AMISTWRAITH
　　Theautumnafternoonwasfadingintoevening。Ithadbeencloudyweather，butthecloudshadsoftenedandbrokenup。Nowtheywerelostinslowlydarkeningblue。Theseawasperfectlyandutterlystill。Itseemedtosleep，butinitssleepitstillwaxedwiththerisingtide。
　　Theeyecouldnotmarkitsslowincrease，butBeatrice，standinguponthefarthestpointoftheDogRocks，idlynotedthatthelongbrownweedswhichclungabouttheirsidesbegantoliftasthewatertooktheirweight，tillatlastthedelicatepatternfloatedoutandlaylikeawoman’shairuponthegreendepthofsea。Meanwhileamistwasgrowingdenseandsoftuponthequietwaters。Itwasnotblownupfromthewest，itsimplygrewlikethetwilight，makingthesilenceyetmoresilentandblottingawaytheoutlinesoftheland。Beatricegaveupstudyingtheseaweedandwatchedthegatheringofthesefleecyhosts。
　　“Whatacuriousevening。”shesaidaloudtoherself，speakinginalowfullvoice。“Ihavenotseenonelikeitsincemotherdied，andthatissevenyearsago。I’vegrownsincethen，growneveryway。”andshelaughedsomewhatsadly，andlookedatherownreflectioninthequietwater。
　　Shecouldnothavelookedatanythingmorecharming，foritwouldhavebeenhardtofindagirlofnoblermienthanBeatriceGrangerasonthishertwenty-secondbirthday，shestoodandgazedintothatmistysea。
　　Ofrathermorethanmiddleheight，andmodelledlikeastatue，strengthandhealthseemedtoradiatefromherform。Butitwasherfacewiththestampofintellectandpowershadowingitswoman’slovelinessthatmusthavemadeherremarkableamongwomenevenmorebeautifulthanherself。Therearemanygirlswhohaverichbrownhair，likesomeautumnleafhereandtherejustyellowingintogold，girlswhosedeepgreyeyescangrowtenderasadove’s，orflashlikethestirredwatersofanorthernsea，andwhosebloomcanbearcomparisonwiththewildingrose。ButfewcanshowafacelikethatwhichuponthisdayfirstdawnedonGeoffreyBinghamtohissorrowandhishope。
　　Itwasstrongandpureandsweetasthekeenseabreath，andlookingonitonemustknowthatbeneaththisfaircloaklayawitasfair。
　　Andyetitwasallwomanly;herewasnotthehardsexlessstampofthe“cultured“female。Shewhoowneditwascapableofmanythings。Shecouldloveandshecouldsuffer，andifneedbe，shecoulddareordie。Itwastobereaduponthatlovelybrowandface，andinthedepthsofthosegreyeyes——thatis，bythosetowhomthebookofcharacterisopen，andwhowishtostudyit。
　　ButBeatricewasnotthinkingofherlovelinessasshegazedintothewater。Sheknewthatshewasbeautifulofcourse;herbeautywastooobvioustobeoverlooked，andbesidesithadbeenbroughthometoherinseveralmoreorlessdisagreeableways。
　　“Sevenyears。”shewasthinking，“sincethenightofthe’deathfog;’
　　thatwaswhatoldEdwardcalledit，andsoitwas。Iwasonlysohighthen。”andfollowingherthoughtsshetouchedherselfuponthebreast。
　　“AndIwashappytooinmyownway。Whycan’tonealwaysbefifteen，andbelieveeverythingoneistold？”andshesighed。“Sevenyearsandnothingdoneyet。Work，work，andnothingcomingoutofthework，andeverythingfadingaway。Ithinkthatlifeisverydrearywhenonehaslosteverything，andfoundnothing，andlovesnobody。Iwonderwhatitwillbelikeinanothersevenyears。”
　　Shecoveredhereyeswithherhands，andthentakingthemaway，oncemorelookedatthewater。Suchlightasstruggledthroughthefogwasbehindher，andthemistwasthickening。Atfirstshehadsomedifficultyintracingherownlikenessupontheglassysurface，butgraduallyshemarkeditsoutline。Itstretchedawayfromher，anditsappearancewasasthoughsheherselfwerelyingonherbackinthewaterwrappedaboutwiththefleecymist。“Howcuriousitseems。”shethought;“whatisitthatreflectionremindsmeofwiththewhiteallroundit？”
　　Nextinstantshegavealittlecryandturnedsharplyaway。Sheknewnow。Itrecalledhermotherasshehadlastseenhersevenyearsago。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ATTHEBELLROCK
　　AmileormoreawayfromwhereBeatricestoodandsawvisions，andfurtherupthecoast-line，asecondgroupofrocks，knownfromtheircolourastheRedRocks，orsometimes，foranotherreason，astheBellRocks，jutsoutbetweenhalfandthree-quartersofamileintothewatersoftheWelshBaythatliesbehindRumballPoint。Atlowtidetheserocksarebare，sothatamanmaywalkorwadetotheirextremity，butwhenthefloodisfullonlyoneortwooftheverylargestcanfromtimetotimebeseenprojectingtheirweed-wreathedheadsthroughthewashoftheshore-boundwaves。Incertainsetsofthewindandtidethisisaterribleandmostdangerousspotinroughweather，asmorethanonevesselhavelearnttotheircost。Solongagoas1780athree-deckerman-of-warwentashorethereinafuriouswintergale，and，withoneexception，everylivingsoulonboardofher，tothenumberofsevenhundred，wasdrowned。Theoneexceptionwasamaninirons，whocamesafelyandserenelyashoreseateduponapieceofwreckage。Nobodyeverknewhowtheshipwreckhappened，leastofallthesurvivorinirons，butthetraditionoftheterrorofthesceneyetlivesinthedistrict，andthespotwherethebonesofthedrownedmenstillpeepgrimlythroughthesandisnotunnaturallysupposedtobehaunted。Eversincethiscatastrophealargebellitwasoriginallythebelloftheill-fatedvesselitself，andstillbearshername，“H。M。S。Thunder。”stampeduponitsmetalhasbeenfixeduponthehighestrock，andintimesofstormandathightidesendsitssolemnnoteofwarningboomingacrossthedeep。
　　Butthebellwasquietnow，andjustbeneathit，intheshadowoftherockwhereonitwasplaced，amanhalfhiddeninseaweed，withwhichheappearedtohavepurposelycoveredhimself，wasseateduponapieceofwreck。Inappearancehewasaveryfineman，big-shoulderedandbroadlimbed，andhisagemighthavebeenthirty-fiveoralittlemore。Ofhisframe，however，whatbetweenthemistandtheunpleasantlydampseaweedwithwhichhewaswreathed，notmuchwastobeseen。Butsuchlightastherewasfelluponhisfaceashepeeredeagerlyoverandroundtherock，andglinteddownthebarrelsofthedoubleten-boregunwhichheheldacrosshisknee。Itwasastrikingcountenance，withitsbrownisheyes，darkpeakedbeardandstrongfeatures，verypowerfulandveryable。Andyettherewasacertainsoftnessintheface，whichhoveredroundtheregionofthemouthlikelightattheedgeofadarkcloud，hintingatgentlesunshine。Butlittleofthiswasvisiblenow。GeoffreyBingham，barrister-at-lawoftheInnerTemple，M。A。，wasengagedwithaveryseriousoccupation。Hewastryingtoshootcurlewastheypassedoverhishiding-placeontheirwaytothemudbankswheretheyfeedfurtheralongthecoast。
　　Nowifthereisathingintheworldwhichcallsfortheexerciseofman’severyfacultyitiscurlewshootinginamist。Perhapshemaywaitforanhouroreventwohoursandseenothing，notevenanoyster-catcher。Thenatlastfrommilesawaycomesthefaintwildcallofcurlewonthewing。Hestrainshiseyes，thecallcomesnearer，butnothingcanhesee。Atlast，seventyyardsormoretotheright，hecatchessightoftheflickerofbeatingwings，and，likeaflash，theyaregone。Againacall——thecurlewareflighting。Helooksandlooks，inhisexcitementstrugglingtohisfeetandraisinghisheadincautiouslyfarabovetheshelteringrock。Theretheycome，agreatflockofthirtyormore，bearingstraightdownonhim，ahundredyardsoff——eighty——sixty——now。Upgoesthegun，butalasandalas！theycatchaglimpseofthelightglintingonthebarrels，andperhapsoftheheadbehindthem，andinanothersecondtheyhavebrokenandscatteredthiswayandthatway，twistingofflikeawispofgiganticsnipe，tovanishwithmelancholycriesintothedepthofmist。
　　Thisisbad，buttheardentsportsmansitsdownwithagroanandwaits，listeningtothesoftlapofthetide。Andthenatlastvirtueisrewarded。Firstofalltwowildduckcomeover，cleavingtheairlikearrows。Themallardismissed，buttheleftbarrelreachestheduck，anddownitcomeswithafullandsatisfyingthud。Hardlyhavethecartridgesbeenreplacedwhenthewildcryofthecurlewisoncemoreheard——quiteclosethistime。Theretheyare，loominglargeagainstthefog。Bang！downgoesthefirstandliesflappingamongtherocks。Likeaflashthesecondisawaytotheleft。Bang！afterhim，andcaughthimtoo！Harktothesplashashefallsintothedeepwaterfiftyyardsaway。Andthenthemistclosesinsodenselythatshootingisdonewithfortheday。Well，thatrightandlefthasbeenworththreehours’waitinthewetseaweedandtheviolentcoldthatmayfollow——thatis，toanymanwhohasasoulfortruesport。
　　JustsuchanexperienceasthishadbefallenGeoffreyBingham。Hehadbaggedhiswildduckandhisbraceofcurlew——thatis，hehadbaggedoneofthem，fortheotherwasfloatinginthesea——whenasuddenincreaseinthedensityofthemistputastoptofurtheroperations。
　　Heshookthewetseaweedoffhisroughclothes，and，havinglitashortbriarpipe，settoworktohuntfortheduckandthefirstcurfew。Hefoundthemeasilyenough，andthen，walkingtotheedgeoftherocks，upthesidesofwhichthetidewasgraduallycreeping，peeredintothemisttoseeifhecouldfindtheother。Presentlythefogliftedalittle，andhediscoveredthebirdfloatingontheoilywateraboutfiftyyardsaway。Alittletothelefttherocksranoutinapeak，andheknewfromexperiencethatthetidesettingtowardstheshorewouldcarrythecurlewpastthispeak。Sohewenttoitsextremity，satdownuponabigstoneandwaited。Allthiswhilethetidewasrisingfast，though，intentashewasuponbringingthecurlewtobag，hedidnotpaymuchheedtoit，forgettingthatitwascuttinghimofffromtheland。Atlast，aftermorethanhalf-an-hourofwaiting，hecaughtsightofthecurlewagain，but，asbadluckwouldhaveit，itwasstilltwentyyardsormorefromhimandindeepwater。Hewasdetermined，however，togetthebirdifhecould，forGeoffreyhatedleavinghisgame，sohepulleduphistrousersandsettoworktowadetowardsit。Forthefirstfewstepsallwentwell，butthefourthorfifthlandedhiminaholethatwethisrightlegnearlyuptothethighandgavehisankleaseveretwist。Reflectingthatitwouldbeveryawkwardifhesprainedhisankleinsuchalonelyplace，hebeataretreat，andbethoughthim，unlessthecurlewwastobecomefoodforthedog-fish，thathehadbetterstripbodilyandswimforit。This——forGeoffreywasamanofdeterminedmind——hedecidedtodo，andhadalreadytakenoffhiscoatandwaistcoattothatend，whensuddenlysomesortofaboat——hejudgedittobeacanoefromtheslightnessofitsshape——loomedupinthemistbeforehim。Anideastruckhim:thecanoeoritsoccupant，ifanybodycouldbeinsaneenoughtocomeoutcanoeinginsuchwater，mightfetchthecurlewandsavehimaswim。
　　“Hi！“heshoutedinstentoriantones。“Hullothere！“
　　“Yes。”answeredawoman’sgentlevoiceacrossthewaters。
　　“Oh。”hereplied，strugglingtogetintohiswaistcoatagain，forthevoicetoldhimthathewasdealingwithsomebefoggedlady，“I’msureIbegyourpardon，butwouldyoudomeafavour？Thereisadeadcurlewfloatingabout，nottenyardsfromyourboat。Ifyouwouldn’tmind——“
　　Awhitehandwasputforward，andthecanoeglidedontowardsthebird。Presentlythehandplungeddownwardsintothemistywatersandthecurlewwasbagged。Then，whileGeoffreywasstillstrugglingwithhiswaistcoat，thecanoespedtowardshimlikeadreamboat，andinanothermomentitwasbeneathhisrock，andasweetdimfacewaslookingupintohisown。
　　Nowletusgobackalittlealas！thattheprivilegeshouldbepeculiartotherecorderofthingsdone，andseehowitcameaboutthatBeatriceGrangerwaspresenttoretrieveGeoffreyBingham’sdeadcurlew。
　　Immediatelyaftertheunpleasantidearecordedinthelast，or，tobemoreaccurate，inthefirstchapterofthiscomedy，hadimpresseditselfuponBeatrice’smind，shecametotheconclusionthatshehadseenenoughoftheDogRocksforoneafternoon。Thereon，likeasensibleperson，shesetherselftoquittheminthesamewaythatshehadreachedthem，namelybymeansofacanoe。Shegotintohercanoesafelyenough，andpaddledalittlewayouttosea，withaviewofreturningtotheplacewhenceshecame。Butthefurthershewentout，anditwasnecessarythatsheshouldgosomewayonaccountoftherocksandthecurrents，thedensergrewthefog。Soundscamethroughitindeed，butshecouldnotclearlydistinguishwhencetheycame，tillatlast，wellassheknewthecoast，shegrewconfusedastowhithershewasheading。Inthisdilemma，whilesherestedonherpaddlestaringintothedensesurroundingmistandkeepinghergreyeyesaswideopenasnaturewouldallow，andthatwasverywide，sheheardthereportofagunbehindhertotheright。Arguingtoherselfthatsomewild-fowleronthewatermusthavefireditwhowouldbeabletodirecther，sheturnedthecanoeroundandpaddledswiftlyinthedirectionwhencethesoundcame。Presentlysheheardthegunagain;bothbarrelswerefired，intheretotheright，butsomewayoff。Shepaddledonvigorously，butnownomoreshotscametoguideher，thereforeforawhilehersearchwasfruitless。Atlast，however，shesawsomethingloomingthroughthemistahead;itwastheRedRocks，thoughshedidnotknowit，andshedrewnearwithcautiontillGeoffrey’sshoutbrokeuponherears。
　　Shepickedupthedeadbirdandpaddledtowardsthedimfigurewhowasevidentlywrestlingwithsomething，shecouldnotseewhat。
　　“Hereisthecurlew，sir。”shesaid。
　　“Oh，thankyou。”answeredthefigureontherock。“Iaminfinitelyobligedtoyou。Iwasjustgoingtoswimforit，Ican’tbearlosingmygame。Itseemssocrueltoshootbirdsfornothing。”
　　“Idaresaythatyouwillnotmakemuchuseofitnowthatyouhavegotit。”saidthegentlevoiceinthecanoe。“Curlewarenotverygoodeating。”
　　“Thatisscarcelythepoint。”repliedtheCrusoeontherock。“Thepointistobringthemhome。/Aprèscela——/“
　　“Thebirdstuffer？”saidthevoice。
　　“No。”answeredCrusoe，“thecook——“
　　Alaughcamebackfromthecanoe——andthenaquestion。
　　“Pray，Mr。Bingham，canyoutellmewhereIam？Ihavequitelostmyreckoninginthemist。”
　　Hestarted。Howdidthismysteriousyoungladyinaboatknowhisname？
　　“YouareattheRedRocks;thereisthebell，thatgreything，Miss——
　　Miss——“
　　“BeatriceGranger。”sheputinhastily。“MyfatheristheclergymanofBryngelly。IsawyouwhenyouandLadyHonoriaBinghamlookedintotheschoolyesterday。Iteachintheschool。”Shedidnottellhim，however，thathisfacehadinterestedhersomuchthatshehadaskedhisname。
　　Againhestarted。Hehadheardofthisyounglady。SomebodyhadtoldhimthatshewastheprettiestgirlinWales，andthecleverest，butthatherfatherwasnotagentleman。
　　“Oh。”hesaid，takingoffhishatinthedirectionofthecanoe。
　　“Isn’titalittlerisky，MissGranger，foryoutobecanoeingaloneinthismist？”
　　“Yes。”sheansweredfrankly，“butIamusedtoit;Igooutcanoeinginallpossibleweathers。Itismyamusement，andafteralltheriskdoesnotmattermuch。”sheadded，moretoherselfthantohim。
　　Whilehewaswonderingwhatshemeantbythatdarksaying，shewentonquickly:
　　“Doyouknow，Mr。Bingham，IthinkthatyouareinmoredangerthanI
　　am。Itmustbegettingnearseveno’clock，andthetideishighataquartertoeight。UnlessIammistakenthereisbynownearlyhalfamileofdeepwaterbetweenyouandtheshore。”
　　“Myword！“hesaid。“Iforgotallaboutthetide。Whatbetweentheshootingandlookingforthatcurlew，andthemist，itneveroccurredtomethatitwasgettinglate。IsupposeImustswimforit，thatisall。”
　　“No，no。”sheansweredearnestly，“itisverydangerousswimminghere;
　　theplaceisfullofsharprocks，andthereisatremendouscurrent。”
　　“Well，then，whatistobedone？Willyourcanoecarrytwo？Ifso，perhapsyouwouldkindlyputmeashore？”
　　“Yes。”shesaid，“itisadoublecanoe。ButIdarenottakeyouashorehere;therearetoomanyrocks，anditisimpossibletoseetherippleontheminthismist。Weshouldsinkthecanoe。No，youmustgetinandImustpaddleyouhometoBryngelly，that’sall。NowthatIknowwhereIamIthinkthatIcanfindtheway。”
　　“Really。”hesaid，“youareverygood。”
　　“Notatall。”sheanswered，“youseeImustgomyselfanyhow，soI
　　shallbegladofyourhelp。Itisnearlyfivemilesbywater，youknow，andnotapleasantnight。”
　　Therewastruthinthis。Geoffreywasperfectlypreparedtoriskaswimtotheshoreonhisownaccount，buthedidnotatallliketheideaofleavingthisyoungladytofindherownwaybacktoBryngellythroughthemistandgatheringdarkness，andinthatfrailcanoe。Hewouldnothavelikeditifshehadbeenaman，forheknewthattherewasgreatriskinsuchavoyage。Soaftermakingonemorefruitlesssuggestionthattheyshouldtryandreachtheshore，takingthechanceofrocks，sunkenorotherwise，andthenwalkhome，towhichBeatricewouldnotconsent，heacceptedheroffer。
　　“Attheleastyouwillallowmetopaddle。”hesaid，assheskilfullybroughtthecanoerightunderhisrock，whichthetidewasnowhighenoughtoallowhertodo。
　　“Ifyoulike。”sheanswereddoubtfully。“Myhandsarealittlesore，and，ofcourse。”withaglanceathisbroadshoulders，“youaremuchstronger。ButifyouarenotusedtoitIdaresaythatIshouldgetonaswellasyou。”
　　“Nonsense。”hesaidsharply。“Iwillnotallowyoutopaddlemeforfivemiles。”
　　Sheyieldedwithoutanotherword，andverygingerlyshiftedherseatsothatherbackwastowardsthebowofthecanoe，leavinghimtooccupythepaddlingplaceoppositetoher。
　　Thenhehandedherhisgun，which，togetherwiththedeadbirds，shecarefullystowedinthebottomofthefrailcraft。Next，withgreatcaution，hesliddowntherocktillhisfeetrestedinthecanoe。
　　“Becarefuloryouwillupsetus。”shesaid，leaningforwardandstretchingoutherhandforhimtosupporthimselfby。
　　Thenitwas，ashetookit，thatheforthefirsttimereallysawherface，withthemistdropshangingtothebenteyelashes，andknewhowbeautifulitwas。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ACONFESSIONOFFAITH
　　“Areyouready？”hesaid，recoveringhimselffromthepleasingshockofthisserge-drapedvisionofthemist。
　　“Yes。”saidBeatrice。“Youmustheadstraightouttoseaforalittle——nottoofar，forifwegetbeyondtheshelterofRumballPointwemightfounderintherollers——therearealwaysrollersthere——thensteertotheleft。Iwilltellyouwhen。And，Mr。Bingham，pleasebecarefulofthepaddle;ithasbeenspliced，andwon’tbearroughusage。”
　　“Allright。”heanswered，andtheystartedgailyenough，thelightcanoeglidingswiftlyforwardbeneathhissturdystrokes。
　　Beatricewasleaningbackwithherheadbentalittleforward，sothathecouldonlyseeherchinandthesweetcurveofthelipsaboveit。
　　Butshecouldseeallhisfaceasitswayedtowardsherwitheachmotionofthepaddle，andshewatcheditwithinterest。Itwasanewtypeoffacetoher，sostrongandmanly，andyetsogentleaboutthemouth——almosttoogentleshethought。WhatmadehimmarryLadyHonoria？Beatricewondered;shedidnotlookparticularlygentle，thoughshewassuchagracefulwoman。
　　Andthustheywentonforsometime，eachwonderingabouttheotherandatheartadmiringtheother，whichwasnotstrange，fortheywereaveryproperpair，butsayingnowordtillatlast，afteraboutaquarterofanhour’shardpaddling，Geoffreypausedtorest。
　　“Doyoudomuchofthiskindofthing，MissGranger？”hesaidwithagasp，“becauseitisratherhardwork。”
　　Shelaughed。“Ah。”shesaid，“Ithoughtyouwouldscarcelygoonpaddlingatthatrate。Yes，Icanoeagreatdealinthesummertime。
　　Itismywayoftakingexercise，andIcanswimwell，soIamnotafraidofanupset。Atleastithasbeenmywayforthelasttwoyearssincealadywhowasstayingheregavemethecanoewhenshewentaway。BeforethatIusedtorowinaboat——thatis，beforeIwenttocollege。”
　　“College？Whatcollege？Girton？”
　　“Oh，no，nothinghalfsogrand。ItwasacollegewhereyougetcertificatesthatyouarequalifiedtobeamistressinaBoardschool。IwishithadbeenGirton。”
　　“Doyou？”——youaretoogoodforthat，hewasgoingtoadd，butchangeditto——“Ithinkyouwereaswellaway。Idon’tcareabouttheGirtonstamp;thoseofthemwhomIhaveknownaresohard。”
　　“Somuchthebetterforthem。”sheanswered。“Ishouldliketobehardasastone;astonecannotfeel。Don’tyouthinkthatwomenoughttolearn，then？”
　　“Doyou？”heasked。
　　“Yes，certainly。”
　　“Haveyoulearntanything？”
　　“Ihavetaughtmyselfalittleandpickedupsomethingatthecollege。
　　ButIhavenorealknowledge，onlyasmatteringofthings。”
　　“Whatdoyouknow——FrenchandGerman？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Latin？”
　　“Yes，Iknowsomethingofit。”
　　“Greek？”
　　“Icanreaditfairly，butIamnotaGreekscholar。”
　　“Mathematics？”
　　“No，Igavethemup。Thereisnohumannatureaboutmathematics。Theyworkeverythingtoafixedconclusionthatmustresult。Lifeisnotlikethat;whatoughttobeasquarecomesoutarightangle，and/x/
　　alwaysequalsanunknownquantity，whichisneverascertainedtillyouaredead。”
　　“Goodgracious！“thoughtGeoffreytohimselfbetweenthestrokesofthepaddle，“whatanextraordinarygirl。Aflesh-and-bloodblue-
　　stocking，andalovelyoneintothebargain。AtanyrateIwillbowlheroutthistime。”
　　“Perhapsyouhavereadlawtoo？”hesaidwithsuppressedsarcasm。
　　“Ihavereadsome。”sheansweredcalmly。“Ilikelaw，especiallyEquitylaw;itissosubtle，andthereissuchamassofitbuiltuponsuchasmallfoundation。Itislikeanovergrownmushroom，andthetopwillfalloffoneday，howeverhardthelawyerstrytopropitup。
　　Perhapsyoucantellme——“
　　“No，I’msureIcannot。”heanswered。“I’mnotaChanceryman。IamCommonlaw，and/I/don’ttakeallknowledgefor/my/province。Youpositivelyalarmme，MissGranger。Iwonderthatthecanoedoesnotsinkbeneathsomuchlearning。”
　　“DoI？”sheansweredsweetly。“IamgladthatIhavelivedtofrightensomebody。ImeantthatIlikeEquitytostudy;butifIwereabarrister，IwouldbeCommonlaw，becausethereissomuchmorelifeandstruggleaboutit。Existenceisnotworthhavingunlessoneisstrugglingwithsomethingandtryingtoovercomeit。”
　　“Dearme，whatareposefulprospect。”saidGeoffrey，aghast。Hehadcertainlynevermetsuchawomanasthisbefore。
　　“Reposeisonlygoodwhenitisearned。”wentonthefairphilosopher，“andinordertofitonetoearnsomemore，otherwiseitbecomesidleness，andthatismisery。Fancybeingidlewhenonehassuchalittletimetolive。Theonlythingtodoistoworkandstiflethought。Isupposethatyouhavealargepractice，Mr。Bingham？”
　　“Youshouldnotaskabarristerthatquestion。”heanswered，laughing;
　　“itislikelookingatthepictureswhichanartisthasturnedtothewall。No，tobefrank，Ihavenot。Ihaveonlytakentopractisinginearnestduringthelasttwoyears。BeforeIwasabarristerinname，andthatisall。”
　　“Thenwhydidyousuddenlybegintowork？”
　　“BecauseIlostmyprospects，MissGranger——fromnecessity，inshort。”
　　“Oh，Ibegyourpardon！“shesaid，withablush，whichofcoursehecouldnotsee。“Ididnotmeantoberude。Butitisveryluckyforyou，isitnot？”
　　“Indeed！Somepeopledon’tthinkso。Whyisitlucky？”
　　“Becauseyouwillnowriseandbecomeagreatman，andthatismorethanbeingarichman。”
　　“AndwhydoyouthinkthatIshallbecomeagreatman？”heasked，stoppingpaddlinginhisastonishmentandlookingatthedimformbeforehim。
　　“Oh！becauseitiswrittenonyourface。”sheansweredsimply。
　　Herwordsrangtrue;therewasnoflatteryorartificeinthem。
　　Geoffreyfeltthatthegirlwassayingjustwhatshethought。
　　“Soyoustudyphysiognomyaswell。”hesaid。“Well，MissGranger，itisratherodd，consideringallthings，butIwillsaytoyouwhatI
　　haveneversaidtoanyonebefore。Ibelievethatyouareright。I
　　shallrise。IfIliveIfeelthatIhaveitinme。”
　　AtthispointitpossiblyoccurredtoBeatricethat，consideringtheexceedingbrevityoftheiracquaintance，theyweredriftingintosomewhatconfidentialconversation。Atanyrate，shequicklychangedthetopic。
　　“Iamafraidyouaregrowingtired。”shesaid;“butwemustbegettingon。Itwillsoonbequitedarkandwehavestillalongwaytogo。
　　Lookthere。”andshepointedseaward。
　　Helooked。Thewholebankofmistwasbreakingupandbearingdownontheminenormousbillowsofvapour。Presently，thesewererollingoverthem，sodarkeningtheheavyairthat，thoughthepairwerewithinfourfeetofeachother，theycouldscarcelyseeoneanother’sfaces。
　　Asyettheyfeltnowind。Thedenseweightofmistchokedthekeen，impellingair。
　　“Ithinktheweatherisbreaking;wearegoingtohaveastorm。”saidBeatrice，alittleanxiously。
　　Scarcelywerethewordsoutofhermouthwhenthemistpassedawayfromthem，andfromalltheseawardexpanseofocean。Notawrackofitwasleft，andinitsplacethestrongsea-breathbeatupontheirfaces。Farinthewesttheangrydiscofthesunwassinkingintothefoam。Agreatredrayshotfromitsbentedgeandlayupontheawakenedwaters，likeapathoffire。TheominouslightfellfulluponthelittleboatandfulluponBeatrice’slips。Thenitpassedonandlostitselfinthedeepmistswhichstillswathedthecoast。
　　“Oh，howbeautifulitis！“shecried，raisingherselfandpointingtothegloryofthedyingsun。
　　“Itisbeautifulindeed！“heanswered，buthelooked，notatthesunset，butatthewoman’sfacebeforehim，glowinglikeasaint’sinitsgoldenaureole。Forthisalsowasmostbeautiful——sobeautifulthatitstirredhimstrangely。
　　“Itislike——“shebegan，andbrokeoffsuddenly。
　　“Whatisitlike？”heasked。
　　“Itislikefindingtruthatlast。”sheanswered，speakingasmuchtoherselfastohim。“Why，onemightmakeanallegoryoutofit。Wewanderinmistanddarknessshapingavaguecourseforhome。Andthensuddenlythemistsareblownaway，gloryfillstheair，andthereisnomoredoubt，onlybeforeusisasplendourmakingallthingsclearandlightingusoveradeathlesssea。Itsoundsrathertoogrand。”sheadded，withacharminglittlelaugh;“butthereissomethinginitsomewhere，ifonlyIcouldexpressmyself。Oh，look！“
　　Asshespokeaheavystorm-cloudrolledoverthevanishingrimofthesun。Foramomentthelightstruggledwiththeeclipsingcloud，turningitsdulledgetothehueofcopper，butthecloudwastoostrongandthelightvanished，leavingtheseaindarkness。
　　“Well。”hesaid，“yourallegorywouldhaveadismalendifyouworkeditout。Itisgettingasdarkaspitch，andthere’sagooddealin/that/，ifonly/I/couldexpressmyself。”
　　Beatricedroppedpoetry，andcamedowntofactsinawaythatwasverycommendable。
　　“Thereisasquallcomingup，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid;“youmustpaddleashardasyoucan。IdonotthinkwearemorethantwomilesfromBryngelly，andifweareluckywemaygettherebeforetheweatherbreaks。”
　　“Yes，/if/wearelucky。”hesaidgrimly，ashebenthimselftothework。“Butthequestioniswheretopaddleto——it’ssodark。Hadnotwebetterrunfortheshore？”
　　“Weareinthemiddleofthebaynow。”sheanswered，“andalmostasfarfromthenearestlandaswearefromBryngelly，besidesitisallrocks。No，youmustgostraighton。YouwillseethePoiselightbeyondCoedpresently。YouknowCoedisfourmilesontheothersideofBryngelly，sowhenyouseeitheadtotheleft。”
　　Heobeyedher，andtheyneitherofthemspokeanymoreforsometime。
　　Indeedtherisingwindmadeconversationdifficult，andsofarasGeoffreywasconcernedhehadlittlebreathlefttospareforwords。
　　Hewasastrongman，buttheunaccustomedlabourwasbeginningtotellonhim，andhishandswereblistering。Fortenminutesorsohepaddledonthroughadarknesswhichwasnowalmosttotal，wonderingwhereonearthhewaswending，foritwasquiteimpossibletosee。Forallheknewtothecontrary，hemightbecirclingroundandround。Hehadonlyonethingtodirecthim，thesweepofthecontinuallyrisingwindandthewashofthegatheringwaves。Solongasthesestruckthecanoe，whichnowbegantorollominously，onthestarboardside，hemust，hethought，bekeepingarightcourse。Butintheturmoiloftherisinggaleandtheconfusionofthenight，thiswasnoverysatisfactoryguide。Atlength，however，abroadandbrilliantflashsprungoutacrossthesea，almoststraightaheadofhim。ItwasthePoiselight。
　　Healteredhiscoursealittleandpaddledsteadilyon。Andnowthesquallwasbreaking。Fortunately，itwasnotaveryheavyone，ortheirfrailcraftmusthavesunkandtheywithit。Butitwasquiteseriousenoughtoputthemingreatdanger。Thecanoerosetothewaveslikeafeather，butshewasbroadsideon，andriseasshewouldtheybegantoshipalittlewater。Andtheyhadnotseentheworstofit。Theweatherwasstillthickening。
　　Stillheheldon，thoughhisheartsankwithinhim，whileBeatricesaidnothing。Presentlyabigwavecame;hecouldjustseeitswhitecrestgleamingthroughthegloom，thenitwasonthem。Thecanoerosetoitgallantly;itseemedtocurlrightoverher，makingthecraftrolltillGeoffreythoughtthattheendhadcome。Butsherodeitout，not，however，withoutshippingmorethanabucketofwater。Withoutsayingaword，Beatricetooktheclothcapfromherheadand，leaningforward，begantobaleasbestshecould，andthatwasnotverywell。
　　“Thiswillnotdo。”hecalled。“Imustkeepherheadtotheseaorweshallbeswamped。”
　　“Yes。”sheanswered，“keepherheadup。Weareingreatdanger。”
　　Heglancedtohisright;anotherwhiteseawasheavingdownonhim;hecouldjustseeitsglitteringcrest。Withallhisforcehedugthepaddleintothewater;thecanoeansweredtoit;shecameroundjustintimetorideoutthewavewithsafety，butthepaddle/snapped/。Itwasalreadysprung，andtheweightheputuponitwasmorethanitcouldbear。Rightintwoitbroke，somenineinchesabovethatbladewhichatthemomentwasburiedinthewater。Hefeltitgo，anddespairtookholdofhim。
　　“Greatheavens！“hecried，“thepaddleisbroken。”
　　Beatricegasped。
　　“Youmustusetheotherblade。”shesaid;“paddlefirstonesideandthenontheother，andkeepherheadon。”
　　“Tillwesink。”heanswered。
　　“No，tillwearesaved——nevertalkofsinking。”
　　Thegirl’scourageshamedhim，andheobeyedherinstructionsasbesthecould。Bydintofcontinuallyshiftingwhatremainedofthepaddlefromonesideofthecanoetotheother，hedidmanagetokeepherheadontothewavesthatwerenowrollinginapace。Butintheirheartstheybothwonderedhowlongthiswouldlast。
　　“Haveyougotanycartridges？”sheaskedpresently。
　　“Yes，inmycoatpocket。”heanswered。
　　“Givemetwo，ifyoucanmanageit。”shesaid。
　　Inanintervalbetweenthecomingoftwoseashecontrivedtosliphishandintoapocketandtransferthecartridges。Apparentlysheknewsomethingoftheworkingofagun，forpresentlytherewasaflashandareport，quicklyfollowedbyanother。
　　“Givemesomemorecartridges。”shecried。Hedidso，butnothingfollowed。
　　“Itisnouse。”shesaidatlength，“thecartridgesarewet。Icannotgettheemptycasesout。Butperhapstheymayhaveseenorheardthem。
　　OldEdwardissuretobewatchingforme。Youhadbetterthrowtherestintotheseaifyoucanmanageit。”sheaddedbywayofanafterthought;“wemayhavetoswimpresently。”
　　ToGeoffreythisseemedveryprobable，andwheneverhegotachanceheactedonthehinttillatlengthhewasridofallhiscartridges。
　　Justthenitbegantorainintorrents。Thoughitwasnotwarmtheperspirationwasstreamingfromhimateverypore，andtherainbeatingonhisfacerefreshedhimsomewhat;alsowiththerainthewinddroppedalittle。
　　Buthewasbecomingtiredoutandheknewit。Soonhewouldnolongerbeabletokeepthecanoestraight，andthentheymustbeswamped，andinallhumanprobabilitydrowned。Sothiswastobetheendofhislifeanditsambitions。Beforeanotherhourhadrunitscourse，hewouldberollingtoandfrointhearmsofthatangrysea。WhatwouldhiswifeHonoriasaywhensheheardthenews，hewondered？Perhapsitwouldshockherintosomeshowoffeeling。AndEffie，hisdearlittlesix-year-olddaughter？Well，thankGod，shewastooyoungtofeelhislossforlong。Bythetimethatshewasawomanshewouldalmosthaveforgottenthatsheeverhadafather。Buthowwouldshegetonwithouthimtoguideher？Hermotherdidnotlovechildren，andagrowinggirlwouldcontinuallyremindherofhergrowingyears。Hecouldnottell;
　　hecouldonlyhopeforthebest。
　　Andforhimself！Whatwouldbecomeofhimaftertheshortsharpstruggleforlife？Shouldhefindendlesssleep，orwhat？HewasaChristian，andhislifehadnotbeenworsethanthatofothermen。
　　Indeed，thoughhewouldhavebeenthelasttothinkit，hehadsomeredeemingvirtues。Butnowattheendthespiritualhorizonwasasdarkasithadbeenatthebeginning。TherebeforehimweretheGatesofDeath，butnotyetwouldtheyrollasideandshowthetravellerwhatlaybeyondtheirfrowningface。Howcouldhetell？Perhapstheywouldnotopenatall。Perhapshenowbadehislastfarewelltoconsciousness，toearthandskyandseaandloveandalllovelythings。Well，thatmightbebetterthansomeprospects。AtthatmomentGeoffreyBingham，inthelastagonyofdoubt，wouldgladlyhaveexchangedhishopesoflifebeyondforacertaintyofeternalsleep。
　　Thatfaithwhichenablessomeofustotreadthisawfulwaywithanutterconfidenceisnotawideprerogative，and，asyet，atanyrate，itwasnothis，thoughthetimemightcomewhenhewouldattainit。
　　Therearenotverymany，evenamongthosewithoutreproach，whocanlaythemdowninthearmsofDeath，knowingmostcertainlythatwhentheveilisrentawaythecountenancethattheyshallseewillbethatoftheblessedGuardianofMankind。Alas！hecouldnotbealtogethersure，andwheredoubtexists，hopeisbutapin-prickedbladder。Hesighedheavily，murmuredalittleformulaofprayerthathadbeenonhislipsmostnightsduringthirtyyears——hehadlearntitasachildathismother’sknee——andthen，whilethetempestroaredaroundhim，gathereduphisstrengthtomeettheendwhichseemedinevitable。Atanyratehewoulddielikeaman。
　　Thencameareaction。Hisvitalforcesroseagain。Henolongerfeltfearful，heonlywonderedwithastrangeimpersonalwonder，asamanwondersaboutthevitalaffairsofanother。Thenfromwonderingabouthimselfhebegantowonderaboutthegirlwhosatoppositetohim。
　　Withtheraincamealittlelightning，andbythefirstflashhesawherclearly。Herbeautifulfacewasset，andasshebentforwardsearchingthedarknesswithherwideeyes，itwore，hethought，analmostdefiantair。
　　Thecanoetwistedroundsomewhat。Hedughisbrokenpaddleintothewaterandoncemorebroughtherheadontothesea。Thenhespoke。
　　“Areyouafraid？”heaskedofBeatrice。
　　“No。”sheanswered，“Iamnotafraid。”
　　“Doyouknowthatweshallprobablybedrowned？”
　　“Yes，Iknowit。Theysaythedeathiseasy。Ibroughtyouhere。
　　Forgivemethat。Ishouldhavetriedtorowyouashoreasyousaid。”
　　“Nevermindme;amanmustmeethisfatesomeday。Donotthinkofme。
　　ButIcan’tkeepherheadonmuchlonger。Youhadbettersayyourprayers。”
　　Beatricebentforwardtillherheadwasquitenearhisown。Thewindhadblownsomeofherhairloose，andthoughhedidnotseemtonoticeitatthetime，herememberedafterwardsthatalockofitstruckhimontheface。
　　“Icannotpray。”shesaid;“Ihavenothingtoprayto。IamnotaChristian。”
　　Thewordsstruckhimlikeablow。Itseemedsoawfultothinkofthisproudandbrilliantwoman，nowbalancedonthevergeofwhatshebelievedtobeutterannihilation。Eventhecouragethatinducedheratsuchamomenttoconfessherhopelessstateseemedawful。
　　“Try。”hesaidwithagasp。
　　“No。”sheanswered，“Idonotfeartodie。Deathcannotbeworsethanlifeisformostofus。Ihavenotprayedforyears，notsince——well，nevermind。Iamnotacoward。ItwouldbecowardlytopraynowbecauseImaybewrong。IfthereisaGodwhoknowsall，Hewillunderstandthat。”
　　Geoffreysaidnomore，butlabouredatthebrokenpaddlegallantlyandwithanever-failingstrength。Thelightninghadpassedawayandthedarknesswasverygreat，forthehurryingcloudshidthestarlight。
　　Presentlyasoundaroseabovetheturmoilofthestorm，acrashingthunderoussoundtowardswhichthesendoftheseagraduallyborethem。ThesoundcamefromthewavesthatbeatupontheBryngellyreef。
　　“Wherearewedriftingto？”hecried。
　　“Intothebreakers，whereweshallbelost。”sheansweredcalmly。
　　“Giveuppaddling，itisofnouse，andtrytotakeoffyourcoat。I
　　haveloosenedmyskirt。Perhapswecanswimashore。”
　　Hethoughttohimselfthatinthedarkandbreakerssuchaneventwasnotprobable，buthesaidnothing，andaddressedhimselftothetaskofgettingridofhiscoatandwaistcoat——noeasyoneinthatconfinedspace。Meanwhilethecanoewaswhirlingroundandroundlikeawalnutshelluponafloodedgutter。Forsomedistancebeforethewavesbrokeuponthereefandrockstheysweptintowardsthemwithasteadyfoamlessswell。Onreachingtheshallows，however，theypushedtheirwhiteshouldershighintotheair，curvedupandfellinthunderonthereef。
　　Thecanoerodetowardsthebreakers，suckeduponitscoursebyaswellingsea。
　　“Good-bye。”calledGeoffreytoBeatrice，asstretchingouthiswethandhefoundherownandtookit，forcompanionshipmakesdeathalittleeasier。
　　“Good-bye。”shecried，clingingtohishand。“Oh，whydidIbringyouintothis？”
　　Forintheirlastextremitythiswomanthoughtratherofhercompanioninperilthanofherself。
　　Onemoreturn，thensuddenlythecanoebeneaththemwasliftedlikeastrawandtossedhighintotheair。Amightymassofwaterboiledupbeneathitandaroundit。Thenthefoamrushedin，andvaguelyGeoffreyknewthattheywerewrappedinthecurveofabillow。
　　Aswiftandmightyrushofwater。Crash！——andhissenseslefthim。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEWATCHERATTHEDOOR
　　Thiswaswhathadhappened。Justaboutthecentreofthereefisalargeflat-toppedrock——itmaybetwentyfeetinthesquare——knowntotheBryngellyfishermenasTableRock。Inordinaryweather，evenathightide，thewatersscarcelycoverthisrock，butwhenthereisanyseatheywashoveritwithgreatviolence。OntothisrockGeoffreyandBeatricehadbeenhurledbythebreaker。Fortunatelyforthemitwasthicklyovergrownwithseaweed，whichtosomeslightextentbroketheviolenceoftheirfall。Asitchanced，Geoffreywasknockedsenselessbytheshock;butBeatrice，whosehandhestillheld，fellontohimand，withtheexceptionofafewbruisesandashake，escapedunhurt。
　　Shestruggledtoherknees，gasping。Thewaterhadrunofftherock，andhercompanionlayquietatherside。Sheputdownherfaceandcalledintohisear，butnoanswercame，andthensheknewthathewaseitherdeadorsenseless。
　　AtthissecondBeatricecaughtaglimpseofsomethingwhitegleaminginthedarkness。Instinctivelysheflungherselfuponherface，grippingthelongtoughseaweedwithonehand。Theothershepassedroundthebodyofthehelplessmanbesideher，straininghimwithallherstrengthagainstherside。
　　Thencameawildlongrushoffoam。Thewaterliftedherfromtherock，buttheseaweedheld，andwhenatlengththeseahadgoneboilingby，BeatricefoundherselfandthesenselessformofGeoffreyoncemorelyingsidebyside。Shewashalfchoked。Desperatelyshestruggledupandround，lookingshorewardthroughthedarkness。
　　Heavens！there，notahundredyardsaway，alightshoneuponthewaters。Itwasaboat’slight，foritmovedupanddown。Shefilledherlungswithairandsentonelongcryforhelpringingacrossthesea。Amomentpassedandshethoughtthatsheheardananswer，butbecauseofthewindandtheroarofthebreakersshecouldnotbesure。Thensheturnedandglancedseaward。Againthefoamingterrorwasrushingdownuponthem;againsheflungherselfupontherockandgraspingtheslipperyseaweedtwinedherleftarmaboutthehelplessGeoffrey。
　　Itwasonthem。
　　Oh，horror！EvenintheturmoiloftheboilingwatersBeatricefelttheseaweedgive。Nowtheywerebeingsweptalongwiththerushingwave，andDeathdrewverynear。ButstillsheclungtoGeoffrey。Oncemoretheairtouchedherface。Shehadrisentothesurfaceandwasfloatingonthestormywater。Thewavehadpassed。LoosingherholdofGeoffreysheslippedherhandupwards，andashebegantosinkclutchedhimbythehair。Thentreadingwaterwithherfeet，forhappilyforthembothshewasasgoodaswimmerascouldbefounduponthatcoast，shemanagedtoopenhereyes。There，notsixtyyardsaway，wastheboat’slight。Oh，ifonlyshecouldreachit。Shespatthesaltwaterfromhermouthandoncemorecriedaloud。Thelightseemedtomoveon。
　　Thenanotherwaverolledforwardandoncemoreshewaspusheddownintothecrueldepths，forwiththatdeadweighthangingtohershecouldnotkeepabovethem。Itflashedintohermindthatifshelethimgoshemightevennowsaveherself，buteveninthatlastterrorthisBeatricewouldnotdo。Ifhewent，shewouldgowithhim。
　　Itwouldhavebeenbetterifshehadlethimgo。
　　Downshewent——down，down！“Iwillholdhim。”Beatricesaidinherheart;“IwillholdhimtillIdie。”Thencamewavesoflightandasoundasofwindwhisperingthroughthetrees，and——allgrewdark。
　　*****
　　“Itellyeritain’tnogood，Eddard。”shoutedamanintheboattoanoldsailorwhowasleaningforwardinthebowspeeringintothedarkness。“WeshallberightontotheTableRocksinaminuteandalldrowntogether。Putabout，mate——putabout。”
　　“Damnyer。”screamedtheoldman，turningsothatthelightfromthelanternfellonhisfurrowed，fiercelyanxiousfaceandlongwhitehairstreaminginthewind。“Damnyer，yecowards。ItellsyerIheardhervoice——Iheardittwicescreamingforhelp。Ifyouputtheboatabout，byGoadwhenIgetashoreI’llkillyer，yelubbers——oldmanasIamI’llkillyer，ifIswingforit！“
　　Thisdeterminedsentimentproducedamarkedeffectupontheboat’screw;therewereeightofthemaltogether。Theydidnotputtheboatabout，theyonlylayupontheiroarsandkeptherheadtotheseas。
　　Theoldmaninthebowpeeredoutintothegloom。Hewasshaking，notwithcoldbutwithagitation。
　　Presentlyheturnedhisheadwithayell。
　　“Giveway——giveway！there’ssomethingonthewave。”
　　Themenobeyedwithawill。
　　“Back。”heroaredagain——“backwater！“
　　Theybacked，andtheboatanswered，butnothingwastobeseen。
　　“She’sgone！Oh，Goad，she’sgone！“groanedtheoldman。“Youmayputaboutnow，lads，andtheLord’swillbedone。”
　　Thelightfromthelanternfellinalittleringupontheseethingwater。Suddenlysomethingwhiteappearedinthecentreofthisilluminatedring。Edwardstaredatit。Itwasfloatingupwards。Itvanished——itappearedagain。Itwasawoman’sface。Withayellheplungedhisarmsintothesea。
　　“Ihaveher——lendanhand，lads。”
　　Anothermanscrambledforwardandtogethertheyclutchedtheobjectinthewater。
　　“Lookout，don’tpullsohard，youfool。Blowmeifthereain’tanotherandshe’sgothimbythehair。So，/steady，steady！/“
　　AlongheavefromstrongarmsandthesenselessformofBeatricewasonthegunwale。ThentheypulledupGeoffreybesideher，fortheycouldnotlooseherdesperategripofhisdarkhair，andtogetherrolledthemintotheboat。
　　“They’redead，Idoubt。”saidthesecondman。
　　“Helpturn’emontheirfacesovertheseat，so——letthewaterdrainfromtheirinnards。It’stheonlychance。Nowgivemethatsailtocoverthem——so。You’llliveyet，MissBeatrice，youain’tdead，I
　　swear。OldEddardhassavedyou，OldEddardandthegoodGoadtogether！“
　　Meanwhiletheboathadbeengotround，andthemenwererowingforBryngellyaswarm-heartedsailorswillwhenlifeisatstake。TheyallknewBeatriceandlovedher，andtheyremembereditastheyrowed。Thegloomwaslittlehindrancetothemfortheycouldalmosthavenavigatedthecoastblindfold。Besidesheretheywereshelteredbythereefandshore。
　　Infiveminutestheywereroundalittleheadland，andthelightsofBryngellywereclosebeforethem。Onthebeachpeopleweremovingaboutwithlanterns。
　　Presentlytheywerethere，hangingontheiroarsforafavourablewavetobeachwith。Atlastitcame，andtheygavewaytogether，runningthelargeboathalfoutofthesurf。Adozenmenplungedintothewateranddraggedheron。Theyweresafeashore。
　　“HaveyougotMissBeatrice？”shoutedavoice。
　　“Ay，we’vegotherandanothertoo，butIdoubtthey’regone。Where’sdoctor？”
　　“Here，here！“answeredavoice。“Bringthestretchers。”
　　Astoutthick-setman，whohadbeenlistening，wrappedupinadarkcloak，turnedhisfaceawayandutteredagroan。Thenhefollowedtheothersastheywenttowork，notofferingtohelp，butmerelyfollowing。
　　Thestretcherswerebroughtandthetwobodieslaiduponthem，facedownwardsandcoveredover。
　　“Whereto？”saidthebearersastheyseizedthepoles。
　　“TheVicarage。”answeredthedoctor。“Itoldthemtogetthingsreadythereincasetheyshouldfindher。Runforwardoneofyouandsaythatwearecoming。”
　　Themenstartedatatrotandthecrowdranafterthem。
　　“Whoistheother？”somebodyasked。
　　“Mr。Bingham——thetalllawyerwhocamedownfromLondontheotherday。
　　Tellpoliceman——runtohiswife。She’satMrs。Jones’s，andthinkshehaslosthiswayinthefogcominghomefromBellRock。”
　　Thepolicemandepartedonhismelancholyerrandandtheprocessionmovedswiftlyacrossthesandybeachandupthestone-pavedwaybywhichboatsweredraggeddowntheclifftothesea。ThevillageofBryngellylaytotheright。Ithadgrownawayfromthechurch，whichstooddangerouslyneartheedgeofthecliff。Onthefurthersideofthechurch，andalittlebehindit，partlyshelteredfromtheseagalesbyagroupofstuntedfirs，wastheVicarage，alowsingle-
　　storiedstone-roofedbuilding，tenantedfortwenty-fiveyearspastandmorebyBeatrice’sfather，theRev。JosephGranger。ThebestapproachtoitfromtheBryngellysidewasbythechurchyard，throughwhichthemenwiththestretcherswerenowwinding，followedbythecrowdofsightseers。
　　“Mightaswellleavethemhereatonce。”saidoneofthebearerstotheotherinWelsh。“Idoubttheyarebothdeadenough。”
　　Thepersonaddressedassented，andthethick-setmanwrappedinadarkcloak，whowasstridingalongbyBeatrice’sstretcher，groanedagain。
　　Clearly，heunderstoodtheWelshtongue。AfewsecondsmoreandtheywerepassingthroughthestuntedfirsuptotheVicaragedoor。Inthedoorwaystoodagroupofpeople。Thelightfromalampinthehallstruckuponthem，throwingthemintostrongrelief。Foremost，holdingalanterninhishand，wasamanofaboutsixty，withsnow-whitehairwhichfellinconfusionoverhisruggedforehead。Hewasofmiddleheightandcarriedhimselfwithsomethingofastoop。Theeyesweresmallandshifting，andthemouthhard。Heworeshortwhiskerswhich，togetherwiththeeyebrows，werestilltingedwithyellow。Thefacewasruddyandhealthylooking，indeed，haditnotbeenforthedirtywhitetieandshabbyblackcoat，onewouldhavetakenhimtobewhathewasinheart，afarmerofthehardersort，somewhatweather-beatenandanxiousaboutthetimes——amanwhowouldtakeadvantageofeverydropintherateofwages。InfacthewasBeatrice’sfather，andaclergyman。
　　Byhisside，andleaningoverhim，wasElizabeth，hereldersister。
　　Therewasfiveyearsbetweenthem。ShewasapoorcopyofBeatrice，or，tobemoreaccurate，BeatricewasagranddevelopmentofElizabeth。Theybothhadbrownhair，butElizabeth’swasstraighterandfaint-coloured，notrichandruddyingintogold。Elizabeth’seyeswerealsogrey，butitwasacoldwashed-outgreylikethatofaFebruarysky。Andsowithfeatureafterfeature，andwiththeexpressionalso。Beatrice’swasnobleandopen，ifattimesdefiant。
　　Lookingatheryouknewthatshemightbeamistakenwoman，oraheadstrongwoman，orboth，butshecouldneverbeameanwoman。
　　Whicheverofthetencommandmentsshemightchoosetobreak，itwouldnotbethatwhichforbidsustobearfalsewitnessagainstourneighbour。Anybodymightreaditinhereyes。Butinhersister’s，hemightdiscernherfather’sshiftyhardnesswateredbywoman’sweakerwillintosomethinglikecunning。FortherestElizabethhadaveryfairfigure，butlackedhersister’sroundedloveliness，thoughthetwoweresocuriouslyalikethatatadistanceyoumightwellmistaketheonefortheother。OnemightalmostfancythatnaturehadexperimenteduponElizabethbeforeshemadeuphermindtoproduceBeatrice，justtogetthelinesanddistances。Theeldersisterwastotheotherwhatthepaleunfinishedmodelofclayistothepolishedstatueinivoryandgold。
　　“Oh，myGod！myGod！“groanedtheoldman;“look，theyhavegotthemonthestretchers。Theyarebothdead。Oh，Beatrice！Beatrice！andonlythismorningIspokeharshlytoher。”
　　“Don’tbesofoolish，father。”saidElizabethsharply。“Theymayonlybeinsensible。”
　　“Ah，ah。”heanswered;“itdoesnotmattertoyou，/you/don’tcareaboutyoursister。Youarejealousofher。ButIloveher，thoughwedonotunderstandeachother。Heretheycome。Don’tstandstaringthere。Goandseethattheblanketsandthingsarehot。Stop，doctor，tellme，isshedead？”
　　“HowcanItelltillIhaveseenher？”thedoctoranswered，roughlyshakinghimoff，andpassingthroughthedoor。
　　BryngellyVicaragewasaverysimplyconstructedhouse。Onenteringthevisitorfoundhimselfinapassagewithdoorstotherightandleft。Thattotherightledtothesitting-room，thattothelefttothedining-room，bothofthemlong，lowandnarrowchambers。Followingthepassagedownforsomesevenpaces，itterminatedinanotherwhichranatrightanglestoitfortheentirelengthofthehouse。Onthefurthersideofthispassagewereseveralbedroomdoorsandaroomateachend。ThatattheendtotherightwasoccupiedbyBeatriceandhersister，thenextwasempty，thethirdwasMr。Granger’s，andthefourththespareroom。This，withtheexceptionofthekitchensandservants’sleepingplace，whichwerebeyondthedining-room，madeupthehouse。
　　Fireshadbeenlitinbothoftheprincipalrooms。Geoffreywastakenintothedining-roomandattendedbythedoctor’sassistant，andBeatriceintothesitting-room，andattendedbythedoctorhimself。Inafewsecondstheplacehadbeenclearedofallexceptthehelpers，andtheworkbegan。ThedoctorlookedatBeatrice’scoldshrunkenform，andatthefoamuponherlips。Heliftedtheeyelid，andheldalightbeforethecontractedpupil。Thenheshookhisheadandsettoworkwithawill。Weneednotfollowhimthroughthecourseofhisdreadfullabours，withwhichmostpeoplewillhavesomeacquaintance。
　　Hopelessastheyseemed，hecontinuedthemforhourafterhour。
　　MeanwhiletheassistantandsomehelpersweredoingthesameserviceforGeoffreyBingham，thedoctorhimself，athinclever-lookingman，occasionallysteppingacrossthepassagetodirectthemandseehowthingsweregettingon。Now，althoughGeoffreyhadbeeninthewaterthelonger，hiswasbyfarthebettercase，forwhenhewasimmersedhewasalreadyinsensible，andapersoninthisconditionisveryhardtodrown。Itisyourstruggling，fighting，breathingcreaturewhoissoonestmadeanendofindeepwaters。Thereforeitcametopassthatwhenthescrubbingwithhotclothsandtheartificialrespirationhadgoneonforsomewhereabouttwentyminutes，Geoffreysuddenlycrookedafinger。Thedoctor’sassistant，abuoyantyouthfreshfromthehospitals，gaveayellofexultation，andscrubbedandpushedawaywithever-increasingenergy。Presentlythesubjectcoughed，andaminutelater，astheagonyofreturninglifemadeitselffelt，hesworemostheartily。
　　“He’sallrightnow！“calledtheassistanttohisemployer。“He’sswearingbeautifully。”
　　Dr。Chambers，pursuinghismelancholyandunpromisingtaskintheotherroom，smiledsadly，andcalledtotheassistanttocontinuethetreatment，whichhedidwithmuchvigour。
　　PresentlyGeoffreycamepartiallytolife，stillsufferingtorments。
　　Thefirstthinghegrewawareofwasthatatallelegantwomanwasstandingoverhim，lookingathimwithahalfpuzzledandhalfhorrifiedair。Vaguelyhewonderedwhoitmightbe。Thetallformandcoldhandsomefaceweresofamiliartohim，andyethecouldnotrecallthename。Itwasnottillshespokethathisnumbedbrainrealizedthathewaslookingonhisownwife。
　　“Well，dear。”shesaid，“Iamsogladthatyouarebetter。Youfrightenedmeoutofmywits。Ithoughtyouweredrowned。”
　　“Thankyou，Honoria。”hesaidfaintly，andthengroanedasafreshattackoftinglingpainshookhimthroughandthrough。
　　“IhopenobodysaidanythingtoEffie。”Geoffreysaidpresently。
　　“Yes，thechildwouldnotgotobedbecauseyouwerenotback，andwhenthepolicemancamesheheardhimtellMrs。Jonesthatyouweredrowned，andshehasbeenalmostinafiteversince。Theyhadtoholdhertopreventherfromrunninghere。”
　　Geoffrey’swhitefaceassumedanairofthedeepestdistress。“Howcouldyoufrightenthechildso？”hemurmured。“PleasegoandtellherthatIamallright。”
　　“Itwasnotmyfault。”saidLadyHonoriawithashrugofhershapelyshoulders。“Besides，IcandonothingwithEffie。Shegoesonlikeawildthingaboutyou。”
　　“Pleasegoandtellher，Honoria。”saidherhusband。
　　“Oh，yes，I’llgo。”sheanswered。“ReallyIshallnotbesorrytogetoutofthis;IbegintofeelasthoughIhadbeendrownedmyself;“andshelookedatthesteamingclothsandshuddered。“Good-bye，Geoffrey。
　　Itisanimmenserelieftofindyouallright。Thepolicemanmademefeelquitequeer。Ican’tgetdowntogiveyouakissorIwould。
　　Well，good-byeforthepresent，mydear。”
　　“Good-bye，Honoria。”saidherhusbandwithafaintsmile。
　　Themedicalassistantlookedalittlesurprised。Hehadnever，itistrue，happenedtobepresentatameetingbetweenhusbandandwife，whenoneofthepairhadjustbeenrescuedbyahair’s-breadthfromaviolentandsuddendeath，andthereforewantedexperiencetogoon。
　　Butitstruckhimthattherewassomethingmissing。TheladydidnotseemtohimquitetofillthepartoftheHeaven-thankingspouse。Itpuzzledhimverymuch。Perhapsheshowedthisinhisface。Atanyrate，LadyHonoria，whowasquickenough，readsomethingthere。
　　“Heissafenow，ishenot？”sheasked。“ItwillnotmatterifIgoaway。”
　　“No，mylady。”answeredtheassistant，“heisoutofdanger，Ithink;
　　itwillnotmatteratall。”
　　LadyHonoriahesitatedalittle;shewasstandinginthepassage。Thensheglancedthroughthedoorintotheoppositeroom，andcaughtaglimpseofBeatrice’srigidformandofthedoctorbendingoverit。