Cythereawasanacquisition，andthegreetingwashearty。
　　'Goodafternoon！Oyes——MissGraye，fromMissAldclyffe's。Ihaveseenyouatchurch，andIamsogladyouhavecalled！Comein。I
　　wonderifIhavechangeenoughtopaymysubscription。'Shespokegirlishly。
　　Adelaide，wheninthecompanyofayoungerwoman，alwayslevelledherselfdowntothatyoungerwoman'sagefromasenseofjusticetoherself——asif，thoughnotherownageatcommonlaw，itwasinequity。
　　'Itdoesn'tmatter。I'llcomeagain。'
　　'Yes，doatanytime；notonlyonthiserrand。Butyoumuststepinforaminute。Do。'
　　'Ihavebeenwantingtocomeforseveralweeks。'
　　'That'sright。Nowyoumustseemyhouse——lonely，isn'tit，forasingleperson？Peoplesaiditwasoddforayoungwomanlikemetokeeponahouse；butwhatdidIcare？Ifyouknewthepleasureoflockingupyourowndoor，withthesensationthatyoureignedsupremeinsideit，youwouldsayitwasworththeriskofbeingcalledodd。Mr。Springroveattendstomygardening，thedogattendstorobbers，andwheneverthereisasnakeortoadtokill，Janedoesit。'
　　'Hownice！Itisbetterthanlivinginatown。'
　　'Farbetter。Atownmakesacynicofme。'
　　Theremarkrecalled，somewhatstartlingly，toCytherea'smind，thatEdwardhadusedthoseverywordstoherselfoneeveningatBudmouth。
　　MissHintonopenedaninteriordoorandledhervisitorintoasmalldrawing-roomcommandingaviewofthecountryformiles。
　　Themissionarybusinesswassoonsettled；butthechatcontinued。
　　'Howlonelyitmustbehereatnight！'saidCytherea。'Aren'tyouafraid？'
　　'AtfirstIwas，slightly。ButIgotusedtothesolitude。Andyouknowasortofcommonsensewillcreepevenintotimidity。Isaytomyselfsometimesatnight，“IfIwereanybodybutaharmlesswoman，notworththetroubleofaworm'sghosttoappeartome，IshouldthinkthateverysoundIhearwasaspirit。“Butyoumustseeallovermyhouse。'
　　Cythereawashighlyinterestedinseeing。
　　'IsayyouMUSTdothis，andyouMUSTdothat，asifyouwereachild，'remarkedAdelaide。'Aprivilegedfriendofminetellsmethisuseoftheimperativecomesofbeingsoconstantlyinnobody'ssocietybutmyown。'
　　'Ah，yes。Isupposesheisright。'
　　Cythereacalledthefriend'she'byaruleofladylikepractice；forawoman's'friend'isdelicatelyassumedbyanotherfriendtobeoftheirownsexintheabsenceofknowledgetothecontrary；justascatsarecalledshe'suntiltheyprovethemselveshe's。
　　MissHintonlaughedmysteriously。
　　'Igetahumorousreproofforitnowandthen，Iassureyou，'shecontinued。
　　'“Humorousreproof：“that'snotfromawoman：whocanreprovehumorouslybutaman？'wasthegrooveofCytherea'sthoughtattheremark。'Yourbrotherreprovesyou，Iexpect，'saidthatinnocentyounglady。
　　'No，'saidMissHinton，withacandidair。''TisonlyaprofessionalmanIamacquaintedwith。'Shelookedoutofthewindow。
　　Womenarepersistentlyimitative。NosoonerdidathoughtflashthroughCytherea'smindthatthemanwasaloverthanshebecameaMissAldclyffeinamildform。
　　'Iimaginehe'salover，'shesaid。
　　MissHintonsmiledasmileofexperienceinthatline。
　　Fewwomen，iftaxedwithhavinganadmirer，aresofreefromvanityastodenytheimpeachment，evenifitisutterlyuntrue。Whenitdoeshappentobetrue，theylookpityinglyawayfromthepersonwhoissobenightedastohavegotnofurtherthansuspectingit。
　　'Therenow——MissHinton；youareengagedtobemarried！'saidCythereaaccusingly。
　　Adelaidenoddedherheadpractically。'Well，yes，Iam，'shesaid。
　　Theword'engaged'hadnosoonerpassedCytherea'slipsthanthesoundofit——themeresoundofherownlips——carriedhermindtothetimeandcircumstancesunderwhichMissAldclyffehadusedittowardsherself。Asickeningthoughtfollowed——basedbutonameresurmise；yetitspresencetookeveryotherideaawayfromCytherea'smind。MissHintonhadusedEdward'swordsabouttowns；shementionedMr。Springroveasattendingtohergarden。ItcouldnotbethatEdwardwastheman！thatMissAldclyffehadplannedtorevealherrivalthus！
　　'Areyougoingtobemarriedsoon？'sheinquired，withasteadinesstheresultofasortoffascination，butapparentlyofindifference。
　　'Notverysoon——still，soon。'
　　'Ah-ha！Inlessthanthreemonths？'saidCytherea。
　　'Two。'
　　Nowthatthesubjectwaswellinhand，Adelaidewantednomoreprompting。'Youwon'ttellanybodyifIshowyousomething？'shesaid，witheagermystery。
　　'Ono，nobody。Butdoesheliveinthisparish？'
　　'No。'
　　Nothingprovedyet。
　　'What'shisname？'saidCythereaflatly。Herbreathandhearthadbeguntheiroldtricks，andcameandwenthotly。MissHintoncouldnotseeherface。
　　'Whatdoyouthink？'saidMissHinton。
　　'George？'saidCytherea，withdeceitfulagony。
　　'No，'saidAdelaide。'Butnow，youshallseehimfirst；comehere；'
　　andsheledthewayupstairsintoherbedroom。There，standingonthedressingtableinalittleframe，wastheunconsciousportraitofEdwardSpringrove。
　　'Thereheis，'MissHintonsaid，andasilenceensued。
　　'Areyouveryfondofhim？'continuedthemiserableCythereaatlength。
　　'Yes，ofcourseIam，'hercompanionreplied，butinthetoneofonewho'livedinAbraham'sbosomalltheyear，'andwasthereforeuntouchedbysolemnthoughtatthefact。'He'smycousin——anativeofthisvillage。Wewereengagedbeforemyfather'sdeathleftmesolonely。Iwasonlytwenty，andamuchgreaterbellethanIamnow。Weknoweachotherthoroughly，asyoumayimagine。Igivehimalittlesermonizingnowandthen。'
　　'Why？'
　　'O，it'sonlyinfun。He'sverynaughtysometimes——notreally，youknow——buthewilllookatanyprettyfacewhenheseesit。'
　　Storingupthisstatementofhissusceptibilityasanotheritemtobemiserableuponwhenshehadtime，'Howdoyouknowthat？'
　　Cythereaasked，withaswellingheart。
　　'Well，youknowhowthingsdocometowomen'sears。HeusedtoliveatBudmouthasanassistant-architect，andIfoundoutthatayounggiddythingofagirlwholivestheresomewheretookhisfancyforadayortwo。ButIdon'tfeeljealousatall——ourengagementissomatter-of-factthatneitherofuscanbejealous。Anditwasamereflirtation——shewastoosillyforhim。He'sfondofrowing，andkindlygaveheranairingforaneveningortwo。I'llwarranttheytalkedthemostunmitigatedrubbishunderthesun——allshallownessandpastime，justaseverythingisatwateringplaces——neitherofthemcaringabitfortheother——shegigglinglikeagooseallthetime——'
　　Concentratedessenceofwomanpervadedtheroomratherthanair。
　　'SheDIDN'T！anditWASN'Tshallowness！'Cythereaburstout，withbrimmingeyes。''Twasdeepdeceitononeside，andentireconfidenceontheother——yes，itwas！'Thepent-upemotionhadswollenandswolleninsidetheyoungthingtillthedamcouldnolongerembayit。Theinstantthewordswereoutshewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletorecallthem。
　　'Doyouknowher——orhim？'saidMissHinton，startingwithsuspicionatthewarmthshown。
　　Thetworivalshadnowlosttheirpersonalityquite。Therewasthesamekeenbrightnessofeye，thesamemovementofthemouth，thesamemindinboth，astheylookeddoubtinglyandexcitedlyateachother。Asisinvariablythecasewithwomenwhenamantheycareforisthesubjectofanexcitementamongthem，thesituationabstractedthedifferenceswhichdistinguishedthemasindividuals，andleftonlythepropertiescommontothemasatomsofasex。
　　Cythereacaughtatthechanceaffordedherofnotbetrayingherself。
　　'Yes，Iknowher，'shesaid。
　　'Well，'saidMissHinton，'Iamreallyvexedifmyspeakingsolightlyofanyfriendofyourshashurtyourfeelings，but——'
　　'O，nevermind，'Cythereareturned；'itdoesn'tmatter，MissHinton。
　　IthinkImustleaveyounow。Ihavetocallatotherplaces。Yes——
　　Imustgo。'
　　MissHinton，inaperplexedstateofmind，showedhervisitorpolitelydownstairstothedoor。HereCythereabadeherahurriedadieu，andflitteddownthegardenintothelane。
　　Sheperseveredinherdutieswithawaywardpleasureingivingherselfmisery，aswasherwont。Mr。Springrove'snamewasnextonthelist，andsheturnedtowardshisdwelling，theThreeTrantersInn。
　　3。FOURTOFIVEP。M。
　　ThecottagesalongCarrifordvillagestreetwerenotsoclosebutthatononesideorotheroftheroadwasalwaysahedgeofhawthornorprivet，overorthroughwhichcouldbeseengardensororchardsrichwithproduce。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheearlyapple-
　　harvest，andtheladentreeswereshakenatintervalsbythegatherers；thesoftpatteringofthefallingcropuponthegrassygroundbeingdiversifiedbytheloudrattleofvagrantonesuponarail，hencoop，basket，orlean-toroof，orupontheroundedandstoopingbacksofthecollectors——mostlychildren，whowouldhavecriedbitterlyatreceivingsuchasmartblowfromanyotherquarter，butsmilinglyassumedittobebutfuninapples。
　　TheThreeTrantersInn，amany-gabled，mediaevalbuilding，constructedalmostentirelyoftimber，plaster，andthatch，stoodclosetothelineoftheroadside，almostoppositethechurchyard，andwasconnectedwitharowofcottagesontheleftbythatchedoutbuildings。Itwasanuncommonlycharacteristicandhandsomespecimenofthegenuineroadsideinnofbygonetimes；andstandingononeofthegreathighwaysinthispartofEngland，hadinitstimebeenthesceneofasmuchofwhatisnowlookeduponastheromanticandgenialexperienceofstage-coachtravellingasanyhalting-placeinthecountry。Therailwayhadabsorbedthewholestreamoftrafficwhichformerlyflowedthroughthevillageandalongbytheancientdooroftheinn，reducingtheempty-handedlandlord，whousedonlytofarmafewfieldsatthebackofthehouse，tothenecessityofekingouthisattenuatedincomebyincreasingtheextentofhisagriculturalbusinessifhewouldstillmaintainhissocialstanding。Nexttothegeneralstillnesspervadingthespot，thelonglineofoutbuildingsadjoiningthehousewasthemoststrikingandsaddeningwitnesstothepassed-awayfortunesoftheThreeTrantersInn。Itwasthebulkoftheoriginalstabling，andwhereoncethehoofsoftwo-scorehorseshaddailyrattledoverthestonyyard，toandfromthestallswithin，thickgrassnowgrew，whilstthelineofroofs——oncesostraight——overthedecayedstalls，hadsunkintovasthollowstilltheyseemedlikethecheeksoftoothlessage。
　　Onagreenplotattheotherendofthebuildinggrewtwoorthreelarge，wide-spreadingelm-trees，fromwhichthesignwassuspended——
　　representingthethreemencalledtrantersirregularcarriers，standingsidebyside，andexactlyaliketoahair's-breadth，thegrainofthewoodandjointsoftheboardsbeingvisiblethroughthethinpaintdepictingtheirforms，whichwerestillfurtherdisfiguredbyredstainsrunningdownwardsfromtherustynailsabove。
　　Underthetreesnowstoodacider-millandpress，anduponthespotshelteredbytheboughsweregatheredMr。Springrovehimself，hismen，theparishclerk，twoorthreeothermen，grindersandsupernumeraries，awomanwithaninfantinherarms，aflockofpigeons，andsomelittleboyswithstrawsintheirmouths，endeavouring，wheneverthemen'sbackswereturned，togetasipofthesweetjuiceissuingfromthevat。
　　EdwardSpringrovetheelder，thelandlord，nowmoreparticularlyafarmer，andfortwomonthsintheyearacider-maker，wasanemployeroflabouroftheoldschool，whoworkedhimselfamonghismen。Hewasnowengagedinpackingthepomaceintohorsehairbagswitharammer，andGadWeedy，hisman，wasoccupiedinshovellingupmorefromatubathisside。Theshovelshonelikesilverfromtheactionofthejuice，andeverandanon，initsmotiontoandfro，caughttheraysofthedecliningsunandreflectedtheminbristlingstarsoflight。
　　Mr。SpringrovehadbeentooyoungamanwhenthepristinedaysoftheThreeTrantershaddepartedforevertohavemuchofthehostleftinhimnow。Hewasapoetwitharoughskin：onewhosesturdinesswasmoretheresultofexternalcircumstancesthanofintrinsicnature。Tookindlyconstitutedtobeveryprovident，hewasyetnotimprudent。Hehadaquiethumorousnessofdisposition，notoutofkeepingwithafrequentmelancholy，thegeneralexpressionofhiscountenancebeingoneofabstraction。LikeWaltWhitmanhefeltashisyearsincreased——
　　'Iforeseetoomuch；itmeansmorethanIthought。'
　　Onthepresentoccasionheworegaitersandaleathernapron，andworkedwithhisshirt-sleevesrolledupbeyondhiselbows，disclosingsolidandfleshyratherthanmusculararms。Theywerestainedbythecider，andtwoorthreebrownapple-pipsfromthepomacehewashandlingweretobeseenstickingonthemhereandthere。
　　TheotherprominentfigurewasthatofRichardCrickett，theparishclerk，akindofBowdlerizedrake，whoateonlyasmuchasawoman，andhadtherheumatisminhislefthand。Theremainderofthegroup，brown-facedpeasants，woresmock-frocksembroideredontheshoulderswithheartsanddiamonds，andweregirtroundtheirmiddlewithastrap，anotherbeingwornroundtherightwrist。
　　'Andhaveyouseenthesteward，Mr。Springrove？'saidtheclerk。
　　'Justaglimpseofhim；but'twasjustenoughtoshowmethathe'snothereforlong。'
　　'Whymidthatbe？'
　　'He'llneverstandthevagariesofthefemalefigureholdenthereins——nothe。'
　　'Shed'payenwell，'saidagrinder；'andmoney'smoney。'
　　'Ah——'tis：verymuchso，'theclerkreplied。
　　'Yes，yes，naibourCrickett，'saidSpringrove，'butshe'llvleeinapassion——allthefatwillbeinthefire——andthere'sanendo't……Yes，sheisaone，'continuedthefarmer，resting，raisinghiseyes，andreadingthefeaturesofadistantapple。
　　'Sheis，'saidGad，restingtooitiswonderfulhowpromptajourneymanisinfollowinghismaster'sinitiativetorestandreflectivelyregardingthegroundinfrontofhim。
　　'True：aoneisshe，'theclerkchimedin，shakinghisheadominously。
　　'Shehassuchatemper，'saidthefarmer，'andissowilfultoo。
　　Youmayaswelltrytostopafootpathasstopherwhenshehastakenanythingintoherhead。I'dassoongrindlittlegreencrabsalldayaslivewi'her。'
　　''Tisatempershehev，'tis，'theclerkreplied，'thoughIbeaservantoftheChurchthatsayit。Butsheisn'tgoentofleeinapassionthistime。'
　　Theaudiencewaitedforthecontinuationofthespeech，asiftheyknewfromexperiencetheexactdistanceoffitlayinthefuture。
　　Theclerkswallowednothingasifitwereagreatdeal，andthenwenton，'There'ssome'atbetween'em：markmywords，naibours——
　　there'ssome'atbetween'em。'
　　'D'yemeanit？'
　　'Id'knowit。HecamelastSaturday，didn'the？'
　　''Adid，truly，'saidGadWeedy，atthesametimetakinganapplefromthehopperofthemill，eatingapiece，andflingingbacktheremaindertobegroundupforcider。
　　'Hewenttochurcha-Sunday，'saidtheclerkagain。
　　''Adid。'
　　'Andshekepthereyeuponenalltheservice，herfaceflickerenbetweenredandwhite，butneverstoppenateither。'
　　Mr。Springrovenodded，andwenttothepress。
　　'Well，'saidtheclerk，'youdon'tcallherthekindo'womantomakemistakesinjusttrottenthroughtheweeklyserviceo'God？
　　Why，asaruleshe'sasrightasIbemyself。'
　　Mr。Springrovenoddedagain，andgaveatwisttothescrewofthepress，followedinthemovementbyGadattheotherside；thetwogrindersexpressingbylooksofthegreatestconcernthat，ifMissAldclyffewereasrightatchurchastheclerk，shemustberightindeed。
　　'Yes，asrightintheserviceo'GodasIbemyself，'repeatedtheclerk。'ButlastSunday，whenwewereinthetenthcommandment，saysshe，“Inclineourheartstokeepthislaw，“saysshe，when'twas“Lawsinourhearts，webeseechThee，“allthechurchthrough。
　　HereyewasuponHIM——shewasquitelost——“Heartstokeepthislaw，“
　　saysshe；shewasnomorethanamereshadderatthattenthtime——amereshadder。Youmi'tha'mouthedacrosstoher“LawsinourheartswebeseechThee，“fiftytimesover——she'dneverha'noticedye。She'sinlovewi'theman，that'swhatsheis。'
　　'Thenshe'sabiggerstunpollthanItookherfor，'saidMr。
　　Springrove。'Why，she'soldenoughtobehismother。'
　　'Therow'llbebetweenherandthatyoungCurlywig，you'llsee。Shewon'truntheriskofthatprettyfacebe-ennear。'
　　'ClerkCrickett，Id'fancyyoud'knoweverythingabouteverybody，'
　　saidGad。
　　'Wellso's，'saidtheclerkmodestly。'Idoknowalittle。Itcomestome。'
　　'AndId'knowwherefrom。'
　　'Ah。'
　　'Thatwifeo'thine。She'sanentertainenwoman，nottospeakdisrespectful。'
　　'Sheis：andawinnenone。Lookatthehusbandsshe'vehad——Godblessher！'
　　'Iwonderyoucouldstandthirdinthatlist，ClerkCrickett，'saidMr。Springrove。
　　'Well，'thasbeenapowero'marveltomyselfoftentimes。Yes，matrimonydobeginwi'“Dearlybeloved，“andendswi'“Amazement，“
　　astheprayer-booksays。ButwhatcouldIdo，naibourSpringrove？
　　'Twasordainedtobe。WelldoIcalltomindwhatyourpoorladysaidtomewhenIhadjustmarried。“Ah，Mr。Crickett，“saysshe，“yourwifewillsoonsettleyouasshedidherothertwo：here'saglasso'rum，forIshan'tseeyourpoorfacethistimenextyear。“
　　Iswalleredtherum，calledagainnextyear，andsaid，“Mrs。
　　Springrove，yougavemeaglasso'rumlastyearbecauseIwasgoingtodie——hereIbealivestill，yousee。““Wellsaid，clerk！Here'stwoglassesforyounow，then，“saysshe。“Thankyou，mem，“I
　　said，andswalleredtherum。Well，dangmyoldsides，nextyearI
　　thoughtI'dcallagainandgetthree。AndcallIdid。Butshewouldn'tgivemeadropo'thecommonest。“No，clerk，“saysshe，“youbetootoughforawoman'spity。“……Ah，poorsoul，'twastrueenough！HerebeI，thatwasexpectedtodie，aliveandhardasanail，yousee，andthere'sshemouldereninhergrave。'
　　'Iusedtothink'twasyourwife'sfatenottohavealivenhusbandwhenIzid'emdieoffso，'saidGad。
　　'Fate？Blessthysimplicity，so'twasherfate；butshestruggledtohaveone，andwould，anddid。Fate'snothenbesideawoman'sschemen！'
　　'Isuppose，then，thatFateisaHe，likeus，andtheLord，andtheresto''emupabovethere，'saidGad，liftinghiseyestothesky。
　　'Hullo！Here'stheyoungwomancomenthatwewerea-talkenaboutby-now，'saidagrinder，suddenlyinterrupting。'She'scomenuphere，asIbealive！'
　　ThetwogrindersstoodandregardedCythereaasifshehadbeenashiptackingintoaharbour，nearlystoppingthemillintheirnewinterest。
　　'Stylishaccoutrementsabouttheheadandshoulders，tomythinken，'
　　saidtheclerk。'Sheenencurls，andplentyo'em。'
　　'Ifthere'sonekindofpridemoreexcusablethananotherinayoungwoman，'tisbeingproudofherhair，'saidMr。Springrove。
　　'Dearman！——thepridethereisonlyasmallpieceo'thewhole。I
　　warrantnow，thoughshecanshowsuchafigure，sheha'n'tasticko'furnituretocallherown。'
　　'Come，ClerkCrickett，letthemaidbeamaidwhilesheisamaid，'
　　saidFarmerSpringrovechivalrously。
　　'O，'repliedtheservantoftheChurch；'I'venothentosayagainstit——Ono：
　　'“Thechimney-sweeper'sdaughterSueAsIhavehearddeclare，O，Althoughshe'sneithersocknorshoeWillcurlanddeckherhair，O。“'
　　Cythereawasratherdisconcertedatfindingthatthegradualcessationofthechoppingofthemillwasonheraccount，andstillmorewhenshesawallthecider-makers'eyesfixeduponherexceptMr。Springrove's，whosenaturaldelicacyrestrainedhim。Shenearedtheplotofgrass，butinsteadofadvancingfurther，hesitatedonitsborder。
　　Mr。Springroveperceivedherembarrassment，whichwasrelievedwhenshesawhisold-establishedfigurecomingacrosstoher，wipinghishandsinhisapron。
　　'Iknowyourerrand，missie，'hesaid，'andamgladtoseeyou，andattendtoit。I'llstepindoors。'
　　'IfyouarebusyIaminnohurryforaminuteortwo，'saidCytherea。
　　'Thenifsobeyoureallywouldn'tmind，we'llwringdownthislastfillingtoletitdrainallnight？'
　　'Notatall。Iliketoseeyou。'
　　'Weareonlyjustgrindingdowntheearlypickthongsandgriffins，'
　　continuedthefarmer，inahalf-apologetictonefordetainingbyhiscider-makinganywell-dressedwoman。'Theyrotasblackasachimney-crookifwekeep'emtilltheregularsturnin。'Ashespokehewentbacktothepress，Cythereakeepingathiselbow。
　　'I'mlaterthanIshouldhavebeenbyrights，'hecontinued，takingupaleverforpropellingthescrew，andbeckoningtothementocomeforward。'Thetruthis，mysonEdwardhadpromisedtocometo-
　　day，andImadepreparations；butinsteadofhimcomesaletter：
　　“London，Septembertheeighteenth，DearFather，“sayshe，andwentontotellmehecouldn't。Itthrewmeoutabit。'
　　'Ofcourse，'saidCytherea。
　　'He'sgotaplace'ab'lieve？'saidtheclerk，drawingnear。
　　'No，poormortalfellow，no。Hetriedforthisonehere，youknow，butcouldn'tmanagetogetit。Idon'tknowtherightso'thematter，butwilly-nillytheywouldn'thavehimforsteward。Nowmates，forminline。'
　　Springrove，theclerk，thegrinders，andGad，allrangedthemselvesbehindtheleverofthescrew，andwalkedroundlikesoldierswheeling。
　　'Themanthattheoldqueanhevgotisamanyoucanhardlygetuponyourtonguetogainsay，bythelooko'en，'rejoinedClerkCrickett。
　　'Oneo'thempeoplethatcancontrivetobethoughtnoworseo'forstealenahorsethananothermanforlookenoverhedgeaten，'saidagrinder。
　　'Well，he'sallthereassteward，andisquitethegentleman——nodoubtaboutthat。'
　　'SowouldmyTedha'been，forthemattero'that，'thefarmersaid。
　　'That'strue：'awould，sir。'
　　'Isaid，I'llgiveTedagoodeducationifitdocostmemyeyes，andIwouldhavedoneit。'
　　'Ay，thatyouwouldso，'saidthechorusofassistantssolemnly。
　　'Buthetooktobooksanddrawingnaturally，andcostverylittle；
　　andasawind-upthewomenfolkhatchedupamatchbetweenhimandhiscousin。'
　　'When'stheweddentobe，Mr。Springrove？'
　　'Uncertain——butsoon，Isuppose。Edward，yousee，candoanythingprettynearly，andyetcan'tgetastraightforwardliving。IwishsometimesIhadkepthimhere，andletprofessionsgo。Buthewassuchaoneforthepencil。'
　　Hedroppedtheleverinthehedge，andturnedtohisvisitor。
　　'Nowthen，missie，ifyou'llcomeindoors，please。'
　　GadWeedylookedwithaplacidcriticismatCythereaasshewithdrewwiththefarmer。
　　'Icouldtellbythetongueo'herthatshedidn'ttakeherdegreesinourcounty，'hesaidinanundertone。
　　'Therailwayshaveleftyoulonelyhere，'sheobserved，whentheywereindoors。
　　Savethewitheredoldflies，whichwerequitetamefromthesolitude，notabeingwasinthehouse。Nobodyseemedtohaveentereditsincethelastpassengerhadbeencalledouttomountthelaststage-coachthathadrunby。
　　'Yes，theInnandIseemalmostapairoffossils，'thefarmerreplied，lookingattheroomandthenathimself。
　　'O，Mr。Springrove，'saidCytherea，suddenlyrecollectingherself；
　　'IammuchobligedtoyouforrecommendingmetoMissAldclyffe。'
　　Shebegantowarmtowardstheoldman；therewasinhimagentlenessofdispositionwhichremindedherofherownfather。
　　'Recommending？Notatall，miss。Ted——that'smyson——Tedsaidafellow-draughtsmanofhishadasisterwhowantedtobedoingsomethingintheworld，andImentionedittothehousekeeper，that'sall。Ay，Imissmysonverymuch。'
　　Shekeptherbacktothewindowthathemightnotseeherrisingcolour。
　　'Yes，'hecontinued，'sometimesIcan'thelpfeelinguneasyabouthim。Youknow，heseemsnotmadeforatownlifeexactly：hegetsveryqueeroveritsometimes，Ithink。Perhapshe'llbebetterwhenhe'smarriedtoAdelaide。'
　　Ahalf-impatientfeelingaroseinher，likethatwhichpossessesasickpersonwhenhehearsarecently-struckhourstruckagainbyaslowclock。Shehadlivedfurtheron。
　　'Everythingdependsuponwhetherhelovesher，'shesaidtremulously。
　　'Heusedto——hedoesn'tshowitsomuchnow；butthat'sbecausehe'solder。Yousee，itwasseveralyearsagotheyfirstwalkedtogetherasyoungmanandyoungwoman。She'salteredtoofromwhatshewaswhenhefirstcourtedher。'
　　'How，sir？'
　　'O，she'smoresensiblebyhalf。Whenheusedtowritetohershe'dcreepupthelaneandlookbackoverhershoulder，andslideouttheletter，andreadawordandstandinthoughtlookingatthehillsandseeingnone。Thenthecuckoowouldcry——awaytheletterwouldslip，andshe'dstartwi'frightatthemerebird，andhavearedskinbeforethequickestmanamongyecouldsay，“Bloodrushup。“'
　　Hecameforwardwiththemoneyanddroppeditintoherhand。HisthoughtswerestillwithEdward，andheabsentlytookherlittlefingersinhisashesaid，earnestlyandingenuously——
　　''TissoseldomIgetagentlewomantospeaktothatIcan'thelpspeakingtoyou，MissGraye，onmyfearsforEdward；Isometimesamafraidthathe'llnevergeton——thathe'lldiepooranddespisedundertheworstmentalconditions，akeensenseofhavingbeenpassedintheracebymenwhosebrainsarenothingtohisown，allthroughhisseeingtoofarintothings——beingdiscontentedwithmake-shifts——thinkingo'perfectioninthings，andthensickenedthatthere'snosuchthingasperfection。Ishan'tbesorrytoseehimmarry，sinceitmaysettlehimdownanddohimgood……Ay，we'llhopeforthebest。'
　　Heletgoherhandandaccompaniedhertothedoorsaying，'Ifyoushouldcaretowalkthiswayandtalktoanoldmanoncenowandthen，itwillbeagreatdelighttohim，MissGraye。Good-eveningtoye……Ahlook！athunderstormisbrewing——bequickhome。OrshallIstepupwithyou？'
　　'No，thankyou，Mr。Springrove。Goodevening，'shesaidinalowvoice，andhurriedaway。Onethoughtstillpossessedher；Edwardhadtrifledwithherlove。
　　4。FIVETOSIXP。M。
　　Shefollowedtheroadintoaboweroftrees，overhangingitsodenselythatthepassappearedlikearabbit'sburrow，andpresentlyreachedasideentrancetothepark。Thecloudsrosemorerapidlythanthefarmerhadanticipated：thesheepmovedinatrail，andcomplainedincoherently。Lividgreyshades，likethoseofthemodernFrenchpainters，madeamysteryoftheremoteanddarkpartsofthevista，andseemedtoinsistuponasuspensionofbreath。
　　Beforeshewashalf-wayacrosstheparkthethunderrumbleddistinctly。
　　Thedirectioninwhichshehadtogowouldtakeherclosebytheoldmanor-house。Theairwasperfectlystill，andbetweeneachlowrumbleofthethunderbehindshecouldheartheroarofthewaterfallbeforeher，andthecreakoftheengineamongthebusheshardbyit。Hurryingon，withagrowingdreadofthegloomandoftheapproachingstorm，shedrewneartheOldHouse，nowrisingbeforeheragainstthedarkfoliageandskyintonesofstrangewhiteness。
　　Ontheflightofsteps，whichdescendedfromaterraceinfronttothelevelofthepark，stoodaman。Heappeared，partlyfromthereliefthepositiongavetohisfigure，andpartlyfromfact，tobeoftoweringheight。Hewasdarkinoutline，andwaslookingatthesky，withhishandsbehindhim。
　　ItwasnecessaryforCythereatopassdirectlyacrossthelineofhisfront。Shefeltsoreluctanttodothis，thatshewasabouttoturnunderthetreesoutofthepathandenteritagainatapointbeyondtheOldHouse；buthehadseenher，andshecameonmechanically，unconsciouslyavertingherfacealittle，anddroppingherglancetotheground。
　　Hereyesunswervinglylingeredalongthepathuntiltheyfelluponanotherpathbranchinginarightlinefromthepathshewaspursuing。ItcamefromthestepsoftheOldHouse。'Iamexactlyoppositehimnow，'shethought，'andhiseyesaregoingthroughme。'
　　Aclearmasculinevoicesaid，atthesameinstant——
　　'Areyouafraid？'
　　She，interpretinghisquestionbyherfeelingsatthemoment，assumedhimselftobetheobjectoffear，ifany。'Idon'tthinkI
　　am，'shestammered。
　　Heseemedtoknowthatshethoughtinthatsense。
　　'Ofthethunder，Imean，'hesaid；'notofmyself。'
　　Shemustturntohimnow。'Ithinkitisgoingtorain，'sheremarkedforthesakeofsayingsomething。
　　Hecouldnotconcealhissurpriseandadmirationofherfaceandbearing。Hesaidcourteously，'ItmaypossiblynotrainbeforeyoureachtheHouse，ifyouaregoingthere？'
　　'Yes，Iam，'
　　'MayIwalkupwithyou？Itislonelyunderthetrees。'
　　'No。'Fearinghiscourtesyarosefromabeliefthathewasaddressingawomanofhigherstationthanwashers，sheadded，'IamMissAldclyffe'scompanion。Idon'tmindtheloneliness。'
　　'O，MissAldclyffe'scompanion。Thenwillyoubekindenoughtotakeasubscriptiontoher？ShesenttomethisafternoontoaskmetobecomeasubscribertoherSociety，andIwasout。OfcourseI'llsubscribeifshewishesit。ItakeagreatinterestintheSociety。'
　　'MissAldclyffewillbegladtohearthat，Iknow。'
　　'Yes；letmesee——whatSocietydidshesayitwas？IamafraidI
　　haven'tenoughmoneyinmypocket，andyetitwouldbeasatisfactiontohertohavepracticalproofofmywillingness。I'llgetit，andbeoutinoneminute。'
　　Heenteredthehouseandwasathersideagainwithinthetimehehadnamed。'Thisisit，'hesaidpleasantly。
　　Sheheldupherhand。Thesofttipsofhisfingersbrushedthepalmofhergloveasheplacedthemoneywithinit。Shewonderedwhyhisfingersshouldhavetouchedher。
　　'Ithinkafterall，'hecontinued，'thattherainisuponus，andwilldrenchyoubeforeyoureachtheHouse。Yes：seethere。'
　　Hepointedtoaroundwetspotaslargeasanasturtiumleaf，whichhadsuddenlyappeareduponthewhitesurfaceofthestep。
　　'Youhadbettercomeintotheporch。Itisnotnearlynightyet。
　　Thecloudsmakeitseemlaterthanitreallyis。'
　　Heavydropsofrain，followedimmediatelybyaforkedflashoflightningandsharprattlingthundercompelledher，willinglyorno，toaccepthisinvitation。Sheascendedthesteps，stoodbesidehimjustwithintheporch，andforthefirsttimeobtainedaseriesofshortviewsofhisperson，astheywaitedthereinsilence。
　　Hewasanextremelyhandsomeman，well-formed，andwell-dressed，ofanagewhichseemedtobetwoorthreeyearslessthanthirty。Themoststrikingpointinhisappearancewasthewonderful，almostpreternatural，clearnessofhiscomplexion。Therewasnotablemishorspeckofanykindtomarthesmoothnessofitssurfaceorthebeautyofitshue。Next，hisforeheadwassquareandbroad，hisbrowsstraightandfirm，hiseyespenetratingandclear。Bycollectingtheroundofexpressionstheygaveforth，apersonwhotheorizedonsuchmatterswouldhaveimbibedthenotionthattheirownerwasofanaturetokickagainstthepricks；thelastmanintheworldtoputupwithapositionbecauseitseemedtobehisdestinytodoso；onewhotookuponhimselftoresistfatewiththevindictivedeterminationofaTheomachist。Eyesandforeheadbothwouldhaveexpressedkeennessofintellecttooseverelytobepleasing，hadtheirforcenotbeencounteractedbythelinesandtoneofthelips。Thesewerefullandluscioustoasurprisingdegree，possessingawoman-likesoftnessofcurve，andarubyrednesssointense，astotestifystronglytomuchsusceptibilityofheartwherefemininebeautywasconcerned——asusceptibilitythatmightrequirealltheballastofbrainwithwhichhehadpreviouslybeencreditedtoconfinewithinreasonablechannels。
　　Hismannerwasratherelegantthangood：hisspeechwell-finishedandunconstrained。
　　Thepauseintheirdiscourse，whichhadbeencausedbythepealofthunderwasunbrokenbyeitherforaminuteortwo，duringwhichtheearsofbothseemedtobeabsentlyfollowingthelowroarofthewaterfallasitbecamegraduallyrivalledbytheincreasingrushofrainuponthetreesandherbageofthegrove。Afterhershortlooksathim，Cythereahadturnedherheadtowardstheavenueforawhile，andnow，glancingbackagainforaninstant，shediscoveredthathiseyeswereengagedinasteady，thoughdelicate，regardofherfaceandform。
　　Atthismoment，byreasonofthenarrownessoftheporch，theirdressestouched，andremainedincontact。
　　Hisclothesaresomethingexteriortoeveryman；buttoawomanherdressispartofherbody。Itsmotionsareallpresenttoherintelligenceifnottohereyes；nomanknowshowhiscoat-tailsswing。Bytheslightesthyperboleitmaybesaidthatherdresshassensation。CreasebuttheveryUltimaThuleoffringeorflounce，andithurtsherasmuchaspinchingher。Delicateantennae，orfeelers，bristleoneveryoutlyingfrill。Gototheuppermost：sheisthere；treadonthelowest：thefaircreatureistherealmostbeforeyou。
　　Thusthetouchofclothes，whichwasnothingtoManston，sentathrillthroughCytherea，seeing，moreover，thathewasofthenatureofamysteriousstranger。Shelookedoutagainatthestorm，butstillfelthim。Atlasttoescapethesensationshemovedaway，thoughbysodoingitwasnecessarytoadvancealittleintotherain。
　　'Look，therainiscomingintotheporchuponyou，'hesaid。'Stepinsidethedoor。'
　　Cythereahesitated。
　　'Perfectlysafe，Iassureyou，'headded，laughing，andholdingthedooropen。'YoushallseewhatastateofdisorganizationIamin——
　　boxesonboxes，furniture，straw，crockery，ineveryformoftransposition。Anoldwomanisinthebackquarterssomewhere，beginningtoputthingstorights……Youknowtheinsideofthehouse，Idaresay？'
　　'Ihaveneverbeenin。'
　　'Owell，comealong。Here，yousee，theyhavemadeadoorthrough，here，theyhaveputapartitiondividingtheoldhallintotwo，onepartisnowmyparlour；theretheyhaveputaplasterceiling，hidingtheoldchestnut-carvedroofbecauseitwastoohighandwouldhavebeenchillyforme；yousee，beingtheoriginalhall，itwasopenrightuptothetop，andherethelordofthemanorandhisretainersusedtomeetandbemerrybythelightfromthemonstrousfirewhichshoneoutfromthatmonstrousfire-place，nownarrowedtoamerenothingformygrate，thoughyoucanseetheoldoutlinestill。IalmostwishIcouldhavehaditinitsoriginalstate。'
　　'Withmoreromanceandlesscomfort。'
　　'Yes，exactly。Well，perhapsthewishisnotdeep-seated。Youwillseehowthethingsaretumbledinanyhow，packing-casesandall。
　　Theonlypieceofornamentalfurnitureyetunpackedisthisone。'
　　'Anorgan？'
　　'Yes，anorgan。Imadeitmyself，exceptthepipes。Iopenedthecasethisafternoontocommencesoothingmyselfatonce。Itisnotaverylargeone，butquitebigenoughforaprivatehouse。Youplay，Idaresay？'
　　'Thepiano。Iamnotatallusedtoanorgan。'
　　'Youwouldsoonacquirethetouchforanorgan，thoughitwouldspoilyourtouchforthepiano。Notthatthatmattersagreatdeal。
　　Apianoisn'tmuchasaninstrument。'
　　'Itisthefashiontosaysonow。Ithinkitisquitegoodenough。'
　　'Thatisn'taltogetherarightsentimentaboutthingsbeinggoodenough。'
　　'No——no。WhatImeanis，thatthemenwhodespisepianosdoitasarulefromtheirteeth，merelyforfashion'ssake，becausecleverermenhavesaiditbeforethem——notfromtheexperienceoftheirears。'
　　NowCythereaallatoncebrokeintoablushattheconsciousnessofagreatsnubshehadbeenguiltyofinhereagernesstoexplainherself。Hecharitablyexpressedbyalookthathedidnotintheleastmindherblunder，ifitwereone；andthisattitudeforcedhimintoapositionofmentalsuperioritywhichvexedher。
　　'Iplayformyprivateamusementonly，'hesaid。'Ihaveneverlearnedscientifically。AllIknowiswhatItaughtmyself。'
　　Thethunder，lightning，andrainhadnowincreasedtoaterrificforce。Theclouds，fromwhichdarts，forks，zigzags，andballsoffirecontinuallysprang，didnotappeartobemorethanahundredyardsabovetheirheads，andeverynowandthenaflashandapealmadegapsinthesteward'sdescriptions。Hewenttowardstheorgan，inthemidstofavolleywhichseemedtoshaketheagedhousefromfoundationstochimney。
　　'Youarenotgoingtoplaynow，areyou？'saidCythereauneasily。
　　'Oyes。Whynotnow？'hesaid。'Youcan'tgohome，andthereforewemayaswellbeamused，ifyoudon'tmindsittingonthisbox。
　　ThefewchairsIhaveunpackedareintheotherroom。'
　　Withoutwaitingtoseewhethershesatdownornot，heturnedtotheorganandbeganextemporizingaharmonywhichmeanderedthrougheveryvarietyofexpressionofwhichtheinstrumentwascapable。
　　Presentlyheceasedandbegansearchingforsomemusic-book。
　　'Whatasplendidflash！'hesaid，asthelightningagainshoneinthroughthemullionedwindow，which，ofaproportiontosuitthewholeextentoftheoriginalhall，wasmuchtoolargeforthepresentroom。Thethunderpealedagain。Cytherea，inspiteofherself，wasfrightened，notonlyattheweather，butatthegeneralunearthlyweirdnesswhichseemedtosurroundherthere。
　　'IwishI——thelightningwasn'tsobright。Doyouthinkitwilllastlong？'shesaidtimidly。
　　'Itcan'tlastmuchlonger，'hemurmured，withoutturning，runninghisfingersagainoverthekeys。'Butthisisnothing，'hecontinued，suddenlystoppingandregardingher。'Itseemsbrighterbecauseofthedeepshadowunderthosetreesyonder。Don'tmindit；
　　nowlookatme——lookinmyface——now。'
　　Hehadfacedthewindow，lookingfixedlyattheskywithhisdarkstrongeyes。Sheseemedcompelledtodoasshewasbidden，andlookedinthetoo-delicatelybeautifulface。
　　Theflashcame；buthedidnotturnorblink，keepinghiseyesfixedasfirmlyasbefore。'There，'hesaid，turningtoher，'that'sthewaytolookatlightning。'
　　'O，itmighthaveblindedyou！'sheexclaimed。
　　'Nonsense——notlightningofthissort——Ishouldn'thavestaredatitiftherehadbeendanger。Itisonlysheet-lightningnow。Now，willyouhaveanotherpiece？Somethingfromanoratoriothistime？'
　　'No，thankyou——Idon'twanttohearitwhilstitthundersso。'Buthehadbegunwithoutheedingheranswer，andshestoodmotionlessagain，marvellingatthewonderfulindifferencetoallexternalcircumstancewhichwasnowevincedbyhiscompleteabsorptioninthemusicbeforehim。
　　'Whydoyouplaysuchsaddeningchords？'shesaid，whenhenextpaused。
　　'H'm——becauseIlikethem，Isuppose，'saidhelightly。'Don'tyoulikesadimpressionssometimes？'
　　'Yes，sometimes，perhaps。'
　　'Whenyouarefulloftrouble。'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Well，whyshouldn'tIwhenIamfulloftrouble？'
　　'Areyoutroubled？'
　　'Iamtroubled。'Hesaidthisthoughtfullyandabruptly——soabruptlythatshedidnotpushthedialoguefurther。
　　Henowplayedmorepowerfully。Cythereahadneverheardmusicinthecompletenessoffullorchestralpower，andthetonesoftheorgan，whichreverberatedwithconsiderableeffectinthecomparativelysmallspaceoftheroom，heightenedbytheelementalstrifeoflightandsoundoutside，movedhertoadegreeoutofproportiontotheactualpowerofthemerenotes，practisedaswasthehandthatproducedthem。Thevaryingstrains——nowloud，nowsoft；simple，complicated，weird，touching，grand，boisterous，subdued；eachphasedistinct，yetmodulatingintothenextwithagracefulandeasyflow——shookandbenthertothemselves，asagushingbrookshakesandbendsashadowcastacrossitssurface。
　　Thepowerofthemusicdidnotshowitselfsomuchbyattractingherattentiontothesubjectofthepiece，asbytakingupanddevelopingasitslibrettothepoemofherownlifeandsoul，shiftingherdeedsandintentionsfromthehandsofherjudgmentandholdingtheminitsown。
　　Shewasswayedintoemotionalopinionsconcerningthestrangemanbeforeher；newimpulsesofthoughtcamewithnewharmonies，andenteredintoherwithagnawingthrill。Adreadfulflashoflightningthen，andthethundercloseuponit。Shefoundherselfinvoluntarilyshrinkingupbesidehim，andlookingwithpartedlipsathisface。
　　Heturnedhiseyesandsawheremotion，whichgreatlyincreasedtheidealelementinherexpressiveface。Shewasinthestateinwhichwoman'sinstincttoconcealhaslostitspoweroverherimpulsetotell；andhesawit。Bendinghishandsomefaceoverhertillhislipsalmosttouchedherear，hemurmured，withoutbreakingtheharmonies——
　　'Doyouverymuchlikethispiece？'
　　'Verymuchindeed，'shesaid。
　　'Icouldseeyouwereaffectedbyit。Iwillcopyitforyou。'
　　'Thankyoumuch。'
　　'IwillbringittotheHousetoyouto-morrow。WhoshallIaskfor？'
　　'O，notforme。Don'tbringit，'shesaidhastily。'Ishouldn'tlikeyouto。'
　　'Letmesee——to-morroweveningatsevenorafewminutespastI
　　shallbepassingthewaterfallonmywayhome。Icouldconvenientlygiveityouthere，andIshouldlikeyoutohaveit。'
　　HemodulatedintothePastoralSymphony，stilllookinginhereyes。
　　'Verywell，'shesaid，togetridofthelook。
　　Thestormhadbythistimeconsiderablydecreasedinviolence，andinsevenortenminutestheskypartiallycleared，thecloudsaroundthewesternhorizonbecominglightedupwiththeraysofthesinkingsun。
　　Cythereadrewalongbreathofrelief，andpreparedtogoaway。Shewasfullofadistressingsensethatherdetentionintheoldmanor-
　　house，andtheacquaintanceshipithadsetonfoot，wasnotathingshewished。Itwassuchafoolishthingtohavebeenexcitedanddraggedintofranknessbythewilesofastranger。
　　'Allowmetocomewithyou，'hesaid，accompanyinghertothedoor，andagainshowingbyhisbehaviourhowmuchhewasimpressedwithher。Hisinfluenceoverherhadvanishedwiththemusicalchords，andsheturnedherbackuponhim。'MayIcome？'herepeated。
　　'No，no。Thedistanceisnotaquarterofamile——itisreallynotnecessary，thankyou，'shesaidquietly。Andwishinghimgood-
　　evening，withoutmeetinghiseyes，shewentdownthesteps，leavinghimstandingatthedoor。
　　'O，howisitthatmanhassofascinatedme？'wasallshecouldthink。Herownself，asshehadsatspell-boundbeforehim，wasallshecouldsee。Hergaitwasconstrained，fromtheknowledgethathiseyeswereuponheruntilshehadpassedthehollowbythewaterfall，andbyascendingtherisehadbecomehiddenfromhisviewbytheboughsoftheoverhangingtrees。
　　5。SIXTOSEVENP。M。
　　Thewetshiningroadthrewthewesternglareintohereyeswithaninvidiouslustrewhichrenderedtherestlessnessofhermoodmorewearying。Herthoughtsflewfromideatoideawithoutaskingfortheslightestlinkofconnectionbetweenoneandanother。OnemomentshewasfullofthewildmusicandstirringscenewithManston——thenext，Edward'simagerosebeforeherlikeashadowyghost。ThenManston'sblackeyesseemedpiercingheragain，andtherecklessvoluptuousmouthappearedbendingtothecurvesofhisspecialwords。Whatcouldbethosetroublestowhichhehadalluded？PerhapsMissAldclyffewasatthebottomofthem。Sadatheartshepacedon：herlifewasbewilderingher。
　　OncomingintoMissAldclyffe'spresenceCythereatoldheroftheincident，notwithoutafearthatshewouldburstintooneofherungovernablefitsoftemperatlearningCytherea'sslightdeparturefromtheprogramme。But，strangelytoCytherea，MissAldclyffelookeddelighted。Theusualcross-examinationfollowed。
　　'Andsoyouwerewithhimallthattime？'saidthelady，withassumedseverity。
　　'Yes，Iwas。'
　　'IdidnottellyoutocallattheOldHousetwice。'
　　'Ididn'tcall，asIhavesaid。Hemademecomeintotheporch。'
　　'Whatremarksdidhemake，doyousay？'
　　'ThatthelightningwasnotsobadasIthought。'
　　'Averyimportantremark，that。Didhe——'sheturnedherglancefulluponthegirl，andeyeinghersearchingly，said——
　　'DidhesayanythingaboutME？'
　　'Nothing，'saidCytherea，returninghergazecalmly，'exceptthatI
　　wastogiveyouthesubscription。'
　　'Youarequitesure？'
　　'Quite。'
　　'Ibelieveyou。Didhesayanythingstrikingorstrangeabouthimself？'
　　'Onlyonething——thathewastroubled，'
　　'Troubled！'
　　Aftersayingtheword，MissAldclyfferelapsedintosilence。Suchbehaviourasthishadended，onmostpreviousoccasions，byhermakingaconfession，andCythereaexpectedonenow。Butforonceshewasmistaken，nothingmorewassaid。
　　WhenshehadreturnedtoherroomshesatdownandpennedafarewelllettertoEdwardSpringrove，aslittleableasanyotherexcitableandbrimmingyoungwomanofnineteentofeelthatthewisestandonlydignifiedcourseatthatjuncturewastodonothingatall。
　　Shetoldhimthat，toherpainfulsurprise，shehadlearntthathisengagementtoanotherwomanwasamatterofnotoriety。Sheinsistedthatallhonourbadehimmarryhisearlylove——awomanfarbetterthanherunworthyself，whoonlydeservedtobeforgotten，andbeggedhimtorememberthathewasnottoseeherfaceagain。SheupbraidedhimforlevityandcrueltyinmeetinghersofrequentlyatBudmouth，andaboveallinstealingthekissfromherlipsonthelasteveningofthewaterexcursions。'Inever，nevercanforgetit！'shesaid，andthenfeltasensationofhavingdoneherduty，ostensiblypersuadingherselfthatherreproachesandcommandswereofsuchaforcethatnomantowhomtheywereutteredcouldeverapproachhermore。
　　Yetitwasallunconsciouslysaidinwordswhichbetrayedalingeringtendernessofloveateveryunguardedturn。LikeBeatriceaccusingDantefromthechariot，tryasshemighttoplaythesuperiorbeingwhocontemnedsuchmereeye-sensuousness，shebetrayedateverypointaprettywoman'sjealousyofarival，andcovertlygaveheroldloverhintsforexcusinghimselfateachfreshindictment。
　　Thisdone，Cytherea，stillinapracticalmood，upbraidedherselfwithweaknessinallowingastrangerlikeMr。Manstontoinfluenceherashehaddonethatevening。Whatrightonearthhadhetosuggestsosuddenlythatshemightmeethimatthewaterfalltoreceivehismusic？Shewouldhavegivenmuchtobeabletoannihilatetheascendencyhehadobtainedoverherduringthatextraordinaryintervalofmelodioussound。Notbeingabletoendurethenotionofhislivingaminutelongerinthebeliefhewasthenholding，shetookherpenandwrotetohimalso：——
　　'KNAPWATERHOUSE
　　September20th。
　　'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno'clockbythewaterfallasI
　　promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。
　　'C。GRAYE。'
　　Agreatstatesmanthinksseveraltimes，andacts；ayoungladyacts，andthinksseveraltimes。When，afewminuteslater，shesawthepostmancarryoffthebagcontainingoneoftheletters，andamessengerwiththeother，she，forthefirsttime，askedherselfthequestionwhethershehadactedverywiselyinwritingtoeitherofthetwomenwhohadsoinfluencedher。
　　IX。THEEVENTSOFTENWEEKS
　　1。FROMSEPTEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRSTTOTHEMIDDLEOFNOVEMBER
　　TheforemostfigurewithinCytherea'shorizon，exclusiveoftheinmatesofKnapwaterHouse，wasnowthesteward，Mr。Manston。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldlivewithinaquarterofamileofeachother，beengagedinthesameservice，andattendthesamechurch，withoutmeetingatsomespotoranother，twiceorthriceaweek。OnSundays，inherpew，whenbychancesheturnedherhead，Cythereafoundhiseyeswaitingdesirouslyforaglimpseofhers，and，atfirstmorestrangely，theeyesofMissAldclyffefurtivelyrestingonhim。OncomingoutofchurchhefrequentlywalkedbesideCythereatillshereachedthegateatwhichresidentsintheHouseturnedintotheshrubbery。Bydegreesaconjecturegrewtoacertainty。Sheknewthathelovedher。
　　Butastrangefactwasconnectedwiththedevelopmentofhislove。
　　Hewaspalpablymakingthestrongesteffortstosubdue，oratleasttohide，theweakness，andasitsometimesseemed，ratherfromhisownconsciencethanfromsurroundingeyes。Henceshefoundthatnotoneofhisencounterswithherwasanythingmorethantheresultofpureaccident。Hemadenoadvanceswhatever：withoutavoidingher，heneversoughther：thewordshehadwhisperedattheirfirstinterviewnowprovedthemselvestobequiteasmuchtheresultofunguardedimpulseaswasheranswer。Somethingheldhimback，boundhisimpulsedown，butshesawthatitwasneitherprideofhisperson，norfearthatshewouldrefusehim——acoursesheunhesitatinglyresolvedtotakeshouldhethinkfittodeclarehimself。Shewasinterestedinhimandhismarvellousbeauty，asshemighthavebeeninsomefascinatingpantherorleopard——forsomeundefinablereasonsheshrankfromhim，evenwhilstsheadmired。
　　Thekeynoteofhernature，awarm'precipitanceofsoul，'asColeridgehappilywritesit，whichManstonhadsodirectlypounceduponattheirveryfirstinterview，gavehernowatremuloussenseofbeinginsomewayinhispower。
　　Thestateofmindwas，onthewhole，adangerousoneforayoungandinexperiencedwoman；andperhapsthecircumstancewhich，morethananyother，ledhertocherishEdward'simagenow，wasthathehadtakennonoticeofthereceiptofherletter，statingthatshediscardedhim。Itwasplainthen，shesaid，thathedidnotcaredeeplyforher，andshethereuponcouldnotquiteleaveoffcaringdeeplyforhim：——
　　'Ingeniummulierum，Noluntubivelis，ubinoliscupiuntultro。'
　　ThemonthofOctoberpassed，andNovemberbeganitscourse。TheinhabitantsofthevillageofCarrifordgrewwearyofsupposingthatMissAldclyffewasgoingtomarryhersteward。NewwhispersaroseandbecameverydistinctthoughtheydidnotreachMissAldclyffe'searstotheeffectthatthestewardwasdeeplyinlovewithCythereaGraye。Indeed，thefactbecamesoobviousthattherewasnothinglefttosayaboutitexceptthattheirmarriagewouldbeanexcellentoneforboth；——forherinpointofcomfort——andforhiminpointoflove。