InamomentSylviahadsprungupfromherseat，andwasrunningintosootheandcomforthermother'stroubledfancies。Philipsateonbythewell—side，hisfaceburiedinhistwohands。Presentlyheliftedhimselfup，dranksomewatereagerlyoutofhishollowedpalm，sighed，andshookhimself，andfollowedhiscousinintothehouse。Sometimeshecameunexpectedlytothelimitsofhisinfluenceoverher。Ingeneralsheobeyedhisexpressedwisheswithgentleindifference，asifshehadnopreferencesofherown;onceortwicehefoundthatshewasdoingwhathedesiredoutofthespiritofobedience，which，ashermother'sdaughter，shebelievedtobeherdutytowardsheraffiancedhusband。Andthislastmotiveforactiondepressedherlovermorethananything。HewantedtheoldSylviabackagain;captious，capricious，wilful，haughty，merry，charming。
　　Alas！thatSylviawasgoneforever。Butonceespeciallyhispower，arisingfromwhatevercause，wasstoppedentirelyshort——wasutterlyofnoavail。ItwasontheoccasionofDickSimpson'smortalillness。Sylviaandhermotherkeptalooffromeveryone。TheyhadneverbeenintimatewithanyfamilybuttheCorneys，andeventhisfriendshiphadconsiderablycooledsinceMolly'smarriage，andmostespeciallysinceKinraid'ssupposeddeath，whenBessyCorneyandSylviahadbeen，asitwere，rivalmourners。Butmanypeople，bothinMonkshavenandthecountryroundabout，heldtheRobsonfamilyingreatrespect，althoughMrsRobsonherselfwasaccounted'high'
　　and'distant;'andpoorlittleSylvia，inherheydayofbeautifulyouthandhighspirits，hadbeenspokenofas'abitflighty，'and'aset—uplassie。'Still，whentheirgreatsorrowfelluponthem，therewereplentyoffriendstosympathizedeeplywiththem;and，asDanielhadsufferedinapopularcause，therewereevenmorewho，scarcelyknowingthempersonally，werereadytogivethemallthemarksofrespectandfriendlyfeelingintheirpower。ButneitherBellnorSylviawereawareofthis。Theformerhadlostallperceptionofwhatwasnotimmediatelybeforeher;thelattershrankfromallencountersofanykindwithasoreheart，andsensitiveavoidanceofeverythingthatcouldmakeherasubjectofremark。SothepoorafflictedpeopleatHaytersbankknewlittleofMonkshavennews。WhatlittledidcometotheirearscamethroughDollyReid，whenshereturnedfromsellingthefarmproduceoftheweek;andoften，indeed，eventhenshefoundSylviatoomuchabsorbedinothercaresorthoughtstolistentohergossip。SonoonehadevernamedthatSimpsonwassupposedtobedyingtillPhilipbeganonthesubjectoneevening。Sylvia'sfacesuddenlyflashedintoglowandlife。'He'sdying，ishe？t'earthiswellridonsuchafellow！''Eh，Sylvie，that'sahardspeecho'thine！'saidPhilip;'itgivesmebutpoorhearttoaskafavourofthee！''Ifit'saughtaboutSimpson，'repliedshe，andthensheinterruptedherself。
　　'Butsayon;itwereill—manneredinmefort'interruptyo'。''Thouwouldbesorrytoseehim，Ithink，Sylvie。Hecannotgetovertheway，t'folkmethim，andpeltedhimwhenhecamebackfra'York，——andhe'sweakandfaint，andbesidehimselfattimes;andhe'lllieadreaming，anda—fancyingthey'reallathimagain，hooting，andyelling，andpeltinghim。''I'mgladon't，'saidSylvia;'it'st'bestnewsI'veheeredformanyaday，——he，toturnagain'feyther，whogavehimmoneyfot'getalodgingthatnight，whenhe'dnoplacetogoto。Itwerehisevidenceashungfeyther;
　　andhe'srightlypunishedforitnow。''Fora'that，——andhe'sdoneavasto'wrongbeside，he'sdyingnow，Sylvie！''Well！lethimdie——it'st'bestthinghecoulddo！''Buthe'slyingi'suchdreepoverty，——andniverafriendtogonearhim，——niverapersontospeakakindwordt'him。''Itseemsasyo'vebeenspeakingwi'him，atanyrate，'saidSylvia，turningroundonPhilip。'Ay。HesentformebyNellManning，th'oldbeggar—woman，whosometimesgoesinandmakeshisbedforhim，poorwretch，——he'slyingint'ruinsofth'cow—houseofth'Mariners'Arms，Sylvie。''Well！'saidshe，inthesamehard，drytone。'AndIwentandfetchedth'parishdoctor，forIthoughthe'dha'diedbeforemyface，——hewassowan，andashen—grey，sothin，too，hiseyesseempushedoutofhisbonyface。''Thatlasttime——feyther'seyeswerestarting，wild—like，andasifhecouldn'tmeetours，orbearthesightonourweeping。'Itwasabadlook—outforPhilip'spurpose;butafterapausehewentbravelyon。'He'sapoordyingcreature，anyhow。T'doctorsaidso，andtoldhimhehadn'tmanyhours，letalonedays，tolive。''Andhe'dshrinkfra'dyingwi'a'hissinsonhishead？'saidSylvia，almostexultingly。Philipshookhishead。'Hesaidthisworldhadbeentoostrongforhim，andmentooharduponhim;hecouldniverdoanygoodhere，andhethoughtheshould，maybe，findfolksi't'nextplacemoremerciful。''He'llmeetfeythertheere，'saidSylvia，stillhardandbitter。'He'sapoorignorantcreature，anddoesn'tseemtoknowrightlywhohe'sliketomeet;onlyheseemsgladtogetawayfra'Monkshavenfolks;hewerereallyhurt，Iamafeared，thatnight，Sylvie，——andhespeaksasifhe'dhadhardtimesofiteversincehewereachild，——andhetalksasifhewerereallygrievedfort'partt'lawyersmadehimtakeatth'trial，——theymadehimspeak，againsthiswill，hesays。''Couldn'theha'bittenhistongueout？'askedSylvia。'It'sfinetalkingo'sorrowwhenthethingisdone！''Well，anyhowhe'ssorrynow;andhe'snotlongfortolive。And，Sylvie，hebidmeaskthee，if，forthesakeofallthatisdeartotheebothhere，andi'th'worldtocome，thou'dgowi'me，andjustsaytohimthatthouforgiveshimhispartthatday。''Hesenttheeonthaterrand，didhe？Andthoucouldcomeandaskme？I'veamindtobreakitoffforiverwi'thee，Philip。'Shekeptgasping，asifshecouldnotsayanymore。Philipwatchedandwaitedtillherbreathcame，hisownhalfchoked。'Theeandmewasnivermeanttogotogether。It'snotinmetoforgive，——I
　　sometimesthinkit'snotinmetoforget。Iwonder，Philip，ifthyfeytherhaddoneakinddeed——andarightdeed——andamercifuldeed——andsomeoneashe'dbeengoodto，eveni't'midstofhisjustanger，hadgoneandletonabouthimtoth'judge，aswastryingtohanghim，——andhadgettenhimhanged，——hangeddead，sothathiswifewereawidow，andhischildfatherlessforivermore，——Iwonderifthyveinswouldrunmilkandwater，sothatthoucouldgoandmakefriends，andspeaksoftwi'himashadcausedthyfeyther'sdeath？''It'ssaidint'Bible，Sylvie，thatwe'retoforgive。''Ay，there'ssomethingsasIknowIniverforgive;andthere'sothersasIcan't——andIwon't，either。''But，Sylvie，yo'praytobeforgivenyourtrespasses，asyouforgivethemastrespassagainstyou。''Well，ifI'mtobetakenatmyword，I'llnoaneprayatall，that'sall。
　　It'swellenoughforthemashasbutlittletoforgivetousethemwords;
　　andIdon'treckonit'skind，orprettybehavedinyo'，Philip，tobringupScriptureagain'me。Thoumaygoaboutthybusiness。''Thou'rtvexedwithme，Sylvie;andI'mnotmeaningbutthatitwouldgohardwiththeetoforgivehim;butIthinkitwouldberightandChristian—likei'thee，andthatthou'dfindthycomfortinthinkingonitafter。Ifthou'donlygo，andseehiswistfuleyes——Ithinkthey'dpleadwi'theemorethanhiswords，ormineeither。''Itelltheemyfleshandbloodwasn'tmadeforforgivingandforgetting。
　　Onceforall，thoumusttakemyword。WhenIloveIlove，andwhenIhateIhate;andhimashasdonehardtome，ortomine，Imaykeepfra'strikingormurdering，butI'llniverforgive。Ishouldbejustamonster，fittobeshownatafair，ifIcouldforgivehimasgotfeytherhanged。'Philipwassilent，thinkingwhatmorehecouldurge。'Yo'dbetterbeoff，'saidSylvia，inaminuteortwo。'Yo'andmehasgotwrong，andit'lltakeanight'ssleeptosetusright。Yo'vesaidallyo'canforhim;andperhapsit'snotyo'asistoblame，butyo'rnature。
　　ButI'mputoutwi'thee，andwanttheeouto'mysightforawhile。'Oneortwomorespeechesofthiskindconvincedhimthatitwouldbewiseinhimtotakeheratherword。HewentbacktoSimpson，andfoundhim，thoughstillalive，pasttheunderstandingofanywordsofhumanforgiveness。
　　PhiliphadalmostwishedhehadnottroubledorirritatedSylviabyurgingthedyingman'srequest:theperformanceofthisdutyseemednowtohavebeensuchauselessoffice。Afterall，theperformanceofadutyisneverauselessoffice，thoughwemaynotseetheconsequences，ortheymaybequitedifferenttowhatweexpectedorcalculatedon。Inthepauseofactivework，whendaylightwasdone，andtheeveningshadescameon，Sylviahadtimetothink;andherheartgrewsadandsoft，incomparisontowhatithadbeenwhenPhilip'surgencyhadcalledoutallherangryopposition。Shethoughtofherfather——hissharppassionshisfrequentforgiveness，orratherhisforgetfulnessthathehadevenbeeninjured。AllSylvia'spersistentorenduringqualitieswerederivedfromhermother，herimpulsesfromherfather。Itwasherdeadfatherwhoseexamplefilledhermindthiseveninginthesoftandtendertwilight。ShedidnotsaytoherselfthatshewouldgoandtellSimpsonthatsheforgavehim;butshethoughtthatifPhilipaskedheragainthatsheshoulddoso。ButwhenshesawPhilipagainhetoldherthatSimpsonwasdead;andpassedonfromwhathehadreasontothinkwouldbeanunpleasantsubjecttoher。
　　Thusheneverlearnthowherconductmighthavebeenmoregentleandrelentingthanherwords——wordswhichcameupintohismemoryatafuturetime，withfullmeasureofmiserablesignificance。Ingeneral，Sylviawasgentleandgoodenough;butPhilipwantedhertobeshy。andtenderwithhim，andthisshewasnot。Shespoketohim，herprettyeyeslookingstraightandcomposedlyathim。Sheconsultedhimlikethefamilyfriendthathewasshemethimquietlyinallthearrangementsforthedineoftheirmarriage，whichshelookeduponmoreasachangeofhome，astheleavingofHaytersbank，asitwouldaffecthermother，thaninanymoredirectlypersonalway。Philipwasbeginningtofeel，thoughnotasyettoacknowledge，thatthefruithehadsoinordinatelylongedforwasbutofthenatureofanappleofSodom。Longago，lodginginwidowRose'sgarret，hehadbeeninthehabitofwatchingsomepigeonsthatwerekeptbyaneighbour;theflockdisportedthemselvesonthesteeptiledroofsjustoppositetotheatticwindow，andinsensiblyPhilipgrewtoknowtheirways，andonepretty，softlittledovewassomehowperpetuallyassociatedinhismindwithhisideaofhiscousinSylvia。
　　Thepigeonwouldsitinoneparticularplace，sunningherself，andpuffingoutherfeatheredbreast，withalltheblueandrose—colouredlightsgleaminginthemorningrays，cooingsoftlytoherselfasshedressedherplumage。
　　Philipfanciedthathesawthesamecoloursinacertainpieceofshotsilk——nowintheshop;andnoneotherseemedtohimsosuitableforhisdarling'swedding—dress。Hecarriedenoughtomakeagown，andgaveittoheroneevening，asshesateonthegrassjustoutsidethehouse，halfattendingtohermother，halfengagedinknittingstockingsforherscantymarriageoutfit。Hewasgladthatthesunwasnotgonedown，thusallowinghimtodisplaythechangingcoloursinfullerlight。Sylviaadmireditduly;evenMrs。Robsonwaspleasedandattractedbythesoftyetbrillianthues。PhilipwhisperedtoSylvia——（hetookdelightinwhispers，——she，onthecontrary，alwaysspoketohiminherusualtoneofvoice）——'Thou'ltlooksoprettyinit，sweetheart，——o'Thursdayfortnight！''Thursdayfortnight。Onthefourthyo'rethinkingon。ButIcannotwearitthen，——Ishallbei'black。''Notonthatday，sure！'saidPhilip。'Whynot？There'snoughtt'happenonthatdayfort'makemeforgetfeyther。
　　Icouldn'tputoffmyblack，Philip，——no，not。tosavemylife！Yonsilkisjustlovely，fartoogoodforthelikesofme，——andI'msureI'mmuchbeholdentoyo';andI'llhaveitmadeupfirstofanygownafterlastAprilcometwoyears，——but，oh，Philip，Icannotputoffmymourning！''Notforourwedding—day！'saidPhilip，sadly。'No，lad，Ireallycannot。I'mjustsorryaboutit，forIseethou'rtsetuponit;andthou'rtsokindandgood，IsometimesthinkIcanniverbethankfulenoughtothee。WhenIthinkonwhatwouldha'becomeofmotherandmeifwehadn'thadtheeforafriendi'need，I'mnoaneungrateful，Philip;tho'Isometimesfancythou'rtthinkingIam。''Idon'twantyo'tobegrateful，Sylvie，'saidpoorPhilip，dissatisfied，yetunabletoexplainwhathedidwant;onlyknowingthattherewassomethinghelacked，yetfainwouldhavehad。Asthemarriage—daydrewnear，allSylvia'scareseemedtobeforhermother;
　　allheranxietywasregardingtheappurtenancesofthehomeshewasleaving。
　　InvainPhiliptriedtointerestherindetailsofhisimprovementsorcontrivancesinthenewhometowhichhewasgoingtotakeher。Shedidnottellhim;buttheideaofthehousebehindtheshopwasassociatedinhermindwithtwotimesofdiscomfortandmisery。ThefirsttimeshehadgoneintotheparlouraboutwhichPhilipspokesomuchwasatthetimeofthepress—gangriot，whenshehadfaintedfromterrorandexcitement;
　　thesecondwasonthatnightofmiserywhensheandhermotherhadgoneintoMonkshaven，tobidherfatherfarewellbeforehewastakentoYork;
　　inthatroom，onthatnight，shehadfirstlearntsomethingofthefatalperilinwhichhestood。Shecouldnotshowthebrightshycuriosityaboutherfuturedwellingthatiscommonenoughwithgirlswhoaregoingtobemarried。Allshecoulddowastorestrainherselffromsighing，andlistenpatiently，whenhetalkedonthesubject。Intimehesawthatsheshrankfromit;soheheldhispeace，andplannedandworkedforherinsilence，——smilingtohim—selfashelookedoneachcompletedarrangementforherpleasureorcomfort;andknowingwellthatherhappinesswasinvolvedinwhatfragmentsofpeace。andmaterialcomfortmightremaintohermother。Thewedding—daydrewnearapace。ItwasPhilip'splanthataftertheyhadbeenmarriedinKirkMoorsidechurch，heandhisSylvia，hiscousin，hislove，hiswife，shouldgoforthedaytoRobinHood'sBay，returningintheeveningtothehousebehindtheshopinthemarket—place。TheretheyweretofindBellRobsoninstalledinherfuturehome;forHaytersbankFarmwastobegivenuptothenewtenantontheverydayofthewedding。
　　Sylviawouldnotbemarriedanysooner;shesaidthatshemuststaytheretilltheverylast;andhadsaiditwithsuchdeterminationthatPhiliphaddesistedfromallurgencyatonce。Hehadtoldherthatallshouldbesettledforhermother'scomfortduringtheirfewhours'absence;otherwiseSylviawouldnothavegoneatall。
　　HetoldherheshouldaskHester，whowasalwayssogoodandkind——whoneveryethadsaidhimnay，togotochurchwiththemasbridesmaid——forSylviawouldgivenothoughtorcaretoanythingbuthermother——andthattheywouldleaveheratHaytersbankastheyreturnedfromchurch;shewouldmanageMrsRobson'sremoval——shewoulddothis——dothat——doeverything。
　　SuchfriendlyconfidencehadPhilipinHester'swillingnessandtenderskill。Sylviaacquiescedatlength，andPhiliptookuponhimselftospeaktoHesteronthesubject。'Hester，'saidhe，onedaywhenhewaspreparingtogohomeaftertheshopwasclosed;'wouldyo'mindstoppingabit？Ishouldliketoshowyo'theplacenowit'sdoneup;andI'veafavourtoaskonyo'besides。'Hewassohappyhedidnotseehershiverallover。Shehesitatedjustamomentbeforesheanswered，——'I'llstay，ifthouwishesit，Philip。ButI'mnojudgeo'fashionsandsuchlike。''Thou'rtajudgeo'comfort，andthat'swhatI'vebeenaimingat。Iwereniversocomfortableina'mylifeaswhenIwerealodgeratthyhouse，'
　　saidhe，withbrotherlytendernessinhistone。'IfmymindhadbeenateaseIcouldha'saidIniverwerehappierinallmydaysthanunderthyroof;andIknowitwerethydoingforthemostpart。Socomealong，Hester，andtellmeifthere'saughtmoreIcanputinforSylvie。'Itmightnothavebeenaveryappropriatetext，butsuchasitwasthewords，'Fromhimthatwouldaskoftheeturnnotthouaway，'seemedtheonlysourceofstrengththatcouldhaveenabledhertogopatientlythroughthenexthalf—hour。Asitwas，sheunselfishlybroughtallhermindtobearuponthesubject;admiredthis，thoughtanddecideduponthat，asonebyonePhilipshowedherallhisalterationsandimprovements。Neverwassuchaquietlittlebitofunconsciousandunrecognizedheroism。Shereallyendedbysuchaconquestofselfthatshecouldabsolutelysympathizewiththeproudexpectantlover，andhadquenchedallenvyofthebeloved，insympathywiththedelightsheimaginedSylviamustexperiencewhenshediscoveredalltheseproofsofPhilip'sfondconsiderationandcare。Butitwasagreatstrainontheheart，thatsourceoflife;andwhenHesterreturnedintotheparlour，afterherdeliberatesurveyofthehouse，shefeltaswearyanddepressedinbodilystrengthasifshehadgonethroughanillnessofmanydays。Shesatedownonthenearestchair，andfeltasthoughshenevercouldriseagain。Philip，joyousandcontent，stoodnearhertalking。'And，Hester，'saidhe，'Sylviehasgivenmeamessageforthee——shesaysthoumustbeherbridesmaid——she'llhavenoneother。''Icannot，'saidHester，withsuddensharpness。'Oh，yes，butyo'must。Itwouldn'tbelikemyweddingifthouwasn'ttherewhyI'velookedupontheeasasisteriversinceIcametolodgewiththymother。'Hestershookherhead。Didherdutyrequirehernottoturnawayfromthisasking，too？Philipsawherreluctance，and，byintuitionratherthanreason，heknewthatwhatshewouldnotdoforgaietyorpleasureshewouldconsenttoifbysodoingshecouldrenderanyservicetoanother。Sohewenton。'Besides，Sylvieandmehasplannedtogoforourweddingjauntt9RobinHood'sBay。Iha'beentoengageashandrythisverymorn，beforet'shopwasopened;andthere'snoonetoleavewi'myaunt。Th'pooroldbodyissorecrushedwithsorrow;andis，asonemaysay，childishattimes;
　　she'stocomedownhere，thatwemayfindherwhenwecomebackatnight;
　　andthere'sniveraoneshe'llcomewithsowillingandsohappyaswiththee，Hester。Sylvieandmehasbothsaidso。'Hesterlookedupinhisfacewithhergravehonesteyes。'Icannotgotochurchwi'thee，Philip;andthoumustnotaskmeanyfurther。
　　ButI'llgobetimestoHaytersbankFarm，andI'lldomybesttomaketheoldladyhappy，andtofollowoutthydirectionsinbringingherherebeforenightfall。'Philipwasonthepointofurgingherafreshtogowiththemtochurch;
　　butsomethinginhereyesbroughtathoughtacrosshismind，astransitoryasabreathpassesoveralooking—glass，andhedesistedfromhisentreaty，andputawayhisthoughtasapieceofvaincoxcombry，insultingtoHester。
　　Hepassedrapidlyontoallthecarefuldirectionsrenderednecessarybyhercompliancewiththelatterpartofhisrequest，couplingSylvia'snamewithhisperpetually;sothatHesterlookeduponherasahappygirl，aseagerinplanningallthedetailsofhermarriageasthoughnoheavyshamefulsorrowhadpassedoverherheadnotmanymonthsago。HesterdidnotseeSylvia'swhite，dreamy，resoluteface，thatansweredthesolemnquestionsofthemarriageserviceinavoicethatdidnotseemherown。Hesterwasnotwiththemtonoticetheheavyabstractionthatmadethebrideasifunconsciousofherhusband'slovingwords，andthenstartandsmile，andreplywithasadgentlenessoftone。No！Hester'sdutylayinconveyingthepoorwidowandmotherdownfromHaytersbanktothenewhomeinMonkshaven;andforallHester'sassistanceandthoughtfulness，itwasadreary，painfulpieceofwork——thepooroldwomancryinglikeachild，withbewildermentattheconfusedbustlewhich，inspiteofallSylvia'scarefulforethought，couldnotbeavoidedonthisfinalday，whenhermotherhadtobecarriedawayfromthehomesteadoverwhichshehadsolongpresided。ButallthiswasasnothingtothedistresswhichoverwhelmedpoorBellRobsonwhensheenteredPhilip'shouse;theparlour——thewholeplacesoassociatedwiththekeenagonyshehadundergonethere，thatthestabofmemorypenetratedthroughherdeadenedsenses，andbroughtherbacktomisery。InvainHestertriedtoconsoleherbytellingherthefactofSylvia'smarriagewithPhilipineveryformofwordsthatoccurredtoher。Bellonlyrememberedherhusband'sfate，whichfilledupherpoorwanderingmind，andcolouredeverything;insomuchthatSylvianotbeingathandtoreplytohermother'scryforher，thelatterimaginedthatherchild，aswellasherhusband，wasindangeroftrialanddeath，andrefusedtobecomfortedbyanyendeavourofthepatientsympathizingHester。
　　InapauseofMrsRobson'ssobs，Hesterheardthewelcomesoundofthewheelsofthereturningshandry，bearingthebrideandbridegroomhome。
　　Itstoppedatthedoor——aninstant，andSylvia，whiteasasheetatthesoundofhermother'swailings，whichshehadcaughtwhileyetatadistance，withthequickearsoflove，camerunningin;hermotherfeeblyroseandtotteredtowardsher，andfellintoherarms，saying，'Oh！Sylvie，Sylvie，takemehome，andawayfromthiscruelplace！'Hestercouldnotbutbetouchedwiththeyounggirl'smannertohermother——astender，asprotectingasiftheirrelationtoeachotherhadbeenreversed，andshewaslullingandtenderlysoothingawayward，frightenedchild。
　　Shehadneithereyesnorearsforanyonetillhermotherwassittingintremblingpeace，holdingherdaughter'shandtightinbothofhers，asifafraidoflosingsightofherthenSylviaturnedtoHester，and，withthesweetgracewhichisanaturalgifttosomehappypeople，thankedher;
　　incommonwordsenoughshethankedher，butinthatnamelessmanner，andwiththatstrange，rarecharmwhichmadeHesterfeelasifshehadneverbeenthankedinallherlifebefore;andfromthattimeforthsheunderstood，ifshedidnotalwaysyieldto，theunconsciousfascinationwhichSylviacouldexerciseoverothersattimes。DiditenterintoPhilip'shearttoperceivethathehadweddedhislong—soughtbrideinmourningraiment，andthatthefirstsoundswhichgreetedthemastheyapproachedtheirhomewerethoseofweepingandwailing？
　　chapter30CHAPTERXXXHAPPYDAYSAndnowPhilipseemedasprosperousashisheartcoulddesire。Thebusinessflourished，andmoneybeyondhismoderatewantscamein。Asforhimselfherequiredverylittle;buthehadalwayslookedforwardtoplacinghisidolinabefittingshrine;andmeansforthiswerenowfurnishedtohim。
　　Thedress，thecomforts，thepositionhehaddesiredforSylviawereallhers。Shedidnotneedtodoastrokeofhouseholdworkifshepreferredto'sitinherparlourandsewupaseam。'IndeedPhoeberesentedanyinterferenceinthedomesticlabour，whichshehadperformedsolong，thatshelookeduponthekitchenasaprivateempireofherown。'MrsHepburn'（asSylviawasnowtermed）hadagooddarksilkgown—pieceinherdrawers，aswellasthepoordove—coloured，againstthedaywhenshechosetoleaveoffmourning;andstuffforeithergrayorscarletcloakswashersatherbidding。Whatshecaredforfarmorewerethecomfortswithwhichitwasinherpowertosurroundhermother。InthisPhilipviedwithher;forbesideshisoldlove，andnewpityforhisauntBell，heneverforgothowshehadwelcomedhimtoHaytersbank，andfavouredhislovetoSylvia，intheyearningdayswhenhelittlehopedheshouldeverwinhiscousintobehiswife。
　　Butevenifhehadnothadthesegratefulandaffectionatefeelingstowardsthepoorwoman，hewouldhavedonemuchforherifonlytogainthesweet，raresmileswhichhiswifeneverbestoweduponhimsofreelyaswhenshesawhimattendingto'mother，'forsobothofthemnowcalledBell。Forhercreaturecomforts，hersilkgowns，andherhumbleluxury，Sylviadidnotcare;Philipwasalmostannoyedattheindifferencesheoftenmanifestedtoallhiseffortstosurroundherwithsuchthings。Itwasevenahard—shiptohertoleaveoffhercountrydress，heruncoveredhair，herlinseypetticoat，andloosebed—gown，andtodonastiffandstatelygownforhermorningdress。Sittinginthedarkparlouratthebackoftheshop，anddoing'whitework，'wasmuchmorewearyingtoherthanrunningoutintothefieldstobringupthecows，orspinningwool，ormakingupbutter。Shesometimesthoughttoherselfthatitwasastrangekindoflifewheretherewerenoout—dooranimalstolookafter;the'oxandtheass'hadhithertocomeintoallherideasofhumanity;andhercareandgentlenesshadmadethedumbcreaturesroundherfather'shomeintomutefriendswithlovingeyes，lookingatherasifwistfultospeakinwordsthegratefulregardthatshecouldreadwithoutthepoorexpressionoflanguage。Shemissedthefreeopenair，thegreatdomeofskyabovethefields;sherebelledagainstthenecessityof'dressing'（asshecalledit）togoout，althoughsheacknowledgedthatitwasanecessitywherethefirststepbeyondthethresholdmustbeintoapopulousstreet。ItispossiblethatPhilipwasrightatonetimewhenhehadthoughttowinherbymaterialadvantages;buttheoldvanitieshadbeenburntoutofherbythehotironofacutesuffering。Agreatdealofpassionatefeelingstillexisted，concealedandlatent;butatthisperioditappearedasthoughshewereindifferenttomostthings，andhadlostthepowerofeitherhopingorfearingmuch。Shewasstunnedintoasortoftemporarynumbnessonmostpoints;thoseonwhichshewassensitivebeingsuchasreferredtotheinjusticeandoppressionofherfather'sdeath，oranythingthatconcernedhermother。ShewasquieteventopassivenessinallherdealingswithPhilip;hewouldhavegivennotalittleforsomeoftheoldburstsofimpatience，theoldpettishness，which，naughtyastheywere，hadgonetoformhisideaoftheformerSylvia。Onceortwicehewasalmostvexedwithherforherdocility;
　　hewantedhersomuchtohaveawillofherown，ifonlythathemightknowhowtorousehertopleasurebygratifyingit。Indeedheseldomfellasleepatnightswithouthislastthoughtsbeingdevotedtosomelittleplanforthemorrow，thathefanciedshewouldlike;andwhenhewakenedintheearlydawnhelookedtoseeifshewereindeedsleepingbyhisside，orwhetheritwasnotalladreamthathecalledSylvia'wife。'Hewasawarethatheraffectionforhimwasnottobespokenofinthesamewayashisforher，buthefoundmuchhappinessinonlybeingallowedtoloveandcherishher;andwiththepatientperseverancethatwasoneremarkablefeatureinhischaracter，hewentonstrivingtodeepenandincreaseherlovewhenmostothermenwouldhavegivenuptheendeavour，madethemselvescontentwithhalfaheart，andturnedtosomeotherobjectofattainment。AllthistimePhilipwastroubledbyadreamthatrecurredwheneverhewasover—fatigued，orotherwisenotinperfecthealth。Overandoveragaininthisfirstyearofmarriedlifehedreamtthisdream;
　　perhapsasmanyaseightorninetimes，anditnevervaried。ItwasalwaysofKinraid'sreturn;KinraidwasfulloflifeinPhilip'sdream，thoughinhiswakinghourshecouldanddidconvincehimselfbyallthelawsofprobabilitythathisrivalwasdead。Heneverrememberedtheexactsequenceofeventsinthatterribledreamafterhehadrousedhimself，withafightandastruggle，fromhisfeverishslumbers。Hewasgenerallysittingupinbedwhenhefoundhimselfconscious，hisheartbeatingwildly，withaconvictionofKinraid'slivingpresencesomewherenearhiminthedarkness。
　　OccasionallySylviawasdisturbedbyhisagitation，andwouldquestionhimabouthisdreams，having，likemostofherclassatthattime，greatfaithintheirpropheticinterpretation;butPhilipnevergaveheranytruthinhisreply。Afterall，andthoughhedidnotacknowledgeiteventohimself，thelong—desiredhappinesswasnotsodeliciousandperfectashehadanticipated。Manyhavefeltthesameintheirfirstyearofmarriedlife;butthefaithful，patientnaturethatstillworkson，strivingtogainlove，andcapableitselfofsteadyloveallthewhile，isagiftnotgiventoall。Formanyweeksaftertheirwedding，Kesternevercamenearthem:achancewordortwofromSylviashowedPhilipthatshehadnoticedthisandregrettedit;and，accordingly，hemadeithisbusinessatthenextleisureopportunitytogotoHaytersbank（neversayingawordtohiswifeofhispurpose），andseekoutKester。Allthewholeplacewasaltered！Itwasnewwhite—washed，newthatched:
　　thepatchesofcolourinthesurroundinggroundwerechangedwithalteredtillage;thegreatgeraniumsweregonefromthewindow，andinstead，wasasmartknittedblind。Childrenplayedbeforethehousedoor;adoglyingonthestepflewatPhilip;allwassostrange，thatitwaseventhestrangestthingofallforKestertoappearwhereeverythingelsewassoaltered！PhiliphadtoputupwithagooddealofcrabbedbehaviouronthepartofthelatterbeforehecouldinduceKestertopromisetocomedownintothetownandseeSylviainhernewhome。Somehow，thevisitwhenpaidwasbutafailure;atleast，itseemedsoatthetime，thoughprobablyitbroketheiceofrestraintwhichwasformingoverthefamiliarintercoursebetweenKesterandSylvia。TheoldservantwasdauntedbyseeingSylviainastrangeplace，andstood，sleekinghishairdown，andfurtivelylookingabouthim，insteadofseatinghimselfonthechairSylviahadsoeagerlybroughtforwardforhim。Thenhissenseoftheestrangementcausedbytheirnewpositionsinfectedher，andshebegantocrypitifully，saying，——'Oh，Kester！Kester！tellmeaboutHaytersbank！Isitjustasitusedtobeinfeyther'sdays？''Well，acannotsayasitis，'saidKester，thankfultohaveasubjectstarted。'They'npleughedupt'oudpasture—field，andaresettin'itfor'taters。They'renotformuchcattle，isn'tHigginses。They'llbeforcornint'nextyear，areckon，andthey'lljustha'theirpainsfortheirpayment。
　　Butthey'reallayssopig—headed，isfolkfra'adistance。'SotheywentondiscoursingonHaytersbankandtheolddays，tillBellRobson，havingfinishedherafternoonnap，cameslowlydownstairstojointhem;andafterthattheconversationbecamesobrokenup，fromthedesireoftheothertwotoattendandreplyasbesttheycouldtoherfragmentaryanddisjointedtalk，thatKestertookhisleavebeforelong;falling，ashedidso，intotheformalandunnaturallyrespectfulmannerwhichhehadadoptedonfirstcomingin。ButSylviaranafterhim，andbroughthimbackfromthedoor。'Tothinkofthygoingaway，Kester，withouteitherbitordrink;nay，comebackwi'thee，andtastewineandcake。'Kesterstoodatthedoor，halfshy，halfpleased，whileSylvia，inalltheglowandhurryofayounghousekeeper'shospitality，soughtforthedecanterofwine，andawineglassinthecornercupboard，andhastilycutanimmensewedgeofcake，whichshecrammedintohishandinspiteofhisremonstrances;andthenshepouredhimoutanoverflowingglassofwine，whichKesterwouldfarratherhavegonewithout，asheknewmannerstoowelltosupposethathemighttasteitwithouthavinggonethroughthepreliminaryceremonyofwishingthedonorhealthandhappiness。Hestoodredandhalfsmiling，withhiscakeinonehand，hiswineintheother，andthenbegan，——'Longmayyelive，Happymayyehe，Andblestwithanum'rousPro—ge—ny。''Theere，that'spo'tryforyo'asIlarnti'myyouth。Butthere'sadealtobesaidascannotbeputint'po'try，an'yetacannotsayit，somehow。
　　It'dtaxaparsont'saya'asa'vegetteni'mymind。It'slikeaheapo'woo'justaftershearin'time;it'sworthadeal，butittak'savasto'combin'，an'cardin'，an'spinnin'aforeitcanbemadeuseon。Ifawereuptot'useo'words，acouldsayamightydeal;butsomehowa'mtongue—teedwhenacometowantmywordsmost，soa'llonlyjustmak'boldt'sayasathinkyo'vedoneprettywellforyo'rsel'，gettenahouse—fullo'furniture'（lookingaroundhimashesaidthis），'an'vittlean'clothin'
　　fort'axing，belike，an'ahomefort'missusinhertimeo'need;an'
　　mebbenotsuchabadhusbandasaoncethoughtyonman'udmak';a'mnotabovesayin'ashe's，mebbe，betternoratookhimfor;——sohere'stoyeboth，andwishin'yehealthandhappiness，ay，andmoneytobuyyo'another，ascountryfolksay。'Havingendedhisoration，muchtohisownsatisfaction，Kestertossedoffhisglassofwine，smackedhislips，wipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand，pocketedhiscake，andmadeoff。ThatnightSylviaspokeofhisvisittoherhusband。Philipneversaidhowhehimselfhadbroughtittopass，nordidhenamethefactthathehadheardtheoldmancomeinjustashehimselfhadintendedgoingintotheparlourfortea，buthadkeptaway，ashethoughtSylviaandKesterwouldmostenjoytheirinterviewundisturbed。AndSylviafeltasifherhusband'ssilencewasunsympathizing，andshutupthefeelingsthatwerejustbeginningtoexpandtowardshim。Shesankagainintothelistlessstateofindifferencefromwhichnothingbutsomereferencetoformerdays，orpresentconsiderationforhermother，couldrouseher。HesterwasalmostsurprisedatSylvia'sevidentlikingforher。ByslowdegreesHesterwaslearningtolovethewoman，whosepositionasPhilip'swifeshewouldhaveenviedsokeenlyhadshenotbeensotrulygoodandpious。ButSylviaseemedasthoughshehadgivenHesterherwholeaffectionallatonce。Hestercouldnotunderstandthis，whileshewastouchedandmeltedbythetrustitimplied。ForonethingSylviarememberedandregretted——herharshtreatmentofHestertherainy，stormynightonwhichthelatterhadcometoHaytersbanktoseekherandhermother，andbringthemintoMonkshaventoseetheimprisonedfatherandhusband。SylviahadbeenstruckwithHester'spatientenduranceofherrudeness，arudenesswhichshewasconsciousthatsheherselfshouldhaveimmediatelyandvehementlyresented。