Wasitlastnight？HaveIbeenoutlong？What'sthetime？“Shesprangforwardtocatchsightofaclock，asiftheexacttimehadsomeimportantbearingonhercase。
　　“Onlyhalf-pasteight！“sheexclaimed。“Thenhemaybetherestill。“
　　Sheleantoutofthewindowandtoldthecabmantodrivefaster。
　　“Butifhe'snotthere，whatshallIdo？WherecouldIfindhim？Thestreetsaresocrowded。“
　　“Weshallfindhim，“Maryrepeated。
　　Maryhadnodoubtbutthatsomehoworothertheywouldfindhim。Butsupposetheydidfindhim？ShebegantothinkofRalphwithasortofstrangeness，inherefforttounderstandhowhecouldbecapableofsatisfyingthisextraordinarydesire。Oncemoreshethoughtherselfbacktoheroldviewofhimandcould，withaneffort，recallthehazewhichsurroundedhisfigure，andthesenseofconfused，heightenedexhilarationwhichlayallabouthisneighborhood，sothatformonthsatatimeshehadneverexactlyheardhisvoiceorseenhisface——orsoitnowseemedtoher。Thepainofherlossshotthroughher。
　　Nothingwouldevermakeup——notsuccess，orhappiness，oroblivion。
　　Butthispangwasimmediatelyfollowedbytheassurancethatnow，atanyrate，sheknewthetruth；andKatharine，shethought，stealingalookather，didnotknowthetruth；yes，Katharinewasimmenselytobepitied。
　　Thecab，whichhadbeencaughtinthetraffic，wasnowliberatedandspedondownSloaneStreet。MarywasconsciousofthetensionwithwhichKatharinemarkeditsprogress，asifhermindwerefixeduponapointinfrontofthem，andmarked，secondbysecond，theirapproachtoit。Shesaidnothing，andinsilenceMarybegantofixhermind，insympathyatfirst，andlaterinforgetfulnessofhercompanion，uponapointinfrontofthem。Sheimaginedapointdistantasalowstaruponthehorizonofthedark。Thereforhertoo，forthemboth，wasthegoalforwhichtheywerestriving，andtheendfortheardorsoftheirspiritswasthesame:butwhereitwas，orwhatitwas，orwhyshefeltconvincedthattheywereunitedinsearchofit，astheydroveswiftlydownthestreetsofLondonsidebyside，shecouldnothavesaid。
　　“Atlast，“Katharinebreathed，asthecabdrewupatthedoor。Shejumpedoutandscannedthepavementoneitherside。Mary，meanwhile，rangthebell。ThedooropenedasKatharineassuredherselfthatnooneofthepeoplewithinviewhadanylikenesstoRalph。Onseeingher，themaidsaidatonce:
　　“Mr。Denhamcalledagain，miss。Hehasbeenwaitingforyouforsometime。“
　　KatharinevanishedfromMary'ssight。Thedoorshutbetweenthem，andMarywalkedslowlyandthoughtfullyupthestreetalone。
　　Katharineturnedatoncetothedining-room。Butwithherfingersuponthehandle，sheheldback。Perhapssherealizedthatthiswasamomentwhichwouldnevercomeagain。Perhaps，forasecond，itseemedtoherthatnorealitycouldequaltheimaginationshehadformed。Perhapsshewasrestrainedbysomevaguefearoranticipation，whichmadeherdreadanyexchangeorinterruption。Butifthesedoubtsandfearsorthissupremeblissrestrainedher，itwasonlyforamoment。Inanothersecondshehadturnedthehandleand，bitingherliptocontrolherself，sheopenedthedooruponRalphDenham。Anextraordinaryclearnessofsightseemedtopossessheronbeholdinghim。Solittle，sosingle，soseparatefromallelseheappeared，whohadbeenthecauseoftheseextremeagitationsandaspirations。Shecouldhavelaughedinhisface。But，gaininguponthisclearnessofsightagainstherwill，andtoherdislike，wasafloodofconfusion，ofrelief，ofcertainty，ofhumility，ofdesirenolongertostriveandtodiscriminate，yieldingtowhich，sheletherselfsinkwithinhisarmsandconfessedherlove。
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　NobodyaskedKatharineanyquestionsnextday。Ifcross-examinedshemighthavesaidthatnobodyspoketoher。Sheworkedalittle，wrotealittle，orderedthedinner，andsat，forlongerthansheknew，withherheadonherhandpiercingwhateverlaybeforeher，whetheritwasaletteroradictionary，asifitwereafilmuponthedeepprospectsthatrevealedthemselvestoherkindlingandbroodingeyes。Sheroseonce，andgoingtothebookcase，tookoutherfather'sGreekdictionaryandspreadthesacredpagesofsymbolsandfiguresbeforeher。Shesmoothedthesheetswithamixtureofaffectionateamusementandhope。Wouldothereyeslookonthemwithheroneday？Thethought，longintolerable，wasnowjustbearable。
　　Shewasquiteunawareoftheanxietywithwhichhermovementswerewatchedandherexpressionscanned。Cassandrawascarefulnottobecaughtlookingather，andtheirconversationwassoprosaicthatwereitnotforcertainjoltsandjerksbetweenthesentences，asifthemindwerekeptwithdifficultytotherails，Mrs。Milvainherselfcouldhavedetectednothingofasuspiciousnatureinwhatsheoverheard。
　　William，whenhecameinlatethatafternoonandfoundCassandraalone，hadaveryseriouspieceofnewstoimpart。HehadjustpassedKatharineinthestreetandshehadfailedtorecognizehim。
　　“Thatdoesn'tmatterwithme，ofcourse，butsupposeithappenedwithsomebodyelse？Whatwouldtheythink？Theywouldsuspectsomethingmerelyfromherexpression。Shelooked——shelooked“——hehesitated——
　　“likesomeonewalkinginhersleep。“
　　ToCassandrathesignificantthingwasthatKatharinehadgoneoutwithouttellingher，andsheinterpretedthistomeanthatshehadgoneouttomeetRalphDenham。ButtohersurpriseWilliamdrewnocomfortfromthisprobability。
　　“Oncethrowconventionsaside，“hebegan，“oncedothethingsthatpeopledon'tdo——“andthefactthatyouaregoingtomeetayoungmanisnolongerproofofanything，except，indeed，thatpeoplewilltalk。
　　Cassandrasaw，notwithoutapangofjealousy，thathewasextremelysolicitousthatpeopleshouldnottalkaboutKatharine，asifhisinterestinherwerestillproprietaryratherthanfriendly。AstheywerebothignorantofRalph'svisitthenightbeforetheyhadnotthatreasontocomfortthemselveswiththethoughtthatmatterswerehasteningtoacrisis。TheseabsencesofKatharine's，moreover，leftthemexposedtointerruptionswhichalmostdestroyedtheirpleasureinbeingalonetogether。Therainyeveningmadeitimpossibletogoout；
　　and，indeed，accordingtoWilliam'scode，itwasconsiderablymoredamningtobeseenoutofdoorsthansurprisedwithin。TheyweresomuchatthemercyofbellsanddoorsthattheycouldhardlytalkofMacaulaywithanyconviction，andWilliampreferredtodeferthesecondactofhistragedyuntilanotherday。
　　UnderthesecircumstancesCassandrashowedherselfatherbest。ShesympathizedwithWilliam'sanxietiesanddidherutmosttosharethem；
　　butstill，tobealonetogether，toberunningriskstogether，tobepartnersinthewonderfulconspiracy，wastohersoenthrallingthatshewasalwaysforgettingdiscretion，breakingoutintoexclamationsandadmirationswhichfinallymadeWilliambelievethat，althoughdeplorableandupsetting，thesituationwasnotwithoutitssweetness。
　　Whenthedoordidopen，hestarted，butbravedtheforthcomingrevelation。ItwasnotMrs。Milvain，however，butKatharineherselfwhoentered，closelyfollowedbyRalphDenham。Withasetexpressionwhichshowedwhataneffortshewasmaking，Katharineencounteredtheireyes，andsaying，“We'renotgoingtointerruptyou，“sheledDenhambehindthecurtainwhichhunginfrontoftheroomwiththerelics。Thisrefugewasnoneofherwilling，butconfrontedwithwetpavementsandonlysomebelatedmuseumorTubestationforshelter，shewasforced，forRalph'ssake，tofacethediscomfortsofherownhouse。Underthestreetlampsshehadthoughthimlookingbothtiredandstrained。
　　Thusseparated，thetwocouplesremainedoccupiedforsometimewiththeirownaffairs。Onlythelowestmurmurspenetratedfromonesectionoftheroomtotheother。AtlengththemaidcameintobringamessagethatMr。Hilberywouldnotbehomefordinner。ItwastruethattherewasnoneedthatKatharineshouldbeinformed，butWilliambegantoinquireCassandra'sopinioninsuchawayastoshowthat，withorwithoutreason，hewishedverymuchtospeaktoher。
　　FrommotivesofherownCassandradissuadedhim。
　　“Butdon'tyouthinkit'salittleunsociable？“hehazarded。“Whynotdosomethingamusing？——gototheplay，forinstance？WhynotaskKatharineandRalph，eh？“ThecouplingoftheirnamesinthismannercausedCassandra'shearttoleapwithpleasure。
　　“Don'tyouthinktheymustbe——？“shebegan，butWilliamhastilytookherup。
　　“Oh，Iknownothingaboutthat。Ionlythoughtwemightamuseourselves，asyouruncle'sout。“
　　Heproceededonhisembassywithamixtureofexcitementandembarrassmentwhichcausedhimtoturnasidewithhishandonthecurtain，andtoexamineintentlyforseveralmomentstheportraitofalady，optimisticallysaidbyMrs。HilberytobeanearlyworkofSirJoshuaReynolds。Then，withsomeunnecessaryfumbling，hedrewasidethecurtain，andwithhiseyesfixedupontheground，repeatedhismessageandsuggestedthattheyshouldallspendtheeveningattheplay。Katharineacceptedthesuggestionwithsuchcordialitythatitwasstrangetofindherofnoclearmindastotheprecisespectacleshewishedtosee。SheleftthechoiceentirelytoRalphandWilliam，who，takingcounselfraternallyoveraneveningpaper，foundthemselvesinagreementastothemeritsofamusic-hall。Thisbeingarranged，everythingelsefollowedeasilyandenthusiastically。
　　Cassandrahadneverbeentoamusic-hall。KatharineinstructedherinthepeculiardelightsofanentertainmentwherePolarbearsfollowdirectlyuponladiesinfulleveningdress，andthestageisalternatelyagardenofmystery，amilliner'sband-box，andafried-
　　fishshopintheMileEndRoad。Whatevertheexactnatureoftheprogramthatnight，itfulfilledthehighestpurposesofdramaticart，sofar，atleast，asfouroftheaudiencewereconcerned。
　　Nodoubttheactorsandtheauthorswouldhavebeensurprisedtolearninwhatshapetheireffortsreachedthoseparticulareyesandears；
　　buttheycouldnothavedeniedthattheeffectasawholewastremendous。Thehallresoundedwithbrassandstrings，alternatelyofenormouspompandmajesty，andthenofsweetestlamentation。Theredsandcreamsofthebackground，thelyresandharpsandurnsandskulls，theprotuberancesofplaster，thefringesofscarletplush，thesinkingandblazingofinnumerableelectriclights，couldscarcelyhavebeensurpassedfordecorativeeffectbyanycraftsmanoftheancientormodernworld。
　　Thentherewastheaudienceitself，bare-shouldered，tuftedandgarlandedinthestalls，decorousbutfestalinthebalconies，andfranklyfitfordaylightandstreetlifeinthegalleries。But，howevertheydifferedwhenlookedatseparately，theysharedthesamehuge，lovablenatureinthebulk，whichmurmuredandswayedandquiveredallthetimethedancingandjugglingandlove-makingwentoninfrontofit，slowlylaughedandreluctantlyleftofflaughing，andapplaudedwithahelter-skeltergenerositywhichsometimesbecameunanimousandoverwhelming。OnceWilliamsawKatharineleaningforwardandclappingherhandswithanabandonmentthatstartledhim。Herlaughrangoutwiththelaughteroftheaudience。
　　Forasecondhewaspuzzled，asifthislaughterdisclosedsomethingthathehadneversuspectedinher。ButthenCassandra'sfacecaughthiseye，gazingwithastonishmentatthebuffoon，notlaughing，toodeeplyintentandsurprisedtolaughatwhatshesaw，andforsomemomentshewatchedherasifshewereachild。
　　Theperformancecametoanend，theillusiondyingoutfirsthereandthenthere，assomerosetoputontheircoats，othersstooduprighttosalute“GodSavetheKing，“themusiciansfoldedtheirmusicandencasedtheirinstruments，andthelightssankonebyoneuntilthehousewasempty，silent，andfullofgreatshadows。LookingbackoverhershoulderasshefollowedRalphthroughtheswingdoors，Cassandramarveledtoseehowthestagewasalreadyentirelywithoutromance。
　　But，shewondered，didtheyreallycoveralltheseatsinbrownhollandeverynight？
　　Thesuccessofthisentertainmentwassuchthatbeforetheyseparatedanotherexpeditionhadbeenplannedforthenextday。ThenextdaywasSaturday；thereforebothWilliamandRalphwerefreetodevotethewholeafternoontoanexpeditiontoGreenwich，whichCassandrahadneverseen，andKatharineconfusedwithDulwich。OnthisoccasionRalphwastheirguide。HebroughtthemwithoutaccidenttoGreenwich。
　　WhatexigenciesofstateorfantasiesofimaginationfirstgavebirthtotheclusterofpleasantplacesbywhichLondonissurroundedismatterofindifferencenowthattheyhaveadaptedthemselvessoadmirablytotheneedsofpeoplebetweentheagesoftwentyandthirtywithSaturdayafternoonstospend。Indeed，ifghostshaveanyinterestintheaffectionsofthosewhosucceedthemtheymustreaptheirrichestharvestswhenthefineweathercomesagainandthelovers，thesightseers，andtheholiday-makerspourthemselvesoutoftrainsandomnibusesintotheiroldpleasure-grounds。Itistruethattheygo，forthemostpart，unthankedbyname，althoughuponthisoccasionWilliamwasreadytogivesuchdiscriminatingpraiseasthedeadarchitectsandpaintersreceivedseldominthecourseoftheyear。
　　Theywerewalkingbytheriverbank，andKatharineandRalph，laggingalittlebehind，caughtfragmentsofhislecture。Katharinesmiledatthesoundofhisvoice；shelistenedasifshefounditalittleunfamiliar，intimatelythoughsheknewit；shetestedit。Thenoteofassuranceandhappinesswasnew。Williamwasveryhappy。Shelearnteveryhourwhatsourcesofhishappinessshehadneglected。Shehadneveraskedhimtoteachheranything；shehadneverconsentedtoreadMacaulay；shehadneverexpressedherbeliefthathisplaywassecondonlytotheworksofShakespeare。Shefolloweddreamilyintheirwake，smilinganddelightinginthesoundwhichconveyed，sheknew，therapturousandyetnotservileassentofCassandra。
　　Thenshemurmured，“HowcanCassandra——“butchangedhersentencetotheoppositeofwhatshemeanttosayandended，“howcouldsheherselfhavebeensoblind？“ButitwasunnecessarytofollowoutsuchriddleswhenthepresenceofRalphsuppliedherwithmoreinterestingproblems，whichsomehowbecameinvolvedwiththelittleboatcrossingtheriver，themajesticandcarewornCity，andthesteamershomecomingwiththeirtreasury，orstartinginsearchofit，sothatinfiniteleisurewouldbenecessaryfortheproperdisentanglementofonefromtheother。Hestopped，moreover，andbeganinquiringofanoldboatmanastothetidesandtheships。Inthustalkingheseemeddifferent，andevenlookeddifferent，shethought，againsttheriver，withthesteeplesandtowersforbackground。Hisstrangeness，hisromance，hispowertoleavehersideandtakepartintheaffairsofmen，thepossibilitythattheyshouldtogetherhireaboatandcrosstheriver，thespeedandwildnessofthisenterprisefilledhermindandinspiredherwithsuchrapture，halfofloveandhalfofadventure，thatWilliamandCassandrawerestartledfromtheirtalk，andCassandraexclaimed，“Shelooksasifshewereofferingupasacrifice！Verybeautiful，“sheaddedquickly，thoughsherepressed，indeferencetoWilliam，herownwonderthatthesightofRalphDenhamtalkingtoaboatmanonthebanksoftheThamescouldmoveanyonetosuchanattitudeofadoration。
　　Thatafternoon，whatwithteaandthecuriositiesoftheThamestunnelandtheunfamiliarityofthestreets，passedsoquicklythattheonlymethodofprolongingitwastoplananotherexpeditionforthefollowingday。HamptonCourtwasdecidedupon，inpreferencetoHampstead，forthoughCassandrahaddreamtasachildofthebrigandsofHampstead，shehadnowtransferredheraffectionscompletelyandforevertoWilliamIII。Accordingly，theyarrivedatHamptonCourtaboutlunch-timeonafineSundaymorning。Suchunitymarkedtheirexpressionsofadmirationforthered-brickbuildingthattheymighthavecometherefornootherpurposethantoassureeachotherthatthispalacewasthestateliestpalaceintheworld。TheywalkedupanddowntheTerrace，fourabreast，andfanciedthemselvestheownersoftheplace，andcalculatedtheamountofgoodtotheworldproducedindubitablybysuchatenancy。
　　“Theonlyhopeforus，“saidKatharine，“isthatWilliamshalldie，andCassandrashallbegivenroomsasthewidowofadistinguishedpoet。“
　　“Or——“Cassandrabegan，butcheckedherselffromthelibertyofenvisagingKatharineasthewidowofadistinguishedlawyer。Uponthis，thethirddayofjunketing，itwastiresometohavetorestrainoneselfevenfromsuchinnocentexcursionsoffancy。ShedarednotquestionWilliam；hewasinscrutable；heneverseemedeventofollowtheothercouplewithcuriositywhentheyseparated，astheyfrequentlydid，tonameaplant，orexamineafresco。Cassandrawasconstantlystudyingtheirbacks。ShenoticedhowsometimestheimpulsetomovecamefromKatharine，andsometimesfromRalph；how，sometimes，theywalkedslow，asifinprofoundintercourse，andsometimesfast，asifinpassionate。Whentheycametogetheragainnothingcouldbemoreunconcernedthantheirmanner。
　　“Wehavebeenwonderingwhethertheyevercatchafish……“or，“WemustleavetimetovisittheMaze。“Then，topuzzleherfurther，WilliamandRalphfilledinallintersticesofmeal-timesorrailwayjourneyswithperfectlygood-temperedarguments；ortheydiscussedpolitics，ortheytoldstories，ortheydidsumstogetheruponthebacksofoldenvelopestoprovesomething。ShesuspectedthatKatharinewasabsent-minded，butitwasimpossibletotell。ThereweremomentswhenshefeltsoyoungandinexperiencedthatshealmostwishedherselfbackwiththesilkwormsatStogdonHouse，andnotembarkeduponthisbewilderingintrigue。
　　Thesemoments，however，wereonlythenecessaryshadoworchillwhichprovedthesubstanceofherbliss，anddidnotdamagetheradiancewhichseemedtorestequallyuponthewholeparty。Thefreshairofspring，theskywashedofcloudsandalreadysheddingwarmthfromitsblue，seemedthereplyvouchsafedbynaturetothemoodofherchosenspirits。Thesechosenspiritsweretobefoundalsoamongthedeer，dumblybasking，andamongthefish，setstillinmid-stream，fortheyweremutesharersinabenignantstatenotneedinganyexpositionbythetongue。NowordsthatCassandracouldcomebyexpressedthestillness，thebrightness，theairofexpectancywhichlayupontheorderlybeautyofthegrasswalksandgravelpathsdownwhichtheywentwalkingfourabreastthatSundayafternoon。Silentlytheshadowsofthetreeslayacrossthebroadsunshine；silencewraptherheartinitsfolds。Thequiveringstillnessofthebutterflyonthehalf-openedflower，thesilentgrazingofthedeerinthesun，werethesightshereyeresteduponandreceivedastheimagesofherownnaturelaidopentohappinessandtremblinginitsecstasy。
　　Buttheafternoonworeon，anditbecametimetoleavethegardens。AstheydrovefromWaterlootoChelsea，Katharinebegantohavesomecompunctionaboutherfather，which，togetherwiththeopeningofofficesandtheneedofworkinginthemonMonday，madeitdifficulttoplananotherfestivalforthefollowingday。Mr。Hilberyhadtakentheirabsence，sofar，withpaternalbenevolence，buttheycouldnottrespassuponitindefinitely。Indeed，hadtheyknownit，hewasalreadysufferingfromtheirabsence，andlongingfortheirreturn。
　　Hehadnodislikeofsolitude，andSunday，inparticular，waspleasantlyadaptedforletter-writing，payingcalls，oravisittohisclub。Hewasleavingthehouseonsomesuchsuitableexpeditiontowardstea-timewhenhefoundhimselfstoppedonhisowndoorstepbyhissister，Mrs。Milvain。Sheshould，onhearingthatnoonewasathome，havewithdrawnsubmissively，butinsteadsheacceptedhishalf-heartedinvitationtocomein，andhefoundhimselfinthemelancholypositionofbeingforcedtoorderteaforherandsitinthedrawing-roomwhileshedrankit。Shespeedilymadeitplainthatshewasonlythusexactingbecauseshehadcomeonamatterofbusiness。Hewasbynomeansexhilaratedatthenews。
　　“Katharineisoutthisafternoon，“heremarked。“Whynotcomeroundlateranddiscussitwithher——withusboth，eh？“
　　“MydearTrevor，Ihaveparticularreasonsforwishingtotalktoyoualone……WhereisKatharine？“
　　“She'soutwithheryoungman，naturally。Cassandraplaysthepartofchaperoneveryusefully。Acharmingyoungwomanthat——agreatfavoriteofmine。“Heturnedhisstonebetweenhisfingers，andconceiveddifferentmethodsofleadingCeliaawayfromherobsession，which，hesupposed，musthavereferencetothedomesticaffairsofCyrilasusual。
　　“WithCassandra，“Mrs。Milvainrepeatedsignificantly。“WithCassandra。“
　　“Yes，withCassandra，“Mr。Hilberyagreedurbanely，pleasedatthediversion。“IthinktheysaidtheyweregoingtoHamptonCourt，andI
　　ratherbelievetheyweretakingaprotegeofmine，RalphDenham，averycleverfellow，too，toamuseCassandra。Ithoughtthearrangementverysuitable。“Hewaspreparedtodwellatsomelengthuponthissafetopic，andtrustedthatKatharinewouldcomeinbeforehehaddonewithit。
　　“HamptonCourtalwaysseemstomeanidealspotforengagedcouples。
　　There'stheMaze，there'saniceplaceforhavingtea——Iforgetwhattheycallit——andthen，iftheyoungmanknowshisbusinesshecontrivestotakehisladyupontheriver。Fullofpossibilities——full。Cake，Celia？“Mr。Hilberycontinued。“Irespectmydinnertoomuch，butthatcan'tpossiblyapplytoyou。You'veneverobservedthatfeast，sofarasIcanremember。“
　　Herbrother'saffabilitydidnotdeceiveMrs。Milvain；itslightlysaddenedher；shewellknewthecauseofit。Blindandinfatuatedasusual！
　　“WhoisthisMr。Denham？“sheasked。
　　“RalphDenham？“saidMr。Hilbery，inreliefthathermindhadtakenthisturn。“Averyinterestingyoungman。I'veagreatbeliefinhim。
　　He'sanauthorityuponourmediaevalinstitutions，andifheweren'tforcedtoearnhislivinghewouldwriteabookthatverymuchwantswriting——“
　　“Heisnotwelloff，then？“Mrs。Milvaininterposed。
　　“Hasn'tapenny，I'mafraid，andafamilymoreorlessdependentonhim。“
　　“Amotherandsisters？——Hisfatherisdead？“
　　“Yes，hisfatherdiedsomeyearsago，“saidMr。Hilbery，whowaspreparedtodrawuponhisimagination，ifnecessary，tokeepMrs。
　　MilvainsuppliedwithfactsabouttheprivatehistoryofRalphDenhamsince，forsomeinscrutablereason，thesubjecttookherfancy。
　　“Hisfatherhasbeendeadsometime，andthisyoungmanhadtotakehisplace——“
　　“Alegalfamily？“Mrs。Milvaininquired。“IfancyI'veseenthenamesomewhere。“
　　Mr。Hilberyshookhishead。“Ishouldbeinclinedtodoubtwhethertheywerealtogetherinthatwalkoflife，“heobserved。“IfancythatDenhamoncetoldmethathisfatherwasacornmerchant。Perhapshesaidastockbroker。Hecametogrief，anyhow，asstockbrokershaveawayofdoing。I'veagreatrespectforDenham，“headded。Theremarksoundedtohisearsunfortunatelyconclusive，andhewasafraidthattherewasnothingmoretobesaidaboutDenham。Heexaminedthetipsofhisfingerscarefully。“Cassandra'sgrownintoaverycharmingyoungwoman，“hestartedafresh。“Charmingtolookat，andcharmingtotalkto，thoughherhistoricalknowledgeisnotaltogetherprofound。
　　Anothercupoftea？“
　　Mrs。Milvainhadgivenhercupalittlepush，whichseemedtoindicatesomemomentarydispleasure。Butshedidnotwantanymoretea。
　　“ItisCassandrathatIhavecomeabout，“shebegan。“IamverysorrytosaythatCassandraisnotatallwhatyouthinkher，Trevor。ShehasimposeduponyourandMaggie'sgoodness。Shehasbehavedinawaythatwouldhaveseemedincredible——inthishouseofallhouses——wereitnotforothercircumstancesthatarestillmoreincredible。“
　　Mr。Hilberylookedtakenaback，andwassilentforasecond。
　　“Itallsoundsveryblack，“heremarkedurbanely，continuinghisexaminationofhisfinger-nails。“ButIownIamcompletelyinthedark。“
　　Mrs。Milvainbecamerigid，andemittedhermessageinlittleshortsentencesofextremeintensity。
　　“WhohasCassandragoneoutwith？WilliamRodney。WhohasKatharinegoneoutwith？RalphDenham。Whyaretheyforevermeetingeachotherroundstreetcorners，andgoingtomusic-halls，andtakingcabslateatnight？WhywillKatharinenottellmethetruthwhenIquestionher？Iunderstandthereasonnow。Katharinehasentangledherselfwiththisunknownlawyer；shehasseenfittocondoneCassandra'sconduct。“
　　Therewasanotherslightpause。
　　“Ah，well，Katharinewillnodoubthavesomeexplanationtogiveme，“
　　Mr。Hilberyrepliedimperturbably。“It'salittletoocomplicatedformetotakeinallatonce，Iconfess——and，ifyouwon'tthinkmerude，Celia，IthinkI'llbegettingalongtowardsKnightsbridge。“
　　Mrs。Milvainroseatonce。
　　“ShehascondonedCassandra'sconductandentangledherselfwithRalphDenham，“sherepeated。Shestoodveryerectwiththedauntlessairofonetestifyingtothetruthregardlessofconsequences。Sheknewfrompastdiscussionsthattheonlywaytocounterherbrother'sindolenceandindifferencewastoshootherstatementsathiminacompressedformoncefinallyuponleavingtheroom。Havingspokenthus，sherestrainedherselffromaddinganotherword，andleftthehousewiththedignityofoneinspiredbyagreatideal。
　　ShehadcertainlyframedherremarksinsuchawayastopreventherbrotherfrompayinghiscallintheregionofKnightsbridge。HehadnofearsforKatharine，buttherewasasuspicionatthebackofhismindthatCassandramighthavebeen，innocentlyandignorantly，ledintosomefoolishsituationinoneoftheirunshepherdeddissipations。Hiswifewasanerraticjudgeoftheconventions；hehimselfwaslazy；andwithKatharineabsorbed，verynaturally——Hereherecalled，aswellashecould，theexactnatureofthecharge。“ShehascondonedCassandra'sconductandentangledherselfwithRalphDenham。“FromwhichitappearedthatKatharinewasNOTabsorbed，orwhichofthemwasitthathadentangledherselfwithRalphDenham？FromthismazeofabsurdityMr。HilberysawnowayoutuntilKatharineherselfcametohishelp，sothatheappliedhimself，veryphilosophicallyonthewhole，toabook。
　　NosoonerhadheheardtheyoungpeoplecomeinandgoupstairsthanhesentamaidtotellMissKatharinethathewishedtospeaktoherinthestudy。Shewasslippingfurslooselyontothefloorinthedrawing-roominfrontofthefire。Theywereallgatheredround，reluctanttopart。ThemessagefromherfathersurprisedKatharine，andtheotherscaughtfromherlook，assheturnedtogo，avaguesenseofapprehension。
　　Mr。Hilberywasreassuredbythesightofher。Hecongratulatedhimself，hepridedhimself，uponpossessingadaughterwhohadasenseofresponsibilityandanunderstandingoflifeprofoundbeyondheryears。Moreover，shewaslookingto-dayunusual；hehadcometotakeherbeautyforgranted；nowheremembereditandwassurprisedbyit。
　　HethoughtinstinctivelythathehadinterruptedsomehappyhourofherswithRodney，andapologized。
　　“I'msorrytobotheryou，mydear。Iheardyoucomein，andthoughtI'dbettermakemyselfdisagreeableatonce——asitseems，unfortunately，thatfathersareexpectedtomakethemselvesdisagreeable。Now，yourAuntCeliahasbeentoseeme；yourAuntCeliahastakenitintoherheadapparentlythatyouandCassandrahavebeen——letussayalittlefoolish。Thisgoingabouttogether——thesepleasantlittleparties——there'sbeensomekindofmisunderstanding。I
　　toldherIsawnoharminit，butIshouldjustliketohearfromyourself。HasCassandrabeenleftalittletoomuchinthecompanyofMr。Denham？“
　　Katharinedidnotreplyatonce，andMr。Hilberytappedthecoalencouraginglywiththepoker。Thenshesaid，withoutembarrassmentorapology:
　　“Idon'tseewhyIshouldanswerAuntCelia'squestions。I'vetoldheralreadythatIwon't。“
　　Mr。Hilberywasrelievedandsecretlyamusedatthethoughtoftheinterview，althoughhecouldnotlicensesuchirreverenceoutwardly。
　　“Verygood。Thenyouauthorizemetotellherthatshe'sbeenmistaken，andtherewasnothingbutalittlefuninit？You'venodoubt，Katharine，inyourownmind？Cassandraisinourcharge，andI
　　don'tintendthatpeopleshouldgossipabouther。Isuggestthatyoushouldbealittlemorecarefulinfuture。Invitemetoyournextentertainment。“
　　Shedidnotrespond，ashehadhoped，withanyaffectionateorhumorousreply。Shemeditated，ponderingsomethingorother，andhereflectedthatevenhisKatharinedidnotdifferfromotherwomeninthecapacitytoletthingsbe。Orhadshesomethingtosay？
　　“Haveyouaguiltyconscience？“heinquiredlightly。“Tellme，Katharine，“hesaidmoreseriously，struckbysomethingintheexpressionofhereyes。
　　“I'vebeenmeaningtotellyouforsometime，“shesaid，“I'mnotgoingtomarryWilliam。“
　　“You'renotgoing——！“heexclaimed，droppingthepokerinhisimmensesurprise。“Why？When？Explainyourself，Katharine。“
　　“Oh，sometimeago——aweek，perhapsmore。“Katharinespokehurriedlyandindifferently，asifthemattercouldnolongerconcernanyone。
　　“ButmayIask——whyhaveInotbeentoldofthis——whatdoyoumeanbyit？“
　　“Wedon'twishtobemarried——that'sall。“
　　“ThisisWilliam'swishaswellasyours？“
　　“Oh，yes。Weagreeperfectly。“
　　Mr。Hilberyhadseldomfeltmorecompletelyataloss。HethoughtthatKatharinewastreatingthematterwithcuriousunconcern；shescarcelyseemedawareofthegravityofwhatshewassaying；hedidnotunderstandthepositionatall。Buthisdesiretosmootheverythingovercomfortablycametohisrelief。Nodoubttherewassomequarrel，somewhimseyonthepartofWilliam，who，thoughagoodfellow，wasalittleexactingsometimes——somethingthatawomancouldputright。Butthoughheinclinedtotaketheeasiestviewofhisresponsibilities，hecaredtoomuchforthisdaughtertoletthingsbe。
　　“IconfessIfindgreatdifficultyinfollowingyou。IshouldliketohearWilliam'ssideofthestory，“hesaidirritably。“Ithinkheoughttohavespokentomeinthefirstinstance。“
　　“Iwouldn'tlethim，“saidKatharine。“Iknowitmustseemtoyouverystrange，“sheadded。“ButIassureyou，ifyou'dwaitalittle——untilmothercomesback。“
　　ThisappealfordelaywasmuchtoMr。Hilbery'sliking。Buthisconsciencewouldnotsufferit。Peopleweretalking。Hecouldnotendurethathisdaughter'sconductshouldbeinanywayconsideredirregular。Hewonderedwhether，inthecircumstances，itwouldbebettertowiretohiswife，tosendforoneofhissisters，toforbidWilliamthehouse，topackCassandraoffhome——forhewasvaguelyconsciousofresponsibilitiesinherdirection，too。Hisforeheadwasbecomingmoreandmorewrinkledbythemultiplicityofhisanxieties，whichhewassorelytemptedtoaskKatharinetosolveforhim，whenthedooropenedandWilliamRodneyappeared。Thisnecessitatedacompletechange，notonlyofmanner，butofpositionalso。
　　“Here'sWilliam，“Katharineexclaimed，inatoneofrelief。“I'vetoldfatherwe'renotengaged，“shesaidtohim。“I'veexplainedthatI
　　preventedyoufromtellinghim。“
　　William'smannerwasmarkedbytheutmostformality。HebowedveryslightlyinthedirectionofMr。Hilbery，andstooderect，holdingonelapelofhiscoat，andgazingintothecenterofthefire。HewaitedforMr。Hilberytospeak。
　　Mr。Hilberyalsoassumedanappearanceofformidabledignity。Hehadrisentohisfeet，andnowbentthetoppartofhisbodyslightlyforward。
　　“Ishouldlikeyouraccountofthisaffair，Rodney——ifKatharinenolongerpreventsyoufromspeaking。“
　　Williamwaitedtwosecondsatleast。
　　“Ourengagementisatanend，“hesaid，withtheutmoststiffness。
　　“Hasthisbeenarrivedatbyyourjointdesire？“
　　AfteraperceptiblepauseWilliambenthishead，andKatharinesaid，asifbyanafterthought:
　　“Oh，yes。“
　　Mr。Hilberyswayedtoandfro，andmovedhislipsasiftoutterremarkswhichremainedunspoken。
　　“Icanonlysuggestthatyoushouldpostponeanydecisionuntiltheeffectofthismisunderstandinghashadtimetowearoff。Youhavenowknowneachother——“hebegan。
　　“There'sbeennomisunderstanding，“Katharineinterposed。“Nothingatall。“Shemovedafewpacesacrosstheroom，asifsheintendedtoleavethem。Herpreoccupiednaturalnesswasinstrangecontrasttoherfather'spomposityandtoWilliam'smilitaryrigidity。Hehadnotonceraisedhiseyes。Katharine'sglance，ontheotherhand，rangedpastthetwogentlemen，alongthebooks，overthetables，towardsthedoor。
　　Shewaspayingtheleastpossibleattention，itseemed，towhatwashappening。Herfatherlookedatherwithasuddencloudingandtroublingofhisexpression。Somehowhisfaithinherstabilityandsensewasqueerlyshaken。Henolongerfeltthathecouldultimatelyentrustherwiththewholeconductofherownaffairsafterasuperficialshowofdirectingthem。Hefelt，forthefirsttimeinmanyyears，responsibleforher。
　　“Lookhere，wemustgettothebottomofthis，“hesaid，droppinghisformalmannerandaddressingRodneyasifKatharinewerenotpresent。
　　“You'vehadsomedifferenceofopinion，eh？Takemywordforit，mostpeoplegothroughthissortofthingwhenthey'reengaged。I'veseenmoretroublecomefromlongengagementsthanfromanyotherformofhumanfolly。Takemyadviceandputthewholematteroutofyourminds——bothofyou。Iprescribeacompleteabstinencefromemotion。
　　Visitsomecheerfulseasideresort，Rodney。“
　　HewasstruckbyWilliam'sappearance，whichseemedtohimtoindicateprofoundfeelingresolutelyheldincheck。Nodoubt，hereflected，Katharinehadbeenverytrying，unconsciouslytrying，andhaddrivenhimtotakeupapositionwhichwasnoneofhiswilling。Mr。HilberycertainlydidnotoverrateWilliam'ssufferings。Nominutesinhislifehadhithertoextortedfromhimsuchintensityofanguish。Hewasnowfacingtheconsequencesofhisinsanity。HemustconfesshimselfentirelyandfundamentallyotherthanMr。Hilberythoughthim。
　　Everythingwasagainsthim。EventheSundayeveningandthefireandthetranquillibraryscenewereagainsthim。Mr。Hilbery'sappealtohimasamanoftheworldwasterriblyagainsthim。HewasnolongeramanofanyworldthatMr。Hilberycaredtorecognize。Butsomepowercompelledhim，asithadcompelledhimtocomedownstairs，tomakehisstandhereandnow，aloneandunhelpedbyanyone，withoutprospectofreward。Hefumbledwithvariousphrases；andthenjerkedout:
　　“IloveCassandra。“
　　Mr。Hilbery'sfaceturnedacuriousdullpurple。Helookedathisdaughter。Henoddedhishead，asiftoconveyhissilentcommandtohertoleavetheroom；buteithershedidnotnoticeitorpreferrednottoobey。
　　“Youhavetheimpudence——“Mr。Hilberybegan，inadull，lowvoicethathehimselfhadneverheardbefore，whentherewasascufflingandexclaiminginthehall，andCassandra，whoappearedtobeinsistingagainstsomedissuasiononthepartofanother，burstintotheroom。
　　“UncleTrevor，“sheexclaimed，“Iinsistupontellingyouthetruth！“
　　SheflungherselfbetweenRodneyandheruncle，asifshesoughttointercepttheirblows。Asherunclestoodperfectlystill，lookingverylargeandimposing，andasnobodyspoke，sheshrankbackalittle，andlookedfirstatKatharineandthenatRodney。“Youmustknowthetruth，“shesaid，alittlelamely。
　　“YouhavetheimpudencetotellmethisinKatharine'spresence？“Mr。
　　Hilberycontinued，speakingwithcompletedisregardofCassandra'sinterruption。
　　“Iamaware，quiteaware——“Rodney'swords，whichwerebrokeninsense，spokenafterapause，andwithhiseyesupontheground，neverthelessexpressedanastonishingamountofresolution。“Iamquiteawarewhatyoumustthinkofme，“hebroughtout，lookingMr。
　　Hilberydirectlyintheeyesforthefirsttime。
　　“Icouldexpressmyviewsonthesubjectmorefullyifwewerealone，“
　　Mr。Hilberyreturned。
　　“Butyouforgetme，“saidKatharine。ShemovedalittletowardsRodney，andhermovementseemedtotestifymutelytoherrespectforhim，andheralliancewithhim。“IthinkWilliamhasbehavedperfectlyrightly，and，afterall，itisIwhoamconcerned——IandCassandra。“
　　Cassandra，too，gaveanindescribablyslightmovementwhichseemedtodrawthethreeofthemintoalliancetogether。Katharine'stoneandglancemadeMr。Hilberyoncemorefeelcompletelyataloss，andinaddition，painfullyandangrilyobsolete；butinspiteofanawfulinnerhollownesshewasoutwardlycomposed。
　　“CassandraandRodneyhaveaperfectrighttosettletheirownaffairsaccordingtotheirownwishes；butIseenoreasonwhytheyshoulddosoeitherinmyroomorinmyhouse……Iwishtobequiteclearonthispoint，however；youarenolongerengagedtoRodney。“
　　Hepaused，andhispauseseemedtosignifythathewasextremelythankfulforhisdaughter'sdeliverance。
　　CassandraturnedtoKatharine，whodrewherbreathasiftospeakandcheckedherself；Rodney，too，seemedtoawaitsomemovementonherpart；herfatherglancedatherasifhehalfanticipatedsomefurtherrevelation。Sheremainedperfectlysilent。Inthesilencetheyhearddistinctlystepsdescendingthestaircase，andKatharinewentstraighttothedoor。
　　“Wait，“Mr。Hilberycommanded。“Iwishtospeaktoyou——alone，“headded。
　　Shepaused，holdingthedoorajar。
　　“I'llcomeback，“shesaid，andasshespokesheopenedthedoorandwentout。Theycouldhearherimmediatelyspeaktosomeoneoutside，thoughthewordswereinaudible。
　　Mr。Hilberywasleftconfrontingtheguiltycouple，whoremainedstandingasiftheydidnotaccepttheirdismissal，andthedisappearanceofKatharinehadbroughtsomechangeintothesituation。
　　So，inhissecretheart，Mr。Hilberyfeltthatithad，forhecouldnotexplainhisdaughter'sbehaviortohisownsatisfaction。
　　“UncleTrevor，“Cassandraexclaimedimpulsively，“don'tbeangry，please。Icouldn'thelpit；Idobegyoutoforgiveme。“
　　Herunclestillrefusedtoacknowledgeheridentity，andstilltalkedoverherheadasifshedidnotexist。
　　“IsupposeyouhavecommunicatedwiththeOtways，“hesaidtoRodneygrimly。
　　“UncleTrevor，wewantedtotellyou，“Cassandrarepliedforhim。“Wewaited——“shelookedappealinglyatRodney，whoshookhisheadeversoslightly。
　　“Yes？Whatwereyouwaitingfor？“heruncleaskedsharply，lookingatheratlast。
　　Thewordsdiedonherlips。Itwasapparentthatshewasstrainingherearsasiftocatchsomesoundoutsidetheroomthatwouldcometoherhelp。Hereceivednoanswer。Helistened，too。
　　“Thisisamostunpleasantbusinessforallparties，“heconcluded，sinkingintohischairagain，hunchinghisshouldersandregardingtheflames。Heseemedtospeaktohimself，andRodneyandCassandralookedathiminsilence。
　　“Whydon'tyousitdown？“hesaidsuddenly。Hespokegruffly，buttheforceofhisangerwasevidentlyspent，orsomepreoccupationhadturnedhismoodtootherregions。WhileCassandraacceptedhisinvitation，Rodneyremainedstanding。
　　“IthinkCassandracanexplainmattersbetterinmyabsence，“hesaid，andlefttheroom，Mr。Hilberygivinghisassentbyaslightnodofthehead。
　　Meanwhile，inthedining-roomnextdoor，DenhamandKatharinewereoncemoreseatedatthemahoganytable。Theyseemedtobecontinuingaconversationbrokenoffinthemiddle，asifeachrememberedtheprecisepointatwhichtheyhadbeeninterrupted，andwaseagertogoonasquicklyaspossible。Katharine，havinginterposedashortaccountoftheinterviewwithherfather，Denhammadenocomment，butsaid:
　　“Anyhow，there'snoreasonwhyweshouldn'tseeeachother。“
　　“Orstaytogether。It'sonlymarriagethat'soutofthequestion，“
　　Katharinereplied。
　　“ButifIfindmyselfcomingtowantyoumoreandmore？“
　　“Ifourlapsescomemoreandmoreoften？“
　　Hesighedimpatiently，andsaidnothingforamoment。
　　“Butatleast，“herenewed，“we'veestablishedthefactthatmylapsesarestillinsomeoddwayconnectedwithyou；yourshavenothingtodowithme。Katharine，“headded，hisassumptionofreasonbrokenupbyhisagitation，“Iassureyouthatweareinlove——whatotherpeoplecalllove。Rememberthatnight。Wehadnodoubtswhateverthen。Wewereabsolutelyhappyforhalfanhour。Youhadnolapseuntilthedayafter；Ihadnolapseuntilyesterdaymorning。We'vebeenhappyatintervalsalldayuntilI——wentoffmyhead，andyou，quitenaturally，werebored。“
　　“Ah，“sheexclaimed，asifthesubjectchafedher，“Ican'tmakeyouunderstand。It'snotboredom——I'mneverbored。Reality——reality，“sheejaculated，tappingherfingeruponthetableasiftoemphasizeandperhapsexplainherisolatedutteranceofthisword。“Iceasetoberealtoyou。It'sthefacesinastormagain——thevisioninahurricane。Wecometogetherforamomentandwepart。It'smyfault，too。I'masbadasyouare——worse，perhaps。“
　　Theyweretryingtoexplain，notforthefirsttime，astheirwearygesturesandfrequentinterruptionsshowed，whatintheircommonlanguagetheyhadchristenedtheir“lapses“；aconstantsourceofdistresstothem，inthepastfewdays，andtheimmediatereasonwhyRalphwasonhiswaytoleavethehousewhenKatharine，listeninganxiously，heardhimandpreventedhim。Whatwasthecauseoftheselapses？EitherbecauseKatharinelookedmorebeautiful，ormorestrange，becausesheworesomethingdifferent，orsaidsomethingunexpected，Ralph'ssenseofherromancewelledupandovercamehimeitherintosilenceorintoinarticulateexpressions，whichKatharine，withunintentionalbutinvariableperversity，interruptedorcontradictedwithsomeseverityorassertionofprosaicfact。Thenthevisiondisappeared，andRalphexpressedvehementlyinhisturntheconvictionthatheonlylovedhershadowandcarednothingforherreality。Ifthelapsewasonhersideittooktheformofgradualdetachmentuntilshebecamecompletelyabsorbedinherownthoughts，whichcarriedherawaywithsuchintensitythatshesharplyresentedanyrecalltohercompanion'sside。ItwasuselesstoassertthatthesetranceswerealwaysoriginatedbyRalphhimself，howeverlittleintheirlaterstagestheyhadtodowithhim。Thefactremainedthatshehadnoneedofhimandwasveryloathtoberemindedofhim。How，then，couldtheybeinlove？Thefragmentarynatureoftheirrelationshipwasbuttooapparent。
　　Thustheysatdepressedtosilenceatthedining-roomtable，obliviousofeverything，whileRodneypacedthedrawing-roomoverheadinsuchagitationandexaltationofmindashehadneverconceivedpossible，andCassandraremainedalonewithheruncle。Ralph，atlength，roseandwalkedgloomilytothewindow。Hepressedclosetothepane。
　　Outsideweretruthandfreedomandtheimmensityonlytobeapprehendedbythemindinloneliness，andnevercommunicatedtoanother。Whatworsesacrilegewastherethantoattempttoviolatewhatheperceivedbyseekingtoimpartit？SomemovementbehindhimmadehimreflectthatKatharinehadthepower，ifshechose，tobeinpersonwhathedreamedofherspirit。Heturnedsharplytoimploreherhelp，whenagainhewasstruckcoldbyherlookofdistance，herexpressionofintentnessuponsomefarobject。Asifconsciousofhislookuponhersheroseandcametohim，standingclosebyhisside，andlookingwithhimoutintotheduskyatmosphere。Theirphysicalclosenesswastohimabitterenoughcommentuponthedistancebetweentheirminds。Yetdistantasshewas，herpresencebyhissidetransformedtheworld。Hesawhimselfperformingwonderfuldeedsofcourage；savingthedrowning，rescuingtheforlorn。Impatientwiththisformofegotism，hecouldnotshakeofftheconvictionthatsomehowlifewaswonderful，romantic，amasterworthservingsolongasshestoodthere。Hehadnowishthatsheshouldspeak；hedidnotlookatherortouchher；shewasapparentlydeepinherownthoughtsandobliviousofhispresence。
　　Thedooropenedwithouttheirhearingthesound。Mr。Hilberylookedroundtheroom，andforamomentfailedtodiscoverthetwofiguresinthewindow。Hestartedwithdispleasurewhenhesawthem，andobservedthemkeenlybeforeheappearedabletomakeuphismindtosayanything。Hemadeamovementfinallythatwarnedthemofhispresence；
　　theyturnedinstantly。Withoutspeaking，hebeckonedtoKatharinetocometohim，and，keepinghiseyesfromtheregionoftheroomwhereDenhamstood，heshepherdedherinfrontofhimbacktothestudy。
　　WhenKatharinewasinsidetheroomheshutthestudydoorcarefullybehindhimasiftosecurehimselffromsomethingthathedisliked。
　　“Now，Katharine，“hesaid，takinguphisstandinfrontofthefire，“youwill，perhaps，havethekindnesstoexplain——“Sheremainedsilent。“Whatinferencesdoyouexpectmetodraw？“hesaidsharply……“YoutellmethatyouarenotengagedtoRodney；Iseeyouonwhatappeartobeextremelyintimatetermswithanother——withRalphDenham。WhatamItoconclude？Areyou，“headded，asshestillsaidnothing，“engagedtoRalphDenham？“
　　“No，“shereplied。
　　Hissenseofreliefwasgreat；hehadbeencertainthatheranswerwouldhaveconfirmedhissuspicions，butthatanxietybeingsetatrest，hewasthemoreconsciousofannoyancewithherforherbehavior。
　　“ThenallIcansayisthatyou'veverystrangeideasoftheproperwaytobehave……Peoplehavedrawncertainconclusions，noramI
　　surprised……ThemoreIthinkofitthemoreinexplicableIfindit，“hewenton，hisangerrisingashespoke。“WhyamIleftinignoranceofwhatisgoingoninmyownhouse？WhyamIlefttohearoftheseeventsforthefirsttimefrommysister？Mostdisagreeable——
　　mostupsetting。HowI'mtoexplaintoyourUncleFrancis——butIwashmyhandsofit。Cassandragoestomorrow。IforbidRodneythehouse。Asfortheotheryoungman，thesoonerhemakeshimselfscarcethebetter。Afterplacingthemostimplicittrustinyou，Katharine——“Hebrokeoff，disquietedbytheominoussilencewithwhichhiswordswerereceived，andlookedathisdaughterwiththecuriousdoubtastoherstateofmindwhichhehadfeltbefore，forthefirsttime，thisevening。Heperceivedoncemorethatshewasnotattendingtowhathesaid，butwaslistening，andforamomenthe，too，listenedforsoundsoutsidetheroom。HiscertaintythattherewassomeunderstandingbetweenDenhamandKatharinereturned，butwithamostunpleasantsuspicionthattherewassomethingillicitaboutit，asthewholepositionbetweentheyoungpeopleseemedtohimgravelyillicit。
　　“I'llspeaktoDenham，“hesaid，ontheimpulseofhissuspicion，movingasiftogo。
　　“Ishallcomewithyou，“Katharinesaidinstantly，startingforward。
　　“Youwillstayhere，“saidherfather。
　　“Whatareyougoingtosaytohim？“sheasked。
　　“IsupposeImaysaywhatIlikeinmyownhouse？“hereturned。
　　“ThenIgo，too，“shereplied。
　　Atthesewords，whichseemedtoimplyadeterminationtogo——togoforever，Mr。Hilberyreturnedtohispositioninfrontofthefire，andbeganswayingslightlyfromsidetosidewithoutforthemomentmakinganyremark。
　　“Iunderstoodyoutosaythatyouwerenotengagedtohim，“hesaidatlength，fixinghiseyesuponhisdaughter。
　　“Wearenotengaged，“shesaid。
　　“Itshouldbeamatterofindifferencetoyou，then，whetherhecomeshereornot——IwillnothaveyoulisteningtootherthingswhenIamspeakingtoyou！“hebrokeoffangrily，perceivingaslightmovementonherparttooneside。“Answermefrankly，whatisyourrelationshipwiththisyoungman？“
　　“NothingthatIcanexplaintoathirdperson，“shesaidobstinately。
　　“Iwillhavenomoreoftheseequivocations，“hereplied。
　　“Irefusetoexplain，“shereturned，andasshesaiditthefrontdoorbangedto。“There！“sheexclaimed。“Heisgone！“Sheflashedsuchalookoffieryindignationatherfatherthathelosthisself-controlforamoment。
　　“ForGod'ssake，Katharine，controlyourself！“hecried。
　　Shelookedforamomentlikeawildanimalcagedinacivilizeddwelling-place。Sheglancedoverthewallscoveredwithbooks，asifforasecondshehadforgottenthepositionofthedoor。Thenshemadeasiftogo，butherfatherlaidhishanduponhershoulder。Hecompelledhertositdown。
　　“Theseemotionshavebeenveryupsetting，naturally，“hesaid。Hismannerhadregainedallitssuavity，andhespokewithasoothingassumptionofpaternalauthority。“You'vebeenplacedinaverydifficultposition，asIunderstandfromCassandra。Nowletuscometoterms；wewillleavetheseagitatingquestionsinpeaceforthepresent。Meanwhile，letustrytobehavelikecivilizedbeings。LetusreadSirWalterScott。Whatd'yousayto'TheAntiquary，'eh？Or'TheBrideofLammermoor'？“
　　Hemadehisownchoice，andbeforehisdaughtercouldprotestormakeherescape，shefoundherselfbeingturnedbytheagencyofSirWalterScottintoacivilizedhumanbeing。
　　YetMr。Hilberyhadgravedoubts，asheread，whethertheprocesswasmorethanskin-deep。Civilizationhadbeenveryprofoundlyandunpleasantlyoverthrownthatevening；theextentoftheruinwasstillundetermined；hehadlosthistemper，aphysicaldisasternottobematchedforthespaceoftenyearsorso；andhisownconditionurgentlyrequiredsoothingandrenovatingatthehandsoftheclassics。Hishousewasinastateofrevolution；hehadavisionofunpleasantencountersonthestaircase；hismealswouldbepoisonedfordaystocome；wasliteratureitselfaspecificagainstsuchdisagreeables？Anoteofhollownesswasinhisvoiceasheread。
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　ConsideringthatMr。Hilberylivedinahousewhichwasaccuratelynumberedinorderwithitsfellows，andthathefilledupforms，paidrent，andhadsevenmoreyearsoftenancytorun，hehadanexcuseforlayingdownlawsfortheconductofthosewholivedinhishouse，andthisexcuse，thoughprofoundlyinadequate，hefoundusefulduringtheinterregnumofcivilizationwithwhichhenowfoundhimselffaced。Inobediencetothoselaws，Rodneydisappeared；Cassandrawasdispatchedtocatchtheeleven-thirtyonMondaymorning；Denhamwasseennomore；
　　sothatonlyKatharine，thelawfuloccupantoftheupperrooms，remained，andMr。Hilberythoughthimselfcompetenttoseethatshedidnothingfurthertocompromiseherself。Ashebadehergoodmorningnextdayhewasawarethatheknewnothingofwhatshewasthinking，but，ashereflectedwithsomebitterness，eventhiswasanadvanceupontheignoranceofthepreviousmornings。Hewenttohisstudy，wrote，toreup，andwroteagainalettertohiswife，askinghertocomebackonaccountofdomesticdifficultieswhichhespecifiedatfirst，butinalaterdraftmorediscreetlyleftunspecified。Evenifshestartedtheverymomentthatshegotit，hereflected，shewouldnotbehometillTuesdaynight，andhecountedlugubriouslythenumberofhoursthathewouldhavetospendinapositionofdetestableauthorityalonewithhisdaughter。
　　Whatwasshedoingnow，hewondered，asheaddressedtheenvelopetohiswife。Hecouldnotcontrolthetelephone。Hecouldnotplaythespy。Shemightbemakinganyarrangementsshechose。Yetthethoughtdidnotdisturbhimsomuchasthestrange，unpleasant，illicitatmosphereofthewholescenewiththeyoungpeoplethenightbefore。
　　Hissenseofdiscomfortwasalmostphysical。
　　Hadheknownit，Katharinewasfarenoughwithdrawn，bothphysicallyandspiritually，fromthetelephone。Shesatinherroomwiththedictionariesspreadingtheirwideleavesonthetablebeforeher，andallthepageswhichtheyhadconcealedforsomanyyearsarrangedinapile。Sheworkedwiththesteadyconcentrationthatisproducedbythesuccessfulefforttothinkdownsomeunwelcomethoughtbymeansofanotherthought。Havingabsorbedtheunwelcomethought，hermindwentonwithadditionalvigor，derivedfromthevictory；onasheetofpaperlinesoffiguresandsymbolsfrequentlyandfirmlywrittendownmarkedthedifferentstagesofitsprogress。Andyetitwasbroaddaylight；thereweresoundsofknockingandsweeping，whichprovedthatlivingpeoplewereatworkontheothersideofthedoor，andthedoor，whichcouldbethrownopeninasecond，washeronlyprotectionagainsttheworld。Butshehadsomehowrisentobemistressinherownkingdom，assuminghersovereigntyunconsciously。
　　Stepsapproachedherunheard。Itistruethattheywerestepsthatlingered，divagated，andmountedwiththedeliberationnaturaltoonepastsixtywhosearms，moreover，arefullofleavesandblossoms；buttheycameonsteadily，andsoonatapoflaurelboughsagainstthedoorarrestedKatharine'spencilasittouchedthepage。Shedidnotmove，however，andsatblank-eyedasifwaitingfortheinterruptiontocease。Instead，thedooropened。Atfirst，sheattachednomeaningtothemovingmassofgreenwhichseemedtoentertheroomindependentlyofanyhumanagency。Thensherecognizedpartsofhermother'sfaceandpersonbehindtheyellowflowersandsoftvelvetofthepalm-buds。
　　“FromShakespeare'stomb！“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery，droppingtheentiremassuponthefloor，withagesturethatseemedtoindicateanactofdedication。Thensheflungherarmswideandembracedherdaughter。
　　“ThankGod，Katharine！“sheexclaimed。“ThankGod！“sherepeated。
　　“You'vecomeback？“saidKatharine，veryvaguely，standinguptoreceivetheembrace。
　　Althoughsherecognizedhermother'spresence，shewasveryfarfromtakingpartinthescene，andyetfeltittobeamazinglyappropriatethathermothershouldbethere，thankingGodemphaticallyforunknownblessings，andstrewingthefloorwithflowersandleavesfromShakespeare'stomb。
　　“Nothingelsemattersintheworld！“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。“Namesaren'teverything；it'swhatwefeelthat'severything。Ididn'twantsilly，kind，interferingletters。Ididn'twantyourfathertotellme。Iknewitfromthefirst。Iprayedthatitmightbeso。“
　　“Youknewit？“Katharinerepeatedhermother'swordssoftlyandvaguely，lookingpasther。“Howdidyouknowit？“Shebegan，likeachild，tofingeratasselhangingfromhermother'scloak。
　　“Thefirsteveningyoutoldme，Katharine。Oh，andthousandsoftimes——dinner-parties——talkingaboutbooks——thewayhecameintotheroom——
　　yourvoicewhenyouspokeofhim。“
　　Katharineseemedtoconsidereachoftheseproofsseparately。Thenshesaidgravely:
　　“I'mnotgoingtomarryWilliam。Andthenthere'sCassandra——“
　　“Yes，there'sCassandra，“saidMrs。Hilbery。“IownIwasalittlegrudgingatfirst，but，afterall，sheplaysthepianosobeautifully。
　　Dotellme，Katharine，“sheaskedimpulsively，“wheredidyougothateveningsheplayedMozart，andyouthoughtIwasasleep？“
　　Katharinerecollectedwithdifficulty。
　　“ToMaryDatchet's，“sheremembered。
　　“Ah！“saidMrs。Hilbery，withaslightnoteofdisappointmentinhervoice。“Ihadmylittleromance——mylittlespeculation。“Shelookedatherdaughter。Katharinefalteredbeneaththatinnocentandpenetratinggaze；sheflushed，turnedaway，andthenlookedupwithverybrighteyes。
　　“I'mnotinlovewithRalphDenham，“shesaid。
　　“Don'tmarryunlessyou'reinlove！“saidMrs。Hilberyveryquickly。
　　“But，“sheadded，glancingmomentarilyatherdaughter，“aren'ttheredifferentways，Katharine——different——？“
　　“Wewanttomeetasoftenaswelike，buttobefree，“Katharinecontinued。
　　“Tomeethere，tomeetinhishouse，tomeetinthestreet。“Mrs。
　　Hilberyranoverthesephrasesasifsheweretryingchordsthatdidnotquitesatisfyherear。Itwasplainthatshehadhersourcesofinformation，and，indeed，herbagwasstuffedwithwhatshecalled“kindletters“fromthepenofhersister-in-law。
　　“Yes。Ortostayawayinthecountry，“Katharineconcluded。
　　Mrs。Hilberypaused，lookedunhappy，andsoughtinspirationfromthewindow。
　　“Whatacomforthewasinthatshop——howhetookmeandfoundtheruinsatonce——howSAFEIfeltwithhim——“
　　“Safe？Oh，no，he'sfearfullyrash——he'salwaystakingrisks。Hewantstothrowuphisprofessionandliveinalittlecottageandwritebooks，thoughhehasn'tapennyofhisown，andthereareanynumberofsistersandbrothersdependentonhim。“
　　“Ah，hehasamother？“Mrs。Hilberyinquired。
　　“Yes。Ratherafine-lookingoldlady，withwhitehair。“Katharinebegantodescribehervisit，andsoonMrs。Hilberyelicitedthefactsthatnotonlywasthehouseofexcruciatingugliness，whichRalphborewithoutcomplaint，butthatitwasevidentthateveryonedependedonhim，andhehadaroomatthetopofthehouse，withawonderfulviewoverLondon，andarook。
　　“Awretchedoldbirdinacorner，withhalfitsfeathersout，“shesaid，withatendernessinhervoicethatseemedtocommiseratethesufferingsofhumanitywhilerestingassuredinthecapacityofRalphDenhamtoalleviatethem，sothatMrs。Hilberycouldnothelpexclaiming:
　　“But，Katharine，youAREinlove！“atwhichKatharineflushed，lookedstartled，asifshehadsaidsomethingthatsheoughtnottohavesaid，andshookherhead。
　　HastilyMrs。Hilberyaskedforfurtherdetailsofthisextraordinaryhouse，andinterposedafewspeculationsaboutthemeetingbetweenKeatsandColeridgeinalane，whichtidedoverthediscomfortofthemoment，anddrewKatharineontofurtherdescriptionsandindiscretions。Intruth，shefoundanextraordinarypleasureinbeingthusfreetotalktosomeonewhowasequallywiseandequallybenignant，themotherofherearliestchildhood，whosesilenceseemedtoanswerquestionsthatwereneverasked。Mrs。Hilberylistenedwithoutmakinganyremarkforaconsiderabletime。Sheseemedtodrawherconclusionsratherbylookingatherdaughterthanbylisteningtoher，and，ifcross-examined，shewouldprobablyhavegivenahighlyinaccurateversionofRalphDenham'slife-historyexceptthathewaspenniless，fatherless，andlivedatHighgate——allofwhichwasmuchinhisfavor。ButbymeansofthesefurtiveglancesshehadassuredherselfthatKatharinewasinastatewhichgaveher，alternately，themostexquisitepleasureandthemostprofoundalarm。
　　Shecouldnothelpejaculatingatlast:
　　“It'salldoneinfiveminutesataRegistryOfficenowadays，ifyouthinktheChurchservicealittleflorid——whichitis，thoughtherearenoblethingsinit。“
　　“Butwedon'twanttobemarried，“Katharinerepliedemphatically，andadded，“Why，afterall，isn'titperfectlypossibletolivetogetherwithoutbeingmarried？“
　　AgainMrs。Hilberylookeddiscomposed，and，inhertrouble，tookupthesheetswhichwerelyinguponthetable，andbeganturningthemoverthiswayandthat，andmutteringtoherselfassheglanced:
　　“AplusBminusCequals'xyz'。It'ssodreadfullyugly，Katharine。
　　That'swhatIfeel——sodreadfullyugly。“
　　Katharinetookthesheetsfromhermother'shandandbeganshufflingthemabsent-mindedlytogether，forherfixedgazeseemedtoshowthatherthoughtswereintentuponsomeothermatter。
　　“Well，Idon'tknowaboutugliness，“shesaidatlength。
　　“Buthedoesn'taskitofyou？“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Notthatgraveyoungmanwiththesteadybrowneyes？“
　　“Hedoesn'taskanything——weneitherofusaskanything。“
　　“IfIcouldhelpyou，Katharine，bythememoryofwhatIfelt——“
　　“Yes，tellmewhatyoufelt。“
　　Mrs。Hilbery，hereyesgrowingblank，peereddowntheenormouslylongcorridorofdaysatthefarendofwhichthelittlefiguresofherselfandherhusbandappearedfantasticallyattired，claspinghandsuponamoonlitbeach，withrosesswinginginthedusk。
　　“Wewereinalittleboatgoingouttoashipatnight，“shebegan。
　　“Thesunhadsetandthemoonwasrisingoverourheads。Therewerelovelysilverlightsuponthewavesandthreegreenlightsuponthesteamerinthemiddleofthebay。Yourfather'sheadlookedsograndagainstthemast。Itwaslife，itwasdeath。Thegreatseawasroundus。Itwasthevoyageforeverandever。“
　　Theancientfairy-talefellroundlyandharmoniouslyuponKatharine'sears。Yes，therewastheenormousspaceofthesea；therewerethethreegreenlightsuponthesteamer；thecloakedfiguresclimbedupondeck。Andso，voyagingoverthegreenandpurplewaters，pastthecliffsandthesandylagoonsandthroughpoolscrowdedwiththemastsofshipsandthesteeplesofchurches——heretheywere。Theriverseemedtohavebroughtthemanddepositedthemhereatthisprecisepoint。Shelookedadmiringlyathermother，thatancientvoyager。
　　“Whoknows，“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery，continuingherreveries，“whereweareboundfor，orwhy，orwhohassentus，orwhatweshallfind——whoknowsanything，exceptthatloveisourfaith——love——“shecrooned，andthesoftsoundbeatingthroughthedimwordswasheardbyherdaughterasthebreakingofwavessolemnlyinorderuponthevastshorethatshegazedupon。Shewouldhavebeencontentforhermothertorepeatthatwordalmostindefinitely——asoothingwordwhenutteredbyanother，arivetingtogetheroftheshatteredfragmentsoftheworld。ButMrs。Hilbery，insteadofrepeatingthewordlove，saidpleadingly:
　　“Andyouwon'tthinkthoseuglythoughtsagain，willyou，Katharine？“
　　atwhichwordstheshipwhichKatharinehadbeenconsideringseemedtoputintoharborandhavedonewithitsseafaring。Yetshewasingreatneed，ifnotexactlyofsympathy，ofsomeformofadvice，or，atleast，oftheopportunityofsettingforthherproblemsbeforeathirdpersonsoastorenewtheminherowneyes。
　　“Butthen，“shesaid，ignoringthedifficultproblemofugliness，“youknewyouwereinlove；butwe'redifferent。Itseems，“shecontinued，frowningalittleasshetriedtofixthedifficultfeeling，“asifsomethingcametoanendsuddenly——gaveout——faded——anillusion——asifwhenwethinkwe'reinlovewemakeitup——weimaginewhatdoesn'texist。That'swhyit'simpossiblethatweshouldevermarry。Alwaystobefindingtheotheranillusion，andgoingoffandforgettingaboutthem，nevertobecertainthatyoucared，orthathewasn'tcaringforsomeonenotyouatall，thehorrorofchangingfromonestatetotheother，beinghappyonemomentandmiserablethenext——that'sthereasonwhywecan'tpossiblymarry。Atthesametime，“shecontinued，“wecan'tlivewithouteachother，because——“Mrs。Hilberywaitedpatientlyforthesentencetobecompleted，butKatharinefellsilentandfingeredhersheetoffigures。