第4章

Thesecondwasquitedifferentfromthefirst——akindofintermittentwhistleitseemedprimarily：no，acreak，ametalliccreak，everandanon，likeaplough，orarustywheelbarrow，oratleastawheelofsomekind。Yes，itwas，awheel——thewater-wheelintheshrubberybytheoldmanor-house，whichthecoachmanhadsaidwoulddrivehimmad。

Shedeterminednottothinkanymoreofthesegloomythings；butnowthatshehadoncenoticedthesoundtherewasnosealingherearstoit。Shecouldnothelptimingitscreaks，andputtingonadreadexpectancyjustbeforetheendofeachhalf-minutethatbroughtthem。Toimaginetheinsideoftheengine-house，whencethesenoisesproceeded，wasnowanecessity。Nowindow，butcrevicesinthedoor，throughwhich，probably，themoonbeamsstreamedinthemostattenuatedandskeleton-likerays，strikingsharplyuponportionsofwetrustycranksandchains；aglisteningwheel，turningincessantly，labouringinthedarklikeacaptivestarvinginadungeon；andinsteadofafloorbelow，gurglingwater，whichonaccountofthedarknesscouldonlybeheard；waterwhichlabouredupdarkpipesalmosttowhereshelay。

Sheshivered。Nowshewasdeterminedtogotosleep；therecouldbenothingelselefttobeheardortoimagine——itwashorridthatherimaginationshouldbesorestless。Yetjustforaninstantbeforegoingtosleepshewouldthinkthis——supposeanothersoundSHOULD

come——justsupposeitshould！Beforethethoughthadwellpassedthroughherbrain，athirdsoundcame。

Thethirdwasaverysoftgurgleorrattle——ofastrangeandabnormalkind——yetasoundshehadheardbeforeatsomepastperiodofherlife——when，shecouldnotrecollect。Tomakeitthemoredisturbing，itseemedtobealmostclosetoher——eithercloseoutsidethewindow，closeunderthefloor，orcloseabovetheceiling。Theaccidentalfactofitscomingsoimmediatelyupontheheelsofhersupposition，toldsopowerfullyuponherexcitednervesthatshejumpedupinthebed。Thesameinstant，alittledoginsomeroomnear，havingprobablyheardthesamenoise，setupalowwhine。Thewatch-dogintheyard，hearingthemoanofhisassociate，begantohowlloudlyanddistinctly。Hismelancholynotesweretakenupdirectlyafterwardsbythedogsinthekennelalongwayoff，ineveryvarietyofwail。

Onelogicalthoughtalonewasabletoenterherflurriedbrain。Thelittledogthatbeganthewhiningmusthaveheardtheothertwosoundsevenbetterthanherself。Hehadtakennonoticeofthem，buthehadtakennoticeofthethird。Thethird，then，wasanunusualsound。

Itwasnotlikewater，itwasnotlikewind；itwasnotthenight-

jar，itwasnotaclock，norarat，norapersonsnoring。

Shecreptundertheclothes，andflungherarmstightlyroundMissAldclyffe，asifforprotection。Cythereaperceivedthatthelady\'slatepeacefulwarmthhadgivenplacetoasweat。Atthemaiden\'stouch，MissAldclyffeawokewithalowscream。

Sherememberedherpositioninstantly。\'Osuchaterribledream！\'

shecried，inahurriedwhisper，holdingtoCythereainherturn；

\'andyourtouchwastheendofit。Itwasdreadful。Time，withhiswings，hour-glass，andscythe，comingnearerandnearertome——

grinningandmocking：thenheseizedme，tookapieceofmeonly……ButIcan\'ttellyou。Ican\'tbeartothinkofit。Howthosedogshowl！Peoplesayitmeansdeath。\'

ThereturnofMissAldclyffetoconsciousnesswassufficienttodispelthewildfancieswhichthelonelinessofthenighthadwoveninCytherea\'smind。Shedismissedthethirdnoiseassomethingwhichinalllikelihoodcouldeasilybeexplained，iftroubleweretakentoinquireintoit：largehouseshadallkindsofstrangesoundsfloatingaboutthem。ShewasashamedtotellMissAldclyffeherterrors。

Asilenceoffiveminutes。

\'Areyouasleep？\'saidMissAldclyffe。

\'No，\'saidCytherea，inalong-drawnwhisper。

\'Howthosedogshowl，don\'tthey？\'

\'Yes。Alittledoginthehousebeganit。\'

\'Ah，yes：thatwasTotsy。Hesleepsonthematoutsidemyfather\'sbedroomdoor。Anervouscreature。\'

Therewasasilentintervalofnearlyhalf-an-hour。Aclockonthelandingstruckthree。

\'Areyouasleep，MissAldclyffe？\'whisperedCytherea。

\'No，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Howwretcheditisnottobeabletosleep，isn\'tit？\'

\'Yes，\'repliedCytherea，likeadocilechild。

Anotherhourpassed，andtheclockstruckfour。MissAldclyffewasstillawake。

\'Cytherea，\'shesaid，verysoftly。

Cythereamadenoanswer。Shewassleepingsoundly。

Thefirstglimmerofdawnwasnowvisible。MissAldclyffearose，putonherdressing-gown，andwentsoftlydownstairstoherownroom。

\'IhavenottoldherwhoIamafterall，orfoundouttheparticularsofAmbrose\'shistory，\'shemurmured。\'Butherbeinginlovealterseverything。\'

3。HALF-PASTSEVENTOTENO\'CLOCKA。M。

Cythereaawoke，quietinmindandrefreshed。AconclusiontoremainatKnapwaterwasalreadyinpossessionofher。

FindingMissAldclyffegone，shedressedherselfandsatdownatthewindowtowriteananswertoEdward\'sletter，andanaccountofherarrivalatKnapwatertoOwen。Thedismalandheart-breakingpicturesthatMissAldclyffehadplacedbeforehertheprecedingevening，thelaterterrorsofthenight，werenowbutasshadowsofshadows，andshesmiledinderisionatherownexcitability。

ButwritingEdward\'sletterwasthegreatconsoler，theeffectofeachworduponhimbeingenactedinherownfaceasshewroteit。

Shefelthowmuchshewouldliketosharehistrouble——howwellshecouldendurepovertywithhim——andwonderedwhathistroublewas。

Butallwouldbeexplainedatlast，sheknew。

AttheappointedtimeshewenttoMissAldclyffe\'sroom，intending，withthecontradictorinesscommoninpeople，toperformwithpleasure，asaworkofsupererogation，whatasadutywassimplyintolerable。

MissAldclyffewasalreadyoutofbed。Thebrightpenetratinglightofmorningmadeavastdifferenceintheelderlady\'sbehaviourtoherdependent；theday，whichhadrestoredCytherea\'sjudgment，hadeffectedthesameforMissAldclyffe。Thoughpracticalreasonsforbadeherregrettingthatshehadsecuredsuchacompanionablecreaturetoread，talk，orplaytoherwheneverherwhimrequired，shewasinwardlyvexedattheextenttowhichshehadindulgedinthewomanlyluxuryofmakingconfidencesandgivingwaytoemotions。

Fewwouldhavesupposedthatthecalmladysittingaristocraticallyatthetoilettable，seemingscarcelyconsciousofCytherea\'spresenceintheroom，evenwhengreetingher，wasthepassionatecreaturewhohadaskedforkissesafewhoursbefore。

Itisbothpainfulandsatisfactorytothinkhowoftentheseantithesesaretobeobservedintheindividualmostopentoourobservation——ourselves。Wepasstheeveningwithfaceslitupbysomeflaringilluminationorother：wegetupthenextmorning——thefieryjetshaveallgoneout，andnothingconfrontsusbutafewcrinkledpipesandsootywirework，hardlyevenrecallingtheoutlineoftheblazingpicturethatarrestedoureyesbeforebedtime。

Emotionswouldbehalfstarvediftherewerenocandle-light。

Probablynine-tenthsofthegushinglettersofindiscreetconfessionarewrittenafternineorteno\'clockintheevening，andsentoffbeforedayreturnstoleerinvidiouslyuponthem。Fewthatremainopentocatchourglanceasweriseinthemorning，survivethefrigidcriticismofdressing-time。

Thesubjectsuppermostinthemindsofthetwowomenwhohadthuscooledfromtheirfires，werenotthevisionaryonesofthelaterhours，butthehardfactsoftheirearlierconversation。AfteraremarkthatCythereaneednotassistherindressingunlessshewishedto，MissAldclyffesaidabruptly——

\'Icantellthatyoungman\'sname。\'ShelookedkeenlyatCytherea。

\'ItisEdwardSpringrove，mytenant\'sson。\'

Theinundationofcolourupontheyoungerladyathearinganamewhichtoherwasaworld，handledasifitwereonlyanatom，toldMissAldclyffethatshehaddivinedthetruthatlast。

\'Ah——itishe，isit？\'shecontinued。\'Well，Iwantedtoknowforpracticalreasons。HisexampleshowsthatIwasnotsofarwronginmyestimateofmenafterall，thoughIonlygeneralized，andhadnothoughtofhim。\'Thiswasperfectlytrue。

\'Whatdoyoumean？\'saidCytherea，visiblyalarmed。

\'Mean？Whythatalltheworldknowshimtobeengagedtobemarried，andthattheweddingissoontotakeplace。\'Shemadetheremarkbluntlyandsuperciliously，asiftoobtainabsolutionatthehandsofherfamilypridefortheweakconfidencesofthenight。

ButeventhefrigidityofMissAldclyffe\'smorningmoodwasovercomebythelookofsickandblankdespairwhichthecarelesslyutteredwordshadproduceduponCytherea\'sface。Shesankbackintoachair，andburiedherfaceinherhands。

\'Don\'tbesofoolish，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Come，makethebestofit。IcannotupsetthefactIhavetoldyouof，unfortunately。ButIbelievethematchcanbebrokenoff。\'

\'Ono，no。\'

\'Nonsense。Ilikedhimmuchasayouth，andIlikehimnow。I\'llhelpyoutocaptivateandchainhimdown。Ihavegotovermyabsurdfeelingoflastnightinnotwantingyouevertogoawayfromme——ofcourse，Icouldnotexpectsuchathingasthat。There，nowIhavesaidI\'llhelpyou，andthat\'senough。He\'stiredofhisfirstchoicenowthathe\'sbeenawayfromhomeforawhile。Thelovethatnoouterattackcanfrightenawayquailsbeforeitsidol\'sownhomelyways；itisalwaysso……Come，finishwhatyouaredoingifyouaregoingto，anddon\'tbealittlegooseaboutsuchatrumperyaffairasthat。\'

\'Who——isheengagedto？\'Cythereainquiredbyamovementofherlipsbutnosoundofhervoice。ButMissAldclyffedidnotanswer。Itmatterednot，Cythereathought。Anotherwoman——thatwasenoughforher：curiositywasstunned。

Sheappliedherselftotheworkofdressing，scarcelyknowinghow。

MissAldclyffewenton：——

\'Youweretooeasilywon。I\'dhavemadehimoranybodyelsespeakoutbeforeheshouldhavekissedmyfaceforhispleasure。Butyouareoneofthoseprecipitantlyfondthingswhoareyearningtothrowawaytheirheartsuponthefirstworthlessfellowwhosaysgood-

morning。Inthefirstplace，youshouldn\'thavelovedhimsoquickly：inthenext，ifyoumusthavelovedhimoff-hand，youshouldhaveconcealedit。Ittickledhisvanity：“ByJove，thatgirl\'sinlovewithmealready！”hethought。\'

Tohastenawayattheendofthetoilet，totellMrs。Morris——whostoodwaitinginalittleroompreparedforher，withteapouredout，bread-and-buttercutintodiaphanousslices，andeggsarranged——

thatshewantednobreakfast：thentoshutherselfaloneinherbedroom，washeronlythought。Shewasfollowedthitherbythewell-intentionedmatronwithacupofteaandonepieceofbread-

and-butteronatray，cheerfullyinsistingthatsheshouldeatit。

Tothosewhogrieve，innocentcheerfulnessseemsheartlesslevity。

\'No，thankyou，Mrs。Morris，\'shesaid，keepingthedoorclosed。

Despitetheincivilityoftheaction，Cythereacouldnotbeartoletapleasantpersonseeherfacethen。

Immediaterevocation——evenifrevocationwouldbemoreeffectivebypostponement——istheimpulseofyoungwoundednatures。Cythereawenttoherblotting-book，tookoutthelonglettersocarefullywritten，sofullofgushingremarksandtenderhints，andsealedupsoneatlywithalittlesealbearing\'GoodFaith\'asitsmotto，torethemissiveintofiftypieces，andthrewthemintothegrate。Itwasthenthebitterestofanguishestolookuponsomeofthewordsshehadsolovinglywritten，andseethemexistingonlyinmutilatedformswithoutmeaning——tofeelthathiseyewouldneverreadthem，nobodyeverknowhowardentlyshehadpennedthem。

Pityforone\'sselfforbeingwastedismostlypresentinthesemoodsofabnegation。

Themeaningofallhisallusions，hisabruptnessintellingherofhislove，hisconstraintatfirst，thenhisdesperatemannerofspeaking，wasclear。Theymusthavebeenthelastflickeringsofaconsciencenotquitedeadtoallsenseofperfidiousnessandfickleness。NowhehadgonetoLondon：shewouldbedismissedfromhismemory，inthesamewayasMissAldclyffehadsaid。AndhereshewasinEdward\'sownparish，remindedcontinuallyofhimbywhatshesawandheard。Thelandscape，yesterdaysomuchandsobrighttoher，wasnowbutasthebanquet-halldeserted——allgonebutherself。

MissAldclyffehadwormedhersecretoutofher，andwouldnowbecontinuallymockingherforhertrustingsimplicityinbelievinghim。Itwasaltogetherunbearable：shewouldnotstaythere。

ShewentdownstairsandfoundMissAldclyffehadgoneintothebreakfast-room，butthatCaptainAldclyffe，whoroselaterwithincreasinginfirmities，hadnotyetmadehisappearance。Cythereaentered。MissAldclyffewaslookingoutofthewindow，watchingatrailofwhitesmokealongthedistantlandscape——signifyingapassingtrain。AtCytherea\'sentrysheturnedandlookedinquiry。

\'Imusttellyounow，\'beganCytherea，inatremulousvoice。

\'Well，what？\'MissAldclyffesaid。

\'Iamnotgoingtostaywithyou。Imustgoaway——averylongway。

Iamverysorry，butindeedIcan\'tremain！\'

\'Pooh——whatshallwehearnext？\'MissAldclyffesurveyedCytherea\'sfacewithleisurelycriticism。\'YouarebreakingyourheartagainaboutthatworthlessyoungSpringrove。Iknewhowitwouldbe。ItisasHallamsaysofJuliet——whatlittlereasonyoumayhavepossessedoriginallyhasallbeenwhirledawaybythislove。I

shan\'ttakethisnotice，mind。\'

\'Doletmego！\'

MissAldclyffetookhernewpet\'shand，andsaidwithseverity，\'Astohinderingyou，ifyouaredeterminedtogo，ofcoursethat\'sabsurd。Butyouarenotnowinastateofmindfitfordecidinguponanysuchproceeding，andIshallnotlistentowhatyouhavetosay。Now，Cythie，comewithme；we\'llletthisvolcanoburstandspenditself，andafterthatwe\'llseewhathadbetterbedone。\'

ShetookCythereaintoherworkroom，openedadrawer，anddrewfortharolloflinen。

\'ThisissomeembroideryIbeganoneday，andnowIshouldlikeitfinished。\'

ShethenprecededthemaidenupstairstoCytherea\'sownroom。

\'There，\'shesaid，\'nowsitdownhere，goonwiththiswork，andrememberonething——thatyouarenottoleavetheroomonanypretextwhateverfortwohoursunlessIsendforyou——Iinsistkindly，dear。Whilstyoustitch——youaretostitch，recollect，andnotgomooningoutofthewindow——thinkoverthewholematter，andgetcooled；don\'tletthefoolishlove-affairpreventyourthinkingasawomanoftheworld。Ifattheendofthattimeyoustillsayyoumustleaveme，youmay。Iwillhavenomoretosayinthematter。Come，sitdown，andpromisetositherethetimeIname。\'

Toheartsinadespairingmood，compulsionseemsarelief；anddocilitywasatalltimesnaturaltoCytherea。Shepromised，andsatdown。MissAldclyffeshutthedooruponherandretreated。

Shesewed，stoppedtothink，shedatearortwo，recollectedthearticlesofthetreaty，andsewedagain；andatlengthfellintoareveriewhichtooknoaccountwhateverofthelapseoftime。

4。TENTOTWELVEO\'CLOCKA。M。

Aquarterofanhourmighthavepassedwhenherthoughtsbecameattractedfromthepasttothepresentbyunwontedmovementsdownstairs。Sheopenedthedoorandlistened。

Therewerehurryingsalongpassages，openingandshuttingofdoors，tramplinginthestable-yard。Shewentacrossintoanotherbedroom，fromwhichaviewofthestable-yardcouldbeobtained，andarrivedtherejustintimetoseethefigureofthemanwhohaddrivenherfromthestationvanishingdownthecoach-roadonablackhorse——

gallopingatthetopoftheanimal\'sspeed。

Anothermanwentoffinthedirectionofthevillage。

Whateverhadoccurred，itdidnotseemtobeherdutytoinquireormeddlewithit，strangeranddependentasshewas，unlessshewererequestedto，especiallyafterMissAldclyffe\'sstrictchargetoher。Shesatdownagain，determinedtoletnoidlecuriosityinfluencehermovements。

Herwindowcommandedthefrontofthehouse；andthenextthingshesawwasaclergymanwalkupandenterthedoor。

Allwassilentagaintill，alongtimeafterthefirstmanhadleft，hereturnedagainonthesamehorse，nowmattedwithsweatandtrottingbehindacarriageinwhichsatanelderlygentlemandrivenbyaladinlivery。Thesecametothehouse，entered，andallwasagainthesameasbefore。

Thewholehousehold——master，mistress，andservants——appearedtohaveforgottentheveryexistenceofsuchabeingasCytherea。Shealmostwishedshehadnotvowedtohavenoidlecuriosity。

Half-an-hourlater，thecarriagedroveoffwiththeelderlygentleman，andtwoorthreemessengersleftthehouse，speedinginvariousdirections。Rusticsinsmock-frocksbegantohangabouttheroadoppositethehouse，orleanagainsttrees，lookingidlyatthewindowsandchimneys。

AtapcametoCytherea\'sdoor。Sheopenedittoayoungmaid-

servant。

\'MissAldclyffewishestoseeyou，ma\'am。\'Cythereahasteneddown。

MissAldclyffewasstandingonthehearthrug，herelbowonthemantel，herhandtohertemples，hereyesontheground；perfectlycalm，butverypale。

\'Cytherea，\'shesaidinawhisper，\'comehere。\'

Cythereawentclose。

\'Somethingveryserioushastakenplace，\'shesaidagain，andthenpaused，withatremulousmovementofhermouth。

\'Yes，\'saidCytherea。

\'Myfather。Hewasfounddeadinhisbedthismorning。\'

\'Dead！\'echoedtheyoungerwoman。Itseemedimpossiblethattheannouncementcouldbetrue；thatknowledgeofsogreatafactcouldbecontainedinastatementsosmall。

\'Yes，dead，\'murmuredMissAldclyffesolemnly。\'Hediedalone，thoughwithinafewfeetofme。Theroomwesleptinisexactlyoverhisown。\'

Cythereasaidhurriedly，\'Dotheyknowatwhathour？\'

\'Thedoctorsaysitmusthavebeenbetweentwoandthreeo\'clockthismorning。\'

\'ThenIheardhim！\'

\'Heardhim？\'

\'Heardhimdie！\'

\'Youheardhimdie？Whatdidyouhear？\'

\'AsoundIheardoncebeforeinmylife——atthedeathbedofmymother。Icouldnotidentifyit——thoughIrecognizedit。Thenthedoghowled：youremarkedit。IdidnotthinkitworthwhiletotellyouwhatIhadheardalittleearlier。\'Shelookedagonized。

\'Itwouldhavebeenuseless，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Allwasoverbythattime。\'SheaddressedherselfasmuchasCythereawhenshecontinued，\'IsitaProvidencewhosentyouhereatthisjuncturethatImightnotbeleftentirelyalone？\'

TillthisinstantMissAldclyffehadforgottenthereasonofCytherea\'sseclusioninherownroom。SohadCythereaherself。Thefactnowrecurredtobothinonemoment。

\'Doyoustillwishtogo？\'saidMissAldclyffeanxiously。

\'Idon\'twanttogonow，\'Cythereahadremarkedsimultaneouslywiththeother\'squestion。ShewasponderingonthestrangelikenesswhichMissAldclyffe\'sbereavementboretoherown；ithadtheappearanceofbeingstillanothercalltohernottoforsakethiswomansolinkedtoherlife，forthesakeofanytrivialvexation。

MissAldclyffeheldheralmostasaloverwouldhaveheldher，andsaidmusingly——

\'Wegetmoreandmoreintoonegroove。Inowamleftfatherlessandmotherlessasyouwere。\'Othertieslaybehindinherthoughts，butshedidnotmentionthem。

\'Youlovedyourfather，Cytherea，andweptforhim？\'

\'Yes，Idid。Poorpapa！\'

\'Iwasalwaysatvariancewithmine，andcan\'tweepforhimnow！

Butyoumuststayherealways，andmakeabetterwomanofme。\'

Thecompactwasthussealed，andCytherea，inspiteofthefailureofheradvertisements，wasinstalledasaveritableCompanion。And，oncemoreinthehistoryofhumanendeavour，apositionwhichitwasimpossibletoreachbyanydirectattempt，wascometobytheseeker\'sswervingfromthepath，andregardingtheoriginalobjectasoneofsecondaryimportance。

VII。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENDAYS

1。AUGUSTTHESEVENTEENTH

Thetimeofdaywasfouro\'clockintheafternoon。Theplacewasthelady\'sstudyorboudoir，KnapwaterHouse。ThepersonwasMissAldclyffesittingtherealone，clothedindeepmourning。

ThefuneraloftheoldCaptainhadtakenplace，andhiswillhadbeenread。Itwasveryconcise，andhadbeenexecutedaboutfiveyearsprevioustohisdeath。Itwasattestedbyhissolicitors，Messrs。NyttletonandTayling，ofLincoln\'sInnFields。Thewholeofhisestate，realandpersonal，wasbequeathedtohisdaughterCytherea，forhersoleandabsoluteuse，subjectonlytothepaymentofalegacytotherector，theirrelative，andafewsmallamountstotheservants。

MissAldclyffehadnotchosentheeasiestchairofherboudoirtositin，orevenachairofordinarycomfort，butanuncomfortable，high，narrow-backed，oakframedandseatedchair，whichwasallowedtoremainintheroomonlyonthegroundofbeingacompanioninartisticquaintnesstoanoldcofferbesideit，andwasneverusedexcepttostandintoreachforabookfromthehighestrowofshelves。Butshehadsaterectinthischairformorethananhour，forthereasonthatshewasutterlyunconsciousofwhatheractionsandbodilyfeelingswere。Thechairhadstoodnearestherpathonenteringtheroom，andshehadgonetoitinadream。

Shesatintheattitudewhichdenotesunflagging，intense，concentratedthought——asifshewerecastinbronze。Herfeetweretogether，herbodybentalittleforward，andquiteunsupportedbythebackofthechair；herhandsonherknees，hereyesfixedintentlyonthecornerofafootstool。

Atlastshemovedandtappedherfingersuponthetableatherside。

Herpent-upideashadfinallyfoundsomechanneltoadvancein。

Motionsbecamemoreandmorefrequentasshelabouredtocarryfurtherandfurthertheproblemwhichoccupiedherbrain。Shesatbackanddrewalongbreath：shesatsidewaysandleantherforeheaduponherhand。Laterstillshearose，walkedupanddowntheroom——atfirstabstractedly，withherfeaturesasfirmlysetasever；butbydegreesherbrowrelaxed，herfootstepsbecamelighterandmoreleisurely；herheadrodegracefullyandwasnolongerbowed。Sheplumedherselflikeaswanafterexertion。

\'Yes，\'shesaidaloud。\'TogetHIMherewithoutlettinghimknowthatIhaveanyotherobjectthanthatofgettingausefulman——

that\'sthedifficulty——andthatIthinkIcanmaster。\'

Sherangforthenewmaid，aplacidwomanoffortywithafewgreyhairs。

\'AskMissGrayeifshecancometome。\'

Cythereawasnotfaroff，andcamein。

\'Doyouknowanythingaboutarchitectsandsurveyors？\'saidMissAldclyffeabruptly。

\'Knowanything？\'repliedCytherea，poisingherselfonhertoetoconsiderthecompassofthequestion。

\'Yes——knowanything，\'saidMissAldclyffe。

\'Owenisanarchitectandsurveyor\'sdraughtsman，\'themaidensaid，andthoughtofsomebodyelsewhowaslikewise。

\'Yes！that\'swhyIaskedyou。Whatarethedifferentkindsofworkcomprisedinanarchitect\'spractice？Theylayoutestates，andsuperintendthevariousworksdoneuponthem，Ishouldthink，amongotherthings？\'

\'Thoseare，moreproperly，alandorbuildingsteward\'sduties——atleastIhavealwaysimaginedso。Countryarchitectsincludethosethingsintheirpractice；cityarchitectsdon\'t。\'

\'Iknowthat，child。Butasteward\'sisanindefinitefastandlooseprofession，itseemstome。Shouldn\'tyouthinkthatamanwhohadbeenbroughtupasanarchitectwoulddoforasteward？\'

Cythereahaddoubtswhetheranarchitectpurewoulddo。

Thechiefpleasureconnectedwithaskinganopinionliesinnotadoptingit。MissAldclyffereplieddecisively——

\'Nonsense；ofcoursehewould。YourbrotherOwenmakesplansforcountrybuildings——suchascottages，stables，homesteads，andsoon？\'

\'Yes；hedoes。\'

\'Andsuperintendsthebuildingofthem？\'

\'Yes；hewillsoon。\'

\'Andhesurveysland？\'

\'Oyes。\'

\'Andheknowsabouthedgesandditches——howwidetheyoughttobe，boundaries，levelling，plantingtreestokeepawaythewinds，measuringtimber，housesforninety-nineyears，andsuchthings？\'

\'Ihaveneverheardhimsaythat；butIthinkMr。Gradfielddoesthosethings。Owen，Iamafraid，isinexperiencedasyet。\'

\'Yes；yourbrotherisnotoldenoughforsuchapostyet，ofcourse。

Andthentherearerent-days，theauditandwindingupoftradesmen\'saccounts。Iamafraid，Cytherea，youdon\'tknowmuchmoreaboutthematterthanIdomyself……Iamgoingoutjustnow，\'shecontinued。\'Ishallnotwantyoutowalkwithmeto-day。

Runawaytilldinner-time。\'

MissAldclyffewentoutofdoors，anddownthestepstothelawn：

thenturningtotheleft，throughashrubbery，sheopenedawicketandpassedintoaneglectedandleafycarriage-drive，leadingdownthehill。Thisshefollowedtillshereachedthepointofitsgreatestdepression，whichwasalsothelowestgroundinthewholegrove。

Thetreeshereweresointerlaced，andhungtheirbranchessoneartheground，thatawholesummer\'sdaywasscarcelylongenoughtochangetheairpervadingthespotfromitsnormalstateofcoolnesstoevenatemporarywarmth。Theunvaryingfreshnesswashelpedbythenearnessofthegroundtothelevelofthesprings，andbythepresenceofadeep，sluggishstreamcloseby，equallywellshadedbybushesandahighwall。Followingtheroad，whichnowranalongatthemarginofthestream，shecametoanopeninginthewall，ontheothersideofthewater，revealingalargerectangularnookfromwhichthestreamproceeded，coveredwithfroth，andaccompaniedbyadullroar。Twomoresteps，andshewasoppositethenook，infullviewofthecascadeformingitsfurtherboundary。Overthetopcouldbeseenthebrightouterskyintheformofacrescent，causedbythecurveofabridgeacrosstherapids，andthetreesabove。

Beautifulaswasthesceneshedidnotlookinthatdirection。Thesamestanding-groundaffordedanotherprospect，straightinthefront，lesssombrethanthewaterontherightorthetreesallaround。Theavenueandgrovewhichflankeditabruptlyterminatedafewyardsahead，wherethegroundbegantorise，andontheremoteedgeofthegreenswardthuslaidopen，stoodallthatremainedoftheoriginalmanor-house，towhichthedarkmargin-lineofthetreesintheavenueformedanadequateandwell-fittingframe。ItwasthepicturethuspresentedthatwasnowinterestingMissAldclyffe——notartisticallyorhistorically，butpractically——asregardeditsfitnessforadaptationtomodernrequirements。

Infront，detachedfromeverythingelse，rosethemostancientportionofthestructure——anoldarchedgateway，flankedbythebasesoftwosmalltowers，andnearlycoveredwithcreepers，whichhadclamberedovertheeavesofthesinkingroof，andupthegabletothecrestoftheAldclyffefamilyperchedontheapex。Behindthis，atadistanceoftenortwentyyards，cametheonlyportionofthemainbuildingthatstillexisted——anElizabethanfragment，consistingofasmuchascouldbecontainedunderthreegablesandacrossroofbehind。Againstthewallcouldbeseenraggedlinesindicatingtheformofotherdestroyedgableswhichhadoncejoineditthere。Themullionedandtransomedwindows，containingfiveorsixlights，weremostlybrickeduptotheextentoftwoorthree，andtheremainingportionfittedwithcottagewindow-framescarelesslyinserted，tosuitthepurposetowhichtheoldplacewasnowapplied，itbeingpartitionedoutintosmallroomsdownstairstoformcottagesfortwolabourersandtheirfamilies；theupperportionwasarrangedasastorehousefordiverskindsofrootsandfruit。

Theownerofthepicturesquespot，afterhersurveyfromthispoint，wentuptothewallsandwalkedintotheoldcourt，wherethepaving-stoneswerepushedsidewaysandupwardsbythethrustofthegrassesbetweenthem。Twoorthreelittlechildren，withtheirfingersintheirmouths，cameouttolookather，andthenranintotelltheirmothersinloudtonesofsecrecythatMissAldclyffewascoming。MissAldclyffe，however，didnotcomein。Sheconcludedhersurveyoftheexteriorbymakingacompletecircuitofthebuilding；thenturnedintoanookashortdistanceoffwhereroundandsquaretimber，asaw-pit，planks，grindstones，heapsofbuildingstoneandbrick，explainedthatthespotwasthecentreofoperationsforthebuildingworkdoneontheestate。

Shepaused，andlookedaround。Amanwhohadseenherfromthewindowoftheworkshopsbehind，cameoutandrespectfullyliftedhishattoher。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadbeenseenwalkingoutsidethehousesinceherfather\'sdeath。

\'Strooden，couldtheOldHousebemadeadecentresidenceof，withoutmuchtrouble？\'sheinquired。

Themechanicconsidered，andspokeaseachconsiderationcompleteditself。

\'Youdon\'tforget，ma\'am，thattwo-thirdsoftheplaceisalreadypulleddown，orgonetoruin？\'

\'Yes；Iknow。\'

\'Andthatwhat\'sleftmayalmostaswellbe，ma\'am。\'

\'Whymayit？\'

\'\'Twassocutupinsidewhentheymadeitintocottages，thatthewholecarcaseisfullofcracks。\'

\'Stillbypullingdowntheinsertedpartitions，andaddingalittleoutside，itcouldbemadetoanswerthepurposeofanordinarysixoreight-roomedhouse？\'

\'Yes，ma\'am。\'

\'Aboutwhatwoulditcost？\'wasthequestionwhichhadinvariablycomenextineverycommunicationofthiskindtowhichthesuperintendingworkmanhadbeenapartyduringhiswholeexperience。

Tohissurprise，MissAldclyffedidnotputit。Themanthoughtherobjectinalteringanoldhousemusthavebeenanunusuallyabsorbingonenottopromptwhatwassoinstinctiveinownersashardlytorequireanypromptingatall。

\'Thankyou：that\'ssufficient，Strooden，\'shesaid。\'Youwillunderstandthatitisnotunlikelysomealterationmaybemadehereinashorttime，withreferencetothemanagementoftheaffairs。\'

Stroodensaid\'Yes，\'inacomplexvoice，andlookeduneasy。

\'DuringthelifeofCaptainAldclyffe，withyouastheforemanofworks，andhehimselfashisownsteward，everythingworkedwell。

Butnowitmaybenecessarytohaveasteward，whosemanagementwillencroachfurtheruponthingswhichhavehithertobeenleftinyourhandsthandidyourlatemaster\'s。WhatImeanis，thathewilldirectlyandindetailsuperintendall。\'

\'Then——Ishallnotbewanted，ma\'am？\'hefaltered。

\'Oyes；ifyouliketostayonasforemanintheyardandworkshopsonly。Ishouldbesorrytoloseyou。However，youhadbetterconsider。Iwillsendforyouinafewdays。\'

Leavinghimtosuspense，andalltheillsthatcameinitstrain——

distractedapplicationtohisduties，andanundefinednumberofsleeplessnightsanduntasteddinners，MissAldclyffelookedatherwatchandreturnedtotheHouse。Shewasabouttokeepanappointmentwithhersolicitor，Mr。Nyttleton，whohadbeentoBudmouth，andwascomingtoKnapwateronhiswaybacktoLondon。

2。AUGUSTTHETWENTIETH

OntheSaturdaysubsequenttoMr。Nyttleton\'svisittoKnapwaterHouse，thesubjoinedadvertisementappearedintheFieldandtheBuildernewspapers：——

\'LANDSTEWARD。

\'AgentlemanofintegrityandprofessionalskillisrequiredimmediatelyfortheMANAGEMENTofanESTATE，containingabout1000

acres，uponwhichagriculturalimprovementsandtheerectionofbuildingsarecontemplated。Hemustbeamanofsuperioreducation，unmarried，andnotmorethanthirtyyearsofage。Considerablepreferencewillbeshownforonewhopossessesanartisticaswellasapracticalknowledgeofplanningandlayingout。Theremunerationwillconsistofasalaryof22Opounds，withtheoldmanor-houseasaresidence——AddressMessrs。NyttletonandTayling，solicitors，Lincoln\'sInnFields。\'

AcopyofeachpaperwassenttoMissAldclyffeonthedayofpublication。ThesameeveningshetoldCythereathatshewasadvertisingforasteward，whowouldliveattheoldmanor-house，showingherthepaperscontainingtheannouncement。

Whatwasthedriftofthatremark？thoughtthemaiden；orwasitmerelymadetoherinconfidentialintercourse，asotherarrangementsweretoldherdaily。Yetitseemedtohavemoremeaningthancommon。Sherememberedtheconversationaboutarchitectsandsurveyors，andherbrotherOwen。MissAldclyffeknewthathissituationwasprecarious，thathewaswelleducatedandpractical，andwasapplyinghimselfheartandsoultothedetailsoftheprofessionandallconnectedwithit。MissAldclyffemightbereadytotakehimifhecouldcompetesuccessfullywithotherswhowouldreply。Shehazardedaquestion：

\'WoulditbedesirableforOwentoanswerit？\'

\'Notatall，\'saidMissAldclyffeperemptorily。

AflatanswerofthiskindhadceasedtoalarmCytherea。MissAldclyffe\'sbluntmoodwasnotherworst。Cythereathoughtofanotherman，whosename，inspiteofresolves，tears，renunciationsandinjuredpride，lingeredinherearslikeanoldfamiliarstrain。

Thatmanwasqualifiedforastewardshipunderaking。

\'WoulditbeofanyuseifEdwardSpringroveweretoanswerit？\'shesaid，resolutelyenunciatingthename。

\'Nonewhatever，\'repliedMissAldclyffe，againinthesamedecidedtone。

\'Youareveryunkindtospeakinthatway。\'

\'Nowdon\'tpoutlikeagoosie，asyouare。Idon\'twantmenlikeeitherofthem，for，ofcourse，Imustlooktothegoodoftheestateratherthantothatofanyindividual。ThemanIwantmusthavebeenmorespeciallyeducated。IhavetoldyouthatwearegoingtoLondonnextweek；itismostlyonthisaccount。\'

CythereafoundthatshehadmistakenthedriftofMissAldclyffe\'speculiarexplicitnessonthesubjectofadvertising，andwrotetotellherbrotherthatifhesawthenoticeitwouldbeuselesstoreply。

3。AUGUSTTHETWENTY-FIFTH

Fivedaysaftertheabove-mentioneddialoguetookplacetheywenttoLondon，and，withscarcelyaminute\'spause，tothesolicitors\'

officesinLincoln\'sInnFields。

Theyalightedoppositeoneofthecharacteristicentrancesabouttheplace——agatewhichwasnever，andcouldneverbe，closed，flankedbylamp-standardscarryingnolamp。Rustwastheonlyactiveagenttobeseenthereatthistimeofthedayandyear。Thepalingsalongthefrontwererustedawayattheirbasetothethinnessofwires，andthesuccessivecoatsofpaint，withwhichtheywereoverlaidinbygonedays，hadbeencompletelyunderminedbythesameinsidiouscanker，whichliftedoffthepaintinflakes，leavingtherawsurfaceoftheirononpalings，standards，andgatehinges，ofastaringblood-red。

Butonceinsidetherailingsthepicturechanged。Thecourtandofficeswereacompletecontrasttothegrandruinoftheoutworkwhichenclosedthem。Well-paintedrespectabilityextendedover，within，andaroundthedoorstep；andinthecarefullysweptyardnotaparticleofdustwasvisible。

Mr。Nyttleton，whohadjustcomeupfromMargate，wherehewasstayingwithhisfamily，wasstandingatthetopofhisownstaircaseasthepairascended。Hepolitelytooktheminside。

\'Isthereacomfortableroominwhichthisyoungladycansitduringourinterview？\'saidMissAldclyffe。

ItwasratherafavouritehabitofherstomakemuchofCythereawhentheywereout，andsnubherforitafterwardswhentheygothome。

\'Certainly——Mr。Tayling\'s。\'Cythereawasshownintoaninnerroom。

Socialdefinitionsareallmaderelatively：anabsolutedatumisonlyimagined。ThesmallgentryaboutKnapwaterseemedunpractisedtoMissAldclyffe，MissAldclyffeherselfseemedunpractisedtoMr。

Nyttleton\'sexperiencedoldeyes。

\'Nowthen，\'theladysaid，whenshewasalonewiththelawyer；\'whatistheresultofouradvertisement？\'

Itwaslatesummer；theestate-agency，building，engineering，andsurveyingworldsweredull。Therewereforty-fiverepliestotheadvertisement。

Mr。NyttletonspreadthemonebyonebeforeMissAldclyffe。\'Youwillprobablyliketoreadsomeofthemyourself，madam？\'hesaid。

\'Yes，certainly，\'saidshe。

\'Iwillnottroubleyouwiththosewhicharefrompersonsmanifestlyunfitatfirstsight，\'hecontinued；andbeganselectingfromtheheaptwosandthreeswhichhehadmarked，collectingothersintohishand。

\'Themanwewantliesamongthese，ifmyjudgmentdoesn\'tdeceiveme，andfromthemitwouldbeadvisabletoselectacertainnumbertobecommunicatedwith。\'

\'Ishouldliketoseeeveryone——onlyjusttoglancethemover——

exactlyastheycame，\'shesaidsuasively。

Helookedasifhethoughtthisawasteofhistime，butdismissinghissentimentunfoldedeachsinglyandlaiditbeforeher。Ashelaidthemout，itstruckhimthatshestudiedthemquiteasrapidlyashecouldspreadthem。Heslylyglancedupfromtheoutercornerofhiseyetohers，andnoticedthatallshedidwaslookatthenameatthebottomoftheletter，andthenputtheenclosureasidewithoutfurtherceremony。Hethoughtthisanoddwayofinquiringintothemeritsofforty-fivemenwhoatconsiderabletroublegaveindetailreasonswhytheybelievedthemselveswellqualifiedforacertainpost。Shecametothefinalone，andputitdownwiththerest。

Thentheladysaidthatinheropinionitwouldbebesttogetasmanyrepliesastheypossiblycouldbeforeselecting——\'togiveusawiderchoice。Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Nyttleton？\'

Itseemedtohim，hesaid，thatagreaternumberthanthosetheyalreadyhadwouldscarcelybenecessary，andiftheywaitedformore，therewouldbethisdisadvantageattendingit，thatsomeofthosetheynowcouldcommandwouldpossiblynotbeavailable。

\'Nevermind，wewillrunthatrisk，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Lettheadvertisementbeinsertedoncemore，andthenwewillcertainlysettlethematter。\'

Mr。Nyttletonbowed，andseemedtothinkMissAldclyffe，forasinglewoman，andonewhotillsoveryrecentlyhadneverconcernedherselfwithbusinessofanykind，averymeddlesomeclient。Butshewasrich，andhandsomestill。\'She\'sanewbroominestate-

managementasyet，\'hethought。\'Shewillsoongettiredofthis，\'

andhepartedfromherwithoutasentimentwhichcouldmarhishabitualblandness。

Thetwoladiesthenproceededwestward。DismissingthecabinWaterlooPlace，theywentalongPallMallonfoot，whereinplaceoftheusualwell-dressedclubbists——rubicundwithalcohol——weretobeseen，inlinenpinafores，flocksofhouse-painterspallidfromwhitelead。WhentheyhadreachedtheGreenPark，Cythereaproposedthattheyshouldsitdownawhileundertheyoungelmsatthebrowofthehill。Thistheydid——thegrowlofPiccadillyontheirlefthand——

themonasticseclusionofthePalaceontheirright：beforethem，theclocktoweroftheHousesofParliament，standingforthwithametalliclustreagainstalividLambethsky。

MissAldclyffestillcarriedinherhandacopyofthenewspaper，andwhileCythereahadbeeninterestingherselfinthepicturearound，glancedagainattheadvertisement。

Sheheavedaslightsigh，andbegantofolditupagain。Intheactionhereyecaughtsightoftwoconsecutiveadvertisementsonthecover，onerelatingtosomelectureonArt，andaddressedtomembersoftheInstituteofArchitects。Theotheremanatedfromthesamesource，butwasaddressedtothepublic，andstatedthattheexhibitionofdrawingsattheInstitute\'sroomswouldcloseattheendofthatweek。

Hereyelightedup。ShesentCythereabacktothehotelinacab，thenturnedroundbyPiccadillyintoBondStreet，andproceededtotheroomsoftheInstitute。Thesecretarywassittinginthelobby。

Aftermakingherpayment，andlookingatafewofthedrawingsonthewalls，inthecompanyofthreegentlemen，theonlyothervisitorstotheexhibition，sheturnedbackandaskedifshemightbeallowedtoseealistofthemembers。Shewasalittleconnectedwiththearchitecturalworld，shesaid，withasmile，andwasinterestedinsomeofthenames。

\'Hereitis，madam，\'hereplied，politelyhandingherapamphletcontainingthenames。

MissAldclyffeturnedtheleavestillshecametotheletterM。Thenameshehopedtofindtherewasthere，withtheaddressappended，aswasthecasewithalltherest。

TheaddresswasatsomechambersinastreetnotfarfromCharingCross。\'Chambers，\'asaresidence，hadalwaysbeenassumedbytheladytoimplytheconditionofabachelor。Shemurmuredtwowords，\'Therestill。\'

Anotherrequesthadyettobemade，butitwasofamorenoticeablekindthanthefirst，andmightcompromisethesecrecywithwhichshewishedtoactthroughoutthisepisode。Herobjectwastogetoneoftheenvelopeslyingonthesecretary\'stable，stampedwiththedieoftheInstitute；andinordertogetitshewasabouttoaskifshemightwriteanote。

Butthesecretary\'sbackchancedtobeturned，andhenowwenttowardsoneofthemenattheotherendoftheroom，whohadcalledhimtoasksomequestionrelatingtoanetchingonthewall。Quickasthought，MissAldclyffestoodbeforethetable，slippedherhandbehindher，tookoneoftheenvelopesandputitinherpocket。

Shesaunteredroundtheroomsfortwoorthreeminuteslonger，thenwithdrewandreturnedtoherhotel。

HereshecuttheKnapwateradvertisementfromthepaper，putitintotheenvelopeshehadstolen，embossedwiththesociety\'sstamp，anddirecteditinaroundclerklyhandtotheaddressshehadseeninthelistofmembers\'namessubmittedtoher：——

AENEASMANSTON，ESQ。，WYKEHAMCHAMBERS，SPRINGGARDENS。

Thisendedherfirstday\'sworkinLondon。

4。FROMAUGUSTTHETWENTY-SIXTHTOSEPTEMBERTHEFIRST

ThetwoCythereascontinuedattheWestminsterHotel，MissAldclyffeinforminghercompanionthatbusinesswoulddetaintheminLondonanotherweek。Thedayspassedasslowlyandquietlyasdayscanpassinacityatthattimeoftheyear，theshutteredwindowsaboutthesquaresandterracesconfrontingtheireyeslikethewhiteandsightlessorbsofblindmen。OnThursdayMr。Nyttletoncalled，bringingthewholenumberofrepliestotheadvertisement。Cythereawaspresentattheinterview，byMissAldclyffe\'srequest——eitherfromwhimordesign。

Tenadditionallettersweretheresultofthesecondweek\'sinsertion，makingfifty-fiveinall。MissAldclyffelookedthemoverasbefore。Onewassigned——

AENEASMANSTON，133，TURNGATESTREET，LIVERPOOL。

\'Now，then，Mr。Nyttleton，willyoumakeaselection，andIwilladdoneortwo，\'MissAldclyffesaid。

Mr。Nyttletonscannedthewholeheapofletters，testimonials，andreferences，sortingthemintotwoheaps。Manston\'smissive，afteramereglance，wasthrownamongstthesummarilyrejectedones。

MissAldclyfferead，orpretendedtoreadafterthelawyer。Whenhehadfinished，fivelayinthegrouphehadselected。\'Wouldyouliketoaddtothenumber？\'hesaid，turningtothelady。

\'No，\'shesaidcarelessly。\'Well，twoorthreeadditionalonesrathertookmyfancy，\'sheadded，searchingforsomeinthelargercollection。

Shedrewoutthree。OnewasManston\'s。

\'Theseeight，then，shallbecommunicatedwith，\'saidthelawyer，takinguptheeightlettersandplacingthembythemselves。

Theystoodup。\'IfImyself，MissAldclyffe，wereonlyconcernedpersonally，\'hesaid，inanoff-handway，andholdingupalettersingly，\'Ishouldchoosethismanunhesitatingly。Hewriteshonestly，isnotafraidtonamewhathedoesnotconsiderhimselfwellacquaintedwith——ararethingtofindinanswerstoadvertisements；heiswellrecommended，andpossessessomequalitiesrarelyfoundincombination。Oddlyenough，heisnotreallyasteward。Hewasbredafarmer，studiedbuildingaffairs，servedonanestateforsometime，thenwentwithanarchitect，andisnowwellqualifiedasarchitect，estateagent，andsurveyor。Thatmanissuretohaveafineheadforamanorlikeyours。\'Hetappedtheletterashespoke。\'Yes，Ishouldchoosehimwithouthesitation——

speakingpersonally。\'

\'AndIthink，\'shesaidartificially，\'Ishouldchoosethisoneasamatterofmerepersonalwhim，which，ofcourse，can\'tbegivenwaytowhenpracticalquestionshavetobeconsidered。\'

Cytherea，afterlookingoutofthewindow，andthenatthenewspapers，hadbecomeinterestedintheproceedingsbetweenthecleverMissAldclyffeandthekeenoldlawyer，whichremindedherofagameatcards。Shelookedinquiringlyatthetwoletters——oneinMissAldclyffe\'shand，theotherinMr。Nyttleton\'s。

\'Whatisthenameofyourman？\'saidMissAldclyffe。

\'Hisname——\'saidthelawyer，lookingdownthepage；\'whatishisname？——itisEdwardSpringrove。\'

MissAldclyffeglancedtowardsCytherea，whowasgettingredandpalebyturns。ShelookedimploringlyatMissAldclyffe。

\'Thenameofmyman，\'saidMissAldclyffe，lookingatherletterinturn；\'is，Ithink——yes——AEneasManston。\'

5。SEPTEMBERTHETHIRD

Thenextmorningbutonewasappointedfortheinterviews，whichweretobeatthelawyer\'soffices。Mr。NyttletonandMr。Taylingwerebothintownfortheday，andthecandidateswereadmittedonebyoneintoaprivateroom。InthewindowrecesswasseatedMissAldclyffe，wearingherveildown。

Thelawyerhad，inhisletterstotheselectednumber，timedeachcandidateatanintervaloftenorfifteenminutesfromthoseprecedingandfollowing。Theywereshowninastheyarrived，andhadshortconversationswithMr。Nyttleton——terse，andtothepoint。

MissAldclyffeneithermovednorspokeduringthisproceeding；itmighthavebeensupposedthatshewasquiteunmindfulofit，haditnotbeenforwhatwasrevealedbyakeenpenetrationoftheveilcoveringhercountenance——theraysfromtwobrightblackeyes，directedtowardsthelawyerandhisinterlocutor。

Springrovecamefifth；Manstonseventh。Whentheexaminationofallwasended，andthelastmanhadretired，Nyttleton，againasattheformertime，blandlyaskedhisclientwhichoftheeightshepersonallypreferred。\'Istillthinkthefifthwespoketo，Springrove，themanwhoseletterIpounceduponatfirst，tobebyfarthebestqualified，inshort，mostsuitablegenerally。\'

\'IamsorrytosaythatIdifferfromyou；Ileantomyfirstnotionstill——thatMr——Mr。Manstonismostdesirableintoneandbearing，andevenspecifically；Ithinkhewouldsuitmebestinthelong-

run。\'

Mr。Nyttletonlookedoutofthewindowatthewhitenedwallofthecourt。

\'Ofcourse，madam，youropinionmaybeperfectlysoundandreliable；

asortofinstinct，Iknow，oftenleadsladiesbyashortcuttoconclusionstruerthanthosecometobymenafterlaboriousround-

aboutcalculations，basedonlongexperience。ImustsayI

shouldn\'trecommendhim。\'

\'Why，pray？\'

\'Well，letuslookfirstathisletterofanswertotheadvertisement。Hedidn\'treplytillthelastinsertion；that\'sonething。Hisletterisboldandfrankintone，soboldandfrankthatthesecondthoughtafterreadingitisthatnothonesty，butunscrupulousnessofconsciencedictatedit。Itiswritteninanindifferentmood，asifhefeltthathewashumbuggingusinhisstatementthathewastherightmanforsuchanoffice，thathetriedhardtogetitonlyasamatterofformwhichrequiredthatheshouldneglectnoopportunitythatcameinhisway。\'

\'Youmayberight，Mr。Nyttleton，butIdon\'tquiteseethegroundsofyourreasoning。\'

\'Hehasbeen，asyouperceive，almostentirelyusedtotheofficedutiesofacityarchitect，theexperiencewedon\'twant。Youwantamanwhoseacquaintancewithrurallandedpropertiesismorepracticalandcloser——somebodywho，ifhehasnotfilledexactlysuchanofficebefore，haslivedacountrylife，knowstheinsandoutsofcountrytenancies，building，farming，andsoon。\'

\'He\'sbyfarthemostintellectuallookingofthemall。\'

\'Yes；hemaybe——youropinion，MissAldclyffe，isworthmorethanmineinthatmatter。Andmorethanyousay，heisamanofparts——

hisbrainpowerwouldsoonenablehimtomasterdetailsandfithimforthepost，Idon\'tmuchdoubtthat。Buttospeakclearly\'(herehiswordsstartedoffatajog-trot)\'Iwouldn\'truntheriskofplacingthemanagementofanestateofmineinhishandsonanyaccountwhatever。There，that\'sflatandplain，madam。\'

\'But，definitely，\'shesaid，withashowofimpatience，\'whatisyourreason？\'

\'Heisavoluptuarywithactivity；whichisaverybadformofman——

asbadasitisrare。\'

\'Oh。Thankyouforyourexplicitstatement，Mr。Nyttleton，\'saidMissAldclyffe，startingalittleandflushingwithdispleasure。

Mr。Nyttletonnoddedslightly，asasortofneutralmotion，simplysignifyingareceiptoftheinformation，goodorbad。

\'AndIreallythinkitishardlyworthwhiletotroubleyoufurtherinthis，\'continuedthelady。\'He\'squitegoodenoughforalittleinsignificantplacelikemineatKnapwater；andIknowthatIcouldnotgetonwithoneoftheothersforasinglemonth。We\'lltryhim。\'

\'Certainly，MissAldclyffe，\'saidthelawyer。AndMr。Manstonwaswrittento，totheeffectthathewasthesuccessfulcompetitor。

\'Didyouseehowunmistakablyhertemperwasgettingthebetterofher，thatminuteyouwereintheroom？\'saidNyttletontoTayling，whentheirclienthadleftthehouse。Nyttletonwasamanwhosurveyedeverybody\'scharacterinasunlessandshadowlessnorthernlight。Aculpableslyness，whichmarkedhimasaboy，hadbeenmouldedbyTime，theImprover，intohonourablecircumspection。

Wefrequentlyfindthatthequalitywhich，conjoinedwiththesimplicityofthechild，isvice，isvirtuewhenitpervadestheknowledgeoftheman。

\'Shewasasnearasdamn-ittoboilingoverwhenIaddedupherman，\'continuedNyttleton。\'Hishandsomefaceishisqualificationinhereyes。Theyhavemetbefore；Isawthat。\'

\'Hedidn\'tseemconsciousofit，\'saidthejunior。

\'Hedidn\'t。Thatwasratherpuzzlingtome。Butstill，ifeverawoman\'sfacespokeoutplainlythatshewasinlovewithaman，hersdidthatshewaswithhim。Pooroldmaid，she\'salmostoldenoughtobehismother。IfthatManston\'saschemerhe\'llmarryher，assureasIamNyttleton。Let\'shopehe\'shonest，however。\'

\'Idon\'tthinkshe\'sinlovewithhim，\'saidTayling。Hehadseenbutlittleofthepair，andyethecouldnotreconcilewhathehadnoticedinMissAldclyffe\'sbehaviourwiththeideathatitwasthebearingofawomantowardsherlover。

\'Well，yourexperienceofthefieryphenomenonismorerecentthanmine，\'rejoinedNyttletoncarelessly。\'Andyoumayrememberthenatureofitbest。\'

VIII。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENDAYS

1。FROMTHETHIRDTOTHENINETEENTHOFSEPTEMBER

MissAldclyffe\'stendernesstowardsCytherea，betweenthehoursofherirascibility，increasedtillitbecamenolessthandotingfondness。LikeNatureinthetropics，withherhurricanesandthesubsequentluxuriantvegetationeffacingtheirravages，MissAldclyffecompensatedforheroutburstsbyexcessofgenerosityafterwards。Sheseemedtobecompletelywonoutofherselfbyclosecontactwithayoungwomanwhosemodestywasabsolutelyunimpaired，andwhoseartlessnesswasasperfectaswascompatiblewiththecomplexitynecessarytoproducetheduecharmofwomanhood。

Cytherea，onherpart，perceivedwithhonestsatisfactionthatherinfluenceforgoodoverMissAldclyffewasconsiderable。Ideasandhabitspeculiartotheyounger，whichtheelderladyhadoriginallyimitatedasamerewhim，shegrewincourseoftimetotakeapositivedelightin。Amongotherswereeveningandmorningprayers，dreamingoverout-doorscenes，learningaversefromsomepoemwhilstdressing。

Yettrytoforcehersympathiesasmuchasshewould，Cythereacouldfeelnomorethanthankfulforthis，evenifshealwaysfeltasmuchasthankful。Themysteriouscloudhangingoverthepastlifeofhercompanion，ofwhichtheuncertainlightalreadythrownuponitonlyseemedtorenderstilldarkertheunpenetratedremainder，nourishedinherafeelingwhichwasscarcelytooslighttobecalleddread。

Shewouldhaveinfinitelypreferredtobetreateddistantly，asthemeredependent，bysuchachangeablenature——likeafountain，alwaysherself，yetalwaysanother。Thatacrimeofanydeepdyehadeverbeenperpetratedorparticipatedinbyhernamesake，shewouldnotbelieve；buttherecklessadventuringofthelady\'syouthseemedconnectedwithdeedsofdarknessratherthanoflight。

SometimesMissAldclyffeappearedtobeonthepointofmakingsomeabsorbingconfidence，butreflectioninvariablyrestrainedher。

Cythereahopedthatsuchaconfidencewouldcomewithtime，andthatshemightthusbeameansofsoothingamindwhichhadobviouslyknownextremesuffering。

ButMissAldclyffe\'sreticenceconcerningherpastwasnotimitatedbyCytherea。Thoughsheneverdisclosedtheonefactofherknowledgethatthelove-suitbetweenMissAldclyffeandherfatherterminatedabnormally，themaiden\'snaturalingenuousnessonsubjectsnotsetdownforspecialguardhadenabledMissAldclyffetowormfromher，fragmentbyfragment，everydetailofherfather\'shistory。CythereasawhowdeeplyMissAldclyffesympathized——anditcompensatedher，tosomeextent，forthehastyresentmentsofothertimes。

Thusuncertainlyshelivedon。ItwasperceivedbytheservantsoftheHousethatsomesecretbondofconnectionexistedbetweenMissAldclyffeandhercompanion。Buttheywerewomanandwoman，notwomanandman，thefactswereetherealandrefined，andsotheycouldnotbeworkedupintoatakingstory。Whether，asoldcriticsdisputed，asupernaturalmachinerybenecessarytoanepicorno，anungodlymachineryisdecidedlynecessarytoascandal。

AnotherletterhadcometoherfromEdward——veryshort，butfullofentreaty，askingwhyshewouldnotwritejustoneline——justonelineofcoldfriendshipatleast？Shethenallowedherselftothink，littlebylittle，whethershehadnotperhapsbeentooharshwithhim；andatlastwonderedifhewerereallymuchtoblameforbeingengagedtoanotherwoman。\'Ah，Brain，thereisoneinmestrongerthanyou！\'shesaid。Theyoungmaidnowcontinuallypulledouthisletter，readitandre-readit，almostcryingwithpitythewhile，tothinkwhatwretchedsuspensehemustbeenduringathersilence，tillherheartchidherforhercruelty。Shefeltthatshemustsendhimaline——onelittleline——justaweelinetokeephimalive，poorthing；sighinglikeDonnaClara——

\'Ah，werehenowbeforeme，Inspiteofinjuredpride，IfearmyeyeswouldpardonBeforemytonguecouldchide。\'

2。SEPTEMBERTHETWENTIETH。THREETOFOURP。M。

ItwasthethirdweekinSeptember，aboutfiveweeksafterCytherea\'sarrival，whenMissAldclyfferequestedheronedaytogothroughthevillageofCarrifordandassistherselfincollectingthesubscriptionsmadebysomeoftheinhabitantsoftheparishtoareligioussocietyshepatronized。MissAldclyffeformedoneofwhatwascalledaLadies\'Association，eachmemberofwhichcollectedtributarystreamsofshillingsfromherinferiors，toaddtoherownpoundattheend。

MissAldclyffetookparticularinterestinCytherea\'sappearancethatafternoon，andtheobjectofherattentionwas，indeed，gratifyingtolookat。Thesightofthelithegirl，setoffbyanairydress，coquettishjacket，flexiblehat，arayofstarlightineacheyeandawarofliliesandrosesineachcheek，wasapalpablepleasuretothemistressofthemansion，yetapleasurewhichappearedtopartakelessofthenatureofaffectionatesatisfactionthanofmentalgratification。

EightnameswereprintedinthereportasbelongingtoMissAldclyffe\'slist，withtheamountofsubscription-moneyattachedtoeach。

\'Iwillcollectthefirstfour，whilstyoudothesamewiththelastfour，\'saidMissAldclyffe。

ThenamesoftwotradespeoplestoodfirstinCytherea\'sshare：thencameaMissHinton：lastofallintheprintedlistwasMr。

Springrovetheelder。Underneathhisnamewaspencilled，inMissAldclyffe\'shandwriting，\'Mr。Manston。\'

Manstonhadarrivedontheestate，inthecapacityofsteward，threeorfourdayspreviously，andoccupiedtheoldmanor-house，whichhadbeenalteredandrepairedforhisreception。

\'CallonMr。Manston，\'saidtheladyimpressively，lookingatthenamewrittenunderCytherea\'sportionofthelist。

\'Buthedoesnotsubscribeyet？\'

\'Iknowit；butcallandleavehimareport。Don\'tforgetit。\'

\'Sayyouwouldbepleasedifhewouldsubscribe？\'

\'Yes——sayIshouldbepleasedifhewould，\'repeatedMissAldclyffe，smiling。\'Good-bye。Don\'thurryinyourwalk。Ifyoucan\'tgeteasilythroughyourtaskto-dayputoffsomeofittillto-morrow。\'

Eachthenstartedonherrounds：Cythereagoinginthefirstplacetotheoldmanor-house。Mr。Manstonwasnotindoors，whichwasarelieftoher。Shecalledthenonthetwogentleman-farmers\'wives，whosoontransactedtheirbusinesswithher，frigidlyindifferenttoherpersonality。Apersonwhosociallyisnothingisthoughtlessofbypeoplewhoarenotmuchthanbythosewhoareagreatdeal。

ShethenturnedtowardsPeakhillCottage，theresidenceofMissHinton，wholivedtherehappilyenough，withanelderlyservantandahouse-dogascompanions。Herfather，andlastremainingparent，hadretiredthitherfouryearsbeforethistime，afterhavingfilledthepostofeditortotheCasterbridgeChronicleforeighteenortwentyyears。Therehediedsoonafter，andthoughcomparativelyapoorman，helefthisdaughtersufficientlywellprovidedforasamodestfundholderandclaimantofsundrysmallsumsindividendstomaintainherselfasmistressatPeakhill。

AtCytherea\'sknockaninnerdoorwasheardtoopenandclose，andfootstepscrossedthepassagehesitatingly。ThenextminuteCythereastoodfacetofacewiththeladyherself。

AdelaideHintonwasaboutnine-and-twentyyearsofage。Herhairwasplentiful，likeCytherea\'sown；herteethequalledCytherea\'sinregularityandwhiteness。Butshewasmuchpaler，andhadfeaturestootransparenttobeinplaceamonghouseholdsurroundings。HermouthexpressedlovelessforciblythanCytherea\'s，and，asanaturalresultofhergreatermaturity，hertreadwaslesselastic，andshewasmoreself-possessed。

Shehadbeenagirlofthatkindwhichmotherspraiseasnotforward，bywayofcontrast，whendisparagingthosewarmeroneswithwhomlovingisanendandnotameans。Menofforty，too，saidofher，\'agoodsensiblewifeforanyman，ifshecarestomarry，\'thecaringtomarrybeingthrowninasthevaguesthypothesis，becauseshewassopractical。Yetitwouldbesingularif，insuchcases，theimportantsubjectofmarriageshouldbeexcludedfrommanipulationbyhandsthatarereadyforpracticalperformanceineverydomesticconcernbesides。