butyo'rbutaladaftera'。'Thiswasnotconciliatoryspeech，andjustputthelaststroketoPhilip'sfitofill—temper。'I'mnotformyteato—night，'saidhe，toHester，whenallwasready。
　　'Sylvie'snothere，andnothingisnice，orasitshouldbe。I'llgoandsettoont'stock—taking。Don'tyo'hurry，Hester;stopandchatabitwithth'oldlady。''Nay，Philip，'saidHester，'thou'ssadlytired;justtakethiscupo'
　　tea;Sylvia'llbegrievedifyo'haven'tsomething。''Sylviadoesn'tcarewhetherI'mfullorfasting，'repliedhe，impatientlyputtingasidethecup。'Ifshedidshe'dha'takencaretobein，andha'
　　seentothingsbeingasIlikethem。'NowingeneralPhilipwastheleastparticularofmenaboutmeals;andtodoSylviajustice，shewasscrupulouslyattentivetoeveryhouseholddutyinwhicholdPhoebewouldallowhertomeddle，andalwayscarefultoseeafterherhusband'scomforts。ButPhilipwastoovexedatherabsencetoperceivetheinjusticeofwhathewassaying，norwasheawarehowBellRobsonhadbeenattendingtowhathesaid。Butshewassadlydiscomfitedbyit，understandingjustenoughofthegrievanceinhandtothinkthatherdaughterwasneglectfulofthosedutieswhichsheherselfhadalwaysregardedasparamounttoallothers;norcouldHesterconvinceherthatPhiliphadnotmeantwhathesaid;neithercouldsheturnthepooroldwoman'sthoughtsfromthewordswhichhadcausedherdistress。PresentlySylviacamein，brightandcheerful，althoughbreathlesswithhurry。'Oh，'saidshe，takingoffherwetshawl，'we'vehadtoshelterfromsuchastormofrain，babyandme——butsee！she'snonetheworseforit，asbonnyasiver，blessher。'HesterbegansomespeechofadmirationforthechildinordertopreventBellfromdeliveringthelectureshefeltsurewascomingdownontheunsuspectingSylvia;butallinvain。'Philip'sbeencomplainingonthee，Sylvie，'saidBell，inthewayinwhichshehadspokentoherdaughterwhenshewasalittlechild;graveandsevereintoneandlook，morethaninwords。'Iforgetjustlywhatabout，buthespokeonthyneglectinghimcontinual。It'snotright，mylass，it'snotright;awomanshould——butmyhead'sverytired，andallIcanthinkontosayis，it'snotright。''Philipbeencomplainingofme，andtomother！'saidSylvia，readytoburstintotears，sogrievedandangrywasshe。'No！'saidHester，'thymotherhastakenitalittletoostrong;hewerevexedlikeathisteanotbeingready。'Sylviasaidnomore，butthebrightcolourfadedfromhercheek，andthecontractionofcarereturnedtoherbrow。Sheoccupiedherselfwithtakingoffherbaby'swalkingthings。Hesterlingered，anxioustosootheandmakepeace;shewaslookingsorrowfullyatSylvia，whenshesawtearsdroppingonthebaby'scloak，andthenitseemedasifshemustspeakawordofcomfortbeforegoingtotheshop—work，wheresheknewshewasexpectedbybothPhilipandCoulson。Shepouredoutacupoftea，andcomingcloseuptoSylvia，andkneelingdownbyher，shewhispered，——'Justtakehimthisintot'ware—room;it'llputalltorightsifthou'lltakeittohimwi'thyownhands。'Sylvialookedup，andHesterthenmorefullysawhowshehadbeencrying。
　　Shewhisperedinreply，forfearofdisturbinghermother，——'Idon'tmindanythingbuthisspeakingillonmetomother。IknowI'mforivertryingandtryingtobeagoodwifetohim，an'it'sverydullwork;harderthanyo'thinkon，Hester，——an'Iwouldha'beenhomeforteato—nightonlyIwasafearedofbabygettingwetwi't'stormo'hailaswehaddownont'shore;andweshelteredunderarock。It'sawearycominghometothisdarkplace，andtofindmyownmothersetagainstme。'Takehimhistea，likeagoodlassie。I'llanswerforithe'llbeallright。Amantakesithardlywhenhecomesintired，a—thinkinghiswife'11betheretocheerhimupabit，tofindheroff，andniverknownoughtoft'reasonwhy。''I'mgladenoughI'vegettenababy，'saidSylvia，'butforaughtelseIwishI'dniverbeenmarried，Ido！''Hushthee，lass！'saidHester，risingupindignant;'nowthatisasin。
　　Eh！ifthouonlyknewtheloto'somefolk。Butlet'stalknomoreonthat，thatcannotbehelped;go，takehimhistea，forit'sasadthingtothinkonhimfastingallthistime。'Hester'svoicewasraisedbythesimplefactofherchangeofposition;
　　andthewordfastingcaughtMrsRobson'sear，asshesateatherknittingbythechimney—corner。'Fasting？hesaidthoudidn'tcareifhewerefullorfasting。Lassie！
　　it'snotrightinthee，Isay;go，takehimhisteaatonce。'Sylviarose，andgaveupthebaby，whichshehadbeensuckling，toNancy，whohavingdoneherwashing，hadcomeforhercharge，toputittobed。
　　Sylviakisseditfondly，makingalittlemoanofsad，passionatetendernessasshedidso。Thenshetookthecupoftea;butshesaid，ratherdefiantly，toHester，——'I'llgotohimwithit，becausemotherbidsme，andit'lleasehermind。'Thenloudertohermother，sheadded，——'Mother，I'lltakehimhistea，thoughIcouldn'thelpthebeingout。'Iftheactitselfwasconciliatory，thespiritinwhichshewasgoingtodoitwasthereverse。Hesterfollowedherslowlyintotheware—room，withintentionaldelay，thinkingthatherpresencemightbeanobstacletotheirmutuallyunderstandingoneanother。SylviaheldthecupandplateofbreadandbutterouttoPhilip，butavoidedmeetinghiseye，andsaidnotawordofexplanation，orregret，orself—justification。Ifshehadspoken，thougheversocrossly，Philipwouldhavebeenrelieved，andwouldhavepreferredittohersilence。Hewantedtoprovokehertospeech，butdidnotknowhowtobegin。'Thou'sbeenoutagainwanderingonthatsea—shore！'saidhe。Shedidnotanswerhim。'Icannotthinkwhat'salwaystakingtheethere，whenonewouldha'thoughtawalkuptoEsdalewouldbefarmoresheltered，bothfortheeandbabyinsuchweatherasthis。Thou'llbehavingthatbabyillsomeofthesedays。'Atthis，shelookedupathim，andherlipsmovedasthoughsheweregoingtosaysomething。Oh，howhewishedshewould，thattheymightcometoawholesomequarrel，andamakingfriendsagain，andatenderkissing，inwhichhemightwhisperpenitenceforallhishastywords，orunreasonablevexation。Butshehadcomeresolvednottospeak，forfearofshowingtoomuchpassion，toomuchemotion。Onlyasshewasgoingawaysheturnedandsaid，——'Philip，motherhasn'tmanymoreyearstolive;dunnotgrieveher，andsetheragain'mebyfindingfaultwi'meaforeher。Ourbeingwedwereagreatmistake;butbeforet'pooroldwidow—womanletusmakeasifwewerehappy。''Sylvie！Sylvie！'hecalledafterher。Shemusthaveheard，butshedidnotturn。Hewentafterher，andseizedherbythearmratherroughly;
　　shehadstunghimtotheheartwithhercalmwords，whichseemedtorevealalong—formedconviction。'Sylvie！'saidhe，almostfiercely，'whatdoyo'meanbywhatyou'vesaid？
　　Speak！Iwillhaveananswer。'Healmostshookher:shewashalffrightenedbyhisvehemenceofbehaviour，whichshetookforpureanger，whileitwastheoutburstofagonizedandunrequitedlove。'Letmego！Oh，Philip，yo'hurtme！'JustatthismomentHestercameup;Philipwasashamedofhispassionatewaysinherserenepresence，andloosenedhisgraspofhiswife，andsheranaway;ranintohermother'semptyroom，astoasolitaryplace，andthereburstintothatsobbing，miserablecryingwhichweinstinctivelyknowistoosurelylesseningthelengthofourdaysonearthtobeindulgedinoften。Whenshehadexhaustedthatfirstburstandlayweakandquietforatime，shelistenedindreadingexpectationofthesoundofhisfootstepcominginsearchofhertomakefriends。Buthewasdetainedbelowonbusiness，andnevercame。Instead，hermothercameclamberingupthestairs;shewasnowinthehabitofgoingtobedbetweensevenandeight，andto—nightshewasretiringatevenanearlierhour。Sylviasprangupanddrewdownthewindow—blind，andmadeherfaceandmannerascomposedaspossible，inordertosootheandcomforthermother'slastwakinghours。Shehelpedhertobedwithgentlepatience;therestraintimposeduponherbyhertenderfiliallovewasgoodforher，thoughallthetimeshewaslongingtobealonetohaveanotherwildoutburst。Whenhermotherwasgoingofftosleep，Sylviawenttolookatherbaby，alsoinasoftsleep。Thenshegazedoutattheeveningsky，highabovethetiledroofsoftheoppositehouses，andthelongingtobeoutunderthepeacefulheavenstookpossessionofheroncemore。'It'smyonlycomfort，'saidshetoherself;'andthere'snoearthlyharminit。Iwouldha'beenathometohistea，ifIcould;butwhenhedoesn'twantme，andmotherdoesn'twantme，andbabyiseitherinmyarmsorasleep;
　　why，I'llgoanycrymyfilloutunderyongreatquietsky。Icannotstayint'housetobechokedupwi'mytears，noryettohavehimcomingaboutmeeitherforscoldingorpeace—making。'Sosheputonherthingsandwentoutagain;thistimealongtheHighStreet，andupthelongflightsofstepstowardstheparishchurch，andthereshestoodandthoughtthathereshehadfirstmetKinraid，atDarley'sburying，andshetriedtorecalltheverylookofallthesad，earnestfacesroundtheopengrave——thewholescene，infact;andletherselfgivewaytothemiserableregretsshehadsooftentriedtocontrol。Thenshewalkedon，cryingbitterly，almostunawarestoherself;onthroughthehigh，bleakfieldsatthesummitofthecliffs;fieldsboundedbyloosestonefences，andfarfromallsightofthehabitationofman。But，below，thesearoseandraged;itwashighwateratthehighesttide，andthewindblewgustilyfromtheland，vainlycombatingthegreatwavesthatcameinvinciblyupwitharoarandanimpotentfuriousdashagainstthebaseofthecliffsbelow。Sylviaheardthesoundofthepassionaterushandreboundofmanywaters，liketheshockofmightyguns，whenevertheothersoundoftheblusteringgustywindwaslulledforaninstant。Shewasmorequietedbythistempestoftheelementsthanshewouldhavebeenhadallnatureseemedasstillasshehadimaginedittobewhileshewasyetin—doorsandonlysawapartoftheserenesky。Shefixedonacertainpoint，inherownmind，whichshewouldreach，andthenturnbackagain。Itwaswheretheoutlineofthelandcurvedinwards，dippingintoalittlebay。Herethefield—pathshehadhithertofolloweddescendedsomewhatabruptlytoaclusteroffishermen'scottages，hardlylargeenoughtobecalledavillage;andthenthenarrowroadwaywounduptherisinggroundtillitagainreachedthesummitofthecliffsthatstretchedalongthecoastformanyandmanyamile。Sylviasaidtoherselfthatshewouldturnhomewardswhenshecamewithinsightofthiscove，——HeadlingtonCove，theycalledit。Allthewayalongshehadmetnoonesinceshehadleftthetown，butjustasshehadgotoverthelaststile，orladderofstepping—stones，intothefieldfromwhichthepathdescended，shecameuponanumberofpeople——quiteacrowd，infact;menmovingforwardinasteadyline，haulingatarope，achain，orsomethingofthatkind;boyschildren，andwomenholdingbabiesintheirarms，asifallwerefaintocomeoutandpartakeinsomegeneralinterest。Theykeptwithinacertaindistancefromtheedgeofthecliff，andSylvia，advancingalittle，nowsawthereasonwhy。Thegreatcablethemenheldwasattachedtosomepartofasmack，whichcouldnowbeseenbyherinthewatersbelow，halfdismantled，andallbutawreck，yetwithherdeckcoveredwithlivingmen，asfarasthewaninglightwouldallowhertosee。Thevesselstrainedtogetfreeofthestrongguidingcable;thetidewasturning，thewindwasblowingoffshore，andSylviaknewwithoutbeingtold，thatalmostparalleltothiswasalineofsunkenrocksthathadbeenfataltomanyashipbeforenow，ifshehadtriedtotaketheinnerchannelinsteadofkeepingouttoseaformiles，andthensteeringinstraightforMonkshavenport。Andtheshipsthathadbeenthuslosthadbeeningoodplightandordercomparedtothisvessel，whichseemednothingbutahullwithoutmastorsail。Bythistime，thecrowd——thefishermenfromthehamletdownbelow，withtheirwivesandchildren——allhadcomebutthebedridden——hadreachedtheplacewhereSylviastood。Thewomen，inastateofwildexcitement，rushedon，encouragingtheirhusbandsandsonsbywords，evenwhiletheyhinderedthembyactions;and，fromtimetotime，oneofthemwouldruntotheedgeofthecliffandshoutoutsomebravewordsofhopeinhershrillvoicetothecrewonthedeckbelow。Whethertheselatterhearditornot，noonecouldtell;butitseemedasifallhumanvoicemustbelostinthetempestuousstunandtumultofwindandwave。Itwasgenerallyawomanwithachildinherarmswhosoemployedherself。Asthestrainuponthecablebecamegreater，andthegroundonwhichtheystrovemoreuneven，everyhandwasneededtoholdandpush，andallthosewomenwhowereunencumberedheldbythe。dearropeonwhichsomanylivesweredepending。Ontheycame，alonglineofhumanbeings，blackagainsttheruddysunsetsky。AstheycamenearSylvia，awomancriedout，——'Dunnotstandidle，lass，buthoudonwi'us;there'smanyabonnylifeatstake，andmanyamother'shearta—hangin'onthisbito'hemp。Tak'
　　houd，lass，andgiveafirmgrip，andGodremembertheei'thyneed。'Sylvianeedednosecondword;aplacewasmadeforher，andinaninstantmoretheropewaspullingagainstherhandstillitseemedasthoughshewasholdingfireinherbarepalms。Neveraoneofthemthoughtoflettinggoforaninstant，thoughwhenallwasovermanyoftheirhandswererawandbleeding。Somestrong，experiencedfishermenpassedawordalongthelinefromtimetotime，givingdirectionsastohowitshouldbeheldaccordingtovaryingoccasions;butfewamongtheresthadbreathorstrengthenoughtospeak。Thewomenandchildrenthataccompaniedthemranonbefore，breakingdowntheloosestonefences，soastoobviatedelayorhindrance;theytalkedcontinually，exhorting，encouraging，explaining。Fromtheirmanywordsandfragmentarysentences，SylvialearntthatthevesselwassupposedtobeaNewcastlesmacksailingfromLondon，thathadtakenthedangerousinnerchanneltosavetime，andhadbeencaughtinthestorm，whichshewastoocrazytowithstand;andthatifbysomedaringcontrivanceofthefisher—menwhohadfirstseenherthecablehadnotbeengotashore，shewouldhavebeencastupontherocksbeforethis，and'allonboardperished。''Itweredayleetthen，'quothonewoman;'acouldseetheirfaces，theyweresonear。Theywereaspaleasdeadmen，an'onewasprayin'downonhisknees。TherewasaKing'sofficeraboard，forIsawt'gowdabouthim。''He'dmaybecomefromthesehom'ardparts，andbecomin'toseehisownfolk;elseit'snocommonforking'sofficerstosailinaughtbutKing'sships。''Eh！butit'sgettin'dark！Seethere'st'leeghtsint'housesint'NewTown！T'grassiscrispin'wi't'whitefrostunderoutfeet。It'llbeahardtugroundt'point，andthenshe'llbegettin'intostillwaters。'Onemoregreatpushandmightystrain，andthedangerwaspast;thevessel——orwhatremainedofher——wasintheharbour，amongthelightsandcheerfulsoundsofsafety。Thefishermensprangdowntheclifftothequay—side，anxioustoseethemenwhoselivestheyhadsaved;thewomen，wearyandover—excited，begantocry。NotSylvia，however;herfountoftearshadbeenexhaustedearlierintheday:herprincipalfeelingwasofgladnessandhighrejoicingthattheyweresavedwhohadbeensoneartodeathnothalfanhourbefore。Shewouldhavelikedtohaveseenthemen，andshakenhandswiththemallround。Butinsteadshemustgohome，andwellwoulditbewithherifshewasintimeforherhusband'ssupper，andescapedanynoticeofherabsence。
　　Sosheseparatedherselffromthegroupsofwomenwhosateonthegrassinthechurchyard，awaitingthereturnofsuchoftheirhusbandsascouldresistthefascinationsoftheMonkshavenpublichouses。AsSylviawentdownthechurchsteps，shecameupononeofthefishermenwhohadhelpedtotowthevesselintoport。'Therewasseventeenmenandboysaboardher，andanavy—lieutenantashadcomedaspassenger。Itwereagoodjobaswecouldmanageher。Good—neettothee，thou'llsleepallt'sounderforhavin'lentahand。'Thestreetairfelthotandcloseafterthesharpkeenatmosphereoftheheightsabove;thedecentshopsandhouseshadalltheirshuttersputup，andwerepreparingfortheirearlybed—time。Alreadylightsshonehereandthereintheupperchambers，andSylviascarcelymetanyone。Shewentroundupthepassagefromthequay—side，andinbytheprivatedoor。Allwasstill;thebasinsofbreadandmilkthatsheandherhusbandwereinthehabitofhavingforsupperstoodinthefenderbeforethefire，eachwithaplateuponthem。Nancyhadgonetobed，Phoebedozedinthekitchen;Philipwasstillintheware—room，arranginggoodsandtakingstockalongwithCoulson，forHesterhadgonehometohermother。SylviawasnotwillingtogoandseekoutPhilip，afterthemannerinwhichtheyhadparted。Allthedespondencyofherlifebecamepresenttoheragainasshesatedownwithinherhome。Shehadforgottenitinherinterestandexcitement，butnowitcamebackagain。Stillshewashungry，andyouthful，andtired。Shetookherbasinup，andwaseatinghersupperwhensheheardacryofherbabyupstairs，andranawaytoattendtoit。Whenithadbeenfedandhushedawaytosleep，shewentintoseehermother，attractedbysomeunusualnoiseinherroom。ShefoundMrsRobsonawake，andrestless，andailing;dwellingmuchonwhatPhiliphadsaidinhisangeragainstSylvia。Itwasreallynecessaryforherdaughtertoremainwithher;soSylviastoleout，andwentquicklydownstairstoPhilip——nowsittingtiredandwornout，andeatinghissupperwithlittleornoappetite——andtoldhimshemeanttopassthenightwithhermother。Hisanswerofacquiescencewassoshortandcareless，orsoitseemedtoher，thatshedidnottellhimanymoreofwhatshehaddoneorseenthatevening，orevendwelluponanydetailsofhermother'sindisposition。Assoonasshehadlefttheroom，Philipsetdownhishalf—finishedbasinofbreadandmilk，andsatelong，hisfacehiddeninhisfoldedarms。Thewickofthecandlegrewlongandblack，andfell，andsputtered，andputtered;
　　hesateon，unheedingeitheritorthepalegrayfirethatwasdyingout——deadatlast。EndofPartThreechapter33CHAPTERXXXIIIANAPPARITIONMrsRobsonwasverypoorlyallnightlong。Uneasythoughtsseemedtohauntandperplexherbrain，andsheneithersleptnorwoke，butwasrestlessanduneasyinhertalkandmovements。
　　Sylvialaydownbyher，butgotsolittlesleep，thatatlengthshepreferredsittingintheeasy—chairbythebedside。Hereshedroppedofftoslumberinspiteofherself;thesceneoftheeveningbeforeseemedtoberepeated;thecriesofthemanypeople，theheavyroaranddashofthethreateningwaves，wererepeatedinherears;andsomethingwassaidtoherthroughalltheconflictingnoises，——whatitwasshecouldnotcatch，thoughshestrainedtohearthehoarsemurmurthat，inherdream，shebelievedtoconveyameaningoftheutmostimportancetoher。
　　Thisdream，thatmysterious，onlyhalf—intelligiblesound，recurredwhenevershedozed，andherinabilitytohearthewordsuttereddistressedhersomuch，thatatlengthshesateboltupright，resolvedtosleepnomore。Hermotherwastalkinginahalf—consciousway;Philip'sspeechoftheeveningbeforewasevidentlyrunninginhermind。
　　'Sylvie，ifthou'renotagoodwifetohim，it'lljustbreakmyheartoutright。Awomanshouldobeyherhusband，andnotgoherowngait。Ineverleavethehousewi'outtellingfather，andgettinghisleave。'
　　Andthenshebegantocrypitifully，andtosayunconnectedthings，tillSylvia，tosootheher，tookherhand，andpromisednevertoleavethehousewithoutaskingherhusband'spermission，thoughinmakingthispromise，shefeltasifsheweresacrificingherlastpleasuretohermother'swish;forsheknewwellenoughthatPhilipwouldalwaysraiseobjectionstotherambleswhichremindedherofheroldfreeopen—airlife。
　　Buttocomfortandcherishhermothershewouldhavedoneanything;
　　yetthisverymorningthatwasdawning，shemustgoandaskhispermissionforasimpleerrand，orbreakherword。
　　Sheknewfromexperiencethatnothingquietedhermothersowellasbalm—tea;itmightbethattheherbreallypossessedsomesedativepower;
　　itmightbeonlyearlyfaith，andoftenrepeatedexperience，butithadalwayshadatranquillizingeffect;andmorethanonce，duringtherestlesshoursofthenight，MrsRobsonhadaskedforit;butSylvia'sstockoflastyear'sdeadleaveswasexhausted。StillsheknewwhereaplantofbalmgrewintheshelteredcornerofHaytersbankFarmgarden;sheknewthatthetenantswhohadsucceededthemintheoccupationofthefarmhadhadtoleaveitinconsequenceofadeath，andthattheplacewasunoccupied;
　　andinthedarknessshehadplannedthatifshecouldleavehermotherafterthedawncame，andshehadattendedtoherbaby，shewouldwalkquicklytotheoldgarden，andgatherthetendersprigswhichshewassuretofindthere。
　　NowshemustgoandaskPhilip;andtillsheheldherbabytoherbreast，shebitterlywishedthatshewerefreefromthedutiesandchainsofmatrimony。
　　Butthetouchofitswaxenfingers，theholdofitslittlemouth，madeherrelaxintodocilityandgentleness。ShegaveitbacktoNancytobedressed，andsoftlyopenedthedoorofPhilip'sbed—room。
　　'Philip！'saidshe，gently。'Philip！'
　　Hestartedupfromdreamsofher;ofher，angry。Hesawherthere，ratherpalewithhernight'swatchandanxiety，butlookingmeek，andalittlebeseeching。
　　'Motherhashadsuchabadnight！shefanciedonceassomebalm—teawoulddohergood——itallaysusedto:butmydriedbalmisallgone，andIthoughtthere'dbesuretobesomeint'oldgardenatHaytersbank。Feytherplantedabushjustformother，wheereitallayscameupearly，night'
　　oldelder—tree;andifyo'dnotmind，Icouldruntheerewhileshesleeps，andbebackagaininanhour，andit'snotsevennow。'
　　'Thou'snotwearthyselfoutwithrunning，Sylvie，'saidPhilip，eagerly;
　　'I'llgetupandgomyself，or，perhaps，'continuedhe，catchingtheshadowthatwascomingoverherface，'thou'drathergothyself:it'sonlythatI'msoafraidofthytiringthyself。'
　　'It'llnottireme，'saidSylvia。'MoreIwasmarried，Iwasoutoftenfarfartherthanthat，afieldtofetchupt'kine，beforemybreakfast。'
　　'Well，goifthouwill，'saidPhilip。'Butgetsomewhattoeatfirst，anddon'thurry;there'snoneedforthat。'
　　Shehadgotherhatandshawl，andwasoffbeforehehadfinishedhislastwords。
　　ThelongHighStreetwasalmostemptyofpeopleatthatearlyhour;
　　onesidewasentirelycoveredbythecoolmorningshadowwhichlayonthepavement，andcreptuptheoppositehousestillonlythetopmoststorycaughttherosysunlight。Upthehill—road，throughthegapinthestonewall，acrossthedewyfields，Sylviawentbytheveryshortestpathsheknew。
　　ShehadonlyoncebeenatHaytersbanksinceherwedding—day。Onthatoccasiontheplacehadseemedstrangelyanddissonantlychangedbythenumerouschildrenwhoweredivertingthemselvesbeforetheopendoor，andwhoseplay—thingsandclothesstrewedthehouse—place，andmadeitonebusysceneofconfusionanduntidiness，moreliketheCorneys'kitcheninformertimes，thanhermother'sorderlyandquietabode。Thoselittlechildrenwerefatherlessnow;andthehousewasshutup，awaitingtheentryofsomenewtenant。Therewerenoshutterstoshut;thelonglowwindowwasblinkingintheraysofthemorningsun;thehouseandcow—housedoorswereclosed，andnopoultrywanderedaboutthefieldinsearchofstraygrainsofcorn，orearlyworms。Itwasastrangeandunfamiliarsilence，andstrucksolemnlyonSylvia'smind。Onlyathrushintheoldorcharddowninthehollow，outofsight，whistledandgurgledwithcontinualshrillmelody。
　　Sylviawentslowlypastthehouseanddownthepathleadingtothewild，desertedbitofgarden。Shesawthatthelasttenantshadhadapumpsunkforthem，andresentedtheinnovation，asthoughthewellshewaspassingcouldfeeltheinsult。Overitgrewtwohawthorntrees;onthebenttrunkofoneofthemsheusedtosit，longago:thecharmofthepositionbeingenhancedbythepossibledangeroffallingintothewellandbeingdrowned。
　　Therustyunusedchainwaswoundroundthewindlass;thebucketwasfallingtopiecesfromdryness。Aleancatcamefromsomeouthouse，andmewedpitifullywithhunger;accompanyingSylviatothegarden，asifgladofsomehumancompanionship，yetrefusingtoallowitselftobetouched。Primrosesgrewintheshelteredplaces，justastheyformerlydid;andmadetheuncultivatedgroundseemlessdesertedthanthegarden，wherethelastyear'sweedswererottingaway，andcumberingtheground。
　　Sylviaforcedherwaythroughtheberrybushestotheherb—plot，andpluckedthetenderleavesshehadcometoseek;sighingalittleallthetime。Thensheretracedhersteps;pausedsoftlybeforethehouse—door，andenteredtheporchandkissedthesenselesswood。
　　Shetriedtotemptthepoorgauntcatintoherarms，meaningtocarryithomeandbefriendit;butitwasscaredbyherendeavourandranbacktoitshomeintheouthouse，makingagreenpathacrossthewhitedewofthemeadow。ThenSylviabegantohastenhome，thinking，andremembering——atthestilethatledintotheroadshewasbroughtshortup。
　　Someonestoodinthelanejustontheothersideofthegap;hisbackwastothemorningsun;allshesawatfirstwastheuniformofanavalofficer，sowellknowninMonkshaveninthosedays。
　　Sylviawenthurryingpasthim，notlookingagain，althoughherclothesalmostbrushedhis，ashestoodtherestill。Shehadnotgoneayard——no，nothalfayard——whenherheartleapedupandfellagaindeadwithinher，asifshehadbeenshot。
　　'Sylvia！'hesaid，inavoicetremulouswithjoyandpassionatelove。
　　'Sylvia！'
　　Shelookedround;hehadturnedalittle，sothatthelightfellstraightonhisface。Itwasbronzed，andthelineswerestrengthened;butitwasthesamefaceshehadlastseeninHaytersbankgullythreelongyearsago，andhadneverthoughttoseeinlifeagain。
　　Hewasclosetoherandheldouthisfondarms;shewentflutteringtowardstheirembrace，asifdrawnbytheoldfascination;butwhenshefeltthemcloseroundher，shestartedaway，andcriedoutwithagreatpitifulshriek，andputherhandsuptoherforeheadasiftryingtoclearawaysomebewilderingmist。
　　Thenshelookedathimoncemore，aterriblestoryinhereyes，ifhecouldbuthavereadit。
　　Twicesheopenedherstifflipstospeak，andtwicethewordswereoverwhelmedbythesurgesofhermisery，whichborethembackintothedepthsofherheart。
　　Hethoughtthathehadcomeuponhertoosuddenly，andheattemptedtosootheherwithsoftmurmursoflove，andtowoohertohisoutstretchedhungryarmsoncemore。Butwhenshesawthismotionofhis，shemadeagestureasthoughpushinghimaway;andwithaninarticulatemoanofagonysheputherhandstoherheadoncemore，andturningawaybegantorunblindlytowardsthetownforprotection。
　　Foraminuteorsohewasstunnedwithsurpriseatherbehaviour;andthenhethoughtitaccountedforbytheshockofhisaccost，andthatsheneededtimetounderstandtheunexpectedjoy。Sohefollowedherswiftly，everkeepingherinview，butnottryingtoovertakehertoospeedily。
　　'Ihavefrightenedmypoorlove，'hekeptthinking。Andbythisthoughthetriedtorepresshisimpatienceandcheckthespeedhelongedtouse;
　　yethewasalwayssonearbehindthatherquickenedsenseheardhiswell—knownfootstepsfollowing，andamadnotionflashedacrossherbrainthatshewouldgotothewidefullriver，andendthehopelessmiseryshefeltenshroudingher。Therewasasurehiding—placefromallhumanreproachandheavymortalwoebeneaththerushingwatersbornelandwardsbythemorningtide。
　　Noonecantellwhatchangedhercourse;perhapsthethoughtofhersuckingchild;perhapshermother;perhapsanangelofGod;nooneonearthknows，butassheranalongthequay—sidesheallatonceturnedupanentry，andthroughanopendoor。
　　He，followingallthetime，cameintoaquietdarkparlour，withaclothandtea—thingsonthetablereadyforbreakfast;thechangefromthebrightsunnyairoutofdoorstothedeepshadowofthisroommadehimthinkforthefirstmomentthatshehadpassedon，andthatnoonewasthere，andhestoodforaninstantbaffled，andhearingnosoundbutthebeatingofhisownheart;butanirrepressiblesobbinggaspmadehimlookround，andtherehesawhercoweredbehindthedoor，herfacecoveredtightup，andsharpshuddersgoingthroughherwholeframe。
　　'Mylove，mydarling！'saidhe，goinguptoher，andtryingtoraiseher，andtoloosenherhandsawayfromherface。'I'vebeentoosuddenfortheeitwasthoughtlessinme;butIhavesolookedforwardtothistime，andseeingtheecomealongthefield，andgopastme，butIshouldha'beenmoretenderandcarefulofthee。Nay！letmehaveanotherlookofthysweetface。'
　　Allthishewhisperedintheoldtonesofmanoeuvringlove，inthatvoiceshehadyearnedandhungeredtohearinlife，andhadnotheard，forallherlonging，saveinherdreams。
　　Shetriedtocrouchmoreandmoreintothecorner，intothehiddenshadow——tosinkintothegroundoutofsight。
　　Oncemorehespoke，beseechinghertoliftupherface，tolethimhearherspeak。
　　Butsheonlymoaned。
　　'Sylvia！'saidhe，thinkinghecouldchangehistactics，andpiqueherintospeaking，thathewouldmakeapretenceofsuspicionandoffence。
　　'Sylvia！onewouldthinkyouweren'tgladtoseemebackagainatlength。
　　Ionlycameinlatelastnight，andmyfirstthoughtonwakeningwasofyou;ithasbeeneversinceIleftyou。'
　　Sylviatookherhandsawayfromherface;itwasgrayasthefaceofdeath;herawfuleyeswerepassionlessinherdespair。
　　'Wherehaveyo'been？'sheasked，inslow，hoarsetones，asifhervoicewerehalfstrangledwithinher。
　　'Been！'saidhe，aredlightcomingintohiseyes，ashebenthislooksuponher;now，indeed，atrueandnotanassumedsuspicionenteringhismind。
　　'Been！'herepeated;then，comingastepnearertoher，andtakingherhand，nottenderlythistime，butwitharesolutiontobesatisfied。
　　'Didnotyourcousin——Hepburn，Imean——didnothetellyou？——hesawthepress—gangseizeme，——Igavehimamessagetoyou——IbadeyoukeeptruetomeasIwouldbetoyou。'
　　Betweeneveryclauseofthisspeechhepausedandgaspedforheranswer;
　　butnonecame。Hereyesdilatedandheldhissteadygazeprisoneraswithamagicalcharm——neithercouldlookawayfromtheother'swild，searchinggaze。Whenhehadended，shewassilentforamoment，thenshecriedout，shrillandfierce，——
　　'Philip！'Noanswer。
　　Wilderandshrillerstill，'Philip！'shecried。
　　Hewasinthedistantware—roomcompletingthelastnight'sworkbeforetheregularshophoursbegan;beforebreakfast，also，thathiswifemightnotfindhimwaitingandimpatient。
　　Heheardhercry;itcutthroughdoors，andstillair，andgreatbalesofwoollenstuff;hethoughtthatshehadhurtherself，thathermotherwasworse，thatherbabywasill，andhehastenedtothespotwhencethecryproceeded。
　　Onopeningthedoorthatseparatedtheshopfromthesitting—room，hesawthebackofanavalofficer，andhiswifeontheground，huddledupinaheap;whensheperceivedhimcomein，shedraggedherselfupbymeansofachair，gropinglikeablindperson，andcameandstoodfacinghim。
　　Theofficerturnedfiercelyround，andwouldhavecometowardsPhilip，whowassobewilderedbythescenethatevenyethedidnotunderstandwhothestrangerwas，didnotperceiveforaninstantthathesawtherealizationofhisgreatestdread。
　　ButSylvialaidherhandonKinraid'sarm，andassumedtoherselftherightofspeech。Philipdidnotknowhervoice，itwassochanged。
　　'Philip，'shesaid，'thisisKinraidcomebackagaintowedme。Heisalive;hehasniverbeendead，onlytakenbyt'press—gang。Andhesaysyo'sawit，andknewitallt'time。Speak，wasitso？'
　　Philipknewnotwhattosay，whithertoturn，underwhatrefugeofwordsoractstoshelter。
　　Sylvia'sinfluencewaskeepingKinraidsilent，buthewasrapidlypassingbeyondit。
　　'Speak！'hecried，looseninghimselffromSylvia'slightgrasp，andcomingtowardsPhilip;withathreateninggesture。'DidInotbidyoutellherhowitwas？DidInotbidyousayhowIwouldbefaithfultoher，andshewastobefaithfultome？Oh！youdamnedscoundrel！haveyoukeptitfromherallthattime，andletherthinkmedead，orfalse？Takethat！'
　　Hisclosedfistwasuptostriketheman，whohunghisheadwithbitterestshameandmiserableself—reproach;butSylviacameswiftbetweentheblowanditsvictim。
　　'Charley，thoushan'tstrikehim，'shesaid。'Heisadamnedscoundrel'
　　（thiswassaidinthehardest，quietesttone）'butheismyhusband。'
　　'Oh！thoufalseheart！'exclaimedKinraid，turningsharponher。'IfeverItrustedwoman，Itrustedyou，SylviaRobson。'
　　Hemadeasthoughthrowingherfromhim，withagestureofcontemptthatstunghertolife。