第7章

“Nonsense。”saidGeoffreyangrily，butneverthelesshefeltthatLadyHonoria’swordswerewordsoftruth。Itstruckhim，moreover，thatshemustfeelthisstrongly，orshewouldnothavespokeninthattone。

Honoriadidnotposeasahouseholdphilosopher。Stillhewouldnotdrawbacknow。HisheartwassetonseeingBeatrice。

“AmItounderstand。”wentonhiswife，“thatyoustillobjecttomystayingwiththeGarsingtons？IthinkitisalittlehardifIdonotmakeafussaboutyourgoingtoseeyourvillageparagon，thatyoushouldrefusetoallowmetovisitmyownbrother。”

Geoffreyfeltthathewasbeingbargainedwith。Itwasdegrading，butintheextremityofhisfollyheyielded。

“Goifyoulike。”hesaidshortly，“butifyoutakeEffie，mindsheisproperlylookedafter，thatisall。”andheabruptlylefttheroom。

LadyHonorialookedafterhim，slowlynoddingherhandsomehead。“Ah。”

shesaidtoherself，“Ihavefoundouthowtomanageyounow。Youhaveyourweakpointlikeotherpeople，MasterGeoffrey——anditspellsBeatrice。Onlyyoumustnotgotoofar。Iamnotjealous，butIamnotgoingtohaveascandalforfiftyBeatrices。Iwillnotallowyoutoloseyourreputationandposition。Justimagineamanlikethatpiningforavillagegirl——sheisnothingmore！Andtheytalkabouthisbeingsoclever。Well，healwayslikedladies’society;thatishisfailing，andnowhehasburnthisfingers。Theyalldosoonerorlater，especiallytheseclevermen。Thewomenflatterthem，that’sit。Ofcoursethegirlistryingtogetholdofhim，andshemightdoworse，butsosurelyasmynameisHonoriaBinghamIwillputaspokeinherwheelbeforeshehasdone。Bah！andtheylaughatthepowerofwomenwhenamanlikeGeoffrey，withalltheworldtolose，growslove-sickforaprettyface;itisa/very/prettyfacebytheway。IdobelievethatifIwereoutofthewayhewouldmarryher。ButIamintheway，andmeantostaythere。Well，itistimetodressfordinner。Ionlyhopethatoldclownofaclergymanwon’tdosomethingridiculous。I

shallhavetoapologiseforhim。”

Dinner-timehadcome;itwasaquarterpasteight，andtheroomwasfilledwithhighlybredpeopleallmoreorlessdistinguished。Mr。

Grangerhaddulyappeared，arrayedinhisthreadbareblackcoat，relieved，however，byapairofGeoffrey’sdressshoes。Asmighthavebeenexpected，thegreatfolkdidnotseemsurprisedathispresence，ortotakeanyparticularnoticeofhisattire，thefactbeingthatsuchpeopleneveraresurprised。AZuluchiefinfullwardresswouldonlyexciteafriendlyinterestintheirbreasts。Onthecontrarytheyrecognisedvaguelythattheoldgentlemanwassomethingoutofthecommonrun，andassuchworthcultivating。IndeedthePrimeMinister，hearingcasuallythathewasaclergymanfromWales，askedtobeintroducedtohim，andatoncefellintoconversationabouttithes，asubjectofwhichMr。Grangerwasthoroughlymaster。

Presentlytheywentdowntodinner，Mr。GrangerescortingthewifeoftheBishop，afatandsomewhatapoplecticlady，blessedwithanexcellentappetite。OnhisothersidewasthePrimeMinister，andbetweenthetwohegotonverywell，especiallyafterafewglassesofwine。Indeed，boththeapoplecticwifeoftheBishopandtheheadofHerMajesty’sGovernmentweresubsequentlyheardtodeclarethatMr。

Grangerwasaveryentertainingperson。Totheformerherelatedwithmuchdetailhowhisdaughterhadsavedtheirhost’slife，andtothelatterhediscourseduponthesubjectoftithes，favouringhimwithhisideasofwhatlegislationwasnecessarytomeetthequestion。

Somewhattohisownsurprise，hefoundthathisviewswerereceivedwithattentionandevenwithrespect。Inthemain，too，theyreceivedthesupportoftheBishop，wholikewisefeltkeenlyonthesubjectoftithes。NeverbeforehadMr。Grangerhadsuchagooddinnernormingledwithcompanysodistinguished。Herememberedbothtillhisdyingday。

NextmorningGeoffreyandMr。GrangerstartedbeforeLadyHonoriawasup。IntothedetailsoftheirlongjourneytoWales(inacrowdedthird-classcarriage)weneednotenter。Geoffreyhadplentytothinkof，buthisfearshadvanished，asfearssometimesdowhenwedrawneartotheobjectofthem，andhadbeenreplacedbyacuriousexpectancy。Hesawnow，orthoughthesaw，thathehadbeenmakingamountainoutofamolehill。Probablyitmeantnothingatall。Therewasnorealdanger。Beatricelikedhim，nodoubt;possiblyshehadevenexperiencedafitoftendernesstowardshim。Suchthingscomeandsuchthingsgo。Timeisawonderfulhealerofmoraldistempers，andfewyoungladiesendurethechainsofanundesirableattachmentforaperiodofsevenwholemonths。Itmadehimalmostblushtothinkthatthismightbeso，andthatthegratuitousextensionofhismisfortunetoBeatricemightbenothingmorethantheworkingofhisownunconsciousvanity——avanitywhich，didsheknowofit，wouldmovehertoangrylaughter。

Herememberedhowonce，whenhewasquiteayoungfellow，hehadbeensomewhatsmittenwithacertainlady，whocertainly，ifhemightjudgefromherwordsandacts，reciprocatedthesentiment。Andherememberedalso，howwhenhemetthatladysomemonthsafterwardsshetreatedhimwithacoldindifference，indeedalmostwithaninsolence，thatquitebewilderedhim，makinghimwonderhowthesamepersoncouldshowinsuchdifferentlights，tillatlength，mortifiedandashamedbyhismistake，hehadgoneawayinarageandseenherfacenomore。Ofcoursehehadsetitdowntofemaleinfidelity;hehadservedherturn，shehadmadeafoolofhim，andthatwasallshewanted。Nowhemightenjoyhishumiliation。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatitmightbesimple“cussedness。”toborrowanenergeticAmericanterm，orthatshehadnotreallychanged，butwasangrywithhimforsomereasonwhichshedidnotchoosetoshow。Itisdifficulttoweighthemotivesofwomeninthescalesofmaleexperience，andmanyothermenbesidesGeoffreyhavebeenforcedtogiveuptheattemptandtoconsolethemselveswiththereflectionthattheinexplicableisgenerallynotworthunderstanding。

Yes，probablyitwouldbethesamecaseoveragain。Andyet，andyet——

wasBeatriceofthatclass？Hadshenottoomuchofaman’sstraightforwardnessofaimtopermithertoplaysuchtricks？Inthebottomofhissoulhethoughtthatshehad，buthewouldnotadmitittohimself。Thefactofthematterwasthat，halfunknowingly，hewastryingtodrughisconscience。Heknewthatinhislongingtoseeherdearfaceoncemorehehadundertakenadangerousthing。Hewasabouttowalkwithheroveranabyssonabridgewhichmightbearthem，or——

mightbreak。Solongashewalkedtherealoneitwouldbewell，butwoulditbearthem/both？/Alasforthefrailtyofhumannature，thiswasthetruth;buthewouldnotanddidnotacknowledgeit。HewasnotgoingtomakelovetoBeatrice，hewasgoingtoenjoythepleasureofhersociety。Infriendshiptherecouldbenoharm。

Itisnotdifficultthustostillthequalmsofanuneasymind，moreespeciallywhenthethinginquestionatitsworstisratheranoffenceagainstlocalcustomthanagainstnaturallaw。Inmanycountriesoftheworld——innearlyallcountries，indeed，atdifferentepochsoftheirhistory——itwouldhavebeennowrongthatGeoffreyandBeatriceshouldloveeachother，andhumannatureinstrongtemptationisveryapttooverrideartificialbarrierserectedtosuittheconvenienceorpromotetheprosperityofparticularsectionsofmankind。But，aswehaveheard，eventhoughallthingsmaybelawful，yetallthingsarenotexpedient。Tocommitoreventocondoneanactbecausetheprinciplethatstampsitaswrongwilladmitofargumentonitsmeritsismeresophistry，bytheaidofwhichwemightproveourselvesentitledtodefythemajorityoflawsofallcalibres。Lawsvarytosuitthegenerations，buteachgenerationmustobeyitsown，orconfusionwillensue。Adeedshouldbejudgedbyitsfruits;itmayevenbeinnocentinitself，yetifitsfruitsareevilthedoerinasenseisguilty。

Thusinsomecountriestomentionthenameofyourmother-in-lawentailsthemostunpleasantconsequencesonthatintimaterelation。

Nobodycansaythattonametheladyisathingwickedinitself;yetthemanwho，knowingthepenaltieswhichwillensue，allowshimself，eveninafitofpassionagainstthatrelative，toviolatethecustomandmentionherbynameisdoubtlessanoffender。Thus，too，theresultofanentanglementbetweenawomanandamanalreadymarriedgenerallymeansunhappinessandhurttoallconcerned，moreespeciallytothewomen，whoseprospectsareperhapsirretrievablyinjuredthereby。Itisuselesstopointtotheexampleofthepatriarchs，someforeignroyalfamilies，andmanyrespectableTurks;itisuselesstopleadthattheloveisdeepandholylove，forwhichamanorwomanmightwellliveanddie，ortoshowextenuatingcircumstancesinthefactofloneliness，needofsympathy，andthattheexistingmarriageisahollowsham。Theruleisclear。Amanmaydomostthingsexceptcheatatcardsorrunawayinaction;awomanmaybreakhalf-a-dozenhearts，ortrytobreakthem，andfinallyputherselfupatauctionandtakenoharmatall——butneitherofthemmayinanyeventdo/this/。

NotthatGeoffrey，todohimjustice，hadanysuchintentions。Mostmenareincapableofplotsofthatnature。Iftheyfall，itiswhenthevoiceofconscienceislostinthewhirlwindofpassion，andcounselisdarkenedbythetumultuouspleadingsoftheheart。Theirsinisthattheywill，mostofthem，allowthemselvestobeputinpositionsfavourabletothedevelopmentofthesedisagreeableinfluences。Itisnotsafetolightcigarettesinapowderfactory。IfGeoffreyhaddonewhatheoughttohavedone，hewouldneverhavegonetoBryngelly，andtherewouldhavebeennostorytotell，ornomorethanthereusuallyis。

AtlengthMr。GrangerandhisguestreachedBryngelly;therewasnobodytomeetthem，fornobodyknewthattheywerecoming，sotheywalkeduptotheVicarage。ItwasstrangetoGeoffreyoncemoretopassbythelittlechurchthroughthosewell-remembered，wind-tornpinesandseethatlowlonghouse。Itseemedwonderfulthatallshouldstillbejustasitwas，thatthereshouldbenochangeatall，whenhehimselfhadseensomuch。TherewasBeatrice’shome;wherewasBeatrice？

Hepassedintothehouselikeamaninadream。Inanothermomenthewasinthelongparlourwherehehadspentsomanyhappyhours，andElizabethwasgreetinghim。Heshookhandswithher，andashedidso，noticedvaguelythatshetoowasutterlyunchanged。Herstraw-colouredhairwaspushedbackfromthetemplesinthesameway，themouthworethesamehardsmile，herlighteyesshonewiththesamecoldlook;sheevenworethesamebrowndress。Butsheappearedtobeverypleasedtoseehim，asindeedshewas，forthegamelookedwellforElizabeth。

Herfatherkissedherhurriedly，andbustledfromtheroomtolockuphisborrowedcash，leavingthemtogether。

SomehowGeoffrey’sconversationalpowersfailedhim。WherewasBeatrice？sheoughttobebackfromschool。Itwasholidaytimeindeed。Couldshebeaway？

Hemadeaneffort，andremarkedabsentlythatthingsseemedveryunchangedatBryngelly。

“YouarelookingforBeatrice。”saidElizabeth，answeringhisthoughtandnothiswords。“Shehasgoneoutwalking，butIthinkshewillbebacksoon。Excuseme，butImustgoandseeaboutyourroom。”

Geoffreyhungaboutalittle，thenhelithispipeandstrolleddowntothebeach，withavagueunexpressedideaofmeetingBeatrice。HedidnotmeetBeatrice，buthemetoldEdward，whoknewhimatonce。

“Lord，sir。”hesaid，“it’squeertoseeyouhereagain，speciallywhenIthinksashowIsawyoufirst，andyouadead’untoallpurposes，withyourmouthopen，andMissBeatricea-hangingontoyourhairfittopullyourscalpoff。YouneverwasneareroldDavythanyouwasthatnight，sir，norwon’tbe。Andnowyou’vebeensparedtobecomeaParliamentman，Ihears，andmuchgoodmayyoudothere——itwilltakeallyourtime，sir——andIthink，sir，thatIshouldliketodrinkyourhealth。”

Geoffreyputhishandinhispocketandgavetheoldmanasovereign。

Hecouldaffordtodosonow。

“DoesMissBeatricegooutcanoeingnow？”heaskedwhileEdwardmumbledhisastonishedthanks。

“Attimes，sir——thankingyoukindly;itain’tmanysuvringsascomesmyway——thoughIhatethesightonit，Ido。I’dliketostaveaholeinthebottomofthattherecrankyconcern;itain’tsafe，andthat’sthefact。There’llbeanotheraccentoutofitoneofthesefinedaysandnocomingtonexttime。But，Lordblessyou，it’sherwayofpleasuringherself。She’saqueerunisMissBeatrice，andshegetsqueererandqueerer，whatwiththeirbeingsotightscrewedupattheVicarage，notithesandthat，andonethingandanother。NotbutwhatI’mthinking，sir。”headdedinaportentouswhisper，“asthesquirehasgotsummuttodowithit。He’sacourtingofher，heis;he’sashardafterherasadogfishafterastrayherring，andwhyshecan’tjustsayyesandmarryhimI’msureIdon’tknow。”

“Perhapsshedoesn’tlikehim。”saidGeoffreycoldly。

“Maybe，sir，maybe;maidsallhavetheirfancies，inwhatsseverwalko’lifeithaspleasedGodtostick’em，butit’sawonderfulpity，itis。Heain’tnogreatshakes，heain’t，buthe’sasoundman——nogirlcan’twantasounder——livedquietallhisdaysyousee，sir，andwhat’smorehe’sgotthemoney，andmoney’stightupattheVicarage，sir。Galsmustgiveuptheirfanciessometimes，sir。Lord！abraceofbratsandshe’dforgetallabout’em。I’mseventyyearsoldandI’veseentheirways，sir，thoughinahumblecalling。Youshouldsayawordtoher，sir;she’dthankyoukindlyfiveyearsafter。You’ddoheragoodturn，sir，youwould，andnotabadunasthesayinggoes，andgiveitthelie——no，begyourpardon，thatistheotherwayround——she’sboundtodoyouthebadturnhavingsavedyourlife，thoughI

don’tseehowshecoulddothatunless，beggingyourpardon，shemadeyoufallinlovewithher，beingmarried，whichthoughstrangewouldn’tbewunnerfulseeingwhatsheisandseeinghowIhasbeeninlovewithhermyselfsinceshewasseven，oldmissusandall，whodiedeightyearsgoneandwellridoftherheumatics。”

BeatricewasoneofthefewsubjectsthatcouldunlockoldEdward’sbreast，andGeoffreyretiredbeforehisconfusingbutsuggestiveeloquence。Hurriedlybiddingtheoldmangood-nighthereturnedtothehouse，andleaningonthegatewatchedthetwilightdyingonthebosomofthewest。

Suddenly，abunchofwildrosesinhergirdle，Beatriceemergedfromthegatheringgloomandstoodbeforehimfacetoface。

CHAPTERXXI

THETHIRDAPPEAL

Facetofacetheystood，whileatthevisionofhersweetnesshisheartgrewstill。Facetoface，andthefaintlightfelluponhertenderlovelinessanddiedinherdeepeyes，andthefaintbreezefragrantwiththebreathofpinesgentlystirredherhair。Oh，itwasworthlivingtoseeherthus！

“Ibegyourpardon。”shesaidinapuzzledtone，steppingforwardtopassthegate。

“/Beatrice！/“

Shegavealittlecry，andclutchedtherailing，elseshewouldhavefallen。Onemomentshestayedso，lookinguptowardshisfacethatwashidinthedeepeningshadow——lookingwithwildeyesofhopeandfearandlove。

“Isityou。”shesaidatlength，“oranotherdream？”

“ItisI，Beatrice！“heanswered，amazed。

Sherecoveredherselfwithaneffort。

“Thenwhydidyoufrightenmeso？”sheasked。“Itwasunkind——oh，I

didnotmeantosayanythingcross。WhatdidIsay？Iforget。Iamsogladthatyouhavecome！“andsheputherhandtoherforeheadandlookedathimagainasonemightgazeataghostfromthegrave。

“Didyounotexpectme？”Geoffreyasked。

“Expectyou？no。NomorethanIexpected——“andshestoppedsuddenly。

“Itisveryodd。”hesaid;“Ithoughtyouknewthatyourfatherwasgoingtoaskmedown。IreturnedfromLondonwithhim。”

“FromLondon。”shemurmured。“Ididnotknow;Elizabethdidnottellmeanythingaboutit。Isupposethatsheforgot。”

“HereIamatanyrate，andhowareyou？”

“Oh，wellnow，quitewell。There，Iamallrightagain。Itisverywrongtofrightenpeopleinthatway，Mr。Bingham。”sheaddedinherusualvoice。“LetmepassthroughthegateandIwillshakehandswithyou——if。”sheadded，inatoneofgentlemockery，“onemayshakehandswithsogreataman。ButItoldyouhowitwouldbe，didInot，justbeforeweweredrownedtogether，youknow？HowisEffie？”

“Effieflourishes。”heanswered。“Doyouknow，youdonotlookverygrand。Yourfathertoldmethatyouhadacoldinthewinter。”andGeoffreyshiveredashethoughtofthecause。

“Oh，thankyou，Ihavenothingtocomplainof。Iamstrongandwell。

Howlongdoyoustayhere？”

“Notlong。PerhapstillTuesdaymorning，perhapstillMonday。”

Beatricesighed。Happinessisshort。Shehadnotbroughthimhere，shewouldnothaveliftedafingertobringhimhere，butsincehehadcomeshewishedthathewasgoingtostaylonger。

“Itissuppertime。”shesaid;“letusgoin。”

Sotheywentinandatetheirsupper。Itwasahappymeal。Mr。Grangerwasinalmostboisterousspirits。Itiswonderfulwhatadifferencethepossessionofthattwohundredpoundsmadeinhisdemeanour;heseemedanotherman。Itwastruethatahundredofitmustgoinpayingdebts，butahundredwouldbeleft，whichmeantatleastayear’srespiteforhim。Elizabeth，too，relaxedherhabitualgrimness;thetwohundredpoundshaditsinfluenceonheralso，andtherewereothergenialinfluencesatworkinherdarksecretheart。Beatriceknewnothingofthemoneyandsatsomewhatsilent，butshetoowashappywiththewildunrealhappinessthatsometimesvisitsusindreams。

AsforGeoffrey，ifLadyHonoriacouldhaveseenhimshewouldhavestaredinastonishment。Oflatehehadbeenaverysilentman，manypeopleindeedhadfoundhimadullcompanion。ButundertheinfluenceofBeatrice’spresencehetalkedandtalkedbrilliantly。Perhapshewasunconsciouslystrivingtoshowathisverybestbeforeher，asamannaturallydoesinthepresenceofawomanwhomheloves。Sobrilliantlydidhetalkthatatlasttheyallsatstillandlistenedtohim，andtheymighthavebeenworseemployed。

Atlengthsupperwasdone，andElizabethretiredtoherroom。

Presently，too，Mr。Grangerwascalledouttochristenasickbabyandwentgrumbling，andtheywereleftalone。Theysatinthewindow-placeandlookedoutatthequietnight。

“Tellmeaboutyourself。”saidBeatrice。

Sohetoldher。Henarratedallthestepsbywhichhehadreachedhispresentposition，andshowedherhowfromithemightrisetothetopmostheightsofall。Shedidnotlookathim，anddidnotanswerhim，butoncewhenhepaused，thinkingthathehadtalkedenoughabouthimself，shesaid，“Goon;tellmesomemore。”

Atlasthehadtoldherall。

“Yes。”shesaid，“youhavethepowerandtheopportunity，andyouwillonedaybeamongtheforemostmenofyourgeneration。”

“Idoubtit。”hesaidwithasigh。“Iamnotambitious。Ionlyworkforthesakeofwork，notforwhatitwillbring。OnedayIdaresaythatIshallwearyofitallandleaveit。ButwhileIdowork，Iliketobeamongthefirstinmydegree。”

“Oh，no。”sheanswered，“youmustnotgiveitup;youmustgoonandon。Promiseme。”shecontinued，lookingathimforthefirsttime——

“promisemethatwhileyouhavehealthandstrengthyouwillperseveretillyoustandaloneandquitepre-eminent。Thenyoucangiveitup。”

“WhyshouldIpromiseyouthis，Beatrice？”

“BecauseIaskitofyou。OnceIsavedyourlife，Mr。Bingham，anditgivesmesomelittlerighttodirectitscourse。IwishthatthemanwhomIsavedtotheworldshouldbeamongthefirstmenintheworld，notinwealth，whichisanaccident，butinintellectandforce。

PromisemethisandIshallbehappy。”

“Ipromiseyou。”hesaid，“IpromisethatIwilltrytorisebecauseyouaskit，notbecausetheprospectattractsme;butashespokehisheartwaswrung。Itwasbittertohearherspeakthusofafutureinwhichshewouldhavenoshare，which，asherwordsimplied，wouldbeathingutterlyapartfromher，asmuchapartasthoughsheweredead。

“Yes。”hesaidagain，“yougavememylife，anditmakesmeveryunhappytothinkthatIcangiveyounothinginreturn。Oh，Beatrice，IwilltellyouwhatIhavenevertoldtoanyone。Iamlonelyandwretched。Withtheexceptionofyourself，Idonotthinkthatthereisanybodywhoreallycaresfor——Imeanwhoreallysympathiseswithmeintheworld。Idaresaythatitismyownfaultanditsoundsahumiliatingthingtosay，and，inafashion，aselfishthing。Inevershouldhavesaidittoanylivingsoulbutyou。Whatistheuseofbeinggreatwhenthereisnobodytoworkfor？Thingsmighthavebeendifferent，buttheworldisahardplace。Ifyou——ifyou——“

Atthismomenthishandtouchedhers;itwasaccidental，butinthetendernessofhisheartheyieldedtothetemptationandtookit。Thentherewasamoment’spause，andverygentlyshedrewherhandawayandthrustitinherbosom。

“Youhaveyourwifetoshareyourfortune。”shesaid;“youhaveEffietoinheritit，andyoucanleaveyournametoyourcountry。”

Thencameaheavypause。

“Andyou。”hesaid，breakingit，“whatfutureisthereforyou？”

Shelaughedsoftly。“Womenhavenofutureandtheyasknone。AtleastIdonotnow，thoughonceIdid。Itisenoughforthemiftheycaneversolittlehelpthelivesofothers。Thatistheirhappiness，andtheirrewardis——rest。”

JustthenMr。Grangercamebackfromhischristening，andBeatriceroseandwenttobed。

“Looksalittlepale，doesn’tshe，Mr。Bingham？”saidherfather。“I

thinkshemustbetroubledinhermind。Thefactis——well，thereisnoreasonwhyIshouldnottellyou;shethinkssomuchofyou，andyoumightsayawordtobrightenherup——well，it’saboutMr。Davies。I

fancy，youknow，thatshelikeshimandisvexedbecausehedoesnotcomeforward。Well，yousee——ofcourseImaybemistaken，butIhavesometimesthoughtthathemay。Ihaveseenhimlookasifhewasthinkingofit，thoughofcourseitismorethanBeatricehasgotanyrighttoexpect。She’sonlygotherselfandhergoodlookstogivehim，andhe’sarichman。Thinkofit，Mr。Bingham。”andtheoldgentlemanturneduphiseyespiously，“justthinkwhatathingitwouldbeforher，andindeedforallofus，ifitshouldpleaseGodtosendachancelikethatinherway;shewouldberichforlife，andsuchaposition！Butitispossible;oneneverknows;hemighttakeafancytoher。Atanyrate，Mr。Bingham，Ithinkyoucouldcheerherupalittle;thereisnoneedforhertogiveuphopeyet。”

Geoffreyburstintoashortgrimlaugh。TheideaofBeatricelanguishingforOwenDavies，indeedtheironyofthewholeposition，wastoomuchforhissenseofhumour。

“Yes。”hesaid，“Idaresaythatitmightbeagoodmatchforher，butIdonotknowhowshewouldgetonwithMr。Davies。”

“Geton！why，wellenough，ofcourse。Womenaresoft，andcansqueezeintomostholes，especiallyiftheyarewelllined。Besides，hemaybeabitheavy，butIthinksheispiningforhim，andit’sapitythatsheshouldwasteherlifelikethat。What，areyougoingtobed？Well，good-night——good-night。”

Geoffreydidgotobed，butnottosleep。Foralongwhilehelayawake，thinking。Hethoughtofthelastnightwhichhehadspentinthislittleroom，ofitsstrangeexperiences，ofallthathadhappenedsince，andofthemeetingofto-day。Couldhe，afterthatmeeting，anylongerdoubtwhatwerethefeelingswithwhichBeatriceregardedhim？

Itwasdifficulttoso，andyettherewasstillroomforerror。ThenhethoughtofwhatoldEdwardhadsaidtohim，andofwhatMr。GrangerhadsaidwithreferencetoBeatriceandOwenDavies。Theviewsofbothwerecrudelyandevenvulgarlyexpressed，buttheycoincided，and，whatwasmore，therewastruthinthem，andheknewit。TheideaofBeatricemarryingMr。Davies，toputitmildly，wasrepulsivetohim;

buthadheanyclaimtostandbetweenherandsodesirableasettlementinlife？Clearly，hehadnot，hisconsciencetoldhimso。

Coulditberight，moreover，thatthiskindoftiewhichexistedbetweenthemshouldbeknittedmoreclosely？Whatwoulditmean？

Trouble，andnothingbuttrouble，moreespeciallytoBeatrice，whowouldfretherdaysawaytonoend。Hehaddonewrongincominghereatall，hehaddonewrongintakingherhand。Hewouldmaketheonlyreparationinhispower(asthoughinsuchacaseasthatofBeatricereparationwerenowpossible)！Hewouldeffacehimselffromherlifeandseehernomore。Thenshemightlearntoforgethim，or，attheworst，torememberhimwithbutavagueregret。Yes，costwhatitmight，hewouldforcehimselftodoitbeforeanyactualmischiefensued。Theonlyquestionwas，shouldhenotgofurther？ShouldhenottellherthatshewoulddowelltomarryMr。Davies？

Ponderingoverthismostpainfulquestion，atlasthewenttosleep。

WhenmeninGeoffrey’sunhappypositionturnpenitentandseetheerroroftheirways，theprudentresolvesthatensueareapttoovershootthemarkandtopartakeofanaggressivenature。Notsatisfiedwithleavingthingsalone，theymustneedshastentoproclaimtheirnew-foundvirtuetothepartneroftheirfault，andadvertisetheirinfalliblespecific(tobetakenbythepartner)forrestoringthe/statusquoante/。Sometimesasaconsequenceofthispiouszealtheyfindthemselvesmisunderstood，orevensucceedinprecipitatingthecatastrophewhichtheylaudablydesiretoprevent。

ThemorrowwasWhit-Sunday，andadaythatGeoffreyhadoccasiontorememberfortherestofhislife。Theyallmetatbreakfastandshortlyafterwardswenttochurch，theservicebeingathalf-pastten。

Bywayofputtingintoeffectthegoodresolutionswithwhichhewassobusypavinganinfernoofhisown，GeoffreydidnotsitbyBeatrice，buttookaseatattheendofthelittlechurch，closetothedoor，andtriedtoconsolehimselfbylookingather。

Itwasacurioussullen-naturedday，andalthoughtherewasnotverymuchsuntheairwasashotasthoughtheywereinmidsummer。Hadtheybeeninavolcanicregion，Geoffreywouldhavethoughtthatsuchweatherprecededashockofearthquake。AsitwasheknewthattheEnglishclimatewassimplyindulgingitselfattheexpenseofthepopulation。Butasuptothepresent，theseasonhadbeencold，thisknowledgedidnotconsolehim。Indeedhefeltsochokedinthestuffylittlechurchthatjustbeforethesermon(whichhehappenedtobeawarewas/not/writtenbyBeatrice)hetookanopportunitytoslipoutunobserved。Notknowingwheretogo，hestrolleddowntothebeach，onwhichtherewasnobodytobeseen，for，ashasbeenobserved，BryngellysleptonSundays。Presently，however，amanapproachedwalkingrapidly，andtoallappearanceaimlessly，inwhomherecognisedOwenDavies。Hewastalkingtohimselfwhilehewalked，andswinginghisarms。Geoffreysteppedasidetolethimpass，andashedidsowassurprisedandevenshockedtoseethechangeintheman。

Hisplumphealthy-lookingfacehadgrownthin，andworeahalfsullen，halfpitifulexpression;thereweredarkcirclesroundhisblueeyes，oncesoplacid，andhishairwouldhavebeenthebetterforcutting。

Geoffreywonderedifhehadhadanillness。AtthatmomentOwenchancedtolookroundandsawhim。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Bingham？”hesaid。“Iheardthatyouwerehere。

Theytoldmeatthestationlastnight。Youseethisisasmallplaceandonelikestoknowwhocomesandgoes。”headdedasthoughinexcuse。

HewalkedonandGeoffreywalkedwithhim。

“Youdonotlookwell，Mr。Davies。”hesaid。“Haveyoubeenlaidup？”

“No，no。”heanswered，“Iamquiteright;itisonlymymindthatisill。”

“Indeed。”saidGeoffrey，thinkingthathecertainlydidlookstrange。

“Perhapsyoulivetoomuchaloneanditdepressesyou。”

“Yes，Ilivealone，becauseIcan’thelpmyself。Whatisamantodo，Mr。Bingham，whenthewomanheloveswillnotmarryhim，won’tlookathim，treatshimlikedirt？”

“Marrysomebodyelse。”suggestedGeoffrey。

“Oh，itiseasyforyoutosaythat——youhaveneverlovedanybody，andyoudon’tunderstand。Icannotmarryanybodyelse，Iwantheronly。”

“Her？Whom？”

“Who！why，Beatrice——whomelsecouldamanwanttomarry，ifoncehehadseenher。Butshewillnothaveme;shehatesme。”

“Really。”saidGeoffrey。

“Yes，really，anddoyouknowwhy？ShallItellyouwhy？Iwilltellyou。”andhegraspedhimbythearmandwhisperedhoarselyinhisear:

“Becausesheloves/you/，Mr。Bingham。”

“Itellyouwhatitis，Mr。Davies。”saidGeoffreyshakinghisarmfree，“Iamnotgoingtostandthiskindofthing。Youmustbeoffyourhead。”

“Don’tbeangrywithme。”heanswered。“Itistrue。IhavewatchedherandIknowthatitistrue。Whydoesshewritetoyoueveryweek，whydoesshealwaysstartandlistenwhenanybodymentionsyourname？Oh，Mr。Bingham。”Owenwentonpiteously，“bemerciful——youhaveyourwifeandlotsofwomentomakelovetoifyouwish——leavemeBeatrice。Ifyoudon’tIthinkthatIshallgocrazed。Ihavealwayslovedher，eversinceshewasachild，andnowmylovetravelsfasterandgrowsstrongereveryday，andcarriesmeawaywithitlikearockrollingdownahill。YoucanonlybringBeatricetoshame，butIcangivehereverything，asmuchmoneyasshewants，allthatshewants，andIwillmakeheragoodhusband;Iwillneverleaveherside。”

“Ihavenodoubtthatwouldbedelightfulforher。”answeredGeoffrey;

“butdoesitnotstrikeyouthatallthisisjustalittleundignified？Theseremarks，interestingastheyare，shouldbemadetoMissGranger，nottome，Mr。Davies。”

“Iknow。”hesaid，“butIdon’tcare;itismyonlychance，andwhatdoImindaboutbeingundignified？Oh，Mr。Bingham，Ihaveneverlovedanyotherwoman，Ihavebeenlonelyallmydays。Donotstandinmypathnow。IfyouonlyknewwhatIhavesuffered，howIhaveprayedGodnightafternighttogivemeBeatrice，youwouldhelpme。Saythatyouwillhelpme！Youareoneofthosemenwhocandoanything;shewilllistentoyou。Ifyoutellhertomarrymeshewilldoso，andIshallblessyoumywholelife。”

Geoffreylookeduponthisabjectsuppliantwiththemostunmitigatedscorn。Thereisalwayssomethingcontemptibleinthesightofonemanpleadingtoanotherforassistanceinhisloveaffairs——thatisabusinesswhichheshoulddoforhimself。Howmuchgreater，then，isthehumiliationinvolvedwhentheamorouspersonaskstheaidofonewhomhebelievestobehisrival——hissuccessfulrival——inthelady’saffection？

“Doyouknow，Mr。Davies。”Geoffreysaid，“IthinkthatIhavehadenoughofthis。IamnotinapositiontoforceMissGrangertoacceptadvanceswhichappeartobeunwelcomeaccordingtoyouraccount。ButifIgetanopportunityIwilldothis:Iwilltellherwhatyousay。

Youreallymustmanagetherestforyourself。Goodmorningtoyou，Mr。

Davies。”

HeturnedsharplyandwentwhileOwenwatchedhimgo。

“Idon’tbelievehim。”hegroanedtohimself。“Hewilltrytomakeherhislover。Oh，Godhelpme——Icannotbeartothinkofit。Butifhedoes，andIfindhimout，lethimbecareful。Iwillruinhim，yes，I

willruinhim！IhavethemoneyandIcandoit。Ah，hethinksmeafool，theyallthinkmeafool，butIhaven’tbeenquietalltheseyearsfornothing。Icanmakeanoiseifnecessary。Andifheisavillain，Godwillhelpmetodestroyhim。IhaveprayedtoGod，andGodwillhelpme。”

ThenhewentbacktotheCastle。OwenDavieswasatypeoftheclassofreligiousmenwhobelievethattheycanenlisttheAlmightyonthesideoftheirdesires，providedonlythatthosedesiresreceivethesanctionofhumanlaworcustom。

Thuswithintwenty-fourhoursGeoffreyreceivednolessthanthreeappealstohelpthewomanwhomhelovedtothearmsofadistastefulhusband。Nowonderthenthathegrewalmostsuperstitiousaboutthematter。

CHAPTERXXII

ANIGHTOFSTORM

ThatafternoonthewholeVicaragepartywalkeduptothefarmtoinspectanotherlitterofyoungpigs。ItstruckGeoffrey，rememberingformereditions，thatthereproductivepowersofMr。Granger’soldsowweresomethinglittleshortofmarvellous，andhedreamilyworkedoutacalculationofhowlongitwouldtakeherandherprogenytoproduceapigtoeverysquareyardoftheareaofpluckylittleWales。Itseemedthatthethingcouldbedoneinsixyears，whichwasabsurd，sohegaveupcalculating。

HehadnowordsalonewithBeatricethatafternoon。Indeed，acertaincoldnessseemedtohavesprungupbetweenthem。Withthealmostsupernaturalquicknessofalovingwoman’sintuition，shehaddivinedthatsomethingwaspassinginhismind，inimicaltohermostvitalinterests，sosheshunnedhiscompany，andreceivedhisconventionaladvanceswithapolitenesswhichwasascoldasitwascrushing。ThisdidnotpleaseGeoffrey;itisonething(inherowninterests，ofcourse)tomakeupyourmindheroicallytoabandonaladywhomyoudonotwishtocompromise，andquiteanothertobesnubbedbythatladybeforethemomentoffinalseparation。Thoughheneverputtheideaintowordsorevendefineditinhismind——forGeoffreywasfartooanxiousandunhappytobeflippant，atanyrateinthought——hewouldathearthavewishedhertoremainthesame，indeedtowaxevertenderer，tillthefataltimeofpartingarrived，andeventoshowappreciationofhisvirtuousconduct。

ButtotheutterdestructionofmostsuchhandsasGeoffreyheld，lovingwomenneverwillplayaccordingtothebook。Theirconductimperilseverything，foritisobviousthatittakestwotobringanaffairofthisnaturetoadignifiedconclusion，evenwhenthestakesarehighest，andthematterisoneoflifeanddeath。Beatriceafterallwasverymuchofawoman，andshedidnotbehavemuchbetterthananyotherwomanwouldhavedone。Shewasangryandsuspicious，andsheshowedit，withtheresultthatGeoffreygrewangryalso。Itwascruelofher，hethought，consideringallthings。Heforgotthatshecouldknownothingofwhatwasinhismind，howevermuchshemightguess;

alsoasyethedidnotknowtheboundlessdepthandmightofherpassionforhim，andallthatitmeanttoher。Hadherealisedthishewouldhaveactedverydifferently。

Theycamehomeandtooktea，thenMr。GrangerandElizabethmadereadytogotoeveningservice。ToGeoffrey’sdismayBeatricedidthesame。

Hehadlookedforwardtoaquietwalkwithher——reallythiswasnottobeborne。Fortunately，orratherunfortunately，shewasreadythefirst，andhegotawordwithher。

“Ididnotknowthatyouweregoingtochurch。”hesaid;“Ithoughtthatwemighthavehadawalktogether。VerylikelyIshallhavetogoawayearlyto-morrowmorning。”

“Indeed。”answeredBeatricecoldly。“Butofcourseyouhaveyourworktoattendto。ItoldElizabeththatIwascomingtochurch，andImustgo;itistoosultrytowalk;therewillbeastormsoon。”

AtthismomentElizabethcamein。

“Well，Beatrice。”shesaid，“areyoucomingtochurch？Fatherhasgoneon。”

Beatricepretendednottohear，andreflectedamoment。Hewouldgoawayandshewouldseehimnomore。Couldsheletslipthislasthour？

Oh，shecouldnotdoit！

Inthatmomentofreflectionherfatewassealed。

“No。”sheansweredslowly，“Idon’tthinkthatIamcoming;itistoosultrytogotochurch。IdaresaythatMr。Binghamwillaccompanyyou。”

Geoffreyhastilydisclaimedanysuchintention，andElizabethstartedalone。“Ah！“shesaidtoherself，“Ithoughtthatyouwouldnotcome，mydear。”

“Well。”saidGeoffrey，whenshehadwellgone，“shallwegoout？”

“Ithinkitispleasanterhere。”answeredBeatrice。

“Oh，Beatrice，don’tbesounkind。”hesaidfeebly。

“Asyoulike。”shereplied。“Thereisafinesunset——butIthinkthatweshallhaveastorm。”

Theywentout，andturnedupthelonelybeach。Theplacewasutterlydeserted，andtheywalkedalittlewayapart，almostwithoutspeaking。

Thesunsetwasmagnificent;greatflakesofgoldencloudweredrivencontinuallyfromahomeofsplendourinthewesttowardsthecoldlinedhorizonoftheland。Theseawasstillquiet，butitmoanedlikeathinginpain。Thestormwasgatheringfast。

“Whatalovelysunset。”saidGeoffreyatlength。

“Itisafatalsortofloveliness。”sheanswered;“itwillbeabadnight，andawetmorrow。Thewindisrising;shallweturn？”

“No，Beatrice，nevermindthewind。Iwanttospeaktoyou，ifyouwillallowmetodoso。”

“Yes。”saidBeatrice，“whatabout，Mr。Bingham。”

Tomakegoodresolutionsinamatterofthissortiscomparativelyeasy，butthecarryingofthemoutpresentssomedifficulties。

Geoffrey，conscience-strickenintopriggishness，wishedtotellherthatshewoulddowelltomarryOwenDavies，andfoundthematterhard。MeanwhileBeatricepreservedsilence。

“Thefactis。”hesaidatlength，“Imostsincerelyhopeyouwillforgiveme，butIhavebeenthinkingagreatdealaboutyouandyourfuturewelfare。”

“Thatisverykindofyou。”saidBeatrice，withanominoushumility。

Thiswasdisconcerting，butGeoffreywasdetermined，andhewentoninasomewhatflippanttonebornofthemostintensenervousnessandhatredofhistask。Neverhadhelovedhersowellasnowinthismomentwhenhewasabouttocounselhertomarryanotherman。Andyetheperseveredinhisfolly。For，assooftenhappens，theshrewdinsightandknowledgeoftheworldwhichdistinguishedGeoffreyasalawyer，whendealingwiththeaffairsofothers，quitedesertedhiminthiscrisisofhisownlifeandthatofthewomanwhoworshippedhim。

“SinceIhavebeenhere。”hesaid，“Ihavehadmadetomenolessthanthreeappealsonyourbehalfandbyseparatepeople——byyourfather，whofanciesthatyouarepiningforOwenDavies;byOwenDavies，whoiscertainlypiningforyou;andbyoldEdward，interveningasakindofdomestic/amicuscuri？/。”

“Indeed。”saidBeatrice，inavoiceofice。

“Allthesethreeurgedthesamething——thedesirabilityofyourmarryingOwenDavies。”

Beatrice’sfacegrewquitepale，herlipstwitchedandhergreyeyesflashedangrily。

“Really。”shesaid，“andhave/you/anyadvicetogiveonthesubject，Mr。Bingham？”

“Yes，Beatrice，Ihave。Ihavethoughtitover，andIthinkthat——

forgivemeagain——thatifyoucanbringyourselftoit，perhapsyouhadbettermarryhim。Heisnotsuchabadsortofman，andheiswelloff。”

Theyhadbeenwalkingrapidly，andnowtheywerereachingthespotknownasthe“Amphitheatre。”thatsamespotwhereOwenDavieshadproposedtoBeatricesomesevenmonthsbefore。

Beatricepassedroundtheprojectingedgeofrock，andwalkedsomewaytowardstheflatslabofstoneinthecentrebeforesheanswered。

Whileshedidsoagreatandbitterangerfilledherheart。Shesaw，orthoughtshesaw，itall。Geoffreywishedtoberidofher。Hehaddiscernedanelementofdangerintheirintimacy，andwasanxioustomakethatintimacyimpossiblebypushingherintoahatefulmarriage。

Suddenlysheturnedandfacedhim——turnedlikeathingatbay。Thelastredraysofthesunsetstruckuponherlovelyfacemademorelovelystillbyitsstampofhaughtyanger:theylayuponherheavingbreast。Fullintheeyesshelookedhimwiththosewideangryeyesofhers——neverbeforehadheseenhersoimperialamien。Herdignityandthepowerofherpresenceliterallyawedhim，forattimesBeatrice’sbeautywasofthatroyalstampwhichwhenithidesaheart，isacompellingforce，conqueringandborntoconquer。

“Doesitnotstrikeyou，Mr。Bingham。”shesaidquietly，“thatyouaretakingaverygreatliberty？Doesitnotstrikeyouthatnomanwhoisnotarelationhasanyrighttospeaktoawomanasyouhavespokentome？——that，inshort，youhavebeenguiltyofwhatinmostpeoplewouldbeanimpertinence？WhatrighthaveyoutodictatetomeastowhomI

shouldorshouldnotmarry？Surelyofallthingsintheworldthatismyownaffair。”

Geoffreycolouredtotheeyes。Aswouldhavebeenthecasewithmostmenofhisclass，hefeltheraccusationofhavingtakenaliberty，ofhavingpresumeduponanintimacy，morekeenlythananywhichshecouldhavebroughtagainsthim。

“Forgiveme。”hesaidhumbly。“IcanonlyassureyouthatIhadnosuchintention。Ionlyspoke——ill-judgedly，Ifear——because——becauseI

feltdriventoit。”

Beatricetooknonoticeofhiswords，butwentoninthesamecoldvoice。

“WhatrighthaveyoutospeakofmyaffairswithMr。Davies，withanoldboatman，orevenwithmyfather？HadIwishedyoutodosoI

shouldhaveaskedyou。Bywhatauthoritydoyouconstituteyourselfanintermediaryforthepurposeofbringingaboutamarriagewhichyouaresogoodastoconsiderwouldbetomypecuniaryinterest？Doyounotknowthatsuchamatterisonewhichthewomanconcerned，thewomanwhosehappinessandself-respectareatstake，alonecanjudgeof？Ihavenothingmoretosayexceptthis。Isaidjustnowthatyouhadbeenguiltyofwhatwouldinmostpeoplebeanimpertinence。Well，Iwilladdsomething。Inthiscase，Mr。Bingham，therearecircumstanceswhichmakeit——acruelinsult！“

Shestoppedspeaking，thensuddenly，withouttheslightestwarning，burstintopassionateweeping。Asshedidso，thefirstrushofthestormpassedoverthem，winnowingtheairaswithathousandeagles’

wings，andwaslostonthemoaningdepthsbeyond。

Thelightwentoutofthesky。NowGeoffreycouldonlyseethefaintoutlinesofherweepingface。Onemomenthehesitatedandoneonly;

thenNatureprevailedagainsthim，forthenextshewasinhisarms。

Beatricescarcelyresistedhim。Herenergiesseemedtofailher，orperhapsshehadspenttheminherbitterwords。Herheadfelluponhisshoulder，andthereshesobbedherfill。Presentlyshelifteditandtheirlipsmetinafirstlongkiss。Itwasfinished;thiswastheendofit——andthusdidGeoffreyprosperOwenDavies’ssuit。

“Oh，youarecruel，cruel！“hewhisperedinherear。“YoumusthaveknownIlovedyou，Beatrice，thatIspokeagainstmyselfbecauseI

thoughtittobemyduty。Youmusthaveknownthat，tomysinandsorrow，Ihavealwayslovedyou，thatyouhaveneverbeenanhourfrommymind，thatIhavelongedtoseeyourfacelikeasickmanforthelight。Tellme，didyounotknowit，Beatrice？”

“HowshouldIknow？”sheansweredverysoftly;“Icouldonlyguess，andifindeedyoulovemehowcouldyouwishmetomarryanotherman？

Ithoughtthatyouhadlearnedmyweaknessandtookthiswaytoreproachme。Oh，Geoffrey，whathavewedone？Whatistherebetweenyouandme——exceptourlove？”

“Itwouldhavebeenbetterifwehadbeendrownedtogetheratthefirst。”hesaidheavily。

“No，no。”sheanswered，“forthenwenevershouldhavelovedoneanother。Betterfirsttolove，andthentodie！“

“Donotspeakso。”hesaid;“letussithereandbehappyforalittlewhileto-night，andleavetroubletillto-morrow。”

And，whereonabygonedayBeatricehadtarriedwithanotherwooer，sidebysidetheysatuponthegreatstoneandtalkedsuchtalkasloversuse。

Abovethemmoanedtherisinggale，thoughshelteredastheywerebycliffsitsbreathscarcelystirredtheirhair。Infrontofthemthelongwavesboomeduponthebeach，whilefarouttoseathecrescentmoon，drapedinangrylight，seemedtoridethewaterslikeaboat。

Andweretheyalonewiththeirgreatbliss，ordidtheyonlydream？

Nay，theywerealonewithloveandlovers’joys，andallthetruthwastold，andalltheirdoubtsweredone。Nowtherewasanendofhopesandfears;nowreasonfellandLoveusurpedhisthrone，andatthatroyalcomingHeaventhrewwidehergates。Oh，Sweetestandmostdear！

Oh，Dearestandmostsweet！Oh，tohavelivedtofindthishappyhour——oh，inthishourtodie！

Seeheavinessisbehindus，seenowweareone。Blow，youwinds，blowoutyourstormyheart;weknowthesecretofyourstrength，yourushtoyourdesire。Fall，deepwatersofthesea，fallinthunderatthefeetofearth;wehearthemusicofyourpleading。

Earth，andSeas，andWinds，singyourgreatchantoflove！HeavenandSpaceandTime，echobackthemelody！ForLifehascalledtoustheanswerofhisriddle！Hearttoheartwesit，andlipstolips，andwearemorewisethanSolomon，andricherthanbarbariankings，forHappinessisours。

Tothisendwereweborn，Dearestandmostsweet，andfromalltimepredestinate！Tothisend，Sweetestandmostdear，doweliveanddie，indeathtofindcompleterunity。Forhereisthatsecretoftheworldwhichwisemensearchandcannotfind，andheretooisthegateofHeaven。

Lookintomyeyes，andletmegazeonyours，andlistenhowthesethingsshallbe。Theworldisbutamockery，andashadowisourflesh，forwhereoncetheywerethereshallbenaught。OnlyLoveisreal;Loveshallenduretillallthesunsaredead，andyetbeyoung。

Kissme，thouConqueror，forDestinyisovercome，Sorrowisgoneby;

andtheflamethatwehavehalloweduponthisearthlyaltarshallstillburnbrightly，andyetmorebright，whenyonderstarshavelosttheirfire。

Butalas！wordscannotgiveafittingformtosuchasongasthis。Letmusictry！Butmusicalsofoldsherwings。Forinsosupremeanhour“Aboltisshotbacksomewhereinourbreast。”

andthroughthatopeneddoorcomesightsandsoundssuchascannotbewritten。

Theytellusitismadness，thatthisunearthlygloryisbutthefrenzyofapassiongrossinitsveryessence。Letthosethinkitwhowill，buttodreamersletthemleavetheirdreams。Whythen，atsuchatime，dovisionscometochildrenoftheworldlikeBeatriceandGeoffrey？Whydotheirdoubtsvanish，andwhatisthatbreathfromheavenwhichtheyseemtofeelupontheirbrow？Theintoxicationofearthlylovebornofthemeetingofyouthandbeauty。Sobeit！Slave，bringmoresuchwineandletusdrink——toImmortalityandtothosedeareyesthatmirrorforthaspirit’sface！

Suchlovesindeedarefew。Fortheymustberealanddeep，andnaturesthusshapedarerare，nordotheyoftencrosseachother’slineoflife。Yes，therearefewwhocanbebornesohigh，andnonecanbreathethatetherlong。SoonthewingswhichLovelenttheminhishourofrevelationwillshrinkandvanish，andtheborrowerswillfallbacktothelevelofthisworld，happyiftheyescapeuncrushed。

Perchanceevenintheirlife-days，theymayfindthesespiritwingsagain，overshadowingthealtaroftheirvowsinthehourofearthlymarriage，ifbysomehappyfate，marriageshouldbewithintheirreach，orliketheholypinionsofthegoddessNout，foldedaboutacoffin，inthetimeofearthlydeath。Butscantaretheoccasions，andfewtherearewhoknowthem。

ThussoaredBeatriceandGeoffreywhilethewildnightbeataroundthem，makingafitaccompanimenttotheirstormyloves。Andthustheytoofellfromheaventoearth。

“Wemustbegoing，Geoffrey;itgrowslate。”saidBeatrice。“Oh，Geoffrey，Geoffrey，whathavewedone？Whatcanbetheendofallthis？Itwillbringtroubleonyou，Iknowthatitmust。Theoldsayingwillcometrue。Isavedyourlife，andIshallbringruinonyou！“

ItischaracteristicofBeatricethatalreadyshewasthinkingoftheconsequencestoGeoffrey，notofthosetoherself。

“Beatrice。”saidGeoffrey，“weareinadesperateposition。Doyouwishtofaceitandcomeawaywithme，farawaytotheothersideoftheworld？”

“No，no。”sheansweredvehemently，“itwouldbeyourruintoabandonthecareerthatisbeforeyou。Whatpartoftheworldcouldyougotowhereyouwouldnotbeknown？Besidesthereisyourwifetothinkof。

Ah，God，yourwife——whatwouldshesayofme？Youbelongtoher，youhavenorighttodeserther。AndthereisEffietoo。No，Geoffrey，no，Ihavebeenwickedenoughtolearntoloveyou——oh，asyouwereneverlovedbefore，ifitiswickedtodowhatonecannothelp——butIamnotbadenoughforthis。Walkquicker，Geoffrey;weshallbelate，andtheywillsuspectsomething。”

PoorBeatrice，thepangsofconsciencewerefindingherout！

“Weareinadreadfulposition。”hesaidagain。“Oh，dearest，Ihavebeentoblame。Ishouldneverhavecomebackhere。Itismyfault;andthoughIneverthoughtofthis，Ididmybesttopleaseyou。”

“AndIthankyouforit。”sheanswered。“Donotdeceiveyourself，Geoffrey。Whateverhappens，promisemeneverforonemomenttobelievethatIreproachedorblamedyou。WhyshouldIblameyoubecauseyouwonmyheart？Letmesoonerblametheseaonwhichwefloated，thebeachwherewewalked，thehouseinwhichwelived，andtheDestinythatbroughtustogether。Iamproudandgladtoloveyou，dear，butI

amnotsoselfishastowishtoruinyou:Geoffrey——Ihadratherdie。”

“Don’ttalkso。”hesaid，“Icannotbearit。Whatarewetodo？AmI

togoawayandseeyounomore？Howcanweliveso，Beatrice？”

“Yes，Geoffrey。”sheansweredheavily，takinghimbythehandandgazingupintohisface，“youaretogoawayandseemenomore，notforyearsandyears。Thisiswhatwehavebroughtuponourselves，itisthepricethatwemustpayforthishourwhichhasgone。Youaretogoawayto-morrow，thatwemaybeputoutoftemptation，andyoumustcomebacknomore。SometimesIshallwritetoyou，andsometimesperhapsyouwillwritetome，tillthethingbecomesaburden，thenyoucanstop。Andwhetheryouforgetmeornot——and，Geoffrey，Idonotthinkyouwill——youwillknowthatIshallneverforgetyou，whomIsavedfromthesea——toloveme。”

Therewassomethingsosweetandinfinitelytenderaboutherwords，instinctastheywerewithnaturalwomanlypassion，thatGeoffreybentatheartbeneaththeirweightasafirbendsbeneaththegentle，gatheringsnow。Whatwashetodo，howcouldheleaveher？Andyetshewasright。Hemustgo，andgoquickly，lesthisstrengthmightfailhim，andhandinhandtheyshouldpassabournefromwhichthereisnoreturn。

“Heavenhelpus，Beatrice。”hesaid。“Iwillgoto-morrowmorningand，ifIcan，Iwillkeepaway。”

“You/must/keepaway。Iwillnotseeyouanymore。Iwillnotbringtroubleonyou，Geoffrey。”

“Youtalkofbringingtroubleonme。”hesaid;“yousaynothingofyourself，andyetaman，evenamanwitheyesonhimlikemyself，isbetterfittedtoweathersuchastorm。Ifitruinedme，howmuchmorewoulditruinyou？”

TheywereatthegateoftheVicaragenow，andthewindrushedsostronglythroughthefirsthatsheneededtoputherlipsquiteclosetohiseartomakeherwordsheard。

“Stop，oneminute。”shesaid，“perhapsyoudonotquiteunderstand。

WhenawomandoeswhatIhavedone，itisbecausesheloveswithallherlifeandheartandsoul，becausealltheseareapartofherlove。

Formyself，Inolongercareanything——Ihave/no/selfawayfromyou;

Ihaveceasedtobeofmyselforinmyownkeeping。Iamofyouandinyours。FormyselfandmyownfateornameIthinknomore;withmyeyesopenandofmyownfreewillIhavegiveneverythingtoyou，andamgladandhappytogiveit。ButforyouIstilldocare，andifI

tookanystep，orallowedyoutotakeanythatcouldbringsorrowonyou，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。Thatiswhywemustpart，Geoffrey。Andnowletusgoin;thereisnothingmoretosay，exceptthis:ifyouwishtobidmegood-bye，alastgood-bye，dearGeoffrey，Iwillmeetyouto-morrowmorningonthebeach。”

“Ishallleaveathalf-pasteight。”hesaidhoarsely。

“Thenwewillmeetatseven。”Beatricesaid，andledthewayintothehouse。

ElizabethandMr。Grangerwerealreadyseatedatsupper。TheysuppedatnineonSundaynights;itwasjusthalf-past。

“Dearme。”saidtheoldgentleman，“webegantothinkthatyoutwomusthavebeenoutcanoeingandgotyourselvesdrownedingoodearnestthistime。Whathaveyoubeendoing？”

“Wehavehadalongwalk。”answeredGeoffrey;“Ididnotknowthatitwassolate。”

“Onewantstobepleasedwithone’scompanytowalkfaronsuchanightasthis。”putinElizabethmaliciously。

“Andsowewere——atleastIwas。”Geoffreyansweredwithperfecttruth，“andthenightisnotsobadasyoumightthink，atleastundertheleeofthecliffs。Itwillbeworsebyandby！“

Thentheysatdownandmadeadesperateshowofeatingsupper。

Elizabeth，thekeen-eyed，noticedthatGeoffrey’shandwasshaking。

Nowwhat，shewondered，wouldmakethehandofastrongmanshakelikealeaf？Deepemotionmightdoit，andElizabeththoughtthatshedetectedothersignsofemotioninthemboth，besidesthatofGeoffrey’sshakinghand。Theplotwasworkingwell，butcoulditbebroughttoaclimax？Oh，ifhewouldonlythrowprudencetothewindsandrunawaywithBeatrice，sothatshemightberidofher，andfreetofightforherownhand。

ShortlyaftersupperbothElizabethandBeatricewenttobed，leavingtheirfatherwithGeoffrey。

“Well。”saidMr。Granger，“didyougetawordwithBeatrice？Itwasverykindofyoutogothatlongtramponpurpose。Gracious，howitblows！weshallhavethehousedownpresently。Lightning，too，I

declare。”

“Yes。”answeredGeoffrey，“Idid。”

“Ah，Ihopeyoutoldherthattherewasnoneedforhertogiveuphopeofhimyet，ofMr。Davies，Imean？”

“Yes，Itoldherthat——thatisifthegreaterincludestheless。”headdedtohimself。

“Andhowdidshetakeit？”

“Verybadly。”saidGeoffrey;“sheseemedtothinkthatIhadnorighttointerfere。”

“Indeed，thatisstrange。Butitdoesn’tmeananything。She’sgratefulenoughtoyouatheart，dependuponitsheis，onlyshedidnotliketosayso。Dearme，howitblows;weshallhaveanightofit，aregulargale，Ideclare。Soyouaregoingawayto-morrowmorning。

Well，thebestoffriendsmustpart。Ihopethatyouwilloftencomeandseeus。Good-bye。”

OncemoreasenseoftheironyofthepositionovercameGeoffrey，andhesmiledgrimlyashelithiscandleandwenttobed。Atthebackofthehousewasalongpassage，whichterminatedatoneendintheroomwhereheslept，andattheotherinthatoccupiedbyElizabethandBeatrice。Thispassagewaslitbytwowindows，andbuiltoutofitweretwomorerooms——thatofMr。Granger，andanotherwhichhadbeenEffie’s。Thewindowsofthepassage，likemostoftheothersintheVicarage，wereinnocentofshutters，andGeoffreystoodforamomentatoneofthem，watchingthelightningilluminethebroadbreastofthemountainbehind。ThenlookingtowardsthedoorofBeatrice’sroom，hegazedatitwiththepeculiarreverencethatsometimesafflictspeoplewhoareverymuchinlove，and，withasigh，turnedandsoughthisown。

Hecouldnotsleep，itwasimpossible。Fornearlytwohourshelayturningfromsidetoside，andthinkingtillhisbrainseemedliketoburst。To-morrowhemustleaveher，leaveherforever，andgobacktohiscoarseunprofitablestrugglewiththeworld，wheretherewouldbenoBeatricetomakehimhappythroughitall。Andshe，whatofher？

Thestormhadlulledalittle，nowitcamebackinstrength，heraldedbythelightning。Herose，threwonadressing-gown，andsatbyawindowwatchingit。Itstumultandfuryseemedtoeasehisheartofsomelittleofitspain;inthatdarkhouraquietnightwouldhavemaddenedhim。

Ineighthours——eightshorthours——thismatterwouldbeendedsofarasconcernedtheiractualintercourse。Itwouldbeasecretlockedforeverintheirtwobreasts，asecreteatingattheirhearts，cruelasthewormthatdiethnot。Geoffreylookedupandthrewouthisheart’sthoughttowardshissleepinglove。Thenoncemore，asinabygonenight，therebrokeuponhisbrainandbeingthatmysteriousspiritualsense。Strongerandmorestrongitgrew，beatingonhiminheavyunnaturalwaves，tillhisreasonseemedtoreelandsink，andherememberednaughtbutBeatrice，knewnaughtsavethatherverylifewaswithhimnow。

Hestretchedouthisarmstowardstheplacewheresheshouldbe。

“Beatrice。”hewhisperedtotheemptyair，“Beatrice！Oh，mylove！mysweet！mysoul！Hearme，Beatrice！“

Therecameapause，andevertheunearthlysympathygrewandgatheredinhisheart，tillitseemedtohimasthoughseparationhadlostitspowerandacrossdividingspacetheyweremingledinonebeing。

Agreatgustshookthehouseandpassedawayalongtheroaringdepths。

Oh！whatwasthis？Silentlythedooropened，andawhitedrapedformpasseditsthreshold。Herose，gasping;aterriblefear，aterriblejoy，tookpossessionofhim。Thelightningflaredoutwildlyintheeasternsky。Thereinthefiercelightshestoodbeforehim——she，Beatrice，asightofbeautyandofdread。Shestoodwithwhitearmsoutstretched，withwhiteuncoveredfeet，herbosomheavingsoftlybeneathhernight-dress，herstreaminghairunbound，herlipsapart，herfaceupturned，andastampofterrifyingcalm。

“Inthewide，blindeyesupliftThro’thedarknessandthedrift。”

GreatHeaven，shewasasleep！

Hush！shespoke。

“Youcalledme，Geoffrey。”shesaid，inastill，unnaturalvoice。“Youcalledme，mybeloved，andI——have——come。”

Heroseaghast，tremblinglikeanaspenwithdoubtandfear，tremblingatthesightoftheconqueringgloryofthewomanwhomheworshipped。

See！Shedrewontowardshim，andshewas/asleep/。Oh，whatcouldhedo？

Suddenlythedraughtofthegreatgalerushingthroughthehousecaughttheopeneddoorandcrasheditto。

Sheawokewithawildstareofterror。

“Oh，God，whereamI？”shecried。

“Hush，foryourlife’ssake！“heanswered，hisfacultiesreturning。

“Hush！oryouarelost。”

Buttherewasnoneedtocautionheretosilence，forBeatrice’ssensesfailedherattheshock，andshesankswooninginhisarms。