Cythereawasanacquisition，andthegreetingwashearty。
\'Goodafternoon！Oyes——MissGraye，fromMissAldclyffe\'s。Ihaveseenyouatchurch，andIamsogladyouhavecalled！Comein。I
wonderifIhavechangeenoughtopaymysubscription。\'Shespokegirlishly。
Adelaide，wheninthecompanyofayoungerwoman，alwayslevelledherselfdowntothatyoungerwoman\'sagefromasenseofjusticetoherself——asif，thoughnotherownageatcommonlaw，itwasinequity。
\'Itdoesn\'tmatter。I\'llcomeagain。\'
\'Yes，doatanytime；notonlyonthiserrand。Butyoumuststepinforaminute。Do。\'
\'Ihavebeenwantingtocomeforseveralweeks。\'
\'That\'sright。Nowyoumustseemyhouse——lonely，isn\'tit，forasingleperson？Peoplesaiditwasoddforayoungwomanlikemetokeeponahouse；butwhatdidIcare？Ifyouknewthepleasureoflockingupyourowndoor，withthesensationthatyoureignedsupremeinsideit，youwouldsayitwasworththeriskofbeingcalledodd。Mr。Springroveattendstomygardening，thedogattendstorobbers，andwheneverthereisasnakeortoadtokill，Janedoesit。\'
\'Hownice！Itisbetterthanlivinginatown。\'
\'Farbetter。Atownmakesacynicofme。\'
Theremarkrecalled，somewhatstartlingly，toCytherea\'smind，thatEdwardhadusedthoseverywordstoherselfoneeveningatBudmouth。
MissHintonopenedaninteriordoorandledhervisitorintoasmalldrawing-roomcommandingaviewofthecountryformiles。
Themissionarybusinesswassoonsettled；butthechatcontinued。
\'Howlonelyitmustbehereatnight！\'saidCytherea。\'Aren\'tyouafraid？\'
\'AtfirstIwas，slightly。ButIgotusedtothesolitude。Andyouknowasortofcommonsensewillcreepevenintotimidity。Isaytomyselfsometimesatnight，“IfIwereanybodybutaharmlesswoman，notworththetroubleofaworm\'sghosttoappeartome，IshouldthinkthateverysoundIhearwasaspirit。“Butyoumustseeallovermyhouse。\'
Cythereawashighlyinterestedinseeing。
\'IsayyouMUSTdothis，andyouMUSTdothat，asifyouwereachild，\'remarkedAdelaide。\'Aprivilegedfriendofminetellsmethisuseoftheimperativecomesofbeingsoconstantlyinnobody\'ssocietybutmyown。\'
\'Ah，yes。Isupposesheisright。\'
Cythereacalledthefriend\'she\'byaruleofladylikepractice；forawoman\'s\'friend\'isdelicatelyassumedbyanotherfriendtobeoftheirownsexintheabsenceofknowledgetothecontrary；justascatsarecalledshe\'suntiltheyprovethemselveshe\'s。
MissHintonlaughedmysteriously。
\'Igetahumorousreproofforitnowandthen，Iassureyou，\'shecontinued。
\'“Humorousreproof：“that\'snotfromawoman：whocanreprovehumorouslybutaman？\'wasthegrooveofCytherea\'sthoughtattheremark。\'Yourbrotherreprovesyou，Iexpect，\'saidthatinnocentyounglady。
\'No，\'saidMissHinton，withacandidair。\'\'TisonlyaprofessionalmanIamacquaintedwith。\'Shelookedoutofthewindow。
Womenarepersistentlyimitative。NosoonerdidathoughtflashthroughCytherea\'smindthatthemanwasaloverthanshebecameaMissAldclyffeinamildform。
\'Iimaginehe\'salover，\'shesaid。
MissHintonsmiledasmileofexperienceinthatline。
Fewwomen，iftaxedwithhavinganadmirer，aresofreefromvanityastodenytheimpeachment，evenifitisutterlyuntrue。Whenitdoeshappentobetrue，theylookpityinglyawayfromthepersonwhoissobenightedastohavegotnofurtherthansuspectingit。
\'Therenow——MissHinton；youareengagedtobemarried！\'saidCythereaaccusingly。
Adelaidenoddedherheadpractically。\'Well，yes，Iam，\'shesaid。
Theword\'engaged\'hadnosoonerpassedCytherea\'slipsthanthesoundofit——themeresoundofherownlips——carriedhermindtothetimeandcircumstancesunderwhichMissAldclyffehadusedittowardsherself。Asickeningthoughtfollowed——basedbutonameresurmise；yetitspresencetookeveryotherideaawayfromCytherea\'smind。MissHintonhadusedEdward\'swordsabouttowns；shementionedMr。Springroveasattendingtohergarden。ItcouldnotbethatEdwardwastheman！thatMissAldclyffehadplannedtorevealherrivalthus！
\'Areyougoingtobemarriedsoon？\'sheinquired，withasteadinesstheresultofasortoffascination，butapparentlyofindifference。
\'Notverysoon——still，soon。\'
\'Ah-ha！Inlessthanthreemonths？\'saidCytherea。
\'Two。\'
Nowthatthesubjectwaswellinhand，Adelaidewantednomoreprompting。\'Youwon\'ttellanybodyifIshowyousomething？\'shesaid，witheagermystery。
\'Ono，nobody。Butdoesheliveinthisparish？\'
\'No。\'
Nothingprovedyet。
\'What\'shisname？\'saidCythereaflatly。Herbreathandhearthadbeguntheiroldtricks，andcameandwenthotly。MissHintoncouldnotseeherface。
\'Whatdoyouthink？\'saidMissHinton。
\'George？\'saidCytherea，withdeceitfulagony。
\'No，\'saidAdelaide。\'Butnow，youshallseehimfirst；comehere；\'
andsheledthewayupstairsintoherbedroom。There，standingonthedressingtableinalittleframe，wastheunconsciousportraitofEdwardSpringrove。
\'Thereheis，\'MissHintonsaid，andasilenceensued。
\'Areyouveryfondofhim？\'continuedthemiserableCythereaatlength。
\'Yes，ofcourseIam，\'hercompanionreplied，butinthetoneofonewho\'livedinAbraham\'sbosomalltheyear，\'andwasthereforeuntouchedbysolemnthoughtatthefact。\'He\'smycousin——anativeofthisvillage。Wewereengagedbeforemyfather\'sdeathleftmesolonely。Iwasonlytwenty，andamuchgreaterbellethanIamnow。Weknoweachotherthoroughly，asyoumayimagine。Igivehimalittlesermonizingnowandthen。\'
\'Why？\'
\'O，it\'sonlyinfun。He\'sverynaughtysometimes——notreally，youknow——buthewilllookatanyprettyfacewhenheseesit。\'
Storingupthisstatementofhissusceptibilityasanotheritemtobemiserableuponwhenshehadtime，\'Howdoyouknowthat？\'
Cythereaasked，withaswellingheart。
\'Well，youknowhowthingsdocometowomen\'sears。HeusedtoliveatBudmouthasanassistant-architect，andIfoundoutthatayounggiddythingofagirlwholivestheresomewheretookhisfancyforadayortwo。ButIdon\'tfeeljealousatall——ourengagementissomatter-of-factthatneitherofuscanbejealous。Anditwasamereflirtation——shewastoosillyforhim。He\'sfondofrowing，andkindlygaveheranairingforaneveningortwo。I\'llwarranttheytalkedthemostunmitigatedrubbishunderthesun——allshallownessandpastime，justaseverythingisatwateringplaces——neitherofthemcaringabitfortheother——shegigglinglikeagooseallthetime——\'
Concentratedessenceofwomanpervadedtheroomratherthanair。
\'SheDIDN\'T！anditWASN\'Tshallowness！\'Cythereaburstout，withbrimmingeyes。\'\'Twasdeepdeceitononeside，andentireconfidenceontheother——yes，itwas！\'Thepent-upemotionhadswollenandswolleninsidetheyoungthingtillthedamcouldnolongerembayit。Theinstantthewordswereoutshewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletorecallthem。
\'Doyouknowher——orhim？\'saidMissHinton，startingwithsuspicionatthewarmthshown。
Thetworivalshadnowlosttheirpersonalityquite。Therewasthesamekeenbrightnessofeye，thesamemovementofthemouth，thesamemindinboth，astheylookeddoubtinglyandexcitedlyateachother。Asisinvariablythecasewithwomenwhenamantheycareforisthesubjectofanexcitementamongthem，thesituationabstractedthedifferenceswhichdistinguishedthemasindividuals，andleftonlythepropertiescommontothemasatomsofasex。
Cythereacaughtatthechanceaffordedherofnotbetrayingherself。
\'Yes，Iknowher，\'shesaid。
\'Well，\'saidMissHinton，\'Iamreallyvexedifmyspeakingsolightlyofanyfriendofyourshashurtyourfeelings，but——\'
\'O，nevermind，\'Cythereareturned；\'itdoesn\'tmatter，MissHinton。
IthinkImustleaveyounow。Ihavetocallatotherplaces。Yes——
Imustgo。\'
MissHinton，inaperplexedstateofmind，showedhervisitorpolitelydownstairstothedoor。HereCythereabadeherahurriedadieu，andflitteddownthegardenintothelane。
Sheperseveredinherdutieswithawaywardpleasureingivingherselfmisery，aswasherwont。Mr。Springrove\'snamewasnextonthelist，andsheturnedtowardshisdwelling，theThreeTrantersInn。
3。FOURTOFIVEP。M。
ThecottagesalongCarrifordvillagestreetwerenotsoclosebutthatononesideorotheroftheroadwasalwaysahedgeofhawthornorprivet，overorthroughwhichcouldbeseengardensororchardsrichwithproduce。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheearlyapple-
harvest，andtheladentreeswereshakenatintervalsbythegatherers；thesoftpatteringofthefallingcropuponthegrassygroundbeingdiversifiedbytheloudrattleofvagrantonesuponarail，hencoop，basket，orlean-toroof，orupontheroundedandstoopingbacksofthecollectors——mostlychildren，whowouldhavecriedbitterlyatreceivingsuchasmartblowfromanyotherquarter，butsmilinglyassumedittobebutfuninapples。
TheThreeTrantersInn，amany-gabled，mediaevalbuilding，constructedalmostentirelyoftimber，plaster，andthatch，stoodclosetothelineoftheroadside，almostoppositethechurchyard，andwasconnectedwitharowofcottagesontheleftbythatchedoutbuildings。Itwasanuncommonlycharacteristicandhandsomespecimenofthegenuineroadsideinnofbygonetimes；andstandingononeofthegreathighwaysinthispartofEngland，hadinitstimebeenthesceneofasmuchofwhatisnowlookeduponastheromanticandgenialexperienceofstage-coachtravellingasanyhalting-placeinthecountry。Therailwayhadabsorbedthewholestreamoftrafficwhichformerlyflowedthroughthevillageandalongbytheancientdooroftheinn，reducingtheempty-handedlandlord，whousedonlytofarmafewfieldsatthebackofthehouse，tothenecessityofekingouthisattenuatedincomebyincreasingtheextentofhisagriculturalbusinessifhewouldstillmaintainhissocialstanding。Nexttothegeneralstillnesspervadingthespot，thelonglineofoutbuildingsadjoiningthehousewasthemoststrikingandsaddeningwitnesstothepassed-awayfortunesoftheThreeTrantersInn。Itwasthebulkoftheoriginalstabling，andwhereoncethehoofsoftwo-scorehorseshaddailyrattledoverthestonyyard，toandfromthestallswithin，thickgrassnowgrew，whilstthelineofroofs——oncesostraight——overthedecayedstalls，hadsunkintovasthollowstilltheyseemedlikethecheeksoftoothlessage。
Onagreenplotattheotherendofthebuildinggrewtwoorthreelarge，wide-spreadingelm-trees，fromwhichthesignwassuspended——
representingthethreemencalledtranters(irregularcarriers)，standingsidebyside，andexactlyaliketoahair\'s-breadth，thegrainofthewoodandjointsoftheboardsbeingvisiblethroughthethinpaintdepictingtheirforms，whichwerestillfurtherdisfiguredbyredstainsrunningdownwardsfromtherustynailsabove。
Underthetreesnowstoodacider-millandpress，anduponthespotshelteredbytheboughsweregatheredMr。Springrovehimself，hismen，theparishclerk，twoorthreeothermen，grindersandsupernumeraries，awomanwithaninfantinherarms，aflockofpigeons，andsomelittleboyswithstrawsintheirmouths，endeavouring，wheneverthemen\'sbackswereturned，togetasipofthesweetjuiceissuingfromthevat。
EdwardSpringrovetheelder，thelandlord，nowmoreparticularlyafarmer，andfortwomonthsintheyearacider-maker，wasanemployeroflabouroftheoldschool，whoworkedhimselfamonghismen。Hewasnowengagedinpackingthepomaceintohorsehairbagswitharammer，andGadWeedy，hisman，wasoccupiedinshovellingupmorefromatubathisside。Theshovelshonelikesilverfromtheactionofthejuice，andeverandanon，initsmotiontoandfro，caughttheraysofthedecliningsunandreflectedtheminbristlingstarsoflight。
Mr。SpringrovehadbeentooyoungamanwhenthepristinedaysoftheThreeTrantershaddepartedforevertohavemuchofthehostleftinhimnow。Hewasapoetwitharoughskin：onewhosesturdinesswasmoretheresultofexternalcircumstancesthanofintrinsicnature。Tookindlyconstitutedtobeveryprovident，hewasyetnotimprudent。Hehadaquiethumorousnessofdisposition，notoutofkeepingwithafrequentmelancholy，thegeneralexpressionofhiscountenancebeingoneofabstraction。LikeWaltWhitmanhefeltashisyearsincreased——
\'Iforeseetoomuch；itmeansmorethanIthought。\'
Onthepresentoccasionheworegaitersandaleathernapron，andworkedwithhisshirt-sleevesrolledupbeyondhiselbows，disclosingsolidandfleshyratherthanmusculararms。Theywerestainedbythecider，andtwoorthreebrownapple-pipsfromthepomacehewashandlingweretobeseenstickingonthemhereandthere。
TheotherprominentfigurewasthatofRichardCrickett，theparishclerk，akindofBowdlerizedrake，whoateonlyasmuchasawoman，andhadtherheumatisminhislefthand。Theremainderofthegroup，brown-facedpeasants，woresmock-frocksembroideredontheshoulderswithheartsanddiamonds，andweregirtroundtheirmiddlewithastrap，anotherbeingwornroundtherightwrist。
\'Andhaveyouseenthesteward，Mr。Springrove？\'saidtheclerk。
\'Justaglimpseofhim；but\'twasjustenoughtoshowmethathe\'snothereforlong。\'
\'Whymidthatbe？\'
\'He\'llneverstandthevagariesofthefemalefigureholdenthereins——nothe。\'
\'Shed\'payenwell，\'saidagrinder；\'andmoney\'smoney。\'
\'Ah——\'tis：verymuchso，\'theclerkreplied。
\'Yes，yes，naibourCrickett，\'saidSpringrove，\'butshe\'llvleeinapassion——allthefatwillbeinthefire——andthere\'sanendo\'t……Yes，sheisaone，\'continuedthefarmer，resting，raisinghiseyes，andreadingthefeaturesofadistantapple。
\'Sheis，\'saidGad，restingtoo(itiswonderfulhowpromptajourneymanisinfollowinghismaster\'sinitiativetorest)andreflectivelyregardingthegroundinfrontofhim。
\'True：aoneisshe，\'theclerkchimedin，shakinghisheadominously。
\'Shehassuchatemper，\'saidthefarmer，\'andissowilfultoo。
Youmayaswelltrytostopafootpathasstopherwhenshehastakenanythingintoherhead。I\'dassoongrindlittlegreencrabsalldayaslivewi\'her。\'
\'\'Tisatempershehev，\'tis，\'theclerkreplied，\'thoughIbeaservantoftheChurchthatsayit。Butsheisn\'tgoentofleeinapassionthistime。\'
Theaudiencewaitedforthecontinuationofthespeech，asiftheyknewfromexperiencetheexactdistanceoffitlayinthefuture。
Theclerkswallowednothingasifitwereagreatdeal，andthenwenton，\'There\'ssome\'atbetween\'em：markmywords，naibours——
there\'ssome\'atbetween\'em。\'
\'D\'yemeanit？\'
\'Id\'knowit。HecamelastSaturday，didn\'the？\'
\'\'Adid，truly，\'saidGadWeedy，atthesametimetakinganapplefromthehopperofthemill，eatingapiece，andflingingbacktheremaindertobegroundupforcider。
\'Hewenttochurcha-Sunday，\'saidtheclerkagain。
\'\'Adid。\'
\'Andshekepthereyeuponenalltheservice，herfaceflickerenbetweenredandwhite，butneverstoppenateither。\'
Mr。Springrovenodded，andwenttothepress。
\'Well，\'saidtheclerk，\'youdon\'tcallherthekindo\'womantomakemistakesinjusttrottenthroughtheweeklyserviceo\'God？
Why，asaruleshe\'sasrightasIbemyself。\'
Mr。Springrovenoddedagain，andgaveatwisttothescrewofthepress，followedinthemovementbyGadattheotherside；thetwogrindersexpressingbylooksofthegreatestconcernthat，ifMissAldclyffewereasrightatchurchastheclerk，shemustberightindeed。
\'Yes，asrightintheserviceo\'GodasIbemyself，\'repeatedtheclerk。\'ButlastSunday，whenwewereinthetenthcommandment，saysshe，“Inclineourheartstokeepthislaw，“saysshe，when\'twas“Lawsinourhearts，webeseechThee，“allthechurchthrough。
HereyewasuponHIM——shewasquitelost——“Heartstokeepthislaw，“
saysshe；shewasnomorethanamereshadderatthattenthtime——amereshadder。Youmi\'tha\'mouthedacrosstoher“LawsinourheartswebeseechThee，“fiftytimesover——she\'dneverha\'noticedye。She\'sinlovewi\'theman，that\'swhatsheis。\'
\'Thenshe\'sabiggerstunpollthanItookherfor，\'saidMr。
Springrove。\'Why，she\'soldenoughtobehismother。\'
\'Therow\'llbebetweenherandthatyoungCurlywig，you\'llsee。Shewon\'truntheriskofthatprettyfacebe-ennear。\'
\'ClerkCrickett，Id\'fancyyoud\'knoweverythingabouteverybody，\'
saidGad。
\'Wellso\'s，\'saidtheclerkmodestly。\'Idoknowalittle。Itcomestome。\'
\'AndId\'knowwherefrom。\'
\'Ah。\'
\'Thatwifeo\'thine。She\'sanentertainenwoman，nottospeakdisrespectful。\'
\'Sheis：andawinnenone。Lookatthehusbandsshe\'vehad——Godblessher！\'
\'Iwonderyoucouldstandthirdinthatlist，ClerkCrickett，\'saidMr。Springrove。
\'Well，\'thasbeenapowero\'marveltomyselfoftentimes。Yes，matrimonydobeginwi\'“Dearlybeloved，“andendswi\'“Amazement，“
astheprayer-booksays。ButwhatcouldIdo，naibourSpringrove？
\'Twasordainedtobe。WelldoIcalltomindwhatyourpoorladysaidtomewhenIhadjustmarried。“Ah，Mr。Crickett，“saysshe，“yourwifewillsoonsettleyouasshedidherothertwo：here\'saglasso\'rum，forIshan\'tseeyourpoorfacethistimenextyear。“
Iswalleredtherum，calledagainnextyear，andsaid，“Mrs。
Springrove，yougavemeaglasso\'rumlastyearbecauseIwasgoingtodie——hereIbealivestill，yousee。““Wellsaid，clerk！Here\'stwoglassesforyounow，then，“saysshe。“Thankyou，mem，“I
said，andswalleredtherum。Well，dangmyoldsides，nextyearI
thoughtI\'dcallagainandgetthree。AndcallIdid。Butshewouldn\'tgivemeadropo\'thecommonest。“No，clerk，“saysshe，“youbetootoughforawoman\'spity。“……Ah，poorsoul，\'twastrueenough！HerebeI，thatwasexpectedtodie，aliveandhardasanail，yousee，andthere\'sshemouldereninhergrave。\'
\'Iusedtothink\'twasyourwife\'sfatenottohavealivenhusbandwhenIzid\'emdieoffso，\'saidGad。
\'Fate？Blessthysimplicity，so\'twasherfate；butshestruggledtohaveone，andwould，anddid。Fate\'snothenbesideawoman\'sschemen！\'
\'Isuppose，then，thatFateisaHe，likeus，andtheLord，andtheresto\'\'emupabovethere，\'saidGad，liftinghiseyestothesky。
\'Hullo！Here\'stheyoungwomancomenthatwewerea-talkenaboutby-now，\'saidagrinder，suddenlyinterrupting。\'She\'scomenuphere，asIbealive！\'
ThetwogrindersstoodandregardedCythereaasifshehadbeenashiptackingintoaharbour，nearlystoppingthemillintheirnewinterest。
\'Stylishaccoutrementsabouttheheadandshoulders，tomythinken，\'
saidtheclerk。\'Sheenencurls，andplentyo\'em。\'
\'Ifthere\'sonekindofpridemoreexcusablethananotherinayoungwoman，\'tisbeingproudofherhair，\'saidMr。Springrove。
\'Dearman！——thepridethereisonlyasmallpieceo\'thewhole。I
warrantnow，thoughshecanshowsuchafigure，sheha\'n\'tasticko\'furnituretocallherown。\'
\'Come，ClerkCrickett，letthemaidbeamaidwhilesheisamaid，\'
saidFarmerSpringrovechivalrously。
\'O，\'repliedtheservantoftheChurch；\'I\'venothentosayagainstit——Ono：
\'“Thechimney-sweeper\'sdaughterSueAsIhavehearddeclare，O，Althoughshe\'sneithersocknorshoeWillcurlanddeckherhair，O。“\'
Cythereawasratherdisconcertedatfindingthatthegradualcessationofthechoppingofthemillwasonheraccount，andstillmorewhenshesawallthecider-makers\'eyesfixeduponherexceptMr。Springrove\'s，whosenaturaldelicacyrestrainedhim。Shenearedtheplotofgrass，butinsteadofadvancingfurther，hesitatedonitsborder。
Mr。Springroveperceivedherembarrassment，whichwasrelievedwhenshesawhisold-establishedfigurecomingacrosstoher，wipinghishandsinhisapron。
\'Iknowyourerrand，missie，\'hesaid，\'andamgladtoseeyou，andattendtoit。I\'llstepindoors。\'
\'IfyouarebusyIaminnohurryforaminuteortwo，\'saidCytherea。
\'Thenifsobeyoureallywouldn\'tmind，we\'llwringdownthislastfillingtoletitdrainallnight？\'
\'Notatall。Iliketoseeyou。\'
\'Weareonlyjustgrindingdowntheearlypickthongsandgriffins，\'
continuedthefarmer，inahalf-apologetictonefordetainingbyhiscider-makinganywell-dressedwoman。\'Theyrotasblackasachimney-crookifwekeep\'emtilltheregularsturnin。\'Ashespokehewentbacktothepress，Cythereakeepingathiselbow。
\'I\'mlaterthanIshouldhavebeenbyrights，\'hecontinued，takingupaleverforpropellingthescrew，andbeckoningtothementocomeforward。\'Thetruthis，mysonEdwardhadpromisedtocometo-
day，andImadepreparations；butinsteadofhimcomesaletter：
“London，Septembertheeighteenth，DearFather，“sayshe，andwentontotellmehecouldn\'t。Itthrewmeoutabit。\'
\'Ofcourse，\'saidCytherea。
\'He\'sgotaplace\'ab\'lieve？\'saidtheclerk，drawingnear。
\'No，poormortalfellow，no。Hetriedforthisonehere，youknow，butcouldn\'tmanagetogetit。Idon\'tknowtherightso\'thematter，butwilly-nillytheywouldn\'thavehimforsteward。Nowmates，forminline。\'
Springrove，theclerk，thegrinders，andGad，allrangedthemselvesbehindtheleverofthescrew，andwalkedroundlikesoldierswheeling。
\'Themanthattheoldqueanhevgotisamanyoucanhardlygetuponyourtonguetogainsay，bythelooko\'en，\'rejoinedClerkCrickett。
\'Oneo\'thempeoplethatcancontrivetobethoughtnoworseo\'forstealenahorsethananothermanforlookenoverhedgeaten，\'saidagrinder。
\'Well，he\'sallthereassteward，andisquitethegentleman——nodoubtaboutthat。\'
\'SowouldmyTedha\'been，forthemattero\'that，\'thefarmersaid。
\'That\'strue：\'awould，sir。\'
\'Isaid，I\'llgiveTedagoodeducationifitdocostmemyeyes，andIwouldhavedoneit。\'
\'Ay，thatyouwouldso，\'saidthechorusofassistantssolemnly。
\'Buthetooktobooksanddrawingnaturally，andcostverylittle；
andasawind-upthewomenfolkhatchedupamatchbetweenhimandhiscousin。\'
\'When\'stheweddentobe，Mr。Springrove？\'
\'Uncertain——butsoon，Isuppose。Edward，yousee，candoanythingprettynearly，andyetcan\'tgetastraightforwardliving。IwishsometimesIhadkepthimhere，andletprofessionsgo。Buthewassuchaoneforthepencil。\'
Hedroppedtheleverinthehedge，andturnedtohisvisitor。
\'Nowthen，missie，ifyou\'llcomeindoors，please。\'
GadWeedylookedwithaplacidcriticismatCythereaasshewithdrewwiththefarmer。
\'Icouldtellbythetongueo\'herthatshedidn\'ttakeherdegreesinourcounty，\'hesaidinanundertone。
\'Therailwayshaveleftyoulonelyhere，\'sheobserved，whentheywereindoors。
Savethewitheredoldflies，whichwerequitetamefromthesolitude，notabeingwasinthehouse。Nobodyseemedtohaveentereditsincethelastpassengerhadbeencalledouttomountthelaststage-coachthathadrunby。
\'Yes，theInnandIseemalmostapairoffossils，\'thefarmerreplied，lookingattheroomandthenathimself。
\'O，Mr。Springrove，\'saidCytherea，suddenlyrecollectingherself；
\'IammuchobligedtoyouforrecommendingmetoMissAldclyffe。\'
Shebegantowarmtowardstheoldman；therewasinhimagentlenessofdispositionwhichremindedherofherownfather。
\'Recommending？Notatall，miss。Ted——that\'smyson——Tedsaidafellow-draughtsmanofhishadasisterwhowantedtobedoingsomethingintheworld，andImentionedittothehousekeeper，that\'sall。Ay，Imissmysonverymuch。\'
Shekeptherbacktothewindowthathemightnotseeherrisingcolour。
\'Yes，\'hecontinued，\'sometimesIcan\'thelpfeelinguneasyabouthim。Youknow，heseemsnotmadeforatownlifeexactly：hegetsveryqueeroveritsometimes，Ithink。Perhapshe\'llbebetterwhenhe\'smarriedtoAdelaide。\'
Ahalf-impatientfeelingaroseinher，likethatwhichpossessesasickpersonwhenhehearsarecently-struckhourstruckagainbyaslowclock。Shehadlivedfurtheron。
\'Everythingdependsuponwhetherhelovesher，\'shesaidtremulously。
\'Heusedto——hedoesn\'tshowitsomuchnow；butthat\'sbecausehe\'solder。Yousee，itwasseveralyearsagotheyfirstwalkedtogetherasyoungmanandyoungwoman。She\'salteredtoofromwhatshewaswhenhefirstcourtedher。\'
\'How，sir？\'
\'O，she\'smoresensiblebyhalf。Whenheusedtowritetohershe\'dcreepupthelaneandlookbackoverhershoulder，andslideouttheletter，andreadawordandstandinthoughtlookingatthehillsandseeingnone。Thenthecuckoowouldcry——awaytheletterwouldslip，andshe\'dstartwi\'frightatthemerebird，andhavearedskinbeforethequickestmanamongyecouldsay，“Bloodrushup。“\'
Hecameforwardwiththemoneyanddroppeditintoherhand。HisthoughtswerestillwithEdward，andheabsentlytookherlittlefingersinhisashesaid，earnestlyandingenuously——
\'\'TissoseldomIgetagentlewomantospeaktothatIcan\'thelpspeakingtoyou，MissGraye，onmyfearsforEdward；Isometimesamafraidthathe\'llnevergeton——thathe\'lldiepooranddespisedundertheworstmentalconditions，akeensenseofhavingbeenpassedintheracebymenwhosebrainsarenothingtohisown，allthroughhisseeingtoofarintothings——beingdiscontentedwithmake-shifts——thinkingo\'perfectioninthings，andthensickenedthatthere\'snosuchthingasperfection。Ishan\'tbesorrytoseehimmarry，sinceitmaysettlehimdownanddohimgood……Ay，we\'llhopeforthebest。\'
Heletgoherhandandaccompaniedhertothedoorsaying，\'Ifyoushouldcaretowalkthiswayandtalktoanoldmanoncenowandthen，itwillbeagreatdelighttohim，MissGraye。Good-eveningtoye……Ahlook！athunderstormisbrewing——bequickhome。OrshallIstepupwithyou？\'
\'No，thankyou，Mr。Springrove。Goodevening，\'shesaidinalowvoice，andhurriedaway。Onethoughtstillpossessedher；Edwardhadtrifledwithherlove。
4。FIVETOSIXP。M。
Shefollowedtheroadintoaboweroftrees，overhangingitsodenselythatthepassappearedlikearabbit\'sburrow，andpresentlyreachedasideentrancetothepark。Thecloudsrosemorerapidlythanthefarmerhadanticipated：thesheepmovedinatrail，andcomplainedincoherently。Lividgreyshades，likethoseofthemodernFrenchpainters，madeamysteryoftheremoteanddarkpartsofthevista，andseemedtoinsistuponasuspensionofbreath。
Beforeshewashalf-wayacrosstheparkthethunderrumbleddistinctly。
Thedirectioninwhichshehadtogowouldtakeherclosebytheoldmanor-house。Theairwasperfectlystill，andbetweeneachlowrumbleofthethunderbehindshecouldheartheroarofthewaterfallbeforeher，andthecreakoftheengineamongthebusheshardbyit。Hurryingon，withagrowingdreadofthegloomandoftheapproachingstorm，shedrewneartheOldHouse，nowrisingbeforeheragainstthedarkfoliageandskyintonesofstrangewhiteness。
Ontheflightofsteps，whichdescendedfromaterraceinfronttothelevelofthepark，stoodaman。Heappeared，partlyfromthereliefthepositiongavetohisfigure，andpartlyfromfact，tobeoftoweringheight。Hewasdarkinoutline，andwaslookingatthesky，withhishandsbehindhim。
ItwasnecessaryforCythereatopassdirectlyacrossthelineofhisfront。Shefeltsoreluctanttodothis，thatshewasabouttoturnunderthetreesoutofthepathandenteritagainatapointbeyondtheOldHouse；buthehadseenher，andshecameonmechanically，unconsciouslyavertingherfacealittle，anddroppingherglancetotheground。
Hereyesunswervinglylingeredalongthepathuntiltheyfelluponanotherpathbranchinginarightlinefromthepathshewaspursuing。ItcamefromthestepsoftheOldHouse。\'Iamexactlyoppositehimnow，\'shethought，\'andhiseyesaregoingthroughme。\'
Aclearmasculinevoicesaid，atthesameinstant——
\'Areyouafraid？\'
She，interpretinghisquestionbyherfeelingsatthemoment，assumedhimselftobetheobjectoffear，ifany。\'Idon\'tthinkI
am，\'shestammered。
Heseemedtoknowthatshethoughtinthatsense。
\'Ofthethunder，Imean，\'hesaid；\'notofmyself。\'
Shemustturntohimnow。\'Ithinkitisgoingtorain，\'sheremarkedforthesakeofsayingsomething。
Hecouldnotconcealhissurpriseandadmirationofherfaceandbearing。Hesaidcourteously，\'ItmaypossiblynotrainbeforeyoureachtheHouse，ifyouaregoingthere？\'
\'Yes，Iam，\'
\'MayIwalkupwithyou？Itislonelyunderthetrees。\'
\'No。\'Fearinghiscourtesyarosefromabeliefthathewasaddressingawomanofhigherstationthanwashers，sheadded，\'IamMissAldclyffe\'scompanion。Idon\'tmindtheloneliness。\'
\'O，MissAldclyffe\'scompanion。Thenwillyoubekindenoughtotakeasubscriptiontoher？ShesenttomethisafternoontoaskmetobecomeasubscribertoherSociety，andIwasout。OfcourseI\'llsubscribeifshewishesit。ItakeagreatinterestintheSociety。\'
\'MissAldclyffewillbegladtohearthat，Iknow。\'
\'Yes；letmesee——whatSocietydidshesayitwas？IamafraidI
haven\'tenoughmoneyinmypocket，andyetitwouldbeasatisfactiontohertohavepracticalproofofmywillingness。I\'llgetit，andbeoutinoneminute。\'
Heenteredthehouseandwasathersideagainwithinthetimehehadnamed。\'Thisisit，\'hesaidpleasantly。
Sheheldupherhand。Thesofttipsofhisfingersbrushedthepalmofhergloveasheplacedthemoneywithinit。Shewonderedwhyhisfingersshouldhavetouchedher。
\'Ithinkafterall，\'hecontinued，\'thattherainisuponus，andwilldrenchyoubeforeyoureachtheHouse。Yes：seethere。\'
Hepointedtoaroundwetspotaslargeasanasturtiumleaf，whichhadsuddenlyappeareduponthewhitesurfaceofthestep。
\'Youhadbettercomeintotheporch。Itisnotnearlynightyet。
Thecloudsmakeitseemlaterthanitreallyis。\'
Heavydropsofrain，followedimmediatelybyaforkedflashoflightningandsharprattlingthundercompelledher，willinglyorno，toaccepthisinvitation。Sheascendedthesteps，stoodbesidehimjustwithintheporch，andforthefirsttimeobtainedaseriesofshortviewsofhisperson，astheywaitedthereinsilence。
Hewasanextremelyhandsomeman，well-formed，andwell-dressed，ofanagewhichseemedtobetwoorthreeyearslessthanthirty。Themoststrikingpointinhisappearancewasthewonderful，almostpreternatural，clearnessofhiscomplexion。Therewasnotablemishorspeckofanykindtomarthesmoothnessofitssurfaceorthebeautyofitshue。Next，hisforeheadwassquareandbroad，hisbrowsstraightandfirm，hiseyespenetratingandclear。Bycollectingtheroundofexpressionstheygaveforth，apersonwhotheorizedonsuchmatterswouldhaveimbibedthenotionthattheirownerwasofanaturetokickagainstthepricks；thelastmanintheworldtoputupwithapositionbecauseitseemedtobehisdestinytodoso；onewhotookuponhimselftoresistfatewiththevindictivedeterminationofaTheomachist。Eyesandforeheadbothwouldhaveexpressedkeennessofintellecttooseverelytobepleasing，hadtheirforcenotbeencounteractedbythelinesandtoneofthelips。Thesewerefullandluscioustoasurprisingdegree，possessingawoman-likesoftnessofcurve，andarubyrednesssointense，astotestifystronglytomuchsusceptibilityofheartwherefemininebeautywasconcerned——asusceptibilitythatmightrequirealltheballastofbrainwithwhichhehadpreviouslybeencreditedtoconfinewithinreasonablechannels。
Hismannerwasratherelegantthangood：hisspeechwell-finishedandunconstrained。
Thepauseintheirdiscourse，whichhadbeencausedbythepealofthunderwasunbrokenbyeitherforaminuteortwo，duringwhichtheearsofbothseemedtobeabsentlyfollowingthelowroarofthewaterfallasitbecamegraduallyrivalledbytheincreasingrushofrainuponthetreesandherbageofthegrove。Afterhershortlooksathim，Cythereahadturnedherheadtowardstheavenueforawhile，andnow，glancingbackagainforaninstant，shediscoveredthathiseyeswereengagedinasteady，thoughdelicate，regardofherfaceandform。
Atthismoment，byreasonofthenarrownessoftheporch，theirdressestouched，andremainedincontact。
Hisclothesaresomethingexteriortoeveryman；buttoawomanherdressispartofherbody。Itsmotionsareallpresenttoherintelligenceifnottohereyes；nomanknowshowhiscoat-tailsswing。Bytheslightesthyperboleitmaybesaidthatherdresshassensation。CreasebuttheveryUltimaThuleoffringeorflounce，andithurtsherasmuchaspinchingher。Delicateantennae，orfeelers，bristleoneveryoutlyingfrill。Gototheuppermost：sheisthere；treadonthelowest：thefaircreatureistherealmostbeforeyou。
Thusthetouchofclothes，whichwasnothingtoManston，sentathrillthroughCytherea，seeing，moreover，thathewasofthenatureofamysteriousstranger。Shelookedoutagainatthestorm，butstillfelthim。Atlasttoescapethesensationshemovedaway，thoughbysodoingitwasnecessarytoadvancealittleintotherain。
\'Look，therainiscomingintotheporchuponyou，\'hesaid。\'Stepinsidethedoor。\'
Cythereahesitated。
\'Perfectlysafe，Iassureyou，\'headded，laughing，andholdingthedooropen。\'YoushallseewhatastateofdisorganizationIamin——
boxesonboxes，furniture，straw，crockery，ineveryformoftransposition。Anoldwomanisinthebackquarterssomewhere，beginningtoputthingstorights……Youknowtheinsideofthehouse，Idaresay？\'
\'Ihaveneverbeenin。\'
\'Owell，comealong。Here，yousee，theyhavemadeadoorthrough，here，theyhaveputapartitiondividingtheoldhallintotwo，onepartisnowmyparlour；theretheyhaveputaplasterceiling，hidingtheoldchestnut-carvedroofbecauseitwastoohighandwouldhavebeenchillyforme；yousee，beingtheoriginalhall，itwasopenrightuptothetop，andherethelordofthemanorandhisretainersusedtomeetandbemerrybythelightfromthemonstrousfirewhichshoneoutfromthatmonstrousfire-place，nownarrowedtoamerenothingformygrate，thoughyoucanseetheoldoutlinestill。IalmostwishIcouldhavehaditinitsoriginalstate。\'
\'Withmoreromanceandlesscomfort。\'
\'Yes，exactly。Well，perhapsthewishisnotdeep-seated。Youwillseehowthethingsaretumbledinanyhow，packing-casesandall。
Theonlypieceofornamentalfurnitureyetunpackedisthisone。\'
\'Anorgan？\'
\'Yes，anorgan。Imadeitmyself，exceptthepipes。Iopenedthecasethisafternoontocommencesoothingmyselfatonce。Itisnotaverylargeone，butquitebigenoughforaprivatehouse。Youplay，Idaresay？\'
\'Thepiano。Iamnotatallusedtoanorgan。\'
\'Youwouldsoonacquirethetouchforanorgan，thoughitwouldspoilyourtouchforthepiano。Notthatthatmattersagreatdeal。
Apianoisn\'tmuchasaninstrument。\'
\'Itisthefashiontosaysonow。Ithinkitisquitegoodenough。\'
\'Thatisn\'taltogetherarightsentimentaboutthingsbeinggoodenough。\'
\'No——no。WhatImeanis，thatthemenwhodespisepianosdoitasarulefromtheirteeth，merelyforfashion\'ssake，becausecleverermenhavesaiditbeforethem——notfromtheexperienceoftheirears。\'
NowCythereaallatoncebrokeintoablushattheconsciousnessofagreatsnubshehadbeenguiltyofinhereagernesstoexplainherself。Hecharitablyexpressedbyalookthathedidnotintheleastmindherblunder，ifitwereone；andthisattitudeforcedhimintoapositionofmentalsuperioritywhichvexedher。
\'Iplayformyprivateamusementonly，\'hesaid。\'Ihaveneverlearnedscientifically。AllIknowiswhatItaughtmyself。\'
Thethunder，lightning，andrainhadnowincreasedtoaterrificforce。Theclouds，fromwhichdarts，forks，zigzags，andballsoffirecontinuallysprang，didnotappeartobemorethanahundredyardsabovetheirheads，andeverynowandthenaflashandapealmadegapsinthesteward\'sdescriptions。Hewenttowardstheorgan，inthemidstofavolleywhichseemedtoshaketheagedhousefromfoundationstochimney。
\'Youarenotgoingtoplaynow，areyou？\'saidCythereauneasily。
\'Oyes。Whynotnow？\'hesaid。\'Youcan\'tgohome，andthereforewemayaswellbeamused，ifyoudon\'tmindsittingonthisbox。
ThefewchairsIhaveunpackedareintheotherroom。\'
Withoutwaitingtoseewhethershesatdownornot，heturnedtotheorganandbeganextemporizingaharmonywhichmeanderedthrougheveryvarietyofexpressionofwhichtheinstrumentwascapable。
Presentlyheceasedandbegansearchingforsomemusic-book。
\'Whatasplendidflash！\'hesaid，asthelightningagainshoneinthroughthemullionedwindow，which，ofaproportiontosuitthewholeextentoftheoriginalhall，wasmuchtoolargeforthepresentroom。Thethunderpealedagain。Cytherea，inspiteofherself，wasfrightened，notonlyattheweather，butatthegeneralunearthlyweirdnesswhichseemedtosurroundherthere。
\'IwishI——thelightningwasn\'tsobright。Doyouthinkitwilllastlong？\'shesaidtimidly。
\'Itcan\'tlastmuchlonger，\'hemurmured，withoutturning，runninghisfingersagainoverthekeys。\'Butthisisnothing，\'hecontinued，suddenlystoppingandregardingher。\'Itseemsbrighterbecauseofthedeepshadowunderthosetreesyonder。Don\'tmindit；
nowlookatme——lookinmyface——now。\'
Hehadfacedthewindow，lookingfixedlyattheskywithhisdarkstrongeyes。Sheseemedcompelledtodoasshewasbidden，andlookedinthetoo-delicatelybeautifulface。
Theflashcame；buthedidnotturnorblink，keepinghiseyesfixedasfirmlyasbefore。\'There，\'hesaid，turningtoher，\'that\'sthewaytolookatlightning。\'
\'O，itmighthaveblindedyou！\'sheexclaimed。
\'Nonsense——notlightningofthissort——Ishouldn\'thavestaredatitiftherehadbeendanger。Itisonlysheet-lightningnow。Now，willyouhaveanotherpiece？Somethingfromanoratoriothistime？\'
\'No，thankyou——Idon\'twanttohearitwhilstitthundersso。\'Buthehadbegunwithoutheedingheranswer，andshestoodmotionlessagain，marvellingatthewonderfulindifferencetoallexternalcircumstancewhichwasnowevincedbyhiscompleteabsorptioninthemusicbeforehim。
\'Whydoyouplaysuchsaddeningchords？\'shesaid，whenhenextpaused。
\'H\'m——becauseIlikethem，Isuppose，\'saidhelightly。\'Don\'tyoulikesadimpressionssometimes？\'
\'Yes，sometimes，perhaps。\'
\'Whenyouarefulloftrouble。\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Well，whyshouldn\'tIwhenIamfulloftrouble？\'
\'Areyoutroubled？\'
\'Iamtroubled。\'Hesaidthisthoughtfullyandabruptly——soabruptlythatshedidnotpushthedialoguefurther。
Henowplayedmorepowerfully。Cythereahadneverheardmusicinthecompletenessoffullorchestralpower，andthetonesoftheorgan，whichreverberatedwithconsiderableeffectinthecomparativelysmallspaceoftheroom，heightenedbytheelementalstrifeoflightandsoundoutside，movedhertoadegreeoutofproportiontotheactualpowerofthemerenotes，practisedaswasthehandthatproducedthem。Thevaryingstrains——nowloud，nowsoft；simple，complicated，weird，touching，grand，boisterous，subdued；eachphasedistinct，yetmodulatingintothenextwithagracefulandeasyflow——shookandbenthertothemselves，asagushingbrookshakesandbendsashadowcastacrossitssurface。
Thepowerofthemusicdidnotshowitselfsomuchbyattractingherattentiontothesubjectofthepiece，asbytakingupanddevelopingasitslibrettothepoemofherownlifeandsoul，shiftingherdeedsandintentionsfromthehandsofherjudgmentandholdingtheminitsown。
Shewasswayedintoemotionalopinionsconcerningthestrangemanbeforeher；newimpulsesofthoughtcamewithnewharmonies，andenteredintoherwithagnawingthrill。Adreadfulflashoflightningthen，andthethundercloseuponit。Shefoundherselfinvoluntarilyshrinkingupbesidehim，andlookingwithpartedlipsathisface。
Heturnedhiseyesandsawheremotion，whichgreatlyincreasedtheidealelementinherexpressiveface。Shewasinthestateinwhichwoman\'sinstincttoconcealhaslostitspoweroverherimpulsetotell；andhesawit。Bendinghishandsomefaceoverhertillhislipsalmosttouchedherear，hemurmured，withoutbreakingtheharmonies——
\'Doyouverymuchlikethispiece？\'
\'Verymuchindeed，\'shesaid。
\'Icouldseeyouwereaffectedbyit。Iwillcopyitforyou。\'
\'Thankyoumuch。\'
\'IwillbringittotheHousetoyouto-morrow。WhoshallIaskfor？\'
\'O，notforme。Don\'tbringit，\'shesaidhastily。\'Ishouldn\'tlikeyouto。\'
\'Letmesee——to-morroweveningatsevenorafewminutespastI
shallbepassingthewaterfallonmywayhome。Icouldconvenientlygiveityouthere，andIshouldlikeyoutohaveit。\'
HemodulatedintothePastoralSymphony，stilllookinginhereyes。
\'Verywell，\'shesaid，togetridofthelook。
Thestormhadbythistimeconsiderablydecreasedinviolence，andinsevenortenminutestheskypartiallycleared，thecloudsaroundthewesternhorizonbecominglightedupwiththeraysofthesinkingsun。
Cythereadrewalongbreathofrelief，andpreparedtogoaway。Shewasfullofadistressingsensethatherdetentionintheoldmanor-
house，andtheacquaintanceshipithadsetonfoot，wasnotathingshewished。Itwassuchafoolishthingtohavebeenexcitedanddraggedintofranknessbythewilesofastranger。
\'Allowmetocomewithyou，\'hesaid，accompanyinghertothedoor，andagainshowingbyhisbehaviourhowmuchhewasimpressedwithher。Hisinfluenceoverherhadvanishedwiththemusicalchords，andsheturnedherbackuponhim。\'MayIcome？\'herepeated。
\'No，no。Thedistanceisnotaquarterofamile——itisreallynotnecessary，thankyou，\'shesaidquietly。Andwishinghimgood-
evening，withoutmeetinghiseyes，shewentdownthesteps，leavinghimstandingatthedoor。
\'O，howisitthatmanhassofascinatedme？\'wasallshecouldthink。Herownself，asshehadsatspell-boundbeforehim，wasallshecouldsee。Hergaitwasconstrained，fromtheknowledgethathiseyeswereuponheruntilshehadpassedthehollowbythewaterfall，andbyascendingtherisehadbecomehiddenfromhisviewbytheboughsoftheoverhangingtrees。
5。SIXTOSEVENP。M。
Thewetshiningroadthrewthewesternglareintohereyeswithaninvidiouslustrewhichrenderedtherestlessnessofhermoodmorewearying。Herthoughtsflewfromideatoideawithoutaskingfortheslightestlinkofconnectionbetweenoneandanother。OnemomentshewasfullofthewildmusicandstirringscenewithManston——thenext，Edward\'simagerosebeforeherlikeashadowyghost。ThenManston\'sblackeyesseemedpiercingheragain，andtherecklessvoluptuousmouthappearedbendingtothecurvesofhisspecialwords。Whatcouldbethosetroublestowhichhehadalluded？PerhapsMissAldclyffewasatthebottomofthem。Sadatheartshepacedon：herlifewasbewilderingher。
OncomingintoMissAldclyffe\'spresenceCythereatoldheroftheincident，notwithoutafearthatshewouldburstintooneofherungovernablefitsoftemperatlearningCytherea\'sslightdeparturefromtheprogramme。But，strangelytoCytherea，MissAldclyffelookeddelighted。Theusualcross-examinationfollowed。
\'Andsoyouwerewithhimallthattime？\'saidthelady，withassumedseverity。
\'Yes，Iwas。\'
\'IdidnottellyoutocallattheOldHousetwice。\'
\'Ididn\'tcall，asIhavesaid。Hemademecomeintotheporch。\'
\'Whatremarksdidhemake，doyousay？\'
\'ThatthelightningwasnotsobadasIthought。\'
\'Averyimportantremark，that。Didhe——\'sheturnedherglancefulluponthegirl，andeyeinghersearchingly，said——
\'DidhesayanythingaboutME？\'
\'Nothing，\'saidCytherea，returninghergazecalmly，\'exceptthatI
wastogiveyouthesubscription。\'
\'Youarequitesure？\'
\'Quite。\'
\'Ibelieveyou。Didhesayanythingstrikingorstrangeabouthimself？\'
\'Onlyonething——thathewastroubled，\'
\'Troubled！\'
Aftersayingtheword，MissAldclyfferelapsedintosilence。Suchbehaviourasthishadended，onmostpreviousoccasions，byhermakingaconfession，andCythereaexpectedonenow。Butforonceshewasmistaken，nothingmorewassaid。
WhenshehadreturnedtoherroomshesatdownandpennedafarewelllettertoEdwardSpringrove，aslittleableasanyotherexcitableandbrimmingyoungwomanofnineteentofeelthatthewisestandonlydignifiedcourseatthatjuncturewastodonothingatall。
Shetoldhimthat，toherpainfulsurprise，shehadlearntthathisengagementtoanotherwomanwasamatterofnotoriety。Sheinsistedthatallhonourbadehimmarryhisearlylove——awomanfarbetterthanherunworthyself，whoonlydeservedtobeforgotten，andbeggedhimtorememberthathewasnottoseeherfaceagain。SheupbraidedhimforlevityandcrueltyinmeetinghersofrequentlyatBudmouth，andaboveallinstealingthekissfromherlipsonthelasteveningofthewaterexcursions。\'Inever，nevercanforgetit！\'shesaid，andthenfeltasensationofhavingdoneherduty，ostensiblypersuadingherselfthatherreproachesandcommandswereofsuchaforcethatnomantowhomtheywereutteredcouldeverapproachhermore。
Yetitwasallunconsciouslysaidinwordswhichbetrayedalingeringtendernessofloveateveryunguardedturn。LikeBeatriceaccusingDantefromthechariot，tryasshemighttoplaythesuperiorbeingwhocontemnedsuchmereeye-sensuousness，shebetrayedateverypointaprettywoman\'sjealousyofarival，andcovertlygaveheroldloverhintsforexcusinghimselfateachfreshindictment。
Thisdone，Cytherea，stillinapracticalmood，upbraidedherselfwithweaknessinallowingastrangerlikeMr。Manstontoinfluenceherashehaddonethatevening。Whatrightonearthhadhetosuggestsosuddenlythatshemightmeethimatthewaterfalltoreceivehismusic？Shewouldhavegivenmuchtobeabletoannihilatetheascendencyhehadobtainedoverherduringthatextraordinaryintervalofmelodioussound。Notbeingabletoendurethenotionofhislivingaminutelongerinthebeliefhewasthenholding，shetookherpenandwrotetohimalso：——
\'KNAPWATERHOUSE
September20th。
\'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno\'clockbythewaterfallasI
promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。
\'C。GRAYE。\'
Agreatstatesmanthinksseveraltimes，andacts；ayoungladyacts，andthinksseveraltimes。When，afewminuteslater，shesawthepostmancarryoffthebagcontainingoneoftheletters，andamessengerwiththeother，she，forthefirsttime，askedherselfthequestionwhethershehadactedverywiselyinwritingtoeitherofthetwomenwhohadsoinfluencedher。
IX。THEEVENTSOFTENWEEKS
1。FROMSEPTEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRSTTOTHEMIDDLEOFNOVEMBER
TheforemostfigurewithinCytherea\'shorizon，exclusiveoftheinmatesofKnapwaterHouse，wasnowthesteward，Mr。Manston。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldlivewithinaquarterofamileofeachother，beengagedinthesameservice，andattendthesamechurch，withoutmeetingatsomespotoranother，twiceorthriceaweek。OnSundays，inherpew，whenbychancesheturnedherhead，Cythereafoundhiseyeswaitingdesirouslyforaglimpseofhers，and，atfirstmorestrangely，theeyesofMissAldclyffefurtivelyrestingonhim。OncomingoutofchurchhefrequentlywalkedbesideCythereatillshereachedthegateatwhichresidentsintheHouseturnedintotheshrubbery。Bydegreesaconjecturegrewtoacertainty。Sheknewthathelovedher。
Butastrangefactwasconnectedwiththedevelopmentofhislove。
Hewaspalpablymakingthestrongesteffortstosubdue，oratleasttohide，theweakness，andasitsometimesseemed，ratherfromhisownconsciencethanfromsurroundingeyes。Henceshefoundthatnotoneofhisencounterswithherwasanythingmorethantheresultofpureaccident。Hemadenoadvanceswhatever：withoutavoidingher，heneversoughther：thewordshehadwhisperedattheirfirstinterviewnowprovedthemselvestobequiteasmuchtheresultofunguardedimpulseaswasheranswer。Somethingheldhimback，boundhisimpulsedown，butshesawthatitwasneitherprideofhisperson，norfearthatshewouldrefusehim——acoursesheunhesitatinglyresolvedtotakeshouldhethinkfittodeclarehimself。Shewasinterestedinhimandhismarvellousbeauty，asshemighthavebeeninsomefascinatingpantherorleopard——forsomeundefinablereasonsheshrankfromhim，evenwhilstsheadmired。
Thekeynoteofhernature，awarm\'precipitanceofsoul，\'asColeridgehappilywritesit，whichManstonhadsodirectlypounceduponattheirveryfirstinterview，gavehernowatremuloussenseofbeinginsomewayinhispower。
Thestateofmindwas，onthewhole，adangerousoneforayoungandinexperiencedwoman；andperhapsthecircumstancewhich，morethananyother，ledhertocherishEdward\'simagenow，wasthathehadtakennonoticeofthereceiptofherletter，statingthatshediscardedhim。Itwasplainthen，shesaid，thathedidnotcaredeeplyforher，andshethereuponcouldnotquiteleaveoffcaringdeeplyforhim：——
\'Ingeniummulierum，Noluntubivelis，ubinoliscupiuntultro。\'
ThemonthofOctoberpassed，andNovemberbeganitscourse。TheinhabitantsofthevillageofCarrifordgrewwearyofsupposingthatMissAldclyffewasgoingtomarryhersteward。Newwhispersaroseandbecameverydistinct(thoughtheydidnotreachMissAldclyffe\'sears)totheeffectthatthestewardwasdeeplyinlovewithCythereaGraye。Indeed，thefactbecamesoobviousthattherewasnothinglefttosayaboutitexceptthattheirmarriagewouldbeanexcellentoneforboth；——forherinpointofcomfort——andforhiminpointoflove。
