’HeisgoingtostopatCorvsgatetohaveabitoflunch:Imightovertakehimthere，ifImust！’
’Yes。Andtellhimtocometotheeastpassagedoor。Itisthatdoornexttotheentrancetothestable-yard。Thereisalittleyew-treeoutsideit。Onsecondthoughtsyou，dear，mustnotcomeback。WaitatCorvsgateinthelittleinnparlourtillSolcomestoyouagain。YouwillprobablythenhavetogohometoLondonalone；
butdonotmindit。TheworstpartforyouwillbeingoingfromthestationtotheCrescent；butnobodywillmolestyouinafour-
wheelcab:youhavedoneitbefore。However，hewilltellyouifthisisnecessarywhenhegetsback。Icanbestfightmybattlesalone。Youshallhavealetterfrommethedayafterto-morrow，statingwhereIam。Ishallnotbehere。’
’Butwhatisitsodreadful？’
’Nothingtofrightenyou。’Butshespokewithabreathlessnessthatcompletelynullifiedtheassurance。’ItismerelythatIfindI
mustcometoanexplanationwithLordMountclerebeforeIcanliveherepermanently，andIcannotstipulatewithhimwhileIamhereinhispower。TillIwrite，good-bye。Yourthingsarenotunpacked，soletthemremainhereforthepresent——theycanbesentfor。’
PoorPicotee，moreagitatedthanhersister，butneverquestioningherorders，wentdownstairsandoutofthehouse。Sheranacrosstheshrubberies，intothepark，andtothegatewhereatSolhademergedsomehalf-hourearlier。Shetrottedalongupontheturnpikeroadlikealostdoe，cryingasshewentatthenewtroublewhichhadcomeuponBerta，whateverthattroublemightbe。Behindhersheheardwheelsandthesteppingofahorse，butshewastooconcernedtoturnherhead。Thepaceofthevehicleslackened，however，whenitwasabreastofPicotee，andshelookeduptoseeChristopherasthedriver。
’MissChickerel！’hesaid，withsurprise。
Picoteehadquicklylookeddownagain，andshemurmured，’Yes。’
Christopheraskedwhathecouldnothelpaskinginthecircumstances，’Wouldyouliketoride？’
’Ishouldbeglad，’saidshe，overcomingherflurry。’IamanxioustoovertakemybrotherSol。’
’IhavearrangedtopickhimupatCorvsgate，’saidChristopher。
Hedescended，andassistedhertomountbesidehim，anddroveonagain，almostinsilence。HewasinclinedtobelievethatsomesupernaturallegerdemainhadtodowiththeseperiodicimpactsofPicoteeonhispath。Shesatmuteandmelancholytilltheywerewithinhalf-a-mileofCorvsgate。
’Thankyou，’shesaidthen，perceivingSolupontheroad，’thereismybrother；Iwillgetdownnow。’
’HewasgoingtorideontoAngleburywithme，’saidJulian。
Picoteedidnotreply，andSolturnedround。Seeingherheinstantlyexclaimed，’What’sthematter，Picotee？’
Sheexplainedtohimthathewastogobackimmediately，andmeethersisteratthedoorbytheyew，asEthelbertahadchargedher。
Christopher，knowingthemsowell，wastoomuchaninterestedmemberofthegrouptobeleftoutofconfidence，andsheincludedhiminheraudience。
’Andwhatareyoutodo？’saidSoltoher。
’IamtowaitatCorvsgatetillyoucometome。’
’Ican’tunderstandit，’Solmuttered，withagloomyface。’There’ssomethingwrong；anditwasonlytobeexpected；that’swhatIsay，Mr。Julian。’
’IfnecessaryIcantakecareofMissChickereltillyoucome，’saidChristopher。
’Thankyou，’saidSol。’ThenIwillreturntoyouassoonasIcan，atthe\"Castle\"Inn，justahead。’Tisveryawkwardforyoutobesoburdenedbyus，Mr。Julian；butweareinatroublethatIdon’tyetseethebottomof。’
’Iknow，’saidChristopherkindly。’Wewillwaitforyou。’
HethendroveonwithPicoteetotheinn，whichwasnotfaroff，andSolreturnedagaintoEnckworth。Feelingsomewhatlikeathiefinthenight，hezigzaggedthroughthepark，behindbeltsandknotsoftrees，untilhesawtheyew，darkandclear，asifdrawnininkuponthefairfaceofthemansion。Thewayuptoitwasinalittlecuttingbetweenshrubs，thedoorbeingaprivateentrance，sunkbelowthesurfaceofthelawn，andinvisiblefromotherpartsofthesamefront。Assoonashereachedit，Ethelbertaopeneditatonce，asifshehadlistenedforhisfootsteps。
Shetookhimalongapassageinthebasement，upaflightofsteps，andintoahuge，solitary，chillapartment。Itwastheball-room。
Spaciousmirrorsingiltframesformedpanelsinthelowerpartofthewalls，theremainderbeingtonedinsage-green。Inarecessbetweeneachmirrorwasastatue。Theceilingroseinasegmentalcurve，andboresprawlinguponitsfacegiltfiguresofwantongoddesses，cupids，satyrswithtambourines，drums，andtrumpets，thewholeceilingseemingalivewiththem。Buttheroomwasverygloomynow，therebeinglittlelightadmittedfromwithout，andthereflectionsfromthemirrorsgaveadepressingcoldnesstothescene。Itwasaplaceintendedtolookjoyousbynight，andwhateveritchosetolookbyday。
’Wearesafehere，’saidshe。’Butwemustlistenforfootsteps。I
haveonlyfiveminutes:LordMountclereiswaitingforme。Imeantoleavethisplace，comewhatmay。’
’Why？’saidSol，inastonishment。
’Icannottellyou——somethinghasoccurred。Godhasgotmeinhispoweratlast，andisgoingtoscourgemeformybaddoings——that’swhatitseemslike。Sol，listentome，anddoexactlywhatIsay。
GotoAnglebury，hireabrougham，bringitonasfarasLittleEnckworth:youwillhavetomeetmewithitatoneoftheparkgateslaterintheevening——probablythewest，athalf-pastseven。
Leaveitatthevillagewiththeman，comeonhereonfoot，andstayunderthetreestilljustbeforesix:itwillthenbequitedark，andyoumuststandundertheprojectingbalustradealittlefurtheronthanthedooryoucameinby。Iwilljuststepuponthebalconyoverit，andtellyoumoreexactlythanIcannowtheprecisetimethatIshallbeabletoslipout，andwherethecarriageistobewaiting。Butitmaynotbesafetospeakonaccountofhisclosenesstome——Iwillhanddownanote。Ifinditisimpossibletoleavethehousebydaylight——Iamcertaintobepursued——healreadysuspectssomething。NowImustbegoing，orhewillbehere，forhewatchesmymovementsbecauseofsomeaccidentalwordsthatescapedme。’
’Berta，Ishan’thaveanythingtodowiththis，’saidSol。’Itisnotright！’
’IamonlygoingtoRouen，toAuntCharlotte！’sheimplored。’I
wanttogettoSouthampton，tobeintimeforthemidnightsteamer。
WhenIamatRouenIcannegotiatewithLordMountclerethetermsonwhichIwillreturntohim。ItistheonlychanceIhaveofrootingoutascandalandadisgracewhichthreatensthebeginningofmylifehere！Myletterstohim，andhistome，canbeforwardedthroughyouorthroughfather，andhewillnotknowwhereIam。Anywomanisjustifiedinadoptingsuchacoursetobringherhusbandtoasenseofherdignity。IfIdon’tgoawaynow，itwillendinapermanentseparation。IfIleaveatonce，andstipulatethathegetsridofher，wemaybereconciled。’
’Ican’thelpyou:youmuststicktoyourhusband。Idon’tlikethem，oranyoftheirsort，barringaboutthreeorfour，forthereasonthattheydespisemeandallmysort。But，Ethelberta，forallthatI’llplayfairwiththem。Nohalf-and-halftrimmingbusiness。Youhavejoined’em，and’rayedyourselfagainstus；andthereyou’dbetterbide。Youhavemarriedyourman，andyourdutyistowardshim。Iknowwhatheisandsodoesfather；butifIweretohelpyoutorunawaynow，IshouldscornmyselfmorethanIscornhim。’
’Idon’tcareforthat，orforanysuchpolitics！TheMountclerelineisnoble，andhowwasItoknowthatthismemberwasnotnoble，too？AstherepresentativeofanillustriousfamilyIwastakenwithhim，butasaman——Imustshunhim。’
’Howcanyoushunhim？Youhavemarriedhim！’
’Nevertheless，Iwon’tstay！NeitherlawnorgospeldemandsitofmeafterwhatIhavelearnt。Andiflawandgospeldiddemandit，I
wouldnotstay。Andifyouwillnothelpmetoescape，Igoalone。’
’Youhadbetternottryanysuchwildthing。’
Thecreakingofadoorwasheard。’OSol，’shesaidappealingly，’don’tgointothequestionwhetherIamrightorwrong——onlyrememberthatIamveryunhappy。Dohelpme——Ihavenootherpersonintheworldtoask！Beunderthebalconyatsixo’clock。Sayyouwill——Imustgo——sayyouwill！’
’I’llthink，’saidSol，verymuchdisturbed。’There，don’tcry；
I’lltrytobeunderthebalcony，atanyrate。Icannotpromisemore，butI’lltrytobethere。’
Sheopenedinthepanellingoneoftheold-fashionedconcealedmodesofexitknownasjib-doors，whichitwasoncethecustomtoconstructwithoutarchitravesinthewallsoflargeapartments，soasnottointerferewiththegeneraldesignoftheroom。Solfoundhimselfinanarrowpassage，runningdownthewholelengthoftheball-room，andatthesametimeheheardLordMountclere’svoicewithin，talkingtoEthelberta。Sol’sescapehadbeenmarvellous:
asitwastheviscountmighthaveseenhertears。Hepasseddownsomesteps，alonganareafromwhichhecouldseeintoarowofservants’offices，amongthemakitchenwithafireplaceflaminglikeanaltarofsacrifice。Nobodyseemedtobeconcernedabouthim；therewereworkmenuponthepremises，andhenearlymatchedthem。Atlasthegotagainintotheshrubberiesandtothesideoftheparkbywhichhehadentered。
OnreachingCorvsgatehefoundPicoteeintheparlourofthelittleinn，ashehaddirected。Mr。Julian，shesaid，hadwalkeduptotheruins，andwouldbebackagaininafewminutes。Solorderedthehorsetobeputin，andbythetimeitwasreadyChristophercamedownfromthehill。RoomwasmadeforSolbyopeningtheflapofthedogcart，andChristopherdroveon。
Hewasanxioustoknowthetrouble，andSolwasnotreluctanttosharetheburdenofitwithonewhomhebelievedtobeafriend。Hetold，scrapbyscrap，thestrangerequestofEthelberta。
Christopher，thoughignorantofEthelberta’sexperiencethatmorning，instantlyassumedthatthediscoveryofsomeconcealedspectrehadledtothisprecipitancy。
’Whendoesshewishyoutomeetherwiththecarriage？’
’Probablyathalf-pastseven，atthewestlodge；butthatistobefinallyfixedbyanoteshewillhanddowntomefromthebalcony。’
’Whichbalcony？’
’Thenearesttotheyew-tree。’
’Atwhattimewillshehandthenote？’
’AstheCourtclockstrikessix，shesays。AndifIamnottheretotakeherinstructionsofcourseshewillgiveuptheidea，whichisjustwhatIwanthertodo。’
ChristopherbeggedSoltogo。WhetherEthelbertawasrightorwrong，hedidnotstoptoinquire。Shewasintrouble；shewastooclear-headedtobeintroublewithoutgoodreason；andshewantedassistanceoutofit。ButsuchwasSol’snaturethatthemorehereflectedthemoredeterminedwasheinnotgivingwaytoherentreaty。BythetimethattheyreachedAngleburyherepentedhavinggivenwaysofarastowithholdadirectrefusal。
’Itcandonogood，’hesaidmournfully。’Itisbettertoniphernotioninitsbeginning。ShesaysshewantstoflytoRouen，andfromtherearrangetermswithhim。Butitcan’tbedone——sheshouldhavethoughtoftermsbefore。’
Christophermadenofurtherreply。Leavingwordatthe’RedLion’
thatamanwastobesenttotakethehorseofhim，hedrovedirectlyonwardstothestation。
’Thenyoudon’tmeantohelpher？’saidJulian，whenSoltookthetickets——oneforhimselfandoneforPicotee。
’Iserveherbestbyleavingheralone！’saidSol。
’Idon’tthinkso。’
’Shehasmarriedhim。’
’Sheisindistress。’
’Shehasmarriedhim。’
SolandPicoteetooktheirseats，Picoteeupbraidingherbrother。
’Icangobymyself！’shesaid，intears。’DogobackforBerta，Sol。ShesaidIwastogohomealone，andIcandoit！’
’Youmustnot。ItisnotrightforyoutobehiringcabsanddrivingacrossLondonatmidnight。Bertashouldhaveknownbetterthanproposeit。’
’Shewasflurried。Go，Sol！’
Butherentreatywasfruitless。
’Haveyougotyourticket，Mr。Julian？’saidSol。’IsupposeweshallgotogethertillwegetnearMelchester？’
’Ihavenotgotmyticketyet——I’llbebackintwominutes。’
Theminuteswentby，andChristopherdidnotreappear。Thetrainmovedoff:Christopherwasseenrunninguptheplatform，asifinavainhopetocatchit。
’Hehasmissedthetrain，’saidSol。Picoteelookeddisappointed，andsaidnothing。Theyweresoonoutofsight。
’Godforgivemeforsuchahollowpretence！’saidChristophertohimself。’ButhewouldhavebeenuneasyhadheknownIwishedtostaybehind。Icannotleaveherintroublelikethis！’
Hewentbacktothe’RedLion’withthemannerandmovementofamanwhoafteralifetimeofdesultorinesshadatlastfoundsomethingtodo。Itwasnowgettinglateintheafternoon。Christopherorderedaone-horsebroughamattheinn，andenteringitwasdrivenoutofthetowntowardsEnckworthastheeveningshadeswerebeginningtofall。TheypassedintothehamletofLittleEnckworthathalf-pastfive，anddrewupatabeer-houseattheend。Jumpingouthere，Juliantoldthemantowaittillheshouldreturn。
ThusfarhehadexactlyobeyedherorderstoSol。Hehopedtobeabletoobeythemthroughout，andsupplyherwiththeaidherbrotherrefused。Healsohopedthatthechangeinthepersonalityofherconfederatewouldmakenodifferencetoherintention。Thathewasputtinghimselfinawrongpositionheallowed，buttimeandattentionwererequisiteforsuchanalysis:meanwhileEthelbertawasintrouble。OntheonehandwasshewaitinghopefullyforSol；
ontheotherwasSolmanymilesonhiswaytotown；betweenthemwashimself。
HeranwithallhismighttowardsEnckworthPark，mountedtheloftystonestepsbythelodge，sawthedarkbronzefiguresonthepiersthroughthetwilight，andthenproceededtothreadthetrees。Amongthesehestruckalightforamoment:itwastenminutestosix。
Inanotherfiveminuteshewaspantingbeneaththewallsofherhouse。
EnckworthCourtwasnotunknowntoChristopher，forhehadfrequentlyexploredthatspotinhisSandbournedays。Heperceivednowwhyshehadselectedthatparticularbalconyforhandingdowndirections；itwastheonlyoneroundthehousethatwaslowenoughtobereachedfromtheoutside，thebasementherebeingalittlewaysunkintheground。
Hewentcloseunder，turnedhisfaceoutwards，andwaited。Aboutafootoverhisheadwasthestonefloorofthebalcony，formingaceilingtohisposition。Athisback，twoorthreefeetbehind，wasablankwall——thewallofthehouse。Infrontofhimwasthemistypark，crownedbyaskysparklingwithwinterstars。Thiswasabruptlycutoffupwardbythedarkedgeofthebalconywhichoverhunghim。
Itwasasifsomepersonwithintheroomabovehadbeenawaitinghisapproach。Hehadscarcelyfoundtimetoobservehissituationwhenahumanhandandportionofabarearmwerethrustbetweenthebalusters，descendedalittlewayfromtheedgeofthebalcony，andremainedhangingacrossthestarlitsky。Somethingwasbetweenthefingers。Christopherliftedhishand，tookthescrap，whichwaspaper，andthearmwaswithdrawn。Asitwithdrew，ajewelononeofthefingerssparkledintheraysofalargeplanetthatrodeintheoppositesky。
Lightstepsretreatedfromthebalcony，andawindowclosed。
ChristopherhadalmostheldhisbreathlestEthelbertashoulddiscoverhimatthecriticalmomenttobeotherthanSol，andmarherdeliverancebyheralarm。Thestillsilencewasanythingbutsilencetohim；hefeltasifhewerelisteningtotheclangingchorusofanoratorio。AndthenhecouldfancyheheardwordsbetweenEthelbertaandtheviscountwithintheroom；theywereevidentlyatveryclosequarters，anddexteritymusthavebeenrequiredofher。Hewentontiptoeacrossthegraveltothegrass，andonceonthathestrodeinthedirectionwhencehehadcome。Bythethicktrunkofoneofagroupofagedtreeshestoppedtogetalight，justastheCourtclockstrucksixinloudlongtones。Thetransactionhadbeencarriedout，throughherimpatiencepossibly，fourorfiveminutesbeforethetimeappointed。
Thenotecontained，inashakenhand，inwhich，however，thewell-
knowncharactersweredistinguishable，thesewordsinpencil:
’Athalf-pastseveno’clock。Justoutsidethenorthlodge；don’tfail。’
ThiswasthetimeshehadsuggestedtoSolasthatwhichwouldprobablybestsuitherescape，ifshecouldescapeatall。Shehadchangedtheplacefromthewesttothenorthlodge——nothingelse。
Thelatterwascertainlymoresecluded，thoughatriflemoreremotefromthecourseoftheproposedjourney；therewasjusttimeenoughandnonetospareforfetchingthebroughamfromLittleEnckworthtothelodge，thevillagebeingtwomilesoff。Thefewminutesgainedbyherreadinessatthebalconywereusefulnow。Hestartedatonceforthevillage，divergingsomewhattoobservethespotappointedforthemeeting。Itwasexcellentlychosen；thegateappearedtobelittleused，thelaneoutsideitwascoveredwithtrees，andallaroundwassilentasthegrave。Afterthishastysurveybythewanstarlight，hehastenedontoLittleEnckworth。
Anhourandaquarterlateralittlebroughamwithoutlampswascreepingalongbytheparkwalltowardsthisspot。Theleavesweresothickupontheunfrequentedroadthatthewheelscouldnotbeheard，andthehorse’spacingmadescarcelymorenoisethanarabbitwouldhavedoneinlimpingalong。Thevehicleprogressedslowly，fortheywereingoodtime。Abouttenyardsfromtheparkentranceitstopped，andChristophersteppedout。
’Wemayhavetowaitheretenminutes，’hesaidtothedriver。’AndthenshallwebeabletoreachAngleburyintimefortheupmail-
traintoSouthampton？’
’Half-pastseven，half-pasteight，half-pastnine——twohours。O
yes，sir，easily。Ayoungladyinthecaseperhaps，sir？’
’Yes。’
’Well，Ihopeshe’llbedonehonestlyby，evenifsheisofhumblestation。’Tisbest，andcheapesttoo，inthelongrun。’Thecoachmanwasapparentlyimaginingthedoveabouttoflitawaytobeoneoftheprettymaid-servantsthataboundedinEnckworthCourt；
suchescapadesasthesewerenotunfrequentamongthem，afairfacehavingbeendeemedasufficientrecommendationtoserviceinthathouse，withouttoocloseaninquiryintocharacter，sincethedeathofthefirstviscountess。
’Nowthen，silence；andlistenforafootstepatthegate。’
Suchcalmnessastherewasinthemusician’svoicehadbeenproducedbyconsiderableeffort。Forhishearthadbeguntobeatfastandloudashestrainedhisattentiveeartocatchthefootfallofawomanwhocouldonlybehisillegally。
Theobscuritywasasgreatasastarryskywouldpermitittobe。
Beneaththetreeswherethecarriagestoodthedarknesswastotal。
47。ENCKWORTHANDITSPRECINCTS-MELCHESTER
Tobewiseaftertheeventisoftentoactfoolishlywithregardtoit；andtopreservetheillusionwhichhasledtotheeventwouldfrequentlybeacoursethatomniscienceitselfcouldnotfindfaultwith。ReactionwithEthelbertawascomplete，andthemoreviolentinthatitthreatenedtobeuseless。Sol’sbitterchidinghadbeenthefirstthingtodiscomposeherfortitude。Itreducedhertoaconsciousnessthatshehadallowedherselftobecoercedinherinstincts，andyethadnottriumphedinherduty。Shemighthavepleasedherfamilybetterbypleasinghertastes，andhaveentirelyavoidedthegrimironyofthesituationdisclosedlaterintheday。
AfterthesecondinterviewwithSolshewastosomeextentcomposedinmindbybeingabletonurseadefiniteintention。Asmomentumcausesthenarrowestwheeltostandupright，ascheme，fairlyimbibed，willgivetheweakestsomepowertomaintainapositionstoically。
InthetemporaryabsenceofLordMountclere，aboutsixo’clock，sheslippedoutuponthebalconyandhandeddownanote。Toherrelief，ahandreceiveditinstantly。
Thehourandahalfwantingtohalf-pastsevenshepassedwithgreateffort。Themainpartofthetimewasoccupiedbydinner，duringwhichsheattemptedtodevisesomeschemeforleavinghimwithoutsuspicionjustbeforetheappointedmoment。
Happily，andasifbyaProvidence，therewasnonecessityforanysuchthing。
Alittlewhilebeforethehalf-hour，whenshemovedtorisefromdinner，healsoarose，tenderlybegginghertoexcusehimforafewminutes，thathemightgoandwriteanimportantnotetohislawyer，untilthatmomentforgotten，thoughthepostmanwasnearlydue。Sheheardhimretirealongthecorridorandshuthimselfintohisstudy，hispromisedtimeofreturnbeingaquarterofanhourthence。
FiveminutesafterthatmemorablepartingEthelbertacamefromthelittledoorbythebushofyew，wellandthicklywrappedupfromheadtoheels。Sheskimmedacrosstheparkandundertheboughslikeashade，mountingthenthestonestepsforpedestrianswhichwerefixedbesidetheparkgateshereasatallthelodges。Outsideandbelowhershesawanoblongshape——itwasabrougham，andithadbeendrawnforwardclosetothebottomofthestepsthatshemightnothaveaninchfurthertogoonfootthantothisbarrier。Thewholeprecinctwasthrongedwithtrees；halftheirfoliagebeingoverhead，theotherhalfunderfoot，forthegardenershadnotyetbeguntorakeandcollecttheleaves；thusitwasthatherdressrustledasshedescendedthesteps。
Thecarriagedoorwasheldopenbythedriver，andsheenteredinstantly。Heshutherin，andmountedtohisseat。Astheydroveawayshebecameconsciousofanotherpersoninside。
’O！Sol——itisdone！’shewhispered，believingthemantobeherbrother。Hercompanionmadenoreply。
Ethelberta，familiarwithSol’smoodsoftroubledsilence，didnotpressforananswer。Itwas，indeed，certainthatSol’sassistancewouldhavebeengivenunderasullenprotest；evenifunwillingtodisappointher，hemightwellhavebeentaciturnandangryathercourse。
Theysatinsilence，andintotaldarkness。Theroadascendedanincline，thehorse’strampbeingstilldeadenedbythecarpetofleaves。Thenthelargetreesoneitherhandbecameinterspersedbyalowbrushwoodofvariedsorts，fromwhichalargebirdoccasionallyflew，initsfrightattheirpresencebeatingitswingsrecklesslyagainstthehardstemswithforceenoughtocripplethedelicatequills。Itshowedhowdesertedwasthespotafternightfall。
’Sol？’saidEthelbertaagain。’Whynottalktome？’
Shenownoticedthatherfellow-travellerkepthisheadandhiswholepersonassnuglybackinthecorner，outofherway，asitwaspossibletodo。Shewasnotexactlyfrightened，butshecouldnotunderstandthereason。Thecarriagegaveaquickturn，andstopped。
’Wherearewenow？’shesaid。’ShallwegettoAngleburybynine？
Whatisthetime，Sol？’
’Iwillsee，’repliedhercompanion。Theywerethefirstwordshehaduttered。
Thevoicewassodifferentfromherbrother’sthatshewasterrified；herlimbsquivered。Inanotherinstantthespeakerhadstruckawaxvesta，andholdingiterectinhisfingershelookedherintheface。
’Hee-hee-hee！’Thelaugherwasherhusbandtheviscount。
Helaughedagain，andhiseyesgleamedlikeacoupleoftarnishedbrassbuttonsinthelightofthewaxmatch。
Ethelbertamighthavefallendeadwiththeshock，soterribleandhideouswasit。Yetshedidnot。Sheneithershriekednorfainted；
butnopoorJanuaryfieldfarewasevercolder，noice-housemoredankwithperspiration，thanshewasthen。
’Averypleasantjoke，mydear——hee-hee！Andnomorethanwastobeexpectedonthismerry，happydayofourlives。NobodyenjoysagoodjestmorethanIdo:Ialwaysenjoyedajest——hee-hee！Nowweareinthedarkagain；andwewillalightandwalk。Thepathistoonarrowforthecarriage，butitwillnotbefarforyou。Takeyourhusband’sarm。’
Whilehehadbeenspeakingadefiantpridehadsprungupinher，instigatinghertoconcealeveryweakness。Hehadopenedthecarriagedoorandsteppedout。Shefollowed，takingtheofferedarm。
’Takethehorseandcarriagetothestables，’saidtheviscounttothecoachman，whowashisownservant，thevehicleandhorsebeingalsohis。Thecoachmanturnedthehorse’sheadandvanisheddownthewoodlandtrackbywhichtheyhadascended。
Theviscountmovedon，utteringprivatechucklesasnumerousasawoodpecker’staps，andEthelbertawithhim。Shewalkedasbyamiracle，butshewouldwalk。Shewouldhavediedratherthannothavewalkedthen。
SheperceivednowthattheyweresomewhereinEnckworthwood。Astheywent，shenoticedafaintshineuponthegroundontheothersideoftheviscount，whichshowedherthattheywerewalkingbesideawetditch。Sherememberedhavingseenitinthemorning:itwasashallowditchofmud。Shemightpushhimin，andrun，andsoescapebeforehecouldextricatehimself。Itwouldnothurthim。
Itwasherlastchance。Shewaitedamomentfortheopportunity。
’Weareonetoone，andIamthestronger！’sheatlastexclaimedtriumphantly，andliftedherhandforathrust。
’Onthecontrary，darling，weareonetohalf-a-dozen，andyouconsiderablytheweaker，’hetenderlyreplied，steppingbackadroitly，andblowingawhistle。Atoncethebushesseemedtobeanimatedinfourorfiveplaces。
’John？’hesaid，inthedirectionofoneofthem。
’Yes，mylord，’repliedavoicefromthebush，andakeepercameforward。
’William？’
Anothermanadvancedfromanotherbush。
’Quiteright。Remainwhereyouareforthepresent。IsTomkinsthere？’
’Yes，mylord，’saidamanfromanotherpartofthethicket。
’Yougoandkeepwatchbythefurtherlodge:therearepoachersabout。WhereisStrongway？’
’Justbelow，mylord。’
’Tellhimandhisbrothertogotothewestgate，andwalkupanddown。Letthemsearchroundit，amongthetreesinside。Anybodytherewhocannotgiveagoodaccountofhimselftobebroughtbeforemeto-morrowmorning。Iamlivingatthecottageatpresent。
That’sallIhavetosaytoyou。’And，turningroundtoEthelberta:
’Now，dearest，wewillwalkalittlefurtherifyouareable。I
haveprovidedthatyourfriendsshallbetakencareof。’Hetriedtopullherhandtowardshim，gently，likeacatopeningadoor。
Theywalkedalittleonward，andLordMountclerespokeagain，withimperturbablegood-humour:
’Iwilltellyouastory，topassthetimeaway。Ihavelearnttheartfromyou——yourmantlehasfallenuponme，andallyourinspirationwithit。Listen，dearest。Isawayoungmancometothehouseto-day。AfterwardsIsawhimcrossapassageinyourcompany。Youenteredtheball-roomwithhim。Thatroomisatreacherousplace。Itispanelledwithwood，andbetweenthepanelsandthewallsarepassagesfortheservants，openingfromtheroombydoorshiddeninthewoodwork。LadyMountclereknewofoneofthese，andmadeuseofittoletoutherconspirator；LordMountclereknewofanother，andmadeuseofittoletinhimself。
Hissightisnotgood，buthisearsareunimpaired。Ameetingwasarrangedtotakeplaceatthewestgateathalf-pastseven，unlessanotehandedfromthebalconymentionedanothertimeandplace。Hehearditall——hee-hee！
’WhenLadyMountclere’sconfederatecameforthenote，Iwasinwaitingabove，andhandedonedownafewminutesbeforethehourstruck，confirmingthetime，butchangingtheplace。WhenLadyMountclerehandeddownhernote，justastheclockwasstriking，herconfederatehadgone，andIwasstandingbeneaththebalconytoreceiveit。Shedroppeditintoherhusband’shands——ho-ho-ho-ho！
’LordMountclereorderedabroughamtobeatthewestlodge，asfixedbyLadyMountclere’snote。ProbablyLadyMountclere’sfriendorderedabroughamtobeatthenorthgate，asfixedbymynote，writteninimitationofLadyMountclere’shand。LadyMountclerecametothespotshehadmentioned，andlikeagoodwiferushedintothearmsofherhusband——hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo！’
Asifbyanungovernableimpulse，Ethelbertabrokeintolaughteralso——laughterwhichhadawildunnaturalsound；itwashysterical。
Shesankdownupontheleaves，andtherecontinuedthefearfullaughjustasbefore。
LordMountclerebecamegreatlyfrightened。Thespottheyhadreachedwasagreenspacewithinagirdleofhollies，andinfrontofthemroseanornamentalcottage。ThiswasthebuildingwhichEthelbertahadvisitedearlierintheday:itwasthePetitTrianonofEnckworthCourt。
Theviscountlefthersideandhurriedforward。Thedoorofthebuildingwasopenedbyawoman。
’Haveyoupreparedforus，asIdirected？’
’Yes，mylord；teaandcoffeearebothready。’
’Nevermindthatnow。LadyMountclereisill；comeandassistherindoors。Telltheotherwomantobringwineandwateratonce。’
HereturnedtoEthelberta。Shewasbetter，andwassittingcalmlyonthebank。Sherosewithoutassistance。
’Youmayretire，’hesaidtothewomanwhohadfollowedhim，andsheturnedround。WhenEthelbertasawthebuilding，shedrewbackquickly。
’WhereistheotherLadyMountclere？’sheinquired。
’Gone！’
’Sheshallneverreturn——never？’
’Never。Itwasnotintendedthatsheshould。’
’Thatsoundswell。LordMountclere，wemayaswellcompromisematters。’
’Ithinksotoo。Itbecomesaladytomakeavirtueofanecessity。’
’Itwasstratagemagainststratagem。Minewasingenious；yourswasmasterly！Acceptmyacknowledgment。Wewillenteruponanarmedneutrality。’
’No。Letmebeyouradorerandslaveagain，asever。Yourbeauty，dearest，coverseverything！Youaremymistressandqueen！Buthereweareatthedoor。Teaispreparedforushere。Ihavealikingforlifeinthiscottagemode，andlivehereonoccasion。
Women，attendtoLadyMountclere。’
ThewomanwhohadseenEthelbertainthemorningwasalarmedatrecognizingher，havingsincebeeninformedofficiallyofthemarriage:shemurmuredentreatiesforpardon。Theyassistedtheviscountesstoachair，thedoorwasclosed，andthewindblewpastasifnobodyhadeverstoodtheretointerruptitsflight。
Fullofmisgivings，Christophercontinuedtowaitatthenorthgate。
Half-pastsevenhadlongsincebeenpast，andnoEthelbertahadappeared。Hedidnotforthemomentsupposethedelaytobehers，andthisgavehimpatience；havingtakenuptheposition，hewasinducedbyfidelitytoabidebytheconsequences。ItwouldbeonlyajourneyoftwohourstoreachAngleburyStation；hewouldrideoutsidewiththedriver，putherintothetrain，andbidheradieuforever。Shehadcriedforhelp，andhehadheardhercry。
AtlastthroughthetreescamethesoundoftheCourtclockstrikingeight，andthen，forthefirsttime，adoubtaroseinhismindwhethershecouldhavemistakenthegate。ShehaddistinctlytoldSolthewestlodge；hernotehadexpressedthenorthlodge。Couldshebyanyaccidenthavewrittenonethingwhilemeaninganother？
Heenteredthecarriage，anddroveroundtothewestgate。Allwasassilentthereasattheother，themeetingbetweenEthelbertaandLordMountclerebeingthenlongpast；andhedrovebackagain。
Heleftthecarriage，andenteredtheparkonfoot，approachingthehouseslowly。Allwassilent；thewindowsweredark；mopingsoundscamefromthetreesandsky，asfromSorrowwhisperingtoNight。Bythistimehefeltassuredthattheschemehadmiscarried。Whilehestoodhereacarriagewithoutlightscameupthedrive；itturnedintowardsthestable-yardwithoutgoingtothedoor。Thecarriagehadplainlybeenempty。
Returningacrossthegrassbythewayhehadcome，hewasstartledbythevoicesoftwomenfromtheroadhardby。
’Haveyezeedanybody？’
’Notasoul。’
’Shallwegoacrossagain？’
’What’sthegood？let’shometosupper。’
’Mylordmusthaveheardsomebody，or’awouldn’thavesaidit。’
’Perhapshe’snervousnowhe’slivinginthecottageagain。I
thoughtthatfancywasover。Well，I’mglad’tisayoungwifehe’sbroughtus。She’llhaveherroutsandherracketsaswellasthehigh-bornones，you’llsee，assoonasshegetsusedtotheplace。’
’ShemustbeaqueerChristiantopickupwithhim。’
’Well，ifshe’vecharity’tisenoughforwepoormen；herfaithandhopemaybeaspleaseGod。NowIbeforon-alonghomeward。’
AssoonastheyhadgoneChristophermovedfromhishiding，and，avoidingthegravel-walk，returnedtohiscoachman，tellinghimtodriveatoncetoAnglebury。
Julianwassoimpatientofthefutilityofhisadventurethathewishedtoannihilateitsexistence。OnreachingAngleburyhedeterminedtogetonatoncetoMelchester，thattheeventofthenightmightbesummarilyended；tobestillintheneighbourhoodwastobestillengagedinit。Hereachedhomebeforemidnight。
Walkingintotheirhouseinaquietstreet，asdissatisfiedwithhimselfasamanwellcouldbewhostillretainedhealthandanoccupation，hefoundFaithsittingupasusual。Hisnewswassimple:themarriagehadtakenplacebeforehecouldgetthere，andhehadseennothingofeitherceremonyorviscountess。Theremainderhereservedforamoreconvenientseason。
Edithlookedanxiouslyathimasheatesupper，smilingnowandthen。
’Well，Iamtiredofthislife，’saidChristopher。
’SoamI，’saidFaith。’Ah，ifwewereonlyrich！’
’Ah，yes。’
’Orifwewerenotrich，’shesaid，turninghereyestothefire。
’Ifwewereonlyslightlyprovidedfor，itwouldbebetterthannothing。Howmuchwouldyoubecontentwith，Kit？’
’AsmuchasIcouldget。’
’Wouldyoubecontentwithathousandayearforbothofus？’
’IdaresayIshould，’hemurmured，breakinghisbread。
’Orfivehundredforboth？’
’Orfivehundred。’
’Oreventhreehundred？’
’Botherthreehundred。Lessthandoublethesumwouldnotsatisfyme。Wemayaswellimaginemuchaslittle。’
Faith’scountenancehadfallen。’OKit，’shesaid，’youalwaysdisappointme。’
’Ido。HowdoIdisappointyouthistime？’
’Bynotcaringforthreehundredayear——ahundredandfiftyeach——
whenthatisallIhavetoofferyou。’
’Faith！’saidhe，lookingupforthefirsttime。’Ah——ofcourse！
Lucy’swill。Ihadforgotten。’
’Itistrue，andIhadpreparedsuchapleasantsurpriseforyou，andnowyoudon’tcare！OurcousinLucydidleaveussomethingafterall。Idon’tunderstandtheexacttotalsum，butitcomestoahundredandfiftyayeareach——morethanIexpected，thoughnotsomuchasyoudeserved。Here’stheletter。Ihavebeendwellinguponitallday，andthinkingwhatapleasureitwouldbe；anditisnotafterall！’
’Goodgracious，Faith，Iwasonlysupposing。Therealthingisanothermatteraltogether。Well，theideaofLucy’swillcontainingournames！IamsureIwouldhavegonetothefuneralhadIknown。’
’Iwishitwereathousand。’
’Ono——itdoesn’tmatteratall。But，certainly，threehundredfortwoisatantalizingsum:notenoughtoenableustochangeourcondition，andenoughtomakeusdissatisfiedwithgoingonasweare。’
’Wemustforgetwehaveit，andletitincrease。’
’Itisn’tenoughtoincreasemuch。Wemayaswelluseit。Buthow？
Takeabiggerhouse——what’stheuse？Giveuptheorgan？——thenI
shallberatherworseoffthanIamatpresent。Positively，itisthemostprovokingamountanybodycouldhaveinventedhadtheytriedeversolong。PoorLucy，todothat，andnoteventocomenearuswhenfatherdied……Ah，Iknowwhatwe’lldo。We’llgoabroad——
we’llliveinItaly。’
SEQUEL。ANGLEBURY-ENCKWORTH-SANDBOURNE
TwoyearsandahalfafterthemarriageofEthelbertaandtheeveningadventureswhichfollowedit，amanyounginyears，thoughconsiderablyolderinmoodandexpression，walkeduptothe’RedLion’InnatAnglebury。Theanachronismsatnotunbecominglyuponhim，andthevoicewaspreciselythatoftheChristopherJulianofheretofore。Hiswayofenteringtheinnandcallingforaconveyancewasmoreoff-handthanformerly；hewasmuchlessafraidofthesoundofhisownvoicenowthanwhenhehadgonethroughthesameperformanceonacertainchilleveningthelasttimethathevisitedthespot。HewantedtobetakentoKnollseatomeetthesteamerthere，andwasnotcomingbackbythesamevehicle。
Itwasaverydifferentdayfromthatofhispreviousjourneyalongthesameroad；differentinseason；differentinweather；andthehumouroftheobserverdifferedyetmorewidelyfromitsconditionthenthandidthelandscapefromitsformerhues。Induetimetheyreachedacommandingsituationupontheroad，fromwhichwerevisibleknotsandplantationsoftreesontheEnckworthmanor。
Christopherbrokethesilence。
’LordMountclereisstillaliveandwell，Iamtold？’
’Oay。He’lllivetobeahundred。Neversuchachangeashascomeoverthemanoflateyears。’
’Indeed！’
’O，’tismylady。She’saonetoputupwith！Still，’tissaidhereandtherethatmarryingherwasthebestday’sworkthatheeverdidinhislife，althoughshe’sgottobemylordandmyladyboth。’
’Isshehappywithhim？’
’Sheisverysharpwiththeporeman——abouthappyIdon’tknow。Hewasagood-naturedoldman，forallhissins，andwouldsooneranydaylayoutmoneyinnewpresentsthanpayitinolddebts。But’tisalterednow。’Tisn’tthesameplace。Ah，intheoldtimesI
haveseentheflooroftheservants’halloverthevampofyourbootinsolidbeerthatwehadpouredasidefromthehornsbecausewecouldn’tseestraightenoughtopouritin。See？No，wecouldn’tseeaholeinaladder！Andnow，evenatChristmasorWhitsuntide，whenaman，ifeverhedesirestobeovercomewithadrop，wouldnaturallywishittobe，youcanwalkoutofEnckworthasstraightasyouwalkedin。Allherdoings。’
’Thensheholdsthereins？’
’Shedo！Therewasalittletussleatfirst；buthowcouldaoldmanholdhisownagainstsuchaspryyoungbodyasthat！Shethreatenedtorunawayfromhim，andkickedupBob’s-a-dying，andI
don’tknowwhatall；andbeingthewoman，ofcourseshewassuretobeatinthelongrun。Poreoldnobleman，shemarcheshimofftochurcheverySundayasregularasaclock，makeshimreadfamilyprayersthathaven’tbeenreadinEnckworthforthelastthirtyyearstomycertainknowledge，andkeepshimdowntothreeglassesofwineaday，strict，sothatyouneverseehimanythemoregenerousforliquororabitelevatedatall，asitusedtobe。
There，’tistrue，ithasdonehimgoodinonesense，fortheysayhe’dhavebeendeadinfiveyearsifhehadgoneonashewasgoing。’
’Sothatshe’sagoodwifetohim，afterall。’
’Well，ifshehadbeenalittleworse’twouldhavebeenalittlebetterforhiminonesense，forhewouldhavehadhisownwaymore。
Buthewasacuriousfelleratonetime，asweallknowandI
suppose’tisasmuchashecanexpect；but’tisastrangereverseforhim。Itissaidthatwhenhe’saskedouttodine，ortoanythinginthewayofajaunt，hiseyefliesacrosstohersaforeheanswers:andifhereyesaysyes，hesaysyes:andifhereyesaysno，hesaysno。’Tisasadconditionforonewhoruledwomankindashe，thatawomanshouldleadhiminastringwhetherhewillorno。’
’Sadindeed！’
’She’ssteward，andagent，andeverything。Shehasgotaroomcalled\"mylady’soffice，\"andgreatledgersandcash-booksyouneverseethelike。Inoldtimestherewerebailiffstolookaftertheworkfolk，forementolookafterthetradesmen，abuilding-
stewardtolookaftertheforemen，aland-stewardtolookafterthebuilding-steward，andadashinggrandagenttolookaftertheland-
steward:finetimestheyhadthen，Iassureye。Myladysaidtheywereeatingoutthepropertylikeahoneycomb，andthentherewasaterriblerow。Halfof’emweresentflying；andnowthere’sonlytheagent，andtheviscountess，andasortofsurveyorman，andofthethreeshedoesmostworkso’tissaid。Shemarksthetreestobefelled，settleswhathorsesaretobesoldandbought，andisoutinallwindsandweathers。There，ifsomebodyhadn’tlookedintothings’twouldsoonhavebeenallupwithhislordship，hewassoveryextravagant。Inonesense’twasluckyforhimthatshewasborninhumblelife，becauseowingtoitsheknowstheinsandoutsofcontriving，whichheneverdid。’
’Thenamanonthevergeofbankruptcywilldobettertomarryapoorandsensiblewifethanarichandstupidone。Well，hereweareatthetenthmilestone。IwillwalktheremainderofthedistancetoKnollsea，asthereisampletimeformeetingthelaststeamboat。’
WhenthemanwasgoneChristopherproceededslowlyonfootdownthehill，andreachedthatpartofthehighwayatwhichhehadstoppedinthecoldNovemberbreezewaitingforawomanwhonevercame。Hewasoldernow，andhehadceasedtowishthathehadnotbeendisappointed。Therewasthelodge，andarounditwerethetrees，brilliantintheshininggreensofJune。Everytwigsustaineditsbird，andeveryblossomitsbee。Theroadsidewasnotmuffledinagarmentofdeadleavesasithadbeenthen，andthelodge-gatewasnotopenasitalwaysusedtobe。Hepausedtolookthroughthebars。Thedrivewaswellkeptandgravelled；thegrassedgings，formerlymarkedbyhoofsandruts，andotherwisetroddenaway，werenowgreenandluxuriant，bentsticksbeingplacedatintervalsasaprotection。
Whilehelookedthroughthegateawomansteppedfromthelodgetoopenit。Inherhasteshenearlyswungthegateintohisface，andwouldhavecompletelydonesohadhenotjumpedback。
’Ibegpardon，sir，’shesaid，onperceivinghim。’Iwasgoingtoopenitformylady，andIdidn’tseeyou。’
Christophermovedroundthecorner。TheperpetualsnubbingthathehadreceivedfromEthelbertaeversincehehadknownherseemedabouttobecontinuedthroughthemediumofherdependents。
Atrotting，accompaniedbythesoundoflightwheels，hadbecomeperceptible；andthenavehiclecamethroughthegate，andturneduptheroadwhichhehadcomedown。Hesawthebackofabasketcarriage，drawnbyapairofpiebaldponies。Aladinliverysatbehindwithfoldedarms；thedriverwasalady。Hesawherbonnet，hershoulders，herhair——butnomore。Shelessenedinhisgaze，andwassoonoutofsight。
Hestoodalongtimethinking；buthedidnotwishherhis。
Inthiswholesomeframeofmindheproceededonhisway，thankfulthathehadescapedmeetingher，thoughsonarrowly。Butperhapsatthisremoteseasontheembarrassmentofarencounterwouldnothavebeenintense。AtKnollseaheenteredthesteamerforSandbourne。
Mr。ChickerelandhisfamilynowlivedatFirtopVilla，inthatplace，ahousewhich，likemanyothers，hadbeenbuiltsinceJulian’slastvisittothetown。Hewasdirectedtotheoutskirts，andintoafirplantationwheredrivesandintersectingroadshadbeenlaidout，andwherenewvillashadsprunguplikemushrooms。
Heenteredbyaswinggate，onwhich’Firtop’waspainted，andamaid-servantshowedhimintoaneatly-furnishedroom，containingMr。
Chickerel，Mrs。Chickerel，andPicotee，thematronbeingreclinedonacouch，whichimprovedhealthhadpermittedhertosubstituteforabed。
Hehadbeenexpected，andallweregladtoseeagainthesojournerinforeignlands，evendowntotheladyliketabby，whowasallpurrandwarmthtowardshimexceptwhenshewasallclawsandnippers。
ButhadtheprimesentimentofthemeetingshownitselfitwouldhavebeentheunqualifiedsurpriseofChristopheratseeinghowmuchPicotee’sfacehadgrowntoresemblehersister’s:itwaslessaresemblanceincontoursthaninexpressionandtone。
Theyhadanearlytea，andthenMr。Chickerel，sittinginapatriarchalchair，conversedpleasantlywithhisguest，beingwellacquaintedwithhimthroughothermembersofthefamily。TheytalkedofJulian’sresidenceatdifferentItaliantownswithhissister；ofFaith，whowasatthepresentmomentstayingwithsomeoldfriendsinMelchester:and，aswasinevitable，thediscoursehoveredoverandsettleduponEthelberta，theprimerulerofthecoursesofthemall，withlittleexception，throughrecentyears。
’Itwasahardstruggleforher，’saidChickerel，lookingreflectivelyoutatthefirtrees。’Ineverthoughtthegirlwouldhavegotthroughit。Whenshefirstenteredthehouseeverybodywasagainsther。Shehadtofightawholehostofthemsingle-handed。
Therewastheviscount’sbrother，otherrelations，lawyers，ladies，servants，notoneofthemwasherfriend；andnotonewhowouldn’tratherhaveseenherarrivethereinevilrelationshipwithhimthanasshedidcome。Butshestoodherground。Shewasputuponhermettle；andonebyonetheygottofeeltherewassomebodyamongthemwhoselittlefinger，iftheyinsultedher，wasthickerthanaMountclere’sloins。Shemusthavehadawillofiron；itwasasituationthatwouldhavebrokentheheartsofadozenordinarywomen，foreverybodysoonknewthatwewereofnofamily，andthat’swhatmadeitsohardforher。Buttheresheisasmistressnow，andeverybodyrespectingher。IsometimesfancysheisoccasionallytooseverewiththeservantsandIknowwhatserviceis。Butshesaysitisnecessary，owingtoherbirth；andperhapssheisright。’
’Isupposesheoftencomestoseeyou？’
’Fourorfivetimesayear，’saidPicotee。
’Shecannotcomequitesooftenasshewould，’saidMrs。Chickerel，’becauseofherloftyposition，whichhasitsjuties。Well，asI
alwayssay，Bertadoesn’ttakeafterme。Icouldn’thavemarriedthemaneventhoughhedidbringacoronetwithhim。’
’Ishouldn’thavecaredtolethimaskye，’saidChickerel。
’However，that’sneitherherenorthere——allendedbetterthanI
expected。He’sfondofher。’
’Anditiswonderfulwhatcanbedonewithanoldmanwhenyouarehisdarling，’saidMrs。Chickerel。
’IfIwereBertaIshouldgotoLondonoftener，’saidPicotee，toturntheconversation。’Butshelivesmostlyinthelibrary。And，O，whatdoyouthink？Sheiswritinganepicpoem，andemploysEmmelineasherreader。’
’Dearme。AndhowareSolandDan？Youmentionedthemonceinyourletters，’saidChristopher。
’BertahassetthemupasbuildersinLondon。’
’Sheboughtabusinessforthem，’saidChickerel。’ButSolwouldn’tacceptherhelpforalongtime，andnowhehasonlyagreedtoitonconditionofpayingherbackthemoneywithinterest，whichheisdoing。Theyhavejustsignedacontracttobuildahospitalfortwentythousandpounds。’
Picoteebrokein——’YouknewthatbothGwendolineandCorneliamarriedtwoyearsago，andwenttoQueensland？Theymarriedtwobrothers，whowerefarmers，andleftEnglandthefollowingweek。
GeorgieandMyrtleareatschool。’
’AndJoey？’
’WearethinkingofmakingJosephaparson，’saidMrs。Chickerel。
’Indeed！aparson。’
’Yes；’tisagenteellivingfortheboy。Andhe’stalentsthatway。
SincehehasbeenundermastersheknowsallthestrangesoundstheoldRomansandGreeksusedtomakebywayoftalking，andthelovestoriesoftheancientwomenasiftheywerehisown。Iassureyou，Mr。Julian，ifyoucouldhearhowbeautifultheboytellsaboutlittleCupidwithhisbowandarrows，andtherowsbetweenthatpaganapostleJupiterandhiswifebecauseofanotherwoman，andthehandsomeyounggodswhokissedVenus，you’dsayhedeservedtobemadeabishopatonce！’
Theeveningadvanced，andtheywalkedinthegarden。Here，bysomemeans，PicoteeandChristopherfoundthemselvesalone。
’Yourletterstomysisterhavebeencharming，’saidChristopher。
’Andsoregular，too。Itwasasgoodasabirthdayeverytimeonearrived。’
Picoteeblushedandsaidnothing。
Christopherhadfullassurancethatherheartwaswhereitalwayshadbeen。Asuspicionofthefacthadbeenthereasonofhisvisithereto-day。
’OtherletterswereoncewrittenfromEnglandtoItaly，andtheyacquiredgreatcelebrity。Doyouknowwhose？’
’Walpole’s？’saidPicoteetimidly。
’Yes；buttheynevercharmedmehalfasmuchasyours。YoumayrestassuredthatonepersonintheworldthinksWalpoleyoursecond。’
’Youshouldnothavereadthem；theywerenotwrittentoyou。ButI
supposeyouwishedtohearofEthelberta？’
’AtfirstIdid，’saidChristopher。’But，oddlyenough，Igotmoreinterestedinthewriterthaninhernews。Idon’tknowifeverbeforetherehasbeenaninstanceoflovingbymeansofletters。Ifnot，itisbecausetherehaveneverbeensuchsweetoneswritten。
AtlastIlookedforthemmoreanxiouslythanFaith。’
’Yousee，youknewmebefore。’Picoteewouldhavewithdrawnthisremarkifshecould，fearingthatitseemedlikeasuggestionofherlovelongago。
’Then，onmyreturn，IthoughtIwouldjustcallandseeyou，andgoawayandthinkwhatwouldbebestformetodowithaviewtothefuture。ButsinceIhavebeenhereIhavefeltthatIcouldnotgoawaytothinkwithoutfirstaskingyouwhatyouthinkononepoint——
whetheryoucouldevermarryme？’
’IthoughtyouwouldaskthatwhenIfirstsawyou。’
’Didyou。Why？’
’Youlookedatmeasifyouwould。’
’Well，’continuedChristopher，’theworstofitisIamaspoorasJob。FaithandIhavethreehundredayearbetweenus，butonlyhalfismine。SothatbeforeIgetyourpromiseImustletyourfatherknowhowpoorIam。BesideswhatImention，Ihaveonlymyearningsbymusic。ButIamtobeinstalledaschieforganistatMelchestersoon，insteadofdeputy，asIusedtobe；whichissomething。’
’IamtohavefivehundredpoundswhenImarry。ThatwasLordMountclere’sarrangementwithEthelberta。HeisextremelyanxiousthatIshouldmarrywell。’
’That’sunfortunate。Amarriagewithmewillhardlybeconsideredwell。’
’Oyes，itwill，’saidPicoteequickly，andthenlookedfrightened。
Christopherdrewhertowardshim，andimprintedakissuponhercheek，atwhichPicoteewasnotsowretchedasshehadbeensomeyearsbeforewhenhemistookherforanotherinthatperformance。
’Bertawillneverletuscometowant，’shesaid，withvivacity，whenshehadrecovered。’Shealwaysgivesmewhatisnecessary。’
’Wewillendeavournottotroubleher，’saidChristopher，amusedbyPicotee’sutterdependencenowaseveruponhersister，asuponaneternalProvidence。’However，itiswelltobekintoacoachthoughyouneverrideinit。Now，shallwegoindoorstoyourfather？Youthinkhewillnotobject？’
’Ithinkhewillbeveryglad，’repliedPicotee。’Bertawill，Iknow。’
End
