第3章

She\'sanextraordinarypictureofwomankind——veryextraordinary。\'

\'Inwhatwaybesides？\'

\'You\'llknowsoonenough，miss。Shehashadsevenlady\'s-maidsthislasttwelvemonth。Iassureyou\'tisonebody\'sworktofetch\'emfromthestationandtake\'embackagain。TheLordmustbeaneglectfulpartyatheart，orhe\'dneverpermitsuchoverbearengoingson！\'

\'Doesshedismissthemdirectlytheycome！\'

\'Notatall——sheneverdismissesthem——theygotheirselves。Yesee\'tislikethis。She\'sgotaveryquicktemper；shefleesinapassionwiththemfornothingatall；nextmornentheycomeupandsaytheyaregoing；she\'ssorryforitandwishesthey\'dstay，butshe\'sasproudasalucifer，andherpridewon\'tlethersay，“Stay，“andawaytheygo。\'Tislikethisinfact。Ifyousaytoheraboutanybody，“Ah，poorthing！”shesays，“Pooh！indeed！”Ifyousay，“Pooh，indeed！”“Ah，poorthing！”shesaysdirectly。Shehangsthechiefbaker，asmidbe，andrestoresthechiefbutler，asmidbe，thoughthedevilbutPharaohherselfcanseethedifferencebetween\'em。\'

Cythereawassilent。Shefearedshemightbeagainaburdentoherbrother。

\'However，youstandaverygoodchance，\'themanwenton，\'forI

thinkshelikesyoumorethancommon。Ihaveneverknownhersendthepony-carriagetomeetonebefore；\'tisalwaysthetrap，butthistimeshesaid，inaveryparticularladyliketone，“Roobert，gaowwiththepony-kerriage。“……There，\'tistrue，ponyandcarriagetooaregettenrathershabbynow，\'headded，lookingrounduponthevehicleasiftokeepCytherea\'spridewithinreasonablelimits。

\'\'Tistobehopedyou\'llpleaseindressenherto-night。\'

\'Whyto-night？\'

\'There\'sadinner-partyofseventeen；\'tisherfather\'sbirthday，andshe\'sveryparticularaboutherlooksatsuchtimes。Nowsee；

thisisthehouse。Livelieruphere，isn\'tit，miss？\'

Theywerenowonrisingground，andhadjustemergedfromaclumpoftrees。Stillalittlehigherthanwheretheystoodwassituatedthemansion，calledKnapwaterHouse，theofficesgraduallylosingthemselvesamongthetreesbehind。

2。EVENING

Thehousewasregularlyandsubstantiallybuiltofcleangreyfreestonethroughout，inthatplainerfashionofGreekclassicismwhichprevailedatthelatterendofthelastcentury，whenthecopyistscalleddesignershadgrownwearyoffantasticvariationsintheRomanorders。Themainblockapproximatedtoasquareonthegroundplan，havingaprojectioninthecentreofeachside，surmountedbyapediment。Fromeachangleoftheinferiorsideranalineofbuildingslowerthantherest，turninginwardsagainattheirfurtherend，andformingwithinthemaspaciousopencourt，withinwhichresoundedanechoofastonishingclearness。Theseerectionswereintheirturnbackedbyivy-coveredice-houses，laundries，andstables，thewholemassofsubsidiarybuildingsbeinghalfburiedbeneathclose-setshrubsandtrees。

Therewasopeningsufficientthroughthefoliageontherighthandtoenableheronnearerapproachtoformanideaofthearrangementoftheremoterorlawnfrontalso。Thenaturalfeaturesandcontourofthisquarterofthesitehadevidentlydictatedthepositionofthehouseprimarily，andwereoftheordinary，anduponthewhole，mostsatisfactorykind，namely，abroad，gracefulsloperunningfromtheterracebeneaththewallstothemarginofaplacidlakelyingbelow，uponthesurfaceofwhichadozenswansandagreenpuntfloatedatleisure。Anirregularwoodedislandstoodinthemidstofthelake；beyondthisandthefurthermarginofthewaterwereplantationsandgreenswardofvariedoutlines，thetreesheightening，byhalfveiling，thesoftnessoftheexquisitelandscapestretchingbehind。

Theglimpsesshehadobtainedofthisportionwerenowcheckedbytheangleofthebuilding。Inaminuteortwotheyreachedthesidedoor，atwhichCythereaalighted。Shewaswelcomedbyanelderlywomanoflengthysmilesandgeneralpleasantness，whoannouncedherselftobeMrs。Morris，thehousekeeper。

\'Mrs。Graye，Ibelieve？\'shesaid。

\'Iamnot——Oyes，yes，weareallmistresses，\'saidCytherea，smiling，butforcedly。Thetitleaccordedherseemeddisagreeablylikethefirstslightscarofabrand，andshethoughtofOwen\'sprophecy。

Mrs。MorrisledherintoacomfortableparlourcalledTheRoom。

Hereteawasmadeready，andCythereasatdown，looking，wheneveroccasionallowed，atMrs。Morriswithgreatinterestandcuriosity，todiscover，ifpossible，somethinginherwhichshouldgiveacluetothesecretofherknowledgeofherself，andtherecommendationbaseduponit。Butnothingwastobelearnt，atanyratejustthen。

Mrs。Morriswasperpetuallygettingup，feelinginherpockets，goingtocupboards，leavingtheroomtwoorthreeminutes，andtrottingbackagain。

\'You\'llexcuseme，Mrs。Graye，\'shesaid，\'but\'tistheoldgentleman\'sbirthday，andtheyalwayshavealotofpeopletodinneronthatday，thoughhe\'sgettingupinyearsnow。However，noneofthemaresleepers——shegenerallykeepsthehouseprettyclearoflodgers(beingaladywithnointimatefriends，thoughmanyacquaintances)，which，thoughitgivesuslesstodo，makesitallthedullerfortheyoungermaidsinthehouse。\'Mrs。Morristhenproceededtogiveinfragmentaryspeechesanoutlineoftheconstitutionandgovernmentoftheestate。

\'Now，areyousureyouhavequitedonetea？Notabitordropmore？

Why，you\'veeatennothing，I\'msure……Well，now，itisratherinconvenientthattheothermaidisnotheretoshowyouthewaysofthehousealittle，butsheleftlastSaturday，andMissAldclyffehasbeenmakingshiftwithpooroldclumsymeforamaidallyesterdayandthismorning。Sheisnotcomeinyet。Iexpectshewillaskforyou，Mrs。Graye，thefirstthing……Iwasgoingtosaythatifyouhavereallydonetea，Iwilltakeyouupstairs，andshowyouthroughthewardrobes——MissAldclyffe\'sthingsarenotlaidoutforto-nightyet。\'

SheprecededCythereaupstairs，pointedoutherownroom，andthentookherintoMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-room，onthefirst-floor；

where，afterexplainingthewhereaboutsofvariousarticlesofapparel，thehousekeeperlefther，tellingherthatshehadanhouryetuponherhandsbeforedressing-time。Cytherealaidoutuponthebedinthenextroomallthatshehadbeentoldwouldberequiredthatevening，andthenwentagaintothelittleroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtoherself。

Hereshesatdownbytheopenwindow，leantoutuponthesilllikeanotherBlessedDamozel，andlistlesslylookeddownuponthebrilliantpatternofcoloursformedbytheflower-bedsonthelawn——

nowrichlycrowdedwithlatesummerblossom。Butthevivacityofspiritwhichhadhithertoenlivenedher，wasfastebbingunderthepressureofprosaicrealities，andthewarmscarletofthegeraniums，glowingmostconspicuously，andminglingwiththevividcoldredandgreenoftheverbenas，therichdepthofthedahlia，andtheripemellownessofthecalceolaria，backedbythepalehueofaflockofmeeksheepfeedingintheopenpark，closetotheothersideofthefence，were，toagreatextent，lostuponhereyes。Shewasthinkingthatnothingseemedworthwhile；thatitwaspossibleshemightdieinaworkhouse；andwhatdiditmatter？Thepetty，vulgardetailsofservitudethatshehadjustpassedthrough，herdependenceuponthewhimsofastrangewoman，thenecessityofquenchingallindividualityofcharacterinherself，andrelinquishingherownpeculiartastestohelponthewheelofthisalienestablishment，madehersickandsad，andshealmostlongedtopursuesomefree，out-of-doorsemployment，sleepundertreesorahut，andknownoenemybutwinterandcoldweather，likeshepherdsandcowkeepers，andbirdsandanimals——ay，likethesheepshesawthereunderherwindow。Shelookedsympathizinglyatthemforseveralminutes，imaginingtheirenjoymentoftherichgrass。

\'Yes——likethosesheep，\'shesaidaloud；andherfacereddenedwithsurpriseatadiscoveryshemadethatveryinstant。

Theflockconsistedofsomeninetyorahundredyoungstockewes：

thesurfaceoftheirfleecewasasroundedandevenasacushion，andwhiteasmilk。Nowshehadjustobservedthatontheleftbuttockofeveryoneofthemweremarkedindistinctredletterstheinitials\'E。S。\'

\'E。S。\'couldbringtoCytherea\'smindonlyonethought；butthatimmediatelyandforever——thenameofherlover，EdwardSpringrove。

\'O，ifitshouldbe——！\'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyaresolve。

MissAldclyffe\'scarriageatthesamemomentmadeitsappearanceinthedrive；butMissAldclyffewasnotherobjectnow。Itwastoascertaintowhomthesheepbelonged，andtosethersurmiseatrestonewayortheother。SheflewdownstairstoMrs。Morris。

\'Whosesheeparethoseinthepark，Mrs。Morris？\'

\'FarmerSpringrove\'s。\'

\'WhatFarmerSpringroveisthat？\'shesaidquickly。

\'Why，surelyyouknow？Yourfriend，FarmerSpringrove，thecider-

maker，andwhokeepstheThreeTrantersInn；whorecommendedyoutomewhenhecameintoseemetheotherday？\'

Cytherea\'smother-witsuddenlywarnedherinthemidstofherexcitementthatitwasnecessarynottobetraythesecretofherlove。\'Oyes，\'shesaid，\'ofcourse。\'Herthoughtshadrunasfollowsinthatshortinterval：——

\'FarmerSpringroveisEdward\'sfather，andhisnameisEdwardtoo。

\'EdwardknewIwasgoingtoadvertiseforasituationofsomekind。

\'HewatchedtheTimes，andsawit，myaddressbeingattached。

\'Hethoughtitwouldbeexcellentformetobeherethatwemightmeetwheneverhecamehome。

\'HetoldhisfatherthatImightberecommendedasalady\'s-maid；

andheknewmybrotherandmyself。

\'HisfathertoldMrs。Morris；Mrs。MorristoldMissAldclyffe。\'

Thewholechainofincidentsthatdrewhertherewasplain，andtherewasnosuchthingaschanceinthematter。ItwasallEdward\'sdoing。

Thesoundofabellwasheard。Cythereadidnotheedit，andstillcontinuedinherreverie。

\'That\'sMissAldclyffe\'sbell，\'saidMrs。Morris。

\'Isupposeitis，\'saidtheyoungwomanplacidly。

\'Well，itmeansthatyoumustgouptoher，\'thematroncontinued，inatoneofsurprise。

Cythereafeltaburningheatcomeoverher，mingledwithasuddenirritationatMrs。Morris\'shint。Butthegoodsensewhichhadrecognizedsternnecessityprevailedoverrebelliousindependence；

theflushpassed，andshesaidhastily——

\'Yes，yes；ofcourse，Imustgotoherwhenshepullsthebell——

whetherIwanttoorno。\'

However，inspiteofthispainfulreminderofhernewpositioninlife，Cytherealefttheapartmentinamoodfardifferentfromthegloomysadnessoftenminutesprevious。Theplacefeltlikehometohernow；shedidnotmindthepettinessofheroccupation，becauseEdwardevidentlydidnotmindit；andthiswasEdward\'sownspot。

ShefoundtimeonherwaytoMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomtohurriedlyglideoutbyasidedoor，andlookforamomentattheunconscioussheepbearingthefriendlyinitials。Shewentuptothemtotrytotouchoneoftheflock，andfeltvexedthattheyallstaredscepticallyatherkindadvances，andthenranpell-melldownthehill。Then，fearinganyoneshoulddiscoverherchildishmovements，sheslippedindoorsagain，andascendedthestaircase，catchingglimpses，asshepassed，ofsilver-buttonedfootmen，whoflashedaboutthepassageslikelightning。

MissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomwasanapartmentwhich，onacasualsurvey，conveyedanimpressionthatitwasavailableforalmostanypurposesavetheadornmentofthefeminineperson。Initshoursofperfectordernothingpertainingtothetoiletwasvisible；eventheinevitablemirrorswiththeiraccessorieswerearrangedinaroomyrecessnotnoticeablefromthedoor，lightedbyawindowofitsown，calledthedressing-window。

Thewashing-standfiguredasavastoakchest，carvedwithgrotesqueRenaissanceornament。Thedressingtablewasinappearancesomethingbetweenahighaltarandacabinetpiano，thesurfacebeingrichlyworkedinthesamestyleofsemi-classicdecoration，buttheextraordinaryoutlinehavingbeenarrivedatbyaningeniousjoineranddecoratorfromtheneighbouringtown，aftermonthsofpainfultoilincuttingandfitting，underMissAldclyffe\'simmediateeye；thematerialsbeingtheremainsoftwoorthreeoldcabinetstheladyhadfoundinthelumber-room。Abouttwo-thirdsofthefloorwascarpeted，theremainingportionbeinglaidwithparquetryoflightanddarkwoods。

MissAldclyffewasstandingatthelargerwindow，awayfromthedressing-niche。Shebowed，andsaidpleasantly，\'Iamgladyouhavecome。Weshallgetoncapitally，Idaresay。\'

Herbonnetwasoff。Cythereadidnotthinkhersohandsomeasontheearlierday；thequeenlinessofherbeautywasharderandlesswarm。ButaworsediscoverythanthiswasthatMissAldclyffe，withtheusualobliviousnessofrichpeopletotheirdependents\'

specialities，seemedtohavequiteforgottenCytherea\'sinexperience，andmechanicallydeliveredupherbodytoherhandmaidwithoutathoughtofdetails，andwithamildyawn。

Everythingwentwellatfirst。Thedresswasremoved，stockingsandblackbootsweretakenoff，andsilkstockingsandwhiteshoeswereputon。MissAldclyffethenretiredtobatheherhandsandface，andCythereadrewbreath。Ifshecouldgetthroughthisfirstevening，allwouldberight。Shefeltthatitwasunfortunatethatsuchacrucialtestforherpowersasabirthdaydinnershouldhavebeenappliedonthethresholdofherarrival；butsettoagain。

MissAldclyffewasnowarrayedinawhitedressing-gown，anddroppedlanguidlyintoaneasy-chair，pushedupbeforetheglass。TheinstinctsofhersexandherownpracticetoldCythereathenextmovement。SheletMissAldclyffe\'shairfallabouthershoulders，andbegantoarrangeit。Itprovedtobeallreal；asatisfaction。

MissAldclyffewasmusinglylookingonthefloor，andtheoperationwentonforsomeminutesinsilence。Atlengthherthoughtsseemedtoturntothepresent，andsheliftedhereyestotheglass。

\'Why，whatonearthareyoudoingwithmyhead？\'sheexclaimed，withwidelyopenedeyes。AtthewordsshefeltthebackofCytherea\'slittlehandtrembleagainstherneck。

\'Perhapsyoupreferitdonetheotherfashion，madam？\'saidthemaiden。

\'No，no；that\'sthefashionrightenough，butyoumustmakemoreshowofmyhairthanthat，orIshallhavetobuysome，whichGodforbid！\'

\'ItishowIdomyown，\'saidCythereanaively，andwithasweetnessoftonethatwouldhavepleasedthemostacrimoniousunderfavourablecircumstances；buttyrannywasintheascendantwithMissAldclyffeatthismoment，andshewasassuredofpalatablefoodforhervicebyhavingfeltthetremblingofCytherea\'shand。

\'Yours，indeed！YOURhair！Come，goon。\'ConsideringthatCythereapossessedatleastfivetimesasmuchofthatvaluableauxiliarytowoman\'sbeautyastheladybeforeher，therewasatthesametimesomeexcuseforMissAldclyffe\'soutburst。Sherememberedherself，however，andsaidmorequietly，\'Nowthen，Graye——By-the-

bye，whatdotheycallyoudownstairs？\'

\'Mrs。Graye，\'saidthehandmaid。

\'Thentellthemnottodoanysuchabsurdthing——notbutthatitisquiteaccordingtousage；butyouaretooyoungyet。\'

ThisdialoguetidedCythereasafelyonwardthroughthehairdressingtilltheflowersanddiamondsweretobeplaceduponthelady\'sbrow。Cythereabeganarrangingthemtastefully，andtotheverybestofherjudgment。

\'Thatwon\'tdo，\'saidMissAldclyffeharshly。

\'Why？\'

\'Ilooktooyoung——anolddresseddoll。\'

\'Willthat，madam？\'

\'No，Ilookafright——aperfectfright！\'

\'Thisway，perhaps？\'

\'Heavens！Don\'tworrymeso。\'Sheshutherlipslikeatrap。

Havingonceworkedherselfuptothebeliefthatherhead-dresswastobeafailurethatevening，noclevernessofCytherea\'sinarrangingitcouldpleaseher。Shecontinuedinasmoulderingpassionduringtheremainderoftheperformance，keepingherlipsfirmlyclosed，andthemusclesofherbodyrigid。Finally，snatchinguphergloves，andtakingherhandkerchiefandfaninherhand，shesilentlysailedoutoftheroom，withoutbetrayingtheleastconsciousnessofanotherwoman\'spresencebehindher。

Cytherea\'sfearsthatattheundressingthissuppressedangerwouldfindavent，keptheronthornsthroughouttheevening。Shetriedtoread；shecouldnot。Shetriedtosew；shecouldnot。Shetriedtomuse；shecouldnotdothatconnectedly。\'Ifthisisthebeginning，whatwilltheendbe！\'shesaidinawhisper，andfeltmanymisgivingsastothepolicyofbeingoverhastyinestablishinganindependenceattheexpenseofcongruitywithacherishedpast。

3。MIDNIGHT

Theclockstrucktwelve。TheAldclyffestatedinnerwasover。Thecompanyhadallgone，andMissAldclyffe\'sbellrangloudlyandjerkingly。

Cythereastartedtoherfeetatthesound，whichbrokeinuponafitfulsleepthathadovertakenher。Shehadbeensittingdrearilyinherchairwaitingminuteafterminuteforthesignal，herbraininthatstateofintentnesswhichtakescognizanceofthepassageofTimeasarealmotion——motionwithoutmatter——theinstantsthrobbingpastinthecompanyofafeverishpulse。Shehastenedtotheroom，tofindtheladysittingbeforethedressingshrine，illuminatedonbothsides，andlookingsoqueenlyinherattitudeofabsoluterepose，thattheyoungerwomanfelttheawfullestsenseofresponsibilityatherVandalisminhavingundertakentodemolishsoimposingapile。

Thelady\'sjewelledornamentsweretakenoffinsilence——somebyherownlistlesshands，somebyCytherea\'s。Thenfollowedtheouterstratumofclothing。Thedressbeingremoved，Cythereatookitinherhandandwentwithitintothebedroomadjoining，intendingtohangitinthewardrobe。Butonsecondthoughts，inorderthatshemightnotkeepMissAldclyffewaitingamomentlongerthannecessary，sheflungitdownonthefirstresting-placethatcametohand，whichhappenedtobethebed，andre-enteredthedressing-roomwiththenoiselessfootfallofakitten。Shepausedinthemiddleoftheroom。

Shewasunnoticed，andhersuddenreturnhadplainlynotbeenexpected。DuringtheshorttimeofCytherea\'sabsence，MissAldclyffehadpulledoffakindofchemisetteofBrusselsnet，drawnhighabovethethroat，whichshehadwornwithhereveningdressasasemi-opaquecoveringtohershoulders，andinitsplacehadputhernight-gownroundher。Herrighthandwasliftedtoherneck，asifengagedinfasteninghernight-gown。

ButonasecondglanceMissAldclyffe\'sproceedingwasclearertoCytherea。Shewasnotfasteninghernight-gown；ithadbeencarelesslythrownroundher，andMissAldclyffewasreallyoccupiedinholdinguptohereyessomesmallobjectthatshewaskeenlyscrutinizing。AndnowonsuddenlydiscoveringthepresenceofCythereaatthebackoftheapartment，insteadofnaturallycontinuingorconcludingherinspection，shedesistedhurriedly；thetinysnapofaspringwasheard，herhandwasremoved，andshebeganadjustingherrobes。

Modestymighthavedirectedherhastyactionofenwrappinghershoulders，butitwasscarcelylikely，consideringMissAldclyffe\'stemperament，thatshehadallherlifebeenusedtoamaid，Cytherea\'syouth，andtheelderlady\'smarkedtreatmentofherasifshewereamerechildorplaything。Thematterwastooslighttoreasonabout，andyetuponthewholeitseemedthatMissAldclyffemusthaveapracticalreasonforconcealingherneck。

WithatimidsenseofbeinganintruderCythereawasabouttostepbackandoutoftheroom；butatthesamemomentMissAldclyffeturned，sawtheimpulse，andtoldhercompaniontostay，lookingintohereyesasifshehadhalfanintentiontoexplainsomething。

Cythereafeltcertainitwasthelittlemysteryofherlatemovements。Theotherwithdrewhereyes；Cythereawenttofetchthedressing-gown，andwheeledroundagaintobringituptoMissAldclyffe，whohadnowpartlyremovedhernight-dresstoputitontheproperway，andstillsatwithherbacktowardsCytherea。

Herneckwasagainquiteopenanduncovered，andthoughhiddenfromthedirectlineofCytherea\'svision，shesawitreflectedintheglass——thefairwhitesurface，andtheinimitablecombinationofcurvesbetweenthroatandbosomwhichartistsadore，beingbrightlylitupbythelightburningoneitherside。

Andthelady\'spriorproceedingswerenowexplainedinthesimplestmanner。Inthemidstofherbreast，likeanislandinaseaofpearl，reclinedanexquisitelittlegoldlocket，embellishedwitharabesqueworkofblue，red，andwhiteenamel。ThatwasundoubtedlywhatMissAldclyffehadbeencontemplating；and，moreover，nothavingbeenputoffwithherotherornaments，itwastoberetainedduringthenight——aslightdeparturefromthecustomofladieswhichMissAldclyffehadatfirstnotcaredtoexhibittohernewassistant，thoughnow，onfurtherthought，sheseemedtohavebecomeindifferentonthematter。

\'Mydressing-gown，\'shesaid，quietlyfasteninghernight-dressasshespoke。

Cythereacameforwardwithit。MissAldclyffedidnotturnherhead，butlookedinquiringlyathermaidintheglass。

\'YousawwhatIwearonmyneck，Isuppose？\'shesaidtoCytherea\'sreflectedface。

\'Yes，madam，Idid，\'saidCythereatoMissAldclyffe\'sreflectedface。

MissAldclyffeagainlookedatCytherea\'sreflectionasifshewereonthepointofexplaining。Againshecheckedherresolve，andsaidlightly——

\'FewofmymaidsdiscoverthatIwearitalways。Igenerallykeepitasecret——notthatitmattersmuch。ButIwascarelesswithyou，andseemedtowanttotellyou。Youwinmetomakeconfidencesthat……\'

Sheceased，tookCytherea\'shandinherown，liftedthelocketwiththeother，touchedthespringanddisclosedaminiature。

\'Itisahandsomeface，isitnot？\'shewhisperedmournfully，andeventimidly。

\'Itis。\'

ButthesighthadgonethroughCytherealikeanelectricshock，andtherewasaninstantaneousawakeningofperceptioninher，sothrillinginitspresenceastobewell-nighinsupportable。Thefaceintheminiaturewasthefaceofherownfather——youngerandfresherthanshehadeverknownhim——butherfather！

Wasthisthewomanofhiswildandunquenchableearlylove？Andwasthisthewomanwhohadfiguredinthegate-man\'sstoryasansweringthenameofCythereabeforeherjudgmentwasawake？Surelyitwas。

Andifso，herewasthetangibleoutcropofaromanticandhiddenstratumofthepasthithertoseenonlyinherimagination；butasfarasherscopeallowed，clearlydefinedthereinbyreasonofitsstrangeness。

MissAldclyffe\'seyesandthoughtsweresointentupontheminiaturethatshehadnotbeenconsciousofCytherea\'sstartofsurprise。

Shewentonspeakinginalowandabstractedtone。

\'Yes，Ilosthim。\'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyashortmeditation，andwentonagain。\'Ilosthimbyexcessofhonestyasregardedmypast。Butitwasbestthatitshouldbeso……Iwasledtothinkrathermorethanusualofthecircumstancesto-nightbecauseofyourname。Itispronouncedthesameway，thoughdifferentlyspelt。\'

TheonlymeansbywhichCytherea\'ssurnamecouldhavebeenspelttoMissAldclyffemusthavebeenbyMrs。MorrisorFarmerSpringrove。

ShefanciedFarmerSpringrovewouldhavespeltitproperlyifEdwardwashisinformant，whichmadeMissAldclyffe\'sremarkobscure。

Womenmakeconfidencesandthenregretthem。TheimpulsiverushoffeelingwhichhadledMissAldclyffetoindulgeinthisrevelation，triflingasitwas，diedoutimmediatelyherwordswerebeyondrecall；andtheturmoil，occasionedinherbydwellinguponthatchapterofherlife，foundventinanotherkindofemotion——theresultofatrivialaccident。

Cytherea，afterlettingdownMissAldclyffe\'shair，adoptedsomeplanwithittowhichtheladyhadnotbeenaccustomed。Arapidrevulsiontoirritationensued。Themaiden\'smeretouchseemedtodischargethepent-upregretoftheladyasifshehadbeenajarofelectricity。

\'Howstrangelyyoutreatmyhair！\'sheexclaimed。

Asilence。

\'IhavetoldyouwhatInevertellmymaidsasarule；ofcourseNOTHINGthatIsayinthisroomistobementionedoutsideit。\'Shespokecrosslynolessthanemphatically。

\'Itshallnotbe，madam，\'saidCytherea，agitatedandvexedthatthewomanofherromanticwonderingsshouldbesodisagreeabletoher。

\'WhyonearthdidItellyouofmypast？\'shewenton。

Cythereamadenoanswer。

Thelady\'svexationwithherself，andtheaccidentwhichhadledtothedisclosureswelledlittlebylittletillitknewnobounds。Butwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthoughCythereahadshownamostwinningresponsiveness，quarrelMissAldclyffemust。SherecurredtothesubjectofCytherea\'swantofexpertness，likeabitterreviewer，whofindingthesentimentsofapoetunimpeachable，quarrelswithhisrhymes。

\'Never，neverbeforedidIservemyselfsuchatrickasthisinengagingamaid！\'Shewaitedforanexpostulation：nonecame。

MissAldclyffetriedagain。

\'Theideaofmytakingagirlwithoutaskinghermorethanthreequestions，orhavingasinglereference，allbecauseofhergoodl——

，theshapeofherfaceandbody！ItWASafool\'strick。There，I

amservedright，quiteright——bybeingdeceivedinsuchaway。\'

\'Ididn\'tdeceiveyou，\'saidCytherea。Thespeechwasanunfortunateone，andwasthevery\'fueltomaintainitsfires\'thattheother\'spetulancedesired。

\'Youdid，\'shesaidhotly。

\'ItoldyouIcouldn\'tpromisetobeacquaintedwitheverydetailofroutinejustatfirst。\'

\'Willyoucontradictmeinthisway！Youaretellinguntruths，I

say。\'

Cytherea\'slipquivered。\'Iwouldanswertheremarkif——if——\'

\'Ifwhat？\'

\'Ifitwerealady\'s！\'

\'Yougirlofimpudence——whatdoyousay？Leavetheroomthisinstant，Itellyou。\'

\'AndItellyouthatapersonwhospeakstoaladyasyoudotome，isnoladyherself！\'

\'Toalady？Alady\'s-maidspeaksinthisway。Theidea！\'

\'Don\'t“lady\'s-maid“me：nobodyismymistressIwon\'thaveit！\'

\'GoodHeavens！\'

\'Iwouldn\'thavecome——no——Iwouldn\'t！ifIhadknown！\'

\'What？\'

\'Thatyouweresuchanill-tempered，unjustwoman！\'

\'PossestbeyondtheMuse\'spainting，\'MissAldclyffeexclaimed——

\'AWoman，amI！I\'llteachyouifIamaWoman！\'andliftedherhandasifshewouldhavelikedtostrikehercompanion。Thisstungthemaidenintoabsolutedefiance。

\'Idareyoutotouchme！\'shecried。\'Strikemeifyoudare，madam！

Iamnotafraidofyou——whatdoyoumeanbysuchanactionasthat？\'

MissAldclyffewasdisconcertedatthisunexpectedshowofspirit，andashamedofherunladylikeimpulsenowitwasputintowords。

Shesankbackinthechair。\'Iwasnotgoingtostrikeyou——gotoyourroom——Ibegyoutogotoyourroom！\'sherepeatedinahuskywhisper。

Cytherea，redandpanting，tookuphercandlestickandadvancedtothetabletogetalight。Asshestoodclosetothemtheraysfromthecandlesstrucksharplyonherface。Sheusuallyboreamuchstrongerlikenesstohermotherthantoherfather，butnow，lookingwithagrave，reckless，andangeredexpressionofcountenanceatthekindlingwickasshehelditslantingintotheotherflame，herfather\'sfeaturesweredistinctinher。ItwasthefirsttimeMissAldclyffehadseenherinapassionatemood，andwearingthatexpressionwhichwasinvariablyitsconcomitant。ItwasMissAldclyffe\'sturntostartnow；andtheremarkshemadewasaninstanceofthatsuddenchangeoftonefromhigh-flowninvectivetothepettinessofcuriositywhichsooftenmakeswomen\'squarrelsridiculous。EvenMissAldclyffe\'sdignityhadnotsufficientpowertopostponetheabsorbingdesireshenowfelttosettlethestrangesuspicionthathadenteredherhead。

\'Youspellyournamethecommonway，G，R，E，Y，don\'tyou？\'shesaid，withassumedindifference。

\'No，\'saidCytherea，poisedonthesideofherfoot，andstilllookingintotheflame。

\'Yes，surely？Thenamewasspeltthatwayonyourboxes：Ilookedandsawitmyself。\'

TheenigmaofMissAldclyffe\'smistakewassolved。\'O，wasit？\'

saidCytherea。\'Ah，IrememberMrs。Jackson，thelodging-housekeeperatBudmouth，labelledthem。WespellournameG，R，A，Y，E。\'

\'Whatwasyourfather\'strade？\'

Cythereathoughtitwouldbeuselesstoattempttoconcealfactsanylonger。\'Hiswasnotatrade，\'shesaid。\'Hewasanarchitect。\'

\'Theideaofyourbeinganarchitect\'sdaughter！\'

\'There\'snothingtooffend，youinthat，Ihope？\'

\'Ono。\'

\'Whydidyousay“theidea“？\'

\'Leavethatalone。DidheevervisitinGowerStreet，Bloomsbury，oneChristmas，manyyearsago？——butyouwouldnotknowthat。\'

\'IhaveheardhimsaythatMr。Huntway，acuratesomewhereinthatpartofLondon，andwhodiedthere，wasanoldcollegefriendofhis。\'

\'WhatisyourChristianname？\'

\'Cytherea。\'

\'No！Andisitreally？AndyouknewthatfaceIshowedyou？Yes，Iseeyoudid。\'MissAldclyffestopped，andclosedherlipsimpassibly。Shewasalittleagitated。

\'Doyouwantmeanylonger？\'saidCytherea，standingcandleinhandandlookingquietlyinMissAldclyffe\'sface。

\'Well——no：nolonger，\'saidtheotherlingeringly。

\'Withyourpermission，Iwillleavethehousetomorrowmorning，madam。\'

\'Ah。\'MissAldclyffehadnonotionofwhatshewassaying。

\'AndIknowyouwillbesogoodasnottointrudeuponmeduringtheshortremainderofmystay？\'

SayingthisCytherealefttheroombeforehercompanionhadanswered。MissAldclyffe，then，hadrecognizedheratlast，andhadbeencuriousabouthernamefromthebeginning。

Theothermembersofthehouseholdhadretiredtorest。AsCythereawentalongthepassageleadingtoherroomherskirtsrustledagainstthepartition。Adooronherleftopened，andMrs。Morrislookedout。

\'Iwaitedoutofbedtillyoucameup，\'shesaid，\'itbeingyourfirstnight，incaseyoushouldbeatalossforanything。HowhaveyougotonwithMissAldclyffe？\'

\'Prettywell——thoughnotsowellasIcouldhavewished。\'

\'Hasshebeenscolding？\'

\'Alittle。\'

\'She\'saveryoddlady——\'tisallonewayortheotherwithher。

She\'snotbadatheart，butunbearableinclosequarters。Thoseofuswhodon\'thavemuchtodowithherpersonally，stayonforyearsandyears。\'

\'HasMissAldclyffe\'sfamilyalwaysbeenrich？\'saidCytherea。

\'Ono。Theproperty，withthename，camefromhermother\'suncle。

HerfamilyisabranchoftheoldAldclyffefamilyonthematernalside。HermothermarriedaBradleigh——amerenobodyatthattime——

andwasonthataccountcutbyherrelations。Butverysingularlytheotherbranchofthefamilydiedoutonebyone——threeofthem，andMissAldclyffe\'sgreat-unclethenleftallhisproperty，includingthisestate，toCaptainBradleighandhiswife——MissAldclyffe\'sfatherandmother——onconditionthattheytooktheoldfamilynameaswell。There\'sallaboutitinthe“LandedGentry。“

\'Tisathingveryoftendone。\'

\'O，Isee。Thankyou。Well，nowIamgoing。Good-night。\'

VI。THEEVENTSOFTWELVEHOURS

1。AUGUSTTHENINTH。ONETOTWOO\'CLOCKA。M。

Cythereaenteredherbedroom，andflungherselfonthe，bed，bewilderedbyawhirlofthought。Onlyonesubjectwasclearinhermind，anditwasthat，inspiteoffamilydiscoveries，thatdaywastobethefirstandlastofherexperienceasalady\'s-maid。

Starvationitselfshouldnotcompelhertoholdsuchahumiliatingpostforanotherinstant。\'Ah，\'shethought，withasigh，atthemartyrdomofherlastlittlefragmentofself-conceit，\'OwenknowseverythingbetterthanI。\'

Shejumpedupandbeganmakingreadyforherdepartureinthemorning，thetearsstreamingdownwhenshegrievedandwonderedwhatpracticalmatteronearthshecouldturnherhandtonext。Allthesepreparationscompleted，shebegantoundress，hermindunconsciouslydriftingawaytothecontemplationofherlatesurprises。Tolookintheglassforaninstantatthereflectionofherownmagnificentresourcesinfaceandbosom，andtomarktheirattractivenessunadorned，wasperhapsbutthenaturalactionofayoungwomanwhohadsolatelybeenchiddenwhilstpassingthroughtheharassingexperienceofdecoratinganolderbeautyofMissAldclyffe\'stemper。

Butshedirectlycheckedherweaknessbysympathizingreflectionsonthehiddentroubleswhichmusthavethrongedthepastyearsofthesolitarylady，tokeepher，thoughsorichandcourted，inamoodsorepellentandgloomyasthatinwhichCythereafoundher；andthentheyounggirlmarvelledagainandagain，asshehadmarvelledbefore，atthestrangeconfluenceofcircumstanceswhichhadbroughtherselfintocontactwiththeonewomanintheworldwhosehistorywassoromanticallyintertwinedwithherown。Shealmostbegantowishshewerenotobligedtogoawayandleavethelonelybeingtolonelinessstill。

Inbedandinthedark，MissAldclyffehauntedhermindmorepersistentlythanever。Insteadofsleeping，shecalledupstaringvisionsofthepossiblepastofthisqueenlylady，hermother\'srival。Upthelongvistaofbygoneyearsshesaw，behindall，theyounggirl\'sflirtation，littleormuch，withthecousin，thatseemedtohavebeennippedinthebud，ortohaveterminatedhastilyinsomeway。ThenthesecretmeetingsbetweenMissAldclyffeandtheotherwomanatthelittleinnatHammersmithandotherplaces：

thecommonplacenamesheadopted：herswoonatsomepainfulnews，andtheveryslightknowledgetheelderfemalehadofherpartnerinmystery。Then，morethanayearafterwards，theacquaintanceshipofherownfatherwiththishisfirstlove；theawakeningofthepassion，hisactsofdevotion，theunreasoningheatofhisrapture，hertacitacceptanceofit，andyetheruneasinessunderthedelight。Thenhisdeclarationamidtheevergreens：theutterchangeproducedinhermannerthereby，seeminglytheresultofarigiddetermination：andthetotalconcealmentofherreasonbyherselfandherparents，whateveritwas。Thenthelady\'scoursedroppedintodarkness，andnothingmorewasvisibletillshewasdiscoveredhereatKnapwater，nearlyfiftyyearsold，stillunmarriedandstillbeautiful，butlonely，embittered，andhaughty。

Cythereaimaginedthatherfather\'simagewasstillwarmlycherishedinMissAldclyffe\'sheart，andwasthankfulthatsheherselfhadnotbeenbetrayedintoannouncingthatsheknewmanyparticularsofthispageofherfather\'shistory，andthechiefone，thelady\'sunaccountablerenunciationofhim。Itwouldhavemadeherbearingtowardsthemistressofthemansionmoreawkward，andwouldhavebeennobenefittoeither。

Thusconjuringupthepast，andtheorizingonthepresent，shelayrestless，changingherposturefromonesidetotheotherandbackagain。Finally，whencourtingsleepwithallherart，sheheardaclockstriketwo。Aminutelater，andshefanciedshecoulddistinguishasoftrustleinthepassageoutsideherroom。

Toburyherheadinthesheetswasherfirstimpulse；thentouncoverit，raiseherselfonherelbow，andstretchhereyeswideopeninthedarkness；herlipsbeingpartedwiththeintentnessofherlistening。Whateverthenoisewas，ithadceasedforthetime。

Itbeganagainandcameclosetoherdoor，lightlytouchingthepanels。Thentherewasanotherstillness；Cythereamadeamovementwhichcausedafaintrustlingofthebed-clothes。

Beforeshehadtimetothinkanotherthoughtalighttapwasgiven。

Cythereabreathed：thepersonoutsidewasevidentlybentuponfindingherawake，andtherustleshehadmadehadencouragedthehope。Themaiden\'sphysicalconditionshiftedfromonepoletoitsopposite。Thecoldsweatofterrorforsookher，andmodestytookthealarm。Shebecamehotandred；herdoorwasnotlocked。

Adistinctwoman\'swhispercametoherthroughthekeyhole：

\'Cytherea！\'

OnlyonebeinginthehouseknewherChristianname，andthatwasMissAldclyffe。Cythereasteppedoutofbed，wenttothedoor，andwhisperedback，\'Yes？\'

\'Letmecomein，darling。\'

Theyoungwomanpausedinaconflictbetweenjudgmentandemotion。

Itwasnowmistressandmaidnolonger；womanandwomanonly。Yes；

shemustlethercomein，poorthing。

Shegotalightinaninstant，openedthedoor，andraisinghereyesandthecandle，sawMissAldclyffestandingoutsideinherdressing-

gown。

\'Nowyouseethatitisreallymyself；putoutthelight，\'saidthevisitor。\'Iwanttostayherewithyou，Cythie。Icametoaskyoutocomedownintomybed，butitissnuggerhere。Butrememberthatyouaremistressinthisroom，andthatIhavenobusinesshere，andthatyoumaysendmeawayifyouchoose。ShallIgo？\'

\'Ono；youshan\'tindeedifyoudon\'twantto，\'saidCythiegenerously。

TheinstanttheywereinbedMissAldclyffefreedherselffromthelastremnantofrestraint。Sheflungherarmsroundtheyounggirl，andpressedhergentlytoherheart。

\'Nowkissme，\'shesaid。

Cytherea，uponthewhole，wasratherdiscomposedatthischangeoftreatment；and，discomposedorno，herpassionswerenotsoimpetuousasMissAldclyffe\'s。Shecouldnotbringhersoultoherlipsforamoment，tryhowshewould。

\'Come，kissme，\'repeatedMissAldclyffe。

Cythereagaveheraverysmallone，assoftintouchandinsoundastheburstingofabubble。

\'Moreearnestlythanthat——come。\'

Shegaveanother，alittlebutnotmuchmoreexpressively。

\'Idon\'tdeserveamorefeelingone，Isuppose，\'saidMissAldclyffe，withanemphasisofsadbitternessinhertone。\'Iamanill-temperedwoman，youthink；halfoutofmymind。Well，perhapsI

am；butIhavehadgriefmorethanyoucanthinkordreamof。ButI

can\'thelplovingyou——yournameisthesameasmine——isn\'titstrange？\'

Cythereawasinclinedtosayno，butremainedsilent。

\'Now，don\'tyouthinkImustloveyou？\'continuedtheother。

\'Yes，\'saidCythereaabsently。ShewasstillthinkingwhetherdutytoOwenandherfather，whichaskedforsilenceonherknowledgeofherfather\'sunfortunatelove，ordutytothewomanembracingher，whichseemedtoaskforconfidence，oughttopredominate。Herewasasolution。ShewouldwaittillMissAldclyffereferredtoheracquaintanceshipandattachmenttoCytherea\'sfatherinpasttimes：

thenshewouldtellherallsheknew：thatwouldbehonour。

\'Whycan\'tyoukissmeasIcankissyou？Whycan\'tyou！\'SheimpresseduponCytherea\'slipsawarmmotherlysalute，givenasifintheoutburstofstrongfeeling，longchecked，andyearningforsomethingtoloveandbelovedbyinreturn。

\'Doyouthinkbadlyofmeformybehaviourthisevening，child？I

don\'tknowwhyIamsofoolishastospeaktoyouinthisway。Iamaveryfool，Ibelieve。Yes。Howoldareyou？\'

\'Eighteen。\'

\'Eighteen！……Well，whydon\'tyouaskmehowoldIam？\'

\'BecauseIdon\'twanttoknow。\'

\'Nevermindifyoudon\'t。Iamforty-six；anditgivesmegreaterpleasuretotellyouthisthanitdoestoyoutolisten。Ihavenottoldmyagetrulyforthelasttwentyyearstillnow。\'

\'Whyhaven\'tyou？\'

\'Ihavemetdeceitbydeceit，tillIamwearyofit——weary，weary——

andIlongtobewhatIshallneverbeagain——artlessandinnocent，likeyou。ButIsupposethatyou，too，will，provetobenotworthathought，aseverynewfrienddoesonmoreintimateknowledge。

Come，whydon\'tyoutalktome，child？Haveyousaidyourprayers？\'

\'Yes——no！Iforgotthemto-night。\'

\'Isupposeyousaythemeverynightasarule？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Whydoyoudothat？\'

\'BecauseIhavealwaysdoneso，anditwouldseemstrangeifIwerenotto。Doyou？\'

\'I？Awickedoldsinnerlikeme！No，Ineverdo。Ihavethoughtallsuchmattershumbugforyears——thoughtsosolongthatIshouldbegladtothinkotherwisefromveryweariness；andyet，suchisthecodeofthepoliteworld，thatIsubscriberegularlytoMissionarySocietiesandothersofthesort……Well，sayyourprayers，dear——youwon\'tomitthemnowyourecollectit。Ishouldliketohearyouverymuch。Willyou？\'

\'Itseemshardly——\'

\'Itwouldseemsolikeoldtimestome——whenIwasyoung，andnearer——farnearerHeaventhanIamnow。Do，sweetone，\'

Cythereawasembarrassed，andherembarrassmentarosefromthefollowingconjunctureofaffairs。SinceshehadlovedEdwardSpringrove，shehadlinkedhisnamewithherbrotherOwen\'sinhernightlysupplicationstotheAlmighty。Shewishedtokeepherloveforhimasecret，and，aboveall，asecretfromawomanlikeMissAldclyffe；yetherconscienceandthehonestyofherlovewouldnotforaninstantallowhertothinkofomittinghisdearname，andsoendangertheefficacyofallherpreviousprayersforhissuccessbyanunworthyshamenow：itwouldbewickedofher，shethought，andagrievouswrongtohim。Underanyworldlycircumstancesshemighthavethoughtthepositionjustifiedalittlefinesse，andhaveskippedhimforonce；butprayerwastoosolemnathingforsuchtrifling。

\'Iwouldrathernotsaythem，\'shemurmuredfirst。Itstruckherthenthatthisdecliningaltogetherwasthesamecowardiceinanotherdress，andwasdeliveringherpoorEdwardovertoSatanjustasunceremoniouslyasbefore。\'Yes；Iwillsaymyprayers，andyoushallhearme，\'sheaddedfirmly。

Sheturnedherfacetothepillowandrepeatedinlowsofttonesthesimplewordsshehadusedfromchildhoodonsuchoccasions。Owen\'snamewasmentionedwithoutfaltering，butintheothercase，maidenlyshynesswastoostrongevenforreligion，andthatwhensupportedbyexcellentintentions。AtthenameofEdwardshestammered，andhervoicesanktothefaintestwhisperinspiteofher。

\'Thankyou，dearest，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Ihaveprayedtoo，I

verilybelieve。Youareagoodgirl，Ithink。\'Thentheexpectedquestioncame。

\'“BlessOwen，“andwhom，didyousay？\'

Therewasnohelpforitnow，andoutitcame。\'OwenandEdward，\'

saidCytherea。

\'WhoareOwenandEdward？\'

\'Owenismybrother，madam，\'falteredthemaid。

\'Ah，Iremember。WhoisEdward？\'

Asilence。

\'Yourbrother，too？\'continuedMissAldclyffe。

\'No。\'

MissAldclyffereflectedamoment。\'Don\'tyouwanttotellmewhoEdwardis？\'shesaidatlast，inatoneofmeaning。

\'Idon\'tmindtelling；only……\'

\'Youwouldrathernot，Isuppose？\'

\'Yes。\'

MissAldclyffeshiftedherground。\'Wereyoueverinlove？\'sheinquiredsuddenly。

Cythereawassurprisedtohearhowquicklythevoicehadalteredfromtendernesstoharshness，vexation，anddisappointment。

\'Yes——IthinkIwas——once，\'shemurmured。

\'Aha！Andwereyoueverkissedbyaman？\'

Apause。

\'Well，wereyou？\'saidMissAldclyffe，rathersharply。

\'Don\'tpressmetotell——Ican\'t——indeed，Iwon\'t，madam！\'

MissAldclyfferemovedherarmsfromCytherea\'sneck。\'\'Tisnowwithyouasitisalwayswithallgirls，\'shesaid，injealousandgloomyaccents。\'Youarenot，afterall，theinnocentItookyoufor。No，no。\'Shethenchangedhertonewithfitfulrapidity。

\'Cytherea，trytolovememorethanyoulovehim——do。Iloveyoumoresincerelythananymancan。Do，Cythie：don\'tletanymanstandbetweenus。O，Ican\'tbearthat！\'SheclaspedCytherea\'sneckagain。

\'ImustlovehimnowIhavebegun，\'repliedtheother。

\'Must——yes——must，\'saidtheelderladyreproachfully。\'Yes，womenareallalike。IthoughtIhadatlastfoundanartlesswomanwhohadnotbeensulliedbyaman\'slips，andwhohadnotpractisedorbeenpractiseduponbytheartswhichruinallthetruthandsweetnessandgoodnessinus。Findagirl，ifyoucan，whosemouthandearshavenotbeenmadearegularhighwayofbysomemanoranother！Leavetheadmittedlynotoriousspots——thedrawing-roomsofsociety——andlookinthevillages——leavethevillagesandsearchintheschools——andyoucanhardlyfindagirlwhosehearthasnotbeenHAD——isnotanoldthinghalfwornoutbysomeHeoranother！Ifmenonlyknewthestalenessofthefreshestofus！thatninetimesoutoftenthe“firstlove“theythinktheyarewinningfromawomanisbutthehulkofanoldwreckedaffection，fittedwithnewsailsandre-used。OCytherea，canitbethatyou，too，areliketherest？\'

\'No，no，no，\'urgedCytherea，awedbythestormshehadraisedintheimpetuouswoman\'smind。\'Heonlykissedmeonce——twiceImean。\'

\'Hemighthavedoneitathousandtimesifhehadcaredto，there\'snodoubtaboutthat，whoeverhislordshipis。YouareasbadasI——

weareallalike；andI——anoldfool——havebeensippingatyourmouthasifitwerehoney，becauseIfanciednowastingloverknewthespot。Butaminuteago，andyouseemedtomelikeafreshspringmeadow——nowyouseemadustyhighway。\'

\'Ono，no！\'Cythereawasnotweakenoughtoshedtearsexceptonextraordinaryoccasions，butshewasfaintobeginsobbingnow。ShewishedMissAldclyffewouldgotoherownroom，andleaveherandhertreasureddreamsalone。Thisvehementimperiousaffectionwasinonesensesoothing，butyetitwasnotofthekindthatCytherea\'sinstinctsdesired。Thoughitwasgenerous，itseemedsomewhattoorankandcapriciousforendurance。

\'Well，\'saidtheladyincontinuation，\'whoishe？\'

Hercompanionwasdesperatelydeterminednottotellhisname：shetoomuchfearedatauntwhenMissAldclyffe\'sfierymoodagainruledhertongue。

\'Won\'tyoutellme？nottellmeafteralltheaffectionIhaveshown？\'

\'Iwill，perhaps，anotherday。\'

\'DidyouwearahatandwhitefeatherinBudmouthfortheweekortwoprevioustoyourcominghere？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'ThenIhaveseenyouandyourloveratadistance！Herowedyouroundthebaywithyourbrother。\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Andwithoutyourbrother——fie！There，there，don\'tletthatlittleheartbeatitselftodeath：throb，throb：itshakesthebed，yousillything。Ididn\'tmeanthattherewasanyharmingoingalonewithhim。IonlysawyoufromtheEsplanade，incommonwiththerestofthepeople。IoftenrundowntoBudmouth。Hewasaverygoodfigure：nowwhowashe？\'

\'I——Iwon\'ttell，madam——Icannotindeed！\'

\'Won\'ttell——verywell，don\'t。Youareveryfoolishtotreasureuphisnameandimageasyoudo。Why，hehashadlovesbeforeyou，trusthimforthat，whoeverheis，andyouarebutatemporarylinkinalongchainofotherslikeyou：whoonlyhaveyourlittledayastheyhavehadtheirs。\'

\'\'Tisn\'ttrue！\'tisn\'ttrue！\'tisn\'ttrue！\'criedCythereainanagonyoftorture。\'Hehasneverlovedanybodyelse，Iknow——Iamsurehehasn\'t。\'

MissAldclyffewasasjealousasanymancouldhavebeen。Shecontinued——

\'Heseesabeautifulfaceandthinkshewillneverforgetit，butinafewweeksthefeelingpassesoff，andhewondershowhecouldhavecaredforanybodysoabsurdlymuch。\'

\'No，no，hedoesn\'t——Whatdoeshedowhenhehasthoughtthat——Come，tellme——tellme！\'

\'Youareashotasfire，andthethrobbingofyourheartmakesmenervous。Ican\'ttellyouifyougetinthatflusteredstate。\'

\'Do，dotell——O，itmakesmesomiserable！buttell——cometellme！\'

\'Ah——thetablesareturnednow，dear！\'shecontinued，inatonewhichmingledpitywithderision——

\'“Love\'spassionsshallrocktheeAsthestormrockstheravensonhigh，BrightreasonwillmocktheeLikethesunfromawintrysky。“

\'Whatdoeshedonext？——Why，thisiswhathedoesnext：ruminateonwhathehasheardofwomen\'sromanticimpulses，andhoweasilymentorturethemwhentheyhavegivenwaytothosefeelings，andhaveresignedeverythingfortheirhero。Itmaybethatthoughhelovesyouheartilynow——thatis，asheartilyasamancan——andyoulovehiminreturn，yourlovesmaybeimpracticableandhopeless，andyoumaybeseparatedforever。You，astheweary，wearyyearspassbywillfadeandfade——brighteyesWILLfade——andyouwillperhapsthendieearly——truetohimtoyourlatestbreath，andbelievinghimtobetruetothelatestbreathalso；whilsthe，insomegayandbusyspotfarawayfromyourlastquietnook，willhavemarriedsomedashinglady，andnotpurelyobliviousofyou，willlonghaveceasedtoregretyou——willchataboutyou，asyouwereinlongpastyears——

willsay，“Ah，littleCythereausedtotieherhairlikethat——poorinnocenttrustingthing；itwasapleasantuselessidledream——thatdreamofmineforthemaidwiththebrighteyesandsimple，sillyheart；butIwasafoolishladatthattime。“ThenhewilltellthetaleofallyourlittleWillsandWont\'sandparticularways，andashespeaks，turntohiswifewithaplacidsmile。\'

\'Itisnottrue！Hecan\'t，hec-can\'tbes-socruel——andyouarecrueltome——youare，youare！\'Shewasatlastdriventodesperation：hernaturalcommonsenseandshrewdnesshadseenallthroughthepiecehowimaginaryheremotionswere——shefeltherselftobeweakandfoolishinpermittingthemtorise；buteventhenshecouldnotcontrolthem：beagonizedshemust。Shewasonlyeighteen，andthelongday\'slabour，herweariness，herexcitement，hadcompletelyunnervedher，andwornherout：shewasbenthitherandthitherbythistyrannicalworkinguponherimagination，asayoungrushinthewind。Sheweptbitterly。\'AndnowthinkhowmuchIlikeyou，\'resumedMissAldclyffe，whenCythereagrewcalmer。\'I

shallneverforgetyouforanybodyelse，asmendo——never。Iwillbeexactlyasamothertoyou。Nowwillyoupromisetolivewithmealways，andalwaysbetakencareof，andneverdeserted？\'

\'Icannot。Iwillnotbeanybody\'smaidforanotherdayonanyconsideration。\'

\'No，no，no。Youshan\'tbealady\'s-maid。Youshallbemycompanion。Iwillgetanothermaid。\'

Companion——thatwasanewidea。Cythereacouldnotresisttheevidentlyheartfeltdesireofthestrange-temperedwomanforherpresence。Butshecouldnottrusttothemoment\'simpulse。

\'Iwillstay，Ithink。Butdonotaskforafinalanswerto-night。\'

\'Nevermindnow，then。Putyourhairroundyourmamma\'sneck，andgivemeonegoodlongkiss，andIwon\'ttalkanymoreinthatwayaboutyourlover。Afterall，someyoungmenarenotsofickleasothers；butevenifhe\'stheficklest，thereisconsolation。Theloveofaninconstantmanistentimesmoreardentthanthatofafaithfulman——thatis，whileitlasts。\'

Cythereadidasshewastold，toescapethepunishmentoffurthertalk；flungthetwiningtressesofherlong，richhairoverMissAldclyffe\'sshouldersasdirected，andthetwoceasedconversing，makingthemselvesupforsleep。MissAldclyffeseemedtogiveherselfovertoaluxurioussenseofcontentandquiet，asifthemaidenathersideaffordedheraprotectionagainstdangerswhichhadmenacedherforyears；shewassoonsleepingcalmly。

2。TWOTOFIVEA。M。

WithCythereaitwasotherwise。Unusedtotheplaceandcircumstances，shecontinuedwakeful，illatease，andmentallydistressed。Shewithdrewherselffromhercompanion\'sembrace，turnedtotheotherside，andendeavouredtorelieveherbusybrainbylookingatthewindow-blind，andnoticingthelightoftherisingmoon——nowinherlastquarter——creeprounduponit：itwasthelightofanoldwaningmoonwhichhadbutafewdayslongertolive。

Thesightledhertothinkagainofwhathadhappenedundertheraysofthesamemonth\'smoon，alittlebeforeitsfull，theecstaticeveningscenewithEdward：thekiss，andtheshortnessofthosehappymoments——maidenimaginationbringingabouttheapotheosisofastatusquowhichhadhadseveralunpleasantnessesinitsearthlyreality。

Butsoundswereintheascendantthatnight。Herearsbecameawareofastrangeandgloomymurmur。

Sherecognizedit：itwasthegushingofthewaterfall，faintandlow，broughtfromitssourcetotheunwonteddistanceoftheHousebyafaintbreezewhichmadeitdistinctandrecognizablebyreasonoftheutterabsenceofalldisturbingsounds。Thegroom\'smelancholyrepresentationlenttothesoundamoredismaleffectthanitwouldhavehadofitsownnature。Shebegantofancywhatthewaterfallmustbelikeatthathour，underthetreesintheghostlymoonlight。Blackatthehead，andoverthesurfaceofthedeepcoldholeintowhichitfell；whiteandfrothyatthefall；

blackandwhite，likeapallanditsborder；sadeverywhere。

Shewasinthemoodforsoundsofeverykindnow，andstrainedherearstocatchthefaintest，inwaywardenmitytoherquietofmind。

Anothersooncame。