第9章

“Inhisroomandinhisarms。”hesaid。“Isawit，itseems。You，too，whohaveneverbeenknowntowalkinyoursleepfromachild;andyouwillnotsaythatyoudonotlovehim——thescoundrel。ItiswickedofElizabeth——jealousybitterasthegrave。Itiswickedofhertotellthetale;butasitistold，howcanIsaythatIdonotbelieveit？”

ThenBeatrice，hercupbeingfull，oncemoredroppedherhead，andturnedtogo。

“Stop。”saidOwenDaviesinahoarsevoice，andspeakingforthefirsttime。“Hearwhat/I/havetosay。”

Sheliftedhereyes。“Withyou，Mr。Davies，Ihavenothingtodo;Iamnotanswerabletoyou。Goandhelpyouraccomplice。”andshepointedtoElizabeth，“tocrythisscandaloverthewholeworld。”

“Stop。”hesaidagain。“Iwillspeak。Ibelievethatitistrue。I

believethatyouareGeoffreyBingham’smistress，cursehim！butIdonotcare。Iamstillwillingtomarryyou。”

Elizabethgasped。Wasthistobetheendofherscheming？Wouldtheblindpassionofthismadmanprevailoverherrevelations，andBeatricestillbecomehisrichandhonouredwife，whileshewasleftpooranddisgraced？Oh，itwasmonstrous！Oh，shehadneverdreamedofthis！“

“Noble，noble！“murmuredMr。Granger;“noble！Godblessyou！“

Sothepositionwasnotaltogetherbeyondrecovery。Hiserringdaughtermightstillbesplendidlymarried;hemightstilllookforwardtopeaceandwealthinhisoldage。

OnlyBeatricesmiledfaintly。

“Ithankyou。”shesaid。“Iammuchhonoured，butIcouldneverhavemarriedyoubecauseIdonotloveyou。YoumustunderstandmeverylittleifyouthinkthatIshouldbethemorereadytodosoonaccountofthedangerinwhichIstand。”andsheceased。

“Listen，Beatrice。”Owenwenton，anevillightshiningonhisheavyface，whileElizabethsatastounded，scarcelyabletobelieveherears。“Iwantyou，andImeantomarryyou;youaremoretomethanalltheworld。Icangiveyoueverything，andyouhadbetteryieldtome，andyoushallhearnomoreofthis。Butifyouwon’t，thenthisiswhatIwilldo。Iwillberevengeduponyou——terriblyrevenged。”

Beatriceshookherheadandsmiledagain，asthoughtobidhimdohisworst。

“Andlook，Beatrice。”hewenton，waxingalmosteloquentinhisjealousdespair，“Ihaveanotherargumenttourgeonyou。Iwillnotonlyberevengedonyou，Iwillberevengeduponyourlover——onthisGeoffreyBingham。”

“/Oh！/“saidBeatricesharply，likeoneinpain。Hehadfoundthewaytomovehernow，andwiththecunningofsemi-madnesshedrovethepointhome。

“Yes，youmaystart——Iwill。ItellyouthatIwillneverresttillI

haveruinedhim，andIamrichandcandoit。Ihaveahundredthousandpounds，thatIwillspendondoingit。Ihavenothingtofear，exceptanactionforlibel。Oh，Iamnotafool，thoughyouthinkIam，Iknow。Well，Icanpayforadozenactions。TherearepapersinLondonthatwillbegladtopublishallthis——yes，thewholestory——withplansandpicturestoo。Justthink，Beatrice，whatitwillbewhenallEngland——yes，andalltheworld——isgloatingoveryourshame，andhalf-a-dozenprintsareusingthethingforpartypurposes，clamouringforthedisgraceofthemanwhoruinedyou，andwhomyouwillruin。Hehasafinecareer;itshallbeutterlydestroyed。ByGod！Iwillhunthimtohisgrave，unlessyoupromisetomarryme，Beatrice。Dothat，andnotawordofthisshallbesaid。Nowanswer。”

Mr。Grangersankbackinhischair;thissavageplayofhumanpassionswasaltogetherbeyondhisexperience——itoverwhelmedhim。AsforElizabeth，shebitherthinfingers，andglaredfromonetotheother。

“Hereckonswithoutme。”shethought。“Hereckonswithoutme——Iwillmarryhimyet。”

ButBeatriceleantforamomentagainstthewallandshuthereyestothink。Oh，shesawitall——thegreatposterswithhernameandGeoffrey’sonthem，theshamelesspicturesofherinhisarms，thesickeningdetails，thelettersoftheoutragedmatrons，the“Mothersoften。”andthemoral-mindedcolonels——all，all！SheheardtheprurientscreamofeverymaleElizabethinEngland;theallusionsintheHouse——thejeers，thebitterattacksofenemiesandrivals。ThenLadyHonoriawouldbeginhersuit，anditwouldallbedraggedupafresh，andGeoffrey’sfaultwouldbeoneverylip，tillhewas/ruined/。Forherselfshedidnotcare;butcouldshebringthisononewhoseonlycrimewasthatshehadlearnedtolovehim？No，no;butneithercouldshemarrythishatefulman。Andyetwhatescapewasthere？Sheflungherselfuponherwoman’swit，anditdidnotfailher。Inafewsecondsshehadthoughtitalloutandmadeuphermind。

“HowcanIansweryouatamoment’snotice，Mr。Davies？”shesaid。“I

musthavetimetothinkitover。Tothreatensuchrevengeuponmeisnotmanly，butIknowthatyouloveme，andthereforeIexcuseit。

Still，Imusthavetime。Iamconfused。”

“What，anotheryear？No，no。”hesaid。“Youmustanswer。”

“Idonotaskayearoramonth。Ionlyaskforoneweek。Ifyouwillnotgivemethat，thenIwilldefyyou，andyoumaydoyourworst。I

cannotanswernow。”

Thiswasaboldstroke，butittold。Mr。Davieshesitated。

“Givethegirlaweek。”saidherfathertohim。“Sheisnotherself。”

“Verywell;oneweek，nomore。”saidhe。

“Ihaveanotherstipulationtomake。”saidBeatrice，“Youarealltosweartomethatforthatweeknowordofthiswillpassyourmouths;

thatforthatweekIshallnotbeannoyedorinterferedwith，orspokentoonthesubject，notbyoneofyou。IfattheendofitI

stillrefusetoacceptyourterms，youcandoyourworst，buttillthenyoumustholdyourhand。”

OwenDavieshesitated;hewassuspicious。

“Remember。”Beatricewenton，raisinghervoice，“Iamadesperatewoman。Imayturnatbay，anddosomethingwhichyoudonotexpect，andthatwillbeverylittletotheadvantageofanyofyou。Doyouswear？”

“Yes。”saidOwenDavies。

ThenBeatricelookedatElizabeth，andElizabethlookedather。Shesawthatthematterhadtakenanewform。Shesawwhatherjealousfollyhadhithertohiddenfromher——thatBeatricedidnotmeantomarryOwenDavies，thatshewasmerelygainingtimetoexecutesomepurposeofherown。WhatthismightbeElizabethcaredlittlesothatitdidnotutterlyextinguishchancesthatatthemomentseemedfaintenough。Shedidnotwanttopushmattersagainsthersister，orherloverGeoffrey，beyondtheboundaryofherowninterests。Beatriceshouldhaveherweek，andbefreefromallinterferencesofarasshewasconcerned。Sherealisednowthatitwastoolatehowgreathadbeenhererror。Oh，ifonlyshehadsoughtBeatrice’sconfidenceatfirst！Butithadseemedtoherimpossiblethatshewouldreallythrowawaysuchanopportunityinlife。

“CertainlyIpromise，Beatrice。”shesaidmildly。“Idonotswear，for’swearnotatall，’youknow。IonlydidwhatIthoughtmydutyinwarningMr。Davies。Ifhechoosestogoonwiththematter，itisnoaffairofmine。Ihadnowishtohurtyou，orMr。Bingham。Iactedsolelyfrommyreligiousconvictions。”

“Oh，stoptalkingreligion，Elizabeth，andpractiseitalittlemore！“

saidherfather，foronceinhislifestirredoutofhisfeebleselfishness。“Wehaveallundertakentokeepourmouthssealedforthisweek。”

ThenBeatricelefttheroom，andafterherwentOwenDavieswithoutanotherword。

“Elizabeth。”saidherfather，rising，“youareawickedwoman！Whatdidyoudothisfor？”

“Doyouwanttoknow，father？”shesaidcoolly;“thenIwilltellyou。

BecauseImeantomarryOwenDaviesmyself。Wemustalllookafterourselvesinthisworld，youknow;andthatisamaximwhichyouneverforget，forone。Imeantomarryhim;andthoughIseemtohavefailed，marryhimIwill，yet！Andnowyouknowallaboutit;andifyouarenotafool，youwillholdyourtongueandletmebe！“andshewentalso，leavinghimalone。

Mr。Grangerhelduphishandsinastonishment。Hewasaselfish，money-seekingoldman，buthefeltthathedidnotdeservetohavesuchadaughterasthis。

CHAPTERXXVI

WHATBEATRICESWORE

Beatricewenttoherroom，buttheatmosphereoftheplaceseemedtostifleher。Herbrainwasreeling，shemustgooutintotheair——awayfromhertormentors。ShehadnotyetansweredGeoffrey’sletter，anditmustbeansweredbythispost，fortherewasnoneonSunday。Itwashalf-pastfour——thepostwentoutatfive;ifshewasgoingtowrite，sheshoulddosoatonce，butshecouldnotdosohere。Besides，shemustfindtimeforthought。Ah，shehadit;shewouldtakehercanoeandpaddleacrossthebaytothelittletownofCoedandwriteherletterthere。ThepostdidnotleaveCoedtillhalf-pastsix。Sheputonherhatandjacket，andtakingastamp，asheetofpaper，andanenvelopewithher，slippedquietlyfromthehousedowntooldEdward’sboat-housewherethecanoewaskept。OldEdwardwasnottherehimself，buthissonwas，aboyoffourteen，andbyhishelpBeatricewassoonsafelylaunched。Theseaglitteredlikeglass，andturningsouthwards，presentlyshewaspaddlingroundtheshoreoftheislandonwhichtheCastlestoodtowardstheopenbay。

Asshepaddledhermindcleared，andshewasabletoconsidertheposition。Itwasbadenough。Shesawnolight，darknesshemmedherin。

Butatleastshehadaweekbeforeher，andmeanwhilewhatshouldshewritetoGeoffrey？

Then，asshethought，agreattemptationassailedBeatrice，andforthefirsttimeherresolutionwavered。WhyshouldshenotacceptGeoffrey’sofferandgoawaywithhim——farawayfromallthismisery？

Gladlywouldshegiveherlifetospendoneshortyearathisdearside。Shehadbuttosaytheword，andhewouldtakehertohim，andinamonthfromnowtheywouldbetogetherinsomeforeignland，countingtheworldwelllost，ashehadsaid。DoubtlessintimeLadyHonoriawouldgetadivorce，andtheymightbemarried。Adaymightevencomewhenallthiswouldseemlikeaforgottennightofstormandfear;when，surroundedbythechildrenoftheirlove，theywouldwendpeaceably，happily，throughtheeveningoftheirdaystowardsabournerobbedofhalfitsterrorsbythefactthattheywouldcrossithand-

in-hand。

Oh，thatwouldbewellforher;butwoulditbewellforhim？Whenthefirstmonthsofpassionhadpassedby，wouldhenotbegintothinkofallthathehadthrownawayforthesakeofawoman’slove？Wouldnottheburstofshameandobloquywhichwouldfollowhimtotheremotestcornersoftheearthwearawayhisaffection，tillatlast，asLadyHonoriasaid，helearnedtocurseandhateher。Andifitdidnot——ifhestilllovedherthroughitall——as，beingwhathewas，hewellmightdo——couldshebetheonetobringthisruinonhim？Oh，itwouldhavebeenmorekindtolethimdrownonthatnightofthestorm，whenfatefirstbroughtthemtogethertotheirundoing。

No，no;onceandforall，onceandforever，shewould/not/doit。

Cruelaswasherstrait，heavyaswasherburden，notonefeather’sweightofitshouldhecarry，ifbyanymeansinherpoorpowershecouldholditfromhisback。Shewouldnoteventellhimofwhathadhappened——atanyrate，notnow。Itwoulddistresshim;hemighttakesomedesperatestep;itwasalmostcertainthathewoulddoso。Heranswermustbeveryshort。

ShewasquiteclosetoCoednow，andthewaterlaycalmasapond。Socalmwasitthatshedrewthesheetofpaperandtheenvelopefromherpocket，andleaningforward，restedthemonthearchedcoveringofthecanoe，andpencilledthosewordswhichwehavealreadyread。

“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”

Thusshewrote。Thenshepaddledtotheshore。Afishermanstandingonthebeachcaughthercanoeandpulleditup。Leavingitinhischarge，shewentintothequaintlittletown，directedandpostedherletter，andboughtsomewool。Itwasanexcuseforhavingbeenthereshouldanyoneaskquestions。Afterthatshereturnedtohercanoe。Thefishermanwasstandingbyit。Sheofferedhimsixpenceforhistrouble，buthewouldnottakeit。

“No，miss。”hesaid，“thankingyoukindly——butwedon’toftengetapeepatsuchsweetlooks。It’sworthsixpencetoseeyou，itis。But，miss，ifImaymakesoboldastosayso，itisn’tsafeforyoutocruiseaboutinthatcraft，anywaysnotalone。”

Beatricethankedhimandblushedalittle。Vaguelyitoccurredtoherthatshemusthavemorethanacommonshareofbeauty，whenaroughmancouldbesoimpressedwithit。Thatwaswhatmenlovedwomenfor，theirbeauty，asOwenDavieslovedanddesiredherforthissamecauseandthisonly。

PerhapsitwasthesamewithGeoffrey——no，shedidnotbelieveit。Helovedherforotherthingsbesidesherlooks。Onlyifshehadnotbeenbeautiful，perhapshewouldnothavebeguntoloveher，soshewasthankfulforhereyesandhair，andform。

Couldfollyandinfatuationgofurther？Thiswomaninthedarkesthourofherbottomlessandunhorizoneddespair，withconsciencegnawingatherheart，withpresentmiserypressingonherbreast，andshametocomehangingoverherlikeathundercloud，couldyetfeelthankfulthatshehadwonthisbarrenlove，thespringofallherwoe。Orwasherfollydeepwisdomindisguise？——istheresomethingdivineinapassionthatcansooverrideanddefytheworstagoniesoflife？

Shewasatseaagainnow，andeveningwasfallingonthewaterssoftlyasadream。Well，theletterwasposted。Woulditbethelast，shewondered？Itseemedasthoughshemustwritenomoreletters。Andwhatwastobedone？Shewould/not/marryOwenDavies——neverwouldshedoit。Shecouldnotsoshamelesslyviolateherfeelings，forBeatricewasawomantowhomdeathwouldbepreferabletodishonour，howeverlegal。No，forherownsakeshewouldnotbesoiledwiththatdisgrace。Didshedothis，shewouldholdherselfthevilestofthevile。AndstilllesswouldshedoitforGeoffrey’ssake。Herinstincttoldherwhathewouldfeelatsuchathing，thoughhemightneversayaword。Surelyhewouldloatheanddespiseher。No，thatideawasdonewith——utterlydonewith。

Thenwhatremainedtoher？ShewouldnotflywithGeoffrey，sincetodosowouldbetoruinhim。ShewouldnotmarryOwen，andnottodosowouldstillbetoruinGeoffrey。Shewasnofool，shewasinnocentinact，butsheknewthatherinnocencewouldindeedbehardtoprove——

evenherownfatherdidnotbelieveinit，andhersisterwouldopenlyaccusehertotheworld。Whatthenshouldshedo？Shouldshehideherselfinsomeremotehalf-civilisedplace，orinLondon？Itwasimpossible;shehadnomoney，andnomeansofgettingany。Besides，theywouldhuntherout，bothOwenDaviesandGeoffreywouldtrackhertothefurthestlimitsoftheearth。AndwouldnottheformerthinkthatGeoffreyhadspiritedheraway，andatonceputhisthreatsintoexecution？Obviouslyhewould。Therewasnohopeinthatdirection。

Someotherplanmustbefoundorherloverwouldstillberuined。

SoarguedBeatrice，stillthinkingnotofherself，butofGeoffrey，ofthatbelovedonewhowasmoretoherthanalltheworld，more，athousandtimes，thanherownsafetyorwell-being。Perhapssheoverratedthematter。OwenDavies，LadyHonoria，andevenElizabethmighthavedonealltheythreatened;thefirstofthem，perhapsthefirsttwoofthem，certainlywouldhavedoneso。ButstillGeoffreymighthaveescapeddestruction。Publicopinion，orthesounderpartofit，issensiblyenoughhardtomoveinsuchamatter，especiallywhenthepersonsaidtohavebeenwrongedisheartandsoulonthesideofhimwhoissaidtohavewrongedher。

Moreovertheremighthavebeenwaysoutofit，ofwhichsheknewnothing。Butsurroundedasshewasbythreateningpowers——byLadyHonoriathreateningactionsintheCourtsononeside，byOwenDaviesthreateningexposureonanother，byElizabethreadyandwillingtogivethemostdamningevidenceonthethird，toBeatricetheworstconsequencesseemedanabsolutelynecessarysequence。Thentherewasherownconsciencearrayedagainsther。Thisparticularchargewasalie，butitwasnotaliethatshelovedGeoffrey，andtoherthetwothingsseemedverymuchthesamething。Herswasnotamindtodrawfinedistinctionsinsuchmatters。/Seposuitutculpabilem/:she“placedherselfasguilty。”astheoldCourtrollsputitinmiserableLatin，andthissenseofguiltdisarmedher。Shedidnotrealisetheenormousdifferencerecognisedbythewholecivilisedworldbetweenthoughtandact，betweendisposingmindandinculpatingdeed。Beatricelookedatthequestionmorefromthescripturalpointofview，rememberingthatintheBiblesuchfinedivisionsareexpresslystatedtobedistinctionswithoutadifference。

HadshegonetoGeoffreyandtoldhimherwholestoryitisprobablethathewouldhavedefiedtheconspiracy，faceditout，andpossiblycomeoffvictorious。But，withthatdeadlyreticenceofwhichwomenalonearecapable，thisshedidnotandwouldnotdo。Sweetlovingwomanthatshewas，shewouldnotburdenhimwithhersorrows，shewouldbearthemalone——littlereckoningthattherebyshewaslayingupafar，farheavierloadforhimtocarrythroughallhisdays。

SoBeatriceacceptedthestatementsoftheplaintiff’sattorneyforgospeltruth，andfromthatfalsestandpointshedrewherauguries。

Oh，shewasweary！Howlovelywasthefallingnight，seehowitbroodedontheseas！andhowclearwerethewaters——thereafishpassedbyherpaddle——andtherethefirststartsprangintothesky！

IfonlyGeoffreywereheretoseeitwithher。Geoffrey！shehadlosthim;shewasaloneintheworldnow——alonewiththeseaandthestars。

Well，theywerebetterthanmen——betterthanallmenexceptone。

Theirswasadivinecompanionship，anditsoothedher。Ah，howhatefulhadbeenElizabeth’sface，morehatefuleventhanthehalf-crazedcunningofOwenDavies，whenshestretchedherhandtowardsherandcalledher“ascarletwoman。”ItwassolikeElizabeth，thismixingupofBibletermswithheraccusation。Andafterallperhapsitwastrue——

Whatwasit，“Thoughthysinsbeasscarlet，yetshalltheybewhiteassnow。”Butthatwasonlyifonerepented。Shedidnotrepent，notintheleast。Conscience，itistrue，reproachedherwithabreachoftemporalandhumanlaw，butherheartcriedthatsuchloveasshehadgivenwasimmortalanddivine，andthereforesetbeyondthelittleboundsoftimeandman。Atanyrate，shelovedGeoffreyandwasproudandgladtolovehim。Thecircumstanceswereunfortunate，butshedidnotmaketheworldoritssocialarrangementsanymorethanshehadmadeherself，andshecouldnothelpthat。Thefactremained，rightorwrong——shelovedhim，lovedhim！

Howclearwerethewaters！Whatwasthatwilddreamwhichshehaddreamtaboutherselfsittingatthebottomofthesea，andwaitingforhim——tillatlasthecame。Sittingatthebottomofthesea——whydiditstrikehersostrangely——whatunfamiliarthoughtdiditwakeninhermind？Well，andwhynot？Itwouldbepleasantthere，betteratanyratethanontheearth。Butthingscannotbeendedso;oneisburdenedwiththeflesh，andonemustwearittillitfails。Whymustshewearit？Wasnotthesealargeenoughtohideherbones？Looknow，shehadbuttoslipovertheedgeofthecanoe，slipwithoutastruggleintothosemightyarms，andinafewshortminutesitwouldallbedoneandgone！

Shegaspedasthethoughtstruckhome。/Here/wastheanswertoherquestionings，thesameanswerthatisgiventoeveryhumantroubling，toallearthlyhopesandfearsandstrivings。Onestrokeofthatblackknifeandeverythingwouldbelostorfound。WoulditbesogreatathingtogiveherlifeforGeoffrey？——whyshehadwellnighdoneasmuchwhenshehadknownhimbutanhour，andnowthathewasallinall，oh，woulditbesogreatathing？Ifshedied——diedsecretly，swiftly，surely——Geoffreywouldbesaved;theywouldnottroublehimthen，therewouldbenoonetotroubleabout:OwenDaviescouldnotmarryherthen，Geoffreycouldnotruinhimselfoverher，Elizabethcouldpursuehernofurther。ItwouldbewelltodothisthingforGeoffrey，andhewouldalwaysloveher，andbeyondthatblackcurtaintheremightbesomethingbetter。

Theysaidthatitwassin。Yes，itmightbesintoactthusforoneselfalone。Buttodoitforanother——howofthat！WasnottheSaviourwhomtheypreachedaManofSacrifice？WoulditbeasininhertodieforGeoffrey，tosacrificeherselfthatGeoffreymightgofree？

Oh，itwouldbenogreatmerit。Herlifewasnotsoeasythatsheshouldfearthispureembrace。Itwouldbebetter，farbetter，thantomarryOwenDavies，thantodesecratetheirloveandteachGeoffreytodespiseher。Andhowelsecouldshewardthistroublefromhimexceptbyherdeath，orbyamarriagethatinhereyeswasmoredreadfulthananydeath？

Shecouldnotdoityet。Shecouldnotdieuntilshehadoncemoreseenhisface，eventhoughhedidnotseehers。No，notto-nightwouldsheseekthisswiftsolution。Shehadwordstosay——orwordstowrite——beforetheend。Alreadytheyrushedinuponhermind！

Butifnobetterplanpresenteditselfshewoulddoit，shewassurethatshewould。Itwasasin——well，letitbeasin;whatdidshecareifshesinnedforGeoffrey？Hewouldnotthinktheworseofherforit。Andshehadhope，yes，Geoffreyhadtaughthertohope。IftherewasaHell，whyitwashere。AndyetnotallaHell，forinitshehadfoundherlove！

Itgrewdark;shecouldhearthewhisperofthewavesuponBryngellybeach。Itgrewdark;thenightwasclosinground。Shepaddledtowithinafewfathomsoftheshore，andcalledinherclearvoice。

“Ay，ay，miss。”answeredoldEdwardfromthebeach。“Comeinonthenextwave。”

Shecameinaccordinglyandhercanoewascaughtanddraggedhighanddry。

“What，MissBeatrice。”saidtheoldmanshakinghisheadandgrumbling，“atitagain！Outallaloneinthatthing。”andhegavethecanoeacontemptuouskick，“andinthedark，too。Youwantahusbandtolookafteryou，youdo。You’llneverresttillyou’redrowned。”

“No，Edward。”sheansweredwithalittlelaugh。“Idon’tsupposethatIshall。Thereisnopeaceforthewickedaboveseas，youknow。Nowdonotscold。Thecanoeisassafeaschurchinthisweatherandinthebay。”

“Oh，yes，it’ssafeenoughinthecalmandthebay。”heanswered，“butsupposingitshouldcomeontoblowandsupposingyoushoulddriftbeyondtheshelterofRumballPointthere，andgettherollersdownonyou——whyyouwouldbedrownedinfiveminutes。It’swicked，miss，that’swhatitis。”

Beatricelaughedagainandwent。

“She’safunnyonesheis。”saidtheoldmanscratchinghisheadashelookedafterher，“ofallthewomanfolkaseverIknowedsheistherummest。Isometimesthinksshewantstogetdrowned。DashmeifI

haven’thalfamindtostaveaholeinthebottomofthattheredamnedcanoe，andfinishit。”

Beatricereachedhomealittlebeforesuppertime。HerfirstactwastocallBettytheservantandwithherassistancetoshiftherbedandthingsintothespareroom。WithElizabethshewouldhavenothingmoretodo。Theyhadslepttogethersincetheywerechildren，nowshehaddonewithher。Thenshewentintosupper，andsatthroughitlikeastatue，speakingnoword。HerfatherandElizabethkeptupastrainedconversation，buttheydidnotspeaktoher，norshetothem。

Elizabethdidnotevenaskwhereshehadbeen，nortakeanynoticeofherchangeofroom。

Onething，however，Beatricelearnt。HerfatherwasgoingontheMondaytoHerefordbyanearlytraintoattendameetingofclergymencollectedtodiscussthetithequestion。HewastoreturnbythelasttrainontheTuesdaynight，thatis，aboutmidnight。BeatricenowdiscoveredthatElizabethproposedtoaccompanyhim。Evidentlyshewishedtoseeaslittleaspossibleofhersisterduringthisweekoftruce——possiblyshewasalittleafraidofher。EvenElizabethmighthaveaconscience。

SosheshouldbeleftalonefromMondaymorningtillTuesdaynight。

Onecandoagooddealinfortyhours。

AftersupperBeatriceroseandlefttheroom，withoutaword，andtheyweregladwhenshewent。Shefrightenedthemwithhersetfaceandgreatcalmeyes。Butneitherspoketotheotheronthesubject。Theyhadenteredintoaconspiracyofsilence。

Beatricelockedherdoorandthensatatthewindowlostinthought。

Whenoncetheideaofsuicidehasenteredtheminditisapttogrowwithstartlingrapidity。Shereviewedthewholeposition;shewentoveralltheargumentsandsearchedthemoralhorizonforsomefeasibleavenueofescape。ButshecouldfindnonethatwouldsaveGeoffrey，exceptthis。Yes，shewoulddoit，asmanyanotherwretchedwomanhaddonebeforeher，notfromcowardiceindeed，forhadshealonebeenconcernedshewouldhavefacedthethingout，fightingtothebitterend——butforthisreasononly，itwouldcutoffthedangerswhichthreatenedGeoffreyattheirveryrootandsource。Ofcoursetheremustbenoscandal;itmustneverbeknownthatshehadkilledherself，orshemightdefeatherownobject，forthestorywouldberakedup。Butshewellknewhowtoavoidsuchapossibility;inherextremityBeatricegrewcunningasafox。Yes，andtheremightbeaninquestatwhichawkwardquestionswouldbeasked。But，asshewellknewalso，beforeaninquestcanbeheldtheremustbesomethingtoholditon，andthatsomethingwouldnotbethere。

AndsointheuttersilenceofthenightandinthelonelinessofherchamberdidBeatricededicateherselftosacrificeuponthealtarofherimmeasurablelove。ShewouldfacethelastagoniesofdeathwhenthebloomofheryouthfulstrengthandbeautywasbutopeningasaroseinJune。Shewoulddomore，shewouldbravethethreatenedvengeanceofthemostHigh，comingbeforeHimaselfmurderess，andwithbutonepleaforpity——thatshelovedsowell:/quiamultumamavit/。Yes，shewoulddoallthis，wouldleavethewarmworldinthedawningsummerofherdays，andalonegooutintothedark——alonewouldfacethosevisionswhichmightcome——thoseShapesofterror，andthoseThingsoffear，thatperchancemaywaitforsinfulhumankind。

Aloneshewouldgo——oh，handinhandwithhimithadbeeneasy，butthismustnotbe。Thedoorofutterdarknesswouldswingtobehindher，andwhocouldsayifintimetocomeitshouldopentoGeoffrey’sfollowingfeet，orifhemighteverfindthepaththatshehadtrod。

Itmustbedone，itshouldbedone！Beatricerosefromherseatwithbrighteyesandquick-comingbreath，andsworebeforeGod，ifGodtherewere，thatshewoulddoit，trustingtoHimforpardonandforpity，orfailingthese——forsleep。

Yes，butfirstshemustoncemorelookuponGeoffrey’sdearface——andthenfarewell！

Pityher！poormistakenwoman，makingofherwillaProvidence，rushingtodoom。Pityher，butdonotblameherovermuch，orifyoudo，thenblameJudithandJephtha’sdaughterandCharlotteCorday，andallthegloriouswomenwhofromtimetotimehaverisenonthissordidworldofself，andgiventhemselvesasanofferinguponthealtarsoftheirlove，theirreligion，theirhonourortheircountry！

Itwasfinished。Nowletherrestwhileshecould，seeingwhatwastocome。Withasighforallthatwas，andallthatmighthavebeen，Beatricelaydownandsoonsleptsweetlyasachild。

CHAPTERXXVII

THEHOUSEOFCOMMONS

NextdaywasSunday。Beatricedidnotgotochurch。Foronething，shefearedtoseeOwenDaviesthere。ButshetookherSundayschoolclassasusual，andlongdidthechildrenrememberhowkindandpatientshewaswiththemthatday，andhowbeautifullyshetoldthemthestoryoftheJewishgirloflongago，whowentforthtodieforthesakeofherfather’soath。

Nearlyalltherestofthedayandeveningshespentinwritingthatwhichweshallreadintime——onlyinthelateafternoonshewentoutforalittlewhileinhercanoe。AnotherthingBeatricedidalso:shecalledatthelodgingofherassistant，theheadschoolteacher，andtoldheritwaspossiblethatshewouldnotbeinherplaceontheTuesday(Mondaywas，asitchanced，aholiday)。Ifanybodyinquiredastoherabsence，perhapsshewouldkindlytellthemthatMissGrangerhadanappointmenttokeep，andhadtakenamorning’sholidayinordertodoso。Sheshould，however，bebackthatafternoon。Theteacherassentedwithoutsuspicion，remarkingthatifBeatricecouldnottakeamorning’sholiday，shewassureshedidnotknowwhocould。

Nextmorningtheybreakfastedveryearly，becauseMr。GrangerandElizabethhadtocatchthetrain。Beatricesatthroughthemealinsilence，hercalmeyeslookingstraightbeforeher，andtheothers，gazingonthem，andatthelovelyinscrutableface，feltanindefinablefearcreepintotheirhearts。Whatdidthiswomanmeantodo？Thatwasthequestiontheyaskedofthemselves，thoughnotofeachother。Thatshemeanttodosomethingtheyweresure，fortherewaspurposewrittenoneverylineofhercoldface。

Suddenly，astheysatthinking，andmakingpretencetoeat，athoughtflashedlikeanarrowintoBeatrice’sheart，andpiercedit。Thiswasthelastmealthattheycouldevertaketogether，thiswasthelasttimethatshecouldeverseeherfather’sandhersister’sfaces。Forhersister，well，itmightpass——fortherearesomethingswhichevenawomanlikeBeatricecanneverquiteforgive——butshelovedherfather。Shelovedhisveryfaults，evenhissimpleavariceandself-

seekinghadbecomeendearedtoherbylongandwonderingcontemplation。Besides，hewasherfather;hegaveherthelifeshewasabouttocastaway。Andsheshouldneverseehimmore。Notonthataccountdidshehesitateinherpurpose，whichwasnowsetinhermind，likeBryngellyCastleonitsrock，butatthethoughttearsrushedunbiddentohereyes。

Justthenbreakfastcametoanend，andElizabethhurriedfromtheroomtofetchherbonnet。

“Father。”saidBeatrice，“ifyoucanbeforeyougo，IshouldliketohearyousaythatyoudonotbelievethatItoldyouwhatwasfalse——

aboutthatstory。”

“Eh，eh！“answeredtheoldmannervously，“Ithoughtthatwehadagreedtosaynothingaboutthematteratpresent。”

“Yes，butIshouldliketohearyousayit，father。ItcutsmethatyoushouldthinkthatIwouldlietoyou，forinmylifeIhaveneverwilfullytoldyouwhatwasnottrue;“andsheclaspedherhandsabouthisarms，andlookedintohisface。

Hegazedatherdoubtfully。Wasitpossibleafterallshewasspeakingthetruth？No;itwasnotpossible。

“Ican’t，Beatrice。”hesaid——“notthatIblameyouovermuchfortryingtodefendyourself;acorneredratwillshowfight。”

“Mayyouneverregretthosewords。”shesaid;“andnowgood-bye。”andshekissedhimontheforehead。

AtthismomentElizabethentered，sayingthatitwastimetostart，andhedidnotreturnthekiss。

“Good-bye，Elizabeth。”saidBeatrice，stretchingoutherhand。ButElizabethaffectednottoseeit，andinanothermomenttheyweregone。Shefollowedthemtothegateandwatchedthemtilltheyvanisheddowntheroad。Thenshereturned，herheartstrainedalmosttobursting。Butsheweptnotear。

ThusdidBeatricebidalastfarewelltoherfatherandhersister。

“Elizabeth。”saidMr。Granger，astheydrewneartothestation，“IamnoteasyinmythoughtsaboutBeatrice。Therewassuchastrangelookinhereyes;it——inshort，itfrightensme。IhavehalfamindtogiveupHereford，andgoback。”andhestoppedupontheroad，hesitating。

“Asyoulike。”saidElizabethwithasneer，“butIshouldthinkthatBeatriceisbigenoughandbadenoughtolookafterherself。”

“BeforetheGodwhomadeus。”saidtheoldmanfuriously，andstrikingthegroundwithhisstick，“shemaybebad，butsheisnotsobadasyouwhobetrayedher。IfBeatriceisaMagdalene，youareawomanJudas;andIbelievethatyouhateher，andwouldbegladtoseeherdead。”

Elizabethmadenoanswer。Theywerenearingthestation，forherfatherhadstartedonagain，andtherewerepeopleabout。Butshelookedathim，andheneverforgotthelook。Itwasquiteenoughtochillhimintosilence，nordidhealludetothematteranymore。

Whentheyweregone，Beatricesetaboutherownpreparations。HerwildpurposewastotraveltoLondon，andcatchaglimpseofGeoffrey’sfaceintheHouseofCommons，ifpossible，andthenreturn。Sheputonherbonnetandbestdress;thelatterwasveryplainlymadeofsimplegreycloth，butonheritlookedwellenough，andinthebreastofitshethrusttheletterwhichshehadwrittenonthepreviousday。A

smallhand-bag，withsomesandwichesandabrushandcombinit，andacloak，madeupthetotalofherbaggage。

Thetrain，whichdidnotstopatBryngelly，leftCoedatten，andCoedwasanhourandahalf’swalk。Shemustbestarting。Ofcourse，shewouldhavetobeabsentforthenight，andshewassorelypuzzledhowtoaccountforherabsencetoBetty，theservantgirl;theothersbeinggonetherewasnoneedtodosotoanybodyelse。Butherefortunebefriendedher。Whileshewasthinkingthematterover，whoshouldcomeinbutBettyherself，crying。Shehadjustheard，shesaid，thatherlittlesister，wholivedwiththeirmotheratavillageabouttenmilesaway，hadbeenknockeddownbyacartandbadlyhurt。

Mightshegohomeforthenight？Shecouldcomebackonthemorrow，andMissBeatricecouldgetsomebodyintosleepifshewaslonesome。

Beatricesympathised，demurred，andconsented，andBettystartedatonce。Assoonasshewasgone，Beatricelockedupthehouse，putthekeyinherpocket，andstartedonherfivemiles’tramp。Nobodysawherleavethehouse，andshepassedbyapathatthebackofthevillage，sothatnobodysawherontheroad。ReachingCoedStationquiteunobserved，andjustbeforethetrainwasdue，sheletdownherveil，andtookathird-classtickettoLondon。Thisshewasobligedtodo，forherstockofmoneywasverysmall;itamounted，altogether，tothirty-sixshillings，ofwhichthefaretoLondonandbackwouldcosthertwenty-eightandfourpence。

Inanotherminuteshehadenteredanemptycarriage，andthetrainhadsteamedaway。

ShereachedPaddingtonabouteightthatnight，andgoingtotherefreshmentroom，dinedonsometeaandbreadandbutter。Thenshewashedherhands，brushedherhair，andstarted。

BeatricehadneverbeeninLondonbefore，andassoonassheleftthestationtherushandroarofthehugecitytookholdofher，andconfusedher。HerideawastowalktotheHousesofParliamentatWestminster。Shewould，shethought，besuretoseeGeoffreythere，becauseshehadboughtadailypaperinwhichshehadreadthathewastobeoneofthespeakersinagreatdebateontheIrishQuestion，whichwastobebroughttoaclosethatnight。ShehadbeentoldbyafriendlyportertofollowPraedStreettillshereachedtheEdgwareRoad，thentowalkontotheMarbleArch，andaskagain。Beatricefollowedthefirstpartofthisprogramme——thatis，shewalkedasfarastheEdgwareRoad。Thenitwasthatconfusionseizedherandshestoodhesitating。Atthisjuncture，acoarsebruteofamancameupandmadesomeremarktoher。ItwasimpossibleforawomanlikeBeatricetowalkaloneinthestreetsofLondonatnight，withoutrunningtheriskofsuchattentions。Sheturnedfromhim，andasshedidso，heardhimsaysomethingaboutherbeautytoafellowArcadian。

Closetowhereshewasstoodtwohansomcabs。ShewenttothefirstandaskedthedriverforhowmuchhewouldtakehertotheHouseofCommons。

“Twobob，miss。”heanswered。

Beatriceshookherhead，andturnedtogoagain。Shewasafraidtospendsomuchoncabs，forshemustgetbacktoBryngelly。

“I’lltakeyerforeighteenpence，miss。”calledouttheotherdriver。

Thisoffershewasabouttoacceptwhenthefirstmaninterposed。

“Youleavemyfarealone，willyer？Tellyerwhat，miss，I’magentleman，Iam，andI’lltakeyerforabob。”

Shesmiledandenteredthecab。Thencameawhirlofgreatgas-litthoroughfares，andinaquarterofanhourtheypulledupattheentrancetotheHouse。Beatricepaidthecabmanhisshilling，thankedhim，andentered，onlyoncemoretofindherselfconfusedwithavisionofwhitestatues，marblefloors，higharchingroofs，andhurryingpeople。Anautomaticpolicemanaskedherwhatshewanted。

BeatriceansweredthatshewishedtogetintotheHouse。

“Passthisway，then，miss——passthisway。”saidtheautomaticofficerinavoiceofbrass。Shepassed，andpassed，andfinallyfoundherselfinalobby，amongacrowdofpeopleofallsorts——seedypoliticaltouts，Irishpriestsandhurryingpress-men。Atonesideofthelobbyweremorepolicemenandmessengers，whowerecontinuallytakingcardsintotheHouse，thenreturningandcallingoutnames。Insensiblyshedriftedtowardsthesepolicemen。

“Ladies’Gallery，miss？”saidavoice;“yourorder，please，thoughI

thinkit’sfull。”

Herewasafreshcomplication。Beatricehadnoorder。Shehadnoideathatonewasnecessary。

“Ihaven’tgotanorder。”shesaidfaintly。“IdidnotknowthatI

musthaveone。CanInotgetinwithout？”

“Mostcertainly/not/，miss。”answeredthevoice，whileitsowner，suspectingdynamite，surveyedherwithacoldofficialeye。“Nowmakeway，makeway，please。”

Beatrice’sgreyeyesfilledwithtears，assheturnedtogoinbitternessofheart。Soallherlabourwasinvain，andthatwhichwouldbedonemustbedonewithoutthemutefarewellshesought。Well，whensorrowwassomuch，whatmatteredalittlemore？Sheturnedtogo，butnotunobserved。AcertainratheryouthfulMemberofParliament，withaneyeforbeautyindistress，hadbeenstandingclosetoher，talkingtoaconstituent。Theconstituenthaddepartedtowhereverconstituentsgo——andmanyrepresentatives，ifasked，wouldcheerfullypointoutalocalitysuitabletothegenus，atleastintheirjudgment——andthememberhadoverheardtheconversationandseenBeatrice’seyesfillwithtears。“Whatalovelywoman！“hehadsaidtohimself，andthendidwhatheshouldhavedone，namely，liftedhishatandinquiredif，asamemberoftheHouse，hecouldbeofanyservicetoher。Beatricelistened，andexplainedthatshewasparticularlyanxioustogetintotheLadies’Gallery。

“IthinkthatIcanhelpyou，then。”hesaid。“Asithappensalady，forwhomIgotanorder，hastelegraphedtosaythatshecannotcome。

Willyoufollowme？MightIaskyoutogivemeyourname？”

“Mrs。Everston。”answeredBeatrice，takingthefirstthatcameintoherhead。Thememberlookedalittledisappointed。Hehadvaguelyhopedthatthislovelycreaturewasunappropriated。Surelyhermarriagecouldnotbesatisfactory，orshewouldnotlooksosad。

Thencamemorestairsandpassages，andformalities，tillpresentlyBeatricefoundherselfinakindofbird-cage，crowdedtosuffocationwitheverysortoflady。

“I’mafraid——Iamverymuchafraid——“beganhernew-foundfriend，surveyingthemasswithdismay。

Butatthatmoment，astoutladyinfrontfeelingfaintwiththeheat，wasforcedtoleavetheGallery，andalmostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，Beatricewasinstalledinherplace。Herfriendhadbowedandvanished，andshewaslefttoallpurposesalone，forsheneverheededthoseabouther，thoughsomeofthemlookedatherhardenough，wonderingatherformandbeauty，andwhoshemightbe。

ShecasthereyedownoverthecrowdedHouse，andsawavisionofhats，collars，andlegs，andheardatumultofsounds:thesharpvoiceofaspeakerwhowasrapidlylosinghistemper，theplauditsoftheGovernmentbenches，theinterruptionsfromtheOpposition——yes，evenyells，andhoots，andnoises，thatremindedherremotelyofthecrowingofcocks。Possiblyhadshethoughtofit，Beatricewouldnothavebeengreatlyimpressedwiththedignityofanassembly，atthedoorsofwhichsomanyofitsmembersseemedtoleavetheirmanners，withtheirovercoatsandsticks;itmightevenhavesuggestedtheideaofabeargardentohermind。Butshesimplydidnotthinkaboutit。

ShesearchedtheHousekeenlyenough，butitwastofindoneface，andoneonly——Ah！therehewas。

AndnowtheHouseofCommonsmightvanishintothebottomlessabyss，andtakewithittheHouseofLords，andwhatremainedoftheBritishConstitution，andshewouldnevermissthem。For，atthebestoftimes，Beatrice——incommonwithmostofhersex——inallgratitudebeitsaid，was/not/anardentpolitician。

ThereGeoffreysat，hisarmsfolded——thehatpushedslightlyfromhisforehead，sothatshecouldseehisface。Therewasherownbeloved，whomshehadcomesofartosee，andwhomto-morrowshewoulddaresomuchtosave。Howsadhelooked——hedidnotseemtobepayingmuchattentiontowhatwasgoingon。Sheknewwellenoughthathewasthinkingofher;shecouldfeelitinherheadasshehadoftenfeltitbefore。Butshedarednotlethermindgoouttohiminanswer，for，ifonceshedidso，sheknewalsothathewoulddiscoverher。Soshesat，andfedhereyesuponhisface，takingherfarewellofit，whileroundher，andbeneathher，thehumoftheHousewenton，aseverpresentandasunnoticedasthehumofbeesuponasummernoon。

Presentlythegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoher，satdowninthenextseattoGeoffrey，andbegantowhispertohim，ashedidsoglancingonceortwicetowardsthegratingbehindwhichshewas。Sheguessedthathewastellinghimthestoryoftheladywhowassounaccountablyanxioustohearthedebate，andhowprettyshewas。ButitdidnotseemtointerestGeoffreymuch，andBeatricewasfeminineenoughtonoticeit，andtobegladofit。Inhergentlejealousy，shedidnotliketothinkofGeoffreyasbeinginterestedinaccountsofmysteriousladies，howeverpretty。

Atlengthaspeakerrose——sheunderstoodfromthemurmurofthosearoundherthathewasoneoftheleadersoftheOpposition，andcommencedapowerfulandbitterspeech。ShenoticedthatGeoffreyrousedhimselfatthispoint，andbegantolistenwithattention。

“Look。”saidoneoftheladiesnearher，“Mr。Binghamistakingnotes。

Heisgoingtospeaknext——hespeakswonderfully，youknow。TheysaythatheisasgoodasanybodyintheHouse，exceptGladstone，andLordRandolph。”

“Oh！“answeredanotherlady。“LadyHonoriaisnothere，isshe？I

don’tseeher。”

“No。”repliedthefirst;“sheisadearcreature，andsohandsometoo——justthewifeforarisingman——butIdon’tthinkthatshetakesmuchinterestinpolitics。Arenotherdinnerscharming？”

Atthismoment，avolleyofapplausefromtheOppositionbenchesdrownedthemurmuredconversation。

Thisspeakerspokeforaboutthree-quartersofanhour，andthenatlastGeoffreystoodup。Oneortwoothermembersroseatthesametime，butultimatelytheygaveway。

Hebeganslowly——andsomewhattamely，asitseemedtoBeatrice，whoseheartwasinhermouth——butwhenhehadbeenspeakingforaboutfiveminutes，hewarmedup。AndthenbeganoneofthemostremarkableoratoricaldisplaysofthatParliament。Geoffreyhadspokenwellbefore，andwouldspeakwellagain，butperhapsheneverspokesowellashediduponthatnight。FornearlyanhourandahalfheheldtheHouseinchains，eventhehootsandinterruptionsdiedawaytowardstheendofhisoration。Hispowerfulpresenceseemedtotowerintheplace，likethatofagiantamongpigmies，andhisdark，handsomeface，litwiththefiresofeloquence，shonelikealamp。Heleanedforwardwithaslightstoopofhisbroadshoulders，andaddressedhimself，nominallytotheSpeaker，butreallytotheOpposition。Hetooktheirfactsonebyone，andwithconvincinglogicshowedthattheywerenofacts;amidahissofangerhepulverisedtheirargumentsanddemonstratedtheirmotives。Thensuddenlyhedroppedthemaltogether，andaddressinghimselftotheHouseatlarge，andthecountrybeyondtheHouse，hestruckanothernote，andbrokeoutintothatstormofpatrioticeloquencewhichconfirmedhisgrowingreputation，bothinParliamentandintheconstituencies。

Beatriceshuthereyesandlistenedtothedeep，richvoiceasitrosefromheighttoheightandpowertopower，tillthewholeplaceseemedfullofit，andeverycontendingsoundwashushed。

Suddenly，afteraninvocationthatwouldhavebeenpassionatehaditnotbeensorestrainedandstrong，hestopped。Sheopenedhereyesandlooked。Geoffreywasseatedasbefore，withhishaton。Hehadbeenspeakingforanhourandahalf，andyet，toher，itseemedbutafewminutessinceherose。Thenbrokeoutavolleyofcheers，inthemidstofwhichaleaderoftheOppositionrosetoreply，notintheverybestoftempers，forGeoffrey’sspeechhadhitthemhard。

Hebegan，however，bycomplimentingthehonourablememberonhisspeech，“asfineaspeechashehadlistenedtoformanyyears，though，unfortunately，madefromamistakenstandpointandthewrongsideoftheHouse。”ThenhetwittedtheGovernmentwithnothavingsecuredtheservicesofamansoinfinitelyablerthanthemajorityoftheir“items。”andexcitedagooddealofamusementbystating，withsomesarcastichumour，that，shoulditeverbehislottooccupythefrontTreasurybench，heshouldcertainlymakeacertainproposaltothehonourablemember。Afterthisgood-naturedbadinage，hedriftedoffintotheconsiderationofthequestionunderdiscussion，andBeatricepaidnofurtherattentiontohim，butoccupiedherselfinwatchingGeoffreydropbackintothesameapparentstateofcoldindifference，fromwhichthenecessityofactionhadarousedhim。

Presentlythegentlemanwhohadfoundhertheseatcameupandspoketoher，askingherhowshewasgettingon。VerysoonhebegantospeakofGeoffrey’sspeech，sayingthatitwasoneofthemostbrilliantofthesession，ifnotthemostbrilliant。

“ThenMr。Binghamisarisingman，Isuppose？”Beatricesaid。

“Rising？Ishouldthinkso。”heanswered。“TheywillgethimintotheGovernmentonthefirstopportunityafterthis;he’stoogoodtoneglect。VeryfewmencancometotheforelikeMr。Bingham。Wecallhimthecomet，andifonlyhedoesnotmakeamessofhischancesbydoingsomethingfoolish，thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldnotbeAttorney-Generalinafewyears。”

“Whyshouldhedoanythingfoolish？”sheasked。

“Oh，fornoreasononearth，thatIknowof;only，asIdaresayyouhavenoticed，menofthissortareveryapttodoridiculousthings，throwuptheircareer，getintoapublicscandal，runawaywithsomebodyorsomething。NotthatthereshouldbeanyfearofsuchathingwhereMr。Binghamisconcerned，forhehasacharmingwife，andtheysaythatsheisagreathelptohim。Why，thereisthedivisionbell。Good-bye，Mrs。Everston，Iwillcomebacktoseeyouout。”

“Good-bye。”Beatriceanswered，“andincaseIshouldmissyou，Iwishtosaysomething——tothankyouforyourkindnessinhelpingmetogetinhereto-night。Youhavedonemeagreatservice，averygreatservice，andIammostgratefultoyou。”

“Itisnothing——nothing。”heanswered。“Ithasbeenapleasuretohelpyou。If。”headdedwithsomeconfusion，“youwouldallowmetocallsomeday，thepleasurewillbeallthegreater。IwillbringMr。

Binghamwithme，ifyouwouldliketoknowhim——thatis，ifIcan。”

Beatriceshookherhead。“Icannot。”sheanswered，smilingsadly。“I

amgoingonalongjourneyto-morrow，andIshallnotreturnhere。

Good-bye。”

Inanothersecondhewasgone，morepiquedandinterestedaboutthisfairunknownthanhehadbeenaboutanywomanforyears。Whocouldshebe？andwhywasshesoanxioustohearthedebate？Therewasamysteryinitsomewhere，andhedeterminedtosolveitifhecould。

Meanwhilethedivisiontookplace，andpresentlythemembersflockedback，andamidstringingMinisterialcheers，andcounterOppositioncheers，thevictoryoftheGovernmentwasannounced。Thencametheusualformalities，andthemembersbegantomeltaway。BeatricesawtheleaderoftheHouseandseveralmembersoftheGovernmentgouptoGeoffrey，shakehishand，andcongratulatehim。Then，withonelonglook，sheturnedandwent，leavinghiminthemomentofhistriumph，thatseemedtointeresthimsolittle，butwhichmadeBeatricemoreproudatheartthanifshehadbeendeclaredempressoftheworld。

Oh，itwaswelltoloveamanlikethat，amanborntotoweroverhisfellowmen——andwelltodieforhim！Couldshelethermiserableexistenceinterferewithsuchalifeashisshouldbe？Never，never！

Thereshouldbeno“publicscandal“onheraccount。

Shedrewherveiloverherface，andinquiredthewayfromtheHouse。

Presentlyshewasoutside。Byoneofthegateways，andintheshadowofitspillars，shestopped，watchingthemembersoftheHousestreampasther。Manyofthemweretalkingtogether，andonceortwiceshecaughtthesoundofGeoffrey’sname，coupledwithsuchwordsas“splendidspeech。”andothertermsofadmiration。

“Moveon，moveon。”saidapolicemantoher。Liftingherveil，Beatriceturnedandlookedathim，andmutteringsomethinghemovedonhimself，leavingherinpeace。PresentlyshesawGeoffreyandthegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoherwalkingalongtogether。Theycamethroughthegateway;thelappetofhiscoatbrushedherarm，andheneversawher。Closershecrouchedagainstthepillar，hidingherselfinitsshadow。WithinsixfeetofherGeoffreystoppedandlitacigar。Thelightofthematchflareduponhisface，thatdark，strongfaceshelovedsowell。Howtiredhelooked。Agreatlongingtookpossessionofhertostepforwardandspeaktohim，butsherestrainedherselfalmostbyforce。

Herfriendwasspeakingtohim，andabouther。

“Suchalovelywoman。”hewassaying，“withtheclearestandmostbeautifulgreyeyesthatIeversaw。Butshehasgonelikeadream。I

can’tfindheranywhere。Itisamostmysteriousbusiness。”

“Youarefallinginlove，Tom。”answeredGeoffreyabsently，ashethrewawaythematchandwalkedon。“Don’tdothat;itisanunhappythingtodo。”andhesighed。

Hewasgoing！Oh，heaven！shewouldnever，neverseehimmore！AcoldhorrorseizeduponBeatrice，herbloodseemedtostagnate。Shetrembledsomuchthatshecouldscarcelystand。Leaningforward，shelookedafterhim，withsuchafaceofwoethateventhepoliceman，whohadrepentedhimofhisforbearance，andwasreturningtosendheraway，stoodastonished。Thetwomenhadgoneabouttenyards，whensomethinginducedBeatrice’sfriendtolookback。Hiseyefelluponthewhite，agony-strickenface，nowinthefullglareofthegaslamp。

Beatricesawhimturn，andunderstoodherdanger。“Oh，good-bye，Geoffrey！“shemurmured，forasecondallowingherhearttogoforthtowardshim。Thenrealisingwhatshehaddone，shedroppedherveil，andwentswiftly。Thegentlemancalled“Tom“——sheneverlearnthisname——stoodforamomentdumbfounded，andatthatinstantGeoffreystaggered，asthoughhehadbeenstruckbyashot，turnedquitewhite，andhalted。

“Why。”saidhiscompanion，“thereisthatladyagain;wemusthavepassedquiteclosetoher。Shewaslookingafterus，Isawherfaceinthegaslight——andIneverwanttoseesuchanother。”

Geoffreyseizedhimbythearm。“Whereisshe？”heasked，“andwhatwasshelike？”

“Shewasthereasecondago。”hesaid，pointingtothepillar，“butI’velosthernow——Ifancyshewenttowardstherailwaystation，butI

couldnotsee。Stop，isthatshe？”andhepointedtoatallpersonwalkingtowardstheAbbey。

Quicklytheymovedtointercepther，buttheresultwasnotsatisfactory，andtheyretreatedhastilyfromtheobjectoftheirattentions。

MeanwhileBeatricefoundherselfoppositetheentrancetotheWestminsterBridgeStation。Ahansomwasstandingthere;shegotintoitandtoldthemantodrivetoPaddington。

Beforethepairhadretracedtheirstepsshewasgone。“Shehasvanishedagain。”said“Tom。”andwentontogiveadescriptionofhertoGeoffrey。Ofherdresshehadunfortunatelytakenlittlenote。ItmightbeoneofBeatrice’s，oritmightnot。ItseemedalmostinconceivabletoGeoffreythatsheshouldbemasqueradingaboutLondon，underthenameofMrs。Everston。Andyet——andyet——hecouldhavesworn——butitwasfolly！

Suddenlyhebadehisfriendgood-night，andtookahansom。“Themysterythickens。”saidtheastonished“Tom。”ashewatchedhimdriveaway。“Iwouldgiveahundredpoundstofindoutwhatitallmeans。

Oh！thatwoman’sface——ithauntsme。ItlookedlikethefaceofanangelbiddingfarewelltoHeaven。”

Butheneverdidfindoutanymoreaboutit，thoughthedespairingeyesofBeatrice，asshebadehermutefarewell，stillsometimeshaunthissleep。

Geoffreyreflectedrapidly。Thethingwasridiculous，andyetitwaspossible。Beyondthatbrieflineinanswertohisletter，hehadheardnothingfromBeatrice。Indeedhewaswaitingtohearfromherbeforetakinganyfurtherstep。ButevensupposingshewereinLondon，wherewashetolookforher？Heknewthatshehadnomoney，hecouldnotstaytherelong。ItoccurredtohimtherewasatrainleavingEustonforWalesaboutfourinthemorning。Itwasjustpossiblethatshemightbeintown，andreturningbythistrain。HetoldthecabmantodrivetoEustonStation，andonarrival，closelyquestionedasleepyporter，butwithoutsatisfactoryresults。

Thenhesearchedthestation;therewerenotracesofBeatrice。Hedidmore;hesatdown，wearyashewas，andwaitedforanhourandahalf，tillitwastimeforthetraintostart。Therewerebutthreepassengers，andnoneofthemintheleastresembledBeatrice。

“Itisverystrange。”Geoffreysaidtohimself，ashewalkedaway。“I

couldhaveswornthatIfeltherpresencejustforonesecond。Itmusthavebeennonsense。Thisiswhatcomesofoccultinfluences，andthatkindofthing。Theoccultisanuisance。”

IfhehadonlygonetoPaddington！

CHAPTERXXVIII

IWILLWAITFORYOU

BeatricedrovebacktoPaddington，andasshedrove，thoughherfacedidnotchangefromitsmarblecastofwoethegreattearsrolleddownit，onebyone。

Theyreachedthedeserted-lookingstation，andshepaidthemanoutofherfewremainingshillings——seeingthatshewasastranger，heinsisteduponreceivinghalf-a-crown。Then，disregardingtheastonishedstareofanightporter，shefoundherwaytothewaitingroom，andsatdown。Firstshetooktheletterfromherbreast，andaddedsomelinestoitinpencil，butshedidnotpostityet;sheknewthatifshedidsoitwouldreachitsdestinationtoosoon。Thenshelaidherheadbackagainstthewall，andutterlyoutworn，droppedtosleep——herlastsleepuponthisearth，beforethelongestsleepofall。

AndthusBeatricewaitedandsleptatPaddington，whileherloverwaitedandwatchedatEuston。

Atfiveshewoke，andtheheavycloudofsorrow，past，present，andtocome，rushedinuponherheart。Takingherbag，shemadeherselfastidyasshecould。Thenshesteppedoutsidethestationintothedesertedstreet，andfindingaspacebetweenthehouses，watchedthesunriseoverthewakingworld。Itwasherlastsunrise，Beatriceremembered。

Shecamebackfilledwithsuchthoughtsasmightwellstriketheheartofawomanabouttodothethingshehaddecreed。Therefreshmentbarwasopennow，andshewenttoit，andboughtacupofcoffeeandsomebreadandbutter。Thenshetookherticket，nottoBryngellyortoCoed，buttothestationonthissideofBryngelly，andthreemilesfromit。Shewouldrunlessriskofbeingnoticedthere。Thetrainwasshuntedup;shetookherseatinit。Justasitwasstarting，anearlynewspaperboycamealong，yawning。Beatriceboughtacopyofthe/Standard/，outoftheoneandthreepencethatwasleftofhermoney，andopeneditatthesheetcontainingtheleadingarticles。Thefirstonebegan，“Themostpowerful，closelyreasoned，andeloquentspeechmadelastnightbyMr。Bingham，theMemberforPillham，will，wefeelcertain，produceasgreataneffectonthecountryasitdidintheHouseofCommons。Wewelcomeit，notonlyonaccountofitsvalueasacontributiontothepolemicsoftheIrishQuestion，butasapositiveproofofwhathasalreadybeensuspected，thattheUnionistpartyhasinMr。Binghamayoungstatesmanofaveryhighorderindeed，andonewhomremarkableandrapidsuccessattheBarhasnothampered，asistoooftenthecase，inthelargerandlesstechnicalfieldofpolitics。”

Andsoon。Beatriceputthepaperdownwithasmileoftriumph。

Geoffrey’ssuccesswassplendidandunquestioned。Nothingcouldstophimnow。Duringallthelongjourneyshepleasedherimaginationbyconjuringuppictureafterpictureofthatgreatfutureofhis，inwhichshewouldhavenoshare。Andyethewouldnotforgether;shewassureofthis。Hershadowwouldgowithhimfromyeartoyear，eventotheend，andattimeshemightthinkhowproudshewouldhavebeencouldshebepresenttorecordhistriumphs。Alas！shedidnotrememberthatwhenallislostwhichcanmakelifebeautiful，whenthesunhasset，andthespiritgoneoutoftheday，thepoorgarishlightsofourlittlevictoriescanbutillatoneforthegloriesthathavebeen。Happinessandcontentarefrailplantswhichcanonlyflourishunderfairconditionsifatall。Certainlytheywillnotthrivebeneaththegloomandshadowofapall，andwhentheheartisdeadnotriumphs，howeversplendid，andnorewards，howevergreat，cancompensateforanutterandirredeemableloss。Sheneverguessed，poorgirl，thattimeupontime，inthedecadestobe，Geoffreywouldgladlyhavelaidhishonoursdowninpaymentforoneyearofherdearandunforgottenpresence。Shewastoounselfish;shedidnotthinkthatamancouldthusprizeawoman’slove，andtookitforanaxiomthattosucceedinlifewashisonerealobject——athingtowhichsodivineagiftasshehadgivenGeoffreyisasnothing。ItwasthereforethisJuggernautofherlover’scareerthatBeatricewouldcastdownherlife，littleknowingthattherebyshemustturntheworldlyandtemporalsuccess，whichhealreadyheldsocheap，tobitternessandashes。

AtChesterBeatricegotoutofthetrainandpostedherlettertoGeoffrey。Shewouldnotdosotillthenbecauseitmighthavereachedhimtoosoon——beforeallwasfinished！NowitwouldbedeliveredtohimintheHouseaftereverythinghadbeenaccomplishedinitsorder。

Shelookedattheletter;itwas，shethought，thelasttokenthatcouldeverpassbetweenthemonthisearth。Onceshepressedittoherheart，onceshetoucheditwithherlips，andthenputitfromherbeyondrecall。Itwasdone;therewasnogoingbacknow。Andevenasshestoodthepostmancameup，whistling，andopeningtheboxcarelesslysweptitscontentsintohiscanvasbag。Couldhehaveknownwhatlayamongthemhewouldhavewhistlednomorethatday。

Beatricecontinuedherjourney，andbythreeo’clockarrivedsafelyatthelittlestationnexttoBryngelly。TherewasafairatCoedthatday，andmanypeopleofthepeasantclassgotinhere。Amidsttheconfusionshegaveuphertickettoasmallboy，whowaslookingtheotherwayatthetime，andescapedwithoutbeingnoticedbyasoul。

Indeed，thingshappenedsothatnobodyintheneighbourhoodofBryngellyeverknewthatBeatricehadbeentoLondonandbackuponthosedreadfuldays。

Beatricewalkedalongthecliff，andinanhourwasatthedooroftheVicarage，fromwhichsheseemedtohavebeenawayforyears。Sheunlockeditandentered。Intheletter-boxwasapost-cardfromherfatherstatingthatheandElizabethhadchangedtheirplansandwouldnotbebacktillthetrainwhicharrivedathalf-pasteightonthefollowingmorning。Somuchthebetter，shethought。Thenshedisarrangedtheclothesuponherbedtomakeitseemasthoughithadbeensleptit，litthekitchenfire，andputthekettleontoboil，andassoonasitwasreadyshetooksomefood。Shewantedallhernerve，andthatcouldnotbekeptupwithoutfood。

ShortlyafterthisthegirlBettyreturned，andwentaboutherdutiesinthehousequiteunconsciousthatBeatricehadbeenawayfromitforthewholenight。Hersisterwasmuchbetter，shesaid，inanswertoBeatrice’sinquiries。

Whenshehadeatenwhatshecould——itwasnotmuch——Beatricewenttoherroom，undressedherself，bathed，andputonclean，freshthings。

Thensheunboundherlovelyhair，anddiditupinacoronetuponherhead。Itwasafashionthatshedidnotoftenadopt，becauseittooktoomuchtime，butonthisday，ofalldays，shehadastrangefancytolookherbest。AlsoherhairhadbeendonelikethisontheafternoonwhenGeoffreyfirstmether。NextsheputonthegreydressoncemorewhichshehadwornonherjourneytoLondon，andtakingthesilverRomanringthatGeoffreyhadgivenherfromthestringbywhichsheworeitaboutherneck，placeditonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。

Allthisbeingdone，Beatricevisitedthekitchenandorderedthesupper。Shewentfurtherinherinnocentcunning。Bettyaskedherwhatshewouldlikeforbreakfastonthefollowingmorning，andshetoldhertocooksomebacon，andtobecarefulhowshecutit，asshedidnotlikethickbacon。Then，afteronelonglastlookattheVicarage，shestartedforthelodgingoftheheadteacheroftheschool，and，havingfoundher，inquiredastotheday’swork。

Further，Beatricetoldherassistantthatshehaddeterminedtoalterthecourseofcertainlessonsintheschool。TheWednesdayarithmeticclasshadhithertobeentakenbeforethegrammarclass。Onthemorrowshehaddeterminedtochangethis;shewouldtakethegrammarclassattenandthearithmeticclassateleven，andgaveherreasonsforsodoing。Theteacherassented，andBeatriceshookhandswithherandbadehergood-night。Shewouldhavewishedtosayhowmuchshefeltindebtedtoherforherhelpintheschool，butdidnotliketodoso，fearinglest，inthelightofpendingevents，theremarkmightbeviewedwithsuspicion。

PoorBeatrice，theseweretheonlyliessheevertold！

Shelefttheteacher’slodgings，andwasabouttogodowntothebeachandsittheretillitwastime，whenshewasmetbythefatherofthecrazedchild，JaneLlewellyn。

“Oh，MissBeatrice。”hesaid，“Ihavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere。

Weareinsadtrouble，miss。PoorJaneisinaravingfit，andtalkingabouthellandthat，andthedoctorsaysshe’sdying。Canyoucome，miss，andseeifyoucandoanythingtoquiether？It’samatteroflifeanddeath，thedoctorsays，miss。”

Beatricesmiledsadly;mattersoflifeanddeathwereintheair。“I

willcome。”shesaid，“butIshallnotbeabletostaylong。”

Howcouldshebetterspendherlasthour？

Sheaccompaniedthemantohiscottage。Thechild，dressedonlyinanight-shirt，wasravingfuriously，andevidentlyinthelaststageofexhaustion，norcouldthedoctororhermotherdoanythingtoquiether。

“Don’tyousee。”shescreamed，pointingtothewall，“there’stheDevilwaitingforme？And，oh，there’sthemouthofhellwheretheministersaidIshouldgo！Oh，holdme，holdme，holdme！“