CHAPTERI
Itwashalf—pastfouro’clock（bythetestimonyoftheland—surveyor，myauthorityfortheparticularsofthisstory，agentlemanwiththefaintestcurveofhumouronhislips）；itwashalf—pastfouro’clockonaMaymorningintheeighteenforties。AdensewhitefoghungovertheValleyoftheExe，endingagainstthehillsoneitherside。
Butthoughnothinginthevalecouldbeseenfromhigherground，notesofdifferingkindsgaveprettyclearindicationsthatbustlinglifewasgoingonthere。Thisaudiblepresenceandvisualabsenceofanactivescenehadapeculiareffectabovethefoglevel。Naturehadlaidawhitehandoverthecreaturesensconcedwithinthevale，asahandmightbelaidoveranestofchirpingbirds。
Thenoisesthatascendedthroughthepallidcoverlidwereperturbedlowings，mingledwithhumanvoicesinsharpsandflats，andthebarkofadog。These，followedbytheslammingofagate，explainedaswellaseyesightcouldhavedone，toanyinhabitantofthedistrict，thatDairymanTucker’sunder—milkerwasdrivingthecowsfromthemeadsintothestalls。Whenarougheraccentjoinedinthevociferationsofmanandbeast，itwouldhavebeenrealizedthatthedairy—farmerhimselfhadcomeouttomeetthecows，pailinhand，andwhitepinaforeon；andwhen，moreover，somewomen’svoicesjoinedinthechorus，thatthecowswerestalledandproceedingsabouttocommence。
Ahushfollowed，theatmospherebeingsostagnantthatthemilkcouldbeheardbuzzingintothepails，togetherwithoccasionalwordsofthemilkmaidsandmen。
’Don’tyebideaboutlongupontheroad，Margery。Youcanbebackagainbyskimming—time。’
TheroughvoiceofDairymanTuckerwasthevehicleofthisremark。
Thebarton—gateslammedagain，andintwoorthreeminutesasomethingbecamevisible，risingoutofthefoginthatquarter。
Theshaperevealeditselfasthatofawomanhavingayoungandagilegait。Thecoloursandotherdetailsofherdresswerethendisclosed——abrightpinkcottonfrock（becausewinterwasover）；asmallwoollenshawlofshepherd’splaid（becausesummerwasnotcome）；awhitehandkerchieftiedoverherhead—gear，becauseitwassofoggy，sodamp，andsoearly；andastrawbonnetandribbonspeepingfromunderthehandkerchief，becauseitwaslikelytobeasunnyMayday。
Herfacewasofthehereditarytypeamongfamiliesdownintheseparts：sweetinexpression，perfectinhue，andsomewhatirregularinfeature。Hereyeswereofaliquidbrown。Onherarmshecarriedawithybasket，inwhichlayseveralbutter—rollsinanestofwetcabbage—leaves。Shewasthe’Margery’whohadbeentoldnotto’bideaboutlongupontheroad。’
Shewentonherwayacrossthefields，sometimesabovethefog，sometimesbelowit，notmuchperplexedbyitspresenceexceptwhenthetrackwassoindefinitethatitceasedtobeaguidetothenextstile。Thedampnesswassuchthatinnumerableearthwormslayincouplesacrossthepathtill，startledevenbyherlighttread，theywithdrewsuddenlyintotheirholes。Shekeptclearofalltrees。
Whywasthat？Therewasnodangeroflightningonsuchamorningasthis。Butthoughtheroadsweredrythefoghadgatheredintheboughs，causingthemtosetupsuchadrippingaswouldgocleanthroughtheprotectinghandkerchieflikebullets，andspoiltheribbonsbeneath。Thebeechandashwereparticularlyshunned，fortheydrippedmoremaliciouslythanany。Itwasaninstanceofwoman’skeenappreciativenessofnature’smoodsandpeculiarities：amancrossingthosefieldsmighthardlyhaveperceivedthatthetreesdrippedatall。
Inlessthananhourshehadtraversedadistanceoffourmiles，andarrivedatalatticedcottageinasecludedspot。Anelderlywoman，scarceawake，answeredherknocking。Margerydeliveredupthebutter，andsaid，’Howisgrannythismorning？Ican’tstaytogouptoher，buttellherIhavereturnedwhatweowedher。’
Hergrandmotherwasnoworsethanusual：andreceivingbacktheemptybasketthegirlproceededtocarryoutsomeintentionwhichhadnotbeenincludedinherorders。Insteadofreturningtothelightlaboursofskimming—time，shehastenedon，herdirectionbeingtowardsalittleneighbouringtown。Before，however，Margeryhadproceededfar，shemetthepostman，ladentotheneckwithletter—
bags，ofwhichhehadnotyetdepositedone。
’Aretheshopsopenyet，Samuel？’shesaid。
’Ono，’repliedthatstoopingpedestrian，notwaitingtostandupright。’Theywon’tbeopenyetthishour，exceptthesaddlerandironmongerandlittletacker—hairedmachine—manforthefarmfolk。
Theydownstheirshuttersathalf—pastsix，thenthebaker’sathalf—
pastseven，thenthedraper’sateight。’
’O，thedraper’sateight。’ItwasplainthatMargeryhadwantedthedraper’s。
Thepostmanturnedupaside—path，andtheyounggirl，asthoughdecidingwithinherselfthatifshecouldnotgoshoppingatonceshemightaswellgetbackfortheskimming，retracedhersteps。
Thepublicroadhomefromthispointwaseasybutdevious。Byfarthenearestwaywasbygettingoverafence，andcrossingtheprivategroundsofapicturesqueoldcountry—house，whosechimneyswerejustvisiblethroughthetrees。Asthehousehadbeenshutupformanymonths，thegirldecidedtotakethestraightcut。Shepushedherwaythroughthelaurelbushes，shelteringherbonnetwiththeshawlasanadditionalsafeguard，scrambledoveraninnerboundary，wentalongthroughmoreshrubberies，andstoodreadytoemergeupontheopenlawn。Beforedoingsoshelookedaroundinthewarymannerofapoacher。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatshehadbrokenfenceinherlife；butsomehow，andallofasudden，shehadfeltherselftoonearwomanhoodtoindulgeinsuchpracticeswithfreedom。However，shemovedforth，andthehouse—frontstaredherintheface，atthishigherlevelunobscuredbyfog。
Itwasabuildingofthemediumsize，andunpretending，thefacadebeingofstone；andoftheItalianelevationmadefamiliarbyInigoJonesandhisschool。Therewasadoorwaytothelawn，standingattheheadofaflightofsteps。Theshuttersofthehousewereclosed，andtheblindsofthebedroomsdrawndown。Herperceptionofthefactthatnocrustycaretakercouldseeherfromthewindowsledheratoncetoslackenherpace，andstrollthroughtheflower—bedscoolly。Ahouseunblindedisapossiblespy，andmustbetreatedaccordingly；ahousewiththeshutterstogetherisaninsensateheapofstoneandmortar，tobefacedwithindifference。
Ontheothersideofthehousethegreenswardrosetoaneminence，whereonstoodoneofthosecurioussummershelterssometimeserectedonexposedpointsofview，calledanall—the—year—round。Inthepresentcaseitconsistedoffourwallsradiatingfromacentrelikethearmsofaturnstile，withseatsineachangle，sothatwhencesoeverthewindcame，itwasalwayspossibletofindascreenedcornerfromwhichtoobservethelandscape。
Themilkmaid’stracklesscourseledherupthehillandpastthiserection。Ateaseastobeingwatchedandscoldedasanintruder，hermindflewtoothermatters；till，atthemomentwhenshewasnotayardfromtheshelter，sheheardafootorfeetscrapingonthegravelbehindit。Someonewasintheall—the—year—round，apparentlyoccupyingtheseatontheotherside；aswasprovedwhen，onturning，shesawanelbow，aman’selbow，projectingovertheedge。
Nowtheyoungwomandidnotmuchliketheideaofgoingdownthehillundertheeyesofthisperson，whichshewouldhavetodoifshewenton，forasanintrudershewasliabletobecalledbackandquestioneduponherbusinessthere。Accordinglyshecreptsoftlyupandsatintheseatbehind，intendingtoremainthereuntilhercompanionshouldleave。
Thishebynomeansseemedinahurrytodo。Whatcouldpossiblyhavebroughthimthere，whatcoulddetainhimthere，atsixo’clockonamorningofmistwhentherewasnothingtobeseenorenjoyedofthevalebeneath，puzzledhernotalittle。Butheremainedquitestill，andMargerygrewimpatient。Shediscernedthetrackofhisfeetinthedewygrass，formingalinefromthehousesteps，whichannouncedthathewasaninhabitantandnotachancepasser—by。Atlastshepeepedround。
CHAPTERII
Afine—frameddark—mustachioedgentleman，indressing—gownandslippers，wassittingthereinthedampwithoutahaton。Withonehandhewastightlygraspinghisforehead，theotherhungoverhisknee。Theattitudebespokewithsufficientclearnessamentalconditionofanguish。Hewasquiteadifferentbeingfromanyofthementowhomhereyeswereaccustomed。Shehadneverseenmustachiosbefore，fortheywerenotwornbyciviliansinLowerWessexatthisdate。Hishandsandhisfacewerewhite——toherviewdeadlywhite——
andheheedednothingoutsidehisownexistence。Thereheremainedasmotionlessasthebushesaroundhim；indeed，hescarcelyseemedtobreathe。
Havingimprudentlyadvancedthusfar，Margery’swishwastogetbackagaininthesameunseenmanner；butinmovingherfootforthepurposeitgratedonthegravel。Hestartedupwithanairofbewilderment，andslippedsomethingintothepocketofhisdressing—
gown。Shewasalmostcertainthatitwasapistol。Thepairstoodlookingblanklyateachother。
’MyGott，whoareyou？’heaskedsternly，andwithnotaltogetheranEnglisharticulation。’Whatdoyoudohere？’
Margeryhadalreadybeguntobefrightenedatherboldnessininvadingthelawnandpleasure—seat。Thehousehadamaster，andshehadnotknownofit。’MynameisMargaretTucker，sir，’shesaidmeekly。’MyfatherisDairymanTucker。WeliveatSilverthornDairy—house。’
’Whatwereyoudoinghereatthishourofthemorning？’
Shetoldhim，eventothefactthatshehadclimbedoverthefence。
’Andwhatmadeyoupeeproundatme？’
’Isawyourelbow，sir；andIwonderedwhatyouweredoing？’
’AndwhatwasIdoing？’
’Nothing。Youhadonehandonyourforeheadandtheotheronyourknee。Idohopeyouarenotill，sir，orindeeptrouble？’Margeryhadsufficienttacttosaynothingaboutthepistol。
’WhatdifferencewoulditmaketoyouifIwereillorintrouble？
Youdon’tknowme。’
Shereturnednoanswer，feelingthatshemighthavetakenalibertyinexpressingsympathy。But，lookingfurtivelyupathim，shediscernedtohersurprisethatheseemedaffectedbyherhumanewish，simplyasithadbeenexpressed。Shehadscarcelyconceivedthatsuchatalldarkmancouldknowwhatgentlefeelingswere。
’Well，IammuchobligedtoyouforcaringhowIam，’saidhewithafaintsmileandanaffectedlightnessofmannerwhich，eventoher，onlyrenderedmoreapparentthegloombeneath。’Ihavenotsleptthispastnight。Isufferfromsleeplessness。Probablyyoudonot。’
Margerylaughedalittle，andheglancedwithinterestatthecomelypictureshepresented；herfreshface，brownhair，candideyes，unpractisedmanner，countrydress，pinkhands，emptywicker—basket，andthehandkerchiefoverherbonnet。
’Well，’hesaid，afterhisscrutiny，’IneedhardlyhaveaskedsuchaquestionofonewhoisNature’sownimage……Ah，butmygoodlittlefriend，’headded，recurringtohisbittertoneandsittingwearilydown，’youdon’tknowwhatgreatcloudscanhangoversomepeople’slives，andwhatcowardssomemenareinfaceofthem。Toescapethemselvestheytravel，takepicturesquehouses，andengageincountrysports。Buthereitissodreary，andthefogwashorriblethismorning!’
’Why，thisisonlytheprideofthemorning!’saidMargery。’By—and—
byitwillbeabeautifulday。’
Shewasgoingonherwayforthwith；buthedetainedher——detainedherwithwords，talkingoneveryinnocentlittlesubjecthecouldthinkof。Hehadanobjectinkeepinghertheremoreseriousthanhiswordswouldimply。Itwasasifhefearedtobeleftalone。
Whiletheystillstood，themistyfigureofthepostman，whomMargeryhadleftaquarterofanhourearliertofollowhissinuouscourse，crossedthegroundsbelowthemonhiswaytothehouse。SignifyingtoMargerybyawaveofhishandthatshewastostepbackoutofsight，inthehinderangleoftheshelter，thegentlemanbeckonedtothepostmantobringthebagtowherehestood。Themandidso，andagainresumedhisjourney。
Thestrangerunlockedthebagandthrewitontheseat，havingtakenoneletterfromwithin。Thishereadattentively，andhiscountenancechanged。
Thechangewasalmostphantasmagorial，asifthesunhadburstthroughthefoguponthatface：itbecameclear，bright，almostradiant。Yetitwasbutachangethatmaytakeplaceinthecommonesthumanbeing，providedhiscountenancebenottoowooden，orhisartificehavenotgrowntosecondnature。HeturnedtoMargery，whowasagainedgingoff，and，seizingherhand，appearedasthoughhewereabouttoembraceher。Checkinghisimpulse，hesaid，’Myguardianchild——mygoodfriend——youhavesavedme!’
’Whatfrom？’sheventuredtoask。
’Thatyoumayneverknow。’
Shethoughtoftheweapon，andguessedthattheletterhehadjustreceivedhadeffectedthischangeinhismood，butmadenoobservationtillhewentontosay，’Whatdidyoutellmewasyourname，deargirl？’
Sherepeatedhername。
’MargaretTucker。’Hestooped，andpressedherhand。’Sitdownforamoment——onemoment，’hesaid，pointingtotheendoftheseat，andtakingtheextremestfurtherendforhimself，nottodiscomposeher。
Shesatdown。
’Itistoaskaquestion，’hewenton，’andtheremustbeconfidencebetweenus。Youhavesavedmefromanactofmadness!WhatcanIdoforyou？’
’Nothing，sir。’
’Nothing？’
’Fatherisverywelloff，andwedon’twantanything。’
’ButtheremustbesomeserviceIcanrender，somekindness，somevotiveofferingwhichIcouldmake，andsoimprintonyourmemoryaslongasyoulivethatIamnotanungratefulman？’
’Whyshouldyoubegratefultome，sir？’
Heshookhishead。’Somethingsarebestleftunspoken。Nowthink。
Whatwouldyouliketohavebestintheworld？’
Margerymadeapretenceofreflecting——thenfelltoreflectingseriously；butthenegativewasultimatelyasundisturbedasever：
shecouldnotdecideonanythingshewouldlikebestintheworld；itwastoodifficult，toosudden。
’Verywell——don’thurryyourself。Thinkitoverallday。Iridethisafternoon。Youlive——where？’
’SilverthornDairy—house。’
’Iwillridethatwayhomewardthisevening。Doyouconsiderbyeighto’clockwhatlittlearticle，whatlittletreat，youwouldmostlikeofany。’
’Iwill，sir，’saidMargery，nowwarminguptotheidea。’WhereshallImeetyou？Orwillyoucallatthehouse，sir？’
’Ah——no。Ishouldnotwishthecircumstancesknownoutofwhichouracquaintancerose。Itwouldbemoreproper——butno。’
Margery，too，seemedratheranxiousthatheshouldnotcall。’I
couldcomeout，sir，’shesaid。’Myfatherisodd—tempered，andperhaps——’
Itwasagreedthatsheshouldlookoverastileatthetopofherfather’sgarden，andthatheshouldridealongabridle—pathoutside，toreceiveheranswer。’Margery，’saidthegentlemaninconclusion，’nowthatyouhavediscoveredmeunderghastlyconditions，areyougoingtorevealthem，andmakemeanobjectforthegossipofthecurious？’
’No，no，sir!’sherepliedearnestly。’WhyshouldIdothat？’
’Youwillnevertell？’
’Never，neverwillItellwhathashappenedherethismorning。’
’Neithertoyourfather，nortoyourfriends，nortoanyone？’
’Tonooneatall，’shesaid。
’Itissufficient，’heanswered。’Youmeanwhatyousay，mydearmaiden。Nowyouwanttoleaveme。Good—bye!’
Shedescendedthehill，walkingwithsomeawkwardness；forshefeltthestranger’seyeswereuponhertillthefoghadenvelopedherfromhisgaze。Shetooknonoticenowofthedrippingfromthetrees；shewaslostinthoughtonotherthings。Hadshesavedthishandsome，melancholy，sleepless，foreigngentlemanwhohadhadatroubleonhismindtillthelettercame？Whathadhebeengoingtodo？Margerycouldguessthathehadmeditateddeathathisownhand。Strangeastheincidenthadbeeninitself；toherithadseemedstrangereventhanitwas。Contrastingcoloursheighteneachotherbybeingjuxtaposed；itisthesamewithcontrastinglives。
Reachingtheoppositesideoftheparkthereappearedbeforeherforthethirdtimethatlittleoldman，thefoot—post。Astheturnpike—
roadran，thepostman’sbeatwastwelvemilesaday；sixmilesoutfromthetown，andsixmilesbackatnight。Butwhatwithzigzags，deviousways，offsetstocountryseats，curvestofarms，loopedcourses，andtrianglestooutlyinghamlets，thegroundactuallycoveredbyhimwasnearerone—and—twentymiles。HenceitwasthatMargery，whohadcomestraight，wasstillabreastofhim，despiteherlongpause。
Theweightysensethatshewasmixedupinatragicalsecretwithanunknownandhandsomestrangerpreventedherjoiningveryreadilyinchatwiththepostmanforsometime。Butakeeninterestinheradventurecausedhertorespondatoncewhenthebowedmanofmailssaid，’YouhitathwartthegroundsofMountLodge，MissMargery，oryouwouldn’tha’metmehere。Well，somebodyheytooktheoldplaceatlast。’
InacknowledgingherrouteMargerybroughtherselftoaskwhothenewgentlemanmightbe。
’Guidethegirl’sheart!What!don’tsheknow？Andyethowshouldye——he’sonlyjusta—come。——Well，nominal，he’safishinggentleman，comeforthesummeronly。But，moretothesubject，he’saforeignnoblethat’slivedinEnglandsolongastobewithoutanytruecountry：someofhisletterscallhimBaron，someSquire，sothat’amustbeborntosomethingthatcan’tbeearnedbyelbow—greaseandChristianconduct。Hewasoutthismorninga—watchingthefog。
\"Postman，\"’asaid，\"good—morning：givemethebag。\"O，yes，’a’sacivilgenteelnoblemanenough。’
’Tookthehouseforfishing，didhe？’
’That’swhattheysay，andasitcanbefornothingelseIsupposeit’strue。But，infinal，hishealth’snotgood，’ab’lieve；he’sbeenlivingtoorithe。TheLondonsmokegotintohiswyndpipe，till’acouldn’teat。However，Ishouldn’tmindhavingtherunofhiskitchen。’
’Andwhatishisname？’
’Ah——thereyouhaveme!’Tisanamenoman’stonguecantell，orevenwoman’s，exceptbypen—and—inkandgoodscholarship。ItbeginswithX，andwho，withoutthemachineryofaclockin’sinside，canspeakthat？Buthere’tis——fromhisletters。’Thepostmanwithhiswalking—stickwroteupontheground，’BARONVONXANTEN’
CHAPTERIII
Theday，asshehadprognosticated，turnedoutfine；forweather—
wisdomwasimbibedwiththeirmilk—sopsbythechildrenoftheExeVale。TheimpendingmeetingexcitedMargery，andsheperformedherdutiesinherfather’shousewithmechanicalunconsciousness。
Milking，skimming，cheesemakingweredone。Herfatherwasasleepinthesettle，themilkmenandmaidsweregonehometotheircottages，andtheclockshowedaquartertoeight。Shedressedherselfwithcare，wenttothetopofthegarden，andlookedoverthestile。Theviewwaseastward，andagreatmoonhungbeforeherinaskywhichhadnotacloud。Nothingwasmovingexceptontheminutestscale，andsheremainedleaningover，thenight—hawksoundinghiscroudfromtheboughofanisolatedtreeontheopenhillside。
HereMargerywaitedtilltheappointedtimehadpassedbythree—
quartersofanhour；butnoBaroncame。Shehadbeenfullofanidea，andherheartsankwithdisappointment。Thenatlastthepacingofahorsebecameaudibleonthesoftpathwithout，leadingupfromthewater—meads，simultaneouslywithwhichshebeheldtheformofthestranger，ridinghome，ashehadsaid。
Themoonlightsofloodedherfaceastomakeherveryconspicuousinthegarden—gap。’Ahmymaiden——whatisyourname——Margery!’hesaid。
’Howcameyouhere？ButofcourseIremember——weweretomeet。Anditwastobeateight——prohpudor!——Ihavekeptyouwaiting!’
’Itdoesn’tmatter，sir。I’vethoughtofsomething。’
’Thoughtofsomething？’
’Yes，sir。YousaidthismorningthatIwastothinkwhatIwouldlikebestintheworld，andIhavemadeupmymind。’
’Ididsayso——tobesureIdid，’hereplied，collectinghisthoughts。’Iremembertohavehadgoodreasonforgratitudetoyou。’
Heplacedhishandtohisbrow，andinaminutealighted，andcameuptoherwiththebridleinhishand。’Iwastogiveyouatreatorpresent，andyoucouldnotthinkofone。Nowyouhavedoneso。Letmehearwhatitis，andI’llbeasgoodasmyword。’
’TogototheYeomanryBallthat’stobegiventhismonth。’
’TheYeomanryBall——YeomanryBall？’hemurmured，asif，ofallrequestsintheworld，thiswaswhathehadleastexpected。’WhereiswhatyoucalltheYeomanryBall？’
’AtExonbury。’
’Haveyoueverbeentoitbefore？’
’No，sir。’
’Ortoanyball？’
’No。’
’ButdidInotsayagift——apresent？’
’Oratreat？’
’Ah，yes，oratreat，’heechoed，withtheairofonewhofindshimselfinaslightfix。’Butwithwhomwouldyouproposetogo？’
’Idon’tknow。Ihavenotthoughtofthatyet。’
’Youhavenofriendwhocouldtakeyou，evenifIgotyouaninvitation？’
Margerylookedatthemoon。’Noonewhocandance，’shesaid；
adding，withhesitation，’Iwasthinkingthatperhaps——’
’But，mydearMargery，’hesaid，stoppingher，asifhehalf—divinedwhathersimpledreamofacavalierhadbeen；’itisveryoddthatyoucanthinkofnothingelsethangoingtoaYeomanryBall。Thinkagain。Youaresurethereisnothingelse？’
’Quitesure，sir，’shedecisivelyanswered。Atfirstnobodywouldhavenoticedinthatprettyyoungfaceanysignofdecision；yetitwasdiscoverable。Themouth，thoughsoft，wasfirminline；theeyebrowsweredistinct，andextendedneartoeachother。’Ihavethoughtofitallday，’shecontinued，sadly。’Still，sir，ifyouaresorryyouofferedmeanything，Icanletyouoff。’
’Sorry？——Certainlynot，Margery，’besaid，rathernettled。’I’llshowyouthatwhateverhopesIhaveraisedinyourbreastIamhonourableenoughtogratify。Ifitliesinmypower，’headdedwithsuddenfirmness，’youSHALLgototheYeomanryBall。Inwhatbuildingisittobeheld？’
’IntheAssemblyRooms。’
’Andwouldyoubelikelytoberecognizedthere？Doyouknowmanypeople？’
’Notmany，sir。None，Imaysay。Iknownobodywhogoestoballs。’
’Ah，well；youmustgo，sinceyouwishit；andifthereisnootherwayofgettingoverthedifficultyofhavingnobodytotakeyou，I’lltakeyoumyself。Wouldyoulikemetodoso？Icandance。’
’O，yes，sir；Iknowthat，andIthoughtyoumightoffertodoit。
Butwouldyoubringmebackagain？’
’OfcourseI’llbringyouback。But，by—the—bye，canYOUdance？’
’Yes。’
’What？’
’Reels，andjigs，andcountry—dancesliketheNew—Rigged—Ship，andFollow—my—Lover，andHaste—to—the—Wedding，andtheCollegeHornpipe，andtheFavouriteQuickstep，andCaptainWhite’sdance。’
’Averygoodlist——averygood!butunluckilyIfeartheydon’tdanceanyofthosenow。Butifyouhavetheinstinctwemaysooncureyourignorance。Letmeseeyoudanceamoment。’
Shestoodoutintothegarden—path，thestilebeingstillbetweenthem，andseizingasideofherskirtwitheachhand，performedthemovementswhichareevenyetfarfromuncommoninthedancesofthevillagersofmerryEngland。Buthermotions，thoughgraceful，werenotpreciselythosewhichappearinthefiguresofamodernball—
room。
’Well，mygoodfriend，itisaveryprettysight，’hesaid，warminguptotheproceedings。’Butyoudancetoowell——youdancealloveryourperson——andthat’stoothoroughawayforthepresentday。I
shouldsayitwasexactlyhowtheydancedinthetimeofyourpoetChaucer；butaspeopledon’tdancelikeitnow，wemustconsider。
FirstImustinquiremoreaboutthisball，andthenImustseeyouagain。’
’Ifitisagreattroubletoyou，sir，I——’
’Ono，no。Iwillthinkitover。Sofarsogood。’
TheBaronmentionedaneveningandanhourwhenhewouldbepassingthatwayagain；thenmountedhishorseandrodeaway。
Onthenextoccasion，whichwasjustwhenthesunwaschangingplaceswiththemoonasanilluminatorofSilverthornDairy，shefoundhimatthespotbeforeher，andunencumberedbyahorse。Themelancholythathadsoweighedhimdownattheirfirstinterview，andhadbeenperceptibleattheirsecond，hadquitedisappeared。Hepressedherrighthandbetweenbothhisownacrossthestile。
’Mygoodmaiden，Gottblessyou!’saidhewarmly。’Icannothelpthinkingofthatmorning!Iwastoomuchover—shadowedatfirsttotakeinthewholeforceofit。Youdonotknowall；butyourpresencewasamiraculousintervention。Nowtomorecheerfulmatters。Ihaveagreatdealtotell——thatis，ifyourwishabouttheballbestillthesame？’
’Oyes，sir——ifyoudon’tobject。’
’Neverthinkofmyobjecting。WhatIhavefoundoutissomethingwhichsimplifiesmattersamazingly。InadditiontoyourYeomanryBallatExonbury，thereisalsotobeoneinthenextcountyaboutthesametime。ThisballisnottobeheldattheTownHallofthecounty—townasusual，butatLordToneborough’s，whoiscoloneloftheregiment，andwho，Isuppose，wishestopleasetheyeomenbecausehisbrotherisgoingtostandforthecounty。NowIfindIcouldtakeyouthereverywell，andthegreatadvantageofthatballovertheYeomanryBallinthiscountyis，thatthereyouwouldbeabsolutelyunknown，andIalso。Butdoyoupreferyourownneighbourhood？’
’Ono，sir。ItisaballIlongtosee——Idon’tknowwhatitislike；itdoesnotmatterwhere。’
’Good。ThenIshallbeabletomakemuchmoreofyouthere，wherethereisnopossibilityofrecognition。Thatbeingsettled，thenextthingisthedancing。Nowreelsandsuchthingsdonotdo。Forthinkofthis——thereisanewdanceatAlmack’sandeverywhereelse，overwhichtheworldhasgonecrazy。’
’Howdreadful!’
’Ah——butthatisamereexpression——gonemad。ItisreallyanancientScythiandance；but，suchisthepoweroffashion，that，havingoncebeenadoptedbySociety，thisdancehasmadethetouroftheContinentinoneseason。’
’Whatisitsname，sir？’
’Thepolka。Youngpeople，whoalwaysdance，areecstaticaboutit，andoldpeople，whohavenotdancedforyears，havebeguntodanceagain，onitsaccount。Allsharetheexcitement。ItarrivedinLondononlysomefewmonthsago——itisnowalloverthecountry。Nowthisisyouropportunity，mygoodMargery。Tolearnthisonedancewillbeenough。Theywilldancescarceanythingelseatthatball。
While，tocrownall，itistheeasiestdanceintheworld，andasI
knowitquitewellIcanpractiseyouinthestep。Supposewetry？’
Margeryshowedsomehesitationbeforecrossingthestile：itwasaRubiconinmorewaysthanone。Butthecuriousreverencewhichwasstealingoverherforallthatthisstrangersaidanddidwastoomuchforprudence。Shecrossedthestile。
Withdrawingwithhertoanookwheretwohighhedgesmet，andwherethegrasswaselasticanddry，helightlyrestedhisarmonherwaist，andpractisedwithherthenewstepoffascination。Insteadofmusichewhisperednumbers，andshe，asmaybesupposed，showednoslightaptnessinfollowinghisinstructions。Thustheymovedroundtogether，themoon—shadowsfromthetwigsracingovertheirformsastheyturned。
Theinterviewlastedabouthalfanhour。Thenhesomewhatabruptlyhandedheroverthestileandstoodlookingatherfromtheotherside。
’Well，’hemurmured，’whathascometopassisstrange!Mywholebusinessafterthiswillbetorecovermyrightmind!’
Margeryalwaysdeclaredthatthereseemedtobesomepowerinthestrangerthatwasmorethanhuman，somethingmagicalandcompulsory，whenheseizedherandgentlytrottedherround。Butlingeringemotionsmayhaveledhermemorytoplayprankswiththescene，andhervividimaginationatthatyouthfulagemustbetakenintoaccountinbelievingher。However，thereisnodoubtthatthestranger，whoeverhemightbe，andwhateverhispowers，taughthertheelementsofmoderndancingatacertaininterviewbymoonlightatthetopofherfather’sgarden，aswasprovedbyherpossessionofknowledgeonthesubjectthatcouldhavebeenacquiredinnootherway。
Hiswasofthefirstrankofcommandingfigures，shewasoneofthemostagileofmilkmaids，andtocasualviewitwouldhaveseemedallofapiecewithNature’sdoingsthatthingsshouldgoonthus。Buttherewasanothersidetothecase；andwhetherthestrangegentlemanwereawildolivetree，ornot，itwasquestionableiftheacquaintancewouldleadtohappiness。’Afleetingromanceandapossiblecalamity；’thusitmighthavebeensummedupbythepractical。
MargerywasinParadise；andyetshewasnotatthisdatedistinctlyinlovewiththestranger。Whatshefeltwassomethingmoremysterious，moreofthenatureofveneration。Ashelookedatheracrossthestileshespoketimidly，onasubjectwhichhadapparentlyoccupiedherlong。
’Ioughttohaveaball—dress，oughtInot，sir？’
’Certainly。Andyoushallhaveaball—dress。’
’Really？’
’Nodoubtofit。Iwon’tdothingsbyhalvesformybestfriend。I
havethoughtoftheball—dress，andofotherthingsalso。’
’Andismydancinggoodenough？’
’Quite——quite。’Hepaused，lapsedintothought，andlookedather。
’Margery，’hesaid，’doyoutrustyourselfunreservedlytome？’
’Oyes，sir，’sherepliedbrightly；’ifIamnottoomuchtrouble：
ifIamgoodenoughtobeseeninyoursociety。’
TheBaronlaughedinapeculiarway。’Really，Ithinkyoumayassumeasmuchasthat。——However，tobusiness。Theballisonthetwenty—
fifth，thatisnextThursdayweek；andtheonlydifficultyaboutthedressisthesize。Supposeyoulendmethis？’Andhetouchedherontheshouldertosignifyatightlittlejacketshewore。
Margerywasallobedience。Shetookitoffandhandedittohim。
TheBaronrolledandcompresseditwithallhisforcetillitwasaboutaslargeasanapple—dumpling，andputitintohispocket。
’Thenextthing，’hesaid，’isaboutgettingtheconsentofyourfriendstoyourgoing。Haveyouthoughtofthis？’
’Thereisonlymyfather。IcantellhimIaminvitedtoaparty，andIdon’tthinkhe’llmind。ThoughIwouldrathernottellhim。’
’Butitstrikesmethatyoumustinformhimsomethingofwhatyouintend。Iwouldstronglyadviseyoutodoso。’HespokeasifratherperplexedastotheprobablecustomoftheEnglishpeasantryinsuchmatters，andadded，’However，itisforyoutodecide。I
knownothingofthecircumstances。Astogettingtotheball，theplanIhavearrangedisthis。ThedirectiontoLordToneborough’sbeingtheotherwayfrommyhouse，youmustmeetmeatThree—Walks—
End——inChillingtonWood，twomilesormorefromhere。Youknowtheplace？Good。Bymeetingthereweshallsavefiveorsixmilesofjourney——aconsideration，asitisalongway。Now，forthelasttime：areyoustillfirminyourwishforthisparticulartreatandnoother？Itisnottoolatetogiveitup。Cannotyouthinkofsomethingelse——somethingbetter——someusefulhouseholdarticlesyourequire？’
Margery’scountenance，whichbeforehadbeenbeamingwithexpectation，lostitsbrightness：herlipsbecameclose，andhervoicebroken。’Youhaveofferedtotakeme，andnow——’
’No，no，no，’hesaid，pattinghercheek。’Wewillnotthinkofanythingelse。Youshallgo。’
CHAPTERIV
ButwhethertheBaron，innamingsuchadistantspotfortherendezvous，wasinhopeshemightfailhim，andsorelievehimafterallofhisundertaking，cannotbesaid；thoughitmighthavebeenstronglysuspectedfromhismannerthathehadnogreatzestfortheresponsibilityofescortingher。
Buthelittleknewthefirmnessoftheyoungwomanhehadtodealwith。Shewasoneofthosesoftnatureswhosepowerofadhesivenesstoanacquiredideaseemstobeoneofthespecialattributesofthatsoftness。Togotoaballwiththismysteriouspersonageofromancewasherardentdesireandaim；andnonethelessinthatshetrembledwithfearandexcitementatherpositioninsoaiming。Shefeltthedeepestawe，tenderness，andhumilitytowardstheBaronofthestrangename；andyetshewaspreparedtosticktoherpoint。
ThusitwasthattheafternoonoftheeventfuldayfoundMargerytrudgingherwayuptheslopesfromthevaletotheplaceofappointment。Shewalkedtothemusicofinnumerablebirds，whichincreasedasshedrewawayfromtheopenmeadstowardsthegroves。
Shehadovercomealldifficulties。Afterthinkingoutthequestionoftellingornottellingherfather，shehaddecidedthattotellhimwastobeforbiddentogo。Hercontrivancethereforewasthis：
toleavehomethiseveningonavisittoherinvalidgrandmother，wholivednotfarfromtheBaron’shouse；butnottoarriveathergrandmother’stillbreakfast—timenextmorning。WhowouldsuspectanintercalatedexperienceoftwelvehourswiththeBaronataball？
Thatthispieceofdeceptionwasindefensiblesheafterwardsownedreadilyenough；butshedidnotstoptothinkofitthen。
ItwassunsetwithinChillingtonWoodbythetimeshereachedThree—
Walks—End——theconvergingpointofradiatingtrackways，nowflooredwithacarpetofmattedgrass，whichhadneverknownotherscythesthantheteethofrabbitsandhares。Thetwitteroverheadhadceased，exceptfromafewbraverandlargerbirds，includingthecuckoo，whodidnotfearnightatthispleasanttimeofyear。Nobodyseemedtobeonthespotwhenshefirstdrewnear，butnosoonerdidMargerystandattheintersectionoftheroadsthanaslightcrashingbecameaudible，andherpatronappeared。Hewassotransfiguredindressthatshescarcelyknewhim。Underalightgreat—coat，whichwasflungopen，insteadofhisordinaryclothesheworeasuitofthinblackcloth，anopenwaistcoatwithafrillalldownhisshirt—
front，awhitetie，shiningboots，nothickerthanaglove，acoatthatmadehimlooklikeabird，andahatthatseemedasifitwouldopenandshutlikeanaccordion。
’Iamdressedfortheball——nothingworse，’hesaid，drilysmiling。
’Sowillyoubesoon。’
’Whydidyouchoosethisplaceforourmeeting，sir？’sheasked，lookingaroundandacquiringconfidence。
’WhydidIchooseit？Well，becauseinridingpastonedayI
observedalargehollowtreeclosebyhere，anditoccurredtomewhenIwaslastwithyouthatthiswouldbeusefulforourpurpose。
Haveyoutoldyourfather？’
’Ihavenotyettoldhim，sir。’
’That’sverybadofyou，Margery。Howhaveyouarrangedit，then？’
Shebrieflyrelatedherplan，onwhichhemadenocomment，but，takingherbythehandasifshewerealittlechild，heledherthroughtheundergrowthtoaspotwherethetreeswereolder，andstandingatwiderdistances。Amongthemwasthetreehehadspokenof——anelm；huge，hollow，distorted，andheadless，withariftinitsside。
’Nowgoinside，’hesaid，’beforeitgetsanydarker。Youwillfindthereeverythingyouwant。Atanyrate，ifyoudonotyoumustdowithoutit。I’llkeepwatch；anddon’tbelongerthanyoucanhelptobe。’
’WhatamItodo，sir？’askedthepuzzledmaiden。
’Goinside，andyouwillsee。Whenyouarereadywaveyourhandkerchiefatthathole。’
Shestoopedintotheopening。Thecavitywithinthetreeformedaloftycircularapartment，fourorfivefeetindiameter，towhichdaylightenteredatthetop，andalsothrougharoundholeaboutsixfeetfromtheground，markingthespotatwhichalimbhadbeenamputatedinthetree’sprime。Thedecayedwoodofcinnamon—brown，formingtheinnersurfaceofthetree，andthewarmeveningglow，reflectedinatthetop，suffusedthecavitywithafaintmellowradiance。
ButMargeryhadhardlygivenherselftimetoheedthesethings。Hereyehadbeencaughtbyobjectsofquiteanotherquality。Alargewhiteoblongpaperboxlayagainsttheinsideofthetree；overit，onasplinter，hungasmallovallooking—glass。
Margeryseizedtheideainamoment。Shepressedthroughtheriftintothetree，liftedthecoverofthebox，and，behold，therewasdisclosedwithinalovelywhiteapparitioninasomewhatflattenedstate。Itwastheball—dress。
Thismarvelofartwas，briefly，asortofheavenlycobweb。Itwasagossamertextureofpreciousmanufacture，artisticallyfestoonedinadozenflouncesormore。
Margeryliftedit，andcouldhardlyrefrainfromkissingit。Hadanyonetoldherbeforethismomentthatsuchadresscouldexist，shewouldhavesaid，’No；it’simpossible!’Shedrewback，wentforward，flushed，laughed，raisedherhands。Tosaythatthemakerofthatdresshadbeenanindividualoftalentwassimplyunderstatement：hewasagenius，andshesunnedherselfintheraysofhiscreation。
Shethenrememberedthatherfriendwithouthadtoldhertomakehaste，andshespasmodicallyproceededtoarrayherself。Inremovingthedressshefoundsatinslippers，gloves，ahandkerchiefnearlyalllace，afan，andevenflowersforthehair。’O，howcouldhethinkofit!’shesaid，claspingherhandsandalmostcryingwithagitation。’Andtheglass——howgoodofhim!’
Everythingwassowellprepared，thattoclotheherselfinthesegarmentswasamatterofease。Inaquarterofanhourshewasready，eventoshoesandgloves。ButwhatledhermorethananythingelseintoadmirationoftheBaron’sforesightwasthediscoverythattherewerehalf—a—dozenpairseachofshoesandgloves，ofvaryingsizes，outofwhichsheselectedafit。
Margeryglancedatherselfinthemirror，oratasmuchasshecouldseeofherself：theimagepresentedwassuperb。Thenshehastilyrolledupherolddress，putitinthebox，andthrustthelatteronaledgeashighasshecouldreach。Standingontiptoe，shewavedthehandkerchiefthroughtheupperaperture，andbenttotherifttogoout。
Butwhatatroublestaredherintheface。Thedresswassoairy，sofantastical，andsoextensive，thattogetoutinhernewclothesbytheriftwhichhadadmittedherinheroldoneswasanimpossibility。
SheheardtheBaron’sstepscracklingoverthedeadsticksandleaves。
’O，sir!’shebeganindespair。
’What——can’tyoudressyourself？’heinquiredfromthebackofthetrunk。
’Yes；butIcan’tgetoutofthisdreadfultree!’
Hecameroundtotheopening，stooped，andlookedin。’Itisobviousthatyoucannot，’hesaid，takinginhercompassataglance；andaddingtohimself；’Charming!whowouldhavethoughtthatclothescoulddosomuch!——Waitaminute，mylittlemaid：Ihaveit!’hesaidmoreloudly。
Withallhismighthekickedatthesidesoftherift，andbythatmeansbrokeawayseveralpiecesoftherottentouchwood。But，beingthinlyarmedaboutthefeet，heabandonedthatprocess，andwentforafallenbranchwhichlaynear。Byusingthelargeendasalever，hetoreawaypiecesofthewoodenshellwhichenshroudedMargeryandallherloveliness，tilltheaperturewaslargeenoughforhertopasswithouttearingherdress。Shebreathedherrelief：thesillygirlhadbeguntofearthatshewouldnotgettotheballafterall。
Hecarefullywrappedroundheracloakhehadbroughtwithhim：itwashooded，andofalengthwhichcoveredhertotheheels。
’Thecarriageiswaitingdowntheotherpath，’hesaid，andgaveherhisarm。Ashorttrudgeoverthesoftdryleavesbroughtthemtotheplaceindicated。
Therestoodthebrougham，thehorses，thecoachman，allasstillasiftheyweregrowingonthespot，likethetrees。Margery’seyesrosewithsometimiditytothecoachman’sfigure。
’Youneednotmindhim，’saidtheBaron。’Heisaforeigner，andheedsnothing。’
Inthespaceofashortminuteshewashandedinside；theBaronbuttoneduphisovercoat，andsurprisedherbymountingwiththecoachman。Thecarriagemovedoffsilentlyoverthelonggrassofthevista，theshadowsdeepeningtoblackastheyproceeded。Darkeranddarkergrewthenightastheyrolledon；theneighbourhoodfamiliartoMargerywassoonleftbehind，andshehadnottheremotestideaofthedirectiontheyweretaking。Thestarsblinkedout，thecoachmanlithislamps，andtheybowledonagain。
Inthecourseofanhourandahalftheyarrivedatasmalltown，wheretheypulledupatthechiefinn，andchangedhorses；allbeingdonesoreadilythattheiradventhadplainlybeenexpected。Thejourneywasresumedimmediately。Hercompanionneverdescendedtospeaktoher；whenevershelookedouttherehesatuprightonhisperch，withthemienofapersonwhohadadifficultdutytoperform，andwhomeanttoperformitproperlyatallcosts。ButMargerycouldnothelpfeelingacertaindreadathersituation——almost，indeed，awishthatshehadnotcome。Onceortwiceshethought，’Supposeheisawickedman，whoistakingmeofftoaforeigncountry，andwillneverbringmehomeagain。’
Buthercharacteristicpersistenceinanoriginalideasustainedheragainstthesemisgivingsexceptatoddmoments。Oneincidentinparticularhadgivenherconfidenceinherescort：shehadseenatearinhiseyewhensheexpressedhersorrowforhistroubles。Hemayhavedivinedthatherthoughtswouldtakeanuneasyturn，forwhentheystoppedforamomentinascendingahillhecametothewindow。’Areyoutired，Margery？’heaskedkindly。
’No，sir。’
’Areyouafraid？’
’N——no，sir。Butitisalongway。’
’Wearealmostthere，’heanswered。’Andnow，Margery，’hesaidinalowertone，’Imusttellyouasecret。Ihaveobtainedthisinvitationinapeculiarway。Ithoughtitbestforyoursakenottocomeinmyownname，andthisishowIhavemanaged。Amaninthiscounty，forwhomIhavelatelydoneaservice，onewhomIcantrust，andwhoispersonallyasunknownhereasyouandI，has（privately）
transferredhiscardofinvitationtome。Sothatwegounderhisname。Iexplainthisthatyoumaynotsayanythingimprudentbyaccident。Keepyourearsopenandbecautious。’HavingsaidthistheBaronretreatedagaintohisplace。
’Thenheisawickedmanafterall!’shesaidtoherself；’forheisgoingunderafalsename。’Butshesoonhadthetemeritynottomindit：wickednessofthatsortwastheoneingredientrequiredjustnowtofinishhimoffasaheroinhereyes。
Theydescendedahill，passedalodge，thenupanavenue；andpresentlytherebeameduponthemthelightfromothercarriages，drawnupinafile，whichmovedonbydegrees；andatlasttheyhaltedbeforealargearcheddoorway，roundwhichagroupofpeoplestood。
’Weareamongthelatestarrivals，onaccountofthedistance，’saidtheBaron，reappearing。’Butnevermind；therearethreehoursatleastforyourenjoyment。’
Thestepswerepromptlyflungdown，andtheyalighted。Thesteamfromtheflanksoftheirswarthysteeds，astheyseemedtoher，ascendedtotheparapetoftheporch，andfromtheirnostrilsthehotbreathjettedforthlikesmokeoutofvolcanoes，attractingtheattentionofall。
CHAPTERV
ThebewilderedMargerywasledbytheBaronupthestepstotheinteriorofthehouse，whencethesoundsofmusicanddancingwerealreadyproceeding。Thetoneswerestrange。Ateveryfourthbeatadeepandmightynotethrobbedthroughtheair，reachingMargery’ssoulwithalltheforceofablow。
’Whatisthatpowerfultune，sir——Ihaveneverheardanythinglikeit？’shesaid。
’TheDrumPolka，’answeredtheBaron。’ThestrangedanceIspokeofandthatwepractised——introducedfrommycountryandotherpartsofthecontinent。’
Hersurprisewasnotlessenedwhen，attheentrancetotheballroom，sheheardthenamesofherconductorandherselfannouncedas’Mr。
andMissBrown。’
However，nobodyseemedtotakeanynoticeoftheannouncement，theroombeyondbeinginaperfectturmoilofgaiety，andMargery’sconsternationatsailingunderfalsecolourssubsided。Atthesamemomentsheobservedawaitingthemahandsome，dark—haired，ratherpetiteladyincream—colouredsatin。’Whoisshe？’askedMargeryoftheBaron。
’Sheistheladyofthemansion，’hewhispered。’Sheisthewifeofapeeroftherealm，thedaughterofamarquis，hasfiveChristiannames；andhardlyeverspeakstocommoners，exceptforpoliticalpurposes。’
’Howdivine——whatjoytobehere!’murmuredMargery，asshecontemplatedthediamondsthatflashedfromtheheadofherladyship，whowasjustinsidetheball—roomdoor，infrontofalittlegildedchair，uponwhichshesatintheintervalsbetweenonearrivalandanother。ShehadcomedownfromLondonatgreatinconveniencetoherself；openlytopromotethisentertainment。
AsMr。andMissBrownexpressedabsolutelynomeaningtoLadyToneborough（fortherewerethreeBrownsalreadypresentinthisrathermixedassembly），andastherewaspossiblyaslightawkwardnessinpoorMargery’smanner，LadyToneboroughtouchedtheirhandslightlywiththetipsofherlonggloves，said，’Howd’yedo，’
andturnedroundformorecomers。
’Ah，ifsheonlyknewwewerearichBaronandhisfriend，andnotMr。andMissBrownatall，shewouldn’treceiveuslikethat，wouldshe？’whisperedMargeryconfidentially。
’Indeed，shewouldn’t!’drilysaidtheBaron。’Nowletusdropintothedanceatonce；someofthepeoplehere，yousee，dancemuchworsethanyou。’
Almostbeforeshewasawareshehadobeyedhismysteriousinfluence，bygivinghimonehand，placingtheotheruponhisshoulder，andswingingwithhimroundtheroomtothestepsshehadlearntonthesward。
Atthefirstgazetheapartmenthadseemedtohertobeflooredwithblackice；thefiguresofthedancersappearinguponitupsidedown。
Atlastsherealizedthatitwashighly—polishedoak，butshewasnonethelessafraidtomove。
’Iamafraidoffallingdown，’shesaid。
’Leanonme；youwillsoongetusedtoit，’hereplied。’Youhavenonailsinyourshoesnow，dear。’
Hiswords，likeallhiswordstoher，werequitetrue。Shefounditamazinglyeasyinabriefspaceoftime。Thefloor，farfromhinderingher，wasapositiveassistancetooneofhernaturalagilityandlitheness。Moreover，hermarvellousdressoftwelveflouncesinspiredherasnothingelsecouldhavedone。Externallyanewcreature，shewaspromptedtonewdeeds。Tofeelaswell—dressedastheotherwomenaroundheristosetanywomanatherease，whencesoevershemayhavecome：tofeelmuchbetterdressedistoaddradiancetothatease。
Herprophet’sstatementonthepopularityofthepolkaatthisjuncturewasamplyborneout。Itwasamongthefirstseasonsofitsgeneraladoptionincountryhouses；theenthusiasmitexcitedto—
nightwasbeyonddescription，andscarcelycredibletotheyouthofthepresentday。Anewmotivepowerhadbeenintroducedintotheworldofpoesy——thepolka，asacounterpoisetothenewmotivepowerthathadbeenintroducedintotheworldofprose——steam。
Twentyfinishedmusicianssatinthemusicgalleryattheend，withromanticmop—headsofravenhair，underwhichtheirfacesandeyesshonelikefireundercoals。
Thenatureandobjectoftheballhadledtoitsbeingveryinclusive。Everyrankwasthere，fromthepeertothesmallestyeoman，andMargerygotonexceedinglywell，particularlywhentherecuperativepowersofsupperhadbanishedthefatigueofherlongdrive。
Sometimessheheardpeoplesaying，’Whoarethey？——brotherandsister——fatheranddaughter？Andneverdancingexceptwitheachother——howodd？’Butofthisshetooknonotice。
WhennotdancingthewatchfulBarontookherthroughthedrawing—
roomsandpicture—galleriesadjoining，whichto—nightwerethrownopenliketherestofthehouse；andthere，ensconcingherinsomecurtainednook，hedrewherattentiontoscrap—books，prints，andalbums，andlefthertoamuseherselfwithturningthemovertillthedanceinwhichshewaspractisedshouldagainbecalled。Margerywouldmuchhavepreferredtoroamaboutduringtheseintervals；butthewordsoftheBaronwerelaw，andashecommandedsosheacted。
Insuchalternationstheeveningwingedaway；tillatlastcamethegloomywords，’Margery，ourtimeisup。’
’Onemore——onlyone!’shecoaxed，forthelongertheystayedthemorefreelyandgailymovedthedance。Thisentreatyhegranted；butonheraskingforyetanother，hewasinexorable。’No，’hesaid。’Wehavealongwaytogo。’
Thenshebadeadieutothewondrousscene，lookingoverhershoulderastheywithdrewfromthehall；andinafewminutesshewascloakedandinthecarriage。TheBaronmountedtohisseatonthebox，whereshesawhimlightacigar；theyplungedunderthetrees，andsheleantback，andgaveherselfuptocontemplatetheimagesthatfilledherbrain。Thenaturalresultfollowed：shefellasleep。
Shedidnotawaketilltheystoppedtochangehorses；whenshesawagainstthestarstheBaronsittingaserectasever。’HewatchesliketheAngelGabriel，whenalltheworldisasleep!’shethought。
Withtheresumptionofmotionshesleptagain，andknewnomoretillhetouchedherhandandsaid，’Ourjourneyisdone——weareinChillingtonWood。’
Itwasalmostdaylight。MargeryscarcelyknewherselftobeawaketillshewasoutofthecarriageandstandingbesidetheBaron，who，havingtoldthecoachmantodriveontoacertainpointindicated，turnedtoher。
’Now，’hesaid，smiling，’runacrosstothehollowtree；youknowwhereitis。I’llwaitasbefore，whileyouperformthereverseoperationtothatyoudidlastnight。’Shetooknoheedofthepathnow，norregardedwhetherherprettyslippersbecamescratchedbythebramblesorno。Awalkofafewstepsbroughthertotheparticulartreewhichshehadleftaboutninehoursearlier。Itwasstillgloomyatthisspot，themorningnotbeingclear。
Sheenteredthetrunk，dislodgedtheboxcontainingheroldclothing，pulledoffthesatinshoes，andgloves，dress，andintenminutesemergedinthecottonandshawlofshepherd’splaid。
Baronwasnotfaroff。’Nowyoulookthemilkmaidagain，’hesaid，comingtowardsher。’Whereisthefinery？’
’Packedinthebox，sir，asIfoundit。’Shespokewithmorehumilitynow。Thedifferencebetweenthemwasgreaterthanithadbeenattheball。
’Good，’hesaid。’Imustjustdisposeofit；andthenawaywego。’
Hewentbacktothetree，Margeryfollowingatalittledistance。
Bringingforththebox，hepulledoutthedressascarelesslyasifithadbeenrags。Butthiswasnotall。Hegatheredafewdrysticks，crushedthelovelygarmentintoaloosebillowyheap，threwthegloves，fan，andshoesonthetop，thenstruckalightandruthlesslysetfiretothewhole。
Margerywasagonized。Sheranforward；sheimploredandentreated。
’Please，sir——dospareit——do!Mylovelydress——my—dear，dearslippers——myfan——itiscruel!Don’tburnthem，please!’
’Nonsense。Weshallhavenofurtheruseforthemifweliveahundredyears。’
’Butspareabitofit——onelittlepiece，sir——ascrapofthelace——
onebowoftheribbon——thelovelyfan——justsomething!’
ButhewasasimmoveableasRhadamanthus。’No，’hesaid，withasterngazeofhisaristocraticeye。’Itisofnouseforyoutospeaklikethat。Thethingsaremyproperty。Iundertooktogratifyyouinwhatyoumightdesirebecauseyouhadsavedmylife。Togotoaball，yousaid。Youmightmuchmorewiselyhavesaidanythingelse，butno；yousaid，togotoaball。Verywell——Ihavetakenyoutoaball。Ihavebroughtyouback。Theclotheswereonlythemeans，andIdisposeofthemmyownway。HaveInotarightto？’
’Yes，sir，’shesaidmeekly。
Hegavethefireastir，andlaceandribbons，andthetwelveflounces，andtheembroidery，andalltherestcrackledanddisappeared。Hethenputinherhandsthebutterbasketshehadbroughttotakeontohergrandmother’s，andaccompaniedhertotheedgeofthewood，whereitmergedintheundulatingopencountryinwhichhergranddamedwelt。
’Now，Margery，’hesaid，’herewepart。Ihaveperformedmycontract——atsomeawkwardness，ifIwasrecognized。Butnevermindthat。Howdoyoufeel——sleepy？’
’Notatall，sir，’shesaid。
’Thatlongnaprefreshedyou，eh？Nowyoumustmakemeapromise。
ThatifIrequireyourpresenceatanytime，youwillcometome……Iamamanofmorethanonemood，’hewentonwithsuddensolemnity；’andImayhavedesperateneedofyouagain，todelivermefromthatdarknessasofDeathwhichsometimesencompassesme。
Promiseit，Margery——promiseit；that，nomatterwhatstandsintheway，youwillcometomeifIrequireyou。’
’Iwouldhaveifyouhadnotburntmyprettyclothes!’shepouted。
’Ah——ungrateful!’
’Indeed，then，Iwillpromise，sir，’shesaidfromherheart。
’WhereverIam，ifIhavebodilystrengthIwillcometoyou。’
Hepressedherhand。’Itisasolemnpromise，’hereplied。’NowI
mustgo，foryouknowyourway。’
’Ishallhardlybelievethatithasnotbeenalladream!’shesaid，withachildishinstincttocryathiswithdrawal。’Therewillbenothingleftoflastnight——nothingofmydress，nothingofmypleasure，nothingoftheplace!’
’Youshallrememberitinthisway，’saidhe。’We’llcutourinitialsonthistreeasamemorial，sothatwheneveryouwalkthispathyouwillseethem。’
ThenwithaknifeheinscribedonthesmoothbarkofabeechtreethelettersM。T。，andunderneathalargeX。
’What，haveyounoChristianname，sir？’shesaid。
’Yes，butIdon’tuseit。Now，good—bye，mylittlefriend。——Whatwillyoudowithyourselfto—day，whenyouaregonefromme？’helingeredtoask。
’Oh——Ishallgotomygranny’s，’sherepliedwithsomegloom；’andhavebreakfast，anddinner，andteawithher，Isuppose；andintheeveningIshallgohometoSilverthornDairy，andperhapsJimwillcometomeetme，andallwillbethesameasusual。’
’WhoisJim？’
’O，he’snobody——onlytheyoungmanI’vegottomarrysomeday。’
’What!——youengagedtobemarried？——Whydidn’tyoutellmethisbefore？’
’I——Idon’tknow，sir。’
’Whatistheyoungman’sname？’
’JamesHayward。’
’Whatishe？’
’Amasterlime—burner。’
’Engagedtoamasterlime—burner，andnotawordofthistome!
Margery，Margery!whenshallastraightforwardoneofyoursexbefound!Subtleeveninyoursimplicity!Whatmischiefhaveyoucausedmetodo，throughnottellingmethis？Iwouldn’thavesoendangeredanybody’shappinessforathousandpounds。Wickedgirlthatyouwere；whydidn’tyoutellme？’
’IthoughtI’dbetternot!’saidMargery，beginningtobefrightened。
’Butdon’tyouseeandunderstandthatifyouarealreadythepropertyofayoungman，andheweretofindoutthisnight’sexcursion，hemaybeangrywithyouandpartfromyouforever？WithhimalreadyinthefieldIhadnorighttotakeyouatall；heundoubtedlyoughttohavetakenyou；whichreallymighthavebeenarranged，ifyouhadnotdeceivedmebysayingyouhadnobody。’
Margery’sfaceworethataspectofwoewhichcomesfromtherepentantconsciousnessofhavingbeenguiltyofanenormity。’Buthewasn’tgoodenoughtotakeme，sir!’shesaid，almostcrying；’andheisn’tabsolutelymymasteruntilIhavemarriedhim，ishe？’
’That’sasubjectIcannotgointo。However，wemustalterourtactics。Insteadofadvisingyou，asIdidatfirst，totellofthisexperiencetoyourfriends，Imustnowimpressonyouthatitwillbebesttokeepasilenttongueonthematter——perhapsforeverandever。Itmaycomerightsomeday，andyoumaybeabletosay\"All’swellthatendswell。\"Now，goodmorning，myfriend。ThinkofJim，andforgetme。’
’Ah，perhapsIcan’tdothat，’shesaid，withatearinhereye，andafullthroat。
’Well——doyourbest。Icansaynomore。’
Heturnedandretreatedintothewood，andMargery，sighing，wentonherway。
CHAPTERVI
Betweensixandseveno’clockintheeveningofthesamedayayoungmandescendedthehillsintothevalleyoftheExe，atapointaboutmidwaybetweenSilverthornandtheresidenceofMargery’sgrandmother，fourmilestotheeast。
Hewasathoroughbredsonofthecountry，asfarremovedfromwhatisknownastheprovincial，asthelatterisfromtheout—and—outgentlemanofculture。Histrousersandwaistcoatwereoffustian，almostwhite，butheworeajacketofold—fashionedblueWest—of—
Englandcloth，sowellpreservedthatevidentlythearticlewasrelegatedtoaboxwheneveritsownerengagedinsuchactiveoccupationsasheusuallypursued。Hiscomplexionwasfair，almostflorid，andhehadscarcelyanybeard。
Anovelattractionaboutthisyoungman，whichaglancingstrangerwouldknownothingof，wasarareandcuriousfreshnessofatmospherethatappertainedtohim，tohisclothes，toallhisbelongings，eventotheroominwhichhehadbeensitting。Itmightalmosthavebeensaidthatbyaddinghimandhisimplementstoanover—crowdedapartmentyoumadeithealthful。Thisresultedfromhistrade。Hewasalime—burner；hehandledlimedaily；andinreturnthelimerenderedhimanincarnationofsalubrity。Hishairwasdry，fair，andfrizzled，thelatterpossiblybytheoperationofthesamecausticagent。Hecarriedasawalking—stickagreensapling，whosegrowthhadbeencontortedtoacorkscrewpatternbyatwininghoneysuckle。
Ashedescendedtothelevelgroundofthewater—meadowshecasthisglancewestward，withafrequencythatrevealedhimtobeinsearchofsomeobjectinthedistance。Itwasratherdifficulttodothis，thelowsunlightdazzlinghiseyesbyglancingfromtheriverawaythere，andfromthe’carriers’（astheywerecalled）inhispath——
narrowartificialbrooksforconductingthewateroverthegrass。
Hiscoursewassomethingofazigzagfromthenecessityoffindingpointsinthesecarriersconvenientforjumping。Thuspeeringandleapingandwinding，hedrewneartheExe，thecentralriverofthemiles—longmead。
Amovingspotbecamevisibletohiminthedirectionofhisscrutiny，mixedupwiththeraysofthesameriver。Thespotgotnearer，andrevealeditselftobeaslightthingofpinkcottonandshepherd’splaid，whichpursuedapathonthebrinkofthestream。Theyoungmansoshapedhistracklesscourseastoimpingeonthepathalittleaheadofthiscolouredform，andwhenhedrewnearherhesmiledandreddened。Thegirlsmiledbacktohim；buthersmilehadnotthelifeinitthattheyoungman’shadshown。
’MydearMargery——hereIam!’hesaidgladlyinanundertone，aswithalastleaphecrossedthelastinterveningcarrier，andstoodatherside。
’You’vecomeallthewayfromthekiln，onpurposetomeetme，andyoushouldn’thavedoneit，’shereproachfullyreturned。
’Wefinishedthereatfour，soitwasnotrouble；andifithadbeen—
—why，Ishouldha’come。’
Asmallsighwastheresponse。
’What，youarenotevensogladtoseemeasyouwouldbetoseeyourdogorcat？’hecontinued。’Come，Mis’essMargery，thisisratherhard。But，byGeorge，howtiredyoudewlook!Why，ifyou’dbeenupallnightyoureyescouldn’tbemoreliketea—saucers。You’vewalkedtewfar，that’swhatitis。Theweatherisgettingwarmnow，andtheairoftheselow—lyingmeadsisnotstrengtheninginsummer。Iwishyouliveduponhighergroundwithme，besidethekiln。You’dgetasstrongasahoss!Well，there；allthatwillcomeintime。’
Insteadofsayingyes，thefairmaidrepressedanothersigh。
