’Now，MissHolman，that’swhatIcallwilful，’saidHoldsworth，asshegavethemtohim。’No，Iwon’tthankyou’（hislookswerethankingherallthetime）。’Mylittlebitofdampnessannoyedyou，becauseyouthoughtIhadgotwetinyourservice;soyouweredeterminedtomakemeasuncomfortableasyouwereyourself。Itwasanunchristianpieceofrevenge！’
　　Histoneofbadinage（astheFrenchcallit）wouldhavebeenpalpableenoughtoanyoneaccustomedtotheworld;butPhilliswasnot，anditdistressedorratherbewilderedher。’Unchristian’hadtoheraveryseriousmeaning;itwasnotawordtobeusedlightly;andthoughshedidnotexactlyunderstandwhatwrongitwasthatshewasaccusedofdoing，shewasevidentlydesiroustothrowofftheimputation。AtfirstherearnestnesstodisclaimunkindmotivesamusedHoldsworth;whilehislightcontinuanceofthejokeperplexedherstillmore;butatlasthesaidsomethinggravely，andintoolowatoneformetohear，whichmadeherallatoncebecomesilent，andcalledoutherblushes。Afterawhile，theministercameback，amovingmassofshawls，cloaks，andumbrellas。Philliskeptveryclosetoherfather’ssideonourreturntothefarm。SheappearedtometobeshrinkingawayfromHoldsworth，whilehehadnottheslightestvariationinhismannerfromwhatitusuallywasinhisgravermoods;kind，protecting，andthoughtfultowardsher。Ofcourse，therewasagreatcommotionaboutourwetclothes;
　　butInamethelittleeventsofthateveningnowbecauseIwonderedatthetimewhathehadsaidinthatlowvoicetosilencePhillissoeffectually，andbecause，inthinkingoftheirintercoursebythelightoffutureevents，thateveningstandsoutwithsomeprominence。
　　IhavesaidthatafterourremovaltoHornbyourcommunicationswiththefarmbecamealmostofdailyoccurrence。CousinHolmanandIwerethetwowhohadleasttodowiththisintimacy。AfterMrHoldsworthregainedhishealth，hetoooftentalkedaboveherheadinintellectualmatters，andtooofteninhislightbanteringtoneforhertofeelquiteathereasewithhim。Ireallybelievethatheadoptedthislattertoneinspeakingtoherbecausehedidnotknowwhattotalkabouttoapurelymotherlywoman，whoseintellecthadneverbeencultivated，andwhoselovingheartwasentirelyoccupiedwithherhusband，herchild，herhouseholdaffairsand，perhaps，alittlewiththeconcernsofthemembersofherhusband’scongregation，becausethey，inaway，belongedtoherhusband。IhadnoticedbeforethatshehadfleetingshadowsofjealousyevenofPhillis，whenherdaughterandherhusbandappearedtohavestronginterestsandsympathiesinthingswhichwerequitebeyondhercomprehension。Ihadnoticeditinmyfirstacquaintancewiththem，Isay，andhadadmiredthedelicatetactwhichmadetheminister，onsuchoccasions，bringtheconversationbacktosuchsubjectsasthoseonwhichhiswife，withherpracticalexperienceofevery-daylife，wasanauthority;whilePhillis，devotedtoherfather，unconsciouslyfollowedhislead，totallyunaware，inherfilialreverence，ofhismotivefordoingso。
　　ToreturntoHoldsworth。Theministerhadatmorethanonetimespokenofhimtomewithslightdistrust，principallyoccasionedbythesuspicionthathiscarelesswordswerenotalwaysthoseofsobernessandtruth。Butitwasmoreasaprotestagainstthefascinationwhichtheyoungermanevidentlyexercisedovertheelderonemoreasitweretostrengthenhimselfagainstyieldingtothisfascination——thattheministerspokeouttomeaboutthisfailingofHoldsworth’s，asitappearedtohim。InreturnHoldsworthwassubduedbytheminister’suprightnessandgoodness，anddelightedwithhisclearintellect——hisstronghealthycravingafterfurtherknowledge。
　　Inevermettwomenwhotookmorethoroughpleasureandrelishineachother’ssociety。ToPhillishisrelationcontinuedthatofanelderbrother：
　　hedirectedherstudiesintonewpaths，hepatientlydrewouttheexpressionofmanyofherthoughts，andperplexities，andunformedtheories——scarcelyevernowfallingintotheveinofbanterwhichshewassoslowtounderstand。
　　Oneday——harvest-time——hehadbeendrawingonaloosepieceofpaper-sketchingearsofcorn，sketchingcartsdrawnbybullocksandladenwithgrapes——allthetimetalkingwithPhillisandme，cousinHolmanputtinginhernotpertinentremarks，whensuddenlyhesaidtoPhillis，——
　　’Keepyourheadstill;Iseeasketch！Ihaveoftentriedtodrawyourheadfrommemory，andfailed;butIthinkIcandoitnow。IfIsucceedIwillgiveittoyourmother。YouwouldlikeaportraitofyourdaughterasCeres，wouldyounot，ma’am？’
　　’Ishouldlikeapictureofher;yes，verymuch，thankyou，MrHoldsworth;
　　butifyouputthatstrawinherhair，’（hewasholdingsomewheatearsaboveherpassivehead，lookingattheeffectwithanartisticeye，）’you’llruffleherhair。Phillis，mydear，ifyou’retohaveyourpicturetaken，goup-stairs，andbrushyourhairsmooth。’
　　’Notonanyaccount。Ibegyourpardon，butIwanthairlooselyflowing。’
　　Hebegantodraw，lookingintentlyatPhillis;Icouldseethisstareofhisdiscomposedher——hercolourcameandwent，herbreathquickenedwiththeconsciousnessofhisregard;atlast，whenhesaid，’Pleaselookatmeforaminuteortwo，Iwanttogetintheeyes，’shelookedupathim，quivered，andsuddenlygotupandlefttheroom。Hedidnotsayaword，butwentonwithsomeotherpartofthedrawing;hissilencewasunnatural，andhisdarkcheekblanchedalittle。CousinHolmanlookedupfromherwork，andputherspectaclesdown。
　　’What’sthematter？Whereisshegone？’
　　Holdsworthneverutteredaword，butwentondrawing。Ifeltobligedtosaysomething;itwasstupidenough，butstupiditywasbetterthansilencejustthen。
　　’I’llgoandcallher，’saidI。SoIwentintothehall，andtothebottomofthestairs;butjustasIwasgoingtocallPhillis，shecamedownswiftlywithherbonneton，andsaying，’I’mgoingtofatherinthefive-acre，’passedoutbytheopen’rector，’rightinfrontofthehouse-placewindows，andoutatthelittlewhiteside-gate。ShehadbeenseenbyhermotherandHoldsworth，asshepassed;sotherewasnoneedforexplanation，onlycousinHolmanandIhadalongdiscussionastowhethershecouldhavefoundtheroomtoohot，orwhathadoccasionedhersuddendeparture。
　　Holdsworthwasveryquietduringalltherestofthatday;nordidheresumetheportrait-takingbyhisowndesire，onlyatmycousinHolman’srequestthenexttimethathecame;andthenhesaidheshouldnotrequireanymoreformalsittingsforonlysuchaslightsketchashefelthimselfcapableofmaking。PhilliswasjustthesameaseverthenexttimeIsawherafterherabruptpassingmeinthehall。Shenevergaveanyexplanationofherrushoutoftheroom。
　　XX
　　Soallthingswenton，atleastasfarasmyobservationreachedatthetime，ormemorycanrecallnow，tillthegreatapple-gatheringoftheyear。Thenightswerefrosty，themorningsandeveningsweremisty，butatmid-dayallwassunnyandbright，anditwasonemid-daythatbothofusbeingonthelinenearHeathbridge，andknowingthattheyweregatheringapplesatthefarm，weresolvedtospendthemen’sdinner-houringoingoverthere。Wefoundthegreatclothes-basketsfullofapples，scentingthehouse，andstoppinguptheway;andanuniversalairofmerrycontentmentwiththisthefinalproduceoftheyear。Theyellowleaveshungonthetreesreadytoflutterdownattheslightestpuffofair;thegreatbushesofMichaelmasdaisiesinthekitchen-gardenweremakingtheirlastshowofflowers。Wemustneedstastethefruitoffthedifferenttrees，andpassourjudgmentastotheirflavour;andwewentawaywithourpocketsstuffedwiththosethatwelikedbest。Aswehadpassedtotheorchard，Holdsworthhadadmiredandspokenaboutsomeflowerwhichhesaw;itsohappenedhehadneverseenthisold-fashionedkindsincethedaysofhisboyhood。Idonotknowwhetherhehadthoughtanythingmoreaboutthischancespeechofhis，butIknowIhadnot——whenPhillis，whohadbeenmissingjustatthelastmomentofourhurriedvisit，re-appearedwithalittlenosegayofthissameflower，whichshewastyingupwithabladeofgrass。SheofferedittoHoldsworthashestoodwithherfatheronthepointofdeparture。Isawtheirfaces。Isawforthefirsttimeanunmistakablelookofloveinhisblackeyes;itwasmorethangratitudeforthelittleattention;itwastenderandbeseeching——passionate。Sheshrankfromitinconfusion，herglancefellonme;and，partlytohideheremotion，partlyoutofrealkindnessatwhatmightappearungraciousneglectofanolderfriend，sheflewofftogathermeafewlate-bloomingChinaroses。Butitwasthefirsttimeshehadeverdoneanythingofthekindforme。
　　Wehadtowalkfasttobebackonthelinebeforethemen’sreturn，sowespokebutlittletoeachother，andofcoursetheafternoonwastoomuchoccupiedforustohaveanytalk。IntheeveningwewentbacktoourjointlodgingsinHornby。There，onthetable，layaletterforHoldsworth，whichhadbeenforwardedtohimfromEltham。Asourteawasready，andIhadhadnothingtoeatsincemorning，Ifelltodirectlywithoutpayingmuchattentiontomycompanionasheopenedandreadhisletter。Hewasverysilentforafewminutes;atlengthhesaid，’Oldfellow！I’mgoingtoleaveyou！’
　　’Leaveme！’saidI。’How？When？’
　　’ThisletteroughttohavecometohandSooner。ItisfromGreathedtheengineer’（Greathedwaswellknowninthosedays;heisdeadnow，andhisnamehalf-forgotten）;’hewantstoseemeaboutSomebusiness;infact，Imayaswelltellyou，Paul，thislettercontainsaveryadvantageousproposalformetogoouttoCanada，andsuperintendthemakingofalinethere。’Iwasinutterdismay。’ButwhatwillOurcompanysaytothat？’
　　’Oh，Greathedhasthesuperintendenceofthisline，youknow;andheisgoingtobeengineerinchieftothisCanadianline;manyoftheShareholdersinthiscompanyaregoinginfortheother，soIfancytheywillmakenodifficultyinfollowingGreathed’slead。Hesayshehasayoungmanreadytoputinmyplace。’
　　’Ihatehim，’saidI。
　　’Thankyou，’saidHoldsworth，laughing。
　　’Butyoumustnot，’heresumed;’forthisisaverygoodthingforme，and，ofcourse，ifnoonecanbefoundtotakemyinferiorwork，Ican’tbesparedtotakethesuperior。IonlywishIhadreceivedthisletteradaySooner。Everyhourisofconsequence，forGreathedsaystheyarethreateningarivalline。Doyouknow，Paul，IalmostfancyImustgouptonight？IcantakeanenginebacktoEltham，andcatchthenighttrain。
　　IshouldnotlikeGreathedtothinkmeluke-warm。’
　　’Butyou’llcomeback？’Iasked，distressedatthethoughtofthissuddenparting。
　　’Oh，yes！AtleastIhopeso。Theymaywantmetogooutbythenextsteamer，thatwillbeonSaturday。’Hebegantoeatanddrinkstanding，butIthinkhewasquiteunconsciousofthenatureofeitherhisfoodorhisdrink。
　　’Iwillgoto-night。Activityandreadinessgoalongwayinourprofession。
　　Rememberthat，myboy！IhopeIshallcomeback，butifIdon’t，besureandrecollectallthewordsofwisdomthathavefallenfrommylips。Nowwhere’stheportmanteau？IfIcangainhalfanhourforagatheringupofmythingsinEltham，somuchthebetter。I’mclearofdebtanyhow;andwhatIoweformylodgingsyoucanpayformeoutofmyquarter’ssalary，dueNovember4th。’
　　’Thenyoudon’tthinkyouwillcomeback？’Isaid，despondingly。
　　’Iwillcomebacksometime，neverfear，’saidhe，kindly。’Imaybebackinacoupleofdays，havingbeenfoundin-competentfortheCanadianwork;orImaynotbewantedtogooutsosoonasInowanticipate。Anyhowyoudon’tsupposeIamgoingtoforgetyou，Paulthisworkoutthereoughtnottotakemeabovetwoyears，and，perhaps，afterthat，wemaybeemployedtogetheragain。’
　　Perhaps！Ihadverylittlehope。Thesamekindofhappydaysneverreturns。
　　However，IdidallIcouldinhelpinghim：clothes，papers，books，instruments;
　　howwepushedandstruggled——howIstuffed。Allwasdoneinamuchshortertimethanwehadcalculatedupon，whenIhadrundowntotheshedstoordertheengine。IwasgoingtodrivehimtoEltham。Wesatereadyforasummons。
　　HoldsworthtookupthelittlenosegaythathehadbroughtawayfromtheHopeFarm，andhadlaidonthemantel-pieceonfirstcomingintotheroom。
　　Hesmeltatit，andcaresseditwithhislips。
　　’WhatgrievesmeisthatIdidnotknow——thatIhavenotsaidgood-byeto——tothem。’
　　Hespokeinagravetone，theshadowofthecomingseparationfallinguponhimatlast。
　　’Iwilltellthem，’saidI。’Iamsuretheywillbeverysorry。’Thenweweresilent。
　　’Ineverlikedanyfamilysomuch。’
　　’Iknewyouwouldlikethem。’
　　’Howone’sthoughtschange，——thismorningIwasfullofahope，Paul。’
　　Hepaused，andthenhesaid，——
　　’Youputthatsketchincarefully？’
　　’Thatoutlineofahead？’askedI。ButIknewhemeantanabortivesketchofPhillis，whichhadnotbeensuccessfulenoughforhimtocompleteitwithshadingorcolouring。
　　’Yes。Whatasweetinnocentfaceitis！andyetso——Oh，dear！’
　　Hesighedandgotup，hishandsinhispockets，towalkupanddowntheroominevidentdisturbanceofmind。Hesuddenlystoppedoppositetome。
　　’You’lltellthemhowitallwas。BesureandtellthegoodministerthatIwassosorrynottowishhimgood-bye，andtothankhimandhiswifeforalltheirkindness。AsforPhillis，——pleaseGodintwoyearsI’llbebackandtellhermyselfallinmyheart。’
　　’YoulovePhillis，then？’saidI。
　　’Loveher！Yes，thatIdo。Whocouldhelpit，seeingherasIhavedone？
　　Hercharacterasunusualandrareasherbeauty！Godblessher！Godkeepherinherhightranquillity，herpureinnocence。——Twoyears！Itisalongtime。——Butshelivesinsuchseclusion，almostlikethesleepingbeauty，Paul，’——（hewassmilingnow，thoughaminutebeforeIhadthoughthimonthevergeoftears，）——’butIshallcomebacklikeaprincefromCanada，andwakenhertomylove。Ican’thelphopingthatitwon’tbedifficult，eh，Paul？’
　　Thistouchofcoxcombrydispleasedmealittle，andImadenoanswer。
　　Hewenton，halfapologetically，——
　　’Yousee，thesalarytheyoffermeislarge;andbesidethat，thisexperiencewillgivemeanamewhichwillentitlemetoexpectastilllargerinanyfutureundertaking。’
　　’Thatwon’tinfluencePhillis。’
　　’No！butitwillmakememoreeligibleintheeyesofherfatherandmother。’
　　Imadenoanswer。
　　’Yougivemeyourbestwishes，Paul，’saidhe，almostpleading。’Youwouldlikemeforacousin？’
　　Iheardthescreamandwhistleoftheenginereadydownatthesheds。
　　’Aye，thatIshould，’Ireplied，suddenlysoftenedtowardsmyfriendnowthathewasgoingaway。’Iwishyouweretobemarriedto-morrow，andIweretobebestman。’
　　’Thankyou，lad。Nowforthiscursedportmanteau（howtheministerwouldbeshocked）;butitisheavy！’andoffwespedintothedarkness。
　　HeonlyjustcaughtthenighttrainatEltham，andIslept，desolatelyenough，atmyoldlodgingsatMissDawsons’，forthatnight。OfcoursethenextfewdaysIwasbusierthanever，doingbothhisworkandmyown。
　　Thencamealetterfromhim，veryshortandaffectionate。HewasgoingoutintheSaturdaysteamer，ashehadmorethanhalfexpected;andbythefollowingMondaythemanwhowastosucceedhimwouldbedownatEltham。
　　TherewasaP。S。，withoniythesewords：——
　　’MynosegaygoeswithmetoCanada，butIdonotneedittoremindmeofHopeFarm。’
　　Saturdaycame;butitwasverylatebeforeIcouldgoouttothefarm。
　　Itwasafrostynight，thestarsshoneclearaboveme，andtheroadwascrispingbeneathmyfeet。TheymusthaveheardmyfootstepsbeforeIgotuptothehouse。Theyweresittingattheirusualemploymentsinthehouse-placewhenIwentin。Phillis’seyeswentbeyondmeintheirlookofwelcome，andthenfellinquietdisappointmentonherwork。
　　’Andwhere’sMrHoldsworth？’askedcousinHolman，inaminuteortwo。
　　’Ihopehiscoldisnotworse，——Ididnotlikehisshortcough。’
　　Ilaughedawkwardly;forIfeltthatIwasthebearerofunpleasantnews。
　　’Hiscoldhadneedbebetter——forhe’sgone——goneawaytoCanada！’
　　IpurposelylookedawayfromPhillis，asIthusabruptlytoldmynews。
　　’ToCanada！’saidtheminister。
　　’Goneaway！’saidhiswife。ButnowordfromPhillis。
　　’Yes！’saidI。’HefoundaletteratHornbywhenwegothometheothernight——whenwegothomefromhere;heoughttohavegotitsooner;hewasorderedtogouptoLondondirectly，andtoseesomepeopleaboutanewlineinCanada，andhe’sgonetolayitdown;hehassailedto-day。
　　Hewassadlygrievednottohavetimetocomeoutandwishyouallgood-by;
　　buthestartedforLondonwithintwohoursafterhegotthatletter。Hebademethankyoumostgratefullyforallyourkindnesses;hewasverysorrynottocomehereonceagain。’
　　Phillisgotupandlefttheroomwithnoiselesssteps。
　　’Iamverysorry，’saidtheminister。
　　’IamsuresoamI！’saidcousinHolman。’IwasrealfondofthatladeversinceInursedhimlastJuneafterthatbadfever。’
　　TheministerwentonaskingmequestionsrespectingHoldsworth’sfutureplans;andbroughtoutalargeold-fashionedatlas，thathemightfindouttheexactplacesbetweenwhichthenewrailroadwastorun。Thensupperwasready;itwasalwaysonthetableassoonastheclockonthestairsstruckeight，anddowncamePhillis——herfacewhiteandset，herdryeyeslookingdefiancetome，forIamafraidIhurthermaidenlypridebymyglanceofsympatheticinterestassheenteredtheroom。Neveraworddidshesay——neveraquestiondidsheaskabouttheabsentfriend，yetsheforcedherselftotalk。
　　Andsoitwasallthenextday。Shewasaspaleascouldbe，likeonewhohasreceivedsomeshock;butshewouldnotletmetalktoher，andshetriedhardtobehaveasusual。TwoorthreetimesIrepeated，inpublic，thevariousaffectionatemessagestothefamilywithwhichIwaschargedbyHoldsworth;butshetooknomorenoticeofthemthanifmywordshadbeenemptyair。AndinthismoodIleftherontheSabbathevening。
　　Mynewmasterwasnothalfsoindulgentasmyoldone。Hekeptupstrictdisciplineastohours，sothatitwassometimebeforeIcouldagaingoout，eventopayacallattheHopeFarm。
　　ItwasacoldmistyeveninginNovember。Theair，evenindoors，seemedfullofhaze;yettherewasagreatlogburningonthehearth，whichoughttohavemadetheroomcheerful。CousinHolmanandPhillisweresittingatthelittleroundtablebeforethefire，workingawayinsilence。Theministerhadhisbooksoutonthedresser，seeminglydeepinstudy，bythelightofhissolitarycandle;perhapsthefearofdisturbinghimmadetheunusualstillnessoftheroom。Butawelcomewasreadyformefromall;notnoisy，notdemonstrative——thatitneverwas;mydampwrappersweretakenoff;thenextmealwashastened，andachairplacedformeononesideofthefire，sothatIprettymuchcommandedaviewoftheroom。
　　MyeyecaughtonPhillis，lookingsopaleandweary，andwithasortofachingtone（ifImaycallitso）inhervoice。Shewasdoingalltheaccustomedthings——fulfillingsmallhouseholdduties，butsomehowdifferently——Ican’ttellyouhow，forshewasjustasdeftandquickinhermovements，onlythelightspringwasgoneoutofthem。CousinHolmanbegantoquestionme;eventheministerputasidehisbooks，andcameandstoodontheoppositesideofthefire-place，tohearwhatwaftofintelligenceIbrought。I
　　hadfirsttotellthemwhyIhadnotbeentoseethemforsolong——morethanfiveweeks。Theanswerwassimpleenough;businessandthenecessityofattendingstrictlytotheordersofanewsuperintendent，whohadnotyetlearnedtrust，muchlessindulgence。Theministernoddedhisapprovalofmyconduct，andsaid，——
　　’Right，Paul！"Servants，obeyinallthingsyourmasteraccordingtotheflesh。"IhavehadmyfearslestyouhadtoomuchlicenceunderEdwardHoldsworth。’
　　’Ah，’saidcousinHolman，’poorMrHoldsworth，he’llbeonthesaltseasbythistime！’
　　’No，indeed，’saidI，’he’slanded。IhavehadaletterfromhimfromHalifax。’
　　Immediatelyashowerofquestionsfellthickuponme。When？How？Whatwashedoing？Howdidhelikeit？Whatsortofavoyage？&c。
　　’Manyisthetimewehavethoughtofhimwhenthewindwasblowingsohard;theoldquince-treeisblowndown，Paul，thatontheright-handofthegreatpear-tree;itwasblowndownlastMondayweek，anditwasthatnightthatIaskedtheministertoprayinanespecialmannerforallthemthatwentdowninshipsuponthegreatdeep，andhesaidthen，thatMrHoldsworthmightbealreadylanded;butIsaid，eveniftheprayerdidnotfithim，itwassuretobefittingsomebodyoutatsea，whowouldneedtheLord’scare。BothPhillisandIthoughthewouldbeamonthontheseas。’
　　Phillisbegantospeak，buthervoicedidnotcomerightlyatfirst。
　　Itwasalittlehigherpitchedthanusual，whenshesaid，——
　　’Wethoughthewouldbeamonthifhewentinasailing-vessel，orperhapslonger。Isupposehewentinasteamer？’
　　’OldObadiahGrimshawwasmorethansixweeksingettingtoAmerica，’
　　observedcousinHolman。
　　’Ipresumehecannotasyettellhowhelikeshisnewwork？’askedtheminister。
　　’No！heisbutjustlanded;itisbutonepagelong。I’llreadittoyou，shallI？——’DearPaul，——’Wearesafeonshore，afteraroughpassage。Thoughtyouwouldliketohearthis，buthomeward-boundsteamerismakingsignalsforletters。
　　Willwriteagainsoon。ItseemsayearsinceIleftHornby。LongersinceIwasatthefarm。Ihavegotmynosegaysafe。RemembermetotheHolmans。’Yours，E。H。’’That’snotmuch，certainly，’saidtheminister。’Butit’sacomforttoknowhe’sonlandtheseblowynights。’
　　Phillissaidnothing。Shekeptherheadbentdownoverherwork;butIdon’tthinksheputastitchin，whileIwasreadingtheletter。Iwonderedifsheunderstoodwhatnosegaywasmeant;butIcouldnottell。Whennextsheliftedupherface，thereweretwospotsofbrilliantcolouronthecheeksthathadbeensopalebefore。AfterIhadspentanhourortwothere，IwasboundtoreturnbacktoHornby。ItoldthemIdidnotknowwhenI
　　couldcomeagain，aswe——bywhichImeanthecompany——hadundertakentheHensleydaleline;thatbranchforwhichpoorHoldsworthwassurveyingwhenhecaughthisfever。
　　’Butyou’llhaveaholidayatChristmas，’saidmycousin。’Surelythey’llnotbesuchheathensastoworkyouthen？’
　　’Perhapstheladwillbegoinghome，’saidtheminister，asiftomitigatehiswife’surgency;butforallthat，Ibelievehewantedmetocome。Phillisfixedhereyesonmewithawistfulexpression，hardtoresist。But，indeed，Ihadnothoughtofresisting。UndermynewmasterIhadnohopeofaholidaylongenoughtoenablemetogotoBirminghamandseemyparentswithanycomfort;andnothingcouldbepleasantertomethantofindmyselfathomeatmycousins’foradayortwo，then。SoitwasfixedthatweweretomeetinHornbyChapelonChristmasDay，andthatIwastoaccompanythemhomeafterservice，andifpossibletostayoverthenextday。
　　Iwasnotabletogettochapeltilllateontheappointedday，andsoItookaseatnearthedoorinconsiderableshame，althoughitreallywasnotmyfault。Whentheservicewasended，Iwentandstoodintheporchtoawaitthecomingoutofmycousins。SomeworthypeoplebelongingtothecongregationclusteredintoagroupjustwhereIstood，andexchangedthegoodwishesoftheseason。Ithadjustbeguntosnow，andthisoccasionedalittledelay，andtheyfellintofurtherconversation。Iwasnotattendingtowhatwasnotmeantformetohear，tillIcaughtthenameofPhillisHolman。AndthenIlistened;wherewastheharm？
　　’Ineversawanyonesochanged！’
　　’IaskedMrsHolman，’quothanother，’"IsPhilliswell？"andshejustsaidshehadbeenhavingacoldwhichhadpulledherdown;shedidnotseemtothinkanythingofit。’
　　’Theyhadbesttakecareofher，’saidoneoftheoldestofthegoodladies;’Philliscomesofafamilyasisnotlong-lived。Hermother’ssister，LydiaGreen，herownauntaswas，diedofadeclinejustwhenshewasaboutthislass’sage。’
　　Thisill-omenedtalkwasbrokeninuponbythecomingoutoftheminister，hiswifeanddaughter，andtheconsequentinterchangeofChristmascompliments。
　　Ihadhadashock，andfeltheavy-heartedandanxious，andhardlyuptomakingtheappropriaterepliestothekindgreetingsofmyrelations。I
　　lookedaskanceatPhillis。Shehadcertainlygrowntallerandslighter，andwasthinner;buttherewasaflushofcolouronherfacewhichdeceivedmeforatime，andmademethinkshewaslookingaswellasever。Ionlysawherpalenessafterwehadreturnedtothefarm，andshehadsubsidedintosilenceandquiet。Hergreyeyeslookedhollowandsad;hercomplexionwasofadeadwhite。Butshewentaboutjustasusual;atleast，justasshehaddonethelasttimeIwasthere，andseemedtohavenoailment;
　　andIwasinclinedtothinkthatmycousinwasrightwhenshehadansweredtheinquiriesofthegood-naturedgossips，andtoldthemthatPhilliswassufferingfromtheconsequencesofabadcold，nothingmore。
　　IhavesaidthatIwastostayoverthenextday;agreatdealofsnowhadcomedown，butnotall，theysaid，thoughthegroundwascovereddeepwiththewhitefall。Theministerwasanxiouslyhousinghiscattle，andpreparingallthingsforalongcontinuanceofthesamekindofweather。
　　Themenwerechoppingwood，sendingwheattothemilltobegroundbeforetheroadshouldbecomeimpassableforacartandhorse。MycousinandPhillishadgoneup-stairstotheapple-roomtocoverupthefruitfromthefrost。
　　Ihadbeenoutthegreaterpartofthemorning，andcameinaboutanhourbeforedinner。Tomysurprise，knowinghowshehadplannedtobeengaged，IfoundPhillissittingatthedresser，restingherheadonhertwohandsandreading，orseemingtoread。ShedidnotlookupwhenIcamein，butmurmuredsomethingabouthermotherhavingsentherdownoutofthecold。
　　Itflashedacrossmethatshewascrying，butIputitdowntosomelittlespirtoftemper;Imighthaveknownbetterthantosuspectthegentle，serenePhillisofcrossness，poorgirl;Istoopeddown，andbegantostirandbuildupthefire，whichappearedtohavebeenneglected。WhilemyheadwasdownIheardanoisewhichmademepauseandlisten——asob，anunmistakable，irrepressiblesob。Istartedup。
　　’Phillis！’Icried，goingtowardsher，withmyhandout，totakehersforsympathywithhersorrow，whateveritwas。Butshewastooquickforme，sheheldherhandoutofmygrasp，forfearofmydetainingher;asshequicklypassedoutofthehouse，shesaid，——
　　’Don’t，Paul！Icannotbearit！’andpassedme，stillsobbing，andwentoutintothekeen，openair。
　　Istoodstillandwondered。WhatcouldhavecometoPhillis？Themostperfectharmonyprevailedinthefamily，andPhillisespecially，goodandgentleasshewas，wassobelovedthatiftheyhadfoundoutthatherfingerached，itwouldhavecastashadowovertheirhearts。HadIdoneanythingtovexher？No：shewascryingbeforeIcamein。Iwenttolookatherbook——oneofthoseunintelligibleItalianbooks。Icouldmakeneitherheadnortailofit。Isawsomepencil-notesonthemargin，inHoldsworth’shandwriting。
　　Couldthatbeit？Couldthatbethecauseofherwhitelooks，herwearyeyes，herwastedfigure，herstrugglingsobs？Thisideacameuponmelikeaflashoflightningonadarknight，makingallthingssoclearwecannotforgetthemafterwardswhenthegloomyobscurityreturns。IwasstillstandingwiththebookinmyhandwhenIheardcousinHolman’sfootstepsonthestairs，andasIdidnotwishtospeaktoherjustthen，IfollowedPhillis’sexample，andrushedoutofthehouse。Thesnowwaslyingontheground;
　　Icouldtrackherfeetbythemarkstheyhadmade;IcouldseewhereRoverhadjoinedher。IfollowedontillIcametoagreatstackofwoodintheorchard——itwasbuiltupagainstthebackwalloftheoutbuildings，——andIrecollectedthenhowPhillishadtoldme，thatfirstdaywhenwestrolledabouttogether，thatunderneaththisstackhadbeenherhermitage，hersanctuary，whenshewasachild;howsheusedtobringherbooktostudythere，orherwork，whenshewasnotwantedinthehouse;andshehadnowevidentlygonebacktothisquietretreatofherchildhood，forgetfulofthecluegivenmebyherfootmarksonthenew-fallensnow。Thestackwasbuiltupveryhigh;butthroughtheintersticesofthesticksIcouldseeherfigure，althoughIdidnotallatonceperceivehowIcouldgettoher。Shewassittingonalogofwood，Roverbyher。ShehadlaidhercheekonRover’shead，andhadherarmroundhisneck，partlyforapillow，partlyfromaninstinctivecravingforwarmthonthatbittercoldday。Shewasmakingalowmoan，likeananimalinpain，orperhapsmorelikethesobbingofthewind。Rover，highlyflatteredbyhercaress，andalso，perhaps，touchedbysympathy，wasflappinghisheavytailagainsttheground，butnototherwisemovingahair，untilheheardmyapproachwithhisquickerectedears。Then，withashort，abruptbarkofdistrust，hesprangupasiftoleavehismistress。BothheandIwereimmovablystillforamoment。
　　IwasnotsureifwhatIlongedtodowaswise：andyetIcouldnotbeartoseethesweetserenityofmydearcousin’slifesodisturbedbyasufferingwhichIthoughtIcouldassuage。ButRover’searsweresharperthanmybreathingwasnoiseless：heheardme，andsprangoutfromunderPhillis’srestraininghand。
　　’Oh，Rover，don’tyouleaveme，too，’sheplainedout。
　　’Phillis！’saidI，seeingbyRover’sexitthattheentrancetowhereshesatewastobefoundontheothersideofthestack。’Phillis，comeout！Youhavegotacoldalready;anditisnotfitforyoutositthereonsuchadayasthis。Youknowhowdispleasedandanxiousitwouldmakethemall。’
　　Shesighed，butobeyed;stoopingalittle，shecameout，andstoodupright，oppositetomeinthelonely，leaflessorchard。HerfacelookedsomeekandsosadthatIfeltasifIoughttobegherpardonformynecessarilyauthoritativewords。
　　’SometimesIfeelthehousesoclose，’shesaid;’andIusedtositunderthewood-stackwhenIwasachild。Itwasverykindofyou，buttherewasnoneedtocomeafterme。Idon’tcatchcoldeasily。’
　　’Comewithmeintothiscow-house，Phillis。Ihavegotsomethingtosaytoyou;andIcan’tstandthiscold，ifyoucan。
　　Ithinkshewouldhavefainrunawayagain;butherfitofenergywasallspent。ShefollowedmeunwillinglyenoughthatIcouldsee。TheplacetowhichItookherwasfullofthefragrantbreathofthecows，andwasalittlewarmerthantheouterair。Iputherinside，andstoodmyselfinthedoorway，thinkinghowIcouldbestbegin。AtlastIplungedintoit。
　　’Imustseethatyoudon’tgetcoldformorereasonsthanone;ifyouareill，Holdsworthwillbesoanxiousandmiserableoutthere’（bywhichImeantCanada）——
　　Sheshotonepenetratinglookatme，andthenturnedherfaceawaywithaslightlyimpatientmovement。Ifshecouldhaverunawaythenshewould，butIheldthemeansofexitinmyownpower。’Inforapenny，inforapound，’thoughtI，andIwentonrapidly，anyhow。
　　’Hetalkedsomuchaboutyou，justbeforeheleft——thatnightafterhehadbeenhere，youknow——andyouhadgivenhimthoseflowers。’Sheputherhandsuptohideherface，butshewaslisteningnow——listeningwithallherears。
　　’Hehadneverspokenmuchaboutyoubefore，butthesuddengoingawayunlockedhisheart，andhetoldmehowhelovedyou，andhowhehopedonhisreturnthatyoumightbehiswife。’
　　’Don’t，’saidshe，almostgaspingouttheword，whichshehadtriedonceortwicebeforetospeak;buthervoicehadbeenchoked。Nowsheputherhandbackwards;shehadquiteturnedawayfromme，andfeltformine。
　　Shegaveitasoftlingeringpressure;andthensheputherarmsdownonthewoodendivision，andlaidherheadonit，andcriedquiettears。I
　　didnotunderstandheratonce，andfearedlestIhadmistakenthewholecase，andonlyannoyedher。Iwentuptoher。’Oh，Phillis！Iamsosorry——I
　　thoughtyouwould，perhaps，havecaredtohearit;hedidtalksofeelingly，asifhedidloveyousomuch，andsomehowIthoughtitwouldgiveyoupleasure。’
　　Sheliftedupherheadandlookedatme。Suchalook！Hereyes，glitteringwithtearsastheywere，expressedanalmostheavenlyhappiness;hertendermouthwascurvedwithrapture——hercolourvividandblushing;butasifshewasafraidherfaceexpressedtoomuch，morethanthethankfulnesstomeshewasessayingtospeak，shehiditagainalmostimmediately。Soitwasallrightthen，andmyconjecturewaswell-founded！Itriedtoremembersomethingmoretotellherofwhathehadsaid，butagainshestoppedme。
　　’Don’t，’shesaid。Shestillkeptherfacecoveredandhidden。Inhalfaminutesheadded，inaverylowvoice，’Please，Paul，IthinkIwouldrathernothearanymoreIdon’tmeanbutwhatIhave——butwhatIamverymuchobliged——Only——only，IthinkIwouldratherheartherestfromhimselfwhenhecomesback。’
　　Andthenshecriedalittlemore，inquiteadifferentway。Ididnotsayanymore，Iwaitedforher。By-and-bysheturnedtowardsme——notmeetingmyeyes，however;andputtingherhandinminejustasifweweretwochildren，shesaid，——
　　’Wehadbestgobacknow——Idon’tlookasifIhadbeencrying，doI？’
　　’Youlookasifyouhadabadcold，’wasalltheanswerImade。
　　’Oh！butIamquitewell，onlycold;andagoodrunwillwarmme。Comealong，Paul。’
　　Soweran，handinhand，till，justaswewereonthethresholdofthehouse，shestopped，——
　　’Paul，please，wewon’tspeakaboutthatagain。’PARTIVWhenIwentoveronEasterDayIheardthechapel-gossipscomplimentingcousinHolmanonherdaughter’sbloominglooks，quiteforgetfuloftheirsinisterpropheciesthreemonthsbefore。AndIlookedatPhillis，anddidnotwonderattheirwords。IhadnotseenhersincethedayafterChristmasDay。IhadlefttheHopeFarmonlyafewhoursafterIhadtoldherthenewswhichhadquickenedherheartintorenewedlifeandvigour。Theremembranceofourconversationinthecow-housewasvividlyinmymindasIlookedatherwhenherbrighthealthyappearancewasremarkedupon。Ashereyesmetmineourmutualrecollectionsflashedintelligencefromonetotheother。Sheturnedaway，hercolourheighteningasshedidso。Sheseemedtobeshyofmeforthefirstfewhoursafterourmeeting，andIfeltrathervexedwithherforherconsciousavoidanceofmeaftermylongabsence。
　　IhadsteppedalittleoutofmyusuallineintellingherwhatIdid;
　　notthatIhadreceivedanychargeofsecrecy，orgiveneventheslightestpromisetoHoldsworththatIwouldnotrepeathiswords。ButIhadanuneasyfeelingsometimeswhenIthoughtofwhatIhaddoneintheexcitementofseeingPhillissoillandinsomuchtrouble。ImeanttohavetoldHoldsworthwhenIwrotenexttohim;butwhenIhadmyhalf-finishedletterbeforemeIsatewithmypeninmyhandhesitating。IhadmorescrupleinrevealingwhatIhadfoundoutorguessedatofPhillis’ssecretthaninrepeatingtoherhisspokenwords。IdidnotthinkIhadanyrighttosayouttohimwhatIbelieved——namely，thatshelovedhimdearly，andhadfelthisabsenceeventotheinjuryofherhealth。YettoexplainwhatIhaddoneintellingherhowhehadspokenaboutherthatlastnight，itwouldbenecessarytogivemyreasons，soIhadsettledwithinmyselftoleaveitalone。Asshehadtoldmesheshouldliketohearallthedetailsandfullerparticularsandmoreexplicitdeclarationsfirstfromhim，soheshouldhavethepleasureofextractingthedelicioustendersecretfromhermaidenlylips。Iwouldnotbetraymyguesses，mysurmises，myallbutcertainknowledgeofthestateofherheart。Ihadreceivedtwolettersfromhimafterhehadsettledtohisbusiness;theywerefulloflifeandenergy;butineachtherehadbeenamessagetothefamilyattheHopeFarmofmorethancommonregard;andaslightbutdistinctmentionofPhillisherself，showingthatshestoodsingleandaloneinhismemory。TheselettersIhadsentontotheminister，forhewassuretocareforthem，evensupposinghehadbeenunacquaintedwiththeirwriter，becausetheyweresocleverandsopicturesquelywordedthattheybrought，asitwere，awhiffofforeignatmosphereintohiscircumscribedlife。Iusedtowonderwhatwasthetradeorbusinessinwhichtheministerwouldnothavethriven，mentallyImean，ifithadsohappenedthathehadbeencalledintothatstate。Hewouldhavemadeacapitalengineer，thatIknow;andhehadafancyforthesea，likemanyotherland-lockedmentowhomthegreatdeepisamysteryandafascination。Hereadlaw-bookswithrelish;and，oncehappeningtoborrowDeLolmeontheBritishConstitution（orsomesuchtitle），hetalkedaboutjurisprudencetillhewasfarbeyondmydepth。ButtoreturntoHoldsworth’sletters。Whentheministersentthembackhealsowroteoutalistofquestionssuggestedbytheirperusal，whichIwastopassoninmyanswerstoHoldsworth，untilIthoughtofsuggestingdirectcorrespondencebetweenthetwo。ThatwasthestateofthingsasregardedtheabsentonewhenIwenttothefarmformyEastervisit，andwhenIfoundPhillisinthatstateofshyreservetowardsmewhichIhavenamedbefore。Ithoughtshewasungrateful;forIwasnotquitesureifIhaddonewiselyinhavingtoldherwhatIdid。
　　Ihadcommittedafault，orafolly，perhaps，andallforhersake;andherewasshe，lessfriendswithmethanshehadevenbeenbefore。Thislittleestrangementonlylastedafewhours。IthinkthatasSoonasshefeltprettysureoftherebeingnorecurrence，eitherbyword，look，orallusion，totheonesubjectthatwaspredominantinhermind，shecamebacktoheroldsisterlywayswithme。Shehadmuchtotellmeofherownfamiliarinterests;howRoverhadbeenill，andhowanxioustheyhadallofthembeen，andhow，aftersomelittlediscussionbetweenherfatherandher，bothequallygrievedbythesufferingsoftheolddog，hehadbeenrememberedinthehouseholdprayers’，andhowhehadbeguntogetbetteronlytheverynextday，andthenshewouldhaveledmeintoaconversationontherightendsofprayer，andonspecialprovidences，andIknownotwhat;onlyI’jibbed’liketheiroldcart-horse，andrefusedtostirastepinthatdirection。Thenwetalkedaboutthedifferentbroodsofchickens，andsheshowedmethehensthatweregoodmothers，andtoldmethecharactersofallthepoultrywiththeutmostgoodfaith;andinallgoodfaithI
　　listened，forIbelievetherewasagooddealoftruthinallshesaid。
　　Andthenwestrolledonintothewoodbeyondtheash-meadow，andbothofussoughtforearlyprimroses，andthefreshgreencrinkledleaves。Shewasnotafraidofbeingalonewithmeafterthefirstday。Ineversawhersolovely，orsohappy。Ithinkshehardlyknewwhyshewassohappyallthetime。Icanseehernow，standingunderthebuddingbranchesofthegreytrees，overwhichatingeofgreenseemedtobedeepeningdayafterday，hersun-bonnetfallenbackonherneck，herhandsfullofdelicatewood-flowers，quiteunconsciousofmygaze，butintentonsweetmockeryofsomebirdinneighbouringbushortree。Shehadtheartofwarbling，andreplyingtothenotesofdifferentbirds，andknewtheirsong，theirhabitsandways，moreaccuratelythananyoneelseIeverknew。Shehadoftendoneitatmyrequestthespringbefore;butthisyearshereallygurgled，andwhistled，andwarbledjustastheydid，outoftheveryfulnessandjoyofherheart。Shewasmorethanevertheveryappleofherfather’seye;hermothergaveherbothherownshareoflove，andthatofthedeadchildwhohaddiedininfancy。IhaveheardcousinHolmanmurmur，afteralongdreamylookatPhillis，andtellherselfhowlikeshewasgrowingtoJohnnie，andsootheherselfwithplaintiveinarticulatesounds，andmanygentleshakesofthehead，fortheachingsenseoflossshewouldnevergetoverinthisworld。Theoldservantsabouttheplacehadthedumbloyalattachmenttothechildoftheland，commontomostagriculturallabourers;notoftenstirredintoactivityorexpression。MycousinPhilliswaslikearosethathadcometofullbloomonthesunnysideofalonelyhouse，shelteredfromstorms。Ihavereadinsomebookofpoetry，——Amaidwhomtherewerenonetopraise，Andveryfewtolove。AndsomehowthoselinesalwaysremindedmeofPhillis;yettheywerenottrueofhereither。Ineverheardherpraised;andoutofherownhouseholdtherewereveryfewtoloveher;butthoughnoonespokeouttheirapprobation，shealwaysdidrightinherparents’eyesoutofhernaturalsimplegoodnessandwisdom。Holdsworth’snamewasnevermentionedbetweenuswhenwewerealone;butIhadsentonhisletterstotheminister，asIhavesaid;andmorethanoncehebegantotalkaboutourabsentfriend，whenhewassmokinghispipeaftertheday’sworkwasdone。ThenPhillishungherheadalittleoverherwork，andlistenedinsilence。
　　’ImisshimmorethanIthoughtfor;nooffencetoyou，Paul。Isaidoncehiscompanywaslikedram-drinking;thatwasbeforeIknewhim;andperhapsIspokeinaspiritofjudgment。Tosomemen’smindseverythingpresentsitselfstrongly，andtheyspeakaccordingly;andsodidhe。AndIthoughtinmyvanityofcensorshipthathiswerenottrueandsoberwords;
　　theywouldnothavebeenifIhadusedthem，buttheyweresotoamanofhisclassofperceptions。IthoughtofthemeasurewithwhichIhadbeenmetingtohimwhenBrotherRobinsonwasherelastThursday，andtoldmethatapoorlittlequotationIwasmakingfromtheGeorgicssavouredofvainbabblingandprofaneheathenism。Hewentsofarastosaythatbylearningotherlanguagesthanourown，wewereflyinginthefaceoftheLord’spurposewhenHehadsaid，atthebuildingoftheTowerofBabel，thatHewouldconfoundtheirlanguagessothattheyshouldnotunderstandeachother’sspeech。AsBrotherRobinsonwastome，sowasItothequickwits，brightsenses，andreadywordsofHoldsworth。’
　　ThefirstlittleclouduponmypeacecameintheshapeofaletterfromCanada，inwhichthereweretwoorthreesentencesthattroubledmemorethantheyoughttohavedone，tojudgemerelyfromthewordsemployed。
　　Itwasthis：——’Ishouldfeeldrearyenoughinthisout-of-the-wayplaceifitwerenotforafriendshipIhaveformedwithaFrenchCanadianofthenameofVentadour。Heandhisfamilyareagreatresourcetomeinthelongevenings。IneverheardsuchdeliciousvocalmusicasthevoicesoftheseVentadourboysandgirlsintheirpartsongs;andtheforeignelementretainedintheircharactersandmanneroflivingremindsmeofsomeofthehappiestdaysofmylife。Lucille，theseconddaughter，iscuriouslylikePhillisHolman。’InvainIsaidtomyselfthatitwasprobablythislikenessthatmadehimtakepleasureinthesocietyoftheVentadourfamily。InvainItoldmyanxiousfancythatnothingcouldbemorenaturalthanthisintimacy，andthattherewasnosignofitsleadingtoanyconsequencethatoughttodisturbme。Ihadapresentiment，andIwasdisturbed;andIcouldnotreasonitaway。Idaresaymypresentimentwasrenderedmorepersistentandkeenbythedoubtswhichwouldforcethemselvesintomymind，astowhetherIhaddonewellinrepeatingHoldsworth’swordstoPhillis。Herstateofvividhappinessthissummerwasmarkedlydifferenttothepeacefulserenityofformerdays。IfinmythoughtfulnessatnoticingthisIcaughthereye，sheblushedandsparkledallover，guessingthatIwasrememberingourjointsecret。Hereyesfellbeforemine，asifshecouldhardlybearmetoseetherevelationoftheirbrightglances。AndyetIconsideredagain，andcomfortedmyselfbythereflectionthat，ifthischangehadbeenanythingmorethanmysillyfancy，herfatherorhermotherwouldhaveperceivedit。Buttheywentonintranquilunconsciousnessandundisturbedpeace。
　　Achangeinmyownlifewasquicklyapproaching。IntheJulyofthisyearmyoccupationonthe————railwayanditsbranchescametoanend。Thelineswerecompleted，andIwastoleave————shire，toreturntoBirmingham，wheretherewasanichealreadyprovidedformeinmyfather’sprosperousbusiness。ButbeforeIleftthenorthitwasanunderstoodthingamongstusallthatIwastogoandpayavisitofsomeweeksattheHopeFarm。
　　MyfatherwasasmuchpleasedatthisplanasIwas;andthedearfamilyofcousinsoftenspokeofthingstobedone，andsightstobeshownme，duringthisvisit。Mywantofwisdominhavingtold’thatthing’（undersuchambiguouswordsIconcealedtheinjudiciousconfidenceIhadmadetoPhillis）wastheonlydrawbacktomyanticipationsofpleasure。
　　ThewaysoflifeweretoosimpleattheHopeFarmformycomingtothemtomaketheslightestdisturbance。Iknewmyroom，likeasonofthehouse。
　　Iknewtheregularcourseoftheirdays，andthatIwasexpectedtofallintoit，likeoneofthefamily。Deepsummerpeacebroodedovertheplace;
　　thewarmgoldenairwasfilledwiththemurmurofinsectsnearathand，themoredistantsoundofvoicesoutinthefields，theclearfarawayrumbleofcartsoverthestone-pavedlanesmilesaway。Theheatwastoogreatforthebirdstobesinging;onlynowandthenonemighthearthewood-pigeonsinthetreesbeyondtheAshfield。Thecattlestoodknee-deepinthepond，flickingtheirtailsabouttokeepofftheflies。Theministerstoodinthehay-field，withouthatorcravat，coatorwaistcoat，pantingandsmiling。
　　Phillishadbeenleadingtherowoffarm-servants，turningtheswathesoffragranthaywithmeasuredmovement。Shewenttotheend——tothehedge，andthen，throwingdownherrake，shecametomewithherfreesisterlywelcome。’Go，Paul！’saidtheminister。’Weneedallhandstomakeuseofthesunshineto-day。"Whatsoeverthinehandfindethtodo，doitwithallthymight。"Itwillbeahealthychangeofworkforthee，lad;andIfindbestrestinchangeofwork。’SooffIwent，awillinglabourer，followingPhillis’slead;itwastheprimitivedistinctionofrank;theboywhofrightenedthesparrowsoffthefruitwasthelastinourrear。
　　Wedidnotleaveofftilltheredsunwasgonedownbehindthefir-treesborderingthecommon。Thenwewenthometosupper——prayers——tobed;somebirdsingingfarintothenight，asIhearditthroughmyopenwindow，andthepoultrybeginningtheirclatterandcackleintheearliestmorning。
　　IhadcarriedwhatluggageIimmediatelyneededwithmefrommylodgings。
　　andtherestwastobesentbythecarrier。Hebroughtittothefarmbetimesthatmorning，andalongwithithebroughtaletterortwothathadarrivedsinceIhadleft。IwastalkingtocousinHolman——aboutmymother’swaysofmakingbread，Iremember;cousinHolmanwasquestioningme，andhadgotmefarbeyondmydepth——inthehouse-place，whentheletterswerebroughtinbyoneofthemen，andIhadtopaythecarrierforhistroublebeforeIcouldlookatthem。Abill——aCanadianletter！WhatinstinctmademesothankfulthatIwasalonewithmydearunobservantcousin？Whatmademehurrythemawayintomycoat-pocket？Idonotknow。Ifeltstrangeandsick，andmadeirrelevantanswers，Iamafraid。ThenIwenttomyroom，ostensiblytocarryupmyboxes。IsateonthesideofmybedandopenedmyletterfromHoldsworth。ItseemedtomeasifIhadreaditscontentsbefore，andknewexactlywhathehadgottosay。IknewhewasgoingtobemarriedtoLucilleVentadour;nay，thathewasmarried;forthiswasthe5thofJuly，andhewrotewordthathismarriagewasfixedtotakeplaceonthe29thofJune。Iknewallthereasonshegave，alltheraptureshewentinto。Iheldtheletterlooselyinmyhands，andlookedintovacancy，yetIsawthechaffinch’snestonthelichen-coveredtrunkofanoldapple-treeoppositemywindow，andsawthemother-birdcomeflutteringintofeedherbrood，——andyetIdidnotseeit，althoughitseemedtomeafterwardsasifIcouldhavedrawneveryfibre，everyfeather。Iwasstirreduptoactionbythemerrysoundofvoicesandtheclampofrusticfeetcominghomeforthemid-daymeal。IknewImustgodowntodinner;Iknew，too，ImusttellPhillis;forinhishappyegotism，hisnew-fangledfoppery，HoldsworthhadputinaP。S。，sayingthatheshouldsendwedding-cardstomeandsomeotherHornbyandElthamacquaintances，and’tohiskindfriendsatHopeFarm’。Phillishadfadedawaytooneamongseveral’kindfriends’。Idon’tknowhowIgotthroughdinnerthatday。Irememberforcingmyselftoeat，andtalkinghard;butIalsorecollectthewonderinglookintheminister’seyes。Hewasnotonetothinkevilwithoutcause;butmanyaonewouldhavetakenmefordrunk。AssoonasIdecentlycouldI
　　leftthetable，sayingIwouldgooutforawalk。AtfirstImusthavetriedtostunreflectionbyrapidwalking，forIhadlostmyselfonthehighmoorlandsfarbeyondthefamiliargorse-coveredcommon，beforeIwasobligedforverywearinesstoslackenmypace。Ikeptwishing——oh！howferventlywishingIhadnevercommittedthatblunder;thattheonelittlehalf-hour’sindiscretioncouldbeblottedout。AlternatingwiththiswasangeragainstHoldsworth;unjustenough，Idaresay。IsupposeIstayedinthatsolitaryplaceforagoodhourormore，andthenIturnedhomewards，resolvingtogetoverthetellingPhillisatthefirstopportunity，butshrinkingfromthefulfilmentofmyresolutionsomuchthatwhenIcameintothehouseandsawPhillis（doorsandwindowsopenwideinthesultryweather）aloneinthekitchen，Ibecamequitesickwithapprehension。Shewasstandingbythedresser，cuttingupagreathouseholdloafintohunchesofbreadforthehungrylabourerswhomightcomeinanyminute，fortheheavythunder-cloudswereoverspreadingthesky。Shelookedroundassheheardmystep。
　　’Youshouldhavebeeninthefield，helpingwiththehay，’saidshe，inhercalm，pleasantvoice。IhadheardherasIcamenearthehousesoftlychantingsomehymn-tune，andthepeacefulnessofthatseemedtobebroodingoverhernow。
　　’PerhapsIshould。Itlooksasifitwasgoingtorain。
　　’Yes;thereisthunderabout。Motherhashadtogotobedwithoneofherbadheadaches。Nowyouarecomein——
　　’Phillis，’saidI，rushingatmysubjectandinterruptingher，’IwentalongwalktothinkoveraletterIhadthismorning——aletterfromCanada。
　　Youdon’tknowhowithasgrievedme。IhelditouttoherasIspoke。
　　Hercolourchangedalittle，butitwasmorethereflectionofmyface，Ithink，thanbecausesheformedanydefiniteideafrommywords。Stillshedidnottaketheletter。Ihadtobidhertoreadit，beforeshequiteunderstoodwhatIwished。Shesatedownrathersuddenlyasshereceiveditintoherhands;and，spreadingitonthedresserbeforeher，sherestedherforeheadonthepalmsofherhands，herarmssupportedonthetable，herfigurealittleaverted，andhercountenancethusshaded。Ilookedoutoftheopenwindow;myheartwasveryheavy。Howpeacefulitallseemedinthefarmyard！Peaceandplenty。Howstillanddeepwasthesilenceofthehouse！Tick-tickwenttheunseenclockonthewidestaircase。Ihadheardtherustleonce，whensheturnedoverthepageofthinpaper。Shemusthavereadtotheend。Yetshedidnotmove，orsayaword，orevensigh。Ikeptonlookingoutofthewindow，myhandsinmypockets。Iwonderhowlongthattimereallywas？Itseemedtomeinterminable——unbearable。
　　AtlengthIlookedroundather。Shemusthavefeltmylook，forshechangedherattitudewithaquicksharpmovement，andcaughtmyeyes。
　　’Don’tlooksosorry，Paul，’shesaid。’Don’t，please。Ican’tbearit。Thereisnothingtobesorryfor。Ithinknot，atleast。Youhavenotdonewrong，atanyrate。’IfeltthatIgroaned，butIdon’tthinksheheardme。’Andhe，——there’snowronginhismarrying，isthere？I’msureIhopehe’llbehappy。Oh！howIhopeit！’Theselastwordswerelikeawail;butIbelieveshewasafraidofbreakingdown，forshechangedthekeyinwhichshespoke，andhurriedon。’Lucille——that’sourEnglishLucy，Isuppose？LucilleHoldsworth！It’saprettyname;andIhope——IforgetwhatIwasgoingtosay。Oh！itwasthis。Paul，Ithinkweneedneverspeakaboutthisagain;onlyrememberyouarenottobesorry。Youhavenotdonewrong;youhavebeenvery，verykind;andifIseeyoulookinggrievedIdon’tknowwhatImightdo;——Imightbreakdown，youknow。’
　　Ithinkshewasonthepointofdoingsothen，butthedarkstormcamedashingdown，andthethunder-cloudbrokerightabovethehouse，asitseemed。Hermother，rousedfromsleep，calledoutforPhillis;themenandwomenfromthehay-fieldcamerunningintoshelter，drenchedthrough。