewest，whichlookedasifithadnoacquaintancewithsunsets，andwouldblushrednomore。 ’Anyotherpassengers？’shoutedthemasterofthesteamboat。’Wemustbeoff:itmaybeadirtynight。’ SolandMountclerewentonboard，andthepierrecededinthedusk。 ’ShallwehaveanydifficultyingettingintoKnollseaBay？’saidMountclere。 ’Notifthewindkeepswhereitisforanotherhourortwo。’ ’Ifancyitisshiftingtotheeast’ard，’saidSol。 Thecaptainlookedasifhehadthoughtthesamething。 ’IhopeIshallbeabletogethometo-night，’saidaKnollseawoman。’Mylittlechildrenbeleftalone。Yourmis’essisinabadway，too——isn’tshe，skipper？’ ’Yes。’ ’Andyou’vegotthedoctorfromSandbourneaboard，totendher？’ ’Yes。’ ’Thenyou’llbesuretoputintoKnollsea，ifyoucan？’ ’Yes。Don’tbealarmed，ma’am。We’lldowhatwecan。Butnoonemustboast。’ Theskipper’sremarkwastheresultofanobservationthatthewindhadatlastflowntotheeast，thesinglepointofthecompasswhenceitcouldaffectKnollseaBay。Theresultofthischangewassoonperceptible。Aboutmidwayintheirtransitthelandelbowedouttoaboldchalkpromontory；beyondthisstretchedaverticalwallofthesamecliff，inalineparallelwiththeircourse。Infairweatheritwaspossibleandcustomarytosteerclosealongunderthishoaryfacadeforthedistanceofamile，therebeingsixfathomsofwaterwithinafewboats’lengthsoftheprecipice。Butitwasanuglyspotatthebestoftimes，landwardnolessthanseaward，thecliffroundingoffatthetopinvegetation，likeaforeheadwithlow-grownhair，nodefinededgebeingprovidedasawarningtounwarypedestriansonthedownsabove。 Asthewindsprungupstronger，whiteclotscouldbediscernedatthewaterlevelofthecliff，risingandfallingagainsttheblackbandofshaggyweedthatformedasortofskirtingtothebaseofthewall。Theywerethefirst-fruitsoftheneweastblast，whichshavedthefaceoftheclifflikearazor——gatheringsoffoamintheshapeofheads，shoulders，andarmsofsnowywhiteness，apparentlystrugglingtorisefromthedeeps，andeversinkingbacktotheiroldlevelsagain。TheyremindedanobserverofadrowningsceneinapictureoftheDeluge。Atsomepointsthefaceofrockwashollowedintogapingcaverns，andthewaterbegantothunderintothesewithaleapthatwasonlytoppedbythereboundseawardagain。 Thevessel’sheadwaskeptalittlefurthertosea，butbeyondthateverythingwentonasusual。 Theprecipicewasstillinview，andbeforeitseveralhugecolumnsofrockappeared，detachedfromthemassbehind。Twoofthesewereparticularlynoticeableinthegreyair——onevertical，stoutandsquare；theotherslenderandtapering。Theywereindividualizedashusbandandwifebythecoastmen。Thewavesleaptuptheirsideslikeapackofhounds；this，however，thoughfearfulinitsboisterousness，wasnothingtotheterriblegamesthatsometimeswentonroundthekneesofthosegiantsinstone。Yetitwassufficienttocausethecourseofthefrailsteamboattobealteredyetalittlemore——fromsouth-west-by-southtosouth-by-west——togivethebreakersastillwiderberth。 ’Iwishwehadgonebyland，sir；’twouldhavebeensurerplay，’ saidSoltoMountclere，acat-and-dogfriendshiphavingarisenbetweenthem。 ’Yes，’saidMountclere。’Knollseaisanabominableplacetogetintowithaneastwindblowing，theysay。’ Anothercircumstanceconspiredtomaketheirlandingmoredifficult，whichMountclereknewnothingof。Withthewindeasterly，thehighestseaprevailedinKnollseaBayfromtheslackeningofflood- tidetothefirsthourofebb。Atthattimethewateroutsidestoodwithoutacurrent，andridgesandhollowschasedeachothertowardsthebeachunchecked。WhenthetidewassettingstrongupordownChannelitsflowacrossthemouthofthebaythrustaside，tosomeextent，thelandwardplungeofthewaves。 Weglanceforamomentatthestateofaffairsonthelandtheywerenearing。 ThiswasthetimeofyeartoknowthetruthabouttheinnernatureandcharacterofKnollsea；fortoseeKnollseasmilingtothesummersunwastoseeacourtierbeforeaking；Knollseawasnottobeknownbysuchsimplemeans。Thehalf-dozendetachedvillasusedaslodging-housesinthesummer，standingalooffromthecotsofthepermanentrace，roseintheduskofthisgustyevening，empty，silent，damp，anddarkastombs。Thegravelwalksleadingtothemwereinvadedbyleavesandtuftsofgrass。Asthedarknessthickenedthewindincreased，andeachblastrakedtheironrailingsbeforethehousestilltheyhummedasifinasongofderision。 Certainlyitseemedabsurdatthistimeofyearthathumanbeingsshouldexpectcomfortinaspotcapableofsuchmoodsasthese。 However，oneofthehouseslookedcheerful，andthatwasthedwellingtowhichEthelbertahadgone。Itsgayexternalcoloursmightaswellhavebeenblackforanythingthatcouldbeseenofthemnow，butanunblindedwindowrevealedinsideitaroombrightandwarm。Itwasilluminatedbyfirelightonly。Within，Ethelbertaappearedagainstthecurtains，closetotheglass。Shewaswatchingthroughabinocularafaintlightwhichhadbecomevisibleinthedirectionoftheblufffarawayoverthebay。 ’HereistheSpruceatlast，Ithink，’shesaidtohersister，whowasbythefire。’IhopetheywillbeabletolandthethingsI haveordered。TheyareonboardIknow。’ Thewindcontinuedtorisetillatlengthsomethingfromthelungsofthegalealightedlikeafeatheruponthepane，andremainedtheresticking。Seeingthesubstance，Ethelbertaopenedthewindowtosecureit。Thefireroaredandthepictureskickedthewalls； sheclosedthesash，andbroughttothelightacrispfragmentoffoam。 ’Howsuddenlytheseamusthaverisen，’saidPicotee。 Theservantenteredtheroom。’Please，mis’esssayssheisafraidyouwon’thaveyourthingsto-night，’m。Theysaythesteamercan’tland，andmis’esswantstoknowifshecandoanything？’ ’Itisofnoconsequence，’saidEthelberta。’Theywillcomesometime，unlesstheygotothebottom。’ Thegirllefttheroom。’Shallwegodowntotheshoreandseewhatthenightislike？’saidEthelberta。’ThisisthelastopportunityIshallhave。’ ’Isitrightforustogo，consideringyouaretobemarriedto- morrow？’saidPicotee，whohadsmallaffectionfornatureinthismood。 Hersisterlaughed。’Letusputonourcloaks——nobodywillknowus。 Iamsorrytoleavethisgrimandprimitiveplace，evenforEnckworthCourt。’ Theywrappedthemselvesup，anddescendedthehill。 Ondrawingnearthebattlinglineofbreakerswhichmarkedthemeetingofseaandlandtheycouldperceivewithinthenearlyinvisiblehorizonanequilateraltriangleoflights。Itwasformedofthreestars，aredontheoneside，agreenontheother，andawhiteonthesummit。This，composedofmast-headandsidelamps，wasallthatwasvisibleoftheSpruce，whichnowfacedend-onabouthalf-a-miledistant，andwasstillnearingthepier。Thegirlswentfurther，andstoodontheforeshore，listeningtothedin。Seawardappearednothingdistinctsaveablackhorizontalbandembodyingitselfoutofthegreywater，strengtheningitsblackness，andenlargingtillitlookedlikeanearingwall。Itwastheconcavefaceofacomingwave。Onitssummitawhiteedgingarosewiththeaspectofalacefrill；itbroadened，andfelloverthefrontwithaterribleconcussion。Thenallbeforethemwasasheetofwhiteness，whichspreadwithamazingrapidity，tilltheyfoundthemselvesstandinginthemidstofit，asinafieldofsnow。Bothfeltaninsidiouschillencirclingtheirankles，andtheyrapidlyranupthebeach。 ’Yougirls，comeawaythere，oryou’llbewashedoff:whatneedhaveyeforgoingsonear？’ EthelbertarecognizedthestentorianvoiceasthatofCaptainFlower，who，withapartyofboatmen，wasdiscoveredtobestandingnear，undertheshelterofawall。Hedidnotknowtheminthegloom，andtheytookcarethatheshouldnot。Theyretreatedfurtherupthebeach，whenthehissingfleeceoffrothslidagaindowntheshingle，draggingthepebblesunderitwitharattleasofabeastgnawingbones。 Thespotwhereonthemenstoodwascalled’Down-under-wall；’itwasanookcommandingafullviewofthebay，andhitherthenauticalportionofthevillageunconsciouslygravitatedonwindyafternoonsandnights，todiscusspastdisastersinthereticentspiritinducedbyasensethattheymightatanymomentberepeated。ThestrangerwhoshouldwalktheshoreonroaringandsobbingNovembereveswhentherewasnotlightsufficienttoguidehisfootsteps，andmuseontheabsolutenessofthesolitude，wouldbesurprisedbyasmart’Good-night’beingreturnedfromthiscornerincompanywiththeechoofhistread。Insummerthesixoreightperennialfiguresstoodonthebreezysideofthewall——inwinterandinraintoleeward；butnoweatherwasknowntodislodgethem。 ’Ihadnosoonercomeashorethanthewindbegantoflyround，’saidthepreviousspeaker；’anditmusthavebeenaboutthetimetheywereoffOld-HarryPoint。\"She’llputbackforcertain，\"Isaid； andIhadnomorethoughto’seeingherthanJohn’sset-netthatwascarriedroundthepointo’Monday。’ ’Poorfeller:hiswifebeinginsuchastatemakeshimanxioustolandif’acan:that’swhat’tis，plainenough。’ ’Whythat？’saidFlower。 ’Thedoctor’saboard，’abelieve:\"I’llhavethemostunderstandingmaninSandbourne，costmelittleormuch，\"hesaid。’ ’’Tisalloverandshe’sbetter，’saidtheother。’Icalledhalf- an-houraforedark。’ Flower，beinganexperiencedman，knewhowthejudgmentofaship’smasterwasliabletobewarpedbyfamilyanxieties，manyinstancesofthesamehavingoccurredinthehistoryofnavigation。Hefeltuneasy，forheknewthedeceitandguileofthisbayfarbetterthandidthemasteroftheSpruce，who，tillwithinafewrecentmonths，hadbeenastrangertotheplace。Indeed，itwasthebaywhichhadmadeFlowerwhathewas，insteadofamaninthrivingretirement。 Thetwogreatventuresofhislifehadbeenblownashoreandbrokenupwithinthatverysemicircle。Thesturdysailornowstoodwithhiseyesfixedonthetriangleoflightswhichshowedthatthesteamerhadnotrelinquishedherintentionofbringingupinsidethepierifpossible；hisrighthandwasinhispocket，whereitplayedwithalargekeywhichlaythere。Itwasthekeyofthelifeboatshed，andFlowerwascoxswain。Hismusingwasonthepossibilityofauseforitthisnight。 ItappearedthatthecaptainoftheSprucewasaimingtopassinundertheleeofthepier；butastrongcurrentoffourorfiveknotswasrunningbetweenthepiles，driftingthesteamerawayateveryattemptassoonassheslowed。Tocomeinontheothersidewasdangerous，thehullofthevesselbeinglikelytocrashagainstandoverthrowthefragileerection，withdamagetoherselfalso。 Flower，whohaddisappearedforafewminutes，nowcameback。 ’ItisjustpossibleIcanmake’emhearwiththetrumpet，nowtheybetoleeward，’hesaid，andproceededwithtwoorthreeotherstogropehiswayoutuponthepier，whichconsistedsimplyofarowofrottenpilescoveredwithrottenplanking，nobalustradeofanykindexistingtokeeptheunwaryfromtumblingoff。Atthewaterlevelthepileswereeatenawaybytheactionoftheseatoaboutthesizeofaman’swrist，andateveryfreshinfluxthewholestructuretrembledlikeaspider’sweb。Inthislaythedangerofmakingfast，forastrongpullfromaheadfastropemightdragtheerectioncompletelyover。Flowerarrivedattheend，wherealanternhung。 ’Spruceahoy！’heblaredthroughthespeakingtrumpettwoorthreetimes。 Thereseemedtobeareplyofsomesortfromthesteamer。 ’Tuesday’sgalehevloosenedthepier，Cap’nOunce；thebollardsbetooweaktomakefastto:mustlandinboatsifyewillland，butdangerous；yerwifeisoutofdanger，and’tisaboy-y-y-y！’ EthelbertaandPicoteewereatthistimestandingonthebeachahundredandfiftyyardsoff。WhetherornotthemasterofthesteamerreceivedtheinformationvolunteeredbyFlower，thetwogirlssawthetriangleoflampsgetnarrowatitsbase，reducethemselvestotwoinaverticalline，thentoone，thentodarkness。 TheSprucehadturnedherheadfromKnollsea。 ’Theyhavegoneback，andIshallnothavemyweddingthingsafterall！’saidEthelberta。’Well，Imustdowithoutthem。’ ’Yousee，’twasbesttoplaysure，’saidFlowertohiscomrades，inatoneofcomplacency。’Theymighthavebeenabletodoit，but’twasrisky。Theshop-folkbeoutofstock，Ihear，andthevisitingladyupthehillisterriblyinwantofclothes，so’tissaid。Butwhat’sthat？Ounceoughttohaveputbackafore。’ Thenthelanternwhichhungattheendofthejettywastakendown，andthedarknessenfoldedallaroundfromview。Thebaybecamenothingbutavoice，thefoamanoccasionaltouchupontheface，theSpruceanimagination，thepieramemory。Everythinglesseneduponthesensesbutone；thatwasthewind。Itmauledtheirpersonslikeahand，andcausedeveryscrapoftheirraimenttotugwestward。Tostandwiththefacetoseabroughtsemi-suffocation，fromtheintensepressureofair。 Theboatmenretiredtotheirpositionunderthewall，toloungeagaininsilence。Conversationwasnotconsiderednecessary:theirsenseofeachother’spresenceformedakindofconversation。 MeanwhilePicoteeandEthelbertawentupthehill。 ’Ifyourweddingweregoingtobeapublicone，whatamisfortunethisdelayofthepackageswouldbe，’saidPicotee。 ’Yes，’repliedtheelder。 ’Ithinkthebracelettheprettiestofallthepresentshebroughtto-day——doyou？’ ’Itisthemostvaluable。’ ’LordMountclereisverykind，ishenot？IlikehimagreatdealbetterthanIdid——doyou，Berta？’ ’Yes，verymuchbetter，’saidEthelberta，warmingalittle。’IfhewerenotsosuspiciousatoddmomentsIshouldlikehimexceedingly。 ButImustcurehimofthatbyaregularcourseoftreatment，andthenhe’llbeverynice。’ ’Foranoldman。Helikesyoubetterthananyyoungmanwouldtakethetroubletodo。Iwishsomebodyelsewereoldtoo。’ ’Hewillbesomeday。’ ’Yes，but——’ ’Nevermind:timewillstraightenmanycrookedthings。’ ’DoyouthinkLordMountclerehasreachedhomebythistime？’ ’Ishouldthinkso:thoughIbelievehehadtocallattheparsonagebeforeleavingKnollsea。’ ’Hadhe？Whatfor？’ ’Why，ofcoursesomebodymust——’ ’Oyes。DoyouthinkanybodyinKnollseaknowsitisgoingtobeexceptusandtheparson？’ ’Isupposetheclerkknows。’ ’Iwonderifalordhaseverbeenmarriedsoprivatelybefore。’ ’Frequently:whenhemarriesfarbeneathhim，asinthiscase。ButevenifIcouldhavehadit，Ishouldnothavelikedashowywedding。Ihavehadnoexperienceasabrideexceptintheprivateformoftheceremony。’ ’Berta，IamsometimesuneasyaboutyouevennowandIwanttoaskyouonething，ifImay。Areyoudoingthisformysake？WouldyouhavemarriedMr。Julianifithadnotbeenforme？’ ’Itisdifficulttosayexactly。ItispossiblethatifIhadhadnorelationsatall，Imighthavemarriedhim。AndImightnot。’ ’Idon’tintendtomarry。’ ’InthatcaseyouwilllivewithmeatEnckworth。However，wewillleavesuchdetailstilltheground-workisconfirmed。Whenwegetindoorswillyouseeiftheboxeshavebeenproperlycorded，andarequitereadytobesentfor？Thencomeinandsitbythefire，andI’llsingsomesongstoyou。’ ’Sadones，youmean。’ ’No，theyshallnotbesad。’ ’Perhapstheymaybethelastyouwilleversingtome。’ ’Theymaybe。Suchathinghasoccurred。’ ’Butwewillnotthinkso。We’llsupposeyouaretosingmanytomeyet。’ ’Yes。There’sgoodsenseinthat，Picotee。Inaworldwheretheblindonlyarecheerfulweshouldalldowelltoputoutoureyes。 There，Ididnotmeantogetintothisstate:forgiveme，Picotee。 ItisbecauseIhavehadathought——whyIcannottell——thatasmuchasthismanbringstomeinrankandgiftshemaytakeoutofmeintears。’ ’Berta！’ ’Butthere’snoreasoninit——notany；fornotinasinglematterdoeswhathasbeensupplyuswithanycertaingroundforknowingwhatwillbeintheworld。Ihaveseenmarriageswherehappinessmighthavebeensaidtobeensured，andtheyhavebeenallsadnessafterwards；andIhaveseenthoseinwhichtheprospectwasblackasnight，andtheyhaveledontoatimeofsweetnessandcomfort。AndIhaveseenmarriagesneitherjoyfulnorsorry，thathavebecomeeitherasaccidentforcedthemtobecome，thepersonshavingnovoiceinitatall。Well，then，whyshouldIbeafraidtomakeaplungewhenchanceisastrustworthyascalculation？’ ’Ifyoudon’tlikehimwellenough，don’thavehim，Berta。There’stimeenoughtoputitoffevennow。’ ’Ono。Iwouldnotupsetawell-consideredcourseonthehasteofanimpulse。Ourwillshouldwithstandourmisgivings。Nowletusseeifallhasbeenpacked，andthenwe’llsing。’ Thatevening，whilethewindwaswheelingroundandroundthedwelling，andthecalmeyeofthelighthouseafarwasthesinglespeckperceptibleoftheoutsideworldfromthedoorofEthelberta’stemporaryhome，themusicofsongsmingledwiththestrokeofthewindacrosstheironrailings，andwassweptoninthegeneraltideofthegale，andthenoiseoftherollingsea，tillnottheechoofatoneremained。 Anhourbeforethissinging，anoldgentlemanmighthavebeenseentoalightfromalittleone-horsebrougham，andenterthedoorofKnollseaparsonage。Hewasbentuponobtaininganentrancetothevicar’sstudywithoutgivinghisname。 Butithappenedthatthevicar’swifewassittinginthefrontroom，makingapillow-caseforthechildren’sbedoutofanoldsurplicewhichhadbeenexcommunicatedthepreviousEaster；sheheardthenewcomer’svoicethroughthepartition，started，andwentquicklytoherhusband，whowaswhereheoughttohavebeen，inhisstudy。Atherentryhelookedupwithanabstractedgaze，havingbeenlostinmeditationoveralittleschoonerwhichhewasattemptingtorigfortheiryoungestboy。Atawordfromhiswifeonthesuspectednameofthevisitor，heresumedhisearlieroccupationofinsertingafewstrongsentences，fulloftheobservationofmaturerlife，betweenthelinesofasermonwrittenduringhisfirstyearsofordination，inordertomakeitavailableforthecomingSunday。Hiswifethenvanishedwiththelittleshipinherhand，andthevisitorappeared。 Atalkwentoninlowtones。 Afteratenminutes’stayhedepartedassecretlyashehadcome。 Hiserrandwasthecauseofmuchwhispereddiscussionbetweenthevicarandhiswifeduringtheevening，butnothingwassaidconcerningittotheoutsideworld。 44。SANDBOURNE-ALONELYHEATH-THE’REDLION’-THEHIGHWAY Itwashalf-pastelevenbeforetheSpruce，withMountclereandSolChickerelonboard，hadsteamedbackagaintoSandbourne。Thedirectionandincreaseofthewindhadmadeitnecessarytokeepthevesselstillfurthertoseaontheirreturnthaningoing，thattheymightclearwithoutriskthewindy，sousing，thwacking，basting，scourgingJackKetchofacornercalledOld-HarryPoint，whichlayabouthalfwayalongtheirtrack，andstood，withitsdetachedpostsandstumpsofwhiterock，likeaskeleton’slowerjaw，grinningatBritishnavigation。Herestrongcurrentsandcrosscurrentswerebeginningtointerweavetheirscrollsandmeshes，thewaterrisingbehindthemintumultuousheaps，andslammingagainstthefrontsandanglesofcliff，whenceitflewintotheairlikecloudsofflour。 Whocouldnowbelievethatthisroaringabodeofchaossmiledinthesunasgentlyasaninfantduringthesummerdaysnotlonggoneby，everypinnacle，crag，andcavereturningadoubledimageacrosstheglassysea？ TheywerenowagainatSandbourne，apointintheirjourneyreachedmorethanfourhoursago。Itbecamenecessarytoconsideranewhowtoaccomplishthedifficultremainder。Thewindwasnotblowingmuchbeyondwhatseamencallhalfagale，buttherehadbeenenoughunpleasantnessafloattomakelandsmengladtogetashore，andthisdissipatedinaslightmeasuretheirvexationathavingfailedintheirpurpose。Still，Mountclereloudlycursedtheirconfidenceinthattreacherouslyshortroute，andSolabusedtheunknownSandbournemanwhohadbroughtthenewsofthesteamer’sarrivaltothematthejunction。Theonlycourseleftopentothemnow，shortofgivinguptheundertaking，wastogobytheroadalongtheshore，which，curvingroundthevariouslittlecreeksandinlandseasbetweentheirpresentpositionandKnollsea，wasofnolesslengththanthirtymiles。Therewasnotrainbacktothejunctiontillthenextmorning，andSol’spropositionthattheyshoulddrivethitherinhopeofmeetingthemail-train，wasoverruledbyMountclere。 ’Wewillhavenothingmoretodowithchance，’hesaid。’Wemaymissthetrain，andthenweshallhavegoneoutofthewayfornothing。Morethanthat，thedownmaildoesnotstoptillitgetsseveralmilesbeyondtheneareststationforKnollsea；soitishopeless。’ ’Iftherehadonlybeenatelegraphtotheconfoundedplace！’ ’Telegraph——wemightaswelltelegraphtothedevilastoanoldboobyandadamnedschemingyoungwidow。Iverymuchquestionifweshalldoanythinginthematter，evenifwegetthere。ButI supposewehadbettergoonnow？’ ’Youcandoasyoulike。Ishallgoon，ifIhavetowalkeverystepo’t。’ ’That’snotnecessary。Ithinkthebestposting-houseatthisendofthetownisTempett’s——wemustknockthemupatonce。Whichwillyoudo——attemptsupperhere，orbreakthebackofourjourneyfirst，andgetontoAnglebury？Wemayrestanhourortwothere，unlessyoufeelreallyinwantofameal。’ ’No。I’llleaveeatingtomerriermen，whohavenosisterinthehandsofacursedoldVandal。’ ’Verywell，’saidMountclere。’We’llgoonatonce。’ Anadditionalhalf-hourelapsedbeforetheywerefairlystarted，thelatenessandabruptnessoftheirarrivalcausingdelayingettingaconveyanceready:thetempestuousnighthadapparentlydriventhewholetown，gentleandsimple，earlytotheirbeds。Andwhenatlengththetravellerswereontheirwaytheaspectoftheweathergrewyetmoreforbidding。Theraincamedownunmercifully，theboomingwindcaughtit，boreitacrosstheplain，whizzeditagainstthecarriagelikeasowersowinghisseed。Itwaspreciselysuchweather，andalmostatthesameseason，aswhenPicoteetraversedthesamemoor，strickenwithhergreatdisappointmentatnotmeetingChristopherJulian。 Furtheronforseveralmilesthedrivelaythroughanopenheath，dottedoccasionallywithfirplantations，thetreesofwhichtoldthetaleoftheirspecieswithouthelpfromoutlineorcolour；theyspokeinthosemelancholymoansandsobswhichgivetotheirsoundasolemnsadnesssurpassingeventhatofthesea。Fromeachcarriage- lampthelongraysstretchedlikefeelersintotheair，andsomewhatcheeredtheway，untiltheinsidiousdampthatpervadedallthingsabove，around，andunderneath，overpoweredoneofthem，andrenderedeveryattempttorekindleitineffectual。Evenhadthetwomen’sdisliketoeachother’ssocietybeenless，thegeneraldinofthenightwouldhavepreventedmuchtalking；asitwas，theysatinarigidreticencethatwasalmostathirdpersonality。Theroadswerelaidhereaboutswithalightsandygravel，which，thoughnotclogging，wassoftandfriable。Itspeedilybecamesaturated，andthewheelsgroundheavilyanddeeplyintoitssubstance。 Atlength，aftercrossingfromtentotwelvemilesoftheseeternalheathsundertheeternallydrummingstorm，theycoulddiscerneyeletsoflightwinkingtotheminthedistancefromunderanebulousbrowofpalehaze。TheywerelookingonthelittletownofHavenpool。Soonafterthiscross-roadswerereached，oneofwhich，atrightanglestotheirpresentdirection，leddownonthelefttothatplace。Herethemanstopped，andinformedthemthatthehorseswouldbeabletogobutamileortwofurther。 ’Verywell，wemusthaveothersthatcan，’saidMountclere。’Doesourwayliethroughthetown？’ ’No，sir——unlesswegotheretochangehorses，whichIthoughttodo。Thedirectroadisstraighton。Havenpoolliesaboutthreemilesdownthereontheleft。Butthewaterisovertheroad，andwehadbettergoround。Weshallcometonoplacefortwoorthreemiles，andthenonlytoFlychett。’ ’What’sFlychettlike？’ ’Atrumperysmallbitofavillage。’ ’Still，Ithinkwehadbetterpushon，’saidSol。’IamagainstrunningtheriskoffindingthewayfloodedaboutHavenpool。’ ’SoamI，’returnedMountclere。 ’IknowawheelwrightinFlychett，’continuedSol，’andhekeepsabeer-house，andownstwohorses。Wecouldhirethem，andhaveabitofsommatintheshapeofvictuals，andthengetontoAnglebury。 Perhapstherainmayholdupbythattime。Anything’sbetterthangoingoutofourway。’ ’Yes。Andthehorsescanlastouttothatplace，’saidMountclere。 ’Upandonagain，myman。’ OntheywenttowardsFlychett。Stilltheeverlastingheath，theblackhillsbulgingagainstthesky，thebarrowsupontheirroundsummitslikewartsonaswarthyskin。Thestormblewhuskilyoverbushesofheatherandfurzethatitwasunablemateriallytodisturb，andthetravellersproceededasbefore。Butthehorseswerenowfarfromfresh，andthetimespentinreachingthenextvillagewasquitehalfaslongasthattakenupbythepreviousheavyportionofthedrive。WhentheyenteredFlychettitwasaboutthree。 ’Now，where’stheinn？’saidMountclere，yawning。 ’Justontheknap，’Solanswered。’’Tisalittlesmallplace，andwemustdoaswellaswecan。’ Theypulledupbeforeacottage，uponthewhitewashedfrontofwhichcouldbeseenasquareboardrepresentingthesign。Afteraninfinitelabourofrappingandshouting，acasementopenedoverhead，andawoman’svoiceinquiredwhatwasthematter。Solexplained，whenshetoldthemthatthehorseswereawayfromhome。 ’Nowwemustwaittillthesearerested，’growledMountclere。’A prettymuddle！’ ’Itcannotbehelped，’answeredSol；andheaskedthewomantoopenthedoor。Sherepliedthatherhusbandwasawaywiththehorsesandvan，andthattheycouldnotcomein。 Solwasknowntoher，andhementionedhisname；butthewomanonlybegantoabusehim。 ’Come，publican，you’dbetterletusin，orwe’llhavethelawfor’t，’rejoinedSol，withmorespirit。’Youdon’tdaretokeepnobilitywaitinglikethis。’ ’Nobility！’ ’MymatehevthetitleofHonourable，whetherorno；solet’shavenoneofyourslack，’saidSol。 ’Don’tbeafool，youngchopstick，’exclaimedMountclere。’Getthedooropened。’ ’Iwill——inmyownway，’saidSoltestily。’Youmustn’tmindmytradinguponyourquality，as’tisacaseofnecessity。Thisisawomannothingwillbringtoreasonbutanappealtothehigherpowers。Ifeverymanoftitlewasasusefulasyouareto-night，sir，I’dnevercallthemlumberagainaslongasIlive。’ ’Howsingular！’ ’There’sneverabitofrubbishthatwon’tcomeinuseifyoukeepitsevenyears。’ ’Ifmyutilitydependsuponkeepingyoucompany，mayIgotoh—— forlackingeveryatomofthevirtue。’ ’Hear，hear！ButithardlyisbecominginmetoansweruptoamansomucholderthanI，orIcouldsaymore。Supposewedrawalinehereforthepresent，sir，andgetindoors？’ ’Dowhatyouwill，inHeaven’sname。’ Afewmorewordstothewomanresultedinheragreeingtoadmitthemiftheywouldattendtothemselvesafterwards。ThisSolpromised，andthekeyofthedoorwasletdowntothemfromthebedroomwindowbyastring。Whentheyhadentered，Sol，whoknewthehousewell，busiedhimselfinlightingafire，thedrivergoingoffwithalanterntothestable，wherehefoundstanding-roomforthetwohorses。Mountclerewalkedupanddownthekitchen，mumblingwordsofdisgustatthesituation，thefewofthiskindthatheletoutbeingjustenoughtoshowwhatafearfullylargenumberhekeptin。 ’A-callinguppeopleatthistimeofmorning！’thewomanoccasionallyexclaimeddownthestairs。’Butfolksshownomercyupontheirfleshandblood——notonebitormite。’ ’Nowneverbestomachy，mygoodsoul，’criedSolfromthefireplace，wherehestoodblowingthefirewithhisbreath。’Onlytellmewherethevictualsbide，andI’lldoallthecooking。We’llpaylikeprinces——especiallymymate。’ ’There’sbutlittleinhouse，’saidthesleepywomanfromherbedroom。’There’spig’sfry，asideofbacon，acongereel，andpickledonions。’ ’Congereel？’saidSoltoMountclere。 ’No，thankyou。’ ’Pig’sfry？’ ’No，thankyou。’ ’Well，then，tellmewherethebaconis，’shoutedSoltothewoman。