theyembracedeachother。Itwasasjoyfultobeforgivenpastunworthinessesastoforgivethem。Foramomenttheyrealizedvastpossibilitiesofgood。
Theolderpeoplerecoveredquickly。Intheveryheightoftheiremotiontheyknewittobeunmanlyorunladylike。MissLavishcalculatedthat，eveniftheyhadcontinued，theywouldnothavebeencaughtintheaccident。Mr。Eagermumbledatemperateprayer。Butthedrivers，throughmilesofdarksqualidroad，pouredouttheirsoulstothedryadsandthesaints，andLucypouredoutherstohercousin。
\"Charlotte，dearCharlotte，kissme。Kissmeagain。Onlyyoucanunderstandme。Youwarnedmetobecareful。AndI——IthoughtI
wasdeveloping。”
\"Donotcry，dearest。Takeyourtime。”
\"Ihavebeenobstinateandsilly——worsethanyouknow，farworse。
Oncebytheriver——Oh，butheisn\'tkilled——hewouldn\'tbekilled，wouldhe？\"
Thethoughtdisturbedherrepentance。Asamatteroffact，thestormwasworstalongtheroad；butshehadbeenneardanger，andsoshethoughtitmustbeneartoeveryone。
\"Itrustnot。Onewouldalwaysprayagainstthat。”
\"Heisreally——Ithinkhewastakenbysurprise，justasIwasbefore。ButthistimeI\'mnottoblame；Iwantyoutobelievethat。Isimplyslippedintothoseviolets。No，Iwanttobereallytruthful。Iamalittletoblame。Ihadsillythoughts。
Thesky，youknow，wasgold，andthegroundallblue，andforamomenthelookedlikesomeoneinabook。”
\"Inabook？\"
\"Heroes——gods——thenonsenseofschoolgirls。”
\"Andthen？\"
\"But，Charlotte，youknowwhathappenedthen。”
MissBartlettwassilent。Indeed，shehadlittlemoretolearn。
Withacertainamountofinsightshedrewheryoungcousinaffectionatelytoher。AllthewaybackLucy\'sbodywasshakenbydeepsighs，whichnothingcouldrepress。
\"Iwanttobetruthful，\"shewhispered。\"Itissohardtobeabsolutelytruthful。”
\"Don\'tbetroubled，dearest。Waittillyouarecalmer。Wewilltalkitoverbeforebed-timeinmyroom。”
Sotheyre-enteredthecitywithhandsclasped。Itwasashocktothegirltofindhowfaremotionhadebbedinothers。Thestormhadceased，andMr。Emersonwaseasierabouthisson。Mr。Beebehadregainedgoodhumour，andMr。EagerwasalreadysnubbingMissLavish。Charlottealoneshewassureof——Charlotte，whoseexteriorconcealedsomuchinsightandlove。
Theluxuryofself-exposurekeptheralmosthappythroughthelongevening。Shethoughtnotsomuchofwhathadhappenedasofhowsheshoulddescribeit。Allhersensations，herspasmsofcourage，hermomentsofunreasonablejoy，hermysteriousdiscontent，shouldbecarefullylaidbeforehercousin。Andtogetherindivineconfidencetheywoulddisentangleandinterpretthemall。
\"Atlast，\"thoughtshe，\"Ishallunderstandmyself。Ishan\'tagainbetroubledbythingsthatcomeoutofnothing，andmeanI
don\'tknowwhat。”
MissAlanaskedhertoplay。Sherefusedvehemently。Musicseemedtohertheemploymentofachild。Shesatclosetohercousin，who，withcommendablepatience，waslisteningtoalongstoryaboutlostluggage。Whenitwasovershecappeditbyastoryofherown。Lucybecameratherhystericalwiththedelay。Invainshetriedtocheck，oratalleventstoaccelerate，thetale。ItwasnottillalatehourthatMissBartletthadrecoveredherluggageandcouldsayinherusualtoneofgentlereproach:
\"Well，dear，IatalleventsamreadyforBedfordshire。Comeintomyroom，andIwillgiveagoodbrushtoyourhair。”
Withsomesolemnitythedoorwasshut，andacanechairplacedforthegirl。ThenMissBartlettsaid\"Sowhatistobedone？\"
Shewasunpreparedforthequestion。Ithadnotoccurredtoherthatshewouldhavetodoanything。Adetailedexhibitionofheremotionswasallthatshehadcountedupon。
\"Whatistobedone？Apoint，dearest，whichyoualonecansettle。”
Therainwasstreamingdowntheblackwindows，andthegreatroomfeltdampandchilly，OnecandleburnttremblingonthechestofdrawersclosetoMissBartlett\'stoque，whichcastmonstrousandfantasticshadowsonthebolteddoor。Atramroaredbyinthedark，andLucyfeltunaccountablysad，thoughshehadlongsincedriedhereyes。Sheliftedthemtotheceiling，wherethegriffinsandbassoonswerecolourlessandvague，theveryghostsofjoy。
\"Ithasbeenrainingfornearlyfourhours，\"shesaidatlast。
MissBartlettignoredtheremark。
\"Howdoyouproposetosilencehim？\"
\"Thedriver？\"
\"Mydeargirl，no；Mr。GeorgeEmerson。”
Lucybegantopaceupanddowntheroom。
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"shesaidatlast。
Sheunderstoodverywell，butshenolongerwishedtobeabsolutelytruthful。
\"Howareyougoingtostophimtalkingaboutit？\"
\"Ihaveafeelingthattalkisathinghewillneverdo。”
\"I，too，intendtojudgehimcharitably。ButunfortunatelyIhavemetthetypebefore。Theyseldomkeeptheirexploitstothemselves。”
\"Exploits？\"criedLucy，wincingunderthehorribleplural。
\"Mypoordear，didyousupposethatthiswashisfirst？Comehereandlistentome。Iamonlygatheringitfromhisownremarks。DoyourememberthatdayatlunchwhenhearguedwithMissAlanthatlikingonepersonisanextrareasonforlikinganother？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLucy，whomatthetimetheargumenthadpleased。
\"Well，Iamnoprude。Thereisnoneedtocallhimawickedyoungman，butobviouslyheisthoroughlyunrefined。Letusputitdowntohisdeplorableantecedentsandeducation，ifyouwish。Butwearenofartheronwithourquestion。Whatdoyouproposetodo？\"
AnidearushedacrossLucy\'sbrain，which，hadshethoughtofitsoonerandmadeitpartofher，mighthaveprovedvictorious。
\"Iproposetospeaktohim，\"saidshe。
MissBartlettutteredacryofgenuinealarm。
\"Yousee，Charlotte，yourkindness——Ishallneverforgetit。
But——asyousaid——itismyaffair。Mineandhis。”
\"AndyouaregoingtoIMPLOREhim，toBEGhimtokeepsilence？\"
\"Certainlynot。Therewouldbenodifficulty。Whateveryouaskhimheanswers，yesorno；thenitisover。Ihavebeenfrightenedofhim。ButnowIamnotonelittlebit。”
\"Butwefearhimforyou，dear。Youaresoyoungandinexperienced，youhavelivedamongsuchnicepeople，thatyoucannotrealizewhatmencanbe——howtheycantakeabrutalpleasureininsultingawomanwhomhersexdoesnotprotectandrallyround。Thisafternoon，forexample，ifIhadnotarrived，whatwouldhavehappened？\"
\"Ican\'tthink，\"saidLucygravely。
SomethinginhervoicemadeMissBartlettrepeatherquestion，intoningitmorevigorously。
\"WhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadn\'tarrived？\"
\"Ican\'tthink，\"saidLucyagain。
\"Whenheinsultedyou，howwouldyouhavereplied？\"
\"Ihadn\'ttimetothink。Youcame。”
\"Yes，butwon\'tyoutellmenowwhatyouwouldhavedone？\"
\"Ishouldhave——\"Shecheckedherself，andbrokethesentenceoff。Shewentuptothedrippingwindowandstrainedhereyesintothedarkness。Shecouldnotthinkwhatshewouldhavedone。
\"Comeawayfromthewindow，dear，\"saidMissBartlett。\"Youwillbeseenfromtheroad。”
Lucyobeyed。Shewasinhercousin\'spower。Shecouldnotmodulateoutthekeyofself-abasementinwhichshehadstarted。
NeitherofthemreferredagaintohersuggestionthatsheshouldspeaktoGeorgeandsettlethematter，whateveritwas，withhim。
MissBartlettbecameplaintive。
\"Oh，forarealman!Weareonlytwowomen，youandI。Mr。Beebeishopeless。ThereisMr。Eager，butyoudonottrusthim。Oh，foryourbrother!Heisyoung，butIknowthathissister\'sinsultwouldrouseinhimaverylion。ThankGod，chivalryisnotyetdead。Therearestillleftsomemenwhocanreverencewoman。”
Asshespoke，shepulledoffherrings，ofwhichsheworeseveral，andrangedthemuponthepincushion。Thensheblewintoherglovesandsaid:
\"Itwillbeapushtocatchthemorningtrain，butwemusttry。”
\"Whattrain？\"
\"ThetraintoRome。”Shelookedatherglovescritically。
Thegirlreceivedtheannouncementaseasilyasithadbeengiven。
\"WhendoesthetraintoRomego？\"
\"Ateight。”
\"SignoraBertoliniwouldbeupset。”
\"Wemustfacethat，\"saidMissBartlett，notlikingtosaythatshehadgivennoticealready。
\"Shewillmakeuspayforawholeweek\'spension。”
\"Iexpectshewill。However，weshallbemuchmorecomfortableattheVyses\'hotel。Isn\'tafternoonteagiventherefornothing？\"
\"Yes，buttheypayextraforwine。”Afterthisremarksheremainedmotionlessandsilent。TohertiredeyesCharlottethrobbedandswelledlikeaghostlyfigureinadream。
Theybegantosorttheirclothesforpacking，fortherewasnotimetolose，iftheyweretocatchthetraintoRome。Lucy，whenadmonished，begantomovetoandfrobetweentherooms，moreconsciousofthediscomfortsofpackingbycandlelightthanofasubtlerill。Charlotte，whowaspracticalwithoutability，kneltbythesideofanemptytrunk，vainlyendeavouringtopaveitwithbooksofvaryingthicknessandsize。Shegavetwoorthreesighs，forthestoopingposturehurtherback，and，forallherdiplomacy，shefeltthatshewasgrowingold。Thegirlheardherassheenteredtheroom，andwasseizedwithoneofthoseemotionalimpulsestowhichshecouldneverattributeacause。
Sheonlyfeltthatthecandlewouldburnbetter，thepackinggoeasier，theworldbehappier，ifshecouldgiveandreceivesomehumanlove。Theimpulsehadcomebeforeto-day，butneversostrongly。Shekneltdownbyhercousin\'ssideandtookherinherarms。
MissBartlettreturnedtheembracewithtendernessandwarmth。
Butshewasnotastupidwoman，andsheknewperfectlywellthatLucydidnotloveher，butneededhertolove。Foritwasinominoustonesthatshesaid，afteralongpause:
\"DearestLucy，howwillyoueverforgiveme？\"
Lucywasonherguardatonce，knowingbybitterexperiencewhatforgivingMissBartlettmeant。Heremotionrelaxed，shemodifiedherembracealittle，andshesaid:
\"Charlottedear，whatdoyoumean？AsifIhaveanythingtoforgive!\"
\"Youhaveagreatdeal，andIhaveaverygreatdealtoforgivemyself，too。IknowwellhowmuchIvexyouateveryturn。”
\"Butno——\"
MissBartlettassumedherfavouriterole，thatoftheprematurelyagedmartyr。
\"Ah，butyes!IfeelthatourtourtogetherishardlythesuccessIhadhoped。Imighthaveknownitwouldnotdo。Youwantsomeoneyoungerandstrongerandmoreinsympathywithyou。Iamtoouninterestingandold-fashioned——onlyfittopackandunpackyourthings。”
\"Please——\"
\"Myonlyconsolationwasthatyoufoundpeoplemoretoyourtaste，andwereoftenabletoleavemeathome。Ihadmyownpoorideasofwhataladyoughttodo，butIhopeIdidnotinflictthemonyoumorethanwasnecessary。Youhadyourownwayabouttheserooms，atallevents。”
\"Youmustn\'tsaythesethings，\"saidLucysoftly。
ShestillclungtothehopethatsheandCharlottelovedeachother，heartandsoul。Theycontinuedtopackinsilence。
\"Ihavebeenafailure，\"saidMissBartlett，asshestruggledwiththestrapsofLucy\'strunkinsteadofstrappingherown。
\"Failedtomakeyouhappy；failedinmydutytoyourmother。Shehasbeensogeneroustome；Ishallneverfaceheragainafterthisdisaster。”
\"Butmotherwillunderstand。Itisnotyourfault，thistrouble，anditisn\'tadisastereither。”
\"Itismyfault，itisadisaster。Shewillneverforgiveme，andrightly。Furinstance，whatrighthadItomakefriendswithMissLavish？\"
\"Everyright。”
\"WhenIwashereforyoursake？IfIhavevexedyouitisequallytruethatIhaveneglectedyou。YourmotherwillseethisasclearlyasIdo，whenyoutellher。”
Lucy，fromacowardlywishtoimprovethesituation，said:
\"Whyneedmotherhearofit？\"
\"Butyoutellhereverything？\"
\"IsupposeIdogenerally。”
\"Idarenotbreakyourconfidence。Thereissomethingsacredinit。Unlessyoufeelthatitisathingyoucouldnottellher。”
Thegirlwouldnotbedegradedtothis。
\"NaturallyIshouldhavetoldher。Butincasesheshouldblameyouinanyway，IpromiseIwillnot，Iamverywillingnotto。I
willneverspeakofiteithertoherortoanyone。”
Herpromisebroughtthelong-drawninterviewtoasuddenclose。
MissBartlettpeckedhersmartlyonbothcheeks，wishedhergood-night，andsenthertoherownroom。
Foramomenttheoriginaltroublewasinthebackground。Georgewouldseemtohavebehavedlikeacadthroughout；perhapsthatwastheviewwhichonewouldtakeeventually。Atpresentsheneitheracquittednorcondemnedhim；shedidnotpassjudgment。
Atthemomentwhenshewasabouttojudgehimhercousin\'svoicehadintervened，and，eversince，itwasMissBartlettwhohaddominated；MissBartlettwho，evennow，couldbeheardsighingintoacrackinthepartitionwall；MissBartlett，whohadreallybeenneitherpliablenorhumblenorinconsistent。Shehadworkedlikeagreatartist；foratime——indeed，foryears——shehadbeenmeaningless，butattheendtherewaspresentedtothegirlthecompletepictureofacheerless，lovelessworldinwhichtheyoungrushtodestructionuntiltheylearnbetter——ashamefacedworldofprecautionsandbarrierswhichmayavertevil，butwhichdonotseemtobringgood，ifwemayjudgefromthosewhohaveusedthemmost。
Lucywassufferingfromthemostgrievouswrongwhichthisworldhasyetdiscovered:diplomaticadvantagehadbeentakenofhersincerity，ofhercravingforsympathyandlove。Suchawrongisnoteasilyforgotten。Neveragaindidsheexposeherselfwithoutdueconsiderationandprecautionagainstrebuff。Andsuchawrongmayreactdisastrouslyuponthesoul。
Thedoor-bellrang，andshestartedtotheshutters。Beforeshereachedthemshehesitated，turned，andblewoutthecandle。Thusitwasthat，thoughshesawsomeonestandinginthewetbelow，he，thoughhelookedup，didnotseeher。
Toreachhisroomhehadtogobyhers。Shewasstilldressed。Itstruckherthatshemightslipintothepassageandjustsaythatshewouldbegonebeforehewasup，andthattheirextraordinaryintercoursewasover。
Whethershewouldhavedaredtodothiswasneverproved。AtthecriticalmomentMissBartlettopenedherowndoor，andhervoicesaid:
\"Iwishonewordwithyouinthedrawing-room，Mr。Emerson，please。”
Soontheirfootstepsreturned，andMissBartlettsaid:
\"Good-night，Mr。Emerson。”
Hisheavy，tiredbreathingwastheonlyreply；thechaperonhaddoneherwork。
Lucycriedaloud:\"Itisn\'ttrue。Itcan\'tallbetrue。Iwantnottobemuddled。Iwanttogrowolderquickly。”
MissBartletttappedonthewall。
\"Gotobedatonce，dear。Youneedalltherestyoucanget。”
InthemorningtheyleftforRome。
PartTwoChapterVIII:MedievalThedrawing-roomcurtainsatWindyCornerhadbeenpulledtomeet，forthecarpetwasnewanddeservedprotectionfromtheAugustsun。Theywereheavycurtains，reachingalmosttotheground，andthelightthatfilteredthroughthemwassubduedandvaried。Apoet——nonewaspresent——mighthavequoted，\"Lifelikeadomeofmanycolouredglass，\"ormighthavecomparedthecurtainstosluice-gates，loweredagainsttheintolerabletidesofheaven。Withoutwaspouredaseaofradiance；within，theglory，thoughvisible，wastemperedtothecapacitiesofman。
Twopleasantpeoplesatintheroom。One——aboyofnineteen——wasstudyingasmallmanualofanatomy，andpeeringoccasionallyatabonewhichlayuponthepiano。Fromtimetotimehebouncedinhischairandpuffedandgroaned，forthedaywashotandtheprintsmall，andthehumanframefearfullymade；andhismother，whowaswritingaletter，didcontinuallyreadouttohimwhatshehadwritten。Andcontinuallydidsherisefromherseatandpartthecurtainssothatarivuletoflightfellacrossthecarpet，andmaketheremarkthattheywerestillthere。
\"Wherearen\'tthey？\"saidtheboy，whowasFreddy，Lucy\'sbrother。\"ItellyouI\'mgettingfairlysick。”
\"Forgoodness\'sakegooutofmydrawing-room，then？\"criedMrs。
Honeychurch，whohopedtocureherchildrenofslangbytakingitliterally。
Freddydidnotmoveorreply。
\"Ithinkthingsarecomingtoahead，\"sheobserved，ratherwantingherson\'sopiniononthesituationifshecouldobtainitwithoutunduesupplication。
\"Timetheydid。”
\"IamgladthatCecilisaskingherthisoncemore。”
\"It\'shisthirdgo，isn\'tit？\"
\"FreddyIdocallthewayyoutalkunkind。”
\"Ididn\'tmeantobeunkind。”Thenheadded:\"ButIdothinkLucymighthavegotthisoffherchestinItaly。Idon\'tknowhowgirlsmanagethings，butshecan\'thavesaid\'No\'properlybefore，orshewouldn\'thavetosayitagainnow。Overthewholething——Ican\'texplain——Idofeelsouncomfortable。”
\"Doyouindeed，dear？Howinteresting!\"
\"Ifeel——nevermind。”
Hereturnedtohiswork。
\"JustlistentowhatIhavewrittentoMrs。Vyse。Isaid:\'DearMrs。Vyse。\'\"
\"Yes，mother，youtoldme。Ajollygoodletter。”
\"Isaid:\'DearMrs。Vyse，Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelighted，ifLucywishesit。But——\'\"
Shestoppedreading，\"IwasratheramusedatCecilaskingmypermissionatall。Hehasalwaysgoneinforunconventionality，andparentsnowhere，andsoforth。Whenitcomestothepoint，hecan\'tgetonwithoutme。”
\"Norme。”
\"You？\"
Freddynodded。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Heaskedmeformypermissionalso。”
Sheexclaimed:\"Howveryoddofhim!\"
\"Whyso？\"askedthesonandheir。\"Whyshouldn\'tmypermissionbeasked？\"
\"WhatdoyouknowaboutLucyorgirlsoranything？Whateverdidyousay？\"
\"IsaidtoCecil，\'Takeherorleaveher；it\'snobusinessofmine!\'\"
\"Whatahelpfulanswer!\"Butherownanswer，thoughmorenormalinitswording，hadbeentothesameeffect。
\"Thebotheristhis，\"beganFreddy。
Thenhetookuphisworkagain，tooshytosaywhatthebotherwas。Mrs。Honeychurchwentbacktothewindow。
\"Freddy，youmustcome。Theretheystillare!\"
\"Idon\'tseeyououghttogopeepinglikethat。”
\"Peepinglikethat!Can\'tIlookoutofmyownwindow？\"
Butshereturnedtothewriting-table，observing，asshepassedherson，\"Stillpage322？\"Freddysnorted，andturnedovertwoleaves。Forabriefspacetheyweresilent。Closeby，beyondthecurtains，thegentlemurmurofalongconversationhadneverceased。
\"Thebotheristhis:IhaveputmyfootinitwithCecilmostawfully。”Hegaveanervousgulp。\"Notcontentwith\'permission\'，whichIdidgive——thatistosay，Isaid，\'Idon\'tmind\'——well，notcontentwiththat，hewantedtoknowwhetherIwasn\'toffmyheadwithjoy。Hepracticallyputitlikethis:Wasn\'titasplendidthingforLucyandforWindyCornergenerallyifhemarriedher？Andhewouldhaveananswer——hesaiditwouldstrengthenhishand。”
\"Ihopeyougaveacarefulanswer，dear。”
\"Ianswered\'No\'\"saidtheboy，grindinghisteeth。\"There!Flyintoastew!Ican\'thelpit——hadtosayit。Ihadtosayno。Heoughtnevertohaveaskedme。”
\"Ridiculouschild!\"criedhismother。\"Youthinkyou\'resoholyandtruthful，butreallyit\'sonlyabominableconceit。DoyousupposethatamanlikeCecilwouldtaketheslightestnoticeofanythingyousay？Ihopeheboxedyourears。Howdareyousayno？\"
\"Oh，dokeepquiet，mother!IhadtosaynowhenIcouldn\'tsayyes。ItriedtolaughasifIdidn\'tmeanwhatIsaid，and，asCecillaughedtoo，andwentaway，itmaybeallright。ButIfeelmyfoot\'sinit。Oh，dokeepquiet，though，andletamandosomework。”
\"No，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，withtheairofonewhohasconsideredthesubject，\"Ishallnotkeepquiet。YouknowallthathaspassedbetweentheminRome；youknowwhyheisdownhere，andyetyoudeliberatelyinsulthim，andtrytoturnhimoutofmyhouse。”
\"Notabit!\"hepleaded。\"IonlyletoutIdidn\'tlikehim。I
don\'thatehim，butIdon\'tlikehim。WhatImindisthathe\'lltellLucy。”
Heglancedatthecurtainsdismally。
\"Well，Ilikehim，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch。\"Iknowhismother；
he\'sgood，he\'sclever，he\'srich，he\'swellconnected——Oh，youneedn\'tkickthepiano!He\'swellconnected——I\'llsayitagainifyoulike:he\'swellconnected。”Shepaused，asifrehearsinghereulogy，butherfaceremaineddissatisfied。Sheadded:\"Andhehasbeautifulmanners。”
\"Ilikedhimtilljustnow。Isupposeit\'shavinghimspoilingLucy\'sfirstweekathome；andit\'salsosomethingthatMr。Beebesaid，notknowing。”
\"Mr。Beebe？\"saidhismother，tryingtoconcealherinterest。\"I
don\'tseehowMr。Beebecomesin。”
\"YouknowMr。Beebe\'sfunnyway，whenyouneverquiteknowwhathemeans。Hesaid:\'Mr。Vyseisanidealbachelor。\'Iwasverycute，Iaskedhimwhathemeant。Hesaid\'Oh，he\'slikeme——
betterdetached。\'Icouldn\'tmakehimsayanymore，butitsetmethinking。SinceCecilhascomeafterLucyhehasn\'tbeensopleasant，atleast——Ican\'texplain。”
\"Younevercan，dear。ButIcan。YouarejealousofCecilbecausehemaystopLucyknittingyousilkties。”
Theexplanationseemedplausible，andFreddytriedtoacceptit。
Butatthebackofhisbraintherelurkedadimmistrust。Cecilpraisedonetoomuchforbeingathletic。Wasthatit？Cecilmadeonetalkinone\'sownway。Thistiredone。Wasthatit？AndCecilwasthekindoffellowwhowouldneverwearanotherfellow\'scap。
Unawareofhisownprofundity，Freddycheckedhimself。Hemustbejealous，orhewouldnotdislikeamanforsuchfoolishreasons。
\"Willthisdo？\"calledhismother。\"\'DearMrs。Vyse，——Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelightedifLucywishesit。\'ThenIputinatthetop，\'andIhavetoldLucyso。\'Imustwritetheletteroutagain——\'andIhavetoldLucyso。
ButLucyseemsveryuncertain，andinthesedaysyoungpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。\'IsaidthatbecauseIdidn\'twantMrs。Vysetothinkusold-fashioned。Shegoesinforlecturesandimprovinghermind，andallthetimeathicklayerofflueunderthebeds，andthemaid\'sdirtythumb-markswhereyouturnontheelectriclight。Shekeepsthatflatabominably——\"
\"SupposeLucymarriesCecil，wouldsheliveinaflat，orinthecountry？\"
\"Don\'tinterruptsofoolishly。WherewasI？Ohyes——\'Youngpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。IknowthatLucylikesyourson，becauseshetellsmeeverything，andshewrotetomefromRomewhenheaskedherfirst。\'No，I\'llcrossthatlastbitout——itlookspatronizing。I\'llstopat\'becauseshetellsmeeverything。\'OrshallIcrossthatout，too？\"
\"Crossitout，too，\"saidFreddy。
Mrs。Honeychurchleftitin。
\"Thenthewholethingruns:\'DearMrs。Vyse——Cecilhasjustaskedmypermissionaboutit，andIshouldbedelightedifLucywishesit，andIhavetoldLucyso。ButLucyseemsveryuncertain，andinthesedaysyoungpeoplemustdecideforthemselves。IknowthatLucylikesyourson，becauseshetellsmeeverything。ButIdonotknow——\'\"
\"Lookout!\"criedFreddy。
Thecurtainsparted。
Cecil\'sfirstmovementwasoneofirritation。Hecouldn\'tbeartheHoneychurchhabitofsittinginthedarktosavethefurniture。Instinctivelyhegivethecurtainsatwitch，andsentthemswingingdowntheirpoles。Lightentered。Therewasrevealedaterrace，suchasisownedbymanyvillaswithtreeseachsideofit，andonitalittlerusticseat，andtwoflower-beds。Butitwastransfiguredbytheviewbeyond，forWindyCornerwasbuiltontherangethatoverlookstheSussexWeald。Lucy，whowasinthelittleseat，seemedontheedgeofagreenmagiccarpetwhichhoveredintheairabovethetremulousworld。
Cecilentered。
Appearingthuslateinthestory，Cecilmustbeatoncedescribed。Hewasmedieval。LikeaGothicstatue。Tallandrefined，withshouldersthatseemedbracedsquarebyaneffortofthewill，andaheadthatwastiltedalittlehigherthantheusuallevelofvision，heresembledthosefastidioussaintswhoguardtheportalsofaFrenchcathedral。Welleducated，wellendowed，andnotdeficientphysically，heremainedinthegripofacertaindevilwhomthemodernworldknowsasself-consciousness，andwhomthemedieval，withdimmervision，worshippedasasceticism。
AGothicstatueimpliescelibacy，justasaGreekstatueimpliesfruition，andperhapsthiswaswhatMr。Beebemeant。AndFreddy，whoignoredhistoryandart，perhapsmeantthesamewhenhefailedtoimagineCecilwearinganotherfellow\'scap。
Mrs。Honeychurchleftherletteronthewritingtableandmovedtowardsheryoungacquaintance。
\"Oh，Cecil!\"sheexclaimed——\"oh，Cecil，dotellme!\"
\"Ipromessisposi，\"saidhe。
Theystaredathimanxiously。
\"Shehasacceptedme，\"hesaid，andthesoundofthethinginEnglishmadehimflushandsmilewithpleasure，andlookmorehuman。
\"Iamsoglad，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whileFreddyprofferedahandthatwasyellowwithchemicals。TheywishedthattheyalsoknewItalian，forourphrasesofapprovalandofamazementaresoconnectedwithlittleoccasionsthatwefeartousethemongreatones。Weareobligedtobecomevaguelypoetic，ortotakerefugeinScripturalreminiscences。
\"Welcomeasoneofthefamily!\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，wavingherhandatthefurniture。\"Thisisindeedajoyousday!IfeelsurethatyouwillmakeourdearLucyhappy。”
\"Ihopeso，\"repliedtheyoungman，shiftinghiseyestotheceiling。
\"Wemothers——\"simperedMrs。Honeychurch，andthenrealizedthatshewasaffected，sentimental，bombastic——allthethingsshehatedmost。WhycouldshenotbeFreddy，whostoodstiffinthemiddleoftheroom；lookingverycrossandalmosthandsome？
\"Isay，Lucy!\"calledCecil，forconversationseemedtoflag。
Lucyrosefromtheseat。Shemovedacrossthelawnandsmiledinatthem，justasifshewasgoingtoaskthemtoplaytennis。
Thenshesawherbrother\'sface。Herlipsparted，andshetookhiminherarms。Hesaid，\"Steadyon!\"
\"Notakissforme？\"askedhermother。
Lucykissedheralso。
\"WouldyoutakethemintothegardenandtellMrs。Honeychurchallaboutit？\"Cecilsuggested。\"AndI\'dstophereandtellmymother。”
\"WegowithLucy？\"saidFreddy，asiftakingorders。
\"Yes，yougowithLucy。”
Theypassedintothesunlight。Cecilwatchedthemcrosstheterrace，anddescendoutofsightbythesteps。Theywoulddescend——heknewtheirways——pasttheshrubbery，andpastthetennis-lawnandthedahlia-bed，untiltheyreachedthekitchengarden，andthere，inthepresenceofthepotatoesandthepeas，thegreateventwouldbediscussed。
Smilingindulgently，helitacigarette，andrehearsedtheeventsthathadledtosuchahappyconclusion。
HehadknownLucyforseveralyears，butonlyasacommonplacegirlwhohappenedtobemusical。HecouldstillrememberhisdepressionthatafternoonatRome，whensheandherterriblecousinfellonhimoutoftheblue，anddemandedtobetakentoSt。Peter\'s。Thatdayshehadseemedatypicaltourist——shrill，crude，andgauntwithtravel。ButItalyworkedsomemarvelinher。Itgaveherlight，and——whichheheldmoreprecious——itgavehershadow。Soonhedetectedinherawonderfulreticence。ShewaslikeawomanofLeonardodaVinci\'s，whomwelovenotsomuchforherselfasforthethingsthatshewillnottellus，Thethingsareassuredlynotofthislife；nowomanofLeonardo\'scouldhaveanythingsovulgarasa\"story。”Shediddevelopmostwonderfullydaybyday。
Soithappenedthatfrompatronizingcivilityhehadslowlypassedifnottopassion，atleasttoaprofounduneasiness。
AlreadyatRomehehadhintedtoherthattheymightbesuitableforeachother。Ithadtouchedhimgreatlythatshehadnotbrokenawayatthesuggestion。Herrefusalhadbeenclearandgentle；afterit——asthehorridphrasewent——shehadbeenexactlythesametohimasbefore。Threemonthslater，onthemarginofItaly，amongtheflower-cladAlps，hehadaskedheragaininbald，traditionallanguage。SheremindedhimofaLeonardomorethanever；hersunburntfeatureswereshadowedbyfantasticrock；
athiswordsshehadturnedandstoodbetweenhimandthelightwithimmeasurableplainsbehindher。Hewalkedhomewithherunashamed，feelingnotatalllikearejectedsuitor。Thethingsthatreallymatteredwereunshaken。
Sonowhehadaskedheroncemore，and，clearandgentleasever，shehadacceptedhim，givingnocoyreasonsforherdelay，butsimplysayingthatshelovedhimandwoulddoherbesttomakehimhappy。Hismother，too，wouldbepleased；shehadcounselledthestep；hemustwriteheralongaccount。
Glancingathishand，incaseanyofFreddy\'schemicalshadcomeoffonit，hemovedtothewritingtable。Therehesaw\"DearMrs。
Vyse，\"followedbymanyerasures。Herecoiledwithoutreadinganymore，andafteralittlehesitationsatdownelsewhere，andpencilledanoteonhisknee。
Thenhelitanothercigarette，whichdidnotseemquiteasdivineasthefirst，andconsideredwhatmightbedonetomakeWindyCornerdrawing-roommoredistinctive。Withthatoutlookitshouldhavebeenasuccessfulroom，butthetrailofTottenhamCourtRoadwasuponit；hecouldalmostvisualizethemotor-vansofMessrs。ShoolbredandMessrs。Maplearrivingatthedooranddepositingthischair，thosevarnishedbook-cases，thatwriting-table。ThetablerecalledMrs。Honeychurch\'sletter。Hedidnotwanttoreadthatletter——histemptationsneverlayinthatdirection；butheworriedaboutitnonetheless。Itwashisownfaultthatshewasdiscussinghimwithhismother；hehadwantedhersupportinhisthirdattempttowinLucy；hewantedtofeelthatothers，nomatterwhotheywere，agreedwithhim，andsohehadaskedtheirpermission。Mrs。Honeychurchhadbeencivil，butobtuseinessentials，whileasforFreddy——\"Heisonlyaboy，\"hereflected。\"Irepresentallthathedespises。Whyshouldhewantmeforabrother-in-law？\"
TheHoneychurcheswereaworthyfamily，buthebegantorealizethatLucywasofanotherclay；andperhaps——hedidnotputitverydefinitely——heoughttointroduceherintomorecongenialcirclesassoonaspossible。
\"Mr。Beebe!\"saidthemaid，andthenewrectorofSummerStreetwasshownin；hehadatoncestartedonfriendlyrelations，owingtoLucy\'spraiseofhiminherlettersfromFlorence。
Cecilgreetedhimrathercritically。
\"I\'vecomefortea，Mr。Vyse。DoyousupposethatIshallgetit？\"
\"Ishouldsayso。Foodisthethingonedoesgethere——Don\'tsitinthatchair；youngHoneychurchhasleftaboneinit。”
\"Pfui!\"
\"Iknow，\"saidCecil。\"Iknow。Ican\'tthinkwhyMrs。Honeychurchallowsit。”
ForCecilconsideredtheboneandtheMaples\'furnitureseparately；hedidnotrealizethat，takentogether，theykindledtheroomintothelifethathedesired。
\"I\'vecomeforteaandforgossip。Isn\'tthisnews？\"
\"News？Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"saidCecil。\"News？\"
Mr。Beebe，whosenewswasofaverydifferentnature，prattledforward。
\"ImetSirHarryOtwayasIcameup；IhaveeveryreasontohopethatIamfirstinthefield。HehasboughtCissieandAlbertfromMr。Flack!\"
\"Hasheindeed？\"saidCecil，tryingtorecoverhimself。Intowhatagrotesquemistakehadhefallen!Wasitlikelythataclergymanandagentlemanwouldrefertohisengagementinamannersoflippant？Buthisstiffnessremained，and，thoughheaskedwhoCissieandAlbertmightbe，hestillthoughtMr。Beeberatherabounder。
\"Unpardonablequestion!TohavestoppedaweekatWindyCornerandnottohavemetCissieandAlbert，thesemi-detachedvillasthathavebeenrunupoppositethechurch!I\'llsetMrs。
Honeychurchafteryou。”
\"I\'mshockinglystupidoverlocalaffairs，\"saidtheyoungmanlanguidly。\"Ican\'tevenrememberthedifferencebetweenaParishCouncilandaLocalGovernmentBoard。Perhapsthereisnodifference，orperhapsthosearen\'ttherightnames。Ionlygointothecountrytoseemyfriendsandtoenjoythescenery。Itisveryremissofme。ItalyandLondonaretheonlyplaceswhereIdon\'tfeeltoexistonsufferance。”
Mr。Beebe，distressedatthisheavyreceptionofCissieandAlbert，determinedtoshiftthesubject。
\"Letmesee，Mr。Vyse——Iforget——whatisyourprofession？\"
\"Ihavenoprofession，\"saidCecil。\"Itisanotherexampleofmydecadence。Myattitudequiteanindefensibleone——isthatsolongasIamnotroubletoanyoneIhavearighttodoasIlike。
IknowIoughttobegettingmoneyoutofpeople，ordevotingmyselftothingsIdon\'tcareastrawabout，butsomehow，I\'venotbeenabletobegin。”
\"Youareveryfortunate，\"saidMr。Beebe。\"Itisawonderfulopportunity，thepossessionofleisure。”
Hisvoicewasratherparochial，buthedidnotquiteseehiswaytoansweringnaturally。Hefelt，asallwhohaveregularoccupationmustfeel，thatothersshouldhaveitalso。
\"Iamgladthatyouapprove。Idaren\'tfacethehealthyperson——
forexample，FreddyHoneychurch。”
\"Oh，Freddy\'sagoodsort，isn\'the？\"
\"Admirable。ThesortwhohasmadeEnglandwhatsheis。”
Cecilwonderedathimself。Why，onthisdayofallothers，washesohopelesslycontrary？HetriedtogetrightbyinquiringeffusivelyafterMr。Beebe\'smother，anoldladyforwhomhehadnoparticularregard。Thenheflatteredtheclergyman，praisedhisliberal-mindedness，hisenlightenedattitudetowardsphilosophyandscience。
\"Wherearetheothers？\"saidMr。Beebeatlast，\"Iinsistonextractingteabeforeeveningservice。”
\"IsupposeAnnenevertoldthemyouwerehere。Inthishouseoneissocoachedintheservantsthedayonearrives。ThefaultofAnneisthatshebegsyourpardonwhenshehearsyouperfectly，andkicksthechair-legswithherfeet。ThefaultsofMary——
IforgetthefaultsofMary，buttheyareverygrave。Shallwelookinthegarden？\"
\"IknowthefaultsofMary。Sheleavesthedust-pansstandingonthestairs。”
\"ThefaultofEuphemiaisthatshewillnot，simplywillnot，chopthesuetsufficientlysmall。”
Theybothlaughed，andthingsbegantogobetter。
\"ThefaultsofFreddy——\"Cecilcontinued。
\"Ah，hehastoomany。NoonebuthismothercanrememberthefaultsofFreddy。TrythefaultsofMissHoneychurch；theyarenotinnumerable。”
\"Shehasnone，\"saidtheyoungman，withgravesincerity。
\"Iquiteagree。Atpresentshehasnone。”
\"Atpresent？\"
\"I\'mnotcynical。I\'monlythinkingofmypettheoryaboutMissHoneychurch。Doesitseemreasonablethatsheshouldplaysowonderfully，andlivesoquietly？Isuspectthatonedayshewillbewonderfulinboth。Thewater-tightcompartmentsinherwillbreakdown，andmusicandlifewillmingle。Thenweshallhaveherheroicallygood，heroicallybad——tooheroic，perhaps，tobegoodorbad。”
Cecilfoundhiscompanioninteresting。
\"Andatpresentyouthinkhernotwonderfulasfaraslifegoes？\"
\"Well，ImustsayI\'veonlyseenheratTunbridgeWells，whereshewasnotwonderful，andatFlorence。SinceIcametoSummerStreetshehasbeenaway。Yousawher，didn\'tyou，atRomeandintheAlps。Oh，Iforgot；ofcourse，youknewherbefore。No，shewasn\'twonderfulinFlorenceeither，butIkeptonexpectingthatshewouldbe。”
\"Inwhatway？\"
Conversationhadbecomeagreeabletothem，andtheywerepacingupanddowntheterrace。
\"Icouldaseasilytellyouwhattuneshe\'llplaynext。Therewassimplythesensethatshehadfoundwings，andmeanttousethem。
IcanshowyouabeautifulpictureinmyItaliandiary:MissHoneychurchasakite，MissBartlettholdingthestring。Picturenumbertwo:thestringbreaks。”
Thesketchwasinhisdiary，butithadbeenmadeafterwards，whenheviewedthingsartistically。Atthetimehehadgivensurreptitioustugstothestringhimself。
\"Butthestringneverbroke？\"
\"No。Imightn\'thaveseenMissHoneychurchrise，butIshouldcertainlyhaveheardMissBartlettfall。”
\"Ithasbrokennow，\"saidtheyoungmaninlow，vibratingtones。
Immediatelyherealizedthatofalltheconceited，ludicrous，contemptiblewaysofannouncinganengagementthiswastheworst。
Hecursedhisloveofmetaphor；hadhesuggestedthathewasastarandthatLucywassoaringuptoreachhim？
\"Broken？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Imeant，\"saidCecilstiffly，\"thatsheisgoingtomarryme。”
Theclergymanwasconsciousofsomebitterdisappointmentwhichhecouldnotkeepoutofhisvoice。
\"Iamsorry；Imustapologize。Ihadnoideayouwereintimatewithher，orIshouldneverhavetalkedinthisflippant，superficialway。Mr。Vyse，yououghttohavestoppedme。”AnddownthegardenhesawLucyherself；yes，hewasdisappointed。
Cecil，whonaturallypreferredcongratulationstoapologies，drewdownhismouthatthecorners。Wasthisthereceptionhisactionwouldgetfromtheworld？Ofcourse，hedespisedtheworldasawhole；everythoughtfulmanshould；itisalmostatestofrefinement。Buthewassensitivetothesuccessiveparticlesofitwhichheencountered。
Occasionallyhecouldbequitecrude。
\"IamsorryIhavegivenyouashock，\"hesaiddryly。\"IfearthatLucy\'schoicedoesnotmeetwithyourapproval。”
\"Notthat。Butyououghttohavestoppedme。IknowMissHoneychurchonlyalittleastimegoes。PerhapsIoughtn\'ttohavediscussedhersofreelywithanyone；certainlynotwithyou。”
\"Youareconsciousofhavingsaidsomethingindiscreet？\"
Mr。Beebepulledhimselftogether。Really，Mr。Vysehadtheartofplacingoneinthemosttiresomepositions。Hewasdriventousetheprerogativesofhisprofession。
\"No，Ihavesaidnothingindiscreet。IforesawatFlorencethatherquiet，uneventfulchildhoodmustend，andithasended。I
realizeddimlyenoughthatshemighttakesomemomentousstep。
Shehastakenit。Shehaslearnt——youwillletmetalkfreely，asIhavebegunfreely——shehaslearntwhatitistolove:thegreatestlesson，somepeoplewilltellyou，thatourearthlylifeprovides。”Itwasnowtimeforhimtowavehishatattheapproachingtrio。Hedidnotomittodoso。\"Shehaslearntthroughyou，\"andifhisvoicewasstillclerical，itwasnowalsosincere；\"letitbeyourcarethatherknowledgeisprofitabletoher。”
\"Grazietante!\"saidCecil，whodidnotlikeparsons。
\"Haveyouheard？\"shoutedMrs。Honeychurchasshetoileduptheslopinggarden。\"Oh，Mr。Beebe，haveyouheardthenews？\"
Freddy，nowfullofgeniality，whistledtheweddingmarch。Youthseldomcriticizestheaccomplishedfact。
\"IndeedIhave!\"hecried。HelookedatLucy。Inherpresencehecouldnotacttheparsonanylonger——atalleventsnotwithoutapology。\"Mrs。Honeychurch，I\'mgoingtodowhatIamalwayssupposedtodo，butgenerallyI\'mtooshy。Iwanttoinvokeeverykindofblessingonthem，graveandgay，greatandsmall。
Iwantthemalltheirlivestobesupremelygoodandsupremelyhappyashusbandandwife，asfatherandmother。AndnowIwantmytea。”
\"Youonlyaskedforitjustintime，\"theladyretorted。\"HowdareyoubeseriousatWindyCorner？\"
Hetookhistonefromher。Therewasnomoreheavybeneficence，nomoreattemptstodignifythesituationwithpoetryortheScriptures。Noneofthemdaredorwasabletobeseriousanymore。
Anengagementissopotentathingthatsoonerorlateritreducesallwhospeakofittothisstateofcheerfulawe。Awayfromit，inthesolitudeoftheirrooms，Mr。Beebe，andevenFreddy，mightagainbecritical。Butinitspresenceandinthepresenceofeachothertheyweresincerelyhilarious。Ithasastrangepower，foritcompelsnotonlythelips，buttheveryheart。Thechiefparalleltocompareonegreatthingwithanother——isthepoweroverusofatempleofsomealiencreed。
Standingoutside，wederideoropposeit，oratthemostfeelsentimental。Inside，thoughthesaintsandgodsarenotours，webecometruebelievers，incaseanytruebelievershouldbepresent。
Soitwasthatafterthegropingsandthemisgivingsoftheafternoontheypulledthemselvestogetherandsettleddowntoaverypleasanttea-party。Iftheywerehypocritestheydidnotknowit，andtheirhypocrisyhadeverychanceofsettingandofbecomingtrue。Anne，puttingdowneachplateasifitwereaweddingpresent，stimulatedthemgreatly。Theycouldnotlagbehindthatsmileofherswhichshegavethemereshekickedthedrawing-roomdoor。Mr。Beebechirruped。Freddywasathiswittiest，referringtoCecilasthe\"Fiasco\"——familyhonouredpunonfiance。Mrs。Honeychurch，amusingandportly，promisedwellasamother-in-law。AsforLucyandCecil，forwhomthetemplehadbeenbuilt，theyalsojoinedinthemerryritual，butwaited，asearnestworshippersshould，forthedisclosureofsomeholiershrineofjoy。
ChapterIX:LucyAsaWorkofArtAfewdaysaftertheengagementwasannouncedMrs。HoneychurchmadeLucyandherFiascocometoalittlegarden-partyintheneighbourhood，fornaturallyshewantedtoshowpeoplethatherdaughterwasmarryingapresentableman。
Cecilwasmorethanpresentable；helookeddistinguished，anditwasverypleasanttoseehisslimfigurekeepingstepwithLucy，andhislong，fairfacerespondingwhenLucyspoketohim。PeoplecongratulatedMrs。Honeychurch，whichis，Ibelieve，asocialblunder，butitpleasedher，andsheintroducedCecilratherindiscriminatelytosomestuffydowagers。
Atteaamisfortunetookplace:acupofcoffeewasupsetoverLucy\'sfiguredsilk，andthoughLucyfeignedindifference，hermotherfeignednothingofthesortbutdraggedherindoorstohavethefrocktreatedbyasympatheticmaid。Theyweregonesometime，andCecilwasleftwiththedowagers。Whentheyreturnedhewasnotaspleasantashehadbeen。
\"Doyougotomuchofthissortofthing？\"heaskedwhentheyweredrivinghome。
\"Oh，nowandthen，\"saidLucy，whohadratherenjoyedherself。
\"Isittypicalofcountrysociety？\"
\"Isupposeso。Mother，woulditbe？\"
\"Plentyofsociety，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whowastryingtorememberthehangofoneofthedresses。
Seeingthatherthoughtswereelsewhere，CecilbenttowardsLucyandsaid:
\"Tomeitseemedperfectlyappalling，disastrous，portentous。”
\"Iamsosorrythatyouwerestranded。”
\"Notthat，butthecongratulations。Itissodisgusting，thewayanengagementisregardedaspublicproperty——akindofwasteplacewhereeveryoutsidermayshoothisvulgarsentiment。Allthoseoldwomensmirking!\"
\"Onehastogothroughit，Isuppose。Theywon\'tnoticeussomuchnexttime。”
\"Butmypointisthattheirwholeattitudeiswrong。Anengagement——horridwordinthefirstplace——isaprivatematter，andshouldbetreatedassuch。”
