第8章

CHAPTERXXIII

ADAWNOFRAIN

ThatcrashoftheclosingdoordidnotawakeBeatriceonly;itawokebothElizabethandMr。Granger。Elizabethsatupinbedstraininghereyesthroughthegloomtoseewhathadhappened。TheyfellonBeatrice’sbed——surely——surely——

Elizabethslippedup，cat-likeshecreptacrosstheroomandfeltwithherhandatthebed。Beatricewasnotthere。Shesprangtotheblindanddrewit，lettinginsuchlightastherewas，andbyitsearchedtheroom。Shespoke:“Beatrice，whereareyou？”

Noanswer。

“Ah——h。”saidElizabethaloud;“Iunderstand。Atlast——atlast！“

Whatshouldseedo？Shouldshegoandcallherfatherandputthemtoanopenshame？No。Beatricemustcomebacksometime。Theknowledgewasenough;shewantedtheknowledgetouseifnecessary。Shedidnotwishtoruinhersisterunlessinself-defence，orrather，forthecauseofself-advancement。StilllessdidshewishtoinjureGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnogrudge。Soshepeepedalongthepassage，thenreturning，creptbacktoherbedlikeasnakeintoaholeandwatched。

Mr。Granger，hearingthecrash，thoughtthatthefrontdoorhadblownopen。Rising，helitacandleandwenttosee。

ButofallthisGeoffreyknewnothing，andBeatricenaturallylessthannothing。

Shelaysenselessinhisarms，herheadrestedonhisshoulder，herheavyhairstreameddownhissidealmosttohisknee。Heliftedher，touchedherontheforeheadwithhislipsandlaidheronthebed。

Whatwastobedone？Bringherbacktolife？No，hedarednot——nothere。Whileshelaythusherhelplessnessprotectedher;butifoncemoreshewasaliving，lovingwomanhereandso——oh，howshouldtheyescape？Hedarednottouchherorlooktowardsher——tillhehadmadeuphismind。Itwassoondone。Hereshemustnotbide，andsinceofherselfshecouldnotgo，whyhemusttakehernow，thismoment！

HoweverfarGeoffreyfellshortofvirtue’sstricterstandard，letthisalwaysberememberedinhisfavour。

Heopenedthedoor，andashedidso，thoughtthatheheardsomeonestirringinthehouse。Andsohedid;itwasMr。Grangerinthesitting-room。Hearingnomore，Geoffreyconcludedthatitwasthewind，andturning，gropedhiswaytothebedwhereBeatricelayasstillasdeath。Foronemomentahorriblefearstruckhimthatshemightbedead。Hehadheardofcasesofsomnambulistswho，onbeingstartledfromtheirunnaturalsleep，onlywoketodie。Itmightbesowithher。Hurriedlyheplacedhishanduponherbreast。Yes，herheartstirred——faintlyindeed，butstillitstirred。Shehadonlyswooned。

Thenhesethisteeth，andplacinghisarmsabouther，liftedherasthoughshewereababe。Beatricewasnoslipofagirl，butawell-

grownwomanoffullsize。Heneverfeltherweight;itseemednothingtohim。Stealthilyasonebentonmidnightmurder，hesteppedwithhertothedoorandthroughitintothepassage。Thensupportingherwithonearm，heclosedthedoorwithhislefthand。Stealthilyinthegloomhepassedalongthecorridor，hisbarefeetmakingnonoiseupontheboardedfloor，tillhereachedthebisectingpassageleadingfromthesitting-rooms。

Heglancedupitapprehensively，andwhathesawfrozethebloodinhisveins，fortherecomingdownit，noteightpacesfromhim，wasMr。

Granger，holdingacandleinhishand。Whatcouldbedone？Togetbacktohisroomwasimpossible——toreachthatofBeatricewasalsoimpossible。Withanefforthecollectedhisthoughts，andlikeaflashoflightitpassedintohismindthattheemptyroomwasnottwopacesfromhim。Astrideandhehadreachedit。Oh，wherewasthehandle？

andoh，iftheroomshouldbelocked！Byamercifulchanceitwasnot。

Hesteppedthroughthedoor，knockingBeatrice’sfeetagainsttheframeworkashedidso，closedit——toshutithehadnotime——andstoodgaspingbehindit。

Thegleamoflightdrewnearer。Mercifulpowers！hehadbeenseen——theoldmanwascomingin。Whatcouldhesay？Tellthetruth，thatwasall;butwhowouldbelievesuchastory？why，itwasonethatheshouldscarcelycaretoadvanceinacourtoflaw。Couldheexpectafathertobelieveit——afatherfindingamancrouchedlikeathiefbehindadooratthedeadofnightwithhislovelydaughtersenselessinhisarms？HehadalreadythoughtofgoingstraighttoMr。Granger，buthadabandonedtheideaashopeless。Whowouldbelievethistaleofsleep-walking？ForthefirsttimeinhislifeGeoffreyfeltterriblyafraid，bothforBeatriceandhimself;thehairroseonhishead，hisheartstoodstill，andacoldperspirationstartedontohisface。

“It’sveryodd。”heheardtheoldmanmuttertohimself;“IcouldalmostswearthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothatroom。Where’sthehandle？IfIbelievedinghosts——hullo！mycandlehasblownout！I

mustgoandhuntforamatch。Don’tquitelikegoingintherewithoutalight。”

Forthemomenttheyweresaved。Thefiercedraughtrushingthroughtheopencrackofthedoorfromtheill-fittingwindowhadextinguishedthecandle。

GeoffreywaitedafewsecondstoallowMr。Grangertoreachhisroom，andthenoncemorestartedonhisawfuljourney。Hepassedoutoftheroominsafety;happilyBeatriceshowednosignsofrecovery。Afewquickstepsandhewasatherowndoor。Andnowanewterrorseizedhim。WhatifElizabethwasalsowalkingthehouseorevenawake？HethoughtofputtingBeatricedownatthedoorandleavingherthere，butabandonedtheidea。Tobeginwith，herfathermightseeher，andthenhowcouldherpresencebeaccountedfor？orifhedidnot，shewouldcertainlysufferilleffectsfromthecold。No，hemustriskit，andatonce，thoughhewouldratherhavefacedabatteryofguns。Thedoorfortunatelywasajar。Geoffreyopeneditwithhisfoot，entered，andwithhisfootpushedittoagain。Suddenlyherememberedthathehadneverbeenintheroom，anddidnotknowwhichbedbelongedtoBeatrice。Hewalkedtothenearest;adeep-drawnbreathtoldhimthatitwasthewrongone。DrawingsomefaintconsolationfromthefactthatElizabethwasevidentlyasleep，hegropedhiswaytothesecondbedthroughthedeeptwilightoftheroom。Theclotheswerethrownback。HelaidBeatricedownandthrewthemoverher。Thenhefled。

AshereachedthedoorhesawMr。Granger’slightdisappearintohisownroomandheardhisdoorclose。Afterthatitseemedtohimthathetookbuttwostepsandwasinhisownplace。

Heburstoutlaughing;therewasasmuchhysteriainthelaughasamangiveswayto。Hisnerveswereshatteredbystruggle，loveandfear，andsoughtreliefinghastlymerriment。Somehowthewholesceneremindedhimofoneinacomicopera。Therewasaludicroussidetoit。Supposingthatthepoliticalopponents，whoalreadyhatedhimsobitterly，couldhaveseenhimslinkingfromdoortodooratmidnightwithanunconsciousladyinhisarms——whatwouldtheyhavesaid？

Heceasedlaughing;thefitpassed——indeeditwasnolaughingmatter。

Thenhethoughtofthefirstnightoftheirstrangecommunion，thatnightbeforehehadreturnedtoLondon。Theseedsowninthathourhadblossomedandbornefruitindeed。WhowouldhavedreameditpossiblethatheshouldthushavedrawnBeatricetohim？Well，heoughttohaveknown。Ifitwaspossiblethatthewordswhichfloatedthroughhermindcouldariseinhisastheyhaddoneuponthatnight，whatwasnotpossible？Andweretherenototherwords，writtenbythesamemaster-

hand，whichtoldofsuchthingsasthese:

“’Now——now，’thedoorisheard;

Hark，thestairs！andnear——

Nearer——andhere——

’Now’！andatcallthethird，Sheenterswithoutaword。

Likethedoorsofacasketshrine，Seeoneitherside，HertwoarmsdivideTilltheheartbetwixtmakessign，’Takeme，forIamthine。’

First，Iwillpray。DoThouThatownestthesoul，YetwiltgrantcontrolToanother，nordisallowForatime，restrainmenow！“

Didtheynotrunthus？Oh，heshouldhaveknown！Thishecouldplead，andthisonly——thatcontrolhadbeengrantedtohim。

ButhowwouldBeatricefare？Wouldshecometoherselfsafely？Hethoughtso，itwasonlyafaintingfit。Butwhenshedidrecover，whatwouldshedo？Nothingrash，heprayed。Andwhatcouldbetheendofitall？Whomightsay？Howfortunatethatthesisterhadbeensosoundasleep。SomehowhedidnottrustElizabeth——hefearedher。

WellmightGeoffreyfearher！Elizabeth’ssleepwasthatofaweasel。

Shetoowaslaughingatthisverymoment，laughing，notloudbutlong——thelaughofonewhowins。

Shehadseenhimenter，hisburdeninhisarms;sawhimcomewithittoherownbedside，andhadbreathedheavilytowarnhimofhismistake。ShehadwatchedhimputBeatriceonherbed，andheardhimsighandturnaway;nothinghadescapedher。Assoonashewasgone，shehadrisenandcreptuptoBeatrice，andfindingthatshewasonlyinafainthadlefthertorecover，knowinghertobeinnodanger。

Elizabethwasnotanervousperson。Thenshehadlistenedtillatlengthadeepsightoldherofthereturnofhersister’sconsciousness。Afterthistherewasapause，tillpresentlyBeatrice’slongsoftbreathsshowedthatshehadglidedfromswoontosleep。

Theslownightworeaway，andatlengththecolddawncreptthroughthewindow。Elizabethstillwatching，forshewasnotwillingtoloseasinglesceneofadramasoentrancinginitselfandsoimportanttoherinterests，sawhersistersuddenlysitupinbedandpressherhandstoherforehead，asthoughshewasstrivingtorecalladream。

ThenBeatricecoveredhereyeswithherhandsandgroanedheavily。

Nextshelookedatherwatch，rose，drankaglassofwater，anddressedherself，eventotheputtingonofanoldgreywaterproofwithahoodtoit，foritwaswetoutside。

“Sheisgoingtomeetherlover。”thoughtElizabeth。“IwishIcouldbetheretoseethattoo，butIhaveseenenough。”

Sheyawnedandappearedtowake。“What，Beatrice，goingoutalreadyinthispouringrain？”shesaid，withfeignedastonishment。

“Yes，IhavesleptbadlyandIwanttogetsomeair。”answeredBeatrice，startingandcolouring;“Isupposethatitwasthestorm。”

“Hastherebeenastorm？”saidElizabeth，yawningagain。“Iheardnothingofit——butthensomanythingshappenwhenoneisasleepofwhichoneknowsnothingatthetime。”sheaddedsleepily，likeonespeakingatrandom。“Mindthatyouarebacktosaygood-byetoMr。

Bingham;hegoesbytheearlytrain，youknow——butperhapsyouwillseehimoutwalking。”andappearingtowakeupthoroughly，sheraisedherselfinbedandgavehersisteronepiercinglook。

Beatricemadenoanswer;thatlooksentathrilloffearthroughher。

Oh;whathadhappened！Orwasitalladream？HadshedreamedthatshestoodfacetofacewithGeoffreyinhisroombeforeagreatdarknessstruckherandoverwhelmedher？Orwasitanawfultruth，andifatruth，howcameshehereagain？Shewenttothepantry，foundamorselofbreadandateit，forfaintnessstillpursuedher。Thenfeelingbetter，sheleftthehouseandsetherfacetowardsthebeach。

Itwasadrearymorning。Thegreatwindhadpassed;nowitonlyblewinlittlegustsheavywithdrivingrain。Theseawassullenandgreyandgrand。Itbeatinthunderontheshoreandflewoverthesunkenrocksincolumnsofleadenspray。Thewholeearthseemedonedesolation，andallitsgriefwascentredinthiswoman’sbrokenheart。

Geoffrey，too，wasup。Howhehadpassedtheremainderofthattragicnightweneednotinquire——nottoohappilywemaybesure。HeheardthefrontdoorclosebehindBeatrice，andfollowedoutintotherain。

Onthebeach，somehalfofamileaway，hefoundhergazingatthesea，agreatwhitegullwheelingaboutherhead。Nowordofgreetingpassedbetweenthem;theyonlygraspedeachother’shandsandlookedintoeachother’sholloweyes。

“Comeundertheshelterofthecliff。”hesaid，andshecame。Shestoodbeneaththecliff，herheadbowedlow，herfacehiddenbythehood，andspoke。

“Tellmewhathashappened。”shesaid;“Ihavedreamedsomething，aworsedreamthananythathavegonebefore——tellmeifitistrue。Donotspareme。”

AndGeoffreytoldherall。

Whenhehadfinishedshespokeagain。

“BywhatshallIswear。”shesaid，“thatIamnotthethingwhichyoumustthinkme？Geoffrey，IswearbymyloveforyouthatIaminnocent。IfIcame——oh，theshameofit！ifIcame——toyourroomlastnight，itwasmyfeetwhichledme，notmymindthatledmyfeet。I

wenttosleep，Iwaswornout，andthenIknewnomoretillIheardadreadfulsound，andsawyoubeforemeinablazeoflight，afterwhichtherewasdarkness。”

“Oh，Beatrice，donotbedistressed。”heanswered。“Isawthatyouwereasleep。Itisadreadfulthingwhichhashappened，butIdonotthinkthatwewereseen。”

“Idonotknow。”shesaid。“Elizabethlookedatmeverystrangelythismorning，andsheseeseverything。Geoffrey，formypart，Ineitherknownorcare。WhatIdocareforis，whatmust/you/thinkofme？Youmustbelieve，oh！——Icannotsayit。AndyetIaminnocent。Never，neverdidIdreamofthis。Tocometoyou——thus——oh，itisshameless！“

“Beatrice，donottalkso。ItellyouIknowit。Listen——Idrewyou。I

didnotmeanthatyoushouldcome。Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldcome，butitwasmydoing。Listentome，dear。”andhetoldherthatwhichwrittenwordscanillexpress。

Whenhehadfinished，shelookedup，withanotherface;thedeepshadowofhershamehadlefther。“Ibelieveyou，Geoffrey。”shesaid，“becauseIknowthatyouhavenotinventedthistoshieldme，forI

havefeltitalso。Seebyitwhatyouaretome。Youaremymasterandmyall。IcannotwithstandyouifIwould。Ihavelittlewillapartfromyoursifyouchoosetogainsaymine。Andnowpromisemethisuponyourword。Leavemeuninfluenced;donotdrawmetoyoutobeyourruin。Imakenopretence，Ihavelaidmylifeatyourfeet，butwhileIhaveanystrengthtostruggleagainstit，youshallnevertakeitupunlessyoucandosotoyourownhonour，andthatisnotpossible。Oh，mydear，wemighthavebeenveryhappytogether，happierthanmenandwomenoftenare，butitisdeniedtous。Wemustcarryourcross，wemustcrucifythefleshuponit;perhapsso——whocansay？——wemayglorifythespirit。Ioweyouagreatdeal。Ihavelearntmuchfromyou，Geoffrey。IhavelearnedtohopeagainforaHereafter。Nothingislefttomenow——butthat——thatandanhourhence——yourmemory。

“Oh，whyshouldIweep？Itisungrateful，whenIhaveyourlove，forwhichthismiseryisbutalittlepricetopay。Kissme，dear，andgo——andneverseememore。Youwillnotforgetme，Iknownowthatyouwill/never/forgetmeallyourlife。Afterwards——perhaps——whocantell？Ifnot，whythen——itwillindeedbebest——todie。”

*****

Itisnotwelltolingeroversuchasceneasthis。Afterall，too，itisnothing。Onlyanotherbrokenheartorso。Theworldbreakssomanythiswayandtheotherthatitcanhavelittlepleasureingloatingoversuchstalescenesofagony。

Besideswemustnotletoursympathiescarryusaway。GeoffreyandBeatricedeservedalltheygot;theyhadnobusinesstoputthemselvesintosuchaposition。Theyhaddefiedthecustomsoftheirworld，andtheworldavengeditselfuponthemandtheirpettypassions。Whathappenstothewormthattriestoburrowonthehighways？Grindingwheelsandcrushingfeet;theseareitsportion。BeatriceandGeoffreypointamoralandadornatale。Sofaraswecanseeandjudgetherewasnoneedforthemtohaveplungedintothatever-runningriverofhumanpain。Letthemstruggleanddrown，andletthosewhoareonthebanklearnwisdomfromthesight，andholdoutnohandtohelpthem。

Geoffreydrewaringfromhisfingerandgaveittohislove。Itwasacommonflat-sidedsilverringthathadbeentakenfromthegraveofaRomansoldier:onepeculiarityithad，however;onitsinnersurfacewereroughlycutthewords，“aveatquevale。”Greetingandfarewell！

Itwasafittinggifttopassbetweenpeopleintheirposition。

Beatrice，tremblingsorely，whisperedthatshewouldwearitonherheart，uponherhandshecouldnotputityetawhile——itmightberecognised。

Thenthricedidtheyembracethereuponthedesolateshore，once，asitwere，forpastjoy，onceforpresentpain，andonceforfuturehope，andparted。Therewasnotalkofaftermeetings——theyfeltthemtobeimpossible，atanyrateformanyyears。Howcouldtheymeetasindifferentfriends？Toomuchtheylovedforthat。Itwasafinalparting，thanwhichdeathhadbeenlessdreadful——forHopesitseverbythebedofdeath——andmiserycrushedthemtotheearth。

Helefther，andhappinesswentoutofhislifeasatnightfallthedaylightgoesoutoftheday。Well，atleasthehadhisworktogoto。

ButBeatrice，poorwoman，whathadshe？

Geoffreylefther。Whenhehadgonesomethirtypacesheturnedagainandgazedhislastuponher。Thereshestoodorratherleant，herhandrestingagainstthewetrock，lookingafterhimwithherwidegreyeyes。Eventhroughthedrizzlingrainhecouldseethegleamofherrichhair，themarkingofherlovelyface，andthecarmineofherlips。Shemotionedtohimtogoon。Hewent，andwhenhehadtraversedahundredpaceslookedroundoncemore。Shewasstillthere，butnowherfacewasablur，andagainthegreatwhitegullhoveredaboutherhead。

Thenthemistsweptupandhidher。

Ah，Beatrice，withallyourbrainsyoucouldneverlearnthosesimpleprinciplesnecessarytothehappinessofwoman;principlesinheritedthroughathousandgenerationsofsavageandsemi-civilizedancestresses。Toacceptthesituationandthemasterthatsituationbringswithit——thisisthegoldenruleofwell-being。Nottoputoutthehandofyouraffectionfurtherthanyoucandrawitback，thisisanother，atleastnotuntilyouarequitesurethatitsobjectiswellwithinyourgrasp。Ifbymisfortune，ortheangeroftheFates，youareendowedwiththosedeeperqualities，thoseextremecapacitiesofself-sacrificingaffection，suchasruinedyourhappiness，Beatrice，keeptheminstock;donotexposethemtotheworld。Theworlddoesnotbelieveinthem;theyareinconvenientandundesirable;theyareevenimmoral。Whattheworldwants，andveryrightly，inapersonofyourattractivenessisquietdomesticityofcharacter，nottheexhibitionofattributeswhichthoughtheymightqualifyyoufortherankofheroineinaGreekdrama，arenowadaysonlylikelytoqualifyyouforthereprobationofsociety。

What？youwouldratherkeepyourlove，yourreprehensiblelovewhichnevercanbesatisfied，andbearitsslingsandarrows，anddiehuggingashadowtoyourheart，strainingyoureyesintothedarknessofthatbeyondwhitheryoushallgo——murmuringwithyourpalelipsthat/there/youwillfindreasonandfulfilment？Whyitisfolly。

Whatgroundhaveyoutosupposethatyouwillfindanythingofthesort？Goandtaketheopinionofsomescientificpersonofeminenceuponthisinfatuationofyoursandthosevaguevisionsofglorythatshallbe。Hewillexplainitclearlyenough，willshowyouthatyourloveitselfisnothingbutanaturalpassion，acting，inyourcase，onasingularlysensitiveandetherealisedorganism。Befrankwithhim，tellhimofyoursecrethopes。Hewillsmiletenderly，andshowyouhowthosealsoareanemanationfromacravingheart，andtheinnatesuperstitionsofmankind。Indeedhewilllaughandillustratetheabsurdityofthewholethingbyafewpungentexamplesofwhatwouldhappeniftheseearthlyaffectionscouldbecarriedbeyondthegrave。

Takewhatyoucan/now/willbetheburdenofhissong，andforgoodness’sakedonotwasteyourprecioushoursindreamsofaToBe。

Beatrice，theworlddoesnotwantyourspirituality。Itisnotaspiritualworld;ithasnoclearideasuponthesubject——itpaysitsreligiouspremiumandworksoffitsaspirationsatitsweeklychurchgoing，andwouldthinkthepersonafoolwhoattemptedtocarrytheoriesofcelestialunionintoanearthlyruleoflife。ItcansympathisewithLadyHonoria;itcanhardlysympathisewith/you/。

Andyetyouwillstillchoosethisbetterpart:youwillstill“liveandlove，andlose。”

“Withblindingtearsandpassionatebeseeching，Andoutstretchedarmsthroughemptysilencereaching。”

Then，Beatrice，haveyourwill，sowyourseedoftears，andtakeyourchance。Youmayfindthatyouwererightandtheworldlingswrong，andyoumayreapaharvestbeyondthegraspoftheirpoorimaginations。

Andifyoufindthattheyarerightand/you/arewrong，whatwillitmattertoyouwhosleep？Forofthisatleastyouaresure。Ifthereisnofutureforsuchearthlyloveasyours，thenindeedthereisnoneforthechildrenofthisworldandalltheirtroubling。

CHAPTERXXIV

LADYHONORIATAKESTHEFIELD

GeoffreyhurriedtotheVicaragetofetchhisbaggageandsaygood-

bye。Hehadnotimeforbreakfast，andhewasgladofit，forhecouldnothaveeatenamorseltosavehislife。HefoundElizabethandherfatherinthesitting-room。

“Why，wherehaveyoubeenthiswetmorning，Mr。Bingham？”saidMr。

Granger。

“IhavebeenforawalkwithMissBeatrice;sheiscominghomebythevillage。”heanswered。“Idon’tmindrain，andIwantedtogetasmuchfreshairasIcouldbeforeIgobacktothemill。Thankyou——onlyacupoftea——IwillgetsomethingtoeatasIgo。”

“Howkindofhim。”reflectedMr。Granger;“nodoubthehasbeenspeakingtoBeatriceagainaboutOwenDavies。”

“Oh，bytheway。”headdedaloud，“didyouhappentohearanybodymovinginthehouselastnight，Mr。Bingham，justwhenthestormwasatitsheight？FirstofalladoorslammedsoviolentlythatIgotuptoseewhatitwas，andasIcamedownthepassageIcouldalmosthaveswornthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothespareroom。ButmycandlewentoutandbythetimethatIhadfoundalighttherewasnothingtobeseen。”

“Aclearcaseofghosts。”saidGeoffreyindifferently。Itwasindeeda“caseofghosts。”andtheywould，hereflected，haunthimformanyaday。

“Howveryodd。”putinElizabethvivaciously，herkeeneyesfixedintentlyonhisface。“DoyouknowIthoughtthatItwicesawthedoorofourroomopenandshutinthemostmysteriousfashion。IthinkthatBeatricemusthavesomethingtodowithit;sheissouncannyinherways。”

Geoffreynevermovedamuscle，hewastrainedtokeephiscountenance。

Onlyhewonderedhowmuchthiswomanknew。Shemustbesilencedsomehow。

“Excusemeforchangingthesubject。”hesaid，“butmytimeisshort，andIhavenonetosparetohuntthe’VicarageGhost。’Bytheway，there’sagoodtitleforsomebody。Mr。Granger，IbelievethatImayspeakofbusinessmattersbeforeMissElizabeth？”

“Certainly，Mr。Bingham。”saidtheclergyman;“Elizabethismyrighthand，andhasthebestbusinessheadinBryngelly。”

Geoffreythoughtthatthiswasveryevident，andwenton。“Ionlywanttosaythis。Ifyougetintoanyfurtherdifficultieswithyourrascallytithe-payers，mindandletmeknow。IshallalwaysbegladtohelpyouwhileIcan。AndnowImustbegoing。”

Hespokethusfortworeasons。First，naturallyenough，hemeanttomakeithisbusinesstoprotectBeatricefromthepressureofpoverty，andwellknewthatitwouldbeuselesstoofferherdirectassistance。

Secondly，hewishedtoshowElizabeththatitwouldnotbetotheadvantageofherfamilytoquarrelwithhim。Ifshe/had/seenaghost，perhapsthisfactwouldmakeherreticentonthesubject。Hedidnotknowthatshewasplayingamuchbiggergameforherownhand，agameofwhichthestakeswerethousandsayear，andthatshewasmoreovermadwithjealousyandwhat，insuchawoman，mustpassforlove。

Elizabethmadenocommentonhisoffer，andbeforeMr。Granger’sprofusethankswerenearlyfinished，Geoffreywasgone。

ThreeweekspassedatBryngelly，andElizabethstillheldherhand。

Beatrice，paleandspiritless，wentaboutherdutiesasusual。

Elizabethneverspoketoherinanysensethatcouldawakenhersuspicions，andtheghoststorywas，orappearedtobe，prettywellforgotten。ButatlastaneventoccurredthatcausedElizabethtotakethefield。OnedayshemetOwenDavieswalkingalongthebeachinthesemi-insanewaywhichhenowaffected。Hestopped，and，withoutfurtherado，plungedintoconversation。

“Ican’tbearitanylonger。”hesaidwildly，throwinguphisarms。“I

sawheryesterday，andshecutmeshortbeforeIcouldspeakaword。I

haveprayedforpatienceanditwillnotcome，onlyaVoiceseemedtosaytomethatImustwaittendaysmore，tenshortdays，andthenBeatrice，mybeautifulBeatrice，wouldbemywifeatlast。”

“Ifyougooninthisway，Mr。Davies。”saidElizabethsharply，herheartfilledwithjealousanger，“youwillsoonbeoffyourhead。Areyounotashamedofyourselfformakingsuchafussaboutagirl’sprettyface？Ifyouwanttogetmarried，marrysomebodyelse。”

“Marrysomebodyelse。”hesaiddreamily;“Idon’tknowanybodyelsewhomIcouldmarryexceptyou，andyouarenotBeatrice。”

“No。”answeredElizabethangrily，“IshouldhopethatIhavemoresense，andifyouwantedtomarrymeyouwouldhavetosetaboutitinadifferentwayfromthis。IamnotBeatrice，thankHeaven，butIamhersister，andIwarnyouthatIknowmoreaboutherthanyoudo。AsafriendIwarnyoutobecareful。SupposingthatBeatricewerenotworthyofyou，youwouldnotwishtomarryher，wouldyou？”

NowOwenDavieswasatheartsomewhatafraidofElizabeth，likemostotherpeoplewhohadtheprivilegeofheracquaintance。Also，apartfrommattersconnectedwithhisinsanepassion，hewasveryfairlyshrewd。HesuspectedElizabethofsomething，hedidnotknowofwhat。

“No，no，ofcoursenot。”hesaid。“OfcourseIwouldnotmarryherifshewasnotfittobemywife——butImustknowthatfirst，beforeI

talkofmarryinganybodyelse。Goodafternoon，MissElizabeth。Itwillsoonbesettlednow;itcannotgoonmuchlongernow。Myprayerswillbeanswered，Iknowtheywill。”

“Youarerightthere，OwenDavies。”thoughtElizabeth，asshelookedafterhimwithineffablebitterness，nottosaycontempt。“Yourprayersshallbeansweredinawaythatwillastonishyou。YoushallnotmarryBeatrice，andyoushallmarry/me/。Thefishhasbeenonthelinelongenough，nowImustbegintopullin。”

CuriouslyenoughitneverreallyoccurredtoElizabeththatBeatriceherselfmightprovetobethetrueobstacletothemarriagesheplottedtoprevent。SheknewthathersisterwasfondofGeoffreyBingham，but，whenitcametothepointthatshewouldabsolutelyallowheraffectiontointerferewithsogloriousasuccessinlife，sheneverbelievedforonemoment。OfcourseshethoughtitwaspossiblethatifBeatricecouldgetpossessionofGeoffreyshemightprefertodoso，butfailinghim，judgingfromherownlowandvulgarstandard，ElizabethwasconvincedthatshewouldtakeOwen。Itdidnotseempossiblethatwhatwassopreciousinherowneyesmightbevaluelessandevenhatefultothoseofhersister。Asforthatlittlemidnightincident，well，itwasonethingandmarriagewasanother。

Peopleforgetsucheventswhentheymarry;sometimeseventheymarryinordertoforgetthem。

Yes，shemuststrike，buthow？Elizabethhadfeelingslikeotherpeople。Shedidnotmindruininghersisterandrival，butshewouldverymuchpreferitshouldnotbeknownthatherswasthehandtocutherdown。Ofcourse，iftheworstcametotheworst，shemustdoit。

Meanwhile，mightnotasubstitutebefound——somebodyinwhomtheactwouldseemnotoneofvengeance，butofvirtue？Ah！shehadit:LadyHonoria！Whocouldbebetterforsuchapurposethanthecruellyinjuredwife？Butthenhowshouldshecommunicatethefactstoherladyshipwithoutinvolvingherself？Againshehituponadevicemuchfavouredbysuchpeople——“unvieuxtrucmaistoujoursbon“——thepristineoneofananonymousletter，whichhasthestartlingmeritofnotcommittinganybodytoanything。Ananonymousletter，toallappearancewrittenbyaservant:itwastheverything！MostlikelyitwouldresultinasearchinginquirybyLadyHonoria，inwhicheventElizabeth，ofcourseagainstherwill，wouldbeforcedtosaywhatsheknew;almostcertainlyitwouldresultinaquarrelbetweenhusbandandwife，whichmightinducetheformertoshowhishand，oreventotakesomeopenstepasregardsBeatrice。ShewassorryforGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnoillfeeling，butitcouldnotbehelped;hemustbesacrificed。

ThatveryeveningshewroteherletterandsentittobepostedbyanoldservantlivinginLondon。Itwasamaster-pieceinitsway，especiallyphonetically。Thispreciousepistle，whichwasmostexceedinglyillwritinalargecoarsehand，ranthus:

“MyLadi，——Myconsencedruvsmetoit，muchagainmywill。I’vetriedhard，myladi，nottospeek，firstacorseofmissB。asiheveknowedgoodandpeurandalsoforthesakesofyourevilusbandthatwulfinscheepscloathin。Butwhenithinkonyoumyladialorfullegelwifegudandvirtusandpeurandofthethingsasihevseenwhichisenuftobringablushtothefaceofastater，Iknowsitismyholydootytoriteyourladishippasfollers。YourladishippforgifmebutontheniteofwhittsundeylastMissB。Graingerwintaftermidniteintertheroomofyourbadusband——asIwastomishamthertose。Afterwardmorenoranhour，shecumoutainbeingcarred/inhisharmes/。Andifyourladishippdontbelievme，letyourladishippritetomisselizbeth，ashadthissamemisfortunetoseeasyourtrufrend，“TheRiter。”

InduecoursethischarmingcommunicationreachedLadyHonoria，bearingaLondonpost-mark。Shereadandre-readit，andsoonmastereditsmeaning。Then，afteranight’sthought，shetookthe“Riter’s“

adviceandwrotetoElizabeth，sendingheracopyoftheletter(herown)，vehementlyrepudiatingallbeliefinit，andaskingforareplythatshoulddissipatethisfoulslanderfromhermindforever。

Theanswercamebyreturn。Itwasshortandartful。

“DearLadyHonoriaBingham。”itran，“youmustforgivemeifI

declinetoanswerthequestionsinyourletter。Youwilleasilyunderstandthatbetweenadesiretopreserveasister’sreputationandanincapacity(tobeappreciatedbyeveryChristian)tospeakotherthanthetruth——itispossibleforapersontobeplacedinthemostcruelofpositions——apositionwhichIamsurewillcommandevenyoursympathy，thoughundersuchcircumstancesIhavelittlerighttoexpectanyfromawifebelievingherselftohavebeencruellywronged。Letmeaddthatnothingshortofthecompulsionofacourtoflawwillsufficetounsealmylipsastothedetailsofthecircumstances(whichare，Itrust，misunderstood)alludedtointhemaliciousanonymousletterofwhichyouincloseacopy。”

Thatveryevening，astheFateswouldhaveit，LadyHonoriaandherhusbandhadaquarrel。Asusual，itwasaboutEffie，foronmostothersubjectstheypreservedanarmedneutrality。Itsdetailsneednotbeenteredinto，butatlastGeoffrey，whowasinasadlyirritableconditionofmind，fairlylosthistemper。

“Thefactis。”hesaid，“thatyouarenotfittolookafterthechild。

Youonlythinkofyourself，Honoria。”

Sheturnedonhimwithadangerouslookuponhercoldandhandsomeface。

“Becarefulwhatyousay，Geoffrey。ItisyouwhoarenotfittohavechargeofEffie。BecarefullestItakeherawayfromyoualtogether，asIcanifIlike。”

“Whatdoyoumeanbythatthreat？”heasked。

“Doyouwanttoknow？ThenIwilltellyou。Iunderstandenoughlawtobeawarethatawifecangetaseparationfromanunfaithfulhusband，andwhatismore，cantakeawayhischildren。”

“AgainIaskwhatyoumean。”saidGeoffrey，turningcoldwithanger。

“Imeanthis，Geoffrey。ThatWelshgirlisyourmistress。ShepassedthenightofWhit-Sundayinyourroom，andwascarriedfromitinyourarms。”

“Itisalie。”hesaid;“sheisnothingofthesort。Idonotknowwhogaveyouthisinformation，butitisaslanderouslie，andsomebodyshallsufferforit。”

“Nobodywillsufferforit，Geoffrey，becauseyouwillnotdaretostirthematterup——forthegirl’ssakeifnotforyourown。CanyoudenythatyouwereseencarryingherinyourarmsfromyourroomonWhit-Sundaynight？Canyoudenythatyouareinlovewithher？”

“AndsupposingthatIaminlovewithher，isittobewonderedat，seeinghowyoutreatmeandhavetreatedmeforyears？”heansweredfuriously。“Itisutterlyfalsetosaythatsheismymistress。”

“Youhavenotansweredmyquestion。”saidLadyHonoriawithasmileoftriumph。“Wereyouseencarryingthatwomaninyourarmsandfromyourroomatthedeadofnight？Ofcourseitmeantnothing，nothingatall。

Whowoulddaretoaspersethecharacterofthisperfect，lovely，andintellectualschoolmistress？Iamnotjealous，Geoffrey——“

“Ishouldthinknot，Honoria，seeinghowthingsare。”

“Iamnotjealous，Irepeat，butpleaseunderstandthatIwillnothavethisgoon，inyourowninterestsandmine。Why，whatafoolyoumustbe。Don’tyouknowthatamanwhohasrisen，asyouhave，hasahundredenemiesreadytospringonhimlikeapackofwolvesandtearhimtopieces？Whymanyevenofthosewhofawnuponyouandflatteryoutoyourface，hateyoubitterlyinsecret，becauseyouhavesucceededwheretheyhavefailed。Don’tyouknowalsothattherearepapershereinLondonwhichwouldgivehundredsofpoundsforthechanceofpublishingsuchascandalasthis，especiallyagainstapowerfulpoliticalopponent。Letitoncecomeoutthatthisobscuregirlisyourmistress——“

“Honoria，Itellyousheisnothingofthesort。ItistrueIcarriedherfrommyroominafaintingfit，butshecamethereinhersleep。”

LadyHonorialaughed。“Really，Geoffrey，Iwonderthatyouthinkitworthwhiletotellmesuchnonsense。Keepitforthedivorcecourt，ifeverwegetthere，andseewhatajurysaystoit。Lookhere;besensible。Iamnotamoralist，andIamnotgoingtoplaytheoutragedwifeunlessyouforcemetoit。Idonotmeantotakeanyfurthernoticeofthisinterestinglittletaleasagainstyou。Butifyougoonwithit，beware！Iwillnotbemadetolookafool。Ifyouaregoingtoberuinedyoucanberuinedbyyourself。Iwarnyoufrankly，thatatthefirstsignofit，Ishallputmyselfintherightbycommencingproceedingsagainstyou。Now，ofcourse，Iknowthis，thatintheeventofasmash，youwouldbegladenoughtoberidofmeinorderthatyoumightwelcomeyourdearBeatriceinmyplace。Buttherearetwothingstoremember:first，thatyoucouldnotmarryher，supposingyoutobeidiotenoughtowishtodoso，becauseIshouldonlygetajudicialseparation，andyouwouldstillhavetosupportme。Secondly，ifIgo，Effiegoeswithme，forIhavearighttoclaimheratlaw;andthatfact，mydearGeoffrey，makesmemistressofthesituation，becauseIdonotsupposethatyouwouldpartwithEffieevenforthesakeofMissBeatrice。AndnowIwillleaveyoutothinkitover。”

Andwithalittlenodshesailedoutoftheroom，completelyvictorious。Shewasindeed，reflectedGeoffrey，“mistressofthesituation。”Supposingthatshebroughtasuitagainsthimwherewouldhebe？Shemusthaveevidence，orshewouldnothaveknownthestory。

Thewholedramahadclearlybeenwitnessedbysomeone，probablyeitherbyElizabethortheservantgirl，andthatsomeonehadbetrayedittoHonoriaandpossiblytoothers。Thethoughtmadehimsick。Hewasamanoftheworld，andapracticallawyer，andthough，indeed，theywereinnocent，heknewthatunderthecircumstancesfewwouldbefoundtobelieveit。Attheverybesttheremustbeaterribleandshockingscandal，andBeatricewouldlosehergoodname。Heplacedhimselfinthepositionofcounselforthepetitionerinalikecase，andthoughthowhewouldcrushandcrumplesuchadefenceinhisaddresstothejury。Aprobabletaleforsooth！

Undoubtedly，too，Honoriawouldbeactingwiselyfromherpointofview。Publicsympathywouldbewithherthroughout。Heknewthat，asitwas，hewasbelievedgenerallytoowemuchofhissuccesstohishandsomeandhigh-bornwife。Nowitwouldbesaidthathehadusedherasaladderandthenthrownherover。Withallthis，however，hemightcope;hecouldevenbearwiththevulgarattacksofavulgarpress，andthegibesandjeersofhispoliticalandpersonalenemies，buttoloseEffiehecouldnotbear。Andifsuchacasewerebroughtagainsthimitwasalmostcertainthathewouldloseher，for，ifhewasworsted，custodyofthechildwouldbegiventotheinjuredwife。

ThentherewasBeatricetobeconsidered。ThesamemalicioustonguethathadrevealedthismattertoHonoriawouldprobablyrevealittotherestoftheworld，andevenifheescapedtheworstpenaltiesofoutragedmorality，theywouldcertainlybewreakeduponher。

Beatrice’sreputationwouldbeblasted，heremploymentlost，andherlifemadeaburdentoher。Yes，decidedly，Honoriahadthebestoftheposition;decidedly，also，shespokewordsofweightandcommonsense。

Whatwastobedone？Wastherenowayoutofit？AllthatnightasGeoffreysatintheHouse，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，andtoappearanceintentlylisteningtothelongharanguesoftheOpposition，thisquestionhauntedhim。Hearguedthesituationoutthiswayandthatway，tillatthelasthecametoaconclusion。Eitherhemustwaitforthescandaltoleakout，letBeatriceberuined，anddirecthiseffortstothesofteningofHonoria，andgenerallytoself-

preservation，orhemusttakethebullbythehorns，mustabandonhisgreatcareerandhiscountryandseekrefugeinanotherland，sayAmerica，takingBeatriceandEffiewithhim。Oncethechildwasoutofthejurisdiction，ofcoursenocourtcouldforceherfromhim。

Ofthetwocourses，eveninsofarashehimselfwasconcerned，whatbetweentheurgencyofthematterandtheunceasingpressureofhispassion，Geoffreyinclinedtothelatter。TherelationsbetweenhimselfandHonoriahadforyearsbeensostrained，sototallydifferentfromthosewhichshouldexistbetweenmanandwife，thattheygreatlymitigatedinhismindtheapparentiniquityofsuchastep。Norwouldhefeelmuchcompunctionatremovingthechildfromhermother，fortherewasnolovelostbetweenthetwo，andastimewentonheguessedshrewdlytherewouldbelessandless。Fortherest，hehadsomeseventeenthousandpoundsinhand;hewouldtakehalfandleaveHonoriahalf。Heknewthathecouldalwaysearnalivingwhereverhewent，andprobablymuchmorethanaliving，andofwhateverheearnedastrictmoietyshouldbepaidtoHonoria。Butfirstandaboveeverything，therewasBeatricetobeconsidered。Shemustbesaved，evenifheruinedhimselftosaveher。

LadyHonoria，itisscarcelynecessarytosay，hadlittleideathatshewasdrivingherhusbandtosuchdangerousanddeterminedcouncils。

ShewantedtofrightenGeoffrey，nottolosehimandallhemeanttoher;thiswasthelastthingthatshewouldwishtodo。ShedidnotgreatlycareabouttheBeatriceincident，buthershrewdcommonsensetoldherthatitmightwellbeusedasanenginetoruinthemall。

Thereforeshespokeasshedidspeak，thoughinrealitymatterswouldhavetobebadindeedbeforeshesoughttheaidofacourtoflaw，wheremanythingsconcerningherselfmightcometothelightofdaywhichshewouldprefertoleaveindarkness。

Nordidshestophere;shedeterminedtoattackGeoffrey’spositioninanotherway，namely，throughBeatriceherself。ForalongtimeHonoriahesitatedastothemethodofthisattack。Shehadsomeknowledgeoftheworldandofcharacter，andfromwhatsheknewofBeatriceshecametothesoundconclusionthatshewasnotawomantobethreatened，butratheronetobeappealedto。Soaftermuchthoughtshewrotetoherthus:——

“Astory，whichIstillhesitatetobelieve，hascometomebymeansofanonymousletters，astoyourconductwithmyhusband。I

donotwishtorepeatitnow，furtherthantosaythat，iftrue，itestablishescircumstanceswhichleavenodoubtastotheexistenceofrelationssointimatebetweenyouastoamounttoguilt。Itmaynotbetrueoritmay，inwhichlattereventIwishtosaythis:WithyourmoralityIhavenothingtodo;itisyouraffair。NordoIwishtopleadtoyouasaninjuredwifeortoreproachyou，fortherearethingstoowickedformerereproach。

ButIwillsaythis:ifthestoryistrue，Imustpresumethatyouhavesomeaffectionforthepartnerofyourshame。Iputmyselfoutofthequestion，andinthenameofthataffection，howeverguiltyitmaybe，Iaskyoutopushmattersnofurther。Todosowillbetobringitsobjecttoutterruin。/Ifyoucareforhim，severallconnectionwithhimutterlyandforever。/Otherwisehewilllivetocurseandhateyou。Shouldyouneglectthisadvice，andshouldthefactsthatIhaveheardbecomepublicproperty，I

warnyou，asIhavealreadywarnedhim，thatinself-preservationandforthesakeofself-respect，Ishallbeforcedtoappealtothelawformyremedy。Rememberthathiscareerisatstake，andthatinlosingitandmehewilllosealsohischild。Rememberthatifthiscomesaboutitwillbethrough/you/。Donotanswerthis，itwilldonogood，forIshallnaturallyputnofaithinyourprotestations，butifyouareinanywayormeasureguiltyofthisoffence，appealingtoyouasonewomantoanother，andforthesakeofthemanwhoisdeartoboth，Isaydoyourbesttoredeemtheevil，/bymakingallfurthercommunicationbetweenyourselfandhimanimpossibility/。H。B。”

Itwasacleverletter;LadyHonoriacouldnothavedevisedonemorepowerfultoworkonawomanlikeBeatrice。ThesamepostthattookittohertookanotherfromGeoffreyhimself。Itwaslong，thoughguarded，andneednotbequotedinitsentirety，butitputthewholepositionbeforeherinsomewhatveiledlanguage，andendedbysaying，“MarriageIcannotgiveyou，onlylife-longlove。Inothercircumstancestoofferthiswouldbeaninsult，butifthingsshouldbeasaIfear，itisworthyourconsideration。Idonotsaytoyou/come/，Isaycome/ifyouwish/。No，Beatrice，Iwillnotputthiscruelburdenofdecisionuponyou。Isay/come！/Idonotcommandyoutocome，becauseIpromisedtoleaveyouuninfluenced。ButIprayyoutodoso。Letusputanendtothiswretchedness，andcounttheworldwelllostasourpriceoflove。Come，dearestBeatrice——toleavemenomoretilldeath。Iputmylifeinyourhands;ifyoutakeitup，whatevertroubleyoumayhavetoface，youwillneverlosemyaffectionoresteem。Donotthinkofme，thinkofyourself。Youhavegivenmeyourloveasyouoncegavememylife。Iowesomethinginreturn;Icannotseeyoushamedandmakenoofferofreparation。

Indeed，sofarasIamconcerned，IshallthinkallIloseasnothingcomparedtowhatIgainingainingyou。Willyoucome？Ifso，wewillleavethiscountryandbeginafreshelsewhere。Afterall，itmatterslittle，andwillmatterlesswheneverythingissaidanddone。Mylifehasforyearsbeenbutasanunwholesomedream。Theonerealthing，theonehappythingthatIhavefoundinithasbeenourlove。Donotletusthrowitaway，Beatrice。”

Byreturnofposthereceivedthisanswerwritteninpencil。

“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”

Thatwasall。

CHAPTERXXV

ELIZABETHSHOWSHERTEETH

HardhadbeenBeatrice’shourssincethatgreymorningofseparation。

Shemustbearalltheinnerwretchednessofherlot;shemustconcealhergrief，mustsuffertheslingsandarrowsofElizabeth’ssharptongue，andstrivetokeepOwenDaviesatadistance。Indeed，asthedayswenton，thislasttaskgrewmoreandmoreportentous。Themanwasquiteunmanageable;hispassion，whichwashumiliatingandhatefultoBeatrice，becamethetalkoftheplace。Everybodyknewofit，exceptherfather，andevenhiseyesbegantobeopened。

Onenight——itwasthesameuponwhichGeoffreyandHonoriarespectivelyhadpostedtheirletterstoBeatrice——anybodylookingintothelittleroomatBryngellyCastle，whichserveditsownerforallpurposesexceptthatofsleeping，wouldhavewitnessedaverystrangesight。OwenDavieswaswalkingtoandfro——walkingrapidlywithwildeyesanddishevelledhair。Attheturnofeachlengthoftheapartmenthewouldhalt，andthrowinghisarmsintotheairejaculate:

“Oh，God，hearme，andgivememydesire！Oh，God，answerme！“

Fortwolonghoursthushewalkedandthuscriedaloud，tillatlengthhesankpantingandexhaustedintoachair。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，andappearedtolistenintently。

“TheVoice。”hesaidaloud;“theVoiceagain。Whatdoesitsay？

To-morrow，to-morrowImustspeak;andIshallwinher。”

Hesprangupwithashout，andoncemorebeganhiswildmarch。“Oh，Beatrice！“hesaid，“to-morrowyouwillpromisetomarryme;theVoicesaysso，andsoon，soon，perhapsinoneshortmonth，youwillbemyown——mineonly！GeoffreyBinghamshallnotcomebetweenusthen，forI

willwatchyoudayandnight。Youshallbemyvery，veryown——myownbeautifulBeatrice。”andhestretchedouthisarmsandclaspedattheemptyair——acrazyandunpleasantsighttosee。

Andsohewalkedandspoketillthedawnwasgreyintheeast。ThisoccurredontheFridaynight。ItwasonthefollowingmorningthatBeatrice，theunfortunateandinnocentobjectoftheseamorousinvocations，receivedthetwoletters。Shehadgonetothepost-officeonherwaytotheschool，onthechanceoftherebeinganotefromGeoffrey。Poorwoman，hislettersweretheonebrightthinginherlife。Frommotivesofprudencetheywerewrittenintheusualsemi-

formalstyle，butshewasquicktoreadbetweenthelines，and，moreover，theycamefromhisdearhand。

Therewasthelettersureenough，andanotherinawoman’swriting。

SherecognisedthehandasthatofLadyHonoria，whichshehadoftenseenonenvelopesdirectedtoGeoffrey，andathrilloffearshotthroughher。Shetooktheletters，andwalkingasquicklyasshecouldtotheschool，lockedherselfinherownlittleroom，foritwasnotyetnineo’clock，andlookedatthemwithagatheringterror。Whatwasinthem？WhydidLadyHonoriawritetoher？Whichshouldshereadfirst？InamomentBeatricehadmadeuphermind。Shewouldfacetheworstatonce。WithasetfacesheopenedLadyHonoria’sletter，unfoldedit，andread。Wealreadyknowitscontents。Ashermindgraspedthemherlipsgrewashywhite，andbythetimethatthehorriblethingwasdoneshewasnightofainting。

Anonymousletters！oh，whocouldhavedonethiscruelthing？

Elizabeth，itmustbeElizabeth，whosaweverything，andthusstabbedherintheback。Wasitpossiblethatherownsistercouldtreatherso？SheknewthatElizabethdislikedher;shecouldneverfathomthecause，stillsheknewthefact。Butifthiswereherdoing，thenshemusthateher，andmostbitterly;andwhathadshedonetoearnsuchhate？AndnowGeoffreywasindangeronheraccount，dangerofruin，andhowcouldshepreventit？Thiswasherfirstidea。Mostpeoplemighthaveturnedtotheirownpositionandbeencontenttoleavetheirlovertofighthisownbattle。ButBeatricethoughtlittleofherself。Hewasindanger，andhowcouldsheprotecthim？Whyhereintheletterwastheanswer！“Ifyoucareforhimseverallconnectionwithhimutterly，andforever。Otherwise，hewilllivetocurseandhateyou。”No，no！Geoffreywouldneverdothat。ButLadyHonoriawasquiteright;inhisinterest，forhissake，shemustseverallconnectionwithhim——severitutterlyandforever。Buthow——how？

Shethrusttheletterintoherdress——aviperwouldhavebeenamorewelcomeguest——andopenedGeoffrey’s。

Ittoldthesametale，butofferedadifferentsolution。Thetearsstartedtohereyesasshereadhisoffertotakehertohimforgoodandall，andgoawaywithhertobeginlifeafresh。ItseemedawonderfulthingtoBeatricethatheshouldbewillingtosacrificesomuchuponsuchaworthlessaltarasherlove——awonderfulandmostgenerousthing。Shepressedthesenselesspapertoherheart，thenkisseditagainandagain。Butsheneverthoughtofyieldingtothisgreattemptation，neverforonesecond。Heprayedhertocome，butthatshewouldnotdowhileherwillremained。What，/she/bringGeoffreytoruin？No，shehadratherstarveinthestreetsorperishbyslowtorture。Howcouldheeverthinkthatshewouldconsenttosuchascheme？Indeedsheneverwould;shehadbroughtenoughtroubleonhimalready。Butoh，sheblessedhimforthatletter。Howdeeplymustheloveherwhenhecouldoffertodothisforhersake！

Hark！thechildrenwerewaiting;shemustgoandteach。Theletter，Geoffrey’sdearletter，couldbeansweredintheafternoon。Soshethrustitinherbreastwiththeother，butclosertoherheart，andwent。

ThatafternoonasMr。Granger，inahappyframeofmind——forwerenothisdebtspaid，andhadhenotfoundamostconvenientwayofprovidingagainstfutureembarrassment？——wasengagedpeaceablyincontemplatinghisstockoverthegateofhislittlefarmbuildings，hewasmuchastonishedsuddenlytodiscoverOwenDaviesathiselbow。

“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Davies？”hesaid;“howquietlyyoumusthavecome。”

“Yes。”answeredOwenabsently。“Thefactis，IhavefollowedyoubecauseIwanttospeaktoyoualone——quitealone。”

“Indeed，Mr。Davies——well，Iamatyourservice。Whatiswrong？Youdon’tlookverywell。”

“Oh，Iamquitewell，thankyou。Ineverwasbetter;andthere’snothingwrong，nothingatall。Everythingisgoingtobebrightnow，I

knowthatfullsurely。”

“Indeed。”saidMr。Granger，againlookingathimwithapuzzledair，“andwhatmayyouwanttoseemeabout？NotbutwhatIamalwaysatyourservice，asyouknow。”headdedapologetically。

“This。”heanswered，suddenlyseizingtheclergymanbythecoatinawaythatmadehimstart。

“What——mycoat，doyoumean？”

“Don’tbesofoolish，Mr。Granger。No，aboutBeatrice。”

“Oh。indeed，Mr。Davies。Nothingwrongattheschool，Ihope？Ithinkthatshedoesherdutiestothesatisfactionofthecommittee，thoughIadmitthatthearithmetic——“

“No！no，no！Itisnotabouttheschool。Idon’twishhertogototheschoolanymore。Iloveher，Mr。Granger，Iloveherdearly，andI

wanttomarryher。”

Theoldmanflushedwithpleasure。Wasitpossible？Didheheararight？OwenDavies，therichestmaninthatpartofWales，wantedtomarryhisdaughter，whohadnothingbutherbeauty。Itmustbetoogoodtobetrue！

“Iamindeedflattered。”hesaid。“Itismorethanshecouldexpect——

notbutwhatBeatriceisverygood-lookingandveryclever。”headdedhastily，fearinglesthewasdetractingfromhisdaughter’smarketvalue。

“Good-looking——clever;sheisanangel。”murmuredOwen。

“Oh，yes，ofcoursesheis。”saidherfather，“thatis，ifawoman——

yes，ofcourse——andwhatismore，Ithinkshe’sveryfondofyou。I

thinksheispiningforyou。I’vethoughsoforalongtime。”

“Isshe？”saidOwenanxiously。“ThenallIhavetosayisthatshetakesaverycuriouswayofshowingit。Shewon’tsayawordtome;

sheputsmeoffoneveryoccasion。Butitwillbeallrightnow——allrightnow。”

“Oh，there，there，Mr。Davies，maidswillbemaidsuntiltheyarewives。Weknowaboutallthat。”saidMr。Grangersententiously。

Hiswould-beson-in-lawlookedasthoughheknewverylittleaboutitindeed，althoughtheinferencewassufficientlyobvious。

“Mr。Granger。”hesaid，seizinghishand，“IwanttomakeBeatricemywife——Idoindeed。”

“Well，Ididnotsupposeotherwise，Mr。Davies。”

“IfyouhelpmeinthisIwilldowhateveryoulikeastomoneymattersandthatsortofthing，youknow。SheshallhaveasfineasettlementasanywomaninWales。Iknowthatgoesalongwaywithafather，andIshallraisenodifficulties。”

“Veryrightandproper，Iamsure。”saidMr。Granger，adoptingaloftiertoneashediscoveredtheadvantagesofhisposition。“ButofcourseonsuchmattersIshalltaketheadviceofalawyer。IdaresaythatMr。Binghamwouldadviseme。”headded，“asafriendofthefamily，youknow。Heisaverycleverlawyer，and，besides，hewouldn’tchargeanything。”

“Oh，no，notMr。Bingham。”answeredOwenanxiously。“Iwilldoanythingyoulike，orifyouwishtohavealawyerI’llpaythebillmyself。Butnevermindaboutthatnow。LetussettleitwithBeatricefirst。Comealongatonce。”

“Eh，buthadn’tyoubetterarrangethatpartofthebusinessprivately？”

“No，no。ShealwayssnubsmewhenItrytospeaktoheralone。Youhadbetterbethere，andMissElizabethtoo，ifshelikes。Iwon’tspeaktoheragainalone。IwillspeaktoherinthefaceofGodandman，asGoddirectedmetodo，andthenitwillbeallright——Iknowitwill。”

Mr。Grangerstaredathim。Hewasaclergymanofaverypracticalsort，anddidnotquiteseewhatthePowerabovehadtodowithOwenDavies’smatrimonialintentions。

“Ah，well。”hesaid，“Iseewhatyoumean;marriagesaremadeinheaven;yes，ofcourse。Well，ifyouwanttogetonwiththematter，I

daresaythatweshallfindBeatricein。”

SotheywalkedbacktotheVicarage，Mr。Grangerexultantandyetperplexed，foritstruckhimthattherewassomethingalittleoddabouttheproceeding，andOwenDaviesinsilenceormutteringoccasionallytohimself。

Inthesitting-roomtheyfoundElizabeth。

“WhereisBeatrice？”askedherfather。

“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered，andatthatmomentBeatrice，paleandtroubled，walkedintotheroom，likealambtotheslaughter。

“Ah，Beatrice。”saidherfather，“wewerejustaskingforyou。”

Sheglancedround，andwiththequickwitofahumananimal，instantlyperceivedthatsomenewdangerthreatenedher。

“Indeed。”shesaid，sinkingintoachairinanaccessoffeeblenessbornoffear。“Whatisit，father？”

Mr。GrangerlookedatOwenDaviesandthentookasteptowardsthedoor。Itstruckhimforciblythatthissceneshouldbeprivatetothetwopersonsprincipallyconcerned。

“Don’tgo。”saidOwenDaviesexcitedly，“don’tgo，eitherofyou;whatIhavetosayhadbetterbesaidbeforeyouboth。Ishouldliketosayitbeforethewholeworld;tocryitfromthemountaintops。”

Elizabethglaredathimfiercely——glaredfirstathimandthenattheinnocentBeatrice。Couldhebegoingtoproposetoher，then？Ah，whyhadshehesitated？Whyhadshenottoldhimthewholetruthbefore？

ButtheheartofBeatrice，whosatmomentarilyexpectingtobepubliclydenounced，greweverfainter。Thewatersofdesolationwereclosinginoverhersoul。

Mr。Grangersatdownfirmlyandworkedhimselfintotheseatofhischair，asthoughtosecureanadditionalfixednessoftenure。

Elizabethsetherteeth，andleanedherelbowonthetable，holdingherhandsoastoshadeherface。Beatricedroopeduponherseatlikeafadinglily，oraprisonerinthedock。Shewasoppositetothem，andOwenDavies，hisfacealightwithwildenthusiasm，stoodupandaddressedthemalllikethecounselfortheprosecution。

“Lastautumn。”hebegan，speakingtoMr。Granger，whomighthavebeenajudgeuncertainastothemeritsofthecase，“IaskedyourdaughterBeatricetomarryme。”

Beatricegaveasigh，andcollectedherscatteredenergies。Thestormhadburstatlast，andshemustfaceit。

“Iaskedhertomarryme，andshetoldmetowaitayear。IhavewaitedaslongasIcould，butIcouldnotwaitthewholeyear。Ihaveprayedagreatdeal，andIambiddentospeak。”

Elizabethmadeagestureofimpatience。Shewasapersonofstrongcommonsense，andthismixtureofreligionanderoticismdisgustedher。Shealsoknowthatthestormhadburst，andthat/she/mustfaceit。

“SoIcometotellyouthatIloveyourdaughterBeatrice，andwanttomakehermywife。Ihaveneverlovedanybodyelse，butIhavelovedherforyears;andIaskyourconsent。”

“Veryflattering，veryflattering，Iamsure，especiallyinthesehardtimes。”saidMr。Grangerapologetically，shakinghisthinhairdownoverhisforehead，andthenrumplingitupagain。“Butyousee，Mr。

Davies，youdon’twanttomarryme“(hereBeatricesmiledfaintly)——

“youwanttomarrymydaughter，soyouhadbetteraskherdirect——atleastIsupposeso。”

Elizabethmadeamovementasthoughtospeak，thenchangedhermindandlistened。

“Beatrice。”saidOwenDavies，“youhear。Iaskyoutomarryme。”

Therewasapause。Beatrice，whohadsatquitesilent，wasgatheringupherstrengthtoanswer。Elizabeth，watchingherfrombeneathherhand，thoughtthatshereaduponherfaceirresolution，softeningintoconsent。Whatshereallysawwasbutdoubtastothefittestandmostcertainmannerofrefusal。LikelightningitflashedintoElizabeth’smindthatshemuststrikenow，orholdherhandforever。IfonceBeatricespokethatfatal“yes。”herrevelationsmightbeofnoavail。

AndBeatricewouldspeakit;shewassureshewould。Itwasagoldenroadoutofhertroubles。

“Stop！“saidElizabethinashrill，hardvoice。“Stop！Imustspeak;

itismydutyasaChristian。Imusttellthetruth。Icannotallowanhonestmantobedeceived。”

Therewasanawfulpause。Beatricebrokeit。Nowshesawallthetruth，andknewwhatwasathand。Sheplacedherhanduponherhearttostillitsbeating。

“Oh，Elizabeth。”shesaid，“inourdeadmother’sname——“andshestopped。

“Yes。”answeredhersister，“inourdeadmother’sname，whichyouhavedishonoured，Iwilldoit。Listen，OwenDavies，andfather:Beatrice，whositsthere“——andshepointedatherwithherthinhand——“/Beatriceisascarletwoman！/“

“Ireallydon’tunderstand。”gaspedMr。Granger，whileOwenlookedroundwildly，andBeatricesunkherheaduponherbreast。

“ThenIwillexplain。”saidElizabeth，stillpointingathersister。

“SheisGeoffreyBingham’s/mistress/。OnthenightofWhit-Sundaylastsherosefrombedandwentintohisroomatoneinthemorning。I

sawherwithmyowneyes。Afterwardsshewasbroughtbacktoherbedinhisarms——Isawitwithmyowneyes，andIheardhimkissher。”

(ThiswasapieceofembroideryonElizabeth’spart。)“Sheishislover，andhasbeeninlovewithhimformonths。Itellyouthis，OwenDavies，because，thoughIcannotbeartobringdisgraceuponournameandtodefilemylipswithsuchatale，neithercanIbearthatyoushouldmarryagirl，believinghertobegood，whensheiswhatBeatriceis。”

“ThenIwishtoGodthatyouhadheldyourwickedtongue。”saidMr。

Grangerfiercely。

“No，father。Ihaveadutytoperform，andIwillperformitatanycost，andhowevermuchitpainsme。YouknowthatwhatIsayistrue。

YouheardthenoiseonthenightofWhit-Sunday，andgotuptoseewhatitwas。Yousawthewhitefigureinthepassage——itwasGeoffreyBinghamwithBeatriceinhisarms。Ah！wellmayshehangherhead。Letherdenyifitshecan。Letherdenythatsheloveshimtohershame，andthatshewasaloneinhisroomonthatnight。”

ThenBeatriceroseandspoke。Shewaspaleasdeathandmorebeautifulinhershameandherdespairthanevershehadbeenbefore;hergloriouseyesshone，andthereweredeepblacklinesbeneaththem。

“Myheartismyown。”shesaid，“andIwillmakenoanswertoyouaboutit。Thinkwhatyouwill。Fortherest，itisnottrue。IamnotwhatElizabethtellsyouthatIam。Iam/not/GeoffreyBingham’smistress。ItistruethatIwasinhisroomthatnight，anditistruethathecarriedmebacktomyown。ButitwasinmysleepthatIwentthere，notofmyownfreewill。Iawokethere，andfaintedwhenI

woke，andthenatonceheboremeback。”

Elizabethlaughedshrillandloud——itsoundedlikethecackleofafiend。

“Inhersleep。”shesaid;“oh，shewentthereinhersleep！“

“Yes，Elizabeth，inmysleep。Youdonotbelieveme，butitistrue。

Youdonotwishtobelieveme。Youwishtobringthesisterwhomyoushouldlove，whohasneveroffendedagainstyoubyactorword，toutterdisgraceandruin。InyourcowardlyspiteyouhavewrittenanonymousletterstoLadyHonoriaBingham，toprevailuponhertostriketheblowthatshoulddestroyherhusbandandmyself，andwhenyoufearthatthishasfailed，youcomeforwardandopenlyaccuseus。

YoudothisinthenameofChristianduty;inthenameofloveandcharity，youbelievetheworst，andseektoruinus。Shameonyou，Elizabeth！shameonyou！andmaythesamemeasurethatyouhavemetedouttomeneverbepaidbacktoyou。Wearenolongersisters。

Whateverhappens，Ihavedonewithyou。Goyourways。”

Elizabethshrankandquailedbeneathhersister’sscorn。Evenhervenomoushatredcouldnotbearupagainsttheflashofthoseroyaleyes，andthemajestyofthatoutragedinnocence。Shegaspedandbitherliptillthebloodstarted，butshesaidnothing。

ThenBeatriceturnedtoherfather，andspokeinanotherandapleadingvoice，stretchingoutherarmstowardshim。

“Oh，father。”shesaid，“atleasttellmethat/you/believeme。

ThoughyoumaythinkthatImightlovetoallextremes，surely，havingknownmesomanyyears，youcannotthinkthatIwouldlieevenformylove’ssake。”

Theoldmanlookedwildlyround，andshookhishead。