第3章

“AndnowImustbeoffuptomybitofafarm;theoldsowisduetolitter，andIwanttoseehowsheisgettingon。PleaseGodshe’llhavethirteenagainanddowell。I’llordertheflytobehereatfive，thoughIshallbebackbeforethen——thatis，ItoldElizabethtodoso。Shehasgoneouttodosomevisitingforme，andtoseeifshecan’tgetintwopoundsfiveoftithethathasbeendueforthreemonths。Ifanybodycangetitit’sElizabeth。Well，good-bye;ifyouaredullandwanttotalktoBeatrice，sheisupandinthere。I

daresayyouwillsuitoneanother。She’saveryqueergirl，Beatrice，quitebeyondmewithherideas，anditwasafunnythingherholdingyousotight，butIsupposeProvidencearrangedthat。Good-byeforthepresent，Mr。Bingham。”andthiscuriousspecimenofaclergymanvanished，leavingGeoffreyquitebreathless。

Itwashalf-pasttwoo’clock，andthedoctorhadtoldhimthathecouldseeMissGrangeratthree。Hewishedthatitwasthree，forhewastiredofhisownthoughtsandcompany，andnaturallyanxioustorenewhisacquaintancewiththestrangegirlwhohadbegunbyimpressinghimsodeeplyandendedbysavinghislife。Therewascompletequietinthehouse;Betty，themaid-of-all-work，wasemployedinthekitchen，boththedoctorshadgone，andElizabethandherfatherwereout。To-daytherewasnowind，ithadblownitselfawayduringthenight，andthesightofthesunbeamsstreamingthroughthewindowsmadeGeoffreylongtobeintheopenair。Hehadnobookathandtoread，andwheneverhetriedtothinkhismindflewbacktothathatefulmatrimonialquarrel。

Itwashardonhim，Geoffreythought，thatheshouldbecalledupontoenduresuchscenes。Hecouldnolongerdisguisethetruthfromhimself——hehadburiedhishappinessonhiswedding-day。Lookingbackacrosstheyears，hewellrememberedhowdifferentalifehehadimaginedforhimself。Inthosedayshewastiredofknockingaboutandofyouthfulescapades;eventhatkindofsocialsuccesswhichmustattendayoungmanwhowashandsome，clever，agoodfellow，andblessedwithlargeexpectations，had，attheageofsix-and-twenty，entirelylostitsattractiveness。Thereforehehadturnednodeafeartohisuncle，SirRobertBingham，whowasthengoingonforseventy，whenhesuggestedthatitmightbewellofGeoffreysettleddown，andintroducedhimtoLadyHonoria。

LadyHonoriawaseighteenthen，andabeautyoftheratherthinbutstatuesquetype，whichattractsmenuptofiveorsixandtwentyandthenfrequentlybores，ifitdoesnotrepelthem。Moreover，shewascleverandwellread，andpretendedtobeintellectuallyandpoeticallyinclined，asladiesnotspeciallyfavouredbyApollosometimesdo——beforetheymarry。Coldshealwayswas;nobodyeverheardofLadyHonoriastretchingtheboundsofpropriety;butGeoffreyputthisdowntoasweetandbecomingmodesty，whichwouldvanishorbetransmutedinitsseason。Alsosheaffectedacharminginnocenceofallvulgarbusinessmatters，whichbothdeceivedandenchantedhim。

Neverbutoncedidshealludetowaysandmeansbeforemarriage，andthenitwastosaythatshewasgladthattheyshouldbesopoortilldearSirRobertdied(hehadpromisedtoallowthemfifteenhundredayear，andtheyhadsevenmorebetweenthem)，asthiswouldenablethemtoseesomuchmoreofeachother。

Atlastcamethehappyday，andthiswhitevirginsoulpassedintoGeoffrey’skeeping。Foraweekorsothingswentfairlywell，andthendisenchantmentbegan。Helearnedbyslowbutsuredegreesthathiswifewasvain，selfishandextravagant，and，worstofall，thatshecaredverylittleabouthim。Thefirstshockwaswhenheaccidentallydiscovered，fourorfivedaysaftermarriage，thatHonoriawasintimatelyacquaintedwitheverydetailofSirRobertBingham’sproperty，and，youngasshewas，hadalreadyformedaschemetomakeitmoreproductiveaftertheoldman’sdeath。

TheywenttoliveinLondon，andtherehefoundthatLadyHonoria，althoughbyfartoocoldandprudentawomantodoanythingthatcouldbringabreathofscandaluponhername，wasasfondofadmirationasshewasheartless。ItseemedtoGeoffreythathecouldneverbefreefromthecollectionofyoungmenwhohungaboutherskirts。Someofthemwereverygoodfellowswhomhelikedexceedingly;still，onthewholehewouldhavepreferredtoremainunmarriedandassociatewiththemattheclub。Alsothecontinualroundofsocietyandgoingoutbroughtheavierexpensesonhimthathecouldwellsupport。Andthus，littlebylittle，poorGeoffrey’sdreamofmatrimonialblissfadedintothinair。But，fortunatelyforhimself，hepossessedacertainshareoflogicandsweetreasonableness。Intimehelearnttoseethatthefaultwasnotaltogetherwithhiswife，whowasbynomeansabadsortofwomaninherdegree。Butherdegreedifferedfromhisdegree。

Shehadmarriedforfreedomandwealthandtogainalargerscopewhereintoexercisethosetasteswhichinheriteddispositionandeducationhadgiventoher，asshebelievedthathehadmarriedherbecauseshewasthedaughterofapeer。

LadyHonoria，likemanyanotherwomanofherstamp，wastheoverbred，orsometimestheunderbred，productofatoocivilizedageandclass。

Thoseprimitivepassionsandvirtuesonwhichherhusbandhadreliedtomakethehappinessoftheirmarriedlifesimplydidnotexistforher。Thepassionshadbeenbredandeducatedoutofher;formanygenerationstheyhavebeenfoundinconvenientanddisquietingattributesinwoman。Asfortheoldvirtues，suchasloveofchildrenandtheordinaryroundofdomesticduty，theysimplyboredher。Onthewhole，thoughsharpoftongue，sherarelylosthertemper，forhervices，likehervirtues，wereofasomewhatnegativeorder;butthefurywhichseizedherwhenshelearnedforcertainthatshewastobecomeamotherwasathingthatherunfortunatehusbandneverforgotandneverwishedtoseeagain。Atlengththechildwasborn，afactforwhichGeoffrey，atleast，wasverythankful。

“Takeitaway。Idonotwanttoseeit！“saidLadyHonoriatothescandalisednursewhenthelittlecreaturewasbroughttoher，wrappedinitslongrobes。

“Giveittome，nurse——Ido。”saidherhusband。

FromthatmomentGeoffreygaveallthepent-upaffectionofhisbruisedsoultothislittledaughter，andastheyearswentontheygrewverydeartoeachother。Butanactive-minded，strong-hearted，able-bodiedmancannottakeababeasthesolecompanionofhisexistence。ProbablyGeoffreywouldhavefoundthisoutintime，andmighthavedriftedintosomemodeoflifemoreorlessundesirable，hadnotanaccidentoccurredtopreventit。Inhisdotage，Geoffrey’solduncleSirRobertBinghamfellavictimtothewilesofanadventuressandmarriedher。Thenhepromptlydied，andeightmonthsafterwardsaposthumoussonwasborn。

ToGeoffreythismeantruin。Hisallowancestoppedandhisexpectationsvanishedatonefellswoop。Hepulledhimselftogether，however，asabrave-heartedmandoesundersuchashock，andgoingtohiswifeheexplainedtoherthathemustnowworkforhisliving，begginghertobreakdownthebarrierthatwasbetweenthemandgivehimhersympathyandhelp。Shemethimwithtearsandreproaches。Theonethingthattouchedherkeenly，theonethingwhichshefearedandhatedwaspoverty，andallthatpovertymeanstowomenofherrankandnature。Buttherewasnohelpforit;thecharminghouseinBoltonSteethadtobegivenup，andpurgatorymustbefaced，inaflat，neartheEdgwareRoad。LadyHonoriawasmiserable，indeedhaditnotbeenthatfortunatelyforherselfshepossessedplentyofrelationsmoreorlessgrand，whomshemightcontinuallyvisitforweeksandevenformonthsatastretch，shecouldscarcelyhaveenduredheralteredlife。

ButstrangelyenoughGeoffreysoonfoundthathewashappierthanhehadbeensincehismarriage。Tobeginwith，hesettoworklikeaman，andworkisagreatsourceofhappinesstoallvigorous-mindedfolk。

Itisnot，intruth，aparticularlycheerfuloccupationtopassendlessdaysinhangingaboutlaw-courtsamongstacrowdofunbriefedJuniors，andmanynightsinreadingupthelawonehasforgottenandthreadingthemanyintricaciesoftheJudicatureAct。Butithappenedthathisfather，ayoungerbrotherofSirRobert’s，hadbeenasolicitor，andthoughhewasdead，andalldirectinterestwiththefirmwassevered，yetanotheruncleremainedinit，andthepartnersdidnotforgetGeoffreyinhisdifficulties。

Theysenthimwhatworktheycouldwithoutoffendingtheirstandingcounsel，andhediditwell。Thenbydegreeshebuiltupquitealargegeneralpracticeofthekindknownasdeviling。Nowtherearefewthingsmoreunsatisfactorythandoinganotherman’sworkfornothing，buteverycasefoughtmeansknowledgegained，andwhatismoreitisadvertisement。Soitcametopassthatwithinlessthantwoyearsfromthedateofhismoneymisfortunes，GeoffreyBingham’sdarkhandsomefaceandsquarestrongformbecameverywellknownintheCourts。

“Whatisthatman’sname？”saidonewell-knownQ。C。toanotherstillmorewellknown，astheysatwaitingfortheirchopsintheBarGrillRoom，andsawGeoffrey，hiswigpushedbackfromhisforehead，stridingthroughthedoorwayonthelastdayofthesittingwhichprecededthecommencementofthishistory。

“Bingham。”answeredtheother。“He’sonlybeguntopractiselately，buthe’llbeatthetopofthetreebeforehehasdone。Hemarriedverywell，youknow，oldGarsington’sdaughter，acharmingwoman，andhandsometoo。”

“Helookslikeit。”gruntedthefirst，andasamatteroffactsuchwasthegeneralopinion。

For，asBeatricehadsaid，GeoffreyBinghamwasamanwhohadsuccesswrittenonhisforehead。Itwouldhavebeenalmostimpossibleforhimtofailinwhateverheundertook。

CHAPTERIX

WHATBEATRICEDREAMED

Geoffreylayuponhisback，watchingthestillpatchofsunshineandlisteningtothetickingoftheclock，ashepassedalltheseandmanyothereventsinsolemnreview，tilltheseriesculminatedinhisvividrecollectionofthesceneofthatverymorning。

“Iamsickofit。”hesaidatlastaloud，“sickandtired。Shemakesmylifewretched。Ifitwasn’tforEffieuponmywordI’d……ByJove，itisthreeo’clock;IwillgoandseeMissGranger。She’sawoman，notafemaleghostatanyrate，thoughsheisafreethinker——

which。”headdedasheslowlystruggledoffthecouch，“isaveryfoolishthingtobe。”

Veryshakily，forhewassadlyknockedabout，Geoffreyhobbleddownthelongnarrowroomandthroughthedoor，whichwasajar。Theoppositedoorwasalsosethalfopen。Heknockedsoftly，andgettingnoanswerpusheditwideandlookedin，thinkingthathehad，perhaps，madesomemistakeastotheroom。Onasofaplacedabouttwo-thirdsdownitslength，layBeatriceasleep。Shewaswrappedinakindofdressing-gownofsomesimplebluestuff，andallaboutherbreastandshouldersstreamedherlovelycurlinghair。Hersweetfacewastowardshim，itspallorrelievedonlybythelongshadowofthedarklashesandthebentbowofthelips。Onewhitewristandhandhungdownalmosttothefloor，andbeneaththespreadcurtainofthesunlithairherbosomheavedsoftlyinhersleep。Shelookedsowondrouslybeautifulinherrestthathestoppedalmostawed，andgazed，andgazedagain，feelingasthoughapresentsenseandpowerwerestillinghishearttosilence。Itisdangeroustolookuponsuchquietloveliness，andverydangeroustofeelthatpressureattheheart。A

trulywisemanfeelingitwouldhavefled，knowingthatseedssowninsuchsilencesmaylivetobloomuponabitterday，andshedtheirfruitintothewatersofdesolation。ButGeoffreywasnotwise——whowouldhavebeen？Hestillstoodandgazedtillthesightstampeditselfsodeeplyonthetabletsofhisheartthatthroughalltheyearstocomenoheatsofpassion，nofrostsofdoubt，andnosenseoflosscouldeverdullitsmemory。

Thesilentsunshoneon，thesilentwomanslept，andinsilencethewatchergazed。Andashelookedagreatfear，aprescienceofevilthatshouldcome，enteredintoGeoffreyandtookpossessionofhim。A

cloudwithoutcrossedtherayofsunlightandturnedit。Itwavered，foraseconditrestedonhisbreast，flashedbacktohers，thenwentout;andasitflashedanddied，heseemedtoknowthathenceforth，forlifetilldeath，ay！andbeyond，hisfateandthatsleepingwoman’swereonefate。Itwasbutamomentaryknowledge;thefearshookhim，andwasgonealmostbeforeheunderstooditsfoolishness。

Butithadbeenwithhim，andinafterdaysherememberedit。

JustthenBeatricewoke，openinghergreyeyes。Theirdreamyglancefelluponhim，lookingthroughhimandbeyondhim，ratherthanathim。

Thensheraisedherselfalittleandstretchingoutbothherarmstowardshim，spokealoud。

“Sohaveyouhavecomebacktomeatlast。”shesaid。“IknewthatyouwouldcomeandIhavewaited。”

Hemadenoanswer，hedidnotknowwhattosay;indeedhebegantothinkthathealsomustbedreaming。ForalittlewhileBeatricestilllookedathiminthesameabsentmanner，thensuddenlystartedup，theredbloodstreamingtoherbrow。

“Why，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid，“isitreallyyou？WhatwasitthatI

said？Oh，prayforgiveme，whateveritwas。Ihavebeenasleepdreamingsuchacuriousdream，andtalkinginmysleep。”

“Donotalarmyourself，MissGranger。”heanswered，recoveringhimselfwithajerk;“youdidnotsayanythingdreadful，onlythatyouweregladtoseeme。Whatwereyoudreamingabout？”

Beatricelookedathimdoubtfully;perhapshiswordsdidnotringquitetrue。

“IthinkthatIhadbettertellyouasIhavesaidsomuch。”sheanswered。“Besides，itwasaverycuriousdream，andifIbelievedindreamsitwouldratherfrightenme，onlyfortunatelyIdonot。SitdownandIwilltellittoyoubeforeIforgetit。Itisnotverylong。”

Hetookthechairtowhichshepointed，andshebegan，speakinginthevoiceofoneyetladenwiththememoriesofsleep。

“IdreamedthatIstoodinspace。Fartomyrightwasagreatglobeoflight，andtomyleftwasanotherglobe，andIknewthattheglobeswerenamedLifeandDeath。Fromtheglobeontherighttotheglobeontheleft，andbackagain，agoldenshuttle，inwhichtwoflamingeyeswereset，wasshotcontinually，andIknewalsothatthiswastheshuttleofDestiny，weavingthewebofFate。Presentlytheshuttleflew，leavingbehinditalongsilverthread，andtheeyesintheshuttleweresuchasyoureyes。Againtheshuttlespedthroughspace，andthistimeitseyeswerelikemyeyes，andthethreaditleftbehinditwastwistedfromawoman’shair。HalfwaybetweentheglobesofLifeandDeathmythreadwasbroken，buttheshuttleflewonandvanished。Foramomentthethreadhunginair，thenawindroseandblewit，sothatitfloatedawaylikeaspider’sweb，tillitstruckuponyoursilverthreadoflifeandbegantotwistroundandroundit。

Asittwisteditgrewlargerandheavier，tillatlastitwasthickasagreattressofhair，andthesilverlinebentbeneaththeweightsothatIsawitsoonmustbreak。ThenwhileIwonderedwhatwouldhappen，awhitehandholdingaknifeslidslowlydownthesilverline，andwiththeknifeseveredthewrappingsofwoman’shair，whichfellandfloatedslowlyaway，likealittlecloudtouchedwithsunlight，tilltheywerelostindarkness。Butthethreadofsilverthatwasyourlineoflife，sprangupquiveringandmakingasoundlikesighs，tillatlastitsigheditselftosilence。

“ThenIseemedtosleep，andwhenIwokeIwasfloatinguponsuchamistyseaaswesawlastnight。Ihadlostallsightofland，andI

couldnotrememberwhatthestarswerelike，norhowIhadbeentaughttosteer，norunderstandwhereImustgo。Icalledtothesea，andaskeditofthestars，andtheseaansweredmethus:

“’Hopehasrentherraiment，andthestarsareset。’

“Icalledagain，andaskedofthelandwhereIshouldgo，andthelanddidnotanswer，buttheseaansweredmeasecondtime:

“’Childofthemist，wanderinthemist，andindarknessseekforlight。’

“ThenIweptbecauseHopehadrentherstarrygarmentandindarknessImustseekforlight。AndwhileIstillwept，/you/roseoutoftheseaandsatbeforemeintheboat。Ihadneverseenyoubefore，andstillIfeltthatIhadknownyoualways。Youdidnotspeak，andIdidnotspeak，butyoulookedintomyheartandsawitstrouble。ThenI

lookedintoyourheart，andreadwhatwaswritten。Andthiswaswritten:

“’WomanwhomIknewbeforethePastbegan，andwhomIshallknowwhentheFutureisended，whydoyouweep？’

“Andmyheartanswered，’IweepbecauseIamlostuponthewatersoftheearth，becauseHopehasrentherstarryrobes，andineverlastingdarknessImustseekforlightthatisnot。’Thenyourheartsaid，’/I/willshowyoulight，’andbendingforwardyoutouchedmeonthebreast。

“Andsuddenlyanagonyshookmeliketheagoniesofbirthanddeath，andtheskywasfullofgreat-wingedangelswhorolledupthemistasacloth，anddrewtheveilsfromtheeyesofNight，andthere，herfeetupontheglobe，andherstar-setheadpiercingthefirmamentofheaven，stoodHopebreathingpeaceandbeauty。Shelookednorthandsouthandeastandwest，thenshelookedupwardsthroughthearchingvaultsofheaven，andwherevershesethereyes，brightwithholytears，thedarknessshrivelledandsorrowceased，andfromcorruptionarosetheIncorruptible。Igazedandworshipped，andasIdidso，againtheseaspokeunquestioned:

“’Indarknessthouhastfoundlight，inDeathseekforwisdom。’

“ThenoncemoreHoperentherstarryrobes，andtheangelsdrewdownaveilovertheeyesofNight，andtheseaswallowedme，andIsanktillIreachedthedeepfoundationsofmortaldeath。AndthereintheHallsofDeathIsatforagesuponages，tillatlastIsawyoucome，andonyourlipswasthewordofwisdomthatmakesallthingsclear，butwhatitwasIcannotremember。ThenIstretchedoutmyhandtogreetyou，andwoke，andthatisallmydream。”

Beatriceceased，hergreyeyessetwide，asthoughtheystillstrovetotracetheirspiritualvisionupontheairofearth，herbreastheaving，andherlipsapart。

“Greatheaven！“hesaid，“whatanimaginationyoumusthavetodreamsuchadreamasthat。”

“Imagination。”sheanswered，returningtohernaturalmanner。“Ihavenone，Mr。Bingham。Iusedtohave，butIlostitwhenIlost——

everythingelse。Canyouinterpretmydream？Ofcourseyoucannot;itisnothingbutnonsense——suchstuffasdreamsaremadeof，thatisall。”

“Itmaybenonsense，Idaresayitis，butitisbeautifulnonsense。”

heanswered。“Iwishladieshadmoreofsuchstufftogivetheworld。”

“Ah，well，dreamsmaybewiserthanwakings，andnonsensethanlearnedtalk，forallweknow。Butthere’sanendofit。IdonotknowwhyI

repeatedittoyou。IamsorrythatIdidrepeatit，butitseemedsorealitshookmeoutofmyself。Thisiswhatcomesofbreakinginupontheroutineoflifebybeingthreepartsdrowned。Onefindsqueerthingsatthebottomofthesea，youknow。BythewayIhopethatyouarerecovering。Idonotthinkthatyouwillcaretogocanoeingagainwithme，Mr。Bingham。”

Therewasanopeningforacomplimenthere，butGeoffreyfeltthatitwouldbetoomuchinearnestifspoken，soheresistedthetemptation。

“What，MissGranger。”hesaid，“shouldamansaytoaladywhobutlastnightsavedhislife，attherisk，indeedalmostatthecost，ofherown？”

“Itwasnothing。”sheanswered，colouring;“Iclungtoyou，thatwasall，morebyinstinctthanfromanymotive。IthinkIhadavagueideathatyoumightfloatandsupportme。”

“MissGranger，theoccasionistooseriousforpolitefibs。Iknowhowyousavedmylife。Idonotknowhowtothankyouforit。”

“Thendon’tthankmeatall，Mr。Bingham。Whyshouldyouthankme？I

onlydidwhatIwasboundtodo。Iwouldfarratherdiethandesertacompanionindistress，ofanysort;weallmustdie，butitwouldbedreadfultodieashamed。Youknowwhattheysay，thatifyousaveapersonfromdrowningyouwilldothemaninjuryafterwards。Thatishowtheyputithere;insomepartsthesayingistheotherwayabout，butIamnotlikelyevertodoyouaninjury，soitdoesnotmakemeunhappy。Itwasanawfulexperience:youweresenseless，soyoucannotknowhowstrangeitfeltlyingupontheslipperyrock，andseeingthosegreatwhitewavesrushuponusthroughthegloom，withnothingbutthenightabove，andtheseaaround，anddeathbetweenthetwo。I

havebeenlonelyformanyyears，butIdonotthinkthatIeverquiteunderstoodwhatlonelinessreallymeantbefore。Yousee。”sheaddedbywayofanafterthought，“Ithoughtthatyouweredead，andthereisnotmuchcompanyinacorpse。”

“Well。”hesaid，“onethingis，itwouldhavebeenlonelierifwehadgone。”

“Doyouthinkso？”sheanswered，lookingathiminquiringly。“Idon’tquiteseehowyoumakethatout。Ifyoubelieveinwhatwehavebeentaught，asIthinkyoudo，whereveritwasyoufoundyourselftherewouldbeplentyofcompany，andif，likeme，youdonotbelieveinanything，why，then，youwouldhaveslept，andsleepasksfornothing。”

“Didyoubelieveinnothingwhenyoulayupontherockwaitingtobedrowned，MissGranger？”

“Nothing！“sheanswered;“onlyweakpeoplefindrevelationintheextremitiesoffear。Ifrevelationcomesatall，surelyitmustbebornintheheartandnotinthesenses。Ibelievedinnothing，andI

dreadednothing，excepttheagonyofdeath。WhyshouldIbeafraid？

SupposingthatIammistaken，andthereissomethingbeyond，isitmyfaultthatIcannotbelieve？WhathaveIdonethatIshouldbeafraid？

IhaveneverharmedanybodythatIknowof，andifIcouldbelieveI

would。IwishIhaddied。”shewenton，passionately;“itwouldbeallovernow。Iamtiredoftheworld，tiredofworkandhelplessness，andallthelittleworrieswhichwearoneout。Iamnotwantedhere，I

havenothingtolivefor，andIwishthatIhaddied！“

“Somedayyouwillthinkdifferently，MissGranger。Therearemanythingsthatawomanlikeyourselfcanlivefor——attheleast，thereisyourwork。”

Shelaugheddrearily。“Mywork！Ifyouonlyknewwhatitislikeyouwouldnottalktomeaboutit。EverydayIrollmystoneupthehill，andeverynightitseemstorolldownagain。Butyouhavenevertaughtinavillageschool。Howcanyouknow？Iworkallday，andintheeveningperhapsIhavetomendthetablecloths，or——whatdoyouthink？——

writemyfather’ssermons。Itsoundscurious，doesitnot，thatI

shouldwritesermons？ButIdo。IwrotetheoneheisgoingtopreachnextSunday。Itmakesverylittledifferencetohimwhatitissolongashecanreadit，and，ofcourse，Ineversayanythingwhichcanoffendanybody，andIdonotthinkthattheylistenmuch。VeryfewpeoplegotochurchinBryngelly。”

“Don’tyouevergetanytimetoyourself，then？”

“Oh，yes，sometimesIdo，andthenIgooutinmycanoe，orread，andamalmosthappy。Afterall，Mr。Bingham，itisverywrongandungratefulofmetospeaklikethis。Ihavemoreadvantagesthannine-

tenthsoftheworld，andIoughttomakethebestofthem。Idon’tknowwhyIhavebeenspeakingasIhave，andtoyou，whomIneversawtillyesterday。Ineverdiditbeforetoanylivingsoul，Iassureyou。Itisjustlikethestoryofthemanwhocameherelastyearwiththediviningrod。Thereisacottagedownonthecliff——itbelongstoMr。Davies，wholivesintheCastle。Well，theyhavenodrinkingwaternear，andthenewtenantmadeagreatfussaboutit。SoMr。Davieshiredmen，andtheyduganddugandspentnoendofmoney，butcouldnotcometowater。Atlastthetenantfetchedanoldmanfromsomeparishalongwayoff，whosaidthathecouldfindspringswithadiviningrod。Hewasacuriousoldmanwithacrutch，andhecamewithhisrod，andhobbledabouttillatlasttherodtwitchedjustatthetenant’sbackdoor——atleastthedivinersaiditdid。Atanyrate，theydugthere，andintenminutesstruckaspringofwater，whichbubbledupsostronglythatitrushedintothehouseandfloodedit。

Andwhatdoyouthink？Afterall，thewaterwasbrackish。Youarethemanwiththediviningrod，Mr。Bingham，andyouhavemademetalkagreatdealtoomuch，and，afterall，youseeitisnotnicetalk。Youmustthinkmeaverydisagreeableandwickedyoungwoman，andI

daresayIam。Butsomehowitisarelieftoopenone’smind。Idohope，Mr。Bingham，thatyouwillsee——inshort，thatyouwillnotmisunderstandme。”

“MissGranger。”heanswered，“thereisbetweenusthatwhichwillalwaysentitleustomutualrespectandconfidence——thelinkoflifeanddeath。Haditnotbeenforyou，Ishouldnotsitheretolistentoyourconfidenceto-day。Youmaytellmethatamerenaturalimpulsepromptedyoutodowhatyoudid。Iknowbetter。Itwasyourwillthattriumphedoveryournaturalimpulsetowardsself-preservation。Well，I

willsaynomoreaboutit，exceptthis:Ifeveramanwasboundtoawomanbytiesofgratitudeandrespect，Iamboundtoyou。YouneednotfearthatIshalltakeadvantageoformisinterpretyourconfidence。”Hereheroseandstoodbeforeher，hisdarkhandsomefacebowedinproudhumility。“MissGranger，IlookuponitasanhonourdonetomebyonewhomhenceforthImustreverenceamongallwomen。

Thelifeyougavebacktome，andtheintelligencewhichdirectsit，areindutyboundtoyou，andIshallnotforgetthedebt。”

Beatricelistenedtohiswords，spokeninthatdeepandearnestvoice，whichinafteryearsbecamesofamiliartoHerMajesty’sjudgesandtoParliament——listenedwithanewsenseofpleasurerisinginherheart。

Shewasthisman’sequal;whathecoulddare，shecoulddare;wherehecouldclimb，shecouldfollow——ay，andifneedbe，showthepath，andshefeltthatheacknowledgedit。Inhissightshewassomethingmorethanahandsomegirltobeadmiredanddeferredtoforherbeauty’ssake。Hehadplacedheronanotherlevel——one，perhaps，thatfewwomenwouldhavewishedtooccupy。ButBeatricewasthankfultohim。Itwasthefirsttasteofsupremacythatshehadeverknown。

ItissomethingtostirtheproudheartofsuchawomanasBeatrice，inthatmomentwhenforthefirsttimeshefeelsherselfaconqueror，victorious，notthroughthevulgaradvantageofhersex，notbythesubmissionofman’scoarsersense，butratherbytheoverbalancingweightofmind。

“Doyouknow。”shesaid，suddenlylookingup，“youmakemeveryproud。”andshestretchedoutherhandtohim。

Hetookit，and，bending，toucheditwithhislips。Therewasnopossibilityofmisinterpretingtheaction，andthoughshecolouredalittle——for，tillthen，nomanhadevenkissedthetipofherfinger——

shedidnotmisinterpretit。Itwasanactofhomage，andthatwasall。

Andsotheysealedthecompactoftheirperfectfriendshipforeverandaday。

Thencameamoment’ssilence。ItwasGeoffreywhobrokeit。

“MissGranger。”hesaid，“willyouallowmetopreachyoualecture，averyshortone？”

“Goon。”shesaid。

“Verywell。Donotblamemeifyoudon’tlikeit，anddonotsetmedownasaprig，thoughIamgoingtotellyouyourfaultsasIreadtheminyourownwords。Youareproudandambitious，andthecrampedlinesinwhichyouareforcedtoliveseemtostrangleyou。Youhavesuffered，andhavenotlearnedthelessonofsuffering——humility。YouhavesetyourselfupagainstFate，andFatesweepsyoualonglikesprayuponthegale，yetyougounwilling。Inyourimpatienceyouhaveflowntolearningforrefuge，andithascompletedyouroverthrow，forithasinducedyoutorejectasnon-existentallthatyoucannotunderstand。Becauseyourfinitemindcannotsearchinfinity，becausenoanswerhascometoallyourprayers，becauseyouseemiseryandcannotreaditspurpose，becauseyousufferandhavenotfoundrest，youhavesaidthereisnaughtbutchance，andbecomeanatheist，asmanyhavedonebeforeyou。Isitnottrue？”

“Goon。”sheanswered，bowingherheadtoherbreastsothatthelongripplinghairalmosthidherface。

“Itseemsalittleodd。”Geoffreysaidwithashortlaugh，“thatI，withallmyimperfectionsheapeduponme，shouldpresumetopreachtoyou——butyouwillknowbesthownearorhowfarIamfromthetruth。

SoIwanttosaysomething。Ihavelivedforthirty-fiveyears，andseenagooddealandtriedtolearnfromit，andIknowthis。Inthelongrun，unlessweofourownactputawaytheopportunity，theworldgivesusourdue，whichgenerallyisnotmuch。Somuchforthingstemporal。Ifyouarefittorule，intimeyouwillrule;ifyoudonot，thenbecontentandacknowledgeyourownincapacity。Andasforthingsspiritual，Iamsureofthis——thoughofcourseonedoesnotliketotalkmuchofthesematters——ifyouonlyseekforthemlongenoughinsomeshapeyouwillfindthem，thoughtheshapemaynotbethatwhichisgenerallyrecognisedbyanyparticularreligion。Buttobuildawalldeliberatelybetweenoneselfandtheunseen，andthencomplainthatthewayisbarred，issimplychildish。”

“Andwhatifone’swallisbuilt，Mr。Bingham？”

“Mostofushavedonesomethinginthatlineatdifferenttimes。”heanswered，“andfoundawayroundit。”

“Andifitstretchesfromhorizontohorizon，andishigherthantheclouds，whatthen？”

“Thenyoumustfindwingsandflyoverit。”

“Andwherecananyearthlywomanfindthosespiritualwings？”sheasked，andthensankherheadstilldeeperonherbreasttocoverherconfusion。Forsherememberedthatshehadheardofwanderersintheduskygrovesofhumanpassion，yes，evenM？nadwanderers，whohadsuddenlycomefacetofacewiththeirownsoul;andthatthecruelpathsofearthlylovemayyetleadthefeetwhichtreadthemtotheivorygatesofheaven。

Andrememberingthesebeautifulmyths，thoughshehadnoexperienceoflove，andknewlittleofitsways，Beatricegrewsuddenlysilent。NordidGeoffreygiveherananswer，thoughheneedscarcelyhavefearedtodoso。

Forweretheynotdiscussingapurelyabstractquestion？

CHAPTERX

LADYHONORIAMAKESARRANGEMENTS

Inanothermomentsomebodyenteredtheroom;itwasElizabeth。Shehadreturnedfromhertithecollectingexpedition——withthetithe。Thedoorofthesitting-roomwasstillajar，andGeoffreyhadhisbacktowardsit。SoithappenedthatnobodyheardElizabeth’srathercat-

likestep，andforsomesecondsshestoodinthedoorwaywithoutbeingperceived。Shestoodquitestill，takinginthewholesceneataglance。Shenoticedthathersisterheldherheaddown，sothatherhairshadowedher，andguessedthatshedidsoforsomereason——

probablybecauseshedidnotwishherfacetobeseen。Orwasittoshowoffherlovelyhair？Shenoticedalsothehalfshy，halfamused，andaltogetherinterestedexpressionuponGeoffrey’scountenance——shecouldseethatinthelittlegilt-edgedlooking-glasswhichhungoverthefire-place，nordidsheoverlookthegeneralairofembarrassmentthatpervadedthemboth。

Whenshecamein，ElizabethhadbeenthinkingofOwenDavies，andofwhatmighthavehappenedhadsheneverseenthetideoflifeflowbackintohersister’sveins。Shehaddreamedofitallnightandhadthoughtofitallday;evenintheexcitementofextractingthebacktithefromtherecalcitrantandrathercoarse-mindedWelshfarmer，withstrongviewsonthesubjectoftithe，ithadnotbeenentirelyforgotten。ThefarmerwasatenantofOwenDavies，andwhenhecalledhera“parsoninpetticoats，andwus。”andwenton，indelicatereferencetoherpowersofextractingcash，tolikenhertoa“two-

leggedcorkscrewonlyscrewier。”sheperhapsnotunnaturallyreflected，thatifever——/pace/Beatrice——certainthingsshouldcomeabout，shewouldrememberthatfarmer。ForElizabethwasblessedwithaverylongmemory，assomepeoplehadlearnttotheircost，andgenerally，soonerorlater，shepaidherdebtsinfull，notforgettingtheoverdueinterest。

Andnow，asshestoodinthedoorwayunseenandnotedthesematters，somethingoccurredtoherinconnectionwiththisdominatingidea，which，likeideasingeneral，hadmanysideissues。Atanyratealookofquickintelligenceshoneforamomentinherlighteyes，likeasicklysunbeamonafaintDecembermist;thenshemovedforward，andwhenshewasclosebehindGeoffrey，spokesuddenly。

“Whatareyouboththinkingabout？”shesaidinherclearthinvoice;

“youseemtohaveexhaustedyourconversation。”

Geoffreymadeanexclamationandfairlyjumpedfromhischair，afeatwhichinhisbruisedconditionreallyhurthimverymuch。Beatricetoostartedviolently;sherecoveredherselfalmostinstantly，however。

“Howquietlyyoumove，Elizabeth。”shesaid。

“Notmorequietlythanyousit，Beatrice。Ihavebeenwonderingwhenanybodywasgoingtosayanything，orifyouwerebothasleep。”

ForherpartBeatricespeculatedhowlonghersisterhadbeenintheroom。Theirconversationhadbeeninnocentenough，butitwasnotonethatshewouldwishElizabethtohaveoverheard。AndsomehowElizabethhadaknackofoverhearingthings。

“Yousee，MissGranger。”saidGeoffreycomingtotherescue，“bothourbrainsarestillratherwaterlogged，andthatdoesnottendtoaflowofideas。”

“Quiteso。”saidElizabeth。“MydearBeatrice，whydon’tyoutieupyourhair？YoulooklikeacrazyJane。Notbutwhatyouhaveverynicehair。”sheaddedcritically。“Doyouadmiregoodhair，Mr。Bingham。”

“OfcourseIdo。”heansweredgallantly，“butitisnotcommon。”

OnlyBeatricebitherlipwithvexation。“Ihadalmostforgottenaboutmyhair。”shesaid;“Imustapologiseforappearinginsuchastate。I

wouldhavedoneitupafterdinneronlyIwastoostiff，andwhileI

waswaitingforBetty，Iwenttosleep。”

“Ithinkthereisabitofribboninthatdrawer。Isawyouputitthereyesterday。”answeredthepreciseElizabeth。“Yes，hereitis。Ifyoulike，andMr。Binghamwillexcuseit，Icantieitbackforyou。”

andwithoutwaitingforananswershepassedbehindBeatrice，andgatheringupthedensemassesofhersister’slocks，tiedthemroundinsuchfashionthattheycouldnotfallforward，thoughtheystillrolleddownherback。

JustthenMr。Grangercamebackfromhisvisittothefarm。Hewasinhighgoodhumour。Thepighadevensurpassedherformerefforts，andincreasedinasurprisingmanner，tothenumberoffifteenindeed。

Elizabeththereonproducedthetwopoundsoddshillingswhichshehad“corkscrewed“outoftherecalcitrantdissentingfarmer，andthesightaddedtoMr。Granger’ssatisfaction。

“Wouldyoubelieveit，Mr。Bingham。”hesaid，“inthismiserablypaidparishIhavenearlyahundredpoundsowingtome，ahundredpoundsintithe。ThereisoldJoneswholivesouttowardstheBellRock，heowesthreeyears’tithe——thirty-fourpoundselevenandfourpence。Hecanpayandhewon’tpay——sayshe’saBaptistandisnotgoingtopayparson’sdues——thoughforthematterofthatheisnothingbutanoldbeertubofaheathen。”

“Whydon’tyouproceedagainsthim，then，Mr。Granger？”

“Proceed，Ihaveproceeded。I’vegotjudgment，andImeantoissueexecutioninafewdays。Iwon’tstanditanylonger。”hewenton，workinghimselfupandshakinghisheadashespoketillhisthinwhitehairfellabouthiseyes。“Iwillhavethelawofhimandtheotherstoo。Youarealawyerandyoucanhelpme。Itellyouthere’saspiritabroadwhichjustcomestojust——nomanisn’ttopayhislawfuldebts，exceptofcoursetheparsonandthesquire。Theymustpayorgotothecourt。Butthereislawleft，andI’llhaveit，beforetheyplaytheIrishgameonushere。”Andhebroughtdownhisfistwithabanguponthetable。

Geoffreylistenedwithsomeamusement。Sothiswastheweakoldman’ssorepoint——money。Hewasclearlyverystrongaboutthat——asstrongasLadyHonoriaindeed，butwithmoreexcuse。Elizabethalsolistenedwithevidentapproval，butBeatricelookedpained。

“Don’tgetangry，father。”shesaid;“perhapshewillpayafterall。

Itisbadtotakethelawifyoucanmanageanyotherway——itbreedssomuchillblood。”

“Nonsense，Beatrice。”saidhersistersharply。“Fatherisquiteright。

There’sonlyonewaytodealwiththem，andthatistoseizetheirgoods。Ibelieveyouaresocialistaboutproperty，asyouareabouteverythingelse。Youwanttopulleverythingdown，fromtheQueentothelawsofmarriage，allforthegoodofhumanity，andItellyouthatyourideaswillbeyourruin。Defycustomanditwillcrushyou。

Youarerunningyourheadagainstabrickwall，andonedayyouwillfindwhichistheharder。”

Beatriceflushed，butansweredhersister’sattack，whichwasallthesharperbecauseithadacertainspiceoftruthinit。

“Ineverexpressedanysuchviews，Elizabeth，soIdonotseewhyyoushouldattributethemtome。Ionlysaidthatlegalproceedingsbreedbadbloodinaparish，andthatistrue。”

“Ididnotsayyouexpressedthem。”wentonthevigorousElizabeth;

“youlookthem——theyoozeoutofyourwordslikewaterfromapeatbog。Everybodyknowsyouarearadicalandafreethinkerandeverythingelsethatisbadandmad，andcontrarytothatstateoflifeinwhichithaspleasedGodtocallyou。Theendofitwillbethatyouwilllosethemistresshipoftheschool——andIthinkitisveryhardonfatherandmethatyoushouldbringdisgraceonuswithyourstrangewaysandimmoralviews，andnowyoucanmakewhatyoulikeofit。”

“IwishthatallradicalswerelikeMissBeatrice。”saidGeoffrey，whowasfeelingexceedinglyuncomfortable，withafeebleattemptatpolitejocosity。Butnobodyseemedtohearhim。Elizabeth，whowasnowfairlyinarage，afaintflushuponherpalecheeks，herlighteyesallashine，andherthinfingersclasped，stoodfrontingherbeautifulsister，andbreathingspiteateverypore。ButitwaseasyforGeoffreywhowaswatchinghertoseethatitwasnothersister’sviewsshewasattacking;itwashersister。Itwasthatsoftstronglovelinessandthegloryofthatface;itwasthedeepgentlemind，erringfromitsverygreatness，andthebrightintellectwhichlititlikealamp;itwasthelearningandthepowerthat，givethemplay，wouldsetaworldaflame，aseasilyastheydidtheheartoftheslow-

wittedhermitsquire，whomElizabethcoveted——thesewerethethingsthatElizabethhated，andbitterlyassailed。

Accustomedtoobserve，Geoffreysawthisinstantly，andthenglancedatthefather。Theoldmanwasfrightened;clearlyhewasafraidofElizabeth，anddreadedascene。Hestoodfidgetinghisfeetabout，andtryingtofindsomethingtosay，asheglancedapprehensivelyathiselderdaughter，throughhisthinhanginghair。

Lastly，GeoffreylookedatBeatrice，whowasindeedwellworthlookingat。Herfacewasquitepaleandthecleargreyeyesshoneoutbeneaththeirdarklashes。Shehadrisen，drawingherselftoherfullheight，whichherexquisiteproportionsseemedtoincrease，andwaslookingathersister。Presentlyshesaidonewordandoneonly，butitwasenough。

“/Elizabeth。/“

Hersisteropenedherlipstospeakagain，buthesitated，andchangedhermind。TherewassomethinginBeatrice’smannerthatcheckedher。

“Well。”shesaidatlength，“youshouldnotirritatemeso，Beatrice。”

Beatricemadenoreply。SheonlyturnedtowardsGeoffrey，andwithagracefullittlebow，said:

“Mr。Bingham，Iamsurethatyouwillforgivethisscene。Thefactis，weallsleptbadlylastnight，andithasnotimprovedourtempers。”

Therewasapause，ofwhichMr。Grangertookahurriedandratherundignifiedadvantage。

“Um，ah。”hesaid。“Bytheway，Beatrice，whatwasitIwantedtosay？

Ah，Iknow——haveyouwritten，Imeanwrittenout，thatsermonfornextSunday？Mydaughter。”headded，addressingGeoffreyinexplanation——

“um，copiesmysermonsforme。Shewritesaverygoodhand——“

RememberingBeatrice’sconfidenceastohersermonmanufacturingfunctions，Geoffreyfeltamusedatherfather’s/na？ve/wayofdescribingthem，andBeatricealsosmiledfaintlyassheansweredthatthesermonwasready。Justthentherollofwheelswasheardwithout，andtheonlyflythatBryngellycouldboastpulledupinfrontofthedoor。

“Hereistheflycomeforyou，Mr。Bingham。”saidMr。Granger——“andasIlive，herladyshipwithit。Elizabeth，seeifthereisn’tsometeaready。”andtheoldgentleman，whohadallthetraditionalloveofthelowermiddle-classEnglishmanforatitle，trottedofftowelcome“herladyship。”

PresentlyLadyHonoriaenteredtheroom，asweet，ifratherasetsmileuponherhandsomeface，andwithagracefulmien，thatbecamehertallfigureexceedinglywell。FortodoLadyHonoriajustice，shewasoneofthemostladylikewomeninthecountry，andsofarasherpersonalappearancewent，averyperfecttypeoftheclasstowhichshebelonged。

Geoffreylookedather，sayingtohimselfthatshehadclearlyrecoveredhertemper，andthathewasthankfulforit。Thiswasnotwonderful，foritisobservablethatthemorearistocraticalady’smannersare，themoredisagreeablesheisapttobewhensheiscrossed。

“Well，Geoffreydear。”shesaid，“youseeIhavecometofetchyou。I

wasdeterminedthatyoushouldnotgetyourselfdrownedasecondtimeonyourwayhome。Howareyounow？——butIneednotask，youlookquitewellagain。”

“Itisverykindofyou，Honoria。”saidherhusbandsimply，butitwasdoubtfulifsheheardhim，foratthemomentshewasengagedinsearchingoutthesoulofBeatrice，withoneofthemostpenetratingandcomprehensiveglancesthatyoungladyhadeverenjoyedthehonourofreceiving。Therewasnothingrudeaboutthelook，itwastooquick，butBeatricefeltthatquickasitmightbeitembracedheraltogether。Norwasshewrong。

“Thereisnodoubtaboutit。”LadyHonoriathoughttoherself，“sheislovely——lovelyeverywhere。Itwascleverofhertoleaveherhairdown;itshowstheshapeofherheadsowell，andsheistallenoughtostandit。Thatbluewrappersuitshertoo。Veryfewwomencouldshowsuchafigureashers——likeaGreekstatue。Idon’tlikeher;sheisdifferentfrommostofus;justthesortofgirlmengowildaboutandwomenhate。”

Allthispassedthroughhermindinaflash。ForamomentLadyHonoria’sblueeyesmetBeatrice’sgreyones，andsheknewthatBeatricelikedhernobetterthanshedidBeatrice。Thoseeyeswereatrifletoohonest，and，likethedeepclearwatertheyresembled，apttothrowupshadowsofthepassingthoughtsabove。

“Falseandcoldandheartless。”thoughtBeatrice。“Iwonderhowamanlikethatcouldmarryher;andhowmuchhelovesher。”

Thusthetwowomentookeachother’smeasureataglance，eachfindingtheotherwantingbyherstandard。Nordidtheyeverchangethathastilyformedjudgment。

Itwasalldoneinafewseconds——inthathesitatingmomentbeforethewordswesummonansweronourlips。Thenext，LadyHonoriawassweepingtowardsherwithoutstretchedhand，andhermostgracioussmile。

“MissGranger。”shesaid，“IoweyouadebtInevercanrepay——mydearhusband’slife。Ihaveheardallabouthowyousavedhim;itisthemostwonderfulthing——GraceDarlingbornagain。Ican’tthinkhowyoucoulddoit。IwishIwerehalfasbraveandstrong。”

“Pleasedon’t，LadyHonoria。”saidBeatrice。“Iamsotiredofbeingthankedfordoingnothing，exceptwhatitwasmydutytodo。IfIhadletMr。BinghamgowhileIhadthestrengthtoholdontohimIshouldhavefeltlikeamurderessto-day。Ibegyoutosaynomoreaboutit。”

“Onedoesnotoftenfindsuchmodestyunitedtosomuchcourage，and，ifyouwillallowmetosayit，somuchbeauty。”answeredLadyHonoriagraciously。“Well，Iwilldoasyouwish，butIwarnyouyourfamewillfindyouout。Iheartheyhaveanaccountofthewholeadventureinto-day’spapers，headed，’AWelshHeroine。’“

“Howdidyouhearthat，Honoria？”askedherhusband。

“Oh，IhadatelegramfromGarsington，andhementionsit。”sheansweredcarelessly。

“TelegramfromGarsington！Hencethesesmiles。”thoughthe。“Isupposethatsheisgoingto-morrow。”

“Ihavesomeothernewsforyou，MissGranger。”wentonLadyHonoria。

“Yourcanoehasbeenwashedashore，verylittleinjured。Theoldboatman——Edward，Ithinktheycallhim——hasfoundit;andyourguninittoo，Geoffrey。Ithadstuckundertheseatorsomewhere。ButI

fancythatyoumustbothhavehadenoughcanoeingforthepresent。”

“Idon’tknow，LadyHonoria。”answeredBeatrice。“Onedoesnotoftengetsuchweatheraslastnight’s，andcanoeingisverypleasant。Everysweethasitssalt，youknow;or，inotherwords，onemayalwaysbeupset。”

Atthatmoment，Betty，theawkwardWelshservinglass，withafore-armaboutasshapelyasthehindlegofanelephant，andamostunpleasinghabitofsnortingaudiblyasshemoved，shuffledinwiththetea-tray。

InherwakecametheslimElizabeth，towhomLadyHonoriawasintroduced。

Afterthis，conversationflaggedforawhile，tillLadyHonoria，feelingthatthingsweregettingalittledull，settheballrollingagain。

“Whataprettyviewyouhaveoftheseafromthesewindows。”shesaidinherwell-trainedandmonotonouslymodulatedvoice。“Iamsogladtohaveseenit，for，youknow，Iamgoingawayto-morrow。”

Beatricelookedupquickly。

“Myhusbandisnotgoing。”shewenton，asthoughinanswertoanunspokenquestion。“Iamplayingthepartoftheundutifulwifeandrunningawayfromhim，forexactlythreeweeks。Itisverywickedofme，isn’tit？butIhaveanengagementthatImustkeep。Itismosttiresome。”

Geoffrey，sippinghistea，smiledgrimlybehindtheshelterofhiscup。“Shedoesituncommonlywell。”hethoughttohimself。

“Doesyourlittlegirlgowithyou，LadyHonoria？”askedElizabeth。

“Well，no，Ithinknot。Ican’tbearpartingwithher——youknowhowharditiswhenonehasonlyonechild。ButIthinkshewouldbesoboredwhereIamgoingtostay，fortherearenootherchildrenthere;

andbesides，shepositivelyadoresthesea。SoIshallhavetoleavehertoherfather’stendermercies，poordear。”

“IhopeEffiewillsurviveit，Iamsure。”saidGeoffreylaughing。

“IsupposethatyourhusbandisgoingtostayonatMrs。Jones’s。”

saidtheclergyman。

“Really，Idon’tknow。What/are/yougoingtodo，Geoffrey？Mrs。

Jones’sroomsareratherexpensiveforpeopleinourimpoverishedcondition。Besides，IamsurethatshecannotlookafterEffie。Justthink，shehaseightchildrenofherown，poorolddear。AndImusttakeAnnewithme;sheisEffie’sFrenchnurse，youknow，aperfecttreasure。Iamgoingtostayinabighouse，andmyexperienceofthosebighousesis，thatonenevergetswaitedonatallunlessonetakesamaid。Yousee，whatiseverybody’sbusinessisnobody’sbusiness。I’msureIdon’tknowhowyouwillgetonwiththechild，Geoffrey;shetakessuchalotoflookingafter。”

“Oh，don’ttroubleaboutthat，Honoria。”heanswered。“IdaresaythatEffieandIwillmanagesomehow。”

HereoneofthosepeculiargleamsofintelligencewhichmarkedtheadventofanewideapassedacrossElizabeth’sface。Shewassittingnextherfather，andbending，whisperedtohim。Beatricesawitandmadeamotionasthoughtointerpose，butbeforeshecoulddosoMr。

Grangerspoke。

“Lookhere，Mr。Bingham。”hesaid，“ifyouwanttomove，wouldyoulikearoomhere？Termsstrictlymoderate，butcan’taffordtoputyouupfornothingyouknow，andlivingroughandready。You’dhavetotakeusasyoufindus;butthereisadressing-roomnexttomyroom，whereyourlittlegirlcouldsleep，andmydaughterswouldlookafterherbetweenthem，andbegladofthejob。”

AgainBeatriceopenedherlipsasthoughtospeak，butclosedthemwithoutspeaking。Thusdoouropportunitiespassbeforewerealisethattheyareathand。

InstinctivelyGeoffreyhadglancedtowardsBeatrice。Hedidnotknowifthisideawasagreeabletoher。Heknewthatherworkwashard，andhedidnotwishtoputextratroubleuponher，forheguessedthattheburdenoflookingafterEffiewouldultimatelyfalluponhershoulders。Butherfacetoldhimnothing:itwasquitepassiveandapparentlyindifferent。

“Youareverykind，Mr。Granger。”hesaid，hesitating。“Idon’twanttogoawayfromBryngellyjustatpresent，anditwouldbeagoodplaninsomeways，thatisifthetroubletoyourdaughterswouldnotbetoomuch。”

“Iamsurethatitisanexcellentplan。”brokeinLadyHonoria，whofearedlestdifficultiesshouldariseastoherappropriationofAnne’sservices;“howluckythatIhappenedtomentionit。TherewillbenotroubleaboutourgivinguptheroomsatMrs。Jones’s，becauseI

knowshehasanotherapplicationforthem。”

“Verywell。”saidGeoffrey，notlikingtoraiseobjectionstoaschemethuspubliclyadvocated，althoughhewouldhavepreferredtotaketimetoconsider。SomethingwarnedhimthatBryngellyVicaragewouldproveafatefulabodeforhim。ThenElizabethroseandaskedLadyHonoriaifshewouldliketoseetheroomsherhusbandandEffiewouldoccupy。

Shesaidsheshouldbedelightedandwentoff，followedbyMr。Grangerfussingintherear。

“Don’tyouthinkthatyouwillbealittledullhere，Mr。Bingham？”

saidBeatrice。

“Onthecontrary。”heanswered。“WhyshouldIbedull？IcannotbesodullasIshouldbebymyself。”

Beatricehesitated，andthenspokeagain。“Weareacuriousfamily，Mr。Bingham;youmayhaveseenasmuchthisafternoon。Hadyounotbetterthinkitover？”

“Ifyoumeanthatyoudonotwantmetocome，Iwon’t。”hesaidratherbluntly，andnextsecondfeltthathehadmadeamistake。

“I！“Beatriceanswered，openinghereyes。“Ihavenowishesinthematter。Thefactisthatwearepoor，andletlodgings——thatiswhatitcomesto。Ifyouthinktheywillsuityou，youarequiterighttotakethem。”

Geoffreycoloured。Hewasamanwhocouldnotbeartolayhimselfopentothesmallestrebufffromawoman，andhehadbroughtthisonhimself。Beatricesawitandrelented。

“Ofcourse，Mr。Bingham，sofarasIamconcerned，Ishallbethegainerifyoudocome。IdonotmeetsomanypeoplewithwhomIcaretoassociate，andfromwhomIcanlearn，thatIwishtothrowachanceaway。”

“Ithinkyoumisunderstandmealittle。”hesaid;“IonlymeantthatperhapsyouwouldnotwishtobebotheredwithEffie，MissGranger。”

Shelaughed。“Why，Ilovechildren。ItwillbeagreatpleasuretometolookafterhersofarasIhavetime。”

Justthentheothersreturned，andtheirconversationcametoanend。

“It’squitedelightful，Geoffrey——suchfunnyold-fashionedrooms。I

reallyenvyyou。”(IftherewasonethingintheworldthatLadyHonoriahated，itwasanold-fashionedroom。)“Well，andnowwemustbegoing。Oh！youpoorcreature，Iforgotthatyouweresoknockedabout。IamsureMr。Grangerwillgiveyouhisarm。”

Mr。Grangerambledforward，andGeoffreyhavingmadehisadieus，andborrowedaclericalhat(Mr。Granger’sconcessiontocustom，forinmostotherrespectshedressedlikeanordinaryfarmer)，wassafelyconveyedtothefly。

AndsoendedGeoffrey’sfirstdayatBryngellyVicarage。

CHAPTERXI

BEATRICEMAKESANAPPOINTMENT

LadyHonorialeanedbackinthecab，andsighedasighofsatisfaction。

“Thatisacapitalidea。”shesaid。“Iwaswonderingwhatarrangementsyoucouldmakeforthenextthreeweeks。ItisridiculoustopaythreeguineasaweekforroomsjustforyouandEffie。Theoldgentlemanonlywantsthatforboardandlodgingtogether，forIaskedhim。”

“Idaresayitwilldo。”saidGeoffrey。“Whenarewetoshift？”

“To-morrow，intimefordinner，orrathersupper:thesebarbarianseatsupper，youknow。Igobythemorningtrain，yousee，soastoreachGarsingtonbytea-time。Idaresayyouwillfinditratherdull，butyoulikebeingdull。Theoldclergymanisalowstampofman，andabore，andasfortheeldestdaughter，Elizabeth，she’stooawful——sheremindsmeofarat。ButBeatriceishandsomeenough，thoughIthinkherhorridtoo。You’llhavetoconsoleyourselfwithher，andI

daresayyouwillsuiteachother。”

“Whydoyouthinkherhorrid，Honoria？”

“Oh，Idon’tknow;sheiscleverandodd，andIhateoddwomen。Whycan’ttheybelikeotherpeople？Thinkofherbeingstrongenoughtosaveyourlifelikethattoo。ShemusthavethemuscleofanAmazon——

it’sdownrightunwomanly。Butthereisnodoubtaboutherbeauty。SheisasnearlyperfectasanygirlIeversaw，thoughtooindependentlooking。Ifonlyonehadadaughterlikethat，howonemightmarryher。Iwouldnotlookatanythingundertwentythousandayear。SheistoogoodforthatlumberingWelshsquireshe’sengagedtoo——themanwholivesintheCastle——thoughtheysaythatheisfairlyrich。”

“Engaged。”saidGeoffrey，“howdoyouknowthatsheisengaged？”

“Oh，Idon’tknowitatall，butIsupposesheis。Ifsheisn’t，shesoonwillbe，foragirlinthatpositionisnotlikelytothrowsuchachanceaway。Atanyrate，he’sheadoverearsinlovewithher。I

sawthatlastnight。Hewashangingaboutforhoursintherain，outsidethedoor，withafacelikeaghost，tillheknewwhethershewasdeadoralive，andhehasbeentheretwicetoinquirethismorning。Mr。Grangertoldme。Butsheistoogoodforhimfromabusinesspointofview。Shemightmarryanybody，ifonlyshewereputinthewayofit。”

Somehow，Geoffrey’slivelyinterestinBeatricesensiblydeclinedonthereceiptofthisintelligence。Ofcourseitwasnothingtohim;

indeedhewasgladtohearthatshewasinthewayofsuchacomfortablesettlement，butitisunfortunatelyafactthatonecannotbequiteasmuchinterestedinayoungandlovelyladywhoisthepotentialpropertyofa“lumberingWelshsquire。”asinonewhobelongstoherself。

TheoldAdamstillsurvivesinmostmen，howeverright-thinkingtheymaybe，andthisisoneofitsmethodsofself-assertion。

“Well。”hesaid，“Iamgladtohearsheisinsuchagoodway;shedeservesit。IthinktheWelshsquireisinluck;MissGrangerisaremarkablewoman。”

“Tooremarkablebyhalf。”saidLadyHonoriadrily。“Hereweare，andthereisEffie，skippingaboutlikeawildthingasusual。Ithinkthatchildisdemented。”

Onthefollowingmorning——itwasFriday——LadyHonoria，accompaniedbyAnne，departedintheverybestoftempers。Forthenextthreeweeks，atanyrate，shewouldbefreefromthegallingassociationsofstraightenedmeans——freetoenjoytheluxuryandrefinedcomforttowhichshehadbeenaccustomed，andforwhichhersoulyearnedwithafiercelongingthatwouldbeincomprehensibletofolkofasimplermind。EverybodyhashisorheridealHeaven，ifonlyonecouldfathomit。Somewouldchooseasublimatedintellectualleisure，madehappybythebestliteratureofalltheplanets;someamodelstate(withthemselvesaspresidents)，inwhich(throughtheirbeneficentefforts)

thelatestradicalnotionscouldactuallybepersuadedtoworktoeverybody’ssatisfaction;othersahappyhuntingground，wherethegameenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid;andsoon，/adinfinitum/。

LadyHonoriawasevenmoremodest。Giveherawellappointedtownandcountryhouse，afewpowderedfootmen，plentyofcarriages，andotherneedfulthings，includingofcoursethe/entrée/totheuppercelestialten，andshewouldasknomorefromagetoage。Letushopethatshewillgetitoneday。Itwouldhurtnobody，andsheissuretofindplentyofpeopleofherownwayofthinking——thatis，ifthisworldsuppliestherawmaterial。

SheembracedEffiewithenthusiasm，andherhusbandwithachastenedwarmth，andwent，apiousprayeronherlipsthatshemightneveragainseteyesuponBryngelly。

ItwillnotbenecessaryforustofollowLadyHonoriainhertravels。

ThatafternoonEffieandherfatherhadgreatfun。Theypackedup。

Geoffrey，whowasrapidlyrecoveringfromhisstiffness，pushedthethingsintotheportmanteausandEffiejumpedonthem。Thosewhichwouldnotgointheybundledlooseintothefly，tillthatvehiclelookedlikeanoldclothesship。Then，astherewasnoroomleftfortheminside，theywalkeddowntotheVicaragebythebeach，adistanceofaboutthree-quartersofamile，stoppingontheirwaytoadmirethebeautifulcastle，inonecornerofwhichOwenDavieslivedandmoved。

“Oh，daddy。”saidthechild，“Iwishyouwouldbuyahouselikethatforyouandmetolivein。Whydon’tyou，daddy？”

“Haven’tgotthemoney，dear。”heanswered。

“Willyoueverhavethemoney，daddy？”

“Idon’tknow，dear，perhapsoneday——whenIamtoooldtoenjoyit。”

headdedtohimself。

“Itwouldtakeagreatmanypenniestobuyahouselikethat，wouldn’tit，daddy？”saidEffiesagely。

“Yes，dear，morethanyoucouldcount。”heanswered，andtheconversationdropped。

Presentlytheycametoaboat-shed，placedoppositethevillageandclosetohigh-watermark。Hereaman，itwasoldEdward，wasengagedinmendingacanoe。Geoffreyglancedatitandsawthatitwastheidenticalcanoeoutofwhichhehadsonearlybeendrowned。

“Look，Effie。”saidhe，“thatistheboatoutofwhichIwasupset。”

Effieopenedherwideeyes，andstaredatthefrailcraft。

“Itisahorridboat。”shesaid;“Idon’twanttolookatit。”

“You’requiteright，littlemiss。”saidoldEdward，touchinghiscap。

“Itain’tsafe，andsomebodywillbedrownedoutofitoneofthesedays。Iwishithadgonetothebottom，Ido;butMissBeatrice，sheisthatfoolhardythereain’tnodoingnothingwithher。”

“Ifancythatshehaslearntalesson。”saidGeoffrey。

“Maybe，maybe。”grumbledtheoldman，“butwomenfolkarehardtoteach;theyneverlearnnothingtillit’stoolate，theydon’t，andthenwhenthey’vebeenanddoneitthey’resorry，butwhat’sthegoodo’that？”

Meanwhileanotherconversationwasinprogressnotmorethanaquarterofamileaway。OnthebrowofthecliffstoodthevillageofBryngelly，andatthebackofthevillagewasaschool，aplainwhite-

washedbuilding，roofedwithstone，which，thoughamplysufficientandsuitabletothewantsoftheplace，waslittleshortofanabominationintheeyesofHerMajesty’sschoolinspectors，whofromtimetotimedescendeduponBryngellyforpurposesofexaminationandfault-

finding。Theyyearnedtoseeastatelyred-brickedifice，withallthelatestimprovements，erectedattheexpenseoftherate-payers，butasyettheyyearnedinvain。Theschoolwassupportedbyvoluntarycontributions，andthankstoBeatrice’senergyandgoodteaching，thedreadedBoard，withitsfadsandextravagance，hadnotyetclutchedit。

Beatricehadreturnedtoherdutiesthatafternoon，foranight’srestbroughtbackitsvigourtoherstrongyoungframe。Shehadbeengreetedwithenthusiasmbythechildren，wholovedher，aswelltheymight，forshewasverygentleandsweetwiththem，thoughfewdaredtodisobeyher。Besides，herbeautyimpressedthem，thoughtheydidnotknowit。Beautyofacertainsorthasperhapsmoreeffectonchildrenthanonanyotherclass，heedlessandselfishastheyoftenseemtobe。Theyfeelitspower;itisanoutwardexpressionofthethoughtsanddreamsthatbudintheirunknowinghearts，andissomehowmixedupwiththeirideasofGodandHeaven。ThustherewasinBryngellyalittlegirloften，averycleverandhighlyexcitablechild，JaneLlewellynbyname，bornofparentsofstrictCalvinisticviews。Asitchanced，somemonthsbeforetheopeningofthisstory，atubthumper，ofhighrenownandconsiderablerudeoratoricalforce，visitedtheplace，andtreatedhishearerstoalivelydiscourseonthehorrorsofHell。

Intheveryfrontrow，hereyeswidewithfear，satthispoorlittlechildbetweenherparents，wholistenedtotheMinisterwithmuchsatisfaction，andalittlewaybacksatBeatrice，whohadcomeoutofcuriosity。