III。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTDAYS
1。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFJULY
Butthingsarenotwhattheyseem。AresponsiveloveforEdwardSpringrovehadmadeitsappearanceinCytherea\'sbosomwithallthefascinatingattributesofafirstexperience，notsucceedingtoordisplacingotheremotions，asinolderhearts，buttakingupentirelynewground；aswhengazingjustaftersunsetatthepaleblueskyweseeastarcomeintoexistencewherenothingwasbefore。
Hispartingwords，\'Don\'tforgetme，\'sherepeatedtoherselfahundredtimes，andthoughshethoughttheirimportwasprobablycommonplace，shecouldnothelptoyingwiththem，——lookingatthemfromallpoints，andinvestingthemwithmeaningsofloveandfaithfulness，——ostensiblyentertainingsuchmeaningsonlyasfableswherewithtopassthetime，yetinherheartadmitting，fordetachedinstants，apossibilityoftheirdeepertruth。Andthus，forhoursafterhehadlefther，herreasonflirtedwithherfancyasakittenwillsportwithadove，pleasantlyandsmoothlythrougheasyattitudes，butdisclosingitscruelandunyieldingnatureatcrises。
Toturnnowtothemorematerialmediathroughwhichthisstorymoves，itsohappenedthattheverynextmorningbroughtroundacircumstancewhich，slightinitself，tookuparelevantandimportantpositionbetweenthepastandthefutureofthepersonshereinconcerned。
Atbreakfasttime，justasCythereahadagainseenthepostmanpasswithoutbringingherananswertotheadvertisement，asshehadfullyexpectedhewoulddo，Owenenteredtheroom。
\'Well，\'hesaid，kissingher，\'youhavenotbeenalarmed，ofcourse。
SpringrovetoldyouwhatIhaddone，andyoufoundtherewasnotrain？\'
\'Yes，itwasallclear。Butwhatisthelamenessowingto？\'
\'Idon\'tknow——nothing。Ithasquitegoneoffnow……Cytherea，IhopeyoulikeSpringrove。Springrove\'sanicefellow，youknow。\'
\'Yes。Ithinkheis，exceptthat——\'
\'IthappenedjusttothepurposethatIshouldmeethimthere，didn\'tit？AndwhenIreachedthestationandlearntthatIcouldnotgetonbytrainmyfootseemedbetter。Istartedofftowalkhome，andwentaboutfivemilesalongapathbesidetherailway。ItthenstruckmethatImightnotbefitforanythingtodayifI
walkedandaggravatedthebotheringfoot，soIlookedforaplacetosleepat。Therewasnoavailablevillageorinn，andIeventuallygotthekeeperofagate-house，wherealanecrossedtheline，totakemein。\'
Theyproceededwiththeirbreakfast。Owenyawned。
\'Youdidn\'tgetmuchsleepatthegate-houselastnight，I\'mafraid，Owen，\'saidhissister。
\'Totellthetruth，Ididn\'t。Iwasinsuchverycloseandnarrowquarters。Thosegate-housesaresuchsmallplaces，andthemanhadonlyhisownbedtoofferme。Ah，by-the-bye，Cythie，Ihavesuchanextraordinarythingtotellyouinconnectionwiththisman！——byJove，Ihadnearlyforgottenit！ButI\'llgostraighton。AsIwassaying，hehadonlyhisownbedtoofferme，butIcouldnotaffordtobefastidious，andashehadaheartymanner，thoughaveryqueerone，Iagreedtoacceptit，andhemadearoughpalletforhimselfonthefloorclosebesideme。Well，Icouldnotsleepformylife，andIwishedIhadnotstayedthere，thoughIwassotired。Foronething，thereweretheluggagetrainsrattlingbyatmyelbowtheearlypartofthenight。Butworsethanthis，hetalkedcontinuallyinhissleep，andoccasionallystruckoutwithhislimbsatsomethingoranother，knockingagainstthepostofthebedsteadandmakingittremble。MyconditionwasaltogethersounsatisfactorythatatlastIawokehim，andaskedhimwhathehadbeendreamingaboutfortheprevioushour，forIcouldgetnosleepatall。Hebeggedmypardonfordisturbingme，butanameIhadcasuallyletfallthateveninghadledhimtothinkofanotherstrangerhehadoncehadvisithim，whohadalsoaccidentallymentionedthesamename，andsomeverystrangeincidentsconnectedwiththatmeeting。
Theaffairhadoccurredyearsandyearsago；butwhatIhadsaidhadmadehimthinkanddreamaboutitasifitwerebutyesterday。Whatwastheword？Isaid。“Cytherea，“hesaid。Whatwasthestory？I
askedthen。HethentoldmethatwhenhewasayoungmaninLondonheborrowedafewpoundstoaddtoafewhehadsavedup，andopenedalittleinnatHammersmith。Oneevening，aftertheinnhadbeenopenaboutacoupleofmonths，everyidlerintheneighbourhoodranofftoWestminster。TheHousesofParliamentwereonfire。
\'Notasoulremainedinhisparlourbesideshimself，andhebeganpickingupthepipesandglasseshiscustomershadhastilyrelinquished。Atlengthayoungladyaboutseventeenoreighteencamein。Sheaskedifawomanwastherewaitingforherself——MissJaneTaylor。Hesaidno；askedtheyoungladyifshewouldwait，andshowedherintothesmallinnerroom。Therewasaglass-paneinthepartitiondividingthisroomfromthebartoenablethelandlordtoseeifhisvisitors，whosatthere，wantedanything。Acuriousawkwardnessandmelancholyaboutthebehaviourofthegirlwhocalled，causedmyinformanttolookfrequentlyatherthroughthepartition。Sheseemedwearyofherlife，andsatwithherfaceburiedinherhands，evidentlyquiteoutofherelementinsuchahouse。ThenawomanmucholdercameinandgreetedMissTaylorbyname。Themandistinctlyheardthefollowingwordspassbetweenthem：——
\'“Whyhaveyounotbroughthim？”
\'“Heisill；heisnotlikelytolivethroughthenight。“
\'Atthisannouncementfromtheelderlywoman，theyoungladyfelltothefloorinaswoon，apparentlyovercomebythenews。Thelandlordraninandliftedherup。Well，dowhattheywouldtheycouldnotforalongtimebringherbacktoconsciousness，andbegantobemuchalarmed。“Whoisshe？”theinnkeepersaidtotheotherwoman。
“Iknowher，“theothersaid，withdeepmeaninginhertone。Theelderlyandyoungwomanseemedallied，andyetstrangers。
\'Shenowshowedsignsoflife，anditstruckhim(hewasplainlyofaninquisitiveturn)，thatinherhalf-bewilderedstatehemightgetsomeinformationfromher。Hestoopedoverher，puthismouthtoherear，andsaidsharply，“What\'syourname？”“Tocatchawomannappingisdifficult，evenwhenshe\'shalfdead；butIdidit，“saysthegatekeeper。Whenheaskedherhername，shesaidimmediately——
\'“Cytherea“——andstoppedsuddenly。\'
\'Myownname！\'saidCytherea。
\'Yes——yourname。Well，thegatemanthoughtatthetimeitmightbeequallywithJaneanameshehadinventedfortheoccasion，thattheymightnottraceher；butIthinkitwastruthunconsciouslyuttered，forsheaddeddirectlyafterwards：“O，whathaveIsaid！”
andwasquiteovercomeagain——thistimewithfright。Hervexationthatthewomannowdoubtedthegenuinenessofherothernamewasverymuchgreaterthanthattheinnkeeperdid，anditisevidentthattoblindthewomanwashermainobject。Healsolearntfromwordstheelderlywomancasuallydropped，thatmeetingsofthesamekindhadbeenheldbefore，andthatthefalsenessofthesoi-disantMissJaneTaylor\'snamehadneverbeensuspectedbythisdependentorconfederatetillthen。
\'Sherecovered，restedthereforanhour，andfirstsendingoffhercompanionperemptorily(whichwasanotheroddthing)，sheleftthehouse，offeringthelandlordallthemoneyshehadtosaynothingaboutthecircumstance。Hehasneverseenhersince，accordingtohisownaccount。Isaidtohimagainandagain，“Didyoufindanymoreparticularsafterwards？”“Notasyllable，“hesaid。O，heshouldneverhearanymoreofthat！toomanyyearshadpassedsinceithappened。“Atanyrate，youfoundouthersurname？”Isaid。
“Well，well，that\'smysecret，“hewenton。“PerhapsIshouldneverhavebeeninthispartoftheworldifithadn\'tbeenforthat。I
failedasapublican，youknow。“Iimaginethesituationofgatemanwasgivenhimandhisdebtspaidoffasabribetosilence；butI
can\'tsay。“Ah，yes！”hesaid，withalongbreath。“Ihaveneverheardthatnamementionedsincethattimetillto-night，andthenthereinstantlyrosetomyeyesthevisionofthatyoungladylyinginafaintingfit。“Hethenstoppedtalkingandfellasleep。
TellingthestorymusthaverelievedhimasitdidtheAncientMariner，forhedidnotmoveamuscleormakeanothersoundfortheremainderofthenight。Nowisn\'tthatanoddstory？\'
\'Itisindeed，\'Cythereamurmured。\'Very，verystrange。\'
\'Whyshouldshehavesaidyourmostuncommonname？\'continuedOwen。
\'Themanwasevidentlytruthful，fortherewasnotmotivesufficientforhisinventionofsuchatale，andhecouldnothavedoneiteither。\'
Cytherealookedlongatherbrother。\'Don\'tyourecognizeanythingelseinconnectionwiththestory？\'shesaid。
\'What？\'heasked。
\'Doyourememberwhatpoorpapaonceletdrop——thatCythereawasthenameofhisfirstsweetheartinBloomsbury，whosomysteriouslyrenouncedhim？Asortofintuitiontellsmethatthiswasthesamewoman。\'
\'Ono——notlikely，\'saidherbrothersceptically。
\'Hownotlikely，Owen？There\'snotanotherwomanofthenameinEngland。Inwhatyearusedpapatosaytheeventtookplace？\'
\'Eighteenhundredandthirty-five。\'
\'AndwhenweretheHousesofParliamentburnt？——stop，Icantellyou。\'Shesearchedtheirlittlestockofbooksforalistofdates，andfoundoneinanoldschoolhistory。
\'TheHousesofParliamentwereburntdownintheeveningofthesixteenthofOctober，eighteenhundredandthirty-four。\'
\'Nearlyayearandaquarterbeforeshemetfather，\'remarkedOwen。
Theyweresilent。\'Ifpapahadbeenalive，whatawonderfulabsorbinginterestthisstorywouldhavehadforhim，\'saidCythereaby-and-by。\'Andhowstrangelyknowledgecomestous。Wemighthavesearchedforacluetohersecrethalftheworldover，andneverfoundone。Ifwehadreallyhadanymotivefortryingtodiscovermoreofthesadhistorythanpapatoldus，weshouldhavegonetoBloomsbury；butnotcaringtodoso，wegotwohundredmilesintheoppositedirection，andtherefindinformationwaitingtobetoldus。Whatcouldhavebeenthesecret，Owen？\'
\'Heavenknows。Butourhavingheardalittlemoreofherinthisway(ifsheisthesamewoman)isamerecoincidenceafterall——afamilystorytotellourfriendsifweeverhaveany。Butweshallneverknowanymoreoftheepisodenow——trustourfatesforthat。\'
Cythereasatsilentlythinking。
\'Therewasnoanswerthismorningtoyouradvertisement，Cytherea？\'
hecontinued。
\'None。\'
\'IcouldseethatbyyourlookswhenIcamein。\'
\'Fancynotgettingasingleone，\'shesaidsadly。\'Surelytheremustbepeoplesomewherewhowantgovernesses？\'
\'Yes；butthosewhowantthem，andcanaffordtohavethem，getthemmostlybyfriends\'recommendations；whilstthosewhowantthem，andcan\'taffordtohavethem，makeuseoftheirpoorrelations。\'
\'WhatshallIdo？\'
\'Nevermindit。Goonlivingwithme。Don\'tletthedifficultytroubleyourmindso；youthinkaboutitallday。Icankeepyou，Cythie，inaplainwayofliving。Twenty-fiveshillingsaweekdonotamounttomuchtruly；butthenmanymechanicshavenomore，andwelivequiteassparinglyasjourneymenmechanics……Itisameagrenarrowlifewearedriftinginto，\'headdedgloomily，\'butitisadegreemoretolerablethantheworryingsensationofalltheworldbeingashamedofyou，whichweexperiencedatHocbridge。\'
\'Icouldn\'tgobackthereagain，\'shesaid。
\'NorI。O，Idon\'tregretourcourseforamoment。Wedidquiterightindroppingoutoftheworld。\'Thesneeringtonesoftheremarkwerealmosttoolabouredtobereal。\'Besides，\'hecontinued，\'somethingbetterformeissuretoturnupsoon。Iwishmyengagementherewasapermanentoneinsteadofforonlytwomonths。Itmay，certainly，beforalongertime，butallisuncertain。\'
\'IwishIcouldgetsomethingtodo；andImusttoo，\'shesaidfirmly。\'Suppose，asisveryprobable，youarenotwantedafterthebeginningofOctober——thetimeMr。Gradfieldmentioned——whatshouldwedoifIweredependentonyouonlythroughoutthewinter？\'
Theyponderedonnumerousschemesbywhichayoungladymightbesupposedtoearnadecentlivelihood——moreorlessconvenientandfeasibleinimagination，butrelinquishedthemalluntiladvertisinghadbeenoncemoretried，thistimetakinglowerground。Cythereawasvexedathertemerityinhavingrepresentedtotheworldthatsoinexperiencedabeingasherselfwasaqualifiedgoverness；andhadafancythatthispresumptionofhersmightbeonereasonwhynoladiesapplied。Thenewandhumblerattemptappearedinthefollowingform：——
\'NURSERYGOVERNESSORUSEFULCOMPANION。Ayoungpersonwishestohearofasituationineitheroftheabovecapacities。Salaryverymoderate。Sheisagoodneedle-woman——AddressG。，3CrossStreet，Budmouth。\'
Intheeveningtheywenttoposttheletter，andthenwalkedupanddowntheParadeforawhile。SoontheymetSpringrove，saidafewwordstohim，andpassedon。Owennoticedthathissister\'sfacehadbecomecrimson。RatheroddlytheymetSpringroveagaininafewminutes。Thistimethethreewalkedalittlewaytogether，EdwardostensiblytalkingtoOwen，thoughwithasinglethoughttothereceptionofhiswordsbythemaidenatthefartherside，uponwhomhisgazewasmostlyresting，andwhowasattentivelylistening——
lookingfixedlyuponthepavementthewhile。Ithasbeensaidthatmenlovewiththeireyes；womenwiththeirears。
AsOwenandhimselfwerelittlemorethanacquaintancesasyet，andasSpringrovewaswantingintheassuranceofmanymenofhisage，itnowbecamenecessarytowishhisfriendsgood-evening，ortofindareasonforcontinuingnearCythereabysayingsomenicenewthing。
Hethoughtofanewthing；heproposedapullacrossthebay。Thiswasassentedto。Theywenttothepier；steppedintooneofthegailypaintedboatsmooredalongsideandsheeredoff。Cythereasatinthesternsteering。
Theyrowedthatevening；thenextcame，andwithitthenecessityofrowingagain。Thenthenext，andthenext，Cythereaalwayssittinginthesternwiththetillerropesinherhand。Thecurvesofherfigureweldedwiththoseofthefragileboatinperfectcontinuation，asshegirlishlyyieldedherselftoitsheavingandsinking，seemingtoformwithitanorganicwhole。
ThenOwenwasinclinedtotesthisskillinpaddlingacanoe。
Edwarddidnotlikecanoes，andtheissuewas，that，havingseenOwenonboard，Springroveproposedtopulloffafterhimwithapairofsculls；butnotconsideringhimselfsufficientlyaccomplishedtodofinishedrowingbeforeaparadefullofpromenaderswhentherewasalittleswellon，andwiththerudderunshippedinaddition，hebeggedthatCythereamightcomewithhimandsteerasbefore。Shesteppedin，andtheyfloatedalonginthewakeofherbrother。Thuspassedthefiftheveningonthewater。
Butthesympatheticpairwerethrownintostillclosercompanionship，andmuchmoreexclusiveconnection。
2。JULYTHETWENTY-NINTH
ItwasasadtimeforCytherea——thelastdayofSpringrove\'smanagementatGradfield\'s，andthelasteveningbeforehisreturnfromBudmouthtohisfather\'shouse，previoustohisdepartureforLondon。
Grayehadbeenrequestedbythearchitecttosurveyaplotoflandnearlytwentymilesoff，which，withthejourneytoandfro，wouldoccupyhimthewholeday，andpreventhisreturningtilllateintheevening。Cythereamadeacompanionofherlandladytotheextentofsharingmealsandsittingwithherduringthemorningofherbrother\'sabsence。Mid-dayfoundherrestlessandmiserableunderthisarrangement。Alltheafternoonshesatalone，lookingoutofthewindowforshescarcelyknewwhom，andhopingshescarcelyknewwhat。Half-pastfiveo\'clockcame——theendofSpringrove\'sofficialday。TwominuteslaterSpringrovewalkedby。
Sheenduredhersolitudeforanotherhalf-hour，andthencouldendurenolonger。Shehadhoped——whileaffectingtofear——thatEdwardwouldhavefoundsomereasonorotherforcalling，butitseemedthathehadnot。Hastilydressingherselfshewentout，whenthefarceofanaccidentalmeetingwasrepeated。Edwardcameuponherinthestreetatthefirstturning，and，liketheGreatDukeFerdinandin\'TheStatueandtheBust\'——
\'Helookedatherasalovercan；
Shelookedathimasonewhoawakes——
Thepastwasasleep，andherlifebegan。\'
\'Shallwehaveaboat？\'hesaidimpulsively。
Howblissfulitallisatfirst。Perhaps，indeed，theonlyblissinthecourseoflovewhichcantrulybecalledEden-likeisthatwhichprevailsimmediatelyafterdoubthasendedandbeforereflectionhassetin——atthedawnoftheemotion，whenitisnotrecognizedbyname，andbeforetheconsiderationofwhatthisloveis，hasgivenbirthtotheconsiderationofwhatdifficultiesittendstocreate；
whenontheman\'spart，themistressappearstothemind\'seyeinpicturesque，hazy，andfreshmorninglights，andsoftmorningshadows；when，asyet，sheisknownonlyasthewearerofonedress，whichsharesherownpersonality；asthestanderinonespecialposition，thegiverofonebrightparticularglance，andthespeakerofonetendersentence；when，onherpart，sheistimidlycarefuloverwhatshesaysanddoes，lestsheshouldbemisconstruedorunder-ratedtothebreadthofashadowofahair。
\'Shallwehaveaboat？\'hesaidagain，moresoftly，seeingthattohisfirstquestionshehadnotanswered，butlookeduncertainlyattheground，thenalmost，butnotquite，inhisface，blushedaseriesofminuteblushes，leftoffinthemidstofthem，andshowedtheusualsignsofperplexityinamatteroftheemotions。
Owenhadalwaysbeenwithherbefore，buttherewasnowaforceofhabitintheproceeding，andwithArcadianinnocencesheassumedthatarowonthewaterwas，underanycircumstances，anaturalthing。Withoutanotherwordbeingspokenoneitherside，theywentdownthesteps。Hecarefullyhandedherin，tookhisseat，slidnoiselesslyoffthesand，andawayfromtheshore。
Theythussatfacingeachotherinthegracefulyellowcockle-shell，andhiseyesfrequentlyfoundaresting-placeinthedepthsofhers。
Theboatwassosmallthatateachreturnofthesculls，whenhishandscameforwardtobeginthepull，theyapproachedsoneartoherthathervividimaginationbegantothrillherwithafancythathewasgoingtoclasphisarmsroundher。Thesensationgrewsostrongthatshecouldnotruntheriskofagainmeetinghiseyesatthosecriticalmoments，andturnedasidetoinspectthedistanthorizon；
thenshegrewwearyoflookingsideways，andwasdriventoreturntohernaturalpositionagain。Atthisinstantheagainleantforwardtobegin，andmetherglancebyanardentfixedgaze。Aninvoluntaryimpulseofgirlishembarrassmentcausedhertogiveavehementpullatthetiller-rope，whichbroughttheboat\'sheadroundtilltheystooddirectlyforshore。
Hiseyes，whichhaddweltuponherformduringthewholetimeofherlookaskance，nowlefther；heperceivedthedirectioninwhichtheyweregoing。
\'Why，youhavecompletelyturnedtheboat，MissGraye？\'hesaid，lookingoverhisshoulder。\'Lookatourtrackonthewater——agreatsemicircle，precededbyaseriesofzigzagsasfaraswecansee。\'
Shelookedattentively。\'Isitmyfaultoryours？\'sheinquired。
\'Mine，Isuppose？\'
\'Ican\'thelpsayingthatitisyours。\'
Shedroppedtheropesdecisively，feelingtheslightesttwingeofvexationattheanswer。
\'Whydoyouletgo？\'
\'Idoitsobadly。\'
\'Ono；youturnedaboutforshoreinamasterlyway。Doyouwishtoreturn？\'
\'Yes，ifyouplease。\'
\'Ofcourse，then，Iwillatonce。\'
\'Ifearwhatthepeoplewillthinkofus——goinginsuchabsurddirections，andallthroughmywretchedsteering。\'
\'Nevermindwhatthepeoplethink。\'Apause。\'Yousurelyarenotsoweakastomindwhatthepeoplethinkonsuchamatterasthat？\'
Thosewordsmightalmostbecalledtoofirmandhardtobegivenbyhimtoher；butnevermind。Foralmostthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltthecharmingsensation，althoughonsuchaninsignificantsubject，ofbeingcompelledintoanopinionbyamansheloved。
Owen，thoughlessyieldingphysically，andmorepractical，wouldnothavehadtheintellectualindependencetoanswerawomanthus。Sherepliedquietlyandhonestly——ashonestlyaswhenshehadstatedthecontraryfactaminuteearlier——
\'Idon\'tmind。\'
\'I\'llunshipthetillerthatyoumayhavenothingtodogoingbackbuttoholdyourparasol，\'hecontinued，andarosetoperformtheoperation，necessarilyleaningcloselyagainsther，toguardagainsttheriskofcapsizingtheboatashereachedhishandsastern。Hiswarmbreathtouchedandcreptroundherfacelikeacaress；buthewasapparentlyonlyconcernedwithhistask。Shelookedguiltyofsomethingwhenheseatedhimself。Hereadinherfacewhatthatsomethingwas——shehadexperiencedapleasurefromhistouch。Butheflungapracticalglanceoverhisshoulder，seizedtheoars，andtheyspedinastraightlinetowardstheshore。
Cythereasawthathenotedinherfacewhathadpassedinherheart，andthatnotingit，hecontinuedasdecidedasbefore。Shewasinwardlydistressed。Shehadnotmeanthimtotranslateherwordsaboutreturninghomesoliterallyatthefirst；shehadnotintendedhimtolearnhersecret；butmorethanallshewasnotabletoenduretheperceptionofhislearningitandcontinuingunmoved。
Therewasnothingbutmiserytocomenow。Theywouldstepashore；
hewouldsaygood-night，gotoLondonto-morrow，andthemiserableShewouldlosehimforever。Shedidnotquitesupposewhatwasthefact，thataparallelthoughtwassimultaneouslypassingthroughhismind。
Theywerenowwithintenyards，nowwithinfive；hewasonlynowwaitingfora\'smooth\'tobringtheboatin。Sweet，sweetLovemustnotbeslainthus，wasthefairmaid\'sreasoning。Shewasequaltotheoccasion——ladiesare——anddeliveredthegod——
\'Doyouwantverymuchtoland，Mr。Springrove？\'shesaid，lettingheryoungvioleteyespineathimavery，verylittle。
\'I？Notatall，\'saidhe，lookinganastonishmentatherinquirywhichaslighttwinkleofhiseyehalfbelied。\'Butyoudo？\'
\'Ithinkthatnowwehavecomeout，anditissuchapleasantevening，\'shesaidgentlyandsweetly，\'Ishouldlikealittlelongerrowifyoudon\'tmind？I\'lltrytosteerbetterthanbeforeifitmakesiteasierforyou。I\'lltryveryhard。\'
Itwastheturnofhisfacetotellatalenow。Helooked，\'Weunderstandeachother——ah，wedo，darling！\'turnedtheboat，andpulledbackintotheBayoncemore。
\'Nowsteerwhereveryouwill，\'hesaid，inalowvoice。\'Nevermindthedirectnessofthecourse——whereveryouwill。\'
\'ShallitbeCrestonShore？\'shesaid，pointingtoastretchofbeachnorthwardfromBudmouthEsplanade。
\'CrestonShorecertainly，\'heresponded，graspingthesculls。Shetookthestringsdaintily，andtheywoundawaytotheleft。
Foralongtimenothingwasaudibleintheboatbuttheregulardipoftheoars，andtheirmovementintherowlocks。Springroveatlengthspoke。
\'Imustgoawayto-morrow，\'hesaidtentatively。
\'Yes，\'sherepliedfaintly。
\'ToendeavourtoadvancealittleinmyprofessioninLondon。\'
\'Yes，\'shesaidagain，withthesamepreoccupiedsoftness。
\'ButIshan\'tadvance。\'
\'Whynot？Architectureisabewitchingprofession。Theysaythatanarchitect\'sworkisanotherman\'splay。\'
\'Yes。Butworldlyadvantagefromanartdoesn\'tdependuponmasteringit。Iusedtothinkitdid；butitdoesn\'t。Thosewhogetrichneedhavenoskillatallasartists。\'
\'Whatneedtheyhave？\'
\'Acertainkindofenergywhichmenwithanyfondnessforartpossessveryseldomindeed——anearnestnessinmakingacquaintances，andaloveforusingthem。Theygivetheirwholeattentiontotheartofdiningout，aftermasteringafewrudimentaryfactstoserveupinconversation。Nowaftersayingthat，doIseemamanlikelytomakeaname？\'
\'Youseemamanlikelytomakeamistake。\'
\'What\'sthat？\'
\'Togivetoomuchroomtothelatentfeelingwhichisrathercommoninthesedaysamongtheunappreciated，thatbecausesomeremarkablysuccessfulmenarefools，allremarkablyunsuccessfulmenaregeniuses。\'
\'Prettysubtleforayounglady，\'hesaidslowly。\'FromthatremarkIshouldfancyyouhadboughtexperience。\'
Shepassedovertheidea。\'Dotrytosucceed，\'shesaid，withwistfulthoughtfulness，leavinghereyesonhim。
Springroveflushedalittleattheearnestnessofherwords，andmused。\'Then，likeCatotheCensor，IshalldowhatIdespise，tobeinthefashion，\'hesaidatlast……\'Well，whenIfoundallthisoutthatIwasspeakingof，whateverdoyouthinkIdid？Fromhavingalreadylovedversepassionately，Iwentontoreaditcontinually；thenIwentrhymingmyself。Ifanythingonearthruinsamanforusefuloccupation，andforcontentwithreasonablesuccessinaprofessionortrade，itisthehabitofwritingversesonemotionalsubjects，whichhadmuchbetterbelefttodiefromwantofnourishment。\'
\'Doyouwritepoemsnow？\'shesaid。
\'None。Poeticaldaysaregettingpastwithme，accordingtotheusualrule。Writingrhymesisastagepeopleofmysortpassthrough，astheypassthroughthestageofshavingforabeard，orthinkingtheyareill-used，orsayingthere\'snothingintheworldworthlivingfor。\'
\'Thenthedifferencebetweenacommonmanandarecognizedpoetis，thatonehasbeendeluded，andcuredofhisdelusion，andtheothercontinuesdeludedallhisdays。\'
\'Well，there\'sjustenoughtruthinwhatyousay，tomaketheremarkunbearable。However，itdoesn\'tmattertomenowthatI“meditatethethanklessMuse“nolonger，but……\'Hepaused，asifendeavouringtothinkwhatbetterthinghedid。
Cytherea\'smindranontothesucceedinglinesofthepoem，andtheirstartlingharmonywiththepresentsituationsuggestedthefancythathewas\'sporting\'withher，andbroughtanawkwardcontemplativenesstoherface。
Springroveguessedherthoughts，andinanswertothemsimplysaid\'Yes。\'Thentheyweresilentagain。
\'IfIhadknownanAmarylliswascominghere，Ishouldnothavemadearrangementsforleaving，\'heresumed。
Suchlevity，superimposedonthenotionof\'sport\'，wasintolerabletoCytherea；forawomanseemsnevertoseeanybuttheserioussideofherattachment，thoughthemostdevotedloverhasallthetimeavagueanddimperceptionthatheislosinghisolddignityandfritteringawayhistime。
\'Butwillyounottryagaintogetoninyourprofession？Tryoncemore；dotryoncemore，\'shemurmured。\'Iamgoingtotryagain。I
haveadvertisedforsomethingtodo。\'
\'OfcourseIwill，\'hesaid，withaneagergestureandsmile。\'ButwemustrememberthatthefameofChristopherWrenhimselfdependedupontheaccidentofafireinPuddingLane。Mysuccessesseemtocomeveryslowly。Ioftenthink，thatbeforeIamreadytolive，itwillbetimeformetodie。However，Iamtrying——notforfamenow，butforaneasylifeofreasonablecomfort。\'
Itisamelancholytruthforthemiddleclasses，thatinproportionastheydevelop，bythestudyofpoetryandart，theircapacityforconjugalloveofthehighestandpurestkind，theylimitthepossibilityoftheirbeingabletoexerciseit——theveryactputtingoutoftheirpowertheattainmentofmeanssufficientformarriage。
Themanwhoworksupagoodincomehashadnotimetolearnlovetoitssolemnextreme；themanwhohaslearntthathashadnotimetogetrich。
\'Andifyoushouldfail——utterlyfailtogetthatreasonablewealth，\'shesaidearnestly，\'don\'tbeperturbed。Thetrulygreatstanduponnomiddleledge；theyareeitherfamousorunknown。\'
\'Unknown，\'hesaid，\'iftheirideashavebeenallowedtoflowwithasympatheticbreadth。Famousonlyiftheyhavebeenconvergentandexclusive。\'
\'Yes；andIamafraidfromthat，thatmyremarkwasbutdiscouragement，wearingthedressofcomfort。PerhapsIwasnotquiterightin——\'
\'Itdependsentirelyuponwhatismeantbybeingtrulygreat。Butthelongandtheshortofthematteris，thatmenmuststicktoathingiftheywanttosucceedinit——notgivingwaytoover-muchadmirationfortheflowerstheyseegrowinginotherpeople\'sborders；whichIamafraidhasbeenmycase。\'Helookedintothefardistanceandpaused。
Adherencetoacoursewithpersistencesufficienttoensuresuccessispossibletowidelyappreciativemindsonlywhenthereisalsofoundinthemapower——commonplaceinitsnature，butrareinsuchcombination——thepowerofassumingtoconvictionthatintheoutlyingpathswhichappearsomuchmorebrilliantthantheirown，therearebitternessesequallygreat——unperceivedsimplyonaccountoftheirremoteness。
TheywereoppositeRingsworthShore。ThecliffsherewereformedofstratacompletelycontrastingwiththoseofthefurthersideoftheBay，whilstinandbeneaththewaterhardbouldershadtakentheplaceofsandandshingle，betweenwhich，however，theseaglidednoiselessly，withoutbreakingthecrestofasinglewave，sostrikinglycalmwastheair。Thebreezehadentirelydiedaway，leavingthewaterofthatrareglassysmoothnesswhichisunmarkedevenbythesmalldimplesoftheleastaerialmovement。Purplesandbluesofdiversshadeswerereflectedfromthismirroraccordinglyaseachundulationslopedeastorwest。Theycouldseetherockybottomsometwentyfeetbeneaththem，luxuriantwithweedsofvariousgrowths，anddottedwithpulpycreaturesreflectingasilveryandspangledradianceupwardstotheireyes。
Atlengthshelookedathimtolearntheeffectofherwordsofencouragement。Hehadlettheoarsdriftalongside，andtheboathadcometoastandstill。Everythingonearthseemedtakingacontemplativerest，asifwaitingtoheartheavowalofsomethingfromhislips。Atthatinstantheappearedtobreakaresolutionhithertozealouslykept。Leavinghisseatamidshipshecameandgentlyedgedhimselfdownbesideheruponthenarrowseatatthestern。
Shebreathedmorequicklyandwarmly：hetookherrighthandinhisownright：itwasnotwithdrawn。Heputhislefthandbehindhernecktillitcamerounduponherleftcheek：itwasnotthrustaway。Lightlypressingher，hebroughtherfaceandmouthtowardshisown；when，atthistheverybrink，someunaccountablethoughtorspellwithinhimsuddenlymadehimhalt——evennow，andasitseemedasmuchtohimselfastoher，hetimidlywhispered\'MayI？\'
HerendeavourwastosayNo，sodenudedofitsfleshandsinewsthatitsnaturewouldhardlyberecognized，orinotherwordsaNofromsoneartheaffirmativefrontierastobeaffectedwiththeYesaccent。ItwasthusawhisperedNo，drawnouttonearlyaquarterofaminute\'slength，theOmakingitselfaudibleasasoundlikethespringcooofapigeononunusuallyfriendlytermswithitsmate。Thoughconsciousofhersuccessinproducingthekindofwordshehadwishedtoproduce，sheatthesametimetrembledinsuspenseastohowitwouldbetaken。Butthetimeavailablefordoubtwassoshortastoadmitofscarcelymorethanhalfapulsation：
pressingcloserhekissedher。Thenhekissedheragainwithalongerkiss。
Itwasthesupremelyhappymomentoftheirexperience。The\'bloom\'
andthe\'purplelight\'werestrongonthelineamentsofboth。Theirheartscouldhardlybelievetheevidenceoftheirlips。
\'Iloveyou，andyouloveme，Cytherea！\'hewhispered。
Shedidnotdenyit；andallseemedwell。Thegentlesoundsaroundthemfromthehills，theplains，thedistanttown，theadjacentshore，thewaterheavingattheirside，thekiss，andthelongkiss，wereall\'manyavoiceofonedelight，\'andinunisonwitheachother。
Buthismindflewbacktothesameunpleasantthoughtwhichhadbeenconnectedwiththeresolutionhehadbrokenaminuteortwoearlier。
\'Icouldbeaslaveatmyprofessiontowinyou，Cytherea；Iwouldworkatthemeanest，honesttradetobenearyou——muchlessclaimyouasmine；Iwould——anything。ButIhavenottoldyouall；itisnotthis；youdon\'tknowwhatthereisyettotell。Couldyouforgiveasyoucanlove？\'Shewasalarmedtoseethathehadbecomepalewiththequestion。
\'No——donotspeak，\'hesaid。\'Ihavekeptsomethingfromyou，whichhasnowbecomethecauseofagreatuneasiness。Ihadnoright——toloveyou；butIdidit。Somethingforbade——\'
\'What？\'sheexclaimed。
\'Somethingforbademe——tillthekiss——yes，tillthekisscame；andnownothingshallforbidit！We\'llhopeinspiteofall……I
must，however，speakofthisloveofourstoyourbrother。Dearest，youhadbettergoindoorswhilstImeethimatthestation，andexplaineverything。\'
Cytherea\'sshort-livedblisswasdeadandgone。O，ifshehadknownofthissequelwouldshehaveallowedhimtobreakdownthebarrierofmereacquaintanceship——never，never！
\'Willyounotexplaintome？\'shefaintlyurged。Doubt——indefinite，carkingdoubthadtakenpossessionofher。
\'Notnow。Youalarmyourselfunnecessarily，\'hesaidtenderly。\'MyonlyreasonforkeepingsilenceisthatwithmypresentknowledgeI
maytellanuntruestory。Itmaybethatthereisnothingtotell。
Iamtoblameforhasteinalludingtoanysuchthing。Forgiveme，sweet——forgiveme。\'Herheartwasreadytoburst，andshecouldnotanswerhim。Hereturnedtohisplaceandtooktotheoars。
TheyagainmadeforthedistantEsplanade，now，withitslineofhouses，lyinglikeadarkgreybandagainstthelightwesternsky。
Thesunhadset，andastarortwobegantopeepout。Theydrewnearertheirdestination，Edwardashepulledtracinglistlesslywithhiseyestheredstripesuponherscarf，whichgrewtoappearasblackonesintheincreasingduskofevening。Shesurveyedthelonglineoflampsonthesea-wallofthetown，nowlookingsmallandyellow，andseemingtosendlongtap-rootsoffirequiveringdowndeepintothesea。By-and-bytheyreachedthelanding-steps。
Hetookherhandasbefore，andfounditascoldasthewateraboutthem。Itwasnotrelinquishedtillhereachedherdoor。Hisassurancehadnotremovedtheconstraintofhermanner：hesawthatsheblamedhimmutelyandwithhereyes，likeacapturedsparrow。
Leftalone，hewentandseatedhimselfinachairontheEsplanade。
Neithercouldshegoindoorstohersolitaryroom，feelingasshedidinsuchastateofdesperateheaviness。WhenSpringrovewasoutofsightsheturnedback，andarrivedatthecornerjustintimetoseehimsitdown。Thensheglidedpensivelyalongthepavementbehindhim，forgettingherselftomarblelikeMelancholyherselfasshemusedinhisneighbourhoodunseen。Sheheard，withoutheeding，thenotesofpianosandsingingvoicesfromthefashionablehousesatherback，fromtheopenwindowsofwhichthelamp-lightstreamedtojointhatoftheorange-huedfullmoon，newlyrisenovertheBayinfront。ThenEdwardbegantopaceupanddown，andCytherea，fearingthathewouldnoticeher，hastenedhomeward，flinginghimalastlookasshepassedoutofsight。Nopromisefromhimtowrite：
norequestthatsheherselfwoulddoso——nothingbutanindefiniteexpressionofhopeinthefaceofsomefearunknowntoher。Alas，alas！
WhenOwenreturnedhefoundshewasnotinthesmallsitting-room，andcreepingupstairsintoherbedroomwithalight，hediscoveredhertherelyingasleepuponthecoverletofthebed，stillwithherhatandjacketon。Shehadflungherselfdownonentering，andsuccumbedtotheunwontedoppressivenessthateverattendsfull-
blownlove。Thewettracesoftearswereyetvisibleuponherlongdroopinglashes。
\'Loveisasowredelight，andsugredgriefe，Alivingdeath，andever-dyinglife。\'
\'Cytherea，\'hewhispered，kissingher。Sheawokewithastart，andventedanexclamationbeforerecoveringherjudgment。\'He\'sgone！\'
shesaid。
\'Hehastoldmeall，\'saidGrayesoothingly。\'Heisgoingoffearlyto-morrowmorning。\'Twasashameofhimtowinyouawayfromme，andcruelofyoutokeepthegrowthofthisattachmentasecret。\'
\'Wecouldn\'thelpit，\'shesaid，andthenjumpingup——\'Owen，hashetoldyouALL？\'
\'Allofyourlovefrombeginningtoend，\'hesaidsimply。
Edwardthenhadnottoldmore——asheoughttohavedone：yetshecouldnotconvicthim。Butshewouldstruggleagainsthisfetters。
Shetingledtotheverysolesofherfeetattheverypossibilitythathemightbedeludingher。
\'Owen，\'shecontinued，withdignity，\'whatishetome？Nothing。I
mustdismisssuchweaknessasthis——believeme，Iwill。Somethingfarmorepressingmustdriveitaway。Ihavebeenlookingmypositionsteadilyintheface，andImustgetalivingsomehow。I
meantoadvertiseoncemore。\'
\'Advertisingisnouse。\'
\'Thisonewillbe。\'Helookedsurprisedatthesanguinetoneofheranswer，tillshetookapieceofpaperfromthetableandshowedithim。\'SeewhatIamgoingtodo，\'shesaidsadly，almostbitterly。
Thiswasherthirdeffort：——
\'LADY\'S-MAID。Inexperienced。Ageeighteen——G。，3CrossStreet，Budmouth。\'
Owen——Owentherespectable——lookedblankastonishment。Herepeatedinanameless，varyingtone，thetwowords——
\'Lady\'s-maid！\'
\'Yes；lady\'s-maid。\'Tisanhonestprofession，\'saidCythereabravely。
\'ButYOU，Cytherea？\'
\'Yes，I——whoamI？\'
\'Youwillneverbealady\'s-maid——never，Iamquitesure。\'
\'Ishalltrytobe，atanyrate。\'
\'Suchadisgrace——\'
\'Nonsense！Imaintainthatitisnodisgrace！\'shesaid，ratherwarmly。\'Youknowverywell——\'
\'Well，sinceyouwill，youmust，\'heinterrupted。\'Whydoyouput“inexperienced？”\'
\'BecauseIam。\'
\'Nevermindthat——scratchout“inexperienced。“Wearepoor，Cytherea，aren\'twe？\'hemurmured，afterasilence，\'anditseemsthatthetwomonthswillclosemyengagementhere。\'
\'Wecanputupwithbeingpoor，\'shesaid，\'iftheyonlygiveusworktodo……Yes，wedesireasablessingwhatwasgivenusasacurse，andeventhatisdenied。However，becheerful，Owen，andnevermind！\'
Injusticetodespondingmen，itisaswelltorememberthatthebrighterenduranceofwomenattheseepochs——invaluable，sweet，angelic，asitis——owesmoreofitsorigintoanarrowervisionthatshutsoutmanyoftheleaden-eyeddespairsinthevan，thantoahopefulnessintenseenoughtoquellthem。
IV。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
1。AUGUSTTHEFOURTH。TILLFOURO\'CLOCK
TheearlypartofthenextweekbroughtananswertoCytherea\'slastnoteofhopeinthewayofadvertisement——notfromadistanceofhundredsofmiles，London，Scotland，Ireland，theContinent——asCythereaseemedtothinkitmust，tobeinkeepingwiththemeansadoptedforobtainingit，butfromaplaceintheneighbourhoodofthatinwhichshewasliving——acountrymansionnottwentymilesoff。Thereplyranthus：——
KNAPWATERHOUSE，August3，1864。
\'MissAldclyffeisinwantofayoungpersonaslady\'s-maid。Thedutiesoftheplacearelight。MissAldclyffewillbeinBudmouthonThursday，when(shouldG。stillnothaveheardofaplace)shewouldliketoseeherattheBelvedereHotel，Esplanade，atfouro\'clock。Noanswerneedbereturnedtothisnote。\'
Alittleearlierthanthetimenamed，Cytherea，clothedinamodestbonnet，andablacksilkjacket，turneddowntothehotel。
Expectation，thefreshairfromthewater，thebright，far-extendingoutlook，raisedthemostdelicateofpinkcolourstohercheeks，andrestoredtohertreadaportionofthatelasticitywhichherpasttroubles，andthoughtsofEdward，hadwell-nightakenaway。
Sheenteredthevestibule，andwenttothewindowofthebar。
\'IsMissAldclyffehere？\'shesaidtoanicely-dressedbarmaidintheforeground，whowastalkingtoalandladycoveredwithchains，knobs，andclampsofgold，inthebackground。
\'No，sheisn\'t，\'saidthebarmaid，notverycivilly。Cytherealookedashadetooprettyforaplaindresser。
\'MissAldclyffeisexpectedhere，\'thelandladysaidtoathirdperson，outofsight，inthetoneofonewhohadknownforseveraldaysthefactnewlydiscoveredfromCytherea。\'Getreadyherroom——
bequick。\'Fromthealacritywithwhichtheorderwasgivenandtaken，itseemedtoCythereathatMissAldclyffemustbeawomanofconsiderableimportance。
\'YouaretohaveaninterviewwithMissAldclyffehere？\'thelandladyinquired。
\'Yes。\'
\'Theyoungpersonhadbetterwait，\'continuedthelandlady。Withamoney-taker\'sintuitionshehadrightlydivinedthatCythereawouldbringnoprofittothehouse。
Cythereawasshownintoanondescriptchamber，ontheshadysideofthebuilding，whichappearedtobeeitherbedroomordayroom，asoccasionnecessitated，andwasoneofasuiteattheendofthefirst-floorcorridor。Theprevailingcolourofthewalls，curtains，carpet，andcoveringsoffurniture，wasmoreorlessblue，towhichthecoldlightcomingfromthenortheasterlysky，andfallingonawideroofofnewslates——theonlyobjectthesmallwindowcommanded——
impartedamorestrikingpaleness。Butunderneaththedoor，communicatingwiththenextroomofthesuite，gleamedaninfinitesimallysmall，yetverypowerful，fractionofcontrast——averythinlineofruddylight，showingthatthesunbeamedstronglyintothisroomadjoining。Thelineofradiancewastheonlycheeringthingvisibleintheplace。
Peoplegivewaytoveryinfantinethoughtsandactionswhentheywait；thebattle-fieldoflifeistemporarilyfencedoffbyahardandfastline——theinterview。Cythereafixedhereyesidlyuponthestreak，andbeganpicturingawonderfulparadiseontheothersideasthesourceofsuchabeam——remindingherofthewell-knowngooddeedinanaughtyworld。
Whilstshewatchedtheparticlesofdustfloatingbeforethebrilliantchinksheheardacarriageandhorsesstopoppositethefrontofthehouse。Afterwardscametherustleofalady\'sskirtsdownthecorridor，andintotheroomcommunicatingwiththeoneCythereaoccupied。
Thegoldenlinevanishedinpartslikethephosphorescentstreakcausedbythestrikingofamatch；therewasthefallofalightfootsteponthefloorjustbehindit：thenapause。Thenthefoottappedimpatiently，and\'There\'snoonehere！\'wasspokenimperiouslybyalady\'stongue。
\'No，madam；inthenextroom。Iamgoingtofetchher，\'saidtheattendant。
\'Thatwilldo——oryouneedn\'tgoin；Iwillcallher。\'
Cythereahadrisen，andsheadvancedtothemiddledoorwiththechinkunderitastheservantretired。Shehadjustlaidherhandontheknob，whenitslippedroundwithinherfingers，andthedoorwaspulledopenfromtheotherside。
2。FOURO\'CLOCK
Thedirectblazeoftheafternoonsun，partlyrefractedthroughthecrimsoncurtainsofthewindow，andheightenedbyreflectionsfromthecrimson-flockpaperwhichcoveredthewalls，andacarpetonthefloorofthesametint，shonewithaburningglowroundtheformofaladystandingclosetoCytherea\'sfrontwiththedoorinherhand。
Thestrangerappearedtothemaiden\'seyes——freshfromthebluegloom，andassistedbyanimaginationfreshfromnature——likeatallblackfigurestandinginthemidstoffire。Itwasthefigureofafinely-builtwoman，ofsparethoughnotangularproportions。
Cythereainvoluntarilyshadedhereyeswithherhand，retreatedasteportwo，andthenshecouldforthefirsttimeseeMissAldclyffe\'sfaceinadditiontoheroutline，litupbythesecondaryandsofterlightthatwasreflectedfromthevarnishedpanelsofthedoor。Shewasnotaveryyoungwoman，butcouldboastofmuchbeautyofthemajesticautumnalphase。
\'O，\'saidthelady，\'comethisway。\'Cythereafollowedhertotheembrasureofthewindow。
Boththewomenshowedoffthemselvestoadvantageastheywalkedforwardintheorangelight；andeachshowedtooinherfacethatshehadbeenstruckwithhercompanion\'sappearance。ThewarmtintaddedtoCytherea\'sfaceavoluptuousnesswhichyouthandasimplelifehadnotyetallowedtoexpressitselfthereordinarily；whilstintheelderlady\'sfaceitreducedthecustomaryexpression，whichmighthavebeencalledsternness，ifnotharshness，tograndeur，andwarmedherdecayingcomplexionwithmuchoftheyouthfulrichnessitplainlyhadoncepossessed。
Sheappearednownomorethanfive-and-thirty，thoughshemighteasilyhavebeentenoradozenyearsolder。Shehadclearsteadyeyes，aRomannoseinitspurestform，andalsotheroundprominentchinwithwhichtheCaesarsarerepresentedinancientmarbles；amouthexpressingacapabilityforandtendencytostrongemotion，habituallycontrolledbypride。Therewasaseverityabouttheloweroutlinesofthefacewhichgaveamasculinecasttothisportionofhercountenance。Womanlyweaknesswasnowherevisiblesaveinonepart——thecurveofherforeheadandbrows——thereitwasclearandemphatic。Sheworealaceshawloverabrownsilkdress，andanetbonnetsetwithafewbluecornflowers。
\'Youinsertedtheadvertisementforasituationaslady\'s-maidgivingtheaddress，G。，CrossStreet？\'
\'Yes，madam。Graye。\'
\'Yes。Ihaveheardyourname——Mrs。Morris，myhousekeeper，mentionedyou，andpointedoutyouradvertisement。\'
Thiswaspuzzlingintelligence，buttherewasnottimeenoughtoconsiderit。
\'Wheredidyoulivelast？\'continuedMissAldclyffe。
\'Ihaveneverbeenaservantbefore。Ilivedathome。\'
\'Neverbeenout？Ithoughttooatsightofyouthatyouweretoogirlish-lookingtohavedonemuch。Butwhydidyouadvertisewithsuchassurance？Itmisleadspeople。\'
\'Iamverysorry：Iput“inexperienced“atfirst，butmybrothersaiditisabsurdtotrumpetyourownweaknesstotheworld，andwouldnotletitremain。\'
\'Butyourmotherknewwhatwasright，Isuppose？\'
\'Ihavenomother，madam。\'
\'Yourfather，then？\'
\'Ihavenofather。\'
\'Well，\'shesaid，moresoftly，\'yoursisters，aunts，orcousins。\'
\'Theydidn\'tthinkanythingaboutit。\'
\'Youdidn\'taskthem，Isuppose。\'
\'No。\'
\'Youshouldhavedoneso，then。Whydidn\'tyou？\'
\'BecauseIhaven\'tanyofthem，either。\'
MissAldclyffeshowedhersurprise。\'Youdeserveforgivenessthenatanyrate，child，\'shesaid，inasortofdrily-kindtone。
\'However，Iamafraidyoudonotsuitme，asIamlookingforanelderlyperson。Yousee，Iwantanexperiencedmaidwhoknowsalltheusualdutiesoftheoffice。\'Shewasgoingtoadd，\'ThoughI
likeyourappearance，\'butthewordsseemedoffensivetoapplytotheladylikegirlbeforeher，andshemodifiedthemto，\'thoughI
likeyoumuch。\'
\'IamsorryImisledyou，madam，\'saidCytherea。
MissAldclyffestoodinareverie，withoutreplying。
\'Goodafternoon，\'continuedCytherea。
\'Good-bye，MissGraye——Ihopeyouwillsucceed。\'
Cythereaturnedawaytowardsthedoor。Themovementchancedtobeoneofhermasterpieces。Itwasprecise：ithadasmuchbeautyaswascompatiblewithprecision，andaslittlecoquettishnessaswascompatiblewithbeauty。
Andshehadinturninglookedoverhershoulderattheotherladywithafaintaccentofreproachinherface。ThosewhorememberGreuze\'s\'HeadofaGirl，\'haveanideaofCytherea\'slookaskanceattheturning。Itisnotforamantotellfishersofmenhowtosetouttheirfascinationssoastobringaboutthehighestpossibleaverageoftakeswithintheyear：buttheactionthattugsthehardestofallatanemotionalbeholderisthissweetmethodofturningwhichstealsthebosomawayandleavestheeyesbehind。
NowMissAldclyffeherselfwasnotyroatwheeling。WhenCythereahadclosedthedooruponher，sheremainedforsometimeinhermotionlessattitude，listeningtothegraduallydyingsoundofthemaiden\'sretreatingfootsteps。Shemurmuredtoherself，\'Itisalmostworthwhiletobeboredwithinstructingherinordertohaveacreaturewhocouldglideroundmyluxuriousindolentbodyinthatmanner，andlookatmeinthatway——Iwarranthowlightherfingersareuponone\'sheadandneck……Whatasillymodestyoungthingsheis，togoawaysosuddenlyasthat！\'Sherangthebell。
\'Asktheyoungladywhohasjustleftmetostepbackagain，\'shesaidtotheattendant。\'Quick！orshewillbegone。\'
Cythereawasnowinthevestibule，thinkingthatifshehadtoldherhistory，MissAldclyffemightperhapshavetakenherintothehousehold；yetherhistorysheparticularlywishedtoconcealfromastranger。Whenshewasrecalledsheturnedbackwithoutfeelingmuchsurprise。Something，sheknewnotwhat，toldhershehadnotseenthelastofMissAldclyffe。
\'Youhavesomebodytorefermeto，ofcourse，\'theladysaid，whenCythereahadre-enteredtheroom。
\'Yes：Mr。Thorn，asolicitoratAldbrickham。\'
\'Andareyouacleverneedlewoman？\'
\'Iamconsideredtobe。\'
\'ThenIthinkthatatanyrateIwillwritetoMr。Thorn，\'saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesmile。\'Itistrue，thewholeproceedingisveryirregular；butmypresentmaidleavesnextMonday，andneitherofthefiveIhavealreadyseenseemtodoforme……
Well，IwillwritetoMr。Thorn，andifhisreplyissatisfactory，youshallhearfromme。ItwillbeaswelltosetyourselfinreadinesstocomeonMonday。\'
WhenCythereahadagainbeenwatchedoutoftheroom，MissAldclyffeaskedforwritingmaterials，thatshemightatoncecommunicatewithMr。Thorn。Sheindecisivelyplayedwiththepen。\'SupposeMr。
Thorn\'sreplytobeinanywaydisheartening——andevenifsofromhisownimperfectacquaintancewiththeyoungcreaturemorethanfromcircumstantialknowledge——Ishallfeelobligedtogiveherup。
ThenIshallregretthatIdidnotgiveheronetrialinspiteofotherpeople\'sprejudices。Allheraccountofherselfisreliableenough——yes，Icanseethatbyherface。Ilikethatfaceofhers。\'
MissAldclyffeputdownthepenandleftthehotelwithoutwritingtoMr。Thorn。
V。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
1。AUGUSTTHEEIGHTH。MORNINGANDAFTERNOON
Atpost-timeonthatfollowingMondaymorning，Cythereawatchedsoanxiouslyforthepostman，thatasthetimewhichmustbringhimnarrowedlessandlesshervividexpectationhadonlyadegreelesstangibilitythanhispresenceitself。Inanothersecondhisformcameintoview。HebroughttwolettersforCytherea。
OnefromMissAldclyffe，simplystatingthatshewishedCythereatocomeontrial：thatshewouldrequirehertobeatKnapwaterHousebyMondayevening。
TheotherwasfromEdwardSpringrove。Hetoldherthatshewasthebrightspotofhislife：thatherexistencewasfardearertohimthanhisown：thathehadneverknownwhatitwastolovetillhehadmether。True，hehadfeltpassingattachmentstootherfacesfromtimetotime；buttheyallhadbeenweakinclinationstowardsthosefacesastheythenappeared。Helovedherpastandfuture，aswellasherpresent。Hepicturedherasachild：helovedher。Hepicturedherofsageyears：helovedher。Hepicturedherintrouble；helovedher。Homelyfriendshipenteredintohisloveforher，withoutwhichalllovewasevanescent。
Hewouldmakeonedepressingstatement。Uncontrollablecircumstances(alonghistory，withwhichitwasimpossibletoacquaintheratpresent)operatedtoacertainextentasadraguponhiswishes。Hehadfeltthismorestronglyatthetimeoftheirpartingthanhedidnow——anditwasthecauseofhisabruptbehaviour，forwhichhebeggedhertoforgivehim。Hesawnowanhonourablewayoffreeinghimself，andtheperceptionhadpromptedhimtowrite。Inthemeantimemightheindulgeinthehopeofpossessingheronsomebrightfutureday，whenbyhardlabourgeneratedfromherownencouragingwords，hehadplacedhimselfinapositionshewouldthinkworthytobesharedwithhim？
Dearlittleletter；shehuddleditup。Somuchmoreimportantalove-letterseemstoagirlthantoaman。Springrovewasunconsciouslycleverinhisletters，andamanwithatalentofthatkindmaywritehimselfuptoaherointhemindofayoungwomanwholoveshimwithoutknowingmuchabouthim。Springrovealreadystoodacubithigherinherimaginationthanhedidinhisshoes。
Duringthedaysheflittedabouttheroominanecstasyofpleasure，packingthethingsandthinkingofananswerwhichshouldbeworthyofthetendertoneofthequestion，herlovebubblingfromherinvoluntarily，likeprophesyingsfromaprophet。
IntheafternoonOwenwentwithhertotherailway-station，andputherinthetrainforCarrifordRoad，thestationnearesttoKnapwaterHouse。
Half-an-hourlatershesteppedoutupontheplatform，andfoundnobodytheretoreceiveher——thoughapony-carriagewaswaitingoutside。Intwominutesshesawamelancholymanincheerfulliveryrunningtowardsherfromapublic-housecloseadjoining，whoprovedtobetheservantsenttofetchher。Therearetwowaysofgettingridofsorrows：onebylivingthemdown，theotherbydrowningthem。Thecoachmandrownedhis。
Heinformedherthatherluggagewouldbefetchedbyaspring-waggoninabouthalf-an-hour；thenhelpedherintothechaiseanddroveoff。
Herlover\'sletter，lyingcloseagainstherneck，fortifiedheragainsttherestlesstimidityshehadpreviouslyfeltconcerningthisnewundertaking，andcompletelyfurnishedherwiththeconfidenteaseofmindwhichisrequiredforthecriticalobservationofsurroundingobjects。Itwasjustthatstageintheslowdeclineofthesummerdays，whenthedeep，dark，andvacuoushot-weathershadowsarebeginningtobereplacedbyblueonesthathaveasurfaceandsubstancetotheeye。Theytrottedalongtheturnpikeroadforadistanceofaboutamile，whichbroughtthemjustoutsidethevillageofCarriford，andthenturnedthroughlargelodge-gates，ontheheavystonepiersofwhichstoodapairofbitternscastinbronze。Theythenenteredtheparkandwoundalongadriveshadedbyoldanddroopinglime-trees，notarrangedintheformofanavenue，butstandingirregularly，sometimesleavingthetrackcompletelyexposedtothesky，atothertimescastingashadeoverit，whichalmostapproachedgloom——theundersurfaceofthelowestboughshangingatauniformlevelofsixfeetabovethegrass——theextremeheighttowhichthenibblingmouthsofthecattlecouldreach。
\'Isthatthehouse？\'saidCythereaexpectantly，catchingsightofagreygablebetweenthetrees，andlosingitagain。
\'No；that\'stheoldmanor-house——orratherallthat\'sleftofit。
TheAldycliffesusedtoletitsometimes，butitwasoftenerempty。
\'Tisnowdividedintothreecottages。Respectablepeopledidn\'tcaretolivethere。\'
\'Whydidn\'tthey？\'
\'Well，\'tissoawkwardandunhandy。Youseesomuchofithasbeenpulleddown，andtheroomsthatareleftwon\'tdoverywellforasmallresidence。\'Tissodismal，too，andlikemostoldhousesstandstoolowdowninthehollowtobehealthy。\'
\'Dotheytellanyhorridstoriesaboutit？\'
\'No，notasingleone。\'
\'Ah，that\'sapity。\'
\'Yes，that\'swhatIsay。\'Tisjestthehouseforaniceghastlyhair-on-endstory，thatwouldmaketheparishreligious。Perhapsitwillhaveonesomedaytomakeitcomplete；butthere\'snotawordofthekindnow。There，Iwouldn\'tlivethereforallthat。Infact，Icouldn\'t。Ono，Icouldn\'t。\'
\'Whycouldn\'tyou？\'
\'Thesounds。\'
\'Whatarethey？\'
\'Oneisthewaterfall，whichstandssoclosebythatyoucanhearthattherewaterfallineveryroomofthehouse，nightorday，illorwell。\'Tisenoughtodriveanybodymad：nowhark。\'
Hestoppedthehorse。Abovetheslightcommonsoundsintheaircametheunvaryingsteadyrushoffallingwaterfromsomespotunseenonaccountofthethickfoliageofthegrove。
\'There\'ssomethingawfulinthetimingo\'thatsound，ain\'tthere，miss？\'
\'Whenyousaythereis，therereallyseemstobe。Yousaidthereweretwo——whatistheotherhorridsound？\'
\'Thepumping-engine。That\'sclosebytheOldHouse，andsendswaterupthehillandallovertheGreatHouse。Weshallhearthatdirectly……There，nowharkagain。\'
Fromthesamedirectiondownthedelltheycouldnowhearthewhistlingcreakofcranks，repeatedatintervalsofhalf-a-minute，withasousingnoisebetweeneach：acreak，asouse，thenanothercreak，andsooncontinually。
\'Nowifanybodycouldmakeshifttolivethroughtheothersounds，thesewouldfinishhimoff，don\'tyouthinkso，miss？Thatmachinegoesonnightandday，summerandwinter，andishardlyevergreasedorvisited。Ah，ittriesthenervesatnight，especiallyifyouarenotverywell；thoughwedon\'toftenhearitattheGreatHouse。\'
\'Thatsoundiscertainlyverydismal。Theymighthavethewheelgreased。DoesMissAldclyffetakeanyinterestinthesethings？\'
\'Well，scarcely；youseeherfatherdoesn\'tattendtothatsortofthingasheusedto。Theenginewasoncequitehishobby。Butnowhe\'sgettenoldandveryseldomgoesthere。\'
\'Howmanyarethereinfamily？\'
\'Onlyherfatherandherself。He\'sa\'oldmanofseventy。\'
\'IhadthoughtthatMissAldclyffewassolemistressoftheproperty，andlivedherealone。\'
\'No，m——\'Thecoachmanwascontinuallycheckinghimselfthus，beingabouttostylehermissinvoluntarily，andthenrecollectingthathewasonlyspeakingtothenewlady\'s-maid。
\'Shewillsoonbemistress，however，Iamafraid，\'hecontinued，asifspeakingbyaspiritofprophecydeniedtoordinaryhumanity。
\'Thepooroldgentlemanhasdecayedveryfastlately。\'Themanthendrewalongbreath。
\'Whydidyoubreathesadlylikethat？\'saidCytherea。
\'Ah！……Whenhe\'sdeadpeacewillbealloverwithusoldservants。Iexpecttoseetheoldhouseturnedinsideout。\'
\'Shewillmarry，doyoumean？\'
\'Marry——notshe！Iwishshewould。No，inhersoulshe\'sassolitaryasRobinsonCrusoe，thoughshehasacquaintancesinplenty，ifnotrelations。There\'stherector，Mr。Raunham——he\'sarelationbymarriage——yetshe\'squitedistanttowardshim。AndpeoplesaythatifshekeepssingletherewillbehardlyalifebetweenMr。
Raunhamandtheheirshipoftheestate。Dangit，shedon\'tcare。
