CHAPTERXII-DOWN
THEnationaldustmen，afterentertainingoneanotherwithagreatmanynoisylittlefightsamongthemselves，haddispersedforthepresent，andMr。Gradgrindwasathomeforthevacation。
Hesatwritingintheroomwiththedeadlystatisticalclock，provingsomethingnodoubt-probably，inthemain，thattheGoodSamaritanwasaBadEconomist。Thenoiseoftheraindidnotdisturbhimmuch；butitattractedhisattentionsufficientlytomakehimraisehisheadsometimes，asifhewereratherremonstratingwiththeelements。Whenitthunderedveryloudly，heglancedtowardsCoketown，havingitinhismindthatsomeofthetallchimneysmightbestruckbylightning。
Thethunderwasrollingintodistance，andtherainwaspouringdownlikeadeluge，whenthedoorofhisroomopened。Helookedroundthelampuponhistable，andsaw，withamazement，hiseldestdaughter。
'Louisa！'
'Father，Iwanttospeaktoyou。'
'Whatisthematter？Howstrangeyoulook！AndgoodHeaven，'saidMr。Gradgrind，wonderingmoreandmore，'haveyoucomehereexposedtothisstorm？'
Sheputherhandstoherdress，asifshehardlyknew。'Yes。'
Thensheuncoveredherhead，andlettinghercloakandhoodfallwheretheymight，stoodlookingathim:socolourless，sodishevelled，sodefiantanddespairing，thathewasafraidofher。
'Whatisit？Iconjureyou，Louisa，tellmewhatisthematter。'
Shedroppedintoachairbeforehim，andputhercoldhandonhisarm。
'Father，youhavetrainedmefrommycradle？'
'Yes，Louisa。'
'IcursethehourinwhichIwasborntosuchadestiny。'
Helookedatherindoubtanddread，vacantlyrepeating:'Cursethehour？Cursethehour？'
'Howcouldyougivemelife，andtakefrommealltheinappreciablethingsthatraiseitfromthestateofconsciousdeath？Wherearethegracesofmysoul？Wherearethesentimentsofmyheart？Whathaveyoudone，Ofather，whathaveyoudone，withthegardenthatshouldhavebloomedonce，inthisgreatwildernesshere！'
Shestruckherselfwithbothherhandsuponherbosom。
'Ifithadeverbeenhere，itsashesalonewouldsavemefromthevoidinwhichmywholelifesinks。Ididnotmeantosaythis；
but，father，yourememberthelasttimeweconversedinthisroom？'
Hehadbeensowhollyunpreparedforwhatheheardnow，thatitwaswithdifficultyheanswered，'Yes，Louisa。'
'Whathasrisentomylipsnow，wouldhaverisentomylipsthen，ifyouhadgivenmeamoment'shelp。Idon'treproachyou，father。
Whatyouhavenevernurturedinme，youhavenevernurturedinyourself；butO！ifyouhadonlydonesolongago，orifyouhadonlyneglectedme，whatamuchbetterandmuchhappiercreatureI
shouldhavebeenthisday！'
Onhearingthis，afterallhiscare，hebowedhisheaduponhishandandgroanedaloud。
'Father，ifyouhadknown，whenwewerelasttogetherhere，whatevenIfearedwhileIstroveagainstit-asithasbeenmytaskfrominfancytostriveagainsteverynaturalpromptingthathasariseninmyheart；ifyouhadknownthattherelingeredinmybreast，sensibilities，affections，weaknessescapableofbeingcherishedintostrength，defyingallthecalculationsevermadebyman，andnomoreknowntohisarithmeticthanhisCreatoris，-
wouldyouhavegivenmetothehusbandwhomIamnowsurethatI
hate？'
Hesaid，'No。No，mypoorchild。'
'Wouldyouhavedoomedme，atanytime，tothefrostandblightthathavehardenedandspoiledme？Wouldyouhaverobbedme-fornoone'senrichment-onlyforthegreaterdesolationofthisworld-oftheimmaterialpartofmylife，thespringandsummerofmybelief，myrefugefromwhatissordidandbadintherealthingsaroundme，myschoolinwhichIshouldhavelearnedtobemorehumbleandmoretrustingwiththem，andtohopeinmylittlespheretomakethembetter？'
'Ono，no。No，Louisa。'
'Yet，father，ifIhadbeenstoneblind；ifIhadgropedmywaybymysenseoftouch，andhadbeenfree，whileIknewtheshapesandsurfacesofthings，toexercisemyfancysomewhat，inregardtothem；Ishouldhavebeenamilliontimeswiser，happier，moreloving，morecontented，moreinnocentandhumaninallgoodrespects，thanIamwiththeeyesIhave。Now，hearwhatIhavecometosay。'
Hemoved，tosupportherwithhisarm。Sherisingashedidso，theystoodclosetogether:she，withahanduponhisshoulder，lookingfixedlyinhisface。
'Withahungerandthirstuponme，father，whichhaveneverbeenforamomentappeased；withanardentimpulsetowardssomeregionwhererules，andfigures，anddefinitionswerenotquiteabsolute；
Ihavegrownup，battlingeveryinchofmyway。'
'Ineverknewyouwereunhappy，mychild。'
'Father，Ialwaysknewit。InthisstrifeIhavealmostrepulsedandcrushedmybetterangelintoademon。WhatIhavelearnedhasleftmedoubting，misbelieving，despising，regretting，whatIhavenotlearned；andmydismalresourcehasbeentothinkthatlifewouldsoongoby，andthatnothinginitcouldbeworththepainandtroubleofacontest。'
'Andyousoyoung，Louisa！'hesaidwithpity。
'AndIsoyoung。Inthiscondition，father-forIshowyounow，withoutfearorfavour，theordinarydeadenedstateofmymindasI
knowit-youproposedmyhusbandtome。Itookhim。InevermadeapretencetohimoryouthatIlovedhim。Iknew，and，father，youknew，andheknew，thatIneverdid。Iwasnotwhollyindifferent，forIhadahopeofbeingpleasantandusefultoTom。
Imadethatwildescapeintosomethingvisionary，andhaveslowlyfoundouthowwilditwas。ButTomhadbeenthesubjectofallthelittletendernessofmylife；perhapshebecamesobecauseIknewsowellhowtopityhim。Itmatterslittlenow，exceptasitmaydisposeyoutothinkmorelenientlyofhiserrors。'
Asherfatherheldherinhisarms，sheputherotherhanduponhisothershoulder，andstilllookingfixedlyinhisface，wenton。
'WhenIwasirrevocablymarried，thereroseupintorebellionagainstthetie，theoldstrife，madefiercerbyallthosecausesofdisparitywhichariseoutofourtwoindividualnatures，andwhichnogenerallawsshalleverruleorstateforme，father，untiltheyshallbeabletodirecttheanatomistwheretostrikehisknifeintothesecretsofmysoul。'
'Louisa！'hesaid，andsaidimploringly；forhewellrememberedwhathadpassedbetweenthemintheirformerinterview。
'Idonotreproachyou，father，Imakenocomplaint。Iamherewithanotherobject。'
'WhatcanIdo，child？Askmewhatyouwill。'
'Iamcomingtoit。Father，chancethenthrewintomywayanewacquaintance；amansuchasIhadhadnoexperienceof；usedtotheworld；light，polished，easy；makingnopretences；avowingthelowestimateofeverything，thatIwashalfafraidtoforminsecret；
conveyingtomealmostimmediately，thoughIdon'tknowhoworbywhatdegrees，thatheunderstoodme，andreadmythoughts。IcouldnotfindthathewasworsethanI。Thereseemedtobeanearaffinitybetweenus。Ionlywondereditshouldbeworthhiswhile，whocaredfornothingelse，tocaresomuchforme。'
'Foryou，Louisa！'
Herfathermightinstinctivelyhaveloosenedhishold，butthathefeltherstrengthdepartingfromher，andsawawilddilatingfireintheeyessteadfastlyregardinghim。
'Isaynothingofhispleaforclaimingmyconfidence。Itmattersverylittlehowhegainedit。Father，hedidgainit。Whatyouknowofthestoryofmymarriage，hesoonknew，justaswell。'
Herfather'sfacewasashywhite，andheheldherinbothhisarms。
'Ihavedonenoworse，Ihavenotdisgracedyou。ButifyouaskmewhetherIhavelovedhim，ordolovehim，Itellyouplainly，father，thatitmaybeso。Idon'tknow。'
Shetookherhandssuddenlyfromhisshoulders，andpressedthembothuponherside；whileinherface，notlikeitself-andinherfigure，drawnup，resolutetofinishbyalasteffortwhatshehadtosay-thefeelingslongsuppressedbrokeloose。
'Thisnight，myhusbandbeingaway，hehasbeenwithme，declaringhimselfmylover。Thisminuteheexpectsme，forIcouldreleasemyselfofhispresencebynoothermeans。IdonotknowthatIamsorry，IdonotknowthatIamashamed，IdonotknowthatIamdegradedinmyownesteem。AllthatIknowis，yourphilosophyandyourteachingwillnotsaveme。Now，father，youhavebroughtmetothis。Savemebysomeothermeans！'
Hetightenedhisholdintimetopreventhersinkingonthefloor，butshecriedoutinaterriblevoice，'Ishalldieifyouholdme！
Letmefallupontheground！'Andhelaidherdownthere，andsawtheprideofhisheartandthetriumphofhissystem，lying，aninsensibleheap，athisfeet。
ENDOFTHESECONDBOOK
BOOKTHETHIRD-GARNERING
CHAPTERI-ANOTHERTHINGNEEDFUL
LOUISAawokefromatorpor，andhereyeslanguidlyopenedonheroldbedathome，andheroldroom。Itseemed，atfirst，asifallthathadhappenedsincethedayswhentheseobjectswerefamiliartoherweretheshadowsofadream，butgradually，astheobjectsbecamemorerealtohersight，theeventsbecamemorerealtohermind。
Shecouldscarcelymoveherheadforpainandheaviness，hereyeswerestrainedandsore，andshewasveryweak。Acuriouspassiveinattentionhadsuchpossessionofher，thatthepresenceofherlittlesisterintheroomdidnotattracthernoticeforsometime。
Evenwhentheireyeshadmet，andhersisterhadapproachedthebed，Louisalayforminuteslookingatherinsilence，andsufferinghertimidlytoholdherpassivehand，beforesheasked:
'WhenwasIbroughttothisroom？'
'Lastnight，Louisa。'
'Whobroughtmehere？'
'Sissy，Ibelieve。'
'Whydoyoubelieveso？'
'BecauseIfoundherherethismorning。Shedidn'tcometomybedsidetowakeme，asshealwaysdoes；andIwenttolookforher。
Shewasnotinherownroomeither；andIwentlookingforheralloverthehouse，untilIfoundherheretakingcareofyouandcoolingyourhead。Willyouseefather？SissysaidIwastotellhimwhenyouwoke。'
'Whatabeamingfaceyouhave，Jane！'saidLouisa，asheryoungsister-timidlystill-bentdowntokissher。
'HaveI？Iamverygladyouthinkso。IamsureitmustbeSissy'sdoing。'
ThearmLouisahadbeguntotwinearoundherneck，unbentitself。
'Youcantellfatherifyouwill。'Then，stayingherforamoment，shesaid，'Itwasyouwhomademyroomsocheerful，andgaveitthislookofwelcome？'
'Ohno，Louisa，itwasdonebeforeIcame。Itwas-'
Louisaturneduponherpillow，andheardnomore。Whenhersisterhadwithdrawn，sheturnedherheadbackagain，andlaywithherfacetowardsthedoor，untilitopenedandherfatherentered。
Hehadajadedanxiouslookuponhim，andhishand，usuallysteady，trembledinhers。Hesatdownatthesideofthebed，tenderlyaskinghowshewas，anddwellingonthenecessityofherkeepingveryquietafterheragitationandexposuretotheweatherlastnight。Hespokeinasubduedandtroubledvoice，verydifferentfromhisusualdictatorialmanner；andwasoftenatalossforwords。
'MydearLouisa。Mypoordaughter。'Hewassomuchatalossatthatplace，thathestoppedaltogether。Hetriedagain。
'Myunfortunatechild。'Theplacewassodifficulttogetover，thathetriedagain。
'Itwouldbehopelessforme，Louisa，toendeavourtotellyouhowoverwhelmedIhavebeen，andstillam，bywhatbrokeuponmelastnight。ThegroundonwhichIstandhasceasedtobesolidundermyfeet。TheonlysupportonwhichIleaned，andthestrengthofwhichitseemed，andstilldoesseem，impossibletoquestion，hasgivenwayinaninstant。Iamstunnedbythesediscoveries。I
havenoselfishmeaninginwhatIsay；butIfindtheshockofwhatbrokeuponmelastnight，tobeveryheavyindeed。'
Shecouldgivehimnocomfortherein。Shehadsufferedthewreckofherwholelifeupontherock。
'Iwillnotsay，Louisa，thatifyouhadbyanyhappychanceundeceivedmesometimeago，itwouldhavebeenbetterforusboth；
betterforyourpeace，andbetterformine。ForIamsensiblethatitmaynothavebeenapartofmysystemtoinviteanyconfidenceofthatkind。Ihadprovedmy-mysystemtomyself，andIhaverigidlyadministeredit；andImustbeartheresponsibilityofitsfailures。Ionlyentreatyoutobelieve，myfavouritechild，thatIhavemeanttodoright。'
Hesaiditearnestly，andtodohimjusticehehad。Ingaugingfathomlessdeepswithhislittlemeanexcise-rod，andinstaggeringovertheuniversewithhisrustystiff-leggedcompasses，hehadmeanttodogreatthings。Withinthelimitsofhisshorttetherhehadtumbledabout，annihilatingtheflowersofexistencewithgreatersinglenessofpurposethanmanyoftheblatantpersonageswhosecompanyhekept。
'Iamwellassuredofwhatyousay，father。IknowIhavebeenyourfavouritechild。Iknowyouhaveintendedtomakemehappy。
Ihaveneverblamedyou，andInevershall。'
Hetookheroutstretchedhand，andretaineditinhis。
'Mydear，Ihaveremainedallnightatmytable，ponderingagainandagainonwhathassopainfullypassedbetweenus。WhenI
consideryourcharacter；whenIconsiderthatwhathasbeenknowntomeforhours，hasbeenconcealedbyyouforyears；whenI
considerunderwhatimmediatepressureithasbeenforcedfromyouatlast；IcometotheconclusionthatIcannotbutmistrustmyself。'
Hemighthaveaddedmorethanall，whenhesawthefacenowlookingathim。Hedidadditineffect，perhaps，ashesoftlymovedherscatteredhairfromherforeheadwithhishand。Suchlittleactions，slightinanotherman，wereverynoticeableinhim；andhisdaughterreceivedthemasiftheyhadbeenwordsofcontrition。
'But，'saidMr。Gradgrind，slowly，andwithhesitation，aswellaswithawretchedsenseofhappiness，'ifIseereasontomistrustmyselfforthepast，Louisa，Ishouldalsomistrustmyselfforthepresentandthefuture。Tospeakunreservedlytoyou，Ido。Iamfarfromfeelingconvincednow，howeverdifferentlyImighthavefeltonlythistimeyesterday，thatIamfitforthetrustyoureposeinme；thatIknowhowtorespondtotheappealyouhavecomehometomaketome；thatIhavetherightinstinct-supposingitforthemomenttobesomequalityofthatnature-howtohelpyou，andtosetyouright，mychild。'
Shehadturneduponherpillow，andlaywithherfaceuponherarm，sothathecouldnotseeit。Allherwildnessandpassionhadsubsided；but，thoughsoftened，shewasnotintears。Herfatherwaschangedinnothingsomuchasintherespectthathewouldhavebeengladtoseeherintears。
'Somepersonshold，'hepursued，stillhesitating，'thatthereisawisdomoftheHead，andthatthereisawisdomoftheHeart。I
havenotsupposedso；but，asIhavesaid，Imistrustmyselfnow。
Ihavesupposedtheheadtobeall-sufficient。Itmaynotbeall-
sufficient；howcanIventurethismorningtosayitis！IfthatotherkindofwisdomshouldbewhatIhaveneglected，andshouldbetheinstinctthatiswanted，Louisa-'
Hesuggesteditverydoubtfully，asifhewerehalfunwillingtoadmititevennow。Shemadehimnoanswer，lyingbeforehimonherbed，stillhalf-dressed，muchashehadseenherlyingonthefloorofhisroomlastnight。
'Louisa，'andhishandrestedonherhairagain，'Ihavebeenabsentfromhere，mydear，agooddealoflate；andthoughyoursister'straininghasbeenpursuedaccordingto-thesystem，'heappearedtocometothatwordwithgreatreluctancealways，'ithasnecessarilybeenmodifiedbydailyassociationsbegun，inhercase，atanearlyage。Iaskyou-ignorantlyandhumbly，mydaughter-
forthebetter，doyouthink？'
'Father，'shereplied，withoutstirring，'ifanyharmonyhasbeenawakenedinheryoungbreastthatwasmuteinmineuntilitturnedtodiscord，letherthankHeavenforit，andgouponherhappierway，takingitashergreatestblessingthatshehasavoidedmyway。'
'Omychild，mychild！'hesaid，inaforlornmanner，'Iamanunhappymantoseeyouthus！Whatavailsittomethatyoudonotreproachme，ifIsobitterlyreproachmyself！'Hebenthishead，andspokelowtoher。'Louisa，Ihaveamisgivingthatsomechangemayhavebeenslowlyworkingaboutmeinthishouse，bymereloveandgratitude:thatwhattheHeadhadleftundoneandcouldnotdo，theHeartmayhavebeendoingsilently。Canitbeso？'
Shemadehimnoreply。
'Iamnottooproudtobelieveit，Louisa。HowcouldIbearrogant，andyoubeforeme！Canitbeso？Isitso，mydear？'
Helookeduponheroncemore，lyingcastawaythere；andwithoutanotherwordwentoutoftheroom。Hehadnotbeenlonggone，whensheheardalighttreadnearthedoor，andknewthatsomeonestoodbesideher。
Shedidnotraiseherhead。Adullangerthatsheshouldbeseeninherdistress，andthattheinvoluntarylookshehadsoresentedshouldcometothisfulfilment，smoulderedwithinherlikeanunwholesomefire。Allcloselyimprisonedforcesrendanddestroy。
Theairthatwouldbehealthfultotheearth，thewaterthatwouldenrichit，theheatthatwouldripenit，tearitwhencagedup。Soinherbosomevennow；thestrongestqualitiesshepossessed，longturneduponthemselves，becameaheapofobduracy，thatroseagainstafriend。
Itwaswellthatsofttouchcameuponherneck，andthatsheunderstoodherselftobesupposedtohavefallenasleep。Thesympathetichanddidnotclaimherresentment。Letitliethere，letitlie。
Itlaythere，warmingintolifeacrowdofgentlerthoughts；andsherested。Asshesoftenedwiththequiet，andtheconsciousnessofbeingsowatched，sometearsmadetheirwayintohereyes。Thefacetouchedhers，andsheknewthatthereweretearsuponittoo，andshethecauseofthem。
AsLouisafeignedtorouseherself，andsatup，Sissyretired，sothatshestoodplacidlynearthebedside。
'IhopeIhavenotdisturbedyou。Ihavecometoaskifyouwouldletmestaywithyou？'
'Whyshouldyoustaywithme？Mysisterwillmissyou。Youareeverythingtoher。'
'AmI？'returnedSissy，shakingherhead。'Iwouldbesomethingtoyou，ifImight。'
'What？'saidLouisa，almoststernly。
'Whateveryouwantmost，ifIcouldbethat。Atallevents，I
wouldliketotrytobeasnearitasIcan。Andhoweverfaroffthatmaybe，Iwillnevertireoftrying。Willyouletme？'
'Myfathersentyoutoaskme。'
'Noindeed，'repliedSissy。'HetoldmethatImightcomeinnow，buthesentmeawayfromtheroomthismorning-oratleast-'
Shehesitatedandstopped。
'Atleast，what？'saidLouisa，withhersearchingeyesuponher。
'IthoughtitbestmyselfthatIshouldbesentaway，forIfeltveryuncertainwhetheryouwouldliketofindmehere。'
'HaveIalwayshatedyousomuch？'
'Ihopenot，forIhavealwayslovedyou，andhavealwayswishedthatyoushouldknowit。Butyouchangedtomealittle，shortlybeforeyoulefthome。NotthatIwonderedatit。Youknewsomuch，andIknewsolittle，anditwassonaturalinmanyways，goingasyouwereamongotherfriends，thatIhadnothingtocomplainof，andwasnotatallhurt。'
Hercolourroseasshesaiditmodestlyandhurriedly。Louisaunderstoodthelovingpretence，andherheartsmoteher。
'MayItry？'saidSissy，emboldenedtoraiseherhandtotheneckthatwasinsensiblydroopingtowardsher。
Louisa，takingdownthehandthatwouldhaveembracedherinanothermoment，helditinoneofhers，andanswered:
'First，Sissy，doyouknowwhatIam？Iamsoproudandsohardened，soconfusedandtroubled，soresentfulandunjusttoeveryoneandtomyself，thateverythingisstormy，dark，andwickedtome。Doesnotthatrepelyou？'
'No！'
'Iamsounhappy，andallthatshouldhavemademeotherwiseissolaidwaste，thatifIhadbeenbereftofsensetothishour，andinsteadofbeingaslearnedasyouthinkme，hadtobegintoacquirethesimplesttruths，Icouldnotwantaguidetopeace，contentment，honour，allthegoodofwhichIamquitedevoid，moreabjectlythanIdo。Doesnotthatrepelyou？'
'No！'
Intheinnocenceofherbraveaffection，andthebrimmingupofherolddevotedspirit，theoncedesertedgirlshonelikeabeautifullightuponthedarknessoftheother。
Louisaraisedthehandthatitmightclaspherneckandjoinitsfellowthere。Shefelluponherknees，andclingingtothisstroller'schildlookedupatheralmostwithveneration。
'Forgiveme，pityme，helpme！Havecompassiononmygreatneed，andletmelaythisheadofmineuponalovingheart！'
'Olayithere！'criedSissy。'Layithere，mydear。'
CHAPTERII-VERYRIDICULOUS
MR。JAMESHARTHOUSEpassedawholenightandadayinastateofsomuchhurry，thattheWorld，withitsbestglassinhiseye，wouldscarcelyhaverecognizedhimduringthatinsaneinterval，asthebrotherJemofthehonourableandjocularmember。Hewaspositivelyagitated。Heseveraltimesspokewithanemphasis，similartothevulgarmanner。Hewentinandwentoutinanunaccountableway，likeamanwithoutanobject。Herodelikeahighwayman。Inaword，hewassohorriblyboredbyexistingcircumstances，thatheforgottogoinforboredominthemannerprescribedbytheauthorities。
AfterputtinghishorseatCoketownthroughthestorm，asifitwerealeap，hewaitedupallnight:fromtimetotimeringinghisbellwiththegreatestfury，chargingtheporterwhokeptwatchwithdelinquencyinwithholdinglettersormessagesthatcouldnotfailtohavebeenentrustedtohim，anddemandingrestitutiononthespot。Thedawncoming，themorningcoming，andthedaycoming，andneithermessagenorlettercomingwitheither，hewentdowntothecountryhouse。There，thereportwas，Mr。Bounderbyaway，andMrs。Bounderbyintown。Leftfortownsuddenlylastevening。Notevenknowntobegoneuntilreceiptofmessage，importingthatherreturnwasnottobeexpectedforthepresent。
Inthesecircumstanceshehadnothingforitbuttofollowhertotown。Hewenttothehouseintown。Mrs。Bounderbynotthere。HelookedinattheBank。Mr。BounderbyawayandMrs。Sparsitaway。
Mrs。Sparsitaway？Whocouldhavebeenreducedtosuddenextremityforthecompanyofthatgriffin！
'Well！Idon'tknow，'saidTom，whohadhisownreasonsforbeinguneasyaboutit。'Shewasoffsomewhereatdaybreakthismorning。
She'salwaysfullofmystery；Ihateher。SoIdothatwhitechap；
he'salwaysgothisblinkingeyesuponafellow。'
'Wherewereyoulastnight，Tom？'
'WherewasIlastnight！'saidTom。'Come！Ilikethat。Iwaswaitingforyou，Mr。Harthouse，tillitcamedownasIneversawitcomedownbefore。WherewasItoo！Wherewereyou，youmean。'
'Iwaspreventedfromcoming-detained。'
'Detained！'murmuredTom。'Twoofusweredetained。Iwasdetainedlookingforyou，tillIlosteverytrainbutthemail。Itwouldhavebeenapleasantjobtogodownbythatonsuchanight，andhavetowalkhomethroughapond。Iwasobligedtosleepintownafterall。'
'Where？'
'Where？Why，inmyownbedatBounderby's。'
'Didyouseeyoursister？'
'Howthedeuce，'returnedTom，staring，'couldIseemysisterwhenshewasfifteenmilesoff？'
Cursingthesequickretortsoftheyounggentlemantowhomhewassotrueafriend，Mr。Harthousedisembarrassedhimselfofthatinterviewwiththesmallestconceivableamountofceremony，anddebatedforthehundredthtimewhatallthiscouldmean？Hemadeonlyonethingclear。Itwas，thatwhethershewasintownoroutoftown，whetherhehadbeenprematurewithherwhowassohardtocomprehend，orshehadlostcourage，ortheywerediscovered，orsomemischanceormistake，atpresentincomprehensible，hadoccurred，hemustremaintoconfronthisfortune，whateveritwas。
Thehotelwherehewasknowntolivewhencondemnedtothatregionofblackness，wasthestaketowhichhewastied。Astoalltherest-Whatwillbe，willbe。
'So，whetherIamwaitingforahostilemessage，oranassignation，orapenitentremonstrance，oranimpromptuwrestlewithmyfriendBounderbyintheLancashiremanner-whichwouldseemaslikelyasanythingelseinthepresentstateofaffairs-I'lldine，'saidMr。JamesHarthouse。'Bounderbyhastheadvantageinpointofweight；andifanythingofaBritishnatureistocomeoffbetweenus，itmaybeaswelltobeintraining。'
Thereforeherangthebell，andtossinghimselfnegligentlyonasofa，ordered'Somedinneratsix-withabeefsteakinit，'andgotthroughtheinterveningtimeaswellashecould。Thatwasnotparticularlywell；forheremainedinthegreatestperplexity，and，asthehourswenton，andnokindofexplanationoffereditself，hisperplexityaugmentedatcompoundinterest。
However，hetookaffairsascoollyasitwasinhumannaturetodo，andentertainedhimselfwiththefacetiousideaofthetrainingmorethanonce。'Itwouldn'tbebad，'heyawnedatonetime，'togivethewaiterfiveshillings，andthrowhim。'Atanothertimeitoccurredtohim，'Orafellowofaboutthirteenorfourteenstonemightbehiredbythehour。'Butthesejestsdidnottellmateriallyontheafternoon，orhissuspense；and，soothtosay，theybothlaggedfearfully。
Itwasimpossible，evenbeforedinner，toavoidoftenwalkingaboutinthepatternofthecarpet，lookingoutofthewindow，listeningatthedoorforfootsteps，andoccasionallybecomingratherhotwhenanystepsapproachedthatroom。But，afterdinner，whenthedayturnedtotwilight，andthetwilightturnedtonight，andstillnocommunicationwasmadetohim，itbegantobeasheexpressedit，'liketheHolyOfficeandslowtorture。'However，stilltruetohisconvictionthatindifferencewasthegenuinehigh-breedingtheonlyconvictionhehad，heseizedthiscrisisastheopportunityfororderingcandlesandanewspaper。
Hehadbeentryinginvain，forhalfanhour，toreadthisnewspaper，whenthewaiterappearedandsaid，atoncemysteriouslyandapologetically:
'Begyourpardon，sir。You'rewanted，sir，ifyouplease。'
AgeneralrecollectionthatthiswasthekindofthingthePolicesaidtotheswellmob，causedMr。Harthousetoaskthewaiterinreturn，withbristlingindignation，whattheDevilhemeantby'wanted'？
'Begyourpardon，sir。Youngladyoutside，sir，wishestoseeyou。'
'Outside？Where？'
'Outsidethisdoor，sir。'
Givingthewaitertothepersonagebeforementioned，asablock-
headdulyqualifiedforthatconsignment，Mr。Harthousehurriedintothegallery。Ayoungwomanwhomhehadneverseenstoodthere。Plainlydressed，veryquiet，verypretty。Asheconductedherintotheroomandplacedachairforher，heobserved，bythelightofthecandles，thatshewasevenprettierthanhehadatfirstbelieved。Herfacewasinnocentandyouthful，anditsexpressionremarkablypleasant。Shewasnotafraidofhim，orinanywaydisconcerted；sheseemedtohavehermindentirelypreoccupiedwiththeoccasionofhervisit，andtohavesubstitutedthatconsiderationforherself。
'IspeaktoMr。Harthouse？'shesaid，whentheywerealone。
'ToMr。Harthouse。'Headdedinhismind，'AndyouspeaktohimwiththemostconfidingeyesIeversaw，andthemostearnestvoicethoughsoquietIeverheard。'
'IfIdonotunderstand-andIdonot，sir'-saidSissy，'whatyourhonourasagentlemanbindsyouto，inothermatters:'thebloodreallyroseinhisfaceasshebeganinthesewords:'IamsureImayrelyuponittokeepmyvisitsecret，andtokeepsecretwhatIamgoingtosay。Iwillrelyuponit，ifyouwilltellmeI
maysofartrust-'
'Youmay，Iassureyou。'
'Iamyoung，asyousee；Iamalone，asyousee。Incomingtoyou，sir，Ihavenoadviceorencouragementbeyondmyownhope。'Hethought，'Butthatisverystrong，'ashefollowedthemomentaryupwardglanceofhereyes。Hethoughtbesides，'Thisisaveryoddbeginning。Idon'tseewherewearegoing。'
'Ithink，'saidSissy，'youhavealreadyguessedwhomIleftjustnow！'
'Ihavebeeninthegreatestconcernanduneasinessduringthelastfour-and-twentyhourswhichhaveappearedasmanyyears，'hereturned，'onalady'saccount。ThehopesIhavebeenencouragedtoformthatyoucomefromthatlady，donotdeceiveme，Itrust。'
'Ileftherwithinanhour。'
'At-！'
'Atherfather's。'
Mr。Harthouse'sfacelengthenedinspiteofhiscoolness，andhisperplexityincreased。'ThenIcertainly，'hethought，'donotseewherewearegoing。'
'Shehurriedtherelastnight。Shearrivedthereingreatagitation，andwasinsensibleallthroughthenight。Iliveatherfather's，andwaswithher。Youmaybesure，sir，youwillneverseeheragainaslongasyoulive。'
Mr。Harthousedrewalongbreath；and，ifevermanfoundhimselfinthepositionofnotknowingwhattosay，madethediscoverybeyondallquestionthathewassocircumstanced。Thechild-likeingenuousnesswithwhichhisvisitorspoke，hermodestfearlessness，hertruthfulnesswhichputallartificeaside，herentireforgetfulnessofherselfinherearnestquietholdingtotheobjectwithwhichshehadcome；allthis，togetherwithherrelianceonhiseasilygivenpromise-whichinitselfshamedhim-
presentedsomethinginwhichhewassoinexperienced，andagainstwhichheknewanyofhisusualweaponswouldfallsopowerless；
thatnotawordcouldherallytohisrelief。
Atlasthesaid:
'Sostartlinganannouncement，soconfidentlymade，andbysuchlips，isreallydisconcertinginthelastdegree。MayIbepermittedtoinquire，ifyouarechargedtoconveythatinformationtomeinthosehopelesswords，bytheladyofwhomwespeak？'
'Ihavenochargefromher。'
'Thedrowningmancatchesatthestraw。Withnodisrespectforyourjudgment，andwithnodoubtofyoursincerity，excusemysayingthatIclingtothebeliefthatthereisyethopethatIamnotcondemnedtoperpetualexilefromthatlady'spresence。'
'Thereisnottheleasthope。Thefirstobjectofmycominghere，sir，istoassureyouthatyoumustbelievethatthereisnomorehopeofyoureverspeakingwithheragain，thantherewouldbeifshehaddiedwhenshecamehomelastnight。'
'Mustbelieve？ButifIcan't-orifIshould，byinfirmityofnature，beobstinate-andwon't-'
'Itisstilltrue。Thereisnohope。'
JamesHarthouselookedatherwithanincreduloussmileuponhislips；buthermindlookedoverandbeyondhim，andthesmilewasquitethrownaway。
Hebithislip，andtookalittletimeforconsideration。
'Well！Ifitshouldunhappilyappear，'hesaid，'afterduepainsanddutyonmypart，thatIambroughttoapositionsodesolateasthisbanishment，Ishallnotbecomethelady'spersecutor。Butyousaidyouhadnocommissionfromher？'
'Ihaveonlythecommissionofmyloveforher，andherloveforme。Ihavenoothertrust，thanthatIhavebeenwithhersinceshecamehome，andthatshehasgivenmeherconfidence。Ihavenofurthertrust，thanthatIknowsomethingofhercharacterandhermarriage。OMr。Harthouse，Ithinkyouhadthattrusttoo！'
Hewastouchedinthecavitywherehisheartshouldhavebeen-inthatnestofaddledeggs，wherethebirdsofheavenwouldhavelivediftheyhadnotbeenwhistledaway-bythefervourofthisreproach。
'Iamnotamoralsortoffellow，'hesaid，'andInevermakeanypretensionstothecharacterofamoralsortoffellow。Iamasimmoralasneedbe。Atthesametime，inbringinganydistressupontheladywhoisthesubjectofthepresentconversation，orinunfortunatelycompromisingherinanyway，orincommittingmyselfbyanyexpressionofsentimentstowardsher，notperfectlyreconcilablewith-infactwith-thedomestichearth；orintakinganyadvantageofherfather'sbeingamachine，orofherbrother'sbeingawhelp，orofherhusband'sbeingabear；IbegtobeallowedtoassureyouthatIhavehadnoparticularlyevilintentions，buthaveglidedonfromonesteptoanotherwithasmoothnesssoperfectlydiabolical，thatIhadnottheslightestideathecataloguewashalfsolonguntilIbegantoturnitover。
WhereasIfind，'saidMr。JamesHarthouse，inconclusion，'thatitisreallyinseveralvolumes。'
Thoughhesaidallthisinhisfrivolousway，thewayseemed，forthatonce，aconsciouspolishingofbutanuglysurface。Hewassilentforamoment；andthenproceededwithamoreself-possessedair，thoughwithtracesofvexationanddisappointmentthatwouldnotbepolishedout。
'Afterwhathasbeenjustnowrepresentedtome，inamannerIfinditimpossibletodoubt-IknowofhardlyanyothersourcefromwhichIcouldhaveaccepteditsoreadily-Ifeelboundtosaytoyou，inwhomtheconfidenceyouhavementionedhasbeenreposed，thatIcannotrefusetocontemplatethepossibilityhoweverunexpectedofmyseeingtheladynomore。Iamsolelytoblameforthethinghavingcometothis-and-and，Icannotsay，'headded，ratherhardupforageneralperoration，'thatIhaveanysanguineexpectationofeverbecomingamoralsortoffellow，orthatIhaveanybeliefinanymoralsortoffellowwhatever。'
Sissy'sfacesufficientlyshowedthatherappealtohimwasnotfinished。
'Youspoke，'heresumed，assheraisedhereyestohimagain，'ofyourfirstobject。Imayassumethatthereisasecondtobementioned？'
'Yes。'
'Willyouobligemebyconfidingit？'
'Mr。Harthouse，'returnedSissy，withablendingofgentlenessandsteadinessthatquitedefeatedhim，andwithasimpleconfidenceinhisbeingboundtodowhatsherequired，thatheldhimatasingulardisadvantage，'theonlyreparationthatremainswithyou，istoleavehereimmediatelyandfinally。Iamquitesurethatyoucanmitigateinnootherwaythewrongandharmyouhavedone。I
amquitesurethatitistheonlycompensationyouhaveleftitinyourpowertomake。Idonotsaythatitismuch，orthatitisenough；butitissomething，anditisnecessary。Therefore，thoughwithoutanyotherauthoritythanIhavegivenyou，andevenwithouttheknowledgeofanyotherpersonthanyourselfandmyself，Iaskyoutodepartfromthisplaceto-night，underanobligationnevertoreturntoit。'
Ifshehadassertedanyinfluenceoverhimbeyondherplainfaithinthetruthandrightofwhatshesaid；ifshehadconcealedtheleastdoubtorirresolution，orhadharbouredforthebestpurposeanyreserveorpretence；ifshehadshown，orfelt，thelightesttraceofanysensitivenesstohisridiculeorhisastonishment，oranyremonstrancehemightoffer；hewouldhavecarrieditagainstheratthispoint。Buthecouldaseasilyhavechangedaclearskybylookingatitinsurprise，asaffecther。
'Butdoyouknow，'heasked，quiteataloss，'theextentofwhatyouask？YouprobablyarenotawarethatIamhereonapublickindofbusiness，preposterousenoughinitself，butwhichIhavegoneinfor，andswornby，andamsupposedtobedevotedtoinquiteadesperatemanner？Youprobablyarenotawareofthat，butIassureyouit'sthefact。'
IthadnoeffectonSissy，factornofact。
'Besideswhich，'saidMr。Harthouse，takingaturnortwoacrosstheroom，dubiously，'it'ssoalarminglyabsurd。Itwouldmakeamansoridiculous，aftergoinginforthesefellows，tobackoutinsuchanincomprehensibleway。'
'Iamquitesure，'repeatedSissy，'thatitistheonlyreparationinyourpower，sir。Iamquitesure，orIwouldnothavecomehere。'
Heglancedatherface，andwalkedaboutagain。'Uponmysoul，I
don'tknowwhattosay。Soimmenselyabsurd！'
Itfelltohislot，now，tostipulateforsecrecy。
'IfIweretodosuchaveryridiculousthing，'hesaid，stoppingagainpresently，andleaningagainstthechimney-piece，'itcouldonlybeinthemostinviolableconfidence。'
'Iwilltrusttoyou，sir，'returnedSissy，'andyouwilltrusttome。'
Hisleaningagainstthechimney-pieceremindedhimofthenightwiththewhelp。Itwastheself-samechimney-piece，andsomehowhefeltasifhewerethewhelpto-night。Hecouldmakenowayatall。
'Isupposeamanneverwasplacedinamoreridiculousposition，'
hesaid，afterlookingdown，andlookingup，andlaughing，andfrowning，andwalkingoff，andwalkingbackagain。'ButIseenowayoutofit。Whatwillbe，willbe。Thiswillbe，Isuppose。I
musttakeoffmyself，Iimagine-inshort，Iengagetodoit。'
Sissyrose。Shewasnotsurprisedbytheresult，butshewashappyinit，andherfacebeamedbrightly。
'Youwillpermitmetosay，'continuedMr。JamesHarthouse，'thatI
doubtifanyotherambassador，orambassadress，couldhaveaddressedmewiththesamesuccess。Imustnotonlyregardmyselfasbeinginaveryridiculousposition，butasbeingvanquishedatallpoints。Willyouallowmetheprivilegeofrememberingmyenemy'sname？'
'Myname？'saidtheambassadress。
'TheonlynameIcouldpossiblycaretoknow，to-night。'
'SissyJupe。'
'Pardonmycuriosityatparting。Relatedtothefamily？'
'Iamonlyapoorgirl，'returnedSissy。'Iwasseparatedfrommyfather-hewasonlyastroller-andtakenpityonbyMr。
Gradgrind。Ihavelivedinthehouseeversince。'
Shewasgone。
'Itwantedthistocompletethedefeat，'saidMr。JamesHarthouse，sinking，witharesignedair，onthesofa，afterstandingtransfixedalittlewhile。'Thedefeatmaynowbeconsideredperfectlyaccomplished。Onlyapoorgirl-onlyastroller-onlyJamesHarthousemadenothingof-onlyJamesHarthouseaGreatPyramidoffailure。'
TheGreatPyramidputitintohisheadtogouptheNile。Hetookapenupontheinstant，andwrotethefollowingnoteinappropriatehieroglyphicstohisbrother:
DearJack，-AllupatCoketown。Boredoutoftheplace，andgoinginforcamels。Affectionately，JEM，Herangthebell。
'Sendmyfellowhere。'
'Gonetobed，sir。'
'Tellhimtogetup，andpackup。'
Hewrotetwomorenotes。One，toMr。Bounderby，announcinghisretirementfromthatpartofthecountry，andshowingwherehewouldbefoundforthenextfortnight。Theother，similarineffect，toMr。Gradgrind。Almostassoonastheinkwasdryupontheirsuperscriptions，hehadleftthetallchimneysofCoketownbehind，andwasinarailwaycarriage，tearingandglaringoverthedarklandscape。
ThemoralsortoffellowsmightsupposethatMr。JamesHarthousederivedsomecomfortablereflectionsafterwards，fromthispromptretreat，asoneofhisfewactionsthatmadeanyamendsforanything，andasatokentohimselfthathehadescapedtheclimaxofaverybadbusiness。Butitwasnotso，atall。Asecretsenseofhavingfailedandbeenridiculous-adreadofwhatotherfellowswhowentinforsimilarsortsofthings，wouldsayathisexpenseiftheyknewit-sooppressedhim，thatwhatwasabouttheverybestpassageinhislifewastheoneofallothershewouldnothaveownedtoonanyaccount，andtheonlyonethatmadehimashamedofhimself。
CHAPTERIII-VERYDECIDED
THEindefatigableMrs。Sparsit，withaviolentcolduponher，hervoicereducedtoawhisper，andherstatelyframesorackedbycontinualsneezesthatitseemedindangerofdismemberment，gavechasetoherpatronuntilshefoundhiminthemetropolis；andthere，majesticallysweepinginuponhimathishotelinSt。
James'sStreet，explodedthecombustibleswithwhichshewascharged，andblewup。Havingexecutedhermissionwithinfiniterelish，thishigh-mindedwomanthenfaintedawayonMr。Bounderby'scoat-collar。
Mr。Bounderby'sfirstprocedurewastoshakeMrs。Sparsitoff，andleavehertoprogressasshemightthroughvariousstagesofsufferingonthefloor。Henexthadrecoursetotheadministrationofpotentrestoratives，suchasscrewingthepatient'sthumbs，smitingherhands，abundantlywateringherface，andinsertingsaltinhermouth。Whentheseattentionshadrecoveredherwhichtheyspeedilydid，hehustledherintoafasttrainwithoutofferinganyotherrefreshment，andcarriedherbacktoCoketownmoredeadthanalive。
Regardedasaclassicalruin，Mrs。Sparsitwasaninterestingspectacleonherarrivalatherjourney'send；butconsideredinanyotherlight，theamountofdamageshehadbythattimesustainedwasexcessive，andimpairedherclaimstoadmiration。
Utterlyheedlessofthewearandtearofherclothesandconstitution，andadamanttoherpatheticsneezes，Mr。Bounderbyimmediatelycrammedherintoacoach，andboreherofftoStoneLodge。
'Now，TomGradgrind，'saidBounderby，burstingintohisfather-in-
law'sroomlateatnight；'here'saladyhere-Mrs。Sparsit-youknowMrs。Sparsit-whohassomethingtosaytoyouthatwillstrikeyoudumb。'
'Youhavemissedmyletter！'exclaimedMr。Gradgrind，surprisedbytheapparition。
'Missedyourletter，sir！'bawledBounderby。'Thepresenttimeisnotimeforletters。NomanshalltalktoJosiahBounderbyofCoketownaboutletters，withhismindinthestateit'sinnow。'
'Bounderby，'saidMr。Gradgrind，inatoneoftemperateremonstrance，'IspeakofaveryspecialletterIhavewrittentoyou，inreferencetoLouisa。'
'TomGradgrind，'repliedBounderby，knockingtheflatofhishandseveraltimeswithgreatvehemenceonthetable，'Ispeakofaveryspecialmessengerthathascometome，inreferencetoLouisa。
Mrs。Sparsit，ma'am，standforward！'
Thatunfortunateladyhereuponessayingtooffertestimony，withoutanyvoiceandwithpainfulgesturesexpressiveofaninflamedthroat，becamesoaggravatingandunderwentsomanyfacialcontortions，thatMr。Bounderby，unabletobearit，seizedherbythearmandshookher。
'Ifyoucan'tgetitout，ma'am，'saidBounderby，'leavemetogetitout。Thisisnotatimeforalady，howeverhighlyconnected，tobetotallyinaudible，andseeminglyswallowingmarbles。TomGradgrind，Mrs。Sparsitlatterlyfoundherself，byaccident，inasituationtooverhearaconversationoutofdoorsbetweenyourdaughterandyourpreciousgentleman-friend，Mr。JamesHarthouse。'
'Indeed！'saidMr。Gradgrind。
'Ah！Indeed！'criedBounderby。'Andinthatconversation-'
'Itisnotnecessarytorepeatitstenor，Bounderby。Iknowwhatpassed。'
'Youdo？Perhaps，'saidBounderby，staringwithallhismightathissoquietandassuasivefather-in-law，'youknowwhereyourdaughterisatthepresenttime！'
'Undoubtedly。Sheishere。'
'Here？'
'MydearBounderby，letmebegyoutorestraintheseloudout-
breaks，onallaccounts。Louisaishere。Themomentshecoulddetachherselffromthatinterviewwiththepersonofwhomyouspeak，andwhomIdeeplyregrettohavebeenthemeansofintroducingtoyou，Louisahurriedhere，forprotection。Imyselfhadnotbeenathomemanyhours，whenIreceivedher-here，inthisroom。Shehurriedbythetraintotown，sheranfromtowntothishouse，througharagingstorm，andpresentedherselfbeforemeinastateofdistraction。Ofcourse，shehasremainedhereeversince。Letmeentreatyou，foryourownsakeandforhers，tobemorequiet。'
Mr。Bounderbysilentlygazedabouthimforsomemoments，ineverydirectionexceptMrs。Sparsit'sdirection；andthen，abruptlyturninguponthenieceofLadyScadgers，saidtothatwretchedwoman:
'Now，ma'am！Weshallbehappytohearanylittleapologyyoumaythinkpropertooffer，forgoingaboutthecountryatexpresspace，withnootherluggagethanaCock-and-a-Bull，ma'am！'
'Sir，'whisperedMrs。Sparsit，'mynervesareatpresenttoomuchshaken，andmyhealthisatpresenttoomuchimpaired，inyourservice，toadmitofmydoingmorethantakingrefugeintears。'
Whichshedid。
'Well，ma'am，'saidBounderby，'withoutmakinganyobservationtoyouthatmaynotbemadewithproprietytoawomanofgoodfamily，whatIhavegottoaddtothat，isthatthereissomethingelseinwhichitappearstomeyoumaytakerefuge，namely，acoach。Andthecoachinwhichwecameherebeingatthedoor，you'llallowmetohandyoudowntoit，andpackyouhometotheBank:wherethebestcourseforyoutopursue，willbetoputyourfeetintothehottestwateryoucanbear，andtakeaglassofscaldingrumandbutterafteryougetintobed。'Withthesewords，Mr。Bounderbyextendedhisrighthandtotheweepinglady，andescortedhertotheconveyanceinquestion，sheddingmanyplaintivesneezesbytheway。Hesoonreturnedalone。
'Now，asyoushowedmeinyourface，TomGradgrind，thatyouwantedtospeaktome，'heresumed，'hereIam。But，Iamnotinaveryagreeablestate，Itellyouplainly:notrelishingthisbusiness，evenasitis，andnotconsideringthatIamatanytimeasdutifullyandsubmissivelytreatedbyyourdaughter，asJosiahBounderbyofCoketownoughttobetreatedbyhiswife。Youhaveyouropinion，Idaresay；andIhavemine，Iknow。Ifyoumeantosayanythingtometo-night，thatgoesagainstthiscandidremark，youhadbetterletitalone。'
Mr。Gradgrind，itwillbeobserved，beingmuchsoftened，Mr。
Bounderbytookparticularpainstohardenhimselfatallpoints。
Itwashisamiablenature。
'MydearBounderby，'Mr。Gradgrindbeganinreply。
'Now，you'llexcuseme，'saidBounderby，'butIdon'twanttobetoodear。That，tostartwith。WhenIbegintobedeartoaman，Igenerallyfindthathisintentionistocomeoverme。Iamnotspeakingtoyoupolitely；but，asyouareaware，Iamnotpolite。
Ifyoulikepoliteness，youknowwheretogetit。Youhaveyourgentleman-friends，youknow，andthey'llserveyouwithasmuchofthearticleasyouwant。Idon'tkeepitmyself。'
'Bounderby，'urgedMr。Gradgrind，'weareallliabletomistakes-
'
'Ithoughtyoucouldn'tmake'em，'interruptedBounderby。
'PerhapsIthoughtso。But，IsayweareallliabletomistakesandIshouldfeelsensibleofyourdelicacy，andgratefulforit，ifyouwouldsparemethesereferencestoHarthouse。Ishallnotassociatehiminourconversationwithyourintimacyandencouragement；praydonotpersistinconnectinghimwithmine。'
'Inevermentionedhisname！'saidBounderby。
'Well，well！'returnedMr。Gradgrind，withapatient，evenasubmissive，air。Andhesatforalittlewhilepondering。
'Bounderby，IseereasontodoubtwhetherwehaveeverquiteunderstoodLouisa。'
'WhodoyoumeanbyWe？'
'LetmesayI，then，'hereturned，inanswertothecoarselyblurtedquestion；'IdoubtwhetherIhaveunderstoodLouisa。I
doubtwhetherIhavebeenquiterightinthemannerofhereducation。'
'Thereyouhitit，'returnedBounderby。'ThereIagreewithyou。
Youhavefounditoutatlast，haveyou？Education！I'lltellyouwhateducationis-Tobetumbledoutofdoors，neckandcrop，andputupontheshortestallowanceofeverythingexceptblows。That'swhatIcalleducation。'
'Ithinkyourgoodsensewillperceive，'Mr。Gradgrindremonstratedinallhumility，'thatwhateverthemeritsofsuchasystemmaybe，itwouldbedifficultofgeneralapplicationtogirls。'
'Idon'tseeitatall，sir，'returnedtheobstinateBounderby。
'Well，'sighedMr。Gradgrind，'wewillnotenterintothequestion。
IassureyouIhavenodesiretobecontroversial。Iseektorepairwhatisamiss，ifIpossiblycan；andIhopeyouwillassistmeinagoodspirit，Bounderby，forIhavebeenverymuchdistressed。'
'Idon'tunderstandyou，yet，'saidBounderby，withdeterminedobstinacy，'andthereforeIwon'tmakeanypromises。'
'Inthecourseofafewhours，mydearBounderby，'Mr。Gradgrindproceeded，inthesamedepressedandpropitiatorymanner，'IappeartomyselftohavebecomebetterinformedastoLouisa'scharacter，thaninpreviousyears。Theenlightenmenthasbeenpainfullyforceduponme，andthediscoveryisnotmine。Ithinkthereare-
Bounderby，youwillbesurprisedtohearmesaythis-IthinktherearequalitiesinLouisa，which-whichhavebeenharshlyneglected，and-andalittleperverted。And-andIwouldsuggesttoyou，that-thatifyouwouldkindlymeetmeinatimelyendeavourtoleavehertoherbetternatureforawhile-andtoencourageittodevelopitselfbytendernessandconsideration-it-itwouldbethebetterforthehappinessofallofus。Louisa，'
saidMr。Gradgrind，shadinghisfacewithhishand，'hasalwaysbeenmyfavouritechild。'
TheblustrousBounderbycrimsonedandswelledtosuchanextentonhearingthesewords，thatheseemedtobe，andprobablywas，onthebrinkofafit。Withhisveryearsabrightpurpleshotwithcrimson，hepentuphisindignation，however，andsaid:
'You'dliketokeepherhereforatime？'
'I-Ihadintendedtorecommend，mydearBounderby，thatyoushouldallowLouisatoremainhereonavisit，andbeattendedbySissyImeanofcourseCeciliaJupe，whounderstandsher，andinwhomshetrusts。'
'Igatherfromallthis，TomGradgrind，'saidBounderby，standingupwithhishandsinhispockets，'thatyouareofopinionthatthere'swhatpeoplecallsomeincompatibilitybetweenLooBounderbyandmyself。'
'IfearthereisatpresentageneralincompatibilitybetweenLouisa，and-and-andalmostalltherelationsinwhichIhaveplacedher，'washerfather'ssorrowfulreply。
'Now，lookyouhere，TomGradgrind，'saidBounderbytheflushed，confrontinghimwithhislegswideapart，hishandsdeeperinhispockets，andhishairlikeahayfieldwhereinhiswindyangerwasboisterous。'Youhavesaidyoursay；Iamgoingtosaymine。IamaCoketownman。IamJosiahBounderbyofCoketown。Iknowthebricksofthistown，andIknowtheworksofthistown，andIknowthechimneysofthistown，andIknowthesmokeofthistown，andI
knowtheHandsofthistown。Iknow'emallprettywell。They'rereal。Whenamantellsmeanythingaboutimaginativequalities，I
alwaystellthatman，whoeverheis，thatIknowwhathemeans。Hemeansturtlesoupandvenison，withagoldspoon，andthathewantstobesetupwithacoachandsix。That'swhatyourdaughterwants。Sinceyouareofopinionthatsheoughttohavewhatshewants，Irecommendyoutoprovideitforher。Because，TomGradgrind，shewillneverhaveitfromme。'
'Bounderby，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'Ihoped，aftermyentreaty，youwouldhavetakenadifferenttone。'
'Justwaitabit，'retortedBounderby；'youhavesaidyoursay，I
believe。Iheardyouout；hearmeout，ifyouplease。Don'tmakeyourselfaspectacleofunfairnessaswellasinconsistency，because，althoughIamsorrytoseeTomGradgrindreducedtohispresentposition，Ishouldbedoublysorrytoseehimbroughtsolowasthat。Now，there'sanincompatibilityofsomesortoranother，Iamgiventounderstandbyyou，betweenyourdaughterandme。I'llgiveyoutounderstand，inreplytothat，thatthereunquestionablyisanincompatibilityofthefirstmagnitude-tobesummedupinthis-thatyourdaughterdon'tproperlyknowherhusband'smerits，andisnotimpressedwithsuchasenseaswouldbecomeher，byGeorge！ofthehonourofhisalliance。That'splainspeaking，Ihope。'
'Bounderby，'urgedMr。Gradgrind，'thisisunreasonable。'
'Isit？'saidBounderby。'Iamgladtohearyousayso。BecausewhenTomGradgrind，withhisnewlights，tellsmethatwhatIsayisunreasonable，Iamconvincedatonceitmustbedevilishsensible。WithyourpermissionIamgoingon。Youknowmyorigin；
andyouknowthatforagoodmanyyearsofmylifeIdidn'twantashoeing-horn，inconsequenceofnothavingashoe。Yetyoumaybelieveornot，asyouthinkproper，thatthereareladies-bornladies-belongingtofamilies-Families！-whonexttoworshipthegroundIwalkon。'
HedischargedthislikeaRocket，athisfather-in-law'shead。
'Whereasyourdaughter，'proceededBounderby，'isfarfrombeingabornlady。Thatyouknow，yourself。NotthatIcareapinchofcandle-snuffaboutsuchthings，foryouareverywellawareI
don't；butthatsuchisthefact，andyou，TomGradgrind，can'tchangeit。WhydoIsaythis？'
'Not，Ifear，'observedMr。Gradgrind，inalowvoice，'tospareme。'
'Hearmeout，'saidBounderby，'andrefrainfromcuttingintillyourturncomesround。Isaythis，becausehighlyconnectedfemaleshavebeenastonishedtoseethewayinwhichyourdaughterhasconductedherself，andtowitnessherinsensibility。TheyhavewonderedhowIhavesufferedit。AndIwondermyselfnow，andI
won'tsufferit。'
'Bounderby，'returnedMr。Gradgrind，rising，'thelesswesayto-
nightthebetter，Ithink。'
'Onthecontrary，TomGradgrind，themorewesayto-night，thebetter，Ithink。Thatis，'theconsiderationcheckedhim，'tillI
havesaidallImeantosay，andthenIdon'tcarehowsoonwestop。Icometoaquestionthatmayshortenthebusiness。Whatdoyoumeanbytheproposalyoumadejustnow？'
'WhatdoImean，Bounderby？'
'Byyourvisitingproposition，'saidBounderby，withaninflexiblejerkofthehayfield。
'ImeanthatIhopeyoumaybeinducedtoarrangeinafriendlymanner，forallowingLouisaaperiodofreposeandreflectionhere，whichmaytendtoagradualalterationforthebetterinmanyrespects。'
'Toasofteningdownofyourideasoftheincompatibility？'saidBounderby。
'Ifyouputitinthoseterms。'
'Whatmadeyouthinkofthis？'saidBounderby。
'Ihavealreadysaid，IfearLouisahasnotbeenunderstood。Isitaskingtoomuch，Bounderby，thatyou，sofarherelder，shouldaidintryingtosetherright？Youhaveacceptedagreatchargeofher；forbetterforworse，for-'
Mr。BounderbymayhavebeenannoyedbytherepetitionofhisownwordstoStephenBlackpool，buthecutthequotationshortwithanangrystart。
'Come！'saidhe，'Idon'twanttobetoldaboutthat。IknowwhatItookherfor，aswellasyoudo。NeveryoumindwhatItookherfor；that'smylookout。'
'Iwasmerelygoingontoremark，Bounderby，thatwemayallbemoreorlessinthewrong，notevenexceptingyou；andthatsomeyieldingonyourpart，rememberingthetrustyouhaveaccepted，maynotonlybeanactoftruekindness，butperhapsadebtincurredtowardsLouisa。'
'Ithinkdifferently，'blusteredBounderby。'Iamgoingtofinishthisbusinessaccordingtomyownopinions。Now，Idon'twanttomakeaquarrelofitwithyou，TomGradgrind。Totellyouthetruth，Idon'tthinkitwouldbeworthyofmyreputationtoquarrelonsuchasubject。Astoyourgentleman-friend，hemaytakehimselfoff，whereverhelikesbest。Ifhefallsinmyway，I
shalltellhimmymind；ifhedon'tfallinmyway，Ishan't，foritwon'tbeworthmywhiletodoit。Astoyourdaughter，whomI
madeLooBounderby，andmighthavedonebetterbyleavingLooGradgrind，ifshedon'tcomehometo-morrow，bytwelveo'clockatnoon，Ishallunderstandthatshepreferstostayaway，andIshallsendherwearingapparelandsoforthoverhere，andyou'lltakechargeofherforthefuture。WhatIshallsaytopeopleingeneral，oftheincompatibilitythatledtomysolayingdownthelaw，willbethis。IamJosiahBounderby，andIhadmybringing-
up；she'sthedaughterofTomGradgrind，andshehadherbringing-
up；andthetwohorseswouldn'tpulltogether。Iamprettywellknowntoberatheranuncommonman，Ibelieve；andmostpeoplewillunderstandfastenoughthatitmustbeawomanratheroutofthecommon，also，who，inthelongrun，wouldcomeuptomymark。'
'Letmeseriouslyentreatyoutoreconsiderthis，Bounderby，'urgedMr。Gradgrind，'beforeyoucommityourselftosuchadecision。'
'Ialwayscometoadecision，'saidBounderby，tossinghishaton:
'andwhateverIdo，Idoatonce。IshouldbesurprisedatTomGradgrind'saddressingsucharemarktoJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，knowingwhatheknowsofhim，ifIcouldbesurprisedbyanythingTomGradgrinddid，afterhismakinghimselfapartytosentimentalhumbug。Ihavegivenyoumydecision，andIhavegotnomoretosay。Goodnight！'
SoMr。Bounderbywenthometohistownhousetobed。Atfiveminutespasttwelveo'clocknextday，hedirectedMrs。Bounderby'spropertytobecarefullypackedupandsenttoTomGradgrind's；
advertisedhiscountryretreatforsalebyprivatecontract；andresumedabachelorlife。