III。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTDAYS
　　1。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFJULY
　　Butthingsarenotwhattheyseem。AresponsiveloveforEdwardSpringrovehadmadeitsappearanceinCytherea'sbosomwithallthefascinatingattributesofafirstexperience，notsucceedingtoordisplacingotheremotions，asinolderhearts，buttakingupentirelynewground；aswhengazingjustaftersunsetatthepaleblueskyweseeastarcomeintoexistencewherenothingwasbefore。
　　Hispartingwords，'Don'tforgetme，'sherepeatedtoherselfahundredtimes，andthoughshethoughttheirimportwasprobablycommonplace，shecouldnothelptoyingwiththem，——lookingatthemfromallpoints，andinvestingthemwithmeaningsofloveandfaithfulness，——ostensiblyentertainingsuchmeaningsonlyasfableswherewithtopassthetime，yetinherheartadmitting，fordetachedinstants，apossibilityoftheirdeepertruth。Andthus，forhoursafterhehadlefther，herreasonflirtedwithherfancyasakittenwillsportwithadove，pleasantlyandsmoothlythrougheasyattitudes，butdisclosingitscruelandunyieldingnatureatcrises。
　　Toturnnowtothemorematerialmediathroughwhichthisstorymoves，itsohappenedthattheverynextmorningbroughtroundacircumstancewhich，slightinitself，tookuparelevantandimportantpositionbetweenthepastandthefutureofthepersonshereinconcerned。
　　Atbreakfasttime，justasCythereahadagainseenthepostmanpasswithoutbringingherananswertotheadvertisement，asshehadfullyexpectedhewoulddo，Owenenteredtheroom。
　　'Well，'hesaid，kissingher，'youhavenotbeenalarmed，ofcourse。
　　SpringrovetoldyouwhatIhaddone，andyoufoundtherewasnotrain？'
　　'Yes，itwasallclear。Butwhatisthelamenessowingto？'
　　'Idon'tknow——nothing。Ithasquitegoneoffnow……Cytherea，IhopeyoulikeSpringrove。Springrove'sanicefellow，youknow。'
　　'Yes。Ithinkheis，exceptthat——'
　　'IthappenedjusttothepurposethatIshouldmeethimthere，didn'tit？AndwhenIreachedthestationandlearntthatIcouldnotgetonbytrainmyfootseemedbetter。Istartedofftowalkhome，andwentaboutfivemilesalongapathbesidetherailway。ItthenstruckmethatImightnotbefitforanythingtodayifI
　　walkedandaggravatedthebotheringfoot，soIlookedforaplacetosleepat。Therewasnoavailablevillageorinn，andIeventuallygotthekeeperofagate-house，wherealanecrossedtheline，totakemein。'
　　Theyproceededwiththeirbreakfast。Owenyawned。
　　'Youdidn'tgetmuchsleepatthegate-houselastnight，I'mafraid，Owen，'saidhissister。
　　'Totellthetruth，Ididn't。Iwasinsuchverycloseandnarrowquarters。Thosegate-housesaresuchsmallplaces，andthemanhadonlyhisownbedtoofferme。Ah，by-the-bye，Cythie，Ihavesuchanextraordinarythingtotellyouinconnectionwiththisman！——byJove，Ihadnearlyforgottenit！ButI'llgostraighton。AsIwassaying，hehadonlyhisownbedtoofferme，butIcouldnotaffordtobefastidious，andashehadaheartymanner，thoughaveryqueerone，Iagreedtoacceptit，andhemadearoughpalletforhimselfonthefloorclosebesideme。Well，Icouldnotsleepformylife，andIwishedIhadnotstayedthere，thoughIwassotired。Foronething，thereweretheluggagetrainsrattlingbyatmyelbowtheearlypartofthenight。Butworsethanthis，hetalkedcontinuallyinhissleep，andoccasionallystruckoutwithhislimbsatsomethingoranother，knockingagainstthepostofthebedsteadandmakingittremble。MyconditionwasaltogethersounsatisfactorythatatlastIawokehim，andaskedhimwhathehadbeendreamingaboutfortheprevioushour，forIcouldgetnosleepatall。Hebeggedmypardonfordisturbingme，butanameIhadcasuallyletfallthateveninghadledhimtothinkofanotherstrangerhehadoncehadvisithim，whohadalsoaccidentallymentionedthesamename，andsomeverystrangeincidentsconnectedwiththatmeeting。
　　Theaffairhadoccurredyearsandyearsago；butwhatIhadsaidhadmadehimthinkanddreamaboutitasifitwerebutyesterday。Whatwastheword？Isaid。“Cytherea，“hesaid。Whatwasthestory？I
　　askedthen。HethentoldmethatwhenhewasayoungmaninLondonheborrowedafewpoundstoaddtoafewhehadsavedup，andopenedalittleinnatHammersmith。Oneevening，aftertheinnhadbeenopenaboutacoupleofmonths，everyidlerintheneighbourhoodranofftoWestminster。TheHousesofParliamentwereonfire。
　　'Notasoulremainedinhisparlourbesideshimself，andhebeganpickingupthepipesandglasseshiscustomershadhastilyrelinquished。Atlengthayoungladyaboutseventeenoreighteencamein。Sheaskedifawomanwastherewaitingforherself——MissJaneTaylor。Hesaidno；askedtheyoungladyifshewouldwait，andshowedherintothesmallinnerroom。Therewasaglass-paneinthepartitiondividingthisroomfromthebartoenablethelandlordtoseeifhisvisitors，whosatthere，wantedanything。Acuriousawkwardnessandmelancholyaboutthebehaviourofthegirlwhocalled，causedmyinformanttolookfrequentlyatherthroughthepartition。Sheseemedwearyofherlife，andsatwithherfaceburiedinherhands，evidentlyquiteoutofherelementinsuchahouse。ThenawomanmucholdercameinandgreetedMissTaylorbyname。Themandistinctlyheardthefollowingwordspassbetweenthem：——
　　'“Whyhaveyounotbroughthim？”
　　'“Heisill；heisnotlikelytolivethroughthenight。“
　　'Atthisannouncementfromtheelderlywoman，theyoungladyfelltothefloorinaswoon，apparentlyovercomebythenews。Thelandlordraninandliftedherup。Well，dowhattheywouldtheycouldnotforalongtimebringherbacktoconsciousness，andbegantobemuchalarmed。“Whoisshe？”theinnkeepersaidtotheotherwoman。
　　“Iknowher，“theothersaid，withdeepmeaninginhertone。Theelderlyandyoungwomanseemedallied，andyetstrangers。
　　'Shenowshowedsignsoflife，anditstruckhimhewasplainlyofaninquisitiveturn，thatinherhalf-bewilderedstatehemightgetsomeinformationfromher。Hestoopedoverher，puthismouthtoherear，andsaidsharply，“What'syourname？”“Tocatchawomannappingisdifficult，evenwhenshe'shalfdead；butIdidit，“saysthegatekeeper。Whenheaskedherhername，shesaidimmediately——
　　'“Cytherea“——andstoppedsuddenly。'
　　'Myownname！'saidCytherea。
　　'Yes——yourname。Well，thegatemanthoughtatthetimeitmightbeequallywithJaneanameshehadinventedfortheoccasion，thattheymightnottraceher；butIthinkitwastruthunconsciouslyuttered，forsheaddeddirectlyafterwards：“O，whathaveIsaid！”
　　andwasquiteovercomeagain——thistimewithfright。Hervexationthatthewomannowdoubtedthegenuinenessofherothernamewasverymuchgreaterthanthattheinnkeeperdid，anditisevidentthattoblindthewomanwashermainobject。Healsolearntfromwordstheelderlywomancasuallydropped，thatmeetingsofthesamekindhadbeenheldbefore，andthatthefalsenessofthesoi-disantMissJaneTaylor'snamehadneverbeensuspectedbythisdependentorconfederatetillthen。
　　'Sherecovered，restedthereforanhour，andfirstsendingoffhercompanionperemptorilywhichwasanotheroddthing，sheleftthehouse，offeringthelandlordallthemoneyshehadtosaynothingaboutthecircumstance。Hehasneverseenhersince，accordingtohisownaccount。Isaidtohimagainandagain，“Didyoufindanymoreparticularsafterwards？”“Notasyllable，“hesaid。O，heshouldneverhearanymoreofthat！toomanyyearshadpassedsinceithappened。“Atanyrate，youfoundouthersurname？”Isaid。
　　“Well，well，that'smysecret，“hewenton。“PerhapsIshouldneverhavebeeninthispartoftheworldifithadn'tbeenforthat。I
　　failedasapublican，youknow。“Iimaginethesituationofgatemanwasgivenhimandhisdebtspaidoffasabribetosilence；butI
　　can'tsay。“Ah，yes！”hesaid，withalongbreath。“Ihaveneverheardthatnamementionedsincethattimetillto-night，andthenthereinstantlyrosetomyeyesthevisionofthatyoungladylyinginafaintingfit。“Hethenstoppedtalkingandfellasleep。
　　TellingthestorymusthaverelievedhimasitdidtheAncientMariner，forhedidnotmoveamuscleormakeanothersoundfortheremainderofthenight。Nowisn'tthatanoddstory？'
　　'Itisindeed，'Cythereamurmured。'Very，verystrange。'
　　'Whyshouldshehavesaidyourmostuncommonname？'continuedOwen。
　　'Themanwasevidentlytruthful，fortherewasnotmotivesufficientforhisinventionofsuchatale，andhecouldnothavedoneiteither。'
　　Cytherealookedlongatherbrother。'Don'tyourecognizeanythingelseinconnectionwiththestory？'shesaid。
　　'What？'heasked。
　　'Doyourememberwhatpoorpapaonceletdrop——thatCythereawasthenameofhisfirstsweetheartinBloomsbury，whosomysteriouslyrenouncedhim？Asortofintuitiontellsmethatthiswasthesamewoman。'
　　'Ono——notlikely，'saidherbrothersceptically。
　　'Hownotlikely，Owen？There'snotanotherwomanofthenameinEngland。Inwhatyearusedpapatosaytheeventtookplace？'
　　'Eighteenhundredandthirty-five。'
　　'AndwhenweretheHousesofParliamentburnt？——stop，Icantellyou。'Shesearchedtheirlittlestockofbooksforalistofdates，andfoundoneinanoldschoolhistory。
　　'TheHousesofParliamentwereburntdownintheeveningofthesixteenthofOctober，eighteenhundredandthirty-four。'
　　'Nearlyayearandaquarterbeforeshemetfather，'remarkedOwen。
　　Theyweresilent。'Ifpapahadbeenalive，whatawonderfulabsorbinginterestthisstorywouldhavehadforhim，'saidCythereaby-and-by。'Andhowstrangelyknowledgecomestous。Wemighthavesearchedforacluetohersecrethalftheworldover，andneverfoundone。Ifwehadreallyhadanymotivefortryingtodiscovermoreofthesadhistorythanpapatoldus，weshouldhavegonetoBloomsbury；butnotcaringtodoso，wegotwohundredmilesintheoppositedirection，andtherefindinformationwaitingtobetoldus。Whatcouldhavebeenthesecret，Owen？'
　　'Heavenknows。Butourhavingheardalittlemoreofherinthiswayifsheisthesamewomanisamerecoincidenceafterall——afamilystorytotellourfriendsifweeverhaveany。Butweshallneverknowanymoreoftheepisodenow——trustourfatesforthat。'
　　Cythereasatsilentlythinking。
　　'Therewasnoanswerthismorningtoyouradvertisement，Cytherea？'
　　hecontinued。
　　'None。'
　　'IcouldseethatbyyourlookswhenIcamein。'
　　'Fancynotgettingasingleone，'shesaidsadly。'Surelytheremustbepeoplesomewherewhowantgovernesses？'
　　'Yes；butthosewhowantthem，andcanaffordtohavethem，getthemmostlybyfriends'recommendations；whilstthosewhowantthem，andcan'taffordtohavethem，makeuseoftheirpoorrelations。'
　　'WhatshallIdo？'
　　'Nevermindit。Goonlivingwithme。Don'tletthedifficultytroubleyourmindso；youthinkaboutitallday。Icankeepyou，Cythie，inaplainwayofliving。Twenty-fiveshillingsaweekdonotamounttomuchtruly；butthenmanymechanicshavenomore，andwelivequiteassparinglyasjourneymenmechanics……Itisameagrenarrowlifewearedriftinginto，'headdedgloomily，'butitisadegreemoretolerablethantheworryingsensationofalltheworldbeingashamedofyou，whichweexperiencedatHocbridge。'
　　'Icouldn'tgobackthereagain，'shesaid。
　　'NorI。O，Idon'tregretourcourseforamoment。Wedidquiterightindroppingoutoftheworld。'Thesneeringtonesoftheremarkwerealmosttoolabouredtobereal。'Besides，'hecontinued，'somethingbetterformeissuretoturnupsoon。Iwishmyengagementherewasapermanentoneinsteadofforonlytwomonths。Itmay，certainly，beforalongertime，butallisuncertain。'
　　'IwishIcouldgetsomethingtodo；andImusttoo，'shesaidfirmly。'Suppose，asisveryprobable，youarenotwantedafterthebeginningofOctober——thetimeMr。Gradfieldmentioned——whatshouldwedoifIweredependentonyouonlythroughoutthewinter？'
　　Theyponderedonnumerousschemesbywhichayoungladymightbesupposedtoearnadecentlivelihood——moreorlessconvenientandfeasibleinimagination，butrelinquishedthemalluntiladvertisinghadbeenoncemoretried，thistimetakinglowerground。Cythereawasvexedathertemerityinhavingrepresentedtotheworldthatsoinexperiencedabeingasherselfwasaqualifiedgoverness；andhadafancythatthispresumptionofhersmightbeonereasonwhynoladiesapplied。Thenewandhumblerattemptappearedinthefollowingform：——
　　'NURSERYGOVERNESSORUSEFULCOMPANION。Ayoungpersonwishestohearofasituationineitheroftheabovecapacities。Salaryverymoderate。Sheisagoodneedle-woman——AddressG。，3CrossStreet，Budmouth。'
　　Intheeveningtheywenttoposttheletter，andthenwalkedupanddowntheParadeforawhile。SoontheymetSpringrove，saidafewwordstohim，andpassedon。Owennoticedthathissister'sfacehadbecomecrimson。RatheroddlytheymetSpringroveagaininafewminutes。Thistimethethreewalkedalittlewaytogether，EdwardostensiblytalkingtoOwen，thoughwithasinglethoughttothereceptionofhiswordsbythemaidenatthefartherside，uponwhomhisgazewasmostlyresting，andwhowasattentivelylistening——
　　lookingfixedlyuponthepavementthewhile。Ithasbeensaidthatmenlovewiththeireyes；womenwiththeirears。
　　AsOwenandhimselfwerelittlemorethanacquaintancesasyet，andasSpringrovewaswantingintheassuranceofmanymenofhisage，itnowbecamenecessarytowishhisfriendsgood-evening，ortofindareasonforcontinuingnearCythereabysayingsomenicenewthing。
　　Hethoughtofanewthing；heproposedapullacrossthebay。Thiswasassentedto。Theywenttothepier；steppedintooneofthegailypaintedboatsmooredalongsideandsheeredoff。Cythereasatinthesternsteering。
　　Theyrowedthatevening；thenextcame，andwithitthenecessityofrowingagain。Thenthenext，andthenext，Cythereaalwayssittinginthesternwiththetillerropesinherhand。Thecurvesofherfigureweldedwiththoseofthefragileboatinperfectcontinuation，asshegirlishlyyieldedherselftoitsheavingandsinking，seemingtoformwithitanorganicwhole。
　　ThenOwenwasinclinedtotesthisskillinpaddlingacanoe。
　　Edwarddidnotlikecanoes，andtheissuewas，that，havingseenOwenonboard，Springroveproposedtopulloffafterhimwithapairofsculls；butnotconsideringhimselfsufficientlyaccomplishedtodofinishedrowingbeforeaparadefullofpromenaderswhentherewasalittleswellon，andwiththerudderunshippedinaddition，hebeggedthatCythereamightcomewithhimandsteerasbefore。Shesteppedin，andtheyfloatedalonginthewakeofherbrother。Thuspassedthefiftheveningonthewater。
　　Butthesympatheticpairwerethrownintostillclosercompanionship，andmuchmoreexclusiveconnection。
　　2。JULYTHETWENTY-NINTH
　　ItwasasadtimeforCytherea——thelastdayofSpringrove'smanagementatGradfield's，andthelasteveningbeforehisreturnfromBudmouthtohisfather'shouse，previoustohisdepartureforLondon。
　　Grayehadbeenrequestedbythearchitecttosurveyaplotoflandnearlytwentymilesoff，which，withthejourneytoandfro，wouldoccupyhimthewholeday，andpreventhisreturningtilllateintheevening。Cythereamadeacompanionofherlandladytotheextentofsharingmealsandsittingwithherduringthemorningofherbrother'sabsence。Mid-dayfoundherrestlessandmiserableunderthisarrangement。Alltheafternoonshesatalone，lookingoutofthewindowforshescarcelyknewwhom，andhopingshescarcelyknewwhat。Half-pastfiveo'clockcame——theendofSpringrove'sofficialday。TwominuteslaterSpringrovewalkedby。
　　Sheenduredhersolitudeforanotherhalf-hour，andthencouldendurenolonger。Shehadhoped——whileaffectingtofear——thatEdwardwouldhavefoundsomereasonorotherforcalling，butitseemedthathehadnot。Hastilydressingherselfshewentout，whenthefarceofanaccidentalmeetingwasrepeated。Edwardcameuponherinthestreetatthefirstturning，and，liketheGreatDukeFerdinandin'TheStatueandtheBust'——
　　'Helookedatherasalovercan；
　　Shelookedathimasonewhoawakes——
　　Thepastwasasleep，andherlifebegan。'
　　'Shallwehaveaboat？'hesaidimpulsively。
　　Howblissfulitallisatfirst。Perhaps，indeed，theonlyblissinthecourseoflovewhichcantrulybecalledEden-likeisthatwhichprevailsimmediatelyafterdoubthasendedandbeforereflectionhassetin——atthedawnoftheemotion，whenitisnotrecognizedbyname，andbeforetheconsiderationofwhatthisloveis，hasgivenbirthtotheconsiderationofwhatdifficultiesittendstocreate；
　　whenontheman'spart，themistressappearstothemind'seyeinpicturesque，hazy，andfreshmorninglights，andsoftmorningshadows；when，asyet，sheisknownonlyasthewearerofonedress，whichsharesherownpersonality；asthestanderinonespecialposition，thegiverofonebrightparticularglance，andthespeakerofonetendersentence；when，onherpart，sheistimidlycarefuloverwhatshesaysanddoes，lestsheshouldbemisconstruedorunder-ratedtothebreadthofashadowofahair。
　　'Shallwehaveaboat？'hesaidagain，moresoftly，seeingthattohisfirstquestionshehadnotanswered，butlookeduncertainlyattheground，thenalmost，butnotquite，inhisface，blushedaseriesofminuteblushes，leftoffinthemidstofthem，andshowedtheusualsignsofperplexityinamatteroftheemotions。
　　Owenhadalwaysbeenwithherbefore，buttherewasnowaforceofhabitintheproceeding，andwithArcadianinnocencesheassumedthatarowonthewaterwas，underanycircumstances，anaturalthing。Withoutanotherwordbeingspokenoneitherside，theywentdownthesteps。Hecarefullyhandedherin，tookhisseat，slidnoiselesslyoffthesand，andawayfromtheshore。
　　Theythussatfacingeachotherinthegracefulyellowcockle-shell，andhiseyesfrequentlyfoundaresting-placeinthedepthsofhers。
　　Theboatwassosmallthatateachreturnofthesculls，whenhishandscameforwardtobeginthepull，theyapproachedsoneartoherthathervividimaginationbegantothrillherwithafancythathewasgoingtoclasphisarmsroundher。Thesensationgrewsostrongthatshecouldnotruntheriskofagainmeetinghiseyesatthosecriticalmoments，andturnedasidetoinspectthedistanthorizon；
　　thenshegrewwearyoflookingsideways，andwasdriventoreturntohernaturalpositionagain。Atthisinstantheagainleantforwardtobegin，andmetherglancebyanardentfixedgaze。Aninvoluntaryimpulseofgirlishembarrassmentcausedhertogiveavehementpullatthetiller-rope，whichbroughttheboat'sheadroundtilltheystooddirectlyforshore。
　　Hiseyes，whichhaddweltuponherformduringthewholetimeofherlookaskance，nowlefther；heperceivedthedirectioninwhichtheyweregoing。
　　'Why，youhavecompletelyturnedtheboat，MissGraye？'hesaid，lookingoverhisshoulder。'Lookatourtrackonthewater——agreatsemicircle，precededbyaseriesofzigzagsasfaraswecansee。'
　　Shelookedattentively。'Isitmyfaultoryours？'sheinquired。
　　'Mine，Isuppose？'
　　'Ican'thelpsayingthatitisyours。'
　　Shedroppedtheropesdecisively，feelingtheslightesttwingeofvexationattheanswer。
　　'Whydoyouletgo？'
　　'Idoitsobadly。'
　　'Ono；youturnedaboutforshoreinamasterlyway。Doyouwishtoreturn？'
　　'Yes，ifyouplease。'
　　'Ofcourse，then，Iwillatonce。'
　　'Ifearwhatthepeoplewillthinkofus——goinginsuchabsurddirections，andallthroughmywretchedsteering。'
　　'Nevermindwhatthepeoplethink。'Apause。'Yousurelyarenotsoweakastomindwhatthepeoplethinkonsuchamatterasthat？'
　　Thosewordsmightalmostbecalledtoofirmandhardtobegivenbyhimtoher；butnevermind。Foralmostthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltthecharmingsensation，althoughonsuchaninsignificantsubject，ofbeingcompelledintoanopinionbyamansheloved。
　　Owen，thoughlessyieldingphysically，andmorepractical，wouldnothavehadtheintellectualindependencetoanswerawomanthus。Sherepliedquietlyandhonestly——ashonestlyaswhenshehadstatedthecontraryfactaminuteearlier——
　　'Idon'tmind。'
　　'I'llunshipthetillerthatyoumayhavenothingtodogoingbackbuttoholdyourparasol，'hecontinued，andarosetoperformtheoperation，necessarilyleaningcloselyagainsther，toguardagainsttheriskofcapsizingtheboatashereachedhishandsastern。Hiswarmbreathtouchedandcreptroundherfacelikeacaress；buthewasapparentlyonlyconcernedwithhistask。Shelookedguiltyofsomethingwhenheseatedhimself。Hereadinherfacewhatthatsomethingwas——shehadexperiencedapleasurefromhistouch。Butheflungapracticalglanceoverhisshoulder，seizedtheoars，andtheyspedinastraightlinetowardstheshore。
　　Cythereasawthathenotedinherfacewhathadpassedinherheart，andthatnotingit，hecontinuedasdecidedasbefore。Shewasinwardlydistressed。Shehadnotmeanthimtotranslateherwordsaboutreturninghomesoliterallyatthefirst；shehadnotintendedhimtolearnhersecret；butmorethanallshewasnotabletoenduretheperceptionofhislearningitandcontinuingunmoved。
　　Therewasnothingbutmiserytocomenow。Theywouldstepashore；
　　hewouldsaygood-night，gotoLondonto-morrow，andthemiserableShewouldlosehimforever。Shedidnotquitesupposewhatwasthefact，thataparallelthoughtwassimultaneouslypassingthroughhismind。
　　Theywerenowwithintenyards，nowwithinfive；hewasonlynowwaitingfora'smooth'tobringtheboatin。Sweet，sweetLovemustnotbeslainthus，wasthefairmaid'sreasoning。Shewasequaltotheoccasion——ladiesare——anddeliveredthegod——
　　'Doyouwantverymuchtoland，Mr。Springrove？'shesaid，lettingheryoungvioleteyespineathimavery，verylittle。
　　'I？Notatall，'saidhe，lookinganastonishmentatherinquirywhichaslighttwinkleofhiseyehalfbelied。'Butyoudo？'
　　'Ithinkthatnowwehavecomeout，anditissuchapleasantevening，'shesaidgentlyandsweetly，'Ishouldlikealittlelongerrowifyoudon'tmind？I'lltrytosteerbetterthanbeforeifitmakesiteasierforyou。I'lltryveryhard。'
　　Itwastheturnofhisfacetotellatalenow。Helooked，'Weunderstandeachother——ah，wedo，darling！'turnedtheboat，andpulledbackintotheBayoncemore。
　　'Nowsteerwhereveryouwill，'hesaid，inalowvoice。'Nevermindthedirectnessofthecourse——whereveryouwill。'
　　'ShallitbeCrestonShore？'shesaid，pointingtoastretchofbeachnorthwardfromBudmouthEsplanade。
　　'CrestonShorecertainly，'heresponded，graspingthesculls。Shetookthestringsdaintily，andtheywoundawaytotheleft。
　　Foralongtimenothingwasaudibleintheboatbuttheregulardipoftheoars，andtheirmovementintherowlocks。Springroveatlengthspoke。
　　'Imustgoawayto-morrow，'hesaidtentatively。
　　'Yes，'sherepliedfaintly。
　　'ToendeavourtoadvancealittleinmyprofessioninLondon。'
　　'Yes，'shesaidagain，withthesamepreoccupiedsoftness。
　　'ButIshan'tadvance。'
　　'Whynot？Architectureisabewitchingprofession。Theysaythatanarchitect'sworkisanotherman'splay。'
　　'Yes。Butworldlyadvantagefromanartdoesn'tdependuponmasteringit。Iusedtothinkitdid；butitdoesn't。Thosewhogetrichneedhavenoskillatallasartists。'
　　'Whatneedtheyhave？'
　　'Acertainkindofenergywhichmenwithanyfondnessforartpossessveryseldomindeed——anearnestnessinmakingacquaintances，andaloveforusingthem。Theygivetheirwholeattentiontotheartofdiningout，aftermasteringafewrudimentaryfactstoserveupinconversation。Nowaftersayingthat，doIseemamanlikelytomakeaname？'
　　'Youseemamanlikelytomakeamistake。'
　　'What'sthat？'
　　'Togivetoomuchroomtothelatentfeelingwhichisrathercommoninthesedaysamongtheunappreciated，thatbecausesomeremarkablysuccessfulmenarefools，allremarkablyunsuccessfulmenaregeniuses。'
　　'Prettysubtleforayounglady，'hesaidslowly。'FromthatremarkIshouldfancyyouhadboughtexperience。'
　　Shepassedovertheidea。'Dotrytosucceed，'shesaid，withwistfulthoughtfulness，leavinghereyesonhim。
　　Springroveflushedalittleattheearnestnessofherwords，andmused。'Then，likeCatotheCensor，IshalldowhatIdespise，tobeinthefashion，'hesaidatlast……'Well，whenIfoundallthisoutthatIwasspeakingof，whateverdoyouthinkIdid？Fromhavingalreadylovedversepassionately，Iwentontoreaditcontinually；thenIwentrhymingmyself。Ifanythingonearthruinsamanforusefuloccupation，andforcontentwithreasonablesuccessinaprofessionortrade，itisthehabitofwritingversesonemotionalsubjects，whichhadmuchbetterbelefttodiefromwantofnourishment。'
　　'Doyouwritepoemsnow？'shesaid。
　　'None。Poeticaldaysaregettingpastwithme，accordingtotheusualrule。Writingrhymesisastagepeopleofmysortpassthrough，astheypassthroughthestageofshavingforabeard，orthinkingtheyareill-used，orsayingthere'snothingintheworldworthlivingfor。'
　　'Thenthedifferencebetweenacommonmanandarecognizedpoetis，thatonehasbeendeluded，andcuredofhisdelusion，andtheothercontinuesdeludedallhisdays。'
　　'Well，there'sjustenoughtruthinwhatyousay，tomaketheremarkunbearable。However，itdoesn'tmattertomenowthatI“meditatethethanklessMuse“nolonger，but……'Hepaused，asifendeavouringtothinkwhatbetterthinghedid。
　　Cytherea'smindranontothesucceedinglinesofthepoem，andtheirstartlingharmonywiththepresentsituationsuggestedthefancythathewas'sporting'withher，andbroughtanawkwardcontemplativenesstoherface。
　　Springroveguessedherthoughts，andinanswertothemsimplysaid'Yes。'Thentheyweresilentagain。
　　'IfIhadknownanAmarylliswascominghere，Ishouldnothavemadearrangementsforleaving，'heresumed。
　　Suchlevity，superimposedonthenotionof'sport'，wasintolerabletoCytherea；forawomanseemsnevertoseeanybuttheserioussideofherattachment，thoughthemostdevotedloverhasallthetimeavagueanddimperceptionthatheislosinghisolddignityandfritteringawayhistime。
　　'Butwillyounottryagaintogetoninyourprofession？Tryoncemore；dotryoncemore，'shemurmured。'Iamgoingtotryagain。I
　　haveadvertisedforsomethingtodo。'
　　'OfcourseIwill，'hesaid，withaneagergestureandsmile。'ButwemustrememberthatthefameofChristopherWrenhimselfdependedupontheaccidentofafireinPuddingLane。Mysuccessesseemtocomeveryslowly。Ioftenthink，thatbeforeIamreadytolive，itwillbetimeformetodie。However，Iamtrying——notforfamenow，butforaneasylifeofreasonablecomfort。'
　　Itisamelancholytruthforthemiddleclasses，thatinproportionastheydevelop，bythestudyofpoetryandart，theircapacityforconjugalloveofthehighestandpurestkind，theylimitthepossibilityoftheirbeingabletoexerciseit——theveryactputtingoutoftheirpowertheattainmentofmeanssufficientformarriage。
　　Themanwhoworksupagoodincomehashadnotimetolearnlovetoitssolemnextreme；themanwhohaslearntthathashadnotimetogetrich。
　　'Andifyoushouldfail——utterlyfailtogetthatreasonablewealth，'shesaidearnestly，'don'tbeperturbed。Thetrulygreatstanduponnomiddleledge；theyareeitherfamousorunknown。'
　　'Unknown，'hesaid，'iftheirideashavebeenallowedtoflowwithasympatheticbreadth。Famousonlyiftheyhavebeenconvergentandexclusive。'
　　'Yes；andIamafraidfromthat，thatmyremarkwasbutdiscouragement，wearingthedressofcomfort。PerhapsIwasnotquiterightin——'
　　'Itdependsentirelyuponwhatismeantbybeingtrulygreat。Butthelongandtheshortofthematteris，thatmenmuststicktoathingiftheywanttosucceedinit——notgivingwaytoover-muchadmirationfortheflowerstheyseegrowinginotherpeople'sborders；whichIamafraidhasbeenmycase。'Helookedintothefardistanceandpaused。
　　Adherencetoacoursewithpersistencesufficienttoensuresuccessispossibletowidelyappreciativemindsonlywhenthereisalsofoundinthemapower——commonplaceinitsnature，butrareinsuchcombination——thepowerofassumingtoconvictionthatintheoutlyingpathswhichappearsomuchmorebrilliantthantheirown，therearebitternessesequallygreat——unperceivedsimplyonaccountoftheirremoteness。
　　TheywereoppositeRingsworthShore。ThecliffsherewereformedofstratacompletelycontrastingwiththoseofthefurthersideoftheBay，whilstinandbeneaththewaterhardbouldershadtakentheplaceofsandandshingle，betweenwhich，however，theseaglidednoiselessly，withoutbreakingthecrestofasinglewave，sostrikinglycalmwastheair。Thebreezehadentirelydiedaway，leavingthewaterofthatrareglassysmoothnesswhichisunmarkedevenbythesmalldimplesoftheleastaerialmovement。Purplesandbluesofdiversshadeswerereflectedfromthismirroraccordinglyaseachundulationslopedeastorwest。Theycouldseetherockybottomsometwentyfeetbeneaththem，luxuriantwithweedsofvariousgrowths，anddottedwithpulpycreaturesreflectingasilveryandspangledradianceupwardstotheireyes。
　　Atlengthshelookedathimtolearntheeffectofherwordsofencouragement。Hehadlettheoarsdriftalongside，andtheboathadcometoastandstill。Everythingonearthseemedtakingacontemplativerest，asifwaitingtoheartheavowalofsomethingfromhislips。Atthatinstantheappearedtobreakaresolutionhithertozealouslykept。Leavinghisseatamidshipshecameandgentlyedgedhimselfdownbesideheruponthenarrowseatatthestern。
　　Shebreathedmorequicklyandwarmly：hetookherrighthandinhisownright：itwasnotwithdrawn。Heputhislefthandbehindhernecktillitcamerounduponherleftcheek：itwasnotthrustaway。Lightlypressingher，hebroughtherfaceandmouthtowardshisown；when，atthistheverybrink，someunaccountablethoughtorspellwithinhimsuddenlymadehimhalt——evennow，andasitseemedasmuchtohimselfastoher，hetimidlywhispered'MayI？'
　　HerendeavourwastosayNo，sodenudedofitsfleshandsinewsthatitsnaturewouldhardlyberecognized，orinotherwordsaNofromsoneartheaffirmativefrontierastobeaffectedwiththeYesaccent。ItwasthusawhisperedNo，drawnouttonearlyaquarterofaminute'slength，theOmakingitselfaudibleasasoundlikethespringcooofapigeononunusuallyfriendlytermswithitsmate。Thoughconsciousofhersuccessinproducingthekindofwordshehadwishedtoproduce，sheatthesametimetrembledinsuspenseastohowitwouldbetaken。Butthetimeavailablefordoubtwassoshortastoadmitofscarcelymorethanhalfapulsation：
　　pressingcloserhekissedher。Thenhekissedheragainwithalongerkiss。
　　Itwasthesupremelyhappymomentoftheirexperience。The'bloom'
　　andthe'purplelight'werestrongonthelineamentsofboth。Theirheartscouldhardlybelievetheevidenceoftheirlips。
　　'Iloveyou，andyouloveme，Cytherea！'hewhispered。
　　Shedidnotdenyit；andallseemedwell。Thegentlesoundsaroundthemfromthehills，theplains，thedistanttown，theadjacentshore，thewaterheavingattheirside，thekiss，andthelongkiss，wereall'manyavoiceofonedelight，'andinunisonwitheachother。
　　Buthismindflewbacktothesameunpleasantthoughtwhichhadbeenconnectedwiththeresolutionhehadbrokenaminuteortwoearlier。
　　'Icouldbeaslaveatmyprofessiontowinyou，Cytherea；Iwouldworkatthemeanest，honesttradetobenearyou——muchlessclaimyouasmine；Iwould——anything。ButIhavenottoldyouall；itisnotthis；youdon'tknowwhatthereisyettotell。Couldyouforgiveasyoucanlove？'Shewasalarmedtoseethathehadbecomepalewiththequestion。
　　'No——donotspeak，'hesaid。'Ihavekeptsomethingfromyou，whichhasnowbecomethecauseofagreatuneasiness。Ihadnoright——toloveyou；butIdidit。Somethingforbade——'
　　'What？'sheexclaimed。
　　'Somethingforbademe——tillthekiss——yes，tillthekisscame；andnownothingshallforbidit！We'llhopeinspiteofall……I
　　must，however，speakofthisloveofourstoyourbrother。Dearest，youhadbettergoindoorswhilstImeethimatthestation，andexplaineverything。'
　　Cytherea'sshort-livedblisswasdeadandgone。O，ifshehadknownofthissequelwouldshehaveallowedhimtobreakdownthebarrierofmereacquaintanceship——never，never！
　　'Willyounotexplaintome？'shefaintlyurged。Doubt——indefinite，carkingdoubthadtakenpossessionofher。
　　'Notnow。Youalarmyourselfunnecessarily，'hesaidtenderly。'MyonlyreasonforkeepingsilenceisthatwithmypresentknowledgeI
　　maytellanuntruestory。Itmaybethatthereisnothingtotell。
　　Iamtoblameforhasteinalludingtoanysuchthing。Forgiveme，sweet——forgiveme。'Herheartwasreadytoburst，andshecouldnotanswerhim。Hereturnedtohisplaceandtooktotheoars。
　　TheyagainmadeforthedistantEsplanade，now，withitslineofhouses，lyinglikeadarkgreybandagainstthelightwesternsky。
　　Thesunhadset，andastarortwobegantopeepout。Theydrewnearertheirdestination，Edwardashepulledtracinglistlesslywithhiseyestheredstripesuponherscarf，whichgrewtoappearasblackonesintheincreasingduskofevening。Shesurveyedthelonglineoflampsonthesea-wallofthetown，nowlookingsmallandyellow，andseemingtosendlongtap-rootsoffirequiveringdowndeepintothesea。By-and-bytheyreachedthelanding-steps。
　　Hetookherhandasbefore，andfounditascoldasthewateraboutthem。Itwasnotrelinquishedtillhereachedherdoor。Hisassurancehadnotremovedtheconstraintofhermanner：hesawthatsheblamedhimmutelyandwithhereyes，likeacapturedsparrow。
　　Leftalone，hewentandseatedhimselfinachairontheEsplanade。
　　Neithercouldshegoindoorstohersolitaryroom，feelingasshedidinsuchastateofdesperateheaviness。WhenSpringrovewasoutofsightsheturnedback，andarrivedatthecornerjustintimetoseehimsitdown。Thensheglidedpensivelyalongthepavementbehindhim，forgettingherselftomarblelikeMelancholyherselfasshemusedinhisneighbourhoodunseen。Sheheard，withoutheeding，thenotesofpianosandsingingvoicesfromthefashionablehousesatherback，fromtheopenwindowsofwhichthelamp-lightstreamedtojointhatoftheorange-huedfullmoon，newlyrisenovertheBayinfront。ThenEdwardbegantopaceupanddown，andCytherea，fearingthathewouldnoticeher，hastenedhomeward，flinginghimalastlookasshepassedoutofsight。Nopromisefromhimtowrite：
　　norequestthatsheherselfwoulddoso——nothingbutanindefiniteexpressionofhopeinthefaceofsomefearunknowntoher。Alas，alas！
　　WhenOwenreturnedhefoundshewasnotinthesmallsitting-room，andcreepingupstairsintoherbedroomwithalight，hediscoveredhertherelyingasleepuponthecoverletofthebed，stillwithherhatandjacketon。Shehadflungherselfdownonentering，andsuccumbedtotheunwontedoppressivenessthateverattendsfull-
　　blownlove。Thewettracesoftearswereyetvisibleuponherlongdroopinglashes。
　　'Loveisasowredelight，andsugredgriefe，Alivingdeath，andever-dyinglife。'
　　'Cytherea，'hewhispered，kissingher。Sheawokewithastart，andventedanexclamationbeforerecoveringherjudgment。'He'sgone！'
　　shesaid。
　　'Hehastoldmeall，'saidGrayesoothingly。'Heisgoingoffearlyto-morrowmorning。'Twasashameofhimtowinyouawayfromme，andcruelofyoutokeepthegrowthofthisattachmentasecret。'
　　'Wecouldn'thelpit，'shesaid，andthenjumpingup——'Owen，hashetoldyouALL？'
　　'Allofyourlovefrombeginningtoend，'hesaidsimply。
　　Edwardthenhadnottoldmore——asheoughttohavedone：yetshecouldnotconvicthim。Butshewouldstruggleagainsthisfetters。
　　Shetingledtotheverysolesofherfeetattheverypossibilitythathemightbedeludingher。
　　'Owen，'shecontinued，withdignity，'whatishetome？Nothing。I
　　mustdismisssuchweaknessasthis——believeme，Iwill。Somethingfarmorepressingmustdriveitaway。Ihavebeenlookingmypositionsteadilyintheface，andImustgetalivingsomehow。I
　　meantoadvertiseoncemore。'
　　'Advertisingisnouse。'
　　'Thisonewillbe。'Helookedsurprisedatthesanguinetoneofheranswer，tillshetookapieceofpaperfromthetableandshowedithim。'SeewhatIamgoingtodo，'shesaidsadly，almostbitterly。
　　Thiswasherthirdeffort：——
　　'LADY'S-MAID。Inexperienced。Ageeighteen——G。，3CrossStreet，Budmouth。'
　　Owen——Owentherespectable——lookedblankastonishment。Herepeatedinanameless，varyingtone，thetwowords——
　　'Lady's-maid！'
　　'Yes；lady's-maid。'Tisanhonestprofession，'saidCythereabravely。
　　'ButYOU，Cytherea？'
　　'Yes，I——whoamI？'
　　'Youwillneverbealady's-maid——never，Iamquitesure。'
　　'Ishalltrytobe，atanyrate。'
　　'Suchadisgrace——'
　　'Nonsense！Imaintainthatitisnodisgrace！'shesaid，ratherwarmly。'Youknowverywell——'
　　'Well，sinceyouwill，youmust，'heinterrupted。'Whydoyouput“inexperienced？”'
　　'BecauseIam。'
　　'Nevermindthat——scratchout“inexperienced。“Wearepoor，Cytherea，aren'twe？'hemurmured，afterasilence，'anditseemsthatthetwomonthswillclosemyengagementhere。'
　　'Wecanputupwithbeingpoor，'shesaid，'iftheyonlygiveusworktodo……Yes，wedesireasablessingwhatwasgivenusasacurse，andeventhatisdenied。However，becheerful，Owen，andnevermind！'
　　Injusticetodespondingmen，itisaswelltorememberthatthebrighterenduranceofwomenattheseepochs——invaluable，sweet，angelic，asitis——owesmoreofitsorigintoanarrowervisionthatshutsoutmanyoftheleaden-eyeddespairsinthevan，thantoahopefulnessintenseenoughtoquellthem。
　　IV。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
　　1。AUGUSTTHEFOURTH。TILLFOURO'CLOCK
　　TheearlypartofthenextweekbroughtananswertoCytherea'slastnoteofhopeinthewayofadvertisement——notfromadistanceofhundredsofmiles，London，Scotland，Ireland，theContinent——asCythereaseemedtothinkitmust，tobeinkeepingwiththemeansadoptedforobtainingit，butfromaplaceintheneighbourhoodofthatinwhichshewasliving——acountrymansionnottwentymilesoff。Thereplyranthus：——
　　KNAPWATERHOUSE，August3，1864。
　　'MissAldclyffeisinwantofayoungpersonaslady's-maid。Thedutiesoftheplacearelight。MissAldclyffewillbeinBudmouthonThursday，whenshouldG。stillnothaveheardofaplaceshewouldliketoseeherattheBelvedereHotel，Esplanade，atfouro'clock。Noanswerneedbereturnedtothisnote。'
　　Alittleearlierthanthetimenamed，Cytherea，clothedinamodestbonnet，andablacksilkjacket，turneddowntothehotel。
　　Expectation，thefreshairfromthewater，thebright，far-extendingoutlook，raisedthemostdelicateofpinkcolourstohercheeks，andrestoredtohertreadaportionofthatelasticitywhichherpasttroubles，andthoughtsofEdward，hadwell-nightakenaway。
　　Sheenteredthevestibule，andwenttothewindowofthebar。
　　'IsMissAldclyffehere？'shesaidtoanicely-dressedbarmaidintheforeground，whowastalkingtoalandladycoveredwithchains，knobs，andclampsofgold，inthebackground。
　　'No，sheisn't，'saidthebarmaid，notverycivilly。Cytherealookedashadetooprettyforaplaindresser。
　　'MissAldclyffeisexpectedhere，'thelandladysaidtoathirdperson，outofsight，inthetoneofonewhohadknownforseveraldaysthefactnewlydiscoveredfromCytherea。'Getreadyherroom——
　　bequick。'Fromthealacritywithwhichtheorderwasgivenandtaken，itseemedtoCythereathatMissAldclyffemustbeawomanofconsiderableimportance。
　　'YouaretohaveaninterviewwithMissAldclyffehere？'thelandladyinquired。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Theyoungpersonhadbetterwait，'continuedthelandlady。Withamoney-taker'sintuitionshehadrightlydivinedthatCythereawouldbringnoprofittothehouse。
　　Cythereawasshownintoanondescriptchamber，ontheshadysideofthebuilding，whichappearedtobeeitherbedroomordayroom，asoccasionnecessitated，andwasoneofasuiteattheendofthefirst-floorcorridor。Theprevailingcolourofthewalls，curtains，carpet，andcoveringsoffurniture，wasmoreorlessblue，towhichthecoldlightcomingfromthenortheasterlysky，andfallingonawideroofofnewslates——theonlyobjectthesmallwindowcommanded——
　　impartedamorestrikingpaleness。Butunderneaththedoor，communicatingwiththenextroomofthesuite，gleamedaninfinitesimallysmall，yetverypowerful，fractionofcontrast——averythinlineofruddylight，showingthatthesunbeamedstronglyintothisroomadjoining。Thelineofradiancewastheonlycheeringthingvisibleintheplace。
　　Peoplegivewaytoveryinfantinethoughtsandactionswhentheywait；thebattle-fieldoflifeistemporarilyfencedoffbyahardandfastline——theinterview。Cythereafixedhereyesidlyuponthestreak，andbeganpicturingawonderfulparadiseontheothersideasthesourceofsuchabeam——remindingherofthewell-knowngooddeedinanaughtyworld。
　　Whilstshewatchedtheparticlesofdustfloatingbeforethebrilliantchinksheheardacarriageandhorsesstopoppositethefrontofthehouse。Afterwardscametherustleofalady'sskirtsdownthecorridor，andintotheroomcommunicatingwiththeoneCythereaoccupied。
　　Thegoldenlinevanishedinpartslikethephosphorescentstreakcausedbythestrikingofamatch；therewasthefallofalightfootsteponthefloorjustbehindit：thenapause。Thenthefoottappedimpatiently，and'There'snoonehere！'wasspokenimperiouslybyalady'stongue。
　　'No，madam；inthenextroom。Iamgoingtofetchher，'saidtheattendant。
　　'Thatwilldo——oryouneedn'tgoin；Iwillcallher。'
　　Cythereahadrisen，andsheadvancedtothemiddledoorwiththechinkunderitastheservantretired。Shehadjustlaidherhandontheknob，whenitslippedroundwithinherfingers，andthedoorwaspulledopenfromtheotherside。
　　2。FOURO'CLOCK
　　Thedirectblazeoftheafternoonsun，partlyrefractedthroughthecrimsoncurtainsofthewindow，andheightenedbyreflectionsfromthecrimson-flockpaperwhichcoveredthewalls，andacarpetonthefloorofthesametint，shonewithaburningglowroundtheformofaladystandingclosetoCytherea'sfrontwiththedoorinherhand。
　　Thestrangerappearedtothemaiden'seyes——freshfromthebluegloom，andassistedbyanimaginationfreshfromnature——likeatallblackfigurestandinginthemidstoffire。Itwasthefigureofafinely-builtwoman，ofsparethoughnotangularproportions。
　　Cythereainvoluntarilyshadedhereyeswithherhand，retreatedasteportwo，andthenshecouldforthefirsttimeseeMissAldclyffe'sfaceinadditiontoheroutline，litupbythesecondaryandsofterlightthatwasreflectedfromthevarnishedpanelsofthedoor。Shewasnotaveryyoungwoman，butcouldboastofmuchbeautyofthemajesticautumnalphase。
　　'O，'saidthelady，'comethisway。'Cythereafollowedhertotheembrasureofthewindow。
　　Boththewomenshowedoffthemselvestoadvantageastheywalkedforwardintheorangelight；andeachshowedtooinherfacethatshehadbeenstruckwithhercompanion'sappearance。ThewarmtintaddedtoCytherea'sfaceavoluptuousnesswhichyouthandasimplelifehadnotyetallowedtoexpressitselfthereordinarily；whilstintheelderlady'sfaceitreducedthecustomaryexpression，whichmighthavebeencalledsternness，ifnotharshness，tograndeur，andwarmedherdecayingcomplexionwithmuchoftheyouthfulrichnessitplainlyhadoncepossessed。
　　Sheappearednownomorethanfive-and-thirty，thoughshemighteasilyhavebeentenoradozenyearsolder。Shehadclearsteadyeyes，aRomannoseinitspurestform，andalsotheroundprominentchinwithwhichtheCaesarsarerepresentedinancientmarbles；amouthexpressingacapabilityforandtendencytostrongemotion，habituallycontrolledbypride。Therewasaseverityabouttheloweroutlinesofthefacewhichgaveamasculinecasttothisportionofhercountenance。Womanlyweaknesswasnowherevisiblesaveinonepart——thecurveofherforeheadandbrows——thereitwasclearandemphatic。Sheworealaceshawloverabrownsilkdress，andanetbonnetsetwithafewbluecornflowers。
　　'Youinsertedtheadvertisementforasituationaslady's-maidgivingtheaddress，G。，CrossStreet？'
　　'Yes，madam。Graye。'
　　'Yes。Ihaveheardyourname——Mrs。Morris，myhousekeeper，mentionedyou，andpointedoutyouradvertisement。'
　　Thiswaspuzzlingintelligence，buttherewasnottimeenoughtoconsiderit。
　　'Wheredidyoulivelast？'continuedMissAldclyffe。
　　'Ihaveneverbeenaservantbefore。Ilivedathome。'
　　'Neverbeenout？Ithoughttooatsightofyouthatyouweretoogirlish-lookingtohavedonemuch。Butwhydidyouadvertisewithsuchassurance？Itmisleadspeople。'
　　'Iamverysorry：Iput“inexperienced“atfirst，butmybrothersaiditisabsurdtotrumpetyourownweaknesstotheworld，andwouldnotletitremain。'
　　'Butyourmotherknewwhatwasright，Isuppose？'
　　'Ihavenomother，madam。'
　　'Yourfather，then？'
　　'Ihavenofather。'
　　'Well，'shesaid，moresoftly，'yoursisters，aunts，orcousins。'
　　'Theydidn'tthinkanythingaboutit。'
　　'Youdidn'taskthem，Isuppose。'
　　'No。'
　　'Youshouldhavedoneso，then。Whydidn'tyou？'
　　'BecauseIhaven'tanyofthem，either。'
　　MissAldclyffeshowedhersurprise。'Youdeserveforgivenessthenatanyrate，child，'shesaid，inasortofdrily-kindtone。
　　'However，Iamafraidyoudonotsuitme，asIamlookingforanelderlyperson。Yousee，Iwantanexperiencedmaidwhoknowsalltheusualdutiesoftheoffice。'Shewasgoingtoadd，'ThoughI
　　likeyourappearance，'butthewordsseemedoffensivetoapplytotheladylikegirlbeforeher，andshemodifiedthemto，'thoughI
　　likeyoumuch。'
　　'IamsorryImisledyou，madam，'saidCytherea。
　　MissAldclyffestoodinareverie，withoutreplying。
　　'Goodafternoon，'continuedCytherea。
　　'Good-bye，MissGraye——Ihopeyouwillsucceed。'
　　Cythereaturnedawaytowardsthedoor。Themovementchancedtobeoneofhermasterpieces。Itwasprecise：ithadasmuchbeautyaswascompatiblewithprecision，andaslittlecoquettishnessaswascompatiblewithbeauty。
　　Andshehadinturninglookedoverhershoulderattheotherladywithafaintaccentofreproachinherface。ThosewhorememberGreuze's'HeadofaGirl，'haveanideaofCytherea'slookaskanceattheturning。Itisnotforamantotellfishersofmenhowtosetouttheirfascinationssoastobringaboutthehighestpossibleaverageoftakeswithintheyear：buttheactionthattugsthehardestofallatanemotionalbeholderisthissweetmethodofturningwhichstealsthebosomawayandleavestheeyesbehind。
　　NowMissAldclyffeherselfwasnotyroatwheeling。WhenCythereahadclosedthedooruponher，sheremainedforsometimeinhermotionlessattitude，listeningtothegraduallydyingsoundofthemaiden'sretreatingfootsteps。Shemurmuredtoherself，'Itisalmostworthwhiletobeboredwithinstructingherinordertohaveacreaturewhocouldglideroundmyluxuriousindolentbodyinthatmanner，andlookatmeinthatway——Iwarranthowlightherfingersareuponone'sheadandneck……Whatasillymodestyoungthingsheis，togoawaysosuddenlyasthat！'Sherangthebell。
　　'Asktheyoungladywhohasjustleftmetostepbackagain，'shesaidtotheattendant。'Quick！orshewillbegone。'
　　Cythereawasnowinthevestibule，thinkingthatifshehadtoldherhistory，MissAldclyffemightperhapshavetakenherintothehousehold；yetherhistorysheparticularlywishedtoconcealfromastranger。Whenshewasrecalledsheturnedbackwithoutfeelingmuchsurprise。Something，sheknewnotwhat，toldhershehadnotseenthelastofMissAldclyffe。
　　'Youhavesomebodytorefermeto，ofcourse，'theladysaid，whenCythereahadre-enteredtheroom。
　　'Yes：Mr。Thorn，asolicitoratAldbrickham。'
　　'Andareyouacleverneedlewoman？'
　　'Iamconsideredtobe。'
　　'ThenIthinkthatatanyrateIwillwritetoMr。Thorn，'saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesmile。'Itistrue，thewholeproceedingisveryirregular；butmypresentmaidleavesnextMonday，andneitherofthefiveIhavealreadyseenseemtodoforme……
　　Well，IwillwritetoMr。Thorn，andifhisreplyissatisfactory，youshallhearfromme。ItwillbeaswelltosetyourselfinreadinesstocomeonMonday。'
　　WhenCythereahadagainbeenwatchedoutoftheroom，MissAldclyffeaskedforwritingmaterials，thatshemightatoncecommunicatewithMr。Thorn。Sheindecisivelyplayedwiththepen。'SupposeMr。
　　Thorn'sreplytobeinanywaydisheartening——andevenifsofromhisownimperfectacquaintancewiththeyoungcreaturemorethanfromcircumstantialknowledge——Ishallfeelobligedtogiveherup。
　　ThenIshallregretthatIdidnotgiveheronetrialinspiteofotherpeople'sprejudices。Allheraccountofherselfisreliableenough——yes，Icanseethatbyherface。Ilikethatfaceofhers。'
　　MissAldclyffeputdownthepenandleftthehotelwithoutwritingtoMr。Thorn。
　　V。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
　　1。AUGUSTTHEEIGHTH。MORNINGANDAFTERNOON
　　Atpost-timeonthatfollowingMondaymorning，Cythereawatchedsoanxiouslyforthepostman，thatasthetimewhichmustbringhimnarrowedlessandlesshervividexpectationhadonlyadegreelesstangibilitythanhispresenceitself。Inanothersecondhisformcameintoview。HebroughttwolettersforCytherea。
　　OnefromMissAldclyffe，simplystatingthatshewishedCythereatocomeontrial：thatshewouldrequirehertobeatKnapwaterHousebyMondayevening。
　　TheotherwasfromEdwardSpringrove。Hetoldherthatshewasthebrightspotofhislife：thatherexistencewasfardearertohimthanhisown：thathehadneverknownwhatitwastolovetillhehadmether。True，hehadfeltpassingattachmentstootherfacesfromtimetotime；buttheyallhadbeenweakinclinationstowardsthosefacesastheythenappeared。Helovedherpastandfuture，aswellasherpresent。Hepicturedherasachild：helovedher。Hepicturedherofsageyears：helovedher。Hepicturedherintrouble；helovedher。Homelyfriendshipenteredintohisloveforher，withoutwhichalllovewasevanescent。
　　Hewouldmakeonedepressingstatement。Uncontrollablecircumstancesalonghistory，withwhichitwasimpossibletoacquaintheratpresentoperatedtoacertainextentasadraguponhiswishes。Hehadfeltthismorestronglyatthetimeoftheirpartingthanhedidnow——anditwasthecauseofhisabruptbehaviour，forwhichhebeggedhertoforgivehim。Hesawnowanhonourablewayoffreeinghimself，andtheperceptionhadpromptedhimtowrite。Inthemeantimemightheindulgeinthehopeofpossessingheronsomebrightfutureday，whenbyhardlabourgeneratedfromherownencouragingwords，hehadplacedhimselfinapositionshewouldthinkworthytobesharedwithhim？
　　Dearlittleletter；shehuddleditup。Somuchmoreimportantalove-letterseemstoagirlthantoaman。Springrovewasunconsciouslycleverinhisletters，andamanwithatalentofthatkindmaywritehimselfuptoaherointhemindofayoungwomanwholoveshimwithoutknowingmuchabouthim。Springrovealreadystoodacubithigherinherimaginationthanhedidinhisshoes。
　　Duringthedaysheflittedabouttheroominanecstasyofpleasure，packingthethingsandthinkingofananswerwhichshouldbeworthyofthetendertoneofthequestion，herlovebubblingfromherinvoluntarily，likeprophesyingsfromaprophet。
　　IntheafternoonOwenwentwithhertotherailway-station，andputherinthetrainforCarrifordRoad，thestationnearesttoKnapwaterHouse。
　　Half-an-hourlatershesteppedoutupontheplatform，andfoundnobodytheretoreceiveher——thoughapony-carriagewaswaitingoutside。Intwominutesshesawamelancholymanincheerfulliveryrunningtowardsherfromapublic-housecloseadjoining，whoprovedtobetheservantsenttofetchher。Therearetwowaysofgettingridofsorrows：onebylivingthemdown，theotherbydrowningthem。Thecoachmandrownedhis。
　　Heinformedherthatherluggagewouldbefetchedbyaspring-waggoninabouthalf-an-hour；thenhelpedherintothechaiseanddroveoff。
　　Herlover'sletter，lyingcloseagainstherneck，fortifiedheragainsttherestlesstimidityshehadpreviouslyfeltconcerningthisnewundertaking，andcompletelyfurnishedherwiththeconfidenteaseofmindwhichisrequiredforthecriticalobservationofsurroundingobjects。Itwasjustthatstageintheslowdeclineofthesummerdays，whenthedeep，dark，andvacuoushot-weathershadowsarebeginningtobereplacedbyblueonesthathaveasurfaceandsubstancetotheeye。Theytrottedalongtheturnpikeroadforadistanceofaboutamile，whichbroughtthemjustoutsidethevillageofCarriford，andthenturnedthroughlargelodge-gates，ontheheavystonepiersofwhichstoodapairofbitternscastinbronze。Theythenenteredtheparkandwoundalongadriveshadedbyoldanddroopinglime-trees，notarrangedintheformofanavenue，butstandingirregularly，sometimesleavingthetrackcompletelyexposedtothesky，atothertimescastingashadeoverit，whichalmostapproachedgloom——theundersurfaceofthelowestboughshangingatauniformlevelofsixfeetabovethegrass——theextremeheighttowhichthenibblingmouthsofthecattlecouldreach。
　　'Isthatthehouse？'saidCythereaexpectantly，catchingsightofagreygablebetweenthetrees，andlosingitagain。
　　'No；that'stheoldmanor-house——orratherallthat'sleftofit。
　　TheAldycliffesusedtoletitsometimes，butitwasoftenerempty。
　　'Tisnowdividedintothreecottages。Respectablepeopledidn'tcaretolivethere。'
　　'Whydidn'tthey？'
　　'Well，'tissoawkwardandunhandy。Youseesomuchofithasbeenpulleddown，andtheroomsthatareleftwon'tdoverywellforasmallresidence。'Tissodismal，too，andlikemostoldhousesstandstoolowdowninthehollowtobehealthy。'
　　'Dotheytellanyhorridstoriesaboutit？'
　　'No，notasingleone。'
　　'Ah，that'sapity。'
　　'Yes，that'swhatIsay。'Tisjestthehouseforaniceghastlyhair-on-endstory，thatwouldmaketheparishreligious。Perhapsitwillhaveonesomedaytomakeitcomplete；butthere'snotawordofthekindnow。There，Iwouldn'tlivethereforallthat。Infact，Icouldn't。Ono，Icouldn't。'
　　'Whycouldn'tyou？'
　　'Thesounds。'
　　'Whatarethey？'
　　'Oneisthewaterfall，whichstandssoclosebythatyoucanhearthattherewaterfallineveryroomofthehouse，nightorday，illorwell。'Tisenoughtodriveanybodymad：nowhark。'
　　Hestoppedthehorse。Abovetheslightcommonsoundsintheaircametheunvaryingsteadyrushoffallingwaterfromsomespotunseenonaccountofthethickfoliageofthegrove。
　　'There'ssomethingawfulinthetimingo'thatsound，ain'tthere，miss？'
　　'Whenyousaythereis，therereallyseemstobe。Yousaidthereweretwo——whatistheotherhorridsound？'
　　'Thepumping-engine。That'sclosebytheOldHouse，andsendswaterupthehillandallovertheGreatHouse。Weshallhearthatdirectly……There，nowharkagain。'
　　Fromthesamedirectiondownthedelltheycouldnowhearthewhistlingcreakofcranks，repeatedatintervalsofhalf-a-minute，withasousingnoisebetweeneach：acreak，asouse，thenanothercreak，andsooncontinually。
　　'Nowifanybodycouldmakeshifttolivethroughtheothersounds，thesewouldfinishhimoff，don'tyouthinkso，miss？Thatmachinegoesonnightandday，summerandwinter，andishardlyevergreasedorvisited。Ah，ittriesthenervesatnight，especiallyifyouarenotverywell；thoughwedon'toftenhearitattheGreatHouse。'
　　'Thatsoundiscertainlyverydismal。Theymighthavethewheelgreased。DoesMissAldclyffetakeanyinterestinthesethings？'
　　'Well，scarcely；youseeherfatherdoesn'tattendtothatsortofthingasheusedto。Theenginewasoncequitehishobby。Butnowhe'sgettenoldandveryseldomgoesthere。'
　　'Howmanyarethereinfamily？'
　　'Onlyherfatherandherself。He'sa'oldmanofseventy。'
　　'IhadthoughtthatMissAldclyffewassolemistressoftheproperty，andlivedherealone。'
　　'No，m——'Thecoachmanwascontinuallycheckinghimselfthus，beingabouttostylehermissinvoluntarily，andthenrecollectingthathewasonlyspeakingtothenewlady's-maid。
　　'Shewillsoonbemistress，however，Iamafraid，'hecontinued，asifspeakingbyaspiritofprophecydeniedtoordinaryhumanity。
　　'Thepooroldgentlemanhasdecayedveryfastlately。'Themanthendrewalongbreath。
　　'Whydidyoubreathesadlylikethat？'saidCytherea。
　　'Ah！……Whenhe'sdeadpeacewillbealloverwithusoldservants。Iexpecttoseetheoldhouseturnedinsideout。'
　　'Shewillmarry，doyoumean？'
　　'Marry——notshe！Iwishshewould。No，inhersoulshe'sassolitaryasRobinsonCrusoe，thoughshehasacquaintancesinplenty，ifnotrelations。There'stherector，Mr。Raunham——he'sarelationbymarriage——yetshe'squitedistanttowardshim。AndpeoplesaythatifshekeepssingletherewillbehardlyalifebetweenMr。
　　Raunhamandtheheirshipoftheestate。Dangit，shedon'tcare。