第5章

"Now——now！"thesamevoicesaidexcitedly;andCharity，graspingthehatonherknee，crushedittightintheefforttorestrainherrapture。

Foramomentthenightseemedtogrowmoreimpenetrablyblack;thenagreatpicturestoodoutagainstitlikeaconstellation。Itwassurmountedbyagoldenscrollbearingtheinscription，"WashingtoncrossingtheDelaware，"andacrossafloodofmotionlessgoldenripplestheNationalHeropassed，erect，solemnandgigantic，standingwithfoldedarmsinthesternofaslowlymovinggoldenboat。

Along"Oh—h—h"burstfromthespectators：thestandcreakedandshookwiththeirblissfultrepidations。

"Oh—h—h，"Charitygasped：shehadforgottenwhereshewas，hadatlastforgottenevenHarney’snearness。Sheseemedtohavebeencaughtupintothestars……

Thepicturevanishedanddarknesscamedown。Intheobscurityshefeltherheadclaspedbytwohands：herfacewasdrawnbackward，andHarney’slipswerepressedonhers。Withsuddenvehemencehewoundhisarmsabouther，holdingherheadagainsthisbreastwhileshegavehimbackhiskisses。AnunknownHarneyhadrevealedhimself，aHarneywhodominatedherandyetoverwhomshefeltherselfpossessedofanewmysteriouspower。

Butthecrowdwasbeginningtomove，andhehadtoreleaseher。"Come，"hesaidinaconfusedvoice。Hescrambledoverthesideofthestand，andholdinguphisarmcaughtherasshesprangtotheground。Hepassedhisarmaboutherwaist，steadyingheragainstthedescendingrushofpeople;andsheclungtohim，speechless，exultant，asifallthecrowdingandconfusionaboutthemwereamerevainstirringoftheair。

"Come，"herepeated，"wemusttrytomakethetrolley。"

Hedrewheralong，andshefollowed，stillinherdream。Theywalkedasiftheywereone，soisolatedinecstasythatthepeoplejostlingthemoneverysideseemedimpalpable。Butwhentheyreachedtheterminustheilluminatedtrolleywasalreadyclangingonitsway，itsplatformsblackwithpassengers。Thecarswaitingbehinditwereasthicklypacked;andthethrongabouttheterminuswassodensethatitseemedhopelesstostruggleforaplace。

"LasttripuptheLake，"amegaphonebellowedfromthewharf;andthelightsofthelittlesteam—boatcamedancingoutofthedarkness。

"Nousewaitinghere;shallwerunuptheLake？"Harneysuggested。

Theypushedtheirwaybacktotheedgeofthewaterjustasthegang—plankloweredfromthewhitesideoftheboat。Theelectriclightattheendofthewharfflashedfullonthedescendingpassengers，andamongthemCharitycaughtsightofJuliaHawes，herwhitefeatheraskew，andthefaceunderitflushedwithcoarselaughter。Asshesteppedfromthegang—plankshestoppedshort，herdark—ringedeyesdartingmalice。

"Hullo，CharityRoyall！"shecalledout;andthen，lookingbackoverhershoulder："Didn’tItellyouitwasafamilyparty？Here’sgrandpa’slittledaughtercometotakehimhome！"

Asniggerranthroughthegroup;andthen，toweringabovethem，andsteadyinghimselfbythehand—railinadesperateeffortaterectness，Mr。Royallsteppedstifflyashore。Liketheyoungmenoftheparty，heworeasecretsocietyembleminthebuttonholeofhisblackfrock—coat。HisheadwascoveredbyanewPanamahat，andhisnarrowblacktie，halfundone，dangleddownonhisrumpledshirt—front。Hisface，alividbrown，withredblotchesofangerandlipssunkeninlikeanoldman’s，wasalamentableruininthesearchingglare。

HewasjustbehindJuliaHawes，andhadonehandonherarm;butasheleftthegang—plankhefreedhimself，andmovedasteportwoawayfromhiscompanions。HehadseenCharityatonce，andhisglancepassedslowlyfromhertoHarney，whosearmwasstillabouther。Hestoodstaringatthem，andtryingtomasterthesenilequiverofhislips;thenhedrewhimselfupwiththetremulousmajestyofdrunkenness，andstretchedouthisarm。

"Youwhore——youdamn——bare—headedwhore，you！"heenunciatedslowly。

Therewasascreamoftipsylaughterfromtheparty，andCharityinvoluntarilyputherhandstoherhead。

Sherememberedthatherhathadfallenfromherlapwhenshejumpeduptoleavethestand;andsuddenlyshehadavisionofherself，hatless，dishevelled，withaman’sarmabouther，confrontingthatdrunkencrew，headedbyherguardian’spitiablefigure。Thepicturefilledherwithshame。ShehadknownsincechildhoodaboutMr。Royall’s"habits"：hadseenhim，asshewentuptobed，sittingmoroselyinhisoffice，abottleathiselbow;orcominghome，heavyandquarrelsome，fromhisbusinessexpeditionstoHepburnorSpringfield;buttheideaofhisassociatinghimselfpubliclywithabandofdisreputablegirlsandbar—roomloaferswasnewanddreadfultoher。

"Oh————"shesaidinagaspofmisery;andreleasingherselffromHarney’sarmshewentstraightuptoMr。

Royall。

"Youcomehomewithme——youcomerighthomewithme，"

shesaidinalowsternvoice，asifshehadnotheardhisapostrophe;andoneofthegirlscalledout："Say，howmanyfellersdoesshewant？"

Therewasanotherlaugh，followedbyapauseofcuriosity，duringwhichMr。RoyallcontinuedtoglareatCharity。Atlengthhistwitchinglipsparted。"I

said，’You——damn——whore！’"herepeatedwithprecision，steadyinghimselfonJulia’sshoulder。

Laughsandjeerswerebeginningtospringupfromthecircleofpeoplebeyondtheirgroup;andavoicecalledoutfromthegangway："Now，then，steplivelythere——allABOARD！"Thepressureofapproachinganddepartingpassengersforcedtheactorsintherapidsceneapart，andpushedthembackintothethrong。

CharityfoundherselfclingingtoHarney’sarmandsobbingdesperately。Mr。Royallhaddisappeared，andinthedistancesheheardtherecedingsoundofJulia’slaugh。

Theboat，ladentothetaffrail，waspuffingawayonherlasttrip。

XI

ATtwoo’clockinthemorningthefreckledboyfromCrestonstoppedhissleepyhorseatthedooroftheredhouse，andCharitygotout。HarneyhadtakenleaveofheratCrestonRiver，chargingtheboytodriveherhome。Hermindwasstillinafogofmisery，andshedidnotrememberveryclearlywhathadhappened，orwhattheysaidtoeachother，duringtheinterminableintervalsincetheirdeparturefromNettleton;butthesecretiveinstinctoftheanimalinpainwassostronginherthatshehadasenseofreliefwhenHarneygotoutandshedroveonalone。

ThefullmoonhungoverNorthDormer，whiteningthemistthatfilledthehollowsbetweenthehillsandfloatedtransparentlyabovethefields。Charitystoodamomentatthegate，lookingoutintothewaningnight。Shewatchedtheboydriveoff，hishorse’sheadwaggingheavilytoandfro;thenshewentaroundtothekitchendoorandfeltunderthematforthekey。Shefoundit，unlockedthedoorandwentin。Thekitchenwasdark，butshediscoveredaboxofmatches，litacandleandwentupstairs。Mr。Royall’sdoor，oppositehers，stoodopenonhisunlitroom;evidentlyhehadnotcomeback。Shewentintoherroom，boltedherdoorandbeganslowlytountietheribbonaboutherwaist，andtotakeoffherdress。Underthebedshesawthepaperbaginwhichshehadhiddenhernewhatfrominquisitiveeyes……

Shelayforalongtimesleeplessonherbed，staringupatthemoonlightonthelowceiling;dawnwasintheskywhenshefellasleep，andwhenshewokethesunwasonherface。

Shedressedandwentdowntothekitchen。Verenawastherealone：sheglancedatCharitytranquilly，withherolddeaf—lookingeyes。TherewasnosignofMr。

Royallaboutthehouseandthehourspassedwithouthisreappearing。Charityhadgoneuptoherroom，andsattherelistlessly，herhandsonherlap。Puffsofsultryairfannedherdimitywindowcurtainsandfliesbuzzedstiflinglyagainstthebluishpanes。

Atoneo’clockVerenahobbleduptoseeifshewerenotcomingdowntodinner;butsheshookherhead，andtheoldwomanwentaway，saying："I’llcoverup，then。"

Thesunturnedandleftherroom，andCharityseatedherselfinthewindow，gazingdownthevillagestreetthroughthehalf—openedshutters。Notathoughtwasinhermind;itwasjustadarkwhirlpoolofcrowdingimages;andshewatchedthepeoplepassingalongthestreet，DanTargatt’steamhaulingaloadofpine—

trunksdowntoHepburn，thesexton’soldwhitehorsegrazingonthebankacrosstheway，asifshelookedatthesefamiliarsightsfromtheothersideofthegrave。

ShewasrousedfromherapathybyseeingAllyHawescomeoutoftheFrys’gateandwalkslowlytowardtheredhousewithherunevenlimpingstep。AtthesightCharityrecoveredherseveredcontactwithreality。ShedivinedthatAllywascomingtohearaboutherday：nooneelsewasinthesecretofthetriptoNettleton，andithadflatteredAllyprofoundlytobeallowedtoknowofit。

Atthethoughtofhavingtoseeher，ofhavingtomeethereyesandanswerorevadeherquestions，thewholehorrorofthepreviousnight’sadventurerushedbackuponCharity。Whathadbeenafeverishnightmarebecameacoldandunescapablefact。PoorAlly，atthatmoment，representedNorthDormer，withallitsmeancuriosities，itsfurtivemalice，itsshamunconsciousnessofevil。Charityknewthat，althoughallrelationswithJuliaweresupposedtobesevered，thetender—heartedAllystillsecretlycommunicatedwithher;andnodoubtJuliawouldexultinthechanceofretailingthescandalofthewharf。Thestory，exaggeratedanddistorted，wasprobablyalreadyonitswaytoNorthDormer。

Ally’sdraggingpacehadnotcarriedherfarfromtheFrys’gatewhenshewasstoppedbyoldMrs。Sollas，whowasagreattalker，andspokeveryslowlybecauseshehadneverbeenabletogetusedtohernewteethfromHepburn。Still，eventhisrespitewouldnotlastlong;

inanothertenminutesAllywouldbeatthedoor，andCharitywouldhearhergreetingVerenainthekitchen，andthencallingupfromthefootofthestairs。

Suddenlyitbecameclearthatflight，andinstantflight，wastheonlythingconceivable。Thelongingtoescape，togetawayfromfamiliarfaces，fromplaceswhereshewasknown，hadalwaysbeenstronginherinmomentsofdistress。Shehadachildishbeliefinthemiraculouspowerofstrangescenesandnewfacestotransformherlifeandwipeoutbittermemories。Butsuchimpulsesweremerefleetingwhimscomparedtothecoldresolvewhichnowpossessedher。Shefeltshecouldnotremainanhourlongerundertheroofofthemanwhohadpubliclydishonouredher，andfacetofacewiththepeoplewhowouldpresentlybegloatingoverallthedetailsofherhumiliation。

HerpassingpityforMr。Royallhadbeenswallowedupinloathing：everythinginherrecoiledfromthedisgracefulspectacleofthedrunkenoldmanapostrophizingherinthepresenceofabandofloafersandstreet—walkers。Suddenly，vividly，sherelivedagainthehorriblemomentwhenhehadtriedtoforcehimselfintoherroom，andwhatshehadbeforesupposedtobeamadaberrationnowappearedtoherasavulgarincidentinadebauchedanddegradedlife。

Whilethesethoughtswerehurryingthroughhershehaddraggedoutheroldcanvasschool—bag，andwasthrustingintoitafewarticlesofclothingandthelittlepacketoflettersshehadreceivedfromHarney。

Fromunderherpincushionshetookthelibrarykey，andlaiditinfullview;thenshefeltatthebackofadrawerforthebluebroochthatHarneyhadgivenher。

ShewouldnothavedaredtowearitopenlyatNorthDormer，butnowshefasteneditonherbosomasifitwereatalismantoprotectherinherflight。Thesepreparationshadtakenbutafewminutes，andwhentheywerefinishedAllyHaweswasstillattheFrys’cornertalkingtooldMrs。Sollas……

Shehadsaidtoherself，asshealwayssaidinmomentsofrevolt："I’llgototheMountain——I’llgobacktomyownfolks。"Shehadneverreallymeantitbefore;butnow，assheconsideredhercase，noothercourseseemedopen。Shehadneverlearnedanytradethatwouldhavegivenherindependenceinastrangeplace，andsheknewnooneinthebigtownsofthevalley，whereshemighthavehopedtofindemployment。MissHatchardwasstillaway;butevenhadshebeenatNorthDormershewasthelastpersontowhomCharitywouldhaveturned，sinceoneofthemotivesurginghertoflightwasthewishnottoseeLuciusHarney。TravellingbackfromNettleton，inthecrowdedbrightly—littrain，allexchangeofconfidencebetweenthemhadbeenimpossible;butduringtheirdrivefromHepburntoCrestonRivershehadgatheredfromHarney’ssnatchesofconsolatorytalk——againhamperedbythefreckledboy’spresence——thatheintendedtoseeherthenextday。Atthemomentshehadfoundavaguecomfortintheassurance;butinthedesolatelucidityofthehoursthatfollowedshehadcometoseetheimpossibilityofmeetinghimagain。Herdreamofcomradeshipwasover;andthesceneonthewharf——vileanddisgracefulasithadbeen——hadafterallshedthelightoftruthonherminuteofmadness。Itwasasifherguardian’swordshadstrippedherbareinthefaceofthegrinningcrowdandproclaimedtotheworldthesecretadmonitionsofherconscience。

Shedidnotthinkthesethingsoutclearly;shesimplyfollowedtheblindpropulsionofherwretchedness。Shedidnotwant，everagain，toseeanyoneshehadknown;

aboveall，shedidnotwanttoseeHarney……

Sheclimbedthehill—pathbehindthehouseandstruckthroughthewoodsbyashort—cutleadingtotheCrestonroad。Alead—colouredskyhungheavilyoverthefields，andintheforestthemotionlessairwasstifling;butshepushedon，impatienttoreachtheroadwhichwastheshortestwaytotheMountain。

Todoso，shehadtofollowtheCrestonroadforamileortwo，andgowithinhalfamileofthevillage;andshewalkedquickly，fearingtomeetHarney。Buttherewasnosignofhim，andshehadalmostreachedthebranchroadwhenshesawtheflanksofalargewhitetentprojectingthroughthetreesbytheroadside。ShesupposedthatitshelteredatravellingcircuswhichhadcometherefortheFourth;butasshedrewnearershesaw，overthefolded—backflap，alargesignbearingtheinscription，"GospelTent。"Theinteriorseemedtobeempty;butayoungmaninablackalpacacoat，hislankhairpartedoveraroundwhiteface，steppedfromundertheflapandadvancedtowardherwithasmile。

"Sister，yourSaviourknowseverything。Won’tyoucomeinandlayyourguiltbeforeHim？"heaskedinsinuatingly，puttinghishandonherarm。

Charitystartedbackandflushed。ForamomentshethoughttheevangelistmusthaveheardareportofthesceneatNettleton;thenshesawtheabsurdityofthesupposition。

"Ion’ywish’tIhadanytolay！"sheretorted，withoneofherfierceflashesofself—derision;

andtheyoungmanmurmured，aghast："Oh，Sister，don’tspeakblasphemy……"

Butshehadjerkedherarmoutofhishold，andwasrunningupthebranchroad，tremblingwiththefearofmeetingafamiliarface。Presentlyshewasoutofsightofthevillage，andclimbingintotheheartoftheforest。ShecouldnothopetodothefifteenmilestotheMountainthatafternoon;butsheknewofaplacehalf—waytoHamblinwhereshecouldsleep，andwherenoonewouldthinkoflookingforher。Itwasalittledesertedhouseonaslopeinoneofthelonelyriftsofthehills。Shehadseenitonce，yearsbefore，whenshehadgoneonanuttingexpeditiontothegroveofwalnutsbelowit。Thepartyhadtakenrefugeinthehousefromasuddenmountainstorm，andsherememberedthatBenSollas，wholikedfrighteninggirls，hadtoldthemthatitwassaidtobehaunted。

Shewasgrowingfaintandtired，forshehadeatennothingsincemorning，andwasnotusedtowalkingsofar。Herheadfeltlightandshesatdownforamomentbytheroadside。Asshesattheresheheardtheclickofabicycle—bell，andstarteduptoplungebackintotheforest;butbeforeshecouldmovethebicyclehadsweptaroundthecurveoftheroad，andHarney，jumpingoff，wasapproachingherwithoutstretchedarms。

"Charity！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？"

Shestaredasifhewereavision，sostartledbytheunexpectednessofhisbeingtherethatnowordscametoher。

"Wherewereyougoing？HadyouforgottenthatIwascoming？"hecontinued，tryingtodrawhertohim;butsheshrankfromhisembrace。

"Iwasgoingaway——Idon’twanttoseeyou——Iwantyoushouldleavemealone，"shebrokeoutwildly。

Helookedatherandhisfacegrewgrave，asthoughtheshadowofapremonitionbrushedit。

"Goingaway——fromme，Charity？"

"Fromeverybody。Iwantyoushouldleaveme。"

Hestoodglancingdoubtfullyupanddownthelonelyforestroadthatstretchedawayintosun—fleckeddistances。

"Wherewereyougoing？’

"Home。"

"Home——thisway？"

Shethrewherheadbackdefiantly。"Tomyhome——upyonder：totheMountain。"

Asshespokeshebecameawareofachangeinhisface。Hewasnolongerlisteningtoher，hewasonlylookingather，withthepassionateabsorbedexpressionshehadseeninhiseyesaftertheyhadkissedonthestandatNettleton。HewasthenewHarneyagain，theHarneyabruptlyrevealedinthatembrace，whoseemedsopenetratedwiththejoyofherpresencethathewasutterlycarelessofwhatshewasthinkingorfeeling。

Hecaughtherhandswithalaugh。"HowdoyousupposeIfoundyou？"hesaidgaily。Hedrewoutthelittlepacketofhislettersandflourishedthembeforeherbewilderedeyes。

"Youdroppedthem，youimprudentyoungperson——droppedtheminthemiddleoftheroad，notfarfromhere;andtheyoungmanwhoisrunningtheGospeltentpickedthemupjustasIwasridingby。"Hedrewback，holdingheratarm’slength，andscrutinizinghertroubledfacewiththeminutesearchinggazeofhisshort—sightedeyes。

"Didyoureallythinkyoucouldrunawayfromme？Youseeyouweren’tmeantto，"hesaid;andbeforeshecouldanswerhehadkissedheragain，notvehemently，buttenderly，almostfraternally，asifhehadguessedherconfusedpain，andwantedhertoknowheunderstoodit。Hewoundhisfingersthroughhers。

"Comelet’swalkalittle。Iwanttotalktoyou。

There’ssomuchtosay。"

Hespokewithaboy’sgaiety，carelesslyandconfidently，asifnothinghadhappenedthatcouldshameorembarrassthem;andforamoment，inthesuddenreliefofherreleasefromlonelypain，shefeltherselfyieldingtohismood。Buthehadturned，andwasdrawingherbackalongtheroadbywhichshehadcome。Shestiffenedherselfandstoppedshort。

"Iwon’tgoback，"shesaid。

Theylookedateachotheramomentinsilence;thenheansweredgently："Verywell：let’sgotheotherway，then。"

Sheremainedmotionless，gazingsilentlyattheground，andhewenton："Isn’tthereahouseupheresomewhere——

alittleabandonedhouse——youmeanttoshowmesomeday？"Stillshemadenoanswer，andhecontinued，inthesametoneoftenderreassurance："Letusgotherenowandsitdownandtalkquietly。"Hetookoneofthehandsthathungbyhersideandpressedhislipstothepalm。"DoyousupposeI’mgoingtoletyousendmeaway？DoyousupposeIdon’tunderstand？"

Thelittleoldhouse——itswoodenwallssun—bleachedtoaghostlygray——stoodinanorchardabovetheroad。

Thegardenpalingshadfallen，butthebrokengatedangledbetweenitsposts，andthepathtothehousewasmarkedbyrose—bushesrunwildandhangingtheirsmallpaleblossomsabovethecrowdinggrasses。

Slenderpilastersandanintricatefan—lightframedtheopeningwherethedoorhadhung;andthedooritselflayrottinginthegrass，withanoldapple—treefallenacrossit。

Inside，also，windandweatherhadblanchedeverythingtothesamewansilverytint;thehousewasasdryandpureastheinteriorofalong—emptyshell。Butitmusthavebeenexceptionallywellbuilt，forthelittleroomshadkeptsomethingoftheirhumanaspect：thewoodenmantelswiththeirneatclassicornamentswereinplace，andthecornersofoneceilingretainedalightfilmofplastertracery。

Harneyhadfoundanoldbenchatthebackdooranddraggeditintothehouse。Charitysatonit，leaningherheadagainstthewallinastateofdrowsylassitude。Hehadguessedthatshewashungryandthirsty，andhadbroughthersometabletsofchocolatefromhisbicycle—bag，andfilledhisdrinking—cupfromaspringintheorchard;andnowhesatatherfeet，smokingacigarette，andlookingupatherwithoutspeaking。Outside，theafternoonshadowswerelengtheningacrossthegrass，andthroughtheemptywindow—framethatfacedhershesawtheMountainthrustingitsdarkmassagainstasultrysunset。Itwastimetogo。

Shestoodup，andhesprangtohisfeetalso，andpassedhisarmthroughherswithanairofauthority。

"Now，Charity，you’recomingbackwithme。"

Shelookedathimandshookherhead。"Iain’tevergoingback。Youdon’tknow。"

"Whatdon’tIknow？"Shewassilent，andhecontinued：

"Whathappenedonthewharfwashorrible——it’snaturalyoushouldfeelasyoudo。Butitdoesn’tmakeanyrealdifference：youcan’tbehurtbysuchthings。Youmusttrytoforget。Andyoumusttrytounderstandthatmen……mensometimes……"

"Iknowaboutmen。That’swhy。"

Hecolouredalittleattheretort，asthoughithadtouchedhiminawayshedidnotsuspect。

"Well，then……youmustknowonehastomakeallowances……He’dbeendrinking……"

"Iknowallthat，too。I’veseenhimsobefore。Buthewouldn’thavedaredspeaktomethatwayifhehadn’t……"

"Hadn’twhat？Whatdoyoumean？"

"Hadn’twantedmetobelikethoseothergirls……"Sheloweredhervoiceandlookedawayfromhim。"So’s’thewouldn’thavetogoout……"

Harneystaredather。Foramomenthedidnotseemtoseizehermeaning;thenhisfacegrewdark。"Thedamnedhound！Thevillainouslowhound！"Hiswrathblazedup，crimsoninghimtothetemples。"Ineverdreamed——goodGod，it’stoovile，"hebrokeoff，asifhisthoughtsrecoiledfromthediscovery。

"Iwon’tnevergobackthere，"sherepeateddoggedly。

"No————"heassented。

Therewasalongintervalofsilence，duringwhichsheimaginedthathewassearchingherfaceformorelightonwhatshehadrevealedtohim;andaflushofshamesweptoverher。

"Iknowthewayyoumustfeelaboutme，"shebrokeout，"……tellingyousuchthings……"

Butoncemore，asshespoke，shebecameawarethathewasnolongerlistening。Hecamecloseandcaughthertohimasifheweresnatchingherfromsomeimminentperil：hisimpetuouseyeswereinhers，andshecouldfeelthehardbeatofhisheartasheheldheragainstit。

"Kissmeagain——likelastnight，"hesaid，pushingherhairbackasiftodrawherwholefaceupintohiskiss。

XII

ONEafternoontowardtheendofAugustagroupofgirlssatinaroomatMissHatchard’sinagayconfusionofflags，turkey—red，blueandwhitepapermuslin，harvestsheavesandilluminatedscrolls。

NorthDormerwaspreparingforitsOldHomeWeek。Thatformofsentimentaldecentralizationwasstillinitsearlystages，and，precedentsbeingfew，andthedesiretosetanexamplecontagious，thematterhadbecomeasubjectofprolongedandpassionatediscussionunderMissHatchard’sroof。TheincentivetothecelebrationhadcomeratherfromthosewhohadleftNorthDormerthanfromthosewhohadbeenobligedtostaythere，andtherewassomedifficultyinrousingthevillagetotheproperstateofenthusiasm。ButMissHatchard’spaleprimdrawing—roomwasthecentreofconstantcomingsandgoingsfromHepburn，Nettleton，Springfieldandevenmoredistantcities;andwheneveravisitorarrivedhewasledacrossthehall，andtreatedtoaglimpseofthegroupofgirlsdeepintheirprettypreparations。

"Alltheoldnames……alltheoldnames……"MissHatchardwouldbeheard，tappingacrossthehallonhercrutches。"Targatt……Sollas……Fry：thisisMissOrmaFrysewingthestarsonthedraperyfortheorgan—loft。

Don’tmove，girls……andthisisMissAllyHawes，ourcleverestneedle—woman……andMissCharityRoyallmakingourgarlandsofevergreen……Iliketheideaofitsallbeinghomemade，don’tyou？Wehaven’thadtocallinanyforeigntalent：myyoungcousinLuciusHarney，thearchitect——youknowhe’supherepreparingabookonColonialhouses——he’stakenthewholethinginhandsocleverly;butyoumustcomeandseehissketchforthestagewe’regoingtoputupintheTownHall。"

OneofthefirstresultsoftheOldHomeWeekagitationhad，infact，beenthereappearanceofLuciusHarneyinthevillagestreet。Hehadbeenvaguelyspokenofasbeingnotfaroff，butforsomeweekspastnoonehadseenhimatNorthDormer，andtherewasarecentreportofhishavingleftCrestonRiver，wherehewassaidtohavebeenstaying，andgoneawayfromtheneighbourhoodforgood。SoonafterMissHatchard’sreturn，however，hecamebacktohisoldquartersinherhouse，andbegantotakealeadingpartintheplanningofthefestivities。Hethrewhimselfintotheideawithextraordinarygood—humour，andwassoprodigalofsketches，andsoinexhaustibleindevices，thathegaveanimmediateimpetustotheratherlanguidmovement，andinfectedthewholevillagewithhisenthusiasm。

"Luciushassuchafeelingforthepastthathehasrousedusalltoasenseofourprivileges，"MissHatchardwouldsay，lingeringonthelastword，whichwasafavouriteone。Andbeforeleadinghervisitorbacktothedrawing—roomshewouldrepeat，forthehundredthtime，thatshesupposedhethoughtitveryboldoflittleNorthDormertostartupandhaveaHomeWeekofitsown，whensomanybiggerplaceshadn’tthoughtofityet;butthat，afterall，Associationscountedmorethanthesizeofthepopulation，didn’tthey？AndofcourseNorthDormerwassofullofAssociations……historic，literary（hereafilialsighforHonorius）andecclesiastical……heknewabouttheoldpewtercommunionserviceimportedfromEnglandin1769，shesupposed？Anditwassoimportant，inawealthymaterialisticage，tosettheexampleofrevertingtotheoldideals，thefamilyandthehomestead，andsoon。Thisperorationusuallycarriedherhalf—waybackacrossthehall，leavingthegirlstoreturntotheirinterruptedactivities。

ThedayonwhichCharityRoyallwasweavinghemlockgarlandsfortheprocessionwasthelastbeforethecelebration。WhenMissHatchardcalledupontheNorthDormermaidenhoodtocollaborateinthefestalpreparationsCharityhadatfirstheldaloof;butithadbeenmadecleartoherthathernon—appearancemightexciteconjecture，and，reluctantly，shehadjoinedtheotherworkers。Thegirls，atfirstshyandembarrassed，andpuzzledastotheexactnatureoftheprojectedcommemoration，hadsoonbecomeinterestedintheamusingdetailsoftheirtask，andexcitedbythenoticetheyreceived。TheywouldnotfortheworldhavemissedtheirafternoonsatMissHatchard’s，and，whiletheycutoutandsewedanddrapedandpasted，theirtongueskeptupsuchanaccompanimenttothesewing—machinethatCharity’ssilencesheltereditselfunperceivedundertheirchatter。

Inspiritshewasstillalmostunconsciousofthepleasantstirabouther。Sinceherreturntotheredhouse，ontheeveningofthedaywhenHarneyhadovertakenheronherwaytotheMountain，shehadlivedatNorthDormerasifsheweresuspendedinthevoid。

ShehadcomebacktherebecauseHarney，afterappearingtoagreetotheimpossibilityofherdoingso，hadendedbypersuadingherthatanyothercoursewouldbemadness。ShehadnothingfurthertofearfromMr。

Royall。Ofthisshehaddeclaredherselfsure，thoughshehadfailedtoadd，inhisexoneration，thathehadtwiceofferedtomakeherhiswife。Herhatredofhimmadeitimpossible，atthemoment，forhertosayanythingthatmightpartlyexcusehiminHarney’seyes。

Harney，however，oncesatisfiedofhersecurity，hadfoundplentyofreasonsforurginghertoreturn。Thefirst，andthemostunanswerable，wasthatshehadnowhereelsetogo。Buttheoneonwhichhelaidthegreateststresswasthatflightwouldbeequivalenttoavowal。If——aswasalmostinevitable——rumoursofthescandaloussceneatNettletonshouldreachNorthDormer，howelsewouldherdisappearancebeinterpreted？Herguardianhadpubliclytakenawayhercharacter，andsheimmediatelyvanishedfromhishouse。Seekersaftermotivescouldhardlyfailtodrawanunkindconclusion。Butifshecamebackatonce，andwasseenleadingherusuallife，theincidentwasreducedtoitstrueproportions，astheoutbreakofadrunkenoldmanfuriousatbeingsurprisedindisreputablecompany。PeoplewouldsaythatMr。Royallhadinsultedhiswardtojustifyhimself，andthesordidtalewouldfallintoitsplaceinthechronicleofhisobscuredebaucheries。

Charitysawtheforceoftheargument;butifsheacquiesceditwasnotsomuchbecauseofthatasbecauseitwasHarney’swish。SincethateveninginthedesertedhouseshecouldimaginenoreasonfordoingornotdoinganythingexceptthefactthatHarneywishedordidnotwishit。Allhertossingcontradictoryimpulsesweremergedinafatalisticacceptanceofhiswill。Itwasnotthatshefeltinhimanyascendancyofcharacter——thereweremomentsalreadywhensheknewshewasthestronger——butthatalltherestoflifehadbecomeamerecloudyrimaboutthecentralgloryoftheirpassion。Whenevershestoppedthinkingaboutthatforamomentshefeltasshesometimesdidafterlyingonthegrassandstaringuptoolongatthesky;hereyesweresofulloflightthateverythingaboutherwasablur。

EachtimethatMissHatchard，inthecourseofherperiodicalincursionsintothework—room，droppedanallusiontoheryoungcousin，thearchitect，theeffectwasthesameonCharity。Thehemlockgarlandshewaswearingfelltoherkneesandshesatinakindoftrance。ItwassomanifestlyabsurdthatMissHatchardshouldtalkofHarneyinthatfamiliarpossessiveway，asifshehadanyclaimonhim，orknewanythingabouthim。She，CharityRoyall，wastheonlybeingonearthwhoreallyknewhim，knewhimfromthesolesofhisfeettotherumpledcrestofhishair，knewtheshiftinglightsinhiseyes，andtheinflexionsofhisvoice，andthethingshelikedanddisliked，andeverythingtherewastoknowabouthim，asminutelyandyetunconsciouslyasachildknowsthewallsoftheroomitwakesupineverymorning。Itwasthisfact，whichnobodyaboutherguessed，orwouldhaveunderstood，thatmadeherlifesomethingapartandinviolable，asifnothinghadanypowertohurtordisturbheraslongashersecretwassafe。

TheroominwhichthegirlssatwastheonewhichhadbeenHarney’sbedroom。Hehadbeensentupstairs，tomakeroomfortheHomeWeekworkers;butthefurniturehadnotbeenmoved，andasCharitysatthereshehadperpetuallybeforeherthevisionshehadlookedinonfromthemidnightgarden。ThetableatwhichHarneyhadsatwastheoneaboutwhichthegirlsweregathered;andherownseatwasnearthebedonwhichshehadseenhimlying。Sometimes，whentheotherswerenotlooking，shebentoverasiftopickupsomething，andlaidhercheekforamomentagainstthepillow。

Towardsunsetthegirlsdisbanded。Theirworkwasdone，andthenextmorningatdaylightthedraperiesandgarlandsweretobenailedup，andtheilluminatedscrollsputinplaceintheTownHall。ThefirstguestsweretodriveoverfromHepburnintimeforthemiddaybanquetunderatentinMissHatchard’sfield;

andafterthattheceremoniesweretobegin。MissHatchard，palewithfatigueandexcitement，thankedheryoungassistants，andstoodintheporch，leaningonhercrutchesandwavingafarewellasshewatchedthemtroopawaydownthestreet。

Charityhadslippedoffamongthefirst;butatthegatesheheardAllyHawescallingafterher，andreluctantlyturned。

"Willyoucomeovernowandtryonyourdress？"

Allyasked，lookingatherwithwistfuladmiration。"I

wanttobesurethesleevesdon’truckupthesameastheydidyesterday。"

Charitygazedatherwithdazzledeyes。"Oh，it’slovely，"shesaid，andhastenedawaywithoutlisteningtoAlly’sprotest。Shewantedherdresstobeasprettyastheothergirls’——wantedit，infact，tooutshinetherest，sinceshewastotakepartinthe"exercises"——butshehadnotimejustthentofixhermindonsuchmatters……

Shespedupthestreettothelibrary，ofwhichshehadthekeyaboutherneck。Fromthepassageatthebackshedraggedforthabicycle，andguidedittotheedgeofthestreet。Shelookedabouttoseeifanyofthegirlswereapproaching;buttheyhaddriftedawaytogethertowardtheTownHall，andshesprangintothesaddleandturnedtowardtheCrestonroad。TherewasanalmostcontinualdescenttoCreston，andwithherfeetagainstthepedalsshefloatedthroughthestilleveningairlikeoneofthehawksshehadoftenwatchedslantingdownwardonmotionlesswings。TwentyminutesfromthetimewhenshehadleftMissHatchard’sdoorshewasturningupthewood—roadonwhichHarneyhadovertakenheronthedayofherflight;andafewminutesafterwardshehadjumpedfromherbicycleatthegateofthedesertedhouse。

Inthegold—powderedsunsetitlookedmorethaneverlikesomefrailshelldriedandwashedbymanyseasons;

butattheback，whitherCharityadvanced，drawingherbicycleafterher，thereweresignsofrecenthabitation。Aroughdoormadeofboardshunginthekitchendoorway，andpushingitopensheenteredaroomfurnishedinprimitivecampingfashion。Inthewindowwasatable，alsomadeofboards，withanearthenwarejarholdingabigbunchofwildasters，twocanvaschairsstoodnearby，andinonecornerwasamattresswithaMexicanblanketoverit。

Theroomwasempty，andleaningherbicycleagainstthehouseCharityclambereduptheslopeandsatdownonarockunderanoldapple—tree。Theairwasperfectlystill，andfromwhereshesatshewouldbeabletohearthetinkleofabicycle—bellalongwaydowntheroad……

ShewasalwaysgladwhenshegottothelittlehousebeforeHarney。Shelikedtohavetimetotakeineverydetailofitssecretsweetness——theshadowsoftheapple—treesswayingonthegrass，theoldwalnutsroundingtheirdomesbelowtheroad，themeadowsslopingwestwardintheafternoonlight——beforehisfirstkissblotteditallout。Everythingunrelatedtothehoursspentinthattranquilplacewasasfaintastheremembranceofadream。Theonlyrealitywasthewondrousunfoldingofhernewself，thereachingouttothelightofallhercontractedtendrils。Shehadlivedallherlifeamongpeoplewhosesensibilitiesseemedtohavewitheredforlackofuse;andmorewonderful，atfirst，thanHarney’sendearmentswerethewordsthatwereapartofthem。Shehadalwaysthoughtofloveassomethingconfusedandfurtive，andhemadeitasbrightandopenasthesummerair。

OnthemorrowofthedaywhenshehadshownhimthewaytothedesertedhousehehadpackedupandleftCrestonRiverforBoston;butatthefirststationhehadjumpedonthetrainwithahand—bagandscrambledupintothehills。FortwogoldenrainlessAugustweekshehadcampedinthehouse，gettingeggsandmilkfromthesolitaryfarminthevalley，wherenooneknewhim，anddoinghiscookingoveraspirit—lamp。Hegotupeverydaywiththesun，tookaplungeinabrownpoolheknewof，andspentlonghourslyinginthescentedhemlock—woodsabovethehouse，orwanderingalongtheyokeoftheEagleRidge，farabovethemistybluevalleysthatsweptawayeastandwestbetweentheendlesshills。AndintheafternoonCharitycametohim。

Withpartofwhatwasleftofhersavingsshehadhiredabicycleforamonth，andeverydayafterdinner，assoonasherguardianstartedtohisoffice，shehurriedtothelibrary，gotoutherbicycle，andflewdowntheCrestonroad。SheknewthatMr。Royall，likeeveryoneelseinNorthDormer，wasperfectlyawareofheracquisition：possiblyhe，aswellastherestofthevillage，knewwhatuseshemadeofit。Shedidnotcare：shefelthimtobesopowerlessthatifhehadquestionedhershewouldprobablyhavetoldhimthetruth。ButtheyhadneverspokentoeachothersincethenightonthewharfatNettleton。HehadreturnedtoNorthDormeronlyonthethirddayafterthatencounter，arrivingjustasCharityandVerenaweresittingdowntosupper。Hehaddrawnuphischair，takenhisnapkinfromtheside—boarddrawer，pulleditoutofitsring，andseatedhimselfasunconcernedlyasifhehadcomeinfromhisusualafternoonsessionatCarrickFry’s;andthelonghabitofthehouseholdmadeitseemalmostnaturalthatCharityshouldnotsomuchasraisehereyeswhenheentered。Shehadsimplylethimunderstandthathersilencewasnotaccidentalbyleavingthetablewhilehewasstilleating，andgoingupwithoutawordtoshutherselfintoherroom。

AfterthatheformedthehabitoftalkingloudlyandgeniallytoVerenawheneverCharitywasintheroom;

butotherwisetherewasnoapparentchangeintheirrelations。

ShedidnotthinkconnectedlyofthesethingswhileshesatwaitingforHarney，buttheyremainedinhermindasasullenbackgroundagainstwhichhershorthourswithhimflamedoutlikeforestfires。Nothingelsemattered，neitherthegoodnorthebad，orwhatmighthaveseemedsobeforesheknewhim。Hehadcaughtherupandcarriedherawayintoanewworld，fromwhich，atstatedhours，theghostofhercamebacktoperformcertaincustomaryacts，butallsothinlyandinsubstantiallythatshesometimeswonderedthatthepeopleshewentaboutamongcouldseeher……

BehindtheswarthyMountainthesunhadgonedowninwavelessgold。Fromapastureuptheslopeatinkleofcow—bellssounded;apuffofsmokehungoverthefarminthevalley，trailedonthepureairandwasgone。Forafewminutes，intheclearlightthatisallshadow，fieldsandwoodswereoutlinedwithanunrealprecision;thenthetwilightblottedthemout，andthelittlehouseturnedgrayandspectralunderitswizenedapple—branches。

Charity’sheartcontracted。Thefirstfallofnightafteradayofradianceoftengaveherasenseofhiddenmenace：itwaslikelookingoutovertheworldasitwouldbewhenlovehadgonefromit。Shewonderedifsomedayshewouldsitinthatsameplaceandwatchinvainforherlover……

Hisbicycle—bellsoundeddownthelane，andinaminuteshewasatthegateandhiseyeswerelaughinginhers。

Theywalkedbackthroughthelonggrass，andpushedopenthedoorbehindthehouse。Theroomatfirstseemedquitedarkandtheyhadtogropetheirwayinhandinhand。Throughthewindow—frametheskylookedlightbycontrast，andabovetheblackmassofastersintheearthenjaronewhitestarglimmeredlikeamoth。

"Therewassuchalottodoatthelastminute，"Harneywasexplaining，"andIhadtodrivedowntoCrestontomeetsomeonewhohascometostaywithmycousinfortheshow。"

Hehadhisarmsabouther，andhiskisseswereinherhairandonherlips。Underhistouchthingsdeepdowninherstruggledtothelightandspranguplikeflowersinsunshine。Shetwistedherfingersintohis，andtheysatdownsidebysideontheimprovisedcouch。

Shehardlyheardhisexcusesforbeinglate：inhisabsenceathousanddoubtstormentedher，butassoonasheappearedsheceasedtowonderwherehehadcomefrom，whathaddelayedhim，whohadkepthimfromher。