"Doyouthenregardyourselfasimmortal？"
　　"No，myboy。Iamnotimmortal。Butthevoiceofthepressgoesonforever……Anditwillsaythatthiswasthesecretofyourgreatsuccessinataskwherebettermenthanyou-meaningnooffence-didfailrepeatedly。"
　　"Success，"mutteredRenouard，pulling-totheofficedoorafterhimwithconsiderableenergy。AndthelettersofthewordPRIVATElikearowofwhiteeyesseemedtostareafterhisbacksinkingdownthestaircaseofthattempleofpublicity。
　　Renouardhadnodoubtthatallthemeansofpublicitywouldbeputattheserviceofloveandusedforthediscoveryofthelovedman。
　　Hedidnotwishhimdead。Hedidnotwishhimanyharm。Weareallequippedwithafundofhumanitywhichisnotexhaustedwithoutmanyandrepeatedprovocations-andthismanhaddonehimnoevil。
　　ButbeforeRenouardhadleftoldDunster'shouse，attheconclusionofthecallhemadetherethatveryafternoon，hehaddiscoveredinhimselfthedesirethatthesearchmightlastlong。Heneverreallyflatteredhimselfthatitmightfail。Itseemedtohimthattherewasnoothercourseinthisworldforhimself，forallmankind，butresignation。AndhecouldnothelpthinkingthatProfessorMoorsomhadarrivedatthesameconclusiontoo。
　　ProfessorMoorsom，slightframeofmiddleheight，athoughtfulkeenheadunderthethickwavyhair，veileddarkeyesunderstraighteyebrows，andwithaninwardgazewhichwhendisengagedandarrivingatoneseemedtoissuefromanobscuredreamofbooks，fromthelimboofmeditation，showedhimselfextremelygracioustohim。Renouardguessedinhimamanwhomanincurablehabitofinvestigationandanalysishadmadegentleandindulgent；inaptforaction，andmoresensitivetothethoughtsthantotheeventsofexistence。Withalnotcrushed，sub-ironicwithoutatraceofacidity，andwithasimplemannerwhichputpeopleateasequickly。
　　Theyhadalongconversationontheterracecommandinganextendedviewofthetownandtheharbour。
　　Thesplendidimmobilityofthebayrestingunderhisgaze，withitsgreyspursandshiningindentations，helpedRenouardtoregainhisself-possession，whichhehadfeltshaken，incomingoutontheterrace，intothesettingofthemostpowerfulemotionofhislife，whenhehadsatwithinafootofMissMoorsomwithfireinhisbreast，ahumminginhisears，andinacompletedisorderofhismind。Therewastheverygardenseatonwhichhehadbeenenvelopedintheradiantspell。Andpresentlyhewassittingonitagainwiththeprofessortalkingofher。NearbythepatriarchalDunsterleanedforwardinawickerarm-chair，benignandalittledeaf，hisbighandtohisearwiththeinnocenteagernessofhisadvancedagerememberingthefiresoflife。
　　ItwaswithasortofapprehensionthatRenouardlookedforwardtoseeingMissMoorsom。Andstrangelyenoughitresembledthestateofmindofamanwhofearsdisenchantmentmorethansortilege。Butheneednothavebeenafraid。Directlyhesawherinadistanceattheotherendoftheterraceheshudderedtotherootsofhishair。
　　Withherapproachthepowerofspeechlefthimforatime。Mrs。
　　Dunsterandherauntwereaccompanyingher。Allthesepeoplesatdown；itwasanintimatecircleintowhichRenouardfelthimselfcordiallyadmitted；andthetalkwasofthegreatsearchwhichoccupiedalltheirminds。Discretionwasexpectedbythesepeople，butofreticenceastotheobjectofthejourneytherecouldbenoquestion。Nothingbutwaysandmeansandarrangementscouldbetalkedabout。
　　Byfixinghiseyesobstinatelyontheground，whichgavehimanairofreflectivesadness，Renouardmanagedtorecoverhisself-
　　possession。Heusedittokeephisvoiceinalowkeyandtomeasurehiswordsonthegreatsubject。Andhetookcarewithagreatinwardefforttomakethemreasonablewithoutgivingthemadiscouragingcomplexion。Forhedidnotwantthequesttobegivenup，sinceitwouldmeanhergoingawaywithhertwoattendantgrey-
　　headstotheothersideoftheworld。
　　Hewasaskedtocomeagain，tocomeoftenandtakepartinthecounselsofallthesepeoplecaptivatedbythesentimentalenterpriseofadeclaredlove。OntakingMissMoorsom'shandhelookedup，wouldhavelikedtosaysomething，butfoundhimselfvoiceless，withhislipssuddenlysealed。Shereturnedthepressureofhisfingers，andheleftherwithhereyesvaguelystaringbeyondhim，anairoflisteningforanexpectedsound，andthefaintestpossiblesmileonherlips。Asmilenotforhim，evidently，butthereflectionofsomedeepandinscrutablethought。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Hewentonboardhisschooner。Shelaywhite，andasifsuspended，inthecrepuscularatmosphereofsunsetminglingwiththeashygleamofthevastanchorage。Hetriedtokeephisthoughtsassober，asreasonable，asmeasuredashiswordshadbeen，lesttheyshouldgetawayfromhimandcausesomesortofmoraldisaster。
　　Whathewasafraidofinthecomingnightwassleeplessnessandtheendlessstrainofthatwearisometask。Ithadtobefacedhowever。
　　Helayonhisback，sighingprofoundlyinthedark，andsuddenlybeheldhisveryownself，carryingasmallbizarrelamp，reflectedinalongmirrorinsidearoominanemptyandunfurnishedpalace。
　　Inthisstartlingimageofhimselfherecognisedsomebodyhehadtofollow-thefrightenedguideofhisdream。Hetraversedendlessgalleries，noendofloftyhalls，innumerabledoors。Helosthimselfutterly-hefoundhiswayagain。Roomsucceededroom。Atlastthelampwentout，andhestumbledagainstsomeobjectwhich，whenhestoopedforit，hefoundtobeverycoldandheavytolift。
　　Thesicklywhitelightofdawnshowedhimtheheadofastatue。
　　Itsmarblehairwasdoneintheboldlinesofahelmet，onitslipsthechiselhadleftafaintsmile，anditresembledMissMoorsom。
　　Whilehewasstaringatitfixedly，theheadbegantogrowlightinhisfingers，todiminishandcrumbletopieces，andatlastturnedintoahandfulofdust，whichwasblownawaybyapuffofwindsochillythathewokeupwithadesperateshiverandleapedheadlongoutofhisbed-place。Thedayhadreallycome。Hesatdownbythecabintable，andtakinghisheadbetweenhishands，didnotstirforaverylongtime。
　　Veryquiet，hesethimselftoreviewthisdream。Thelamp，ofcourse，heconnectedwiththesearchforaman。ButoncloserexaminationheperceivedthatthereflectionofhimselfinthemirrorwasnotreallythetrueRenouard，butsomebodyelsewhosefacehecouldnotremember。Inthedesertedpalaceherecognisedasinisteradaptationbyhisbrainofthelongcorridorswithmanydoors，inthegreatbuildinginwhichhisfriend'snewspaperwaslodgedonthefirstfloor。ThemarbleheadwithMissMoorsom'sface!Well!Whatotherfacecouldhehavedreamedof？AndhercomplexionwasfairerthanParianmarble，thantheheadsofangels。
　　Thewindattheendwasthemorningbreezeenteringthroughtheopenportholeandtouchinghisfacebeforetheschoonercouldswingtothechillygust。
　　Yes!Andallthisrationalexplanationofthefantasticmadeitonlymoremysteriousandweird。Therewassomethingdaemonicinthatdream。Itwasoneofthoseexperienceswhichthrowamanoutofconformitywiththeestablishedorderofhiskindandmakehimacreatureofobscuresuggestions。
　　Henceforth，withoutevertryingtoresist，hewenteveryafternoontothehousewhereshelived。Hewentthereaspassivelyasifinadream。HecouldnevermakeouthowhehadattainedthefootingofintimacyintheDunstermansionabovethebay-whetheronthegroundofpersonalmeritorasthepioneerofthevegetablesilkindustry。Itmusthavebeenthelast，becauseheremembereddistinctly，asdistinctlyasinadream，hearingoldDunsteroncetellinghimthathisnextpublictaskwouldbeacarefulsurveyoftheNorthernDistrictstodiscovertractssuitableforthecultivationofthesilkplant。Theoldmanwaggedhisbeardathimsagely。Itwasindeedasabsurdasadream。
　　Willieofcoursewouldbethereintheevening。Buthewasmoreofafigureoutofanightmare，hoveringaboutthecircleofchairsinhisdress-clotheslikeagigantic，repulsive，andsentimentalbat。
　　"Doawaywiththebeastlycocoonsallovertheworld，"hebuzzedinhisblurred，water-loggedvoice。Heaffectedagreathorrorofinsectsofallkinds。Oneeveningheappearedwitharedflowerinhisbutton-hole。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoredisgustinglyfantastic。AndhewouldalsosaytoRenouard:"Youmayyetchangethehistoryofourcountry。Foreconomicconditionsdoshapethehistoryofnations。Eh？What？"AndhewouldturntoMissMoorsomforapproval，loweringprotectinglyhisspatulousnoseandlookingupwithfeelingfromunderhisabsurdeyebrows，whichgrewthin，inthemannerofcanebrakes，outofhisspongyskin。Forthislarge，biliouscreaturewasaneconomistandasentimentalist，faciletotears，andamemberoftheCobdenClub。
　　InordertoseeaslittleofhimaspossibleRenouardbegancomingearliersoastogetawaybeforehisarrival，withoutcurtailingtoomuchthehoursofsecretcontemplationforwhichhelived。Hehadgivenuptryingtodeceivehimself。Hisresignationwaswithoutbounds。Heacceptedtheimmensemisfortuneofbeinginlovewithawomanwhowasinsearchofanothermanonlytothrowherselfintohisarms。Withsuchdesperateprecisionhedefinedinhisthoughtsthesituation，theconsciousnessofwhichtraversedlikeasharparrowthesuddensilencesofgeneralconversation。
　　Theonlythoughtbeforewhichhequailedwasthethoughtthatthiscouldnotlast；thatitmustcometoanend。Hefeareditinstinctivelyasasickmanmayfeardeath。Foritseemedtohimthatitmustbethedeathofhimfollowedbyalightless，bottomlesspit。Buthisresignationwasnotsparedthetormentsofjealousy:thecruel，insensate，poignant，andimbecilejealousy，whenitseemsthatawomanbetraysussimplybythisthatsheexists，thatshebreathes-andwhenthedeepmovementsofhernervesorhersoulbecomeamatterofdistractingsuspicion，ofkillingdoubt，ofmortalanxiety。
　　InthepeculiarconditionoftheirsojournMissMoorsomwentoutverylittle。SheacceptedthisseclusionattheDunsters'mansionasinahermitage，andlivedthere，watchedoverbyagroupofoldpeople，withtheloftyenduranceofacondescendingandstrong-
　　headedgoddess。Itwasimpossibletosayifshesufferedfromanythingintheworld，andwhetherthiswastheinsensibilityofagreatpassionconcentratedonitself，oraperfectrestraintofmanner，ortheindifferenceofsuperioritysocompleteastobesufficienttoitself。ButitwasvisibletoRenouardthatshetooksomepleasureintalkingtohimattimes。Wasitbecausehewastheonlypersonnearherage？Wasthis，then，thesecretofhisadmissiontothecircle？
　　Headmiredhervoiceaswellpoisedashermovements，asherattitudes。Hehimselfhadalwaysbeenamanoftranquiltones。
　　Butthepoweroffascinationhadtornhimoutofhisverynaturesocompletelythattopreservehishabitualcalmnessfromgoingtopieceshadbecomeaterribleeffort。
　　Heusedtogofromheronboardtheschoonerexhausted，broken，shakenup，asthoughhehadbeenputtothemostexquisitetorture。
　　Whenhesawherapproachinghealwayshadamomentofhallucination。Shewasamistyandfaircreature，fittedforinvisiblemusic，fortheshadowsoflove，forthemurmursofwaters。Afteratimehecouldnotbealwaysstaringatthegroundhewouldsummonupallhisresolutionandlookather。
　　Therewasasparkleintheclearobscurityofhereyes；andwhensheturnedthemonhimtheyseemedtogiveanewmeaningtolife。
　　Hewouldsaytohimselfthatanothermanwouldhavefoundlongbeforethehappyreleaseofmadness，hiswitsburnttocindersinthatradiance。Butnosuchluckforhim。Hiswitshadcomeunscathedthroughthefurnacesofhotsuns，ofblazingdeserts，offlamingangersagainsttheweaknessesofmenandtheobstinatecrueltiesofhostilenature。
　　Beingsanehehadtobeconstantlyonhisguardagainstfallingintoadoringsilencesorbreakingoutintowildspeeches。Hehadtokeepwatchonhiseyes，hislimbs，onthemusclesofhisface。
　　Theirconversationsweresuchastheycouldbebetweenthesetwopeople:sheayoungladyfreshfromthethicktwilightoffourmillionpeopleandtheartificialityofseveralLondonseasons；hethemanofdefiniteconqueringtasks，thefamiliarofwidehorizons，andinhisveryreposeholdingalooffromtheseagglomerationsofunitsinwhichonelosesone'simportanceeventooneself。Theyhadnocommonconversationalsmallchange。Theyhadtousethegreatpiecesofgeneralideas，buttheyexchangedthemtrivially。Itwasnoseriouscommerce。Perhapsshehadnotmuchofthatcoin。Nothingsignificantcamefromher。Itcouldnotbesaidthatshehadreceivedfromthecontactsoftheexternalworldimpressionsofapersonalkind，differentfromotherwomen。Whatwasravishinginherwasherquietnessand，inhergraveattitudes，theunfailingbrillianceofherfemininity。Hedidnotknowwhattherewasunderthativoryforeheadsosplendidlyshaped，sogloriouslycrowned。Hecouldnottellwhatwereherthoughts，herfeelings。Herreplieswerereflective，alwaysprecededbyashortsilence，whilehehungonherlipsanxiously。Hefelthimselfinthepresenceofamysteriousbeinginwhomspokeanunknownvoice，likethevoiceoforacles，bringingeverlastingunresttotheheart。
　　Hewasthankfulenoughtositinsilencewithsecretlyclenchedteeth，devouredbyjealousy-andnobodycouldhaveguessedthathisquietdeferentialbearingtoallthesegrey-headswasthesupremeeffortofstoicism，thatthemanwasengagedinkeepingasinisterwatchonhistortureslesthisstrengthshouldfailhim。
　　Asbefore，whengrapplingwithotherforcesofnature，hecouldfindinhimselfallsortsofcourageexceptthecouragetorunaway。
　　ItwasperhapsfromthelackofsubjectstheycouldhaveincommonthatMissMoorsommadehimsooftenspeakofhisownlife。Hedidnotshrinkfromtalkingabouthimself，forhewasfreefromthatexacerbated，timidvanitywhichsealssomanyvain-gloriouslips。
　　Hetalkedtoherinhisrestrainedvoice，gazingatthetipofhershoe，andthinkingthatthetimewasboundtocomesoonwhenherveryinattentionwouldgetwearyofhim。Andindeedonstealingaglancehewouldseeherdazzlingandperfect，hereyesvague，staringinmournfulimmobility，withadroopingheadthatmadehimthinkofatragicVenusarisingbeforehim，notfromthefoamofthesea，butfromadistant，stillmoreformless，mysterious，andpotentimmensityofmankind。
　　CHAPTERV
　　OneafternoonRenouardsteppingoutontheterracefoundnobodythere。Itwasforhim，atthesametime，amelancholydisappointmentandapoignantrelief。
　　Theheatwasgreat，theairwasstill，allthelongwindowsofthehousestoodwideopen。Atthefurtherend，groupedroundalady'swork-table，severalchairsdisposedsociablysuggestedinvisibleoccupants，acompanyofconversingshades。Renouardlookedtowardsthemwithasortofdread。Amostelusive，faintsoundofghostlytalkissuingfromoneoftheroomsaddedtotheillusionandstoppedhisalreadyhesitatingfootsteps。Heleanedoverthebalustradeofstonenearasquatvaseholdingatropicalplantofabizarreshape。ProfessorMoorsomcomingupfromthegardenwithabookunderhisarmandawhiteparasolheldoverhisbarehead，foundhimthereand，closingtheparasol，leanedoverbyhissidewitharemarkontheincreasingheatoftheseason。Renouardassentedandchangedhispositionalittle；theother，afterashortsilence，administeredunexpectedlyaquestionwhich，liketheblowofaclubonthehead，deprivedRenouardofthepowerofspeechandeventhought，but，morecruel，lefthimquiveringwithapprehension，notofdeathbutofeverlastingtorment。Yetthewordswereextremelysimple。
　　"Somethingwillhavetobedonesoon。Wecan'tremaininastateofsuspendedexpectationforever。Tellmewhatdoyouthinkofourchances？"
　　Renouard，speechless，producedafaintsmile。Theprofessorconfessedinajoculartonehisimpatiencetocompletethecircuitoftheglobeandbedonewithit。ItwasimpossibletoremainquarteredonthedearexcellentDunstersforanindefinitetime。
　　AndthentherewerethelectureshehadarrangedtodeliverinParis。Aseriousmatter。
　　ThatlecturesbyProfessorMoorsomwereaEuropeaneventandthatbrilliantaudienceswouldgathertohearthemRenouarddidnotknow。Allhewasawareofwastheshockofthishintofdeparture。
　　Themenaceofseparationfellonhisheadlikeathunderbolt。Andhesawtheabsurdityofhisemotion，forhadn'thelivedallthesedaysundertheverycloud？Theprofessor，hiselbowsspreadout，lookeddownintothegardenandwentonunburdeninghismind。Yes。
　　Thedepartmentofsentimentwasdirectedbyhisdaughter，andshehadplentyofvolunteeredmoralsupport；buthehadtolookafterthepracticalsideoflifewithoutassistance。
　　"Ihavethelesshesitationinspeakingtoyouaboutmyanxiety，becauseIfeelyouarefriendlytousandatthesametimeyouaredetachedfromallthesesublimities-confoundthem。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"murmuredRenouard。
　　"Imeanthatyouarecapableofcalmjudgment。Heretheatmosphereissimplydetestable。Everybodyhasknuckledundertosentiment。
　　Perhapsyourdeliberateopinioncouldinfluence……"
　　"YouwantMissMoorsomtogiveitup？"Theprofessorturnedtotheyoungmandismally。
　　"HeavenonlyknowswhatIwant。"
　　Renouardleaninghisbackagainstthebalustradefoldedhisarmsonhisbreast，appearedtomeditateprofoundly。Hisface，shadedsoftlybythebroadbrimofaplanter'sPanamahat，withthestraightlineofthenoselevelwiththeforehead，theeyeslostinthedepthofthesetting，andthechinwellforward，hadsuchaprofileasmaybeseenamongstthebronzesofclassicalmuseums，pureunderacrestedhelmet-recalledvaguelyaMinerva'shead。
　　"ThisisthemosttroublesometimeIeverhadinmylife，"
　　exclaimedtheprofessortestily。
　　"Surelythemanmustbeworthit，"mutteredRenouardwithapangofjealousytraversinghisbreastlikeaself-inflictedstab。
　　Whetherenervatedbytheheatorgivingwaytopentupirritationtheprofessorsurrenderedhimselftothemoodofsincerity。
　　"Hebeganbybeingapleasantlydullboy。Hedevelopedintoapointlesslycleveryoungman，without，Isuspect，evertryingtounderstandanything。Mydaughterknewhimfromchildhood。Iamabusyman，andIconfessthattheirengagementwasacompletesurprisetome。Iwishtheirreasonsforthatstephadbeenmorenaive。Butsimplicitywasoutoffashionintheirset。Fromaworldlypointofviewheseemstohavebeenamerebaby。Ofcourse，now，Iamassuredthatheisthevictimofhisnobleconfidenceintherectitudeofhiskind。Butthat'smereidealisingofasadreality。FormypartIwilltellyouthatfromtheverybeginningIhadthegravestdoubtsofhisdishonesty。
　　Unfortunatelymycleverdaughterhadn't。Andnowwebeholdthereaction。No。Tobeearnestlydishonestonemustbereallypoor。
　　Thiswasonlyamanifestationofhisextremelyrefinedcleverness。
　　Thecomplicatedsimpleton。Hehadanawfulawakeningthough。"
　　InsuchwordsdidProfessorMoorsomgivehis"youngfriend"tounderstandthestateofhisfeelingstowardthelostman。ItwasevidentthatthefatherofMissMoorsomwishedhimtoremainlost。
　　PerhapstheunprecedentedheatoftheseasonmadehimlongforthecoolspacesofthePacific，thesweepoftheocean'sfreewindalongthepromenadedecks，cumberedwithlongchairs，ofashipsteamingtowardstheCaliforniancoast。ToRenouardthephilosopherappearedsimplythemosttreacherousoffathers。Hewasamazed。Buthewasnotattheendofhisdiscoveries。
　　"Hemaybedead，"theprofessormurmured。
　　"Why？Peopledon'tdieheresoonerthaninEurope。IfhehadgonetohideinItaly，forinstance，youwouldn'tthinkofsayingthat。"
　　"Well!Andsupposehehasbecomemorallydisintegrated。Youknowhewasnotastrongpersonality，"theprofessorsuggestedmoodily。
　　"Mydaughter'sfutureisinquestionhere。"
　　Renouardthoughtthattheloveofsuchawomanwasenoughtopullanybrokenmantogether-todragamanoutofhisgrave。Andhethoughtthiswithinwarddespair，whichkepthimsilentasmuchalmostashisastonishment。Atlasthemanagedtostammeroutagenerous-
　　"Oh!Don'tletusevensuppose……"
　　Theprofessorstruckinwithasadderaccentthanbefore-
　　"It'sgoodtobeyoung。Andthenyouhavebeenamanofaction，andnecessarilyabelieverinsuccess。ButIhavebeenlookingtoolongatlifenottodistrustitssurprises。Age!Age!HereI
　　standbeforeyouamanfullofdoubtsandhesitation-SPELENTUS，TIMIDUSFUTURI。"
　　HemadeasigntoRenouardnottointerrupt，andinaloweredvoice，asifafraidofbeingoverheard，eventhere，inthesolitudeoftheterrace-
　　"AndtheworstisthatIamnotevensurehowfarthissentimentalpilgrimageisgenuine。Yes。Idoubtmyownchild。It'struethatshe'sawoman……"
　　Renouarddetectedwithhorroratoneofresentment，asiftheprofessorhadneverforgivenhisdaughterfornotdyinginsteadofhisson。Thelatternoticedtheyoungman'sstonystare。
　　"Ah!youdon'tunderstand。Yes，she'sclever，open-minded，popular，and-well，charming。Butyoudon'tknowwhatitistohavemoved，breathed，existed，andeventriumphedinthemeresmotherandfrothoflife-thebrilliantfroth。Therethoughts，sentiments，opinions，feelings，actionstoo，arenothingbutagitationinemptyspace-toamuselife-asortofsuperiordebauchery，excitingandfatiguing，meaningnothing，leadingnowhere。Sheisthecreatureofthatcircle。AndIaskmyselfifsheisobeyingtheuneasinessofaninstinctseekingitssatisfaction，orisitarevulsionoffeeling，orisshemerelydeceivingherownheartbythisdangeroustriflingwithromanticimages。Andeverythingispossible-exceptsincerity，suchasonlystark，strugglinghumanitycanknow。Nowomancanstandthatmodeoflifeinwhichwomenrule，andremainaperfectlygenuine，simplehumanbeing。Ah!There'ssomepeoplecomingout。"
　　Hemovedoffapace，thenturninghishead:"Uponmyword!I
　　wouldbeinfinitelyobligedtoyouifyoucouldthrowalittlecoldwater……"andatavaguelydismayedgestureofRenouard，headded:"Don'tbeafraid。Youwouldn'tbeputtingoutasacredfire。"
　　Renouardcouldhardlyfindwordsforaprotest:"IassureyouthatInevertalkwithMissMoorsom-on-on-that。Andifyou，herfather……"
　　"Ienvyyouyourinnocence，"sighedtheprofessor。"Afatherisonlyaneverydayperson。Flat。Stale。Moreover，mychildwouldnaturallymistrustme。Webelongtothesameset。Whereasyoucarrywithyoutheprestigeoftheunknown。Youhaveprovedyourselftobeaforce。"
　　ThereupontheprofessorfollowedbyRenouardjoinedthecircleofalltheinmatesofthehouseassembledattheotherendoftheterraceaboutatea-table；threewhiteheadsandthatresplendentvisionofwoman'sglory，thesightofwhichhadthepowertoflutterhisheartlikeareminderofthemortalityofhisframe。
　　HeavoidedtheseatbythesideofMissMoorsom。Theothersweretalkingtogetherlanguidly。Unnoticedhelookedatthatwomansomarvellousthatcenturiesseemedtoliebetweenthem。Hewasoppressedandovercomeatthethoughtofwhatshecouldgivetosomemanwhoreallywouldbeaforce!Whatagloriousstrugglewiththisamazon。Whatnobleburdenforthevictoriousstrength。
　　DearoldMrs。Dunsterwasdispensingtea，lookingfromtimetotimewithinteresttowardsMissMoorsom。Theagedstatesmanhavingeatenarawtomatoanddrunkaglassofmilkahabitofhisearlyfarmingdays，longbeforepolitics，when，pioneerofwheat-growing，hedemonstratedthepossibilityofraisingcropsongroundlookingbarrenenoughtodiscourageamagician，smoothedhiswhitebeard，andstrucklightlyRenouard'skneewithhisbigwrinkledhand。
　　"Youhadbettercomebackto-nightanddinewithusquietly。"
　　Helikedthisyoungman，apioneer，too，inmorethanonedirection。Mrs。Dunsteradded:"Do。Itwillbeveryquiet。I
　　don'tevenknowifWilliewillbehomefordinner。"Renouardmurmuredhisthanks，andlefttheterracetogoonboardtheschooner。Whilelingeringinthedrawing-roomdoorwayheheardtheresonantvoiceofoldDunsterutteringoracularly-
　　"……theleadingmanheresomeday……Likeme。"
　　Renouardletthethinsummerportiereofthedoorwayfallbehindhim。ThevoiceofProfessorMoorsomsaid-
　　"Iamtoldthathehasmadeanenemyofalmosteverymanwhohadtoworkwithhim。"
　　"That'snothing。Hedidhiswork……Likeme。"
　　"Henevercountedthecosttheysay。Notevenoflives。"
　　Renouardunderstoodthattheyweretalkingofhim。Beforehecouldmoveaway，Mrs。Dunsterstruckinplacidly-
　　"Don'tletyourselfbeshockedbythetalesyoumayhearofhim，mydear。Mostofitisenvy。"
　　ThenheheardMissMoorsom'svoicereplyingtotheoldlady-
　　"Oh!Iamnoteasilydeceived。IthinkImaysayIhaveaninstinctfortruth。"
　　Hehastenedawayfromthathousewithhisheartfullofdread。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Onboardtheschooner，lyingonthesetteeonhisbackwiththeknucklesofhishandspressedoverhiseyes，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotreturntothathousefordinner-thathewouldnevergobackthereanymore。Hemadeuphismindsometwentytimes。Theknowledgethathehadonlytogouponthequarterdeck，utterquietlythewords:"Manthewindlass，"andthattheschoonerspringingintolifewouldrunahundredmilesouttoseabeforesunrise，deceivedhisstrugglingwill。Nothingeasier!
　　Yet，intheend，thisyoungman，almostill-famedforhisruthlessdaring，theinflexibleleaderoftwotragicallysuccessfulexpeditions，shrankfromthatactofsavageenergy，andbegan，instead，tohuntforexcuses。
　　No!Itwasnotforhimtorunawaylikeanincurablewhocutshisthroat。Hefinisheddressingandlookedathisownimpassivefaceinthesaloonmirrorscornfully。Whilebeingpulledonshoreinthegig，herememberedsuddenlythewildbeautyofawaterfallseenwhenhardlymorethanaboy，yearsago，inMenado。Therewasalegendofagovernor-generaloftheDutchEastIndies，onofficialtour，committingsuicideonthatspotbyleapingintothechasm。
　　Itwassupposedthatapainfuldiseasehadmadehimwearyoflife。
　　Butwasthereeveravisitationlikehisown，atthesametimebindingonetolifeandsocruellymortal!
　　Thedinnerwasindeedquiet。Willie，givenhalfanhour'sgrace，failedtoturnup，andhischairremainedvacantbythesideofMissMoorsom。Renouardhadtheprofessor'ssisteronhisleft，dressedinanexpensivegownbecomingherage。ThatmaidenladyinherwonderfulpreservationremindedRenouardsomehowofawaxflowerunderglass。Therewerenotracesofthedustoflife'sbattlesonheranywhere。Shedidnotlikehimverymuchintheafternoons，inhiswhitedrillsuitandplanter'shat，whichseemedtoheranundulyBohemiancostumeforcallinginahousewheretherewereladies。Butintheevening，litheandelegantinhisdressclothesandwithhispleasant，slightlyveiledvoice，healwaysmadeherconquestafresh。Hemighthavebeenanybodydistinguished-thesonofaduke。Fallingunderthatcharmprobablyandalsobecauseherbrotherhadgivenherahint，sheattemptedtoopenherhearttoRenouard，whowaswatchingwithallthepowerofhissoulhernieceacrossthetable。Shespoketohimasfranklyasthoughthatmiserablemortalenvelope，emptiedofeverythingbuthopelesspassion，wereindeedthesonofaduke。
　　Inattentive，heheardheronlyinsnatches，tillthefinalconfidentialburst:"……gladifyouwouldexpressanopinion。
　　Lookather，socharming，suchagreatfavourite，sogenerallyadmired!Itwouldbetoosad。Weallhopedshewouldmakeabrilliantmarriagewithsomebodyveryrichandofhighposition，haveahouseinLondonandinthecountry，andentertainusallsplendidly。She'ssoeminentlyfittedforit。Shehassuchhostsofdistinguishedfriends!Andthen-thisinstead!……Myheartreallyaches。"
　　Herwell-bredifanxiouswhisperwascoveredbythevoiceofprofessorMoorsomdiscoursingsubtlydowntheshortlengthofthedinnertableontheImpermanencyoftheMeasurabletohisvenerabledisciple。ItmighthavebeenachapterinanewandpopularbookofMoorsonianphilosophy。Patriarchalanddelighted，oldDunsterleanedforwardalittle，hiseyesshiningyouthfully，twospotsofcolourattherootsofhiswhitebeard；andRenouard，glancingatthesenileexcitement，recalledthewordsheardonthosesubtlelips，adoptedtheirscornforhisown，sawtheirtruthbeforethismanreadytobeamusedbythesideofthegrave。Yes!
　　Intellectualdebaucheryinthefrothofexistence!Frothandfraud!
　　OnthesamesideofthetableMissMoorsomneveroncelookedtowardsherfather，allhergraceasiffrozen，herredlipscompressed，thefaintestrosinessunderherdazzlingcomplexion，herblackeyesburningmotionless，andtheverycopperygleamsoflightlyingstillonthewavesandundulationofherhair。
　　Renouardfanciedhimselfoverturningthetable，smashingcrystalandchina，treadingfruitandflowersunderfoot，seizingherinhisarms，carryingheroffinatumultofshrieksfromallthesepeople，asilentfrightenedmortal，intosomeprofoundretreatasintheageofCavernmen。Suddenlyeverybodygotup，andhehastenedtorisetoo，findinghimselfoutofbreathandquiteunsteadyonhisfeet。
　　Ontheterracethephilosopher，afterlightingacigar，slippedhishandcondescendinglyunderhis"dearyoungfriend's"arm。Renouardregardedhimnowwiththeprofoundestmistrust。Butthegreatmanseemedreallytohavealikingforhisyoungfriend-oneofthosemysterioussympathies，disregardingthedifferencesofageandposition，whichinthiscasemighthavebeenexplainedbythefailureofphilosophytomeetaveryrealworryofapracticalkind。
　　Afteraturnortwoandsomecasualtalktheprofessorsaidsuddenly:"Mylatesonwasinyourschool-doyouknow？Icanimaginethathadhelivedandyouhadevermetyouwouldhaveunderstoodeachother。Hetoowasinclinedtoaction。"
　　Hesighed，then，shakingoffthemournfulthoughtandwithanodattheduskypartoftheterracewherethedressofhisdaughtermadealuminousstain:"Ireallywishyouwoulddropinthatquarterafewsensible，discouragingwords。"
　　Renouarddisengagedhimselffromthatmostperfidiousofmenunderthepretenceofastonishment，andsteppingbackapace-
　　"Surelyyouaremakingfunofme，ProfessorMoorsom，"hesaidwithalowlaugh，whichwasreallyasoundofrage。
　　"Mydearyoungfriend!It'snosubjectforjokes，tome……Youdon'tseemtohaveanynotionofyourprestige，"headded，walkingawaytowardsthechairs。
　　"Humbug!"thoughtRenouard，standingstillandlookingafterhim。
　　"Andyet!Andyet!Whatifitweretrue？"
　　HeadvancedthentowardsMissMoorsom。Posedontheseatonwhichtheyhadfirstspokentoeachother，itwasherturntowatchhimcomingon。Butmanyofthewindowswerenotlightedthatevening。
　　Itwasdarkoverthere。Sheappearedtohimluminousinhercleardress，afigurewithoutshape，afacewithoutfeatures，awaitinghisapproach，tillhegotquiteneartoher，satdown，andtheyhadexchangedafewinsignificantwords。Graduallyshecameoutlikeamagicpaintingofcharm，fascination，anddesire，glowingmysteriouslyonthedarkbackground。Somethingimperceptibleinthelinesofherattitude，inthemodulationsofhervoice，seemedtosoftenthatsuggestionofcalmunconsciouspridewhichenvelopedheralwayslikeamantle。He，sensitivelikeabondslavetothemoodsofthemaster，wasmovedbythesubtlerelentingofhergracetoaninfinitetenderness。Hefoughtdowntheimpulsetoseizeherbythehand，leadherdownintothegardenawayunderthebigtrees，andthrowhimselfatherfeetutteringwordsoflove。Hisemotionwassostrongthathehadtocoughslightly，andnotknowingwhattotalktoherabouthebegantotellherofhismotherandsisters。AllthefamilywerecomingtoLondontolivethere，forsomelittletimeatleast。
　　"Ihopeyouwillgoandtellthemsomethingofme。Somethingseen，"hesaidpressingly。
　　Bythismiserablesubterfuge，likeamanabouttopartwithhislife，hehopedtomakeherrememberhimalittlelonger。
　　"Certainly，"shesaid。"I'llbegladtocallwhenIgetback。Butthat'when'maybealongtime。"
　　Heheardalightsigh。Acrueljealouscuriositymadehimask-
　　"Areyougrowingweary，MissMoorsom？"
　　Asilencefellonhislowspokenquestion。
　　"Doyoumeanheart-weary？"soundedMissMoorsom'svoice。"Youdon'tknowme，Isee。"
　　"Ah!Neverdespair，"hemuttered。
　　"This，Mr。Renouard，isaworkofreparation。Istandfortruthhere。Ican'tthinkofmyself。"
　　Hecouldhavetakenherbythethroatforeverywordseemedaninsulttohispassion；butheonlysaid-
　　"Ineverdoubtedthe-the-nobilityofyourpurpose。"
　　"Andtohearthewordwearinesspronouncedinthisconnectionsurprisesme。Andfromamantoowho，Iunderstand，hasnevercountedthecost。"
　　"Youarepleasedtoteaseme，"hesaid，directlyhehadrecoveredhisvoiceandhadmasteredhisanger。ItwasasifProfessorMoorsomhaddroppedpoisoninhisearwhichwasspreadingnowandtaintinghispassion，hisveryjealousy。Hemistrustedeverywordthatcamefromthoselipsonwhichhislifehung。"Howcanyouknowanythingofmenwhodonotcountthecost？"heaskedinhisgentlesttones。
　　"Fromhearsay-alittle。"
　　"Well，Iassureyoutheyareliketheothers，subjecttosuffering，victimsofspells……"
　　"Oneofthem，atleast，speaksverystrangely。"
　　Shedismissedthesubjectafterashortsilence。"Mr。Renouard，I
　　hadadisappointmentthismorning。Thismailbroughtmealetterfromthewidowoftheoldbutler-youknow。Iexpectedtolearnthatshehadheardfrom-fromhere。Butno。Noletterarrivedhomesinceweleft。"
　　Hervoicewascalm。Hisjealousycouldn'tstandmuchmoreofthissortoftalk；buthewasgladthatnothinghadturneduptohelpthesearch；gladblindly，unreasonably-onlybecauseitwouldkeepherlongerinhissight-sinceshewouldn'tgiveup。
　　"Iamtoonearher，"hethought，movingalittlefurtherontheseat。Hewasafraidintherevulsionoffeelingofflinginghimselfonherhands，whichwerelyingonherlap，andcoveringthemwithkisses。Hewasafraid。Nothing，nothingcouldshakethatspell-notifshewereeversofalse，stupid，ordegraded。
　　Shewasfateitself。Theextentofhismisfortuneplungedhiminsuchastuporthathefailedatfirsttohearthesoundofvoicesandfootstepsinsidethedrawing-room。Williehadcomehome-andtheEditorwaswithhim。
　　Theyburstoutontheterracebabblingnoisily，andthenpullingthemselvestogetherstoodstill，surprising-andasifthemselvessurprised。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Theyhadbeenfeastingapoetfromthebush，thelatestdiscoveryoftheEditor。Suchdiscoverieswerethebusiness，thevocation，theprideanddelightoftheonlyapostleoflettersinthehemisphere，thesolitarypatronofculture，theSlaveoftheLamp-
　　ashesubscribedhimselfatthebottomoftheweeklyliterarypageofhispaper。HehadhadnodifficultyinpersuadingthevirtuousWilliewhohadfestiveinstinctstohelpinthegoodwork，andnowtheyhadleftthepoetlyingasleeponthehearthrugoftheeditorialroomandhadrushedtotheDunstermansionwildly。TheEditorhadanotherdiscoverytoannounce。Swayingalittlewherehestoodheopenedhismouthverywidetoshouttheoneword"Found!"BehindhimWillieflungbothhishandsabovehisheadandletthemfalldramatically。Renouardsawthefourwhite-headedpeopleattheendoftheterracerisealltogetherfromtheirchairswithaneffectofsuddenpanic。
　　"Itellyou-he-is-found，"thepatronoflettersshoutedemphatically。
　　"Whatisthis!"exclaimedRenouardinachokedvoice。MissMoorsomseizedhiswristsuddenly，andatthatcontactfireranthroughallhisveins，ahotstillnessdescendeduponhiminwhichheheardtheblood-orthefire-beatinginhisears。Hemadeamovementasiftorise，butwasrestrainedbytheconvulsivepressureonhiswrist。
　　"No，no。"MissMoorsom'seyesstaredblackasnight，searchingthespacebeforeher。FarawaytheEditorstruttedforward，Williefollowingwithhisostentatiousmannerofcarryinghisbulkyandoppressivecarcasswhich，however，didnotremainexactlyperpendicularfortwosecondstogether。
　　"TheinnocentArthur……Yes。We'vegothim，"theEditorbecameverybusiness-like。"Yes，thisletterhasdoneit。"
　　Heplungedintoaninsidepocketforit，slappedthescrapofpaperwithhisopenpalm。"Fromthatoldwoman。WilliamhaditinhispocketsincethismorningwhenMissMoorsomgaveittohimtoshowme。Forgotallaboutittillanhourago。Thoughtitwasofnoimportance。Well，no!Nottillitwasproperlyread。"
　　RenouardandMissMoorsomemergedfromtheshadowssidebyside，awell-matchedcouple，animatedyetstatuesqueintheircalmnessandintheirpallor。Shehadletgohiswrist。OncatchingsightofRenouardtheEditorexclaimed:
　　"What-youhere!"inaquiteshrillvoice。
　　Therecameadeadpause。Allthefaceshadinthemsomethingdismayedandcruel。
　　"He'stheverymanwewant，"continuedtheEditor。"Excusemyexcitement。Youaretheveryman，Renouard。Didn'tyoutellmethatyourassistantcalledhimselfWalter？Yes？Thoughtso。Buthere'sthatoldwoman-thebutler'swife-listentothis。Shewrites:AllIcantellyou，Miss，isthatmypoorhusbanddirectedhisletterstothenameofH。Walter。"
　　Renouard'sviolentbutrepressedexclamationwaslostinageneralmurmurandshuffleoffeet。TheEditormadeastepforward，bowedwithcreditablesteadiness。
　　"MissMoorsom，allowmetocongratulateyoufromthebottomofmyheartonthehappy-er-issue……"
　　"Wait，"mutteredRenouardirresolutely。
　　TheEditorjumpedonhiminthemanneroftheiroldfriendship。
　　"Ah，you!Youareafinefellowtoo。Withyoursolitarywaysoflifeyouwillendbyhavingnomorediscriminationthanasavage。
　　Fancylivingwithagentlemanformonthsandneverguessing。A
　　man，Iamcertain，accomplished，remarkable，outofthecommon，sincehehadbeendistinguished"hebowedagain"byMissMoorsom，whomwealladmire。"
　　Sheturnedherbackonhim。
　　"Ihopetogoodnessyouhaven'tbeenleadinghimadog'slife，Geoffrey，"theEditoraddressedhisfriendinawhisperedaside。
　　Renouardseizedachairviolently，satdown，andproppinghiselbowonhiskneeleanedhisheadonhishand。Behindhimthesisteroftheprofessorlookeduptoheavenandwrungherhandsstealthily。
　　Mrs。Dunster'shandswereclaspedforciblyunderherchin，butshe，dearsoul，waslookingsorrowfullyatWillie。Themodelnephew!
　　Inthisstrangestate!Soverymuchflushed!ThecarefuldispositionofthethinhairsacrossWillie'sbaldspotwasdeplorablydisarranged，andthespotitselfwasredand，asitwere，steaming。
　　"What'sthematter，Geoffrey？"TheEditorseemeddisconcertedbythesilentattitudesroundhim，asthoughhehadexpectedallthesepeopletoshoutanddance。"Youhavehimontheisland-haven'tyou？"
　　"Oh，yes:Ihavehimthere，"saidRenouard，withoutlookingup。
　　"Well，then!"TheEditorlookedhelplesslyaroundasifbeggingforresponseofsomesort。Buttheonlyresponsethatcamewasveryunexpected。Annoyedatbeingleftinthebackground，andalsobecauseverylittledrinkmadehimnasty，theemotionalWillieturnedmalignantallatonce，andinabibuloustonesurprisinginamanabletokeephisbalancesowell-
　　"Aha!Butyouhaven'tgothimhere-notyet!"hesneered。"No!
　　Youhaven'tgothimyet。"
　　ThisoutrageousexhibitionwastotheEditorlikethelashtoajadedhorse。Hepositivelyjumped。
　　"Whatofthat？Whatdoyoumean？We-haven't-got-him-here。
　　Ofcourseheisn'there!ButGeoffrey'sschoonerishere。Shecanbesentatoncetofetchhimhere。No!Stay!There'sabetterplan。Whyshouldn'tyouallsailovertoMalata，professor？Savetime!IamsureMissMoorsomwouldprefer……"
　　WithagallantflourishofhisarmhelookedforMissMoorsom。Shehaddisappeared。Hewastakenabacksomewhat。
　　"Ah!H'm。Yes……Whynot。Apleasurecruise，delightfulship，delightfulseason，delightfulerrand，del……No!Therearenoobjections。Geoffrey，Iunderstand，hasindulgedinabungalowthreesizestoolargeforhim。Hecanputyouallup。Itwillbeapleasureforhim。Itwillbethegreatestprivilege。
　　Anymanwouldbeproudofbeinganagentofthishappyreunion。I
　　amproudofthelittlepartI'veplayed。Hewillconsideritthegreatesthonour。Geoff，myboy，youhadbetterbestirringto-
　　morrowbrightandearlyaboutthepreparationsforthetrip。Itwouldbecriminaltoloseasingleday。"
　　HewasasflushedasWillie，theexcitementkeepinguptheeffectofthefestivedinner。ForatimeRenouard，silent，asifhehadnotheardawordofallthatbabble，didnotstir。ButwhenhegotupitwastoadvancetowardstheEditorandgivehimsuchaheartyslaponthebackthattheplumplittlemanreeledinhistracksandlookedquitefrightenedforamoment。
　　"Youareaheaven-borndiscovererandafirst-ratemanager……
　　He'sright。It'stheonlyway。Youcan'tresisttheclaimofsentiment，andyoumustevenriskthevoyagetoMalata……"
　　Renouard'svoicesank。"Alonelyspot，"headded，andfellintothoughtunderalltheseeyesconvergingonhiminthesuddensilence。Hisslowglancepassedoverallthefacesinsuccession，remainingarrestedonProfessorMoorsom，stonyeyed，asmoulderingcigarinhisfingers，andwithhissisterstandingbyhisside。
　　"Ishallbeinfinitelygratifiedifyouconsenttocome。But，ofcourse，youwill。Weshallsailto-morroweveningthen。Andnowletmeleaveyoutoyourhappiness。"
　　Hebowed，verygrave，pointedsuddenlyhisfingeratWilliewhowasswayingaboutwithasleepyfrown……"Lookathim。He'sovercomewithhappiness。Youhadbetterputhimtobed……"anddisappearedwhileeveryheadontheterracewasturnedtoWilliewithvariedexpressions。
　　Renouardranthroughthehouse。Avoidingthecarriageroadhefleddownthesteepshortcuttotheshore，wherehisgigwaswaiting。
　　AthisloudshoutthesleepingKanakasjumpedup。Heleapedin。
　　"Shoveoff。Giveway!"andthegigdartedthroughthewater。
　　"Giveway!Giveway!"Sheflewpastthewool-clipperssleepingattheiranchorseachwiththeopenunwinkingeyeofthelampintherigging；sheflewpasttheflagshipofthePacificsquadron，agreatmassalldarkandsilent，heavywiththeslumbersoffivehundredmen，andwheretheinvisiblesentriesheardhisurgent"Giveway!Giveway!"inthenight。TheKanakas，panting，roseoffthethwartsateverystroke。Nothingcouldbefastenoughforhim!Andheranupthesideofhisschoonershakingtheladdernoisilywithhisrush。
　　Ondeckhestumbledandstoodstill。
　　Whereforethishaste？Towhatend，sinceheknewwellbeforehestartedthathehadapursuerfromwhomtherewasnoescape。
　　Ashisfoottouchedthedeckhiswill，hispurposehehadbeenhurryingtosave，diedoutwithin。Ithadbeennothinglessthangettingtheschoonerunder-way，lettinghervanishsilentlyinthenightfromamongstthesesleepingships。Andnowhewascertainhecouldnotdoit。Itwasimpossible!Andhereflectedthatwhetherhelivedordiedsuchanactwouldlayhimunderadarksuspicionfromwhichheshrank。No，therewasnothingtobedone。
　　Hewentdownintothecabinand，beforeevenunbuttoninghisovercoat，tookoutofthedrawertheletteraddressedtohisassistant；thatletterwhichhehadfoundinthepigeon-holelabelled"Malata"inyoungDunster'souteroffice，whereithadbeenwaitingforthreemonthssomeoccasionforbeingforwarded。
　　Fromthemomentofdroppingitinthedrawerhehadutterlyforgottenitsexistence-tillnow，whentheman'snamehadcomeoutsoclamorously。Heglancedatthecommonenvelope，notedtheshakyandlaborioushandwriting:H。Walter，Esqre。Undoubtedlytheverylastlettertheoldbutlerhadpostedbeforehisillness，andinanswerclearlytoonefrom"MasterArthur"instructinghimtoaddressinthefuture:"CareofMessrs。W。DunsterandCo。"
　　Renouardmadeasiftoopentheenvelope，butpaused，and，instead，toretheletterdeliberatelyintwo，infour，ineight。Withhishandfullofpiecesofpaperhereturnedondeckandscatteredthemoverboardonthedarkwater，inwhichtheyvanishedinstantly。
　　Hediditslowly，withouthesitationorremorse。H。Walter，Esqre，inMalata。TheinnocentArthur-Whatwashisname？Themansoughtforbythatwomanwhoasshewentbyseemedtodrawallthepassionoftheearthtoher，withouteffort，notdeigningtonotice，naturally，asotherwomenbreathedtheair。ButRenouardwasnolongerjealousofherveryexistence。Whateveritsmeaningitwasnotforthatmanhehadpickedupcasuallyonobscureimpulse，togetridofthetiresomeexpostulationsofaso-calledfriend；amanofwhomhereallyknewnothing-andnowadeadman。
　　InMalata。Oh，yes!Hewastheresecureenough，untroubledinhisgrave。InMalata。ToburyhimwasthelastserviceRenouardhadrenderedtohisassistantbeforeleavingtheislandonthistriptotown。
　　LikemanymenreadyenoughforarduousenterprisesRenouardwasinclinedtoevadethesmallcomplicationsofexistence。Thistraitofhischaracterwascomposedofalittleindolence，somedisdain，andashrinkingfromcontestswithcertainformsofvulgarity-
　　likeamanwhowouldfacealionandgooutofhiswaytoavoidatoad。Hisintercoursewiththemeddlesomejournalistwasthatmerelyoutwardintimacywithoutsympathysomeyoungmengetdrawnintoeasily。Ithadamusedhimrathertokeepthat"friend"inthedarkaboutthefateofhisassistant。Renouardhadneverneededothercompanythanhisown，fortherewasinhimsomethingofthesensitivenessofadreamerwhoiseasilyjarred。Hehadsaidtohimselfthattheall-knowingonewouldonlypreachagainabouttheevilsofsolitudeandworryhisheadoffinfavourofsomeforlornlyuselessprotegeofhis。AlsotheinquisitivenessoftheEditorhadirritatedhimandhadclosedhislipsinsheerdisgust。
　　Andnowhecontemplatedthenooseofconsequencesdrawingtightaroundhim。
　　Itwasthememoryofthatdiplomaticreticencewhichontheterracehadstiffledhisfirstcrywhichwouldhavetoldthemallthatthemansoughtforwasnottobemetonearthanymore。Heshrankfromtheabsurdityofhearingtheall-knowingone，andnotverysoberatthat，turningonhimwithrighteousreproaches-
　　"Younevertoldme。Yougavemetounderstandthatyourassistantwasalive，andnowyousayhe'sdead。Whichisit？Wereyoulyingthenorareyoulyingnow？"No!thethoughtofsuchascenewasnottobeborne。Hehadsatdownappalled，thinking:"WhatshallIdonow？"
　　Hiscouragehadoozedoutofhim。SpeakingthetruthmeanttheMoorsomsgoingawayatonce-whileitseemedtohimthathewouldgivethelastshredofhisrectitudetosecureadaymoreofhercompany。Hesaton-silent。Slowly，fromconfusedsensations，fromhistalkwiththeprofessor，themannerofthegirlherself，theintoxicatingfamiliarityofhersuddenhand-clasp，therehadcometohimahalfglimmerofhope。Theothermanwasdead。Then!……Madness，ofcourse-buthecouldnotgiveitup。Hehadlistenedtothatconfoundedbusybodyarrangingeverything-whileallthesepeoplestoodaroundassenting，underthespellofthatdeadromance。Hehadlistenedscornfulandsilent。Theglimmersofhope，ofopportunity，passedbeforehiseyes。Hehadonlytositstillandsaynothing。Thatandnomore。Andwhatwastruthtohiminthefaceofthatgreatpassionwhichhadflunghimprostrateinspiritatheradoredfeet!
　　Andnowitwasdone!Fatalityhadwilledit!Withtheeyesofamortalstruckbythemaddeningthunderboltofthegods，Renouardlookeduptothesky，animmenseblackpalldustedoverwithgold，onwhichgreatshuddersseemedtopassfromthebreathoflifeaffirmingitssway。