'Yes；quiteso，'saidStephen。
　　'Totellyouthetruth，'hecontinuedinthesameundertone，'wedon'tmakearegularthingofit；butwhenwehavestrangersvisitingus，Iamstronglyofopinionthatitistheproperthingtodo，andIalwaysdoit。Iamverystrictonthatpoint。Butyou，Smith，thereissomethinginyourfacewhichmakesmefeelquiteathome；nononsenseaboutyou，inshort。Ah，itremindsmeofasplendidstoryIusedtohearwhenIwasahelter-skelteryoungfellow——suchastory!But'——herethevicarshookhisheadself-forbiddingly，andgrimlylaughed。
　　'Wasitagoodstory？'saidyoungSmith，smilingtoo。
　　'Ohyes；but'tistoobad——toobad!Couldn'ttellittoyoufortheworld!'
　　Stephenwentacrossthelawn，hearingthevicarchucklingprivatelyattherecollectionashewithdrew。
　　Theystartedatthreeo'clock。Thegraymorninghadresolveditselfintoanafternoonbrightwithapalepervasivesunlight，withoutthesunitselfbeingvisible。Lightlytheytrottedalong——
　　thewheelsnearlysilent，thehorse'shoofsclapping，almostringing，uponthehard，white，turnpikeroadasitfollowedthelevelridgeinaperfectlystraightline，seemingtobeabsorbedultimatelybythewhiteofthesky。
　　TarganBay——whichhadthemeritofbeingeasilygotat——wasdulyvisited。Theythensweptroundbyinnumerablelanes，inwhichnottwentyconsecutiveyardswereeitherstraightorlevel，tothedomainofLordLuxellian。Awomanwithadoublechinandthickneck，likeQueenAnnebyDahl，threwopenthelodgegate，alittleboystandingbehindher。
　　'I'llgivehimsomething，poorlittlefellow，'saidElfride，pullingoutherpurseandhastilyopeningit。Fromtheinteriorofherpurseahostofbitsofpaper，likeaflockofwhitebirds，floatedintotheair，andwereblownaboutinalldirections。
　　'Well，tobesure!'saidStephenwithaslightlaugh。
　　'Whatthedickensisallthat？'saidMr。Swancourt。'Nothalvesofbank-notes，Elfride？'
　　Elfridelookedannoyedandguilty。'Theyareonlysomethingofmine，papa，'shefaltered，whilstStephenleaptout，and，assistedbythelodge-keeper'slittleboy，creptaboutroundthewheelsandhorse'shoofstillthepaperswereallgatheredtogetheragain。
　　Hehandedthembacktoher，andremounted。
　　'Isupposeyouarewonderingwhatthosescrapswere？'shesaid，astheybowledalongupthesycamoreavenue。'AndsoImayaswelltellyou。TheyarenotesforaromanceIamwriting。'
　　Shecouldnothelpcolouringattheconfession，muchasshetriedtoavoidit。
　　'Astory，doyoumean？'saidStephen，Mr。Swancourthalflistening，andcatchingawordoftheconversationnowandthen。
　　'Yes；THECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE；aromanceofthefifteenthcentury。Suchwritingisoutofdatenow，Iknow；butIlikedoingit。'
　　'Aromancecarriedinapurse!Ifahighwaymanweretorobyou，hewouldbetakenin。'
　　'Yes；that'smywayofcarryingmanuscript。Therealreasonis，thatImostlywritebitsofitonscrapsofpaperwhenIamonhorseback；andIputthemthereforconvenience。'
　　'Whatareyougoingtodowithyourromancewhenyouhavewrittenit？'saidStephen。
　　'Idon'tknow，'shereplied，andturnedherheadtolookattheprospect。
　　ForbythistimetheyhadreachedtheprecinctsofEndelstowHouse。Drivingthroughanancientgate-wayofdun-colouredstone，spannedbythehigh-shoulderedTudorarch，theyfoundthemselvesinaspaciouscourt，closedbyafacadeoneachofitsthreesides。ThesubstantialportionsoftheexistingbuildingdatedfromthereignofHenryVIII。；butthepicturesqueandshelteredspothadbeenthesiteofanerectionofamuchearlierdate。A
　　licencetocrenellatemansuminframaneriumsuumwasgrantedbyEdwardII。to'HugoLuxellenchivaler；'butthoughthefaintoutlineoftheditchandmoundwasvisibleatpoints，nosignoftheoriginalbuildingremained。
　　Thewindowsonallsideswerelongandmany-mullioned；therooflinesbrokenupbydormerlightsofthesamepattern。Theapexstonesofthesedormers，togetherwiththoseofthegables，weresurmountedbygrotesquefiguresinrampant，passant，andcouchantvariety。Talloctagonalandtwistedchimneysthrustthemselveshighupintothesky，surpassedinheight，however，bysomepoplarsandsycamoresattheback，whichshowedtheirgentlyrockingsummitsoverridgeandparapet。Inthecornersofthecourtpolygonalbays，whosesurfaceswereentirelyoccupiedbybuttressesandwindows，brokeintothesquarenessoftheenclosure；andafar-projectingoriel，springingfromafantasticseriesofmouldings，overhungthearchwayofthechiefentrancetothehouse。
　　AsMr。Swancourthadremarked，hehadthefreedomofthemansionintheabsenceofitsowner。Uponastatementofhiserrandtheywerealladmittedtothelibrary，andleftentirelytothemselves。
　　Mr。Swancourtwassoonuptohiseyesintheexaminationofaheapofpapershehadtakenfromthecabinetdescribedbyhiscorrespondent。StephenandElfridehadnothingtodobuttowanderabouttillherfatherwasready。
　　Elfrideenteredthegallery，andStephenfollowedherwithoutseemingtodoso。Itwasalongsombreapartment，enrichedwithfittingsacenturyorsolaterinstylethanthewallsofthemansion。PilastersofRenaissanceworkmanshipsupportedacornicefromwhichsprangacurvedceiling，panelledintheawkwardtwistsandcurlsoftheperiod。TheoldGothicquarriesstillremainedintheupperportionofthelargewindowattheend，thoughtheyhadmadewayforamoremodernformofglazingelsewhere。
　　StephenwasatoneendofthegallerylookingtowardsElfride，whostoodinthemidst，beginningtofeelsomewhatdepressedbythesocietyofLuxellianshadesofcadaverouscomplexionfixedbyHolbein，Kneller，andLely，andseemingtogazeatandthroughherinamoralizingmood。Thesilence，whichcastalmostaspelluponthem，wasbrokenbythesuddenopeningofadooratthefarend。
　　Outboundedapairoflittlegirls，lightlyyetwarmlydressed。
　　Theireyesweresparkling；theirhairswingingaboutandaround；
　　theirredmouthslaughingwithunalloyedgladness。
　　'Ah，MissSwancourt:dearestElfie!weheardyou。Areyougoingtostayhere？Youareourlittlemamma，areyounot——ourbigmammaisgonetoLondon，'saidone。
　　'Letmetissyou，'saidtheother，inappearanceverymuchlikethefirst，buttoasmallerpattern。
　　TheirpinkcheeksandyellowhairwerespeedilyintermingledwiththefoldsofElfride'sdress；shethenstoopedandtenderlyembracedthemboth。
　　'Suchanoddthing，'saidElfride，smiling，andturningtoStephen。'Theyhavetakenitintotheirheadslatelytocallme"littlemamma，"becauseIamveryfondofthem，andworeadresstheotherdaysomethinglikeoneofLadyLuxellian's。'
　　ThesetwoyoungcreaturesweretheHonourableMaryandtheHonourableKate——scarcelyappearinglargeenoughasyettobeartheweightofsuchponderousprefixes。TheyweretheonlytwochildrenofLordandLadyLuxellian，and，asitproved，hadbeenleftathomeduringtheirparents'temporaryabsence，inthecustodyofnurseandgoverness。LordLuxellianwasdotinglyfondofthechildren；ratherindifferenttowardshiswife，sinceshehadbeguntoshowaninclinationnottopleasehimbygivinghimaboy。
　　AllchildreninstinctivelyranafterElfride，lookinguponhermoreasanunusuallynicelargespecimenoftheirowntribethanasagrown-upelder。Ithadnowbecomeanestablishedrule，thatwhenevershemetthem——indoorsorout-of-doors，weekdaysorSundays——theyweretobeseverallypressedagainstherfaceandbosomforthespaceofaquarterofaminute，andother——wisemademuchofonthedelightfulsystemofcumulativeepithetandcaresstowhichunpractisedgirlswilloccasionallyabandonthemselves。
　　Alookofmisgivingbytheyoungsterstowardsthedoorbywhichtheyhadentereddirectedattentiontoamaid-servantappearingfromthesamequarter，toputanendtothissweetfreedomofthepoorHonourablesMaryandKate。
　　'Iwishyoulivedhere，MissSwancourt，'pipedonelikeamelancholybullfinch。
　　'SodoI，'pipedtheotherlikearathermoremelancholybullfinch。'Mammacan'tplaywithussonicelyasyoudo。I
　　don'tthinksheeverlearntplayingwhenshewaslittle。Whenshallwecometoseeyou？'
　　'Assoonasyoulike，dears。'
　　'Andsleepatyourhouseallnight？That'swhatImeanbycomingtoseeyou。Idon'tcaretoseepeoplewithhatsandbonnetson，andallstandingupandwalkingabout。'
　　'Assoonaswecangetmamma'spermissionyoushallcomeandstayaslongaseveryoulike。Good-bye!'
　　Theprisonerswerethenledoff，Elfrideagainturningherattentiontoherguest，whomshehadleftstandingattheremoteendofthegallery。Onlookingaroundforhimhewasnowheretobeseen。Elfridesteppeddowntothelibrary，thinkinghemighthaverejoinedherfatherthere。ButMr。Swancourt，nowcheerfullyilluminatedbyapairofcandles，wasstillalone，untyingpacketsoflettersandpapers，andtyingthemupagain。
　　AsElfridedidnotstandonasufficientlyintimatefootingwiththeobjectofherinteresttojustifyher，asaproperyounglady，tocommencetheactivesearchforhimthatyouthfulimpulsivenessprompted，andas，nevertheless，foranascentreasonconnectedwiththosedivinelycutlipsofhis，shedidnotlikehimtobeabsentfromherside，shewandereddesultorilybacktotheoakstaircase，poutingandcastinghereyesaboutinhopeofdiscerninghisboyishfigure。
　　Thoughdaylightstillprevailedintherooms，thecorridorswereinadepthofshadow——chill，sad，andsilent；anditwasonlybylookingalongthemtowardslightspacesbeyondthatanythingoranybodycouldbediscernedtherein。Oneoftheselightspotsshefoundtobecausedbyaside-doorwithglasspanelsintheupperpart。Elfrideopenedit，andfoundherselfconfrontingasecondaryorinnerlawn，separatedfromtheprincipallawnfrontbyashrubbery。
　　Andnowshesawaperplexingsight。Atrightanglestothefaceofthewingshehademergedfrom，andwithinafewfeetofthedoor，juttedoutanotherwingofthemansion，lowerandwithlessarchitecturalcharacter。Immediatelyoppositetoher，inthewallofthiswing，wasalargebroadwindow，havingitsblinddrawndown，andilluminatedbyalightintheroomitscreened。
　　Ontheblindwasashadowfromsomebodycloseinsideit——apersoninprofile。TheprofilewasunmistakablythatofStephen。Itwasjustpossibletoseethathisarmswereuplifted，andthathishandsheldanarticleofsomekind。Thenanothershadowappeared——
　　alsoinprofile——andcameclosetohim。Thiswastheshadowofawoman。SheturnedherbacktowardsStephen:heliftedandheldoutwhatnowprovedtobeashawlormantle——placeditcarefully——
　　socarefully——roundthelady；disappeared；reappearedinherfront——fastenedthemantle。Didhethenkissher？Surelynot。
　　Yetthemotionmighthavebeenakiss。Thenbothshadowsswelledtocolossaldimensions——grewdistorted——vanished。
　　Twominuteselapsed。
　　'Ah，MissSwancourt!Iamsogladtofindyou。Iwaslookingforyou，'saidavoiceatherelbow——Stephen'svoice。Shesteppedintothepassage。
　　'Doyouknowanyofthemembersofthisestablishment？'saidshe。
　　'Notasingleone:howshouldI？'hereplied。
　　ChapterVI
　　'Faretheeweelawhile!'
　　SimultaneouslywiththeconclusionofStephen'sremark，thesoundoftheclosingofanexternaldoorintheirimmediateneighbourhoodreachedElfride'sears。Itcamefromthefurthersideofthewingcontainingtheilluminatedroom。Shethendiscerned，bytheaidoftheduskydepartinglight，afigure，whosesexwasundistinguishable，walkingdownthegravelledpathbytheparterretowardstheriver。Thefiguregrewfainter，andvanishedunderthetrees。
　　Mr。Swancourt'svoicewasheardcallingouttheirnamesfromadistantcorridorinthebodyofthebuilding。Theyretracedtheirsteps，andfoundhimwithhiscoatbuttonedupandhishaton，awaitingtheiradventinamoodofself-satisfactionathavingbroughthissearchtoasuccessfulclose。Thecarriagewasbroughtround，andwithoutfurtherdelaythetriodroveawayfromthemansion，undertheechoinggatewayarch，andalongbytheleaflesssycamores，asthestarsbegantokindletheirtremblinglightsbehindthemazeofbranchesandtwigs。
　　Nowordswerespokeneitherbyyouthormaiden。Herunpractisedmindwascompletelyoccupiedinfathomingitsrecentacquisition。
　　Theyoungmanwhohadinspiredherwithsuchnoveltyoffeeling，whohadcomedirectlyfromLondononbusinesstoherfather，havingbeenbroughtbychancetoEndelstowHousehad，bysomemeansorother，acquiredtheprivilegeofapproachingsomeladyhehadfoundtherein，andofhonouringherbypetitssoinsofamarkedkind，——allinthespaceofhalfanhour。
　　Whatroomweretheystandingin？thoughtElfride。Asnearlyasshecouldguess，itwasLordLuxellian'sbusiness-room，oroffice。
　　Whatpeoplewereinthehouse？Nonebutthegovernessandservants，asfarassheknew，andofthesehehadprofessedatotalignorance。Hadthepersonshehadindistinctlyseenleavingthehouseanythingtodowiththeperformance？Itwasimpossibletosaywithoutappealingtotheculprithimself，andthatshewouldneverdo。ThemoreElfridereflected，themorecertaindiditappearthatthemeetingwasachancerencounter，andnotanappointment。Ontheultimateinquiryastotheindividualityofthewoman，Elfrideatonceassumedthatshecouldnotbeaninferior。StephenSmithwasnotthemantocareaboutpassages-
　　at-lovewithwomenbeneathhim。Thoughgentle，ambitionwasvisibleinhiskindlingeyes；heevidentlyhopedformuch；hopedindefinitely，butextensively。Elfridewaspuzzled，andbeingpuzzled，was，byanaturalsequenceofgirlishsensations，vexedwithhim。Nomorepleasurecameinrecognizingthatfromlikingtoattracthimshewasgettingontolovehim，boyishashewasandinnocentashehadseemed。
　　Theyreachedthebridgewhichformedalinkbetweentheeasternandwesternhalvesoftheparish。Situatedinavalleythatwasboundedoutwardlybythesea，itformedapointofdepressionfromwhichtheroadascendedwithgreatsteepnesstoWestEndelstowandtheVicarage。Therewasnoabsolutenecessityforeitherofthemtoalight，butasitwasthevicar'scustomafteralongjourneytohumourthehorseinmakingthiswindingascent，Elfride，movedbyanimitativeinstinct，suddenlyjumpedoutwhenPleasanthadjustbeguntoadoptthedeliberatestalkheassociatedwiththisportionoftheroad。
　　Theyoungmanseemedgladofanyexcuseforbreakingthesilence。
　　'Why，MissSwancourt，whatariskythingtodo!'heexclaimed，immediatelyfollowingherexamplebyjumpingdownontheotherside。
　　'Ohno，notatall，'repliedshecoldly；theshadowphenomenonatEndelstowHousestillparamountwithinher。
　　Stephenwalkedalongbyhimselffortwoorthreeminutes，wrappedintherigidreservedictatedbyhertone。Thenapparentlythinkingthatitwasonlyforgirlstopout，hecameserenelyroundtoherside，andofferedhisarmwithCastiliangallantry，toassistherinascendingtheremainingthree-quartersofthesteep。
　　Herewasatemptation:itwasthefirsttimeinherlifethatElfridehadbeentreatedasagrown-upwomaninthisway——offeredanarminamannerimplyingthatshehadarighttorefuseit。
　　Tillto-nightshehadneverreceivedmasculineattentionsbeyondthosewhichmightbecontainedinsuchhomelyremarksas'Elfride，givemeyourhand；''Elfride，takeholdofmyarm，'fromherfather。Hercallowheartmadeanepochoftheincident；sheconsideredherarrayoffeelings，forandagainst。Collectivelytheywerefortakingthisofferedarm；thesingleoneofpiquedeterminedhertopunishStephenbyrefusing。
　　'No，thankyou，Mr。Smith；Icangetalongbetterbymyself'
　　ItwasElfride'sfirstfragileattemptatbrowbeatingalover。
　　Fearingmoretheissueofsuchanundertakingthanwhatagentleyoungmanmightthinkofherwaywardness，sheimmediatelyafterwardsdeterminedtopleaseherselfbyreversingherstatement。
　　'Onsecondthoughts，Iwilltakeit，'shesaid。
　　Theyslowlywenttheirwayupthehill，afewyardsbehindthecarriage。
　　'Howsilentyouare，MissSwancourt!'Stephenobserved。
　　'PerhapsIthinkyousilenttoo，'shereturned。
　　'Imayhavereasontobe。'
　　'Scarcely；itissadnessthatmakespeoplesilent，andyoucanhavenone。'
　　'Youdon'tknow:Ihaveatrouble；thoughsomemightthinkitlessatroublethanadilemma。'
　　'Whatisit？'sheaskedimpulsively。
　　Stephenhesitated。'Imighttell，'hesaid；'atthesametime，perhaps，itisaswell——'
　　Sheletgohisarmandimperativelypusheditfromher，tossingherhead。Shehadjustlearntthatagooddealofdignityislostbyaskingaquestiontowhichananswerisrefused，eveneversopolitely；forthoughpolitenessdoesgoodserviceincasesofrequisitionandcompromise，itbutlittlehelpsadirectrefusal。
　　'Idon'twishtoknowanythingofit；Idon'twishit，'shewenton。'Thecarriageiswaitingforusatthetopofthehill；wemustgetin；'andElfrideflittedtothefront。'Papa，hereisyourElfride!'sheexclaimedtotheduskyfigureoftheoldgentleman，asshesprangupandsankbyhissidewithoutdeigningtoacceptaidfromStephen。
　　'Ah，yes!'utteredthevicarinartificiallyalerttones，awakingfromamostprofoundsleep，andsuddenlypreparingtoalight。
　　'Why，whatareyoudoing，papa？Wearenothomeyet。'
　　'Ohno，no；ofcoursenot；wearenotathomeyet，'Mr。Swancourtsaidveryhastily，endeavouringtododgebacktohisoriginalpositionwiththeairofamanwhohadnotmovedatall。'ThefactisIwassolostindeepmeditationthatIforgotwhereaboutswewere。'Andinaminutethevicarwassnoringagain。
　　Thatevening，beingthelast，seemedtothrowanexceptionalshadeofsadnessoverStephenSmith，andtherepeatedinjunctionsofthevicar，thathewastocomeandrevisittheminthesummer，apparentlytendedlesstoraisehisspiritsthantounearthsomemisgiving。
　　Helefttheminthegraylightofdawn，whilstthecoloursofearthweresombre，andthesunwasyethiddenintheeast。Elfridehadfidgetedallnightinherlittlebedlestnoneofthehouseholdshouldbeawakesoonenoughtostarthim，andalsolestshemightmissseeingagainthebrighteyesandcurlyhair，towhichtheirowner'spossessionofahiddenmysteryaddedadeepertingeofromance。Tosomeextent——sosoondoeswomanlyinteresttakeasolicitousturn——shefeltherselfresponsibleforhissafeconduct。Theybreakfastedbeforedaylight；Mr。Swancourt，beingmoreandmoretakenwithhisguest'singenuousappearance，havingdeterminedtoriseearlyandbidhimafriendlyfarewell。Itwas，however，rathertothevicar'sastonishment，thathesawElfridewalkintothebreakfast-table，candleinhand。
　　WhilstWilliamWormperformedhistoiletduringwhichperformancetheinmatesofthevicaragewerealwaysinthehabitofwaitingwithexemplarypatience，Elfridewandereddesultorilytothesummerhouse。Stephenfollowedherthither。Thecopse-coveredvalleywasvisiblefromthisposition，amistnowlyingallalongitslength，hidingthestreamwhichtrickledthroughit，thoughtheobserversthemselveswereinclearair。
　　Theystoodclosetogether，leaningovertherusticbalustradingwhichboundedthearbourontheoutwardside，andformedthecrestofasteepslopebeneathElfrideconstrainedlypointedoutsomefeaturesofthedistantuplandsrisingirregularlyopposite。Buttheartisticeyewas，eitherfromnatureorcircumstance，veryfaintinStephennow，andheonlyhalfattendedtoherdescription，asifhesparedtimefromsomeotherthoughtgoingonwithinhim。
　　'Well，good-bye，'hesaidsuddenly；'Imustneverseeyouagain，I
　　suppose，MissSwancourt，inspiteofinvitations。'
　　Hisgenuinetribulationplayeddirectlyuponthedelicatechordsofhernature。Shecouldaffordtoforgivehimforaconcealmentortwo。Moreover，theshynesswhichwouldnotallowhimtolookherinthefacelentbraverytoherowneyesandtongue。
　　'Oh，DOcomeagain，Mr。Smith!'shesaidprettily。
　　'Ishoulddelightinit；butitwillbebetterifIdonot。'
　　'Why？'
　　'Certaincircumstancesinconnectionwithmemakeitundesirable。
　　Notonmyaccount；onyours。'
　　'Goodness!Asifanythinginconnectionwithyoucouldhurtme，'
　　shesaidwithserenesupremacy；butseeingthatthisplanoftreatmentwasinappropriate，shetunedasmallernote。'Ah，I
　　knowwhyyouwillnotcome。Youdon'twantto。You'llgohometoLondonandtoallthestirringpeoplethere，andwillneverwanttoseeusanymore!'
　　'YouknowIhavenosuchreason。'
　　'Andgoonwritingletterstotheladyyouareengagedto，justasbefore。'
　　'Whatdoesthatmean？Iamnotengaged。'
　　'YouwrotealettertoaMissSomebody；Isawitintheletter-
　　rack。'
　　'Pooh!anelderlywomanwhokeepsastationer'sshop；anditwastotellhertokeepmynewspaperstillIgetback。'
　　'Youneedn'thaveexplained:itwasnotmybusinessatall。'MissElfridewasratherrelievedtohearthatstatement，nevertheless。
　　'Andyouwon'tcomeagaintoseemyfather？'sheinsisted。
　　'Ishouldliketo——andtoseeyouagain，but——'
　　'Willyourevealtomethatmatteryouhide？'sheinterruptedpetulantly。
　　'No；notnow。'
　　Shecouldnotbutgoon，gracelessasitmightseem。
　　'Tellmethis，'sheimportunedwithatremblingmouth。'DoesanymeetingofyourswithaladyatEndelstowVicarageclashwith——anyinterestyoumaytakeinme？'
　　Hestartedalittle。'Itdoesnot，'hesaidemphatically；andlookedintothepupilsofhereyeswiththeconfidencethatonlyhonestycangive，andeventhattoyouthalone。
　　Theexplanationhadnotcome，butagloomlefther。Shecouldnotbutbelievethatutterance。Whateverenigmamightlieintheshadowontheblind，itwasnotanenigmaofunderhandpassion。
　　Sheturnedtowardsthehouse，enteringitthroughtheconservatory。Stephenwentroundtothefrontdoor。Mr。
　　Swancourtwasstandingonthestepinhisslippers。Wormwasadjustingabuckleintheharness，andmurmuringabouthispoorhead；andeverythingwasreadyforStephen'sdeparture。
　　'YounamedAugustforyourvisit。Augustitshallbe；thatis，ifyoucareforthesocietyofsuchafossilizedTory，'saidMr。
　　Swancourt。
　　Mr。Smithonlyrespondedhesitatingly，thatheshouldliketocomeagain。
　　'Yousaidyouwould，andyoumust，'insistedElfride，comingtothedoorandspeakingunderherfather'sarm。
　　Whateverreasontheyouthmayhavehadfornotwishingtoenterthehouseasaguest，itnolongerpredominated。Hepromised，andbadethemadieu，andgotintothepony-carriage，whichcreptuptheslope，andborehimoutoftheirsight。
　　'IneverwassomuchtakenwithanybodyinmylifeasIamwiththatyoungfellow——never!Icannotunderstandit——can'tunderstanditanyhow，'saidMr。Swancourtquiteenergeticallytohimself；andwentindoors。
　　ChapterVII
　　'Nomoreofmeyouknew，mylove!'
　　StephenSmithrevisitedEndelstowVicarage，agreeablytohispromise。Hehadagenuineartisticreasonforcoming，thoughnosuchreasonseemedtoberequired。Six-and-thirtyoldseatends，ofexquisitefifteenth-centuryworkmanship，wererapidlydecayinginanaisleofthechurch；anditbecamepolitictomakedrawingsoftheirworm-eatencontourseretheywerebatteredpastrecognitionintheturmoiloftheso-calledrestoration。
　　Heenteredthehouseatsunset，andtheworldwaspleasantagaintothetwofair-hairedones。Amomentarypangofdisappointmenthad，nevertheless，passedthroughElfridewhenshecasuallydiscoveredthathehadnotcomethatminutepost-hastefromLondon，buthadreachedtheneighbourhoodthepreviousevening。
　　Surprisewouldhaveaccompaniedthefeeling，hadshenotrememberedthatseveraltouristswerehauntingthecoastatthisseason，andthatStephenmighthavechosentodolikewise。
　　Theydidlittlebesideschatthatevening，Mr。Swancourtbeginningtoquestionhisvisitor，closelyyetpaternally，andingoodpart，onhishopesandprospectsfromtheprofessionhehadembraced。
　　Stephengavevagueanswers。Thenextdayitrained。Intheevening，whentwenty-fourhoursofElfridehadcompletelyrekindledheradmirer'sardour，agameofchesswasproposedbetweenthem。
　　Thegamehaditsvalueinhelpingonthedevelopmentsoftheirfuture。
　　Elfridesoonperceivedthatheropponentwasbutalearner。Shenextnoticedthathehadaveryoddwayofhandlingthepieceswhencastlingortakingaman。Antecedentlyshewouldhavesupposedthatthesameperformancemustbegonethroughbyallplayersinthesamemanner；shewastaughtbyhisdifferingactionthatallordinaryplayers，wholearnthegamebysight，unconsciouslytouchthemeninastereotypedway。ThisimpressionofindescribableoddnessinStephen'stouchculminatedinspeechwhenshesawhim，atthetakingofoneofherbishops，pushitasidewiththetakingmaninsteadofliftingitasapreliminarytothemove。
　　'Howstrangelyyouhandlethemen，Mr。Smith!'
　　'DoI？Iamsorryforthat。'
　　'Ohno——don'tbesorry；itisnotamattergreatenoughforsorrow。Butwhotaughtyoutoplay？'
　　'Nobody，MissSwancourt，'hesaid。'IlearntfromabooklentmebymyfriendMr。Knight，thenoblestmanintheworld。'
　　'Butyouhaveseenpeopleplay？'
　　'Ihaveneverseentheplayingofasinglegame。ThisisthefirsttimeIeverhadtheopportunityofplayingwithalivingopponent。Ihaveworkedoutmanygamesfrombooks，andstudiedthereasonsofthedifferentmoves，butthatisall。'
　　Thiswasafullexplanationofhismannerism；butthefactthatamanwiththedesireforchessshouldhavegrownupwithoutbeingabletoseeorengageinagameastonishedhernotalittle。Sheponderedonthecircumstanceforsometime，lookingintovacancyandhinderingtheplay。
　　Mr。Swancourtwassittingwithhiseyesfixedontheboard，butapparentlythinkingofotherthings。Halftohimselfhesaid，pendingthemoveofElfride:
　　'"Quaefinisautquodmemanetstipendium？"'
　　Stephenrepliedinstantly:
　　'"Effare:jussascumfidepoenasluam。”'
　　'Excellent——prompt——gratifying!'saidMr。Swancourtwithfeeling，bringingdownhishanduponthetable，andmakingthreepawnsandaknightdanceovertheirbordersbytheshaking。'IwasmusingonthosewordsasapplicabletoastrangecourseIamsteering——
　　butenoughofthat。Iamdelightedwithyou，Mr。Smith，foritissoseldominthisdesertthatImeetwithamanwhoisgentlemanandscholarenoughtocontinueaquotation，howevertriteitmaybe。'
　　'Ialsoapplythewordstomyself，'saidStephenquietly。
　　'You？Thelastmanintheworldtodothat，Ishouldhavethought。'
　　'Come，'murmuredElfridepoutingly，andinsinuatingherselfbetweenthem，'tellmeallaboutit。Come，construe，construe!'
　　Stephenlookedsteadfastlyintoherface，andsaidslowly，andinavoicefullofafar-offmeaningthatseemedquaintlyprematureinonesoyoung:
　　'QuaefinisWHATWILLBETHEEND，autOR，quodstipendiumWHAT
　　FINE，manetmeAWAITSME？EffareSPEAKOUT；luamIWILLPAY，cumfideWITHFAITH，jussaspoenasTHEPENALTYREQUIRED。'
　　Thevicar，whohadlistenedwithacriticalcompressionofthelipstothisschool-boyrecitation，andbyreasonofhisimperfecthearinghadmissedthemarkedrealismofStephen'stoneintheEnglishwords，nowsaidhesitatingly:'Bythebye，Mr。SmithI
　　knowyou'llexcusemycuriosity，thoughyourtranslationwasunexceptionablycorrectandclose，youhaveawayofpronouncingyourLatinwhichtomeseemsmostpeculiar。Notthatthepronunciationofadeadlanguageisofmuchimportance；yetyouraccentsandquantitieshaveagrotesquesoundtomyears。I
　　thoughtfirstthatyouhadacquiredyourwayofbreathingthevowelsfromsomeofthenortherncolleges；butitcannotbesowiththequantities。WhatIwasgoingtoaskwas，ifyourinstructorintheclassicscouldpossiblyhavebeenanOxfordorCambridgeman？'
　　'Yes；hewasanOxfordman——FellowofSt。Cyprian's。'
　　'Really？'
　　'Ohyes；there'snodoubtaboutit。
　　'TheoddestthingeverIheardof!'saidMr。Swancourt，startingwithastonishment。'Thatthepupilofsuchaman——'
　　'ThebestandcleverestmaninEngland!'criedStephenenthusiastically。
　　'ThatthepupilofsuchamanshouldpronounceLatininthewayyoupronounceitbeatsallIeverheard。Howlongdidheinstructyou？'
　　'Fouryears。'
　　'Fouryears!'
　　'ItisnotsostrangewhenIexplain，'Stephenhastenedtosay。
　　'Itwasdoneinthisway——byletter。Isenthimexercisesandconstruingtwiceaweek，andtwiceaweekhesentthembacktomecorrected，withmarginalnotesofinstruction。ThatishowI
　　learntmyLatinandGreek，suchasitis。Heisnotresponsibleformyscanning。Hehasneverheardmescanaline。'
　　'Anovelcase，andasingularinstanceofpatience!'criedthevicar。
　　'Onhispart，notonmine。Ah，HenryKnightisoneinathousand!
　　Irememberhisspeakingtomeonthisverysubjectofpronunciation。Hesaysthat，muchtohisregret，heseesatimecomingwheneverymanwillpronounceeventhecommonwordsofhisowntongueasseemsrightinhisownears，andbethoughtnonetheworseforit；thatthespeakingageispassingaway，tomakeroomforthewritingage。'
　　BothElfrideandherfatherhadwaitedattentivelytohearStephengoontowhatwouldhavebeenthemostinterestingpartofthestory，namely，whatcircumstancescouldhavenecessitatedsuchanunusualmethodofeducation。Butnofurtherexplanationwasvolunteered；andtheysaw，bytheyoungman'smannerofconcentratinghimselfuponthechess-board，thathewasanxioustodropthesubject。
　　Thegameproceeded。Elfrideplayedbyrote；Stephenbythought。
　　Itwasthecruellestthingtocheckmatehimaftersomuchlabour，sheconsidered。Whatwasshedishonestenoughtodoinhercompassion？Tolethimcheckmateher。Asecondgamefollowed；andbeingherselfabsolutelyindifferentastotheresultherplayingwasabovetheaverageamongwomen，andsheknewit，sheallowedhimtogivecheckmateagain。Afinalgame，inwhichsheadoptedtheMuziogambitasheropening，wasterminatedbyElfride'svictoryatthetwelfthmove。
　　Stephenlookedupsuspiciously。Hisheartwasthrobbingevenmoreexcitedlythanwashers，whichitselfhadquickenedwhensheseriouslysettoworkonthislastoccasion。Mr。Swancourthadlefttheroom。
　　'Youhavebeentriflingwithmetillnow!'heexclaimed，hisfaceflushing。'Youdidnotplayyourbestinthefirsttwogames？'
　　Elfride'sguiltshowedinherface。Stephenbecamethepictureofvexationandsadness，which，relishableforamoment，causedherthenextinstanttoregretthemistakeshehadmade。
　　'Mr。Smith，forgiveme!'shesaidsweetly。'Iseenow，thoughI
　　didnotatfirst，thatwhatIhavedoneseemslikecontemptforyourskill。But，indeed，Ididnotmeanitinthatsense。I
　　couldnot，uponmyconscience，winavictoryinthosefirstandsecondgamesoveronewhofoughtatsuchadisadvantageandsomanfully。'
　　Hedrewalongbreath，andmurmuredbitterly，'Ah，youareclevererthanI。Youcandoeverything——Icandonothing!OMissSwancourt!'heburstoutwildly，hisheartswellinginhisthroat，'ImusttellyouhowIloveyou!AllthesemonthsofmyabsenceI
　　haveworshippedyou。'
　　Heleaptfromhisseatliketheimpulsiveladthathewas，slidroundtoherside，andalmostbeforeshesuspectedithisarmwasroundherwaist，andthetwosetsofcurlsintermingled。
　　Soentirelynewwasfull-blownlovetoElfride，thatshetrembledasmuchfromthenoveltyoftheemotionasfromtheemotionitself。Thenshesuddenlywithdrewherselfandstoodupright，vexedthatshehadsubmittedunresistinglyeventohismomentarypressure。Sheresolvedtoconsiderthisdemonstrationaspremature。
　　'Youmustnotbeginsuchthingsasthose，'shesaidwithcoquettishhauteurofaverytransparentnature'And——youmustnotdosoagain——andpapaiscoming。'
　　'Letmekissyou——onlyalittleone，'hesaidwithhisusualdelicacy，andwithoutreadingthefactitiousnessofhermanner。
　　'No；notone。'
　　'Onlyonyourcheek？'
　　'No。'
　　'Forehead？'
　　'Certainlynot。'
　　'Youcareforsomebodyelse，then？Ah，Ithoughtso!'
　　'IamsureIdonot。'
　　'Norformeeither？'
　　'HowcanItell？'shesaidsimply，thesimplicitylyingmerelyinthebroadoutlinesofhermannerandspeech。Therewerethesemitoneofvoiceandhalf-hiddenexpressionofeyeswhichtelltheinitiatedhowveryfragileistheiceofreserveatthesetimes。
　　Footstepswereheard。Mr。Swancourtthenenteredtheroom，andtheirprivatecolloquyended。
　　Thedayafterthispartialrevelation，Mr。SwancourtproposedadrivetothecliffsbeyondTarganBay，adistanceofthreeorfourmiles。
　　Halfanhourbeforethetimeofdepartureacrashwasheardinthebackyard，andpresentlyWormcamein，sayingpartlytotheworldingeneral，part]ytohimself，andslightlytohisauditors:
　　'Ay，ay，sure!ThatfryingoffishwillbetheendofWilliamWorm。Theybeatitagainthismorning——sameasever——fizz，fizz，fizz!'