7。AQUARTER-PASTEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
Thereisanattitude——approximativelycalledpensive——inwhichthesoulofahumanbeing，andespeciallyofawoman，dominatesoutwardlyandexpressesitspresencesostrongly，thattheintangibleessenceseemsmoreapparentthanthebodyitself。ThiswasCytherea'sexpressionnow。WhatolddaysandsunnyevesatBudmouthBaywasshepicturing？Herreveriehadcausedhernottonoticehisknock。
'Cytherea！'hesaidsoftly。
Sheletdropherhand，andturnedherhead，evidentlythinkingthathervisitorcouldbenootherthanManston，yetpuzzledatthevoice。
TherewasnoprefaceonSpringrove'stongue；heforgothisposition——
hers——thathehadcometoaskquietlyifManstonhadotherproofsofbeingawidower——everything——andjumpedtoaconclusion。
'Youarenothiswife，Cytherea——comeaway，hehasawifeliving！'
hecriedinanagitatedwhisper。'Owenwillbeheredirectly。'
Shestartedup，recognizedthetidingsfirst，thebearerofthemafterwards。'Nothiswife？O，whatisit——what——whoisliving？'
Sheawokebydegrees。'WhatmustIdo？Edward，itisyou！Whydidyoucome？WhereisOwen？'
'WhathasManstonshownyouinproofofthedeathofhisotherwife？
Tellmequick。'
'Nothing——wehaveneverspokenofthesubject。WhereismybrotherOwen？Iwanthim，Iwanthim！'
'Heiscomingby-and-by。Cometothestationtomeethim——do，'
imploredSpringrove。'IfMr。Manstoncomes，hewillkeepyoufromme：Iamnobody，'headdedbitterly，feelingthereproachherwordshadfaintlyshadowedforth。
'Mr。Manstonisonlygoneouttopostaletterhehasjustwritten，'
shesaid，andwithoutbeingdistinctlycognizantoftheaction，shewildlylookedforherbonnetandcloak，andbeganputtingthemon，butintheactoffasteningthemutteredaspasmodiccry。
'No，I'llnotgooutwithyou，'shesaid，flingingthearticlesdownagain。Runningtothedoorsheflittedalongthepassage，anddownstairs。
'Givemeaprivateroom——quiteprivate，'shesaidbreathlesslytosomeonebelow。
'Numbertwelveisasingleroom，madam，andunoccupied，'saidsometongueinastonishment。
Withoutwaitingforanypersontoshowherintoit，Cythereahurriedupstairsagain，brushedthroughthecorridor，enteredtheroomspecified，andclosedthedoor。Edwardheardhersobout——
'NobodybutOwenshallspeaktome——nobody！'
'Hewillbeheredirectly，'saidSpringrove，closeagainstthepanel，andthenwenttowardsthestairs。Hehadseenher；itwasenough。
Hedescended，steppedintothestreet，andhastenedtomeetOwenattherailway-station。
Asforthepoormaidenwhohadreceivedthenews，sheknewnotwhattothink。ShelistenedtilltheechoofEdward'sfootstepshaddiedaway，thenbowedherfaceuponthebed。Hersuddenimpulsehadbeentoescapefromsight。Herwearinessaftertheunwontedstrain，mentalandbodily，whichhadbeenputuponherbythescenesshehadpassedthroughduringthelongday，renderedhermuchmoretimidandshakenbyherpositionthanshewouldnaturallyhavebeen。Shethoughtandthoughtofthatsinglefactwhichhadbeentoldher——
thatthefirstMrs。Manstonwasstillliving——tillherbrainseemedreadytoburstitsconfinementwithexcessofthrobbing。Itwasonlynaturalthatsheshould，bydegrees，beunabletoseparatethediscovery，whichwasmatteroffact，fromthesuspicionoftreacheryonherhusband'spart，whichwasonlymatterofinference。Andthustherearoseinherapersonalfearofhim。
'Supposeheshouldcomeinnowandseizeme！'Thisatfirstmerefrenziedsuppositiongrewbydegreestoadefinitehorrorofhispresence，andespeciallyofhisintensegaze。Thussheraisedherselftoaheatofexcitement，whichwasnonethelessrealforbeingventedinnocryofanykind。No；shecouldnotmeetManston'seyealone，shewouldonlyseehiminherbrother'scompany。
Almostdeliriouswiththisidea，sheranandlockedthedoortopreventallpossibilityofherintentionsbeingnullified，oralookorwordbeingflungatherbyanybodywhilstsheknewnotwhatshewas。
8。HALF-PASTEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
ThenCythereafeltherwayamidthedarknessoftheroomtillshecametotheheadofthebed，whereshesearchedforthebell-ropeandgaveitapull。Hersummonswasspeedilyansweredbythelandladyherself，whosecuriositytoknowthemeaningofthesestrangeproceedingsknewnobounds。Thelandladyattemptedtoturnthehandleofthedoor。Cythereakeptthedoorlocked。'PleasetellMr。ManstonwhenhecomesthatIamill，'shesaidfromtheinside，'andthatIcannotseehim。'
'CertainlyIwill，madam，'saidthelandlady。'Won'tyouhaveafire？'
'No，thankyou。'
'Noralight？'
'Idon'twantone，thankyou。'
'Noranything？'
'Nothing。'
Thelandladywithdrew，thinkinghervisitorhalfinsane。
Manstoncameinaboutfiveminuteslater，andwentatonceuptothesitting-room，fullyexpectingtofindhiswifethere。Helookedround，rang，andwastoldthewordsCythereahadsaid，thatshewastooilltobeseen。
'Sheisinnumbertwelveroom，'addedthemaid。
Manstonwasalarmed，andknockedatthedoor。'Cytherea！'
'Iamunwell，Icannotseeyou，'shesaid。
'Areyouseriouslyill，dearest？Surelynot。'
'No，notseriously。'
'Letmecomein；Iwillgetadoctor。'
'No，hecan'tseemeeither。'
'Shewon'topenthedoor，sir，nottonobodyatall！'saidthechambermaid，withwonder-waitingeyes。
'Holdyourtongue，andbeoff！'saidManstonwithasnap。
Themaidvanished。
'Come，Cytherea，thisisfoolish——indeeditis——notopeningthedoor……Icannotcomprehendwhatcanbethematterwithyou。
Norcanadoctoreither，unlessheseesyou。'
Hervoicehadtrembledmoreandmoreateachanswershegave，butnothingcouldinducehertocomeoutandconfronthim。Hatingscenes，Manstonwentbacktothesitting-room，greatlyirritatedandperplexed。
AndthereCythereafromtheadjoiningroomcouldhearhimpacingupanddown。Shethought，'Supposeheinsistsuponseeingme——heprobablymay——andwillburstopenthedoor！'Thisnotionincreased，andshesankintoacornerinahalf-somnolentstate，butwithearsalivetotheslightestsound。ReasoncouldnotoverthrowthedeliriousfancythatoutsideherdoorstoodManstonandallthepeopleinthehotel，waitingtolaughhertoscorn。
9。HALF-PASTEIGHTTOELEVENP。M。
Inthemeantime，Springrovewaspacingupanddownthearrivalplatformoftherailway-station。Half-pasteighto'clock——thetimeatwhichOwen'strainwasdue——hadcome，andpassed，butnotrainappeared。
'Whenwilltheeight-thirtytrainbein？'heaskedofamanwhowassweepingthemudfromthesteps。
'Sheisnotexpectedyetthishour。'
'Howisthat？'
'Christmas-time，yousee，'tisalwaysso。Peoplearerunningabouttoseetheirfriends。ThetrainshavebeenlikeiteversinceChristmasEve，andwillbeforanotherweekyet。'
Edwardagainwentonwalkingandwaitingunderthedraughtyroof。
Hefounditutterlyimpossibletoleavethespot。HismindwassointentupontheimportanceofmeetingwithOwen，andinforminghimofCytherea'swhereabouts，thathecouldnotbutfancyOwenmightleavethestationunobservedifheturnedhisback，andbecomelosttohiminthestreetsofthetown。
Thehourexpired。Teno'clockstruck。'Whenwillthetrainbein？'
saidEdwardtothetelegraphclerk。
'Infive-and-thirtyminutes。She'snowatL。Theyhaveextrapassengers，andtherailsarebadto-day。'
Atlast，ataquartertoeleven，thetraincamein。
ThefirsttoalightfromitwasOwen，lookingpaleandcold。Hecasuallyglancedrounduponthenearlydesertedplatform，andwashurryingtotheoutlet，whenhiseyesfelluponEdward。Atsightofhisfriendhewasquitebewildered，andcouldnotspeak。
'HereIam，Mr。Graye，'saidEdwardcheerfully。'IhaveseenCytherea，andshehasbeenwaitingforyouthesetwoorthreehours。'
OwentookEdward'shand，pressedit，andlookedathiminsilence。
Suchwastheconcentrationofhismind，thatnottillmanyminutesafterdidhethinkofinquiringhowSpringrovehadcontrivedtobetherebeforehim。
10。ELEVENO'CLOCKP。M。
Ontheirarrivalatthedoorofthehotel，itwasarrangedbetweenSpringroveandGrayethatthelatteronlyshouldenter，Edwardwaitingoutside。Owenhadrememberedcontinuallywhathisfriendhadfrequentlyoverlooked，thattherewasyetapossibilityofhissisterbeingManston'swife，andtherecollectiontaughthimtoavoidanyrashnessinhisproceedingswhichmightleadtobitternesshereafter。
Enteringtheroom，hefoundManstonsittinginthechairwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyCythereaonEdward'svisit，threehoursearlier。
BeforeOwenhadspoken，Manstonarose，andsteppingpasthimclosedthedoor。Hisfaceappearedharassed——muchmoretroubledthantheslightcircumstancewhichhadasyetcometohisknowledgeseemedtoaccountfor。
ManstoncouldformnoreasonforOwen'spresence，butintuitivelylinkeditwithCytherea'sseclusion。'Altogetherthisismostunseemly，'hesaid，'whateveritmaymean。'
'Don'tthinkthereismeantanythingunfriendlybymycominghere，'
saidOwenearnestly；'butlistentothis，andthinkifIcoulddootherwisethancome。'
HetookfromhispockettheconfessionofChinneytheporter，ashastilywrittenoutbythevicar，andreaditaloud。TheaspectsofManston'sfacewhilsthelistenedtotheopeningwordswerestrange，dark，andmysteriousenoughtohavejustifiedsuspicionsthatnodeceitcouldbetoocomplicatedforthepossessorofsuchimpulses，hadtherenotoverriddenthemall，asthereadingwenton，anewandirrepressibleexpression——oneunmistakablyhonest。Itwasthatofunqualifiedamazementinthesteward'smindatthenewsheheard。
Owenlookedupandsawit。Thesightonlyconfirmedhiminthebeliefhehadheldthroughout，inantagonismtoEdward'ssuspicions。
TherecouldnolongerbeashadowofdoubtthatifthefirstMrs。
Manstonlived，herhusbandwasignorantofthefact。Whathecouldhavefearedbyhisghastlylookatfirst，andnowhaveceasedtofear，itwasquitefutiletoconjecture。
'NowIdonotforamomentdoubtyourcompleteignoranceofthewholematter；youcannotsupposeforaninstantthatIdo，'saidOwenwhenhehadfinishedreading。'ButisitnotbestforboththatCythereashouldcomebackwithmetillthematterisclearedup？Infact，underthecircumstances，noothercourseisleftopentomethantorequestit。'
WhateverManston'soriginalfeelingshadbeen，allinhimnowgavewaytoirritation，andirritationtorage。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtillhehadmasteredit；thensaidinordinarytones——
'Certainly，Iknownomorethanyouandothersknow——itwasagratuitousunpleasantnessinyoutosayyoudidnotdoubtme。Whyshouldyou，oranybody，havedoubtedme？'
'Well，whereismysister？'saidOwen。
'Lockedinthenextroom。'
HisownanswerremindedManstonthatCythereamust，bysomeinscrutablemeans，havehadaninklingoftheevent。
OwenhadgonetothedoorofCytherea'sroom。
'Cytherea，darling——'tisOwen，'hesaid，outsidethedoor。A
rustlingofclothes，softfootsteps，andavoicesayingfromtheinside，'Isitreallyyou，Owen，——isitreally？'
'Itis。'
'O，willyoutakecareofme？'
'Always。'
Sheunlockedthedoor，andretreatedagain。Manstoncameforwardfromtheotherroomwithacandleinhishand，asOwenpushedopenthedoor。
Herfrightenedeyeswereunnaturallylarge，andshonelikestarsinthedarknessofthebackground，asthelightfelluponthem。SheleaptuptoOweninonebound，hersmalltaperfingersextendedliketheleavesofalupine。Thensheclaspedhercoldandtremblinghandsroundhisneckandshivered。
ThesightofheragainkindledallManston'spassionsintoactivity。
'Sheshallnotgowithyou，'hesaidfirmly，andsteppingapaceortwocloser，'unlessyouprovethatsheisnotmywife；andyoucan'tdoit！'
'Thisisproof，'saidOwen，holdingupthepaper。
'Noproofatall，'saidManstonhotly。''Tisnotadeath-bedconfession，andthosearetheonlythingsofthekindheldasgoodevidence。'
'Sendforalawyer，'Owenreturned，'andlethimtellusthepropercoursetoadopt。'
'Nevermindthelaw——letmegowithOwen！'criedCytherea，stillholdingontohim。'Youwillletmegowithhim，won'tyou，sir？'
shesaid，turningappealinglytoManston。
'We'llhaveitallrightandsquare，'saidManston，withmorequietness。'Ihavenoobjectiontoyourbrothersendingforalawyer，ifhewantsto。'
Itwasgettingonfortwelveo'clock，buttheproprietorofthehotelhadnotyetgonetobedonaccountofthemysteryonthefirstfloor，whichwasanoccurrenceunusualinthequietfamilylodging。
Owenlookedoverthebanisters，andsawhimstandinginthehall。
ItstruckGrayethatthewisestcoursewouldbetotakethelandlordtoacertainextentintotheirconfidence，appealtohishonourasagentleman，andsoon，inordertoacquiretheinformationhewanted，andalsotopreventtheepisodeoftheeveningfrombecomingapublicpieceofnews。Hecalledthelandlorduptowheretheystood，andtoldhimthemainfactsofthestory。
Thelandlordwasfortunatelyaquiet，prejudicedman，andameditativesmoker。
'Iknowtheverymanyouwanttosee——theveryman，'hesaid，lookingatthegeneralfeaturesofthecandle-flame。'Sharpasaneedle，andnotover-rich。Timmswillputyouallstraightinnotime——trustTimmsforthat。'
'He'sinbedbythistimeforcertain，'saidOwen。
'Nevermindthat——Timmsknowsme，Iknowhim。He'llobligemeasapersonalfavour。Waithereabit。Perhaps，too，he'supatsomepartyoranother——he'sanice，jovialfellow，sharpasaneedle，too；mindyou，sharpasaneedle，too。'
Hewentdownstairs，putonhisovercoat，andleftthehouse，thethreepersonsmostconcernedenteringtheroom，andstandingmotionless，awkward，andsilentinthemidstofit。Cythereapicturedtoherselfthelongwearyminutesshewouldhavetostandthere，whilstasleepymancouldbepreparedforconsultation，tilltheconstraintbetweenthemseemedunendurabletoher——shecouldneverlastoutthetime。OwenwasannoyedthatManstonhadnotquietlyarrangedwithhimatonce；ManstonatOwen'shomelinessofideainproposingtosendforanattorney，asifhewouldbeatouchstoneofinfallibleproof。
Reflectionwascutshortbytheapproachoffootsteps，andinafewmomentstheproprietorofthehotelentered，introducinghisfriend。
'Mr。Timmshasnotbeeninbed，'hesaid；'hehadjustreturnedfromdiningwithafewfriends，sothere'snotroublegiven。TosavetimeIexplainedthematteraswecamealong。'
ItoccurredtoOwenandManstonboththattheymightgetamistyexpositionofthelawfromMr。Timmsatthatmomentofconcludingdinnerwithafewfriends。
'AsfarasIcansee，'saidthelawyer，yawning，andturninghisvisioninwardbymainforce，'itisquiteamatterforprivatearrangementbetweentheparties，whoeverthepartiesare——atleastatpresent。Ispeakmoreasafatherthanasalawyer，itistrue，but，lettheyoungladystaywithherfather，orguardian，safeoutofshame'sway，untilthemysteryissifted，whateverthemysteryis。Shouldtheevidenceprovetobefalse，ortrumpedupbyanybodytogetherawayfromyou，herhusband，youmaysuethemforthedamagesaccruingfromthedelay。'
'Yes，yes，'saidManston，whohadcompletelyrecoveredhisself-
possessionandcommon-sense；'letitallbesettledbyherself。'
TurningtoCythereahewhisperedsosoftlythatOwendidnothearthewords——
'Doyouwishtogobackwithyourbrother，dearest，andleavemeheremiserable，andlonely，orwillyoustaywithme，yourownhusband。'
'I'llgobackwithOwen。'
'Verywell。'Herelinquishedhiscoaxingtone，andwentonsternly：
'Andrememberthis，Cytherea，Iamasinnocentofdeceptioninthisthingasyouareyourself。Doyoubelieveme？'
'Ido，'shesaid。
'Ihadnoshadowofsuspicionthatmyfirstwifelived。Idon'tthinkshedoesevennow。Doyoubelieveme？'
'Ibelieveyou，'shesaid。
'Andnow，good-evening，'hecontinued，openingthedoorandpolitelyintimatingtothethreemenstandingbythattherewasnofurthernecessityfortheirremaininginhisroom。'InthreedaysIshallclaimher。'
Thelawyerandthehotel-keeperretiredfirst。Owen，gatheringupasmuchofhissister'sclothingaslayabouttheroom，tookheruponhisarm，andfollowedthem。Edward，towhomsheowedeverything，whohadbeenleftstandinginthestreetlikeadogwithoutahome，wasutterlyforgotten。Owenpaidthelandlordandthelawyerforthetroublehehadoccasionedthem，lookedtothepacking，andwenttothedoor。
Afly，whichsomewhatunaccountablywasseenlingeringinfrontofthehouse，wascalledup，andCytherea'sluggageputuponit。
'Doyouknowofanyhotelnearthestationthatisopenfornightarrivals？'Oweninquiredofthedriver。
'Aplacehasbeenbespokeforyou，sir，attheWhiteUnicorn——andthegentlemanwishedmetogiveyouthis。'
'BespokenbySpringrove，whoorderedthefly，ofcourse，'saidOwentohimself。Bythelightofthestreet-lamphereadtheselines，hurriedlytracedinpencil：——
'Ihavegonehomebythemail-train。ItisbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldbeoutoftheway。TellCythereathatIapologizeforhavingcausedhersuchunnecessarypain，asitseemsIdid——butitcannotbehelpednow。E。S。'
Owenhandedhissisterintothevehicle，andtoldtheflymantodriveon。
'PoorSpringrove——Ithinkwehaveservedhimratherbadly，'hesaidtoCytherea，repeatingthewordsofthenotetoher。
Athrillofpleasurepassedthroughherbosomasshelistenedtothem。Theywerethegenuinereproachofalovertohismistress；
thetriflingcoldnessofheranswertohimwouldhavebeennoticedbynomanwhowasonlyafriend。But，inentertainingthatsweetthought，shehadforgottenherself，andherpositionfortheinstant。
WasshestillManston'swife——thatwastheterriblesupposition，andherfutureseemedstillapossiblemiserytoher。For，onaccountofthelatejarringaccident，alifewithManstonwhichwouldotherwisehavebeenonlyasadness，mustbecomeaburdenofunutterablesorrow。
Thenshethoughtofthemisrepresentationandscandalthatwouldensueifshewerenowife。Onecauseforthankfulnessaccompaniedthereflection；Edwardknewthetruth。
Theysoonreachedthequietoldinn，whichhadbeenselectedforthembytheforethoughtofthemanwholovedherwell。Heretheyinstalledthemselvesforthenight，arrangingtogotoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextday。
AtthishourEdwardSpringrovewasfastapproachinghisnativecountyonthewheelsofthenight-mail。
XIV。THEEVENTSOFFIVEWEEKS
1。FROMTHESIXTHTOTHETHIRTEENTHOFJANUARY
Manstonhadevidentlyresolvedtodonothinginahurry。
Thismuchwasplain，thathisearnestdesireandintentionwastoraiseinCytherea'sbosomnofeelingsofpermanentaversiontohim。
TheinstantafterthefirstburstofdisappointmenthadescapedhiminthehotelatSouthampton，hehadseenhowfarbetteritwouldbetoloseherpresenceforaweekthanherrespectforever。
'Sheshallbemine；Iwillclaimtheyoungthingyet，'heinsisted。
Andthenheseemedtoreasonovermethodsforcompassingthatobject，which，toallthosewhowereinanydegreeacquaintedwiththerecentevent，appearedtheleastlikelyofpossiblecontingencies。
HereturnedtoKnapwaterlatethenextday，andwaspreparingtocallonMissAldclyffe，whentheconclusionforceditselfuponhimthatnothingwouldbegainedbysuchastep。No；everyactionofhisshouldbedoneopenly——evenreligiously。Atleast，hecalledontherector，andstatedthistobehisresolve。
'Certainly，'saidMr。Raunham，'itisbesttoproceedcandidlyandfairly，orunduesuspicionmayfallonyou。Youshould，inmyopinion，takeactivestepsatonce。'
'Iwilldotheutmostthatliesinmypowertoclearupthemystery，andsilencethehubbubofgossipthathasbeensetgoingaboutme。
ButwhatcanIdo？Theysaythatthemanwhocomesfirstinthechainofinquiryisnottobefound——Imeantheporter。'
'Iamsorrytosaythatheisnot。WhenIreturnedfromthestationlastnight，afterseeingOwenGrayeoff，Iwentagaintothecottagewherehehasbeenlodging，togetmoreintelligence，asIthought。
Hewasnotthere。Hehadgoneoutatdusk，sayinghewouldbebacksoon。Buthehasnotcomebackyet。'
'Iratherdoubtifweshallseehimagain。'
'HadIknownofthis，IwouldhavedonewhatinmyflurryIdidnotthinkofdoing——setawatchuponhim。Butwhynotadvertiseforyourmissingwifeasapreliminary，consultingyoursolicitorinthemeantime？'
'Advertise。I'llthinkaboutit，'saidManston，lingeringonthewordashepronouncedit。'Yes，thatseemsarightthing——quitearightthing。'
Hewenthomeandremainedmoodilyindoorsallthenextdayandthenext——fornearlyaweek，inshort。Then，oneeveningatdusk，hewentoutwithanuncertainairastothedirectionofhiswalk，whichresulted，however，inleadinghimagaintotherectory。
HesawMr。Raunham。'Haveyoudoneanythingyet？'therectorinquired。
'No——Ihavenot，'saidManstonabsently。'ButIamgoingtosetaboutit。'Hehesitated，asifashamedofsomeweaknesshewasabouttobetray。'MyobjectincallingwastoaskifyouhadheardanytidingsfromBudmouthofmy——Cytherea。Youusedtospeakofherasoneyouwereinterestedin。'
Therewas，atanyrate，realsadnessinManston'stonenow，andtherectorpausedtoweighhiswordserehereplied。
'Ihavenothearddirectlyfromher，'hesaidgently。'Butherbrotherhascommunicatedwithsomepeopleintheparish——'
'TheSpringroves，Isuppose，'saidManstongloomily。
'Yes；andtheytellmethatsheisveryill，andIamsorrytosay，likelytobeforsomedays。'
'Surely，surely，Imustgoandseeher！'Manstoncried。
'Iwouldadviseyounottogo，'saidRaunham。'Butdothisinstead——
beasquickasyoucaninmakingamovementtowardsascertainingthetruthasregardstheexistenceofyourwife。Yousee，Mr。
Manston，anout-stepplacelikethisisnotlikeacity，andthereisnobodytobusyhimselfforthegoodofthecommunity；whilstpoorCythereaandherbrotheraresociallytoodependenttobeabletomakemuchstirinthematter，whichisagreaterreasonstillwhyyoushouldbedisinterestedlyprompt。'
Thestewardmurmuredanassent。Stilltherewasthesameindecision！——nottheindecisionofweakness——theindecisionofconsciousperplexity。
OnManston'sreturnfromthisinterviewattherectory，hepassedthedooroftheRisingSunInn。Findinghehadnolightforhiscigar，anditbeingthree-quartersofamiletohisresidenceinthepark，heenteredthetaverntogetone。NobodywasintheouterportionofthefrontroomwhereManstonstood，butaspaceroundthefirewasscreenedofffromtheremainder，andinsidethehighoaksettle，formingapartofthescreen，heheardvoicesconversing。
Thespeakershadnotnoticedhisfootsteps，andcontinuedtheirdiscourse。
Oneofthetwoherecognizedasawell-knownnight-poacher，themanwhohadmethimwithtidingsofhiswife'sdeathontheeveningoftheconflagration。Theotherseemedtobeastrangerfollowingthesamemodeoflife。Theconversationwascarriedonintheemphaticandconfidentialtoneofmenwhoareslightlyintoxicated，itssubjectbeinganunaccountableexperiencethatoneofthemhadhadonthenightofthefire。
Whatthestewardheardwasenough，andmorethanenough，toleadhimtoforgetortorenouncehismotiveinentering。Theeffectuponhimwasstrangeandstrong。Hisfirstobjectseemedtobetoescapefromthehouseagainwithoutbeingseenorheard。
Havingaccomplishedthis，hewentinattheparkgate，andstrodeoffunderthetreestotheOldHouse。Theresittingdownbythefire，andburyinghimselfinreflection，heallowedtheminutestopassbyunheeded。Firstthecandleburntdowninitssocketandstunk：hedidnotnoticeit。Thenthefirewentout：hedidnotseeit。Hisfeetgrewcold；stillhethoughton。
Itmayberemarkedthatalady，ayearandaquarterbeforethistime，had，underthesameconditions——anunrestrictedmentalabsorption——shownnearlythesamepeculiaritiesasthismanevincednow。TheladywasMissAldclyffe。
Itwashalf-pasttwelvewhenManstonmoved，asifhehadcometoadetermination。
ThefirstthinghedidthenextmorningwastocallatKnapwaterHouse；wherehefoundthatMissAldclyffewasnotwellenoughtoseehim。ShehadbeenailingfromslightinternalhaemorrhageeversincetheconfessionoftheporterChinney。Apparentlynotmuchaggrievedatthedenial，heshortlyafterwardswenttotherailway-
stationandtookhisdepartureforLondon，leavingaletterforMissAldclyffe，statingthereasonofhisjourneythither——torecovertracesofhismissingwife。
Duringtheremainderoftheweekparagraphsappearedinthelocalandothernewspapers，drawingattentiontothefactsofthissingularcase。Thewriters，withscarcelyanexception，dweltforciblyuponafeaturewhichhadatfirstescapedtheobservationofthevillagers，includingMr。Raunham——thatiftheannouncementofthemanChinneyweretrue，itseemedextremelyprobablethatMrs。
Manstonleftherwatchandkeysbehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape；andthatthereforeshewouldnotnowletherselfbediscovered，unlessastrongpressurewereputuponher。Thewritersaddedthatthepolicewereonthetrackoftheporter，whoverypossiblyhadabscondedinthefearthathisreticencewascriminal，andthatMr。Manston，thehusband，was，withpraiseworthyenergy，makingeveryefforttoclearthewholematterup。
2。FROMTHEEIGHTEENTHTOTHEENDOFJANUARY
Fivedaysfromthetimeofhisdeparture，ManstonreturnedfromLondonandLiverpool，lookingveryfatiguedandthoughtful。Heexplainedtotherectorandotherofhisacquaintancethatalltheinquirieshehadmadeathiswife'soldlodgingsandhisownhadbeentotallybarrenofresults。
Butheseemedinclinedtopushtheaffairtoaclearconclusionnowthathehadcommenced。Afterthelapseofanotherdayortwoheproceededtofulfilhispromisetotherector，andadvertisedforthemissingwomaninthreeoftheLondonpapers。Theadvertisementwasacarefullyconsideredandevenattractiveeffusion，calculatedtowintheheart，oratleasttheunderstanding，ofanywomanwhohadasparkofherownnatureleftinher。
Therewasnoanswer。
Threedayslaterherepeatedtheexperiment；withthesameresultasbefore。
'Icannottryanyfurther，'saidManstonspeciouslytotherector，hissoleauditorthroughouttheproceedings。'Mr。Raunham，I'lltellyouthetruthplainly：Idon'tloveher；IdoloveCytherea，andthewholeofthisbusinessofsearchingfortheotherwomangoesaltogetheragainstme。IhopetoGodIshallneverseeheragain。'
'Butyouwilldoyourdutyatleast？'saidMr。Raunham。
'Ihavedoneit，'saidManston。'Ifeveramanonthefaceofthisearthhasdonehisdutytowardsanabsentwife，Ihavetowardsher——
livingordead——atleast，'headded，correctinghimself，'sinceI
havelivedatKnapwater。Ineglectedherbeforethattime——Iownthat，asIhaveowneditbefore。'
'Ishould，ifIwereyou，adoptothermeanstogettidingsofherifadvertisingfails，inspiteofmyfeelings，'saidtherectoremphatically。'Butatanyrate，tryadvertisingoncemore。There'sasatisfactioninhavingmadeanyattemptthreeseveraltimes。'
WhenManstonhadleftthestudy，therectorstoodlookingatthefireforaconsiderablelengthoftime，lostinprofoundreflection。
Hewenttohisprivatediary，andaftermanypauses，whichhevariedonlybydippinghispen，lettingitdry，wipingitonhissleeve，andthendippingitagain，hetookthefollowingnoteofevents：——
'January25——Mr。Manstonhasjustseenmeforthethirdtimeonthesubjectofhislostwife。Therehavebeenthesepeculiaritiesattendingthethreeinterviews：——
'Thefirst。Myvisitor，whilstexpressingbywordshisgreatanxietytodoeverythingforherrecovery，showedplainlybyhisbearingthathewasconvincedheshouldneverseeheragain。
'Thesecond。Hehadleftofffeigninganxietytodorightlybyhisfirstwife，andhonestlyaskedafterCytherea'swelfare。
'Thethirdandmostremarkable。Heseemedtohavelostallconsistency。WhilstexpressinghisloveforCythereawhichcertainlyisstrongandevincingtheusualindifferencetothefirstMrs。Manston'sfate，hewasunabletoconcealtheintensityofhiseagernessformetoadvisehimtoADVERTISEAGAINforher。'
Aweekafterthesecond，thethirdadvertisementwasinserted。A
paragraphwasattached，whichstatedthatthiswouldbethelasttimetheannouncementwouldappear。
3。THEFIRSTOFFEBRUARY
Atthis，theeleventhhour，thepostmanbroughtaletterforManston，directedinawoman'shand。
Abachelorfriendofthesteward's，Mr。Dicksonbyname，whowassomewhatofachatterer——plenusrimarum——andwhoboastedofanendlessstringofacquaintances，hadcomeoverfromCasterbridgetheprecedingdaybyinvitation——aninvitationwhichhadbeenapleasantsurprisetoDicksonhimself，insomuchthatManston，asarule，votedhimaborealmosttohisface。Hehadstayedoverthenight，andwassittingatbreakfastwithhishostwhentheimportantmissivearrived。
Manstondidnotattempttoconcealthesubjectoftheletter，orthenameofthewriter。Firstglancingthepagesthrough，hereadaloudasfollows：——
'“MYHUSBAND，——Iimploreyourforgiveness。
'“DuringthelastthirteenmonthsIhaverepeatedtomyselfahundredtimesthatyoushouldneverdiscoverwhatIvoluntarilytellyounow，namely，thatIamaliveandinperfecthealth。
'“Ihaveseenallyouradvertisements。Nothingbutyourpersistencehaswonmeround。Surely，Ithought，heMUSTlovemestill。Whyelseshouldhetrytowinbackawomanwho，faithfuluntodeathasshewillbe，can，inasocialsense，aidhimtowardsacquiringnothing？——ratherthereverse，indeed。
'“Youyourselfstatemyownmind——thattheonlygroundsuponwhichwecanmeetandlivetogether，withareasonablehopeofhappiness，mustbeamutualconsenttoburyinoblivionallpastdifferences。
Iheartilyandwillinglyforgeteverything——andforgiveeverything。
Youwilldothesame，asyouractionsshow。
'“Therewillbeplentyofopportunityformetoexplainthefewfactsrelatingtomyescapeonthenightofthefire。Iwillonlygivetheheadsinthishurriednote。Iwasgrievedatyournotcomingtofetchme，moregrievedatyourabsencefromthestation，mostofallbyyourabsencefromhome。OnmyjourneytotheinnI
writhedunderapassionatesenseofwrongdoneme。WhenIhadbeenshowntomyroomIwaitedandhopedforyoutillthelandlordhadgoneupstairstobed。Istillfoundthatyoudidnotcome，andthenIfinallymadeupmymindtoleave。Ihadhalfundressed，butIputonmythingsagain，forgettingmywatchandIsupposedroppingmykeys，thoughIamnotsurewhereinmyhurry，andslippedoutofthehouse。The——“'
'Well，that'sarumstory，'saidMr。Dickson，interrupting。
'What'sarumstory？'saidManstonhastily，andflushingintheface。
'Forgettingherwatchanddroppingherkeysinherhurry。'
'Idon'tseeanythingparticularlywonderfulinit。Anywomanmightdosuchathing。'
'Anywomanmightifescapingfromfireorshipwreck，oranysuchimmediatedanger。Butitseemsincomprehensibletomethatanywomaninhersenses，whoquietlydecidestoleaveahouse，shouldbesoforgetful。'
'Allthatisrequiredtoreconcileyourseemingwithherfactsistoassumethatshewasnotinhersenses，forthat'swhatshedidplainly，orhowcouldthethingshavebeenfoundthere？Besides，she'struthfulenough。'Hespokeeagerlyandperemptorily。
'Yes，yes，Iknowthat。Imerelymeantthatitseemedratherodd。'
'Oyes。'Manstonreadon：——
'“——andslippedoutofthehouse。Therubbish-heapwasburningupbrightly，butthethoughtthatthehousewasindangerdidnotstrikeme；Ididnotconsiderthatitmightbethatched。
'“Iidledinthelanebehindthewoodtillthelastdown-trainhadcomein，notbeinginamoodtofacestrangers。WhilstIwastherethefirebrokeout，andthisperplexedmestillmore。However，I
wasstilldeterminednottostayintheplace。Iwenttotherailway-station，whichwasnowquiet，andinquiredofthesolitarymanondutythereconcerningthetrains。ItwasnottillIhadleftthemanthatIsawtheeffectthefiremighthaveonmyhistory。I
consideredalso，thoughnotinanydetailedmanner，thattheevent，byattractingtheattentionofthevillagetomyformerabode，mightsetpeopleonmytrackshouldtheydoubtmydeath，andasuddendreadofhavingtogobackagaintoKnapwater——aplacewhichhadseemedinimicaltomefromfirsttolast——promptedmetorunbackandbribetheportertosecrecy。IthenwalkedontoAnglebury，lingeringabouttheoutskirtsofthetowntillthemorningtraincamein，whenIproceededbyittoLondon，andthentooktheselodgings，whereIhavebeensupportingmyselfeversincebyneedlework，endeavouringtosaveenoughmoneytopaymypassagehometoAmerica，butmakingmelancholyprogressinmyattempt。However，allthatischanged——canIbeotherwisethanhappyatit？Ofcoursenot。Iamhappy。TellmewhatIamtodo，andbelievemestilltobeyourfaithfulwife，EUNICE。
'“Mynamehereisasbefore
'“MRS。RONDLEY，andmyaddress，79ADDINGTONSTREET，LAMBETH。'“
Thenameandaddresswerewrittenonaseparateslipofpaper。
'Soit'stobeallrightatlastthen，'saidManston'sfriend。'Butafterallthere'sanotherwomaninthecase。Youdon'tseemverysorryforthelittlethingwhoisputtosuchdistressbythisturnofaffairs？Iwonderyoucanlethergosocoolly。'Thespeakerwaslookingoutbetweenthemullionsofthewindow——noticingthatsomeofthelightswereglazedinlozenges，someinsquares——ashesaidthewords，otherwisehewouldhaveseenthepassionateexpressionofagonizedhopelessnessthatflittedacrossthesteward'scountenancewhentheremarkwasmade。Hedidnotseeit，andManstonansweredafterashortinterval。Thewayinwhichhespokeoftheyounggirlwhohadbelievedherselfhiswife，whom，afewshortdaysago，hehadopenlyidolized，andwhom，inhissecretheart，heidolizedstill，asfarassuchaformoflovewascompatiblewithhisnature，showedthatfrompolicyorotherwise，hemeanttoactuptotherequirementsofthepositionintowhichfateappeareddeterminedtodrivehim。
'That'sneitherherenorthere，'hesaid；'itisapointofhonourtodoasIamdoing，andthere'sanendofit。'
'Yes。OnlyIthoughtyouusednottocareovermuchaboutyourfirstbargain。'
'Icertainlydidnotatonetime。Oneisapttofeelratherwearyofwiveswhentheyaresodevilishcivilunderallaspects，assheusedtobe。Butanythingforachange——Abigailislost，butMichalisrecovered。Youwouldhardlybelieveit，butsheseemsinfancytobequiteanotherbride——infact，almostasifshehadreallyrisenfromthedead，insteadofhavingonlydonesovirtually。'
'Youlettheyoungpinkoneknowthattheotherhascomeoriscoming？'
'Cuibono？'Thestewardmeditatedcritically，showingaportionofhisintenselywideandregularteethwithintherubylips。
'Icannotsayanythingtoherthatwilldoanygood，'heresumed。
'Itwouldbeawkward——eitherseeingorcommunicatingwithheragain。
Thebestplantoadoptwillbetoletmatterstaketheircourse——
she'llfinditalloutsoonenough。'
Manstonfoundhimselfaloneafewminuteslater。Heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andmurmured，'Omylostone！OmyCytherea！Thatitshouldcometothisishardforme！'Tisnowalldarkness——“alandofdarknessasdarknessitself；andoftheshadowofdeathwithoutanyorder，andwherethelightisasdarkness。“'
Yes，theartificialbearingwhichthisextraordinarymanhadadoptedbeforestrangerseversincehehadoverheardtheconversationattheinn，lefthimnow，andhemournedforCythereaaloud。
4。THETWELFTHOFFEBRUARY
KnapwaterParkisthepicture——ateleveno'clockonamuddy，quiet，hazy，butbrightmorning——amorningwithoutanybluesky，andwithoutanyshadows，theearthbeingenlivenedandlitupratherbythespiritofaninvisiblesunthanbyitsbodilypresence。
ThelocalHunthadmetfortheday'ssportontheopenspaceofgroundimmediatelyinfrontofthesteward'sresidence——calledinthelistofappointments，'OldHouse，Knapwater'——themeetbeinghereonceeveryseason，forthepleasureofMissAldclyffeandherfriends。
Leaningoutfromoneofthefirst-floorwindows，andsurveyingwiththekeenestinterestthelivelypictureofpinkandblackcoats，rich-colouredhorses，andsparklingbitsandspurs，wasthereturnedandlong-lostwoman，Mrs。Manston。
Theeyesofthoseformingthebrilliantgroupwereoccasionallyturnedtowardsher，showingplainlythatheradventureswerethesubjectofconversationequallywithormorethanthechancesofthecomingday。Shedidnotflushbeneaththeirscrutiny；onthecontrary，sheseemedrathertoenjoyit，hereyesbeingkindledwithalightofcontentedexultation，subduedtosquarewiththecircumstancesofhermatronlyposition。
Shewas，atthedistancefromwhichtheysurveyedher，anattractivewoman——comelyasthetentsofKedar。ButtoacloseobserveritwaspalpableenoughthatGoddidnotdoallthepicture。AppearingatleastsevenyearsolderthanCytherea，shewasprobablyherseniorbydoublethenumber，theartificialmeansemployedtoheightenthenaturalgoodappearanceofherfacebeingverycleverlyapplied。
Herformwasfullandround，itsvoluptuousmaturitystandingoutinstrongcontrasttothememoryofCytherea'slissomgirlishness。
Itseemstobeanalmostuniversalrulethatawomanwhooncehascourted，orwhoeventuallywillcourt，thesocietyofmenontermsdangeroustoherhonourcannotrefrainfromflingingthemeaningglancewheneverthemomentarrivesinwhichtheglanceisstronglyaskedfor，evenifherlifeandwholefuturedependeduponthatmoment'sabstinence。
Hadacautious，uxorioushusbandseeninhiswife'scountenancewhatmightnowhavebeenseeninthisdark-eyedwoman'sasshecaughtastrayglanceofflirtationfromoneorotherofthered-coatedgallantsoutside，hewouldhavepassedmanydaysinanagonyofrestlessjealousyanddoubt。ButManstonwasnotsuchahusband，andhewas，moreover，calmlyattendingtohisbusinessattheotherendofthemanor。
Thestewardhadfetchedhomehiswifeinthemostmatter-of-factwayafewdaysearlier，walkingroundthevillagewithhertheverynextmorning——atonceputtinganend，bythissimplesolution，toalltheriddlinginquiriesandsurmisesthatwererankinthevillageanditsneighbourhood。SomemensaidthatthiswomanwasasfarinferiortoCythereaasearthtoheaven；others，olderandsager，thoughtManstonbetteroffwithsuchawifethanhewouldhavebeenwithoneofCytherea'syouthfulimpulses，andinexperienceinhouseholdmanagement。Allfelttheircuriositydyingoutofthem。
ItwasthesameinCarrifordasinotherpartsoftheworld——
immediatelycircumstantialevidencebecameexchangedfordirect，theloungersincourtyawned，gaveafinalsurvey，andturnedawaytoasubjectwhichwouldaffordmorescopeforspeculation。
XV。THEEVENTSOFTHREEWEEKS
1。FROMTHETWELFTHOFFEBRUARYTOTHESECONDOFMARCH
OwenGraye'srecoveryfromtheillnessthathadincapacitatedhimforsolongatimewas，professionally，thedawnofabrighterprospectforhimineverydirection，thoughthechangewasatfirstverygradual，andhismovementsandeffortswerelittlemorethanmechanical。Withthelengtheningofthedays，andtherevivalofbuildingoperationsfortheforthcomingseason，hesawhimself，forthefirsttime，onaroadwhich，pursuedwithcare，wouldprobablyleadtoacomfortableincomeatsomefutureday。Buthewasstillverylowdownthehillasyet。
ThefirstundertakingentrustedtohiminthenewyearbeganaboutamonthafterhisreturnfromSouthampton。Mr。Gradfieldhadcomebacktohiminthewakeofhisrestoredhealth，andofferedhimthesuperintendence，asclerkofworks，ofachurchwhichwastobenearlyrebuiltatthevillageofTolchurch，fifteenorsixteenmilesfromBudmouth，andabouthalfthatdistancefromCarriford。
'Iamnowbeingpaidattherateofahundredandfiftypoundsayear，'hesaidtohissisterinaburstofthankfulness，'andyoushallnever，Cytherea，beatanytyrannouslady'sbeckandcallagainaslongasIlive。Neverpineorthinkaboutwhathashappened，dear；it'snodisgracetoyou。Cheerup；you'llbesomebody'shappywifeyet。'
HedidnotsayEdwardSpringrove's，for，greatlytohisdisappointment，areporthadreachedhisearsthatthefriendtowhomCythereaowedsomuchhadbeenabouttopackuphisthingsandsailforAustralia。However，thiswasbeforetheuncertaintyconcerningMrs。Manston'sexistencehadbeendispersedbyherreturn，aphenomenonthatalteredthecloudyrelationshipinwhichCythereahadlatelybeenstandingtowardsheroldlover，tooneofdistinctness；whichresultwouldhavebeendelightfulbutforcircumstancesabouttobementioned。
Cythereawasstillpalefromherrecentillness，andstillgreatlydejected。UntilthenewsofMrs。Manston'sreturnhadreachedthem，shehadkeptherselfcloselyshutupduringtheday-time，neverventuringforthexceptatnight。Sleepingandwakingshehadbeeninperpetualdreadlestsheshouldstillbeclaimedbyamanwhom，onlyafewweeksearlier，shehadregardedinthelightofafuturehusbandwithquietassent，notunmixedwithcheerfulness。
Buttheremovaloftheuneasinessinthisdirection——byMrs。
Manston'sarrival，andherownconsequentfreedom——hadbeentheimpositionofpaininanother。UtterlyfictitiousdetailsofthefindingofCythereaandManstonhadbeeninventedandcirculated，unavoidablyreachingherearsinthecourseoftime。Thusthefreedombroughtnohappiness，anditseemedwell-nighimpossiblethatshecouldeveragainshowherselfthesparklingcreaturesheoncehadbeen——
'Apttoenticeadeity。'
Onthisaccount，andforthefirsttimeinhislife，Owenmadeapointofconcealingfromhertherealstateofhisfeelingswithregardtotheunhappytransaction。Hewrithedinsecretunderthehumiliationtowhichtheyhadbeensubjected，tilltheresentmentitgaveriseto，andforwhichtherewasnovent，wassometimesbeyondendurance；itinducedamoodthatdidseriousdamagetothematerialandploddingperseverancenecessaryifhewouldsecurepermanentlythecomfortsofahomeforthem。
TheygaveuptheirlodgingsatBudmouth，andwenttoTolchurchassoonastheworkcommenced。
Heretheyweredomiciledinonehalfofanoldfarmhouse，standingnotfarfromtheivy-coveredchurchtowerwhichwasallthatwastoremainoftheoriginalstructure。Thelongsteeproofofthispicturesquedwellingslopednearlydowntotheground，theoldtilesthatcovereditbeingovergrownwithricholive-huedmoss。Newredtilesintwosandthreeshadbeenusedforpatchingtheholeswroughtbydecay，lightingupthewholeharmonioussurfacewithdotsofbrilliantscarlet。
Thechiefinternalfeaturesofthissnugabodewereawidefireplace，enormouscupboards，abrownsettle，andseveralsketchesonthewoodmantel，doneinoutlinewiththepointofahotpoker——
thesubjectsmainlyconsistingofoldmenwalkingpainfullyerect，withacurly-taileddogbehind。
AfteraweekortwoofresidenceinTolchurch，andramblesamidthequaintscenerycircumscribingit，atranquillitybegantospreaditselfthroughthemindofthemaiden，whichGrayehopedwouldbeaprefacetohercompleterestoration。Shefeltreadyandwillingtolivethewholeremainderofherdaysintheretirementoftheirpresentquarters：shebegantosingaboutthehouseinlowtremuloussnatches——
'“——Isaid，ifthere'speacetobefoundintheworld，Aheartthatishumblemayhopeforithere。“'
2。THETHIRDOFMARCH
Herconvalescencehadarrivedatthispointonacertaineveningtowardstheendofthewinter，whenOwenhadcomeinfromthebuildinghardby，andwaschanginghismuddybootsforslippers，previouslytosittingdowntotoastandtea。
Aprolongedthoughquietknockingcametothedoor。
Theonlypersonwhoeverknockedattheirdoorinthatwaywasthenewvicar，theprimemoverinthechurch-building。ButhewasthateveningdiningwiththeSquire。
Cythereawasuneasyatthesound——shedidnotknowwhy，unlessitwasbecausehernerveswereweakenedbythesicknessshehadundergone。Insteadofopeningthedoorsheranoutoftheroom，andupstairs。
'Whatnonsense，Cytherea！'saidherbrother，goingtothedoor。
EdwardSpringrovestoodinthegreylightoutside。
'Capital——notgonetoAustralia，andnotgoing，ofcourse！'criedOwen。'What'stheuseofgoingtosuchaplaceasthat？——Ineverbelievedthatyouwould。'
'IamgoingbacktoLondonagainto-morrow，'saidSpringrove，'andI
calledtosayawordbeforegoing。Whereis……？'
'Shehasjustrunupstairs。Comein——nevermindscrapingyourshoes——weareregularcottagersnow；stonefloor，yawningchimney-
corner，andall，yousee。'
'Mrs。Manstoncame，'saidEdwardawkwardly，whenhehadsatdowninthechimney-cornerbypreference。
'Yes。'AtmentionofoneofhisskeletonsOwenlosthisblithenessatonce，andfellintoareverie。
'Thehistoryofherescapeisverysimple。'
'Very。'
'YouknowIalwayshadwondered，whenmyfatherwastellinganyofthecircumstancesofthefiretome，howitcouldbethatawomancouldsleepsosoundlyastobeunawareofherhorridpositiontillitwastoolateeventogiveshoutorsoundofanykind。'
'Well，Ithinkthatwouldhavebeenpossible，consideringherlongwearisomejourney。Peoplehaveoftenbeensuffocatedintheirbedsbeforetheyawoke。Butitwashardlylikelyabodywouldbecompletelyburnttoashesasthiswasassumedtobe，thoughnobodyseemedtoseeitatthetime。Andhowpositivethesurgeonwastoo，aboutthosebitsofbone！Whyheshouldhavebeenso，nobodycantell。Icannothelpsayingthatifithaseverbeenpossibletofindpurestupidityincarnate，itwasinthatjuryofCarriford。
Thereexistedinthemassthestupidityoftwelveandnotthepenetrationofone。'
'Isshequitewell？'saidSpringrove。
'Who？——O，mysister，Cytherea。Thankyou，nearlywell，now。I'llcallher。'
'Waitoneminute。Ihaveawordtosaytoyou。'
Owensatdownagain。
'Youknow，withoutmysayingit，thatIloveCythereaasdearlyasever……Ithinkshelovesmetoo，——doesshereally？'
TherewasinOwenenoughofthatworldlypolicyonthesubjectofmatchmakingwhichnaturallyresidesinthebreastsofparentsandguardians，togivehimacertaincautioninreplying，and，youngerashewasbyfiveyearsthanEdward，ithadanoddeffect。
'Well，shemaypossiblyloveyoustill，'hesaid，asifratherindoubtastothetruthofhiswords。
Springrove'scountenanceinstantlysaddened；hehadexpectedasimple'Yes，'attheveryleast。Hecontinuedinatoneofgreaterdepression——
'Supposingshedoesloveme，woulditbefairtoyouandtoherifI
madeheranofferofmarriage，withthesedrearyconditionsattached——thatwelivedforafewyearsonthenarrowestsystem，tillagreatdebt，whichallhonouranddutyrequiremetopayoff，shallbepaid？Myfather，byreasonofthemisfortunethatbefellhim，isunderagreatobligationtoMissAldclyffe。Heisgettingold，andlosinghisenergies。Iamattemptingtoworkfreeoftheburden。Thismakesmyprospectsgloomyenoughatpresent。
'Butconsideragain，'hewenton。'Cythereahasbeenleftinanamelessandunsatisfactory，thoughinnocentstate，bythisunfortunate，andnowvoid，marriagewithManston。Amarriagewithme，thoughunderthe——materially——untowardconditionsIhavementioned，wouldmakeushappy；itwouldgiveheralocusstandi。
IfshewishedtobeoutofthesoundofhermisfortuneswewouldgotoanotherpartofEngland——emigrate——doanything。'
'I'llcallCytherea，'saidOwen。'Itisamatterwhichshealonecansettle。'Hedidnotspeakwarmly。HispridecouldnotendurethepitywhichEdward'svisitanderrandtacitlyimplied。Yet，intheotheraffair，hisheartwentwithEdward；hewasonthesamebeatforpayingoffolddebtshimself。
'Cythie，Mr。Springroveishere，'hesaid，atthefootofthestaircase。
Hissisterdescendedthecreakingoldstepswithafalteringtread，andstoodinthefirelightfromthehearth。SheextendedherhandtoSpringrove，welcominghimbyameremotionofthelip，hereyesaverted——ahabitwhichhadengendereditselfinhersincethebeginningofherillnessanddefamation。Owenopenedthedoorandwentout——leavingtheloversalone。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethememorablenightatSouthampton。
'Iwillgetalight，'shesaid，withalittleembarrassment。
'No——don't，please，Cytherea，'saidEdwardsoftly，'Comeandsitdownwithme。'
'Oyes。IoughttohaveaskedYOUto，'shereturnedtimidly。
'Everybodysitsinthechimney-cornerinthisparish。Yousitonthatside。I'llsithere。'
Tworecesses——oneontheright，oneonthelefthand——werecutintheinsideofthefireplace，andheretheysatdownfacingeachother，onbenchesfittedtotherecesses，thefireglowingonthehearthbetweentheirfeet。Itsruddylightshoneontheunderslopesoftheirfaces，andspreadoutovertheflooroftheroomwiththelowhorizontalityofthesettingsun，givingtoeverygrainofsandandtumourinthepavingalongshadowtowardsthedoor。
Edwardlookedathispalelovethroughthethinazuretwinesofsmokethatwentuplikeringletsbetweenthem，andinvestedher，asseenthroughitsmedium，withtheshadowyappearanceofaphantom。
Nothingissopotentforcoaxingbackthelosteyesofawomanasadiscreetsilenceinthemanwhohassolostthem——andthusthepatientEdwardcoaxedhers。Afterlingeringonthehearthforhalfaminute，waitinginvainforanotherwordfromhim，theywereliftedintohisface。
Hewasreadyprimedtoreceivethem。'Cytherea，willyoumarryme？'
hesaid。
Hecouldnotwaitinhisoriginalpositiontilltheanswercame。
Steppingacrossthefrontofthefiretoherownsideofthechimneycorner，hereclinedatherfeet，andsearchedforherhand。Shecontinuedinsilenceawhile。
'Edward，Icanneverbeanybody'swife，'shethensaidsadly，andwithfirmness。
'Thinkofitineverylight，'hepleaded；'thelightoflove，first。
Then，whenyouhavedonethat，seehowwiseastepitwouldbe。I
canonlyofferyoupovertyasyet，butIwant——Idosolongtosecureyoufromtheintrusionofthatunpleasantpast，whichwilloftenandalwaysbethrustbeforeyouaslongasyoulivetheshrinkingsolitarylifeyoudonow——alifewhichpuritychooses，itmaybe；buttotheoutsideworlditappearsliketheenforcedlonelinessofneglectandscorn——andtonguesarebusyinventingareasonforitwhichdoesnotexist。'
'Iknowallaboutit，'shesaidhastily；'andthosearethegroundsofmyrefusal。YouandOwenknowthewholetruth——thetwoIlovebestonearth——andIamcontent。Butthescandalwillbecontinuallyrepeated，andIcannevergiveanyonetheopportunityofsayingtoyou——that——yourwife……'Sheutterlybrokedownandwept。
'Don't，myowndarling！'heentreated。'Don't，Cytherea！'
'Pleasetoleaveme——wewillbefriends，Edward——butdon'tpressme——
mymindismadeup——Icannot——Iwillnotmarryyouoranymanunderthepresentambiguouscircumstances——neverwillI——Ihavesaidit：
never！'
Theywerebothsilent。Helistlesslyregardedtheilluminatedblacknessoverhead，wherelongflakesofsootfloatedfromthesidesandbarsofthechimney-throatliketatteredbannersinancientaisles；whilstthroughthesquareopeninginthemidstoneortwobrightstarslookeddownuponthemfromthegreyMarchsky。Thesightseemedtocheerhim。
'Atanyrateyouwillloveme？'hemurmuredtoher。
'Yes——always——foreverandforever！'