Hebowed。
　　"Thankyouforcomingsopromptly。Dr。Barrisgone。Ifearhethinks——hethinks——ODr。Staines——nosignoflifebutinhispoorhands，thatkeepmovingnightandday。"
　　Staineslookedverygraveatthat。LadyCicelyobservedit，and，faintatheart，couldsaynomore，butledthewaytothesick-
　　room。
　　Thereinaspaciouschamber，lightedbyagrandorielwindowandtwosidewindows，layrank，title，wealth，andyouth，strickendowninamomentbyacommonaccident。Thesufferer'sfacewasbloodless，hiseyesfixed，andnosignsoflifebutinhisthumbs，andtheykeptworkingwithstrangeregularity。
　　Intheroomwereanurseandthesurgeon；theneighboringphysician，whohadcalledinDr。Barr，hadjustpaidhisvisitandgoneaway。
　　LadyCicelyintroducedDr。StainesandMr。White，andthenDr。
　　Stainesstoodandfixedhiseyesonthepatientinprofoundsilence。LadyCicelyscannedhiscountenancesearchingly，andwasstruckwiththeextraordinarypowerandintensityitassumedinexaminingthepatient；buttheresultwasnotencouraging。Dr。
　　Staineslookedgraveandgloomy。
　　Atlast，withoutremovinghiseyefromtherecumbentfigure，hesaidquietlytoMr。White，"Thrownfromhishorse，sir。"
　　"Horsefellonhim，Dr。Staines。"
　　"Anyvisibleinjuries?"
　　"Yes。Severecontusions，andaribbrokenandpresseduponthelungs。Ireplacedandsetit。Willyousee?"
　　"Ifyouplease。"
　　Heexaminedandfeltthepatient，andsaidithadbeenablydone。
　　Thenhewassilentandsearching。
　　Atlasthespokeagain。"Themotionofthethumbscorrespondsexactlywithhispulse。"
　　"Isthatso，sir?"
　　"Itis。Thecaseiswithoutaparallel。Howlonghashebeenso?"
　　"Nearlyaweek。"
　　"Impossible!"
　　"Itisso，sir。"
　　LadyCicelyconfirmedthis。
　　"Allthebetter，"saidDr。Stainesuponreflection。"Well，sir，"
　　saidhe，"thevisibleinjurieshavingbeenablyrelieved，Ishalllookanotherwayforthecause。"Then，afteranotherpause，"I
　　musthavehisheadshaved。"
　　LadyCicelydemurredalittletothis；butDr。Stainesstoodfirm，andhislordship'svaletundertookthejob。
　　Stainesdirectedhimwheretobegin；andwhenhehadmadeacirculartonsureonthetopofthehead，haditspongedwithtepidwater。
　　"Ithoughtso，"saidhe。"Hereisthemischief；"andhepointedtoaveryslightindentationontheleftsideofthepiamater。
　　"Observe，"saidhe，"thereisnocorrespondingindentationontheotherside。Underneaththistriflingdepressionaminutepieceofboneisdoubtlesspressingonthemostsensitivepartofthebrain。
　　Hemustbetrephined。"
　　Mr。White'seyessparkled。
　　"Youareanhospitalsurgeon，sir?"
　　"Yes，Dr。Staines。Ihavenofearoftheoperation。"
　　"ThenIhandthepatientovertoyou。Thecaseatpresentisentirelysurgical。"
　　Whitewasdrivenhome，andsoonreturnedwiththerequisiteinstruments。Theoperationwasneatlyperformed，andthenLadyCicelywascalledin。Shecametrembling；herbrother'sfingerswerestillworking，butnotsoregularly。
　　"ThatisonlyHABIT，"saidStaines；"itwillsoonleaveoff，nowthecauseisgone。"
　　And，trulyenough，inaboutfiveminutesthefingersbecamequiet。
　　Theeyesbecamehumannext；andwithinhalfanhouraftertheoperationtheearlgavealittlesigh。
　　LadyCicelyclaspedherhands，andutteredalittlecryofdelight。
　　"Thiswillnotdo，"saidStaines，"Ishallhaveyouscreamingwhenhespeaks。"
　　"Oh，Dr。Staines!willheeverspeak?"
　　"Ithinkso，andverysoon。Sobeonyourguard。"
　　Thisstrangescenereacheditsclimaxsoonafter，bytheearlsaying，quietly，——
　　"Areherkneesbroke，Tom?"
　　LadyCicelyutteredalittlescream，butinstantlysuppressedit。
　　"No，mylord，"saidStaines，smartly；"onlyrubbedabit。Youcangotosleep，mylord。I'lltakecareofthemare。"
　　"Allright，"saidhislordship；andcomposedhimselftoslumber。
　　Dr。Staines，attheearnestrequestofLadyCicely，stayedallnight；andincourseofthedayadvisedherhowtonursethepatient，sincebothphysicianandsurgeonhaddonewithhim。
　　Hesaidthepatient'sbrainmightbeirritableforsomedays，andnowomeninsilkdressesorcrinoline，orcreakingshoes，mustentertheroom。Hetoldherthenursewasevidentlyaclumsywoman，andwouldbelettingthingsfall。Shehadbettergetsomeoldsoldierusedtonursing。"Anddon'twhisperintheroom，"saidhe；"nothingirritatesthemworse；anddon'tletanybodyplayapianowithinhearing；butinadayortwoyoumaytryhimwithslowandcontinuousmusiconthefluteorviolinifyoulike。Don'ttouchhisbedsuddenly；don'tsitonitorleanonit。Dolesunlightintohisroombydegrees；andwhenhecanbearit，drenchhimwithit。Nevermindwhattheoldschooltellyou。Aboutthesethingstheyknowagooddeallessthannothing。"
　　LadyCicelyreceivedallthislikeanoracle。
　　ThecurewastelegraphedtoDr。Barr，andhewasrequestedtosettlethefee。Hewasnotthemantounderselltheprofession，andwasjealousofnobody，havingalargepractice，andaverywealthywife。Sohetelegraphedback——"Fiftyguineas，andaguineaamilefromLondon。"
　　So，asChristopherStainessatatanearlybreakfast，withthecarriagewaitingtotakehimtothetrain，twonoteswerebroughthimonasalver。
　　TheywerebothdirectedbyLadyCicelyTreherne。Oneofthemcontainedafewkindandfeelingwordsofgratitudeandesteem；theother，acheck，drawnbytheearl'ssteward，foronehundredandthirtyguineas。
　　HebowleduptoLondon，andtolditalltoRosa。Shesparkledwithpride，affection，andjoy。
　　"Now，whosaysyouarenotagenius?"shecried。"Ahundredandthirtyguineasforonefee!Now，ifyouloveyourwifeasshelovesyou——youwillsetupabrougham。"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　DoctorStainesbeggedleavetodistinguish；hehadnotsaidhewouldsetupacarriageatthefirstonehundredguineafee，butonlythathewouldnotsetuponebefore。Therearemisguidedpeoplewhowouldcallthislogic:butRosasaiditwasequivocating，andurgedhimsowarmlythatatlastheburstout，"Whocangoonforeversaying'No，'totheonlycreatureheloves?"——andcaved。Inforty-eighthoursmoreabroughamwaitedatMrs。Staines'sdoor。TheservantengagedtodriveitwasAndrewPearman，abachelor，and，hitherto，anunder-groom。Hereadilyconsentedtobecoachman，andtodocertaindomesticworkaswell。
　　SoMrs。Staineshadaman-servantaswellasacarriage。
　　Erelong，threeorfourpatientscalled，orwrote，oneaftertheother。TheseRosasetdowntobrougham，andcrowed；sheevencrowedtoLadyCicelyTreherne，towhoseinfluence，andnottobrougham's，everyoneofthesepatientswasowing。LadyCicelykissedher，anddemurelyenjoyedthepoorsoul'sself-satisfaction。
　　Staineshimself，whilehedrovetoorfromthesepatients，feltmoresanguine，andbuoyedashewasbytheconsciousnessofability，begantohopehehadturnedthecorner。
　　HesentanaccountofLordAyscough'scasetoamedicalmagazine:
　　andsofullistheworldofflunkeyism，thatthisarticle，thoughhewithheldthename，retainingonlythetitle，gottheliterarywedgeinforhimatonce:andinduecoursehebecameapaidcontributortotwomedicalorgans，andusedtostudyandwritemore，andindentthelittlestoneyardlessthanheretofore。
　　ItwasaboutthistimecircumstancesmadehimacquaintedwithPhoebeDale。HerintermediatehistoryIwilldisposeofinfewerwordsthanitdeserves。Herruin，Mr。ReginaldFalcon，wasdismissedfromhisclub，formarkinghighcardsonthebackwithhisnail。Thisstoppedhisremainingresource——borrowing:sohegotmoreandmoreoutatelbows，tillatlasthecamedowntohangingaboutbilliard-rooms，andmakingalittlemoneybyconcealinghisgame；fromthat，however，herosetobeamarker。
　　Havingculminatedtothat，hewroteandproposedmarriagetoMissDale，inacharmingletter:sheshowedittoherfatherwithpride。
　　Now，ifhisvanity，hisdisloyalty，hisfalsehood，hisingratitude，andhisothervirtueshadnotstoodintheway，hewouldhavedonethisthreeyearsago，andbeenjumpedat。
　　Buttheoffercametoolate；notforPhoebe——shewouldhavetakenhiminamoment——butforherfriends。Abaitedhookisonething，abarehookisanother。FarmerDalehadlongdiscoveredwherePhoebe'smoneywent:hesaidnotawordtoher；butwentuptotownlikeashot；foundFalconout，andtoldhimhemustn'tthinktoeathisdaughter'sbread。Sheshouldmarryamanthatcouldmakeadecentlivelihood；andifshewastorunawaywithHIM，whythey'dstarvetogether。Thefarmerwasresolute，andspokeveryloud，likeonethatexpectsopposition，andcomespreparedtoquarrel。
　　Insteadofthat，thisartfulrogueaddressedhimwithdeeprespectandanaffectedveneration，thatquitepuzzledtheoldman；
　　acquiescedineveryword，expressedcontritionforhispastmisdeeds，andtoldthefarmerhehadquitedeterminedtolaborwithhishands。"Youknow，farmer，"saidhe，"Iamnottheonlygentlemanwhohascometothatinthepresentday。Now，allmyfriendsthathaveseenmysketches，assuremeIamabornpainter；
　　andapainterI'llbe——forloveofPhoebe。"
　　Thefarmermadeawryface。"Painter!thatisasorrysortofatrade。"
　　"Youaremistaken。It'sthebesttradegoing。Therearegentlemenmakingtheirthousandsayearbyit。"
　　"Notinourparts，therebain't。Stopabit。Whatbeyegoingtopaint，sir?Housen，orfolk?"
　　"Oh，hangit，nothouses。Figures，landscapes。"
　　"Well，yemightjustmakeshifttoliveatit，Isuppose，withhereandthereasignboard。Theyarethebestpaid，ourway:but，Lordblessye，THEYwantsheadpiece。Well，sir，letmeseeyourwork。
　　Thenwe'lltalkfurther。"
　　"I'llgotoworkthisafternoon，"saidFalconeagerly；thenwithaffectedsurprise，"Blessme；Iforgot。Ihavenopalette，nocanvas，nocolors。Youcouldn'tlendmeacoupleofsovereignstobuythem，couldyou?"
　　"Ay，sir；Icould。ButIwoan't。I'lllendyethethings，though，ifyouhaveamindtogowithmeandbuy'em。"
　　Falconagreed，withaloftysmile；andthepurchasesweremade。
　　Mr。Falconpaintedalandscapeortwooutofhisimagination。Thedealerstowhomhetookthemdeclinedthem；oneadvisedthegentlemanpaintertocolortea-boards。"That'syourline，"saidhe。
　　"Theworldhasnotaste，"saidthegentlemanpainter:"butithasgotlotsofvanity:I'llpaintportraits。"
　　Hedid；andformidableones:hisportraitswereamazinglylikethepeople，andyetunlikemenandwomen，especiallyabouttheface。
　　Onething，hedidn'ttroublewithlightsandshades，butwentslapatthefeatures。
　　Hisbrushwouldneverhavekepthim；buthecarriedaninstrument，intheuseofwhichhewasreallyanartist，viz。，histongue。Bywheedlingandunderselling——forheonlychargedapoundforthepaintedcanvas——hecontrivedtolive；thenheaspiredtodressaswellaslive。Withthissecondobjectinview，hehituponacharacteristicexpedient。
　　Heusedtoprowlabout，andwhenhesawayoungwomansweepingtheafternoonstreetswithalongsilktrain，and，inshort，dressedtorideinthepark，yetparadingthestreets，hewouldtakehishatofftoher，withanairofprofoundrespect，andaskpermissiontotakeherportrait。Generallyhemetapromptrebuff；butifthefairwassounluckyastohesitateasinglemoment，hetoldherameltingtale；hehadoncedrivenhisfour-in-hand；butbyindorsinghisfriends'bills，wasreducedtopaintinglikeness，admirablelikenessesinoil，onlyaguineaeach。
　　Hispiteoustaleprovokedmoregibesthanpity，butashehadnoshame，therebuffswentfornothing:heactuallydidgetafewsittersbyhisaudacity:andsomeofthesittersactuallytookthepictures，andpaidforthem；othersdeclinedthemwithfuryassoonastheywerefinished。Thesehetookbackwithapiteoussigh，thatsometimesextractedhalfacrown。Thenhepaintedovertherejectedoneandletitdry；sothatsometimesapaidportraitwouldpresentabeautyenthronedonthedebrisoftwoorthreerivals，andthatiswherefewbeautieswouldobjecttosit。
　　AllthistimehewroteniceletterstoPhoebe，andadoptedthetoneofthestrugglingartist，andthetruelover，whowinshisbridebypatience，perseverance，andindomitableindustry；ababbledof"SelfHelp。"
　　Meantime，Phoebewasnotidle:anexcellentbusinesswoman，shetookimmediateadvantageofanewstationthatwasbuiltnearthefarm，tosendupmilk，butter，andeggstoLondon。Beinggenuine，theysoldlikewildfire。Observingthat，sheextendedheroperations，bybuyingofotherfarmers，andforwardingtoLondon:
　　andthen，havingofcourseaneyetoherstrugglingartist，shetoldherfathershemusthaveashopinLondon，andsomebodyinitshecoulddependupon。
　　"Withallmyheart，wench，"saidhe；"butitmustnotbethou。I
　　can'tsparethee。"
　　"MayIhaveDick，father?"
　　"Dick!heisratheryoung。"
　　"Butheisveryquick，father，andmindseverywordItellhim。"
　　"Ay，heisasfondoftheeaseveracowwasofacalf。Well，youcantryhim。"
　　Sothelove-sickwomanofbusinesssetupalittleshop，andputherbrotherDickinit，andalltoseemoreofherstrugglingartist。Shestayedseveraldays，toopenthelittleshop，andstartthebusiness。Sheadvertisedpuremilk，andchallengedscientificanalysisofeverythingshesold。Thiscameofherbeingareader；sheknew，bythejournals，thatweliveinasinfulandadulteratinggeneration，andanythingpuremustbeagodsendtothepoorpoisonedpublic。
　　Now，Dr。Staines，thoughknowntotheprofessionasadiagnost，wasalsoananalyst，andthischallengebroughthimdownonPhoebeDale。Hetoldherhewasaphysician，andinsearchofpurefoodforhisownfamily——wouldshereallysubmitthemilktoanalysis?
　　Phoebesmiledanhonestcountrysmile，andsaid，"Surely，sir。"
　　Shegavehimeveryfacility，andheappliedthosesimpletestswhicharecommonlyusedinFrance，thoughhardlyknowninEngland。
　　Hefounditperfectlypure，andtoldherso；andgazedatPhoebeforamoment，asaphenomenon。
　　Shesmiledagainatthat，herbroadcountrysmile。"ThatisawonderinLondon，Idaresay。It'smybeliefhalfthechildrenthatdiehereareperishedwithwateredmilk。Well，sir，weshan'thavethatonoursouls，fatherandI；heisafarmerinEssex。
　　Thiscomesamanymiles，thismilk。"
　　Staineslookedinherface，withkindlyapprovalmarkedonhisowneloquentfeatures。Sheblushedalittleatsofixedaregard。
　　Thenheaskedherifshewouldsupplyhimwithmilk，butter，andeggs。
　　"Why，ifyoumeansellyouthem，yes，sir，withpleasure。Butforsendingthemhometoyouinthisbigtown，assomedo，Ican't；forthere'sonlybrotherDickandme:itisanexperimentlike。"
　　"Verywell，"saidStaines:"Iwillsendforthem。"
　　"Thankyoukindly，sir。Ihopeyouwon'tbeoffended，sir；butweonlysellforreadymoney。"
　　"Allthebetter:myorderathomeis，nobills。"
　　Whenhewasgone，Phoebe，assumingvastexperience，thoughthiswasonlyherthirdday，toldDickthatwasoneoftherightsort:"andoh，Dick，"saidshe，"didyounoticehiseye?"
　　"Notparticklar，sister。"
　　"Therenow；theboyisblind。Why，'twaslikeajewel。SuchaneyeIneversawinaman'shead，norawoman'sneither。"
　　StainestoldhiswifeaboutPhoebeandherbrother，andspokeofherwithacertainadmirationthatraisedRosa'scuriosity，andeventhatsortofvaguejealousythatfiresatbarepraise。"I
　　shouldliketoseethisphenomenon，"saidshe。"Youshall，"saidhe。"IhavetocallonMrs。Manly。Shelivesnear。Iwilldropyouatthelittleshop，andcomebackforyou。"
　　Hedidso，andthatgaveRosaaquarterofanhourtomakeherpurchases。WhenhecamebackhefoundherconversingwithPhoebe，asiftheywereoldfriends，andDickglaringathiswifewithaweandadmiration。Hecouldhardlygetheraway。
　　ShewasfarmoreextravagantinherpraisesthanDr。Staineshadbeen。"Whatagoodcreature!"saidshe。"Andhowclever!Tothinkofhersettingupashoplikethatallbyherself；forherDickisonlyseventeen。"
　　Dr。Stainesrecommendedthelittleshopwhereverhewent，andevenextendeditsoperations。HeaskedPhoebetogetherownwheatgroundathome，andsendtheflourupinbushelbags。"Theseassassins，thebakers，"saidhe，"areputtingcopperintotheflournow，aswellasalum。Pureflourisworthafancypricetoanyfamily。Withthatwecanmakethebreadoflife。Whatyoubuyintheshopsisthebreadofdeath。"
　　Dickwasagood，sharpboy，devotedtohissister。HestucktotheshopinLondon，andhandedthemoneytoPhoebe，whenshecameforit。SheworkedforitinEssex，andextendedhercountryconnectionforsupplyastheretailbusinessincreased。
　　Staineswroteanarticleonpurefood，andincidentallymentionedtheshopasaplacewhereflour，milk，andbutterweretobehadpure。ThisarticlewaspublishedintheLancet，andcausedquitearunuponthelittleshop。ByandbyPhoebeenlargedit，forwhichthereweregreatcapabilities，andmadeherselfaprettylittleparlor，andtheresheandDicksattoFalconfortheirportraits；
　　here，too，shehunghisrejectedlandscapes。Theywerefairinhereyes；whatmatterwhethertheywerelikenature?hishandhadpaintedthem。Sheknew，fromhim，thateverybodyelsehadrejectedthem。Withallthemoreprideandlovedidshehavethemframedingold，andhungupwiththeportraitsinherlittlesanctum。
　　ForafewmonthsPhoebeDalewasashappyasshedeservedtobe。
　　Herloverwasworking，andfaithfultoher——atleastshesawnoreasontodoubtit。Hecametoseehereveryevening，andseemeddevotedtoher:wouldsitquietlywithher，orwalkwithher，ortakehertoaplay，oramusic-hall——atherexpense。
　　Shenowlivedinaquietelysium，withabrightandrapturousdreamofthefuture；forshesawshehadhitonagoodveinofbusiness，andshouldsoonbeindependent，andabletoindulgeherselfwithahusband，andasknoman'sleave。
　　ShesenttoEssexforadairymaid，andsethertochurnmilkintobutter，corampopulo，atacertainhoureverymorning。Thismadeanewsensation。Atothertimesthewomanwasemployedtodelivermilkandcreamtoafewfavoredcustomers。
　　Mrs。Stainesdroppedinnowandthen，andchattedwithher。HersweetfaceandhernaivetewonPhoebe'sheart；andoneday，ashappinessisapttobecommunicative，sheletouttoher，inreplytoafeelerortwoastowhethershewasquitealone，thatshewasengagedtobemarriedtoagentleman。"Butheisnotrich，ma'am，"
　　saidPhoebeplaintively；"hehashadtrouble:obligedtoworkforhisliving，likeme；hepaintedthesepictures，EVERYONEOFTHEM。
　　Ifitwasnotmakingtoofree，andyoucouldspareaguinea——hechargesnomoreforthepicture，onlyyoumustgototheexpenseoftheframe。"
　　"OfcourseIwill，"saidRosawarmly。"I'llsitforithere，anydayyoulike。"
　　Now，Rosasaidthis，outofhereverreadykindness，nottowoundPhoebe:buthavingmadethepromise，shekeptclearoftheplaceforsomedays，hopingPhoebewouldforgetallaboutit。Meantimeshesentherhusbandtobuy。
　　Inaboutafortnightshecalledagain，primedwithevasionsifsheshouldbeaskedtosit；butnothingofthekindwasproposed。
　　Phoebewasdealingwhenshewentin。Thecustomersdisposedof，shesaidtoMrs。Staines，"Oh，ma'am，Iamgladyouarecome。I
　　havesomethingIshouldliketoshowyou。"Shetookherintotheparlor，andmadehersitdown:thensheopenedadrawer，andtookoutaverysmallsubstancethatlookedlikeatearofgroundglass，andputitonthetablebeforeher。"There，ma'am，"saidshe，"thatisallhehashadforpaintingafriend'spicture。"
　　"Oh!whatashame。"
　　"Hisfriendwasgoingabroad——toNatal；tohisunclethatfarmsoutthere，anddoesverywell；itisafirst-ratepart，ifyoutakeoutalittlestockwithyou，andsomemoney；somyonegavehimcredit，andwhenthelettercamewiththatpostmark，hecountedonafive-
　　poundnote；buttheletteronlysaidhehadgotnomoneyyet，butsenthimsomethingasakeepsake:andtherewasthislittlestone。
　　Poorfellow!heflungitdowninapassion；hewassodisappointed。"
　　Phoebe'sgreatgrayeyesfilled；andRosagavealittlecooofsympathythatwasverywomanlyandlovable。
　　Phoebeleanedhercheekonherhand，andsaidthoughtfully，"I
　　pickeditup，andbroughtitaway；for，afterall——don'tyouthink，ma'am，itisverystrangethatafriendshouldsenditallthatway，ifitwasworthnothingatall?"
　　"Itisimpossible。Hecouldnotbesoheartless。"
　　"Anddoyouknow，ma'am，whenItakeitupinmyfingers，itdoesn'tfeellikeathingthatwasworthnothing。"
　　"Nomoreitdoes:itmakesmyfingerstremble。MayItakeithome，andshowitmyhusband?heisagreatphysicianandknowseverything。"
　　"IamsureIshouldbeobligedtoyou，ma'am。"
　　Rosadrovehome，onpurposetoshowittoChristopher。Sheranintohisstudy:"Oh，Christopher，pleaselookatthat。Youknowthatgoodcreaturewehaveourflourandmilkandthingsof。Sheisengaged，andheisapainter。Oh，suchdaubs!Hepaintedafriend，andthefriendsentthathomeallthewayfromNatal，andhedasheditdown，andSHEpickeditup，andwhatisit?groundglass，orapebble，orwhat?"
　　"Humph!——byitsshape，andthegreat——brilliancy——andrefractionoflight，onthisangle，wherethestonehasgotpolishedbyrubbingagainstotherstones，inthecourseofages，I'minclinedtothinkitis——adiamond。"
　　"Adiamond!"shriekedRosa。"Nowondermyfingerstrembled。Oh，canitbe?Oh，yougood，cold-bloodedChristie!——Poorthings!——
　　Comealong，Diamond!Ohyoubeauty!Ohyouduck!"
　　"Don'tbeinsuchahurry。IonlysaidIthoughtitwasadiamond。
　　Letmeweighitagainstwater，andthenIshallKNOW。"
　　Hetookittohislittlelaboratory，andreturnedinafewminutes，andsaid，"Yes。Itisjustthreetimesandahalfheavierthanwater。Itisadiamond。"
　　"Areyoupositive?"
　　"I'llstakemyexistence。"
　　"Whatisitworth?"
　　"Mydear，I'mnotajeweller:butitisverylargeandpear-shaped，andIseenoflaw:Idon'tthinkyoucouldbuyitforlessthanthreehundredpounds。"
　　"Threehundredpounds!Itisworththreehundredpounds。"
　　"Orsellitformorethanahundredandfiftypounds。"
　　"Ahundredandfifty!Itisworthahundredandfiftypounds。"
　　"Why，mydear，onewouldthinkyouhadinvented'thediamond。'
　　Showmehowtocrystallizecarbon，andIwillshareyourenthusiasm。"
　　"Oh，Ileaveyoutocarbonizecrystal。Iprefertogladdenhearts:
　　andIwilldoitthisminute，withmydiamond。"
　　"Do，dear；andIwilltakethatopportunitytofinishmyarticleonAdulteration。"
　　RosadroveofftoPhoebeDale。
　　NowPhoebewasdrinkingteawithReginaldFalcon，inherlittleparlor。"Whoisthat，Iwonder?"saidshe，whenthecarriagedrewup。
　　Reginalddrewbackacornerofthegauzecurtainwhichhadbeendrawnacrossthelittleglassdoorleadingfromtheshop。
　　"Itisalady，andabeautiful——Oh!letmegetout。"Andherushedoutatthedoorleadingtothekitchen，nottoberecognized。
　　ThissetPhoebeallinaflutter，andthenextmomentMrs。Stainestappedatthelittledoor，thenopenedit，andpeeped。"Goodnews!
　　mayIcomein?"
　　"Surely，"saidPhoebe，stilltroubledandconfusedbyReginald'sstrangeagitation。
　　"There!Itisadiamond!"screamedRosa。"Myhusbandknewitdirectly。Heknowseverything。Ifeveryouareill，gotohimandnobodyelse——bytherefraction，andtheangle，anditsbeingthreetimesandahalfasheavyaswater。Itisworththreehundredpoundstobuy，andahundredandfiftypoundstosell。"
　　"Oh!"
　　"Sodon'tyougothrowingitaway，ashedid。Inawhisper。Twoteacups?Wasthathim?Ihavedrivenhimaway。Iamsosorry。
　　I'llgo；andthenyoucantellhim。Poorfellow!"
　　"Oh，ma'am，don'tgoyet，"saidPhoebe，trembling。"Ihaven'thalfthankedyou。"
　　"Oh，botherthanks。Kissme；thatistheway。"
　　"MayI?"
　　"Youmay，andmust。There——andthere——andthere。Ohdear，whatnicethingsgoodluckandhappinessare，andhowsweettobringthemforonce。"
　　UponthisPhoebeandshehadanicelittlecrytogether，andMrs。
　　Staineswentoffrefreshedthereby，andasgayasalark，pointingslylyatthedoor，andmakingfacestoPhoebethatsheknewhewasthere，andsheonlyretired，outofheradmirablediscretion，thattheymightenjoythediamondtogether。
　　Whenshewasgone，Reginald，whoseeyeandearhadbeenatthekeyhole，alternatelygloatingonthefaceanddrinkingtheaccentsoftheonlywomanhehadeverreallyloved，cameout，lookingpale，andstrangelydisturbed；andsatdownattable，withoutaword。
　　Phoebecamebacktohim，fullofthediamond。"Didyouhearwhatshesaid，mydear?Itisadiamond；itisworthahundredandfiftypoundsatleast。Why，whatailsyou?Ah!tobesure!youknowthatlady。"
　　"Ihavecausetoknowher。Cursedjilt!"
　　"Youseemagooddealputoutatthesightofher。"
　　"Ittookmebysurprise，thatisall。"
　　"Ittakesmebysurprisetoo。Ithoughtyouwerecured。IthoughtMYturnhadcomeatlast。"
　　Reginaldmetthisinsullensilence。ThenPhoebewassorryshehadsaidit；for，afterall，itwasn'ttheman'sfaultifanoldsweethearthadrunintotheroom，andgivenhimastart。Soshemadehimsomefreshtea，andpressedhimkindlytotryherhome-
　　madebreadandbutter。
　　Mylordrelaxedhisfrownandconsented，andofcoursetheytalkeddiamond。
　　Hetoldher，loftily，hemusttakeastudio，andhissittersmustcometohim，andmustnolongerexpecttobeimmortalizedforonepound。Itmustbetwopoundsforabust，andthreepoundsforakitcat。
　　"Nay，but，mydear，"saidPhoebe，"theywillpaynomorebecauseyouhaveadiamond。"
　　"Thentheywillhavetogounpainted，"saidMr。Falcon。
　　Thiswasintendedforathreat。Phoebeinstinctivelyfeltthatitmightnotbesoreceived；shecounselledmoderation。"Itisagreatthingtohaveearnedadiamond，"saidshe:"but'tisonlyonceinalife。Now，beruledbyme:goonjustasyouare。Sellthediamond，andgivemethemoneytokeepforyou。Why，youmightaddalittletoit，andsowouldI，tillwemadeituptwohundredpounds。Andifyoucouldonlyshowtwohundredpoundsyouhadmadeandlaidby，fatherwouldletusmarry，andImightkeepthisshop——
　　itpayswell，Icantellyou——andkeepmygentlemaninaslycorner；youneedneverbeseeninit。"
　　"Ay，ay，"saidhe，"thatisthesmallgame。ButIamamanthathavealwayspreferredthebiggame。Ishallsetupmystudio，andmakeenoughtokeepusboth。Sogivemethestone，ifyouplease。