'No，Icannotsendyouaway:Icannot。Godknowswhatdarkfuturemayariseoutofthisevening'swork；butIcannotsendyouaway!
　　Youmustsitdown，andIwillendeavourtocollectmythoughtsandseewhathadbetterbedone。
　　Atthatmomentaloudknockingatthehousedoorwasheardbyboth，accompaniedbyahurriedringingofthebellthatechoedfromattictobasement。Thedoorwasquicklyopened，andafterafewhastywordsofconverseinthehall，heavyfootstepsascendedthestairs。
　　ThefaceofMr。Swancourt，flushed，grieved，andstern，appearedroundthelandingofthestaircase。Hecamehigherup，andstoodbesidethem。GlancingoverandpastKnightwithsilentindignation，heturnedtothetremblinggirl。
　　'OElfride!andhaveIfoundyouatlast？Aretheseyourtricks，madam？Whenwillyougetridofyouridiocies，andconductyourselflikeadecentwoman？Ismyfamilynameandhousetobedisgracedbyactsthatwouldbeascandaltoawasherwoman'sdaughter？Comealong，madam；come!'
　　'Sheissoweary!'saidKnight，inavoiceofintensestanguish。
　　'Mr。Swancourt，don'tbeharshwithher——letmebegofyoutobetenderwithher，andloveher!'
　　'Toyou，sir，'saidMr。Swancourt，turningtohimasifbythesheerpressureofcircumstances，'Ihavelittletosay。Icanonlyremark，thatthesoonerIcanretirefromyourpresencethebetterIshallbepleased。Whyyoucouldnotconductyourcourtshipofmydaughterlikeanhonestman，Idonotknow。Whyshe——afoolishinexperiencedgirl——shouldhavebeentemptedtothispieceoffolly，Idonotknow。Evenifshehadnotknownbetterthantoleaveherhome，youmighthave，Ishouldthink。'
　　'Itisnothisfault:hedidnottemptme，papa!Icame。'
　　'Ifyouwishedthemarriagebrokenoff，whydidn'tyousaysoplainly？Ifyouneverintendedtomarry，whycouldyounotleaveheralone？Uponmysoul，itgratesmetothehearttobeobligedtothinksoillofamanIthoughtmyfriend!'
　　Knight，soul-sickandwearyofhislife，didnotarousehimselftoutterawordinreply。HowshouldhedefendhimselfwhenhisdefencewastheaccusationofElfride？Onthataccounthefeltamiserablesatisfactioninlettingherfathergoonthinkingandspeakingwrongfully。Itwasafaintrayofpleasurestrayingintothegreatgloominessofhisbraintothinkthatthevicarmightneverknowbutthathe，asherlover，temptedheraway，whichseemedtobetheformMr。Swancourt'smisapprehensionhadtaken。
　　'Now，areyoucoming？'saidMr。Swancourttoheragain。Hetookherunresistinghand，drewitwithinhisarm，andledherdownthestairs。Knight'seyesfollowedher，thelastmomentbegettinginhimafrantichopethatshewouldturnherhead。Shepassedon，andneverlookedback。
　　Heheardthedooropen——closeagain。Thewheelsofacabgrazedthekerbstone，amurmureddirectionfollowed。Thedoorwasslammedtogether，thewheelsmoved，andtheyrolledaway。
　　FromthathourofherreappearanceadreadfulconflictragedwithinthebreastofHenryKnight。Hisinstinct，emotion，affectiveness——orwhateveritmaybecalled——urgedhimtostandforward，seizeuponElfride，andbehercherisherandprotectorthroughlife。ThencamethedevastatingthoughtthatElfride'schildlike，unreasoning，andindiscreetactinflyingtohimonlyprovedthattheproprietiesmustbeadeadletterwithher；thattheunreserve，whichwasreallyartlessnesswithoutballast，meantindifferencetodecorum；andwhatsolikelyasthatsuchawomanhadbeendeceivedinthepast？Hesaidtohimself，inamoodofthebitterestcynicism:'Thesuspiciousdiscreetwomanwhoimaginesdarkandevilthingsofallherfellow-creaturesisfartooshrewdtobedeludedbyman:trustingbeingslikeElfridearethewomenwhofall。'
　　Hoursanddayswentby，andKnightremainedinactive。Lengtheningtime，whichmadefaintertheheart-awakeningpowerofherpresence，strengthenedthementalabilitytoreasonherdown。
　　Elfridelovedhim，heknew，andhecouldnotleaveofflovingherbutmarryherhewouldnot。IfshecouldbutbeagainhisownElfride——thewomanshehadseemedtobe——butthatwomanwasdeadandburied，andheknewhernomore!AndhowcouldhemarrythisElfride，onewho，ifhehadoriginallyseenherasshewas，wouldhavebeenbarelyaninterestingpitiableacquaintanceinhiseyes——
　　nomore？
　　Itcankeredhishearttothinkhewasconfrontedbytheclosestinstanceofaworsestateofthingsthananyhehadassumedinthepleasantsocialphilosophyandsatireofhisessays。
　　Themoralrightnessofthisman'slifewasworthyofallpraise；
　　butinspiteofsomeintellectualacumen，Knighthadinhimamodicumofthatwrongheadednesswhichismostlyfoundinscrupulouslyhonestpeople。Withhim，truthseemedtoocleanandpureanabstractiontobesohopelesslychurnedinwitherroraspracticalpersonsfindit。HavingnowseenhimselfmistakeninsupposingElfridetobepeerless，nothingonearthcouldmakehimbelieveshewasnotsoverybadafterall。
　　Helingeredintownafortnight，doinglittleelsethanvibratebetweenpassionandopinions。Oneidearemainedintact——thatitwasbetterElfrideandhimselfshouldnotmeet。
　　Whenhesurveyedthevolumesonhisshelves——fewofwhichhadbeenopenedsinceElfridefirsttookpossessionofhisheart——theiruntouchedandorderlyarrangementreproachedhimasanapostatefromtheoldfaithofhisyouthandearlymanhood。Hehaddesertedthosenever-failingfriends，sotheyseemedtosay，foranunstabledelightinaductilewoman，whichhadendedallinbitterness。Thespiritofself-denial，vergingonasceticism，whichhadeveranimatedKnightinoldtimes，announceditselfashavingdepartedwiththebirthoflove，withithavinggonetheself-respectwhichhadcompensatedforthelackofself-
　　gratification。PoorlittleElfride，insteadofholding，asformerly，aplaceinhisreligion，begantoassumethehueofatemptation。PerhapsitwashumanandcorrectlynaturalthatKnightneveroncethoughtwhetherhedidnotoweheralittlesacrificeforheruncharydevotioninsavinghislife。
　　Withaconsciousnessofhavingthus，likeAntony，kissedawaykingdomsandprovinces，henextconsideredhowhehadrevealedhishighersecretsandintentionstoher，anunreservehewouldneverhaveallowedhimselfwithanymanliving。Howwasitthathehadnotbeenabletorefrainfromtellingherofadumbrationsheretoforelockedinthecloseststrongholdsofhismind？
　　Knight'swasarobustintellect，whichcouldescapeoutsidetheatmosphereofheart，andperceivethathisownlove，aswellasotherpeople's，couldbereducedbychangeofsceneandcircumstances。Atthesametimetheperceptionwasasuperimposedsorrow:
　　'Olastregret，regretcandie!'
　　Butbeingconvincedthatthedeathofthisregretwasthebestthingforhim，hedidnotlongshrinkfromattemptingit。Heclosedhischambers，suspendedhisconnectionwitheditors，andleftLondonfortheContinent。Herewewillleavehimtowanderwithoutpurpose，beyondthenominaloneofencouragingobliviousnessofElfride。
　　ChapterXXXVI
　　'Thepennie'sthejewelthatbeautifiesa'。'
　　'Ican'tthinkwhat'scomingtotheseSt。Launce'speopleatallatall。'
　　'Withtheir"How-d'ye-do's，"doyoumean？'
　　'Ay，withtheir"How-d'ye-do's，"andshakingofhands，askingmein，andtenderinquiriesforyou，John。'
　　ThesewordsformedpartofaconversationbetweenJohnSmithandhiswifeonaSaturdayeveninginthespringwhichfollowedKnight'sdeparturefromEngland。StephenhadlongsincereturnedtoIndia；andtheperseveringcouplethemselveshadmigratedfromLordLuxellian'sparkatEndelstowtoacomfortableroadsidedwellingaboutamileoutofSt。Launce's，whereJohnhadopenedasmallstoneandslateyardinhisownname。
　　'Whenwecameheresixmonthsago，'continuedMrs。Smith，'thoughIhadpaidreadymoneysomanyyearsinthetown，myfriskiershopkeeperswouldonlyspeakoverthecounter。Meet'eminthestreethalf-an-hourafter，andthey'dtreatmewithstaringignoranceofmyface。'
　　'Lookthroughyeasthroughaglasswinder？'
　　'Yes，thebrazenoneswould。Thequietandcooloneswouldglanceoverthetopofmyhead，pastmyside，overmyshoulder，butnevermeetmyeye。Thegentle-modestwouldturntheirfacessouthifI
　　werecomingeast，flitdownapassageifIwereabouttohalvethepavementwiththem。Therewasthespruceyoungbooksellerwouldplaythesametricks；thebutcher'sdaughters；theupholsterer'syoungmen。Handinglovewhendoingbusinessoutofsightwithyou；butcaringnothingfora'oldwomanwhenplayingthegenteelawayfromallsignsoftheirtrade。'
　　'Trueenough，Maria。'
　　'Well，to-day'tisalldifferent。I'dnosoonergottomarketthanMrs。Joakesrusheduptomeintheeyesofthetownandsaid，"MydearMrs。Smith，nowyoumustbetiredwithyourwalk!Comeinandhavesomelunch!Iinsistuponit；knowingyousomanyyearsasIhave!Don'tyourememberwhenweusedtogolookingforowls'
　　featherstogetherintheCastleruins？"There'snoknowingwhatyoumayneed，soIansweredthewomancivilly。Ihadn'tgottothecornerbeforethatthrivingyounglawyer，Sweet，who'squitethedandy，ranaftermeoutofbreath。"Mrs。Smith，"hesays，"excusemyrudeness，butthere'sabrambleonthetailofyourdress，whichyou'vedraggedinfromthecountry；allowmetopullitoffforyou。”Ifyou'llbelieveme，thiswasintheveryfrontoftheTownHall。What'sthemeaningofsuchsuddenlovefora'
　　oldwoman？'
　　'Can'tsay；unless'tisrepentance。'
　　'Repentance!wasthereeversuchafoolasyou。John？Didanybodyeverrepentwithmoneyin'spocketandfiftyyearstolive？'
　　'Now，I'vebeenthinkingtoo，'saidJohn，passingoverthequeryashardlypertinent，'thatI'vehadmoreloving-kindnessfromfolksto-daythanIeverhavebeforesincewemovedhere。Why，oldAldermanTopewalkedouttothemiddleofthestreetwhereI
　　was，toshakehandswithme——so'adid。Havingonmyworkingclothes，Ithought'twasodd。Ay，andtherewasyoungWerrington。'
　　'Who'she？'
　　'Why，themaninHillStreet，whoplaysandsellsflutes，trumpets，andfiddles，andgrandpehanners。HewastalkingtoEgloskerry，thatverysmallbachelor-manwithmoneyinthefunds。
　　Iwasgoingby，I'msure，withoutthinkingorexpectinganodfrommenofthatglibkidneywheninmyworkingclothes——'
　　'Youalwayswillgopokingintotowninyourworkingclothes。BegyoutochangehowIwill，'tisnouse。'
　　'Well，however，Iwasinmyworkingclothes。Werringtonsawme。
　　"Ah，Mr。Smith!afinemorning；excellentweatherforbuilding，"
　　sayshe，outasloudandfriendlyasifI'dmethiminsomedeephollow，wherehecouldgetnobodyelsetospeaktoatall。'Twasodd:forWerringtonisoneoftheveryringleadersofthefastclass。'
　　Atthatmomentatapcametothedoor。ThedoorwasimmediatelyopenedbyMrs。Smithinperson。
　　'You'llexcuseus，I'msure，Mrs。Smith，butthisbeautifulspringweatherwastoomuchforus。Yes，andwecouldstayinnolonger；
　　andItookMrs。Trewenuponmyarmdirectlywe'dhadacupoftea，andoutwecame。Andseeingyourbeautifulcrocusesinsuchabloom，we'vetakenthelibertytoenter。We'llsteproundthegarden，ifyoudon'tmind。'
　　'Notatall，'saidMrs。Smith；andtheywalkedroundthegarden。
　　Sheliftedherhandsinamazementdirectlytheirbackswereturned。'Goodnesssendusgrace!'
　　Whobethey？'saidherhusband。
　　'ActuallyMr。Trewen，thebank-manager，andhiswife。'
　　JohnSmith，staggeredinmind，wentoutofdoorsandlookedoverthegardengate，tocollecthisideas。Hehadnotbeentheretwominuteswhenwheelswereheard，andacarriageandpairrolledalongtheroad。Adistinguished-lookinglady，withthedemeanourofaduchess，reclinedwithin。WhenoppositeSmith'sgatesheturnedherhead，andinstantlycommandedthecoachmantostop。
　　'Ah，Mr。Smith，Iamgladtoseeyoulookingsowell。IcouldnothelpstoppingamomenttocongratulateyouandMrs。Smithuponthehappinessyoumustenjoy。Joseph，youmaydriveon。'
　　AndthecarriagerolledawaytowardsSt。Launce's。
　　OutrushedMrs。Smithfrombehindalaurel-bush，whereshehadstoodpondering。
　　'Justgoingtotouchmyhattoher，'saidJohn；'justforalltheworldasIwouldhavetopoorLadyLuxellianyearsago。'
　　'Lord!whoisshe？'
　　'Thepublic-housewoman——what'shername？Mrs——Mrs——attheFalcon。'
　　'Public-housewoman。TheclumsinessoftheSmithfamily!YouMIGHTsaythelandladyoftheFalconHotel，sinceweareinforpoliteness。Thepeopleareridiculousenough，butgivethemtheirdue。'
　　ThepossibilityisthatMrs。Smithwasgettingmollified，inspiteofherself，bytheseremarkablyfriendlyphenomenaamongthepeopleofSt。Launce's。Andinjusticetothemitwasquitedesirablethatsheshoulddoso。Theinterestwhichtheunpractisedonesofthistownexpressedsogrotesquelywasgenuineofitskind，andequalinintrinsicworthtothemorepolishedsmilesoflargercommunities。
　　BythistimeMr。andMrs。Trewenwerereturningfromthegarden。
　　'I'llask'emflat，'whisperedJohntohiswife。'I'llsay，"Webeinafog——you'llexcusemyaskingaquestion，Mr。andMrs。
　　Trewen。Howisityouallbesofriendlyto-day？"Hey？'Twouldsoundrightandsensible，wouldn'tit？'
　　'Notaword!Goodmercy，whenwillthemanhavemanners!'
　　'Itmustbeaproudmomentforyou，Iamsure，Mr。andMrs。Smith，tohaveasonsocelebrated，'saidthebank-manageradvancing。
　　'Ah，'tisStephen——Iknewit!'saidMrs。Smithtriumphantlytoherself。
　　'Wedon'tknowparticulars，'saidJohn。
　　'Notknow!'
　　'No。'
　　'Why，'tisallovertown。OurworthyMayoralludedtoitinaspeechatthedinnerlastnightoftheEvery-Man-his-own-MakerClub。'
　　'AndwhataboutStephen？'urgedMrs。Smith。
　　'Why，yoursonhasbeenfetedbydeputy-governorsandParseeprincesandnobody-knows-whoinIndia；ishandinglovewithnabobs，andistodesignalargepalace，andcathedral，andhospitals，colleges，halls，andfortifications，bythegeneralconsentoftherulingpowers，ChristianandPaganalike。'
　　''Twassuretocometotheboy，'saidMr。Smithunassumingly。
　　''Tisinyesterday'sSt。Launce'sChronicle；andourworthyMayorinthechairintroducedthesubjectintohisspeechlastnightinamasterlymanner。'
　　''TwasverygoodoftheworthyMayorinthechairI'msure，'saidStephen'smother。'Ihopetheboywillhavethesensetokeepwhathe'sgot；butasformen，theyareasimplesex。Somewomanwillhookhim。'
　　'Well，Mr。andMrs。Smith，theeveningclosesin，andwemustbegoing；andrememberthis，thateverySaturdaywhenyoucomeintomarket，youaretomakeourhouseasyourown。Therewillbealwaysatea-cupandsaucerforyou，asyouknowtherehasbeenformonths，thoughyoumayhaveforgottenit。I'maplain-
　　speakingwoman，andwhatIsayImean。'
　　Whenthevisitorsweregone，andthesunhadset，andthemoon'srayswerejustbeginningtoassertthemselvesuponthewallsofthedwelling，JohnSmithandhiswifesatdawntothenewspapertheyhadhastilyprocuredfromthetown。Andwhenthereadingwasdone，theyconsideredhowbesttomeetthenewsocialrequirementssettlinguponthem，whichMrs。Smithconsideredcouldbedonebynewfurnitureandhouseenlargementalone。
　　'And，John，mindonething，'shesaidinconclusion。'InwritingtoStephen，neverbyanymeansmentionthenameofElfrideSwancourtagain。We'velefttheplace，andknownomoreaboutherexceptbyhearsay。Heseemstobegettingfreeofher，andgladamIforit。Itwasacloudyhourforhimwhenhefirstseteyesuponthegirl。Thatfamily'sbeennogoodtohim，firstorlast；
　　soletthemkeeptheirbloodtothemselvesiftheywantto。Hethinksofher，Iknow，butnotsohopelessly。Sodon'ttrytoknowanythingabouther，andwecan'tanswerhisquestions。Shemaydieoutofhismindthen。'
　　'Thatshallbeit，'saidJohn。
　　ChapterXXXVII
　　'Aftermanydays。'
　　Knightroamedsouth，undercolourofstudyingContinentalantiquities。
　　HepacedtheloftyaislesofAmiens，loiteredbyArdennesAbbey，climbedintothestrangetowersofLaon，analyzedNoyonandRheims。ThenhewenttoChartres，andexamineditsscalyspiresandquaintcarvingthenheidledaboutCoutances。HerowedbeneaththebaseofMontSt。Michel，andcaughtthevariedskylineofthecrumblingedificesencrustingit。St。Ouen's，Rouen，knewhimfordays；sodidVezelay，Sens，andmanyahallowedmonumentbesides。AbandoningtheinspectionofearlyFrenchartwiththesamepurposelesshasteashehadshowninundertakingit，hewentfurther，andlingeredaboutFerrara，Padua，andPisa。Satiatedwithmediaevalism，hetriedtheRomanForum。NextheobservedmoonlightandstarlighteffectsbythebayofNaples。HeturnedtoAustria，becameenervatedanddepressedonHungarianandBohemianplains，andwasrefreshedagainbybreezesonthedeclivitiesoftheCarpathians。
　　ThenhefoundhimselfinGreece。HevisitedtheplainofMarathon，andstrovetoimaginethePersiandefeat；toMarsHill，topictureSt。PauladdressingtheancientAthenians；toThermopylaeandSalamis，torunthroughthefactsandtraditionsoftheSecondInvasion——theresultofhisendeavoursbeingmoreorlesschaotic。Knightgrewaswearyoftheseplacesasofallothers。ThenhefelttheshockofanearthquakeintheIonianIslands，andwenttoVenice。HereheshotingondolasupanddownthewindingthoroughfareoftheGrandCanal，andloiteredoncalleandpiazzaatnight，whenthelaguneswereundisturbedbyaripple，andnosoundwastobeheardbutthestrokeofthemidnightclock。Afterwardsheremainedforweeksinthemuseums，galleries，andlibrariesofVienna，Berlin，andParis；andthencecamehome。
　　TimethusrollsusontoaFebruaryafternoon，dividedbyfifteenmonthsfromthepartingofElfrideandherloverinthebrownstubblefieldtowardsthesea。
　　TwomenobviouslynotLondoners，andwithatouchofforeignnessintheirlook，metbyaccidentononeofthegravelwalksleadingacrossHydePark。Theyounger，moregiventolookingabouthimthanhisfellow，sawandnoticedtheapproachofhisseniorsometimebeforethelatterhadraisedhiseyesfromtheground，uponwhichtheywerebentinanabstractedgazethatseemedhabitualwithhim。
　　'Mr。Knight——indeeditis!'exclaimedtheyoungerman。
　　'Ah，StephenSmith!'saidKnight。
　　Simultaneousoperationsmightnowhavebeenobservedprogressinginboth，theresultbeingthatanexpressionlessfrankandimpulsivethanthefirsttookpossessionoftheirfeatures。Itwasmanifestthatthenextwordsutteredwereasuperficialcoveringtoconstraintonbothsides。
　　'HaveyoubeeninEnglandlong？'saidKnight。
　　'Onlytwodays，'saidSmith。Indiaeversince？'
　　'Nearlyeversince。'
　　'TheyweremakingafussaboutyouatSt。Launce'slastyear。I
　　fancyIsawsomethingofthesortinthepapers。'
　　'Yes；Ibelievesomethingwassaidaboutme。'
　　'Imustcongratulateyouonyourachievements。'
　　'Thanks，buttheyarenothingveryextraordinary。Anaturalprofessionalprogresswheretherewasnoopposition。'
　　Therefollowedthatwantofwordswhichwillalwaysassertitselfbetweennominalfriendswhofindtheyhaveceasedtoberealones，andhavenotyetsunktothelevelofmereacquaintance。EachlookedupanddownthePark。KnightmaypossiblyhaveborneinmindduringtheinterveningmonthsStephen'smannertowardshimthelasttimetheyhadmet，andmayhaveencouragedhisformerinterestinStephen'swelfaretodieoutofhimasmisplaced。
　　StephencertainlywasfullofthefeelingsbegottenbythebeliefthatKnighthadtakenawaythewomanhelovedsowell。
　　StephenSmiththenaskedaquestion，adoptingacertainrecklessnessofmannerandtonetohide，ifpossible，thefactthatthesubjectwasamuchgreateronetohimthanhisfriendhadeversupposed。
　　'Areyoumarried？'
　　'Iamnot。'
　　Knightspokeinanindescribabletoneofbitternessthatwasalmostmoroseness。
　　'AndInevershallbe，'headdeddecisively。'Areyou？'
　　'No，'saidStephen，sadlyandquietly，likeamaninasick-room。
　　TotallyignorantwhetherornotKnightknewofhisownpreviousclaimsuponElfride，heyetresolvedtohazardafewmorewordsuponthetopicwhichhadanachingfascinationforhimevennow。
　　'ThenyourengagementtoMissSwancourtcametonothing，'hesaid。
　　'YourememberImetyouwithheronce？'
　　Stephen'svoicegavewayalittlehere，indefianceofhisfirmestwilltothecontrary。Indianaffairshadnotyetloweredthoseemotionsdowntothepointofcontrol。
　　'Itwasbrokenoff，'camequicklyfromKnight。'Engagementstomarryoftenendlikethat——forbetterorforworse。'
　　'Yes；sotheydo。Andwhathaveyoubeendoinglately？'
　　'Doing？Nothing。'
　　'Wherehaveyoubeen？'
　　'Icanhardlytellyou。Inthemain，goingaboutEurope；anditmayperhapsinterestyoutoknowthatIhavebeenattemptingtheseriousstudyofContinentalartoftheMiddleAges。MynotesoneachexampleIvisitedareatyourservice。Theyareofnousetome。'
　　'Ishallbegladwiththem……Oh，travellingfarandnear!'
　　'Notfar，'saidKnight，withmoodycarelessness。'Youknow，I
　　daresay，thatsheepoccasionallybecomegiddy——hydatidsinthehead，'tiscalled，inwhichtheirbrainsbecomeeatenup，andtheanimalexhibitsthestrangepeculiarityofwalkingroundandroundinacirclecontinually。Ihavetravelledjustinthesameway——
　　roundandroundlikeagiddyram。'
　　Thereckless，bitter，andramblingstyleinwhichKnighttalked，asifrathertoventhisimagesthantoconveyanyideastoStephen，strucktheyoungmanpainfully。Hisformerfriend'sdayshadbecomecankeredinsomeway:Knightwasachangedman。Hehimselfhadchangedmuch，butnotasKnighthadchanged。
　　'YesterdayIcamehome，'continuedKnight，'withouthaving，tothebestofmybelief，imbibedhalf-a-dozenideasworthretaining。'
　　'Youout-HamletHamletinmorbidnessofmood，'saidStephen，withregretfulfrankness。
　　Knightmadenoreply。
　　'Doyouknow，'Stephencontinued，'Icouldalmosthaveswornthatyouwouldbemarriedbeforethistime，fromwhatIsaw？'
　　Knight'sfacegrewharder。'Couldyou？'hesaid。
　　Stephenwaspowerlesstoforsakethedepressing，luringsubject。
　　'Yes；andIsimplywonderatit。'
　　'Whomdidyouexpectmetomarry？'
　　'HerIsawyouwith。'
　　'Thankyouforthatwonder。'
　　'Didshejiltyou？'
　　'Smith，nowonewordtoyou，'Knightreturnedsteadily。'Don'tyoueverquestionmeonthatsubject。Ihaveareasonformakingthisrequest，mind。Andifyoudoquestionme，youwillnotgetananswer。'
　　'Oh，Idon'tforamomentwishtoaskwhatisunpleasanttoyou——
　　notI。IhadamomentaryfeelingthatIshouldliketoexplainsomethingonmyside，andhearasimilarexplanationonyours。
　　Butletitgo，letitgo，byallmeans。'
　　'Whatwouldyouexplain？'
　　'IlostthewomanIwasgoingtomarry:youhavenotmarriedasyouintended。Wemighthavecomparednotes。'
　　'Ihaveneveraskedyouawordaboutyourcase。'
　　'Iknowthat。'
　　'Andtheinferenceisobvious。'
　　'Quiteso。'
　　'Thetruthis，Stephen，Ihavedoggedlyresolvednevertoalludetothematter——forwhichIhaveaverygoodreason。'
　　'Doubtless。Asgoodareasonasyouhadfornotmarryingher。'
　　'Youtalkinsidiously。Ihadagoodone——amiserablygoodone!'
　　Smith'sanxietyurgedhimtoventureonemorequestion。
　　'Didshenotloveyouenough？'Hedrewhisbreathinaslowandattenuatedstream，ashewaitedintimoroushopefortheanswer。
　　'Stephen，youratherstrainordinarycourtesyinpressingquestionsofthatkindafterwhatIhavesaid。Icannotunderstandyouatall。Imustgoonnow。'
　　'Why，goodGod!'exclaimedStephenpassionately，'youtalkasifyouhadn'tatalltakenherawayfromanybodywhohadbetterclaimstoherthanyou!'
　　'Whatdoyoumeanbythat？'saidKnight，withapuzzledair。
　　'Whathaveyouheard？'
　　'Nothing。Itoomustgoon。Good-day。'
　　'Ifyouwillgo，'saidKnight，reluctantlynow，'youmust，I
　　suppose。IamsureIcannotunderstandwhyyoubehaveso。'
　　'NorIwhyyoudo。Ihavealwaysbeengratefultoyou，andasfarasIamconcernedweneedneverhavebecomesoestrangedaswehave。'
　　'AndhaveIeverbeenanythingbutwell-disposedtowardsyou，Stephen？SurelyyouknowthatIhavenot!Thesystemofreservebeganwithyou:youknowthat。'
　　'No，no!Youaltogethermistakeourposition。Youwerealwaysfromthefirstreservedtome，thoughIwasconfidentialtoyou。
　　Thatwas，Isuppose，thenaturalissueofourdifferingpositionsinlife。AndwhenI，thepupil，becamereservedlikeyou，themaster，youdidnotlikeit。However，Iwasgoingtoaskyoutocomeroundandseeme。'
　　'Whereareyoustaying？'
　　'AttheGrosvenorHotel，Pimlico。'
　　'SoamI。'
　　'That'sconvenient，nottosayodd。Well，IamdetainedinLondonforadayortwo；thenIamgoingdowntoseemyfatherandmother，wholiveatSt。Launce'snow。Willyouseemethisevening？'
　　'Imay；butIwillnotpromise。Iwaswishingtobealoneforanhourortwo；butIshallknowwheretofindyou，atanyrate。
　　Good-bye。'
　　ChapterXXXVIII
　　'Jealousyiscruelasthegrave。'
　　Stephenponderednotalittleonthismeetingwithhisoldfriendandonce-belovedexemplar。Hewasgrieved，foramidallthedistractionsofhislatteryearsastillsmallvoiceoffidelitytoKnighthadlingeredoninhim。PerhapsthisstaunchnesswasbecauseKnightevertreatedhimasameredisciple——eventosnubbinghimsometimes；andhadatlast，thoughunwittingly，inflicteduponhimthegreatestsnubofall，thatoftakingawayhissweetheart。Theemotionalsideofhisconstitutionwasbuiltratherafterafemininethanamalemodel；andthattremendouswoundfromKnight'shandmayhavetendedtokeepaliveawarmthwhichsolicitousnesswouldhaveextinguishedaltogether。
　　Knight，onhispart，wasvexed，aftertheyhadparted，thathehadnottakenStepheninhandalittleaftertheoldmanner。ThosewordswhichSmithhadletfallconcerningsomebodyhavingapriorclaimtoElfride，would，ifutteredwhenthemanwasyounger，haveprovokedsuchaqueryas，'Come，tellmeallaboutit，mylad，'
　　fromKnight，andStephenwouldstraightwayhavedeliveredhimselfofallheknewonthesubject。
　　Stephentheingenuousboy，thoughnowobliteratedexternallybyStephenthecontrivingman，returnedtoKnight'smemoryvividlythatafternoon。HewasatpresentbutasojournerinLondon；andafterattendingtothetwoorthreemattersofbusinesswhichremainedtobedonethatday，hewalkedabstractedlyintothegloomycorridorsoftheBritishMuseumforthehalf-hourprevioustotheirclosing。ThatmeetingwithSmithhadreunitedthepresentwiththepast，closingupthechasmofhisabsencefromEnglandasifithadneverexisted，untilthefinalcircumstancesofhisprevioustimeofresidenceinLondonformedbutayesterdaytothecircumstancesnow。TheconflictthatthenhadragedinhimconcerningElfrideSwancourtrevived，strengthenedbyitssleep。
　　Indeed，inthosemanymonthsofabsence，thoughquellingtheintentiontomakeherhiswife，hehadneverforgottenthatshewasthetypeofwomanadaptedtohisnature；andinsteadoftryingtoobliteratethoughtsofheraltogether，hehadgrowntoregardthemasaninfirmityitwasnecessarytotolerate。
　　Knightreturnedtohishotelmuchearlierintheeveningthanhewouldhavedoneintheordinarycourseofthings。Hedidnotcaretothinkwhetherthisarosefromafriendlywishtoclosethegapthathadslowlybeenwideningbetweenhimselfandhisearliestacquaintance，orfromahankeringdesiretohearthemeaningofthedarkoraclesStephenhadhastilypronounced，betokeningthatheknewsomethingmoreofElfridethanKnighthadsupposed。
　　Hemadeahastydinner，inquiredforSmith，andsoonwasusheredintotheyoungman'spresence，whomhefoundsittinginfrontofacomfortablefire，besideatablespreadwithafewscientificperiodicalsandartreviews。
　　'Ihavecometoyou，afterall，'saidKnight。'Mymannerwasoddthismorning，anditseemeddesirabletocall；butthatyouhadtoomuchsensetonotice，Stephen，Iknow。PutitdowntomywanderingsinFranceandItaly。'
　　'Don'tsayanotherword，butsitdown。Iamonlytoogladtoseeyouagain。'
　　StephenwouldhardlyhavecaredtotellKnightjustthenthattheminutebeforeKnightwasannouncedhehadbeenreadingoversomeoldlettersofElfride's。Theywerenotmany；anduntilto-nighthadbeensealedup，andstowedawayinacornerofhisleathertrunk，withafewothermementoesandrelicswhichhadaccompaniedhiminhistravels。ThefamiliarsightsandsoundsofLondon，themeetingwithhisfriend，hadwithhimalsorevivedthatsenseofabidingcontinuitywithregardtoElfrideandlovewhichhisabsenceattheothersideoftheworldhadtosomeextentsuspended，thoughneverruptured。Heatfirstintendedonlytolookovertheselettersontheoutside；thenhereadone；thenanother；untilthewholewasthusre-usedasastimulustosadmemories。Hefoldedthemawayagain，placedtheminhispocket，andinsteadofgoingonwithanexaminationintothestateoftheartisticworld，hadremainedmusingonthestrangecircumstancethathehadreturnedtofindKnightnotthehusbandofElfrideafterall。
　　Thepossibilityofanygivengratificationbegetsacumulativesenseofitsnecessity。Stephengavethereintohisimagination，andfeltmoreintenselythanhehadfeltformanymonthsthat，withoutElfride，hislifewouldneverbeanygreatpleasuretohimself，orhonourtohisMaker。
　　Theysatbythefire，chattingonexternalandrandomsubjects，neithercaringtobethefirsttoapproachthemattereachmostlongedtodiscuss。Onthetablewiththeperiodicalslaytwoorthreepocket-books，oneofthembeingopen。Knightseeingfromtheexposedpagethatthecontentsweresketchesonly，beganturningtheleavesovercarelesslywithhisfinger。When，sometimelater，Stephenwasoutoftheroom，Knightproceededtopasstheintervalbylookingatthesketchesmorecarefully。
　　Thefirstcrudeideas，pertainingtodwellingsofallkinds，wereroughlyoutlinedonthedifferentpages。Antiquitieshadbeencopied；fragmentsofIndiancolumns，colossalstatues，andoutlandishornamentfromthetemplesofElephantaandKenneri，werecarelesslyintrudeduponbyoutlinesofmoderndoors，windows，roofs，cooking-stoves，andhouseholdfurniture；
　　everything，inshort，whichcomeswithintherangeofapractisingarchitect'sexperience，whotravelswithhiseyesopen。Amongtheseoccasionallyappearedroughdelineationsofmediaevalsubjectsforcarvingorillumination——headsofVirgins，Saints，andProphets。
　　Stephenwasnotprofessedlyafree-handdraughtsman，buthedrewthehumanfigurewithcorrectnessandskill。Initsnumerousrepetitionsonthesidesandedgesoftheleaves，Knightbegantonoticeapeculiarity。Allthefemininesaintshadonetypeoffeature。Therewerelargenimbiandsmallnimbiabouttheirdroopingheads，butthefacewasalwaysthesame。Thatprofile——
　　howwellKnightknewthatprofile!
　　Hadtherebeenbutonespecimenofthefamiliarcountenance，hemighthavepassedovertheresemblanceasaccidental；butarepetitionmeantmore。KnightthoughtanewofSmith'shastywordsearlierintheday，andlookedatthesketchesagainandagain。
　　Ontheyoungman'sentry，Knightsaidwithpalpableagitation——
　　'Stephen，whoarethoseintendedfor？'
　　Stephenlookedoverthebookwithutterunconcern，'Saintsandangels，doneinmyleisuremoments。TheywereintendedasdesignsforthestainedglassofanEnglishchurch。'
　　'ButwhomdoyouidealizebythattypeofwomanyoualwaysadoptfortheVirgin？'
　　'Nobody。'
　　AndthenathoughtracedalongStephen'smindandhelookedupathisfriend。
　　Thetruthis，Stephen'sintroductionofElfride'slineamentshadbeensounconsciousthathehadnotatfirstunderstoodhiscompanion'sdrift。Thehand，likethetongue，easilyacquiresthetrickofrepetitionbyrote，withoutcallinginthemindtoassistatall；andthishadbeenthecasehere。YoungmenwhocannotwriteversesabouttheirLovesgenerallytaketoportrayingthem，andintheearlydaysofhisattachmentSmithhadneverbeenwearyofoutliningElfride。Thelay-figureofStephen'ssketchesnowinitiatedanadjustmentofmanythings。Knighthadrecognizedher。Theopportunityofcomparingnoteshadcomeunsought。
　　'ElfrideSwancourt，towhomIwasengaged，'hesaidquietly。
　　'Stephen!'
　　'Iknowwhatyoumeanbyspeakinglikethat。'
　　'WasitElfride？YOUtheman，Stephen？'
　　'Yes；andyouarethinkingwhydidIconcealthefactfromyouthattimeatEndelstow，areyounot？'
　　'Yes，andmore——more。'
　　'Ididitforthebest；blamemeifyouwill；Ididitforthebest。AndnowsayhowcouldIbewithyouafterwardsasIhadbeenbefore？'
　　'Idon'tknowatall；Ican'tsay。'
　　Knightremainedfixedinthought，andoncehemurmured——
　　'Ihadasuspicionthisafternoonthattheremightbesomesuchmeaninginyourwordsaboutmytakingheraway。ButIdismissedit。Howcameyoutoknowher？'hepresentlyasked，inalmostaperemptorytone。
　　'Iwentdownaboutthechurch；yearsagonow。'