Hoopdriverdrewhiswatchhastily。"Isay，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，showingittoher，"don’tyouthinkweoughttobegettingon？"
　　Hisfacewasflushed，hisearsbrightred。Sheascribedhisconfusiontomodesty。Herosewithalionaddedtotheburthensofhisconscience，andheldouthishandtoassisther。TheywalkeddownintoCoshamagain，resumedtheirmachines，andwentonataleisurelypacealongthenorthernshoreofthebigharbour。ButMr。Hoopdriverwasnolongerhappy。Thishorrible，thisfulsomelie，stuckinhismemory。WhyHADhedoneit？ShedidnotaskforanymoreSouthAfricanstories，happily——atleastuntilPorchesterwasreached——buttalkedinsteadofLivingOne’sOwnLife，andhowcustomhungonpeoplelikechains。Shetalkedwonderfully，andsetHoopdriver’smindfermenting。BytheCastle，Mr。Hoopdrivercaughtseveralcrabsinlittleshorepools。AtFarehamtheystoppedforasecondtea，andlefttheplacetowardsthehourofsunset，undersuchinvigoratingcircumstancesasyoushallinduecoursehear。
　　THERESCUEEXPEDITION
　　XXX
　　Andnowtotellofthoseenergeticchevaliers，Widgery，Dangle，andPhipps，andofthatdistressedbeauty，’ThomasPlantagenet，’
　　wellknowninsociety，sotheparagraphssaid，asMrs。Milton。WeleftthematMidhurststation，ifIrememberrightly，waiting，inastateoffineemotion，fortheChichestertrain。ItwasclearlyunderstoodbytheentireRescuePartythatMrs。Miltonwasbearingupbravelyagainstalmostoverwhelminggrief。Thethreegentlemenoutdidoneanotherinsympatheticexpedients;theywatchedhergravelyalmosttenderly。ThesubstantialWidgerytuggedathismoustache，andlookedhisunspeakablefeelingsatherwiththosedog—like，browneyesofhis;theslenderDangletuggedatHISmoustache，anddidwhathecouldwithunsympatheticgreyones。Phipps，unhappily，hadnomoustachetorunanyriskswith，sohefoldedhisarmsandtalkedinabrave，indifferent，bearing—uptoneabouttheLondon，Brighton，andSouthCoastRailway，justtocheerthepoorwomanupalittle。AndevenMrs。
　　Miltonreallyfeltthatexaltedmelancholytotheverybottomofherheart，andtriedtoshowitinadozenlittle，delicate，feminineways。
　　"ThereisnothingtodountilwegettoChichester，"saidDangle。
　　"Nothing。"
　　"Nothing，"saidWidgery，andasideinherear："Youreallyatescarcelyanything，youknow。"
　　"Theirtrainsarealwayslate，"saidPhipps，withhisfingersalongtheedgeofhiscollar。Dangle，youmustunderstand，wasasub—editorandreviewer，andhispridewastobeThomasPlantagenet’sintellectualcompanion。Widgery，thebigman，wasmanagerofabankandamightygolfer，andhisconceptionofhisrelationstohernevercameintohismindwithoutthosecharmingoldlines，"Douglas，Douglas，tenderandtrue，"fallingharduponitsheels。HisnamewasDouglas—DouglasWidgery。AndPhipps，Phippswasamedicalstudentstill，andhefeltthathelaidhisheartatherfeet，theheartofamanoftheworld。Shewaskindtothemallinherway，andinsistedontheirbeingfriendstogether，inspiteofadispositiontoreciprocalcriticismtheydisplayed。DanglethoughtWidgeryaPhilistine，appreciatingbutcoarselythemeritsof"ASoulUntrammelled，"andWidgerythoughtDanglelacked，humanity——wouldtalkinsincerelytosayacleverthing。BothDangleandWidgerythoughtPhippsabitofacub，andPhippsthoughtbothDangleandWidgeryacoupleofThunderingBounders。
　　"TheywouldhavegottoChichesterintimeforlunch，"saidDangle，inthetrain。"After，perhaps。Andthere’snosufficientplaceintheroad。Sosoonaswegetthere，Phippsmustinquireatthechiefhotelstoseeifanyoneansweringtoherdescriptionhaslunchedthere。"
　　"Oh，I’LLinquire，"saidPhipps。"Willingly。IsupposeyouandWidgerywilljusthangabout——"
　　HesawanexpressionofpainonMrs。Milton’sgentleface，andstoppedabruptly。
　　"No，"saidDangle，"weshan’tHANGABOUT，asyouputit。TherearetwoplacesinChichesterwheretouristsmightgo——thecathedralandaremarkablyfinemuseum。Ishallgotothecathedralandmakeaninquiryorso，whileWidgery——"
　　"Themuseum。Verywell。Andafterthatthere’salittlethingortwoI’vethoughtofmyself，"saidWidgery。
　　TobeginwiththeytookMrs。MiltoninakindofprocessiontotheRedHotelandestablishedhertherewithsometea。"Youaresokindtome，"shesaid。"Allofyou。"Theysignifiedthatitwasnothing，anddispersedtotheirinquiries。Bysixtheyreturned，theirzealalittledamped，withoutnews。WidgerycamebackwithDangle。Phippswasthelasttoreturn。"You’requitesure，"saidWidgery，thatthereisn’tanyflawinthatinferenceofyours？"
　　"Quite，"saidDangle，rathershortly。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidWidgery，"theirstartingfromMidhurstontheChichesterroaddoesn’tabsolutelybindthemnottochangetheirminds。"
　　"Mydearfellow！——Itdoes。Reallyitdoes。Youmustallowmetohaveenoughintelligencetothinkofcross—roads。Reallyyoumust。Therearen’tanycross—roadstotemptthem。Wouldtheyturnasidehere？No。Wouldtheyturnthere？Manymorethingsareinevitablethanyoufancy。"
　　"Weshallseeatonce，"saidWidgery，atthewindow。"HerecomesPhipps。Formyownpart——"
　　"Phipps！"saidMrs。Milton。"Ishehurrying？Doeshelook——"Sheroseinhereagerness，bitinghertremblinglip，andwenttowardsthewindow。
　　"Nonews，"saidPhipps，entering。
　　"Ah！"saidWidgery。
　　"None？"saidDangle。
　　"Well，"saidPhipps。"Onefellowhadgotholdofaqueerstoryofamaninbicyclingclothes，whowasaskingthesamequestionaboutthistimeyesterday。"
　　"Whatquestion？"saidMrs。Milton，intheshadowofthewindow。
　　Shespokeinalowvoice，almostawhisper。
　　"Why——Haveyouseenayoungladyinagreybicyclingcostume？"
　　Danglecaughtathislowerlip。"What’sthat？"hesaid。
　　"Yesterday！Amanaskingafterherthen！WhatcanTHATmean？"
　　"Heavenknows，"saidPhipps，sittingdownwearily。"You’dbetterinfer。"
　　"Whatkindofman？"saidDangle。
　　"HowshouldIknow？——inbicyclingcostume，thefellowsaid。"
　　"Butwhatheight？——Whatcomplexion？"
　　"Didn’task，"saidPhipps。"DIDN’TASK！Nonsense，"saidDangle。
　　"Askhimyourself，"saidPhipps。"He’sanostlerchapintheWhiteHart，——short，thick—setfellow，witharedfaceandacrustymanner。Leaningupagainstthestabledoor。Smellsofwhiskey。Goandaskhim。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidDangle，takinghisstrawhatfromtheshadeoverthestuffedbirdonthechiffonierandturningtowardsthedoor。"Imighthaveknown。"
　　Phipps’mouthopenedandshut。
　　"You’retired，I’msure，Mr。Phipps，"saidthelady，soothingly。
　　"Letmeringforsometeaforyou。"ItsuddenlyoccurredtoPhippsthathehadlapsedalittlefromhischivalry。"Iwasalittleannoyedatthewayherushedmetodoallthisbusiness，"
　　hesaid。"ButI’ddoahundredtimesasmuchifitwouldbringyouanynearertoher。"Pause。"IWOULDlikealittletea。"
　　"Idon’twanttoraiseanyfalsehopes，"saidWidgery。"ButIdoNOTbelievetheyevencametoChichester。Dangle’saverycleverfellow，ofcourse，butsometimestheseInferencesofhis——"
　　"Tchak！"saidPhipps，suddenly。
　　"Whatisit？"saidMrs。Milton。
　　"SomethingI’veforgotten。Iwentrightoutfromhere，wenttoeveryotherhotelintheplace，andneverthought——Butnevermind。I’llaskwhenthewaitercomes。"
　　"Youdon’tmean——"Atap，andthedooropened。"Tea，m’m？yes，m’m，"saidthewaiter。
　　"Oneminute，"saidPhipps。"Wasaladyingrey，acyclinglady——"
　　"Stoppedhereyesterday？Yessir。Stoppedthenight。Withherbrother，sir——ayounggent。"
　　"Brother！"saidMrs。Milton，inalowtone。"ThankGod！"
　　Thewaiterglancedatherandunderstoodeverything。"Ayounggent，sir，"hesaid，"veryfreewithhismoney。GivethenameofBeaumont。"Heproceededtosomeramblingparticulars，andwascross—examinedbyWidgeryontheplansoftheyoungcouple。
　　"Havant！Where’sHavant？"saidPhipps。"Iseemtorememberitsomewhere。"
　　"Wasthemantall？"saidMrs。Milton，intently，"distinguishedlooking？withalong，flaxenmoustache？andspokewithadrawl？"
　　"Well，"saidthewaiter，andthought。"Hismoustache，m’m，wasscarcelylong——scrubbymore，andyounglooking。"
　　"Aboutthirty—five，hewas？"
　　"No，m’m。Morelikefiveandtwenty。Notthat。"
　　"Dearme！"saidMrs。Milton，speakinginacurious，hollowvoice，fumblingforhersalts，andshowingthefinestself—control。"ItmusthavebeenherYOUNGERbrother——musthavebeen。"
　　"Thatwilldo，thankyou，"saidWidgery，officiously，feelingthatshewouldbeeasierunderthisnewsurpriseifthemanweredismissed。Thewaiterturnedtogo，andalmostcollidedwithDangle，whowasenteringtheroom，pantingexcitedlyandwithapockethandkerchiefheldtohisrighteye。"Hullo！"saiddangle。
　　"What’sup？"
　　"What’supwithYOU？"saidPhipps。
　　"Nothing——analtercationmerelywiththatdrunkenostlerofyours。Hethoughtitwasaplottoannoyhim——thattheYoungLadyinGreywasmythical。Judgedfromyourmanner。I’vegotapieceofrawmeattokeepoverit。Youhavesomenews，Isee？"
　　"Didthemanhityou？"askedWidgery。
　　Mrs。MiltonroseandapproachedDangle。"CannotIdoanything？"
　　Danglewasheroic。"Onlytellmeyournews，"hesaid，roundthecornerofthehandkerchief。
　　"Itwasinthisway，"saidPhipps，andexplainedrathersheepishly。Whilehewasdoingso，witharunningfireofcommentaryfromWidgery，thewaiterbroughtinatrayoftea。"A
　　timetable，"saidDangle，promptly，"forHavant。"Mrs。Miltonpouredtwocups，andPhippsandDanglepartookinpassoverform。
　　Theycaughtthetrainbyahair’sbreadth。SotoHavantandinquiries。
　　DanglewaspuffeduptofindthathisguessofHavantwasright。
　　InviewofthefactthatbeyondHavanttheSouthamptonroadhasasteephillcontinuouslyontheright—handside，andtheseaontheleft，hehituponamagnificentschemeforheadingtheyoungfolksoff。HeandMrs。MiltonwouldgotoFareham，WidgeryandPhippsshouldalightoneeachattheintermediatestationsofCoshamandPorchester，andcomeonbythenexttrainiftheyhadnonews。Iftheydidnotcomeon，awiretotheFarehampostofficewastoexplainwhy。ItwasNapoleonic，andmorethanconsoledDanglefortheopenderisionoftheHavantstreetboysatthehandkerchiefwhichstillprotectedhisdamagedeye。
　　Moreover，theschemeansweredtoperfection。Thefugitivesescapedbyahair’sbreadth。TheywereoutsidetheGoldenAnchoratFareham，andpreparingtomount，asMrs。MiltonandDanglecameroundthecornerfromthestation。"It’sher！"saidMrs。
　　Milton，andwouldhavescreamed。"Hist！"saidDangle，grippingthelady’sarm，removinghishandkerchiefinhisexcitement，andleavingthepieceofmeatoverhiseye，anextraordinaryappearancewhichseemedunexpectedlytocalmher。"Becool！"saidDangle，glaringunderthemeat。"Theymustnotseeus。Theywillgetawayelse。Werethereflysatthestation？"TheyoungcouplemountedandvanishedroundthecorneroftheWinchesterroad。Haditnotbeenforthepublicityofthebusiness，Mrs。Miltonwouldhavefainted。"SAVEHER！"shesaid。
　　"Ah！Aconveyance，"saidDangle。"Oneminute。"
　　Heleftherinamostpatheticattitude，withherhandpressedtoherheart，andrushedintotheGoldenAnchor。Dogcartintenminutes。Emerged。Themeathadgonenow，andonesawthecoolingpuffinessoverhiseye。"Iwillconductyoubacktothestation，"
　　saidDangle;"hurrybackhere，andpursuethem。YouwillmeetWidgeryandPhippsandtellthemIaminpursuit。"
　　Shewaswhirledbacktotherailwaystationandleftthere，onahard，blistered，woodenseatinthesun。Shefelttiredanddreadfullyruffledandagitatedanddusty。Danglewas，nodoubt，mostenergeticanddevoted;butforakindly，helpfulmannercommendhertoDouglasWidgery。
　　MeanwhileDangle，hisfacegoldenintheeveningsun，wasdriving（aswellashecould）alarge，blackhorseharnessedintoathingcalledagig，northwestwardtowardsWinchester。Dangle，barringhisswolleneye，wasarefined—lookinglittleman，andbeworeadeerstalkercapandwasdressedindarkgrey。Hisneckwaslongandslender。Perhapsyouknowwhatgigsare，——huge，big，woodenthingsandveryhighandthehorse，too，washugeandbigandhigh，withknobbylegs，alongface，ahardmouth，andawhackingtrickofpacing。Smack，smack，smack，smackitwentalongtheroad，andhardbythechurchitshiedvigorouslyatahoodedperambulator。
　　ThehistoryoftheRescueExpeditionnowbecomesconfused。ItappearsthatWidgerywasextremelyindignanttofindMrs。MiltonleftaboutupontheFarehamplatform。Thedayhadirritatedhimsomehow，thoughhehadstartedwiththenoblestintentions，andheseemedgladtofindanoutletforjustifiableindignation。
　　"He’ssuchaspasmodiccreature，"saidWidgery。"Rushingoff！AndIsupposewe’retowaithereuntilhecomesback！It’slikely。
　　He’ssoegotistical，isDangle。Alwayswantstomismanageeverythinghimself。"
　　"Hemeanstohelpme，"saidMrs。Milton，alittlereproachfully，touchinghisarm。Widgerywashardlyinthemoodtobemollifiedallatonce。"HeneednotpreventME，"hesaid，andstopped。
　　"It’snogoodtalking，youknow，andyouaretired。"
　　"Icangoon，"shesaidbrightly，"ifonlywefindher。""WhileIwascoolingmyheelsinCoshamIboughtacountymap。"Heproducedandopenedit。"Here，yousee，istheroadoutofFareham。"HeproceededwiththecalmdeliberationofabusinessmantodevelopaproposaloftakingtrainforthwithtoWinchester。"TheyMUSTbegoingtoWinchester，"heexplained。Itwasinevitable。To—morrowSunday，Winchesteracathedraltown，roadgoingnowhereelseoftheslightestimportance，"ButMr。Dangle？"
　　"Hewillsimplygoonuntilhehastopasssomething，andthenhewillbreakhisneck。IhaveseenDangledrivebefore。It’sscarcelylikelyadog—cart，especiallyahireddog—cart，willovertakebicyclesinthecooloftheevening。Relyuponme，Mrs。
　　Milton——"
　　"Iaminyourhands，"shesaid，withpatheticlittleness，lookingupathim，andforthemomentheforgottheexasperationoftheday。
　　Phipps，duringthisconversation，hadstoodinasomewhatdepressedattitude，leaningonhisstick，feelinghiscollar，andlookingfromonespeakertotheother。TheideaofleavingDanglebehindseemedtohimanexcellentone。"Wemightleaveamessageattheplacewherehegotthedog—cart，"hesuggested，whenhesawtheireyesmeeting。Therewasacheerfulalacrityaboutallthreeattheproposal。
　　ButtheynevergotbeyondBotley。Forevenastheirtrainranintothestation，amightyrumblingwasheard，therewasashoutingoverhead，theguardstoodastonishedontheplatform，andPhipps，thrustinghisheadoutofthewindow，cried，"Therehegoes！"andsprangoutofthecarriage。Mrs。Milton，followinginalarm，justsawit。FromWidgeryitwashidden。Botleystationliesinacutting，overheadwastheroadway，andacrossthelemonyellowsandflushedpinksofthesunset，therewhirledagreatblackmass，ahorselikealong—nosedchessknight，theupperworksofagig，andDangleintransitfromfronttoback。A
　　monstrousshadowapedhimacrossthecutting。Itwastheeventofasecond。Dangleseemedtojump，hangintheairmomentarily，andvanish，andafteramoment’spausecameaheart—rendingsmash。
　　Thentwoblackheadsrunningswiftly。
　　"Bettergetout，"saidPhippstoMrs。Milton，whostoodfascinatedinthedoorway。
　　Inanothermomentallthreewerehurryingupthesteps。TheyfoundDangle，hatless，standingupwithcuthandsextended，havinghishandsbrushedbyanofficioussmallboy。Abroad，uglyroadrandownhillinalongvista，andinthedistancewasalittlegroupofBotleyinhabitantsholdingthebig，blackhorse。
　　Evenatthatdistancetheycouldseetheexpressionofconsciousprideonthemonster’svisage。Itwasaswooden—facedahorseasyoucanimagine。ThebeastsintheTowerofLondon，onwhichthemeninarmourareperched，aretheonlyhorsesIhaveeverseenatalllikeit。However，wearenotconcernednowwiththehorse，butwithDangle。"Hurt？"askedPhipps，eagerly，leading。
　　"Mr。Dangle！"criedMrs。Milton，claspingherhands。
　　"Hullo！"saidDangle，notsurprisedintheslightest。"Gladyou’vecome。Imaywantyou。BitofamessI’min——eigh？ButI’vecaught’em。AttheveryplaceIexpected，too。"
　　"Caughtthem！"saidWidgery。Wherearethey？"
　　"Upthere，"hesaid，withabackwardmotionofhishead。"Aboutamileupthehill。Ileft’em。IHADto。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"saidMrs。Milton，withthatrapt，painfullookagain。"HaveyoufoundJessie？"
　　"Ihave。IwishIcouldwashthegraveloutofmyhandssomewhere。Itwaslikethis，youknow。Cameonthemsuddenlyroundacorner。Horseshiedatthebicycles。Theyweresittingbytheroadsidebotanisingflowers。Ijusthadtimetoshout，’JessieMilton，we’vebeenlookingforyou，’andthenthatconfoundedbrutebolted。Ididn’tdareturnround。Ihadallmyworktodotosavemyselfbeingturnedover，asitwas——solongasIdid，Imean。Ijustshouted，’Returntoyourfriends。Allwillbeforgiven。’AndoffIcame，clatter，clatter。Whethertheyheard——"
　　"TAKEMETOHER，"saidMrs。Milton，withintensity，turningtowardsWidgery。
　　"Certainly，"saidWidgery，suddenlybecomingactive。"Howfarisit，Dangle？"
　　"Mileandahalfortwomiles。Iwasdeterminedtofindthem，youknow。Isaythough——Lookatmyhands！ButIbegyourpardon，Mrs。
　　Milton。"HeturnedtoPhipps。"Phipps，Isay，whereshallIwashthegravelout？Andhavealookatmyknee？"
　　"There’sthestation，"saidPhipps，becominghelpful。Danglemadeastep，andadamagedkneebecameevident。"Takemyarm，"saidPhipps。
　　"Wherecanwegetaconveyance？"askedWidgeryoftwosmallboys。
　　Thetwosmallboysfailedtounderstand。Theylookedatoneanother。
　　"There’snotacab，notago—cart，insight，"saidWidgery。"It’sacaseofahorse，ahorse，mykingdomforahorse。"
　　"There’saharseallright，"saidoneofthesmallboyswithamovementofthehead。
　　"Don’tyouknowwherewecanhiretraps？askedWidgery。"Oracartor——anything？"askedMrs。Milton。
　　"JohnOoker’sgartacart，butnoonecan’t’ire’n，"saidthelargerofthesmallboys，partiallyavertinghisfaceandstaringdowntheroadandmakingasongofit。"Andso’smyfeyther，for’slegusbroke。"
　　"Notacarteven！Evidently。Whatshallwedo？"
　　ItoccurredtoMrs。MiltonthatifWidgerywasthemanforcourtlydevotion，Danglewasinfinitelyreadierofresource。"I
　　suppose——"shesaid，timidly。"PerhapsifyouweretoaskMr。
　　Dangle——"
　　AndthenallthegiltcameoffWidgery。Heansweredquiterudely。
　　"ConfoundDangle！Hasn’themessedusupenough？Hemustneedsdriveaftertheminatraptotellthemwe’recoming，andnowyouwantmetoaskhim——"
　　Herbeautifulblueeyeswerefilledwithtears。Hestoppedabruptly。"I’llgoandaskDangle，"hesaid，shortly。"Ifyouwishit。"Andwentstridingintothestationanddownthesteps，leavingherintheroadunderthequietinspectionofthetwolittleboys，andwithakindofballadrefrainrunningthroughherhead，"WherearetheKnightsoftheOldenTime？"andfeelingtiredtodeathandhungryanddustyandoutofcurl，and，inshort，amartyrwoman。
　　XXXI
　　Itgoestomyhearttotelloftheendofthatday，howthefugitivesvanishedintoImmensity;howtherewerenomoretrainshowBotleystaredunsympatheticallywithapalpabledispositiontoderision，denyingconveyanceshowthelandlordoftheHeronwassuspicious，howthenextdaywasSunday，andthehotsummer’sdayhadcrumpledthecollarofPhippsandstainedtheskirtsofMrs。Milton，anddimmedtheradiantemotionsofthewholeparty。
　　Dangle，withsticking—plasterandablackeye，felttheabsurdityoftheposeoftheWoundedKnight，andabandoneditafterthefaintestefforts。Recriminationsnever，perhaps，heldtheforegroundofthetalk，buttheyplayedlikesummerlightningontheedgeoftheconversation。Anddeepintheheartsofallwasagallingsenseoftheridiculous。Jessie，theythought，wasmosttoblame。Apparently，too，theworst，whichwouldhavemadethewholebusinesstragic，wasnothappening。Herewasayoungwoman——youngwomandoIsay？ameregirl！——hadchosentoleaveacomfortablehomeinSurbiton，andallthedelightsofarefinedandintellectualcircle，andhadrushedoff，trailingusafterher，posinghard，mutuallyjealous，andnowtiredandweather—worn，toflickusoffatlast，meremudfromherwheel，intothisdetestablevillagebeer—houseonaSaturdaynight！Andshehaddoneit，notforLoveandPassion，whichareseriousexcusesonemayrecogniseevenifonemustreprobate，butjustforaFreak，justforafantasticIdea;fornothing，infact，buttheoutragingofCommonSense。Yetwithal，suchwasourrestraint，thatwetalkedofherstillasonemuchmisguided，asonewhoburtheneduswithanxiety，asalambastray，andMrs。
　　Miltonhavingeaten，continuedtoshowthefinestfeelingsonthematter。
　　Shesat，Imaymention，inthecushionedbasket—chair，theonlycomfortablechairintheroom，andwesatonincrediblyhard，horsehairthingshavingantimacassarstiedtotheirbacksbymeansoflemon—colouredbows。ItwasdifferentfromthosedearoldtalksatSurbiton，somehow。Shesatfacingthewindow，whichwasopen（thenightwassotranquilandwarm），andthedimlight—
　　—forwedidnotusethelamp——suitedheradmirably。Shetalkedinavoicethattoldyoushewastired，andsheseemedinclinedtostateacaseagainstherselfinthematterof"ASoulUntrammelled。"Itwassuchaneveningasmightliveinasympatheticmemoir，butitwasalittledullwhileitlasted。
　　"Ifeel，"shesaid，"thatIamtoblame。IhaveDeveloped。Thatfirstbookofmine——Idonotgobackuponawordofit，mind，butithasbeenmisunderstood，misapplied。"
　　"Ithas，"saidWidgery，tryingtolooksodeeplysympatheticastobevisibleinthedark。"Deliberatelymisunderstood。"
　　"Don’tsaythat，"saidthelady。"Notdeliberately。Itryandthinkthatcriticsarehonest。Aftertheirlights。Iwasnotthinkingofcritics。Butshe——Imean——"Shepaused，aninterrogation。
　　"Itispossible，"saidDangle，scrutinisinghissticking—plaster。
　　"Iwriteabookandstateacase。IwantpeopletoTHINKasI
　　recommend，nottoDOasIrecommend。ItisjustTeaching。OnlyI
　　makeitintoastory。IwanttoTeachnewIdeas，newLessons，topromulgateIdeas。ThenwhentheIdeashavebeenspreadabroad——Thingswillcomeabout。Onlynowitismadnesstoflyinthefaceoftheestablishedorder。BernardShaw，youknow，hasexplainedthatwithregardtoSocialism。Weallknowthattoearnallyouconsumeisright，andthatlivingoninvestedcapitaliswrong。Onlywecannotbeginwhilewearesofew。ItisThoseOthers。"
　　"Precisely，"saidWidgery。"ItisThoseOthers。Theymustbeginfirst。"
　　"Andmeanwhileyougoonbanking——"
　　"IfIdidn’t，someoneelsewould。"
　　"AndIliveonMr。Milton’sLotionwhileItrytogainafootinginLiterature。"
　　"TRY！"saidPhipps。"YouHAVEdoneso。"And，"That’sdifferent，"
　　saidDangle，atthesametime。
　　"Youaresokindtome。Butinthismatter。OfcourseGeorginaGriffithsinmybooklivedaloneinaflatinParisandwenttolifeclassesandhadmenvisitors，butthenshewasovertwenty—one。"
　　"Jessicaisonlyseventeen，andgirlishforthat，"saidDangle。
　　"Italterseverything。Thatchild！Itisdifferentwithawoman。
　　AndGeorginaGriffithsneverflauntedherfreedom——onabicycle，incountryplaces。Inthiscountry。Whereeveryoneissoparticular。Fancy，SLEEPINGawayfromhome。It’sdreadful——Ifitgetsaboutitspellsruinforher。"
　　"Ruin，"saidWidgery。
　　"Nomanwouldmarryagirllikethat，"saidPhipps。
　　"Itmustbehushedup，"saidDangle。
　　"Italwaysseemstomethatlifeismadeupofindividuals，ofindividualcases。Wemustweigheachpersonagainsthisorhercircumstances。Generalrulesdon’tapply——"
　　"Ioftenfeeltheforceofthat，"saidWidgery。"Thosearemyrules。Ofcoursemybooks——"
　　"It’sdifferent，altogetherdifferent，"saidDangle。"Anoveldealswithtypicalcases。"
　　"Andlifeisnottypical，"saidWidgery，withimmenseprofundity。
　　Thensuddenly，unintentionally，beinghimselfmostsurprisedandshockedofanyintheroom，Phippsyawned。Thefailingwasinfectious，andthegatheringhaving，asyoucaneasilyunderstand，talkeditselfweary，dispersedontrivialpretences。
　　Butnottosleepimmediately。DirectlyDanglewasalonehebegan，withinfinitedisgust，toscrutinisehisdarklingeye，forhewasaneat—mindedlittlemaninspiteofhisenergy。Thewholebusiness——sonearacapture——washorriblyvexatious。Phippssatonhisbedforsometimeexamining，withequaldisgust，acollarhewouldhavethoughtincredibleforSundaytwenty—fourhoursbefore。Mrs。Miltonfella—musingonthemortalityofevenbig，fatmenwithdog—likeeyes，andWidgerywasunhappybecausehehadbeensocrosstoheratthestation，andbecausesofarhedidnotfeelthathehadscoredoverDangle。AlsohewasangrywithDangle。Andallfourofthem，beingsoulslivingverymuchupontheappearancesofthings，hadapainful，mentalmiddledistanceofBotleyderisiveandsuspicious，andaremoterbackgroundofLondonhumorous，andSurbitonspeculative。Weretheyreally，afterall，behavingabsurdly？
　　MR。HOOPDRIVER，KNIGHTERRANT
　　XXXII
　　AsMr。Danglebadwitnessed，thefugitiveshadbeenleftbyhimbythesideoftheroadabouttwomilesfromBotley。BeforeMr。
　　Dangle’sappearance，Mr。Hoopdriverhadbeenlearningwithgreatinterestthatmereroadsideflowershadnames，——star—flowers，wind—stars，St。John’swort，willowherb，lordsandladies，bachelor’sbuttons，——mostcuriousnames，someofthem。"TheflowersarealldifferentinSouthAfrica，y’know，"hewasexplainingwithahappyflukeofhisimaginationtoaccountforhisignorance。Thensuddenly，heraldedbyclatteringsoundsandagrideofwheels，Danglehadflaredandthunderedacrossthetranquillityofthesummerevening;Dangle，swayingandgesticulatingbehindacorybanticblackhorse，hadhailedJessiebyhername，hadbackedtowardsthehedgefornoostensiblereason，andvanishedtotheaccomplishmentoftheFatethathadbeenwrittendownforhimfromtheverybeginningofthings。
　　JessieandHoopdriverhadscarcelytimetostandupandseizetheirmachines，beforethistumultuous，thisswiftandwonderfulpassingofDanglewasachieved。Hewentfromsidetosideoftheroad，——worseeventhantheridingforthofMr。Hoopdriveritwas，——andvanishedroundthecorner。
　　"Heknewmyname，"saidJessie。"Yes——itwasMr。Dangle。"
　　"Thatwasourbicyclesdidthat，"saidMr。Hoopdriversimultaneously，andspeakingwithacertaincomplacentconcern。
　　"Ihopehewon’tgethurt。"
　　"ThatwasMr。Dangle，"repeatedJessie，andMr。Hoopdriverheardthistime，withaviolentstart。Hiseyebrowswentupspasmodically。
　　"What！someoneyouknow？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Lord！"
　　"Hewaslookingforme，"saidJessie。"Icouldsee。Hebegantocalltomebeforethehorseshied。Mystepmotherhassenthim。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverwishedhehadreturnedthebicycleafterall，forhisideaswerestillalittlehazyaboutBechamelandMrs。
　　Milton。HonestyISthebestpolicy——often，hethought。Heturnedhisheadthiswayandthat。Hebecameactive。"Afterus，eigh？
　　Thenhe’llcomeback。He’sgonedownthathill，andhewon’tbeabletopullupforabit，I’mcertain。"
　　Jessie，hesaw，hadwheeledhermachineintotheroadandwasmounting。StillstaringatthecornerthathadswallowedupDangle，Hoopdriverfollowedsuit。Andso，justasthesunwassetting，theybegananotherflighttogether，——ridingnowtowardsBishopsWaltham，withMr。Hoopdriverinthepostofdanger——therear——everandagainlookingoverhisshoulderandswervingdangerouslyashedidso。OccasionallyJessiehadtoslackenherpace。Hebreathedheavily，andhatedhimselfbecausehismouthfellopen，Afternearlyanhour’shardriding，theyfoundthemselvesuncaughtatWinchester。NotatraceofDanglenoranyotherdangerwasvisibleastheyrodeintothedusky，yellow—litstreet。ThoughthebatshadbeenflutteringbehindthehedgesandtheeveningstarwasbrightwhiletheywerestilltwomilesfromWinchester，Mr。Hoopdriverpointedoutthedangersofstoppinginsuchanobviousabiding—place，andgentlybutfirmlyinsisteduponreplenishingthelampsandridingontowardsSalisbury。FromWinchester，roadsbranchineverydirection，andtoturnabruptlywestwardwasclearlythewaytothrowoffthechase。AsHoopdriversawthemoonrisingbroadandyellowthroughthetwilight，hethoughtheshouldrevivetheeffectofthatrideoutofBognor;butsomehow，albeitthemoonandalltheatmosphericeffectswerethesame，theemotionsweredifferent。Theyrodeinabsolutesilence，andslowlyaftertheyhadclearedtheoutskirtsofWinchester。Bothofthemwerenownearlytiredout，——thelevelwastedious，andevenalittlehillaburden;andsoitcameaboutthatinthehamletofWallenstocktheywerebeguiledtostopandaskforaccommodationinanexceptionallyprosperouslookingvillageinn。Aplausiblelandladyrosetotheoccasion。
　　Now，astheypassedintotheroomwheretheirsupperswereprepared，Mr。Hoopdrivercaughtaglimpsethroughadoorajarandfloatinginareekofsmoke，ofthreeandahalffaces——fortheedgeofthedoorcutonedown——andanAmericancloth—coveredtablewithseveralglassesandatankard。Andhealsoheardaremark。Inthesecondbeforeheheardthatremark，Mr。Hoopdriverhadbeenaproudandhappyman，toparticularize，abaronet’sheirincognito。Hehadsurrenderedtheirbicyclestotheoddmanoftheplacewithinfiniteeasydignity，andhadbowinglyopenedthedoorforJessie。"Who’sthat，then？"heimaginedpeoplesaying;andthen，"Some’nprettywellorf——judgebythebicycles。"Thentheimaginaryspectatorswouldfalla—talkingofthefashionablenessofbicycling，——howjudgesAndstockbrokersandactressesand，infact，allthebestpeoplerode，andhowthatitwasoftenthefancyofsuchgreatfolktoshunthebighotels，theadulationofurbancrowds，andseek，incognito，thecosyquaintnessesofvillagelife。Then，maybe，theywouldthinkofacertainnamelessairofdistinctionabouttheladywhohadsteppedacrossthedoorway，andaboutthehandsome，flaxen—moustached，blue—eyedCavalierwhohadfollowedherin，andtheywouldlookonetoanother。"Tellyouwhatitis，"oneofthevillageelderswouldsay——justastheydoinnovels——voicingthethoughtofall，inalow，impressivetone："There’ssuchathinasentertainingbarranetsunawares—nottomentionnohigherthings——"
　　Such，Isay，hadbeenthefilmy，delightfulstuffinMr。
　　Hoopdriver’sheadthemomentbeforeheheardthatremark。Buttheremarktoppledhimheadlong。Whatthepreciseremarkwasneednotconcernus。ItwasacasualpieceofsuchsatireasStrephondelightsin。Shouldyoubecurious，dearlady，astoitsnature，youhavemerelytodressyourselfinareallymoderncyclingcostume，getoneofthefeeblest—lookingofyourmentoescortyou，andrideout，nextSaturdayevening，toanypublichousewherehealthy，homelypeoplegathertogether。ThenyouwillhearquitealotofthekindofthingMr。Hoopdriverheard。More，possibly，thanyouwilldesire。
　　Theremark，Imustadd，implicatedMr。Hoopdriver。Itindicatedanentiredisbeliefinhissocialstanding。Atablow，itshatteredallthegorgeousimaginativefabrichismindhadbeenrejoicingin。Allthatfoolishhappinessvanishedlikeadream。
　　Andtherewasnothingtoshowforit，asthereisnothingtoshowforanyspitefulremarkthathaseverbeenmade。Perhapsthemanwhosaidthethinghadagleamofsatisfactionattheideaoftakingacomplacent—lookingfooldownapeg，butitisjustaspossiblehedidnotknowatthetimethathisstrayshothadhit。
　　Hehadthrownitasaboythrowsastoneatabird。Anditnotonlydemolishedafoolish，happyconceit，butitwounded。IttouchedJessiegrossly。
　　Shedidnothearit，heconcludedfromhersubsequentbearing;
　　butduringthesuppertheyhadinthelittleprivatedining—room，thoughshetalkedcheerfully，hewaspreoccupied。Whiffsofindistinctconversation，andnowandthenlaughter，cameinfromtheinnparloiirthroughthepelargoniumsintheopenwindow。
　　Hoopdriverfeltitmustallbeinthesamestrain，——atherexpenseandhis。Heansweredherabstractedly。Shewastired，shesaid，andpresentlywenttoherroom。Mr。Hoopdriver，inhiscourtlyway，openedthedoorforherandbowedherout。Hestoodlisteningandfearingsomenewoffenceasshewentupstairs，androundthebendwherethebarometerhungbeneaththestuffedbirds。Thenhewentbacktotheroom，andstoodonthehearthrugbeforethe。paperfireplaceornament。"Cads！"hesaidinascathingundertone，asafreshburstoflaughtercamefloatingin。Allthroughsupperhehadbeencomposingstingingrepartee，ablisteringspeechofdenunciationtobepresentlydelivered。Hewouldratethemasanoblemanshould："CallthemselvesEnglishmen，indeed，andinsultawoman！"hewouldsay;takethenamesandaddressesperhaps，threatentospeaktotheLordoftheManor，promisetoletthemhearfromhimagain，andsooutwithconsternationinhiswake。Itreallyoughttobedone。
　　"Teach’embetter，"hesaidfiercely，andtweakedhismoustachepainfully。Whatwasit？Herevivedtheobjectionableremarkforhisownexasperation，andthenwentovertheheadsofhisspeechagain。
　　Hecoughed，madethreestepstowardsthedoor，thenstoppedandwentbacktothehearthrug。Hewouldn’t——afterall。YetwashenotaKnightErrant？Shouldsuchmengounreproved，unchecked，bywanderingbaronetsincognito？Magnanimity？Lookatitinthatway？Churlsbeneathone’snotice？No;merelyacowardlysubterfuge。HeWOULDafterall。
　　Somethingwithinhimprotestedthathewasahot—headedassevenashewenttowardsthedooragain。Butheonlywentonthemoreresolutely。Hecrossedthehall，bythebar，andenteredtheroomfromwhichtheremarkhadproceeded。Heopenedthedoorabruptlyandstoodscowlingontheminthedoorway。"You’llonlymakeamessofit，"remarkedtheinternalsceptic。Therewerefivemenintheroomaltogether：afatperson，withalongpipeandagreatnumberofchins，inanarmchairbythefireplace，whowishedMr。Hoopdriveragoodeveningveryaffably;ayoungfellowsmokingacuttyanddisplayingcrossedlegswithgaiters;alittle，beardedmanwithatoothlesslaugh;amiddle—aged，comfortablemanwithbrighteyes，whoworeavelveteenjacket;
　　andafairyoungman，verygenteelinayellowish—brownready—madesuitandawhitetie。
　　"H’m，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，lookingverysternandharsh。Andtheninaforbiddingtone，asonewhoconsentedtonoliberties，"Goodevening。"
　　"Verypleasantdaywe’vebeen’aving，"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie。
　　"Very，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，slowly;andtakingabrownarmchair，heplanteditwithgreatdeliberationwherehefacedthefireplace，andsatdown。Let’ssee——howdidthatspeechbegin？
　　"Verypleasantroadsabouthere，"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie。
　　"Very，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，eyeinghimdarkly。Havetobeginsomehow。"Theroadsabouthereareallright，andtheweatherabouthereisallright，butwhatI’vecomeinheretosayis——there’ssomedamnedunpleasantpeople——damnedunpleasantpeople！"
　　"Oh！"saidtheyoungmanwiththegaiters，apparentlymakingamentalinventoryofhispearlbuttonsashespoke。"How’sthat？"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverputhishandsonhiskneesandstuckouthiselbowswithextremeangularity。Inhishearthewasravingathisidioticfollyatthusbeardingtheselions，——indisputablytheyWERElions，——buthehadtogothroughwithitnow。Heavensend，hisbreath，whichwasalreadygettingatriflespasmodic，didnotsuddenlygiveout。Hefixedhiseyeonthefaceofthefatmanwiththechins，andspokeinalow，impressivevoice。"Icamehere，sir，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，andpausedtoinflatehischeeks，"withalady。"
　　"Verynicelady，"saidthemanwiththegaiters，puttinghisheadononesidetoadmireapearlbuttonthathadbeenhidingbehindthecurvatureofhiscalf。"Veryniceladyindeed。"
　　"Icamehere，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"withalady。"
　　"Wesawyoudid，blessyou，"saidthefatmanwiththechins，inacuriouswheezyvoice。"Idon’tseethere’sanythingsoveryextraordinaryinthat。One’udthinkwehadn’teyes。"
　　Mr。Hoopdrivercoughed。"Icame，here，sir——"
　　"We’ve’eardthat，"saidthelittlemanwiththebeard，sharplyandwentoffintoanamiablechuckle。"Weknowitby’art，"saidthelittleman，elaboratingthepoint。
　　Mr。Hoopdrivertemporarilylosthisthread。Heglaredmalignantlyatthelittlemanwiththebeard，andtriedtorecoverhisdiscourse。Apause。
　　"Youweresaying，"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie，speakingverypolitely，"thatyoucameherewithalady。"
　　"Alady，"meditatedthegaitergazer。
　　Themaninvelveteen，whowaslookingfromonespeakertoanotherwithkeen，brighteyes，nowlaughedasthoughapointhadbeenscored，andstimulatedMr。Hoopdrivertospeak，byfixinghimwithanexpectantregard。
　　"Somedirtycad，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，proceedingwithhisdiscourse，andsuddenlygrowingextremelyfierce，"madearemarkaswewentbythisdoor。"
　　"Steadyon！"saidtheoldgentlemanwithmanychins。，Steadyon！
　　Don’tyougoa—callingusnames，please。"
　　"Oneminute！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Itwasn’tIbegancallingnames。"（"Whodid？saidthemanwiththechins。）"I’mnotcallinganyofyoudirtycads。Don’trunawaywiththatimpression。Onlysomepersoninthisroommadearemarkthatshowedhewasn’tfittowipebootson，and，withallduedeferencetosuchgentlemenasAREgentlemen"（Mr。Hoopdriverlookedroundformoralsupport），"Iwanttoknowwhichitwas。"
　　"Meanin’？"saidthefairyoungmaninthewhitetie。
　　"ThatI’mgoingtowipemybootson’imstraightaway，"saidMr。