'Oh，Charley！'shecried，springingtohim，'dunnotcutmetothequick;
　　havepityonme，thoughhehadnone。Ididsolovethee;itwasmyveryheart—stringsasgavewaywhentheytoldmethouwasdrowned——feyther，andth'Corneys，andall，iverybody。Thyhatandt'bito'ribbonIgavetheewerefounddrenchedanddrippingwi'sea—water;andIwentmourningfortheeallthedaylong——dunnotturnawayfromme;onlyhearkenthisonce，andthenkillmedead，andI'llblessyo'，——andhaveniverbeenmysel'
　　since;niverceasedtofeelt'sungrowdarkandth'airchillanddrearywhenIthoughtont'timewhenthouwasalive。Idid，myCharley，myownlove！AndIthoughtthouwasdeadforiver，andIwishedIwerelyingbesidethee。Oh，Charley！Philip，theere，wherehestandscouldtellyo'thiswastrue。Philip，wasn'titso？'
　　'WouldGodIweredead！'moanedforththeunhappy，guiltyman。ButshehadturnedtoKinraid，andwasspeakingagaintohim，andneitherofthemheardorheededhim——theyweredrawingcloserandclosertogether——she，withhercheeksandeyesaflame，talkingeagerly。
　　'Andfeytherwastakenup，andallforsettingsomefreeast'press—ganghadgottenbyafoultrick;andhewereputi'Yorkprison，andtried，andhung！——hung！Charley！——goodkindfeytherwashungonagallows;andmotherlosthersenseandgrewsillyingrief，andwewereliketobeturnedoutont'wideworld，andpoormotherdateless——andIthoughtyo'weredead——oh！Ithoughtyo'weredead，Idid——oh，Charley，Charley！'
　　Bythistimetheywereineachother'sarms，shewithherheadonhisshoulder，cryingasifherheartwouldbreak。
　　Philipcameforwardsandtookholdofhertopullheraway;butCharleyheldhertight，mutelydefyingPhilip。UnconsciouslyshewasPhilip'sprotection，inthathourofdanger，fromablowwhichmighthavebeenhisdeathifstrongwillcouldhaveaidedittokill。
　　'Sylvie！'saidhe，graspinghertight。'Listentome。Hedidn'tloveyo'asIdid。Hehadlovedotherwomen。I，yo'——yo'alone。Helovedothergirlsbeforeyo'，andhadleftoffloving'em。I——IwishGodwouldfreemyheartfromthepang;butitwillgoontillIdie，whetheryo'lovemeornot。Andthen——wherewasI？Oh！thatverynightthathewastaken，Iwasa—thinkingonyo'andonhim;andImightha'givenyo'hismessage，butIheardthemspeakingofhimasknewhimwell;talkingofhisfalsefickleways。HowwasItoknowhewouldkeeptruetothee？Itmightbeasininme，Icannotsay;myheartandmysensearegonedeadwithinme。
　　Iknowthis，I'velovedyo'asnomanbutmeeverlovedbefore。Havesomepityandforgivenessonme，ifit'sonlybecauseI'vebeensotormentedwithmylove。'
　　Helookedatherwithfeverisheagerwistfulness;itfadedawayintodespairasshemadenosignofhavingevenheardhiswords。Heletgohisholdofher，andhisarmfelllooselybyhisside。
　　'Imaydie，'hesaid，'formylifeisended！'
　　'Sylvia！'spokeoutKinraid，boldandfervent，'yourmarriageisnomarriage。Youweretrickedintoit。Youaremywife，nothis。Iamyourhusband;weplightedeachotherourtroth。See！hereismyhalfofthesixpence。'
　　Hepulleditoutfromhisbosom，tiedbyablackribbonroundhisneck。
　　'Whentheystrippedmeandsearchedmeinth'Frenchprison，Imanagedtokeepthis。Noliescanbreaktheoathwesworetoeachother。Icangetyourpretenceofamarriagesetaside。I'minfavourwithmyadmiral，andhe'lldoadealforme，andbackmeout。Comewithme;yourmarriageshallbesetaside，andwe'llbemarriedagain，allsquareandabove—board。
　　Comeaway。Leavethatdamnedfellowtorepentofthetrickheplayedanhonestsailor;we'llbetrue，whateverhascomeandgone。Come，Sylvia。'
　　Hisarmwasroundherwaist，andhewasdrawinghertowardsthedoor，hisfaceallcrimsonwitheagernessandhope。Justthenthebabycried。
　　'Hark！'saidshe，startingawayfromKinraid，'baby'scryingforme。
　　Hischild——yes，itishischild——I'dforgottenthat——forgottenall。I'llmakemyvownow，lestIlosemysel'again。I'llneverforgiveyonman，norlivewithhimashiswifeagain。Allthat'sdoneandended。He'sspoiltmylife，he'sspoiltitforaslongasiverIliveonthisearth;but'neitheryo'norhimshallspoilmysoul。Itgoeshardwi'me，Charley，itdoesindeed。I'lljustgiveyo'onekiss——onelittlekiss——andthen，sohelpmeGod，I'llniverseenorheartill——no，notthat，notthatisindeed——I'llniversee——surethat'senough——I'llneverseeyo'againonthissideheaven，sohelpmeGod！I'mboundandtied，butI'veswornmyoathtohimaswellasyo':there'sthingsIwilldo，andthere'sthingsIwon't。Kissmeoncemore。Godhelpme，he'sgone！'
　　chapter34CHAPTERXXXIVARECKLESSRECRUITShelayacrossachair，herarmshelplesslystretchedout，herfaceunseen。
　　Everynowandthenathrill'ranthroughherbody:shewastalkingtoherselfallthetimewithincessantlowincontinenceofwords。
　　Philipstoodnearher，motionless:hedidnotknowwhethershewasconsciousofhispresence;infact，heknewnothingbutthatheandsheweresunderedforever;hecouldonlytakeinthatoneidea，anditnumbedallotherthought。
　　Oncemoreherbabycriedforthecomfortshealonecouldgive。
　　Sherosetoherfeet，butstaggeredwhenshetriedtowalk;herglazedeyesfelluponPhilipasheinstinctivelymadeasteptoholdhersteady。
　　Nolightcameintohereyesanymorethanifshehadlookeduponaperfectstranger;notevenwastherethecontractionofdislike。Someotherfigurefilledhermind，andshesawhimnomorethanshesawtheinanimatetable。
　　Thatwayoflookingathimwitheredhimupmorethananysignofaversionwouldhavedone。
　　Hewatchedherlaboriouslyclimbthestairs，andvanishoutofsight;
　　andsatdownwithasuddenfeelingofextremebodilyweakness。
　　Thedoorofcommunicationbetweentheparlourandtheshopwasopened。
　　ThatwasthefirsteventofwhichPhiliptooknote;butPhoebehadcomeinunawarestohim，withtheintentionofremovingthebreakfastthingsonherreturnfrommarket，andseeingthemunused，andknowingthatSylviahadsateupallnightwithhermother，shehadgonebacktothekitchen。
　　Philiphadneitherseennorheardher。
　　NowCoulsoncamein，amazedatHepburn'snon—appearanceintheshop。
　　'Why！Philip，what'sado？Howillyo'look，man！'exclaimedhe，thoroughlyalarmedbyPhilip'sghastlyappearance。'What'sthematter？'
　　'I！'saidPhilip，slowlygatheringhisthoughts。'Whyshouldtherebeanythingthematter？'
　　Hisinstinct，quickertoactthanhisreason，madehimshrinkfromhismiserybeingnoticed，muchmoremadeanysubjectforexplanationorsympathy。
　　'Theremaybenothingthematterwi'thee，'saidCoulson，'butthou'sthelookofacorpseonthyface。Iwasafearedsomethingwaswrong，forit'shalf—pastnine，andtheesopunctual！'
　　HealmostguardedPhilipintotheshop，andkeptfurtivelywatching。
　　him，andperplexinghimselfwithPhilip'sodd，strangeways。
　　Hester，too，observedtheheavybroken—downexpressiononPhilip'sashenface，andherheartachedforhim;butafterthatfirstglance，whichtoldhersomuch，sheavoidedallappearanceofnoticingorwatching。Onlyashadowbroodedoverhersweet，calmface，andonceortwiceshesighedtoherself。
　　Itwasmarket—day，andpeoplecameinandout，bringingtheirstoreofgossipfromthecountry，orthetown——fromthefarmorthequay—side。
　　Amongthepiecesofnews，therescueofthesmackthenightbeforefurnishedalargetopic;andby—and—byPhilipheardanamethatstartledhimintoattention。
　　Thelandladyofasmallpublic—housemuchfrequentedbysailorswastalkingtoCoulson。
　　'TherewasasailoraboardofherasknowedKinraidbysight，inShields，yearsago;andhecalledhimbyhisnameaforetheywerewellouto't'
　　river。AndKinraidwasnowayssetup，forallhislieutenant'suniform（andeh！buttheysayhelookshandsomeinit！）;buthetells'mallaboutit——howhewaspressedaboardaman—o'—war，an'forhisgoodconductweremadeawarrantofficer，boatswain，orsomething！'
　　Allthepeopleintheshopwerelisteningnow;Philipaloneseemedengrossedinfoldingupapieceofcloth，soastoleavenopossiblechanceofcreasesinit;yethelostnotasyllableofthegoodwoman'snarration。
　　She，pleasedwiththeenlargedaudiencehertalehadattracted，wentonwithfreshvigour。
　　'An'there'sagallantcaptain，oneSirSidneySmith，andhe'danotiono'goin'smackintoaFrenchport，an'carryin'offavesselfromrightundertheirverynoses;an'sayshe，"Whichofyo'Britishsailors'llgoalongwithmetodeathorglory？"SoKinraidstandsuplikeaman，an'
　　"I'llgowithyo'，captain，"hesays。Sothey，an'someothersasbrave，wentoff，an'didtheirwork，an'choosewhativeritwas，theydiditfamously;
　　buttheygotcaughtbythemFrench，an'wereclappedintoprisoni'Franceforiversolong;butatlastonePhilip——Philipsomethin'（hewereaFrenchman，Iknow）——helped'emtoescape，inafishin'—boat。Buttheywerewelcomedbyth'wholeBritishsquadronaswasi't'Channelfort'pieceofdaringthey'ddonei'cuttin'outt'shipfromaFrenchport;an'CaptainSirSidneySmithwasmadeanadmiral，an'himasweusedt'callCharleyKinraid，thespecksioneer，ismadealieutenant，an'acommissionedofficeri't'
　　King'sservice;andiscometogreatglory，andslepinmyhousethisveryblessednightasisjustpast！'
　　AmurmurofapplauseandinterestandrejoicingbuzzedallaroundPhilip。
　　AllthiswaspubliclyknownaboutKinraid，——andhowmuchmore？AllMonkshavenmightheartomorrow——nay，to—day——ofPhilip'streacherytotheheroofthehour;howhehadconcealedhisfate，andsupplantedhiminhislove。
　　Philipshrankfromtheburstofpopularindignationwhichheknewmustfollow。Anywrongdonetoonewhostandsonthepinnacleofthepeople'sfavourisresentedbyeachindividualasapersonalinjury;andamongaprimitivesetofcountry—folk，whorecognizethewildpassioninlove，asitexistsuntamedbythetrammelsofreasonandself—restraint，anystoryofbaulkedaffections，ortreacheryinsuchmatters，spreadslikewildfire。
　　Philipknewthisquitewell;hisdoomofdisgracelayplainbeforehim，ifonlyKinraidspoketheword。Hisheadwasbentdownwhilehethuslistenedandreflected。Hehalfresolvedondoingsomething;helifteduphishead，caughtthereflectionofhisfaceinthelittlestripofglassontheoppositeside，inwhichthewomenmightlookatthemselvesintheircontemplatedpurchases，andquiteresolved。
　　Thesighthesawinthemirrorwashisownlong，sad，paleface，madeplainerandgrayerbytheheavypressureofthemorning'sevents。Hesawhisstoopingfigure，hisroundedshoulders，withsomethinglikeafeelingofdisgustathispersonalappearanceasherememberedthesquare，uprightbuildofKinraid;hisfineuniform，withepauletteandsword—belt;hishandsomebrownface;hisdarkeyes，splendidwiththefireofpassionandindignation;hiswhiteteeth，gleamingoutwiththeterriblesmileofscorn。
　　ThecomparisondrovePhilipfrompassivehopelessnesstoactivedespair。
　　Hewentabruptlyfromthecrowdedshopintotheemptyparlour，andonintothekitchen，wherehetookupapieceofbread，andheedlessofPhoebe'slookandwords，begantoeatitbeforeheevenlefttheplace;forheneededthestrengththatfoodwouldgive;heneededittocarryhimoutofthesightandtheknowledgeofallwhomighthearwhathehaddone，andpointtheirfingersathim。
　　Hepausedamomentintheparlour，andthen，settinghisteethtighttogether，hewentupstairs。
　　Firstofallhewentintothebitofaroomopeningoutoftheirs，inwhichhisbabyslept。Hedearlylovedthechild，andmanyatimewouldruninandplayawhilewithit;andinsuchgambolsheandSylviahadpassedtheirhappiestmomentsofweddedlife。
　　ThelittleBellawashavinghermorningslumber;Nancyusedtotelllongafterwardshowhekneltdownbythesideofhercot，andwassostrangeshethoughthemusthaveprayed，forallitwasnighuponeleveno'clock，andfolkintheirsensesonlysaidtheirprayerswhentheygotup，andwhentheywenttobed。
　　Thenherose，andstoopedover，andgavethechildalong，lingering，soft，fondkiss。
　　Andontip—toehepassedawayintotheroomwherehisauntlay;hisauntwhohadbeensotrueafriendtohim！Hewasthankfultoknowthatinherpresentstateshewassafefromtheknowledgeofwhatwaspast，safefromthesoundoftheshametocome。
　　HehadnotmeanttoseeSylviaagain;hedreadedthelookofherhatred，herscorn，butthere，outsidehermother'sbed，shelay，apparentlyasleep。
　　MrsRobson，too，wassleeping，herfacetowardsthewall。Philipcouldnothelpit;hewenttohaveonelastlookathiswife。Shewasturnedtowardshermother，herfaceavertedfromhim;hecouldseethetear—stains，theswolleneyelids，thelipsyetquivering:hestoopeddown，andbenttokissthelittlehandthatlaylistlessbyherside。Ashishotbreathnearedthathanditwastwitchedaway，andashiverranthroughthewholeprostratebody。Andthenheknewthatshewasnotasleep，onlywornoutbyhermisery，——miserythathehadcaused。
　　Hesighedheavily;buthewentaway，downstairs，andawayforever。
　　Onlyasheenteredtheparlourhiseyescaughtontwosilhouettes，oneofhimself，oneofSylvia，doneinthefirstmonthoftheirmarriage，bysomewanderingartist，ifsohecouldbecalled。Theywerehangingagainstthewallinlittleovalwoodenframes;blackprofiles，withthelightsdoneingold;aboutaspoorsemblancesofhumanityascouldbeconceived;
　　butPhilipwentup，andafterlookingforaminuteorsoatSylvia's，hetookitdown，andbuttonedhiswaistcoatoverit。
　　Itwastheonlythinghetookawayfromhishome。
　　Hewentdowntheentryontothequay。Theriverwasthere，andwaters，theysay，havealuringpower，andaweirdpromiseofrestintheirperpetualmonotonyofsound。Butmanypeoplewerethere，ifsuchatemptationpresenteditselftoPhilip'smind;thesightofhisfellow—townsmen，perhapsofhisacquaintances，drovehimupanotherentry——thetownisburrowedwithsuch——backintotheHighStreet，whichhestraightwaycrossedintoawell—knowncourt，outofwhichroughstepsledtothesummitofthehill，andontothefellsandmoorsbeyond。
　　Heplungedandpantedupthisroughascent。Fromthetophecouldlookdownonthewholetownlyingbelow，severedbythebrightshiningriverintotwoparts。Totherightlaythesea，shimmeringandheaving;thereweretheclusterofmastsrisingoutofthelittleport;theirregularroofsofthehouses;whichofthem，thoughthe，ashecarriedhiseyealongthequay—sidetothemarket—place，whichofthemwashis？andhesingleditoutinitsunfamiliaraspect，andsawthethinbluesmokerisingfromthekitchenchimney，whereevennowPhoebewascookingthehouseholdmealthathenevermoremustshare。
　　Upatthatthoughtandaway，heknewnotnorcarednotwhither。Hewentthroughtheploughedfieldswherethecornwasnewlyspringing;hecamedownuponthevastsunnysea，andturnedhisbackuponitwithloathing;
　　hemadehiswayinlandtothehighgreenpastures;theshortuplandturfabovewhichthelarkshungpoised'atheaven'sgate。'Hestrodealong，sostraightandheedlessofbriarandbush，thatthewildblackcattleceasedfromgrazing，andlookedafterhimwiththeirgreatblankpuzzledeyes。
　　Hehadpassedallenclosuresandstonefencesnow，andwasfairlyonthedesolatebrownmoors;throughthewitheredlastyear'slingandfern，throughthepricklygorse，hetramped，crushingdownthetendershootsofthisyear'sgrowth，andheedlessofthestartledplover'scry，goadedbythefuries。Hisonlyrelieffromthought，fromtheremembranceofSylvia'slooksandwords，wasinviolentbodilyaction。
　　Sohewentontilleveningshadowsandruddyeveninglightscameoutuponthewildfells。
　　Hehadcrossedroadsandlanes，withabitteravoidanceofmen'stracks;
　　butnowthestronginstinctofself—preservationcameout，andhisachinglimbs，hiswearyheart，givinggreatpantsandbeatsforatime，andthenceasingaltogethertillamistswamandquiveredbeforehisachingeyes，warnedhimthathemustfindsomeshelterandfood，orliedowntodie。
　　Hefelldownnow，often;stumblingovertheslightestobstacle。Hehadpassedthecattlepastures;hewasamongtheblack—facedsheep;andthey，too，ceasednibbling，andlookedafterhim，andsomehow，inhispoorwanderingimagination，theirsillyfacesturnedtolikenessesofMonks—havenpeople——peoplewhooughttobefar，faraway。
　　'Thou'llbebelatedonthesefells，ifthoudoesn'ttak'heed，'shoutedsomeone。
　　Philiplookedabroadtoseewhencethevoiceproceeded。
　　Anoldstiff—leggedshepherd，inasmock—frock，waswithinacoupleofhundredyards。Philipdidnotanswer，butstaggeredandstumbledtowardshim。
　　'Goodlork！'saidtheman，'wheerehasttabeen？Thou'sseenOudHarry，Ithink，thoulookssoscared。'
　　Philipralliedhimself，andtriedtospeakuptotheoldstandardofrespectability;buttheeffortwaspitifultosee，hadanyonebeenby，whocouldhaveunderstoodthepainitcausedtorestraincriesofbodilyandmentalagony。
　　'I'velostmyway，that'sall。'
　　''Twouldha'beenenough，too，I'mthinkin'，ifIhadn'tcomeoutaftert'ewes。There'st'ThreeGriffinsnearathand:asupo'Hollands'llsettheetoreeghts。'
　　Philipfollowedfaintly。Hecouldnotseebeforehim，andwasguidedbythesoundoffootstepsratherthanbythesightofthefiguremovingonwards。Hekeptstumbling;andheknewthattheoldshepherdsworeathim;buthealsoknewsuchcursesproceededfromnoill—will，onlyfromannoyanceatthedelayingoingand'seem'aftert'ewes。'Buthadtheman'swordsconveyedtheutmostexpressionofhatred，Philipwouldneitherhavewonderedatthem，norresentedthem。
　　Theycameintoawildmountainroad，unfencedfromthefells。Ahundredyardsoff，andtherewasasmallpublic—house，withabroadruddyoblongoffirelightshiningacrossthetract。
　　'Theere！'saidtheoldman。'Theecannotwellmissthat。Adunnotho'，theebeessichagawby。'
　　Sohewenton，anddeliveredPhilipsafelyuptothelandlord。
　　'Here'safellyasafundont'fellside，justasoneasifheweredrunk;buthe'ssoberenough，areckon，onlysummat'swrongi'hishead，a'mthinkin'。'
　　'No！'saidPhilip，sittingdownonthefirstchairhecameto。'I'mrightenough;justfairlyweariedout:lostmyway，'andhefainted。
　　Therewasarecruitingsergeantofmarinessittinginthehouse—place，drinking。He，too，likePhilip，hadlosthisway;butwasturninghisblundertoaccountbytellingallmannerofwonderfulstoriestotwoorthreerusticswhohadcomeinreadytodrinkonanypretence;especiallyiftheycouldgetgoodliquorwithoutpayingforit。
　　ThesergeantroseasPhilipfellback，andbroughtuphisownmugofbeer，intowhichanogginofginhadbeenput（calledinYorkshire'dog's—nose'）。
　　HepartlypouredandpartlyspiltsomeofthisbeverageonPhilip'sface;
　　somedropswentthroughthepaleandpartedlips，andwithastarttheworn—outmanrevived。
　　'Bringhimsomevictual，landlord，'calledouttherecruitingsergeant。
　　'I'llstandshot。'
　　Theybroughtsomecoldbaconandcoarseoat—cake。Thesergeantaskedforpepperandsalt;mincedthefoodfineandmadeitsavoury，andkeptadministeringitbyteaspoonfuls;urgingPhiliptodrinkfromtimetotimefromhisowncupofdog's—nose。
　　Aburningthirst，whichneedednostimulantfromeitherpepperorsalt，tookpossessionofPhilip，andhedrankfreely，scarcelyrecognizingwhathedrank。Ittookeffectononesohabituallysober;andhewassooninthatstatewhentheImaginationworkswildlyandfreely。
　　Hesawthesergeantbeforehim，handsome，andbright，andactive，inhisgayreduniform，withoutacare，asitseemedtoPhilip，takinglifelightly;admiredandrespectedeverywherebecauseofhiscloth。
　　IfPhilipweregay，andbrisk，well—dressedlikehim，returningwithmartialglorytoMonkshaven，wouldnotSylvialovehimoncemore？Couldnothewinherheart？Hewasbravebynature，andtheprospectofdangerdidnotdaunthim，ifeveritpresenteditselftohisimagination。
　　Hethoughthewascautiousinenteringonthesubjectofenlistmentwithhisnewfriend，thesergeant;butthelatterwastwentytimesascunningashe，andknewbyexperiencehowtobaithishook。
　　Philipwasolderbysomeyearsthantheregulationage;but，atthattimeofgreatdemandformen，thequestionofagewaslightlyentertained。
　　Thesergeantwasprofuseinstatementsoftheadvantagespresentedtoamanofeducationinhisbranchoftheservice;howsuchaonewassuretorise;infact，itwouldhaveseemedfromthesergeant'saccount，asthoughthedifficultyconsistedinremainingintheranks。
　　Philip'sdizzyheadthoughtthesubjectoverandoveragain，eachtimewithfailingpowerofreason。
　　Atlength，almost，asitwouldseem，bysomesleightofhand，hefoundthefatalshillinginhispalm，andhadpromisedtogobeforethenearestmagistratetobesworninasoneofhisMajesty'smarinesthenextmorning。
　　Andafterthatherememberednothingmore。
　　Hewakenedupinalittletruckle—bedinthesameroomasthesergeant，wholaysleepingthesleepoffullcontentment;whilegradually，dropbydrop，thebitterrecollectionsofthedaybeforecame，fillingupPhilip'scupofagony。
　　Heknewthathehadreceivedthebounty—money;andthoughhewasawarethathehadbeenpartlytrickedintoit，andhadnohope，nocare，indeed，foranyoftheadvantagessoliberallypromisedhimthenightbefore，yethewasresigned，withutterlydespondentpassiveness，tothefatetowhichhehadpledgedhimself。Anythingwaswelcomethatseveredhimfromhisformerlife，thatcouldmakehimforgetit，ifthatwerepossible;andalsowelcomeanythingwhichincreasedthechancesofdeathwithoutthesinfulnessofhisownparticipationintheact。Hefoundinthedarkrecessofhismindthedeadbodyofhisfancyofthepreviousnight;thathemightcomehome，handsomeandglorious，towinthelovethathadneverbeenhis。
　　Butheonlysighedoverit，andputitasideoutofhissight——sofullofdespairwashe。Hecouldeatnobreakfast，thoughthesergeantorderedofthebest。Thelatterkeptwatchinghisnewrecruitoutofthecornerofhiseye，expectingaremonstrance，ordreadingasuddenbolt。
　　ButPhilipwalkedwithhimthetwoorthreemilesinthemostsubmissivesilence，neverutteringasyllableofregretorrepentance;andbeforeJusticeCholmley，ofHolm—FellHall，hewasswornintohisMajesty'sservice，underthenameofStephenFreeman。Withanewname，hebegananewlife。
　　Alas！theoldlifelivesforever！
　　chapter35CHAPTERXXXVTHINGSUNUTTERABLEAfterPhiliphadpassedoutoftheroom，Sylvialayperfectlystill，fromveryexhaustion。Hermotherslepton，happilyunconsciousofalltheturmoilthathadtakenplace;yes，happily，thoughtheheavysleepwastoendindeath。Butofthisherdaughterknewnothing，imaginingthatitwasrefreshingslumber，insteadofanebbingoflife。BothmotheranddaughterlaymotionlesstillPhoebeenteredtheroomtotellSylviathatdinnerwasonthetable。
　　ThenSylviasateup，andputbackherhair，bewilderedanduncertainastowhatwastobedonenext;howsheshouldmeetthehusbandtowhomshehaddiscardedallallegiance，repudiatedthesolemnpromiseofloveandobediencewhichshehadvowed。
　　Phoebecameintotheroom，withnaturalinterestintheinvalid，scarcelyolderthanherself。
　　'Howist'oldlady？'askedshe，inalowvoice。
　　Sylviaturnedherheadroundtolook;hermotherhadnevermoved，butwasbreathinginalouduncomfortablemanner，thatmadeherstoopoverhertoseetheavertedfacemorenearly。
　　'Phoebe！'shecried，'comehere！Shelooksstrangeandodd;hereyesareopen，butdon'tseeme。Phoebe！Phoebe！'
　　'Sureenough，she'sinabadway！'saidPhoebe，climbingstifflyontothebedtohaveanearerview。Holdherheadalittleupt'easeherbreathin'whileIgoformaster;he'llbeforsendin'fort'doctor，I'llbebound。'
　　Sylviatookhermother'sheadandlaiditfondlyonherbreast，speakingtoherandtryingtorouseher;butitwasofnoavail:thehard，stertorousbreathinggrewworseandworse。
　　Sylviacriedoutforhelp;Nancycame，thebabyinherarms。Theyhadbeeninseveraltimesbeforethatmorning;andthechildcamesmilingandcrowingatitsmother，whowassupportingherowndyingparent。
　　'Oh，Nancy;'saidSylvia;'whatisthematterwithmother？yo'canseeherface;tellmequick！'
　　Nancysetthebabyonthebedforallreply，andranoutoftheroom，cryingout，'Master！master！Comequick！T'oldmissusisa—dying！'
　　ThisappearedtobenonewstoSylvia，andyetthewordscameonherwithagreatshock，butforallthatshecouldnotcry;shewassurprisedherselfatherowndeadnessoffeeling。
　　Herbabycrawledtoher，andshehadtoholdandguardbothhermotherandherchild。Itseemedalong，longtimebeforeanyonecame，andthensheheardmuffledvoices，andaheavytramp:itwasPhoebeleadingthedoctorupstairs，andNancycreepinginbehindtohearhisopinion。
　　Hedidnotaskmanyquestions，andPhoeberepliedmorefrequentlytohisinquiriesthandidSylvia，wholookedintohisfacewithablank，tearless，speechlessdespair，thatgavehimmorepainthanthesightofherdyingmother。
　　ThelongdecayofMrsRobson'sfacultiesandhealth，ofwhichhewaswellaware，hadinacertainmannerpreparedhimforsomesuchsuddenterminationofthelifewhosedurationwashardlydesirable，althoughhegaveseveraldirectionsastohertreatment;butthewhite，pinchedface，thegreatdilatedeye，theslowcomprehensionoftheyoungerwoman，struckhimwithalarm;andhewentonaskingforvariousparticulars，morewithaviewofrousingSylvia，ifevenitweretotears，thanforanyotherpurposethattheinformationthusobtainedcouldanswer。
　　'Youhadbesthavepillowsproppedupbehindher——itwillnotbeforlong;shedoesnotknowthatyouareholdingher，anditisonlytiringyoutonopurpose！'
　　Sylvia'sterriblestarecontinued;heputhisadviceintoaction，andgentlytriedtoloosenherclasp，andtenderhold。Thissheresisted;layinghercheekagainstherpoormother'sunconsciousface。
　　'WhereisHepburn？'saidhe。'Heoughttobehere！'
　　PhoebelookedatNancy，NancyatPhoebe。Itwasthelatterwhoreplied，'He'sneitheri't'housenori't'shop。Aseedhimgopastt'kitchenwindowbetternoranhourago;butneitherWilliamCoulsonorHesterRoseknowswherehe'sgoneto。
　　DrMorgan'slipswerepuckeredupintoawhistle，buthemadenosound。
　　'Givemebaby！'hesaid，suddenly。Nancyhadtakenherupoffthebedwhereshehadbeensitting，encircledbyhermother'sarm。Thenursemaidgavehertothedoctor。Hewatchedthemother'seye，itfollowedherchild，andhewasrejoiced。Hegavealittlepinchtothebaby'ssoftflesh，andshecriedoutpiteously;againthesameaction，thesameresult。Sylvialaidhermotherdown，andstretchedoutherarmsforherchild，hushingit，andmoaningoverit。
　　'Sofarsogood！'saidDrMorgantohimself。'Butwhereisthehusband？
　　Heoughttobehere。'HewentdownstairstomakeinquiryforPhilip;thatpooryoungcreature，aboutwhosehealthhehadneverfeltthoroughlysatisfiedsincethefeverafterherconfinement，wasinananxiouscondition，andwithaninevitableshockawaitingher。Herhusbandoughttobewithher，andsupportinghertobearit。
　　DrMorganwentintotheshop。Hesteralonewasthere。Coulsonhadgonetohiscomfortabledinnerathiswell—orderedhouse，withhiscommon—placewife。IfhehadfeltanxiousaboutPhilip'slooksandstrangedisappearance，hehadalsomanagedtoaccountfortheminsomeindifferentway。
　　Hesterwasalonewiththeshop—boy;fewpeoplecameinduringtheuniversalMonkshavendinner—hour。Shewasrestingherheadonherhand，andpuzzledanddistressedaboutmanythings——allthatwasimpliedbytheproceedingsoftheeveningbeforebetweenPhilipandSylvia;andthatwasconfirmedbyPhilip'smiserablelooksandstrangeabstractedwaysto—day。Oh！howeasyHesterwouldhavefoundittomakehimhappy！notmerelyhoweasy，butwhathappinessitwouldhavebeentohertomergehereverywishintotheonegreatobjectoffulfilinghiswill。Toher，anon—looker，thecourseofmarriedlife，whichshouldleadtoperfecthappiness，seemedtoplain！
　　Alas！itisoftenso！andtheresistingforceswhichmakeallsuchharmonyanddelightimpossiblearenotrecognizedbythebystanders，hardlybytheactors。Butiftheseresistingforcesareonlysuperficial，orconstitutional，theyarebutthenecessarydisciplinehere，anddonotradicallyaffectthelovewhichwillmakeallthingsrightinheaven。
　　SomeglimmeringofthislattercomfortingtruthsheditslightonHester'stroubledthoughtsfromtimetotime。Butagain，howeasywouldithavebeentohertotreadthemazethatledtoPhilip'shappiness;andhowdifficultitseemedtothewifehehadchosen！
　　ShewasarousedbyDrMorgan'svoice。
　　'SobothCoulsonandHepburnhavelefttheshoptoyourcare，Hester。
　　IwantHepburn，though;hiswifeisinaveryanxiousstate。Whereishe？
　　canyoutellme？'
　　'Sylviainananxiousstate！I'venotseenherto—day，butlastnightshelookedaswellascouldbe。'