下载辰思小说免费APP
TherewasnolatedinneratSomervilleVilla。Indeed，ladies，lefttothemselves，seldomdinelate。Natureisstronginthem，andtheyarehungriestwhenthesunishigh。Atseveno\'clockZoeVizardwasseatedatherdesktryingtowritetoLordUxmoor。Shesighed，shemoaned，shebegan，anddroppedthepenandhidherface。Shebecamealmostwild；andinthatstatesheatlastdashedoffwhatfollows:
"DEARLORDUXMOOR——Forpity\'ssake，forgivethemadwordsIsaidtoyoutoday。Itisimpossible。Icandonomorethanadmireandesteemyou。Myheartisgonefrommeforever。Prayforgiveme，thoughIdonotdeserveit；andneverseemenorlookatmeagain。Iaskpardonformyvacillation。Ithasbeendisgraceful；butithasended，andIwasunderagreaterror，whichIcannotexplaintoyou，whenIledyoutobelieveI
hadahearttogiveyou。Myeyesareopened。Ourpathslieasunder。Pray，prayforgiveme，ifitispossible。Iwillneverforgivemyself，norceasetoblessandrevereyou，whomIhaveusedsoill。
ZOEVIZARD。"
ThatdayUxmoordinedalonewithhismother，forawonder，andhetoldherhowMissVizardhadcomeround；hetoldheralsoaboutthebull，butsovilelythatshehardlycomprehendedhehadbeeninanydanger:theseencountersarerarelydescribedtothelife，exceptbyuswhoavoidthem——exceptonpaper。
LadyUxmoorwasmuchpleased。Shewasaproud，politiclady，andthiswasajudiciousunionoftwopowerfulhousesinthecounty，andonethatwouldalmostcommandtheelections。But，aboveall，sheknewherson\'sheartwasinthematch，andshegavehimamother\'ssympathy。
Assheretired，shekissedhimandsaid，"Whenyouarequitesureoftheprize，tellme，andIwillcalluponher。"
Beingalone，LordUxmoorlightedacigarandsmokeditinmeasurelesscontent。Theservantbroughthimanoteonasalver。Ithadcomebyhand。
Uxmooropeneditandreadeverywordstraightthrough，downto"ZoeVizard；"readit，andsatpetrified。
Hereaditagain。Hefeltasortofsicknesscomeoverhim。Heswallowedatumblerofport，awineherarelytouched；buthefeltworsenowthanafterthebullfight。Thisdone，heroseandstalkedlikeawoundedlionintothedrawing-room，whichwasonthesamefloor，andlaidtheletterbeforehismother。
"Youareawomantoo，"saidhe，alittlehelplessly。"Tellme——whatonearthdoesthismean?"
Thedowagerreaditslowlyandkeenly，andsaid，"Itmeans——anotherman。"
"Ah!"saidUxmoor，withasortofsnarl。
"Haveyouseenanyoneabouther?"
"No；notlately。AtVizardCourttherewas。Butthatisallovernow，I
conclude。ItwasaMr。Severne，anadventurer，afellowthatwascaughtoutinaliebeforeusall。VizardtellsmealadycameandclaimedhimbeforeMissVizard，andheranaway。"
"Anunworthyattachment，inshort?"
"Veryunworthy，ifitwasanattachmentatall。"
"WasheatVizardCourtwhenshedeclinedyourhand?"
"Yes。"
"Didheremain，afteryouwent?"
"Isupposeso。Yes，hemusthave。"
"Thenthewholethingisclear:thatmanhascomeforwardagainunexpectedly，orwritten，andshedismissesyou。Mydarling，thereisbutonethingforyoutodo。Leaveher，andthankherfortellingyouintime。Alesshonorablefoolwouldhavehiddenit，andthenwemighthavehadaCountessofUxmoorintheDivorceCourtsomedayorother。
"Ihadbettergoabroad，"saidUxmoor，withagroan。"Thiscountryispoisonedforme。"
"Go，byallmeans。LetJannewaypackupyourthingsto-morrow。"
"Ishouldliketokillthatfellowfirst。"
"Youwillnotevenwasteathoughtonhim，ifyouaremyson。"
"Youareright，mother。WhatamItosaytoher?"
"Notaword。"
"What，notanswerherletter?Itishumbleenough，Iamsure——poorsoul!
Mother，Iamwretched，butIamnotbitter，andmyrivalwillrevengeme。"
"Uxmoor，yourgoingabroadistheonlyanswersheshallhave。Thewisestman，inthesematters，whoeverlivedhasleftaruleofconducttoeverywell-bornman——arulewhich，believeme，iswisdomitself:
"Lebruitestpourlefat，laplainteestpourlesot；L\'honnetehommetrompe\'；s\'e\'loigne，etneditmot。"
Youwillmakeatour，andnotsayawordtoMissVizard，good，bad，norindifferent。Iinsistuponthat。"
"Verywell。Thankyou，dearmother；youguideme，anddon\'tletmemakeafoolofmyself，forIamterriblycutup。YouwillbetheonlyCountessofUxmoorinmyday。"
Thenhekneltatherfeet，andshekissedhisheadandcriedoverhim；
buthertearsonlymadethisproudladystronger。
Nextdayhestartedonhistravels。
Now，butforZoe，hewouldonnoaccounthaveleftEnglandjustthen；forhewasjustgoingtobuildmodelcottagesinhisownvillage，upondesignsofhisown，eachwithalittleplot，andapublicwarehouseorgranary，withdivisionsfortheirpotatoesandapples，etc。However，heturnedthisoverinhismindwhile。hewaspacking；heplacedcertainplansandpapersinhisdispatchbox，andtookhistickettoTaddington，insteadofgoingatoncetoLondon。FromTaddingtonhedroveovertoHillstokeandaskedforMissGale。TheytoldhimshewasfixedatVizardCourt。Thatvexedhim:hedidnotwanttomeetVizard。HethoughtitthepartofaJerrySneaktogoandhowltoabrotheragainsthissister。YetifVizardquestionedhim，howcouldheconcealtherewassomethingwrong?
However，hewentdowntoVizardCourt；butsaidtotheservantwhoopenedthedoor，"Iamratherinahurry，sir:doyouthinkyoucouldprocuremeafewminuteswithMissGale?YouneednottroubleMr。Vizard。"
"Yes，mylaud。Certainly，mylaud。Pleasestepinthemorning-room，mylaud。Mr。Vizardisout。"
Thatwasfortunate，andMissGalecamedowntohimdirectly。
FannytookthatopportunitytochatterandtellMademoiselleKloskingallaboutLordUxmoorandhispassionforZoe。"Andhewillhaveher，too，"
saidshe，boldly。
LordUxmoortoldMissGalehehadcalleduponbusiness。Hewasobligedtoleavehomeforatime，andwishedtoplacehisprojectsunderthecareofapersonwhocouldreallysympathizewiththem，andmakeadditionstothem，ifnecessary。"Men，"saidhe，"arealwaysmakingoversightsinmattersofdomesticcomfort:besides，youarefullofideas。Iwantyoutobeviceroywithfullpower，andactjustasyouwouldifthevillagebelongedtoyou。"
Rhodacoloredhighatthecompliment。
"Wells，cows，granary，realeducation——whatyoulike"saidhe。"Iknowyourmind。Beginabolishingthelowerordersintheonlywaytheycanbegotridof——byraisingthemincomfort，cleanliness，decency，andknowledge。ThenIshallnotbemissed。I\'mgoingabroad。"
"Goingabroad?"
"Yes。Herearemyplans:alterthemforthebetterifyoucan。Alltheworktobedonebythevillagers。Weeklywages。Webuymaterials。Theywillbemorereconciledtoimproveddwellingswhentheybuildthemthemselves。Herearetheaddressesofthepeoplewhowillfurnishmoney。
Itwillentailtraveling；butmypeoplewillalwaysmeetyouatthestation，ifyoutelegraphfromTaddington。Youaccept?Athousandthanks。
IamafraidImustbeoff。"
Shewentintothehallwithhim，halfbewildered，andonlyatthedoorfoundtimetoaskafterZoeVizard。
"Alittlebetter，Ithink，thanwhenshecame。"
"Doessheknowyouaregoingabroad?"
"No；Idon\'tthinkshedoes，yet。Itwassettledallinahurry。"
Heescapedfurtherquestioningbyhurryingaway。
MissGalewasstilllookingafterhim，whenInaKloskingcamedown，dressedforawalk，andleaninglightlyonMissDover\'sarm。ThiswasbypreviousconsentofMissGale。
"Well，dear，"saidFanny，"whatdidhesaytoyou?"
"Somethingthathassurprisedandpuzzledmeverymuch。"Shethenrelatedthewholeconversation，withherusualprecision。
InaKloskingobservedquietlytoFannythatthisdidnotlooklikesuccessfulwooing。
"Idon\'tknowthat，"saidFanny，stoutly。"Oh，MissGale，didyounotaskhimabouther?"
"CertainlyIdid；andhesaidshewasbetterthanwhenshefirstcame。"
"There!"saidFanny，triumphantly。
MissGalegaveheralittlepinch，andshedroppedthesubject。
Vizardreturned，andfoundMademoiselleKloskingwalkingonhisgravel。
Heofferedherhisarm，andwasahappyman，paradingherveryslowly，andsupportinghersteps，andpurringhiscongratulationsintoherear。
"SupposeIweretoinviteyoutodinner，whatwouldyousay?"
"IthinkIshouldsay，\'To-morrow。\'"
"Andaverygoodanswer，too。To-morrowshallbea_fete。"_
"Youspoilme?"
"Thatisimpossible。"
Itwasstrangetoseethemtogether；hesohappy，shesoapathetic，yetgracious。
Nextmorningcameabitofhumannature——aletterfromZoetoFanny，almostentirelyoccupiedwithpraisesofLordUxmoor。ShetoldthebullstorybetterthanIhave——ifpossible——and，inshort，madeUxmooraheroofromance。
Fannycarriedthisintriumphtotheotherladies，andreaditout。
"There!"saidshe。"Didn\'tItellyou?"
Rhodareadtheletter，andownedherselfpuzzled。"Iamnot，then，"saidFanny:"theyareengaged——overthebull；likeEuropaandIforgotwho——andsoheisnotafraidtogoabroadnow。Thatisjustlikethemen。
Theycooldirectlythechaseisover。"
NowthetruthwasthatZoewastryingtosootheherconsciencewithelegantpraisesofthemanshehaddismissed，andfeltguilty。
InaKloskingsaidlittle。Shewaspuzzledtooatfirst。SheaskedtoseeZoe\'shandwriting。Theletterwashandedtoher。Shestudiedthecharacters。"Itisagoodhand，"shesaid；"nothingmeanthere。"Andshegaveitback。
But，withaglance，shehadreadtheaddress，andlearnedthattheposttownwasBagley。
Allthatday，atintervals，shebroughtherpowerfulunderstandingtobearontheparadox；andthoughshehadnotthefactsandtheclewIhavegiventhereader，shecamenearthetruthinanessentialmatter。ShesatisfiedherselfthatLordUxmoorwasnotengagedtoZoeVizard。
Clearly，ifso，hewouldnotleaveEnglandformonths。Sheresolvedtoknowmore；andjustbeforedinnershewrotealinetoAshmead，andrequestedhimtocallonherimmediately。
ThatdayshedinedwithVizardandtheladies。ShesatatVizard\'srighthand，andhetoldherhowproud，andhappyhewastoseeherthere。
Sheblushedfaintly，butmadenoreply。
Sheretiredsoonafterdinner。
AllnextdaysheexpectedAshmead。
Hedidnotcome。
ShedinedwithVizardnextday，andretiredtothedrawing-room。Thepianowasopened，andsheplayedoneortwoexquisitethings，andafterwardtriedhervoice，butonlyinscales，andsomewhattimidly，forMissGalewarnedhershemightloseitorspoilitifshestrainedthevocalchordwhileherwholesystemwasweak。
NextdayAshmeadcamewithapologies。
Hehadspentadayinthecathedraltownonbusiness。Hedidnottellherhowhehadspentthatday，goingaboutpuffingherasthegreatestsingerofsacredmusicintheworld，andpavingthewaytoherengagementatthenextfestival。Yetthesingle-heartedJosephhadreallyraisedthatcommercialsuperstructureuponthesentimentsshehadutteredonhisfirstvisittoVizardCourt。
Inanowheldaprivateconferencewithhim。"Ithink，"saidshe，"Ihaveheardyousayyouwereonceanactor。"
"Iwas，madam，andaverygoodone，too。"
_"Celavasansdire。_Ineverknewonethatwasnot。Atallevents，youcandisguiseyourself。"
"Anything，madam，fromGrandfatherWhiteheadtoaboyinapinafore。
Famousformymake-ups。"
"Iwishyoutowatchacertainhouse，andnotberecognizedbyapersonwhoknowsyou。"
"Well，madam，nothingis_infradig，_ifdoneforyou；nothingisdistastefulifdoneforyou。"
"Thankyou，myfriend。Ihavethoughtitwelltoputmyinstructionsonpaper。"
"Ay，thatisthebestway。"
Shehandedhimtheinstructions。Hereadthem，andhiseyessparkled。
"Ah，thisisacommissionIundertakewithpleasure，andI\'llexecuteitwithzeal。"
Helefther，soonafter，tocarryouttheseinstructions，andthatveryeveninghewasinthewardrobeofthelittletheater，rummagingoutasuitablecostume，andalsoincloseconferencewiththewigmaker。
NextdayVizardhadhismother\'ssablestakenoutandaired，anddroveMademoiselleKloskingintoTaddingtoninanopencarriage。Fannytoldhertheywerehismother\'ssables，andnonetocomparewiththeminthecountry。
Onreturning，shetriedhervoicetotheharmoniuminherownantechamber，andfounditwasgainingstrength——likeherself。
MeantimeZoeVizardmetSeverneinthegarden，andtoldhimshehadwrittentoLordUxmoor，andhewouldnevervisitheragain。Butshedidnotmakelightofthesacrificethistime。Shehadsacrificedherownself-respectaswellasUxmoor\'s，andshewassullenandtearful。
Hehadtobeverywaryandpatient，orshewouldhavepartedwithhimtoo，andfledfrombothofthemtoherbrother。
Uxmoor\'swoundedpridewouldhavebeensoothedcouldhehavebeenpresentatthefirstinterviewofthispair。HewouldhaveseenSevernetreatedwithahauteurandasortofsavagenesshehimselfwassafefrom，safeinherunshakenesteem。
Buttheworldismadeforthosewhocankeeptheirtemper，especiallythefemalepartoftheworld。
Sad，kind，andloving，butneverirritable，Severnesmootheddownandsoothedandcomfortedthewoundedgirl；and，seeinghertwoorthreetimesaday——forshewascompletelymistressofhertime——gothercompletelyintohispoweragain。
Uxmoordidnotreply。
Shehadmadeherselection。Lovebeckonedforward。Itwasuselesstolookback。
Lovewasomnipotent。Theybothbegantorecovertheirgoodlooksasifbymagic；andasSeverne\'spassion，thoughwicked，wasearnest，nopoorbirdwasevermorecompletelyentangledbybird-limethanZoewascaughtbyEdwardSeverne。
TheirusualplaceofmeetingwastheshrubberyattachedtoSomervilleVilla。Thetrees，beingyoung，madealltheclosershade，andthegravel-walkmeandered，andshutthemoutfromview。
Severneusedtoenterthisshrubberybyalittlegateleadingfromthemeadow，andwaitunderthetreestillZoecametohim。Vizard\'sadvertisementsalarmedhim，andheusedtoseethecoastclearbeforeheenteredtheshrubbery，andalsobeforeheleftit。Hewassoparticularinthisthat，observingonedayanoldmandodderingaboutwithabasket，hewouldnotgointillhehadtakenalookathim。Hefounditwasanancientwhite-hairedvillagergatheringmushrooms。Theoldfellowwassostiff，andhishandsotrembling，thatittookhimaboutaminutetogatherasinglefungus。
Togiveareasonforcominguptohim，Severnesaid，"Howoldareyou，oldman?"
"Ibeninety，measter，nextMartinmas-day。"
"Onlyninety?"saidourAdonis，contemptuously；"youlookahundredandninety。"
Hewouldhavebeenlesscontemptuoushadheknownthatthemushroomswerealltoad-stools，andthevillagecentenairewasMr。JosephAshmead，resuminghisoriginalarts，andplayingGrandfatherWhiteheadonthegreengrass。
CHAPTERXXV。
MADEMOISELLEKLOSKINGtoldVizardthetimedrewnearwhenshemustleavehishospitablehouse。
"Sayamonthhence，"saidhe。
Sheshookherhead。
"Ofcourseyouwillnotstaytogratifyme，"saidhe，halfsadly，halfbitterly。"Butyouwillhavetostayaweekortwolonger_parordonnancedume\'decin。"_
"Myphysicianisreconciledtomygoing。Wemustallbowtonecessity。"
Thiswassaidtoofirmlytoadmitareply。"Theoldhousewillseemverydarkagainwheneveryoudogo，"saidVizard，plaintively。
"Itwillsoonbebrightenedbyherwhoisitstrueandlastinglight，"
wasthesteadyreply。
Adayortwopassedwithnothingtorecord，exceptthatVizardhungaboutInaKlosking，andbecame，ifpossible，moreenamoredofherandmoreunwillingtopartwithher。
Mr。Ashmeadarrivedoneafternoonaboutthreeo\'clock，andwasmorethananhourwithher。Theyconversedveryearnestly，andwhenhewent，MissGalefoundheragitated。
"Thiswillnotdo，"saidshe。
"Itwillpass，myfriend，"saidIna。"Iwillsleep。"
Shelaidherselfdownandsleptthreehoursbeforedinner。
Shearoserefreshed，anddinedwiththelittleparty；andonretiringtothedrawing-room，sheinvitedVizardtojointhemathisconvenience。Hemadeithisconvenienceintenminutes。
Thensheopenedthepiano，playedanintroduction，andelectrifiedthemallbysingingtheleadingsonginSiebel。Shedidnotsingitsopowerfullyasinthetheater；shewouldnothavedonethatevenifshecould:butstillshesungitout，andnobly。Itseemedamiracletohearsuchsinginginaroom。
Vizardwasinraptures。
Theycooledsuddenlywhensheremindedhimwhathehadsaid，thatshemuststaytillshecouldsingSiebel\'ssong。"Ikeeptotheletterofthecontract，"saidshe。"Myfriends，thisismylastnightatVizardCourt。"
"Pleasetryandshakethatresolution，"saidVizard，gravely，toMesdemoisellesDoverandGale。
"Theycannot，"saidIna。"Itismydestiny。Andyet，"saidshe，afterapause，"Iwouldnothaveyouremembermebythatflimsything。Letmesingyouasongyourmotherloved；letmeberememberedinthishouse，asasinger，bythat。"
ThenshesungHandel\'ssong:
"WhatthoughItraceeachherbandflowerThatdecksthemorningdew?DidInotownJehovah\'spower，HowvainwereallIknew。"
Shesungitwithamazingpurity，volume，grandeur，andpower；thelustersrangandshook，theheartswerethrilled，andtheverysoulsofthehearersravished。Sheherselfturnedalittlepaleinsingingit，andthetearsstoodinhereyes。
Thesonganditsinterpretationweresofarabovewhatpassesformusicthattheyallfeltcomplimentswouldbeanimpertinence。Theireyesandtheirlongdrawnbreathpaidthetruehomagetothatgreatmasterrightlyinterpreted——averyrareoccurrence。
"Ah!"saidshe；"thatwasthehandcouldbrandishGoliath\'sspear。"
"Andthisishowyoureconcileustolosingyou，"saidVizard。"Youmightstay，atleast，tillyouhadgonethroughmypoormother\'scollection。"
"Ah!IwishIcould。ButIcannot。Imustnot。MyFateforbidsit。"
"\'Fate\'and\'destiny，\'"saidVizard，"stuffandnonsense。Wemakeourowndestiny。Mineistobeeternallydisappointed，andhappinesssnatchedoutofmyhands。"
Hehadnosoonermadethisprettyspeechthanhewasashamedofit，andstalkedoutoftheroom，nottosayanymoreunwisethings。
ThisburstofspleenalarmedFannyDover。"There，"saidshe，"nowyoucannotgo。Heisveryangry。"
InaKloskingsaidshewassorryforthat；buthewastoojustamantobeangrywithherlong:thedaywouldcomewhenhewouldapproveherconduct。Herlipquiveredalittleasshesaidthis，andthewaterstoodinhereyes:andthiswasrememberedandunderstood，longafter，bothbyMissDoverandRhodaGale。
"WhendoesyourRoyalHighnessproposetostart?"inquiredRhodaGale，veryobsequiously，andjustalittlebitterly。
"To-morrowathalf-pastnineo\'clock，dearfriend，"saidIna。
"Thenyouwillnotgowithoutme。YouwillgetthebetterofMr。Vizard，becauseheisonlyaman；butIamawoman，andhaveawillaswellasyou。Ifyoumakeajourneyto-morrow，Igowithyou。Denyme，andyoushan\'tgoatall。"Hereyesflasheddefiance。
Inamovedonestep，tookRhoda\'slittledefianthead，andkissedhercheek。"Sweetphysicianandkindfriend，ofcourseyoushallgowithme，ifyouwill，andbeagreatblessingtome。"
ThisreconciledMissGaletotheproceedings。Shepackedupacarpet-bag，andwasupearly，makingprovisionsofeverysortforherpatient\'sjourney:airpillows，softwarmcoverings，medicaments，stimulants，etc。，inalittlebagslungacrosshershoulders。Thusfurnished，andequippedinauniformsuitofgrayclothandwideawakehat，shecutaverysprightlyandcommandingfigure，butmorelikeDianathanHebe。
TheKloskingcamedown，apaleJuno，intravelingcostume；andaquarterofanhourbeforethetimeapair-horseflywasatthedoorandMr。
Ashmeadinthehall。
Theladieswerebothready。
ButVizardhadnotappeared。
Thiscausedanuneasydiscussion。
"Hemustbeveryangry，"saidFanny，inahalfwhisper。
"Icannotgowhileheis，"sighedLaKlosking。"Thereisalimiteventomycourage。"
"Mr。Harris，"saidRhoda，"wouldyoumindtellingMr。Vizard?"
"Well，miss，"saidHarris，softly，"Ididstepinandtellhim。Whichhetoldmetogotothedevil，miss——ahobservationIneverknewhimtomakebefore。"
Thiswasnotencouraging。YettheKloskingquietlyinquiredwherehewas。
"Inthere，ma\'am，"saidHarris。"Inhisstudy。"
MademoiselleKlosking，placedbetweentwoalternatives，decidedwithherusualresolution。Shewalkedimmediatelytothedoorandtappedatit；
then，scarcelywaitingforaninstant，openeditandwalkedinwithseemingfirmness，thoughherheartwasbeatingratherhigh。
Thepeopleoutsidelookedatoneanother。"Iwonderwhetherhewilltell_her_togotothedevil，"saidFanny，whowasgettingtiredofbeinggood。
"Nouse，"saidMissGale；"shedoesn\'tknowtheroad。"
WhenLaKloskingenteredthestudy，Vizardwasseated，disconsolate，withtwopicturesbeforehim。Hisfacewasfullofpain，andLaKlosking\'sheartsmoteher。Shemovedtowardhim，hangingherhead，andsaid，withinimitablesweetnessandtenderness，"Hereisaculpritcometotryandappeaseyou。"
Therecameatimethathecouldhardlythinkofthesewordsandherpenitent，submissivemannerwithdryeyes。Butjustthenhisblackdoghadbittenhim，andhesaid，sullenly，"Oh，nevermindme。Itwasalwaysso。Yoursexhavealwaysmademesmartfor——Ifflyingfrommyhousebeforeyouarehalfrecoveredgivesyouhalfthepleasureitgivesmepainandmortification，saynomoreaboutit。"
"Ah!whysayitgivesmepleasure?myfriend，youcannotreallythinkso。"
"Idon\'tknowwhattothink。Youladiesareallriddles。"
"ThenImusttakeyouintomyconfidence，and，withsomereluctance，I
own，letyouknowwhyIleavethisdear，kindroofto-day。"
Vizard\'sgenerositytookthealarm。"No，"said，"Iwillnotextortyourreasons。Itisashameofme。Yourbarewilloughttobelawinthishouse；andwhatreasonscouldreconcilemetolosingyousosuddenly?Youarethejoyofoureyes，thedelightofourears，theidolofallourhearts。Youwillleaveus，andtherewillbedarknessandgloom，insteadofsunshineandsong。Well，go；butyoucannotsoftentheblowwithreasons。"
MademoiselleKloskingflushed，andherbosomheaved；forthiswasastrongman，greatlymoved。Withinstinctivetact，shesawthebestwaytobringhimtohissenseswastogivehimagoodopeningtoretreat。
"Ah，monsieur，"saidshe，"youare_tropgrandseigneur。_Youentertainapoorwoundedsingerinachamberfewprincescanequal。Youplaceeverythingatherdisposal；suchaphysicianandnurseasnoqueencancommand；achoirtosingtoher；royalsablestokeepthewindfromher，andladiestowaitonher。Andwhenyouhavebroughtherbacktolife，yousaytoyourself，Sheisawoman；shewillnotbethoroughlycontentunlessyoutellhersheisadorable。So，outofpoliteness，youdescendtothelanguageofgallantry。Thiswasnotneeded。Idispensewiththatkindofcomfort。Ileaveyourhousebecauseitismyduty，andleaveityourgratefulservantandtruefriendtomylasthour。"
Shehadopenedthedoor，andVizardcouldnowescape。Hisobstinacyandhisheartwouldnotlethim。
"Donotfencewithme，"saidhe。"Leavethattoothers。Itisbeneathyou。Ifyouhadbeencontenttostay，Iwouldhavebeencontenttoshowmyheartbyhalves。Butwhenyouoffertoleaveme，youdrawfrommeanavowalIcannolongerrestrain，andyoumustandshalllistentoit。
WhenIsawyouonthestageatHomburg，Iadmiredyouandlovedyouthatverynight。ButIknewfromexperiencehowseldominwomenoutwardgracesgowiththevirtuesofthesoul。Idistrustedmyjudgment。IfearedyouandIfledyou。Butourdestinybroughtyouhere，andwhenIheldyou，paleandwounded，inmyveryarms，myheartseemedtogooutofmybosom。"
"Oh，nomore!nomore，pray!"criedMademoiselleKlosking。
Butthecurrentoflovewasnottobestemmed。"SincethatterriblehourIhavebeeninheaven，watchingyourgradualandsurerecovery；butyouhaverecoveredonlytoabandonme，andyourhurrytoleavemedrivesmetodesperation。No，Icannotpartwithyou。Youmustnotleaveme，eitherthisdayoranyday。Givemeyourhand，andstayhereforever，andbethequeenofmyheartandofmyhouse。"
ForsometimeLaKloskinghadlostherusualcomposure。Herbosomheavedtumultuously，andherhandstrembled。Butatthisdistinctproposalthewholewomanchanged。Shedrewherselfup，withherpalecheekflushingandhereyesglittering。
"What，sir?"saidshe。"Haveyoureadmesoill?DoyounotknowIwouldratherbethemeanestdrudgethatgoesonherkneesandscrubsyourfloors，thanbequeenofyourhouse，asyoucallit?Ah，Jesu，areallmenalike，then；thathewhomIhavesorevered，whosemother\'ssongsI
havesungtohim，makesmeaproposaldishonorabletomeandtohimself?"
"Dishonorable!"criedVizard。"Why，whatcananymanoffertoanywomanmorehonorablethanIofferyou?Iofferyoumyheartandmyhand，andI
say，donotgo，mydarling。Stayhereforever，andbemyqueen，mygoddess，mywife!"
"YOURWIFE?"Shestaredwildlyathim。"Yourwife?AmIdreaming，orareyou?"
"Neither。DoyouthinkIcanbecontentwithlessthanthat?Ina，Iadoreyou。"
Sheputherhandtoherhead。"Iknownotwhoistoblameforthis，"saidshe，andshetrembledvisibly。
"I\'lltaketheblame，"saidhe，gayly。
SaidIna，verygravely。"You，whodomethehonortooffermeyourname，haveyouaskedyourselfseriouslywhathasbeenthenatureofmyrelationwithEdwardSeverne?"
"No!"criedVizard，violently；"andIdonotmeanto。Iseeyoudespisehimnow；andIhavemyeyesandmysensestoguidemeinchoosingawife。
Ichooseyou——ifyouwillhaveme。"
Shelistened，thenturnedhermoisteyesfulluponhim，andsaidtohim，"Thisisthegreatesthonoreverbefellme。Icannottakeit。"
"Nottakeit?"
"No；butthatismymisfortune。Donotbemortified。Youhavenorivalinmyesteem。WhatshallIsay，myfriend?——atleastImaycallyouthat。IfIexplainnow，Ishallweepmuch，andlosemystrength。WhatshallIdo?
Ithink——yes，thatwillbebest——_youshallgowithmeto-day。"_
"Totheendoftheworld!"
"Somethingtellsmeyouwillknowall，andforgiveme。"
"ShallItakemybag?"
"Youmighttakeaneveningdressandsomelinen。"
"Verywell。Iwon\'tkeepyouamoment，"saidhe，andwentupstairswithgreatalacrity。
Shewentintothehall，withhereyesbentontheground，andwasimmediatelypinnedbyRhodaGale，whosepiercingeye，andinquisitivefingeronherpulse，soondiscoveredthatshehadgonethroughatryingscene。"Thisisabadbeginningofanimprudentjourney，"saidshe:"I
haveagreatmindtocountermandthecarriage。"
"No，no，"saidIna；"Iwillsleepintherailwayandrecovermyself。"
Theladiesnowgotintothecarriage；Ashmeadinsistedongoinguponthebox；andVizardsoonappeared，andtookhisseatoppositeMissGaleandMademoiselleKlosking。Thelatterwhisperedherdoctress:"Itwouldbewiseofmenottospeakmuchatpresent。"LaGalecommunicatedthistoVizard，andtheydrovealongindeadsilence。Buttheywerenaturallycurioustoknowwheretheyweregoing；sotheyheldsomecommunicationwiththeireyes。TheyverysoonfoundtheyweregoingtoTaddingtonStation。
Thencameadoubt——weretheygoingupordown?
Thatwassoonresolved。
Mr。Ashmeadhadhiredasalooncarriageforthem，withcouchesandconveniences。
Theyenteredit；andMademoiselleKloskingsaidtoMissGale，"ItisnecessarythatIshouldsleep。"
"Youshall，"saidMissGale。
Whileshewasarrangingthepillowsandthings，LaKloskingsaidtoVizard，"Weartistslearntosleepwhenwehaveworktodo。WithoutitI
shouldnotbestrongenoughthisday。"Shesaidthisinahalf-apologetictone，asoneanxiousnottogivehimanyshadowofoffense。
