’Don’t，’saidJohnny，recoilingintruthfromthepicturebywhichhewasrevolted。’Neveragain，’shesaid，’neveragain！Butyouforceditfromme，andnowIshallnotclosemyeyesforaweek。’
　　Shethenbecameverycomfortablyconfidential，anddiscussedtheaffairsofpoorMrsDobbsBroughtonwithagreatdealofsatisfaction。’Iwenttoseeher，ofcourse，butshesentmedownwordtosaythattheshockwouldbetoomuchforher。Idonotwonderthatsheshouldnotseeme。
　　PoorMaria！Shecametomeforadvice，youknow，whenDobbsBroughtonfirstproposedtoher；andIwasobligedtotellherwhatIreallythought。Iknewhercharacterwell？"DearMaria，"Isaid，"ifyouthinkthatyoucanlovehim，takehim！""IthinkIcan，"shereplied。"But，"
　　saidI，"makeyourselfquitesureaboutthebusiness。"Andhowhasitturnedout？Sheneverlovedhim。WhatheartshehasshehasgiventothatwretchedDalrymple。’
　　’Idon’tseethatheisparticularlywretched，’saidJohnny，pleadingforhisfriend。
　　’Heiswretched，andsoyou’llfind。ShegavehimherheartaftergivingherhandtopoorDobbs；andasforthebusiness，thereisn’tasmuchleftaswillpayforhermourning。Idon’twonderthatshecouldnotbringherselftoseeme。’
　　’Andwhathasbecomeofthebusiness？’
　　’ItbelongstoMrsVanSiever——toherandMusselboro。PoorBroughtonhadsomelittlemoney，andithasgoneamongthem。Musselboro，whoneverhadapenny，willbearichman。OfcourseyouknowthatheisgoingtomarryClara？’
　　’Nonsense！’
　　’Ialwaystoldyouthatitwouldbeso。AndnowyoumayperhapsacknowledgethatConwayDalrymple’sprospectsarenotverybrilliant。I
　　hopehelikesbeingcutoutbyMrMusselboro！OfcoursehewillhavetomarryMaria。Idonotseehowhecanescape。Indeed，sheistoogoodforhim；——onlyaftersuchamarriageasthat，therewouldbeanendtoallhisprospectsasanartist。ThebestthingforthemwouldbetogotoNewZealand。’
　　JohnEamescertainlylikedtheseeveningswithMissDemolines。Hesatathiseaseinacomfortablechair，andamusedhimselfbywatchingherdifferentlittleplots。Andthenshehadbrighteyes，andsheflatteredhim，andallowedhimtoscoldheroccasionally。Andnowandagaintheremightbesomemoreattraction，whenshewouldadmithimtotakeherhand——orthelike。Itwasbetterthantositsmokingwithmenathisclub。ButhecouldnotsitupallnightevenwithMadalinaDemolines，andatelevenhegotuptotakehisleave。’WhenshallyouseeMissDale？’sheaskedhimsuddenly。
　　’Idonotknow，’heanswered，frowningather。HealwaysfrownedatherwhenshespoketohimofMissDale。
　　’Idonotintheleastcareforyourfrowns，’shesaidplayfully，puttingupherhandstosmoothhisbrows。’IthinkIknowyouintimatelyenoughtonameyourgoddesstoyou。’
　　’Sheisn’tmygoddess。’
　　’Averycoldgoddess，Ishouldthink，fromwhatIhear。Iwishtoaskyouforapromiserespectingher。’
　　’Whatpromise？’
　　’Willyougrantittome？’
　　’HowcanItelltillIhear？’
　　’Youmustpromisemenottospeakofmewhenyouseeher。’
　　’ButwhymustIpromisethat？’
　　’Promiseme。’
　　’Notunlessyoutellmewhy。’JohnnyhadalreadyassuredhimselfthatnothingcouldbemoreimprobablethanthatheshouldmentionthenameofMissDemolinestoLilyDale。
　　’Verywell，sir。Thenyoumaygo。AndImustsaythatunlessyoucancomplywithsoslightarequestasthat，Ishallnotcaretoseeyouhereagain。MrEames，whyshouldyouwanttospeakevilofmetoMissDale？’
　　’Idonotwanttospeakevilofyou。’
　　’Iknowthatyoucouldnotspeakofmetoherwithoutatleastridicule。
　　Come，promiseme。YoushallcomehereThursdayevening，andIwilltellyouwhyIhaveaskedyou。’
　　’Tellmenow。’
　　Shehesitatedamoment，andthenshookherhead。’No。Icannottellyounow。Myheartisstillbleedingwiththememoryofthatpoorman’sface。Iwillnottellyounow。Andyetisnotthatyoumustgivemethepromise。Willyounottrustmesofarasthat？’
　　’IwillnotspeakofyoutoMissDale。’
　　’Thereismyownfriend！Andnow，John，mindyouarehereathalf—pasteightonThursday。Punctuallyathalf—pasteight。ThereisathingI
　　havetotellyou，whichIwilltellyouthenifyouwillcome。Ihadthoughttohavetoldyoutoday。’
　　’Andwhynotnow？’
　　’Icannot。Myfeelingsaretoomanyforme。IshouldnevergothroughwithitafterallthathasbetweenusaboutpoorBroughton。Ishouldbreakdown；indeedIshould。Gonow，forIamtired。’Thenhavingprobablytakenamomentaryadvantageofthatmorepotentattractiontowhichwehavebeforealluded，helefttheroomverysuddenly。
　　HelefttheroomverysuddenlybecauseMadalina’smovementshadbeensosudden，andherwordssofullofimpulse。HehadbecomeawarethatinthislittlegameinwhichhewasplayinginPorchesterTerraceeverythingoughttobedoneaftersomeunaccustomedandspecialfashion。
　　So——havingclaspedMadalinaforonemomentinhisarms——hemadearushattheroomdoor，andwasoutonthelandinginasecond。HewasalittletooquickforoldLadyDemolines。Theskirtofwhosenight—dress——asitseemedtoJohnny——hesawwhiskingaway，inatanotherdoor。Itwasnothing，however，tohimifoldLadyDemolines，whowasalwaystooilltobeseen，chosetoroamaboutherownhouseinhernight—dress。
　　Whenhefoundhimselfaloneinthestreet，hismindrevertedtoDobbsBroughtonandthefateofthewretchedman，andhesaunteredslowlydownParisGardens，thathemightlookatthehouseinwhichhehaddinedwithamanwhohaddestroyedhimselfbyhisownhands。Hestoodforamomentlookingupatthewindows，inwhichtherewasnownolight，thinkingofthepoorwomanwhomhehadseeninthemidstofluxury，andwhowasnowleftawidowinsuchmiserablecircumstances！AsforthesuggestionthathisfriendConwaywouldmarryher，hedidnotbelieveitforamoment。HeknewtoowellwhatthesuggestionsofhisMadalinawereworth，andthemotivesfromwhichtheysprung。ButhethoughtitmightbetruethatMrsVanSieverhadabsorbedalltherewasoftheproperty，andpossibly，also，thatMusselborowastomarryherdaughter。Atanyrate，hewouldgotoDalrymple’srooms，andifhecouldfindhim，wouldlearnthetruth。HeknewenoughofDalrymple’swaysoflife，andofthewaysofhisfriend’schambersandstudio，tocarenothingforthelatenessofthehour，andinaveryfewminuteshewassittinginDalrymple’sarm—chair。HefoundSiphDunnthere，smokinginunperturbedtranquillity，andaslongasthatlastedhecouldasknoquestionsaboutMrsBroughton。Hetoldthem，therefore，ofhisadventuresabroad，andofCrawley’sescape。Butatlast，havingfinishedhisthirdpipe，SiphDunntookhisleave。
　　’Tellme，’saidJohn，assoonasDunnhadclosedthedoor，’whatisthisIhearaboutDobbsBroughton？’
　　’Hehasblownhisbrainsout。Thatisall。’
　　’Howterriblyshocking！’
　　’Yes；itshockedusallatfirst。Weareusedtoitnow。’
　　’Andthebusiness？’
　　’Thathasgonetothedogs。Theysayatleastthathisshareofithaddoneso。’
　　’Andhewasruined？’
　　’Theysayso。Thatis，Musselborosaysso，andMrsVanSiever。’
　　’Andwhatdoyousay，Conway？’
　　’ThelessIsaythebetter。Ihavemyhopes——onlyyou’resuchatalkativefellow，onecan’ttrustyou。’
　　’Inevertoldanysecretofyours，oldfellow。’
　　’Well——thatfactis，Ihaveanideathatsomethingmaybesavedforthepoorwoman。Ithinkthattheyarewrongingher。OfcourseallIcandoisputthematterintolawyer’shandsandpaythelawyer’sbill。SoI
　　wenttoyourcousin，andhehastakenthecaseup。Ihopehewon’truinme。’
　　’ThenIsupposeyouarequarrellingwithMrsVan？’
　　’Thatdoesn’tmatter。Shehasquarrelledwithme。’
　　’AndwhataboutJael，Conway？TheytellmeJaelisgoingtobecomeMrsMusselboro。’
　　’Whotoldyouthat？’
　　’Abird。’
　　’Yes；Iknowwhothebirdis。Idon’tthinkthatJaelwillbecomeMrsMusselboro。Idon’tthinkJaelwouldbecomeMrsMusselboro，ifJaelweretheonlywoman，andMusselborotheonlymaninLondon。Totellyoualittlebitofasecret，Johnny，IthinkthatJaelwillbecomethewifeofConwayDalrymple。Thatismyopinion；andasfarasIcanjudge，itistheopinionofJaelalso。’
　　’ButnottheopinionofMrsVan。Thebirdtoldmeanotherthing，Conway。’
　　’Whatotherthing？’
　　’Thebirdhintedthatallthiswouldendinyourmarryingthewidowofthatpoorwretchwhodestroyedhimself。’
　　’Johnny，myboy，’saidtheartistafteramoment’ssilence，’ifIgiveyouabitofadvice，willyouprofitbyit？’
　　’I’lltry，ifit’snotdisagreeable。’
　　’Whetheryouprofitbyit，orwhethernot，keepittoyourself。Iknowthebirdbetterthanyoudo，andIstronglycautionyoutobewareofthebird。Thebirdisabirdofprey，andaltogetheranuncleanbird。Thebirdwantsamate，anddoesn’tmuchcarehowshegetsit。Andthebirdwantsmoney，anddoesn’tcarehowshegetsit。Thebirdisadecidedlybadbird，andnotatallfittotaketheplaceofdomesticheninadecentfarmyard。InplainEnglish，Johnny，you’llfindsomeday，ifyougoovertooftentoPorchesterTerrace，eitherthatyouaregoingtomarrythebird，orelsethatyouareemployingyourcousinToogoodforyoudefenceinanactionforbreachofpromise，broughtagainstyoubythatvenerableoldbird，thebird’smamma。’
　　’Ifit’stobeeither，itwillbethelatter，’saidJohnny，ashetookuphishattogoaway。
　　CHAPTERLXXVI
　　ITHINKHEISLIGHTOFHEART
　　MrsArabinremainedonedayintown。MrToogoodinspiteofhisasseverationthathewouldnotbudgefromBarchestertillhehadseenMrCrawleythroughallhistroubles，didrunuptoLondonassoonasthenewsreachedhimthatJohnEameshadreturned。HecameupandtookMrsArabin’sdeposition，whichhesentdowntoMrWalker。Itmightstillbenecessary，MrsArabinwastold，thatsheshouldgointocourt，andtherestateonoaththatshehadgiventhechequetoMrCrawley；butMrWalkerwasoftheopinionthatthecircumstanceswouldenablethejudgetocalluponthegrandjurynottofindatruebillagainstMrCrawley，andthatthewholeaffair，asfarasMrCrawleywasconcerned，wouldthusbebroughttoanend。ToogoodwasstillveryanxioustoplaceDanStringerinthedock，butMrWalkerdeclaredthattheywouldfailiftheymadetheattempt。DanhadbeenexaminedbeforethemagistratesatBarchester，andhavingpersistedinhisstatementthathehadheardnothingaboutMrCrawleyandthecheque。ThishesaidintheteethofthewordswhichhadfallenfromhimunawaresinthepresenceofMrToogood。Buttheycouldnotpunishhimforalie——notevenforsuchalieasthat！Hewasnotuponoath，andtheycouldnotmakehimresponsibletothelawbecausehehadheldhistongueuponamatterastowhichitwasmanifesttothemallthathehadknownthewholehistoryduringtheentireperiodofMrCrawley’spersecution。Theycouldonlycalluponhimtoaccountforhispossessionofthecheque，andthishedidbysayingthatithadbeenpaidtohimbyJemScuttle，whoreceivedallmoneysappertainingtothehotelstables，andaccountedforthemonceaweek。JemScuttlehadsimplytoldhimthathehadtakenthechequefromMrSoames，andJemhadsincegonetoNewZealand。ItwasquitetruethatJem’sdeparturehadfollowedsuspiciouslycloseuponthepaymentoftherenttoMrsArabin，andthatJemhadbeenincloseamitywithDanStringeruptothemomentofhisdeparture。ThatDanStringerhadnotbecomehonestlypossessedofthecheque，everybodyknew；but，nevertheless，themagistrateswereoftheopinion，MrWalkercoincidingwiththem，thattherewasnoevidenceagainsthimsufficienttosecureaconviction。Thestory，however，ofMrCrawley’sinjurieswassowellknowninBarchester，andthefeelingagainstthemanwhohadpermittedhimtobethusinjuredwassostrong，thatDanStringerdidnotaltogetherescapewithoutpunishment。SomeroughspiritsinBarchestercalledonenightat’TheDragonofWantly’
　　andbeggedMrDanStringerwouldbekindenoughtocomeandtakeawalkwiththemthatevening；andwhenitwasintimatedtothemthatDanStringerhadnotjustthenanydesireforexercise，theyrequestedtobeallowedtogointothebackparlourandmakeaneveningwithDanStringerinthatrecess。Therewasaterriblerowat’TheDragonofWantly’thatnight，andDanwithdifficultywasrescuedbythepolice。
　　OnthefollowingmorninghewassmuggledoutofBarchesterbyanearlytrain，andhasnevermorebeenseeninthatcity。Rumoursofhim，however，weresoonheard，fromwhichitappearedthathehadmadehimselfacquaintedwiththecasualwardofmorethanoneworkhouseinLondon。HiscousinJohnlefttheinnalmostimmediately——as，indeed，hemusthavedonehadtherebeennoquestionofMrSoames’scheque——andthentherewasnothingmoreheardoftheStringersinBarchester。
　　MrsArabinremainedintownoneday，andwouldhaveremainedlonger，waitingforherhusband，hadnotaletterfromhersisterimpresseduponherthatitmightbewellthatsheshouldbewithherfatherassoonaspossible。’Idon’tmeantomakeyouthinkthatthereisanyimmediatedanger，’MrsGrantlysaid，’and，indeed，wecannotsaythatheisill；
　　butitseemsthattheextremityofoldagehascomeuponhimalmostsuddenly，andthatheisasweakasachild。Hisonlydelightiswithchildren，especiallywithPosy，whosegravityinhermanagementofhimiswonderful。Hehasnotlefthisroomnowformorethanaweek，andheeatsverylittle。Itmaybethathewillliveforyears；butIshouldbedeceivingyouifIdidnotletyouknowthatboththearchdeaconandI
　　thinkthatthetimeofhisdeparturefromusisnearathand。’Afterreadingthisletter，MrsArabincouldnotwaitintownforherhusband，eventhoughhewasexpectedintwodaysandthoughshehadbeentoldthatherpresenceinBarchesterwasnotimmediatelyrequiredonbehalfofMrCrawley。
　　ButduringthatonedayshekeptherpromisetoJohnEamesbygoingtoLilyDale。MrsArabinhadbecomeveryfondofJohnny，andfeltthathedeservedtheprizewhichhehadbeensolongtryingtowin。Thereader，perhaps，maynotagreewithMrsArabin。Thereader，whomayhavecaughtacloserinsightintoJohnny’scharacterthanMrsArabinhadobtained，may，perhaps，thinkthatayoungmanwhocouldamusehimselfwithMissDemolineswasunworthyofLilyDale。Ifso，ImaydeclareformyselfthatIandthereaderareinaccordaboutJohnEames。Itishardtomeasureworthandworthlessnessinsuchmatters，asthereisnostandardforsuchmeasurement。MyoldfriendJohnascertainlynohero——wasveryunheroicinmanyphasesofhislife；butthen，ifallthegirlsaretowaitforheroes，Ifearthatthedifficultiesinthewayofmatrimonialarrangements，greatastheyareatpresent，willbeveryseriouslyenhanced。Johnnywasnotecstatic，norheroic，nortranscendental，norverybeautifulinhismanliness；hewasnotamantobreakhisheartforloveortohavehisstorywritteninepic；buthewasanaffectionate，kindly，honestyoungman；andIthinkmostgirlsmighthavedoneworsethantakehim。Whetherhewaswisetoaskassistanceinhislove—makingsooftenashehaddone，thatmaybeanotherquestion。
　　MrsArabinwasintimatelyacquaintedwithMrsThorne，andthereforetherewasnothingoddinhergoingtoMrsThorne’shouse。MrsThornewasverygladtoseeher，andtoldheralltheBarsetshirenews——muchmorethanMrsArabinwouldhavelearnedinaweekatthedeanery；forMrsThornehadamarvellousgiftofpickingupnews。ShehadalreadyheardthewholestoryofMrSoames’scheque，andexpressedherconvictionthattheleastthatcouldbedoneinamendstoMrCrawleywastomakehimabishop。’Andyouseethepalaceisvacant，’saidMrsThorne。
　　’Thepalacevacant！’saidMrsArabin。
　　’Itisjustasgood。NowthatMrsProudiehasgone，Idon’tsupposethebishopwillaccountformuch。Icanassureyou，MrsArabin，Ifeltthatpoorwoman’sdeathsomuch！SheusedtoregardmeasoneofthestaunchestoftheProudieites！Sheoncewhisperedtomesuchadelightfullywickedstoryaboutthedeanandthearchdeacon。WhenItoldherthattheyweremyparticularfriends，sheputonalookofhorror。
　　ButIdon’tthinkshebelievedme。’ThenEmilyDunstableenteredtheroom，andwithhercameLilyDale。MrsArabinhadneverbeforeseenLily，andcoursetheywereintroduced。’IamsorrytosaythatMissDaleisgoinghometoAllingtontomorrow，’saidEmily。’ButsheiscomingtoChaldicotesinMay，’saidMrsThorne。’Ofcourse，MrsArabin，youknowwhatgaladoingswearegoingtohaveinMay？’Thentherewerevariouscivillittlespeechesmadeoneachside，andMrsArabinexpressedawishthatshemightmeetMissDaleinBarsetshire。Butallthisdidnotbringhernearertoherobject。
　　’IparticularlywishtosayawordtoMissDale——heretoday，ifshewillallowme，’saidMrsArabin。
　　’I’msureshewill——twentywords；won’tyou，Lily？’saidMrsThorne，preparingtoleavetheroom。ThenMrsArabinapologised，andMrsThorne，bustlingup，saidthatitdidnotsignify，andLily，remainingquitestillonthesofa，wonderedwhatitwasallabout——andintwominutesLilyandMrsArabinwerealonetogether。LilyhadjusttimetosurmisedthatMrsArabin’svisitmusthavesomereferencetoMrCrosbie——rememberingthatCrosbiehadmarriedhiswifeoutofBarsetshire，andforgettingaltogetherthatMrsArabinhadbeenjustbroughthomefromItalybyJohnEames。
　　’Iamafraid，MissDale，youwillthinkmeveryimpertinent，’saidMrsArabin。
　　’IamsureIshallnotthinkthat，’saidLily。
　　’Ibelieveyouknew，beforeMrEamesstarted，thathewasgoingtoItalytofindmeandmyhusband？’saidMrsArabin。ThenLilyputMrCrosbiealtogetheroutofherhead，andbecameawarethathewasnottobethesubjectofthecomingconversation。Shewasalmostsorrythatitwasnotso。TherewasnodoubtinhermindastowhatshewouldhavesaidtoanyonewhomighthavetakenupCrosbie’scause。Onthatmattershecouldnowhavegivenaverydecisiveanswerinafewwords。Butonthatothermattershewasmuchmoreindoubt。Sheremembered，however，everywordofthenoteshehadreceivedfromMD。SherememberedalsothewordsofJohn’snotetothatyoungwoman。Andherheartwasstillhardagainsthim。’Yes，’shesaid；’MrEamescamehereonenightandtolduswhyhewasgoing。Iwasverygladthathewasgoing，becauseIthoughtitwasright。’
　　’Youknow，ofcourse，howsuccessfulhehasbeen？ItwasIwhogavethechequetoMrCrawley。’
　　’SoMrsThornehasheard。DrThornehaswrittentotellherthewholestory。’
　　’AndnowIhavecometolookforMrEames’sreward。’
　　’Hisreward，MrsArabin？’
　　’Yes；orrathertopleadforhim。Youwillnot，Ihope，beangrywithhimbecausehehastoldmemuchofhislifestorywhileweweretravellinghometogether。’
　　’Oh，no，’saidLily，smiling。’Howcouldhehavechosenabetterfriendinwhomtotrust？’
　　’Hecouldcertainlyhavechosennonewhowouldtakehispartmoresincerely。Heissogoodandamiable！Heissopleasantinhisways，andsofittedtomakeawomanhappy！Andthen，MissDale，heisalsosodevoted！’
　　’Heisanoldfriend，MrsArabin。’
　　’Sohehastoldme。’
　　’Andweallofuslovehimdearly。Mammaisverymuchattachedtohim。’
　　’Unlessheflattershimself，thereisnoonebelongingtoyouwhowouldnotwishthatheshouldbeneareranddearerstill。’
　　’Itmaybeso。Idonotsaythatitisnotso。Mammaandmyunclearebothfondofhim。’
　　’Anddoesthatnotgoalongway？’saidMrsArabin。
　　’Itoughtnottodoso，’saidLily。’Itoughtnottogoanywayatall。’
　　’Oughtitnot？ItseemstomethatIcouldneverhavebroughtmyselftomarryanyonewhommyfriendshadnotliked。’
　　’Ah！thatisanotherthing。’
　　’Butisitnotarecommendationtoamanthathasbeensosuccessfulwithyourfriendsastomakethemallfeelthatyoumighttrustyourselftohimwithperfectsafety？’TothisLilymadenoanswer，andMrsArabinwentontopleadherfriend’scausewithalltheeloquenceshecoulduse，insistingonallhisvirtues，hisgoodtemper，hiskindness，hisconstancy——andnotforgettingthefactthattheworldwasinclinedtousehimverywell。StillLilymadenoanswer。ShehadpromisedMrsArabinthatshewouldnotregardherinterferenceasimpertinent，andthereforesherefrainedfromanywordthatmightseemtoshowoffence。
　　Nordidshefeeloffence。ItwassomethinggainedbyJohnEamesinLily’sestimationthatheshouldhavesuchafriendasMrsArabintotakeaninterestinhiswelfare。Buttherewasaself—dependence，perhapsonemaycallitanobstinacyaboutLilyDale，whichmadeherdeterminedthatshewouldnotbedrivenhitherorthitherbyanypressurefromwithout。WhyhadJohnEames，attheverymomentwhenheshouldhavebeendoinghisbesttodrivefromherbreastthememoryofpastfollies——whenhewouldhavestriventodosohadhereallybeenearnestinhissuit——whyatsuchamomenthadheallowedhimselftocorrespondintermsofaffectionwithsuchawomanasMD？WhileMrsArabinwaspleadingforJohnEames，LilywasrepeatingtoherselfcertainwordswhichJohnhadwrittentothatwoman——’Everandalwaysyoursunalterably’。Suchwerenottheexactwords，butsuchwastheforminwhichLily，dishonestly，chosetorepeatthemtoherself。Andwhywasitsowithher？IntheolddaysshewouldhaveforgivenCrosbieanyoffenceatawordoralook——anypossiblelettertoanyMD，letherhavebeeneversoabominable！Nay——hadshenotevenforgivenhimtheoffenceofdesertingherselfaltogetheronbehalfofawomanasdetestableascouldbeanyMDofJohnny’schoosing——awomanwhoseonlyrecommendationhadbeenhertitle？AndyetshewouldnotforgiveJohnEames，thoughtheevidenceagainsthimwasofsoflimsyanature——butratherstrovetoturntheflimsinessofthatevidenceintostrength！Whywasitso？Unheroicashemightbe，JohnEameswassurelyabettermanandabiggermanthatAdolphusCrosbie。Itwassimplythis：shehadfalleninlovewiththeone，andhadneverfalleninlovewiththeother！Shehadfalleninlovewiththeoneman，thoughinhersimplewayshehadmadeastruggleagainstsuchfeeling；andshehadnotcometolovetheotherman，thoughshehadtoldherselfthatitwouldbewellthatsheshoulddosoifitwerepossible。Againandagainshehadhalfdeclaredtoherselfthatshewouldtakehimasherhusbandandleavethelovetocomeafterwards；butwhenthemomentcamefordoingso，shecouldnotdoit。
　　’MayInotsayawordofcomforttohim？’saidMrsArabin。
　　’Hewillbeverycomfortablewithoutanysuchword，’saidLily，laughing。
　　’Butheisnotcomfortable；ofthatyoumaybeverysure。’
　　’Yourseverandunalterably，JE，’saidLilytoherself。’Youdonotdoubthisaffection？’continuedMrsArabin。
　　’Ineitherdoubtitnorcreditit。’
　　’ThenIthinkyouwronghim。AndthereasonwhyIhaveventuredtocometoyouisthatyoumayknowtheimpressionwhichhehasmadeupononewhowasbuttheotherdayastrangertohim。Iamsurethathelovesyou。’
　　’Ithinkheislightofheart。’
　　’Oh，no，MissDale。’