Nowonderthreeyearsofthishaddrawnatell-talewrinkleacrossthepolishedbrow。
　　PhoebeDalehadnotreceivedaletterforsomedays；thatrousedhersuspicionandstungherjealousy；shecameuptoLondonbyfasttrain，anddowntoGravesenddirectly。
　　Shehadathickveilthatconcealedherfeatures；andwithalittleinquiringandbribing，shesoonfoundoutthatMr。Falconwastherewithashowydogcart。"Ah!"thoughtPhoebe，"hehaswonalittlemoneyatplayorpigeon-shooting；sonowhehasnoneedofme。"
　　Shetookthelodgingsoppositehim，butobservednothingtillthisverymorning，whenshesawhimthrowoffhisdressing-gownallinahurryandflingonhiscoat。Shetiedonherbonnetasrapidly，andfollowedhim，untilshediscoveredtheobjectofhispursuit。
　　Itwasasurprisetoher，andapuzzle，toseeanothermanstepin，asiftotakeherpart。ButasReginaldstillfollowedtheloiteringpair，shefollowedReginald，tillheturnedandfoundherathisheels，whiteandlowering。
　　Sheconfrontedhiminthreateningsilenceforsometime，duringwhichhepreparedhisdefence。
　　"SoitisaLADYthistime，"saidshe，inherlow，richvoice，sternly。
　　"Isit?"
　　"Yes，andIshouldsaysheisbespoke——thattall，fine-builtgentleman。ButIsupposeyoucarenomoreforhisfeelingsthanyoudoformine。"
　　"Phoebe，"saidtheegotist，"Iwillnottrytodeceiveyou。Youhaveoftensaidyouaremytruefriend。"
　　"AndIthinkIhaveprovedit。"
　　"Thatyouhave。Well，then，bemytruefriendnow。Iaminlove——
　　reallyinlove——thistime。YouandIonlytormenteachother；letuspartfriends。ThereareplentyoffarmersinEssexthatwouldjumpatyou。Asforme，I'lltellyouthetruth；Ihaverunthrougheveryfarthing；myestatemortgagedbeyonditsvalue——twoorthreewritsoutagainstme——thatiswhyIslippeddownhere。MyonlychanceistomarryMoney。HerfatherknowsIhaveland，andheknowsnothingaboutthemortgages；sheishisonlydaughter。
　　Don'tstandinmyway，thatisagoodgirl；bemyfriend，asyoualwayswere。Hangitall，Phoebe，can'tyousayawordtoafellowthatisdrivenintoacorner，insteadofglaringatmelikethat?
　　There!Iknowitisungrateful；butwhatcanafellowdo?Imustlivelikeagentlemanorelsetakeadoseofprussicacid；youdon'twanttodrivemetothat。Why，youproposedtopart，lasttime，yourself。"
　　Shegavehimonemajestic，indescribablelook，thatmadeevenhiscallousheartquiver，andturnedaway。
　　Thenthescampadmiredherfordespisinghim，andcouldnotbeartoloseher。Hefollowedher，andputforthallthosepowersofpersuadingandsoothing，whichhadsooftenprovedirresistible。
　　Butthistimeitwasinvain。Theinsultwastoosavage，andhisegotismtoobrutal，forhoneyedphrasestoblindher。
　　Afterenduringitalongtimewithasilentshudder，sheturnedandshookhimfiercelyoffherlikesomepoisonousreptile。
　　"Doyouwantmetokillyou?I'dlieverkillmyselfforlovingsuchathingasTHOU。Gothyways，man，andletmegomine。"Inherpassionshedroppedhercultivationforonce，andwentbacktotheTHOUandTHEEofhergrandam。
　　Hecoloredupandlookedspitefulenough；buthesoonrecoveredhiscynicalegotism，andwentoffwhistlinganoperaticpassage。
　　Shecrepttoherlodgings，andburiedherfaceinherpillow，androckedherselftoandfroforhoursinthebitterestagonytheheartcanfeel，groaningoverhergreataffectionwasted，flungintothedirt。
　　Whileshewasthus，sheheardalittlecommotion。ShecametothewindowandsawFalcon，exquisitelydressed，driveoffinhisdogcart，attendedbytheacclamationsofeightboys。Shesawataglancehewasgonecourting；herkneesgavewayunderher，and，suchisthepowerofthemind，thisstalwartgirllayweakaswateronthesofa，andhadnotthepowertogohome，thoughjustthenshehadbutonewish，onehope——toseeheridol'sfacenomore，norhearhiswheedlingtongue，thathadruinedherpeace。
　　TheexquisiteMr。FalconwasreceivedbyRosaLusignanwithacertaintremorthatflatteredhishopes。Hetoldher，incharminglanguage，howhehadadmiredheratfirstsight，thenesteemedher，thenlovedher。
　　Sheblushedandpanted，andshowedmorethanonceadesiretointerrupthim，butwastoopolite。Sheheardhimoutwithrisingdismay，andheofferedherhishandandheart。
　　Butbythistimeshehadmadeuphermindwhattosay。"OMr。
　　Falcon!"shecried，"howcanyouspeaktomeinthisway?Why，I
　　amengaged。Didn'tyouknow?"
　　"No；Iamsureyouarenot，oryouwouldneverhavegivenmetheencouragementyouhave。"
　　"Oh，allengagedyoungladiesflirt——alittle；andeverybodyhereknowsIamengagedtoDr。Staines。"
　　"Why，Ineversawhimhere。"
　　Rosa'stactwasaqualitythatcameandwent；sosheblushed，andfalteredout，"Wehadalittletiff，asloverswill。"
　　"Andyoudidmethehonortoselectmeascat's-pawtobringhimonagain。Wasnotthatratherheartless?"
　　Rosa'sfitfultactreturnedtoher。
　　"Oh，sir，donotthinksoillofme。Iamnotheartless，Iamonlyunwise；andyouaresosuperiortothepeopleaboutyou；Icouldnothelpappreciatingyou，andIthoughtyouknewIwasengaged，andsoIwaslessonmyguard。IhopeIshallnotloseyouresteem，thoughIhavenorighttoanythingmore。Ah!IseebyyourfaceIhavebehavedveryill:prayforgiveme。"
　　AndwiththissheturnedonthewatersoftheNile，betterknowntoyou，perhaps，as"crocodiletears。"
　　Falconwasagentlemanonthesurface，andknewheshouldonlymakemattersworsebyquarrellingwithher。Sohegroundhisteeth，andsaid，"Mayyourownheartneverfeelthepangsyouhaveinflicted。
　　Ishallloveyouandrememberyoutillmydyingday。"
　　Hebowedceremoniouslyandlefther。
　　"Ay，"saidhetohimself，"IWILLrememberyou，youheartlessjilt，andthemanyouhavejiltedmefor。Stainesishisd——dname，isit?"
　　Hedrovebackcrestfallen，bitter，and，foronceinhislife，heart-sick，anddrewupathislodgings。Herehefoundattendantswaitingtoreceivehim。
　　Asheriff'sofficertookhisdogcartandhorseunderajudgment；
　　thedisturbancethiscausedcollectedatinycrowd，gapingandgrinning，andbroughtPhoebe'swhitefaceandeyesswollenwithweepingtothewindow。
　　Falconsawherandbrazeneditout。"Takethem，"saidhe，withanoath。"I'llhaveabetterturn-outbyto-morrow，breakfast-time。"
　　Thecrowdcheeredhimforhisspirit。
　　Hegotdown，litacigar，chaffedtheofficerandthecrowd，andwas，onthewhole，admired。
　　Thenanotherofficer，whohadbeenhuntinghimincoupleswiththeother，steppedforwardandtookHIM，forthebalanceofajudgmentdebt。
　　Thentheswell'scigarfelloutofhismouth，andhewasseriouslyalarmed。"Why，Cartwright，"saidhe，"thisistoobad。Youpromisednottoseemethismonth。YoupassedmefullintheStrand。"
　　"Youaremistaken，sir，"saidCartwright，withsullenirony。"I'vegotatwin-brother；amanytakeshimforme，tilltheyfindsthedifference。"Then，loweringhisvoice，"WhatcallhadyoutoboastinyourclubyouhadmadeitrightwithBillCartwright，andhe'dneverseeyou?Thatgotabout，andsoIwasboundtoseeyouorlosemybread。There'soneortwoIdon'tsee，butthentheyarerealgentlemen，andthinksofmeaswellastheirselves，anddoesn'tblab。"
　　"Imusthavebeendrunk，"saidFalconapologetically。"Morelikelyblowingacloud。Whenyouyounggentsgetsa-smokingtogether，you'dtellonyourownmothers。Comealong，colonel，offwegotoMerrimashee。"
　　"Why，itisonlytwenty-sixpounds。Ihavepaidtherest。"
　　"Morethanthat；there'sthecosts。"
　　"Comein，andI'llsettleit。"
　　"Allright，sir。Jem，watchtheback。"
　　"Oh，Ishallnottrythatgamewithasharphandlikeyou，Cartwright。"
　　"Youhadbetternot，sir，"saidCartwright；buthewassoftenedalittlebythecompliment。
　　Whentheywerealone，Falconbeganbysayingitwasabadjobforhim。
　　"Why，Ithoughtyouwasa-goingtopayitallinamoment。"
　　"Ican't；butIhavegotafriendoverthewaythatcould，ifshechose。Shehasalwaysgotmoney，somehow。"
　　"Oh，ifitisashe，itisallright。"
　　"Idon'tknow。Shehasquarrelledwithme；butgivemealittletime。Here!haveaglassofsherryandabiscuit，whileItryiton。"
　　HavingthusmuffledCartwright，thismanoftheworldopenedhiswindowandlookedout。Thecrowdhadfollowedthecaptureddogcart，sohehadthestreettohimself。HebeckonedtoPhoebe，andafterconsiderablehesitationsheopenedherwindow。
　　"Phoebe，"saidhe，intonesoftenderregret，admirablynaturalandsweet，"Ishallneveroffendyouagain；soforgivemethisonce。I
　　havegiventhatgirlup。"
　　"Notyou，"saidPhoebe，sullenly。
　　"IndeedIhave。Afterourquarrel，Istartedtoproposetoher；
　　butIhadnottheheart；Icamebackandlefther。"
　　"Timewillshow。Ifitisnother，itwillbesomeother，youfalse，heartlessvillain。"
　　"Come，Isay，don'tbesohardonmeintrouble。Iamgoingtoprison。"
　　"SoIsuppose。"
　　"Ah!butitisworsethanyouthink。Iamonlytakenforapaltrythirtypoundsorso。"
　　"Thirty-three，fifteen，five，"suggestedCartwright，inamuffledwhisper，hismouthbeingfullofbiscuit。
　　"Butoncetheygetmetoasponging-house，detainerswillpourin，andmycruelcreditorswillconfinemeforlife。"
　　"Itisthebestplaceforyou。Itwillputastoptoyourwickedness，andIshallbeatpeace。That'swhatIhaveneverknown，nightorday，thisthreeyears。"
　　"Butyouwillnotbehappyifyouseemegotoprisonbeforeyoureyes。Wereyoueverinsideaprison?Justthinkwhatitmustbetobecoopedupinthosecoldgrimcellsallalone；fortheyuseadebtorlikeacriminalnow。"
　　Phoebeshuddered；butshesaid，bravely，"Well，tellTHEMyouhavebeena-courting。TherewasatimeI'dhavediedsoonerthanseeahairofyourheadhurt；butitisallovernow；youhavewornmeout。"
　　Thenshebegantocry。
　　Falconheavedadeepsigh。"ItisnomorethanIdeserve，"saidhe。"I'llpackupmythings，andgowiththeofficer。Givemeonekindwordatparting，andI'llthinkofitinmyprison，nightandday。"
　　Hewithdrewfromthewindowwithanotherdeepsigh，toldCartwright，cheerfully，itwasallright，andproceededtopackuphistraps。
　　MeantimePhoebesatatherwindowandcriedbitterly。Herwordshadbeenbraverthanherheart。
　　Falconmanagedtopaythetrifleheowedforthelodgings，andpresentlyhecameoutwithCartwright，andtheattendantcalledacab。Histhingswerethrownin，andCartwrightinvitedhimtofollow。Thenhelookedup，andcastagenuinelookofterrorandmiseryatPhoebe。Hethoughtshewouldhaverelentedbeforethis。
　　Herheartgaveway；Iamafraiditwould，evenwithoutthatpiteousandmuteappeal。Sheopenedthewindow，andaskedMr。Cartwrightifhewouldbegoodenoughtocomeandspeaktoher。
　　Cartwrightcommittedhisprisonertothesubordinate，andknockedatthedoorofPhoebe'slodgings。Shecamedownherselfandlethimin。Sheledthewayupstairs，motionedhimtoaseat，satdownbyhim，andbegantocryagain。Shewasthoroughlyunstrung。
　　Cartwrightwashuman，andmutteredsomewordsofregretthatapoorfellowmustdohisduty。
　　"Oh，itisnotthat，"sobbedPhoebe。"Icanfindthemoney。I
　　havefoundmoreforhimthanthat，many'sthetime。"Then，dryinghereyes，"Butyoumustknowtheworld，andIdaresayyoucanseehow'tiswithme。"
　　"Ican，"saidCartwright，gravely。"Ioverheardyouandhim；and，mygirl，ifyoutakemyadvice，why，lethimgo。Heisagentlemanskindeep，anddresseswell，andcanpalaveragirl，nodoubt；butblessyourheart，Icanseeataglanceheisnotworthyourlittlefinger，anhonest，decentyoungwomanlikeyou。Why，itislikebutterfightingwithstone。Lethimgo；orIwilltellyouwhatitis，youwillhangforhimsomeday，orelsemakeawaywithyourself。"
　　"Ay，sir，"saidPhoebe，"that'slikelier；andifIwastolethimgotoprison，Ishouldsitmedownandthinkofhispartinglook，andIshouldflingmyselfintothewaterforhimbeforeIwasadayolder。"
　　"Yemustn'tdothatanyway。Whilethere'slifethere'shope。"
　　UponthisPhoebeputhimaquestion，andfoundhimreadytodoanythingforher，inreason——providedhewaspaidforit。Andtheendofitallwas，theprisonerwasconveyedtoLondon；Phoebegottherequisitesum；Falconwasdepositedinathird-classcarriageboundforEssex。Phoebepaidhisdebt，andgaveCartwrightapresent，andawayrattledthetrainconveyingthehandsomeegotistintotemporaryretirement，towit，atavillagefivemilesfromtheDales'farm。Shewastooashamedofheryounggentlemanandherselftobeseenwithhiminhernativevillage。Ontheroaddownhewasfulloflittlepracticalattentions；shereceivedthemcoldly；hismellifluousmouthwasoftenathercar，pouringthanksandpraisesintoit；shenevervouchsafedawordofreply。Allshedidwastoshuddernowandthen，andcryatintervals。Yet，wheneverheleftherside，herwholebodybecamerestless；andwhenhecamebacktoher，afurtivethrillannouncedtheinsanecomplacencyhisbarecontactgaveher。Surely，ofalltheformsinwhichlovetormentstheheart，thiswasthemostterribleandpitiable。
　　Mr。Lusignanfoundhisdaughterintears。
　　"Why，whatisthematternow?"saidhe，alittlepeevishly。"Wehavehadnothingofthissortofthinglately。"
　　"Papa，itisbecauseIhavemisconductedmyself。Iamafoolish，imprudentgirl。IhavebeenflirtingwithMr。Falcon，andhehastakenaCRUELadvantageofit——proposedtome——thisveryafternoon——
　　actually!"
　　"Hashe?Well，heisafinefellow，andhasalandedestateinNorfolk。There'snothinglikeland。Theymaywellcallitrealproperty——thereissomethingtoshow；youcanwalkonit，andrideonit，andlookoutofwindowatit:thatISproperty。"
　　"Oh，papa!whatareyousaying?WouldyouhavememarryonemanwhenIbelongtoanother?"
　　"Butyoudon'tbelongtoanyoneexcepttome。"
　　"Oh，yes；Ido。IbelongtomydearChristopher。"
　　"Why，youdismissedhimbeforemyveryeyes；andveryillyoubehaved，beggingyourpardon。Themanwasyourablephysicianandyourbestfriend，andsaidnothingthatwasnotforyourgood；andyoutreatedhimlikeadog。"
　　"Yes，buthehasapologized。"
　　"Whatfor?beingtreatedlikeadog?"
　　"Oh，don'tsayso，papa!Atallevents，hehasapologized，asagentlemanshouldwhenever——whenever"——
　　"Wheneveraladyisinthewrong。"
　　"Don't，papa；andIhaveaskedhimtodinner。"
　　"Withallmyheart。Ishallbedownrightgladtoseehimagain。
　　Youusedhimabominably。"
　　"Butyouneednotkeepsayingso，"whinedRosa。"Andthatisnotall，dearpapa；theworstofitis，Mr。Falconproposingtomehasopenedmyeyes。Iamnotfittobetrustedalone。Iamtoofondofdancing，andflirtingwillfollowsomehow。Oh，thinkhowillI
　　wasafewmonthsago，andhowunhappyyouwereaboutme!Theywerekillingme。Hecameandsavedme。Yes，papa，IoweallthishealthandstrengthtoChristopher。Ididtakethemoff，theverynextday，andseetheeffectofitandmylongwalks。Iowehimmylife，andwhatIvaluefarmore，mygoodlooks。La!IwishIhadnottoldyouthat。Andafterallthis，don'tIbelongtomyChristopher?HowcouldIbehappyorrespectmyselfifImarriedanyoneelse?Andoh，papa!helookswanandworn。HehasbeenfrettingforhisSimpleton。Oh，dear!Imustn'tthinkofthat——itmakesmecry；andyoudon'tlikescenes，doyou?"
　　"Hate'em!"
　　"Well，then，"saidRosa，coaxingly，"I'lltellyouhowtoendthem。
　　MarryyourSimpletontotheonlymanwhoisfittotakecareofher。Oh，papa!thinkofhisdeep，deepaffectionforme，andpraydon'tsnubhimif——byanychance——afterdinner——heshouldHAPPENtoaskyou——something。"
　　"Oh，thenitispossiblethat，bythemerestchance，thegentlemanyouhaveaccidentallyaskedtodinner，may，bysomestrangefortuity，besurprisedintoaskingmeasecondtimeforsomethingverymuchresemblingmydaughter'shand——eh?"
　　Rosacoloredhigh。"Hemight，youknow。HowcanItellwhatgentlemenwillsaywhentheladieshaveretiredandtheyareleftalonewith——with"——
　　"Withthebottle。Ay，that'strue；whenthewineisin，thewitisout。"
　　SaidRosa，"Well，ifheshouldhappentobesofoolish，praythinkofME；ofallweowehim，andhowmuchIlovehim，andoughttolovehim。"Shethenbestowedapropitiatorykiss，andranofftodressfordinner；itwasamuchlongeroperationto-daythanusual。
　　Dr。Staineswaspunctual。Mr。Lusignancommentedfavorablyonthat。
　　"Healwaysis，"saidRosa，eagerly。
　　Theydinedtogether。Mr。Lusignanchattedfreely，butStainesandRosawereunderafeelingofrestraint，Stainesinparticular；hecouldnothelpfeelingthatbeforelonghisfatemustbesettled。
　　HewouldeitherobtainRosa'shand，orhavetoresignhertosomemanoffortunewhowouldstepin；forbeautysuchasherscouldnotlonglackbrilliantoffers。Longing，thoughdreading，toknowhisfate，hewasgladwhendinnerended。
　　Rosasatwiththemalittlewhileafterdinner，thenrose，bestowedanotherpropitiatorykissonherfather'shead，andretiredwithamodestblush，andalookatChristopherthatwasalmostdivine。
　　Itinspiredhimwiththecourageoflions，andhecommencedtheattackatonce。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　"Mr。Lusignan，"saidhe，"thelasttimeIwashereyougavemesomehopesthatyoumightbeprevailedontotrustthatangel'shealthandhappinesstomycare。"
　　"Well，Dr。Staines，Iwillnotbeataboutthebushwithyou。Myjudgmentisstillagainstthismarriage；youneednotlooksoalarmed；itdoesnotfollowIshallforbidit。IfeelIhavehardlyarightto，formyRosamightbeinhergravenowbutforyou；and，anotherthing，whenIinterferedbetweenyoutwoIhadnoproofyouwereamanofability；Ihadonlyyoursweetheart'swordforthat；andIneverknewacasebeforewhereayounglady'sswandidnotturnoutagoose。Yourrareabilitygivesyouanotherchanceintheprofessionalbattlethatisbeforeyou；indeed，itputsadifferentfaceonthewholematter。Istillthinkitpremature。Comenow，woulditnotbemuchwisertowait，andsecureagoodpracticebeforeyoumarryamerechild?There!
　　there!Ionlyadvise；Idon'tdictate；youshallsettleittogether，youtwowiseacres。OnlyImustmakeonepositivecondition。Ihavenothingtogivemychildduringmylifetime；butonethingIhavedoneforher；yearsagoIinsuredmylifeforsixthousandpounds；andyoumustdothesame。Iwillnothaveherthrownontheworldawidow，withachildortwo，perhaps，tosupport，andnotafarthing；youknowtheinsecurityofmortallife。"
　　"Ido!Ido!Why，ofcourseIwillinsuremylife，andpaytheannualpremiumoutofmylittlecapital，untilincomeflowsin。"
　　"Willyouhandmeoverasumsufficienttopaythatpremiumforfiveyears?"
　　"Withpleasure。"
　　"ThenIfear，"saidtheoldgentleman，withasigh，"myoppositiontothematchmustceasehere。Istillrecommendyoutowait；but——
　　there!Imightjustaswelladvisefireandtowtoliveneighborsandkeepcool。"
　　Toshowtheinjusticeofthissimile，ChristopherStainesstartedupwithhiseyesallaglow，andcriedout，rapturously，"Oh，sir，mayItellher?"
　　"Yes，youmaytellher，"saidLusignan，withasmile。"Stop——whatareyougoingtotellher?"
　　"Thatyouconsent，sir。Godblessyou!Godblessyou!Oh!"
　　"Yes，butthatIadviseyoutowait。"
　　"I'lltellherall，"saidStaines，andrushedoutevenashespoke，andupsetaheavychairwithaloudthud。
　　"Ah!ah!"criedtheoldgentlemanindismay，andputhisfingersinhisears——toolate。"Isee，"saidhe，"therewillbenopeaceandquietnowtilltheyareoutofthehouse。"Helightedasoothingcigartocounteractthefracas。
　　"PoorlittleRosa!achildbutyesterday，andnowtoencounterthecaresofawife，andperhapsamother。Ah!sheisbutyoung，butyoung。"
　　Theoldgentlemanprophesiedtruly；fromthatmomenthehadnopeacetillhewithdrewallsemblanceofdissent，andevenofprocrastination。
　　Christopherinsuredhislifeforsixthousandpounds，andassignedthepolicytohiswife。FourhundredpoundswashandedtoMr。
　　LusignantopaythepremiumsuntilthegeniusofDr。Stainesshouldhavesecuredhimthatlargeprofessionalincome，whichdoesnotcomeallatonce，eventotherarephysician，whoisCapax，Efficax，Sagax。
　　Thewedding-daywasnamed。Thebridesmaidswereselected，theguestsinvited。NonerefusedbutUnclePhilip。Hedeclined，inhisfineboldhand，tocountenanceinpersonanactoffollyhedisapproved。Christopherputhisletterawaywithamomentarysigh，andwouldnotshowitRosa。Allotherletterstheyreadtogether，charmingpastimeofthathappyperiod。Presentspouredin。Silverteapots，coffeepots，sugar-basins，cream-jugs，fruit-
　　dishes，silver-giltinkstands，albums，photograph-books，littlecandlesticks，choicelittleservicesofchina，shellsalt-cellarsinacaselinedwithmaroonvelvet；aBible，superbinbindingandclasps，andeverythingbutthetext——thatwasillegible；asilkscarffromBenares；agoldchainfromDelhi，sixfeetlongornearly；aMaltesenecklace，adittoinexquisitefilagreefromGenoa；Englishbrooches，atrifletoobigandbrainless；apostlespoons；atreble-linedparasolwithivorystickandhandle；anivorycard-case，richlycarved；workboxofsandal-woodandivory，etc。Mr。Lusignan'sCityfriends，asusualwiththesegentlemen，sentthemostvaluablethings。Everydayoneortwopackagesweredelivered，and，inopeningthem，Rosainvariablyutteredapeculiarscreamofdelight，andherfatherputhisfingersinhisears；yettherewasmusicinthisveryscream，ifhewouldonlyhavelistenedtoitcandidly，insteadoffixinghismindonhisvaguetheoryofscreams——soformedwasshetopleasetheearaswellastheeye。
　　Atlastcameaparcelsheopenedandstaredat，smilingandcoloringlikearose，butdidnotscream，beingtoodumfoundedandperplexed；forlo!ateapotofsomebasematerial，butsimpleandelegantinform，beinganexactreproductionofamelon；andinsidethisteapotacanvasbagcontainingtenguineasinsilver，andawash-leatherbagcontainingtwentyguineasingold，andaslipofpaper，whichRosa，beingnowhalfrecoveredfromherstupefaction，readouttoherfatherandDr。Staines:
　　"Peoplethatbuypresentsblindfoldgiveduplicatesandtriplicates；andmenseldomchoosetoawoman'staste；sobepleasedtoaccepttheenclosedtea-leaves，andbuyforyourself。
　　Theteapotyoucanputonthehob，foritisnickel。"
　　Rosalookedsorepuzzledagain。"Papa，"saidshe，timidly，"haveweanyfriendthatis——alittle——deranged?"
　　"Alot。"
　　"Oh，then，thataccounts。"
　　"Whyno，love，"saidChristopher。"Ihaveheardofmuchlearningmakingamanmad，butneverofmuchgoodsense。"
　　"What!Doyoucallthissensible?"
　　"Don'tyou?"
　　"I'llreaditagain，"saidRosa。"Well——yes——Ideclare——itisnotsomadasIthought；butitisveryeccentric。"
　　Lusignansuggestedtherewasnothingsoeccentricascommonsense，especiallyintimeofwedding。"This，"saidhe，"comesfromtheCity。Itisafriendofmine，someoldfox；heisthrowingdustinyoureyeswithhisreasons；hisrealreasonwasthathistimeismoney；itwouldhavecosttheoldrogueahundredpounds'worthoftime——youknowtheCity，Christopher——togooutandchoosethegirlapresent；sohehassenthisclerkoutwithachecktobuyapewterteapot，andfillitwithspecie。"
　　"Pewter!"criedRosa。"Nosuchthing!It'snickel。Whatisnickel，Iwonder?"
　　Thehandwritingaffordednoclew，sotherethediscussionended:
　　butitwasanicelittlemystery，andveryconvenient；madeconversation。Rosahadmanyananimateddiscussionaboutitwithherfemalefriends。
　　Thewedding-daycameatlast。Thesunshone——ACTUALLY，asRosaobserved。Thecarriagesdroveup。Thebridesmaids，principallyoldschoolfellowsandimpassionedcorrespondentsofRosa，werepretty，anddressedalikeanddelightfully；butthebridewaspeerless；herSouthernbeautyliterallyshoneinthatwhitesatindressandveil，andherheadwasregalwiththeCrownoforange-
　　blossoms。Anothercrownshehad——truevirginmodesty。Alowmurmurburstfromthementhemomenttheysawher；theoldwomenforgaveherbeautyonthespot，andtheyoungwomenalmostpardonedit；shewassosweetandwomanly，andsosisterlytoherownsex。
　　Whentheystartedforthechurchshebegantotremble，shescarceknewwhy；andwhenthesolemnwordsweresaid，andtheringwasputonherfinger，shecriedalittle，andlookedhalfimploringlyatherbridesmaidsonce，asifsearedatleavingthemforanuntriedandmysteriouslifewithnowomannear。
　　Theyweremarried。Thencamethebreakfast，thathourofuneasinessandblushingtosuchabrideasthis；butatlastshewasreleased。Shespedup-stairs，thankinggoodnessitwasover。
　　Downcameherlastbox。Thebridefollowedinaplaintravellingdress，whichhergloriouseyesandbrowsandherrichglowingcheeksseemedtoillumine:shewashandedintothecarriage，thebridegroomfollowed。Alltheyoungguestsclusteredaboutthedoor，armedwithwhiteshoes——slippersaregoneby。
　　Theystarted；theladiesflungtheirwhiteshoesrightandleftwithreligiousimpartiality，exceptthatnotoneoftheirmissileswentattheobject。Themen，moreskilful，sentashowerontotheroofofthecarriage，whichistheluckyspot。Thebridekissedherhand，andmanagedtoputoffcrying，thoughitcostherastruggle。Thepartyhurrahed；enthusiasticyouthsgatheredfallenshoes，andranandhurledthemagainwithcheerfulyells，andawaywentthehappypair，thebrideleaningsweetlyandconfidinglywithbothherwhitehandsonthebridegroom'sshoulder，whilehedriedthetearsthatwouldrunnowatleavinghomeandparentforever，andkissedheroften，andencircledherwithhisstrongarm，andmurmuredcomfort，andlove，andpride，andjoy，andsweetvowsoflifelongtendernessintoherears，thatsoonstolenearerhislipstohear，andthefaircheekgrewsoftlytohisshoulder。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　Dr。StainesandMrs。StainesvisitedFrance，Switzerland，andtheRhine，andpassedamonthofElysiumbeforetheycametoLondontofacetheirrealdestinyandfightthebattleoflife。
　　Andhere，methinks，areaderofnovelsmayperhapscryoutandsay，"Whatmannerofmanisthis，whomarrieshisheroandheroine，andthen，insteadofleavingthemhappyforlife，andatrestfromhisuneasypenandalltheirothertroubles，flowscoollyonwiththeiradventures?"
　　TothisIcanonlyreplythattheoldEnglishnovelisnoruletome，andlifeis；andIrespectfullyproposeanexperiment。Catcheightoldmarriedpeople，fourofeachsex，andsayuntothem，"Sir，"or"Madam，didthemoreremarkableeventsofyourlifecometoyoubeforemarriageorafter?"Mostofthemwillsay"after，"
　　andletthatbemyexcusefortreatingthemarriageofChristopherStainesandRosaLusignanasmerelyoneincidentintheirlives；anincidentwhich，sofarfromendingtheirstory，ledbydegreestomorestrikingeventsthananythatoccurredtothembeforetheyweremanandwife。
　　Theyreturned，then，fromtheirhoneytour，andStaines，whowasmethodicalandkeptadiary，madethefollowingentrytherein:——
　　"Wehavenowalifeofendurance，andself-denial，andeconomy，beforeus；wehavetorentahouse，andfurnishit，andliveinit，untilprofessionalincomeshallflowinandmakeallthingseasy:
　　andwehavetwothousandfivehundredpoundslefttodoitwith。"
　　Theycametoafamilyhotel，andDr。Staineswentoutdirectlyafterbreakfasttolookforahouse。Actingonafriend'sadvice，hevisitedthestreetsandplacesnorthofOxfordStreet，lookingforagoodcommodioushouseadaptedtohisbusiness。Hefoundthreeorfouratfairrents，neithercheapnordear，thedistrictbeingrespectableandratherwealthy，butnolongerfashionable。