第13章

"Thensupposeyouimitateme，andtellmewhyyoucametomeetme?"

Thisquestioncamefromherwithsuddencelerity，likelightningoutofacloud，andshebenthereyesonhimwiththatprodigiouskeennessshecouldthrowintothosesteelgrayorbs，whenhermindputonitsfullpowerofobservation。

Severnecoloredalittle，andhesitated。

"Comenow，"saidthiskeenwitch，"don\'twaittomakeupareason。Tellthetruthforonce——quick!——quick!——whydid_you_cometomeet_me?"_

"Ididn\'tcometobebullied，"repliedsuppleSeverne，affectingsullenness。

"Youdidn\'t!"criedtheother，actingvastsurprise。"Thenwhat_did_youcomefor?"

"Idon\'tknow；andIwishIhadn\'tcome。"

"ThatIbelieve。"Rhodashotthisinlikeanarrow。

"But，"continuedSeverne，"ifIhadn\'t，nobodywould；foritisVizard\'sjusticingday，andtheladiesaretootakenupwithalordtocomeandmeetsuchvulgartriflesasgeniusandlearningandsci——"

"Come，come!"saidRhoda，contemptuously；"youcareaslittleaboutscienceandlearningandgeniusasIpossessthem。Youwon\'ttellme?

Well，Ishallfindyouout。"Then，afterapause，"Whoisthislord?"

"LordUxmoor。"

"Whatkindofalordishe?"

"Averybushylord。"

"Bushy?——oh，beardedlikethepard!Nowtellme，"saidshe，"ishecuttingyououtwithMissVizard?"

"Youshalljudgeforyourself。Pleasesparemeonthatonetopic——ifyoueversparedanybodyinyourlife。"

"Oh，dearme!"saidRhoda，coolly。"I\'mnotsoverycruel。I\'monlyalittlevindictiveandcat-like。Ifpeopleoffendme，Iliketoplaywiththemabit，andamusemyself，andthenkillthem——killthem——killthem；

thatisall。"

Thisprettylittlerevelationofcharacterwasaccompaniedwithacruelsmilethatshowedalongrowofdazzlingwhiteteeth。Theyseemedcapableofkillinganythingfromaliaruptoahickory-nut。

Severnelookedatherandgaveashudder。"ThenHeavenforbidyoushouldeverbemyenemy!"saidhe，sadly，"forIamunhappyenoughalready。"

Havingdeliveredthisdisarmingspeech，hecollapsed，andseemedtobeoverpoweredwithdespondency。MissGaleshowednosignsofmelting。Sheleanedbackandeyedhimwithsteadyandcomposedcuriosity，asazoologiststudyinganewspecimenandallitslittlemovements。

TheydroveuptotheHalldoor，andMissGalewasconductedtothedrawing-room，whereshefoundLordUxmoorandthetwoyoungladies。Zoeshookhandswithher。Fannyputalimppawintohers，whichmadeitselfequallylimpdirectly，soFanny\'sdroppedout。LordUxmoorwaspresentedtoher，athisownrequest。Soonafterthisluncheonwasannounced。

Vizardjoinedthem，welcomedRhodagenially，andtoldthepartyhehadorderedthebreak，andUxmoorwoulddrivethemtothefarmroundbyHillstokeandtheCommon。"Andso，"saidhe，"byshowingMissGaleourmostpicturesquespotatonce，wemayperhapsblindhertothehorrorsofhersituation——foratime。"

Thebreakwasdrivenroundinduecourse，withUxmoor\'steamharnessedtoit。Itwasfollowedbyadog-cartcrammedwithgrooms，UxmoorianandVizardian。Thebreakwaspaddedandcushioned，andheldeightorninepeopleverycomfortably……Itwas，indeed，asortofpicnicvan，usedonlyinveryfineweather。Itrolledonbeautifulsprings。ItspresentcontentswereMissGaleandherluggageandtwohampersfullofgoodthingsforher；Vizard，Severne，andMissDover。ZoesatontheboxbesideLordUxmoor。Theydrovethroughthevillage，andMr。SevernewassoobligingastopointoutitsbeautiestoMissGale。Shetooklittlenoticeofhiscomments，exceptbyastiffnodeverynowandthen，buteyedeachhouseandpremiseswithgreatkeenness。

Atlastshestoppedhisfluencybyinquiringwhetherhehadbeenintothemall；andwhenhesaidhehadnot，shetookadvantageofthatadmissiontoinformhimthatintwodays\'timesheshouldbeabletotellhimagreatdealmorethanhewaslikelytotellher，uponhismethodofinspectingvillages。

"Thatisright，"saidVizard；"snubhim:hegetssnubbedtoolittlehere。

Howdarehepeppersciencewithhissmall-talk?Butitisourfault——weadmirehisvolubility。"

"Oh，"saidFanny，withaglanceofdefianceatMissGale，"ifwearetotalknothingbutscience，it_will_beawearyworld。"

Afterthevillagetherewasalong，gradualascentofaboutamile，andthentheyenteredanewcountry。Itwasaseriesofwoodsandclearings，somegrass，somearable。Hugeoaks，flungtheirarmsoveraroadlinedoneithersidebyshortturf，close-croppedbythegypsies\'cattle。Somebandorotherofthemwasalwaysencampedbytheroad-side，andnevertwobandsatonce。Andbetweenthesegianttrees，notoneofwhichwaseverfelled，yousawhereandthereaglade，greenasanemerald；orayellowstubble，glowinginthesun。Afteraboutamileofthis，stillmounting，butgradually，theyemergeduponaspacioustable-land——along，broad，open，grassplateau，studdedwithcottages。InthislakeofgrassUxmoordrewupatawordfromZoe，toshowMissGalethescene。Thecottageswerewhiteassnow，andthatchedasatIslip；butinsteadofvegetable-gardenstheyallhadorchards。Thetreeswereappleandcherry:

ofthelatternotlessthanathousandinthatsmallhamlet。Itwasliterallyalawn，aquarterofamilelongandabouttwohundredyardsbroad，borderedwithwhitecottagesandorchards。Thecherries，redandblack，gleamedlikecountlesseyesamongthecoolleaves。Therewasalittlechurchonthelawnthatlookedlikeapigeon-house。Acowortwograzedpeacefully。Pigs，bigandlittle，crossedthelawn，gruntingandsqueakingsatisfaction，anddivedintotheadjacentwoodsafteracorns，andhereandthereatrufflethevillagersknewnotthevalueof。Therewasapondortwointhelawn；onehadawoodenplankfixedonuprights，thatwentinsomeway。Awomanwasoutontheboard，bare-armed，dippingherbucketinforwater。Inanotherpondanoldknowinghorsestoodgravelycoolinghisheelsuptothefetlocks。These，withshirts，maleandfemale，dryingonaline，andwhiteheadedchildrenrollinginthedust，andadonkeybrayinghisheartoutforreasonsknownonlytohimself，ifknownatall，weretheprincipaldetailsofthesylvanhamlet；butonageneralsurveythereweregrandbeauties。Thevillageanditsturflayinthesemicircularsweepofanunbrokenforest；butatthesidesoftheleafybasingladeshadbeencutfordrawingtimber，stackingbark，etc。，andwhatMiltoncallssohappily"thecheckeredshade"wasseeninallitsbeauty；forthehotsunstruggledinateveryaperture，andsplashedtheleavesandthepathwithfieryflashesandstreaks，andtopazbrooches，allintensifiedinfireandbeautybythecooladjacentshadows。

Lookingback，theviewwasquiteopeninmostplaces。Thewoodedlanesandstripstheyhadpassedwerelittlemoreinsovastapanoramathantheblackstripesonabackgammonboard。Thesitewassohighthattheeyesweptoverall，andrestedonabroadvalleybeyond，withapatchworkpatternofvariegatedfieldsandthecurlingsteamofenginesflyingacrossallEngland；thensweptbyavastinclineuptoahorizonoffaintgreenhills，thefamouspasturesoftheUnitedKingdom。Sothatitwasadeepbasinoffoliageinfront；butyouhadonlytoturnyourbody，andtherewasaforty-mileview，withallthesweetvarietiesofcolorthatgemourfieldsandmeadows，astheybaskintheafternoonsunofthatgoldentimewhensummermeltsintoautumn，andmellowswithoutachill。

"Oh，"criedMissGale，"don\'tanybodyspeak，please!Itistoobeautiful!"

Theyrespectedanenthusiasmsorareinthisyounglady，andlethercontemplatethesceneatherease。

"Ireckon，"saidshe，dogmatically，andnoddingthatwiselittlehead，"thatthisisOldEngland——theEnglandmyancestorsleftinsearchofliberty，andthat\'saplantthatranksbeforecherry-trees，Iratherthink。No，Icouldn\'thavegone；I\'dhavestayedandkilledahundredtyrants。ButIwouldn\'thavechoppedtheirheadsoff"(toVizard，veryconfidentially)；"I\'dhavepoisoned\'em。"

"Don\'t，MissGale!"saidFanny；"youmakemybloodruncold。"

AsitwasquiteindifferenttoMissGalewhethershemadeMissDover\'sbloodruncoldornot，shepaidnoattention，butproceededwithherreflections。"Theonlythingthatspoilsitisthesmokeofthoseengines，remindingonethatintwohoursyouorI，orthatpastoraloldhermitthereinasmock-frock，andapipe——andoh，whatbadtobacco!——canbewrenchedoutofthisparadise，andshriekedandrattledoffandflungintothatwildernessofbrickcalledLondon，wheretheheartsareashardasthepavement——exceptthosethathavestrayedtherefromBarfordshire。"

Thewitchchangedfaceandtoneandeverythinglikelightning，andthrewthislastinwithasuddengraceandsweetnessthatcontrastedstrangelywithherusualsharpness。

Zoeheard，andturnedroundtolookdownonherwithasmileassweetashoney。"Ihardlythinkthatisadrawback，"saidshe，amicably。"Doesnotbeingabletoleaveaplacemakeitsweeter?forthenwearefreeinit，youknow。ButImustownthere_is_adrawback——theboys\'faces，MissGale，they_are_sopasty。"

"Indeed!"saysRhoda，prickingupherears。

"Formnofalsehopesofanepidemic。Thisisnotaninfirmaryinawood，MissGale，"saidVizard。"Mysisterisagreatcolorist，andpitchesherexpectationstoohigh。Idaresaytheirfacesarenotmorepastythanusual；butthisisashowplace，andlookslikeagarden；soZoewantstheboystobepoppiesandpansies，andthegirlsrosesandlilies。

Which——they——are——not。"

"AllIknowis，"saidZoe，resolutely，"thatinIslipthechildren\'sfacesarerosy，butheretheyarepasty——dreadfullypasty。"

"Well，youhavegotaboxofcolors。Wewillcomeupsomedayandtintalltheputty-facedboys。"ItwastoMissDoverthecompanyowedthissuggestion。

"No，"saidRhoda。"Theirfacesaremybusiness；I\'llsoonfixthem。Shedidn\'tsayputty-faced；shesaidpasty。"

"Gratefultoyouforthedistinction，MissGale，"saidZoe。

MissGaleproceededtoinsistthatboysarenotpasty-facedwithoutacause，anditistobesoughtlowerdown。"Ah!"criedshe，suddenly，"isthatacherrythatIseebeforeme?No，amillion。Theystealthemandeatthembythethousand，andthat\'swhy。Tellthetruth，now，everybody——theyeatthestones。"

MissVizardsaidshedidnotknow，butthoughtthemcapable。

"Childrenknownothing，"saidVizard。"Pleaseaddressallfuturescientificinquiriestoan\'oldinhabitant。\'MissGale，thecountryaboundsincuriosities；but，amongthosecuriosities，evenScience，withhersearchingeye，hasneveryetdiscoveredanunswallowedcherrystoneinHillstokevillage。"

"What!notonthetrees?"

"Sheistoomuchforme。Driveon，coachman，anddrownherrepliesintheclatterofhoofs。RoundbytheStag，Zoe。IamuneasytillIhavelockedFairScienceup。Iownitisameanwayofgettingridofatroublesomedisputant。"

"NowIthinkitisquitefair，"saidFanny。"Sheshutsyouup，andsoyoulockherup。"

"\'Tiswell，"saidVizard，dolefully。"NowIamNo。3——Iwhousedtoretortandkeepgirlsintheirplaces——withdifficulty。HereisNedSeverne，too，reducedtosilence。Why，where\'syourtongue?MissGale，youwouldhardlybelieveit，thisisourchatterbox。Wehavebeendaysanddays，andcouldnotgetinawordedgewiseforhim。Butnowallhecandoistogazeonyouwithcaninedevotion，anddevourthehoney——I

begpardon，thelime-juice——ofyourlips。Iwarnyouofonething，though；thereissuchathingasathreateningsilence。Heisevidentlybookingeverywordyouutter；andhewilldeliveritallforhisownbehindyourbacksomefineday。"

Withthissortofbanterandsmalltalk，notworthdelugingthereaderdeadwith，theypassedawaythetimetilltheyreachedthefarm。

"Youstayhere，"saidVizard——"allbutZoe。TomandGeorge，getthethingsout。"Thegroomshadalreadyjumpedoutofthedog-cart，andtwowereatthehorses\'heads。Thestep-ladderwasplacedforZoe，andVizardaskedhertogoinandseetheroomswereallright，whilehetookMissGaletothestables。Hedidso，andshowedheraspiritedGallowayandasteadyoldhorse，andtoldhershecouldrideoneanddrivetheotheralloverthecountry。

Shethankedhim，butsaidherattentionwouldbeoccupiedbythetwovillagesfirst，andsheshouldmakehimareportinforty-eighthours。

"Asyouplease，"saidhe。"Youareterriblyinearnest。"

"WhatshouldIbeworthifIwasnot?\'

"Well，comeandseeyourshell；andyoumusttellmeifwehaveforgottenanythingessentialtoyourcomfort。"

Shefollowedhim，andheledhertoawingofthefarmhousecomparativelynew，andquitesuperiortotherest。Hereweretwogoodsunnyrooms，withwindowslookingsouthandwest，andtheywerebothpaperedwithawhitewateredpattern，andaprettyFrenchborderofflowersattheupperpart，tolookgayandcheerful。

Zoewasinthebedroom，arrangingthingswithaprettyairofhospitality。Itwascheerilyfittedup，andafireofbeechlogsblazing。

"Howgoodyouare!"saidRhoda，lookingwistfullyather。ButZoecheckedallcommentsbyaskinghertolookatthesitting-roomandseeifitwoulddo。RhodawouldratherhavestayedwithZoe；butshecomplied，andfoundanotherbright，cheerfulroom，andVizardstandinginthemiddleofit。Therewasanotherbeechfireblazing，thoughitwashotweather。Herewasaroundtable，withalargepotfullofflowers，geraniumsandmuskflowersoutside，withthesungildingtheirgreenleavesmostamiably，andeverythingunpretending，butbrightandcomfortable；wellpaddedsofa，luxuriousarmchair，stand-upreadingdesk，andaverylargeknee-holetable；afinemirrorfromtheceilingtothedado；abook-casewithchoicebooks，andonapembroketablenearthewallwereseveralperiodicals。Rhoda，afteracursorysurveyoftheroom，flewtothebooks。"Oh!"saidshe，"whatgoodbooks!allstandardworks；andseveralonmedicine；and，Ideclare，thelastnumbersofthe_Lancet_andthe_MedicalGazette，_andtheverybestFrenchandGermanperiodicals!Oh，whathaveIdone?andwhatcanIeverdo?"

"What!Are_you_goingtogushliketherest——andaboutnothing?"saidVizard。"ThenI\'moff。Comealong，Zoe；"andhehurriedhissisteraway。

Shecameattheword；butassoonastheywereoutofthehouse，askedhimwhatwasthematter。

"Ithoughtshewasgoingtogush。ButIdaresayitwasafalsealarm。"

"Andwhyshouldn\'tshegush，whenyouhavebeensokind?"

"Pooh——nonsense!Ihavenotbeenkindtoher，anddon\'tmeantobekindtoher，ortoanywoman；besides，shemustnotbeallowedtogush；sheistheparishvirago——importedfromvastdistancesassuch——andforhertoplaythewomanwouldbeanabominablebreachoffaith。Wehavegotourgusher，likewiseourflirt；anditwasunderstoodfromthefirstthatthiswastobeanew_dramatispersona_——wasnottobearepetitionofyouor_la_Dover，but——ahem——thethirdGrace，avirago:solidifiedvinegar。"

RhodaGalefeltveryhappy。Shewasyoung，healthy，ambitious，andsanguine。Shedivinedthat，somehow，herturningpointhadcome；andwhenshecontrastedherconditionamonthago，andthehardnessoftheworld，withthecomfortandkindnessthatnowsurroundedher，andthemagnanimitywhichfled，nottobethankedforthem，shefeltforonceinawayhumbleaswellasgrateful，andsaidtoherself，"ItisnottomyselfnoranymeritofmineIowesuchachangeasallthisis。"Whatsomecallreligion，andotherssuperstition，overpoweredher，andshekneeleddownandheldcommunionwiththatgreatSpiritwhich，asshebelieved，pervadesthematerialuniverse，andprobablyarisesfromit，asharmonyfromthewellstrungharp。Theoryoftheday，orPlatoredivivus——whichisit?

"Ogreatcreativeelement，andstreamoftendenciesintheuniverse，wherebyallthingsstruggletowardperfection，deigntobetherecipientofthatgratitudewhichfillsme，andcannotbesilent；andsincegratitudeisrightinall，andmostofallinmeatthismoment，forgivemeif，intheweaknessofmyintellect，Ifallintotheolderrorofaddressingyouasanindividual。Itisbuttheweaknessoftheheart；wearepersons，andsowecryoutforapersonalGodtobegratefulto。Prayreceiveitso——if，indeed，thesewordsofminehaveanyaccesstoyourinfinitelysuperiornature。Andifitistruethatyouinfluencethemindofman，andarebyanyactofpositivevolitionthecauseofthesebenefitsInowprofitby，thenprayinfluencemymindinturn，andmakemeamoreworthyrecipientofallthesefavors；aboveall，inspiremetokeepfaithfullytomyownsphere，whichisonearth；tobegoodandkindandtoleranttomyfellowcreatures，perverseastheyaresometimes，andnotcontentmyselfwithsayinggoodwordstoyou，towhoseinformationI

canaddnothing，noryettoyourhappiness，byanywordsofmine。Letnohollowsentimentofreligionkeepmelongpratingonmyknees，whenlifeissoshort，and"(jumpingsuddenlyup)"mydutiescanonlybedischargedafoot。"

Refreshedbythisaspiration，thelikeofwhichIhavenotyethearddeliveredinchurches——buttherisinggenerationwillperhapsbemorefortunateinthatrespect——shewentintothekitchen，orderedtea，breadandbutter，andoneeggfordinneratseveno\'clock，andwalkedinstantlybacktoHillstoketoinspectthevillage，accordingtoherideasofinspection。

Nextmorningdowncomesthebailiff\'sheadmaninhislightcart，andanoteisdeliveredtoVizardatthebreakfasttable。Hereadsittohimself，thenproclaimssilence，andreadsitaloud:

"DEARSIR——Aswecrossedyourhalltoluncheon，therewasthedoorofasmallroomhalfopen，andIsawalargemahoganycasestandingonamarbletablewithoneleg，butthreeclawsgilt。Isaw\'Micro\'printedonthecase。SoIhopeitisamicroscope，andafineone。Toenableyoutofindit，ifyoudon\'tknow，theroomhadcrimsoncurtains，andispaperedingreenflock。Thatistheworstofallthepoisonouspapers，becausethetextureisloose，andthepoisonousstuffeasilydetached，andalwaysflyingabouttheroom。Ihopeyoudonotsitinit，norMissVizard，becausesittinginthatroomiscourtingdeath。Pleaselendmethemicroscope，ifitisone，andI\'llsoonshowyouwhytheboysareputtyfaced。Ihaveinspectedthem，andfindMissDover\'sepithetmoreexactthanMissVizard\'s，whichissingular。Iwilltakegreatcareofit。

Yoursrespectfully，"RHODAGALE。"

VizardorderedaservanttodeliverthemicroscopetoMissGale\'smessengerwithhiscompliments。Fannywonderedwhatshewantedwithit。

"Nottoinspectourlittlecharacters，itistobehoped，"saidVizard。

"Whynotpayheravisit，youladies?thenshewilltellyou，perhaps。"

TheladiesinstantlyworethatblandlookofinertbutrockyresistanceI

havealreadynotedasacharacteristicof"ourgirls。"Vizardsaw，andsaid，"Tryandpersuadethem，Uxmoor。"

"IcanonlyofferMissVizardmyescort，"saidLordUxmoor。

"AndIofferbothladiesmine，"saidNedSeverne，ratherloudandwithalittlesneer，tomarkhissuperiorbreeding。Thegentlemanwassoextremelypoliteingeneralthattherewasnomistakinghishostileintentionsnow。Theinevitablewarhadbegun，andthefirstshotwasfired。Ofcoursethewonderwasithadnotcomelongbefore；andperhapsIoughttohavedrawnmoreattentiontothedelicacyandtactofZoeVizard，whichhadaverteditforatime。Tobesure，shehadbeenaidedbythesizeofthehouseanditshabits。Theladieshadtheirownsittingrooms；FannykeptclosetoZoebyspecialorders；andnobodycouldgetachance_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_withZoeunlessshechose。Bythismeans，hernativedignityandwatchfultact，byherfrankcourtesytoUxmoor，andbythemanylittlequietwaysshetooktoshowSevernehersentimentsremainedunchanged，shehadmanagedtokeepthepeace，andavertthatopencompetitionforherfavorwhichwouldhavetickledthevanityofaFannyDover，butshockedtherefinedmodestyofaZoeVizard。

Butnaturewillhaveherwaysoonorlate，anditisthenatureofmalestofightforthefemale。

AtSeverne\'sshotUxmoordrewupalittlehaughtily，butdidnotfeelsureanythingwasintended。Hewaslittleaccustomedtorubs。Zoe，ontheotherhand，turnedalittlepale——justalittle，forshewassorry，butnotsurprised；sosheprovedequaltotheoccasion。Shesmiledandmadelightofit。"Ofcourseweare_all_going，"saidshe。

"Exceptone，"saidVizard，dryly。

"Thatistoobad，"saidFanny。"Herehedrivesusalltovisithisblue-stocking，buthetakesgoodcarenottogohimself。"

"Perhapshepreferstovisitheralone，"suggestedSeverne。Zoelookedalarmed。

"Thatis_so，"_saidVizard。"Observe，Iamlearningherveryphrases。

Whenyoucomeback，tellmeeverywordshesays；prayletnothingbelostthatfallsfrommyvirago。"

Thepartystartedafterluncheon；andSeverne，truetohisnewpolicy，whippedtoZoe\'ssidebeforeUxmoor，andengagedheratonceinconversation。

Uxmoorbithislip，andfelltoFanny。Fannysawatoncewhatwasgoingon，andmadeherselfveryagreeabletoUxmoor。Hewaspoliteandalittlegratified，butcastuneasyglancesattheotherpair。

MeantimeSevernewasimprovinghisopportunity。"SorrytodisturbLordUxmoor\'smonopoly，"saidhe，sarcastically，"butIcouldnotbearitanylonger。"

"Idonotobjecttothechange，"saidZoe，smilingmaternallyonhim；

"butyouwillbegoodenoughtoimitatemeinonething——youwillalwaysbepolitetoLordUxmoor。"

"Hemakesitratherhard。"

"Itisonlyforatime；andwemustlearntobecapableofself-denial。I

assureyouIhaveexercisedquiteasmuchasIaskofyou。Edward，heisagentlemanofgreatworth，universallyrespected，andmybrotherhasaparticularwishtobefriendswithhim。Sopraybepatient；beconsiderate。Havealittlefaithinonewho——"

Shedidnotendthesentence。

"Well，Iwill，"saidhe。"Butpleasethinkofmealittle。Iambeginningtofeelquitethrustaside，anddegradedinmyowneyesforputtingupwithit。"

"Forshame，totalkso，"saidZoe；butthetearscameintohereyes。

Themasterofartssaw，andsaidnomore。Hehadtheartofnotoverdoing:heleftthearrowtorankle。Hewalkedbyhersideinasilenceforeversolong。Then，suddenly，asifbyamightyeffortofunselfishlove，wentoffintodelightfuldiscourse。Hecooedandwooedandflatteredandfascinated；andbythetimetheyreachedthefarmhaddrivenUxmooroutofherhead。

MissGalewasout。Thefarmer\'swifesaidshehadgoneintothetown——meaningHillstoke——whichwas，strictlyspeaking，ahamletortributaryvillage。Hillstokechurchwasonlytwelveyearsold，andthetithesoftheplacewenttotheparsonofIslip。

WhenZoeturnedtogo，Uxmoorseizedtheopportunity，anddrewupbesideher，likeasoldierfallingintotheranks。Zoefelthot；butasSevernetooknoopennotice，shecouldnothelpsmilingatthebehaviorofthefellows；andUxmoorgothischance。

SeverneturnedtoFannywithawickedsneer。"Verywell，mylord，"saidhe；"butIhaveputaspokeinyourwheel。"

"AsifIdidnotsee，youclevercreature!"saidFanny，admiringly。

"Ah，MissDover，Ineedtobeascleverasyou!SeewhatIhaveagainstme:arichlord，withthebushiestbeard。"

"Neveryoumind，"saidFanny。"Goodwineneedsnobush，ha!ha!Youarelovely，andhaveawheedlingtongue，andyouweretherefirst。Begood，now——andyoucanflirtwithmetofillupthetime。Ihatenotbeingflirtedatall。Itisstagnation。"

"Yes，butitisnotsoeasytoflirtwithyoujustalittle。Youaresocharming。"Thereuponheproceededtoflatterher，andwonderhowhehadescapedapassionateattachmenttosobrilliantacreature。"Whatsavedme，"saidhe，oracularly，"is，thatInevercouldlovetwoatonce；andZoeseizedmyloveatsight。Sheleftmenothingtolayatyourfeetbutmyadmiration，thetenderestfriendshipmancanfeelforwoman，andmylifelonggratitudeforfightingmybattle。Oh，MissDover，Imustbequiteseriousamoment。Whatotherladybutyouwouldbesogenerousastobefriendapoormanwithanotherlady，whenthere\'swealthandtitleontheotherside?"

Fannyblushedandsoftened，butturneditoff。"There——noheroics，please，"saidshe。"Youareadearlittlefellow；anddon\'tgoandbejealous，forheshan\'thaveher。Hewouldneveraskmetohishouse，youknow。NowIthinkyouwouldperhaps——whoknows?Tellme，fascinatingmonster，areyougoingtobeungrateful?"

"Nottoyou。Myhomewouldalwaysbeyours；andyouknowit。"Andhecaughtherhandandkisseditinanungovernabletransport，thestringsofwhichbepulledhimself。Hetookcaretobequickaboutit，though，andnotletZoeorUxmoorsee，whowerewalkingonbeforeandbehavingsedately。

InHillstokelived，onapensionfromVizard，oldMrs。Greenaway，rheumaticaboutthelowerjoints，soshewentoncrutches；butshewentfast，beingvigorous，andsodidhertongue。AtHillstokeshewasDameGreenaway，beingarelicofthatgenerationwhichappliedtheworddametoeverywife，highandlow；butatIslipshewas"Sally，"becauseshehadstartedunderthattitle，fifty-fiveyearsago，ashouse-maidatVizardCourt；and，bythetenacityoforaltradition，retainediteversince，inspiteoftwohusbandsshehadweddedandburiedwithequalcomposure。

Herfeetwerestillspringy，herarmsstrongasiron，andhercrutchesactive。Atsightofourpartyshecameoutwithamazingwoodenstrides，agogforgossip，andmetthematthegate。Shemanagedtoindicateacourtesy，andsaid，"Goodday，miss；yoursarvant，allthecompany。Lord，howniceyoubedressed，allonye，to——be——sure!Well，miss，haveyeheerdthenews?"

"No，Sally。Whatisit?"

"What!haantyeheerdabouttheyoung\'omanatthefarm?"

"Ohyes；wecametoseeher。"

"No，didyenow?Well，shewasherenothalfanhouragone。Bythesametoaken，Ididputheraquestion，andsheansweredmethenandthere。"

"AndmayIaskwhatthequestionwas?"

"Andwelcome，miss。Isaid，saysI，\'Young\'oman，wherebeyoucomefrom?\'sosaysshe，\'Old\'oman，Ibecomefromforinparts。\'\'Ithoughtasmuch，\'saysI。\'Andwhatbe\'ecome_for?\'_\'Tosojournhere，\'saysshe，whichshemeanttobideatime。\'Andwhatdo\'ecounttodowhilsthereyoube?\'saysI。Saysshe，\'AsmuchgoodaseverIcando，andaslittleharm。\'\'Thatisnoanswer，\'saysI。Shesaiditwoulddoforthepresent；\'andgooddaytoyou，ma\'am，\'saysshe。\'Yoursarvant，miss，\'

saysI；andshewasofflikeaflash。ButIcalledmygrandsonBill，andItoldhimhemustfollowher，gowhereshewould，andletusknowwhatshewasuptodowninIslip。ThenIwentroundtheneighbors，andonetoldmeonetale，andanotheranother。Butitallcomestoone——wehavegottenABUSYBODY；that\'sthenameIgivesher。Shedon\'tgiveintothat，yeknow；sheisaLatiner，andspeaksaccording。ShegaveMasterGilesherowndescription。Saysshe，\'I\'msuspector-generalofthisheredistrick。\'SothenGileshewasskearedabit——hehavegotanacreoflandofhisown，youknow——andheupandaskedherdidshecomeunderthetaxes，orwassheafreshimposition；\'forweareburdenedenougha\'ready，nooffensetoyou，miss，\'saysJoshGiles。\'Don\'tyoubeskeared，oldman，\'saysshe，\'Ishan\'tcost_you_none；yourbetterspaysforI。\'SosaysGiles，\'Oh，ifyoufallsonsquire，Idon\'tvallythat；

squire\'sbackisbroadenoughtobeartheload，butI\'mapoorman。\'

That\'showa\'goeson，yeknow。Povertyisalwaysinhismouth，buttheoldchaphavegotahatfulofmoneyhidawayinthethatchorsome\'re，onlyhehaan\'tagotthehearttospendit。"

"Tellusmoreabouttheyounglady，"askedUxmoor。

"Whatyounglady?Oh，_her。_Sheisnotayounglady——leastwayssheisnotdressedlikeone，butlikeaplain，decentbody。Shewasallofapiece——blueserge!Blessyourheart，thepeddlersbringitroundhereatelevenpencehalf-pennytheyard，andagoodbreadthtoo；andplainboots，notheeledlikeyour\'n，miss，noryour\'n，ma\'am；andafelthatlikeaboy。You\'dsaytheparishhaddressedherfortenshillings，andgotapotofbeerouton\'t。"

"Well，nevermindthat，"saidZoe；"Imusttellyousheisaveryworthyyounglady，andmybrotherhasarespectforher。Dress?Why，Sally，youknowitisnotthewisestthatspendmostondress。Youmighttelluswhatshe_does。"_

DameGreenawaysnatchedthewordoutofhermouth。"Well，then，miss，whatshehavedone，shehavesuspectedeverything。Shehavesuspectedtheponds；shehavesuspectedthehouses；shehavesuspectedthefolk；shemustknowwhattheyeatanddrinkandwearnexttheirveryskin，andwhattheydoliedownon。Shehavebeenattheveryboysandforebade\'emtoswallowthecherrystones，poorthings；butoldMrs。Nash——whichherboyslivesoncherriesatthistimeo\'year，andtobesuretheyareagodsendtokeepthechildrenhereaboutfromstarving——well，DameNashtoldhertheAlmightyknewbest；hehadput\'emtogetheronthetree，sowhynotintheboys\'insides；andthatwascommonsensetomymind。Butla!shewouldn\'theedit。Shesaid，\'Thenyou\'deatthepeachstonesbythatrule，andthefishbonesandall。\'Saysshe，quiteresolutelike，\'I

forbid\'emtoswallowthestones；\'andsaysshe，\'Yemawntgainsayme，noneonye，forIbethenewdoctor。\'Sothenitallcomeout。Sheisn\'tsuspector-general；sheisawenchturneddoctor，whichitisagainstreason。Shan\'tdoctor_me_forone；butthatthereoldGiles，hesaysheisagreeable，ifsobeshewooldoctorhimcheap——cussedoldfool!——asifanydoctoringwascheapthatkillsabodyanddoan\'tcure\'em。Dearheart，Iforgottotellyeabouttheponds。Well，youknowtherebenowellshere。Wemakesourteaoutoftheponds，andcapitalgoodteatodrink，farbeforewellwater，forImindthatonedayabouttwentyyearsagonesomeinterferingbodydidcartabarrelupfromIslip；andifwewantswaterwithoutentea，why，wecangetplentyon\'t，andnonetoomuchmaltandhops，at\'TheBlackHorse。\'Sothishereyoung\'omanshesuspectsthepoorpondsandcastsahevil-eyeonthem，andsheborrowstwomugsofGiles，andcarriesthewaterhometosuspectitcloser。Thatisallshehavedoneatpresent，but，yesee，shehaan\'tbeenheresoverylong。Youmarkmywords，miss，thatyoung\'omanwillturnHillstokevillagetopsy-turvyorevershegoesbacktoLondontown。"

"Nonsense，Sally，"saidZoe；"howcananybodydothatwhilemybrotherandIarealive?"ShethenslippedhalfacrownintoSally\'shand，andledthewaytoIslip。

OntheroadherconversationwithOxmoortookaturnsuggestiveofthisinterview。Iforgetwhichbeganit；buttheydifferedalittleinopinion，UxmooradmiringMissGale\'szealandactivity，andZoefearingthatshewouldprovearashreformer，perhapsarecklessinnovator。

"Andreally，"saidshe，"whydisturbthings?for，gowhereIwill，IseenosuchParadiseasthesetwovillages。"

"Theyareindeedlovely，"saidUxmoor；"butmyownvillageisverypretty。YetonnearerinspectionIhavefoundsomanydefects，especiallyintheinternalarrangementsofthecottages，thatIamalwaysgladtohearofaneweyehavingcometobearonanyvillage。"

"Iknowyouareverygood，"saidZoe，"andwishallthepoorpeopleaboutyoutobeashealthyandashappyaspossible。"

"Ireallydo，"said，warmly。"Ioftenthinkofthestrangeinequalityinthelotofmen。Livinginthecountry，IseearoundmehundredsofmenwhoarebynatureasworthyasIam，orthereabouts。Yettheymusttoilandlabor，andindeedfight，forbarefoodandclothing，alltheirlives，andworseoffatthecloseoftheirlonglabor。Thatiswhatgrievesmetotheheart。AllthistimeIrevelinplentyandluxuries——notforgettingtheluxuryofluxuries，thedelightofgivingtothosewhoneedanddeserve。WhathaveIdoneforallthis?Ihavebeenbornoftherightparents。Mymerit，then，istheaccidentofanaccident。ButhavingdonenothingmeritoriousbeforeIwasborn，surelyIoughttobeginafterward。Ithinkamanborntowealthoughttodoubthismoraltitletoit，andoughttosettoworktoproveit——oughttosethimselftorepairtheinjusticeoffortunebywhichheprofits。Yes，suchamanshouldbeasortofhumansunshine，anddiffuseblessingsallroundhim。Thepoormanthatencountershimoughttoblesstheaccident。Butthere，Iamnoteloquent。YouknowhowmuchmoreImeanthanIcansay。"

"IndeedIdo，"saidZoe，"andIhonoryou。"

"Ah，MissVizard，"saidUxmoor，"thatismorethanIcaneverdeserve。"

"Youarepraisingmeatyourownexpense，"saidZoe。"Well，then，"saidshe，sweetly，"pleaseacceptmysympathy。Itissoraretofindagentlemanofyouragethinkingsolittleofhimselfandsomuchofpoorpeople。YetthatisaDivinecommand。Butsomehowweforgetourreligionoutofchurch——mostofus。IamsureIdo，forone。"

Thisconversationbroughtthemtothevillage，andtheretheymetVizard，andZoerepeatedoldSally\'sdiscoursetohimwordforword。Heshookhisheadsolemnly，andsaidhesharedhermisgivings。"WehavecaughtaTartar。"

OnarrivingatVizardCourt，theyfoundMissGalehadcalledandlefttwocards。

OpenrivalryhavingnowcommencedbetweenUxmoorandSeverne，hislordshipwasadroitenoughtocontrivethatthedragshouldbeinrequestnextday。

ThenSevernegotFannytoconveyanotetoZoe，imploringhertoopenherbedroomwindowandsaygood-nighttohimthelast。"For，"saidhe，"I

havenocoachandfour，andIamveryunhappy。"

ThisandhisstayingsullenlyathomespoiledZoe\'sride，andshewascooltoUxmoor，andspoiledhisdrive。

AtnightZoepeepedthroughthecurtainandsawSevernestandinginthemoonlight。Shedrankhiminforsometimeinsilence，thensoftlyopenedherwindowandlookedout。Hetookastepnearer。

Shesaid，verysoftlyandtenderly，"Youareverynaughty，andveryfoolish。Gotobed_di-_rectly。"Andsheclosedherwindowwithavaliantslam；thensatdownandsighed。

Samegamenextday。Uxmoordriving，Zoewonderfullypolite，butchill，becausehewasseparatingherandSeverne。Atnight，Severneonthewetgrass，andZoeremonstratingseverely，butnotsincerely，andclosingthewindowperemptorilyshewouldhavelikedtokeepopenhalfthenight。

Ithasoftenbeenremarkedthatgreatthingsariseoutofsmallthings，andsometimes，wheninfullmotion，dependonsmallthings。Historyoffersbrilliantexamplesuponitslargestage。Fictionhasimitatedhistoryin_unverred\'eau_andothercompositions。Totheseexamples，realorfeigned，Iamnowabouttoaddone；andthecuriousreadermay，ifhethinksitworthwhile，notethevariousramificationsathomeandabroadofaseeminglytrivialincident。

Theywereallseatedatluncheon，whenaservantcameinwithasalver，andsaid，"Agentlemantoseeyou，sir。"Hepresentedhissalverwithacarduponit。Severneclutchedthecard，andjumpedup，reddening。

"Showhiminhere，"saidthehospitableVizard。

"No，no，"criedSeverne，rathernervously；"itismylawyeronalittleprivatebusiness。"

Vizardtoldtheservanttoshowthevisitorintothelibrary，andtakeintheMadeiraandsomebiscuits。

"Itisaboutalease，"saidNedSeverne，andwentoutratherhurriedly。

"La!"saidFanny，"whatacuriousname——Poikilus。AndwhatdoesS。I。

mean，Iwonder?"

"Thisisenigmaticaldiscourse，"saidVizard，dryly。"Pleaseexplain。"

"Why，thecardhadPoikilusonit。"

"Youareveryinquisitive，"saidZoe，coloring。

"Nomorethanmyneighbors。Butthemanputhissalverrightbetweenournoses，andhowcouldIhelpseeingPoikilusinlargeletters，andS。I。

inlittleonesupinthecorner?"

SaidVizard，"Thefemaleeyeisnaturallyswift。Shecouldn\'thelpseeingallthatin_halfaminuteoftime；_forNedSevernesnatchedupthecardwithvastexpedition。"

"Isawthattoo，"saidFanny，defiantly。

Uxmoorputinhisword。"Poikilus!Thatisanameoneseesinthepapers。"

"Ofcourseyoudo。Heisoneofthehumbugsoftheday。Pretendstofindthingsout；advertisesmysteriousdisappearances；offersamagnificentreward——withperfectsafety，becausehehasinventedthelostgirl\'sfeaturesanddress，andherdisappearanceintothebargain；andIholdwiththeschoolmenthatshewhodoesnotexistcannotdisappear。

Poikilus，apuffingdetective。S。I。，SecretInquiry。_I_spellEnquirywithanE——butPoikilusisamanoftheday。WhatthedeucecanNedSevernewantofhim?IsupposeIoughtnottoobject。IhaveestablishedafemaledetectiveatHillstoke。SoNedsetsoneupatIslip。Ishallmakemyownsecretarrangements。IfPoikilussettleshere，hewillbedrawnthroughthehorse-pondbysmall-mindedrusticsonceaweek。"

Whilehewasgoingonlikethis，Zoefeltuncomfortable，andalmostirritatedbyhisvolubility，anditwasarelieftoherwhenSevernereturned。Hehadconfidedamostdelicatecasetothedetective，givenhimwritteninstructions，andstipulatedforhisleavingthehousewithoutawordtoanyone，and，indeed，seenhimoff——allinsevenminutes。Yethereturnedtoourpartycoolasacucumber，tothrowdustineverybody\'seyes。

"Imustapologizeforthisintrusion，"hesaidtoVizard；"butmylawyerwantedtoconsultmeabouttheleaseofoneofmyfarms，and，findinghimselfintheneighborhood，hecalledinsteadofwriting。"

"Yourlawyer，eh?"saidVizard，slyly。"Whatisyourlawyer\'sname?"

"Jackson，"saidNed，withoutamoment\'shesitation。

Fannygiggledinherowndespite。

Insteadofstoppinghere，Severnemustgoon；itwashisunluckyday。

"Notquiteagentleman，youknow，orIwouldhaveinflictedhissocietyonyou。"

"Notquite——eh?"saidHarrington，sodrylythatFannyDoverburstintoafitofuncontrollablelaughter。

ButZoeturnedhotandcoldtoseehimblunderingthus，andtellinglieuponlie。

Severnesawtherewassomethingwrong，andburiedhisnoseinpigeonpie。

Hedevoureditwithanexcellentappetite，whileeveryeyerestedonhim；

Zoe\'swithshameandmisery，Uxmoor\'swithopencontempt，Vizard\'swithgoodhumoredsatire。

ThesituationbecameintolerabletoZoeVizard。Indignantanddeeplyshockedherself，shestillcouldnotbeartoseehimthebuttofothers\'

ridiculeandcontempt。Sherosehaughtilyandmarchedtothedoor。Heraisedhisheadforamomentasshewentout。Sheturned，andtheireyesmet。Shegavehimsuchaglanceofpityanddisdainassuspendedthemeatuponhisfork，andfrozehimintocomprehendingthatsomethingveryseriousindeedhadhappened。

HeresolvedtolearnfromFannywhatitwas，andactaccordingly。ButZoe\'smaidcameinandwhisperedFanny。Shewentout，andneitheroftheyoungladieswasseentilldinner-time。ItwasconveyedtoUxmoorthattherewouldbenoexcursionofanykindthisafternoon；andthereforehetookhishat，andwentofftopayavisit。HecalledonRhodaGale。Shewasathome。Heintendedmerelytoofferherhisrespects，andtosidewithhergenerallyagainstthesefoolishrustics；butshewaspleasedwithhimforcoming，andmadeherselfsoagreeablethathespentthewholeafternooncomparingnoteswithheruponvillagelife，andtheameliorationitwascapableof。Eachcouldgivetheothervaluableideas；

andhesaidhehopedshewouldvisithispartofthecountryerelong；

shewouldfindmanydefects，butalsoagreatdesiretoamendthem。

Thisflatteredher，naturally；andshebegantotakeaninterestinhim。

Thatinterestsoontooktheformofcuriosity。ShemustknowwhetherhewasseriouslycourtingZoeVizardornot。Thenaturalreserveofawell-bredmanwithstoodthisatfirst；butthatarmorcouldnotresistfortwomortalhourssuchadaughterofEveasthis，withherinsidiousquestions，herartfulstatements，hercat-likeretreatsandcat-likereturns。Shelearned——thoughhedidnotseehowfarhehadcommittedhimself——thatheadmiredZoeVizardandwouldmarryherto-morrowifshewouldhavehim；hishesitationtoaskher，becausehehadarival，whosepowerhecouldnotexactlymeasure；butaformidableandpermittedrival。

Theypartedalmostfriends；andRhodasettledquietlyinhermindheshouldhaveZoeVizard，sincehewassofondofher。

HereagainitwasSeverne\'sunluckyday，andUxmoor\'slucky。Tocarrythissamedaytoaclose，SevernetriedmorethanoncetogetnearZoeandaskifhehadoffendedher，andinwhat。Butnoopportunityoccurred。

Sothenhesatandgazedather，andlookedunhappy。Shesaw，andwasnotunmoved，butwouldnotdomorethanglanceathim。Heresignedhimselftowaittillnight。

Nightcame。Hewentonthegrass。TherewasalightinZoe\'sroom。Itwaseleveno\'clock。Hewaited，shivering，tilltwelve。Thenthelightwasputout；butnowindowopened。Therewasamoon；andherwindowsglaredblackonhim，darkandbrightastheeyesshenowavertedfromhim。Hewasindisgrace。

ThepresentincidentIhaverecordeddidnotendhere；andImustnowfollowPoikilusonhismissiontoHomburg；andifthereaderhasasenseofjustice，methinkshewillnotcomplainofthejourney，forseehowlongIhaveneglectedthenoblestfigureinthisstory，andthemosttobepitied。Todesertherlongerwouldbetoounjust，andderangeentirelythebalanceofthiscomplicatedstory。

CHAPTERXVIII。

ACRUELmentalstroke，likeaheavyblowuponthebody，sometimesbenumbsandsickensatfirst，butdoesnottorture；yetthatistofollow。

ItwassowithInaKlosking。ThedayshejustmissedEdwardSeverne，andheseemedtomeltawayfromherverygraspintothewideworldagain，shecoulddragherselftothetheaterandsingangelically，withadullandachingheart。Butnextdayherheartenteredonsharpersuffering。Shewasirritated，exasperated；chainedtothetheater，toHomburg，yetwildtofollowSevernetoEnglandwithoutdelay。ShetoldAshmeadshemustandwouldgo。Heopposeditstoutly，andgavegoodreasons。Shecouldnotbreakfaithwiththemanagement。Englandwasalargeplace。Theyhad，asyet，noclewbutaname。Bywaiting，theclewwouldcome。ThesurecoursewastogivepublicityinEnglandtoherwinnings，andsodrawSevernetoher。Butforonceshewastooexcitedtolistentoreason。Shewastempest-tossed。"Iwillgo——Iwillgo，"sherepeated，asshewalkedtheroomwildly，andflungherarmsaloftwithrecklessabandon，andyetwithaterriblemajesty，aninstinctivegrace，andallthepoetryofagreatsoulwrongedanddrivenwild。

SheoverpoweredAshmeadanddrovehimtothedirector。Hewentmostunwillingly；butoncethere，wastruetoher，andbeggedofftheengagementeagerly。Thedirectorrefusedthisplump。ThenAshmead，stilltruetohiscommission，offeredhim(mostreluctantly)aconsiderablesumdowntoannulthecontract，andbackedthiswithaquiethintthatshewouldcertainlyfallillifrefused。Thedirectorknewbyexperiencewhatthismeant，andhoweasilytheseladiescancommandthehumanbodytodeath\'sdoor_prorenata，_andhowreadilyadoctor\'scertificatecanbehadtosayorswearthatthegreatcreaturecannotsingoractwithoutperiltolife，thoughreallyboththeseartsaregrandmedicines，andfarlesslikelytoinjurethe_bonafide_sickthanarethecertifyingdoctor\'sdraughtsanddrugs。Thedirectorknewallthis；buthewasfuriousatthedisappointmentthreatenedhim。"No，"saidhe；"thisisalwaystheway；apoordevilofamanagerisnevertohaveasuccess。Itistreacherous，itisungrateful:I\'llclose。Youtellherifsheisdeterminedtocutallourthroatsandkickherowngoodfortunedown，shecan；but，by——，I\'llmakehersmartforit!Mind，now；sheclosesthetheaterandpaystheexpenses，ifsheplaysmefalse。"

"Butifsheisill?"

"Letherdieandbe——，andthenI\'llbelieveher。SheisthehealthiestwomaninGermany。I\'llgoandtakestepstohaveherarrestedifsheofferstoleavethetown。"

Ashmeadreportedthemanager\'sthreats，andtheKloskingreceivedthemasalionessthebarkingofacur。Shedrewherselfswiftlyup，andhergreateyegleamedimperialdisdainatallhismenacesbutone。

"Hewillnotreallyclosethetheater，"saidshe，loftily；butuneasinesslurkedinhermanner。

"Hewill，"saidAshmead。"Heisdesperate:andyouknowit_is_hardtogoonlosingandlosing，andthenthemomentluckturnstobedoneoutofit，inspiteofawrittenbargain。I\'vebeenamanagermyself。"

"Somanypoorpeople!"saidIna，withasigh；andherdefiantheadsunkalittle。

"Oh，bother_them!"_saidAshmead，craftily。"Let\'emstarve。"

"Godforbid!"saidIna。Thenshesighedagain，andherqueenlyheadsunklower。Thenshefalteredout，"Ihavethewilltobreakfaithandruinpoorpeople，butIhavenotthecourage。"

Thenatearortwobegantotrickle，carryingwiththemalltheegotisticalresolutionInaKloskingpossessedatthattime。Perhapsweshallseeherharden:nothingstandsstill。

Thistimethepoorconquered。

ButeverynowandthenformanydaystherewerereturnsoftormentandagitationandwilddesiretoescapetoEngland。

Ashmeadmadeheadagainstthesewithhissimplearts。Foronething，heshowedheradozenparagraphsinMS。hewassendingtoasmanyEnglishweeklypapers，describingherheavygainsatthetable。"Withthesestones，"saidhe，"Ikilltwobirds:extendyourfame，andenticeyouridolbacktoyou。"Hereagrowl，whichIsuspectwasaninarticulatecurse。Joseph，fi!

ThepenofJosephonsuchoccasionswaslikehispredecessor\'scoat，polychromatic。TheKloskingreadhim，andwondered。"Alas!"saidshe，"withwhatversatileskilldoyoudescantonasinglecircumstancenotverycreditable。"

"Creditable!"saidAshmead；"itwasverynaughty，butitisverynice。"

Andthecreatureactuallywinked，forgetting，ofcourse，whomhewaswinkingat，andwastinghisvulgarityonthedesertair；fortheKlosking\'seyemightjustmanagetoblink——atthemeridiansun，orsoforth；butitneverwinkedonceinallitslife。

Oneoftheparagraphsranthus，withaheadinginsmallcapitals:

"APRIMADONNAATTHEGAMBLINGTABLE。

"MademoiselleKlosking，thegreatcontralto，whosesuccesshasbeenalreadyrecordedinallthejournals，strolled，ononeofheroffnights，intotheKursaalatHomburg，andsatdownto_trenteetquarante。_Hermelodiousvoicewassoonheardbettingheavily，withthemostengagingsweetnessofmanner；anddoublingseventimesuponthered，shebrokethebank，andretiredwithacharmingcourtesyandeightthousandpoundsingoldandnotes。"

Anotherdealtwiththematterthus:

"ROUGEETNOIR。

"ThelatestcoupatHomburghasbeenmadebyacantatricewhosepraisesallGermanyarenowringing。MademoiselleKlosking，successorandrivalofAlboni，wenttotheKursaal，_pourpasserletemps；_andshepasseditsowellthatinhalfanhourthebankwasbroken，andtherewasapileofnotesandgoldbeforeLaKloskingamountingtotenthousandpoundsandmore。Theladywavedtheseovertoheragent，Mr。JosephAshmead，withahandwhich，_parparenthe\'se，_isbelievedtobethewhitestinEurope，andretiredgracefully。"

Onperusingthis，LaKloskingheld_two_whitehandsuptoheaveninamazementattheskillandgoodtastewhichhaddraggedthisfeatureintotheincident。

"ADRAMATICSITUATION。

"Acircumstancehaslatelyoccurredherewhichwillinfalliblybeseizedonbythenovelistsinsearchofanincident。MademoiselleKlosking，thenewcontralto，whosetriumphantprogressthroughEuropewillprobablybethenexteventinmusic，walkedintotheKursaaltheothernight，brokethebank，andwalkedoutagainwithtwelvethousandpounds，andthatcharmingcomposurewhichissaidtodistinguishherinprivatelife。