’Itisonlythroughdeepsympathythatamancanbecomeagreatartist。’——Lewes’sLifeofGoethe。
　　’Sympathyisfeelingrelatedtoanobject，whilstsentimentisthesamefeelingseekingitselfalone。’——ArnoldToynbee。
　　ChapterI。
　　’Nothingfillsachild’smindlikealargeoldmansion；betterifun—orpartiallyoccupied；peopledwiththespiritsofdeceasedmembersofthecountyandJusticesoftheQuorum。WouldIwereburiedinthepeopledsolitudeofone，withmyfeelingsatsevenyearsold!’——FromLettersofCharlesLamb。
　　ToattemptaformalbiographyofDerrickVaughanwouldbeoutofthequestion，eventhoughheandIhavebeenmoreorlessthrowntogethersincewewerebothinthenursery。ButIhaveanoddsortofwishtonotedownroughlyjustafewofmyrecollectionsofhim，andtoshowhowhisfortunesgraduallydeveloped，beingperhapsstimulatedtomaketheattemptbycertainirritatingremarkswhichoneoverhearsnowoftenenoughatclubsorindrawing—rooms，orindeedwhereveronegoes。"DerrickVaughan，"saytheseauthoritiesoftheworldofsmall—talk，withthatdelightfulairofomnisciencewhichinvariablycharacterisesthem，"why，hesimplyleaptintofame。Heisoneofthefavouritesoffortune。LikeByron，hewokeonemorningandfoundhimselffamous。"
　　Nowthissoundswellenough，butitisalongwayfromthetruth，andI——SydneyWharncliffe，oftheInnerTemple，Barrister—at—law——
　　desire，whilethepastfewyearsarefreshinmymind，towriteatrueversionofmyfriend’scareer。
　　Everyoneknowshisface。Hasitnotappearedin’NotedMen，’and——
　　graduallydeterioratingaccordingtothepriceofthepaperandthequalityoftheengraving——inmanyanotherillustratedjournal？Yetsomehowtheseworksofartdon’tsatisfyme，and，asIwrite，IseebeforemesomethingverydifferentfromthelatestphotographbyMessrs。PaulandReynard。
　　Iseealarge—featured，broad—browedEnglishface，atrifleheavy—
　　lookingwheninrepose，yetathorough，honest，manlyface，withacomplexionneitherdarknorfair，withbrownhairandmoustache，andwithlighthazeleyesthatlookoutontheworldquietlyenough。
　　Youmighttalktohimforlonginanordinarywayandneversuspectthathewasagenius；butwhenyouhavehimtoyourself，whensomeconsciousnessofsympathyrouseshim，heallatoncebecomesadifferentbeing。Hisquieteyeskindle，hisfacebecomesfulloflife——youwonderthatyoueverthoughtitheavyorcommonplace。
　　Thentheworldinterruptsinsomeway，and，justasahermit—crabdrawsdownitsshellwithacomicallyrapidmovement，soDerricksuddenlyretiresintohimself。
　　Thusmuchforhisouterman。
　　Fortherest，thereareofcoursetheneatlittleaccountsofhisbirthplace，hisparentage，hiseducation，etc。，etc。，publishedwiththelistofhisworksindueorder，withtheengravingsintheillustratedpapers。Butthesetelluslittleofthereallifeoftheman。
　　Carlyle，inoneofhisfinestpassages，saysthat’Atruedelineationofthesmallestmanandhissceneofpilgrimagethroughlifeiscapableofinterestingthegreatestmen；thatallmenaretoanunspeakabledegreebrothers，eachman’slifeastrangeemblemofeveryman’s；andthathumanportraitsfaithfullydrawnareofallpicturesthewelcomestonhumanwalls。’AndthoughIdon’tprofesstogiveaportrait，butmerelyasketch，Iwillendeavourtosketchfaithfully，andpossiblyinthefuturemyworkmayfallintothehandsofsomeofthoseworthypeoplewhoimaginethatmyfriendleaptintofameatabound，orofthosecomfortablemortalswhoseemtothinkthatanovelisturnedoutaseasilyaswaterfromatap。
　　Thereis，however，onethingIcanneverdo：——Iamquiteunabletoputintowordsmyfriend’sintenselystrongfeelingwithregardtothesacrednessofhisprofession。ItseemedtomenotunlikethefeelingofIsaiahwhen，inthevision，hismouthhadbeentouchedwiththecelestialfire。AndIcanonlyhopethatsomethingofthismaybereadbetweenmyveryinadequatelines。
　　Lookingback，IfancyDerrickmusthavebeenacleverchild。Buthewasnotprecocious，andinsomerespectswasevendecidedlybackward。Icanseehimnow——itismyfirstclearrecollectionofhim——leaningbackinthecornerofmyfather’scarriageaswedrovefromtheNewmarketstationtooursummerhomeatMondisfield。HeandIweresmallboysofeight，andDerrickhadbeeninvitedfortheholidays，whilehistwinbrother——ifIrememberright——indulgedintyphoidfeveratKensington。Hewasshyandsilent，andtheicewasnotbrokenuntilwepassedSilverySteeple。
　　"That，"saidmyfather，"isaruinedchurch；itwasdestroyedbyCromwellintheCivilWars。"
　　Inaninstantthesmallquietboysittingbesidemewastransformed。
　　Hiseyesshone；hesprangforwardandthrusthisheadfaroutofthewindow，gazingattheoldivy—coveredtoweraslongasitremainedinsight。
　　"WasCromwellreallyoncethere？"heaskedwithbreathlessinterest。
　　"Sotheysay，"repliedmyfather，lookingwithanamusedsmileatthefaceofthequestioner，inwhicheagerness，delight，andreverenceweremingled。"AreyouanadmireroftheLordProtector？"
　　"Heismygreatestheroofall，"saidDerrickfervently。"Doyouthink——oh，doyouthinkhepossiblycaneverhavecometoMondisfield？"
　　Myfatherthoughtnot，butsaidtherewasanoldtraditionthattheHallhadbeenattackedbytheRoyalists，andthebridgeoverthemoatdefendedbytheownerofthehouse；buthehadnogreatbeliefinthestory，forwhich，indeed，thereseemednoevidence。
　　Derrick’seyesduringthisconversationweresomethingwonderfultosee，andlongafter，whenwewerenotactuallyplayingatanything，Iusedoftentonoticethesameexpressionstealingoverhim，andwouldcryout，"Thereisthemandefendingthebridgeagain；Icanseehiminyoureyes!Tellmewhathappenedtohimnext!"
　　Then，generallypacingtoandfrointheapplewalk，orsittingastridethebridgeitself，Derrickwouldtellmeoftheadventuresofmyancestor，PaulWharncliffe，whoperformedincrediblefeatsofvalour，andwhowastobothofusamostrealperson。Onwetdayshewrotehisstoryinacopy—book，andwouldhaveworkedatitforhourshadmymotherallowedhim，thoughofthemanualpartoftheworkhehad，andhasalwaysretained，thegreatestdislike。I
　　rememberwellthecomicalendingofthisfirststoryofhis。Heskippedoveranintervaloftenyears，representedonthepagebytenlaboriouslymadestars，anddidforhisherointhefollowinglines：
　　"Andnow，reader，letuscomeintoMondisfieldchurchyard。Therearethreetombstones。Ononeiswritten，’Mr。PaulWharncliffe。’"
　　Thestorywasnobetterthantheproductionsofmosteight—year—oldchildren，thewrittenstoryatleast。But，curiouslyenough，itprovedtobethegermofthecelebratedromance，’AtStrife，’whichDerrickwroteinafteryears；andhehimselfmaintainsthathispictureoflifeduringtheCivilWarwouldhavebeenmuchlessgraphichadhenotlivedsomuchinthepastduringhisvariousvisitstoMondisfield。
　　Itwasathissecondvisit，whenwewerenine，thatIrememberhisannouncinghisintentionofbeinganauthorwhenhewasgrownup。
　　Mymotherstilldelightsintellingthestory。Shewassittingatworkinthesouthparlouroneday，whenIdashedintotheroomcallingout：
　　"Derrick’sheadisstuckbetweenthebanistersinthegallery；comequick，mother，comequick!"
　　Sheranupthelittlewindingstaircase，andthere，sureenough，inthemusician’sgallery，waspoorDerrick，hismanuscriptandpenonthefloorandhisheadindurancevile。
　　"Yousillyboy!"saidmymother，alittlefrightenedwhenshefoundthattogettheheadbackwasnoeasymatter，"Whatmadeyouputitthrough？"
　　"YoulooklikeKingCharlesatCarisbrooke，"Icried，forgettinghowmuchDerrickwouldresentthespeech。
　　Andbeingreleasedatthatmomenthetookmebytheshouldersandgavemeanangryshakeortwo，ashesaidvehemently，"I’mnotlikeKingCharles!KingCharleswasaliar。"
　　Isawmymothersmilealittleassheseparatedus。
　　"Come，boys，don’tquarrel，"shesaid。"AndDerrickwilltellmethetruth，forindeedIamcurioustoknowwhyhethrusthisheadinsuchaplace。"
　　"Iwantedtomakesure，"saidDerrick，"whetherPaulWharncliffecouldseeLadyLettice，whenshetookthefalcononherwristbelowinthepassage。Imustn’tsayhesawherifit’simpossible，youknow。Authorshavetobequitetrueinlittlethings，andImeantobeanauthor。"
　　"But，"saidmymother，laughingatthegreatearnestnessofthehazeleyes，"couldnotyourherolookoverthetopoftherail？"
　　"Well，yes，"saidDerrick。"Hewouldhavedonethat，butyouseeit’ssodreadfullyhighandIcouldn’tgetup。ButItellyouwhat，Mrs。Wharncliffe，ifitwouldn’tbegivingyouagreatdealoftrouble——I’msorryyouweretroubledtogetmyheadbackagain——butifyouwouldjustlookover，sinceyouaresotall，andI’llrundownandactLadyLettice。"
　　"Whycouldn’tPaulgodownstairsandlookattheladyincomfort？"
　　askedmymother。
　　Derrickmusedalittle。
　　"Hemightlookatherthroughacrackinthedooratthefootofthestairs，perhaps，butthatwouldseemmean，somehow。Itwouldbeapity，too，nottousethegallery；galleriesareuncommon，yousee，andyoucangetcrackeddoorsanywhere。And，youknow，hewasobligedtolookatherwhenshecouldn’tseehim，becausetheirfatherswereondifferentsidesinthewar，anddreadfulenemies。"
　　Whenschool—dayscame，matterswentonmuchinthesameway；therewasalwaysanabominablyscribbledtalestowedawayinDerrick’sdesk，andheworkedinfinitelyharderthanIdid，becausetherewasalwaysbeforehimthisdeterminationtobeanauthorandtopreparehimselfforthelife。Buthewrotemerelyfromloveofit，andwithnoideaofpublicationuntilthebeginningofourlastyearatOxford，when，havingreachedtheripeageofone—and—twenty，hedeterminedtodelaynolonger，buttoplungeboldlyintohisfirstnovel。
　　Hewasseldomabletogetmorethansixoreighthoursaweekforit，becausehewasreadingratherhard，sothatthenovelprogressedbutslowly。Finally，tomyastonishment，itcametoadeadstand—
　　still。
　　IhavenevermadeoutexactlywhatwaswrongwithDerrickthen，thoughIknowthathepassedthroughaterribletimeofdoubtanddespair。IspentpartoftheLongwithhimdownatVentnor，wherehismotherhadbeenorderedforherhealth。ShewasdevotedtoDerrick，andasfarasIcanunderstand，hewasherchiefcomfortinlife。MajorVaughan，thehusband，hadbeenoutinIndiaforyears；
　　theonlydaughterwasmarriedtoarichmanufactureratBirmingham，whohadaconstitutionaldisliketomothers—in—law，andasfaraspossibleeschewedtheircompany；whileLawrence，Derrick’stwinbrother，wasforevergettingintoscrapes，andwasintothebargainthemostunblushinglyselfishfellowIeverhadthepleasureofmeeting。
　　"Sydney，"saidMrs。Vaughantomeoneafternoonwhenwewereinthegarden，"Derrickseemstomeunlikehimself，thereisadivisionbetweenuswhichIneverfeltbefore。Canyoutellmewhatistroublinghim？"
　　Shewasnotatallagood—lookingwoman，butshehadaverysweet，wistfulface，andIneverlookedathersadeyeswithoutfeelingreadytogothroughfireandwaterforher。ItriednowtomakelightofDerrick’sdepression。
　　"Heisonlygoingthroughwhatweallofusgothrough，"Isaid，assumingacheerfultone。"Hehassuddenlydiscoveredthatlifeisagreatriddle，andthatthethingshehasacceptedinblindfaithare，afterall，notsosure。"
　　Shesighed。
　　"Doallgothroughit？"shesaidthoughtfully。"Andhowmany，I
　　wonder，getbeyond？"
　　"Fewenough，"Irepliedmoodily。Then，rememberingmyrole，——"ButDerrickwillgetthrough；hehasathousandthingstohelphimwhichothershavenot，——you，forinstance。AndthenIfancyhehasasortofinsightwhichmostofusarewithout。"
　　"Possibly，"shesaid。"Asforme，itislittlethatIcandoforhim。Perhapsyouareright，anditistruethatonceinalifeatanyrateweallhavetogointothewildernessalone。"
　　ThatwasthelastsummerIeversawDerrick’smother；shetookachillthefollowingChristmasanddiedafterafewdays’illness。
　　ButIhavealwaysthoughtherdeathhelpedDerrickinawaythatherlifemighthavefailedtodo。Foralthoughhenever，Ifancy，quiterecoveredfromtheblow，andtothisdaycannotspeakofherwithouttearsinhiseyes，yetwhenhecamebacktoOxfordheseemedtohavefoundtheanswertotheriddle，andthougholder，sadderandgraverthanbefore，hadquitelosttherestlessdissatisfactionthatforsometimehadcloudedhislife。Inafewmonths，moreover，I
　　noticedafreshsignthathewasoutofthewood。ComingintohisroomsonedayIfoundhimsittinginthecushionedwindow—seat，readingoverandcorrectingsomesheetsofbluefoolscap。
　　"Atitagain？"Iasked。
　　Henodded。
　　"Imeantofinishthefirstvolumehere。FortherestImustbeinLondon。"
　　"Why？"Iasked，alittlecuriousastothisunknownartofnovel—
　　making。
　　"Because，"hereplied，"onemustbeintheheartofthingstounderstandhowLynwoodwasaffectedbythem。"
　　"Lynwood!Ibelieveyouarealwaysthinkingofhim!"（Lynwoodwastheheroofhisnovel。）
　　"Well，soIamnearly——soImustbe，ifthebookistobeanygood。"
　　"Readmewhatyouhavewritten，"Isaid，throwingmyselfbackinaricketybuttolerablycomfortablearm—chairwhichDerrickhadinheritedwiththerooms。
　　Hehesitatedamoment，beingalwaysverydiffidentabouthisownwork；butpresently，havingprovidedmewithacigarandmadeagooddealofunnecessaryworkinarrangingthesheetsofthemanuscript，hebegantoreadaloud，rathernervously，theopeningchaptersofthebooknowsowellknownunderthetitleof’Lynwood’sHeritage。’
　　Ihadheardnothingofhisforthelastfouryears，andwasamazedatthegiganticstridehehadmadeintheinterval。For，spiteofacertaincrudeness，itseemedtomeamostpowerfulstory；itrushedstraighttothepointwithnowavering，nobeatingaboutthebush；
　　itflungitselfintotheproblemsofthedaywithasortofsublimeaudacity；ittookholdofone；itwhirledonealongwithitsowninherentforce，anddrewforthbothlaughterandtears，forDerrick’spowerofpathoshadalwaysbeenhisstrongestpoint。
　　Allatoncehestoppedreading。
　　"Goon!"Icriedimpatiently。
　　"Thatisall，"hesaid，gatheringthesheetstogether。
　　"Youstoppedinthemiddleofasentence!"Icriedinexasperation。
　　"Yes，"hesaidquietly，"forsixmonths。"
　　"Youprovokingfellow!why，Iwonder？"
　　"BecauseIdidn’tknowtheend。"
　　"Goodheavens!Anddoyouknowitnow？"
　　Helookedmefullintheface，andtherewasanexpressioninhiseyeswhichpuzzledme。
　　"IbelieveIdo，"hesaid；and，gettingup，hecrossedtheroom，putthemanuscriptawayinadrawer，andreturning，satdowninthewindow—seatagain，lookingoutonthenarrow，pavedstreetbelow，andatthegreybuildingsopposite。
　　IknewverywellthathewouldneveraskmewhatIthoughtofthestory——thatwasnothisway。
　　"Derrick!"Iexclaimed，watchinghisimpassiveface，"Ibelieveafterallyouareagenius。"
　　IhardlyknowwhyIsaid"afterall，"buttillthatmomentithadneverstruckmethatDerrickwasparticularlygifted。HehadsofargotthroughhisOxfordcareercreditably，butthenhehadworkedhard；histalentswerenotofashowyorder。IhadneverexpectedthathewouldsettheThamesonfire。Evennowitseemedtomethathewastoodreamy，tooquiet，toodevoidofthepushingfacultytosucceedintheworld。
　　Myremarkmadehimlaughincredulously。
　　"Defineagenius，"hesaid。
　　ForanswerIpulleddownhisbelovedImperialDictionaryandreadhimthefollowingquotationfromDeQuincey：’Geniusisthatmodeofintellectualpowerwhichmovesinalliancewiththegenialnature，i。e。，withthecapacitiesofpleasureandpain；whereastalenthasnovestigeofsuchanalliance，andisperfectlyindependentofallhumansensibilities。’
　　"Letmethink!YoucancertainlyenjoythingsahundredtimesmorethanIcan——andasforsuffering，whyyouwerealwaysagreathandatthat。NowlistentothegreatDr。Johnsonandseeifthecapfits，’Thetruegeniusisamindoflargegeneralpowersaccidentallydeterminedinsomeparticulardirection。’
　　"’Largegeneralpowers’!——yes，Ibelieveafterallyouhavethemwith，alas，poorDerrick!onenotableexception——themathematicalfaculty。Youwerealwaysbadatfigures。WewillsticktoDeQuincey’sdefinition，andforheaven’ssake，mydearfellow，dogetLynwoodoutofthatawfulplight!Nowonderyouweredepressedwhenyoulivedallthisagewithsuchasentenceunfinished!"
　　"Forthematterofthat，"saidDerrick，"hecan’tgetouttilltheendofthebook；butIcanbegintogoonwithhimnow。"
　　"AndwhenyouleaveOxford？"
　　"ThenImeantosettledowninLondon——towriteleisurely——andpossiblytoreadfortheBar。"
　　"Wemightbetogether，"Isuggested。AndDerricktooktothisidea，beingamanwhodetestedsolitudeandcrowdsaboutequally。Sincehismother’sdeathhehadbeenverymuchaloneintheworld。ToLawrencehewasalwaysloyal，butthetwohadnothingincommon，andthoughfondofhissisterhecouldnotgetonatallwiththemanufacturer，hisbrother—in—law。ButthisprospectoflifetogetherinLondonpleasedhimamazingly；hebegantorecoverhisspiritstoagreatextentandtolookmuchmorelikehimself。
　　ItmusthavebeenjustashehadtakenhisdegreethathereceivedatelegramtoannouncethatMajorVaughanhadbeeninvalidedhome，andwouldarriveatSouthamptoninthreeweeks’time。Derrickknewverylittleofhisfather，butapparentlyMrs。VaughanhaddoneherbesttokeepupasortofmemoryofhischildishdaysatAldershot，andinthesethepartthathisfatherplayedwasalwayspleasant。Sohelookedforwardtothemeetingnotalittle，whileI，fromthefirst，hadmydoubtsastothefelicityitwaslikelytobringhim。
　　However，itwasordainedthatbeforetheMajor’sshiparrived，hisson’swholelifeshouldchange。EvenLynwoodwasthrustintothebackground。Asforme，Iwasnowhere。ForDerrick，thequiet，theself—contained，hadfallenpassionatelyinlovewithacertainFredaMerrifield。
　　ChapterII。
　　’Infancy？Whatiftherose—streakofmorningPaleanddepartinapassionoftears？
　　Oncetohavehopedisnomatterforscorning：
　　Loveonce：e’enlove’sdisappointmentendears；
　　Amoment’ssuccesspaysthefailureofyears。’
　　R。Browning。
　　Thewonderwouldhavebeenifhehadnotfalleninlovewithher，foramorefascinatinggirlIneversaw。ShehadonlyjustreturnedfromschoolatCompiegne，andwasnotyetout；hercharmingfreshnesswasunsullied；shehadallthesimplicityandstraightforwardnessofunspoilt，unsophisticatedgirlhood。Iwellrememberourfirstsightofher。Wehadbeeninvitedforafortnight’syachtingbyCalverleyofExeter。Hisfather，SirJohnCalverley，hadasailingyacht，andsomeguestshavingdisappointedhimatthelastminute，hegavehissoncarteblancheastowhoheshouldbringtofillthevacantberths。
　　SowethreetravelleddowntoSouthamptontogetheronehotsummerday，andwererowedouttotheAurora，anuncommonlyneatlittleschoonerwhichlayinthatover—ratedandfrequentlyodoriferousroadstead，SouthamptonWater。However，Iadmitthatonthatevening——thetidebeinghigh——theplacelookedremarkablypretty；
　　thelevelraysofthesettingsunturnedthewatertogold；asoftluminoushazehungoverthetownandtheshipping，andbyastretchofimaginationonemighthavethoughttheviewalmostVenetian。
　　Derrick’sperfectcontentwasonlymarredbyhisshyness。IknewthathedreadedreachingtheAurora；andsureenough，aswesteppedontotheexquisitelywhitedeckandcaughtsightofthelittlegroupofguests，Isawhimretreatintohiscrab—shellofsilentreserve。SirJohn，whomadeaverypleasanthost，introducedustotheothervisitors——LordProbynandhiswifeandtheirniece，MissFredaMerrifield。LadyProbynwasSirJohn’ssister，andalsothesisterofMissMerrifield’smother；sothatitwasalmostafamilyparty，andbynomeansaformidablegathering。LadyProbynplayedthepartofhostessandchaperonedherprettyniece；butshewasnotintheleastliketheauntoffiction——onthecontrary，shewascomparativelyyounginyearsandalmostcomicallyyounginmind；herniecewasdevotedtoher，andthemomentIsawherIknewthatourcruisecouldnotpossiblybedull。
　　AstoMissFreda，whenwefirstcaughtsightofhershewasstandingnearthecompanion，dressedinadaintilymadeyachtingcostumeofbluesergeandwhitebraid，androundherwhitesailorhatsheworethenameoftheyachtstampedonawhiteribbon；inherwaist—bandshehadfastenedtwodeepcrimsonroses，andshelookedatuswithfrank，girlishcuriosity，nodoubtwonderingwhetherweshouldaddtoordetractfromtheenjoymentoftheexpedition。Shewasrathertall，andtherewasanairofstrengthandenergyaboutherwhichwasmostrefreshing。Herskinwassingularlywhite，buttherewasahealthyglowofcolourinhercheeks；whileherlarge，greyeyes，shadedbylonglashes，werefulloflifeandbrightness。Astoherfeatures，theywereperhapsatrifleirregular，andhereldersistersweresupposedtoeclipseheraltogether；buttomymindshewasfarthemosttakingofthethree。
　　IwasnotintheleastsurprisedthatDerrickshouldfallheadoverearsinlovewithher；shewasexactlythesortofgirlthatwouldinfalliblyattracthim。Herabsenceofshyness；herstraightforward，easywayoftalking；hergenuinegoodheartedness；
　　herdevotiontoanimals——oneofhisownpethobbies——andfinallyherexquisiteplaying，madetheresultaforegoneconclusion。Andthen，moreover，theywereperpetuallytogether。Hewouldhangoverthepianointhesaloonforhourswhilesheplayed，therestofuslazilyenjoyingtheeasychairsandthefreshairondeck；andwheneverwelanded，thesetwoweresureintheendtobejustalittleapartfromtherestofus。
　　Itwasaneminentlysuccessfulcruise。Wealllikedeachother；theseawascalm，thesunshineconstant，thewindasarulefavourable，andIthinkIneverinasinglefortnightheardsomanygoodstories，orhadsuchagoodtime。Weseemedtogetrightoutoftheworldanditsnarrowrestrictions，awayfromallthatwashollowandbaseanddepressing，onlylandingnowandthenatquaintlittlequietplacesforsomemerryexcursiononshore。Fredawasinthehighestspirits；andastoDerrick，hewasadifferentcreature。
　　Sheseemedtohavethepowerofdrawinghimoutinamarvellousdegree，andshetookthegreatestinterestinhiswork——asurewaytoeveryauthor’sheart。
　　Butitwasnottilloneday，whenwelandedatTresco，thatIfeltcertainshegenuinelylovedhim——thereinoneglancethetruthflasheduponme。Iwaswalkingwithoneofthegardenersdownoneofthelongshadypathsofthatlovelylittleisland，withitscuriouslyforeignlook，whenwesuddenlycamefacetofacewithDerrickandFreda。Theyweretalkingearnestly，andIcouldseehergreatgreyeyesastheywereliftedtohis——perhapstheyweremoreexpressivethansheknew——Icannotsay。Theybothstartedalittleasweconfrontedthem，andthecolourdeepenedinFreda’sface。Thegardener，withwhatphotographersusuallyaskfor——’justthefaintbeginningofasmile，’——turnedandgatheredabitofwhiteheathergrowingnear。
　　"Theysayitbringsgoodluck，miss，"heremarked，handingittoFreda。
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid，laughing，"Ihopeitwillbringittome。Atanyrateitwillremindmeofthisbeautifulisland。Isn’titjustlikeParadise，Mr。Wharncliffe？"
　　"FormeitislikeParadisebeforeEvewascreated，"Ireplied，ratherwickedly。"Bythebye，areyougoingtokeepallthegoodlucktoyourself？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"shesaidlaughing。"PerhapsIshall；butyouhaveonlytoaskthegardener，hewillgatheryouanotherpiecedirectly。"
　　Itookgoodcaretodropbehind，havingnotasteforthethird—
　　fiddlebusiness；butInoticedwhenwewereinthegigoncemore，rowingbacktotheyacht，thatthewhiteheatherhadbeenequallydivided——onehalfwasinthewaist—bandofthebluesergedress，theotherhalfinthebutton—holeofDerrick’sblazer。
　　Sothefortnightslippedby，andatlengthoneafternoonwefoundourselvesoncemoreinSouthamptonWater；thencamethebustleofpackingandthehurryofdeparture，andthemerrypartydispersed。
　　DerrickandIsawthemalloffatthestation，for，ashisfather’sshipdidnotarrivetillthefollowingday，ImadeupmymindtostayonwithhimatSouthampton。
　　"Youwillcomeandseeusintown，"saidLadyProbyn，kindly。AndLordProbyninvitedusbothfortheshootingatBlachingtoninSeptember。"Wewillhavethesamepartyonshore，andseeifwecan’tenjoyourselvesalmostaswell，"hesaidinhisheartyway；
　　"thenovelwillgoallthebetterforit，eh，Vaughan？"
　　Derrickbrightenedvisiblyatthesuggestion。IheardhimtalkingtoFredaallthetimethatSirJohnstoodlaughingandjokingastothecomparativepleasuresofyachtingandshooting。
　　"Youwillbetheretoo？"Derrickasked。
　　"Ican’ttell，"saidFreda，andtherewasashadeofsadnessinhertone。Hervoicewasdeeperthanmostwomen’svoices——arichcontraltowithsomethingstrikingandindividualaboutit。Icouldhearherquiteplainly；butDerrickspokelessdistinctly——healwayshadabadtrickofmumbling。
　　"YouseeIamtheyoungest，"shesaid，"andIamnotreally’out。’
　　Perhapsmymotherwillwishoneoftheelderonestogo；butIhalfthinktheyarealreadyengagedforSeptember，soafterallImayhaveachance。"
　　Inaudibleremarkfrommyfriend。
　　"Yes，IcameherebecausemysistersdidnotcaretoleaveLondontilltheendoftheseason，"repliedtheclearcontralto。"Ithasbeenaperfectcruise。Ishallrememberitallmylife。"
　　Afterthat，nothingmorewasaudible；butIimagineDerrickmusthavehazardedamorepersonalquestion，andthatFredahadadmittedthatitwasnotonlytheactualsailingsheshouldremember。AtanyrateherfacewhenIcaughtsightofitagainmademethinkofthegirldescribedinthe’BiglowPapers’：
　　"’’Twaskin’o’kingdomcometolookOnsechablessedcreatur。
　　Adogroseblushin’toabrookAin’tmodesternorsweeter。’"
　　Sothetrainwentoff，andDerrickandIwerelefttoidleaboutSouthamptonandkilltimeasbestwemight。Derrickseemedtowalkthestreetsinasortofdream——hewasperfectlywellawarethathehadmethisfate，andatthattimenothoughtofdifficultiesinthewayhadariseneitherinhismindorinmyown。Wewerebothofusyoungandinexperienced；wewerebothofusinlove，andwehadtheusuallover’snotionthateverythinginheavenandearthispreparedtofavourthecourseofhisparticularpassion。
　　Irememberthatwesoonfoundthetownintolerable，and，crossingbytheferry，walkedovertoNetleyAbbey，andlaydownidlyintheshadeoftheoldgreywalls。Notabreathofwindstirredthegreatmassesofivywhichwerewreathedabouttheruinedchurch，andtheplacelookedsolovelyinitsdecay，thatwefeltdisposedtojudgethedissolutemonksverylenientlyforhavingbehavedsobadlythattheirchurchandmonasteryhadtobeopenedtothefourwindsofheaven。Afterall，whenisachurchsobeautifulaswhenithasthegreengrassforitsfloorandtheskyforitsroof？
　　IcouldshowyoutheveryspotneartheEastwindowwhereDerricktoldmethewholetruth，andwherewetalkedoverFreda’sperfectionsandtheprobabilityoffrequentmeetingsinLondon。Hehadlistenedsooftenandsopatientlytomyaffairs，thatitseemedanoddreversaltohavetoplaytheconfidant；andifnowandthenmythoughtswanderedofftothecomingmonthatMondisfield，andpicturedvioleteyeswhilehetalkedofgrey，itwasnotfromanylackofsympathywithmyfriend。
　　Derrickwasnotofaself—tormentingnature，andthoughIknewhewasamazedatthethoughtthatsuchagirlasFredacouldpossiblycareforhim，yethebelievedmostimplicitlythatthiswonderfulthinghadcometopass；and，rememberingherfaceaswehadlastseenit，andthelookinhereyesatTresco，I，too，hadnotashadowofadoubtthatshereallylovedhim。Shewasnottheleastbitofaflirt，andsocietyhadnothadachanceyetofmouldingherintotheordinarygirlofthenineteenthcentury。
　　PerhapsitwasthesuddenandunexpectedchangeofthenextdaythatmakesmerememberDerrick’sfacesodistinctlyashelaybackonthesmoothturfthatafternooninNetleyAbbey。Asitlookedthen，fullofyouthandhope，fullofthatdreamofcloudlesslove，Ineversawitagain。
　　ChapterIII。
　　"Religioninhimneverdied，butbecameahabit——ahabitofenduringhardness，andcleavingtothesteadfastperformanceofdutyinthefaceofthestrongestallurementstothepleasanterandeasiercourse。"
　　LifeofCharlesLamb，byA。Ainger。
　　Derrickwasingoodspiritsthenextday。HetalkedmuchofMajorVaughan，wonderedwhetherthevoyagehomehadrestoredhishealth，discussedtheprobablelengthofhisleave，andspeculatedastothenatureofhisillness；thetelegramhadofcoursegivennodetails。
　　"Therehasnotbeenevenaphotographforthelastfiveyears，"heremarked，aswewalkeddowntothequaytogether。"YetIthinkI
　　shouldknowhimanywhere，ifitisonlybyhisheight。Heusedtolooksowellonhorseback。IrememberasachildseeinghiminashamfightchargingupCaesar’sCamp。"
　　"Howoldwereyouwhenhewentout？"
　　"Oh，quiteasmallboy，"repliedDerrick。"ItwasjustbeforeI
　　firststayedwithyou。However，hehashadaregularsuccessionofphotographssentouttohim，andwillknowmeeasilyenough。"
　　PoorDerrick!Ican’tthinkofthatdayevennowwithoutakindofmentalshiver。Wewatchedthegreatsteamerasitglideduptothequay，andDerrickscannedthecrowdeddeckwitheagereyes，butcouldnowhereseethetall，soldierlyfigurethathadlingeredsolonginhismemory。Hestoodwithhishandrestingontherailofthegangway，andwhenpresentlyitwasraisedtothesideofthesteamer，hestillkepthisposition，sothathecouldinstantlycatchsightofhisfatherashepasseddown。Istoodclosebehindhim，andwatchedthemotleyprocessionofpassengers；mostofthemhadthedullcolourlessskinwhichbespeakslongresidenceinIndia，andaparticularlyyellowandpeevish—lookingoldmanwasgrumblingloudlyasheslowlymadehiswaydownthegangway。
　　"Themostdisgracefulscene!"heremarked。"Thefellowwasasdrunkashecouldbe。"
　　"Whowasit？"askedhiscompanion。
　　"Why，MajorVaughan，tobesure。Theonlywonderisthathehasn’tdrunkhimselftodeathbythistime——beenatityearsenough!"
　　Derrickturned，asthoughtoshelterhimselffromthecuriouseyesofthetravellers；buteverywherethequaywascrowded。Itseemedtomenotunlikethelifethatlaybeforehim，withthisnewshamewhichcouldnotbehid，andIshallneverforgetthelookofmiseryinhisface。
　　"Mostlikelyagreatexaggerationofthatspitefuloldfogey’s，"I
　　said。"Neverbelieveanythingthatyouhear，isasoundaxiom。Hadyounotbettertrytogetonboard？"
　　"Yes；andforheaven’ssakecomewithme，Wharncliffe!"hesaid。
　　"Itcan’tbetrue!Itis，asyousay，thatman’sspite，orelsethereissomeoneelseofthenameonboard。Thatmustbeit——
　　someoneelseofthename。"
　　Idon’tknowwhetherhemanagedtodeceivehimself。Wemadeourwayonboard，andhespoketooneofthestewards，whoconductedustothesaloon。Iknewfromtheexpressionoftheman’sfacethatthewordswehadoverheardwerebuttootrue；itwasamereglancethathegaveus，yetifhehadsaidaloud，"Theybelongtothatolddrunkard!ThankheavenI’mnotintheirshoes!"Icouldnothavebetterunderstoodwhatwasinhismind。
　　Therewerethreepersonsonlyinthegreatsaloon：anofficer’sservant，whoseappearancedidnotpleaseme；afinelookingoldmanwithgreyhairandwhiskers，andarough—hewnhonestface，apparentlytheship’sdoctor；andatallgrizzledmaninwhomIatoncesawasortofhorriblelikenesstoDerrick——horriblebecausethisfacewaswickedanddegraded，andbecauseitsownerwasdrunk——
　　noisilydrunk。Derrickpausedforaminute，lookingathisfather；
　　then，deadlypale，heturnedtotheolddoctor。"IamMajorVaughan’sson，"hesaid。
　　Thedoctorgraspedhishand，andtherewassomethingintheoldman’skindly，chivalrousmannerwhichbroughtasortoflightintothegloom。
　　"Iamverygladtoseeyou!"heexclaimed。"IstheMajor’sluggageready？"heinquiredturningtotheservant。Then，asthemanrepliedintheaffirmative，"Howwoulditbe，Mr。Vaughan，ifyourfather’smanjustsawthethingsintoacab？andthenI’llcomeonshorewithyouandseemypatientsafelysettledin。"
　　Derrickacquiesced，andthedoctorturnedtotheMajor，whowasleaningupagainstoneofthepillarsofthesaloonandshoutingout"’TwasinTrafalgarBay，"inawaywhich，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenhighlycomic。Thedoctorinterruptedhim，aswithmuchfeelinghesanghow：
　　"EnglanddeclaredthateverymanThatdayhaddonehisduty。"
　　"Look，Major，"hesaid；"hereisyoursoncometomeetyou。"
　　"Gladtoseeyou，myboy，"saidtheMajor，reelingforwardandrunningallhiswordstogether。"How’syourmother？IsthisLawrence？Gladtoseebothofyou!Why，you’r’slike’stwopeas!
　　NotLawrence，doyousay？Confoundit，doctor，howtheshiprollsto—day!"
　　Andtheoldwretchstaggeredandwouldhavefallen，hadnotDerricksupportedhimandlandedhimsafelyononeofthefixedottomans。
　　"Yes，yes，you’rethesonforme，"hewenton，withablandsmile，whichmadehisfaceallthemorehideous。"You’renotsoroughandclumsyasthatconfoundedJohnThomas，whosehandsarelikebrickbats。I’mamerewreck，asyousee；it’stheaccursedclimate!
　　Butyourmotherwillsoonnursemeintohealthagain；shewasalwaysagoodnurse，poorsoul!itwasherbestpoint。Whatwithyouandyourmother，Ishallsoonbemyselfagain。"
　　Herethedoctorinterposed，andDerrickmadedesperatelyforaportholeandgulpeddownmouthfulsoffreshair：buthewasnotallowedmuchofarespite，fortheservantreturnedtosaythathehadprocuredacab，andtheMajorcalledloudlyforhisson’sarm。
　　"I’llnothaveyou，"hesaid，pushingtheservantviolentlyaway。
　　"Come，Derrick，helpme!youareworthtwoofthatblockhead。"
　　AndDerrickcamequicklyforward，hisfacestillverypale，butwithadignityaboutitwhichIhadneverbeforeseen；and，givinghisarmtohisdrunkenfather，hepilotedhimacrossthesaloon，throughthestaringranksofstewards，officials，andtardypassengersoutside，downthegangway，andoverthecrowdedquaytothecab。I
　　knewthateachderisiveglanceofthespectatorswastohimlikeasword—thrust，andlongedtothrottletheMajor，whoseemedtoenjoyhimselfamazinglyonterrafirma，andsangatthetopofhisvoiceaswedrovethroughthestreetsofSouthampton。Theolddoctorkeptupacheeryflowofsmall—talkwithme，thinking，nodoubt，thatthiswouldbeakindnesstoDerrick：andatlastthatpurgatorialdriveended，andsomehowDerrickandthedoctorbetweenthemgottheMajorsafelyintohisroomatRadley’sHotel。
　　Wehadorderedlunchinaprivatesitting—room，thinkingthattheMajorwouldpreferittothecoffee—room；but，asitturnedout，hewasinnostatetoappear。Theylefthimasleep，andtheship’sdoctorsatintheseatthathadbeenpreparedforhispatient，andmadethemealastolerabletousbothasitcouldbe。Hewasanodd，old—fashionedfellow，butastrueagentlemanaseverbreathed。
　　"Now，"hesaid，whenlunchwasover，"youandImusthaveatalktogether，Mr。Vaughan，andIwillhelpyoutounderstandyourfather’scase。"
　　Imadeamovementtogo，butsatdownagainatDerrick’srequest。I
　　think，pooroldfellow，hedreadedbeingalone，andknowingthatI
　　hadseenhisfatherattheworst，thoughtImightaswellhearallparticulars。
　　"MajorVaughan，"continuedthedoctor，"hasnowbeenundermycareforsomeweeks，andIhadsomecommunicationwiththeregimentalsurgeonabouthiscasebeforehesailed。Heissufferingfromanenlargedliver，andthediseasehasbeenbroughtonbyhisunfortunatehabitofover—indulgenceinstimulants。"Icouldalmosthavesmiled，soverygentlyandconsideratelydidthegoodoldmanveilinlongwordstheshamefulfact。"Itisahabitsadlyprevalentamongourfellow—countrymeninIndia；theclimateaggravatesthemischief，andverymanylivesareinthiswayruined。
　　Thenyourfatherwasalsounfortunateenoughtocontractrheumatismwhenhewascampingoutinthejunglelastyear，andthisisincreasingonhimverymuch，sothathislifeisalmostintolerabletohim，andhenaturallyfliesforrelieftohisgreatestenemy，drink。Atallcosts，however，youmustkeephimfromstimulants；
　　theywillonlyintensifythediseaseandthesufferings，infacttheyarepoisontoamaninsuchastate。Don’tthinkIamabigotinthesematters；butIsaythatforamaninsuchaconditionasthis，thereisnothingforitbuttotalabstinence，andatallcostsyourfathermustbeguardedfromthepossibilityofprocuringanysortofintoxicatingdrink。ThroughoutthevoyageIhavedonemybesttoshieldhim，butitwasadifficultmatter。Hisservant，too，isnottrustworthy，andshouldbedismissedifpossible。"
　　"Hadhespokenatallofhisplans？"askedDerrick，andhisvoicesoundedstrangelyunlikeitself。
　　"HeaskedmewhatplaceinEnglandhehadbettersettledownin，"
　　saidthedoctor，"andIstronglyrecommendedhimtotryBath。Thisseemedtopleasehim，andifheiswellenoughhehadbettergothereto—morrow。Hementionedyourmotherthismorning；nodoubtshewillknowhowtomanagehim。"
　　"Mymotherdiedsixmonthsago，"saidDerrick，pushingbackhischairandbeginningtopacetheroom。Thedoctormadekindlyapologies。
　　"Perhapsyouhaveasister，whocouldgotohim？"
　　"No，"repliedDerrick。"Myonlysisterismarried，andherhusbandwouldneverallowit。"
　　"Oracousinoranaunt？"suggestedtheoldman，naivelyunconsciousthatthewordssoundedlikeaquotation。
　　IsawtheghostofasmileflitoverDerrick’sharassedfaceasheshookhishead。
　　"IsuggestedthatheshouldgointosomeHomefor——casesofthekind，"resumedthedoctor，"orplacehimselfunderthechargeofsomemedicalman；however，hewon’thearofsuchathing。Butifheislefttohimself——well，itisallupwithhim。Hewilldrinkhimselftodeathinafewmonths。"
　　"Heshallnotbeleftalone，"saidDerrick；"Iwilllivewithhim。
　　DoyouthinkIshoulddo？ItseemstobeHobson’schoice。"
　　Ilookedupinamazement——forherewasDerrickcalmlygivinghimselfuptoalifethatmustcrusheveryplanforthefuturehehadmade。
　　Didmenmakesuchachoiceasthatwhiletheytooktwoorthreeturnsinaroom？Didtheyspeaksocomposedlyafterastrugglethatmusthavebeensobitter？Thinkingitovernow，Ifeelsureitwashisextraordinarygiftofinsightandhisclearjudgmentwhichmadehimbehaveinthisway。Heinstantlyperceivedandpromptlyacted；
　　theworstofthesufferingcamelongafter。
　　"Why，ofcourseyouaretheverybestpersonintheworldforhim，"
　　saidthedoctor。"Hehastakenafancytoyou，andevidentlyyouhaveacertaininfluencewithhim。Ifanyonecansavehimitwillbeyou。"
　　ButthethoughtofallowingDerricktobesacrificedtothatoldbruteofaMajorwasmorethanIcouldbearcalmly。
　　"Amoremadschemewasneverproposed，"Icried。"Why，doctor，itwillbeutterruintomyfriend’scareer；hewillloseyearsthatnoonecanevermakeup。Andbesides，heisunfitforsuchastrain，hewillneverstandit。"
　　MyheartfelthotasIthoughtofDerrick，withhishighly—strung，sensitivenature，hisrefinement，hisgentleness，inconstantcompanionshipwithsuchamanasMajorVaughan。
　　"Mydearsir，"saidtheolddoctor，withagleaminhiseye，"I
　　understandyourfeelingwellenough。Butdependuponit，yourfriendhasmadetherightchoice，andthereisnodoubtthathe’llbestrongenoughtodohisduty。"
　　ThewordremindedmeoftheMajor’ssong，andmyvoicewasabominablysarcasticintoneasIsaidtoDerrick，"Younolongerconsiderwritingyourdutythen？"
　　"Yes，"hesaid，"butitmuststandsecondtothis。Don’tbevexed，Sydney；ourplansareknockedonthehead，butitisnotsobadasyoumakeout。Ihaveatanyrateenoughtoliveon，andcanaffordtowait。"
　　Therewasnomoretobesaid，andthenextdayIsawthatstrangetriosetoutontheirroadtoBath。TheMajorlookingmorewickedwhensoberthanhehaddonewhendrunk；theolddoctorkindlyandconsiderateasever；andDerrick，withanairofresolutionaboutthatEnglishfaceofhisandadauntlessexpressioninhiseyeswhichimpressedmecuriously。
　　Thesequiet，reservedfellowsarealwaysgivingoneoddsurprises。
　　Hehadastonishedmebythevigouranddepthofthefirstvolumeof’Lynwood’sHeritage。’Heastonishedmenowbyanewphaseinhisowncharacter。ApparentlyhewhohadalwaysbeencontenttofollowwhereIled，andtowatchliferatherthantotakeanactiveshareinit，nowintendedtostrikeoutaverydecidedlineofhisown。
　　ChapterIV。
　　"BothGoetheandSchillerwereprofoundlyconvincedthatArtwasnoluxuryofleisure，nomereamusementtocharmtheidle，orrelaxthecareworn；butamightyinfluence，seriousinitsaimsalthoughpleasureableinitsmeans；asisterofReligion，bywhoseaidthegreatworld—schemewaswroughtintoreality。"
　　Lewes’sLifeofGoethe。
　　Manisaselfishbeing，andIamaparticularlyfinespecimenoftheraceasfarasthatcharacteristicgoes。IfIhadhadadozendrunkenparentsIshouldneverhavedancedattendanceononeofthem；yetinmysecretsoulIadmiredDerrickforthelinehehadtaken，forwemostlydoadmirewhatisunlikeourselvesandreallynoble，thoughitisthefashiontoseemtotallyindifferenttoeverythinginheavenandearth。ButallthesameIfeltannoyedaboutthewholebusiness，andwasgladtoforgetitinmyownaffairsatMondisfield。
　　Weekspassedby。Ilivedthroughamidsummerdreamofhappiness，andahardawaking。That，however，hasnothingtodowithDerrick’sstory，andmaybepassedover。InOctoberIsettleddowninMontagueStreet，Bloomsbury，andbegantoreadfortheBar，inaboutasdisagreeableaframeofmindascanbeconceived。OnemorningI
　　foundonmybreakfasttablealetterinDerrick’shandwriting。Likemostmen，wehardlyevercorresponded——whatwomensayintheeternalletterstheysendtoeachotherIcan’tconceive——butitstruckmethatunderthecircumstancesIoughttohavesenthimalinetoaskhowhewasgettingon，andmyconscienceprickedmeasIrememberedthatIhadhardlythoughtofhimsinceweparted，beingabsorbedinmyownmatters。Theletterwasnotverylong，butwhenonereadbetweenthelinesitsomehowtoldagooddeal。Ihaveitlyingbyme，andthisisacopyofit：
　　"DearSydney，——DolikeagoodfellowgotoNorthAudleyStreetforme，tothehousewhichIdescribedtoyouastheonewhereLynwoodlodged，andtellmewhathewouldseebesidesthechurchfromhiswindow——ifshops，whatkind？AlsoifanyglimpseofOxfordStreetwouldbevisible。Thenifyou’lladdtoyourfavoursbygettingmeasecond—handcopyofLaveleye’s’SocialismeContemporain，’Ishouldbeforevergrateful。Wearesettledinhereallright。Bathisempty，butIpeopleitasfarasIcanwiththefolkoutof’Evelina’and’Persuasion。’HowdidyougetonatBlachington？andwhichoftheMissesMerrifieldwentintheend？Don’tbotheraboutthecommissions。Anytimewilldo。
　　"Everyours，"DerrickVaughan。"
　　Pooroldfellow!allthespiritseemedknockedoutofhim。TherewasnotonewordabouttheMajor，andwhocouldsaywhatwretchednesswasveiledinthatcurtphrase，"wearesettledinallright"？Allright!itwasallaswrongasitcouldbe!MybloodbegantoboilatthethoughtofDerrick，withhisgreatpowers——hiswonderfulgift——coopedupinaplacewherethestudyoflifewassolimitedandsodull。ThentherewashishungerfornewsofFreda，andhissilenceastowhathadkepthimawayfromBlachington，andaboutallasortofproudhumilitywhichpreventedhimfromsayingmuchthatIshouldhaveexpectedhimtosayunderthecircumstances。
　　ItwasSaturday，andmytimewasmyown。Iwentout，gothisbookforhim；interviewedNorthAudleyStreet；spentabadfiveminutesincompanywiththatvillain’Bradshaw，’whoisresponsibleforsomuchofthebrainandeyediseaseofthenineteenthcentury，andfinallyleftPaddingtonintheFlyingDutchman，whichlandedmeatBathearlyintheafternoon。Ileftmyportmanteauatthestation，andwalkedthroughthecitytillIreachedGayStreet。LikemostofthestreetsofBath，itwasbroad，andhadoneitherhanddull，well—built，darkgrey，eminentlyrespectable，unutterablydreary—
　　lookinghouses。Irang，andthedoorwasopenedtomebyamostquaintoldwoman，evidentlythelandlady。Anodourofcurrypervadedthepassage，andbecamemoreoppressiveasthedoorofthesitting—roomwasopened，andIwasusheredinupontheMajorandhisson，whohadjustfinishedlunch。
　　"Hullo!"criedDerrick，springingup，hisfacefullofdelightwhichtouchedme，whileatthesametimeitfilledmewithenvy。
　　EventheMajorthoughtfittogivemeaheartywelcome。
　　"Gladtoseeyouagain，"hesaidpleasantlyenough。"It’sarelieftohaveafreshfacetolookat。Wehavearoomwhichisquiteatyourdisposal，andIhopeyou’llstaywithus。Broughtyourportmanteau，eh？"
　　"Itisatthestation，"Ireplied。
　　"Seethatitissentfor，"hesaidtoDerrick；"andshowMr。
　　Wharncliffeallthatistobeseeninthiscursedholeofaplace。"
　　Then，turningagaintome，"Haveyoulunched？Verywell，then，don’twastethisfineafternooninaninvalid’sroom，butbeoffandenjoyyourself。"
　　Socordialwastheoldman，thatIshouldhavethoughthimalreadyareformedcharacter，hadInotfoundthathekepttheroughsideofhistongueforhomeuse。Derrickplacedanovelandasmallhandbellwithinhisreach，andwewerejustgoing，whenwewerecheckedbyavolleyofoathsfromtheMajor；thenabookcameflyingacrosstheroom，wellaimedatDerrick’shead。Hesteppedaside，andletitfallwithacrashonthesideboard。
　　"WhatdoyoumeanbygivingmethesecondvolumewhenyouknowIaminthethird？"fumedtheinvalid。
　　Heapologisedquietly，fetchedthethirdvolume，straightenedthedisorderedleavesofthediscardedsecond，andwiththeairofonewellaccustomedtosuchlittledomesticscenes，tookuphishatandcameoutwithme。
　　"HowlongdoyouintendtogoonplayingDavidtotheMajor’sSaul？"
　　Iasked，marvellingatthewayinwhichheenduredthehumoursofhisfather。
　　"AslongasIhavethechance，"hereplied。"Isay，areyousureyouwon’tmindstayingwithus？Itcan’tbeaverycomfortablehouseholdforanoutsider。"
　　"Muchbetterthanforaninsider，toallappearance，"Ireplied。
　　"I’monlytoodelightedtostay。Andnow，oldfellow，tellmethehonesttruth——youdidn’t，youknow，inyourletter——howhaveyoubeengettingon？"
　　Derricklaunchedintoanaccountofhisfather’sailments。
　　"Oh，hangtheMajor!Idon’tcareabouthim，Iwanttoknowaboutyou，"Icried。
　　"Aboutme？"saidDerrickdoubtfully。"Oh，I’mrightenough。"
　　"Whatdoyoudowithyourself？Howonearthdoyoukilltime？"I
　　asked。"Come，givemeafull，true，andparticularaccountofitall。"
　　"Wehavetriedthreeotherservants，"saidDerrick；"buttheplandoesn’tanswer。Theyeitherwon’tstandit，orelsetheyarebribedintosmugglingbrandyintothehouse。IfindIcandomostthingsformyfather，andinthemorninghehasanattendantfromthehospitalwhoistrustworthy，andwhodoeswhatisnecessaryforhim。
　　Attenwebreakfasttogether，thentherearethemorningpapers，whichhelikestohavereadtohim。AfterthatIgoroundtothePumpRoomwithhim——oddcontrastnowtowhatitmusthavebeenwhenBathwastherage。Thenwehavelunch。Intheafternoon，ifheiswellenough，wedrive；ifnothesleeps，andIgetawalk。LateronanoldIndianfriendofhiswillsometimesdropin；ifnothelikestobereadtountildinner。Afterdinnerweplaychess——heisafirst—rateplayer。AttenIhelphimtobed；fromeleventotwelveIsmokeandstudySocialismandalltherestofitthatLynwoodisatpresentflounderingin。"
　　"Whydon’tyouwrite，then？"
　　"Itriedit，butitdidn’tanswer。Icouldn’tsleepafterit，andwas，infact，tootired；seemsabsurdtobetiredaftersuchadayasthat，butsomehowittakesitoutofonemorethanthehardestreading；Idon’tknowwhy。"
　　"Why，"Isaidangrily，"it’sbecauseitisworktowhichyouarequiteunsuited——workforathick—skinned，hard—hearted，uncultivatedandwell—paidattendant，notforthenovelistwhoistobethechieflightofourgeneration。"
　　Helaughedatthisestimateofhispowers。
　　"Novelists，likeothercattle，havetoobeytheirowner，"hesaidlightly。
　　IthoughtforamomentthathemeanttheMajor，andwasbreakingintoanangryremonstrance，whenIsawthathemeantsomethingquitedifferent。Itwasalwayshisstrongestpoint，thisextraordinaryconsciousnessofright，thisunwaveringbeliefthathehadtodoandthereforecoulddocertainthings。Withoutthis，Iknowthatheneverwrotealine，andinmyheartIbelievethiswasthecauseofhissuccess。
　　"Thenyouarenotwritingatall？"Iasked。
　　"Yes，Iwritegenerallyforacoupleofhoursbeforebreakfast，"hesaid。
　　Andthateveningwesatbyhisgasstoveandhereadmethenextfourchaptersof’Lynwood。’Hehadratheradismallodging—housebedroom，withfadedwall—paperandaprosaicsnuff—colouredcarpet。
　　Onaricketytableinthewindowwashisdesk，andaportfoliofullofbluefoolscap，buthehaddonewhathecouldtomaketheplacehabitable；hisOxfordpictureswereonthewalls——Hoffman’s’ChristspeakingtotheWomantakeninAdultery，’hangingoverthemantelpiece——ithadalwaysbeenafavouriteofhis。Irememberthat，ashereadthedescriptionofLynwoodandhiswife，IkeptlookingfromhimtotheChristinthepicturetillIcouldalmosthavefanciedthateachfaceborethesameexpression。HadthisstrangemonotonouslifewiththatoldbruteofaMajorbroughthimsomenewperceptionofthosewords，"NeitherdoIcondemnthee"？
　　Butwhenhestoppedreading，I，truetomycharacter，forgothisaffairsinmyown，aswesattalkingfarintothenight——talkingofthatlucklessmonthatMondisfield，ofalltheproblemsithadopenedup，andofmywretchedness。
　　"YouwereintownallSeptember？"heasked；"yougaveupBlachington？"
　　"Yes，"Ireplied。"WhatdidIcareforcountryhousesinsuchamoodasthat。"
　　Heacquiesced，andIwentontalkingofmygrievances，anditwasnottillIwasinthetrainonmywaybacktoLondonthatI
　　rememberedhowalookofdisappointmenthadpassedoverhisfacejustatthemoment。EvidentlyhehadcountedonlearningsomethingaboutFredafromme，andI——well，Ihadcleanforgottenbothherexistenceandhispassionatelove。
　　Something，probablyself—interest，thedesireformyfriend’scompany，andsoforth，tookmedowntoBathprettyfrequentlyinthosedays；luckilytheMajorhadasortoflikingforme，andwasalwayspoliteenough；anddearoldDerrick——well，Ibelievemyvisitsreallyhelpedtobrightenhimup。Atanyratehesaidhecouldn’thavebornehislifewithoutthem，andforasceptical，dismal，cynicalfellowlikemetohearthatwassomehowflattering。
　　Themereforceofcontrastdidmegood。IusedtocomebackontheMondaywonderingthatDerrickdidn’tcuthisthroat，andrealisingthat，afterall，itwassomethingtobeafreeagent，andtohavecomfortableroomsinMontagueStreet，withnooldbearofadrunkardtodisturbmypeace。Andthenasortofadmirationsprangupinmyheart，andthecynicismbredofmelancholybroodingsoversolitarypipeswaslessrampantthanusual。
　　Itwas，Ithink，earlyinthenewyearthatImetLawrenceVaughaninBath。HewasnotstayingatGayStreet，soIcouldstillhavethevacantroomnexttoDerrick’s。LawrenceputupattheYorkHouseHotel。
　　"Foryouknow，"heinformedme，"Ireallycan’tstandthegovernorformorethananhourortwoatatime。"
　　"Derrickmanagestodoit，"Isaid。
　　"Oh，Derrick，yes，"hereplied，"it’shismetier，andheiswellaccustomedtothelife。Besides，youknow，heissuchadreamy，quietsortoffellow；helivesallthetimeinaworldofhisowncreation，andbearsthediscomfortsofthisworldwithgreatphilosophy。Actuallyhehasturnedteetotaller!Itwouldkillmeinaweek。"
　　Imakeapointofneverarguingwithafellowlikethat，butIthinkIhadavindictivelonging，asIlookedathim，toshuthimupwiththeMajorforamonth，andseewhatwouldhappen。
　　Thesetwinbrotherswerecuriouslyalikeinfaceandcuriouslyunlikeinnature。Somuchforthegreatscienceofphysiognomy!Itoftenseemedtomethattheywerethecomplementofeachother。Forinstance，Derrickinsocietywasextremelysilent，Lawrencewasarattlingtalker；Derrick，whenalonewithyou，wouldnowandthenrevealunsuspecteddepthsofthoughtandexpression；Lawrence，whenalonewithyou，veryfrequentlyshowedhimselftobeacad。Theeldertwinwasmodestanddiffident，theyoungerinclinedtobrag；
　　theonehadastrongtendencytomelancholy，theotherwasblestorcursedwiththesortoftemperamentwhichhasbeensaidtoaccompany"ahardheartandagooddigestion。"
　　Iwasnotsurprisedtofindthatthesonwhocouldnottoleratethegovernor’spresenceformorethananhourortwo，wasaprimefavouritewiththeoldman；thatwasjustthewayoftheworld。Ofcourse，theMajorwasaspoliteaspossibletohim；DerrickgotthekicksandLawrencethehalf—pence。
　　Intheeveningsweplayedwhist，Lawrencecominginafterdinner，"For，youknow，"heexplainedtome，"Ireallycouldn’tgetthroughamealwithnothingbutthoseinfernalmineralwaterstowashitdown。"
　　AndhereImustownthatatmyfirstvisitIhadsailedratherclosetothewind；forwhentheMajor，liketheHatterin’Alice，’pressedmetotakewine，I——notseeingany——hadansweredthatIdidnottakeit；mentallyaddingthewords，"inyourhouse，youbrute!"
　　Thetwobrotherswerefondofeachotherafterafashion。ButDerrickwashuman，andhadhisfaultsliketherestofus；andIamprettysurehedidnotmuchenjoythesightofhisfather’sfoolishandunreasonabledevotiontoLawrence。Ifyoucometothinkofit，hewouldhavebeenafull—fledgedangelifnojealouspang，noreflectionthatitwasratherroughonhim，hadcrossedhismind，whenhesawhisyoungerbrothertreatedwitheverymarkofrespectandliking，andknewthatLawrencewouldneverstirafingerreallytohelpthepoorfractiousinvalid。Unluckilytheyhappenedonenighttogetonthesubjectofprofessions。