第10章

Beatricewalkeduptoher，tookthethinlittlehandsinhers，andlookedherfixedlyintheeyes。

“Jane。”shesaid。“Jane，don’tyouknowme？”

“Yes，MissGranger。”shesaid，“Iknowthelesson;Iwillsayitpresently。”

Beatricetookherinherarms，andsatdownonthebed。Quieterandquietergrewthechildtillsuddenlyanawfulchangepassedoverherface。

“Sheisdying。”whisperedthedoctor。

“Holdmeclose，holdmeclose！“saidthechild，whosesensesreturnedbeforethelasteclipse。“Oh，MissGranger，Ishan’tgotohell，shallI？Iamafraidofhell。”

“No，love，no;youwillgotoheaven。”

Janelaystillawhile。Thenseeingthepalelipsmove，Beatriceputhereartothechild’smouth。

“Willyoucomewithme？”shemurmured;“Iamafraidtogoalone。”

AndBeatrice，hergreatgreyeyesfixedsteadilyontheclosingeyesbeneath，whisperedbacksothatnoothersoulcouldhearexceptthedyingchild:

“Yes，Iwillcomepresently。”ButJaneheardandunderstood。

“Promise。”saidthechild。

“Yes，Ipromise。”answeredBeatriceinthesameinaudiblewhisper。

“Sleep，dear，sleep;Iwilljoinyouverysoon。”

Andthechildlookedup，shivered，smiled——andslept。

Beatricegaveitbacktotheweepingparentsandwentherway。“Whatasplendidcreature。”saidthedoctortohimselfashelookedafterher。

“ShehaseyeslikeFate，andthefaceofMotherhoodIncarnate。Agreatwoman，ifeverIsawone，butdifferentfromotherwomen。”

MeanwhileBeatricemadeherwaytooldEdward’sboat-shed。Assheexpected，therewasnobodythere，andnobodyonthebeach。OldEdwardandhissonwereattea，withtherestofBryngelly。Theywouldcomebackafterdarkandlockuptheboat-house。

Shelookedatthesea。Therewerenowaves，butthebreezefreshenedeveryminute，andtherewasalongslowswelluponthewater。TherollerswouldberunningbeyondtheshelterofRumballPoint，fivemilesaway。

Thetidewashigh;itmountedtowithintenyardsoftheendoftheboat-house。Sheopenedthedoor，anddraggedouthercanoe，closingthedooragainafterher。Thecraftwaslight，andshewasstrongforawoman。Closetotheboat-houseoneofthetimberbreakwaters，whicharecommonatsea-sideplaces，randownintothewater。Shedraggedthecanoetoitsside，andthenpusheditdownthebeachtillitsbowwasafloat。Next，mountingonthebreakwater，shecaughtholdofthelittlechaininthebow，andwalkingalongthetimberbaulks，pulledwithallherforcetillthecanoewasquiteafloat。Onshewent，draggingitafterher，tillthewaveswashingoverthebreakwaterwettedhershoes。

Thenshebroughtthecanoequiteclose，and，watchingheropportunity，steppedintoit，nearlyfallingintothewaterasshedidso。Butsherecoveredherbalance，andsatdown。Inanotherminuteshewaspaddlingouttoseawithallherstrength。

Fortwentyminutesormoreshepaddledunceasingly。Thensherestedawhile，onlykeepingthecanoeheadontothesea，which，withoutbeingrough，wasrunningmoreandmorefreshly。There，somemilesaway，wasthedarkmassofRumballPoint。Shemustbeoffitbeforethenightclosedin。Therewouldbeseaenoughthere;nosuchcraftasherscouldliveinitforfiveminutes，andthetidewasontheturn。

Anythingsinkinginthosewaterswouldbecarriedfaraway，andnevercomebacktotheshoreofWales。

SheturnedherheadandlookedatBryngelly，andthelongfamiliarstretchofcliff。Howfairitseemed，bathedinthequietlightsofsummerafternoon。Oh！wasthereanyafternoonwherethechildhadgone，andwhereshewasfollowingfast？——orwasitallnight，black，eternalnight，unbrokenbythedramofdearrememberedthings？

ThereweretheDogRocks，whereshehadstoodonthatmistyautumnday，andseenthevisionofhercoffinedmother’sface。Surelyitwasapresageofherfate。TherebeyondwastheBellRock，whereinthatsamehourGeoffreyandshehadmet，andbehinditwastheAmphitheatre，wheretheyhadtoldtheirlove。Hark！whatwasthatsoundpealingfaintlyatintervalsacrossthedeep？Itwasthegreatship’sbellthat，stirredfromtimetotimebythewashofthehightide，solemnlytolledherpassingsoul。

Shepaddledon;thesoundofthatdeath-knellshookhernerves，andmadeherfeelfaintandweak。Oh，itwouldhavebeeneasierhadshebeenasshewasayearago，beforeshelearnedtolove，andhandinhandhadseenfaithandhopere-arisefromthedepthsofherstirredsoul。Thenbeingbutaheathen，shecouldhavemetherendwithallaheathen’sstrength，knowingwhatshelost，andbelieving，too，thatshewouldfindbutsleep。Andnowitwasotherwise，forinherheartshedidnotbelievethatshewasaboututterlytoperish。What，couldthebodyliveoninathousandforms，changedindeedbutindestructibleandimmortal，whilethespiritualpart，withallitshopesandlovesandfears，meltedintonothingness？Itcouldnotbe;

surelyonsomenewshoresheshouldonceagaingreetherlove。Andifitwasnot，howwouldtheymeetherinthatunderworld，comingself-

murdered，herlife-bloodonherhands？Wouldhermotherturnawayfromher？andthelittlebrother，whomshehadloved，wouldherejecther？

AndwhatVoiceofDoommightstrikeherintoeverlastinghopelessness？

But，bethesinwhatitmight，yetwouldshesinitforthesakeofGeoffrey;ay，evenifshemustreapaharvestofeternalwoe。Shebentherheadandprayed。“Oh，Power，thatartabove，fromwhomIcome，towhomIgo，havemercyonme！Oh，Spirit，ifindeedthynameisLove，weighmyloveinthybalance，andletitliftthescaleofsin。Oh，GodofSacrifice，benotwrothatmydeedofsacrificeandgivemepardon，givemelifeandpeace，thatinatimetocomeImaywinthesightofhimforwhomIdie。”

Asomewhatheathenishprayerindeed，andfartoofullofhumanpassionforoneabouttoleavethehumanshores。But，then——well，itwasBeatricewhoprayed——Beatrice，whocouldrealisenoheavenbeyondthelimitsofherpassion，whostillthoughtmoreofherlovethanofsavingherownsoulalive。Perhapsitfoundahome——perhaps，likeherwhoprayedit，itwaslostuponthepitilessdeep。

ThenBeatriceprayednomore。Shortwashertime。See，theresankthesuninglory;andtherethegreatrollerssweptalongpastthesullenheadland，wheretheundertowmetwindandtide。Shewouldthinknomoreofself;itwas，itseemedtoher，sosmall，thismendicantcallingontheUnseen，notforothers，butforself:aidforself，well-beingforself，salvationforself——thisdoingofgoodthatgoodmightcometoself。Shehadmadeherprayer，andifsheprayedagainitshouldbeforGeoffrey，thathemightprosperandbehappy——thathemightforgivethetroubleherlovehadbroughtintohislife。Thathemightforgethershecouldnotpray。Shehadprayedherprayerandsaidhersay，anditwasdonewith。LetherbejudgedasitseemedgoodtoThosewhojudge！Nowshewouldfixherthoughtsuponherlove，andbyitsstrengthwouldshetriumphoverthebitternessofdeath。

Hereyesflashedandherbreastheaved:furtherouttosea，furtheryet——shewouldmeetthoserollersaknotormorefromthepointoftheheadland，thatnorecordmightremain。

Wasitherwrongifshelovedhim？Shecouldnothelpit，andshewasproudtolovehim。Evennow，shewouldnotundothepast。WhatwerethelinesthatGeoffreyhadreadtoher。Theyhauntedhermindwithastrangepersistence——theytooktimetothebeatofherfallingpaddle，andwouldnotleaveher:

“Ofoncesownseed，whoknowethwhatthecropis？

Alas，mylove，Love’seyesareveryblind！

Whatwouldtheyhaveusdo？SunflowersandpoppiesStooptothewind——“[*]

[*]OliverMadoxBrown。

Yes，yes，Love’seyesareveryblind，butintheirblindnesstherewasmorelightthaninallotherearthlythings。Oh，shecouldnotliveforhim，andwithhim——itwasdeniedtoher——butshestillcoulddieforhim，herdarling，herdarling！

“Geoffrey，hearme——Idieforyou;acceptmysacrifice，andforgetmenot。”So！——sheisintherollers——howsolemntheyarewiththeirhoaryheadsoffoam，asonebyonetheymovedownuponher。

Thefirst！ittowershigh，butthecanoeridesitlikeacork。Look！

thedayisdyingonthedistantland，butstillhisgloryshinesacrossthesea。Presentlyallwillbefinished。Herethebreezeisstrong;ittearsthebonnetfromherhead，itunwindsthecoronetofbraidedlocks，andherbrighthairstreamsoutbehindher。Feelhowthespraystings，strikinglikeawhip。No，notthiswave，sheridesthatalso;shewilldieasshehaslived——fightingtothelast;andoncemore，neverfaltering，shesetsherfacetowardstherollersandconsignshersoultodoom。

Ah！thatstruckherfull。Oh，see！Geoffrey’sringhasslippedfromherwethand，fallingintothebottomoftheboat。Cansheregainit？

shewoulddiewiththatringuponherfinger——itishermarriage-ring，weddingherthroughdeathtoGeoffrey，uponthealtarofthesea。Shestoops！oh，whatashockofwateratherbreast！Whatwasit——whatwasit？——/Ofoncesownseed，whoknowethwhatthecropis？/Shemustsoonlearnnow！

“Geoffrey！hearme，Geoffrey！——Idie，Idieforyou！Iwillwaitforyouatthefoundationsofthesea，onthetopmostheightsofheaven，inthelowestdeepsofhell——whereverIamIwillalwayswaitforyou！“

Itsinks——ithassunk——sheisalonewithGod，andthecruelwaters。

Thesungoesout！Lookonthatgreatwhitewaveseethingthroughthedeepeninggloom;hearitrushingtowardsher，bigwithfate。

“Geoffrey，mydarling——Iwillwait——“

FarewelltoBeatrice！Thelightwentoutoftheskyanddarknessgatheredonthewelteringsea。FarewelltoBeatrice，andallherloveandallhersin。

CHAPTERXXIX

AWOMAN’SLASTWORD

Geoffreycamedowntobreakfastabouteleveno’clockonthemorningofthatdaythefirsthoursofwhichhehadspentatEustonStation。NotseeingEffie，heaskedLadyHonoriawhereshewas，andwasinformedthatAnne，theFrench/bonne/，saidthechildwasnotwellandthatshehadkeptherinbedtobreakfast。

“Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavenotbeenuptoseewhatisthematterwithher？”askedGeoffrey。

“No，notyet。”answeredhiswife。“Ihavehadthedressmakerherewithmynewdressfortheduchess’sballto-morrow;it’slovely，butI

thinkthatthereisalittletoomuchofthatcreamylaceaboutit。”

Withanexclamationofimpatience，Geoffreyroseandwentupstairs。HefoundEffietossingaboutinbed，herfaceflushed，hereyeswideopen，andherlittlehandsquitehot。

“Sendforthedoctoratonce。”hesaid。

Thedoctorcameandexaminedthechild，askingherifshehadwetherfeetlately。

“Yes，Idid，twodaysago。Iwetmyfeetinapuddleinthestreet。”

sheanswered。“ButAnnedidsaythattheywouldsoongetdry，ifI

heldthemtothefire，becausemyotherbootswasnotclean。Oh，myheaddoesache，daddie。”

“Ah。”saidthedoctor，andthencoveringthechildup，tookGeoffreyasideandtoldhimthathisdaughterhadamildattackofinflammationofthelungs。Therewasnocauseforanxiety，onlyshemustbelookedafterandguardedfromchills。

Geoffreyaskedifheshouldsendforatrainednurse。

“Oh，no。”saidthedoctor。“Idonotthinkitisnecessary，atanyrateatpresent。Iwilltellthenursewhattodo，anddoubtlessyourwifewillkeepaneyeonher。”

SoAnnewascalledup，andvowedthatshewouldguardthecherishedchildliketheappleofhereye。Indeed，no，thebootswerenotwet——

therewasalittle，averylittlemudonthem，thatwasall。

“Well，don’ttalksomuch，butseethatyouattendtoherproperly。”

saidGeoffrey，feelingratherdoubtful，forhedidnottrustAnne。

However，hethoughthewouldseehimselfthattherewasnoneglect。

Whensheheardwhatwasthematter，LadyHonoriawasmuchputout。

“Really。”shesaid，“childrenarethemostvexatiouscreaturesintheworld。Theideaofhergettinginflammationofthelungsinthisunprovokedfashion。TheendofitwillbethatIshallnotbeabletogototheduchess’sballto-morrownight，andshewassokindaboutit，shemadequiteapointofmycoming。BesidesIhaveboughtthatlovelynewdressonpurpose。Ishouldneverhavedreamedofgoingtosomuchexpenseforanythingelse。”

“Don’ttroubleyourself。”saidGeoffrey。“TheHousedoesnotsitto-morrow;Iwilllookafterher。UnlessEffiediesintheinterval，youwillcertainlybeabletogototheball。”

“Dies——whatnonsense！Thedoctorsaysthatitisaveryslightattack。

Whyshouldshedie？”

“IamsureIhopethatthereisnofearofanythingofthesort，Honoria。Onlyshemustbeproperlylookedafter。IdonottrustthiswomanAnne。Ihavehalfamindtogetinatrainednurseafterall。”

“Well，ifyoudo，shewillhavetosleepoutofthehouse，that’sall。

Amelia(LadyGarsington)iscomingupto-night，andImusthavesomewheretoputhermaid，andthereisnoroomforanotherbedinEffie’sroom。”

“Oh，verywell，verywell。”saidGeoffrey，“Idaresaythatitwillbeallright，butifEffiegetsanyworse，youwillpleaseunderstandthatroommustbemade。”

ButEffiedidnotgetworse。Sheremainedmuchaboutthesame。

Geoffreysatathomealldayandemployedhimselfinreadingbriefs;

fortunatelyhehadnottogotocourt。Aboutsixo’clockhewentdowntotheHouse，andhavingdinedverysimplyandquietly，tookhisseatandlistenedtosomedrearytalk，whichwasbeingcarriedonforthebenefitofthereporters，abouttheadoptionoftheWelshlanguageinthelawcourtsofWales。

Suddenlyhebecameawareofamostextraordinarysenseofoppression。

Anindefinitedreadtookholdofhim，hisverysoulwasfilledwithterribleapprehensionsandalarm。Somethingdreadfulseemedtoknockattheportalsofhissense，ahorrorwhichhecouldnotgrasp。Hismindwasconfused，butlittlebylittleitgrewclearer，andhebegantounderstandthatadangerthreatenedBeatrice，thatshewasingreatperil。Hewassureofit。Heragoniseddyingcriesreachedhimwherehewas，thoughinnoformwhichhecouldunderstand;oncemoreherthoughtbeatonhisthought——oncemoreandforthelasttimeherspiritspoketohis。

Thensuddenlyacoldwindseemedtobreatheuponhisfaceandlifthishair，andeverythingwasgone。Hismindwasasithadbeen;againheheardthedrearyoratorandsawthemembersslippingawaytodinner。

Theconditionsthatdisturbedhimhadpassed，thingswereastheyhadbeen。Norwasthisstrange！Forthelinkwasbroken。Beatricewas/dead/。Shehadpassedintothedomainsofimpenetrablesilence。

Geoffreysatupwithagasp，andashedidsoaletterwasplacedinhishand。ItwasaddressedinBeatrice’shandwritingandboretheChesterpostmark。Achillfearseizedhim。Whatdiditcontain？Hehurriedwithitintoaprivateroomandopenedit。ItwasdatedfromBryngellyonthepreviousSundayandhadseveralinclosures。

“MydearestGeoffrey。”itbegan，“Ihaveneverbeforeaddressedyouthusonpaper，norshouldIdosonow，knowingtowhatriskssuchwrittenwordsmightputyou，wereitnotthatoccasionsmayarise(asinthiscase)whichseemtojustifytherisk。Forwhenallthingsareendedbetweenamanandawomanwhoaretoeachotherwhatwehavebeen，thenitiswellthattheonewhogoesshouldspeakplainlybeforespeechbecomesimpossible，ifonlythattheonewhoisleftshouldnotmisunderstandthatwhichhasbeendone。

“Geoffrey，itisprobable——itisalmostcertain——thatbeforeyoureyesreadthesewordsIshallbewhereinthebodytheycanneverseememore。Iwritetoyoufromthebrinkofthegrave;whenyoureadit，itwillhaveclosedoverme。

“Geoffrey，Ishallbedead。

“Ireceivedyourdearletter(itisdestroyednow)inwhichyouexpressedawishthatIshouldcomeawaywithyoutosomeothercountry，andIanswereditineightbriefwords。Idarednottrustmyselftowritemore，norhadIanytime。HowcouldyouthinkthatIshouldeveracceptsuchanofferformyownsake，whentodosowouldhavebeentoruinyou？ButfirstIwilltellyouallthathashappenedhere。”(Herefollowedalongandexactdescriptionofthoseeventswithwhichwearealreadyacquainted，includingthedenunciationofBeatricebyhersister，thethreatsofOwenDaviesasregardsGeoffreyhimself，andthemeasureswhichshehadadoptedtogaintime。)

“Further。”thelettercontinued，“Iincloseyouyourwife’slettertome。AndhereIwishtostatethatIhavenotonewordtosayagainstLadyHonoriaorherletter。Ithinkthatshewasperfectlyjustifiedinwritingasshedid，forafterall，dearGeoffrey，youareherhusband，andinlovingeachotherwehaveoffendedagainsther。Shetellsmetrulythatitismydutytomakeallfurthercommunicationsbetweenusimpossible。Thereisonlyonewaytodothis，andItakeit。

“AndnowIhavespokenenoughaboutmyself，nordoIwishtoenterintodetailsthatcouldonlygiveyoupain。Therewillbenoscandal，dear，andifanywordshouldberaisedagainstyouafterIamgone，IhaveprovidedananswerinthesecondletterwhichI

haveinclosed。Youcanprintitifnecessary;itwillbeasufficientreplytoanytalk。Nobodyafterreadingitcanbelievethatyouwereinanywayconnectedwiththeaccidentwhichwillhappen。Dear，onewordmore——stillaboutmyself，yousee！Donotblameyourselfinthismatter，foryouarenottoblame;ofmyownfreewillIdoit，becauseintheextremityofthecircumstancesI

thinkitbestthatoneshouldgoandtheotherbesaved，ratherthanthatbothshouldbeinvolvedinacommonruin。

“Dear，doyourememberhowinthatstrangevisionofmine，I

dreamedthatyoucameandtouchedmeonthebreastandshowedmelight？Soithascometopass，foryouhavegivenmelove——thatislight;andnowindeathIshallseekforwisdom。Andthisbeingfulfilled，shallnottherestbefulfilledinitsseason？ShallI

notsitinthosecloudyhallstillIseeyoucometoseekme，thewordofwisdomonyourlips？AndsinceIcannothaveyoutomyself，andbeallinalltoyou，whyIamgladtogo。Forhereontheworldisneitherrestnorhappiness;asinmydream，toooftendoes’Hopeseemtorendherstarryrobes。’

“Iamgladtogofromsuchaworld，inwhichbutonehappythinghasfoundme——theblessingofyourlove。Iamwornoutwiththewearinessandstruggle，andnowthatIhavelostyouIlongforrest。IdonotknowifIsininwhatIdo;ifso，mayIbeforgiven。Ifforgivenessisimpossible，sobeit！Youwillforgiveme，Geoffrey，andyouwillalwaysloveme，howeverwickedImaybe;evenif，atthelast，yougowhereIamnot，youwillrememberandlovetheerringwomantowhom，beingsolittle，youstillwereallinall。Wearenotmarried，Geoffrey，accordingtothecustomsoftheworld，buttwoshortdayshenceIshallcelebrateaservicethatisgreaterandmoresolemnthananyoftheearth。ForDeathwillbethePriestandthatoathwhichIshalltakewillbetoalleternity。Whocanprophesyofthatwhereofmanhasnosureknowledge？YetIdobelievethatinatimetocomeweshalllookagainintoeachother’seyes，andkisseachother’slips，andbeoneforevermore。Ifthisisso，itisworthwhiletohavelivedanddied;ifnot，then，Geoffrey，farewell！

“IfImayIwillalwaysbenearyou。Listentothenightwindandyoushallhearmyvoice;lookonthestars，youwillseemyeyes;

andmyloveshallbeastheairyoubreathe。Andwhenatlasttheendcomes，rememberme，forifIliveatallIshallbeaboutyouthen。WhathaveImoretosay？Somuch，mydear，thatwordscannotconveyit。Letitbeuntold;butwheneveryouhearorreadthatwhichisbeautifulortender，think’thisiswhatBeatricewouldhavesaidtomeandcouldnot！’

“Youwillbeagreatman，dear，theforemostoroneoftheforemostofyourage。Youhavealreadypromisedmetoperseveretothisend:Iwillnotaskyoutopromiseafresh。Donotbecontenttoaccepttheworldaswomenmust。Greatmendonotaccepttheworld;

theyreformit——andyouareoftheirnumber。Andwhenyouaregreat，Geoffrey，youwilluseyourpower，notforself-interest，buttolargeandworthyends;youwillalwaysstrivetohelpthepoor，tobreakdownoppressionfromthosewhohavetobarit，andtoadvancethehonourofyourcountry。YouwilldoallthisfromyourownheartandnotbecauseIaskitofyou，butrememberthatyourfamewillbemybestmonument——thoughnoneshalleverknowthegraveitcovers。

“Farewell，farewell，farewell！Oh，Geoffrey，mydarling，towhomI

haveneverbeenawife，towhomIammorethananywife——donotforgetmeinthelongyearswhicharetocome。Remembermewhenothersforsakeyou。Donotforgetmewhenothersflatteryouandtrytowinyourlove，fornonecanbetoyouwhatIhavebeen——

nonecaneverloveyoumorethanthatlostBeatricewhowritestheseheavywordsto-night，andwhowillpassawayblessingyouwithherlastbreath，toawaityou，ifshemay，inthelandtowhichyourfeetalsodrawdailyon。”

Thencameatear-stainedpostscriptinpencildatedfromPaddingtonStationonthatverymorning。

“IjourneyedtoLondontoseeyou，Geoffrey。Icouldnotdiewithoutlookingonyourfaceoncemore。IwasinthegalleryoftheHouseandheardyourgreatspeech。Yourfriendfoundmeaplace。AfterwardsItouchedyourcoatasyoupassedbythepillarofthegateway。ThenIranawaybecauseIsawyourfriendturnandlookatme。Ishallkissthisletter——justherebeforeIcloseit——kissittheretoo——itisourlastcoldembrace。BeforetheendI

shallputontheringyougaveme——onmyhand，Imean。Ihavealwayswornituponmybreast。WhenItouchedyouasyoupassedthroughthegatewayIthoughtthatIshouldhavebrokendownandcalledtoyou——butIfoundstrengthnottodoso。Myheartisbreakingandmyeyesareblindwithtears;Icanwritenomore;I

havenomoretosay。Nowonceagaingood-bye。/Aveatquevale/——

oh，mylove！——B。”

Thesecondletterwasadummy。Thatistosayitpurportedtobesuchanepistleasanyyoungladymighthavewrittentoagentlemanfriend。

Itbegan，“DearMr。Bingham。”andended，“Yourssincerely，BeatriceGranger。”wasfilledwithchit-chat，andexpressedhopesthathewouldbeabletocomedowntoBryngellyagainlaterinthesummer，whentheywouldgocanoeing。

Itwasobvious，thoughtBeatrice，thatifGeoffreywasaccusedbyOwenDaviesoranybodyelseofbeingconcernedwithhermysteriousend，theproductionofsuchafrankepistlewrittentwodayspreviouslywoulddemonstratetheabsurdityoftheidea。PoorBeatrice，shewasfullofprecautions！

LethimwhomayimaginetheeffectproduceduponGeoffreybythisheartrendingandastoundingepistle！CouldBeatricehaveseenhisfacewhenhehadfinishedreadingitshewouldneverhavecommittedsuicide。Inaminuteitbecamelikethatofanoldman。Asthewholetruthsankintohismind，suchanagonyofhorror，ofremorse，ofunavailingwoeandhopelessnesssweptacrosshissoul，thatforamomenthethoughthisvitalforcesmustgivewaybeneathit，andthatheshoulddie，asindeedinthisdarkhourhewouldhaverejoicedtodo。Oh，howpitifulitwas——howpitifulandhowawful！Tothinkofthislove，sopassionatelypure，wastedonhisownunworthiness。Tothinkofthisdivinewomangoingdowntolonelydeathforhim——astrongman;topicturehercrouchingbehindthatgatewaypillarandtouchinghimashepassed，whilehe，thethriceaccursedfool，knewnothingtilltoolate;toknowthathehadgonetoEustonandnottoPaddington;torememberthematchlessstrengthandbeautyofthelovewhichhehadlost，andthatfacewhichheshouldneverseeagain！

Surelyhisheartwouldbreak。Nomancouldbearit！

Andofthosecowardswhohoundedhertodeath，ifindeedshewasalreadydead！Oh，hewouldkillOwenDavies——yes，andElizabethtoo，wereitnotthatshewasawoman;andasforHonoriahehaddonewithher。Scandal，whatdidhecareforscandal？Ifhehadhiswillthereshouldbeascandalindeed，forhewouldbeatthisOwenDavies，thisreptile，whodidnothesitatetouseawoman’sterrorstoprosperthefulfillingofhislust——yes，andthendraghimtotheContinentandkillhimthere。Onlyvengeancewaslefttohim！

Stop，hemustnotgiveway——perhapsshewasnotdead——perhapsthathorriblepresageofevilwhichhadstruckhimlikeastormwasbutadream。Couldhetelegraph？No，itwastoolate;theofficeatBryngellywouldbeclosed——itwaspasteightnow。Buthecouldgo。

Therewasatrainleavingalittleafternine——heshouldbetherebyhalf-pastsixto-morrow。AndEffiewasill——well，surelytheycouldlookafterherfortwenty-fourhours;shewasinnodanger，andhemustgo——hecouldnotbearthistorturingsuspense。GreatGod！howhadshedonethedeed！

Geoffreysnatchedasheetofpaperandtriedtowrite。Hecouldnot，hishandshookso。Withagroanherose，andgoingtotherefreshmentroomswallowedtwoglassesofbrandyoneafteranother。Thespirittookeffectonhim;hecouldwritenow。Rapidlyhescribbledonasheetofpaper:

“IhavebeencalledawayuponimportantbusinessandshallprobablynotbebacktillThursdaymorning。SeethatEffieisproperlyattendedto。IfIamnotbackyoumustnotgototheduchess’sball——GeoffreyBingham。”

ThenheaddressedthelettertoLadyHonoriaanddispatchedacommissionairewithit。Thisdone，hecalledacabandbadethecabmandrivetoEustonasfastashishorsecouldgo。

CHAPTERXXX

AVEATQUEVALE

Thatfrightfuljourney——nonightmarewaseverhalfsoawful！Butitcametoanendatlast——therewastheBryngellyStation。Geoffreysprangfromthetrain，andgavehistickettotheporter，glancinginhisfaceashedidso。Surelyiftherehadbeenatragedythemanwouldknowofit，andshowsignsofhalf-joyousemotionasisthefashionofsuchpeoplewhensomethingawfulandmysterioushashappenedtosomebodyelse。Butheshowednosuchsymptoms，andaglimmerofhopefounditswayintoGeoffrey’stormentedbreast。

HeleftthestationandwalkedrapidlytowardstheVicarage。Thosewhoknowwhatapitchofhorrorsuspensecanreachmayimaginehisfeelingsashedidso。Butitwassoontobeputanendtonow。AshedrewneartheVicaragegatehemetthefatWelshservantgirlBettyrunningtowardshim。ThenhopeleftGeoffrey。

Thegirlrecognisedhim，andinherconfusiondidnotseemintheleastastonishedtoseehimwalkingthereataquartertosevenonasummermorning。Indeed，evenshevaguelyconnectedGeoffreywithBeatriceinhermind，forsheatoncesaidinherthickEnglish:

“Oh，sir，doyouknowwhereMissBeatriceis？”

“No。”heanswered，catchingatarailingforsupport。“Whydoyouask？

Ihavenotseenherforweeks。”

Thenthegirlplungedintoalongstory。Mr。GrangerandMissGrangerwereawayfromhome，andwouldnotbebackforanothertwohours。MissBeatricehadgoneoutyesterdayafternoon，andhadnotcomebacktotea。She，Betty，hadnotthoughtmuchofit，believingthatshehadstoppedtospendtheeveningsomewhere，and，beingverytired，hadgonetobedabouteight，leavingthedoorunlocked。Thismorning，whenshewoke，itwastofindthatMissBeatricehadnotsleptinthehousethatnight，andshecameouttoseeifshecouldfindher。

“Wherewasshegoingwhenshewentout？”Geoffreyasked。

Shedidnotknow，butshethoughtthatMissBeatricewasgoingoutinthecanoe。Leastwaysshehadputonhertennisshoes，whichshealwaysworewhenshewentoutboating。

Geoffreyunderstooditallnow。“Cometotheboat-house。”hesaid。

Theywentdowntothebeach，whereasyetnonewereaboutexceptafewworkingpeople。Neartheboat-houseGeoffreymetoldEdwardwalkingalongwithakeyinhishand。

“Lord，sir！“hesaid。“Youhere，sir！andinthattherequeerhat，too。Whatisit，sir？”

“DidMissBeatricegooutinhercanoeyesterdayevening，Edward？”

Geoffreyaskedhoarsely。

“No，sir;notasIknowon。Myboylockeduptheboat-houselastnight，andIsupposehelookedinitfirst。What！Youdon’tmeantosay——Stop;we’llsoonknow。Oh，Goad！thecanoe’sgone！“

Therewasasilence，anawfulsilence。OldEdwardbrokeit。

“She’sdrowned，sir——that’swhatsheis——drownedatlast;andshethefinestwomaninWales。Iknewedshewouldbeoneday，poordear！andshethebeautythatshewas;andallalongofthatdamnedunluckylittlecraft。Goadhelpher！She’sdrowned，Isay——“

Bettyburstoutintoloudweepingathiswords。

“Stopthatnoise，girl。”saidGeoffrey，turninghispalefacetowardsher。“GobacktotheVicarage，andifMr。GrangercomeshomebeforeI

getback，tellhimwhatwefear。Edward，sendsomementosearchtheshoretowardsCoed，andsomemoreinasailingboat。IwillwalktowardstheBellRock——youcanfollowme。”

Hestartedandswiftlytrampedalongthesands，searchingtheseawithhiseye。Onhewalkedsullenly，desperatelystrivingtohopeagainsthope。On，pasttheDogRocks，roundthelongcurveofbeachtillhecametotheAmphitheatre。Thetidewashighagain;hecouldbarelypasstheprojectingpoint。Hewasroundit，andhisheartstoodstill。

Forthere，bottomupwards，andgentlyswayingtoandfroasthespentwavesrockedit，wasBeatrice’scanoe。

Sadly，hopelessly，heavily，Geoffreywadedkneedeepintothewater，andcatchingthebowofthecanoe，draggeditashore。Therewas，orappearedtobe，nothinginit;ofcoursehecouldnotexpectanythingelse。Itsoccupanthadsunkandbeencarriedouttoseabytheebb，whereasthecanoehaddriftedbacktoshorewiththemorningtide。

Herearedituponitsendtoletthewaterdrainoutofit，andfromthehollowofthebowarchsomethingcamerollingdown，somethingbrightandheavy，followedbyabrownobject。Hastilyheloweredthecanoeagain，andpickedupthebrighttrinket。Itwashisownringcomebacktohim——theRomanringhehadgivenBeatrice，andwhichshetoldhiminthelettershewouldwearinherhourofdeath。Hetoucheditwithhislipsandplaceditbackuponhishand，thistokenfromthebeloveddead，vowingthatitshouldneverleavehishandinlife，andthatafterdeathitshouldbeburiedonhim。Andsoitwillbe，perhapstobedugupagainthousandsofyearshence，andoncemoretoplayapartintheromanceofunbornages。

/Aveatquevale/——thatwastheinscriptionrudelycutwithinitsround。Greetingandfarewell——herownlastwordstohim。Oh，Beatrice，Beatrice！toyoualso/aveatquevale/。Youcouldnothavesentafittermessage。Greetingandfarewell！Diditnotsumitall？Withinthecircleofthislittleringwaswrittheepitomeofhumanlife:

herewerethebeginningandtheendofLoveandHate，ofHopeandfear，ofJoyandSorrow。

Beatrice，hail！Beatrice，farewell！tillperchanceaSpiritrushingearthwardshallcry“/Greeting/。”inanothertongue，andDeath，descendingtohisownplace，shakingfromhiswingsthedewoftears，shallanswer“/FarewelltomeandNight，yeChildrenofEternalDay！/“

Andwhatwasthisotherrelic？Heliftedit——itwasBeatrice’stennisshoe，washedfromherfoot——Geoffreyknewit，foroncehehadtiedit。

ThenGeoffreybrokedown——itwastoomuch。Hethrewhimselfuponthegreatrockandsobbed——thatrockwherehehadsatwithherandHeavenhadopenedtotheirsight。Butmenarenotgiventosuchexhibitionsofemotion，andfortunatelyforhimtheparoxysmdidnotlast。Hecouldnothaveborneitforlong。

Heroseandwentagaintotheedgeofthesea。AtthismomentoldEdwardandhissonarrived。Geoffreypointedtotheboat，thenheldupthelittleshoe。

“Ah。”saidtheoldman，“asIthought。Goadhelpher！She’sgone;

she’llnevercomeashorenomore，shewon’t。She’stwentymilesawaybynow，sheis，breastup，withthegullsa-screamingoverher。It’sthattheredamnedcanoe，that’swhatitis。IwishtoGoadIhadbrokeituplongago。I’dratherhavebuiltheraboatfornothing，Iwould。

Damntheunluckycraft！“screamedtheoldmanatthetopofhisvoice，andturninghisheadtohidethetearsthatwerestreamingdownhisruggedface。“AndherthatInursedandpulledoutofthewatersonceallbutdead。Damnit，Isay！There，takethat，youSeaWitch，you！“

andhepickedupagreatboulderandcrasheditthroughthebottomofthecanoewithallhisstrength。“Youshan’tneverdrownnomore。Butithasbroughtyougoodluck，ithas，sir;you’llbeafortunitmanallyourlifenow。Ithasbroughtyouthe/DrownedOne’sshoe/。”

“Don’tbreakitanymore。”saidGeoffrey。“Sheusedtovalueit。Youhadbetterbringitalongbetweenyou——itmaybewanted。IamgoingtotheVicarage。”

Hewalkedback。Mr。GrangerandElizabethhadnotyetarrived，buttheywereexpectedeveryminute。Hewentintothesitting-room。ItwasfullofmemoriesandtokensofBeatrice。Therelayanovelwhichhehadgivenher，andtherewasyesterday’spaperthatshehadbroughtfromtown，the/Standard/，withhisspeechinit。

Geoffreycoveredhiseyeswithhishand，andthought。Noneknewthatshehadcommittedsuicideexcepthimself。Ifherevealeditthingsmightbesaidofher;hedidnotcarewhatwassaidofhim，buthewasjealousofherdeadname。Itmightbesaid，forinstance，thatthewholetalewastrue，andthatBeatricediedbecauseshecouldnolongerfacelifewithoutbeingputtoanopenshame。Yes，hehadbetterholdhistongueastohowandwhyshedied。Shewasdead——

nothingcouldbringherback。Buthowthenshouldheaccountforhispresencethere？Easilyenough。HewouldsayfranklythathecamebecauseBeatricehadwrittentohimofthechargesmadeagainstherandthethreatsagainsthimself——cametofindherdead。AndonthatpointhewouldstillhaveawordwithOwenDaviesandElizabeth。

ScarcelyhadhemadeuphismindwhenElizabethandherfatherentered。Clearlyfromtheirfacestheyhadasyetheardnothing。

Geoffreyrose，andElizabethcaughtsightofhimstandingwithglowingeyesandafacelikethatofDeathhimself。Sherecoiledinalarm。

“Whatbringsyouhere，Mr。Bingham？”shesaid，inherhardvoice。

“Cannotyouguess，MissGranger？”hesaidsternly。“AfewdaysbackyoumadecertainchargesagainstyoursisterandmyselfinthepresenceofyourfatherandMr。OwenDavies。Thesechargeshavebeencommunicatedtome，andIhavecometoanswerthemandtodemandsatisfactionforthem。”

Mr。Grangerfidgetednervouslyandlookedasthoughhewouldliketoescape，butElizabeth，withcharacteristiccourage，shutthedoorandfacedthestorm。

“Yes，Ididmakethosecharges，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid，“andtheyaretruecharges。Butstop，wehadbettersendforBeatricefirst。”

“Youmaysend，butyouwillnotfindher。”

“Whatdoyoumean？——whatdoyoumean？”askedherfatherapprehensively。

“Itmeansthathehashiddenheraway，Isuppose。”saidElizabethwithasneer。

“Imean，Mr。Granger，thatyourdaughterBeatriceis/dead/。”

Foroncestartledoutofherself-command，Elizabethgavealittlecry，whileherfatherstaggeredbackagainstthewall。

“Dead！dead！Whatdoyoumean？Howdidshedie？”heasked。

“ThatisknowntoGodandheralone。”answeredGeoffrey。“Shewentoutlasteveninginhercanoe。WhenIarrivedherethismorningshewasmissedforthefirsttime。Iwalkedalongthebeachandfoundthecanoeandthisinsideofit。”andheplacedthesoddenshoeuponthetable。

Therewasasilence。Inthemidstofit，OwenDaviesburstintotheroomwithwildeyesanddishevelledhair。

“Isittrue？”hecried，“tellme——itcannotbetruethatBeatriceisdrowned。ShecannothavebeentakenfrommejustwhenIwasgoingtomarryher。Saythatitisnottrue！“

AgreatfuryfilledGeoffrey’sheart。Hewalkeddowntheroomandshutthedoor，aredlightswimmingbeforehiseyes。ThenheturnedandgrippedOwenDavies’sshoulderlikeavice。

“Youaccursedblackguard——youunmanlycur！“hesaid;“youandthatwickedwoman。”andheshookhishandatElizabeth，“conspiredtogethertobringasluruponBeatrice。Youdidmore:youthreatenedtoattackme，totryandruinmeifshewouldnotgiveherselfuptoyou。Youloathsomehypocrite，youtorturedherandfrightenedher;nowIamheretofrighten/you/。Yousaidthatyouwouldmakethecountryringwithyourtales。Itellyouthis——areyoulisteningtome？Ifyoudaretomentionhernameinsuchasense，orifthatwomandares，Iwillbreakeveryboneinyourwretchedbody——byHeavenIwillkillyou！“

andhecastDaviesfromhim，andashedidso，struckhimheavilyacrossthefacewiththebackofhishand。

Themantooknonoticeeitherofhiswordsorofthedeadlyinsultoftheblow。

“Isittrue？”hescreamed，“isittruethatsheisdead？”

“Yes。”saidGeoffrey，followinghim，andbendinghistallsquareframeoverhim，forDavieshadfallenagainstthewall，“yes，itistrue——

sheisdead——andbeyondyourreachforever。PraytoGodthatyoumaynotonedaybecalledhermurderers，allofyou——youshamelesscowards。”

OwenDaviesgaveoneshrillcryandsankinahuddledheapupontheground。

“ThereisnoGod。”hemoaned;“Godpromisedhertome，tobemyown——

youhavekilledher;you——youseducedherfirstandthenyoukilledher。Ibelieveyoukilledher。Oh，Ishallgomad！“

“Madorsane。”saidGeoffrey，“saythosewordsoncemoreandIwillstampthelifeoutofyouwhereyouare。YousaythatGodpromisedhertoyou——promisedthatwomantoahoundlikeyou。Ah，becareful！“

OwenDaviesmadenoanswer。Crouchedthereuponthegroundherockedhimselftoandfro，andmoanedinthemadnessofhisbaulkeddesire。

“Thisman。”saidGeoffrey，turningtowardsandpointingtoElizabeth，whowasglaringathimlikeawildcatfromthecorneroftheroom，“saidthatthereisnoGod。IsaythatthereisaGod，andthatoneday，soonorlate，vengeancewillfindyouout——youmurderess，youwriterofanonymousletters;youwho，toadvanceyourownwickedendswhatevertheymaybe，werenotashamedtotrytodragyourinnocentsister’snameintothedirt。Ineverbelievedinahelltillnow，buttheremustbeahellforsuchasyou，ElizabethGranger。Goyourways;

liveoutyourtime;butliveeveryhourofitinterrorofthevengeancethatshallcomesosurelyasyoushalldie。

“Nowforyou，sir。”hewenton，addressingthetremblingfather。“Idonotblameyousomuch，becauseIbelievethatthisviperpoisonedyourmind。Youmighthavethoughtthatthetalewastrue。Itisnottrue;

itwasalie。Beatrice，whonowisdead，cameintomyroominhersleep，andwascarriedfromitasshecame。Andyou，herfather，allowedthisvillainandyourdaughtertouseherdistressagainsther;youallowedhimtomakealeverofit，withwhichtoforceherintoamarriagethatsheloathed。Yes，coverupyourface——youmaywelldoso。Doyourworst，oneandallofyou，butrememberthatthistimeyouhavetodealwithamanwhocanandwillstrikeback，notapoorfriendlessgirl。”

“BeforeHeaven，itwasnotmyfault，Mr。Bingham。”gaspedtheoldman。

“Iaminnocentofit。ThatJudas-womanElizabethbetrayedhersisterbecauseshewantedtomarryhimherself。”andhepointedtotheHeapuponthefloor。“ShethoughtthatitwouldprejudicehimagainstBeatrice，andhe——hebelievedthatshewasattachedtoyou，andtriedtoworkuponherattachment。”

“So。”saidGeoffrey，“nowwehaveitall。Andyou，sir，stoodbyandsawthisdone。Youstoodbythinkingthatyouwouldmakeaprofitofheragony。NowIwilltellyouwhatImeanttohidefromyou。Ididloveher。Idoloveher——asshelovedme。Ibelievethatbetweenyou，youdrovehertohergrave。Herbloodbeonyourheadsforeverandforever！“

“Oh，takemehome。”groanedtheHeapuponthefloor——“takemehome，Elizabeth！Idaren’tgoalone。Beatricewillhauntme。Mybraingoesroundandround。Takemeaway，Elizabeth，andstopwithme。Youarenotafraidofher，youareafraidofnothing。”

Elizabethsidleduptohim，keepingherfierceeyesonGeoffreyallthetime。Shewasutterlycowedandterrified，butshecouldstilllookfierce。ShetooktheHeapbythehandanddrewhimthencestillmoaningandquitecrazed。Sheledhimawaytohiscastleandhiswealth。Sixmonthsafterwardsshecameforthwithhimtomarryhim，half-wittedashewas。Ayearandeightmonthsafterwardsshecameoutagaintoburyhim，andfoundherselftherichestwidowinWales。

Theywentforth，leavingGeoffreyandMr。Grangeralone。Theoldmanrestedhisheaduponthetableandweptbitterly。

“Bemerciful。”hesaid，“donotsaysuchwordstome。Ilovedher，indeedIdid，butElizabethwastoomuchforme，andIamsopoor。Oh，ifyoulovedheralso，bemerciful！Idonotreproachyoubecauseyoulovedher，althoughyouhadnorighttoloveher。Ifyouhadnotlovedher，andmadeherloveyou，allthiswouldneverhavehappened。Whydoyousaysuchdreadfulthingstome，Mr。Bingham？”

“Ilovedher，sir。”answeredGeoffrey，humblyenoughnowthathisfuryhadpassed，“becausebeingwhatshewasallwholookedonhermustloveher。Thereisnowomanleftlikeherintheworld。ButwhoamI

thatIshouldblameyou？Godforgiveusall！IonlylivehenceforthinthehopethatImayonedayrejoinherwhereshehasgone。”

Therewasapause。

“Mr。Granger。”saidGeoffreypresently，“nevertroubleyourselfaboutmoney。Youwereherfather;anythingyouwantandwhatIhaveisyours。Letusshakehandsandsaygood-bye，andletusnevermeetagain。AsIsaid，Godforgiveusall！“

“Thankyou——thankyou。”saidtheoldman，lookingupthroughthewhitehairthatfellabouthiseyes。“Itisastrangeworldandweareallmiserablesinners。Ihopethereisabettersomewhere。I’mwell-nightiredofthis，especiallynowthatBeatricehasgone。Poorgirl，shewasagooddaughterandafinewoman。Good-bye。Good-bye！“

ThenGeoffreywent。

CHAPTERXXXI

THEDUCHESS’SBALL

GeoffreyreachedTownalittlebeforeeleveno’clockthatnight——ahauntedman——hauntedforlifebyavisionofthatfacestilllovelyindeath，floatingaloneuponthedeep，andcompanionedonlybythescreamingmews——orperchancenowsinkingorsunktoanunfathomablegrave。Wellmightsuchavisionhauntaman，themanwhomaloneofallmenthosecoldlipshadkissed，andforwhosedearsakethisdreadfulthingwasdone。

HetookacabdirectingthedrivertogotoBoltonStreetandtostopathisclubashepassed。Theremightbelettersforhimthere，hethought——somethingwhichwoulddistracthismindalittle。Asitchancedtherewasaletter，marked“private。”andatelegram;bothhadbeendeliveredthatevening，theportersaid，theformeraboutanhouragobyhand。

Idlyheopenedthetelegram——itwasfromhislawyers:“Yourcousin，thechildGeorgeBingham，is，aswehavejustheard，dead。Pleasecallonusearlyto-morrowmorning。”

Hestartedalittle，forthismeantagooddealtoGeoffrey。Itmeantabaronetcyandeightthousandayear，moreorless。HowdelightedHonoriawouldbe，hethoughtwithasadsmile;thelossofthatlargeincomehadalwaysbeenabitterpilltoher，andonewhichshehadmadehimswallowagainandagain。Well，thereitwas。Poorboy，hehadalwaysbeenailing——anoldman’schild！

Heputthetelegraminhispocketandgotintothehansomagain。Therewasalampinitandbyitslighthereadtheletter。ItwasfromthePrimeMinisterandranthus:

“MydearBingham，——IhavenotseenyousinceMondaytothankyouforthemagnificentspeechyoumadeonthatnight。Allowmetoaddmycongratulationstothoseofeverybodyelse。Asyouknow，theUnderSecretaryshipoftheHomeOfficeisvacant。OnbehalfofmycolleaguesandmyselfIwritetoaskifyouwillconsenttofillitforatime，forwedonotinanywayconsiderthatthepostisonecommensuratewithyourabilities。Itwill，however，servetogiveyoupracticalexperienceofadministration，andustheadvantageofyourgreattalentstoanevenlargerextentthanwenowenjoy。Forthefuture，itmustofcoursetakecareofitself;

but，asyouknow，Sir——’shealthisnotallthatcouldbedesired，andtheotherdayhetoldmethatitwasdoubtfulifhewouldbeabletocarryonthedutiesoftheAttorney-Generalshipforverymuchlonger。InviewofthiscontingencyIventuretosuggestthatyouwoulddowelltoapplyforsilkassoonaspossible。IhavespokentotheLordChancelloraboutit，andhesaysthattherewillbenodifficulty，asalthoughyouhaveonlybeeninactivepracticeforsoshortawhile，youhaveagoodmanyyears’standingasabarrister。OrifthisprospectdoesnotpleasedoubtlesssomeotheropeningtotheCabinetcanbefoundintime。Thefactis，thatwecannotinourowninterestoverlookyouforlong。”

Geoffreysmiledagainashefinishedthisletter。Whocouldhavebelievedayearagothathewouldhavebeento-dayinapositiontoreceivesuchanepistlefromthePrimeMinisterofEngland？Ah，herewastheluckoftheDrownedOne’sshoewithavengeance。Andwhatwasitallworthtohimnow？

Heputtheletterinhispocketwiththetelegramandlookedout。TheywereturningintoBoltonStreet。HowwaslittleEffie，hewondered？

Thechildseemedallthatwaslefthimtocarefor。Ifanythinghappenedtoher——bah，hewouldnotthinkofit！

Hewastherenow。“HowisMissEffie？”heaskedoftheservantwhoopenedthedoor。Atthatmomenthisattentionwasattractedbythedimformsoftwopeople，amanandawoman，whowerestandingnotfarfromtheareagate，themanwithhisarmroundthewoman’swaist。Suddenlythewomanappearedtocatchsightofthecabandretiredswiftlydownthearea。ItcrossedhismindthatherfigurewasverylikethatofAnne，theFrenchnurse。

“MissEffieisdoingnicely，sir，I’mtold。”answeredtheman。

Geoffreybreathedmorefreely。“Whereisherladyship？”heasked。“InEffie’sroom？”

“No，sir。”answeredtheman，“herladyshiphasgonetoaball。Sheleftthisnoteforyouincaseyoushouldcomein。”

Hetookthenotefromthehalltableandopenedit。

“DearGeoffrey。”itran，“EffieissomuchbetterthatIhavemadeupmymindtogototheduchess’sballafterall。ShewouldbesodisappointedifIdidnotcome，andmydressisquite/lovely/。

Hadyourmysteriousbusinessanythingtodowith/Bryngelly/？——

Yours，Honoria。”

“Shewouldgoontoaballfromhermother’sfuneral。”saidGeoffreytohimself，ashewalkeduptoEffie’sroom;“well，itishernatureandthere’sanendofit。”

HeknockedatthedoorofEffie’sroom。Therewasnoanswer，sohewalkedin。Theroomwaslitbutempty——no，notquite！Onthefloor，clothedonlyinherwhitenight-shirt，layhislittledaughter，toallappearancedead。

Withsomethinglikeanoathhesprangtoherandliftedher。Thefacewaspaleandthesmallhandswerecold，butthebreastwasstillhotandfevered，andtheheartbeat。Aglanceshowedhimwhathadhappened。Thechildbeingleftalone，andfeelingthirsty，hadgotoutofbedandgonetothewaterbottle——therewasthetumbleronthefloor。Thenweaknesshadovercomeherandshehadfainted——fainteduponthecoldfloorwiththeinflammationstillonher。

AtthatmomentAnneenteredtheroomsweetlymurmuring，“？avabien，chérie？”

“Helpmetoputthechildintobed。”saidGeoffreysternly。“Nowringthebell——ringitagain。

“Andnow，woman——go。Leavethishouseatonce，thisverynight。Doyouhearme？No，don’tstoptoargue。Lookhere！IfthatchilddiesIwillprosecuteyouformanslaughter;yes，Isawyouinthestreet。”andhetookasteptowardsher。ThenAnnefled，andherfacewasseennomoreinBoltonStreetorindeedinthiscountry。

“James。”saidGeoffreytotheservant，“sendthecookuphere——sheisasensiblewoman;anddoyoutakeahansomanddrivetothedoctor，andtellhimtocomehereatonce，andifyoucannotfindhimgoforanotherdoctor。ThengototheNurses’Home，nearSt。James’Station，andgetatrainednurse——tellthemonemustbehadfromsomewhereinstantly。”

“Yes，sir。AndshallIcallforherladyshipattheduchess’s，sir？”

“No。”heanswered，frowningheavily，“donotdisturbherladyship。Gonow。”

“Thatsettlesit。”saidGeoffrey，asthemanwent。“Whateverhappens，HonoriaandImustpart。Ihavedonewithher。”

Hehadindeed，thoughnotinthewayhemeant。ItwouldhavebeenwellforHonoriaifherhusband’scontempthadnotpreventedhimfromsummoningherfromherpleasure。

Thecookcameup，andbetweenthemtheybroughtthechildbacktolife。

Sheopenedhereyesandsmiled。“Isthatyou，daddy。”shewhispered，“ordoIdreams？”

“Yes，dear，itisI。”

“Wherehasyoubeen，daddy——toseeAuntieBeatrice？”

“Yes，love。”hesaid，withagasp。

“Oh，daddy，myheaddofeelfunny;butIdon’tmindnowyouiscomeback。Youwon’tgoawaynomore，willyou，daddy？”

“No，dear，nomore。”

Afterthatshebegantowanderalittle，andfinallydroppedintoatroubledsleep。

Withinhalfanhourboththedoctorandthenursearrived。TheformerlistenedtoGeoffrey’staleandexaminedthechild。

“Shemaypullthroughit。”hesaid，“shehasgotacapitalconstitution;butI’lltellyouwhatitis——ifshehadlainanotherfiveminutesinthatdraughttherewouldhavebeenanendofher。Youcameinthenickoftime。AndnowifIwereyouIshouldgotobed。

Youcandonogoodhere，andyoulookdreadfullyillyourself。”

ButGeoffreyshookhishead。Hesaidhewouldgodownstairsandsmokeapipe。Hedidnotwanttogotobedatpresent;hewastootired。

Meanwhiletheballwentmerrily。LadyHonorianeverenjoyedherselfmoreinherlife。Sherevelledintheluxuriousgaietyaroundherlikeabutterflyinthesunshine。Howgooditallwas——theflashofdiamonds，theodourofcostlyflowers，thehomageofwell-bredmen，theenvyofotherwomen。Oh！itwasadelightfulworldafterall——thatiswhenonedidnothavetoexistinaflatneartheEdgwareRoad。ButHeavenbepraised！thankstoGeoffrey’stalents，therewasanendofflatsandmisery。Afterall，hewasnotabadsortofhusband，thoughinmanywaysaperfectmysterytoher。AsforhislittleweaknessfortheWelshgirl，really，providedthattherewasnoscandal，shedidnotcaretwopenceaboutit。

“Yes，Iamsogladyouadmireit。Ithinkitisratheranicedress，butthenIalwayssaythatnobodyinLondoncanmakeadresslikeMadameJules。Oh，no，Geoffreydidnotchooseit;hethinksofotherthings。”

“Well，I’msureyououghttobeproudofhim，LadyHonoria。”saidthehandsomeGuardsmantowhomshewastalking;“theysayatmessthatheisoneofthecleverestmeninEngland。IonlywishIhadafiftiethpartofhisbrains。”

“Oh，pleasedonotbecomeclever，LordAtleigh;pleasedon’t，orI

shallreallygiveyouup。Clevernessisallverywell，butitisn’teverything，youknow。Yes，Iwilldanceifyoulike，butyoumustgoslowly;tobequitehonest，Iamafraidoftearingmylaceinthiscrush。Why，IdeclarethereisGarsington，mybrother，youknow。”andshepointedtoasmallred-hairedmanwhowaselbowinghiswaytowardsthem。“Iwonderwhathewants;itisnotatallinhislinetocometoballs。Youknowhim，don’tyou？heisalwaysracinghorses，likeyou。”

ButtheGuardsmanhadvanished。ForreasonsofhisownhedidnotwishtomeetGarsington。Perhapshetoohadbeenamemberofacertainclub。

“Oh，thereyouare，Honoria。”saidherbrother，“IthoughtthatI

shouldbesuretofindyousomewhereinthisbeastlysquash。Lookhere，Ihavesomethingtotellyou。”

“Goodnewsorbad？”saidLadyHonoria，playingwithherfan。“Ifitisbad，keepit，forIamenjoyingmyselfverymuch，andIdon’twantmyeveningspoilt。”

“Trustyouforthat，Honoria;butlookhere，it’sjollygood，aboutasgoodascanbeforthatprigofahusbandofyours。Whatdoyouthink？

thatbratofaboy，thesonofoldSirRobertBinghamandthecookorsomeone，youknow，is——“

“Notdead，notdead？”saidHonoriaindeepagitation。

“Deadasditch-water。”repliedhislordship。“Ihearditattheclub。

Therewasalawyerfellowtherediningwithsomebodythere，andtheygottalkingaboutBingham，whenthelawyersaid，’Oh，he’sSirGeoffreyBinghamnow。OldSirRobert’sheirisdead。Isawthetelegrammyself。’“

“Oh，thisisalmosttoogoodtobetrue。”saidHonoria。“Why，itmeanseightthousandayeartous。”

“Itoldyouitwasprettygood。”saidherbrother。“Yououghttostandmeacommissionoutoftheswag。Atanyrate，let’sgoanddrinktothenews。Comeon，itistimeforsupperandIamawfullydone。Imustscrewmyselfup。”

LadyHonoriatookhisarm。Astheywalkeddownthewideflower-hungstairtheymetaverygreatPersonindeed，comingup。

“Ah，LadyHonoria。”saidthegreatPerson，“Ihavesomethingtosaythatwillpleaseyou，Ithink。”andhebenttowardsher，andspokeverylow，then，withalittlebow，passedon。

“Whatistheoldboytalkingabout？”askedherbrother。

“Why，whatdoyouthink？Weareinluck’swayto-night。HesaysthattheyareofferingGeoffreytheUnderSecretaryshipoftheHomeOffice。”

“He’llbeabiggerprigthanevernow。”growledLordGarsington。“Yes，itisluckthough;letushopeitwon’tturn。”

Theysatdowntosupper，andLordGarsington，whohadalreadybeendining，helpedhimselfprettyfreelytochampagne。Beforethemwasasilvercandelabraandoneachofthecandleswasfixedalittlepaintedpapershade。Oneofthemgotwrong，andafootmantriedtoreachoverLordGarsington’sheadtoputitstraight。

“I’lldoit。”saidhe。

“No，no;lettheman。”saidLadyHonoria。“Look！itisgoingtocatchfire！“

“Nonsense。”heanswered，risingsolemnlyandreachinghisarmtowardstheshade。Ashetouchedit，itcaughtfire;indeed，bytouchingithecausedittocatchfire。Heseizedholdofit，andmadeanefforttoputitout，butitburnthisfingers。

“Cursethething！“hesaidaloud，andthrewitfromhim。Itfellflaminginhissister’sdressamongthethickestofthefilmylaces;

theycaught，andinstantlytwowreathingsnakesoffireshotupher。

Shesprangfromherseatandrushedscreamingdowntheroom，anawfulmassofflame！

IntenmoreminutesLadyHonoriahadleftthisworldanditspleasurestothosewhostilllivedtotastethem。

Anhourpassed。GeoffreystillsatbroodingheavilyoverhispipeinthestudyinBoltonStreetandwaitingforHonoria，whenaknockcametohisdoor。Theservantshadallgonetobed，allexceptthesicknurse。Heroseandopenedithimself。Alittlered-haired，pale-facedmanstaggeredin。

“Why，Garsington，isityou？Whatdoyouwantatthishour？”

“Screwyourselfup，Bingham，I’vesomethingtotellyou。”heansweredinathickvoice。

“Whatisit？anotherdisaster，Isuppose。Issomebodyelsedead？”

“Yes;somebodyis。Honoria’sdead。Burnttodeathattheball。”

“GreatGod！Honoriaburnttodeath。Ihadbettergo——“

“Iadviseyounot，Bingham。Iwouldn’tgotothehospitalifIwereyou。Screwyourselfup，andifyoucan，givemesomethingtodrink——

I’maboutdone——Imustscrewmyselfup。”

Andherewemayleavethismostfortunateandgiftedman。FarewelltoGeoffreyBingham。

ENVOL

Thus，then，didthesehumanatomsworkouttheirdestinies，theselittlegrainsofanimateddust，blownhitherandthitherbyabreathwhichcametheyknewnotwhence。

IftherebeanymaliciousPrincipleamongthePowersaroundusthatdeignstofindamusementinthefutilevagariesofman，wellmightitlaugh，andlaughagain，atthegreatresultsofallthisscheming，ofallthesedesires，lovesandhates;andiftherebeanypitifulPrinciple，wellmightitsighovertheinfinitepathosofhumanhelplessness。OwenDavieslostinhisownpassion;Geoffreycrownedwithprosperityandhauntedbyundyingsorrow;Honoriaperishingwretchedlyinherhourofsatisfiedambition;Beatricesacrificingherselfinloveandblindness，andtherebycastingoutherjoy。

Oh，ifshehadbeencontenttohumblytrustintheProvidenceaboveher;ifshehadbutleftthatdeedundaredforoneshortweek！

ButGeoffreystilllived，andthechildrecovered，afterhangingforawhilebetweenlifeanddeath，andwaslefttocomforthim。Mayshesurvivetobeahappywifeandmother，livingunderconditionsmorefavourabletoherwell-beingthanthosewhichtrampledoutthelifeofthatmistakenwoman，theill-starred，great-souledBeatrice，andbrokeherfather’sheart。

Say——whatarewe？Wearebutarrowswingedwithfearsandshotfromdarknessintodarkness;weareblindleadersoftheblind，aimlessbeatersofthiswintryair;losttravellersbymanystonypathsendinginoneend。Tellus，you，whohaveoutwornthecommontragedyandpassedthenarrowway，whatliesbeyonditsgate？Youaredumb，orwecannothearyouspeak。

ButBeatriceknowsto-day！

End