Christianwatchedtheirsoftuncertainrushes。Goingtothelittlesummer—housesheflungherselfdownonaseat，andpressedherhandstoherheart。
　　Therewasastrangeandsuddenachingthere。Washegoingfromher？
　　Ifso，whatwouldbeleft？Howlittleandhownarrowseemedtheoutlookofherlife——withtheworldwaitingforher，theworldofbeauty，effort，self—sacrifice，fidelity！Itwasasthoughaflashofthatsummerlightninghadfledby，singeingher，takingfromherallpowersofflight，burningoffherwings，asoffoneofthosepalehoveringmoths。Tearsstartedup，andtrickleddownherface。
　　’Blind！’shethought;’howcouldIhavebeensoblind？’
　　Someonecamedownthepath。
　　"Who’sthere？"shecried。
　　Harzstoodinthedoorway。
　　"Whydidyoucomeout？"hesaid。"Ah！whydidyoucomeout？"Hecaughtherhand;Christiantriedtodrawitfromhim，andtoturnhereyesaway，butshecouldnot。Heflunghimselfdownonhisknees，andcried:"Iloveyou！"
　　InaraptureofsoftterrorChristianbentherforeheaddowntohishand。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？"sheheardhimsay。"Isitpossiblethatyouloveme？"andshefelthiskissesonherhair。
　　"Mysweet！itwillbesohardforyou;youaresolittle，solittle，andsoweak。"Claspinghishandclosertoherface，shemurmured:"I
　　don’tcare。"
　　Therewasalong，softsilence，thatseemedtolastforever。
　　Suddenlyshethrewherarmsroundhisneckandkissedhim。
　　"Whatevercomes！"shewhispered，andgatheringherdress，escapedfromhimintothedarkness。
　　XII
　　Christianwokenextmorningwithasmile。Inherattitudes，hervoice，hereyes，therewasahappyandsweetseriousness，asifshewerehuggingsomeholythought。Afterbreakfastshetookabookandsatintheopenwindow，whenceshecouldseethepoplar—treesguardingtheentrance。Therewasabreeze;therosesclosebykeptnoddingtoher;thecathedralbellswereinfullchime;beeshummedabovethelavender;andintheskysoftcloudswerefloatinglikehuge，whitebirds。
　　ThesoundsofMissNaylor’sstaccatodictationtravelledacrosstheroom，andGreta’ssighsasshetookitdown，oneeyeonherpaper，oneeyeonScruff，wholaywithablackearflappedacrosshispaw，andhistaneyebrowsquivering。Hewasindisgrace，forDominique，comingonhimunawares，hadseenhim"sayhisprayers"beforeapudding，andtakethepuddingforreward。
　　Christianputherbookdowngently，andslippedthroughthewindow。
　　Harzwascominginfromtheroad。"Iamallyours！"shewhispered。
　　Hisfingersclosedonhers，andhewentintothehouse。
　　Sheslippedback，tookupherbook，andwaited。Itseemedlongbeforehecameout，butwhenhedidhewavedherback，andhurriedon;shehadaglimpseofhisface，whitetothelips。Feelingfaintandsick，sheflewtoherstepfather’sroom。
　　HerrPaulwasstandinginacornerwiththeutterlydisturbedappearanceofaneasy—goingman，visitedbytheunexpected。Hisfineshirt—frontwascrumpledasifhisbreasthadheavedtoosuddenlyunderstrongemotion;hissmokedeyeglassesdangleddownhisback;
　　hisfingerswereembeddedinhisbeard。Hewasfixinghiseyeonaspotinthefloorasthoughheexpectedittoexplodeandblowthemtofragments。InanothercornerMrs。Decie，withhalf—closedeyes，wasrunningherfinger—tipsacrossherbrow。
　　"Whathaveyousaidtohim？"criedChristian。
　　HerrPaulregardedherwithglassyeyes。
　　"MeinGott！"hesaid。"YourauntandI！"
　　"Whathaveyousaidtohim？"repeatedChristian。
　　"Theimpudence！Ananarchist！。Abeggar！"
　　"Paul！"murmuredMrs。Decie。
　　"Theoutlaw！Thefellow！"HerrPaulbegantostrideabouttheroom。
　　Quiveringfromheadtofoot，Christiancried:"Howdaredyou？"andranfromtheroom，pushingasideMissNaylorandGreta，whostoodblanchedandfrightenedinthedoorway。
　　HerrPaulstoppedinhistramp，and，stillwithhiseyesfixedonthefloor，growled:
　　"Afinething—hein？What’scoming？Willyoupleasetellme？Ananarchist——abeggar！"
　　"Paul！"murmuredMrs。Decie。
　　"Paul！Paul！Andyou！"hepointedtoMissNaylor——"Twowomenwitheyes！——hein！"
　　"Thereisnothingtobegainedbyviolence，"Mrs。Deciemurmured，passingherhandkerchiefacrossherlips。MissNaylor，whosethinbrowncheekshadflushed，advancedtowardshim。
　　"Ihopeyoudonot——"shesaid;"IamsuretherewasnothingthatI
　　couldhaveprevented——Ishouldbegladifthatwereunderstood。"
　　And，turningwithsomedignity，thelittleladywentaway，closingthedoorbehindher。
　　"Youhear！"HerrPaulsaid，violentlysarcastic:"nothingshecouldhaveprevented！Enfin，！WillyoupleasetellmewhatIamtodo？"
　　"Menoftheworld"——whosephilosophyisacreatureofcircumstanceandacceptedthings——findanydeviationfromthepathoftheirconvictionsdangerous，shocking，andanintolerablebore。HerrPaulhadspenthislifelaughingatconvictions;thematterhadbuttotouchhimpersonally，andthetapoflaughterwasturnedoff。Thatanyonetowhomhewasthelawfulguardianshouldmarryotherthanawell—groomedman，properlyendowedwithgoods，properlyselected，wasbeyondexpressionhorrid。Fromhispointofviewhehadgreatexcuseforhorror;andhewasnaturallyunabletojudgewhetherhehadexcuseforhorrorfromotherpointsofview。Hisamazementhadinitaspiceofthepathetic;hewaslikeachildinthepresenceofathingthatheabsolutelycouldnotunderstand。Theinterviewhadlefthimwithasenseofinsecuritywhichhefelttobeparticularlyunfair。
　　Thedoorwasagainopened，andGretaflewin，hercheeksflushed，herhairfloatingbehindher，andtearsstreamingdownhercheeks。
　　"Papa！"shecried，"youhavebeencrueltoChris。Thedoorislocked;Icanhearhercrying——whyhaveyoubeencruel？"Withoutwaitingtobeanswered，sheflewoutagain。
　　HerrPaulseizedhishairwithbothhishands:"Good！Verygood！Myownchild，please！Whatnextthen？"
　　Mrs。Decierosefromherchairlanguidly。"Myheadisverybad，"shesaid，shadinghereyesandspeakinginlowtones:"Itisnousemakingafuss——nothingcancomeofthis——hehasnotapenny。
　　Christianwillhavenothingtillyoudie，whichwillnotbeforalongtimeyet，ifyoucanbutavoidanapoplecticfit！"
　　AttheselastwordsHerrPaulgaveastartofrealdisgust。"Hum！"
　　hemuttered;itwasasiftheworldwerebentonbeingbrutaltohim。
　　Mrs。Deciecontinued:
　　"IfIknowanythingofthisyoungman，hewillnotcomehereagain，afterthewordsyouhavespoken。AsforChristian——youhadbettertalktoNicholas。Iamgoingtoliedown。"
　　HerrPaulnervouslyfingeredtheshirt—collarroundhisstout，shortneck。
　　"Nicholas！Certainly——agoodidea。Quellediabled’afaire！"
　　’French！’thoughtMrs。Decie;’weshallsoonhavepeace。PoorChristian！I’msorry！Afterall，thesethingsareamatteroftimeandopportunity。’Thisconsoledheragooddeal。
　　ButforChristianthehourswerealongnightmareofgriefandshame，fearandanger。Wouldheforgive？Wouldhebetruetoher？Orwouldhegoawaywithoutaword？Sinceyesterdayitwasasifshehadsteppedintoanotherworld，andlostitagain。Inplaceofthatnewfeeling，intoxicatingaswine，whatwascoming？Whatbitter;
　　dreadfulending？
　　Arudeentrancethisintothelifeoffacts，andprimitiveemotions！
　　SheletGretaintoherroomafteratime，forthechildhadbegunsobbing;butshewouldnottalk，andsathourafterhouratthewindowwiththeairfanningherface，andthepaininhereyesturnedtotheskyandtrees。Afteroneortwoattemptsatconsolation，Gretasankonthefloor，andremainedthere，humblygazingathersisterinasilenceonlybrokenwhenChristianclearedherthroatoftears，andbythesongofbirdsinthegarden。Intheafternoonsheslippedawayanddidnotcomebackagain。
　　AfterhisinterviewwithMr。Treffry，HerrPaultookabath，perfumedhimselfwithprecision，andcausedittobeclearlyunderstoodthat，undercircumstancessuchasthese，aman’shousewasnotsuitedforapigtolivein。HeshortlyafterwardswentouttotheKurbaus，andhadnotreturnedbydinner—time。
　　Christiancamedownfordinner。Therewerecrimsonspotsinhercheeks，darkcirclesroundhereyes;shebehaved，however，asthoughnothinghadhappened。MissNaylor，affectedbythekindnessofherheartandtheshockhersystemhadsustained，rolledanumberofbreadpills，lookingateachasitcame，withanairofsurprise，andconcealingitwithdifficulty。Mr。Treffrywascoughing，andwhenhetalkedhisvoiceseemedtorumbleevenmorethanusual。Gretawasdumb，tryingtocatchChristian’seye;Mrs。Deciealoneseemedatease。AfterdinnerMr。Treffrywentofftohisroom，leaningheavilyonChristian’sshoulder。Ashesankintohischair，hesaidtoher:
　　"Pullyourselftogether，mydear！"Christiandidnotanswerhim。
　　OutsidehisroomGretacaughtherbythesleeve。
　　"Look！"shewhispered，thrustingapieceofpaperintoChristian’shand。"ItistomefromDr。Edmund，butyoumustreadit。"
　　Christianopenedthenote，whichranasfollows:
　　"MYPHILOSOPHERANDFRIEND，——Ireceivedyournote，andwenttoourfriend’sstudio;hewasnotin，buthalfanhouragoIstumbledonhiminthePlatz。Heisnotquitehimself;hashadatouchofthesun——nothingserious:Itookhimtomyhotel，whereheisinbed。Ifhewillstaytherehewillbeallrightinadayortwo。Inanycaseheshallnoteludemyclutchesforthepresent。
　　"MywarmrespectstoMistressChristian。——Yoursinfriendshipandphilosophy，EDMUNDDAWNEY。"
　　Christianreadandre—readthisnote，thenturnedtoGreta。
　　"WhatdidyousaytoDr。Dawney？"
　　Gretatookbackthepieceofpaper，andreplied:"Isaid:
　　"’DEARDR。EDMUND，——WeareanxiousaboutHerrHarz。Wethinkheisperhapsnotverywellto—day。We（IandChristian）shouldliketoknow。Youcantellus。Pleaseshallyou？GRETA。’
　　"ThatiswhatIsaid。"
　　Christiandroppedhereyes。"Whatmadeyouwrite？"
　　Gretagazedathermournfully:"Ithought——OChris！comeintothegarden。Iamsohot，anditissodullwithoutyou！"
　　ChristianbentherheadforwardandrubbedhercheekagainstGreta’s，thenwithoutanotherwordranupstairsandlockedherselfintoherroom。Thechildstoodlistening;hearingthekeyturninthelock，shesankdownonthebottomstepandtookScruffinherarms。
　　HalfanhourlaterMissNaylor，carryingacandle，foundhertherefastasleep，withherheadrestingontheterrier’sback，andtearstainsonhercheeks……
　　Mrs。Deciepresentlycameout，alsocarryingacandle，andwenttoherbrother’sroom。Shestoodbeforehischair，withfoldedhands。
　　"Nicholas，whatistobedone？"
　　Mr。Treffrywaspouringwhiskyintoaglass。
　　"Damnit，Con！"heanswered;"howshouldIknow？"
　　"There’ssomethinginChristianthatmakesinterferencedangerous。I
　　knowverywellthatI’venoinfluencewithheratall。"
　　"You’rerightthere，Con，"Mr。Treffryreplied。
　　Mrs。Decie’spaleeyes，fastenedonhisface，forcedhimtolookup。
　　"Iwishyouwouldleaveoffdrinkingwhiskyandattendtome。Paulisanelement——"
　　"Paul，"Mr。Treffrygrowled，"isanass！"
　　"Paul，"pursuedMrs。Decie，"isanelementofdangerinthesituation;anyill—timedoppositionofhismightdrivehertoIdon’tknowwhat。Christianisgentle，sheis’sympathetic’astheysay;
　　butthwarther，andsheisasobstinateas……
　　"YouorI！Leaveheralone！"
　　"Iunderstandhercharacter，butIconfessthatIamatalosswhattodo。"
　　"Donothing！"Hedrankagain。
　　Mrs。Decietookupthecandle。
　　"Men！"shesaidwithamysteriousintonation;shrugginghershoulders，shewalkedout。
　　Mr。Treffryputdownhisglass。
　　’Understand？’hethought;’no，youdon’t，andIdon’t。Whounderstandsayounggirl？Vapourings，dreams，moonshineI……Whatdoessheseeinthispainterfellow？Iwonder！’Hebreathedheavily。’Byheavens！Iwouldn’thavehadthishappenforahundredthousandpounds！’
　　XIII
　　FormanyhoursafterDawneyhadtakenhimtohishotel，Harzwasprostratewithstunningpainsintheheadandneck。Hehadbeenalldaywithoutfood，exposedtoburningsun，sufferingviolentemotion。
　　Movementofanysortcausedhimsuchagonythathecouldonlylieinstupor，countingthespotsdancingbefore，hiseyes。Dawneydideverythingforhim，andHarzresentedinalistlesswaytheintentscrutinyofthedoctor’scalm，blackeyes。
　　Towardstheendoftheseconddayhewasabletogetup;Dawneyfoundhimsittingonthebedinshirtandtrousers。
　　"Myson，"hesaid，"youhadbettertellmewhatthetroubleis——itwilldoyourstubborncarcasegood。"
　　"Imustgobacktowork，"saidHarz。
　　"Work！"saidDawneydeliberately:"youcouldn’t，ifyoutried。"
　　"Imust。"
　　"Mydearfellow，youcouldn’ttellonecolourfromanother。"
　　"Imustbedoingsomething;Ican’tsithereandthink。"
　　Dawneyhookedhisthumbsintohiswaistcoat:"Youwon’tseethesunforthreedaysyet，ifIcanhelpit。"
　　Harzgotup。
　　"I’mgoingtomystudioto—morrow，"hesaid。"Ipromisenottogoout。ImustbewhereIcanseemywork。IfIcan’tpaint，Icandraw;Icanfeelmybrushes，movemythingsabout。IshallgomadifIdonothing。"
　　Dawneytookhisarm，andwalkedhimupanddown。
　　"I’llletyougo，"hesaid，"butgivemeachance！It’sasmuchtometoputyoustraightasitistoyoutopaintadecentpicture。
　　Nowgotobed;I’llhaveacarriageforyouto—morrowmorning。"
　　Harzsatdownonthebedagain，andforalongtimestayedwithoutmoving，hiseyesfixedonthefloor。Thesightofhim，sodesperateandmiserable，hurttheyoungdoctor。
　　"Canyougettobedbyyourself？"heaskedatlast。
　　Harznodded。
　　"Then，good—night，oldchap！"andDawneylefttheroom。
　　HetookhishatandturnedtowardstheVilla。Betweenthepoplarshestoppedtothink。Thefarthertreeswerefret—workedblackagainstthelingeringgoldofthesunset;ahugemoth，attractedbythetipofhiscigar，cameflutteringinhisface。Themusicofaconcertinaroseandfell，likethesighingofsomedisillusionedspirit。Dawneystoodforseveralminutesstaringatthehouse。
　　HewasshowntoMrs。Decie’sroom。Shewasholdingamagazinebeforehereyes，andreceivedhimwithasmuchreliefasphilosophypermitted。
　　"YouaretheverypersonIwantedtosee，"shesaid。
　　Henoticedthatthemagazinesheheldwasuncut。
　　"Youareayoungman，"pursuedMrs。Decie，"butasmydoctorIhavearighttoyourdiscretion。"
　　Dawneysmiled;thefeaturesofhisbroad，clean—shavenfacelookedridiculouslysmallonsuchoccasions，buthiseyesretainedtheirairofcalculation。
　　"Thatisso，"heanswered。
　　"Itisaboutthisunfortunateaffair。IunderstandthatMr。Harziswithyou。Iwantyoutouseyourinfluencetodissuadehimfromattemptingtoseemyniece。"
　　"Influence！"saidDawney;"youknowHarz！"
　　Mrs。Decie’svoicehardened。
　　"Everybody，"shesaid，"hashisweakpoints。Thisyoungmanisopentoapproachfromatleasttwoquarters——hisprideisone，hisworkanother。Iamseldomwrongingaugingcharacter;thesearehisvitalspots，andtheyareoftheessenceofthismatter。I’msorryforhim，ofcourse——butathisage，andlivingaman’slife，thesethings——"Hersmilewasextrapale。"Iwishyoucouldgivemesomethingformyhead。It’sfoolishtoworry。Nervesofcourse！
　　ButIcan’thelpit！Youknowmyopinion，Dr。Dawney。Thatyoungmanwillgofarifheremainsunfettered;hewillmakeaname。Youwillbedoinghimagreatserviceifyoucouldshowhimtheaffairasitreallyis——adragonhim，andquiteunworthyofhispride！Dohelpme！Youarejustthemantodoit！"
　　Dawneythrewuphisheadasiftoshakeoffthisimpeachment;thecurveofhischinthusdisplayedwasimposinginitsfulness;
　　altogetherhewasimposing，havinganairofcapability。
　　Shestruckhim，indeed，asreallyscared;itwasasifhermaskofsmilehadbecomeawry，andfailedtocoverheremotion;andhewaspuzzled，thinking，’Iwouldn’thavebelievedshehaditinher……’
　　"It’snotaneasybusiness，"hesaid;"I’llthinkitover。"
　　"Thankyou！"murmuredMrs。Decie。"Youaremostkind。"
　　Passingtheschoolroom，helookedinthroughtheopendoor。
　　Christianwassittingthere。Thesightofherfaceshockedhim，itwassowhite，soresolutelydumb。Abooklayonherknees;shewasnotreading，butstaringbeforeher。Hethoughtsuddenly:’Poorthing！IfIdon’tsaysomethingtoher，Ishallbeabrute！’
　　"MissDevorell，"hesaid:"Youcanreckononhim。"
　　Christiantriedtospeak，butherlipstrembledsothatnothingcameforth。
　　"Good—night，"saidDawney，andwalkedout……
　　ThreedayslaterHarzwassittinginthewindowofhisstudio。Itwasthefirstdayhehadfounditpossibletowork，andnow，tiredout，hestaredthroughtheduskattheslowlylengtheningshadowsoftherafters。Asolitarymosquitohummed，andtwohousesparrows，whohadbuiltbeneaththeroof，chirrupedsleepily。Swallowsdartedbythewindow，dippingtheirbluewingstowardsthequietwater;ahushhadstolenovereverything。Hefellasleep。
　　Hewoke，withadimimpressionofsomenearpresence。Inthepaleglimmerfrominnumerablestars，theroomwasfullofshadowyshapes。
　　Helithislantern。Theflamedartedforth，bickered，thenslowlylitupthegreatroom。
　　"Who’sthere？"
　　Arustlingseemedtoanswer。Hepeeredabout，wenttothedoorway，anddrewthecurtain。Awoman’scloakedfigureshrankagainstthewall。Herfacewasburiedinherhands;herarms，fromwhichthecloakfellback，werealonevisible。
　　"Christian？"
　　Sheranpasthim，andwhenhehadputthelanterndown，wasstandingatthewindow。Sheturnedquicklytohim。"Takemeawayfromhere！
　　Letmecomewithyou！"
　　"Doyoumeanit？"
　　"Yousaidyouwouldn’tgivemeup！"
　　"Youknowwhatyouaredoing？"
　　Shemadeamotionofassent。
　　"Butyoudon’tgraspwhatthismeans。Thingstobearthatyouknownothingof——hungerperhaps！Think，evenhunger！Andyourpeoplewon’tforgive——you’llloseeverything。"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Imustchoose——it’sonethingortheother。Ican’tgiveyouup！
　　Ishouldbeafraid！"
　　"But，dear;howcanyoucomewithme？Wecan’tbemarriedhere。"
　　"Iamgivingmylifetoyou。"
　　"Youaretoogoodforme，"saidHarz。"Thelifeyou’regoinginto——
　　maybedark，likethat！"hepointedtothewindow。
　　Asoundoffootstepsbrokethehush。Theycouldseeafigureonthepathbelow。Itstopped，seemedtoconsider，vanished。Theyheardthesoundsofgropinghands，ofacreakingdoor，ofuncertainfeetonthestairs。
　　Harzseizedherhand。
　　"Quick！"hewhispered;"behindthiscanvas！"
　　Christianwastremblingviolently。Shedrewherhoodacrossherface。Theheavybreathingandejaculationsofthevisitorwerenowplainlyaudible。
　　"He’sthere！Quick！Hide！"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　Withathrillathisheart，Harzkissedher，thenwalkedtowardstheentrance。Thecurtainwaspulledaside。
　　ItwasHerrPaul，holdingacigarinonehand，hishatintheother，andbreathinghard。
　　"Pardon！"hesaidhuskily，"yourstairsaresteep，anddark！maisen，fin！nousvoila！Ihaveventuredtocomeforatalk。"Hisglancefellonthecloakedfigureintheshadow。
　　"Pardon！Athousandpardons！Ihadnoidea！Ibegyoutoforgivethisindiscretion！Imaytakeityouresignpretensionsthen？Youhavealadyhere——Ihavenothingmoretosay;Ionlybegamillionpardonsforintruding。Athousandtimesforgiveme！Good—night！"
　　Hebowedandturnedtogo。Christiansteppedforward，andletthehoodfallfromherhead。
　　"It’sI！"
　　HerrPaulpirouetted。
　　"GoodGod！"hestammered，droppingcigarandhat。"GoodGod！"
　　Thelanternflaredsuddenly，revealinghiscrimson，shakingcheeks。
　　"Youcamehere，atnight！You，thedaughterofmywife！"Hiseyeswanderedwithadullglareroundtheroom。
　　"Takecare！"criedHarz:"Ifyousayawordagainsther———"
　　Thetwomenstaredateachother’seyes。Andwithoutwarning，thelanternflickeredandwentout。Christiandrewthecloakroundheragain。HerrPaul’svoicebrokethesilence;hehadrecoveredhisself—possession。
　　"Ah！ah！"hesaid:"Darkness！Tantmieux！Therightthingforwhatwehavetosay。Sincewedonotesteemeachother，itiswellnottoseetoomuch。"
　　"Justso，"saidHarz。
　　Christianhadcomeclosetothem。Herpalefaceandgreatshiningeyescouldjustbeseenthroughthegloom。
　　HerrPaulwavedhisarm;thegesturewasimpressive，annihilating。
　　"Thisisamatter，Ibelieve，betweentwomen，"hesaid，addressingHarz。"Letuscometothepoint。Iwilldoyouthecredittosupposethatyouhaveamarriageinview。Youknow，perhaps，thatMissDevorellhasnomoneytillIdie？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"AndIampassablyyoung！Youhavemoney，then？"
　　"No。"
　　"Inthatcase，youwouldproposetoliveonair？"
　　"No，towork;ithasbeendonebefore。"
　　"Itiscalculatedtoincreasehunger！YouarepreparedtotakeMissDevorell，ayoungladyaccustomedtoluxury，intoplaceslike——this！"
　　hepeeredabouthim，"intoplacesthatsmellofpaint，intothemilieuof’thepeople，’intothesocietyofBohemians——whoknows？ofanarchists，perhaps？"
　　Harzclenchedhishands:"Iwillanswernomorequestions。"
　　"Inthatevent，wereachtheultimatum，"saidHerrPaul。"Listen，HerrOutlaw！Ifyouhavenotleftthecountrybynoonto—morrow，youshallbeintroducedtothepolice！"
　　Christianutteredacry。Foraminuteinthegloomtheonlysoundheardwastheshort，hardbreathingofthetwomen。
　　SuddenlyHarzcried:"Youcoward，Idefyyou！"
　　"Coward！"HerrPaulrepeated。"Thatisindeedthelastword。Looktoyourself，myfriend！"