7。AQUARTER-PASTEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。
Thereisanattitude——approximativelycalledpensive——inwhichthesoulofahumanbeing，andespeciallyofawoman，dominatesoutwardlyandexpressesitspresencesostrongly，thattheintangibleessenceseemsmoreapparentthanthebodyitself。ThiswasCytherea\'sexpressionnow。WhatolddaysandsunnyevesatBudmouthBaywasshepicturing？Herreveriehadcausedhernottonoticehisknock。
\'Cytherea！\'hesaidsoftly。
Sheletdropherhand，andturnedherhead，evidentlythinkingthathervisitorcouldbenootherthanManston，yetpuzzledatthevoice。
TherewasnoprefaceonSpringrove\'stongue；heforgothisposition——
hers——thathehadcometoaskquietlyifManstonhadotherproofsofbeingawidower——everything——andjumpedtoaconclusion。
\'Youarenothiswife，Cytherea——comeaway，hehasawifeliving！\'
hecriedinanagitatedwhisper。\'Owenwillbeheredirectly。\'
Shestartedup，recognizedthetidingsfirst，thebearerofthemafterwards。\'Nothiswife？O，whatisit——what——whoisliving？\'
Sheawokebydegrees。\'WhatmustIdo？Edward，itisyou！Whydidyoucome？WhereisOwen？\'
\'WhathasManstonshownyouinproofofthedeathofhisotherwife？
Tellmequick。\'
\'Nothing——wehaveneverspokenofthesubject。WhereismybrotherOwen？Iwanthim，Iwanthim！\'
\'Heiscomingby-and-by。Cometothestationtomeethim——do，\'
imploredSpringrove。\'IfMr。Manstoncomes，hewillkeepyoufromme：Iamnobody，\'headdedbitterly，feelingthereproachherwordshadfaintlyshadowedforth。
\'Mr。Manstonisonlygoneouttopostaletterhehasjustwritten，\'
shesaid，andwithoutbeingdistinctlycognizantoftheaction，shewildlylookedforherbonnetandcloak，andbeganputtingthemon，butintheactoffasteningthemutteredaspasmodiccry。
\'No，I\'llnotgooutwithyou，\'shesaid，flingingthearticlesdownagain。Runningtothedoorsheflittedalongthepassage，anddownstairs。
\'Givemeaprivateroom——quiteprivate，\'shesaidbreathlesslytosomeonebelow。
\'Numbertwelveisasingleroom，madam，andunoccupied，\'saidsometongueinastonishment。
Withoutwaitingforanypersontoshowherintoit，Cythereahurriedupstairsagain，brushedthroughthecorridor，enteredtheroomspecified，andclosedthedoor。Edwardheardhersobout——
\'NobodybutOwenshallspeaktome——nobody！\'
\'Hewillbeheredirectly，\'saidSpringrove，closeagainstthepanel，andthenwenttowardsthestairs。Hehadseenher；itwasenough。
Hedescended，steppedintothestreet，andhastenedtomeetOwenattherailway-station。
Asforthepoormaidenwhohadreceivedthenews，sheknewnotwhattothink。ShelistenedtilltheechoofEdward\'sfootstepshaddiedaway，thenbowedherfaceuponthebed。Hersuddenimpulsehadbeentoescapefromsight。Herwearinessaftertheunwontedstrain，mentalandbodily，whichhadbeenputuponherbythescenesshehadpassedthroughduringthelongday，renderedhermuchmoretimidandshakenbyherpositionthanshewouldnaturallyhavebeen。Shethoughtandthoughtofthatsinglefactwhichhadbeentoldher——
thatthefirstMrs。Manstonwasstillliving——tillherbrainseemedreadytoburstitsconfinementwithexcessofthrobbing。Itwasonlynaturalthatsheshould，bydegrees，beunabletoseparatethediscovery，whichwasmatteroffact，fromthesuspicionoftreacheryonherhusband\'spart，whichwasonlymatterofinference。Andthustherearoseinherapersonalfearofhim。
\'Supposeheshouldcomeinnowandseizeme！\'Thisatfirstmerefrenziedsuppositiongrewbydegreestoadefinitehorrorofhispresence，andespeciallyofhisintensegaze。Thussheraisedherselftoaheatofexcitement，whichwasnonethelessrealforbeingventedinnocryofanykind。No；shecouldnotmeetManston\'seyealone，shewouldonlyseehiminherbrother\'scompany。
Almostdeliriouswiththisidea，sheranandlockedthedoortopreventallpossibilityofherintentionsbeingnullified，oralookorwordbeingflungatherbyanybodywhilstsheknewnotwhatshewas。
8。HALF-PASTEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。
ThenCythereafeltherwayamidthedarknessoftheroomtillshecametotheheadofthebed，whereshesearchedforthebell-ropeandgaveitapull。Hersummonswasspeedilyansweredbythelandladyherself，whosecuriositytoknowthemeaningofthesestrangeproceedingsknewnobounds。Thelandladyattemptedtoturnthehandleofthedoor。Cythereakeptthedoorlocked。\'PleasetellMr。ManstonwhenhecomesthatIamill，\'shesaidfromtheinside，\'andthatIcannotseehim。\'
\'CertainlyIwill，madam，\'saidthelandlady。\'Won\'tyouhaveafire？\'
\'No，thankyou。\'
\'Noralight？\'
\'Idon\'twantone，thankyou。\'
\'Noranything？\'
\'Nothing。\'
Thelandladywithdrew，thinkinghervisitorhalfinsane。
Manstoncameinaboutfiveminuteslater，andwentatonceuptothesitting-room，fullyexpectingtofindhiswifethere。Helookedround，rang，andwastoldthewordsCythereahadsaid，thatshewastooilltobeseen。
\'Sheisinnumbertwelveroom，\'addedthemaid。
Manstonwasalarmed，andknockedatthedoor。\'Cytherea！\'
\'Iamunwell，Icannotseeyou，\'shesaid。
\'Areyouseriouslyill，dearest？Surelynot。\'
\'No，notseriously。\'
\'Letmecomein；Iwillgetadoctor。\'
\'No，hecan\'tseemeeither。\'
\'Shewon\'topenthedoor，sir，nottonobodyatall！\'saidthechambermaid，withwonder-waitingeyes。
\'Holdyourtongue，andbeoff！\'saidManstonwithasnap。
Themaidvanished。
\'Come，Cytherea，thisisfoolish——indeeditis——notopeningthedoor……Icannotcomprehendwhatcanbethematterwithyou。
Norcanadoctoreither，unlessheseesyou。\'
Hervoicehadtrembledmoreandmoreateachanswershegave，butnothingcouldinducehertocomeoutandconfronthim。Hatingscenes，Manstonwentbacktothesitting-room，greatlyirritatedandperplexed。
AndthereCythereafromtheadjoiningroomcouldhearhimpacingupanddown。Shethought，\'Supposeheinsistsuponseeingme——heprobablymay——andwillburstopenthedoor！\'Thisnotionincreased，andshesankintoacornerinahalf-somnolentstate，butwithearsalivetotheslightestsound。ReasoncouldnotoverthrowthedeliriousfancythatoutsideherdoorstoodManstonandallthepeopleinthehotel，waitingtolaughhertoscorn。
9。HALF-PASTEIGHTTOELEVENP。M。
Inthemeantime，Springrovewaspacingupanddownthearrivalplatformoftherailway-station。Half-pasteighto\'clock——thetimeatwhichOwen\'strainwasdue——hadcome，andpassed，butnotrainappeared。
\'Whenwilltheeight-thirtytrainbein？\'heaskedofamanwhowassweepingthemudfromthesteps。
\'Sheisnotexpectedyetthishour。\'
\'Howisthat？\'
\'Christmas-time，yousee，\'tisalwaysso。Peoplearerunningabouttoseetheirfriends。ThetrainshavebeenlikeiteversinceChristmasEve，andwillbeforanotherweekyet。\'
Edwardagainwentonwalkingandwaitingunderthedraughtyroof。
Hefounditutterlyimpossibletoleavethespot。HismindwassointentupontheimportanceofmeetingwithOwen，andinforminghimofCytherea\'swhereabouts，thathecouldnotbutfancyOwenmightleavethestationunobservedifheturnedhisback，andbecomelosttohiminthestreetsofthetown。
Thehourexpired。Teno\'clockstruck。\'Whenwillthetrainbein？\'
saidEdwardtothetelegraphclerk。
\'Infive-and-thirtyminutes。She\'snowatL。Theyhaveextrapassengers，andtherailsarebadto-day。\'
Atlast，ataquartertoeleven，thetraincamein。
ThefirsttoalightfromitwasOwen，lookingpaleandcold。Hecasuallyglancedrounduponthenearlydesertedplatform，andwashurryingtotheoutlet，whenhiseyesfelluponEdward。Atsightofhisfriendhewasquitebewildered，andcouldnotspeak。
\'HereIam，Mr。Graye，\'saidEdwardcheerfully。\'IhaveseenCytherea，andshehasbeenwaitingforyouthesetwoorthreehours。\'
OwentookEdward\'shand，pressedit，andlookedathiminsilence。
Suchwastheconcentrationofhismind，thatnottillmanyminutesafterdidhethinkofinquiringhowSpringrovehadcontrivedtobetherebeforehim。
10。ELEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。
Ontheirarrivalatthedoorofthehotel，itwasarrangedbetweenSpringroveandGrayethatthelatteronlyshouldenter，Edwardwaitingoutside。Owenhadrememberedcontinuallywhathisfriendhadfrequentlyoverlooked，thattherewasyetapossibilityofhissisterbeingManston\'swife，andtherecollectiontaughthimtoavoidanyrashnessinhisproceedingswhichmightleadtobitternesshereafter。
Enteringtheroom，hefoundManstonsittinginthechairwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyCythereaonEdward\'svisit，threehoursearlier。
BeforeOwenhadspoken，Manstonarose，andsteppingpasthimclosedthedoor。Hisfaceappearedharassed——muchmoretroubledthantheslightcircumstancewhichhadasyetcometohisknowledgeseemedtoaccountfor。
ManstoncouldformnoreasonforOwen\'spresence，butintuitivelylinkeditwithCytherea\'sseclusion。\'Altogetherthisismostunseemly，\'hesaid，\'whateveritmaymean。\'
\'Don\'tthinkthereismeantanythingunfriendlybymycominghere，\'
saidOwenearnestly；\'butlistentothis，andthinkifIcoulddootherwisethancome。\'
HetookfromhispockettheconfessionofChinneytheporter，ashastilywrittenoutbythevicar，andreaditaloud。TheaspectsofManston\'sfacewhilsthelistenedtotheopeningwordswerestrange，dark，andmysteriousenoughtohavejustifiedsuspicionsthatnodeceitcouldbetoocomplicatedforthepossessorofsuchimpulses，hadtherenotoverriddenthemall，asthereadingwenton，anewandirrepressibleexpression——oneunmistakablyhonest。Itwasthatofunqualifiedamazementinthesteward\'smindatthenewsheheard。
Owenlookedupandsawit。Thesightonlyconfirmedhiminthebeliefhehadheldthroughout，inantagonismtoEdward\'ssuspicions。
TherecouldnolongerbeashadowofdoubtthatifthefirstMrs。
Manstonlived，herhusbandwasignorantofthefact。Whathecouldhavefearedbyhisghastlylookatfirst，andnowhaveceasedtofear，itwasquitefutiletoconjecture。
\'NowIdonotforamomentdoubtyourcompleteignoranceofthewholematter；youcannotsupposeforaninstantthatIdo，\'saidOwenwhenhehadfinishedreading。\'ButisitnotbestforboththatCythereashouldcomebackwithmetillthematterisclearedup？Infact，underthecircumstances，noothercourseisleftopentomethantorequestit。\'
WhateverManston\'soriginalfeelingshadbeen，allinhimnowgavewaytoirritation，andirritationtorage。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtillhehadmasteredit；thensaidinordinarytones——
\'Certainly，Iknownomorethanyouandothersknow——itwasagratuitousunpleasantnessinyoutosayyoudidnotdoubtme。Whyshouldyou，oranybody，havedoubtedme？\'
\'Well，whereismysister？\'saidOwen。
\'Lockedinthenextroom。\'
HisownanswerremindedManstonthatCythereamust，bysomeinscrutablemeans，havehadaninklingoftheevent。
OwenhadgonetothedoorofCytherea\'sroom。
\'Cytherea，darling——\'tisOwen，\'hesaid，outsidethedoor。A
rustlingofclothes，softfootsteps，andavoicesayingfromtheinside，\'Isitreallyyou，Owen，——isitreally？\'
\'Itis。\'
\'O，willyoutakecareofme？\'
\'Always。\'
Sheunlockedthedoor，andretreatedagain。Manstoncameforwardfromtheotherroomwithacandleinhishand，asOwenpushedopenthedoor。
Herfrightenedeyeswereunnaturallylarge，andshonelikestarsinthedarknessofthebackground，asthelightfelluponthem。SheleaptuptoOweninonebound，hersmalltaperfingersextendedliketheleavesofalupine。Thensheclaspedhercoldandtremblinghandsroundhisneckandshivered。
ThesightofheragainkindledallManston\'spassionsintoactivity。
\'Sheshallnotgowithyou，\'hesaidfirmly，andsteppingapaceortwocloser，\'unlessyouprovethatsheisnotmywife；andyoucan\'tdoit！\'
\'Thisisproof，\'saidOwen，holdingupthepaper。
\'Noproofatall，\'saidManstonhotly。\'\'Tisnotadeath-bedconfession，andthosearetheonlythingsofthekindheldasgoodevidence。\'
\'Sendforalawyer，\'Owenreturned，\'andlethimtellusthepropercoursetoadopt。\'
\'Nevermindthelaw——letmegowithOwen！\'criedCytherea，stillholdingontohim。\'Youwillletmegowithhim，won\'tyou，sir？\'
shesaid，turningappealinglytoManston。
\'We\'llhaveitallrightandsquare，\'saidManston，withmorequietness。\'Ihavenoobjectiontoyourbrothersendingforalawyer，ifhewantsto。\'
Itwasgettingonfortwelveo\'clock，buttheproprietorofthehotelhadnotyetgonetobedonaccountofthemysteryonthefirstfloor，whichwasanoccurrenceunusualinthequietfamilylodging。
Owenlookedoverthebanisters，andsawhimstandinginthehall。
ItstruckGrayethatthewisestcoursewouldbetotakethelandlordtoacertainextentintotheirconfidence，appealtohishonourasagentleman，andsoon，inordertoacquiretheinformationhewanted，andalsotopreventtheepisodeoftheeveningfrombecomingapublicpieceofnews。Hecalledthelandlorduptowheretheystood，andtoldhimthemainfactsofthestory。
Thelandlordwasfortunatelyaquiet，prejudicedman，andameditativesmoker。
\'Iknowtheverymanyouwanttosee——theveryman，\'hesaid，lookingatthegeneralfeaturesofthecandle-flame。\'Sharpasaneedle，andnotover-rich。Timmswillputyouallstraightinnotime——trustTimmsforthat。\'
\'He\'sinbedbythistimeforcertain，\'saidOwen。
\'Nevermindthat——Timmsknowsme，Iknowhim。He\'llobligemeasapersonalfavour。Waithereabit。Perhaps，too，he\'supatsomepartyoranother——he\'sanice，jovialfellow，sharpasaneedle，too；mindyou，sharpasaneedle，too。\'
Hewentdownstairs，putonhisovercoat，andleftthehouse，thethreepersonsmostconcernedenteringtheroom，andstandingmotionless，awkward，andsilentinthemidstofit。Cythereapicturedtoherselfthelongwearyminutesshewouldhavetostandthere，whilstasleepymancouldbepreparedforconsultation，tilltheconstraintbetweenthemseemedunendurabletoher——shecouldneverlastoutthetime。OwenwasannoyedthatManstonhadnotquietlyarrangedwithhimatonce；ManstonatOwen\'shomelinessofideainproposingtosendforanattorney，asifhewouldbeatouchstoneofinfallibleproof。
Reflectionwascutshortbytheapproachoffootsteps，andinafewmomentstheproprietorofthehotelentered，introducinghisfriend。
\'Mr。Timmshasnotbeeninbed，\'hesaid；\'hehadjustreturnedfromdiningwithafewfriends，sothere\'snotroublegiven。TosavetimeIexplainedthematteraswecamealong。\'
ItoccurredtoOwenandManstonboththattheymightgetamistyexpositionofthelawfromMr。Timmsatthatmomentofconcludingdinnerwithafewfriends。
\'AsfarasIcansee，\'saidthelawyer，yawning，andturninghisvisioninwardbymainforce，\'itisquiteamatterforprivatearrangementbetweentheparties，whoeverthepartiesare——atleastatpresent。Ispeakmoreasafatherthanasalawyer，itistrue，but，lettheyoungladystaywithherfather，orguardian，safeoutofshame\'sway，untilthemysteryissifted，whateverthemysteryis。Shouldtheevidenceprovetobefalse，ortrumpedupbyanybodytogetherawayfromyou，herhusband，youmaysuethemforthedamagesaccruingfromthedelay。\'
\'Yes，yes，\'saidManston，whohadcompletelyrecoveredhisself-
possessionandcommon-sense；\'letitallbesettledbyherself。\'
TurningtoCythereahewhisperedsosoftlythatOwendidnothearthewords——
\'Doyouwishtogobackwithyourbrother，dearest，andleavemeheremiserable，andlonely，orwillyoustaywithme，yourownhusband。\'
\'I\'llgobackwithOwen。\'
\'Verywell。\'Herelinquishedhiscoaxingtone，andwentonsternly：
\'Andrememberthis，Cytherea，Iamasinnocentofdeceptioninthisthingasyouareyourself。Doyoubelieveme？\'
\'Ido，\'shesaid。
\'Ihadnoshadowofsuspicionthatmyfirstwifelived。Idon\'tthinkshedoesevennow。Doyoubelieveme？\'
\'Ibelieveyou，\'shesaid。
\'Andnow，good-evening，\'hecontinued，openingthedoorandpolitelyintimatingtothethreemenstandingbythattherewasnofurthernecessityfortheirremaininginhisroom。\'InthreedaysIshallclaimher。\'
Thelawyerandthehotel-keeperretiredfirst。Owen，gatheringupasmuchofhissister\'sclothingaslayabouttheroom，tookheruponhisarm，andfollowedthem。Edward，towhomsheowedeverything，whohadbeenleftstandinginthestreetlikeadogwithoutahome，wasutterlyforgotten。Owenpaidthelandlordandthelawyerforthetroublehehadoccasionedthem，lookedtothepacking，andwenttothedoor。
Afly，whichsomewhatunaccountablywasseenlingeringinfrontofthehouse，wascalledup，andCytherea\'sluggageputuponit。
\'Doyouknowofanyhotelnearthestationthatisopenfornightarrivals？\'Oweninquiredofthedriver。
\'Aplacehasbeenbespokeforyou，sir，attheWhiteUnicorn——andthegentlemanwishedmetogiveyouthis。\'
\'BespokenbySpringrove，whoorderedthefly，ofcourse，\'saidOwentohimself。Bythelightofthestreet-lamphereadtheselines，hurriedlytracedinpencil：——
\'Ihavegonehomebythemail-train。ItisbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldbeoutoftheway。TellCythereathatIapologizeforhavingcausedhersuchunnecessarypain，asitseemsIdid——butitcannotbehelpednow。E。S。\'
Owenhandedhissisterintothevehicle，andtoldtheflymantodriveon。
\'PoorSpringrove——Ithinkwehaveservedhimratherbadly，\'hesaidtoCytherea，repeatingthewordsofthenotetoher。
Athrillofpleasurepassedthroughherbosomasshelistenedtothem。Theywerethegenuinereproachofalovertohismistress；
thetriflingcoldnessofheranswertohimwouldhavebeennoticedbynomanwhowasonlyafriend。But，inentertainingthatsweetthought，shehadforgottenherself，andherpositionfortheinstant。
WasshestillManston\'swife——thatwastheterriblesupposition，andherfutureseemedstillapossiblemiserytoher。For，onaccountofthelatejarringaccident，alifewithManstonwhichwouldotherwisehavebeenonlyasadness，mustbecomeaburdenofunutterablesorrow。
Thenshethoughtofthemisrepresentationandscandalthatwouldensueifshewerenowife。Onecauseforthankfulnessaccompaniedthereflection；Edwardknewthetruth。
Theysoonreachedthequietoldinn，whichhadbeenselectedforthembytheforethoughtofthemanwholovedherwell。Heretheyinstalledthemselvesforthenight，arrangingtogotoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextday。
AtthishourEdwardSpringrovewasfastapproachinghisnativecountyonthewheelsofthenight-mail。
XIV。THEEVENTSOFFIVEWEEKS
1。FROMTHESIXTHTOTHETHIRTEENTHOFJANUARY
Manstonhadevidentlyresolvedtodonothinginahurry。
Thismuchwasplain，thathisearnestdesireandintentionwastoraiseinCytherea\'sbosomnofeelingsofpermanentaversiontohim。
TheinstantafterthefirstburstofdisappointmenthadescapedhiminthehotelatSouthampton，hehadseenhowfarbetteritwouldbetoloseherpresenceforaweekthanherrespectforever。
\'Sheshallbemine；Iwillclaimtheyoungthingyet，\'heinsisted。
Andthenheseemedtoreasonovermethodsforcompassingthatobject，which，toallthosewhowereinanydegreeacquaintedwiththerecentevent，appearedtheleastlikelyofpossiblecontingencies。
HereturnedtoKnapwaterlatethenextday，andwaspreparingtocallonMissAldclyffe，whentheconclusionforceditselfuponhimthatnothingwouldbegainedbysuchastep。No；everyactionofhisshouldbedoneopenly——evenreligiously。Atleast，hecalledontherector，andstatedthistobehisresolve。
\'Certainly，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'itisbesttoproceedcandidlyandfairly，orunduesuspicionmayfallonyou。Youshould，inmyopinion，takeactivestepsatonce。\'
\'Iwilldotheutmostthatliesinmypowertoclearupthemystery，andsilencethehubbubofgossipthathasbeensetgoingaboutme。
ButwhatcanIdo？Theysaythatthemanwhocomesfirstinthechainofinquiryisnottobefound——Imeantheporter。\'
\'Iamsorrytosaythatheisnot。WhenIreturnedfromthestationlastnight，afterseeingOwenGrayeoff，Iwentagaintothecottagewherehehasbeenlodging，togetmoreintelligence，asIthought。
Hewasnotthere。Hehadgoneoutatdusk，sayinghewouldbebacksoon。Buthehasnotcomebackyet。\'
\'Iratherdoubtifweshallseehimagain。\'
\'HadIknownofthis，IwouldhavedonewhatinmyflurryIdidnotthinkofdoing——setawatchuponhim。Butwhynotadvertiseforyourmissingwifeasapreliminary，consultingyoursolicitorinthemeantime？\'
\'Advertise。I\'llthinkaboutit，\'saidManston，lingeringonthewordashepronouncedit。\'Yes，thatseemsarightthing——quitearightthing。\'
Hewenthomeandremainedmoodilyindoorsallthenextdayandthenext——fornearlyaweek，inshort。Then，oneeveningatdusk，hewentoutwithanuncertainairastothedirectionofhiswalk，whichresulted，however，inleadinghimagaintotherectory。
HesawMr。Raunham。\'Haveyoudoneanythingyet？\'therectorinquired。
\'No——Ihavenot，\'saidManstonabsently。\'ButIamgoingtosetaboutit。\'Hehesitated，asifashamedofsomeweaknesshewasabouttobetray。\'MyobjectincallingwastoaskifyouhadheardanytidingsfromBudmouthofmy——Cytherea。Youusedtospeakofherasoneyouwereinterestedin。\'
Therewas，atanyrate，realsadnessinManston\'stonenow，andtherectorpausedtoweighhiswordserehereplied。
\'Ihavenothearddirectlyfromher，\'hesaidgently。\'Butherbrotherhascommunicatedwithsomepeopleintheparish——\'
\'TheSpringroves，Isuppose，\'saidManstongloomily。
\'Yes；andtheytellmethatsheisveryill，andIamsorrytosay，likelytobeforsomedays。\'
\'Surely，surely，Imustgoandseeher！\'Manstoncried。
\'Iwouldadviseyounottogo，\'saidRaunham。\'Butdothisinstead——
beasquickasyoucaninmakingamovementtowardsascertainingthetruthasregardstheexistenceofyourwife。Yousee，Mr。
Manston，anout-stepplacelikethisisnotlikeacity，andthereisnobodytobusyhimselfforthegoodofthecommunity；whilstpoorCythereaandherbrotheraresociallytoodependenttobeabletomakemuchstirinthematter，whichisagreaterreasonstillwhyyoushouldbedisinterestedlyprompt。\'
Thestewardmurmuredanassent。Stilltherewasthesameindecision！——nottheindecisionofweakness——theindecisionofconsciousperplexity。
OnManston\'sreturnfromthisinterviewattherectory，hepassedthedooroftheRisingSunInn。Findinghehadnolightforhiscigar，anditbeingthree-quartersofamiletohisresidenceinthepark，heenteredthetaverntogetone。NobodywasintheouterportionofthefrontroomwhereManstonstood，butaspaceroundthefirewasscreenedofffromtheremainder，andinsidethehighoaksettle，formingapartofthescreen，heheardvoicesconversing。
Thespeakershadnotnoticedhisfootsteps，andcontinuedtheirdiscourse。
Oneofthetwoherecognizedasawell-knownnight-poacher，themanwhohadmethimwithtidingsofhiswife\'sdeathontheeveningoftheconflagration。Theotherseemedtobeastrangerfollowingthesamemodeoflife。Theconversationwascarriedonintheemphaticandconfidentialtoneofmenwhoareslightlyintoxicated，itssubjectbeinganunaccountableexperiencethatoneofthemhadhadonthenightofthefire。
Whatthestewardheardwasenough，andmorethanenough，toleadhimtoforgetortorenouncehismotiveinentering。Theeffectuponhimwasstrangeandstrong。Hisfirstobjectseemedtobetoescapefromthehouseagainwithoutbeingseenorheard。
Havingaccomplishedthis，hewentinattheparkgate，andstrodeoffunderthetreestotheOldHouse。Theresittingdownbythefire，andburyinghimselfinreflection，heallowedtheminutestopassbyunheeded。Firstthecandleburntdowninitssocketandstunk：hedidnotnoticeit。Thenthefirewentout：hedidnotseeit。Hisfeetgrewcold；stillhethoughton。
Itmayberemarkedthatalady，ayearandaquarterbeforethistime，had，underthesameconditions——anunrestrictedmentalabsorption——shownnearlythesamepeculiaritiesasthismanevincednow。TheladywasMissAldclyffe。
Itwashalf-pasttwelvewhenManstonmoved，asifhehadcometoadetermination。
ThefirstthinghedidthenextmorningwastocallatKnapwaterHouse；wherehefoundthatMissAldclyffewasnotwellenoughtoseehim。ShehadbeenailingfromslightinternalhaemorrhageeversincetheconfessionoftheporterChinney。Apparentlynotmuchaggrievedatthedenial，heshortlyafterwardswenttotherailway-
stationandtookhisdepartureforLondon，leavingaletterforMissAldclyffe，statingthereasonofhisjourneythither——torecovertracesofhismissingwife。
Duringtheremainderoftheweekparagraphsappearedinthelocalandothernewspapers，drawingattentiontothefactsofthissingularcase。Thewriters，withscarcelyanexception，dweltforciblyuponafeaturewhichhadatfirstescapedtheobservationofthevillagers，includingMr。Raunham——thatiftheannouncementofthemanChinneyweretrue，itseemedextremelyprobablethatMrs。
Manstonleftherwatchandkeysbehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape；andthatthereforeshewouldnotnowletherselfbediscovered，unlessastrongpressurewereputuponher。Thewritersaddedthatthepolicewereonthetrackoftheporter，whoverypossiblyhadabscondedinthefearthathisreticencewascriminal，andthatMr。Manston，thehusband，was，withpraiseworthyenergy，makingeveryefforttoclearthewholematterup。
2。FROMTHEEIGHTEENTHTOTHEENDOFJANUARY
Fivedaysfromthetimeofhisdeparture，ManstonreturnedfromLondonandLiverpool，lookingveryfatiguedandthoughtful。Heexplainedtotherectorandotherofhisacquaintancethatalltheinquirieshehadmadeathiswife\'soldlodgingsandhisownhadbeentotallybarrenofresults。
Butheseemedinclinedtopushtheaffairtoaclearconclusionnowthathehadcommenced。Afterthelapseofanotherdayortwoheproceededtofulfilhispromisetotherector，andadvertisedforthemissingwomaninthreeoftheLondonpapers。Theadvertisementwasacarefullyconsideredandevenattractiveeffusion，calculatedtowintheheart，oratleasttheunderstanding，ofanywomanwhohadasparkofherownnatureleftinher。
Therewasnoanswer。
Threedayslaterherepeatedtheexperiment；withthesameresultasbefore。
\'Icannottryanyfurther，\'saidManstonspeciouslytotherector，hissoleauditorthroughouttheproceedings。\'Mr。Raunham，I\'lltellyouthetruthplainly：Idon\'tloveher；IdoloveCytherea，andthewholeofthisbusinessofsearchingfortheotherwomangoesaltogetheragainstme。IhopetoGodIshallneverseeheragain。\'
\'Butyouwilldoyourdutyatleast？\'saidMr。Raunham。
\'Ihavedoneit，\'saidManston。\'Ifeveramanonthefaceofthisearthhasdonehisdutytowardsanabsentwife，Ihavetowardsher——
livingordead——atleast，\'headded，correctinghimself，\'sinceI
havelivedatKnapwater。Ineglectedherbeforethattime——Iownthat，asIhaveowneditbefore。\'
\'Ishould，ifIwereyou，adoptothermeanstogettidingsofherifadvertisingfails，inspiteofmyfeelings，\'saidtherectoremphatically。\'Butatanyrate，tryadvertisingoncemore。There\'sasatisfactioninhavingmadeanyattemptthreeseveraltimes。\'
WhenManstonhadleftthestudy，therectorstoodlookingatthefireforaconsiderablelengthoftime，lostinprofoundreflection。
Hewenttohisprivatediary，andaftermanypauses，whichhevariedonlybydippinghispen，lettingitdry，wipingitonhissleeve，andthendippingitagain，hetookthefollowingnoteofevents：——
\'January25——Mr。Manstonhasjustseenmeforthethirdtimeonthesubjectofhislostwife。Therehavebeenthesepeculiaritiesattendingthethreeinterviews：——
\'Thefirst。Myvisitor，whilstexpressingbywordshisgreatanxietytodoeverythingforherrecovery，showedplainlybyhisbearingthathewasconvincedheshouldneverseeheragain。
\'Thesecond。Hehadleftofffeigninganxietytodorightlybyhisfirstwife，andhonestlyaskedafterCytherea\'swelfare。
\'Thethird(andmostremarkable)。Heseemedtohavelostallconsistency。WhilstexpressinghisloveforCytherea(whichcertainlyisstrong)andevincingtheusualindifferencetothefirstMrs。Manston\'sfate，hewasunabletoconcealtheintensityofhiseagernessformetoadvisehimtoADVERTISEAGAINforher。\'
Aweekafterthesecond，thethirdadvertisementwasinserted。A
paragraphwasattached，whichstatedthatthiswouldbethelasttimetheannouncementwouldappear。
3。THEFIRSTOFFEBRUARY
Atthis，theeleventhhour，thepostmanbroughtaletterforManston，directedinawoman\'shand。
Abachelorfriendofthesteward\'s，Mr。Dicksonbyname，whowassomewhatofachatterer——plenusrimarum——andwhoboastedofanendlessstringofacquaintances，hadcomeoverfromCasterbridgetheprecedingdaybyinvitation——aninvitationwhichhadbeenapleasantsurprisetoDicksonhimself，insomuchthatManston，asarule，votedhimaborealmosttohisface。Hehadstayedoverthenight，andwassittingatbreakfastwithhishostwhentheimportantmissivearrived。
Manstondidnotattempttoconcealthesubjectoftheletter，orthenameofthewriter。Firstglancingthepagesthrough，hereadaloudasfollows：——
\'“MYHUSBAND，——Iimploreyourforgiveness。
\'“DuringthelastthirteenmonthsIhaverepeatedtomyselfahundredtimesthatyoushouldneverdiscoverwhatIvoluntarilytellyounow，namely，thatIamaliveandinperfecthealth。
\'“Ihaveseenallyouradvertisements。Nothingbutyourpersistencehaswonmeround。Surely，Ithought，heMUSTlovemestill。Whyelseshouldhetrytowinbackawomanwho，faithfuluntodeathasshewillbe，can，inasocialsense，aidhimtowardsacquiringnothing？——ratherthereverse，indeed。
\'“Youyourselfstatemyownmind——thattheonlygroundsuponwhichwecanmeetandlivetogether，withareasonablehopeofhappiness，mustbeamutualconsenttoburyinoblivionallpastdifferences。
Iheartilyandwillinglyforgeteverything——andforgiveeverything。
Youwilldothesame，asyouractionsshow。
\'“Therewillbeplentyofopportunityformetoexplainthefewfactsrelatingtomyescapeonthenightofthefire。Iwillonlygivetheheadsinthishurriednote。Iwasgrievedatyournotcomingtofetchme，moregrievedatyourabsencefromthestation，mostofallbyyourabsencefromhome。OnmyjourneytotheinnI
writhedunderapassionatesenseofwrongdoneme。WhenIhadbeenshowntomyroomIwaitedandhopedforyoutillthelandlordhadgoneupstairstobed。Istillfoundthatyoudidnotcome，andthenIfinallymadeupmymindtoleave。Ihadhalfundressed，butIputonmythingsagain，forgettingmywatch(andIsupposedroppingmykeys，thoughIamnotsurewhere)inmyhurry，andslippedoutofthehouse。The——“\'
\'Well，that\'sarumstory，\'saidMr。Dickson，interrupting。
\'What\'sarumstory？\'saidManstonhastily，andflushingintheface。
\'Forgettingherwatchanddroppingherkeysinherhurry。\'
\'Idon\'tseeanythingparticularlywonderfulinit。Anywomanmightdosuchathing。\'
\'Anywomanmightifescapingfromfireorshipwreck，oranysuchimmediatedanger。Butitseemsincomprehensibletomethatanywomaninhersenses，whoquietlydecidestoleaveahouse，shouldbesoforgetful。\'
\'Allthatisrequiredtoreconcileyourseemingwithherfactsistoassumethatshewasnotinhersenses，forthat\'swhatshedidplainly，orhowcouldthethingshavebeenfoundthere？Besides，she\'struthfulenough。\'Hespokeeagerlyandperemptorily。
\'Yes，yes，Iknowthat。Imerelymeantthatitseemedratherodd。\'
\'Oyes。\'Manstonreadon：——
\'“——andslippedoutofthehouse。Therubbish-heapwasburningupbrightly，butthethoughtthatthehousewasindangerdidnotstrikeme；Ididnotconsiderthatitmightbethatched。
\'“Iidledinthelanebehindthewoodtillthelastdown-trainhadcomein，notbeinginamoodtofacestrangers。WhilstIwastherethefirebrokeout，andthisperplexedmestillmore。However，I
wasstilldeterminednottostayintheplace。Iwenttotherailway-station，whichwasnowquiet，andinquiredofthesolitarymanondutythereconcerningthetrains。ItwasnottillIhadleftthemanthatIsawtheeffectthefiremighthaveonmyhistory。I
consideredalso，thoughnotinanydetailedmanner，thattheevent，byattractingtheattentionofthevillagetomyformerabode，mightsetpeopleonmytrackshouldtheydoubtmydeath，andasuddendreadofhavingtogobackagaintoKnapwater——aplacewhichhadseemedinimicaltomefromfirsttolast——promptedmetorunbackandbribetheportertosecrecy。IthenwalkedontoAnglebury，lingeringabouttheoutskirtsofthetowntillthemorningtraincamein，whenIproceededbyittoLondon，andthentooktheselodgings，whereIhavebeensupportingmyselfeversincebyneedlework，endeavouringtosaveenoughmoneytopaymypassagehometoAmerica，butmakingmelancholyprogressinmyattempt。However，allthatischanged——canIbeotherwisethanhappyatit？Ofcoursenot。Iamhappy。TellmewhatIamtodo，andbelievemestilltobeyourfaithfulwife，EUNICE。
\'“Mynamehereis(asbefore)
\'“MRS。RONDLEY，andmyaddress，79ADDINGTONSTREET，LAMBETH。\'“
Thenameandaddresswerewrittenonaseparateslipofpaper。
\'Soit\'stobeallrightatlastthen，\'saidManston\'sfriend。\'Butafterallthere\'sanotherwomaninthecase。Youdon\'tseemverysorryforthelittlethingwhoisputtosuchdistressbythisturnofaffairs？Iwonderyoucanlethergosocoolly。\'Thespeakerwaslookingoutbetweenthemullionsofthewindow——noticingthatsomeofthelightswereglazedinlozenges，someinsquares——ashesaidthewords，otherwisehewouldhaveseenthepassionateexpressionofagonizedhopelessnessthatflittedacrossthesteward\'scountenancewhentheremarkwasmade。Hedidnotseeit，andManstonansweredafterashortinterval。Thewayinwhichhespokeoftheyounggirlwhohadbelievedherselfhiswife，whom，afewshortdaysago，hehadopenlyidolized，andwhom，inhissecretheart，heidolizedstill，asfarassuchaformoflovewascompatiblewithhisnature，showedthatfrompolicyorotherwise，hemeanttoactuptotherequirementsofthepositionintowhichfateappeareddeterminedtodrivehim。
\'That\'sneitherherenorthere，\'hesaid；\'itisapointofhonourtodoasIamdoing，andthere\'sanendofit。\'
\'Yes。OnlyIthoughtyouusednottocareovermuchaboutyourfirstbargain。\'
\'Icertainlydidnotatonetime。Oneisapttofeelratherwearyofwiveswhentheyaresodevilishcivilunderallaspects，assheusedtobe。Butanythingforachange——Abigailislost，butMichalisrecovered。Youwouldhardlybelieveit，butsheseemsinfancytobequiteanotherbride——infact，almostasifshehadreallyrisenfromthedead，insteadofhavingonlydonesovirtually。\'
\'Youlettheyoungpinkoneknowthattheotherhascomeoriscoming？\'
\'Cuibono？\'Thestewardmeditatedcritically，showingaportionofhisintenselywideandregularteethwithintherubylips。
\'Icannotsayanythingtoherthatwilldoanygood，\'heresumed。
\'Itwouldbeawkward——eitherseeingorcommunicatingwithheragain。
Thebestplantoadoptwillbetoletmatterstaketheircourse——
she\'llfinditalloutsoonenough。\'
Manstonfoundhimselfaloneafewminuteslater。Heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andmurmured，\'Omylostone！OmyCytherea！Thatitshouldcometothisishardforme！\'Tisnowalldarkness——“alandofdarknessasdarknessitself；andoftheshadowofdeathwithoutanyorder，andwherethelightisasdarkness。“\'
Yes，theartificialbearingwhichthisextraordinarymanhadadoptedbeforestrangerseversincehehadoverheardtheconversationattheinn，lefthimnow，andhemournedforCythereaaloud。
4。THETWELFTHOFFEBRUARY
KnapwaterParkisthepicture——ateleveno\'clockonamuddy，quiet，hazy，butbrightmorning——amorningwithoutanybluesky，andwithoutanyshadows，theearthbeingenlivenedandlitupratherbythespiritofaninvisiblesunthanbyitsbodilypresence。
ThelocalHunthadmetfortheday\'ssportontheopenspaceofgroundimmediatelyinfrontofthesteward\'sresidence——calledinthelistofappointments，\'OldHouse，Knapwater\'——themeetbeinghereonceeveryseason，forthepleasureofMissAldclyffeandherfriends。
Leaningoutfromoneofthefirst-floorwindows，andsurveyingwiththekeenestinterestthelivelypictureofpinkandblackcoats，rich-colouredhorses，andsparklingbitsandspurs，wasthereturnedandlong-lostwoman，Mrs。Manston。
Theeyesofthoseformingthebrilliantgroupwereoccasionallyturnedtowardsher，showingplainlythatheradventureswerethesubjectofconversationequallywithormorethanthechancesofthecomingday。Shedidnotflushbeneaththeirscrutiny；onthecontrary，sheseemedrathertoenjoyit，hereyesbeingkindledwithalightofcontentedexultation，subduedtosquarewiththecircumstancesofhermatronlyposition。
Shewas，atthedistancefromwhichtheysurveyedher，anattractivewoman——comelyasthetentsofKedar。ButtoacloseobserveritwaspalpableenoughthatGoddidnotdoallthepicture。AppearingatleastsevenyearsolderthanCytherea，shewasprobablyherseniorbydoublethenumber，theartificialmeansemployedtoheightenthenaturalgoodappearanceofherfacebeingverycleverlyapplied。
Herformwasfullandround，itsvoluptuousmaturitystandingoutinstrongcontrasttothememoryofCytherea\'slissomgirlishness。
Itseemstobeanalmostuniversalrulethatawomanwhooncehascourted，orwhoeventuallywillcourt，thesocietyofmenontermsdangeroustoherhonourcannotrefrainfromflingingthemeaningglancewheneverthemomentarrivesinwhichtheglanceisstronglyaskedfor，evenifherlifeandwholefuturedependeduponthatmoment\'sabstinence。
Hadacautious，uxorioushusbandseeninhiswife\'scountenancewhatmightnowhavebeenseeninthisdark-eyedwoman\'sasshecaughtastrayglanceofflirtationfromoneorotherofthered-coatedgallantsoutside，hewouldhavepassedmanydaysinanagonyofrestlessjealousyanddoubt。ButManstonwasnotsuchahusband，andhewas，moreover，calmlyattendingtohisbusinessattheotherendofthemanor。
Thestewardhadfetchedhomehiswifeinthemostmatter-of-factwayafewdaysearlier，walkingroundthevillagewithhertheverynextmorning——atonceputtinganend，bythissimplesolution，toalltheriddlinginquiriesandsurmisesthatwererankinthevillageanditsneighbourhood。SomemensaidthatthiswomanwasasfarinferiortoCythereaasearthtoheaven；others，olderandsager，thoughtManstonbetteroffwithsuchawifethanhewouldhavebeenwithoneofCytherea\'syouthfulimpulses，andinexperienceinhouseholdmanagement。Allfelttheircuriositydyingoutofthem。
ItwasthesameinCarrifordasinotherpartsoftheworld——
immediatelycircumstantialevidencebecameexchangedfordirect，theloungersincourtyawned，gaveafinalsurvey，andturnedawaytoasubjectwhichwouldaffordmorescopeforspeculation。
XV。THEEVENTSOFTHREEWEEKS
1。FROMTHETWELFTHOFFEBRUARYTOTHESECONDOFMARCH
OwenGraye\'srecoveryfromtheillnessthathadincapacitatedhimforsolongatimewas，professionally，thedawnofabrighterprospectforhimineverydirection，thoughthechangewasatfirstverygradual，andhismovementsandeffortswerelittlemorethanmechanical。Withthelengtheningofthedays，andtherevivalofbuildingoperationsfortheforthcomingseason，hesawhimself，forthefirsttime，onaroadwhich，pursuedwithcare，wouldprobablyleadtoacomfortableincomeatsomefutureday。Buthewasstillverylowdownthehillasyet。
ThefirstundertakingentrustedtohiminthenewyearbeganaboutamonthafterhisreturnfromSouthampton。Mr。Gradfieldhadcomebacktohiminthewakeofhisrestoredhealth，andofferedhimthesuperintendence，asclerkofworks，ofachurchwhichwastobenearlyrebuiltatthevillageofTolchurch，fifteenorsixteenmilesfromBudmouth，andabouthalfthatdistancefromCarriford。
\'Iamnowbeingpaidattherateofahundredandfiftypoundsayear，\'hesaidtohissisterinaburstofthankfulness，\'andyoushallnever，Cytherea，beatanytyrannouslady\'sbeckandcallagainaslongasIlive。Neverpineorthinkaboutwhathashappened，dear；it\'snodisgracetoyou。Cheerup；you\'llbesomebody\'shappywifeyet。\'
HedidnotsayEdwardSpringrove\'s，for，greatlytohisdisappointment，areporthadreachedhisearsthatthefriendtowhomCythereaowedsomuchhadbeenabouttopackuphisthingsandsailforAustralia。However，thiswasbeforetheuncertaintyconcerningMrs。Manston\'sexistencehadbeendispersedbyherreturn，aphenomenonthatalteredthecloudyrelationshipinwhichCythereahadlatelybeenstandingtowardsheroldlover，tooneofdistinctness；whichresultwouldhavebeendelightfulbutforcircumstancesabouttobementioned。
Cythereawasstillpalefromherrecentillness，andstillgreatlydejected。UntilthenewsofMrs。Manston\'sreturnhadreachedthem，shehadkeptherselfcloselyshutupduringtheday-time，neverventuringforthexceptatnight。Sleepingandwakingshehadbeeninperpetualdreadlestsheshouldstillbeclaimedbyamanwhom，onlyafewweeksearlier，shehadregardedinthelightofafuturehusbandwithquietassent，notunmixedwithcheerfulness。
Buttheremovaloftheuneasinessinthisdirection——byMrs。
Manston\'sarrival，andherownconsequentfreedom——hadbeentheimpositionofpaininanother。UtterlyfictitiousdetailsofthefindingofCythereaandManstonhadbeeninventedandcirculated，unavoidablyreachingherearsinthecourseoftime。Thusthefreedombroughtnohappiness，anditseemedwell-nighimpossiblethatshecouldeveragainshowherselfthesparklingcreaturesheoncehadbeen——
\'Apttoenticeadeity。\'
Onthisaccount，andforthefirsttimeinhislife，Owenmadeapointofconcealingfromhertherealstateofhisfeelingswithregardtotheunhappytransaction。Hewrithedinsecretunderthehumiliationtowhichtheyhadbeensubjected，tilltheresentmentitgaveriseto，andforwhichtherewasnovent，wassometimesbeyondendurance；itinducedamoodthatdidseriousdamagetothematerialandploddingperseverancenecessaryifhewouldsecurepermanentlythecomfortsofahomeforthem。
TheygaveuptheirlodgingsatBudmouth，andwenttoTolchurchassoonastheworkcommenced。
Heretheyweredomiciledinonehalfofanoldfarmhouse，standingnotfarfromtheivy-coveredchurchtower(whichwasallthatwastoremainoftheoriginalstructure)。Thelongsteeproofofthispicturesquedwellingslopednearlydowntotheground，theoldtilesthatcovereditbeingovergrownwithricholive-huedmoss。Newredtilesintwosandthreeshadbeenusedforpatchingtheholeswroughtbydecay，lightingupthewholeharmonioussurfacewithdotsofbrilliantscarlet。
Thechiefinternalfeaturesofthissnugabodewereawidefireplace，enormouscupboards，abrownsettle，andseveralsketchesonthewoodmantel，doneinoutlinewiththepointofahotpoker——
thesubjectsmainlyconsistingofoldmenwalkingpainfullyerect，withacurly-taileddogbehind。
AfteraweekortwoofresidenceinTolchurch，andramblesamidthequaintscenerycircumscribingit，atranquillitybegantospreaditselfthroughthemindofthemaiden，whichGrayehopedwouldbeaprefacetohercompleterestoration。Shefeltreadyandwillingtolivethewholeremainderofherdaysintheretirementoftheirpresentquarters：shebegantosingaboutthehouseinlowtremuloussnatches——
\'“——Isaid，ifthere\'speacetobefoundintheworld，Aheartthatishumblemayhopeforithere。“\'
2。THETHIRDOFMARCH
Herconvalescencehadarrivedatthispointonacertaineveningtowardstheendofthewinter，whenOwenhadcomeinfromthebuildinghardby，andwaschanginghismuddybootsforslippers，previouslytosittingdowntotoastandtea。
Aprolongedthoughquietknockingcametothedoor。
Theonlypersonwhoeverknockedattheirdoorinthatwaywasthenewvicar，theprimemoverinthechurch-building。ButhewasthateveningdiningwiththeSquire。
Cythereawasuneasyatthesound——shedidnotknowwhy，unlessitwasbecausehernerveswereweakenedbythesicknessshehadundergone。Insteadofopeningthedoorsheranoutoftheroom，andupstairs。
\'Whatnonsense，Cytherea！\'saidherbrother，goingtothedoor。
EdwardSpringrovestoodinthegreylightoutside。
\'Capital——notgonetoAustralia，andnotgoing，ofcourse！\'criedOwen。\'What\'stheuseofgoingtosuchaplaceasthat？——Ineverbelievedthatyouwould。\'
\'IamgoingbacktoLondonagainto-morrow，\'saidSpringrove，\'andI
calledtosayawordbeforegoing。Whereis……？\'
\'Shehasjustrunupstairs。Comein——nevermindscrapingyourshoes——weareregularcottagersnow；stonefloor，yawningchimney-
corner，andall，yousee。\'
\'Mrs。Manstoncame，\'saidEdwardawkwardly，whenhehadsatdowninthechimney-cornerbypreference。
\'Yes。\'AtmentionofoneofhisskeletonsOwenlosthisblithenessatonce，andfellintoareverie。
\'Thehistoryofherescapeisverysimple。\'
\'Very。\'
\'YouknowIalwayshadwondered，whenmyfatherwastellinganyofthecircumstancesofthefiretome，howitcouldbethatawomancouldsleepsosoundlyastobeunawareofherhorridpositiontillitwastoolateeventogiveshoutorsoundofanykind。\'
\'Well，Ithinkthatwouldhavebeenpossible，consideringherlongwearisomejourney。Peoplehaveoftenbeensuffocatedintheirbedsbeforetheyawoke。Butitwashardlylikelyabodywouldbecompletelyburnttoashesasthiswasassumedtobe，thoughnobodyseemedtoseeitatthetime。Andhowpositivethesurgeonwastoo，aboutthosebitsofbone！Whyheshouldhavebeenso，nobodycantell。Icannothelpsayingthatifithaseverbeenpossibletofindpurestupidityincarnate，itwasinthatjuryofCarriford。
Thereexistedinthemassthestupidityoftwelveandnotthepenetrationofone。\'
\'Isshequitewell？\'saidSpringrove。
\'Who？——O，mysister，Cytherea。Thankyou，nearlywell，now。I\'llcallher。\'
\'Waitoneminute。Ihaveawordtosaytoyou。\'
Owensatdownagain。
\'Youknow，withoutmysayingit，thatIloveCythereaasdearlyasever……Ithinkshelovesmetoo，——doesshereally？\'
TherewasinOwenenoughofthatworldlypolicyonthesubjectofmatchmakingwhichnaturallyresidesinthebreastsofparentsandguardians，togivehimacertaincautioninreplying，and，youngerashewasbyfiveyearsthanEdward，ithadanoddeffect。
\'Well，shemaypossiblyloveyoustill，\'hesaid，asifratherindoubtastothetruthofhiswords。
Springrove\'scountenanceinstantlysaddened；hehadexpectedasimple\'Yes，\'attheveryleast。Hecontinuedinatoneofgreaterdepression——
\'Supposingshedoesloveme，woulditbefairtoyouandtoherifI
madeheranofferofmarriage，withthesedrearyconditionsattached——thatwelivedforafewyearsonthenarrowestsystem，tillagreatdebt，whichallhonouranddutyrequiremetopayoff，shallbepaid？Myfather，byreasonofthemisfortunethatbefellhim，isunderagreatobligationtoMissAldclyffe。Heisgettingold，andlosinghisenergies。Iamattemptingtoworkfreeoftheburden。Thismakesmyprospectsgloomyenoughatpresent。
\'Butconsideragain，\'hewenton。\'Cythereahasbeenleftinanamelessandunsatisfactory，thoughinnocentstate，bythisunfortunate，andnowvoid，marriagewithManston。Amarriagewithme，thoughunderthe——materially——untowardconditionsIhavementioned，wouldmakeushappy；itwouldgiveheralocusstandi。
IfshewishedtobeoutofthesoundofhermisfortuneswewouldgotoanotherpartofEngland——emigrate——doanything。\'
\'I\'llcallCytherea，\'saidOwen。\'Itisamatterwhichshealonecansettle。\'Hedidnotspeakwarmly。HispridecouldnotendurethepitywhichEdward\'svisitanderrandtacitlyimplied。Yet，intheotheraffair，hisheartwentwithEdward；hewasonthesamebeatforpayingoffolddebtshimself。
\'Cythie，Mr。Springroveishere，\'hesaid，atthefootofthestaircase。
Hissisterdescendedthecreakingoldstepswithafalteringtread，andstoodinthefirelightfromthehearth。SheextendedherhandtoSpringrove，welcominghimbyameremotionofthelip，hereyesaverted——ahabitwhichhadengendereditselfinhersincethebeginningofherillnessanddefamation。Owenopenedthedoorandwentout——leavingtheloversalone。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethememorablenightatSouthampton。
\'Iwillgetalight，\'shesaid，withalittleembarrassment。
\'No——don\'t，please，Cytherea，\'saidEdwardsoftly，\'Comeandsitdownwithme。\'
\'Oyes。IoughttohaveaskedYOUto，\'shereturnedtimidly。
\'Everybodysitsinthechimney-cornerinthisparish。Yousitonthatside。I\'llsithere。\'
Tworecesses——oneontheright，oneonthelefthand——werecutintheinsideofthefireplace，andheretheysatdownfacingeachother，onbenchesfittedtotherecesses，thefireglowingonthehearthbetweentheirfeet。Itsruddylightshoneontheunderslopesoftheirfaces，andspreadoutovertheflooroftheroomwiththelowhorizontalityofthesettingsun，givingtoeverygrainofsandandtumourinthepavingalongshadowtowardsthedoor。
Edwardlookedathispalelovethroughthethinazuretwinesofsmokethatwentuplikeringletsbetweenthem，andinvestedher，asseenthroughitsmedium，withtheshadowyappearanceofaphantom。
Nothingissopotentforcoaxingbackthelosteyesofawomanasadiscreetsilenceinthemanwhohassolostthem——andthusthepatientEdwardcoaxedhers。Afterlingeringonthehearthforhalfaminute，waitinginvainforanotherwordfromhim，theywereliftedintohisface。
Hewasreadyprimedtoreceivethem。\'Cytherea，willyoumarryme？\'
hesaid。
Hecouldnotwaitinhisoriginalpositiontilltheanswercame。
Steppingacrossthefrontofthefiretoherownsideofthechimneycorner，hereclinedatherfeet，andsearchedforherhand。Shecontinuedinsilenceawhile。
\'Edward，Icanneverbeanybody\'swife，\'shethensaidsadly，andwithfirmness。
\'Thinkofitineverylight，\'hepleaded；\'thelightoflove，first。
Then，whenyouhavedonethat，seehowwiseastepitwouldbe。I
canonlyofferyoupovertyasyet，butIwant——Idosolongtosecureyoufromtheintrusionofthatunpleasantpast，whichwilloftenandalwaysbethrustbeforeyouaslongasyoulivetheshrinkingsolitarylifeyoudonow——alifewhichpuritychooses，itmaybe；buttotheoutsideworlditappearsliketheenforcedlonelinessofneglectandscorn——andtonguesarebusyinventingareasonforitwhichdoesnotexist。\'
\'Iknowallaboutit，\'shesaidhastily；\'andthosearethegroundsofmyrefusal。YouandOwenknowthewholetruth——thetwoIlovebestonearth——andIamcontent。Butthescandalwillbecontinuallyrepeated，andIcannevergiveanyonetheopportunityofsayingtoyou——that——yourwife……\'Sheutterlybrokedownandwept。
\'Don\'t，myowndarling！\'heentreated。\'Don\'t，Cytherea！\'
\'Pleasetoleaveme——wewillbefriends，Edward——butdon\'tpressme——
mymindismadeup——Icannot——Iwillnotmarryyouoranymanunderthepresentambiguouscircumstances——neverwillI——Ihavesaidit：
never！\'
Theywerebothsilent。Helistlesslyregardedtheilluminatedblacknessoverhead，wherelongflakesofsootfloatedfromthesidesandbarsofthechimney-throatliketatteredbannersinancientaisles；whilstthroughthesquareopeninginthemidstoneortwobrightstarslookeddownuponthemfromthegreyMarchsky。Thesightseemedtocheerhim。
\'Atanyrateyouwillloveme？\'hemurmuredtoher。
\'Yes——always——foreverandforever！\'
