“Inhisroomandinhisarms。”hesaid。“Isawit，itseems。You，too，whohaveneverbeenknowntowalkinyoursleepfromachild;andyouwillnotsaythatyoudonotlovehim——thescoundrel。ItiswickedofElizabeth——jealousybitterasthegrave。Itiswickedofhertotellthetale;butasitistold，howcanIsaythatIdonotbelieveit？”
　　ThenBeatrice，hercupbeingfull，oncemoredroppedherhead，andturnedtogo。
　　“Stop。”saidOwenDaviesinahoarsevoice，andspeakingforthefirsttime。“Hearwhat/I/havetosay。”
　　Sheliftedhereyes。“Withyou，Mr。Davies，Ihavenothingtodo;Iamnotanswerabletoyou。Goandhelpyouraccomplice。”andshepointedtoElizabeth，“tocrythisscandaloverthewholeworld。”
　　“Stop。”hesaidagain。“Iwillspeak。Ibelievethatitistrue。I
　　believethatyouareGeoffreyBingham’smistress，cursehim！butIdonotcare。Iamstillwillingtomarryyou。”
　　Elizabethgasped。Wasthistobetheendofherscheming？Wouldtheblindpassionofthismadmanprevailoverherrevelations，andBeatricestillbecomehisrichandhonouredwife，whileshewasleftpooranddisgraced？Oh，itwasmonstrous！Oh，shehadneverdreamedofthis！“
　　“Noble，noble！“murmuredMr。Granger;“noble！Godblessyou！“
　　Sothepositionwasnotaltogetherbeyondrecovery。Hiserringdaughtermightstillbesplendidlymarried;hemightstilllookforwardtopeaceandwealthinhisoldage。
　　OnlyBeatricesmiledfaintly。
　　“Ithankyou。”shesaid。“Iammuchhonoured，butIcouldneverhavemarriedyoubecauseIdonotloveyou。YoumustunderstandmeverylittleifyouthinkthatIshouldbethemorereadytodosoonaccountofthedangerinwhichIstand。”andsheceased。
　　“Listen，Beatrice。”Owenwenton，anevillightshiningonhisheavyface，whileElizabethsatastounded，scarcelyabletobelieveherears。“Iwantyou，andImeantomarryyou;youaremoretomethanalltheworld。Icangiveyoueverything，andyouhadbetteryieldtome，andyoushallhearnomoreofthis。Butifyouwon’t，thenthisiswhatIwilldo。Iwillberevengeduponyou——terriblyrevenged。”
　　Beatriceshookherheadandsmiledagain，asthoughtobidhimdohisworst。
　　“Andlook，Beatrice。”hewenton，waxingalmosteloquentinhisjealousdespair，“Ihaveanotherargumenttourgeonyou。Iwillnotonlyberevengedonyou，Iwillberevengeduponyourlover——onthisGeoffreyBingham。”
　　“/Oh！/“saidBeatricesharply，likeoneinpain。Hehadfoundthewaytomovehernow，andwiththecunningofsemi-madnesshedrovethepointhome。
　　“Yes，youmaystart——Iwill。ItellyouthatIwillneverresttillI
　　haveruinedhim，andIamrichandcandoit。Ihaveahundredthousandpounds，thatIwillspendondoingit。Ihavenothingtofear，exceptanactionforlibel。Oh，Iamnotafool，thoughyouthinkIam，Iknow。Well，Icanpayforadozenactions。TherearepapersinLondonthatwillbegladtopublishallthis——yes，thewholestory——withplansandpicturestoo。Justthink，Beatrice，whatitwillbewhenallEngland——yes，andalltheworld——isgloatingoveryourshame，andhalf-a-dozenprintsareusingthethingforpartypurposes，clamouringforthedisgraceofthemanwhoruinedyou，andwhomyouwillruin。Hehasafinecareer;itshallbeutterlydestroyed。ByGod！Iwillhunthimtohisgrave，unlessyoupromisetomarryme，Beatrice。Dothat，andnotawordofthisshallbesaid。Nowanswer。”
　　Mr。Grangersankbackinhischair;thissavageplayofhumanpassionswasaltogetherbeyondhisexperience——itoverwhelmedhim。AsforElizabeth，shebitherthinfingers，andglaredfromonetotheother。
　　“Hereckonswithoutme。”shethought。“Hereckonswithoutme——Iwillmarryhimyet。”
　　ButBeatriceleantforamomentagainstthewallandshuthereyestothink。Oh，shesawitall——thegreatposterswithhernameandGeoffrey’sonthem，theshamelesspicturesofherinhisarms，thesickeningdetails，thelettersoftheoutragedmatrons，the“Mothersoften。”andthemoral-mindedcolonels——all，all！SheheardtheprurientscreamofeverymaleElizabethinEngland;theallusionsintheHouse——thejeers，thebitterattacksofenemiesandrivals。ThenLadyHonoriawouldbeginhersuit，anditwouldallbedraggedupafresh，andGeoffrey’sfaultwouldbeoneverylip，tillhewas/ruined/。Forherselfshedidnotcare;butcouldshebringthisononewhoseonlycrimewasthatshehadlearnedtolovehim？No，no;butneithercouldshemarrythishatefulman。Andyetwhatescapewasthere？Sheflungherselfuponherwoman’swit，anditdidnotfailher。Inafewsecondsshehadthoughtitalloutandmadeuphermind。
　　“HowcanIansweryouatamoment’snotice，Mr。Davies？”shesaid。“I
　　musthavetimetothinkitover。Tothreatensuchrevengeuponmeisnotmanly，butIknowthatyouloveme，andthereforeIexcuseit。
　　Still，Imusthavetime。Iamconfused。”
　　“What，anotheryear？No，no。”hesaid。“Youmustanswer。”
　　“Idonotaskayearoramonth。Ionlyaskforoneweek。Ifyouwillnotgivemethat，thenIwilldefyyou，andyoumaydoyourworst。I
　　cannotanswernow。”
　　Thiswasaboldstroke，butittold。Mr。Davieshesitated。
　　“Givethegirlaweek。”saidherfathertohim。“Sheisnotherself。”
　　“Verywell;oneweek，nomore。”saidhe。
　　“Ihaveanotherstipulationtomake。”saidBeatrice，“Youarealltosweartomethatforthatweeknowordofthiswillpassyourmouths;
　　thatforthatweekIshallnotbeannoyedorinterferedwith，orspokentoonthesubject，notbyoneofyou。IfattheendofitI
　　stillrefusetoacceptyourterms，youcandoyourworst，buttillthenyoumustholdyourhand。”
　　OwenDavieshesitated;hewassuspicious。
　　“Remember。”Beatricewenton，raisinghervoice，“Iamadesperatewoman。Imayturnatbay，anddosomethingwhichyoudonotexpect，andthatwillbeverylittletotheadvantageofanyofyou。Doyouswear？”
　　“Yes。”saidOwenDavies。
　　ThenBeatricelookedatElizabeth，andElizabethlookedather。Shesawthatthematterhadtakenanewform。Shesawwhatherjealousfollyhadhithertohiddenfromher——thatBeatricedidnotmeantomarryOwenDavies，thatshewasmerelygainingtimetoexecutesomepurposeofherown。WhatthismightbeElizabethcaredlittlesothatitdidnotutterlyextinguishchancesthatatthemomentseemedfaintenough。Shedidnotwanttopushmattersagainsthersister，orherloverGeoffrey，beyondtheboundaryofherowninterests。Beatriceshouldhaveherweek，andbefreefromallinterferencesofarasshewasconcerned。Sherealisednowthatitwastoolatehowgreathadbeenhererror。Oh，ifonlyshehadsoughtBeatrice’sconfidenceatfirst！Butithadseemedtoherimpossiblethatshewouldreallythrowawaysuchanopportunityinlife。
　　“CertainlyIpromise，Beatrice。”shesaidmildly。“Idonotswear，for’swearnotatall，’youknow。IonlydidwhatIthoughtmydutyinwarningMr。Davies。Ifhechoosestogoonwiththematter，itisnoaffairofmine。Ihadnowishtohurtyou，orMr。Bingham。Iactedsolelyfrommyreligiousconvictions。”
　　“Oh，stoptalkingreligion，Elizabeth，andpractiseitalittlemore！“
　　saidherfather，foronceinhislifestirredoutofhisfeebleselfishness。“Wehaveallundertakentokeepourmouthssealedforthisweek。”
　　ThenBeatricelefttheroom，andafterherwentOwenDavieswithoutanotherword。
　　“Elizabeth。”saidherfather，rising，“youareawickedwoman！Whatdidyoudothisfor？”
　　“Doyouwanttoknow，father？”shesaidcoolly;“thenIwilltellyou。
　　BecauseImeantomarryOwenDaviesmyself。Wemustalllookafterourselvesinthisworld，youknow;andthatisamaximwhichyouneverforget，forone。Imeantomarryhim;andthoughIseemtohavefailed，marryhimIwill，yet！Andnowyouknowallaboutit;andifyouarenotafool，youwillholdyourtongueandletmebe！“andshewentalso，leavinghimalone。
　　Mr。Grangerhelduphishandsinastonishment。Hewasaselfish，money-seekingoldman，buthefeltthathedidnotdeservetohavesuchadaughterasthis。
　　CHAPTERXXVI
　　WHATBEATRICESWORE
　　Beatricewenttoherroom，buttheatmosphereoftheplaceseemedtostifleher。Herbrainwasreeling，shemustgooutintotheair——awayfromhertormentors。ShehadnotyetansweredGeoffrey’sletter，anditmustbeansweredbythispost，fortherewasnoneonSunday。Itwashalf-pastfour——thepostwentoutatfive;ifshewasgoingtowrite，sheshoulddosoatonce，butshecouldnotdosohere。Besides，shemustfindtimeforthought。Ah，shehadit;shewouldtakehercanoeandpaddleacrossthebaytothelittletownofCoedandwriteherletterthere。ThepostdidnotleaveCoedtillhalf-pastsix。Sheputonherhatandjacket，andtakingastamp，asheetofpaper，andanenvelopewithher，slippedquietlyfromthehousedowntooldEdward’sboat-housewherethecanoewaskept。OldEdwardwasnottherehimself，buthissonwas，aboyoffourteen，andbyhishelpBeatricewassoonsafelylaunched。Theseaglitteredlikeglass，andturningsouthwards，presentlyshewaspaddlingroundtheshoreoftheislandonwhichtheCastlestoodtowardstheopenbay。
　　Asshepaddledhermindcleared，andshewasabletoconsidertheposition。Itwasbadenough。Shesawnolight，darknesshemmedherin。
　　Butatleastshehadaweekbeforeher，andmeanwhilewhatshouldshewritetoGeoffrey？
　　Then，asshethought，agreattemptationassailedBeatrice，andforthefirsttimeherresolutionwavered。WhyshouldshenotacceptGeoffrey’sofferandgoawaywithhim——farawayfromallthismisery？
　　Gladlywouldshegiveherlifetospendoneshortyearathisdearside。Shehadbuttosaytheword，andhewouldtakehertohim，andinamonthfromnowtheywouldbetogetherinsomeforeignland，countingtheworldwelllost，ashehadsaid。DoubtlessintimeLadyHonoriawouldgetadivorce，andtheymightbemarried。Adaymightevencomewhenallthiswouldseemlikeaforgottennightofstormandfear;when，surroundedbythechildrenoftheirlove，theywouldwendpeaceably，happily，throughtheeveningoftheirdaystowardsabournerobbedofhalfitsterrorsbythefactthattheywouldcrossithand-
　　in-hand。
　　Oh，thatwouldbewellforher;butwoulditbewellforhim？Whenthefirstmonthsofpassionhadpassedby，wouldhenotbegintothinkofallthathehadthrownawayforthesakeofawoman’slove？Wouldnottheburstofshameandobloquywhichwouldfollowhimtotheremotestcornersoftheearthwearawayhisaffection，tillatlast，asLadyHonoriasaid，helearnedtocurseandhateher。Andifitdidnot——ifhestilllovedherthroughitall——as，beingwhathewas，hewellmightdo——couldshebetheonetobringthisruinonhim？Oh，itwouldhavebeenmorekindtolethimdrownonthatnightofthestorm，whenfatefirstbroughtthemtogethertotheirundoing。
　　No，no;onceandforall，onceandforever，shewould/not/doit。
　　Cruelaswasherstrait，heavyaswasherburden，notonefeather’sweightofitshouldhecarry，ifbyanymeansinherpoorpowershecouldholditfromhisback。Shewouldnoteventellhimofwhathadhappened——atanyrate，notnow。Itwoulddistresshim;hemighttakesomedesperatestep;itwasalmostcertainthathewoulddoso。Heranswermustbeveryshort。
　　ShewasquiteclosetoCoednow，andthewaterlaycalmasapond。Socalmwasitthatshedrewthesheetofpaperandtheenvelopefromherpocket，andleaningforward，restedthemonthearchedcoveringofthecanoe，andpencilledthosewordswhichwehavealreadyread。
　　“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”
　　Thusshewrote。Thenshepaddledtotheshore。Afishermanstandingonthebeachcaughthercanoeandpulleditup。Leavingitinhischarge，shewentintothequaintlittletown，directedandpostedherletter，andboughtsomewool。Itwasanexcuseforhavingbeenthereshouldanyoneaskquestions。Afterthatshereturnedtohercanoe。Thefishermanwasstandingbyit。Sheofferedhimsixpenceforhistrouble，buthewouldnottakeit。
　　“No，miss。”hesaid，“thankingyoukindly——butwedon’toftengetapeepatsuchsweetlooks。It’sworthsixpencetoseeyou，itis。But，miss，ifImaymakesoboldastosayso，itisn’tsafeforyoutocruiseaboutinthatcraft，anywaysnotalone。”
　　Beatricethankedhimandblushedalittle。Vaguelyitoccurredtoherthatshemusthavemorethanacommonshareofbeauty，whenaroughmancouldbesoimpressedwithit。Thatwaswhatmenlovedwomenfor，theirbeauty，asOwenDavieslovedanddesiredherforthissamecauseandthisonly。
　　PerhapsitwasthesamewithGeoffrey——no，shedidnotbelieveit。Helovedherforotherthingsbesidesherlooks。Onlyifshehadnotbeenbeautiful，perhapshewouldnothavebeguntoloveher，soshewasthankfulforhereyesandhair，andform。
　　Couldfollyandinfatuationgofurther？Thiswomaninthedarkesthourofherbottomlessandunhorizoneddespair，withconsciencegnawingatherheart，withpresentmiserypressingonherbreast，andshametocomehangingoverherlikeathundercloud，couldyetfeelthankfulthatshehadwonthisbarrenlove，thespringofallherwoe。Orwasherfollydeepwisdomindisguise？——istheresomethingdivineinapassionthatcansooverrideanddefytheworstagoniesoflife？
　　Shewasatseaagainnow，andeveningwasfallingonthewaterssoftlyasadream。Well，theletterwasposted。Woulditbethelast，shewondered？Itseemedasthoughshemustwritenomoreletters。Andwhatwastobedone？Shewould/not/marryOwenDavies——neverwouldshedoit。Shecouldnotsoshamelesslyviolateherfeelings，forBeatricewasawomantowhomdeathwouldbepreferabletodishonour，howeverlegal。No，forherownsakeshewouldnotbesoiledwiththatdisgrace。Didshedothis，shewouldholdherselfthevilestofthevile。AndstilllesswouldshedoitforGeoffrey’ssake。Herinstincttoldherwhathewouldfeelatsuchathing，thoughhemightneversayaword。Surelyhewouldloatheanddespiseher。No，thatideawasdonewith——utterlydonewith。
　　Thenwhatremainedtoher？ShewouldnotflywithGeoffrey，sincetodosowouldbetoruinhim。ShewouldnotmarryOwen，andnottodosowouldstillbetoruinGeoffrey。Shewasnofool，shewasinnocentinact，butsheknewthatherinnocencewouldindeedbehardtoprove——
　　evenherownfatherdidnotbelieveinit，andhersisterwouldopenlyaccusehertotheworld。Whatthenshouldshedo？Shouldshehideherselfinsomeremotehalf-civilisedplace，orinLondon？Itwasimpossible;shehadnomoney，andnomeansofgettingany。Besides，theywouldhuntherout，bothOwenDaviesandGeoffreywouldtrackhertothefurthestlimitsoftheearth。AndwouldnottheformerthinkthatGeoffreyhadspiritedheraway，andatonceputhisthreatsintoexecution？Obviouslyhewould。Therewasnohopeinthatdirection。
　　Someotherplanmustbefoundorherloverwouldstillberuined。
　　SoarguedBeatrice，stillthinkingnotofherself，butofGeoffrey，ofthatbelovedonewhowasmoretoherthanalltheworld，more，athousandtimes，thanherownsafetyorwell-being。Perhapssheoverratedthematter。OwenDavies，LadyHonoria，andevenElizabethmighthavedonealltheythreatened;thefirstofthem，perhapsthefirsttwoofthem，certainlywouldhavedoneso。ButstillGeoffreymighthaveescapeddestruction。Publicopinion，orthesounderpartofit，issensiblyenoughhardtomoveinsuchamatter，especiallywhenthepersonsaidtohavebeenwrongedisheartandsoulonthesideofhimwhoissaidtohavewrongedher。
　　Moreovertheremighthavebeenwaysoutofit，ofwhichsheknewnothing。Butsurroundedasshewasbythreateningpowers——byLadyHonoriathreateningactionsintheCourtsononeside，byOwenDaviesthreateningexposureonanother，byElizabethreadyandwillingtogivethemostdamningevidenceonthethird，toBeatricetheworstconsequencesseemedanabsolutelynecessarysequence。Thentherewasherownconsciencearrayedagainsther。Thisparticularchargewasalie，butitwasnotaliethatshelovedGeoffrey，andtoherthetwothingsseemedverymuchthesamething。Herswasnotamindtodrawfinedistinctionsinsuchmatters。/Seposuitutculpabilem/:she“placedherselfasguilty。”astheoldCourtrollsputitinmiserableLatin，andthissenseofguiltdisarmedher。Shedidnotrealisetheenormousdifferencerecognisedbythewholecivilisedworldbetweenthoughtandact，betweendisposingmindandinculpatingdeed。Beatricelookedatthequestionmorefromthescripturalpointofview，rememberingthatintheBiblesuchfinedivisionsareexpresslystatedtobedistinctionswithoutadifference。
　　HadshegonetoGeoffreyandtoldhimherwholestoryitisprobablethathewouldhavedefiedtheconspiracy，faceditout，andpossiblycomeoffvictorious。But，withthatdeadlyreticenceofwhichwomenalonearecapable，thisshedidnotandwouldnotdo。Sweetlovingwomanthatshewas，shewouldnotburdenhimwithhersorrows，shewouldbearthemalone——littlereckoningthattherebyshewaslayingupafar，farheavierloadforhimtocarrythroughallhisdays。
　　SoBeatriceacceptedthestatementsoftheplaintiff’sattorneyforgospeltruth，andfromthatfalsestandpointshedrewherauguries。
　　Oh，shewasweary！Howlovelywasthefallingnight，seehowitbroodedontheseas！andhowclearwerethewaters——thereafishpassedbyherpaddle——andtherethefirststartsprangintothesky！
　　IfonlyGeoffreywereheretoseeitwithher。Geoffrey！shehadlosthim;shewasaloneintheworldnow——alonewiththeseaandthestars。
　　Well，theywerebetterthanmen——betterthanallmenexceptone。
　　Theirswasadivinecompanionship，anditsoothedher。Ah，howhatefulhadbeenElizabeth’sface，morehatefuleventhanthehalf-crazedcunningofOwenDavies，whenshestretchedherhandtowardsherandcalledher“ascarletwoman。”ItwassolikeElizabeth，thismixingupofBibletermswithheraccusation。Andafterallperhapsitwastrue——
　　Whatwasit，“Thoughthysinsbeasscarlet，yetshalltheybewhiteassnow。”Butthatwasonlyifonerepented。Shedidnotrepent，notintheleast。Conscience，itistrue，reproachedherwithabreachoftemporalandhumanlaw，butherheartcriedthatsuchloveasshehadgivenwasimmortalanddivine，andthereforesetbeyondthelittleboundsoftimeandman。Atanyrate，shelovedGeoffreyandwasproudandgladtolovehim。Thecircumstanceswereunfortunate，butshedidnotmaketheworldoritssocialarrangementsanymorethanshehadmadeherself，andshecouldnothelpthat。Thefactremained，rightorwrong——shelovedhim，lovedhim！
　　Howclearwerethewaters！Whatwasthatwilddreamwhichshehaddreamtaboutherselfsittingatthebottomofthesea，andwaitingforhim——tillatlasthecame。Sittingatthebottomofthesea——whydiditstrikehersostrangely——whatunfamiliarthoughtdiditwakeninhermind？Well，andwhynot？Itwouldbepleasantthere，betteratanyratethanontheearth。Butthingscannotbeendedso;oneisburdenedwiththeflesh，andonemustwearittillitfails。Whymustshewearit？Wasnotthesealargeenoughtohideherbones？Looknow，shehadbuttoslipovertheedgeofthecanoe，slipwithoutastruggleintothosemightyarms，andinafewshortminutesitwouldallbedoneandgone！
　　Shegaspedasthethoughtstruckhome。/Here/wastheanswertoherquestionings，thesameanswerthatisgiventoeveryhumantroubling，toallearthlyhopesandfearsandstrivings。Onestrokeofthatblackknifeandeverythingwouldbelostorfound。WoulditbesogreatathingtogiveherlifeforGeoffrey？——whyshehadwellnighdoneasmuchwhenshehadknownhimbutanhour，andnowthathewasallinall，oh，woulditbesogreatathing？Ifshedied——diedsecretly，swiftly，surely——Geoffreywouldbesaved;theywouldnottroublehimthen，therewouldbenoonetotroubleabout:OwenDaviescouldnotmarryherthen，Geoffreycouldnotruinhimselfoverher，Elizabethcouldpursuehernofurther。ItwouldbewelltodothisthingforGeoffrey，andhewouldalwaysloveher，andbeyondthatblackcurtaintheremightbesomethingbetter。
　　Theysaidthatitwassin。Yes，itmightbesintoactthusforoneselfalone。Buttodoitforanother——howofthat！WasnottheSaviourwhomtheypreachedaManofSacrifice？WoulditbeasininhertodieforGeoffrey，tosacrificeherselfthatGeoffreymightgofree？
　　Oh，itwouldbenogreatmerit。Herlifewasnotsoeasythatsheshouldfearthispureembrace。Itwouldbebetter，farbetter，thantomarryOwenDavies，thantodesecratetheirloveandteachGeoffreytodespiseher。Andhowelsecouldshewardthistroublefromhimexceptbyherdeath，orbyamarriagethatinhereyeswasmoredreadfulthananydeath？
　　Shecouldnotdoityet。Shecouldnotdieuntilshehadoncemoreseenhisface，eventhoughhedidnotseehers。No，notto-nightwouldsheseekthisswiftsolution。Shehadwordstosay——orwordstowrite——beforetheend。Alreadytheyrushedinuponhermind！
　　Butifnobetterplanpresenteditselfshewoulddoit，shewassurethatshewould。Itwasasin——well，letitbeasin;whatdidshecareifshesinnedforGeoffrey？Hewouldnotthinktheworseofherforit。Andshehadhope，yes，Geoffreyhadtaughthertohope。IftherewasaHell，whyitwashere。AndyetnotallaHell，forinitshehadfoundherlove！
　　Itgrewdark;shecouldhearthewhisperofthewavesuponBryngellybeach。Itgrewdark;thenightwasclosinground。Shepaddledtowithinafewfathomsoftheshore，andcalledinherclearvoice。
　　“Ay，ay，miss。”answeredoldEdwardfromthebeach。“Comeinonthenextwave。”
　　Shecameinaccordinglyandhercanoewascaughtanddraggedhighanddry。
　　“What，MissBeatrice。”saidtheoldmanshakinghisheadandgrumbling，“atitagain！Outallaloneinthatthing。”andhegavethecanoeacontemptuouskick，“andinthedark，too。Youwantahusbandtolookafteryou，youdo。You’llneverresttillyou’redrowned。”
　　“No，Edward。”sheansweredwithalittlelaugh。“Idon’tsupposethatIshall。Thereisnopeaceforthewickedaboveseas，youknow。Nowdonotscold。Thecanoeisassafeaschurchinthisweatherandinthebay。”
　　“Oh，yes，it’ssafeenoughinthecalmandthebay。”heanswered，“butsupposingitshouldcomeontoblowandsupposingyoushoulddriftbeyondtheshelterofRumballPointthere，andgettherollersdownonyou——whyyouwouldbedrownedinfiveminutes。It’swicked，miss，that’swhatitis。”
　　Beatricelaughedagainandwent。
　　“She’safunnyonesheis。”saidtheoldmanscratchinghisheadashelookedafterher，“ofallthewomanfolkaseverIknowedsheistherummest。Isometimesthinksshewantstogetdrowned。DashmeifI
　　haven’thalfamindtostaveaholeinthebottomofthattheredamnedcanoe，andfinishit。”
　　Beatricereachedhomealittlebeforesuppertime。HerfirstactwastocallBettytheservantandwithherassistancetoshiftherbedandthingsintothespareroom。WithElizabethshewouldhavenothingmoretodo。Theyhadslepttogethersincetheywerechildren，nowshehaddonewithher。Thenshewentintosupper，andsatthroughitlikeastatue，speakingnoword。HerfatherandElizabethkeptupastrainedconversation，buttheydidnotspeaktoher，norshetothem。
　　Elizabethdidnotevenaskwhereshehadbeen，nortakeanynoticeofherchangeofroom。
　　Onething，however，Beatricelearnt。HerfatherwasgoingontheMondaytoHerefordbyanearlytraintoattendameetingofclergymencollectedtodiscussthetithequestion。HewastoreturnbythelasttrainontheTuesdaynight，thatis，aboutmidnight。BeatricenowdiscoveredthatElizabethproposedtoaccompanyhim。Evidentlyshewishedtoseeaslittleaspossibleofhersisterduringthisweekoftruce——possiblyshewasalittleafraidofher。EvenElizabethmighthaveaconscience。
　　SosheshouldbeleftalonefromMondaymorningtillTuesdaynight。
　　Onecandoagooddealinfortyhours。
　　AftersupperBeatriceroseandlefttheroom，withoutaword，andtheyweregladwhenshewent。Shefrightenedthemwithhersetfaceandgreatcalmeyes。Butneitherspoketotheotheronthesubject。Theyhadenteredintoaconspiracyofsilence。
　　Beatricelockedherdoorandthensatatthewindowlostinthought。
　　Whenoncetheideaofsuicidehasenteredtheminditisapttogrowwithstartlingrapidity。Shereviewedthewholeposition;shewentoveralltheargumentsandsearchedthemoralhorizonforsomefeasibleavenueofescape。ButshecouldfindnonethatwouldsaveGeoffrey，exceptthis。Yes，shewoulddoit，asmanyanotherwretchedwomanhaddonebeforeher，notfromcowardiceindeed，forhadshealonebeenconcernedshewouldhavefacedthethingout，fightingtothebitterend——butforthisreasononly，itwouldcutoffthedangerswhichthreatenedGeoffreyattheirveryrootandsource。Ofcoursetheremustbenoscandal;itmustneverbeknownthatshehadkilledherself，orshemightdefeatherownobject，forthestorywouldberakedup。Butshewellknewhowtoavoidsuchapossibility;inherextremityBeatricegrewcunningasafox。Yes，andtheremightbeaninquestatwhichawkwardquestionswouldbeasked。But，asshewellknewalso，beforeaninquestcanbeheldtheremustbesomethingtoholditon，andthatsomethingwouldnotbethere。
　　AndsointheuttersilenceofthenightandinthelonelinessofherchamberdidBeatricededicateherselftosacrificeuponthealtarofherimmeasurablelove。ShewouldfacethelastagoniesofdeathwhenthebloomofheryouthfulstrengthandbeautywasbutopeningasaroseinJune。Shewoulddomore，shewouldbravethethreatenedvengeanceofthemostHigh，comingbeforeHimaselfmurderess，andwithbutonepleaforpity——thatshelovedsowell:/quiamultumamavit/。Yes，shewoulddoallthis，wouldleavethewarmworldinthedawningsummerofherdays，andalonegooutintothedark——alonewouldfacethosevisionswhichmightcome——thoseShapesofterror，andthoseThingsoffear，thatperchancemaywaitforsinfulhumankind。
　　Aloneshewouldgo——oh，handinhandwithhimithadbeeneasy，butthismustnotbe。Thedoorofutterdarknesswouldswingtobehindher，andwhocouldsayifintimetocomeitshouldopentoGeoffrey’sfollowingfeet，orifhemighteverfindthepaththatshehadtrod。
　　Itmustbedone，itshouldbedone！Beatricerosefromherseatwithbrighteyesandquick-comingbreath，andsworebeforeGod，ifGodtherewere，thatshewoulddoit，trustingtoHimforpardonandforpity，orfailingthese——forsleep。
　　Yes，butfirstshemustoncemorelookuponGeoffrey’sdearface——andthenfarewell！
　　Pityher！poormistakenwoman，makingofherwillaProvidence，rushingtodoom。Pityher，butdonotblameherovermuch，orifyoudo，thenblameJudithandJephtha’sdaughterandCharlotteCorday，andallthegloriouswomenwhofromtimetotimehaverisenonthissordidworldofself，andgiventhemselvesasanofferinguponthealtarsoftheirlove，theirreligion，theirhonourortheircountry！
　　Itwasfinished。Nowletherrestwhileshecould，seeingwhatwastocome。Withasighforallthatwas，andallthatmighthavebeen，Beatricelaydownandsoonsleptsweetlyasachild。
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　THEHOUSEOFCOMMONS
　　NextdaywasSunday。Beatricedidnotgotochurch。Foronething，shefearedtoseeOwenDaviesthere。ButshetookherSundayschoolclassasusual，andlongdidthechildrenrememberhowkindandpatientshewaswiththemthatday，andhowbeautifullyshetoldthemthestoryoftheJewishgirloflongago，whowentforthtodieforthesakeofherfather’soath。
　　Nearlyalltherestofthedayandeveningshespentinwritingthatwhichweshallreadintime——onlyinthelateafternoonshewentoutforalittlewhileinhercanoe。AnotherthingBeatricedidalso:shecalledatthelodgingofherassistant，theheadschoolteacher，andtoldheritwaspossiblethatshewouldnotbeinherplaceontheTuesdayMondaywas，asitchanced，aholiday。Ifanybodyinquiredastoherabsence，perhapsshewouldkindlytellthemthatMissGrangerhadanappointmenttokeep，andhadtakenamorning’sholidayinordertodoso。Sheshould，however，bebackthatafternoon。Theteacherassentedwithoutsuspicion，remarkingthatifBeatricecouldnottakeamorning’sholiday，shewassureshedidnotknowwhocould。
　　Nextmorningtheybreakfastedveryearly，becauseMr。GrangerandElizabethhadtocatchthetrain。Beatricesatthroughthemealinsilence，hercalmeyeslookingstraightbeforeher，andtheothers，gazingonthem，andatthelovelyinscrutableface，feltanindefinablefearcreepintotheirhearts。Whatdidthiswomanmeantodo？Thatwasthequestiontheyaskedofthemselves，thoughnotofeachother。Thatshemeanttodosomethingtheyweresure，fortherewaspurposewrittenoneverylineofhercoldface。
　　Suddenly，astheysatthinking，andmakingpretencetoeat，athoughtflashedlikeanarrowintoBeatrice’sheart，andpiercedit。Thiswasthelastmealthattheycouldevertaketogether，thiswasthelasttimethatshecouldeverseeherfather’sandhersister’sfaces。Forhersister，well，itmightpass——fortherearesomethingswhichevenawomanlikeBeatricecanneverquiteforgive——butshelovedherfather。Shelovedhisveryfaults，evenhissimpleavariceandself-
　　seekinghadbecomeendearedtoherbylongandwonderingcontemplation。Besides，hewasherfather;hegaveherthelifeshewasabouttocastaway。Andsheshouldneverseehimmore。Notonthataccountdidshehesitateinherpurpose，whichwasnowsetinhermind，likeBryngellyCastleonitsrock，butatthethoughttearsrushedunbiddentohereyes。
　　Justthenbreakfastcametoanend，andElizabethhurriedfromtheroomtofetchherbonnet。
　　“Father。”saidBeatrice，“ifyoucanbeforeyougo，IshouldliketohearyousaythatyoudonotbelievethatItoldyouwhatwasfalse——
　　aboutthatstory。”
　　“Eh，eh！“answeredtheoldmannervously，“Ithoughtthatwehadagreedtosaynothingaboutthematteratpresent。”
　　“Yes，butIshouldliketohearyousayit，father。ItcutsmethatyoushouldthinkthatIwouldlietoyou，forinmylifeIhaveneverwilfullytoldyouwhatwasnottrue;“andsheclaspedherhandsabouthisarms，andlookedintohisface。
　　Hegazedatherdoubtfully。Wasitpossibleafterallshewasspeakingthetruth？No;itwasnotpossible。
　　“Ican’t，Beatrice。”hesaid——“notthatIblameyouovermuchfortryingtodefendyourself;acorneredratwillshowfight。”
　　“Mayyouneverregretthosewords。”shesaid;“andnowgood-bye。”andshekissedhimontheforehead。
　　AtthismomentElizabethentered，sayingthatitwastimetostart，andhedidnotreturnthekiss。
　　“Good-bye，Elizabeth。”saidBeatrice，stretchingoutherhand。ButElizabethaffectednottoseeit，andinanothermomenttheyweregone。Shefollowedthemtothegateandwatchedthemtilltheyvanisheddowntheroad。Thenshereturned，herheartstrainedalmosttobursting。Butsheweptnotear。
　　ThusdidBeatricebidalastfarewelltoherfatherandhersister。
　　“Elizabeth。”saidMr。Granger，astheydrewneartothestation，“IamnoteasyinmythoughtsaboutBeatrice。Therewassuchastrangelookinhereyes;it——inshort，itfrightensme。IhavehalfamindtogiveupHereford，andgoback。”andhestoppedupontheroad，hesitating。
　　“Asyoulike。”saidElizabethwithasneer，“butIshouldthinkthatBeatriceisbigenoughandbadenoughtolookafterherself。”
　　“BeforetheGodwhomadeus。”saidtheoldmanfuriously，andstrikingthegroundwithhisstick，“shemaybebad，butsheisnotsobadasyouwhobetrayedher。IfBeatriceisaMagdalene，youareawomanJudas;andIbelievethatyouhateher，andwouldbegladtoseeherdead。”
　　Elizabethmadenoanswer。Theywerenearingthestation，forherfatherhadstartedonagain，andtherewerepeopleabout。Butshelookedathim，andheneverforgotthelook。Itwasquiteenoughtochillhimintosilence，nordidhealludetothematteranymore。
　　Whentheyweregone，Beatricesetaboutherownpreparations。HerwildpurposewastotraveltoLondon，andcatchaglimpseofGeoffrey’sfaceintheHouseofCommons，ifpossible，andthenreturn。Sheputonherbonnetandbestdress;thelatterwasveryplainlymadeofsimplegreycloth，butonheritlookedwellenough，andinthebreastofitshethrusttheletterwhichshehadwrittenonthepreviousday。A
　　smallhand-bag，withsomesandwichesandabrushandcombinit，andacloak，madeupthetotalofherbaggage。
　　Thetrain，whichdidnotstopatBryngelly，leftCoedatten，andCoedwasanhourandahalf’swalk。Shemustbestarting。Ofcourse，shewouldhavetobeabsentforthenight，andshewassorelypuzzledhowtoaccountforherabsencetoBetty，theservantgirl;theothersbeinggonetherewasnoneedtodosotoanybodyelse。Butherefortunebefriendedher。Whileshewasthinkingthematterover，whoshouldcomeinbutBettyherself，crying。Shehadjustheard，shesaid，thatherlittlesister，wholivedwiththeirmotheratavillageabouttenmilesaway，hadbeenknockeddownbyacartandbadlyhurt。
　　Mightshegohomeforthenight？Shecouldcomebackonthemorrow，andMissBeatricecouldgetsomebodyintosleepifshewaslonesome。
　　Beatricesympathised，demurred，andconsented，andBettystartedatonce。Assoonasshewasgone，Beatricelockedupthehouse，putthekeyinherpocket，andstartedonherfivemiles’tramp。Nobodysawherleavethehouse，andshepassedbyapathatthebackofthevillage，sothatnobodysawherontheroad。ReachingCoedStationquiteunobserved，andjustbeforethetrainwasdue，sheletdownherveil，andtookathird-classtickettoLondon。Thisshewasobligedtodo，forherstockofmoneywasverysmall;itamounted，altogether，tothirty-sixshillings，ofwhichthefaretoLondonandbackwouldcosthertwenty-eightandfourpence。
　　Inanotherminuteshehadenteredanemptycarriage，andthetrainhadsteamedaway。
　　ShereachedPaddingtonabouteightthatnight，andgoingtotherefreshmentroom，dinedonsometeaandbreadandbutter。Thenshewashedherhands，brushedherhair，andstarted。
　　BeatricehadneverbeeninLondonbefore，andassoonassheleftthestationtherushandroarofthehugecitytookholdofher，andconfusedher。HerideawastowalktotheHousesofParliamentatWestminster。Shewould，shethought，besuretoseeGeoffreythere，becauseshehadboughtadailypaperinwhichshehadreadthathewastobeoneofthespeakersinagreatdebateontheIrishQuestion，whichwastobebroughttoaclosethatnight。ShehadbeentoldbyafriendlyportertofollowPraedStreettillshereachedtheEdgwareRoad，thentowalkontotheMarbleArch，andaskagain。Beatricefollowedthefirstpartofthisprogramme——thatis，shewalkedasfarastheEdgwareRoad。Thenitwasthatconfusionseizedherandshestoodhesitating。Atthisjuncture，acoarsebruteofamancameupandmadesomeremarktoher。ItwasimpossibleforawomanlikeBeatricetowalkaloneinthestreetsofLondonatnight，withoutrunningtheriskofsuchattentions。Sheturnedfromhim，andasshedidso，heardhimsaysomethingaboutherbeautytoafellowArcadian。
　　Closetowhereshewasstoodtwohansomcabs。ShewenttothefirstandaskedthedriverforhowmuchhewouldtakehertotheHouseofCommons。
　　“Twobob，miss。”heanswered。
　　Beatriceshookherhead，andturnedtogoagain。Shewasafraidtospendsomuchoncabs，forshemustgetbacktoBryngelly。
　　“I’lltakeyerforeighteenpence，miss。”calledouttheotherdriver。
　　Thisoffershewasabouttoacceptwhenthefirstmaninterposed。
　　“Youleavemyfarealone，willyer？Tellyerwhat，miss，I’magentleman，Iam，andI’lltakeyerforabob。”
　　Shesmiledandenteredthecab。Thencameawhirlofgreatgas-litthoroughfares，andinaquarterofanhourtheypulledupattheentrancetotheHouse。Beatricepaidthecabmanhisshilling，thankedhim，andentered，onlyoncemoretofindherselfconfusedwithavisionofwhitestatues，marblefloors，higharchingroofs，andhurryingpeople。Anautomaticpolicemanaskedherwhatshewanted。
　　BeatriceansweredthatshewishedtogetintotheHouse。
　　“Passthisway，then，miss——passthisway。”saidtheautomaticofficerinavoiceofbrass。Shepassed，andpassed，andfinallyfoundherselfinalobby，amongacrowdofpeopleofallsorts——seedypoliticaltouts，Irishpriestsandhurryingpress-men。Atonesideofthelobbyweremorepolicemenandmessengers，whowerecontinuallytakingcardsintotheHouse，thenreturningandcallingoutnames。Insensiblyshedriftedtowardsthesepolicemen。
　　“Ladies’Gallery，miss？”saidavoice;“yourorder，please，thoughI
　　thinkit’sfull。”
　　Herewasafreshcomplication。Beatricehadnoorder。Shehadnoideathatonewasnecessary。
　　“Ihaven’tgotanorder。”shesaidfaintly。“IdidnotknowthatI
　　musthaveone。CanInotgetinwithout？”
　　“Mostcertainly/not/，miss。”answeredthevoice，whileitsowner，suspectingdynamite，surveyedherwithacoldofficialeye。“Nowmakeway，makeway，please。”
　　Beatrice’sgreyeyesfilledwithtears，assheturnedtogoinbitternessofheart。Soallherlabourwasinvain，andthatwhichwouldbedonemustbedonewithoutthemutefarewellshesought。Well，whensorrowwassomuch，whatmatteredalittlemore？Sheturnedtogo，butnotunobserved。AcertainratheryouthfulMemberofParliament，withaneyeforbeautyindistress，hadbeenstandingclosetoher，talkingtoaconstituent。Theconstituenthaddepartedtowhereverconstituentsgo——andmanyrepresentatives，ifasked，wouldcheerfullypointoutalocalitysuitabletothegenus，atleastintheirjudgment——andthememberhadoverheardtheconversationandseenBeatrice’seyesfillwithtears。“Whatalovelywoman！“hehadsaidtohimself，andthendidwhatheshouldhavedone，namely，liftedhishatandinquiredif，asamemberoftheHouse，hecouldbeofanyservicetoher。Beatricelistened，andexplainedthatshewasparticularlyanxioustogetintotheLadies’Gallery。
　　“IthinkthatIcanhelpyou，then。”hesaid。“Asithappensalady，forwhomIgotanorder，hastelegraphedtosaythatshecannotcome。
　　Willyoufollowme？MightIaskyoutogivemeyourname？”
　　“Mrs。Everston。”answeredBeatrice，takingthefirstthatcameintoherhead。Thememberlookedalittledisappointed。Hehadvaguelyhopedthatthislovelycreaturewasunappropriated。Surelyhermarriagecouldnotbesatisfactory，orshewouldnotlooksosad。
　　Thencamemorestairsandpassages，andformalities，tillpresentlyBeatricefoundherselfinakindofbird-cage，crowdedtosuffocationwitheverysortoflady。
　　“I’mafraid——Iamverymuchafraid——“beganhernew-foundfriend，surveyingthemasswithdismay。
　　Butatthatmoment，astoutladyinfrontfeelingfaintwiththeheat，wasforcedtoleavetheGallery，andalmostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，Beatricewasinstalledinherplace。Herfriendhadbowedandvanished，andshewaslefttoallpurposesalone，forsheneverheededthoseabouther，thoughsomeofthemlookedatherhardenough，wonderingatherformandbeauty，andwhoshemightbe。
　　ShecasthereyedownoverthecrowdedHouse，andsawavisionofhats，collars，andlegs，andheardatumultofsounds:thesharpvoiceofaspeakerwhowasrapidlylosinghistemper，theplauditsoftheGovernmentbenches，theinterruptionsfromtheOpposition——yes，evenyells，andhoots，andnoises，thatremindedherremotelyofthecrowingofcocks。Possiblyhadshethoughtofit，Beatricewouldnothavebeengreatlyimpressedwiththedignityofanassembly，atthedoorsofwhichsomanyofitsmembersseemedtoleavetheirmanners，withtheirovercoatsandsticks;itmightevenhavesuggestedtheideaofabeargardentohermind。Butshesimplydidnotthinkaboutit。
　　ShesearchedtheHousekeenlyenough，butitwastofindoneface，andoneonly——Ah！therehewas。
　　AndnowtheHouseofCommonsmightvanishintothebottomlessabyss，andtakewithittheHouseofLords，andwhatremainedoftheBritishConstitution，andshewouldnevermissthem。For，atthebestoftimes，Beatrice——incommonwithmostofhersex——inallgratitudebeitsaid，was/not/anardentpolitician。
　　ThereGeoffreysat，hisarmsfolded——thehatpushedslightlyfromhisforehead，sothatshecouldseehisface。Therewasherownbeloved，whomshehadcomesofartosee，andwhomto-morrowshewoulddaresomuchtosave。Howsadhelooked——hedidnotseemtobepayingmuchattentiontowhatwasgoingon。Sheknewwellenoughthathewasthinkingofher;shecouldfeelitinherheadasshehadoftenfeltitbefore。Butshedarednotlethermindgoouttohiminanswer，for，ifonceshedidso，sheknewalsothathewoulddiscoverher。Soshesat，andfedhereyesuponhisface，takingherfarewellofit，whileroundher，andbeneathher，thehumoftheHousewenton，aseverpresentandasunnoticedasthehumofbeesuponasummernoon。
　　Presentlythegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoher，satdowninthenextseattoGeoffrey，andbegantowhispertohim，ashedidsoglancingonceortwicetowardsthegratingbehindwhichshewas。Sheguessedthathewastellinghimthestoryoftheladywhowassounaccountablyanxioustohearthedebate，andhowprettyshewas。ButitdidnotseemtointerestGeoffreymuch，andBeatricewasfeminineenoughtonoticeit，andtobegladofit。Inhergentlejealousy，shedidnotliketothinkofGeoffreyasbeinginterestedinaccountsofmysteriousladies，howeverpretty。
　　Atlengthaspeakerrose——sheunderstoodfromthemurmurofthosearoundherthathewasoneoftheleadersoftheOpposition，andcommencedapowerfulandbitterspeech。ShenoticedthatGeoffreyrousedhimselfatthispoint，andbegantolistenwithattention。
　　“Look。”saidoneoftheladiesnearher，“Mr。Binghamistakingnotes。
　　Heisgoingtospeaknext——hespeakswonderfully，youknow。TheysaythatheisasgoodasanybodyintheHouse，exceptGladstone，andLordRandolph。”
　　“Oh！“answeredanotherlady。“LadyHonoriaisnothere，isshe？I
　　don’tseeher。”
　　“No。”repliedthefirst;“sheisadearcreature，andsohandsometoo——justthewifeforarisingman——butIdon’tthinkthatshetakesmuchinterestinpolitics。Arenotherdinnerscharming？”
　　Atthismoment，avolleyofapplausefromtheOppositionbenchesdrownedthemurmuredconversation。
　　Thisspeakerspokeforaboutthree-quartersofanhour，andthenatlastGeoffreystoodup。Oneortwoothermembersroseatthesametime，butultimatelytheygaveway。
　　Hebeganslowly——andsomewhattamely，asitseemedtoBeatrice，whoseheartwasinhermouth——butwhenhehadbeenspeakingforaboutfiveminutes，hewarmedup。AndthenbeganoneofthemostremarkableoratoricaldisplaysofthatParliament。Geoffreyhadspokenwellbefore，andwouldspeakwellagain，butperhapsheneverspokesowellashediduponthatnight。FornearlyanhourandahalfheheldtheHouseinchains，eventhehootsandinterruptionsdiedawaytowardstheendofhisoration。Hispowerfulpresenceseemedtotowerintheplace，likethatofagiantamongpigmies，andhisdark，handsomeface，litwiththefiresofeloquence，shonelikealamp。Heleanedforwardwithaslightstoopofhisbroadshoulders，andaddressedhimself，nominallytotheSpeaker，butreallytotheOpposition。Hetooktheirfactsonebyone，andwithconvincinglogicshowedthattheywerenofacts;amidahissofangerhepulverisedtheirargumentsanddemonstratedtheirmotives。Thensuddenlyhedroppedthemaltogether，andaddressinghimselftotheHouseatlarge，andthecountrybeyondtheHouse，hestruckanothernote，andbrokeoutintothatstormofpatrioticeloquencewhichconfirmedhisgrowingreputation，bothinParliamentandintheconstituencies。
　　Beatriceshuthereyesandlistenedtothedeep，richvoiceasitrosefromheighttoheightandpowertopower，tillthewholeplaceseemedfullofit，andeverycontendingsoundwashushed。
　　Suddenly，afteraninvocationthatwouldhavebeenpassionatehaditnotbeensorestrainedandstrong，hestopped。Sheopenedhereyesandlooked。Geoffreywasseatedasbefore，withhishaton。Hehadbeenspeakingforanhourandahalf，andyet，toher，itseemedbutafewminutessinceherose。Thenbrokeoutavolleyofcheers，inthemidstofwhichaleaderoftheOppositionrosetoreply，notintheverybestoftempers，forGeoffrey’sspeechhadhitthemhard。
　　Hebegan，however，bycomplimentingthehonourablememberonhisspeech，“asfineaspeechashehadlistenedtoformanyyears，though，unfortunately，madefromamistakenstandpointandthewrongsideoftheHouse。”ThenhetwittedtheGovernmentwithnothavingsecuredtheservicesofamansoinfinitelyablerthanthemajorityoftheir“items。”andexcitedagooddealofamusementbystating，withsomesarcastichumour，that，shoulditeverbehislottooccupythefrontTreasurybench，heshouldcertainlymakeacertainproposaltothehonourablemember。Afterthisgood-naturedbadinage，hedriftedoffintotheconsiderationofthequestionunderdiscussion，andBeatricepaidnofurtherattentiontohim，butoccupiedherselfinwatchingGeoffreydropbackintothesameapparentstateofcoldindifference，fromwhichthenecessityofactionhadarousedhim。
　　Presentlythegentlemanwhohadfoundhertheseatcameupandspoketoher，askingherhowshewasgettingon。VerysoonhebegantospeakofGeoffrey’sspeech，sayingthatitwasoneofthemostbrilliantofthesession，ifnotthemostbrilliant。
　　“ThenMr。Binghamisarisingman，Isuppose？”Beatricesaid。
　　“Rising？Ishouldthinkso。”heanswered。“TheywillgethimintotheGovernmentonthefirstopportunityafterthis;he’stoogoodtoneglect。VeryfewmencancometotheforelikeMr。Bingham。Wecallhimthecomet，andifonlyhedoesnotmakeamessofhischancesbydoingsomethingfoolish，thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldnotbeAttorney-Generalinafewyears。”
　　“Whyshouldhedoanythingfoolish？”sheasked。
　　“Oh，fornoreasononearth，thatIknowof;only，asIdaresayyouhavenoticed，menofthissortareveryapttodoridiculousthings，throwuptheircareer，getintoapublicscandal，runawaywithsomebodyorsomething。NotthatthereshouldbeanyfearofsuchathingwhereMr。Binghamisconcerned，forhehasacharmingwife，andtheysaythatsheisagreathelptohim。Why，thereisthedivisionbell。Good-bye，Mrs。Everston，Iwillcomebacktoseeyouout。”
　　“Good-bye。”Beatriceanswered，“andincaseIshouldmissyou，Iwishtosaysomething——tothankyouforyourkindnessinhelpingmetogetinhereto-night。Youhavedonemeagreatservice，averygreatservice，andIammostgratefultoyou。”
　　“Itisnothing——nothing。”heanswered。“Ithasbeenapleasuretohelpyou。If。”headdedwithsomeconfusion，“youwouldallowmetocallsomeday，thepleasurewillbeallthegreater。IwillbringMr。
　　Binghamwithme，ifyouwouldliketoknowhim——thatis，ifIcan。”
　　Beatriceshookherhead。“Icannot。”sheanswered，smilingsadly。“I
　　amgoingonalongjourneyto-morrow，andIshallnotreturnhere。
　　Good-bye。”
　　Inanothersecondhewasgone，morepiquedandinterestedaboutthisfairunknownthanhehadbeenaboutanywomanforyears。Whocouldshebe？andwhywasshesoanxioustohearthedebate？Therewasamysteryinitsomewhere，andhedeterminedtosolveitifhecould。
　　Meanwhilethedivisiontookplace，andpresentlythemembersflockedback，andamidstringingMinisterialcheers，andcounterOppositioncheers，thevictoryoftheGovernmentwasannounced。Thencametheusualformalities，andthemembersbegantomeltaway。BeatricesawtheleaderoftheHouseandseveralmembersoftheGovernmentgouptoGeoffrey，shakehishand，andcongratulatehim。Then，withonelonglook，sheturnedandwent，leavinghiminthemomentofhistriumph，thatseemedtointeresthimsolittle，butwhichmadeBeatricemoreproudatheartthanifshehadbeendeclaredempressoftheworld。
　　Oh，itwaswelltoloveamanlikethat，amanborntotoweroverhisfellowmen——andwelltodieforhim！Couldshelethermiserableexistenceinterferewithsuchalifeashisshouldbe？Never，never！
　　Thereshouldbeno“publicscandal“onheraccount。
　　Shedrewherveiloverherface，andinquiredthewayfromtheHouse。
　　Presentlyshewasoutside。Byoneofthegateways，andintheshadowofitspillars，shestopped，watchingthemembersoftheHousestreampasther。Manyofthemweretalkingtogether，andonceortwiceshecaughtthesoundofGeoffrey’sname，coupledwithsuchwordsas“splendidspeech。”andothertermsofadmiration。
　　“Moveon，moveon。”saidapolicemantoher。Liftingherveil，Beatriceturnedandlookedathim，andmutteringsomethinghemovedonhimself，leavingherinpeace。PresentlyshesawGeoffreyandthegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoherwalkingalongtogether。Theycamethroughthegateway;thelappetofhiscoatbrushedherarm，andheneversawher。Closershecrouchedagainstthepillar，hidingherselfinitsshadow。WithinsixfeetofherGeoffreystoppedandlitacigar。Thelightofthematchflareduponhisface，thatdark，strongfaceshelovedsowell。Howtiredhelooked。Agreatlongingtookpossessionofhertostepforwardandspeaktohim，butsherestrainedherselfalmostbyforce。
　　Herfriendwasspeakingtohim，andabouther。
　　“Suchalovelywoman。”hewassaying，“withtheclearestandmostbeautifulgreyeyesthatIeversaw。Butshehasgonelikeadream。I
　　can’tfindheranywhere。Itisamostmysteriousbusiness。”
　　“Youarefallinginlove，Tom。”answeredGeoffreyabsently，ashethrewawaythematchandwalkedon。“Don’tdothat;itisanunhappythingtodo。”andhesighed。
　　Hewasgoing！Oh，heaven！shewouldnever，neverseehimmore！AcoldhorrorseizeduponBeatrice，herbloodseemedtostagnate。Shetrembledsomuchthatshecouldscarcelystand。Leaningforward，shelookedafterhim，withsuchafaceofwoethateventhepoliceman，whohadrepentedhimofhisforbearance，andwasreturningtosendheraway，stoodastonished。Thetwomenhadgoneabouttenyards，whensomethinginducedBeatrice’sfriendtolookback。Hiseyefelluponthewhite，agony-strickenface，nowinthefullglareofthegaslamp。
　　Beatricesawhimturn，andunderstoodherdanger。“Oh，good-bye，Geoffrey！“shemurmured，forasecondallowingherhearttogoforthtowardshim。Thenrealisingwhatshehaddone，shedroppedherveil，andwentswiftly。Thegentlemancalled“Tom“——sheneverlearnthisname——stoodforamomentdumbfounded，andatthatinstantGeoffreystaggered，asthoughhehadbeenstruckbyashot，turnedquitewhite，andhalted。
　　“Why。”saidhiscompanion，“thereisthatladyagain;wemusthavepassedquiteclosetoher。Shewaslookingafterus，Isawherfaceinthegaslight——andIneverwanttoseesuchanother。”
　　Geoffreyseizedhimbythearm。“Whereisshe？”heasked，“andwhatwasshelike？”
　　“Shewasthereasecondago。”hesaid，pointingtothepillar，“butI’velosthernow——Ifancyshewenttowardstherailwaystation，butI
　　couldnotsee。Stop，isthatshe？”andhepointedtoatallpersonwalkingtowardstheAbbey。
　　Quicklytheymovedtointercepther，buttheresultwasnotsatisfactory，andtheyretreatedhastilyfromtheobjectoftheirattentions。
　　MeanwhileBeatricefoundherselfoppositetheentrancetotheWestminsterBridgeStation。Ahansomwasstandingthere;shegotintoitandtoldthemantodrivetoPaddington。
　　Beforethepairhadretracedtheirstepsshewasgone。“Shehasvanishedagain。”said“Tom。”andwentontogiveadescriptionofhertoGeoffrey。Ofherdresshehadunfortunatelytakenlittlenote。ItmightbeoneofBeatrice’s，oritmightnot。ItseemedalmostinconceivabletoGeoffreythatsheshouldbemasqueradingaboutLondon，underthenameofMrs。Everston。Andyet——andyet——hecouldhavesworn——butitwasfolly！
　　Suddenlyhebadehisfriendgood-night，andtookahansom。“Themysterythickens。”saidtheastonished“Tom。”ashewatchedhimdriveaway。“Iwouldgiveahundredpoundstofindoutwhatitallmeans。
　　Oh！thatwoman’sface——ithauntsme。ItlookedlikethefaceofanangelbiddingfarewelltoHeaven。”
　　Butheneverdidfindoutanymoreaboutit，thoughthedespairingeyesofBeatrice，asshebadehermutefarewell，stillsometimeshaunthissleep。
　　Geoffreyreflectedrapidly。Thethingwasridiculous，andyetitwaspossible。Beyondthatbrieflineinanswertohisletter，hehadheardnothingfromBeatrice。Indeedhewaswaitingtohearfromherbeforetakinganyfurtherstep。ButevensupposingshewereinLondon，wherewashetolookforher？Heknewthatshehadnomoney，hecouldnotstaytherelong。ItoccurredtohimtherewasatrainleavingEustonforWalesaboutfourinthemorning。Itwasjustpossiblethatshemightbeintown，andreturningbythistrain。HetoldthecabmantodrivetoEustonStation，andonarrival，closelyquestionedasleepyporter，butwithoutsatisfactoryresults。
　　Thenhesearchedthestation;therewerenotracesofBeatrice。Hedidmore;hesatdown，wearyashewas，andwaitedforanhourandahalf，tillitwastimeforthetraintostart。Therewerebutthreepassengers，andnoneofthemintheleastresembledBeatrice。
　　“Itisverystrange。”Geoffreysaidtohimself，ashewalkedaway。“I
　　couldhaveswornthatIfeltherpresencejustforonesecond。Itmusthavebeennonsense。Thisiswhatcomesofoccultinfluences，andthatkindofthing。Theoccultisanuisance。”
　　IfhehadonlygonetoPaddington！
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　IWILLWAITFORYOU
　　BeatricedrovebacktoPaddington，andasshedrove，thoughherfacedidnotchangefromitsmarblecastofwoethegreattearsrolleddownit，onebyone。
　　Theyreachedthedeserted-lookingstation，andshepaidthemanoutofherfewremainingshillings——seeingthatshewasastranger，heinsisteduponreceivinghalf-a-crown。Then，disregardingtheastonishedstareofanightporter，shefoundherwaytothewaitingroom，andsatdown。Firstshetooktheletterfromherbreast，andaddedsomelinestoitinpencil，butshedidnotpostityet;sheknewthatifshedidsoitwouldreachitsdestinationtoosoon。Thenshelaidherheadbackagainstthewall，andutterlyoutworn，droppedtosleep——herlastsleepuponthisearth，beforethelongestsleepofall。
　　AndthusBeatricewaitedandsleptatPaddington，whileherloverwaitedandwatchedatEuston。
　　Atfiveshewoke，andtheheavycloudofsorrow，past，present，andtocome，rushedinuponherheart。Takingherbag，shemadeherselfastidyasshecould。Thenshesteppedoutsidethestationintothedesertedstreet，andfindingaspacebetweenthehouses，watchedthesunriseoverthewakingworld。Itwasherlastsunrise，Beatriceremembered。
　　Shecamebackfilledwithsuchthoughtsasmightwellstriketheheartofawomanabouttodothethingshehaddecreed。Therefreshmentbarwasopennow，andshewenttoit，andboughtacupofcoffeeandsomebreadandbutter。Thenshetookherticket，nottoBryngellyortoCoed，buttothestationonthissideofBryngelly，andthreemilesfromit。Shewouldrunlessriskofbeingnoticedthere。Thetrainwasshuntedup;shetookherseatinit。Justasitwasstarting，anearlynewspaperboycamealong，yawning。Beatriceboughtacopyofthe/Standard/，outoftheoneandthreepencethatwasleftofhermoney，andopeneditatthesheetcontainingtheleadingarticles。Thefirstonebegan，“Themostpowerful，closelyreasoned，andeloquentspeechmadelastnightbyMr。Bingham，theMemberforPillham，will，wefeelcertain，produceasgreataneffectonthecountryasitdidintheHouseofCommons。Wewelcomeit，notonlyonaccountofitsvalueasacontributiontothepolemicsoftheIrishQuestion，butasapositiveproofofwhathasalreadybeensuspected，thattheUnionistpartyhasinMr。Binghamayoungstatesmanofaveryhighorderindeed，andonewhomremarkableandrapidsuccessattheBarhasnothampered，asistoooftenthecase，inthelargerandlesstechnicalfieldofpolitics。”
　　Andsoon。Beatriceputthepaperdownwithasmileoftriumph。
　　Geoffrey’ssuccesswassplendidandunquestioned。Nothingcouldstophimnow。Duringallthelongjourneyshepleasedherimaginationbyconjuringuppictureafterpictureofthatgreatfutureofhis，inwhichshewouldhavenoshare。Andyethewouldnotforgether;shewassureofthis。Hershadowwouldgowithhimfromyeartoyear，eventotheend，andattimeshemightthinkhowproudshewouldhavebeencouldshebepresenttorecordhistriumphs。Alas！shedidnotrememberthatwhenallislostwhichcanmakelifebeautiful，whenthesunhasset，andthespiritgoneoutoftheday，thepoorgarishlightsofourlittlevictoriescanbutillatoneforthegloriesthathavebeen。Happinessandcontentarefrailplantswhichcanonlyflourishunderfairconditionsifatall。Certainlytheywillnotthrivebeneaththegloomandshadowofapall，andwhentheheartisdeadnotriumphs，howeversplendid，andnorewards，howevergreat，cancompensateforanutterandirredeemableloss。Sheneverguessed，poorgirl，thattimeupontime，inthedecadestobe，Geoffreywouldgladlyhavelaidhishonoursdowninpaymentforoneyearofherdearandunforgottenpresence。Shewastoounselfish;shedidnotthinkthatamancouldthusprizeawoman’slove，andtookitforanaxiomthattosucceedinlifewashisonerealobject——athingtowhichsodivineagiftasshehadgivenGeoffreyisasnothing。ItwasthereforethisJuggernautofherlover’scareerthatBeatricewouldcastdownherlife，littleknowingthattherebyshemustturntheworldlyandtemporalsuccess，whichhealreadyheldsocheap，tobitternessandashes。
　　AtChesterBeatricegotoutofthetrainandpostedherlettertoGeoffrey。Shewouldnotdosotillthenbecauseitmighthavereachedhimtoosoon——beforeallwasfinished！NowitwouldbedeliveredtohimintheHouseaftereverythinghadbeenaccomplishedinitsorder。
　　Shelookedattheletter;itwas，shethought，thelasttokenthatcouldeverpassbetweenthemonthisearth。Onceshepressedittoherheart，onceshetoucheditwithherlips，andthenputitfromherbeyondrecall。Itwasdone;therewasnogoingbacknow。Andevenasshestoodthepostmancameup，whistling，andopeningtheboxcarelesslysweptitscontentsintohiscanvasbag。Couldhehaveknownwhatlayamongthemhewouldhavewhistlednomorethatday。
　　Beatricecontinuedherjourney，andbythreeo’clockarrivedsafelyatthelittlestationnexttoBryngelly。TherewasafairatCoedthatday，andmanypeopleofthepeasantclassgotinhere。Amidsttheconfusionshegaveuphertickettoasmallboy，whowaslookingtheotherwayatthetime，andescapedwithoutbeingnoticedbyasoul。
　　Indeed，thingshappenedsothatnobodyintheneighbourhoodofBryngellyeverknewthatBeatricehadbeentoLondonandbackuponthosedreadfuldays。
　　Beatricewalkedalongthecliff，andinanhourwasatthedooroftheVicarage，fromwhichsheseemedtohavebeenawayforyears。Sheunlockeditandentered。Intheletter-boxwasapost-cardfromherfatherstatingthatheandElizabethhadchangedtheirplansandwouldnotbebacktillthetrainwhicharrivedathalf-pasteightonthefollowingmorning。Somuchthebetter，shethought。Thenshedisarrangedtheclothesuponherbedtomakeitseemasthoughithadbeensleptit，litthekitchenfire，andputthekettleontoboil，andassoonasitwasreadyshetooksomefood。Shewantedallhernerve，andthatcouldnotbekeptupwithoutfood。
　　ShortlyafterthisthegirlBettyreturned，andwentaboutherdutiesinthehousequiteunconsciousthatBeatricehadbeenawayfromitforthewholenight。Hersisterwasmuchbetter，shesaid，inanswertoBeatrice’sinquiries。
　　Whenshehadeatenwhatshecould——itwasnotmuch——Beatricewenttoherroom，undressedherself，bathed，andputonclean，freshthings。
　　Thensheunboundherlovelyhair，anddiditupinacoronetuponherhead。Itwasafashionthatshedidnotoftenadopt，becauseittooktoomuchtime，butonthisday，ofalldays，shehadastrangefancytolookherbest。AlsoherhairhadbeendonelikethisontheafternoonwhenGeoffreyfirstmether。NextsheputonthegreydressoncemorewhichshehadwornonherjourneytoLondon，andtakingthesilverRomanringthatGeoffreyhadgivenherfromthestringbywhichsheworeitaboutherneck，placeditonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。
　　Allthisbeingdone，Beatricevisitedthekitchenandorderedthesupper。Shewentfurtherinherinnocentcunning。Bettyaskedherwhatshewouldlikeforbreakfastonthefollowingmorning，andshetoldhertocooksomebacon，andtobecarefulhowshecutit，asshedidnotlikethickbacon。Then，afteronelonglastlookattheVicarage，shestartedforthelodgingoftheheadteacheroftheschool，and，havingfoundher，inquiredastotheday’swork。
　　Further，Beatricetoldherassistantthatshehaddeterminedtoalterthecourseofcertainlessonsintheschool。TheWednesdayarithmeticclasshadhithertobeentakenbeforethegrammarclass。Onthemorrowshehaddeterminedtochangethis;shewouldtakethegrammarclassattenandthearithmeticclassateleven，andgaveherreasonsforsodoing。Theteacherassented，andBeatriceshookhandswithherandbadehergood-night。Shewouldhavewishedtosayhowmuchshefeltindebtedtoherforherhelpintheschool，butdidnotliketodoso，fearinglest，inthelightofpendingevents，theremarkmightbeviewedwithsuspicion。
　　PoorBeatrice，theseweretheonlyliessheevertold！
　　Shelefttheteacher’slodgings，andwasabouttogodowntothebeachandsittheretillitwastime，whenshewasmetbythefatherofthecrazedchild，JaneLlewellyn。
　　“Oh，MissBeatrice。”hesaid，“Ihavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere。
　　Weareinsadtrouble，miss。PoorJaneisinaravingfit，andtalkingabouthellandthat，andthedoctorsaysshe’sdying。Canyoucome，miss，andseeifyoucandoanythingtoquiether？It’samatteroflifeanddeath，thedoctorsays，miss。”
　　Beatricesmiledsadly;mattersoflifeanddeathwereintheair。“I
　　willcome。”shesaid，“butIshallnotbeabletostaylong。”
　　Howcouldshebetterspendherlasthour？
　　Sheaccompaniedthemantohiscottage。Thechild，dressedonlyinanight-shirt，wasravingfuriously，andevidentlyinthelaststageofexhaustion，norcouldthedoctororhermotherdoanythingtoquiether。
　　“Don’tyousee。”shescreamed，pointingtothewall，“there’stheDevilwaitingforme？And，oh，there’sthemouthofhellwheretheministersaidIshouldgo！Oh，holdme，holdme，holdme！“