butinthestatebed，overshadowingsolargeaportionofthefloor，thebirthsand，asfarasmaybe，thedeaths，ofthehouseholdtakeplace。
　　AttheCorneys'，theunitedeffortsofsomeformergenerationofthefamilyhadproducedpatchworkcurtainsandcoverlet;andpatchworkwaspatchworkinthosedays，beforetheearlyYatesandPeelshadfoundoutthesecretofprintingtheparsley—leaf。ScrapsofcostlyIndianchintzesandpalempourswereintermixedwithcommonerblackandredcalicoinminutehexagons;
　　andthevarietyofpatternsservedfortheusefulpurposeofpromotingconversationaswellasthemoreobviousoneofdisplayingthework—woman'staste。Sylvia，forinstance，beganatoncetoheroldfriend，MollyBrunton，whohadaccompaniedherintothischambertotakeoffherhatandcloak，witharemarkononeofthechintzes。Stoopingoverthecounterpane，withafaceintowhichtheflushwouldcomewhetherorno，shesaidtoMolly，——
　　'Dear！Ineverseedthisoneafore——this——forallt'worldliketh'
　　eyesinapeacock'stall。'
　　'Thou'sseenitmanyatimeandoft，lass。Butweren'tthousurprisedtofindCharleyhere？WepickedhimupatShields，quitebysurpriselike;
　　andwhenBruntonandmesaidaswewascomin'here，noughtwouldservehimbutcomin'withus，fort'seet'NewYearin。It'sapityasyourmother'sta'enthistunefort'fallillandwantyo'backsoearly。'
　　Sylviahadtakenoffherhatandcloakbythistime，andbegantohelpMollyandayoungerunmarriedsisterinlayingoutthesubstantialsupper。
　　'Here，'continuedMrsBrunton;'stickabito'hollyi'yonpig'smouth，that'sthewaywedothingsi'Newcassel;butfolksissobehindhandinMonkshaven。It'safinethingtoliveinalargetown，Sylvia;an'ifyo'relookingoutforahusband，I'dadviseyo'totak'oneaslivesinatown。
　　IfeelasifIwereburiedalivecomin'backhere，suchanout—o'—t'—wayplaceaftert'Side，wheerethere'smanyahundredcartsandcarriagesgoespastinaday。I'veagreatmindfort'takyo'twolassiesbackWi'
　　me，andletyo'seeabito't'world;maybe，Imayyet。
　　HersisterBessylookedmuchpleasedwiththisplan，butSylviawasratherinclinedtotakeoffenceatMolly'spatronizingways，andreplied，——
　　'I'mnonesofondo'noiseandbustle;why，yo'llnotbeabletohearyourselsspeakwi'allthemcartsandcarriages。I'draytherbideathome;
　　letalonethatmothercan'tspareme。'
　　Itwas，perhaps，aratherungraciouswayofansweringMollyBrunton'sspeech，andsoshefeltittobe，althoughherinvitationhadbeennoneofthemostcourteouslyworded。SheirritatedSylviastillfurtherbyrepeatingherlastwords，——
　　'"Mothercan'tspareme;"why，mother'llhavetosparetheesometime，whent'timeforweddingcomes。'
　　'I'mnonegoingtobewed，'saidSylvia;'andifIwere，I'dnivergofarfra'mother。'
　　'Eh！whataspoiltdarlingitis。HowBruntonwilllaughwhenItellhimaboutyo';Brunton'sarareoneforlaughin'。It'sagreatthingtohavegotsuchamerrymanforahusband。Why！hehashisjokeforeveryoneascomesintot'shop;andhe'llha'somethingfunnytosaytoeverythingthisevenin'。'
　　BessysawthatSylviawasannoyed，and，withmoredelicacythanhersister，shetriedtoturntheconversation。
　　'That'saprettyribboninthyhair，Sylvia;I'dliketohaveoneo'
　　t'samepattern。Feytherlikespickledwalnutsstuckaboutt'roundo'
　　beef，Molly。'
　　'IknowwhatI'mabout，'repliedMrsBrunton，withatossofhermarriedhead。
　　Bessyresumedherinquiry。
　　'Isthereanymoretobehadwheerethatcomefra'，Sylvia？'
　　'Idon'tknow，'repliedSylvia。'Itcomefra'Foster's，andyo'canask。'
　　'Whatmightitcost？'saidBetsy，fingeringanendofittotestitsquality。
　　'Ican'ttell，'saidSylvia，'itwereapresent。'
　　'Nivermak'adoaboutt'price，'saidMolly;'I'llgi'etheeenoughon'ttotieupthyhair，justlikeSylvia's。Onlythouhastn'tsuchwealtho'curlsasshehas;it'llniverlookt'samei'thystraightlocks。Andwhomightitbeasgiveitthee，Sylvia？'askedtheunscrupulous，ifgood—naturedMolly。
　　'MycousinPhilip，himasisshopmanatFoster's，'saidSylvia，innocently。
　　ButitwasfartoogoodanopportunityfortheexerciseofMolly'skindofwitforhertopassover。
　　'Oh，oh！ourcousinPhilip，isit？andhe'llnotbelivingsofarawayfromyourmother？I'venoneedbeawitchtoputtwoandtwotogether。
　　He'sacominghereto—night，isn'the，Bessy？'
　　'Iwishyo'wouldn'ttalkso，Molly，'saidSylvia;'meandPhilipisgoodenoughfriends，butweniverthinkoneachotherinthatway;leastways，Idon't'（Sweetbutter！nowthat'smymother'sold—fashionedway;asiffolksmusteatsweetbutternow—a—days，becausehermotherdid！）Thatway，'continuedMolly，inthemannerthatannoyedSylviasomuch，repeatingherwordsasifforthepurposeoflaughingatthem。'"Thatway？"andpraywhatist'
　　wayyo'respeakingon？Iniversaidnoughtaboutmarrying，didI，thatyo'needlooksoredandshamefacedaboutyo'rcousinPhilip？But，asBruntonsays，ift'capfitsyo'，putiton。I'mgladhe'scomin'to—nighttho'，forasI'mdonemakin'loveandcourtin'，it'snextbestt'watchotherfolks;an'yo'rface，Sylvia，haslettenmeintoasecret，asI'dsomeglimpsesonaforeIwaswed。'
　　SylviasecretlydeterminednottospeakawordmoretoPhilipthanshecouldhelp，andwonderedhowshecouldeverhavelikedMollyatall，muchlesshavemadeacompanionofher。Thetablewasnowlaidout，andnothingremainedbuttocriticisethearrangementalittle。
　　Bessywasfullofadmiration。
　　'Theere，Molly！'saidshe。'Yo'niverseedmorevittlebroughttogetheri'Newcassel，I'llbebound;there'llbeabovehalfahundredweighto'
　　butcher'smeat，besidepiesandcustards。I'veeatennodinnerthesetwodaysforthinkingon't;it'sbeenawearyburdenonmymind，butit'soffnowIseehowwellitlooks。Itoldmothernottocomenearittillwe'dspreaditallout，andnowI'llgofetchher。'
　　Bessyranoffintothehouse—place。
　　'It'swellenoughinacountrykindo'way，'saidMolly，withthefaintapprobationofcondescension。'ButifI'dthoughton，I'dha'brought'emdownabeastortwodonei'sponge—cake，wi'currantsforhiseyestogivet'tableanair。'
　　Thedoorwasopened，andBessycameinsmilingandblushingwithproudpleasure。Hermotherfollowedherontip—toe，smoothingdownherapron，andwithhervoicesubduedtoawhisper:——
　　'Ay，mylass，itisfine！Butdunnotmak'anadoaboutit，let'emthinkit'sjustourcommonway。Ifanyonesaysaughtabouthowgoodt'vittleis，tak'itcalm，andsaywe'nbetteri't'house，——it'llmak'
　　'emeatWi'abetterappetite，andthinkthemoreonus。Sylvie，I'mmuchbeholdent'yeforcomin'soearly，andhelpin't'lasses，butyo'muncomeint'house—placenow，t'folksisgatherin'，an'yo'rcousin'sbeenaskingafteryo'a'ready。'
　　Mollygaveheranudge，whichmadeSylvia'sfacegoallaflamewithangryembarrassment。ShewasconsciousthatthewatchingwhichMollyhadthreatenedherwithbegandirectly;forMollywentuptoherhusband，andwhisperedsomethingtohimwhichsethimoffinachucklinglaugh，andSylviawasawarethathiseyesfollowedheraboutwithknowinglooksalltheevening。ShewouldhardlyspeaktoPhilip，andpretendednottoseehisoutstretchedhand，butpassedontothechimney—corner，andtriedtoshelterherselfbehindthebroadbackoffarmerCorney，whohadnonotionofrelinquishinghiscustomaryplaceforalltheyoungpeoplewhoevercametothehouse，——orforanyoldpeopleeither，forthatmatter。Itwashishouseholdthrone，andtherehesatwithnomoreideaofabdicatinginfavourofanycomerthanKingGeorgeatStJames's。Buthewasgladtoseehisfriends;andhadpaidthemtheunwontedcomplimentofshavingonaweek—day，andputtingonhisSundaycoat。Theunitedeffortsofwifeandchildrenhadfailedtopersuadehimtomakeanyfartherchangeinhisattire;toalltheirargumentsonthisheadhehadreplied，——
　　'Themasdoesn'tliket'seemei'mywork—a—daywescutandbreechesmaybideaway。'
　　Itwasthelongestsentencehesaidthatday，butherepeateditseveraltimesover。Hewasgladenoughtoseealltheyoungpeople，buttheywerenot'ofhiskidney，'asheexpressedittohimself，andhedidnotfeelanycalluponhimselftoentertainthem。Heleftthattohisbustlingwife，allsmartnessandsmiles，andtohisdaughtersandson—in—law。Hiseffortsathospitalityconsistedinsittingstill，smokinghispipe;whenanyonecame，hetookitoutofhismouthforaninstant，andnoddedhisheadinacheerfulfriendlyway，withoutawordofspeech;andthenreturnedtohissmokingwiththegreaterrelishforthemoment'sintermission。Hethoughttohimself:——
　　'They'reaseto'youngchapsasthinksmoreont'lassesthanonbaccy;——they'llfindouttheirmistakeintime;give'emtime，give'emtime。'
　　Andbeforeeighto'clock，hewentasquietlyasamanoftwelvestonecanupstairstobed，havingmadeapreviousarrangementwithhiswifethatsheshouldbringhimupabouttwopoundsofspicedbeef，andahottumblerofstiffgrog。ButatthebeginningoftheeveningheformedagoodscreenforSylvia，whowasratherafavouritewiththeoldman，fortwicehespoketoher。
　　'Feythersmokes？'
　　'Yes，'saidSylvia。
　　'Reachmet'baccy—box，mylass。'
　　Andthatwasalltheconversationthatpassedbetweenherandhernearestneighbourforthefirstquarterofanhouraftershecameintocompany。
　　But，forallherscreen，shefeltapairofeyeswerefixeduponherwithaglowofadmirationdeepeningtheirhonestbrightness。Somehow，lookinwhatdirectionshewould，shecaughttheglanceofthoseeyesbeforeshecouldseeanythingelse。Sosheplayedwithherapron—strings，andtriednottofeelsoconscious。Therewereanotherpairofeyes，——notsuchbeautiful，sparklingeyes，——deep—set，earnest，sad，nay，evengloomy，watchinghereverymovement;butofthisshewasnotaware。Philiphadnotrecoveredfromtherebuffshehadgivenhimbyrefusinghisofferedhand，andwasstandingstill，inangrysilence，whenMrsCorneythrustayoungwomanjustarriveduponhisattention。
　　'Come，MeasterHepburn，here'sNancyPrattwi'outev'nasoultospeakt'her，an'yo'mopin'theere。Shesayssheknowsyo'bysightfra'havingdealtatFoster'sthesesixyear。Seeifyo'can'tfindsummutt'sayt'
　　eachother，forImungopourouttea。Dixons，an'Walkers，an'Elliotts，an'Smithsiscome，saidshe，markingoffthefamiliesonherfingers，asshelookedroundandcalledovertheirnames;'an'there'sonlyWillLathaman'histwosisters，andRogerHarbottle，an'Taylort'comean'
　　they'llturnupaforetea'sended。'
　　Soshewentofftoherdutyattheonetable，which，placedalongsideofthedresser，wastheonlyarticleoffurnitureleftinthemiddleoftheroom:alltheseatsbeingarrangedasclosetothefourwallsascouldbemanaged。Thecandlesofthosedaysgavebutafaintlightcomparedtothelightoftheimmensefire，whichitwasapointofhospitalitytokeepatthehighestroaring，blazingpitch;theyoungwomenoccupiedtheseats，withtheexceptionoftwoorthreeoftheelderones，who，inaneagerdesiretoshowtheircapability，insistedonhelpingMrsCorneyinherduties，verymuchtoherannoyance，astherewerecertainlittlecontrivancesforekingoutcream，andadjustingthestrengthofthecupsofteatotheworldlypositionoftheintendeddrinkers，whichshedidnotlikeeveryonetosee。Theyoungmen，——whomteadidnotembolden，andwhohadasyethadnochanceofstrongerliquor，——clusteredinrusticshynessroundthedoor，notspeakingeventothemselves，exceptnowandthen，whenone，apparentlythewagoftheparty，madesomewhisperedremark，whichsetthemallofflaughing;butinaminutetheycheckedthemselves，andpassedthebackoftheirhandsacrosstheirmouthstocomposethatunluckyfeature，andthensomewouldtrytofixtheireyesontheraftersoftheceiling，inamannerwhichwasdecorousifratherabstractedfromthebusinessinhand。
　　Mostofthesewereyoungfarmers，withwhomPhiliphadnothingincommon，andfromwhom，inshyreserve，hehadwithdrawnhimselfwhenhefirstcamein。ButnowhewishedhimselfamongthemsoonerthansettotalktoNancyPratt，whenhehadnothingtosay。Andyethemighthavehadacompanionlesstohismind，forshewasadecentyoungwomanofasoberage，lessinclinedtogigglethanmanyoftheyoungerones。ButallthetimethathewasmakingcommonplaceremarkstoherhewaswonderingifhehadoffendedSylvia，andwhyshewouldnotshakehandswithhim，andthispre—occupationofhisthoughtsdidnotmakehimanagreeablecompanion。NancyPratt，whohadbeenengagedforsomeyearstoamateofawhaling—ship，perceivedsomethingofhisstateofmind，andtooknooffenceatit;onthecontrary，shetriedtogivehimpleasurebyadmiringSylvia。
　　'I'veoftenheerdtellonher，'saidshe，'butIniverthoughtshe'sbesopretty，andsostaidandquiet—liketoo。T'mostparto'girlsashaslookslikehersarealwaysgape—gazingtocatchotherfolks'seyes，andseewhatisthoughton'em;butshelooksjustlikeachild，abitflusteredwi'comingintocompany，andgettin'intoasdarkacornerandbidin'asstillasshecan。
　　JustthenSylvialiftedupherlong，darklashes，andcatchingthesameglancewhichshehadsooftenmetbefore——CharleyKinraidwasstandingtalkingtoBruntonontheoppositesideofthefire—place——shestartedbackintotheshadowasifshehadnotexpectedit，andinsodoingspiltherteaalloverhergown。Shecouldalmosthavecried，shefeltherselfsoawkward，andasifeverythingwasgoingwrongwithher;shethoughtthateveryonewouldthinkshehadneverbeenincompanybefore，anddidnotknowhowtobehave;andwhileshewasthusflutteredandcrimson，shesawthroughhertearfuleyesKinraidonhiskneesbeforeher，wipinghergownwithhissilkpockethandkerchief，andheardhimspeakingthroughallthebuzzofcommiseratingvoices。
　　'Yourcupboardhandleissomuchi'th'way——Ihurtmyelbowagainstitonlythisveryafternoon。'
　　Soperhapsitwasnoclumsinessofhers，——astheywouldallknow，now，sincehehadsoskilfullylaidtheblamesomewhereelse;andafterallitturnedoutthatheraccidenthadbeenthemeansofbringinghimacrosstoherside，whichwasmuchmorepleasantthanhavinghimopposite，staringather;fornowhebegantotalktoher，andthiswasverypleasant，althoughshewasratherembarrassedattheirtete—a—teteatfirst。
　　'IdidnotknowyouagainwhenIfirstsawyou，'saidhe，inatonewhichimpliedagooddealmorethanwasutteredinwords。
　　'Iknowedyo'atonce，'shereplied，softly，andthensheblushedandplayedwithherapron—string，andwonderedifsheoughttohaveconfessedtotheclearnessofherrecollection。
　　'You'regrownupinto——well，perhapsit'snotmannerstosaywhatyou'regrowninto——anyhow，Ishan'tforgetyo'again。'
　　Moreplayingwithherapron—string，andheadhungstilllowerdown，thoughthecornersofhermouthwouldgoupinashysmileofpleasure。
　　Philipwatcheditallasgreedilyasifitgavehimdelight。
　　'Yo'rfather，he'llbewellandhearty，Ihope？'askedCharley。
　　'Yes，'repliedSylvia，andthenshewishedshecouldoriginatesomeremark;hewouldthinkhersostupidifshejustkeptonsayingsuchlittleshortbitsofspeeches，andifhethoughtherstupidhemightperhapsgoawayagaintohisformerplace。
　　Buthewasquitefarenoughgoneinloveofherbeauty，andprettymodestways，nottocaremuchwhethershetalkedorno，solongassheshowedherselfsopleasinglyconsciousofhiscloseneighbourhood。
　　'Imustcomeandseetheoldgentleman;andyourmother，too，'headdedmoreslowly，forherememberedthathisvisitslastyearhadnotbeenquitesomuchwelcomedbyBellRobsonasbyherhusband;perhapsitwasbecauseoftheamountofdrinkwhichheandDanielmanagedtogetthroughofanevening。HeresolvedthisyeartobemorecarefultopleasethemotherofSylvia。
　　Whenteawasendedtherewasagreatbustleandshiftingofplaces，whileMrsCorneyandherdaughterscarriedouttraysfullofusedcups，andgreatplattersofuneatenbreadandbutterintotheback—kitchen，tobewashedupaftertheguestsweregone。Justbecauseshewassoconsciousthatshedidnotwanttomove，andbreakupthelittleconversationbetweenherselfandKinraid，Sylviaforcedherselftobeasactiveintheservicegoingonasbecameafriendofthehouse;andshewastoomuchhermother'sowndaughtertofeelcomfortableatleavingallthethingsinthedisorderwhichtotheCorneygirlswassecondnature。
　　'Thismilkmungobacktot'dairy，Ireckon，'saidshe，loadingherselfwithmilkandcream。
　　'Niverfashthysel'aboutit，'saidNellyCorney，'Christmascomesbutonestayear，ifitdoesgosour;andmothersaidshe'dhaveagameatforfeitsfirstthingafterteatoloosenfolks'stongues，andmixupt'
　　ladsandlasses，socomealong。'
　　ButSylviasteeredhercarefulwaytothecoldchillofthedairy，andwouldnotbesatisfiedtillshehadcarriedawayalltheunusedprovisionintosomefresherairthanthatheatedbythefiresandovensusedforthelongday'scookingofpiesandcakesandmuchroastmeat。
　　Whentheycamebackaroundofred—faced'lads，'asyoungmenuptofive—and—thirtyarecalledinLancashireandYork—shireiftheyarenotmarriedbefore，andlasses，whoseagewasnottobedefined，wereplayingatsomecountrygame，inwhichthewomenwereapparentlymoreinterestedthanthemen，wholookedshamefaced，andafraidofeachother'sridicule。
　　MrsCorney，however，knewhowtoremedythis，andatasignfromheragreatjugofbeerwasbroughtin。Thisjugwastheprideofherheart，andwasintheshapeofafatmaninwhiteknee—breeches，andathree—corneredhat;withonearmhesupportedthepipeinhisbroad，smilingmouth，andtheotherwasplacedakimboandformedthehandle。Therewasalsoagreatchinapunch—bowlfilledwithgrogmadeafteranoldship—receiptcurrentintheseparts，butnottoostrong，becauseiftheirvisitorshadtoomuchtodrinkatthatearlypartoftheevening'itwouldspoilt'fun，'asNellyCorneyhadobserved。Herfather，however，afterthenotionsofhospitalityprevalentatthattimeinhighercircles，hadstipulatedthateachmanshouldhave'enough'beforeheleftthehouse;enoughmeaninginMonkshavenparlancethelibertyofgettingdrunk，iftheythoughtfittodoit。
　　BeforelongoneoftheladswasseizedwithafitofadmirationforToby——thenameoftheoldgentlemanwhocontainedliquor——andwentuptothetrayforacloserinspection。Hewasspeedilyfollowedbyotheramateursofcuriousearthenware;andby—and—byMrBrunton（whohadbeenchargedbyhismother—in—lawwiththeduesupplyingofliquor——byhisfather—in—lawthateverymanshouldhavehisfill，andbyhiswifeandhersistersthatnooneshouldhavetoomuch，atanyrateatthebeginningoftheevening，）
　　thoughtfittocarryoutTobytobereplenished;andafasterspiritofenjoymentandmirthbegantoreignintheroom。
　　Kinraidwastoowellseasonedtocarewhatamountofliquorhedrank;
　　Philiphadwhatwascalledaweakhead，anddislikedmuddlinghimselfwithdrinkbecauseoftheimmediateconsequenceofintensefeelingsofirritability，andthemoredistantoneofarackingheadachenextday;soboththesetwopreservedverymuchthesamedemeanourtheyhadheldatthebeginningoftheevening。
　　Sylviawasbyallacknowledgedandtreatedasthebelle。Whentheyplayedatblind—man's—buffgowhereshewould，shewasalwayscaught;shewascalledoutrepeatedlytodowhatwasrequiredinanygame，asifallhadapleasureinseeingherlightfigureanddeftways。ShewassufficientlypleasedwiththistohavegotoverhershynesswithallexceptCharley。
　　Whenotherspaidhertheirrusticcomplimentsshetossedherhead，andmadeherlittlesaucyrepartees;butwhenhesaidsomethinglowandflattering，itwastoohoney—sweettoherhearttobethrownoffthus。And，somehow，themoresheyieldedtothisfascinationthemoresheavoidedPhilip。Hedidnotspeakflatteringly——hedidnotpaycompliments——hewatchedherwithdiscontented，longingeyes，andgrewmoreinclinedeverymoment，asherememberedhisanticipationofahappyevening，tocryoutinhisheartvanitasvanitatum。
　　Andnowcamecryingtheforfeits。MollyBruntonkneltdown，herfaceburiedinhermother'slap;thelattertookouttheforfeitsonebyone，andassheheldthemup，saidtheaccustomedformula，——
　　'Afinethingandaveryfinething，whatmusthe（orshe）dowhoownsthisthing。'
　　Oneortwohadbeentoldtokneeltotheprettiest，bowtothewittiest，andkissthosetheylovedbest;othershadhadtobiteaninchoffthepoker，orsuchplaysuponwords。AndnowcameSylvia'sprettynewribbonthatPhiliphadgivenher（healmostlongedtosnatchitoutofMrsCorney'shandsandburnitbeforealltheirfaces，soannoyedwashewiththewholeaffair。）
　　'Afinethingandaveryfinething——amostparticularfinething——choosehowshecamebyit。Whatmustshedoasownsthisthing？'
　　'Shemustblowoutt'candleandkisst'candlestick。'
　　InoneinstantKinraidhadholdoftheonlycandlewithinreach，alltheothershadbeenputuphighoninaccessibleshelvesandotherplaces。
　　Sylviawentupandblewoutthecandle，andbeforethesuddenpartialdarknesswasoverhehadtakenthecandleintohisfingers，and，accordingtothetraditionalmeaningofthewords，wasintheplaceofthecandlestick，andassuchwastobekissed。EveryonelaughedatinnocentSylvia'sfaceasthemeaningofherpenancecameintoit，everyonebutPhilip，whoalmostchoked。
　　'I'mcandlestick，'saidKinraid，withlessoftriumphinhisvoicethanhewouldhavehadwithanyothergirlintheroom。
　　'Yo'munkisst'candlestick，'criedtheCorneys，'oryo'llnivergetyo'rribbonback。'
　　'Andshesetsadealo'storebythatribbon，'saidMollyBrunton，maliciously。
　　'I'llnonekisst'candlestick，norhimeither，'saidSylvia，inalowvoiceofdetermination，turningaway，fullofconfusion。
　　'Yo'llnotgetyo'rribbonifyo'dunnot，'criedoneandall。
　　'Idon'tcarefort'ribbon，'saidshe，flashingupwithalookathertormentors，nowherbackwasturnedtoKinraid。'An'Iwannotplayanymoreatsuchlikegames，'sheadded，withfreshindignationrisinginherheartasshetookheroldplaceinthecorneroftheroomalittleawayfromtherest。
　　Philip'sspiritsrose，andheyearnedtogotoherandtellherhowheapprovedofherconduct。Alas，Philip！Sylvia，thoughasmodestagirlaseverlived，wasnoprude，andhadbeenbroughtupinsimple，straightforwardcountryways;andwithanyotheryoungman，excepting，perhaps，Philip'sself，shewouldhavethoughtnomoreofmakingarapidpretenceofkissingthehandorcheekofthetemporary'candlestick，'thanourancestressesdidinamuchhigherrankonsimilaroccasions。Kinraid，thoughmortifiedbyhispublicrejection，wasmoreconsciousofthisthantheinexperiencedPhilip;heresolvednottobebaulked，andwatchedhisopportunity。ForthetimehewentonplayingasifSylvia'sconducthadnotaffectedhimintheleast，andasifhewashardlyawareofherdefectionfromthegame。
　　Asshesawotherssubmitting，quiteasamatterofcourse，tosimilarpenances，shebegantobeangrywithherselfforhavingthoughttwiceaboutit，andalmosttodislikeherselfforthestrangeconsciousnesswhichhadmadeitatthetimeseemimpossibletodowhatshewastold。Hereyeskeptfillingwithtearsasherisolatedpositioninthegayparty，thethoughtofwhatafoolshehadmadeofherself，keptrecurringtohermind;butnoonesawher，shethought，thuscrying;and，ashamedtobediscoveredwhenthepartyshouldpauseintheirgame，shestoleroundbehindthemintothegreatchamberinwhichshehadhelpedtolayoutthesupper，withtheintentionofbathinghereyes，andtakingadrinkofwater。OneinstantCharleyKinraidwasmissingfromthecircleofwhichhewasthelifeandsoul;andthenbackhecamewithanairofsatisfactiononhisface，intelligibleenoughtothosewhohadseenhisgame;butunnoticedbyPhilip，who，amidsttheperpetualnoiseandmovementsaroundhim，hadnotperceivedSylvia'sleavingtheroom，untilshecamebackattheendofaboutaquarterofanhour，lookinglovelierthanever，hercomplexionbrilliant，hereyesdrooping，herhairneatlyandfreshlyarranged，tiedwithabrownribboninsteadofthatshewassupposedtohaveforfeited。Shelookedasifshedidnotwishherreturntobenoticed，stealingsoftlybehindtherompingladsandlasseswithnoiselessmotions，andaltogethersuchacontrasttotheminhercoolfreshnessandmodestneatness，thatbothKinraidandPhilipfounditdifficulttokeeptheireyesoffher。Buttheformerhadasecrettriumphinhisheartwhichenabledhimtogoonwithhismerry—makingasifitabsorbedhim;whilePhilipdroppedoutofthecrowdandcameuptowhereshewasstandingsilentlybyMrsCorney，who，armsakimbo，waslaughingatthefrolicandfunaroundher。SylviastartedalittlewhenPhilipspoke，andkepthersofteyesavertedfromhimafterthefirstglance;sheansweredhimshortly，butwithunaccustomedgentleness。Hehadonlyaskedherwhenshewouldlikehimtotakeherhome;andshe，alittlesurprisedattheideaofgoinghomewhentohertheeveningseemedonlybeginning，hadanswered——
　　'Gohome？Idon'tknow！It'sNewYear'sEve！'
　　'Ay！butyo'rmother'lllieawaketillyo'comehome，Sylvie！'
　　ButMrsCorney，havingheardhisquestion，brokeinwithallsortsofupbraidings。'Gohome！Notseet'NewYearin！Why，whatshouldtake'emhomethesesixhours？Wasn'tthereamoonasclearasday？anddidsuchatimeasthiscomeoften？AndweretheytobreakupthepartybeforetheNewYearcamein？Andwastherenotsupper，withaspicedroundofbeefthathadbeeninpickleprettynighsin'Martinmas，andhams，andmince—pies，andwhatnot？Andiftheythoughtanyevilofhermaster'sgoingtobed，orthatbythatearlyretirementhemeanttoimplythathedidnotbidhisfriendswelcome，whyhewouldnotstayupbeyondeighto'clockforKingGeorgeuponhisthrone，ashe'dtellthemsoonenough，ifthey'donlystepupstairsandaskhim。Well;sheknowedwhatitwastowantadaughterwhenshewasailing，soshe'dsaynoughtmore，buthastensupper。
　　AndthisideanowtookpossessionofMrsCorney'smind，forshewouldnotwillinglyallowoneofhergueststoleavebeforetheyhaddonejusticetoherpreparations;and，cuttingherspeechshort，shehastilyleftSylviaandPhiliptogether。
　　Hisheartbeatfast;hisfeelingtowardsherhadneverbeensostrongorsodistinctassinceherrefusaltokissthe'candlestick。'Hewasonthepointofspeaking，ofsayingsomethingexplicitlytender，whenthewoodentrencherwhichthepartywereusingattheirplay，camebowlingbetweenhimandSylvia，andspunoutitslittleperiodrightbetwixtthem。
　　Everyonewasmovingfromchairtochair，andwhenthebustlewasoverSylviawasseatedatsomedistancefromhim，andheleftstandingoutsidethecircle，asifhewerenotplaying。Infact，Sylviahadunconsciouslytakenhisplaceasactorinthegamewhileheremainedspectator，and，asitturnedout，anauditorofaconversationnotintendedforhisears。
　　Hewaswedgedagainstthewall，closetothegreateight—dayclock，withitsroundmoon—likesmilingfaceformingaludicrouscontrasttohislong，sallow，gravecountenance，whichwasprettymuchatthesamelevelabovethesandedfloor。BeforehimsatMollyBruntonandoneofhersisters，theirheadsclosetogetherintoodeeptalktoattendtotheprogressofthegame。Philip'sattentionwascaughtbythewords——
　　'I'lllayanywagerhekissedherwhenheranoffintot'parlour。'
　　'She'ssocoyshe'dniverlethim，'repliedBessyCorney。