XIII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
　　1。THEFIFTHOFJANUARY。BEFOREDAWN
　　Wepassovertheinterveningweeks。Thetimeofthestoryisthusadvancedmorethanaquarterofayear。
　　Onthemidnightprecedingthemorningwhichwouldmakeherthewifeofamanwhosepresencefascinatedherintoinvoluntarinessofbearing，andwhominabsenceshealmostdreaded，Cytherealayinherlittlebed，vainlyendeavouringtosleep。
　　Shehadbeenlookingbackamidtheyearsofhershortthoughvariedpast，andthinkingofthethresholduponwhichshestood。DaysandmonthshaddimmedtheformofEdwardSpringrovelikethegauzesofavanishingstage-scene，buthisdyingvoicecouldstillbeheardfaintlybehind。Thatasoftsmallchordinherstillvibratedtruetohismemory，shewouldnotadmit：thatshedidnotapproachManstonwithfeelingswhichcouldbyanystretchofwordsbecalledhymeneal，shecalmlyowned。
　　'WhydoImarryhim？'shesaidtoherself。'BecauseOwen，dearOwenmybrother，wishesmetomarryhim。BecauseMr。Manstonis，andhasbeen，uniformlykindtoOwen，andtome。“Actinobediencetothedictatesofcommon-sense，“Owensaid，“anddreadthesharpstingofpoverty。Howmanythousandsofwomenlikeyoumarryeveryyearforthesamereason，tosecureahome，andmereordinary，materialcomforts，whichafterallgofartomakelifeendurable，evenifnotsupremelyhappy。“
　　''Tisright，Isuppose，forhimtosaythat。O，ifpeopleonlyknewwhatatimidityandmelancholyuponthesubjectofherfuturegrowsupintheheartofafriendlesswomanwhoisblownaboutlikeareedshakenwiththewind，asIam，theywouldnotcallthisresignationofone'sselfbythenameofschemingtogetahusband。Schemetomarry？I'dratherschemetodie！IknowIamnotpleasingmyheart；IknowthatifIonlywereconcerned，Ishouldlikeriskingasinglefuture。ButwhyshouldIpleasemyuselessselfovermuch，whenbydoingotherwiseIpleasethosewhoaremorevaluablethanI？'
　　Inthemidstofdesultoryreflectionslikethese，whichalternatedwithsurmisesastotheinexplicableconnectionthatappearedtoexistbetweenherintendedhusbandandMissAldclyffe，shehearddullnoisesoutsidethewallsofthehouse，whichshecouldnotquitefancytobecausedbythewind。Sheseemeddoomedtosuchdisturbancesatcriticalperiodsofherexistence。'Itisstrange，'
　　shepondered，'thatthismylastnightinKnapwaterHouseshouldbedisturbedpreciselyasmyfirstwas，nooccurrenceofthekindhavingintervened。'
　　Astheminutesglidedbythenoiseincreased，soundingasifsomeonewerebeatingthewallbelowherwindowwithabunchofswitches。
　　Shewouldgladlyhaveleftherroomandgonetostaywithoneofthemaids，buttheywerewithoutdoubtallasleep。
　　Theonlypersoninthehouselikelytobeawake，orwhowouldhavebrainsenoughtocomprehendhernervousness，wasMissAldclyffe，butCythereanevercaredtogotoMissAldclyffe'sroom，thoughshewasalwayswelcomethere，andwasoftenalmostcompelledtogoagainstherwill。
　　Theoft-repeatednoiseofswitchesgrewheavieruponthewall，andwasnowintermingledwithcreaks，andarattlingliketherattlingofdice。Thewindblewstronger；therecamefirstasnapping，thenacrash，andsomeportionofthemysterywasrevealed。Itwasthebreakingoffandfallofabranchfromoneofthelargetreesoutside。Thesmackingagainstthewall，andtheintermediaterattling，ceasedfromthattime。
　　Well，itwasthetreewhichhadcausedthenoises。Theunexplainedmatterwasthatneitherofthetreesevertouchedthewallsofthehouseduringthehighestwind，andthattreescouldnotrattlelikeamanplayingcastanetsorshakingdice。
　　Shethought，'IsittheintentionofFatethatsomethingconnectedwiththesenoisesshallinfluencemyfutureasinthelastcaseofthekind？'
　　Duringthedilemmashefellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamtthatshewasbeingwhippedwithdrybonessuspendedonstrings，whichrattledateveryblowlikethoseofamalefactoronagibbet；thatsheshiftedandshrankandavoidedeveryblow，andtheyfellthenuponthewalltowhichshewastied。Shecouldnotseethefaceoftheexecutionerforhismask，buthisformwaslikeManston's。
　　'ThankHeaven！'shesaid，whensheawokeandsawafaintlightstrugglingthroughherblind。'Nowwhatwerethosenoises？'Tosettlethatquestionseemedmoretoherthantheeventoftheday。
　　Shepulledtheblindasideandlookedout。Allwasplain。Theeveningprevioushadclosedinwithagreydrizzle，borneuponapiercingairfromthenorth，andnowitseffectswerevisible。Thehoarydrizzlestillcontinued；butthetreesandshrubswereladenwithiciclestoanextentsuchasshehadneverbeforewitnessed。A
　　shootofthediameterofapin'sheadwasicedasthickasherfinger；alltheboughsintheparkwerebentalmosttotheearthwiththeimmenseweightoftheglisteningincumbrance；thewalkswerelikealooking-glass。Manyboughshadsnappedbeneaththeirburden，andlayinheapsupontheicygrass。Oppositehereye，onthenearesttree，wasafreshyellowscar，showingwherethebranchthathadterrifiedherhadbeensplinteredfromthetrunk。
　　'Inevercouldhavebelieveditpossible，'shethought，surveyingthebowed-downbranches，'thattreeswouldbendsofaroutoftheirtruepositionswithoutbreaking。'Bywatchingatwigshecouldseeadropcollectuponitfromthehoaryfog，sinktothelowestpoint，andtherebecomecoagulatedastheothershaddone。
　　'OrthatIcouldsoexactlyhaveimitatedthem，'shecontinued。'OnthismorningIamtobemarried——unlessthisisaschemeofthegreatMothertohinderaunionofwhichshedoesnotapprove。Isitpossibleformyweddingtotakeplaceinthefaceofsuchweatherasthis？'
　　2。MORNING
　　HerbrotherOwenwasstayingwithManstonattheOldHouse。
　　Contrarytotheopinionofthedoctors，thewoundhadhealedafterthefirstsurgicaloperation，andhislegwasgraduallyacquiringstrength，thoughhecouldonlyasyetgetaboutoncrutches，orride，orbedraggedinachair。
　　MissAldclyffehadarrangedthatCythereashouldbemarriedfromKnapwaterHouse，andnotfromherbrother'slodgingsatBudmouth，whichwasCytherea'sfirstidea。Owen，too，seemedtoprefertheplan。Thecapriciousoldmaidhadlatterlytakentothecontemplationoftheweddingwithevengreaterwarmththanhadatfirstinspiredher，andappeareddeterminedtodoeverythinginherpower，consistentwithherdignity，torendertheadjunctsoftheceremonypleasingandcomplete。
　　Buttheweatherseemedinflatcontradictionofthewholeproceeding。Ateighto'clockthecoachmancreptuptotheHousealmostuponhishandsandknees，enteredthekitchen，andstoodwithhisbacktothefire，pantingfromhisexertionsinpedestrianism。
　　ThekitchenwasbyfarthepleasantestapartmentinKnapwaterHouseonsuchamorningasthis。Thevastfirewasthecentreofthewholesystem，likeasun，andthrewitswarmraysuponthefiguresofthedomestics，wheelingaboutitintrueplanetarystyle。A
　　nervously-feebleimitationofitsflickerwascontinuallyattemptedbyafamilyofpolishedmetallicutensilsstandinginrowsandgroupsagainstthewallsopposite，thewholecollectionofshinesnearlyannihilatingtheweakdaylightfromoutside。Astepfurtherin，andthenostrilsweregreetedbythescentofgreenherbsjustgathered，andtheeyebytheplumpformofthecook，wholesome，white-aproned，andfloury——lookingasedibleasthefoodshemanipulated——hermovementsbeingsupportedandassistedbyhersatellites，thekitchenandscullerymaids。Minuterecurrentsoundsprevailed——theclickofthesmoke-jack，theflapoftheflames，andthelighttouchesofthewomen'sslippersuponthestonefloor。
　　Thecoachmanhemmed，spreadhisfeetmorefirmlyuponthehearthstone，andlookedhardatasmallplateintheextremecornerofthedresser。
　　'Noweddenthismornen——that'smyopinion。Infact，therecan'tbe，'hesaidabruptly，asifthewordswerethemeretorsoofamany-memberedthoughtthathadexistedcompleteinhishead。
　　Thekitchen-maidwastoastingasliceofbreadattheendofaverylongtoasting-fork，whichsheheldatarm'slengthtowardstheunapproachablefire，travestyingtheFlanconnadeinfencing。
　　'Badoutofdoors，isn'tit？'shesaid，withalookofcommiserationforthingsingeneral。
　　'Bad？Notevenalivensoul，gentleorsimple，canstandonlevelground。Astogettenuphilltothechurch，'tisperfectlunacy。
　　AndIspeakoffoot-passengers。Astohorsesandcarriage，'tismurdertothinkof'em。Iamgoingtosendstraightasalineintothebreakfast-room，andsay'tisacloser……Hullo——here'sClerkCrickettandJohnDaya-comen！Nowjustlookat'emandpictureaweddenifyoucan。'
　　Alleyeswereturnedtothewindow，fromwhichtheclerkandgardenerwereseencrossingthecourt，bowedandstoopinglikeBelandNebo。
　　'You'llhavetogoifitbreaksallthehorses'legsinthecounty，'
　　saidthecook，turningfromthespectacle，knockingopentheoven-
　　doorwiththetongs，glancingcriticallyin，andslammingittogetherwithaclang。
　　'O，O；whyshallI？'askedthecoachman，includinginhisauditorybyaglancetheclerkandgardenerwhohadjustentered。
　　'BecauseMr。Manstonisinthebusiness。Didyoueverknowhimtogiveupforweatherofanykind，orforanyothermortalthinginheavenorearth？'
　　'——Mornenso's——suchasitis！'interruptedMr。Crickettcheerily，comingforwardtotheblazeandwarmingonehandwithoutlookingatthefire。'Mr。Manstongieupforanythinginheavenorearth，didyousay？Youmightha'cutitshortbysayen“toMissAldclyffe，“andleavenoutheavenandearthastrifles。Butitmightbeputoff；puttenoffathingisn'tgettenridofathing，ifthatthingisawoman。Ono，no！'
　　Thecoachmanandgardenernownaturallysubsidedintosecondaries。
　　Thecookwentonrathersharply，asshedribbledmilkintotheexactcentreofalittlecraterofflourinaplatter——
　　'Itmightbeinthiscase；she'ssoindifferent。'
　　'Dangmyoldsides！andsoitmightbe。Ihaveabitofnews——I
　　thoughttherewassomethinguponmytongue；but'tisasecret；notaword，mind，notaword。Why，MissHintontookaholidayyesterday。'
　　'Yes？'inquiredthecook，lookingupwithperplexedcuriosity。
　　'D'yethinkthat'sall？'
　　'Don'tbesothree-cunning——ifitisall，deliveryoufromtheevilofraisingawoman'sexpectationswrongfully；I'llskimmeryourpateassureasyoucryAmen！'
　　'Well，itisn'tall。WhenIgothomelastnightmywifesaid，“MissAdelaidetookaholidaythismornen，“saysshemywife，thatis；
　　“walkedovertoNetherMynton，metthecomenman，andgotmarried！”
　　saysshe。'
　　'Gotmarried！what，Lord-a-mercy，didSpringrovecome？'
　　'Springrove，no——no——Springrove'snothentodowi'it——'twasFarmerBollens。They'vebeenplayingbo-peepforthesetwoorthreemonthsseemingly。WhilstMasterTeddySpringrovehasbeendaddlen，andhawken，andspettenabouthavingher，she'squietlylefthimallforsook。Servehimright。Idon'tblamethelittlewomanabit。'
　　'FarmerBollensisoldenoughtobeherfather！'
　　'Ay，quite；andrichenoughtobetenfathers。Theysayhe'ssorichthathehasbusinessineverybank，andmeasureshismoneyinhalf-pintcups。'
　　'Lord，Iwishitwasme，don'tIwish'twasme！'saidthescullery-
　　maid。
　　'Yes，'twasasneatabitofstitchingaseverIheardof，'
　　continuedtheclerk，withafixedeye，asifhewerewatchingtheprocessfromadistance。'Notasoulknewanythingaboutit，andmywifeistheonlyoneinourparishwhoknowsityet。MissHintoncamebackfromthewedden，wenttoMr。Manston，puffedherselfoutlarge，andsaidshewasMrs。Bollens，butthatifhewished，shehadnoobjectiontokeeponthehousetilltheregulartimeofgivingnoticehadexpired，ortillhecouldgetanothertenant。'
　　'Justlikeherindependence，'saidthecook。
　　'Well，independentorno，she'sMrs。Bollensnow。Ah，IshallneverforgetoncewhenIwentbyFarmerBollens'sgarden——yearsagonow——
　　years，whenhewastakingupashleaftaties。AmerryfellerIwasatthattime，averymerryfeller——for'twasbeforeItookholyorders，anditdidn'tprickmyconscienceas'twouldnow。“Farmer，“
　　saysI，“littletatiesseemtoturnoutsmallthisyear，don'tem？”
　　“Ono，Crickett，“sayshe，“somebefair-sized。“He'sadullman——
　　FarmerBollensis——healwayswas。However，that'sneitherherenorthere；he'sa-marriedtoasharpwoman，andifIdon'tmakeamistakeshe'llbringhimaprettygoodfamily，giehertime。'
　　'Well，itdon'tmatter；there'saProvidenceinit，'saidthescullery-maid。'GodA'mightyalwayssendsbreadaswellaschildren。'
　　'But'tisthebreadtoonehouseandthechildrentoanotherveryoften。However，IthinkIcanseemyladyHinton'sreasonforchosenyesterdaytosickness-or-health-it。Youryoungmiss，andthatone，hadcrossedoneanother'spathinregardtoyoungMasterSpringrove；andIexpectthatwhenAddyHintonfoundMissGrayewasn'tcarentohaveen，shethoughtshe'dbebeforehandwithheroldenemyinmarryingsomebodyelsetoo。That'smaids'logicallover，andmaids'malicelikewise。'
　　Womenwhoarebadenoughtodivideagainstthemselvesunderaman'spartialityaregoodenoughtoinstantlyuniteinacommoncauseagainsthisattack。'I'lljusttellyouonethingthen，'saidthecook，shakingoutherwordstothetimeofawhiskshewasbeatingeggswith。'Whatevermaids'logicisandmaids'malicetoo，ifCythereaGrayeevennowknowsthatyoungSpringroveisfreeagain，she'llflingoverthestewardassoonaslookathim。'
　　'No，no：notnow，'thecoachmanbrokeinlikeamoderator。
　　'There'shonourinthatmaid，ifevertherewasinone。NoMissHinton'stricksinher。She'llsticktoManston。'
　　'Pifh！'
　　'Don'tletawordbesaidtilltheweddenisover，forHeaven'ssake，'theclerkcontinued。'MissAldclyffewouldfairlyhangandquarterme，ifmynewsbrokeoffthatthereweddenatalastminutelikethis。'
　　'Thenyouhadbettergetyourwifetoboltyouintheclosetforanhourortwo，foryou'llchatterityourselftothewholeboilingparishifshedon't！'Tisapoorwomanlyfeller！'
　　'Youshouldn'tha'begunit，clerk。Iknewhow'twouldbe，'saidthegardenersoothingly，inawhispertotheclerk'smangledremains。
　　Theclerkturnedandsmiledatthefire，andwarmedhisotherhand。
　　3。NOON
　　Theweathergaveway。Inhalf-an-hourtherebeganarapidthaw。Byteno'clocktheroads，thoughstilldangerous，werepracticabletotheextentofthehalf-milerequiredbythepeopleofKnapwaterPark。Onemassofheavyleadencloudspreadoverthewholesky；theairbegantofeeldampandmildoutofdoors，thoughstillcoldandfrostywithin。
　　Theyreachedthechurchandpassedupthenave，thedeep-colouredglassofthenarrowwindowsrenderingthegloomofthemorningalmostnightitselfinsidethebuilding。Thentheceremonybegan。
　　Theonlywarmthorspiritimportedintoitcamefromthebridegroom，whoretainedavigorous——evenSpenserian——bridal-moodthroughoutthemorning。
　　Cythereawasasfirmasheatthiscriticalmoment，butascoldastheairsurroundingher。Thefewpersonsformingthewedding-partywereconstrainedinmovementandtone，andfromthenaveofthechurchcameoccasionalcoughs，emittedbythosewho，inspiteoftheweather，hadassembledtoseetheterminationofCytherea'sexistenceasasinglewoman。Manypoorpeoplelovedher。Theypitiedhersuccess，why，theycouldnottell，exceptthatitwasbecausesheseemedtostandmorelikeastatuethanCythereaGraye。
　　Yetshewasprettilyandcarefullydressed；astrangecontradictioninaman'sideaofthings——asaddening，perplexingcontradiction。
　　Arethereanypointsinwhichadifferenceofsexamountstoadifferenceofnature？Thenthisissurelyone。Notsomuch，asitiscommonlyput，inregardtotheamountofconsiderationgiven，butintheconceptionofthethingconsidered。Amanemasculatedbycoxcombrymayspendmoretimeuponthearrangementofhisclothesthananywoman，buteventhenthereisnofetichisminhisideaofthem——theyarestillonlyacoveringheusesforatime。ButherewasCytherea，inthebottomofherheartalmostindifferenttolife，yetpossessinganinstinctwithwhichherhearthadnothingtodo，theinstincttobeparticularlyregardfulofthosesorrytrifles，herrobe，herflowers，herveil，andhergloves。
　　Theirrevocablewordsweresoonspoken——theindeliblewritingsoonwritten——andtheycameoutofthevestry。Candleshadbeennecessaryheretoenablethemtosigntheirnames，andontheirreturntothechurchthelightfromthecandlesstreamedfromthesmallopendoor，andacrossthechanceltoablackchestnutscreenonthesouthside，dividingitfromasmallchapelorchantry，erectedforthesoul'speaceofsomeAldclyffeofthepast。Throughtheopen-workofthisscreencouldnowbeseenilluminated，insidethechantry，therecliningfiguresofcross-leggedknights，dampandgreenwithage，andabovethemahugeclassicmonument，alsoinscribedtotheAldclyffefamily，heavilysculpturedincadaverousmarble。
　　Leaninghere——almosthangingtothemonument——wasEdwardSpringrove，orhisspirit。
　　Theweakdaylightwouldneverhaverevealedhim，shadedashewasbythescreen；buttheunexpectedraysofcandle-lightinthefrontshowedhimforthinstartlingrelieftoanyandallofthosewhoseeyeswanderedinthatdirection。Thesightwasasadone——sadbeyondalldescription。Hiseyeswerewild，theirorbitsleaden。
　　Hisfacewasofasicklypaleness，hishairdryanddisordered，hislipspartedasifhecouldgetnobreath。Hisfigurewasspectre-
　　thin。Hisactionsseemedbeyondhisowncontrol。
　　Manstondidnotseehim；Cythereadid。Thehealingeffectuponherheartofayear'ssilence——ayearandahalf'sseparation——wasundoneinaninstant。Oneofthosestrangerevivalsofpassionbymeresight——commonerinwomenthaninmen，andinoppressedwomencommonestofall——hadtakenplaceinher——sotranscendently，thateventoherselfitseemedmorelikeanewcreationthanarevival。
　　Marryingforahome——whatamockeryitwas！
　　Itmaybesaidthatthemeansmostpotentforrekindlingoldloveinamaiden'sheartare，toseeherloverinlaughterandgoodspiritsinherdespitewhenthebreachhasbeenowingtoaslightfromherself；whenowingtoaslightfromhim，toseehimsufferingforhisownfault。Ifheishappyinaclearconscience，sheblameshim；ifheismiserablebecausedeeplytoblame，sheblamesherself。
　　ThelatterwasCytherea'scasenow。
　　First，anagonyoffacetoldofthesuppressedmiserywithinher，whichpresentlycouldbesuppressednolonger。Whentheywerecomingoutoftheporch，therebrokefromherinalowplaintivescreamthewords，'He'sdying——dying！OGod，saveus！'Shebegantosinkdown，andwouldhavefallenhadnotManstoncaughther。Thechiefbridesmaidappliedhervinaigrette。
　　'Whatdidshesay？'inquiredManston。
　　Owenwastheonlyonetowhomthewordswereintelligible，andhewasfartoodeeplyimpressed，orratheralarmed，toreply。Shedidnotfaint，andsoonbegantorecoverherself-command。Owentookadvantageofthehindrancetostepbacktowheretheapparitionhadbeenseen。HewasenragedwithSpringroveforwhatheconsideredanunwarrantableintrusion。
　　ButEdwardwasnotinthechantry。Ashehadcome，sohehadgone，nobodycouldtellhoworwhither。
　　4。AFTERNOON
　　ItmightalmosthavebeenbelievedthatatransmutationhadtakenplaceinCytherea'sidiosyncrasy，thathermoralnaturehadfled。
　　Thewedding-partyreturnedtothehouse。Assoonashecouldfindanopportunity，Owentookhissisterasidetospeakprivatelywithheronwhathadhappened。Theexpressionofherfacewashard，wild，andunreal——anexpressionhehadneverseentherebefore，anditdisturbedhim。Hespoketoherseverelyandsadly。
　　'Cytherea，'hesaid，'Iknowthecauseofthisemotionofyours。
　　Butrememberthis，therewasnoexcuseforit。Youshouldhavebeenwomanenoughtocontrolyourself。Rememberwhosewifeyouare，anddon'tthinkanythingmoreofamean-spiritedfellowlikeSpringrove；
　　hehadnobusinesstocomethereashedid。Youarealtogetherwrong，Cytherea，andIamvexedwithyoumorethanIcansay——veryvexed。'
　　'Sayashamedofmeatonce，'shebitterlyanswered。
　　'Iamashamedofyou，'heretortedangrily；'themoodhasnotleftyouyet，then？'
　　'Owen，'shesaid，andpaused。Herliptrembled；hereyetoldofsensationstoodeepfortears。'No，Owen，ithasnotleftme；andI
　　willbehonest。Iownnowtoyou，withoutanydisguiseofwords，whatlastnightIdidnotowntomyself，becauseIhardlyknewofit。IloveEdwardSpringrovewithallmystrength，andheart，andsoul。Youcallmeawantonforit，don'tyou？Idon'tcare；Ihavegonebeyondcaringforanything！'Shelookedstonilyintohisfaceandmadethespeechcalmly。
　　'Well，poorCytherea，don'ttalklikethat！'hesaid，alarmedathermanner。
　　'IthoughtthatIdidnotlovehimatall，'shewentonhysterically。'Ayearandahalfhadpassedsincewemet。Icouldgobythegateofhisgardenwithoutthinkingofhim——lookathisseatinchurchandnotcare。ButIsawhimthismorning——dyingbecausehelovesmeso——Iknowitisthat！CanIhelplovinghimtoo？No，Icannot，andIwilllovehim，andIdon'tcare！Wehavebeenseparatedsomehowbysomecontrivance——Iknowwehave。O，ifI
　　couldonlydie！'
　　Heheldherinhisarms。'Manyawomanhasgonetoruinherself，'
　　hesaid，'andbroughtthosewholoveherintodisgrace，byactinguponsuchimpulsesaspossessyounow。Ihaveareputationtoloseaswellasyou。ItseemsthatdowhatIwillbywayofremedyingthestainswhichfelluponus，itisalldoomedtobeundoneagain。'
　　Hisvoicegrewhuskyashemadethereply。
　　Therightandonlyeffectivechordhadbeentouched。SinceshehadseenEdward，shehadthoughtonlyofherselfandhim。Owen——hername——position——future——hadbeenasiftheydidnotexist。
　　'Iwon'tgivewayandbecomeadisgracetoYOU，atanyrate，'shesaid。
　　'Besides，yourdutytosociety，andthoseaboutyou，requiresthatyoushouldlivewithatanyratealltheappearanceofagoodwife，andtrytoloveyourhusband。'
　　'Yes——mydutytosociety，'shemurmured。'Butah，Owen，itisdifficulttoadjustourouterandinnerlifewithperfecthonestytoall！Thoughitmayberighttocaremoreforthebenefitofthemanythanfortheindulgenceofyourownsingleself，whenyouconsiderthatthemany，anddutytothem，onlyexisttoyouthroughyourownexistence，whatcanbesaid？Whatdoourownacquaintancescareaboutus？Notmuch。Ithinkofmine。Minewillnowdotheylearnallthewickedfrailtyofmyheartinthisaffairlookatme，smilesickly，andcondemnme。Andperhaps，farintimetocome，whenIamdeadandgone，someother'saccent，orsomeother'ssong，orthought，likeanoldoneofmine，willcarrythembacktowhatI
　　usedtosay，andhurttheirheartsalittlethattheyblamedmesosoon。Andtheywillpausejustforaninstant，andgiveasightome，andthink，“Poorgirl！”believingtheydogreatjusticetomymemorybythis。Buttheywillnever，neverrealizethatitwasmysingleopportunityofexistence，aswellasofdoingmyduty，whichtheyareregarding；theywillnotfeelthatwhattothemisbutathought，easilyheldinthosetwowordsofpity，“Poorgirl！”wasawholelifetome；asfullofhours，minutes，andpeculiarminutes，ofhopesanddreads，smiles，whisperings，tears，astheirs：thatitwasmyworld，whatistothemtheirworld，andtheyinthatlifeofmine，howevermuchIcaredforthem，onlyasthethoughtIseemtothemtobe。Nobodycanenterintoanother'snaturetruly，that'swhatissogrievous。'
　　'Well，itcannotbehelped，'saidOwen。
　　'Butwemustnotstayhere，'shecontinued，startingupandgoing。
　　'Weshallbemissed。I'lldomybest，Owen——Iwill，indeed。'
　　Ithadbeendecidedthatonaccountofthewretchedstateoftheroads，thenewly-marriedpairshouldnotdrivetothestationtillthelatesthourintheafternoonatwhichtheycouldgetatraintotakethemtoSouthamptontheirdestinationthatnightbyareasonabletimeintheevening。TheyintendedthenextmorningtocrosstoHavre，andthencetoParis——aplaceCythereahadnevervisited——fortheirweddingtour。
　　Theafternoondrewon。Thepackingwasdone。Cythereawassorestlessthatshecouldstaystillnowhere。MissAldclyffe，who，thoughshetooklittlepartintheday'sproceedings，was，asitwere，instinctivelyconsciousofalltheirmovements，putdownhercharge'sagitationforonceasthenaturalresultofthenovelevent，andManstonhimselfwasasindulgentascouldbewished。
　　AtlengthCythereawanderedaloneintotheconservatory。Wheninit，shethoughtshewouldrunacrosstothehot-houseintheoutergarden，havinginherheartawhimsicaldesirethatsheshouldalsoliketotakealastlookatthefamiliarflowersandluxuriantleavescollectedthere。Shepulledonapairofovershoes，andthithershewent。Notasoulwasinoraroundtheplace。ThegardenerwasmakingmerryonManston'sandheraccount。
　　Thehappinessthatagenerousspiritderivesfromthebeliefthatitexistsinothersisoftengreaterthantheprimaryhappinessitself。
　　Thegardenerthought'Howhappytheyare！'andthethoughtmadehimhappierthanthey。
　　Comingoutoftheforcing-houseagain，shewasonthepointofreturningindoors，whenafeelingthatthesemomentsofsolitudewouldbeherlastoffreedominducedhertoprolongthemalittle，andshestoodstill，unheedingthewintryaspectofthecurly-leavedplants，thestraw-coveredbeds，andthebarefruit-treesaroundher。
　　Thegarden，nopartofwhichwasvisiblefromthehouse，slopeddowntoanarrowriveratthefoot，dividingitfromthemeadowswithout。
　　Amanwaslingeringalongthepublicpathontheothersideoftheriver；shefanciedsheknewtheform。Herresolutions，takeninthepresenceofOwen，didnotfailhernow。Shehopedandprayedthatitmightnotbeonewhohadstolenherheartaway，andstillkeptit。Whyshouldhehavereappearedatall，whenhehaddeclaredthathewentoutofhersightforever？
　　Shehastilyhidherself，inthelowestcornerofthegardenclosetotheriver。Alargedeadtree，thicklyrobedinivy，hadbeenconsiderablydepressedbyitsicyloadofthemorning，andhunglowoverthestream，whichhereranslowanddeep。Thetreescreenedherfromtheeyesofanypasserontheotherside。
　　Shewaitedtimidly，andhertimidityincreased。Shewouldnotallowherselftoseehim——shewouldhearhimpass，andthenlooktoseeifithadbeenEdward。
　　But，beforesheheardanything，shebecameawareofanobjectreflectedinthewaterfromunderthetreewhichhungovertheriverinsuchawaythat，thoughhidingtheactualpath，andobjectsuponit，itpermittedtheirreflectedimagestopassbeneathitsboughs。
　　Thereflectedformwasthatofthemanshehadseenfurtheroff，butbeinginverted，shecouldnotdefinitelycharacterizehim。
　　HewaslookingattheupperwindowsoftheHouse——athers——wasitEdward，indeed？Ifso，hewasprobablythinkinghewouldliketosayonepartingword。Hecamecloser，gazedintothestream，andwalkedveryslowly。ShewasalmostcertainthatitwasEdward。Shekeptmoresafelyhidden。Consciencetoldherthatsheoughtnottoseehim。Butshesuddenlyaskedherselfaquestion：'Canitbepossiblethatheseesmyreflectedimage，asIseehis？Ofcoursehedoes！'
　　Hewaslookingatherinthewater。
　　Shecouldnothelpherselfnow。Shesteppedforwardjustasheemergedfromtheothersideofthetreeandappearederectbeforeher。ItwasEdwardSpringrove——tilltheinvertedvisionmethiseye，dreamingnomoreofseeinghisCythereatherethanofseeingthedeadthemselves。
　　'Cytherea！'
　　'Mr。Springrove，'shereturned，inalowvoice，acrossthestream。
　　Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。
　　'Sincewehavemet，Iwanttotellyousomething，beforewebecomequiteasstrangerstoeachother。'
　　'No——notnow——Ididnotmeantospeak——itisnotright，Edward。'
　　Shespokehurriedlyandturnedawayfromhim，beatingtheairwithherhand。
　　'Notonecommonwordofexplanation？'heimplored。'Don'tthinkI
　　ambadenoughtotrytoleadyouastray。Well，go——itisbetter。'
　　Theireyesmetagain。Shewasnearlychoked。O，howshelonged——
　　anddreaded——tohearhisexplanation！
　　'Whatisit？'shesaiddesperately。
　　'ItisthatIdidnotcometothechurchthismorninginordertodistressyou：Ididnot，Cytherea。Itwastotrytospeaktoyoubeforeyouwere——married。'
　　Hesteppedcloser，andwenton，'Youknowwhathastakenplace？
　　Surelyyoudo？——mycousinismarried，andIamfree。'
　　'Married——andnottoyou？'Cythereafaltered，inaweakwhisper。
　　'Yes，shewasmarriedyesterday！Arichmanhadappeared，andshejiltedme。Shesaidsheneverwouldhavejiltedastranger，butthatbyjiltingme，sheonlyexercisedtherighteverybodyhasofsnubbingtheirownrelations。Butthat'snothingnow。Icametoyoutoaskoncemoreif……ButIwastoolate。'
　　'But，Edward，what'sthat，what'sthat！'shecried，inanagonyofreproach。'Whydidyouleavemetoreturntoher？Whydidyouwritemethatcruel，cruelletterthatnearlykilledme！'
　　'Cytherea！Why，youhadgrowntolove——like——Mr。Manston，andhowcouldyoubeanythingtome——orcareforme？SurelyIactednaturally？'
　　'Ono——never！Ilovedyou——onlyyou——nothim——alwaysyou！——tilllately……Itrytolovehimnow。'
　　'Butthatcan'tbecorrect！MissAldclyffetoldmethatyouwantedtohearnomoreofme——provedittome！'saidEdward。
　　'Never！shecouldn't。'
　　'Shedid，Cytherea。Andshesentmealetter——alove-letter，youwrotetoMr。Manston。'
　　'Alove-letterIwrote？'
　　'Yes，alove-letter——youcouldnotmeethimjustthen，yousaidyouweresorry，buttheemotionyouhadfeltwithhimmadeyouforgetfulofrealities。'
　　Thestrifeofthoughtintheunhappygirlwholistenedtothisdistortionofhermeaningcouldfindnoventinwords。Andthentherefollowedtheslowrevelationinreturn，bringingwithitallthemiseryofanexplanationwhichcomestoolate。ThequestionwhetherMissAldclyffewereschemerordupewasalmostpassedoverbyCytherea，undertheimmediateoppressivenessofherdespairinthesensethatherpositionwasirretrievable。
　　NotsoSpringrove。Hesawthroughallthecunninghalf-
　　misrepresentations——worsethandownrightlies——whichhadjustbeensufficienttoturnthescalebothwithhimandwithher；andfromthebottomofhissoulhecursedthewomanandmanwhohadbroughtallthisagonyuponhimandhisLove。Buthecouldnotaddmoremiserytothefutureofthepoorchildbyrevealingtoomuch。Thewholeschemesheshouldneverknow。
　　'Iwasindifferenttomyownfuture，'Edwardsaid，'andwasurgedtopromiseadherencetomyengagementwithmycousinAdelaidebyMissAldclyffe：nowyouaremarriedIcannottellyouhow，butitwasonaccountofmyfather。Beingforbiddentothinkofyou，whatdidI
　　careaboutanything？Mynewthoughtthatyoustilllovedmewasfirstraisedbywhatmyfathersaidintheletterannouncingmycousin'smarriage。HesaidthatalthoughyouweretobemarriedonOldChristmasDay——thatisto-morrow——hehadnoticedyourappearancewithpity：hethoughtyoulovedmestill。Itwasenoughforme——I
　　camedownbytheearliestmorningtrain，thinkingIcouldseeyousometimeto-day，theday，asIthought，beforeyourmarriage，hoping，buthardlydaringtohope，thatyoumightbeinducedtomarryme。Ihurriedfromthestation；whenIreachedthevillageI
　　sawidlersaboutthechurch，andtheprivategateleadingtotheHouseopen。Iranintothechurchbythesmalldoorandsawyoucomeoutofthevestry；Iwastoolate。Ihavenowtoldyou。Iwascompelledtotellyou。O，mylostdarling，nowIshalllivecontent——ordiecontent！'
　　'Iamtoblame，Edward，Iam，'shesaidmournfully；'Iwastaughttodreadpauperism；mynightsweremadesleepless；therewascontinuallyreiteratedinmyearstillIbelievedit——
　　'“Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth，AndtopressapointwheretheseopposeWereasimplepolicy。“
　　ButIwillsaynothingaboutwhoinfluenced——whopersuaded。Theactismine，afterall。Edward，ImarriedtoescapedependenceformybreaduponthewhimofMissAldclyffe，orotherslikeher。Itwasclearlyrepresentedtomethatdependenceisbearableifwehaveanotherplacewhichwecancallhome；buttobeadependentandtohavenootherspotforthehearttoanchorupon——O，itismournfulandharassing！……Butthatwithoutwhichallpersuasionwouldhavebeenasair，wasaddedbymymiserableconvictionthatyouwerefalse；thatdidit，thatturnedme！Youweretobeconsideredasnobodytome，andMr。Manstonwasinvariablykind。Well，thedeedisdone——Imustabidebyit。IshallneverlethimknowthatIdonotlovehim——never。Ifthingshadonlyremainedastheyseemedtobe，ifyouhadreallyforgottenmeandmarriedanotherwoman，I
　　couldhaveborneitbetter。IwishIdidnotknowthetruthasI
　　knowitnow！Butourlife，whatisit？Letusbebrave，Edward，andliveoutourfewremainingyearswithdignity。Theywillnotbelong。O，Ihopetheywillnotbelong！……Now，good-bye，good-
　　bye！'
　　'IwishIcouldbenearandtouchyouonce，justonce，'saidSpringrove，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtokeepfirmandclear。
　　Theylookedattheriver，thenintoit；ashoalofminnowswasfloatingoverthesandybottom，liketheblackdashesonminiver；
　　thoughnarrow，thestreamwasdeep，andtherewasnobridge。
　　'Cytherea，reachoutyourhandthatImayjusttouchitwithmine。'
　　Shesteppedtothebrinkandstretchedoutherhandandfingerstowardshis，butnotintothem。Theriverwastoowide。
　　'Nevermind，'saidCytherea，hervoicebrokenbyagitation，'Imustbegoing。Godblessandkeepyou，myEdward！Godblessyou！'
　　'Imusttouchyou，Imustpressyourhand，'hesaid。
　　Theycamenear——nearer——nearerstill——theirfingersmet。Therewasalongfirmclasp，socloseandstillthateachhandcouldfeeltheother'spulsethrobbingbesideitsown。
　　'MyCytherea！mystolenpetlamb！'
　　Sheglancedamutefarewellfromherlargeperturbedeyes，turned，andranupthegardenwithoutlookingback。Allwasoverbetweenthem。Theriverflowedonasquietlyandobtuselyasever，andtheminnowsgatheredagainintheirfavouritespotasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbed。
　　Nobodyindoorsguessedfromhercountenanceandbearingthatherheartwasneartobreakingwiththeintensityofthemiserywhichgnawedthere。Atthesetimesawomandoesnotfaint，orweep，orscream，asshewillinthemomentofsuddenshocks。Whenlancedbyamentalagonyofsuchrefinedandspecialtorturethatitisindescribablebymen'swords，shemovesamongheracquaintancesmuchasbefore，andcontrivessotocastheractionsintheoldmouldsthatsheisonlyconsideredtoberatherdullerthanusual。
　　5。HALF-PASTTWOTOFIVEO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Owenaccompaniedthenewly-marriedcoupletotherailway-station，andinhisanxietytoseethelastofhissister，leftthebroughamandstooduponhiscrutcheswhilstthetrainwasstarting。
　　Whenthehusbandandwifewereabouttoentertherailway-carriagetheysawoneoftheporterslookingfrequentlyandfurtivelyatthem。Hewaspale，andapparentlyveryill。
　　'Lookatthatpoorsickman，'saidCythereacompassionately，'surelyheoughtnottobehere。'
　　'He'sbeenveryqueerto-day，madam，veryqueer，'anotherporteranswered。'Hedohardlyhearwhenhe'sspokento，andd'seemgiddy，orasifsomethingwasonhismind。He'sbeenlikeitforthismonthpast，butnothingsobadasheisto-day。'
　　'Poorthing。'
　　Shecouldnotresistaninnatedesiretodosomejustthingonthismostdeceitfulandwretcheddayofherlife。Goinguptohimshegavehimmoney，andtoldhimtosendtotheoldmanor-houseforwineorwhateverhewanted。
　　Thetrainmovedoffasthetremblingmanwasmurmuringhisincoherentthanks。Owenwavedhishand；Cythereasmiledbacktohimasifitwereunknowntoherthatsheweptallthewhile。
　　OwenwasdrivenbacktotheOldHouse。Buthecouldnotrestinthelonelyplace。Hisconsciencebegantoreproachhimforhavingforcedonthemarriageofhissisterwithalittletoomuchperemptoriness。Takinguphiscrutcheshewentoutofdoorsandwanderedaboutthemuddyroadswithnoobjectinviewsavethatofgettingridoftime。
　　Thecloudswhichhadhungsolowanddenselyduringthedayclearedfromthewestjustnowasthesunwassetting，callingforthaweaklytwitterfromafewsmallbirds。Owencrawleddownthepathtothewaterfall，andlingeredthereabouttillthesolitudeoftheplaceoppressedhim，whenheturnedbackandintotheroadtothevillage。Hewassad；hesaidtohimself——
　　'Ifthereiseveranymeaninginthoseheavyfeelingswhicharecalledpresentiments——andIdon'tbelievethereis——therewillbeinmineto-day……PoorlittleCytherea！'
　　Atthatmomentthelastlowraysofthesuntouchedtheheadandshouldersofamanwhowasapproaching，andshowedhimuptoOwen'sview。ItwasoldMr。Springrove。TheyhadgrownfamiliarwitheachotherbyreasonofOwen'svisitstoKnapwaterduringthepastyear。ThefarmerinquiredhowOwen'sfootwasprogressing，andwasgladtoseehimsonimbleagain。
　　'Howisyourson？'saidOwenmechanically。
　　'Heisathome，sittingbythefire，'saidthefarmer，inasadvoice。'ThismorningheslippedindoorsfromGodknowswhere，andtherehesitsandmopes，andthinks，andthinks，andpresseshisheadsohard，thatIcan'thelpfeelingforhim。'
　　'Ishemarried？'saidOwen。Cythereahadfearedtotellhimoftheinterviewinthegarden。
　　'No。Ican'tquiteunderstandhowthematterrests……Ah！
　　Edward，too，whostartedwithsuchpromise；thatheshouldnowhavebecomesuchacarelessfellow——notamonthinoneplace。There，Mr。
　　Graye，Iknowwhatitismainlyowingto。Ifithadn'tbeenforthatheartaffair，hemighthavedone——butthelesssaidabouthimthebetter。Idon'tknowwhatweshouldhavedoneifMissAldclyffehadinsistedupontheconditionsoftheleases。Yourbrother-in-
　　law，thesteward，hadahandinmakingitlightforus，Iknow，andIheartilythankhimforit。'Heceasedspeaking，andlookedroundatthesky。
　　'Haveyouheardo'what'shappened？'hesaidsuddenly；'Iwasjustcomingouttolearnaboutit。'
　　'Ihaven'theardofanything。'
　　'Itissomethingveryserious，thoughIdon'tknowwhat。AllIknowiswhatIheardamancalloutbynow——thatitverymuchconcernssomebodywholivesintheparish。'
　　Itseemssingularenough，eventomindswhohavenodimbeliefsinadumbrationandpresentiment，thatatthatmomentnottheshadowofathoughtcrossedOwen'smindthatthesomebodywhomthematterconcernedmightbehimself，oranybelongingtohim。Theeventabouttotranspirewasasportentoustothewomanwhosewelfarewasmoredeartohimthanhisown，asany，shortofdeathitself，couldpossiblybe；andeverafterwards，whenheconsideredtheeffectoftheknowledgethenexthalf-hourconveyedtohisbrain，evenhispracticalgoodsensecouldnotrefrainfromwonderthatheshouldhavewalkedtowardthevillageafterhearingthosewordsofthefarmer，insoleisurelyandunconcernedaway。'HowunutterablymeanmustmyintelligencehaveappearedtotheeyeofaforeseeingGod，'hefrequentlysaidinafter-time。'Columbusontheeveofhisdiscoveryofaworldwasnotsocontemptiblyunaware。'
　　Afterafewadditionalwordsofcommon-placethefarmerlefthim，and，ashasbeensaid，Owenproceededslowlyandindifferentlytowardsthevillage。
　　Thelabouringmenhadjustleftwork，andpassedtheparkgate，whichopenedintothestreetasOwencamedowntowardsit。Theywentalonginadrift，earnestlytalking，andwerefinallyabouttoturninattheirrespectivedoorways。Butuponseeinghimtheylookedsignificantlyatoneanother，andpaused。Hecameintotheroad，onthatsideofthevillage-greenwhichwasoppositetherowofcottages，andturnedroundtotheright。WhenOwenturned，alleyesturned；oneortwomenwenthurriedlyindoors，andafterwardsappearedatthedoorstepwiththeirwives，whoalsocontemplatedhim，talkingastheylooked。Theyseemeduncertainhowtoactinsomematter。
　　'Iftheywantme，surelytheywillcallme，'hethought，wonderingmoreandmore。Hecouldnolongerdoubtthathewasconnectedwiththesubjectoftheirdiscourse。
　　Thefirstwhoapproachedhimwasaboy。
　　'Whathasoccurred？'saidOwen。
　　'O，amanha'gotcrazy-religious，andsentforthepa'son。'
　　'Isthatall？'
　　'Yes，sir。Hewishedhewasdead，hesaid，andhe'salmostoutofhismindwi'wishenitsomuch。ThatwasbeforeMr。Raunhamcame。'
　　'Whoishe？'saidOwen。
　　'JosephChinney，oneoftherailway-porters；heusedtobenight-
　　porter。'
　　'Ah——themanwhowasillthisafternoon；bytheway，hewastoldtocometotheOldHouseforsomething，buthehasn'tbeen。Buthasanythingelsehappened——anythingthatconcernstheweddingto-day？'
　　'No，sir。'
　　ConcludingthattheconnectionwhichhadseemedtobetracedbetweenhimselfandtheeventmustinsomewayhavearisenfromCytherea'sfriendlinesstowardstheman，Owenturnedaboutandwenthomewardsinamuchquieterframeofmind——yetscarcelysatisfiedwiththesolution。Theroutehehadchosenledthroughthedairy-yard，andheopenedthegate。
　　Fiveminutesbeforethispointoftime，EdwardSpringrovewaslookingoveroneofhisfather'sfieldsatanoutlyinghamletofthreeorfourcottagessomemileandahalfdistant。Aturnpike-
　　gatewasclosebythegateofthefield。
　　ThecarriertoCasterbridgecameupasEdwardsteppedintotheroad，andjumpeddownfromthevantopaytoll。HerecognizedSpringrove。
　　'Thisisaprettyset-toinyourplace，sir，'hesaid。'Youdon'tknowaboutit，Isuppose？'
　　'What？'saidSpringrove。
　　Thecarrierpaidhisdues，cameuptoEdward，andspoketenwordsinaconfidentialwhisper：thensprangupontheshaftsofhisvehicle，gaveaclinchingnodofsignificancetoSpringrove，andrattledaway。
　　Edwardturnedpalewiththeintelligence。Hisfirstthoughtwas，'Bringherhome！'
　　Thenext——didOwenGrayeknowwhathadbeendiscovered？Heprobablydidbythattime，butnorisksofprobabilitymustberunbyawomanheloveddearerthanalltheworldbesides。Hewouldatanyratemakeperfectlysurethatherbrotherwasinpossessionoftheknowledge，bytellingithimwithhisownlips。
　　Offheraninthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
　　Thepathwasacrossarableland，andwasploughedupwiththerestofthefieldeveryautumn，afterwhichitwastroddenoutafresh。
　　Thethawhadsoloosenedthesoftearth，thatlumpsofstiffmudwereliftedbyhisfeetateveryleaphetook，andflungagainsthimbyhisrapidmotion，asitweredoggedlyimpedinghim，andincreasingtenfoldthecustomaryeffortofrunning，Butheranon——uphill，anddownhill，thesamepacealike——liketheshadowofacloud。Hisnearestdirection，too，likeOwen's，wasthroughthedairy-barton，andasOwenenteredithesawthefigureofEdwardrapidlydescendingtheoppositehill，atadistanceoftwoorthreehundredyards。Owenadvancedamidthecows。
　　Thedairyman，whohadhithertobeentalkingloudlyonsomeabsorbingsubjecttothemaidsandmenmilkingaroundhim，turnedhisfacetowardstheheadofthecowwhenOwenpassed，andceasedspeaking。
　　Owenapproachedhimandsaid——
　　'Asingularthinghashappened，Ihear。Themanisnotinsane，I
　　suppose？'
　　'Nothe——he'ssensibleenough，'saidthedairyman，andpaused。Hewasamannoisywithhisassociates——stolidandtaciturnwithstrangers。
　　'IsittruethatheisChinney，therailway-porter？'
　　'That'stheman，sir。'Themaidsandmensittingunderthecowswereallattentivelylisteningtothisdiscourse，milkingirregularly，andsoftlydirectingthejetsagainstthesidesofthepail。
　　Owencouldcontainhimselfnolonger，muchashisminddreadedanythingofthenatureofridicule。'Thepeopleallseemtolookatme，asifsomethingseriouslyconcernedme；isitthisstupidmatter，orwhatisit？'
　　'Surely，sir，youknowbetterthananybodyelseifsuchastrangethingconcernsyou。'
　　'Whatstrangething？'
　　'Don'tyouknow！HisconfessingtoParsonRaunham。'
　　'Whatdidheconfess？Tellme。'
　　'Ifyoureallyha'n'theard，'tisthis。Hewasasusualondutyatthestationonthenightofthefirelastyear，otherwisehewouldn'tha'knownit。'
　　'Knownwhat？ForGod'ssaketell，man！'
　　Butatthisinstantthetwooppositegatesofthedairy-yard，oneontheeast，theotheronthewestside，slammedalmostsimultaneously。
　　Therectorfromone，Springrovefromtheother，camestridingacrossthebarton。
　　Edwardwasnearest，andspokefirst。Hesaidinalowvoice：'Yoursisterisnotlegallymarried！Hisfirstwifeisstillliving！HowitcomesoutIdon'tknow！'
　　'O，hereyouareatlast，Mr。Graye，thankHeaven！'saidtherectorbreathlessly。'IhavebeentotheOldHouse，andthentoMissAldclyffe'slookingforyou——somethingveryextraordinary。'HebeckonedtoOwen，afterwardsincludedSpringroveinhisglance，andthethreesteppedasidetogether。
　　'Aporteratthestation。Hewasacuriousnervousman。Hehadbeeninastrangestateallday，buthewouldn'tgohome。Yoursisterwaskindtohim，itseems，thisafternoon。Whensheandherhusbandhadgone，hewentonwithhiswork，shiftingluggage-vans。
　　Well，hegotintheway，asifhewerequitelosttowhatwasgoingon，andtheysenthimhomeatlast。Thenhewishedtoseeme。I
　　wentdirectly。Therewassomethingonhismind，hesaid，andtoldit。AboutthetimewhenthefireoflastNovembertwelvemonthwasgotunder，whilsthewasbyhimselfintheporter'sroom，almostasleep，somebodycametothestationandtriedtoopenthedoor。HewentoutandfoundthepersontobetheladyhehadaccompaniedtoCarrifordearlierintheevening，Mrs。Manston。Sheasked，whenwouldbeanothertraintoLondon？Thefirstthenextmorning，hetoldher，wasataquarter-pastsixo'clockfromBudmouth，butthatitwasexpress，anddidn'tstopatCarrifordRoad——itdidn'tstoptillitgottoAnglebury。“HowfarisittoAnglebury？”shesaid。
　　Hetoldher，andshethankedhim，andwentawayuptheline。Inashorttimesheranbackandtookoutherpurse。“Don'tonanyaccountsayawordinthevillageoranywherethatIhavebeenhere，orasinglebreathaboutme——I'mashamedevertohavecome。“Hepromised；shetookouttwosovereigns。“SwearitontheTestamentinthewaiting-room，“shesaid，“andI'llpayyouthese。“Hegotthebook，tookanoathuponit，receivedthemoney，andshelefthim。Hewasoffdutyathalf-pastfive。Hehaskeptsilenceallthroughtheinterveningtimetillnow，butlatelytheknowledgehepossessedweighedheavilyuponhisconscienceandweakmind。Yetthenearercamethewedding-day，themorehefearedtotell。Theactualmarriagefilledhimwithremorse。Hesaysyoursister'skindnessafterwardswaslikeaknifegoingthroughhisheart。Hethoughthehadruinedher。'
　　'Butwhatevercanbedone？Whydidn'thespeaksooner？'criedOwen。
　　'Heactuallycalledatmyhousetwiceyesterday，'therectorcontinued，'resolved，itseems，tounburdenhismind。Iwasoutbothtimes——heleftnomessage，and，theysay，helookedrelievedthathisobjectwasdefeated。ThenhesaysheresolvedtocometoyouattheOldHouselastnight——started，reachedthedoor，anddreadedtoknock——andthenwenthomeagain。'
　　'Herewillbeataleforthenewsmongersofthecounty，'saidOwenbitterly。'Theideaofhisnotopeninghismouthsooner——thecriminalityofthething！'
　　'Ah，that'stheinconsistencyofaweaknature。Butnowthatitisputtousinthisway，howmuchmoreprobableitseemsthatsheshouldhaveescapedthanhavebeenburnt——'
　　'Youwill，ofcourse，gostraighttoMr。Manston，andaskhimwhatitallmeans？'Edwardinterrupted。
　　'OfcourseIshall！Manstonhasnorighttocarryoffmysisterunlesshe'sherhusband，'saidOwen。'Ishallgoandseparatethem。'
　　'Certainlyyouwill，'saidtherector。
　　'Where'stheman？'
　　'Inhiscottage。'
　　''Tisnousegoingtohim，either。Imustgooffatonceandovertakethem——laythecasebeforeManston，andaskhimforadditionalandcertainproofsofhisfirstwife'sdeath。Anup-
　　trainpassessoon，Ithink。'
　　'Wherehavetheygone？'saidEdward。
　　'ToParis——asfarasSouthamptonthisafternoon，toproceedto-
　　morrowmorning。'
　　'WhereinSouthampton？'
　　'Ireallydon'tknow——somehotel。IonlyhavetheirParisaddress。
　　ButIshallfindthembymakingafewinquiries。'
　　Therectorhadinthemeantimebeentakingouthispocket-book，andnowopeneditatthefirstpage，whereonitwashiscustomeverymonthtogumasmallrailwaytime-table——cutfromthelocalnewspaper。
　　'Theafternoonexpressisjustgone，'hesaid，holdingopenthepage，'andthenexttraintoSouthamptonpassesattenminutestosixo'clock。Nowitwants——letmesee——five-and-fortyminutestothattime。Mr。Graye，myadviceisthatyoucomewithmetotheporter'scottage，whereIwillshortlywriteoutthesubstanceofwhathehassaid，andgethimtosignit。YouwillthenhavefarbettergroundsforinterferingbetweenMr。andMrs。Manstonthanifyouwenttothemwithamerehearsaystory。'
　　Thesuggestionseemedagoodone。'Yes，therewillbetimebeforethetrainstarts，'saidOwen。
　　Edwardhadbeenmusingrestlessly。
　　'LetmegotoSouthamptoninyourplace，onaccountofyourlameness？'hesaidsuddenlytoGraye。
　　'Iammuchobligedtoyou，butIthinkIcanscarcelyaccepttheoffer，'returnedOwencoldly。'Mr。Manstonisanhonourableman，andIhadmuchbetterseehimmyself。'
　　'Thereisnodoubt，'saidMr。Raunham，'thatthedeathofhiswifewasfullybelievedinbyhimself。'
　　'Nonewhatever，'saidOwen；'andthenewsmustbebrokentohim，andthequestionofotherproofsasked，inafriendlyway。ItwouldnotdoforMr。Springrovetoappearinthecaseatall。'Hestillspokerathercoldly；therecollectionoftheattachmentbetweenhissisterandEdwardwasnotapleasantonetohim。
　　'Youwillneverfindthem，'saidEdward。'YouhaveneverbeentoSouthampton，andIknoweveryhousethere。'
　　'Thatmakeslittledifference，'saidtherector；'hewillhaveacab。CertainlyMr。Grayeisthepropermantogoontheerrand。'
　　'Stay；I'lltelegraphtoaskthemtomeetmewhenIarriveattheterminus，'saidOwen；'thatis，iftheirtrainhasnotalreadyarrived。'
　　Mr。Raunhampulledouthispocket-bookagain。'Thetwo-thirtytrainreachedSouthamptonaquarterofanhourago，'hesaid。
　　Itwastoolatetocatchthematthestation。Nevertheless，therectorsuggestedthatitwouldbeworthwhiletodirectamessageto'alltherespectablehotelsinSouthampton，'onthechanceofitsfindingthem，andthussavingadealofpersonallabourtoOweninsearchingabouttheplace。
　　'I'llgoandtelegraph，whilstyoureturntotheman，'saidEdward——
　　anofferwhichwasaccepted。Grayeandtherectorthenturnedoffinthedirectionoftheporter'scottage。
　　Edward，todespatchthemessageatonce，hurriedlyfollowedtheroadtowardsthestation，stillrestlesslythinking。AllOwen'sproceedingswerebasedontheassumption，naturalunderthecircumstances，ofManston'sgoodfaith，andthathewouldreadilyacquiesceinanyarrangementwhichshouldclearupthemystery。
　　'But，'thoughtEdward，'suppose——andHeavenforgiveme，Icannothelpsupposingit——thatManstonisnotthathonourableman，whatwillayoungandinexperiencedfellowlikeOwendo？Willhenotbehoodwinkedbysomespeciousstoryoranother，framedtolasttillManstongetstiredofpoorCytherea？Andthenthedisclosureofthetruthwillruinandblackenboththeirfuturesirremediably。'
　　However，heproceededtoexecutehiscommission。ThisheputintheformofasimplerequestfromOwentoManston，thatManstonwouldcometotheSouthamptonplatform，andwaitforOwen'sarrival，ashevaluedhisreputation。Themessagewasdirectedastherectorhadsuggested，Edwardguaranteeingtotheclerkwhosentitoffthateveryexpenseconnectedwiththesearchwouldbepaid。
　　Nosoonerhadthetelegrambeendespatchedthanhisheartsankwithinhimatthewantofforesightshowninsendingit。HadManston，allthetime，aknowledgethathisfirstwifelived，thetelegramwouldbeaforewarningwhichmightenablehimtodefeatOwenstillmoresignally。
　　Whilstthemachinewasstillgivingoffitsmultitudinousseriesofraps，Edwardheardapowerfulrushundertheshedoutside，followedbyalongsonorouscreak。Itwasatrainofsomesort，stealingsoftlyintothestation，anditwasanup-train。Therewastheringofabell。Itwascertainlyapassengertrain。
　　Yetthebooking-officewindowwasclosed。
　　'Ho，ho，John，seventeenminutesaftertimeandonlythreestationsuptheline。Theinclineagain？'Thevoicewasthestationmaster's，andthereplyseemedtocomefromtheguard。
　　'Yes，theothersideofthecutting。Thethawhasmadeitallinaperfectcloudoffog，andtherailsareasslipperyasglass。Wehadtobringthemthroughthecuttingattwice。'
　　'Anybodyelseforthefour-forty-fiveexpress？'thevoicecontinued。
　　Thefewpassengers，havingcrossedovertotheothersidelongbeforethistime，hadtakentheirplacesatonce。
　　AconvictionsuddenlybrokeinuponEdward'smind；thenawishoverwhelmedhim。Theconviction——asstartlingasitwassudden——wasthatManstonwasavillain，whoatsomeearliertimehaddiscoveredthathiswifelived，andhadbribedhertokeepoutofsight，thathemightpossessCytherea。Thewishwas——toproceedatoncebythisverytrainthatwasstarting，findManstonbeforehewouldexpectfromthewordsofthetelegramifhegotitthatanybodyfromCarrifordcouldbewithhim——chargehimboldlywiththecrime，andtrusttohisconsequentconfusionifhewereguiltyforasolutionoftheextraordinaryriddle，andthereleaseofCytherea！
　　Theticket-officehadbeenlockedupattheexpirationofthetimeatwhichthetrainwasdue。Rushingoutastheguardblewhiswhistle，Edwardopenedthedoorofacarriageandleaptin。Thetrainmovedalong，andhewassoonoutofsight。
　　Springrovehadlongsincepassedthatpeculiarlinewhichliesacrossthecourseoffallinginlove——if，indeed，itmaynotbecalledtheinitialitselfofthecompletepassion——alongingtocherish；whenthewomanisshiftedinaman'smindfromtheregionofmereadmirationtotheregionofwarmfellowship。Atthisassumptionofhernature，shechangestohimintone，hue，andexpression。Allaboutthelovedonethatsaid'She'before，says'We'now。Eyesthatweretobesubduedbecomeeyestobefearedfor：abrainthatwastobeprobedbycynicismbecomesabrainthatistobetenderlyassisted；feetthatweretobetestedinthedancebecomefeetthatarenottobedistressed；theonce-criticizedaccent，manner，anddress，becometheclientsofaspecialpleader。
　　6。FIVETOEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Nowthathewasfairlyonthetrack，andhadbeguntocooldown，Edwardrememberedthathehadnothingtoshow——nolegalauthoritywhatevertoquestionManstonorinterferebetweenhimandCythereaashusbandandwife。Henowsawthewisdomoftherectorinobtainingasignedconfessionfromtheporter。Thedocumentwouldnotbeadeath-bedconfession——perhapsnotworthanythinglegally——
　　butitwouldbeheldbyOwen；andhealone，asCytherea'snaturalguardian，couldseparatethemonthemeregroundofanunprovedprobability，orwhatmightperhapsbecalledthehallucinationofanidiot。Edwardhimself，however，wasasfirmlyconvincedastherectorhadbeenofthetruthoftheman'sstory，andpacedbackwardandforwardthesolitarycompartmentasthetrainwoundthroughthedarkheatheryplains，themazywoods，andmoaningcoppices，asresolvedasevertopounceonManston，andchargehimwiththecrimeduringthecriticalintervalbetweenthereceptionofthetelegramandthehouratwhichOwen'strainwouldarrive——trustingtocircumstancesforwhatheshouldsayanddoafterwards，butmakinguphismindtobeareadysecondtoOweninanyemergencythatmightarise。
　　Atthirty-threeminutespastsevenhestoodontheplatformofthestationatSouthampton——aclearhourbeforethetraincontainingOwencouldpossiblyarrive。
　　Makingafewinquirieshere，buttooimpatienttopursuehisinvestigationcarefullyandinductively，hewentintothetown。
　　Attheexpirationofanotherhalf-hourhehadvisitedsevenhotelsandinns，largeandsmall，askingthesamequestionsateach，andalwaysreceivingthesamereply——nobodyofthatname，oransweringtothatdescription，hadbeenthere。Aboyfromthetelegraph-
　　officehadcalled，askingforthesamepersons，iftheyrecollectedrightly。
　　Hereflectedawhile，struckagainbyapainfulthoughtthattheymightpossiblyhavedecidedtocrosstheChannelbythenight-boat。
　　Thenhehastenedofftoanotherquarterofthetowntopursuehisinquiriesamonghotelsofthemoreold-fashionedandquietclass。
　　Hisstainedandwearyappearanceobtainedforhimbutamodicumofcivility，whereverhewent，whichmadehistaskyetmoredifficult。
　　Hecalledatthreeseveralhousesinthisneighbourhood，withthesameresultasbefore。Heenteredthedoorofthefourthhousewhilsttheclockofthenearestchurchwasstrikingeight。
　　'HaveatallgentlemannamedManston，andayoungwifearrivedherethisevening？'heaskedagain，inwordswhichhadgrownoddtohisearsfromveryfamiliarity。
　　'Anew-marriedcouple，didyousay？'
　　'Theyare，thoughIdidn'tsayso。'
　　'Theyhavetakenasitting-roomandbedroom，numberthirteen。'
　　'Aretheyindoors？'
　　'Idon'tknow。Eliza！'
　　'Yes，m'm。'
　　'Seeifnumberthirteenisin——thatgentlemanandhiswife。'
　　'Yes，m'm。'
　　'Hasanytelegramcomeforthem？'saidEdward，whenthemaidhadgoneonhererrand。
　　'No——nothingthatIknowof。'
　　'SomebodydidcomeandaskifaMr。andMrs。Masters，orsomesuchname，wereherethisevening，'saidanothervoicefromthebackofthebar-parlour。
　　'Anddidtheygetthemessage？'
　　'Ofcoursetheydidnot——theywerenothere——theydidn'tcometillhalf-an-hourafterthat。Themanwhomadeinquiriesleftnomessage。Itoldthemwhentheycamethatthey，oranamesomethingliketheirs，hadbeenaskedfor，buttheydidn'tseemtounderstandwhyitshouldbe，andsothematterdropped。'
　　Thechambermaidcameback。'Thegentlemanisnotin，buttheladyis。WhoshallIsay？'
　　'Nobody，'saidEdward。Foritnowbecamenecessarytoreflectuponhismethodofproceeding。Hisobjectinfindingtheirwhereabouts——
　　apartfromthewishtoassistOwen——hadbeentoseeManston，askhimflatlyforanexplanation，andconfirmtherequestofthemessageinthepresenceofCytherea——soastopreventthepossibilityofthesteward'spalmingoffastoryuponCytherea，oreludingherbrotherwhenhecame。Buthereweretwoimportantmodificationsoftheexpectedconditionofaffairs。Thetelegramhadnotbeenreceived，andCythereawasinthehousealone。
　　HehesitatedastotheproprietyofintrudinguponherinManston'sabsence。Besides，thewomenatthebottomofthestairswouldseehim——hisintrusionwouldseemodd——andManstonmightreturnatanymoment。Hecertainlymightcall，andwaitforManstonwiththeaccusationuponhistongue，ashehadintended。Butitwasadoubtfulcourse。ThatideahadbeenbasedupontheassumptionthatCythereawasnotmarried。Ifthefirstwifewerereallydeadafterall——andhefeltsickatthethought——Cythereaasthesteward'swifemightinafter-years——perhaps，atonce——besubjectedtoindignityandcrueltyonaccountofanoldlover'sinterferencenow。
　　Yes，perhapstheannouncementwouldcomemostproperlyandsafelyforherfromherbrotherOwen，thetimeofwhosearrivalhadalmostexpired。
　　But，onturninground，hesawthatthestaircaseandpassagewerequitedeserted。Heandhiserrandhadascompletelydiedfromthemindsoftheattendantsasiftheyhadneverbeen。TherewasabsolutelynothingbetweenhimandCytherea'spresence。Reasonwaspowerlessnow；hemustseeher——rightorwrong，fairorunfairtoManston——offensivetoherbrotherorno。Hislipsmustbethefirsttotellthealarmingstorytoher。Wholovedherashe！Hewentbacklightlythroughthehall，upthestairs，twoatatime，andfollowedthecorridortillhecametothedoornumberedthirteen。
　　Heknockedsoftly：nobodyanswered。
　　TherewasnotimetoloseifhewouldspeaktoCythereabeforeManstoncame。Heturnedthehandleofthedoorandlookedin。Thelamponthetableburnedlow，andshowedwritingmaterialsopenbesideit；thechieflightcamefromthefire，thedirectraysofwhichwereobscuredbyasweetfamiliaroutlineofheadandshoulders——stillasprecioustohimasever。