VII
　　AfterthiswhirlwindMr。Hoopdriverpaidhisreckoningand——beingnowalittlerestedaboutthemusclesoftheknees——resumedhissaddleandrodeoninthedirectionofRipley，alonganexcellentbutundulatingroad。Hewaspleasedtofindhiscommandoverhismachinealreadysensiblyincreased。Hesethimselflittleexercisesashewentalongandperformedthemwithvariablesuccess。Therewas，forinstance，steeringinbetweenacoupleofstones，sayafootapart，adeedoflittledifficultyasfarasthefrontwheelisconcerned。Butthebackwheel，notbeingundertheswayofthehumaneye，isapttotakeaviciousjumpovertheobstacle，whichsendsaviolentconcussionallalongthespinetotheskull，andwillevenjerkalooselyfastenedhatovertheeyes，andsoleadtomuchconfusion。Andagain，therewastakingthehandorhandsoffthehandlebar，athingsimpleinitself，butcomplexinitsconsequences。ThisparticularlywasafeatMr。
　　Hoopdriverdesiredtodo，forseveraldivergentreasons;butatpresentitsimplyledtoconvulsivebalancingsandnovelandinelegantmodesofdismounting。
　　Thehumannoseis，atitsbest，aneedlessexcrescence。Therearethosewhoconsideritornamental，andwouldregardafacedeprivedofitsassistancewithpityorderision;butitisdoubtfulwhetherouresteemisdictatedsomuchbyasenseofitsabsolutebeautyasbythevitiatingeffectofauniversallyprevalentfashion。Inthecaseofbicyclestudents，asintheyoungofbothsexes，itsinutilityisaggravatedbyitspersistentannoyance——itrequiresconstantattention。Untilonecanridewithonehand，andsearchfor，secure，anduseapockethandkerchiefwiththeother，cyclingisnecessarilyaconstantseriesofdescents。Nothingcanbefurtherfromtheauthor’sambitionthanawantonrealism，butMr。Hoopdriver’snoseisaplainandsalientfact，andfaceitwemust。And，inadditiontothisinconvenience，thereareflies。Untilthecyclistcansteerwithonehand，hisfaceisgivenovertoBeelzebub。Contemplativefliesstrolloverit，andtrifleabsentlywithitsmostsensitivesurfaces。Theonlywaytodislodgethemistoshaketheheadforciblyandtowritheone’sfeaturesviolently。Thisisnotonlyalengthyandfrequentlyineffectualmethod，butoneexceedinglyterrifyingtofootpassengers。Andagain，sometimesthebeginnerridesforaspacewithoneeyeclosedbyperspiration，givinghimawaggishairforeigntohismoodandillcalculatedtooverawetheimpertinent。However，youwillappreciatenowthemotiveofMr。Hoopdriver’sexperiments。Hepresentlyattainedsufficientdexteritytoslaphimselfsmartlyandviolentlyinthefacewithhisrighthand，withoutcertainlyoverturningthemachine;buthispockethandkerchiefmighthavebeeninCaliforniaforanygooditwastohimwhilehewasinthesaddle。
　　YetyoumustnotthinkthatbecauseMr。Hoopdriverwasalittleuncomfortable，hewasunhappyintheslightestdegree。InthebackgroundofhisconsciousnesswasthesensethataboutthistimeBriggswouldbehalf—waythroughhiswindowdressing，andGosling，theapprentice，busy，withachairturneddownoverthecounterandhisearsveryred，tryingtorollapieceofhuckaback——onlythosewhohaverolledpiecesofhuckabackknowquitehowdetestablehuckabackistoroll——andtheshopwouldbedustyand，perhaps，thegovernoraboutandsnappy。Andherewasquietandgreenery，andonemuckedaboutasthedesiretookone，withoutasoultosee，andherewasnowailingof"Sayn，"nofoldingofremnants，novoicetoshout，"Hoopdriver，forward！"
　　Andoncehealmostranoversomethingwonderful，alittle，low，redbeastwithayellowishtail，thatwentrushingacrosstheroadbeforehim。Itwasthefirstweaselhehadeverseeninhiscockneylife。Thereweremilesofthis，scoresofmilesofthisbeforehim，pinewoodandoakforest，purple，heatherymoorlandandgrassydown，lushmeadows，whereshiningriverswoundtheirlazyway，villageswithsquare—towered，flintchurches，andrambling，cheap，andheartyinns，clean，white，countrytowns，longdownhillstretches，whereonemightrideatone’sease（overlookingajoltorso），andfaraway，attheendofitall，——thesea。
　　Whatmatteredaflyorsointhedawnofthesedelights？PerhapshehadbeendashedaminutebytheshamefulepisodeoftheYoungLadyinGrey，andperhapsthememoryofitwasmakingitselfalittlelairinacornerofhisbrainfromwhichitcoulddistresshimintheretrospectbysuggestingthathelookedlikeafool;
　　butforthepresentthattroublewasaltogetherinabeyance。Themanindrab——evidentlyaswell——hadspokentohimashisequal，andthekneesofhisbrownsuitandthechequeredstockingswereeverbeforehiseyes。（Or，rather，youcouldseethestockingsbycarryingtheheadalittletooneside。）Andtofeel，littlebylittle，hismasteryoverthisdelightful，treacherousmachine，growingandgrowing！Everyhalf—mileorsohiskneesreassertedthemselves，andhedismountedandsatawhilebytheroadside。
　　ItwasatacharminglittleplacebetweenEsherandCobham，whereabridgecrossesastream，thatMr。Hoopdrivercameacrosstheothercyclistinbrown。Itiswelltonoticethefacthere，althoughtheinterviewwasoftheslightest，becauseithappenedthatsubsequentlyHoopdriversawagreatdealmoreofthisothermaninbrown。Theothercyclistinbrownhadamachineofdazzlingnewness，andapuncturedpneumaticlayacrosshisknees。
　　Hewasamanofthirtyormore，withawhitishface，anaquilinenose，alank，flaxenmoustache，andveryfairhair，andhescowledatthejobbeforehim。AtthesightofhimMr。Hoopdriverpulledhimselftogether，androdebywiththeairofoneborntothewheel。"Asplendidmorning，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"andafinesurface。"
　　"Themorningandyouandthesurfacebeeverlastinglydamned！"
　　saidtheothermaninbrownasHoopdriverreceded。Hoopdriverheardthemumbleanddidnotdistinguishthewords，andhefeltapleasingsenseofhavingdulyassertedthewidesympathythatbindsallcycliststogether，ofhavingbehavedhimselfasbecomesoneofthebrotherhoodofthewheel。Theothermaninbrownwatchedhisrecedingaspect。"Greasyproletarian，"saidtheothermaninbrown，feelingapropheticdislike。"Gotasuitofbrown，theverypictureofthis。Onewouldthinkhissoleaiminlifehadbeentocaricatureme。It’sFortune’swaywithme。Lookathisinstepsonthetreadles！WhydoesHeavenmakesuchmen？"
　　Andhavinglitacigarette，theothermaninbrownreturnedtothebusinessinhand。
　　Mr。HoopdriverworkedupthehilltowardsCobhamtoapointthathefeltsurewasoutofsightoftheothermaninbrown，andthenhedismountedandpushedhismachine;untiltheproximityofthevillageandaproperpridedrovehimintothesaddleagain。
　　VIII
　　BeyondCobhamcameadelightfulincident，delightful，thatis，initsbeginningifatrifleindeterminateintheretrospect。Itwasperhapshalf—waybetweenCobhamandRipley。Mr。Hoopdriverdroppeddownalittlehill，where，unfencedfromtheroad，finemossytreesandbrackenlayoneitherside;andlookinguphesawanopencountrybeforehim，coveredwithheatherandsetwithpines，andayellowroadruningacrossit，andhalfamileawayperhaps，alittlegreyfigurebythewaysidewavingsomethingwhite。"Never！"saidMr。Hoopdriverwithhishandstighteningonthehandles。
　　Heresumedthetreadles，staringawaybeforehim，joltedoverastone，wabbled，recovered，andbeganridingfasteratonce，withhiseyesahead。"Itcan’tbe，"saidHoopdriver。
　　Herodehisstraightest，andkepthispedalsspinning，albeitalimpnumbnesshadresumedpossessionofhislegs。"ItCAN’Tbe，"
　　herepeated，feelingeverymomentmoreassuredthatitWAS。
　　"Lord！Idon’tknowevennow，"saidMr。Hoopdriver（legsawhirling），andthen，"Blowmylegs！"
　　Buthekeptonanddrewnearerandnearer，breathinghardandgatheringflieslikeaflypaper。Inthevalleyhewashidden。
　　Thentheroadbegantorise，andtheresistanceofthepedalsgrew。Ashecrestedthehillhesawher，notahundredyardsawayfromhim。"It’sher！"hesaid。"It’sher——rightenough。It’sthesuit’sdoneit，"——whichwastruereventhanMr。Hoopdriverthought。Butnowshewasnotwavingherhandkerchief，shewasnotevenlookingathim。Shewaswheelinghermachineslowlyalongtheroadtowardshim，andadmiringtheprettywoodedhillstowardsWeybridge。Shemighthavebeenunawareofhisexistenceforalltherecognitionhegot。
　　ForamomenthorribledoubtstroubledMr。Hoopdriver。Hadthathandkerchiefbeenadream？Besideswhichhewasdeliquescentandscarlet，andfeltso。Itmustbehercoquetry——thehandkerchiefwasindisputable。Shouldherideuptoherandgetoff，orgetoffandrideuptoher？Itwasaswellshedidn’tlook，becausehewouldcertainlycapsizeifheliftedhiscap。Perhapsthatwasherconsideration。Evenashehesitatedhewasuponher。Shemusthaveheardhisbreathing。Hegrippedthebrake。Steady！Hisrightlegwavedintheair，andhecamedownheavilyandstaggering，buterect。Sheturnedhereyesuponhimwithadmirablesurprise。
　　Mr。Hoopdrivertriedtosmilepleasantly，holduphismachine，raisehiscap，andbowgracefully。Indeed，hefeltthathedidasmuch。Hewasamansingularlydevoidoftheminutiaeofself—consciousness，andhewasquiteunawareofatailofdamphairlyingacrosshisforehead，andjustclearinghiseyes，andofthegeneraldisorderofhiscoiffure。Therewasaninterrogativepause。
　　"WhatcanIhavethepleasure——"beganMr。Haopdriver，insinuatingly。"Imean"（rememberinghisemancipationandabruptlyassuminghismostaristocraticintonation），"canIbeofanyassistancetoyou？"
　　TheYoungLadyinGreybitherlowerlipandsaidveryprettily，"None，thankyou。"Sheglancedawayfromhimandmadeasifshewouldproceed。
　　"Oh！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，takenabackandsuddenlycrestfallenagain。Itwassounexpected。Hetriedtograspthesituation。Wasshecoquetting？Orhadhe——？
　　"Excuseme，oneminute，"hesaid，asshebegantowheelhermachineagain。
　　"Yes？"shesaid，stoppingandstaringalittle，withthecolourinhercheeksdeepening。
　　"IshouldnothavealightedifIhadnot——imaginedthatyou——er，wavedsomethingwhite——"Hepaused。
　　Shelookedathimdoubtfully。HeHADseenit！Shedecidedthathewasnotanunredeemedroughtakingadvantageofamistake，butaninnocentsoulmeaningwellwhileseekinghappiness。"IDID
　　wavemyhandkerchief，"shesaid。"I’mverysorry。Iamexpecting——afriend，agentleman，"——sheseemedtoflushpinkforaminute。"Heisridingabicycleanddressedin——inbrown;andatadistance，youknow——"
　　"Oh，quite！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，bearingupinmanlyfashionagainsthisbitterdisappointment。"Certainly。"
　　"I’mawfullysorry，youknow。Troublingyoutodismount，andallthat。"
　　"Notrouble。’Ssureyou，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，mechanicallyandbowingoverhissaddleasifitwasacounter。Somehowhecouldnotfinditinhishearttotellherthatthemanwasbeyondtherewithapuncturedpneumatic。Helookedbackalongtheroadandtriedtothinkofsomethingelsetosay。Butthegulfintheconversationwidenedrapidlyandhopelessly。"There’snothingfurther，"beganMr。Hoopdriverdesperately，recurringtohisstockofcliches。
　　"Nothing，thankyou，"shesaiddecisively。Andimmediately，"ThisIStheRipleyroad？"
　　"Certainly，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Ripleyisabouttwomilesfromhere。Accordingtothemile—stones。"
　　"Thankyou，"shesaidwarmly。"Thankyousomuch。Ifeltsuretherewasnomistake。AndIreallyamawfullysorry——"
　　"Don’tmentionit，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Don’tmentionit。"Hehesitatedandgrippedhishandlestomount。"It’sme，"hesaid，"oughttobesorry。"Shouldhesayit？Wasitanimpertinence？
　　Anyhow！——"Notbeingtheothergentleman，youknow。"
　　Hetriedaquietlyinsinuatingsmilethatheknewforagrinevenashesmiledit;feltshedisapproved——thatshedespisedhim，wasovercomewithshameatherexpression，turnedhisbackuponher，andbegan（veryclumsily）tomount。Hedidsowithahorribleswerve，andwentpedallingoff，ridingverybadly，ashewasonlytoopainfullyaware。Nevertheless，thankHeavenforthemounting！
　　Hecouldnotseeherbecauseitwassodangerousforhimtolookround，buthecouldimagineherindignantandpitiless。Hefeltanunspeakableidiot。OnehadtobesocarefulwhatonesaidtoYoungLadies，andhe’dgoneandtreatedherjustasthoughshewasonlyaLarkyGirl。Itwasunforgivable。HealwaysWASafool。
　　Youcouldtellfromhermannershedidn’tthinkhimagentleman。
　　Oneglance，andsheseemedtolookclearthroughhimandallhispresence。Whatrotitwasventuringtospeaktoagirllikethat！
　　Withhereducationshewasboundtoseethroughhimatonce。
　　Hownicelyshespoketoo！niceclear—cutwords！Shemadehimfeelwhatslushhisownaccentwas。Andthatlastsillyremark。Whatwasit？’Notbeingtheothergentleman，youknow！’Nopointinit。And’GENTLEMAN！’WhatCOULDshebethinkingofhim？
　　ButreallytheYoungLadyinGreyhaddismissedHoopdriverfromherthoughtsalmostbeforehehadvanishedroundthecorner。Shehadthoughtnoillofhim。Hismanifestaweandadmirationofherhadgivenhernotanatomofoffence。Butforherjustnowtherewereweightierthingstothinkabout，thingsthatwouldaffectalltherestofherlife。ShecontinuedslowlywalkinghermachineLondonward。Presentlyshestopped。"Oh！WhyDOESN’Thecome？"shesaid，andstampedherfootpetulantly。Then，asifinanswer，comingdownthehillamongthetrees，appearedtheothermaninbrown，dismountedandwheelinghismachine。
　　HOWMR。HOOPDRIVERWASHAUNTED
　　IX
　　AsMr。HoopdriverrodeswaggeringalongtheRipleyroad，itcametohim，withanunwarrantablesenseofcomfort，thathehadseenthelastoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Buttheill—concealedbladeryofthemachine，thepresentmachineryofFate，thedeusexmachina，sotospeak，wasagainsthim。Thebicycle，tornfromthisattractiveyoungwoman，grewheavierandheavier，andcontinuallymoreunsteady。ItseemedachoicebetweenstoppingatRipleyordyingintheflowerofhisdays。HewentintotheUnicorn，afterproppinghismachineoutsidethedoor，and，ashecooleddownandsmokedhisRedHerringcigarettewhilethecoldmeatwasgettingready，hesawfromthewindowtheYoungLadyinGreyandtheothermaninbrown，enteringRipley。
　　Theyfilledhimwithapprehensionbylookingatthehousewhichshelteredhim，butthesightofhisbicycle，proppedinadrunkandincapableattitudeagainstthedoorway，humpingitsracketymud—guardandleeringatthemwithitsdarkenedlanterneye，drovethemaway——soitseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver——tothespaciousswallowoftheGoldenDragon。Theyoungladywasridingveryslowly，buttheothermaninbrownhadabadpunctureandwaswheelinghismachine。Mr。Hoopdrivernotedhisflaxenmoustache，hisaquilinenose，hisratherbentshoulders，withasudden，vividdislike。
　　ThemaidattheUnicornisnaturallyapleasantgirl，butsheisjadedbytheincessantincidenceofcyclists，andHoopdriver’smind，evenasheconversedwithherinthatcultivatedvoiceofhis——oftheweather，ofthedistancefromLondon，andoftheexcellenceoftheRipleyroad——wanderedtotheincomparablefreshnessandbrillianceoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Ashesatatmeathekeptturninghisheadtothewindowtoseewhatsignstherewereofthatperson，butthefaceoftheGoldenDragondisplayednoappreciationofthedelightfulmorselithadswallowed。Asanincidentalconsequenceofthisdistraction，Mr。
　　Hoopdriverwasforaminutegreatlyinconveniencedbyamouthfulofmustard。Afterhehadcalledforhisreckoninghewent，hiscouragebeinghighwithmeatandmustard，tothedoor，intendingtostand，withhislegswideapartandhishandsdeepinhispockets，andstareboldlyacrosstheroad。ButjustthentheothermaninbrownappearedinthegatewayoftheGoldenDragonyard——itisoneofthosedelightfulinnsthatdatefromthecoachingdays——wheelinghispuncturedmachine。HewastakingittoFlambeau’s，therepairer’s。HelookedupandsawHoopdriver，staredforaminute，andthenscowleddarkly。
　　ButHoopdriverremainedstoutlyinthedoorwayuntiltheothermaninbrownhaddisappearedintoFlambeau’s。ThenheglancedmomentarilyattheGoldenDragon，puckeredhismouthintoawhistleofunconcern，andproceededtowheelhismachineintotheroaduntilasufficientmarginformountingwassecured。
　　Now，atthattime，Isay，HoopdriverwasratherdesirousthannotofseeingnomoreoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Theothermaninbrownheguessedwasherbrother，albeitthatpersonwasofapallidfairness，differingessentiallyfromherrichcolouring;
　　and，besides，hefelthehadmadeahopelessfoolofhimself。Buttheafternoonwasagainsthim，intolerablyhot，especiallyonthetopofhishead，andthevirtuehadgoneoutofhislegstodigesthiscoldmeat，andaltogetherhisridetoGuildfordwasexceedinglyintermittent。Attimeshewouldwalk，attimesloungebythewayside，andeverypublichouse，inspiteofBriggsandasentimentofeconomy，meantalemonadeandadashofbitter。（Forthatistheexperienceofallthosewhogoonwheels，thatdrinkingbegetsthirst，evenmorethanthirstbegetsdrinking，untilatlastthemanwhoyieldsbecomesahelluntohimself，ahellinwhichthefirediethnot，andthethirstisnotquenched。）Untilapennyworthofacridgreenapplesturnedthecurrentthatthreatenedtocarryhimaway。Everandagainacycle，orapartyofcyclists，wouldgoby，withglitteringwheelsandsoftlyrunningchains，andoneachoccasion，tosavehisself—respect，Mr。Hoopdriverdescendedandfeignedsometroublewithhissaddle。Eachtimehedescendedwithlesstrepidation。
　　HedidnotreachGuildforduntilnearlyfouro’clock，andthenhewassomuchexhaustedthathedecidedtoputupthereforthenight，attheYellowHammerCoffeeTavern。Andafterhehadcooledaspaceandrefreshedhimselfwithteaandbreadandbutterandjam，——theteahedranknoisilyoutofthesaucer，——hewentouttoloiterawaytherestoftheafternoon。Guildfordisanaltogethercharmingoldtown，famous，sohelearntfromaGuideBook，asthesceneofMasterTupper’sgreathistoricalnovelofStephenLangton，andithasadelightfulcastle，allsetaboutwithgeraniumsandbrassplatescommemoratingthegentlemenwhoputthemup，anditsGuildhallisaTudorbuilding，verypleasanttosee，andintheafternoontheshopsarebusyandthepeoplegoingtoandfromakethepavementslookbrightandprosperous。Itwasnicetopeepinthewindowsandseetheheadsofthemenandgirlsinthedrapers’shops，busyasbusy，servingaway。TheHighStreetrunsdownatanangleofseventydegreestothehorizon（soitseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver，whosefeelingforgradientswasunnaturallyexalted），anditbroughthisheartintohismouthtoseeacyclistridedownit，likeaflycrawlingdownawindowpane。Themanhadn’tevenabrake。HevisitedthecastleearlyintheeveningandpaidhistwopencetoascendtheKeep。
　　Atthetop，fromthecage，helookeddownovertheclusteringredroofsofthetownandthetowerofthechurch，andthengoingtothesouthernsidesatdownandlitaRedHerringcigarette，andstaredawaysouthovertheoldbramble—bearing，fern—besetruin，atthewavesofblueuplandthatrose，onebehindanother，acrosstheWeald，tothelazyaltitudesofHindheadandButser。Hispalegreyeyeswerefullofcomplacencyandpleasurableanticipation。
　　Tomorrowhewouldgoridingacrossthatwidevalley。
　　HedidnotnoticeanyoneelsehadcomeuptheKeepafterhimuntilheheardasoftvoicebehindhimsaying："Well，MISS
　　BEAUMONT，here’stheview。"Somethingintheaccentpointedtoajestinthename。
　　"It’sadearoldtown，brotherGeorge，"answeredanothervoicethatsoundedfamiliarenough，andturninghishead，Mr。
　　HoopdriversawtheothermaninbrownandtheYoungLadyinGrey，withtheirbackstowardshim。SheturnedhersmilingprofiletowardsHoopdriver。"Only，youknow，brothersdon’tcalltheirsisters——"
　　SheglancedoverhershoulderandsawHoopdriver。"Damn！"saidtheothermaninbrown，quiteaudibly，startingashefollowedherglance。
　　Mr。Hoopdriver，withafineairofindifference，resumedtheWeald。"Beautifuloldtown，isn’tit？"saidtheothermaninbrown，afteraquiteperceptiblepause。
　　"Isn’tit？"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey。
　　Anotherpausebegan。
　　"Can’tgetaloneanywhere，"saidtheothermaninbrown，lookinground。
　　ThenMr。Hoopdriverperceivedclearlythathewasintheway，anddecidedtoretreat。Itwasjusthisluckofcoursethatheshouldstumbleattheheadofthestepsandvanishwithindignity。Thiswasthethirdtimethathe’dseenHIM，andthefourthtimeher。
　　Andofcoursehewastoobigafat—headtoraisehiscaptoHER！
　　HethoughtofthatatthefootoftheKeep。ApparentlytheyaimedattheSouthCoastjustashedid，He’dgetupbetimesthenextdayandhurryofftoavoidher——them，thatis。ItneveroccurredtoMr。HoopdriverthatMissBeaumontandherbrothermightdoexactlythesamething，andthatevening，atleast，thepeculiarityofabrothercallinghissister"MissBeaumont"didnotrecurtohim。Hewasmuchtoopreoccupiedwithananalysisofhisownshareoftheseencounters。Hefoundithardtobealtogethersatisfiedaboutthefigurehehadcut，revisehismemoriesashewould。
　　Oncemorequiteunintentionallyhestumbleduponthesetwopeople。Itwasaboutseveno’clock。Hestoppedoutsidealinendraper’sandpeeredoverthegoodsinthewindowattheassistantsintorment。Hecouldhavespentawholedayhappilyatthat。Hetoldhimselfthathewastryingtoseehowtheydressedoutthebrasslinesovertheircounters，inapurelyprofessionalspirit，butdownattheverybottomofhisheartheknewbetter。
　　Thecustomerswereasecondaryconsideration，anditwasonlyafterthelapseofperhapsaminutethatheperceivedthatamongthemwas——theYoungLadyinGrey！Heturnedawayfromthewindowatonce，andsawtheothermaninbrownstandingattheedgeofthepavementandregardinghimwithaverycuriousexpressionofface。
　　TherecameintoMr。Hoopdriver’sheadthecuriousproblemwhetherhewastoberegardedasanuisancehauntingthesepeople，orwhethertheyweretoberegardedasanuisancehauntinghim。Heabandonedthesolutionatlastindespair，quiteunabletodecideuponthecourseheshouldtakeatthenextencounter，whetherheshouldscowlsavagelyatthecoupleorassumeanattitudeeloquentofapologyandpropitiation。
　　THEIMAGININGSOFMR。HOOPDRIVER’SHEART
　　X
　　Mr。Hoopdriverwas（inthedaysofthisstory）apoet，thoughhehadneverwrittenalineofverse。Orperhapsromancerwilldescribehimbetter。LikeIknownothowmanyofthosewhodothefetchingandcarryingoflife，——agreatnumberofthemcertainly，——hisreallifewasabsolutelyuninteresting，andifhehadfaceditasrealisticallyassuchpeopledoinMr。Gissing’snovels，hewouldprobablyhavecomebywayofdrinktosuicideinthecourseofayear。Butthatwasjustwhathehadthenaturalwisdomnottodo。Onthecontrary，hewasalwaysdecoratinghisexistencewithimaginativetags，hopes，andposes，deliberateandyetquiteeffectualself—deceptions;hisexperiencesweremerematerialforaromanticsuperstructure。IfsomepowerhadgivenHoopdriverthe’giftie’Burnsinvoked，’toseeourselsasithersseeus，’hewouldprobablyhavegivenitawaytosomeoneelseattheveryearliestopportunity。Hisentirelife，youmustunderstand，wasnotacontinuousromance，butaseriesofshortstorieslinkedonlybythegeneralresemblanceoftheirhero，abrown—hairedyoungfellowcommonly，withblueeyesandafairmoustache，gracefulratherthanstrong，sharpandresoluteratherthanclever（cp。，asthescientificbookssay，p。2）。Invariablythispersonpossessedanironwill。Thestoriesfluctuatedindefinitely。ThesmokingofacigaretteconvertedHoopdriver’sherointosomethingentirelyworldly，subtlyrakish，withahumoroustwinkleintheeyeandsomegallantsinninginthebackground。YoushouldhaveseenMr。HoopdriverpromenadingthebrilliantgardensatEarl’sCourtonanearly—closingnight。Hismeaningglances！（Idarenotgivethemeaning。）Suchaninfluenceastheeloquenceofarevivalistpreacherwouldsufficetodivertthestoryintoabsolutelydifferentchannels，makehimawhite—souredhero，amanstillpure，walkinguntaintedandbraveandhelpfulthroughmiryways。Theappearanceofsomedaintilyglovedfrockcoatedgentlemanwithbuttonholeandeyeglasscomplete，gallantlyattendantintherearofcustomers，servedagaintostartvisionsofasimplicityessentiallyCromwell—like，ofsturdyplainness，ofastrong，silentmangoingrighteouslythroughtheworld。Thisdaytherehadpredominatedafineleisurelypersonimmaculatelyclothed，andridingonanunexceptionalmachine，amysteriousperson——quiteunostentatious，butwithaccidentalself—revelationofsomethingoverthecommon，evena"bloomin’Dook，"itmightbeincognito，onthetouroftheSouthCoast。
　　YoumustnotthinkthattherewasanyTELLINGofthesestoriesofthislife—longseriesbyMr。Hoopdriver。Heneverdreamtthattheywereknowntoasoul。Ifitwerenotforthetrouble，I
　　would，Ithink，gobackandrewritethissectionfromthebeginning，expungingthestatementsthatHoopdriverwasapoetandaromancer，andsayinginsteadthathewasaplaywrightandactedhisownplays。Hewasnotonlythesoleperformer，buttheentireaudience，andtheentertainmentkepthimalmostcontinuouslyhappy。Yeteventhatplaywrightcomparisonscarcelyexpressesallthefactsofthecase。Afterall，verymanyofhisdreamsnevergotactedatall，possiblyindeed，mostofthem，thedreamsofasolitarywalkforinstance，orofatramcarride，thedreamsdreamtbehindthecounterwhiletradewasslackandmechanicalfoldingsandrollingsoccupiedhismuscles。Mostofthemwerelittledramaticsituations，crucialdialogues，thereturnofMr。Hoopdrivertohisnativevillage，forinstance，inawell—cutholidaysuitandnattygloves，theunheardasidesoftherivalneighbours，thedelightoftheold’mater，’theintelligence——"Aten—poundriseallatoncefromAntrobus，mater。Whadd’yerthinkofthat？"oragain，thefirstwhisperingoflove，daintyandwittyandtender，tothegirlheservedafewdaysagowithsateen，oragallantrescueofgeneralisedbeautyindistressfromtruculentinsultorraveningdog。
　　Somanypeopledothis——andyouneversuspectit。Youseeatatteredladsellingmatchesinthestreet，andyouthinkthereisnothingbetweenhimandthebleaknessofimmensity，betweenhimandutterabasement，butafewtatteredragsandafeeblemusculature。Andallunseenbyyouahostofheaven—sentfatuitiesswatheshimabout，even，maybe，astheyswatheyouabout。Manymenhaveneverseentheirownprofilesorthebacksoftheirheads，andforthebackofyourownmindnomirrorhasbeeninvented。Theyswathehimaboutsothicklythatthepricksoffatescarcepenetratetohim，orbecomebutapleasanttitillation。Andso，indeed，itiswithallofuswhogoonliving。Self—deceptionistheanaestheticoflife，whileGodiscarvingoutourbeings。
　　ButtoreturnfromthisgeneralvivisectiontoMr。Hoopdriver’simaginings。Youseenowhowexternalourviewhasbeen;wehavehadbuttheslightesttransitoryglimpsesofthedramawithin，ofhowthethingslookedinthemagicmirrorofMr。Hoopdriver’smind。OntheroadtoGuildfordandduringhisencounterswithhishauntingfellow—cycliststhedramahadpresentedchieflythequietgentlemantowhomwehavealluded，butatGuildford，undermorevariedstimuli，heburgeonedoutmorevariously。Therewasthehouseagent’swindow，forinstance，sethimuponacharminglittlecomedy。Hewouldgoin，makeinquiresaboutthatthirty—poundhouse，getthekeypossiblyandgooverit——thethingwouldstimulatetheclerk’scuriosityimmensely。Hesearchedhismindforareasonforthisproceedinganddiscoveredthathewasadynamiterneedingprivacy。Uponthattheoryheprocuredthekey，exploredthehousecarefully，saiddarklythatitmightsuithisspecialneeds，butthattherewereOTHERStoconsult。Theclerk，however，didnotunderstandtheallusion，andmerelypitiedhimasonewhohadmarriedyoungandpairedhimselftoastrongermindthanhisown。
　　Thisproceedinginsomeoccultwayledtothepurchaseofanote—bookandpencil，andthatstartedtheconceptionofanartisttakingnotes。ThatwasalittlegameMr。Hoopdriverhad，incongenialcompany，playedinhisstillyoungerdays——totheinfiniteannoyanceofquiteanumberofrespectableexcursionistsatHastings。InearlydaysMr。Hoopdriverhadbeen，ashismotherproudlyboasted，a’bitofadrawer，’butaconscientiousandnormallystupidschoolmasterperceivedtheincipienttalentandhadnippeditinthebudbyaseriesoflessonsinart。However，ourprincipalcharacterfiguredaboutquitehappilyinoldcornersofGuildford，andoncetheothermaninbrown，lookingoutofthebaywindowoftheEarlofKent，sawhimstandinginacornerbyagateway，note—bookinhand，busilysketchingtheEarl’simposingfeatures。Atwhichsighttheothermaninbrownstartedbackfromthecentreofthewindow，soastobehiddenfromhim，andcrouchingslightly，watchedhimintentlythroughtheintersticesofthelacecurtains。
　　OMISSIONS
　　XI
　　NowtherestoftheactsofMr。HoopdriverinGuildford，onthegreatopeningdayofhisholidays，arenottobedetailedhere。
　　Howhewanderedabouttheoldtowninthedusk，anduptotheHogsbacktoseethelittlelampsbelowandthelittlestarsabovecomeoutoneafteranother;howhereturnedthroughtheyellow—litstreetstotheYellowHammerCoffeeTavernandsuppedbravelyinthecommercialroom——aManamongMen;howhejoinedinthetalkaboutflying—machinesandthepossibilitiesofelectricity，witnessingthatfiying—machineswere"deadcertaintocome，"andthatelectricitywas"wonderful，wonderful";howhewentandwatchedthebilliardplayingandsaid，"Left’em"
　　severaltimeswithanoracularair;howhefella—yawning;andhowhegotouthiscyclingmapandstudieditintently，——arethingsthatfindnomentionhere。NorwillIenlargeuponhisgoingintothewriting—room，andmarkingtheroadfromLondontoGuildfordwithafine，brightlineofthereddestofredink。Inhislittlecyclisthand—bookthereisadiary，andinthediarythereisanentryofthesethings——itistheretothisday，andI
　　cannotdobetterthanreproduceitheretowitnessthatthisbookisindeedatrueone，andnolyingfablewrittentowhileawayanhour。
　　Atlasthefella—yawningsomuchthatveryreluctantlyindeedhesetaboutfinishingthisgreatandsplendidday。（Alas！thatalldaysmustendatlast！）Hegothiscandleinthehallfromafriendlywaiting—maid，andpassedupward——whitheramodestnovelist，whowritesforthefamilycircle，darenotfollow。YetImaytellyouthathekneltdownathisbedside，happyanddrowsy，andsaid，"OurFather’chartin’heaven，"evenashehadlearntitbyrotefromhismothernearlytwentyyearsago。Andanonwhenhisbreathinghadbecomedeepandregular，wemaycreepintohisbedroomandcatchhimathisdreams。Heislyinguponhisleftside，withhisarmunderthepillow。Itisdark，andheishidden;butifyoucouldhaveseenhisface，sleepingthereinthedarkness，Ithinkyouwouldhaveperceived，inspiteofthattreasured，thin，andstragglingmoustache，inspiteofyourmemoryofthecoarsewordshehadusedthatday，thatthemanbeforeyouwas，afterall，onlyalittlechildasleep。
　　THEDREAMSOFMR。HOOPDRIVER
　　XII
　　Inspiteofthedrawnblindsandthedarkness，youhavejustseenMr。Hoopdriver’sfacepeacefulinitsbeautysleepinthelittle，plainbedroomattheverytopoftheYellowHammerCoffeeTavernatGuildford。Thatwasbeforemidnight。Asthenightprogressedhewasdisturbedbydreams。
　　Afteryourfirstdayofcyclingonedreamisinevitable。Amemoryofmotionlingersinthemusclesofyourlegs，androundandroundtheyseemtogo。YouridethroughDreamlandonwonderfuldreambicyclesthatchangeandgrow;youridedownsteeplesandstaircasesandoverprecipices;youhoverinhorriblesuspenseoverinhabitedtowns，vainlyseekingforabrakeyourhandcannotfind，tosaveyoufromaheadlongfall;youplungeintowelteringrivers，andrushhelplesslyatmonstrousobstacles。AnonMr。
　　Hoopdriverfoundhimselfridingoutofthedarknessofnon—existence，pedallingEzekiel’sWheelsacrosstheWealdofSurrey，joltingoverthehillsandsmashingvillagesinhiscourse，whiletheothermaninbrowncursedandsworeathimandshoutedtostophiscareer。TherewasthePutneyheath—keeper，too，andthemanindrabragingathim。Hefeltanawfulfool，a—
　　—whatwasit？——ajuggins，ah！——aJuggernaut。Thevillageswentoffoneafteranotherwithasoft，squashingnoise。HedidnotseetheYoungLadyinGrey，butheknewshewaslookingathisback。Hedarednotlookround。Wherethedevilwasthebrake？Itmusthavefallenoff。Andthebell？RightinfrontofhimwasGuildford。Hetriedtoshoutandwarnthetowntogetoutoftheway，buthisvoicewasgoneaswell。Nearer，nearer！itwasfearful！andinanothermomentthehouseswerecrackinglikenutsandthebloodoftheinhabitantssquirtingthiswayandthat。Thestreetswereblackwithpeoplerunning。RightunderhiswheelshesawtheYoungLadyinGrey。AfeelingofhorrorcameuponMr。
　　Hoopdriver;heflunghimselfsidewaystodescend，forgettinghowhighhewas，andforthwithhebeganfalling;falling，falling。
　　Hewokeup，turnedover，sawthenewmoononthewindow，wonderedalittle，andwenttosleepagain。
　　Thisseconddreamwentbackintothefirstsomehow，andtheothermaninbrowncamethreateningandshoutingtowardshim。Hegrewuglieranduglierasheapproached，andhisexpressionwasintolerablyevil。HecameandlookedcloseintoMr。Hoopdriver’seyesandthenrecededtoanincredibledistance。Hisfaceseemedtobeluminous。"MISSBEAUMONT，"hesaid，andsplashedupasprayofsuspicion。Someonebeganlettingofffireworks，chieflyCatherinewheels，downtheshop，thoughMr。Hoopdriverknewitwasagainsttherules。Foritseemedthattheplacetheywereinwasavastshop，andthenMr。Hoopdriverperceivedthattheothermaninbrownwastheshop—walker，differingfrommostshop—walkersinthefactthathewaslitfromwithinasaChineselanternmightbe。AndthecustomerMr。HoopdriverwasgoingtoservewastheYoungLadyinGrey。Curioushehadn’tnoticeditbefore。Shewasingreyasusual，——rationals，——andshehadherbicycleleaningagainstthecounter。Shesmiledquitefranklyathim，justasshehaddonewhenshehadapologisedforstoppinghim。Andherform，assheleanttowardshim，wasfullofasinuousgracehehadnevernoticedbefore。"WhatcanIhavethepleasure？"saidMr。Hoopdriveratonce，andshesaid，"TheRipleyroad。"SohegotouttheRipleyroadandunrolleditandshowedittoher，andshesaidthatwoulddoverynicely，andkeptonlookingathimandsmiling，andhebeganmeasuringoffeightmilesbymeansoftheyardmeasureonthecounter，eightmilesbeingadresslength，arationaldresslength，thatis;andthentheothermaninbrowncameupandwantedtointerfere，andsaidMr。Hoopdriverwasacad，besidesmeasuringitofftooslowly。
　　AndasMr。Hoopdriverbegantomeasurefaster，theothermaninbrownsaidtheYoungLadyinGreyhadbeentherelongenough，andthatheWASherbrother，orelseshewouldnotbetravellingwithhim，andhesuddenlywhippedhisarmaboutherwaistandmadeoffwithher。ItoccurredtoMr。Hoopdriverevenatthemomentthatthiswasscarcelybrotherlybehaviour。Ofcourseitwasn’t！Thesightoftheothermangrippinghersofamiliarlyenragedhimfrightfully;heleaptoverthecounterforthwithandgavechase。
　　TheyranroundtheshopandupanironstaircaseintotheKeep，andsooutupontheRipleyroad。Forsometimetheykeptdodginginandoutofawaysidehotelwithtwofrontdoorsandaninnyard。TheothermancouldnotrunveryfastbecausehehadholdoftheYoungLadyinGrey，butMr。Hoopdriverwashamperedbytheabsurdbehaviourofhislegs。Theywouldnotstretchout;theywouldkeepgoingroundandroundasiftheywereonthetreadlesofawheel，sothathemadethesmalleststepsconceivable。Thisdreamcametonocrisis。Thechaseseemedtolastaninterminabletime，andallkindsofpeople，heathkeepers，shopmen，policemen，theoldmanintheKeep，theangrymanindrab，thebarmaidattheUnicorn，menwithflying—machines，peopleplayingbilliardsinthedoorways，silly，headlessfigures，stupidcocksandhensencumberedwithparcelsandumbrellasandwaterproofs，peoplecarryingbedroomcandles，andsuch—likeriffraff，keptgettinginhiswayandannoyinghim，althoughhesoundedhiselectricbell，andsaid，"Wonderful，wonderful！"ateverycorner……
　　HOWMR。HOOPDRIVERWENTTOHASLEMERE
　　XIII
　　TherewassomelittledelayingettingMr。Hoopdriver’sbreakfast，sothatafterallhewasnotfreetostartoutofGuildforduntiljustuponthestrokeofnine。HewheeledhismachinefromtheHighStreetinsomeperplexity。Hedidnotknowwhetherthisyounglady，whohadseizedholdofhisimaginationsostrongly，andherunfriendlyandpossiblymenacingbrother，wereaheadofhimorevennowbreakfastingsomewhereinGuildford。Intheformercasehemightloiterashechose;inthelatterhemusthurry，andpossiblytakerefugeinbranchroads。
　　Itoccurredtohimasbeinginsomeobscurewaystrategic，thathewouldleaveGuildfordnotbytheobviousPortsmouthroad，butbytheroadrunningthroughShalford。Alongthispleasantshadywayhefeltsuffficientlysecuretoresumehisexercisesinridingwithonehandoffthehandles，andinstaringoverhisshoulder。Hecameoveronceortwice，butfellonhisfooteachtime，andperceivedthathewasimproving。BeforehegottoBramleyaspeciousbywaysnappedhimup，ranwithhimforhalfamileormore，anddroppedhimasaterrierdropsawalkingstick，uponthePortsmouthagain，acoupleofmilesfromGodalming。HeenteredGodalmingonhisfeet，fortheroadthroughthatdelightfultownisbeyonddisputethevilestintheworld，ameretumultofroadmetal，awayofpeaksandprecipices，and，afterasuccessfulexperimentwithciderattheWoolpack，hepushedontoMilford。
　　AllthistimehewasacutelyawareoftheexistenceoftheYoungLadyinGreyandhercompanioninbrown，asachildinthedarkisofBogies。Sometimeshecouldheartheirpneumaticsstealinguponhimfrombehind，andlookingroundsawalongstretchofvacantroad。Oncehesawfaraheadofhimaglitteringwheel，butitprovedtobeaworkingmanridingtodestructiononaverytallordinary。Andhefeltacurious，vagueuneasinessaboutthatYoungLadyinGrey，forwhichhewasaltogetherunabletoaccount。Nowthathewasawakehehadforgottenthataccentuated"MissBeaumontthathadbeenquiteclearinhisdream。Butthecuriousdreamconviction，thatthegirlwasnotreallytheman’ssister，wouldnotletitselfbeforgotten。Why，forinstance，shouldamanwanttobealonewithhissisteronthetopofatower？AtMilfordhisbicyclemade，sotospeak，anassofitself。Afinger—postsuddenlyjumpedoutathim，vainlyindicatinganabruptturntotheright，andMr。Hoopdriverwouldhaveslowedupandreadtheinscription，butno！——thebicyclewouldnotlethim。TheroaddroppedalittleintoMilford，andthethingshied，putdownitsheadandbolted，andMr。Hoopdriveronlythoughtofthebrakewhenthefingerpostwaspassed。Thentohaverecoveredthepointofintersectionwouldhavemeantdismounting。ForasyettherewasnoroadwideenoughforMr。
　　Hoopdrivertoturnin。Sohewentonhisway——ortobeprecise，hedidexactlytheoppositething。TheroadtotherightwasthePortsmouthroad，andthishewasonwenttoHaslemereandMidhurst。Bythaterroritcameaboutthatheoncemorecameuponhisfellowtravellersofyesterday，comingonthemsuddenly，withouttheslightestpreliminaryannouncementandwhentheyleastexpectedit，undertheSouthwesternRailwayarch。"It’shorrible，"saidagirlishvoice;"it’sbrutal——cowardly——"Andstopped。
　　Hisexpression，asheshotoutfromthearchwayatthem，mayhavebeensomethingbetweenagrinofrecognitionandascowlofannoyanceathimselffortheunintentionalintrusion。Butdisconcertedashewaas，hewasyetabletoappreciatesomethingofthepeculiarityoftheirmutualattitudes。ThebicycleswereIyingbytheroadside，andthetworidersstoodfacetoface。Theothermaninbrown’sattitude，asitflasheduponHoopdriver，wasadeliberatepose;hetwirledhismoustacheandsmiledfaintly，andhewasconscientiouslylookingamused。Andthegirlstoodrigid，herarmsstraightbyherside，herhandkerchiefclenchedinherhand，andherfacewasflushed，withthefaintesttouchofreduponhereyelids。SheseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver’ssensetobeindignant。Butthatwastheimpressionofasecond。Amaskofsurprisedrecognitionfellacrossthisrevelationofemotionassheturnedherheadtowardshim，andtheposeoftheothermaninbrownvanishedtooinamomentaryastonishment。Andthenhehadpassedthem，andwasridingontowardsHaslemeretomakewhathecouldoftheswiftpicturethathadphotographeditselfonhisbrain。
　　"Rum，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"It’sDASHEDrum！"
　　"Theywerehavingarow。"
　　"Smirking——"Whathecalledtheothermaninbrownneednottroubleus。
　　"Annoyingher！"Thatanyhumanbeingshoulddothat！
　　"WHY？"
　　TheimpulsetointerfereleaptsuddenlyintoMr。Hoopdriver’smind。Hegraspedhisbrake，descended，andstoodlookinghesitatinglyback。Theystillstoodbytherailwaybridge，anditseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver’sfancythatshewasstampingherfoot。
　　Hehesitated，thenturnedhisbicycleround，mounted，androdebacktowardsthem，grippinghiscouragefirmlylestitshouldslipawayandleavehimridiculous。"I’lloffer’imascrew’ammer，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。Then，withawaveoffierceemotion，hesawthatthegirlwascrying。Inanothermomenttheyheardhimandturnedinsurprise。Certainlyshehadbeencrying;
　　hereyeswereswimmingintears，andtheothermaninbrownlookedexceedinglydisconcerted。Mr。Hoopdriverdescendedandstoodoverhismachine。
　　"Nothingwrong，Ihope？"hesaid，lookingtheothermaninbrownsquarelyintheface。"Noaccident？"
　　"Nothing，"saidtheothermaninbrownshortly。"Nothingatall，thanks。"
　　"But，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withagreateffort，"theyoungladyiscrying。Ithoughtperhaps——"
　　TheYoungLadyinGreystarted，gaveHoopdriveroneswiftglance，andcoveredoneeyewithherhandkerchief。"It’sthisspeck，"shesaid。"Thisspeckofdustinmyeye。"
　　"Thislady，"saidtheothermaninbrown，explaining，"hasagnatinhereye。"
　　Therewasapause。Theyoungladybusiedherselfwithhereye。"I
　　believeit’sout，"shesaid。Theothermaninbrownmademovementsindicatingcommiseratingcuriosityconcerningtheallegedfly。Mr。Hoopdriver——thewordishisown——stoodflabber—gastered。Hehadalltheintuitionofthesimple—minded。