第5章

Cythereawasanacquisition，andthegreetingwashearty。

\'Goodafternoon！Oyes——MissGraye，fromMissAldclyffe\'s。Ihaveseenyouatchurch，andIamsogladyouhavecalled！Comein。I

wonderifIhavechangeenoughtopaymysubscription。\'Shespokegirlishly。

Adelaide，wheninthecompanyofayoungerwoman，alwayslevelledherselfdowntothatyoungerwoman\'sagefromasenseofjusticetoherself——asif，thoughnotherownageatcommonlaw，itwasinequity。

\'Itdoesn\'tmatter。I\'llcomeagain。\'

\'Yes，doatanytime；notonlyonthiserrand。Butyoumuststepinforaminute。Do。\'

\'Ihavebeenwantingtocomeforseveralweeks。\'

\'That\'sright。Nowyoumustseemyhouse——lonely，isn\'tit，forasingleperson？Peoplesaiditwasoddforayoungwomanlikemetokeeponahouse；butwhatdidIcare？Ifyouknewthepleasureoflockingupyourowndoor，withthesensationthatyoureignedsupremeinsideit，youwouldsayitwasworththeriskofbeingcalledodd。Mr。Springroveattendstomygardening，thedogattendstorobbers，andwheneverthereisasnakeortoadtokill，Janedoesit。\'

\'Hownice！Itisbetterthanlivinginatown。\'

\'Farbetter。Atownmakesacynicofme。\'

Theremarkrecalled，somewhatstartlingly，toCytherea\'smind，thatEdwardhadusedthoseverywordstoherselfoneeveningatBudmouth。

MissHintonopenedaninteriordoorandledhervisitorintoasmalldrawing-roomcommandingaviewofthecountryformiles。

Themissionarybusinesswassoonsettled；butthechatcontinued。

\'Howlonelyitmustbehereatnight！\'saidCytherea。\'Aren\'tyouafraid？\'

\'AtfirstIwas，slightly。ButIgotusedtothesolitude。Andyouknowasortofcommonsensewillcreepevenintotimidity。Isaytomyselfsometimesatnight，“IfIwereanybodybutaharmlesswoman，notworththetroubleofaworm\'sghosttoappeartome，IshouldthinkthateverysoundIhearwasaspirit。“Butyoumustseeallovermyhouse。\'

Cythereawashighlyinterestedinseeing。

\'IsayyouMUSTdothis，andyouMUSTdothat，asifyouwereachild，\'remarkedAdelaide。\'Aprivilegedfriendofminetellsmethisuseoftheimperativecomesofbeingsoconstantlyinnobody\'ssocietybutmyown。\'

\'Ah，yes。Isupposesheisright。\'

Cythereacalledthefriend\'she\'byaruleofladylikepractice；forawoman\'s\'friend\'isdelicatelyassumedbyanotherfriendtobeoftheirownsexintheabsenceofknowledgetothecontrary；justascatsarecalledshe\'suntiltheyprovethemselveshe\'s。

MissHintonlaughedmysteriously。

\'Igetahumorousreproofforitnowandthen，Iassureyou，\'shecontinued。

\'“Humorousreproof：“that\'snotfromawoman：whocanreprovehumorouslybutaman？\'wasthegrooveofCytherea\'sthoughtattheremark。\'Yourbrotherreprovesyou，Iexpect，\'saidthatinnocentyounglady。

\'No，\'saidMissHinton，withacandidair。\'\'TisonlyaprofessionalmanIamacquaintedwith。\'Shelookedoutofthewindow。

Womenarepersistentlyimitative。NosoonerdidathoughtflashthroughCytherea\'smindthatthemanwasaloverthanshebecameaMissAldclyffeinamildform。

\'Iimaginehe\'salover，\'shesaid。

MissHintonsmiledasmileofexperienceinthatline。

Fewwomen，iftaxedwithhavinganadmirer，aresofreefromvanityastodenytheimpeachment，evenifitisutterlyuntrue。Whenitdoeshappentobetrue，theylookpityinglyawayfromthepersonwhoissobenightedastohavegotnofurtherthansuspectingit。

\'Therenow——MissHinton；youareengagedtobemarried！\'saidCythereaaccusingly。

Adelaidenoddedherheadpractically。\'Well，yes，Iam，\'shesaid。

Theword\'engaged\'hadnosoonerpassedCytherea\'slipsthanthesoundofit——themeresoundofherownlips——carriedhermindtothetimeandcircumstancesunderwhichMissAldclyffehadusedittowardsherself。Asickeningthoughtfollowed——basedbutonameresurmise；yetitspresencetookeveryotherideaawayfromCytherea\'smind。MissHintonhadusedEdward\'swordsabouttowns；shementionedMr。Springroveasattendingtohergarden。ItcouldnotbethatEdwardwastheman！thatMissAldclyffehadplannedtorevealherrivalthus！

\'Areyougoingtobemarriedsoon？\'sheinquired，withasteadinesstheresultofasortoffascination，butapparentlyofindifference。

\'Notverysoon——still，soon。\'

\'Ah-ha！Inlessthanthreemonths？\'saidCytherea。

\'Two。\'

Nowthatthesubjectwaswellinhand，Adelaidewantednomoreprompting。\'Youwon\'ttellanybodyifIshowyousomething？\'shesaid，witheagermystery。

\'Ono，nobody。Butdoesheliveinthisparish？\'

\'No。\'

Nothingprovedyet。

\'What\'shisname？\'saidCythereaflatly。Herbreathandhearthadbeguntheiroldtricks，andcameandwenthotly。MissHintoncouldnotseeherface。

\'Whatdoyouthink？\'saidMissHinton。

\'George？\'saidCytherea，withdeceitfulagony。

\'No，\'saidAdelaide。\'Butnow，youshallseehimfirst；comehere；\'

andsheledthewayupstairsintoherbedroom。There，standingonthedressingtableinalittleframe，wastheunconsciousportraitofEdwardSpringrove。

\'Thereheis，\'MissHintonsaid，andasilenceensued。

\'Areyouveryfondofhim？\'continuedthemiserableCythereaatlength。

\'Yes，ofcourseIam，\'hercompanionreplied，butinthetoneofonewho\'livedinAbraham\'sbosomalltheyear，\'andwasthereforeuntouchedbysolemnthoughtatthefact。\'He\'smycousin——anativeofthisvillage。Wewereengagedbeforemyfather\'sdeathleftmesolonely。Iwasonlytwenty，andamuchgreaterbellethanIamnow。Weknoweachotherthoroughly，asyoumayimagine。Igivehimalittlesermonizingnowandthen。\'

\'Why？\'

\'O，it\'sonlyinfun。He\'sverynaughtysometimes——notreally，youknow——buthewilllookatanyprettyfacewhenheseesit。\'

Storingupthisstatementofhissusceptibilityasanotheritemtobemiserableuponwhenshehadtime，\'Howdoyouknowthat？\'

Cythereaasked，withaswellingheart。

\'Well，youknowhowthingsdocometowomen\'sears。HeusedtoliveatBudmouthasanassistant-architect，andIfoundoutthatayounggiddythingofagirlwholivestheresomewheretookhisfancyforadayortwo。ButIdon\'tfeeljealousatall——ourengagementissomatter-of-factthatneitherofuscanbejealous。Anditwasamereflirtation——shewastoosillyforhim。He\'sfondofrowing，andkindlygaveheranairingforaneveningortwo。I\'llwarranttheytalkedthemostunmitigatedrubbishunderthesun——allshallownessandpastime，justaseverythingisatwateringplaces——neitherofthemcaringabitfortheother——shegigglinglikeagooseallthetime——\'

Concentratedessenceofwomanpervadedtheroomratherthanair。

\'SheDIDN\'T！anditWASN\'Tshallowness！\'Cythereaburstout，withbrimmingeyes。\'\'Twasdeepdeceitononeside，andentireconfidenceontheother——yes，itwas！\'Thepent-upemotionhadswollenandswolleninsidetheyoungthingtillthedamcouldnolongerembayit。Theinstantthewordswereoutshewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletorecallthem。

\'Doyouknowher——orhim？\'saidMissHinton，startingwithsuspicionatthewarmthshown。

Thetworivalshadnowlosttheirpersonalityquite。Therewasthesamekeenbrightnessofeye，thesamemovementofthemouth，thesamemindinboth，astheylookeddoubtinglyandexcitedlyateachother。Asisinvariablythecasewithwomenwhenamantheycareforisthesubjectofanexcitementamongthem，thesituationabstractedthedifferenceswhichdistinguishedthemasindividuals，andleftonlythepropertiescommontothemasatomsofasex。

Cythereacaughtatthechanceaffordedherofnotbetrayingherself。

\'Yes，Iknowher，\'shesaid。

\'Well，\'saidMissHinton，\'Iamreallyvexedifmyspeakingsolightlyofanyfriendofyourshashurtyourfeelings，but——\'

\'O，nevermind，\'Cythereareturned；\'itdoesn\'tmatter，MissHinton。

IthinkImustleaveyounow。Ihavetocallatotherplaces。Yes——

Imustgo。\'

MissHinton，inaperplexedstateofmind，showedhervisitorpolitelydownstairstothedoor。HereCythereabadeherahurriedadieu，andflitteddownthegardenintothelane。

Sheperseveredinherdutieswithawaywardpleasureingivingherselfmisery，aswasherwont。Mr。Springrove\'snamewasnextonthelist，andsheturnedtowardshisdwelling，theThreeTrantersInn。

3。FOURTOFIVEP。M。

ThecottagesalongCarrifordvillagestreetwerenotsoclosebutthatononesideorotheroftheroadwasalwaysahedgeofhawthornorprivet，overorthroughwhichcouldbeseengardensororchardsrichwithproduce。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheearlyapple-

harvest，andtheladentreeswereshakenatintervalsbythegatherers；thesoftpatteringofthefallingcropuponthegrassygroundbeingdiversifiedbytheloudrattleofvagrantonesuponarail，hencoop，basket，orlean-toroof，orupontheroundedandstoopingbacksofthecollectors——mostlychildren，whowouldhavecriedbitterlyatreceivingsuchasmartblowfromanyotherquarter，butsmilinglyassumedittobebutfuninapples。

TheThreeTrantersInn，amany-gabled，mediaevalbuilding，constructedalmostentirelyoftimber，plaster，andthatch，stoodclosetothelineoftheroadside，almostoppositethechurchyard，andwasconnectedwitharowofcottagesontheleftbythatchedoutbuildings。Itwasanuncommonlycharacteristicandhandsomespecimenofthegenuineroadsideinnofbygonetimes；andstandingononeofthegreathighwaysinthispartofEngland，hadinitstimebeenthesceneofasmuchofwhatisnowlookeduponastheromanticandgenialexperienceofstage-coachtravellingasanyhalting-placeinthecountry。Therailwayhadabsorbedthewholestreamoftrafficwhichformerlyflowedthroughthevillageandalongbytheancientdooroftheinn，reducingtheempty-handedlandlord，whousedonlytofarmafewfieldsatthebackofthehouse，tothenecessityofekingouthisattenuatedincomebyincreasingtheextentofhisagriculturalbusinessifhewouldstillmaintainhissocialstanding。Nexttothegeneralstillnesspervadingthespot，thelonglineofoutbuildingsadjoiningthehousewasthemoststrikingandsaddeningwitnesstothepassed-awayfortunesoftheThreeTrantersInn。Itwasthebulkoftheoriginalstabling，andwhereoncethehoofsoftwo-scorehorseshaddailyrattledoverthestonyyard，toandfromthestallswithin，thickgrassnowgrew，whilstthelineofroofs——oncesostraight——overthedecayedstalls，hadsunkintovasthollowstilltheyseemedlikethecheeksoftoothlessage。

Onagreenplotattheotherendofthebuildinggrewtwoorthreelarge，wide-spreadingelm-trees，fromwhichthesignwassuspended——

representingthethreemencalledtranters(irregularcarriers)，standingsidebyside，andexactlyaliketoahair\'s-breadth，thegrainofthewoodandjointsoftheboardsbeingvisiblethroughthethinpaintdepictingtheirforms，whichwerestillfurtherdisfiguredbyredstainsrunningdownwardsfromtherustynailsabove。

Underthetreesnowstoodacider-millandpress，anduponthespotshelteredbytheboughsweregatheredMr。Springrovehimself，hismen，theparishclerk，twoorthreeothermen，grindersandsupernumeraries，awomanwithaninfantinherarms，aflockofpigeons，andsomelittleboyswithstrawsintheirmouths，endeavouring，wheneverthemen\'sbackswereturned，togetasipofthesweetjuiceissuingfromthevat。

EdwardSpringrovetheelder，thelandlord，nowmoreparticularlyafarmer，andfortwomonthsintheyearacider-maker，wasanemployeroflabouroftheoldschool，whoworkedhimselfamonghismen。Hewasnowengagedinpackingthepomaceintohorsehairbagswitharammer，andGadWeedy，hisman，wasoccupiedinshovellingupmorefromatubathisside。Theshovelshonelikesilverfromtheactionofthejuice，andeverandanon，initsmotiontoandfro，caughttheraysofthedecliningsunandreflectedtheminbristlingstarsoflight。

Mr。SpringrovehadbeentooyoungamanwhenthepristinedaysoftheThreeTrantershaddepartedforevertohavemuchofthehostleftinhimnow。Hewasapoetwitharoughskin：onewhosesturdinesswasmoretheresultofexternalcircumstancesthanofintrinsicnature。Tookindlyconstitutedtobeveryprovident，hewasyetnotimprudent。Hehadaquiethumorousnessofdisposition，notoutofkeepingwithafrequentmelancholy，thegeneralexpressionofhiscountenancebeingoneofabstraction。LikeWaltWhitmanhefeltashisyearsincreased——

\'Iforeseetoomuch；itmeansmorethanIthought。\'

Onthepresentoccasionheworegaitersandaleathernapron，andworkedwithhisshirt-sleevesrolledupbeyondhiselbows，disclosingsolidandfleshyratherthanmusculararms。Theywerestainedbythecider，andtwoorthreebrownapple-pipsfromthepomacehewashandlingweretobeseenstickingonthemhereandthere。

TheotherprominentfigurewasthatofRichardCrickett，theparishclerk，akindofBowdlerizedrake，whoateonlyasmuchasawoman，andhadtherheumatisminhislefthand。Theremainderofthegroup，brown-facedpeasants，woresmock-frocksembroideredontheshoulderswithheartsanddiamonds，andweregirtroundtheirmiddlewithastrap，anotherbeingwornroundtherightwrist。

\'Andhaveyouseenthesteward，Mr。Springrove？\'saidtheclerk。

\'Justaglimpseofhim；but\'twasjustenoughtoshowmethathe\'snothereforlong。\'

\'Whymidthatbe？\'

\'He\'llneverstandthevagariesofthefemalefigureholdenthereins——nothe。\'

\'Shed\'payenwell，\'saidagrinder；\'andmoney\'smoney。\'

\'Ah——\'tis：verymuchso，\'theclerkreplied。

\'Yes，yes，naibourCrickett，\'saidSpringrove，\'butshe\'llvleeinapassion——allthefatwillbeinthefire——andthere\'sanendo\'t……Yes，sheisaone，\'continuedthefarmer，resting，raisinghiseyes，andreadingthefeaturesofadistantapple。

\'Sheis，\'saidGad，restingtoo(itiswonderfulhowpromptajourneymanisinfollowinghismaster\'sinitiativetorest)andreflectivelyregardingthegroundinfrontofhim。

\'True：aoneisshe，\'theclerkchimedin，shakinghisheadominously。

\'Shehassuchatemper，\'saidthefarmer，\'andissowilfultoo。

Youmayaswelltrytostopafootpathasstopherwhenshehastakenanythingintoherhead。I\'dassoongrindlittlegreencrabsalldayaslivewi\'her。\'

\'\'Tisatempershehev，\'tis，\'theclerkreplied，\'thoughIbeaservantoftheChurchthatsayit。Butsheisn\'tgoentofleeinapassionthistime。\'

Theaudiencewaitedforthecontinuationofthespeech，asiftheyknewfromexperiencetheexactdistanceoffitlayinthefuture。

Theclerkswallowednothingasifitwereagreatdeal，andthenwenton，\'There\'ssome\'atbetween\'em：markmywords，naibours——

there\'ssome\'atbetween\'em。\'

\'D\'yemeanit？\'

\'Id\'knowit。HecamelastSaturday，didn\'the？\'

\'\'Adid，truly，\'saidGadWeedy，atthesametimetakinganapplefromthehopperofthemill，eatingapiece，andflingingbacktheremaindertobegroundupforcider。

\'Hewenttochurcha-Sunday，\'saidtheclerkagain。

\'\'Adid。\'

\'Andshekepthereyeuponenalltheservice，herfaceflickerenbetweenredandwhite，butneverstoppenateither。\'

Mr。Springrovenodded，andwenttothepress。

\'Well，\'saidtheclerk，\'youdon\'tcallherthekindo\'womantomakemistakesinjusttrottenthroughtheweeklyserviceo\'God？

Why，asaruleshe\'sasrightasIbemyself。\'

Mr。Springrovenoddedagain，andgaveatwisttothescrewofthepress，followedinthemovementbyGadattheotherside；thetwogrindersexpressingbylooksofthegreatestconcernthat，ifMissAldclyffewereasrightatchurchastheclerk，shemustberightindeed。

\'Yes，asrightintheserviceo\'GodasIbemyself，\'repeatedtheclerk。\'ButlastSunday，whenwewereinthetenthcommandment，saysshe，“Inclineourheartstokeepthislaw，“saysshe，when\'twas“Lawsinourhearts，webeseechThee，“allthechurchthrough。

HereyewasuponHIM——shewasquitelost——“Heartstokeepthislaw，“

saysshe；shewasnomorethanamereshadderatthattenthtime——amereshadder。Youmi\'tha\'mouthedacrosstoher“LawsinourheartswebeseechThee，“fiftytimesover——she\'dneverha\'noticedye。She\'sinlovewi\'theman，that\'swhatsheis。\'

\'Thenshe\'sabiggerstunpollthanItookherfor，\'saidMr。

Springrove。\'Why，she\'soldenoughtobehismother。\'

\'Therow\'llbebetweenherandthatyoungCurlywig，you\'llsee。Shewon\'truntheriskofthatprettyfacebe-ennear。\'

\'ClerkCrickett，Id\'fancyyoud\'knoweverythingabouteverybody，\'

saidGad。

\'Wellso\'s，\'saidtheclerkmodestly。\'Idoknowalittle。Itcomestome。\'

\'AndId\'knowwherefrom。\'

\'Ah。\'

\'Thatwifeo\'thine。She\'sanentertainenwoman，nottospeakdisrespectful。\'

\'Sheis：andawinnenone。Lookatthehusbandsshe\'vehad——Godblessher！\'

\'Iwonderyoucouldstandthirdinthatlist，ClerkCrickett，\'saidMr。Springrove。

\'Well，\'thasbeenapowero\'marveltomyselfoftentimes。Yes，matrimonydobeginwi\'“Dearlybeloved，“andendswi\'“Amazement，“

astheprayer-booksays。ButwhatcouldIdo，naibourSpringrove？

\'Twasordainedtobe。WelldoIcalltomindwhatyourpoorladysaidtomewhenIhadjustmarried。“Ah，Mr。Crickett，“saysshe，“yourwifewillsoonsettleyouasshedidherothertwo：here\'saglasso\'rum，forIshan\'tseeyourpoorfacethistimenextyear。“

Iswalleredtherum，calledagainnextyear，andsaid，“Mrs。

Springrove，yougavemeaglasso\'rumlastyearbecauseIwasgoingtodie——hereIbealivestill，yousee。““Wellsaid，clerk！Here\'stwoglassesforyounow，then，“saysshe。“Thankyou，mem，“I

said，andswalleredtherum。Well，dangmyoldsides，nextyearI

thoughtI\'dcallagainandgetthree。AndcallIdid。Butshewouldn\'tgivemeadropo\'thecommonest。“No，clerk，“saysshe，“youbetootoughforawoman\'spity。“……Ah，poorsoul，\'twastrueenough！HerebeI，thatwasexpectedtodie，aliveandhardasanail，yousee，andthere\'sshemouldereninhergrave。\'

\'Iusedtothink\'twasyourwife\'sfatenottohavealivenhusbandwhenIzid\'emdieoffso，\'saidGad。

\'Fate？Blessthysimplicity，so\'twasherfate；butshestruggledtohaveone，andwould，anddid。Fate\'snothenbesideawoman\'sschemen！\'

\'Isuppose，then，thatFateisaHe，likeus，andtheLord，andtheresto\'\'emupabovethere，\'saidGad，liftinghiseyestothesky。

\'Hullo！Here\'stheyoungwomancomenthatwewerea-talkenaboutby-now，\'saidagrinder，suddenlyinterrupting。\'She\'scomenuphere，asIbealive！\'

ThetwogrindersstoodandregardedCythereaasifshehadbeenashiptackingintoaharbour，nearlystoppingthemillintheirnewinterest。

\'Stylishaccoutrementsabouttheheadandshoulders，tomythinken，\'

saidtheclerk。\'Sheenencurls，andplentyo\'em。\'

\'Ifthere\'sonekindofpridemoreexcusablethananotherinayoungwoman，\'tisbeingproudofherhair，\'saidMr。Springrove。

\'Dearman！——thepridethereisonlyasmallpieceo\'thewhole。I

warrantnow，thoughshecanshowsuchafigure，sheha\'n\'tasticko\'furnituretocallherown。\'

\'Come，ClerkCrickett，letthemaidbeamaidwhilesheisamaid，\'

saidFarmerSpringrovechivalrously。

\'O，\'repliedtheservantoftheChurch；\'I\'venothentosayagainstit——Ono：

\'“Thechimney-sweeper\'sdaughterSueAsIhavehearddeclare，O，Althoughshe\'sneithersocknorshoeWillcurlanddeckherhair，O。“\'

Cythereawasratherdisconcertedatfindingthatthegradualcessationofthechoppingofthemillwasonheraccount，andstillmorewhenshesawallthecider-makers\'eyesfixeduponherexceptMr。Springrove\'s，whosenaturaldelicacyrestrainedhim。Shenearedtheplotofgrass，butinsteadofadvancingfurther，hesitatedonitsborder。

Mr。Springroveperceivedherembarrassment，whichwasrelievedwhenshesawhisold-establishedfigurecomingacrosstoher，wipinghishandsinhisapron。

\'Iknowyourerrand，missie，\'hesaid，\'andamgladtoseeyou，andattendtoit。I\'llstepindoors。\'

\'IfyouarebusyIaminnohurryforaminuteortwo，\'saidCytherea。

\'Thenifsobeyoureallywouldn\'tmind，we\'llwringdownthislastfillingtoletitdrainallnight？\'

\'Notatall。Iliketoseeyou。\'

\'Weareonlyjustgrindingdowntheearlypickthongsandgriffins，\'

continuedthefarmer，inahalf-apologetictonefordetainingbyhiscider-makinganywell-dressedwoman。\'Theyrotasblackasachimney-crookifwekeep\'emtilltheregularsturnin。\'Ashespokehewentbacktothepress，Cythereakeepingathiselbow。

\'I\'mlaterthanIshouldhavebeenbyrights，\'hecontinued，takingupaleverforpropellingthescrew，andbeckoningtothementocomeforward。\'Thetruthis，mysonEdwardhadpromisedtocometo-

day，andImadepreparations；butinsteadofhimcomesaletter：

“London，Septembertheeighteenth，DearFather，“sayshe，andwentontotellmehecouldn\'t。Itthrewmeoutabit。\'

\'Ofcourse，\'saidCytherea。

\'He\'sgotaplace\'ab\'lieve？\'saidtheclerk，drawingnear。

\'No，poormortalfellow，no。Hetriedforthisonehere，youknow，butcouldn\'tmanagetogetit。Idon\'tknowtherightso\'thematter，butwilly-nillytheywouldn\'thavehimforsteward。Nowmates，forminline。\'

Springrove，theclerk，thegrinders，andGad，allrangedthemselvesbehindtheleverofthescrew，andwalkedroundlikesoldierswheeling。

\'Themanthattheoldqueanhevgotisamanyoucanhardlygetuponyourtonguetogainsay，bythelooko\'en，\'rejoinedClerkCrickett。

\'Oneo\'thempeoplethatcancontrivetobethoughtnoworseo\'forstealenahorsethananothermanforlookenoverhedgeaten，\'saidagrinder。

\'Well，he\'sallthereassteward，andisquitethegentleman——nodoubtaboutthat。\'

\'SowouldmyTedha\'been，forthemattero\'that，\'thefarmersaid。

\'That\'strue：\'awould，sir。\'

\'Isaid，I\'llgiveTedagoodeducationifitdocostmemyeyes，andIwouldhavedoneit。\'

\'Ay，thatyouwouldso，\'saidthechorusofassistantssolemnly。

\'Buthetooktobooksanddrawingnaturally，andcostverylittle；

andasawind-upthewomenfolkhatchedupamatchbetweenhimandhiscousin。\'

\'When\'stheweddentobe，Mr。Springrove？\'

\'Uncertain——butsoon，Isuppose。Edward，yousee，candoanythingprettynearly，andyetcan\'tgetastraightforwardliving。IwishsometimesIhadkepthimhere，andletprofessionsgo。Buthewassuchaoneforthepencil。\'

Hedroppedtheleverinthehedge，andturnedtohisvisitor。

\'Nowthen，missie，ifyou\'llcomeindoors，please。\'

GadWeedylookedwithaplacidcriticismatCythereaasshewithdrewwiththefarmer。

\'Icouldtellbythetongueo\'herthatshedidn\'ttakeherdegreesinourcounty，\'hesaidinanundertone。

\'Therailwayshaveleftyoulonelyhere，\'sheobserved，whentheywereindoors。

Savethewitheredoldflies，whichwerequitetamefromthesolitude，notabeingwasinthehouse。Nobodyseemedtohaveentereditsincethelastpassengerhadbeencalledouttomountthelaststage-coachthathadrunby。

\'Yes，theInnandIseemalmostapairoffossils，\'thefarmerreplied，lookingattheroomandthenathimself。

\'O，Mr。Springrove，\'saidCytherea，suddenlyrecollectingherself；

\'IammuchobligedtoyouforrecommendingmetoMissAldclyffe。\'

Shebegantowarmtowardstheoldman；therewasinhimagentlenessofdispositionwhichremindedherofherownfather。

\'Recommending？Notatall，miss。Ted——that\'smyson——Tedsaidafellow-draughtsmanofhishadasisterwhowantedtobedoingsomethingintheworld，andImentionedittothehousekeeper，that\'sall。Ay，Imissmysonverymuch。\'

Shekeptherbacktothewindowthathemightnotseeherrisingcolour。

\'Yes，\'hecontinued，\'sometimesIcan\'thelpfeelinguneasyabouthim。Youknow，heseemsnotmadeforatownlifeexactly：hegetsveryqueeroveritsometimes，Ithink。Perhapshe\'llbebetterwhenhe\'smarriedtoAdelaide。\'

Ahalf-impatientfeelingaroseinher，likethatwhichpossessesasickpersonwhenhehearsarecently-struckhourstruckagainbyaslowclock。Shehadlivedfurtheron。

\'Everythingdependsuponwhetherhelovesher，\'shesaidtremulously。

\'Heusedto——hedoesn\'tshowitsomuchnow；butthat\'sbecausehe\'solder。Yousee，itwasseveralyearsagotheyfirstwalkedtogetherasyoungmanandyoungwoman。She\'salteredtoofromwhatshewaswhenhefirstcourtedher。\'

\'How，sir？\'

\'O，she\'smoresensiblebyhalf。Whenheusedtowritetohershe\'dcreepupthelaneandlookbackoverhershoulder，andslideouttheletter，andreadawordandstandinthoughtlookingatthehillsandseeingnone。Thenthecuckoowouldcry——awaytheletterwouldslip，andshe\'dstartwi\'frightatthemerebird，andhavearedskinbeforethequickestmanamongyecouldsay，“Bloodrushup。“\'

Hecameforwardwiththemoneyanddroppeditintoherhand。HisthoughtswerestillwithEdward，andheabsentlytookherlittlefingersinhisashesaid，earnestlyandingenuously——

\'\'TissoseldomIgetagentlewomantospeaktothatIcan\'thelpspeakingtoyou，MissGraye，onmyfearsforEdward；Isometimesamafraidthathe\'llnevergeton——thathe\'lldiepooranddespisedundertheworstmentalconditions，akeensenseofhavingbeenpassedintheracebymenwhosebrainsarenothingtohisown，allthroughhisseeingtoofarintothings——beingdiscontentedwithmake-shifts——thinkingo\'perfectioninthings，andthensickenedthatthere\'snosuchthingasperfection。Ishan\'tbesorrytoseehimmarry，sinceitmaysettlehimdownanddohimgood……Ay，we\'llhopeforthebest。\'

Heletgoherhandandaccompaniedhertothedoorsaying，\'Ifyoushouldcaretowalkthiswayandtalktoanoldmanoncenowandthen，itwillbeagreatdelighttohim，MissGraye。Good-eveningtoye……Ahlook！athunderstormisbrewing——bequickhome。OrshallIstepupwithyou？\'

\'No，thankyou，Mr。Springrove。Goodevening，\'shesaidinalowvoice，andhurriedaway。Onethoughtstillpossessedher；Edwardhadtrifledwithherlove。

4。FIVETOSIXP。M。

Shefollowedtheroadintoaboweroftrees，overhangingitsodenselythatthepassappearedlikearabbit\'sburrow，andpresentlyreachedasideentrancetothepark。Thecloudsrosemorerapidlythanthefarmerhadanticipated：thesheepmovedinatrail，andcomplainedincoherently。Lividgreyshades，likethoseofthemodernFrenchpainters，madeamysteryoftheremoteanddarkpartsofthevista，andseemedtoinsistuponasuspensionofbreath。

Beforeshewashalf-wayacrosstheparkthethunderrumbleddistinctly。

Thedirectioninwhichshehadtogowouldtakeherclosebytheoldmanor-house。Theairwasperfectlystill，andbetweeneachlowrumbleofthethunderbehindshecouldheartheroarofthewaterfallbeforeher，andthecreakoftheengineamongthebusheshardbyit。Hurryingon，withagrowingdreadofthegloomandoftheapproachingstorm，shedrewneartheOldHouse，nowrisingbeforeheragainstthedarkfoliageandskyintonesofstrangewhiteness。

Ontheflightofsteps，whichdescendedfromaterraceinfronttothelevelofthepark，stoodaman。Heappeared，partlyfromthereliefthepositiongavetohisfigure，andpartlyfromfact，tobeoftoweringheight。Hewasdarkinoutline，andwaslookingatthesky，withhishandsbehindhim。

ItwasnecessaryforCythereatopassdirectlyacrossthelineofhisfront。Shefeltsoreluctanttodothis，thatshewasabouttoturnunderthetreesoutofthepathandenteritagainatapointbeyondtheOldHouse；buthehadseenher，andshecameonmechanically，unconsciouslyavertingherfacealittle，anddroppingherglancetotheground。

Hereyesunswervinglylingeredalongthepathuntiltheyfelluponanotherpathbranchinginarightlinefromthepathshewaspursuing。ItcamefromthestepsoftheOldHouse。\'Iamexactlyoppositehimnow，\'shethought，\'andhiseyesaregoingthroughme。\'

Aclearmasculinevoicesaid，atthesameinstant——

\'Areyouafraid？\'

She，interpretinghisquestionbyherfeelingsatthemoment，assumedhimselftobetheobjectoffear，ifany。\'Idon\'tthinkI

am，\'shestammered。

Heseemedtoknowthatshethoughtinthatsense。

\'Ofthethunder，Imean，\'hesaid；\'notofmyself。\'

Shemustturntohimnow。\'Ithinkitisgoingtorain，\'sheremarkedforthesakeofsayingsomething。

Hecouldnotconcealhissurpriseandadmirationofherfaceandbearing。Hesaidcourteously，\'ItmaypossiblynotrainbeforeyoureachtheHouse，ifyouaregoingthere？\'

\'Yes，Iam，\'

\'MayIwalkupwithyou？Itislonelyunderthetrees。\'

\'No。\'Fearinghiscourtesyarosefromabeliefthathewasaddressingawomanofhigherstationthanwashers，sheadded，\'IamMissAldclyffe\'scompanion。Idon\'tmindtheloneliness。\'

\'O，MissAldclyffe\'scompanion。Thenwillyoubekindenoughtotakeasubscriptiontoher？ShesenttomethisafternoontoaskmetobecomeasubscribertoherSociety，andIwasout。OfcourseI\'llsubscribeifshewishesit。ItakeagreatinterestintheSociety。\'

\'MissAldclyffewillbegladtohearthat，Iknow。\'

\'Yes；letmesee——whatSocietydidshesayitwas？IamafraidI

haven\'tenoughmoneyinmypocket，andyetitwouldbeasatisfactiontohertohavepracticalproofofmywillingness。I\'llgetit，andbeoutinoneminute。\'

Heenteredthehouseandwasathersideagainwithinthetimehehadnamed。\'Thisisit，\'hesaidpleasantly。

Sheheldupherhand。Thesofttipsofhisfingersbrushedthepalmofhergloveasheplacedthemoneywithinit。Shewonderedwhyhisfingersshouldhavetouchedher。

\'Ithinkafterall，\'hecontinued，\'thattherainisuponus，andwilldrenchyoubeforeyoureachtheHouse。Yes：seethere。\'

Hepointedtoaroundwetspotaslargeasanasturtiumleaf，whichhadsuddenlyappeareduponthewhitesurfaceofthestep。

\'Youhadbettercomeintotheporch。Itisnotnearlynightyet。

Thecloudsmakeitseemlaterthanitreallyis。\'

Heavydropsofrain，followedimmediatelybyaforkedflashoflightningandsharprattlingthundercompelledher，willinglyorno，toaccepthisinvitation。Sheascendedthesteps，stoodbesidehimjustwithintheporch，andforthefirsttimeobtainedaseriesofshortviewsofhisperson，astheywaitedthereinsilence。

Hewasanextremelyhandsomeman，well-formed，andwell-dressed，ofanagewhichseemedtobetwoorthreeyearslessthanthirty。Themoststrikingpointinhisappearancewasthewonderful，almostpreternatural，clearnessofhiscomplexion。Therewasnotablemishorspeckofanykindtomarthesmoothnessofitssurfaceorthebeautyofitshue。Next，hisforeheadwassquareandbroad，hisbrowsstraightandfirm，hiseyespenetratingandclear。Bycollectingtheroundofexpressionstheygaveforth，apersonwhotheorizedonsuchmatterswouldhaveimbibedthenotionthattheirownerwasofanaturetokickagainstthepricks；thelastmanintheworldtoputupwithapositionbecauseitseemedtobehisdestinytodoso；onewhotookuponhimselftoresistfatewiththevindictivedeterminationofaTheomachist。Eyesandforeheadbothwouldhaveexpressedkeennessofintellecttooseverelytobepleasing，hadtheirforcenotbeencounteractedbythelinesandtoneofthelips。Thesewerefullandluscioustoasurprisingdegree，possessingawoman-likesoftnessofcurve，andarubyrednesssointense，astotestifystronglytomuchsusceptibilityofheartwherefemininebeautywasconcerned——asusceptibilitythatmightrequirealltheballastofbrainwithwhichhehadpreviouslybeencreditedtoconfinewithinreasonablechannels。

Hismannerwasratherelegantthangood：hisspeechwell-finishedandunconstrained。

Thepauseintheirdiscourse，whichhadbeencausedbythepealofthunderwasunbrokenbyeitherforaminuteortwo，duringwhichtheearsofbothseemedtobeabsentlyfollowingthelowroarofthewaterfallasitbecamegraduallyrivalledbytheincreasingrushofrainuponthetreesandherbageofthegrove。Afterhershortlooksathim，Cythereahadturnedherheadtowardstheavenueforawhile，andnow，glancingbackagainforaninstant，shediscoveredthathiseyeswereengagedinasteady，thoughdelicate，regardofherfaceandform。

Atthismoment，byreasonofthenarrownessoftheporch，theirdressestouched，andremainedincontact。

Hisclothesaresomethingexteriortoeveryman；buttoawomanherdressispartofherbody。Itsmotionsareallpresenttoherintelligenceifnottohereyes；nomanknowshowhiscoat-tailsswing。Bytheslightesthyperboleitmaybesaidthatherdresshassensation。CreasebuttheveryUltimaThuleoffringeorflounce，andithurtsherasmuchaspinchingher。Delicateantennae，orfeelers，bristleoneveryoutlyingfrill。Gototheuppermost：sheisthere；treadonthelowest：thefaircreatureistherealmostbeforeyou。

Thusthetouchofclothes，whichwasnothingtoManston，sentathrillthroughCytherea，seeing，moreover，thathewasofthenatureofamysteriousstranger。Shelookedoutagainatthestorm，butstillfelthim。Atlasttoescapethesensationshemovedaway，thoughbysodoingitwasnecessarytoadvancealittleintotherain。

\'Look，therainiscomingintotheporchuponyou，\'hesaid。\'Stepinsidethedoor。\'

Cythereahesitated。

\'Perfectlysafe，Iassureyou，\'headded，laughing，andholdingthedooropen。\'YoushallseewhatastateofdisorganizationIamin——

boxesonboxes，furniture，straw，crockery，ineveryformoftransposition。Anoldwomanisinthebackquarterssomewhere，beginningtoputthingstorights……Youknowtheinsideofthehouse，Idaresay？\'

\'Ihaveneverbeenin。\'

\'Owell，comealong。Here，yousee，theyhavemadeadoorthrough，here，theyhaveputapartitiondividingtheoldhallintotwo，onepartisnowmyparlour；theretheyhaveputaplasterceiling，hidingtheoldchestnut-carvedroofbecauseitwastoohighandwouldhavebeenchillyforme；yousee，beingtheoriginalhall，itwasopenrightuptothetop，andherethelordofthemanorandhisretainersusedtomeetandbemerrybythelightfromthemonstrousfirewhichshoneoutfromthatmonstrousfire-place，nownarrowedtoamerenothingformygrate，thoughyoucanseetheoldoutlinestill。IalmostwishIcouldhavehaditinitsoriginalstate。\'

\'Withmoreromanceandlesscomfort。\'

\'Yes，exactly。Well，perhapsthewishisnotdeep-seated。Youwillseehowthethingsaretumbledinanyhow，packing-casesandall。

Theonlypieceofornamentalfurnitureyetunpackedisthisone。\'

\'Anorgan？\'

\'Yes，anorgan。Imadeitmyself，exceptthepipes。Iopenedthecasethisafternoontocommencesoothingmyselfatonce。Itisnotaverylargeone，butquitebigenoughforaprivatehouse。Youplay，Idaresay？\'

\'Thepiano。Iamnotatallusedtoanorgan。\'

\'Youwouldsoonacquirethetouchforanorgan，thoughitwouldspoilyourtouchforthepiano。Notthatthatmattersagreatdeal。

Apianoisn\'tmuchasaninstrument。\'

\'Itisthefashiontosaysonow。Ithinkitisquitegoodenough。\'

\'Thatisn\'taltogetherarightsentimentaboutthingsbeinggoodenough。\'

\'No——no。WhatImeanis，thatthemenwhodespisepianosdoitasarulefromtheirteeth，merelyforfashion\'ssake，becausecleverermenhavesaiditbeforethem——notfromtheexperienceoftheirears。\'

NowCythereaallatoncebrokeintoablushattheconsciousnessofagreatsnubshehadbeenguiltyofinhereagernesstoexplainherself。Hecharitablyexpressedbyalookthathedidnotintheleastmindherblunder，ifitwereone；andthisattitudeforcedhimintoapositionofmentalsuperioritywhichvexedher。

\'Iplayformyprivateamusementonly，\'hesaid。\'Ihaveneverlearnedscientifically。AllIknowiswhatItaughtmyself。\'

Thethunder，lightning，andrainhadnowincreasedtoaterrificforce。Theclouds，fromwhichdarts，forks，zigzags，andballsoffirecontinuallysprang，didnotappeartobemorethanahundredyardsabovetheirheads，andeverynowandthenaflashandapealmadegapsinthesteward\'sdescriptions。Hewenttowardstheorgan，inthemidstofavolleywhichseemedtoshaketheagedhousefromfoundationstochimney。

\'Youarenotgoingtoplaynow，areyou？\'saidCythereauneasily。

\'Oyes。Whynotnow？\'hesaid。\'Youcan\'tgohome，andthereforewemayaswellbeamused，ifyoudon\'tmindsittingonthisbox。

ThefewchairsIhaveunpackedareintheotherroom。\'

Withoutwaitingtoseewhethershesatdownornot，heturnedtotheorganandbeganextemporizingaharmonywhichmeanderedthrougheveryvarietyofexpressionofwhichtheinstrumentwascapable。

Presentlyheceasedandbegansearchingforsomemusic-book。

\'Whatasplendidflash！\'hesaid，asthelightningagainshoneinthroughthemullionedwindow，which，ofaproportiontosuitthewholeextentoftheoriginalhall，wasmuchtoolargeforthepresentroom。Thethunderpealedagain。Cytherea，inspiteofherself，wasfrightened，notonlyattheweather，butatthegeneralunearthlyweirdnesswhichseemedtosurroundherthere。

\'IwishI——thelightningwasn\'tsobright。Doyouthinkitwilllastlong？\'shesaidtimidly。

\'Itcan\'tlastmuchlonger，\'hemurmured，withoutturning，runninghisfingersagainoverthekeys。\'Butthisisnothing，\'hecontinued，suddenlystoppingandregardingher。\'Itseemsbrighterbecauseofthedeepshadowunderthosetreesyonder。Don\'tmindit；

nowlookatme——lookinmyface——now。\'

Hehadfacedthewindow，lookingfixedlyattheskywithhisdarkstrongeyes。Sheseemedcompelledtodoasshewasbidden，andlookedinthetoo-delicatelybeautifulface。

Theflashcame；buthedidnotturnorblink，keepinghiseyesfixedasfirmlyasbefore。\'There，\'hesaid，turningtoher，\'that\'sthewaytolookatlightning。\'

\'O，itmighthaveblindedyou！\'sheexclaimed。

\'Nonsense——notlightningofthissort——Ishouldn\'thavestaredatitiftherehadbeendanger。Itisonlysheet-lightningnow。Now，willyouhaveanotherpiece？Somethingfromanoratoriothistime？\'

\'No，thankyou——Idon\'twanttohearitwhilstitthundersso。\'Buthehadbegunwithoutheedingheranswer，andshestoodmotionlessagain，marvellingatthewonderfulindifferencetoallexternalcircumstancewhichwasnowevincedbyhiscompleteabsorptioninthemusicbeforehim。

\'Whydoyouplaysuchsaddeningchords？\'shesaid，whenhenextpaused。

\'H\'m——becauseIlikethem，Isuppose，\'saidhelightly。\'Don\'tyoulikesadimpressionssometimes？\'

\'Yes，sometimes，perhaps。\'

\'Whenyouarefulloftrouble。\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Well，whyshouldn\'tIwhenIamfulloftrouble？\'

\'Areyoutroubled？\'

\'Iamtroubled。\'Hesaidthisthoughtfullyandabruptly——soabruptlythatshedidnotpushthedialoguefurther。

Henowplayedmorepowerfully。Cythereahadneverheardmusicinthecompletenessoffullorchestralpower，andthetonesoftheorgan，whichreverberatedwithconsiderableeffectinthecomparativelysmallspaceoftheroom，heightenedbytheelementalstrifeoflightandsoundoutside，movedhertoadegreeoutofproportiontotheactualpowerofthemerenotes，practisedaswasthehandthatproducedthem。Thevaryingstrains——nowloud，nowsoft；simple，complicated，weird，touching，grand，boisterous，subdued；eachphasedistinct，yetmodulatingintothenextwithagracefulandeasyflow——shookandbenthertothemselves，asagushingbrookshakesandbendsashadowcastacrossitssurface。

Thepowerofthemusicdidnotshowitselfsomuchbyattractingherattentiontothesubjectofthepiece，asbytakingupanddevelopingasitslibrettothepoemofherownlifeandsoul，shiftingherdeedsandintentionsfromthehandsofherjudgmentandholdingtheminitsown。

Shewasswayedintoemotionalopinionsconcerningthestrangemanbeforeher；newimpulsesofthoughtcamewithnewharmonies，andenteredintoherwithagnawingthrill。Adreadfulflashoflightningthen，andthethundercloseuponit。Shefoundherselfinvoluntarilyshrinkingupbesidehim，andlookingwithpartedlipsathisface。

Heturnedhiseyesandsawheremotion，whichgreatlyincreasedtheidealelementinherexpressiveface。Shewasinthestateinwhichwoman\'sinstincttoconcealhaslostitspoweroverherimpulsetotell；andhesawit。Bendinghishandsomefaceoverhertillhislipsalmosttouchedherear，hemurmured，withoutbreakingtheharmonies——

\'Doyouverymuchlikethispiece？\'

\'Verymuchindeed，\'shesaid。

\'Icouldseeyouwereaffectedbyit。Iwillcopyitforyou。\'

\'Thankyoumuch。\'

\'IwillbringittotheHousetoyouto-morrow。WhoshallIaskfor？\'

\'O，notforme。Don\'tbringit，\'shesaidhastily。\'Ishouldn\'tlikeyouto。\'

\'Letmesee——to-morroweveningatsevenorafewminutespastI

shallbepassingthewaterfallonmywayhome。Icouldconvenientlygiveityouthere，andIshouldlikeyoutohaveit。\'

HemodulatedintothePastoralSymphony，stilllookinginhereyes。

\'Verywell，\'shesaid，togetridofthelook。

Thestormhadbythistimeconsiderablydecreasedinviolence，andinsevenortenminutestheskypartiallycleared，thecloudsaroundthewesternhorizonbecominglightedupwiththeraysofthesinkingsun。

Cythereadrewalongbreathofrelief，andpreparedtogoaway。Shewasfullofadistressingsensethatherdetentionintheoldmanor-

house，andtheacquaintanceshipithadsetonfoot，wasnotathingshewished。Itwassuchafoolishthingtohavebeenexcitedanddraggedintofranknessbythewilesofastranger。

\'Allowmetocomewithyou，\'hesaid，accompanyinghertothedoor，andagainshowingbyhisbehaviourhowmuchhewasimpressedwithher。Hisinfluenceoverherhadvanishedwiththemusicalchords，andsheturnedherbackuponhim。\'MayIcome？\'herepeated。

\'No，no。Thedistanceisnotaquarterofamile——itisreallynotnecessary，thankyou，\'shesaidquietly。Andwishinghimgood-

evening，withoutmeetinghiseyes，shewentdownthesteps，leavinghimstandingatthedoor。

\'O，howisitthatmanhassofascinatedme？\'wasallshecouldthink。Herownself，asshehadsatspell-boundbeforehim，wasallshecouldsee。Hergaitwasconstrained，fromtheknowledgethathiseyeswereuponheruntilshehadpassedthehollowbythewaterfall，andbyascendingtherisehadbecomehiddenfromhisviewbytheboughsoftheoverhangingtrees。

5。SIXTOSEVENP。M。

Thewetshiningroadthrewthewesternglareintohereyeswithaninvidiouslustrewhichrenderedtherestlessnessofhermoodmorewearying。Herthoughtsflewfromideatoideawithoutaskingfortheslightestlinkofconnectionbetweenoneandanother。OnemomentshewasfullofthewildmusicandstirringscenewithManston——thenext，Edward\'simagerosebeforeherlikeashadowyghost。ThenManston\'sblackeyesseemedpiercingheragain，andtherecklessvoluptuousmouthappearedbendingtothecurvesofhisspecialwords。Whatcouldbethosetroublestowhichhehadalluded？PerhapsMissAldclyffewasatthebottomofthem。Sadatheartshepacedon：herlifewasbewilderingher。

OncomingintoMissAldclyffe\'spresenceCythereatoldheroftheincident，notwithoutafearthatshewouldburstintooneofherungovernablefitsoftemperatlearningCytherea\'sslightdeparturefromtheprogramme。But，strangelytoCytherea，MissAldclyffelookeddelighted。Theusualcross-examinationfollowed。

\'Andsoyouwerewithhimallthattime？\'saidthelady，withassumedseverity。

\'Yes，Iwas。\'

\'IdidnottellyoutocallattheOldHousetwice。\'

\'Ididn\'tcall，asIhavesaid。Hemademecomeintotheporch。\'

\'Whatremarksdidhemake，doyousay？\'

\'ThatthelightningwasnotsobadasIthought。\'

\'Averyimportantremark，that。Didhe——\'sheturnedherglancefulluponthegirl，andeyeinghersearchingly，said——

\'DidhesayanythingaboutME？\'

\'Nothing，\'saidCytherea，returninghergazecalmly，\'exceptthatI

wastogiveyouthesubscription。\'

\'Youarequitesure？\'

\'Quite。\'

\'Ibelieveyou。Didhesayanythingstrikingorstrangeabouthimself？\'

\'Onlyonething——thathewastroubled，\'

\'Troubled！\'

Aftersayingtheword，MissAldclyfferelapsedintosilence。Suchbehaviourasthishadended，onmostpreviousoccasions，byhermakingaconfession，andCythereaexpectedonenow。Butforonceshewasmistaken，nothingmorewassaid。

WhenshehadreturnedtoherroomshesatdownandpennedafarewelllettertoEdwardSpringrove，aslittleableasanyotherexcitableandbrimmingyoungwomanofnineteentofeelthatthewisestandonlydignifiedcourseatthatjuncturewastodonothingatall。

Shetoldhimthat，toherpainfulsurprise，shehadlearntthathisengagementtoanotherwomanwasamatterofnotoriety。Sheinsistedthatallhonourbadehimmarryhisearlylove——awomanfarbetterthanherunworthyself，whoonlydeservedtobeforgotten，andbeggedhimtorememberthathewasnottoseeherfaceagain。SheupbraidedhimforlevityandcrueltyinmeetinghersofrequentlyatBudmouth，andaboveallinstealingthekissfromherlipsonthelasteveningofthewaterexcursions。\'Inever，nevercanforgetit！\'shesaid，andthenfeltasensationofhavingdoneherduty，ostensiblypersuadingherselfthatherreproachesandcommandswereofsuchaforcethatnomantowhomtheywereutteredcouldeverapproachhermore。

Yetitwasallunconsciouslysaidinwordswhichbetrayedalingeringtendernessofloveateveryunguardedturn。LikeBeatriceaccusingDantefromthechariot，tryasshemighttoplaythesuperiorbeingwhocontemnedsuchmereeye-sensuousness，shebetrayedateverypointaprettywoman\'sjealousyofarival，andcovertlygaveheroldloverhintsforexcusinghimselfateachfreshindictment。

Thisdone，Cytherea，stillinapracticalmood，upbraidedherselfwithweaknessinallowingastrangerlikeMr。Manstontoinfluenceherashehaddonethatevening。Whatrightonearthhadhetosuggestsosuddenlythatshemightmeethimatthewaterfalltoreceivehismusic？Shewouldhavegivenmuchtobeabletoannihilatetheascendencyhehadobtainedoverherduringthatextraordinaryintervalofmelodioussound。Notbeingabletoendurethenotionofhislivingaminutelongerinthebeliefhewasthenholding，shetookherpenandwrotetohimalso：——

\'KNAPWATERHOUSE

September20th。

\'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno\'clockbythewaterfallasI

promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。

\'C。GRAYE。\'

Agreatstatesmanthinksseveraltimes，andacts；ayoungladyacts，andthinksseveraltimes。When，afewminuteslater，shesawthepostmancarryoffthebagcontainingoneoftheletters，andamessengerwiththeother，she，forthefirsttime，askedherselfthequestionwhethershehadactedverywiselyinwritingtoeitherofthetwomenwhohadsoinfluencedher。

IX。THEEVENTSOFTENWEEKS

1。FROMSEPTEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRSTTOTHEMIDDLEOFNOVEMBER

TheforemostfigurewithinCytherea\'shorizon，exclusiveoftheinmatesofKnapwaterHouse，wasnowthesteward，Mr。Manston。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldlivewithinaquarterofamileofeachother，beengagedinthesameservice，andattendthesamechurch，withoutmeetingatsomespotoranother，twiceorthriceaweek。OnSundays，inherpew，whenbychancesheturnedherhead，Cythereafoundhiseyeswaitingdesirouslyforaglimpseofhers，and，atfirstmorestrangely，theeyesofMissAldclyffefurtivelyrestingonhim。OncomingoutofchurchhefrequentlywalkedbesideCythereatillshereachedthegateatwhichresidentsintheHouseturnedintotheshrubbery。Bydegreesaconjecturegrewtoacertainty。Sheknewthathelovedher。

Butastrangefactwasconnectedwiththedevelopmentofhislove。

Hewaspalpablymakingthestrongesteffortstosubdue，oratleasttohide，theweakness，andasitsometimesseemed，ratherfromhisownconsciencethanfromsurroundingeyes。Henceshefoundthatnotoneofhisencounterswithherwasanythingmorethantheresultofpureaccident。Hemadenoadvanceswhatever：withoutavoidingher，heneversoughther：thewordshehadwhisperedattheirfirstinterviewnowprovedthemselvestobequiteasmuchtheresultofunguardedimpulseaswasheranswer。Somethingheldhimback，boundhisimpulsedown，butshesawthatitwasneitherprideofhisperson，norfearthatshewouldrefusehim——acoursesheunhesitatinglyresolvedtotakeshouldhethinkfittodeclarehimself。Shewasinterestedinhimandhismarvellousbeauty，asshemighthavebeeninsomefascinatingpantherorleopard——forsomeundefinablereasonsheshrankfromhim，evenwhilstsheadmired。

Thekeynoteofhernature，awarm\'precipitanceofsoul，\'asColeridgehappilywritesit，whichManstonhadsodirectlypounceduponattheirveryfirstinterview，gavehernowatremuloussenseofbeinginsomewayinhispower。

Thestateofmindwas，onthewhole，adangerousoneforayoungandinexperiencedwoman；andperhapsthecircumstancewhich，morethananyother，ledhertocherishEdward\'simagenow，wasthathehadtakennonoticeofthereceiptofherletter，statingthatshediscardedhim。Itwasplainthen，shesaid，thathedidnotcaredeeplyforher，andshethereuponcouldnotquiteleaveoffcaringdeeplyforhim：——

\'Ingeniummulierum，Noluntubivelis，ubinoliscupiuntultro。\'

ThemonthofOctoberpassed，andNovemberbeganitscourse。TheinhabitantsofthevillageofCarrifordgrewwearyofsupposingthatMissAldclyffewasgoingtomarryhersteward。Newwhispersaroseandbecameverydistinct(thoughtheydidnotreachMissAldclyffe\'sears)totheeffectthatthestewardwasdeeplyinlovewithCythereaGraye。Indeed，thefactbecamesoobviousthattherewasnothinglefttosayaboutitexceptthattheirmarriagewouldbeanexcellentoneforboth；——forherinpointofcomfort——andforhiminpointoflove。