’Aforeigner，too！’observedtheSquire。
Dickcouldnotsufficientlycongratulatehimselfontheescapehehadeffected。HadtheAdmiralmethimwithhisfather，whatwouldhavebeentheresult？Andcouldsuchacatastrophebelongpostponed？Itseemedtohimasifthestormwerenearlyripe;anditwassomorenearlythanhethought。
Hedidnotgotothecottageintheafternoon，withheldbyfearandshame;butwhendinnerwasoveratNasebyHouse，andtheSquirehadgoneoffintoacomfortabledoze，Dickslippedoutoftheroom，andranacrosscountry，inparttosavetime，inparttosavehisowncouragefromgrowingcold;forhenowhatedthenotionofthecottageortheAdmiral，andifhedidnothate，atleastfearedtothinkofEsther。Hehadnocluetoherreflections;buthecouldnotconcealfromhisownheartthathemusthavesunkinheresteem，andthespectacleofherinfatuationgalledhimlikeaninsult。
Heknockedandwasadmitted。Theroomlookedverymuchasonhislastvisit，withEstheratthetableandVanTrompbesidethefire;buttheexpressionofthetwofacestoldaverydifferentstory。Thegirlwaspalerthanusual;hereyesweredark，thecolourseemedtohavefadedfromroundaboutthem，andherswiftestglancewasasintentasastare。TheappearanceoftheAdmiral，ontheotherhand，wasrosy，andflabby，andmoist;hisjowlhungoverhisshirtcollar，hissmilewaslooseandwandering，andhehadsofarrelaxedthenaturalcontrolofhiseyes，thatoneofthemwasaimedinward，asiftowatchthegrowthofthecarbuncle。Wearewarnedagainstbadjudgments;buttheAdmiralwascertainlynotsober。HemadenoattempttorisewhenRichardentered，butwavedhispipeflightilyintheair，andgavealeerofwelcome。Esthertookaslittlenoticeofhimasmightbe。
’Aha！Dick！’criedthepainter。’I’vebeentochurch;I
have，uponmyword。AndIsawyouthere，thoughyoudidn’tseeme。AndIsawadevilishprettywoman，byGad。Ifitwerenotforthisbaldness，andakindofcrapulousairI
can’tdisguisefrommyself—ifitweren’tforthisandthatandt’otherthing—I—I’veforgotwhatIwassaying。Notthatthatmatters，I’veheapsofthingstosay。I’minacommunicativeveinto—night。I’llletoutallmycats，evenuntoseventytimesseven。I’minwhatIcallTHEstage，andallIdesireisalistener，althoughheweredeaf，tobeashappyasNebuchadnezzar。’
Ofthetwohourswhichfolloweduponthisitisunnecessarytogivemorethanasketch。TheAdmiralwasextremelysilly，nowandthenamusing，andneverreallyoffensive。Itwasplainthathekeptinviewthepresenceofhisdaughter，andchosesubjectsandacharacteroflanguagethatshouldnotoffendalady。OnalmostanyotheroccasionDickwouldhaveenjoyedthescene。VanTromp’segotism，flownwithdrink，struckapitchabovemerevanity。Hebecamecandidandexplanatory;soughttotakehisauditorsentirelyintohisconfidence，andtellthemhisinmostconvictionabouthimself。Betweenhisself—knowledge，whichwasconsiderable，andhisvanity，whichwasimmense，hehadcreatedastrangehybridanimal，andcalleditbyhisownname。HowhewouldplumehisfeathersovervirtueswhichwouldhavegladdenedtheheartofCaesarorSt。Paul;andanon，completehisownportraitwithoneofthosetouchesofpitilessrealismwhichthesatiristsooftenseeksinvain。
’Now，there’sDick，’hesaid，’he’sshrewd;hesawthroughmethefirsttimewemet，andtoldmeso—toldmesotomyface，whichIhadthevirtuetokeep。Ibearyounomaliceforit，Dick;youwereright;Iamahumbug。’
YoumayfancyhowEstherquailedatthisnewfeatureofthemeetingbetweenhertwoidols。
Andthen，again，inaparenthesis：—
’That，’saidVanTromp，’waswhenIhadtopaintthosedirtydaubsofmine。’
Andalittlefurtheron，laughinglysaidperhaps，butyetwithanairoftruth：—
’Ineverhadtheslightesthesitationinsponginguponanyhumancreature。’
ThereuponDickgotup。
’Ithinkperhaps，’hesaid，’wehadbetterallbethinkingofgoingtobed。’Andhesmiledwithafeebleanddeprecatorysmile。
’Notatall，’criedtheAdmiral，’Iknowatrickworthtwoofthat。Pusshere，’indicatinghisdaughter，’shallgotobed;
andyouandIwillkeepituptillall’sblue。’
ThereuponEstheraroseinsullenglory。Shehadsatandlistenedfortwomortalhourswhileheridoldefiledhimselfandsneeredawayhisgodhead。Onebyone，herillusionshaddeparted。Andnowhewishedtoorderhertobedinherownhouse！nowhecalledherPuss！now，evenasheutteredthewords，topplingonhischair，hebrokethestemofhistobacco—pipeinthree！Neverdidthesheepturnuponhershearerwithamorecommandingfront。Hervoicewascalm，herenunciationalittleslow，butperfectlydistinct，andshestoodbeforehimasshespoke，inthesimplestandmostmaidenlyattitude。
’No，’shesaid，’Mr。Nasebywillhavethegoodnesstogohomeatonce，andyouwillgotobed。’
ThebrokenfragmentsofpipefellfromtheAdmiral’sfingers;
heseemedbyhiscountenancetohavelivedtoolonginaworldunworthyofhim;butitisanoddcircumstance，heattemptednoreply，andsatthunderstruck，withopenmouth。
Dickshemotionedsharplytowardsthedoor，andhecouldonlyobeyher。Intheporch，findingshewasclosebehindhim，heventuredtopauseandwhisper，’Youhavedoneright。’
’IhavedoneasIpleased，’shesaid。’Canhepaint？’
’Manypeoplelikehispaintings，’returnedDick，instifledtones;’Ineverdid;IneversaidIdid，’headded，fiercelydefendinghimselfbeforehewasattacked。
’Iaskyouifhecanpaint。Iwillnotbeputoff。CANhepaint？’sherepeated。
’No，’saidDick。
’Doesheevenlikeit？’
’Notnow，Ibelieve。’
’Andheisdrunk？’—sheleaneduponthewordwithhatred。
’Hehasbeendrinking。’
’Go，’shesaid，andwasturningtore—enterthehousewhenanotherthoughtarrestedher。’Meetmeto—morrowmorningatthestile，’shesaid。
’Iwill，’repliedDick。
Andthenthedoorclosedbehindher，andDickwasaloneinthedarkness。Therewasstillachinkoflightabovethesill，awarm，mildglowbehindthewindow;theroofofthecottageandsomeofthebanksandhazelsweredefinedindenserdarknessagainstthesky;butallelsewasformless，breathless，andnoiselesslikethepit。Dickremainedasshehadlefthim，standingsquarelyupononefootandrestingonlyonthetoeoftheother，andashestoodhelistenedwithhissoul。Thesoundofachairpushedsharplyoverthefloorstartledhisheartintohismouth;butthesilencewhichhadthusbeendisturbedsettledbackagainatonceuponthecottageanditsvicinity。Whattookplaceduringthisintervalisasecretfromtheworldofmen;butwhenitwasoverthevoiceofEstherspokeevenlyandwithoutinterruptionforperhapshalfaminute，andassoonasthatceasedheavyanduncertainfootfallscrossedtheparlourandmountedlurchingupthestairs。Thegirlhadtamedherfather，VanTromphadgoneobedientlytobed：somuchwasobvioustothewatcherintheroad。Andyethestillwaited，straininghisears，andwithterrorandsicknessathisheart;forifEstherhadfollowedherfather，ifshehadevenmadeonemovementinthisgreatconspiracyofmenandnaturetobestill，Dickmusthavehadinstantknowledgeofitfromhisstationbeforethedoor;andifshehadnotmoved，mustshenothavefainted？ormightshenotbedead？
Hecouldhearthecottageclockdeliberatelymeasureouttheseconds;timestoodstillwithhim;analmostsuperstitiousterrortookcommandofhisfaculties;atlast，hecouldbearnomore，and，springingthroughthelittlegardenintwobounds，heputhisfaceagainstthewindow。Theblind，whichhadnotbeendrawnfullydown，leftanopenchinkaboutaninchinheightalongthebottomoftheglass，andthewholeparlourwasthusexposedtoDick’sinvestigation。Esthersatuprightatthetable，herheadrestingonherhand，hereyesfixeduponthecandle。Herbrowswereslightlybent，hermouthslightlyopen;herwholeattitudesostillandsettledthatDickcouldhardlyfancythatshebreathed。ShehadnotstirredatthesoundofDick’sarrival。Soonafter，makingaconsiderabledisturbanceamidthevastsilenceofthenight，theclockliftedupitsvoice，whinedforawhilelikeapartridge，andtheneleventimeshootedlikeacuckoo。StillEsthercontinuedimmovableandgazeduponthecandle。
Midnightfollowed，andthenoneofthemorning;andstillshehadnotstirred，norhadRichardNasebydaredtoquitthewindow。Andthen，abouthalf—pastone，thecandleshehadbeenthusintentlywatchingflaredupintoalastblazeofpaper，andsheleapedtoherfeetwithanejaculation，lookedaboutheronce，blewoutthelight，turnedround，andwasheardrapidlymountingthestaircaseinthedark。
DickwasleftoncemorealonetodarknessandtothatdulledanddoggedstateofmindwhenamanthinksthatMiserymustnowhavedoneherworst，andisalmostgladtothinkso。Heturnedandwalkedslowlytowardsthestile;shehadtoldhimnohour，andhewasdetermined，whenevershecame，thatsheshouldfindhimwaiting。Ashegottherethedaybegantodawn，andheleanedoverahurdleandbeheldtheshadowsfleeaway。Upwentthesunatlastoutofabankofcloudsthatwerealreadydisbandingintheeast;aheraldwindhadalreadysprunguptosweeptheleafyearthandscatterthecongregateddewdrops。’Alas！’thoughtDickNaseby，’howcananyotherdaycomesodistastefullytome？’Hestillwantedhisexperienceofthemorrow。
CHAPTERVII—THEELOPEMENT
ITwasprobablyonthestrokeoften，andDickhadbeenhalfasleepforsometimeagainstthebank，whenEsthercameuptheroadcarryingabundle。Somekindofinstinct，orperhapsthedistantlightfootfalls，recalledhim，whileshewasstillagoodwayoff，tothepossessionofhisfaculties，andhehalfraisedhimselfandblinkedupontheworld。Ittookhimsometimetorecollecthisthoughts。Hehadawakenedwithacertainblankandchildishsenseofpleasure，likeamanwhohadreceivedalegacyovernight;butthisfeelinggraduallydiedaway，andwasthensuddenlyandstunninglysucceededbyaconvictionofthetruth。Thewholestoryofthepastnightsprangintohismindwitheverydetail，asbyanexerciseofthedirectandspeedysenseofsight，andhearosefromtheditchand，withruefulcourage，wenttomeethislove。
Shecameuptohimwalkingsteadyandfast，herfacestillpale，buttoallappearanceperfectlycomposed;andsheshowedneithersurprise，relief，norpleasureatfindingherloveronthespot。Nordidsheofferhimherhand。
’HereIam，’saidhe。
’Yes，’shereplied;andthen，withoutapauseoranychangeofvoice，’Iwantyoutotakemeaway，’sheadded。
’Away？’herepeated。’How？Where？’
’To—day，’shesaid。’Idonotcarewhereitis，butIwantyoutotakemeaway。’
’Forhowlong？Idonotunderstand，’gaspedDick。
’Ishallnevercomebackhereanymore，’wasallsheanswered。
Wildwordsuttered，asthesewere，withperfectquietofmannerandvoice，exerciseadoubleinfluenceonthehearer’smind。Dickwasconfounded;herecoveredfromastonishmentonlytofallintodoubtandalarm。Helookeduponherfrozenattitude，sodiscouragingforalovertobehold，andrecoiledfromthethoughtswhichitsuggested。
’Tome？’heasked。’Areyoucomingtome，Esther？’
’Iwantyoutotakemeaway，’sherepeatedwithwearyimpatience。’Takemeaway—takemeawayfromhere。’
Thesituationwasnotsufficientlydefined。Dickaskedhimselfwithconcernwhethershewerealtogetherinherrightwits。Totakeheraway，tomarryher，toworkoffhishandsforhersupport，Dickwascontenttodoallthis;yetherequiredsomeshowofloveuponherpart。Hewasnotoneofthosetough—hidedandsmall—heartedmaleswhowouldmarrytheirloveatthepointofthebayonetratherthannotmarryheratall。Hedesiredthatawomanshouldcometohisarmswithanattractivewillingness，ifnotwithardour。AndEsther’sbearingwasmorethatofdespairthanthatoflove。
Itchilledhimandtaughthimwisdom。
’Dearest，’heurged，’tellmewhatyouwish，andyoushallhaveit;tellmeyourthoughts，andthenIcanadviseyou。
Buttogofromherewithoutaplan，withoutforethought，intheheatofamoment，ismadderthanmadness，andcanhelpnothing。Iamnotspeakinglikeaman，butIspeakthetruth;andItellyouagain，thething’sabsurd，andwrong，andhurtful。’
Shelookedathimwithalowering，languidlookofwrath。
’Soyouwillnottakeme？’shesaid。’Well，Iwillgoalone。’
Andshebegantostepforwardonherway。Buthethrewhimselfbeforeher。
’Esther，Esther！’hecried。
’Letmego—don’ttouchme—whatrighthaveyoutointerfere？Whoareyou，totouchme？’sheflashedout，shrillwithanger。
Then，beingmadeboldbyherviolence，hetookherfirmly，almostroughly，bythearm，andheldherwhilehespoke。
’YouknowwellwhoIam，andwhatIam，andthatIloveyou。
YousayIwillnothelpyou;butyourheartknowsthecontrary。Itisyouwhowillnothelpme;foryouwillnottellmewhatyouwant。Yousee—oryoucouldsee，ifyoutookthepainstolook—howIhavewaitedhereallnighttobereadyatyourservice。Ionlyaskedinformation;Ionlyurgedyoutoconsider;andIstillurgeandbegyoutothinkbetterofyourfancies。Butifyourmindismadeup，sobeit;Iwillbegnolonger;Igiveyoumyorders;andIwillnotallow—notallowyoutogohencealone。’
Shelookedathimforawhilewithcold，unkindscrutinylikeonewhotriesthetemperofatool。
’Well，takemeaway，then，’shesaidwithasigh。
’Good，’saidDick。’Comewithmetothestables;thereweshallgetthepony—trapanddrivetothejunction。To—nightyoushallbeinLondon。Iamyourssowhollythatnowordscanmakememoreso;and，besides，youknowit，andthewordsareneedless。MayGodhelpmetobegoodtoyou，Esther—
mayGodhelpme！forIseethatyouwillnot。’
So，withoutmorespeech，theysetouttogether，andwerealreadygotsomedistancefromthespot，ereheobservedthatshewasstillcarryingthehand—bag。Shegaveituptohim，passively，butwhenheofferedherhisarm，merelyshookherheadandpursedupherlips。Thesunshoneclearlyandpleasantly;thewindwasfreshandbriskupontheirfaces，andsmeltracilyofwoodsandmeadows。AstheywentdownintothevalleyoftheThyme，thebabbleofthestreamroseintotheairlikeaperenniallaughter。Onthefar—awayhills，sun—burstandshadowracedalongtheslopesandleapedfrompeaktopeak。Earth，airandwater，eachseemedinbetterhealthandhadmoreoftheshrewdsaltoflifeinthemthanuponordinarymornings;andfromeasttowest，fromthelowestglentotheheightofheaven，fromeverylookandtouchandscent，ahumancreaturecouldgatherthemostencouragingintelligenceastothedurabilityandspiritoftheuniverse。
ThroughallthiswalkedEsther，pickinghersmallstepslikeabird，butsilentandwithacloudunderherthickeyebrows。
Sheseemedinsensible，notonlyofnature，butofthepresenceofhercompanion。Shewasaltogetherengrossedinherself，andlookedneithertorightnortoleft，butstraightbeforeherontheroad。Whentheycametothebridge，however，shehalted，leanedontheparapet，andstaredforamomentattheclear，brownpool，andswift，transientsnowdriftoftherapids。
’Iamgoingtodrink，’shesaid;anddescendedthewindingfootpathtothemargin。
Thereshedrankgreedilyinherhandsandwashedhertempleswithwater。Thecoolnessseemedtobreak，foraninstant，thespellthatlayuponher;for，insteadofhasteningforwardagaininherdull，indefatigabletramp，shestoodstillwhereshewas，fornearaminute，lookingstraightbeforeher。AndDick，fromaboveonthebridgewherehestoodtowatchher，sawastrange，equivocalsmiledawnslowlyonherfaceandpassawayagainatonceandsuddenly，leavingherasgraveasever;andthesenseofdistance，whichitissocruelforalovertoendure，pressedwitheverymomentmoreheavilyonhercompanion。Herthoughtswereallsecret;herheartwaslockedandbolted;andhestoodwithout，vainlywooingherwithhiseves。
’Doyoufeelbetter？’askedDick，assheatlastrejoinedhim;andaftertheconstraintofsolongasilence，hisvoicesoundedforeigntohisownears。
Shelookedathimforanappreciablefractionofaminuteeresheanswered，andwhenshedid，itwasinthemonosyllable—
’Yes。’
Dick’ssolicitudewasnippedandfrosted。Hiswordsdiedawayonhistongue。Evenhiseyes，despairingofencouragement，ceasedtoattendonhers。AndtheywentoninsilencethroughKirtonhamlet，whereanoldmanfollowedthemwithhiseyes，andperhapsenviedthemtheiryouthandlove;
andacrosstheIvybeckwherethemillwassplashingandgrumblinglowthundertoitselfinthechequeredshadowofthedell，andthemillerbeforethedoorwasbeatingflourfromhishandsashewhistledamodulation;andupbythehighspinney，whencetheysawthemountainsuponeitherhand;
anddownthehillagaintothebackcourtsandofficesofNasebyHouse。Estherhadkeptaheadalltheway，andDickploddedobedientlyinherwake;butastheynearedthestables，hepushedonandtookthelead。Hewouldhavepreferredhertoawaithimintheroadwhilehewentonandbroughtthecarriageback，butaftersomanyrepulsesandrebuffshelackedcouragetoofferthesuggestion。Perhaps，too，hefeltitwisertokeephisconvoywithinsight。SotheyenteredtheyardinIndianfile，likeatrampandhiswife。
Thegroomseyebrowsroseashereceivedtheorderforthepony—phaeton，andkeptrisingduringallhispreparations。
Estherstoodboltuprightandlookedsteadilyatsomechickensinthecorneroftheyard。MasterRichardhimself，thoughtthegroom，wasnotinhisordinary;forintruth，hecarriedthehand—baglikeatalisman，andeitherstoodlistless，orsetoffsuddenlywalkinginonedirectionafteranotherwithbrisk，decisivefootsteps。Moreoverhehadapparentlyneglectedtowashhishands，andboretheairofonereturningfromaprolongednuttingramble。Uponthegroom’scountenancetherebegantogrowupanexpressionasofoneabouttowhistle。Andhardlyhadthecarriageturnedthecornerandrattledintothehighroadwiththisinexplicablepair，thanthewhistlebrokeforth—prolonged，andlowandtremulous;andthegroom，alreadysofarrelieved，ventedtherestofhissurpriseinonesimpleEnglishword，friendlytothemouthofJack—tarandthesootypitman，andhurriedtospreadthenewsroundtheservants’
hallofNasebyHouse。Luncheonwouldbeonthetableinlittlebeyondanhour;andtheSquire，onsittingdown，wouldhardlyfailtoaskforMasterRichard。Hence，astheintelligentreadercanforesee，thisgroomhasaparttoplayintheimbroglio。
Meantime，Dickhadbeenthinkingdeeplyandbitterly。Itseemedtohimasifhislovehadgonefromhim，indeed，yetgonebutalittleway;asifheneededbuttofindtherighttouchorintonation，andherheartwouldrecognisehimandbemelted。Yethedurstnotopenhismouth，anddroveinsilencetilltheyhadpassedthemainpark—gatesandturnedintothecross—cutlanealongthewall。Thenitseemedtohimasifitmustbenow，ornever。
’Can’tyouseeyouarekillingme？’hecried。’Speaktome，lookatme，treatmelikeahumanman。’
Sheturnedslowlyandlookedhiminthefacewitheyesthatseemedkinder。Hedroppedthereinsandcaughtherhand，andshemadenoresistance，althoughhertouchwasunresponsive。
Butwhen，throwingonearmroundherwaist，hesoughttokissherlips，notlikealoverindeed，notbecausehewantedtodoso，butasadesperatemanwhoputshisfortunestothetouch，shedrewawayfromhim，withaknotinherforehead，backedandshiedaboutfiercelywithherhead，andpushedhimfromherwithherhand。Thentherewasnoroomleftfordoubt，andDicksaw，asclearassunlight，thatshehadadistasteornourishedagrudgeagainsthim。
’Thenyoudon’tloveme？’hesaid，drawingbackfromher，healso，asthoughhertouchhadburnthim;andthen，asshemadenoanswer，herepeatedwithanotherintonation，imperiousandyetstillpathetic，’Youdon’tloveme，DOyou，DOyou？’
’Idon’tknow，’shereplied。’Whydoyouaskme？Oh，howshouldIknow？Ithasallbeenliestogether—lies，andlies，andlies！’
Hecriedhernamesharply，likeamanwhohastakenaphysicalhurt，andthatwasthelastwordthateitherofthemspokeuntiltheyreachedThymeburyJunction。
Thiswasastationisolatedinthemidstofmoorlands，yetlyingonthegreatuplinetoLondon。Thenearesttown，Thymeburyitself，wassevenmilesdistantalongthebranchtheycalltheValeofThymeRailway。Itwasnownearlyhalfanhourpastnoon，thedowntrainhadjustgoneby，andtherewouldbenomoretrafficatthejunctionuntilhalf—pastthree，whenthelocaltraincomesintomeettheupexpressataquarterbeforefour。Thestationmasterhadalreadygoneofftohisgarden，whichwashalfamileawayinahollowofthemoor;aporter，whowasjustleaving，tookchargeofthephaeton，andpromisedtoreturnitbeforenighttoNasebyHouse;onlyadeaf，snuffy，andsternoldmanremainedtoplayproprietyforDickandEsther。
Beforethephaetonhaddrivenoff，thegirlhadenteredthestationandseatedherselfuponabench。Theendless，emptymoorlandsstretchedbeforeher，entirelyunenclosed，andwithnoboundarybutthehorizon。Twolinesofrails，awaggonshed，andafewtelegraphposts，alonediversifiedtheoutlook。Asforsounds，thesilencewasunbrokensavebythechantofthetelegraphwiresandthecryingoftheploversonthewaste。Withtheapproachofmiddaythewindhadmoreandmorefallen，itwasnowswelteringhotandtheairtrembledinthesunshine。
Dickpausedforaninstantonthethresholdoftheplatform。
Then，intwosteps，hewasbyhersideandspeakingalmostwithasob。
’Esther，’hesaid，’havepityonme。WhathaveIdone？Canyounotforgiveme？Esther，youlovedmeonce—canyounotlovemestill？’
’HowcanItellyou？HowamItoknow？’sheanswered。’Youareallalietome—allaliefromfirsttolast。Youwerelaughingatmyfolly，playingwithmelikeachild，attheverytimewhenyoudeclaredyoulovedme。Whichwastrue？
wasanyofittrue？orwasitall，allamockery？Iamwearytryingtofindout。AndyousayIlovedyou;Ilovedmyfather’sfriend。Ineverloved，Ineverheardof，you，untilthatmancamehomeandIbegantofindmyselfdeceived。Givemebackmyfather，bewhatyouwerebefore，andyoumaytalkofloveindeed！’
’Thenyoucannotforgiveme—cannot？’heasked。
’Ihavenothingtoforgive，’sheanswered。’Youdonotunderstand。’
’Isthatyourlastword，Esther？’saidhe，verywhite，andbitinghisliptokeepitstill。
’Yes，thatismylastword，’repliedshe。
’Thenwearehereonfalsepretences，andwestayherenolonger，’hesaid。’Hadyoustilllovedme，rightorwrong，I
shouldhavetakenyouaway，becausethenIcouldhavemadeyouhappy。Butasitis—Imustspeakplainly—whatyouproposeisdegradingtoyou，andaninsulttome，andarankunkindnesstoyourfather。Yourfathermaybethisorthat，butyoushouldusehimlikeafellow—creature。’
’Whatdoyoumean？’sheflashed。’Ileavehimmyhouseandallmymoney;itismorethanhedeserves。Iwonderyoudarespeaktomeaboutthatman。Andbesides，itisallhecaresfor;lethimtakeit，andletmeneverhearfromhimagain。’
’Ithoughtyouromanticaboutfathers，’hesaid。
’Isthatataunt？’shedemanded。
’No，’hereplied，’itisanargument。Noonecanmakeyoulikehim，butdon’tdisgracehiminhisowneyes。Heisold，Esther，oldandbrokendown。EvenIamsorryforhim，andhehasbeenthelossofallIcaredfor。Writetoyouraunt;
whenIseeheransweryoucanleavequietlyandnaturally，andIwilltakeyoutoyouraunt’sdoor。Butinthemeantimeyoumustgohome。Youhavenomoney，andsoyouarehelpless，andmustdoasItellyou;andbelieveme，Esther，Idoallforyourgood，andyourgoodonly，soGodhelpme。’
Shehadputherhandintoherpocketandwithdrawnitempty。
’Icounteduponyou，’shewailed。
’Youcountedrightlythen，’heretorted。’Iwillnot，topleaseyouforamoment，makebothofusunhappyforourlives;andsinceIcannotmarryyou，wehaveonlybeentoolongaway，andmustgohomeatonce。’
’Dick，’shecriedsuddenly，’perhapsImight—perhapsintime—perhaps—’
’Thereisnoperhapsaboutthematter，’interruptedDick。’I
mustgoandbringthephaeton。’Andwiththathestrodefromthestation，allinaglowofpassionandvirtue。Esther，whoseeyeshadcomealiveandhercheeksflushedduringtheselastwords，relapsedinasecondintoastateofpetrifaction。Sheremainedwithoutmotionduringhisabsence，andwhenhereturnedsufferedherselftobeputbackintothephaeton，anddrivenoffonthereturnjourneylikeanidiotoratiredchild。Comparedwithwhatshewasnow，herconditionofthemorningseemedpositivelynatural。Shesatwhiteandcoldandsilent，andtherewasnospeculationinhereyes。PoorDickflailedandflailedatthepony，andoncetriedtowhistle，buthiscouragewasgoingdown;hugecloudsofdespairgatheredtogetherinhissoul，andfromtimetotimetheirdarknesswasdividedbyapiercingflashoflongingandregret。Hehadlosthislove—hehadlosthisloveforgood。
Theponywastired，andthehillsverylongandsteep，andtheairsultrierthanever，fornowthebreezebegantofailentirely。Itseemedasifthismiserabledrivewouldneverbedone，asifpoorDickwouldneverbeabletogoawayandbecomfortablywretchedbyhimself;forallhisdesirewastoescapefromherpresenceandthereproachofheravertedlooks。Hehadlosthislove，hethought—hehadlosthisloveforgood。
Theywerealreadynotfarfromthecottage，whenhisheartagainfalteredandheappealedtoheroncemore，speakinglowandeagerlyinbrokenphrases。
’Icannotlivewithoutyourlove，’heconcluded。
’Idonotunderstandwhatyoumean，’shereplied，andI
believewithperfecttruth。
’Then，’saidhe，woundedtothequick，’yourauntmightcomeandfetchyouherself。Ofcourseyoucancommandmeasyouplease。ButIthinkitwouldbebetterso。’
’Ohyes，’shesaidwearily，’betterso。’
Thiswastheonlyexchangeofwordsbetweenthemtillaboutfouro’clock;thephaeton，mountingthelane，’openedout’
thecottagebetweentheleafybanks。Thinsmokewentstraightupfromthechimney;theflowersinthegarden，thehawthorninthelane，hungdowntheirheadsintheheat;thestillnesswasbrokenonlybythesoundofhoofs。Forrightbeforethegatealiveryservantrodeslowlyupanddown，leadingasaddlehorse。AndinthislastDickshudderedtoidentifyhisfather’schestnut。
Alas！poorRichard，whatshouldthisportend？
Theservant，asindutybound，dismountedandtookthephaetonintohiskeeping;yetDickthoughthetouchedhishattohimwithsomethingofagrin。Esther，passiveasever，washelpedoutandcrossedthegardenwithaslowandmechanicalgait;andDick，followingclosebehindher，heardfromwithinthecottagehisfather’svoiceupraisedinananathema，andtheshrillertonesoftheAdmiralrespondinginthekeyofwar。
CHAPTERVIII—BATTLEROYAL
SQUIRENASEBY，onsittingdowntolunch，hadinquiredforDick，whomhehadnotseensincethedaybeforeatdinner;
andtheservantansweringawkwardlythatMasterRichardhadcomebackbuthadgoneoutagainwiththeponyphaeton，hissuspicionsbecamearoused，andhecross—questionedthemanuntilthewholewasout。ItappearedfromthisreportthatDickhadbeengoingaboutfornearlyamonthwithagirlintheVale—aMissVanTromp;thatshelivednearLordTrevanion’supperwood;thatrecentlyMissVanTromp’spapahadreturnedhomefromforeignpartsafteraprolongedabsence;thatthispapawasanoldgentleman，verychattyandfreewithhismoneyinthepublic—house—whereuponMr。
Naseby’sfacebecameencrimsoned;thatthepapa，furthermore，wassaidtobeanadmiral—whereuponMr。Nasebyspatoutawhistlebriefandfierceasanoath;thatMasterDickseemedveryfriendlywiththepapa—’Godhelphim！’saidMr。
Naseby;thatlastnightMasterDickhadnotcomein，andto—
dayhehaddrivenawayinthephaetonwiththeyounglady—
’Youngwoman，’correctedMr。Naseby。
’Yes，sir，’saidtheman，whohadbeenunwillingenoughtogossipfromthefirst，andwasnowcowedbytheeffectofhiscommunicationsonthemaster。’Youngwoman，sir！’
’Hadtheyluggage？’demandedtheSquire。
’Yes，sir。’
Mr。Nasebywassilentforamoment，strugglingtokeepdownhisemotion，andhemastereditsofarastomountintothesarcasticvein，whenhewasinthenearestdangerofmeltingintothesorrowful。
’Andwasthis—thisVanDunkwiththem？’heasked，dwellingscornfullyuponthename。
Theservantbelievednot，andbeingeagertoshifttheresponsibilityofspeechtoothershoulders，suggestedthatperhapsthemasterhadbetterinquirefurtherfromGeorgethestablemaninperson。
’Tellhimtosaddlethechestnutandcomewithme。Hecantakethegraygelding;forwemayridefast。Andthenyoucantakeawaythistrash，’addedMr。Naseby，pointingtotheluncheon;andhearose，lordlyinhisanger，andmarchedforthupontheterracetoawaithishorse。
ThereDick’soldnurseshrunkuptohim，forthenewswentlikewildfireoverNasebyHouse，andtimidlyexpressedahopethattherewasnothingmuchamisswiththeyoungmaster。
’I’llpullhimthrough，’theSquiresaidgrimly，asthoughhemeanttopullhimthroughathreshing—mill;’I’llsavehimfromthisgang;Godhelphimwiththenext！Hehasatasteforlowcompany，andnonaturalaffectionstosteadyhim。
Hisfatherwasnosocietyforhim;hemustgofuddlingwithaDutchman，Nance，andnowhe’scaught。Letusprayhe’lltakethelesson，’headdedmoregravely，’butyouthisheretomaketroubles，andagetopullthemoutagain。’
NancewhimperedandrecalledseveralepisodesofDick’schildhood，whichmovedMr。Nasebytoblowhisnoseandshakeherhardbythehand;andthen，thehorsearrivingopportunely，togethimselfwithoutdelayintothesaddleandcanteroff。
Herodestraight，hotspur，toThymebury，where，aswastobeexpected，hecouldgleannotidingsoftherunaways。TheyhadnotbeenseenattheGeorge;theyhadnotbeenseenatthestation。TheshadowdarkenedonMr。Naseby’sface;thejunctiondidnotoccurtohim;hislasthopewasforVanTromp’scottage;thitherhebadeGeorgeguidehim，andthitherhefollowed，nursinggrief，anxiety，andindignationinhisheart。
’Hereitis，sir，’saidGeorgestopping。
’What！onmyownland！’hecried。’How’sthis？Iletthisplacetosomebody—M’WhirterorM’Glashan。’
’MissM’Glashanwastheyounglady’saunt，sir，Ibelieve，’
returnedGeorge。
’Ay—dummies，’saidtheSquire。’Ishallwhistleformyrenttoo。Here，takemyhorse。’
TheAdmiral，thishotafternoon，wassittingbythewindowwithalongglass。HealreadyknewtheSquirebysight，andnow，seeinghimdismountbeforethecottageandcomestridingthroughthegarden，concludedwithoutdoubthewastheretoaskforEsther’shand。
’Thisiswhythegirlisnotyethome，’hethought：’averysuitabledelicacyonyoungNaseby’spart。’
Andhecomposedhimselfwithsomepomp，answeredtheloudrattleoftheriding—whipuponthedoorwithadulcetinvitationtoenter，andcomingforwardwithabowandasmile，’Mr。Naseby，Ibelieve，’saidhe。
TheSquirecamearmedforbattle;tookinhismanfromtoptotoeinonerapidandscornfulglance，anddecidedonacourseatonce。Hemustletthefellowseethatheunderstoodhim。
’YouareMr。VanTromp？’hereturnedroughly，andwithouttakinganynoticeoftheprofferedhand。
’Thesame，sir，’repliedtheAdmiral。’Praybeseated。’
’Nosir，’saidtheSquire，point—blank，’Iwillnotbeseated。Iamtoldthatyouareanadmiral，’headded。
’Nosir，Iamnotanadmiral，’returnedVanTromp，whonowbegantogrownettledandenterintothespiritoftheinterview。
’Thenwhydoyoucallyourselfone，sir？’
’Ihavetoaskyourpardon，Idonot，’saysVanTromp，asgrandasthePope。
ButnothingwasofavailagainsttheSquire。
’Yousailunderfalsecoloursfrombeginningtoend，’hesaid。’Yourveryhousewastakenunderashamname。’
’Itisnotmyhouse。Iammydaughter’sguest，’repliedtheAdmiral。’IfitWEREmyhouse—’
’Well？’saidtheSquire，’whatthen？hey？’
TheAdmirallookedathimnobly，butwassilent。
’Lookhere，’saidMr。Naseby，’thisintimidationisawasteoftime;itisthrownawayonme，sir;itwillnotsucceedwithme。Iwillnotpermityoueventogaintimebyyourfencing。Now，sir，Ipresumeyouunderstandwhatbringsmehere。’
’Iamentirelyatalosstoaccountforyourintrusion，’bowsandwavesVanTromp。
’Iwilltrytotellyouthen。Icomehereasafather’—
downcametheriding—whipuponthetable—’Ihaverightandjusticeuponmyside。Iunderstandyourcalculations，butyoucalculatedwithoutme。Iamamanoftheworld，andI
seethroughyouandyourmanoeuvres。Iamdealingnowwithaconspiracy—Istigmatiseitassuch，andIwillexposeitandcrushit。AndnowIorderyoutotellmehowfarthingshavegone，andwhitheryouhavesmuggledmyunhappyson。’
’MyGod，sir！’VanTrompbrokeout，’Ihavehadaboutenoughofthis。Yourson？Godknowswhereheisforme！WhatthedevilhaveItodowithyourson？Mydaughterisout，forthematterofthat;Imightaskyouwhereshewas，andwhatwouldyousaytothat？Butthisisallmidsummermadness。
Nameyourbusinessdistinctly，andbeoff。’
’HowoftenamItotellyou？’criedtheSquire。’Wheredidyourdaughtertakemysonto—dayinthatcursedponycarriage？’
’Inaponycarriage？’repeatedVanTromp。
’Yes，sir—withluggage。’
’Luggage？’—VanTromphadturnedalittlepale。
’Luggage，Isaid—luggage！’shoutedNaseby。’Youmaysparemethisdissimulation。Where’smyson。Youarespeakingtoafather，sir，afather。’
’But，sir，ifthisbetrue，’outcameVanTrompinanewkey，’itisIwhohaveanexplanationtodemand？’
’Precisely。Thereistheconspiracy，’retortedNaseby。
’Oh！’headded，’Iamamanoftheworld。Icanseethroughandthroughyou。’
VanTrompbegantounderstand。
’Youspeakagreatdealaboutbeingafather，Mr。Naseby，’
saidhe;’Ibelieveyouforgetthattheappellationiscommontobothofus。Iamatalosstofiguretomyself，howeverdimly，howanyman—Ihavenotsaidanygentleman—couldsobrazenlyinsultanotherasyouhavebeeninsultingmesinceyouenteredthishouse。ForthefirsttimeIappreciateyourbaseinsinuations，andIdespisethemandyou。Youwere，I
amtold，amanufacturer;Iamanartist;Ihaveseenbetterdays;Ihavemovedinsocietieswhereyouwouldnotbereceived，anddinedwhereyouwouldbegladtopayapoundtoseemedining。Theso—calledaristocracyofwealth，sir，I
despise。Irefusetohelpyou;Irefusetobehelpedbyyou。
Thereliesthedoor。’
AndtheAdmiralstoodforthinahalo。
ItwasthenthatDickentered。Hehadbeenwaitingintheporchforsometimeback，andEstherhadbeenlistlesslystandingbyhisside。Hehadputouthishandtobarherentrance，andshehadsubmittedwithoutsurprise;andthoughsheseemedtolisten，shescarcelyappearedtocomprehend。
Dick，onhispart，wasaswhiteasasheet;hiseyesburnedandhislipstrembledwithangerashethrustthedoorsuddenlyopen，introducedEstherwithceremoniousgallantry，andstoodforwardandknockedhishatfirmeronhisheadlikeamanabouttoleap。
’Whatisallthis？’hedemanded。
’Isthisyourfather，Mr。Naseby？’inquiredtheAdmiral。
’Itis，’saidtheyoungman。
’Imakeyoumycompliments，’returnedVanTromp。
’Dick！’criedhisfather，suddenlybreakingforth，’itisnottoolate，isit？Ihavecomehereintimetosaveyou。
Come，comeawaywithme—comeawayfromthisplace。’
AndhefawneduponDickwithhishands。
’Keepyourhandsoffme，’criedDick，notmeaningunkindness，butbecausehisnerveswereshatteredbysomanysuccessivemiseries。
’No，no，’saidtheoldman，’don’trepulseyourfather，Dick，whenhehascomeheretosaveyou。Don’trepulseme，myboy。
PerhapsIhavenotbeenkindtoyou，notquiteconsiderate，tooharsh;myboy，itwasnotforwantoflove。Thinkofoldtimes。Iwaskindtoyouthen，wasInot？Whenyouwereachild，andyourmotherwaswithus。’Mr。Nasebywasinterruptedbyasortofsob。Dickstoodlookingathiminamaze。’Comeaway，’pursuedthefatherinawhisper;’youneednotbeafraidofanyconsequences。Iamamanoftheworld，Dick;andshecanhavenoclaimonyou—noclaim，I
tellyou;andwe’llbehandsometoo，Dick—we’llgivethemagoodroundfigure，fatheranddaughter，andthere’sanend。’
HehadbeentryingtogetDicktowardsthedoor，butthelatterstoodoff。
’Youhadbettertakecare，sir，howyouinsultthatlady，’
saidtheson，asblackasnight。
’Youwouldnotchoosebetweenyourfatherandyourmistress？’
saidthefather。
’Whatdoyoucallher，sir？’criedDick，highandclear。
ForbearanceandpatiencewerenotamongMr。Naseby’squalities。
’Icalledheryourmistress，’heshouted，’andImighthavecalledhera—’
’Thatisanunmanlylie，’repliedDick，slowly。
’Dick！’criedthefather，’Dick！’
’Idonotcare，’saidtheson，strengtheninghimselfagainsthisownheart;’I—Ihavesaidit，anditisthetruth。’
Therewasapause。
’Dick，’saidtheoldmanatlast，inavoicethatwasshakenasbyagaleofwind，’Iamgoing。Ileaveyouwithyourfriends，sir—withyourfriends。Icametoserveyou，andnowIgoawayabrokenman。ForyearsIhaveseenthiscoming，andnowithascome。Youneverlovedme。Nowyouhavebeenthedeathofme。Youmayboastofthat。NowI
leaveyou。Godpardonyou。’
Withthathewasgone;andthethreewhoremainedtogetherheardhishorse’shoofsdescendthelane。Estherhadnotmadeasignthroughouttheinterview，andstillkeptsilencenowthatitwasover;buttheAdmiral，whohadonceortwicemovedforwardanddrawnbackagain，nowadvancedforgood。
’Youareamanofspirit，sir，’saidhetoDick;’butthoughIamnofriendtoparentalinterference，Iwillsaythatyouwereheavyonthegovernor。’Thenheaddedwithachuckle：
’Youbegan，Richard，withasilverspoon，andhereyouareinthewaterliketherest。Work，work，nothinglikework。Youhaveparts，youhavemanners;why，withapplicationyoumaydieamillionaire！’Dickshookhimself。HetookEstherbythehand，lookingathermournfully。
’Thenthisisfarewell，’hesaid。
’Yes，’sheanswered。Therewasnotoneinhervoice，andshedidnotreturnhisgaze。
’Forever，’addedDick。
’Forever，’sherepeatedmechanically。
’Ihavehadhardmeasure，’hecontinued。’IntimeIbelieveIcouldhaveshownyouIwasworthy，andtherewasnotimelongenoughtoshowhowmuchIlovedyou。Butitwasnottobe。Ihavelostall。’
Herelinquishedherhand，stilllookingather，andsheturnedtoleavetheroom。
’Why，whatinfortune’snameisthemeaningofallthis？’
criedVanTromp。’Esthercomeback！’
’Lethergo，’saidDick，andhewatchedherdisappearwithstrangelymingledfeelings。Forhehadfallenintothatstagewhenmenhavethevertigoofmisfortune，courtthestrokesofdestiny，andrushtowardsanythingdecisive，thatitmayfreethemfromsuspensethoughatthecostofruin。
Itisoneofthemanyminorformsofsuicide。
’Shedidnotloveme，’hesaid，turningtoherfather。
’Ifearedasmuch，’saidhe，’whenIsoundedher。PoorDick，poorDick。AndyetIbelieveIamasmuchcutupasyouare。
Iwasborntoseeothershappy。’
’Youforget，’returnedDick，withsomethinglikeasneer，’thatIamnowapauper。’
VanTrompsnappedhisfingers。
’Tut！’saidhe;’Estherhasplentyforusall。’
Dicklookedathimwithsomewonder。Ithadneverdawneduponhimthatthisshiftless，thriftless，worthless，spongingparasitewasyet，afterandinspiteofall，notmercenaryintheissueofhisthoughts;yetsoitwas。
’Now，’saidDick，’Imustgo。’
’Go？’criedVanTromp。’Where？Notonefoot，Mr。RichardNaseby。Hereyoushallstayinthemeantime！and—well，anddosomethingpractical—advertiseforasituationasprivatesecretary—andwhenyouhaveit，goandwelcome。Butinthemeantime，sir，nofalsepride;wemuststaywithourfriends;
wemustspongeawhileonPapaVanTromp，whohasspongedsooftenuponus。’
’ByGod，’criedDick，’Ibelieveyouarethebestofthelot。’
’Dick，myboy，’repliedtheAdmiral，winking，’youmarkme，I
amnottheworst。’
’Thenwhy，’beganDick，andthenpaused。’ButEsther，’hebeganagain，oncemoretointerrupthimself。’Thefactis，Admiral，’hecameoutwithitroundlynow，’yourdaughterwishedtorunawayfromyouto—day，andIonlybroughtherbackwithdifficulty。’
’Intheponycarriage？’askedtheAdmiral，withthesillinessofextremesurprise。
’Yes，’Dickanswered。
’Why，whatthedevilwassherunningawayfrom？’
Dickfoundthequestionunusuallyhardtoanswer。
’Why，’saidhe，’youknow，you’reabitofarip。’
’Ibehavetothatgirl，sir，likeanarchdeacon，’repliedVanTrompwarmly。
’Well—excuseme—butyouknowyoudrink，’insistedDick。
’IknowthatIwasasheetinthewind’seye，sir，once—
onceonly，sinceIreachedthisplace，’retortedtheAdmiral。
’AndeventhenIwasfitforanydrawing—room。Ishouldlikeyoutotellmehowmanyfathers，layandclerical，goupstairseverydaywithafacelikealobsterandcod’seyes—andaredull，uponthebackofit—notevenmirthforthemoney！No，ifthat’swhatsherunsfor，allIsayis，letherrun。’
’Yousee，’Dicktrieditagain，’shehasfancies—’
’Confoundherfancies！’criedVanTromp。’Iusedherkindly;
shehadherownway;Iwasherfather。BesidesIhadtakenquitealikingtothegirl，andmeanttostaywithherforgood。ButItellyouwhatitis，Dick，sinceshehastrifledwithyou—Oh，yes，shedidthough！—andsinceheroldpapa’snotgoodenoughforher—thedeviltakeher，sayI。’
’Youwillbekindtoheratleast？’saidDick。
’Ineverwasunkindtoalivingsoul，’repliedtheAdmiral。
’FirmIcanbe，butnotunkind。’
’Well，’saidDick，offeringhishand，’Godblessyou，andfarewell。’
TheAdmiralsworebyallhisgodsheshouldnotgo。’Dick，’
hesaid，’Youareaselfishdog;youforgetyouroldAdmiral。
Youwouldn’tleavehimalone，wouldyou？’
Itwasuselesstoremindhimthatthehousewasnothistodisposeof，thatbeingaclassofconsiderationstowhichhisintelligencewasclosed;soDicktorehimselfoffbyforce，and，shoutingagood—bye，madeoffalongthelanetoThymebury。
CHAPTERIX—INWHICHTHELIBERALEDITORRE—APPEARSAS’DEUS
EXMACHINA’
ITwasperhapsaweeklater，asoldMr。Nasebysatbroodinginhisstudy，thattherewasshowninuponhim，onurgentbusiness，alittlehecticgentlemanshabbilyattired。
’Ihavetoaskpardonforthisintrusion，Mr。Naseby，’hesaid;’butIcomeheretoperformaduty。Mycardhasbeensentin，butperhapsyoumaynotknow，whatitdoesnottellyou，thatIamtheeditoroftheTHYMEBURYSTAR。’
Mr。Nasebylookedup，indignant。
’Icannotfancy，’hesaid，’thatwehavemuchincommontodiscuss。’
’Ihaveonlyawordtosay—onepieceofinformationtocommunicate。Somemonthsago，wehad—youwillpardonmyreferringtoit，itisabsolutelynecessary—butwehadanunfortunatedifferenceastofacts。’
’Haveyoucometoapologise？’askedtheSquire，sternly。
’No，sir;tomentionacircumstance。Onthemorninginquestion，yourson，Mr。RichardNaseby—’
’Idonotpermithisnametobementioned。’
’Youwill，however，permitme，’repliedtheEditor。
’Youarecruel，’saidtheSquire。Hewasright，hewasabrokenman。
ThentheEditordescribedDick’swarningvisit;andhowhehadseeninthelad’seyethattherewasathrashinginthewind，andhadescapedthroughpityonly—sotheEditorputit—’throughpityonlysir。Andoh，sir，’hewenton，’ifyouhadseenhimspeakingupforyou，Iamsureyouwouldhavebeenproudofyourson。IknowIadmiredtheladmyself，andindeedthat’swhatbringsmehere。’
’Ihavemisjudgedhim，’saidtheSquire。’Doyouknowwhereheis？’
’Yes，sir，heliessickatThymebury。’
’Youcantakemetohim？’
’Ican。’
’IprayGodhemayforgiveme，’saidthefather。
AndheandtheEditormadepost—hasteforthecountrytown。
NextdaythereportwentabroadthatMr。RichardwasreconciledtohisfatherandhadbeentakenhometoNasebyHouse。Hewasstillailing，itwassaid，andtheSquirenursedhimliketheproverbialwoman。Rumour，inthisinstance，didnomorethanjusticetothetruth;andoverthesickbedmanyconfidenceswereexchanged，andcloudsthathadbeengrowingforyearspassedawayinafewhours，andasfondmankindlovestohope，forever。Manylongtalkshadbeenfruitlessinexternalaction，thoughfruitfulfortheunderstandingofthepair;butatlast，oneshoweryTuesday，theSquiremighthavebeenobserveduponhiswaytothecottageinthelane。
Theoldgentlemanhadarrangedhisfeatureswithaviewtoself—command，ratherthanexternalcheerfulness;andheenteredthecottageonhisvisitofconciliationwiththebearingofaclergymancometoannounceadeath。
TheAdmiralandhisdaughterwerebothwithin，andbothlookedupontheirvisitorwithmoresurprisethanfavour。
’Sir，’saidhetoVanTromp，’IamtoldIhavedoneyoumuchinjustice。’
TherecamealittlesoundinEsther’sthroat，andsheputherhandsuddenlytoherheart。
’Youhave，sir;andtheacknowledgmentsuffices，’repliedtheAdmiral。’Iamprepared，sir，tobeeasywithyou，sinceI
hearyouhavemadeitupwithmyfriendDick。Butletmeremindyouthatyouowesomeapologiestothisyoungladyalso。’
’Ishallhavethetemeritytoaskformorethanherforgiveness，’saidtheSquire。’MissVanTromp，’hecontinued，’onceIwasingreatdistress，andknewnothingofyouoryourcharacter;butIbelieveyouwillpardonafewroughwordstoanoldmanwhoasksforgivenessfromhisheart。Ihaveheardmuchofyousincethen;foryouhaveaferventadvocateinmyhouse。IbelieveyouwillunderstandthatIspeakofmyson。Heis，Iregrettosay，veryfarfromwell;hedoesnotpickupasthedoctorshadexpected;
hehasagreatdealuponhismind，and，totellyouthetruth，mygirl，ifyouwon’thelpus，IamafraidIshalllosehim。Comenow，forgivehim！Iwasangrywithhimoncemyself，andIfoundIwasinthewrong。Thisisonlyamisunderstanding，liketheother，believeme;andwithonekindmovement，youmaygivehappinesstohim，andtome，andtoyourself。’
Esthermadeamovementtowardsthedoor，butlongbeforeshereacheditshehadbrokenforthsobbing。
’Itisallright，’saidtheAdmiral;’Iunderstandthesex。
Letmemakeyoumycompliments，Mr。Naseby。’
TheSquirewastoomuchrelievedtobeangry。
’Mydear，’saidhetoEsther，’youmustnotagitateyourself。’
’Shehadbettergoupandseehimrightaway，’suggestedVanTromp。
’Ihadnotventuredtoproposeit，’repliedtheSquire。’LES
CONVENANCES，Ibelieve—’
’JEM’ENFICHE，’criedtheAdmiral，snappinghisfingers。
’SheshallgoandseemyfriendDick。Runandgetready，Esther。’
Estherobeyed。
’Shehasnot—hasnotrunawayagain？’inquiredMr。Naseby，assoonasshewasgone。
’No，’saidVanTromp，’notagain。Sheisadevilishoddgirlthough，mindyouthat。’
’ButIcannotstomachthemanwiththecarbuncles，’thoughttheSquire。
Andthisiswhythereisanewhouseholdandabrand—newbabyinNasebyDowerHouse;andwhythegreatVanTromplivesinpleasantstyleupontheshoresofEngland;andwhytwenty—sixindividualcopiesoftheTHYMEBURYSTARarereceiveddailyatthedoorofNasebyHouse。
