Boultecameintothehouseoneevening，andleanedagainstthedoor-postsofthedrawing-room，chewinghismoustache。Mrs。
Boultewasputtingsomeflowersintoavase。ThereisapretenceofcivilisationeveninKashima。
’Littlewoman，’saidBoultequietly，’doyoucareforme？’
’Immensely，’saidshe，withalaugh。’Canyouaskit？’
’ButI’mserious，’saidBoulte。’Doyoucareforme？’
Mrs。Boultedroppedtheflowers，andturnedroundquickly。’Doyouwantanhonestanswer？’
’Ye-es，I’veaskedforit。’
Mrs。Boultespokeinalow，evenvoiceforfiveminutes，verydistinctly，thattheremightbenomisunderstandinghermeaning。
WhenSamsonbrokethepillarsofGaza，hedidalittlething，andonenottobecomparedtothedeliberatepullingdownofawoman’shomesteadaboutherownears。TherewasnowisefemalefriendtoadviseMrs。Boulte，thesingularlycautiouswife，toholdherhand。ShestruckatBoulte’sheart，becauseherownwassickwithsuspicionofKurrell，andwornoutwiththelongstrainofwatchingalonethroughtheRains。Therewasnoplanorpurposeinherspeaking。Thesentencesmadethemselves;andBoultelistened，leaningagainstthedoor-postwithhishandsinhispockets。Whenallwasover，andMrs。Boultebegantobreathethroughhernosebeforebreakingoutintotears，helaughedandstaredstraightinfrontofhimattheDosehrihills。
’Isthatall？’hesaid。’Thanks，Ionlywantedtoknow，youknow。’
’Whatareyougoingtodo？’saidthewoman，betweenhersobs。
’Do！Nothing。WhatshouldIdo？KillKurrell，orsendyouHome，orapplyforleavetogetadivorce？It’stwodays’d？kintoNarkarra。’Helaughedagainandwenton：’I’lltellyouwhatyoucando。YoucanaskKurrelltodinnertomorrowno，onThursday，thatwillallowyoutimetopackandyoucanboltwithhim。IgiveyoumywordIwon’tfollow。’
Hetookuphishelmetandwentoutoftheroom，andMrs。Boultesattillthemoonlightstreakedthefloor，thinkingandthinkingandthinking。Shehaddoneherbestuponthespurofthemomenttopullthehousedown;butitwouldnotfall。Moreover，shecouldnotunderstandherhusband，andshewasafraid。Thenthefollyofheruselesstruthfulnessstruckher，andshewasashamedtowritetoKurrell，saying，’Ihavegonemadandtoldeverything。MyhusbandsaysthatIamfreetoelopewithyou。Getad？kforThursday，andwewillflyafterdinner。’Therewasacold-bloodednessaboutthatprocedurewhichdidnotappealtoher。Soshesatstillinherownhouseandthought。
Atdinner-timeBoultecamebackfromhiswalk，whiteandwornandhaggard，andthewomanwastouchedathisdistress。Astheeveningworeonshemutteredsomeexpressionofsorrow，somethingapproachingtocontrition。Boultecameoutofabrownstudyandsaid，’Oh，that！Iwasn’tthinkingaboutthat。Bytheway，whatdoesKurrellsaytotheelopement？’
’Ihaven’tseenhim，’saidMrs。Boulte。’GoodGod，isthatall？’
ButBoultewasnotlisteningandhersentenceendedinagulp。
ThenextdaybroughtnocomforttoMrs。Boulte，forKurrelldidnotappear，andthenewliftthatshe，inthefiveminutes’madnessofthepreviousevening，hadhopedtobuildoutoftheruinsoftheold，seemedtobenonearer。
Boulteatehisbreakfast，advisedhertoseeherArabponyfedintheverandah，andwentout。Themorningworethrough，andatmid-daythetensionbecameunendurable。Mrs。Boultecouldnotcry。Shehadfinishedhercryinginthenight，andnowshedidnotwanttobeleftalone。PerhapstheVansuythenWomanwouldtalktoher;and，sincetalkingopenstheheart，perhapstheremightbesomecomforttobefoundinhercompany。ShewastheonlyotherwomanintheStation。
InKashimatherearenoregularcalling-hours。Everyonecandropinuponeveryoneelseatpleasure。Mrs。Boulteputonabigteraihat，andwalkedacrosstotheVansuythens’housetoborrowlastweek’sQueen。Thetwocompoundstouched，andinsteadofgoingupthedrive，shecrossedthroughthegapinthecactus-hedge，enteringthehousefromtheback。Asshepassedthroughthedining-room，sheheard，behindthepurdahthatcloakedthedrawing-roomdoor，herhusband’svoice，saying’ButonmyHonour！OnmySoulandHonour，Itellyoushedoesn’tcareforme。Shetoldmesolastnight。IwouldhavetoldyouthenifVansuythenhadn’tbeenwithyou。Ifitisforhersakethatyou’llhavenothingtosaytome，youcanmakeyourmindeasy。It’sKurrell’
’What？’saidMrs。Vansuythen，withahystericallittlelaugh。
’Kurrell！Oh，itcan’tbe！Youtwomusthavemadesomehorriblemistake。Perhapsyouyoulostyourtemper，ormisunderstood，orsomething。Thingscan’tbeaswrongasyousay。’
Mrs。Vansuythenhadshiftedherdefencetoavoidtheman’spleading，andwasdesperatelytryingtokeephimtoaside-issue。
’Theremustbesomemistake，’sheinsisted，’anditcanbeallputrightagain。’
Boultelaughedgrimly。
’Itcan’tbeCaptainKurrell！Hetoldmethathehadnevertakentheleasttheleastinterestinyourwife，Mr。Boulte。Oh，dolisten！Hesaidhehadnot。Hesworehehadnot，’saidMrs。Vansuythen。
Thepurdahrustled，andthespeechwascutshortbytheentryofalittlethinwoman，withbigringsroundhereyes。Mrs。Vansuythenstoodupwithagasp。
’Whatwasthatyousaid？’askedMrs。Boulte。’Nevermindthatman。WhatdidTedsaytoyou？Whatdidhesaytoyou？Whatdidhesaytoyou？’
Mrs。Vansuythensatdownhelplesslyonthesofa，overbornebythetroubleofherquestioner。
’HesaidIcan’trememberexactlywhathesaidbutIunderstoodhimtosaythatisBut，really，Mrs。Boulte，isn’titratherastrangequestion？’
’Willyoutellmewhathesaid？’repeatedMrs。Boulte。Evenatigerwillflybeforeabearrobbedofherwhelps，andMrs。Vansuythenwasonlyanordinarilygoodwoman。Shebeganinasortofdesperation：’Well，hesaidthatthenevercaredforyouatall，and，ofcourse，therewasnottheleastreasonwhyheshouldhave，andandthatwasall。’
’Yousaidhesworehehadnotcaredforme。Wasthattrue？’
’Yes，’saidMrs。Vansuythenverysoftly。
Mrs。Boultewaveredforaninstantwhereshestood，andthenfellforwardfainting。
’WhatdidItellyou？’saidBoulte，asthoughtheconversationhadbeenunbroken。’Youcanseeforyourself。Shecaresforhim。’Thelightbegantobreakintohisdullmind，andhewenton’Andhewhatwashesayingtoyou？’
ButMrs。Vansuythen，withnoheartforexplanationsorimpassionedprotestations，waskneelingoverMrs。Boulte。
’Oh，youbrute！’shecried。’Areallmenlikethis？Helpmetogetherintomyroomandherfaceiscutagainstthetable。Oh，willyoubequiet，andhelpmetocarryher？Ihateyou，andIhateCaptainKurrell。Liftherupcarefully，andnowgo！Goaway！’
BoultecarriedhiswifeintoMrs。Vansuythen’sbedroom，anddepartedbeforethestormofthatlady’swrathanddisgust，impenitentandburningwithjealousy。KurrellhadbeenmakinglovetoMrs。VansuythenwoulddoVansuythenasgreatawrongashehaddoneBoulte，whocaughthimselfconsideringwhetherMrs。
Vansuythenwouldfaintifshediscoveredthatthemanshelovedhadforswornher。
Inthemiddleofthesemeditations，Kurrellcamecanteringalongtheroadandpulledupwithacheery’Good-mornin’。’BeenmashingMrs。Vansuythenasusual，eh？Badthingforasober，marriedman，that。WhatwillMrs。Boultesay？’
Boulteraisedhisheadandsaidslowly，’Oh，youliar！’Kurrell’sfacechanged。’What’sthat？’heaskedquickly。
’Nothingmuch，’saidBoulte。’Hasmywifetoldyouthatyoutwoarefreetogooffwheneveryouplease？Shehasbeengoodenoughtoexplainthesituationtome。You’vebeenatruefriendtome，Kurrelloldmanhaven’tyou？’
Kurrellgroaned，andtriedtoframesomesortofidioticsentenceaboutbeingwillingtogive’satisfaction。’Buthisinterestinthewomanwasdead，haddiedoutintheRains，and，mentally，hewasabusingherforheramazingindiscretion。Itwouldhavebeensoeasytohavebrokenoffthethinggentlyandbydegrees，andnowhewassaddledwithBoulte’svoicerecalledhim。
’Idon’tthinkIshouldgetanysatisfactionfromkillingyou，andI’mprettysureyou’dgetnonefromkillingme。’
Theninaqueruloustone，ludicrouslydisproportionedtohiswrongs，Boulteadded’’Seemsratherapitythatyouhaven’tthedecencytokeeptothewoman，nowyou’vegother。You’vebeenatruefriendtohertoo，haven’tyou？’
Kurrellstaredlongandgravely。Thesituationwasgettingbeyondhim。
’Whatdoyoumean？’hesaid。
Boulteanswered，moretohimselfthanthequestioner：’MywifecameovertoMrs。Vansuythen’sjustnow;anditseemsyou’dbeentellingMrs。Vansuythenthatyou’dnevercaredforEmma。I
supposeyoulied，asusual。WhathadMrs。Vansuythentodowithyou，oryouwithher？Trytospeakthetruthforonceinaway。’
Kurrelltookthedoubleinsultwithoutwincing，andrepliedbyanotherquestion：’Goon。Whathappened？’
’Emmafainted，’saidBoultesimply。’But，lookhere，whathadyoubeensayingtoMrs。Vansuythen？’
Kurrelllaughed。Mrs。Boultehad，withunbridledtongue，madehavocofhisplans;andhecouldatleastretaliatebyhurtingthemaninwhoseeyeshewashumiliatedandshowndishonourable。
’Saidtoher？Whatdoesamantellalielikethatfor？IsupposeI
saidprettymuchwhatyou’vesaid，unlessI’magooddealmistaken。’
’Ispokethetruth，’saidBoulte，againmoretohimselfthanKurrell。
’Emmatoldmeshehatedme。Shehasnorightinme。’
’No！Isupposenot。You’reonlyherhusband，y’know。AndwhatdidMrs。Vansuythensayafteryouhadlaidyourdisengagedheartatherfeet？’
Kurrellfeltalmostvirtuousasheputthequestion。
’Idon’tthinkthatmatters，’Boultereplied;’anditdoesn’tconcernyou。’
’Butitdoes！Itellyouitdoes’beganKurrellshamelessly。
ThesentencewascutbyaroaroflaughterfromBoulte’slips。
Kurrellwassilentforaninstant，andthenhe，too，laughedlaughedlongandloudly，rockinginhissaddle。ItwasanunpleasantsoundthemirthlessmirthofthesemenonthelongwhitelineoftheNarkarraRoad。TherewerenostrangersinKashima，ortheymighthavethoughtthatcaptivitywithintheDosehrihillshaddrivenhalftheEuropeanpopulationmad。Thelaughterendedabruptly，andKurrellwasthefirsttospeak。
’Well，whatareyougoingtodo？’
Boultelookeduptheroad，andatthehills。’Nothing，’saidhequietly;’what’stheuse？It’stooghastlyforanything。Wemustlettheoldlifegoon。Icanonlycallyouahoundandaliar，andIcan’tgooncallingyounamesforever。Besideswhich，Idon’tfeelthatI’mmuchbetter。Wecan’tgetoutofthisplace。Whatistheretodo？’
Kurrelllookedroundtherat-pitofKashimaandmadenoreply。
Theinjuredhusbandtookupthewondroustale。
’Rideon，andspeaktoEmmaifyouwantto。GodknowsIdon’tcarewhatyoudo。’
Hewalkedforward，andleftKurrellgazingblanklyafterhim。
KurrelldidnotrideoneithertoseeMrs。BoulteorMrs。
Vansuythen。Hesatinhissaddleandthought，whilehisponygrazedbytheroadside。
Thewhirofapproachingwheelsrousedhim。Mrs。VansuythenwasdrivinghomeMrs。Boulte，whiteandwan，withacutonherforehead。
’Stop，please，’saidMrs。Boulte，’IwanttospeaktoTed。’
Mrs。Vansuythenobeyed，butasMrs。Boulteleanedforward，puttingherhanduponthesplashboardofthedog-cart，Kurrellspoke。
’I’veseenyourhusband，Mrs。Boulte。’
Therewasnonecessityforanyfurtherexplanation。Theman’seyeswerefixed，notuponMrs。Boulte，buthercompanion。Mrs。Boultesawthelook。
’Speaktohim！’shepleaded，turningtothewomanatherside。’Oh，speaktohim！Tellhimwhatyoutoldmejustnow。Tellhimyouhatehim。Tellhimyouhatehim！’
Shebentforwardandweptbitterly，whilethesais，impassive，wentforwardtoholdthehorse。Mrs。Vansuythenturnedscarletanddroppedthereins。Shewishedtobenopartytosuchunholyexplanations。
’I’venothingtodowithit，’shebegancoldly;butMrs。Boulte’ssobsovercameher，andsheaddressedherselftotheman。’Idon’tknowwhatIamtosay，CaptainKurrell。Idon’tknowwhatIcancallyou。
Ithinkyou’veyou’vebehavedabominably，andshehascutherforeheadterriblyagainstthetable。’
’Itdoesn’thurt。Itisn’tanything，’saidMrs。Boultefeebly。’Thatdoesn’tmatter。Tellhimwhatyoutoldme。Sayyoudon’tcareforhim。Oh，Ted，won’tyoubelieveher？’
’Mrs。Boultehasmademeunderstandthatyouwerethatyouwerefondofheronceuponatime，’wentonMrs。Vansuythen。
’Well！’saidKurrellbrutally。’ItseemstomethatMrs。Boultehadbetterbefondofherownhusbandfirst。’
’Stop！’saidMrs。Vansuythen。’Hearmefirst。Idon’tcareIdon’twanttoknowanythingaboutyouandMrs。Boulte;butIwantyoutoknowthatIhateyou，thatIthinkyouareacur，andthatI’llnever，neverspeaktoyouagain。Oh，Idon’tdaretosaywhatI
thinkofyou，youman！’
’IwanttospeaktoTed，’moanedMrs。Boulte，butthedog-cartrattledon，andKurrellwasleftontheroad，shamed，andboilingwithwrathagainstMrs。Boulte。
HewaitedtillMrs。Vansuythenwasdrivingbacktoherownhouse，and，shebeingfreedfromtheembarrassmentofMrs。
Boulte’spresence，learnedforthesecondtimeheropinionofhimselfandhisactions。
IntheeveningsitwasthewontofallKashimatomeetattheplatformontheNarkarraRoad，todrinkteaanddiscussthetrivialitiesoftheday。MajorVansuythenandhiswifefoundthemselvesaloneatthegathering-placeforalmostthefirsttimeintheirremembrance;andthecheeryMajor，intheteethofhiswife’sremarkablyreasonablesuggestionthattherestoftheStationmightbesick，insistedupondrivingroundtothetwobungalowsandunearthingthepopulation。
’Sittinginthetwilight！’saidhe，withgreatindignation，totheBoultes。’That’llneverdo！Hangitall，we’reonefamilyhere！Youmustcomeout，andsomustKurrell。I’llmakehimbringhisbanjo。’
SogreatisthepowerofhonestsimplicityandagooddigestionoverguiltyconsciencesthatallKashimadidturnout，evendowntothebanjo;andtheMajorembracedthecompanyinoneexpansivegrin。Ashegrinned，Mrs。VansuythenraisedhereyesforaninstantandlookedatallKashima。Hermeaningwasclear。
MajorVansuythenwouldneverknowanything。HewastobetheoutsiderinthathappyfamilywhosecagewastheDosehrihills。
’You’resingingvillainouslyoutoftune，Kurrell，’saidtheMajortruthfully。’Passmethatbanjo。’
Andhesanginexcruciating-wisetillthestarscameoutandallKashimawenttodinner。
ThatwasthebeginningoftheNewLifeofKashimathelifethatMrs。Boultemadewhenhertonguewasloosenedinthetwilight。
Mrs。VansuythenhasnevertoldtheMajor;andsinceheinsistsuponkeepingupaburdensomegeniality，shehasbeencompelledtobreakhervowofnotspeakingtoKurrell。Thisspeech，whichmustofnecessitypreservethesemblanceofpolitenessandinterest，servesadmirablytokeepalighttheflameofjealousyanddullhatredinBoulte’sbosom，asitawakensthesamepassionsinhiswife’sheart。Mrs。BoultehatesMrs。VansuythenbecauseshehastakenTedfromher，and，insomecuriousfashion，hatesherbecauseMrs。Vansuythenandherethewife’seyesseefarmoreclearlythanthehusband’sdetestsTed。AndTedthatgallantcaptainandhonourablemanknowsnowthatitispossibletohateawomanonceloved，tothevergeofwishingtosilenceherforeverwithblows。Aboveall，isheshockedthatMrs。Boultecannotseetheerrorofherways。
Boulteandhegoouttiger-shootingtogetherinallfriendship。
Boultehasputtheirrelationshiponamostsatisfactoryfooting。
’You’reablackguard，’hesaystoKurrell，’andI’velostanyself-respectImayeverhavehad;butwhenyou’rewithme，IcanfeelcertainthatyouarenotwithMrs。Vansuythen，ormakingEmmamiserable。’
KurrellenduresanythingthatBoultemaysaytohim。Sometimestheyareawayforthreedaystogether，andthentheMajorinsistsuponhiswifegoingovertositwithMrs。Boulte;althoughMrs。
Vansuythenhasrepeatedlydeclaredthatsheprefersherhusband’scompanytoanyintheworld。Fromthewayinwhichsheclingstohim，shewouldcertainlyseemtobespeakingthetruth。
Butofcourse，astheMajorsays，’inalittleStationwemustallbefriendly。’
TheHillofIllusionWhatrenderedvaintheirdeepdesire？
AGod，aGodtheirseveranceruled，AndbadebetweentheirshorestobeTheunplumbed，salt，estrangingsea。
——MatthewArnold。
He。Tellyourjhampaniesnottohurryso，dear。TheyforgetI’mfreshfromthePlains。
She。SureproofthatIhavenotbeengoingoutwithanyone。Yes，theyareanuntrainedcrew。Wheredowego？
He。Asusualtotheworld’send。No，Jakko。
She。Haveyourponyledafteryou，then。It’salonground。
He。Andforthelasttime，thankHeaven！
She。Doyoumeanthatstill？Ididn’tdaretowritetoyouaboutitallthesemonths。
He。Meanit！I’vebeenshapingmyaffairstothatendsinceAutumn。Whatmakesyouspeakasthoughithadoccurredtoyouforthefirsttime？
She。I？Oh！Idon’tknow。I’vehadlongenoughtothink，too。
He。Andyou’vechangedyourmind？
She。No。YououghttoknowthatIamamiracleofconstancy。
Whatareyourarrangements？
He。Ours，Sweetheart，please。
She。Ours，beitthen。Mypoorboy，howthepricklyheathasmarkedyourforehead！Haveyouevertriedsulphateofcopperinwater？
He。It’llgoawayinadayortwouphere。Thearrangementsaresimpleenough。TongaintheearlymorningreachKalkaattwelveUmballaatsevendown，straightbynighttrain，toBombay，andthenthesteamerofthe21stforRome。That’smyidea。TheContinentandSwedenaten-weekhoneymoon。
She。Ssh！Don’ttalkofitinthatway。Itmakesmeafraid。Guy，howlonghavewetwobeeninsane？
He。Sevenmonthsandfourteendays，Iforgettheoddhoursexactly，butI’llthink。
She。Ionlywantedtoseeifyouremembered。WhoarethosetwoontheBlessingtonRoad？
He。EabreyandthePennerWoman。Whatdotheymattertous？
Tellmeeverythingthatyou’vebeendoingandsayingandthinking。
She。Doinglittle，sayingless，andthinkingagreatdeal。I’vehardlybeenoutatall。
He。Thatwaswrongofyou。Youhaven’tbeenmoping？
She。Notverymuch。CanyouwonderthatI’mdisinclinedforamusement？
He。Frankly，Ido。Wherewasthedifficulty？
She。Inthisonly。ThemorepeopleIknowandthemoreI’mknownhere，thewiderspreadwillbethenewsofthecrashwhenitcomes。
Idon’tlikethat。
He。Nonsense。Weshallbeoutofit。
She。Youthinkso？
He。I’msureofit，ifthereisanypowerinsteamorhorse-fleshtocarryusaway。Ha！ha！
She。Andthefunofthesituationcomesinwhere，myLancelot？
He。Nowhere，Guinevere。Iwasonlythinkingofsomething。
She。Theysaymenhaveakeenersenseofhumourthanwomen。
NowIwasthinkingofthescandal。
He。Don’tthinkofanythingsougly。Weshallbebeyondit。
She。ItwillbethereallthesameinthemouthsofSimlatelegraphedoverIndia，andtalkedofatthedinnersandwhenHegoesouttheywillstareatHimtoseehowhetakesit。Andweshallbedead，GuydeardeadandcastintotheouterdarknesswherethereisHe。Loveatleast。Isn’tthatenough？
She。Ihavesaidso。
He。Andyouthinksostill？
She。Whatdoyouthink？
He。WhathaveIdone？Itmeansequalruintome，astheworldreckonsitoutcasting，thelossofmyappointment，thebreakingoffmylife’swork。Ipaymyprice。
She。Andareyousomuchabovetheworldthatyoucanaffordtopayit。AmI？
He。MyDivinitywhatelse？
She。Averyordinarywoman，I’mafraid，butsofar，respectable。
Howd’youdo，Mrs。Middle-ditch？Yourhusband？Ithinkhe’sridingdowntoAnnandalewithColonelStatters。Yes，isn’titdivineaftertherain？Guy，howlongamItobeallowedtobowtoMrs。
Middleditch？Tillthe17th？
He。FrowsyScotchwoman！Whatistheuseofbringingherintothediscussion？Youweresaying？
She。Nothing。Haveyoueverseenamanhanged？
He。Yes。Once。
She。Whatwasitfor？
He。Murder，ofcourse。
She。Murder。Isthatsogreatasinafterall？Iwonderhowhefeltbeforethedropfell。
He。Idon’tthinkhefeltmuch。Whatagruesomelittlewomanitisthisevening！You’reshivering。Putonyourcape，dear。
She。IthinkIwill。Oh！LookatthemistcomingoverSanjaoli;andIthoughtweshouldhavesunshineontheLadies’Mile！Let’sturnback。
He。What’sthegood？There’sacloudonElysiumHill，andthatmeansit’sfoggyalldowntheMall。We’llgoon。It’llblowawaybeforewegettotheConvent，perhaps。’Jove！Itischilly。
She。Youfeelit，freshfrombelow。Putonyourulster。Whatdoyouthinkofmycape？
He。Neveraskamanhisopinionofawoman’sdresswhenheisdesperatelyandabjectlyinlovewiththewearer。Letmelook。Likeeverythingelseofyoursit’sperfect。Wheredidyougetitfrom？
She。Hegaveitme，onWednesdayourwedding-day，youknow。
He。TheDeuceHedid！He’sgrowinggenerousinhisoldage。
D’youlikeallthatfrilly，bunchystuffatthethroat？Idon’t。
She。Don’tyou？
KindSir，o’yourcourtesy，Asyougobythetown，Sir，’Prayyouo’yourloveforme，Buymearussetgown，Sir。
He。Iwon’tsay：’Keekintothedraw-well，Janet，Janet。’Onlywaitalittle，darling，andyoushallbestockedwithrussetgownsandeverythingelse。
She。Andwhenthefrockswearoutyou’llgetmenewonesandeverythingelse？
He。Assuredly。
She。Iwonder！
He。Lookhere，Sweetheart，Ididn’tspendtwodaysandtwonightsinthetraintohearyouwonder。Ithoughtwe’dsettledallthatatShaifazehat。
She。（dreamily）。AtShaifazehat？DoestheStationgoonstill？Thatwasagesandagesago。Itmustbecrumblingtopieces。AllexcepttheAmirtollahkutcharoad。Idon’tbelievethatcouldcrumbletilltheDayofJudgment。
He。Youthinkso？Whatisthemoodnow？
She。Ican’ttell。Howcolditis！Letusgetonquickly。
He。’Betterwalkalittle。Stopyourjhampaniesandgetout。What’sthematterwithyouthisevening，dear？
She。Nothing。Youmustgrowaccustomedtomyways。IfI’mboringyouIcangohome。Here’sCaptainCongletoncoming，I
daresayhe’llbewillingtoescortme。
He。Goose！Betweenus，too！DamnCaptainCongleton。
She。ChivalrousKnight。Isityourhabittoswearmuchintalking？
Itjarsalittle，andyoumightswearatme。
He。Myangel！Ididn’tknowwhatIwassaying;andyouchangedsoquicklythatIcouldn’tfollow。I’llapologiseindustandashes。
She。There’llbeenoughofthoselateronGood-night，CaptainCongleton。Goingtothesinging-quadrillesalready？WhatdancesamIgivingyounextweek？No！Youmusthavewrittenthemdownwrong。FiveandSeven，Isaid。Ifyou’vemadeamistake，Icertainlydon’tintendtosufferforit。Youmustalteryourprogramme。
He。Ithoughtyoutoldmethatyouhadnotbeengoingoutmuchthisseason？
She。Quitetrue，butwhenIdoIdancewithCaptainCongleton。Hedancesverynicely。
He。Andsitoutwithhim，Isuppose？
She。Yes。Haveyouanyobjection？ShallIstandunderthechandelierinfuture？
He。Whatdoeshetalktoyouabout？
She。Whatdomentalkaboutwhentheysitout？
He。Ugh！Don’t！Well，nowI’mup，youmustdispensewiththefascinatingCongletonforawhile。Idon’tlikehim。
She（afterapause）。Doyouknowwhatyouhavesaid？
He’Can’tsaythatIdoexactly。I’mnotinthebestoftempers。
SheSoIsee，andfeel。Mytrueandfaithfullover，whereisyour’eternalconstancy，’’unalterabletrust，’and’reverentdevotion’？I
rememberthosephrases;youseemtohaveforgottenthem。I
mentionaman’snameHe。Agooddealmorethanthat。
She。Well，speaktohimaboutadanceperhapsthelastdancethatI
shalleverdanceinmylifebeforeI，beforeIgoaway;andyouatoncedistrustandinsultme。
He。Ineversaidaword。
She。Howmuchdidyouimply？Guy，isthisamountofconfidencetobeourstocktostartthenewlifeon？
He。No，ofcoursenot。Ididn’tmeanthat。Onmywordandhonour，Ididn’t。Letitpass，dear。Pleaseletitpass。
She。Thisonceyesandasecondtime，andagainandagain，allthroughtheyearswhenIshallbeunabletoresentit。Youwanttoomuch，myLancelot，and，youknowtoomuch。
He。Howdoyoumean？
She。Thatisapartofthepunishment。Therecannotbeperfecttrustbetweenus。
He。InHeaven’sname，whynot？
She。Hush！TheOtherPlaceisquiteenough。Askyourself。
He。Idon’tfollow。
She。YoutrustmesoimplicitlythatwhenIlookatanothermanNevermind。Guy，haveyouevermadelovetoagirlagoodgirl？
He。Somethingofthesort。CenturiesagointheDarkAges，beforeIevermetyou，dear。
She。Tellmewhatyousaidtoher。
He。Whatdoesamansaytoagirl？I’veforgotten。
She。Iremember。Hetellsherthathetrustsherandworshipsthegroundshewalkson，andthathe’llloveandhonourandprotecthertillherdyingday;andsoshemarriesinthatbelief。Atleast，I
speakofonegirlwhowasnotprotected。
He。Well，andthen？
She。Andthen，Guy，andthen，thatgirlneedstentimestheloveandtrustandhonouryes，honourthatwasenoughwhenshewasonlyamerewifeififtheotherlifeshechoosestoleadistobemadeevenbearable。Doyouunderstand？
He。Evenbearable！It’llbeParadise。
She。Ah！CanyougivemeallI’veaskedfornotnow，norafewmonthslater，butwhenyoubegintothinkofwhatyoumighthavedoneifyouhadkeptyourownappointmentandyourcasteherewhenyoubegintolookuponmeasadragandaburden？Ishallwantitmostthen，Guy，fortherewillbenooneinthewideworldbutyou。
He。You’realittleover-tiredto-night，Sweetheart，andyou’retakingastageviewofthesituation。AfterthenecessarybusinessintheCourts，theroadiscleartoShe。’Theholystateofmatrimony！’Ha！ha！ha！
He。Ssh！Don’tlaughinthathorribleway！
She。IIc-c-c-can’thelpit！Isn’tittooabsurd！Ah！Ha！ha！ha！Guy，stopmequickorIshalll-l-laughtillwegettotheChurch。
He。Forgoodnesssake，stop！Don’tmakeanexhibitionofyourself。
Whatisthematterwithyou？
She。N-nothing。I’mbetternow。
He。That’sallright。Onemoment，dear。There’salittlewispofhairgotloosefrombehindyourrightearandit’sstragglingoveryourcheek。So！
She。Thank’oo。I’m’fraidmyhat’sononeside，too。
He。Whatdoyouwearthesehugedaggerbonnet-skewersfor？
They’rebigenoughtokillamanwith。
She。Oh！don’tkillme，though。You’restickingitintomyhead！Letmedoit。Youmenaresoclumsy。
He。Haveyouhadmanyopportunitiesofcomparingusinthissortofwork？
She。Guy，whatismyname？
He。Eh！Idon’tfollow。
She。Here’smycard-case。Canyouread？
He。Yes。Well？
She。Well，thatanswersyourquestion。Youknowtheother’sman’sname。AmIsufficientlyhumbled，orwouldyouliketoaskmeifthereisanyoneelse？
He。Iseenow。Mydarling，Inevermeantthatforaninstant。Iwasonlyjoking。There！Luckythere’snooneontheroad。They’dbescandalised。
She。They’llbemorescandalisedbeforetheend。
He。Do-on’t！Idon’tlikeyoutotalkinthatway。
She。Unreasonableman！Whoaskedmetofacethesituationandacceptit？Tellme，doIlooklikeMrs。Penner？DoIlooklikeanaughtywoman！SwearIdon’t！Givemeyourwordofhonour，myhonourablefriend，thatI’mnotlikeMrs。Buzgago。That’sthewayshestands，withherhandsclaspedatthebackofherhead。D’youlikethat？
He。Don’tbeaffected。
She。I’mnot。I’mMrs。Buzgago。Listen！
Pendantuneanne’touteenti？reLer？gimentn’apasr’paru。
AuMinist？redelaGuerreOnler’portacommeperdu。
Onser’noncait…rtrouversatrace，Quandunmatinsubitement，Onlevitr’para？tresurlaplace，L’Coloneltoujoursenavant。
That’sthewaysherollsherr’s。AmIlikeher？
He。No，butIobjectwhenyougoonlikeanactressandsingstuffofthatkind。WhereintheworlddidyoupickuptheChansonduColonel？Itisn’tadrawing-roomsong。Itisn’tproper。
She。Mrs。Buzgagotaughtitme。Sheisbothdrawing-roomandproper，andinanothermonthshe’llshutherdrawing-roomtome，andthankGodsheisn’tasimproperasIam。Oh，Guy，Guy！IwishIwaslikesomewomenandhadnoscruplesaboutWhatisitKeenesays？’Wearingacorpse’shairandbeingfalsetothebreadtheyeat。’
He。Iamonlyamanoflimitedintelligence，and，justnow，verybewildered。Whenyouhavequitefinishedflashingthroughallyourmoodstellme，andI’lltrytounderstandthelastone。
She。Moods，Guy！Ihaven’tany。I’msixteenyearsoldandyou’rejusttwenty，andyou’vebeenwaitingfortwohoursoutsidetheschoolinthecold。AndnowI’vemetyou，andnowwe’rewalkinghometogether。Doesthatsuityou，MyImperialMajesty？
He。No。Wearen’tchildren。Whycan’tyouberational？
She。HeasksmethatwhenI’mgoingtocommitsuicideforhissake，and，andIdon’twanttobeFrenchandraveaboutmymother，buthaveIevertoldyouthatIhaveamother，andabrotherwhowasmypetbeforeImarried？He’smarriednow。Can’tyouimaginethepleasurethatthenewsoftheelopementwillgivehim？HaveyouanypeopleatHome，Guy，tobepleasedwithyourperformances？
He。Oneortwo。Onecan’tmakeomeletswithoutbreakingeggs。
She（slowly）。Idon’tseethenecessityHe。Hah！Whatdoyoumean？
She。ShallIspeakthetruth？
HeUnderthecircumstances，perhapsitwouldbeaswell。
She。Guy，I’mafraid。
HeIthoughtwe’dsettledallthat。Whatof？
She。Ofyou。
He。Oh，damnitall！Theoldbusiness！Thisistoobad！
She。Ofyou。
He。Andwhatnow？
She。Whatdoyouthinkofme？
He。Besidethequestionaltogether。Whatdoyouintendtodo？
She。Idaren’triskit。I’mafraid。IfIcouldonlycheatHe。AlaBuzgago？No，thanks。That’stheonepointonwhichI
haveanynotionofHonour。Iwon’teathissaltandstealtoo。I’lllootopenlyornotatall。
She。Inevermeantanythingelse。
He。Then，whyintheworlddoyoupretendnottobewillingtocome？
She。It’snotpretence，Guy。Iamafraid。
He。Pleaseexplain。
She。Itcan’tlast，Guy。Itcan’tlast。You’llgetangry，andthenyou’llswear，andthenyou’llgetjealous，andthenyou’llmistrustmeyoudonowandyouyourselfwillbethebestreasonfordoubting。AndIwhatshallIdo？IshallbenobetterthanMrs。Buzgagofoundoutnobetterthananyone。Andyou’llknowthat。Oh，Guy，can’tyousee？
HeIseethatyouaredesperatelyunreasonable，littlewoman。
She。There！ThemomentIbegintoobject，yougetangry。WhatwillyoudowhenIamonlyyourpropertystolenproperty？Itcan’tbe，Guy。Itcan’tbe！Ithoughtitcould，butitcan’t。You’llgettiredofme。
HeItellyouIshallnot。Won’tanythingmakeyouunderstandthat？
She。There，can’tyousee？Ifyouspeaktomelikethatnow，you’llcallmehorriblenameslater，ifIdon’tdoeverythingasyoulike。
Andifyouwerecrueltome，Guy，whereshouldIgo？whereshouldIgo？Ican’ttrustyou。Oh！Ican’ttrustyou！
He。IsupposeIoughttosaythatIcantrustyou。I’veamplereason。
She。Pleasedon’t，dear。Ithurtsasmuchasifyouhitme。
He。Itisn’texactlypleasantforme。
She。Ican’thelpit。IwishIweredead！Ican’ttrustyou，andIdon’ttrustmyself。Oh，Guy，letitdieawayandbeforgotten！
He。Toolatenow。Idon’tunderstandyouIwon’tandIcan’ttrustmyselftotalkthisevening。MayIcallto-morrow？
She。Yes。No！Oh，givemetime！Thedayafter。Igetintomy’rickshawhereandmeetHimatPeliti’s。Youride。
He。I’llgoontoPeliti’stoo。IthinkIwantadrink。Myworld’sknockedaboutmyearsandthestarsarefalling。WhoarethosebruteshowlingintheOldLibrary？
She。They’rerehearsingthesinging-quadrillesfortheFancyBall。
Can’tyouhearMrs。Buzgago’svoice？Shehasasolo。It’squiteanewidea。Listen！
Mrs。Buzgago（intheOldLibrary，conmolt。exp。）。
See-saw！MargeryDaw！
Soldherbedtolieuponstraw。
Wasn’tsheasillyslutTosellherbedandlieupondirt？
CaptainCongleton，I’mgoingtoalterthatto’flirt。’Itsoundsbetter。
He。No，I’vechangedmymindaboutthedrink。Good-night，littlelady。Ishallseeyouto-morrow？
She。Yees。Good-night，Guy。Don’tbeangrywithme。
He。Angry！YouknowItrustyouabsolutely。Good-nightandGodblessyou！
（Threesecondslater。Alone。）Hmm！I’dgivesomethingtodiscoverwhetherthere’sanothermanatthebackofallthis。
ASecond-RateWomanEstfuga，volviturrota，Onwedrift：whereloomsthedimport？
OneTwoThreeFourFivecontributetheirquota：
Somethingisgainedifonecaughtbuttheimport，Showitus，HuguesofSaxe-Gotha。
——MasterHuguesofSaxe-Gotha。
’Dressed！Don’ttellmethatwomaneverdressedinherlife。Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroomwhileherayahno，herhusbanditmusthavebeenamanthrewherclothesather。Shethendidherhairwithherfingers，andrubbedherbonnetintheflueunderthebed。Iknowshedid，aswellasifIhadassistedattheorgy。Whoisshe？’saidMrs。Hauksbee。
’Don’t！’saidMrs。Mallowefeebly。’Youmakemyheadache。I’ammiserableto-day。Staymewithfondants，comfortmewithchocolates，forIamDidyoubringanythingfromPeliti’s？’
’Questionstobeginwith。Youshallhavethesweetswhenyouhaveansweredthem。Whoandwhatisthecreature？Therewereatleasthalf-a-dozenmenroundher，andsheappearedtobegoingtosleepintheirmidst。’
’Delville，’saidMrs。Mallowe，’’’Shady\"Delville，todistinguishherfromMrs。Jimofthatilk。Shedancesasuntidilyasshedresses，I
believe，andherhusbandissomewhereinMadras。Goandcall，ifyouaresointerested。’
’WhathaveItodowithShigramitishwomen？Shemerelycaughtmyattentionforaminute，andIwonderedattheattractionthatadowdhasforacertaintypeofman。IexpectedtoseeherwalkoutofherclothesuntilIlookedathereyes。’
’Hooksandeyes，surely，’drawledMrs。Mallowe。
’Don’tbeclever，Polly。Youmakemyheadache。Androundthishayrickstoodacrowdofmenapositivecrowd！’
’Perhapstheyalsoexpected’
’Polly，don’tbeRabelaisian！’
Mrs。Mallowecurledherselfupcomfortablyonthesofa，andturnedherattentiontothesweets。SheandMrs。HauksbeesharedthesamehouseatSimla;andthesethingsbefelltwoseasonsafterthematterofOtisYeere，whichhasbeenalreadyrecorded。
Mrs。HauksbeesteppedintotheverandahandlookeddownupontheMall，herforeheadpuckeredwiththought。
’Hah！’saidMrs。Hauksbeeshortly。’Indeed！’
’Whatisit？’saidMrs。Mallowesleepily。
’ThatdowdandTheDancingMastertowhomIobject。’
’WhytoTheDancingMaster？Heisamiddle-agedgentleman，ofreprobateandromantictendencies，andtriestobeafriendofmine。’
’Thenmakeupyourmindtolosehim。Dowdsclingbynature，andIshouldimaginethatthisanimalhowterribleherbonnetlooksfromabove！isspeciallyclingsome。’
’SheiswelcometoTheDancingMastersofarasIamconcerned。I
nevercouldtakeaninterestinamonotonousliar。Thefrustratedaimofhislifeistopersuadepeoplethatheisabachelor。’
’O-oh！IthinkI’vemetthatsortofmanbefore。Andisn’the？’
’No。Heconfidedthattomeafewdaysago。Ugh！Somemenoughttobekilled。’
’Whathappenedthen？’
’Heposedasthehorrorofhorrorsamisunderstoodman。Heavenknowsthefemmeincompriseissadenoughandbadenoughbuttheotherthing！’
’Andsofattoo！Ishouldhavelaughedinhisface。Menseldomconfideinme。Howisittheycometoyou？’
’Forthesakeofimpressingmewiththeircareersinthepast。
Protectmefrommenwithconfidences！’
’Andyetyouencouragethem？’
’WhatcanIdo？Theytalk，Ilisten，andtheyvowthatIamsympathetic。IknowIalwaysprofessastonishmentevenwhentheplotisofthemostoldpossible。’
’Yes。Menaresounblushinglyexplicitiftheyareonceallowedtotalk，whereaswomen’sconfidencesarefullofreservationsandfibs，except’
’WhentheygomadandbabbleoftheUnutter-abilitiesafteraweek’sacquaintance。Really，ifyoucometoconsider，weknowagreatdealmoreofmenthanofourownsex。’
’Andtheextraordinarythingisthatmenwillneverbelieveit。Theysaywearetryingtohidesomething。’
’Theyaregenerallydoingthatontheirownaccount。Alas！Thesechocolatespalluponme，andIhaven’teatenmorethanadozen。I
thinkIshallgotosleep。’
’Thenyou’llgetfat，dear。Ifyoutookmoreexerciseandamoreintelligentinterestinyourneighboursyouwould’
’BeasmuchlovedasMrs。Hauksbee。You’readarlinginmanyways，andIlikeyouyouarenotawoman’swomanbutwhydoyoutroubleyourselfaboutmerehumanbeings？’
’Becauseintheabsenceofangels，whoIamsurewouldbehorriblydull，menandwomenarethemostfascinatingthingsinthewholewideworld，lazyone。IaminterestedinTheDowdIaminterestedinTheDancingMasterIaminterestedintheHawleyBoyandIaminterestedinyou。’
’WhycouplemewiththeHawleyBoy？Heisyourproperty。’
’Yes，andinhisownguilelessspeech，I’mmakingagoodthingoutofhim。Whenheisslightlymorereformed，andhaspassedhisHigherStandard，orwhatevertheauthoritiesthinkfittoexactfromhim，Ishallselectaprettylittlegirl，theHoltgirl，Ithink，and’hereshewavedherhandsairily’’’whomMrs。Hauksbeehathjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder。\"That’sall。’
’AndwhenyouhaveyokedMayHoltwiththemostnotoriousdetrimentalinSimla，andearnedtheundyinghatredofMammaHolt，whatwillyoudowithme，DispenseroftheDestiniesoftheUniverse？’
Mrs。Hauksbeedroppedintoalowchairinfrontofthefire，and，chininhand，gazedlongandsteadfastlyatMrs。Mallowe。
’Idonotknow，’shesaid，shakingherhead，’whatIshalldowithyou，dear。It’sobviouslyimpossibletomarryyoutosomeoneelseyourhusbandwouldobjectandtheexperimentmightnotbesuccessfulafterall。IthinkIshallbeginbypreventingyoufromwhatisit？’’sleepingonale-housebenchesandsnoringinthesun。\"’
’Don’t！Idon’tlikeyourquotations。Theyaresorude。GototheLibraryandbringmenewbooks。’
’Whileyousleep？No！Ifyoudon’tcomewithmeIshallspreadyournewestfrockonmy’rickshaw-bow，andwhenanyoneasksmewhatIamdoing，IshallsaythatIamgoingtoPhelps’stogetitletout。IshalltakecarethatMrs。MacNamaraseesme。Putyourthingson，there’sagoodgirl。’
Mrs。Mallowegroanedandobeyed，andthetwowentofftotheLibrary，wheretheyfoundMrs。Delvilleandthemanwhowentbythenick-nameofTheDancingMaster。BythattimeMrs。Mallowewasawakeandeloquent。
’ThatistheCreature！’saidMrs。Hauksbee，withtheairofonepointingoutaslugintheroad。
’No，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’ThemanistheCreature。Ugh！
Good-evening，Mr。Bent。Ithoughtyouwerecomingtoteathisevening。’
’Surelyitwasforto-morrow，wasitnot？’answeredTheDancingMaster。’IunderstoodIfanciedI’msosorryHowveryunfortunate！’
ButMrs。Mallowehadpassedon。
’Forthepractisedequivocatoryousaidhewas，’murmuredMrs。
Hauksbee，’hestrikesmeasafailure。NowwhereforeshouldhehavepreferredawalkwithTheDowdtoteawithus？Electiveaffinities，Isupposebothgrubby。Polly，I’dneverforgivethatwomanaslongastheworldrolls。’
’Iforgiveeverywomaneverything，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’Hewillbeasufficientpunishmentforher。Whatacommonvoiceshehas！’
Mrs。Delville’svoicewasnotpretty，hercarriagewasevenlesslovely，andherraimentwasstrikinglyneglected。AllthesethingsMrs。Mallowenoticedoverthetopofamagazine。
’Nowwhatisthereinher？’saidMrs。Hauksbee。’DoyouseewhatI
meantabouttheclothesfallingoff？IfIwereamanIwouldperishsoonerthanbeseenwiththatrag-bag。Andyet，shehasgoodeyes，butOh！’
’Whatisit？’
’Shedoesn’tknowhowtousethem！Onmyhonour，shedoesnot。
Look！Ohlook！UntidinessIcanendure，butignorancenever！Thewoman’safool。’
’Hsh！She’llhearyou。’
’AllthewomeninSimlaarefools。She’llthinkImeansomeoneelse。Nowshe’sgoingout。WhatathoroughlyobjectionablecouplesheandTheDancingMastermake！Whichremindsme。Doyousupposethey’lleverdancetogether？’
’Waitandsee。Idon’tenvyhertheconversationofTheDancingMasterloathlyman！Hiswifeoughttobeupherebeforelong？’
’Doyouknowanythingabouthim？’
’Onlywhathetoldme。Itmaybeallafiction。Hemarriedagirlbredinthecountry，Ithink，and，beinganhonourable，chivalroussoul，toldmethatherepentedhisbargainandsenthertoherasoftenaspossibleapersonwhohaslivedintheDoonsincethememoryofmanandgoestoMussooriewhenotherpeoplegoHome。Thewifeiswithheratpresent。Sohesays。’
’Babies？’
’Oneonly，buthetalksofhiswifeinarevoltingway。Ihatedhimforit。Hethoughthewasbeingepigrammaticandbrilliant。’
’Thatisavicepeculiartomen。Idislikehimbecauseheisgenerallyinthewakeofsomegirl，disappointingtheEligibles。HewillpersecuteMayHoltnomore，unlessIammuchmistaken。’
’No。IthinkMrs。Delvillemayoccupyhisattentionforawhile。’
’Doyousupposesheknowsthatheistheheadofafamily？’
’Notfromhislips。Hesworemetoeternalsecrecy。WhereforeItellyou。Don’tyouknowthattypeofman？’
’Notintimately，thankgoodness！Asageneralrule，whenamanbeginstoabusehiswifetome，IfindthattheLordgivesmewherewithtoanswerhimaccordingtohisfolly;andwepartwithacoolnessbetweenus。Ilaugh。’
’I’mdifferent。I’venosenseofhumour。’
’Cultivateit，then。IthasbeenmymainstayformoreyearsthanI
caretothinkabout。Awell-educatedsenseofhumourwillsaveawomanwhenReligion，Training，andHomeinfluencesfail;andwemayallneedsalvationsometimes。’
’DoyousupposethattheDelvillewomanhashumour？’
’Herdressbewraysher。HowcanaThingwhowearshersuppl？mentunderherleftarmhaveanynotionofthefitnessofthingsmuchlesstheirfolly？IfshediscardsTheDancingMasterafterhavingonceseenhimdance，Imayrespecther。Otherwise’
’Butarewenotbothassumingagreatdealtoomuch，dear？YousawthewomanatPeliti’shalfanhourlateryousawherwalkingwithTheDancingMasteranhourlateryoumetherhereattheLibrary。’
’StillwithTheDancingMaster，remember。’
’StillwithTheDancingMaster，Iadmit，butwhyonthestrengthofthatshouldyouimagine’
’Iimaginenothing。Ihavenoimagination。IamonlyconvincedthatTheDancingMasterisattractedtoTheDowdbecauseheisobjectionableineverywayandsheineveryother。IfIknowthemanasyouhavedescribedhim，heholdshiswifeinslaveryatpresent。’
’Sheistwentyyearsyoungerthanhe。’
’Poorwretch！And，intheend，afterhehasposedandswaggeredandliedhehasamouthunderthatraggedmoustachesimplymadeforlieshewillberewardedaccordingtohismerits。’
’Iwonderwhatthosereallyare，’saidMrs。Mallowe。
ButMrs。Hauksbee，herfaceclosetotheshelfofthenewbooks，washummingsoftly：’WhatshallhehavewhokilledtheDeer？’Shewasaladyofunfetteredspeech。
OnemonthlatersheannouncedherintentionofcallinguponMrs。
Delville。BothMrs。HauksbeeandMrs。Mallowewereinmorningwrappers，andtherewasagreatpeaceintheland。
’IshouldgoasIwas，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’Itwouldbeadelicatecomplimenttoherstyle。’
Mrs。Hauksbeestudiedherselfintheglass。
’Assumingforamomentthatsheeverdarkenedthesedoors，I
shouldputonthisrobe，afteralltheothers，toshowherwhatamorning-wrapperoughttobe。Itmightenlivenher。Asitis，Ishallgointhedove-colouredsweetemblemofyouthandinnocenceandshallputonmynewgloves。’
’Ifyoureallyaregoing，dirtytanwouldbetoogood;andyouknowthatdove-colourspotswiththerain。’
’Icarenot。Imaymakeherenvious。AtleastIshalltry，thoughonecannotexpectverymuchfromawomanwhoputsalacetuckerintoherhabit。’
’JustHeavens！Whendidshedothat？’
’YesterdayridingwithTheDancingMaster。ImetthematthebackofJakko，andtherainhadmadethelaceliedown。Tocompletetheeffect，shewaswearinganuncleanteraiwiththeelasticunderherchin。Ifeltalmosttoowellcontenttotakethetroubletodespiseher。’
’TheHawleyBoywasridingwithyou。Whatdidhethink？’
’Doesaboyevernoticethesethings？ShouldIlikehimifhedid？
Hestaredintherudestway，andjustwhenIthoughthehadseentheelastic，hesaid，’’There’ssomethingverytakingaboutthatface。\"Irebukedhimonthespot。Idon’tapproveofboysbeingtakenbyfaces。’
’Otherthanyourown。Ishouldn’tbeintheleastsurprisediftheHawleyBoyimmediatelywenttocall。’
’Iforbadehim。LetherbesatisfiedwithTheDancingMaster，andhiswifewhenshecomesup。I’mrathercurioustoseeMrs。BentandtheDelvillewomantogether。’
Mrs。Hauksbeedepartedand，attheendofanhour，returnedslightlyflushed。
’Thereisnolimittothetreacheryofyouth！IorderedtheHawleyBoy，ashevaluedmypatronage，nottocall。ThefirstpersonI
stumbleoverliterallystumbleoverinherpoky，darklittledrawing-roomis，ofcourse，theHawleyBoy。Shekeptuswaitingtenminutes，andthenemergedasthoughshehadbeentippedoutofthedirtyclothes-basket。Youknowmyway，dear，whenIamatallputout。IwasSuperior，crrrrushinglySuperior！’LiftedmyeyestoHeaven，andhadheardofnothing’droppedmyeyesonthecarpetand’’reallydidn’tknow\"’playedwithmycardcaseand’’supposedso。\"TheHawleyBoygiggledlikeagirl，andIhadtofreezehimwithscowlsbetweenthesentences。’
’Andshe？’
’Shesatinaheapontheedgeofacouch，andmanagedtoconveytheimpressionthatshewassufferingfromstomach-ache，attheveryleast。ItwasallIcoulddonottoaskafterhersymptoms。
WhenIrose，shegruntedjustlikeabuffalointhewatertoolazytomove。’
’Areyoucertain？’
’AmIblind，Polly？Laziness，sheerlaziness，nothingelseorhergarmentswereonlyconstructedforsittingdownin。Istayedforaquarterofanhourtryingtopenetratethegloom，toguesswhathersurroundingswerelike，whileshestuckouthertongue。’
’Lucy！’
’WellI’llwithdrawthetongue，thoughI’msureifshedidn’tdoitwhenIwasintheroom，shedidtheminuteIwasoutside。Atanyrate，shelayinalumpandgrunted。AsktheHawleyBoy，dear。I
believethegruntsweremeantforsentences，butshespokesoindistinctlythatIcan’tsweartoit。’
’Youareincorrigible，simply。’
’Iamnot！Treatmecivilly，givemepeacewithhonour，don’tputtheonlyavailableseatfacingthewindow，andachildmayeatjaminmylapbeforeChurch。ButIresentbeinggruntedat。Wouldn’tyou？DoyousupposethatshecommunicatesherviewsonlifeandlovetoTheDancingMasterinasetofmodulated’’Grmphs\"？’
’YouattachtoomuchimportancetoTheDancingMaster。’
’Hecameaswewent，andTheDowdgrewalmostcordialatthesightofhim。Hesmiledgreasily，andmovedaboutthatdarkeneddog-kennelinasuspiciouslyfamiliarway。’
’Don’tbeuncharitable。AnysinbutthatI’llforgive。’
’ListentothevoiceofHistory。IamonlydescribingwhatIsaw。Heentered，theheaponthesofarevivedslightly，andtheHawleyBoyandIcameawaytogether。Heisdisillusioned，butIfeltitmydutytolecturehimseverelyforgoingthere。Andthat’sall。’
’NowforPity’ssakeleavethewretchedcreatureandTheDancingMasteralone。Theyneverdidyouanyharm。’
’Noharm？Todressasanexampleandastumbling-blockforhalfSimla，andthentofindthisPersonwhoisdressedbythehandofGodnotthatIwishtodisparageHimforamoment，butyouknowthetikkadhurziewayHeattiresthoseliliesofthefieldthisPersondrawstheeyesofmenandsomeofthemnicemen？It’salmostenoughtomakeonediscardclothing。ItoldtheHawleyBoyso。’
’Andwhatdidthatsweetyouthdo？’
’Turnedshell-pinkandlookedacrossthefarbluehillslikeadistressedcherub。AmItalkingwildly，Polly？Letmesaymysay，andIshallbecalm。OtherwiseImaygoabroadanddisturbSimlawithafeworiginalreflections。Exceptingalwaysyourownsweetself，thereisn’tasinglewomaninthelandwhounderstandsmewhenIamwhat’stheword？’
’T？te-f？l？e，’suggestedMrs。Mallowe。
’Exactly！Andnowletushavetiffin。ThedemandsofSocietyareexhausting，andasMrs。Delvillesays’HereMrs。Hauksbee，tothehorrorofthekhitmatgars，lapsedintoaseriesofgrunts，whileMrs。
Mallowestaredinlazysurprise。
’’’Godgieusaguidconceitofoorselves，\"’saidMrs。Hauksbeepiously，returningtohernaturalspeech。’Now，inanyotherwomanthatwouldhavebeenvulgar。IamconsumedwithcuriositytoseeMrs。Bent。Iexpectcomplications。’
’Womanofoneidea，’saidMrs。Malloweshortly;’allcomplicationsareasoldasthehills！IhavelivedthroughornearallallAll！’
’Andyetdonotunderstandthatmenandwomenneverbehavetwicealike。IamoldwhowasyoungifeverIputmyheadinyourlap，youdear，bigsceptic，youwilllearnthatmypartingisgauzebutnever，nonever，haveIlostmyinterestinmenandwomen。
