suggestedshehadbetterdosoatonce，andthentherewouldbenofurthertroubleeitherwithrememberingorforgetting。Shecomplied，onconditionthatIwouldnotthinkofreading，orbotheringwiththebooksnow；forshewantedtoshowmethegardens，andtakeawalkintheparkwithme，beforeitbecametoohotforenjoyment；which，indeed，wasnearlythecasealready。
OfcourseIreadilyassented；andwetookourwalkaccordingly。
Aswewerestrollinginthepark，talkingofwhatmycompanionhadseenandheardduringhertravellingexperience，agentlemanonhorsebackrodeupandpassedus。Asheturned，inpassing，andstaredmefullintheface，Ihadagoodopportunityofseeingwhathewaslike。Hewastall，thin，andwasted，withaslightstoopintheshoulders，apaleface，butsomewhatblotchy，anddisagreeablyredabouttheeyelids，plainfeatures，andageneralappearanceoflanguorandflatness，relievedbyasinisterexpressioninthemouthandthedull，soullesseyes。
'Idetestthatman!'whisperedLadyAshby，withbitteremphasis，asheslowlytrottedby。
'Whoisit？'Iasked，unwillingtosupposethatsheshouldsospeakofherhusband。
'SirThomasAshby，'shereplied，withdrearycomposure。
'AnddoyouDETESThim，MissMurray？'saidI，forIwastoomuchshockedtorememberhernameatthemoment。
'Yes，Ido，MissGrey，anddespisehimtoo；andifyouknewhimyouwouldnotblameme。'
'Butyouknewwhathewasbeforeyoumarriedhim。'
'No；Ionlythoughtso:Ididnothalfknowhimreally。
Iknowyouwarnedmeagainstit，andIwishIhadlistenedtoyou:butit'stoolatetoregretthatnow。Andbesides，mammaoughttohaveknownbetterthaneitherofus，andsheneversaidanythingagainstit-quitethecontrary。AndthenIthoughtheadoredme，andwouldletmehavemyownway:hedidpretendtodosoatfirst，butnowhedoesnotcareabitaboutme。YetIshouldnotcareforthat:hemightdoashepleased，ifImightonlybefreetoamusemyselfandtostayinLondon，orhaveafewfriendsdownhere:
butHEWILLdoashepleases，andImustbeaprisonerandaslave。
ThemomenthesawIcouldenjoymyselfwithouthim，andthatothersknewmyvaluebetterthanhimself，theselfishwretchbegantoaccusemeofcoquetryandextravagance；andtoabuseHarryMeltham，whoseshoeshewasnotworthytoclean。Andthenhemustneedshavemedowninthecountry，toleadthelifeofanun，lestI
shoulddishonourhimorbringhimtoruin；asifhehadnotbeententimesworseeveryway，withhisbetting-book，andhisgaming-
table，andhisopera-girls，andhisLadyThisandMrs。That-yes，andhisbottlesofwine，andglassesofbrandy-and-watertoo!
Oh，IwouldgivetenthousandworldstobeMssMurrayagain!ItisTOO
badtofeellife，health，andbeautywastingaway，unfeltandunenjoyed，forsuchabruteasthat!'exclaimedshe，fairlyburstingintotearsinthebitternessofhervexation。
Ofcourse，Ipitiedherexceedingly；aswellforherfalseideaofhappinessanddisregardofduty，asforthewretchedpartnerwithwhomherfatewaslinked。IsaidwhatIcouldtocomforther，andofferedsuchcounselsasIthoughtshemostrequired:advisingher，first，bygentlereasoning，bykindness，example，andpersuasion，totrytoameliorateherhusband；andthen，whenshehaddoneallshecould，ifshestillfoundhimincorrigible，toendeavourtoabstractherselffromhim-towrapherselfupinherownintegrity，andtroubleherselfaslittleabouthimaspossible。
IexhortedhertoseekconsolationindoingherdutytoGodandman，toputhertrustinHeaven，andsolaceherselfwiththecareandnurtureofherlittledaughter；assuringhershewouldbeamplyrewardedbywitnessingitsprogressinstrengthandwisdom，andreceivingitsgenuineaffection。
'ButIcan'tdevotemyselfentirelytoachild，'saidshe；'itmaydie-whichisnotatallimprobable。'
'But，withcare，manyadelicateinfanthasbecomeastrongmanorwoman。'
'ButitmaygrowsointolerablylikeitsfatherthatIshallhateit。'
'Thatisnotlikely；itisalittlegirl，andstronglyresemblesitsmother。'
'Nomatter；Ishouldlikeitbetterifitwereaboy-onlythatitsfatherwillleaveitnoinheritancethathecanpossiblysquanderaway。WhatpleasurecanIhaveinseeingagirlgrowuptoeclipseme，andenjoythosepleasuresthatIamforeverdebarredfrom？ButsupposingIcouldbesogenerousastotakedelightinthis，stillitisONLYachild；andIcan'tcentreallmyhopesinachild:thatisonlyonedegreebetterthandevotingoneselftoadog。Andasforallthewisdomandgoodnessyouhavebeentryingtoinstilintome-thatisallveryrightandproper，Idaresay，andifIweresometwentyyearsolder，Imightfructifybyit:butpeoplemustenjoythemselveswhentheyareyoung；andifotherswon'tletthem-why，theymusthatethemforit!'
'Thebestwaytoenjoyyourselfistodowhatisrightandhatenobody。TheendofReligionisnottoteachushowtodie，buthowtolive；andtheearlieryoubecomewiseandgood，themoreofhappinessyousecure。Andnow，LadyAshby，Ihaveonemorepieceofadvicetoofferyou，whichis，thatyouwillnotmakeanenemyofyourmother-in-law。Don'tgetintothewayofholdingheratarms'length，andregardingherwithjealousdistrust。Ineversawher，butIhaveheardgoodaswellasevilrespectingher；andI
imaginethat，thoughcoldandhaughtyinhergeneraldemeanour，andevenexactinginherrequirements，shehasstrongaffectionsforthosewhocanreachthem；and，thoughsoblindlyattachedtoherson，sheisnotwithoutgoodprinciples，orincapableofhearingreason。Ifyouwouldbutconciliateheralittle，andadoptafriendly，openmanner-andevenconfideyourgrievancestoher-
realgrievances，suchasyouhavearighttocomplainof-itismyfirmbeliefthatshewould，intime，becomeyourfaithfulfriend，andacomfortandsupporttoyou，insteadoftheincubusyoudescribeher。'ButIfearmyadvicehadlittleeffectupontheunfortunateyounglady；and，findingIcouldrendermyselfsolittleserviceable，myresidenceatAshbyParkbecamedoublypainful。Butstill，Imuststayoutthatdayandthefollowingone，asIhadpromisedtodoso:though，resistingallentreatiesandinducementstoprolongmyvisitfurther，Iinsistedupondepartingthenextmorning；affirmingthatmymotherwouldbelonelywithoutme，andthatsheimpatientlyexpectedmyreturn。
Nevertheless，itwaswithaheavyheartthatIbadeadieutopoorLadyAshby，andleftherinherprincelyhome。Itwasnoslightadditionalproofofherunhappiness，thatsheshouldsoclingtotheconsolationofmypresence，andearnestlydesirethecompanyofonewhosegeneraltastesandideasweresolittlecongenialtoherown-whomshehadcompletelyforgotteninherhourofprosperity，andwhosepresencewouldberatheranuisancethanapleasure，ifshecouldbuthavehalfherheart'sdesire。
chapter24
CHAPTERXXIV-THESANDS
OURschoolwasnotsituatedintheheartofthetown:onenteringA-fromthenorth-westthereisarowofrespectable-lookinghouses，oneachsideofthebroad，whiteroad，withnarrowslipsofgarden-groundbeforethem，Venetianblindstothewindows，andaflightofstepsleadingtoeachtrim，brass-handleddoor。InoneofthelargestofthesehabitationsdweltmymotherandI，withsuchyoungladiesasourfriendsandthepublicchosetocommittoourcharge。Consequently，wewereaconsiderabledistancefromthesea，anddividedfromitbyalabyrinthofstreetsandhouses。
Buttheseawasmydelight；andIwouldoftengladlypiercethetowntoobtainthepleasureofawalkbesideit，whetherwiththepupils，oralonewithmymotherduringthevacations。Itwasdelightfultomeatalltimesandseasons，butespeciallyinthewildcommotionofaroughsea-breeze，andinthebrilliantfreshnessofasummermorning。
IawokeearlyonthethirdmorningaftermyreturnfromAshbyPark-thesunwasshiningthroughtheblind，andIthoughthowpleasantitwouldbetopassthroughthequiettownandtakeasolitaryrambleonthesandswhilehalftheworldwasinbed。Iwasnotlonginformingtheresolution，norslowtoactuponit。OfcourseIwouldnotdisturbmymother，soIstolenoiselesslydownstairs，andquietlyunfastenedthedoor。Iwasdressedandout，whenthechurchclockstruckaquartertosix。Therewasafeelingoffreshnessandvigourintheverystreets；andwhenIgotfreeofthetown，whenmyfootwasonthesandsandmyfacetowardsthebroad，brightbay，nolanguagecandescribetheeffectofthedeep，clearazureoftheskyandocean，thebrightmorningsunshineonthesemicircularbarrierofcraggycliffssurmountedbygreenswellinghills，andonthesmooth，widesands，andthelowrocksoutatsea-looking，withtheirclothingofweedsandmoss，likelittlegrass-grownislands-andaboveall，onthebrilliant，sparklingwaves。Andthen，theunspeakablepurity-andfreshnessoftheair!Therewasjustenoughheattoenhancethevalueofthebreeze，andjustenoughwindtokeepthewholeseainmotion，tomakethewavescomeboundingtotheshore，foamingandsparkling，asifwildwithglee。Nothingelsewasstirring-nolivingcreaturewasvisiblebesidesmyself。Myfootstepswerethefirsttopressthefirm，unbrokensands；-nothingbeforehadtrampledthemsincelastnight'sflowingtidehadobliteratedthedeepestmarksofyesterday，andleftthemfairandeven，exceptwherethesubsidingwaterhadleftbehinditthetracesofdimpledpoolsandlittlerunningstreams。
Refreshed，delighted，invigorated，Iwalkedalong，forgettingallmycares，feelingasifIhadwingstomyfeet，andcouldgoatleastfortymileswithoutfatigue，andexperiencingasenseofexhilarationtowhichIhadbeenanentirestrangersincethedaysofearlyyouth。Abouthalf-pastsix，however，thegroomsbegantocomedowntoairtheirmasters'horses-firstone，andthenanother，tillthereweresomedozenhorsesandfiveorsixriders:
butthatneednottroubleme，fortheywouldnotcomeasfarasthelowrockswhichIwasnowapproaching。WhenIhadreachedthese，andwalkedoverthemoist，slipperysea-weedattheriskofflounderingintooneofthenumerouspoolsofclear，saltwaterthatlaybetweenthem，toalittlemossypromontorywiththeseasplashingroundit，Ilookedbackagaintoseewhonextwasstirring。Still，therewereonlytheearlygroomswiththeirhorses，andonegentlemanwithalittledarkspeckofadogrunningbeforehim，andonewater-cartcomingoutofthetowntogetwaterforthebaths。Inanotherminuteortwo，thedistantbathingmachineswouldbegintomove，andthentheelderlygentlemenofregularhabitsandsoberquakerladieswouldbecomingtotaketheirsalutarymorningwalks。Buthoweverinterestingsuchascenemightbe，Icouldnotwaittowitnessit，forthesunandtheseasodazzledmyeyesinthatdirection，thatIcouldbutaffordoneglance；andthenIturnedagaintodelightmyselfwiththesightandthesoundofthesea，dashingagainstmypromontory-withnoprodigiousforce，fortheswellwasbrokenbythetangledsea-weedandtheunseenrocksbeneath；otherwiseIshouldsoonhavebeendelugedwithspray。Butthetidewascomingin；thewaterwasrising；thegulfsandlakeswerefilling；thestraitswerewidening:itwastimetoseeksomesaferfooting；soIwalked，skipped，andstumbledbacktothesmooth，widesands，andresolvedtoproceedtoacertainboldprojectioninthecliffs，andthenreturn。
Presently，Iheardasnufflingsoundbehindmeandthenadogcamefriskingandwrigglingtomyfeet。ItwasmyownSnap-thelittledark，wire-hairedterrier!WhenIspokehisname，heleaptupinmyfaceandyelledforjoy。Almostasmuchdelightedashimself，I
caughtthelittlecreatureinmyarms，andkissedhimrepeatedly。
Buthowcamehetobethere？Hecouldnothavedroppedfromthesky，orcomeallthatwayalone:itmustbeeitherhismaster，therat-catcher，orsomebodyelsethathadbroughthim；so，repressingmyextravagantcaresses，andendeavouringtorepresshislikewise，Ilookedround，andbeheld-Mr。Weston!
'Yourdogremembersyouwell，MissGrey，'saidhe，warmlygraspingthehandIofferedhimwithoutclearlyknowingwhatIwasabout。
'Youriseearly。'
'Notoftensoearlyasthis，'Ireplied，withamazingcomposure，consideringallthecircumstancesofthecase。
'Howfardoyoupurposetoextendyourwalk？'
'Iwasthinkingofreturning-itmustbealmosttime，Ithink。'
Heconsultedhiswatch-agoldonenow-andtoldmeitwasonlyfiveminutespastseven。
'But，doubtless，youhavehadalongenoughwalk，'saidhe，turningtowardsthetown，towhichInowproceededleisurelytoretracemysteps；andhewalkedbesideme。
'Inwhatpartofthetowndoyoulive？'askedhe。'Inevercoulddiscover。'
Nevercoulddiscover？Hadheendeavouredtodosothen？
Itoldhimtheplaceofourabode。Heaskedhowweprosperedinouraffairs。Itoldhimweweredoingverywell-thatwehadhadaconsiderableadditiontoourpupilsaftertheChristmasvacation，andexpectedastillfurtherincreaseatthecloseofthis。
'Youmustbeanaccomplishedinstructor，'heobserved。
'No，itismymother，'Ireplied；'shemanagesthingssowell，andissoactive，andclever，andkind。'
'Ishouldliketoknowyourmother。Willyouintroducemetohersometime，ifIcall？'
'Yes，willingly。'
'Andwillyouallowmetheprivilegeofanoldfriend，oflookinginuponyounowandthen？'
'Yes，if-Isupposeso。'
Thiswasaveryfoolishanswer，butthetruthwas，IconsideredthatIhadnorighttoinviteanyonetomymother'shousewithoutherknowledge；andifIhadsaid，'Yes，ifmymotherdoesnotobject，'itwouldappearasifbyhisquestionIunderstoodmorethanwasexpected；so，SUPPOSINGshewouldnot，Iadded，'Isupposeso:'butofcourseIshouldhavesaidsomethingmoresensibleandmorepolite，ifIhadhadmywitsaboutme。Wecontinuedourwalkforaminuteinsilence；which，however，wasshortlyrelievednosmallrelieftomebyMr。Westoncommentinguponthebrightnessofthemorningandthebeautyofthebay，andthenupontheadvantagesA-possessedovermanyotherfashionableplacesofresort。
'Youdon'taskwhatbringsmetoA-'saidhe。'Youcan'tsupposeI'mrichenoughtocomeformyownpleasure。'
'IheardyouhadleftHorton。'
'Youdidn'thear，then，thatIhadgotthelivingofF-？'
F-wasavillageabouttwomilesdistantfromA。
'No，'saidI；'welivesocompletelyoutoftheworld，evenhere，thatnewsseldomreachesmethroughanyquarter；exceptthroughthemediumofthe-GAZETTE。ButIhopeyoulikeyournewparish；
andthatImaycongratulateyouontheacquisition？'
'Iexpecttolikemyparishbetterayearortwohence，whenIhaveworkedcertainreformsIhavesetmyheartupon-or，atleast，progressedsomestepstowardssuchanachievement。Butyoumaycongratulatemenow；forIfinditveryagreeabletoHAVEaparishalltomyself，withnobodytointerferewithme-tothwartmyplansorcripplemyexertions:andbesides，Ihavearespectablehouseinaratherpleasantneighbourhood，andthreehundredpoundsayear；and，infact，Ihavenothingbutsolitudetocomplainof，andnothingbutacompaniontowishfor。'
Helookedatmeasheconcluded:andtheflashofhisdarkeyesseemedtosetmyfaceonfire；greatlytomyowndiscomfiture，fortoevinceconfusionatsuchajuncturewasintolerable。Imadeaneffort，therefore，toremedytheevil，anddisclaimallpersonalapplicationoftheremarkbyahasty，ill-expressedreply，totheeffectthat，ifhewaitedtillhewaswellknownintheneighbourhood，hemighthavenumerousopportunitiesforsupplyinghiswantamongtheresidentsofF-anditsvicinity，orthevisitorsofA-，ifherequiredsoampleachoice:notconsideringthecomplimentimpliedbysuchanassertion，tillhisanswermademeawareofit。
'Iamnotsopresumptuousastobelievethat，'saidhe，'thoughyoutellitme；butifitwereso，Iamratherparticularinmynotionsofacompanionforlife，andperhapsImightnotfindonetosuitmeamongtheladiesyoumention。'
'Ifyourequireperfection，youneverwill。'
'Idonot-Ihavenorighttorequireit，asbeingsofarfromperfectmyself。'
Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbyawater-cartlumberingpastus，forwewerenowcometothebusypartofthesands；and，forthenexteightortenminutes，betweencartsandhorses，andasses，andmen，therewaslittleroomforsocialintercourse，tillwehadturnedourbacksuponthesea，andbeguntoascendtheprecipitousroadleadingintothetown。Heremycompanionofferedmehisarm，whichIaccepted，thoughnotwiththeintentionofusingitasasupport。
'Youdon'toftencomeontothesands，Ithink，'saidhe，'forI
havewalkedtheremanytimes，bothmorningandevening，sinceI
came，andneverseenyoutillnow；andseveraltimes，inpassingthroughthetown，too，Ihavelookedaboutforyourschool-butI
didnotthinkofthe-Road；andonceortwiceImadeinquiries，butwithoutobtainingtherequisiteinformation。'
Whenwehadsurmountedtheacclivity，Iwasabouttowithdrawmyarmfromhis，butbyaslighttighteningoftheelbowwastacitlyinformedthatsuchwasnothiswill，andaccordinglydesisted。
Discoursingondifferentsubjects，weenteredthetown，andpassedthroughseveralstreets。Isawthathewasgoingoutofhiswaytoaccompanyme，notwithstandingthelongwalkthatwasyetbeforehim；and，fearingthathemightbeinconveniencinghimselffrommotivesofpoliteness，Iobserved-'IfearIamtakingyououtofyourway，Mr。Weston-IbelievetheroadtoF-liesquiteinanotherdirection。'
'I'llleaveyouattheendofthenextstreet，'saidhe。
'Andwhenwillyoucometoseemamma？'
'To-morrow-Godwilling。'
Theendofthenextstreetwasnearlytheconclusionofmyjourney。
Hestoppedthere，however，bidmegood-morning，andcalledSnap，whoseemedalittledoubtfulwhethertofollowhisoldmistressorhisnewmaster，buttrottedawayuponbeingsummonedbythelatter。
'Iwon'toffertorestorehimtoyou，MissGrey，'saidMr。Weston，smiling，'becauseIlikehim。'
'Oh，Idon'twanthim，'repliedI，'nowthathehasagoodmaster；
I'mquitesatisfied。'
'YoutakeitforgrantedthatIamagoodone，then？'
Themanandthedogdeparted，andIreturnedhome，fullofgratitudetoheavenforsomuchbliss，andprayingthatmyhopesmightnotagainbecrushed。
chapter25
CHAPTERXXV-CONCLUSION
'WELL，Agnes，youmustnottakesuchlongwalksagainbeforebreakfast，'saidmymother，observingthatIdrankanextracupofcoffeeandatenothing-pleadingtheheatoftheweather，andthefatigueofmylongwalkasanexcuse。Icertainlydidfeelfeverishandtiredtoo。
'Youalwaysdothingsbyextremes:now，ifyouhadtakenaSHORT
walkeverymorning，andwouldcontinuetodoso，itwoulddoyougood。'
'Well，mamma，Iwill。'
'Butthisisworsethanlyinginbedorbendingoveryourbooks:
youhavequiteputyourselfintoafever。'
'Iwon'tdoitagain，'saidI。
IwasrackingmybrainswiththinkinghowtotellheraboutMr。
Weston，forshemustknowhewascomingto-morrow。However，I
waitedtillthebreakfastthingswereremoved，andIwasmorecalmandcool；andthen，havingsatdowntomydrawing，Ibegan-'Imetanoldfriendonthesandsto-day，mamma。'
'Anoldfriend!Whocoulditbe？'
'Twooldfriends，indeed。Onewasadog；'andthenIremindedherofSnap，whosehistoryIhadrecountedbefore，andrelatedtheincidentofhissuddenappearanceandremarkablerecognition；'andtheother，'continuedI，'wasMr。Weston，thecurateofHorton。'
'Mr。Weston!Ineverheardofhimbefore。'
'Yes，youhave:I'vementionedhimseveraltimes，Ibelieve:
butyoudon'tremember。'
'I'veheardyouspeakofMr。Hatfield。'
'Mr。Hatfieldwastherector，andMr。Westonthecurate:IusedtomentionhimsometimesincontradistinctiontoMr。Hatfield，asbeingamoreefficientclergyman。However，hewasonthesandsthismorningwiththedog-hehadboughtit，Isuppose，fromtherat-catcher；andheknewmeaswellasitdid-probablythroughitsmeans:andIhadalittleconversationwithhim，inthecourseofwhich，asheaskedaboutourschool，Iwasledtosaysomethingaboutyou，andyourgoodmanagement；andhesaidheshouldliketoknowyou，andaskedifIwouldintroducehimtoyou，ifheshouldtakethelibertyofcallingto-morrow；soIsaidIwould。WasI
right？'
'Ofcourse。Whatkindofamanishe？'
'AveryRESPECTABLEman，Ithink:butyouwillseehimto-morrow。
HeisthenewvicarofF-，andashehasonlybeenthereafewweeks，Isupposehehasmadenofriendsyet，andwantsalittlesociety。'
Themorrowcame。WhatafeverofanxietyandexpectationIwasinfrombreakfasttillnoon-atwhichtimehemadehisappearance!
Havingintroducedhimtomymother，Itookmyworktothewindow，andsatdowntoawaittheresultoftheinterview。Theygotonextremelywelltogether-greatlytomysatisfaction，forIhadfeltveryanxiousaboutwhatmymotherwouldthinkofhim。Hedidnotstaylongthattime:butwhenherosetotakeleave，shesaidsheshouldbehappytoseehim，wheneverhemightfinditconvenienttocallagain；andwhenhewasgone，Iwasgratifiedbyhearinghersay，-'Well!Ithinkhe'saverysensibleman。
Butwhydidyousitbackthere，Agnes，'sheadded，'andtalksolittle？'
'Becauseyoutalkedsowell，mamma，Ithoughtyourequirednoassistancefromme:and，besides，hewasyourvisitor，notmine。'
Afterthat，heoftencalleduponus-severaltimesinthecourseofaweek。Hegenerallyaddressedmostofhisconversationtomymother:andnowonder，forshecouldconverse。Ialmostenviedtheunfettered，vigorousfluencyofherdiscourse，andthestrongsenseevincedbyeverythingshesaid-andyet，Ididnot；for，thoughIoccasionallyregrettedmyowndeficienciesforhissake，itgavemeverygreatpleasuretositandhearthetwobeingsI
lovedandhonouredaboveeveryoneelseintheworld，discoursingtogethersoamicably，sowisely，andsowell。Iwasnotalwayssilent，however；norwasIatallneglected。IwasquiteasmuchnoticedasIwouldwishtobe:therewasnolackofkindwordsandkinderlooks，noendofdelicateattentions，toofineandsubtletobegraspedbywords，andthereforeindescribable-butdeeplyfeltatheart。
Ceremonywasquicklydroppedbetweenus:Mr。Westoncameasanexpectedguest，welcomeatalltimes，andneverderangingtheeconomyofourhouseholdaffairs。Heevencalledme'Agnes:'thenamehadbeentimidlyspokenatfirst，but，findingitgavenooffenceinanyquarter，heseemedgreatlytopreferthatappellationto'MissGrey；'andsodidI。Howtediousandgloomywerethosedaysinwhichhedidnotcome!Andyetnotmiserable；
forIhadstilltheremembranceofthelastvisitandthehopeofthenexttocheerme。Butwhentwoorthreedayspassedwithoutmyseeinghim，Icertainlyfeltveryanxious-absurdly，unreasonablyso；for，ofcourse，hehadhisownbusinessandtheaffairsofhisparishtoattendto。AndIdreadedthecloseoftheholidays，whenMYbusinessalsowouldbegin，andIshouldbesometimesunabletoseehim，andsometimes-whenmymotherwasintheschoolroom-
obligedtobewithhimalone:apositionIdidnotatalldesire，inthehouse；thoughtomeethimoutofdoors，andwalkbesidehim，hadprovedbynomeansdisagreeable。
Oneevening，however，inthelastweekofthevacation，hearrived-unexpectedly:foraheavyandprotractedthunder-showerduringtheafternoonhadalmostdestroyedmyhopesofseeinghimthatday；
butnowthestormwasover，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。
'Abeautifulevening，Mrs。Grey!'saidhe，asheentered。'Agnes，Iwantyoutotakeawalkwithmeto-'henamedacertainpartofthecoast-aboldhillonthelandside，andtowardstheseaasteepprecipice，fromthesummitofwhichagloriousviewistobehad。'Therainhaslaidthedust，andcooledandclearedtheair，andtheprospectwillbemagnificent。Willyoucome？'
'CanIgo，mamma？'
'Yes；tobesure。'
Iwenttogetready，andwasdownagaininafewminutes；though，ofcourse，ItookalittlemorepainswithmyattirethanifIhadmerelybeengoingoutonsomeshoppingexpeditionalone。Thethunder-showerhadcertainlyhadamostbeneficialeffectupontheweather，andtheeveningwasmostdelightful。Mr。Westonwouldhavemetotakehisarm；hesaidlittleduringourpassagethroughthecrowdedstreets，butwalkedveryfast，andappearedgraveandabstracted。Iwonderedwhatwasthematter，andfeltanindefinitedreadthatsomethingunpleasantwasonhismind；andvaguesurmises，concerningwhatitmightbe，troubledmenotalittle，andmademegraveandsilentenough。Butthesefantasiesvanisheduponreachingthequietoutskirtsofthetown；forassoonaswecamewithinsightofthevenerableoldchurch，andthe-hill，withthedeepbluebeyondit，Ifoundmycompanionwascheerfulenough。
'I'mafraidI'vebeenwalkingtoofastforyou，Agnes，'saidhe:
'inmyimpatiencetoberidofthetown，Iforgottoconsultyourconvenience；butnowwe'llwalkasslowlyasyouplease。Isee，bythoselightcloudsinthewest，therewillbeabrilliantsunset，andweshallbeintimetowitnessitseffectuponthesea，atthemostmoderaterateofprogression。'
Whenwehadgotabouthalf-wayupthehill，wefellintosilenceagain；which，asusual，hewasthefirsttobreak。
'Myhouseisdesolateyet，MissGrey，'hesmilinglyobserved，'andIamacquaintednowwithalltheladiesinmyparish，andseveralinthistowntoo；andmanyothersIknowbysightandbyreport；
butnotoneofthemwillsuitmeforacompanion；infact，thereisonlyonepersonintheworldthatwill:andthatisyourself；
andIwanttoknowyourdecision？'
'Areyouinearnest，Mr。Weston？'
'Inearnest!HowcouldyouthinkIshouldjestonsuchasubject？'
Helaidhishandonmine，thatrestedonhisarm:hemusthavefeltittremble-butitwasnogreatmatternow。
'IhopeIhavenotbeentooprecipitate，'hesaid，inaserioustone。'Youmusthaveknownthatitwasnotmywaytoflatterandtalksoftnonsense，oreventospeaktheadmirationthatIfelt；
andthatasinglewordorglanceofminemeantmorethanthehoniedphrasesandferventprotestationsofmostothermen。'
Isaidsomethingaboutnotlikingtoleavemymother，anddoingnothingwithoutherconsent。
'IsettledeverythingwithMrs。Grey，whileyouwereputtingonyourbonnet，'repliedhe。'ShesaidImighthaveherconsent，ifI
couldobtainyours；andIaskedher，incaseIshouldbesohappy，tocomeandlivewithus-forIwassureyouwouldlikeitbetter。
Butsherefused，sayingshecouldnowaffordtoemployanassistant，andwouldcontinuetheschooltillshecouldpurchaseanannuitysufficienttomaintainherincomfortablelodgings；and，meantime，shewouldspendhervacationsalternatelywithusandyoursister，andshouldbequitecontentedifyouwerehappy。
AndsonowIhaveoverruledyourobjectionsonheraccount。Haveyouanyother？'
'No-none。'
'Youlovemethen？'saidbe，ferventlypressingmyhand。
'Yes。'
HereIpause。MyDiary，fromwhichIhavecompiledthesepages，goesbutlittlefurther。Icouldgoonforyears，butIwillcontentmyselfwithadding，thatIshallneverforgetthatglorioussummerevening，andalwaysrememberwithdelightthatsteephill，andtheedgeoftheprecipicewherewestoodtogether，watchingthesplendidsunsetmirroredintherestlessworldofwatersatourfeet-withheartsfilledwithgratitudetoheaven，andhappiness，andlove-almosttoofullforspeech。
Afewweeksafterthat，whenmymotherhadsuppliedherselfwithanassistant，IbecamethewifeofEdwardWeston；andneverhavefoundcausetorepentit，andamcertainthatInevershall。Wehavehadtrials，andweknowthatwemusthavethemagain；butwebearthemwelltogether，andendeavourtofortifyourselvesandeachotheragainstthefinalseparation-thatgreatestofallafflictionstothesurvivor。But，ifwekeepinmindthegloriousheavenbeyond，wherebothmaymeetagain，andsinandsorrowareunknown，surelythattoomaybeborne；and，meantime，weendeavourtolivetothegloryofHimwhohasscatteredsomanyblessingsinourpath。
Edward，byhisstrenuousexertions，hasworkedsurprisingreformsinhisparish，andisesteemedandlovedbyitsinhabitants-ashedeserves；forwhateverhisfaultsmaybeasamanandnooneisentirelywithout，Idefyanybodytoblamehimasapastor，ahusband，orafather。
Ourchildren，Edward，Agnes，andlittleMary，promisewell；theireducation，forthetimebeing，ischieflycommittedtome；andtheyshallwantnogoodthingthatamother'scarecangive。Ourmodestincomeisamplysufficientforourrequirements:andbypractisingtheeconomywelearntinhardertimes，andneverattemptingtoimitateourricherneighbours，wemanagenotonlytoenjoycomfortandcontentmentourselves，buttohaveeveryyearsomethingtolaybyforourchildren，andsomethingtogivetothosewhoneedit。
AndnowIthinkIhavesaidsufficient。