Herfathercriedforhelpindismay。InranHarriet，saw，andscreamed，butdidnotloseherhead；thisveraciouspersonwhippedapairofscissorsoffthetable，andcuttheyounglady'sstay-
　　lacesdirectly。Thentherewasaburstofimprisonedbeauty；adeep，deepsighofreliefcamefromabosomthatwouldhavedonehonortoDiana；andthescenesoonconcludedwithfitsofharmlessweeping，renewedatintervals。
　　Whenithadsettleddowntothis，herfather，tosootheher，saidhewouldwritetoDr。Staines，andbringaboutareconciliation，ifsheliked。
　　"No，"saidshe，"youshallkillmesooner。Ishoulddieofshame。"
　　Sheadded，"Oh，pray，fromthishour，nevermentionhisnametome。"
　　Andthenshehadanothercry。
　　Mr。Lusignanwasasensibleman:hedroppedthesubjectforthepresent；buthemadeuphismindtoonething——thathewouldneverpartwithDr。Stainesasaphysician。
　　NextdayRosakeptherownroomuntildinner-time，andwasasunhappyasshedeservedtobe。Shespenthertimeinsewingonstiffflannelliningsandcrying。ShehalfhopedChristopherwouldwritetoher，sothatshemightwritebackthatsheforgavehim。
　　Butnotaline。
　　Athalf-pastsixhervolatilemindtookaturn，realoraffected。
　　Shewouldcrynomoreforanungratefulfellow，——ungratefulfornotseeingthroughthestonewallshowshehadbeenemployedallthemorning；andmakingitup。Soshebathedherredeyes，madeagreatalterationinherdress，andcamedancingintotheroomhumminganItalianditty。
　　Astheyweresittingtogetherinthedining-roomafterdinner，twoletterscamebythesameposttoMr。LusignanfromMr。WymanandDr。Snell。
　　Mr。Wyman'sletter:——
　　DEARSIR，——IamsorrytohearfromMissLusignanthatsheintendstodiscontinuemedicaladvice。Thedisorderwasprogressingfavorably，andnothingtobefeared，underpropertreatment。
　　Yours，etc。
　　Dr。Snell'sletter:——
　　DEARSIR，——MissLusignanhaswrittentomesomewhatimpatientlyandseemsdisposedtodispensewithmyvisits。Idonot，however，thinkitrighttowithdrawwithouttellingyoucandidlythatthisisanunwisestep。Yourdaughter'shealthisinaveryprecariouscondition。
　　Yours，etc。
　　Rosaburstoutlaughing。"Ihavenothingtofear，andI'monthebrinkofthegrave。Thatcomesofwritingwithoutaconsultation。
　　Iftheyhadwrittenatonetable，Ishouldhavebeenneitherwellnorill。PoorChristopher!"andhersweetfacebegantoworkpiteously。
　　"There!there!drinkaglassofwine。"
　　Shedid，andatearwithit，thatranintotheglasslikelightning。
　　Warnedbythisthatgriefsatverynearthebright，hilarioussurface，Mr。Lusignanavoidedallemotionalsubjectsforthepresent。Nextday，however，hetoldhershemightdismissherlover，butnopowershouldmakehimdismisshispetphysician，unlessherhealthimproved。
　　"Iwillnotgiveyouthatexcuseforinflictinghimonmeagain，"
　　saidtheyounghypocrite。
　　Shekeptherword。Shegotbetterandbetter，stronger，brighter，gayer。
　　Shetooktowalkingeveryday，andincreasingthedistance，tillshecouldwalktenmileswithoutfatigue。
　　Herfavoritewalkwastoacertaincliffthatcommandedanobleviewofthesea。TogettoitshemustpassthroughthetownofGravesend；andwemaybesureshedidnotpasssooftenthroughthatcitywithoutsomeideaofmeetingthelovershehadusedsoill，andelicitinganAPOLOGYfromhim。Slypuss!
　　Whenshehadwalkedtwentytimes，orthereabouts，throughthetown，andneverseenhim，shebegantofearshehadoffendedhimpasthope。Thensheusedtocryattheendofeverywalk。
　　Butbyandbybodilyhealth，vanity，andtempercombinedtorousethedefiantspirit。Saidshe，"Ifhereallylovedme，hewouldnottakemywordinsuchahurry。Andbesides，whydoeshenotwatchme，andfindoutwhatIamdoing，andwhereIwalk?"
　　Atlastshereallybegantopersuadeherselfthatshewasanill-
　　usedandslightedgirl。Shewasveryangryattimes，anddisconsolateatothers；amixedstateinwhichhastyandimpulsiveyoungladiescommitlifelongfollies。
　　Mr。Lusignanobservedthesurfaceonly:hesawhisinvaliddaughtergettingbettereveryday，tillatlastshebecameapictureofhealthandbodilyvigor。Relievedofhisfears，hetroubledhisheadbutlittleaboutChristopherStaines。Yetheesteemedhim，andhadgottolikehim；butRosawasabeauty，andcoulddobetterthanmarryastrugglingphysician，howeverable。Helaunchedoutintoalittlegayety，resumedhisquietdinner-parties；and，aftersomepersuasion，tookhisnowbloomingdaughtertoaballgivenbytheofficersofChatham。
　　Shewasthebelleoftheballbeyonddispute，anddancedwithetherealgraceandathleticendurance。Shewasmadlyfondofwaltzing，andheresheencounteredwhatshewaspleasedtocalladivinedancer。ItwasaMr。ReginaldFalcon，agentlemanwhohadretiredtotheseasidetorecruithishealthandfinancessoretriedbyLondonandParis。Falconhadrunthroughhisfortune，buthadacquired，intheprocess，certaintalentswhich，astheycosttheacquirerdear，sotheysometimesrepayhim，especiallyifheisnotoverburdenedwithprinciple，andadoptsthenotionthat，theworldhavingpluckedhim，hehasarighttoplucktheworld。Hecouldplaybilliardswell，butneversowellaswhenbackinghimselfforaheavystake。Hecouldshootpigeonswell，andhisshootingimprovedunderthatwhichmakessomemarksmenmiss——aheavybetagainstthegun。Hedancedtoperfection；andbeingawell-bred，experienced，brazen，adroitfellow，whoknewalittleofeverythingthatwasgoing，hehadalwaysplentytosay。Aboveall，hehadmadeaparticularstudyofthefairsex；hadmetwithmanysuccesses，manyrebuffs；and，atlast，bykeenstudyoftheirminds，andahabithehadacquiredofwatchingtheirfaces，andshiftinghishelmaccordingly，hadlearnedthegreatartofpleasingthem。Theyadmiredhisface；tome，theshortspacebetweenhiseyesandhishair，hisaquilinenose，andthinstraightlips，suggestedthebirdofpreyalittletoomuch:buttofairdoves，borntobeclutched，thissimilitudeperhapswasnotveryalarming，eveniftheyobservedit。
　　Rosadancedseveraltimeswithhim，andtoldhimhedancedlikeanangel。Heinformedherthatwasbecause，foronce，hewasdancingwithanangel。Shelaughedandblushed。Heflattereddeliciously，anditcosthimlittle；forhefellinlovewithherthatnight，deeperthanhehadeverbeeninhiswholelifeofintrigue。Heaskedleavetocallonher:shelookedalittleshyatthat，anddidnotrespond。Heinstantlywithdrewhisproposal，withanapologyandasighthatraisedherpity。However，shewasnotaforwardgirl，evenwhenexcitedbydancingandcharmedwithherpartner；soshelefthimtofindhisownwayoutofthatdifficulty。
　　Hewasnotlongaboutit。Attheendofthenextwaltzheaskedherifhemightventuretosolicitanintroductiontoherfather。
　　"Oh，certainly，"saidshe。"WhataselfishgirlIam!thisisterriblydullforhim。"
　　Theintroductionbeingmade，andRosabeingengagedforthenextthreedances，Mr。FalconsatbyMr。Lusignanandentertainedhim。
　　Forthislittlepieceofapparentself-denialhewaspaidinvariouscoin:Lusignanfoundouthewasthesonofanoldacquaintance，andsothedoorofKentVillaopenedtohim；
　　meantime，RosaLusignanneverpassedhim，eveninthearmsofacavalryofficer，withoutbestowingaglanceofapprovalandgratitudeonhim。"Whatagood-heartedyoungman!"thoughtshe。
　　"Howkindofhimtoamusepapa；andnowIcanstaysomuchlonger。"
　　Falconfollowedupthedancebyacall，andwasinfinitelyagreeable:followedupthecallbyanother，andadmiredRosawithsolittledisguisethatMr。Lusignansaidtoher，"Ithinkyouhavemadeaconquest。HisfatherhadconsiderableestatesinEssex。I
　　presumeheinheritsthem。"
　　"Oh，nevermindhisestates，"saidRosa，"hedanceslikeanangel，andgossipscharmingly，andISsonice。"
　　ChristopherStainespinedforthisgirlinsilence:hisfineframegotthinner，hispalecheekpaler，asshegotrosierandrosier；
　　andhow?Why，byfollowingtheveryadviceshehadsnubbedhimforgivingher。Atlast，heheardshehadbeenthebelleofaball，andthatshehadbeenseenwalkingmilesfromhome，andbloomingasaHebe。Thenhisdeepanxietyceased，hispridestunghimfuriously；hebegantothinkofhisownvalue，andtostrugglewithallhismightagainsthisdeeplove。Sometimeshewouldeveninveighagainsther，andcallherafickle，ungratefulgirl，capableofnostrongpassionbutvanity。Manyahardtermheappliedtoherinhissorrowfulsolitude；butnotawordwhenhehadahearer。Hefoundithardtorest:hekeptdashinguptoLondonandback。Heplungedfuriouslyintostudy。Hegroanedandsighed，andfoughtthehardandbitterfightthatistoooftenthelotofthedeepthatlovetheshallow。Strong，butsingle-hearted，nootherladycouldcomforthim。Heturnedfromfemalecompany，andshunnedallforthefaultofone。
　　Theinwardcontestworehim。Hebegantolookverythinandwan；
　　andallforaSimpleton!
　　Mr。Falconprolongedhisstayintheneighborhood，anddroveahandsomedogcartovertwiceaweektovisitMr。Lusignan。
　　Heusedtocallonthatgentlemanatfouro'clock，foratthathourMr。Lusignanwasalwaysout，andhisdaughteralwaysathome。
　　Shewasathomeatthathourbecauseshetookherlongwalksinthemorning。Whilehernewadmirerwasinbed，ordressing，orbreakfasting，shewasspringingalongtheroadwithalltheelasticityofyouth，andhealth，andnativevigor，bracedbydailyexercise。
　　Twenty-oneofthesewalksdidshetake，withnootherresultthanhealthandappetite；butthetwenty-secondwasmorefertile——
　　extremelyfertile。Startinglaterthanusual，shepassedthroughGravesendwhileReginaldFalconwassmokingathisfrontwindow。
　　Hesawher，andinstantlydoffedhisdressing-gownanddonnedhiscoattofollowher。Hewasmadlyinlovewithher，andbeingamanwhohadlearnedtoshootpigeonsandopportunitiesflying，heinstantlyresolvedtojoinherinherwalk，getherclearofthetown，bythesea-beach，wherebeautymelts，andproposetoher。
　　Yes，marriagehadnotbeenhithertohishabit，butthisgirlwaspeerless:hewaspledgedbyhonorandgratitudetoPhoebeDale；buthangallthatnow。"Nomanshouldmarryonewomanwhenhelovesanother；itisdishonorable。"Hegotintothestreetandfollowedherasfastashecouldwithoutrunning。
　　Itwasnotsoeasytocatchher。Ladiesarenotbuiltforrunning；
　　butafine，tall，symmetricalgirlwhohaspractisedwalkingfastcancoverthegroundwonderfullyinwalking——ifshechooses。ItwasasighttoseehowRosaLusignansquaredhershouldersandsteppedoutfromthewaistlikeaCanadiangirlskating，whileherelasticfootslappedthepavementasshespankedalong。
　　ShehadnearlyclearedthetownbeforeFalconcameupwithher。
　　Hewashardlytenyardsfromherwhenanunexpectedincidentoccurred。ShewhiskedroundthecornerofBirdStreet，andranplumpagainstChristopherStaines；infact，shedartedintohisarms，andherfacealmosttouchedthebreastshehadwoundedsodeeply。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　Rosacried"Oh!"andputupherhandstoherfaceinlovelyconfusion，coloringlikeapeony。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidChristopher，stiffly，butinavoicethattrembled。
　　"No，"saidRosa，"itwasIranagainstyou。Iwalksofastnow。
　　HopeIdidnothurtyou。"
　　"Hurtme?"
　　"Well，then，frightenyou?"
　　Noanswer。
　　"Oh，pleasedon'tquarrelwithmeintheSTREET，"saidRosa，cunninglyimplyingthathewasthequarrelsomeone。"Iamgoingonthebeach。Good-by!"Thisadieusheutteredsoftly，andinahesitatingtonethatbeliedit。Shestartedoff，however，butmuchmoreslowlythanshewasgoingbefore；and，asshewent，sheturnedherheadwithinfinitegrace，andkeptlookingaskantdownatthepavementtwoyardsbehindher:moreovershewentclosetothewall，andleftroomathersideforanothertowalk。
　　Christopherhesitatedamoment；butthemuteinvitation，soarchyettimid，sopretty，tender，sly，andwomanly，wastoomuchforhim，asithasgenerallyprovedformales，andthephilosopher'sfootwassoonintheveryplacetowhichtheSimpletonwiththemeretailofhereyedirectedit。
　　Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，insilence，Stainesagitated，gloomy，confused，Rosaradiantandglowing，yetnotknowingwhattosayforherself，andwantingChristophertobegin。Sotheywalkedalongwithoutaword。
　　Falconfollowedthematsomedistancetoseewhetheritwasanadmireroronlyanacquaintance。Aloverheneverdreamedof；shehadshownsuchevidentpleasureinhiscompany，andhadreceivedhisvisitsalonesoconstantly。
　　However，whenthepairhadgottothebeach，andwerewalkingslowerandslower，hefeltapangofrageandjealousy，turnedonhisheelwithanaudiblecurse，andfoundPhoebeDaleafewyardsbehindhimwithawhitefaceandapeculiarlook。Heknewwhatthelookmeant；hehadbroughtittothatfaithfulfacebeforeto-day。
　　"Youarebetter，MissLusignan。"
　　"Better，Dr。Staines?Iamhealthitselfthanksto——hem!"
　　"Ourestrangementhasagreedwithyou?"Thisverybitterly。
　　"Youknowverywellitisnotthat。Oh，pleasedon'tmakemecryinthestreets。"
　　Thishumblepetition，orrathermeekthreat，ledtoanotherlongsilence。Itwascontinuedtilltheyhadnearlyreachedtheshore。
　　But，meantime，Rosa'sfurtiveeyesscannedChristopher'sface，andherconsciencesmoteheratthesignsofsuffering。Shefeltadesiretobeghispardonwithdeephumility；butshesuppressedthatweakness。Shehungherheadwithapretty，sheepishair，andaskedhimifhecouldnotthinkofsomethingagreeabletosaytooneafterdesertingonesolong。
　　"Iamafraidnot，"saidChristopher，bluntly。"Ihaveanawkwardhabitofspeakingthetruth；andsomepeoplecan'tbearthat，notevenwhenitisspokenfortheirgood。"
　　"Thatdependsontemper，andnerves，andthings，"saidRosa，deprecatingly；thensoftly，"Icouldbearanythingfromyounow。"
　　"Indeed!"saidChristopher，grimly。"Well，then，Ihearyouhadnosoonergotridofyouroldlover，forlovingyoutoowellandtellingyouthetruth，thanyoutookupanother，——someflimsymanoffashion，whowilltellyouanylieyoulike。"
　　"Itisastory，awickedstory，"criedRosa，thoroughlyalarmed。
　　"Me，alover!Hedanceslikeanangel；Ican'thelpthat。"
　　"Arehisvisitsatyourhouselikeangels'——fewandfarbetween?"
　　Andthetruelover'sbrowloweredblackuponherforthefirsttime。
　　Rosachangedcolor，andhereyesfellamoment。"Askpapa，"shesaid。"Hisfatherwasanoldfriendofpapa's。"
　　"Rosa，youareprevaricating。Youngmendonotcallonoldgentlemenwhenthereisanattractiveyoungladyinthehouse。"
　　Theargumentwasgettingtooclose；soRosaoperatedadiversion。
　　"So，"saidshe，withasuddenairofloftydisdain，swiftlyandadroitlyassumed，"youhavehadmewatched?"
　　"NotI；Ionlyhearwhatpeoplesay。"
　　"Listentogossipandnothavemewatched!Thatshowshowlittleyoureallycaredforme。Well，ifyouhad，youwouldhavemadealittlediscovery，thatisall。"
　　"ShouldI?"saidChristopher，puzzled。"What?"
　　"Ishallnottellyou。Thinkwhatyouplease。Yes，sir，youwouldhavefoundoutthatItakelongwalkseveryday，allalone；andwhatismore，thatIwalkthroughGravesend，hoping——likeagoose——
　　thatsomebodyreallylovedme，andwouldmeetme，andbegmypardon；andifhehad，Ishouldhavetoldhimitwasonlymytongue，andmynerves，andthings；myheartwashis，andmygratitude。Andafterall，whatdowordssignify，whenIamagood，obedientgirlatbottom?Sothatiswhatyouhavelostbynotcondescendingtolookafterme。Finelove!——Christopher，begmypardon。"
　　"MayIinquireforwhat?"
　　"Why，fornotunderstandingme；fornotknowingthatIshouldbesorrythemomentyouweregone。Itookthemofftheverynextday，topleaseyou。"
　　"Tookoffwhom?——Oh，Iunderstand。Youdid?ThenyouAREagoodgirl。"
　　"Didn'tItellyouIwas?Agood，obedientgirl，andanythingbutaflirt。"
　　"Idon'tsaythat。"
　　"ButIdo。Don'tinterrupt。ItistoyourgoodadviceIowemyhealth；andtoloveanybodybutyou，whenIoweyoumyloveandmylife，Imustbeaheartless，ungrateful，worthless——Oh，Christopher，forgiveme!No，no；Imean，begmypardon。"
　　"I'lldoboth，"saidChristopher，takingherinhisarms。"Ibegyourpardon，andIforgiveyou。"
　　Rosaleanedherheadtenderlyonhisshoulder，andbegantosigh。
　　"Oh，dear，dear!Iamawicked，foolishgirl，notfittowalkalone。"
　　Onthisadmission，Christopherspokeout，andurgedhertoputanendtoalltheseunhappymisunderstandings，andtohisnewtorment，jealousy，bymarryinghim。
　　"AndsoIwouldthisveryminute，ifpapawouldconsent。But，"
　　saidshe，slyly，"younevercanbesofoolishtowishit。What!awisemanlikeyoumarryasimpleton!"
　　"DidIevercallyouthat?"askedChristopher，reproachfully。
　　"No，dear；butyouaretheonlyonewhohasnot；andperhapsI
　　shouldloseeventheone，ifyouweretomarryme。Oh，husbandsarenotsopoliteaslovers!Ihaveobservedthat，simpletonornot。"
　　Christopherassuredherthathetookquiteadifferentviewofhercharacter；hebelievedhertobetooprofoundforshallowpeopletoreadallinamoment:heevenintimatedthathehimselfhadexperiencednolittledifficultyinunderstandingheratoddtimes。
　　"Andso，"saidhe，"theyturnrounduponyou，andinsteadofsaying，'Wearetooshallowtofathomyou，'theypretendyouareasimpleton。"
　　ThissolutionofthemysteryhadneveroccurredtoRosa，norindeedwasitlikelytooccurtoanycreaturelessingeniousthanalover:
　　itpleasedherhugely；herfineeyessparkled，andshenestledcloserstilltothestrongarmthatwastoparryeveryill，frommortaldiseasetogallingepithets。
　　Shelistenedwithawillingeartoallhisreasons，hishopes，hisfears，and，whentheyreachedherfather'sdoor，itwassettledthatheshoulddinetherethatday，andurgehissuittoherfatherafterdinner。Shewouldimploretheoldgentlemantolistentoitfavorably。
　　Theloversparted，andChristopherwenthomelikeonewhohasawakenedfromahideousdreamtodaylightandhappiness。
　　Hehadnotgonefarbeforehemetadashingdogcart，drivenbyanexquisite。Heturnedtolookafterit，andsawitdriveuptoKentVilla。
　　Inamomenthedivinedhisrival，andasicknessofheartcameoverhim。Butherecoveredhimselfdirectly，andsaid，"Ifthatisthefellow，shewillnotreceivehimnow。"
　　Shedidreceivehimthough:atallevents，thedogcartstoodatthedoor，anditsmasterremainedinside。
　　Christopherstood，andcountedtheminutes:five，ten，fifteen，twentyminutes，andstillthedogcartstoodthere。
　　Itwasmorethanhecouldbear。Heturnedsavagely，andstrodebacktoGravesend，resolvingthatallthistortureshouldendthatnight，onewayorother。
　　PhoebeDalewasthedaughterofafarmerinEssex，andoneofthehappiestyoungwomeninEnglandtillsheknewReginaldFalcon，Esq。
　　Shewasrearedonwholesomefood，inwholesomeair，andusedtochurnbutter，makebread，cookabitnowandthen，cutoutandsewallherowndresses，getupherownlinen，makehay，rideanythingonfourlegs；and，forallthat，wasagreatreader，andtaughtintheSundayschooltoobligethevicar；wroteaneathand，andwasagoodarithmetician，keptallthehouseaccountsandfarmaccounts。
　　Shewasamusician，too，——notprofound，butverycorrect。Shewouldtakeherturnattheharmoniuminchurch，and，whenshewasthere，youneverheardawrongnoteinthebass，noraninappropriateflourish，norbadtime。Shecouldsing，too，butneverwould，exceptherpartinapsalm。Hervoicewasadeepcontralto，andshechosetobeashamedofthisheavenlyorgan，becauseapackofenviousgirlshadgiggled，andsaiditwaslikeaman's。
　　Inshort，hernaturalabilityandtherangeandvarietyofherusefulaccomplishmentswereconsiderable；notthatshewasaprodigy；butshebelongedtoasmallclassofwomeninthisislandwhoarenottoohightousetheirarms，nortoolowtocultivatetheirminds；and，havingafacultyandahabitdeplorablyrareamongsthersex，viz。，Attention，shehadprofitedbyhermiscellaneousadvantages。
　　Herfigureandfacebothtoldherbreedatonce:herewasanoldEnglishpastoralbeauty；nottheround-backed，narrow-chestedcottager，butthewell-fed，erectrustic，withbroad，fullbustandmassiveshoulder，andarmashardasarockwithhealthandconstantuse；ahandfinelycut，thoughneithersmallnorverywhite，andjustalittlehardinside，comparedwithLuxury'ssoftpalm；afacehonest，fair，andratherlargethansmall；notbeautiful，butexceedinglycomely；acomplexionnotpinkandwhite，butthatdelicatelyblendedbrickdustycolor，whichtintsthewholecheekinfinegradation，outlastsothercomplexionstwentyyears，andbeautifiesthetrueNorthern，eveninoldage。Gray，limpid，honest，point-blank，searchingeyes；hairtruenut-brown，withoutashadeofredorblack；andahigh，smoothforehead，fullofsense。
　　Acrossitranonedeepwrinklethatdidnotbelongtoheryouth。
　　Thatwrinklewasthebrandoftrouble，thelineofagony。Ithadcomeoflovingaboveher，yetbelowher，andoflovinganegotist。
　　Threeyearsbeforeourtalecommenced，agentleman'shorseranawaywithhim，andthrewhimonaheapofstonesbytheroadside，notveryfarfromFarmerDale'sgate。Thefarmerhadhimtakenin。
　　Thedoctorsaidhemustnotbemoved。Hewasinsensible；hischeeklikedelicatewax；hisfairhairlikesilkstainedwithblood。HebecamePhoebe'spatient，and，induecourse，herconvalescent:hispale，handsomefaceandfascinatingmannersgainedonecharmmorefromweakness；hisviceswereinabeyance。
　　Thewomanlynurse'sheartyearnedoverherchild；forhewasfeebleasachild；and，whenhegotwellenoughtoamusehiswearyhoursbymakinglovetoher，andtellingherapackofarrantlies，shewasareadydupe。Hewastomarryherassoonaseverhisolduncledied，andlefthimthemeans，etc。，etc。Atlasthegotwellenoughtoleaveher，andwentaway，heropenadmirerandsecretlover。Heborrowedtwentypoundsofherthedayheleft。
　　Heusedtowritehercharmingletters，andfeedtheflame；butonedayherfathersentheruptoLondon，onhisownbusiness，allofasudden，andshecalledonMr。Falconathisrealaddress。Shefoundhedidnotlivethere——onlyreceivedletters。However，half-
　　a-crownsoonboughthisrealaddress，andthitherPhoebeproceededwithatroubledheart，forshesuspectedthathertrueloverwasindebtortrouble，andobligedtohide。Well，hemustbegotoutofit，andhideatthefarmmeantime。
　　Sothelovinggirlknockedatthedoor，askedforMr。Falcon，andwasshownintoaladyrathershowilydressed，whoaskedherbusiness。
　　PhoebeDalestaredather，andthenturnedpaleasashes。Shewasparalyzed，andcouldnotfindhertongue。
　　"Why，whatisthematternow?"saidtheother，sharply。
　　"AreyoumarriedtoReginaldFalcon?"
　　"OfcourseIam。Lookatmywedding-ring。"
　　"ThenIamnotwantedhere，"falteredPhoebe，readytosinkonthefloor。
　　"Certainlynot，ifyouareoneofthebygones，"saidthewoman，coarsely；andPhoebeDalewaitedtohearnomore，butfoundherway，Heavenknowshow，intothestreet，andthereleaned，half-
　　fainting，onarail，tillapolicemancame，andtoldhershehadbeendrinking，andsuggestedacoolcellasthebestcure。
　　"Notdrink；onlyabreakingheart，"saidshe，inherlow，mellowvoicethatfewcouldresist。
　　Hegotheraglassofwater，droveawaytheboysthatcongregateddirectly，andsheleftthestreet。Butshesooncamebackagain，andwaitedaboutforReginaldFalcon。
　　Itwasnightwhenheappeared。Sheseizedhimbythebreast，andtaxedhimwithhisvillany。
　　Whatwithherirongrasp，paleface，andflashingeyes，helosthiscoolimpudence，andblurtedoutexcuses。Itwasanoldandunfortunateconnection；hewouldgivetheworldtodissolveit，ifhecoulddoitlikeagentleman。
　　Phoebetoldhimtopleasehimself:hemustpartwithoneortheother。
　　"Don'ttalknonsense，"saidthismanofbrass；"I'llun-Falconheronthespot。"
　　"Verywell，"saidPhoebe。"Iamgoinghome；and，ifyouarenottherebyto-morrowatnoon"——Shesaidnomore，butlookedagreatdeal。Thenshedeparted，andrefusedhimherhandatparting。"Wewillseeaboutthatbyandby，"saidshe。
　　Atnoonmylordcamedowntothefarm，and，unfortunatelyforPhoebe，playedthepenitentsoskilfullyforaboutamonth，thatsheforgavehim，andlovedhimallthemoreforhavingsonearlypartedwithhim。
　　Herpeacewasnottoendurelong。Hewasdetectedinanintrigueintheveryvillage。
　　TheinsultstrucksohomethatPhoebeherself，toherparents'
　　satisfaction，orderedhimoutofthehouseatonce。
　　But，whenhewasgone，shehadfitsofweeping，andcouldsettletonothingforalongtime。
　　Monthshadelapsed，andshewasgettingasortofdulltranquillity，when，oneevening，takingawalkshehadoftenwithhim，andmourninghersolitudeandwastedaffection，hewaylaidher，andclungtoherknees，andshedcrocodiletearsonherhands，and，afteralongresistance，violentatfirst，butfainterandfainter，gotherinhispoweragain，andthatsocompletelythatshemethimseveraltimesbynight，beingashamedtobeseenwithhiminthosepartsbyday。
　　Thisendedinfreshpromisesofmarriage，andinaconstantcorrespondencebyletter。Thispestknewexactlyhowtotalktoawoman，andhowtowritetoone。Hislettersfedtheunhappyflame；
　　and，mindyou，hesometimesdeceivedhimself，andthoughthelovedher；butitwasonlyhimselfheloved。Shewasaninvaluablelover；afaithful，disinterestedfriend；herswasavilebargain；
　　his，anexcellentone，andheclungtoit。
　　Andsotheywenton。Shedetectedhiminanotherinfidelity，andreproachedhimbitterly；butshehadnolongerthestrengthtobreakwithhim。Nevertheless，thistimeshehadthesensetomakeastruggle。Sheimploredhim，onherveryknees，toshowheralittlemercyinreturnforallherlove。"Forpity'ssake，leaveme!"shecried。"Youarestrong，andIamweak。Youcanenditforever，andpraydo。Youdon'twantme；youdon'tvalueme:then，leaveme，onceandforall，andendthishellyoukeepmein。"
　　No；hecouldnot，orhewouldnot，leaveheralone。Lookatabird'swings!——howlikeanangel's!Yetsovileathingasabitofbirdlimesubduesthemutterly；andsuchwasthefascinatingpowerofthismeanmanoverthisworthywoman。Shewasareader，athinker，amodelofrespectability，industry，andsense；abusinesswoman，keenandpractical；couldencountersharphandsinsharptrades；couldbuyorsellhogs，calves，orbeastswithanyfarmerorbutcherinthecountry，yetnomatchforacunningfool。
　　Shehadenshrinedanidolinherheart，andthatheartadoredit，andclungtoit，thoughthesuperiorheadsawthroughit，dreadedit，despisedit。