"Wehavereadyourbook，"eachbegan——asthoughithadbeenajointfunction。"Andweconsider——"
　　"Yes，"Iprotested，"Ithink——"
　　Thatwasasecondarymatter。
　　"Theydidnotconsider，"saidAltiora，raisinghervoiceandgoingrightoverme，thatIhadallowedsufficientlyfortheinevitabledevelopmentofanofficialadministrativeclassinthemodernstate。"
　　"Norofitsimportance，"echoedOscar。
　　That，theyexplainedinasortofchorus，wasthecardinalideaoftheirlives，whattheywereupto，whattheystoodfor。"Wewanttosuggesttoyou，"theysaid——andIfoundthiswasastockopeningoftheirs——"thatfromthemerenecessitiesofconvenienceelectedbodiesMUSTavailthemselvesmoreandmoreoftheservicesofexpertofficials。Wehavethatverymuchinmind。Themorecomplicatedandtechnicalaffairsbecome，thelessconfidencewilltheelectedofficialhaveinhimself。Wewanttosuggestthattheseexpertofficialsmustnecessarilydevelopintoanewclassandaverypowerfulclassinthecommunity。Wewanttoorganisethat。ItmaybeTHEpowerofthefuture。Theywillnecessarilyhavetohaveverymuchofacommontraining。Weconsiderourselvesasamateurunpaidprecursorsofsuchaclass。"……
　　Thevisiontheydisplayedformyconsiderationastheaimofpublic-
　　spiritedendeavour，seemedlikeaharder，narrower，morespecialisedversionoftheideaofatrainedanddisciplinedstatethatWillersleyandIhadworkedoutintheAlps。Theywantedthingsmoreorganised，morecorrelatedwithgovernmentandacollectivepurpose，justaswedid，buttheysawitnotintermsofagrowingcollectiveunderstanding，butintermsoffunctionaries，legislativechange，andmethodsofadministration……
　　Itwasn'tclearatfirsthowwediffered。TheBaileyswereveryanxioustowinmetoco-operation，andIwasquitepreparedatfirsttoidentifytheirdistinctiveexpressionswithphrasesofmyown，andsowecameveryreadilyintoanalliancethatwastolastsomeyears，andbreakatlastverypainfully。Altioramanifestlylikedme，IwassoondiscussingwithhertheperplexityIfoundinplacingmyselfefficientlyintheworld，theproblemofhowtotakeholdofthingsthatoccupiedmythoughts，andshewassketchingoutcareersformyconsideration，verymuchasanarchitectonhisfirstvisitsketcheshouses，considersrequirements，andputsbeforeyouthisexampleandthatofthemoreorlesssimilarthingalreadydone……
　　4
　　ItiseasytoseehowmuchincommontherewasbetweentheBaileysandme，andhownaturalitwasthatIshouldbecomeaconstantvisitorattheirhouseandanallyoftheirsinmanyenterprises。
　　Itisnotnearlysoeasytodefinetheprofoundantagonismofspiritthatalsoheldbetweenus。Therewasadifferenceintexture，adifferenceinquality。HowcanIexpressit？Theshapesofourthoughtswerethesame，butthesubstancequitedifferent。ItwasasiftheyhadmadeinchinaorcastironwhatIhadmadeintransparentlivingmatter。Thecomparisonismanifestlyfrommypointofview。Certainthingsneverseemedtoshowthroughtheirideasthatwerevisible，refractedperhapsanddistorted，butvisiblealwaysthroughmine。
　　Ithoughtforatimetheessentialdifferencelayinourrelationtobeauty。Withmebeautyisquiteprimaryinlife；Iliketruth，orderandgoodness，whollybecausetheyarebeautifulorleadstraighttobeautifulconsequences。TheBaileyseitherhadn'tgotthatortheydidn'tseeit。Theyseemedattimestopreferthingsharshandugly。Thatpuzzledmeextremely。Theestheticqualityofmanyoftheirproposals，the"manners"oftheirwork，sotospeak，wereattimesasdreadfulas——well，WarOfficebarrackarchitecture。
　　Acaricaturebyitsexaggeratedstatementswillsometimesservetopointatruthbyantagonisingfalsityandfalsity。Iremembertalkingtoaprominentmuseumofficialinneedofmorepublicfundsfortheworkhehadinhand。ImentionedthepossibilityofenlistingBailey'sinfluence。
　　"Oh，wedon'twantPhilistineslikethatinfernalBottle-Imprunningus，"hesaidhastily，andwouldhearofnoconcertedactionfortheendhehadinview。"I'drathernothavetheextension。
　　"Yousee，"hewentontoexplain，"Bailey'swantingintheessentials。"
　　"Whatessentials？"saidI。
　　"Oh！he'dbelikeanastyoilyefficientlittlemachineforsomemerelysubordinatenecessityamongallmydelicatestuff。He'ddoallwewantednodoubtinthewayofmoneyandpowers——andhe'ddoitwrongandmesstheplaceforever。Handsallblack，youknow。
　　He'sjustameans。Justaveryaggressiveandunmanageablemeans。
　　Thisisn'taplumber'sjob……"
　　Istucktomyargument。
　　"Idon'tLIKEhim，"saidtheofficialconclusively，anditseemedtomeatthetimehewasjustblindprejudicespeaking……
　　IcamenearerthetruthofthematterasIcametorealisethatourphilosophiesdifferedprofoundly。Thatisn'taverycurabledifference，——oncepeoplehavegrownup。TheirswasaphilosophydevoidofFINESSE。TemperamentallytheBaileyswerespecialised，concentrated，accurate，whileIamurgedeitherbysomeInnerforceorsomeentirelyassimilatedinfluenceinmytraining，alwaystoroundoffandshadowmyoutlines。Ihatethemhard。Iwouldsacrificedetailtomodellingalways，andtheBaileys，itseemedtome，lovedaworldasflatandmetallicasSidneyCooper'scows。IftheyhadtheuniverseinhandIknowtheywouldtakedownallthetreesandputupstampedtingreenshadesandsunlightaccumulators。
　　Altiorathoughttreeshopelesslyirregularandseacliffsagreatmistake……Igotthingsclearerastimewenton。ThoughitwasanHegelianmessofwhichIhadpartakenatCodger'stablebywayofaphilosophicaltraining，mysympathieshavealwaysbeenPragmatist。IbelongalmostbynaturetothatschoolofPragmatismthat，followingthemedievalNominalists，basesitselfuponadenialoftherealityofclasses，andofthevalidityofgenerallaws。TheBaileysclassifiedeverything。Theywere，inthescholasticsense——
　　whichsooddlycontradictsthemodernuseoftheword—"Realists。"
　　TheybelievedclasseswereREALandindependentoftheirindividuals。Thisisthecommonhabitofallso-callededucatedpeoplewhohavenometaphysicalaptitudeandnometaphysicaltraining。Itleadsthemtoaprogressivemisunderstandingoftheworld。ItwasafavouritetrickofAltiora'stospeakofeverybodyasa"type"；shesawmenassamplesmoving；herdining-roombecameachamberofrepresentatives。Itgaveatremendouslyscientificairtomanyoftheirgeneralisations，using"scientific"initsnineteenth-centuryuncriticalHerbertSpencersense，anairthatonlybegantodisappearwhenyouthoughtthemoveragainintermsofactualityandthepeopleoneknew……
　　AttheBaileys'onealwaysseemedtobegettingone'shandsontheverystringsthatguidedtheworld。Youheardlegislationprojectedtoaffectthis"type"andthat；statisticsmarchedbyyouwithsinandshameandinjusticeandmiseryreducedtoquitemanageablepercentages，youfoundmenwhoweretoframeoramendbillsingraveandintimateexchangewithBailey'somniscience，youheardAltioracanvassingapproachingresignationsandpossibleappointmentsthatmightmakeormararevolutioninadministrativemethods，anddoingitwithavigorousdirectnessthatmanifestlyswayedthedecision；
　　andyoufeltyouwereinasortofsignalboxwithleversallaboutyou，andtheworldoutsidethere，albeitalittledarkandmysteriousbeyondthewindow，runningonitslinesinreadyobediencetotheseunhesitatinglights，trueandsteadytotrimtermini。
　　Andthenwithallthisadministrativefizzle，thispseudo-scientificadministrativechatter，dyingawayinyourhead，outyouwentintothelimitlessgrimychaosofLondonstreetsandsquares，roadsandavenueslinedwithteeminghouses，eachlargerthantheChambersStreethouseandatleastequallyalive，yousawthechaoticclamourofhoardings，thejumbleoftraffic，thecomingandgoingofmysteriousmyriads，youheardtherumbleoftrafficlikethenoiseofatorrent；avagueincessantmurmurofcriesandvoices，wantoncrimesandaccidentsbawledatyoufromtheplacards；imperativeunaccountablefashionsswaggeredtriumphantindazzlingwindowsoftheshops；andyoufoundyourselfswayingbacktotheoppositeconvictionthatthehugeformlessspiritoftheworlditwasthatheldthestringsanddancedthepuppetsontheBaileystage……
　　UnderthelampsyouwerejostledbypeoplelikemyStaffordshireuncleoutforaspree，yousawshyyouthsconversingwithprostitutes，youpassedyoungloverspairingwithanentiredisregardofthesocialsuitabilityofthe"types"theymightblendorcreate，yousawmenleaningdrunkenagainstlamp-postswhomyouknewforthe"type"thatwillchargewithfixedbayonetsintothefaceofdeath，andyoufoundyourselfunabletoimaginelittleBaileyachievingeitherdrunkennessorthecarelessdefianceofannihilation。YourealisedthatquitealotoftypeswereunderrepresentedinChambersStreet，thatferalandobscureandaltogethermonstrousforcesmustbeatwork，asyetaltogetherunassimilatedbythoseneatadministrativereorganisations。
　　5
　　Altiora，Iremember，preludedMargaret'sreappearancebyannouncingherasa"newtype。"
　　IwasaccustomedtogoearlytotheBaileys'dinnersinthosedays，forapreliminarygossipwithAltiorainfrontofherdrawing-roomfire。Onegotheralone，andthatearlyarrivalwasalittlesignofappreciationshevalued。Shehadeverywoman'sneedoffollowersandservants。
　　"I'mgoingtosendyoudownto-night，"shesaid，"withaveryinterestingtypeindeed——oneofthenewgenerationofseriousgals。
　　Middle-classorigin——andquitewelloff。Richinfact。Herstep-
　　fatherwasasolicitorandsomethingofanENTREPRENEURtowardstheend，Ifancy——intheBlackCountry。Therewasalittlebrotherdied，andshe'slosthermotherquiterecently。Quiteonherown，sotospeak。She'sneverbeenoutintosocietyverymuch，anddoesn'tseemreallyveryanxioustogo……Notexactlyanintellectualperson，youknow，butquiet，andgreatforceofcharacter。CameuptoLondononherownandcametous——someonehadtoldherwewerethesortofpeopletoadviseher——toaskwhattodo。I'msureshe'llinterestyou。"
　　"WhatCANpeopleofthatsortdo？"Iasked。"Isshecapableofinvestigation？"
　　Altioracompressedherlipsandshookherhead。Shealwaysdidshakeherheadwhenyouaskedthatofanyone。
　　"Ofcoursewhatsheoughttodo，"saidAltiora，withhersilkdresspulledbackfromherkneebeforethefire，andwithaliftofhervoicetowardsachuckleatherdaringwayofputtingthings，"istomarryamemberofParliamentandseehedoeshiswork……
　　Perhapsshewill。It'saveryexceptionalgalwhocandoanythingbyherself——quiteexceptional。Themoreserioustheyare——withoutbeingexceptional——themorewewantthemtomarry。"
　　Herexpositionwastruncatedbytheentryofthetypeinquestion。
　　"Well！"criedAltioraturning，andwithahighnoteofwelcome，"HEREyouare！"
　　Margarethadgainedindignityandprettinessbythelapseoffiveyears，andshewasnowverybeautifullyandrichlyandsimplydressed。Herfairhairhadbeendoneinsomewaythatmadeitseemsofterandmoreabundantthanitwasinmymemory，andagleamofpurplevelvet-setdiamondsshowedamidstitsmistoflittlegoldenandbrownlines。Herdresswasofwhiteandviolet，thelasttraceofmourningforhermother，andconfessedthegraciousdroopofhertallandslenderbody。ShedidnotsuggestStaffordshireatall，andIwaspuzzledforamomenttothinkwhereIhadmether。Hersweetlyshapedmouthwiththeslightobliquityofthelipandthelittlekinkinherbrowwereextraordinarilyfamiliartome。ButshehadeitherbeenpreparedbyAltioraorsherememberedmyname。
　　"Wemet，"shesaid，"whilemystep-fatherwasalive——atMisterton。
　　Youcametoseeus"；andinstantlyIrecalledthesunshinebetweentheappleblossomandaslenderpalebluegirlishshapeamongthedaffodils，likesomethingthathadsprungfromabulbitself。I
　　recalledatoncethatIhadfoundherveryinteresting，thoughIdidnotclearlyrememberhowitwasshehadinterestedme。
　　Otherguestsarrived——itwasoneofAltiora'sboldlyblendedmixturesofpeoplewithideasandpeoplewithinfluenceormoneywhomightperhapsbeexpectedtoresonatetothem。Baileycamedownlatewithanairofhurry，andwasintroducedtoMargaretandsaidabsolutelynothingtoher——therebeingnoinformationeithertoreceiveorimpartandnothingtodo——butstoodsnatchinghisleftcheekuntilIrescuedhimandher，andlefthimfreetocongratulatethenewLadySnapeonherhusband'sK。C。B。
　　ItookMargaretdown。Weachievednofeatsofmutualexpression，exceptthatitwasabundantlyclearwewerebothverypleasedandinterestedtomeetagain，andthatwehadbothkeptmemoriesofeachother。WemadethatMistertontea-partyandthesubsequentmarriagesofmycousinsandtheworldofBurslemgenerally，matterforquiteanagreeableconversationuntilatlastAltiora，followingherinvariablecustom，calledmebynameimperativelyoutofourduologue。"Mr。Remington，"shesaid，"wewantyouropinion——"inherentirelycharacteristicefforttogetallthethreadsofconversationintoherownhandsfortheclimaxthatalwayswoundupherdinners。Howtheotherwomenusedtohatethoseconcludingraidsofhers！Iforgetmostoftheotherpeopleatthatdinner，norcanIrecallwhatthecrowningrallywasabout。Itdidn'tinanywayjoinontomyimpressionofMargaret。
　　Inthedrawing-roomofthemattingfloorIrejoinedher，withAltiora'smanifestconnivance，andintheintervalIhadbeenthinkingofourformermeeting。
　　"DoyoufindLondon，"Iasked，"giveyoumoreopportunityfordoingthingsandlearningthingsthanBurslem？"
　　Sheshowedatoncesheappreciatedmyallusiontoherformerconfidences。"Iwasverydiscontentedthen，"shesaidandpaused。
　　"I'vereallyonlybeeninLondonforafewmonths。It'ssodifferent。InBurslem，lifeseemsallbusinessandgetting——withoutanyreason。Onewentonanditdidn'tseemtomeananything。Atleastanythingthatmattered……Londonseemstobesofullofmeanings——allmixeduptogether。"
　　Sheknittedherbrowsoverherwordsandsmiledappealinglyattheendasifforconsiderationforherinadequateexpression，appealinglyandalmosthumorously。
　　Ilookedunderstandinglyather。"Wehaveall，"Iagreed，"tocometoLondon。"
　　"Oneseessomuchdistress，"sheadded，asifshefeltshehadcompletelyomittedsomething，andneededacodicil。
　　"WhatareyoudoinginLondon？"
　　"I'mthinkingofstudying。Somesocialquestion。IthoughtperhapsImightgoandstudysocialconditionsasMrs。Baileydid，goperhapsasawork-girlorseetherealityoflivingin，butMrs。
　　Baileythoughtperhapsitwasn'tquitemywork。"
　　"Areyoustudying？"
　　"I'mgoingtoagoodmanylectures，andperhapsIshalltakeuparegularcourseattheWestminsterSchoolofPoliticsandSociology。
　　ButMrs。Baileydoesn'tseemtobelieveverymuchinthateither。"
　　Herfaintlywhimsicalsmilereturned。"Iseemratherindefinite，"
　　sheapologised，"butonedoesnotwanttogetentangledinthingsonecan'tdo。One——onehassomanyadvantages，one'slifeseemstobesuchatrustandsucharesponsibility——"
　　Shestopped。
　　"Amangetsdrivenintowork，"Isaid。
　　"ItmustbesplendidtobeMrs。Bailey，"sherepliedwithaglanceofenviousadmirationacrosstheroom。
　　"SHEhasnodoubts，anyhow，"Iremarked。
　　"SheHAD，"saidMargaretwiththeprideofonewhohasreceivedgreatconfidences。
　　6
　　"You'vemetbefore？"saidAltiora，adayorsolater。
　　Iexplainedwhen。
　　"Youfindherinteresting？"
　　IsawinaflashthatAltiorameanttomarrymetoMargaret。
　　Herintentionbecamemuchclearerastheyeardeveloped。Altiorawassystematiceveninmattersthatevadesystem。IwastomarryMargaret，andfreedfromtheneedofmakinganincomeIwastocomeintopolitics——asanexponentofBaileyism。Sheputitdownwiththeotherexcellentandadvantageousthingsthatshouldoccupyhersummerholiday。Itwasherprideandglorytoputthingsdownandplanthemoutindetailbeforehand，andI'mnotquitesurethatshedidnotevenmarkoffthedayuponwhichtheengagementwastobedeclared。Ifshedid，Idisappointedher。Wedidn'tcometoanengagement，inspiteofthebroadesthintsandtheglaringobviousnessofeverything，thatsummer。
　　EverysummertheBaileyswentoutofLondontosomehousetheyhiredorborrowed，leavingtheirsecretariestoilingbehind，andtheywentonworkinghardinthemorningsandeveningsandtakingexerciseintheopenairintheafternoon。Theycycledassiduouslyandwentforlongwalksatatrot，andraidedandstudiedandincidentallyexplainedthemselvestoanysocial"types"thatlivedintheneighbourhood。Oneinvadedtype，resentfulunderresearch，describedthemwithadreadfulaptnessasDonnaQuixoteandSanchoPanza——andhimselfasaharmlesswindmill，hurtingnooneandsignifyingnothing。Shedidrathertiltatthings。ThisparticularsummertheywereatapleasantfarmhouseinlevelcountrynearPangbourne，belongingtotheHon。WilfridWinchester，andtheyaskedmetocomedowntoroomsintheneighbourhood——AltioratookthemforamonthformeinAugust——andboardwiththemuponextremelyreasonableterms；andwhenIgotthereIfoundMargaretsittinginahammockatAltiora'sfeet。Lotsofpeople，Igathered，werecomingandgoingintheneighbourhood，thePontswereinavillaontheriver，andtheRickhams'houseboatwastomoorforsomedays；buttheseirruptionsdidnotimpedeagreatdealofduologuebetweenMargaretandmyself。
　　Altiorawasefficientratherthanartisticinhermatch-making。Shesentusoffforlongwalkstogether——Margaretwasafairlygoodwalker——sheexhumedsomedefectivecroquetthingsandincitedustocroquet，notunderstandingthatdetestablegameistheworststimulantforloversintheworld。AndMargaretandIwerealwaysgettingleftabout，andfindingourselvesforoddhalf-hoursinthekitchen-gardenwithnothingtodoexcepttalk，orweweretoldwithawaveofthehandtorunawayandamuseeachother。
　　Altioraeventriedapicnicincanoes，knowingfromfictionratherthanimaginationorexperiencetheconclusivenatureofsuchexcursions。Butthereshefumbledatthelastmoment，andelectedattheriver'sbrinktoshareacanoewithme。Baileyshowedsomuchzealandsolittleskill——hishatfelloffandhebecamemiraculouslynothingbutpaddle-clutchinghandsandavastwrinkledbrow——thatatlasthehadtobepaddledignominiouslybyMargaret，whileAltiora，afteraphaseofrigiddiscretion，asnearlyaspossibledrownedherself——andmenodoubtintothebargain——withasuddenlateralgestureofthearmtoemphasisethehighnotewithwhichshedismissedtheefficiencyoftheCharityOrganisationSociety。Weshippedaboutaninchofwaterandsatinitfortherestofthetime，aninconvenienceshedisregardedheroically。WehaddifficultiesinlandingOscarfromhisfrailcraftupontheaitofourfeasting，——hedidn'tbalancesidewaysandwasmuchalarmed，andafterwards，asMargarethadapaininherback，Itookhiminmycanoe，lethimhidehisshamewithanineffectualbutnotpositivelyharmfulpaddle，andtowedtheotherbymeansofthejoinedpainters。
　　StillitwasthefaultoftheinadequateinformationsuppliedinthebooksandnotofAltiorathatthatwasnotthedateofmybetrothal。
　　IfinditnotalittledifficulttostatewhatkeptmebackfromproposingmarriagetoMargaretthatsummer，andwhaturgedmeforwardatlasttomarryher。Itissomucheasiertorememberone'sresolutionsthantorememberthemoodsandsuggestionsthatproducedthem。
　　Marryingandgettingmarriedwas，Ithink，aprettysimpleaffairtoAltiora；itwassomethingthathappenedtotheadolescentandunmarriedwhenyouthrewthemtogetherunderthecircumstancesofhealth，warmthandleisure。Ithappenedwiththekindlyandapprovingsmilesofthemoreexperiencedelderswhohadorganisedtheseproximities。Theyoungpeoplemarried，settleddown，childrenensued，andfatherandmotherturnedtheirminds，nowdecentlyandproperlydisillusioned，tootherthings。ThattoAltiorawasthenormalsexuallife，andshebelievedittobethequalityofthegreatbulkofthelifeabouther。
　　Oneofthegreatbarrierstohumanunderstandingisthewidetemperamentaldifferenceonefindsinthevaluesofthingsrelatingtosex。Itistheissueuponwhichpeoplemostneedtrainingincharityandimaginativesympathy。Herearenouniversalstandardsatall，andindeedfornosinglemannorwomandoesthereseemtobeanyfixedstandard，somuchdotheaccidentsofcircumstancesandone'sphysicalphasesaffectone'sinterpretations。Thereisnothinginthewholerangeofsexualfactthatmaynotseemsupremelybeautifulorhumanlyjollyormagnificentlywickedordisgustingortrivialorutterlyinsignificant，accordingtotheeyethatseesorthemoodthatcolours。Hereissomethingthatmayfilltheskiesandeverywakinghourorbealmostcompletelybanishedfromalife。ItmaybeeverythingonMondayandlessthannothingonSaturday。Andwemakeourlawsandrulesasthoughinthesemattersallmenandwomenwerecommensurableonewithanother，withanequalsteadfastpassionandanequalconstantduty……
　　Idon'tknowwhatdreamsAltioramayhavehadinherschoolroomdays，Ialwayssuspectedherofsuppressedandforgottenphases，butcertainlyhergeneraleffectnowwasofanentirelypassionlessworldlinessinthesematters。IndeedsofarasIcouldgetather，sheregardedsexualpassionasbeinghardlymorelegitimateinacivilisedpersonthan——letussay——homicidalmania。Shemusthaveforgotten——andBaileytoo。Isuspectsheforgotbeforeshemarriedhim。Idon'tsupposeeitherofthemhadtheslightestintimationofthedimensionssexuallovecantakeinthethoughtsofthegreatmajorityofpeoplewithwhomtheycomeincontact。Theylovedintheirway——anintellectualwayitwasandafondway——butithadnorelationtobeautyandphysicalsensation——exceptthatthereseemedadecreeofexileagainstthesethings。Theygottheirglowinhighmomentsofaltruisticambition——andinmomentsofvividworldlysuccess。Theysatatoppositeendsoftheirdinnertablewithsoandso"captured，"andsoandso，flushedwithamutualapproval。
　　Theysawpeopleinloveforgetfulanddistraughtaboutthem，andjustputitdowntoforgetfulnessanddistraction。AtanyrateAltioramanifestlyviewedmysituationandMargaret'swithanabnormalandentirelymisleadingsimplicity。Therewasthegirl，rich，withanacceptableclaimtobebeautiful，shininglyvirtuous，quitecapableofpoliticalinterests，andtherewasI，talented，ambitiousandfullofpoliticalandsocialpassion，inneedofjustthemoney，devotionandregularisationMargaretcouldprovide。Wewerebothunmarried——whitesheetsofuninscribedpaper。Wasthereeverasimplersituation？Whatmorecouldwepossiblywant？
　　ShewasevenalittleoffendedattheinconclusivenessthatdidnotsettlethingsatPangbourne。Iseemedtoher，Isuspect，toreflectuponherjudgmentandgoodintentions。
　　7
　　Ididn'tseethingswithAltiora'ssimplicity。
　　IadmiredMargaretverymuch，IwasfullyawareofallthatsheandImightgiveeachother；indeedsofarasAltiorawentwewerequiteinagreement。ButwhatseemedsolidgroundtoAltioraandtheultimatefootingofheremasculatedworld，wastomejustthesuperficialcoveringofagulf——oh！abyssesofvagueanddim，andyetstupendouslysignificantthings。
　　Icouldn'tdismisstheinterestsandthepassionofsexasAltioradid。Work，Iagreed，wasimportant；careerandsuccess；butdeepunanalysableinstinctstoldmethispreoccupationwasathingquiteasimportant；dangerous，interfering，destructiveindeed，butnonethelessadominatinginterestinlife。Ihavetoldhowflittinglyanduninviteditcamelikeamothfromtheoutertwilightintomylife，howitgrewinmewithmymanhood，howitfounditswaytospeechandgrewdaring，andledmeatlasttoexperience。AfterthatadventureatLocarnosexandtheinterestsanddesiresofsexneverleftmeforlongatpeace。Iwentonwithmyworkandmycareer，andallthetimeitwaslike——likesomeonetalkingeverandagaininaroomwhileonetriestowrite。
　　ThereweretimeswhenIcouldhavewishedtheworldaworldallofmen，sogreatlydidthisunassimilatedseriesofmotivesandcuriositieshamperme；andtimeswhenIcouldhavewishedtheworldallofwomen。Iseemedalwaystobeseekingsomethinginwomen，ingirls，andIwasneverclearwhatitwasIwasseeking。Butnever——
　　evenatmycoarsest——wasImovedbyphysicaldesirealone。WasI
　　seekinghelpandfellowship？WasIseekingsomeintimacywithbeauty？Itwasathingtooformlesstostate，thatIseemedalwaysdesiringtoattainandneverattaining。Wavesofgrosssensuousnessaroseoutofthispreoccupation，carriedmetoacrisisofgratificationordisappointmentthatwasclearlynottheneededthing；theypassedandleftmymindfreeagainforatimetogetonwiththepermanentpursuitsofmylife。Andthenpresentlythissolicitudewouldhavemeagain，anirrelevanceasitseemed，andyetaconstantlyrecurringdemand。
　　Idon'twantparticularlytodwelluponthingsthataredisagreeableforotherstoread，butIcannotleavethemoutofmystoryandgettherightproportionsoftheforcesIambalancing。Iwasnoabnormalman，andthatworldoforderwedesiretomakemustbebuiltofsuchstuffasIwasandamandcanbeget。YoucannothaveaworldofBaileys；itwouldendinoneorderlygeneration。
　　HumanityisbegotteninDesire，livesbyDesire。
　　"Lovewhichislust，istheLampintheTomb；
　　Lovewhichislust，istheCallfromtheGloom。"
　　IechoHenley。
　　Isupposethelifeofcelibacywhichtheactive，well-fed，well-
　　exercisedandimaginativelystirredyoungmanoftheeducatedclassesissupposedtoleadfromtheageofnineteenortwenty，whenNaturecertainlymeanthimtomarry，tothirtyormore，whencivilisationpermitshimtodoso，isthemostimpossiblethingintheworld。Wedealherewithfactsthatarekeptsecretandobscure，butIdoubtformyownpartifmorethanonemanoutoffiveinourclasssatisfiesthatidealdemand。TherestareevenasIwas，andHatherleighandEsmeerandallthemenIknew。Idrawnolessonsandoffernopanacea；Ihavetotellthequalityoflife，andthisishowitis。Thisishowitwillremainuntilmenandwomenhavethecouragetofacethefactsoflife。
　　Iwasnosystematiclibertine，youmustunderstand；thingshappenedtomeanddesiredroveme。AnyyoungmanwouldhaveservedforthatLocarnoadventure，andafterthatwhathadbeenamysticandwonderfulthingpassedrapidlyintoagross，manifestlymisdirectedandcomplicatingone。Icancountameagretaleoffiveillicitlovesinthedaysofmyyouth，toincludethatfirstexperience，andofthemallonlytwoweresustainedrelationships。Besidesthesefive"affairs，"ononeortwooccasionsIdippedsolowastheinkydismalsensualityofthestreets，andmadeoneofthosepairsofcorrelatedfigures，thewomaninhersqualidfinerysailinghomeward，themanmodestlyaloofandbehind，thateverynightintheLondonyearflitbythescoreofthousandsacrossthesightoftheobservant……
　　Howuglyitistorecall；uglyandshamefulnowwithoutqualification！Yetatthetimetherewassurelysomethingnotaltogetheruglyinit——somethingthathasvanished，somefinethingmortallyailing。
　　OnesuchoccasionIrecallasifitwereavisiondeepdowninapit，asifithadhappenedinanotherstateofexistencetosomeoneelse。Andyetitisthesortofthingthathashappened，onceortwiceatleast，tohalfthemeninLondonwhohavebeeninapositiontomakeitpossible。Letmetryandgiveyouitspeculiareffect。Manorwoman，yououghttoknowofit。
　　Figuretoyourselfadingyroom，somewhereinthatnetworkofstreetsthatliesaboutTottenhamCourtRoad，adingybedroomlitbyasolitarycandleandcarpetedwithscrapsandpatches，withcurtainsofcretonneclosingthewindow，andatawdryornamentofpaperinthegrate。Isitonabedbesideaweary-eyed，fair-
　　haired，sturdyyoungwoman，halfundressed，whoistellingmeinbrokenGermansomethingthatmyknowledgeofGermanisatfirstinadequatetounderstand……
　　Ithoughtshewasboastingaboutherfamily，andthenslowlythemeaningcametome。ShewasaLettfromnearLibauinCourland，andshewastellingme——justasonetellssomethingtoostrangeforcommentoremotion——howherfatherhadbeenshotandhersisteroutragedandmurderedbeforehereyes。
　　Itwasasifonehaddippedintosomethingprimordialandstupendousbeneaththesmoothandtrivialsurfacesoflife。TherewasI，youknow，thepromisingyoungdonfromCambridge，whowrotequitebrilliantlyaboutpoliticsandmightpresentlygetintoParliament，withmycollarandtieinmyhand，andacertainsenseofshamefuladventurefadingoutofmymind。
　　"AchGott！"shesighedbywayofcomment，andmuseddeeplyforamomentbeforesheturnedherfacetome，astosomethingforgottenandremembered，andassumedthehalf-heartedmeretricioussmile。
　　"Binicheinehubsche？"sheaskedlikeonewhorepeatsalesson。
　　Iwasmovedtocraveherpardonandcomeaway。
　　"Binicheinehubsche？"sheaskedalittleanxiously，layingadetaininghanduponme，andevidentlynotunderstandingawordofwhatIwasstrivingtosay。
　　8
　　IfinditextraordinarilydifficulttorecallthephasesbywhichI
　　passedfrommyfirstadmirationofMargaret'searnestnessandunconsciousdaintinesstoanintimateacquaintance。Theearlierencountersstandoutclearandhard，butthentheimpressionsbecomecrowdedandminglenotonlywitheachotherbutwithallthesubsequentdevelopmentsofrelationship，theenormousevolutionsofinterpretationandcomprehensionbetweenhusbandandwife。Dippingintomymemoriesislikedippingintoaragbag，onebringsoutthismemoryorthat，withnointimationofhowtheycameintimeorwhatledtothemandjoinedthemtogether。Andtheyareallmixedupwithsubsequentassociations，withsympathiesanddiscords，habitsofintercourse，surprisesanddisappointmentsanddiscoveredmisunderstandings。IknowonlythatalwaysmyfeelingsforMargaretwerecomplicatelfeelings，wovenofmanyandvariousstrands。
　　Itisoneofthecuriousneglectedaspectsoflifehowatthesametimeandinrelationtothesamerealitywecanhaveinourmindsstreamsofthoughtatquitedifferentlevels。Wecanbeatthesametimeidealisingapersonandseeingandcriticisingthatpersonquitecoldlyandclearly，andweslipunconsciouslyfromleveltolevelandproduceallsortsofinconsistentacts。InasenseIhadnoillusionsaboutMargaret；inasensemyconceptionofMargaretwasentirelypoeticillusion。Idon'tthinkIwaseverblindtocertaindefectsofhers，andquiteascertainlytheydidn'tseemtomatterintheslightestdegree。Hermindhadacuriouswantofvigour，"flatness"istheonlyword；sheneverseemedtoescapefromherphrase；herwayofthinking，herwayofdoingwasindecisive；
　　sheremainedinherattitude，itdidnotflowouttoeasy，confirmatoryaction。
　　Isawthisquiteclearly，andwhenwewalkedandtalkedtogetherI
　　seemedalwaystryingforanimationinherandneverfindingit。I
　　wouldstatemyideas。"Iknow，"shewouldsay，"Iknow。"
　　Italkedaboutmyselfandshelistenedwonderfully，butshemadenoansweringrevelations。Italkedpolitics，andsheremarkedwithherblueeyeswideandearnest："EveryWORDyousayseemssojust。"
　　Iadmiredherappearancetremendouslybut——IcanonlyexpressitbysayingIdidn'twanttotouchher。Herfairhairwasalwaysdelectablydone。Itflowedbeautifullyoverherprettysmallears，andshewouldtieitsfaircoilingswithfilletsofblackorbluevelvetthatcarriedprettybucklesofsilverandpaste。Thelight，thefaintdownonherbrowandcheekwasdelightful。AnditwascleartomethatImadeherhappy。
　　Mysenseofherdeficienciesdidn'tstandinthewayofmyfallingatlastverydeeplyinlovewithher。Herveryshortcomingsseemedtooffermesomething……
　　Shestoodinmymindforgoodness——andforthingsfromwhichitseemedtomemyholdwasslipping。
　　Sheseemedtopromiseawayofescapefromthedeepeningoppositioninmebetweenphysicalpassionsandtheconstructivecareer，thecareerofwideaimsandhumanservice，uponwhichIhadembarked。
　　AllthetimethatIwasseeingherasabeautiful，fragile，ratherineffectivegirl，Iwasalsoseeingherjustasconsciouslyasashiningslenderfigure，aradiantreconciliation，comingintomydarklingdisordersoflustandimpulse。Icouldunderstandclearlythatshewasincapableofthemostnecessarysubtletiesofpoliticalthought，andyetIcouldcontemplateprayingtoherandputtingalltheintricatetroublesofmylifeatherfeet。
　　BeforethereappearanceofMargaretinmyworldatallanunwonteddisgustwiththeconsequencesandqualityofmypassionshadariseninmymind。AmongotherthingsthatmomentwiththeLettishgirlhauntedmepersistently。Iwouldseemyselfagainandagainsittingamidstthosesluttishsurroundings，collarandtieinhand，whileherheavyGermanwordsgroupedthemselvestoaslowlyapprehendedmeaning。Iwouldfeelagainwithafreshstabofremorse，thatthiswasnotaflashofadventure，thiswasnotseeinglifeinanypermissiblesense，butadipintotragedy，dishonour，hideousdegradation，andthepitilesscrueltyofaworldasyetuncontrolledbyanyorderedwill。
　　"GoodGod！"Iputittomyself，"thatIshouldfinishtheworkthoseCossackshadbegun！Iwhowantorderandjusticebeforeeverything！
　　There'snowayoutofit，nodecentexcuse！IfIdidn'tthink，I
　　oughttohavethought！"……
　　HowdidIgettoit？"……Iwouldransackthephasesofmydevelopmentfromthefirstshyunveilingofahiddenwondertothelastextremityasamanwillgothroughmuddledaccountbookstofindsomedisorganisingerror……
　　Iwasalsoinvolvedatthattime——Ifindithardtoplacethesethingsintheexactorderoftheirdatesbecausetheyweresodisconnectedwiththeregularprogressofmyworkandlife——inanintrigue，aclumsy，sensuous，pretentious，artificiallystimulatedintrigue，withaMrs。Larrimer，awomanlivingseparatedfromherhusband。Iwillnotgointoparticularsofthatepisode，norhowwequarrelledandchafedoneanother。Shewasatonceunfaithfulandjealousandfullofwhimsaboutourmeetings；shewascarelessofoursecret，andvulgarisedourrelationshipbyintolerableinterpretations；exceptforsomeglowingmomentsofgratification，exceptfortherecurrentandessentiallyviciousdesirethatdrewusbacktoeachotheragain，webothfrettedatavexatiousandunexpectedlybindingintimacy。Theinterimwasfullofthequalityofworkdelayed，oftimeandenergywasted，ofinsecureprecautionsagainstscandalandexposure。Disappointmentisalmostinherentinillicitlove。Ihad，andperhapsitwaspartofherrecurrentirritationalso，afeelingasthoughonehadfollowedsomethingfineandbeautifulintoanet——intobirdlime！Thesefurtivescuffles，thissneakingintoshabbyhousesofassignation，waswhatwehadmadeoutofthesuggestionofpaganbeauty；thiswastherealityofourvisionofnymphsandsatyrsdancingforthejoyoflifeamidstincessantsunshine。Wehadlaidhandsuponthewonderandgloryofbodilyloveandwastedthem……
　　Itwasthesenseofwaste，offinelybeautifulpossibilitiesgettingentangledandmarredforeverthatoppressedme。Ihadmissed，I
　　hadlost。IdidnotturnfromthesethingsafterthefashionoftheBaileys，asoneturnsfromsomethinglowandembarrassing。Ifeltthatthesegreatorganicforceswerestilltobewroughtintoaharmonywithmyconstructivepassion。IfelttoothatIwasnotdoingit。Ihadnotunderstoodtheforcesinthisstrugglenoritsnature，andasIlearntIfailed。Ihadbeenstartedwrong，Ihadgoneonwrong，inaworldthatwasmuddledandconfused，fulloffalsecounselanderraticshamesandtwistedtemptations。Ilearnttoseeitsobyfailuresthatwereperhapsdestroyinganychanceofprofitinmylessons。Moodsofclearkeenindustryalternatedwithmoodsofrelapseandindulgenceandmoodsofdubietyandremorse。I
　　wasnotgoingonastheBaileysthoughtIwasgoingon。ThereweretimeswhentheblindnessoftheBaileysirritatedmeintensely。
　　Beneaththeostensiblesuccessofthoseyears，betweentwenty-threeandtwenty-eight，thisrottenness，knowntoscarcelyanyonebutmyself，grewandspread。Mysenseoftheprobabilityofacollapseintensified。Iknewindeednow，evenasWillersleyhadprophesiedfiveyearsbefore，thatIwasentanglingmyselfinsomethingthatmightsmotherallmyusesintheworld。Downthereamongthoseincommunicabledifficulties，Iwaspuzzledandblundering。Iwaslosingmyholduponthings；thechaoticandadventurouselementinlifewasspreadingupwardandgettingthebetterofme，over-
　　masteringmeandallmywilltoruleandmake……Andthestrength，thedruggingurgencyofthepassion！
　　Margaretshoneattimesinmyimaginationlikearadiantangelinaworldofmireanddisorder，inaworldofcravings，hotanddullredlikescarsinflamed……
　　IsupposeitwasbecauseIhadsogreataneedofsuchhelpasherwhitenessproffered，thatIcouldascribeimpossibleperfectionstoher，apowerofintellect，amoralpowerandpatiencetowhichshe，poorfellowmortal，hadindeednoclaim。IfonlyafewofusWERE
　　angelsandfreedfromthetangleofeffort，howeasylifemightbe！
　　Iwantedhersobadly，soverybadly，tobewhatIneeded。Iwantedawomantosaveme。IforcedmyselftoseeherasIwishedtoseeher。Hertepiditiesbecameinfinitedelicacies，hermentalvaguenessanatmosphericrealism。TheharshprecisionsoftheBaileysandAltiora'sbluntdirectnessthrewupherfinenessintoreliefandmadeagraceofeveryweakness。
　　MixedupwiththememoryoftimeswhenItalkedwithMargaretasonetalkspolitelytothosewhoarehopelesslyinferiorinmentalquality，explainingwithafalselucidity，welcomingandencouragingthefeeblestresponse，whenpossiblemouldinganddirecting，aretimeswhenIdidindeed，astheoldphrasegoes，worshipthegroundshetrodon。Iwasequallyhonestandunconsciousofinconsistencyateachextreme。ButinneitherphasecouldIfinditeasytomakelovetoMargaret。ForinthefirstIdidnotwantto，thoughI
　　talkedabundantlytoherofmarriageandsoforth，andwasalittlepuzzledatmyselffornotgoingontosomepersonalapplication，andinthesecondsheseemedinaccessible，IfeltImustmakeconfessionsandputthingsbeforeherthatwouldbethegrossestoutrageuponthenoblepurityIattributedtoher。
　　9
　　IwenttoMargaretatlasttoaskhertomarryme，wroughtuptothemoodofonewhostakeshislifeonacast。Separatedfromher，andwiththeresonanceofaneveningofangryrecriminationswithMrs。
　　Larrimerechoinginmymind，IdiscoveredmyselftobequitepassionatelyinlovewithMargaret。Lastshredsofdoubtvanished。
　　IthasalwaysbeenafeatureofourrelationshipthatMargaretabsentmeansmoretomethanMargaretpresent；hermemorydistilsfromitsdrossandpurifiesinme。Allmycriticismsandqualificationsofhervanishedintosomedarkcornerofmymind。
　　Shewastheladyofmysalvation；Imustwinmywaytoherorperish。
　　Iwenttoheratlast，forallthatIknewshelovedme，inpassionateself-abasement，whiteanda-tremble。ShewasstayingwiththeRockleysatWoking，forShenaRockleyhadbeenatBennettHallwithherandtheyhadresumedacloseintimacy；andIwentdowntoheronanimpulse，unheralded。Iwaskeptwaitingforsomeminutes，Iremember，inalittleroomuponwhichaconservatoryopened，aconservatoryfullofpotsoflargemauve-edged，whitecyclamensinflower。Andtherewasabiglacquercabinet，aChinesething，Isuppose，ofblackandgoldagainstthered-tonedwall。TothisdaythethoughtofMargaretisinseparablyboundupwiththesightofacyclamen'sback-turnedpetals。
　　Shecamein，lookingpaleanddroopingrathermorethanusual。I
　　suddenlyrealisedthatAltiora'shintofadisappointmentleadingtopositiveillnesswassomethingmorethanavindictivecomment。Sheclosedthedoorandcameacrosstomeandtookanddroppedmyhandandstoodstill。"Whatisityouwantwithme？"sheasked。
　　ThespeechIhadbeenturningoverandoverinmymindonthewayvanishedatthesightofher。
　　"Iwanttotalktoyou，"Iansweredlamely。
　　Forsomesecondsneitherofussaidaword。
　　"Iwanttotellyouthingsaboutmylife，"Ibegan。
　　Sheansweredwithascarcelyaudible"yes。"
　　"IalmostaskedyoutomarrymeatPangbourne，"Iplunged。"I
　　didn't。Ididn'tbecause——becauseyouhadtoomuchtogiveme。"
　　"Toomuch！"sheechoed，"togiveyou！"Shehadliftedhereyestomyfaceandthecolourwascomingintohercheeks。
　　"Don'tmisunderstandme，"Isaidhastily。"Iwanttotellyouthings，thingsyoudon'tknow。Don'tanswerme。Iwanttotellyou。"
　　Shestoodbeforethefireplacewithherultimateanswershiningthroughthequietofherface。"Goon，"shesaid，verysoftly。ItwassopitilesslymanifestshewasresolvedtoidealisethesituationwhateverImightsay。Ibeganwalkingupanddowntheroombetweenthosecyclamensandthecabinet。Therewerelittlegoldfishermenonthecabinetfishingfromlittleislandsthateachhadapagodaandatree，andtherewerealsomeninboatsorsomething，Icouldn'tdeterminewhat，andsomeobscuresub-officeinmymindconcerneditselfwiththatquiteintently。YetIseemtohavebeenstrivingwithallmybeingtogetwordsforthetruthofthings。"Yousee，"Iemerged，"youmakeeverythingpossibletome。
　　Youcangivemehelpandsympathy，support，understanding。Youknowmypoliticalambitions。YouknowallthatImightdointheworld。
　　Idosointenselywanttodoconstructivethings，bigthingsperhaps，inthiswildjumble……Onlyyoudon'tknowabitwhatIam。IwanttotellyouwhatIam。I'mcomplex……I'mstreaked。"
　　Iglancedather，andshewasregardingmewithanexpressionofblissfuldisregardforanymeaningIwasseekingtoconvey。
　　"Yousee，"Isaid，"I'mabadman。"
　　Shesoundedanoteofvaliantincredulity。
　　Everythingseemedtobeslippingawayfromme。Ipushedontotheuglyfactsthatremainedoverfromthewreckofmyinterpretation。
　　"Whathasheldmeback，"Isaid，"isthethoughtthatyoucouldnotpossiblyunderstandcertainthingsinmylife。Menarenotpureaswomenare。Ihavehadloveaffairs。ImeanIhavehadaffairs。
　　Passion——desire。Yousee，Ihavehadamistress，Ihavebeenentangled——"
　　Sheseemedabouttospeak，butIinterrupted。"I'mnottellingyou，"Isaid，"whatImeanttotellyou。Iwantyoutoknowclearlythatthereisanothersidetomylife，adirtyside。DeliberatelyI
　　say，dirty。Itdidn'tseemsoatfirst——"
　　Istoppedblankly。"Dirty，"Ithought，wasthemostidioticchoiceofwordstohavemade。
　　Ihadneverinanytolerablesenseofthewordbeendirty。
　　"Idriftedintothis——asmendo，"Isaidafteralittlepauseandstoppedagain。
　　Shewaslookingatmewithherwideblueeyes。
　　"Didyouimagine，"shebegan，"thatIthoughtyou——thatIexpected——"
　　"Buthowcanyouknow？"
　　"Iknow。Idoknow。"
　　"But——"Ibegan。
　　"Iknow，"shepersisted，droppinghereyelids。"OfcourseIknow，"
　　andnothingcouldhaveconvincedmemorecompletelythatshedidnotknow。
　　"Allmen——"shegeneralised。"Awomandoesnotunderstandthesetemptations。"
　　Iwasastonishedbeyondmeasureatherwayoftakingmyconfession……
　　"Ofcourse，"shesaid，hesitatingalittleoveratransparentdifficulty，"itisalloverandpast。"
　　"It'salloverandpast，"Ianswered。
　　Therewasalittlepause。
　　"Idon'twanttoknow，"shesaid。"Noneofthatseemstomatternowintheslightestdegree。"
　　Shelookedupandsmiledasthoughwehadexchangedsomeacceptablecommonplaces。"Poordear！"shesaid，dismissingeverything，andputoutherarms，anditseemedtomethatIcouldheartheLettishgirlinthebackground——doomedsafetyvalveofpurityinthisintolerableworld——tellingsomethinginindistinguishableGerman——Iknownotwhatnorwhy……
　　ItookMargaretinmyarmsandkissedher。Hereyeswerewetwithtears。Sheclungtomeandwasnear，Ifelt，tosobbing。
　　"Ihavelovedyou，"shewhisperedpresently，"Oh！eversincewemetinMisterton——sixyearsandmoreago。"
　　CHAPTERTHETHIRD
　　MARGARETINVENICE
　　1
　　TherecomesintomymindaconfusedmemoryofconversationswithMargaret；wemusthavehaddozensaltogether，andtheymixinnowforthemostpartinextricablynotonlywithoneanother，butwithlatertalksandwiththingswediscussedatPangbourne。Wehadtheimmensestanticipationsoftheyearsandopportunitiesthatlaybeforeus。Iwasnowverydeeplyinlovewithherindeed。IfeltnotthatIhadcleanedupmylifebutthatshehad。Wecalledeachother"confederate"Iremember，andmadeduringourbriefengagementaseriesofvisitstothevariouslegislativebodiesinLondon，theCountyCouncil，theHouseofCommons，wherewedinedwithVilliers，andtheSt。PancrasVestry，whereweheardShawspeaking。Iwasfullofplansandsowassheofthewayinwhichweweretoliveandwork。WeweretopaybackinpublicservicewhateverexcessofwealthbeyondhismeritsoldSeddon'seconomicadvantagehadwonforhimfromthetoilingpeopleinthepotteries。TheendoftheBoerWarwassorecentthatthatblessedword"efficiency"echoedstillinpeople'smindsandthoughts。LordRoseberryinamemorableorationhadputitintotheheadsofthebigouterpublic，buttheBaileyswithacertainshowofjusticeclaimedtohavesetitgoinginthechannelsthattookittohim——ifasamatteroffactitwastakentohim。Butthenitwastheirhabittomakeclaimsofthatsort。Theycertainlydidtheirsharetokeep"efficient"going。
　　Altiora'shighestpraisewas"thoroughlyefficient。"Weweretobea"thoroughlyefficient"politicalcoupleofthe"newtype。"SheexplainedustoherselfandOscar，sheexplainedustoourselves，sheexplainedustothepeoplewhocametoherdinnersandafternoonsuntiltheworldwashighlychargedwithexplanationandexpectation，andtheproposalthatIshouldbetheLiberalcandidatefortheKinghamsteadDivisionseemedthemostnaturaldevelopmentintheworld。
　　Iwasfulloftheidealofhardrestrainedlivingandrelentlessactivity，andthroughoutabeautifulNovemberatVenice，wherechieflywespentourhoneymoon，weturnedoverandoveragainanddiscussedineveryaspectourconceptionofalifetremendouslyfocussedupontheidealofsocialservice。
　　MostclearlytherestandsoutapictureofourselvestalkinginagondolaonourwaytoTorcella。FarawaybehindusthesmokeofMuranoformsablackstainuponanimmenseshiningprospectofsmoothwater，waterasunruffledandluminousastheskyabove，amirroronwhichrowsofpostsanddistantblackhigh-stemmed，swan-
　　neckedboatswiththeirminutelyclearswinginggondoliers，floataerially。Remoteandlowbeforeusrisesthelittletowerofourdestination。Ourmenswingtogetherandtheiroarsswirlleisurelythroughthewater，humpbackintherowlocks，splashsharplyandgoswishingbackagain。Margaretliesbackoncushions，withherfaceshadedbyahollandparasol，andIsitupbesideher。
　　"Yousee，"Isay，andinspiteofMargaret'snoteofperfectacquiescenceIfeelmyselfreasoningagainstanindefinableantagonism，"itissoeasytofallintoaslackwaywithlife。
　　Theremayseemtobesomethingpriggishinameticulousdiscipline，butotherwiseitissoeasytoslipintoindolenthabits——andtobedistractedfromone'spurpose。Thecountry，theworld，wantsmentoserveitsconstructiveneeds，toworkoutandcarryoutplans。Foramanwhohastomakealivingtheenemyisimmediatenecessity；forpeoplelikeourselvesit's——it'stheconstantsmallopportunityofagreeablethings。"
　　"Fritteringaway，"shesays，"timeandstrength。"
　　"ThatiswhatIfeel。It'ssopleasanttopretendoneissimplymodest，itlookssofoolishattimestotakeone'sselftooseriously。We'veGOTtotakeourselvesseriously。"
　　Sheendorsesmywordswithhereyes。
　　"IfeelIcandogreatthingswithlife。"
　　"IKNOWyoucan。"
　　"Butthat'sonlytobedonebyconcentratingone'slifeupononemainend。Wehavetoplanourdays，tomakeeverythingsubserveourscheme。"
　　"Ifeel，"sheanswerssoftly，"weoughttogive——everyhour。"
　　Herfacebecomesdreamy。"IWANTtogiveeveryhour，"sheadds。
　　2
　　ThatholidayinVeniceissetinmymemorylikealittleartificiallakeinunevenconfusedcountry，assomethingverybrightandskylike，anddiscontinuouswithallaboutit。Thefadedqualityoftheverysunshineofthatseason，themellowdiscolouredpalacesandplaces，thehuge，time-ripenedpaintingsofdepartedsplendours，thewhispering，nearlynoiselesspassageofhearse-blackgondolas，forthehorriblesteamlaunchhadnotyetruinedVenice，thestilledmagnificencesofthedepopulatedlagoons，theuniversalautumn，mademefeelaltogetherinrecessfromtheteeminguproarsofreality。
　　Therewasnotadozenpeoplealltold，noAmericansandscarcelyanyEnglish，todineinthebigcavernofadining-room，withitsvistasofseparatetables，itsdistemperedwallsanditsswathedchandeliers。Wewentaboutseeingbeautifulthings，acceptingbeautyoneveryhand，andtakingitforgrantedthatallwaswellwithourselvesandtheworld。ItwastendaysorafortnightbeforeIbecamefretfulandanxiousforaction；alongtranquillityforsuchatemperamentasmine。
　　Ourpleasureswerecuriouslyimpersonal，asuccessionofsharedaestheticappreciationthreadsallthattime。Ourhoneymoonwasnoexultantcomingtogether，nomutualshoutof"YOU！"Wewerealmostshywithoneanother，andfeltthereliefofevenapicturetohelpusout。ItwasentirelyinmyconceptionofthingsthatIshouldbeverywatchfulnottoshockordistressMargaretorpressthesensuousnote。Ourlove-makinghadmuchofthetepidsmoothnessofthelagoons。Wetalkedindelicateinnuendoofwhatshouldbegloriousfreedoms。MargarethadmissedVeronaandVeniceinherpreviousItalianjourney——fearofthemosquitohaddrivenhermotheracrossItalytothewestwardroute——andnowshecouldfilluphergapsandseetheTitiansandPaulVeronesesshealreadyknewincolourlessphotographs，theCarpaccios，theSt。Georgeseriesdelightedherbeyondmeasure，theBasaitisandthatgreatstatueofBartolomeoColleonithatRuskinpraised。
　　ButsinceIamnotamantolookatpicturesandarchitecturaleffectsdayafterday，IdidwatchMargaretverycloselyandstoreathousandmemoriesofher。Icanseehernow，herlongbodydroopingalittleforward，hersweetfaceupraisedtosomediscoveredfamiliarmasterpieceandshiningwithadelicateenthusiasm。Icanhearagainthesoftcadencesofhervoicemurmuringcommonplacecomments，forshehadnogiftofexpressingtheshapelesssatisfactionthesethingsgaveher。
　　Margaret，Iperceived，wasacultivatedperson，thefirstcultivatedpersonwithwhomIhadevercomeintoclosecontact。Shewascultivatedandmoral，andI，Inowrealise，wasnevereitherofthesethings。Shewaspassive，andIamactive。Shedidnotsimplyandnaturallylookforbeautybutshehadbeenincitedtolookforitatschool，andtookperhapsakeenerinterestinbooksandlecturesandalltheorganisationofbeautifulthingsthanshedidinbeautyitself；shefoundmuchofherdelightinbeingguidedtoit。Nowathingceasestobebeautifultomewhensomefingerpointsmeoutitsmerits。Beautyisthesaltoflife，butItakemybeautyasawildbeastgetsitssalt，asaconstituentofthemeal……
　　Andbesides，therewasthatbetweenusthatshouldhaveseemedmorebeautifulthananypicture……
　　SowewentaboutVenicetrackingdownpicturesandspiralstaircasesandsuch-likethings，andmybrainswerebusyallthetimewithsuchthingsasacomparisonofVeniceanditsnearestmodernequivalent，NewYork，withtheelaborationofschemesofactionwhenwereturnedtoLondon，withthedevelopmentofatheoryofMargaret。
　　Ourmarriagehaddonethismuchatleast，thatithadfusedanddestroyedthosetwoindependentwaysofthinkingaboutherthathadgoneoninmymindhitherto。Suddenlyshehadbecomeveryneartome，andaverybigthing，asortofcomprehensivegeneralisationbehindathousandquestions，liketheskyorEngland。Thejudgmentsandunderstandingsthathadworkedwhenshewas，sotospeak，milesawayfrommylife，hadnowtobealtogetherrevised。Triflingthingsbegantomatterenormously，thatshehadaweakandeasilyfatiguedback，forexample，orthatwhensheknittedherbrowsandstammeredalittleintalking，itdidn'treallymeanthatanexquisitesignificancestruggledforutterance。
　　Wevisitedpicturesinthemorningschiefly。Intheafternoon，unlessweweremakingaday-longexcursioninagondola，MargaretwouldrestforanhourwhileIprowledaboutinsearchofEnglishnewspapers，andthenwewouldgototeainthePiazzaSanMarcoandwatchthedriftofpeoplefeedingthepigeonsandgoingintothelittledoorsbeneaththesunlitarchesanddomesofSaintMark's。
　　ThenperhapswewouldstrollonthePiazzetta，orgooutintothesunsetinagondola。Margaretbecameveryinterestedintheshopsthataboundunderthecolonnadesanddecidedatlasttomakeanextensivepurchaseoftableglass。"Thesethings，"shesaid，arequitebeautiful，andfarcheaperthananythingbutthemostordinarylookingEnglishware。"Iwasinterestedinheridea，andagooddealcharmedbythedelightfulqualitiesoftintedshape，slenderhandleandtwistedstem。Isuggestedweshouldgetnotsimplytumblersandwineglassesbutbedroomwaterbottles，fruit-andsweet-
　　dishes，water-jugs，andintheendwemadequiteabusiness-likeafternoonofit。
　　Iwasbeginningnowtolongquitedefinitelyforevents。Energywasaccumulatinginme，andworryingmeforanoutlet。IfoundtheTIMESandtheDAILYTELEGRAPHandtheotherpapersImanagedtogetholdof，moreandmorestimulating。InearlywrotetotheformerpaperonedayinanswertoaletterbyLordGrimthorpe——Iforgetnowuponwhatpoint。Ichafedsecretlyagainstthislifeoftranquilappreciationsmoreandmore。IfoundmyattitudesofrestrainedanddelicateaffectionforMargaretincreasinglydifficulttosustain。
　　Isurprisedmyselfandherbylittlegustsofirritability，gustslikethecatspawsbeforeagale。Iwasalarmedatthesesymptoms。
　　OnenightwhenMargarethadgoneuptoherroom，Iputonalightovercoat，wentoutintothenightandprowledforalongtimethroughthenarrowstreets，smokingandthinking。Ireturnedandwentandsatontheedgeofherbedtotalktoher。
　　"Lookhere，Margaret，"Isaid；"thisisallverywell，butI'mrestless。"
　　"Restless！"shesaidwithafaintsurpriseinhervoice。
　　"Yes。IthinkIwantexercise。I'vegotasortoffeeling——I'veneverhaditbefore——asthoughIwasgettingfat。"
　　"Mydear！"shecried。
　　"Iwanttodothings；——ridehorses，climbmountains，takethedeviloutofmyself。"
　　Shewatchedmethoughtfully。
　　"Couldn'tweDOsomething？"shesaid。
　　Dowhat？
　　"Idon'tknow。Couldn'tweperhapsgoawayfromheresoon——andwalkinthemountains——onourwayhome。"
　　Ithought。"Thereseemstobenoexerciseatallinthisplace。"
　　"Isn'ttheresomewalk？"
　　"Iwonder，"Ianswered。"WemightwalktoChioggiaperhaps，alongtheLido。"Andwetriedthat，butthelongstretchofbeachfatiguedMargaret'sback，andgaveherblisters，andwenevergotbeyondMalamocco……
　　Adayorsoafterwewentouttothosepleasantblack-robed，beardedArmeniansintheirmonasteryatSaintLazzaro，andreturnedtowardssundown。Wefellintosilence。"PIULENTO，"saidMargarettothegondolier，andreleasedmyaccumulatedresolution。
　　"LetusgobacktoLondon，"Isaidabruptly。
　　Margaretlookedatmewithsurprisedblueeyes。
　　"Thisisbeautifulbeyondmeasure，youknow，"Isaid，stickingtomypoint，"butIhaveworktodo。"
　　Shewassilentforsomeseconds。"Ihadforgotten，"shesaid。
　　"SohadI，"Isympathised，andtookherhand。"SuddenlyIhaveremembered。"
　　Sheremainedquitestill。"Thereissomuchtobedone，"Isaid，almostapologetically。
　　Shelookedlongawayfrommeacrossthelagoonandatlastsighed，likeonewhohasdrunkdeeply，andturnedtome。
　　"Isupposeoneoughtnottobesohappy，"shesaid。"Everythinghasbeensobeautifulandsosimpleandsplendid。Andclean。IthasbeenjustWithYou——thetimeofmylife。It'sapitysuchthingsmustend。Buttheworldiscallingyou，dear……Ioughtnottohaveforgottenit。Ithoughtyouwereresting——andthinking。Butifyouarerested——Wouldyoulikeustostartto-morrow？"
　　ShelookedatoncesofragileandsodevotedthatonthespurofthemomentIrelented，andwestayedinVenicefourmoredays。
　　CHAPTERTHEFOURTH
　　THEHOUSEINWESTMINSTER
　　1
　　MargarethadalreadytakenalittlehouseinRadnorSquare，Westminster，beforeourmarriage，ahousethatseemedparticularlyadaptabletoourneedsaspublic-spiritedefficients；ithadbeenverypleasantlypaintedandpaperedunderMargaret'sinstructions，whitepaintandcleanopenpurplesandgreenpredominating，andnowwesettoworkatonceupontheinterestingbusinessofarrangingand——withourVenetianglassasabeginning——furnishingit。Wehadbeenfairlyfortunatewithourweddingpresents，andforthemostpartitwasopentoustochoosejustexactlywhatwewouldhaveandjustpreciselywherewewouldputit。
　　Margarethadasenseofformandcolouraltogethersuperiortomine，andsoquiteapartfromthefactthatitwashermoneyequippedus，Istoodasidefromallthesemattersandobeyedhersummonstoaconsultationonlytoendorseherjudgmentveryreadily。UntileverythingwassettledIwenteverydaytomyoldroomsinVincentSquareandworkedataseriesofpapersthatwereoriginallyintendedfortheFORTNIGHTLYREVIEW，thepapersthatafterwardsbecamemyfourthbook，"NewAspectsofLiberalism。"
　　Istillrememberasdelightfulmostofthecircumstancesofgettinginto79，RadnorSquare。ThethinflavourofindecisionaboutMargaretdisappearedaltogetherinashop；shehadtheprecisestideasofwhatshewanted，andthedevicesofthesalesmandidnotswayher。Itwasverypleasanttofindhertakingthingsoutofmyhandswithacertainmasterfulness，andshowingthedistinctestdeterminationtomakeahouseinwhichIshouldbeabletoworkinthatgreatprojectof"doingsomethingfortheworld。"
　　"AndIdowanttomakethingsprettyaboutus，"shesaid。"Youdon'tthinkitwrongtohavethingspretty？"
　　"Iwantthemso。"
　　"Altiorahasthingshard。"
　　"Altiora，"Ianswered，"takesaprideinstandinguglyanduncomfortablethings。ButIdon'tseethattheyhelpher。Anyhowtheywon'thelpme。"
　　SoMargaretwenttothebestshopsandgoteverythingverysimpleandverygood。Sheboughtsomepicturesverywellindeed；therewasalittleSussexlandscape，fullofwindandsunshine，byNicholson，formystudy，thathitmytastefarbetterthanifIhadgoneouttogetsomesuchexpressionformyself。
　　"Wewillbuyapicturejustnowandthen，"shesaid，"sometimes——
　　whenweseeone。"
　　IwouldcomebackthroughtheJanuarymireorfogfromVincentSquaretothedoorof79，andreachitatlastwithaquitechildishappreciationofthefactthatitssolidGeorgianproportionsanditsfinebrassfurnishingsbelongedtoMYhome；IwouldusemylatchkeyanddiscoverMargaretinthewarm-lit，spacioushallwithapartiallyopenedpacking-case，fatiguedbuthappy，orgouptohaveteawithheroutoftherightteathings，"comeatlast，"orbetoldtonoticewhatwasfreshthere。Itwasn'tsimplythatIhadneverhadahousebefore，butIhadreallyneverbeen，exceptinthemosttransitoryway，inanyhousethatwasnearlysodelightfulasminepromisedtobe。Everythingwasfreshandbright，andsoftlyandharmoniouslytoned。Downstairswehadagreendining-roomwithgleamingsilver，darkoak，andEnglishcolour-prints；abovewasalargedrawing-roomthatcouldbemadestilllargerbythrowingopenfoldingdoors，anditwasallcarefullydoneingreysandblues，forthemostpartwithrealSheratonsupplementedbySheratonsoskilfullyimitatedbyanexpertMargarethaddiscoveredastobeindistinguishableexcepttoaminutescrutiny。Andforme，abovethisandnexttomybedroom，therewasaroomystudy，withspeciallythickstair-carpetoutsideandthickcarpetsinthebedroomoverheadandabigolddeskformetositatandworkbetweenfireandwindow，andanotherdeskspeciallymadeformebythatexpertifI
　　chosetostandandwrite，andopenbookshelvesandbookcasesandeverysortofconvenientfitting。Therewereelectricheatersbesidetheopenfire，andeverythingwasputformetomaketeaatanytime——electrickettle，infuser，biscuitsandfreshbutter，sothatIcouldgetupandworkatanyhourofthedayornight。I
　　coulddonoworkinthisapartmentforalongtime，Iwassointerestedintheperfectionofitsarrangements。AndwhenI
　　broughtinmybooksandpapersfromVincentSquare，Margaretseizeduponallthereallyshabbyvolumesandhadthemre-boundinafineofficial-lookingleather。
　　IcanremembersittingdownatthatdeskandlookingroundmeandfeelingwithaqueereffectofsurprisethatafterallevenaplaceintheCabinet，thoughinfinitelyremote，wasneverthelessinthesamelargeworldwiththesefineandquietlyexpensivethings。