CHAPTERI
ItwasaSundayeveninginOctober，andincommonwithmanyotheryoungladiesofherclass，KatharineHilberywaspouringouttea。
Perhapsafifthpartofhermindwasthusoccupied，andtheremainingpartsleaptoverthelittlebarrierofdaywhichinterposedbetweenMondaymorningandthisrathersubduedmoment，andplayedwiththethingsonedoesvoluntarilyandnormallyinthedaylight。Butalthoughshewassilent，shewasevidentlymistressofasituationwhichwasfamiliarenoughtoher，andinclinedtoletittakeitswayforthesixhundredthtime，perhaps，withoutbringingintoplayanyofherunoccupiedfaculties。AsingleglancewasenoughtoshowthatMrs。
Hilberywassorichinthegiftswhichmaketea-partiesofelderlydistinguishedpeoplesuccessful，thatshescarcelyneededanyhelpfromherdaughter，providedthatthetiresomebusinessofteacupsandbreadandbutterwasdischargedforher。
Consideringthatthelittlepartyhadbeenseatedroundthetea-tableforlessthantwentyminutes，theanimationobservableontheirfaces，andtheamountofsoundtheywereproducingcollectively，wereverycreditabletothehostess。ItsuddenlycameintoKatharine'smindthatifsomeoneopenedthedooratthismomenthewouldthinkthattheywereenjoyingthemselves；hewouldthink，“Whatanextremelynicehousetocomeinto！“andinstinctivelyshelaughed，andsaidsomethingtoincreasethenoise，forthecreditofthehousepresumably，sincesheherselfhadnotbeenfeelingexhilarated。Attheverysamemoment，rathertoheramusement，thedoorwasflungopen，andayoungmanenteredtheroom。Katharine，assheshookhandswithhim，askedhim，inherownmind，“Now，doyouthinkwe'reenjoyingourselvesenormously？“……“Mr。Denham，mother，“shesaidaloud，forshesawthathermotherhadforgottenhisname。
ThatfactwasperceptibletoMr。Denhamalso，andincreasedtheawkwardnesswhichinevitablyattendstheentranceofastrangerintoaroomfullofpeoplemuchattheirease，andalllauncheduponsentences。Atthesametime，itseemedtoMr。Denhamasifathousandsoftlypaddeddoorshadclosedbetweenhimandthestreetoutside。A
finemist，theetherealizedessenceofthefog，hungvisiblyinthewideandratheremptyspaceofthedrawing-room，allsilverwherethecandlesweregroupedonthetea-table，andruddyagaininthefirelight。Withtheomnibusesandcabsstillrunninginhishead，andhisbodystilltinglingwithhisquickwalkalongthestreetsandinandoutoftrafficandfoot-passengers，thisdrawing-roomseemedveryremoteandstill；andthefacesoftheelderlypeopleweremellowed，atsomedistancefromeachother，andhadabloomonthemowingtothefactthattheairinthedrawing-roomwasthickenedbybluegrainsofmist。Mr。DenhamhadcomeinasMr。Fortescue，theeminentnovelist，reachedthemiddleofaverylongsentence。Hekeptthissuspendedwhilethenewcomersatdown，andMrs。Hilberydeftlyjoinedtheseveredpartsbyleaningtowardshimandremarking:
“Now，whatwouldyoudoifyouweremarriedtoanengineer，andhadtoliveinManchester，Mr。Denham？“
“SurelyshecouldlearnPersian，“brokeinathin，elderlygentleman。
“IstherenoretiredschoolmasterormanoflettersinManchesterwithwhomshecouldreadPersian？“
“AcousinofourshasmarriedandgonetoliveinManchester，“
Katharineexplained。Mr。Denhammutteredsomething，whichwasindeedallthatwasrequiredofhim，andthenovelistwentonwherehehadleftoff。Privately，Mr。Denhamcursedhimselfverysharplyforhavingexchangedthefreedomofthestreetforthissophisticateddrawing-
room，where，amongotherdisagreeables，hecertainlywouldnotappearathisbest。Heglancedroundhim，andsawthat，saveforKatharine，theywerealloverforty，theonlyconsolationbeingthatMr。
Fortescuewasaconsiderablecelebrity，sothatto-morrowonemightbegladtohavemethim。
“HaveyoueverbeentoManchester？“heaskedKatharine。
“Never，“shereplied。
“Whydoyouobjecttoit，then？“
Katharinestirredhertea，andseemedtospeculate，soDenhamthought，uponthedutyoffillingsomebodyelse'scup，butshewasreallywonderinghowshewasgoingtokeepthisstrangeyoungmaninharmonywiththerest。Sheobservedthathewascompressinghisteacup，sothattherewasdangerlestthethinchinamightcaveinwards。Shecouldseethathewasnervous；onewouldexpectabonyyoungmanwithhisfaceslightlyreddenedbythewind，andhishairnotaltogethersmooth，tobenervousinsuchaparty。Further，heprobablydislikedthiskindofthing，andhadcomeoutofcuriosity，orbecauseherfatherhadinvitedhim——anyhow，hewouldnotbeeasilycombinedwiththerest。
“IshouldthinktherewouldbenoonetotalktoinManchester，“sherepliedatrandom。Mr。Fortescuehadbeenobservingherforamomentortwo，asnovelistsareinclinedtoobserve，andatthisremarkhesmiled，andmadeitthetextforalittlefurtherspeculation。
“Inspiteofaslighttendencytoexaggeration，Katharinedecidedlyhitsthemark，“hesaid，andlyingbackinhischair，withhisopaquecontemplativeeyesfixedontheceiling，andthetipsofhisfingerspressedtogether，hedepicted，firstthehorrorsofthestreetsofManchester，andthenthebare，immensemoorsontheoutskirtsofthetown，andthenthescrubbylittlehouseinwhichthegirlwouldlive，andthentheprofessorsandthemiserableyoungstudentsdevotedtothemorestrenuousworksofouryoungerdramatists，whowouldvisither，andhowherappearancewouldchangebydegrees，andhowshewouldflytoLondon，andhowKatharinewouldhavetoleadherabout，asoneleadsaneagerdogonachain，pastrowsofclamorousbutchers'shops，poordearcreature。
“Oh，Mr。Fortescue，“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery，ashefinished，“IhadjustwrittentosayhowIenviedher！Iwasthinkingofthebiggardensandthedearoldladiesinmittens，whoreadnothingbutthe“Spectator，“andsnuffthecandles。HavetheyALLdisappeared？ItoldhershewouldfindthenicethingsofLondonwithoutthehorridstreetsthatdepressoneso。“
“ThereistheUniversity，“saidthethingentleman，whohadpreviouslyinsistedupontheexistenceofpeopleknowingPersian。
“Iknowtherearemoorsthere，becauseIreadabouttheminabooktheotherday，“saidKatharine。
“Iamgrievedandamazedattheignoranceofmyfamily，“Mr。Hilberyremarked。Hewasanelderlyman，withapairofoval，hazeleyeswhichwereratherbrightforhistimeoflife，andrelievedtheheavinessofhisface。Heplayedconstantlywithalittlegreenstoneattachedtohiswatch-chain，thusdisplayinglongandverysensitivefingers，andhadahabitofmovinghisheadhitherandthitherveryquicklywithoutalteringthepositionofhislargeandrathercorpulentbody，sothatheseemedtobeprovidinghimselfincessantlywithfoodforamusementandreflectionwiththeleastpossibleexpenditureofenergy。Onemightsupposethathehadpassedthetimeoflifewhenhisambitionswerepersonal，orthathehadgratifiedthemasfarashewaslikelytodo，andnowemployedhisconsiderableacutenessrathertoobserveandreflectthantoattainanyresult。
Katharine，soDenhamdecided，whileMr。Fortescuebuiltupanotherroundedstructureofwords，hadalikenesstoeachofherparents，buttheseelementswereratheroddlyblended。Shehadthequick，impulsivemovementsofhermother，thelipspartingoftentospeak，andclosingagain；andthedarkovaleyesofherfatherbrimmingwithlightuponabasisofsadness，or，sinceshewastooyoungtohaveacquiredasorrowfulpointofview，onemightsaythatthebasiswasnotsadnesssomuchasaspiritgiventocontemplationandself-control。Judgingbyherhair，hercoloring，andtheshapeofherfeatures，shewasstriking，ifnotactuallybeautiful。Decisionandcomposurestampedher，acombinationofqualitiesthatproducedaverymarkedcharacter，andonethatwasnotcalculatedtoputayoungman，whoscarcelyknewher，athisease。Fortherest，shewastall；herdresswasofsomequietcolor，witholdyellow-tintedlaceforornament，towhichthesparkofanancientjewelgaveitsoneredgleam。Denhamnoticedthat，althoughsilent，shekeptsufficientcontrolofthesituationtoanswerimmediatelyhermotherappealedtoherforhelp，andyetitwasobvioustohimthatsheattendedonlywiththesurfaceskinofhermind。Itstruckhimthatherpositionatthetea-table，amongalltheseelderlypeople，wasnotwithoutitsdifficulties，andhecheckedhisinclinationtofindher，orherattitude，generallyantipathetictohim。ThetalkhadpassedoverManchester，afterdealingwithitverygenerously。
“WoulditbetheBattleofTrafalgarortheSpanishArmada，Katharine？“hermotherdemanded。
“Trafalgar，mother。“
“Trafalgar，ofcourse！Howstupidofme！Anothercupoftea，withathinsliceoflemoninit，andthen，dearMr。Fortescue，pleaseexplainmyabsurdlittlepuzzle。Onecan'thelpbelievinggentlemenwithRomannoses，evenifonemeetstheminomnibuses。“
Mr。HilberyhereinterposedsofarasDenhamwasconcerned，andtalkedagreatdealofsenseaboutthesolicitors'profession，andthechangeswhichhehadseeninhislifetime。Indeed，Denhamproperlyfelltohislot，owingtothefactthatanarticlebyDenhamuponsomelegalmatter，publishedbyMr。HilberyinhisReview，hadbroughtthemacquainted。ButwhenamomentlaterMrs。SuttonBaileywasannounced，heturnedtoher，andMr。Denhamfoundhimselfsittingsilent，rejectingpossiblethingstosay，besideKatharine，whowassilenttoo。Beingmuchaboutthesameageandbothunderthirty，theywereprohibitedfromtheuseofagreatmanyconvenientphraseswhichlaunchconversationintosmoothwaters。TheywerefurthersilencedbyKatharine'srathermaliciousdeterminationnottohelpthisyoungman，inwhoseuprightandresolutebearingshedetectedsomethinghostiletohersurroundings，byanyoftheusualfeminineamenities。Theythereforesatsilent，Denhamcontrollinghisdesiretosaysomethingabruptandexplosive，whichshouldshockherintolife。ButMrs。
Hilberywasimmediatelysensitivetoanysilenceinthedrawing-room，asofadumbnoteinasonorousscale，andleaningacrossthetablesheobserved，inthecuriouslytentativedetachedmannerwhichalwaysgaveherphrasesthelikenessofbutterfliesflauntingfromonesunnyspottoanother，“D'youknow，Mr。Denham，youremindmesomuchofdearMr。Ruskin……Isithistie，Katharine，orhishair，orthewayhesitsinhischair？Dotellme，Mr。Denham，areyouanadmirerofRuskin？Someone，theotherday，saidtome，'Oh，no，wedon'treadRuskin，Mrs。Hilbery。'WhatDOyouread，Iwonder？——foryoucan'tspendallyourtimegoingupinaeroplanesandburrowingintothebowelsoftheearth。“
ShelookedbenevolentlyatDenham，whosaidnothingarticulate，andthenatKatharine，whosmiledbutsaidnothingeither，uponwhichMrs。
Hilberyseemedpossessedbyabrilliantidea，andexclaimed:
“I'msureMr。Denhamwouldliketoseeourthings，Katharine。I'msurehe'snotlikethatdreadfulyoungman，Mr。Ponting，whotoldmethatheconsidereditourdutytoliveexclusivelyinthepresent。Afterall，whatISthepresent？Halfofit'sthepast，andthebetterhalf，too，Ishouldsay，“sheadded，turningtoMr。Fortescue。
Denhamrose，halfmeaningtogo，andthinkingthathehadseenallthattherewastosee，butKatharineroseatthesamemoment，andsaying，“Perhapsyouwouldliketoseethepictures，“ledthewayacrossthedrawing-roomtoasmallerroomopeningoutofit。
Thesmallerroomwassomethinglikeachapelinacathedral，oragrottoinacave，fortheboomingsoundofthetrafficinthedistancesuggestedthesoftsurgeofwaters，andtheovalmirrors，withtheirsilversurface，werelikedeeppoolstremblingbeneathstarlight。Butthecomparisontoareligioustempleofsomekindwasthemoreaptofthetwo，forthelittleroomwascrowdedwithrelics。
AsKatharinetoucheddifferentspots，lightsspranghereandthere，andrevealedasquaremassofred-and-goldbooks，andthenalongskirtinblue-and-whitepaintlustrousbehindglass，andthenamahoganywriting-table，withitsorderlyequipment，and，finally，apictureabovethetable，towhichspecialilluminationwasaccorded。
WhenKatharinehadtouchedtheselastlights，shestoodback，asmuchastosay，“There！“Denhamfoundhimselflookeddownuponbytheeyesofthegreatpoet，RichardAlardyce，andsufferedalittleshockwhichwouldhaveledhim，hadhebeenwearingahat，toremoveit。Theeyeslookedathimoutofthemellowpinksandyellowsofthepaintwithdivinefriendliness，whichembracedhim，andpassedontocontemplatetheentireworld。Thepainthadsofadedthatverylittlebutthebeautifullargeeyeswereleft，darkinthesurroundingdimness。
Katharinewaitedasthoughforhimtoreceiveafullimpression，andthenshesaid:
“Thisishiswriting-table。Heusedthispen，“andsheliftedaquillpenandlaiditdownagain。Thewriting-tablewassplashedwitholdink，andthependisheveledinservice。Therelaythegiganticgold-
rimmedspectacles，readytohishand，andbeneaththetablewasapairoflarge，wornslippers，oneofwhichKatharinepickedup，remarking:
“Ithinkmygrandfathermusthavebeenatleasttwiceaslargeasanyoneisnowadays。This，“shewenton，asifsheknewwhatshehadtosaybyheart，“istheoriginalmanuscriptofthe'OdetoWinter。'Theearlypoemsarefarlesscorrectedthanthelater。Wouldyouliketolookatit？“
WhileMr。Denhamexaminedthemanuscript，sheglancedupathergrandfather，and，forthethousandthtime，fellintoapleasantdreamystateinwhichsheseemedtobethecompanionofthosegiantmen，oftheirownlineage，atanyrate，andtheinsignificantpresentmomentwasputtoshame。Thatmagnificentghostlyheadonthecanvas，surely，neverbeheldallthetrivialitiesofaSundayafternoon，anditdidnotseemtomatterwhatsheandthisyoungmansaidtoeachother，fortheywereonlysmallpeople。
“Thisisacopyofthefirsteditionofthepoems，“shecontinued，withoutconsideringthefactthatMr。Denhamwasstilloccupiedwiththemanuscript，“whichcontainsseveralpoemsthathavenotbeenreprinted，aswellascorrections。“Shepausedforaminute，andthenwenton，asifthesespaceshadallbeencalculated。
“Thatladyinblueismygreat-grandmother，byMillington。Hereismyuncle'swalking-stick——hewasSirRichardWarburton，youknow，androdewithHavelocktotheReliefofLucknow。Andthen，letmesee——oh，that'stheoriginalAlardyce，1697，thefounderofthefamilyfortunes，withhiswife。Someonegaveusthisbowltheotherdaybecauseithastheircrestandinitials。Wethinkitmusthavebeengiventhemtocelebratetheirsilverwedding-day。“
Hereshestoppedforamoment，wonderingwhyitwasthatMr。Denhamsaidnothing。Herfeelingthathewasantagonistictoher，whichhadlapsedwhileshethoughtofherfamilypossessions，returnedsokeenlythatshestoppedinthemiddleofhercatalogandlookedathim。Hermother，wishingtoconnecthimreputablywiththegreatdead，hadcomparedhimwithMr。Ruskin；andthecomparisonwasinKatharine'smind，andledhertobemorecriticaloftheyoungmanthanwasfair，forayoungmanpayingacallinatail-coatisinadifferentelementaltogetherfromaheadseizedatitsclimaxofexpressiveness，gazingimmutablyfrombehindasheetofglass，whichwasallthatremainedtoherofMr。Ruskin。Hehadasingularface——afacebuiltforswiftnessanddecisionratherthanformassivecontemplation；theforeheadbroad，thenoselongandformidable，thelipsclean-shavenandatoncedoggedandsensitive，thecheekslean，withadeeplyrunningtideofredbloodinthem。Hiseyes，expressivenowoftheusualmasculineimpersonalityandauthority，mightrevealmoresubtleemotionsunderfavorablecircumstances，fortheywerelarge，andofaclear，browncolor；theyseemedunexpectedlytohesitateandspeculate；butKatharineonlylookedathimtowonderwhetherhisfacewouldnothavecomenearerthestandardofherdeadheroesifithadbeenadornedwithside-whiskers。Inhissparebuildandthin，thoughhealthy，cheeks，shesawtokensofanangularandacridsoul。Hisvoice，shenoticed，hadaslightvibratingorcreakingsoundinit，ashelaiddownthemanuscriptandsaid:
“Youmustbeveryproudofyourfamily，MissHilbery。“
“Yes，Iam，“Katharineanswered，andsheadded，“Doyouthinkthere'sanythingwronginthat？“
“Wrong？Howshoulditbewrong？Itmustbeabore，though，showingyourthingstovisitors，“headdedreflectively。
“Notifthevisitorslikethem。“
“Isn'titdifficulttoliveuptoyourancestors？“heproceeded。
“IdaresayIshouldn'ttrytowritepoetry，“Katharinereplied。
“No。Andthat'swhatIshouldhate。Icouldn'tbearmygrandfathertocutmeout。And，afterall，“Denhamwenton，glancingroundhimsatirically，asKatharinethought，“it'snotyourgrandfatheronly。
You'recutoutallthewayround。IsupposeyoucomeofoneofthemostdistinguishedfamiliesinEngland。TherearetheWarburtonsandtheMannings——andyou'rerelatedtotheOtways，aren'tyou？Ireaditallinsomemagazine，“headded。
“TheOtwaysaremycousins，“Katharinereplied。
“Well，“saidDenham，inafinaltoneofvoice，asifhisargumentwereproved。
“Well，“saidKatharine，“Idon'tseethatyou'veprovedanything。“
Denhamsmiled，inapeculiarlyprovokingway。Hewasamusedandgratifiedtofindthathehadthepowertoannoyhisoblivious，supercilioushostess，ifhecouldnotimpressher；thoughhewouldhavepreferredtoimpressher。
Hesatsilent，holdingthepreciouslittlebookofpoemsunopenedinhishands，andKatharinewatchedhim，themelancholyorcontemplativeexpressiondeepeninginhereyesasherannoyancefaded。Sheappearedtobeconsideringmanythings。Shehadforgottenherduties。
“Well，“saidDenhamagain，suddenlyopeningthelittlebookofpoems，asthoughhehadsaidallthathemeanttosayorcould，withpropriety，say。Heturnedoverthepageswithgreatdecision，asifhewerejudgingthebookinitsentirety，theprintingandpaperandbinding，aswellasthepoetry，andthen，havingsatisfiedhimselfofitsgoodorbadquality，heplaceditonthewriting-table，andexaminedthemalaccacanewiththegoldknobwhichhadbelongedtothesoldier。
“Butaren'tyouproudofyourfamily？“Katharinedemanded。
“No，“saidDenham。“We'veneverdoneanythingtobeproudof——unlessyoucountpayingone'sbillsamatterforpride。“
“Thatsoundsratherdull，“Katharineremarked。
“Youwouldthinkushorriblydull，“Denhamagreed。
“Yes，Imightfindyoudull，butIdon'tthinkIshouldfindyouridiculous，“Katharineadded，asifDenhamhadactuallybroughtthatchargeagainstherfamily。
“No——becausewe'renotintheleastridiculous。We'rearespectablemiddle-classfamily，livingatHighgate。“
“Wedon'tliveatHighgate，butwe'remiddleclasstoo，Isuppose。“
Denhammerelysmiled，andreplacingthemalaccacaneontherack，hedrewaswordfromitsornamentalsheath。
“ThatbelongedtoClive，sowesay，“saidKatharine，takingupherdutiesashostessagainautomatically。
“Isitalie？“Denhaminquired。
“It'safamilytradition。Idon'tknowthatwecanproveit。“
“Yousee，wedon'thavetraditionsinourfamily，“saidDenham。
“Yousoundverydull，“Katharineremarked，forthesecondtime。
“Merelymiddleclass，“Denhamreplied。
“Youpayyourbills，andyouspeakthetruth。Idon'tseewhyyoushoulddespiseus。“
Mr。DenhamcarefullysheathedtheswordwhichtheHilberyssaidbelongedtoClive。
“Ishouldn'tliketobeyou；that'sallIsaid，“hereplied，asifheweresayingwhathethoughtasaccuratelyashecould。
“No，butoneneverwouldliketobeanyoneelse。“
“Ishould。Ishouldliketobelotsofotherpeople。“
“Thenwhynotus？“Katharineasked。
Denhamlookedatherasshesatinhergrandfather'sarm-chair，drawinghergreat-uncle'smalaccacanesmoothlythroughherfingers，whileherbackgroundwasmadeupequallyoflustrousblue-and-whitepaint，andcrimsonbookswithgiltlinesonthem。Thevitalityandcomposureofherattitude，asofabright-plumedbirdpoisedeasilybeforefurtherflights，rousedhimtoshowherthelimitationsofherlot。Sosoon，soeasily，wouldhebeforgotten。
“You'llneverknowanythingatfirsthand，“hebegan，almostsavagely。
“It'sallbeendoneforyou。You'llneverknowthepleasureofbuyingthingsaftersavingupforthem，orreadingbooksforthefirsttime，ormakingdiscoveries。“
“Goon，“Katharineobserved，ashepaused，suddenlydoubtful，whenheheardhisvoiceproclaimingaloudthesefacts，whethertherewasanytruthinthem。
“Ofcourse，Idon'tknowhowyouspendyourtime，“hecontinued，alittlestiffly，“butIsupposeyouhavetoshowpeopleround。Youarewritingalifeofyourgrandfather，aren'tyou？Andthiskindofthing“——henoddedtowardstheotherroom，wheretheycouldhearburstsofcultivatedlaughter——“musttakeupalotoftime。“
Shelookedathimexpectantly，asifbetweenthemtheyweredecoratingasmallfigureofherself，andshesawhimhesitatinginthedispositionofsomeboworsash。
“You'vegotitverynearlyright，“shesaid，“butIonlyhelpmymother。Idon'twritemyself。“
“Doyoudoanythingyourself？“hedemanded。
“Whatdoyoumean？“sheasked。“Idon'tleavethehouseattenandcomebackatsix。“
“Idon'tmeanthat。“
Mr。Denhamhadrecoveredhisself-control；hespokewithaquietnesswhichmadeKatharineratheranxiousthatheshouldexplainhimself，butatthesametimeshewishedtoannoyhim，towafthimawayfromheronsomelightcurrentofridiculeorsatire，asshewaswonttodowiththeseintermittentyoungmenofherfather's。
“Nobodyeverdoesdoanythingworthdoingnowadays，“sheremarked。
“Yousee“——shetappedthevolumeofhergrandfather'spoems——“wedon'tevenprintaswellastheydid，andasforpoetsorpaintersornovelists——therearenone；so，atanyrate，I'mnotsingular。“
“No，wehaven'tanygreatmen，“Denhamreplied。“I'mverygladthatwehaven't。Ihategreatmen。Theworshipofgreatnessinthenineteenthcenturyseemstometoexplaintheworthlessnessofthatgeneration。“
Katharineopenedherlipsanddrewinherbreath，asiftoreplywithequalvigor，whentheshuttingofadoorinthenextroomwithdrewherattention，andtheybothbecameconsciousthatthevoices，whichhadbeenrisingandfallingroundthetea-table，hadfallensilent；thelight，even，seemedtohavesunklower。AmomentlaterMrs。Hilberyappearedinthedoorwayoftheante-room。Shestoodlookingatthemwithasmileofexpectancyonherface，asifascenefromthedramaoftheyoungergenerationwerebeingplayedforherbenefit。Shewasaremarkable-lookingwoman，welladvancedinthesixties，butowingtothelightnessofherframeandthebrightnessofhereyessheseemedtohavebeenwaftedoverthesurfaceoftheyearswithouttakingmuchharminthepassage。Herfacewasshrunkenandaquiline，butanyhintofsharpnesswasdispelledbythelargeblueeyes，atoncesagaciousandinnocent，whichseemedtoregardtheworldwithanenormousdesirethatitshouldbehaveitselfnobly，andanentireconfidencethatitcoulddoso，ifitwouldonlytakethepains。
Certainlinesonthebroadforeheadandaboutthelipsmightbetakentosuggestthatshehadknownmomentsofsomedifficultyandperplexityinthecourseofhercareer，butthesehadnotdestroyedhertrustfulness，andshewasclearlystillpreparedtogiveeveryoneanynumberoffreshchancesandthewholesystemthebenefitofthedoubt。Sheworeagreatresemblancetoherfather，andsuggested，ashedid，thefreshairsandopenspacesofayoungerworld。
“Well，“shesaid，“howdoyoulikeourthings，Mr。Denham？“
Mr。Denhamrose，puthisbookdown，openedhismouth，butsaidnothing，asKatharineobserved，withsomeamusement。
Mrs。Hilberyhandledthebookhehadlaiddown。
“TherearesomebooksthatLIVE，“shemused。“Theyareyoungwithus，andtheygrowoldwithus。Areyoufondofpoetry，Mr。Denham？Butwhatanabsurdquestiontoask！Thetruthis，dearMr。Fortescuehasalmosttiredmeout。Heissoeloquentandsowitty，sosearchingandsoprofoundthat，afterhalfanhourorso，Ifeelinclinedtoturnoutallthelights。Butperhapshe'dbemorewonderfulthaneverinthedark。Whatd'youthink，Katharine？Shallwegivealittlepartyincompletedarkness？There'dhavetobebrightroomsforthebores……“
HereMr。Denhamheldouthishand。
“Butwe'veanynumberofthingstoshowyou！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed，takingnonoticeofit。“Books，pictures，china，manuscripts，andtheverychairthatMaryQueenofScotssatinwhensheheardofDarnley'smurder。Imustliedownforalittle，andKatharinemustchangeherdress(thoughshe'swearingaveryprettyone)，butifyoudon'tmindbeingleftalone，supperwillbeateight。Idaresayyou'llwriteapoemofyourownwhileyou'rewaiting。Ah，howIlovethefirelight！
Doesn'tourroomlookcharming？“
Shesteppedbackandbadethemcontemplatetheemptydrawing-room，withitsrich，irregularlights，astheflamesleaptandwavered。
“Dearthings！“sheexclaimed。“Dearchairsandtables！Howlikeoldfriendstheyare——faithful，silentfriends。Whichremindsme，Katharine，littleMr。Anningiscomingto-night，andTiteStreet，andCadoganSquare……Doremembertogetthatdrawingofyourgreat-
uncleglazed。AuntMillicentremarkeditlasttimeshewashere，andI
knowhowitwouldhurtmetoseeMYfatherinabrokenglass。“
Itwasliketearingthroughamazeofdiamond-glitteringspiders'webstosaygood-byeandescape，forateachmovementMrs。Hilberyrememberedsomethingfurtheraboutthevillainiesofpicture-framersorthedelightsofpoetry，andatonetimeitseemedtotheyoungmanthathewouldbehypnotizedintodoingwhatshepretendedtowanthimtodo，forhecouldnotsupposethatsheattachedanyvaluewhatevertohispresence。Katharine，however，madeanopportunityforhimtoleave，andforthathewasgratefultoher，asoneyoungpersonisgratefulfortheunderstandingofanother。
CHAPTERII
Theyoungmanshutthedoorwithasharperslamthananyvisitorhadusedthatafternoon，andwalkedupthestreetatagreatpace，cuttingtheairwithhiswalking-stick。Hewasgladtofindhimselfoutsidethatdrawing-room，breathingrawfog，andincontactwithunpolishedpeoplewhoonlywantedtheirshareofthepavementallowedthem。HethoughtthatifhehadhadMr。orMrs。orMissHilberyoutherehewouldhavemadethem，somehow，feelhissuperiority，forhewaschafedbythememoryofhaltingawkwardsentenceswhichhadfailedtogiveeventheyoungwomanwiththesad，butinwardlyironicaleyesahintofhisforce。Hetriedtorecalltheactualwordsofhislittleoutburst，andunconsciouslysupplementedthembysomanywordsofgreaterexpressivenessthattheirritationofhisfailurewassomewhatassuaged。Suddenstabsoftheunmitigatedtruthassailedhimnowandthen，forhewasnotinclinedbynaturetotakearosyviewofhisconduct，butwhatwiththebeatofhisfootuponthepavement，andtheglimpsewhichhalf-drawncurtainsofferedhimofkitchens，dining-
rooms，anddrawing-rooms，illustratingwithmutepowerdifferentscenesfromdifferentlives，hisownexperiencelostitssharpness。
Hisownexperienceunderwentacuriouschange。Hisspeedslackened，hisheadsankalittletowardshisbreast，andthelamplightshonenowandagainuponafacegrownstrangelytranquil。Histhoughtwassoabsorbingthatwhenitbecamenecessarytoverifythenameofastreet，helookedatitforatimebeforehereadit；whenhecametoacrossing，heseemedtohavetoreassurehimselfbytwoorthreetaps，suchasablindmangives，uponthecurb；and，reachingtheUndergroundstation，heblinkedinthebrightcircleoflight，glancedathiswatch，decidedthathemightstillindulgehimselfindarkness，andwalkedstraighton。
Andyetthethoughtwasthethoughtwithwhichhehadstarted。Hewasstillthinkingaboutthepeopleinthehousewhichhehadleft；butinsteadofremembering，withwhateveraccuracyhecould，theirlooksandsayings，hehadconsciouslytakenleaveoftheliteraltruth。A
turnofthestreet，afirelitroom，somethingmonumentalintheprocessionofthelamp-posts，whoshallsaywhataccidentoflightorshapehadsuddenlychangedtheprospectwithinhismind，andledhimtomurmuraloud:
“She'lldo……Yes，KatharineHilbery'lldo……I'lltakeKatharineHilbery。“
Assoonashehadsaidthis，hispaceslackened，hisheadfell，hiseyesbecamefixed。Thedesiretojustifyhimself，whichhadbeensourgent，ceasedtotormenthim，and，asifreleasedfromconstraint，sothattheyworkedwithoutfrictionorbidding，hisfacultiesleaptforwardandfixed，asamatterofcourse，upontheformofKatharineHilbery。Itwasmarvelloushowmuchtheyfoundtofeedupon，consideringthedestructivenatureofDenham'scriticisminherpresence。Thecharm，whichhehadtriedtodisown，whenundertheeffectofit，thebeauty，thecharacter，thealoofness，whichhehadbeendeterminednottofeel，nowpossessedhimwholly；andwhen，ashappenedbythenatureofthings，hehadexhaustedhismemory，hewentonwithhisimagination。Hewasconsciousofwhathewasabout，forinthusdwellinguponMissHilbery'squalities，heshowedakindofmethod，asifherequiredthisvisionofherforaparticularpurpose。
Heincreasedherheight，hedarkenedherhair；butphysicallytherewasnotmuchtochangeinher。Hismostdaringlibertywastakenwithhermind，which，forreasonsofhisown，hedesiredtobeexaltedandinfallible，andofsuchindependencethatitwasonlyinthecaseofRalphDenhamthatitswervedfromitshigh，swiftflight，butwherehewasconcerned，thoughfastidiousatfirst，shefinallyswoopedfromhereminencetocrownhimwithherapproval。Thesedeliciousdetails，however，weretobeworkedoutinalltheirramificationsathisleisure；themainpointwasthatKatharineHilberywoulddo；shewoulddoforweeks，perhapsformonths。Intakingherhehadprovidedhimselfwithsomethingthelackofwhichhadleftabareplaceinhismindforaconsiderabletime。Hegaveasighofsatisfaction；hisconsciousnessofhisactualpositionsomewhereintheneighborhoodofKnightsbridgereturnedtohim，andhewassoonspeedinginthetraintowardsHighgate。
Althoughthussupportedbytheknowledgeofhisnewpossessionofconsiderablevalue，hewasnotproofagainstthefamiliarthoughtswhichthesuburbanstreetsandthedampshrubsgrowinginfrontgardensandtheabsurdnamespaintedinwhiteuponthegatesofthosegardenssuggestedtohim。Hiswalkwasuphill，andhisminddweltgloomilyuponthehousewhichheapproached，wherehewouldfindsixorsevenbrothersandsisters，awidowedmother，and，probably，someauntorunclesittingdowntoanunpleasantmealunderaverybrightlight。Shouldheputinforcethethreatwhich，twoweeksago，somesuchgatheringhadwrungfromhim——theterriblethreatthatifvisitorscameonSundayheshoulddinealoneinhisroom？AglanceinthedirectionofMissHilberydeterminedhimtomakehisstandthisverynight，andaccordingly，havinglethimselfin，havingverifiedthepresenceofUncleJosephbymeansofabowlerhatandaverylargeumbrella，hegavehisorderstothemaid，andwentupstairstohisroom。
Hewentupagreatmanyflightsofstairs，andhenoticed，ashehadveryseldomnoticed，howthecarpetbecamesteadilyshabbier，untilitceasedaltogether，howthewallswerediscolored，sometimesbycascadesofdamp，andsometimesbytheoutlinesofpicture-framessinceremoved，howthepaperflappedlooseatthecorners，andagreatflakeofplasterhadfallenfromtheceiling。Theroomitselfwasacheerlessonetoreturntoatthisinauspicioushour。Aflattenedsofawould，laterintheevening，becomeabed；oneofthetablesconcealedawashingapparatus；hisclothesandbootsweredisagreeablymixedwithbookswhichborethegiltofcollegearms；and，fordecoration，therehunguponthewallphotographsofbridgesandcathedralsandlarge，unprepossessinggroupsofinsufficientlyclothedyoungmen，sittinginrowsoneaboveanotheruponstonesteps。Therewasalookofmeannessandshabbinessinthefurnitureandcurtains，andnowhereanysignofluxuryorevenofacultivatedtaste，unlessthecheapclassicsinthebook-casewereasignofaneffortinthatdirection。
Theonlyobjectthatthrewanylightuponthecharacteroftheroom'sownerwasalargeperch，placedinthewindowtocatchtheairandsun，uponwhichatameand，apparently，decrepitrookhoppeddrylyfromsidetoside。Thebird，encouragedbyascratchbehindtheear，settleduponDenham'sshoulder。Helithisgas-fireandsettleddowningloomypatiencetoawaithisdinner。Aftersittingthusforsomeminutesasmallgirlpoppedherheadintosay，“Mothersays，aren'tyoucomingdown，Ralph？UncleJoseph——“
“They'retobringmydinneruphere，“saidRalph，peremptorily；
whereuponshevanished，leavingthedoorajarinherhastetobegone。
AfterDenhamhadwaitedsomeminutes，inthecourseofwhichneitherhenortherooktooktheireyesoffthefire，hemutteredacurse，randownstairs，interceptedtheparlor-maid，andcuthimselfasliceofbreadandcoldmeat。Ashedidso，thedining-roomdoorsprangopen，avoiceexclaimed“Ralph！“butRalphpaidnoattentiontothevoice，andmadeoffupstairswithhisplate。Hesetitdowninachairoppositehim，andatewithaferocitythatwasduepartlytoangerandpartlytohunger。Hismother，then，wasdeterminednottorespecthiswishes；
hewasapersonofnoimportanceinhisownfamily；hewassentforandtreatedasachild。Hereflected，withagrowingsenseofinjury，thatalmosteveryoneofhisactionssinceopeningthedoorofhisroomhadbeenwonfromthegraspofthefamilysystem。Byrights，heshouldhavebeensittingdownstairsinthedrawing-roomdescribinghisafternoon'sadventures，orlisteningtotheafternoon'sadventuresofotherpeople；theroomitself，thegas-fire，thearm-chair——allhadbeenfoughtfor；thewretchedbird，withhalfitsfeathersoutandoneleglamedbyacat，hadbeenrescuedunderprotest；butwhathisfamilymostresented，hereflected，washiswishforprivacy。Todinealone，ortositaloneafterdinner，wasflatrebellion，tobefoughtwitheveryweaponofunderhandstealthorofopenappeal。Whichdidhedislikemost——deceptionortears？But，atanyrate，theycouldnotrobhimofhisthoughts；theycouldnotmakehimsaywherehehadbeenorwhomhehadseen。Thatwashisownaffair；that，indeed，wasastepentirelyintherightdirection，and，lightinghispipe，andcuttinguptheremainsofhismealforthebenefitoftherook，Ralphcalmedhisratherexcessiveirritationandsettleddowntothinkoverhisprospects。
Thisparticularafternoonwasastepintherightdirection，becauseitwaspartofhisplantogettoknowpeoplebeyondthefamilycircuit，justasitwaspartofhisplantolearnGermanthisautumn，andtoreviewlegalbooksforMr。Hilbery's“CriticalReview。“Hehadalwaysmadeplanssincehewasasmallboy；forpoverty，andthefactthathewastheeldestsonofalargefamily，hadgivenhimthehabitofthinkingofspringandsummer，autumnandwinter，assomanystagesinaprolongedcampaign。Althoughhewasstillunderthirty，thisforecastinghabithadmarkedtwosemicircularlinesabovehiseyebrows，whichthreatened，atthismoment，tocreaseintotheirwontedshapes。Butinsteadofsettlingdowntothink，herose，tookasmallpieceofcardboardmarkedinlargeletterswiththewordOUT，andhungituponthehandleofhisdoor。Thisdone，hesharpenedapencil，litareading-lampandopenedhisbook。Butstillhehesitatedtotakehisseat。Hescratchedtherook，hewalkedtothewindow；hepartedthecurtains，andlookeddownuponthecitywhichlay，hazilyluminous，beneathhim。HelookedacrossthevaporsinthedirectionofChelsea；lookedfixedlyforamoment，andthenreturnedtohischair。
Butthewholethicknessofsomelearnedcounsel'streatiseuponTortsdidnotscreenhimsatisfactorily。Throughthepageshesawadrawing-
room，veryemptyandspacious；heheardlowvoices，hesawwomen'sfigures，hecouldevensmellthescentofthecedarlogwhichflamedinthegrate。Hismindrelaxeditstension，andseemedtobegivingoutnowwhatithadtakeninunconsciouslyatthetime。HecouldrememberMr。Fortescue'sexactwords，andtherollingemphasiswithwhichhedeliveredthem，andhebegantorepeatwhatMr。Fortescuehadsaid，inMr。Fortescue'sownmanner，aboutManchester。Hismindthenbegantowanderaboutthehouse，andhewonderedwhethertherewereotherroomslikethedrawing-room，andhethought，inconsequently，howbeautifulthebathroommustbe，andhowleisurelyitwas——thelifeofthesewell-keptpeople，whowere，nodoubt，stillsittinginthesameroom，onlytheyhadchangedtheirclothes，andlittleMr。Anningwasthere，andtheauntwhowouldmindiftheglassofherfather'spicturewasbroken。MissHilberyhadchangedherdress(“althoughshe'swearingsuchaprettyone，“heheardhermothersay)，andshewastalkingtoMr。Anning，whowaswelloverforty，andbaldintothebargain，aboutbooks。Howpeacefulandspaciousitwas；andthepeacepossessedhimsocompletelythathismusclesslackened，hisbookdroopedfromhishand，andheforgotthatthehourofworkwaswastingminutebyminute。
Hewasrousedbyacreakuponthestair。Withaguiltystarthecomposedhimself，frownedandlookedintentlyatthefifty-sixthpageofhisvolume。Asteppausedoutsidehisdoor，andheknewthattheperson，whoeveritmightbe，wasconsideringtheplacard，anddebatingwhethertohonoritsdecreeornot。Certainly，policyadvisedhimtositstillinautocraticsilence，fornocustomcantakerootinafamilyunlesseverybreachofitispunishedseverelyforthefirstsixmonthsorso。ButRalphwasconsciousofadistinctwishtobeinterrupted，andhisdisappointmentwasperceptiblewhenheheardthecreakingsoundratherfartherdownthestairs，asifhisvisitorhaddecidedtowithdraw。Herose，openedthedoorwithunnecessaryabruptness，andwaitedonthelanding。Thepersonstoppedsimultaneouslyhalfaflightdownstairs。
“Ralph？“saidavoice，inquiringly。
“Joan？“
“Iwascomingup，butIsawyournotice。“
“Well，comealongin，then。“Heconcealedhisdesirebeneathatoneasgrudgingashecouldmakeit。
Joancamein，butshewascarefultoshow，bystandinguprightwithonehanduponthemantelpiece，thatshewasonlythereforadefinitepurpose，whichdischarged，shewouldgo。
ShewasolderthanRalphbysomethreeorfouryears。Herfacewasroundbutworn，andexpressedthattolerantbutanxiousgoodhumorwhichisthespecialattributeofeldersistersinlargefamilies。HerpleasantbrowneyesresembledRalph's，saveinexpression，forwhereasheseemedtolookstraightlyandkeenlyatoneobject，sheappearedtobeinthehabitofconsideringeverythingfrommanydifferentpointsofview。Thismadeherappearhiselderbymoreyearsthanexistedinfactbetweenthem。Hergazerestedforamomentortwoupontherook。
Shethensaid，withoutanypreface:
“It'saboutCharlesandUncleJohn'soffer……Mother'sbeentalkingtome。Shesaysshecan'taffordtopayforhimafterthisterm。Shesaysshe'llhavetoaskforanoverdraftasitis。“
“That'ssimplynottrue，“saidRalph。
“No。Ithoughtnot。Butshewon'tbelievemewhenIsayit。“
Ralph，asifhecouldforeseethelengthofthisfamiliarargument，drewupachairforhissisterandsatdownhimself。
“I'mnotinterrupting？“sheinquired。
Ralphshookhishead，andforatimetheysatsilent。Thelinescurvedthemselvesinsemicirclesabovetheireyes。
“Shedoesn'tunderstandthatone'sgottotakerisks，“heobserved，finally。
“IbelievemotherwouldtakerisksifsheknewthatCharleswasthesortofboytoprofitbyit。“
“He'sgotbrains，hasn'the？“saidRalph。Histonehadtakenonthatshadeofpugnacitywhichsuggestedtohissisterthatsomepersonalgrievancedrovehimtotakethelinehedid。Shewonderedwhatitmightbe，butatoncerecalledhermind，andassented。
“Insomewayshe'sfearfullybackward，though，comparedwithwhatyouwereathisage。Andhe'sdifficultathome，too。HemakesMollyslaveforhim。“
Ralphmadeasoundwhichbelittledthisparticularargument。ItwasplaintoJoanthatshehadstruckoneofherbrother'sperversemoods，andhewasgoingtoopposewhateverhismothersaid。Hecalledher“she，“whichwasaproofofit。Shesighedinvoluntarily，andthesighannoyedRalph，andheexclaimedwithirritation:
“It'sprettyhardlinestostickaboyintoanofficeatseventeen！“
“NobodyWANTStostickhimintoanoffice，“shesaid。
She，too，wasbecomingannoyed。Shehadspentthewholeoftheafternoondiscussingwearisomedetailsofeducationandexpensewithhermother，andshehadcometoherbrotherforhelp，encouraged，ratherirrationally，toexpecthelpbythefactthathehadbeenoutsomewhere，shedidn'tknowanddidn'tmeantoaskwhere，alltheafternoon。
Ralphwasfondofhissister，andherirritationmadehimthinkhowunfairitwasthatalltheseburdensshouldbelaidonhershoulders。
“Thetruthis，“heobservedgloomily，“thatIoughttohaveacceptedUncleJohn'soffer。Ishouldhavebeenmakingsixhundredayearbythistime。“
“Idon'tthinkthatforamoment，“Joanrepliedquickly，repentingofherannoyance。“Thequestion，tomymind，is，whetherwecouldn'tcutdownourexpensesinsomeway。“
“Asmallerhouse？“
“Fewerservants，perhaps。“
Neitherbrothernorsisterspokewithmuchconviction，andafterreflectingforamomentwhattheseproposedreformsinastrictlyeconomicalhouseholdmeant，Ralphannouncedverydecidedly:
“It'soutofthequestion。“
Itwasoutofthequestionthatsheshouldputanymorehouseholdworkuponherself。No，thehardshipmustfallonhim，forhewasdeterminedthathisfamilyshouldhaveasmanychancesofdistinguishingthemselvesasotherfamilieshad——astheHilberyshad，forexample。Hebelievedsecretlyandratherdefiantly，foritwasafactnotcapableofproof，thattherewassomethingveryremarkableabouthisfamily。
“Ifmotherwon'trunrisks——“
“Youreallycan'texpecthertoselloutagain。“
“Sheoughttolookuponitasaninvestment；butifshewon't，wemustfindsomeotherway，that'sall。“
Athreatwascontainedinthissentence，andJoanknew，withoutasking，whatthethreatwas。Inthecourseofhisprofessionallife，whichnowextendedoversixorsevenyears，Ralphhadsaved，perhaps，threeorfourhundredpounds。ConsideringthesacrificeshehadmadeinordertoputbythissumitalwaysamazedJoantofindthatheusedittogamblewith，buyingsharesandsellingthemagain，increasingitsometimes，sometimesdiminishingit，andalwaysrunningtheriskoflosingeverypennyofitinaday'sdisaster。Butalthoughshewondered，shecouldnothelplovinghimthebetterforhisoddcombinationofSpartanself-controlandwhatappearedtoherromanticandchildishfolly。Ralphinterestedhermorethananyoneelseintheworld，andsheoftenbrokeoffinthemiddleofoneoftheseeconomicdiscussions，inspiteoftheirgravity，toconsidersomefreshaspectofhischaracter。
“Ithinkyou'dbefoolishtoriskyourmoneyonpooroldCharles，“sheobserved。“FondasIamofhim，hedoesn'tseemtomeexactlybrilliant……Besides，whyshouldyoubesacrificed？“
“MydearJoan，“Ralphexclaimed，stretchinghimselfoutwithagestureofimpatience，“don'tyouseethatwe'veallgottobesacrificed？
What'stheuseofdenyingit？What'stheuseofstrugglingagainstit？
Soitalwayshasbeen，soitalwayswillbe。We'vegotnomoneyandwenevershallhaveanymoney。Weshalljustturnroundinthemilleverydayofourlivesuntilwedropanddie，wornout，asmostpeopledo，whenonecomestothinkofit。“
Joanlookedathim，openedherlipsasiftospeak，andclosedthemagain。Thenshesaid，verytentatively:
“Aren'tyouhappy，Ralph？“
“No。Areyou？PerhapsI'mashappyasmostpeople，though。GodknowswhetherI'mhappyornot。Whatishappiness？“
Heglancedwithhalfasmile，inspiteofhisgloomyirritation，athissister。Shelooked，asusual，asifshewereweighingonethingwithanother，andbalancingthemtogetherbeforeshemadeuphermind。
“Happiness，“sheremarkedatlengthenigmatically，ratherasifsheweresamplingtheword，andthenshepaused。Shepausedforaconsiderablespace，asifshewereconsideringhappinessinallitsbearings。“Hildawashereto-day，“shesuddenlyresumed，asiftheyhadnevermentionedhappiness。“ShebroughtBobbie——he'safineboynow。“Ralphobserved，withanamusementthathadatingeofironyinit，thatshewasnowgoingtosidleawayquicklyfromthisdangerousapproachtointimacyontotopicsofgeneralandfamilyinterest。
Nevertheless，hereflected，shewastheonlyoneofhisfamilywithwhomhefounditpossibletodiscusshappiness，althoughhemightverywellhavediscussedhappinesswithMissHilberyattheirfirstmeeting。HelookedcriticallyatJoan，andwishedthatshedidnotlooksoprovincialorsuburbaninherhighgreendresswiththefadedtrimming，sopatient，andalmostresigned。HebegantowishtotellherabouttheHilberysinordertoabusethem，forintheminiaturebattlewhichsooftenragesbetweentwoquicklyfollowingimpressionsoflife，thelifeoftheHilberyswasgettingthebetterofthelifeoftheDenhamsinhismind，andhewantedtoassurehimselfthattherewassomequalityinwhichJoaninfinitelysurpassedMissHilbery。Heshouldhavefeltthathisownsisterwasmoreoriginal，andhadgreatervitalitythanMissHilberyhad；buthismainimpressionofKatharinenowwasofapersonofgreatvitalityandcomposure；andatthemomenthecouldnotperceivewhatpoordearJoanhadgainedfromthefactthatshewasthegranddaughterofamanwhokeptashop，andherselfearnedherownliving。Theinfinitedrearinessandsordidnessoftheirlifeoppressedhiminspiteofhisfundamentalbeliefthat，asafamily，theyweresomehowremarkable。
“Shallyoutalktomother？“Joaninquired。“Because，yousee，thething'sgottobesettled，onewayoranother。CharlesmustwritetoUncleJohnifhe'sgoingthere。“
Ralphsighedimpatiently。
“Isupposeitdoesn'tmuchmattereitherway，“heexclaimed。“He'sdoomedtomiseryinthelongrun。“
AslightflushcameintoJoan'scheek。
“Youknowyou'retalkingnonsense，“shesaid。“Itdoesn'thurtanyonetohavetoearntheirownliving。I'mverygladIhavetoearnmine。“
Ralphwaspleasedthatsheshouldfeelthis，andwishedhertocontinue，buthewenton，perverselyenough。
“Isn'tthatonlybecauseyou'veforgottenhowtoenjoyyourself？Youneverhavetimeforanythingdecent——“
“Asforinstance？“
“Well，goingforwalks，ormusic，orbooks，orseeinginterestingpeople。Youneverdoanythingthat'sreallyworthdoinganymorethanIdo。“
“Ialwaysthinkyoucouldmakethisroommuchnicer，ifyouliked，“
sheobserved。
“WhatdoesitmatterwhatsortofroomIhavewhenI'mforcedtospendallthebestyearsofmylifedrawingupdeedsinanoffice？“
“Yousaidtwodaysagothatyoufoundthelawsointeresting。“
“Soitisifonecouldaffordtoknowanythingaboutit。“
(“That'sHerbertonlyjustgoingtobednow，“Joaninterposed，asadooronthelandingslammedvigorously。“Andthenhewon'tgetupinthemorning。“)
Ralphlookedattheceiling，andshuthislipscloselytogether。Why，hewondered，couldJoanneverforonemomentdetachhermindfromthedetailsofdomesticlife？Itseemedtohimthatshewasgettingmoreandmoreenmeshedinthem，andcapableofshorterandlessfrequentflightsintotheouterworld，andyetshewasonlythirty-three。
“D'youeverpaycallsnow？“heaskedabruptly。
“Idon'toftenhavethetime。Whydoyouask？“
“Itmightbeagoodthing，togettoknownewpeople，that'sall。“
“PoorRalph！“saidJoansuddenly，withasmile。“Youthinkyoursister'sgettingveryoldandverydull——that'sit，isn'tit？“
“Idon'tthinkanythingofthekind，“hesaidstoutly，butheflushed。
“Butyouleadadog'slife，Joan。Whenyou'renotworkinginanoffice，you'reworryingovertherestofus。AndI'mnotmuchgoodtoyou，I'mafraid。“
Joanrose，andstoodforamomentwarmingherhands，and，apparently，meditatingastowhethersheshouldsayanythingmoreornot。A
feelingofgreatintimacyunitedthebrotherandsister，andthesemicircularlinesabovetheireyebrowsdisappeared。No，therewasnothingmoretobesaidoneitherside。Joanbrushedherbrother'sheadwithherhandasshepassedhim，murmuredgoodnight，andlefttheroom。ForsomeminutesaftershehadgoneRalphlayquiescent，restinghisheadonhishand，butgraduallyhiseyesfilledwiththought，andthelinereappearedonhisbrow，asthepleasantimpressionofcompanionshipandancientsympathywaned，andhewaslefttothinkonalone。
Afteratimeheopenedhisbook，andreadonsteadily，glancingonceortwiceathiswatch，asifhehadsethimselfatasktobeaccomplishedinacertainmeasureoftime。Nowandthenheheardvoicesinthehouse，andtheclosingofbedroomdoors，whichshowedthatthebuilding，atthetopofwhichhesat，wasinhabitedineveryoneofitscells。Whenmidnightstruck，Ralphshuthisbook，andwithacandleinhishand，descendedtothegroundfloor，toascertainthatalllightswereextinctandalldoorslocked。Itwasathreadbare，well-wornhousethathethusexamined，asiftheinmateshadgrazeddownallluxurianceandplentytothevergeofdecency；andinthenight，bereftoflife，bareplacesandancientblemisheswereunpleasantlyvisible。KatharineHilbery，hethought，wouldcondemnitoff-hand。
CHAPTERIII
DenhamhadaccusedKatharineHilberyofbelongingtooneofthemostdistinguishedfamiliesinEngland，andifanyonewilltakethetroubletoconsultMr。Galton's“HereditaryGenius，“hewillfindthatthisassertionisnotfarfromthetruth。TheAlardyces，theHilberys，theMillingtons，andtheOtwaysseemtoprovethatintellectisapossessionwhichcanbetossedfromonememberofacertaingrouptoanotheralmostindefinitely，andwithapparentcertaintythatthebrilliantgiftwillbesafelycaughtandheldbynineoutoftenoftheprivilegedrace。Theyhadbeenconspicuousjudgesandadmirals，lawyersandservantsoftheStateforsomeyearsbeforetherichnessofthesoilculminatedintherarestflowerthatanyfamilycanboast，agreatwriter，apoeteminentamongthepoetsofEngland，aRichardAlardyce；andhavingproducedhim，theyprovedoncemoretheamazingvirtuesoftheirracebyproceedingunconcernedlyagainwiththeirusualtaskofbreedingdistinguishedmen。TheyhadsailedwithSirJohnFranklintotheNorthPole，andriddenwithHavelocktotheReliefofLucknow，andwhentheywerenotlighthousesfirmlybasedonrockfortheguidanceoftheirgeneration，theyweresteady，serviceablecandles，illuminatingtheordinarychambersofdailylife。
Whateverprofessionyoulookedat，therewasaWarburtonoranAlardyce，aMillingtonoraHilberysomewhereinauthorityandprominence。
Itmaybesaid，indeed，thatEnglishsocietybeingwhatitis，noverygreatmeritisrequired，onceyoubearawell-knownname，toputyouintoapositionwhereitiseasieronthewholetobeeminentthanobscure。Andifthisistrueofthesons，eventhedaughters，eveninthenineteenthcentury，areapttobecomepeopleofimportance——
philanthropistsandeducationalistsiftheyarespinsters，andthewivesofdistinguishedmeniftheymarry。ItistruethattherewereseverallamentableexceptionstothisruleintheAlardycegroup，whichseemstoindicatethatthecadetsofsuchhousesgomorerapidlytothebadthanthechildrenofordinaryfathersandmothers，asifitweresomehowarelieftothem。But，onthewhole，inthesefirstyearsofthetwentiethcentury，theAlardycesandtheirrelationswerekeepingtheirheadswellabovewater。Onefindsthematthetopsofprofessions，withlettersaftertheirnames；theysitinluxuriouspublicoffices，withprivatesecretariesattachedtothem；theywritesolidbooksindarkcovers，issuedbythepressesofthetwogreatuniversities，andwhenoneofthemdiesthechancesarethatanotherofthemwriteshisbiography。
Nowthesourceofthisnobilitywas，ofcourse，thepoet，andhisimmediatedescendants，therefore，wereinvestedwithgreaterlusterthanthecollateralbranches。Mrs。Hilbery，invirtueofherpositionastheonlychildofthepoet，wasspirituallytheheadofthefamily，andKatharine，herdaughter，hadsomesuperiorrankamongallthecousinsandconnections，themoresobecauseshewasanonlychild。
TheAlardyceshadmarriedandintermarried，andtheiroffspringweregenerallyprofuse，andhadawayofmeetingregularlyineachother'shousesformealsandfamilycelebrationswhichhadacquiredasemi-
sacredcharacter，andwereasregularlyobservedasdaysoffeastingandfastingintheChurch。
Intimesgoneby，Mrs。Hilberyhadknownallthepoets，allthenovelists，allthebeautifulwomenanddistinguishedmenofhertime。
Thesebeingnoweitherdeadorsecludedintheirinfirmglory，shemadeherhouseameeting-placeforherownrelations，towhomshewouldlamentthepassingofthegreatdaysofthenineteenthcentury，wheneverydepartmentoflettersandartwasrepresentedinEnglandbytwoorthreeillustriousnames。Wherearetheirsuccessors？shewouldask，andtheabsenceofanypoetorpainterornovelistofthetruecaliberatthepresentdaywasatextuponwhichshelikedtoruminate，inasunsetmoodofbenignantreminiscence，whichitwouldhavebeenhardtodisturbhadtherebeenneed。Butshewasfarfromvisitingtheirinferiorityupontheyoungergeneration。Shewelcomedthemveryheartilytoherhouse，toldthemherstories，gavethemsovereignsandicesandgoodadvice，andweavedroundthemromanceswhichhadgenerallynolikenesstothetruth。
ThequalityofherbirthoozedintoKatharine'sconsciousnessfromadozendifferentsourcesassoonasshewasabletoperceiveanything。
Abovehernurseryfireplacehungaphotographofhergrandfather'stombinPoets'Corner，andshewastoldinoneofthosemomentsofgrown-upconfidencewhicharesotremendouslyimpressivetothechild'smind，thathewasburiedtherebecausehewasa“goodandgreatman。“Later，onananniversary，shewastakenbyhermotherthroughthefoginahansomcab，andgivenalargebunchofbright，sweet-scentedflowerstolayuponhistomb。Thecandlesinthechurch，thesingingandtheboomingoftheorgan，wereall，shethought，inhishonor。Againandagainshewasbroughtdownintothedrawing-roomtoreceivetheblessingofsomeawfuldistinguishedoldman，whosat，eventoherchildisheye，somewhatapart，allgatheredtogetherandclutchingastick，unlikeanordinaryvisitorinherfather'sownarm-
chair，andherfatherhimselfwasthere，unlikehimself，too，alittleexcitedandverypolite。Theseformidableoldcreaturesusedtotakeherintheirarms，lookverykeenlyinhereyes，andthentoblessher，andtellherthatshemustmindandbeagoodgirl，ordetectalookinherfacesomethinglikeRichard'sasasmallboy。Thatdrewdownuponherhermother'sferventembrace，andshewassentbacktothenurseryveryproud，andwithamysterioussenseofanimportantandunexplainedstateofthings，whichtime，bydegrees，unveiledtoher。
Therewerealwaysvisitors——unclesandauntsandcousins“fromIndia，“
tobereverencedfortheirrelationshipalone，andothersofthesolitaryandformidableclass，whomshewasenjoinedbyherparentsto“rememberallyourlife。“Bythesemeans，andfromhearingconstanttalkofgreatmenandtheirworks，herearliestconceptionsoftheworldincludedanaugustcircleofbeingstowhomshegavethenamesofShakespeare，Milton，Wordsworth，Shelley，andsoon，whowere，forsomereason，muchmorenearlyakintotheHilberysthantootherpeople。Theymadeakindofboundarytohervisionoflife，andplayedaconsiderablepartindeterminingherscaleofgoodandbadinherownsmallaffairs。Herdescentfromoneofthesegodswasnosurprisetoher，butmatterforsatisfaction，until，astheyearsworeon，theprivilegesofherlotweretakenforgranted，andcertaindrawbacksmadethemselvesverymanifest。Perhapsitisalittledepressingtoinheritnotlandsbutanexampleofintellectualandspiritualvirtue；
perhapstheconclusivenessofagreatancestorisalittlediscouragingtothosewhoruntheriskofcomparisonwithhim。Itseemsasif，havingfloweredsosplendidly，nothingnowremainedpossiblebutasteadygrowthofgood，greenstalkandleaf。Forthesereasons，andforothers，Katharinehadhermomentsofdespondency。Thegloriouspast，inwhichmenandwomengrewtounexampledsize，intrudedtoomuchuponthepresent，anddwarfedittooconsistently，tobealtogetherencouragingtooneforcedtomakeherexperimentinlivingwhenthegreatagewasdead。
Shewasdrawntodwelluponthesemattersmorethanwasnatural，inthefirstplaceowingtohermother'sabsorptioninthem，andinthesecondbecauseagreatpartofhertimewasspentinimaginationwiththedead，sinceshewashelpinghermothertoproducealifeofthegreatpoet。WhenKatharinewasseventeenoreighteen——thatistosay，sometenyearsago——hermotherhadenthusiasticallyannouncedthatnow，withadaughtertohelpher，thebiographywouldsoonbepublished。Noticestothiseffectfoundtheirwayintotheliterarypapers，andforsometimeKatharineworkedwithasenseofgreatprideandachievement。
Lately，however，ithadseemedtoherthattheyweremakingnowayatall，andthiswasthemoretantalizingbecausenoonewiththeghostofaliterarytemperamentcoulddoubtbutthattheyhadmaterialsforoneofthegreatestbiographiesthathaseverbeenwritten。Shelvesandboxesbulgedwiththepreciousstuff。Themostprivatelivesofthemostinterestingpeoplelayfurledinyellowbundlesofclose-
writtenmanuscript。InadditiontothisMrs。Hilberyhadinherownheadasbrightavisionofthattimeasnowremainedtotheliving，andcouldgivethoseflashesandthrillstotheoldwordswhichgavethemalmostthesubstanceofflesh。Shehadnodifficultyinwriting，andcoveredapageeverymorningasinstinctivelyasathrushsings，butnevertheless，withallthistourgeandinspire，andthemostdevoutintentiontoaccomplishthework，thebookstillremainedunwritten。Papersaccumulatedwithoutmuchfurtheringtheirtask，andindullmomentsKatharinehadherdoubtswhethertheywouldeverproduceanythingatallfittolaybeforethepublic。Wheredidthedifficultylie？Notintheirmaterials，alas！norintheirambitions，butinsomethingmoreprofound，inherowninaptitude，andaboveall，inhermother'stemperament。Katharinewouldcalculatethatshehadneverknownherwriteformorethantenminutesatatime。Ideascametoherchieflywhenshewasinmotion。Shelikedtoperambulatetheroomwithadusterinherhand，withwhichshestoppedtopolishthebacksofalreadylustrousbooks，musingandromancingasshedidso。
Suddenlytherightphraseorthepenetratingpointofviewwouldsuggestitself，andshewoulddropherdusterandwriteecstaticallyforafewbreathlessmoments；andthenthemoodwouldpassaway，andthedusterwouldbesoughtfor，andtheoldbookspolishedagain。
Thesespellsofinspirationneverburntsteadily，butflickeredoverthegiganticmassofthesubjectascapriciouslyasawill-o'-the-
wisp，lightingnowonthispoint，nowonthat。ItwasasmuchasKatharinecoulddotokeepthepagesofhermother'smanuscriptinorder，buttosortthemsothatthesixteenthyearofRichardAlardyce'slifesucceededthefifteenthwasbeyondherskill。Andyettheyweresobrilliant，theseparagraphs，sonoblyphrased，solightning-likeintheirillumination，thatthedeadseemedtocrowdtheveryroom。Readcontinuously，theyproducedasortofvertigo，andsetheraskingherselfindespairwhatonearthshewastodowiththem？Hermotherrefused，also，tofacetheradicalquestionsofwhattoleaveinandwhattoleaveout。Shecouldnotdecidehowfarthepublicwastobetoldthetruthaboutthepoet'sseparationfromhiswife。Shedraftedpassagestosuiteithercase，andthenlikedeachsowellthatshecouldnotdecideupontherejectionofeither。
Butthebookmustbewritten。Itwasadutythattheyowedtheworld，andtoKatharine，atleast，itmeantmorethanthat，foriftheycouldnotbetweenthemgetthisonebookaccomplishedtheyhadnorighttotheirprivilegedposition。Theirincrementbecameyearlymoreandmoreunearned。Besides，itmustbeestablishedindisputablythathergrandfatherwasaverygreatman。
Bythetimeshewastwenty-seven，thesethoughtshadbecomeveryfamiliartoher。Theytrodtheirwaythroughhermindasshesatoppositehermotherofamorningatatableheapedwithbundlesofoldlettersandwellsuppliedwithpencils，scissors，bottlesofgum，india-rubberbands，largeenvelopes，andotherappliancesforthemanufactureofbooks。ShortlybeforeRalphDenham'svisit，Katharinehadresolvedtotrytheeffectofstrictrulesuponhermother'shabitsofliterarycomposition。Theyweretobeseatedattheirtableseverymorningatteno'clock，withaclean-sweptmorningofempty，secludedhoursbeforethem。Theyweretokeeptheireyesfastuponthepaper，andnothingwastotemptthemtospeech，saveatthestrokeofthehourwhentenminutesforrelaxationweretobeallowedthem。Iftheseruleswereobservedforayear，shemadeoutonasheetofpaperthatthecompletionofthebookwascertain，andshelaidherschemebeforehermotherwithafeelingthatmuchofthetaskwasalreadyaccomplished。Mrs。Hilberyexaminedthesheetofpaperverycarefully。
Thensheclappedherhandsandexclaimedenthusiastically:
“Welldone，Katharine！Whatawonderfulheadforbusinessyou'vegot！
NowIshallkeepthisbeforeme，andeverydayIshallmakealittlemarkinmypocketbook，andonthelastdayofall——letmethink，whatshallwedotocelebratethelastdayofall？Ifitweren'tthewinterwecouldtakeajaunttoItaly。TheysaySwitzerland'sverylovelyinthesnow，exceptforthecold。But，asyousay，thegreatthingistofinishthebook。Nowletmesee——“
Whentheyinspectedhermanuscripts，whichKatharinehadputinorder，theyfoundastateofthingswellcalculatedtodashtheirspirits，iftheyhadnotjustresolvedonreform。Theyfound，tobeginwith，agreatvarietyofveryimposingparagraphswithwhichthebiographywastoopen；manyofthese，itistrue，wereunfinished，andresembledtriumphalarchesstandingupononeleg，but，asMrs。Hilberyobserved，theycouldbepatchedupintenminutes，ifshegavehermindtoit。
Next，therewasanaccountoftheancienthomeoftheAlardyces，orrather，ofspringinSuffolk，whichwasverybeautifullywritten，althoughnotessentialtothestory。However，Katharinehadputtogetherastringofnamesanddates，sothatthepoetwascapablybroughtintotheworld，andhisninthyearwasreachedwithoutfurthermishap。Afterthat，Mrs。Hilberywished，forsentimentalreasons，tointroducetherecollectionsofaveryfluentoldlady，whohadbeenbroughtupinthesamevillage，buttheseKatharinedecidedmustgo。
ItmightbeadvisabletointroducehereasketchofcontemporarypoetrycontributedbyMr。Hilbery，andthusterseandlearnedandaltogetheroutofkeepingwiththerest，butMrs。Hilberywasofopinionthatitwastoobare，andmadeonefeelaltogetherlikeagoodlittlegirlinalecture-room，whichwasnotatallinkeepingwithherfather。Itwasputononeside。Nowcametheperiodofhisearlymanhood，whenvariousaffairsoftheheartmusteitherbeconcealedorrevealed；hereagainMrs。Hilberywasoftwominds，andathickpacketofmanuscriptwasshelvedforfurtherconsideration。
Severalyearswerenowaltogetheromitted，becauseMrs。Hilberyhadfoundsomethingdistastefultoherinthatperiod，andhadpreferredtodwelluponherownrecollectionsasachild。Afterthis，itseemedtoKatharinethatthebookbecameawilddanceofwill-o'-the-wisps，withoutformorcontinuity，withoutcoherenceeven，oranyattempttomakeanarrative。Hereweretwentypagesuponhergrandfather'stasteinhats，anessayuponcontemporarychina，alongaccountofasummerday'sexpeditionintothecountry，whentheyhadmissedtheirtrain，togetherwithfragmentaryvisionsofallsortsoffamousmenandwomen，whichseemedtobepartlyimaginaryandpartlyauthentic。Therewere，moreover，thousandsofletters，andamassoffaithfulrecollectionscontributedbyoldfriends，whichhadgrownyellownowintheirenvelopes，butmustbeplacedsomewhere，ortheirfeelingswouldbehurt。Somanyvolumeshadbeenwrittenaboutthepoetsincehisdeaththatshehadalsotodisposeofagreatnumberofmisstatements，whichinvolvedminuteresearchesandmuchcorrespondence。SometimesKatharinebrooded，halfcrushed，amongherpapers；sometimesshefeltthatitwasnecessaryforherveryexistencethatsheshouldfreeherselffromthepast；atothers，thatthepasthadcompletelydisplacedthepresent，which，whenoneresumedlifeafteramorningamongthedead，provedtobeofanutterlythinandinferiorcomposition。
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