40。MELCHESTER(continued)

ThecommotionwroughtinJulian’smindbytheabruptincursionofEthelbertaintohisquietspherewasthoroughandprotracted。Thewitcheryofherpresencehehadgrownstrongenoughtowithstandinpart；buthercomposedannouncementthatshehadintendedtomarryanother，and，asfarashecouldunderstand，wasintendingitstill，addedanewchilltotheoldshadeofdisappointmentwhichcustomwasdaybydayenablinghimtoendure。Duringthewholeintervalinwhichhehadproducedthosediapasonblasts，heardwithsuchinharmoniousfeelingsbythethreeauditorsoutsidethescreen，histhoughtshadwanderedwiderthanhisnotesinconjecturesonthecharacterandpositionofthegentlemanseeninEthelberta’scompany。OwingtohisassumptionthatLordMountclerewasbutastrangerwhohadaccidentallycomeinatthesidedoor，Christopherhadbarelycastaglanceuponhim，andthewidedifferencebetweentheyearsoftheviscountandthoseofhisbetrothedwasnotsoparticularlyobservedastoraisethatpointtoaniteminhisobjectionsnow。LordMountclerewasdressedwithallthecunningthatcouldbedrawnfromthemetropolisbymoneyandreiterateddissatisfaction；hepridedhimselfonhisuprightcarriage；hisstickwassothinthatthemostmalevolentcouldnotinsinuatethatitwasofanypossibleuseinwalking；histeethhadputonallthevigourandfreshnessofasecondspring。Hencehislookwastheslowestofpossibleclocksinrespectofhisage，andhismannerwasequallyasmuchintherearofhisappearance。

Christopherwasnowoverfive-and-twenty。Hewasgettingsowellaccustomedtothespectacleofaworldpassinghimbyandsplashinghimwithitswheelsthathewonderedwhyhehadevermindedit。Hishabitofdreaminginsteadofdoinghadledhimuptoacuriousdiscovery。Itisnonewthingforamantofathomprofunditiesbyindulginghumours:theactive，therapid，thepeopleofsplendidmomentum，havebeensurprisedtobeholdwhatresultsattendthelivesofthosewhoseusualplanfordischargingtheiractivelabourshasbeentopostponethemindefinitely。Certainly，theimmediateresultinthepresentcasewas，toallbuthimself，smallandinvisible；butitwasofthenatureofhighestthings。Whathehadlearntwasthatawomanwhohasoncemadeapermanentimpressionuponamancannotaltogetherdenyhimherimagebydenyinghimhercompany，andthatbysedulouslycultivatingtheacquaintanceofthisCreatureofContemplationshebecomestohimalmostalivingsoul。

HenceasublimatedEthelbertaaccompaniedhimeverywhere——onewhoneverteasedhim，eludedhim，ordisappointedhim:whenhesmiledshesmiled，whenhewassadshesorrowed。Hemaybesaidtohavebecometheliteralduplicateofthatwhimsicalunknownrhapsodistwhowroteofhisownsimilarsituation——

’ByabsencethisgoodmeansIgain，ThatIcancatchher，Wherenonecanwatchher，Insomeclosecornerofmybrain:

ThereIembraceandkissher；

AndsoIbothenjoyandmissher。’

Thisframeofmindnaturallyinducedanamazingabstractionintheorganist，neververyvigilantatthebestoftimes。Hewouldstandandlookfixedlyatafroginashadypool，andneveroncethinkofbatrachians，orpausebyagreenbanktosplitsometallbladeofgrassintofilamentswithoutremovingitfromitsstalk，passingonignorantthathehadmadeacat-o’-nine-tailsofagracefulslipofvegetation。Hewouldhearthecathedralclockstrikeone，andgothenextminutetoseewhattimeitwas。’IneverseedsuchamanasMr。Julianis，’saidtheheadblower。’He’llmeetmeanywhereout-of-doors，andneverwinkornod。You’dhardlyexpectit。I

don’tfindfault，butyou’dhardlyexpectit，seeinghowIplaythesameinstrumentashedohimself，andhavedoneitforsomanyyearslongerthanhe。HowIhaveindulgedthatman，too！If’tisPedalsfortwomartelhoursofpracticeInevercomplain；andhehasplentyofvagaries。When’tishotsummerweatherthere’snothingwilldoforhimbutChoir，Great，andSwellaltogether，tillyerfaceisinavapour；andonafrostywinternighthe’llkeepmetherewhilehetweedlesupontheTwelfthandSixteenthtillmyarmsbescrammedforwantofmotion。Andneverspeakawordout-of-doors。’SomebodysuggestedthatperhapsChristopherdidnotnoticehiscoadjutor’spresenceinthestreet；andtimeprovedtotheorgan-blowerthattheremarkwasjust。

WheneverChristophercaughthimselfatthesevacuoustrickshewouldbestruckwithadmirationofEthelberta’swisdom，foresight，andself-commandinrefusingtowedsuchanincapableman:hefeltthatheoughttobethankfulthatabrightmemoryofherwasnotalsodeniedtohim，andresolvedtobecontentwithitasapossession，sinceitwasasmuchofherashecoulddecentlymaintain。

Wrappedthusinahumoroussadnesshepassedtheafternoonundernotice，andintheeveningwenthometoFaith，whostilllivedwithhim，andshowednosignofeverbeinglikelytodootherwise。Theirpresentplaceandmodeoflifesuitedherwell。SherevivedatMelchesterlikeanexoticsenthomeagain。TheleafyClose，theclimbingbuttresses，theponderingecclesiastics，thegreatdoors，thesingularkeys，thewhisperedtalk，echoesoflonelyfootsteps，thesunsetshadowofthetallsteeple，reachingfurtherintothetownthanthegoodbishop’steaching，andthegeneralcomplexionofaspotwheremorninghadthestillnessofeveningandspringsomeofthetonesofautumn，formedaproperbackgroundtoapersonconstitutedasFaith，who，likeMissHepzibahPyncheon’schicken，possessedinminiaturealltheantiquityofherprogenitors。

AfterteaChristopherwentintothestreets，aswasfrequentlyhiscustom，lesstoseehowtheworldcreptontherethantowalkupanddownfornothingatall。Ithadbeenmarket-day，andremnantsoftheruralpopulationthathadvisitedthetownstilllingeredatcorners，theirtoeshangingovertheedgeofthepavement，andtheireyeswanderingaboutthestreet。

Theanglewhichformedtheturning-pointofChristopher’spromenadewasoccupiedbyajeweller’sshop，ofastandingwhichcompletelyoutshoneeveryothershopinthatoranytradethroughoutthetown。

Indeed，itwasastaplesubjectofdiscussioninMelchesterhowashopofsuchpretensionscouldfindpatronagesufficienttosupportitsexistenceinaplacewhich，thoughwellpopulated，wasnotfashionable。Ithadnotlongbeenestablishedthere，andwastheenterpriseofanincomingmanwhosewholecourseofprocedureseemedtobedictatedbyanintentiontoastonishthenativecitizensveryconsiderablybeforehehaddone。Nearlyeverythingwasglassinthefrontageofthisfairymart，anditscontentsglitteredlikethehammochrysosstone。Thepanesbeingofplate-glass，andtheshophavingtwofronts，adiagonalviewcouldbehadthroughitfromonetotheotherofthestreetstowhichitformedacorner。

Thisevening，asonallevenings，afloodofradiancespreadfromthewindow-lampsintothethickautumnair，sothatfromadistancethatcornerappearedastheglisteningnucleusofallthelightinthetown。Towardsitidlemenandwomenunconsciouslybenttheirsteps，andclosedinuponthepaneslikenight-birdsuponthelanternofalighthouse。

WhenChristopherreachedthespottherestoodclosetothepavementaplainclosecarriage，apparentlywaitingforsomepersonwhowaspurchasinginside。Christopherwouldhardlyhavenoticedthishadhenotalsoperceived，pressedagainsttheglassoftheshopwindow，anunusualnumberoflocalnosesbelongingtoovergrownworkinglads，tosspots，anidiot，theham-smoker’sassistantwithhissleevesrolledup，ascot-and-lotfreeholder，threeorfourseamstresses，theyoungwomanwhobroughthomethewashing，andsoon。Theinterestofthesegazersinsomeproceedingswithin，whichbyreasonofthegaslightwereaspublicasifcarriedonintheopenair，wasverygreat。

’Yes，that’swhathe’sabuyingo’——haw，haw！’saidoneoftheyoungmen，astheshopmanremovedfromthewindowagorgeousbluevelvettrayofwedding-rings，andlaiditonthecounter。

’’Tiswhatyoumaycometoyerself，soonerorlater，Godhavemercyuponye；andassuchnoscoffingmatter，’saidanolderman。

’Faith，I’dasliefcryaslaughtoseeamaninthatcorner。’

’He’sagentgettingupinyearstoo。Hemusthevbeenthroughitafewtimesafore，seemingly，tositdownandbuythetoolssocoolasthat。’

’Well，no。Seewhattheshyestwilldoatsuchtimes。Youbain’tyerselfthen；nomanlivingishisselfthen。’

’True，’saidtheham-smoker’sman。’’Tisathoughttolookatthatachapwilltakeallthistroubletogetawomanintohishouse，andatwelvemonthafterwouldassoonhearitthunderashearhersing！’

Thepolicemanstandingnearwasahumaneman，throughhavingayoungfamilyhecouldhardlykeep，andhehesitatedabouttellingthemtomoveon。Christopherhadbeforethistimeperceivedthatthearticleswerelaiddownbeforeanoldgentlemanwhowasseatedintheshop，andthatthegentlemanwasnoneotherthanhewhohadbeenwithEthelbertaintheconcert-room。Thediscoverywassostartlingthat，constitutionallyindisposedashewastostandandwatch，hebecameasgluedtothespotastheotheridlers。FindinghimselfnowforthefirsttimedirectlyconfrontingthepreliminariesofEthelberta’smarriagetoastranger，hewasleftwithfarlessequanimitythanhecouldhavesupposedpossibletothesituation。

’Sonearthetime！’hesaid，andlookedhardatLordMountclere。

ChristopherhadnowafarbetteropportunitythanbeforeforobservingEthelberta’sbetrothed。Apartfromanybiasofjealousy，disappointment，ormortification，hewasledtojudgethatthiswasnotquitethemantomakeEthelbertahappy。Hehadfanciedhercompaniontobeamanunderfifty；hewasnowvisiblysixtyormore。

Anditwasnotthesortofsexagenarianismbesidewhichayoungwoman’shappinesscansometimescontrivetokeepitselfaliveinaquietsleepyway。SuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatthiswasthemanwhomhehadhelpedinthecarriageaccidentonthewaytoKnollsea。

Helookedagain。

Bynomeansundignified，thefacepresentedthatcombinationofslynessandjocunditywhichweareaccustomedtoimagineofthecanonicaljolly-dogsinmediaevaltales。ThegamesomeCurateofMeudonmighthavesuppliedsomepartsofthecountenance；cunningFriarTucktheremainder。Nothingbuttheviscount’sconstanthabitofgoingtochurcheverySundaymorningwhenathiscountryresidencekeptunholinessoutofhisfeatures，forthoughhelivedtheologicallyenoughontheSabbath，asitbecameamaninhispositiontodo，hewasstrikinglymundanealltherestoftheweek，alwayspreferringthedeviltoGodinhisoaths。Andnothingbutantecedentgood-humourpreventedtheshortfitsofcrossnessincidenttohispassinginfirmitiesfrombecomingestablished。Hislookwasexceptionallyjovialnow，andthecornersofhismouthtwitchedasthetelegraph-needlesofahundredlittleeroticmessagesfromhishearttohisbrain。Anybodycouldseethathewasamerrymanstill，wholovedgoodcompany，warmingdrinks，nymph-

likeshapes，andprettywords，inspiteofthedisagreeablesuggestionshereceivedfromthepupilsofhiseyes，andthejointsofhislivelylimbs，thatimpsofmischiefwerebusysappingandmininginthoseregions，withtheviewoftumblinghimintoacertaincoolcellarunderthechurchaisle。

Ingeneral，ifalovercanfindanygroundatallforserenityinthetideofanelderlyrival’ssuccess，hefindsitinthefactitselfofthatancientness。Theothersideseemslessarivalthanamakeshift。ButChristophernolongerfeltthis，andthesignificantsignsbeforehiseyesoftheimminenceofEthelberta’sunionwiththisoldherofilledhimwithrestlessdread。True，thegentleman，asheappearedilluminatedbythejeweller’sgas-jets，seemedmorelikelytoinjureEthelbertabyindulgencethanbyseverity，whileherbeautylasted；buttherewasanamelesssomethinginhimlesstolerablethanthis。

Thepurchaserhavingcompletedhisdealingswiththegoldsmith，wasconductedtothedoorbythemasteroftheshop，andintothecarriage，whichwasatoncedrivenoffupthestreet。

Christophernowmuchdesiredtoknowthenameofthemanwhomanicechainofcircumstantialevidencetaughthimtoregardasthehappywinnerwherescoreshadlost。HewasgrievedthatEthelberta’sconfessedreserveshouldhaveextendedsofarastolimithertomereindefinitehintsofmarriagewhentheyweretalkingalmostonthebrinkofthewedding-day。Thattheceremonywastobeaprivateone——whichitprobablywouldbebecauseofthedisparityofages——

didnotinhisopinionjustifyhersecrecy。Hehadshownhimselfcapableofatransmutationasvaluableasitisrareinmen，thechangefrompesteringlovertostaunchfriend，andthiswasallhehadgotforit。Butevenanoldloversunktoanindifferentistmighthavebeentemptedtospendanunoccupiedhalf-hourindiscoveringparticularsnow，andChristopherhadnotlapsednearlysofarastoabsoluteunconcern。

Thatevening，however，nothingcameinhiswaytoenlightenhim。

Butthenextday，whenskirtingtheCloseonhisordinaryduties，hesawthesamecarriagestandingatadistance，andpausedtobeholdthesameoldgentlemancomefromawell-knownofficeandre-enterthevehicle——LordMountclere，infact，inearnestpursuitofthebusinessofyesternight，havingjustpocketedadocumentinwhichromance，rashness，law，andgospelaresohappilymadetoworktogetherthatitmaysafelyberegardedastheneatestcompromisewhichhaseverbeeninventedsinceAdamsinned。

ThistimeJulianperceivedthatthebroughamwasonebelongingtotheWhiteHartHotel，whichLordMountclerewasusingpartlyfromthenecessitiesofthesehastyproceedings，andalsobecause，bysodoing，heescapedthenoticethatmighthavebeenbestoweduponhisownequipage，ormen-servants，theMountclerehammer-clothsbeingknowninMelchester。Christophernowwalkedtowardsthehotel，leisurely，yetwithanxiety。Heinquiredofaporterwhatpeoplewerestayingtherethatday，andwasinformedthattheyhadonlyonepersoninthehouse，LordMountclere，whomsuddenandunexpectedbusinesshaddetainedinMelchestersincethepreviousday。

Christopherlingeredtohearnomore。Heretracedthestreetmuchmorequicklythanhehadcome；andheonlysaid，’LordMountclere——

itmustneverbe！’

Assoonasheenteredthehouse，Faithperceivedthathewasgreatlyagitated。Heatoncetoldherofhisdiscovery，andsheexclaimed，’Whatabrilliantmatch！’

’OFaith，’saidChristopher，’youdon’tknow！Youarefarfromknowing。Itisasgloomyasmidnight。GoodGod，canitbepossible？’

Faithblinkedinalarm，withoutspeaking。

’DidyouneverhearanythingofLordMountclerewhenwelivedatSandbourne？’

’Iknewthename——nomore。’

’No，no——ofcourseyoudidnot。Well，thoughIneversawhisface，tomyknowledge，tillashorttimeago，Iknowenoughtosaythat，ifearnestrepresentationscanpreventit，thismarriageshallnotbe。Fatherknewhim，orabouthim，verywell；andheoncetoldme——

whatIcannottellyou。Fancy，Ihaveseenhimthreetimes——

yesterday，lastnight，andthismorning——besideshelpinghimontheroadsomeweeksago，andneveronceconsideredthathemightbeLordMountclere。Heisherealmostindisguise，onemaysay；neithermannorhorseiswithhim；andhisobjectaccountsforhisprivacy。I

seehowitis——sheisdoingthistobenefitherbrothersandsisters，ifpossible；butsheoughttoknowthatifsheismiserabletheywillneverbehappy。That’sthenatureofwomen——theytaketheformfortheessence，andthat’swhatsheisdoingnow。Ishouldthinkherguardianangelmusthavequittedherwhensheagreedtoamarriagewhichmaytearherheartoutlikeaclaw。’

’Youaretoowarmaboutit，Kit——itcannotbesobadasthat。Itisnotthething，butthesensitivenesstothething，whichisthetruemeasureofitspain。Perhapswhatseemssobadtoyoufallslightlyonhermind。Acampaignerinaheavyrainisnotmoreuncomfortablethanweareinaslightdraught；andEthelberta，fortifiedbyhersapphiresandgoldcupsandwaxcandles，willnotmindfactswhichlooklikespectrestousoutside。Atitlewillturntroublesintoromances，andshewillshineasaninterestingviscountessinspiteofthem。’

ThediscussionwithFaithwasnotcontinued，ChristopherstoppingtheargumentbysayingthathehadagoodmindtogooffatoncetoKnollsea，andshowherherdanger。ButtillthenextmorningEthelbertawascertainlysafe；nomarriagewaspossibleanywherebeforethen。Hepassedtheafternooninastateofgreatindecision，constantlyreiterating，’Iwillgo！’

41。WORKSHOPS-ANINN-THESTREET

Onanextensiveplotofground，lyingsomewherebetweentheThamesandtheKensingtonsquares，stoodthepremisesofMessrs。NockettandPerch，buildersandcontractors。Theyardwithitsworkshopsformedpartofoneofthosefrontierlinesbetweenmangybusinessandgarnisheddomesticitythatoccurinwhatarecalledimprovingneighbourhoods。Weareaccustomedtoregardincreaseasthechieffeatureinagreatcity’sprogress，itswell-knownsignsgreetingoureyesoneveryoutskirt。Slush-pondsmaybeseenturningintobasement-kitchens；abroadcausewayofshatteredearthenwaresmothersplotsofbuddinggooseberry-bushesandvegetabletrenches，foundationsfollowingsocloselyupongardensthatthehouseholdermaybeexpectedtofindcadaveroussproutsfromoverlookedpotatoesrisingthroughthechinksofhiscellarfloor。Buttheothergreatprocess，thatofinternaltransmutation，isnotlesscuriousthanthisencroachmentofgreyupongreen。Itsfirsterectionsareoftenonlythemilk-teethofasuburb，andasthedistrictrisesindignitytheyaredislodgedbythosewhicharetoendure。Slightnessbecomessupplantedbycomparativesolidity，commonnessbynovelty，lownessandirregularitybysymmetryandheight。

Anobserveroftheprecinctwhichhasbeennamedasaninstanceinpointmighthavestoodunderalamp-postandheardsimultaneouslythepealofthevisitor’sbellfromthenewterraceontherighthand，andthestrokeoftoolsfromthemustyworkshopsontheleft。

Waggonsladenwithdealscameuponthisside，andlandauscamedownontheother——theformertolumberheavilythroughtheold-

establishedcontractors’gates，thelattertosweepfashionablyintothesquare。

Abouttwelveo’clockonthedayfollowingLordMountclere’sexhibitionofhimselftoChristopherinthejeweller’sshopatMelchester，andalmostattheidenticaltimewhentheviscountwasseentocomefromtheofficeformarriage-licencesinthesameplace，acarriagedrovenearlyuptothegatesofMessrs。NockettandCo。’syard。Agentlemansteppedoutandlookedaround。Hewasamanwhoseyearswouldhavebeenpronouncedasfive-and-fortybythefriendly，fiftybythecandid，fifty-twoorthreebythegrim。

Hewasashandsomeastudyingreyascouldbeseenintown，therebeingfarmoreoftheraven’splumagethanofthegull’sinthemixtureasyet；andhehadaglanceofthatpractisedsortwhichcanmeasurepeople，weighthem，repressthem，encouragethemtosproutandblossomasaMarchsunencouragescrocuses，askthemquestions，givethemanswers——inshort，aglancethatcoulddoasmanythingsasanAmericancooking-stoveoramultum-in-parvopocket-knife。

But，aswithmostmenoftheworld，thiswasmeremechanism:hisactualemotionswerekeptsofarwithinhispersonthattheywererarelyheardorseennearhisfeatures。

Onreadingthebuilders’namesoverthegatewayheenteredtheyard，andaskedattheofficeifSolomonChickerelwasengagedonthepremises。Theclerkwasgoingtobeveryattentive，butfindingthevisitorhadcomeonlytospeaktoaworkman，histenseattitudeslackenedalittle，andhemerelysignifiedthefootofaFlemishladderontheothersideoftheyard，saying，’Youwillfindhim，sir，upthereinthejoiner’sshop。’

Whenthemanintheblackcoatreachedthetophefoundhimselfattheendofalongapartmentaslargeasachapelandaslowasamalt-room，acrosswhichranparallelcarpenters’benchestothenumberoftwentyormore，agangwaybeingleftatthesideforaccessthroughout。Behindeverybenchtherestoodamanortwo，planing，fitting，orchiselling，asthecasemightbe。Thevisitorpausedforamoment，asifwaitingforsomecessationoftheirviolentmotionsanduproartillhecouldmakehiserrandknown。Hewaitedtenseconds，hewaitedtwenty；but，beyondthataquicklookhadbeenthrownuponhimbyeverypairofeyes，themuscularperformanceswereinnowayinterrupted:everyoneseemedobliviousofhispresence，andabsolutelyregardlessofhiswish。Intruth，thetextureofthatsalmon-colouredskincouldbeseentobearistocraticwithoutamicroscope，andtheexceptiousartizanhasanoffhandwaywhencontrastsaremadepainfullystrongbyanidlerofthiskindcoming，glovedandbrushed，intotheverydenwhereheissweatingandmuddlinginhisshirt-sleeves。

Thegentlemanfromthecarriagethenproceededdowntheworkshop，wadinguptohiskneesinaseaofshavings，andbruisinghisanklesagainstcornersofboardandsawn-offblocks，thatlayhiddenlikereefsbeneath。Attheninthbenchhemadeanotherventure。

’SolChickerel？’saidthemanaddressed，ashetouchedhisplane-

ironupontheoilstone。’He’soneofthemjustbehind。’

’Damnitall，can’toneofyoushowme？’thevisitorangrilyobserved，forhehadbeenusedtomoreattentionthanthis。’Here，pointhimout。’Hehandedthemanashilling。

’Notroubletodothat，’saidtheworkman；andheturnedandsignifiedSolbyanodwithoutmovingfromhisplace。

ThestrangerenteredSol’sdivision，and，nailinghimwithhiseye，saidatonce:’Iwanttospeakafewwordswithyouinprivate。IsnotaMrs。Petherwinyoursister？’

Solstartedsuspiciously。’Hasanythinghappenedtoher？’heatlengthsaidhurriedly。

’Ono。ItisonabusinessmatterthatIhavecalled。Youneednotmindowningtherelationshiptome——thesecretwillbekept。Iamthebrotherofonewhomyoumayhaveheardoffromher——LordMountclere。’

’Ihavenot。Butifyouwillwaitaminute，sir——’Hewenttoalittleglazedboxattheendoftheshop，wheretheforemanwassitting，and，afterspeakingafewwordstothisperson，SolledMountcleretothedoor，anddowntheladder。

’Isupposewecannotverywelltalkhere，afterall？’saidthegentleman，whentheyreachedtheyard，andfoundseveralmenmovingabouttherein。

’Perhapswehadbettergotosomeroom——thenearestinnwillanswerthepurpose，won’tit？’

’Excellently。’

’There’sthe"GreenBushes"overtheway。Theyhaveaveryniceprivateroomupstairs。’

’Yes，thatwilldo。’Andpassingoutoftheyard，themanwiththeglanceenteredtheinnwithSol，wheretheywereshowntotheparlourasrequested。

Whilethewaiterwasgoneforsomewine，whichMountclereordered，themoreingenuousofthetworesumedtheconversationbysaying，awkwardly:’Yes，Mrs。Petherwinismysister，asyousupposed，sir；

butonheraccountIdonotletitbeknown。’

’Indeed，’saidMountclere。’Well，IcametoseeyouinordertospeakofamatterwhichIthoughtyoumightknowmoreaboutthanI

do，forithastakenmequitebysurprise。Mybrother，LordMountclere，is，itseems，tobeprivatelymarriedtoMrs。Petherwinto-morrow。’

’Isthatreallythefact？’saidSol，becomingquiteshaken。’Ihadnothoughtthatsuchathingcouldbepossible！’

’Itisimminent。’

’Fatherhastoldmethatshehaslatelygottoknowsomenobleman；

butIneversupposedtherecouldbeanymeaninginthat。’

’Youwerealtogetherwrong，’saidMountclere，leaningbackinhischairandlookingatSolsteadily。’Doyoufeelittobeamatteruponwhichyouwillcongratulateher？’

’Averydifferentthing！’saidSolvehemently。’Thoughheisyourbrother，sir，Imustsaythis，thatIwouldrathershemarriedthepoorestmanIknow。’

’Why？’

’Fromwhatmyfatherhastoldmeofhim，heisnot——amoredesirablebrother-in-lawtomethanIshallbeinalllikelihoodtohim。WhatbusinesshasamanofthatcharactertomarryBerta，Ishouldliketoask？’

’That’swhatIsay，’returnedMountclere，revealinghissatisfactionatSol’sestimateofhisnoblebrother:itshowedthathehadcalculatedwellincominghere。’Mybrotherisgettingold，andhehaslivedstrangely:yoursisterisahighlyrespectableyounglady。’

’Andheisnotrespectable，youmean？Iknowheisnot。IworkednearEnckworthonce。’

’Icannotsaythat，’returnedMountclere。Possiblyacertainfraternalfeelingrepressedadirectassent:andyetthiswastheonlyrepresentationwhichcouldbeexpectedtoprejudicetheyoungmanagainstthewedding，ifheweresuchanoneasthevisitorsupposedSoltobe——amanvulgarinsentimentandambition，butpureinhisanxietyforhissister’shappiness。’Atanyrate，weareagreedinthinkingthatthiswouldbeanunfortunatemarriageforboth，’addedMountclere。

’AboutbothIdon’tknow。Itmaybeagoodthingforhim。Whendoyousayitistobe，sir——to-morrow？’

’Yes。’

’Idon’tknowwhattodo！’saidSol，walkingupanddown。’IfhalfwhatIhaveheardistrue，Iwouldloseawinter’sworktopreventhermarryinghim。Whatdoesshewanttogomixinginwithpeoplewhodespiseherfor？Nowlookhere，Mr。Mountclere，sinceyouhavebeenandcalledmeouttotalkthisover，itisonlyfairthatyoushouldtellmetheexacttruthaboutyourbrother。Isitalie，orisittrue，thatheisnotfittobethehusbandofadecentwoman？’

’Thatisacuriousinquiry，’saidMountclere，whosemannerandaspect，neutralasawinterlandscape，hadlittleincommonwithSol’swarmandunrestrainedbearing。’TherearereasonswhyIthinkyoursisterwillnotbehappywithhim。’

’Thenitistruewhattheysay，’saidSol，bringingdownhisfistuponthetable。’Iknowyourmeaningwellenough。What’stobedone？IfIcouldonlyseeherthisminute，shemightbekeptoutofit。’

’Youthinkyourpresencewouldinfluenceyoursister——ifyoucouldseeherbeforethewedding？’

’Ithinkitwould。Butwho’stogetather？’

’Iamgoing，soyouhadbettercomeonwithme——unlessitwouldbebestforyourfathertocome。’

’Perhapsitmight，’saidthebewilderedSol。’Buthewillnotbeabletogetaway；andit’snouseforDantogo。IfanybodygoesI

must！Ifshehasmadeuphermindnothingcanbedonebywritingtoher。’

’IleaveatoncetoseeLordMountclere，’theothercontinued。’I

feelthatasmybrotherisevidentlyignorantofthepositionofMrs。Petherwin’sfamilyandconnections，itisonlyfairinme，ashisnearestrelative，tomakethemcleartohimbeforeitistoolate。’

’Youmeanthatifheknewherfriendswereworking-peoplehewouldnotthinkofherasawife？’Tisareasonablethought。Butmakeyourmindeasy:shehastoldhim。Imakeagreatmistakeifshehasforamomentthoughtofconcealingthatfromhim。’

’Shemaynothavedeliberatelydoneso。But——andIsaythiswithnoill-feeling——itisamatterknowntofew，andshemayhavetakennostepstoundeceivehim。Ihopetobringhimtoseethematterclearly。Unfortunatelythethinghasbeensosecretandhurriedthatthereisbarelytime。Iknewnothinguntilthismorning——neverdreamtofsuchapreposterousoccurrence。’

’Preposterous！Ifitshouldcometopass，shewouldplayherpartashisladyaswellasanyotherwoman，andbetter。Iwishtherewasnomorereasonforfearonmysidethanthereisonyours！

Thingshavecometoasoreheadwhensheisnotconsideredladyenoughforsuchashe。Butperhapsyourmeaningis，thatifyourbrotherweretohaveason，youwouldloseyourheir-presumptivetitletothecor’netofMountclere？Well，’twouldberatherhardforye，nowIcometothinko’t——uponmylife，’twould。’

’Thesuggestionisasdelicateasthe——atmosphereofthisvileroom。Butletyourignorancebeyourexcuse，myman。Itishardlyworthwhileforustoquarrelwhenwebothhavethesameobjectinview:doyouthinkso？’

’That’strue——that’strue。Whendoyoustart，sir？’

’Wemustleavealmostatonce，’saidMountclere，lookingathiswatch。’Ifwecannotcatchthetwoo’clocktrain，thereisnogettingthereto-night——andto-morrowwecouldnotpossiblyarrivebeforeone。’

’Iwishtherewastimeformetogoandtidymyselfabit，’saidSol，anxiouslylookingdownathisworkingclothes。’Isupposeyouwouldnotlikemetogowithyoulikethis？’

’Confoundtheclothes！Ifyoucannotstartinfiveminutes，weshallnotbeabletogoatall。’

’Verywell，then——waitwhileIrunacrosstotheshop，thenIamready。Howdowegettothestation？’

’Mycarriageisatthecornerwaiting。WhenyoucomeoutIwillmeetyouatthegates。’

Solthenhurrieddownstairs，andaminuteortwolaterMr。

Mountclerefollowed，lookinglikeamanbentonpolicyatanyprice。

ThecarriagewasbroughtroundbythetimethatSolreappearedfromtheyard。HeenteredandsatdownbesideMountclere，notwithoutasensethathewasspoilinggoodupholstery；thecoachmanthenallowedthelashofhiswhiptoalightwiththeforceofasmallflyuponthehorses，whichsetthemupinanangrytrot。Solrolledonbesidehisnewacquaintancewiththeshamefacedlookofamangoingtoprisoninavan，forpedestriansoccasionallygazedathim，fullofwhatseemedtohimselftobeironicalsurprise。

’IamafraidIoughttohavechangedmyclothesafterall，’hesaid，writhingunderaperceptionofthecontrastbetweenthem。’Notknowinganythingaboutthis，Iain’tabitprepared。IfIhadgotevenmysecond-besthat，itwouldn’tbesobad。’

’Itmakesnodifference，’saidMountclereinanimately。

’OrImighthavebroughtmyportmantle，withsomethings。’

’Itreallyisnotimportant。’

Onreachingthestationtheyfoundtherewereyetafewminutestospare，whichSolmadeuseofinwritinganotetohisfather，toexplainwhathadoccurred。

42。THEDONCASTLES’RESIDENCE，ANDOUTSIDETHESAME

Mrs。Doncastle’sdressing-bellhadrung，butMenlove，thelady’smaid，havingatthesametimereceivedaletterbytheeveningpost，pausedtoreaditbeforereplyingtothesummons:——

’ENCKWORTHCOURT，Wednesday。

DARLINGLOUISA，——IcanassureyouthatIamnomorelikelythanyourselftoformanotherattachment，asyouwillperceivebywhatfollows。BeforewelefttownIthoughtthattobeabletoseeyouoccasionallywassufficientforhappiness，butdowninthislonelyplacethecaseisdifferent。Inshort，mydear，Iaskyoutoconsenttoaunionwithmeassoonasyoupossiblycan。Yourprettinesshaswonmyeyesandlipscompletely，sweet，andIlieawakeatnighttothinkofthegoldencurlsyouallowedtoescapefromtheirconfinementonthosenicetimesofprivateclothes，whenwewalkedintheparkandslippedthebondsofservice，whichyouwereneverborntoanymorethanI……

’Hadnotmyownfeelingsbeensostrong，IshouldhavetoldyouatthefirstdashofmypenthatwhatIexpectediscomingtopassatlast——theolddogisgoingtobeprivatelymarriedtoMrs。P。Yes，indeed，andtheweddingiscomingoffto-morrow，secretasthegrave。Allherfriendswilldoubtlessleaveserviceonaccountofit。Whathedoesnowmakeslittledifferencetome，ofcourse，asI

hadalreadygivenwarning，butIshallsticktohimlikeaBritoninspiteofit。Hehasto-daymademeapresent，andafurtherfivepoundsforyourself，expectingyoutoholdyourtongueoneverymatterconnectedwithMrs。P。’sfriends，andtosaynothingtoanyofthemaboutthismarriageuntilitisover。Hislordshipimpressedthisuponmeverystrong，andfamiliarasabrother，andofcourseweobeyhisinstructionstotheletter；forIneedhardlysaythatunlesshekeepshispromisetohelpmeinsettinguptheshop，ournuptialscannotbeconsumed。Hishelpdependsuponourobedience，asyouareaware……’

This，andmuchmore，wasfromherverylastlover，LordMountclere’svalet，whohadbeentakeninhanddirectlyshehadconvincedherselfofJoey’shopelessyouthfulness。ThemissivesentMrs。Menlove’sspiritssoaringlikespringlarks；sheflewupstairsinanswertothebellwithajoyful，triumphantlook，whichtheilluminatedfigureofMrs。Doncastleinherdressing-roomcouldnotquiterepress。OnecouldalmostforgiveMenloveherartswhensomodestaresultbroughtsuchvastcontent。

Mrs。Doncastleseemedinclinedtomakenoremarkduringthedressing，andatlastMenlovecouldrepressherselfnolonger。

’Ishouldliketonamesomethingtoyou，m’m。’

’Yes。’

’Ishallbewishingtoleavesoon，ifitisconvenient。’

’Verywell，Menlove，’answeredMrs。Doncastle，assheserenelysurveyedherrighteyebrowintheglass。’AmItotakethisasaformalnotice？’

’Ifyouplease；butIcouldstayaweekortwobeyondthemonthifsuitable。Iamgoingtobemarried——that’swhatitis，m’m。’

’O！Iamgladtohearit，thoughIamsorrytoloseyou。’

’ItisLordMountclere’svalet——Mr。Tipman——m’m。’

’Indeed。’

MenlovewentonbuildingupMrs。Doncastle’shairawhileinsilence。

’Isupposeyouheardtheothernewsthatarrivedintownto-day，m’m？’shesaidagain。’LordMountclereisgoingtobemarriedto-

morrow。’

’To-morrow？Areyouquitesure？’

’Oyes，m’m。Mr。Tipmanhasjusttoldmesoinhisletter。HeisgoingtobemarriedtoMrs。Petherwin。Itistobequiteaprivatewedding。’

Mrs。Doncastlemadenoremark，andsheremainedinthesamestillpositionasbefore；butacountenanceexpressingtranscendentsurprisewasreflectedtoMenlovebytheglass。

AtthissightMenlove’stonguesoburnedtogofurther，andunfoldthelady’srelationswiththebutlerdownstairs，thatshewouldhavelostamonth’swagestobeatlibertytodoit。Thedisclosurewasalmosttoomagnificenttoberepressed。Todenyherselfsoexquisiteanindulgencerequiredaneffortwhichnothingonearthcouldhavesustainedsavetheonethingthatdidsustainit——theknowledgethatuponhersilencehungthemostenormousdesideratumintheworld，herownmarriage。Shesaidnomore，andMrs。

Doncastlewentaway。

Itwasanordinaryfamilydinnerthatday，buttheirnephewNeighhappenedtobepresent。JustastheyweresittingdownMrs。

Doncastlesaidtoherhusband:’Whyhaveyounottoldmeoftheweddingto-morrow？——ordon’tyouknowanythingaboutit？’

’Wedding？’saidMr。Doncastle。

’LordMountclereistobemarriedtoMrs。Petherwinquiteprivately。’

’GoodGod！’saidsomeperson。

Mr。Doncastledidnotspeakthewords；theywerenotspokenbyNeigh:theyseemedtofloatovertheroomandroundthewalls，asiforiginatinginsomespiritualisticsource。YetMrs。Doncastle，rememberingthesymptomsofattachmentbetweenEthelbertaandhernephewwhichhadappearedduringthesummer，lookedtowardsNeighinstantly，asifshethoughtthewordsmusthavecomefromhimafterall；butNeigh’sfacewasperfectlycalm；he，togetherwithherhusband，wassittingwithhiseyesfixedinthedirectionofthesideboard；andturningtothesamespotshebeheldChickerelstandingpaleasdeath，hislipsbeingpartedasifhedidnotknowwherehewas。

’Didyouspeak？’saidMrs。Doncastle，lookingwithastonishmentatthebutler。

’Chickerel，what’sthematter——areyouill？’saidMr。Doncastlesimultaneously。’Wasityouwhosaidthat？’

’Idid，sir，’saidChickerelinahuskyvoice，scarcelyaboveawhisper。’Icouldnothelpit。’

’Why？’

’Sheismydaughter，anditshallbeknownatonce！’

’Whoisyourdaughter？’

Hepausedafewmomentsnervously。’Mrs。Petherwin，’hesaid。

UponthisannouncementNeighlookedatpoorChickerelasifhesawthroughhimintothewall。Mrs。Doncastleutteredafaintexclamationandleantbackinherchair:thebarepossibilityofthetruthofChickerel’sclaimstosuchpaternityshookhertopieceswhensheviewedherintimacieswithEthelbertaduringthepastseason——thecourtshehadpaidher，thearrangementsshehadenteredintotopleaseher；aboveall，thedinner-partywhichshehadcontrivedandcarriedoutsolelytogratifyLordMountclereandbringhimintopersonalcommunicationwiththegeneralfavourite；

thusmakingherselfprobablythechiefthoughunconsciousinstrumentinpromotingamatchbywhichherbutlerwastobecomefather-in-lawtoapeershedelightedtohonour。Thecrowdofperceptionsalmosttookawayherlife；sheclosedhereyesinawhiteshiver。

’DoyoumeantosaythattheladywhosathereatdinneratthesametimethatLordMountclerewaspresent，isyourdaughter？’askedDoncastle。

’Yes，sir，’saidChickerelrespectfully。

’Howdidshecometobeyourdaughter？’

’I——Well，sheismydaughter，sir。’

’Didyoueducateher？’

’Notaltogether，sir。Shewasaverycleverchild。LadyPetherwintookadealoftroubleabouthereducation。Theywerebothleftwidowsaboutthesametime:thesondied，thenthefather。Mydaughterwasonlyseventeenthen。Butthoughshe’soldernow，hermarriagewithLordMountcleremeansmisery。Heoughttomarryanotherwoman。’

’Itisveryextraordinary，’Mr。Doncastlemurmured。’Ifyouareillyouhadbettergoandrestyourself，Chickerel。SendinThomas。’

Chickerel，whoseemedtobemuchdisturbed，thenverygladlylefttheroom，anddinnerproceeded。Butsuchwasthepeculiarityofthecase，that，thoughtherewasinitneithermurder，robbery，illness，accident，fire，oranyotherofthetragicandlegitimateshakersofhumannerves，twoofthethreewhoweregatheredtheresatthroughthemealwithouttheleastconsciousnessofwhatviandshadcomposedit。Impressivenessdependsasmuchuponpropinquityasuponmagnitude；andtohavehonouredunawaresthedaughterofthevilestAntipodeanmiscreantandmurdererwouldhavebeenlessdiscomfitingtoMrs。Doncastlethanitwastomakethesameblunderwiththedaughterofarespectableservantwhohappenedtoliveinherownhouse。ToNeightheannouncementwasasthecatastropheofastoryalreadybegun，ratherthanasanisolatedwonder。Ethelberta’swordshadpreparedhimforsomething，thoughthenatureofthatthingwasunknown。

’Chickereloughtnottohavekeptusinignoranceofthis——ofcourseheoughtnot！’saidMrs。Doncastle，assoonastheywereleftalone。

’Idon’tseewhynot，’repliedMr。Doncastle，whotookthematterverycoolly，aswashiscustom。

’Thensheherselfshouldhaveletitbeknown。’

’Nordoesthatfollow。Youdidn’ttellMrs。Petherwinthatyourgrandfathernarrowlyescapedhangingforshootinghisrivalinaduel。’

’Ofcoursenot。TherewasnoreasonwhyIshouldgiveextraneousinformation。’

’Norwasthereanyreasonwhysheshould。AsforChickerel，hedoubtlessfelthowunbecomingitwouldbetomakepersonalremarksupononeofyourguests——Ha-ha-ha！Well，well——Ha-ha-ha-ha！’

’Iknowthis，’saidMrs。Doncastle，ingreatanger，’thatifmyfatherhadbeenintheroom，Ishouldnothaveletthefactpassunnoticed，andtreatedhimlikeastranger！’

’WouldyouhavehadherintroduceChickereltousallround？MydearMargaret，itwasacomplicatedpositionforawoman。’

’Thensheoughtnottohavecome！’

’Theremaybesomethinginthat，thoughshewasdiningoutatotherhousesasgoodasours。Well，Ishouldhavedonejustasshedid，forthejokeofthething。Ha-ha-ha！——itisverygood——very。Itwasacaseinwhichtheappetiteforajestwouldoverpowerthestingofconscienceinanywell-constitutedbeing——that，mydear，I

mustmaintain。’

’Isaysheshouldnothavecome！’answeredMrs。Doncastlefirmly。

’OfcourseIshalldismissChickerel。’

’Ofcourseyouwilldonosuchthing。Ihaveneverhadabutlerinthehousebeforewhosuitedmesowell。Itisagreatcredittothemantohavesuchadaughter，andIamnotsurethatwedonotderivesomelustreofahumblekindfromhispresenceinthehouse。But，seriously，Iwonderatyourshort-sightedness，whenyouknowthetroubleswehavehadthroughgettingnewmenfromnobodyknowswhere。’

Neigh，perceivingthatthebreezeintheatmospheremightultimatelyintensifytoapalpableblacksquall，seemedtothinkitwouldbewelltotakeleaveofhisuncleandauntassoonasheconvenientlycould；nevertheless，hewasmuchlessdiscomposedbythesituationthanbytheactivecausewhichhadledtoit。WhenMrs。Doncastlearose，herhusbandsaidhewasgoingtospeaktoChickerelforaminuteortwo，andNeighfollowedhisauntupstairs。

PresentlyDoncastlejoinedthem。’IhavebeentalkingtoChickerel，’hesaid。’Itisaverycuriousaffair——thismarriageofhisdaughterandLordMountclere。ThewholesituationisthemostastoundingIhaveevermetwith。Themanisquiteillaboutthenews。Hehasshownmealetterwhichhasjustreachedhimfromhissononthesamesubject。LordMountclere’sbrotherandthisyoungmanhaveactuallygoneofftogethertotrytopreventthewedding，andChickerelhasaskedtobeallowedtogohimself，ifhecangetsoonenoughtothestationtocatchthenightmail。Ofcoursehemaygoifhewishes。’

’Whatafunnything！’saidthelady，withawretchedlyfactitioussmile。’Thetimeshavetakenastrangeturnwhentheangryparentofthecomedy，whogoespost-hastetopreventtheundutifuldaughter’srashmarriage，isagentlemanfrombelowstairs，andtheunworthyloverapeeroftherealm！’

Neighspokeforalmostthefirsttime。’Idon’tblameChickerelinobjectingtoLordMountclere。IshouldobjecttohimmyselfifI

hadadaughter。Ineverlikedhim。’

’Why？’saidMrs。Doncastle，liftinghereyelidsasiftheactwereaheavytask。

’Forreasonswhichdon’tgenerallyappear。’

’Yes，’saidMr。Doncastle，inalowtone。’Still，wemustnotbelieveallwehear。’

’IsChickerelgoing？’saidNeigh。

’Heleavesinfiveortenminutes，’saidDoncastle。

AfterafewfurtherwordsNeighmentionedthathewasunabletostaylongerthatevening，andleftthem。Whenhehadreachedtheoutsideofthedoorhewalkedalittlewayupthepavementandbackagain，asifreluctanttolosesightofthestreet，finallystandingunderalamp-postwhencehecouldcommandaviewofMr。Doncastle’sfront。

Presentlyamancameoutinagreat-coatandwithasmallbaginhishand；NeighatoncerecognizingthepersonasChickerel，wentuptohim。

’Mr。Doncastletellsmeyouaregoingonasuddenjourney。Atwhattimedoesyourtrainleave？’Neighasked。

’Igobytheteno’clock，sir:Ihopeitisathird-class，’saidChickerel；’thoughIamafraiditmaynotbe。’

’Itisasmuchasyouwilldotogettothestation，’saidNeigh，turningthefaceofhiswatchtothelight。’Here，comeintomycab——Iamdrivingthatway。’

’Thankyou，sir，’saidChickerel。

Neighcalledacabatthefirstopportunity，andtheyenteredanddrovealongtogether。Neitherspokeduringthejourney。WhentheyweredrivinguptothestationentranceNeighlookedagaintoseethehour。

’Youhavenotaminutetolose，’hesaid，inrepressedanxiety。

’Andyourjourneywillbeexpensive:insteadofwalkingfromAngleburytoKnollsea，youhadbetterdrive——aboveall，don’tlosetime。Nevermindwhatclassthetrainis。Takethisfromme，sincetheemergencyisgreat。’HehandedsomethingtoChickerelfoldedupsmall。

Thebutlertookitwithoutinquiry，andsteppedouthastily。

’Isincerelyhopeshe——Well，good-night，Chickerel，’continuedNeigh，endinghiswordsabruptly。Thecabcontaininghimdroveagaintowardsthestation-gates，leavingChickerelstandingonthekerb。

Hepassedthroughthebooking-office，andlookedatthepaperNeighhadputintohishand。Itwasafive-poundnote。

Chickerelmusedonthecircumstanceashetookhisticketandgotintothetrain。

43。THERAILWAY-THESEA-THESHOREBEYOND

BythistimeSolandtheHonourableEdgarMountclerehadgonefarontheirjourneyintoWessex。EnckworthCourt，Mountclere’sdestination，thoughseveralmilesfromKnollsea，wasmosteasilyaccessiblebythesamerouteasthattothevillage，thelatterbeingtheplaceforwhichSolwasbound。

Fromthefewwordsthatpassedbetweenthemontheway，MountclerebecamemorestubbornthaneverinabeliefthatthiswasacarefullylaidtrapofthefairEthelberta’stoensnarehisbrotherwithoutrevealingtohimherfamilyties，whichitthereforebehovedhimtomakeclear，withtheutmostforceofrepresentation，beforethefatalunionhadbeencontracted。Beinghimselftheviscount’sonlyremainingbrotherandnearrelative，thedisinterestednessofhismotivesmaybelefttoimagination；thattherewasmuchrealexcuseforhisconductmust，however，beborneinmind。Whetherhisattemptwouldpreventtheunionwasanotherquestion:hebelievedthat，conjoinedwithhispersonalinfluenceovertheviscount，andtheimportationofSolasafirebrandtothrowbetweenthebetrothedpair，itmightdoso。

Abouthalf-an-hourbeforesunsetthetwoindividuals，linkedbytheirdifferences，reachedthepointofrailwayatwhichthebranchtoSandbourneleftthemainline。TheyhadtakenticketsforSandbourne，intendingtogothencetoKnollseabythesteamerthatpliedbetweenthetwoplacesduringthesummermonths——makingthisashortanddirectroute。ButitoccurredtoMountclereonthewaythat，summerbeingover，thesteamermightpossiblyhaveleftoffrunning，thewindmightbetoohighforasmallboat，andnolargeonemightbeathandforhire:thereforeitwouldbesafertogobytraintoAnglebury，andtheremainingsixteenmilesbydrivingoverthehills，evenatagreatlossoftime。

Accident，however，determinedotherwise。Theywereinthestationatthejunction，inquiringofanofficialiftheSpeedwellhadceasedtosail，whenacountrymanwhohadjustcomeupfromSandbournestatedthat，thoughtheSpeedwellhadleftofffortheyear，therewasthatdayanothersteameratSandbourne。ThissteamerwouldofnecessityreturntoKnollseathatevening，partlybecauseseveralpeoplefromthatplacehadbeenonboard，andalsobecausetheKnollseafolkwerewaitingforgroceriesanddraperiesfromLondon:therewasnotanounceofteaorahundredweightofcoalinthevillage，owingtotherecentwinds，whichhaddetainedtheprovisionparcelsatSandbourne，andkeptthecolliersup-

channeluntilthechangeofweatherthisday。Tointroducenecessariesbyaroundaboutlandjourneywasnoteasywhentheyhadbeenorderedbytheotherandhabitualroute。Theboatreturnedatsixo’clock。

SoontheywenttoSandbourne，drivingofftothepierdirectlytheyreachedthatplace，foritwasgettingtowardsnight。Thesteamerwasthere，asthemanhadtoldthem，muchtothereliefofSol，who，beingextremelyanxioustoenterKnollseabeforealatehour，hadknownthatthiswastheonlywayinwhichitcouldbedone。

Someunforeseenincidentdelayedtheboat，andtheywalkedupanddownthepiertowait。Theprospectwasgloomyenough。Thewindwasnorth-east；theseaalongshorewasachalky-green，thoughcomparativelycalm，thispartofthecoastformingashelterfromwindinitspresentquarter。Thecloudshaddifferentvelocities，andsomeofthemshonewithacopperyglare，producedbyraysfromthewestwhichdidnotentertheinferioratmosphereatall。Itwasreflectedonthedistantwavesinpatches，withaneffectasifthewaterswereatthoseparticularspotsstainedwithblood。Thisdeparted，andwhatdaylightwaslefttotheearthcamefromstrangeandunusualquartersoftheheavens。Thezenithwouldbebright，asifthatweretheplaceofthesun；thenalloverheadwouldclose，andawhitenessintheeastwouldgivetheappearanceofmorning；

whileabankasthickasawallbarricadedthewest，whichlookedasifithadnoacquaintancewithsunsets，andwouldblushrednomore。

’Anyotherpassengers？’shoutedthemasterofthesteamboat。’Wemustbeoff:itmaybeadirtynight。’

SolandMountclerewentonboard，andthepierrecededinthedusk。

’ShallwehaveanydifficultyingettingintoKnollseaBay？’saidMountclere。

’Notifthewindkeepswhereitisforanotherhourortwo。’

’Ifancyitisshiftingtotheeast’ard，’saidSol。

Thecaptainlookedasifhehadthoughtthesamething。

’IhopeIshallbeabletogethometo-night，’saidaKnollseawoman。’Mylittlechildrenbeleftalone。Yourmis’essisinabadway，too——isn’tshe，skipper？’

’Yes。’

’Andyou’vegotthedoctorfromSandbourneaboard，totendher？’

’Yes。’

’Thenyou’llbesuretoputintoKnollsea，ifyoucan？’

’Yes。Don’tbealarmed，ma’am。We’lldowhatwecan。Butnoonemustboast。’

Theskipper’sremarkwastheresultofanobservationthatthewindhadatlastflowntotheeast，thesinglepointofthecompasswhenceitcouldaffectKnollseaBay。Theresultofthischangewassoonperceptible。Aboutmidwayintheirtransitthelandelbowedouttoaboldchalkpromontory；beyondthisstretchedaverticalwallofthesamecliff，inalineparallelwiththeircourse。Infairweatheritwaspossibleandcustomarytosteerclosealongunderthishoaryfacadeforthedistanceofamile，therebeingsixfathomsofwaterwithinafewboats’lengthsoftheprecipice。Butitwasanuglyspotatthebestoftimes，landwardnolessthanseaward，thecliffroundingoffatthetopinvegetation，likeaforeheadwithlow-grownhair，nodefinededgebeingprovidedasawarningtounwarypedestriansonthedownsabove。

Asthewindsprungupstronger，whiteclotscouldbediscernedatthewaterlevelofthecliff，risingandfallingagainsttheblackbandofshaggyweedthatformedasortofskirtingtothebaseofthewall。Theywerethefirst-fruitsoftheneweastblast，whichshavedthefaceoftheclifflikearazor——gatheringsoffoamintheshapeofheads，shoulders，andarmsofsnowywhiteness，apparentlystrugglingtorisefromthedeeps，andeversinkingbacktotheiroldlevelsagain。TheyremindedanobserverofadrowningsceneinapictureoftheDeluge。Atsomepointsthefaceofrockwashollowedintogapingcaverns，andthewaterbegantothunderintothesewithaleapthatwasonlytoppedbythereboundseawardagain。

Thevessel’sheadwaskeptalittlefurthertosea，butbeyondthateverythingwentonasusual。

Theprecipicewasstillinview，andbeforeitseveralhugecolumnsofrockappeared，detachedfromthemassbehind。Twoofthesewereparticularlynoticeableinthegreyair——onevertical，stoutandsquare；theotherslenderandtapering。Theywereindividualizedashusbandandwifebythecoastmen。Thewavesleaptuptheirsideslikeapackofhounds；this，however，thoughfearfulinitsboisterousness，wasnothingtotheterriblegamesthatsometimeswentonroundthekneesofthosegiantsinstone。Yetitwassufficienttocausethecourseofthefrailsteamboattobealteredyetalittlemore——fromsouth-west-by-southtosouth-by-west——togivethebreakersastillwiderberth。

’Iwishwehadgonebyland，sir；’twouldhavebeensurerplay，’

saidSoltoMountclere，acat-and-dogfriendshiphavingarisenbetweenthem。

’Yes，’saidMountclere。’Knollseaisanabominableplacetogetintowithaneastwindblowing，theysay。’

Anothercircumstanceconspiredtomaketheirlandingmoredifficult，whichMountclereknewnothingof。Withthewindeasterly，thehighestseaprevailedinKnollseaBayfromtheslackeningofflood-

tidetothefirsthourofebb。Atthattimethewateroutsidestoodwithoutacurrent，andridgesandhollowschasedeachothertowardsthebeachunchecked。WhenthetidewassettingstrongupordownChannelitsflowacrossthemouthofthebaythrustaside，tosomeextent，thelandwardplungeofthewaves。

Weglanceforamomentatthestateofaffairsonthelandtheywerenearing。

ThiswasthetimeofyeartoknowthetruthabouttheinnernatureandcharacterofKnollsea；fortoseeKnollseasmilingtothesummersunwastoseeacourtierbeforeaking；Knollseawasnottobeknownbysuchsimplemeans。Thehalf-dozendetachedvillasusedaslodging-housesinthesummer，standingalooffromthecotsofthepermanentrace，roseintheduskofthisgustyevening，empty，silent，damp，anddarkastombs。Thegravelwalksleadingtothemwereinvadedbyleavesandtuftsofgrass。Asthedarknessthickenedthewindincreased，andeachblastrakedtheironrailingsbeforethehousestilltheyhummedasifinasongofderision。

Certainlyitseemedabsurdatthistimeofyearthathumanbeingsshouldexpectcomfortinaspotcapableofsuchmoodsasthese。

However，oneofthehouseslookedcheerful，andthatwasthedwellingtowhichEthelbertahadgone。Itsgayexternalcoloursmightaswellhavebeenblackforanythingthatcouldbeseenofthemnow，butanunblindedwindowrevealedinsideitaroombrightandwarm。Itwasilluminatedbyfirelightonly。Within，Ethelbertaappearedagainstthecurtains，closetotheglass。Shewaswatchingthroughabinocularafaintlightwhichhadbecomevisibleinthedirectionoftheblufffarawayoverthebay。

’HereistheSpruceatlast，Ithink，’shesaidtohersister，whowasbythefire。’IhopetheywillbeabletolandthethingsI

haveordered。TheyareonboardIknow。’

Thewindcontinuedtorisetillatlengthsomethingfromthelungsofthegalealightedlikeafeatheruponthepane，andremainedtheresticking。Seeingthesubstance，Ethelbertaopenedthewindowtosecureit。Thefireroaredandthepictureskickedthewalls；

sheclosedthesash，andbroughttothelightacrispfragmentoffoam。

’Howsuddenlytheseamusthaverisen，’saidPicotee。

Theservantenteredtheroom。’Please，mis’esssayssheisafraidyouwon’thaveyourthingsto-night，’m。Theysaythesteamercan’tland，andmis’esswantstoknowifshecandoanything？’

’Itisofnoconsequence，’saidEthelberta。’Theywillcomesometime，unlesstheygotothebottom。’

Thegirllefttheroom。’Shallwegodowntotheshoreandseewhatthenightislike？’saidEthelberta。’ThisisthelastopportunityIshallhave。’

’Isitrightforustogo，consideringyouaretobemarriedto-

morrow？’saidPicotee，whohadsmallaffectionfornatureinthismood。

Hersisterlaughed。’Letusputonourcloaks——nobodywillknowus。

Iamsorrytoleavethisgrimandprimitiveplace，evenforEnckworthCourt。’

Theywrappedthemselvesup，anddescendedthehill。

Ondrawingnearthebattlinglineofbreakerswhichmarkedthemeetingofseaandlandtheycouldperceivewithinthenearlyinvisiblehorizonanequilateraltriangleoflights。Itwasformedofthreestars，aredontheoneside，agreenontheother，andawhiteonthesummit。This，composedofmast-headandsidelamps，wasallthatwasvisibleoftheSpruce，whichnowfacedend-onabouthalf-a-miledistant，andwasstillnearingthepier。Thegirlswentfurther，andstoodontheforeshore，listeningtothedin。Seawardappearednothingdistinctsaveablackhorizontalbandembodyingitselfoutofthegreywater，strengtheningitsblackness，andenlargingtillitlookedlikeanearingwall。Itwastheconcavefaceofacomingwave。Onitssummitawhiteedgingarosewiththeaspectofalacefrill；itbroadened，andfelloverthefrontwithaterribleconcussion。Thenallbeforethemwasasheetofwhiteness，whichspreadwithamazingrapidity，tilltheyfoundthemselvesstandinginthemidstofit，asinafieldofsnow。Bothfeltaninsidiouschillencirclingtheirankles，andtheyrapidlyranupthebeach。

’Yougirls，comeawaythere，oryou’llbewashedoff:whatneedhaveyeforgoingsonear？’

EthelbertarecognizedthestentorianvoiceasthatofCaptainFlower，who，withapartyofboatmen，wasdiscoveredtobestandingnear，undertheshelterofawall。Hedidnotknowtheminthegloom，andtheytookcarethatheshouldnot。Theyretreatedfurtherupthebeach，whenthehissingfleeceoffrothslidagaindowntheshingle，draggingthepebblesunderitwitharattleasofabeastgnawingbones。

Thespotwhereonthemenstoodwascalled’Down-under-wall；’itwasanookcommandingafullviewofthebay，andhitherthenauticalportionofthevillageunconsciouslygravitatedonwindyafternoonsandnights，todiscusspastdisastersinthereticentspiritinducedbyasensethattheymightatanymomentberepeated。ThestrangerwhoshouldwalktheshoreonroaringandsobbingNovembereveswhentherewasnotlightsufficienttoguidehisfootsteps，andmuseontheabsolutenessofthesolitude，wouldbesurprisedbyasmart’Good-night’beingreturnedfromthiscornerincompanywiththeechoofhistread。Insummerthesixoreightperennialfiguresstoodonthebreezysideofthewall——inwinterandinraintoleeward；butnoweatherwasknowntodislodgethem。

’Ihadnosoonercomeashorethanthewindbegantoflyround，’saidthepreviousspeaker；’anditmusthavebeenaboutthetimetheywereoffOld-HarryPoint。"She’llputbackforcertain，"Isaid；

andIhadnomorethoughto’seeingherthanJohn’sset-netthatwascarriedroundthepointo’Monday。’

’Poorfeller:hiswifebeinginsuchastatemakeshimanxioustolandif’acan:that’swhat’tis，plainenough。’

’Whythat？’saidFlower。

’Thedoctor’saboard，’abelieve:"I’llhavethemostunderstandingmaninSandbourne，costmelittleormuch，"hesaid。’

’’Tisalloverandshe’sbetter，’saidtheother。’Icalledhalf-

an-houraforedark。’

Flower，beinganexperiencedman，knewhowthejudgmentofaship’smasterwasliabletobewarpedbyfamilyanxieties，manyinstancesofthesamehavingoccurredinthehistoryofnavigation。Hefeltuneasy，forheknewthedeceitandguileofthisbayfarbetterthandidthemasteroftheSpruce，who，tillwithinafewrecentmonths，hadbeenastrangertotheplace。Indeed，itwasthebaywhichhadmadeFlowerwhathewas，insteadofamaninthrivingretirement。

Thetwogreatventuresofhislifehadbeenblownashoreandbrokenupwithinthatverysemicircle。Thesturdysailornowstoodwithhiseyesfixedonthetriangleoflightswhichshowedthatthesteamerhadnotrelinquishedherintentionofbringingupinsidethepierifpossible；hisrighthandwasinhispocket，whereitplayedwithalargekeywhichlaythere。Itwasthekeyofthelifeboatshed，andFlowerwascoxswain。Hismusingwasonthepossibilityofauseforitthisnight。

ItappearedthatthecaptainoftheSprucewasaimingtopassinundertheleeofthepier；butastrongcurrentoffourorfiveknotswasrunningbetweenthepiles，driftingthesteamerawayateveryattemptassoonassheslowed。Tocomeinontheothersidewasdangerous，thehullofthevesselbeinglikelytocrashagainstandoverthrowthefragileerection，withdamagetoherselfalso。

Flower，whohaddisappearedforafewminutes，nowcameback。

’ItisjustpossibleIcanmake’emhearwiththetrumpet，nowtheybetoleeward，’hesaid，andproceededwithtwoorthreeotherstogropehiswayoutuponthepier，whichconsistedsimplyofarowofrottenpilescoveredwithrottenplanking，nobalustradeofanykindexistingtokeeptheunwaryfromtumblingoff。Atthewaterlevelthepileswereeatenawaybytheactionoftheseatoaboutthesizeofaman’swrist，andateveryfreshinfluxthewholestructuretrembledlikeaspider’sweb。Inthislaythedangerofmakingfast，forastrongpullfromaheadfastropemightdragtheerectioncompletelyover。Flowerarrivedattheend，wherealanternhung。

’Spruceahoy！’heblaredthroughthespeakingtrumpettwoorthreetimes。

Thereseemedtobeareplyofsomesortfromthesteamer。

’Tuesday’sgalehevloosenedthepier，Cap’nOunce；thebollardsbetooweaktomakefastto:mustlandinboatsifyewillland，butdangerous；yerwifeisoutofdanger，and’tisaboy-y-y-y！’

EthelbertaandPicoteewereatthistimestandingonthebeachahundredandfiftyyardsoff。WhetherornotthemasterofthesteamerreceivedtheinformationvolunteeredbyFlower，thetwogirlssawthetriangleoflampsgetnarrowatitsbase，reducethemselvestotwoinaverticalline，thentoone，thentodarkness。

TheSprucehadturnedherheadfromKnollsea。

’Theyhavegoneback，andIshallnothavemyweddingthingsafterall！’saidEthelberta。’Well，Imustdowithoutthem。’

’Yousee，’twasbesttoplaysure，’saidFlowertohiscomrades，inatoneofcomplacency。’Theymighthavebeenabletodoit，but’twasrisky。Theshop-folkbeoutofstock，Ihear，andthevisitingladyupthehillisterriblyinwantofclothes，so’tissaid。Butwhat’sthat？Ounceoughttohaveputbackafore。’

Thenthelanternwhichhungattheendofthejettywastakendown，andthedarknessenfoldedallaroundfromview。Thebaybecamenothingbutavoice，thefoamanoccasionaltouchupontheface，theSpruceanimagination，thepieramemory。Everythinglesseneduponthesensesbutone；thatwasthewind。Itmauledtheirpersonslikeahand，andcausedeveryscrapoftheirraimenttotugwestward。Tostandwiththefacetoseabroughtsemi-suffocation，fromtheintensepressureofair。

Theboatmenretiredtotheirpositionunderthewall，toloungeagaininsilence。Conversationwasnotconsiderednecessary:theirsenseofeachother’spresenceformedakindofconversation。

MeanwhilePicoteeandEthelbertawentupthehill。

’Ifyourweddingweregoingtobeapublicone，whatamisfortunethisdelayofthepackageswouldbe，’saidPicotee。

’Yes，’repliedtheelder。

’Ithinkthebracelettheprettiestofallthepresentshebroughtto-day——doyou？’

’Itisthemostvaluable。’

’LordMountclereisverykind，ishenot？IlikehimagreatdealbetterthanIdid——doyou，Berta？’

’Yes，verymuchbetter，’saidEthelberta，warmingalittle。’IfhewerenotsosuspiciousatoddmomentsIshouldlikehimexceedingly。

ButImustcurehimofthatbyaregularcourseoftreatment，andthenhe’llbeverynice。’

’Foranoldman。Helikesyoubetterthananyyoungmanwouldtakethetroubletodo。Iwishsomebodyelsewereoldtoo。’

’Hewillbesomeday。’

’Yes，but——’

’Nevermind:timewillstraightenmanycrookedthings。’

’DoyouthinkLordMountclerehasreachedhomebythistime？’

’Ishouldthinkso:thoughIbelievehehadtocallattheparsonagebeforeleavingKnollsea。’

’Hadhe？Whatfor？’

’Why，ofcoursesomebodymust——’

’Oyes。DoyouthinkanybodyinKnollseaknowsitisgoingtobeexceptusandtheparson？’

’Isupposetheclerkknows。’

’Iwonderifalordhaseverbeenmarriedsoprivatelybefore。’

’Frequently:whenhemarriesfarbeneathhim，asinthiscase。ButevenifIcouldhavehadit，Ishouldnothavelikedashowywedding。Ihavehadnoexperienceasabrideexceptintheprivateformoftheceremony。’

’Berta，IamsometimesuneasyaboutyouevennowandIwanttoaskyouonething，ifImay。Areyoudoingthisformysake？WouldyouhavemarriedMr。Julianifithadnotbeenforme？’

’Itisdifficulttosayexactly。ItispossiblethatifIhadhadnorelationsatall，Imighthavemarriedhim。AndImightnot。’

’Idon’tintendtomarry。’

’InthatcaseyouwilllivewithmeatEnckworth。However，wewillleavesuchdetailstilltheground-workisconfirmed。Whenwegetindoorswillyouseeiftheboxeshavebeenproperlycorded，andarequitereadytobesentfor？Thencomeinandsitbythefire，andI’llsingsomesongstoyou。’

’Sadones，youmean。’

’No，theyshallnotbesad。’

’Perhapstheymaybethelastyouwilleversingtome。’

’Theymaybe。Suchathinghasoccurred。’

’Butwewillnotthinkso。We’llsupposeyouaretosingmanytomeyet。’

’Yes。There’sgoodsenseinthat，Picotee。Inaworldwheretheblindonlyarecheerfulweshouldalldowelltoputoutoureyes。

There，Ididnotmeantogetintothisstate:forgiveme，Picotee。

ItisbecauseIhavehadathought——whyIcannottell——thatasmuchasthismanbringstomeinrankandgiftshemaytakeoutofmeintears。’

’Berta！’

’Butthere’snoreasoninit——notany；fornotinasinglematterdoeswhathasbeensupplyuswithanycertaingroundforknowingwhatwillbeintheworld。Ihaveseenmarriageswherehappinessmighthavebeensaidtobeensured，andtheyhavebeenallsadnessafterwards；andIhaveseenthoseinwhichtheprospectwasblackasnight，andtheyhaveledontoatimeofsweetnessandcomfort。AndIhaveseenmarriagesneitherjoyfulnorsorry，thathavebecomeeitherasaccidentforcedthemtobecome，thepersonshavingnovoiceinitatall。Well，then，whyshouldIbeafraidtomakeaplungewhenchanceisastrustworthyascalculation？’

’Ifyoudon’tlikehimwellenough，don’thavehim，Berta。There’stimeenoughtoputitoffevennow。’

’Ono。Iwouldnotupsetawell-consideredcourseonthehasteofanimpulse。Ourwillshouldwithstandourmisgivings。Nowletusseeifallhasbeenpacked，andthenwe’llsing。’

Thatevening，whilethewindwaswheelingroundandroundthedwelling，andthecalmeyeofthelighthouseafarwasthesinglespeckperceptibleoftheoutsideworldfromthedoorofEthelberta’stemporaryhome，themusicofsongsmingledwiththestrokeofthewindacrosstheironrailings，andwassweptoninthegeneraltideofthegale，andthenoiseoftherollingsea，tillnottheechoofatoneremained。

Anhourbeforethissinging，anoldgentlemanmighthavebeenseentoalightfromalittleone-horsebrougham，andenterthedoorofKnollseaparsonage。Hewasbentuponobtaininganentrancetothevicar’sstudywithoutgivinghisname。

Butithappenedthatthevicar’swifewassittinginthefrontroom，makingapillow-caseforthechildren’sbedoutofanoldsurplicewhichhadbeenexcommunicatedthepreviousEaster；sheheardthenewcomer’svoicethroughthepartition，started，andwentquicklytoherhusband，whowaswhereheoughttohavebeen，inhisstudy。Atherentryhelookedupwithanabstractedgaze，havingbeenlostinmeditationoveralittleschoonerwhichhewasattemptingtorigfortheiryoungestboy。Atawordfromhiswifeonthesuspectednameofthevisitor，heresumedhisearlieroccupationofinsertingafewstrongsentences，fulloftheobservationofmaturerlife，betweenthelinesofasermonwrittenduringhisfirstyearsofordination，inordertomakeitavailableforthecomingSunday。Hiswifethenvanishedwiththelittleshipinherhand，andthevisitorappeared。

Atalkwentoninlowtones。

Afteratenminutes’stayhedepartedassecretlyashehadcome。

Hiserrandwasthecauseofmuchwhispereddiscussionbetweenthevicarandhiswifeduringtheevening，butnothingwassaidconcerningittotheoutsideworld。

44。SANDBOURNE-ALONELYHEATH-THE’REDLION’-THEHIGHWAY

Itwashalf-pastelevenbeforetheSpruce，withMountclereandSolChickerelonboard，hadsteamedbackagaintoSandbourne。Thedirectionandincreaseofthewindhadmadeitnecessarytokeepthevesselstillfurthertoseaontheirreturnthaningoing，thattheymightclearwithoutriskthewindy，sousing，thwacking，basting，scourgingJackKetchofacornercalledOld-HarryPoint，whichlayabouthalfwayalongtheirtrack，andstood，withitsdetachedpostsandstumpsofwhiterock，likeaskeleton’slowerjaw，grinningatBritishnavigation。Herestrongcurrentsandcrosscurrentswerebeginningtointerweavetheirscrollsandmeshes，thewaterrisingbehindthemintumultuousheaps，andslammingagainstthefrontsandanglesofcliff，whenceitflewintotheairlikecloudsofflour。

Whocouldnowbelievethatthisroaringabodeofchaossmiledinthesunasgentlyasaninfantduringthesummerdaysnotlonggoneby，everypinnacle，crag，andcavereturningadoubledimageacrosstheglassysea？

TheywerenowagainatSandbourne，apointintheirjourneyreachedmorethanfourhoursago。Itbecamenecessarytoconsideranewhowtoaccomplishthedifficultremainder。Thewindwasnotblowingmuchbeyondwhatseamencallhalfagale，buttherehadbeenenoughunpleasantnessafloattomakelandsmengladtogetashore，andthisdissipatedinaslightmeasuretheirvexationathavingfailedintheirpurpose。Still，Mountclereloudlycursedtheirconfidenceinthattreacherouslyshortroute，andSolabusedtheunknownSandbournemanwhohadbroughtthenewsofthesteamer’sarrivaltothematthejunction。Theonlycourseleftopentothemnow，shortofgivinguptheundertaking，wastogobytheroadalongtheshore，which，curvingroundthevariouslittlecreeksandinlandseasbetweentheirpresentpositionandKnollsea，wasofnolesslengththanthirtymiles。Therewasnotrainbacktothejunctiontillthenextmorning，andSol’spropositionthattheyshoulddrivethitherinhopeofmeetingthemail-train，wasoverruledbyMountclere。

’Wewillhavenothingmoretodowithchance，’hesaid。’Wemaymissthetrain，andthenweshallhavegoneoutofthewayfornothing。Morethanthat，thedownmaildoesnotstoptillitgetsseveralmilesbeyondtheneareststationforKnollsea；soitishopeless。’

’Iftherehadonlybeenatelegraphtotheconfoundedplace！’

’Telegraph——wemightaswelltelegraphtothedevilastoanoldboobyandadamnedschemingyoungwidow。Iverymuchquestionifweshalldoanythinginthematter，evenifwegetthere。ButI

supposewehadbettergoonnow？’

’Youcandoasyoulike。Ishallgoon，ifIhavetowalkeverystepo’t。’

’That’snotnecessary。Ithinkthebestposting-houseatthisendofthetownisTempett’s——wemustknockthemupatonce。Whichwillyoudo——attemptsupperhere，orbreakthebackofourjourneyfirst，andgetontoAnglebury？Wemayrestanhourortwothere，unlessyoufeelreallyinwantofameal。’

’No。I’llleaveeatingtomerriermen，whohavenosisterinthehandsofacursedoldVandal。’

’Verywell，’saidMountclere。’We’llgoonatonce。’

Anadditionalhalf-hourelapsedbeforetheywerefairlystarted，thelatenessandabruptnessoftheirarrivalcausingdelayingettingaconveyanceready:thetempestuousnighthadapparentlydriventhewholetown，gentleandsimple，earlytotheirbeds。Andwhenatlengththetravellerswereontheirwaytheaspectoftheweathergrewyetmoreforbidding。Theraincamedownunmercifully，theboomingwindcaughtit，boreitacrosstheplain，whizzeditagainstthecarriagelikeasowersowinghisseed。Itwaspreciselysuchweather，andalmostatthesameseason，aswhenPicoteetraversedthesamemoor，strickenwithhergreatdisappointmentatnotmeetingChristopherJulian。

Furtheronforseveralmilesthedrivelaythroughanopenheath，dottedoccasionallywithfirplantations，thetreesofwhichtoldthetaleoftheirspecieswithouthelpfromoutlineorcolour；theyspokeinthosemelancholymoansandsobswhichgivetotheirsoundasolemnsadnesssurpassingeventhatofthesea。Fromeachcarriage-

lampthelongraysstretchedlikefeelersintotheair，andsomewhatcheeredtheway，untiltheinsidiousdampthatpervadedallthingsabove，around，andunderneath，overpoweredoneofthem，andrenderedeveryattempttorekindleitineffectual。Evenhadthetwomen’sdisliketoeachother’ssocietybeenless，thegeneraldinofthenightwouldhavepreventedmuchtalking；asitwas，theysatinarigidreticencethatwasalmostathirdpersonality。Theroadswerelaidhereaboutswithalightsandygravel，which，thoughnotclogging，wassoftandfriable。Itspeedilybecamesaturated，andthewheelsgroundheavilyanddeeplyintoitssubstance。

Atlength，aftercrossingfromtentotwelvemilesoftheseeternalheathsundertheeternallydrummingstorm，theycoulddiscerneyeletsoflightwinkingtotheminthedistancefromunderanebulousbrowofpalehaze。TheywerelookingonthelittletownofHavenpool。Soonafterthiscross-roadswerereached，oneofwhich，atrightanglestotheirpresentdirection，leddownonthelefttothatplace。Herethemanstopped，andinformedthemthatthehorseswouldbeabletogobutamileortwofurther。

’Verywell，wemusthaveothersthatcan，’saidMountclere。’Doesourwayliethroughthetown？’

’No，sir——unlesswegotheretochangehorses，whichIthoughttodo。Thedirectroadisstraighton。Havenpoolliesaboutthreemilesdownthereontheleft。Butthewaterisovertheroad，andwehadbettergoround。Weshallcometonoplacefortwoorthreemiles，andthenonlytoFlychett。’

’What’sFlychettlike？’

’Atrumperysmallbitofavillage。’

’Still，Ithinkwehadbetterpushon，’saidSol。’IamagainstrunningtheriskoffindingthewayfloodedaboutHavenpool。’

’SoamI，’returnedMountclere。

’IknowawheelwrightinFlychett，’continuedSol，’andhekeepsabeer-house，andownstwohorses。Wecouldhirethem，andhaveabitofsommatintheshapeofvictuals，andthengetontoAnglebury。

Perhapstherainmayholdupbythattime。Anything’sbetterthangoingoutofourway。’

’Yes。Andthehorsescanlastouttothatplace，’saidMountclere。

’Upandonagain，myman。’

OntheywenttowardsFlychett。Stilltheeverlastingheath，theblackhillsbulgingagainstthesky，thebarrowsupontheirroundsummitslikewartsonaswarthyskin。Thestormblewhuskilyoverbushesofheatherandfurzethatitwasunablemateriallytodisturb，andthetravellersproceededasbefore。Butthehorseswerenowfarfromfresh，andthetimespentinreachingthenextvillagewasquitehalfaslongasthattakenupbythepreviousheavyportionofthedrive。WhentheyenteredFlychettitwasaboutthree。

’Now，where’stheinn？’saidMountclere，yawning。

’Justontheknap，’Solanswered。’’Tisalittlesmallplace，andwemustdoaswellaswecan。’

Theypulledupbeforeacottage，uponthewhitewashedfrontofwhichcouldbeseenasquareboardrepresentingthesign。Afteraninfinitelabourofrappingandshouting，acasementopenedoverhead，andawoman’svoiceinquiredwhatwasthematter。Solexplained，whenshetoldthemthatthehorseswereawayfromhome。

’Nowwemustwaittillthesearerested，’growledMountclere。’A

prettymuddle！’

’Itcannotbehelped，’answeredSol；andheaskedthewomantoopenthedoor。Sherepliedthatherhusbandwasawaywiththehorsesandvan，andthattheycouldnotcomein。

Solwasknowntoher，andhementionedhisname；butthewomanonlybegantoabusehim。

’Come，publican，you’dbetterletusin，orwe’llhavethelawfor’t，’rejoinedSol，withmorespirit。’Youdon’tdaretokeepnobilitywaitinglikethis。’

’Nobility！’

’MymatehevthetitleofHonourable，whetherorno；solet’shavenoneofyourslack，’saidSol。

’Don’tbeafool，youngchopstick，’exclaimedMountclere。’Getthedooropened。’

’Iwill——inmyownway，’saidSoltestily。’Youmustn’tmindmytradinguponyourquality，as’tisacaseofnecessity。Thisisawomannothingwillbringtoreasonbutanappealtothehigherpowers。Ifeverymanoftitlewasasusefulasyouareto-night，sir，I’dnevercallthemlumberagainaslongasIlive。’

’Howsingular！’

’There’sneverabitofrubbishthatwon’tcomeinuseifyoukeepitsevenyears。’

’Ifmyutilitydependsuponkeepingyoucompany，mayIgotoh——

forlackingeveryatomofthevirtue。’

’Hear，hear！ButithardlyisbecominginmetoansweruptoamansomucholderthanI，orIcouldsaymore。Supposewedrawalinehereforthepresent，sir，andgetindoors？’

’Dowhatyouwill，inHeaven’sname。’

Afewmorewordstothewomanresultedinheragreeingtoadmitthemiftheywouldattendtothemselvesafterwards。ThisSolpromised，andthekeyofthedoorwasletdowntothemfromthebedroomwindowbyastring。Whentheyhadentered，Sol，whoknewthehousewell，busiedhimselfinlightingafire，thedrivergoingoffwithalanterntothestable，wherehefoundstanding-roomforthetwohorses。Mountclerewalkedupanddownthekitchen，mumblingwordsofdisgustatthesituation，thefewofthiskindthatheletoutbeingjustenoughtoshowwhatafearfullylargenumberhekeptin。

’A-callinguppeopleatthistimeofmorning！’thewomanoccasionallyexclaimeddownthestairs。’Butfolksshownomercyupontheirfleshandblood——notonebitormite。’

’Nowneverbestomachy，mygoodsoul，’criedSolfromthefireplace，wherehestoodblowingthefirewithhisbreath。’Onlytellmewherethevictualsbide，andI’lldoallthecooking。We’llpaylikeprinces——especiallymymate。’

’There’sbutlittleinhouse，’saidthesleepywomanfromherbedroom。’There’spig’sfry，asideofbacon，acongereel，andpickledonions。’

’Congereel？’saidSoltoMountclere。

’No，thankyou。’

’Pig’sfry？’

’No，thankyou。’

’Well，then，tellmewherethebaconis，’shoutedSoltothewoman。