She\'sanextraordinarypictureofwomankind——veryextraordinary。\'
\'Inwhatwaybesides？\'
\'You\'llknowsoonenough，miss。Shehashadsevenlady\'s-maidsthislasttwelvemonth。Iassureyou\'tisonebody\'sworktofetch\'emfromthestationandtake\'embackagain。TheLordmustbeaneglectfulpartyatheart，orhe\'dneverpermitsuchoverbearengoingson！\'
\'Doesshedismissthemdirectlytheycome！\'
\'Notatall——sheneverdismissesthem——theygotheirselves。Yesee\'tislikethis。She\'sgotaveryquicktemper；shefleesinapassionwiththemfornothingatall；nextmornentheycomeupandsaytheyaregoing；she\'ssorryforitandwishesthey\'dstay，butshe\'sasproudasalucifer，andherpridewon\'tlethersay，“Stay，“andawaytheygo。\'Tislikethisinfact。Ifyousaytoheraboutanybody，“Ah，poorthing！”shesays，“Pooh！indeed！”Ifyousay，“Pooh，indeed！”“Ah，poorthing！”shesaysdirectly。Shehangsthechiefbaker，asmidbe，andrestoresthechiefbutler，asmidbe，thoughthedevilbutPharaohherselfcanseethedifferencebetween\'em。\'
Cythereawassilent。Shefearedshemightbeagainaburdentoherbrother。
\'However，youstandaverygoodchance，\'themanwenton，\'forI
thinkshelikesyoumorethancommon。Ihaveneverknownhersendthepony-carriagetomeetonebefore；\'tisalwaysthetrap，butthistimeshesaid，inaveryparticularladyliketone，“Roobert，gaowwiththepony-kerriage。“……There，\'tistrue，ponyandcarriagetooaregettenrathershabbynow，\'headded，lookingrounduponthevehicleasiftokeepCytherea\'spridewithinreasonablelimits。
\'\'Tistobehopedyou\'llpleaseindressenherto-night。\'
\'Whyto-night？\'
\'There\'sadinner-partyofseventeen；\'tisherfather\'sbirthday，andshe\'sveryparticularaboutherlooksatsuchtimes。Nowsee；
thisisthehouse。Livelieruphere，isn\'tit，miss？\'
Theywerenowonrisingground，andhadjustemergedfromaclumpoftrees。Stillalittlehigherthanwheretheystoodwassituatedthemansion，calledKnapwaterHouse，theofficesgraduallylosingthemselvesamongthetreesbehind。
2。EVENING
Thehousewasregularlyandsubstantiallybuiltofcleangreyfreestonethroughout，inthatplainerfashionofGreekclassicismwhichprevailedatthelatterendofthelastcentury，whenthecopyistscalleddesignershadgrownwearyoffantasticvariationsintheRomanorders。Themainblockapproximatedtoasquareonthegroundplan，havingaprojectioninthecentreofeachside，surmountedbyapediment。Fromeachangleoftheinferiorsideranalineofbuildingslowerthantherest，turninginwardsagainattheirfurtherend，andformingwithinthemaspaciousopencourt，withinwhichresoundedanechoofastonishingclearness。Theseerectionswereintheirturnbackedbyivy-coveredice-houses，laundries，andstables，thewholemassofsubsidiarybuildingsbeinghalfburiedbeneathclose-setshrubsandtrees。
Therewasopeningsufficientthroughthefoliageontherighthandtoenableheronnearerapproachtoformanideaofthearrangementoftheremoterorlawnfrontalso。Thenaturalfeaturesandcontourofthisquarterofthesitehadevidentlydictatedthepositionofthehouseprimarily，andwereoftheordinary，anduponthewhole，mostsatisfactorykind，namely，abroad，gracefulsloperunningfromtheterracebeneaththewallstothemarginofaplacidlakelyingbelow，uponthesurfaceofwhichadozenswansandagreenpuntfloatedatleisure。Anirregularwoodedislandstoodinthemidstofthelake；beyondthisandthefurthermarginofthewaterwereplantationsandgreenswardofvariedoutlines，thetreesheightening，byhalfveiling，thesoftnessoftheexquisitelandscapestretchingbehind。
Theglimpsesshehadobtainedofthisportionwerenowcheckedbytheangleofthebuilding。Inaminuteortwotheyreachedthesidedoor，atwhichCythereaalighted。Shewaswelcomedbyanelderlywomanoflengthysmilesandgeneralpleasantness，whoannouncedherselftobeMrs。Morris，thehousekeeper。
\'Mrs。Graye，Ibelieve？\'shesaid。
\'Iamnot——Oyes，yes，weareallmistresses，\'saidCytherea，smiling，butforcedly。Thetitleaccordedherseemeddisagreeablylikethefirstslightscarofabrand，andshethoughtofOwen\'sprophecy。
Mrs。MorrisledherintoacomfortableparlourcalledTheRoom。
Hereteawasmadeready，andCythereasatdown，looking，wheneveroccasionallowed，atMrs。Morriswithgreatinterestandcuriosity，todiscover，ifpossible，somethinginherwhichshouldgiveacluetothesecretofherknowledgeofherself，andtherecommendationbaseduponit。Butnothingwastobelearnt，atanyratejustthen。
Mrs。Morriswasperpetuallygettingup，feelinginherpockets，goingtocupboards，leavingtheroomtwoorthreeminutes，andtrottingbackagain。
\'You\'llexcuseme，Mrs。Graye，\'shesaid，\'but\'tistheoldgentleman\'sbirthday，andtheyalwayshavealotofpeopletodinneronthatday，thoughhe\'sgettingupinyearsnow。However，noneofthemaresleepers——shegenerallykeepsthehouseprettyclearoflodgers(beingaladywithnointimatefriends，thoughmanyacquaintances)，which，thoughitgivesuslesstodo，makesitallthedullerfortheyoungermaidsinthehouse。\'Mrs。Morristhenproceededtogiveinfragmentaryspeechesanoutlineoftheconstitutionandgovernmentoftheestate。
\'Now，areyousureyouhavequitedonetea？Notabitordropmore？
Why，you\'veeatennothing，I\'msure……Well，now，itisratherinconvenientthattheothermaidisnotheretoshowyouthewaysofthehousealittle，butsheleftlastSaturday，andMissAldclyffehasbeenmakingshiftwithpooroldclumsymeforamaidallyesterdayandthismorning。Sheisnotcomeinyet。Iexpectshewillaskforyou，Mrs。Graye，thefirstthing……Iwasgoingtosaythatifyouhavereallydonetea，Iwilltakeyouupstairs，andshowyouthroughthewardrobes——MissAldclyffe\'sthingsarenotlaidoutforto-nightyet。\'
SheprecededCythereaupstairs，pointedoutherownroom，andthentookherintoMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-room，onthefirst-floor；
where，afterexplainingthewhereaboutsofvariousarticlesofapparel，thehousekeeperlefther，tellingherthatshehadanhouryetuponherhandsbeforedressing-time。Cytherealaidoutuponthebedinthenextroomallthatshehadbeentoldwouldberequiredthatevening，andthenwentagaintothelittleroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtoherself。
Hereshesatdownbytheopenwindow，leantoutuponthesilllikeanotherBlessedDamozel，andlistlesslylookeddownuponthebrilliantpatternofcoloursformedbytheflower-bedsonthelawn——
nowrichlycrowdedwithlatesummerblossom。Butthevivacityofspiritwhichhadhithertoenlivenedher，wasfastebbingunderthepressureofprosaicrealities，andthewarmscarletofthegeraniums，glowingmostconspicuously，andminglingwiththevividcoldredandgreenoftheverbenas，therichdepthofthedahlia，andtheripemellownessofthecalceolaria，backedbythepalehueofaflockofmeeksheepfeedingintheopenpark，closetotheothersideofthefence，were，toagreatextent，lostuponhereyes。Shewasthinkingthatnothingseemedworthwhile；thatitwaspossibleshemightdieinaworkhouse；andwhatdiditmatter？Thepetty，vulgardetailsofservitudethatshehadjustpassedthrough，herdependenceuponthewhimsofastrangewoman，thenecessityofquenchingallindividualityofcharacterinherself，andrelinquishingherownpeculiartastestohelponthewheelofthisalienestablishment，madehersickandsad，andshealmostlongedtopursuesomefree，out-of-doorsemployment，sleepundertreesorahut，andknownoenemybutwinterandcoldweather，likeshepherdsandcowkeepers，andbirdsandanimals——ay，likethesheepshesawthereunderherwindow。Shelookedsympathizinglyatthemforseveralminutes，imaginingtheirenjoymentoftherichgrass。
\'Yes——likethosesheep，\'shesaidaloud；andherfacereddenedwithsurpriseatadiscoveryshemadethatveryinstant。
Theflockconsistedofsomeninetyorahundredyoungstockewes：
thesurfaceoftheirfleecewasasroundedandevenasacushion，andwhiteasmilk。Nowshehadjustobservedthatontheleftbuttockofeveryoneofthemweremarkedindistinctredletterstheinitials\'E。S。\'
\'E。S。\'couldbringtoCytherea\'smindonlyonethought；butthatimmediatelyandforever——thenameofherlover，EdwardSpringrove。
\'O，ifitshouldbe——！\'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyaresolve。
MissAldclyffe\'scarriageatthesamemomentmadeitsappearanceinthedrive；butMissAldclyffewasnotherobjectnow。Itwastoascertaintowhomthesheepbelonged，andtosethersurmiseatrestonewayortheother。SheflewdownstairstoMrs。Morris。
\'Whosesheeparethoseinthepark，Mrs。Morris？\'
\'FarmerSpringrove\'s。\'
\'WhatFarmerSpringroveisthat？\'shesaidquickly。
\'Why，surelyyouknow？Yourfriend，FarmerSpringrove，thecider-
maker，andwhokeepstheThreeTrantersInn；whorecommendedyoutomewhenhecameintoseemetheotherday？\'
Cytherea\'smother-witsuddenlywarnedherinthemidstofherexcitementthatitwasnecessarynottobetraythesecretofherlove。\'Oyes，\'shesaid，\'ofcourse。\'Herthoughtshadrunasfollowsinthatshortinterval：——
\'FarmerSpringroveisEdward\'sfather，andhisnameisEdwardtoo。
\'EdwardknewIwasgoingtoadvertiseforasituationofsomekind。
\'HewatchedtheTimes，andsawit，myaddressbeingattached。
\'Hethoughtitwouldbeexcellentformetobeherethatwemightmeetwheneverhecamehome。
\'HetoldhisfatherthatImightberecommendedasalady\'s-maid；
andheknewmybrotherandmyself。
\'HisfathertoldMrs。Morris；Mrs。MorristoldMissAldclyffe。\'
Thewholechainofincidentsthatdrewhertherewasplain，andtherewasnosuchthingaschanceinthematter。ItwasallEdward\'sdoing。
Thesoundofabellwasheard。Cythereadidnotheedit，andstillcontinuedinherreverie。
\'That\'sMissAldclyffe\'sbell，\'saidMrs。Morris。
\'Isupposeitis，\'saidtheyoungwomanplacidly。
\'Well，itmeansthatyoumustgouptoher，\'thematroncontinued，inatoneofsurprise。
Cythereafeltaburningheatcomeoverher，mingledwithasuddenirritationatMrs。Morris\'shint。Butthegoodsensewhichhadrecognizedsternnecessityprevailedoverrebelliousindependence；
theflushpassed，andshesaidhastily——
\'Yes，yes；ofcourse，Imustgotoherwhenshepullsthebell——
whetherIwanttoorno。\'
However，inspiteofthispainfulreminderofhernewpositioninlife，Cytherealefttheapartmentinamoodfardifferentfromthegloomysadnessoftenminutesprevious。Theplacefeltlikehometohernow；shedidnotmindthepettinessofheroccupation，becauseEdwardevidentlydidnotmindit；andthiswasEdward\'sownspot。
ShefoundtimeonherwaytoMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomtohurriedlyglideoutbyasidedoor，andlookforamomentattheunconscioussheepbearingthefriendlyinitials。Shewentuptothemtotrytotouchoneoftheflock，andfeltvexedthattheyallstaredscepticallyatherkindadvances，andthenranpell-melldownthehill。Then，fearinganyoneshoulddiscoverherchildishmovements，sheslippedindoorsagain，andascendedthestaircase，catchingglimpses，asshepassed，ofsilver-buttonedfootmen，whoflashedaboutthepassageslikelightning。
MissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomwasanapartmentwhich，onacasualsurvey，conveyedanimpressionthatitwasavailableforalmostanypurposesavetheadornmentofthefeminineperson。Initshoursofperfectordernothingpertainingtothetoiletwasvisible；eventheinevitablemirrorswiththeiraccessorieswerearrangedinaroomyrecessnotnoticeablefromthedoor，lightedbyawindowofitsown，calledthedressing-window。
Thewashing-standfiguredasavastoakchest，carvedwithgrotesqueRenaissanceornament。Thedressingtablewasinappearancesomethingbetweenahighaltarandacabinetpiano，thesurfacebeingrichlyworkedinthesamestyleofsemi-classicdecoration，buttheextraordinaryoutlinehavingbeenarrivedatbyaningeniousjoineranddecoratorfromtheneighbouringtown，aftermonthsofpainfultoilincuttingandfitting，underMissAldclyffe\'simmediateeye；thematerialsbeingtheremainsoftwoorthreeoldcabinetstheladyhadfoundinthelumber-room。Abouttwo-thirdsofthefloorwascarpeted，theremainingportionbeinglaidwithparquetryoflightanddarkwoods。
MissAldclyffewasstandingatthelargerwindow，awayfromthedressing-niche。Shebowed，andsaidpleasantly，\'Iamgladyouhavecome。Weshallgetoncapitally，Idaresay。\'
Herbonnetwasoff。Cythereadidnotthinkhersohandsomeasontheearlierday；thequeenlinessofherbeautywasharderandlesswarm。ButaworsediscoverythanthiswasthatMissAldclyffe，withtheusualobliviousnessofrichpeopletotheirdependents\'
specialities，seemedtohavequiteforgottenCytherea\'sinexperience，andmechanicallydeliveredupherbodytoherhandmaidwithoutathoughtofdetails，andwithamildyawn。
Everythingwentwellatfirst。Thedresswasremoved，stockingsandblackbootsweretakenoff，andsilkstockingsandwhiteshoeswereputon。MissAldclyffethenretiredtobatheherhandsandface，andCythereadrewbreath。Ifshecouldgetthroughthisfirstevening，allwouldberight。Shefeltthatitwasunfortunatethatsuchacrucialtestforherpowersasabirthdaydinnershouldhavebeenappliedonthethresholdofherarrival；butsettoagain。
MissAldclyffewasnowarrayedinawhitedressing-gown，anddroppedlanguidlyintoaneasy-chair，pushedupbeforetheglass。TheinstinctsofhersexandherownpracticetoldCythereathenextmovement。SheletMissAldclyffe\'shairfallabouthershoulders，andbegantoarrangeit。Itprovedtobeallreal；asatisfaction。
MissAldclyffewasmusinglylookingonthefloor，andtheoperationwentonforsomeminutesinsilence。Atlengthherthoughtsseemedtoturntothepresent，andsheliftedhereyestotheglass。
\'Why，whatonearthareyoudoingwithmyhead？\'sheexclaimed，withwidelyopenedeyes。AtthewordsshefeltthebackofCytherea\'slittlehandtrembleagainstherneck。
\'Perhapsyoupreferitdonetheotherfashion，madam？\'saidthemaiden。
\'No，no；that\'sthefashionrightenough，butyoumustmakemoreshowofmyhairthanthat，orIshallhavetobuysome，whichGodforbid！\'
\'ItishowIdomyown，\'saidCythereanaively，andwithasweetnessoftonethatwouldhavepleasedthemostacrimoniousunderfavourablecircumstances；buttyrannywasintheascendantwithMissAldclyffeatthismoment，andshewasassuredofpalatablefoodforhervicebyhavingfeltthetremblingofCytherea\'shand。
\'Yours，indeed！YOURhair！Come，goon。\'ConsideringthatCythereapossessedatleastfivetimesasmuchofthatvaluableauxiliarytowoman\'sbeautyastheladybeforeher，therewasatthesametimesomeexcuseforMissAldclyffe\'soutburst。Sherememberedherself，however，andsaidmorequietly，\'Nowthen，Graye——By-the-
bye，whatdotheycallyoudownstairs？\'
\'Mrs。Graye，\'saidthehandmaid。
\'Thentellthemnottodoanysuchabsurdthing——notbutthatitisquiteaccordingtousage；butyouaretooyoungyet。\'
ThisdialoguetidedCythereasafelyonwardthroughthehairdressingtilltheflowersanddiamondsweretobeplaceduponthelady\'sbrow。Cythereabeganarrangingthemtastefully，andtotheverybestofherjudgment。
\'Thatwon\'tdo，\'saidMissAldclyffeharshly。
\'Why？\'
\'Ilooktooyoung——anolddresseddoll。\'
\'Willthat，madam？\'
\'No，Ilookafright——aperfectfright！\'
\'Thisway，perhaps？\'
\'Heavens！Don\'tworrymeso。\'Sheshutherlipslikeatrap。
Havingonceworkedherselfuptothebeliefthatherhead-dresswastobeafailurethatevening，noclevernessofCytherea\'sinarrangingitcouldpleaseher。Shecontinuedinasmoulderingpassionduringtheremainderoftheperformance，keepingherlipsfirmlyclosed，andthemusclesofherbodyrigid。Finally，snatchinguphergloves，andtakingherhandkerchiefandfaninherhand，shesilentlysailedoutoftheroom，withoutbetrayingtheleastconsciousnessofanotherwoman\'spresencebehindher。
Cytherea\'sfearsthatattheundressingthissuppressedangerwouldfindavent，keptheronthornsthroughouttheevening。Shetriedtoread；shecouldnot。Shetriedtosew；shecouldnot。Shetriedtomuse；shecouldnotdothatconnectedly。\'Ifthisisthebeginning，whatwilltheendbe！\'shesaidinawhisper，andfeltmanymisgivingsastothepolicyofbeingoverhastyinestablishinganindependenceattheexpenseofcongruitywithacherishedpast。
3。MIDNIGHT
Theclockstrucktwelve。TheAldclyffestatedinnerwasover。Thecompanyhadallgone，andMissAldclyffe\'sbellrangloudlyandjerkingly。
Cythereastartedtoherfeetatthesound，whichbrokeinuponafitfulsleepthathadovertakenher。Shehadbeensittingdrearilyinherchairwaitingminuteafterminuteforthesignal，herbraininthatstateofintentnesswhichtakescognizanceofthepassageofTimeasarealmotion——motionwithoutmatter——theinstantsthrobbingpastinthecompanyofafeverishpulse。Shehastenedtotheroom，tofindtheladysittingbeforethedressingshrine，illuminatedonbothsides，andlookingsoqueenlyinherattitudeofabsoluterepose，thattheyoungerwomanfelttheawfullestsenseofresponsibilityatherVandalisminhavingundertakentodemolishsoimposingapile。
Thelady\'sjewelledornamentsweretakenoffinsilence——somebyherownlistlesshands，somebyCytherea\'s。Thenfollowedtheouterstratumofclothing。Thedressbeingremoved，Cythereatookitinherhandandwentwithitintothebedroomadjoining，intendingtohangitinthewardrobe。Butonsecondthoughts，inorderthatshemightnotkeepMissAldclyffewaitingamomentlongerthannecessary，sheflungitdownonthefirstresting-placethatcametohand，whichhappenedtobethebed，andre-enteredthedressing-roomwiththenoiselessfootfallofakitten。Shepausedinthemiddleoftheroom。
Shewasunnoticed，andhersuddenreturnhadplainlynotbeenexpected。DuringtheshorttimeofCytherea\'sabsence，MissAldclyffehadpulledoffakindofchemisetteofBrusselsnet，drawnhighabovethethroat，whichshehadwornwithhereveningdressasasemi-opaquecoveringtohershoulders，andinitsplacehadputhernight-gownroundher。Herrighthandwasliftedtoherneck，asifengagedinfasteninghernight-gown。
ButonasecondglanceMissAldclyffe\'sproceedingwasclearertoCytherea。Shewasnotfasteninghernight-gown；ithadbeencarelesslythrownroundher，andMissAldclyffewasreallyoccupiedinholdinguptohereyessomesmallobjectthatshewaskeenlyscrutinizing。AndnowonsuddenlydiscoveringthepresenceofCythereaatthebackoftheapartment，insteadofnaturallycontinuingorconcludingherinspection，shedesistedhurriedly；thetinysnapofaspringwasheard，herhandwasremoved，andshebeganadjustingherrobes。
Modestymighthavedirectedherhastyactionofenwrappinghershoulders，butitwasscarcelylikely，consideringMissAldclyffe\'stemperament，thatshehadallherlifebeenusedtoamaid，Cytherea\'syouth，andtheelderlady\'smarkedtreatmentofherasifshewereamerechildorplaything。Thematterwastooslighttoreasonabout，andyetuponthewholeitseemedthatMissAldclyffemusthaveapracticalreasonforconcealingherneck。
WithatimidsenseofbeinganintruderCythereawasabouttostepbackandoutoftheroom；butatthesamemomentMissAldclyffeturned，sawtheimpulse，andtoldhercompaniontostay，lookingintohereyesasifshehadhalfanintentiontoexplainsomething。
Cythereafeltcertainitwasthelittlemysteryofherlatemovements。Theotherwithdrewhereyes；Cythereawenttofetchthedressing-gown，andwheeledroundagaintobringituptoMissAldclyffe，whohadnowpartlyremovedhernight-dresstoputitontheproperway，andstillsatwithherbacktowardsCytherea。
Herneckwasagainquiteopenanduncovered，andthoughhiddenfromthedirectlineofCytherea\'svision，shesawitreflectedintheglass——thefairwhitesurface，andtheinimitablecombinationofcurvesbetweenthroatandbosomwhichartistsadore，beingbrightlylitupbythelightburningoneitherside。
Andthelady\'spriorproceedingswerenowexplainedinthesimplestmanner。Inthemidstofherbreast，likeanislandinaseaofpearl，reclinedanexquisitelittlegoldlocket，embellishedwitharabesqueworkofblue，red，andwhiteenamel。ThatwasundoubtedlywhatMissAldclyffehadbeencontemplating；and，moreover，nothavingbeenputoffwithherotherornaments，itwastoberetainedduringthenight——aslightdeparturefromthecustomofladieswhichMissAldclyffehadatfirstnotcaredtoexhibittohernewassistant，thoughnow，onfurtherthought，sheseemedtohavebecomeindifferentonthematter。
\'Mydressing-gown，\'shesaid，quietlyfasteninghernight-dressasshespoke。
Cythereacameforwardwithit。MissAldclyffedidnotturnherhead，butlookedinquiringlyathermaidintheglass。
\'YousawwhatIwearonmyneck，Isuppose？\'shesaidtoCytherea\'sreflectedface。
\'Yes，madam，Idid，\'saidCythereatoMissAldclyffe\'sreflectedface。
MissAldclyffeagainlookedatCytherea\'sreflectionasifshewereonthepointofexplaining。Againshecheckedherresolve，andsaidlightly——
\'FewofmymaidsdiscoverthatIwearitalways。Igenerallykeepitasecret——notthatitmattersmuch。ButIwascarelesswithyou，andseemedtowanttotellyou。Youwinmetomakeconfidencesthat……\'
Sheceased，tookCytherea\'shandinherown，liftedthelocketwiththeother，touchedthespringanddisclosedaminiature。
\'Itisahandsomeface，isitnot？\'shewhisperedmournfully，andeventimidly。
\'Itis。\'
ButthesighthadgonethroughCytherealikeanelectricshock，andtherewasaninstantaneousawakeningofperceptioninher，sothrillinginitspresenceastobewell-nighinsupportable。Thefaceintheminiaturewasthefaceofherownfather——youngerandfresherthanshehadeverknownhim——butherfather！
Wasthisthewomanofhiswildandunquenchableearlylove？Andwasthisthewomanwhohadfiguredinthegate-man\'sstoryasansweringthenameofCythereabeforeherjudgmentwasawake？Surelyitwas。
Andifso，herewasthetangibleoutcropofaromanticandhiddenstratumofthepasthithertoseenonlyinherimagination；butasfarasherscopeallowed，clearlydefinedthereinbyreasonofitsstrangeness。
MissAldclyffe\'seyesandthoughtsweresointentupontheminiaturethatshehadnotbeenconsciousofCytherea\'sstartofsurprise。
Shewentonspeakinginalowandabstractedtone。
\'Yes，Ilosthim。\'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyashortmeditation，andwentonagain。\'Ilosthimbyexcessofhonestyasregardedmypast。Butitwasbestthatitshouldbeso……Iwasledtothinkrathermorethanusualofthecircumstancesto-nightbecauseofyourname。Itispronouncedthesameway，thoughdifferentlyspelt。\'
TheonlymeansbywhichCytherea\'ssurnamecouldhavebeenspelttoMissAldclyffemusthavebeenbyMrs。MorrisorFarmerSpringrove。
ShefanciedFarmerSpringrovewouldhavespeltitproperlyifEdwardwashisinformant，whichmadeMissAldclyffe\'sremarkobscure。
Womenmakeconfidencesandthenregretthem。TheimpulsiverushoffeelingwhichhadledMissAldclyffetoindulgeinthisrevelation，triflingasitwas，diedoutimmediatelyherwordswerebeyondrecall；andtheturmoil，occasionedinherbydwellinguponthatchapterofherlife，foundventinanotherkindofemotion——theresultofatrivialaccident。
Cytherea，afterlettingdownMissAldclyffe\'shair，adoptedsomeplanwithittowhichtheladyhadnotbeenaccustomed。Arapidrevulsiontoirritationensued。Themaiden\'smeretouchseemedtodischargethepent-upregretoftheladyasifshehadbeenajarofelectricity。
\'Howstrangelyyoutreatmyhair！\'sheexclaimed。
Asilence。
\'IhavetoldyouwhatInevertellmymaidsasarule；ofcourseNOTHINGthatIsayinthisroomistobementionedoutsideit。\'Shespokecrosslynolessthanemphatically。
\'Itshallnotbe，madam，\'saidCytherea，agitatedandvexedthatthewomanofherromanticwonderingsshouldbesodisagreeabletoher。
\'WhyonearthdidItellyouofmypast？\'shewenton。
Cythereamadenoanswer。
Thelady\'svexationwithherself，andtheaccidentwhichhadledtothedisclosureswelledlittlebylittletillitknewnobounds。Butwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthoughCythereahadshownamostwinningresponsiveness，quarrelMissAldclyffemust。SherecurredtothesubjectofCytherea\'swantofexpertness，likeabitterreviewer，whofindingthesentimentsofapoetunimpeachable，quarrelswithhisrhymes。
\'Never，neverbeforedidIservemyselfsuchatrickasthisinengagingamaid！\'Shewaitedforanexpostulation：nonecame。
MissAldclyffetriedagain。
\'Theideaofmytakingagirlwithoutaskinghermorethanthreequestions，orhavingasinglereference，allbecauseofhergoodl——
，theshapeofherfaceandbody！ItWASafool\'strick。There，I
amservedright，quiteright——bybeingdeceivedinsuchaway。\'
\'Ididn\'tdeceiveyou，\'saidCytherea。Thespeechwasanunfortunateone，andwasthevery\'fueltomaintainitsfires\'thattheother\'spetulancedesired。
\'Youdid，\'shesaidhotly。
\'ItoldyouIcouldn\'tpromisetobeacquaintedwitheverydetailofroutinejustatfirst。\'
\'Willyoucontradictmeinthisway！Youaretellinguntruths，I
say。\'
Cytherea\'slipquivered。\'Iwouldanswertheremarkif——if——\'
\'Ifwhat？\'
\'Ifitwerealady\'s！\'
\'Yougirlofimpudence——whatdoyousay？Leavetheroomthisinstant，Itellyou。\'
\'AndItellyouthatapersonwhospeakstoaladyasyoudotome，isnoladyherself！\'
\'Toalady？Alady\'s-maidspeaksinthisway。Theidea！\'
\'Don\'t“lady\'s-maid“me：nobodyismymistressIwon\'thaveit！\'
\'GoodHeavens！\'
\'Iwouldn\'thavecome——no——Iwouldn\'t！ifIhadknown！\'
\'What？\'
\'Thatyouweresuchanill-tempered，unjustwoman！\'
\'PossestbeyondtheMuse\'spainting，\'MissAldclyffeexclaimed——
\'AWoman，amI！I\'llteachyouifIamaWoman！\'andliftedherhandasifshewouldhavelikedtostrikehercompanion。Thisstungthemaidenintoabsolutedefiance。
\'Idareyoutotouchme！\'shecried。\'Strikemeifyoudare，madam！
Iamnotafraidofyou——whatdoyoumeanbysuchanactionasthat？\'
MissAldclyffewasdisconcertedatthisunexpectedshowofspirit，andashamedofherunladylikeimpulsenowitwasputintowords。
Shesankbackinthechair。\'Iwasnotgoingtostrikeyou——gotoyourroom——Ibegyoutogotoyourroom！\'sherepeatedinahuskywhisper。
Cytherea，redandpanting，tookuphercandlestickandadvancedtothetabletogetalight。Asshestoodclosetothemtheraysfromthecandlesstrucksharplyonherface。Sheusuallyboreamuchstrongerlikenesstohermotherthantoherfather，butnow，lookingwithagrave，reckless，andangeredexpressionofcountenanceatthekindlingwickasshehelditslantingintotheotherflame，herfather\'sfeaturesweredistinctinher。ItwasthefirsttimeMissAldclyffehadseenherinapassionatemood，andwearingthatexpressionwhichwasinvariablyitsconcomitant。ItwasMissAldclyffe\'sturntostartnow；andtheremarkshemadewasaninstanceofthatsuddenchangeoftonefromhigh-flowninvectivetothepettinessofcuriositywhichsooftenmakeswomen\'squarrelsridiculous。EvenMissAldclyffe\'sdignityhadnotsufficientpowertopostponetheabsorbingdesireshenowfelttosettlethestrangesuspicionthathadenteredherhead。
\'Youspellyournamethecommonway，G，R，E，Y，don\'tyou？\'shesaid，withassumedindifference。
\'No，\'saidCytherea，poisedonthesideofherfoot，andstilllookingintotheflame。
\'Yes，surely？Thenamewasspeltthatwayonyourboxes：Ilookedandsawitmyself。\'
TheenigmaofMissAldclyffe\'smistakewassolved。\'O，wasit？\'
saidCytherea。\'Ah，IrememberMrs。Jackson，thelodging-housekeeperatBudmouth，labelledthem。WespellournameG，R，A，Y，E。\'
\'Whatwasyourfather\'strade？\'
Cythereathoughtitwouldbeuselesstoattempttoconcealfactsanylonger。\'Hiswasnotatrade，\'shesaid。\'Hewasanarchitect。\'
\'Theideaofyourbeinganarchitect\'sdaughter！\'
\'There\'snothingtooffend，youinthat，Ihope？\'
\'Ono。\'
\'Whydidyousay“theidea“？\'
\'Leavethatalone。DidheevervisitinGowerStreet，Bloomsbury，oneChristmas，manyyearsago？——butyouwouldnotknowthat。\'
\'IhaveheardhimsaythatMr。Huntway，acuratesomewhereinthatpartofLondon，andwhodiedthere，wasanoldcollegefriendofhis。\'
\'WhatisyourChristianname？\'
\'Cytherea。\'
\'No！Andisitreally？AndyouknewthatfaceIshowedyou？Yes，Iseeyoudid。\'MissAldclyffestopped，andclosedherlipsimpassibly。Shewasalittleagitated。
\'Doyouwantmeanylonger？\'saidCytherea，standingcandleinhandandlookingquietlyinMissAldclyffe\'sface。
\'Well——no：nolonger，\'saidtheotherlingeringly。
\'Withyourpermission，Iwillleavethehousetomorrowmorning，madam。\'
\'Ah。\'MissAldclyffehadnonotionofwhatshewassaying。
\'AndIknowyouwillbesogoodasnottointrudeuponmeduringtheshortremainderofmystay？\'
SayingthisCytherealefttheroombeforehercompanionhadanswered。MissAldclyffe，then，hadrecognizedheratlast，andhadbeencuriousabouthernamefromthebeginning。
Theothermembersofthehouseholdhadretiredtorest。AsCythereawentalongthepassageleadingtoherroomherskirtsrustledagainstthepartition。Adooronherleftopened，andMrs。Morrislookedout。
\'Iwaitedoutofbedtillyoucameup，\'shesaid，\'itbeingyourfirstnight，incaseyoushouldbeatalossforanything。HowhaveyougotonwithMissAldclyffe？\'
\'Prettywell——thoughnotsowellasIcouldhavewished。\'
\'Hasshebeenscolding？\'
\'Alittle。\'
\'She\'saveryoddlady——\'tisallonewayortheotherwithher。
She\'snotbadatheart，butunbearableinclosequarters。Thoseofuswhodon\'thavemuchtodowithherpersonally，stayonforyearsandyears。\'
\'HasMissAldclyffe\'sfamilyalwaysbeenrich？\'saidCytherea。
\'Ono。Theproperty，withthename，camefromhermother\'suncle。
HerfamilyisabranchoftheoldAldclyffefamilyonthematernalside。HermothermarriedaBradleigh——amerenobodyatthattime——
andwasonthataccountcutbyherrelations。Butverysingularlytheotherbranchofthefamilydiedoutonebyone——threeofthem，andMissAldclyffe\'sgreat-unclethenleftallhisproperty，includingthisestate，toCaptainBradleighandhiswife——MissAldclyffe\'sfatherandmother——onconditionthattheytooktheoldfamilynameaswell。There\'sallaboutitinthe“LandedGentry。“
\'Tisathingveryoftendone。\'
\'O，Isee。Thankyou。Well，nowIamgoing。Good-night。\'
VI。THEEVENTSOFTWELVEHOURS
1。AUGUSTTHENINTH。ONETOTWOO\'CLOCKA。M。
Cythereaenteredherbedroom，andflungherselfonthe，bed，bewilderedbyawhirlofthought。Onlyonesubjectwasclearinhermind，anditwasthat，inspiteoffamilydiscoveries，thatdaywastobethefirstandlastofherexperienceasalady\'s-maid。
Starvationitselfshouldnotcompelhertoholdsuchahumiliatingpostforanotherinstant。\'Ah，\'shethought，withasigh，atthemartyrdomofherlastlittlefragmentofself-conceit，\'OwenknowseverythingbetterthanI。\'
Shejumpedupandbeganmakingreadyforherdepartureinthemorning，thetearsstreamingdownwhenshegrievedandwonderedwhatpracticalmatteronearthshecouldturnherhandtonext。Allthesepreparationscompleted，shebegantoundress，hermindunconsciouslydriftingawaytothecontemplationofherlatesurprises。Tolookintheglassforaninstantatthereflectionofherownmagnificentresourcesinfaceandbosom，andtomarktheirattractivenessunadorned，wasperhapsbutthenaturalactionofayoungwomanwhohadsolatelybeenchiddenwhilstpassingthroughtheharassingexperienceofdecoratinganolderbeautyofMissAldclyffe\'stemper。
Butshedirectlycheckedherweaknessbysympathizingreflectionsonthehiddentroubleswhichmusthavethrongedthepastyearsofthesolitarylady，tokeepher，thoughsorichandcourted，inamoodsorepellentandgloomyasthatinwhichCythereafoundher；andthentheyounggirlmarvelledagainandagain，asshehadmarvelledbefore，atthestrangeconfluenceofcircumstanceswhichhadbroughtherselfintocontactwiththeonewomanintheworldwhosehistorywassoromanticallyintertwinedwithherown。Shealmostbegantowishshewerenotobligedtogoawayandleavethelonelybeingtolonelinessstill。
Inbedandinthedark，MissAldclyffehauntedhermindmorepersistentlythanever。Insteadofsleeping，shecalledupstaringvisionsofthepossiblepastofthisqueenlylady，hermother\'srival。Upthelongvistaofbygoneyearsshesaw，behindall，theyounggirl\'sflirtation，littleormuch，withthecousin，thatseemedtohavebeennippedinthebud，ortohaveterminatedhastilyinsomeway。ThenthesecretmeetingsbetweenMissAldclyffeandtheotherwomanatthelittleinnatHammersmithandotherplaces：
thecommonplacenamesheadopted：herswoonatsomepainfulnews，andtheveryslightknowledgetheelderfemalehadofherpartnerinmystery。Then，morethanayearafterwards，theacquaintanceshipofherownfatherwiththishisfirstlove；theawakeningofthepassion，hisactsofdevotion，theunreasoningheatofhisrapture，hertacitacceptanceofit，andyetheruneasinessunderthedelight。Thenhisdeclarationamidtheevergreens：theutterchangeproducedinhermannerthereby，seeminglytheresultofarigiddetermination：andthetotalconcealmentofherreasonbyherselfandherparents，whateveritwas。Thenthelady\'scoursedroppedintodarkness，andnothingmorewasvisibletillshewasdiscoveredhereatKnapwater，nearlyfiftyyearsold，stillunmarriedandstillbeautiful，butlonely，embittered，andhaughty。
Cythereaimaginedthatherfather\'simagewasstillwarmlycherishedinMissAldclyffe\'sheart，andwasthankfulthatsheherselfhadnotbeenbetrayedintoannouncingthatsheknewmanyparticularsofthispageofherfather\'shistory，andthechiefone，thelady\'sunaccountablerenunciationofhim。Itwouldhavemadeherbearingtowardsthemistressofthemansionmoreawkward，andwouldhavebeennobenefittoeither。
Thusconjuringupthepast，andtheorizingonthepresent，shelayrestless，changingherposturefromonesidetotheotherandbackagain。Finally，whencourtingsleepwithallherart，sheheardaclockstriketwo。Aminutelater，andshefanciedshecoulddistinguishasoftrustleinthepassageoutsideherroom。
Toburyherheadinthesheetswasherfirstimpulse；thentouncoverit，raiseherselfonherelbow，andstretchhereyeswideopeninthedarkness；herlipsbeingpartedwiththeintentnessofherlistening。Whateverthenoisewas，ithadceasedforthetime。
Itbeganagainandcameclosetoherdoor，lightlytouchingthepanels。Thentherewasanotherstillness；Cythereamadeamovementwhichcausedafaintrustlingofthebed-clothes。
Beforeshehadtimetothinkanotherthoughtalighttapwasgiven。
Cythereabreathed：thepersonoutsidewasevidentlybentuponfindingherawake，andtherustleshehadmadehadencouragedthehope。Themaiden\'sphysicalconditionshiftedfromonepoletoitsopposite。Thecoldsweatofterrorforsookher，andmodestytookthealarm。Shebecamehotandred；herdoorwasnotlocked。
Adistinctwoman\'swhispercametoherthroughthekeyhole：
\'Cytherea！\'
OnlyonebeinginthehouseknewherChristianname，andthatwasMissAldclyffe。Cythereasteppedoutofbed，wenttothedoor，andwhisperedback，\'Yes？\'
\'Letmecomein，darling。\'
Theyoungwomanpausedinaconflictbetweenjudgmentandemotion。
Itwasnowmistressandmaidnolonger；womanandwomanonly。Yes；
shemustlethercomein，poorthing。
Shegotalightinaninstant，openedthedoor，andraisinghereyesandthecandle，sawMissAldclyffestandingoutsideinherdressing-
gown。
\'Nowyouseethatitisreallymyself；putoutthelight，\'saidthevisitor。\'Iwanttostayherewithyou，Cythie。Icametoaskyoutocomedownintomybed，butitissnuggerhere。Butrememberthatyouaremistressinthisroom，andthatIhavenobusinesshere，andthatyoumaysendmeawayifyouchoose。ShallIgo？\'
\'Ono；youshan\'tindeedifyoudon\'twantto，\'saidCythiegenerously。
TheinstanttheywereinbedMissAldclyffefreedherselffromthelastremnantofrestraint。Sheflungherarmsroundtheyounggirl，andpressedhergentlytoherheart。
\'Nowkissme，\'shesaid。
Cytherea，uponthewhole，wasratherdiscomposedatthischangeoftreatment；and，discomposedorno，herpassionswerenotsoimpetuousasMissAldclyffe\'s。Shecouldnotbringhersoultoherlipsforamoment，tryhowshewould。
\'Come，kissme，\'repeatedMissAldclyffe。
Cythereagaveheraverysmallone，assoftintouchandinsoundastheburstingofabubble。
\'Moreearnestlythanthat——come。\'
Shegaveanother，alittlebutnotmuchmoreexpressively。
\'Idon\'tdeserveamorefeelingone，Isuppose，\'saidMissAldclyffe，withanemphasisofsadbitternessinhertone。\'Iamanill-temperedwoman，youthink；halfoutofmymind。Well，perhapsI
am；butIhavehadgriefmorethanyoucanthinkordreamof。ButI
can\'thelplovingyou——yournameisthesameasmine——isn\'titstrange？\'
Cythereawasinclinedtosayno，butremainedsilent。
\'Now，don\'tyouthinkImustloveyou？\'continuedtheother。
\'Yes，\'saidCythereaabsently。ShewasstillthinkingwhetherdutytoOwenandherfather，whichaskedforsilenceonherknowledgeofherfather\'sunfortunatelove，ordutytothewomanembracingher，whichseemedtoaskforconfidence，oughttopredominate。Herewasasolution。ShewouldwaittillMissAldclyffereferredtoheracquaintanceshipandattachmenttoCytherea\'sfatherinpasttimes：
thenshewouldtellherallsheknew：thatwouldbehonour。
\'Whycan\'tyoukissmeasIcankissyou？Whycan\'tyou！\'SheimpresseduponCytherea\'slipsawarmmotherlysalute，givenasifintheoutburstofstrongfeeling，longchecked，andyearningforsomethingtoloveandbelovedbyinreturn。
\'Doyouthinkbadlyofmeformybehaviourthisevening，child？I
don\'tknowwhyIamsofoolishastospeaktoyouinthisway。Iamaveryfool，Ibelieve。Yes。Howoldareyou？\'
\'Eighteen。\'
\'Eighteen！……Well，whydon\'tyouaskmehowoldIam？\'
\'BecauseIdon\'twanttoknow。\'
\'Nevermindifyoudon\'t。Iamforty-six；anditgivesmegreaterpleasuretotellyouthisthanitdoestoyoutolisten。Ihavenottoldmyagetrulyforthelasttwentyyearstillnow。\'
\'Whyhaven\'tyou？\'
\'Ihavemetdeceitbydeceit，tillIamwearyofit——weary，weary——
andIlongtobewhatIshallneverbeagain——artlessandinnocent，likeyou。ButIsupposethatyou，too，will，provetobenotworthathought，aseverynewfrienddoesonmoreintimateknowledge。
Come，whydon\'tyoutalktome，child？Haveyousaidyourprayers？\'
\'Yes——no！Iforgotthemto-night。\'
\'Isupposeyousaythemeverynightasarule？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Whydoyoudothat？\'
\'BecauseIhavealwaysdoneso，anditwouldseemstrangeifIwerenotto。Doyou？\'
\'I？Awickedoldsinnerlikeme！No，Ineverdo。Ihavethoughtallsuchmattershumbugforyears——thoughtsosolongthatIshouldbegladtothinkotherwisefromveryweariness；andyet，suchisthecodeofthepoliteworld，thatIsubscriberegularlytoMissionarySocietiesandothersofthesort……Well，sayyourprayers，dear——youwon\'tomitthemnowyourecollectit。Ishouldliketohearyouverymuch。Willyou？\'
\'Itseemshardly——\'
\'Itwouldseemsolikeoldtimestome——whenIwasyoung，andnearer——farnearerHeaventhanIamnow。Do，sweetone，\'
Cythereawasembarrassed，andherembarrassmentarosefromthefollowingconjunctureofaffairs。SinceshehadlovedEdwardSpringrove，shehadlinkedhisnamewithherbrotherOwen\'sinhernightlysupplicationstotheAlmighty。Shewishedtokeepherloveforhimasecret，and，aboveall，asecretfromawomanlikeMissAldclyffe；yetherconscienceandthehonestyofherlovewouldnotforaninstantallowhertothinkofomittinghisdearname，andsoendangertheefficacyofallherpreviousprayersforhissuccessbyanunworthyshamenow：itwouldbewickedofher，shethought，andagrievouswrongtohim。Underanyworldlycircumstancesshemighthavethoughtthepositionjustifiedalittlefinesse，andhaveskippedhimforonce；butprayerwastoosolemnathingforsuchtrifling。
\'Iwouldrathernotsaythem，\'shemurmuredfirst。Itstruckherthenthatthisdecliningaltogetherwasthesamecowardiceinanotherdress，andwasdeliveringherpoorEdwardovertoSatanjustasunceremoniouslyasbefore。\'Yes；Iwillsaymyprayers，andyoushallhearme，\'sheaddedfirmly。
Sheturnedherfacetothepillowandrepeatedinlowsofttonesthesimplewordsshehadusedfromchildhoodonsuchoccasions。Owen\'snamewasmentionedwithoutfaltering，butintheothercase，maidenlyshynesswastoostrongevenforreligion，andthatwhensupportedbyexcellentintentions。AtthenameofEdwardshestammered，andhervoicesanktothefaintestwhisperinspiteofher。
\'Thankyou，dearest，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Ihaveprayedtoo，I
verilybelieve。Youareagoodgirl，Ithink。\'Thentheexpectedquestioncame。
\'“BlessOwen，“andwhom，didyousay？\'
Therewasnohelpforitnow，andoutitcame。\'OwenandEdward，\'
saidCytherea。
\'WhoareOwenandEdward？\'
\'Owenismybrother，madam，\'falteredthemaid。
\'Ah，Iremember。WhoisEdward？\'
Asilence。
\'Yourbrother，too？\'continuedMissAldclyffe。
\'No。\'
MissAldclyffereflectedamoment。\'Don\'tyouwanttotellmewhoEdwardis？\'shesaidatlast，inatoneofmeaning。
\'Idon\'tmindtelling；only……\'
\'Youwouldrathernot，Isuppose？\'
\'Yes。\'
MissAldclyffeshiftedherground。\'Wereyoueverinlove？\'sheinquiredsuddenly。
Cythereawassurprisedtohearhowquicklythevoicehadalteredfromtendernesstoharshness，vexation，anddisappointment。
\'Yes——IthinkIwas——once，\'shemurmured。
\'Aha！Andwereyoueverkissedbyaman？\'
Apause。
\'Well，wereyou？\'saidMissAldclyffe，rathersharply。
\'Don\'tpressmetotell——Ican\'t——indeed，Iwon\'t，madam！\'
MissAldclyfferemovedherarmsfromCytherea\'sneck。\'\'Tisnowwithyouasitisalwayswithallgirls，\'shesaid，injealousandgloomyaccents。\'Youarenot，afterall，theinnocentItookyoufor。No，no。\'Shethenchangedhertonewithfitfulrapidity。
\'Cytherea，trytolovememorethanyoulovehim——do。Iloveyoumoresincerelythananymancan。Do，Cythie：don\'tletanymanstandbetweenus。O，Ican\'tbearthat！\'SheclaspedCytherea\'sneckagain。
\'ImustlovehimnowIhavebegun，\'repliedtheother。
\'Must——yes——must，\'saidtheelderladyreproachfully。\'Yes，womenareallalike。IthoughtIhadatlastfoundanartlesswomanwhohadnotbeensulliedbyaman\'slips，andwhohadnotpractisedorbeenpractiseduponbytheartswhichruinallthetruthandsweetnessandgoodnessinus。Findagirl，ifyoucan，whosemouthandearshavenotbeenmadearegularhighwayofbysomemanoranother！Leavetheadmittedlynotoriousspots——thedrawing-roomsofsociety——andlookinthevillages——leavethevillagesandsearchintheschools——andyoucanhardlyfindagirlwhosehearthasnotbeenHAD——isnotanoldthinghalfwornoutbysomeHeoranother！Ifmenonlyknewthestalenessofthefreshestofus！thatninetimesoutoftenthe“firstlove“theythinktheyarewinningfromawomanisbutthehulkofanoldwreckedaffection，fittedwithnewsailsandre-used。OCytherea，canitbethatyou，too，areliketherest？\'
\'No，no，no，\'urgedCytherea，awedbythestormshehadraisedintheimpetuouswoman\'smind。\'Heonlykissedmeonce——twiceImean。\'
\'Hemighthavedoneitathousandtimesifhehadcaredto，there\'snodoubtaboutthat，whoeverhislordshipis。YouareasbadasI——
weareallalike；andI——anoldfool——havebeensippingatyourmouthasifitwerehoney，becauseIfanciednowastingloverknewthespot。Butaminuteago，andyouseemedtomelikeafreshspringmeadow——nowyouseemadustyhighway。\'
\'Ono，no！\'Cythereawasnotweakenoughtoshedtearsexceptonextraordinaryoccasions，butshewasfaintobeginsobbingnow。ShewishedMissAldclyffewouldgotoherownroom，andleaveherandhertreasureddreamsalone。Thisvehementimperiousaffectionwasinonesensesoothing，butyetitwasnotofthekindthatCytherea\'sinstinctsdesired。Thoughitwasgenerous，itseemedsomewhattoorankandcapriciousforendurance。
\'Well，\'saidtheladyincontinuation，\'whoishe？\'
Hercompanionwasdesperatelydeterminednottotellhisname：shetoomuchfearedatauntwhenMissAldclyffe\'sfierymoodagainruledhertongue。
\'Won\'tyoutellme？nottellmeafteralltheaffectionIhaveshown？\'
\'Iwill，perhaps，anotherday。\'
\'DidyouwearahatandwhitefeatherinBudmouthfortheweekortwoprevioustoyourcominghere？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'ThenIhaveseenyouandyourloveratadistance！Herowedyouroundthebaywithyourbrother。\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Andwithoutyourbrother——fie！There，there，don\'tletthatlittleheartbeatitselftodeath：throb，throb：itshakesthebed，yousillything。Ididn\'tmeanthattherewasanyharmingoingalonewithhim。IonlysawyoufromtheEsplanade，incommonwiththerestofthepeople。IoftenrundowntoBudmouth。Hewasaverygoodfigure：nowwhowashe？\'
\'I——Iwon\'ttell，madam——Icannotindeed！\'
\'Won\'ttell——verywell，don\'t。Youareveryfoolishtotreasureuphisnameandimageasyoudo。Why，hehashadlovesbeforeyou，trusthimforthat，whoeverheis，andyouarebutatemporarylinkinalongchainofotherslikeyou：whoonlyhaveyourlittledayastheyhavehadtheirs。\'
\'\'Tisn\'ttrue！\'tisn\'ttrue！\'tisn\'ttrue！\'criedCythereainanagonyoftorture。\'Hehasneverlovedanybodyelse，Iknow——Iamsurehehasn\'t。\'
MissAldclyffewasasjealousasanymancouldhavebeen。Shecontinued——
\'Heseesabeautifulfaceandthinkshewillneverforgetit，butinafewweeksthefeelingpassesoff，andhewondershowhecouldhavecaredforanybodysoabsurdlymuch。\'
\'No，no，hedoesn\'t——Whatdoeshedowhenhehasthoughtthat——Come，tellme——tellme！\'
\'Youareashotasfire，andthethrobbingofyourheartmakesmenervous。Ican\'ttellyouifyougetinthatflusteredstate。\'
\'Do，dotell——O，itmakesmesomiserable！buttell——cometellme！\'
\'Ah——thetablesareturnednow，dear！\'shecontinued，inatonewhichmingledpitywithderision——
\'“Love\'spassionsshallrocktheeAsthestormrockstheravensonhigh，BrightreasonwillmocktheeLikethesunfromawintrysky。“
\'Whatdoeshedonext？——Why，thisiswhathedoesnext：ruminateonwhathehasheardofwomen\'sromanticimpulses，andhoweasilymentorturethemwhentheyhavegivenwaytothosefeelings，andhaveresignedeverythingfortheirhero。Itmaybethatthoughhelovesyouheartilynow——thatis，asheartilyasamancan——andyoulovehiminreturn，yourlovesmaybeimpracticableandhopeless，andyoumaybeseparatedforever。You，astheweary，wearyyearspassbywillfadeandfade——brighteyesWILLfade——andyouwillperhapsthendieearly——truetohimtoyourlatestbreath，andbelievinghimtobetruetothelatestbreathalso；whilsthe，insomegayandbusyspotfarawayfromyourlastquietnook，willhavemarriedsomedashinglady，andnotpurelyobliviousofyou，willlonghaveceasedtoregretyou——willchataboutyou，asyouwereinlongpastyears——
willsay，“Ah，littleCythereausedtotieherhairlikethat——poorinnocenttrustingthing；itwasapleasantuselessidledream——thatdreamofmineforthemaidwiththebrighteyesandsimple，sillyheart；butIwasafoolishladatthattime。“ThenhewilltellthetaleofallyourlittleWillsandWont\'sandparticularways，andashespeaks，turntohiswifewithaplacidsmile。\'
\'Itisnottrue！Hecan\'t，hec-can\'tbes-socruel——andyouarecrueltome——youare，youare！\'Shewasatlastdriventodesperation：hernaturalcommonsenseandshrewdnesshadseenallthroughthepiecehowimaginaryheremotionswere——shefeltherselftobeweakandfoolishinpermittingthemtorise；buteventhenshecouldnotcontrolthem：beagonizedshemust。Shewasonlyeighteen，andthelongday\'slabour，herweariness，herexcitement，hadcompletelyunnervedher，andwornherout：shewasbenthitherandthitherbythistyrannicalworkinguponherimagination，asayoungrushinthewind。Sheweptbitterly。\'AndnowthinkhowmuchIlikeyou，\'resumedMissAldclyffe，whenCythereagrewcalmer。\'I
shallneverforgetyouforanybodyelse，asmendo——never。Iwillbeexactlyasamothertoyou。Nowwillyoupromisetolivewithmealways，andalwaysbetakencareof，andneverdeserted？\'
\'Icannot。Iwillnotbeanybody\'smaidforanotherdayonanyconsideration。\'
\'No，no，no。Youshan\'tbealady\'s-maid。Youshallbemycompanion。Iwillgetanothermaid。\'
Companion——thatwasanewidea。Cythereacouldnotresisttheevidentlyheartfeltdesireofthestrange-temperedwomanforherpresence。Butshecouldnottrusttothemoment\'simpulse。
\'Iwillstay，Ithink。Butdonotaskforafinalanswerto-night。\'
\'Nevermindnow，then。Putyourhairroundyourmamma\'sneck，andgivemeonegoodlongkiss，andIwon\'ttalkanymoreinthatwayaboutyourlover。Afterall，someyoungmenarenotsofickleasothers；butevenifhe\'stheficklest，thereisconsolation。Theloveofaninconstantmanistentimesmoreardentthanthatofafaithfulman——thatis，whileitlasts。\'
Cythereadidasshewastold，toescapethepunishmentoffurthertalk；flungthetwiningtressesofherlong，richhairoverMissAldclyffe\'sshouldersasdirected，andthetwoceasedconversing，makingthemselvesupforsleep。MissAldclyffeseemedtogiveherselfovertoaluxurioussenseofcontentandquiet，asifthemaidenathersideaffordedheraprotectionagainstdangerswhichhadmenacedherforyears；shewassoonsleepingcalmly。
2。TWOTOFIVEA。M。
WithCythereaitwasotherwise。Unusedtotheplaceandcircumstances，shecontinuedwakeful，illatease，andmentallydistressed。Shewithdrewherselffromhercompanion\'sembrace，turnedtotheotherside，andendeavouredtorelieveherbusybrainbylookingatthewindow-blind，andnoticingthelightoftherisingmoon——nowinherlastquarter——creeprounduponit：itwasthelightofanoldwaningmoonwhichhadbutafewdayslongertolive。
Thesightledhertothinkagainofwhathadhappenedundertheraysofthesamemonth\'smoon，alittlebeforeitsfull，theecstaticeveningscenewithEdward：thekiss，andtheshortnessofthosehappymoments——maidenimaginationbringingabouttheapotheosisofastatusquowhichhadhadseveralunpleasantnessesinitsearthlyreality。
Butsoundswereintheascendantthatnight。Herearsbecameawareofastrangeandgloomymurmur。
Sherecognizedit：itwasthegushingofthewaterfall，faintandlow，broughtfromitssourcetotheunwonteddistanceoftheHousebyafaintbreezewhichmadeitdistinctandrecognizablebyreasonoftheutterabsenceofalldisturbingsounds。Thegroom\'smelancholyrepresentationlenttothesoundamoredismaleffectthanitwouldhavehadofitsownnature。Shebegantofancywhatthewaterfallmustbelikeatthathour，underthetreesintheghostlymoonlight。Blackatthehead，andoverthesurfaceofthedeepcoldholeintowhichitfell；whiteandfrothyatthefall；
blackandwhite，likeapallanditsborder；sadeverywhere。
Shewasinthemoodforsoundsofeverykindnow，andstrainedherearstocatchthefaintest，inwaywardenmitytoherquietofmind。
Anothersooncame。
