第5章

Andsothehappydaywouldpassandbed-timecome，andwithitunbiddendreams。

Geoffreythoughtnoillofallthis，asofcourseheoughttohavethought。Hewasnottheraveninglionoffiction——sorarely，ifever，tobemetwithinreallife——goingaboutseekingwhomhemightdevour。

HehadabsolutelynodesignsonBeatrice’saffections，anymorethanshehadonhis，andhehadforgottenthatfirstfellprescienceofeviltocome。Onceortwice，itistrue，qualmsofdoubtdidcrosshismindintheearlierdaysoftheirintimacy。Butheputthembyasabsurd。Hewasnobelieverinthetenderhelplessnessoffull-grownwomen，hisexperiencehavingbeenthattheyareamplycapable——and，forthemostpart，morethancapable——oflookingafterthemselves。ItseemedtohimathingridiculousthatsuchapersonasBeatrice，whowascompetenttoformopinionsandajudgmentuponalltheimportantquestionsoflife，shouldbetreatedasachild，andthatheshouldremovehimselffromBryngellylestheryoungaffectionsshouldbecomeentangled。Hefeltsurethattheywouldneverbeentrappedinanydirectionwhatsoeverwithoutherfullconsent。

Thenheceasedtothinkaboutthematteratall。Indeed，themereideaofsuchathinginvolvedasuppositionthatwouldonlyhavebeenacceptabletoaconceitedman——namely，thattherewasapossibilityofthisyounglady’sfallinginlovewithhim。Whatrighthadhetosupposeanythingofthesort？Itwasanimpertinence。Thattherewasanothersortofpossibility——namely，ofhisbecomingmoreattachedtoherthanwasaltogetherdesirable——did，however，occurtohimonceortwice。Butheshruggedhisshouldersandputitby。Afterall，itwashislookout，andhedidnotmuchcare。Itwoulddohernoharmattheworst。Butverysoonalltheseshadowyforebodingsofdawningtroublevanishedquite。Theywerelostinthebroad，sweetlightsoffriendship。By-and-by，whenfriendship’sdaywasdone，theymightariseagain，calledbyothernamesandwearingasternerface。

Itwasridiculous——ofcourseitwasridiculous;hewasnotgoingtofallinlovelikeaboyathistimeoflife;allhefeltwasgratitudeandinterest——allshefeltwasamusementinhissociety。Asfortheintimacy——feltratherthanexpressed——theintimacythatcouldalreadyalmostenabletheonetodivinetheother’sthought，thatcouldshapehermoodtohisandhistohers，thatcouldcausethesamethingofbeautytobeacommonjoy，anddiscoverunityofmindinopinionsthemostopposite——why，itwasonlynaturalbetweenpeoplewhohadtogetherpassedaperilterribletothinkof。Sotheytookthegoodsthegodsprovided，anddriftedsoftlyon——whithertheydidnotstoptoinquire。

Oneday，however，alittleincidenthappenedthatoughttohaveopenedtheeyesofboth。Theyhadarranged，orrathertherewasatacitunderstanding，thattheyshouldgoouttogetherintheafternoon。

GeoffreywastotakehisgunandBeatriceabook，butitchancedthat，justbeforedinner，asshewalkedbackfromthevillage，whereshehadgonetobuysomethreadtomendEffie’sclothes，BeatricecamefacetofacewithMr。Davies。ItwastheirfirstmeetingwithoutwitnessessincetheSundayofwhichtheeventshavebeendescribed，and，naturally，therefore，ratheranawkwardone。Owenstoppedshortsothatshecouldnotpasshimwithabow，andthenturnedandwalkedbesideher。Afteraremarkortwoabouttheweather，thespringsofconversationrandry。

“YourememberthatyouarecominguptotheCastlethisafternoon？”hesaid，atlength。

“TotheCastle！“sheanswered。“No，Ihaveheardnothingofit。”

“Didnotyoursistertellyoushemadeanengagementforherselfandyouaweekormoreago？Youaretobringthelittlegirl;shewantstoseetheviewfromthetopofthetower。”

ThenBeatriceremembered。Elizabethhadtoldher，andshehadthoughtitbesttoacceptthesituation。Thewholethinghadgoneoutofhermind。

“Oh，Ibegyourpardon！Idoremembernow，butIhavemadeanotherplan——howstupidofme！“

“Youhadforgotten。”hesaidinhisheavyvoice;“itiseasyforyoutoforgetwhatIhavebeenlookingforwardtoforawholeweek。Whatisyourplan——togooutwalkingwithMr。Bingham，Isuppose？”

“Yes。”answeredBeatrice，“togooutwithMr。Bingham。”

“Ah！yougooutwithMr。Binghameverydaynow。”

“AndwhatifIdo？”saidBeatricequickly;“surely，Mr。Davies，IhavearighttogooutwithwhomIlike？”

“Yes，ofcourse;buttheengagementtocometotheCastlewasmadefirst;areyounotgoingtokeepit？”

“OfcourseIamgoingtokeepit;IalwayskeepmyengagementswhenI

haveany。”

“Verywell，then;Ishallexpectyouatthreeo’clock。”

Beatricewentonhomeinacuriouslyirritatedconditionofmind。Shedidnot，naturally，wanttogototheCastle，andshedidwanttogooutwithGeoffrey。However，therewasnohelpforit。

WhenshecameintodinnershefoundthatGeoffreywasnotthere。Hehad，itseemed，gonetolunchwithDr。Chambers，whomhehadmetonthebeach。BeforehereturnedtheywereallthreestartingfortheCastle，BeatriceleavingamessagetothiseffectwithBetty。

Aboutaquarterofanhourafterwards，GeoffreycamebacktofetchhisgunandBeatrice，butBeatricewasgone，andallthathecouldextractfromBettywasthatshehadgonetoseeMr。Davies。

Hewasperfectlyfurious，thoughallthewhileheknewhowunreasonablewashisanger。Hehadbeenlookingforwardtotheexpedition，andthissuddenchangeofplanwastoomuchforhistemper。Offhestarted，however，topassathoroughlymiserableafternoon。HeseemedtomissBeatricemoreeachstepandgraduallytogrowmoreandmoreangryatwhathecalledher“rudeness。”OfcourseitneveroccurredtohimthatwhathewasreallyangryatwashergoingtoseeMr。Davies，orthat，intruth，hersocietyhadbecomesodelightfultohimthattobedeprivedofitevenforanafternoonwastobewretched。Totopeverything，heonlygotthreegoodshotsthatafternoon，andhemissedthemall，whichmadehimcrosserthanever。

AsforBeatrice，sheenjoyedherselfjustaslittleattheCastleasGeoffreydidonthebeach。OwenDaviestookthemthroughthegreatunusedroomsandshowedthemthepictures，butshehadseenthembefore，andthoughsomeofthemwereveryfine，didnotcaretolookatthemagain——atanyrate，notthatafternoon。ButElizabethgazedatthemwitheagereyesandmentallyappraisedtheirvalue，wonderingiftheywouldeverbehers。

“Whatisthispicture？”sheasked，pointingtoabeautifulportraitofaDutchBurgomasterbyRembrandt。

“That。”answeredDaviesheavily，forheknewnothingofpaintingandcaredless，“thatisaVelasquez，valuedforprobateat￡3，000——no。”

referringtothecatalogueandreading，“Ibegyourpardon，thenextistheVelasquez;thatisaRembrandtinthemaster’sbeststyle，showingallhiswonderfulmasteryoverlightandshade。Itwasvaluedforprobateat￡4，000guineas。”

“Fourthousandguineas！“saidElizabeth，“fancyhavingathingworthfourthousandguineashangingonawall！“

Andsotheywenton，ElizabethaskingquestionsandOwenansweringthembythehelpofthecatalogue，till，toBeatrice’srelief，theycameatlengthtotheendofthepictures。Thentheytooksometeainthelittlesittingroomofthemasterofallthismagnificence。Owen，tohergreatannoyance，satoppositetoBeatrice，staringatherwithallhiseyeswhileshedrankhertea，withEffiesittinginherlap，andElizabeth，observingit，bitherlipinjealousy。Shehadthoughtitwelltobringhersisterhere;itwouldnotdotoletMr。DaviesthinkshewaskeepingBeatriceoutofhisway，buthismuteidolworshipwastryingtoherfeelings。Afterteatheywenttothetopofthetower，andEffierejoicedexceedinglyintheview，whichwasverybeautiful。HereOwengotawordwithElizabeth。

“Yoursisterseemstobeputoutaboutsomething。”hesaid。

“Idaresay。”sheansweredcarelessly;“Beatricehasanuncertaintemper。IthinkshewantedtogooutshootingwithMr。Binghamthisafternoon。”

HadOwenbeenalessreligiouspersonhemighthavesworn;asitwas，heonlysaid，“Mr。Bingham——itisalwaysMr。Binghamfrommorningtonight！Whenishegoingaway？”

“Inanotherweek，Ibelieve。Beatricewillbesorry，Ithink;shemakesagreatcompanionofhim。AndnowIthinkthatwemustbegettinghome。”andshewent，leavingthispoisonedshafttorankleinhisbreast。

AftertheyhadreturnedtothevicarageandBeatricehadheardEffieherprayersandtuckedherupinhersmallwhitebed，shewentdowntothegatetobequietforalittlewhilebeforesupper。Geoffreyhadnotyetcomein。

Itwasalovelyautumnevening;theseaseemedtosleep，andthelittleclouds，fromwhichthesunsetfireshadpaled，laylikewreathsofsmokeupontheinfinitebluesky。WhyhadnotMr。Binghamcomeback，shewondered;hewouldscarcelyhavetimetodress。Supposingthatanaccidenthadhappenedtohim。Nonsense！whataccidentcouldhappen？Hewassobigandstrongheseemedtodefyaccidents;andyethaditnotbeenforhertherewouldbelittleenoughleftofhisstrengthto-day。Ah！shewasgladthatshehadlivedtobeabletosavehimfromdeath。Therehecame，loominglikeagiantintheeveningmist。

Therewasasmallhand-gatebesidethelargeoneonwhichsheleant。

Geoffreystalkedstraightuptoitasthoughhedidnotseeher;hesawherwellenough，buthewascrosswithher。

Sheallowedhimtopassthroughthegate，whichheshutslowly，perhapstogiveheranopportunityofspeaking，ifshewishedtodoso;thenthinkingthathedidnotseehershespokeinhersoft，musicalvoice。

“Didyouhavegoodsport，Mr。Bingham？”

“No。”heansweredshortly;“Isawverylittle，andImissedallI

saw。”

“Iamsosorry，exceptforthebirds。Ihatethebirdstobekilled。

Didyounotseemeinthiswhitedress？Isawyoufiftyyardsaway。”

“Yes，MissGranger。”heanswered，“Isawyou。”

“Andyouweregoingbywithoutspeakingtome;itwasveryrudeofyou——whatisthematter？”

“NotsorudeasitwasofyoutoarrangetowalkoutwithmeandthentogoandseeMr。Daviesinstead。”

“Icouldnothelpit，Mr。Bingham;itwasanoldengagement，whichI

hadforgotten。”

“Quiteso，ladiesgenerallyhaveanexcusefordoingwhattheywanttodo。”

“Itisnotanexcuse，Mr。Bingham。”Beatriceanswered，withdignity;

“thereisnoneedformetomakeexcusestoyouaboutmymovements。”

“Ofcoursenot，MissGranger;butitwouldbemorepolitetotellmewhenyouchangeyourmind——nexttime，youknow。However，IhavenodoubtthattheCastlehasattractionsforyou。”

Sheflashedonelookathimandturnedtogo，andasshedidsohisheartrelented;hegrewashamed。

“MissGranger，don’tgo;forgiveme。Idonotknowwhathasbecomeofmymanners，IspokeasIshouldnot。Thefactis，Iwasputoutatyournotcoming。Totellyouthehonesttruth，Imissedyoudreadfully。”

“Youmissedme。Thatisveryniceofyou;onelikestobemissed。But，ifyoumissedmeforoneafternoon，howwillyougetonaweekhencewhenyougoawayandmissmealtogether？”

Beatricespokeinabanteringtone，andlaughedasshespoke，butthelaughendedinsomethinglikeasigh。Helookedatherforamoment，lookedtillshedroppedhereyes。

“Heavenonlyknows！“heansweredsadly。

“Letusgoin。”saidBeatrice，inaconstrainedvoice;“howchilltheairhasturned。”

CHAPTERXV

ONLYGOOD-NIGHT

Fivemoredayspassed，alltooquickly，andoncemoreMondaycameround。Itwasthe22ndofOctober，andtheMichaelmasSittingsbeganonthe24th。Onthemorrow，Tuesday，GeoffreywastoreturntoLondon，theretomeetLadyHonoriaandgettoworkatChambers。Thatverymorning，indeed，abrief，thebiggesthehadyetreceived——itwasmarkedthirtyguineas——hadbeenforwardedtohimfromhischambers，withanotefromhisclerktotheeffectthatthecasewasexpectedtobeinthespecialjurylistonthefirstdayofthesittings，andthattheclerkhadmadeanappointmentforhimwiththesolicitorsfor5。15

ontheTuesday。Thebriefwassenttohimbyhisuncle’sfirm，andmarked，“WithyoutheAttorney-General，andMr。Candleton，Q。C……”thewell-knownleaderoftheProbateandDivorceCourtBar。NeverbeforehadGeoffreyfoundhimselfinsuchhonourablecompany，thatisonthebackofabrief，andnotalittlewasheelatedthereby。

Butwhenhecametolookintothecasehisjoyabatedsomewhat，foritwasoneofthemostperplexingthathehadeverknown。Thewillcontested，whichwasthatofaYorkshiremoney-lender，disposedofpropertytothevalueofover￡80，000，andwaspropoundedbyanieceofthetestatorwho，whenhedied，ifnotactuallyweakinhismind，wasinhisdotage，andsuperstitioustothevergeofinsanity。Theniecetowhomallthepropertywasleft——totheexclusionofthesonanddaughterofthedeceased，bothmarried，andlivingawayfromhome——stayedwiththetestatorandlookedafterhim。Shortlybeforehisdeath，however，heandthisniecehadviolentlyquarrelledonaccountofanintimacywhichthelatterhadformedwithamarriedmanofbadrepute，whowasadischargedlawyer’sclerk。Soserioushadbeenthequarrelthatonlythreedaysbeforehisdeaththetestatorhadsentforalawyerandformally，bymeansofacodicil，deprivedthenieceofasumof￡2，000whichhehadlefther，alltherestofhispropertybeingdividedbetweenhissonanddaughter。Threedaysafterwards，however，hedulyexecutedafreshwill，inthepresenceoftwoservants，bywhichheleftallhispropertytotheniece，totheentireexclusionofhisownchildren。Thiswill，thoughveryshort，wasinproperformandwaswrittenbynobodyknewwhom。Theservantsstatedthatthetestatorbeforesigningitwasperfectlyacquaintedwithitscontents，fortheniecehadmadehimrepeatthemintheirpresence。Theyalsodeclared，however，thatheseemedinaterriblefright，andsaidtwice，“It’sbehindme;it’sbehindme！“

Withinanhourofthesigningofthewillthetestatorwasfounddead，apparentlyfromtheeffectsoffear，buttheniecewasnotintheroomatthetimeofdeath。Theonlyotherremarkablecircumstanceinthecasewasthatthedisreputableloveroftheniecehadbeenseenhangingaboutthehouseatdusk，thetestatorhavingdiedatteno’clockatnight。Therewasalsoafurtherfact。Theson，onreceivingamessagefromtheniecethathisfatherwasseriouslyworse，hadhurriedwithextraordinaryspeedtothehouse，passingsomeoneorsomething——hecouldnottellwhat——thatseemedtoberunning，apparentlyfromthewindowofthesickman’sroom，whichwasonthegroundfloor，andbeneathwhichfootmarkswereafterwardsfound。Ofthesefootmarkstwocastshadbeentaken，ofwhichphotographswereforwardedwiththebrief。Theyhadbeenmadebynakedfeetofsmallsize，andineachcasethelittlejointofthethirdtoeoftherightfootseemedtobemissing。Butallattemptstofindthefeetthatmadethemhadhithertofailed。Thewillwascontestedbythenextofkin，forwhomGeoffreywasoneofthecounsel，upontheusualgroundsofundueinfluenceandfraud;butasitseemedatpresentwithsmallprospectofsuccess，for，thoughthecircumstancesweresuperstitiousenough，therewasnottheslightestevidenceofeither。Thiscuriouscase，ofwhichtheoutlinesareherewritten，isbrieflysetout，becauseitprovedtobethefoundationofGeoffrey’senormouspracticeandreputationattheBar。

Hereadthebriefthroughtwice，thoughtitoverwell，andcouldmakelittleofit。Itwasperfectlyobvioustohimthattherehadbeenfoulplaysomewhere，buthefoundhimselfquiteunabletoformaworkablehypothesis。Wasthepersonwhohadbeenseenrunningawayconcernedinthematter？——ifitwasaperson。Ifso，washetheauthorofthefootprints？Ofcoursetheex-lawyer’sclerkhadsomethingtodowithit，butwhat？InvaindidGeoffreycudgelhisbrains;everyideathatoccurredtohimbrokedownsomewhereorother。

“Weshalllosethis。”hesaidaloudindespair;“suspiciouscircumstancesarenotenoughtoupsetawill。”andthen，addressingBeatrice，whowassittingatthetable，working:

“Here，MissGranger，youhaveasmatteringoflaw，seeifyoucanmakeanythingofthis。”andhepushedtheheavybrieftowardsher。

Beatricetookitwithalaugh，andforthenextthree-quartersofanhourherfairbrowwaspuckeredupinawayquainttosee。Atlastshefinishedandshutthebriefup。“Letmelookatthephotographs。”shesaid。

Geoffreyhandedthemtoher。Sheverycarefullyexaminedfirstoneandthentheother，andasshedidsoalightofintelligencebrokeoutuponherface。

“Well，Portia，haveyougotit？”heasked。

“Ihavegotsomething。”sheanswered。“Idonotknowifitisright。

Don’tyousee，theoldmanwassuperstitious;theyfrightenedhimfirstofallbyaghostlyvoiceorsomesuchthingintosigningthewill，andthentodeathafterhehadsignedit。Thelawyer’sclerkpreparedthewill——hewouldknowhowtodoit。Thenhewassmuggledintotheroomunderthebed，orsomewhere，dressedupasaghostperhaps。Thesendingforthesonbytheniecewasablind。Thethingthatwasseenrunningawaywasaboy——thosefootprintsweremadebyaboy。IhaveseensomanythousandsonthesandsherethatIcouldsweartoit。Hewasattractedtothehousefromtheroad，whichwasquitenear，bycatchingsightofsomethingunusualthroughtheblind;

thebriefsaystherewerenocurtainsorshutters。Nowlookatthephotographsofthefootprints。SeeinNo。1，foundoutsidethewindow，thetoesarepresseddowndeeplyintothemud。Theownerofthefeetwasstandingontip-toetogetabetterview。ButinNo。2，whichwasfoundnearwherethesonthoughthesawapersonrunning，thetoesarespreadoutquitewide。Thatisthefootprintofsomeonewhowasinagreathurry。Nowitisnotprobablethataboyhadanythingtodowiththetestator’sdeath。Why，then，wastheboyrunningsohard？Iwilltellyou:becausehewasfrightenedatsomethinghehadseenthroughtheblind。Sofrightenedwashe，thathewillnotcomeforward，oranswertheadvertisementsandinquiries。Findaboyinthattownwhohasajointmissingonthethirdtoeoftherightfoot，andyouwillsoonknowallaboutit。”

“ByJove。”saidGeoffrey，“whatacriminallawyeryouwouldmake！I

believethatyouhavegotit。Buthowarewetofindthisboywiththemissingtoe-joint？Everypossibleinquiryhasalreadybeenmadeandfailed。Nobodyhasseensuchaboy，whosedeficiencywouldprobablybeknownbyhisparents，orschoolfellows。”

“Yes。”saidBeatrice，“ithasfailedbecausetheboyhastakentowearingshoes，whichindeedhewouldalwayshavetodoatschool。Hisparents，ifhehasany，wouldperhapsnotspeakofhisdisfigurement，andnooneelsemightknowofit，especiallyifhewereanew-comerintheneighbourhood。Itisquitepossiblethathetookoffhisbootsinordertocreepuptothewindow。AndnowIwilltellyouhowIshouldsettoworktofindhim。Ishouldhaveeverybathing-placeintheriverrunningthroughthetown——thereisariver——carefullywatchedbydetectives。Inthisweather“(theautumnwasanunusuallywarmone)

“boysofthatclassoftenpaddleandsometimesbathe。Iftheywatchcloseenough，theywillprobablyfindaboywithamissingtoejointamongthenumber。”

“Whatagoodidea。”saidGeoffrey。“Iwilltelegraphtothelawyersatonce。Icertainlybelievethatyouhavegottheclue。”

AndasitturnedoutafterwardsBeatricehadgotit;hersuppositionswererightinalmosteveryparticular。Theboy，whoprovedtobethesonofapedlarwhohadrecentlycomeintothetown，wasfoundwading，andbyaclevertrick，whichneednotbedetailed，frightenedintotellingthetruth，ashehadpreviouslyfrightenedhimselfintoholdinghistongue。Hehadeven，asBeatriceconjectured，takenoffhisbootstocreepuptothewindow，andasheranawayinhisfright，haddroppedthemintoaditchfullofwater。Theretheywerefound，andwentfartoconvincethejuryofthetruthofhisstory。ThusitwasthatBeatrice’squickwitlaidthefoundationsofGeoffrey’sgreatsuccess。

ThisparticularMondaywasafielddayattheVicarage。Joneshadprovedobdurate;nopoweronearthcouldinducehimtopaythe￡34

11s。4d。dueonaccountoftithe。ThereforeMr。Granger，fortifiedbyajudgmentdulyobtained，hadannouncedhisintentionofdistraininguponJones’shayandcattle。Joneshadrepliedwithinsolentdefiance。

Ifanybailiff，orauctioneer，orsuchpeoplecametosellhishayhewouldkillhim，orthem。

SosaidJones，andsummonedhissupporters，manyofwhomowedtithe，andnoneofwhomwishedtopayit，todobattleinhiscause。Forhispart，Mr。Grangerretainedanauctioneerofundoubtedcouragewhowastoarriveonthisveryafternoon，supportedbysixpolicemen，andcarryoutthesale。Beatricefeltnervousaboutthewholething，butElizabethwasverydetermined，andtheoldclergymanwasnowbombasticandnowdespondent。Theauctioneerarriveddulybytheoneo’clocktrain。Hewasatallable-bodiedman，notunlikeGeoffreyinappearance，indeedattwentyyardsdistanceitwouldhavebeendifficulttotellthemapart。Thesalewasfixedforhalf-pasttwo，andMr。Johnson——thatwastheauctioneer’sname——wenttotheinntogethisdinnerbeforeproceedingtobusiness。Hewasinformedofthehostiledemonstrationwhichawaitedhim，andthatanEnglishmemberofParliamenthadbeensentdownespeciallytoheadthemob，butbeingamanofmettlepooh-poohedthewholeaffair。

“Allbark，sir。”hesaidtoGeoffrey，“allbarkandnobite;I’mnotafraidofthesepeople。Why，iftheywon’tbidforthestuff，Iwillbuyitinmyself。”

“Allright。”saidGeoffrey，“butIadviseyoutolookout。Ifancythattheoldmanisaroughcustomer。”

ThenGeoffreywentbacktohisdinner。

Astheysatatthemeal，throughagapinthefirtreestheysawthatthegreatmajorityofthepopulationofBryngellywasstreaminguptowardsthesceneofthesale，sometoagitate，andsometoseethefun。

“Itisprettywelltimetobeoff。”saidGeoffrey。“Areyoucoming，Mr。Granger？”

“Well。”answeredtheoldgentleman，“Iwishedtodoso，butElizabeththinksthatIhadbetterkeepaway。Andafterall，youknow。”headdedairily，“perhapsitisaswellforaclergymannottomixhimselfuptoomuchinthesetemporalmatters。No，Iwanttogoandseeaboutsomepigsattheotherendoftheparish，andIthinkthatIshalltakethisopportunity。”

“Youarenotgoing，Mr。Bingham，areyou？”askedBeatriceinavoicewhichbetrayedheranxiety。

“Oh，yes。”heanswered，“ofcourseIam。Iwouldnotmissthechanceforworlds。Why，BeechamBonesisgoingtobethere，thememberofParliamentwhohasjustdonehisfourmonthsforincitingtooutrage。

Weareoldfriends;Iwasatschoolwithhim。Poorfellow，hewasmadeveninthosedays，andIwanttochaffhim。”

“Ithinkthatyouhadfarbetternotgo，Mr。Bingham。”saidBeatrice;

“theyareaveryroughset。”

“Everybodyisnotsocowardlyasyouare。”putinElizabeth。“Iamgoingatanyrate。”

“That’sright，MissElizabeth。”saidGeoffrey;“wewillprotecteachotherfromtherevolutionaryfuryofthemob。Come，itistimetostart。”

Andsotheywent，leavingBeatriceapreytomelancholyforebodings。

Shewaitedinthehouseforthebestpartofanhour，makingpretencetoplaywithEffie。Thenheranxietygotthebetterofher;sheputonherhatandstarted，leavingEffieinchargeoftheservantBetty。

BeatricewalkedquicklyalongtheclifftillshecameinsightofJones’sfarm。Fromwhereshestoodshecouldmakeoutagreatcrowdofmen，andeven，whenthewindturnedtowardsher，catchthenoiseofshouting。Presentlysheheardasoundlikethereportofagun，sawthecrowdbreakupinviolentconfusion，andthenclustertogetheragaininadensemass。

“Whatcoulditmean？”Beatricewondered。

Asthethoughtcrossedhermind，sheperceivedtwomenrunningtowardsherwithalltheirspeed，followedbyawoman。ThreeminutesmoreandshesawthatthewomanwasElizabeth。

Themenwerepassinghernow。

“Whatisit？”shecried。

“/Murder！/“theyansweredwithonevoice，andspedontowardsBryngelly。

AnothermomentandElizabethwasathand，horrorwrittenonherpaleface。

Beatriceclutchedather。“/Who/isit？”shecried。

“Mr。Bingham。”gaspedhersister。“Goandhelp;he’sshotdead！“Andshetoowasgone。

Beatrice’skneesloosened，hertongueclavetotheroofofhermouth;

thesolidearthspunroundandround。“Geoffreykilled！Geoffreykilled！“shecriedinherheart;butthoughherearsseemedtohearthesoundofthem，nowordscamefromherlips。“Oh，whatshouldshedo？Whereshouldshehideherselfinhergrief？”

Afewyardsfromthepathgrewastuntedtreewithalargeflatstoneatitsroot。ThitherBeatricestaggeredandsankuponthestone，whilestillthesolidearthspunroundandround。

Presentlyhermindclearedalittle，andakeenerpangofpainshotthroughhersoul。Shehadbeenstunnedatfirst，nowshefelt。

“Perhapsitwasnottrue;perhapsElizabethhadbeenmistakenorhadonlysaidittotormenther。”Sherose。Sheflungherselfuponherknees，therebythestone，andprayed，thisfirsttimeformanyyears——sheprayedwithallhersoul。“Oh，God，ifThouart，sparehimhislifeandmethisagony。”Inherdreadfulpangsofgriefherfaithwasthusre-born，and，asallhumanbeingsmustintheirhourofmortalagony，BeatricerealisedherdependenceontheUnseen。Sherose，andweakwithemotionsankbackontothestone。Thepeoplewerestreamingpasthernow，talkingexcitedly。Somebodycameuptoherandstoodoverher。

Oh，Heaven，itwasGeoffrey！

“Isityou？”shegasped。“Elizabethsaidthatyouweremurdered。”

“No，no。ItwasnotI;itisthatpoorfellowJohnson，theauctioneer。

Jonesshothim。Iwasstandingnexthim。IsupposeyoursisterthoughtthatIfell。Hewasnotunlikeme，poorfellow。”

Beatricelookedathim，wentred，wentwhite，thenburstintoafloodoftears。

Astrangepangseizeduponhisheart。Itthrilledthroughhim，shakinghimtothecore。Whywasthiswomansodeeplymoved？Coulditbe——？

Nonsense;hestifledthethoughtbeforeitwasborn。

“Don’tcry。”Geoffreysaid，“thepeoplewillseeyou，Beatrice“(forthefirsttimehecalledherbyherchristianname);“praydonotcry。

Itdistressesme。Youareupset，andnowonder。ThatfellowBeechamBonesoughttobehanged，andItoldhimso。Itishiswork，thoughhenevermeantittogosofar。He’sfrightenedenoughnow，Icantellyou。”

Beatricecontrolledherselfwithaneffort。

“Whathappened。”hesaid，“Iwilltellyouaswewalkalong。No，don’tgouptothefarm。Heisnotapleasantsight，poorfellow。WhenIgotupthere，BeechamBoneswasspoutingawaytothemob——hislonghairflyingabouthisback——excitingthemtoresistlawsmadebybrutalthievinglandlords，andallthatkindofgibberish;tellingthemthattheywouldbesupportedbyagreatpartyinParliament，&c。，&c。Thepeople，however，tookitallgood-naturedlyenough。Theyhadabeautifuleffigyofyourfatherswingingonapole，withaplacardonhisbreast，onwhichwaswritten，’Therobberofthewidowandtheorphan，’andtheyweresingingWelshsongs。OnlyIsawJones，whowasmorethanhalfdrunk，cursingandswearinginWelshandEnglish。Whentheauctioneerbegantosell，JoneswentintothehouseandBoneswentwithhim。Afterenoughhadbeensoldtopaythedebt，andwhilethemobwasstilllaughingandshouting，suddenlythebackdoorofthehouseopenedandoutrushedJones，nowquitedrunk，aguninhishandandBoneshangingontohiscoat-tails。Iwastalkingtotheauctioneeratthemoment，andmybeliefisthatthebrutethoughtthatIwasJohnson。Atanyrate，beforeanythingcouldbedoneheliftedthegunandfired，atme，asIthink。Thecharge，however，passedmyheadandhitpoorJohnsonfullintheface，killinghimdead。Thatisallthestory。”

“Andquiteenough，too。”saidBeatricewithashudder。“Whattimeswelivein！Ifeelquitesick。”

Supperthatnightwasaverymelancholyaffair。OldMr。Grangerwasaltogetherthrownoffhisbalance;andevenElizabeth’sironnerveswereshaken。

“Itcouldnotbeworse，itcouldnotbeworse。”moanedtheoldman，risingfromthetableandwalkingupanddowntheroom。

“Nonsense，father。”saidElizabeththepractical。“Hemighthavebeenshotbeforehehadsoldthehay，andthenyouwouldnothavegotyourtithe。”

Geoffreycouldnothelpsmilingatthiswayoflookingatthings，fromwhich，however，Mr。Grangerseemedtodrawalittlecomfort。Fromconstantlythinkingaboutit，andthedailypressureofnecessity，moneyhadcometobemoretotheoldmanthananythingelseintheworld。

HardlywasthemealdonewhenthreereportersarrivedandtookdownGeoffrey’sstatementofwhathadoccurred，forpublicationinvariouspapers，whileBeatricewentawaytoseeaboutpackingEffie’sthings。

TheyweretostartbyatrainleavingforLondonathalf-pasteightonthefollowingmorning。WhenBeatricecamebackitwashalf-pastten，andinhisirritationofmindMr。Grangerinsisteduponeverybodygoingtobed。ElizabethshookhandswithGeoffrey，congratulatinghimonhisescapeasshedidso，andwentatonce;butBeatricelingeredalittle。Atlastshecameforwardandheldoutherhand。

“Good-night，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid。

“Good-night。Ihopethatthisisnotgood-byealso。”headdedwithsomeanxiety。

“Ofcoursenot。”brokeinMr。Granger。“Beatricewillgoandseeyouoff。Ican’t;Ihavetogoandmeetthecoronerabouttheinquest，andElizabethisalwaysbusyinthehouse。Luckilytheywon’twantyou;

thereweresomanywitnesses。”

“Thenitisonlygood-night。”saidBeatrice。

Shewenttoherroom。Elizabeth，whosharedit，wasalreadyasleep，orpretendingtobeasleep。ThenBeatriceundressedandgotintobed，butrestshecouldnot。Itwas“onlygood-night。”alastgood-night。Hewasgoingaway——backtohiswife，backtothegreatrushingworld，andtothelifeinwhichshehadnoshare。Verysoonhewouldforgether。

Otherinterestswouldarise，otherwomenwouldbecomehisfriends，andhewouldforgettheWelshgirlwhohadattractedhimforawhile，orrememberheronlyasthecompanionofaroughadventure。Whatdiditmean？Whywasherheartsosore？Whyhadshefeltasthoughsheshoulddiewhentheytoldherthathewasdead？

Thentheanswerroseinherbreast。Shelovedhim;itwasuselesstodenythetruth——shelovedhimbody，andheartandsoul，withallhermindandallherstrength。Shewashis，andhisalone——to-day，to-morrow，andforever。Hemightgofromhersight，shemightnever，neverseehimmore，butlovehimshealwaysmust。Andhewasmarried！

Well，itwashermisfortune;itcouldnotaffectthesolemntruth。

Whatshouldshedonow，howshouldsheendureherlifewhenhereyesnolongersawhiseyes，andherearsneverheardhisvoice？Shesawthefuturestretchitselfbeforeherasavision。Shesawherselfforgottenbythismanwhomsheloved，orfromtimetotimerememberedonlywithafaintregret。Shesawherselfgrowingslowlyold，herbeautyfadingyearlyfromherfaceandform，companionedonlybythelovethatgrowsnotold。Oh，itwasbitter，bitter！andyetshewouldnothaveitotherwise。Eveninherpainshefeltitbettertohavefoundthisdeepandruinousjoy，tohavewrestledwiththeAngelandbeenworsted，thannevertohavelookeduponhisface。Ifshecouldonlyknowthatwhatshegavewasgivenbackagain，thathelovedherasshelovedhim，shewouldbecontent。Shewasinnocent，shehadnevertriedtodrawhimtoher;shehadusednotouchorlook，nowoman’sartsorluressuchasherbeautyplacedathercommand。Therehadbeennowordspoken，scarcelyameaningglancehadpassedbetweenthem，nothingbutfrankandfreecompanionshipasofmanwithman。Sheknewhedidnotlovehiswifeandthathiswifedidnotlovehim——thisshecould/see/。Butshehadnevertriedtowinhimfromher，andthoughshesinnedinthought，thoughherheartwasguilty——oh，herhandswereclean！

Herrestlessnessovercameher。Shecouldnolongerlieinbed。

Elizabeth，watchingthroughherveilofsleep，sawBeatricerise，putonawrapper，and，goingtothewindow，throwitwide。Atfirstshethoughtofinterfering，forElizabethwasaprudentpersonanddidnotlikedraughts;buthersister’smovementsexcitedhercuriosity，andsherefrained。Beatricesatdownonthefootofherbed，andleaningherarmuponthewindow-silllookedoutuponthelovelyquietnight。

Howdarkthepinetreesmassedagainstthesky;howsoftwasthewhisperofthesea，andhowvasttheheaventhroughwhichthestarssailedon。

Whatwasit，then，thisloveofhers？Wasitmereearthlypassion？No，itwasmore。Itwassomethinggrander，purer，deeper，andquiteundying。Whencecameit，then？Ifshewas，asshehadthought，onlyachildofearth，whencecamethisdeepdesirewhichwasnotoftheearth？Hadshebeenwrong，hadsheasoul——somethingthatcouldlovewiththebodyandthroughthebodyandbeyondthebody——somethingofwhichthebodywithitsyearningswasbuttheenvelope，thehandorinstrument？Oh，nowitseemedtoBeatricethatthiswasso，andthatcalledintobeingbyherlovesheandhersoulstoodfacetofaceacknowledgingtheirunity。Onceshehadheldthatitwasphantasy:

thatsuchspiritualhopeswerebutexhalationsfromaheartunsatisfied;thatwhenloveescapesusontheearth，inourdespair，weswearitisimmortal，andthatweshallfinditintheheavens。NowBeatricebelievedthisnomore。Lovehadkissedherontheeyes，andathiskisshersleepingspiritwasawakened，andshesawavisionofthetruth。

Yes，shelovedhim，andmustalwayslovehim！Butshecouldneverknowonearththathewashers，andifshehadaspirittobefreedaftersomefewyears，wouldnothisspirithaveforgottenhersinthatfarhereafteroftheirmeeting？

Shedroppedherbrowuponherarmandsoftlysobbed。Whatwasthereleftforhertodoexcepttosob——tillherheartbroke？

Elizabeth，lyingwithwide-openears，heardthesobs。Elizabeth，peeringthroughthemoonlight，sawhersister’sformtrembleintheconvulsionofhersorrow，andsmiledasmileofmalice。

“Thethingisdone。”shethought;“shecriesbecausethemanisgoing。

Don’tcry，Beatrice，don’tcry！Wewillgetyourplaythingbackforyou。Oh，withsuchabaititwillbeeasy。Heisassweetonyouasyouonhim。”

Therewassomethingevil，somethingalmostdevilish，inthissceneoftheonewatchingwomanholdingacluetoandenjoyingthesecrettorturesoftheother，plottingthewhiletoturnthemtoherinnocentrival’sdestructionandherownadvantage。Elizabeth’sjealousywasindeedbitterasthegrave。

SuddenlyBeatriceceasedsobbing。Sheliftedherhead，andbyasuddenimpulsethrewoutthepassionofherheartwithallherconcentratedstrengthofmindtowardsthemansheloved，murmuringasshedidsosomepassionate，despairingwordswhichsheknew。

AtthismomentGeoffrey，sleepingsoundly，dreamedthathesawBeatriceseatedbyherwindowandlookingathimwitheyeswhichnoearthlyobstaclecouldblind。Shewasspeaking;herlipsmoved，butthoughhecouldhearnovoicethewordsshespokefloatedintohismind——

“BeagodandholdmeWithacharm！

BeamanandfoldmeWiththinearm。

Teachme，onlyteach，Love！

AsIoughtIwillspeakthyspeech，Love，Thinkthythought——

Meet，ifthourequireit，Bothdemands，LayingfleshandspiritInthyhands。

Thatshallbeto-morrowNotto-night:

ImustburysorrowOutofsight。

Mustalittleweep，Love，(Foolishme！)

Andsofallasleep，Love，Lovedbythee。”

Geoffreyheardtheminhisheart。Thentheyweregone，thevisionofBeatricewasgone，andsuddenlyheawoke。

Oh，whatwasthisfloodofinarticulate，passion-ladenthoughtthatbeatuponhisbraintellingofBeatrice？Waveafterwaveitcame，utterlyoverwhelminghim，liketheheavybreathofflowersstirredbyanightwind——likeamessagefromanotherworld。Itwasreal;itwasnodream，nofancy;shewaspresentwithhimthoughshewasnotthere;

herthoughtmingledwithhisthought，herbeingbeatuponhisown。Hisheartthrobbed，hislimbstrembled，hestrovetounderstandandcouldnot。Butinthemysteryofthatdreadcommunion，thepassionhehadtroddendownandrefusedacknowledgmenttooklifeandformwithinhim;

itgrewliketheIndian’smagictree，fromseedtoblade，frombladetobud，andfrombudtobloom。Inthatmomentitbecamecleartohim:

heknewhelovedher，andknowingwhatsuchalovemustmean，forhimifnotforher，Geoffreysankbackandgroaned。

AndBeatrice？Ofasuddensheceasedspeakingtoherself;shefeltherthoughtflungbacktoherweightedwithanother’sthought。Shehadbrokenthroughthebarriersofearth;thequickelectricmessageofherhearthadfoundapathtohimshelovedandcomebackanswered。

Butinwhattonguewasthatanswerwrit？Alas！shecouldnotreadit，anymorethanhecouldreadthemessage。Atfirstshedoubted;surelyitwasimagination。Thensheremembereditwasabsolutelyprovedthatpeopledyingcouldsendavisionofthemselvestoothersfaraway;andifthatcouldbe，whynotthis？No，itwastruth，asolemntruth;sheknewhefeltherthought，sheknewthathislifebeatuponherlife。

Oh，herewasmystery，andherewashope，forifthiscouldbe，andit/was/，whatmightnotbe？Ifherblindstrengthofhumanlovecouldsooversteptheboundariesofhumanpower，and，bythesheermightofitsvolition，mockthephysicalbarriersthathemmedherin，whathadshetofearfromdistance，fromseparation，ay，fromdeathitself？Shehadgraspedacluewhichmightoneday，beforetheseemingendorafter——

whatdiditmatter？——laystrangesecretsopentohergaze。Shehadheardawhisperinanunknowntonguethatcouldstillbelearned，answeringLife’sagonizingcrywithasongofglory。Ifonlyhelovedher，somedayallwouldbewell。Somedaythebarrierswouldfall。

Crumblingwiththeflesh，theywouldfallandsethernakedspiritfreetoseekitsotherself。Andthen，havingfoundherlove，whatmorewastheretoseek？WhatotheranswerdidshedesiretoalltheproblemsofherlifethanthisofUnityattainedatlast——UnityattainedinDeath！

Andifhedidnotloveher，howcouldheanswerher？Surelythatmessagecouldnotpassexceptalongthegoldenchordoflove，whichevermakesitssweetestmusicwhenPainstrikesitwithahandoffear。

Thetroubledglorypassed——itthrobbeditselfaway;thespiritualgustsofthoughtgrewcontinuallyfainter，till，liketheechoesofadyingharp，likethebreathofafallinggale，theyslowlysanktonothingness。ThenweariedwithanextremeofwildemotionBeatricesoughtherbedagainandpresentlywaslostinsleep。

WhenGeoffreywokeonthenextmorning，afteralittlereflection，hecametothedecisionthathehadexperiencedaverycuriousandmovingdream，consequentontheexcitingeventsofthepreviousday，oronthepainofhisimpendingdeparture。Herose，packedhisbag——

everythingelsewasready——andwentintobreakfast。Beatricedidnotappeartillitwashalfover。Shelookedverypale，andsaidthatshehadbeenpackingEffie’sthings。Geoffreynoticedthatshebarelytouchedhisfingerswhenherosetoshakehandswithher，andthatshestudiouslyavoidedhisglance。Thenhebegantowonderifshealsohadstrangelydreamed。

Nextcamethebustleofdeparture。EffiewasdespatchedintheflywiththeluggageandBetty，thefatWelshservant，tolookafterher。

BeatriceandGeoffreyweretowalktothestation。

“Timeforyoutobegoing，Mr。Bingham。”saidMr。Granger。“There，good-bye，good-bye！Godblessyou！Neverhadsuchcharminglodgersbefore。Hopeyouwillcomebackagain，I’msure。Bytheway，theyarecertaintosummonyouasawitnessatthetrialofthatvillainJones。”

“Good-bye，Mr。Granger。”Geoffreyanswered;“youmustcomeandseemeintown。Achangewilldoyougood。”

“Well，perhapsImay。Ihavenothadachangefortwenty-fiveyears。

Nevercouldaffordit。Aren’tyougoingtosaygood-byetoElizabeth？”

“Good-bye，MissGranger。”saidGeoffreypolitely。“Manythanksforallyourkindness。Ihopeweshallmeetagain。”

“Doyou？”answeredElizabeth;“sodoI。Iamsurethatweshallmeetagain，andIamsurethatIshallbegladtoseeyouwhenwedo，Mr。

Bingham。”sheaddeddarkly。

InanotherminutehehadlefttheVicarageand，withBeatriceathisside，waswalkingsmartlytowardsthestation。

“Thisisverymelancholy。”hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence。

“Goingawaygenerallyis。”sheanswered——“eitherforthosewhogoorthosewhostaybehind。”sheadded。

“Orforboth。”hesaid。

Thencameanotherpause;hebrokeit。

“MissBeatrice，mayIwritetoyou？”

“Certainly，ifyoulike。”

“Andwillyouanswermyletters？”

“Yes，Iwillanswerthem。”

“IfIhadmyway，then，youshouldspendagooddealofyourtimeinwriting。”hesaid。“Youdon’tknow。”headdedearnestly，“whatadelightithasbeentometolearntoknowyou。Ihavehadnogreaterpleasureinmylife。”

“Iamglad。”Beatriceansweredshortly。

“Bytheway。”Geoffreysaidpresently，“thereissomethingIwanttoaskyou。Youareasgoodasareferencebookforquotations，youknow。

Somelineshavebeenhauntingmeforthelasttwelvehours，andI

cannotrememberwheretheycomefrom。”

“Whatarethey？”sheasked，lookingup，andGeoffreysaw，orthoughthesaw，astrangefearshininginhereyes。

“Herearefourofthem。”heansweredunconcernedly;“wehavenotimeforlongquotations:

“’Thatshallbeto-morrow，Notto-night:

ImustburysorrowOutofsight。’“

Beatriceheard——heardtheverylineswhichhadbeenuponherlipsinthewildmidnightthathadgone。Herheartseemedtostop;shebecamewhiteasthedead，stumbled，andnearlyfell。Withasupremeeffortsherecoveredherself。

“Ithinkthatyoumustknowthelines，Mr。Bingham。”shesaidinalowvoice。“TheycomefromapoemofBrowning’s，called’AWoman’sLastWord。’“

Geoffreymadenoanswer;whatwashetosay？Forawhiletheywalkedoninsilence。Theyweregettingclosetothestationnow。Separation，perhapsforever，wasverynear。Anovermasteringdesiretoknowthetruthtookholdofhim。

“MissBeatrice。”hesaidagain，“youlookpale。Didyousleepwelllastnight？”

“No，Mr。Bingham。”

“Didyouhavecuriousdreams？”

“Yes，Idid。”sheanswered，lookingstraightbeforeher。

Heturnedashadepaler。Thenitwastrue！

“Beatrice。”hesaidinahalfwhisper，“whatdotheymean？”

“Asmuchasanythingelse，oraslittle。”sheanswered。

“Whatarepeopletodowhodreamsuchdreams？”hesaidagain，inthesameconstrainedvoice。

“Forgetthem。”shewhispered。

“Andiftheycomeback？”

“Forgetthemagain。”

“Andiftheywillnotbeforgotten？”

Sheturnedandlookedhimfullintheeyes。

“Dieofthem。”shesaid;“thentheywillbeforgotten，or——“

“Orwhat，Beatrice？”

“Hereisthestation。”saidBeatrice，“andBettyisquarrellingwiththeflyman。”

FiveminutesmoreandGeoffreywasgone。

CHAPTERXVI

THEFLATNEARTHEEDGWAREROAD

Geoffrey’sjourneytotownwasnotaltogetheracheerfulone。Tobeginwith，Effieweptcopiouslyatpartingwithherbeloved“auntie。”asshecalledBeatrice，andwouldnotbecomforted。TheprospectofrejoininghermotherandthevolubleAnnehadnocharmsforEffie。

Theyallthreegotonbestapart。Geoffreyhimselfhadalsomuchtothinkabout，andfoundlittlesatisfactioninthethinking。Hethrewhismindbackovertheeventsofthepastfewweeks。HerememberedhowhehadfirstseenBeatrice’sfacethroughthethickmistontheRedRocks，andhowherbeautyhadstruckhimasnobeautyeverhadbefore。

Thenhethoughtoftheadventureoftheirshipwreck，andofthedesperatecouragewithwhichshehadsavedhislife，almostatthecostofherown。Hethought，too，ofthatscenewhenonthefollowingdayhehadenteredtheroomwhereshewasasleep，whenthewanderingrayoflighthadwaveredfromherbreasttohisown，whenthatstrangepresentimentoftheultimateinterminglingoftheirliveshadflasheduponhim，andwhenshehadawakenedwithanunearthlygreetingonherlips。WhileEffieslowlysobbedherselftosilenceinthecorneroppositetohim，onebyone，herecalledeveryphaseandsceneoftheirever-growingintimacy，tillthereviewculminatedinhismysteriousexperienceofthepastnight，andthememoryofBeatrice’spartingwords。

OfallmenGeoffreywasamongthoseleastinclinedtoanysortofsuperstition;fromboyhoodhehadbeennotedforcommonsense，andasomewhatdisbelievingturnofmind。Buthehadintellect，andimaginationwhichissimplyintellectetherealised。Withoutthese，withhispeculiarmentalconstitution，hewould，forinstance，probablyhavebeenareligioussceptic;havingthem，hewasnothingofthesort。Sointhismatterofhisexperienceofthepreviousnight，andgenerallyofthestrangeandalmostunnaturalsympathyinwhichhefoundhimselfwiththislady，commonsenseandtheresultsofhisobservationandexperiencepointedtothewholethingbeingnonsense——

theresultof“propinquity，Sir，propinquity。”andaprettyface——andnothingmore。

Butherehisintellectandhisimaginationsteppedin，tellinghimplainlythatitwasnotnonsense，thathehadnotmerelymadeadonkeyofhimselfoveranhysterical，orpossiblyalove-sickgirl。Theytoldhimthatbecauseathingisamysteryitisnotnecessarilyafolly，thoughmysteriesareforthemostpartdealtinbyfools。Theysuggestedthattheremaybemanythingsandforcesaboveusandaroundus，invisibleasanelectriccurrent，intangibleaslight，yetexistentandcapableofmanifestationundercertainrareandfavourableconditions。

AndwasitnotpossiblethatsuchconditionsshoulduniteinawomanlikeBeatrice，whocombinedinherselfabeautyofbodywhichwasonlyoutpassedbythebeautyofhermind？Itwasnoanswertosaythatmostwomencouldneverinspiretheunearthlypassionwithwhichhehadbeenshakensometenhourspast，orthatmostmencouldneverbecomeawareoftheinspiration。Hasnothumanitypowersandperceptionsdeniedtothecattleofthefields，andmaytherenotbemenandwomenasfarremovedfromtheirfellowsinthisrespectasthesearefromthecattle？

Buttheweakpointofmysteriousoccurrencesisthattheyleadnowhere，anddonotmateriallyalterthefactsoflife。Onecannot，forinstance，pleadamysteryinacourtoflaw;so，droppingtheimaginativesideofthequestionasonebeyondhim，Geoffreycametoitspracticalaspect，onlytofinditequallythorny。

Oddasitmayseem，GeoffreydidnottothismomentknowtheexactpositionwhichheoccupiedinthemindofBeatrice，orthatsheoccupiedinhis。Hewasnotinlovewithher，atleastnotinawayinwhichhehadeverexperiencedtheinfluenceofthat，onthewhole，inconvenientanddisagreeablepassion。Atanyratehearguedfromthehypothesisthathewasnotinlovewithher。Thisherefusedtoadmitnowinthelightofday，thoughhehadadmitteditfullyinthewatchesofthenight。Itwouldnotdotoadmitit。Buthewasforcedtoacknowledgethatshehadcreptintohislifeandpossesseditsocompletelythatthenandformonthsafterwards，exceptindeepsleeporinhoursofseverementalstrain，notasinglehalfhourwouldpasswithoutbringingitsthoughtofBeatrice。Everythingthatwasbeautiful，orgrand，orelevating，remindedhimofher——andwhathighercomplimentcouldamistresshave？Ifhelistenedtogloriousmusic，thevoiceofBeatricespoketohimthroughthenotes;ifhewatchedthecloudsrollinginheavypompacrossabrokenskyhethoughtofBeatrice;ifsomechancepoemornovelmovedhim，whyBeatricewasinhismindtosharethepleasure。Allofwhichwasveryinteresting，andinsomewaysdelightful，butunderourcurrentsystemnototherwisethaninconvenienttoamarriedman。

AndnowBeatricewasgone，andhemustcomebacktohisdailytoil，sweetenedbyHonoria’sbittercomplaintsoftheirpoverty，andseehernomore。ThethoughtmadeGeoffrey’sheartachewithaphysicalpain，buthisreasontoldhimthatitwasbestso。Afterall，therewerenobonesbroken;therehadbeennolovescenes，nokiss，nowordsthatcannotberecalled;whatevertherewaslaybeneaththesurface，andwhileappearanceswerekeptupallwaswell。Nodoubtitwasanhypocrisy，butthenhypocrisyisoneofthegreatpillarsofcivilization，andhowdoesitmatterwhattheheartsayswhilethelipsaresilent？TheRecordingAngelcanalonereadhearts，andhemustoftenfindthemsingularlycontradictoryanduntrustworthywritings。

Dieofthem，dieofherdreams！No，Beatricewouldnotdieofthem，andcertainlyheshouldnot。Probablyintheendshewouldmarrythatpiousearthlylump，OwenDavies。Itwasnotpleasanttothinkof，itwasevendreadful，butreallyifsheweretoaskhimhisopinion，“asafriend。”heshouldtellheritwasthebestthingthatshecoulddo。

Ofcourseitwouldbehypocrisyagain，thelipswouldgivehisheartthelie;butwhentheheartrisesinrebellionagainsttheintelligenceitmustbesuppressed。Unfortunately，however，thoughasmallmember，itisverystrong。

TheyreachedLondonatlast，andashadbeenarranged，Anne，theFrench/bonne/，metthematthestationtotakeEffiehome。Geoffreynoticedthatshelookedsmarterandlesstohistastethanever。

However，sheembracedEffiewithanenthusiasmwhichthechildscarcelyrespondedto，andatthesametimecarriedonanocularflirtationwithaticketcollector。Althoughearlyintheyearforyellowfogs，Londonwasplungedinadensegloom。IthadbeenmistythatmorningatBryngelly，andbecomemoreandmoresoasthedayadvanced;but，thoughitwasnotyetfouro’clock，Londonwasdarkasnight。Luckily，however，itisnotfarfromPaddingtontotheflatneartheEdgwareRoad，whereGeoffreylived，sohavingpersonallyinstructedthecabman，heleftAnnetoconvoyEffieandtheluggage，andwentontotheTemplebyUndergroundRailwaywithaneasymind。

ShortlyafterGeoffreyreachedhischambersinPumpCourtthesolicitorarrivedashadbeenarranged，nothisuncle——whowas，helearned，veryunwell——butapartner。TohisdelighthethenfoundthatBeatrice’sghosttheorywasperfectlyaccurate;theboywiththemissingtoe-jointhadbeendiscoveredwhosawthewholehorribletragedythroughacrackintheblind;moreoverthetruthhadbeenwrungfromhimandhewouldbeproducedatthetrial——indeedaproofofhisevidencewasalreadyforthcoming。Alsosomespecimensoftheex-lawyer’sclerk’shandwritinghadbeenobtained，andweredeclaredbytwoexpertstobeidenticalwiththewritingonthewill。Onething，however，disturbedhim:neithertheAttorney-GeneralnorMr。

Candletonwasyetintown，sonoconferencewaspossiblethatevening。

However，bothwereexpectedthatnight——theAttorney-GeneralfromDevonshireandMr。CandletonfromtheContinent;sothecasebeingfirstonthelist，itwasarrangedthattheconferenceshouldtakeplaceatteno’clockonthefollowingmorning。

OnarrivinghomeGeoffreywasinformedthatLadyHonoriawasdressing，andhadleftamessagesayinghemustbequickanddolikewiseasagentlemanwascomingtodinner。Accordinglyhewenttohisownroom——

whichwasattheotherendoftheflat——andputonhisdressclothes。

Beforegoingtothedining-room，however，hesaidgood-nighttoEffie——whowasinbed，butnotasleep——andaskedherwhattimeshehadreachedhome。

“Attwentyminutespastfive，daddy。”Effiesaidpromptly。

“Twentyminutespastfive！Why，youdon’tmeantosaythatyouwereanhourcomingthatlittleway！Didyougetblockedinthefog？”

“No，daddy，but——“

“Butwhat，dear？”

“Annedidtellmenottosay！“

“ButItellyoutosay，dear——nevermindAnne！“

“Annestoppedandtalkedtotheticket-manforalong，longtime。”

“Oh，didshe？”hesaid。

AtthatmomenttheparlourmaidcametosaythatLadyHonoriaandthe“gentleman“werewaitingfordinner。GeoffreyaskedhercasuallywhattimeMissEffiehadreachedhome。

“Abouthalf-pastfive，sir。Annesaidthecabwasblockedinthefog。”

“Verywell。TellherladyshipthatIshallbedowninaminute。”

“Daddy。”saidthechild，“Ihaven’tsaidmyprayers。Motherdidnotcome，andAnnesaiditwasallnonsenseaboutprayers。Auntiedidalwayshearmemyprayers。”

“Yes，dear，andsowillI。There，kneeluponmylapandsaythem。”

Inthemiddleoftheprayers——whichEffiedidnotrememberaswellasshemighthavedone——theparlourmaidarrivedagain。

“Please，sir，herladyship——“

“TellherladyshipIamcoming，andthatifsheisinahurryshecangotodinner！Goon，love。”

Thenhekissedherandputhertobedagain。

“Daddy。”saidEffie，ashewasgoing，“shallIseeauntieBeatriceanymore？”

“Ihopeso，dear。”

“Andshallyouseeheranymore？Youwanttoseeher，don’tyou，daddy？Shedidloveyouverymuch！“

Geoffreycouldbearitnolonger。Thetruthisalwayssharperwhenitcomesfromthemouthofbabesandsucklings。Withahurriedgood-nighthefled。

Inthelittledrawing-roomhefoundLadyHonoria，verywelldressed，andalsoherfriend，whosenamewasMr。Dunstan。Geoffreyknewhimatonceforanexceedinglywealthymanofsmallbirth，andlessbreeding，butaburningandashininglightintheGarsingtonset。Mr。Dunstanwasanxioustoraisehimselfinsociety，andhethoughtthatnotwithstandingherpoverty，LadyHonoriamightbeusefultohiminthisrespect。Hencehispresencethereto-night。

“Howdoyoudo，Geoffrey？”saidhiswife，advancingtogreethimwithakissofpeace。“Youlookverywell。Butwhatanimmensetimeyouhavebeendressing。PoorMr。Dunstanisstarving。Letmesee。YouknowMr。Dunstan，Ithink。Dinner，Mary。”

Geoffreyapologisedforbeinglate，andshookhandspolitelywithMr。

Dunstan——SaintDunstanhewasgenerallycalledonaccountofhisratherclericalappearanceandinsarcasticallusiontohissomewhatshadyreputation。Thentheywentintodinner。

“Sorrythereisnoladyforyou，Geoffrey;butyoumusthavehadplentyofladies’societylately。Bytheway，howisMiss——MissGranger？Wouldyoubelieveit，Mr。Dunstan？thatshockinghusbandofminehasbeenpassingthelastmonthinthecompanyofoneoftheloveliestgirlsIeversaw，whoknowsLatinandlawandeverythingelseunderthesun。Shebeganbysavinghislife，theywereupsettogetheroutofacanoe，youknow。Isn’titromantic？”

SaintDunstanmadesomeappropriate——or，ratherinappropriate——remarktotheeffectthathehopedMr。Binghamhadmadethemostofsuchunrivalledopportunities，adding，withadeepsigh，thatnolovelyyoungladyhadeversavedhislifethathemightliveforher，&c。，&c。

HereGeoffreybrokeinwithoutmuchceremony。TohimitseemedadesecrationtolistenwhilethispersonwasmakinghisfeeblejokesaboutBeatrice。

“Well，dear。”hesaid，addressinghiswife，“andwhathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime？”

“Mourningforyou，Geoffrey，andenjoyingmyselfexceedinglyintheintervals。Wehavehadadelightfultime，havewenot，Mr。Dunstan？

Mr。DunstanhasalsobeenstayingattheHall，youknow。”

“Howcoulditbeotherwisewhenyouwerethere，LadyHonoria？”

answeredtheSaintinthatstrainofcomplimentaffectedbysuchmen，andwhich，totellthetruth，jarredonitsobject，whowasafterallalady。

“Youknow，Geoffrey。”shewenton，“theGarsingtonshavere-furnishedthelargehallandtheirdrawing-room。Itcosteighteenhundredpounds，buttheresultislovely。Thedrawing-roomisdoneinhand-

paintedwhitesatin，wallsandall，andthehallinoldoak。”

“Indeed！“heanswered，reflectingthewhilethatLordGarsingtonmightaswellhavepaidsomeofhisdebtsbeforehespenteighteenhundredpoundsonhisdrawing-roomfurniture。

ThentheSaintandLadyHonoriadriftedintoalongandanimatedconversationabouttheirfellowguests，whichGeoffreyscarcelytriedtofollow。Indeed，thedinnerwasadulloneforhim，andheaddedlittleornothingtothestockoftalk。

Whenhiswifelefttheroom，however，hehadtosaysomething，sotheyspokeofshooting。TheSainthadaredeemingfeature——hewassomewhatofasportsman，thoughapoorone，andhedescribedtoGeoffreyanewpairofhammerlessguns，whichhehadboughtforatriflingsumofahundredandfortyguineas，recommendingthepatterntohisnotice。

“Yes。”answeredGeoffrey，“Idaresaythattheyareverynice;but，yousee，theyarebeyondme。Apoormancannotaffordsomuchforapairofguns。”

“Oh，ifthatisall。”answeredhisguest，“Iwillsellyouthese;theyarealittlelonginthestockforme，andyoucanpaymewhenyoulike。Or，hangitall，Ihaveplentyofguns。I’llbegenerousandgivethemtoyou。IfIcannotaffordtobegenerous，Idon’tknowwhocan！“

“Thankyouverymuch，Mr。Dunstan。”answeredGeoffreycoldly，“butI

amnotinthehabitofacceptingsuchpresentsfrommy——acquaintances。