’What，won’tit，then？’hesaid。
　　’Isupposeso，’sheanswered。’Ifitistobe，itis。’
　　’Wellsaid——verywellsaid，mydear。’
　　’Andifitisn’ttobeitisn’t。’
　　’What？Who’sbeenputtingthatintoyourhead？Yourgrumpygranny，Isuppose。However，howisshe？Margery，Ihavebeenthinkingto—
　　day——infact，Iwasthinkingityesterdayandalltheweek——thatreallywemightsettleourlittlebusinessthissummer。’
　　’Thissummer？’sherepeated，withsomedismay。’Butthepartnership？
　　Rememberitwasnottobetillafterthatwascompleted。’
　　’ThereIhaveyou!’saidhe，takingthelibertytopathershoulder，andthefurtherlibertyofadvancinghishandbehindittotheother。
　　’Thepartnershipissettled。’Tis"VineandHayward，lime—burners，"
　　now，and"RichardVine"nolonger。Yes，CousinRichardhassettleditso，foratimeatleast，and’tistobepaintedonthecartsthisweek——blueletters——yallerground。I’llbossoneof’em，anddriveenroundtoyourdoorassoonasthepaintisdry，toshow’eehowitlooks？’
　　’Oh，Iamsureyouneedn’ttakethattrouble，Jim；Icanseeitquitewellenoughinmymind，’repliedtheyounggirl——notwithoutaflittingaccentofsuperiority。
　　’Hullo，’saidJim，takingherbytheshoulders，andlookingatherhard。’Whatdewthatbitofincivilitymean？Now，Margery，let’ssitdownhere，andhavethiscleared。’Herappedwithhisstickupontherailofalittlebridgetheywerecrossing，andseatedhimselffirmly，leavingaplaceforher。
　　’ButIwanttogethome—along，’dearJim，shecoaxed。
　　’Fidgets。Sitdown，there’sadear。Iwantastraightforwardanswer，ifyouplease。Inwhatmonth，andonwhatdayofthemonth，willyoumarryme？’
　　’O，Jim，’shesaid，sittinggingerlyontheedge，’that’stooplain—
　　spokenforyouyet。BeforeIlookatitinthatbusinesslightI
　　shouldhaveto——to——’
　　’Butyourfatherhassettleditlongago，andyousaiditshouldbeassoonasIbecameapartner。So，dear，youmustnotmindaplainmanwantingaplainanswer。Come，nameyourtime。’
　　Shedidnotreplyatonce。Whatthoughtswerepassingthroughherbrainduringtheinterval？Notimagesraisedbyhiswords，butwhirlingfiguresofmenandwomeninredandwhiteandblue，reflectedfromaglassyfloor，inmovementstimedbythethrillingbeatsoftheDrumPolka。Atlastshesaidslowly，’Jim，youdon’tknowtheworld，andwhatawoman’swantscanbe。’
　　’ButIcanmakeyoucomfortable。Iaminlodgingsasyet，butIcanhaveahousefortheasking；andastofurniture，youshallchooseofthebestforyourself——theverybest。’
　　’Thebest!Farareyoufromknowingwhatthatis!’saidthelittlewoman。’Therebeornamentssuchasyouneverdreamof；work—tablesthatwouldsetyouinamaze；silvercandlesticks，teaandcoffeepotsthatwoulddazzleyoureyes；tea—cups，andsaucers，gildedalloverwithguinea—gold；heavyvelvetcurtains，goldclocks，pictures，andlooking—glassesbeyondyourverydreams。Sodon’tsayIshallhavethebest。’
　　’H’m!’saidJimgloomily；andfellintoreflection。’Wheredidyougetthosehighnotionsfrom，Margery？’hepresentlyinquired。’I’llswearyouhadn’tgot’emaweekago。’Shedidnotanswer，andheadded，’YEWdon’texpecttohavesuchthings，Ihope；deservethemasyoumay？’
　　’IwasnotexactlyspeakingofwhatIwanted，’shesaidseverely。’I
　　said，thingsawomanCOULDwant。AndsinceyouwishtoknowwhatI
　　CANwanttoquitesatisfyme，IassureyouIcanwantthose!’
　　’Youareapink—and—whiteconundrum，Margery，’hesaid；’andIgiveyouupforto—night。AnybodywouldthinkthedevilhadshowedyouallthekingdomsoftheworldsinceIsawyoulast!’
　　Shereddened。’Perhapshehas!’shemurmured；thenarose，hefollowingher；andtheysoonreachedMargery’shome，approachingitfromthelowerormeadowside——theoppositetothatofthegardentop，whereshehadmettheBaron。
　　’You’llcomein，won’tyou，Jim？’shesaid，withmoreceremonythanheartiness。
　　’No——Ithinknotto—night，’heanswered。’I’llconsiderwhatyou’vesaid。’
　　’Youareverygood，Jim，’shereturnedlightly。’Good—bye。’
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Jimthoughtfullyretracedhissteps。Hewasavillagecharacter，andhehadavillager’ssimplicity：thatis，thesimplicitywhichcomesfromthelackofacomplicatedexperience。Butsimplebynaturehecertainlywasnot。AmongtherankandfileofrusticshewasquiteaTalleyrand，orratherhadbeenone，tillhelostagooddealofhisself—commandbyfallinginlove。
　　Now，however，thatthecharmingobjectofhisdistractionwasoutofsighthecoulddeliberate，andmeasure，andweighthingswithsomeapproachtokeenness。Thesubstanceofhisquerieswas，WhatchangehadcomeoverMargery——whencethesenewnotions？
　　Ponderashewouldhecouldevolvenoanswersaveone，which，eminentlyunsatisfactoryasitwas，hefeltitwouldbeunreasonablenottoaccept：thatshewassimplyskittishandambitiousbynature，andwouldnotbehuntedintomatrimonytillhehadprovidedawell—
　　adornedhome。
　　Jimretrodthemilestothekiln，andlookedtothefires。Thekilnstoodinapeculiar，interesting，evenimpressivespot。Itwasattheendofashortravineinalimestoneformation，andallaroundwasanopenhillydown。ThenearesthousewasthatofJim’scousinandpartner，whichstoodontheoutskirtsofthedownbesidetheturnpike—road。Fromthishousealittlelanewoundbetweenthesteepescarpmentsoftheravinetillitreachedthekiln，whichfaceddowntheminiaturevalley，commandingitasafortmightcommandadefile。
　　Theideaofafortinthisassociationowedlittletoimagination。
　　Foronthenibbledgreensteepabovethekilnstoodabye—gone，worn—
　　outspecimenofsuchanerection，huge，impressive，anddifficulttoscaleevennowinitsdecay。ItwasaBritishcastleorentrenchment，withtripleringsofdefence，risingrollbehindroll，theiroutlinescuttingsharplyagainstthesky，andJim’skilnnearlyunderminingtheirbase。Whenthelime—kilnflaredupinthenight，whichitoftendid，itsfireslitupthefrontoftheserampartstoagreatmajesty。Theywereoldfriendsofhis，andwhilekeepinguptheheatthroughthelongdarkness，asitwassometimeshisdutytodo，hewouldimaginethedancinglightsandshadesaboutthestupendousearthworktobetheformsofthosegiantswho（hesupposed）hadheapeditup。Oftenheclambereduponit，andwalkedaboutthesummit，thinkingouttheproblemsconnectedwithhisbusiness，hispartner，hisfuture，hisMargery。
　　Itwaswhathedidthisevening，continuingthemeditationontheyounggirl’smannerthathehadbegunupontheroad，andstill，asthen，findingnocluetothechange。
　　Whilethusengagedheobservedamancominguptheravinetothekiln。Businessmessageswerealmostinvariablyleftatthehousebelow，andJimwatchedthemanwiththeinterestexcitedbyabeliefthathehadcomeonapersonalmatter。OnnearerapproachJimrecognizedhimasthegardeneratMountLodgesomemilesaway。Ifthismeantbusiness，theBaron（ofwhosearrivalJimhadvaguelyheard）wasanewandunexpectedcustomer。
　　Itmeantnothingelse，apparently。Theman’serrandwassimplytoinformJimthattheBaronrequiredaloadoflimeforthegarden。
　　’YoumighthavesavedyourselftroublebyleavingwordatMr。
　　Vine’s，’saidJim。
　　’Iwastoseeyoupersonally，’saidthegardener，’andtosaythattheBaronwouldliketoinquireofyouaboutthedifferentqualitiesoflimeproperforsuchpurposes。’
　　’Couldn’tyoutellhimyourself？’saidJim。
　　’HesaidIwastotellyouthat，’repliedthegardener；’anditwasn’tformetointerfere。’
　　NomotiveotherthantheostensibleonecouldpossiblybeconjecturedbyJimHaywardatthistime；andthenextmorninghestartedwithgreatpleasure，inhisbestbusinesssuitofclothes。Byeleveno’clockheandhishorseandcarthadarrivedontheBaron’spremises，andthelimewasdepositedwheredirected；anexceptionalspot，justwithinviewofthewindowsofthesouthfront。
　　BaronvonXanten，paleandmelancholy，wassaunteringinthesunontheslopebetweenthehouseandtheall—the—year—round。HelookedacrosstowhereJimandthegardenerwerestanding，andtheidentityofHaywardbeingestablishedbywhathebrought，theBaroncamedown，andthegardenerwithdrew。
　　TheBaron’sfirstinquirieswere，asJimhadbeenledtosupposetheywouldbe，ontheexterminatingeffectsoflimeuponslugsandsnailsinitsdifferentconditionsofslakedandunslaked，groundandinthelump。HeappearedtobemuchinterestedbyJim’sexplanations，andeyedtheyoungmancloselywheneverhehadanopportunity。
　　’AndIhopetradeisprosperouswithyouthisyear，’saidtheBaron。
　　’Very，mynoblelord，’repliedJim，who，inhisuncertaintyonthepropermethodofaddress，wiselyconcludedthatitwasbettertoerrbygivingtoomuchhonourthanbygivingtoolittle。’Inshort，tradeislookingsowellthatI’vebecomeapartnerinthefirm。’
　　’Indeed；Iamgladtohearit。Sonowyouaresettledinlife。’
　　’Well，mylord；Iamhardlysettled，evennow。ForI’vegottofinishit——Imean，togetmarried。’
　　’That’saneasymatter，comparedwiththepartnership。’
　　’Nowamanmightthinkso，mybaron，’saidJim，gettingmoreconfidential。’Buttherealtruthis，’tisthehardestpartofallforme。’
　　’Yoursuitprospers，Ihope？’
　　’Itdon’t，’saidJim。’Itdon’tatalljustatpresent。Inshort，I
　　can’tforthelifeo’methinkwhat’scomeovertheyoungwomanlately。’Andhefellintodeepreflection。
　　ThoughJimdidnotobserveit，theBaron’sbrowbecameshadowedwithself—reproachasheheardthosesimplewords，andhiseyeshadalookofpity。’Indeed——sincewhen？’heasked。
　　’Sinceyesterday，mynoblelord。’Jimspokemeditatively。Hewasresolvinguponaboldstroke。Whynotmakeaconfidantofthiskindgentleman，insteadoftheparson，ashehadintended？Thethoughtwasnosoonerconceivedthanactedon。’Mylord，’heresumed，’I
　　haveheardthatyouareanoblemanofgreatscopeandtalent，whohasseenmorestrangecountriesandcharactersthanIhaveeverheardof，andknowtheinsidesofmenwell。ThereforeIwouldfainputaquestiontoyournoblelordship，ifImaysotroubleyou，andhavingnobodyelseintheworldwhocouldinformmesotrewly。’
　　’AnyadviceIcangiveisatyourservice，Hayward。Whatdoyouwishtoknow？’
　　’Itisthis，mybaron。WhatcanIdotobringdownayoungwoman’sambitionthat’sgottosuchatoweringheightthere’snoreachingitorcompassingit：howgethertobepleasedwithmeandmystationassheusedtobewhenIfirstknewher？’
　　’Truly，that’sahardquestion，myman。Whatdoessheaspireto？’
　　’She’sgotacrazeforfinefurniture。’
　　’Howlonghasshehadit？’
　　’Onlyjustnow。’
　　TheBaronseemedstillmoretoexperienceregret。
　　’Whatfurnituredoesshespeciallycovet？’heasked。
　　’Silvercandlesticks，work—tables，looking—glasses，goldtea—things，silvertea—pots，goldclocks，curtains，pictures，andIdon’tknowwhatall——thingsIshallnevergetifIlivetobeahundred——notsomuchthatIcouldn’traisethemoneytobuy’em，asthattoputittootheruses，orsaveitforarainyday。’
　　’Youthinkthepossessionofthosearticleswouldmakeherhappy？’
　　’Ireallythinktheymight，mylord。’
　　’Good。Openyourpocket—bookandwriteasItellyou。’
　　Jiminsomeastonishmentdidascommanded，andelevatinghispocket—
　　bookagainstthegarden—wall，thoroughlymoistenedhispencil，andwroteattheBaron’sdictation：
　　’Pairofsilvercandlesticks：inlaidwork—tableandwork—box：onelargemirror：twosmallditto：onegiltchinateaandcoffeeservice：onesilvertea—pot，coffee—pot，sugar—basin，jug，anddozenspoons：Frenchclock：pairofcurtains：sixlargepictures。’
　　’Now，’saidtheBaron，’tearoutthatleafandgiveittome。Keepaclosetongueaboutthis；gohome，anddon’tbesurprisedatanythingthatmaycometoyourdoor。’
　　’But，mynoblelord，youdon’tmeanthatyourlordshipisgoingtogive——’
　　’NevermindwhatIamgoingtodo。Onlykeepyourowncounsel。I
　　perceivethat，thoughaplaincountryman，youarebynomeansdeficientintactandunderstanding。Ifsendingthesethingstoyougivesmepleasure，whyshouldyouobject？Thefactis，Hayward，I
　　occasionallytakeaninterestinpeople，andliketodoalittleforthem。Itakeaninterestinyou。Nowgohome，andaweekhenceinviteMarg——theyoungwomanandherfather，toteawithyou。Therestisinyourownhands。’
　　AquestionoftenputtoJiminaftertimeswaswhyithadnotoccurredtohimatoncethattheBaron’sliberalconductmusthavebeendictatedbysomethingmorepersonalthansuddenspontaneousgenerositytohim，astranger。TowhichJimalwaysansweredthat，admittingtheexistenceofsuchgenerosity，therehadappearednothingremarkableintheBaronselectinghimselfasitsobject。TheBaronhadtoldhimthathetookaninterestinhim；andself—esteem，evenwiththemostmodest，isusuallysufficienttoover—rideanylittledifficultythatmightoccurtoanoutsiderinaccountingforapreference。Hemoreoverconsideredthatforeignnoblemen，richandeccentric，mighthavehabitsofactingwhichwerequiteatvariancewiththoseoftheirEnglishcompeers。
　　Sohedroveoffhomewardwithalighterheartthanhehadknownforseveraldays。Tohaveaforeigngentlemantakeafancytohim——whatatriumphtoaplainsortoffellow，whohadscarcelyexpectedtheBarontolookinhisface。ItwouldbeafinestorytotellMargerywhentheBarongavehimlibertytospeakout。
　　Jimlodgedatthehouseofhiscousinandpartner，RichardVine，awidoweroffiftyoddyears。Havingfailedinthedevelopmentofahouseholdofdirectdescendantsthistradesmanhadbeengladtolethischamberstohismuchyoungerrelative，whenthelatterenteredonthebusinessoflimemanufacture；andtheirintimacyhadledtoapartnership。Jimlivedupstairs；hispartnerliveddown，andthefurnitureofalltheroomswassoplainandoldfashionedastoexcitethespecialdislikeofMissMargeryTucker，andeventoprejudiceheragainstJimfortoleratingit。Notonlywerethechairsandtablesqueer，but，withdueregardtotheprinciplethataman’ssurroundingsshouldbeartheimpressofthatman’slifeandoccupation，thechiefornamentsofthedwellingwereacuriouscollectionofcalcinations，thathadbeendiscoveredfromtimetotimeinthelime—kiln——misshapeningotsofstrangesubstance，someofthemlikePompeianremains。
　　Theheadofthefirmwasaquiet—living，narrow—minded，thoughfriendly，manoffifty；andhetookaseriousinterestinJim’slove—
　　suit，frequentlyinquiringhowitprogressed，andassuringJimthatifhechosetomarryhemighthavealltheupperflooratalowrent，he，Mr。Vine，contentinghimselfentirelywiththegroundlevel。IthadbeensoconvenientfordiscussingbusinessmatterstohaveJiminthesamehouse，thathedidnotwishanychangetobemadeinconsequenceofachangeinJim’sdomesticestate。Margeryknewofthiswish，andofJim’sconcurrentfeeling；anddidnotliketheideaatall。
　　Aboutfourdaysaftertheyoungman’sinterviewwiththeBaron，theredrewupinfrontofJim’shouseatnoonawaggonladenwithcasesandpackages，largeandsmall。Theywerealladdressedto’Mr。Hayward，’
　　andtheyhadcomefromthelargestfurnishingware—housesinthatpartofEngland。
　　Three—quartersofanhourwereoccupiedingettingthecasestoJim’srooms。ThewaryJimdidnotshowtheamazementhefeltathispatron’smunificence；andpresentlytheseniorpartnercameintothepassage，andwonderedwhatwaslumberingupstairs。
　　’Oh——it’sonlysomethingsofmine，’saidJimcoolly。
　　’Bearinguponthecomingevent——eh？’saidhispartner。
　　’Exactly，’repliedJim。
　　Mr。Vine，withsomeastonishmentatthenumberofcases，shortlyafterwentawaytothekiln；whereuponJimshuthimselfintohisrooms，andtherehemighthavebeenheardrippingupandopeningboxeswithacautioushand，afterwardsappearingoutsidethedoorwiththemempty，andcarryingthemofftotheouthouse。
　　Atriumphantlooklituphisfacewhen，alittlelaterintheafternoon，hesentintothevaletothedairy，andinvitedMargeryandherfathertohishousetosupper。
　　Shewasnotunsociablethatday，and，herfatherexpressingahardandfastacceptanceoftheinvitation，sheperforceagreedtogowithhim。Meanwhileathome，Jimmadehimselfasmysteriouslybusyasbeforeinthoseroomsofhis，andwhenhispartnerreturnedhetoowasaskedtojoininthesupper。
　　AtduskHaywardwenttothedoor，wherehestoodtillheheardthevoicesofhisguestsfromthedirectionofthelowgrounds，nowcoveredwiththeirfrequentfleeceoffog。Thevoicesgrewmoredistinct，andthenonthewhitesurfaceofthefogthereappearedtwotrunklessheads，fromwhichbodiesandahorseandcartgraduallyextendedastheapproachingpairrosetowardsthehouse。
　　WhentheyhadenteredJimpressedMargery’shandandconductedheruptohisrooms，herfatherwaitingbelowtosayafewwordstotheseniorlime—burner。
　　’Blessme，’saidJimtoher，onenteringthesitting—room；’Iquiteforgottogetalightbeforehand；butI’llhaveoneinajiffy。’
　　Margerystoodinthemiddleofthedarkroom，whileJimstruckamatch；andthentheyounggirl’seyeswereconsciousofaburstoflight，andtheriseintobeingofapairofhandsomesilvercandlestickscontainingtwocandlesthatJimwasintheactoflighting。
　　’Why——where——youhavecandlestickslikethat？’saidMargery。Hereyesflewroundtheroomasthegrowingcandle—flamesshowedotherarticles。’Picturestoo——andlovelychina——whyIknewnothingofthis，Ideclare。’
　　’Yes——afewthingsthatcametomebyaccident，’saidJiminquiettones。
　　’Andagreatgoldclockunderaglass，andacupidswingingforapendulum；andOwhatalovelywork—table——woodsofeverycolour——andawork—boxtomatch。MayIlookinsidethatwork—box，Jim？——whoseisit？’
　　’Oyes；lookatit，ofcourse。Itisapoorenoughthing，but’tismine；anditwillbelongtothewomanImarry，whoevershemaybe，aswellasalltheotherthingshere。’
　　’Andthecurtainsandthelooking—glasses：whyIdeclareIcanseemyselfinahundredplaces。’
　　’Thattea—set，’saidJim，placidlypointingtoagorgeouschinaserviceandalargesilvertea—potonthesidetable，’Idon’tuseatpresent，beingabachelor—man；but，saysItomyself，"whoeverI
　　marrywillwantsomesuchthingsforgivingherparties；orIcansellem"——butIhaven’ttookstepsfor’tyet——’
　　’Sell’em——no，Ishouldthinknot，’saidMargerywithearnestreproach。’Why，Ihopeyouwouldn’tbesofoolish!Why，thisisexactlythekindofthingIwasthinkingofwhenItoldyouofthethingswomencouldwant——ofcoursenotmeaningmyselfparticularly。
　　Ihadnoideathatyouhadsuchvaluable——’
　　Margerywasunabletospeakcoherently，somuchwassheamazedatthewealthofJim’spossessions。
　　Atthismomentherfatherandthelime—burnercameupstairs；andtoappearwomanlyandpropertoMr。Vine，Margeryrepressedtheremainderofhersurprise。
　　Asforthetwoelderlyworthies，itwasnottilltheyenteredtheroomandsatdownthattheirslowereyesdiscernedanythingbrilliantintheappointments。Thenoneofthemstoleaglanceatsomearticle，andtheotheratanother；buteachbeingunwillingtoexpresshiswonderinthepresenceofhisneighbours，theyreceivedtheobjectsbeforethemwithquiteanaccustomedair；thelime—burnerinwardlytryingtoconjecturewhatallthismeant，andthedairymanmusingthatifJim’sbusinessallowedhimtoaccumulateatthisrate，thesoonerMargerybecamehiswifethebetter。Margeryretreatedtothework—table，work—box，andtea—service，whichsheexaminedwithhushedexclamations。
　　Anentertainmentthussurprisinglybeguncouldnotfailtoprogresswell。WheneverMargery’scrustyoldfatherfelttheneedofacivilsentence，theflashofJim’sfancyarticlesinspiredhimtoone；
　　whilethelime—burner，havingreasonedawayhisfirstominousthoughtthatallthishadcomeoutofthefirm，alsofeltproudandblithe。
　　Jimaccompaniedhisdairyfriendspartofthewayhomebeforetheymounted。Herfather，findingthatJimwantedtospeaktoherprivately，andthatsheexhibitedsomeelusiveness，turnedtoMargeryandsaid；’Come，come，mylady；nomoreofthisnonsense。Youjuststepbehindwiththatyoungman，andIandthecartwillwaitforyou。’
　　Margery，alittlescaredatherfather’speremptoriness，obeyed。ItwasplainthatJimhadwontheoldmanbythatnight’sstroke，ifhehadnotwonher。
　　’Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay，Jim，’shebegan，lessardentlynow，forshewasnolongerunderthenovelinfluenceoftheshiningsilverandglass。’Well，asyoudesireit，andasmyfatherdesiresit，andasIsupposeitwillbethebestcourseforme，Iwillfixtheday——notthisevening，butassoonasIcanthinkitover。’
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Notwithstandingapressofbusiness，JimwentanddidhisdutyinthankingtheBaron。Thelattersawhiminhisfishing—tackleroom，anapartmentlitteredwitheveryappliancethatavotaryoftherodcouldrequire。
　　’Andwhenisthewedding—daytobe，Hayward？’theBaronasked，afterJimhadtoldhimthatmattersweresettled。
　　’Itisnotquitecertainyet，mynoblelord，’saidJimcheerfully。
　　’ButIhope’twillnotbelongafterthetimewhenGodA’mightychristensthelittleapples。’
　　’Andwhenisthat？’
　　’St。Swithin’s——themiddleofJuly。’Tistobesometimeinthatmonth，shetellsme。’
　　WhenJimwasgonetheBaronseemedmeditative。Hewentout，ascendedthemount，andenteredtheweather—screen，wherehelookedattheseats，asthoughre—enactinginhisfancythesceneofthatmemorablemorningoffog。Heturnedhiseyestotheangleoftheshelter，roundwhichMargeryhadsuddenlyappearedlikeavision，anditwasplainthathewouldnothavemindedherappearingtherethen。Thejuncturehadindeedbeensuchanimpressiveandcriticalonethatshemusthaveseemedratheraheavenlymessengerthanapassingmilkmaid，moreespeciallytoamanliketheBaron，who，despitethemysteryofhisoriginandlife，revealedhimselftobeamelancholy，emotionalcharacter——theJacquesofthisforestandstream。
　　Behindthemountthegroundroseyethigher，ascendingtoaplantationwhichshelteredthehouse。TheBaronstrolleduphere，andbenthisgazeoverthedistance。ThevalleyoftheExelaybeforehim，withitsshiningriver，thebrooksthatfedit，andthetricklingspringsthatfedthebrooks。ThesituationofMargery’shousewasvisible，thoughnotthehouseitself；andtheBarongazedthatwayforaninfinitelylongtime，till，rememberinghimself，hemovedon。
　　InsteadofreturningtothehousehewentalongtheridgetillhearrivedatthevergeofChillingtonWood，andinthesamedesultorymannerroamedunderthetrees，notpausingtillhehadcometoThree—
　　Walks—End，andthehollowelmhardby。Hepeepedinattherift。Inthesoftdrylayeroftouch—woodthatflooredthehollowMargery’strackswerestillvisible，asshehadmadethemtherewhendressingfortheball。
　　’LittleMargery!’murmuredtheBaron。
　　Inamomenthethoughtbetterofthismood，andturnedtogohome。
　　Butbehold，aformstoodbehindhim——thatofthegirlwhosenamehadbeenonhislips。
　　Shewasinutterconfusion。’I——I——didnotknowyouwerehere，sir!’
　　shebegan。’Iwasoutforalittlewalk。’Shecouldgetnofurther；
　　hereyesfilledwithtears。Thatspiceofwilfulness，evenhardness，whichcharacterizedherinJim’scompany，magicallydisappearedinthepresenceoftheBaron。
　　’Nevermind，nevermind，’saidhe，maskingunderaseveremannerwhateverhefelt。’Themeetingisawkward，andoughtnottohaveoccurred，especiallyifasIsuppose，youareshortlytobemarriedtoJamesHayward。Butitcannotbehelpednow。YouhadnoideaI
　　washere，ofcourse。NeitherhadIofseeingyou。Rememberyoucannotbetoocareful，’continuedtheBaron，inthesamegravetone；
　　’andIstronglyrequestyouasafriendtodoyourutmosttoavoidmeetingslikethis。WhenyousawmebeforeIturned，whydidyounotgoaway？’
　　’Ididnotseeyou，sir。Ididnotthinkofseeingyou。Iwaswalkingthisway，andIonlylookedintoseethetree。’
　　’Thatshowsyouhavebeenthinkingofthingsyoushouldnotthinkof，’returnedtheBaron。’Goodmorning。’
　　Margerycouldanswernothing。Abrowbeatenglance，almostofmisery，wasallshegavehim。Hetookaslowstepawayfromher；thenturnedsuddenlybackand，stooping，impulsivelykissedhercheek，takingherasmuchbysurpriseaseverawomanwastakeninherlife。
　　Immediatelyafterhewentoffwithaflushedfaceandrapidstrides，whichhedidnotchecktillhewaswithinhisownboundaries。
　　Thehaymakingseasonnowsetinvigorously，andtheweir—hatcheswerealldrawninthemeadstodrainoffthewater。Thestreamsranthemselvesdry，andtherewasnolongeranydifficultyinwalkingaboutamongthem。TheBaroncouldverywellwitnessfromtheelevationsabouthishousetheactivitywhichfollowedthesepreliminaries。Thewhiteshirt—sleevesofthemowersglistenedinthesun，thescythesflashed，voicesechoed，snatchesofsongfloatedabout，andtherewereglimpsesofredwaggon—wheels，purplegowns，andmany—colouredhandkerchiefs。
　　TheBaronhadbeentoldthatthehaymakingwastobefollowedbythewedding，andhadhegonedownthevaletothedairyhewouldhavehadevidencetothateffect。DairymanTucker’shousewasinawhirlpoolofbustle，andamongotherdifficultieswasthatofturningthecheese—roomintoagenteelapartmentforthetimebeing，andhidingtheawkwardnessofhavingtopassthroughthemilk—housetogettotheparlourdoor。ThesehouseholdcontrivancesappearedtointerestMargerymuchmorethanthegreatquestionofdressingfortheceremonyandtheceremonyitself。Inallrelatingtothatsheshowedanindescribablebackwardness，whichlateronwaswellremembered。
　　’Ifitwereonlysomebodyelse，andIwasoneofthebridesmaids，I
　　reallythinkIshouldlikeitbetter!’shemurmuredoneafternoon。
　　’Awaywiththee——that’sonlyyourshyness!’saidoneofthemilkmaids。
　　ItissaidthataboutthistimetheBaronseemedtofeeltheeffectsofsolitudestrongly。Solituderevivesthesimpleinstinctsofprimitiveman，andlonelycountrynooksaffordrichsoilforwaywardemotions。Moreover，idlenesswatersthoseunconsideredimpulseswhichashortseasonofturmoilwouldstampout。ItisdifficulttospeakwithanyexactnessofthebearingofsuchconditionsonthemindoftheBaron——amanofwhomsolittlewasevertrulyknown——butthereisnodoubtthathismindranmuchonMargeryasanindividual，withoutreferencetoherrankorquality，ortothequestionwhethershewouldmarryJimHaywardthatsummer。Shewasthesinglelovelyhumanthingwithinhispresenthorizon，forhelivedinabsoluteseclusion；andherimageundulyaffectedhim。
　　But，leavingconjecture，letmestatewhathappened。
　　OneSaturdayevening，twoorthreeweeksafterhisaccidentalmeetingwithherinthewood，hewrotethenotefollowing：—
　　DEARMARGERY，—
　　Youmustnotsupposethat，becauseIspokesomewhatseverelytoyouatourchanceencounterbythehollowtree，Ihaveanyfeelingagainstyou。Farfromit。Now，asever，Ihavethemostgratefulsenseofyourconsideratekindnesstomeonamomentousoccasionwhichshallbenameless。
　　YousolemnlypromisedtocomeandseemewheneverIshouldsendforyou。Canyoucallforfiveminutesassoonaspossible，anddispersethoseplaguygloomsfromwhichIamsounfortunateastosuffer？IfyourefuseIwillnotanswerfortheconsequences。
　　Ishallbeinthesummershelterofthemountto—morrowmorningathalf—pastten。IfyoucomeIshallbegrateful。Ihavealsosomethingforyou。Yours，X。
　　Inkeepingwiththetenorofthisepistlethedesponding，self—
　　oppressedBaronascendedthemountonSundaymorningandsatdown。
　　Therewasnothingheretosignifyexactlythehour，butbeforethechurchbellshadbegunheheardsomebodyapproachingattheback。
　　Thelightfootstepmovedtimidly，firsttoonerecess，andthentoanother；thentothethird，wherehesatintheshade。PoorMargerystoodbeforehim。
　　Shelookedwornandweary，andherlittleshoesandtheskirtsofherdresswerecoveredwithdust。Theweatherwassultry，thesunbeingalreadyhighandpowerful，andrainhadnotfallenforweeks。TheBaron，whowalkedlittle，hadthoughtnothingoftheeffectsofthisheatanddroughtininducingfatigue。AdistancewhichhadbeenbutareasonableexerciseonafoggymorningwasadragforMargerynow。
　　Shewasoutofbreath；andanxiety，evenunhappinesswaswrittenonhereverywhere。
　　Herosetohisfeet，andtookherhand。Hewasvexedwithhimselfatsightofher。’Mydearlittlegirl!’hesaid。’Youaretired——youshouldnothavecome。’
　　’Yousentforme，sir；andIwasafraidyouwereill；andmypromisetoyouwassacred。’
　　Hebentoverher，lookinguponherdowncastface，andstillholdingherhand；thenhedroppedit，andtookapaceortwobackwards。
　　’Itwasawhim，nothingmore，’hesaid，sadly。’Iwantedtoseemylittlefriend，toexpressgoodwishes——andtopresentherwiththis。’
　　Heheldforwardasmallmoroccocase，andshowedherhowtoopenit，disclosingaprettylocket，setwithpearls。’Itisintendedasaweddingpresent，’hecontinued。’TobereturnedtomeagainifyoudonotmarryJimthissummer——itistobethissummer，Ithink？’
　　’Itwas，sir，’shesaidwithagitation。’Butitissonolonger。
　　And，therefore，Icannottakethis。’
　　’Whatdoyousay？’
　　’Itwastohavebeento—day；butnowitcannotbe。’
　　’Theweddingto—day——Sunday？’hecried。
　　’WefixedSundaynottohindermuchtimeatthisbusyseasonoftheyear，’repliedshe。
　　’Andhaveyou，then，putitoff——surelynot？’
　　’Yousentforme，andIhavecome，’sheansweredhumbly，likeanobedientfamiliarintheemployofsomegreatenchanter。Indeed，theBaron’spoweroverthisinnocentgirlwascuriouslylikeenchantment，ormesmericinfluence。Itwassomasterfulthatthesexualelementwasalmosteliminated。ItwasthatofProsperooverthegentleAriel。Andyetitwasprobablyonlythatofthecosmopoliteovertherecluse，oftheexperiencedmanoverthesimplemaid。
　　’Youhavecome——onyourwedding—day!——OMargery，thisisamistake。
　　Ofcourse，youshouldnothaveobeyedme，since，thoughIthoughtyourweddingwouldbesoon，Ididnotknowitwasto—day。’
　　’Ipromisedyou，sir；andIwouldratherkeepmypromisetoyouthanbemarriedtoJim。’
　　’Thatmustnotbe——thefeelingiswrong!’hemurmured，lookingatthedistanthills。’Thereseemstobeafateinallthis；Igetoutofthefrying—panintothefire。Whatarecompensetoyouforyourgoodness!Thefactis，Iwasoutofhealthandoutofspirits，soI—
　　—butnomoreofthat。Nowinstantlytorepairthistremendousblunderthatwehavemade——that’sthequestion。’
　　Afterapause，hewentonhurriedly，’Walkdownthehill；getintotheroad。BythattimeIshallbetherewithaphaeton。Wemaygetbackintime。Whattimeisitnow？Ifnot，nodoubttheweddingcanbeto—morrow；soallwillcomerightagain。Don’tcry，mydeargirl。
　　Keepthelocket，ofcourse——you’llmarryJim。’
　　CHAPTERIX
　　Hehasteneddowntowardsthestables，andshewentonasdirected。
　　Itseemedasifhemusthaveputinthehorsehimself，soquicklydidhereappearwiththephaetonontheopenroad。Margerysilentlytookherseat，andtheBaronseemedcuttothequickwithself—reproachashenoticedthelistlessindifferencewithwhichsheacted。TherewasnodoubtthatinherheartshehadpreferredobeyingtheapparentlyimportantmandatethatmorningtobecomingJim’swife；buttherewasnolessdoubtthathadtheBaronleftheraloneshewouldquietlyhavegonetothealtar。
　　Hedrovealongfuriously，inacloudofdust。TherewasmuchtocontemplateinthatpeacefulSundaymorning——thewindlesstreesandfields，theshakingsunlight，thepauseinhumanstir。Yetneitherofthemheeded，andthustheydrewneartothedairy。Hisfirstexpressedintentionhadbeentogoindoorswithher，butthisheabandonedasimpoliticinthehighestdegree。
　　’Youmaybesoonenough，’hesaid，springingdown，andhelpinghertofollow。’Tellthetruth：sayyouweresentfortoreceiveaweddingpresent——thatitwasamistakeonmypart——amistakeonyours；andI
　　thinkthey’llforgive……And，Margery，mylastrequesttoyouisthis：thatifIsendforyouagain，youdonotcome。Promisesolemnly，mydeargirl，thatanysuchrequestshallbeunheeded。’
　　Herlipsmoved，butthepromisewasnotarticulated。’O，sir，I
　　cannotpromiseit!’shesaidatlast。
　　’Butyoumust；yoursalvationmaydependonit!’heinsistedalmoststernly。’Youdon’tknowwhatIam。’
　　’Then，sir，Ipromise，’shereplied。’Nowleavemetomyself，please，andI’llgoindoorsandmanagematters。’
　　Heturnedthehorseanddroveaway，butonlyforalittledistance。
　　Outofsighthepulledreinsuddenly。’Onlytogobackandproposeittoher，andshe’dcome!’hemurmured。
　　Hestoodupinthephaeton，andbythismeanshecouldseeoverthehedge。Margerystillsatlistlesslyinthesameplace；therewasnotalovelierflowerinthefield。’No，’hesaid；’no，no——never!’Hereseatedhimself，andthewheelsspedlightlybackoverthesoftdusttoMountLodge。
　　MeanwhileMargeryhadnotmoved。IftheBaroncoulddissimulateonthesideofseverityshecoulddissimulateonthesideofcalm。Hedidnotknowwhathadbeenveiledbythequietpromisetomanagemattersindoors。Risingatlengthshefirstturnedawayfromthehouse；and，by—and—by，havingapparentlyforgottentillthenthatshecarrieditinherhand，sheopenedthecase，andlookedatthelocket。Thisseemedtogivehercourage。Sheturned，setherfacetowardsthedairyingoodearnest，andthoughherheartfalteredwhenthegatescameinsight，shekeptonanddrewnearthedoor。
　　Onthethresholdshestoodlistening。Thehousewassilent。
　　Decorationswerevisibleinthepassage，andalsothecarefullysweptandsandedpathtothegate，whichshewastohavetroddenasabride；butthesparrowshoppedoveritasifitwereabandoned；andallappearedtohavebeencheckedatitsclimacteric，likeaclockstoppedonthestrike。Tillthismomentofconfrontingthesuspendedanimationofthesceneshehadnotrealizedthefullshockoftheconvulsionwhichherdisappearancemusthavecaused。Itisquitecertain——apartfromherownrepeatedassurancestothateffectinlateryears——thatinhasteningoffthatmorningtohersuddenengagement，Margeryhadnotcountedthecostofsuchanenterprise；
　　whileadimnotionthatshemightgetbackagainintimefortheceremony，ifthemessagemeantnothingserious，shouldalsobementionedinherfavour。But，uponthewhole，shehadobeyedthecallwithanunreasoningobedienceworthyofadiscipleinprimitivetimes。AconvictionthattheBaron’slifemightdependuponherpresence——forshehadbythistimedivinedthetragicaleventshehadinterruptedonthefoggymorning——tookfromherallwilltojudgeandconsidercalmly。Thesimpleaffairsofherandhersseemednothingbesidethepossibilityofharmtohim。
　　Awell—knownstepmovedonthesandedfloorwithin，andshewentforward。Thatshesawherfather’sfacebeforeher，justwithinthedoor，canhardlybesaid：itwasratherReproachandRageinahumanmask。
　　’What!yehavedaredtocomebackalive，hussy，tolookupontheduperyyouhavepractisedonhonestpeople!You’vemortifiedusall；
　　Idon’twanttosee’ee；Idon’twanttohear’ee；Idon’twanttoknowanything!’Hewalkedupanddowntheroom，unabletocommandhimself。’Nothingbutbeingdeadcouldhaveexcused’eefornotmeetingandmarryingthatmanthismorning；andyetyouhavethebrazenimpudencetostandthereaswellasever!Whatbeyouherefor？’
　　’I’vecomebacktomarryJim，ifhewantsmeto，’shesaidfaintly。
　　’Andifnot——perhapssomuchthebetter。Iwassentforthismorningearly。Ithought——。’Shehalted。Tosaythatshehadthoughtaman’sdeathmighthappenbyhisownhandifshedidnotgotohim，wouldneverdo。’Iwasobligedtogo，’shesaid。’Ihadgivenmyword。’
　　’Whydidn’tyoutellusthen，sothattheweddingcouldbeputoff，withoutmakingfoolso’us？’
　　’BecauseIwasafraidyouwouldn’tletmego，andIhadmadeupmymindtogo。’
　　’Togowhere？’
　　Shewassilent；tillshesaid，’IwilltellJimall，andwhyitwas；
　　andifhe’sanyfriendofminehe’llexcuseme。’
　　’NotJim——he’snosuchfool。Jimhadputallreadyforyou，Jimhadcalledatyourhouse，a—dressedupinhisnewweddingclothes，anda—
　　smilinglikethesun；Jimhadtoldtheparson，hadgottheringersintow，andtheclerkawaiting；andthen——youwasGONE!ThenJimturnedaspaleasrendlewood，andbustedout，"Ifshedon’tmarrymeto—
　　day，"’asaid，"shedon’tmarrymeatall!No；letherlookelsewhereforahusband。FortewyearsI’veputupwithherhaughtytricksandhertakings，"’asaid。"I’vedroudgedandI’vetraipsed，I’veboughtandI’vesold，allwi’aneyetoher；I’vesufferedhorseflesh，"hesays——yes，themwashisnoblewords——"butI’llsufferitnolonger。Sheshallgo!""Jim，"saysI，"youbeaman。Ifshe’salive，Icommend’ee；ifshe’sdead，pitymyoldage。""Sheisn’tdead，"sayshe；"forI’vejustheardshewasseenwalkingoffacrossthefieldsthismorning，lookingallofascornfultriumph。"
　　Heturnedroundandwent，andtheresto’theneighbourswent；andherebeIlefttothereproacho’t。’
　　’Hewastoohasty，’murmuredMargery。’Fornowhe’ssaidthisI
　　can’tmarryhimto—morrow，asImightha’done；andperhapssomuchthebetter。’
　　’Youcanbesocalmaboutit，canye？Bemyarrangementsnothing，then，thatyoushouldbreak’emup，andsayoffhandwhatwasn’tdoneto—daymightha’beendoneto—morrow，andsuchflick—flack？Outo’
　　mysight!Iwon’thearanymore。Iwon’tspeakto’eeanymore。’
　　’I’llgoaway，andthenyou’llbesorry!’
　　’Verywell，go。Sorry——notI。’
　　Heturnedandstampedhiswayintothecheese—room。Margerywentupstairs。Shetoowasexcitednow，andinsteadoffortifyingherselfinherbedroomtillherfather’sragehadblownover，asshehadoftendoneonlesseroccasions，shepackedupabundleofarticles，creptdownagain，andwentoutofthehouse。Shehadaplaceofrefugeinthesecasesofnecessity，andherfatherknewit，andwaslessalarmedatseeingherdepartthanhemightotherwisehavebeen。
　　ThisplacewasRook’sGate，thehouseofhergrandmother，whoalwaystookMargery’spartwhenthatyoungwomanwasparticularlyinthewrong。
　　Thedeviouswayshepursued，toavoidthevicinityofMountLodge，wastedious，andshewasalreadyweary。Butthecottagewasarestfulplacetoarriveat，forshewasherownmistressthere——hergrandmothernevercomingdownstairs——andEdy，thewomanwholivedwithandattendedher，beingacipherexceptinmuscleandvoice。
　　Theapproachwasbyastraightopenroad，borderedbythinlanktrees，allslopingawayfromthesouth—westwind—quarter，andthesceneboreastrangeresemblancetocertainbitsofDutchlandscapewhichhavebeenimprintedontheworld’seyebyHobbemaandhisschool。
　　Havingexplainedtohergrannythattheweddingwasputoff；andthatshehadcometostay，oneofMargery’sfirstactswascarefullytopackupthelocketandcase，herweddingpresentfromtheBaron。Theconditionsofthegiftwereunfulfilled，andshewishedittogobackinstantly。Perhaps，intheintricaciesofherbosom，therelurkedagreatersatisfactionwiththereasonforreturningthepresentthanshewouldhavefeltjustthenwithareasonforkeepingit。
　　Tosendthearticlewasdifficult。Intheeveningshewrappedherselfup，searchedandfoundagauzeveilthathadbeenusedbyhergrandmotherinpastyearsforhivingswarmsofbees，buriedherfaceinit，andsalliedforthwithapalpitatinghearttillshedrewnearthetabernacleofherdemi—godtheBaron。Sheventuredonlytotheback—door，whereshehandedintheparceladdressedtohim，andquicklycameaway。
　　NowitseemsthatduringthedaytheBaronhadbeenunabletolearntheresultofhisattempttoreturnMargeryintimefortheeventhehadinterrupted。Wishing，forobviousreasons，toavoiddirectinquirybymessenger，andbeingtoounwelltogofarhimself，hecouldlearnnoparticulars。Hewassittinginthoughtafteralonelydinnerwhentheparcelintimatingfailureasbroughtin。Thefootman，whosecuriosityhadbeenexcitedbythemodeofitsarrival，peepedthroughthekeyholeafterclosingthedoor，tolearnwhatthepacketmeant。DirectlytheBaronhadopenedithethrustouthisfeetvehementlyfromhischair，andbegancursinghisruinousconductinbringingaboutsuchadisaster，forthereturnofthelocketdenotednotonlynoweddingthatday，butnoneto—morrow，oratanytime。
　　’Ihavedonethatinnocentwomanagreatwrong!’hemurmured。
　　’Deprivedherof，perhaps，heronlyopportunityofbecomingmistressofahappyhome!’
　　CHAPTERX
　　Aconsiderableperiodofinactionfollowedamongallconcerned。
　　NothingtendedtodissipatetheobscuritywhichveiledthelifeoftheBaron。Thepositionheoccupiedinthemindsofthecountry—folkaroundwasonewhichcombinedthemysteriousnessofalegendarycharacterwiththeunobtrusivedeedsofamoderngentleman。TothisdaywhoevertakesthetroubletogodowntoSilverthorninLowerWessexandmakeinquirieswillfindexistingtherealmostasuperstitiousfeelingforthemoodymelancholystrangerwhoresidedintheLodgesomefortyyearsago。
　　Whencehecame，whitherhewasgoing，werealikeunknown。ItwassaidthathismotherhadbeenanEnglishladyofnoblefamilywhohadmarriedaforeignernotunheardofincircleswheremenpileup’thecankeredheapsofstrange—achievedgold’——thathehadbeenbornandeducatedinEngland，takenabroad，andsoon。Butthefactsofalifeinsuchcasesareoflittleaccountbesidetheaspectofalife；
　　andhence，thoughdoubtlesstheyearsofhisexistencecontainedtheirshareoftriteandhomelycircumstance，thecurtainwhichmaskedallthiswasneverliftedtogratifysuchatheatreofspectatorsasthoseatSilverthorn。Thereinlayhischarm。Hislifewasavignette，ofwhichthecentralstrokesonlyweredrawnwithanydistinctness，theenvironmentshadingawaytoablank。
　　Hemighthavebeensaidtoresemblethatsolitarybirdtheheron。
　　Thestill，lonelystreamwashisfrequenthaunt：onitsbankshewouldstandforhourswithhisrod，lookingintothewater，beholdingthetawnyinhabitantswiththeeyeofaphilosopher，andseemingtosay，’Biteordon’tbite——it’sallthesametome。’Hewasoftenmistakenforaghostbychildren；andforapollardwillowbymen，when，ontheirwayhomeinthedusk，theysawhimmotionlessbysomerushybank，unobservantofthedeclineofday。
　　WhydidhecometofishnearSilverthorn？Thatwasneverexplained。
　　Asfaraswasknownhehadnorelativesnear；thefishingtherewasnotexceptionallygood；thesocietythereaboutwasdecidedlymeagre。
　　Thathehadcommittedsomefollyorhastyact，thathehadbeenwrongfullyaccusedofsomecrime，thusrenderinghisseclusionfromtheworlddesirableforawhile，squaredverywellwithhisfrequentmelancholy。Butsuchashewastherehelived，wellsuppliedwithfishing—tackle，andtenantofafurnishedhouse，justsuitedtotherequirementsofsuchaneccentricbeingashe。
　　Margery’sfather，havingprivatelyascertainedthatshewaslivingwithhergrandmother，andgettingintonoharm，refrainedfromcommunicatingwithher，inthehopeofseeinghercontriteathisdoor。Ithad，ofcourse，becomeknownaboutSilverthornthatatthelastmomentMargeryrefusedtowedHayward，byabsentingherselffromthehouse。Jimwaspitied，yetnotpitiedmuch，foritwassaidthatheoughtnottohavebeensoeagerforawomanwhohadshownnoanxietyforhim。
　　AndwherewasJimhimself？Itmustnotbesupposedthatthattacticianhadallthiswhilewithdrawnfrommortaleyetotearhishairinsilentindignationanddespair。Hehad，intruth，merelyretiredupthelonesomedefilebetweenthedownstohissmoulderingkiln，andtheancientrampartsaboveit；andthere，afterhisfirsthoursofnaturaldiscomposure，hequietlywaitedforoverturesfromthepossiblyrepentantMargery。Butnooverturesarrived，andthenhemeditatedanewontheabsorbingproblemofherskittishness，andhowtosetaboutanothercampaignforherconquest，notwithstandinghislatedisastrousfailure。Whyhadhefailed？Towhatwasherstrangeconductowing？Thatwasthethingwhichpuzzledhim。
　　Hehadmadenoadvanceinsolvingtheriddlewhen，onemorning，astrangerappearedonthedownabovehim，lookingasifhehadlosthisway。Themanhadagooddealofblackhairbelowhisfelthat，andcarriedunderhisarmacasecontainingamusicalinstrument。
　　DescendingtowhereJimstood，heaskediftherewerenotashortcutacrossthatwaytoTivworthy，whereafetewastobeheld。
　　’Well，yes，thereis，’saidJim。’But’tisanenormousdistancefor’ee。’
　　’Oh，yes，’repliedthemusician。’Iwishtointerceptthecarrieronthehighway。’
　　ThenearestwaywaspreciselyinthedirectionofRook’sGate，whereMargery，asJimknew，wasstaying。Havingsometimetospare，Jimwasstronglyimpelledtomakeakindacttothelostmusicianapretextfortakingobservationsinthatneighbourhood，andtellinghisacquaintancethathewasgoingthesameway，hestartedwithoutfurtherado。
　　Theyskirtedthelonglengthofmeads，andinduetimearrivedatthebackofRook’sGate，wherethepathjoinedthehighroad。Ahedgedividedthepublicwayfromthecottagegarden。Jimdrewupatthispointandsaid，’Yourroadisstraighton：Iturnbackhere。’
　　Butthemusicianwasstandingfixed，asifingreatperplexity。
　　Thrustinghishandintohisforestofblackhair，hemurmured，’Surelyitisthesame——surely!’
　　Jim，followingthedirectionofhisneighbour’seyes，foundthemtobefixedonafiguretillthatmomenthiddenfromhimself——MargeryTucker——whowascrossingthegardentoanoppositegatewithalittlecheeseinherarms，herheadthrownback，andherfacequiteexposed。
　　’Whatofher？’saidJim。
　　’TwomonthsagoIformedoneofthebandattheYeomanryBallgivenbyLordToneboroughinthenextcounty。Isawthatyoungladydancingthepolkathereinrobesofgauzeandlace。NowIseehercarryacheese!’
　　’Never!’saidJimincredulously。
　　’ButIdonotmistake。Isayitisso!’
　　Jimridiculedtheidea；thebandsmanprotested，andwasabouttolosehistemper，whenJimgaveinwiththegood—natureofapersonwhocanaffordtodespiseopinions；andthemusicianwenthisway。
　　AshedwindledoutofsightJimbegantothinkmorecarefullyoverwhathehadsaid。Theyoungman’sthoughtsgrewquitetoanexcitement，fortherecameintohismindtheBaron’sextraordinarykindnessinregardtofurniture，hithertoaccountedforbytheassumptionthatthenoblemanhadtakenafancytohim。Coulditbe，amongalltheamazingthingsoflife，thattheBaronwasatthebottomofthismischief；andthathehadamusedhimselfbytakingMargerytoaball？
　　DoubtsandsuspicionswhichdistractsomeloverstoimbecilityonlyservedtobringoutJim’sgreatqualities。Wherehetrustedhewasthemosttrustingfellowintheworld；wherehedoubtedhecouldbeguiltyoftheslyeststrategy。Oncesuspicious，hebecameoneofthosesubtle，watchfulcharacterswho，withoutintegrity，makegoodthieves；withalittle，goodjobbers；withalittlemore，gooddiplomatists。Jimwashonest，andheconsideredwhattodo。
　　Retracinghissteps，hepeepedagain。Shehadgonein；butshewouldsoonreappear，foritcouldbeseenthatshewascarryinglittlenewcheesesonebyonetoaspring—cartandhorsetetheredoutsidethegate——hergrandmother，thoughnotaregulardairywoman，stillmanagingafewcowsbymeansofamanandmaid。WiththelightnessofacatJimcreptroundtothegate，tookapieceofchalkfromhispocket，andwroteupontheboarding’TheBaron。’ThenheretreatedtotheothersideofthegardenwherehehadjustwatchedMargery。
　　Induetimesheemergedwithanotherlittlecheese，cameontothegarden—door，andglanceduponthechalkedwordswhichconfrontedher。
　　Shestarted；thecheeserolledfromherarmstotheground，andbrokeintopieceslikeapudding。
　　Shelookedfearfullyround，herfaceburninglikesunset，and，seeingnobody，stoopedtopickuptheflaccidlumps。Jim，withapaleface，departedasinvisiblyashehadcome。Hehadprovedthebandsman’staletobetrue。Onhiswaybackheformedaresolution。Itwastobeardthelioninhisden——tocallontheBaron。
　　MeanwhileMargeryhadrecoveredherequanimity，andgatheredupthebrokencheese。Butshecouldbynomeansaccountforthehandwriting。Jimwasjustthesortoffellowtoplayhersuchatrickatordinarytimes，butsheimaginedhimtobefartooincensedagainsthertodoitnow；andshesuddenlywonderedifitwereanysortofsignalfromtheBaronhimself。
　　Ofhimshehadlatelyheardnothing。IfevermonotonypervadedalifeitpervadedhersatRook’sGate；andshehadbeguntodespairofanyhappychange。Butitispreciselywhenthesocialatmosphereseemsstagnantthatgreateventsarebrewing。Margery’squietwasbrokenfirst，aswehaveseen，byaslightstart，onlysufficienttomakeherdropacheese；andthenbyamoreseriousmatter。
　　Shewasinsidethesamegardenonedaywhensheheardtwowatermentalkingwithout。TheconversationwastotheeffectthatthestrangegentlemanwhohadtakenMountLodgefortheseasonwasseriouslyill。
　　’Howill？’criedMargerythroughthehedge，whichscreenedherfromrecognition。
　　’Badabed，’saidoneofthewatermen。
　　’Inflammationofthelungs，’saidtheother。
　　’Gotwet，fishing，’thefirstchimedin。
　　Margerycouldgathernomore。AnidealadmirationratherthananypositivepassionexistedinherbreastfortheBaron：shehadoflateseentoolittleofhimtoallowanyincipientviewsofhimasalovertogrowtoformidabledimensions。Itwasanextremelyromanticfeeling，delicateasanaroma，capableofquickeningtoanactiveprinciple，ordyingto’apainlesssympathy，’asthecasemightbe。
　　Thisnewsofhisillness，coupledwiththemysteriouschalkingonthegate，troubledher，andrevivedhisimagemuch。Shetooktowalkingupanddownthegarden—paths，lookingintotheheartsofflowers，andnotthinkingwhattheywere。Hislastrequesthadbeenthatshewasnottogotohimifbeshouldsendforher；andnowsheaskedherself，wasthenameonthegateahinttoenablehertogowithoutinfringingtheletterofherpromise？ThusunexpectedlyhadJim’smanoeuvreoperated。
　　Tendayspassed。AllshecouldhearoftheBaronwerethesamewords，’Badabed，’tilloneafternoon，afteragallopofthephysiciantotheLodge，thetidingsspreadlikelightningthattheBaronwasdying。
　　Margerydistressedherselfwiththequestionwhethershemightbepermittedtovisithimandsayherprayersathisbedside；butshefearedtoventure；andthuseight—and—fortyhoursslippedaway，andtheBaronstilllived。Despitehershynessandaweofhimshehadalmostmadeuphermindtocallwhen，justatduskonthatOctoberevening，somebodycametothedoorandaskedforher。
　　Shecouldseethemessenger’sheadagainstthelownewmoon。Hewasaman—servant。Hesaidhehadbeenallthewaytoherfather’s，andhadbeensentthencetoherhere。Hesimplybroughtanote，and，deliveringitintoherhands，wentaway。
　　DEARMARGERYTUCKER（ranthenote）——TheysayIamnotlikelytolive，soIwanttoseeyou。Behereateighto’clockthisevening。Comequitealonetotheside—door，andtapfourtimessoftly。Mytrustymanwilladmityou。Theoccasionisanimportantone。Prepareyourselfforasolemnceremony，whichIwishtohaveperformedwhileitliesinmypower。
　　VONXANTEN。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Margery’sfaceflushedup，andherneckandarmsglowedinsympathy。
　　Thequicknessofyouthfulimagination，andtheassumptivenessofwoman’sreason，sentherstraightasanarrowthisthought：’Hewantstomarryme!’
　　Shehadheardofsimilarstrangeproceedings，inwhichtheorange—
　　flowerandthesadcypresswereintertwined。Peoplesometimeswishedontheirdeath—beds，frommotivesofesteem，toformalegaltiewhichtheyhadnotcaredtoestablishasadomesticoneduringtheiractivelife。
　　ForafewminutesMargerycouldhardlybecalledexcited；shewasexcitementitself。Betweensurpriseandmodestysheblushedandtrembledbyturns。Shebecamegrave，satdowninthesolitaryroom，andlookedintothefire。Atseveno’clocksheroseresolved，andwentquitetranquillyupstairs，whereshespeedilybegantodress。
　　Inmakingthishastytoiletnine—tenthsofhercareweregiventoherhands。Thesummerhadleftthemslightlybrown，andsheheldthemupandlookedatthemwithsomemisgiving，thefourthfingerofherlefthandmoreespecially。Hotwashingsandcoldwashings，certainproductsfrombeeandflowerknownonlytocountrygirls，everythingshecouldthinkof，wereuseduponthoselittlesunburnthands，tillshepersuadedherselfthattheywerereallyaswhiteascouldbewishedbyahusbandwithahundredtitles。Herdressingcompleted，sheleftwordwithEdythatshewasgoingforalongwalk，andsetoutinthedirectionofMountLodge。
　　Shenolongertrippedlikeagirl，butwalkedlikeawoman。Whilecrossingtheparkshemurmured’BaronessvonXanten’inapronunciationofherown。Thesoundofthattitlecausedhersuchagitationthatshewasobligedtopause，withherhanduponherheart。
　　Thehousewassocloselyneighbouredbyshrubberiesonthreeofitssidesthatitwasnottillshehadgonenearlyrounditthatshefoundthelittledoor。Theresolutionshehadbeenanhourinformingfailedherwhenshestoodattheportal。Whilepausingforcouragetotap，acarriagedroveuptothefrontentrancealittlewayoff，andpeepingroundthecornershesawalightaclergyman，andagentlemaninwhomMargeryfanciedthatsherecognizedawell—knownsolicitorfromtheneighbouringtown。Shehadnolongeranydoubtofthenatureoftheceremonyproposed。’ItissuddenbutImustobeyhim!’shemurmured：andtappedfourtimes。
　　Thedoorwasopenedsoquicklythattheservantmusthavebeenstandingimmediatelyinside。Shethoughthimthemanwhohaddriventhemtotheball——thesilentmanwhocouldbetrusted。Withoutawordheconductedherupthebackstaircase，andthroughadooratthetop，intoawidecorridor。Shewasaskedtowaitinalittledressing—room，wheretherewasafire，andanoldmetal—framedlooking—glassoverthemantel—piece，inwhichshecaughtsightofherself。Aredspotburntineachofhercheeks；therestofherfacewaspale；andhereyeswerelikediamondsofthefirstwater。
　　Beforeshehadbeenseatedmanyminutesthemancamebacknoiselessly，andshefollowedhimtoadoorcoveredbyaredandblackcurtain，whichhelifted，andusheredherintoalargechamber。
　　Ascreenedlightstoodonatablebeforeher，andonherleftthehangingsofatalldarkfour—postbedsteadobstructedherviewofthecentreoftheroom。Everythinghereseemedofsuchamagnificenttypetohereyesthatshefeltconfused，diminishedtohalfherheight，halfherstrength，halfherprettiness。Themanwhohadconductedherretiredatonce，andsomeonecamesoftlyroundtheangleofthebed—curtains。Heheldouthishandkindly——ratherpatronisingly：itwasthesolicitorwhomsheknewbysight。Thisgentlemanledherforward，asifshehadbeenalambratherthanawoman，tilltheoccupantofthebedwasrevealed。
　　TheBaron’seyeswereclosed，andherentryhadbeensonoiselessthathedidnotopenthem。Thepallorofhisfacenearlymatchedthewhitebed—linen，andhisdarkhairandheavyblackmoustachewerelikedashesofinkonacleanpage。Nearhimsattheparsonandanothergentleman，whomsheafterwardslearnttobeaLondonphysician；andontheparsonwhisperingafewwordstheBaronopenedhiseyes。Assoonashesawherhesmiledfaintly，andheldouthishand。
　　Margerywouldhaveweptforhim，ifshehadnotbeentoooverawedandpalpitatingtodoanything。Shequiteforgotwhatshehadcomefor，shookhandswithhimmechanically，andcouldhardlyreturnananswertohisweak’DearMargery，youseehowIam——howareyou？’
　　Inpreparingformarriageshehadnotcalculatedonsuchasceneasthis。HeraffectionfortheBaronhadtoomuchofthevagueinittoaffordhertrustfulnessnow。Shewishedshehadnotcome。OnasignfromtheBaronthelawyerbroughtherachair，andtheoppressivesilencewasbrokenbytheBaron’swords。
　　’Iampulleddowntodeath’sdoor，Margery，’hesaid；’andIsupposeIsoonshallpassthrough……Mypeacehasbeenmuchdisturbedinthisillness，forjustbeforeitattackedmeIreceived——thatpresentyoureturned，fromwhich，andinotherways，Ilearntthatyouhadlostyourchanceofmarriage……NowitwasIwhodidtheharm，andyoucanimaginehowthenewshasaffectedme。Ithasworriedmealltheillnessthrough，andIcannotdismissmyerrorfrommymind……
　　IwanttorightthewrongIhavedoneyoubeforeIdie。Margery，youhavealwaysobeyedme，and，strangeastherequestmaybe，willyouobeymenow？’
　　Shewhispered’Yes。’
　　’Well，then，’saidtheBaron，’thesethreegentlemenarehereforaspecialpurpose：onehelpsthebody——he’scalledaphysician；
　　anotherhelpsthesoul——he’saparson；theotherhelpstheunderstanding——he’salawyer。Theyareherepartlyonmyaccount，andpartlyonyours。’
　　Thespeakerthenmadeasigntothelawyer，whowentoutofthedoor。
　　Hecamebackalmostinstantly，butnotalone。Behindhim，dressedupinhisbestclothes，withaflowerinhisbuttonholeandabridegroom’sair，walked——Jim。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Margerycouldhardlyrepressascream。Asforflushingandblushing，shehadturnedhotandturnedpalesomanytimesalreadyduringtheevening，thattherewasreallynownothingofthatsortleftforhertodo；andsheremainedincomplexionmuchasbefore。O，themockeryofit!Thatsecretdream——thatsweetword’Baroness!’——whichhadsustainedherallthewayalong。InsteadofaBarontherestoodJim，white—waistcoated，demure，everyhairinplace，and，ifshemistooknot，evenadeedysparkinhiseye。
　　Jim’ssurprisingpresenceonthescenemaybebrieflyaccountedfor。
　　HisresolvetoseekanexplanationwiththeBaronatallriskshadprovedunexpectedlyeasy：theinterviewhadatoncebeengranted，andthen，seeingthecrisisatwhichmattersstood，theBaronhadgenerouslyrevealedtoJimthewholeofhisindebtednesstoandknowledgeofMargery。ThetruthoftheBaron’sstatement，theinnocentnatureasyetoftheacquaintanceship，hissorrowfortherupturehehadproduced，wassoevidentthat，farfromhavinganyfurtherdoubtsofhispatron，Jimfranklyaskedhisadviceonthenextsteptobepursued。AtthisstagetheBaronfellill，and，desiringmuchtoseethetwoyoungpeopleunitedbeforehisdeath，hehadsentanewHayward，andproposedtheplanwhichtheyweretonowabouttoattempt——amarriageatthebedsideofthesickmanbyspeciallicence。TheinfluenceatLambethofsomefriendsoftheBaron’s，andthecharitablebequestsofhislatemothertoseveraldeservingChurchfunds，weregenerallysupposedtobeamongthereasonswhytheapplicationforthelicencewasnotrefused。
　　This，however，isofsmallconsequence。TheBaronprobablyknew，inproposingthismethodofcelebratingthemarriage，thathisenormouspoweroverherwouldoutweighanysentimentalobstacleswhichshemightsetup——inwardobjectionsthat，withouthispresenceandfirmness，mightprovetoomuchforheracquiescence。Doubtlessheforesaw，too，theadvantageofgettingherintothehousebeforemakingtheindividualityofherhusbandcleartohermind。
　　Now，theBaron’sconjectureswererightastotheevent，butwrongastothemotives。Margerywasaperfectlittledissembleronsomeoccasions，andoneofthemwaswhenshewishedtohideanysuddenmortificationthatmightbringherintoridicule。Shehadnosoonerrecoveredfromherfirstfitofdiscomfiturethanpridebadehersufferanythingratherthanrevealherabsurddisappointment。Hencethesceneprogressedasfollows：
　　’Comehere，Hayward，’saidtheinvalid。Haywardcamenear。TheBaron，holdingherhandinoneofhisown，andherlover’sintheother，continued，’Willyou，inspiteofyourrecentvexationwithher，marryhernowifshedoesnotrefuse？’
　　’Iwill，sir，’saidJimpromptly。
　　’AndMargery，whatdoyousay？Itismerelyasettingofthingsright。Youhavealreadypromisedthisyoungmantobehiswife，andshould，ofcourse，performyourpromise。Youdon’tdislikeJim？’
　　’O，no，sir，’shesaid，inalow，dryvoice。
　　’IlikehimbetterthanIcantellyou，’saidtheBaron。’Heisanhonourableman，andwillmakeyouagoodhusband。Youmustrememberthatmarriageisalifecontract，inwhichgeneralcompatibilityoftemperandworldlypositionisofmoreimportancethanfleetingpassion，whichneverlongsurvives。Now，willyou，atmyearnestrequest，andbeforeIgototheSouthofEuropetodie，agreetomakethisgoodmanhappy？Ihaveexpressedyourviewsonthesubject，haven’tI，Hayward？’
　　’ToaT，sir，’saidJimemphatically；withamotionofraisinghishattohisinfluentialally，tillherememberedhehadnohaton。
　　’And，thoughIcouldhardlyexpectMargerytogieinformyasking，I
　　feelssheoughttogieinforyours。’
　　’Andyouaccepthim，mylittlefriend？’
　　’Yes，sir，’shemurmured，’ifhe’llagreetoathingortwo。’
　　’Doubtlesshewill——whatarethey？’
　　’ThatIshallnotbemadetolivewithhimtillIaminthemindforit；andthatmyhavinghimshallbekeptunknownforthepresent。’
　　’Well，whatdoyouthinkofit，Hayward？’
　　’AnythingthatyouorshemaywishI’lldo，mynoblelord，’saidJim。
　　’Well，herrequestisnotunreasonable，seeingthattheproceedingsare，onmyaccount，alittlehurried。Sowe’llproceed。Youratherexpectedthis，frommyallusiontoaceremonyinmynote，didyounot，Margery？’
　　’Yes，sir，’saidshe，withaneffort。
　　’Good；Ithoughtso；youlookedsolittlesurprised。’
　　Wenowleavethesceneinthebedroomforaspotnotmanyyardsoff。
　　WhenthecarriageseenbyMargeryatthedoorwasdrivinguptoMountLodgeitarrestedtheattention，notonlyoftheyounggirl，butofamanwhohadforsometimebeenmovingslowlyabouttheoppositelawn，engagedinsomeoperationwhilehesmokedashortpipe。Ashortobservationofhisdoingswouldhaveshownthathewasshelteringsomedelicateplantsfromanexpectedfrost，andthathewasthegardener。Whenthelightatthedoorfellupontheenteringformsofparsonandlawyer——theformerastranger，thelatterknowntohim——
　　thegardenerwalkedthoughtfullyroundthehouse。Reachingthesmallside—entrancehewasfurthersurprisedtoseeitnoiselesslyopentoayoungwoman，inwhosemomentarilyilluminedfeatureshediscernedthoseofMargeryTucker。
　　Altogethertherewassomethingcuriousinthis。Themanreturnedtothelawnfront，andperfunctorilywentonputtingsheltersovercertainplants，thoughhisthoughtswereplainlyotherwiseengaged。
　　Onthegrasshisfootstepswerenoiseless，andthenightmoreoverbeingstill，hecouldpresentlyhearamurmuringfromthebedroomwindowoverhishead。
　　Thegardenertookfromatreealadderthathehadusedinnailingthatday，setitunderthewindow，andascendedhalf—way，hoodwinkinghisconsciencebyseizinganailortwowithhishandandtestingtheirtwig—supportingpowers。Hesoonheardenoughtosatisfyhim。
　　Thewordsofachurch—serviceinthestrangeparson’svoicewereaudibleinsnatchesthroughtheblind：theywerewordsheknewtobepartofthesolemnizationofmatrimony，suchas’weddedwife，’
　　’richerforpoorer，’andsoon；thelessfamiliarpartsbeingamoreorlessconfusedsound。
　　Satisfiedthataweddingwasinprogressthere，thegardenerdidnotforamomentdreamthatoneofthecontractingpartiescouldbeotherthanthesickBaron。Hedescendedtheladderandagainwalkedroundthehouse，waitingonlytillhesawMargeryemergefromthesamelittledoor；when，fearingthathemightbediscovered，hewithdrewinthedirectionofhisowncottage。
　　Thisbuildingstoodatthelowercornerofthegarden，andassoonasthegardenerenteredhewasaccostedbyahandsomewomaninawidow’scap，whocalledhimfather，andsaidthatsupperhadbeenreadyforalongtime。Theysatdown，butduringthemealthegardenerwassoabstractedandsilentthathisdaughterputherheadwinninglytoonesideandsaid，’Whatisit，fatherdear？’
　　’Ah——whatisit!’criedthegardener。’Somethingthatmakesverylittledifferencetome，butmaybeofgreataccounttoyou，ifyouplayyourcardswell。THERE’SBEENAWEDDINGATTHELODGETO—NIGHT!’
　　Herelatedtoher，withacautiontosecrecy，allthathehadheardandseen。
　　’Wearefolkthathavegottogettheirliving，’hesaid，’andsuchonesmustn’ttelltalesabouttheirbetters，——Lordforgivethemockeryoftheword!——butthere’ssomethingtobemadeofit。She’sanicemaid；so，Harriet，doyoutakethefirstchanceyougetforhonouringher，beforeothersknowwhathashappened。Sincethisisdonesoprivatelyitwillbekeptprivateforsometime——tillafterhisdeath，noquestion；——whenIexpectshe’lltakethishouseforherself；andblazeoutasawidow—ladytenthousandpoundstrong。
　　Youbeingawidow，shemaymakeyouhercompany—keeper；andsoyou’llhaveahomebyalittlecontriving。’
　　Whilethisconversationprogressedatthegardener’sMargerywasonherwayoutoftheBaron’shouse。Shewas，indeed，married。But，asweknow，shewasnotmarriedtotheBaron。Theceremonyoversheseemedbutlittlediscomposed，andexpressedawishtoreturnaloneasshehadcome。Tothis，ofcourse，noobjectioncouldbeofferedunderthetermsoftheagreement，andwishingJimafrigidgood—bye，andtheBaronaveryquietfarewell，shewentoutbythedoorwhichhadadmittedher。Oncesafeandaloneinthedarknessoftheparksheburstintotears，whichdroppeduponthegrassasshepassedalong。IntheBaron’sroomshehadseemedscaredandhelpless；nowherreasonandemotionsreturned。Thefurthershegotawayfromtheglamourofthatroom，andtheinfluenceofitsoccupant，themoreshebecameofopinionthatshehadactedfoolishly。Shehaddisobedientlyleftherfather’shouse，toobeyhimhere。Shehadpleasedeverybodybutherself。
　　However，thinkingwasnowtoolate。Howshegotintohergrandmother’shouseshehardlyknew；butwithoutasupper，andwithoutconfrontingeitherherrelativeorEdy，shewenttobed。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Ongoingoutintothegardennextmorning，withastrangesenseofbeinganotherpersonthanherself，shebeheldJimleaningmutelyoverthegate。
　　Henodded。’Goodmorning，Margery，’hesaidcivilly。
　　’Goodmorning，’saidMargeryinthesametone。
　　’Ibegyourpardon，’hecontinued。’Butwhichwaywasyougoingthismorning？’
　　’Iamnotgoinganywherejustnow，thankyou。ButIshallgotomyfather’sby—and—bywithEdy。’Shewentonwithasigh，’Ihavedonewhathehasallalongwished，thatis，marriedyou；andthere’snolongerreasonforenmityatweenhimandme。’
　　’Trew——trew。Well，asIamgoingthesameway，Icangiveyoualiftinthetrap，forthedistanceislong。’
　　’Nothankyou——Iamusedtowalking，’shesaid。
　　Theyremainedinsilence，thegatebetweenthem，tillJim’sconvictionswouldapparentlyallowhimtoholdhispeacenolonger。
　　’Thisisabadjob!’hemurmured。
　　’Itis，’shesaid，asonewhosethoughtshaveonlytooreadilybeenidentified。’HowIcametoagreetoitismorethanIcantell!’
　　Andtearsbeganrollingdownhercheeks。
　　’Theblameismoreminethanyours，Isuppose，’hereturned。’I
　　oughttohavesaidNo，andnotbackedupthegentlemanincarryingoutthisscheme。’Twashisownnotionentirely，asperhapsyouknow。
　　Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsuchaplan；buthesaidyou’dbewilling，andthatitwouldbeallright；andIwastooreadytobelievehim。’
　　’Thethingis，howtoremedyit，’saidshebitterly。’Ibelieve，ofcourse，inyourpromisetokeepthisprivate，andnottotroublemebycalling。’
　　’Certainly，’saidJim。’Idon’twanttotroubleyou。Asforthat，why，mydearMrs。Hayward——’
　　’Don’tMrs。Haywardme!’saidMargerysharply。’Iwon’tbeMrs。
　　Hayward!’
　　Jimpaused。’Well，youareshebylaw，andthatwasallImeant，’hesaidmildly。