Sylviadidnotunderstandhowatotallydifferentcharacterfromhersmightimmediatelyforgivetheangershecouldnotforget;andbecauseHesterhadbeensomeekatthetime，Sylvia，whoknewhowpassingandtransitorywasherownanger，thoughtthatallwasforgotten;whileHesterbelievedthatthewords，whichsheherselfcouldnothaveutteredexceptunderdeepprovocation，meantmuchmorethantheydid，andadmiredandwonderedatSylviaforhavingsoentirelyconqueredherangeragainsther。Again，thetwodifferentwomenweredivergentlyaffectedbytheextremefondnesswhichBellhadshowntowardsHestereversinceSylvia'swedding—day。
　　Sylvia，whohadalwaysreceivedmorelovefromothersthansheknewwhattodowith，hadthemostentirefaithinherownsupremacyinhermother'sheart，thoughattimesHesterwoulddocertainthingsmoretothepooroldwoman'ssatisfaction。Hester，whohadcravedfortheaffectionwhichhadbeenwithheldfromher，andhadfromthatonecircumstancebecomedistrustfulofherownpowerofinspiringregard，whilesheexaggeratedthedelightofbeingbeloved，fearedlestSylviashouldbecomejealousofhermother'sopendisplayofgreatattachmentandoccasionalpreferenceforHester。
　　ButsuchathoughtneverenteredSylvia'smind。Shewasmorethankfulthansheknewhowtoexpresstowardsanyonewhomadehermotherhappy;ashasbeenalreadysaid，thecontributingtoBellRobson'spleasuresearnedPhilipmoreofhiswife'ssmilesthananythingelse。AndSylviathrewherwholeheartintothewordsandcaressesshelavishedonHesterwheneverpoorMrsRobsonspokeofthegoodnessandkindnessofthelatter。Hesterattributedmorevirtuetothesesweetwordsanddeedsofgratitudethantheydeserved;
　　theydidnotimplyinSylviaanyvictoryovereviltemptation，astheywouldhavedoneinHester。ItseemedtobeSylvia'sfatetocaptivatemorepeoplethanshecaredtolikebackagain。SheturnedtheheadsofJohnandJeremiahFoster，whocouldhardlycongratulatePhilipenoughonhischoiceofawife。TheyhadbeenpreparedtobecriticalononewhohadinterferedwiththeirfavouriteprojectofamarriagebetweenPhilipandHester;and，thoughfullofcompassionforthecrueltyofDanielRobson'sfate，theyweretoocompletelymenofbusinessnottohavesomeapprehensionthattheconnectionofPhilipHepburnwiththedaughterofamanwhowashanged，mightinjuretheshopoverwhichbothhisandtheirnameappeared。Butallthepossibleproprietiesdemandedthattheyshouldpayattentiontothebrideoftheirformershopmanandpresentsuccessor;andtheveryfirstvisitorswhomSylviahadreceivedafterhermarriagehadbeenJohnandJeremiahFoster，intheirSabbath—dayclothes。Theyfoundherintheparlour（sofamiliartobothofthem！）clear—starchinghermother'scaps，whichhadtobegotupinsomeparticularfashionthatSylviawasafraidofdictatingtoPhoebe。Shewasalittledisturbedathervisitorsdiscoveringheratthisemployment;
　　butshewasonherownground，andthatgaveherself—possession;andshewelcomedthetwooldmensosweetlyandmodestly，andlookedsoprettyandfeminine，and，besides，sonotableinherhandiwork，thatsheconqueredalltheirprejudicesatoneblow;andtheirfirstthoughtonleavingtheshopwashowtodoherhonour，byinvitinghertoasupperpartyatJeremiahFoster'shouse。Sylviawasdismayedwhenshewasbiddentothisweddingfeast，andPhiliphadtouseallhisauthority，thoughtenderly，tomakeherconsenttogoatall。ShehadbeentomerrycountrypartiesliketheCorneys'，andtobrighthay—makingrompsintheopenair;butnevertoasetstatelypartyatafriend'shouse。Shewouldfainhavemadeattendanceonhermotheranexcuse;butPhilipknewhemustnotlistentoanysuchplea，andappliedtoHesterinthedilemma，askinghertoremainwithMrsRobsonwhileheandSylviawentoutvisiting;andHesterhadwillingly，nay，eagerlyconsented——itwasmuchmoretohertastethangoingout。SoPhilipandSylviasetout，arm—in—arm，downBridgeStreet，acrossthebridge，andthenclamberedupthehill。Onthewayhegaveherthedirectionssheaskedforaboutherbehaviourasbrideandmosthonouredguest;andaltogethersucceeded，againsthisintentionandwill，infrighteninghersocompletelyastothegrandeurandimportanceoftheoccasion，andthenecessityofrememberingcertainsetrules，andmakingcertainsetspeechesandattendingtothemwhentherighttimecame，that，ifanyonesonaturallygracefulcouldhavebeenawkward，Sylviawouldhavebeensothatnight。Asitwas，shesate，paleandweary—looking，ontheveryedgeofherchair;
　　sheutteredtheformalwordswhichPhiliphadtoldherwereappropriatetotheoccasion，andsheheartilywishedherselfsafeathomeandinbed。
　　Yetsheleftbutoneunanimousimpressiononthecompanywhenshewentaway，namely，thatshewastheprettiestandbest—behavedwomantheyhadeverseen，andthatPhilipHepburnhaddonewellinchoosingher，felon'sdaughterthoughshemightbe。BoththehostshadfollowedherintothelobbytohelpPhilipincloakingher，andputtingonherpattens。Theywerefullofold—fashionedcomplimentsandgood—wishesonespeechoftheirscameuptohermemoryinfutureyears:——'Now，SylviaHepburn，'saidJeremiah，'I'veknownthyhusbandlong，andIdon'tsaybutwhatthouhastdonewellinchoosinghim;butifheeverneglectsorill—usesthee，cometome，andI'llgivehimasoundlectureonhisconduct。Mind，I'mthyfriendfromthisdayforrards，andreadytotakethypartagainsthim！'Philipsmiledasifthedaywouldnevercomewhenheshouldneglectorill—usehisdarling;Sylviasmiledalittle，withoutmuchattendingto，orcaringfor，thewordsthatweredetainingher，tiredasshewas;JohnandJeremiahchuckledoverthejoke;butthewordscameupagaininafterdays，aswordsidlyspokensometimesdo。Beforetheendofthatfirstyear，Philiphadlearnttobejealousofhiswife'snewloveforHester。Tothelatter，SylviagavethefreeconfidenceonmanythingswhichPhilipfanciedshewithheldfromhim。Asuspicioncrossedhismind，fromtimetotime，thatSylviamightspeakofherformerlovertoHester。Itwouldbenotunnatural，hethought，ifshedidso，believinghimtobedead;buttheideairritatedhim。Hewasentirelymistaken，however;Sylvia，withallherapparentfrankness，keptherdeepsorrowstoherself。Shenevermentionedherfather'sname，thoughhewascontinuallypresenttohermind。NordidshespeakofKinraidtohumanbeing，though，forhissake，hervoicesoftenedwhen，bychance，shespoketoapassingsailor;andforhissakehereyeslingeredonsuchmenlongerthanonothers，tryingtodiscoverinthemsomethingoftheoldfamiliargait;andpartlyforhisdeadsake，andpartlybecauseofthefreedomoftheoutlookandthefreshnessoftheair，shewasgladoccasionallytoescapefromthecomfortableimprisonmentofher'parlour，'andtheclosestreetsaroundthemarketplace，andtomountthecliffsandsitontheturf，gazingabroadoverthewidestillexpanseoftheopensea;for，atthatheight，evenbreakingwavesonlylookedlikebrokenlinesofwhitefoamonthebluewateryplain。Shedidnotwantanycompanionontheserambles，whichhadsomewhatofthedelightofstolenpleasures;foralltheotherrespectablematronsandtown—dwellerswhomsheknewwerecontenttohavealwaysabusinessobjectfortheirwalk，orelsetostopathomeintheirownhouseholds;
　　andSylviawasratherashamedofherownyearningsforsolitudeandopenair，andthesightandsoundofthemother—likesea。Sheusedtotakeoffherhat，andsitthere，herhandsclaspingherknees，thesaltairliftingherbrightcurls，gazingatthedistanthorizonoverthesea，inasaddreaminessofthought;ifshehadbeenaskedonwhatshemeditated，shecouldnothavetoldyou。But，by—and—by，thetimecamewhenshewasaprisonerinthehouse;aprisonerinherroom，lyinginbedwithalittlebabybyherside——herchild，Philip'schild。Hispride，hisdelightknewnobounds;thiswasanewfasttiebetweenthem;thiswouldreconcilehertothekindoflifethat，withallitsrespectabilityandcomfort，wassodifferentfromwhatshehadlivedbefore，andwhichPhiliphadoftenperceivedthatshefelttobedullandrestraining。Healreadybegantotraceinthelittlegirl，onlyafewdaysold，thelovelycurvesthatheknewsowellbyheartinthemother'sface。Sylvia，too，pale，still，andweak，wasveryhappy;yes，reallyhappyforthefirsttimesinceherirrevocablemarriage。Foritsirrevocablenesshadweighedmuchuponherwithasenseofdullhopelessness;shefeltallPhilip'skindness，shewasgratefultohimforhistenderregardtowardshermother，shewaslearningtolovehimaswellastolikeandrespecthim。Shedidnotknowwhatelseshecouldhavedonebutmarrysotrueafriend，andsheandhermothersofriendless;but，atthesametime，itwaslikeleadonhermorningspiritswhensheawokeandrememberedthatthedecisionwasmade，thedeadwasdone，thechoicetakenwhichcomestomostpeoplebutonceintheirlives。Nowthelittlebabycameinuponthisstateofmindlikearayofsunlightintoagloomyroom。Evenhermotherwasrejoicedandproud;evenwithhercrazedbrainandbrokenheart，thesightofsweet，peacefulinfancybroughtlighttoher。
　　Alltheoldwaysofholdingababy，ofhushingittosleep，oftenderlyguardingitslittlelimbsfrominjury，cameback，likethehabitsofheryouth，toBell;andshewasneversohappyorsoeasyinhermind，orsosensibleandconnectedinherideas，aswhenshehadSylvia'sbabyinherarms。Itwasaprettysighttosee，howeverfamiliartoallofussuchthingsmaybe——thepale，wornoldwoman，inherquaint，old—fashionedcountrydress，holdingthelittleinfantonherknees，lookingatitsopen，unspeculativeeyes，andtalkingthelittlelanguagetoitasthoughitcouldunderstand;
　　thefatheronhisknees，keptprisonerbyasmall，smallfingercurledroundhisstrongandsinewyone，andgazingatthetinycreaturewithwonderingidolatry;theyoungmother，fair，pale，andsmiling，proppeduponpillowsinorderthatshe，too，mightseethewonderfulbabe;itwasastonishinghowthedoctorcouldcomeandgowithoutbeingdrawnintotheadmiringvortex，andlookatthisbabyjustasifbabiescameintotheworldeveryday。'Philip，'saidSylvia，onenight，ashesateasstillasamouseinherroom，imagininghertobeasleep。Hewasbyherbedsideinamoment。'I'vebeenthinkingwhatshe'stobecalled。Isabella，aftermother;andwhatwereyo'rmother'sname？''Margaret，'saidhe。'MargaretIsabella;IsabellaMargaret。Mother'scalledBell。ShemightbecalledBella。''Icouldha'wishedhertobecalledafterthee。'Shemadealittleimpatientmovement。'Nay;Sylvia'snotaluckyname。Bestbecalledafterthymotherandmine。
　　AndIwantfortoaskHestertobegodmother。''Anythingthoulikes，sweetheart。ShallwecallherRose，afterHesterRose？''No，no！'saidSylvia;'shemunbecalledaftermymother，orthine，orboth。IshouldlikehertobecalledBella，aftermother，becauseshe'ssofondofbaby。''Anythingtopleasethee，darling。''Don'tsaythatasifitdidn'tsignify;there'sadealinhavingaprettyname，'saidSylvia，alittleannoyed。'Iha'allayshatedbeingcalledSylvia。Itwereafterfather'smother，SylviaSteele。''Iniverthoughtanynameina'theworldsosweetandprettyasSylvia，'
　　saidPhilip，fondly;butshewastoomuchabsorbedinherownthoughtstonoticeeitherhismannerorhiswords。'There，yo'llnotmindifitisBella，becauseyo'seemymotherisalivetobepleasedbyitsbeingnamedafterher，andHestermaybegodmother，andI'llha't'dove—colouredsilkasyo'gavemeaforeweweremarriedmadeupintoacloakforittogotochurchin。''Igotitforthee，'saidPhilip，alittledisappointed。'It'llbetoogoodforthebaby。''Eh！butI'msocareless，Ishouldbespillingsomethingonit？ButifthougotitformeIcannotfindi'myheartfort'wearitonbaby，andI'llhaveitmadeintoachristeninggownformysel'。ButI'llniverfeelatmyeaseinit，forfearofspoilingit。'Well！an'ifthoudoesspoilit，love，I'llgettheeanother。Imakeaccountofrichesonlyforthee;thatImaybeabletogettheewhativerthou'safancyfor，foreitherthysel'，orthymother。'Sheliftedherpalefacefromherpillow，andputupherlipstokisshimforthesewords。PerhapsonthatdayPhilipreachedthezenithofhislife'shappiness。
　　chapter31CHAPTERXXXIEVILOMENSThefirststepinPhilip'sdeclensionhappenedinthisway。Sylviahadmaderapidprogressinherrecovery;butnowsheseemedatastationarypointofweakness;wakefulnightssucceedingtolanguiddays。Occasionallyshecaughtalittlesleepintheafternoons，butsheusuallyawokestartledandfeverish。OneafternoonPhiliphadstolenupstairstolookatherandhischild;
　　buttheeffortshemadeatcarefulnoiselessnessmadethedoorcreakonitshingesasheopened。it。Thewomanemployedtonurseherhadtakenthebabyintoanotherroomthatnosoundmightrouseherfromherslumber;
　　andPhilipwouldprobablyhavebeenwarnedagainstenteringthechamberwherehiswifelaysleepinghadhebeenperceivedbythenurse。Asitwas，heopenedthedoor，madeanoise，andSylviastartedup，herfacealloneflush，hereyeswildanduncertain;shelookedaboutherasifshedidnotknowwhereshewas;pushedthehairoffherhotforehead;allwhichactionsPhilipsaw，dismayedandregretful。Buthekeptstill，hopingthatshewouldliedownandcomposeherself。Insteadshestretchedoutherarmsimploringly，andsaid，inavoicefullofyearningandtears，——'Oh！Charley！cometome——cometome！'andthenasshemorefullybecameawareoftheplacewhereshewas，heractualsituation，shesankbackandfeeblybegantocry。Philip'sheartboiledwithinhim;anyman'swouldunderthecircumstances，buthehadthesenseofguiltyconcealmenttoaggravatetheintensityofhisfeelings。Herweakcryafteranotherman，too，irritatedhim，partlythroughhisanxiouslove，whichmadehimwisetoknowhowmuchphysicalharmshewasdoingherself。Atthismomenthestirred，orunintentionallymadesomesound:shestartedupafresh，andcalledout，——'Oh，who'stheere？Do，forGod'ssake，tellmewhoyo'are！''It'sme，'saidPhilip，comingforwards，strivingtokeepdownthemiserablecomplicationofloveandjealousy，andremorseandanger，thatmadehisheartbeatsowildly，andalmosttookhimoutofhimself。Indeed，hemusthavebeenquitebesidehimselfforthetime，orhecouldneverhavegoneontouttertheunwise，cruelwordshedid。Butshespokefirst，inadistressedandplaintivetoneofvoice。'Oh，Philip，I'vebeenasleep，andyetIthinkIwasawake！AndIsawCharleyKinraidasplainasiverIseetheenow，andhewasn'tdrownedatall。
　　I'msurehe'salivesomewheere;heweresoclearandlife—like。Oh！whatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？'Shewrungherhandsinfeverishdistress。Urgedbypassionatefeelingsofvariouskinds，andalsobyhisdesiretoquenchtheagitationwhichwasdoingherharm，Philipspoke，hardlyknowingwhathesaid。'Kinraid'sdead，Itellyo'，Sylvie！Andwhatkindofawomanareyo'togodreamingofanothermani'thisway，andtakingonsoabouthim;whenyo'reaweddedwife，withachildasyo'vebornetoanotherman？'Inamomenthecouldhavebittenouthistongue。Shelookedathimwiththemutereproachwhichsomeofussee（Godhelpus！）intheeyesofthedead，astheycomebeforeoursadmemoriesinthenight—season;lookedathimwithsuchasolemn，searchinglook，neversayingawordofreplyordefence。Thenshelaydown，motionlessandsilent。Hehadbeeninstantlystungwithremorseforhisspeech;thewordswerenotbeyondhislipswhenanagonyhadenteredhisheart;buthersteady，dilatedeyeshadkepthimdumbandmotionlessasifbyaspell。Nowherushedtothebedonwhichshelay，andhalfknelt，halfthrewhimselfuponit，imploringhertoforgivehim;regardlessforthetimeofanyevilconsequencestoher，itseemedasifhemusthaveherpardon——herrelenting——atanyprice，eveniftheybothdiedintheactofreconciliation。Butshelayspeechless，and，asfarasshecouldbe，motionless，thebedtremblingunderherwiththequiveringshecouldnotstill。Philip'swildtonescaughtthenurse'sears，andsheenteredfullofthedignifiedindignationofwisdom。'Areyo'forkillingyo'rwife，measter？'sheasked。'She'snoanesostrongasshecanbearflytin'andscoldin'，norwillshebeformanyaweektocome。Godownwi'ye，andleaveheri'peaceifyo'reamanascanbecalledaman！'HerangerwasrisingasshecaughtsightofSylvia'savertedface。Itwasflushedcrimson，hereyesfullofintenseemotionofsomekind，herlipscompressed;butaninvoluntarytwitchingovermasteringherresolutestillnessfromtimetotime。Philip，whodidnotseetheavertedface，norunderstandtherealdangerinwhichhewasplacinghiswife，feltasthoughhemusthaveoneword，oneresponsivetouchofthehandwhichlaypassiveinhis，whichwasnotevendrawnawayfromthekisseswithwhichhecoveredit，anymorethanifithadbeenanimpassivestone。Thenursehadfairlytotakehimbytheshoulders，andturnhimoutoftheroom。Inhalfanhourthedoctorhadtobesummoned。Ofcourse，thenursegavehimherversionoftheeventsoftheafternoon，withmuchanimusagainstPhilip;andthedoctorthoughtithisdutytohavesomeveryseriousconversationwithhim。'Idoassureyou，MrHepburn，that，inthestateyourwifehasbeeninforsomedays，itwaslittlelessthanmadnessonyourparttospeaktoheraboutanythingthatcouldgiverisetostrongemotion。''Itwasmadness，sir！'repliedPhilip，inalow，miserabletoneofvoice。
　　Thedoctor'sheartwastouched，inspiteofthenurse'saccusationsagainstthescoldinghusband。Yetthedangerwasnowtooseriousforhimtomincematters。'ImusttellyouthatIcannotanswerforherlife，unlessthegreatestprecautionsaretakenonyourpart，andunlessthemeasuresIshallusehavetheeffectIwishforinthenexttwenty—fourhours。Sheisonthevergeofabrainfever。Anyallusiontothesubjectwhichhasbeenthefinalcauseofthestateinwhichshenowismustbemostcautiouslyavoided，eventoachancewordwhichmaybringittohermemory。Andsoon;butPhilipseemedtohearonlythis:thenhemightnotexpresscontrition，orsueforpardon，hemustgoonunforgiventhroughallthisstressofanxiety;andevenifsherecoveredthedoctorwarnedhimoftheundesirablenessofrecurringtowhathadpassed！Heavymiserabletimesofenduranceandwaitinghavetobepassedthroughbyallduringthecourseoftheirlives;andPhiliphadhadhisshareofsuchseasons，whentheheart，andthewill，andthespeech，andthelimbs，mustbebounddownwithstrongresolutiontopatience。Formanydays，nay，forweeks，hewasforbiddentoseeSylvia，astheverysoundofhisfootstepbroughtonarecurrenceofthefeverandconvulsivemovement。Yetsheseemed，fromquestionsshefeeblyaskedthenurse，tohaveforgottenallthathadhappenedonthedayofherattackfromthetimewhenshedroppedofftosleep。Buthowmuchsherememberedofafteroccurrencesnoonecouldascertain。Shewasquietenoughwhen，atlength，Philipwasallowedtoseeher。Buthewashalfjealousofhischild，whenhewatchedhowshecouldsmileatit，whilesheneverchangedamuscleofherfaceatallhecoulddoorsay。Andofapiecewiththisextremequietudeandreservewasherbehaviourtohimwhenatlengthshehadfullyrecovered，andwasabletogoaboutthehouseagain。Philipthoughtmanyatimeofthewordsshehadusedlongbefore——beforetheirmarriage。Ominouswordstheywere。'It'snotinmetoforgive;Isometimesthinkit'snotinmetoforget。'Philipwastendereventohumilityinhisconducttowardsher。Butnothingstirredherfromherfortressofreserve。Andheknewshewassodifferent;
　　heknewhowloving，nay，passionate，washernature——vehement，demonstrative——oh！
　　howcouldhestirheroncemoreintoexpression，evenifthefirstshoworspeechshemadewasofanger？Thenhetriedbeingangrywithherhimself;
　　hewassometimesunjusttoherconsciouslyand。ofapurpose，inordertoprovokeherintodefendingherself，andappealingagainsthisunkindness。
　　Heonlyseemedtodriveherloveawaystillmore。Ifanyonehadknownallthatwaspassinginthathousehold，whileyetthestoryofitwasnotended，nor，indeed，cometoitscrisis，theirheartswouldhavebeensorryforthemanwholingeredlongatthedooroftheroominwhichhiswifesatecooingandtalkingtoherbaby，andsometimeslaughingbacktoit，orwhowassoothingthequerulousnessoffailingagewitheverypossiblepatienceoflove;sorryforthepoorlistenerwhowashungeringfortheprofusionoftendernessthusscatteredonthesenselessair，yetonlybystealthcaughttheechoesofwhatoughttohavebeenhis。Itwassodifficulttocomplain，too;impossible，infact。Everythingthatawifecoulddofromdutyshedid;buttheloveseemedtohavefled，and，insuchcases，noreproachesorcomplaintscanavailtobringitback。
　　Soreasonoutsiders，andareconvincedoftheresultbeforetheexperimentismade。ButPhilipcouldnotreason，orcouldnotyieldtoreason;andsohecomplainedandreproached。Shedidnotmuchanswerhim;buthethoughtthathereyesexpressedtheoldwords，—'It'snotinmetoforgive;Isometimesthink。it'snotinmetoforget。'However，itisanoldstory，anascertainedfact，that，eveninthemosttenderandstablemasculinenatures，atthesupremestseasonoftheirlives，thereisroomforotherthoughtsandpassionsthansuchasareconnectedwithlove。Evenwiththemostdomesticandaffectionatemen，theiremotionsseemtobekeptinacelldistinctandawayfromtheiractuallives。Philiphadotherthoughtsandotheroccupationsthanthoseconnectedwithhiswifeduringallthistime。Anuncleofhismother's，aCumberland'statesman，'ofwhoseexistencehewasbarelyconscious，diedaboutthistime，leavingtohisunknowngreat—nephewfourorfivehundredpounds，whichputhimatonceinadifferentpositionwithregardtohisbusiness。Henceforwardhisambitionwasroused，——suchhumbleambitionasbefittedashopkeeperinacountrytownsixtyorseventyyearsago。Toberespectedbythemenaroundhimhadalwaysbeenanobjectwithhim，andwas，perhaps，becomingmoresothanevernow，asasortofrefugefromhisdeep，sorrowfulmortificationinotherdirections。Hewasgreatlypleasedatbeingmadeasidesman;and，inpreparationforthefurtherhonourofbeingchurchwarden，hewentregularlytwiceadaytochurchonSundays。Therewasenoughreligiousfeelinginhimtomakehimdisguisetheworldlyreasonforsuchconductfromhimself。Hebelievedthat。hewentbecausehethoughtitrighttoattendpublicworshipintheparishchurchwheneveritwasofferedup;butitmaybequestionedofhim，asofmanyothers，howfarhewouldhavebeenasregularinattendanceinaplacewherehewasnotknown。Withthis，however，wehavenothingtodo。Thefactwasthathewentregularlytochurch，andhewishedhiswifetoaccompanyhimtothepew，newlypainted，withhisnameonthedoor，wherehesateinfullsightoftheclergymanandcongregation。Sylviahadneverbeeninthehabitofsuchregularchurch—going，andshefeltitasahardship，andslippedoutofthedutyasoftenasevershecould。Inherunmarrieddays，sheandherparentshadgoneannuallytothemother—churchoftheparishinwhichHaytersbankwassituated:ontheMondaysucceedingtheSundaynextaftertheRomishSaint'sDay，towhomthechurchwasdedicated，therewasagreatfeastorwakeheld，and，ontheSunday，alltheparishionerscametochurchfromfarandnear。Frequently，too，inthecourseoftheyear，SylviawouldaccompanyoneorotherofherparentstoScarbyMoorsideafternoonservice，——whenthehaywasgotin，andthecornnotreadyforcutting，orthecowsweredryandtherewasnoafternoonmilking。Manyclergymenwerelanguidinthosedays，anddidnottoocuriouslyinquireintothereasonswhichgavethemsuchsmallcongregationsincountryparishes。Nowshewasmarried，thisweeklychurch—goingwhichPhilipseemedtoexpectfromher，becameatieandasmallhardship，whichconnecteditselfwithherlifeofrespectabilityandprosperity。'Acrustofbreadandliberty'
　　wasmuchmoreaccordanttoSylvia'snaturethanplentyofcreaturecomfortsandmanyrestraints。AnotherwishofPhilip's，againstwhichshesaidnoword，butconstantlyrebelledinthoughtanddeed，washisdesirethattheservanthehadengagedduringthetimeofherillnesstotakechargeofthebaby，shouldalwayscarryitwheneveritwastakenoutforawalk。
　　Sylviaoftenfelt，nowshewasstrong，asifshewouldfarratherhavebeenwithouttheresponsibilityofhavingthisnursemaid，ofwhomshewas，inreality，ratherafraid。Thegoodsideofitwasthatitsetheratlibertytoattendtohermotherattimeswhenshewouldhavebeenotherwiseoccupiedwithherbaby;butBellrequiredverylittlefromanyone:shewaseasilypleased，unexacting，andmethodicaleveninherdotage;preservingthequiet，undemonstrativehabitsofherearlierlifenowthatthefacultyofreason，whichhadbeenatthebasisoftheformationofsuchhabits，wasgone。Shetookgreatdelightinwatchingthebaby，andwaspleasedtohaveitinhercareforashorttime;butshedozedsomuchthatitpreventedherhavinganystrongwishonthesubject。SoSylviacontrivedtogetherbabyasmuchaspossibletoherself，inspiteofthenursemaid;and，aboveall，shewouldcarryitout，softlycradledinherarms，warmpillowedonherbreast，andbearittothefreedomandsolitudeofthesea—shoreonthewestsideofthetown，wherethecliffswerenotsohigh，andtherewasagoodspaceofsandandshingleatalllowtides。Oncehere，shewasashappyassheeverexpectedtobeinthisworld。Thefreshsea—breezerestoredsomethingofthecolourofformerdaystohercheeks，theoldbuoyancytoherspirits;hereshemighttalkherheart—fulloflovingnonsensetoherbaby;hereitwasallherown;nofathertoshareinit，nonursemaidtodisputethewisdomofanythingshedidwithit。
　　Shesangtoit，shetossedit;itcrowedanditlaughedbackagain，tillbothwereweary;andthenshewouldsitdownonabrokenpieceofrock，andfailtogazingontheadvancingwavescatchingthesunlightontheircrests，advancing，receding，foreverandforever，astheyhaddoneallherlifelong——astheydidwhenshehadwalkedwiththemthatoncebythesideofKinraid;thosecruelwavesthat，forgetfulofthehappylovers'
　　talkbythesideoftheirwaters，hadcarriedoneaway，anddrownedhimdeeptillhewasdead。Everytimeshesatedowntolookatthesea，thisprocessofthoughtwasgonethroughuptothispoint;thenextstepwould，sheknew，bringhertothequestionshedarednot，mustnotask。Hewasdead;hemustbedead;forwasshenotPhilip'swife？ThencameuptherecollectionofPhilip'sspeech，neverforgotten，onlyburiedoutofsight:
　　'Whatkindofawomanareyo'togoondreamingofanotherman，andyo'
　　aweddedwife？'Sheusedtoshudderasifcoldsteelhadbeenplungedintoherwarm，livingbodyassherememberedthesewords;cruelwords，harmlesslyprovoked。Theyweretoomuchassociatedwithphysicalpainstobedweltupon;onlytheirmemorywasalwaysthere。Shepaidforthesehappyrambleswithherbabybythedepressionwhichawaitedheronherre—entranceintothedark，confinedhousethatwasherhome;itsveryfulnessofcomfortwasanoppression。Then，whenherhusbandsawherpaleandfatigued，hewasannoyed，andsometimesupbraidedherfordoingwhatwassounnecessaryastoloadherselfwithherchild。Sheknewfullwellitwasnotthatthatcausedherweariness。By—and—by，whenheinquiredanddiscoveredthatallthesewalksweretakeninonedirection，outtowardsthesea，hegrewjealousofherlovefortheinanimateocean。WasitconnectedinhermindwiththethoughtofKinraid？Whydidshesoperseveringly，inwindorcold，goouttothesea—shore;thewesternside，too，where，ifshewentbutfarenough，shewouldcomeuponthemouthoftheHaytersbankgully，thepointatwhichshehadlastseenKinraid？SuchfancieshauntedPhilip'smindforhoursaftershehadacknowledgedthedirectionofherwalks。Butheneversaidawordthatcoulddistinctlytellherhedislikedhergoingtothesea，otherwiseshewouldhaveobeyedhiminthis，asineverythingelse;forabsoluteobediencetoherhusbandseemedtobeherruleoflifeatthisperiod——obediencetohimwhowouldsogladlyhaveobeyedhersmallestwishhadshebutexpressedit！SheneverknewthatPhiliphadanypainfulassociationwiththeparticularpointonthesea—shorethatsheinstinctivelyavoided，bothfromaconsciousnessofwifelyduty，andalsobecausethesightofitbroughtupsomuchsharppain。Philipusedtowonderifthedreamthatprecededherillnesswasthesuggestivecausethatdrewhersooftentotheshore。Herillnessconsequentuponthatdreamhadfilledhismind，sothatformanymonthshehimselfhadhadnohauntingvisionofKinraidtodisturbhisslumbers。ButnowtheolddreamofKinraid'sactualpresencebyPhilip'sbedsidebegantoreturnwithfearfulvividness。Nightafternightitrecurred;eachtimewithsomenewtouchofreality，andcloseapproach;tillitwasasifthefatethatovertakesallmenwerethen，eventhen，knockingathisdoor。InhisbusinessPhilipprospered。Menpraisedhimbecausehedidwelltohimself。Hehadtheperseverance，thecapabilityforhead—workandcalculation，thesteadinessandgeneralforethoughtwhichmighthavemadehimagreatmerchantifhehadlivedinalargecity。Withoutanyeffortofhisown，almost，too，withoutCoulson'sbeingawareofit，Philipwasnowinthepositionofsuperiorpartner;theonetosuggestandarrange，whileCoulsononlycarriedouttheplansthatemanatedfromPhilip。Thewholeworkoflifewassuitedtotheman:hedidnotaspiretoanydifferentposition，onlytothefulldevelopmentofthecapabilitiesofthatwhichhealreadyheld。Hehadoriginatedseveralfreshschemeswithregardtothetrafficoftheshop;andhisoldmasters，withalltheirloveoftriedways，anddistrustofeverythingnew，hadbeencandidenoughtoconfessthattheirsuccessors'planshadresultedinsuccess。'Theirsuccessors。'Philipwascontentwithhavingthepowerwhentheexerciseofitwasrequired，andnevernamedhisownimportantshareinthenewimprovements。Possibly，ifhehad，Coulson'svanitymighthavetakenthealarm，andhemightnothavebeensoacquiescentforthefuture。Asitwas，heforgothisownsubordinateshare，andalwaysusedtheimperial'we，''wethought，''itstruckus，'
　　&c。
　　chapter32CHAPTERXXXIIRESCUEDFROMTHEWAVESMeanwhileHestercameandwentasusual;insoquietandmethodicalaway，withsoevenandundisturbedatemper，thatshewasalmostforgottenwheneverythingwentwellintheshoporhousehold。Shewasastar，thebrightnessofwhichwasonlyrecognizedintimesofdarkness。SheherselfwasalmostsurprisedatherownincreasingregardforSylvia。ShehadnotthoughtsheshouldeverbeabletolovethewomanwhohadbeensuchalaggardinacknowledgingPhilip'smerits;andfromallshehadeverheardofSylviabeforeshecametoknowher，fromtheangrywordswithwhichSylviahadreceivedherwhenshehadfirstgonetoHaytersbankFarm，Hesterhadintendedtoremainonfriendlyterms，buttoavoidintimacy。ButherkindnesstoBellRobsonhadwonboththemother'sanddaughter'shearts;andinspiteofherself，certainlyagainstherownmother'sadvice，shehadbecomethefamiliarfriendandwelcomeguestofthehousehold。NowtheverychangeinSylvia'swholemannerandways，whichgrievedandvexedPhilip，madehiswifethemoreattractivetoHester。BroughtupamongQuakers，althoughnotoneherself，sheadmiredandrespectedthestaidnessandoutwardpeacefulnesscommonamongsttheyoungwomenofthatsect。Sylvia，whomshehadexpectedtofindvolatile，talkative，vain，andwilful，wasquietandstill，asifshehadbeenbornaFriend:sheseemedtohavenowillofherown;sheservedhermotherandchildforlove;sheobeyedherhusbandinallthings，andneverappearedtopineaftergaietyorpleasure。
　　AndyetattimesHesterthought，orratheraflashcameacrosshermind，asifallthingswerenotasrightastheyseemed。Philiplookedolder，morecare—worn;nay，evenHesterwasobligedtoallowtoherselfthatshehadheardhimspeaktohiswifeinsharp，aggrievedtones。InnocentHester！
　　shecouldnotunderstandhowtheveryqualitiesshesoadmiredinSylviawerejustwhatweresoforeigntohernaturethatthehusband，whohadknownherfromachild，feltwhatanunnaturalrestraintshewasputtinguponherself，andwouldhavehailedpetulantwordsorwilfulactionswithanunspeakablethankfulnessforrelief。Oneday——itwasinthespringof1798——HesterwasengagedtostaytoteawiththeHepburns，inorderthatafterthatearlymealshemightsettoagaininhelpingPhilipandCoulsontopackawaythewinterclothsandflannels，forwhichtherewasnolongeranyuse。Thetea—timewashalf—pastfour;aboutfouro'clockaheavyAprilshowercameon，thehailpatteringagainstthewindow—panessoastoawakenMrsRobsonfromherafternoon'snap。Shecamedownthecorkscrewstairs，andfoundPhoebeintheparlourarrangingthetea—things。PhoebeandMrsRobsonwerebetterfriendsthanPhoebeandheryoungmistress;
　　andsotheybegantotalkalittletogetherinacomfortable，familiarway。OnceortwicePhiliplookedin，asifhewouldbegladtoseethetea—tableinreadiness;andthenPhoebewouldputonaspurtofbusybustle，whichceasedalmostassoonashisbackwasturned，soeagerwasshetoobtainMrsRobson'ssympathyinsomelittledisputethathadoccurredbetweenherandthenursemaid。Thelatterhadmisappropriatedsomehotwater，preparedandrequiredbyPhoebe，tothewashingofthebaby'sclothes;itwasalongstory，andwouldhavetiredthepatienceofanyoneinfullpossessionoftheirsenses;butthedetailswerejustwithinpoorBell'scomprehension，andshewaslisteningwiththegreatestsympathy。Boththewomenwereunawareofthelapseoftime;butitwasofconsequencetoPhilip，astheextralabourwasnottobebegununtilaftertea，andthedaylighthourswereprecious。AtaquartertofiveHesterandhecamein，andthenPhoebebegantohurry。
　　HesterwentuptositbyBellandtalktoher。PhilipspoketoPhoebeinthefamiliarwordsofcountry—folk。Indeed，untilhismarriage，PhoebehadalwayscalledhimbyhisChristianname，andhadfounditverydifficulttochangeitinto'master。''Where'sSylvie？'saidhe。'Goneoutwi't'babby，'repliedPhoebe。'Whycan'tNancycarryitout？'askedPhilip。Itwastouchingontheoldgrievance:hewastired，andhespokewithsharpannoyance。Phoebemighteasilyhavetoldhimtherealstateofthecase;
　　Nancywasbusyatherwashing，whichwouldhavebeenreasonenough。Butthenursemaidhadvexedher，andshedidnotlikePhilip'ssharpness，sosheonlysaid，——'It'snoaneo'mybusiness;it'syo't'lookafteryo'rownwifeandchild;