第8章

\'What!andgetyouintotrouble？\'

\'Ideserveit。\'

\'No，indeed，Iwon\'t，\'saidUnity。\'Itisnotsuchamightymatter，MissElfride。Isaystomyself，master\'stakingahollerday，andbecausehe\'snotbeenkindlatelytoMissElfride，she——\'

\'Isimitatinghim。Well，doasyoulike。Andwillyounowbringmesomeluncheon？\'

Aftersatisfyinganappetitewhichthefreshmarineairhadgivenherinitsvictoryoveranagitatedmind，sheputonherhatandwenttothegardenandsummer-house。Shesatdown，andleantwithherheadinacorner。Hereshefellasleep。

Half-awake，shehurriedlylookedatthetime。Shehadbeentherethreehours。Atthesamemomentsheheardtheoutergateswingtogether，andwheelssweeproundtheentrance；somepriornoisefromthesamesourcehavingprobablybeenthecauseofherawaking。Nextherfather\'svoicewasheardcallingtoWorm。

Elfridepassedalongawalktowardsthehousebehindabeltofshrubs。Sheheardatongueholdingconversewithherfather，whichwasnotthatofeitheroftheservants。Herfatherandthestrangerwerelaughingtogether。Thentherewasarustlingofsilk，andMr。Swancourtandhiscompanion，orcompanions，toallseemingenteredthedoorofthehouse，fornothingmoreofthemwasaudible。Elfridehadturnedbacktomeditateonwhatfriendsthesecouldbe，whensheheardfootsteps，andherfatherexclaimingbehindher:

\'OElfride，hereyouare!Ihopeyougotonwell？\'

Elfride\'sheartsmoteher，andshedidnotspeak。

\'Comebacktothesummer-houseaminute，\'continuedMr。Swancourt；

\'IhavetotellyouofthatIpromisedto。\'

Theyenteredthesummer-house，andstoodleaningovertheknottywoodworkofthebalustrade。

\'Now，\'saidherfatherradiantly，\'guesswhatIhavetosay。\'Heseemedtoberegardinghisownexistencesointently，thathetooknointerestinnorevensawthecomplexionofhers。

\'Icannot，papa，\'shesaidsadly。

\'Try，dear。\'

\'Iwouldrathernot，indeed。\'

\'Youaretired。Youlookworn。Theridewastoomuchforyou。

Well，thisiswhatIwentawayfor。Iwenttobemarried!\'

\'Married!\'shefaltered，andcouldhardlycheckaninvoluntary\'SodidI。\'Amomentafterandherresolvetoconfessperishedlikeabubble。

\'Yes；towhomdoyouthink？Mrs。Troyton，thenewowneroftheestateoverthehedge，andoftheoldmanor-house。ItwasonlyfinallysettledbetweenuswhenIwenttoStratleighafewdaysago。\'Heloweredhisvoicetoaslytoneofmerriment。\'Now，astoyourstepmother，you\'llfindsheisnotmuchtolookat，thoughagooddealtolistento。Sheistwentyyearsolderthanmyself，foronething。\'

\'YouforgetthatIknowher。Shecalledhereonce，afterwehadbeen，andfoundherawayfromhome。\'

\'Ofcourse，ofcourse。Well，whateverherlooksare，she\'sasexcellentawomanaseverbreathed。Shehashadlatelyleftherasabsolutepropertythreethousandfivehundredayear，besidesthedeviseofthisestate——and，bytheway，alargelegacycametoherinsatisfactionofdower，asitiscalled。\'

\'Threethousandfivehundredayear!\'

\'Andalarge——well，afair-sized——mansionintown，andapedigreeaslongasmywalking-stick；thoughthatbearsevidenceofbeingratheraraked-upaffair——donesincethefamilygotrich——peopledothosethingsnowastheybuildruinsonmaidenestatesandcastantiquesatBirmingham。\'

Elfridemerelylistenedandsaidnothing。

Hecontinuedmorequietlyandimpressively。\'Yes，Elfride，sheiswealthyincomparisonwithus，thoughwithfewconnections。

However，shewillintroduceyoutotheworldalittle。WearegoingtoexchangeherhouseinBakerStreetforoneatKensington，foryoursake。Everybodyisgoingtherenow，shesays。AtEastersweshallflytotownfortheusualthreemonths——Ishallhaveacurateofcoursebythattime。Elfride，Iampastlove，youknow，andIhonestlyconfessthatImarriedherforyoursake。

Whyawomanofherstandingshouldhavethrownherselfawayuponme，Godknows。ButIsupposeherageandplainnessweretoopronouncedforatownman。Withyourgoodlooks，ifyounowplayyourcardswell，youmaymarryanybody。Ofcourse，alittlecontrivancewillbenecessary；butthere\'snothingtostandbetweenyouandahusbandwithatitle，thatIcansee。LadyLuxellianwasonlyasquire\'sdaughter。Now，don\'tyouseehowfoolishtheoldfancywas？Butcome，sheisindoorswaitingtoseeyou。Itisasgoodasaplay，too，\'continuedthevicar，astheywalkedtowardsthehouse。\'Icourtedherthroughtheprivethedgeyonder:notentirely，youknow，butweusedtowalkthereofanevening——nearlyeveryeveningatlast。ButIneedn\'ttellyoudetailsnow；everythingwasterriblymatter-of-fact，Iassureyou。

Atlast，thatdayIsawheratStratleigh，wedeterminedtosettleitoff-hand。\'

\'Andyouneversaidawordtome，\'repliedElfride，notreproachfullyeitherintoneorthought。Indeed，herfeelingwastheveryreverseofreproachful。Shefeltrelievedandeventhankful。Whereconfidencehadnotbeengiven，howcouldconfidencebeexpected？

Herfathermistookherdispassionatenessforaveilofpolitenessoverasenseofill-usage。\'Iamnotaltogethertoblame，\'hesaid。\'Thereweretwoorthreereasonsforsecrecy。Onewastherecentdeathofherrelativethetestator，thoughthatdidnotapplytoyou。Butremember，Elfride，\'hecontinuedinastiffertone，\'youhadmixedyourselfupsofoolishlywiththoselowpeople，theSmiths——anditwasjust，too，whenMrs。Troytonandmyselfwerebeginningtounderstandeachother——thatIresolvedtosaynothingeventoyou。HowdidIknowhowfaryouhadgonewiththemandtheirson？Youmighthavemadeapointoftakingteawiththemeveryday，forallthatIknew。\'

Elfrideswallowedherfeelingsasshebestcould，andlanguidlythoughflatlyaskedaquestion。

\'DidyoukissMrs。Troytononthelawnaboutthreeweeksago？ThateveningIcameintothestudyandfoundyouhadjusthadcandlesin？\'

Mr。Swancourtlookedratherredandabashed，asmiddle-agedloversareapttodowhencaughtinthetricksofyoungerones。

\'Well，yes；IthinkIdid，\'hestammered；\'justtopleaseher，youknow。\'Andthenrecoveringhimselfhelaughedheartily。

\'AndwasthiswhatyourHoratianquotationreferredto？\'

\'Itwas，Elfride。\'

Theysteppedintothedrawing-roomfromtheverandah。AtthatmomentMrs。Swancourtcamedownstairs，andenteredthesameroombythedoor。

\'Here，Charlotte，ismylittleElfride，\'saidMr。Swancourt，withtheincreasedaffectionoftoneoftenadoptedtowardsrelationswhennewlyproduced。

PoorElfride，notknowingwhattodo，didnothingatall；butstoodreceptiveofallthatcametoherbysight，hearing，andtouch。

Mrs。Swancourtmovedforward，tookherstep-daughter\'shand，thenkissedher。

\'Ah，darling!\'sheexclaimedgood-humouredly，\'youdidn\'tthinkwhenyoushowedastrangeoldwomanovertheconservatoryamonthortwoago，andexplainedtheflowerstohersoprettily，thatshewouldsosoonbehereinnewcolours。Nordidshe，Iamsure。\'

ThenewmotherhadbeentruthfullyenoughdescribedbyMr。

Swancourt。Shewasnotphysicallyattractive。Shewasdark——verydark——incomplexion，portlyinfigure，andwithaplentifulresiduumofhairintheproportionofhalfadozenwhiteonestohalfadozenblackones，thoughthelatterwereblackindeed。Nofurtherobserved，shewasnotawomantolike。Buttherewasmoretosee。Tothemostsuperficialcriticitwasapparentthatshemadenoattempttodisguiseherage。Shelookedsixtyatthefirstglance，andcloseacquaintanceshipneverprovedherolder。

Anotherandstillmorewinningtraitwasoneattachingtothecornersofhermouth。Beforeshemadearemarktheseoftentwitchedgently:notbackwardsandforwards，theindexofnervousness；notdownuponthejaw，thesignofdetermination；butpalpablyupwards，inpreciselythecurveadoptedtorepresentmirthinthebroadcaricaturesofschoolboys。Onlythiselementinherfacewasexpressiveofanythingwithinthewoman，butitwasunmistakable。Itexpressedhumoursubjectiveaswellasobjective——whichcouldsurveythepeculiaritiesofselfinaswhimsicalalightasthoseofotherpeople。

ThisisnotallofMrs。Swancourt。ShehadheldouttoElfridehandswhosefingerswereliterallystiffwithrings，signisauroquerigentes，likeHelen\'srobe。Theserowsofringswerenotworninvanityapparently。Theyweremostlyantiqueanddull，thoughafewwerethereverse。

RIGHTHAND。

1st。Plainlysetovalonyx，representingadevil\'shead。2nd。

Greenjasperintaglio，withredveins。3rd。Entirelygold，bearingfigureofahideousgriffin。4th。Asea-greenmonsterdiamond，withsmalldiamondsroundit。5th。Antiquecornelianintaglioofdancingfigureofasatyr。6th。Anangularbandchasedwithdragons\'heads。7th。Afacettedcarbuncleaccompaniedbytenlittletwinklingemeralds；&c。&c。

LEFTHAND。

1st。Areddish-yellowtoadstone。2nd。Aheavyringenamelledincolours，andbearingajacynth。3rd。Anamethystinesapphire。

4th。Apolishedruby，surroundedbydiamonds。5th。Theengravedringofanabbess。6th。Agloomyintaglio；&c。&c。

BeyondthisratherquaintarrayofstoneandmetalMrs。Swancourtworenoornamentwhatever。

ElfridehadbeenfavourablyimpressedwithMrs。Troytonattheirmeetingabouttwomonthsearlier；buttobepleasedwithawomanasamomentaryacquaintancewasdifferentfrombeingtakenwithherasastepmother。However，thesuspensionoffeelingwasbutforamoment。Elfridedecidedtolikeherstill。

Mrs。Swancourtwasawomanoftheworldastoknowledge，thereverseastoaction，ashermarriagesuggested。Elfrideandtheladyweresooninextricablyinvolvedinconversation，andMr。

Swancourtleftthemtothemselves。

\'Andwhatdoyoufindtodowithyourselfhere？\'Mrs。Swancourtsaid，afterafewremarksaboutthewedding。\'Youride，Iknow。\'

\'Yes，Iride。Butnotmuch，becausepapadoesn\'tlikemygoingalone。\'

\'Youmusthavesomebodytolookafteryou。\'

\'AndIread，andwritealittle。\'

\'Youshouldwriteanovel。Theregularresourceofpeoplewhodon\'tgoenoughintotheworldtoliveanovelistowriteone。\'

\'Ihavedoneit，\'saidElfride，lookingdubiouslyatMrs。

Swancourt，asifindoubtwhethershewouldmeetwithridiculethere。

\'That\'sright。Now，then，whatisitabout，dear？\'

\'About——well，itisaromanceoftheMiddleAges。\'

\'Knowingnothingofthepresentage，whicheverybodyknowsabout，forsafetyyouchoseanageknownneithertoyounorotherpeople。

That\'sit，eh？No，no；Idon\'tmeanit，dear。\'

\'Well，IhavehadsomeopportunitiesofstudyingmediaevalartandmannersinthelibraryandprivatemuseumatEndelstowHouse，andIthoughtIshouldliketotrymyhanduponafiction。Iknowthetimeforthesetalesispast；butIwasinterestedinit，verymuchinterested。\'

\'Whenisittoappear？\'

\'Oh，never，Isuppose。\'

\'Nonsense，mydeargirl。Publishit，byallmeans。Allladiesdothatsortofthingnow；notforprofit，youknow，butasaguaranteeofmentalrespectabilitytotheirfuturehusbands。\'

\'Anexcellentideaofusladies。\'

\'ThoughIamafraiditratherresemblesthemelancholyruseofthrowingloavesovercastle-wallsatbesiegers，andsuggestsdesperationratherthanplentyinside。\'

\'Didyouevertryit？\'

\'No；Iwastoofargoneevenforthat。\'

\'Papasaysnopublisherwilltakemybook。\'

\'Thatremainstobeproved。I\'llgivemyword，mydear，thatbythistimenextyearitshallbeprinted。\'

\'Willyou，indeed？\'saidElfride，partiallybrighteningwithpleasure，thoughshewassadenoughinherdepths。\'Ithoughtbrainsweretheindispensable，eveniftheonly，qualificationforadmissiontotherepublicofletters。Amerecommonplacecreaturelikemewillsoonbeturnedoutagain。\'

\'Ohno；onceyouarethereyou\'llbelikeadropofwaterinapieceofrock-crystal——yourmediumwilldignifyyourcommonness。\'

\'Itwillbeagreatsatisfaction，\'Elfridemurmured，andthoughtofStephen，andwishedshecouldmakeagreatfortunebywritingromances，andmarryhimandlivehappily。

\'Andthenwe\'llgotoLondon，andthentoParis，\'saidMrs。

Swancourt。\'Ihavebeentalkingtoyourfatheraboutit。Butwehavefirsttomoveintothemanor-house，andwethinkofstayingatTorquaywhilstthatisgoingon。Meanwhile，insteadofgoingonahoneymoonscamperbyourselves，wehavecomehometofetchyou，andgoalltogethertoBathfortwoorthreeweeks。\'

Elfrideassentedpleasantly，evengladly；butshesawthat，bythismarriage，herfatherandherselfhadceasedforevertobethecloserelationstheyhadbeenuptoafewweeksago。ItwasimpossiblenowtotellhimthetaleofherwildelopementwithStephenSmith。

Hewasstillsnuglyhousedinherheart。HisabsencehadregainedforhimmuchofthataureolaofsaintshipwhichhadbeennearlyabstractedduringherreproachfulmoodonthatmiserablejourneyfromLondon。Raptureisoftencooledbycontactwithitscause，especiallyifunderawkwardconditions。AndthatlastexperiencewithStephenhaddoneanythingbutmakehimshineinhereyes。

Hisverykindnessinlettingherreturnwashisoffence。Elfridehadhersex\'sloveofsheerforceinaman，howeverill-directed；

andatthatcriticaljunctureinLondonStephen\'sonlychanceofretainingtheascendancyoverherthathisfaceandnothispartshadacquiredforhim，wouldhavebeenbydoingwhat，foronething，hewastooyouthfultoundertake——thatwas，draggingherbythewristtotherailsofsomealtar，andperemptorilymarryingher。Decisiveactionisseenbyappreciativemindstobefrequentlyobjectless，andsometimesfatal；butdecision，howeversuicidal，hasmorecharmforawomanthanthemostunequivocalFabiansuccess。

However，someoftheunpleasantaccessoriesofthatoccasionwerenowoutofsightagain，andStephenhadresumednotafewofhisfancycolours。

ChapterXIII

\'Hesetinordermanyproverbs。\'

ItisLondoninOctober——twomonthsfurtheroninthestory。

Bede\'sInnhasthispeculiarity，thatitfaces，receivesfrom，anddischargesintoabustlingthoroughfarespeakingonlyofwealthandrespectability，whilstitsposternabutsonascrowdedandpoverty-strickenanetworkofalleysasaretobefoundanywhereinthemetropolis。Themoralconsequencesare，first，thatthosewhooccupychambersintheInnmayseeagreatdealofshirtlesshumanity\'shabitsandenjoymentswithoutdoingmorethanlookdownfromabackwindow；andsecondtheymayhearwholesomethoughunpleasantsocialremindersthroughthemediumofaharshvoice，anunequalfootstep，theechoofabloworafall，whichoriginatesinthepersonofsomedrunkardorwife-beater，ashecrossesandinterfereswiththequietofthesquare。CharactersofthiskindfrequentlypassthroughtheInnfromalittlefoxholeofanalleyattheback，buttheyneverloiterthere。

ItishardlynecessarytostatethatallthesightsandmovementspropertotheInnaremostorderly。OnthefineOctobereveningonwhichwefollowStephenSmithtothisplace，aplacidporterissittingonastoolunderasycamore-treeinthemidst，withalittlecaneinhishand。Wenoticethethickcoatofsootuponthebranches，hangingunderneaththeminflakes，asinachimney。

Theblacknessoftheseboughsdoesnotatpresentimprovethetree——nearlyforsakenbyitsleavesasitis——butinthespringtheirgreenfreshbeautyismadedoublybeautifulbythecontrast。

Withintherailingsisaflower-gardenofrespectabledahliasandchrysanthemums，whereamanissweepingtheleavesfromthegrass。

Stephenselectsadoorway，andascendsanoldthoughwidewoodenstaircase，withmouldedbalustersandhandrail，whichinacountrymanor-housewouldbeconsideredanoteworthyspecimenofRenaissanceworkmanship。Hereachesadooronthefirstfloor，overwhichispainted，inblackletters，\'Mr。HenryKnight\'——

\'Barrister-at-law\'beingunderstoodbutnotexpressed。Thewallisthick，andthereisadooratitsouterandinnerface。Theouteronehappenstobeajar:Stephengoestotheother，andtaps。

\'Comein!\'fromdistantpenetralia。

Firstwasasmallanteroom，dividedfromtheinnerapartmentbyawainscotedarchwaytwoorthreeyardswide。Acrossthisarchwayhungapairofdark-greencurtains，makingamysteryofallwithinthearchexceptthespasmodicscratchingofaquillpen。Herewasgroupedachaoticassemblageofarticles——mainlyoldframedprintsandpaintings——leaningedgewiseagainstthewall，likeroofingslatesinabuilder\'syard。Allthebooksvisibleherewerefoliostoobigtobestolen——somelyingonaheavyoaktableinonecorner，someontheflooramongthepictures，thewholeintermingledwitholdcoats，hats，umbrellas，andwalking-sticks。

Stephenpushedasidethecurtain，andbeforehimsatamanwritingawayasifhislifedependeduponit——whichitdid。

Amanofthirtyinaspeckledcoat，withdarkbrownhair，curlybeard，andcrispmoustache:thelatterrunningintothebeardoneachsideofthemouth，and，asusual，hidingtherealexpressionofthatorganunderachronicaspectofimpassivity。

\'Ah，mydearfellow，Iknew\'twasyou，\'saidKnight，lookingupwithasmile，andholdingouthishand。

Knight\'smouthandeyescametoviewnow。Bothfeaturesweregood，andhadthepeculiarityofappearingyoungerandfresherthanthebrowandfacetheybelongedto，whichweregettingsickliedo\'erbytheunmistakablepalecast。Themouthhadnotquiterelinquishedrotundityofcurveforthefirmangularitiesofmiddlelife；andtheeyes，thoughkeen，permeatedratherthanpenetrated:whattheyhadlostoftheirboy-timebrightnessbyadozenyearsofhardreadinglendingaquietnesstotheirgazewhichsuitedthemwell。

Aladywouldhavesaidtherewasasmelloftobaccointheroom:amanthattherewasnot。

Knightdidnotrise。Helookedatatimepieceonthemantelshelf，thenturnedagaintohisletters，pointingtoachair。

\'Well，Iamgladyouhavecome。Ionlyreturnedtotownyesterday；now，don\'tspeak，Stephen，fortenminutes；Ihavejustthattimetothelatepost。Attheeleventhminute，I\'myourman。\'

Stephensatdownasifthiskindofreceptionwasbynomeansnew，andawaywentKnight\'spen，beatingupanddownlikeashipinastorm。

Cicerocalledthelibrarythesoulofthehouse；herethehousewasallsoul。Portionsofthefloor，andhalfthewall-space，weretakenupbybook-shelvesordinaryandextraordinary；theremainingparts，togetherwithbrackets，side-tables，&c。，beingoccupiedbycasts，statuettes，medallions，andplaquesofvariousdescriptions，pickedupbytheownerinhiswanderingsthroughFranceandItaly。

Onestreamonlyofeveningsunlightcameintotheroomfromawindowquiteinthecorner，overlookingacourt。Anaquariumstoodinthewindow。Itwasadullparallelopipedonenoughforlivingcreaturesatmosthoursoftheday；butforafewminutesintheevening，asnow，anerrant，kindlyraylightedupandwarmedthelittleworldtherein，whenthemany-colouredzoophytesopenedandputforththeirarms，theweedsacquiredarichtransparency，theshellsgleamedofamoregoldenyellow，andthetimidcommunityexpressedgladnessmoreplainlythaninwords。

WithintheprescribedtenminutesKnightflungdownhispen，rangfortheboytotaketheletterstothepost，andattheclosingofthedoorexclaimed，\'There；thankGod，that\'sdone。Now，Stephen，pullyourchairround，andtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingallthistime。HaveyoukeptupyourGreek？\'

\'No。\'

\'How\'sthat？\'

\'Ihaven\'tenoughsparetime。\'

\'That\'snonsense。\'

\'Well，Ihavedoneagreatmanythings，ifnotthat。AndIhavedoneoneextraordinarything。\'

KnightturnedfulluponStephen。\'Ah-ha!Now，then，letmelookintoyourface，puttwoandtwotogether，andmakeashrewdguess。\'

Stephenchangedtoareddercolour。

\'Why，Smith，\'saidKnight，afterholdinghimrigidlybytheshoulders，andkeenlyscrutinisinghiscountenanceforaminuteinsilence，\'youhavefalleninlove。\'

\'Well——thefactis——\'

\'Now，outwithit。\'ButseeingthatStephenlookedratherdistressed，hechangedtoakindlytone。\'NowSmith，mylad，youknowmewellenoughbythistime，oryououghtto；andyouknowverywellthatifyouchoosetogivemeadetailedaccountofthephenomenonwithinyou，Ishalllisten；ifyoudon\'t，Iamthelastmanintheworldtocaretohearit。\'

\'I\'lltellthismuch:IHAVEfalleninlove，andIwanttobeMARRIED。\'

KnightlookedominousasthispassedStephen\'slips。

\'Don\'tjudgemebeforeyouhaveheardmore，\'criedStephenanxiously，seeingthechangeinhisfriend\'scountenance。

\'Idon\'tjudge。Doesyourmotherknowaboutit？\'

\'Nothingdefinite。\'

\'Father？\'

\'No。ButI\'lltellyou。Theyoungperson——\'

\'Come，that\'sdreadfullyungallant。ButperhapsIunderstandtheframeofmindalittle，sogoon。Yoursweetheart——\'

\'SheisratherhigherintheworldthanIam。\'

\'Asitshouldbe。\'

\'Andherfatherwon\'thearofit，asInowstand。\'

\'Notanuncommoncase。\'

\'AndnowcomeswhatIwantyouradviceupon。Somethinghashappenedatherhousewhichmakesitoutofthequestionforustoaskherfatheragainnow。Sowearekeepingsilent。InthemeantimeanarchitectinIndiahasjustwrittentoMr。HewbytoaskwhetherhecanfindforhimayoungassistantwillingtogoovertoBombaytopreparedrawingsforworkformerlydonebytheengineers。Thesalaryheoffersis350rupeesamonth，orabout35Pounds。Hewbyhasmentionedittome，andIhavebeentoDr。

Wray，whosaysIshallacclimatisewithoutmuchillness。Now，wouldyougo？\'

\'Youmeantosay，becauseitisapossibleroadtotheyounglady。\'

\'Yes；IwasthinkingIcouldgooverandmakealittlemoney，andthencomebackandaskforher。Ihavetheoptionofpractisingformyselfafterayear。\'

\'Wouldshebestaunch？\'

\'Ohyes!Forever——totheendofherlife!\'

\'Howdoyouknow？\'

\'Why，howdopeopleknow？Ofcourse，shewill。\'

Knightleantbackinhischair。\'Now，thoughIknowherthoroughlyassheexistsinyourheart，Stephen，Idon\'tknowherintheflesh。AllIwanttoaskis，isthisideaofgoingtoIndiabasedentirelyuponabeliefinherfidelity？\'

\'Yes；Ishouldnotgoifitwerenotforher。\'

\'Well，Stephen，youhaveputmeinratheranawkwardposition。IfIgivemytruesentiments，Ishallhurtyourfeelings；ifIdon\'t，Ishallhurtmyownjudgment。Andremember，Idon\'tknowmuchaboutwomen。\'

\'Butyouhavehadattachments，althoughyoutellmeverylittleaboutthem。\'

\'AndIonlyhopeyou\'llcontinuetoprospertillItellyoumore。\'

Stephenwincedatthisrap。\'Ihaveneverformedadeepattachment，\'continuedKnight。\'Ineverhavefoundawomanworthit。NorhaveIbeenonceengagedtobemarried。\'

\'Youwriteasifyouhadbeenengagedahundredtimes，ifImaybeallowedtosayso，\'saidStepheninaninjuredtone。

\'Yes，thatmaybe。But，mydearStephen，itisonlythosewhohalfknowathingthatwriteaboutit。Thosewhoknowitthoroughlydon\'ttakethetrouble。AllIknowaboutwomen，ormeneither，isamassofgeneralities。Iplodalong，andoccasionallyliftmyeyesandskimthewelteringsurfaceofmankindlyingbetweenmeandthehorizon，asacrowmight；nomore。\'

Knightstoppedasifhehadfallenintoatrainofthought，andStephenlookedwithaffectionateaweatamasterwhosemind，hebelieved，couldswallowupatonemealallthathisownheadcontained。

Therewasaffectivesympathy，butnogreatintellectualfellowship，betweenKnightandStephenSmith。Knighthadseenhisyoungfriendwhenthelatterwasacherry-cheekedhappyboy，hadbeeninterestedinhim，hadkepthiseyeuponhim，andgenerouslyhelpedtheladtobooks，tillthemereconnectionofpatronagegrewtoacquaintance，andthatripenedtofriendship。Andso，thoughSmithwasnotatallthemanKnightwouldhavedeliberatelychosenasafriend——orevenforoneofagroupofadozenfriends——

hesomehowwashisfriend。Circumstance，asusual，diditall。

Howmanyofuscansayofourmostintimatealterego，leavingalonefriendsoftheoutercircle，thatheisthemanweshouldhavechosen，asembodyingthenetresultafteraddingupallthepointsinhumannaturethatwelove，andprincipleswehold，andsubtractingallthatwehate？Themanisreallysomebodywegottoknowbymerephysicaljuxtapositionlongmaintained，andwastakenintoourconfidence，andevenheart，asamakeshift。

\'Andwhatdoyouthinkofher？\'Stephenventuredtosay，afterasilence。

\'Takinghermeritsontrustfromyou，\'saidKnight，\'aswedothoseoftheRomanpoetsofwhomweknownothingbutthattheylived，Istillthinkshewillnotsticktoyouthrough，say，threeyearsofabsenceinIndia。\'

\'Butshewill!\'criedStephendesperately。\'Sheisagirlalldelicacyandhonour。Andnowomanofthatkind，whohascommittedherselfsointoaman\'shandsasshehasintomine，couldpossiblymarryanother。\'

\'Howhasshecommittedherself？\'askedKnightcunously。

Stephendidnotanswer。Knighthadlookedonhislovesoscepticallythatitwouldnotdotosayallthathehadintendedtosaybyanymeans。

\'Well，don\'ttell，\'saidKnight。\'Butyouarebeggingthequestion，whichis，Isuppose，inevitableinlove。\'

\'AndI\'lltellyouanotherthing，\'theyoungermanpleaded。\'Yourememberwhatyousaidtomeonceaboutwomenreceivingakiss。

Don\'tyou？Why，thatinsteadofourbeingcharmedbythefascinationoftheirbearingatsuchatime，weshouldimmediatelydoubtthemiftheirconfusionhasanyGRACEinit——thatawkwardbunglingwasthetruecharmoftheoccasion，implyingthatwearethefirstwhohasplayedsuchapartwiththem。\'

\'Itistrue，quite，\'saidKnightmusingly。

Itoftenhappenedthatthedisciplethusrememberedthelessonsofthemasterlongafterthemasterhimselfhadforgottenthem。

\'Well，thatwaslikeher!\'criedStephentriumphantly。\'Shewasinsuchaflurrythatshedidn\'tknowwhatshewasdoing。\'

\'Splendid，splendid!\'saidKnightsoothingly。\'SothatallIhavetosayis，thatifyouseeagoodopeninginBombaythere\'snoreasonwhyyoushouldnotgowithouttroublingtodrawfinedistinctionsastoreasons。Nomanfullyrealizeswhatopinionsheactsupon，orwhathisactionsmean。\'

\'Yes；IgotoBombay。I\'llwriteanotehere，ifyoudon\'tmind。\'

\'Sleepoverit——itisthebestplan——andwriteto-morrow。

Meantime，gotheretothatwindowandsitdown，andlookatmyHumanityShow。Iamgoingtodineoutthisevening，andhavetodresshereoutofmyportmanteau。IbringupmythingslikethistosavethetroubleofgoingdowntomyplaceatRichmondandbackagain。\'

Knightthenwenttothemiddleoftheroomandflungopenhisportmanteau，andStephendrewnearthewindow。Thestreakofsunlighthadcreptupward，edgedaway，andvanished；thezoophytesslept:aduskygloompervadedtheroom。Andnowanothervolumeoflightshoneoverthewindow。

\'There!\'saidKnight，\'whereisthereinEnglandaspectacletoequalthat？IsitthereandwatchthemeverynightbeforeIgohome。Softlyopenthesash。\'

Beneaththemwasanalleyrunninguptothewall，andthenceturningsidewaysandpassingunderanarch，sothatKnight\'sbackwindowwasimmediatelyovertheangle，andcommandedaviewofthealleylengthwise。Crowds——mostlyofwomen——weresurging，bustling，andpacingupanddown。Gaslightsglaredfrombutchers\'

stalls，illuminatingthelumpsoffleshtosplotchesoforangeandvermilion，likethewildcolouringofTurner\'slaterpictures，whilstthepurlandbabbleoftonguesofeverypitchandmoodwastothishumanwild-woodwhattherippleofabrookistothenaturalforest。

Nearlytenminutespassed。ThenKnightalsocametothewindow。

\'Well，now，IcallacabandvanishdownthestreetinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare，\'hesaid，buttoninghiswaistcoatandkickinghismorningsuitintoacorner。Stephenrosetoleave。

\'Whataheapofliterature!\'remarkedtheyoungman，takingafinallongingsurveyroundtheroom，asiftoabidethereforeverwouldbethegreatpleasureofhislife，yetfeelingthathehadalmostoutstayedhiswelcome-while。Hiseyesresteduponanarm-

chairpiledfullofnewspapers，magazines，andbrightnewvolumesingreenandred。

\'Yes，\'saidKnight，alsolookingatthemandbreathingasighofweariness；\'somethingmustbedonewithseveralofthemsoon，I

suppose。Stephen，youneedn\'thurryawayforafewminutes，youknow，ifyouwanttostay；Iamnotquiteready。OverhaulthosevolumeswhilstIputonmycoat，andI\'llwalkalittlewaywithyou。\'

Stephensatdownbesidethearm-chairandbegantotumblethebooksabout。Amongtheresthefoundanoveletteinonevolume，THECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE。ByErnestField。

\'Areyougoingtoreviewthis？\'inquiredStephenwithapparentunconcern，andholdingupElfride\'seffusion。

\'Which？Oh，that!Imay——thoughIdon\'tdomuchlightreviewingnow。Butitisreviewable。\'

\'Howdoyoumean？\'

Knightneverlikedtobeaskedwhathemeant。\'Mean!Imeanthatthemajorityofbookspublishedareneithergoodenoughnorbadenoughtoprovokecriticism，andthatthatbookdoesprovokeit。\'

\'Byitsgoodnessoritsbadness？\'StephensaidwithsomeanxietyonpoorlittleElfride\'sscore。

\'Itsbadness。Itseemstobewrittenbysomegirlinherteens。\'

Stephensaidnotanotherword。HedidnotcaretospeakplainlyofElfrideafterthatunfortunatesliphistonguehadmadeinrespectofherhavingcommittedherself；and，apartfromthat，Knight\'ssevere——almostdoggedandself-willed——honestyincriticizingwasunassailablebythehumblewishofayouthfulfriendlikeStephen。

Knightwasnowready。Turningoffthegas，andslammingtogetherthedoor，theywentdownstairsandintothestreet。

ChapterXIV

\'Wefrolicwhile\'tisMay。\'

Ithasnowtoberealizedthatnearlythree-quartersofayearhavepassedaway。Inplaceoftheautumnalscenerywhichformedasettingtothepreviousenactments，wehavetheculminatingbloomsofsummerintheyearfollowing。

StephenisinIndia，slavingawayatanofficeinBombay；

occasionallygoingupthecountryonprofessionalerrands，andwonderingwhypeoplewhohadbeentherelongerthanhecomplainedsomuchoftheeffectoftheclimateupontheirconstitutions。

NeverhadayoungmanafinerstartthanseemednowtopresentitselftoStephen。ItwasjustinthatexceptionalheydayofprosperitywhichshoneoverBombaysomefewyearsago，thathearrivedonthescene。Buildingandengineeringpartookofthegeneralimpetus。Speculationmovedwithanacceleratedvelocityeverysuccessiveday，theonlydisagreeablecontingencyconnectedwithitbeingthepossibilityofacollapse。

Elfridehadnevertoldherfatherofthefour-and-twenty-hours\'

escapadewithStephen，norhadit，toherknowledge，cometohisearsbyanyotherroute。Itwasasecrettroubleandgrieftothegirlforashorttime，andStephen\'sdeparturewasanotheringredientinhersorrow。ButElfridepossessedspecialfacilitiesforgettingridoftroubleafteradecentinterval。

Whilstaslownaturewasimbibingamisfortunelittlebylittle，shehadswallowedthewholeagonyofitatadraughtandwasbrighteningagain。Shecouldsloughoffasadnessandreplaceitbyahopeaseasilyasalizardrenewsadiseasedlimb。

Andtwosuchexcellentdistractionshadpresentedthemselves。Onewasbringingouttheromanceandlookingfornoticesinthepapers，which，thoughtheyhadbeensignificantlyshortsofar，hadservedtodivertherthoughts。TheotherwasmigratingfromthevicaragetothemorecommodiousoldhouseofMrs。Swancourt\'s，overlookingthesamevalley。Mr。Swancourtatfirstdislikedtheideaofbeingtransplantedtofemininesoil，buttheobviousadvantagesofsuchanaccessionofdignityreconciledhimtothechange。Sotherewasaradical\'move；\'thetwoladiesstayingatTorquayashadbeenarranged，thevicargoingtoandfro。

Mrs。SwancourtconsiderablyenlargedElfride\'sideasinanaristocraticdirection，andshebegantoforgiveherfatherforhispoliticmarriage。Certainly，inaworldlysense，ahandsomefaceatthree-and-fortyhadneverservedamaninbetterstead。

ThenewhouseatKensingtonwasready，andtheywereallintown。

TheHydeParkshrubshadbeentransplantedasusual，thechairsrankedinline，thegrassedgingstrimmed，theroadsmadetolookasiftheyweresufferingfromaheavythunderstorm；carriageshadbeencalledforbytheeaseful，horsesbythebrisk，andtheDriveandRowwereagainthegrooveofgaietyforanhour。Wegazeuponthespectacle，atsixo\'clockonthismidsummerafternoon，inamelon-frameatmosphereandbeneathavioletsky。TheSwancourtequipageformedoneinthestream。

Mrs。Swancourtwasatalkeroftalkoftheincisivekind，whichherlowmusicalvoice——theonlybeautifulpointintheoldwoman——

preventedfrombeingwearisome。

\'Now，\'shesaidtoElfride，who，likeAEneasatCarthage，wasfullofadmirationforthebrilliantscene，\'youwillfindthatourcompanionlessstatewillgiveus，asitdoeseverybody，anextraordinarypowerinreadingthefeaturesofourfellow-

creatureshere。Ialwaysamalistenerinsuchplacesasthese——

nottothenarrativestoldbymyneighbours\'tongues，butbytheirfaces——theadvantageofwhichis，thatwhetherIaminRow，Boulevard，Rialto，orPrado，theyallspeakthesamelanguage。I

mayhaveacquiredsomeskillinthispracticethroughhavingbeenanuglylonelywomanforsomanyyears，withnobodytogivemeinformation；athingyouwillnotconsiderstrangewhentheparallelcaseisborneinmind，——howtrulypeoplewhohavenoclockswilltellthetimeofday。\'

\'Ay，thattheywill，\'saidMr。Swancourtcorroboratively。\'IhaveknownlabouringmenatEndelstowandotherfarmswhohadframedcompletesystemsofobservationforthatpurpose。Bymeansofshadows，winds，clouds，themovementsofsheepandoxen，thesingingofbirds，thecrowingofcocks，andahundredothersightsandsoundswhichpeoplewithwatchesintheirpocketsneverknowtheexistenceof，theyareabletopronouncewithintenminutesofthehouralmostatanyrequiredinstant。ThatremindsmeofanoldstorywhichI\'mafraidistoobad——toobadtorepeat。\'Herethevicarshookhisheadandlaughedinwardly。

\'Tellit——do!\'saidtheladies。

\'Imustn\'tquitetellit。\'

\'That\'sabsurd，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。

\'Itwasonlyaboutamanwho，bythesamecarefulsystemofobservation，wasknowntodeceivepersonsformorethantwoyearsintothebeliefthathekeptabarometerbystealth，soexactlydidheforetellallchangesintheweatherbythebrayingofhisassandthetemperofhiswife。\'

Elfridelaughed。

\'Exactly，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。\'Andinjustthewaythatthoselearntthesignsofnature，Ihavelearntthelanguageofherillegitimatesister——artificiality；andthefibbingofeyes，thecontemptofnose-tips，theindignationofbackhair，thelaughterofclothes，thecynicismoffootsteps，andthevariousemotionslyinginwalking-sticktwirls，hat-liftings，theelevationofparasols，thecarriageofumbrellas，becomeasABCtome。

\'Justlookatthatdaughter\'ssisterclassofmammainthecarriageacrossthere，\'shecontinuedtoElfride，pointingwithmerelyaturnofhereye。\'Theabsorbingself-consciousnessofherpositionthatisshownbyhercountenanceismosthumiliatingtoaloverofone\'scountry。Youwouldhardlybelieve，wouldyou，thatmembersofaFashionableWorld，whoseprofessedzeroisfarabovethehighestdegreeofthehumble，couldbesoignorantoftheelementaryinstinctsofreticence。\'

\'How？\'

\'Why，tobearontheirfaces，asplainlyasonaphylactery，theinscription，"Do，pray，lookatthecoronetonmypanels。”\'

\'Really，Charlotte，\'saidthevicar，\'youseeasmuchinfacesasMr。PuffsawinLordBurleigh\'snod。\'

Elfridecouldnotbutadmirethebeautyofherfellowcountrywomen，especiallysinceherselfandherownfewacquaintanceshadalwaysbeenslightlysunburntormarkedonthebackofthehandsbyabramble-scratchatthistimeoftheyear。

\'Andwhatlovelyflowersandleavestheywearintheirbonnets!\'

sheexclaimed。

\'Ohyes，\'returnedMrs。Swancourt。\'Someofthemareevenmorestrikingincolourthananyrealones。Lookatthatbeautifulrosewornbytheladyinsidetherails。Elegantvine-tendrilsintroduceduponthestemasanimprovementuponprickles，andallgrowingsonaturallyjustoverherear——Isaygrowingadvisedly，forthepinkofthepetalsandthepinkofherhandsomecheeksareequallyfromNature\'shandtotheeyesofthemostcasualobserver。\'

\'Butpraisethemalittle，theydodeserveit!\'saidgenerousElfride。

\'Well，Ido。SeehowtheDuchessof——wavestoandfroinherseat，utilizingtheswayofherlandaubylookingaroundonlywhenherheadisswungforward，withapassivepridewhichforbidsaresistancetotheforceofcircumstance。Lookattheprettypoutonthemouthsofthatfamilythere，retainingnotracesofbeingarrangedbeforehand，sowellisitdone。Lookatthedemurecloseofthelittlefistsholdingtheparasols；thetinyalertthumb，stickinguperectagainsttheivorystemasknowingascanbe，thesatinoftheparasolinvariablymatchingthecomplexionofthefacebeneathit，yetseeminglybyanaccident，whichmakesthethingsoattractive。There\'stheredbooklyingontheoppositeseat，bespeakingthevastnumbersoftheiracquaintance。AndI

particularlyadmiretheaspectofthatabundantlydaughteredwomanontheotherside——Imeanherlookofunconsciousnessthatthegirlsarestaredatbythewalkers，andaboveallthelookofthegirlsthemselves——losingtheirgazeinthedepthsofhandsomemen\'seyeswithoutappearingtonoticewhethertheyareobservingmasculineeyesortheleavesofthetrees。There\'spraiseforyou。ButIamonlyjesting，child——youknowthat。\'

\'Piph-ph-ph——howwarmitis，tobesure!\'saidMr。Swancourt，asifhismindwerealongdistancefromallhesaw。\'IdeclarethatmywatchissohotthatIcanscarcelybeartotouchittoseewhatthetimeis，andalltheworldsmellsliketheinsideofahat。\'

\'Howthemenstareatyou，Elfride!\'saidtheelderlady。\'Youwillkillmequite，Iamafraid。\'

\'Killyou？\'

\'Asadiamondkillsanopalinthesamesetting。\'

\'Ihavenoticedseveralladiesandgentlemenlookingatme，\'saidElfrideartlessly，showingherpleasureatbeingobserved。

\'Mydear，youmustn\'tsay"gentlemen"nowadays，\'herstepmotheransweredinthetonesofarchconcernthatsowellbecameherugliness。\'Wehavehandedover"gentlemen"tothelowermiddleclass，wherethewordisstilltobeheardattradesmen\'sballsandprovincialtea-parties，Ibelieve。Itisdonewithhere。\'