Dr。RhodaGaleneverreflectedmuchinthestreets；theyweretoherafieldofminuteobservation；but，whenshegothomeshesatdownandthoughtoverwhatshehadbeensayinganddoing，andpuzzledoverthecharacterofthemanwhohadrelievedherhungerandelicitedherautobiography。Shepassedhiminreview；settledinhermindthathewasastrongcharacter；amanlyman，whodidnotwastewords；wonderedalittleatthewayhehadmadeherdowhateverhepleased；blushedalittleatthethoughtofhavingbeensocommunicative；yetadmiredthemanforhavingdrawnheroutso；andwonderedwhethersheshouldseehimagain。Shehopedsheshould。Butshedidnotfeelsure。
　　Shesathalfanhourthus——withonekneeraisedalittle，andherhandsinterlaced——byafire-placewithaburned-outcoalinit；andby-and-byshefelthungryagain。Butshehadnofood，andnomoney。
　　Shelookedhardatherring，andprofitedalittlebycontactwiththesturdygoodsenseofVizard。
　　Shesaidtoherself，"Menunderstandoneanother。Ibelievefatherwouldbeangrywithmefornot。"
　　Thenshelookedtenderlyandwistfullyatthering，andkissedit，andmurmured，"Notto-night。"Youseeshehopedshemighthavealetterinthemorning，andsorespiteherring。
　　Thenshemadelightofit，andsaidtoherself，"Nomatter；'quidort，dine。'"
　　Butasitwasearlyforbed，andshecouldnotbelongidle，sippingnoknowledge，shetookupthelastgoodGermanworkthatshehadboughtwhenshehadmoney，andproceededtoread。Shehadnocandle，butshehadalucifer-matchortwo，andanoldnewspaper。Withthisshemadelongspills，andlightedone，andreadtwopagesbythatpapertorch，andlightedanotherbeforeitwasout，andthenanother，andsooninsuccession，fightingforknowledgeagainstpoverty，asshehadfoughtforitagainstperfidy。
　　Whileshewasthusabsorbed，acarriagedrewupatthedoor。Shetooknonoticeofthat；butpresentlytherewasarustlingofsilkonthestairs，andtwovoices，andthenatapatthedoor。"Comein，"saidshe；andZoeenteredjustasthelastspillburnedout。
　　RhodaGaleroseinadarkroom；butagas-lightoverthewayjustshowedherfigure。"MissGale?"saidZoe，timidly。
　　"IamMissGale，"saidRhoda，quietly，butfirmly。
　　"IamMissVizard——thegentleman'ssisterthatyoumetinLeicesterSquareto-day；"andshetookacautioussteptowardher。
　　Rhoda'scheeksburned。
　　"MissVizard，"shesaid，"excusemyreceivingyouso；butyoumayhaveheardIamverypoor。Mylastcandleisgone。Butperhapsthelandladywouldlendmeone。Idon'tknow。Sheisverydisobliging，andverycruel。"
　　"Thensheshallnothavethehonoroflendingyouacandle，"saidZoe，withoneofhergushes。"Now，totellthetruth，"saidshe，alteringtothecheerful，"I'mratherglad。Iwouldrathertalktoyouinthedarkforalittle，justatfirst。MayI?"BythistimeshehadgraduallycreptuptoRhoda。
　　"Iamafraidyou_must，"_saidRhoda。"ButatleastIcanofferyouaseat。"
　　Zoesatdown，andtherewasanawkwardsilence。
　　"Oh，dear，"saidZoe；"Idon'tknowhowtobegin。Iwishyouwouldgivemeyourhand，asIcan'tseeyourface。"
　　"Withallmyheart:there。"
　　Almostinawhisper"Hehastoldme。"
　　Rhodaputtheotherhandtoherface，thoughitwassodark。
　　"Oh，MissGale，how_could_you?Onlythink!Supposeyouhadkilledyourself，ormadeyourselfveryill。Yourmotherwouldhavecomedirectlyandfoundyouso；andonlythinkhowunhappyyouwouldhavemadeher。"
　　"CanIhaveforgottenmymother?"askedRhodaofherself，butaloud。
　　"Notwillfully，Iamsure。Butyouknowgeniusesarenotalwayswiseintheselittlethings。Theywantsomegoodhumdrumsoultoadvisetheminthecommonaffairsoflife。Thatwantissuppliedyounow；for_I_amhere——ha-ha!"
　　"YouarenomorecommonplacethanIam；muchlessnow，I'llbebound。"
　　"Wewillputthattothetest，"saidZoe，adroitlyenough。_"My_viewofallthisis——thathereisayoungladyinwantofmoney_foratime，_aseverybodyisnowandthen，andthatthesensiblecourseistoborrowsometillyourmothercomesoverwithherapronfulofdollars。Now，Ihavetwentypoundstolend，and，ifyouaresomightysensibleasyousay，youwon'trefusetoborrowit。"
　　"Oh，MissVizard，youareverygood；butIamafraidandashamedtoborrow。Ineverdidsuchathing。"
　　"Timeyoubegan，then。_I_have——often。Butitisnousearguing。You_must——_oryouwillgetpoormefinelyscolded。Perhapshewasonhisgoodbehaviorwithyou，beingastranger；butathometheyexpecttobeobeyed。Hewillbesuretosayitwasmystupidity，andthat_he_wouldhavemadeyoudirectly。"
　　"Dotell!"criedRhoda，surprisedintoanidiom；"asifI'dhavetakenmoneyfrom_him!"_
　　"Why，ofcoursenot；butbetween_us_itisnothingatall。There:"andsheputthemoneyintoRhoda'shand，andthenheldbothhandandmoneyrathertightlyimprisonedinherlargerpalm，andbegantochatter，soastoleavetheothernoopening。"Oh，blesseddarkness!howeasyitmakesthings!doesitnot?Iamgladtherewasnocandle；weshouldhavebeenfencingandblushingeversolong，andmadesuchafussaboutnothing——and——"
　　ThisprattlewasinterruptedbyRhodaGaleputtingherrightwristroundZoe'sneck，andlayingherforeheadonhershoulderwithalittlesob。Sothentheybothdistilledtheinevitabledew-drops。
　　ButasRhodawasnotmuchgiventhatway，shestartedup，andsaid，"Darkness?No；Imustseethefacethathascomeheretohelpme，andnothumiliateme。ThatisthefirstuseI'llmakeofthemoney。Iamafraidyouareratherplain，oryoucouldn'tbesogoodasallthis。"
　　"No，"saidZoe。"I'mnotreckonedplain；onlyasblackasacoal。"
　　"Allthemoretomytaste，"saidRhoda，andflewoutoftheroom，andnearlystumbledoverafigureseatedonastepofthestaircase。"Whoareyou?"saidshe，sharply。
　　"MynameisSeverne。"
　　"Andwhatareyoudoingthere?"
　　"WaitingforMissVizard。"
　　"Comein，then。"
　　"Shetoldmenot。"
　　"ThenItellyou_to。_Theidea!MissVizard!"
　　"Yes!"
　　"PleasehaveMr。Severnein。Hereheissitting——likeGrief——onthesteps。Iwillsoonbeback。"
　　Sheflewtothelandlady。"Mrs。Grip，Iwantacandle。"
　　"Well，theshopsareopen，"saidthewoman，rudely。
　　"Oh，Ihavenotime。Hereisasovereign。Pleasegivemetwocandlesdirectly，candlesticksandall。"
　　Thewoman'smannerchangeddirectly。
　　"Youshallhavethemthismoment，miss，andmyowncandlesticks，whichtheyareplated。"
　　Shebroughtthem，andadvisedheronlytolightone。"Theydon'tcarrywell，miss，"saidshe。"Theyarewax——orsummat。"
　　"Thentheyaresummat，"saidMissGale，afterasingleglanceattheircomposition。
　　"I'llmakeyouanicehotsupper，miss，inhalfanhour，"saidthewoman，maternally，asifsheweregoingto_give_ither。
　　"No，thankyou。Bringmeatwo-pennyloaf，andascuttleofcoals。"
　　"La，miss，nomorethanthat——outofasov'?"
　　"Yes——THECHANGE。"
　　HavingshownMrs。GripherfatherwasaYankee，shedartedupstairs，withhercandles。Zoecametomeether，andliterallydazzledher。
　　Rhodastaredatherwithamazementandgrowingrapture。"Oh，youbeauty!"
　　shecried，anddrankherinfromheadtofoot。
　　"Well，"saidshe，drawingalongbreath，"Nature，youhaveturnedouta_com-_pletearticlethistime，Ireckon。"Then，asSevernelaughedmerrilyatthis，sheturnedhercandleandhereyesfullonhimverybriskly。Shelookedathimforamoment，withagratifiedeyeathiscomeliness；thenshestarted。"Oh!"shecried。
　　Hereceivedtheinspectionmerrily，tillsheutteredthatejaculation，thenhestartedalittle，andstaredather。
　　"Wehavemetbefore，"saidshe，almosttenderly。
　　"Havewe?"saidhe，puttingonamystifiedair。
　　Shefixedhim，andlookedhimthroughandthrough。
　　"You——don't——remember——me?"askedshe。Then，aftergivinghimplentyoftimetoanswer，"Well，then，Imustbemistaken；"andherwordsseemedtofreezethemselvesandherastheyfell。
　　Sheturnedherbackonhim，andsaidtoZoe，withagooddealofsweetnessandweight，"Ihavelivedtoseegoodnessandbeautyunited。I
　　willneverdespairofhumannature。"
　　ThiswastoopointblankforZoe；sheblushedcrimson，andsaidarchly，"I
　　thinkitistimeformetorun。Oh，butIforgot；hereismycard。Weareallatthathotel。IfIamsoveryattractive，youwillcomeandseeme——weleavetownverysoon——willyou?"
　　"Iwill，"saidRhoda。
　　"Andsinceyoutookmeforanoldacquaintance，Ihopeyouwilltreatmeasone，"saidSeverne，withconsummategraceandassurance。
　　"Iwill，_sir，"_saidshe，icily，andwithamarvelouscurlofthelipthatdidnotescapehim。
　　Shelightedthemdownthestairs，gazedafterZoe，andignoredSevernealtogether。
　　CHAPTERXV。
　　GOINGhomeinthecarriage，Zoewassilent，butSevernetalkednineteentothedozen。Hadhisobjectbeentohinderhiscompanion'smindfromdwellingtoolongononething，hecouldnothaverattledthediceofsmalltalkmoreindustriously。Hiswordswouldfillpages；histopicswere，thatMissGalewasanextraordinarywoman，buttoomasculineforhistaste，andhadmadeherowntroublessettingupdoctress，whenhertruelinewasgoverness——forboys。Hewasalsoglibandsatiricaluponthatfavoritebutt，afriend。
　　"Whobuta_soi-disant_woman-haterwouldpickupastrangeviragoandsendhissistertoherwithtwentypounds?I'lltellyouwhatitis，MissVizard——"
　　HereMissVizard，whohadsatdeadsilentunderaflowofwords，whichismerelyindicatedabove，laidherhandonhisarmtostopthefluxforamoment，andsaid，quietly，_"Do_youknowher?tellme。"
　　"Knowher!HowshouldI?"
　　"Ithoughtyoumighthavemether——abroad。"
　　"Well，itispossible，ofcourse，butveryunlikely。IfIdid，Ineverspoketoher，orIshouldhaverememberedher。_Don'tyouthinkso?"_
　　"Sheseemedverypositive；andIthinksheisanaccurateperson。Sheseemedquitesurprisedandmortifiedwhenyousaid'No。'"
　　"Well，youknow，ofcourseitisamortifyingthingwhenaladyclaimsagentleman'sacquaintance，andthegentlemandoesn'tadmitit。ButwhatcouldIdo?Icouldn'ttellalieaboutit——couldI?"
　　"Ofcoursenot。"
　　"Iwasoffmyguard，andrudish；butyouwerenot。Whattact!whatdelicacy!whathighbreedingandangelicbenevolence!Andsoclever，too!"
　　"Oh，fie!youlistened!"
　　"Youleftthedoorajar，andIcouldnotbeartoloseawordthatdroppedfromthoselipssonearme。Yes，Ilistened，andgotsuchalessonasonlyanoble，gentleladycouldgive。Ishallneverforgetyourwomanlyart，andthewayyoucontrivedtomakethebenefactionsoundnothing。'Weareallofusatlowwaterinturns，andforatime，especiallyme，ZoeVizard；sohere'satriflingloan。'Aloan!you'llneverseeashillingofitagain!Nomatter。Whatdoangelswantofmoney?"
　　"Oh，pray，"saidZoe，"youmakemeblush!"
　　"ThenIwishtherewasmorelighttoseeit——yes，anangel。DoyouthinkIcan'tseeyouhavedoneallthisforaladyyoudonotreallyapprove?
　　Fancy——ashedoctor!"
　　"Mydearfriend，"saidZoe，withalittlejuvenilepomposity，"oneoughtnottojudgeone'sintellectualsuperiorshastily，andthisladyisours"——then，glidingbacktoherself，"anditismynaturetoapprovewhatthoseIloveapprove——whenitisnotdownrightwrong，youknow。"
　　"Oh，ofcourseitisnotwrong；butisitwise?"
　　Zoedidnotanswer:thequestionpuzzledher。
　　"Come，"saidhe，"I'llbefrank，andspeakoutintime。Idon'tthinkyouknowyourbrotherHarrington。Heisveryinflammable。"
　　"Inflammable!What!Harrington?Well，yes；forI'veseensmokeissuefromhismouth——ha!ha!"
　　"Ha!ha!I'llpassthatoffformine，somedaywhenyouarenotby。But，seriously，yourbrotheristheverymantomakeafoolofhimselfwithacertainkindofwoman。Hedespisesthewholesex——intheory，andheisveryharduponordinarywomen，anddoesnotappreciatetheirgoodqualities。But，whenhemeetsaremarkablewoman，hecatchesfireliketow。HefellinlovewithMademoiselleKlosking。"
　　"Oh，notinlove!"
　　"Ibegyourpardon。Now，thisisbetweenyouandme——hewasinlovewithher，madlyinlove。Hewasonlysavedbyourcomingaway。Ifthosetwohadmetandmadeacquaintance，hewouldhavebeenathermercy。Idon'tsayanyharmwouldhavecomeofit；butIdosaythatwouldhavedependedonthewoman，andnotontheman。"
　　Zoelookedveryserious，andsaidnothing。Butherlongsilenceshowedhimhiswordshadtold。
　　"Andnow，"saidhe，afterajudiciouspause，"hereisanotherremarkablewoman；thelastintheworldIshouldfancy，orVizardeither，perhaps，ifhemetherinsociety。Butthewholethingoccursinthewaytocatchhim。Hefindsaladyfaintingwithhunger；hefeedsher；andthatsoftenshishearttoher。Thenshetellshimtheoldstory——victimoftheworld'sinjustice——andheisdeeplyinterestedinher。Shecanseethat；sheisaskeenasarazor。Ifthosetwomeetafewmoretimes，hewillbeathermercy；andthenwon'tshethrowphysictothedogs，andjumpatahusbandsixfeethigh，andtwelvethousandacres!Idon'tstudywomenwithamicroscope，asourwoman-haterdoes，butInoticeafewthingsaboutthem；andoneis，thattheireccentricitiesallgivewayatthefirstofferofmarriage。Ibelievetheyareonlyadoptedindesperation，togetmarried。Whatbeautifulwomanisevereccentric?catchher!shecangetahusbandwithout。ThatdoctresswillprescribeHarringtonawedding-ring；
　　and，ifheswallowsit，itwillbeherlastprescription。Shewillsendoutforthefamilydoctorafterthat，likeotherwives。"
　　"Youalarmme，"saidZoe。"Praydonotmakemeunjust。Thisisaladywithafinemind，and，notadesigningwoman。"
　　"Oh，Idon'tsayshehaslaidanyplans；butthesethingsarealwaysextemporizedthemomentthechancecomes。Youcancountbeforehandontheinstinctofeverywomanwhoiscleverandneedy，andonVizard'speculiarweaknessforwomenoutofthecommon。Heisharduponthewholesex；butheisnomatchforindividuals。Heownedasmuchhimselftomeoneday。
　　Youarenotangrywithme!"
　　"No，no。Angrywith_you?"_
　　"ItisyouIthinkofinallthis。Heisafinefellow，andyouareproudofhim。Iwouldn'thavehimmarrytomortifyyou。Formyself，whilethesisterhonorsmewithherregard，Ireallydon'tmuchcarewhohasthebrotherandtheacres。Ihavethebestofthebargain。"
　　Zoedisputedthis——inordertomakehimsayitseveraltimes。
　　Hedid，andproveditintermsthatmadehercheeksredwithmodestyandgratifiedpride；andbythetimetheyhadgothome，hehadflatteredeverythingbutpride，love，andhappinessoutofherheart，poorgirl。
　　TheworldisliketheLaw，fullofimpliedcontracts:wegiveandtake，withoutopenlyagreeingto。SubtleSevernecountedonthis，andwasnotdisappointed。Zoerewardedhimforhispraises，andherhappiness，byfallingintohisviewsaboutRhodaGale。Onlyshediditinherownlady-likeway，andnotplump。
　　ShecameuptoHarringtonandkissedhim，andsaid，"Thankyou，dear，forsendingmeonagooderrand。Ifoundherinaverymeanapartment，withoutfireorcandle。"
　　"Ithoughtasmuch，"saidVizard。
　　"Didshetakethemoney?"
　　"Yes——asaloan。"
　　"Makeanydifficulties?"
　　"Alittle，dear。"
　　Severneputinhisword。"Now，ifyouwanttoknowallthetactanddelicacywithwhichitwasdone，youmustcometome；forMissVizardisnotgoingtogiveyouanyideaofit。"
　　"Bequiet，sir，orIshallbeveryangry。Ilentherthemoney，dear，andhertroublesareatanend；forhermotherwillcertainlyjoinherbeforeshehasspentyourtwentypounds。Oh!andshehadnotpartedwithherring；thatisacomfort，isitnot?"
　　"Youareagood-heartedgirl，Zoe，"saidVizard，approvingly；then，recoveringhimself，"Butdon'tyoubeblindedbysentiment。Shedeservesagoodhidingfornotpartingwithherring。Whereisthesenseofstarving，withthirtypoundsonyourfinger?"
　　Zoesmiled，andsaidhiswordswereharderthanhisdeeds。
　　"Becausehedoesn'tmeanawordhesays，"putinFannyDover，uneasyatthelongcessationofhertongue，forallconversationwithDonCigarhadprovedimpracticable。
　　"Areyoutherestill，myLadyDisdain?"saidVizard。"Ithoughtyouweregonetobed。"
　　"Youmightwellthinkthat。Ihadnothingtokeepmeup。"
　　SaidZoe，rathersmartly，"Oh，yes，youhad——Curiosity；"then，turningtoherbrother，"Inshort，youmakeyourmindquiteeasy。Youhavelentyourmoney，orgivenit，toaworthyperson，butalittlewrong-headed。
　　However"——withatelegraphicglanceatSeverne——"sheisveryaccomplished；alinguist:sheneedneverbeinwant；andshewillsoonhavehermothertohelpherandadviseher。PerhapsMrs。Galehasanincome；ifnot，MissGale，withherabilities，willeasilyfindaplaceinsomehouseofbusiness，orelsetaketoteaching。IfIwasthem，I
　　wouldsetupaschool。"
　　Unanimityisrareinthisworld；butZoe'sgoodsensecarriedeveryvote。
　　Herprompter，Severne，noddedapproval。Fannysaid，"Why，ofcourse；"andVizard，whoitwasfearedmightproverefractory，assentedevenmorewarmlythantheothers。"Yes，"saidhe，"thatwillbetheendofit。Yourelievemeofaweight。Really，whenshetoldmethatfableoflearningmaltreated，honorableambitionpunished，justicebaffledbytrickery，andvirtuevilified，anddidnotcryliketherestofyou，exceptatherfatherdyinginNewYorkthedayshewonherdiplomaatMontpelier，I
　　forgavethepoorgirlherpetticoats；indeed，Ilostsightofthem。Sheseemedtomeaverybravelittlefellow，damnablyillused，andIsaid，'Thisisnottobeborne。Hereisafight，andjusticedownunderdirtyfeet。'What，ho!"roaringatthetopofhisvoice。
　　_ZoeandFanny_screaming，andpinchingNedSevernerightandleft。
　　"Ah!ah!"
　　"Vizardtotherescue!"
　　"But，withtheevening，coolreflectioncame。Asister，youthful，butsuddenlysagaciouswithagleamofsuspicion，verysuddenlyhasstilledthewavesofromance，andthelipsofbeautyhaveutteredcommonsense。
　　Shalltheyutteritinvain?Never!Itmaybeyearsbeforetheydoitagain。Wemustnotslightrarephenomena。Zoe_locutaest——_Eccentricitymustbesuppressed。Doctresses，warnedbyalittlestarvation，musttaketheworldasitis，andteachlittlegirlsandboyslanguages，andphysicthemwitharithmeticandtheglobes:thesebedrugsthatdonotkill；
　　theyonlymakelifeaburden。Idon'tthinkwehavelaidoutourtwentypoundsbadly，Zoe，andthereisanendofit。Theincidentisemptied，astheFrenchsay，andlightingbed-candlestheladiesretirewiththehonorsofwar。Zoehasutteredgoodsense，andMissDoverhasdonethenextbestthing；shehassaidverylittle——"
　　MissDovershotincontemptuously，"Ihadnocompanion——"——
　　"Forwantofafooltospeakhermindto。"
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　INGENIOUSMr。SevernehavingdonehisbesttodetachthepoordoctressfromVizardandhisfamily，inwhichthereaderprobablydiscernshistruemotive，nowbenthismindonslippingbacktoHomburgandlookingafterhismoney。Notthathelikedthejob。Togetholdofit，heknewhemustcondenserascality；hemustplaythepenitent，thelover，andthescoundreloveragain，allinthreedays。
　　Now，thoughhisegotismwasbrutal，hewashumaninthis，thathehadplentyofgoodnatureskin-deep，andsuperficialsensibilities，whichmadehimshrinkalittlefromthishot-pressedrascalityandbarbarity。
　　Ontheotherhand，hewasurgedbypoverty，and，laughableasitmayappear，byjealousy。Hehadobservedthatthebestofwomen，iftheyarenotonlyabandonedbyhimtheylove，butalsoflatteredandadoredbyscores，willsometimesyieldtothejointattacksofdesolation，pique，vanity，etc。
　　Inthisstateoffluctuationhemadeuphismindsofarasthis:hewouldmanagesoastobeabletogo。
　　Eventhisdemandedcaution。Sohebeganbythrowingout，inaseemingcarelessway，thatheoughttogodownintoHuntingdonshire。
　　"Ofcourseyouought，"saidVizard。
　　Noobjectionwastaken，andtheyratherthoughthewouldgonextday。Butthatwasnothisgame。ItwouldneverdotogowhiletheywereinLondon。
　　Sohekeptpostponing，andsayinghewouldnottearhimselfaway；andatlast，thedaybeforetheyweretogodowntoBarfordshire，heaffectedtoyieldtoaremonstranceofVizard，andsaidhewouldseethemoff，andthenrundowntoHuntingdonshire，lookintohisaffairs，andcrossthecountrytoBarfordshire。
　　"YoumighttakeHomburgontheway，"saidFanny，outoffun——_her_
　　fun——notreallymeaningit。
　　SevernecastapiteouslookatZoe。"Forshame，Fanny!"saidshe。"AndwhyputHomburgintohishead?"
　　"WhenIhadforgottentherewassuchaplace，"saidMr。Severne，takinghiscuedexterouslyfromZoe，andfeigninginnocentamazement。Zoecoloredwithpleasure。Thiswasatbreakfast。Atafternoonteasomethinghappened。Theladieswereupstairspacking，anoperationonwhichtheycanbestowasmanyhoursasthethingneedsminutes。Oneservantbroughtinthetea；anothercameinsoonafterwithacard，andsaiditwasforMissVizard；buthebroughtittoHarrington。Hereadit:
　　"MISSRHODAGALE，M。D。"
　　"SendituptoMissVizard，"saidhe。Themanwasgoingout:hestoppedhim，andsaid，"Youcanshowtheladyinhere，allthesame。"
　　RhodaGalewasusheredin。Shehadanewgownandbonnet，notshowy，butverynice。Shecoloredfaintlyatsightofthetwogentlemen；butVizardsoonputheratherease。Heshookhandswithher，andsaid，"Sitdown，MissGale；mysisterwillsoonbehere。Ihavesentyourcarduptoher。"
　　"ShallItellher?"saidSeverne，withthemannerofoneeagertobeagreeabletothevisitor。
　　"Ifyouplease，sir，"saidMissGale。
　　Severnewentoutzealously，darteduptoZoe'sroom，knocked，andsaid，"Praycomedown:hereisthatdoctress。"
　　Meantime，JackwasgivingGillthecard，andGillwasgivingitMarytogivetothelady。ItgottoZoe'sroominaquarterofanhour。
　　"Anynewsfrommamma?"askedVizard，inhisbluntway。
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Goodnews?"
　　"No。MymotherwritesmethatImustnotexpecther。Shehastofightwithadishonestexecutor。Oh，money，money!"
　　AtthatmomentZoeenteredtheroom，butSevernepacedthelanding。HedidnotcaretofaceMissGale；andeveninthatshortintervaloftimehehadpersuadedZoetoprotectherbrotheragainstthisformidableyounglady，andshortentheinterviewifshecould。
　　SoZoeenteredtheroombristlingwithdefenseofherbrother。Atsightofher，MissGalerose，andherfeaturesliterallyshonewithpleasure。
　　ThiswasratherdisarmingtoonesoamiableasZoe，andshewassurprisedintosmilingsweetlyinreturn；butstillherquick，defensiveeyedrankMissGaleonthespot，andsaw，withalarm，theimprovementinherappearance。Shewasveryhealthy，asindeedshedeservedtobe；forshewassingularlytemperate，dranknothingbutwaterandweakteawithoutsugar，andnevereatnordrankexceptathonestmeals。Heryouthandpureconstitutionhadshakenoffallthatpallor，andthepleasureofseeingZoelentheralovelycolor。Zoemicroscopedherinonemoment:notonebeautifulfeatureinherwholeface；eyesfullofintellect，butnotintheleastlove-darting；nose，anaquilinesteadilyreversed；mouth，vastlyexpressive，butlarge；teeth，evenandwhite，butivory，notpearl；chin，ordinary；headsymmetrical，andsetonwithgrace。Imayadd，tocompletethepicture，thatshehadawayofturningthishead，clean，swift，andbirdlike，withoutturningherbody。Thatfamiliaractionofherswasfine——sofulloffireandintelligence。
　　Zoesettledinonemomentthatshewasdownrightplain，butmightprobablybethatmysteriousandincomprehensibleanddangerouscreature，"agentleman'sbeauty，"which，towomen，meansnobeautyatall，butawitch-likecreature，thatgoesandhitsfoul，andeclipsesrealbeauty——dolls，towit——bysomemysteriousmagic。
　　"Praysitdown，"saidZoe，formally。Rhodasatdown，andhesitatedamoment。Shefeltafrost。
　　Vizardhelpedher，"MissGalehasheardfromhermother。"
　　"Yes，MissVizard，"saidRhoda，timidly；"andverybadnews。Shecannotcomeatpresent；andIamsodistressedatwhatIhavedoneinborrowingthatmoneyofyou；andsee，Ihavespentnearlythreepoundsofitindress；butIhavebroughttherestback。"
　　Zoelookedatherbrother，perplexed。
　　"Stuffandnonsense!"saidVizard。"Youwillnottakeit，Zoe。"
　　"Oh，yes；ifyouplease，do，"saidRhodastilltoZoe。"WhenIborrowedit，IfeltsureIcouldrepayit；butitisnotsonow。Mymothersaysitmaybemonthsbeforeshecancome，andsheforbidsmepositivelytogotoher。Oh!butforthat，I'dputonboy'sclothes，andgoasacommonsailortogettoher。"
　　Vizardfidgetedonhischair。
　　"IsupposeImustn'tgoinapassion，"saidhe，dryly。
　　"Whocares?"saidMissGale，turningherheadsharplyonhiminthewayI
　　havetriedtodescribe。
　　"Icare，"saidVizard。"Ifindwrathinterferewithmydigestion。Pleasegoon，andtelluswhatyourmothersays。ShehasmorecommonsensethansomebodyelseIwon'tname——politenessforbids。"
　　"Well，whodoubtsthat?"saidthelady，withfrankgoodhumor。"Ofcourseshehasmoresensethananyofus。Well，mymothersays——oh，MissVizard!"
　　"No，shedoesn'tnow。SheneverheardthenameofVizard。"
　　MissGalewasinnohumorforfeeblejokes。SheturnedhalfangrilyawayfromhimtoZoe。"ShesaysIhavebeenwelleducated，andknowlanguages；
　　andwearebothunderacloud，andIhadbettergiveupallthoughtofmedicine，andtaketoteaching。"
　　"Well，MissGale，"saidZoe，"ifyouask_me，_ImustsayIthinkitisgoodadvice。Withallyourgifts，howcanyoufighttheworld?Weareallinterestedinyouhere；anditisacuriousthing，butdoyouknowweagreedtheotherdayyouwouldhavetogiveupmedicine，andfallintosomeoccupationinwhichtherearemanyladiesalreadytokeepyouincountenance。Teachingwasmentioned，Ithink；wasitnot，Harrington?"
　　RhodaGalesigheddeeply。
　　"Iamnotsurprised，"saidshe。"Mostwomenoftheworldthinkwithyou。
　　Butoh，MissVizard，pleasetakeintoaccountallthatIhavedoneandsufferedformedicine!Isallthattogofor_nothing?_Thinkwhatabitterthingitmustbetodo，andthentoundo；tolaborandstudy，andthenknockitalldown——tocutasliceoutofone'slife，outoftheveryheartofit——andthrowitcleanaway。Iknowitishardforyoutoenterintothefeelingsofanyonewholovesscience，andistoldtodesertit。
　　Butsupposeyouhadloveda_man_youwereproudof——lovedhimforfiveyears——andthentheycametoyouandsaid，'Therearedifficultiesintheway；heisasworthyasever，andhewillneverdesert_you；_butyoumustgive_him_up，andtryandgetatasteforhumanrubbish:itwillonlybefiveyearsofwastedlife，wastedyouth，wastedseed-time，wastedaffection，andthenalongvegetablelifeofunavailingregrets。'Ilovescienceasotherwomenlovemen。IfIamtogiveupscience，whynotdie?
　　ThenIshallnotfeelmyloss；andIknowhowtodiewithoutpain。Oh，theworldiscruel!Ah!Iamtoounfortunate!Everybodyelseisrewardedforpatience，prudence，temperance，industry，andalifewithhighandalmostholyaims；butIampunished，afflicted，crushedundertheinjusticeoftheday。Donotmakemeanurse-maid。I_won't_beagoverness；andImustnotdie，becausethatwouldgrievemymother。Havepityonme!havepity!"
　　Shetrembledallover，andstretchedoutherhandstoZoewithtrulytouchingsupplication。
　　Zoeforgotherpart，orlostthepowertoplayitwell。Sheturnedherheadawayandwouldnotassent；buttwolargetearsrolledoutofherbeautifuleyes。MissGale，whohadrisenintheardorofherappeal，sawthat，anditsetheroff。Sheleanedherbrowagainstthemantel-piece，notlikeawoman，butabraveboy，thatdoesnotwanttobeseencrying，andshefalteredout，"InFranceIamalearnedphysician；andheretobeahouse-maid!ForIwon'tliveonborrowedmoney。Iamveryunfortunate。"
　　Severne，whohadlostpatience，cameswiftlyin，andfoundtheminthisposition，andVizardwalkingimpatientlyabouttheroominastateofemotionwhichhewaspleasedtocallanger。
　　Zoe，inatearfulvoice，said，"Iamunabletoadviseyou。Itisveryhardthatanyonesodeservingshouldbedegraded。"
　　Vizardburstout，"Itishardertheworldshouldbesofullofconventionalsneaks；andthatIwasnearmakingoneofthem。Thelastthingweeverthinkof，inthispaltryworld，isjustice，anditoughttobethefirst。Well，foronceI'vegotthepowertobejust，andjustI'llbe，byGod!Come，leaveoffsniveling，youtwo，andtakealessoninjustice——fromabeginner:convertsarealwaysthehottest，youknow。MissGale，youshallnotbedrivenoutofscience，andyourlifeandlaborwasted。YoushalldoctorBarfordshire，andteachitEnglish，too，ifanywomancan。Thisistheprogramme。Ifarmtwohundredacres——_vicariously，_ofcourse。NobodyinEnglandhasbrainstodoanything_himself。_Thatweaknessisconfinedtoyourlatefather'scountry，andtheysufferforitbyoutfighting，outlying，outmaneuvering，outbullying，andoutwittinguswheneverweencounterthem。Well，thefarmhouseislarge。Thebailiffhasnochildren。Thereisawingfurnished，andnotoccupied。Youshalllivethere，withtherightofcuttingvegetables，roastingchickens，suckingeggs，andridingacoupleofhorsesofftheirlegs。"
　　"ButwhatamItodoforallthat?"
　　"Oh，onlytheworkoftwomen。Youmustkeepmyhouseinperfecthealth。
　　Theservantshaveatrickofeatingtilltheyburst。Youwillhavetosewthemupagain。Thereareonlysevenhundredpeopleinthevillage。Youmustcurethemall；and，ifyoudo，Ipromiseyoutheirlastingingratitude。Outsidethevillage，youmustmakethempay——_ifyoucan。_
　　Wewillfindyoupatientsofeverydegree。Butwhetheryouwillevergetanyfeesoutofthem，thisdeponentsayethnot。However，Icananswerforthe_ladies_ofourcounty，thattheywillallcheatyou——iftheycan。"
　　MissGale'scolorcameandwent，andhereyessparkled。"Oh，howgoodyouare!Isthereahospital?"
　　"Countyhospital，andinfirmary，withinthreemiles。Finecountryfordisease。Intoxicationprevalent，leadingtoabountifulreturnofaccidents。Ipromiseyouwounds，bruises，andputrefyingsores，andeverythingtomakeyoucomfortable。"
　　"Oh，don'tlaughatme。IamsoafraidIshall——no，IhopeIshallnotdisgraceyou。And，then，itisagainstthelaw；butIdon'tmindthat。"
　　"Ofcoursenot。Whatisthelawtoladieswithelevatedviews?By-the-by，whatisthepenalty——sixmonths?"
　　"Oh，no。Twentypounds。Oh，dear!anothertwentypounds!"
　　"Makeyourmindeasy。Unjustlawsareadeadletteronasoilsoprimitiveasours。IshalltalktoUxmoorandafewmore，andnomagistratewilleversummonsyou，norjuryconvictyou，inBarfordshire。
　　YouwillbeassafethereasinUpperCanada。Nowthen——attend。WeleaveforBarfordshireto-morrow。Youwillgodownonthefirstofnextmonth。
　　Bythattimeallwillbeready:startforTaddington，eleveno'clock。YouwillbemetattheTaddingtonStation，andtakentoyourfarmhouse。Youwillfindafiretendaysold，and，foronceinyourlife，younglady，youwillfindanairedbed；becausemymanHarriswillbehouse-maid，andnotletoneofyourhomicidalsexsetfootinthecrib。"
　　MissGalelookedfromVizardtohissister，likeapersoninadream。Shewasglowingwithhappiness；butitdidnotspoilher。Shesaid，humblyandtimidly，"IhopeImayproveworthy。"
　　"Thatis_your_business，"saidVizard，withsupremeindifference；"mineistobejust。Haveacupoftea?"
　　"Oh，no，thankyou；anditwillbeapartofmydutytoobjecttoafternoontea。ButIamafraidnoneofyouwillmindme。"
　　Afterafewmorewords，inwhichSeverne，seeingVizardwasinoneofhisironmoods，andimmovableashimofRhodes，affectednowtobeapartisanofthenewarrangement，MissGalerosetoretire。Severneranbeforehertothedoor，andopenedit，astoaqueen。Shebowedformallytohimasshewentout。Whenshewasontheothersidethedoor，sheturnedherheadinhersharp，fieryway，andpointedwithherfingertotheemeraldringonhislittlefinger，averyfineone。"Changedhands，"saidshe:
　　"itwasonthethirdfingerofyourlefthandwhenwemetlast；"andshepasseddownthestairswithafacehalfturnedtohim，andacruelsmile。
　　Severnestoodfixed，lookingafterher；coldcreptamonghisbones:hewasrousedbyavoiceabovehimsaying，veryinquisitively，"Whatdoesshesay?"Helookedup，anditwasFannyDoverleaningoverthebalustersofthenextlanding。Shehadevidentlyseenall，andheardsome。Severnehadnomeansofknowinghowmuch。Hisheartbeatrapidly。Yethetoldher，boldly，thatthedoctresshadadmiredhisemeraldring:asiftogivegreaterforcetothisexplanation，hetookitoff，andshowedither，veryamicably。Hecalculatedthatshecouldhardly，atthatdistance，haveheardeverysyllable，and，atthesametime，hewassureshehadseenMissGalepointatthering。
　　"Hum!"saidFanny；andthatwasallshesaid。
　　Severnewenttohisownroomtothink。Hewasalmostdizzy。HedreadedthisRhodaGale。Shewasincomprehensible，andheldaswordoverhishead。Tonguesgofastinthecountry。AttheideaofthiskeengirlandZoeVizardsittingunderatreefortwohours，withnothingtodobuttalk，hisbloodrancold。SurelyMissGalemusthatehim。Shewouldnotalwayssparehim。Foroncehecouldnotseehiswayclear。Shouldhetellherhalfthetruth，andthrowhimselfonhermercy?Shouldhemakelovetoher?Orwhatshouldhedo?Onethinghesawclearenough:hemustnotquitthefield。Soonerorlater，allwoulddependonhispresence，histact，andhisreadywit。
　　Hefeltlikeamanwhocouldnotswim，andwadesindeepeningwater。HemustsendsomebodytoHomburg，orabandonallthoughtofhismoney。Whyabandonit?WhynotreturntoInaKlosking?Hisjudgment，alarmedattheaccumulatingdifficulties，begantointrudeitsvoice。Whatwasheturninghisbackon?Awoman，lovely，loving，andcelebrated，whowasverylikelypiningforhim，andwouldshare，notonlyherwinningsatplaywithhim，butthelargeincomeshewouldmakebyhertalent。Whatwashefollowing?Awomandivinelylovelyandgood，butwhomhecouldnotpossess，or，ifhedid，couldnotholdherlong，andwhoselovemustendinhorror。