"So_I_thought，tillIheardyousingit。"
　　"And，afterSiebel，youboughtmyphotograph。"
　　"Instantly。"
　　"Andwastedpearlsonit。"
　　"No，madam。Iwasteditonpearls。"
　　"IfIwerewell，Ishouldcallthatextravagant。Butitispermittedtoflatterthesick——itiskind。Meyouoverrate，Ifear；butyoudowelltohonormusic。Ay，I，wholieherewoundedandbroken-hearted，dothankGodformusic。Ourbodiesaresooncrushed，ourlovesdecayorturntohate，butartisimmortal。"
　　Shecouldnolongerrollthisoutinhergrandcontralto，butshecouldstillraisehereyeswithenthusiasm，andherpalefacewasilluminated。
　　Agrandsoulshonethroughher，thoughshewaspale，weak，andprostrate。
　　Theyadmiredherinsilence。
　　Afterawhilesheresumed，andsaid，"IfIlive，Imustliveformyartalone。"
　　MissGalesawherapproachingadangeroustopic，soshesaid，hastily，"Don'tsay_if_youlive，please，becausethatisarranged。Youhavebeenoutofdangerthistwenty-fourhours，providedyoudonotrelapse；andI
　　musttakecareofthat。"
　　"Mykindfriend，"saidIna，"Ishallnotrelapse；onlymyweaknessispitiable。SometimesIcanscarcelyforbearcrying，Ifeelsoweak。WhenshallIbestronger?"
　　"Youshallbealittlestrongereverythreedays。Therearealwaysupsanddownsinconvalescence。"
　　"WhenshallIbestrongenoughtomove?"
　　"Letmeanswerthatquestion，"saidVizard。"WhenyouarestrongenoughtosingusSiebel'sgreatsong。"
　　"There，"saidFannyDover；"thereisamercenaryhostforyou。Hemeanstohaveasongoutofyou。Tillthenyouarehisprisoner。"
　　"No，no，sheismine，saidMissGale；"andsheshan'tgotillshehassungme'Hail，Columbia。'NoneofyourItaliantrashforme。"
　　Inasmiled，andsaiditwasafaircondition，providedthat"Hail，Columbia，"withwhichcomposition，unfortunately，shewasunacquainted，wasnotbeyondherpowers。"Ihaveoftensungformoney，"saidshe；"butthistime"——heresheopenedhergrandarmsandtookRhodaGaletoherbosom——"Ishallsingforlove。"
　　"Nowwehavesettledthat，"saidVizard，"mymindismoreatease，andI
　　willretire。"
　　"Onemoment，"saidIna，turningtohim。Then，inalowandverymeaningvoice，_"Thereissomethingelse。"_
　　"Nodoubtthereisplenty，"saidMissGale，sharply；"and，bymyauthority，Ipostponeitalltillyouarestronger。Bidusgood-byforthepresent，Mr。Vizard。"
　　"Iobey，"saidhe。"But，madam，pleaserememberIamalwaysatyourservice。Sendformewhenyouplease，andtheoftenerthebetterforme。"
　　"Thankyou，mykindhost。Obligemewithyourhand。"
　　Hegaveherhishand。Shetookit，andputherlipstoitwithpureandgentleandseemlygratitude，andwithnolossofdignity，thoughtheactwashumble。
　　Heturnedhisheadaway，tohidetheemotionthatactandthetouchofhersweetlipscausedhim；MissGalehurriedhimoutoftheroom。
　　"Younaughtypatient，"saidshe；"youmustdonothingtoexciteyourself。"
　　"Sweetphysician，lovingnurse，Iamnotexcited。"
　　MissGalefeltherhearttosee。
　　"Gratitudedoesnotexcite，"saidIna。"Itistootameafeelinginthebestofus。"
　　"Thatisafact，"saidMissGale；"soletusallbegrateful，andavoidexcitingtopics。ThinkwhatIshouldfeelifyouhadarelapse。Why，youwouldbreakmyheart。"
　　"ShouldI?"
　　"Ireallythinkyouwould，toughasitis。Onegetssofondofanunselfishpatient。Youcannotthinkhowraretheyare，dear。Youareapearl。Icannotaffordtoloseyou。"
　　"Thenyoushallnot，"saidIna，firmly。"KnowthatI，whoseemsoweak，amawomanofgreatresolution。Iwillfollowgoodcounsel；IwillpostponealldangeroustopicstillIamstronger；Iwilllive。ForIwillnotgrievethetruefriendscalamityhasraisedme。"
　　OfcourseFannytoldZoeallaboutthisinterview。Shelistenedgloomily；
　　andallshesaidwas，"Sistersdonotgoformuchwhenamanisinlove。"
　　"Dobrothers，whenawomanis?"saidFanny。
　　"Idaresaytheygoforasmuchastheyareworth。"
　　"Zoe，thatisnotfair。Harringtonisfullofaffectionforyou。Butyouwillnotgonearhim。Anyothermanwouldbeveryangry。Dopraymakeaneffort，andcomedowntodinnerto-day。"
　　"No，no。HehasyouandhisKlosking。AndIhavemybrokenheart。I_am_
　　alone；andsowillbeallalone。"
　　Shecriedandsobbed，butshewasobstinate，andFannycouldonlyletherhaveherownwayinthat。
　　Anotherquestionwassoondisposedof。WhenFannyinvitedherintothesickroom，shesaid，haughtily，"Igotherenomore。Cureher，andsendheraway——ifHarringtonwilllethergo。Idaresaysheistobepitied。"
　　"Ofcoursesheis。Sheisyourfellow-victim，ifyouwouldonlyletyourselfseeit。"
　　"Unfortunately，insteadofpityingher，Ihateher。Shehasdestroyedmyhappiness，anddoneherselfnogood。Hedoesnotloveher，andneverwill。"
　　Fannyfoundherselfgettingangry，soshesaidnomore；forshewasdeterminednothingshouldmakeherquarrelwithpoorZoe；butafterdinner，being_te'te-'a-te'te_withVizard，shetoldhimshewasafraidZoecouldnotseethingsastheywere；andsheaskedhimifhehadanyideawhathadbecomeofSeverne。
　　"Fledthecountry，Isuppose。"
　　"Areyousureheisnotlurkingabout?"
　　"Whatfor?"
　　"TogetawordwithZoe——alone。"
　　"Hewillnotcomenearthis。Iwillbreakeveryboneinhisskinifhedoes。"
　　"Butheissosly；hemighthangabout。"
　　"Whatfor?Shenevergoesout；andifshedid，haveyousopooranopinionofherastothinkshewouldspeaktohim?"
　　"Oh，no!andshewouldforbidhimtospeaktoher。Buthewouldbesuretopersist；andhehassuchwonderfulpowersofexplanation，andsheisblindedbylove，Ithinkhewouldmakeherbelieveblackwaswhite，ifhehadachance；andifheisabout，hewillgetachancesomeday。Sheisdoingtheveryworstthingshecould——shuttingherselfupso。Anymomentshewillturnwild，andrushoutreckless。Sheisinadangerousstate，youmarkmywords；sheisbroken-hearted，andyetsheisbitteragainsteverybody，exceptthatyoungvillain，andheistheonlyenemyshehasintheworld。Idon'tbelieveMademoiselleKloskingeverwrongedher，noreverwill。Appearancesareagainsther；butsheisagoodwoman，orIamafool。Takemyadvice，Harrington，andbeonyourguard。IfhehadwrittenapenitentlettertoMademoiselleKlosking，thatwouldbeadifferentthing；butheignoresher，andthatfrightensmeforZoe。"
　　HarringtonwouldnotadmitthatZoeneededanyothersafeguardagainstadetectedscoundrelthanherownsenseofdignity。Heconsented，however，totakeprecautions，ifFannywouldsolemnlypromisenottotellZoe，andsowoundher。Onthatcondition，hewouldseehishead-keepertomorrow，andallthekeepersandwatchersshouldbepostedsoastoencircletheparishwithvigilance。HeassuredFannythesefellowshadawholesystemofsignalstotheearandeye，andSevernecouldnotgetwithinamileofthehouseundetected。"But，"saidhe，"Iwillnottrusttothatalone。I
　　willsendanadvertisementtothelocalpapersandtheleadingLondonjournals，sowordedthatthescoundrelshallknowhisforgeryisdetected，andthathewillbearrestedonamagistrate'swarrantifhesetsfootinBarfordshire。"
　　Fannysaidthatwascapital，and，altogether，hehadsethermindatrest。
　　"Thendoasmuchforme，"saidVizard。"Pleaseexplainaremarkablephenomenon。Youwerealwaysabrightgirl，andnofool；butnotexactlywhathumdrumpeoplewouldcallagoodgirl。Youarenotoffended?"
　　"Theidea!Why，Ihavepubliclydisownedgoodnessagainandagain。Youhaveheardme。"
　　"SoIhave。Butwasnotthatratherdeceitfulofyou?foryouhaveturnedoutasgoodasgold。Anxietyhaskeptmeathomeoflate，andIhavewatchedyou。Youliveforothers；youarealloverthehousetoservetwosuffering_women。_Thatisrealcharity，notsexualcharity，whichhumbugstheworld，butnotme。Youarecook，housemaid，butler，nurse，andfriendtobothofthem。Inanintervalofyourtime，socreditablyemployed，youcomeandcheermeupwithyourbrightlittleface，andgivemewiseadvice。Iknowthatwomenareallhumbugs；onlyyouareahumbugreversed，anddeserveastatue——andtrimmings。Youhavebeenpassingyourselfoffforanaughtygirl，andallthetimeyouwereanextragoodone。"
　　"Andthatpuzzlesthewoman-hater，thecynicalstudent，whosayshehasfathomedwoman。MypoordearHarrington，ifyoucannotreadsoshallowacharacterasIam，howwillyougetonwiththoseladiesupstairs——Zoe，whoisasdeepasthesea，andturbidwithpassion，andtheKlosking，whoisasdeepastheocean?"
　　Shethoughtamomentandsaid，"There，Iwillhavepityonyou。Youshallunderstandonewomanbeforeyoudie，andthatisme。I'llgiveyoutheclewtomyseeminginconsistencies——if_you_willgive_me_acigarette。"
　　"What!anotherhiddenvirtue?Yousmoke?"
　　"NotI，exceptwhenIhappentobewithanoblesoulwhowon'ttell。"
　　VizardfoundheraRussiancigarette，andlightedhisowncigar，andshelecturedasfollows:
　　"Whatwomenlove，andcan'tdowithout，iftheyareyoungandhealthyandspirited，is——Excitement。Iamonewhopinesforit。Now，societyissoconstructedthattogetexcitementyoumustbenaughty。Waltzingallnightandflirtingalldayareexcitement。Crochet，andchurch，andexamininggirlsinSt。Matthew，anddining_enfamille，_andgoingtobedatten，arestagnation。Goodgirls——thatmeansstagnantgirls:Ihateanddespisethetamelittlewretches，andIneverwasone，andneverwillbe。
　　Butnowlookhere:Wehavetwoladiesinlovewithonevillain——thatisexciting。Onegetsnearlykilledinthehouse——thatisgloriouslyexciting。Theotherisbroken-hearted。IfIweretobeabadgirl，andsay，'Itisnotmybusiness；Iwillleavethemtothemselves，andgomylittlemill-roundofselfishnessasbefore，'why，whatafoolImustbe!
　　IshouldloseExcitement。Insteadofthat，IrunandgetthinksfortheKlosking——Excitement。Icookforher，andnurseher，andsituphalfthenight——Excitement。ThenIruntoZoe，anddomybestforher——andgetsnubbed——Excitement。ThenIsitattheheadofyourtable，andorderyou——Excitement。Oh，itislovely!"
　　"Shallyounotbesorrywhentheybothgetwell，andRoutinerecommences?"
　　"OfcourseIshall。ThatisthesortofgoodgirlIam。And，oh!whenthatfataldaycomes，howIshallflirt。Heavenhelpmynextflirtee!I
　　shallsoonflirtoutthestigmaofagoodgirl。Youmarkmywords，I
　　shallflirtwithsome_marriedman_afterthis。Ineverdidthatyet。ButIshall；IknowIshall——Ah!——there，Ihaveburnedmyfinger。"
　　"Nevermind。Thatisexciting。"
　　"AssuchIacceptit。Good-by。ImustgoandrelieveMissGale。Exitthegoodgirlonhermissionofcharity——ha!ha!"Shehummeda_valse'adeuxtemps，_andwentdancingoutwithsuchawhirlthatherpetticoats，whichwereample，andnot，asnow，likeasacktiedattheknees，madequiteacoolairintheroom。
　　ShehadnotbeengonelongwhenMissGalecamedown，fullofherpatient。
　　Shewantedtogetheroutofbedduringthedaytime，butsaidshewasnotstrongenoughtositup。WouldheorderaninvalidcouchdownfromLondon?Shedescribedthearticle，andwhereitwastobehad。
　　HesaidHarrisshouldgoupinthemorningandbringonedownwithhim。
　　Hethenputherseveralquestionsaboutherpatient；andatlastaskedher，withananxietyheinvainendeavoredtoconceal，whatshethoughtwastherelationbetweenherandSeverne。
　　NowitmayberememberedthatMissGalehadoncebeenonthepointoftellinghimallsheknew，andhadwrittenhimaletter。ButatthattimetheKloskingwasnotexpectedtoappearonthesceneinperson。WereshenowtosayshehadseenherandSevernelivingtogether，Rhodafeltthatsheshouldlowerherpatient。Shehadnotthehearttodothat。
　　RhodaGalewasnotofanamoroustemperament，andshewasallthemoreopentofemaleattachments。WithalittleencouragementshewouldhavelovedZoe，butshehadnowtransferredheraffectiontotheKlosking。SherepliedtoVizardalmostlikeamaleloverdefendingtheobjectofhisaffection。
　　"TheexactrelationismorethanIcantell；butIthinkhehasliveduponher，forshewasricherthanhewas；andIfeelsurehehaspromisedhermarriage。Andmygreatfearnowislestheshouldgetholdofherandkeephispromise。Heisaspoorasaratorafemalephysician；andshehasafortuneinhervoice，andhasmoneybesides，MissDovertellsme。
　　Praykeepherheretillsheisquitewell，please。"
　　"Iwill。"
　　"AndthenletmehaveherupatHillstoke。Sheisbeginningtoloveme，andIdoteonher。"
　　"SodoI。"
　　"Ah，butyoumustnot。"
　　"Whynot?"
　　"Because。"
　　"Well，whynot?"
　　"Sheisnottoloveanymanagainwhowillnotmarryher。Iwon'tlether。I'llkillherfirst，Iloveherso。Aroguesheshan'tmarry，andI
　　can'tletyoumarryher，because，herconnectionwiththatSeverneismysterious。Sheseemsthesoulofvirtue，butIcouldnotlet_you_marryheruntilthingsareclearer。"
　　"Makeyourmindeasy。Iwillnotmarryher——noranybodyelse——tillthingsareagreatdealclearerthanIhaveeverfoundthem，whereyoursexisconcerned。"
　　MissGaleapprovedtheresolution。
　　NextdayVizardpostedhiskeepers，andsenthisadvertisementstotheLondonandcountryjournals。
　　Fannycameintohisstudytotellhimtherewasmoretrouble——MissMaitlandtakenseriouslyill，andhadwrittentoZoe。
　　"Pooroldsoul!"saidVizard。"Ihaveagreatmindtorideoverandseeher。"
　　"Somebodyoughttogo，"saidFanny。
　　"Well，yougo。"
　　"HowcanI——withZoe，andMademoiselleKlosking，andyou，tolookafter?"
　　"Insteadofoneoldwoman。Notmuchexcitementinthat。"
　　"No，cousin。Tothinkofyourremembering!Why，youmusthavegonetobedsober。"
　　"Ioftendo。"
　　"Youwerealwaysaneccentriclandowner。"
　　"Don'tyoutalk。Youareacaricature。"
　　ThisbanterwasinterruptedbyMissGale，whocametotellHarringtonMademoiselleKloskingdesiredtoseehim，athisleisure。
　　Hesaidhewouldcomedirectly。
　　"Beforeyougo，"saidMissGale，"letuscometoanunderstanding。Shehadonlytwodays'fever；butthatfever，andthelossofblood，andtheshocktohernerves，broughthertodeath'sdoorbyexhaustion。Nowsheisslowlyrecoveringherstrength，becauseshehasahealthystomach，andIgivehernostimulantstospurandthenweakenher，butchoiceandsimpleesculents，theeffectofwhichIwatch，andvarythemaccordingly。
　　Buttheconvalescentperiodisalwaysoneofdanger，especiallyfromchillstothebody，andexcitementstothebrain。Atnoperiodaremorepatientsthrownawayforwantofvigilance。NowIcanguardagainstchillsandotherbodilythings，butnotagainstexcitements——unlessyouco-operate。Thefactis，wemustagreetoavoidspeakingaboutMr。
　　Severne。Wemustbeonourguard。Wemustparry；wemustevade；wemustbedeaf，stupid，slippery；butnoSeverne——forfiveorsixdaysmore，atallevents。"
　　Thusforewarned，Vizard，induecourse，paidhissecondvisittoInaKlosking。
　　Hefoundherproppedupwithpillowsthistime。Shebeggedhimtobeseated。
　　Shehadevidentlysomethingonhermind，andhernurseswatchedherlikecats。
　　"Youarefondofmusic，sir?"
　　"Notofallmusic。Iadoregoodmusic，Ihatebad，andIdespisemediocre。Silenceisgolden，indeed，comparedwithpoormusic。"
　　"Youareright，sir。Haveyougoodmusicinthehouse?"
　　"Alittle。Igetalltheoperas，andyouknowtherearegenerallyoneortwogoodthingsinanopera——amongtherubbish。Butthegreatbulkofourcollectionisratherold-fashioned。Itissacredmusic——oratorios，masses，anthems，services，chants。Mymotherwasthecollector。Hertastesweregood，butnarrow。Doyoucareforthatsortofmusic?"
　　"Sacredmusic?Why，itis，ofallmusic，themostdivine，andsoothesthetroubledsoul。CanInotseethebooks?Ireadmusiclikewords。ByreadingIalmosthear。"
　　"Wewillbringyouupadozenbookstobeginon。"
　　Hewentdowndirectly；andsuchwashispleasureindoinganythingfortheKloskingthatheexecutedtheorderinperson，broughtupalittlepileoffoliosandquartos，beautifullyboundandlettered，aladyhavingbeenthecollector。
　　Now，ashemountedthestairs，withhisverychinuponthepile，whoshouldheseelookingovertherailsathimbuthissisterZoe。
　　Shewassadlychanged。Therewasafixedashenpalloronhercheek，andadarkcircleunderhereyes。
　　Hestoppedtolookather。"Mypoorchild，"saidhe，"youlookveryill。"
　　"Iamveryill，dear。"
　　"Wouldyounotbebetterforachange?"
　　"Imight。"
　　"Whycoopyourselfupinyourownroom?Whydenyyourselfabrother'ssympathy?"
　　Thegirltrembled，andtearscametohereyes。
　　"Isitwithmeyousympathize?"saidshe。
　　"Canyoudoubtit，Zoe?"
　　Zoehungherheadamoment，anddidnotreply。Thenshemadeadiversion。
　　"Whatarethosebooks?Oh，Isee——yourmother'smusic-books。Nothingistoogoodfor_her。"_
　　"Nothinginthewayofmusic-booksistoogoodforher。Forshame!areyoujealousofthatunfortunatelady?"
　　Zoemadenoreply。
　　Sheputherhandsbeforeherface，thatVizardmightnotseehermind。
　　Thenherestedhisbooksonatable，andcameandtookherheadinhishandspaternally。"Donotshutyourselfupanylonger。Solitudeisdangeroustotheafflicted。Bemorewithmethanever，andletthiscruelblowbindusmoreclosely，insteadofdisunitingus。"
　　Hekissedherlovingly，andhiskindwordssethertearsflowing；buttheydidherlittlegood——theywerebittertears。Betweenherandherbrothertherewasnowabarriersisterlylovecouldnotpass。HehatedanddespisedEdwardSeverne；andsheonlydistrustedhim，andfearedhewasavillain。Shelovedhimstillwitheveryfiberofherheart，andpinedforhisexplanationofallthatseemedsodark。
　　Sothenheenteredthesick-roomwithhismusic-books；andZoe，afterwatchinghiminwithoutseemingtodoso，creptawaytoherownroom。
　　Thentherewasratheraprettylittlescene。MissGaleandMissDover，oneachsideofthebed，heldaheavymusic-book，andMademoiselleKloskingturnedtheleavesandread，whenthecompositionwasworthreading。Ifitwasnot，shequietlypasseditover，withoutanyinjuriouscomment。
　　Vizardwatchedherfromthefootofthebed，andcouldtellinamoment，byherface，whetherthecompositionwasgood，bad，orindifferent。Whenbad，herfaceseemedtoturnimpassive，likemarble；whengood，toexpand；andwhenshelightedonamasterpiece，shewasalmosttransfigured，andherfaceshonewithelevatedjoy。
　　ThiswasastudytotheenamoredVizard，anditdidnotescapethequick-sighteddoctress。Shedespisedmusiconitsownmerits，butshedespisednothingthatcouldbepressedintotheserviceofmedicine；andshesaidtoherself，"I'llcureherwithesculentsandmusic。"
　　Thebookwastakenawaytomakeroomforanother。
　　ThensaidInaKlosking，"Mr。Vizard，Idesiretosayawordtoyou。
　　Excuseme，mydearfriends。"
　　MissGalecoloredup。Shehadnotforeseena_te'te-'a-te'te_betweenVizardandherpatient。However，therewasnohelpforit，andshewithdrewtoalittledistancewithFanny；butshesaidtoVizard，openlyandexpressively，"Remember!"
　　Whentheyhadwithdrawnalittleway，InaKloskingfixedhereyesonVizard，andsaid，inalowvoice，"Yoursister!"
　　Vizardstartedalittleatthesuddennessofthis，buthesaidnothing:
　　hedidnotknowwhattosay。
　　Whenshehadwaitedalittle，andhesaidnothing，shespokeagain。"Tellmesomethingabouther。Isshegood?Forgiveme:itisnotthatIdoubt。"
　　"Sheisgood，accordingtoherlights。"
　　"Issheproud?"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Isshejust?"
　　"No。AndInevermetawomanthatwas。"
　　"Indeeditisrare。Whydoesshenotvisitme?"
　　"Idon'tknow"
　　"Sheblamesmeforallthathashappened。"
　　"Idon'tknow，madam。Mysisterlooksveryill，andkeepsherownroom。
　　Ifshedoesnotvisityou，sheholdsequallyalooffromusall。Shehasnottakenasinglemealwithmeforsomedays。"
　　"SinceIwasyourpatientandyourguest。"
　　"Praydonotconcludefromthat——Whocaninterpretawoman?"
　　"Anotherwoman。Enigmastoyou，wearetransparenttoeachother。Sir，willyougrantmeafavor?WillyoupersuadeMissVizardtoseemeherealone——allalone?Itwillbeagreatertrialtomethantoher，forIamweak。InthisrequestIamnotselfish。Shecandonothingforme；butI
　　candoalittleforher，topaythedebtofgratitudeIowethishospitablehouse。MayHeavenblessit，fromtherooftothefoundationstone!"
　　"Iwillspeaktomysister，andsheshallvisityou——withtheconsentofyourphysician。"
　　"Itiswell，"saidInaKlosking，andbeckonedherfriends，oneofwhom，MissGale，proceededtofeelherpulse，withsuspiciousglancesatVizard。Butshefoundthepulsecalm，andsaidso。
　　VizardtookhisleaveandwentstraighttoZoe'sroom。Shewasnotthere。
　　Hewasgladofthat，foritgavehimhopesshewasgoingtorespecthisadviceandgiveuphersolitarylife。
　　Hewentdownstairsandontothelawntolookforher。Hecouldnotseeheranywhere。
　　Atlast，whenhehadgivenuplookingforher，hefoundherinhisstudycrouchedinacorner。
　　Sheroseatsightofhimandstoodbeforehim。"Harrington，"saidshe，inratheracommandingway，"AuntMaitlandisill，andIwishtogotoher。"
　　Harringtonstaredatherwithsurprise。"Youarenotwellenoughyourself。"
　　"Quitewellenoughinbodytogoanywhere。"
　　"Well，but——"saidHarrington。
　　Shecaughthimupimpatiently。"SurelyyoucannotobjecttomyvisitingAuntMaitland。Sheisdangerouslyill。Ihadasecondletterthismorning——see。"Andsheheldhimoutaletter。
　　Harringtonwasinadifficulty。Hefeltsurethiswasnotherrealmotive；buthedidnotliketosaysoharshlytoanunhappygirl。Hetookamoderatecourse。"Notjustnow，dear，"saidhe。
　　"What!amItowaittillshedies?"criedZoe，gettingagitatedathisopposition。
　　"Bereasonable，dear。Youknowyouarethemistressofthishouse。Donotdesertmejustnow。Considertheposition。Itisaverychatteringcounty。IentertainMademoiselleKlosking；Icouldnotdootherwisewhenshewasnearlykilledinmyhall。Butformysistertogoawaywhilesheremainsherewouldhaveabadeffect。"
　　"Itistoolatetothinkofthat，Harrington。Themischiefisdone，andyoumustpleadyoureccentricity。WhyshouldIbeartheblame?Ineverapprovedit。"
　　"Youwouldhavesenthertoaninn，eh?"
　　"No；butMissGaleofferedtotakeher。"
　　"ThenIamtounderstandthatyouproposetomarkyourreprobationofmyconductbyleavingmyhouse。"
　　"What!publicly?Ohno。YoumaysaytoyourselfthatyoursistercouldnotbeartostayunderthesameroofwithMr。Severne'smistress。Butthischatteringcountyshallneverknowmymind。Myauntisdangerouslyill。Shelivesbutthirtymilesoff。Sheisafitobjectofpity。Sheisa——respectable——lady；sheisallalone；nofemalephysician，noflirtturnedSisterofCharity，nowoman-hater，tofetchandcarryforher。AndsoIshallgotoher。Iamyoursister，notyourslave。Ifyougrudgemeyourhorses，Iwillgoonfoot。"
　　Vizardwaswhitewithwrath，butgovernedhimselflikeaman。"Goon，younglady!"saidhe；"goon!Jeer，andtaunt，andwoundthebestbrotheranyyoungmadwomaneverhad。Butdon'tthinkI'llansweryouasyoudeserve。I'mtoocunning。IfIwastosayanunkindwordtoyou，Ishouldsufferthetorturesofthedamned。Sogoon!"
　　"No，no。Forgiveme，Harrington。Itisyouroppositionthatdrivesmewild。Oh，havepityonme!IshallgomadifIstayhere。Do，pray，pray，prayletmegotoAuntMaitland!"
　　"Youshallgo，Zoe。ButItellyouplainly，thisstepwillbeablowtoouraffection——thefirst。"
　　Zoecriedatthat。Butasshedidnotwithdrawherrequest，Harringtontoldher，withcoldcivility，thatshemustbegoodenoughtobereadydirectlyafterbreakfastto-morrow，andtakeaslittleluggageasshecouldwithconveniencetoherself。
　　Horsesweresentonthatnighttothe"Fox，"aninnhalf-waybetweenVizardCourtandMissMaitland'splace。
　　Inthemorningalightbarouche，withaslingforluggage，cameround，andZoewassoonseatedinit。Then，tohersurprise，Harringtoncameoutandsatbesideher。
　　Shewaspleasedatthisandsaid，"What!areyougoingwithme，dear，allthatway?"
　　"Yes，tosaveappearances，"saidhe；andtookoutanewspapertoread。
　　ThisfrozeZoe，andsheretiredwithinherself。
　　Itwasafinefreshmorning；thecoachmandrovefast；theairfannedhercheek；themotionwasenlivening；thehorses'shoofsrangquickandclearupontheroad。Freshobjectsmettheeyeeverymoment。Herheartwasassadandachingasbefore，buttherearoseafaintencouragingsensethatsomedayshemightbebetter，orthingsmighttakesometurn。
　　Whentheyhadrolledabouttenmilesshesaid，inalowvoice，"Harrington。"
　　"Well?"
　　"Youwereright。Coopingone'sselfupisthewaytogomad。"
　　"Ofcourseitis。"
　　"Ifeelalittlebetternow——averylittle。"
　　"Iamgladofit。"
　　Buthewasnothearty，andshesaidnomore。
　　Hewasextremelyattentivetoherallthejourney，and，indeed，hadneverbeenhalfsopolitetoher。
　　This，however，ledtoaresulthedidnotintendnoranticipate。Zoe，beingnowcool，fellintoastateofcompunctionanddismay。Shesawhisaffectionleavingherfor_her，_andstiffpolitenesscominginstead。
　　Sheleanedforward，putherhandsonhisknees，andlooked，allscared，inhisface。"Harrington，"shecried，"Iwaswrong。WhatisAuntMaitlandtome?Youaremyall。Bidhimturnthehorses'headsandgohome。"
　　"Why，weareonlysixmilesfromtheplace。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmatter?Weshallhavehadagoodlongdrivetogether，andIwilldinewithyouafterit；andIwillrideordrivewithyoueveryday，ifyouwillletme。"
　　Vizardcouldnothelpsmiling。Hewasdisarmed。"Youimpulsiveyoungmonkey，"saidhe，"Ishalldonothingofthekind。Inthefirstplace，I
　　couldn'tturnbackfromanything；I'monlyaman。Inthenextplace，I
　　havebeenthinkingitover，asyouhave；andthisisagoodmoveofours，thoughIwasalittlemortifiedatfirst。Occupationisthebestcureoflove，andthisoldladywillfindyouplenty。Besides，nursingimprovesthecharacter。LookatthatfrivolousgirlFanny，howshehascomeout。
　　Andyouknow，Zoe，ifyougetsickofitinadayortwo，youhaveonlytowritetome，andIwillsendforyoudirectly。Ashortabsence，withsoreasonableamotiveasvisitingasickaunt，willprovokenocomments。
　　Itisallforthebest。"
　　ThissetZoeatherease，andbrotherandsisterresumedtheirusualmanners。
　　TheyreachedMissMaitland'shouse，andwereadmittedtohersick-room。
　　Shewasreallyveryill，andthankedthemsopatheticallyforcomingtovisitapoorloneoldwomanthatnowtheywerebothgladtheyhadcome。
　　Zoeenteredonherfunctionswithanalacritythatsurprisedherself，andVizarddroveaway。Buthedidnotdrivestraighthome。HehadstartedfromVizardCourtwithotherviews。HehadtelegraphedLordUxmoorthenightbefore，andnowdrovetohisplace，whichwasonlyfivemilesdistant。Hefoundhimathome，andsoontoldhimhiserrand。"Doyouremembermeetingayoungfellowatmyhouse，calledSeverne?"
　　"Ido，"saidLordUxmoor，drylyenough。
　　"Well，hehasturnedoutanimpostor。"
　　Uxmoor'seyeflashed。HehadalwayssuspectedSeverneofbeinghisrivalandamaincauseofhisdefeat。"Animpostor?"saidhe:"thatisratherastrongword。CertainlyIneverheardagentlemantellsuchafalsehoodashevolunteeredabout——what'sthefellow'sname?——adetective。"
　　"Oh，Poikilus。Thatisnothing。Thatwasoneofhiswhitelies。Heisavillainallround，andaforgerbywayofclimax。"
　　"Aforger!What，acriminal?"
　　"Rather!Herearehisdrafts。Thedrawerandacceptordonotexist。ThewholethingwaswrittenbyEdwardSeverne，whoseindorsementfiguresonthebill。Hegotmetocashthesebills。Idepositthemwithyou，andI
　　askyouforawarranttocommithim——ifheshouldcomethisway。"
　　"Isthatlikely?"
　　"Notatall；itisahundredtoonehenevershowshisnoseagaininBarfordshire。Whenhewasfoundout，hebolted，andlefthisveryclothesinmyhouse。Ipackedthemofftothe'Swan'atTaddington。Hehasneverbeenheardofsince；andIhavewarnedhim，byadvertisement，thathewillbearrestedifeverhesetsfootinBarfordshire。"
　　"Well，then?"
　　"Well，then，Iamnotgoingtothrowawayachance。ThebeggarhadtheimpudencetospoononmysisterZoe。Thatwasmyfault，nothers。Hewasanoldcollegeacquaintance，andIgavehimopportunities——Ideservetobehorsewhipped。However，Iamnotgoingtocommitthesameblundertwice。Mysisterisinyourneighborhoodforafewdays。"
　　"Ah!"
　　"Andperhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtokeepyoureyeonher。"
　　"Ifeelmuchhonoredbysuchacommission。ButyouhavenottoldmewhereMissVizardis。"
　　"Withheraunt，MissMaitland，atSomervilleVilla，nearBagley。Apropos，Ihadbettertellyouwhatsheistherefor，oryourgooddowagerwillbeaskinghertoparties。ShehascometonurseherauntMaitland。Theoldladyisseriouslyill，andallouryoungcoquettesaregoinginfornursing。Wehaveasickladyatourhouse，Iamsorrytosay，andsheisnursedlikeaqueenbyDoctressGaleandexFlirtFannyDover。Nowisfulfilledthesayingthatwassaid，'Owoman!inourhoursofease——'
　　Ispareyoutherest，andsimplyremarkthatourZoe，firedbytheexampleofthosetwoladies，hasdevotedherselftonursingAuntMaitland。Itisverygoodofher，butexperiencetellsmeshewillverysoonfinditextremelytrying；andassheisaveryprettygirl，andthereforeafitsubjectofmalecharity，youmightpayheravisitnowandthen，andshowherthatthisbestofallpossibleworldscontainsyounggentlemenofdistinction，withlongandglossybeards，aswellaspeevisholdwomen，whoareextraselfishandtyrannicalwhentheyhappentobesick。"
　　Uxmoorpositivelyradiatedasthisprogrammewasunfoldedtohim。Vizardobservedthat，andchuckledinwardly。
　　Hethenhandedhimtheforgedacceptances。
　　LordUxmoorbeggedhimtowritedownthefactsonpaper，andalsohisapplicationforthewarrant。Hedidso。LordUxmoorlockedthepaperup，andthefriendsparted。Vizarddroveoff，easyinhismind，andcongratulatinghimself，notunreasonably，onhislittlecombination，bymeansofwhichhehadprovidedhissisterwithawatch-dog，acompanion，andanhonorableloverallinone。
　　Uxmoorputonhishatandstrodeforthintohisowngrounds，withhisheartbeatinghighatthisstrangeturnofthingsinfavorofhislove。
　　Neitherforesawthestrangecombinationswhichweretoariseoutofaneventthatappearedsosimpleandone-sided。
　　CHAPTERXXII。
　　INAKLOSKING'Scurewasretardedbythestateofhermind。Theexcitementandsharpagonyherphysicianhadfeareddiedawayasthefeverofthebrainsubsided；butthentheresettleddownagrim，listlesslethargy，whichobstructedherreturntohealthandvigor。OnceshesaidtoRhodaGale，"ButIhavenothingtogetwellfor。"
　　Asarule，shedidnotspeakhermind，butthoughtagreatdeal。SheoftenaskedafterZoe；andhernursescouldseethatheronelanguidanxietywassomehowconnectedwiththatlady。Yetshedidnotseemhostiletohernow，norjealous。Itwashardtounderstandher；shewasreserved，andverydeep。
　　ThefirstrelieftothedeadlylanguorofhermindcametoherfromMusic。Thatwasnogreatwonder；but，strangetosay，themusicthatdidhergoodwasneitheroldenoughtoberevered，nornewenoughtobefashionable。ItwasEnglishmusictoo，and_passe'_music。ShecameacrossacollectionofAnglicananthemsandservices——written，mostofit，towardtheendofthelastcenturyandthebeginningofthis。Thecomposers'namespromisedlittle:theywereBlow，Nares，Green，Kent，King，Jackson，etc。Thewordsandthemusicofthesecompositionsseemedtosuitoneanother；and，astheywereallquitenewtoher，shewentthroughthemalmosteagerly，andhummedseveralofthestrains，andwithherwhitebutnowthinhandbeattimetoothers。SheevensentforVizard，andsaidtohim，"Youhaveatreasurehere。Doyouknowthesecompositions?"
　　Heinspectedhistreasure。"Iremember，"saidhe，"mymotherusedtosingthisone，'WhentheEyesawHer，thenitblessedHer；'andpartsofthisone，'HearmyPrayer；'and，letmesee，sheusedtosingthispsalm，'PraisetheLord，'byJackson。IamashamedtosayIusedtoaskfor'PraisetheLordJackson，'meaningtobefunny，notdevout。"
　　"Shedidnotchooseill，"saidIna。"IthoughtIknewEnglishmusic，yethereisawholestreamofitnewtome。Isitesteemed?"
　　"Ithinkitwasonce，butithashaditsday。"
　　"Thatisstrange；forherearesomeimmortalqualities。Thesecomposershadbrains，andbeganattherightend；theyselectedgrandandtunefulwords，greatandpiousthoughts；theyimpregnatedthemselveswiththosewordsandproducedappropriatemusic。Theharmoniesaresometimesthin，andthewritersseemscarcelytoknowtheskillfuluseofdiscords；buttheyhadheartandinvention；theysawtheirwayclearbeforetheywrotethefirstnote；thereisaninspiredsimplicityandfervor:ifallthesechoicethingsaredead，theymusthavefallenuponbadinterpreters。"
　　"Nodoubt，"saidVizard；"sopleasegetwell，andletmehearthesepiousstrains，whichmypoordearmotherlovedsowell，interpretedworthily。"
　　TheKlosking'seyesfilled。"Thatisatemptation，"saidshe，simply。
　　ThensheturnedtoRhodaGale。"Sweetphysician，hehasdonemegood。Hehasgivenmesomethingtogetwellfor。"
　　Vizard'sheartyearned。"Donottalklikethat，"saidhe，buoyantly；
　　then，inabrokenvoice，"Heavenforbidyoushouldhavenothingbettertoliveforthanthat。"
　　"Sir，"saidshe，gravely，"Ihavenothingbettertolivefornowthantointerpretgoodmusicworthily。"
　　Therewasapainfulsilence。
　　Inabrokeit。Shesaid，quitecalmly，"Firstofall，Iwishtoknowhowothersinterpretthesestrainsyourmotherloved，andIhavethehonortoagreewithher。"
　　"Oh，"saidVizard，"wewillsoonmanagethatforyou。Thesethingsarenotdefunct，onlyunfashionable。EverychoirinEnglandhassungthem，andcansingthem，afterafashion；so，attwelveo'clockto-morrow，lookout——forsqualls!"
　　Hemountedhishorse，rodeintothecathedraltown——distanteightmiles——andarrangedwiththeorganistforhimself，fourleadingboys，andthreelayclerks。Hewastosendacarriageinforthemafterthemorningservice，andreturnthemingoodtimeforvespers。
　　FannytoldInaKlosking，andsheinsistedongettingup。
　　BythistimeDoctressGalehadsatisfiedherselfthatalittleexcitementwasdownrightgoodforherpatient，andledtorefreshingsleep。Sotheydressedherlooselybutverywarmly，androlledhertothewindowonherinvalidcouch，setatahighangle。ItwasafinecleardayinOctober，keenbutgenial；andaftermufflingherwell，theyopenedthewindow。
　　Whileshesatthere，proppedhigh，andinhalingthepureair，Vizardconveyedhislittlechoir，byanotherstaircase，intotheantechamber；
　　and，underhisadvice，theyavoidedpreludesandopenedinfullchoruswithJackson'ssongofpraise。
　　Atthefirstburstofsacredharmony，InaKloskingwasobservedtoquiverallover。
　　Theysungitrathercoarsely，butcorrectlyandboldly，andwithacertainfervor。Therewerenooperaticartificestoremindherofearth；
　　thepurityandtheharmonystruckherfull。ThegreatsingerandsuffererliftedherclaspedhandstoGod，andthetearsflowedfastdownhercheeks。
　　Thesetearswerebalmtothatpoorlaceratedsoul，tormentedbymanyblows。
　　"Olacrymarumfons，tenerosacrosDucemtiumortusexanimo，quaterFelix，inimoquiscatentemPectore，te，pianympha，sensit。"
　　RhodaGale，whohatedmusiclikepoison，creptuptoher，and，infoldingherdelicately，laidapairofweteyessoftlyonhershoulder。
　　Vizardnowtappedatthedoor，andwasadmittedfromthemusic-room。HebeggedInatochooseanothercompositionfromherbook。Shemarkedaserviceandtwoanthems，andhandedhimthevolume，butbeggedtheymightnotbedonetoosoon，oneaftertheother。Thatwouldbequiteenoughforoneday，especiallyiftheywouldbegoodenoughtorepeatthehymnofpraisetoconclude；"for，"saidshe，"thesearethingstobedigested。"
　　Soontheboys'purevoicesroseagainandthosepoordeadEnglishcomposers，withprosaicnames，foundtheirwayagaintothegreatforeignsinger'ssoul。
　　Theysungananthem，whichisnowespeciallydespisedbythosegreatcritics，theorganistsofthecountry——"MySongshallbeofMercyandJudgment。"
　　TheKloskingforgavethethinnessoftheharmony，andmanylittlefaultsinthevocalexecution。Thewords，nodoubt，wentfarwithher，beingclearlyspoken。Shesatmeditating，withhermoisteyesraised，andherfacetransfigured，andattheendshemurmuredtoVizard，withhereyesstillraised，"Afterall，theyaregreatandpiouswords，andthemusichasatleastthiscrowningvirtue——itmeansthewords。"Thenshesuddenlyturneduponhimandsaid，"ThereisanotherpersoninthishousewhoneedsthisconsolationasmuchasIdo。Whydoesshenotcome?Butperhapssheiswiththemusicians。"
　　"Whomdoyoumean?"
　　"Yoursister。"
　　"Why，sheisnotinthehouse。"
　　InaKloskingstartedatthatinformation，andbenthereyeskeenlyandinquiringlyonhim。
　　"Shelefttwodaysago。"
　　"Indeed!"
　　"Tonurseasickaunt。"
　　"Indeed!Hadshenootherreason?"
　　"NotthatIknowof，"saidVizard；buthecouldnothelpcoloringalittle。
　　Thelittlechoirnowsungaservice，KinginF。Theysung"TheMagnificat"rudely，andratherprofanely，butrecoveredthemselvesinthe"Dimittis。"
　　Whenitwasover，Inawhispered，"'TobealighttolightentheGentiles。'Thatisaninspiredduet。Oh，howitmightbesung!"
　　"Ofcourseitmight，"whisperedVizard；"soyouhavesomethingtogetwellfor。"
　　"Yes，myfriend——thankstoyouandyoursaintedmother。"
　　This，utteredinavoicewhich，underthehealinginfluenceofmusic，seemedtohaveregainedsomeofitsrichmelody，wastoomuchforourcynic，andhebustledofftohidehisemotion，andinvitedthemusicianstolunch。
　　Alltheservantshadbeenlisteningonthestairs，andthehospitableoldbutlerpliedtheboyswithsparklingMoselle，which，beinghimselfrearedonmightyPort；hethoughtalightandplayfulwine——justthethingforwomenandchildren。Soafterluncheontheysungratherwild，andtheKloskingtoldVizard，dryly，thatwoulddoforthepresent。
　　Thenheorderedthecarriageforthem，andaskedMademoiselleKloskingwhenshewouldlikethemagain。
　　"When_can_I?"sheinquired，rathertimidly。
　　"Everyday，ifyoulike——Sundaysandall。"