第2章

"Iwonder，"musedtheProfessor，"ifanyoneinthevillage——"Thelittleservingmaidflitteringamongthegooseberrybushes——shewaspretendingtobegatheringgoose—berries——caughttheProfessor’seye.

"Wewillconsultmychatelaine，Mrs.Muldoon，"suggestedtheProfessor."Ithinkweshallbeabletomanage."

TheProfessortenderedMalvinahisarm.WithherotherhandshegathereduptheskirtsoftheCommander’scoat.

"Ithink，"saidtheProfessorwithasuddeninspirationastheypassedthroughthegarden，"IthinkIshallexplaintoMrs.Muldoonthatyouhavejustcomestraightfromafancy—dressball."

TheyfoundMrs.Muldooninthekitchen.AlessconvincingstorythanthatbywhichtheProfessorsoughttoaccounttoMrs.MuldoonforthehowandthewhyofMalvinaitwouldbeimpossibletoimagine.Mrs.Muldoonoutofsheerkindnessappearstohavecuthimshort.

"I’llnotbeaskingyeanyquestions，"saidMrs.Muldoon，"sothere’llbenoneedforyetoimperilyourimmortalsoul.Ifye’lljustgiveathoughttoyourownappearanceandleavethecolleentomeandDrusilla，we’llmakehermaybeabitdacent.

ThereferencetohisownappearancedisconcertedtheProfessor.Hehadnotanticipated，whenhasteningintohisdressinggownandslippersandnotbotheringabouthissocks，thathewasonhiswaytomeetthechieflady—in—waitingofQueenHarbundia.Demandingthatshavingwatershouldbeimmediatelysentuptohim，heappearstohaveretiredintothebathroom.

ItwaswhilehewasshavingthatMrs.Muldoon，knockingatthedoor，demandedtospeaktohim.FromhertonetheProfessorcametotheconclusionthatthehousewasonfire.Heopenedthedoor，andMrs.

Muldoon，seeinghewasrespectable，slippedinandcloseditbehindher.

"Wheredidyefindher？Howdidshegethere？"demandedMrs.

Muldoon.NeverbeforehadtheProfessorseenMrs.Muldoonotherthanaplacid，good—humouredbody.Shewastremblingfromheadtofoot.

"Itoldyou，"explainedtheProfessor."YoungArthur——"

"I’mnotaskingyewhatyetoldme，"interruptedMrs.Muldoon."I’maskingyeforthetruth，ifyeknowit."

TheProfessorputachairforMrs.Muldoon，andMrs.Muldoondroppeddownuponit.

"What’sthematter？"questionedtheProfessor."What’shappened？"

Mrs.Muldoonglancedroundher，andhervoicewasanhystericalwhisper.

"It’snomortalwomanye’vebroughtintothehouse，"saidMrs.

Muldoon."It’safairy."

WhetheruptothatmomenttheProfessorhadreallybelievedMalvina’sstory，orwhetherlurkingatthebackofhismindtherehadallalongbeenaninnateconvictionthatthethingwasabsurd，theProfessorhimselfisnowunabletosay.TothefrontoftheProfessorlayOxford——politicaleconomy，thehighercriticism，theriseandprogressofrationalism.Behindhim，fadingawayintothedimhorizonofhumanity，layanunmappedlandwhereforfortyyearshehadlovedtowander;aspirit—hauntedlandofburiedmysteries，lostpathways，leadinguntohiddengatesofknowledge.

AndnowuponthetremblingbalancedescendedMrs.Muldoonplump.

"Howdoyouknow？"demandedtheProfessor.

"Shure，don’tIknowthemark？"repliedMrs.Muldoonalmostcontemptuously."Wasn’tmyownsister’schildstolenawaytheverydayofitsbirthandinitsplace——"

Thelittleservingmaidtappedatthedoor.

Mademoisellewas"finished."Whatwastobedonewithher？

"Don’taskme，"protestedMrs.Muldoon，stillinaterrifiedwhisper."Icouldn’tdoit.Notifallthesaintsweretogodownupontheirkneesandpraytome."

Common—senseargumentwouldnothaveprevailedwithMrs.Muldoon.

TheProfessorfeltthat;addedtowhichhehadnotanyhandy.Hedirected，throughthedoor，that"Mademoiselle"shouldbeshownintothedining—room，andlistenedtillDrusilla’sfootstepshaddiedaway.

"HaveyoueverheardoftheWhiteLadies？"whisperedtheProfessortoMrs.Muldoon.

Therewasnotmuchinthefairyline，onetakesit，thatMrs.

Muldoonhadnotheardofandbelieved.WastheProfessorsure？

TheProfessorgaveMrs.Muldoonhiswordofhonourasagentleman.

The"WhiteLadies，"asMrs.Muldoonwasofcourseaware，belongedtothe"goodpeople."Providednobodyoffendedhertherewasnothingtofear.

"Shure，itwon’tbemeselfthat’llcrossher，"saidMrs.Muldoon.

"Shewon’tbestayingverylong，"addedtheProfessor."Wewilljustbenicetoher."

"She’sgotakindface，"admittedMrs.Muldoon，"andapleasantwaywithher."Thegoodbody’sspiritswereperceptiblyrising.Thefavourofa"WhiteLady"mightbeworthcultivating.

"Wemustmakeafriendofher，"urgedtheProfessor，seizinghisopportunity.

"Andmind，"whisperedtheProfessorasheopenedthedoorforMrs.

Muldoontoslipout，"notaword.Shedoesn’twantitknown."

OneisconvincedthatMrs.Muldoonleftthebathroomresolvedthat，sofarasshecouldhelpit，nobreathofsuspicionthatMalvinawasotherthanwhatinDrusilla’sholidayfrockshewouldappeartobeshouldescapeintothevillage.Itwasquiteapleasantlittlefrockofasummerycharacter，withshortsleevesandlooseabouttheneck，andfittedMalvina，ineverysense，muchbetterthanthemostelaborateconfectionwouldhavedone.Thebootswerenotsosuccessful.Malvinasolvedtheproblembyleavingthembehindher，togetherwiththestockings，whenevershewentout.Thatsheknewthiswaswrongisprovedbythefactthatinvariablyshetriedtohidethem.Theywouldbefoundinthemostunlikelyplaces;hiddenbehindbooksintheProfessor’sstudy，crammedintoemptyteacanistersinMrs.Muldoon’sstoreroom.Mrs.Muldoonwasnottobepersuadedeventoabstractthem.ThecanisterwithitscontentswouldbeplacedinsilenceupontheProfessor’stable.Malvinaonreturningwouldbeconfrontedbyapairofstern，unsympatheticboots.Thecornersofthefairymouthwoulddroopinlinessuggestiveofpenitenceandcontrition.

HadtheProfessorbeenfirmshewouldhaveyielded.ButfromtheblackaccusingbootstheProfessorcouldnotkeephiseyesfromwanderingtotheguiltywhitefeet，andatonceinhisheartbecoming"counselforthedefence."MustgetapairofsandalsnexttimehewenttoOxford.Anyhow，somethingmoredaintythanthosegrim，uncompromisingboots.

Besides，itwasnotoftenthatMalvinaventuredbeyondtheorchard.

Atleastnotduringthedaytime——perhapsoneoughttosaynotduringthatpartofthedaytimewhenthevillagewasastir.ForMalvinaappearstohavebeenanearlyriser.Somewhereaboutthemiddleofthenight，asanyChristianbodywouldhavetimedit，Mrs.

Muldoon——wakingandsleepingduringthisperiodinastateofhighnervoustension——wouldhearthesoundofasoftlyopeneddoor;

peepingfromaraisedcorneroftheblind，wouldcatchaglimpseofflutteringgarmentsthatseemedtomeltintothedawn;wouldhearcomingfainterandfainterfromtheuplandsanunknownsong，minglingwiththeansweringvoicesofthebirds.

ItwasontheuplandsbetweendawnandsunrisethatMalvinamadetheacquaintanceoftheArlingtontwins.

Theyought，ofcourse，tohavebeeninbed——allthreeofthem，forthematterofthat.TheexcuseforthetwinswastheirUncleGeorge.HehadbeentellingthemallabouttheUffingtonspectreandWaylandSmith’scave，andhadgiventhem"Puck"asabirthdaypresent.Theywerealwaysgiventheirbirthdaypresentsbetweenthem，becauseotherwisetheydidnotcareforthem.Theyhadretiredtotheirrespectivebedroomsatteno’clockandtakenitinturnstolieawake.AtthefirststreakofdawnVictoria，whohadbeenwatchingbyherwindow，wokeVictor，asarranged.Victorwasforgivingitupandgoingtosleepagain，butVictoriaremindinghimofthe"oath，"theydressedthemselvesquitesimply，andletthemselvesdownbytheivy.

TheycameacrossMalvinaclosetothetailoftheWhiteHorse.Theyknewshewasafairythemomenttheysawher.Buttheywerenotfrightened——atleastnotverymuch.ItwasVictorwhospokefirst.

Takingoffhishatandgoingdownononeknee，hewishedMalvinagoodmorningandhopedshewasquitewell.Malvina，whoseemedpleasedtoseethem，madeanswer，andhereitwasthatVictoriatookchargeoftheaffair.TheArlingtontwinsuntiltheywereninehadsharedaFrenchnursebetweenthem;andthenVictor，goingtoschool，hadgraduallyforgotten;whileVictoria，remainingathome，hadcontinuedherconversationswith"madame."

"Oh！"saidVictoria."ThenyoumustbeaFrenchfairy."

NowtheProfessorhadimpresseduponMalvinathatforreasonsneedlesstobeexplained——anyhow，heneverhadexplainedthem——shewasnottomentionthatshewasafairy.Buthehadnottoldhertodenyit.Indeedhowcouldshe？Themostthatcouldbeexpectedfromherwasthatsheshouldmaintainsilenceonthepoint.SoinanswertoVictoriasheexplainedthathernamewasMalvina，andthatshehadflownacrossfromBrittanyincompanywith"SirArthur，"

addingthatshehadoftenheardofEnglandandhadwishedtoseeit.

"Howdoyoulikeit？"demandedVictoria.

Malvinaconfessedherselfcharmedwithit.Nowherehadsheevermetsomanybirds.Malvinaraisedherhandandtheyallthreestoodinsilence，listening.Theskywasablazeandtheairseemedfilledwiththeirmusic.Thetwinsweresurethatthereweremillionsofthem.Theymusthavecomefrommilesandmilesandmiles，tosingtoMalvina.

Alsothepeople.Theyweresogoodandkindandround.Malvinaforthepresentwasstayingwith——acceptingtheprotection，washowsheputit，ofthewiseandlearnedChristopher.The"habitation"couldbeseenfromwheretheystood，itschimneyspeepingfromamongthetrees.Thetwinsexchangedameaningglance.HadtheynotallalongsuspectedtheProfessor！Hisblackskullcap，andhisbighookednose，andtheyellow—leaved，worm—eatenbooks——ofmagic：alldoubtswerenowremoved——thatforhourshewouldsitporingoverthroughowlishgold—rimmedspectacles！

Victor’sFrenchwascomingbacktohim.HewasanxioustoknowifMalvinahadevermetSirLauncelot——"totalkto."

AlittlecloudgathereduponMalvina’sface.Yes，shehadknownthemall：KingUthurandIgraineandSirUlfiasoftheIsles.

Talkedwiththem，walkedwiththeminthefairlandsofFrance.（ItoughttohavebeenEngland，butMalvinashookherhead.Maybetheyhadtravelled.）ItwasshewhohadsavedSirTristramfromthewilesofMorganleFay."Thoughthat，ofcourse，"explainedMalvina，"wasneverknown."

Thetwinswerecuriouswhyitshouldhavebeen"ofcourse，"butdidnotliketointerruptagain.Therewereothersbeforeandafter.

MostofthemthetwinshadneverheardofuntiltheycametoCharlemagne，beyondwhichMalvina’sreminiscencesappearedtofade.

Theyhadallofthembeenverycourteoustoher，andsomeofthemindeedquitecharming.But

OnegatherstheyhadneverbeentoMalvinamorethanmereacquaintances，suchasonepassesthetimewithwhilewaiting——andlonging.

"ButyoulikedSirLauncelot，"urgedVictor.HewaswishfulthatMalvinashouldadmireSirLauncelot，feelinghowmuchtherewasincommonbetweenthatearlylamentedknightandhimself.ThatlittleaffairwithSirBedivere.Itwasjusthowhewouldhavebehavedhimself.

Ah！yes，admittedMalvina.Shehad"liked"him.Hewasalwaysso——

so"excellent."

"Buthewasnot——noneofthemweremyownpeople，myowndearcompanions."Thelittlecloudhadsettleddownagain.

ItwasBrunowhorecalledthethreeofthemtotheperiodofcontemporaryhistory.

Polleythecowman’sfirstdutyinthemorningwastoletBrunolooseforarun.Hearrivedpantingandbreathless，andevidentlyoffendedatnothavingbeenincludedintheescapade.Hecouldhavegiventhembothawayquiteeasilyifhehadnotbeenthemostforgivingofblack—and—tancollies.Asitwas，hehadbeenworryinghimselfcrazyforthelasthalf—hour，feelingsuretheyhadforgottenthetime."Don’tyouknowit’snearlysixo’clock？ThatinlessthanhalfanhourJanewillbeknockingatyourdoorswithglassesofhotmilk，andwillprobablydropthemandscreamwhenshefindsyourbedsemptyandthewindowwideopen."Thatiswhathehadintendedshouldbehisfirstwords，butonscentingMalvinatheywentfromhimentirely.Hegaveheronelookandfloppeddownflat，wrigglingtowardsher，whiningandwagginghistailatthesametime.Malvinaacknowledgedhishomagebylaughingandpattinghisheadwithherfoot，andthatsenthimintotheseventhheavenofdelight.Theyallfourdescendedthehilltogetherandpartedattheorchardgate.ThetwinsexpressedapolitebutquitesincerehopethattheywouldhavethepleasureofseeingMalvinaagain;butMalvina，seizedmaybewithsuddendoubtsastowhethershehadbehavedwithdiscretion，appearstohaverepliedevasively.Tenminuteslatershewaslyingasleep，thegoldenheadpillowedontheroundwhitearm;asMrs.Muldoononherwaydowntothekitchensawforherself.Andthetwins，fortunateenoughtofindasidedooropen，slippedintothehouseunnoticedandscrambledbackintotheirbeds.

ItwasquarterpastninewhenMrs.Arlingtoncameinherselfandwokethemup.Shewasshort—temperedwiththembothandhadevidentlybeencrying.Theyhadtheirbreakfastinthekitchen.

Duringlunchhardlyawordwasspoken.Andtherewasnopudding.

Mr.Arlington，astout，floridgentleman，hadnotimeforpudding.

Therestmightsitandenjoyitattheirleisure，butnotsoMr.

Arlington.Somebodyhadtoseetothings——thatis，iftheywerenottobeallowedtogotorackandruin.Ifotherpeoplecouldnotbereliedupontodotheirduty，sothateverythinginsidethehouseandoutofitwasthrownupononepairofshoulders，thenitfollowedasanaturalconsequencethatthatpairofshoulderscouldnotsparethenecessarytimetoproperlyfinishitsmeals.ThisitwasthatwasattherootofthedecayofEnglishfarming.Whenfarmers’wives，tosaynothingofsonsanddaughtersoldenoughonemightimaginetobeanxioustodosomethinginrepaymentforthemoneyandcarelavisheduponthem，hadallputtheirshoulderstothewheel，thenEnglishfarminghadprospered.When，ontheotherhand，otherpeopleshirkedtheirfairshareoflabourandresponsibility，leavingtoonepairofhands

ItwastheeldestArlingtongirl’squiteaudibleremarkthatpacouldhaveeatentwohelpingsofpuddingwhilehehadbeentalking，thatcausedMr.Arlingtontolosethethreadofhisdiscourse.Toputitquitebluntly，whatMr.Arlingtonmeanttosaywasthis：Hehadneverwantedtobeafarmer——atleastnotinthebeginning.

Othermeninhisposition，havingacquiredcompetencybyyearsofself—sacrificinglabour，wouldhaveretiredtoawell—earnedleisure.Havingyieldedtopersuasionandtakenonthejob，hewasgoingtoseeitthrough;andeverybodyelsewasgoingtodotheirshareortherewouldbetrouble.

Mr.Arlington，swallowingtheremainsofhisglassinasinglegulp，spoiltadignifiedexitbyviolentlyhiccoughing，andMrs.Arlingtonrangthebellfuriouslyfortheparlourmaidtoclearaway.Thepuddingpasseduntouchedfrombeforetheveryeyesofthetwins.Itwasablack—currantpuddingwithbrownsugar.

ThatnightMrs.Arlingtonappearstohaveconfidedinthetwins，partlyforherownreliefandpartlyfortheirmoralbenefit.IfMrs.Arlingtonhadenjoyedtheblessingindisguiseofalessindulgentmother，allmighthavebeenwell.BynatureMrs.

Arlingtonhadbeenendowedwithanactiveandenergetictemperament.

"MissCan’t—sit—still—a—minute，"hernursehadalwayscalledher.

Unfortunatelyithadbeenallowedtosinkintodisuse;wasnowinallprobabilitybeyondhopeofrecovery.Theirfatherwasquiteright.WhentheyhadlivedinBayswaterandthebusinesswasinMincingLaneitdidnotmatter.Nowitwasdifferent.Afarmer’swifeoughttobeupatsix;sheoughttoseethateverybodyelsewasupatsix;servantslookedafter，keptuptothemark;childrenencouragedbytheirmother’sexample.Organisation.Thatwaswhatwaswanted.Thedaymappedout;toeveryhouritsappointedtask.

Then，insteadofthemorningbeinggonebeforeyoucouldturnyourselfround，andconfusionmadeworseconfoundedbyyourleavingoffwhatyouweredoingandtryingtodosixthingsatoncethatyoucouldn’trememberwhetheryouhaddoneorwhetheryouhadn’t

HereMrs.Arlingtonappearstohavedissolvedintotears.Generallyspeaking，shewasaplacid，smiling，mostamiablelady，quitedelightfultohaveaboutthehouseprovidedallyoudemandedofherwerepleasantlooksandasunnydisposition.Thetwinsappeartohavejoinedtheirtearstohers.Tuckedinandlefttothemselves，oneimaginestheproblembeingdiscussedwithgraveseriousness，muchwhisperedconversation，thensleptupon，themorningbringingwithitideas.Theresultbeingthatthenextevening，betweenhighteaandsupper，Mrs.Muldoon，answeringherselftheknockatthedoor，foundtwinfiguresstandinghandinhandontheProfessor’sstep.

Theyaskedherif"theFairy"wasin.

V.HOWITWASTOLDTOMRS.MARIGOLD.

Therewasnoneedoftheproverbialfeather.Mrs.Muldoonmadeagrabatthesettlebutmissedit.Shecaughtatachair，butthatgaveway.Itwasthefloorthatfinallystoppedher.

"We’resosorry，"apologisedVictor."Wethoughtyouknew.WeoughttohavesaidMademoiselleMalvina."

Mrs.Muldoonregainedherfeet，andwithoutansweringwalkedstraightintothestudy.

"Theywanttoknow，"saidMrs.Muldoon，"iftheFairy’sin."TheProfessor，withhisbacktothewindow，wasreading.Thelightintheroomwassomewhatfaint.

"Whowantstoknow？"demandedtheProfessor.

"ThetwinsfromtheManorHouse，"explainedMrs.Muldoon.

"Butwhat？——butwho？"begantheProfessor.

"ShallIsay’notathome’？"suggestedMrs.Muldoon."Orhadn’tyoubetterseethemyourself."

"Showthemin，"directedtheProfessor.

Theycamein，lookingalittlescaredandstillholdingoneanotherbythehand.TheywishedtheProfessorgoodevening，andwhenherosetheybackedawayfromhim.TheProfessorshookhandswiththem，buttheydidnotletgo，sothatVictoriagavehimherrighthandandVictorhisleft，andthenattheProfessor’sinvitationtheysatthemselvesdownontheextremeedgeofthesofa.

"Ihopewedonotdisturbyou，"saidVictor."WewantedtoseeMademoiselleMalvina."

"WhydoyouwanttoseeMademoiselleMalvina？"inquiredtheProfessor.

"Itissomethingveryprivate，"saidVictor.

"Wewantedtoaskheragreatfavour，"saidVictoria.

"I’msorry，"saidtheProfessor，"butsheisn’tin.Atleast，I

don’tthinkso."（TheProfessorneverwasquitesure."Sheslipsinandoutmakingnomorenoisethanawind—drivenroseleaf，"wasMrs.Muldoon’sexplanation.）"Hadn’tyoubettertellme？Leavemetoputittoher."

Theylookedatoneanother.ItwouldneverdotooffendthewiseandlearnedChristopher.Besides，amagician，itistobeassumed，hasmorewaysthanoneoflearningwhatpeoplearethinking.

"Itisaboutmamma，"explainedVictoria."WewonderedifMalvinawouldmindchangingher."

TheProfessorhadbeenreadingupMalvina.Itflashedacrosshimthatthishadalwaysbeenherspeciality：Changingpeople.HowhadtheArlingtontwinsdiscoveredit？Andwhydidtheywanttheirmotherchanged？Andwhatdidtheywantherchangedinto？Itwasshockingwhenyoucometothinkofit！TheProfessorbecamesuddenlysostern，thatifthetwinscouldhaveseenhisexpression——which，owingtothefadinglight，theycouldn’t——theywouldhavebeentoofrightenedtoanswer.

"Whydoyouwantyourmotherchanged？"demandedtheProfessor.Evenasitwashisvoicealarmedthem.

"It’sforherowngood，"falteredVictoria.

"Ofcoursewedon’tmeanintoanything，"explainedVictor.

"Onlyherinside，"addedVictoria.

"WethoughtthatMalvinamightbeabletoimproveher，"completedVictor.

Itwasstillverydisgraceful.Whatwerewecomingtowhenchildrenwentaboutclamouringfortheirmotherstobe"improved"！Theatmospherewaschargedwithindignation.Thetwinsfeltit.

"Shewantstobe，"persistedVictoria."Shewantstobeenergeticandtogetupearlyinthemorninganddothings."

"Yousee，"addedVictor，"shewasneverproperlybroughtup."

TheProfessormaintainsstoutlythathisonlyintentionwasajoke.

Itwasnotevenasifanythingobjectionablehadbeensuggested.

TheProfessorhimselfhadonoccasionsbeenmadetheconfidantofboth.

"Bestwomanthateverlived，ifonlyonecouldgraftalittleenergyuponher.Nosenseoftime.Tooeasy—going.Noideaofkeepingpeopleuptothemark."SoMr.Arlington，overthenutsandwine.

"It’spurelaziness.Oh，yes，itis.MyfriendssayI’mso’restful’;butthat’stheproperexplanationofit——bornlaziness.

AndyetItry.Youhavenoidea，ProfessorLittlecherry，howmuchI

try."SoMrs.Arlington，laughingly，whileadmiringtheProfessor’sroses.

Besides，howabsurdtobelievethatMalvinacouldpossiblychangeanybody！Wayback，whenthehumanbrainwasyetinprocessofevolution，suchthingsmayhavebeenpossible.Hypnoticsuggestion，mesmericinfluence，dormantbraincellsquickenedintoactivitybymagneticvibration.Allthathadbeenlost.ThesewerethedaysofGeorgetheFifth，notofKingHeremon.WhattheProfessorwasreallyafterwas：HowwouldMalvinareceivetheproposal？Ofcourseshewouldtrytogetoutofit.Adearlittlething.Butcouldanysaneman，professorofmathematics

Malvinawasstandingbesidehim.Noonehadremarkedherentrance.

TheeyesofthetwinshadbeenglueduponthewiseandlearnedChristopher.TheProfessor，whenhewasthinking，neversawanything.Still，itwasratherstartling.

"WeshouldneverchangewhatthegoodGodhasoncefashioned，"saidMalvina.Shespokeverygravely.Thechildishnessseemedtohavefallenfromher.

"Youdidn’talwaysthinkso，"saidtheProfessor.ItnettledtheProfessorthatallideaofthisbeingagoodjokehaddepartedwiththesoundofMalvina’svoice.Shehadthatwaywithher.

Shemadealittlegesture.ItconveyedtotheProfessorthathisremarkhadnotbeenaltogetheringoodtaste.

"Ispeakasonewhohaslearned，"saidMalvina.

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidtheProfessor."Ioughtnottohavesaidthat."

MalvinaacceptedtheProfessor’sapologywithabow.

"Butthisissomethingverydifferent，"continuedtheProfessor.

QuiteanotherinteresthadtakenholdoftheProfessor.ItwaseasyenoughtosummonDameCommonsensetoone’saidwhenMalvinawasnotpresent.Beforethosestrangeeyesthegoodladyhadahabitofsneakingaway.Suppose——ofcoursetheideawasridiculous，butsuppose——somethingdidhappen！Asapsychologicalexperimentwasnotonejustified？Whatwasthebeginningofallsciencebutappliedcuriosity？Malvinamightbeable——andwilling——toexplainhowitwasdone.Thatis，ifanythingdidhappen，which，ofcourse，itwouldn’t，andsomuchthebetter.Thisthinghadgottobeended.

"Itwouldbeusingagiftnotforone’sownpurposes，buttohelpothers，"urgedtheProfessor.

"Yousee，"urgedVictor，"mammareallywantstobechanged."

"Andpapawantsittoo，"urgedVictoria.

"Itseemstome，ifImaysoexpressit，"addedtheProfessor，"thatreallyitwouldbeinthenatureofmakingamendsfor——well，for—

—forouryouthfulfollies，"concludedtheProfessoralittlenervously.

Malvina’seyeswerefixedontheProfessor.Inthedimlightofthelow—ceilingedroom，thoseeyesseemedallofherthatwasvisible.

"Youwishit？"saidMalvina.

Itwasnotatallfair，astheProfessortoldhimselfafterwards，herlayingtheresponsibilityonhim.IfshereallywastheoriginalMalvina，lady—in—waitingtoQueenHarbundia，thenshewasquiteoldenoughtohavedecidedforherself.FromtheProfessor’scalculationsshemustnowbeaboutthreethousandeighthundred.

TheProfessorhimselfwasnotyetsixty;incomparisonamerebabe！

ButMalvina’seyeswerecompelling.

"Well，itcan’tdoanyharm，"saidtheProfessor.AndMalvinaseemstohaveacceptedthatasherauthority.

"LethercometotheCrossStonesatsundown，"directedMalvina.

TheProfessorsawthetwinstothedoor.ForsomereasontheProfessorcouldnothaveexplained，theyallthreewalkedoutontiptoe.OldMr.Brent，thepostman，waspassing，andthetwinsranafterhimandeachtookahand.MalvinawasstillstandingwheretheProfessorhadlefther.Itwasveryabsurd，buttheProfessorfeltfrightened.Hewentintothekitchen，whereitwaslightandcheerful，andstartedMrs.MuldoononHomeRule.WhenhereturnedtotheparlourMalvinawasgone.

Thetwinsdidnottalkthatnight，anddecidednextmorningnottosayaword，butjusttoasktheirmothertocomeforaneveningwalkwiththem.Thefearwasthatshemightdemandreasons.But，quiteoddly，sheconsentedwithoutquestion.ItseemedtothetwinsthatitwasMrs.Arlingtonherselfwhotookthepathwayleadingpastthecave，andwhentheyreachedtheCrossStonesshesatdownandapparentlyhadforgottentheirexistence.Theystoleawaywithouthernoticingthem，butdidnotquiteknowwhattodowiththemselves.Theyranforhalfamiletilltheycametothewood;

theretheyremainedawhile，carefulnottoventurewithin;andthentheycreptback.Theyfoundtheirmothersittingjustastheyhadlefther.Theythoughtshewasasleep，buthereyeswerewideopen.

Theyweretremendouslyrelieved，thoughwhattheyhadfearedtheyneverknew.Theysatdown，oneoneachsideofher，andeachtookahand，butinspiteofhereyesbeingopen，itwasquiteatimebeforesheseemedconsciousoftheirreturn.Sheroseandslowlylookedabouther，andasshedidsothechurchclockstrucknine.

Shecouldnotatfirstbelieveitwassolate.Convincedbylookingatherwatch——therewasjustlightenoughforhertoseeit——shebecameallatoncemoreangrythanthetwinshadeverknownher，andforthefirsttimeintheirlivestheybothexperiencedthesensationofhavingtheirearsboxed.Nineo’clockwasthepropertimeforsupperandtheywerehalfanhourfromhome，anditwasalltheirfault.Itdidnottakethemhalfanhour.Ittookthemtwentyminutes，Mrs.Arlingtonstridingaheadandthetwinspantingbreathlessbehindher.Mr.Arlingtonhadnotyetreturned.Hecameinfiveminutesafterwards，andMrs.Arlingtontoldhimwhatshethoughtofhim.Itwastheshortestsupperwithinthetwins’

recollection.Theyfoundthemselvesinbedtenminutesinadvanceoftherecord.Theycouldheartheirmother’svoicefromthekitchen.Ajugofmilkhadbeenoverlookedandhadgonesour.ShehadgivenJaneaweek’snoticebeforetheclockstruckten.

ItwasfromMr.ArlingtonthattheProfessorheardthenews.Mr.

Arlingtoncouldnotstopaninstant，dinnerbeingattwelvesharpanditwantingbuttenminutesto;butseemstohaveyieldedtotemptation.ThebreakfasthourattheManorFarmwasnowsixa.m.，hadbeensosinceThursday;thewholefamilyfullydressedandMrs.

Arlingtonpresiding.IftheProfessordidnotbelieveithecouldcomeroundanymorningandseeforhimself.TheProfessorappearstohavetakenMr.Arlington’swordforit.Bysix—thirtyeverybodyattheirjobandMrs.Arlingtonathers，consistingchieflyofseeingtoitfortherestofthedaythateverybodywas.Lightsoutattenandeverybodyinbed;mostofthemonlytoogladtobethere.

"Quiteright;keepsusalluptothemark，"wasMr.Arlington’sopinion（thiswasonSaturday）.Justwhatwaswanted.Notperhapsforapermanency;and，ofcourse，thereweredrawbacks.Thestrenuouslife——seeingtoitthateverybodyelseleadsthestrenuouslife;itdoesnotgowithunmixedamiability.Particularlyinthebeginning.New—bornzeal：mustexpectittooutrundiscretion.

Doesnotdotodiscourageit.Modificationstobesuggestedlater.

Takenallround，Mr.Arlington’sviewwasthatthethingmustberegardedalmostastheanswertoaprayer.Mr.Arlington’seyesontheirwaytohigherlevels，appeartohavebeenarrestedbythechurchclock.ItdecidedMr.Arlingtontoresumehishomewardwaywithoutfurtherlossoftime.AtthebendofthelanetheProfessor，lookingback，observedthatMr.Arlingtonhadbrokenintoatrot.

ThisseemstohavebeentheendoftheProfessor，regardedasasaneandintelligentmemberofmodernsociety.Hehadnotbeensureatthetime，butitwasnowrevealedtohimthatwhenhehadurgedMalvinatotestherstrength，sotoexpressit，ontheunfortunateMrs.Arlington，itwaswiththeconvictionthattheresultwouldrestorehimtohismentalequilibrium.ThatMalvinawithawaveofherwand——orwhateverthehocus—pocusmayhavebeen——wouldbeabletotransformthehithertoincorrigiblyindolentandeasy—goingMrs.

ArlingtonintoasortoffeminineLloydGeorge，hadnotreallyenteredintohiscalculations.

Forgettinghislunch，hemusthavewanderedaimlesslyabout，notreturninghomeuntillateintheafternoon.Duringdinnerheappearstohavebeenratherrestlessandnervous——"jumpy，"accordingtotheevidenceofthelittleservingmaid.Oncehesprangoutofhischairasifshotwhenthelittleservingmaidaccidentallyletfallatable—spoon;andtwiceheupsetthesalt.Itwasatmealtimethat，asarule，theProfessorfoundhisattitudetowardsMalvinamostsceptical.Afairywhocouldputawayquitearespectablecutfromthejoint，followedbytwohelpingsofpie，doestakeabitofbelievingin.To—nighttheProfessorfoundnodifficulty.TheWhiteLadieshadneverbeenaversetoacceptingmortalhospitality.

Theremustalwayshavebeenacertainadaptability.Malvina，sincethatfatefulnightofherbanishment，had，onesupposes，passedthroughvariedexperiences.Forpresentpurposesshehadassumedtheformofajeunefilleofthetwentiethcentury（annoDomini）.

AnappreciationofMrs.Muldoon’sexcellentcooking，togetherwithaglassoflightsoundclaret，wouldnaturallygowithit.

OnetakesitthathecouldnotforamomentgetMrs.Arlingtonoutofhismind.Morethanonce，stealingacovertglanceacrossthetable，itseemedtohimthatMalvinawasregardinghimwithamockingsmile.Someimpishspirititmusthavebeenthathadpromptedhim.ForthousandsofyearsMalvinahadled——atalleventssofaraswasknown——areformedandblamelessexistence;hadsubduedandputbehindherthatfatalpassionofhersforchange：inotherpeople.Whatmadnesstohaverevivedit！AndnoQueenHarbundiahandynowtokeepherincheck.TheProfessorhadadistinctsensation，whilepeelingapear，thathewasbeingturnedintoaguinea—pig——acuriousfeelingofshrinkingaboutthelegs.Sovividwastheimpression，thatinvoluntarilytheProfessorjumpedoffhischairandrantolookathimselfinthemirroroverthesideboard.

Hewasnotfullyrelievedeventhen.Itmayhavebeenthemirror.

Itwasveryold;oneofthosethingswithlittlegiltballsallroundit;anditlookedtotheProfessorasifhisnosewasgrowingstraightoutofhisface.Malvina，trustinghehadnotbeentakensuddenlyill，askediftherewasanythingshecoulddoforhim.Heseemstohaveearnestlybeggedhernottothinkofit.

TheProfessorhadtaughtMalvinacribbage，andusuallyofaneveningtheyplayedahandortwo.Butto—nighttheProfessorwasnotinthemood，andMalvinahadcontentedherselfwithabook.Shewasparticularlyfondoftheoldchroniclers.TheProfessorhadanentireshelfofthem，manyintheoriginalFrench.Makingbelievetobereadinghimself，heheardMalvinabreakintoacheerfullaugh，andwentandlookedoverhershoulder.Shewasreadingthehistoryofherownencounterwiththeproprietoroftinmines，anelderlygentlemandislikinglatehours，whomshehadturnedintoanightingale.ItoccurredtotheProfessorthatpriortotheArlingtoncasetherecallingofthisincidentwouldhavebroughttohershameandremorse.Nowsheseemedtothinkitfunny.

"Asillytrick，"commentedtheProfessor.Hespokequiteheatedly.

"Noonehasanyrighttogoaboutchangingpeople.Muddlingupthingstheydon’tunderstand.Norightwhatever."

Malvinalookedup.Shegavealittlesigh.

"Notforone’sownpleasureorrevenge，"shemadeanswer.Hertonewasfilledwithmeekness.Ithadatouchofself—reproach."Thatisverywrong，ofcourse.Butchangingthemfortheirowngood——atleast，notchanging，improving."

"Littlehypocrite！"mutteredtheProfessortohimself."She’sgotbackatasteforheroldtricks，andLordknowsnowwhereshe’llstop."

TheProfessorspenttherestoftheeveningamonghisindexesinsearchofthelatestinformationregardingQueenHarbundia.

MeanwhiletheArlingtonaffairhadgotaboutthevillage.Thetwinsinallprobabilityhadbeenunabletokeeptheirsecret.Jane，thedismissed，hadlookedintogiveMrs.MuldoonherversionofThursdaynight’ssceneintheArlingtonkitchen，andMrs.Muldoon，withasenseofthingsimpending，mayunconsciouslyhavedroppedhints.

TheMarigoldsmettheArlingtonsonSunday，aftermorningservice，andheardallaboutit.Thatistosay，theymetMr.Arlingtonandtheotherchildren;Mrs.Arlington，withthetwoeldergirls，havingalreadyattendedearlycommunionatseven.Mrs.Marigoldwasapretty，fluffy，engaginglittlewoman，tenyearsyoungerthanherhusband.Shecouldnothavebeenaltogetherafool，orshewouldnothaveknownit.Marigold，risingpolitician，ought，ofcourse，tohavemarriedawomanabletohelphim;butseemstohavefalleninlovewithherafewmilesoutofBrussels，overaconventwall.

Mr.Arlingtonwasnotaregularchurch—goer，butfeltonthisoccasionthatheowedittohisMaker.Hewasstillinlovewithhisnewwife.Butnotblindly.Lateronaguidinghandmightbenecessary.Butfirstletthenewseedgetfirmlyrooted.

Marigold’sengagementsnecessitatedhisreturningtotownonSundayafternoon，andMrs.Marigoldwalkedpartofthewaywithhimtothestation.OnherwaybackacrossthefieldsshepickeduptheArlingtontwins.Later，sheseemstohavecalledinatthecottageandspokentoMrs.MuldoonaboutJane，who，shehadheard，wasinwantofaplace.AlittlebeforesunsetshewasseenbytheDoctorclimbingthepathtotheWarren.Malvinathateveningwasmissingfordinner.Whenshereturnedsheseemedpleasedwithherself.

VI.ANDHOWITWASFINISHEDTOOSOON.

Somedayslater——itmayhavebeenthenextweek;theexactdateappearstohavegotmislaid——Marigold，M.P.，lookedinontheProfessor.TheytalkedaboutTariffReform，andthenMarigoldgotupandmadesureforhimselfthatthedoorwastightclosed.

"Youknowmywife，"hesaid."We’vebeenmarriedsixyears，andthere’sneverbeenacloudbetweenusexceptone.Ofcourse，she’snotbrainy.Thatis，atleast"

TheProfessorjumpedoutofhischair.

"Ifyoutakemyadvice，"hesaid，"you’llleaveheralone."Hespokewithpassionandconviction.

Marigoldlookedup.

"It’sjustwhatIwishtogoodnessIhaddone，"heanswered."I

blamemyselfentirely."

"Solongasweseeourownmistakes，"saidtheProfessor，"thereishopeforusall.Yougostraighthome，youngman，andtellheryou’vechangedyourmind.Tellheryoudon’twantherwithbrains.

Tellheryoulikeherbestwithout.Yougetthatintoherheadbeforeanythingelsehappens."

"I’vetriedto，"saidMarigold."Shesaysit’stoolate.Thatthelighthascometoherandshecan’thelpit."

ItwastheProfessor’sturntostare.HehadnotheardanythingofSunday’stransactions.HehadbeenhopingagainsthopethattheArlingtonaffairwouldremainalockedsecretbetweenhimselfandthetwins，andhaddonehisbesttothinkabouteverythingelse.

"She’sjoinedtheFabianSociety，"continuedMarigoldgloomily.

"They’veputherinthenursery.AndtheW.S.P.U.IfitgetsaboutbeforethenextelectionI’llhavetolookoutforanotherconstituency——that’sall."

"Howdidyouhearabouther？"askedtheProfessor.

"Ididn’thearabouther，"answeredMarigold."IfIhadImightn’thavegoneuptotown.Youthinkitright，"headded，"to——toencouragesuchpeople？"

"Who’sencouragingher？"demandedtheprofessor."Iffoolsdidn’tgoaboutthinkingtheycouldimproveeveryotherfoolbutthemselves，thissortofthingwouldn’thappen.Arlingtonhadanamiable，sweet—temperedwife，andinsteadofthankingGodandkeepingquietaboutit，heworriesheroutofherlifebecausesheisnotthemanagingwoman.Well，nowhe’sgotthemanagingwoman.

ImethimonWednesdaywithabumponhisforeheadasbigasanegg.

Sayshefelloverthemat.Itcan’tbedone.Youcan’thaveapersonchangedjustasfarasyouwantthemchangedandtherestop.

Youlet’emaloneoryouchangethemaltogether，andthentheydon’tknowthemselveswhatthey’regoingtoturnout.Asensiblemaninyourpositionwouldhavebeenonlytoothankfulforawifewhodidn’tpokehernoseintohisaffairs，andwithwhomhecouldgetawayfromhisconfoundedpolitics.You’vebeenhintingtoheraboutonceamonth，Iexpect，whatatragedyitwasthatyouhadn’tmarriedawomanwithbrains.Well，nowshe’sfoundherbrainsandisusingthem.Whyshouldn’tshebelongtotheFabianSocietyandtheW.S.P.U？Showsindependenceofcharacter.Bestthingforyoutodoistojointhemyourself.Thenyou’llbeabletoworktogether."

"I’msorry，"saidMarigoldrising."Ididn’tknowyouagreedwithher."

"WhosaidIagreedwithher？"snappedtheProfessor."I’minaveryawkwardposition."

"Isuppose，"saidMarigold——hewashesitatingwiththedoorinhishand——"itwouldn’tbeofanyusemyseeinghermyself？"

"Ibelieve，"saidtheProfessor，"thatsheisfondoftheneighbourhoodoftheCrossStonestowardssundown.Youcanchooseforyourself，butifIwereyouIshouldthinktwiceaboutit."

"Iwaswondering，"saidMarigold，"whether，ifIputittoherasapersonalfavour，shemightnotbewillingtoseeEdithagainandpersuadeherthatshewasonlyjoking？"

AlightbegantobreakupontheProfessor.

"Whatdoyouthinkhashappened？"heasked.

"Well，"explainedMarigold，"Itakeitthatyouryoungforeignfriendhasmetmywifeandtalkedpoliticstoher，andthatwhathashappenedistheresult.Shemustbeayoungpersonofextraordinaryability;butitwouldbeonlylosingoneconvert，andIcouldmakeituptoherin——inotherways."Hespokewithunconsciouspathos.

ItrathertouchedtheProfessor.

"Itmightmean，"saidtheProfessor——"thatis，assumingthatitcanbedoneatall——Mrs.Marigold’sreturningtoherformerselfentirely，takingnofurtherinterestinpoliticswhatever."

"Ishouldbesoverygrateful，"answeredMarigold.

TheProfessorhadmislaidhisspectacles，butthinkstherewasatearinMarigold’seye.

"I’lldowhatIcan，"saidtheProfessor."Ofcourse，youmustn’tcountonit.Itmaybeeasiertostartawomanthinkingthantostopher，evenfora——"TheProfessorcheckedhimselfjustintime.

"I’lltalktoher，"hesaid;andMarigoldgrippedhishandanddeparted.

Itwasabouttimehedid.ThefullextentofMalvina’sactivitiesduringthosefewmidsummerweeks，tillthereturnofFlightCommanderRaffleton，willneverperhapsbefullyrevealed.

AccordingtotheDoctor，thewholebusinesshasbeengrosslyexaggerated.Therearethosewhotalkasifhalfthevillagehadbeentakentopieces，alteredandimprovedandsentbackhomeagaininamentalstateunrecognisablebytheirownmothers.CertainitisthatDawson，R.A.，generallydescribedbyeverybodyexcepthiswifeas"alovablelittleman，"andwhoseonlyfaultwasanincurablehabitofpunning，bothinseason——ifsuchaperiodtherebe——andmoreoftenout，suddenlyonemorningsmashedaDutchinterior，fifteeninchesbynine，overtheastonishedheadofMrs.

Dawson.Itclungroundherneck，recallingbiblicalpicturesoftheheadofJohntheBaptist，andtheframe—workhadtobesawnthroughbeforeshecouldgetitoff.AstothestoryabouthishavingbeencaughtbyMrs.Dawson’sauntkissingthehousemaidbehindthewaterbutt，that，astheDoctoradmits，isabitofbadluckthatmighthavehappenedtoanyone.ButwhethertherewasreallyanyevidenceconnectinghimwithDollyCalthorpe’sunaccountablemissingofthelasttrainhome，isofcourse，amoreseriousmatter.Mrs.

Dawson，ahandsome，high—spiritedwomanherself，mayhavefoundDawson，asoriginallyfashioned，tryingtothenerves;thougheventhenthequestionarises：Whyhavemarriedhim？Butthereisadifference，asMrs.Dawsonhaspointedout，betweenahusbandwhohasn’tenoughofthenaturalmaninhimandahusbandwhohasadealtoomuch.Itisdifficulttoregulatethesematters.

Altogether，andtakinganoutsideestimate，theDoctor’sopinionisthattheremayhavebeenhalfadozen，who，withMalvina’sassistance，succeededinhypnotisingthemselvesintotemporaryinsanity.WhenMalvina，alittledisappointed，butyieldingquitesweetlyherownjudgmenttothatofthewiseandlearnedChristopher，consentedto"restore"them，theexplanationwasthat，havingspenttheirburstofill—acquiredenergy，theyfellbackatthefirstsuggestiontotheirformerselves.

Mrs.ArlingtondoesnotagreewiththeDoctor.Shehadbeentryingtoreformherselfforquitealongtimeandhadmiserablyfailed.

Therewassomethingaboutthem——itmightalmostbedescribedasanaroma——thatpromptedherthateveningtotakethetwinsintoherconfidence;asortofintuitionthatinsomewaytheycouldhelpher.Itremainedwithherallthenextday;andwhenthetwinsreturnedintheevening，incompanywiththepostman，sheknewinstinctivelythattheyhadbeenaboutherbusiness.ItwasthissameintuitivedesirethatdrewhertotheDowns.SheisconfidentshewouldhavetakenthatwalktotheCrossStonesevenifthetwinshadnotproposedit.Indeed，accordingtoherownaccount，shewasnotawarethatthetwinshadaccompaniedher.Therewassomethingaboutthestones;asenseasofapresence.Sheknewwhenshereachedthemthatshehadarrivedattheappointedplace;andwhenthereappearedtoher——comingfromwhereshecouldnottell——adiminutivefigurethatseemedinsomemysteriouswayasifitwereclothedmerelyinthefadinglight，sheremembereddistinctlythatshewasneithersurprisednoralarmed.ThediminutiveladysatdownbesideherandtookMrs.Arlington’shandsinbothherown.Shespokeinastrangelanguage，butMrs.Arlingtonatthetimeunderstoodit，thoughnowthemeaningofithadpassedfromher.

Mrs.Arlingtonfeltasifherbodywerebeingtakenawayfromher.

Shehadasenseoffalling，afeelingthatshemustmakesomedesperateefforttoriseagain.Thestrangelittleladywashelpingher，assistinghertomakethissupremeeffort.Itwasasifageswerepassing.Shewaswrestlingwithunknownpowers.Suddenlysheseemedtoslipfromthem.Thelittleladywasholdingherup.

Claspingeachother，theyroseandroseandrose.Mrs.Arlingtonhadafirmconvictionthatshemustalwaysbestrugglingupward，ortheywouldovertakeheranddragherdownagain.Whensheawokethelittleladyhadgone，butthatfeelingremainedwithher;thatpassionateacceptanceofceaselessstruggle，activity，contention，asnowtheendandaimofherexistence.Atfirstshedidnotrecollectwhereshewas.Astrangecolourlesslightwasaroundher，andastrangesingingasofmyriadsofbirds.Andthentheclockstrucknineandlifecamebacktoherwitharush.Butwithitstillthatconvictionthatshemustseizeholdofherselfandeverybodyelseandgetthingsdone.Itsimmediateexpression，asalreadyhasbeenmentioned，wasexperiencedbythetwins.

When，afteratalkwiththeProfessor，aidedandabettedbyMr.

ArlingtonandtheeldestArlingtongirl，sheconsentedtopaythatsecondvisittothestones，itwaswithverydifferentsensationsthatsheclimbedthegrass—grownpath.Thelittleladyhadmetherasbefore，butthecuriousdeepeyeslookedsadly，andMrs.

Arlingtonhadtheimpression，generallyspeaking，thatshewasabouttoassistatherownfuneral.Againthelittleladytookherbythehands，andagainsheexperiencedthatterroroffalling.Butinsteadofendingwithcontestandeffortsheseemedtopassintoasleep，andwhensheopenedhereyesshewasagainalone.Feelingalittlechillyandunreasonablytired，shewalkedslowlyhome，andnotbeinghungry，retiredsupperlesstobed.Quiteunabletoexplainwhy，sheseemstohavecriedherselftosleep.

Onesupposesthatsomethingofasimilarnaturemayhaveoccurredtotheothers——withtheexceptionofMrs.Marigold.ItwasthecaseofMrs.Marigoldthat，astheDoctorgrudginglyadmits，wentfartoweakenhishypothesis.Mrs.Marigold，havingemerged，wasspreadingherself，muchtoherownsatisfaction.Shehaddiscardedherweddingringasarelicofbarbarism——ofthedayswhenwomenweremeregoodsandchattels，andhadmadeherfirstspeechatameetinginfavourofmarriagereform.Subterfuge，inhercase，hadtoberesortedto.Malvinahadtearfullyconsented，andMarigold，M.P.，wastobringMrs.MarigoldtotheCrossStonesthatsameeveningandthereleaveher，explainingtoherthatMalvinahadexpressedawishtoseeheragain——"justforachat."

AllmighthaveendedwellifonlyCommanderRaffletonhadnotappearedframedintheparlourdoorjustasMalvinawasstarting.

HisCousinChristopherhadwrittentotheCommander.Indeed，aftertheArlingtonaffair，quitepressingly，andonceortwicehadthoughtheheardthesoundofFlightCommanderRaffleton’spropeller，butoneachoccasionhadbeendisappointed."AffairsofState，"CousinChristopherhadexplainedtoMalvina，who，familiaronetakesitwiththecallsuponknightsandwarriorsthroughalltheages，hadapproved.

Hestoodtherewithhishelmetinhishand.

"OnlyarrivedthisafternoonfromFrance，"heexplained."Haven’tamomenttospare."

ButhehadjusttimetogostraighttoMalvina.Helaughedashetookherinhisarmsandkissedherfulluponthelips.

Whenlasthehadkissedher——ithadbeenintheorchard;theProfessorhadbeenwitnesstoit——Malvinahadremainedquitepassive，onlythatcuriouslittlesmileaboutherlips.Butnowanoddthinghappened.Aquiveringseemedtopassthroughallherbody，sothatitswayedandtrembled.TheProfessorfearedshewasgoingtofall;and，maybetosaveherself，sheputupherarmsaboutCommanderRaffleton’sneck，andwithastrangelowcry——itsoundedtotheProfessorlikethecryonesometimeshearsatnightfromsomelittledyingcreatureofthewoods——sheclungtohimsobbing.

ItmusthavebeenawhilelaterwhenthechimingoftheclockrecalledtotheProfessortheappointmentwithMrs.Marigold.

"Youwillonlyjusthavetime，"hesaid，gentlyseekingtoreleaseher."I’llpromisetokeephimtillyoucomeback."AndasMalvinadidnotseemtounderstand，heremindedher.

Butstillshemadenomovement，saveforalittlegestureofthehandsasifshewereseekingtolayholdofsomethingunseen.Andthenshedroppedherarmsandlookedfromoneofthemtotheother.

TheProfessordidnotthinkofitatthetime，butrememberedafterwards;thatstrangealoofnessofhers，asifshewerelookingatyoufromanotherworld.Onenolongerfeltit.

"Iamsosorry，"shesaid."Itistoolate.Iamonlyawoman."

AndMrs.Marigoldisstillthinking.

THEPROLOGUE.

AndherefollowsthePrologue.Itought，ofcourse，tohavebeenwrittenfirst，butnobodyknewofituntilquitetheendentirely.