第2章

"Doyouthenregardyourselfasimmortal？"

"No，myboy。Iamnotimmortal。Butthevoiceofthepressgoesonforever……Anditwillsaythatthiswasthesecretofyourgreatsuccessinataskwherebettermenthanyou-meaningnooffence-didfailrepeatedly。"

"Success，"mutteredRenouard，pulling-totheofficedoorafterhimwithconsiderableenergy。AndthelettersofthewordPRIVATElikearowofwhiteeyesseemedtostareafterhisbacksinkingdownthestaircaseofthattempleofpublicity。

Renouardhadnodoubtthatallthemeansofpublicitywouldbeputattheserviceofloveandusedforthediscoveryofthelovedman。

Hedidnotwishhimdead。Hedidnotwishhimanyharm。Weareallequippedwithafundofhumanitywhichisnotexhaustedwithoutmanyandrepeatedprovocations-andthismanhaddonehimnoevil。

ButbeforeRenouardhadleftoldDunster\'shouse，attheconclusionofthecallhemadetherethatveryafternoon，hehaddiscoveredinhimselfthedesirethatthesearchmightlastlong。Heneverreallyflatteredhimselfthatitmightfail。Itseemedtohimthattherewasnoothercourseinthisworldforhimself，forallmankind，butresignation。AndhecouldnothelpthinkingthatProfessorMoorsomhadarrivedatthesameconclusiontoo。

ProfessorMoorsom，slightframeofmiddleheight，athoughtfulkeenheadunderthethickwavyhair，veileddarkeyesunderstraighteyebrows，andwithaninwardgazewhichwhendisengagedandarrivingatoneseemedtoissuefromanobscuredreamofbooks，fromthelimboofmeditation，showedhimselfextremelygracioustohim。Renouardguessedinhimamanwhomanincurablehabitofinvestigationandanalysishadmadegentleandindulgent；inaptforaction，andmoresensitivetothethoughtsthantotheeventsofexistence。Withalnotcrushed，sub-ironicwithoutatraceofacidity，andwithasimplemannerwhichputpeopleateasequickly。

Theyhadalongconversationontheterracecommandinganextendedviewofthetownandtheharbour。

Thesplendidimmobilityofthebayrestingunderhisgaze，withitsgreyspursandshiningindentations，helpedRenouardtoregainhisself-possession，whichhehadfeltshaken，incomingoutontheterrace，intothesettingofthemostpowerfulemotionofhislife，whenhehadsatwithinafootofMissMoorsomwithfireinhisbreast，ahumminginhisears，andinacompletedisorderofhismind。Therewastheverygardenseatonwhichhehadbeenenvelopedintheradiantspell。Andpresentlyhewassittingonitagainwiththeprofessortalkingofher。NearbythepatriarchalDunsterleanedforwardinawickerarm-chair，benignandalittledeaf，hisbighandtohisearwiththeinnocenteagernessofhisadvancedagerememberingthefiresoflife。

ItwaswithasortofapprehensionthatRenouardlookedforwardtoseeingMissMoorsom。Andstrangelyenoughitresembledthestateofmindofamanwhofearsdisenchantmentmorethansortilege。Butheneednothavebeenafraid。Directlyhesawherinadistanceattheotherendoftheterraceheshudderedtotherootsofhishair。

Withherapproachthepowerofspeechlefthimforatime。Mrs。

Dunsterandherauntwereaccompanyingher。Allthesepeoplesatdown；itwasanintimatecircleintowhichRenouardfelthimselfcordiallyadmitted；andthetalkwasofthegreatsearchwhichoccupiedalltheirminds。Discretionwasexpectedbythesepeople，butofreticenceastotheobjectofthejourneytherecouldbenoquestion。Nothingbutwaysandmeansandarrangementscouldbetalkedabout。

Byfixinghiseyesobstinatelyontheground，whichgavehimanairofreflectivesadness，Renouardmanagedtorecoverhisself-

possession。Heusedittokeephisvoiceinalowkeyandtomeasurehiswordsonthegreatsubject。Andhetookcarewithagreatinwardefforttomakethemreasonablewithoutgivingthemadiscouragingcomplexion。Forhedidnotwantthequesttobegivenup，sinceitwouldmeanhergoingawaywithhertwoattendantgrey-

headstotheothersideoftheworld。

Hewasaskedtocomeagain，tocomeoftenandtakepartinthecounselsofallthesepeoplecaptivatedbythesentimentalenterpriseofadeclaredlove。OntakingMissMoorsom\'shandhelookedup，wouldhavelikedtosaysomething，butfoundhimselfvoiceless，withhislipssuddenlysealed。Shereturnedthepressureofhisfingers，andheleftherwithhereyesvaguelystaringbeyondhim，anairoflisteningforanexpectedsound，andthefaintestpossiblesmileonherlips。Asmilenotforhim，evidently，butthereflectionofsomedeepandinscrutablethought。

CHAPTERIV

Hewentonboardhisschooner。Shelaywhite，andasifsuspended，inthecrepuscularatmosphereofsunsetminglingwiththeashygleamofthevastanchorage。Hetriedtokeephisthoughtsassober，asreasonable，asmeasuredashiswordshadbeen，lesttheyshouldgetawayfromhimandcausesomesortofmoraldisaster。

Whathewasafraidofinthecomingnightwassleeplessnessandtheendlessstrainofthatwearisometask。Ithadtobefacedhowever。

Helayonhisback，sighingprofoundlyinthedark，andsuddenlybeheldhisveryownself，carryingasmallbizarrelamp，reflectedinalongmirrorinsidearoominanemptyandunfurnishedpalace。

Inthisstartlingimageofhimselfherecognisedsomebodyhehadtofollow-thefrightenedguideofhisdream。Hetraversedendlessgalleries，noendofloftyhalls，innumerabledoors。Helosthimselfutterly-hefoundhiswayagain。Roomsucceededroom。Atlastthelampwentout，andhestumbledagainstsomeobjectwhich，whenhestoopedforit，hefoundtobeverycoldandheavytolift。

Thesicklywhitelightofdawnshowedhimtheheadofastatue。

Itsmarblehairwasdoneintheboldlinesofahelmet，onitslipsthechiselhadleftafaintsmile，anditresembledMissMoorsom。

Whilehewasstaringatitfixedly，theheadbegantogrowlightinhisfingers，todiminishandcrumbletopieces，andatlastturnedintoahandfulofdust，whichwasblownawaybyapuffofwindsochillythathewokeupwithadesperateshiverandleapedheadlongoutofhisbed-place。Thedayhadreallycome。Hesatdownbythecabintable，andtakinghisheadbetweenhishands，didnotstirforaverylongtime。

Veryquiet，hesethimselftoreviewthisdream。Thelamp，ofcourse，heconnectedwiththesearchforaman。ButoncloserexaminationheperceivedthatthereflectionofhimselfinthemirrorwasnotreallythetrueRenouard，butsomebodyelsewhosefacehecouldnotremember。Inthedesertedpalaceherecognisedasinisteradaptationbyhisbrainofthelongcorridorswithmanydoors，inthegreatbuildinginwhichhisfriend\'snewspaperwaslodgedonthefirstfloor。ThemarbleheadwithMissMoorsom\'sface!Well!Whatotherfacecouldhehavedreamedof？AndhercomplexionwasfairerthanParianmarble，thantheheadsofangels。

Thewindattheendwasthemorningbreezeenteringthroughtheopenportholeandtouchinghisfacebeforetheschoonercouldswingtothechillygust。

Yes!Andallthisrationalexplanationofthefantasticmadeitonlymoremysteriousandweird。Therewassomethingdaemonicinthatdream。Itwasoneofthoseexperienceswhichthrowamanoutofconformitywiththeestablishedorderofhiskindandmakehimacreatureofobscuresuggestions。

Henceforth，withoutevertryingtoresist，hewenteveryafternoontothehousewhereshelived。Hewentthereaspassivelyasifinadream。HecouldnevermakeouthowhehadattainedthefootingofintimacyintheDunstermansionabovethebay-whetheronthegroundofpersonalmeritorasthepioneerofthevegetablesilkindustry。Itmusthavebeenthelast，becauseheremembereddistinctly，asdistinctlyasinadream，hearingoldDunsteroncetellinghimthathisnextpublictaskwouldbeacarefulsurveyoftheNorthernDistrictstodiscovertractssuitableforthecultivationofthesilkplant。Theoldmanwaggedhisbeardathimsagely。Itwasindeedasabsurdasadream。

Willieofcoursewouldbethereintheevening。Buthewasmoreofafigureoutofanightmare，hoveringaboutthecircleofchairsinhisdress-clotheslikeagigantic，repulsive，andsentimentalbat。

"Doawaywiththebeastlycocoonsallovertheworld，"hebuzzedinhisblurred，water-loggedvoice。Heaffectedagreathorrorofinsectsofallkinds。Oneeveningheappearedwitharedflowerinhisbutton-hole。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoredisgustinglyfantastic。AndhewouldalsosaytoRenouard:"Youmayyetchangethehistoryofourcountry。Foreconomicconditionsdoshapethehistoryofnations。Eh？What？"AndhewouldturntoMissMoorsomforapproval，loweringprotectinglyhisspatulousnoseandlookingupwithfeelingfromunderhisabsurdeyebrows，whichgrewthin，inthemannerofcanebrakes，outofhisspongyskin。Forthislarge，biliouscreaturewasaneconomistandasentimentalist，faciletotears，andamemberoftheCobdenClub。

InordertoseeaslittleofhimaspossibleRenouardbegancomingearliersoastogetawaybeforehisarrival，withoutcurtailingtoomuchthehoursofsecretcontemplationforwhichhelived。Hehadgivenuptryingtodeceivehimself。Hisresignationwaswithoutbounds。Heacceptedtheimmensemisfortuneofbeinginlovewithawomanwhowasinsearchofanothermanonlytothrowherselfintohisarms。Withsuchdesperateprecisionhedefinedinhisthoughtsthesituation，theconsciousnessofwhichtraversedlikeasharparrowthesuddensilencesofgeneralconversation。

Theonlythoughtbeforewhichhequailedwasthethoughtthatthiscouldnotlast；thatitmustcometoanend。Hefeareditinstinctivelyasasickmanmayfeardeath。Foritseemedtohimthatitmustbethedeathofhimfollowedbyalightless，bottomlesspit。Buthisresignationwasnotsparedthetormentsofjealousy:thecruel，insensate，poignant，andimbecilejealousy，whenitseemsthatawomanbetraysussimplybythisthatsheexists，thatshebreathes-andwhenthedeepmovementsofhernervesorhersoulbecomeamatterofdistractingsuspicion，ofkillingdoubt，ofmortalanxiety。

InthepeculiarconditionoftheirsojournMissMoorsomwentoutverylittle。SheacceptedthisseclusionattheDunsters\'mansionasinahermitage，andlivedthere，watchedoverbyagroupofoldpeople，withtheloftyenduranceofacondescendingandstrong-

headedgoddess。Itwasimpossibletosayifshesufferedfromanythingintheworld，andwhetherthiswastheinsensibilityofagreatpassionconcentratedonitself，oraperfectrestraintofmanner，ortheindifferenceofsuperioritysocompleteastobesufficienttoitself。ButitwasvisibletoRenouardthatshetooksomepleasureintalkingtohimattimes。Wasitbecausehewastheonlypersonnearherage？Wasthis，then，thesecretofhisadmissiontothecircle？

Headmiredhervoiceaswellpoisedashermovements，asherattitudes。Hehimselfhadalwaysbeenamanoftranquiltones。

Butthepoweroffascinationhadtornhimoutofhisverynaturesocompletelythattopreservehishabitualcalmnessfromgoingtopieceshadbecomeaterribleeffort。

Heusedtogofromheronboardtheschoonerexhausted，broken，shakenup，asthoughhehadbeenputtothemostexquisitetorture。

Whenhesawherapproachinghealwayshadamomentofhallucination。Shewasamistyandfaircreature，fittedforinvisiblemusic，fortheshadowsoflove，forthemurmursofwaters。Afteratime(hecouldnotbealwaysstaringattheground)hewouldsummonupallhisresolutionandlookather。

Therewasasparkleintheclearobscurityofhereyes；andwhensheturnedthemonhimtheyseemedtogiveanewmeaningtolife。

Hewouldsaytohimselfthatanothermanwouldhavefoundlongbeforethehappyreleaseofmadness，hiswitsburnttocindersinthatradiance。Butnosuchluckforhim。Hiswitshadcomeunscathedthroughthefurnacesofhotsuns，ofblazingdeserts，offlamingangersagainsttheweaknessesofmenandtheobstinatecrueltiesofhostilenature。

Beingsanehehadtobeconstantlyonhisguardagainstfallingintoadoringsilencesorbreakingoutintowildspeeches。Hehadtokeepwatchonhiseyes，hislimbs，onthemusclesofhisface。

Theirconversationsweresuchastheycouldbebetweenthesetwopeople:sheayoungladyfreshfromthethicktwilightoffourmillionpeopleandtheartificialityofseveralLondonseasons；hethemanofdefiniteconqueringtasks，thefamiliarofwidehorizons，andinhisveryreposeholdingalooffromtheseagglomerationsofunitsinwhichonelosesone\'simportanceeventooneself。Theyhadnocommonconversationalsmallchange。Theyhadtousethegreatpiecesofgeneralideas，buttheyexchangedthemtrivially。Itwasnoseriouscommerce。Perhapsshehadnotmuchofthatcoin。Nothingsignificantcamefromher。Itcouldnotbesaidthatshehadreceivedfromthecontactsoftheexternalworldimpressionsofapersonalkind，differentfromotherwomen。Whatwasravishinginherwasherquietnessand，inhergraveattitudes，theunfailingbrillianceofherfemininity。Hedidnotknowwhattherewasunderthativoryforeheadsosplendidlyshaped，sogloriouslycrowned。Hecouldnottellwhatwereherthoughts，herfeelings。Herreplieswerereflective，alwaysprecededbyashortsilence，whilehehungonherlipsanxiously。Hefelthimselfinthepresenceofamysteriousbeinginwhomspokeanunknownvoice，likethevoiceoforacles，bringingeverlastingunresttotheheart。

Hewasthankfulenoughtositinsilencewithsecretlyclenchedteeth，devouredbyjealousy-andnobodycouldhaveguessedthathisquietdeferentialbearingtoallthesegrey-headswasthesupremeeffortofstoicism，thatthemanwasengagedinkeepingasinisterwatchonhistortureslesthisstrengthshouldfailhim。

Asbefore，whengrapplingwithotherforcesofnature，hecouldfindinhimselfallsortsofcourageexceptthecouragetorunaway。

ItwasperhapsfromthelackofsubjectstheycouldhaveincommonthatMissMoorsommadehimsooftenspeakofhisownlife。Hedidnotshrinkfromtalkingabouthimself，forhewasfreefromthatexacerbated，timidvanitywhichsealssomanyvain-gloriouslips。

Hetalkedtoherinhisrestrainedvoice，gazingatthetipofhershoe，andthinkingthatthetimewasboundtocomesoonwhenherveryinattentionwouldgetwearyofhim。Andindeedonstealingaglancehewouldseeherdazzlingandperfect，hereyesvague，staringinmournfulimmobility，withadroopingheadthatmadehimthinkofatragicVenusarisingbeforehim，notfromthefoamofthesea，butfromadistant，stillmoreformless，mysterious，andpotentimmensityofmankind。

CHAPTERV

OneafternoonRenouardsteppingoutontheterracefoundnobodythere。Itwasforhim，atthesametime，amelancholydisappointmentandapoignantrelief。

Theheatwasgreat，theairwasstill，allthelongwindowsofthehousestoodwideopen。Atthefurtherend，groupedroundalady\'swork-table，severalchairsdisposedsociablysuggestedinvisibleoccupants，acompanyofconversingshades。Renouardlookedtowardsthemwithasortofdread。Amostelusive，faintsoundofghostlytalkissuingfromoneoftheroomsaddedtotheillusionandstoppedhisalreadyhesitatingfootsteps。Heleanedoverthebalustradeofstonenearasquatvaseholdingatropicalplantofabizarreshape。ProfessorMoorsomcomingupfromthegardenwithabookunderhisarmandawhiteparasolheldoverhisbarehead，foundhimthereand，closingtheparasol，leanedoverbyhissidewitharemarkontheincreasingheatoftheseason。Renouardassentedandchangedhispositionalittle；theother，afterashortsilence，administeredunexpectedlyaquestionwhich，liketheblowofaclubonthehead，deprivedRenouardofthepowerofspeechandeventhought，but，morecruel，lefthimquiveringwithapprehension，notofdeathbutofeverlastingtorment。Yetthewordswereextremelysimple。

"Somethingwillhavetobedonesoon。Wecan\'tremaininastateofsuspendedexpectationforever。Tellmewhatdoyouthinkofourchances？"

Renouard，speechless，producedafaintsmile。Theprofessorconfessedinajoculartonehisimpatiencetocompletethecircuitoftheglobeandbedonewithit。ItwasimpossibletoremainquarteredonthedearexcellentDunstersforanindefinitetime。

AndthentherewerethelectureshehadarrangedtodeliverinParis。Aseriousmatter。

ThatlecturesbyProfessorMoorsomwereaEuropeaneventandthatbrilliantaudienceswouldgathertohearthemRenouarddidnotknow。Allhewasawareofwastheshockofthishintofdeparture。

Themenaceofseparationfellonhisheadlikeathunderbolt。Andhesawtheabsurdityofhisemotion，forhadn\'thelivedallthesedaysundertheverycloud？Theprofessor，hiselbowsspreadout，lookeddownintothegardenandwentonunburdeninghismind。Yes。

Thedepartmentofsentimentwasdirectedbyhisdaughter，andshehadplentyofvolunteeredmoralsupport；buthehadtolookafterthepracticalsideoflifewithoutassistance。

"Ihavethelesshesitationinspeakingtoyouaboutmyanxiety，becauseIfeelyouarefriendlytousandatthesametimeyouaredetachedfromallthesesublimities-confoundthem。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"murmuredRenouard。

"Imeanthatyouarecapableofcalmjudgment。Heretheatmosphereissimplydetestable。Everybodyhasknuckledundertosentiment。

Perhapsyourdeliberateopinioncouldinfluence……"

"YouwantMissMoorsomtogiveitup？"Theprofessorturnedtotheyoungmandismally。

"HeavenonlyknowswhatIwant。"

Renouardleaninghisbackagainstthebalustradefoldedhisarmsonhisbreast，appearedtomeditateprofoundly。Hisface，shadedsoftlybythebroadbrimofaplanter\'sPanamahat，withthestraightlineofthenoselevelwiththeforehead，theeyeslostinthedepthofthesetting，andthechinwellforward，hadsuchaprofileasmaybeseenamongstthebronzesofclassicalmuseums，pureunderacrestedhelmet-recalledvaguelyaMinerva\'shead。

"ThisisthemosttroublesometimeIeverhadinmylife，"

exclaimedtheprofessortestily。

"Surelythemanmustbeworthit，"mutteredRenouardwithapangofjealousytraversinghisbreastlikeaself-inflictedstab。

Whetherenervatedbytheheatorgivingwaytopentupirritationtheprofessorsurrenderedhimselftothemoodofsincerity。

"Hebeganbybeingapleasantlydullboy。Hedevelopedintoapointlesslycleveryoungman，without，Isuspect，evertryingtounderstandanything。Mydaughterknewhimfromchildhood。Iamabusyman，andIconfessthattheirengagementwasacompletesurprisetome。Iwishtheirreasonsforthatstephadbeenmorenaive。Butsimplicitywasoutoffashionintheirset。Fromaworldlypointofviewheseemstohavebeenamerebaby。Ofcourse，now，Iamassuredthatheisthevictimofhisnobleconfidenceintherectitudeofhiskind。Butthat\'smereidealisingofasadreality。FormypartIwilltellyouthatfromtheverybeginningIhadthegravestdoubtsofhisdishonesty。

Unfortunatelymycleverdaughterhadn\'t。Andnowwebeholdthereaction。No。Tobeearnestlydishonestonemustbereallypoor。

Thiswasonlyamanifestationofhisextremelyrefinedcleverness。

Thecomplicatedsimpleton。Hehadanawfulawakeningthough。"

InsuchwordsdidProfessorMoorsomgivehis"youngfriend"tounderstandthestateofhisfeelingstowardthelostman。ItwasevidentthatthefatherofMissMoorsomwishedhimtoremainlost。

PerhapstheunprecedentedheatoftheseasonmadehimlongforthecoolspacesofthePacific，thesweepoftheocean\'sfreewindalongthepromenadedecks，cumberedwithlongchairs，ofashipsteamingtowardstheCaliforniancoast。ToRenouardthephilosopherappearedsimplythemosttreacherousoffathers。Hewasamazed。Buthewasnotattheendofhisdiscoveries。

"Hemaybedead，"theprofessormurmured。

"Why？Peopledon\'tdieheresoonerthaninEurope。IfhehadgonetohideinItaly，forinstance，youwouldn\'tthinkofsayingthat。"

"Well!Andsupposehehasbecomemorallydisintegrated。Youknowhewasnotastrongpersonality，"theprofessorsuggestedmoodily。

"Mydaughter\'sfutureisinquestionhere。"

Renouardthoughtthattheloveofsuchawomanwasenoughtopullanybrokenmantogether-todragamanoutofhisgrave。Andhethoughtthiswithinwarddespair，whichkepthimsilentasmuchalmostashisastonishment。Atlasthemanagedtostammeroutagenerous-

"Oh!Don\'tletusevensuppose……"

Theprofessorstruckinwithasadderaccentthanbefore-

"It\'sgoodtobeyoung。Andthenyouhavebeenamanofaction，andnecessarilyabelieverinsuccess。ButIhavebeenlookingtoolongatlifenottodistrustitssurprises。Age!Age!HereI

standbeforeyouamanfullofdoubtsandhesitation-SPELENTUS，TIMIDUSFUTURI。"

HemadeasigntoRenouardnottointerrupt，andinaloweredvoice，asifafraidofbeingoverheard，eventhere，inthesolitudeoftheterrace-

"AndtheworstisthatIamnotevensurehowfarthissentimentalpilgrimageisgenuine。Yes。Idoubtmyownchild。It\'struethatshe\'sawoman……"

Renouarddetectedwithhorroratoneofresentment，asiftheprofessorhadneverforgivenhisdaughterfornotdyinginsteadofhisson。Thelatternoticedtheyoungman\'sstonystare。

"Ah!youdon\'tunderstand。Yes，she\'sclever，open-minded，popular，and-well，charming。Butyoudon\'tknowwhatitistohavemoved，breathed，existed，andeventriumphedinthemeresmotherandfrothoflife-thebrilliantfroth。Therethoughts，sentiments，opinions，feelings，actionstoo，arenothingbutagitationinemptyspace-toamuselife-asortofsuperiordebauchery，excitingandfatiguing，meaningnothing，leadingnowhere。Sheisthecreatureofthatcircle。AndIaskmyselfifsheisobeyingtheuneasinessofaninstinctseekingitssatisfaction，orisitarevulsionoffeeling，orisshemerelydeceivingherownheartbythisdangeroustriflingwithromanticimages。Andeverythingispossible-exceptsincerity，suchasonlystark，strugglinghumanitycanknow。Nowomancanstandthatmodeoflifeinwhichwomenrule，andremainaperfectlygenuine，simplehumanbeing。Ah!There\'ssomepeoplecomingout。"

Hemovedoffapace，thenturninghishead:"Uponmyword!I

wouldbeinfinitelyobligedtoyouifyoucouldthrowalittlecoldwater……"andatavaguelydismayedgestureofRenouard，headded:"Don\'tbeafraid。Youwouldn\'tbeputtingoutasacredfire。"

Renouardcouldhardlyfindwordsforaprotest:"IassureyouthatInevertalkwithMissMoorsom-on-on-that。Andifyou，herfather……"

"Ienvyyouyourinnocence，"sighedtheprofessor。"Afatherisonlyaneverydayperson。Flat。Stale。Moreover，mychildwouldnaturallymistrustme。Webelongtothesameset。Whereasyoucarrywithyoutheprestigeoftheunknown。Youhaveprovedyourselftobeaforce。"

ThereupontheprofessorfollowedbyRenouardjoinedthecircleofalltheinmatesofthehouseassembledattheotherendoftheterraceaboutatea-table；threewhiteheadsandthatresplendentvisionofwoman\'sglory，thesightofwhichhadthepowertoflutterhisheartlikeareminderofthemortalityofhisframe。

HeavoidedtheseatbythesideofMissMoorsom。Theothersweretalkingtogetherlanguidly。Unnoticedhelookedatthatwomansomarvellousthatcenturiesseemedtoliebetweenthem。Hewasoppressedandovercomeatthethoughtofwhatshecouldgivetosomemanwhoreallywouldbeaforce!Whatagloriousstrugglewiththisamazon。Whatnobleburdenforthevictoriousstrength。

DearoldMrs。Dunsterwasdispensingtea，lookingfromtimetotimewithinteresttowardsMissMoorsom。Theagedstatesmanhavingeatenarawtomatoanddrunkaglassofmilk(ahabitofhisearlyfarmingdays，longbeforepolitics，when，pioneerofwheat-growing，hedemonstratedthepossibilityofraisingcropsongroundlookingbarrenenoughtodiscourageamagician)，smoothedhiswhitebeard，andstrucklightlyRenouard\'skneewithhisbigwrinkledhand。

"Youhadbettercomebackto-nightanddinewithusquietly。"

Helikedthisyoungman，apioneer，too，inmorethanonedirection。Mrs。Dunsteradded:"Do。Itwillbeveryquiet。I

don\'tevenknowifWilliewillbehomefordinner。"Renouardmurmuredhisthanks，andlefttheterracetogoonboardtheschooner。Whilelingeringinthedrawing-roomdoorwayheheardtheresonantvoiceofoldDunsterutteringoracularly-

"……theleadingmanheresomeday……Likeme。"

Renouardletthethinsummerportiereofthedoorwayfallbehindhim。ThevoiceofProfessorMoorsomsaid-

"Iamtoldthathehasmadeanenemyofalmosteverymanwhohadtoworkwithhim。"

"That\'snothing。Hedidhiswork……Likeme。"

"Henevercountedthecosttheysay。Notevenoflives。"

Renouardunderstoodthattheyweretalkingofhim。Beforehecouldmoveaway，Mrs。Dunsterstruckinplacidly-

"Don\'tletyourselfbeshockedbythetalesyoumayhearofhim，mydear。Mostofitisenvy。"

ThenheheardMissMoorsom\'svoicereplyingtotheoldlady-

"Oh!Iamnoteasilydeceived。IthinkImaysayIhaveaninstinctfortruth。"

Hehastenedawayfromthathousewithhisheartfullofdread。

CHAPTERVI

Onboardtheschooner，lyingonthesetteeonhisbackwiththeknucklesofhishandspressedoverhiseyes，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotreturntothathousefordinner-thathewouldnevergobackthereanymore。Hemadeuphismindsometwentytimes。Theknowledgethathehadonlytogouponthequarterdeck，utterquietlythewords:"Manthewindlass，"andthattheschoonerspringingintolifewouldrunahundredmilesouttoseabeforesunrise，deceivedhisstrugglingwill。Nothingeasier!

Yet，intheend，thisyoungman，almostill-famedforhisruthlessdaring，theinflexibleleaderoftwotragicallysuccessfulexpeditions，shrankfromthatactofsavageenergy，andbegan，instead，tohuntforexcuses。

No!Itwasnotforhimtorunawaylikeanincurablewhocutshisthroat。Hefinisheddressingandlookedathisownimpassivefaceinthesaloonmirrorscornfully。Whilebeingpulledonshoreinthegig，herememberedsuddenlythewildbeautyofawaterfallseenwhenhardlymorethanaboy，yearsago，inMenado。Therewasalegendofagovernor-generaloftheDutchEastIndies，onofficialtour，committingsuicideonthatspotbyleapingintothechasm。

Itwassupposedthatapainfuldiseasehadmadehimwearyoflife。

Butwasthereeveravisitationlikehisown，atthesametimebindingonetolifeandsocruellymortal!

Thedinnerwasindeedquiet。Willie，givenhalfanhour\'sgrace，failedtoturnup，andhischairremainedvacantbythesideofMissMoorsom。Renouardhadtheprofessor\'ssisteronhisleft，dressedinanexpensivegownbecomingherage。ThatmaidenladyinherwonderfulpreservationremindedRenouardsomehowofawaxflowerunderglass。Therewerenotracesofthedustoflife\'sbattlesonheranywhere。Shedidnotlikehimverymuchintheafternoons，inhiswhitedrillsuitandplanter\'shat，whichseemedtoheranundulyBohemiancostumeforcallinginahousewheretherewereladies。Butintheevening，litheandelegantinhisdressclothesandwithhispleasant，slightlyveiledvoice，healwaysmadeherconquestafresh。Hemighthavebeenanybodydistinguished-thesonofaduke。Fallingunderthatcharmprobably(andalsobecauseherbrotherhadgivenherahint)，sheattemptedtoopenherhearttoRenouard，whowaswatchingwithallthepowerofhissoulhernieceacrossthetable。Shespoketohimasfranklyasthoughthatmiserablemortalenvelope，emptiedofeverythingbuthopelesspassion，wereindeedthesonofaduke。

Inattentive，heheardheronlyinsnatches，tillthefinalconfidentialburst:"……gladifyouwouldexpressanopinion。

Lookather，socharming，suchagreatfavourite，sogenerallyadmired!Itwouldbetoosad。Weallhopedshewouldmakeabrilliantmarriagewithsomebodyveryrichandofhighposition，haveahouseinLondonandinthecountry，andentertainusallsplendidly。She\'ssoeminentlyfittedforit。Shehassuchhostsofdistinguishedfriends!Andthen-thisinstead!……Myheartreallyaches。"

Herwell-bredifanxiouswhisperwascoveredbythevoiceofprofessorMoorsomdiscoursingsubtlydowntheshortlengthofthedinnertableontheImpermanencyoftheMeasurabletohisvenerabledisciple。ItmighthavebeenachapterinanewandpopularbookofMoorsonianphilosophy。Patriarchalanddelighted，oldDunsterleanedforwardalittle，hiseyesshiningyouthfully，twospotsofcolourattherootsofhiswhitebeard；andRenouard，glancingatthesenileexcitement，recalledthewordsheardonthosesubtlelips，adoptedtheirscornforhisown，sawtheirtruthbeforethismanreadytobeamusedbythesideofthegrave。Yes!

Intellectualdebaucheryinthefrothofexistence!Frothandfraud!

OnthesamesideofthetableMissMoorsomneveroncelookedtowardsherfather，allhergraceasiffrozen，herredlipscompressed，thefaintestrosinessunderherdazzlingcomplexion，herblackeyesburningmotionless，andtheverycopperygleamsoflightlyingstillonthewavesandundulationofherhair。

Renouardfanciedhimselfoverturningthetable，smashingcrystalandchina，treadingfruitandflowersunderfoot，seizingherinhisarms，carryingheroffinatumultofshrieksfromallthesepeople，asilentfrightenedmortal，intosomeprofoundretreatasintheageofCavernmen。Suddenlyeverybodygotup，andhehastenedtorisetoo，findinghimselfoutofbreathandquiteunsteadyonhisfeet。

Ontheterracethephilosopher，afterlightingacigar，slippedhishandcondescendinglyunderhis"dearyoungfriend\'s"arm。Renouardregardedhimnowwiththeprofoundestmistrust。Butthegreatmanseemedreallytohavealikingforhisyoungfriend-oneofthosemysterioussympathies，disregardingthedifferencesofageandposition，whichinthiscasemighthavebeenexplainedbythefailureofphilosophytomeetaveryrealworryofapracticalkind。

Afteraturnortwoandsomecasualtalktheprofessorsaidsuddenly:"Mylatesonwasinyourschool-doyouknow？Icanimaginethathadhelivedandyouhadevermetyouwouldhaveunderstoodeachother。Hetoowasinclinedtoaction。"

Hesighed，then，shakingoffthemournfulthoughtandwithanodattheduskypartoftheterracewherethedressofhisdaughtermadealuminousstain:"Ireallywishyouwoulddropinthatquarterafewsensible，discouragingwords。"

Renouarddisengagedhimselffromthatmostperfidiousofmenunderthepretenceofastonishment，andsteppingbackapace-

"Surelyyouaremakingfunofme，ProfessorMoorsom，"hesaidwithalowlaugh，whichwasreallyasoundofrage。

"Mydearyoungfriend!It\'snosubjectforjokes，tome……Youdon\'tseemtohaveanynotionofyourprestige，"headded，walkingawaytowardsthechairs。

"Humbug!"thoughtRenouard，standingstillandlookingafterhim。

"Andyet!Andyet!Whatifitweretrue？"

HeadvancedthentowardsMissMoorsom。Posedontheseatonwhichtheyhadfirstspokentoeachother，itwasherturntowatchhimcomingon。Butmanyofthewindowswerenotlightedthatevening。

Itwasdarkoverthere。Sheappearedtohimluminousinhercleardress，afigurewithoutshape，afacewithoutfeatures，awaitinghisapproach，tillhegotquiteneartoher，satdown，andtheyhadexchangedafewinsignificantwords。Graduallyshecameoutlikeamagicpaintingofcharm，fascination，anddesire，glowingmysteriouslyonthedarkbackground。Somethingimperceptibleinthelinesofherattitude，inthemodulationsofhervoice，seemedtosoftenthatsuggestionofcalmunconsciouspridewhichenvelopedheralwayslikeamantle。He，sensitivelikeabondslavetothemoodsofthemaster，wasmovedbythesubtlerelentingofhergracetoaninfinitetenderness。Hefoughtdowntheimpulsetoseizeherbythehand，leadherdownintothegardenawayunderthebigtrees，andthrowhimselfatherfeetutteringwordsoflove。Hisemotionwassostrongthathehadtocoughslightly，andnotknowingwhattotalktoherabouthebegantotellherofhismotherandsisters。AllthefamilywerecomingtoLondontolivethere，forsomelittletimeatleast。

"Ihopeyouwillgoandtellthemsomethingofme。Somethingseen，"hesaidpressingly。

Bythismiserablesubterfuge，likeamanabouttopartwithhislife，hehopedtomakeherrememberhimalittlelonger。

"Certainly，"shesaid。"I\'llbegladtocallwhenIgetback。Butthat\'when\'maybealongtime。"

Heheardalightsigh。Acrueljealouscuriositymadehimask-

"Areyougrowingweary，MissMoorsom？"

Asilencefellonhislowspokenquestion。

"Doyoumeanheart-weary？"soundedMissMoorsom\'svoice。"Youdon\'tknowme，Isee。"

"Ah!Neverdespair，"hemuttered。

"This，Mr。Renouard，isaworkofreparation。Istandfortruthhere。Ican\'tthinkofmyself。"

Hecouldhavetakenherbythethroatforeverywordseemedaninsulttohispassion；butheonlysaid-

"Ineverdoubtedthe-the-nobilityofyourpurpose。"

"Andtohearthewordwearinesspronouncedinthisconnectionsurprisesme。Andfromamantoowho，Iunderstand，hasnevercountedthecost。"

"Youarepleasedtoteaseme，"hesaid，directlyhehadrecoveredhisvoiceandhadmasteredhisanger。ItwasasifProfessorMoorsomhaddroppedpoisoninhisearwhichwasspreadingnowandtaintinghispassion，hisveryjealousy。Hemistrustedeverywordthatcamefromthoselipsonwhichhislifehung。"Howcanyouknowanythingofmenwhodonotcountthecost？"heaskedinhisgentlesttones。

"Fromhearsay-alittle。"

"Well，Iassureyoutheyareliketheothers，subjecttosuffering，victimsofspells……"

"Oneofthem，atleast，speaksverystrangely。"

Shedismissedthesubjectafterashortsilence。"Mr。Renouard，I

hadadisappointmentthismorning。Thismailbroughtmealetterfromthewidowoftheoldbutler-youknow。Iexpectedtolearnthatshehadheardfrom-fromhere。Butno。Noletterarrivedhomesinceweleft。"

Hervoicewascalm。Hisjealousycouldn\'tstandmuchmoreofthissortoftalk；buthewasgladthatnothinghadturneduptohelpthesearch；gladblindly，unreasonably-onlybecauseitwouldkeepherlongerinhissight-sinceshewouldn\'tgiveup。

"Iamtoonearher，"hethought，movingalittlefurtherontheseat。Hewasafraidintherevulsionoffeelingofflinginghimselfonherhands，whichwerelyingonherlap，andcoveringthemwithkisses。Hewasafraid。Nothing，nothingcouldshakethatspell-notifshewereeversofalse，stupid，ordegraded。

Shewasfateitself。Theextentofhismisfortuneplungedhiminsuchastuporthathefailedatfirsttohearthesoundofvoicesandfootstepsinsidethedrawing-room。Williehadcomehome-andtheEditorwaswithhim。

Theyburstoutontheterracebabblingnoisily，andthenpullingthemselvestogetherstoodstill，surprising-andasifthemselvessurprised。

CHAPTERVII

Theyhadbeenfeastingapoetfromthebush，thelatestdiscoveryoftheEditor。Suchdiscoverieswerethebusiness，thevocation，theprideanddelightoftheonlyapostleoflettersinthehemisphere，thesolitarypatronofculture，theSlaveoftheLamp-

ashesubscribedhimselfatthebottomoftheweeklyliterarypageofhispaper。HehadhadnodifficultyinpersuadingthevirtuousWillie(whohadfestiveinstincts)tohelpinthegoodwork，andnowtheyhadleftthepoetlyingasleeponthehearthrugoftheeditorialroomandhadrushedtotheDunstermansionwildly。TheEditorhadanotherdiscoverytoannounce。Swayingalittlewherehestoodheopenedhismouthverywidetoshouttheoneword"Found!"BehindhimWillieflungbothhishandsabovehisheadandletthemfalldramatically。Renouardsawthefourwhite-headedpeopleattheendoftheterracerisealltogetherfromtheirchairswithaneffectofsuddenpanic。

"Itellyou-he-is-found，"thepatronoflettersshoutedemphatically。

"Whatisthis!"exclaimedRenouardinachokedvoice。MissMoorsomseizedhiswristsuddenly，andatthatcontactfireranthroughallhisveins，ahotstillnessdescendeduponhiminwhichheheardtheblood-orthefire-beatinginhisears。Hemadeamovementasiftorise，butwasrestrainedbytheconvulsivepressureonhiswrist。

"No，no。"MissMoorsom\'seyesstaredblackasnight，searchingthespacebeforeher。FarawaytheEditorstruttedforward，Williefollowingwithhisostentatiousmannerofcarryinghisbulkyandoppressivecarcasswhich，however，didnotremainexactlyperpendicularfortwosecondstogether。

"TheinnocentArthur……Yes。We\'vegothim，"theEditorbecameverybusiness-like。"Yes，thisletterhasdoneit。"

Heplungedintoaninsidepocketforit，slappedthescrapofpaperwithhisopenpalm。"Fromthatoldwoman。WilliamhaditinhispocketsincethismorningwhenMissMoorsomgaveittohimtoshowme。Forgotallaboutittillanhourago。Thoughtitwasofnoimportance。Well，no!Nottillitwasproperlyread。"

RenouardandMissMoorsomemergedfromtheshadowssidebyside，awell-matchedcouple，animatedyetstatuesqueintheircalmnessandintheirpallor。Shehadletgohiswrist。OncatchingsightofRenouardtheEditorexclaimed:

"What-youhere!"inaquiteshrillvoice。

Therecameadeadpause。Allthefaceshadinthemsomethingdismayedandcruel。

"He\'stheverymanwewant，"continuedtheEditor。"Excusemyexcitement。Youaretheveryman，Renouard。Didn\'tyoutellmethatyourassistantcalledhimselfWalter？Yes？Thoughtso。Buthere\'sthatoldwoman-thebutler\'swife-listentothis。Shewrites:AllIcantellyou，Miss，isthatmypoorhusbanddirectedhisletterstothenameofH。Walter。"

Renouard\'sviolentbutrepressedexclamationwaslostinageneralmurmurandshuffleoffeet。TheEditormadeastepforward，bowedwithcreditablesteadiness。

"MissMoorsom，allowmetocongratulateyoufromthebottomofmyheartonthehappy-er-issue……"

"Wait，"mutteredRenouardirresolutely。

TheEditorjumpedonhiminthemanneroftheiroldfriendship。

"Ah，you!Youareafinefellowtoo。Withyoursolitarywaysoflifeyouwillendbyhavingnomorediscriminationthanasavage。

Fancylivingwithagentlemanformonthsandneverguessing。A

man，Iamcertain，accomplished，remarkable，outofthecommon，sincehehadbeendistinguished"(hebowedagain)"byMissMoorsom，whomwealladmire。"

Sheturnedherbackonhim。

"Ihopetogoodnessyouhaven\'tbeenleadinghimadog\'slife，Geoffrey，"theEditoraddressedhisfriendinawhisperedaside。

Renouardseizedachairviolently，satdown，andproppinghiselbowonhiskneeleanedhisheadonhishand。Behindhimthesisteroftheprofessorlookeduptoheavenandwrungherhandsstealthily。

Mrs。Dunster\'shandswereclaspedforciblyunderherchin，butshe，dearsoul，waslookingsorrowfullyatWillie。Themodelnephew!

Inthisstrangestate!Soverymuchflushed!ThecarefuldispositionofthethinhairsacrossWillie\'sbaldspotwasdeplorablydisarranged，andthespotitselfwasredand，asitwere，steaming。

"What\'sthematter，Geoffrey？"TheEditorseemeddisconcertedbythesilentattitudesroundhim，asthoughhehadexpectedallthesepeopletoshoutanddance。"Youhavehimontheisland-haven\'tyou？"

"Oh，yes:Ihavehimthere，"saidRenouard，withoutlookingup。

"Well，then!"TheEditorlookedhelplesslyaroundasifbeggingforresponseofsomesort。Buttheonlyresponsethatcamewasveryunexpected。Annoyedatbeingleftinthebackground，andalsobecauseverylittledrinkmadehimnasty，theemotionalWillieturnedmalignantallatonce，andinabibuloustonesurprisinginamanabletokeephisbalancesowell-

"Aha!Butyouhaven\'tgothimhere-notyet!"hesneered。"No!

Youhaven\'tgothimyet。"

ThisoutrageousexhibitionwastotheEditorlikethelashtoajadedhorse。Hepositivelyjumped。

"Whatofthat？Whatdoyoumean？We-haven\'t-got-him-here。

Ofcourseheisn\'there!ButGeoffrey\'sschoonerishere。Shecanbesentatoncetofetchhimhere。No!Stay!There\'sabetterplan。Whyshouldn\'tyouallsailovertoMalata，professor？Savetime!IamsureMissMoorsomwouldprefer……"

WithagallantflourishofhisarmhelookedforMissMoorsom。Shehaddisappeared。Hewastakenabacksomewhat。

"Ah!H\'m。Yes……Whynot。Apleasurecruise，delightfulship，delightfulseason，delightfulerrand，del……No!Therearenoobjections。Geoffrey，Iunderstand，hasindulgedinabungalowthreesizestoolargeforhim。Hecanputyouallup。Itwillbeapleasureforhim。Itwillbethegreatestprivilege。

Anymanwouldbeproudofbeinganagentofthishappyreunion。I

amproudofthelittlepartI\'veplayed。Hewillconsideritthegreatesthonour。Geoff，myboy，youhadbetterbestirringto-

morrowbrightandearlyaboutthepreparationsforthetrip。Itwouldbecriminaltoloseasingleday。"

HewasasflushedasWillie，theexcitementkeepinguptheeffectofthefestivedinner。ForatimeRenouard，silent，asifhehadnotheardawordofallthatbabble，didnotstir。ButwhenhegotupitwastoadvancetowardstheEditorandgivehimsuchaheartyslaponthebackthattheplumplittlemanreeledinhistracksandlookedquitefrightenedforamoment。

"Youareaheaven-borndiscovererandafirst-ratemanager……

He\'sright。It\'stheonlyway。Youcan\'tresisttheclaimofsentiment，andyoumustevenriskthevoyagetoMalata……"

Renouard\'svoicesank。"Alonelyspot，"headded，andfellintothoughtunderalltheseeyesconvergingonhiminthesuddensilence。Hisslowglancepassedoverallthefacesinsuccession，remainingarrestedonProfessorMoorsom，stonyeyed，asmoulderingcigarinhisfingers，andwithhissisterstandingbyhisside。

"Ishallbeinfinitelygratifiedifyouconsenttocome。But，ofcourse，youwill。Weshallsailto-morroweveningthen。Andnowletmeleaveyoutoyourhappiness。"

Hebowed，verygrave，pointedsuddenlyhisfingeratWilliewhowasswayingaboutwithasleepyfrown……"Lookathim。He\'sovercomewithhappiness。Youhadbetterputhimtobed……"anddisappearedwhileeveryheadontheterracewasturnedtoWilliewithvariedexpressions。

Renouardranthroughthehouse。Avoidingthecarriageroadhefleddownthesteepshortcuttotheshore，wherehisgigwaswaiting。

AthisloudshoutthesleepingKanakasjumpedup。Heleapedin。

"Shoveoff。Giveway!"andthegigdartedthroughthewater。

"Giveway!Giveway!"Sheflewpastthewool-clipperssleepingattheiranchorseachwiththeopenunwinkingeyeofthelampintherigging；sheflewpasttheflagshipofthePacificsquadron，agreatmassalldarkandsilent，heavywiththeslumbersoffivehundredmen，andwheretheinvisiblesentriesheardhisurgent"Giveway!Giveway!"inthenight。TheKanakas，panting，roseoffthethwartsateverystroke。Nothingcouldbefastenoughforhim!Andheranupthesideofhisschoonershakingtheladdernoisilywithhisrush。

Ondeckhestumbledandstoodstill。

Whereforethishaste？Towhatend，sinceheknewwellbeforehestartedthathehadapursuerfromwhomtherewasnoescape。

Ashisfoottouchedthedeckhiswill，hispurposehehadbeenhurryingtosave，diedoutwithin。Ithadbeennothinglessthangettingtheschoonerunder-way，lettinghervanishsilentlyinthenightfromamongstthesesleepingships。Andnowhewascertainhecouldnotdoit。Itwasimpossible!Andhereflectedthatwhetherhelivedordiedsuchanactwouldlayhimunderadarksuspicionfromwhichheshrank。No，therewasnothingtobedone。

Hewentdownintothecabinand，beforeevenunbuttoninghisovercoat，tookoutofthedrawertheletteraddressedtohisassistant；thatletterwhichhehadfoundinthepigeon-holelabelled"Malata"inyoungDunster\'souteroffice，whereithadbeenwaitingforthreemonthssomeoccasionforbeingforwarded。

Fromthemomentofdroppingitinthedrawerhehadutterlyforgottenitsexistence-tillnow，whentheman\'snamehadcomeoutsoclamorously。Heglancedatthecommonenvelope，notedtheshakyandlaborioushandwriting:H。Walter，Esqre。Undoubtedlytheverylastlettertheoldbutlerhadpostedbeforehisillness，andinanswerclearlytoonefrom"MasterArthur"instructinghimtoaddressinthefuture:"CareofMessrs。W。DunsterandCo。"

Renouardmadeasiftoopentheenvelope，butpaused，and，instead，toretheletterdeliberatelyintwo，infour，ineight。Withhishandfullofpiecesofpaperhereturnedondeckandscatteredthemoverboardonthedarkwater，inwhichtheyvanishedinstantly。

Hediditslowly，withouthesitationorremorse。H。Walter，Esqre，inMalata。TheinnocentArthur-Whatwashisname？Themansoughtforbythatwomanwhoasshewentbyseemedtodrawallthepassionoftheearthtoher，withouteffort，notdeigningtonotice，naturally，asotherwomenbreathedtheair。ButRenouardwasnolongerjealousofherveryexistence。Whateveritsmeaningitwasnotforthatmanhehadpickedupcasuallyonobscureimpulse，togetridofthetiresomeexpostulationsofaso-calledfriend；amanofwhomhereallyknewnothing-andnowadeadman。

InMalata。Oh，yes!Hewastheresecureenough，untroubledinhisgrave。InMalata。ToburyhimwasthelastserviceRenouardhadrenderedtohisassistantbeforeleavingtheislandonthistriptotown。

LikemanymenreadyenoughforarduousenterprisesRenouardwasinclinedtoevadethesmallcomplicationsofexistence。Thistraitofhischaracterwascomposedofalittleindolence，somedisdain，andashrinkingfromcontestswithcertainformsofvulgarity-

likeamanwhowouldfacealionandgooutofhiswaytoavoidatoad。Hisintercoursewiththemeddlesomejournalistwasthatmerelyoutwardintimacywithoutsympathysomeyoungmengetdrawnintoeasily。Ithadamusedhimrathertokeepthat"friend"inthedarkaboutthefateofhisassistant。Renouardhadneverneededothercompanythanhisown，fortherewasinhimsomethingofthesensitivenessofadreamerwhoiseasilyjarred。Hehadsaidtohimselfthattheall-knowingonewouldonlypreachagainabouttheevilsofsolitudeandworryhisheadoffinfavourofsomeforlornlyuselessprotegeofhis。AlsotheinquisitivenessoftheEditorhadirritatedhimandhadclosedhislipsinsheerdisgust。

Andnowhecontemplatedthenooseofconsequencesdrawingtightaroundhim。

Itwasthememoryofthatdiplomaticreticencewhichontheterracehadstiffledhisfirstcrywhichwouldhavetoldthemallthatthemansoughtforwasnottobemetonearthanymore。Heshrankfromtheabsurdityofhearingtheall-knowingone，andnotverysoberatthat，turningonhimwithrighteousreproaches-

"Younevertoldme。Yougavemetounderstandthatyourassistantwasalive，andnowyousayhe\'sdead。Whichisit？Wereyoulyingthenorareyoulyingnow？"No!thethoughtofsuchascenewasnottobeborne。Hehadsatdownappalled，thinking:"WhatshallIdonow？"

Hiscouragehadoozedoutofhim。SpeakingthetruthmeanttheMoorsomsgoingawayatonce-whileitseemedtohimthathewouldgivethelastshredofhisrectitudetosecureadaymoreofhercompany。Hesaton-silent。Slowly，fromconfusedsensations，fromhistalkwiththeprofessor，themannerofthegirlherself，theintoxicatingfamiliarityofhersuddenhand-clasp，therehadcometohimahalfglimmerofhope。Theothermanwasdead。Then!……Madness，ofcourse-buthecouldnotgiveitup。Hehadlistenedtothatconfoundedbusybodyarrangingeverything-whileallthesepeoplestoodaroundassenting，underthespellofthatdeadromance。Hehadlistenedscornfulandsilent。Theglimmersofhope，ofopportunity，passedbeforehiseyes。Hehadonlytositstillandsaynothing。Thatandnomore。Andwhatwastruthtohiminthefaceofthatgreatpassionwhichhadflunghimprostrateinspiritatheradoredfeet!

Andnowitwasdone!Fatalityhadwilledit!Withtheeyesofamortalstruckbythemaddeningthunderboltofthegods，Renouardlookeduptothesky，animmenseblackpalldustedoverwithgold，onwhichgreatshuddersseemedtopassfromthebreathoflifeaffirmingitssway。