第9章

XIII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY

1。THEFIFTHOFJANUARY。BEFOREDAWN

Wepassovertheinterveningweeks。Thetimeofthestoryisthusadvancedmorethanaquarterofayear。

Onthemidnightprecedingthemorningwhichwouldmakeherthewifeofamanwhosepresencefascinatedherintoinvoluntarinessofbearing，andwhominabsenceshealmostdreaded，Cytherealayinherlittlebed，vainlyendeavouringtosleep。

Shehadbeenlookingbackamidtheyearsofhershortthoughvariedpast，andthinkingofthethresholduponwhichshestood。DaysandmonthshaddimmedtheformofEdwardSpringrovelikethegauzesofavanishingstage-scene，buthisdyingvoicecouldstillbeheardfaintlybehind。Thatasoftsmallchordinherstillvibratedtruetohismemory，shewouldnotadmit：thatshedidnotapproachManstonwithfeelingswhichcouldbyanystretchofwordsbecalledhymeneal，shecalmlyowned。

\'WhydoImarryhim？\'shesaidtoherself。\'BecauseOwen，dearOwenmybrother，wishesmetomarryhim。BecauseMr。Manstonis，andhasbeen，uniformlykindtoOwen，andtome。“Actinobediencetothedictatesofcommon-sense，“Owensaid，“anddreadthesharpstingofpoverty。Howmanythousandsofwomenlikeyoumarryeveryyearforthesamereason，tosecureahome，andmereordinary，materialcomforts，whichafterallgofartomakelifeendurable，evenifnotsupremelyhappy。“

\'\'Tisright，Isuppose，forhimtosaythat。O，ifpeopleonlyknewwhatatimidityandmelancholyuponthesubjectofherfuturegrowsupintheheartofafriendlesswomanwhoisblownaboutlikeareedshakenwiththewind，asIam，theywouldnotcallthisresignationofone\'sselfbythenameofschemingtogetahusband。Schemetomarry？I\'dratherschemetodie！IknowIamnotpleasingmyheart；IknowthatifIonlywereconcerned，Ishouldlikeriskingasinglefuture。ButwhyshouldIpleasemyuselessselfovermuch，whenbydoingotherwiseIpleasethosewhoaremorevaluablethanI？\'

Inthemidstofdesultoryreflectionslikethese，whichalternatedwithsurmisesastotheinexplicableconnectionthatappearedtoexistbetweenherintendedhusbandandMissAldclyffe，shehearddullnoisesoutsidethewallsofthehouse，whichshecouldnotquitefancytobecausedbythewind。Sheseemeddoomedtosuchdisturbancesatcriticalperiodsofherexistence。\'Itisstrange，\'

shepondered，\'thatthismylastnightinKnapwaterHouseshouldbedisturbedpreciselyasmyfirstwas，nooccurrenceofthekindhavingintervened。\'

Astheminutesglidedbythenoiseincreased，soundingasifsomeonewerebeatingthewallbelowherwindowwithabunchofswitches。

Shewouldgladlyhaveleftherroomandgonetostaywithoneofthemaids，buttheywerewithoutdoubtallasleep。

Theonlypersoninthehouselikelytobeawake，orwhowouldhavebrainsenoughtocomprehendhernervousness，wasMissAldclyffe，butCythereanevercaredtogotoMissAldclyffe\'sroom，thoughshewasalwayswelcomethere，andwasoftenalmostcompelledtogoagainstherwill。

Theoft-repeatednoiseofswitchesgrewheavieruponthewall，andwasnowintermingledwithcreaks，andarattlingliketherattlingofdice。Thewindblewstronger；therecamefirstasnapping，thenacrash，andsomeportionofthemysterywasrevealed。Itwasthebreakingoffandfallofabranchfromoneofthelargetreesoutside。Thesmackingagainstthewall，andtheintermediaterattling，ceasedfromthattime。

Well，itwasthetreewhichhadcausedthenoises。Theunexplainedmatterwasthatneitherofthetreesevertouchedthewallsofthehouseduringthehighestwind，andthattreescouldnotrattlelikeamanplayingcastanetsorshakingdice。

Shethought，\'IsittheintentionofFatethatsomethingconnectedwiththesenoisesshallinfluencemyfutureasinthelastcaseofthekind？\'

Duringthedilemmashefellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamtthatshewasbeingwhippedwithdrybonessuspendedonstrings，whichrattledateveryblowlikethoseofamalefactoronagibbet；thatsheshiftedandshrankandavoidedeveryblow，andtheyfellthenuponthewalltowhichshewastied。Shecouldnotseethefaceoftheexecutionerforhismask，buthisformwaslikeManston\'s。

\'ThankHeaven！\'shesaid，whensheawokeandsawafaintlightstrugglingthroughherblind。\'Nowwhatwerethosenoises？\'Tosettlethatquestionseemedmoretoherthantheeventoftheday。

Shepulledtheblindasideandlookedout。Allwasplain。Theeveningprevioushadclosedinwithagreydrizzle，borneuponapiercingairfromthenorth，andnowitseffectswerevisible。Thehoarydrizzlestillcontinued；butthetreesandshrubswereladenwithiciclestoanextentsuchasshehadneverbeforewitnessed。A

shootofthediameterofapin\'sheadwasicedasthickasherfinger；alltheboughsintheparkwerebentalmosttotheearthwiththeimmenseweightoftheglisteningincumbrance；thewalkswerelikealooking-glass。Manyboughshadsnappedbeneaththeirburden，andlayinheapsupontheicygrass。Oppositehereye，onthenearesttree，wasafreshyellowscar，showingwherethebranchthathadterrifiedherhadbeensplinteredfromthetrunk。

\'Inevercouldhavebelieveditpossible，\'shethought，surveyingthebowed-downbranches，\'thattreeswouldbendsofaroutoftheirtruepositionswithoutbreaking。\'Bywatchingatwigshecouldseeadropcollectuponitfromthehoaryfog，sinktothelowestpoint，andtherebecomecoagulatedastheothershaddone。

\'OrthatIcouldsoexactlyhaveimitatedthem，\'shecontinued。\'OnthismorningIamtobemarried——unlessthisisaschemeofthegreatMothertohinderaunionofwhichshedoesnotapprove。Isitpossibleformyweddingtotakeplaceinthefaceofsuchweatherasthis？\'

2。MORNING

HerbrotherOwenwasstayingwithManstonattheOldHouse。

Contrarytotheopinionofthedoctors，thewoundhadhealedafterthefirstsurgicaloperation，andhislegwasgraduallyacquiringstrength，thoughhecouldonlyasyetgetaboutoncrutches，orride，orbedraggedinachair。

MissAldclyffehadarrangedthatCythereashouldbemarriedfromKnapwaterHouse，andnotfromherbrother\'slodgingsatBudmouth，whichwasCytherea\'sfirstidea。Owen，too，seemedtoprefertheplan。Thecapriciousoldmaidhadlatterlytakentothecontemplationoftheweddingwithevengreaterwarmththanhadatfirstinspiredher，andappeareddeterminedtodoeverythinginherpower，consistentwithherdignity，torendertheadjunctsoftheceremonypleasingandcomplete。

Buttheweatherseemedinflatcontradictionofthewholeproceeding。Ateighto\'clockthecoachmancreptuptotheHousealmostuponhishandsandknees，enteredthekitchen，andstoodwithhisbacktothefire，pantingfromhisexertionsinpedestrianism。

ThekitchenwasbyfarthepleasantestapartmentinKnapwaterHouseonsuchamorningasthis。Thevastfirewasthecentreofthewholesystem，likeasun，andthrewitswarmraysuponthefiguresofthedomestics，wheelingaboutitintrueplanetarystyle。A

nervously-feebleimitationofitsflickerwascontinuallyattemptedbyafamilyofpolishedmetallicutensilsstandinginrowsandgroupsagainstthewallsopposite，thewholecollectionofshinesnearlyannihilatingtheweakdaylightfromoutside。Astepfurtherin，andthenostrilsweregreetedbythescentofgreenherbsjustgathered，andtheeyebytheplumpformofthecook，wholesome，white-aproned，andfloury——lookingasedibleasthefoodshemanipulated——hermovementsbeingsupportedandassistedbyhersatellites，thekitchenandscullerymaids。Minuterecurrentsoundsprevailed——theclickofthesmoke-jack，theflapoftheflames，andthelighttouchesofthewomen\'sslippersuponthestonefloor。

Thecoachmanhemmed，spreadhisfeetmorefirmlyuponthehearthstone，andlookedhardatasmallplateintheextremecornerofthedresser。

\'Noweddenthismornen——that\'smyopinion。Infact，therecan\'tbe，\'hesaidabruptly，asifthewordswerethemeretorsoofamany-memberedthoughtthathadexistedcompleteinhishead。

Thekitchen-maidwastoastingasliceofbreadattheendofaverylongtoasting-fork，whichsheheldatarm\'slengthtowardstheunapproachablefire，travestyingtheFlanconnadeinfencing。

\'Badoutofdoors，isn\'tit？\'shesaid，withalookofcommiserationforthingsingeneral。

\'Bad？Notevenalivensoul，gentleorsimple，canstandonlevelground。Astogettenuphilltothechurch，\'tisperfectlunacy。

AndIspeakoffoot-passengers。Astohorsesandcarriage，\'tismurdertothinkof\'em。Iamgoingtosendstraightasalineintothebreakfast-room，andsay\'tisacloser……Hullo——here\'sClerkCrickettandJohnDaya-comen！Nowjustlookat\'emandpictureaweddenifyoucan。\'

Alleyeswereturnedtothewindow，fromwhichtheclerkandgardenerwereseencrossingthecourt，bowedandstoopinglikeBelandNebo。

\'You\'llhavetogoifitbreaksallthehorses\'legsinthecounty，\'

saidthecook，turningfromthespectacle，knockingopentheoven-

doorwiththetongs，glancingcriticallyin，andslammingittogetherwithaclang。

\'O，O；whyshallI？\'askedthecoachman，includinginhisauditorybyaglancetheclerkandgardenerwhohadjustentered。

\'BecauseMr。Manstonisinthebusiness。Didyoueverknowhimtogiveupforweatherofanykind，orforanyothermortalthinginheavenorearth？\'

\'——Mornenso\'s——suchasitis！\'interruptedMr。Crickettcheerily，comingforwardtotheblazeandwarmingonehandwithoutlookingatthefire。\'Mr。Manstongieupforanythinginheavenorearth，didyousay？Youmightha\'cutitshortbysayen“toMissAldclyffe，“andleavenoutheavenandearthastrifles。Butitmightbeputoff；puttenoffathingisn\'tgettenridofathing，ifthatthingisawoman。Ono，no！\'

Thecoachmanandgardenernownaturallysubsidedintosecondaries。

Thecookwentonrathersharply，asshedribbledmilkintotheexactcentreofalittlecraterofflourinaplatter——

\'Itmightbeinthiscase；she\'ssoindifferent。\'

\'Dangmyoldsides！andsoitmightbe。Ihaveabitofnews——I

thoughttherewassomethinguponmytongue；but\'tisasecret；notaword，mind，notaword。Why，MissHintontookaholidayyesterday。\'

\'Yes？\'inquiredthecook，lookingupwithperplexedcuriosity。

\'D\'yethinkthat\'sall？\'

\'Don\'tbesothree-cunning——ifitisall，deliveryoufromtheevilofraisingawoman\'sexpectationswrongfully；I\'llskimmeryourpateassureasyoucryAmen！\'

\'Well，itisn\'tall。WhenIgothomelastnightmywifesaid，“MissAdelaidetookaholidaythismornen，“saysshe(mywife，thatis)；

“walkedovertoNetherMynton，metthecomenman，andgotmarried！”

saysshe。\'

\'Gotmarried！what，Lord-a-mercy，didSpringrovecome？\'

\'Springrove，no——no——Springrove\'snothentodowi\'it——\'twasFarmerBollens。They\'vebeenplayingbo-peepforthesetwoorthreemonthsseemingly。WhilstMasterTeddySpringrovehasbeendaddlen，andhawken，andspettenabouthavingher，she\'squietlylefthimallforsook。Servehimright。Idon\'tblamethelittlewomanabit。\'

\'FarmerBollensisoldenoughtobeherfather！\'

\'Ay，quite；andrichenoughtobetenfathers。Theysayhe\'ssorichthathehasbusinessineverybank，andmeasureshismoneyinhalf-pintcups。\'

\'Lord，Iwishitwasme，don\'tIwish\'twasme！\'saidthescullery-

maid。

\'Yes，\'twasasneatabitofstitchingaseverIheardof，\'

continuedtheclerk，withafixedeye，asifhewerewatchingtheprocessfromadistance。\'Notasoulknewanythingaboutit，andmywifeistheonlyoneinourparishwhoknowsityet。MissHintoncamebackfromthewedden，wenttoMr。Manston，puffedherselfoutlarge，andsaidshewasMrs。Bollens，butthatifhewished，shehadnoobjectiontokeeponthehousetilltheregulartimeofgivingnoticehadexpired，ortillhecouldgetanothertenant。\'

\'Justlikeherindependence，\'saidthecook。

\'Well，independentorno，she\'sMrs。Bollensnow。Ah，IshallneverforgetoncewhenIwentbyFarmerBollens\'sgarden——yearsagonow——

years，whenhewastakingupashleaftaties。AmerryfellerIwasatthattime，averymerryfeller——for\'twasbeforeItookholyorders，anditdidn\'tprickmyconscienceas\'twouldnow。“Farmer，“

saysI，“littletatiesseemtoturnoutsmallthisyear，don\'tem？”

“Ono，Crickett，“sayshe，“somebefair-sized。“He\'sadullman——

FarmerBollensis——healwayswas。However，that\'sneitherherenorthere；he\'sa-marriedtoasharpwoman，andifIdon\'tmakeamistakeshe\'llbringhimaprettygoodfamily，giehertime。\'

\'Well，itdon\'tmatter；there\'saProvidenceinit，\'saidthescullery-maid。\'GodA\'mightyalwayssendsbreadaswellaschildren。\'

\'But\'tisthebreadtoonehouseandthechildrentoanotherveryoften。However，IthinkIcanseemyladyHinton\'sreasonforchosenyesterdaytosickness-or-health-it。Youryoungmiss，andthatone，hadcrossedoneanother\'spathinregardtoyoungMasterSpringrove；andIexpectthatwhenAddyHintonfoundMissGrayewasn\'tcarentohaveen，shethoughtshe\'dbebeforehandwithheroldenemyinmarryingsomebodyelsetoo。That\'smaids\'logicallover，andmaids\'malicelikewise。\'

Womenwhoarebadenoughtodivideagainstthemselvesunderaman\'spartialityaregoodenoughtoinstantlyuniteinacommoncauseagainsthisattack。\'I\'lljusttellyouonethingthen，\'saidthecook，shakingoutherwordstothetimeofawhiskshewasbeatingeggswith。\'Whatevermaids\'logicisandmaids\'malicetoo，ifCythereaGrayeevennowknowsthatyoungSpringroveisfreeagain，she\'llflingoverthestewardassoonaslookathim。\'

\'No，no：notnow，\'thecoachmanbrokeinlikeamoderator。

\'There\'shonourinthatmaid，ifevertherewasinone。NoMissHinton\'stricksinher。She\'llsticktoManston。\'

\'Pifh！\'

\'Don\'tletawordbesaidtilltheweddenisover，forHeaven\'ssake，\'theclerkcontinued。\'MissAldclyffewouldfairlyhangandquarterme，ifmynewsbrokeoffthatthereweddenatalastminutelikethis。\'

\'Thenyouhadbettergetyourwifetoboltyouintheclosetforanhourortwo，foryou\'llchatterityourselftothewholeboilingparishifshedon\'t！\'Tisapoorwomanlyfeller！\'

\'Youshouldn\'tha\'begunit，clerk。Iknewhow\'twouldbe，\'saidthegardenersoothingly，inawhispertotheclerk\'smangledremains。

Theclerkturnedandsmiledatthefire，andwarmedhisotherhand。

3。NOON

Theweathergaveway。Inhalf-an-hourtherebeganarapidthaw。Byteno\'clocktheroads，thoughstilldangerous，werepracticabletotheextentofthehalf-milerequiredbythepeopleofKnapwaterPark。Onemassofheavyleadencloudspreadoverthewholesky；theairbegantofeeldampandmildoutofdoors，thoughstillcoldandfrostywithin。

Theyreachedthechurchandpassedupthenave，thedeep-colouredglassofthenarrowwindowsrenderingthegloomofthemorningalmostnightitselfinsidethebuilding。Thentheceremonybegan。

Theonlywarmthorspiritimportedintoitcamefromthebridegroom，whoretainedavigorous——evenSpenserian——bridal-moodthroughoutthemorning。

Cythereawasasfirmasheatthiscriticalmoment，butascoldastheairsurroundingher。Thefewpersonsformingthewedding-partywereconstrainedinmovementandtone，andfromthenaveofthechurchcameoccasionalcoughs，emittedbythosewho，inspiteoftheweather，hadassembledtoseetheterminationofCytherea\'sexistenceasasinglewoman。Manypoorpeoplelovedher。Theypitiedhersuccess，why，theycouldnottell，exceptthatitwasbecausesheseemedtostandmorelikeastatuethanCythereaGraye。

Yetshewasprettilyandcarefullydressed；astrangecontradictioninaman\'sideaofthings——asaddening，perplexingcontradiction。

Arethereanypointsinwhichadifferenceofsexamountstoadifferenceofnature？Thenthisissurelyone。Notsomuch，asitiscommonlyput，inregardtotheamountofconsiderationgiven，butintheconceptionofthethingconsidered。Amanemasculatedbycoxcombrymayspendmoretimeuponthearrangementofhisclothesthananywoman，buteventhenthereisnofetichisminhisideaofthem——theyarestillonlyacoveringheusesforatime。ButherewasCytherea，inthebottomofherheartalmostindifferenttolife，yetpossessinganinstinctwithwhichherhearthadnothingtodo，theinstincttobeparticularlyregardfulofthosesorrytrifles，herrobe，herflowers，herveil，andhergloves。

Theirrevocablewordsweresoonspoken——theindeliblewritingsoonwritten——andtheycameoutofthevestry。Candleshadbeennecessaryheretoenablethemtosigntheirnames，andontheirreturntothechurchthelightfromthecandlesstreamedfromthesmallopendoor，andacrossthechanceltoablackchestnutscreenonthesouthside，dividingitfromasmallchapelorchantry，erectedforthesoul\'speaceofsomeAldclyffeofthepast。Throughtheopen-workofthisscreencouldnowbeseenilluminated，insidethechantry，therecliningfiguresofcross-leggedknights，dampandgreenwithage，andabovethemahugeclassicmonument，alsoinscribedtotheAldclyffefamily，heavilysculpturedincadaverousmarble。

Leaninghere——almosthangingtothemonument——wasEdwardSpringrove，orhisspirit。

Theweakdaylightwouldneverhaverevealedhim，shadedashewasbythescreen；buttheunexpectedraysofcandle-lightinthefrontshowedhimforthinstartlingrelieftoanyandallofthosewhoseeyeswanderedinthatdirection。Thesightwasasadone——sadbeyondalldescription。Hiseyeswerewild，theirorbitsleaden。

Hisfacewasofasicklypaleness，hishairdryanddisordered，hislipspartedasifhecouldgetnobreath。Hisfigurewasspectre-

thin。Hisactionsseemedbeyondhisowncontrol。

Manstondidnotseehim；Cythereadid。Thehealingeffectuponherheartofayear\'ssilence——ayearandahalf\'sseparation——wasundoneinaninstant。Oneofthosestrangerevivalsofpassionbymeresight——commonerinwomenthaninmen，andinoppressedwomencommonestofall——hadtakenplaceinher——sotranscendently，thateventoherselfitseemedmorelikeanewcreationthanarevival。

Marryingforahome——whatamockeryitwas！

Itmaybesaidthatthemeansmostpotentforrekindlingoldloveinamaiden\'sheartare，toseeherloverinlaughterandgoodspiritsinherdespitewhenthebreachhasbeenowingtoaslightfromherself；whenowingtoaslightfromhim，toseehimsufferingforhisownfault。Ifheishappyinaclearconscience，sheblameshim；ifheismiserablebecausedeeplytoblame，sheblamesherself。

ThelatterwasCytherea\'scasenow。

First，anagonyoffacetoldofthesuppressedmiserywithinher，whichpresentlycouldbesuppressednolonger。Whentheywerecomingoutoftheporch，therebrokefromherinalowplaintivescreamthewords，\'He\'sdying——dying！OGod，saveus！\'Shebegantosinkdown，andwouldhavefallenhadnotManstoncaughther。Thechiefbridesmaidappliedhervinaigrette。

\'Whatdidshesay？\'inquiredManston。

Owenwastheonlyonetowhomthewordswereintelligible，andhewasfartoodeeplyimpressed，orratheralarmed，toreply。Shedidnotfaint，andsoonbegantorecoverherself-command。Owentookadvantageofthehindrancetostepbacktowheretheapparitionhadbeenseen。HewasenragedwithSpringroveforwhatheconsideredanunwarrantableintrusion。

ButEdwardwasnotinthechantry。Ashehadcome，sohehadgone，nobodycouldtellhoworwhither。

4。AFTERNOON

ItmightalmosthavebeenbelievedthatatransmutationhadtakenplaceinCytherea\'sidiosyncrasy，thathermoralnaturehadfled。

Thewedding-partyreturnedtothehouse。Assoonashecouldfindanopportunity，Owentookhissisterasidetospeakprivatelywithheronwhathadhappened。Theexpressionofherfacewashard，wild，andunreal——anexpressionhehadneverseentherebefore，anditdisturbedhim。Hespoketoherseverelyandsadly。

\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'Iknowthecauseofthisemotionofyours。

Butrememberthis，therewasnoexcuseforit。Youshouldhavebeenwomanenoughtocontrolyourself。Rememberwhosewifeyouare，anddon\'tthinkanythingmoreofamean-spiritedfellowlikeSpringrove；

hehadnobusinesstocomethereashedid。Youarealtogetherwrong，Cytherea，andIamvexedwithyoumorethanIcansay——veryvexed。\'

\'Sayashamedofmeatonce，\'shebitterlyanswered。

\'Iamashamedofyou，\'heretortedangrily；\'themoodhasnotleftyouyet，then？\'

\'Owen，\'shesaid，andpaused。Herliptrembled；hereyetoldofsensationstoodeepfortears。\'No，Owen，ithasnotleftme；andI

willbehonest。Iownnowtoyou，withoutanydisguiseofwords，whatlastnightIdidnotowntomyself，becauseIhardlyknewofit。IloveEdwardSpringrovewithallmystrength，andheart，andsoul。Youcallmeawantonforit，don\'tyou？Idon\'tcare；Ihavegonebeyondcaringforanything！\'Shelookedstonilyintohisfaceandmadethespeechcalmly。

\'Well，poorCytherea，don\'ttalklikethat！\'hesaid，alarmedathermanner。

\'IthoughtthatIdidnotlovehimatall，\'shewentonhysterically。\'Ayearandahalfhadpassedsincewemet。Icouldgobythegateofhisgardenwithoutthinkingofhim——lookathisseatinchurchandnotcare。ButIsawhimthismorning——dyingbecausehelovesmeso——Iknowitisthat！CanIhelplovinghimtoo？No，Icannot，andIwilllovehim，andIdon\'tcare！Wehavebeenseparatedsomehowbysomecontrivance——Iknowwehave。O，ifI

couldonlydie！\'

Heheldherinhisarms。\'Manyawomanhasgonetoruinherself，\'

hesaid，\'andbroughtthosewholoveherintodisgrace，byactinguponsuchimpulsesaspossessyounow。Ihaveareputationtoloseaswellasyou。ItseemsthatdowhatIwillbywayofremedyingthestainswhichfelluponus，itisalldoomedtobeundoneagain。\'

Hisvoicegrewhuskyashemadethereply。

Therightandonlyeffectivechordhadbeentouched。SinceshehadseenEdward，shehadthoughtonlyofherselfandhim。Owen——hername——position——future——hadbeenasiftheydidnotexist。

\'Iwon\'tgivewayandbecomeadisgracetoYOU，atanyrate，\'shesaid。

\'Besides，yourdutytosociety，andthoseaboutyou，requiresthatyoushouldlivewith(atanyrate)alltheappearanceofagoodwife，andtrytoloveyourhusband。\'

\'Yes——mydutytosociety，\'shemurmured。\'Butah，Owen，itisdifficulttoadjustourouterandinnerlifewithperfecthonestytoall！Thoughitmayberighttocaremoreforthebenefitofthemanythanfortheindulgenceofyourownsingleself，whenyouconsiderthatthemany，anddutytothem，onlyexisttoyouthroughyourownexistence，whatcanbesaid？Whatdoourownacquaintancescareaboutus？Notmuch。Ithinkofmine。Minewillnow(dotheylearnallthewickedfrailtyofmyheartinthisaffair)lookatme，smilesickly，andcondemnme。Andperhaps，farintimetocome，whenIamdeadandgone，someother\'saccent，orsomeother\'ssong，orthought，likeanoldoneofmine，willcarrythembacktowhatI

usedtosay，andhurttheirheartsalittlethattheyblamedmesosoon。Andtheywillpausejustforaninstant，andgiveasightome，andthink，“Poorgirl！”believingtheydogreatjusticetomymemorybythis。Buttheywillnever，neverrealizethatitwasmysingleopportunityofexistence，aswellasofdoingmyduty，whichtheyareregarding；theywillnotfeelthatwhattothemisbutathought，easilyheldinthosetwowordsofpity，“Poorgirl！”wasawholelifetome；asfullofhours，minutes，andpeculiarminutes，ofhopesanddreads，smiles，whisperings，tears，astheirs：thatitwasmyworld，whatistothemtheirworld，andtheyinthatlifeofmine，howevermuchIcaredforthem，onlyasthethoughtIseemtothemtobe。Nobodycanenterintoanother\'snaturetruly，that\'swhatissogrievous。\'

\'Well，itcannotbehelped，\'saidOwen。

\'Butwemustnotstayhere，\'shecontinued，startingupandgoing。

\'Weshallbemissed。I\'lldomybest，Owen——Iwill，indeed。\'

Ithadbeendecidedthatonaccountofthewretchedstateoftheroads，thenewly-marriedpairshouldnotdrivetothestationtillthelatesthourintheafternoonatwhichtheycouldgetatraintotakethemtoSouthampton(theirdestinationthatnight)byareasonabletimeintheevening。TheyintendedthenextmorningtocrosstoHavre，andthencetoParis——aplaceCythereahadnevervisited——fortheirweddingtour。

Theafternoondrewon。Thepackingwasdone。Cythereawassorestlessthatshecouldstaystillnowhere。MissAldclyffe，who，thoughshetooklittlepartintheday\'sproceedings，was，asitwere，instinctivelyconsciousofalltheirmovements，putdownhercharge\'sagitationforonceasthenaturalresultofthenovelevent，andManstonhimselfwasasindulgentascouldbewished。

AtlengthCythereawanderedaloneintotheconservatory。Wheninit，shethoughtshewouldrunacrosstothehot-houseintheoutergarden，havinginherheartawhimsicaldesirethatsheshouldalsoliketotakealastlookatthefamiliarflowersandluxuriantleavescollectedthere。Shepulledonapairofovershoes，andthithershewent。Notasoulwasinoraroundtheplace。ThegardenerwasmakingmerryonManston\'sandheraccount。

Thehappinessthatagenerousspiritderivesfromthebeliefthatitexistsinothersisoftengreaterthantheprimaryhappinessitself。

Thegardenerthought\'Howhappytheyare！\'andthethoughtmadehimhappierthanthey。

Comingoutoftheforcing-houseagain，shewasonthepointofreturningindoors，whenafeelingthatthesemomentsofsolitudewouldbeherlastoffreedominducedhertoprolongthemalittle，andshestoodstill，unheedingthewintryaspectofthecurly-leavedplants，thestraw-coveredbeds，andthebarefruit-treesaroundher。

Thegarden，nopartofwhichwasvisiblefromthehouse，slopeddowntoanarrowriveratthefoot，dividingitfromthemeadowswithout。

Amanwaslingeringalongthepublicpathontheothersideoftheriver；shefanciedsheknewtheform。Herresolutions，takeninthepresenceofOwen，didnotfailhernow。Shehopedandprayedthatitmightnotbeonewhohadstolenherheartaway，andstillkeptit。Whyshouldhehavereappearedatall，whenhehaddeclaredthathewentoutofhersightforever？

Shehastilyhidherself，inthelowestcornerofthegardenclosetotheriver。Alargedeadtree，thicklyrobedinivy，hadbeenconsiderablydepressedbyitsicyloadofthemorning，andhunglowoverthestream，whichhereranslowanddeep。Thetreescreenedherfromtheeyesofanypasserontheotherside。

Shewaitedtimidly，andhertimidityincreased。Shewouldnotallowherselftoseehim——shewouldhearhimpass，andthenlooktoseeifithadbeenEdward。

But，beforesheheardanything，shebecameawareofanobjectreflectedinthewaterfromunderthetreewhichhungovertheriverinsuchawaythat，thoughhidingtheactualpath，andobjectsuponit，itpermittedtheirreflectedimagestopassbeneathitsboughs。

Thereflectedformwasthatofthemanshehadseenfurtheroff，butbeinginverted，shecouldnotdefinitelycharacterizehim。

HewaslookingattheupperwindowsoftheHouse——athers——wasitEdward，indeed？Ifso，hewasprobablythinkinghewouldliketosayonepartingword。Hecamecloser，gazedintothestream，andwalkedveryslowly。ShewasalmostcertainthatitwasEdward。Shekeptmoresafelyhidden。Consciencetoldherthatsheoughtnottoseehim。Butshesuddenlyaskedherselfaquestion：\'Canitbepossiblethatheseesmyreflectedimage，asIseehis？Ofcoursehedoes！\'

Hewaslookingatherinthewater。

Shecouldnothelpherselfnow。Shesteppedforwardjustasheemergedfromtheothersideofthetreeandappearederectbeforeher。ItwasEdwardSpringrove——tilltheinvertedvisionmethiseye，dreamingnomoreofseeinghisCythereatherethanofseeingthedeadthemselves。

\'Cytherea！\'

\'Mr。Springrove，\'shereturned，inalowvoice，acrossthestream。

Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。

\'Sincewehavemet，Iwanttotellyousomething，beforewebecomequiteasstrangerstoeachother。\'

\'No——notnow——Ididnotmeantospeak——itisnotright，Edward。\'

Shespokehurriedlyandturnedawayfromhim，beatingtheairwithherhand。

\'Notonecommonwordofexplanation？\'heimplored。\'Don\'tthinkI

ambadenoughtotrytoleadyouastray。Well，go——itisbetter。\'

Theireyesmetagain。Shewasnearlychoked。O，howshelonged——

anddreaded——tohearhisexplanation！

\'Whatisit？\'shesaiddesperately。

\'ItisthatIdidnotcometothechurchthismorninginordertodistressyou：Ididnot，Cytherea。Itwastotrytospeaktoyoubeforeyouwere——married。\'

Hesteppedcloser，andwenton，\'Youknowwhathastakenplace？

Surelyyoudo？——mycousinismarried，andIamfree。\'

\'Married——andnottoyou？\'Cythereafaltered，inaweakwhisper。

\'Yes，shewasmarriedyesterday！Arichmanhadappeared，andshejiltedme。Shesaidsheneverwouldhavejiltedastranger，butthatbyjiltingme，sheonlyexercisedtherighteverybodyhasofsnubbingtheirownrelations。Butthat\'snothingnow。Icametoyoutoaskoncemoreif……ButIwastoolate。\'

\'But，Edward，what\'sthat，what\'sthat！\'shecried，inanagonyofreproach。\'Whydidyouleavemetoreturntoher？Whydidyouwritemethatcruel，cruelletterthatnearlykilledme！\'

\'Cytherea！Why，youhadgrowntolove——like——Mr。Manston，andhowcouldyoubeanythingtome——orcareforme？SurelyIactednaturally？\'

\'Ono——never！Ilovedyou——onlyyou——nothim——alwaysyou！——tilllately……Itrytolovehimnow。\'

\'Butthatcan\'tbecorrect！MissAldclyffetoldmethatyouwantedtohearnomoreofme——provedittome！\'saidEdward。

\'Never！shecouldn\'t。\'

\'Shedid，Cytherea。Andshesentmealetter——alove-letter，youwrotetoMr。Manston。\'

\'Alove-letterIwrote？\'

\'Yes，alove-letter——youcouldnotmeethimjustthen，yousaidyouweresorry，buttheemotionyouhadfeltwithhimmadeyouforgetfulofrealities。\'

Thestrifeofthoughtintheunhappygirlwholistenedtothisdistortionofhermeaningcouldfindnoventinwords。Andthentherefollowedtheslowrevelationinreturn，bringingwithitallthemiseryofanexplanationwhichcomestoolate。ThequestionwhetherMissAldclyffewereschemerordupewasalmostpassedoverbyCytherea，undertheimmediateoppressivenessofherdespairinthesensethatherpositionwasirretrievable。

NotsoSpringrove。Hesawthroughallthecunninghalf-

misrepresentations——worsethandownrightlies——whichhadjustbeensufficienttoturnthescalebothwithhimandwithher；andfromthebottomofhissoulhecursedthewomanandmanwhohadbroughtallthisagonyuponhimandhisLove。Buthecouldnotaddmoremiserytothefutureofthepoorchildbyrevealingtoomuch。Thewholeschemesheshouldneverknow。

\'Iwasindifferenttomyownfuture，\'Edwardsaid，\'andwasurgedtopromiseadherencetomyengagementwithmycousinAdelaidebyMissAldclyffe：nowyouaremarriedIcannottellyouhow，butitwasonaccountofmyfather。Beingforbiddentothinkofyou，whatdidI

careaboutanything？Mynewthoughtthatyoustilllovedmewasfirstraisedbywhatmyfathersaidintheletterannouncingmycousin\'smarriage。HesaidthatalthoughyouweretobemarriedonOldChristmasDay——thatisto-morrow——hehadnoticedyourappearancewithpity：hethoughtyoulovedmestill。Itwasenoughforme——I

camedownbytheearliestmorningtrain，thinkingIcouldseeyousometimeto-day，theday，asIthought，beforeyourmarriage，hoping，buthardlydaringtohope，thatyoumightbeinducedtomarryme。Ihurriedfromthestation；whenIreachedthevillageI

sawidlersaboutthechurch，andtheprivategateleadingtotheHouseopen。Iranintothechurchbythesmalldoorandsawyoucomeoutofthevestry；Iwastoolate。Ihavenowtoldyou。Iwascompelledtotellyou。O，mylostdarling，nowIshalllivecontent——ordiecontent！\'

\'Iamtoblame，Edward，Iam，\'shesaidmournfully；\'Iwastaughttodreadpauperism；mynightsweremadesleepless；therewascontinuallyreiteratedinmyearstillIbelievedit——

\'“Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth，AndtopressapointwheretheseopposeWereasimplepolicy。“

ButIwillsaynothingaboutwhoinfluenced——whopersuaded。Theactismine，afterall。Edward，ImarriedtoescapedependenceformybreaduponthewhimofMissAldclyffe，orotherslikeher。Itwasclearlyrepresentedtomethatdependenceisbearableifwehaveanotherplacewhichwecancallhome；buttobeadependentandtohavenootherspotforthehearttoanchorupon——O，itismournfulandharassing！……Butthatwithoutwhichallpersuasionwouldhavebeenasair，wasaddedbymymiserableconvictionthatyouwerefalse；thatdidit，thatturnedme！Youweretobeconsideredasnobodytome，andMr。Manstonwasinvariablykind。Well，thedeedisdone——Imustabidebyit。IshallneverlethimknowthatIdonotlovehim——never。Ifthingshadonlyremainedastheyseemedtobe，ifyouhadreallyforgottenmeandmarriedanotherwoman，I

couldhaveborneitbetter。IwishIdidnotknowthetruthasI

knowitnow！Butourlife，whatisit？Letusbebrave，Edward，andliveoutourfewremainingyearswithdignity。Theywillnotbelong。O，Ihopetheywillnotbelong！……Now，good-bye，good-

bye！\'

\'IwishIcouldbenearandtouchyouonce，justonce，\'saidSpringrove，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtokeepfirmandclear。

Theylookedattheriver，thenintoit；ashoalofminnowswasfloatingoverthesandybottom，liketheblackdashesonminiver；

thoughnarrow，thestreamwasdeep，andtherewasnobridge。

\'Cytherea，reachoutyourhandthatImayjusttouchitwithmine。\'

Shesteppedtothebrinkandstretchedoutherhandandfingerstowardshis，butnotintothem。Theriverwastoowide。

\'Nevermind，\'saidCytherea，hervoicebrokenbyagitation，\'Imustbegoing。Godblessandkeepyou，myEdward！Godblessyou！\'

\'Imusttouchyou，Imustpressyourhand，\'hesaid。

Theycamenear——nearer——nearerstill——theirfingersmet。Therewasalongfirmclasp，socloseandstillthateachhandcouldfeeltheother\'spulsethrobbingbesideitsown。

\'MyCytherea！mystolenpetlamb！\'

Sheglancedamutefarewellfromherlargeperturbedeyes，turned，andranupthegardenwithoutlookingback。Allwasoverbetweenthem。Theriverflowedonasquietlyandobtuselyasever，andtheminnowsgatheredagainintheirfavouritespotasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbed。

Nobodyindoorsguessedfromhercountenanceandbearingthatherheartwasneartobreakingwiththeintensityofthemiserywhichgnawedthere。Atthesetimesawomandoesnotfaint，orweep，orscream，asshewillinthemomentofsuddenshocks。Whenlancedbyamentalagonyofsuchrefinedandspecialtorturethatitisindescribablebymen\'swords，shemovesamongheracquaintancesmuchasbefore，andcontrivessotocastheractionsintheoldmouldsthatsheisonlyconsideredtoberatherdullerthanusual。

5。HALF-PASTTWOTOFIVEO\'CLOCKP。M。

Owenaccompaniedthenewly-marriedcoupletotherailway-station，andinhisanxietytoseethelastofhissister，leftthebroughamandstooduponhiscrutcheswhilstthetrainwasstarting。

Whenthehusbandandwifewereabouttoentertherailway-carriagetheysawoneoftheporterslookingfrequentlyandfurtivelyatthem。Hewaspale，andapparentlyveryill。

\'Lookatthatpoorsickman，\'saidCythereacompassionately，\'surelyheoughtnottobehere。\'

\'He\'sbeenveryqueerto-day，madam，veryqueer，\'anotherporteranswered。\'Hedohardlyhearwhenhe\'sspokento，andd\'seemgiddy，orasifsomethingwasonhismind。He\'sbeenlikeitforthismonthpast，butnothingsobadasheisto-day。\'

\'Poorthing。\'

Shecouldnotresistaninnatedesiretodosomejustthingonthismostdeceitfulandwretcheddayofherlife。Goinguptohimshegavehimmoney，andtoldhimtosendtotheoldmanor-houseforwineorwhateverhewanted。

Thetrainmovedoffasthetremblingmanwasmurmuringhisincoherentthanks。Owenwavedhishand；Cythereasmiledbacktohimasifitwereunknowntoherthatsheweptallthewhile。

OwenwasdrivenbacktotheOldHouse。Buthecouldnotrestinthelonelyplace。Hisconsciencebegantoreproachhimforhavingforcedonthemarriageofhissisterwithalittletoomuchperemptoriness。Takinguphiscrutcheshewentoutofdoorsandwanderedaboutthemuddyroadswithnoobjectinviewsavethatofgettingridoftime。

Thecloudswhichhadhungsolowanddenselyduringthedayclearedfromthewestjustnowasthesunwassetting，callingforthaweaklytwitterfromafewsmallbirds。Owencrawleddownthepathtothewaterfall，andlingeredthereabouttillthesolitudeoftheplaceoppressedhim，whenheturnedbackandintotheroadtothevillage。Hewassad；hesaidtohimself——

\'Ifthereiseveranymeaninginthoseheavyfeelingswhicharecalledpresentiments——andIdon\'tbelievethereis——therewillbeinmineto-day……PoorlittleCytherea！\'

Atthatmomentthelastlowraysofthesuntouchedtheheadandshouldersofamanwhowasapproaching，andshowedhimuptoOwen\'sview。ItwasoldMr。Springrove。TheyhadgrownfamiliarwitheachotherbyreasonofOwen\'svisitstoKnapwaterduringthepastyear。ThefarmerinquiredhowOwen\'sfootwasprogressing，andwasgladtoseehimsonimbleagain。

\'Howisyourson？\'saidOwenmechanically。

\'Heisathome，sittingbythefire，\'saidthefarmer，inasadvoice。\'ThismorningheslippedindoorsfromGodknowswhere，andtherehesitsandmopes，andthinks，andthinks，andpresseshisheadsohard，thatIcan\'thelpfeelingforhim。\'

\'Ishemarried？\'saidOwen。Cythereahadfearedtotellhimoftheinterviewinthegarden。

\'No。Ican\'tquiteunderstandhowthematterrests……Ah！

Edward，too，whostartedwithsuchpromise；thatheshouldnowhavebecomesuchacarelessfellow——notamonthinoneplace。There，Mr。

Graye，Iknowwhatitismainlyowingto。Ifithadn\'tbeenforthatheartaffair，hemighthavedone——butthelesssaidabouthimthebetter。Idon\'tknowwhatweshouldhavedoneifMissAldclyffehadinsistedupontheconditionsoftheleases。Yourbrother-in-

law，thesteward，hadahandinmakingitlightforus，Iknow，andIheartilythankhimforit。\'Heceasedspeaking，andlookedroundatthesky。

\'Haveyouheardo\'what\'shappened？\'hesaidsuddenly；\'Iwasjustcomingouttolearnaboutit。\'

\'Ihaven\'theardofanything。\'

\'Itissomethingveryserious，thoughIdon\'tknowwhat。AllIknowiswhatIheardamancalloutbynow——thatitverymuchconcernssomebodywholivesintheparish。\'

Itseemssingularenough，eventomindswhohavenodimbeliefsinadumbrationandpresentiment，thatatthatmomentnottheshadowofathoughtcrossedOwen\'smindthatthesomebodywhomthematterconcernedmightbehimself，oranybelongingtohim。Theeventabouttotranspirewasasportentoustothewomanwhosewelfarewasmoredeartohimthanhisown，asany，shortofdeathitself，couldpossiblybe；andeverafterwards，whenheconsideredtheeffectoftheknowledgethenexthalf-hourconveyedtohisbrain，evenhispracticalgoodsensecouldnotrefrainfromwonderthatheshouldhavewalkedtowardthevillageafterhearingthosewordsofthefarmer，insoleisurelyandunconcernedaway。\'HowunutterablymeanmustmyintelligencehaveappearedtotheeyeofaforeseeingGod，\'hefrequentlysaidinafter-time。\'Columbusontheeveofhisdiscoveryofaworldwasnotsocontemptiblyunaware。\'

Afterafewadditionalwordsofcommon-placethefarmerlefthim，and，ashasbeensaid，Owenproceededslowlyandindifferentlytowardsthevillage。

Thelabouringmenhadjustleftwork，andpassedtheparkgate，whichopenedintothestreetasOwencamedowntowardsit。Theywentalonginadrift，earnestlytalking，andwerefinallyabouttoturninattheirrespectivedoorways。Butuponseeinghimtheylookedsignificantlyatoneanother，andpaused。Hecameintotheroad，onthatsideofthevillage-greenwhichwasoppositetherowofcottages，andturnedroundtotheright。WhenOwenturned，alleyesturned；oneortwomenwenthurriedlyindoors，andafterwardsappearedatthedoorstepwiththeirwives，whoalsocontemplatedhim，talkingastheylooked。Theyseemeduncertainhowtoactinsomematter。

\'Iftheywantme，surelytheywillcallme，\'hethought，wonderingmoreandmore。Hecouldnolongerdoubtthathewasconnectedwiththesubjectoftheirdiscourse。

Thefirstwhoapproachedhimwasaboy。

\'Whathasoccurred？\'saidOwen。

\'O，amanha\'gotcrazy-religious，andsentforthepa\'son。\'

\'Isthatall？\'

\'Yes，sir。Hewishedhewasdead，hesaid，andhe\'salmostoutofhismindwi\'wishenitsomuch。ThatwasbeforeMr。Raunhamcame。\'

\'Whoishe？\'saidOwen。

\'JosephChinney，oneoftherailway-porters；heusedtobenight-

porter。\'

\'Ah——themanwhowasillthisafternoon；bytheway，hewastoldtocometotheOldHouseforsomething，buthehasn\'tbeen。Buthasanythingelsehappened——anythingthatconcernstheweddingto-day？\'

\'No，sir。\'

ConcludingthattheconnectionwhichhadseemedtobetracedbetweenhimselfandtheeventmustinsomewayhavearisenfromCytherea\'sfriendlinesstowardstheman，Owenturnedaboutandwenthomewardsinamuchquieterframeofmind——yetscarcelysatisfiedwiththesolution。Theroutehehadchosenledthroughthedairy-yard，andheopenedthegate。

Fiveminutesbeforethispointoftime，EdwardSpringrovewaslookingoveroneofhisfather\'sfieldsatanoutlyinghamletofthreeorfourcottagessomemileandahalfdistant。Aturnpike-

gatewasclosebythegateofthefield。

ThecarriertoCasterbridgecameupasEdwardsteppedintotheroad，andjumpeddownfromthevantopaytoll。HerecognizedSpringrove。

\'Thisisaprettyset-toinyourplace，sir，\'hesaid。\'Youdon\'tknowaboutit，Isuppose？\'

\'What？\'saidSpringrove。

Thecarrierpaidhisdues，cameuptoEdward，andspoketenwordsinaconfidentialwhisper：thensprangupontheshaftsofhisvehicle，gaveaclinchingnodofsignificancetoSpringrove，andrattledaway。

Edwardturnedpalewiththeintelligence。Hisfirstthoughtwas，\'Bringherhome！\'

Thenext——didOwenGrayeknowwhathadbeendiscovered？Heprobablydidbythattime，butnorisksofprobabilitymustberunbyawomanheloveddearerthanalltheworldbesides。Hewouldatanyratemakeperfectlysurethatherbrotherwasinpossessionoftheknowledge，bytellingithimwithhisownlips。

Offheraninthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。

Thepathwasacrossarableland，andwasploughedupwiththerestofthefieldeveryautumn，afterwhichitwastroddenoutafresh。

Thethawhadsoloosenedthesoftearth，thatlumpsofstiffmudwereliftedbyhisfeetateveryleaphetook，andflungagainsthimbyhisrapidmotion，asitweredoggedlyimpedinghim，andincreasingtenfoldthecustomaryeffortofrunning，Butheranon——uphill，anddownhill，thesamepacealike——liketheshadowofacloud。Hisnearestdirection，too，likeOwen\'s，wasthroughthedairy-barton，andasOwenenteredithesawthefigureofEdwardrapidlydescendingtheoppositehill，atadistanceoftwoorthreehundredyards。Owenadvancedamidthecows。

Thedairyman，whohadhithertobeentalkingloudlyonsomeabsorbingsubjecttothemaidsandmenmilkingaroundhim，turnedhisfacetowardstheheadofthecowwhenOwenpassed，andceasedspeaking。

Owenapproachedhimandsaid——

\'Asingularthinghashappened，Ihear。Themanisnotinsane，I

suppose？\'

\'Nothe——he\'ssensibleenough，\'saidthedairyman，andpaused。Hewasamannoisywithhisassociates——stolidandtaciturnwithstrangers。

\'IsittruethatheisChinney，therailway-porter？\'

\'That\'stheman，sir。\'Themaidsandmensittingunderthecowswereallattentivelylisteningtothisdiscourse，milkingirregularly，andsoftlydirectingthejetsagainstthesidesofthepail。

Owencouldcontainhimselfnolonger，muchashisminddreadedanythingofthenatureofridicule。\'Thepeopleallseemtolookatme，asifsomethingseriouslyconcernedme；isitthisstupidmatter，orwhatisit？\'

\'Surely，sir，youknowbetterthananybodyelseifsuchastrangethingconcernsyou。\'

\'Whatstrangething？\'

\'Don\'tyouknow！HisconfessingtoParsonRaunham。\'

\'Whatdidheconfess？Tellme。\'

\'Ifyoureallyha\'n\'theard，\'tisthis。Hewasasusualondutyatthestationonthenightofthefirelastyear，otherwisehewouldn\'tha\'knownit。\'

\'Knownwhat？ForGod\'ssaketell，man！\'

Butatthisinstantthetwooppositegatesofthedairy-yard，oneontheeast，theotheronthewestside，slammedalmostsimultaneously。

Therectorfromone，Springrovefromtheother，camestridingacrossthebarton。

Edwardwasnearest，andspokefirst。Hesaidinalowvoice：\'Yoursisterisnotlegallymarried！Hisfirstwifeisstillliving！HowitcomesoutIdon\'tknow！\'

\'O，hereyouareatlast，Mr。Graye，thankHeaven！\'saidtherectorbreathlessly。\'IhavebeentotheOldHouse，andthentoMissAldclyffe\'slookingforyou——somethingveryextraordinary。\'HebeckonedtoOwen，afterwardsincludedSpringroveinhisglance，andthethreesteppedasidetogether。

\'Aporteratthestation。Hewasacuriousnervousman。Hehadbeeninastrangestateallday，buthewouldn\'tgohome。Yoursisterwaskindtohim，itseems，thisafternoon。Whensheandherhusbandhadgone，hewentonwithhiswork，shiftingluggage-vans。

Well，hegotintheway，asifhewerequitelosttowhatwasgoingon，andtheysenthimhomeatlast。Thenhewishedtoseeme。I

wentdirectly。Therewassomethingonhismind，hesaid，andtoldit。AboutthetimewhenthefireoflastNovembertwelvemonthwasgotunder，whilsthewasbyhimselfintheporter\'sroom，almostasleep，somebodycametothestationandtriedtoopenthedoor。HewentoutandfoundthepersontobetheladyhehadaccompaniedtoCarrifordearlierintheevening，Mrs。Manston。Sheasked，whenwouldbeanothertraintoLondon？Thefirstthenextmorning，hetoldher，wasataquarter-pastsixo\'clockfromBudmouth，butthatitwasexpress，anddidn\'tstopatCarrifordRoad——itdidn\'tstoptillitgottoAnglebury。“HowfarisittoAnglebury？”shesaid。

Hetoldher，andshethankedhim，andwentawayuptheline。Inashorttimesheranbackandtookoutherpurse。“Don\'tonanyaccountsayawordinthevillageoranywherethatIhavebeenhere，orasinglebreathaboutme——I\'mashamedevertohavecome。“Hepromised；shetookouttwosovereigns。“SwearitontheTestamentinthewaiting-room，“shesaid，“andI\'llpayyouthese。“Hegotthebook，tookanoathuponit，receivedthemoney，andshelefthim。Hewasoffdutyathalf-pastfive。Hehaskeptsilenceallthroughtheinterveningtimetillnow，butlatelytheknowledgehepossessedweighedheavilyuponhisconscienceandweakmind。Yetthenearercamethewedding-day，themorehefearedtotell。Theactualmarriagefilledhimwithremorse。Hesaysyoursister\'skindnessafterwardswaslikeaknifegoingthroughhisheart。Hethoughthehadruinedher。\'

\'Butwhatevercanbedone？Whydidn\'thespeaksooner？\'criedOwen。

\'Heactuallycalledatmyhousetwiceyesterday，\'therectorcontinued，\'resolved，itseems，tounburdenhismind。Iwasoutbothtimes——heleftnomessage，and，theysay，helookedrelievedthathisobjectwasdefeated。ThenhesaysheresolvedtocometoyouattheOldHouselastnight——started，reachedthedoor，anddreadedtoknock——andthenwenthomeagain。\'

\'Herewillbeataleforthenewsmongersofthecounty，\'saidOwenbitterly。\'Theideaofhisnotopeninghismouthsooner——thecriminalityofthething！\'

\'Ah，that\'stheinconsistencyofaweaknature。Butnowthatitisputtousinthisway，howmuchmoreprobableitseemsthatsheshouldhaveescapedthanhavebeenburnt——\'

\'Youwill，ofcourse，gostraighttoMr。Manston，andaskhimwhatitallmeans？\'Edwardinterrupted。

\'OfcourseIshall！Manstonhasnorighttocarryoffmysisterunlesshe\'sherhusband，\'saidOwen。\'Ishallgoandseparatethem。\'

\'Certainlyyouwill，\'saidtherector。

\'Where\'stheman？\'

\'Inhiscottage。\'

\'\'Tisnousegoingtohim，either。Imustgooffatonceandovertakethem——laythecasebeforeManston，andaskhimforadditionalandcertainproofsofhisfirstwife\'sdeath。Anup-

trainpassessoon，Ithink。\'

\'Wherehavetheygone？\'saidEdward。

\'ToParis——asfarasSouthamptonthisafternoon，toproceedto-

morrowmorning。\'

\'WhereinSouthampton？\'

\'Ireallydon\'tknow——somehotel。IonlyhavetheirParisaddress。

ButIshallfindthembymakingafewinquiries。\'

Therectorhadinthemeantimebeentakingouthispocket-book，andnowopeneditatthefirstpage，whereonitwashiscustomeverymonthtogumasmallrailwaytime-table——cutfromthelocalnewspaper。

\'Theafternoonexpressisjustgone，\'hesaid，holdingopenthepage，\'andthenexttraintoSouthamptonpassesattenminutestosixo\'clock。Nowitwants——letmesee——five-and-fortyminutestothattime。Mr。Graye，myadviceisthatyoucomewithmetotheporter\'scottage，whereIwillshortlywriteoutthesubstanceofwhathehassaid，andgethimtosignit。YouwillthenhavefarbettergroundsforinterferingbetweenMr。andMrs。Manstonthanifyouwenttothemwithamerehearsaystory。\'

Thesuggestionseemedagoodone。\'Yes，therewillbetimebeforethetrainstarts，\'saidOwen。

Edwardhadbeenmusingrestlessly。

\'LetmegotoSouthamptoninyourplace，onaccountofyourlameness？\'hesaidsuddenlytoGraye。

\'Iammuchobligedtoyou，butIthinkIcanscarcelyaccepttheoffer，\'returnedOwencoldly。\'Mr。Manstonisanhonourableman，andIhadmuchbetterseehimmyself。\'

\'Thereisnodoubt，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'thatthedeathofhiswifewasfullybelievedinbyhimself。\'

\'Nonewhatever，\'saidOwen；\'andthenewsmustbebrokentohim，andthequestionofotherproofsasked，inafriendlyway。ItwouldnotdoforMr。Springrovetoappearinthecaseatall。\'Hestillspokerathercoldly；therecollectionoftheattachmentbetweenhissisterandEdwardwasnotapleasantonetohim。

\'Youwillneverfindthem，\'saidEdward。\'YouhaveneverbeentoSouthampton，andIknoweveryhousethere。\'

\'Thatmakeslittledifference，\'saidtherector；\'hewillhaveacab。CertainlyMr。Grayeisthepropermantogoontheerrand。\'

\'Stay；I\'lltelegraphtoaskthemtomeetmewhenIarriveattheterminus，\'saidOwen；\'thatis，iftheirtrainhasnotalreadyarrived。\'

Mr。Raunhampulledouthispocket-bookagain。\'Thetwo-thirtytrainreachedSouthamptonaquarterofanhourago，\'hesaid。

Itwastoolatetocatchthematthestation。Nevertheless，therectorsuggestedthatitwouldbeworthwhiletodirectamessageto\'alltherespectablehotelsinSouthampton，\'onthechanceofitsfindingthem，andthussavingadealofpersonallabourtoOweninsearchingabouttheplace。

\'I\'llgoandtelegraph，whilstyoureturntotheman，\'saidEdward——

anofferwhichwasaccepted。Grayeandtherectorthenturnedoffinthedirectionoftheporter\'scottage。

Edward，todespatchthemessageatonce，hurriedlyfollowedtheroadtowardsthestation，stillrestlesslythinking。AllOwen\'sproceedingswerebasedontheassumption，naturalunderthecircumstances，ofManston\'sgoodfaith，andthathewouldreadilyacquiesceinanyarrangementwhichshouldclearupthemystery。

\'But，\'thoughtEdward，\'suppose——andHeavenforgiveme，Icannothelpsupposingit——thatManstonisnotthathonourableman，whatwillayoungandinexperiencedfellowlikeOwendo？Willhenotbehoodwinkedbysomespeciousstoryoranother，framedtolasttillManstongetstiredofpoorCytherea？Andthenthedisclosureofthetruthwillruinandblackenboththeirfuturesirremediably。\'

However，heproceededtoexecutehiscommission。ThisheputintheformofasimplerequestfromOwentoManston，thatManstonwouldcometotheSouthamptonplatform，andwaitforOwen\'sarrival，ashevaluedhisreputation。Themessagewasdirectedastherectorhadsuggested，Edwardguaranteeingtotheclerkwhosentitoffthateveryexpenseconnectedwiththesearchwouldbepaid。

Nosoonerhadthetelegrambeendespatchedthanhisheartsankwithinhimatthewantofforesightshowninsendingit。HadManston，allthetime，aknowledgethathisfirstwifelived，thetelegramwouldbeaforewarningwhichmightenablehimtodefeatOwenstillmoresignally。

Whilstthemachinewasstillgivingoffitsmultitudinousseriesofraps，Edwardheardapowerfulrushundertheshedoutside，followedbyalongsonorouscreak。Itwasatrainofsomesort，stealingsoftlyintothestation，anditwasanup-train。Therewastheringofabell。Itwascertainlyapassengertrain。

Yetthebooking-officewindowwasclosed。

\'Ho，ho，John，seventeenminutesaftertimeandonlythreestationsuptheline。Theinclineagain？\'Thevoicewasthestationmaster\'s，andthereplyseemedtocomefromtheguard。

\'Yes，theothersideofthecutting。Thethawhasmadeitallinaperfectcloudoffog，andtherailsareasslipperyasglass。Wehadtobringthemthroughthecuttingattwice。\'

\'Anybodyelseforthefour-forty-fiveexpress？\'thevoicecontinued。

Thefewpassengers，havingcrossedovertotheothersidelongbeforethistime，hadtakentheirplacesatonce。

AconvictionsuddenlybrokeinuponEdward\'smind；thenawishoverwhelmedhim。Theconviction——asstartlingasitwassudden——wasthatManstonwasavillain，whoatsomeearliertimehaddiscoveredthathiswifelived，andhadbribedhertokeepoutofsight，thathemightpossessCytherea。Thewishwas——toproceedatoncebythisverytrainthatwasstarting，findManstonbeforehewouldexpectfromthewordsofthetelegram(ifhegotit)thatanybodyfromCarrifordcouldbewithhim——chargehimboldlywiththecrime，andtrusttohisconsequentconfusion(ifhewereguilty)forasolutionoftheextraordinaryriddle，andthereleaseofCytherea！

Theticket-officehadbeenlockedupattheexpirationofthetimeatwhichthetrainwasdue。Rushingoutastheguardblewhiswhistle，Edwardopenedthedoorofacarriageandleaptin。Thetrainmovedalong，andhewassoonoutofsight。

Springrovehadlongsincepassedthatpeculiarlinewhichliesacrossthecourseoffallinginlove——if，indeed，itmaynotbecalledtheinitialitselfofthecompletepassion——alongingtocherish；whenthewomanisshiftedinaman\'smindfromtheregionofmereadmirationtotheregionofwarmfellowship。Atthisassumptionofhernature，shechangestohimintone，hue，andexpression。Allaboutthelovedonethatsaid\'She\'before，says\'We\'now。Eyesthatweretobesubduedbecomeeyestobefearedfor：abrainthatwastobeprobedbycynicismbecomesabrainthatistobetenderlyassisted；feetthatweretobetestedinthedancebecomefeetthatarenottobedistressed；theonce-criticizedaccent，manner，anddress，becometheclientsofaspecialpleader。

6。FIVETOEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。

Nowthathewasfairlyonthetrack，andhadbeguntocooldown，Edwardrememberedthathehadnothingtoshow——nolegalauthoritywhatevertoquestionManstonorinterferebetweenhimandCythereaashusbandandwife。Henowsawthewisdomoftherectorinobtainingasignedconfessionfromtheporter。Thedocumentwouldnotbeadeath-bedconfession——perhapsnotworthanythinglegally——

butitwouldbeheldbyOwen；andhealone，asCytherea\'snaturalguardian，couldseparatethemonthemeregroundofanunprovedprobability，orwhatmightperhapsbecalledthehallucinationofanidiot。Edwardhimself，however，wasasfirmlyconvincedastherectorhadbeenofthetruthoftheman\'sstory，andpacedbackwardandforwardthesolitarycompartmentasthetrainwoundthroughthedarkheatheryplains，themazywoods，andmoaningcoppices，asresolvedasevertopounceonManston，andchargehimwiththecrimeduringthecriticalintervalbetweenthereceptionofthetelegramandthehouratwhichOwen\'strainwouldarrive——trustingtocircumstancesforwhatheshouldsayanddoafterwards，butmakinguphismindtobeareadysecondtoOweninanyemergencythatmightarise。

Atthirty-threeminutespastsevenhestoodontheplatformofthestationatSouthampton——aclearhourbeforethetraincontainingOwencouldpossiblyarrive。

Makingafewinquirieshere，buttooimpatienttopursuehisinvestigationcarefullyandinductively，hewentintothetown。

Attheexpirationofanotherhalf-hourhehadvisitedsevenhotelsandinns，largeandsmall，askingthesamequestionsateach，andalwaysreceivingthesamereply——nobodyofthatname，oransweringtothatdescription，hadbeenthere。Aboyfromthetelegraph-

officehadcalled，askingforthesamepersons，iftheyrecollectedrightly。

Hereflectedawhile，struckagainbyapainfulthoughtthattheymightpossiblyhavedecidedtocrosstheChannelbythenight-boat。

Thenhehastenedofftoanotherquarterofthetowntopursuehisinquiriesamonghotelsofthemoreold-fashionedandquietclass。

Hisstainedandwearyappearanceobtainedforhimbutamodicumofcivility，whereverhewent，whichmadehistaskyetmoredifficult。

Hecalledatthreeseveralhousesinthisneighbourhood，withthesameresultasbefore。Heenteredthedoorofthefourthhousewhilsttheclockofthenearestchurchwasstrikingeight。

\'HaveatallgentlemannamedManston，andayoungwifearrivedherethisevening？\'heaskedagain，inwordswhichhadgrownoddtohisearsfromveryfamiliarity。

\'Anew-marriedcouple，didyousay？\'

\'Theyare，thoughIdidn\'tsayso。\'

\'Theyhavetakenasitting-roomandbedroom，numberthirteen。\'

\'Aretheyindoors？\'

\'Idon\'tknow。Eliza！\'

\'Yes，m\'m。\'

\'Seeifnumberthirteenisin——thatgentlemanandhiswife。\'

\'Yes，m\'m。\'

\'Hasanytelegramcomeforthem？\'saidEdward，whenthemaidhadgoneonhererrand。

\'No——nothingthatIknowof。\'

\'SomebodydidcomeandaskifaMr。andMrs。Masters，orsomesuchname，wereherethisevening，\'saidanothervoicefromthebackofthebar-parlour。

\'Anddidtheygetthemessage？\'

\'Ofcoursetheydidnot——theywerenothere——theydidn\'tcometillhalf-an-hourafterthat。Themanwhomadeinquiriesleftnomessage。Itoldthemwhentheycamethatthey，oranamesomethingliketheirs，hadbeenaskedfor，buttheydidn\'tseemtounderstandwhyitshouldbe，andsothematterdropped。\'

Thechambermaidcameback。\'Thegentlemanisnotin，buttheladyis。WhoshallIsay？\'

\'Nobody，\'saidEdward。Foritnowbecamenecessarytoreflectuponhismethodofproceeding。Hisobjectinfindingtheirwhereabouts——

apartfromthewishtoassistOwen——hadbeentoseeManston，askhimflatlyforanexplanation，andconfirmtherequestofthemessageinthepresenceofCytherea——soastopreventthepossibilityofthesteward\'spalmingoffastoryuponCytherea，oreludingherbrotherwhenhecame。Buthereweretwoimportantmodificationsoftheexpectedconditionofaffairs。Thetelegramhadnotbeenreceived，andCythereawasinthehousealone。

HehesitatedastotheproprietyofintrudinguponherinManston\'sabsence。Besides，thewomenatthebottomofthestairswouldseehim——hisintrusionwouldseemodd——andManstonmightreturnatanymoment。Hecertainlymightcall，andwaitforManstonwiththeaccusationuponhistongue，ashehadintended。Butitwasadoubtfulcourse。ThatideahadbeenbasedupontheassumptionthatCythereawasnotmarried。Ifthefirstwifewerereallydeadafterall——andhefeltsickatthethought——Cythereaasthesteward\'swifemightinafter-years——perhaps，atonce——besubjectedtoindignityandcrueltyonaccountofanoldlover\'sinterferencenow。

Yes，perhapstheannouncementwouldcomemostproperlyandsafelyforherfromherbrotherOwen，thetimeofwhosearrivalhadalmostexpired。

But，onturninground，hesawthatthestaircaseandpassagewerequitedeserted。Heandhiserrandhadascompletelydiedfromthemindsoftheattendantsasiftheyhadneverbeen。TherewasabsolutelynothingbetweenhimandCytherea\'spresence。Reasonwaspowerlessnow；hemustseeher——rightorwrong，fairorunfairtoManston——offensivetoherbrotherorno。Hislipsmustbethefirsttotellthealarmingstorytoher。Wholovedherashe！Hewentbacklightlythroughthehall，upthestairs，twoatatime，andfollowedthecorridortillhecametothedoornumberedthirteen。

Heknockedsoftly：nobodyanswered。

TherewasnotimetoloseifhewouldspeaktoCythereabeforeManstoncame。Heturnedthehandleofthedoorandlookedin。Thelamponthetableburnedlow，andshowedwritingmaterialsopenbesideit；thechieflightcamefromthefire，thedirectraysofwhichwereobscuredbyasweetfamiliaroutlineofheadandshoulders——stillasprecioustohimasever。