Thered—hairedgirlthresheddistressfullyacrossthesheets。’It’stoohottosleep，’shemoaned；andtheinterruptionjarred。
　　Exactlythesameway。ThenshewoulddivideheryearsbetweenthelittlestudioinEnglandandKami’sbigstudioatVitry—sur—Marne。No，shewouldgotoanothermaster，whoshouldforceherintothesuccessthatwasherright，ifpatienttoilanddesperateendeavourgaveonearighttoanything。Dickhadtoldherthathehadworkedtenyearstounderstandhiscraft。Shehadworkedtenyears，andtenyearswerenothing。Dickhadsaidthattenyearswerenothing，——butthatwasinregardtoherselfonly。Hehadsaid——thisverymanwhocouldnotfindtimetowrite——thathewouldwaittenyearsforher，andthatshewasboundtocomebacktohimsoonerorlater。Hehadsaidthisintheabsurdletteraboutsunstrokeanddiphtheria；andthenhehadstoppedwriting。Hewaswanderingupanddownmoonlitstreets，kissingcooks。Shewouldliketolecturehimnow，——notinhernightgown，ofcourse，butproperlydressed，severelyandfromaheight。Yetifhewaskissingothergirlshecertainlywouldnotcarewhethershelecturehimornot。Hewouldlaughather。Verygood。
　　Shewouldgobacktoherstudioandpreparepicturesthatwent，etc。，etc。
　　Themill—wheelofthoughtswungroundslowly，thatnosectionofitmightbeslurredover，andthered—hairedgirltossedandturnedbehindher。
　　MaisieputherchininherhandsanddecidedthattherecouldbenodoubtwhateverofthevillainyofDick。Tojustifyherself，shebegan，unwomanly，toweightheevidence。Therewasaboy，andhehadsaidhelovedher。Andhekissedher，——kissedheronthecheek，——byayellowsea—poppythatnoddeditsheadexactlylikethemaddeningdryroseinthegarden。Thentherewasaninterval，andmenhadtoldherthattheylovedher——justwhenshewasbusiestwithherwork。Thentheboycameback，andattheirverysecondmeetinghadtoldherthathelovedher。Thenhehad————Buttherewasnoendtothethingshehaddone。Hehadgivenherhistimeandhispowers。HehadspokentoherofArt，housekeeping，technique，teacups，theabuseofpicklesasastimulant，——thatwasrude，——sablehair—brushes，——hehadgivenherthebestinherstock，——sheusedthemdaily；hehadgivenheradvicethatsheprofitedby，andnowandagain——alook。Suchalook！Thelookofabeatenhoundwaitingforthewordtocrawltohismistress’sfeet。Inreturnshehadgivenhimnothingwhatever，except——hereshebrushedhermouthagainsttheopen—worksleevefhernightgown——theprivilegeofkissingheronce。Andonthemouth，too。Disgraceful！Wasthatnotenough，andmorethanenough？andifitwasnot，hadhenotcancelledthedebtbynotwritingand——probablykissingothergirls？
　　’Maisie，you’llcatchachill。Dogoandliedown，’saidtheweariedvoiceofhercompanion。’Ican’tsleepawinkwithyouatthewindow。’
　　Maisieshruggedhershouldersanddidnotanswer。ShewasreflectingonthemeannessesofDick，andonothermeannesseswithwhichhehadnothingtodo。Themoonlightwouldnotlethersleep。Itlayontheskylightofthestudioacrosstheroadincoldsilver；shestaredatitintentlyandherthoughtsbegantoslideoneintotheother。Theshadowofthebigbell—handleinthewallgrewshort，lengthenedagain，andfadedoutasthemoonwentdownbehindthepastureandaharecamelimpinghomeacrosstheroad。Thenthedawn—windwashedthroughtheuplandgrasses，andbroughtcoolnesswithit，andthecattlelowedbythedrought—shrunkriver。Maisie’sheadfellforwardonthewindow—sill，andthetangleofblackhaircoveredherarms。
　　’Maisie，wakeup。You’llcatchachill。’
　　’Yes，dear；yes，dear。’Shestaggeredtoherbedlikeaweariedchild，andassheburiedherfaceinthepillowsshemuttered，’Ithink——Ithink……
　　Butheoughttohavewritten。’
　　Daybroughttheroutineofthestudio，thesmellofpaintandturpentine，andthemonotonewisdomofKami，whowasaleadenartist，butagoldenteacherifthepupilwereonlyinsympathywithhim。Maisiewasnotinsympathythatday，andshewaitedimpatientlyfortheendofthework。
　　Sheknewwhenitwascoming；forKamiwouldgatherhisblackalpacacoatintoabunchbehindhim，and，withfadedflueeyesthatsawneitherpupilsnorcanvas，lookbackintothepasttorecallthehistoryofoneBinat。’Youhavealldonenotsobadly，’hewouldsay。’Butyoushallrememberthatitisnotenoughtohavethemethod，andtheart，andthepower，noreventhatwhichistouch，butyoushallhavealsotheconvictionthatnailstheworktothewall。OfthesomanyItaught，’——herethestudentswouldbegintounfixdrawing—pinsorgettheirtubestogether，——’theverysomanythatIhavetaught，thebestwasBinat。Allthatcomesofthestudyandtheworkandtheknowledgewastohimevenwhenhecame。Afterheleftmeheshouldhavedoneallthatcouldbedonewiththecolour，theform，andtheknowledge。Only，hehadnottheconviction。Soto—dayIhearnomoreofBinat，——thebestofmypupils，——andthatislongago。Soto—day，too，youwillbegladtohearnomoreofme。Continuez，mesdemoiselles，and，aboveall，withconviction。’
　　HewentintothegardentosmokeandmournoverthelostBinatasthepupilsdispersedtotheirseveralcottagesorloiteredinthestudiotomakeplansforthecooloftheafternoon。
　　MaisielookedatherveryunhappyMelancolia，restrainedadesiretogrimacebeforeit，andwashurryingacrosstheroadtowritealettertoDick，whenshewasawareofalargemanonawhitetroop—horse。HowTorpenhowhadmanagedinthecourseoftwentyhourstofindhiswaytotheheartsofthecavalryofficersinquartersatVitry—sur—Marne，todiscusswiththemthecertaintyofagloriousrevengeforFrance，toreducethecoloneltotearsofpureaffability，andtoborrowthebesthorseinthesquadronforthejourneytoKami’sstudio，isamysterythatonlyspecialcorrespondentscanunravel。
　　’Ibegyourpardon，’saidhe。’Itseemsanabsurdquestiontoask，butthefactisthatIdon’tknowherbyanyothername：IsthereanyyoungladyherethatiscalledMaisie？’
　　’IamMaisie，’wastheanswerfromthedepthsofagreatsun—hat。
　　’Ioughttointroducemyself，’hesaid，asthehorsecaperedintheblindingwhitedust。’MynameisTorpenhow。DickHeldarismybestfriend，and——and——thefactisthathehasgoneblind。’
　　’Blind！’saidMaisie，stupidly。’Hecan’tbeblind。’
　　’Hehasbeenstone—blindfornearlytwomonths。’
　　Maisieliftedupherface，anditwaspearlywhite。’No！No！Notblind！I
　　won’thavehimblind！’
　　’Wouldyoucaretoseeforyourself？’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Now，——atonce？’
　　’Oh，no！TheParistraindoesn’tgothroughthisplacetillto—night。Therewillbeampletime。’
　　’DidMr。Heldarsendyoutome？’
　　’Certainlynot。Dickwouldn’tdothatsortofthing。He’ssittinginhisstudio，turningoversomelettersthathecan’treadbecausehe’sblind。’
　　Therewasasoundofchokingfromthesun—hat。Maisiebowedherheadandwentintothecottage，wherethered—hairedgirlwasonasofa，complainingofaheadache。
　　’Dick’sblind！’saidMaisie，takingherbreathquicklyasshesteadiedherselfagainstachair—back。’MyDick’sblind！’
　　’What？’Thegirlwasonthesofanolonger。
　　’AmanhascomefromEnglandtotellme。Hehasn’twrittentomeforsixweeks。’
　　’Areyougoingtohim？’
　　’Imustthink。’
　　’Think！IshouldgobacktoLondonandseehimandIshouldkisshiseyesandkissthemandkissthemuntiltheygotwellagain！Ifyoudon’tgoI
　　shall。Oh，whatamItalkingabout？Youwickedlittleidiot！Gotohimatonce。Go！’
　　Torpenhow’sneckwasblistering，buthepreservedasmileofinfinitepatienceasMaisie’sappearedbareheadedinthesunshine。
　　’Iamcoming，’saidshe，hereyesontheground。
　　’YouwillbeatVitryStation，then，atseventhisevening。’Thiswasanorderdeliveredbyonewhowasusedtobeingobeyed。Maisiesaidnothing，butshefeltgratefulthattherewasnochanceofdisputingwiththisbigmanwhotookeverythingforgrantedandmanagedasquealinghorsewithonehand。Shereturnedtothered—hairedgirl，whowasweepingbitterly，andbetweentears，kisses，——veryfewofthose，——menthol，packing，andaninterviewwithKami，thesultryafternoonworeaway。
　　Thoughtmightcomeafterwards。HerpresentdutywastogotoDick，——Dickwhoownedthewondrousfriendandsatinthedarkplayingwithherunopenedletters。
　　’Butwhatwillyoudo，’shesaidtohercompanion。
　　’I？Oh，Ishallstayhereand——finishyourMelancolia，’shesaid，smilingpitifully。’Writetomeafterwards。’
　　ThatnightthereranalegendthroughVitry—sur—MarneofamadEnglishman，doubtlesssufferingfromsunstroke，whohaddrunkalltheofficersofthegarrisonunderthetable，hadborrowedahorsefromthelines，andhadthenandthereeloped，aftertheEnglishcustom，withoneofthosemoremadEnglishgirlswhodrewpicturesdownthereunderthecareofthatgoodMonsieurKami。
　　’Theyareverydroll，’saidSuzannetotheconscriptinthemoonlightbythestudiowall。’Shewalkedalwayswiththosebigeyesthatsawnothing，andyetshekissesmeonbothcheeksasthoughsheweremysister，andgivesme——see——tenfrancs！’
　　Theconscriptleviedacontributiononbothgifts；forhepridedhimselfonbeingagoodsoldier。
　　TorpenhowspokeverylittletoMaisieduringthejourneytoCalais；buthewascarefultoattendtoallherwants，togetheracompartmententirelytoherself，andtoleaveheralone。Hewasamazedoftheeasewithwhichthematterhadbeenaccomplished。
　　’Thesafestthingwouldbetoletherthinkthingsout。ByDick’sshowing，——whenhewasoffhishead，——shemusthaveorderedhimaboutverythoroughly。Wonderhowshelikesbeingunderorders。’
　　Maisienevertold。Shesatintheemptycompartmentoftenwithhereyesshut，thatshemightrealisethesensationofblindness。ItwasanorderthatsheshouldreturntoLondonswiftly，andshefoundherselfatlastalmostbeginningtoenjoythesituation。Thiswasbetterthanlookingafterluggageandared—hairedfriendwhonevertookanyinterestinhersurroundings。Butthereappearedtobeafeelingintheairthatshe，Maisie，——ofallpeople，——wasindisgrace。Thereforeshejustifiedherconducttoherselfwithgreatsuccess，tillTorpenhowcameuptoheronthesteamerandwithoutprefacebegantotellthestoryofDick’sblindness，suppressingafewdetails，butdwellingatlengthonthemiseriesofdelirium。Hestoppedbeforehereachedtheend，asthoughhehadlostinterestinthesubject，andwentforwardtosmoke。Maisiewasfuriouswithhimandwithherself。
　　ShewashurriedonfromDovertoLondonalmostbeforeshecouldaskforbreakfast，and——shewaspastanyfeelingofindignationnow——wasbiddencurtlytowaitinahallatthefootofsomelead—coveredstairswhileTorpenhowwentuptomakeinquiries。Againtheknowledgethatshewasbeingtreatedlikeanaughtylittlegirlmadeherpalecheeksflame。ItwasallDick’sfaultforbeingsostupidastogoblind。
　　Torpenhowledheruptoashutdoor，whichheopenedverysoftly。Dickwassittingbythewindow，withhischinonhischest。Therewerethreeenvelopesinhishand，andheturnedthemoverandover。Thebigmanwhogaveorderswasnolongerbyherside，andthestudiodoorsnappedbehindher。
　　Dickthrustthelettersintohispocketasheheardthesound。’Hullo，Topr！Isthatyou？I’vebeensolonely。’
　　Hisvoicehadtakenthepeculiarflatnessoftheblind。Maisiepressedherselfupintoacorneroftheroom。Herheartwasbeatingfuriously，andsheputonehandonherbreasttokeepitquiet。Dickwasstaringdirectlyather，andsherealisedforthefirsttimethathewasblind。
　　Shuttinghereyesinarail—waycarriagetoopenthemwhenshepleasedwaschild’splay。Thismanwasblindthoughhiseyeswerewideopen。
　　’Torp，isthatyou？Theysaidyouwerecoming。’Dicklookedpuzzledandalittleirritatedatthesilence。
　　’No；it’sonlyme，’wastheanswer，inastrainedlittlewhisper。Maisiecouldhardlymoveherlips。
　　’H’m！’saidDick，composedly，withoutmoving。’Thisisanewphenomenon。DarknessI’mgettingusedto；butIobjecttohearingvoices。’
　　Washemad，then，aswellasblind，thathetalkedtohimself？Maisie’sheartbeatmorewildly，andshebreathedingasps。Dickroseandbegantofeelhiswayacrosstheroom，touchingeachtableandchairashepassed。Oncehecaughthisfootonarug，andswore，droppingonhiskneestofeelwhattheobstructionmightbe。MaisierememberedhimwalkingintheParkasthoughalltheearthbelongedtohim，trampingupanddownherstudiotwomonthsago，andflyingupthegangwayoftheChannelsteamer。Thebeatingofherheartwasmakinghersick，andDickwascomingnearer，guidedbythesoundofherbreathing。Sheputoutahandmechanicallytowardhimoffortodrawhimtoherself，shedidnotknowwhich。Ittouchedhischest，andhesteppedbackasthoughhehadbeenshot。
　　’It’sMaisie！’saidhe，withadrysob。’Whatareyoudoinghere？’
　　’Icame——Icame——toseeyou，please。’
　　Dick’slipsclosedfirmly。
　　’Won’tyousitdown，then？Yousee，I’vehadsomebotherwithmyeyes，and————’
　　’Iknow。Iknow。Whydidn’tyoutellme？’
　　’Icouldn’twrite。’
　　’YoumighthavetoldMr。Torpenhow。’
　　’Whathashetodowithmyaffairs？’
　　’He——hebroughtmefromVitry—sur—Marne。HethoughtIoughttoseeyou。’
　　’Why，whathashappened？CanIdoanythingforyou？No，Ican’t。Iforgot。’
　　’Oh，Dick，I’msosorry！I’vecometotellyou，and————Letmetakeyoubacktoyourchair。’
　　’Don’t！I’mnotachild。Youonlydothatoutofpity。Inevermeanttotellyouanythingaboutit。I’mnogoodnow。I’mdownanddonefor。Letmealone！’
　　Hegropedbacktohischair，hischestlabouringashesatdown。
　　Maisiewatchedhim，andthefearwentoutofherheart，tobefollowedbyaverybittershame。HehadspokenatruththathadbeenhiddenfromthegirlthrougheverystepoftheimpetuousflighttoLondon；forhewas，indeed，downanddonefor——masterfulnolongerbutratheralittleabject；
　　neitheranartiststrongerthanshe，noramantobelookedupto——onlysomeblindonethatsatinachairandseemedonthepointofcrying。Shewasimmenselyandunfeignedlysorryforhim——moresorrythanshehadeverbeenforanyoneinherlife，butnotsorryenoughtodenyhiswords。
　　Soshestoodstillandfeltashamedandalittlehurt，becauseshehadhonestlyintendedthatherjourneyshouldendtriumphantly；andnowshewasonlyfilledwithpitymoststartlinglydistinctfromlove。
　　’Well？’saidDick，hisfacesteadilyturnedaway。’Inevermeanttoworryyouanymore。What’sthematter？’
　　HewasconsciousthatMaisiewascatchingherbreath，butwasasunpreparedasherselfforthetorrentofemotionthatfollowed。Shehaddroppedintoachairandwassobbingwithherfacehiddeninherhands。
　　’Ican’t——Ican’t！’shecrieddesperately。’Indeed，Ican’t。Itisn’tmyfault。
　　I’msosorry。Oh，Dickie，I’msosorry。’
　　Dick’sshouldersstraightenedagain，forthewordslashedlikeawhip。
　　Stillthesobbingcontinued。Itisnotgoodtorealisethatyouhavefailedinthehouroftrialorflinchedbeforethemerepossibilityofmakingsacrifices。
　　’Idodespisemyself——indeedIdo。ButIcan’t。Oh，Dickie，youwouldn’taskme——wouldyou？’wailedMaisie。
　　Shelookedupforaminute，andbychanceithappenedthatDick’seyesfellonhers。Theunshavenfacewasverywhiteandset，andthelipsweretryingtoforcethemselvesintoasmile。Butitwastheworn—outeyesthatMaisiefeared。HerDickhadgoneblindandleftinhisplacesomeonethatshecouldhardlyrecognisetillhespoke。
　　’Whoisaskingyoutodoanything，Maisie？Itoldyouhowitwouldbe。
　　What’stheuseofworrying？Forpity’ssakedon’tcrylikethat；itisn’tworthit。’
　　’Youdon’tknowhowIhatemyself。Oh，Dick，helpme——helpme！’Thepassionoftearshadgrownbeyondhercontrolandwasbeginningtoalarmtheman。Hestumbledforwardandputhisarmroundher，andherheadfellonhisshoulder。
　　’Hush，dear，hush！Don’tcry。You’requiteright，andyou’venothingtoreproachyourselfwith——youneverhad。You’reonlyalittleupsetbythejourney，andIdon’tsupposeyou’vehadanybreakfast。WhatabruteTorpwastobringyouover。’
　　’Iwantedtocome。Ididindeed，’sheprotested。
　　’Verywell。Andnowyou’vecomeandseen，andI’m——immenselygrateful。
　　Whenyou’rebetteryoushallgoawayandgetsomethingtoeat。Whatsortofapassagedidyouhavecomingover？’
　　Maisiewascryingmoresubduedly，forthefirsttimeinherlifegladthatshehadsomethingtoleanagainst。Dickpattedherontheshouldertenderlybutclumsily，forhewasnotquitesurewherehershouldermightbe。
　　Shedrewherselfoutofhisarmsatlastandwaited，tremblingandmostunhappy。Hehadfelthiswaytothewindowtoputthewidthoftheroombetweenthem，andtoquietalittlethetumultinhisheart。
　　’Areyoubetternow？’hesaid。
　　’Yes，but——don’tyouhateme？’
　　’Ihateyou？MyGod！I？’
　　’Isn’t——isn’tthereanythingIcoulddoforyou，then？I’llstayhereinEnglandtodoit，ifyoulike。PerhapsIcouldcomeandseeyousometimes。’
　　’Ithinknot，dear。Itwouldbekindestnottoseemeanymore，please。I
　　don’twanttoseemrude，but——don’tyouthink——perhapsyouhadalmostbettergonow。’
　　Hewasconsciousthathecouldnotbearhimselfasamanifthestraincontinuedmuchlonger。
　　’Idon’tdeserveanythingelse。I’llgo，Dick。Oh，I’msomiserable。’
　　’Nonsense。You’venothingtoworryabout；I’dtellyouifyouhad。Waitamoment，dear。I’vegotsomethingtogiveyoufirst。Imeantitforyoueversincethislittletroublebegan。It’smyMelancolia；shewasabeautywhenIlastsawher。Youcankeepherforme，andifeveryou’repooryoucansellher。She’sworthafewhundredsatanystateofthemarket。’Hegropedamonghiscanvases。’She’sframedinblack。IsthisablackframethatIhavemyhandon？Theresheis。Whatdoyouthinkofher？’
　　HeturnedascarredformlessmuddleofpainttowardsMaisie，andtheeyesstrainedasthoughtheywouldcatchherwonderandsurprise。Onethingandonethingonlycouldshedoforhim。
　　’Well？’
　　Thevoicewasfullerandmorerounded，becausethemanknewhewasspeakingofhisbestwork。Maisielookedattheblur，andalunaticdesiretolaughcaughtherbythethroat。ButforDick’ssake——whateverthismadblanknessmightmean——shemustmakenosign。Hervoicechokedwithhard—heldtearsassheanswered，stillgazingatthewreck——
　　’Oh，Dick，itisgood！’
　　Heheardthelittlehystericalgulpandtookitfortribute。’Won’tyouhaveit，then？I’llsenditovertoyourhouseifyouwill。’
　　’I？Ohyes——thankyou。Ha！ha！’Ifshedidnotflyatoncethelaughterthatwasworsethantearswouldkillher。Sheturnedandran，chokingandblinded，downthestaircasesthatwereemptyoflifetotakerefugeinacabandgotoherhouseacrosstheParks。Thereshesatdowninthedismantleddrawing—roomandthoughtofDickinhisblindness，uselesstilltheendoflife，andofherselfinherowneyes。Behindthesorrow，theshame，andthehumiliation，layfearofthecoldwrathofthered—hairedgirlwhenMaisieshouldreturn。Maisiehadneverfearedhercompanionbefore。Notuntilshefoundherselfsaying，’Well，heneveraskedme，’didsherealiseherscornofherself。
　　AndthatistheendofMaisie。
　　******
　　ForDickwasreservedmoresearchingtorment。HecouldnotrealiseatfirstthatMaisie，whomhehadorderedtogohadlefthimwithoutawordoffarewell。HewassavagelyangryagainstTorpenhow，whohadbroughtuponhimthishumiliationandtroubledhismiserablepeace。Thenhisdarkhourcameandhewasalonewithhimselfandhisdesirestogetwhathelphecouldfromthedarkness。Thequeencoulddonowrong，butinfollowingtheright，sofarasitservedherwork，shehadwoundedheronesubjectmorethanhisownbrainwouldlethimknow。
　　’It’sallIhadandI’velostit，’hesaid，assoonasthemiserypermittedclearthinking。’AndTorpwillthinkthathehasbeensoinfernallycleverthatIshan’thavethehearttotellhim。Imustthinkthisoutquietly。’
　　’Hullo！’saidTorpenhow，enteringthestudioafterDickhadenjoyedtwohoursofthought。’I’mback。Areyoufeelinganybetter？’
　　’Torp，Idon’tknowwhattosay。Comehere。’Dickcoughedhuskily，wondering，indeed，whatheshouldsay，andhowtosayittemperately。
　　’What’stheneedforsayinganything？Getupandtramp。’Torpenhowwasperfectlysatisfied。
　　Theywalkedupanddownasofcustom，Torpenhow’shandonDick’sshoulder，andDickburiedinhisownthoughts。
　　’Howintheworlddidyoufinditallout？’saidDick，atlast。
　　’Youshouldn’tgooffyourheadifyouwanttokeepsecrets，Dickie。Itwasabsolutelyimpertinentonmypart；butifyou’dseenmerocketingaboutonahalf—trainedFrenchtroop—horseunderablazingsunyou’dhavelaughed。Therewillbeacharivariinmyroomsto—night。Sevenotherdevils————’
　　’Iknow——therowintheSouthernSoudan。Isurprisedtheircouncilstheotherday，anditmademeunhappy。Haveyoufixedyourflinttogo？
　　Whod’youworkfor？’
　　’Haven’tsignedanycontractsyet。Iwantedtoseehowyourbusinesswouldturnout。’
　　’Wouldyouhavestayedwithme，then，if——thingshadgonewrong？’Heputhisquestioncautiously。
　　’Don’taskmetoomuch。I’monlyaman。’
　　’You’vetriedtobeanangelverysuccessfully。’
　　’Ohye——es！……Well，doyouattendthefunctionto—night？Weshallbehalfscrewedbeforethemorning。Allthemenbelievethewar’sacertainty。’
　　’Idon’tthinkIwill，oldman，ifit’sallthesametoyou。I’llstayquiethere。’
　　’Andmeditate？Idon’tblameyou。Youobserveagoodtimeifeveramandid。’
　　Thatnighttherewasatumultonthestairs。Thecorrespondentspouredinfromtheatre，dinner，andmusic—halltoTorpenhow’sroomthattheymightdiscusstheirplanofcampaignintheeventofmilitaryoperationsbecomingacertainty。Torpenhow，theKeneu，，andtheNilghaihadbiddenallthementheyhadworkedwithtotheorgy；andMr。Beeton，thehousekeeper，declaredthatneverbeforeinhischeckeredexperiencehadheseenquitesuchafancylotofgentlemen。Theywakedthechamberswithshoutingsandsong；andtheeldermenwerequiteasbadastheyounger。Forthechancesofwarwereinfrontofthem，andallknewwhatthosemeant。
　　Sittinginhisownroomalittleperplexedbythenoiseacrossthelanding，Dicksuddenlybegantolaughtohimself。
　　’Whenonecomestothinkofitthesituationisintenselycomic。Maisie’squiteright——poorlittlething。Ididn’tknowshecouldcrylikethatbefore；
　　butnowIknowwhatTorpthinks，I’msurehe’dbequitefoolenoughtostayathomeandtrytoconsoleme——ifheknew。Besides，itisn’tnicetoownthatyou’vebeenthrownoverlikeabrokenchair。Imustcarrythisbusinessthroughalone——asusual。Ifthereisn’tawar，andTorpfindsout，Ishalllookfoolish，that’sall。IfthereisawayImustn’tinterferewithanotherman’schances。Businessisbusiness，andIwanttobealone——I
　　wanttobealone。Whatarowthey’remaking！’
　　Somebodyhammeredatthestudiodoor。
　　’Comeoutandfrolic，Dickie，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Ishouldliketo，butIcan’t。I’mnotfeelingfrolicsome。’
　　’Then，I’lltelltheboysandthey’lldragyoulikeabadger。’
　　’Pleasenot，oldman。Onmyword，I’dsoonerbeleftalonejustnow。’
　　’Verygood。Canwesendanythingintoyou？Fizz，forinstance。
　　CassavettiisbeginningtosingsongsoftheSunnySouthalready。’
　　ForoneminuteDickconsideredthepropositionseriously。
　　’No，thanks，I’veaheadachealready。’
　　’Virtuouschild。That’stheeffectofemotionontheyoung。Allmycongratulations，Dick。Ialsowasconcernedintheconspiracyforyourwelfare。’
　　’Gotothedevil——oh，sendBinkieinhere。’
　　Thelittledogenteredonelasticfeet，riotousfromhavingbeenmademuchofalltheevening。Hehadhelpedtosingthechoruses；butscarcelyinsidethestudioherealisedthatthiswasnoplacefortail—wagging，andsettledhimselfonDick’slaptillitwasbedtime。ThenhewenttobedwithDick，whocountedeveryhourasitstruck，androseinthemorningwithapainfullyclearheadtoreceiveTorpenhow’smoreformalcongratulationsandaparticularaccountofthelastnight’srevels。
　　’Youaren’tlookingveryhappyforanewlyacceptedman，’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Nevermindthat——it’smyownaffair，andI’mallright。Doyoureallygo？’
　　’Yes。WiththeoldCentralSouthernasusual。Theywired，andIacceptedonbettertermsthanbefore。’
　　’Whendoyoustart？’
　　’Thedayafterto—morrow——forBrindisi。’
　　’ThankGod。’Dickspokefromthebottomofhisheart。
　　’Well，that’snotaprettywayofsayingyou’regladtogetridofme。Butmeninyourconditionareallowedtobeselfish。’
　　’Ididn’tmeanthat。Willyougetahundredpoundscashedformebeforeyouleave？’
　　’That’saslenderamountforhousekeeping，isn’tit？’
　　’Oh，it’sonlyfor——marriageexpenses。’
　　Torpenhowbroughthimthemoney，counteditoutinfivesandtens，andcarefullyputitawayinthewritingtable。
　　’NowIsupposeIshallhavetolistentohisravingsabouthisgirluntilI
　　go。Heavensenduspatiencewithamaninlove！’hesaidtohimself。
　　ButneveraworddidDicksayofMaisieormarriage。HehunginthedoorwayofTorpenhow’sroomwhenthelatterwaspackingandaskedinnumerablequestionsaboutthecomingcampaign，tillTorpenhowbegantofeelannoyed。
　　’You’reasecretiveanimal，Dickie，andyouconsumeyourownsmoke，don’tyou？’hesaidonthelastevening。
　　’I——Isupposeso。Bytheway，howlongdoyouthinkthiswarwilllast？’
　　’Days，weeks，ormonths。Onecannevertell。Itmaygoonforyears。’
　　’IwishIweregoing。’
　　’GoodHeavens！You’rethemostunaccountablecreature！Hasn’titoccurredtoyouthatyou’regoingtobemarried——thankstome？’
　　’Ofcourse，yes。I’mgoingtobemarried——soIam。Goingtobemarried。
　　I’mawfullygratefultoyou。Haven’tItoldyouthat？’
　　’Youmightbegoingtobehangedbythelookofyou，’saidTorpenhow。
　　AndthenextdayTorpenhowbadehimgood—byeandlefthimtothelonelinesshehadsomuchdesired。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　Yetatthelast，ereourspearmenhadfoundhim，Yetatthelast，ereasword—thrustcouldsave，Yetatthelast，withhismastersaroundhim，HeoftheFaithspokeasmastertoslave；
　　Yetatthelast，tho’theKafirshadmaimedhim，Brokenbybondageandwreckedbythereiver，——
　　Yetatthelast，tho’thedarknesshadclaimedhim，HecalleduponAllahanddiedabeliever。
　　——Kizzilbashi。
　　’BEGyourpardon，Mr。Heldar，but——butisn’tnothin’goingtohappen？’
　　saidMr。Beeton。
　　’No！’Dickhadjustwakedtoanothermorningofblankdespairandhistemperwasoftheshortest。
　　’’Tain’tmyregularbusiness，o’course，sir；andwhatIsayis，"Mindyourownbusinessandletotherpeoplemindtheirs；"butjustbeforeMr。
　　Torpenhowwentawayhegivemetounderstand，like，thatyoumightbemovingintoahouseofyourown，sotospeak——asortofhousewithroomsupstairsanddownstairswhereyou’dbebetterattendedto，thoughItrytoactjustbyallourtenants。Don’tI？’
　　’Ah！Thatmusthavebeenamad—house。Ishan’ttroubleyoutotakemethereyet。Getmemybreakfast，please，andleavemealone。’
　　’IhopeIhaven’tdoneanythingwrong，sir，butyouknowIhopethatasfarasamancanItriestodotheproperthingbyallthegentlemeninchambers——andmoreparticularthosewhoselotishard——suchasyou，forinstance，Mr。Heldar。Youlikessoft—roebloater，don’tyou？Soft—roebloatersisscarcerthanhard—roe，butwhatIsaysis，"Nevermindalittleextratroublesolongasyougivesatisfactiontothetenants。"’
　　Mr。BeetonwithdrewandleftDicktohimself。Torpenhowhadbeenlongaway；therewasnomoreriotinginthechambers，andDickhadsettleddowntohisnewlife，whichhewasweakenoughtoconsidernothingbetterthandeath。
　　Itishardtolivealoneinthedark，confusingthedayandnight；droppingtosleepthroughsheerwearinessatmid—day，andrisingrestlessinthechillofthedawn。AtfirstDick，onhisawakenings，wouldgropealongthecorridorsofthechamberstillheheardsomeonesnore。Thenhewouldknowthatthedayhadnotyetcome，andreturnwearilytohisbedroom。
　　LaterhelearnednottostirtilltherewasanoiseandmovementinthehouseandMr。Beetonadvisedhimtogetup。Oncedressed——anddressing，nowthatTorpenhowwasaway，wasalengthybusiness，becausecollars，ties，andthelikehidthemselvesinfarcornersoftheroom，andsearchmeanthead—beatingagainstchairsandtrunks——oncedressed，therewasnothingwhatevertodoexcepttositstillandbroodtillthethreedailymealscame。Centuriesseparatedbreakfastfromlunchandlunchfromdinner，andthoughamanprayedforhundredsofyearsthathismindmightbetakenfromhim，Godwouldneverhear。Ratherthemindwasquickenedandtherevolvingthoughtsgroundagainsteachotherasmillstonesgrindwhenthereisnocornbetween；andyetthebrainwouldnotwearoutandgivehimrest。Itcontinuedtothink，atlength，withimageryandallmannerofreminiscences。ItrecalledMaisieandpastsuccess，recklesstravelsbylandandsea，thegloryofdoingworkandfeelingthatitwasgood，andsuggestedallthatmighthavehappenedhadtheeyesonlybeenfaithfultotheirduty。Whenthinkingceasedthroughsheerweariness，therepouredintoDick’ssoultideontideofoverwhelming，purposelessfear——dreadofstarvationalways，terrorlesttheunseenceilingshouldcrushdownuponhim，fearoffireinthechambersandalouse’sdeathinredflame，andagoniesoffiercerhorrorthathadnothingtodowithanyfearofdeath。ThenDickbowedhishead，andclutchingthearmsofhischairfoughtwithhissweatingselftillthetinkleofplatestoldhimthatsomethingtoeatwasbeingsetbeforehim。
　　Mr。Beetonwouldbringthemealwhenhehadtimetospare，andDicklearnedtohanguponhisspeech，whichdealtwithbadlyfittedgas—plugs，waste—pipesoutofrepair，littletricksfordrivingpicture—nailsintowalls，andthesinsofthecharwomanorthehousemaids。Inthelackofbetterthingsthesmallgossipofaservant’’hallbecomesimmenselyinteresting，andthescrewingofawasheronatapaneventtobetalkedoverfordays。
　　Onceortwiceaweek，too，Mr。BeetonwouldtakeDickoutwithhimwhenhewentmarketinginthemorningtohagglewithtradesmenoverfish，lamp—wicks，mustard，tapioca，andsoforth，whileDickrestedhisweightfirstononefootandthenontheotherandplayedaimlesslywiththetinsandstring—ballonthecounter。ThentheywouldperhapsmeetoneofMr。Beeton’sfriends，andDick，standingasidealittle，wouldholdhispeacetillMr。Beetonwaswillingtogoonagain。
　　Thelifedidnotincreasehisself—respect。Heabandonedshavingasadangerousexercise，andbeingshavedinabarber’sshopmeantexposureofhisinfirmity。Hecouldnotseethathisclotheswereproperlybrushed，andsincehehadnevertakenanycareofhispersonalappearancehebecameeveryknownvarietyofsloven。Ablindmancannotdealwithcleanlinesstillhehasbeensomemonthsusedtothedarkness。Ifhedemandattendanceandgrowangryatthewantofit，hemustasserthimselfandstandupright。Thenthemeanestmenialcanseethatheisblindand，therefore，ofnoconsequence。Awisemanwillkeephiseyesonthefloorandsitstill。Foramusementhemaypickcoallumpbylumpoutofthescuttlewiththetongsandpileitinalittleheapinthefender，keepingcountofthelumps，whichmustallbeputbackagain，onebyoneandverycarefully。Hemaysethimselfsumsifhecarestoworkthemout；hemaytalktohimselfortothecatifshechoosestovisithim；andifhistradehasbeenthatofanartist，hemaysketchintheairwithhisforefinger；butthatistoomuchlikedrawingapigwiththeeyesshut。Hemaygotohisbookshelvesandcounthisbooks，rangingtheminorderoftheirsize；ortohiswardrobeandcounthisshirts，layingtheminpilesoftwoorthreeonthebed，astheysufferfromfrayedcuffsorlostbuttons。
　　Eventhisentertainmentweariesafteratime；andallthetimesarevery，verylong。
　　Dickwasallowedtosortatool—chestwhereMr。Beetonkepthammers，tapsandnuts，lengthsofgas—pipes，oil—bottles，andstring。
　　’IfIdon’thaveeverythingjustwhereIknowwheretolookforit，why，then，Ican’tfindanythingwhenIdowantit。You’venoidea，sir，theamountoflittlethingsthatthesechambersusesup，’saidMr。Beeton。
　　Fumblingatthehandleofthedoorashewentout：’It’shardonyou，sir，Idothinkit’shardonyou。Ain’tyougoingtodoanything，sir？’
　　’I’llpaymyrentandmessing。Isn’tthatenough？’
　　’Iwasn’tdoubtingforamomentthatyoucouldn’tpayyourway，sir；butI’aveoftensaidtomywife，"It’s’ardon’imbecauseitisn’tasifhewasanoldman，noryetamiddle—agedone，butquiteayounggentleman。
　　That’swhereitcomesso’ard。"’
　　’Isupposeso，’saidDick，absently。Thisparticularnervethroughlongbatteringhadceasedtofeel——much。
　　’Iwasthinking，’continuedMr。Beeton，stillmakingasiftogo，’thatyoumightliketohearmyboyAlfreadyouthepaperssometimesofanevening。Hedoreadbeautiful，seeinghe’sonlynine。’
　　’Ishouldbeverygrateful，’saidDick。’Onlyletmemakeitworthhiswhile。’
　　’Wewasn’tthinkingofthat，sir，butofcourseit’sinyourown’ands；butonlyto’earAlfsing"ABoy’sbestFriendis’isMother！"Ah！’
　　’I’llhearhimsingthattoo。Lethimcomethiseveningwiththenewspapers。’
　　Alfwasnotanicechild，beingpuffedupwithmanyschool—boardcertificatesforgoodconduct，andinordinatelyproudofhissinging。Mr。
　　Beetonremained，beaming，whilethechildwailedhiswaythroughasongofsomeeighteight—lineversesintheusualwhineofayoungCockney，and，aftercompliments，lefthimtoreadDicktheforeigntelegrams。TenminuteslaterAlfreturnedtohisparentsratherpaleandscared。
　　’’Esaid’ecouldn’tstanditnomore，’heexplained。
　　’Heneversaidyoureadbadly，Alf？’Mrs。Beetonspoke。
　　’No。’EsaidIreadbeautiful。Said’enever’eardanyonereadlikethat，but’esaid’ecouldn’tabidethestuffinthepapers。’
　　’P’rapshe’slostsomemoneyintheStocks。Wereyoureadin’himaboutStocks，Alf？’
　　’No；itwasallaboutfightin’outtherewherethesoldiersisgone——agreatlongpiecewithallthelinesclosetogetherandveryhardwordsinit。’E
　　giveme’arfacrownbecauseIreadsowell。And’esaysthenexttimethere’sanything’ewantsread’e’llsendforme。’
　　’That’sgoodhearing，butIdothinkforallthehalf—crown——putitintothekicking—donkeymoney—box，Alf，andletmeseeyoudoit——hemighthavekeptyoulonger。Why，hecouldn’thavebeguntounderstandhowbeautifulyouread。’
　　’He’sbestlefttohisself——gentlemenalwaysarewhenthey’redownhearted，’saidMr。Beeton。
　　Alf’srigorouslylimitedpowersofcomprehendingTorpenhow’sspecialcorrespondencehadwakedthedevilofunrestinDick。Hecouldhear，throughtheboy’snasalchant，thecamelsgruntinginthesquaresbehindthesoldiersoutsideSuakin；couldhearthemenswearingandchaffingacrossthecookingpots，andcouldsmelltheacridwood—smokeasitdriftedovercampbeforethewindofthedesert。
　　ThatnightheprayedtoGodthathismindmightbetakenfromhim，offeringforproofthathewasworthyofthisfavourthefactthathehadnotshothimselflongago。Thatprayerwasnotanswered，andindeedDickknewinhisheartofheartsthatonlyalingeringsenseofhumourandnospecialvirtuehadkepthimalive。Suicide，hehadpersuadedhimself，wouldbealudicrousinsulttothegravityofthesituationaswellasaweak—kneedconfessionoffear。
　　’Justforthefunofthething，’hesaidtothecat，whohadtakenBinkie’splaceinhisestablishment，’Ishouldliketoknowhowlongthisisgoingtolast。IcanliveforayearonthehundredpoundsTorpcashedforme。I
　　musthavetwoorthreethousandatleastintheBank——twentyorthirtyyearsmoreprovidedfor，thatistosay。ThenIfallbackonmyhundredandtwentyayear，whichwillbemorebythattime。Let’sconsider。
　　Twenty—five——thirty—five——aman’sinhisprimethen，theysay——forty—five——amiddle—agedmanjustenteringpolitics——fifty—five——"diedatthecomparativelyearlyageoffifty—five，"accordingtothenewspapers。Bah！HowtheseChristiansfunkdeath！Sixty—five——we’reonlygettingoninyears。Seventy—fiveisjustpossible，though。Greathell，catO！fiftyyearsmoreofsolitaryconfinementinthedark！You’lldie，andBeetonwilldie，andTorpwilldie，andMai——everybodyelsewilldie，butIshallbealiveandkickingwithnothingtodo。I’mverysorryformyself。Ishouldlikesomeoneelsetobesorryforme。EvidentlyI’mnotgoingmabeforeIdie，butthepain’sjustasbadasever。Somedaywhenyou’revivisected，catO！they’lltieyoudownonalittletableandcutyouopen——butdon’tbeafraid；they’lltakepreciousgoodcarethatyoudon’tdie。You’lllive，andyou’llbeverysorrythenthatyouweren’tsorryforme。PerhapsTorpwillcomebackor……IwishIcouldgotoTorpandtheNilghai，eventhoughIwereintheirway。’
　　Pussylefttheroombeforethespeechwasended，andAlf，asheentered，foundDickaddressingtheemptyhearth—rug。
　　’There’saletterforyou，sir，’hesaid。’Perhapsyou’dlikemetoreadit。’
　　’LendittomeforaminuteandI’lltellyou。’
　　Theoutstretchedhandshookjustalittleandthevoicewasnotover—steady。Itwaswithinthelimitsofhumanpossibilitythat——thatwasnoletterfromMaisie。Heknewtheheftofthreeclosedenvelopesonlytoowell。Itwasafoolishhopethatthegirlshouldwritetohim，forhedidnotrealisethatthereisawrongwhichadmitsofnoreparationthoughtheevildoermaywithtearsandtheheart’sbestlovestrivetomendall。Itisbesttoforgetthatwrongwhetheritbecausedorendured，sinceitisasremedilessasbadworkonceputforward。
　　’Readit，then，’saidDick，andAlfbeganintoningaccordingtotherulesoftheBoardSchool——
　　’"Icouldhavegivenyoulove，Icouldhavegivenyouloyalty，suchasyouneverdreamedof。DoyousupposeIcaredwhatyouwere？Butyouchosetowhistleeverythingdownthewindfornothing。Myonlyexcuseforyouisthatyouaresoyoung。"
　　’That’sall，’hesaid，returningthepapertobedroppedintothefire。
　　’Whatwasintheletter？’askedMrs。Beeton，whenAlfreturned。
　　’Idon’tknow。Ithinkitwasacircularoratractaboutnotwhistlin’ateverythingwhenyou’reyoung。’
　　’ImusthavesteppedonsomethingwhenIwasaliveandwalkingaboutandithasbouncedupandhitme。Godhelpit，whateveritis——unlessitwasallajoke。ButIdon’tknowanyonewho’dtakethetroubletoplayajokeonme……Loveandloyaltyfornothing。Itsoundstemptingenough。
　　IwonderwhetherIhavelostanythingreally？’
　　Dickconsideredforalongtimebutcouldnotrememberwhenorhowhehadputhimselfinthewayofwinningthesetriflesatawoman’shands。
　　Still，theletterastouchingonmattersthathepreferrednottothinkaboutstunghimintoafitoffrenzythatlastedforadayandnight。Whenhisheartwassofullofdespairthatitwouldholdnomore，bodyandsoultogetherseemedtobedroppingwithoutcheckthroughthedarkness。
　　Thencamefearofdarknessanddesperateattemptstoreachthelightagain。Buttherewasnolighttobereached。Whenthatagonyhadlefthimsweatingandbreathless，thedownwardflightwouldrecommencetillthegatheringtortureofitspurredhimintoanotherfightashopelessasthefirst。Followedsomefewminutesofsleepinwhichhedreamedthathesaw。ThentheprocessionofeventswouldrepeatitselftillhewasutterlywornoutandthebraintookupitseverlastingconsiderationofMaisieandmight—have—beens。
　　AttheendofeverythingMr。Beetoncametohisroomandvolunteeredtotakehimout。’Notmarketingthistime，butwe’llgointotheParksifyoulike。’
　　’BedamnedifIdo，’quothDick。’Keeptothestreetsandwalkupanddown。Iliketohearthepeopleroundme。’
　　Thiswasnotaltogethertrue。Theblindinthefirststagesoftheirinfirmitydislikethosewhocanmovewithafreestrideandunliftedarms——butDickhadnoearthlydesiretogototheParks。OnceandonlyoncesinceMaisiehadshutherdoorhehadgonethereunderAlf’scharge。AlfforgothimandfishedforminnowsintheSerpentinewithsomecompanions。Afterhalfanhour’swaitingDick，almostweepingwithrageandwrath，caughtapasser—by，whointroducedhimtoafriendlypoliceman，wholedhimtoafour—wheeleroppositetheAlbertHall。HenevertoldMr。BeetonofAlf’sforgetfulness，but……thiswasnotthemannerinwhichhewasusedtowalktheParksaforetime。
　　’Whatstreetswouldyouliketowalkdown，then？’saidMr。Beeton，sympathetically。HisownideasofariotousholidaymeantpicnickingonthegrassofGreenParkwithhisfamily，andhalfadozenpaperbagsfulloffood。
　　’Keeptotheriver，’saidDick，andtheykepttotheriver，andtherushofitwasinhisearstilltheycametoBlackfriarsBridgeandstruckthenceontotheWaterlooRoad，Mr。Beetonexplainingthebeautiesofthesceneryashewenton。
　　’Andwalkingontheothersideofthepavement，’saidhe，’unlessI’mmuchmistaken，istheyoungwomanthatusedtocometoyourroomstobedrawed。IneverforgetsafaceandIneverremembersaname，exceptpayingtenants，o’course！’
　　’Stopher，’saidDick。’It’sBessieBroke。TellherI’dliketospeaktoheragain。Quick，man！’
　　Mr。BeetoncrossedtheroadunderthenosesoftheomnibusesandarrestedBessiethenonherwaynorthward。SherecognisedhimasthemaninauthoritywhousedtoglareatherwhenshepassedupDick’sstaircase，andherfirstimpulsewastorun。
　　’Wasn’tyouMr。Heldar’smodel？’saidMr。Beeton，plantinghimselfinfrontofher。’Youwas。He’sontheothersideoftheroadandhe’dliketoseeyou。’
　　’Why？’saidBessie，faintly。Sheremembered——indeedhadneverforlongforgotten——anaffairconnectedwithanewlyfinishedpicture。
　　’Becausehehasaskedmetodoso，andbecausehe’smostparticularblind。’
　　’Drunk？’
　　’No。’Orspitalblind。Hecan’tsee。That’shimoverthere。’
　　DickwasleaningagainsttheparapetofthebridgeasMr。Beetonpointedhimout——astub—bearded，bowedcreaturewearingadirtymagenta—colouredneckclothoutsideanunbrushedcoat。Therewasnothingtofearfromsuchanone。Evenifhechasedher，Bessiethought，hecouldnotfollowfar。Shecrossedover，andDick’sfacelightedup。Itwaslongsinceawomanofanykindhadtakenthetroubletospeaktohim。
　　’Ihopeyou’rewell，Mr。Heldar？’saidBessie，alittlepuzzled。Mr。Beetonstoodbywiththeairofanambassadorandbreathedresponsibly。
　　’I’mverywellindeed，and，byJove！I’mgladtosee——hearyou，Imean，Bess。Youneverthoughtitworthwhiletoturnupandseeusagainafteryougotyourmoney。Idon’tknowwhyyoushould。Areyougoinganywhereinparticularjustnow？’
　　’Iwasgoingforawalk，’saidBessie。
　　’Nottheoldbusiness？’Dickspokeunderhisbreath。
　　’Lor，no！Ipaidmypremium’——Bessiewasveryproudofthatword——’forabarmaid，sleepingin，andI’matthebarnowquiterespectable。IndeedI
　　am。’
　　Mr。Beetonhadnospecialreasontobelieveintheloftinessofhumannature。Thereforehedissolvedhimselflikeamistandreturnedtohisgas—plugswithoutawordofapology。Bessiewatchedtheflightwithacertainuneasiness；butsolongasDickappearedtobeignorantoftheharmthathadbeendonetohim……
　　’It’shardworkpullingthebeer—handles，’shewenton，’andthey’vegotoneofthempenny—in—the—slotcash—machines，soifyougetwrongbyapennyattheendoftheday——butthenIdon’tbelievethemachineryisright。Doyou？’
　　’I’veonlyseenitwork。Mr。Beeton。’
　　’He’sgone。
　　’I’mafraidImustaskyoutohelpmehome，then。I’llmakeitworthyourwhile。Yousee。’ThesightlesseyesturnedtowardsherandBessiesaw。
　　’Itisn’ttakingyououtofyourway？’hesaidhesitatingly。’Icanaskapolicemanifitis。’
　　’Notatall。IcomeonatsevenandI’moffatfour。That’seasyhours。’
　　’GoodGod！——butI’monallthetime。IwishIhadsomeworktodotoo。
　　Let’sgohome，Bess。’
　　Heturnedandcannonedintoamanonthesidewalk，recoilingwithanoath。Bessietookhisarmandsaidnothing——asshehadsaidnothingwhenhehadorderedhertoturnherfacealittlemoretothelight。Theywalkedforsometimeinsilence，thegirlsteeringhimdeftlythroughthecrowd。
　　’Andwhere’s——where’sMr。Torpenhow？’sheinquiredatlast。
　　’Hehasgoneawaytothedesert。’
　　’Where’sthat？’
　　Dickpointedtotheright。’East——outofthemouthoftheriver，’saidhe。
　　’Thenwest，thensouth，andtheneastagain，allalongtheunder—sideofEurope。Thensouthagain，Godknowshowfar。’TheexplanationdidnotenlightenBessieintheleast，butsheheldhertongueandlookedtoDick’spatchtilltheycametothechambers。
　　’We’llhaveteaandmuffins，’hesaidjoyously。’Ican’ttellyou，Bessie，howgladIamtofindyouagain。Whatmadeyougoawaysosuddenly？’
　　’Ididn’tthinkyou’dwantmeanymore，’shesaid，emboldenedbyhisignorance。
　　’Ididn’t，asamatteroffact——butafterwards——AtanyrateI’mgladyou’vecome。Youknowthestairs。’
　　SoBessieledhimhometohisownplace——therewasnoonetohinder——andshutthedoorofthestudio。
　　’Whatamess！’washerfirstword。’Allthesethingshaven’tbeenlookedafterformonthsandmonths。’
　　’No，onlyweeks，Bess。Youcan’texpectthemtocare。’
　　’Idon’tknowwhatyouexpectthemtodo。Theyoughttoknowwhatyou’vepaidthemfor。Thedust’sjustawful。It’sallovertheeasel。’
　　’Idon’tuseitmuchnow。’
　　’Alloverthepicturesandthefloor，andalloveryourcoat。I’dliketospeaktothemhousemaids。’
　　’Ringfortea，then。’Dickfelthiswaytotheonechairheusedbycustom。
　　Bessiesawtheactionand，asfarasinherlay，wastouched。Butthereremainedalwaysakeensenseofnew—foundsuperiority，anditwasinhervoicewhenshespoke。
　　’Howlonghaveyoubeenlikethis？’shesaidwrathfully，asthoughtheblindnessweresomefaultofthehousemaids。
　　’How？’
　　’Asyouare。’
　　’Thedayafteryouwentawaywiththecheck，almostassoonasmypicturewasfinished；Ihardlysawheralive。’
　　’Thenthey’vebeencheatingyoueversince，that’sall。Iknowtheirnicelittleways。’
　　Awomanmayloveonemananddespiseanother，butongeneralfeminineprinciplesshewilldoherbesttosavethemanshedespisesfrombeingdefrauded。Herlovedonecanlooktohimself，buttheotherman，beingobviouslyanidiot，needsprotection。
　　’Idon’tthinkMr。Beetoncheatsmuch，’saidDick。Bessiewasflouncingupanddowntheroom，andhewasconsciousofakeensenseofenjoymentasheheardtheswishofherskirtsandthelightstepbetween。
　　’Teaandmuffins，’shesaidshortly，whentheringatthebellwasanswered；’twoteaspoonfulsandoneoverforthepot。Idon’twanttheoldteapotthatwasherewhenIusedtocome。Itdon’tdraw。Getanother。’
　　Thehousemaidwentawayscandalised，andDickchuckled。ThenhebegantocoughasBessiebangedupanddownthestudiodisturbingthedust。
　　’Whatareyoutryingtodo？’
　　’Putthingsstraight。Thisislikeunfurnishedlodgings。Howcouldyouletitgoso？’
　　’HowcouldIhelpit？Dustaway。’
　　Shedustedfuriously，andinthemidstofallthepotherenteredMrs。
　　Beeton。Herhusbandonhisreturnhadexplainedthesituation，windingupwiththepeculiarlyfelicitousproverb，’Dountoothersasyouwouldbedoneby。’Shehaddescendedtoputintoherplacethepersonwhodemandedmuffinsandanuncrackedteapotasthoughshehadarighttoboth。
　　’Muffinsreadyyet？’saidBess，stilldusting。Shewasnolongeradrabofthestreetsbutayoungladywho，thankstoDick’scheck，hadpaidherpremiumandwasentitledtopullbeer—handleswiththebest。BeingneatlydressedinblackshedidnothesitatetofaceMrs。Beeton，andtherepassedbetweenthetwowomencertainregardsthatDickwouldhaveappreciated。Thesituationadjusteditselfbyeye。Bessiehadwon，andMrs。Beetonreturnedtocookmuffinsandmakescathingremarksaboutmodels，hussies，trollops，andthelike，toherhusband。
　　’There’snothingtobegotofinterferingwithhim，Liza，’hesaid。’Alf，yougoalongintothestreettoplay。Whenheisn’tcrossedhe’saskindlyaskind，butwhenhe’scrossedhe’sthedevilandall。Wetooktoomanylittlethingsoutofhisroomssincehewasblindtobethatparticularaboutwhathedoes。Theyain’tnoobjectstoablindman，ofcourse，butifitwastocomeintocourtwe’dgetthesack。Yes，IdidintroducehimtothatgirlbecauseI’mafeelin’manmyself。’
　　’Muchtoofeelin’！’Mrs。Beetonslappedthemuffinsintothedish，andthoughtofcomelyhousemaidslongsincedismissedonsuspicion。
　　’Iain’tashamedofit，anditisn’tforustojudgehimhardsolongashepaysquietandregularashedo。Iknowhowtomanageyounggentlemen，youknowhowtocookforthem，andwhatIsaysis，leteachsticktohisownbusinessandthentherewon’tbeanytrouble。Takethemmuffinsdown，Liza，andbesureyouhavenowordswiththatyoungwoman。Hislotiscruelhard，andifhe’scrossedhedoswearworsethananyoneI’veeverserved。’
　　’That’salittlebetter，’saidBessie，sittingdowntothetea。’Youneedn’twait，thankyou，Mrs。Beeton。’
　　’Ihadnointentionofdoingsuch，Idoassureyou。’
　　Bessiemadenoanswerwhatever。This，sheknew，wasthewayinwhichrealladiesroutedtheirfoes，andwhenoneisabarmaidatafirst—classpublic—houseonemaybecomearealladyattenminutes’notice。
　　HereyesfellonDickoppositeherandshewasbothshockedanddispleased。Thereweredroppingsoffoodalldownthefrontofhiscoat；
　　themouthundertheraggedill—grownbearddroopedsullenly；theforeheadwaslinedandcontracted；andontheleantemplesthehairwasadustyindeterminatecolourthatmightormightnothavebeencalledgray。Theuttermiseryandself—abandonmentofthemanappealedtoher，andatthebottomofherheartlaythewickedfeelingthathewashumbledandbroughtlowwhohadoncehumbledher。
　　’Oh！itisgoodtohearyoumovingabout，’saidDick，rubbinghishands。
　　’Tellusallaboutyourbarsuccesses，Bessie，andthewayyoulivenow。’
　　’Nevermindthat。I’mquiterespectable，asyou’dseebylookingatme。
　　Youdon’tseemtolivetoowell。Whatmadeyougoblindthatsudden？
　　Whyisn’tthereanyonetolookafteryou？’
　　Dickwastoothankfulforthesoundofhervoicetoresentthetoneofit。
　　’Iwascutacrosstheheadalongtimeago，andthatruinedmyeyes。I
　　don’tsupposeanybodythinksitworthwhiletolookaftermeanymore。
　　Whyshouldthey？——andMr。BeetonreallydoeseverythingIwant。’
　　’Don’tyouknowanygentlemenandladies，then，whileyouwas——well？’
　　’Afew，butIdon’tcaretohavethemlookingatme。’
　　’Isupposethat’swhyyou’vegrowedabeard。Takeitoff，itdon’tbecomeyou。’
　　’Goodgracious，child，doyouimaginethatIthinkofwhatbecomesofmethesedays？’
　　’Youought。GetthattakenoffbeforeIcomehereagain。IsupposeIcancome，can’tI？’
　　’I’dbeonlytoogratefulifyoudid。Idon’tthinkItreatedyouverywellintheolddays。Iusedtomakeyouangry。’
　　’Veryangry，youdid。’
　　’I’msorryforit，then。Comeandseemewhenyoucanandasoftenasyoucan。Godknows，thereisn’tasoulintheworldtotakethattroubleexceptyouandMr。Beeton。’
　　’Alotoftroublehe’stakingandshetoo。’Thiswithatossofthehead。
　　’They’veletyoudoanyhowandtheyhaven’tdoneanythingforyou。I’veonlytolookandseethatmuch。I’llcome，andI’llbegladtocome，butyoumustgoandbeshaved，andyoumustgetsomeotherclothes——thoseonesaren’tfittobeseen。’
　　’Ihaveheapssomewhere，’hesaidhelplessly。
　　’Iknowyouhave。TellMr。BeetontogiveyouanewsuitandI’llbrushitandkeepitclean。Youmaybeasblindasabarn—door，Mr。Heldar，butitdoesn’texcuseyoulookinglikeasweep。’
　　’DoIlooklikeasweep，then？’
　　’Oh，I’msorryforyou。I’mthatsorryforyou！’shecriedimpulsively，andtookDick’shands。Mechanically，heloweredhisheadasiftokiss——shewastheonlywomanwhohadtakenpityonhim，andhewasnottooproudforalittlepitynow。Shestooduptogo。
　　’Nothingo’thatkindtillyoulookmorelikeagentleman。It’squiteeasywhenyougetshaved，andsomeclothes。’
　　Hecouldhearherdrawingonherglovesandrosetosaygood—bye。Shepassedbehindhim，kissedhimaudaciouslyonthebackoftheneck，andranawayasswiftlyasonthedaywhenshehaddestroyedtheMelancolia。
　　’TothinkofmekissingMr。Heldar，’shesaidtoherself，’afterallhe’sdonetomeandall！Well，I’msorryforhim，andifhewasshavedhewouldn’tbesobadtolookat，but……OhthemBeetons，howshamefulthey’vetreatedhim！IknowBeeton’swearinghisshirtonhisbackto—dayjustaswellasifI’dairedit。To—morrow，I’llsee……Iwonderifhehasmuchofhisown。Itmightbeworthmorethanthebar——Iwouldn’thavetodoanywork——andjustasrespectableasifnooneknew。’
　　DickwasnotgratefultoBessieforherpartinggift。Hewasacutelyconsciousofitinthenapeofhisneckthroughoutthenight，butitseemed，amongverymanyotherthings，toenforcethewisdomofgettingshaved。
　　Hewasshavedaccordinglyinthemorning，andfeltthebetterforit。A
　　freshsuitofclothes，whitelinen，andtheknowledgethatsomeoneintheworldsaidthatshetookaninterestinhispersonalappearancemadehimcarryhimselfalmostupright；forthebrainwasrelievedforawhilefromthinkingofMaisie，who，underothercircumstances，mighthavegiventhatkissandamillionothers。
　　’Letusconsider，’saidhe，afterlunch。’Thegirlcan’tcare，andit’satoss—upwhethershecomesagainornot，butifmoneycanbuyhertolookaftermesheshallbebought。Nobodyelseintheworldwouldtakethetrouble，andIcanmakeitworthherwhile。She’sachildofthegutterholdingbrevetrankasabarmaid；sosheshallhaveeverythingshewantsifshe’llonlycomeandtalkandlookafterme。’Herubbedhisnewlyshornchinandbegantoperplexhimselfwiththethoughtofhernotcoming。’IsupposeIdidlookratherasweep，’hewenton。’Ihadnoreasontolookotherwise。Iknewthingsdroppedonmyclothes，butitdidn’tmatter。Itwouldbecruelifshedidn’tcome。Shemust。Maisiecameonce，andthatwasenoughforher。Shewasquiteright。Shehadsomethingtoworkfor。Thiscreaturehasonlybeer—handlestopull，unlessshehasdeludedsomeyoungmanintokeepingcompanywithher。
　　Fancybeingcheatedforthesakeofacounter—jumper！We’refallingprettylow。’
　　Somethingcriedaloudwithinhim：——Thiswillhurtmorethananythingthathasgonebefore。Itwillrecallandremindandsuggestandtantalise，andintheenddriveyoumad。
　　’Iknowit，Iknowit！’Dickcried，clenchinghishandsdespairingly；’but，goodheavens！isapoorblindbeggarnevertogetanythingoutofhislifeexceptthreemealsadayandagreasywaistcoat？Iwishshe’dcome。’
　　Earlyintheafternoontimeshecame，becausetherewasnoyoungmaninherlifejustthen，andshethoughtofmaterialadvantageswhichwouldallowhertobeidlefortherestofherdays。
　　’Ishouldn’thaveknownyou，’shesaidapprovingly。’Youlookasyouusedtolook——agentlemanthatwasproudofhimself。’
　　’Don’tyouthinkIdeserveanotherkiss，then？’saidDick，flushingalittle。
　　’Maybe——butyouwon’tgetityet。Sitdownandlet’sseewhatIcandoforyou。I’mcertainsureMr。Beetoncheatsyou，nowthatyoucan’tgothroughthehousekeepingbookseverymonth。Isn’tthattrue？’
　　’You’dbettercomeandhousekeepformethen，Bessie。’
　　’Couldn’tdoitinthesechambers——youknowthataswellasIdo。’
　　’Iknow，butwemightgosomewhereelse，ifyouthoughtitworthyourwhile。’
　　’I’dtrytolookafteryou，anyhow；butIshouldn’tcaretohavetoworkforbothofus。’Thiswastentative。
　　Dicklaughed。