第8章

Theoldman\'seyessweptthehorizon，thenheturnedtogoin，withoutmakinganotherobservation。Alllightseemedextinguishedinhimagain。WhenEdwardwentinhefoundhisfatherwiththebureauopen，unfoldingtheleaseswithashakinghand，foldingthemupagainwithoutreadingthem，thenputtingthemintheirnicheonlytoremovethemagain。

Adelaidewasintheroom。ShesaidthoughtfullytoEdward，asshewatchedthefarmer——

\'Ihopeitwon\'tkillpooruncle，Edward。Whatshouldwedoifanythingweretohappentohim？HeistheonlynearrelativeyouandIhaveintheworld。\'Itwasperfectlytrue，andsomehowEdwardfeltmoreboundupwithherafterthatremark。

Shecontinued：\'Andhewasonlysayingsohopefullythedaybeforethefire，thathewouldn\'tfortheworldletanyoneelsegivemeawaytoyouwhenwearemarried。\'

ForthefirsttimeaconscientiousdoubtaroseinEdward\'smindastothejusticeofthecoursehewaspursuinginresolvingtorefusethealternativeofferedbyMissAldclyffe。Coulditbeselfishnessaswellasindependence？Howmuchhehadthoughtofhisownheart，howlittlehehadthoughtofhisfather\'speaceofmind！

Theoldmandidnotspeakagaintillsupper-time，whenhebeganaskinghissonanendlessnumberofhypotheticalquestionsonwhatmightinduceMissAldclyffetolistentokinderterms；speakingofhernownotasanunfairwoman，butasaLachesisorFatewhosecourseitbehovednobodytocondemn。InhisearnestnessheonceturnedhiseyesonEdward\'sface：theirexpressionwaswoful：thepupilsweredilatedandstrangeinaspect。

\'Ifshewillonlyagreetothat！\'hereiteratedforthehundredthtime，increasingthesadnessofhislisteners。

Anaristocraticknockingcametothedoor，andJaneenteredwithaletter，addressed——

\'MR。EDWARDSPRINGROVE，Junior。\'

\'CharlesfromKnapwaterHousebroughtit，\'shesaid。

\'MissAldclyffe\'swriting，\'saidMr。Springrove，beforeEdwardhadrecognizedithimself。\'Now\'tisallright；she\'sgoingtomakeanoffer；shedoesn\'twantthehousesthere，notshe；theyaregoingtomakethatthewayintothepark。\'

Edwardopenedthesealandglancedattheinside。Hesaid，withasupremeeffortofself-command——

\'ItisonlydirectedbyMissAldclyffe，andreferstonothingconnectedwiththefire。Iwonderathertakingthetroubletosenditto-night。\'

Hisfatherlookedabsentlyathimandturnedawayagain。Shortlyafterwardstheyretiredforthenight。AloneinhisbedroomEdwardopenedandreadwhathehadnotdaredtorefertointheirpresence。

TheenvelopecontainedanotherenvelopeinCytherea\'shandwriting，addressedto\'——Manston，Esq。，OldManorHouse。\'Insidethiswasthenoteshehadwrittentothestewardafterherdetentioninhishousebythethunderstorm——

\'KNAPWATERHOUSE，September20th。

\'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno\'clockbythewaterfallasI

promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。

\'C。GRAYE。\'

MissAldclyffehadnotwrittenaline，and，bytheunvaryingruleobservablewhenwordsarenotanabsolutenecessity，hersilenceseemedtentimesasconvincingasanyexpressionofopinioncouldhavebeen。

Hethen，stepbystep，recalledalltheconversationonthesubjectofCytherea\'sfeelingsthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandMissAldclyffeintheafternoon，andbyaconfusionofthought，naturalenoughunderthetryingexperience，concludedthatbecausetheladywastruthfulinherportraitureofeffects，shemustnecessarilyberightinherassumptionofcauses。Thatis，hewasconvincedthatCytherea——thehitherto-believedfaithfulCytherea——had，atanyrate，lookedwithsomethingmorethanindifferenceupontheextremelyhandsomefaceandformofManston。

Didheblameher，asguiltyoftheimproprietyofallowingherselftolovethenewcomerinthefaceofhisnotbeingfreetoreturnherlove？No；neverforamomentdidhedoubtthatallhadoccurredinherold，innocent，impulsiveway；thatherheartwasgonebeforesheknewit——beforesheknewanything，beyondhisexistence，ofthemantowhomithadflown。Perhapstheverynoteenclosedtohimwastheresultoffirstreflection。Manstonhewouldunhesitatinglyhavecalledascoundrel，butforonestrikinglyredeemingfact。Ithadbeenpatenttothewholeparish，andhadcometoEdward\'sownknowledgebythatindirectchannel，thatManston，asamarriedman，conscientiouslyavoidedCythereaafterthosefirstfewdaysofhisarrivalduringwhichherirresistiblybeautifulandfatalglanceshadresteduponhim——hisuponher。

Takingfromhiscoatacreasedandpocket-wornenvelopecontainingCytherea\'slettertohimself，Springroveopeneditandreaditthrough。Hewasupbraidedtherein，andhewasdismissed。ItborethedateofthelettersenttoManston，andbycontainingwithinitthephrase，\'AllthedaylongIhavebeenthinking，\'affordedjustifiablegroundforassumingthatitwaswrittensubsequentlytotheother(andinEdward\'ssightfarsweeterone)tothesteward。

Butthoughheaccusedheroffickleness，hewouldnotdoubtthegenuineness，initskind，ofherpartialityforhimatBudmouth。Itwasashortandshallowfeeling——notperfectlove：

\'LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds。\'

Butitwasnotflirtation；afeelinghadbeenborninherandhaddied。Itwouldbewellforhispeaceofmindifhisloveforhercouldflitawaysosoftly，andleavesofewtracesbehind。

MissAldclyffehadshownherselfdesperatelyconcernedinthewholematterbythealacritywithwhichshehadobtainedtheletterfromManston，andherlabourstoinducehimselftomarryhiscousin。

Takeninconnectionwithherapparentinterestin，ifnotlovefor，Cytherea，hereagerness，too，couldonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthatCythereaindeedlovedthesteward。

5。DECEMBERTHEFOURTH

Edwardpassedthenighthescarcelyknewhow，tossingfeverishlyfromsidetoside，thebloodthrobbinginhistemples，andsinginginhisears。

Beforethedaybegantobreakhedressedhimself。Ongoingoutuponthelandinghefoundhisfather\'sbedroomdooralreadyopen。Edwardconcludedthattheoldmanhadrisensoftly，aswashiswont，andgoneoutintothefieldstostartthelabourers。Butneitheroftheouterdoorswasunfastened。Heenteredthefrontroom，andfounditempty。Thenanimatedbyanewidea，hewentroundtothelittlebackparlour，inwhichthefewwreckssavedfromthefireweredeposited，andlookedinatthedoor。Here，nearthewindow，theshuttersofwhichhadbeenopenedhalfway，hesawhisfatherleaningonthebureau，hiselbowsrestingontheflap，hisbodynearlydoubled，hishandsclaspinghisforehead。Besidehimwereghostly-lookingsquarefoldsofparchment——theleasesofthehousesdestroyed。

HisfatherlookedupwhenEdwardentered，andwearilyspoketotheyoungmanashisfacecameintothefaintlight。

\'Edward，whydidyougetupsoearly？\'

\'Iwasuneasy，andcouldnotsleep。\'

Thefarmerturnedagaintotheleasesonthebureau，andseemedtobecomelostinreflection。Inaminuteortwo，withoutliftinghiseyes，hesaid——

\'Thisismorethanwecanbear，Ted——morethanwecanbear！Ted，thiswillkillme。Notthelossonly——thesenseofmyneglectabouttheinsuranceandeverything。BorrowIneverwill。\'Tisallmiserynow。Godhelpus——allmiserynow！\'

Edwarddidnotanswer，continuingtolookfixedlyatthedrearydaylightoutside。

\'Ted，\'thefarmerwenton，\'thisupsetofbe-enburntouto\'homemakesmeverynervousanddoubtfulabouteverything。There\'sthistroublesmebesides——ourlivenherewithyourcousin，andfillenupherhouse。Itmustbeveryawkwardforher。Butshesaysshedoesn\'tmind。Haveyousaidanythingtoherlatelyaboutwhenyouaregoingtomarryher？\'

\'Nothingatalllately。\'

\'Well，perhapsyoumayaswell，nowwearesomixedintogether。

Youknow，notimehaseverbeenmentionedtoheratall，firstorlast，andIthinkitrightthatnow，sinceshehaswaitedsopatientlyandsolong——youarealmostcalledupontosayyouareready。Itwouldsimplifymattersverymuch，ifyouweretowalkuptochurchwi\'heroneofthesemornings，getthethingdone，andgoonlivenhereasweare。Ifyoudon\'tImustgetahouseallthesooner。Itwouldlightenmymind，too，aboutthetwolittlefreeholdsoverthehill——notamorsela-piece，dividedastheywerebetweenhermotherandme，butatidybittiedtogetheragain。Justthinkaboutit，willye，Ted？\'

Hestoppedfromexhaustionproducedbytheintenseconcentrationofhisminduponthewearysubject，andlookedanxiouslyathisson。

\'Yes，Iwill，\'saidEdward。

\'ButIamgoingtoseeheroftheGreatHousethismorning，\'thefarmerwenton，histhoughtsrevertingtotheoldsubject。\'Imustknowtherightsofthematter，thewhenandthewhere。Idon\'tlikeseeingher，butI\'drathertalktoherthanthesteward。Iwonderwhatshe\'llsaytome。\'

Theyoungermanknewexactlywhatshewouldsay。Ifhisfatheraskedherwhathewastodo，andwhen，shewouldsimplyreferhimtoManston：hercharacterwasnotthatofawomanwhoshrankfromapropositionshehadoncelaiddown。Ifhisfatherweretosaytoherthathissonhadatlastresolvedtomarryhiscousinwithintheyear，andhadgivenherapromisetothateffect，shewouldsay，\'Mr。Springrove，thehousesareburnt：we\'llletthemgo：troublenomoreaboutthem。\'

Hismindwasalreadymadeup。Hesaidcalmly，\'Father，whenyouaretalkingtoMissAldclyffe，mentiontoherthatIhaveaskedAdelaideifsheiswillingtomarrymenextChristmas。SheisinterestedinmyunionwithAdelaide，andthenewswillbewelcometoher。\'

\'Andyetshecanbeironwithreferencetomeandherproperty，\'thefarmermurmured。\'Verywell，Ted，I\'lltellher。\'

6。DECEMBERTHEFIFTH

Ofthemanycontradictoryparticularsconstitutingawoman\'sheart，twohadshowntheirvigorouscontrastinCytherea\'sbosomjustatthistime。

Itwasadarkmorning，themorningafteroldMr。Springrove\'svisittoMissAldclyffe，whichhadterminatedasEdwardhadintended。

Havingrisenanhourearlierthanwasusualwithher，Cythereasatatthewindowofanelegantlittlesitting-roomonthegroundfloor，whichhadbeenappropriatedtoherbythekindnessorwhimofMissAldclyffe，thatshemightnotbedrivenintothatlady\'spresenceagainstherwill。Sheleantwithherfaceonherhand，lookingoutintothegloomygreyair。Ayellowglimmerfromtheflappingflameofthenewly-litfireflutteredononesideofherfaceandnecklikeabutterflyabouttosettlethere，contrastingwarmlywiththeothersideofthesamefairface，whichreceivedfromthewindowthefaintcoldmorninglight，soweakthathershadowfromthefirehadadistinctoutlineonthewindow-shutterinspiteofit。Theretheshadowdancedlikeademon，blueandgrim。

ThecontradictionalludedtowasthatinspiteofthedecisivemoodwhichtwomonthsearlierintheyearhadcausedhertowriteaperemptoryandfinallettertoEdward，shewasnowhopingforsomeanswerotherthantheonlypossibleoneamanwho，assheheld，didnotloveherwildly，couldsendtosuchacommunication。Foraloverwhodidlovewildly，shehadleftonelittleloopholeinherotherwisestraightforwardepistle。Whysheexpectedtheletteronsomemorningofthisparticularweekwas，thathearingofhisreturntoCarriford，shefondlyassumedthathemeanttoaskforaninterviewbeforeheleft。Henceitwas，too，thatforthelastfewdays，shehadnotbeenabletokeepinbedlaterthanthetimeofthepostman\'sarrival。

Theclockpointedtohalf-pastseven。Shesawthepostmanemergefrombeneaththebareboughsoftheparktrees，comethroughthewicket，divethroughtheshrubbery，reappearonthelawn，stalkacrossitwithoutreferencetopaths——ascountrypostmendo——andcometotheporch。Sheheardhimflingthebagdownontheseat，andturnawaytowardsthevillage，withouthinderinghimselfforasinglepace。

Thenthebutleropenedthedoor，tookupthebag，broughtitin，andcarrieditupthestaircasetoplaceitontheslabbyMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomdoor。Thewholeproceedinghadbeendepictedbysounds。

Shehadapresentimentthatherletterwasinthebagatlast。Shethoughtthenindiminishingpulsationsofconfidence，\'Heaskstoseeme！Perhapsheaskstoseeme：Ihopeheaskstoseeme。\'

Aquartertoeight：MissAldclyffe\'sbell——ratherearlierthanusual。\'Shemusthaveheardthepost-bagbrought，\'saidthemaiden，as，tiredofthechillyprospectoutside，sheturnedtothefire，anddrewimaginativepicturesofherfuturetherein。

Atapcametothedoor，andthelady\'s-maidentered。

\'MissAldclyffeisawake，\'shesaid；\'andsheaskedifyouweremovingyet，miss。\'

\'I\'llrunuptoher，\'saidCytherea，andflittedoffwiththeutteranceofthewords。\'Veryfortunatethis，\'shethought；\'I

shallseewhatisinthebagthismorningallthesooner。\'

Shetookitupfromthesidetable，wentintoMissAldclyffe\'sbedroom，pulleduptheblinds，andlookedroundupontheladyinbed，calculatingtheminutesthatmustelapsebeforeshelookedatherletters。

\'Well，darling，howareyou？Iamgladyouhavecomeintoseeme，\'

saidMissAldclyffe。\'Youcanunlockthebagthismorning，child，ifyoulike，\'shecontinued，yawningfactitiously。

\'Strange！\'Cythereathought；\'itseemsasifsheknewtherewaslikelytobealetterforme。\'

FromherbedMissAldclyffewatchedthegirl\'sfaceasshetremblinglyopenedthepost-bagandfoundthereanenvelopeaddressedtoherinEdward\'shandwriting；onehehadwrittenthedaybefore，afterthedecisionhehadcometoonanimpartial，andonthataccounttorturing，surveyofhisown，hisfather\'s，hiscousinAdelaide\'s，andwhathebelievedtobeCytherea\'s，position。

Thehaughtymistress\'ssoulsickenedremorsefullywithinherwhenshesawsuddenlyappearuponthespeakingcountenanceoftheyoungladybeforeherawandesolatelookofagony。

Themaster-sentencesofEdward\'sletterwerethese：\'Youspeaktruly。Thatwenevermeetagainisthewisestandonlypropercourse。ThatIregretthepastasmuchasyoudoyourself，itishardlynecessaryformetosay。\'

XII。THEEVENTSOFTENMONTHS

1。DECEMBERTOAPRIL

Weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，thetimehadflownby。

Christmashadpassed；drearywinterwithdarkeveningshadgivenplacetomoredrearywinterwithlightevenings。Thawshadendedinrain，raininwind，windindust。Showerydayshadcome——theperiodofpinkdawnsandwhitesunsets；withthethirdweekinAprilthecuckoohadappeared，withthefourth，thenightingale。

EdwardSpringrovewasinLondon，attendingtothedutiesofhisnewoffice，andithadbecomeknownthroughouttheneighbourhoodofCarrifordthattheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissAdelaideHintonwouldterminateinmarriageattheendoftheyear。

TheonlyoccasiononwhichherloveroftheidledeliciousdaysatBudmouthwatering-placehadbeenseenbyCythereaafterthetimeofthedecisivecorrespondence，wasonceinchurch，whenhesatinfrontofher，andbesideMissHinton。

Therencounterwasquiteanaccident。SpringrovehadcomethereinthefullbeliefthatCythereawasawayfromhomewithMissAldclyffe；andhecontinuedignorantofherpresencethroughouttheservice。

Itisatsuchmomentsasthese，whenasensitivenaturewrithesundertheconceptionthatitsmostcherishedemotionshavebeentreatedwithcontumely，thatthesphere-descendedMaid，Music，friendofPleasureatothertimes，becomesapositiveenemy——

racking，bewildering，unrelenting。ThecongregationsangthefirstPsalmandcametotheverse——

\'Likesomefairtreewhich，fedbystreams，Withtimelyfruitdothbend，Hestillshallflourish，andsuccessAllhisdesignsattend。\'

Cytherea\'slipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundescapeher；butcouldshehelpsingingthewordsinthedepthsofherbeing，althoughthemantowhomsheappliedthemsatatherrival\'sside？

Perhapsthemoralcompensationforallawoman\'spettyclevernessunderthrivingconditionsistherealnobilitythatliesinherextremefoolishnessattheseothertimes；hersheerinabilitytobesimplyjust，herexerciseofanillogicalpowerentirelydeniedtomeningeneral——thepowernotonlyofkissing，butofdelightingtokisstherodbyapunctiliousobservanceoftheself-immolatingdoctrinesintheSermonontheMount。

AsforEdward——alittlelikeothermenofhistemperament，towhom，itissomewhathumiliatingtothink，theaberrancyofagivenloveisinitselfarecommendation——hissentiment，ashelookedoverhiscousin\'sbook，wasofalowerrank，HoratianratherthanPsalmodic——

\'O，whathastthouofher，ofherWhoseeverylookdidloveinspire；

Whoseeverybreathingfannedmyfire，Andstolemefrommyselfaway！\'

Then，withoutlettinghimseeher，Cythereasliptoutofchurchearly，andwenthome，thetonesoftheorganstilllingeringinherearsasshetriedbravelytokillajealousthoughtthatwouldneverthelesslive：\'Mynatureisonecapableofmore，farmore，intensefeelingthanhers！Shecan\'tappreciateallthesidesofhim——sheneverwill！Heismoretangibletomeevennow，asathought，thanhispresenceitselfistoher！\'Shewaslessnoblethen。

Butshecontinuallyrepressedhermiseryandbitternessofhearttilltheefforttodososhowedsignsoflessening。Atlengthsheeventriedtohopethatherlostloverandherrivalwouldloveoneanotherverydearly。

Thesceneandthesentimentdroppedintothepast。Meanwhile，Manstoncontinuedvisiblybeforeher。He，thoughquietandsubduedinhisbearingforalongtimeafterthecalamityofNovember，hadnotsimulatedagriefthathedidnotfeel。Atfirsthislossseemedsotoabsorbhim——thoughasastartlingchangeratherthanasaheavysorrow——thathepaidCythereanoattentionwhatever。Hisconductwasuniformlykindandrespectful，butlittlemore。Then，asthedateofthecatastrophegrewremoter，hebegantowearadifferentaspecttowardsher。Healwayscontrivedtoobliteratebyhismannerallrecollectiononhersidethatshewascomparativelymoredependentthanhimself——makingmuchofherwomanhood，nothingofhersituation。Prompttoaidherwheneveroccasionoffered，andfullofdelightfulpetitssoinsatalltimes，hewasnotofficious。

Inthiswayheirresistiblywonforhimselfapositionasherfriend，andthemoreeasilyinthatheallowednotthefaintestsymptomoftheoldlovetobeapparent。

MattersstoodthusinthemiddleofthespringwhenthenextmoveonhisbehalfwasmadebyMissAldclyffe。

2。THETHIRDOFMAY

SheledCythereatoasummer-housecalledtheFane，builtintheprivategroundsaboutthemansionintheformofaGreciantemple；

itoverlookedthelake，theislandonit，thetrees，andtheirundisturbedreflectioninthesmoothstillwater。Heretheoldandyoungmaidhalted；heretheystood，sidebyside，mentallyimbibingthescene。

ThemonthwasMay——thetime，morning。Cuckoos，thrushes，blackbirds，andsparrowsgaveforthaperfectconfusionofsongandtwitter。Theroadwasspottedwhitewiththefallenleavesofapple-blossoms，andthesparklinggreydewstilllingeredonthegrassandflowers。Twoswansfloatedintoviewinfrontofthewomen，andthencrossedthewatertowardsthem。

\'Theyseemtocometouswithoutanywilloftheirown——quiteinvoluntarily——don\'tthey？\'saidCytherea，lookingatthebirds\'

gracefuladvance。

\'Yes，butifyoulooknarrowlyyoucanseetheirhipsjustbeneaththewater，workingwiththegreatestenergy。\'

\'I\'drathernotseethat，itspoilstheideaofproudindifferencetodirectionwhichweassociatewithaswan。\'

\'Itdoes；we\'llhave“involuntarily。“Ah，nowthisremindsmeofsomething。\'

\'Ofwhat？\'

\'Ofahumanbeingwhoinvoluntarilycomestowardsyourself。\'

CytherealookedintoMissAldclyffe\'sface；hereyesgrewroundascircles，andlinesofwondermentcamevisiblyuponhercountenance。

ShehadnotonceregardedManstonasaloversincehiswife\'ssuddenappearanceandsubsequentdeath。Thedeathofawife，andsuchadeath，wasanoverwhelmingmatterinherideasofthings。

\'Isitamanorwoman？\'shesaid，quiteinnocently。

\'Mr。Manston，\'saidMissAldclyffequietly。

\'Mr。ManstonattractedbymeNOW？\'saidCytherea，standingatgaze。

\'Didn\'tyouknowit？\'

\'CertainlyIdidnot。Why，hispoorwifehasonlybeendeadsixmonths。\'

\'Ofcourseheknowsthat。Butlovingisnotdonebymonths，ormethod，orrule，ornobodywouldeverhaveinventedsuchaphraseas“fallinginlove。“Hedoesnotwanthislovetobeobservedjustyet，ontheveryaccountyoumention；butconcealitashemayfromhimselfandus，itexistsdefinitely——andveryintensely，Iassureyou。\'

\'Isupposethen，thatifhecan\'thelpit，itisnoharmofhim，\'

saidCythereanaively，andbeginningtoponder。

\'Ofcourseitisn\'t——youknowthatwellenough。Shewasagreatburdenandtroubletohim。Thismaybecomeagreatgoodtoyouboth。\'

Arushoffeelingatrememberingthatthesamewoman，beforeManston\'sarrival，hadjustasfranklyadvocatedEdward\'sclaims，checkedCytherea\'sutteranceforawhile。

\'There，don\'tlookatmelikethat，forHeaven\'ssake！\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Youcouldalmostkillapersonbytheforceofreproachyoucanputintothoseeyesofyours，Iverilybelieve。\'

Edwardonceintheyounglady\'sthoughts，therewasnogettingridofhim。Shewantedtobealone。

\'Doyouwantmehere？\'shesaid。

\'Nowthere，there；youwanttobeoff，andhaveagoodcry，\'saidMissAldclyffe，takingherhand。\'Butyoumustn\'t，mydear。

There\'snothinginthepastforyoutoregret。CompareMr。

Manston\'shonourableconducttowardshiswifeandyourself，withSpringrovetowardshisbetrothedandyourself，andthenseewhichappearsthemoreworthyofyourthoughts。\'

3。FROMTHEFOURTHOFMAYTOTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNE

ThenextstageinManston\'sadvancestowardsherhandwasaclearlydefinedcourtship。Shewassadlyperplexed，andsomecontrivancewasnecessaryonhispartinordertomeetwithher。Butitisnexttoimpossibleforanappreciativewomantohaveapositiverepugnancetowardsanunusuallyhandsomeandgiftedman，eventhoughshemaynotbeinclinedtolovehim。HenceCythereawasnotsoalarmedatthesightofhimastorenderameetingandconversationwithhermorethanamatterofdifficulty。

Comingandgoingfromchurchwashisgrandopportunity。Manstonwasveryreligiousnow。Itiscommonlysaidthatnomanwaseverconvertedbyargument，butthereisasingleonewhichwillmakeanyLaodiceaninEngland，lethimbeoncelove-sick，wearprayer-booksandbecomeazealousEpiscopalian——theargumentthathissweetheartcanbeseenfromhispew。

Manstonintroducedintohismethodasystemofbewitchingflattery，everywherepervasive，yet，too，sotransitoryandintangible，that，asinthecaseofthepoetWordsworthandtheWanderingVoice，thoughshefeltitpresent，shecouldneverfindit。Asafoiltoheightenitseffect，heoccasionallyspokephilosophicallyoftheevanescenceoffemalebeauty——theworthlessnessofmereappearance。

\'Handsomeisthathandsomedoes\'heconsideredaproverbwhichshouldbewrittenonthelooking-glassofeverywomanintheland。

\'Yourform，yourmotions，yourhearthavewonme，\'hesaid，inatoneofplayfulsadness。\'Theyarebeautiful。ButIseethesethings，anditcomesintomymindthattheyaredoomed，theyareglidingtonothingasIlook。Pooreyes，poormouth，poorface，poormaiden！“Wherewillhergloriesbeintwentyyears？”Isay。

“Wherewillallofherbeinahundred？”ThenIthinkitiscruelthatyoushouldbloomaday，andfadeforeverandever。ItseemshardandsadthatyouwilldieasordinarilyasI，andbeburied；befoodforrootsandworms，beforgottenandcometoearth，andgrowupamerebladeofchurchyard-grassandanivyleaf。Then，MissGraye，whenIseeyouareaLovelyNothing，Ipityyou，andtheloveIfeelthenisbetterandsounder，largerandmorelastingthanthatIfeltatthebeginning。\'Againanardentflashofhishandsomeeyes。

Itwasbythisroutethatheventuredonanindirectdeclarationandofferofhishand。

Sheimpliedinthesameindirectmannerthatshedidnotlovehimenoughtoacceptit。

Anactualrefusalwasmorethanhehadexpected。Cursinghimselfforwhathecalledhisegregiousfollyinmakinghimselftheslaveofamerelady\'sattendant，andforhavinggiventheparish，shouldtheyknowofherrefusal，achanceofsneeringathim——certainlyagroundforthinkinglessofhisstandingthanbefore——hewenthometotheOldHouse，andwalkedindecisivelyupanddownhisback-yard。

Turningaside，heleanthisarmsupontheedgeoftherain-water-

buttstandinginthecorner，andlookedintoit。ThereflectionfromthesmoothstagnantsurfacetingedhisfacewiththegreenishshadesofCorreggio\'snudes。Stavesofsunlightslanteddownthroughthestillpool，lightingitupwithwonderfuldistinctness。

Hundredsofthousandsofminutelivingcreaturessportedandtumbledinitsdepthwitheverycontortionthatgaietycouldsuggest；

perfectlyhappy，thoughconsistingonlyofahead，oratail，oratmostaheadandatail，andalldoomedtodiewithinthetwenty-fourhours。

\'Damnmyposition！Whyshouldn\'tIbehappythroughmylittledaytoo？Lettheparishsneeratmyrepulses，letit。I\'llgether，ifImoveheavenandearthtodoit！\'

Indeed，theinexperiencedCythereahad，towardsEdwardinthefirstplace，andManstonafterwards，unconsciouslyadoptedbearingsthatwouldhavebeentheverytacticsofaprofessionalfisherofmenwhowishedtohavethemeachsuccessivelydanglingatherheels。Forifanyruleatallcanbelaiddowninamatterwhich，formencollectively，isnotoriouslybeyondregulation，itisthattosnubapettedman，andtopetasnubbedman，isthewaytowininsuitsofbothkinds。ManstonwithSpringrove\'sencouragementwouldhavebecomeindifferent。EdwardwithManston\'srepulseswouldhavesheeredoffattheoutset，ashedidafterwards。HersupremeindifferenceaddedfueltoManston\'sardour——itcompletelydisarmedhispride。TheinvulnerableNobodyseemedgreatertohimthanasusceptiblePrincess。

4。FROMTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNETOTHEENDOFJULY

Cythereahadinthemeantimereceivedthefollowingletterfromherbrother。Itwasthefirstdefinitenotificationoftheenlargementofthatcloudnobiggerthanaman\'shandwhichhadfornearlyatwelvemonthhungbeforetheminthedistance，andwhichwassoontogiveacolourtotheirwholeskyfromhorizontohorizon。

\'BUDMOUTHREGIS，Saturday。

\'DARLINGSIS，——Ihavedelayedtellingyouforalongtimeofalittlematterwhich，thoughnotonetobeseriouslyalarmedabout，issufficientlyvexing，anditwouldbeunfairinmetokeepitfromyouanylonger。ItisthatforsometimepastIhaveagainbeendistressedbythatlamenesswhichIfirstdistinctlyfeltwhenwewenttoLulsteadCove，andagainwhenIleftKnapwaterthatmorningearly。Itisanunusualpaininmyleftleg，betweenthekneeandtheankle。Ihadjustfoundfreshsymptomsofitwhenyouwerehereforthathalf-houraboutamonthago——whenyousaidinfunthatI

begantomovelikeanoldman。Ihadagoodmindtotellyouthen，butfancyingitwouldgooffinafewdays，Ithoughtitwasnotworthwhile。Sincethattimeithasincreased，butIamstillabletoworkintheoffice，sittingonthestool。MygreatfearisthatMr。G。willhavesomeout-doormeasuringworkformetodosoon，andthatIshallbeobligedtodeclineit。However，wewillhopeforthebest。Howitcame，whatwasitsorigin，orwhatittendsto，I

cannotthink。Youshallhearagaininadayortwo，ifitisnobetter——Yourlovingbrother，OWEN。\'

Thissheanswered，beggingtoknowtheworst，whichshecouldbear，butsuspenseandanxietynever。Intwodayscameanotherletterfromhim，ofwhichthesubjoinedparagraphisaportion：——

\'Ihadquitedecidedtoletyouknowtheworst，andtoassureyouthatitwastheworst，beforeyouwrotetoaskit。AndagainIgiveyoumywordthatIwillconcealnothing——sothattherewillbenoexcusewhateverforyourwearingyourselfoutwithfearsthatIamworsethanIsay。Thismorningthen，forthefirsttime，Ihavebeenobligedtostayawayfromtheoffice。Don\'tbefrightenedatthis，dearCytherea。Restisallthatiswanted，andbynursingmyselfnowforaweek，Imayavoidanillnessofsixmonths。\'

Afteravisitfromherhewroteagain：——

\'Dr。Chestmanhasseenme。Hesaidthattheailmentwassomesortofrheumatism，andIamnowundergoingpropertreatmentforitscure。Mylegandfoothavebeenplacedinhotbran，linimentshavebeenapplied，andalsoseverefrictionwithapad。HesaysIshallbeasrightaseverinaveryshorttime。DirectlyIamIshallrunupbythetraintoseeyou。Don\'ttroubletocometomeifMissAldclyffegrumblesagainaboutyourbeingaway，forIamgoingoncapitally……Youshallhearagainattheendoftheweek。\'

Atthetimementionedcamethefollowing：——

\'Iamsorrytotellyou，becauseIknowitwillbesodishearteningaftermylastletter，thatIamnotsowellasIwasthen，andthattherehasbeenasortofhitchintheproceedings。AfterIhadbeentreatedforrheumatismafewdayslonger(inwhichtreatmenttheyprickedtheplacewithalongneedleseveraltimes，)IsawthatDr。

Chestmanwasindoubtaboutsomething，andIrequestedthathewouldcallinabrotherprofessionalmantoseemeaswell。Theyconsultedtogetherandthentoldmethatrheumatismwasnotthediseaseafterall，buterysipelas。Theythenbegantreatingitdifferently，asbecameadifferentmatter。Blisters，flour，andstarch，seemtobetheorderofthedaynow——medicine，ofcourse，besides。

\'Mr。Gradfieldhasbeenintoinquireaboutme。Hesayshehasbeenobligedtogetadesignerinmyplace，whichgrievesmeverymuch，though，ofcourse，itcouldnotbeavoided。\'

Amonthpassedaway；throughoutthisperiod，Cythereavisitedhimasoftenasthelimitedtimeathercommandwouldallow，andworeascheerfulacountenanceasthewomanlydeterminationtodonothingwhichmightdepresshimcouldenablehertowear。Anotherletterfromhimthentoldhertheseadditionalfacts：——

\'Thedoctorsfindtheyareagainonthewrongtack。Theycannotmakeoutwhatthediseaseis。OCytherea！howIwishtheyknew！

Thissuspenseiswearingmeout。CouldnotMissAldclyffespareyouforaday？Docometome。Wewilltalkaboutthebestcoursethen。

Iamsorrytocomplain，butIamwornout。“

CythereawenttoMissAldclyffe，andtoldherofthemelancholyturnherbrother\'sillnesshadtaken。MissAldclyffeatoncesaidthatCythereamightgo，andofferedtodoanythingtoassistherwhichlayinherpower。Cytherea\'seyesbeamedgratitudeassheturnedtoleavetheroom，andhastentothestation。

\'O，Cytherea，\'saidMissAldclyffe，callingherback；\'justoneword。HasMr。Manstonspokentoyoulately？\'

\'Yes，\'saidCytherea，blushingtimorously。

\'Heproposed？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Andyourefusedhim？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Tut，tut！Nowlistentomyadvice，\'saidMissAldclyffeemphatically，\'andaccepthimbeforehechangeshismind。Thechancewhichheoffersyouofsettlinginlifeisonethatmaypossibly，probably，notoccuragain。Hispositionisgoodandsecure，andthelifeofhiswifewouldbeahappyone。Youmaynotbesurethatyoulovehimmadly；butsupposeyouarenotsure？Myfatherusedtosaytomeasachildwhenhewasteachingmewhist，“Whenindoubtwinthetrick！”Thatadviceistentimesasvaluabletoawomanonthesubjectofmatrimony。Inrefusingamanthereisalwaystheriskthatyoumaynevergetanotheroffer。\'

\'Whydidn\'tyouwinthetrickwhenyouwereagirl？\'saidCytherea。

\'Come，myladyPert；I\'mnotthetext，\'saidMissAldclyffe，herfaceglowinglikefire。

Cytherealaughedstealthily。

\'Iwasabouttosay，\'resumedMissAldclyffeseverely，\'thathereisMr。Manstonwaitingwiththetenderestsolicitudeforyou，andyouoverlookingit，asifitwerealtogetherbeneathyou。ThinkhowyoumightbenefityoursickbrotherifyouwereMrs。Manston。YouwillpleasemeVERYMUCHbygivinghimsomeencouragement。Youunderstandme，Cythiedear？\'

Cythereawassilent。

\'And，\'saidMissAldclyffe，stillmoreemphatically，\'onyourpromisingthatyouwillaccepthimsometimethisyear，Iwilltakeespecialcareofyourbrother。Youarelistening，Cytherea？\'

\'Yes，\'shewhispered，leavingtheroom。

ShewenttoBudmouth，passedthedaywithherbrother，andreturnedtoKnapwaterwretchedandfullofforeboding。Owenhadlookedstartlinglythinandpale——thinnerandpalerthanevershehadseenhimbefore。Thebrotherandsisterhadthatdaydecidedthatnotwithstandingthedrainupontheirslenderresources，anothersurgeonshouldseehim。Timewaseverything。

Owentoldhertheresultinhisnextletter：——

\'Thethreepractitionersbetweenthemhaveatlasthitthenailonthehead，Ihope。Theyprobedtheplace，anddiscoveredthatthesecretlayinthebone。Iunderwentanoperationforitsremovalthreedaysago(aftertakingchloroform)……ThankGoditisover。

ThoughIamsoweak，myspiritsareratherbetter。IwonderwhenI

shallbeatworkagain？Iaskedthesurgeonshowlongitwouldbefirst。Isaidamonth？Theyshooktheirheads。Ayear？Isaid。

Notsolong，theysaid。Sixmonths？Iinquired。Theywouldnot，orcouldnot，tellme。Butnevermind。

\'Rundown，whenyouhavehalfadaytospare，forthehoursdragonsodrearily。OCytherea，youcan\'tthinkhowdrearily！\'

Shewent。ImmediatelyonherdepartureMissAldclyffesentanotetotheOldHouse，toManston。Onthemaiden\'sreturn，tiredandsickatheartasusual，shefoundManstonatthestationawaitingher。HeaskedpolitelyifhemightaccompanyhertoKnapwater。Shetacitlyacquiesced。Duringtheirwalkheinquiredtheparticularsofherbrother\'sillness，andwithanirresistibledesiretopourouthertroubletosomeone，shetoldhimofthelengthoftimewhichmustelapsebeforehecouldbestrongagain，andofthelackofcomfortinlodgings。

Manstonwassilentawhile。Thenhesaidimpetuously：\'MissGraye，Iwillnotmincematters——Iloveyou——youknowit。Stratagemtheysayisfairinlove，andIamcompelledtoadoptitnow。Forgiveme，forIcannothelpit。Consenttobemywifeatanytimethatmaysuityou——anyremotedayyoumaynamewillsatisfyme——andyoushallfindhimwellprovidedfor。\'

Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshetrulydreadedthehandsomemanathersidewhopleadedthusselfishly，andshrankfromthehotvoluptuousnatureofhispassionforher，which，disguiseitashemightunderaquietandpolishedexterior，attimesradiatedforthwithascorchingwhiteheat。Sheperceivedhowanimalwasthelovewhichbargained。

\'Idonotloveyou，Mr。Manston，\'sherepliedcoldly。

5。FROMTHEFIRSTTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST

Thelongsunnydaysofthelatersummer-timebroughtonlythesamedrearyaccountsfromBudmouth，andsawCythereapayingthesamesadvisits。

Shegrewperceptiblyweaker，inbodyandmind。Manstonstillpersistedinhissuit，butwithmoreofhisformerindirectness，nowthathesawhowunexpectedlywellshestoodanopenattack。HiswasthesystemofDaresattheSiciliangames——

\'He，likeacaptainwhobeleaguersroundSomestrong-builtcastleonarisingground，Viewsalltheapproacheswithobservingeyes，Thisandthatotherpartagainhetries，Andmoreonindustrythanforcerelies。\'

MissAldclyffemadeitappearmoreclearlythaneverthataidtoOwenfromherselfdependedentirelyuponCytherea\'sacceptanceofhersteward。Hemmedinanddistressed，Cytherea\'sanswerstohisimportunitiesgrewlessuniform；theywerefirm，orwavering，asOwen\'smaladyfluctuated。Hadaregisterofherpitifuloscillationsbeenkept，itwouldhaverivalledinpathosthediarywhereinDeQuinceytabulateshiscombatwithOpium——perhapsasnoticeableaninstanceasanyinwhichathrillingdramaticpowerhasbeengiventomerenumerals。Thusshewearilyandmonotonouslylivedthroughthemonth，listeningonSundaystothewellknownroundofchaptersnarratingthehistoryofElijahandElishainfamineanddrought；onweek-daystobuzzingfliesinhotsunnyrooms。\'Solike，soverylike，wasdaytoday。\'Extremelassitudeseemedallthattheworldcouldshowher。

Herstatewasinthiswise，whenoneafternoon，havingbeenwithherbrother，shemetthesurgeon，andbeggedhimtotelltheactualtruthconcerningOwen\'scondition。

Thereplywasthathefearedthatthefirstoperationhadnotbeenthorough；thatalthoughthewoundhadhealed，anotherattemptmightstillbenecessary，unlessnaturewerelefttoeffectherowncure。

Butthetimesuchaself-healingproceedingwouldoccupymightberuinous。

\'Howlongwoulditbe？\'shesaid。

\'Itisimpossibletosay。Ayearortwo，moreorless。\'

\'Andsupposehesubmittedtoanotherartificialextraction？\'

\'Thenhemightbewellinfourorsixmonths。\'

Nowtheremainderofhisandherpossessions，togetherwithasumhehadborrowed，wouldnotprovidehimwithnecessarycomfortsforhalfthattime。Tocombatthemisfortune，thereweretwocoursesopen——

herbecomingbetrothedtoManston，orthesendingOwentotheCountyHospital。

Thusterrified，drivenintoacorner，pantingandflutteringaboutforsomeloopholeofescape，yetstillshrinkingfromtheideaofbeingManston\'swife，thepoorlittlebirdendeavouredtofindoutfromMissAldclyffewhetheritwaslikelyOwenwouldbewelltreatedinthehospital。

\'CountyHospital！\'saidMissAldclyffe；\'why，itisonlyanothernameforslaughter-house——insurgicalcasesatanyrate。Certainlyifanythingaboutyourbodyissnaptintwotheydojoinyoutogetherinafashion，but\'tissoaskewandugly，thatyoumayaswellbeapartagain。\'Thensheterrifiedtheinquiringandanxiousmaidenbyrelatinghorridstoriesofhowthelegsandarmsofpoorpeoplewerecutoffatamoment\'snotice，especiallyincaseswheretherestorativetreatmentwaslikelytobelongandtedious。

\'YouknowhowwillingIamtohelpyou，Cytherea，\'sheaddedreproachfully。\'Youknowit。Whyareyousoobstinatethen？Whydoyouselfishlybartheclear，honourable，andonlysisterlypathwhichleadsoutofthisdifficulty？Icannot，onmyconscience，countenanceyou；no，Icannot。\'

Manstononcemorerepeatedhisoffer；andoncemoresherefused，butthistimeweakly，andwithsignsofaninternalstruggle。Manston\'seyesparkled；hesawforthehundredthtimeinhislife，thatperseverance，ifonlysystematic，wasirresistiblebywomankind。

6。THETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST

OngoingtoBudmouththreedayslater，shefoundtohersurprisethatthestewardhadbeenthere，hadintroducedhimself，andhadseenherbrother。Afewdelicacieshadbeenbroughthimalsobythesamehand。OwenspokeinwarmtermsofManstonandhisfreeandunceremoniouscall，ashecouldnothaverefrainedfromdoingofanyperson，ofanykind，whosepresencehadservedtohelpawaythetedioushoursofalongday，andwhohad，moreover，shownthatsortofconsiderationforhimwhichtheaccompanyingbasketimplied——

antecedentconsideration，sotellinguponallinvalids——andwhichhesoseldomexperiencedexceptfromthehandsofhissister。

Howshouldheperceive，amidthistithe-payingofmint，andanise，andcummin，theweightiermatterswhichwereleftundone？

AgainthestewardmetheratCarrifordRoadStationonherreturnjourney。Insteadofbeingfrigidasattheformermeetingatthesameplace，shewasembarrassedbyastrifeofthought，andmurmuredbrokenlyherthanksforwhathehaddone。Thesamerequestthathemightseeherhomewasmade。

HehadperceivedhiserrorinmakinghiskindnesstoOwenaconditionalkindness，andhadhastenedtoeffaceallrecollectionofit。\'ThoughIletmyofferonherbrother\'s——myfriend\'s——behalf，seemdependentonmylady\'sgraciousnesstome，\'hewhisperedwooinglyinthecourseoftheirwalk，\'Icouldnotconscientiouslyadheretomystatement；itwassaidwithalltheimpulsiveselfishnessoflove。Whetheryouchoosetohaveme，orwhetheryoudon\'t，Iloveyoutoodevotedlytobeanythingbutkindtoyourbrother……MissGraye，Cytherea，Iwilldoanything，\'hecontinuedearnestly，\'togiveyoupleasure——indeedIwill。\'

Shesawontheonehandherpoorandmuch-lovedOwenrecoveringfromhisillnessandtroublesbythedisinterestedkindnessofthemanbesideher，ontheothershedrewhimdying，whollybyreasonofherself-enforcedpoverty。Tomarrythismanwasobviouslythecourseofcommonsense，torefusehimwasimpolitictemerity。Therewasreasoninthis。Buttherewasmorebehindthanahundredreasons——awoman\'sgratitudeandherimpulsetobekind。

Thewaveringofhermindwasvisibleinhertell-taleface。Henoticedit，andcaughtattheopportunity。

Theywerestandingbytheruinousfoundationsofanoldmillinthemidstofameadow。Betweengreyandhalf-overgrownstonework——theonlysignsofmasonryremaining——thewatergurgleddownfromtheoldmillpondtoalowerlevel，underthecloakofrankbroadleaves——thesensuousnaturesofthevegetableworld。Ontherighthandthesun，restingonthehorizon-line，streamedacrossthegroundfrombelowcopper-colouredandlilacclouds，stretchedoutinflatsbeneathaskyofpalesoftgreen。Alldarkobjectsontheearththatlaytowardsthesunwereoverspreadbyapurplehaze，againstwhichaswarmofwailinggnatsshoneforthluminously，risingupwardandfloatingawaylikesparksoffire。

Thestillnessoppressedandreducedhertomerepassivity。Theonlywishthehumidityoftheplaceleftinherwastostandmotionless。

Thehelplessflatnessofthelandscapegaveher，asitgivesallsuchtemperaments，asenseofbareequalitywith，andnosuperiorityto，asingleentityunderthesky。

Hecamesoclosethattheirclothestouched。\'Willyoutrytoloveme？Dotrytoloveme！\'hesaid，inawhisper，takingherhand。Hehadnevertakenitbefore。Shecouldfeelhishandtremblingexceedinglyasitheldhersinitsclasp。

Consideringhiskindnesstoherbrother，hisloveforherself，andEdward\'sfickleness，oughtshetoforbidhimtodothis？Howtrulypitifulitwastofeelhishandtrembleso——allforher！Shouldshewithdrawherhand？Shewouldthinkwhethershewould。Thinking，andhesitating，shelookedasfarastheautumnalhazeonthemarshygroundwouldallowhertoseedistinctly。Therewasthefragmentofahedge——allthatremainedofa\'wetoldgarden\'——standinginthemiddleofthemead，withoutadefinitebeginningorending，purposelessandvalueless。Itwasovergrown，andchokedwithmandrakes，andshecouldalmostfancysheheardtheirshrieks……

Shouldshewithdrawherhand？No，shecouldnotwithdrawitnow；itwastoolate，theactwouldnotimplyrefusal。Shefeltasoneinaboatwithoutoars，driftingwithclosedeyesdownariver——sheknewnotwhither。

Hegaveherhandagentlepressure，andrelinquishedit。

Thenitseemedasifhewerecomingtothepointagain。No，hewasnotgoingtourgehissuitthatevening。Anotherrespite。

7。THEEARLYPARTOFSEPTEMBER

Saturdaycame，andshewentonsometrivialerrandtothevillagepost-office。Itwasalittlegreycottagewithaluxuriantjasmineencirclingthedoorway，andbeforegoinginCythereapausedtoadmirethispleasingfeatureoftheexterior。Hearingasteponthegravelbehindthecornerofthehouse，sheresignedthejasmineandentered。Nobodywasintheroom。ShecouldhearMrs。Leat，thewidowwhoactedaspostmistress，walkingaboutoverherhead。

CythereawasgoingtothefootofthestairstocallMrs。Leat，butbeforeshehadaccomplishedherobject，anotherformstoodatthehalf-opendoor。Manstoncamein。

\'Bothonthesameerrand，\'hesaidgracefully。

\'Iwillcallher，\'saidCytherea，movinginhastetothefootofthestairs。

\'Onemoment。\'Heglidedtoherside。\'Don\'tcallherforamoment，\'herepeated。

Butshehadsaid，\'Mrs。Leat！\'

HeseizedCytherea\'shand，kissedittenderly，andcarefullyreplaceditbyherside。

Shehadthatmorningdeterminedtocheckhisfurtheradvances，untilshehadthoroughlyconsideredherposition。Theremonstrancewasnowonhertongue，butasaccidentwouldhaveit，beforethewordcouldbespokenMrs。Leatwassteppingfromthelaststairtothefloor，andnoremonstrancecame。

Withthesubtletywhichcharacterizedhiminallhisdealingswithher，hequicklyconcludedhisownerrand，badeheragood-bye，inthetonesofwhichlovewassogarnishedwithpurepolitenessthatitonlyshoweditspresencetoherself，andleftthehouse——puttingitoutofherpowertorefusehimhercompanionshiphomeward，ortoobjecttohislateactionofkissingherhand。

TheFridayofthenextweekbroughtanotherletterfromherbrother。

Inthisheinformedherthat，inabsolutegrieflestheshoulddistressherunnecessarily，hehadsometimeearlierborrowedafewpounds。Aweekago，hesaid，hiscreditorbecameimportunate，butthatonthedayonwhichhewrote，thecreditorhadtoldhimtherewasnohurryforasettlement，that\'hisSISTER\'SSUITORhadguaranteedthesum。\'\'IsheMr。Manston？tellme，Cytherea，\'saidOwen。

Healsomentionedthatawheeledchairhadbeenanonymouslyhiredforhisespecialuse，thoughasyethewashardlyfarenoughadvancedtowardsconvalescencetoavailhimselfoftheluxury。\'IsthisMr。Manston\'sdoing？\'heinquired。

Shecoulddallywithherperplexity，evadeit，trusttotimeforguidance，nolonger。Thematterhadcometoacrisis：shemustonceandforallchoosebetweenthedictatesofherunderstandingandthoseofherheart。Shelonged，tillhersoulseemednightobursting，forherlostmother\'sreturntoearth，butforoneminute，thatshemighthavetendercounseltoguideherthroughthis，hergreatdifficulty。

Asforherheart，shehalffanciedthatitwasnotEdward\'stoquitetheextentthatitoncehadbeen；shethoughthimcruelinconductinghimselftowardsherashedidatBudmouth，cruelafterwardsinmakingsolightofher。Sheknewhehadstifledhisloveforher——wasutterlylosttoher。Butforallthatshecouldnothelpindulginginawoman\'spleasureofrecreatingdefunctagonies，andlaceratingherselfwiththemnowandthen。

\'IfIwererich，\'shethought，\'Iwouldgivewaytotheluxuryofbeingmorbidlyfaithfultohimforeverwithouthisknowledge。\'

Butsheconsidered；inthefirstplaceshewasahomelessdependent；

andwhatdidpracticalwisdomtellhertodoundersuchdesperatecircumstances？Toprovideherselfwithsomeplaceofrefugefrompoverty，andwithmeanstoaidherbrotherOwen。ThiswastobeMr。

Manston\'swife。

Shedidnotlovehim。

Butwhatwaslovewithoutahome？Misery。Whatwasahomewithoutlove？Alas，notmuch；butstillakindofhome。

\'Yes，\'shethought，\'IamurgedbymycommonsensetomarryMr。

Manston。\'

Didanythingnoblerinhersaysotoo？

Withthedeath(toher)ofEdwardherheart\'soccupationwasgone。

Wasitnecessaryorevenrightforhertotenditandtakecareofitassheusedtointheoldtime，whenitwasstillacapableminister？

Byaslightsacrificehereshecouldgivehappinesstoatleasttwoheartswhoseemotionalactivitieswerestillunwounded。Shewoulddogoodtotwomenwhoseliveswerefarmoreimportantthanhers。

\'Yes，\'shesaidagain，\'evenChristianityurgesmetomarryMr。

Manston。\'

DirectlyCythereahadpersuadedherselfthatakindofheroicself-

abnegationhadtodowiththematter，shebecamemuchmorecontentintheconsiderationofit。Awilfulindifferencetothefuturewaswhatreallyprevailedinher，illandwornout，asshewas，bytheperpetualharassmentsofhersadfortune，andsheregardedthisindifference，asgushingnatureswilldoundersuchcircumstances，asgenuineresignationanddevotedness。

Manstonmetheragainthefollowingday：indeed，therewasnoescapinghimnow。Attheendofashortconversationbetweenthem，whichtookplaceinthehollowoftheparkbythewaterfall，obscuredontheoutersidebythelowhangingbranchesofthelimes，shetacitlyassentedtohisassumptionofaprivilegegreaterthananythathadprecededit。Hestoopedandkissedherbrow。

BeforegoingtobedshewrotetoOwenexplainingthewholematter。

Itwastoolateintheeveningforthepostman\'svisit，andsheplacedtheletteronthemantelpiecetosenditthenextday。

Themorning(Sunday)broughtahurriedpostscripttoOwen\'sletterofthedaybefore：——

\'September9，1865。

\'DEARCYTHEREA——IhavereceivedafrankandfriendlyletterfromMr。

Manstonexplainingthepositioninwhichhestandsnow，andalsothatinwhichhehopestostandtowardsyou。Can\'tyoulovehim？

Whynot？Try，forheisagood，andnotonlythat，butaculturedman。Thinkofthewearyandlaboriousfuturethatawaitsyouifyoucontinueforlifeinyourpresentposition，anddoyouseeanywayofescapefromitexceptbymarriage？Idon\'t。Don\'tgoagainstyourheart，Cytherea，butbewise——Everaffectionatelyyours，OWEN。\'

ShethoughtthatprobablyhehadrepliedtoMr。Manstoninthesamefavouringmood。Shehadaconvictionthatthatdaywouldsettleherdoom。Yet\'Sotrueafoolislove，\'

thatevennowshenourishedahalf-hopethatsomethingwouldhappenatthelastmomenttothwartherdeliberately-formedintentions，andfavourtheoldemotionshewasusingallherstrengthtothrustdown。

8。THETENTHOFSEPTEMBER

TheSundaywasthethirteenthafterTrinity，andtheafternoonserviceatCarrifordwasnearlyover。ThepeopleweresingingtheEveningHymn。

ManstonwasatchurchasusualinhisaccustomedplacetwoseatsforwardfromthelargesquarepewoccupiedbyMissAldclyffeandCytherea。

Theordinarysadnessofanautumnalevening-serviceseemed，inCytherea\'seyes，tobedoubledonthisparticularoccasion。Shelookedatallthepeopleastheystoodandsang，wavingbackwardsandforwardslikeaforestofpinesswayedbyagentlebreeze；thenatthevillagechildrensingingtoo，theirheadsinclinedtooneside，theireyeslistlesslytracingsomecrackintheoldwalls，orfollowingthemovementofadistantboughorbirdwithfeaturespetrifiedalmosttopainfulness。ThenshelookedatManston；hewasalreadyregardingherwithsomepurposeinhisglance。

\'Itiscomingthisevening，\'shesaidinhermind。Aminutelater，attheendofthehymn，whenthecongregationbegantomoveout，Manstoncamedowntheaisle。Hewasoppositetheendofherseatasshesteppedfromit，theremainderoftheirprogresstothedoorbeingincontactwitheachother。MissAldclyffehadlingeredbehind。

\'Don\'tlet\'shurry，\'hesaid，whenCythereawasabouttoentertheprivatepathtotheHouseasusual。\'WouldyoumindturningdownthiswayforaminutetillMissAldclyffehaspassed？\'

Shecouldnotverywellrefusenow。Theyturnedintoasecludedpathontheirleft，leadingroundthroughathicketoflaurelstotheothergateofthechurch-yard，walkingveryslowly。Bythetimethefurthergatewasreached，thechurchwasclosed。Theymetthesextonwiththekeysinhishand。

\'Wearegoinginsideforaminute，\'saidManstontohim，takingthekeysunceremoniously。\'Iwillbringthemtoyouwhenwereturn。\'

Thesextonnoddedhisassent，andCythereaandManstonwalkedintotheporch，andupthenave。

Theydidnotspeakawordduringtheirprogress，orinanywayinterferewiththestillnessandsilencethatprevailedeverywherearoundthem。Everythingintheplacewastheembodimentofdecay：

thefadingredglarefromthesettingsun，whichcameinatthewestwindow，emphasizingtheendofthedayandallitscheerfuldoings，themildewedwalls，theunevenpaving-stones，thewormypews，thesenseofrecentoccupation，andthedankairofdeathwhichhadgatheredwiththeevening，wouldhavemadegravealightermoodthanCytherea\'swasthen。

\'Whatsensationsdoestheplaceimpressyouwith？\'shesaidatlast，verysadly。

\'Ifeelimperativelycalledupontobehonest，fromverydespairofachievinganythingbystratageminaworldwherethematerialsaresuchasthese。\'He，too，spokeinadepressedvoice，purposelyorotherwise。

\'IfeelasifIwerealmostashamedtobeseenwalkingsuchaworld，\'shemurmured；\'that\'stheeffectithasuponme；butitdoesnotinducemetobehonestparticularly。\'

Hetookherhandinbothhis，andlookeddownuponthelidsofhereyes。

\'Ipityyousometimes，\'hesaidmoreemphatically。

\'Iampitiable，perhaps；soaremanypeople。Whydoyoupityme？\'

\'Ithinkthatyoumakeyourselfneedlesslysad。\'

\'Notneedlessly。\'

\'Yes，needlessly。Whyshouldyoubeseparatedfromyourbrothersomuch，whenyoumighthavehimtostaywithyoutillheiswell？\'

\'Thatcan\'tbe，\'shesaid，turningaway。

Hewenton，\'IthinktherealandonlygoodthingthatcanbedoneforhimistogethimawayfromBudmouthawhile；andIhavebeenwonderingwhetheritcouldnotbemanagedforhimtocometomyhousetoliveforafewweeks。Onlyaquarterofamilefromyou。

Howpleasantitwouldbe！\'

\'Itwould。\'

Hemovedhimselfroundimmediatelytothefrontofher，andheldherhandmorefirmly，ashecontinued，\'Cytherea，whydoyousay“Itwould，“soentirelyinthetoneofabstractsupposition？Iwanthimthere：Iwanthimtobemybrother，too。Thenmakehimso，andbemywife！Icannotlivewithoutyou。OCytherea。mydarling，mylove，comeandbemywife！\'

Hisfacebentcloserandclosertohers，andthelastwordssanktoawhisperasweakastheemotioninspiringitwasstrong。

Shesaidfirmlyanddistinctly，\'Yes，Iwill。\'

\'Nextmonth？\'hesaidontheinstant，beforetakingbreath。

\'No；notnextmonth。\'

\'Thenext？\'

\'No。\'

\'December？ChristmasDay，say？\'

\'Idon\'tmind。\'

\'O，youdarling！\'Hewasabouttoimprintakissuponherpale，coldmouth，butshehastilycovereditwithherhand。

\'Don\'tkissme——atleastwherewearenow！\'shewhisperedimploringly。

\'Why？\'

\'WearetoonearGod。\'

Hegaveasuddenstart，andhisfaceflushed。Shehadspokensoemphaticallythatthewords\'NearGod\'echoedbackagainthroughthehollowbuildingfromthefarendofthechancel。

\'Whatathingtosay！\'heexclaimed；\'surelyapurekissisnotinappropriatetotheplace！\'

\'No，\'shereplied，withaswellingheart；\'Idon\'tknowwhyIburstoutso——Ican\'ttellwhathascomeoverme！Willyouforgiveme？\'

\'HowshallIsay“Yes“withoutjudgingyou？HowshallIsay“No“

withoutlosingthepleasureofsaying“Yes？”\'Hewashimselfagain。

\'Idon\'tknow，\'sheabsentlymurmured。

\'I\'llsay“Yes，“\'heanswereddaintily。\'Itissweetertofancyweareforgiven，thantothinkwehavenotsinned；andyoushallhavethesweetnesswithouttheneed。\'

Shedidnotreply，andtheymovedaway。Thechurchwasnearlydarknow，andmelancholyintheextreme。Shestoodbesidehimwhilehelockedthedoor，thentookthearmhegaveher，andwoundherwayoutofthechurchyardwithhim。Thentheywalkedtothehousetogether，butthegreatmatterhavingbeensetatrest，shepersistedintalkingonlyonindifferentsubjects。

\'ChristmasDay，then，\'hesaid，astheywerepartingattheendoftheshrubbery。

\'ImeantOldChristmasDay，\'shesaidevasively。

\'H\'m，peopledonotusuallyattachthatmeaningtothewords。\'

\'No；butIshouldlikeitbestifitcouldnotbetillthen？\'Itseemedtobestillherinstincttodelaythemarriagetotheutmost。

\'Verywell，love，\'hesaidgently。\'\'Tisafortnightlongerstill；

butnevermind。OldChristmasDay。\'

9。THEELEVENTHOFSEPTEMBER

\'There。ItwillbeonaFriday！\'

Shesatuponalittlefootstoolgazingintentlyintothefire。Itwastheafternoonofthedayfollowingthatofthesteward\'ssuccessfulsolicitationofherhand。

\'IwonderifitwouldbeproperinmetorunacrosstheparkandtellhimitisaFriday？\'shesaidtoherself，risingtoherfeet，lookingatherhatlyingnear，andthenoutofthewindowtowardstheOldHouse。Properornot，shefeltthatshemustatallhazardsremovethedisagreeable，though，assheherselfowned，unfoundedimpressionthecoincidencehadoccasioned。Sheleftthehousedirectly，andwenttosearchforhim。

Manstonwasinthetimber-yard，lookingatthesawyersastheyworked。Cythereacameuptohimhesitatingly。Tillwithinadistanceofafewyardsshehadhurriedforwardwithalacrity——nowthatthepracticalexpressionofhisfacebecamevisibleshewishedalmostshehadneversoughthimonsuchanerrand；inhisbusiness-

moodhewasperhapsverystern。

\'ItwillbeonaFriday，\'shesaidconfusedly，andwithoutanypreface。

\'Comethisway！\'saidManston，inthetoneheusedforworkmen，notbeingabletoalterataninstant\'snotice。Hegaveherhisarmandledherbackintotheavenue，bywhichtimehewasloveragain。\'OnaFriday，willit，dearest？YoudonotmindFridays，surely？

That\'snonsense。\'

\'Notseriouslymindthem，exactly——butifitcouldbeanyotherday？\'

\'Well，letussayOldChristmasEve，then。ShallitbeOldChristmasEve？\'

\'Yes，OldChristmasEve。\'

\'Yourwordissolemn，andirrevocablenow？\'

\'Certainly，Ihavesolemnlypledgedmyword；IshouldnothavepromisedtomarryyouifIhadnotmeantit。Don\'tthinkIshould。\'

Shespokethewordswithadignifiedimpressiveness。

\'Youmustnotbevexedatmyremark，dearest。Canyouthinktheworseofanardentman，Cytherea，forshowingsomeanxietyinlove？\'

\'No，no。\'Shecouldnotsaymore。Shewasalwaysillateasewhenhespokeofhimselfasapieceofhumannatureinthatanalyticalway，andwantedtobeoutofhispresence。Thetimeofday，andtheproximityofthehouse，affordedherameansofescape。\'ImustbewithMissAldclyffenow——willyouexcusemyhastycomingandgoing？\'

shesaidprettily。Beforehehadrepliedshehadpartedfromhim。

\'Cytherea，wasitMr。ManstonIsawyouscuddingawayfromintheavenuejustnow？\'saidMissAldclyffe，whenCythereajoinedher。

\'Yes。\'

\'“Yes。“Come，whydon\'tyousaymorethanthat？Ihatethosetaciturn“Yesses“ofyours。Itellyoueverything，andyetyouareascloseaswaxwithme。\'

\'IpartedfromhimbecauseIwantedtocomein。\'

\'Whatanovelandimportantannouncement！Well，isthedayfixed？\'

\'Yes。\'

MissAldclyffe\'sfacekindledintointenseinterestatonce。\'Isitindeed？Whenisittobe？\'

\'OnOldChristmasEve。\'

\'OldChristmasEve。\'MissAldclyffedrewCytherearoundtoherfront，andtookahandineachofherown。\'Andthenyouwillbeabride！\'shesaidslowly，lookingwithcriticalthoughtfulnessuponthemaiden\'sdelicatelyroundedcheeks。

Thenormalareaofthecolouruponeachofthemdecreasedperceptiblyafterthatslowandemphaticutterancebytheelderlady。

MissAldclyffecontinuedimpressively，\'Youdidnotsay“OldChristmasEve“asafianceeshouldhavesaidthewords：andyoudon\'treceivemyremarkwiththewarmexcitementthatforeshadowsabrightfuture……Howmanyweeksaretheretothetime？\'

\'Ihavenotreckonedthem。\'

\'Not？Fancyagirlnotcountingtheweeks！IfindImusttaketheleadinthismatter——youaresochildish，orfrightened，orstupid，orsomething，aboutit，Bringmemydiary，andwewillcountthematonce。\'

Cythereasilentlyfetchedthebook。

MissAldclyffeopenedthediaryatthepagecontainingthealmanac，andcountedsixteenweeks，whichbroughthertothethirty-firstofDecember——aSunday。Cythereastoodby，lookingonasifshehadnoappetiteforthescene。

\'Sixteentothethirty-first。Thenletmesee，MondaywillbethefirstofJanuary，Tuesdaythesecond，Wednesdaythird，Thursdayfourth，Fridayfifth——youhavechosenaFriday，asIdeclare！\'

\'AThursday，surely？\'saidCytherea。

\'No：OldChristmasDaycomesonaSaturday。\'

Theperturbedlittlebrainhadreckonedwrong。\'Well，itmustbeaFriday，\'shemurmuredinareverie。

\'No：haveitaltered，ofcourse，\'saidMissAldclyffecheerfully。

\'There\'snothingbadinFriday，butsuchacreatureasyouwillbethinkingaboutitsbeingunlucky——infact，Iwouldn\'tchooseaFridaymyselftobemarriedon，sincealltheotherdaysareequallyavailable。\'

\'Ishallnothaveitaltered，\'saidCythereafirmly；\'ithasbeenalteredoncealready：Ishallletitbe。\'