CHAPTERX-STEPHENBLACKPOOL
IENTERTAINaweakideathattheEnglishpeopleareashard-workedasanypeopleuponwhomthesunshines。Iacknowledgetothisridiculousidiosyncrasy，asareasonwhyIwouldgivethemalittlemoreplay。
InthehardestworkingpartofCoketown；intheinnermostfortificationsofthatuglycitadel，whereNaturewasasstronglybrickedoutaskillingairsandgaseswerebrickedin；attheheartofthelabyrinthofnarrowcourtsuponcourts，andclosestreetsuponstreets，whichhadcomeintoexistencepiecemeal，everypieceinaviolenthurryforsomeoneman'spurpose，andthewholeanunnaturalfamily，shouldering，andtrampling，andpressingoneanothertodeath；inthelastclosenookofthisgreatexhaustedreceiver，wherethechimneys，forwantofairtomakeadraught，werebuiltinanimmensevarietyofstuntedandcrookedshapes，asthougheveryhouseputoutasignofthekindofpeoplewhomightbeexpectedtobeborninit；amongthemultitudeofCoketown，genericallycalled'theHands，'-aracewhowouldhavefoundmorefavourwithsomepeople，ifProvidencehadseenfittomakethemonlyhands，or，likethelowercreaturesoftheseashore，onlyhandsandstomachs-livedacertainStephenBlackpool，fortyyearsofage。
Stephenlookedolder，buthehadhadahardlife。Itissaidthateverylifehasitsrosesandthorns；thereseemed，however，tohavebeenamisadventureormistakeinStephen'scase，wherebysomebodyelsehadbecomepossessedofhisroses，andhehadbecomepossessedofthesamesomebodyelse'sthornsinadditiontohisown。Hehadknown，tousehiswords，apeckoftrouble。HewasusuallycalledOldStephen，inakindofroughhomagetothefact。
Aratherstoopingman，withaknittedbrow，aponderingexpressionofface，andahard-lookingheadsufficientlycapacious，onwhichhisiron-greyhairlaylongandthin，OldStephenmighthavepassedforaparticularlyintelligentmaninhiscondition。Yethewasnot。Hetooknoplaceamongthoseremarkable'Hands，'who，piecingtogethertheirbrokenintervalsofleisurethroughmanyyears，hadmastereddifficultsciences，andacquiredaknowledgeofmostunlikelythings。HeheldnostationamongtheHandswhocouldmakespeechesandcarryondebates。Thousandsofhiscompeerscouldtalkmuchbetterthanhe，atanytime。Hewasagoodpower-loomweaver，andamanofperfectintegrity。Whatmorehewas，orwhatelsehehadinhim，ifanything，lethimshowforhimself。
Thelightsinthegreatfactories，whichlooked，whentheywereilluminated，likeFairypalaces-orthetravellersbyexpress-
trainsaidso-wereallextinguished；andthebellshadrungforknockingoffforthenight，andhadceasedagain；andtheHands，menandwomen，boyandgirl，wereclatteringhome。OldStephenwasstandinginthestreet，withtheoldsensationuponhimwhichthestoppageofthemachineryalwaysproduced-thesensationofitshavingworkedandstoppedinhisownhead。
'YetIdon'tseeRachael，still！'saidhe。
Itwasawetnight，andmanygroupsofyoungwomenpassedhim，withtheirshawlsdrawnovertheirbareheadsandheldcloseundertheirchinstokeeptherainout。HeknewRachaelwell，foraglanceatanyoneofthesegroupswassufficienttoshowhimthatshewasnotthere。Atlast，therewerenomoretocome；andthenheturnedaway，sayinginatoneofdisappointment，'Why，then，ha'missedher！'
But，hehadnotgonethelengthofthreestreets，whenhesawanotheroftheshawledfiguresinadvanceofhim，atwhichhelookedsokeenlythatperhapsitsmereshadowindistinctlyreflectedonthewetpavement-ifhecouldhaveseenitwithoutthefigureitselfmovingalongfromlamptolamp，brighteningandfadingasitwent-wouldhavebeenenoughtotellhimwhowasthere。Makinghispaceatoncemuchquickerandmuchsofter，hedartedonuntilhewasverynearthisfigure，thenfellintohisformerwalk，andcalled'Rachael！'
Sheturned，beingtheninthebrightnessofalamp；andraisingherhoodalittle，showedaquietovalface，darkandratherdelicate，irradiatedbyapairofverygentleeyes，andfurthersetoffbytheperfectorderofhershiningblackhair。Itwasnotafaceinitsfirstbloom；shewasawomanfiveandthirtyyearsofage。
'Ah，lad！'Tisthou？'Whenshehadsaidthis，withasmilewhichwouldhavebeenquiteexpressed，thoughnothingofherhadbeenseenbutherpleasanteyes，shereplacedherhoodagain，andtheywentontogether。
'Ithoughtthouwastahindme，Rachael？'
'No。'
'Earlyt'night，lass？'
''TimesI'malittleearly，Stephen！'timesalittlelate。I'mnevertobecountedon，goinghome。'
'Norgoingt'otherway，neither，'tseemstome，Rachael？'
'No，Stephen。'
Helookedatherwithsomedisappointmentinhisface，butwitharespectfulandpatientconvictionthatshemustberightinwhatevershedid。Theexpressionwasnotlostuponher；shelaidherhandlightlyonhisarmamomentasiftothankhimforit。
'Wearesuchtruefriends，lad，andsucholdfriends，andgettingtobesucholdfolk，now。'
'No，Rachael，thou'rtasyoungaseverthouwast。'
'Oneofuswouldbepuzzledhowtogetold，Stephen，without'tothergettingsotoo，bothbeingalive，'sheanswered，laughing；
'but，anyways，we'resucholdfriends，andt'hideawordofhonesttruthfro'oneanotherwouldbeasinandapity。'Tisbetternottowalktoomuchtogether。'Times，yes！'Twouldbehard，indeed，if'twasnottobeatall，'shesaid，withacheerfulnessshesoughttocommunicatetohim。
''Tishard，anyways，Rachael。'
'Trytothinknot；and'twillseembetter。'
'I'vetriedalongtime，and'ta'ntgotbetter。Butthou'rtright；
'tmightmakfoktalk，evenofthee。Thouhastbeenthattome，Rachael，throughsomanyyear:thouhastdonemesomuchgood，andheartenedofmeinthatcheeringway，thatthywordisalawtome。
Ah，lass，andabrightgoodlaw！Betterthansomerealones。'
'Neverfretaboutthem，Stephen，'sheansweredquickly，andnotwithoutananxiousglanceathisface。'Letthelawsbe。'
'Yes，'hesaid，withaslownodortwo。'Let'embe。Leteverythingbe。Letallsortsalone。'Tisamuddle，andthat'saw。'
'Alwaysamuddle？'saidRachael，withanothergentletouchuponhisarm，asiftorecallhimoutofthethoughtfulness，inwhichhewasbitingthelongendsofhislooseneckerchiefashewalkedalong。
Thetouchhaditsinstantaneouseffect。Heletthemfall，turnedasmilingfaceuponher，andsaid，ashebrokeintoagood-humouredlaugh，'Ay，Rachael，lass，awlusamuddle。That'swhereIstick。
Icometothemuddlemanytimesandagen，andInevergetbeyondit。'
Theyhadwalkedsomedistance，andwereneartheirownhomes。Thewoman'swasthefirstreached。Itwasinoneofthemanysmallstreetsforwhichthefavouriteundertakerwhoturnedahandsomesumoutoftheonepoorghastlypompoftheneighbourhoodkeptablackladder，inorderthatthosewhohaddonetheirdailygropingupanddownthenarrowstairsmightslideoutofthisworkingworldbythewindows。Shestoppedatthecorner，andputtingherhandinhis，wishedhimgoodnight。
'Goodnight，dearlass；goodnight！'
Shewent，withherneatfigureandhersoberwomanlystep，downthedarkstreet，andhestoodlookingafterheruntilsheturnedintooneofthesmallhouses。Therewasnotaflutterofhercoarseshawl，perhaps，buthaditsinterestinthisman'seyes；notatoneofhervoicebuthaditsechoinhisinnermostheart。
Whenshewaslosttohisview，hepursuedhishomewardway，glancingupsometimesatthesky，wherethecloudsweresailingfastandwildly。But，theywerebrokennow，andtherainhadceased，andthemoonshone，-lookingdownthehighchimneysofCoketownonthedeepfurnacesbelow，andcastingTitanicshadowsofthesteam-enginesatrest，uponthewallswheretheywerelodged。
Themanseemedtohavebrightenedwiththenight，ashewenton。
Hishome，insuchanotherstreetasthefirst，savingthatitwasnarrower，wasoveralittleshop。Howitcametopassthatanypeoplefounditworththeirwhiletosellorbuythewretchedlittletoys，mixedupinitswindowwithcheapnewspapersandporktherewasalegtoberaffledforto-morrow-night，mattersnothere。Hetookhisendofcandlefromashelf，lighteditatanotherendofcandleonthecounter，withoutdisturbingthemistressoftheshopwhowasasleepinherlittleroom，andwentupstairsintohislodging。
Itwasaroom，notunacquaintedwiththeblackladderundervarioustenants；butasneat，atpresent，assucharoomcouldbe。Afewbooksandwritingswereonanoldbureauinacorner，thefurniturewasdecentandsufficient，and，thoughtheatmospherewastainted，theroomwasclean。
Goingtothehearthtosetthecandledownuponaroundthree-
leggedtablestandingthere，hestumbledagainstsomething。Asherecoiled，lookingdownatit，itraiseditselfupintotheformofawomaninasittingattitude。
'Heaven'smercy，woman！'hecried，fallingfartherofffromthefigure。'Hastthoucomebackagain！'
Suchawoman！Adisabled，drunkencreature，barelyabletopreservehersittingposturebysteadyingherselfwithonebegrimedhandonthefloor，whiletheotherwassopurposelessintryingtopushawayhertangledhairfromherface，thatitonlyblindedherthemorewiththedirtuponit。Acreaturesofoultolookat，inhertatters，stainsandsplashes，butsomuchfoulerthanthatinhermoralinfamy，thatitwasashamefulthingeventoseeher。
Afteranimpatientoathortwo，andsomestupidclawingofherselfwiththehandnotnecessarytohersupport，shegotherhairawayfromhereyessufficientlytoobtainasightofhim。Thenshesatswayingherbodytoandfro，andmakinggestureswithherunnervedarm，whichseemedintendedastheaccompanimenttoafitoflaughter，thoughherfacewasstolidanddrowsy。
'Eigh，lad？What，yo'rthere？'Somehoarsesoundsmeantforthis，camemockinglyoutofheratlast；andherheaddroppedforwardonherbreast。
'Backagen？'shescreeched，aftersomeminutes，asifhehadthatmomentsaidit。'Yes！Andbackagen。Backageneverandeversooften。Back？Yes，back。Whynot？'
Rousedbytheunmeaningviolencewithwhichshecrieditout，shescrambledup，andstoodsupportingherselfwithhershouldersagainstthewall；danglinginonehandbythestring，adunghill-
fragmentofabonnet，andtryingtolookscornfullyathim。
'I'llselltheeoffagain，andI'llselltheeoffagain，andI'llselltheeoffascoreoftimes！'shecried，withsomethingbetweenafuriousmenaceandaneffortatadefiantdance。'Comeawa'fromth'bed！'Hewassittingonthesideofit，withhisfacehiddeninhishands。'Comeawa！from't。'Tismine，andI'vearighttot'！'
Asshestaggeredtoit，heavoidedherwithashudder，andpassed-
hisfacestillhidden-totheoppositeendoftheroom。Shethrewherselfuponthebedheavily，andsoonwassnoringhard。Hesunkintoachair，andmovedbutonceallthatnight。Itwastothrowacoveringoverher；asifhishandswerenotenoughtohideher，eveninthedarkness。
CHAPTERXI-NOWAYOUT
THEFairypalacesburstintoillumination，beforepalemorningshowedthemonstrousserpentsofsmoketrailingthemselvesoverCoketown。Aclatteringofclogsuponthepavement；arapidringingofbells；andallthemelancholymadelephants，polishedandoiledupfortheday'smonotony，wereattheirheavyexerciseagain。
Stephenbentoverhisloom，quiet，watchful，andsteady。Aspecialcontrast，aseverymanwasintheforestofloomswhereStephenworked，tothecrashing，smashing，tearingpieceofmechanismatwhichhelaboured。Neverfear，goodpeopleofananxiousturnofmind，thatArtwillconsignNaturetooblivion。Setanywhere，sidebyside，theworkofGODandtheworkofman；andtheformer，eventhoughitbeatroopofHandsofverysmallaccount，willgainindignityfromthecomparison。
SomanyhundredHandsinthisMill；somanyhundredhorseSteamPower。Itisknown，totheforceofasinglepoundweight，whattheenginewilldo；but，notallthecalculatorsoftheNationalDebtcantellmethecapacityforgoodorevil，forloveorhatred，forpatriotismordiscontent，forthedecompositionofvirtueintovice，orthereverse，atanysinglemomentinthesoulofoneoftheseitsquietservants，withthecomposedfacesandtheregulatedactions。Thereisnomysteryinit；thereisanunfathomablemysteryinthemeanestofthem，forever-Supposingweweretoreverseourarithmeticformaterialobjects，andtogoverntheseawfulunknownquantitiesbyothermeans！
Thedaygrewstrong，andshoweditselfoutside，evenagainsttheflaminglightswithin。Thelightswereturnedout，andtheworkwenton。Therainfell，andtheSmoke-serpents，submissivetothecurseofallthattribe，trailedthemselvesupontheearth。Inthewaste-yardoutside，thesteamfromtheescapepipe，thelitterofbarrelsandoldiron，theshiningheapsofcoals，theasheseverywhere，wereshroudedinaveilofmistandrain。
Theworkwenton，untilthenoon-bellrang。Moreclatteringuponthepavements。Thelooms，andwheels，andHandsalloutofgearforanhour。
Stephencameoutofthehotmillintothedampwindandcoldwetstreets，haggardandworn。Heturnedfromhisownclassandhisownquarter，takingnothingbutalittlebreadashewalkedalong，towardsthehillonwhichhisprincipalemployerlived，inaredhousewithblackoutsideshutters，greeninsideblinds，ablackstreetdoor，uptwowhitesteps，BOUNDERBYinlettersverylikehimselfuponabrazenplate，andaroundbrazendoor-handleunderneathit，likeabrazenfull-stop。
Mr。Bounderbywasathislunch。SoStephenhadexpected。WouldhisservantsaythatoneoftheHandsbeggedleavetospeaktohim？
Messageinreturn，requiringnameofsuchHand。StephenBlackpool。
TherewasnothingtroublesomeagainstStephenBlackpool；yes，hemightcomein。
StephenBlackpoolintheparlour。Mr。Bounderbywhomhejustknewbysight，atlunchonchopandsherry。Mrs。Sparsitnettingatthefireside，inaside-saddleattitude，withonefootinacottonstirrup。Itwasapart，atonceofMrs。Sparsit'sdignityandservice，nottolunch。Shesupervisedthemealofficially，butimpliedthatinherownstatelypersonsheconsideredlunchaweakness。
'Now，Stephen，'saidMr。Bounderby，'what'sthematterwithyou？'
Stephenmadeabow。Notaservileone-theseHandswillneverdothat！Lordblessyou，sir，you'llnevercatchthematthat，iftheyhavebeenwithyoutwentyyears！-and，asacomplimentarytoiletforMrs。Sparsit，tuckedhisneckerchiefendsintohiswaistcoat。
'Now，youknow，'saidMr。Bounderby，takingsomesherry，'wehaveneverhadanydifficultywithyou，andyouhaveneverbeenoneoftheunreasonableones。Youdon'texpecttobesetupinacoachandsix，andtobefedonturtlesoupandvenison，withagoldspoon，asagoodmanyof'emdo！'Mr。Bounderbyalwaysrepresentedthistobethesole，immediate，anddirectobjectofanyHandwhowasnotentirelysatisfied；'andthereforeIknowalreadythatyouhavenotcomeheretomakeacomplaint。Now，youknow，Iamcertainofthat，beforehand。'
'No，sir，sureIha'notcoomfornowto'th'kind。'
Mr。Bounderbyseemedagreeablysurprised，notwithstandinghispreviousstrongconviction。'Verywell，'hereturned。'You'reasteadyHand，andIwasnotmistaken。Now，letmehearwhatit'sallabout。Asit'snotthat，letmehearwhatitis。Whathaveyougottosay？Outwithit，lad！'
StephenhappenedtoglancetowardsMrs。Sparsit。'Icango，Mr。
Bounderby，ifyouwishit，'saidthatself-sacrificinglady，makingafeintoftakingherfootoutofthestirrup。
Mr。Bounderbystayedher，byholdingamouthfulofchopinsuspensionbeforeswallowingit，andputtingouthislefthand。
Then，withdrawinghishandandswallowinghismouthfulofchop，hesaidtoStephen:
'Nowyouknow，thisgoodladyisabornlady，ahighlady。Youarenottosupposebecauseshekeepsmyhouseforme，thatshehasn'tbeenveryhighupthetree-ah，upatthetopofthetree！Now，ifyouhavegotanythingtosaythatcan'tbesaidbeforeabornlady，thisladywillleavetheroom。Ifwhatyouhavegottosaycanbesaidbeforeabornlady，thisladywillstaywheresheis。'
'Sir，IhopeIneverhadnowttosay，notfittenforabornladytoyear，sin'Iwerebornmysen'，'wasthereply，accompaniedwithaslightflush。
'Verywell，'saidMr。Bounderby，pushingawayhisplate，andleaningback。'Fireaway！'
'Iha'coom，'Stephenbegan，raisinghiseyesfromthefloor，afteramoment'sconsideration，'toaskyoyoradvice。Ineed'tovermuch。IweremarriedonEas'rMondaynineteenyearsin，longanddree。Shewereayounglass-prettyenow-wi'goodaccountsofherseln。Well！Shewentbad-soon。Notalongofme。GonnowsIwerenotaunkindhusbandtoher。'
'Ihaveheardallthisbefore，'saidMr。Bounderby。'Shetooktodrinking，leftoffworking，soldthefurniture，pawnedtheclothes，andplayedoldGooseberry。'
'Iwerepatientwi'her。'
'Themorefoolyou，Ithink，'saidMr。Bounderby，inconfidencetohiswine-glass。
'Iwereverypatientwi'her。Itriedtoweanherfra'towerandoweragen。Itriedthis，Itriedthat，Itriedt'other。Iha'
gonehome，many'sthetime，andfoundallvanishedasIhadintheworld，andherwithoutasenselefttoblessherselnlyingonbareground。Iha'dun'tnotonce，nottwice-twentytime！'
Everylineinhisfacedeepenedashesaidit，andputinitsaffectingevidenceofthesufferinghehadundergone。
'Frombadtoworse，fromworsetoworsen。Sheleftme。Shedisgracedherselneveryways，bitterandbad。Shecoomback，shecoomback，shecoomback。WhatcouldIdot'hinderher？Iha'
walkedthestreetsnightslong，ereeverI'dgohome。Iha'gonet'th'brigg，mindedtoflingmyselnower，andha'nomoreon't。I
ha'borethatmuch，thatIwereowdwhenIwereyoung。'
Mrs。Sparsit，easilyamblingalongwithhernetting-needles，raisedtheCoriolanianeyebrowsandshookherhead，asmuchastosay，'Thegreatknowtroubleaswellasthesmall。PleasetoturnyourhumbleeyeinMydirection。'
'Iha'paidhertokeepawa'fra'me。ThesefiveyearIha'paidher。Iha'gottendecentfewtrilsaboutmeagen。Iha'livedhardandsad，butnotashamedandfearfo'a'theminnitso'mylife。
Lastnight，Iwenthome。Thereshelayuponmyhar-stone！Theresheis！'
Inthestrengthofhismisfortune，andtheenergyofhisdistress，hefiredforthemomentlikeaproudman。Inanothermoment，hestoodashehadstoodallthetime-hisusualstoopuponhim；hisponderingfaceaddressedtoMr。Bounderby，withacuriousexpressiononit，halfshrewd，halfperplexed，asifhismindweresetuponunravellingsomethingverydifficult；hishatheldtightinhislefthand，whichrestedonhiship；hisrightarm，witharuggedproprietyandforceofaction，veryearnestlyemphasizingwhathesaid:notleastsowhenitalwayspaused，alittlebent，butnotwithdrawn，ashepaused。
'Iwasacquaintedwithallthis，youknow，'saidMr。Bounderby，'exceptthelastclause，longago。It'sabadjob；that'swhatitis。Youhadbetterhavebeensatisfiedasyouwere，andnothavegotmarried。However，it'stoolatetosaythat。'
'Wasitanunequalmarriage，sir，inpointofyears？'askedMrs。
Sparsit。
'Youhearwhatthisladyasks。Wasitanunequalmarriageinpointofyears，thisunluckyjobofyours？'saidMr。Bounderby。
'Note'enso。Iwereone-and-twentymyseln；sheweretwentynighbut。'
'Indeed，sir？'saidMrs。SparsittoherChief，withgreatplacidity。'Iinferred，fromitsbeingsomiserableamarriage，thatitwasprobablyanunequaloneinpointofyears。'
Mr。Bounderbylookedveryhardatthegoodladyinaside-longwaythathadanoddsheepishnessaboutit。Hefortifiedhimselfwithalittlemoresherry。
'Well？Whydon'tyougoon？'hethenasked，turningratherirritablyonStephenBlackpool。
'Iha'coomtoaskyo，sir，howIamtoberiddedo'thiswoman。'
Stepheninfusedayetdeepergravityintothemixedexpressionofhisattentiveface。Mrs。Sparsitutteredagentleejaculation，ashavingreceivedamoralshock。
'Whatdoyoumean？'saidBounderby，gettinguptoleanhisbackagainstthechimney-piece。'Whatareyoutalkingabout？Youtookherforbetterforworse。'
'Imun'beriddeno'her。Icannotbear'tnommore。Iha'livedunder'tsolong，forthatIha'had'nthepityandcomfortingwordso'th'bestlasslivingordead。Haply，butforher，I
shouldha'gonebatteringmad。'
'Hewishestobefree，tomarrythefemaleofwhomhespeaks，I
fear，sir，'observedMrs。Sparsitinanundertone，andmuchdejectedbytheimmoralityofthepeople。
'Ido。Theladysayswhat'sright。Ido。Iwereacomingto't。
Iha'readi'th'papersthatgreatfolkfairfaw'ema'！I
wishes'emnohurt！arenotbondedtogetherforbetterforworstsofast，butthattheycanbesetfreefro'theirmisfortnetmarriages，an'marryoweragen。Whentheydunnotagree，forthattheirtempersisill-sorted，theyhasroomso'onekindan'anotherintheirhouses，aboveabit，andtheycanliveasunders。Wefokha'onlyoneroom，andwecan't。Whenthatwon'tdo，theyha'gowdan'othercash，an'theycansay"Thisforyo'an'thatforme，"
an'theycangotheirseparateways。Wecan't。Spiteo'allthat，theycanbesetfreeforsmallerwrongsthanmine。So，Imunberiddeno'thiswoman，andIwantt'knowhow？'
'Nohow，'returnedMr。Bounderby。
'IfIdoheranyhurt，sir，there'salawtopunishme？'
'Ofcoursethereis。'
'IfIfleefromher，there'salawtopunishme？'
'Ofcoursethereis。'
'IfImarryt'ootherdearlass，there'salawtopunishme？'
'Ofcoursethereis。'
'IfIwastolivewi'heran'notmarryher-sayingsuchathingcouldbe，whichitnevercouldorwould，an'hersogood-there'salawtopunishme，ineveryinnocentchildbelongingtome？'
'Ofcoursethereis。'
'Now，a'God'sname，'saidStephenBlackpool，'showmethelawtohelpme！'
'Hem！There'sasanctityinthisrelationoflife，'saidMr。
Bounderby，'and-and-itmustbekeptup。'
'Nono，dunnotsaythat，sir。'Tan'tkep'upthatway。Notthatway。'Tiskep'downthatway。I'maweaver，Iwereinafact'rywhenachilt，butIha'gotteneentoseewi'andeerntoyearwi'。
Ireadinth'papersevery'Sizes，everySessions-andyoureadtoo-Iknowit！-withdismay-howth'supposedunpossibilityo'
evergettingunchainedfromoneanother，atanyprice，onanyterms，bringsblooduponthisland，andbringsmanycommonmarriedfoktobattle，murder，andsuddendeath。Letusha'this，rightunderstood。Mine'sagrievouscase，an'Iwant-ifyowillbesogood-t'knowthelawthathelpsme。'
'Now，Itellyouwhat！'saidMr。Bounderby，puttinghishandsinhispockets。'Thereissuchalaw。'
Stephen，subsidingintohisquietmanner，andneverwanderinginhisattention，gaveanod。
'Butit'snotforyouatall。Itcostsmoney。Itcostsamintofmoney。'
'Howmuchmightthatbe？'Stephencalmlyasked。
'Why，you'dhavetogotoDoctors'Commonswithasuit，andyou'dhavetogotoacourtofCommonLawwithasuit，andyou'dhavetogototheHouseofLordswithasuit，andyou'dhavetogetanActofParliamenttoenableyoutomarryagain，anditwouldcostyouifitwasacaseofveryplainsailing，Isupposefromathousandtofifteenhundredpound，'saidMr。Bounderby。'Perhapstwicethemoney。'
'There'snootherlaw？'
'Certainlynot。'
'Whythen，sir，'saidStephen，turningwhite，andmotioningwiththatrighthandofhis，asifhegaveeverythingtothefourwinds，''tisamuddle。'Tisjustamuddlea'toogether，an'thesoonerI
amdead，thebetter。'
Mrs。Sparsitagaindejectedbytheimpietyofthepeople。
'Pooh，pooh！Don'tyoutalknonsense，mygoodfellow，'saidMr。
Bounderby，'aboutthingsyoudon'tunderstand；anddon'tyoucalltheInstitutionsofyourcountryamuddle，oryou'llgetyourselfintoarealmuddleoneofthesefinemornings。Theinstitutionsofyourcountryarenotyourpiece-work，andtheonlythingyouhavegottodo，is，tomindyourpiece-work。Youdidn'ttakeyourwifeforfastandforloose；butforbetterforworse。Ifshehasturnedoutworse-why，allwehavegottosayis，shemighthaveturnedoutbetter。'
''Tisamuddle，'saidStephen，shakinghisheadashemovedtothedoor。''Tisa'amuddle！'
'Now，I'lltellyouwhat！'Mr。Bounderbyresumed，asavaledictoryaddress。'WithwhatIshallcallyourunhallowedopinions，youhavebeenquiteshockingthislady:who，asIhavealreadytoldyou，isabornlady，andwho，asIhavenotalreadytoldyou，hashadherownmarriagemisfortunestothetuneoftensofthousandsofpounds-tensofThousandsofPounds！'herepeateditwithgreatrelish。'Now，youhavealwaysbeenasteadyHandhitherto；
butmyopinionis，andsoItellyouplainly，thatyouareturningintothewrongroad。Youhavebeenlisteningtosomemischievousstrangerorother-they'realwaysabout-andthebestthingyoucandois，tocomeoutofthat。Nowyouknow；'herehiscountenanceexpressedmarvellousacuteness；'Icanseeasfarintoagrindstoneasanotherman；fartherthanagoodmany，perhaps，becauseIhadmynosewellkepttoitwhenIwasyoung。Iseetracesoftheturtlesoup，andvenison，andgoldspooninthis。
Yes，Ido！'criedMr。Bounderby，shakinghisheadwithobstinatecunning。'BytheLordHarry，Ido！'
Withaverydifferentshakeoftheheadanddeepsigh，Stephensaid，'Thankyou，sir，Iwishyougoodday。'SoheleftMr。
Bounderbyswellingathisownportraitonthewall，asifheweregoingtoexplodehimselfintoit；andMrs。Sparsitstillamblingonwithherfootinherstirrup，lookingquitecastdownbythepopularvices。
CHAPTERXII-THEOLDWOMAN
OLDSTEPHENdescendedthetwowhitesteps，shuttingtheblackdoorwiththebrazendoor-plate，bytheaidofthebrazenfull-stop，towhichhegaveapartingpolishwiththesleeveofhiscoat，observingthathishothandcloudedit。Hecrossedthestreetwithhiseyesbentupontheground，andthuswaswalkingsorrowfullyaway，whenhefeltatouchuponhisarm。
Itwasnotthetouchheneededmostatsuchamoment-thetouchthatcouldcalmthewildwatersofhissoul，astheupliftedhandofthesublimestloveandpatiencecouldabatetheragingofthesea-yetitwasawoman'shandtoo。Itwasanoldwoman，tallandshapelystill，thoughwitheredbytime，onwhomhiseyesfellwhenhestoppedandturned。Shewasverycleanlyandplainlydressed，hadcountrymuduponhershoes，andwasnewlycomefromajourney。
Theflutterofhermanner，intheunwontednoiseofthestreets；
thespareshawl，carriedunfoldedonherarm；theheavyumbrella，andlittlebasket；thelooselong-fingeredgloves，towhichherhandswereunused；allbespokeanoldwomanfromthecountry，inherplainholidayclothes，comeintoCoketownonanexpeditionofrareoccurrence。Remarkingthisataglance，withthequickobservationofhisclass，StephenBlackpoolbenthisattentiveface-hisface，which，likethefacesofmanyofhisorder，bydintoflongworkingwitheyesandhandsinthemidstofaprodigiousnoise，hadacquiredtheconcentratedlookwithwhichwearefamiliarinthecountenancesofthedeaf-thebettertohearwhatsheaskedhim。
'Pray，sir，'saidtheoldwoman，'didn'tIseeyoucomeoutofthatgentleman'shouse？'pointingbacktoMr。Bounderby's。'Ibelieveitwasyou，unlessIhavehadthebadlucktomistakethepersoninfollowing？'
'Yes，missus，'returnedStephen，'itwereme。'
'Haveyou-you'llexcuseanoldwoman'scuriosity-haveyouseenthegentleman？'
'Yes，missus。'
'Andhowdidhelook，sir？Washeportly，bold，outspoken，andhearty？'Asshestraightenedherownfigure，andheldupherheadinadaptingheractiontoherwords，theideacrossedStephenthathehadseenthisoldwomanbefore，andhadnotquitelikedher。
'Oyes，'hereturned，observinghermoreattentively，'hewereallthat。'
'Andhealthy，'saidtheoldwoman，'asthefreshwind？'
'Yes，'returnedStephen。'Hewereett'nanddrinking-aslargeandasloudasaHummobee。'
'Thankyou！'saidtheoldwoman，withinfinitecontent。'Thankyou！'
Hecertainlyneverhadseenthisoldwomanbefore。Yettherewasavagueremembranceinhismind，asifhehadmorethanoncedreamedofsomeoldwomanlikeher。
Shewalkedalongathisside，and，gentlyaccommodatinghimselftoherhumour，hesaidCoketownwasabusyplace，wasitnot？Towhichsheanswered'Eighsure！Dreadfulbusy！'Thenhesaid，shecamefromthecountry，hesaw？Towhichsheansweredintheaffirmative。
'ByParliamentary，thismorning。IcamefortymilebyParliamentarythismorning，andI'mgoingbackthesamefortymilethisafternoon。Iwalkedninemiletothestationthismorning，andifIfindnobodyontheroadtogivemealift，Ishallwalktheninemilebackto-night。That'sprettywell，sir，atmyage！'
saidthechattyoldwoman，hereyebrighteningwithexultation。
''Deed'tis。Don'tdo'ttoooften，missus。'
'No，no。Onceayear，'sheanswered，shakingherhead。'Ispendmysavingsso，onceeveryyear。Icomeregular，totrampaboutthestreets，andseethegentlemen。'
'Onlytosee'em？'returnedStephen。
'That'senoughforme，'shereplied，withgreatearnestnessandinterestofmanner。'Iasknomore！Ihavebeenstandingabout，onthissideoftheway，toseethatgentleman，'turningherheadbacktowardsMr。Bounderby'sagain，'comeout。But，he'slatethisyear，andIhavenotseenhim。Youcameoutinstead。Now，ifIamobligedtogobackwithoutaglimpseofhim-Ionlywantaglimpse-well！Ihaveseenyou，andyouhaveseenhim，andImustmakethatdo。'Sayingthis，shelookedatStephenasiftofixhisfeaturesinhermind，andhereyewasnotsobrightasithadbeen。
Withalargeallowancefordifferenceoftastes，andwithallsubmissiontothepatriciansofCoketown，thisseemedsoextraordinaryasourceofinteresttotakesomuchtroubleabout，thatitperplexedhim。Buttheywerepassingthechurchnow，andashiseyecaughttheclock，hequickenedhispace。
Hewasgoingtohiswork？theoldwomansaid，quickeninghers，too，quiteeasily。Yes，timewasnearlyout。Onhistellingherwhereheworked，theoldwomanbecameamoresingularoldwomanthanbefore。
'An'tyouhappy？'sheaskedhim。
'Why-there'sawmostnobbodybuthastheirtroubles，missus。'Heansweredevasively，becausetheoldwomanappearedtotakeitforgrantedthathewouldbeveryhappyindeed，andhehadnotthehearttodisappointher。Heknewthattherewastroubleenoughintheworld；andiftheoldwomanhadlivedsolong，andcouldcountuponhishavingsolittle，whysomuchthebetterforher，andnonetheworseforhim。
'Ay，ay！Youhaveyourtroublesathome，youmean？'shesaid。
'Times。Justnowandthen，'heanswered，slightly。
'But，workingundersuchagentleman，theydon'tfollowyoutotheFactory？'
No，no；theydidn'tfollowhimthere，saidStephen。Allcorrectthere。Everythingaccordantthere。Hedidnotgosofarastosay，forherpleasure，thattherewasasortofDivineRightthere；
but，Ihaveheardclaimsalmostasmagnificentoflateyears。
Theywerenowintheblackby-roadneartheplace，andtheHandswerecrowdingin。Thebellwasringing，andtheSerpentwasaSerpentofmanycoils，andtheElephantwasgettingready。Thestrangeoldwomanwasdelightedwiththeverybell。Itwasthebeautifullestbellshehadeverheard，shesaid，andsoundedgrand！
Sheaskedhim，whenhestoppedgood-naturedlytoshakehandswithherbeforegoingin，howlonghehadworkedthere？
'Adozenyear，'hetoldher。
'Imustkissthehand，'saidshe，'thathasworkedinthisfinefactoryforadozenyear！'Andsheliftedit，thoughhewouldhavepreventedher，andputittoherlips。Whatharmony，besidesherageandhersimplicity，surroundedher，hedidnotknow，buteveninthisfantasticactiontherewasasomethingneitheroutoftimenorplace:asomethingwhichitseemedasifnobodyelsecouldhavemadeasserious，ordonewithsuchanaturalandtouchingair。
Hehadbeenathisloomfullhalfanhour，thinkingaboutthisoldwoman，when，havingoccasiontomoveroundtheloomforitsadjustment，heglancedthroughawindowwhichwasinhiscorner，andsawherstilllookingupatthepileofbuilding，lostinadmiration。Heedlessofthesmokeandmudandwet，andofhertwolongjourneys，shewasgazingatit，asiftheheavythrumthatissuedfromitsmanystorieswereproudmusictoher。
Shewasgonebyandby，andthedaywentafterher，andthelightssprungupagain，andtheExpresswhirledinfullsightoftheFairyPalaceoverthearchesnear:littlefeltamidthejarringofthemachinery，andscarcelyheardaboveitscrashandrattle。Longbeforethenhisthoughtshadgonebacktothedrearyroomabovethelittleshop，andtotheshamefulfigureheavyonthebed，butheavieronhisheart。
Machineryslackened；throbbingfeeblylikeafaintingpulse；
stopped。Thebellagain；theglareoflightandheatdispelled；
thefactories，loomingheavyintheblackwetnight-theirtallchimneysrisingupintotheairlikecompetingTowersofBabel。
HehadspokentoRachaelonlylastnight，itwastrue，andhadwalkedwithheralittleway；buthehadhisnewmisfortuneonhim，inwhichnooneelsecouldgivehimamoment'srelief，and，forthesakeofit，andbecauseheknewhimselftowantthatsofteningofhisangerwhichnovoicebutherscouldeffect，hefelthemightsofardisregardwhatshehadsaidastowaitforheragain。Hewaited，butshehadeludedhim。Shewasgone。Onnoothernightintheyearcouldhesoillhavesparedherpatientface。
O！Bettertohavenohomeinwhichtolayhishead，thantohaveahomeanddreadtogotoit，throughsuchacause。Heateanddrank，forhewasexhausted-buthelittlekneworcaredwhat；andhewanderedaboutinthechillrain，thinkingandthinking，andbroodingandbrooding。
Nowordofanewmarriagehadeverpassedbetweenthem；butRachaelhadtakengreatpityonhimyearsago，andtoheralonehehadopenedhisclosedheartallthistime，onthesubjectofhismiseries；andheknewverywellthatifhewerefreetoaskher，shewouldtakehim。Hethoughtofthehomehemightatthatmomenthavebeenseekingwithpleasureandpride；ofthedifferentmanhemighthavebeenthatnight；ofthelightnesstheninhisnowheavy-
ladenbreast；ofthethenrestoredhonour，self-respect，andtranquillityalltorntopieces。Hethoughtofthewasteofthebestpartofhislife，ofthechangeitmadeinhischaracterfortheworseeveryday，ofthedreadfulnatureofhisexistence，boundhandandfoot，toadeadwoman，andtormentedbyademoninhershape。HethoughtofRachael，howyoungwhentheywerefirstbroughttogetherinthesecircumstances，howmaturenow，howsoontogrowold。Hethoughtofthenumberofgirlsandwomenshehadseenmarry，howmanyhomeswithchildreninthemshehadseengrowuparoundher，howshehadcontentedlypursuedherownlonequietpath-forhim-andhowhehadsometimesseenashadeofmelancholyonherblessedface，thatsmotehimwithremorseanddespair。Hesetthepictureofherup，besidetheinfamousimageoflastnight；andthought，Coulditbe，thatthewholeearthlycourseofonesogentle，good，andself-denying，wassubjugatetosuchawretchasthat！
Filledwiththesethoughts-sofilledthathehadanunwholesomesenseofgrowinglarger，ofbeingplacedinsomenewanddiseasedrelationtowardstheobjectsamongwhichhepassed，ofseeingtheirisroundeverymistylightturnred-hewenthomeforshelter。
CHAPTERXIII-RACHAEL
ACANDLEfaintlyburnedinthewindow，towhichtheblackladderhadoftenbeenraisedfortheslidingawayofallthatwasmostpreciousinthisworldtoastrivingwifeandabroodofhungrybabies；andStephenaddedtohisotherthoughtsthesternreflection，thatofallthecasualtiesofthisexistenceuponearth，notonewasdealtoutwithsounequalahandasDeath。TheinequalityofBirthwasnothingtoit。For，saythatthechildofaKingandthechildofaWeaverwerebornto-nightinthesamemoment，whatwasthatdisparity，tothedeathofanyhumancreaturewhowasserviceableto，orbelovedby，another，whilethisabandonedwomanlivedon！
Fromtheoutsideofhishomehegloomilypassedtotheinside，withsuspendedbreathandwithaslowfootstep。Hewentuptohisdoor，openedit，andsointotheroom。
Quietandpeacewerethere。Rachaelwasthere，sittingbythebed。
Sheturnedherhead，andthelightofherfaceshoneinuponthemidnightofhismind。Shesatbythebed，watchingandtendinghiswife。Thatistosay，hesawthatsomeonelaythere，andheknewtoowellitmustbeshe；butRachael'shandshadputacurtainup，sothatshewasscreenedfromhiseyes。Herdisgracefulgarmentswereremoved，andsomeofRachael'swereintheroom。Everythingwasinitsplaceandorderashehadalwayskeptit，thelittlefirewasnewlytrimmed，andthehearthwasfreshlyswept。ItappearedtohimthathesawallthisinRachael'sface，andlookedatnothingbesides。Whilelookingatit，itwasshutoutfromhisviewbythesoftenedtearsthatfilledhiseyes；butnotbeforehehadseenhowearnestlyshelookedathim，andhowherowneyeswerefilledtoo。
Sheturnedagaintowardsthebed，andsatisfyingherselfthatallwasquietthere，spokeinalow，calm，cheerfulvoice。
'Iamgladyouhavecomeatlast，Stephen。Youareverylate。'
'Iha'beenwalkingupan'down。'
'Ithoughtso。But'tistoobadanightforthat。Therainfallsveryheavy，andthewindhasrisen。'
Thewind？True。Itwasblowinghard。Harktothethunderinginthechimney，andthesurgingnoise！Tohavebeenoutinsuchawind，andnottohaveknownitwasblowing！
'Ihavebeenhereoncebefore，to-day，Stephen。Landladycameroundformeatdinner-time。Therewassomeoneherethatneededlookingto，shesaid。And'deedshewasright。Allwanderingandlost，Stephen。Woundedtoo，andbruised。'
Heslowlymovedtoachairandsatdown，droopinghisheadbeforeher。
'IcametodowhatlittleIcould，Stephen；first，forthatsheworkedwithmewhenweweregirlsboth，andforthatyoucourtedherandmarriedherwhenIwasherfriend-'
Helaidhisfurrowedforeheadonhishand，withalowgroan。
'Andnext，forthatIknowyourheart，andamrightsureandcertainthat'tisfartoomercifultoletherdie，orevensomuchassuffer，forwantofaid。Thouknowestwhosaid，"Lethimwhoiswithoutsinamongyoucastthefirststoneather！"Therehavebeenplentytodothat。Thouartnotthemantocastthelaststone，Stephen，whensheisbroughtsolow。'
'ORachael，Rachael！'
'Thouhastbeenacruelsufferer，Heavenrewardthee！'shesaid，incompassionateaccents。'Iamthypoorfriend，withallmyheartandmind。'
Thewoundsofwhichshehadspoken，seemedtobeabouttheneckoftheself-madeoutcast。Shedressedthemnow，stillwithoutshowingher。Shesteepedapieceoflineninabasin，intowhichshepouredsomeliquidfromabottle，andlaiditwithagentlehanduponthesore。Thethree-leggedtablehadbeendrawnclosetothebedside，andonitthereweretwobottles。Thiswasone。
Itwasnotsofaroff，butthatStephen，followingherhandswithhiseyes，couldreadwhatwasprintedonitinlargeletters。Heturnedofadeadlyhue，andasuddenhorrorseemedtofalluponhim。
'Iwillstayhere，Stephen，'saidRachael，quietlyresumingherseat，'tillthebellsgoThree。'Tistobedoneagainatthree，andthenshemaybelefttillmorning。'
'Butthyrestagento-morrow'swork，mydear。'
'Isleptsoundlastnight。Icanwakemanynights，whenIamputtoit。'Tisthouwhoartinneedofrest-sowhiteandtired。
Trytosleepinthechairthere，whileIwatch。Thouhadstnosleeplastnight，Icanwellbelieve。To-morrow'sworkisfarharderfortheethanforme。'
Heheardthethunderingandsurgingoutofdoors，anditseemedtohimasifhislateangrymoodweregoingabouttryingtogetathim。Shehadcastitout；shewouldkeepitout；hetrustedtohertodefendhimfromhimself。
'Shedon'tknowme，Stephen；shejustdrowsilymuttersandstares。
Ihavespokentohertimesandagain，butshedon'tnotice！'Tisaswellso。Whenshecomestoherrightmindoncemore，IshallhavedonewhatIcan，andsheneverthewiser。'
'Howlong，Rachael，is'tlookedfor，thatshe'llbeso？'
'Doctorsaidshewouldhaplycometohermindto-morrow。'
Hiseyesfellagainonthebottle，andatremblepassedoverhim，causinghimtoshiverineverylimb。Shethoughthewaschilledwiththewet。'No，'hesaid，'itwasnotthat。Hehadhadafright。'
'Afright？'
'Ay，ay！comingin。WhenIwerewalking。WhenIwerethinking。
WhenI-'Itseizedhimagain；andhestoodup，holdingbythemantel-shelf，ashepressedhisdankcoldhairdownwithahandthatshookasifitwerepalsied。
'Stephen！'
Shewascomingtohim，buthestretchedouthisarmtostopher。
'No！Don't，please；don't。Letmeseetheesettenbythebed。
Letmeseethee，a'sogood，andsoforgiving。LetmeseetheeasIseetheewhenIcoomin。Icanneverseetheebetterthanso。
Never，never，never！'
Hehadaviolentfitoftrembling，andthensunkintohischair。
Afteratimehecontrolledhimself，and，restingwithanelbowononeknee，andhisheaduponthathand，couldlooktowardsRachael。
Seenacrossthedimcandlewithhismoistenedeyes，shelookedasifshehadagloryshiningroundherhead。Hecouldhavebelievedshehad。Hedidbelieveit，asthenoisewithoutshookthewindow，rattledatthedoorbelow，andwentaboutthehouseclamouringandlamenting。
'Whenshegetsbetter，Stephen，'tistobehopedshe'llleavetheetothyselfagain，anddotheenomorehurt。Anywayswewillhopesonow。AndnowIshallkeepsilence，forIwanttheetosleep。'
Heclosedhiseyes，moretopleaseherthantoresthiswearyhead；
but，byslowdegreesashelistenedtothegreatnoiseofthewind，heceasedtohearit，oritchangedintotheworkingofhisloom，orevenintothevoicesofthedayhisownincludedsayingwhathadbeenreallysaid。Eventhisimperfectconsciousnessfadedawayatlast，andhedreamedalong，troubleddream。
Hethoughtthathe，andsomeoneonwhomhishearthadlongbeenset-butshewasnotRachael，andthatsurprisedhim，eveninthemidstofhisimaginaryhappiness-stoodinthechurchbeingmarried。Whiletheceremonywasperforming，andwhileherecognizedamongthewitnessessomewhomheknewtobeliving，andmanywhomheknewtobedead，darknesscameon，succeededbytheshiningofatremendouslight。Itbrokefromonelineinthetableofcommandmentsatthealtar，andilluminatedthebuildingwiththewords。Theyweresoundedthroughthechurch，too，asiftherewerevoicesinthefieryletters。Uponthis，thewholeappearancebeforehimandaroundhimchanged，andnothingwasleftasithadbeen，buthimselfandtheclergyman。Theystoodinthedaylightbeforeacrowdsovast，thatifallthepeopleintheworldcouldhavebeenbroughttogetherintoonespace，theycouldnothavelooked，hethought，morenumerous；andtheyallabhorredhim，andtherewasnotonepityingorfriendlyeyeamongthemillionsthatwerefastenedonhisface。Hestoodonaraisedstage，underhisownloom；and，lookingupattheshapetheloomtook，andhearingtheburialservicedistinctlyread，heknewthathewastheretosufferdeath。Inaninstantwhathestoodonfellbelowhim，andhewasgone-
Outofwhatmysteryhecamebacktohisusuallife，andtoplacesthatheknew，hewasunabletoconsider；buthewasbackinthoseplacesbysomemeans，andwiththiscondemnationuponhim，thathewasnever，inthisworldorthenext，throughalltheunimaginableagesofeternity，tolookonRachael'sfaceorhearhervoice。
Wanderingtoandfro，unceasingly，withouthope，andinsearchofheknewnotwhatheonlyknewthathewasdoomedtoseekit，hewasthesubjectofanameless，horribledread，amortalfearofoneparticularshapewhicheverythingtook。Whatsoeverhelookedat，grewintothatformsoonerorlater。Theobjectofhismiserableexistencewastopreventitsrecognitionbyanyoneamongthevariouspeopleheencountered。Hopelesslabour！Ifheledthemoutofroomswhereitwas，ifheshutupdrawersandclosetswhereitstood，ifhedrewthecuriousfromplaceswhereheknewittobesecreted，andgotthemoutintothestreets，theverychimneysofthemillsassumedthatshape，androundthemwastheprintedword。
Thewindwasblowingagain，therainwasbeatingonthehouse-tops，andthelargerspacesthroughwhichhehadstrayedcontractedtothefourwallsofhisroom。Savingthatthefirehaddiedout，itwasashiseyeshadcloseduponit。Rachaelseemedtohavefallenintoadoze，inthechairbythebed。Shesatwrappedinhershawl，perfectlystill。Thetablestoodinthesameplace，closebythebedside，andonit，initsrealproportionsandappearance，wastheshapesooftenrepeated。
Hethoughthesawthecurtainmove。Helookedagain，andhewassureitmoved。Hesawahandcomeforthandgropeaboutalittle。
Thenthecurtainmovedmoreperceptibly，andthewomaninthebedputitback，andsatup。
Withherwofuleyes，sohaggardandwild，soheavyandlarge，shelookedallroundtheroom，andpassedthecornerwherehesleptinhischair。Hereyesreturnedtothatcorner，andsheputherhandoverthemasashade，whileshelookedintoit。Againtheywentallroundtheroom，scarcelyheedingRachaelifatall，andreturnedtothatcorner。Hethought，assheoncemoreshadedthem-notsomuchlookingathim，aslookingforhimwithabrutishinstinctthathewasthere-thatnosingletracewasleftinthosedebauchedfeatures，orinthemindthatwentalongwiththem，ofthewomanhehadmarriedeighteenyearsbefore。Butthathehadseenhercometothisbyinches，henevercouldhavebelievedhertobethesame。
Allthistime，asifaspellwereonhim，hewasmotionlessandpowerless，excepttowatchher。
Stupidlydozing，orcommuningwithherincapableselfaboutnothing，shesatforalittlewhilewithherhandsatherears，andherheadrestingonthem。Presently，sheresumedherstaringroundtheroom。Andnow，forthefirsttime，hereyesstoppedatthetablewiththebottlesonit。
Straightwaysheturnedhereyesbacktohiscorner，withthedefianceoflastnight，andmovingverycautiouslyandsoftly，stretchedouthergreedyhand。Shedrewamugintothebed，andsatforawhileconsideringwhichofthetwobottlessheshouldchoose。Finally，shelaidherinsensategraspuponthebottlethathadswiftandcertaindeathinit，and，beforehiseyes，pulledoutthecorkwithherteeth。
Dreamorreality，hehadnovoice，norhadhepowertostir。Ifthisbereal，andherallottedtimebenotyetcome，wake，Rachael，wake！
Shethoughtofthat，too。ShelookedatRachael，andveryslowly，verycautiously，pouredoutthecontents。Thedraughtwasatherlips。Amomentandshewouldbepastallhelp，letthewholeworldwakeandcomeaboutherwithitsutmostpower。ButinthatmomentRachaelstartedupwithasuppressedcry。Thecreaturestruggled，struckher，seizedherbythehair；butRachaelhadthecup。
Stephenbrokeoutofhischair。'Rachael，amIwakin'ordreamin'
thisdreadfo'night？'
''Tisallwell，Stephen。Ihavebeenasleep，myself。'Tisnearthree。Hush！Ihearthebells。'
Thewindbroughtthesoundsofthechurchclocktothewindow。
Theylistened，anditstruckthree。Stephenlookedather，sawhowpaleshewas，notedthedisorderofherhair，andtheredmarksoffingersonherforehead，andfeltassuredthathissensesofsightandhearinghadbeenawake。Sheheldthecupinherhandevennow。
'Ithoughtitmustbenearthree，'shesaid，calmlypouringfromthecupintothebasin，andsteepingthelinenasbefore。'IamthankfulIstayed！'Tisdonenow，whenIhaveputthison。There！
Andnowshe'squietagain。ThefewdropsinthebasinI'llpouraway，for'tisbadstufftoleaveabout，thougheversolittleofit。'Asshespoke，shedrainedthebasinintotheashesofthefire，andbrokethebottleonthehearth。
Shehadnothingtodo，then，buttocoverherselfwithhershawlbeforegoingoutintothewindandrain。
'Thou'ltletmewalkwi'theeatthishour，Rachael？'
'No，Stephen。'Tisbutaminute，andI'mhome。'
'Thou'rtnotfearfo'；'hesaiditinalowvoice，astheywentoutatthedoor；'toleavemealonewi'her！'
Asshelookedathim，saying，'Stephen？'hewentdownonhiskneebeforeher，onthepoormeanstairs，andputanendofhershawltohislips。
'ThouartanAngel。Blessthee，blessthee！'
'Iam，asIhavetoldthee，Stephen，thypoorfriend。Angelsarenotlikeme。Betweenthem，andaworkingwomanfu'offaults，thereisadeepgulfset。Mylittlesisterisamongthem，butsheischanged。'
Sheraisedhereyesforamomentasshesaidthewords；andthentheyfellagain，inalltheirgentlenessandmildness，onhisface。
'Thouchangestmefrombadtogood。Thoumak'stmehumblywishfo'
tobemorelikethee，andfearfo'tolosetheewhenthislifeisower，anda'themuddleclearedawa'。Thou'rtanAngel；itmaybe，thouhastsavedmysoulalive！'
Shelookedathim，onhiskneeatherfeet，withhershawlstillinhishand，andthereproofonherlipsdiedawaywhenshesawtheworkingofhisface。
'Icoomhomedesp'rate。Icoomhomewi'outahope，andmadwi'
thinkingthatwhenIsaidawordo'complaintIwasreckonedaunreasonableHand。ItoldtheeIhadhadafright。ItwerethePoison-bottleontable。Ineverhurtalivin'creetur；buthappenin'sosuddenlyupon't，Ithowt，"HowcanIsaywhatImightha'donetomyseln，orher，orboth！"'
Sheputhertwohandsonhismouth，withafaceofterror，tostophimfromsayingmore。Hecaughttheminhisunoccupiedhand，andholdingthem，andstillclaspingtheborderofhershawl，saidhurriedly:
'ButIseethee，Rachael，settenbythebed。Iha'seenthee，awthisnight。InmytroubloussleepIha'knowntheestilltobethere。EvermoreIwillseetheethere。Inevermorewillseeherorthinko'her，butthoushaltbebesideher。Inevermorewillseeorthinko'anythingthatangersme，butthou，somuchbetterthanme，shaltbebyth'sideon't。AndsoIwilltryt'lookt'
th'time，andsoIwilltryt'trustt'th'time，whenthouandmeatlastshallwalktogetherfarawa'，beyondthedeepgulf，inth'
countrywherethylittlesisteris。'
Hekissedtheborderofhershawlagain，andlethergo。Shebadehimgoodnightinabrokenvoice，andwentoutintothestreet。
Thewindblewfromthequarterwherethedaywouldsoonappear，andstillblewstrongly。Ithadclearedtheskybeforeit，andtherainhadspentitselfortravelledelsewhere，andthestarswerebright。Hestoodbare-headedintheroad，watchingherquickdisappearance。Astheshiningstarsweretotheheavycandleinthewindow，sowasRachael，intheruggedfancyofthisman，tothecommonexperiencesofhislife。
CHAPTERXIV-THEGREATMANUFACTURER
TIMEwentoninCoketownlikeitsownmachinery:somuchmaterialwroughtup，somuchfuelconsumed，somanypowerswornout，somuchmoneymade。But，lessinexorablethaniron，steal，andbrass，itbroughtitsvaryingseasonsevenintothatwildernessofsmokeandbrick，andmadetheonlystandthateverwasmadeintheplaceagainstitsdirefuluniformity。
'Louisaisbecoming，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'almostayoungwoman。'
Time，withhisinnumerablehorse-power，workedaway，notmindingwhatanybodysaid，andpresentlyturnedoutyoungThomasafoottallerthanwhenhisfatherhadlasttakenparticularnoticeofhim。
'Thomasisbecoming，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'almostayoungman。'
TimepassedThomasoninthemill，whilehisfatherwasthinkingaboutit，andtherehestoodinalong-tailedcoatandastiffshirt-collar。
'Really，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'theperiodhasarrivedwhenThomasoughttogotoBounderby。'
Time，stickingtohim，passedhimonintoBounderby'sBank，madehimaninmateofBounderby'shouse，necessitatedthepurchaseofhisfirstrazor，andexercisedhimdiligentlyinhiscalculationsrelativetonumberone。
Thesamegreatmanufacturer，alwayswithanimmensevarietyofworkonhand，ineverystageofdevelopment，passedSissyonwardinhismill，andworkedherupintoaveryprettyarticleindeed。
'Ifear，Jupe，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'thatyourcontinuanceattheschoolanylongerwouldbeuseless。'
'Iamafraiditwould，sir，'Sissyansweredwithacurtsey。
'Icannotdisguisefromyou，Jupe，'saidMr。Gradgrind，knittinghisbrow，'thattheresultofyourprobationtherehasdisappointedme；hasgreatlydisappointedme。Youhavenotacquired，underMr。
andMrs。M'Choakumchild，anythinglikethatamountofexactknowledgewhichIlookedfor。Youareextremelydeficientinyourfacts。Youracquaintancewithfiguresisverylimited。Youarealtogetherbackward，andbelowthemark。'
'Iamsorry，sir，'shereturned；'butIknowitisquitetrue。YetIhavetriedhard，sir。'
'Yes，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'yes，Ibelieveyouhavetriedhard；I
haveobservedyou，andIcanfindnofaultinthatrespect。'
'Thankyou，sir。Ihavethoughtsometimes；'Sissyverytimidhere；
'thatperhapsItriedtolearntoomuch，andthatifIhadaskedtobeallowedtotryalittleless，Imighthave-'
'No，Jupe，no，'saidMr。Gradgrind，shakinghisheadinhisprofoundestandmosteminentlypracticalway。'No。Thecourseyoupursued，youpursuedaccordingtothesystem-thesystem-andthereisnomoretobesaidaboutit。Icanonlysupposethatthecircumstancesofyourearlylifeweretoounfavourabletothedevelopmentofyourreasoningpowers，andthatwebegantoolate。
Still，asIhavesaidalready，Iamdisappointed。'
'IwishIcouldhavemadeabetteracknowledgment，sir，ofyourkindnesstoapoorforlorngirlwhohadnoclaimuponyou，andofyourprotectionofher。'
'Don'tshedtears，'saidMr。Gradgrind。'Don'tshedtears。I
don'tcomplainofyou。Youareanaffectionate，earnest，goodyoungwoman-and-andwemustmakethatdo。'
'Thankyou，sir，verymuch，'saidSissy，withagratefulcurtsey。
'YouareusefultoMrs。Gradgrind，andinagenerallypervadingwayyouareserviceableinthefamilyalso；soIunderstandfromMissLouisa，and，indeed，soIhaveobservedmyself。Ithereforehope，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'thatyoucanmakeyourselfhappyinthoserelations。'
'Ishouldhavenothingtowish，sir，if-'
'Iunderstandyou，'saidMr。Gradgrind；'youstillrefertoyourfather。IhaveheardfromMissLouisathatyoustillpreservethatbottle。Well！Ifyourtraininginthescienceofarrivingatexactresultshadbeenmoresuccessful，youwouldhavebeenwiseronthesepoints。Iwillsaynomore。'
HereallylikedSissytoowelltohaveacontemptforher；
otherwiseheheldhercalculatingpowersinsuchveryslightestimationthathemusthavefallenuponthatconclusion。Somehoworother，hehadbecomepossessedbyanideathattherewassomethinginthisgirlwhichcouldhardlybesetforthinatabularform。Hercapacityofdefinitionmightbeeasilystatedataverylowfigure，hermathematicalknowledgeatnothing；yethewasnotsurethatifhehadbeenrequired，forexample，totickheroffintocolumnsinaparliamentaryreturn，hewouldhavequiteknownhowtodivideher。
Insomestagesofhismanufactureofthehumanfabric，theprocessesofTimeareveryrapid。YoungThomasandSissybeingbothatsuchastageoftheirworkingup，thesechangeswereeffectedinayearortwo；whileMr。Gradgrindhimselfseemedstationaryinhiscourse，andunderwentnoalteration。
Exceptone，whichwasapartfromhisnecessaryprogressthroughthemill。Timehustledhimintoalittlenoisyandratherdirtymachinery，inaby-comer，andmadehimMemberofParliamentforCoketown:oneoftherespectedmembersforounceweightsandmeasures，oneoftherepresentativesofthemultiplicationtable，oneofthedeafhonourablegentlemen，dumbhonourablegentlemen，blindhonourablegentlemen，lamehonourablegentlemen，deadhonourablegentlemen，toeveryotherconsideration。ElsewhereforeliveweinaChristianland，eighteenhundredandoddyearsafterourMaster？
Allthiswhile，Louisahadbeenpassingon，soquietandreserved，andsomuchgiventowatchingthebrightashesattwilightastheyfellintothegrate，andbecameextinct，thatfromtheperiodwhenherfatherhadsaidshewasalmostayoungwoman-whichseemedbutyesterday-shehadscarcelyattractedhisnoticeagain，whenhefoundherquiteayoungwoman。
'Quiteayoungwoman，'saidMr。Gradgrind，musing。'Dearme！'
Soonafterthisdiscovery，hebecamemorethoughtfulthanusualforseveraldays，andseemedmuchengrossedbyonesubject。Onacertainnight，whenhewasgoingout，andLouisacametobidhimgood-byebeforehisdeparture-ashewasnottobehomeuntillateandshewouldnotseehimagainuntilthemorning-heheldherinhisarms，lookingatherinhiskindestmanner，andsaid:
'MydearLouisa，youareawoman！'
Sheansweredwiththeold，quick，searchinglookofthenightwhenshewasfoundattheCircus；thencastdownhereyes。'Yes，father。'
'Mydear，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'Imustspeakwithyoualoneandseriously。Cometomeinmyroomafterbreakfastto-morrow，willyou？'
'Yes，father。'
'Yourhandsarerathercold，Louisa。Areyounotwell？'
'Quitewell，father。'
'Andcheerful？'