Theoldman'seyessweptthehorizon，thenheturnedtogoin，withoutmakinganotherobservation。Alllightseemedextinguishedinhimagain。WhenEdwardwentinhefoundhisfatherwiththebureauopen，unfoldingtheleaseswithashakinghand，foldingthemupagainwithoutreadingthem，thenputtingthemintheirnicheonlytoremovethemagain。
Adelaidewasintheroom。ShesaidthoughtfullytoEdward，asshewatchedthefarmer——
'Ihopeitwon'tkillpooruncle，Edward。Whatshouldwedoifanythingweretohappentohim？HeistheonlynearrelativeyouandIhaveintheworld。'Itwasperfectlytrue，andsomehowEdwardfeltmoreboundupwithherafterthatremark。
Shecontinued：'Andhewasonlysayingsohopefullythedaybeforethefire，thathewouldn'tfortheworldletanyoneelsegivemeawaytoyouwhenwearemarried。'
ForthefirsttimeaconscientiousdoubtaroseinEdward'smindastothejusticeofthecoursehewaspursuinginresolvingtorefusethealternativeofferedbyMissAldclyffe。Coulditbeselfishnessaswellasindependence？Howmuchhehadthoughtofhisownheart，howlittlehehadthoughtofhisfather'speaceofmind！
Theoldmandidnotspeakagaintillsupper-time，whenhebeganaskinghissonanendlessnumberofhypotheticalquestionsonwhatmightinduceMissAldclyffetolistentokinderterms；speakingofhernownotasanunfairwoman，butasaLachesisorFatewhosecourseitbehovednobodytocondemn。InhisearnestnessheonceturnedhiseyesonEdward'sface：theirexpressionwaswoful：thepupilsweredilatedandstrangeinaspect。
'Ifshewillonlyagreetothat！'hereiteratedforthehundredthtime，increasingthesadnessofhislisteners。
Anaristocraticknockingcametothedoor，andJaneenteredwithaletter，addressed——
'MR。EDWARDSPRINGROVE，Junior。'
'CharlesfromKnapwaterHousebroughtit，'shesaid。
'MissAldclyffe'swriting，'saidMr。Springrove，beforeEdwardhadrecognizedithimself。'Now'tisallright；she'sgoingtomakeanoffer；shedoesn'twantthehousesthere，notshe；theyaregoingtomakethatthewayintothepark。'
Edwardopenedthesealandglancedattheinside。Hesaid，withasupremeeffortofself-command——
'ItisonlydirectedbyMissAldclyffe，andreferstonothingconnectedwiththefire。Iwonderathertakingthetroubletosenditto-night。'
Hisfatherlookedabsentlyathimandturnedawayagain。Shortlyafterwardstheyretiredforthenight。AloneinhisbedroomEdwardopenedandreadwhathehadnotdaredtorefertointheirpresence。
TheenvelopecontainedanotherenvelopeinCytherea'shandwriting，addressedto'——Manston，Esq。，OldManorHouse。'Insidethiswasthenoteshehadwrittentothestewardafterherdetentioninhishousebythethunderstorm——
'KNAPWATERHOUSE，September20th。
'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno'clockbythewaterfallasI
promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。
'C。GRAYE。'
MissAldclyffehadnotwrittenaline，and，bytheunvaryingruleobservablewhenwordsarenotanabsolutenecessity，hersilenceseemedtentimesasconvincingasanyexpressionofopinioncouldhavebeen。
Hethen，stepbystep，recalledalltheconversationonthesubjectofCytherea'sfeelingsthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandMissAldclyffeintheafternoon，andbyaconfusionofthought，naturalenoughunderthetryingexperience，concludedthatbecausetheladywastruthfulinherportraitureofeffects，shemustnecessarilyberightinherassumptionofcauses。Thatis，hewasconvincedthatCytherea——thehitherto-believedfaithfulCytherea——had，atanyrate，lookedwithsomethingmorethanindifferenceupontheextremelyhandsomefaceandformofManston。
Didheblameher，asguiltyoftheimproprietyofallowingherselftolovethenewcomerinthefaceofhisnotbeingfreetoreturnherlove？No；neverforamomentdidhedoubtthatallhadoccurredinherold，innocent，impulsiveway；thatherheartwasgonebeforesheknewit——beforesheknewanything，beyondhisexistence，ofthemantowhomithadflown。Perhapstheverynoteenclosedtohimwastheresultoffirstreflection。Manstonhewouldunhesitatinglyhavecalledascoundrel，butforonestrikinglyredeemingfact。Ithadbeenpatenttothewholeparish，andhadcometoEdward'sownknowledgebythatindirectchannel，thatManston，asamarriedman，conscientiouslyavoidedCythereaafterthosefirstfewdaysofhisarrivalduringwhichherirresistiblybeautifulandfatalglanceshadresteduponhim——hisuponher。
Takingfromhiscoatacreasedandpocket-wornenvelopecontainingCytherea'slettertohimself，Springroveopeneditandreaditthrough。Hewasupbraidedtherein，andhewasdismissed。ItborethedateofthelettersenttoManston，andbycontainingwithinitthephrase，'AllthedaylongIhavebeenthinking，'affordedjustifiablegroundforassumingthatitwaswrittensubsequentlytotheotherandinEdward'ssightfarsweeteronetothesteward。
Butthoughheaccusedheroffickleness，hewouldnotdoubtthegenuineness，initskind，ofherpartialityforhimatBudmouth。Itwasashortandshallowfeeling——notperfectlove：
'LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds。'
Butitwasnotflirtation；afeelinghadbeenborninherandhaddied。Itwouldbewellforhispeaceofmindifhisloveforhercouldflitawaysosoftly，andleavesofewtracesbehind。
MissAldclyffehadshownherselfdesperatelyconcernedinthewholematterbythealacritywithwhichshehadobtainedtheletterfromManston，andherlabourstoinducehimselftomarryhiscousin。
Takeninconnectionwithherapparentinterestin，ifnotlovefor，Cytherea，hereagerness，too，couldonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthatCythereaindeedlovedthesteward。
5。DECEMBERTHEFOURTH
Edwardpassedthenighthescarcelyknewhow，tossingfeverishlyfromsidetoside，thebloodthrobbinginhistemples，andsinginginhisears。
Beforethedaybegantobreakhedressedhimself。Ongoingoutuponthelandinghefoundhisfather'sbedroomdooralreadyopen。Edwardconcludedthattheoldmanhadrisensoftly，aswashiswont，andgoneoutintothefieldstostartthelabourers。Butneitheroftheouterdoorswasunfastened。Heenteredthefrontroom，andfounditempty。Thenanimatedbyanewidea，hewentroundtothelittlebackparlour，inwhichthefewwreckssavedfromthefireweredeposited，andlookedinatthedoor。Here，nearthewindow，theshuttersofwhichhadbeenopenedhalfway，hesawhisfatherleaningonthebureau，hiselbowsrestingontheflap，hisbodynearlydoubled，hishandsclaspinghisforehead。Besidehimwereghostly-lookingsquarefoldsofparchment——theleasesofthehousesdestroyed。
HisfatherlookedupwhenEdwardentered，andwearilyspoketotheyoungmanashisfacecameintothefaintlight。
'Edward，whydidyougetupsoearly？'
'Iwasuneasy，andcouldnotsleep。'
Thefarmerturnedagaintotheleasesonthebureau，andseemedtobecomelostinreflection。Inaminuteortwo，withoutliftinghiseyes，hesaid——
'Thisismorethanwecanbear，Ted——morethanwecanbear！Ted，thiswillkillme。Notthelossonly——thesenseofmyneglectabouttheinsuranceandeverything。BorrowIneverwill。'Tisallmiserynow。Godhelpus——allmiserynow！'
Edwarddidnotanswer，continuingtolookfixedlyatthedrearydaylightoutside。
'Ted，'thefarmerwenton，'thisupsetofbe-enburntouto'homemakesmeverynervousanddoubtfulabouteverything。There'sthistroublesmebesides——ourlivenherewithyourcousin，andfillenupherhouse。Itmustbeveryawkwardforher。Butshesaysshedoesn'tmind。Haveyousaidanythingtoherlatelyaboutwhenyouaregoingtomarryher？'
'Nothingatalllately。'
'Well，perhapsyoumayaswell，nowwearesomixedintogether。
Youknow，notimehaseverbeenmentionedtoheratall，firstorlast，andIthinkitrightthatnow，sinceshehaswaitedsopatientlyandsolong——youarealmostcalledupontosayyouareready。Itwouldsimplifymattersverymuch，ifyouweretowalkuptochurchwi'heroneofthesemornings，getthethingdone，andgoonlivenhereasweare。Ifyoudon'tImustgetahouseallthesooner。Itwouldlightenmymind，too，aboutthetwolittlefreeholdsoverthehill——notamorsela-piece，dividedastheywerebetweenhermotherandme，butatidybittiedtogetheragain。Justthinkaboutit，willye，Ted？'
Hestoppedfromexhaustionproducedbytheintenseconcentrationofhisminduponthewearysubject，andlookedanxiouslyathisson。
'Yes，Iwill，'saidEdward。
'ButIamgoingtoseeheroftheGreatHousethismorning，'thefarmerwenton，histhoughtsrevertingtotheoldsubject。'Imustknowtherightsofthematter，thewhenandthewhere。Idon'tlikeseeingher，butI'drathertalktoherthanthesteward。Iwonderwhatshe'llsaytome。'
Theyoungermanknewexactlywhatshewouldsay。Ifhisfatheraskedherwhathewastodo，andwhen，shewouldsimplyreferhimtoManston：hercharacterwasnotthatofawomanwhoshrankfromapropositionshehadoncelaiddown。Ifhisfatherweretosaytoherthathissonhadatlastresolvedtomarryhiscousinwithintheyear，andhadgivenherapromisetothateffect，shewouldsay，'Mr。Springrove，thehousesareburnt：we'llletthemgo：troublenomoreaboutthem。'
Hismindwasalreadymadeup。Hesaidcalmly，'Father，whenyouaretalkingtoMissAldclyffe，mentiontoherthatIhaveaskedAdelaideifsheiswillingtomarrymenextChristmas。SheisinterestedinmyunionwithAdelaide，andthenewswillbewelcometoher。'
'Andyetshecanbeironwithreferencetomeandherproperty，'thefarmermurmured。'Verywell，Ted，I'lltellher。'
6。DECEMBERTHEFIFTH
Ofthemanycontradictoryparticularsconstitutingawoman'sheart，twohadshowntheirvigorouscontrastinCytherea'sbosomjustatthistime。
Itwasadarkmorning，themorningafteroldMr。Springrove'svisittoMissAldclyffe，whichhadterminatedasEdwardhadintended。
Havingrisenanhourearlierthanwasusualwithher，Cythereasatatthewindowofanelegantlittlesitting-roomonthegroundfloor，whichhadbeenappropriatedtoherbythekindnessorwhimofMissAldclyffe，thatshemightnotbedrivenintothatlady'spresenceagainstherwill。Sheleantwithherfaceonherhand，lookingoutintothegloomygreyair。Ayellowglimmerfromtheflappingflameofthenewly-litfireflutteredononesideofherfaceandnecklikeabutterflyabouttosettlethere，contrastingwarmlywiththeothersideofthesamefairface，whichreceivedfromthewindowthefaintcoldmorninglight，soweakthathershadowfromthefirehadadistinctoutlineonthewindow-shutterinspiteofit。Theretheshadowdancedlikeademon，blueandgrim。
ThecontradictionalludedtowasthatinspiteofthedecisivemoodwhichtwomonthsearlierintheyearhadcausedhertowriteaperemptoryandfinallettertoEdward，shewasnowhopingforsomeanswerotherthantheonlypossibleoneamanwho，assheheld，didnotloveherwildly，couldsendtosuchacommunication。Foraloverwhodidlovewildly，shehadleftonelittleloopholeinherotherwisestraightforwardepistle。Whysheexpectedtheletteronsomemorningofthisparticularweekwas，thathearingofhisreturntoCarriford，shefondlyassumedthathemeanttoaskforaninterviewbeforeheleft。Henceitwas，too，thatforthelastfewdays，shehadnotbeenabletokeepinbedlaterthanthetimeofthepostman'sarrival。
Theclockpointedtohalf-pastseven。Shesawthepostmanemergefrombeneaththebareboughsoftheparktrees，comethroughthewicket，divethroughtheshrubbery，reappearonthelawn，stalkacrossitwithoutreferencetopaths——ascountrypostmendo——andcometotheporch。Sheheardhimflingthebagdownontheseat，andturnawaytowardsthevillage，withouthinderinghimselfforasinglepace。
Thenthebutleropenedthedoor，tookupthebag，broughtitin，andcarrieditupthestaircasetoplaceitontheslabbyMissAldclyffe'sdressing-roomdoor。Thewholeproceedinghadbeendepictedbysounds。
Shehadapresentimentthatherletterwasinthebagatlast。Shethoughtthenindiminishingpulsationsofconfidence，'Heaskstoseeme！Perhapsheaskstoseeme：Ihopeheaskstoseeme。'
Aquartertoeight：MissAldclyffe'sbell——ratherearlierthanusual。'Shemusthaveheardthepost-bagbrought，'saidthemaiden，as，tiredofthechillyprospectoutside，sheturnedtothefire，anddrewimaginativepicturesofherfuturetherein。
Atapcametothedoor，andthelady's-maidentered。
'MissAldclyffeisawake，'shesaid；'andsheaskedifyouweremovingyet，miss。'
'I'llrunuptoher，'saidCytherea，andflittedoffwiththeutteranceofthewords。'Veryfortunatethis，'shethought；'I
shallseewhatisinthebagthismorningallthesooner。'
Shetookitupfromthesidetable，wentintoMissAldclyffe'sbedroom，pulleduptheblinds，andlookedroundupontheladyinbed，calculatingtheminutesthatmustelapsebeforeshelookedatherletters。
'Well，darling，howareyou？Iamgladyouhavecomeintoseeme，'
saidMissAldclyffe。'Youcanunlockthebagthismorning，child，ifyoulike，'shecontinued，yawningfactitiously。
'Strange！'Cythereathought；'itseemsasifsheknewtherewaslikelytobealetterforme。'
FromherbedMissAldclyffewatchedthegirl'sfaceasshetremblinglyopenedthepost-bagandfoundthereanenvelopeaddressedtoherinEdward'shandwriting；onehehadwrittenthedaybefore，afterthedecisionhehadcometoonanimpartial，andonthataccounttorturing，surveyofhisown，hisfather's，hiscousinAdelaide's，andwhathebelievedtobeCytherea's，position。
Thehaughtymistress'ssoulsickenedremorsefullywithinherwhenshesawsuddenlyappearuponthespeakingcountenanceoftheyoungladybeforeherawandesolatelookofagony。
Themaster-sentencesofEdward'sletterwerethese：'Youspeaktruly。Thatwenevermeetagainisthewisestandonlypropercourse。ThatIregretthepastasmuchasyoudoyourself，itishardlynecessaryformetosay。'
XII。THEEVENTSOFTENMONTHS
1。DECEMBERTOAPRIL
Weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，thetimehadflownby。
Christmashadpassed；drearywinterwithdarkeveningshadgivenplacetomoredrearywinterwithlightevenings。Thawshadendedinrain，raininwind，windindust。Showerydayshadcome——theperiodofpinkdawnsandwhitesunsets；withthethirdweekinAprilthecuckoohadappeared，withthefourth，thenightingale。
EdwardSpringrovewasinLondon，attendingtothedutiesofhisnewoffice，andithadbecomeknownthroughouttheneighbourhoodofCarrifordthattheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissAdelaideHintonwouldterminateinmarriageattheendoftheyear。
TheonlyoccasiononwhichherloveroftheidledeliciousdaysatBudmouthwatering-placehadbeenseenbyCythereaafterthetimeofthedecisivecorrespondence，wasonceinchurch，whenhesatinfrontofher，andbesideMissHinton。
Therencounterwasquiteanaccident。SpringrovehadcomethereinthefullbeliefthatCythereawasawayfromhomewithMissAldclyffe；andhecontinuedignorantofherpresencethroughouttheservice。
Itisatsuchmomentsasthese，whenasensitivenaturewrithesundertheconceptionthatitsmostcherishedemotionshavebeentreatedwithcontumely，thatthesphere-descendedMaid，Music，friendofPleasureatothertimes，becomesapositiveenemy——
racking，bewildering，unrelenting。ThecongregationsangthefirstPsalmandcametotheverse——
'Likesomefairtreewhich，fedbystreams，Withtimelyfruitdothbend，Hestillshallflourish，andsuccessAllhisdesignsattend。'
Cytherea'slipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundescapeher；butcouldshehelpsingingthewordsinthedepthsofherbeing，althoughthemantowhomsheappliedthemsatatherrival'sside？
Perhapsthemoralcompensationforallawoman'spettyclevernessunderthrivingconditionsistherealnobilitythatliesinherextremefoolishnessattheseothertimes；hersheerinabilitytobesimplyjust，herexerciseofanillogicalpowerentirelydeniedtomeningeneral——thepowernotonlyofkissing，butofdelightingtokisstherodbyapunctiliousobservanceoftheself-immolatingdoctrinesintheSermonontheMount。
AsforEdward——alittlelikeothermenofhistemperament，towhom，itissomewhathumiliatingtothink，theaberrancyofagivenloveisinitselfarecommendation——hissentiment，ashelookedoverhiscousin'sbook，wasofalowerrank，HoratianratherthanPsalmodic——
'O，whathastthouofher，ofherWhoseeverylookdidloveinspire；
Whoseeverybreathingfannedmyfire，Andstolemefrommyselfaway！'
Then，withoutlettinghimseeher，Cythereasliptoutofchurchearly，andwenthome，thetonesoftheorganstilllingeringinherearsasshetriedbravelytokillajealousthoughtthatwouldneverthelesslive：'Mynatureisonecapableofmore，farmore，intensefeelingthanhers！Shecan'tappreciateallthesidesofhim——sheneverwill！Heismoretangibletomeevennow，asathought，thanhispresenceitselfistoher！'Shewaslessnoblethen。
Butshecontinuallyrepressedhermiseryandbitternessofhearttilltheefforttodososhowedsignsoflessening。Atlengthsheeventriedtohopethatherlostloverandherrivalwouldloveoneanotherverydearly。
Thesceneandthesentimentdroppedintothepast。Meanwhile，Manstoncontinuedvisiblybeforeher。He，thoughquietandsubduedinhisbearingforalongtimeafterthecalamityofNovember，hadnotsimulatedagriefthathedidnotfeel。Atfirsthislossseemedsotoabsorbhim——thoughasastartlingchangeratherthanasaheavysorrow——thathepaidCythereanoattentionwhatever。Hisconductwasuniformlykindandrespectful，butlittlemore。Then，asthedateofthecatastrophegrewremoter，hebegantowearadifferentaspecttowardsher。Healwayscontrivedtoobliteratebyhismannerallrecollectiononhersidethatshewascomparativelymoredependentthanhimself——makingmuchofherwomanhood，nothingofhersituation。Prompttoaidherwheneveroccasionoffered，andfullofdelightfulpetitssoinsatalltimes，hewasnotofficious。
Inthiswayheirresistiblywonforhimselfapositionasherfriend，andthemoreeasilyinthatheallowednotthefaintestsymptomoftheoldlovetobeapparent。
MattersstoodthusinthemiddleofthespringwhenthenextmoveonhisbehalfwasmadebyMissAldclyffe。
2。THETHIRDOFMAY
SheledCythereatoasummer-housecalledtheFane，builtintheprivategroundsaboutthemansionintheformofaGreciantemple；
itoverlookedthelake，theislandonit，thetrees，andtheirundisturbedreflectioninthesmoothstillwater。Heretheoldandyoungmaidhalted；heretheystood，sidebyside，mentallyimbibingthescene。
ThemonthwasMay——thetime，morning。Cuckoos，thrushes，blackbirds，andsparrowsgaveforthaperfectconfusionofsongandtwitter。Theroadwasspottedwhitewiththefallenleavesofapple-blossoms，andthesparklinggreydewstilllingeredonthegrassandflowers。Twoswansfloatedintoviewinfrontofthewomen，andthencrossedthewatertowardsthem。
'Theyseemtocometouswithoutanywilloftheirown——quiteinvoluntarily——don'tthey？'saidCytherea，lookingatthebirds'
gracefuladvance。
'Yes，butifyoulooknarrowlyyoucanseetheirhipsjustbeneaththewater，workingwiththegreatestenergy。'
'I'drathernotseethat，itspoilstheideaofproudindifferencetodirectionwhichweassociatewithaswan。'
'Itdoes；we'llhave“involuntarily。“Ah，nowthisremindsmeofsomething。'
'Ofwhat？'
'Ofahumanbeingwhoinvoluntarilycomestowardsyourself。'
CytherealookedintoMissAldclyffe'sface；hereyesgrewroundascircles，andlinesofwondermentcamevisiblyuponhercountenance。
ShehadnotonceregardedManstonasaloversincehiswife'ssuddenappearanceandsubsequentdeath。Thedeathofawife，andsuchadeath，wasanoverwhelmingmatterinherideasofthings。
'Isitamanorwoman？'shesaid，quiteinnocently。
'Mr。Manston，'saidMissAldclyffequietly。
'Mr。ManstonattractedbymeNOW？'saidCytherea，standingatgaze。
'Didn'tyouknowit？'
'CertainlyIdidnot。Why，hispoorwifehasonlybeendeadsixmonths。'
'Ofcourseheknowsthat。Butlovingisnotdonebymonths，ormethod，orrule，ornobodywouldeverhaveinventedsuchaphraseas“fallinginlove。“Hedoesnotwanthislovetobeobservedjustyet，ontheveryaccountyoumention；butconcealitashemayfromhimselfandus，itexistsdefinitely——andveryintensely，Iassureyou。'
'Isupposethen，thatifhecan'thelpit，itisnoharmofhim，'
saidCythereanaively，andbeginningtoponder。
'Ofcourseitisn't——youknowthatwellenough。Shewasagreatburdenandtroubletohim。Thismaybecomeagreatgoodtoyouboth。'
Arushoffeelingatrememberingthatthesamewoman，beforeManston'sarrival，hadjustasfranklyadvocatedEdward'sclaims，checkedCytherea'sutteranceforawhile。
'There，don'tlookatmelikethat，forHeaven'ssake！'saidMissAldclyffe。'Youcouldalmostkillapersonbytheforceofreproachyoucanputintothoseeyesofyours，Iverilybelieve。'
Edwardonceintheyounglady'sthoughts，therewasnogettingridofhim。Shewantedtobealone。
'Doyouwantmehere？'shesaid。
'Nowthere，there；youwanttobeoff，andhaveagoodcry，'saidMissAldclyffe，takingherhand。'Butyoumustn't，mydear。
There'snothinginthepastforyoutoregret。CompareMr。
Manston'shonourableconducttowardshiswifeandyourself，withSpringrovetowardshisbetrothedandyourself，andthenseewhichappearsthemoreworthyofyourthoughts。'
3。FROMTHEFOURTHOFMAYTOTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNE
ThenextstageinManston'sadvancestowardsherhandwasaclearlydefinedcourtship。Shewassadlyperplexed，andsomecontrivancewasnecessaryonhispartinordertomeetwithher。Butitisnexttoimpossibleforanappreciativewomantohaveapositiverepugnancetowardsanunusuallyhandsomeandgiftedman，eventhoughshemaynotbeinclinedtolovehim。HenceCythereawasnotsoalarmedatthesightofhimastorenderameetingandconversationwithhermorethanamatterofdifficulty。
Comingandgoingfromchurchwashisgrandopportunity。Manstonwasveryreligiousnow。Itiscommonlysaidthatnomanwaseverconvertedbyargument，butthereisasingleonewhichwillmakeanyLaodiceaninEngland，lethimbeoncelove-sick，wearprayer-booksandbecomeazealousEpiscopalian——theargumentthathissweetheartcanbeseenfromhispew。
Manstonintroducedintohismethodasystemofbewitchingflattery，everywherepervasive，yet，too，sotransitoryandintangible，that，asinthecaseofthepoetWordsworthandtheWanderingVoice，thoughshefeltitpresent，shecouldneverfindit。Asafoiltoheightenitseffect，heoccasionallyspokephilosophicallyoftheevanescenceoffemalebeauty——theworthlessnessofmereappearance。
'Handsomeisthathandsomedoes'heconsideredaproverbwhichshouldbewrittenonthelooking-glassofeverywomanintheland。
'Yourform，yourmotions，yourhearthavewonme，'hesaid，inatoneofplayfulsadness。'Theyarebeautiful。ButIseethesethings，anditcomesintomymindthattheyaredoomed，theyareglidingtonothingasIlook。Pooreyes，poormouth，poorface，poormaiden！“Wherewillhergloriesbeintwentyyears？”Isay。
“Wherewillallofherbeinahundred？”ThenIthinkitiscruelthatyoushouldbloomaday，andfadeforeverandever。ItseemshardandsadthatyouwilldieasordinarilyasI，andbeburied；befoodforrootsandworms，beforgottenandcometoearth，andgrowupamerebladeofchurchyard-grassandanivyleaf。Then，MissGraye，whenIseeyouareaLovelyNothing，Ipityyou，andtheloveIfeelthenisbetterandsounder，largerandmorelastingthanthatIfeltatthebeginning。'Againanardentflashofhishandsomeeyes。
Itwasbythisroutethatheventuredonanindirectdeclarationandofferofhishand。
Sheimpliedinthesameindirectmannerthatshedidnotlovehimenoughtoacceptit。
Anactualrefusalwasmorethanhehadexpected。Cursinghimselfforwhathecalledhisegregiousfollyinmakinghimselftheslaveofamerelady'sattendant，andforhavinggiventheparish，shouldtheyknowofherrefusal，achanceofsneeringathim——certainlyagroundforthinkinglessofhisstandingthanbefore——hewenthometotheOldHouse，andwalkedindecisivelyupanddownhisback-yard。
Turningaside，heleanthisarmsupontheedgeoftherain-water-
buttstandinginthecorner，andlookedintoit。ThereflectionfromthesmoothstagnantsurfacetingedhisfacewiththegreenishshadesofCorreggio'snudes。Stavesofsunlightslanteddownthroughthestillpool，lightingitupwithwonderfuldistinctness。
Hundredsofthousandsofminutelivingcreaturessportedandtumbledinitsdepthwitheverycontortionthatgaietycouldsuggest；
perfectlyhappy，thoughconsistingonlyofahead，oratail，oratmostaheadandatail，andalldoomedtodiewithinthetwenty-fourhours。
'Damnmyposition！Whyshouldn'tIbehappythroughmylittledaytoo？Lettheparishsneeratmyrepulses，letit。I'llgether，ifImoveheavenandearthtodoit！'
Indeed，theinexperiencedCythereahad，towardsEdwardinthefirstplace，andManstonafterwards，unconsciouslyadoptedbearingsthatwouldhavebeentheverytacticsofaprofessionalfisherofmenwhowishedtohavethemeachsuccessivelydanglingatherheels。Forifanyruleatallcanbelaiddowninamatterwhich，formencollectively，isnotoriouslybeyondregulation，itisthattosnubapettedman，andtopetasnubbedman，isthewaytowininsuitsofbothkinds。ManstonwithSpringrove'sencouragementwouldhavebecomeindifferent。EdwardwithManston'srepulseswouldhavesheeredoffattheoutset，ashedidafterwards。HersupremeindifferenceaddedfueltoManston'sardour——itcompletelydisarmedhispride。TheinvulnerableNobodyseemedgreatertohimthanasusceptiblePrincess。
4。FROMTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNETOTHEENDOFJULY
Cythereahadinthemeantimereceivedthefollowingletterfromherbrother。Itwasthefirstdefinitenotificationoftheenlargementofthatcloudnobiggerthanaman'shandwhichhadfornearlyatwelvemonthhungbeforetheminthedistance，andwhichwassoontogiveacolourtotheirwholeskyfromhorizontohorizon。
'BUDMOUTHREGIS，Saturday。
'DARLINGSIS，——Ihavedelayedtellingyouforalongtimeofalittlematterwhich，thoughnotonetobeseriouslyalarmedabout，issufficientlyvexing，anditwouldbeunfairinmetokeepitfromyouanylonger。ItisthatforsometimepastIhaveagainbeendistressedbythatlamenesswhichIfirstdistinctlyfeltwhenwewenttoLulsteadCove，andagainwhenIleftKnapwaterthatmorningearly。Itisanunusualpaininmyleftleg，betweenthekneeandtheankle。Ihadjustfoundfreshsymptomsofitwhenyouwerehereforthathalf-houraboutamonthago——whenyousaidinfunthatI
begantomovelikeanoldman。Ihadagoodmindtotellyouthen，butfancyingitwouldgooffinafewdays，Ithoughtitwasnotworthwhile。Sincethattimeithasincreased，butIamstillabletoworkintheoffice，sittingonthestool。MygreatfearisthatMr。G。willhavesomeout-doormeasuringworkformetodosoon，andthatIshallbeobligedtodeclineit。However，wewillhopeforthebest。Howitcame，whatwasitsorigin，orwhatittendsto，I
cannotthink。Youshallhearagaininadayortwo，ifitisnobetter——Yourlovingbrother，OWEN。'
Thissheanswered，beggingtoknowtheworst，whichshecouldbear，butsuspenseandanxietynever。Intwodayscameanotherletterfromhim，ofwhichthesubjoinedparagraphisaportion：——
'Ihadquitedecidedtoletyouknowtheworst，andtoassureyouthatitwastheworst，beforeyouwrotetoaskit。AndagainIgiveyoumywordthatIwillconcealnothing——sothattherewillbenoexcusewhateverforyourwearingyourselfoutwithfearsthatIamworsethanIsay。Thismorningthen，forthefirsttime，Ihavebeenobligedtostayawayfromtheoffice。Don'tbefrightenedatthis，dearCytherea。Restisallthatiswanted，andbynursingmyselfnowforaweek，Imayavoidanillnessofsixmonths。'
Afteravisitfromherhewroteagain：——
'Dr。Chestmanhasseenme。Hesaidthattheailmentwassomesortofrheumatism，andIamnowundergoingpropertreatmentforitscure。Mylegandfoothavebeenplacedinhotbran，linimentshavebeenapplied，andalsoseverefrictionwithapad。HesaysIshallbeasrightaseverinaveryshorttime。DirectlyIamIshallrunupbythetraintoseeyou。Don'ttroubletocometomeifMissAldclyffegrumblesagainaboutyourbeingaway，forIamgoingoncapitally……Youshallhearagainattheendoftheweek。'
Atthetimementionedcamethefollowing：——
'Iamsorrytotellyou，becauseIknowitwillbesodishearteningaftermylastletter，thatIamnotsowellasIwasthen，andthattherehasbeenasortofhitchintheproceedings。AfterIhadbeentreatedforrheumatismafewdayslongerinwhichtreatmenttheyprickedtheplacewithalongneedleseveraltimes，IsawthatDr。
Chestmanwasindoubtaboutsomething，andIrequestedthathewouldcallinabrotherprofessionalmantoseemeaswell。Theyconsultedtogetherandthentoldmethatrheumatismwasnotthediseaseafterall，buterysipelas。Theythenbegantreatingitdifferently，asbecameadifferentmatter。Blisters，flour，andstarch，seemtobetheorderofthedaynow——medicine，ofcourse，besides。
'Mr。Gradfieldhasbeenintoinquireaboutme。Hesayshehasbeenobligedtogetadesignerinmyplace，whichgrievesmeverymuch，though，ofcourse，itcouldnotbeavoided。'
Amonthpassedaway；throughoutthisperiod，Cythereavisitedhimasoftenasthelimitedtimeathercommandwouldallow，andworeascheerfulacountenanceasthewomanlydeterminationtodonothingwhichmightdepresshimcouldenablehertowear。Anotherletterfromhimthentoldhertheseadditionalfacts：——
'Thedoctorsfindtheyareagainonthewrongtack。Theycannotmakeoutwhatthediseaseis。OCytherea！howIwishtheyknew！
Thissuspenseiswearingmeout。CouldnotMissAldclyffespareyouforaday？Docometome。Wewilltalkaboutthebestcoursethen。
Iamsorrytocomplain，butIamwornout。“
CythereawenttoMissAldclyffe，andtoldherofthemelancholyturnherbrother'sillnesshadtaken。MissAldclyffeatoncesaidthatCythereamightgo，andofferedtodoanythingtoassistherwhichlayinherpower。Cytherea'seyesbeamedgratitudeassheturnedtoleavetheroom，andhastentothestation。
'O，Cytherea，'saidMissAldclyffe，callingherback；'justoneword。HasMr。Manstonspokentoyoulately？'
'Yes，'saidCytherea，blushingtimorously。
'Heproposed？'
'Yes。'
'Andyourefusedhim？'
'Yes。'
'Tut，tut！Nowlistentomyadvice，'saidMissAldclyffeemphatically，'andaccepthimbeforehechangeshismind。Thechancewhichheoffersyouofsettlinginlifeisonethatmaypossibly，probably，notoccuragain。Hispositionisgoodandsecure，andthelifeofhiswifewouldbeahappyone。Youmaynotbesurethatyoulovehimmadly；butsupposeyouarenotsure？Myfatherusedtosaytomeasachildwhenhewasteachingmewhist，“Whenindoubtwinthetrick！”Thatadviceistentimesasvaluabletoawomanonthesubjectofmatrimony。Inrefusingamanthereisalwaystheriskthatyoumaynevergetanotheroffer。'
'Whydidn'tyouwinthetrickwhenyouwereagirl？'saidCytherea。
'Come，myladyPert；I'mnotthetext，'saidMissAldclyffe，herfaceglowinglikefire。
Cytherealaughedstealthily。
'Iwasabouttosay，'resumedMissAldclyffeseverely，'thathereisMr。Manstonwaitingwiththetenderestsolicitudeforyou，andyouoverlookingit，asifitwerealtogetherbeneathyou。ThinkhowyoumightbenefityoursickbrotherifyouwereMrs。Manston。YouwillpleasemeVERYMUCHbygivinghimsomeencouragement。Youunderstandme，Cythiedear？'
Cythereawassilent。
'And，'saidMissAldclyffe，stillmoreemphatically，'onyourpromisingthatyouwillaccepthimsometimethisyear，Iwilltakeespecialcareofyourbrother。Youarelistening，Cytherea？'
'Yes，'shewhispered，leavingtheroom。
ShewenttoBudmouth，passedthedaywithherbrother，andreturnedtoKnapwaterwretchedandfullofforeboding。Owenhadlookedstartlinglythinandpale——thinnerandpalerthanevershehadseenhimbefore。Thebrotherandsisterhadthatdaydecidedthatnotwithstandingthedrainupontheirslenderresources，anothersurgeonshouldseehim。Timewaseverything。
Owentoldhertheresultinhisnextletter：——
'Thethreepractitionersbetweenthemhaveatlasthitthenailonthehead，Ihope。Theyprobedtheplace，anddiscoveredthatthesecretlayinthebone。Iunderwentanoperationforitsremovalthreedaysagoaftertakingchloroform……ThankGoditisover。
ThoughIamsoweak，myspiritsareratherbetter。IwonderwhenI
shallbeatworkagain？Iaskedthesurgeonshowlongitwouldbefirst。Isaidamonth？Theyshooktheirheads。Ayear？Isaid。
Notsolong，theysaid。Sixmonths？Iinquired。Theywouldnot，orcouldnot，tellme。Butnevermind。
'Rundown，whenyouhavehalfadaytospare，forthehoursdragonsodrearily。OCytherea，youcan'tthinkhowdrearily！'
Shewent。ImmediatelyonherdepartureMissAldclyffesentanotetotheOldHouse，toManston。Onthemaiden'sreturn，tiredandsickatheartasusual，shefoundManstonatthestationawaitingher。HeaskedpolitelyifhemightaccompanyhertoKnapwater。Shetacitlyacquiesced。Duringtheirwalkheinquiredtheparticularsofherbrother'sillness，andwithanirresistibledesiretopourouthertroubletosomeone，shetoldhimofthelengthoftimewhichmustelapsebeforehecouldbestrongagain，andofthelackofcomfortinlodgings。
Manstonwassilentawhile。Thenhesaidimpetuously：'MissGraye，Iwillnotmincematters——Iloveyou——youknowit。Stratagemtheysayisfairinlove，andIamcompelledtoadoptitnow。Forgiveme，forIcannothelpit。Consenttobemywifeatanytimethatmaysuityou——anyremotedayyoumaynamewillsatisfyme——andyoushallfindhimwellprovidedfor。'
Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshetrulydreadedthehandsomemanathersidewhopleadedthusselfishly，andshrankfromthehotvoluptuousnatureofhispassionforher，which，disguiseitashemightunderaquietandpolishedexterior，attimesradiatedforthwithascorchingwhiteheat。Sheperceivedhowanimalwasthelovewhichbargained。
'Idonotloveyou，Mr。Manston，'sherepliedcoldly。
5。FROMTHEFIRSTTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST
Thelongsunnydaysofthelatersummer-timebroughtonlythesamedrearyaccountsfromBudmouth，andsawCythereapayingthesamesadvisits。
Shegrewperceptiblyweaker，inbodyandmind。Manstonstillpersistedinhissuit，butwithmoreofhisformerindirectness，nowthathesawhowunexpectedlywellshestoodanopenattack。HiswasthesystemofDaresattheSiciliangames——
'He，likeacaptainwhobeleaguersroundSomestrong-builtcastleonarisingground，Viewsalltheapproacheswithobservingeyes，Thisandthatotherpartagainhetries，Andmoreonindustrythanforcerelies。'
MissAldclyffemadeitappearmoreclearlythaneverthataidtoOwenfromherselfdependedentirelyuponCytherea'sacceptanceofhersteward。Hemmedinanddistressed，Cytherea'sanswerstohisimportunitiesgrewlessuniform；theywerefirm，orwavering，asOwen'smaladyfluctuated。Hadaregisterofherpitifuloscillationsbeenkept，itwouldhaverivalledinpathosthediarywhereinDeQuinceytabulateshiscombatwithOpium——perhapsasnoticeableaninstanceasanyinwhichathrillingdramaticpowerhasbeengiventomerenumerals。Thusshewearilyandmonotonouslylivedthroughthemonth，listeningonSundaystothewellknownroundofchaptersnarratingthehistoryofElijahandElishainfamineanddrought；onweek-daystobuzzingfliesinhotsunnyrooms。'Solike，soverylike，wasdaytoday。'Extremelassitudeseemedallthattheworldcouldshowher。
Herstatewasinthiswise，whenoneafternoon，havingbeenwithherbrother，shemetthesurgeon，andbeggedhimtotelltheactualtruthconcerningOwen'scondition。
Thereplywasthathefearedthatthefirstoperationhadnotbeenthorough；thatalthoughthewoundhadhealed，anotherattemptmightstillbenecessary，unlessnaturewerelefttoeffectherowncure。
Butthetimesuchaself-healingproceedingwouldoccupymightberuinous。
'Howlongwoulditbe？'shesaid。
'Itisimpossibletosay。Ayearortwo，moreorless。'
'Andsupposehesubmittedtoanotherartificialextraction？'
'Thenhemightbewellinfourorsixmonths。'
Nowtheremainderofhisandherpossessions，togetherwithasumhehadborrowed，wouldnotprovidehimwithnecessarycomfortsforhalfthattime。Tocombatthemisfortune，thereweretwocoursesopen——
herbecomingbetrothedtoManston，orthesendingOwentotheCountyHospital。
Thusterrified，drivenintoacorner，pantingandflutteringaboutforsomeloopholeofescape，yetstillshrinkingfromtheideaofbeingManston'swife，thepoorlittlebirdendeavouredtofindoutfromMissAldclyffewhetheritwaslikelyOwenwouldbewelltreatedinthehospital。
'CountyHospital！'saidMissAldclyffe；'why，itisonlyanothernameforslaughter-house——insurgicalcasesatanyrate。Certainlyifanythingaboutyourbodyissnaptintwotheydojoinyoutogetherinafashion，but'tissoaskewandugly，thatyoumayaswellbeapartagain。'Thensheterrifiedtheinquiringandanxiousmaidenbyrelatinghorridstoriesofhowthelegsandarmsofpoorpeoplewerecutoffatamoment'snotice，especiallyincaseswheretherestorativetreatmentwaslikelytobelongandtedious。
'YouknowhowwillingIamtohelpyou，Cytherea，'sheaddedreproachfully。'Youknowit。Whyareyousoobstinatethen？Whydoyouselfishlybartheclear，honourable，andonlysisterlypathwhichleadsoutofthisdifficulty？Icannot，onmyconscience，countenanceyou；no，Icannot。'
Manstononcemorerepeatedhisoffer；andoncemoresherefused，butthistimeweakly，andwithsignsofaninternalstruggle。Manston'seyesparkled；hesawforthehundredthtimeinhislife，thatperseverance，ifonlysystematic，wasirresistiblebywomankind。
6。THETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST
OngoingtoBudmouththreedayslater，shefoundtohersurprisethatthestewardhadbeenthere，hadintroducedhimself，andhadseenherbrother。Afewdelicacieshadbeenbroughthimalsobythesamehand。OwenspokeinwarmtermsofManstonandhisfreeandunceremoniouscall，ashecouldnothaverefrainedfromdoingofanyperson，ofanykind，whosepresencehadservedtohelpawaythetedioushoursofalongday，andwhohad，moreover，shownthatsortofconsiderationforhimwhichtheaccompanyingbasketimplied——
antecedentconsideration，sotellinguponallinvalids——andwhichhesoseldomexperiencedexceptfromthehandsofhissister。
Howshouldheperceive，amidthistithe-payingofmint，andanise，andcummin，theweightiermatterswhichwereleftundone？
AgainthestewardmetheratCarrifordRoadStationonherreturnjourney。Insteadofbeingfrigidasattheformermeetingatthesameplace，shewasembarrassedbyastrifeofthought，andmurmuredbrokenlyherthanksforwhathehaddone。Thesamerequestthathemightseeherhomewasmade。
HehadperceivedhiserrorinmakinghiskindnesstoOwenaconditionalkindness，andhadhastenedtoeffaceallrecollectionofit。'ThoughIletmyofferonherbrother's——myfriend's——behalf，seemdependentonmylady'sgraciousnesstome，'hewhisperedwooinglyinthecourseoftheirwalk，'Icouldnotconscientiouslyadheretomystatement；itwassaidwithalltheimpulsiveselfishnessoflove。Whetheryouchoosetohaveme，orwhetheryoudon't，Iloveyoutoodevotedlytobeanythingbutkindtoyourbrother……MissGraye，Cytherea，Iwilldoanything，'hecontinuedearnestly，'togiveyoupleasure——indeedIwill。'
Shesawontheonehandherpoorandmuch-lovedOwenrecoveringfromhisillnessandtroublesbythedisinterestedkindnessofthemanbesideher，ontheothershedrewhimdying，whollybyreasonofherself-enforcedpoverty。Tomarrythismanwasobviouslythecourseofcommonsense，torefusehimwasimpolitictemerity。Therewasreasoninthis。Buttherewasmorebehindthanahundredreasons——awoman'sgratitudeandherimpulsetobekind。
Thewaveringofhermindwasvisibleinhertell-taleface。Henoticedit，andcaughtattheopportunity。
Theywerestandingbytheruinousfoundationsofanoldmillinthemidstofameadow。Betweengreyandhalf-overgrownstonework——theonlysignsofmasonryremaining——thewatergurgleddownfromtheoldmillpondtoalowerlevel，underthecloakofrankbroadleaves——thesensuousnaturesofthevegetableworld。Ontherighthandthesun，restingonthehorizon-line，streamedacrossthegroundfrombelowcopper-colouredandlilacclouds，stretchedoutinflatsbeneathaskyofpalesoftgreen。Alldarkobjectsontheearththatlaytowardsthesunwereoverspreadbyapurplehaze，againstwhichaswarmofwailinggnatsshoneforthluminously，risingupwardandfloatingawaylikesparksoffire。
Thestillnessoppressedandreducedhertomerepassivity。Theonlywishthehumidityoftheplaceleftinherwastostandmotionless。
Thehelplessflatnessofthelandscapegaveher，asitgivesallsuchtemperaments，asenseofbareequalitywith，andnosuperiorityto，asingleentityunderthesky。
Hecamesoclosethattheirclothestouched。'Willyoutrytoloveme？Dotrytoloveme！'hesaid，inawhisper，takingherhand。Hehadnevertakenitbefore。Shecouldfeelhishandtremblingexceedinglyasitheldhersinitsclasp。
Consideringhiskindnesstoherbrother，hisloveforherself，andEdward'sfickleness，oughtshetoforbidhimtodothis？Howtrulypitifulitwastofeelhishandtrembleso——allforher！Shouldshewithdrawherhand？Shewouldthinkwhethershewould。Thinking，andhesitating，shelookedasfarastheautumnalhazeonthemarshygroundwouldallowhertoseedistinctly。Therewasthefragmentofahedge——allthatremainedofa'wetoldgarden'——standinginthemiddleofthemead，withoutadefinitebeginningorending，purposelessandvalueless。Itwasovergrown，andchokedwithmandrakes，andshecouldalmostfancysheheardtheirshrieks……
Shouldshewithdrawherhand？No，shecouldnotwithdrawitnow；itwastoolate，theactwouldnotimplyrefusal。Shefeltasoneinaboatwithoutoars，driftingwithclosedeyesdownariver——sheknewnotwhither。
Hegaveherhandagentlepressure，andrelinquishedit。
Thenitseemedasifhewerecomingtothepointagain。No，hewasnotgoingtourgehissuitthatevening。Anotherrespite。
7。THEEARLYPARTOFSEPTEMBER
Saturdaycame，andshewentonsometrivialerrandtothevillagepost-office。Itwasalittlegreycottagewithaluxuriantjasmineencirclingthedoorway，andbeforegoinginCythereapausedtoadmirethispleasingfeatureoftheexterior。Hearingasteponthegravelbehindthecornerofthehouse，sheresignedthejasmineandentered。Nobodywasintheroom。ShecouldhearMrs。Leat，thewidowwhoactedaspostmistress，walkingaboutoverherhead。
CythereawasgoingtothefootofthestairstocallMrs。Leat，butbeforeshehadaccomplishedherobject，anotherformstoodatthehalf-opendoor。Manstoncamein。
'Bothonthesameerrand，'hesaidgracefully。
'Iwillcallher，'saidCytherea，movinginhastetothefootofthestairs。
'Onemoment。'Heglidedtoherside。'Don'tcallherforamoment，'herepeated。
Butshehadsaid，'Mrs。Leat！'
HeseizedCytherea'shand，kissedittenderly，andcarefullyreplaceditbyherside。
Shehadthatmorningdeterminedtocheckhisfurtheradvances，untilshehadthoroughlyconsideredherposition。Theremonstrancewasnowonhertongue，butasaccidentwouldhaveit，beforethewordcouldbespokenMrs。Leatwassteppingfromthelaststairtothefloor，andnoremonstrancecame。
Withthesubtletywhichcharacterizedhiminallhisdealingswithher，hequicklyconcludedhisownerrand，badeheragood-bye，inthetonesofwhichlovewassogarnishedwithpurepolitenessthatitonlyshoweditspresencetoherself，andleftthehouse——puttingitoutofherpowertorefusehimhercompanionshiphomeward，ortoobjecttohislateactionofkissingherhand。
TheFridayofthenextweekbroughtanotherletterfromherbrother。
Inthisheinformedherthat，inabsolutegrieflestheshoulddistressherunnecessarily，hehadsometimeearlierborrowedafewpounds。Aweekago，hesaid，hiscreditorbecameimportunate，butthatonthedayonwhichhewrote，thecreditorhadtoldhimtherewasnohurryforasettlement，that'hisSISTER'SSUITORhadguaranteedthesum。''IsheMr。Manston？tellme，Cytherea，'saidOwen。
Healsomentionedthatawheeledchairhadbeenanonymouslyhiredforhisespecialuse，thoughasyethewashardlyfarenoughadvancedtowardsconvalescencetoavailhimselfoftheluxury。'IsthisMr。Manston'sdoing？'heinquired。
Shecoulddallywithherperplexity，evadeit，trusttotimeforguidance，nolonger。Thematterhadcometoacrisis：shemustonceandforallchoosebetweenthedictatesofherunderstandingandthoseofherheart。Shelonged，tillhersoulseemednightobursting，forherlostmother'sreturntoearth，butforoneminute，thatshemighthavetendercounseltoguideherthroughthis，hergreatdifficulty。
Asforherheart，shehalffanciedthatitwasnotEdward'stoquitetheextentthatitoncehadbeen；shethoughthimcruelinconductinghimselftowardsherashedidatBudmouth，cruelafterwardsinmakingsolightofher。Sheknewhehadstifledhisloveforher——wasutterlylosttoher。Butforallthatshecouldnothelpindulginginawoman'spleasureofrecreatingdefunctagonies，andlaceratingherselfwiththemnowandthen。
'IfIwererich，'shethought，'Iwouldgivewaytotheluxuryofbeingmorbidlyfaithfultohimforeverwithouthisknowledge。'
Butsheconsidered；inthefirstplaceshewasahomelessdependent；
andwhatdidpracticalwisdomtellhertodoundersuchdesperatecircumstances？Toprovideherselfwithsomeplaceofrefugefrompoverty，andwithmeanstoaidherbrotherOwen。ThiswastobeMr。
Manston'swife。
Shedidnotlovehim。
Butwhatwaslovewithoutahome？Misery。Whatwasahomewithoutlove？Alas，notmuch；butstillakindofhome。
'Yes，'shethought，'IamurgedbymycommonsensetomarryMr。
Manston。'
Didanythingnoblerinhersaysotoo？
WiththedeathtoherofEdwardherheart'soccupationwasgone。
Wasitnecessaryorevenrightforhertotenditandtakecareofitassheusedtointheoldtime，whenitwasstillacapableminister？
Byaslightsacrificehereshecouldgivehappinesstoatleasttwoheartswhoseemotionalactivitieswerestillunwounded。Shewoulddogoodtotwomenwhoseliveswerefarmoreimportantthanhers。
'Yes，'shesaidagain，'evenChristianityurgesmetomarryMr。
Manston。'
DirectlyCythereahadpersuadedherselfthatakindofheroicself-
abnegationhadtodowiththematter，shebecamemuchmorecontentintheconsiderationofit。Awilfulindifferencetothefuturewaswhatreallyprevailedinher，illandwornout，asshewas，bytheperpetualharassmentsofhersadfortune，andsheregardedthisindifference，asgushingnatureswilldoundersuchcircumstances，asgenuineresignationanddevotedness。
Manstonmetheragainthefollowingday：indeed，therewasnoescapinghimnow。Attheendofashortconversationbetweenthem，whichtookplaceinthehollowoftheparkbythewaterfall，obscuredontheoutersidebythelowhangingbranchesofthelimes，shetacitlyassentedtohisassumptionofaprivilegegreaterthananythathadprecededit。Hestoopedandkissedherbrow。
BeforegoingtobedshewrotetoOwenexplainingthewholematter。
Itwastoolateintheeveningforthepostman'svisit，andsheplacedtheletteronthemantelpiecetosenditthenextday。
ThemorningSundaybroughtahurriedpostscripttoOwen'sletterofthedaybefore：——
'September9，1865。
'DEARCYTHEREA——IhavereceivedafrankandfriendlyletterfromMr。
Manstonexplainingthepositioninwhichhestandsnow，andalsothatinwhichhehopestostandtowardsyou。Can'tyoulovehim？
Whynot？Try，forheisagood，andnotonlythat，butaculturedman。Thinkofthewearyandlaboriousfuturethatawaitsyouifyoucontinueforlifeinyourpresentposition，anddoyouseeanywayofescapefromitexceptbymarriage？Idon't。Don'tgoagainstyourheart，Cytherea，butbewise——Everaffectionatelyyours，OWEN。'
ShethoughtthatprobablyhehadrepliedtoMr。Manstoninthesamefavouringmood。Shehadaconvictionthatthatdaywouldsettleherdoom。Yet'Sotrueafoolislove，'
thatevennowshenourishedahalf-hopethatsomethingwouldhappenatthelastmomenttothwartherdeliberately-formedintentions，andfavourtheoldemotionshewasusingallherstrengthtothrustdown。
8。THETENTHOFSEPTEMBER
TheSundaywasthethirteenthafterTrinity，andtheafternoonserviceatCarrifordwasnearlyover。ThepeopleweresingingtheEveningHymn。
ManstonwasatchurchasusualinhisaccustomedplacetwoseatsforwardfromthelargesquarepewoccupiedbyMissAldclyffeandCytherea。
Theordinarysadnessofanautumnalevening-serviceseemed，inCytherea'seyes，tobedoubledonthisparticularoccasion。Shelookedatallthepeopleastheystoodandsang，wavingbackwardsandforwardslikeaforestofpinesswayedbyagentlebreeze；thenatthevillagechildrensingingtoo，theirheadsinclinedtooneside，theireyeslistlesslytracingsomecrackintheoldwalls，orfollowingthemovementofadistantboughorbirdwithfeaturespetrifiedalmosttopainfulness。ThenshelookedatManston；hewasalreadyregardingherwithsomepurposeinhisglance。
'Itiscomingthisevening，'shesaidinhermind。Aminutelater，attheendofthehymn，whenthecongregationbegantomoveout，Manstoncamedowntheaisle。Hewasoppositetheendofherseatasshesteppedfromit，theremainderoftheirprogresstothedoorbeingincontactwitheachother。MissAldclyffehadlingeredbehind。
'Don'tlet'shurry，'hesaid，whenCythereawasabouttoentertheprivatepathtotheHouseasusual。'WouldyoumindturningdownthiswayforaminutetillMissAldclyffehaspassed？'
Shecouldnotverywellrefusenow。Theyturnedintoasecludedpathontheirleft，leadingroundthroughathicketoflaurelstotheothergateofthechurch-yard，walkingveryslowly。Bythetimethefurthergatewasreached，thechurchwasclosed。Theymetthesextonwiththekeysinhishand。
'Wearegoinginsideforaminute，'saidManstontohim，takingthekeysunceremoniously。'Iwillbringthemtoyouwhenwereturn。'
Thesextonnoddedhisassent，andCythereaandManstonwalkedintotheporch，andupthenave。
Theydidnotspeakawordduringtheirprogress，orinanywayinterferewiththestillnessandsilencethatprevailedeverywherearoundthem。Everythingintheplacewastheembodimentofdecay：
thefadingredglarefromthesettingsun，whichcameinatthewestwindow，emphasizingtheendofthedayandallitscheerfuldoings，themildewedwalls，theunevenpaving-stones，thewormypews，thesenseofrecentoccupation，andthedankairofdeathwhichhadgatheredwiththeevening，wouldhavemadegravealightermoodthanCytherea'swasthen。
'Whatsensationsdoestheplaceimpressyouwith？'shesaidatlast，verysadly。
'Ifeelimperativelycalledupontobehonest，fromverydespairofachievinganythingbystratageminaworldwherethematerialsaresuchasthese。'He，too，spokeinadepressedvoice，purposelyorotherwise。
'IfeelasifIwerealmostashamedtobeseenwalkingsuchaworld，'shemurmured；'that'stheeffectithasuponme；butitdoesnotinducemetobehonestparticularly。'
Hetookherhandinbothhis，andlookeddownuponthelidsofhereyes。
'Ipityyousometimes，'hesaidmoreemphatically。
'Iampitiable，perhaps；soaremanypeople。Whydoyoupityme？'
'Ithinkthatyoumakeyourselfneedlesslysad。'
'Notneedlessly。'
'Yes，needlessly。Whyshouldyoubeseparatedfromyourbrothersomuch，whenyoumighthavehimtostaywithyoutillheiswell？'
'Thatcan'tbe，'shesaid，turningaway。
Hewenton，'IthinktherealandonlygoodthingthatcanbedoneforhimistogethimawayfromBudmouthawhile；andIhavebeenwonderingwhetheritcouldnotbemanagedforhimtocometomyhousetoliveforafewweeks。Onlyaquarterofamilefromyou。
Howpleasantitwouldbe！'
'Itwould。'
Hemovedhimselfroundimmediatelytothefrontofher，andheldherhandmorefirmly，ashecontinued，'Cytherea，whydoyousay“Itwould，“soentirelyinthetoneofabstractsupposition？Iwanthimthere：Iwanthimtobemybrother，too。Thenmakehimso，andbemywife！Icannotlivewithoutyou。OCytherea。mydarling，mylove，comeandbemywife！'
Hisfacebentcloserandclosertohers，andthelastwordssanktoawhisperasweakastheemotioninspiringitwasstrong。
Shesaidfirmlyanddistinctly，'Yes，Iwill。'
'Nextmonth？'hesaidontheinstant，beforetakingbreath。
'No；notnextmonth。'
'Thenext？'
'No。'
'December？ChristmasDay，say？'
'Idon'tmind。'
'O，youdarling！'Hewasabouttoimprintakissuponherpale，coldmouth，butshehastilycovereditwithherhand。
'Don'tkissme——atleastwherewearenow！'shewhisperedimploringly。
'Why？'
'WearetoonearGod。'
Hegaveasuddenstart，andhisfaceflushed。Shehadspokensoemphaticallythatthewords'NearGod'echoedbackagainthroughthehollowbuildingfromthefarendofthechancel。
'Whatathingtosay！'heexclaimed；'surelyapurekissisnotinappropriatetotheplace！'
'No，'shereplied，withaswellingheart；'Idon'tknowwhyIburstoutso——Ican'ttellwhathascomeoverme！Willyouforgiveme？'
'HowshallIsay“Yes“withoutjudgingyou？HowshallIsay“No“
withoutlosingthepleasureofsaying“Yes？”'Hewashimselfagain。
'Idon'tknow，'sheabsentlymurmured。
'I'llsay“Yes，“'heanswereddaintily。'Itissweetertofancyweareforgiven，thantothinkwehavenotsinned；andyoushallhavethesweetnesswithouttheneed。'
Shedidnotreply，andtheymovedaway。Thechurchwasnearlydarknow，andmelancholyintheextreme。Shestoodbesidehimwhilehelockedthedoor，thentookthearmhegaveher，andwoundherwayoutofthechurchyardwithhim。Thentheywalkedtothehousetogether，butthegreatmatterhavingbeensetatrest，shepersistedintalkingonlyonindifferentsubjects。
'ChristmasDay，then，'hesaid，astheywerepartingattheendoftheshrubbery。
'ImeantOldChristmasDay，'shesaidevasively。
'H'm，peopledonotusuallyattachthatmeaningtothewords。'
'No；butIshouldlikeitbestifitcouldnotbetillthen？'Itseemedtobestillherinstincttodelaythemarriagetotheutmost。
'Verywell，love，'hesaidgently。''Tisafortnightlongerstill；
butnevermind。OldChristmasDay。'
9。THEELEVENTHOFSEPTEMBER
'There。ItwillbeonaFriday！'
Shesatuponalittlefootstoolgazingintentlyintothefire。Itwastheafternoonofthedayfollowingthatofthesteward'ssuccessfulsolicitationofherhand。
'IwonderifitwouldbeproperinmetorunacrosstheparkandtellhimitisaFriday？'shesaidtoherself，risingtoherfeet，lookingatherhatlyingnear，andthenoutofthewindowtowardstheOldHouse。Properornot，shefeltthatshemustatallhazardsremovethedisagreeable，though，assheherselfowned，unfoundedimpressionthecoincidencehadoccasioned。Sheleftthehousedirectly，andwenttosearchforhim。
Manstonwasinthetimber-yard，lookingatthesawyersastheyworked。Cythereacameuptohimhesitatingly。Tillwithinadistanceofafewyardsshehadhurriedforwardwithalacrity——nowthatthepracticalexpressionofhisfacebecamevisibleshewishedalmostshehadneversoughthimonsuchanerrand；inhisbusiness-
moodhewasperhapsverystern。
'ItwillbeonaFriday，'shesaidconfusedly，andwithoutanypreface。
'Comethisway！'saidManston，inthetoneheusedforworkmen，notbeingabletoalterataninstant'snotice。Hegaveherhisarmandledherbackintotheavenue，bywhichtimehewasloveragain。'OnaFriday，willit，dearest？YoudonotmindFridays，surely？
That'snonsense。'
'Notseriouslymindthem，exactly——butifitcouldbeanyotherday？'
'Well，letussayOldChristmasEve，then。ShallitbeOldChristmasEve？'
'Yes，OldChristmasEve。'
'Yourwordissolemn，andirrevocablenow？'
'Certainly，Ihavesolemnlypledgedmyword；IshouldnothavepromisedtomarryyouifIhadnotmeantit。Don'tthinkIshould。'
Shespokethewordswithadignifiedimpressiveness。
'Youmustnotbevexedatmyremark，dearest。Canyouthinktheworseofanardentman，Cytherea，forshowingsomeanxietyinlove？'
'No，no。'Shecouldnotsaymore。Shewasalwaysillateasewhenhespokeofhimselfasapieceofhumannatureinthatanalyticalway，andwantedtobeoutofhispresence。Thetimeofday，andtheproximityofthehouse，affordedherameansofescape。'ImustbewithMissAldclyffenow——willyouexcusemyhastycomingandgoing？'
shesaidprettily。Beforehehadrepliedshehadpartedfromhim。
'Cytherea，wasitMr。ManstonIsawyouscuddingawayfromintheavenuejustnow？'saidMissAldclyffe，whenCythereajoinedher。
'Yes。'
'“Yes。“Come，whydon'tyousaymorethanthat？Ihatethosetaciturn“Yesses“ofyours。Itellyoueverything，andyetyouareascloseaswaxwithme。'
'IpartedfromhimbecauseIwantedtocomein。'
'Whatanovelandimportantannouncement！Well，isthedayfixed？'
'Yes。'
MissAldclyffe'sfacekindledintointenseinterestatonce。'Isitindeed？Whenisittobe？'
'OnOldChristmasEve。'
'OldChristmasEve。'MissAldclyffedrewCytherearoundtoherfront，andtookahandineachofherown。'Andthenyouwillbeabride！'shesaidslowly，lookingwithcriticalthoughtfulnessuponthemaiden'sdelicatelyroundedcheeks。
Thenormalareaofthecolouruponeachofthemdecreasedperceptiblyafterthatslowandemphaticutterancebytheelderlady。
MissAldclyffecontinuedimpressively，'Youdidnotsay“OldChristmasEve“asafianceeshouldhavesaidthewords：andyoudon'treceivemyremarkwiththewarmexcitementthatforeshadowsabrightfuture……Howmanyweeksaretheretothetime？'
'Ihavenotreckonedthem。'
'Not？Fancyagirlnotcountingtheweeks！IfindImusttaketheleadinthismatter——youaresochildish，orfrightened，orstupid，orsomething，aboutit，Bringmemydiary，andwewillcountthematonce。'
Cythereasilentlyfetchedthebook。
MissAldclyffeopenedthediaryatthepagecontainingthealmanac，andcountedsixteenweeks，whichbroughthertothethirty-firstofDecember——aSunday。Cythereastoodby，lookingonasifshehadnoappetiteforthescene。
'Sixteentothethirty-first。Thenletmesee，MondaywillbethefirstofJanuary，Tuesdaythesecond，Wednesdaythird，Thursdayfourth，Fridayfifth——youhavechosenaFriday，asIdeclare！'
'AThursday，surely？'saidCytherea。
'No：OldChristmasDaycomesonaSaturday。'
Theperturbedlittlebrainhadreckonedwrong。'Well，itmustbeaFriday，'shemurmuredinareverie。
'No：haveitaltered，ofcourse，'saidMissAldclyffecheerfully。
'There'snothingbadinFriday，butsuchacreatureasyouwillbethinkingaboutitsbeingunlucky——infact，Iwouldn'tchooseaFridaymyselftobemarriedon，sincealltheotherdaysareequallyavailable。'
'Ishallnothaveitaltered，'saidCythereafirmly；'ithasbeenalteredoncealready：Ishallletitbe。'