Boultecameintothehouseoneevening，andleanedagainstthedoor-postsofthedrawing-room，chewinghismoustache。Mrs。
　　Boultewasputtingsomeflowersintoavase。ThereisapretenceofcivilisationeveninKashima。
　　’Littlewoman，’saidBoultequietly，’doyoucareforme？’
　　’Immensely，’saidshe，withalaugh。’Canyouaskit？’
　　’ButI’mserious，’saidBoulte。’Doyoucareforme？’
　　Mrs。Boultedroppedtheflowers，andturnedroundquickly。’Doyouwantanhonestanswer？’
　　’Ye-es，I’veaskedforit。’
　　Mrs。Boultespokeinalow，evenvoiceforfiveminutes，verydistinctly，thattheremightbenomisunderstandinghermeaning。
　　WhenSamsonbrokethepillarsofGaza，hedidalittlething，andonenottobecomparedtothedeliberatepullingdownofawoman’shomesteadaboutherownears。TherewasnowisefemalefriendtoadviseMrs。Boulte，thesingularlycautiouswife，toholdherhand。ShestruckatBoulte’sheart，becauseherownwassickwithsuspicionofKurrell，andwornoutwiththelongstrainofwatchingalonethroughtheRains。Therewasnoplanorpurposeinherspeaking。Thesentencesmadethemselves;andBoultelistened，leaningagainstthedoor-postwithhishandsinhispockets。Whenallwasover，andMrs。Boultebegantobreathethroughhernosebeforebreakingoutintotears，helaughedandstaredstraightinfrontofhimattheDosehrihills。
　　’Isthatall？’hesaid。’Thanks，Ionlywantedtoknow，youknow。’
　　’Whatareyougoingtodo？’saidthewoman，betweenhersobs。
　　’Do！Nothing。WhatshouldIdo？KillKurrell，orsendyouHome，orapplyforleavetogetadivorce？It’stwodays’d？kintoNarkarra。’Helaughedagainandwenton：’I’lltellyouwhatyoucando。YoucanaskKurrelltodinnertomorrowno，onThursday，thatwillallowyoutimetopackandyoucanboltwithhim。IgiveyoumywordIwon’tfollow。’
　　Hetookuphishelmetandwentoutoftheroom，andMrs。Boultesattillthemoonlightstreakedthefloor，thinkingandthinkingandthinking。Shehaddoneherbestuponthespurofthemomenttopullthehousedown;butitwouldnotfall。Moreover，shecouldnotunderstandherhusband，andshewasafraid。Thenthefollyofheruselesstruthfulnessstruckher，andshewasashamedtowritetoKurrell，saying，’Ihavegonemadandtoldeverything。MyhusbandsaysthatIamfreetoelopewithyou。Getad？kforThursday，andwewillflyafterdinner。’Therewasacold-bloodednessaboutthatprocedurewhichdidnotappealtoher。Soshesatstillinherownhouseandthought。
　　Atdinner-timeBoultecamebackfromhiswalk，whiteandwornandhaggard，andthewomanwastouchedathisdistress。Astheeveningworeonshemutteredsomeexpressionofsorrow，somethingapproachingtocontrition。Boultecameoutofabrownstudyandsaid，’Oh，that！Iwasn’tthinkingaboutthat。Bytheway，whatdoesKurrellsaytotheelopement？’
　　’Ihaven’tseenhim，’saidMrs。Boulte。’GoodGod，isthatall？’
　　ButBoultewasnotlisteningandhersentenceendedinagulp。
　　ThenextdaybroughtnocomforttoMrs。Boulte，forKurrelldidnotappear，andthenewliftthatshe，inthefiveminutes’madnessofthepreviousevening，hadhopedtobuildoutoftheruinsoftheold，seemedtobenonearer。
　　Boulteatehisbreakfast，advisedhertoseeherArabponyfedintheverandah，andwentout。Themorningworethrough，andatmid-daythetensionbecameunendurable。Mrs。Boultecouldnotcry。Shehadfinishedhercryinginthenight，andnowshedidnotwanttobeleftalone。PerhapstheVansuythenWomanwouldtalktoher;and，sincetalkingopenstheheart，perhapstheremightbesomecomforttobefoundinhercompany。ShewastheonlyotherwomanintheStation。
　　InKashimatherearenoregularcalling-hours。Everyonecandropinuponeveryoneelseatpleasure。Mrs。Boulteputonabigteraihat，andwalkedacrosstotheVansuythens’housetoborrowlastweek’sQueen。Thetwocompoundstouched，andinsteadofgoingupthedrive，shecrossedthroughthegapinthecactus-hedge，enteringthehousefromtheback。Asshepassedthroughthedining-room，sheheard，behindthepurdahthatcloakedthedrawing-roomdoor，herhusband’svoice，saying’ButonmyHonour！OnmySoulandHonour，Itellyoushedoesn’tcareforme。Shetoldmesolastnight。IwouldhavetoldyouthenifVansuythenhadn’tbeenwithyou。Ifitisforhersakethatyou’llhavenothingtosaytome，youcanmakeyourmindeasy。It’sKurrell’
　　’What？’saidMrs。Vansuythen，withahystericallittlelaugh。
　　’Kurrell！Oh，itcan’tbe！Youtwomusthavemadesomehorriblemistake。Perhapsyouyoulostyourtemper，ormisunderstood，orsomething。Thingscan’tbeaswrongasyousay。’
　　Mrs。Vansuythenhadshiftedherdefencetoavoidtheman’spleading，andwasdesperatelytryingtokeephimtoaside-issue。
　　’Theremustbesomemistake，’sheinsisted，’anditcanbeallputrightagain。’
　　Boultelaughedgrimly。
　　’Itcan’tbeCaptainKurrell！Hetoldmethathehadnevertakentheleasttheleastinterestinyourwife，Mr。Boulte。Oh，dolisten！Hesaidhehadnot。Hesworehehadnot，’saidMrs。Vansuythen。
　　Thepurdahrustled，andthespeechwascutshortbytheentryofalittlethinwoman，withbigringsroundhereyes。Mrs。Vansuythenstoodupwithagasp。
　　’Whatwasthatyousaid？’askedMrs。Boulte。’Nevermindthatman。WhatdidTedsaytoyou？Whatdidhesaytoyou？Whatdidhesaytoyou？’
　　Mrs。Vansuythensatdownhelplesslyonthesofa，overbornebythetroubleofherquestioner。
　　’HesaidIcan’trememberexactlywhathesaidbutIunderstoodhimtosaythatisBut，really，Mrs。Boulte，isn’titratherastrangequestion？’
　　’Willyoutellmewhathesaid？’repeatedMrs。Boulte。Evenatigerwillflybeforeabearrobbedofherwhelps，andMrs。Vansuythenwasonlyanordinarilygoodwoman。Shebeganinasortofdesperation：’Well，hesaidthatthenevercaredforyouatall，and，ofcourse，therewasnottheleastreasonwhyheshouldhave，andandthatwasall。’
　　’Yousaidhesworehehadnotcaredforme。Wasthattrue？’
　　’Yes，’saidMrs。Vansuythenverysoftly。
　　Mrs。Boultewaveredforaninstantwhereshestood，andthenfellforwardfainting。
　　’WhatdidItellyou？’saidBoulte，asthoughtheconversationhadbeenunbroken。’Youcanseeforyourself。Shecaresforhim。’Thelightbegantobreakintohisdullmind，andhewenton’Andhewhatwashesayingtoyou？’
　　ButMrs。Vansuythen，withnoheartforexplanationsorimpassionedprotestations，waskneelingoverMrs。Boulte。
　　’Oh，youbrute！’shecried。’Areallmenlikethis？Helpmetogetherintomyroomandherfaceiscutagainstthetable。Oh，willyoubequiet，andhelpmetocarryher？Ihateyou，andIhateCaptainKurrell。Liftherupcarefully，andnowgo！Goaway！’
　　BoultecarriedhiswifeintoMrs。Vansuythen’sbedroom，anddepartedbeforethestormofthatlady’swrathanddisgust，impenitentandburningwithjealousy。KurrellhadbeenmakinglovetoMrs。VansuythenwoulddoVansuythenasgreatawrongashehaddoneBoulte，whocaughthimselfconsideringwhetherMrs。
　　Vansuythenwouldfaintifshediscoveredthatthemanshelovedhadforswornher。
　　Inthemiddleofthesemeditations，Kurrellcamecanteringalongtheroadandpulledupwithacheery’Good-mornin’。’BeenmashingMrs。Vansuythenasusual，eh？Badthingforasober，marriedman，that。WhatwillMrs。Boultesay？’
　　Boulteraisedhisheadandsaidslowly，’Oh，youliar！’Kurrell’sfacechanged。’What’sthat？’heaskedquickly。
　　’Nothingmuch，’saidBoulte。’Hasmywifetoldyouthatyoutwoarefreetogooffwheneveryouplease？Shehasbeengoodenoughtoexplainthesituationtome。You’vebeenatruefriendtome，Kurrelloldmanhaven’tyou？’
　　Kurrellgroaned，andtriedtoframesomesortofidioticsentenceaboutbeingwillingtogive’satisfaction。’Buthisinterestinthewomanwasdead，haddiedoutintheRains，and，mentally，hewasabusingherforheramazingindiscretion。Itwouldhavebeensoeasytohavebrokenoffthethinggentlyandbydegrees，andnowhewassaddledwithBoulte’svoicerecalledhim。
　　’Idon’tthinkIshouldgetanysatisfactionfromkillingyou，andI’mprettysureyou’dgetnonefromkillingme。’
　　Theninaqueruloustone，ludicrouslydisproportionedtohiswrongs，Boulteadded’’Seemsratherapitythatyouhaven’tthedecencytokeeptothewoman，nowyou’vegother。You’vebeenatruefriendtohertoo，haven’tyou？’
　　Kurrellstaredlongandgravely。Thesituationwasgettingbeyondhim。
　　’Whatdoyoumean？’hesaid。
　　Boulteanswered，moretohimselfthanthequestioner：’MywifecameovertoMrs。Vansuythen’sjustnow;anditseemsyou’dbeentellingMrs。Vansuythenthatyou’dnevercaredforEmma。I
　　supposeyoulied，asusual。WhathadMrs。Vansuythentodowithyou，oryouwithher？Trytospeakthetruthforonceinaway。’
　　Kurrelltookthedoubleinsultwithoutwincing，andrepliedbyanotherquestion：’Goon。Whathappened？’
　　’Emmafainted，’saidBoultesimply。’But，lookhere，whathadyoubeensayingtoMrs。Vansuythen？’
　　Kurrelllaughed。Mrs。Boultehad，withunbridledtongue，madehavocofhisplans;andhecouldatleastretaliatebyhurtingthemaninwhoseeyeshewashumiliatedandshowndishonourable。
　　’Saidtoher？Whatdoesamantellalielikethatfor？IsupposeI
　　saidprettymuchwhatyou’vesaid，unlessI’magooddealmistaken。’
　　’Ispokethetruth，’saidBoulte，againmoretohimselfthanKurrell。
　　’Emmatoldmeshehatedme。Shehasnorightinme。’
　　’No！Isupposenot。You’reonlyherhusband，y’know。AndwhatdidMrs。Vansuythensayafteryouhadlaidyourdisengagedheartatherfeet？’
　　Kurrellfeltalmostvirtuousasheputthequestion。
　　’Idon’tthinkthatmatters，’Boultereplied;’anditdoesn’tconcernyou。’
　　’Butitdoes！Itellyouitdoes’beganKurrellshamelessly。
　　ThesentencewascutbyaroaroflaughterfromBoulte’slips。
　　Kurrellwassilentforaninstant，andthenhe，too，laughedlaughedlongandloudly，rockinginhissaddle。ItwasanunpleasantsoundthemirthlessmirthofthesemenonthelongwhitelineoftheNarkarraRoad。TherewerenostrangersinKashima，ortheymighthavethoughtthatcaptivitywithintheDosehrihillshaddrivenhalftheEuropeanpopulationmad。Thelaughterendedabruptly，andKurrellwasthefirsttospeak。
　　’Well，whatareyougoingtodo？’
　　Boultelookeduptheroad，andatthehills。’Nothing，’saidhequietly;’what’stheuse？It’stooghastlyforanything。Wemustlettheoldlifegoon。Icanonlycallyouahoundandaliar，andIcan’tgooncallingyounamesforever。Besideswhich，Idon’tfeelthatI’mmuchbetter。Wecan’tgetoutofthisplace。Whatistheretodo？’
　　Kurrelllookedroundtherat-pitofKashimaandmadenoreply。
　　Theinjuredhusbandtookupthewondroustale。
　　’Rideon，andspeaktoEmmaifyouwantto。GodknowsIdon’tcarewhatyoudo。’
　　Hewalkedforward，andleftKurrellgazingblanklyafterhim。
　　KurrelldidnotrideoneithertoseeMrs。BoulteorMrs。
　　Vansuythen。Hesatinhissaddleandthought，whilehisponygrazedbytheroadside。
　　Thewhirofapproachingwheelsrousedhim。Mrs。VansuythenwasdrivinghomeMrs。Boulte，whiteandwan，withacutonherforehead。
　　’Stop，please，’saidMrs。Boulte，’IwanttospeaktoTed。’
　　Mrs。Vansuythenobeyed，butasMrs。Boulteleanedforward，puttingherhanduponthesplashboardofthedog-cart，Kurrellspoke。
　　’I’veseenyourhusband，Mrs。Boulte。’
　　Therewasnonecessityforanyfurtherexplanation。Theman’seyeswerefixed，notuponMrs。Boulte，buthercompanion。Mrs。Boultesawthelook。
　　’Speaktohim！’shepleaded，turningtothewomanatherside。’Oh，speaktohim！Tellhimwhatyoutoldmejustnow。Tellhimyouhatehim。Tellhimyouhatehim！’
　　Shebentforwardandweptbitterly，whilethesais，impassive，wentforwardtoholdthehorse。Mrs。Vansuythenturnedscarletanddroppedthereins。Shewishedtobenopartytosuchunholyexplanations。
　　’I’venothingtodowithit，’shebegancoldly;butMrs。Boulte’ssobsovercameher，andsheaddressedherselftotheman。’Idon’tknowwhatIamtosay，CaptainKurrell。Idon’tknowwhatIcancallyou。
　　Ithinkyou’veyou’vebehavedabominably，andshehascutherforeheadterriblyagainstthetable。’
　　’Itdoesn’thurt。Itisn’tanything，’saidMrs。Boultefeebly。’Thatdoesn’tmatter。Tellhimwhatyoutoldme。Sayyoudon’tcareforhim。Oh，Ted，won’tyoubelieveher？’
　　’Mrs。Boultehasmademeunderstandthatyouwerethatyouwerefondofheronceuponatime，’wentonMrs。Vansuythen。
　　’Well！’saidKurrellbrutally。’ItseemstomethatMrs。Boultehadbetterbefondofherownhusbandfirst。’
　　’Stop！’saidMrs。Vansuythen。’Hearmefirst。Idon’tcareIdon’twanttoknowanythingaboutyouandMrs。Boulte;butIwantyoutoknowthatIhateyou，thatIthinkyouareacur，andthatI’llnever，neverspeaktoyouagain。Oh，Idon’tdaretosaywhatI
　　thinkofyou，youman！’
　　’IwanttospeaktoTed，’moanedMrs。Boulte，butthedog-cartrattledon，andKurrellwasleftontheroad，shamed，andboilingwithwrathagainstMrs。Boulte。
　　HewaitedtillMrs。Vansuythenwasdrivingbacktoherownhouse，and，shebeingfreedfromtheembarrassmentofMrs。
　　Boulte’spresence，learnedforthesecondtimeheropinionofhimselfandhisactions。
　　IntheeveningsitwasthewontofallKashimatomeetattheplatformontheNarkarraRoad，todrinkteaanddiscussthetrivialitiesoftheday。MajorVansuythenandhiswifefoundthemselvesaloneatthegathering-placeforalmostthefirsttimeintheirremembrance;andthecheeryMajor，intheteethofhiswife’sremarkablyreasonablesuggestionthattherestoftheStationmightbesick，insistedupondrivingroundtothetwobungalowsandunearthingthepopulation。
　　’Sittinginthetwilight！’saidhe，withgreatindignation，totheBoultes。’That’llneverdo！Hangitall，we’reonefamilyhere！Youmustcomeout，andsomustKurrell。I’llmakehimbringhisbanjo。’
　　SogreatisthepowerofhonestsimplicityandagooddigestionoverguiltyconsciencesthatallKashimadidturnout，evendowntothebanjo;andtheMajorembracedthecompanyinoneexpansivegrin。Ashegrinned，Mrs。VansuythenraisedhereyesforaninstantandlookedatallKashima。Hermeaningwasclear。
　　MajorVansuythenwouldneverknowanything。HewastobetheoutsiderinthathappyfamilywhosecagewastheDosehrihills。
　　’You’resingingvillainouslyoutoftune，Kurrell，’saidtheMajortruthfully。’Passmethatbanjo。’
　　Andhesanginexcruciating-wisetillthestarscameoutandallKashimawenttodinner。
　　ThatwasthebeginningoftheNewLifeofKashimathelifethatMrs。Boultemadewhenhertonguewasloosenedinthetwilight。
　　Mrs。VansuythenhasnevertoldtheMajor;andsinceheinsistsuponkeepingupaburdensomegeniality，shehasbeencompelledtobreakhervowofnotspeakingtoKurrell。Thisspeech，whichmustofnecessitypreservethesemblanceofpolitenessandinterest，servesadmirablytokeepalighttheflameofjealousyanddullhatredinBoulte’sbosom，asitawakensthesamepassionsinhiswife’sheart。Mrs。BoultehatesMrs。VansuythenbecauseshehastakenTedfromher，and，insomecuriousfashion，hatesherbecauseMrs。Vansuythenandherethewife’seyesseefarmoreclearlythanthehusband’sdetestsTed。AndTedthatgallantcaptainandhonourablemanknowsnowthatitispossibletohateawomanonceloved，tothevergeofwishingtosilenceherforeverwithblows。Aboveall，isheshockedthatMrs。Boultecannotseetheerrorofherways。
　　Boulteandhegoouttiger-shootingtogetherinallfriendship。
　　Boultehasputtheirrelationshiponamostsatisfactoryfooting。
　　’You’reablackguard，’hesaystoKurrell，’andI’velostanyself-respectImayeverhavehad;butwhenyou’rewithme，IcanfeelcertainthatyouarenotwithMrs。Vansuythen，ormakingEmmamiserable。’
　　KurrellenduresanythingthatBoultemaysaytohim。Sometimestheyareawayforthreedaystogether，andthentheMajorinsistsuponhiswifegoingovertositwithMrs。Boulte;althoughMrs。
　　Vansuythenhasrepeatedlydeclaredthatsheprefersherhusband’scompanytoanyintheworld。Fromthewayinwhichsheclingstohim，shewouldcertainlyseemtobespeakingthetruth。
　　Butofcourse，astheMajorsays，’inalittleStationwemustallbefriendly。’
　　TheHillofIllusionWhatrenderedvaintheirdeepdesire？
　　AGod，aGodtheirseveranceruled，AndbadebetweentheirshorestobeTheunplumbed，salt，estrangingsea。
　　——MatthewArnold。
　　He。Tellyourjhampaniesnottohurryso，dear。TheyforgetI’mfreshfromthePlains。
　　She。SureproofthatIhavenotbeengoingoutwithanyone。Yes，theyareanuntrainedcrew。Wheredowego？
　　He。Asusualtotheworld’send。No，Jakko。
　　She。Haveyourponyledafteryou，then。It’salonground。
　　He。Andforthelasttime，thankHeaven！
　　She。Doyoumeanthatstill？Ididn’tdaretowritetoyouaboutitallthesemonths。
　　He。Meanit！I’vebeenshapingmyaffairstothatendsinceAutumn。Whatmakesyouspeakasthoughithadoccurredtoyouforthefirsttime？
　　She。I？Oh！Idon’tknow。I’vehadlongenoughtothink，too。
　　He。Andyou’vechangedyourmind？
　　She。No。YououghttoknowthatIamamiracleofconstancy。
　　Whatareyourarrangements？
　　He。Ours，Sweetheart，please。
　　She。Ours，beitthen。Mypoorboy，howthepricklyheathasmarkedyourforehead！Haveyouevertriedsulphateofcopperinwater？
　　He。It’llgoawayinadayortwouphere。Thearrangementsaresimpleenough。TongaintheearlymorningreachKalkaattwelveUmballaatsevendown，straightbynighttrain，toBombay，andthenthesteamerofthe21stforRome。That’smyidea。TheContinentandSwedenaten-weekhoneymoon。
　　She。Ssh！Don’ttalkofitinthatway。Itmakesmeafraid。Guy，howlonghavewetwobeeninsane？
　　He。Sevenmonthsandfourteendays，Iforgettheoddhoursexactly，butI’llthink。
　　She。Ionlywantedtoseeifyouremembered。WhoarethosetwoontheBlessingtonRoad？
　　He。EabreyandthePennerWoman。Whatdotheymattertous？
　　Tellmeeverythingthatyou’vebeendoingandsayingandthinking。
　　She。Doinglittle，sayingless，andthinkingagreatdeal。I’vehardlybeenoutatall。
　　He。Thatwaswrongofyou。Youhaven’tbeenmoping？
　　She。Notverymuch。CanyouwonderthatI’mdisinclinedforamusement？
　　He。Frankly，Ido。Wherewasthedifficulty？
　　She。Inthisonly。ThemorepeopleIknowandthemoreI’mknownhere，thewiderspreadwillbethenewsofthecrashwhenitcomes。
　　Idon’tlikethat。
　　He。Nonsense。Weshallbeoutofit。
　　She。Youthinkso？
　　He。I’msureofit，ifthereisanypowerinsteamorhorse-fleshtocarryusaway。Ha！ha！
　　She。Andthefunofthesituationcomesinwhere，myLancelot？
　　He。Nowhere，Guinevere。Iwasonlythinkingofsomething。
　　She。Theysaymenhaveakeenersenseofhumourthanwomen。
　　NowIwasthinkingofthescandal。
　　He。Don’tthinkofanythingsougly。Weshallbebeyondit。
　　She。ItwillbethereallthesameinthemouthsofSimlatelegraphedoverIndia，andtalkedofatthedinnersandwhenHegoesouttheywillstareatHimtoseehowhetakesit。Andweshallbedead，GuydeardeadandcastintotheouterdarknesswherethereisHe。Loveatleast。Isn’tthatenough？
　　She。Ihavesaidso。
　　He。Andyouthinksostill？
　　She。Whatdoyouthink？
　　He。WhathaveIdone？Itmeansequalruintome，astheworldreckonsitoutcasting，thelossofmyappointment，thebreakingoffmylife’swork。Ipaymyprice。
　　She。Andareyousomuchabovetheworldthatyoucanaffordtopayit。AmI？
　　He。MyDivinitywhatelse？
　　She。Averyordinarywoman，I’mafraid，butsofar，respectable。
　　Howd’youdo，Mrs。Middle-ditch？Yourhusband？Ithinkhe’sridingdowntoAnnandalewithColonelStatters。Yes，isn’titdivineaftertherain？Guy，howlongamItobeallowedtobowtoMrs。
　　Middleditch？Tillthe17th？
　　He。FrowsyScotchwoman！Whatistheuseofbringingherintothediscussion？Youweresaying？
　　She。Nothing。Haveyoueverseenamanhanged？
　　He。Yes。Once。
　　She。Whatwasitfor？
　　He。Murder，ofcourse。
　　She。Murder。Isthatsogreatasinafterall？Iwonderhowhefeltbeforethedropfell。
　　He。Idon’tthinkhefeltmuch。Whatagruesomelittlewomanitisthisevening！You’reshivering。Putonyourcape，dear。
　　She。IthinkIwill。Oh！LookatthemistcomingoverSanjaoli;andIthoughtweshouldhavesunshineontheLadies’Mile！Let’sturnback。
　　He。What’sthegood？There’sacloudonElysiumHill，andthatmeansit’sfoggyalldowntheMall。We’llgoon。It’llblowawaybeforewegettotheConvent，perhaps。’Jove！Itischilly。
　　She。Youfeelit，freshfrombelow。Putonyourulster。Whatdoyouthinkofmycape？
　　He。Neveraskamanhisopinionofawoman’sdresswhenheisdesperatelyandabjectlyinlovewiththewearer。Letmelook。Likeeverythingelseofyoursit’sperfect。Wheredidyougetitfrom？
　　She。Hegaveitme，onWednesdayourwedding-day，youknow。
　　He。TheDeuceHedid！He’sgrowinggenerousinhisoldage。
　　D’youlikeallthatfrilly，bunchystuffatthethroat？Idon’t。
　　She。Don’tyou？
　　KindSir，o’yourcourtesy，Asyougobythetown，Sir，’Prayyouo’yourloveforme，Buymearussetgown，Sir。
　　He。Iwon’tsay：’Keekintothedraw-well，Janet，Janet。’Onlywaitalittle，darling，andyoushallbestockedwithrussetgownsandeverythingelse。
　　She。Andwhenthefrockswearoutyou’llgetmenewonesandeverythingelse？
　　He。Assuredly。
　　She。Iwonder！
　　He。Lookhere，Sweetheart，Ididn’tspendtwodaysandtwonightsinthetraintohearyouwonder。Ithoughtwe’dsettledallthatatShaifazehat。
　　She。（dreamily）。AtShaifazehat？DoestheStationgoonstill？Thatwasagesandagesago。Itmustbecrumblingtopieces。AllexcepttheAmirtollahkutcharoad。Idon’tbelievethatcouldcrumbletilltheDayofJudgment。
　　He。Youthinkso？Whatisthemoodnow？
　　She。Ican’ttell。Howcolditis！Letusgetonquickly。
　　He。’Betterwalkalittle。Stopyourjhampaniesandgetout。What’sthematterwithyouthisevening，dear？
　　She。Nothing。Youmustgrowaccustomedtomyways。IfI’mboringyouIcangohome。Here’sCaptainCongletoncoming，I
　　daresayhe’llbewillingtoescortme。
　　He。Goose！Betweenus，too！DamnCaptainCongleton。
　　She。ChivalrousKnight。Isityourhabittoswearmuchintalking？
　　Itjarsalittle，andyoumightswearatme。
　　He。Myangel！Ididn’tknowwhatIwassaying;andyouchangedsoquicklythatIcouldn’tfollow。I’llapologiseindustandashes。
　　She。There’llbeenoughofthoselateronGood-night，CaptainCongleton。Goingtothesinging-quadrillesalready？WhatdancesamIgivingyounextweek？No！Youmusthavewrittenthemdownwrong。FiveandSeven，Isaid。Ifyou’vemadeamistake，Icertainlydon’tintendtosufferforit。Youmustalteryourprogramme。
　　He。Ithoughtyoutoldmethatyouhadnotbeengoingoutmuchthisseason？
　　She。Quitetrue，butwhenIdoIdancewithCaptainCongleton。Hedancesverynicely。
　　He。Andsitoutwithhim，Isuppose？
　　She。Yes。Haveyouanyobjection？ShallIstandunderthechandelierinfuture？
　　He。Whatdoeshetalktoyouabout？
　　She。Whatdomentalkaboutwhentheysitout？
　　He。Ugh！Don’t！Well，nowI’mup，youmustdispensewiththefascinatingCongletonforawhile。Idon’tlikehim。
　　She（afterapause）。Doyouknowwhatyouhavesaid？
　　He’Can’tsaythatIdoexactly。I’mnotinthebestoftempers。
　　SheSoIsee，andfeel。Mytrueandfaithfullover，whereisyour’eternalconstancy，’’unalterabletrust，’and’reverentdevotion’？I
　　rememberthosephrases;youseemtohaveforgottenthem。I
　　mentionaman’snameHe。Agooddealmorethanthat。
　　She。Well，speaktohimaboutadanceperhapsthelastdancethatI
　　shalleverdanceinmylifebeforeI，beforeIgoaway;andyouatoncedistrustandinsultme。
　　He。Ineversaidaword。
　　She。Howmuchdidyouimply？Guy，isthisamountofconfidencetobeourstocktostartthenewlifeon？
　　He。No，ofcoursenot。Ididn’tmeanthat。Onmywordandhonour，Ididn’t。Letitpass，dear。Pleaseletitpass。
　　She。Thisonceyesandasecondtime，andagainandagain，allthroughtheyearswhenIshallbeunabletoresentit。Youwanttoomuch，myLancelot，and，youknowtoomuch。
　　He。Howdoyoumean？
　　She。Thatisapartofthepunishment。Therecannotbeperfecttrustbetweenus。
　　He。InHeaven’sname，whynot？
　　She。Hush！TheOtherPlaceisquiteenough。Askyourself。
　　He。Idon’tfollow。
　　She。YoutrustmesoimplicitlythatwhenIlookatanothermanNevermind。Guy，haveyouevermadelovetoagirlagoodgirl？
　　He。Somethingofthesort。CenturiesagointheDarkAges，beforeIevermetyou，dear。
　　She。Tellmewhatyousaidtoher。
　　He。Whatdoesamansaytoagirl？I’veforgotten。
　　She。Iremember。Hetellsherthathetrustsherandworshipsthegroundshewalkson，andthathe’llloveandhonourandprotecthertillherdyingday;andsoshemarriesinthatbelief。Atleast，I
　　speakofonegirlwhowasnotprotected。
　　He。Well，andthen？
　　She。Andthen，Guy，andthen，thatgirlneedstentimestheloveandtrustandhonouryes，honourthatwasenoughwhenshewasonlyamerewifeififtheotherlifeshechoosestoleadistobemadeevenbearable。Doyouunderstand？
　　He。Evenbearable！It’llbeParadise。
　　She。Ah！CanyougivemeallI’veaskedfornotnow，norafewmonthslater，butwhenyoubegintothinkofwhatyoumighthavedoneifyouhadkeptyourownappointmentandyourcasteherewhenyoubegintolookuponmeasadragandaburden？Ishallwantitmostthen，Guy，fortherewillbenooneinthewideworldbutyou。
　　He。You’realittleover-tiredto-night，Sweetheart，andyou’retakingastageviewofthesituation。AfterthenecessarybusinessintheCourts，theroadiscleartoShe。’Theholystateofmatrimony！’Ha！ha！ha！
　　He。Ssh！Don’tlaughinthathorribleway！
　　She。IIc-c-c-can’thelpit！Isn’tittooabsurd！Ah！Ha！ha！ha！Guy，stopmequickorIshalll-l-laughtillwegettotheChurch。
　　He。Forgoodnesssake，stop！Don’tmakeanexhibitionofyourself。
　　Whatisthematterwithyou？
　　She。N-nothing。I’mbetternow。
　　He。That’sallright。Onemoment，dear。There’salittlewispofhairgotloosefrombehindyourrightearandit’sstragglingoveryourcheek。So！
　　She。Thank’oo。I’m’fraidmyhat’sononeside，too。
　　He。Whatdoyouwearthesehugedaggerbonnet-skewersfor？
　　They’rebigenoughtokillamanwith。
　　She。Oh！don’tkillme，though。You’restickingitintomyhead！Letmedoit。Youmenaresoclumsy。
　　He。Haveyouhadmanyopportunitiesofcomparingusinthissortofwork？
　　She。Guy，whatismyname？
　　He。Eh！Idon’tfollow。
　　She。Here’smycard-case。Canyouread？
　　He。Yes。Well？
　　She。Well，thatanswersyourquestion。Youknowtheother’sman’sname。AmIsufficientlyhumbled，orwouldyouliketoaskmeifthereisanyoneelse？
　　He。Iseenow。Mydarling，Inevermeantthatforaninstant。Iwasonlyjoking。There！Luckythere’snooneontheroad。They’dbescandalised。
　　She。They’llbemorescandalisedbeforetheend。
　　He。Do-on’t！Idon’tlikeyoutotalkinthatway。
　　She。Unreasonableman！Whoaskedmetofacethesituationandacceptit？Tellme，doIlooklikeMrs。Penner？DoIlooklikeanaughtywoman！SwearIdon’t！Givemeyourwordofhonour，myhonourablefriend，thatI’mnotlikeMrs。Buzgago。That’sthewayshestands，withherhandsclaspedatthebackofherhead。D’youlikethat？
　　He。Don’tbeaffected。
　　She。I’mnot。I’mMrs。Buzgago。Listen！
　　Pendantuneanne’touteenti？reLer？gimentn’apasr’paru。
　　AuMinist？redelaGuerreOnler’portacommeperdu。
　　Onser’noncait…rtrouversatrace，Quandunmatinsubitement，Onlevitr’para？tresurlaplace，L’Coloneltoujoursenavant。
　　That’sthewaysherollsherr’s。AmIlikeher？
　　He。No，butIobjectwhenyougoonlikeanactressandsingstuffofthatkind。WhereintheworlddidyoupickuptheChansonduColonel？Itisn’tadrawing-roomsong。Itisn’tproper。
　　She。Mrs。Buzgagotaughtitme。Sheisbothdrawing-roomandproper，andinanothermonthshe’llshutherdrawing-roomtome，andthankGodsheisn’tasimproperasIam。Oh，Guy，Guy！IwishIwaslikesomewomenandhadnoscruplesaboutWhatisitKeenesays？’Wearingacorpse’shairandbeingfalsetothebreadtheyeat。’
　　He。Iamonlyamanoflimitedintelligence，and，justnow，verybewildered。Whenyouhavequitefinishedflashingthroughallyourmoodstellme，andI’lltrytounderstandthelastone。
　　She。Moods，Guy！Ihaven’tany。I’msixteenyearsoldandyou’rejusttwenty，andyou’vebeenwaitingfortwohoursoutsidetheschoolinthecold。AndnowI’vemetyou，andnowwe’rewalkinghometogether。Doesthatsuityou，MyImperialMajesty？
　　He。No。Wearen’tchildren。Whycan’tyouberational？
　　She。HeasksmethatwhenI’mgoingtocommitsuicideforhissake，and，andIdon’twanttobeFrenchandraveaboutmymother，buthaveIevertoldyouthatIhaveamother，andabrotherwhowasmypetbeforeImarried？He’smarriednow。Can’tyouimaginethepleasurethatthenewsoftheelopementwillgivehim？HaveyouanypeopleatHome，Guy，tobepleasedwithyourperformances？
　　He。Oneortwo。Onecan’tmakeomeletswithoutbreakingeggs。
　　She（slowly）。Idon’tseethenecessityHe。Hah！Whatdoyoumean？
　　She。ShallIspeakthetruth？
　　HeUnderthecircumstances，perhapsitwouldbeaswell。
　　She。Guy，I’mafraid。
　　HeIthoughtwe’dsettledallthat。Whatof？
　　She。Ofyou。
　　He。Oh，damnitall！Theoldbusiness！Thisistoobad！
　　She。Ofyou。
　　He。Andwhatnow？
　　She。Whatdoyouthinkofme？
　　He。Besidethequestionaltogether。Whatdoyouintendtodo？
　　She。Idaren’triskit。I’mafraid。IfIcouldonlycheatHe。AlaBuzgago？No，thanks。That’stheonepointonwhichI
　　haveanynotionofHonour。Iwon’teathissaltandstealtoo。I’lllootopenlyornotatall。
　　She。Inevermeantanythingelse。
　　He。Then，whyintheworlddoyoupretendnottobewillingtocome？
　　She。It’snotpretence，Guy。Iamafraid。
　　He。Pleaseexplain。
　　She。Itcan’tlast，Guy。Itcan’tlast。You’llgetangry，andthenyou’llswear，andthenyou’llgetjealous，andthenyou’llmistrustmeyoudonowandyouyourselfwillbethebestreasonfordoubting。AndIwhatshallIdo？IshallbenobetterthanMrs。Buzgagofoundoutnobetterthananyone。Andyou’llknowthat。Oh，Guy，can’tyousee？
　　HeIseethatyouaredesperatelyunreasonable，littlewoman。
　　She。There！ThemomentIbegintoobject，yougetangry。WhatwillyoudowhenIamonlyyourpropertystolenproperty？Itcan’tbe，Guy。Itcan’tbe！Ithoughtitcould，butitcan’t。You’llgettiredofme。
　　HeItellyouIshallnot。Won’tanythingmakeyouunderstandthat？
　　She。There，can’tyousee？Ifyouspeaktomelikethatnow，you’llcallmehorriblenameslater，ifIdon’tdoeverythingasyoulike。
　　Andifyouwerecrueltome，Guy，whereshouldIgo？whereshouldIgo？Ican’ttrustyou。Oh！Ican’ttrustyou！
　　He。IsupposeIoughttosaythatIcantrustyou。I’veamplereason。
　　She。Pleasedon’t，dear。Ithurtsasmuchasifyouhitme。
　　He。Itisn’texactlypleasantforme。
　　She。Ican’thelpit。IwishIweredead！Ican’ttrustyou，andIdon’ttrustmyself。Oh，Guy，letitdieawayandbeforgotten！
　　He。Toolatenow。Idon’tunderstandyouIwon’tandIcan’ttrustmyselftotalkthisevening。MayIcallto-morrow？
　　She。Yes。No！Oh，givemetime！Thedayafter。Igetintomy’rickshawhereandmeetHimatPeliti’s。Youride。
　　He。I’llgoontoPeliti’stoo。IthinkIwantadrink。Myworld’sknockedaboutmyearsandthestarsarefalling。WhoarethosebruteshowlingintheOldLibrary？
　　She。They’rerehearsingthesinging-quadrillesfortheFancyBall。
　　Can’tyouhearMrs。Buzgago’svoice？Shehasasolo。It’squiteanewidea。Listen！
　　Mrs。Buzgago（intheOldLibrary，conmolt。exp。）。
　　See-saw！MargeryDaw！
　　Soldherbedtolieuponstraw。
　　Wasn’tsheasillyslutTosellherbedandlieupondirt？
　　CaptainCongleton，I’mgoingtoalterthatto’flirt。’Itsoundsbetter。
　　He。No，I’vechangedmymindaboutthedrink。Good-night，littlelady。Ishallseeyouto-morrow？
　　She。Yees。Good-night，Guy。Don’tbeangrywithme。
　　He。Angry！YouknowItrustyouabsolutely。Good-nightandGodblessyou！
　　（Threesecondslater。Alone。）Hmm！I’dgivesomethingtodiscoverwhetherthere’sanothermanatthebackofallthis。
　　ASecond-RateWomanEstfuga，volviturrota，Onwedrift：whereloomsthedimport？
　　OneTwoThreeFourFivecontributetheirquota：
　　Somethingisgainedifonecaughtbuttheimport，Showitus，HuguesofSaxe-Gotha。
　　——MasterHuguesofSaxe-Gotha。
　　’Dressed！Don’ttellmethatwomaneverdressedinherlife。Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroomwhileherayahno，herhusbanditmusthavebeenamanthrewherclothesather。Shethendidherhairwithherfingers，andrubbedherbonnetintheflueunderthebed。Iknowshedid，aswellasifIhadassistedattheorgy。Whoisshe？’saidMrs。Hauksbee。
　　’Don’t！’saidMrs。Mallowefeebly。’Youmakemyheadache。I’ammiserableto-day。Staymewithfondants，comfortmewithchocolates，forIamDidyoubringanythingfromPeliti’s？’
　　’Questionstobeginwith。Youshallhavethesweetswhenyouhaveansweredthem。Whoandwhatisthecreature？Therewereatleasthalf-a-dozenmenroundher，andsheappearedtobegoingtosleepintheirmidst。’
　　’Delville，’saidMrs。Mallowe，’’’Shady"Delville，todistinguishherfromMrs。Jimofthatilk。Shedancesasuntidilyasshedresses，I
　　believe，andherhusbandissomewhereinMadras。Goandcall，ifyouaresointerested。’
　　’WhathaveItodowithShigramitishwomen？Shemerelycaughtmyattentionforaminute，andIwonderedattheattractionthatadowdhasforacertaintypeofman。IexpectedtoseeherwalkoutofherclothesuntilIlookedathereyes。’
　　’Hooksandeyes，surely，’drawledMrs。Mallowe。
　　’Don’tbeclever，Polly。Youmakemyheadache。Androundthishayrickstoodacrowdofmenapositivecrowd！’
　　’Perhapstheyalsoexpected’
　　’Polly，don’tbeRabelaisian！’
　　Mrs。Mallowecurledherselfupcomfortablyonthesofa，andturnedherattentiontothesweets。SheandMrs。HauksbeesharedthesamehouseatSimla;andthesethingsbefelltwoseasonsafterthematterofOtisYeere，whichhasbeenalreadyrecorded。
　　Mrs。HauksbeesteppedintotheverandahandlookeddownupontheMall，herforeheadpuckeredwiththought。
　　’Hah！’saidMrs。Hauksbeeshortly。’Indeed！’
　　’Whatisit？’saidMrs。Mallowesleepily。
　　’ThatdowdandTheDancingMastertowhomIobject。’
　　’WhytoTheDancingMaster？Heisamiddle-agedgentleman，ofreprobateandromantictendencies，andtriestobeafriendofmine。’
　　’Thenmakeupyourmindtolosehim。Dowdsclingbynature，andIshouldimaginethatthisanimalhowterribleherbonnetlooksfromabove！isspeciallyclingsome。’
　　’SheiswelcometoTheDancingMastersofarasIamconcerned。I
　　nevercouldtakeaninterestinamonotonousliar。Thefrustratedaimofhislifeistopersuadepeoplethatheisabachelor。’
　　’O-oh！IthinkI’vemetthatsortofmanbefore。Andisn’the？’
　　’No。Heconfidedthattomeafewdaysago。Ugh！Somemenoughttobekilled。’
　　’Whathappenedthen？’
　　’Heposedasthehorrorofhorrorsamisunderstoodman。Heavenknowsthefemmeincompriseissadenoughandbadenoughbuttheotherthing！’
　　’Andsofattoo！Ishouldhavelaughedinhisface。Menseldomconfideinme。Howisittheycometoyou？’
　　’Forthesakeofimpressingmewiththeircareersinthepast。
　　Protectmefrommenwithconfidences！’
　　’Andyetyouencouragethem？’
　　’WhatcanIdo？Theytalk，Ilisten，andtheyvowthatIamsympathetic。IknowIalwaysprofessastonishmentevenwhentheplotisofthemostoldpossible。’
　　’Yes。Menaresounblushinglyexplicitiftheyareonceallowedtotalk，whereaswomen’sconfidencesarefullofreservationsandfibs，except’
　　’WhentheygomadandbabbleoftheUnutter-abilitiesafteraweek’sacquaintance。Really，ifyoucometoconsider，weknowagreatdealmoreofmenthanofourownsex。’
　　’Andtheextraordinarythingisthatmenwillneverbelieveit。Theysaywearetryingtohidesomething。’
　　’Theyaregenerallydoingthatontheirownaccount。Alas！Thesechocolatespalluponme，andIhaven’teatenmorethanadozen。I
　　thinkIshallgotosleep。’
　　’Thenyou’llgetfat，dear。Ifyoutookmoreexerciseandamoreintelligentinterestinyourneighboursyouwould’
　　’BeasmuchlovedasMrs。Hauksbee。You’readarlinginmanyways，andIlikeyouyouarenotawoman’swomanbutwhydoyoutroubleyourselfaboutmerehumanbeings？’
　　’Becauseintheabsenceofangels，whoIamsurewouldbehorriblydull，menandwomenarethemostfascinatingthingsinthewholewideworld，lazyone。IaminterestedinTheDowdIaminterestedinTheDancingMasterIaminterestedintheHawleyBoyandIaminterestedinyou。’
　　’WhycouplemewiththeHawleyBoy？Heisyourproperty。’
　　’Yes，andinhisownguilelessspeech，I’mmakingagoodthingoutofhim。Whenheisslightlymorereformed，andhaspassedhisHigherStandard，orwhatevertheauthoritiesthinkfittoexactfromhim，Ishallselectaprettylittlegirl，theHoltgirl，Ithink，and’hereshewavedherhandsairily’’’whomMrs。Hauksbeehathjoinedtogetherletnomanputasunder。"That’sall。’
　　’AndwhenyouhaveyokedMayHoltwiththemostnotoriousdetrimentalinSimla，andearnedtheundyinghatredofMammaHolt，whatwillyoudowithme，DispenseroftheDestiniesoftheUniverse？’
　　Mrs。Hauksbeedroppedintoalowchairinfrontofthefire，and，chininhand，gazedlongandsteadfastlyatMrs。Mallowe。
　　’Idonotknow，’shesaid，shakingherhead，’whatIshalldowithyou，dear。It’sobviouslyimpossibletomarryyoutosomeoneelseyourhusbandwouldobjectandtheexperimentmightnotbesuccessfulafterall。IthinkIshallbeginbypreventingyoufromwhatisit？’’sleepingonale-housebenchesandsnoringinthesun。"’
　　’Don’t！Idon’tlikeyourquotations。Theyaresorude。GototheLibraryandbringmenewbooks。’
　　’Whileyousleep？No！Ifyoudon’tcomewithmeIshallspreadyournewestfrockonmy’rickshaw-bow，andwhenanyoneasksmewhatIamdoing，IshallsaythatIamgoingtoPhelps’stogetitletout。IshalltakecarethatMrs。MacNamaraseesme。Putyourthingson，there’sagoodgirl。’
　　Mrs。Mallowegroanedandobeyed，andthetwowentofftotheLibrary，wheretheyfoundMrs。Delvilleandthemanwhowentbythenick-nameofTheDancingMaster。BythattimeMrs。Mallowewasawakeandeloquent。
　　’ThatistheCreature！’saidMrs。Hauksbee，withtheairofonepointingoutaslugintheroad。
　　’No，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’ThemanistheCreature。Ugh！
　　Good-evening，Mr。Bent。Ithoughtyouwerecomingtoteathisevening。’
　　’Surelyitwasforto-morrow，wasitnot？’answeredTheDancingMaster。’IunderstoodIfanciedI’msosorryHowveryunfortunate！’
　　ButMrs。Mallowehadpassedon。
　　’Forthepractisedequivocatoryousaidhewas，’murmuredMrs。
　　Hauksbee，’hestrikesmeasafailure。NowwhereforeshouldhehavepreferredawalkwithTheDowdtoteawithus？Electiveaffinities，Isupposebothgrubby。Polly，I’dneverforgivethatwomanaslongastheworldrolls。’
　　’Iforgiveeverywomaneverything，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’Hewillbeasufficientpunishmentforher。Whatacommonvoiceshehas！’
　　Mrs。Delville’svoicewasnotpretty，hercarriagewasevenlesslovely，andherraimentwasstrikinglyneglected。AllthesethingsMrs。Mallowenoticedoverthetopofamagazine。
　　’Nowwhatisthereinher？’saidMrs。Hauksbee。’DoyouseewhatI
　　meantabouttheclothesfallingoff？IfIwereamanIwouldperishsoonerthanbeseenwiththatrag-bag。Andyet，shehasgoodeyes，butOh！’
　　’Whatisit？’
　　’Shedoesn’tknowhowtousethem！Onmyhonour，shedoesnot。
　　Look！Ohlook！UntidinessIcanendure，butignorancenever！Thewoman’safool。’
　　’Hsh！She’llhearyou。’
　　’AllthewomeninSimlaarefools。She’llthinkImeansomeoneelse。Nowshe’sgoingout。WhatathoroughlyobjectionablecouplesheandTheDancingMastermake！Whichremindsme。Doyousupposethey’lleverdancetogether？’
　　’Waitandsee。Idon’tenvyhertheconversationofTheDancingMasterloathlyman！Hiswifeoughttobeupherebeforelong？’
　　’Doyouknowanythingabouthim？’
　　’Onlywhathetoldme。Itmaybeallafiction。Hemarriedagirlbredinthecountry，Ithink，and，beinganhonourable，chivalroussoul，toldmethatherepentedhisbargainandsenthertoherasoftenaspossibleapersonwhohaslivedintheDoonsincethememoryofmanandgoestoMussooriewhenotherpeoplegoHome。Thewifeiswithheratpresent。Sohesays。’
　　’Babies？’
　　’Oneonly，buthetalksofhiswifeinarevoltingway。Ihatedhimforit。Hethoughthewasbeingepigrammaticandbrilliant。’
　　’Thatisavicepeculiartomen。Idislikehimbecauseheisgenerallyinthewakeofsomegirl，disappointingtheEligibles。HewillpersecuteMayHoltnomore，unlessIammuchmistaken。’
　　’No。IthinkMrs。Delvillemayoccupyhisattentionforawhile。’
　　’Doyousupposesheknowsthatheistheheadofafamily？’
　　’Notfromhislips。Hesworemetoeternalsecrecy。WhereforeItellyou。Don’tyouknowthattypeofman？’
　　’Notintimately，thankgoodness！Asageneralrule，whenamanbeginstoabusehiswifetome，IfindthattheLordgivesmewherewithtoanswerhimaccordingtohisfolly;andwepartwithacoolnessbetweenus。Ilaugh。’
　　’I’mdifferent。I’venosenseofhumour。’
　　’Cultivateit，then。IthasbeenmymainstayformoreyearsthanI
　　caretothinkabout。Awell-educatedsenseofhumourwillsaveawomanwhenReligion，Training，andHomeinfluencesfail;andwemayallneedsalvationsometimes。’
　　’DoyousupposethattheDelvillewomanhashumour？’
　　’Herdressbewraysher。HowcanaThingwhowearshersuppl？mentunderherleftarmhaveanynotionofthefitnessofthingsmuchlesstheirfolly？IfshediscardsTheDancingMasterafterhavingonceseenhimdance，Imayrespecther。Otherwise’
　　’Butarewenotbothassumingagreatdealtoomuch，dear？YousawthewomanatPeliti’shalfanhourlateryousawherwalkingwithTheDancingMasteranhourlateryoumetherhereattheLibrary。’
　　’StillwithTheDancingMaster，remember。’
　　’StillwithTheDancingMaster，Iadmit，butwhyonthestrengthofthatshouldyouimagine’
　　’Iimaginenothing。Ihavenoimagination。IamonlyconvincedthatTheDancingMasterisattractedtoTheDowdbecauseheisobjectionableineverywayandsheineveryother。IfIknowthemanasyouhavedescribedhim，heholdshiswifeinslaveryatpresent。’
　　’Sheistwentyyearsyoungerthanhe。’
　　’Poorwretch！And，intheend，afterhehasposedandswaggeredandliedhehasamouthunderthatraggedmoustachesimplymadeforlieshewillberewardedaccordingtohismerits。’
　　’Iwonderwhatthosereallyare，’saidMrs。Mallowe。
　　ButMrs。Hauksbee，herfaceclosetotheshelfofthenewbooks，washummingsoftly：’WhatshallhehavewhokilledtheDeer？’Shewasaladyofunfetteredspeech。
　　OnemonthlatersheannouncedherintentionofcallinguponMrs。
　　Delville。BothMrs。HauksbeeandMrs。Mallowewereinmorningwrappers，andtherewasagreatpeaceintheland。
　　’IshouldgoasIwas，’saidMrs。Mallowe。’Itwouldbeadelicatecomplimenttoherstyle。’
　　Mrs。Hauksbeestudiedherselfintheglass。
　　’Assumingforamomentthatsheeverdarkenedthesedoors，I
　　shouldputonthisrobe，afteralltheothers，toshowherwhatamorning-wrapperoughttobe。Itmightenlivenher。Asitis，Ishallgointhedove-colouredsweetemblemofyouthandinnocenceandshallputonmynewgloves。’
　　’Ifyoureallyaregoing，dirtytanwouldbetoogood;andyouknowthatdove-colourspotswiththerain。’
　　’Icarenot。Imaymakeherenvious。AtleastIshalltry，thoughonecannotexpectverymuchfromawomanwhoputsalacetuckerintoherhabit。’
　　’JustHeavens！Whendidshedothat？’
　　’YesterdayridingwithTheDancingMaster。ImetthematthebackofJakko，andtherainhadmadethelaceliedown。Tocompletetheeffect，shewaswearinganuncleanteraiwiththeelasticunderherchin。Ifeltalmosttoowellcontenttotakethetroubletodespiseher。’
　　’TheHawleyBoywasridingwithyou。Whatdidhethink？’
　　’Doesaboyevernoticethesethings？ShouldIlikehimifhedid？
　　Hestaredintherudestway，andjustwhenIthoughthehadseentheelastic，hesaid，’’There’ssomethingverytakingaboutthatface。"Irebukedhimonthespot。Idon’tapproveofboysbeingtakenbyfaces。’
　　’Otherthanyourown。Ishouldn’tbeintheleastsurprisediftheHawleyBoyimmediatelywenttocall。’
　　’Iforbadehim。LetherbesatisfiedwithTheDancingMaster，andhiswifewhenshecomesup。I’mrathercurioustoseeMrs。BentandtheDelvillewomantogether。’
　　Mrs。Hauksbeedepartedand，attheendofanhour，returnedslightlyflushed。
　　’Thereisnolimittothetreacheryofyouth！IorderedtheHawleyBoy，ashevaluedmypatronage，nottocall。ThefirstpersonI
　　stumbleoverliterallystumbleoverinherpoky，darklittledrawing-roomis，ofcourse，theHawleyBoy。Shekeptuswaitingtenminutes，andthenemergedasthoughshehadbeentippedoutofthedirtyclothes-basket。Youknowmyway，dear，whenIamatallputout。IwasSuperior，crrrrushinglySuperior！’LiftedmyeyestoHeaven，andhadheardofnothing’droppedmyeyesonthecarpetand’’reallydidn’tknow"’playedwithmycardcaseand’’supposedso。"TheHawleyBoygiggledlikeagirl，andIhadtofreezehimwithscowlsbetweenthesentences。’
　　’Andshe？’
　　’Shesatinaheapontheedgeofacouch，andmanagedtoconveytheimpressionthatshewassufferingfromstomach-ache，attheveryleast。ItwasallIcoulddonottoaskafterhersymptoms。
　　WhenIrose，shegruntedjustlikeabuffalointhewatertoolazytomove。’
　　’Areyoucertain？’
　　’AmIblind，Polly？Laziness，sheerlaziness，nothingelseorhergarmentswereonlyconstructedforsittingdownin。Istayedforaquarterofanhourtryingtopenetratethegloom，toguesswhathersurroundingswerelike，whileshestuckouthertongue。’
　　’Lucy！’
　　’WellI’llwithdrawthetongue，thoughI’msureifshedidn’tdoitwhenIwasintheroom，shedidtheminuteIwasoutside。Atanyrate，shelayinalumpandgrunted。AsktheHawleyBoy，dear。I
　　believethegruntsweremeantforsentences，butshespokesoindistinctlythatIcan’tsweartoit。’
　　’Youareincorrigible，simply。’
　　’Iamnot！Treatmecivilly，givemepeacewithhonour，don’tputtheonlyavailableseatfacingthewindow，andachildmayeatjaminmylapbeforeChurch。ButIresentbeinggruntedat。Wouldn’tyou？DoyousupposethatshecommunicatesherviewsonlifeandlovetoTheDancingMasterinasetofmodulated’’Grmphs"？’
　　’YouattachtoomuchimportancetoTheDancingMaster。’
　　’Hecameaswewent，andTheDowdgrewalmostcordialatthesightofhim。Hesmiledgreasily，andmovedaboutthatdarkeneddog-kennelinasuspiciouslyfamiliarway。’
　　’Don’tbeuncharitable。AnysinbutthatI’llforgive。’
　　’ListentothevoiceofHistory。IamonlydescribingwhatIsaw。Heentered，theheaponthesofarevivedslightly，andtheHawleyBoyandIcameawaytogether。Heisdisillusioned，butIfeltitmydutytolecturehimseverelyforgoingthere。Andthat’sall。’
　　’NowforPity’ssakeleavethewretchedcreatureandTheDancingMasteralone。Theyneverdidyouanyharm。’
　　’Noharm？Todressasanexampleandastumbling-blockforhalfSimla，andthentofindthisPersonwhoisdressedbythehandofGodnotthatIwishtodisparageHimforamoment，butyouknowthetikkadhurziewayHeattiresthoseliliesofthefieldthisPersondrawstheeyesofmenandsomeofthemnicemen？It’salmostenoughtomakeonediscardclothing。ItoldtheHawleyBoyso。’
　　’Andwhatdidthatsweetyouthdo？’
　　’Turnedshell-pinkandlookedacrossthefarbluehillslikeadistressedcherub。AmItalkingwildly，Polly？Letmesaymysay，andIshallbecalm。OtherwiseImaygoabroadanddisturbSimlawithafeworiginalreflections。Exceptingalwaysyourownsweetself，thereisn’tasinglewomaninthelandwhounderstandsmewhenIamwhat’stheword？’
　　’T？te-f？l？e，’suggestedMrs。Mallowe。
　　’Exactly！Andnowletushavetiffin。ThedemandsofSocietyareexhausting，andasMrs。Delvillesays’HereMrs。Hauksbee，tothehorrorofthekhitmatgars，lapsedintoaseriesofgrunts，whileMrs。
　　Mallowestaredinlazysurprise。
　　’’’Godgieusaguidconceitofoorselves，"’saidMrs。Hauksbeepiously，returningtohernaturalspeech。’Now，inanyotherwomanthatwouldhavebeenvulgar。IamconsumedwithcuriositytoseeMrs。Bent。Iexpectcomplications。’
　　’Womanofoneidea，’saidMrs。Malloweshortly;’allcomplicationsareasoldasthehills！IhavelivedthroughornearallallAll！’
　　’Andyetdonotunderstandthatmenandwomenneverbehavetwicealike。IamoldwhowasyoungifeverIputmyheadinyourlap，youdear，bigsceptic，youwilllearnthatmypartingisgauzebutnever，nonever，haveIlostmyinterestinmenandwomen。