Theworstofitwasthatshehadnoaptitudeforliterature。Shedidnotlikephrases。Shehadevensomenaturalantipathytothatprocessofself-examination，thatperpetualefforttounderstandone'sownfeeling，andexpressitbeautifully，fitly，orenergeticallyinlanguage，whichconstitutedsogreatapartofhermother'sexistence。
Shewas，onthecontrary，inclinedtobesilent；sheshrankfromexpressingherselfevenintalk，letaloneinwriting。Asthisdispositionwashighlyconvenientinafamilymuchgiventothemanufactureofphrases，andseemedtoargueacorrespondingcapacityforaction，shewas，fromherchildhoodeven，putinchargeofhouseholdaffairs。Shehadthereputation，whichnothinginhermannercontradicted，ofbeingthemostpracticalofpeople。Orderingmeals，directingservants，payingbills，andsocontrivingthateveryclocktickedmoreorlessaccuratelyintime，andanumberofvaseswerealwaysfulloffreshflowerswassupposedtobeanaturalendowmentofhers，and，indeed，Mrs。Hilberyoftenobservedthatitwaspoetrythewrongsideout。Fromaveryearlyage，too，shehadtoexertherselfinanothercapacity；shehadtocounselandhelpandgenerallysustainhermother。Mrs。Hilberywouldhavebeenperfectlywellabletosustainherselfiftheworldhadbeenwhattheworldisnot。Shewasbeautifullyadaptedforlifeinanotherplanet。Butthenaturalgeniusshehadforconductingaffairstherewasofnorealusetoherhere。
Herwatch，forexample，wasaconstantsourceofsurprisetoher，andattheageofsixty-fiveshewasstillamazedattheascendancywhichrulesandreasonsexertedoverthelivesofotherpeople。Shehadneverlearntherlesson，andhadconstantlytobepunishedforherignorance。Butasthatignorancewascombinedwithafinenaturalinsightwhichsawdeepwheneveritsawatall，itwasnotpossibletowriteMrs。Hilberyoffamongthedunces；onthecontrary，shehadawayofseemingthewisestpersonintheroom。But，onthewhole，shefounditverynecessarytoseeksupportinherdaughter。
Katharine，thus，wasamemberofaverygreatprofessionwhichhas，asyet，notitleandverylittlerecognition，althoughthelaborofmillandfactoryis，perhaps，nomoresevereandtheresultsoflessbenefittotheworld。Shelivedathome。Shediditverywell，too。
AnyonecomingtothehouseinCheyneWalkfeltthatherewasanorderlyplace，shapely，controlled——aplacewherelifehadbeentrainedtoshowtothebestadvantage，and，thoughcomposedofdifferentelements，madetoappearharmoniousandwithacharacterofitsown。PerhapsitwasthechieftriumphofKatharine'sartthatMrs。
Hilbery'scharacterpredominated。SheandMr。Hilberyappearedtobearichbackgroundforhermother'smorestrikingqualities。
Silencebeing，thus，bothnaturaltoherandimposeduponher，theonlyotherremarkthathermother'sfriendswereinthehabitofmakingaboutitwasthatitwasneitherastupidsilencenoranindifferentsilence。Buttowhatqualityitoweditscharacter，sincecharacterofsomesortithad，noonetroubledthemselvestoinquire。
Itwasunderstoodthatshewashelpinghermothertoproduceagreatbook。Shewasknowntomanagethehousehold。Shewascertainlybeautiful。Thataccountedforhersatisfactorily。Butitwouldhavebeenasurprise，notonlytootherpeoplebuttoKatharineherself，ifsomemagicwatchcouldhavetakencountofthemomentsspentinanentirelydifferentoccupationfromherostensibleone。Sittingwithfadedpapersbeforeher，shetookpartinaseriesofscenessuchasthetamingofwildponiesupontheAmericanprairies，ortheconductofavastshipinahurricaneroundablackpromontoryofrock，orinothersmorepeaceful，butmarkedbyhercompleteemancipationfromherpresentsurroundingsand，needlesstosay，byhersurpassingabilityinhernewvocation。Whenshewasridofthepretenseofpaperandpen，phrase-makingandbiography，sheturnedherattentioninamorelegitimatedirection，though，strangelyenough，shewouldratherhaveconfessedherwildestdreamsofhurricaneandprairiethanthefactthat，upstairs，aloneinherroom，sheroseearlyinthemorningorsatuplateatnightto……workatmathematics。Noforceonearthwouldhavemadeherconfessthat。Heractionswhenthusengagedwerefurtiveandsecretive，likethoseofsomenocturnalanimal。Stepshadonlytosoundonthestaircase，andsheslippedherpaperbetweentheleavesofagreatGreekdictionarywhichshehadpurloinedfromherfather'sroomforthispurpose。Itwasonlyatnight，indeed，thatshefeltsecureenoughfromsurprisetoconcentratehermindtotheutmost。
Perhapstheunwomanlynatureofthesciencemadeherinstinctivelywishtoconcealherloveofit。Butthemoreprofoundreasonwasthatinhermindmathematicsweredirectlyopposedtoliterature。Shewouldnothavecaredtoconfesshowinfinitelyshepreferredtheexactitude，thestar-likeimpersonality，offigurestotheconfusion，agitation，andvaguenessofthefinestprose。Therewassomethingalittleunseemlyinthusopposingthetraditionofherfamily；somethingthatmadeherfeelwrong-headed，andthusmorethaneverdisposedtoshutherdesiresawayfromviewandcherishthemwithextraordinaryfondness。Againandagainshewasthinkingofsomeproblemwhensheshouldhavebeenthinkingofhergrandfather。Wakingfromthesetrances，shewouldseethathermother，too，hadlapsedintosomedreamalmostasvisionaryasherown，forthepeoplewhoplayedtheirpartsinithadlongbeennumberedamongthedead。But，seeingherownstatemirroredinhermother'sface，Katharinewouldshakeherselfawakewithasenseofirritation。Hermotherwasthelastpersonshewishedtoresemble，muchthoughsheadmiredher。Hercommonsensewouldassertitselfalmostbrutally，andMrs。Hilbery，lookingatherwithheroddsidelongglance，thatwashalfmaliciousandhalftender，wouldlikenherto“yourwickedoldUncleJudgePeter，whousedtobehearddeliveringsentenceofdeathinthebathroom。ThankHeaven，Katharine，I'venotadropofHIMinme！“
CHAPTERIV
Ataboutnineo'clockatnight，oneveryalternateWednesday，MissMaryDatchetmadethesameresolve，thatshewouldneveragainlendherroomsforanypurposeswhatsoever。Being，astheywere，ratherlargeandconvenientlysituatedinastreetmostlydedicatedtoofficesofftheStrand，peoplewhowishedtomeet，eitherforpurposesofenjoyment，ortodiscussart，ortoreformtheState，hadawayofsuggestingthatMaryhadbetterbeaskedtolendthemherrooms。Shealwaysmettherequestwiththesamefrownofwell-simulatedannoyance，whichpresentlydissolvedinakindofhalf-humorous，half-
surlyshrug，asofalargedogtormentedbychildrenwhoshakeshisears。Shewouldlendherroom，butonlyonconditionthatallthearrangementsweremadebyher。Thisfortnightlymeetingofasocietyforthefreediscussionofeverythingentailedagreatdealofmoving，andpulling，andrangingoffurnitureagainstthewall，andplacingofbreakableandpreciousthingsinsafeplaces。MissDatchetwasquitecapableofliftingakitchentableonherback，ifneedwere，foralthoughwell-proportionedanddressedbecomingly，shehadtheappearanceofunusualstrengthanddetermination。
Shewassometwenty-fiveyearsofage，butlookedolderbecausesheearned，orintendedtoearn，herownliving，andhadalreadylostthelookoftheirresponsiblespectator，andtakenonthatoftheprivateinthearmyofworkers。Hergesturesseemedtohaveacertainpurpose，themusclesroundeyesandlipsweresetratherfirmly，asthoughthesenseshadundergonesomediscipline，andwereheldreadyforacallonthem。Shehadcontractedtwofaintlinesbetweenhereyebrows，notfromanxietybutfromthought，anditwasquiteevidentthatallthefeminineinstinctsofpleasing，soothing，andcharmingwerecrossedbyothersinnowaypeculiartohersex。Fortherestshewasbrown-eyed，alittleclumsyinmovement，andsuggestedcountrybirthandadescentfromrespectablehard-workingancestors，whohadbeenmenoffaithandintegrityratherthandoubtersorfanatics。
Attheendofafairlyhardday'sworkitwascertainlysomethingofanefforttoclearone'sroom，topullthemattressoffone'sbed，andlayitonthefloor，tofillapitcherwithcoldcoffee，andtosweepalongtableclearforplatesandcupsandsaucers，withpyramidsoflittlepinkbiscuitsbetweenthem；butwhenthesealterationswereeffected，Maryfeltalightnessofspiritcometoher，asifshehadputoffthestoutstuffofherworkinghoursandslippedoverherentirebeingsomevestureofthin，brightsilk。Shekneltbeforethefireandlookedoutintotheroom。Thelightfellsoftly，butwithclearradiance，throughshadesofyellowandbluepaper，andtheroom，whichwassetwithoneortwosofasresemblinggrassymoundsintheirlackofshape，lookedunusuallylargeandquiet。MarywasledtothinkoftheheightsofaSussexdown，andtheswellinggreencircleofsomecampofancientwarriors。Themoonlightwouldbefallingtheresopeacefullynow，andshecouldfancytheroughpathwayofsilveruponthewrinkledskinofthesea。
“Andhereweare，“shesaid，halfaloud，halfsatirically，yetwithevidentpride，“talkingaboutart。“
Shepulledabasketcontainingballsofdifferentlycoloredwoolsandapairofstockingswhichneededdarningtowardsher，andbegantosetherfingerstowork；whilehermind，reflectingthelassitudeofherbody，wentonperversely，conjuringupvisionsofsolitudeandquiet，andshepicturedherselflayingasideherknittingandwalkingoutontothedown，andhearingnothingbutthesheepcroppingthegrassclosetotheroots，whiletheshadowsofthelittletreesmovedveryslightlythiswayandthatinthemoonlight，asthebreezewentthroughthem。Butshewasperfectlyconsciousofherpresentsituation，andderivedsomepleasurefromthereflectionthatshecouldrejoiceequallyinsolitude，andinthepresenceofthemanyverydifferentpeoplewhowerenowmakingtheirway，bydiverspaths，acrossLondontothespotwhereshewassitting。
Assheranherneedleinandoutofthewool，shethoughtofthevariousstagesinherownlifewhichmadeherpresentpositionseemtheculminationofsuccessivemiracles。Shethoughtofherclericalfatherinhiscountryparsonage，andofhermother'sdeath，andofherowndeterminationtoobtaineducation，andofhercollegelife，whichhadmerged，notsoverylongago，inthewonderfulmazeofLondon，whichstillseemedtoher，inspiteofherconstitutionallevel-headedness，likeavastelectriclight，castingradianceuponthemyriadsofmenandwomenwhocrowdedroundit。Andhereshewasattheverycenterofitall，thatcenterwhichwasconstantlyinthemindsofpeopleinremoteCanadianforestsandontheplainsofIndia，whentheirthoughtsturnedtoEngland。Theninemellowstrokes，bywhichshewasnowapprisedofthehour，wereamessagefromthegreatclockatWestminsteritself。Asthelastofthemdiedaway，therewasafirmknockingonherowndoor，andsheroseandopenedit。Shereturnedtotheroom，withalookofsteadypleasureinhereyes，andshewastalkingtoRalphDenham，whofollowedher。
“Alone？“hesaid，asifhewerepleasantlysurprisedbythatfact。
“Iamsometimesalone，“shereplied。
“Butyouexpectagreatmanypeople，“headded，lookingroundhim。
“It'slikearoomonthestage。Whoisitto-night？“
“WilliamRodney，upontheElizabethanuseofmetaphor。Iexpectagoodsolidpaper，withplentyofquotationsfromtheclassics。“
Ralphwarmedhishandsatthefire，whichwasflappingbravelyinthegrate，whileMarytookupherstockingagain。
“IsupposeyouaretheonlywomaninLondonwhodarnsherownstockings，“heobserved。
“I'monlyoneofagreatmanythousandsreally，“shereplied，“thoughImustadmitthatIwasthinkingmyselfveryremarkablewhenyoucamein。Andnowthatyou'rehereIdon'tthinkmyselfremarkableatall。
Howhorridofyou！ButI'mafraidyou'remuchmoreremarkablethanI
am。You'vedonemuchmorethanI'vedone。“
“Ifthat'syourstandard，you'venothingtobeproudof，“saidRalphgrimly。
“Well，ImustreflectwithEmersonthatit'sbeingandnotdoingthatmatters，“shecontinued。
“Emerson？“Ralphexclaimed，withderision。“Youdon'tmeantosayyoureadEmerson？“
“Perhapsitwasn'tEmerson；butwhyshouldn'tIreadEmerson？“sheasked，withatingeofanxiety。
“There'snoreasonthatIknowof。It'sthecombinationthat'sodd——
booksandstockings。Thecombinationisveryodd。“Butitseemedtorecommenditselftohim。Marygavealittlelaugh，expressiveofhappiness，andtheparticularstitchesthatshewasnowputtingintoherworkappearedtohertobedonewithsingulargraceandfelicity。
Sheheldoutthestockingandlookedatitapprovingly。
“Youalwayssaythat，“shesaid。“Iassureyouit'sacommon'combination，'asyoucallit，inthehousesoftheclergy。Theonlythingthat'soddaboutmeisthatIenjoythemboth——Emersonandthestocking。“
Aknockwasheard，andRalphexclaimed:
“Damnthosepeople！Iwishtheyweren'tcoming！“
“It'sonlyMr。Turner，onthefloorbelow，“saidMary，andshefeltgratefultoMr。TurnerforhavingalarmedRalph，andforhavinggivenafalsealarm。
“Willtherebeacrowd？“Ralphasked，afterapause。
“There'llbetheMorrisesandtheCrashaws，andDickOsborne，andSeptimus，andallthatset。KatharineHilberyiscoming，bytheway，soWilliamRodneytoldme。“
“KatharineHilbery！“Ralphexclaimed。
“Youknowher？“Maryasked，withsomesurprise。
“Iwenttoatea-partyatherhouse。“
Marypressedhimtotellherallaboutit，andRalphwasnotatallunwillingtoexhibitproofsoftheextentofhisknowledge。HedescribedthescenewithcertainadditionsandexaggerationswhichinterestedMaryverymuch。
“But，inspiteofwhatyousay，Idoadmireher，“shesaid。“I'veonlyseenheronceortwice，butsheseemstometobewhatonecallsa'personality。'“
“Ididn'tmeantoabuseher。Ionlyfeltthatshewasn'tverysympathetictome。“
“Theysayshe'sgoingtomarrythatqueercreatureRodney。“
“MarryRodney？ThenshemustbemoredeludedthanIthoughther。“
“Nowthat'smydoor，allright，“Maryexclaimed，carefullyputtingherwoolsaway，asasuccessionofknocksreverberatedunnecessarily，accompaniedbyasoundofpeoplestampingtheirfeetandlaughing。A
momentlatertheroomwasfullofyoungmenandwomen，whocameinwithapeculiarlookofexpectation，exclaimed“Oh！“whentheysawDenham，andthenstoodstill，gapingratherfoolishly。
Theroomverysooncontainedbetweentwentyandthirtypeople，whofoundseatsforthemostpartuponthefloor，occupyingthemattresses，andhunchingthemselvestogetherintotriangularshapes。
Theywereallyoungandsomeofthemseemedtomakeaprotestbytheirhairanddress，andsomethingsomberandtruculentintheexpressionoftheirfaces，againstthemorenormaltype，whowouldhavepassedunnoticedinanomnibusoranundergroundrailway。Itwasnotablethatthetalkwasconfinedtogroups，andwas，atfirst，entirelyspasmodicincharacter，andmutteredinundertonesasifthespeakersweresuspiciousoftheirfellow-guests。
KatharineHilberycameinratherlate，andtookupapositiononthefloor，withherbackagainstthewall。Shelookedroundquickly，recognizedabouthalfadozenpeople，towhomshenodded，butfailedtoseeRalph，or，ifso，hadalreadyforgottentoattachanynametohim。ButinasecondtheseheterogeneouselementswereallunitedbythevoiceofMr。Rodney，whosuddenlystrodeuptothetable，andbeganveryrapidlyinhigh-strainedtones:
“InundertakingtospeakoftheElizabethanuseofmetaphorinpoetry——“
Allthedifferentheadsswungslightlyorsteadiedthemselvesintoapositioninwhichtheycouldgazestraightatthespeaker'sface，andthesamerathersolemnexpressionwasvisibleonallofthem。But，atthesametime，eventhefacesthatweremostexposedtoview，andthereforemosttautlyundercontrol，disclosedasuddenimpulsivetremorwhich，unlessdirectlychecked，wouldhavedevelopedintoanoutburstoflaughter。ThefirstsightofMr。Rodneywasirresistiblyludicrous。Hewasveryredintheface，whetherfromthecoolNovembernightornervousness，andeverymovement，fromthewayhewrunghishandstothewayhejerkedhisheadtorightandleft，asthoughavisiondrewhimnowtothedoor，nowtothewindow，bespokehishorriblediscomfortunderthestareofsomanyeyes。Hewasscrupulouslywelldressed，andapearlinthecenterofhistieseemedtogivehimatouchofaristocraticopulence。Buttheratherprominenteyesandtheimpulsivestammeringmanner，whichseemedtoindicateatorrentofideasintermittentlypressingforutteranceandalwayscheckedintheircoursebyaclutchofnervousness，drewnopity，asinthecaseofamoreimposingpersonage，butadesiretolaugh，whichwas，however，entirelylackinginmalice。Mr。Rodneywasevidentlysopainfullyconsciousoftheoddityofhisappearance，andhisveryrednessandthestartstowhichhisbodywasliablegavesuchproofofhisowndiscomfort，thattherewassomethingendearinginthisridiculoussusceptibility，althoughmostpeoplewouldprobablyhaveechoedDenham'sprivateexclamation，“Fancymarryingacreaturelikethat！“
Hispaperwascarefullywrittenout，butinspiteofthisprecautionMr。Rodneymanagedtoturnovertwosheetsinsteadofone，tochoosethewrongsentencewheretwowerewrittentogether，andtodiscoverhisownhandwritingsuddenlyillegible。Whenhefoundhimselfpossessedofacoherentpassage，heshookitathisaudiencealmostaggressively，andthenfumbledforanother。Afteradistressingsearchafreshdiscoverywouldbemade，andproducedinthesameway，until，bymeansofrepeatedattacks，hehadstirredhisaudiencetoadegreeofanimationquiteremarkableinthesegatherings。Whethertheywerestirredbyhisenthusiasmforpoetryorbythecontortionswhichahumanbeingwasgoingthroughfortheirbenefit，itwouldbehardtosay。AtlengthMr。Rodneysatdownimpulsivelyinthemiddleofasentence，and，afterapauseofbewilderment，theaudienceexpresseditsreliefatbeingabletolaughaloudinadecidedoutburstofapplause。
Mr。Rodneyacknowledgedthiswithawildglanceroundhim，and，insteadofwaitingtoanswerquestions，hejumpedup，thrusthimselfthroughtheseatedbodiesintothecornerwhereKatharinewassitting，andexclaimed，veryaudibly:
“Well，Katharine，IhopeI'vemadeabigenoughfoolofmyselfevenforyou！Itwasterrible！terrible！terrible！“
“Hush！Youmustanswertheirquestions，“Katharinewhispered，desiring，atallcosts，tokeephimquiet。Oddlyenough，whenthespeakerwasnolongerinfrontofthem，thereseemedtobemuchthatwassuggestiveinwhathehadsaid。Atanyrate，apale-facedyoungmanwithsadeyeswasalreadyonhisfeet，deliveringanaccuratelywordedspeechwithperfectcomposure。WilliamRodneylistenedwithacuriousliftingofhisupperlip，althoughhisfacewasstillquiveringslightlywithemotion。
“Idiot！“hewhispered。“He'smisunderstoodeverywordIsaid！“
“Wellthen，answerhim，“Katharinewhisperedback。
“No，Ishan't！They'donlylaughatme。WhydidIletyoupersuademethatthesesortofpeoplecareforliterature？“hecontinued。
TherewasmuchtobesaidbothforandagainstMr。Rodney'spaper。Ithadbeencrammedwithassertionsthatsuch-and-suchpassages，takenliberallyfromEnglish，French，andItalian，arethesupremepearlsofliterature。Further，hewasfondofusingmetaphorswhich，compoundedinthestudy，wereapttosoundeithercrampedoroutofplaceashedeliveredtheminfragments。Literaturewasafreshgarlandofspringflowers，hesaid，inwhichyew-berriesandthepurplenightshademingledwiththevarioustintsoftheanemone；andsomehoworotherthisgarlandencircledmarblebrows。Hehadreadverybadlysomeverybeautifulquotations。Butthroughhismannerandhisconfusionoflanguagetherehademergedsomepassionoffeelingwhich，ashespoke，formedinthemajorityoftheaudiencealittlepictureoranideawhicheachnowwaseagertogiveexpressionto。Mostofthepeoplethereproposedtospendtheirlivesinthepracticeeitherofwritingorpainting，andmerelybylookingatthemitcouldbeseenthat，astheylistenedtoMr。Purvisfirst，andthentoMr。Greenhalgh，theywereseeingsomethingdonebythesegentlementoapossessionwhichtheythoughttobetheirown。Onepersonafteranotherrose，and，aswithanill-balancedaxe，attemptedtohewouthisconceptionofartalittlemoreclearly，andsatdownwiththefeelingthat，forsomereasonwhichhecouldnotgrasp，hisstrokeshadgoneawry。Astheysatdowntheyturnedalmostinvariablytothepersonsittingnextthem，andrectifiedandcontinuedwhattheyhadjustsaidinpublic。
Beforelong，therefore，thegroupsonthemattressesandthegroupsonthechairswereallincommunicationwitheachother，andMaryDatchet，whohadbeguntodarnstockingsagain，stoopeddownandremarkedtoRalph:
“ThatwaswhatIcallafirst-ratepaper。“
Bothoftheminstinctivelyturnedtheireyesinthedirectionofthereaderofthepaper。Hewaslyingbackagainstthewall，withhiseyesapparentlyshut，andhischinsunkuponhiscollar。Katharinewasturningoverthepagesofhismanuscriptasifshewerelookingforsomepassagethathadparticularlystruckher，andhadadifficultyinfindingit。
“Let'sgoandtellhimhowmuchwelikedit，“saidMary，thussuggestinganactionwhichRalphwasanxioustotake，thoughwithoutherhewouldhavebeentooproudtodoit，forhesuspectedthathehadmoreinterestinKatharinethanshehadinhim。
“Thatwasaveryinterestingpaper，“Marybegan，withoutanyshyness，seatingherselfontheflooroppositetoRodneyandKatharine。“Willyoulendmethemanuscripttoreadinpeace？“
Rodney，whohadopenedhiseyesontheirapproach，regardedherforamomentinsuspicioussilence。
“Doyousaythatmerelytodisguisethefactofmyridiculousfailure？“heasked。
Katharinelookedupfromherreadingwithasmile。
“Hesayshedoesn'tmindwhatwethinkofhim，“sheremarked。“Hesayswedon'tcarearapforartofanykind。“
“Iaskedhertopityme，andsheteasesme！“Rodneyexclaimed。
“Idon'tintendtopityyou，Mr。Rodney，“Maryremarked，kindly，butfirmly。“Whenapaper'safailure，nobodysaysanything，whereasnow，justlistentothem！“
Thesound，whichfilledtheroom，withitshurryofshortsyllables，itssuddenpauses，anditssuddenattacks，mightbecomparedtosomeanimalhubbub，franticandinarticulate。
“D'youthinkthat'sallaboutmypaper？“Rodneyinquired，afteramoment'sattention，withadistinctbrighteningofexpression。
“Ofcourseitis，“saidMary。“Itwasaverysuggestivepaper。“
SheturnedtoDenhamforconfirmation，andhecorroboratedher。
“It'sthetenminutesafterapaperisreadthatproveswhetherit'sbeenasuccessornot，“hesaid。“IfIwereyou，Rodney，Ishouldbeverypleasedwithmyself。“
ThiscommendationseemedtocomfortMr。Rodneycompletely，andhebegantobethinkhimofallthepassagesinhispaperwhichdeservedtobecalled“suggestive。“
“Didyouagreeatall，Denham，withwhatIsaidaboutShakespeare'slateruseofimagery？I'mafraidIdidn'taltogethermakemymeaningplain。“
Herehegatheredhimselftogether，andbymeansofaseriesoffrog-likejerks，succeededinbringinghimselfclosetoDenham。
Denhamansweredhimwiththebrevitywhichistheresultofhavinganothersentenceinthemindtobeaddressedtoanotherperson。HewishedtosaytoKatharine:“Didyouremembertogetthatpictureglazedbeforeyourauntcametodinner？“but，besideshavingtoanswerRodney，hewasnotsurethattheremark，withitsassertionofintimacy，wouldnotstrikeKatharineasimpertinent。Shewaslisteningtowhatsomeoneinanothergroupwassaying。Rodney，meanwhile，wastalkingabouttheElizabethandramatists。
Hewasacurious-lookingmansince，uponfirstsight，especiallyifhechancedtobetalkingwithanimation，heappeared，insomeway，ridiculous；but，nextmoment，inrepose，hisface，withitslargenose，thincheeksandlipsexpressingtheutmostsensibility，somehowrecalledaRomanheadboundwithlaurel，cutuponacircleofsemi-
transparentreddishstone。Ithaddignityandcharacter。ByprofessionaclerkinaGovernmentoffice，hewasoneofthosemartyredspiritstowhomliteratureisatonceasourceofdivinejoyandofalmostintolerableirritation。Notcontenttorestintheirloveofit，theymustattempttopractiseitthemselves，andtheyaregenerallyendowedwithverylittlefacilityincomposition。Theycondemnwhatevertheyproduce。Moreover，theviolenceoftheirfeelingsissuchthattheyseldommeetwithadequatesympathy，andbeingrenderedverysensitivebytheircultivatedperceptions，sufferconstantslightsbothtotheirownpersonsandtothethingtheyworship。ButRodneycouldneverresistmakingtrialofthesympathiesofanyonewhoseemedfavorablydisposed，andDenham'spraisehadstimulatedhisverysusceptiblevanity。
“YourememberthepassagejustbeforethedeathoftheDuchess？“hecontinued，edgingstillclosertoDenham，andadjustinghiselbowandkneeinanincrediblyangularcombination。Here，Katharine，whohadbeencutoffbythesemaneuversfromallcommunicationwiththeouterworld，rose，andseatedherselfuponthewindow-sill，whereshewasjoinedbyMaryDatchet。Thetwoyoungwomencouldthussurveythewholeparty。Denhamlookedafterthem，andmadeasifheweretearinghandfulsofgrassupbytherootsfromthecarpet。Butasitfellinaccuratelywithhisconceptionoflifethatallone'sdesireswereboundtobefrustrated，heconcentratedhisminduponliterature，anddetermined，philosophically，togetwhathecouldoutofthat。
Katharinewaspleasantlyexcited。Avarietyofcourseswasopentoher。Sheknewseveralpeopleslightly，andatanymomentoneofthemmightrisefromthefloorandcomeandspeaktoher；ontheotherhand，shemightselectsomebodyforherself，orshemightstrikeintoRodney'sdiscourse，towhichshewasintermittentlyattentive。ShewasconsciousofMary'sbodybesideher，but，atthesametime，theconsciousnessofbeingbothofthemwomenmadeitunnecessarytospeaktoher。ButMary，feeling，asshehadsaid，thatKatharinewasa“personality，“wishedsomuchtospeaktoherthatinafewmomentsshedid。
“They'reexactlylikeaflockofsheep，aren'tthey？“shesaid，referringtothenoisethatrosefromthescatteredbodiesbeneathher。
Katharineturnedandsmiled。
“Iwonderwhatthey'remakingsuchanoiseabout？“shesaid。
“TheElizabethans，Isuppose。“
“No，Idon'tthinkit'sgotanythingtodowiththeElizabethans。
There！Didn'tyouhearthemsay，'InsuranceBill'？“
“Iwonderwhymenalwaystalkaboutpolitics？“Maryspeculated。“I
suppose，ifwehadvotes，weshould，too。“
“Idaresayweshould。Andyouspendyourlifeingettingusvotes，don'tyou？“
“Ido，“saidMary，stoutly。“FromtentosixeverydayI'matit。“
KatharinelookedatRalphDenham，whowasnowpoundinghiswaythroughthemetaphysicsofmetaphorwithRodney，andwasremindedofhistalkthatSundayafternoon。SheconnectedhimvaguelywithMary。
“Isupposeyou'reoneofthepeoplewhothinkweshouldallhaveprofessions，“shesaid，ratherdistantly，asiffeelingherwayamongthephantomsofanunknownworld。
“Ohdearno，“saidMaryatonce。
“Well，IthinkIdo，“Katharinecontinued，withhalfasigh。“Youwillalwaysbeabletosaythatyou'vedonesomething，whereas，inacrowdlikethis，Ifeelrathermelancholy。“
“Inacrowd？Whyinacrowd？“Maryasked，deepeningthetwolinesbetweenhereyes，andhoistingherselfnearertoKatharineuponthewindow-sill。
“Don'tyouseehowmanydifferentthingsthesepeoplecareabout？AndIwanttobeatthemdown——Ionlymean，“shecorrectedherself，“thatI
wanttoassertmyself，andit'sdifficult，ifonehasn'taprofession。“
Marysmiled，thinkingthattobeatpeopledownwasaprocessthatshouldpresentnodifficultytoMissKatharineHilbery。Theykneweachothersoslightlythatthebeginningofintimacy，whichKatharineseemedtoinitiatebytalkingaboutherself，hadsomethingsolemninit，andtheyweresilent，asiftodecidewhethertoproceedornot。
Theytestedtheground。
“Ah，butIwanttotrampleupontheirprostratebodies！“Katharineannounced，amomentlater，withalaugh，asifatthetrainofthoughtwhichhadledhertothisconclusion。
“Onedoesn'tnecessarilytrampleuponpeople'sbodiesbecauseonerunsanoffice，“Maryremarked。
“No。Perhapsnot，“Katharinereplied。Theconversationlapsed，andMarysawKatharinelookingoutintotheroomrathermoodilywithclosedlips，thedesiretotalkaboutherselfortoinitiateafriendshiphaving，apparently，lefther。Marywasstruckbyhercapacityforbeingthuseasilysilent，andoccupiedwithherownthoughts。Itwasahabitthatspokeoflonelinessandamindthinkingforitself。WhenKatharineremainedsilentMarywasslightlyembarrassed。
“Yes，they'reverylikesheep，“sherepeated，foolishly。
“Andyettheyareveryclever——atleast，“Katharineadded，“IsupposetheyhaveallreadWebster。“
“Surelyyoudon'tthinkthataproofofcleverness？I'vereadWebster，I'vereadBenJonson，butIdon'tthinkmyselfclever——notexactly，atleast。“
“Ithinkyoumustbeveryclever，“Katharineobserved。
“Why？BecauseIrunanoffice？“
“Iwasn'tthinkingofthat。Iwasthinkinghowyoulivealoneinthisroom，andhaveparties。“
Maryreflectedforasecond。
“Itmeans，chiefly，apowerofbeingdisagreeabletoone'sownfamily，Ithink。Ihavethat，perhaps。Ididn'twanttoliveathome，andI
toldmyfather。Hedidn'tlikeit……ButthenIhaveasister，andyouhaven't，haveyou？“
“No，Ihaven'tanysisters。“
“Youarewritingalifeofyourgrandfather？“Marypursued。
Katharineseemedinstantlytobeconfrontedbysomefamiliarthoughtfromwhichshewishedtoescape。Shereplied，“Yes，Iamhelpingmymother，“insuchawaythatMaryfeltherselfbaffled，andputbackagainintothepositioninwhichshehadbeenatthebeginningoftheirtalk。ItseemedtoherthatKatharinepossessedacuriouspowerofdrawingnearandreceding，whichsentalternateemotionsthroughherfarmorequicklythanwasusual，andkeptherinaconditionofcuriousalertness。Desiringtoclassifyher，Marybethoughtheroftheconvenientterm“egoist。“
“She'sanegoist，“shesaidtoherself，andstoredthatworduptogivetoRalphonedaywhen，asitwouldcertainlyfallout，theywerediscussingMissHilbery。
“Heavens，whatamessthere'llbeto-morrowmorning！“Katharineexclaimed。“Ihopeyoudon'tsleepinthisroom，MissDatchet？“
Marylaughed。
“Whatareyoulaughingat？“Katharinedemanded。
“Iwon'ttellyou。“
“Letmeguess。YouwerelaughingbecauseyouthoughtI'dchangedtheconversation？“
“No。“
“Becauseyouthink——“Shepaused。
“Ifyouwanttoknow，IwaslaughingatthewayyousaidMissDatchet。“
“Mary，then。Mary，Mary，Mary。“
Sosaying，Katharinedrewbackthecurtaininorder，perhaps，toconcealthemomentaryflushofpleasurewhichiscausedbycomingperceptiblynearertoanotherperson。
“MaryDatchet，“saidMary。“It'snotsuchanimposingnameasKatharineHilbery，I'mafraid。“
Theybothlookedoutofthewindow，firstupatthehardsilvermoon，stationaryamongahurryoflittlegrey-blueclouds，andthendownupontheroofsofLondon，withalltheiruprightchimneys，andthenbelowthemattheemptymoonlitpavementofthestreet，uponwhichthejointofeachpaving-stonewasclearlymarkedout。MarythensawKatharineraisehereyesagaintothemoon，withacontemplativelookinthem，asthoughsheweresettingthatmoonagainstthemoonofothernights，heldinmemory。Someoneintheroombehindthemmadeajokeaboutstar-gazing，whichdestroyedtheirpleasureinit，andtheylookedbackintotheroomagain。
Ralphhadbeenwatchingforthismoment，andheinstantlyproducedhissentence。
“Iwonder，MissHilbery，whetheryourememberedtogetthatpictureglazed？“Hisvoiceshowedthatthequestionwasonethathadbeenprepared。
“Oh，youidiot！“Maryexclaimed，verynearlyaloud，withasensethatRalphhadsaidsomethingverystupid。So，afterthreelessonsinLatingrammar，onemightcorrectafellowstudent，whoseknowledgedidnotembracetheablativeof“mensa。“
“Picture——whatpicture？“Katharineasked。“Oh，athome，youmean——thatSundayafternoon。WasitthedayMr。Fortescuecame？Yes，IthinkI
rememberedit。“
Thethreeofthemstoodforamomentawkwardlysilent，andthenMarylefttheminordertoseethatthegreatpitcherofcoffeewasproperlyhandled，forbeneathallhereducationshepreservedtheanxietiesofonewhoownschina。
Ralphcouldthinkofnothingfurthertosay；butcouldonehavestrippedoffhismaskofflesh，onewouldhaveseenthathiswill-
powerwasrigidlysetuponasingleobject——thatMissHilberyshouldobeyhim。Hewishedhertostaythereuntil，bysomemeasuresnotyetapparenttohim，hehadconqueredherinterest。Thesestatesofmindtransmitthemselvesveryoftenwithouttheuseoflanguage，anditwasevidenttoKatharinethatthisyoungmanhadfixedhisminduponher。
Sheinstantlyrecalledherfirstimpressionsofhim，andsawherselfagainprofferingfamilyrelics。SherevertedtothestateofmindinwhichhehadleftherthatSundayafternoon。Shesupposedthathejudgedherveryseverely。Shearguednaturallythat，ifthiswerethecase，theburdenoftheconversationshouldrestwithhim。Butshesubmittedsofarastostandperfectlystill，hereyesupontheoppositewall，andherlipsverynearlyclosed，thoughthedesiretolaughstirredthemslightly。
“Youknowthenamesofthestars，Isuppose？“Denhamremarked，andfromthetoneofhisvoiceonemighthavethoughtthathegrudgedKatharinetheknowledgeheattributedtoher。
Shekepthervoicesteadywithsomedifficulty。
“IknowhowtofindthePolestarifI'mlost。“
“Idon'tsupposethatoftenhappenstoyou。“
“No。Nothinginterestingeverhappenstome，“shesaid。
“Ithinkyoumakeasystemofsayingdisagreeablethings，MissHilbery，“hebrokeout，againgoingfurtherthanhemeantto。“I
supposeit'soneofthecharacteristicsofyourclass。Theynevertalkseriouslytotheirinferiors。“
Whetheritwasthattheyweremeetingonneutralgroundto-night，orwhetherthecarelessnessofanoldgreycoatthatDenhamworegaveaneasetohisbearingthathelackedinconventionaldress，Katharinecertainlyfeltnoimpulsetoconsiderhimoutsidetheparticularsetinwhichshelived。
“Inwhatsenseareyoumyinferior？“sheasked，lookingathimgravely，asthoughhonestlysearchingforhismeaning。Thelookgavehimgreatpleasure。Forthefirsttimehefelthimselfonperfectlyequaltermswithawomanwhomhewishedtothinkwellofhim，althoughhecouldnothaveexplainedwhyheropinionofhimmatteredonewayoranother。Perhaps，afterall，heonlywantedtohavesomethingofhertotakehometothinkabout。Buthewasnotdestinedtoprofitbyhisadvantage。
“Idon'tthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，“Katharinerepeated，andthenshewasobligedtostopandanswersomeonewhowishedtoknowwhethershewouldbuyaticketforanoperafromthem，atareduction。
Indeed，thetemperofthemeetingwasnowunfavorabletoseparateconversation；ithadbecomeratherdebauchedandhilarious，andpeoplewhoscarcelykneweachotherweremakinguseofChristiannameswithapparentcordiality，andhadreachedthatkindofgaytoleranceandgeneralfriendlinesswhichhumanbeingsinEnglandonlyattainaftersittingtogetherforthreehoursorso，andthefirstcoldblastintheairofthestreetfreezesthemintoisolationoncemore。Cloakswerebeingflungroundtheshoulders，hatsswiftlypinnedtothehead；
andDenhamhadthemortificationofseeingKatharinehelpedtoprepareherselfbytheridiculousRodney。Itwasnottheconventionofthemeetingtosaygood-bye，ornecessarilyeventonodtothepersonwithwhomonewastalking；but，nevertheless，DenhamwasdisappointedbythecompletenesswithwhichKatharinepartedfromhim，withoutanyattempttofinishhersentence。SheleftwithRodney。
CHAPTERV
DenhamhadnoconsciousintentionoffollowingKatharine，but，seeingherdepart，hetookhishatandranrathermorequicklydownthestairsthanhewouldhavedoneifKatharinehadnotbeeninfrontofhim。Heovertookafriendofhis，bynameHarrySandys，whowasgoingthesameway，andtheywalkedtogetherafewpacesbehindKatharineandRodney。
Thenightwasverystill，andonsuchnights，whenthetrafficthinsaway，thewalkerbecomesconsciousofthemooninthestreet，asifthecurtainsoftheskyhadbeendrawnapart，andtheheavenlaybare，asitdoesinthecountry。Theairwassoftlycool，sothatpeoplewhohadbeensittingtalkinginacrowdfounditpleasanttowalkalittlebeforedecidingtostopanomnibusorencounterlightagaininanundergroundrailway。Sandys，whowasabarristerwithaphilosophictendency，tookouthispipe，litit，murmured“hum“and“ha，“andwassilent。Thecoupleinfrontofthemkepttheirdistanceaccurately，andappeared，sofarasDenhamcouldjudgebythewaytheyturnedtowardseachother，tobetalkingveryconstantly。Heobservedthatwhenapedestriangoingtheoppositewayforcedthemtoparttheycametogetheragaindirectlyafterwards。WithoutintendingtowatchthemheneverquitelostsightoftheyellowscarftwistedroundKatharine'shead，orthelightovercoatwhichmadeRodneylookfashionableamongthecrowd。AttheStrandhesupposedthattheywouldseparate，butinsteadtheycrossedtheroad，andtooktheirwaydownoneofthenarrowpassageswhichleadthroughancientcourtstotheriver。AmongthecrowdofpeopleinthebigthoroughfaresRodneyseemedmerelytobelendingKatharinehisescort，butnow，whenpassengerswererareandthefootstepsofthecoupleweredistinctlyheardinthesilence，Denhamcouldnothelppicturingtohimselfsomechangeintheirconversation。Theeffectofthelightandshadow，whichseemedtoincreasetheirheight，wastomakethemmysteriousandsignificant，sothatDenhamhadnofeelingofirritationwithKatharine，butratherahalf-dreamyacquiescenceinthecourseoftheworld。Yes，shedidverywelltodreamabout——butSandyshadsuddenlybeguntotalk。Hewasasolitarymanwhohadmadehisfriendsatcollegeandalwaysaddressedthemasiftheywerestillundergraduatesarguinginhisroom，thoughmanymonthsorevenyearshadpassedinsomecasesbetweenthelastsentenceandthepresentone。Themethodwasalittlesingular，butveryrestful，foritseemedtoignorecompletelyallaccidentsofhumanlife，andtospanverydeepabysseswithafewsimplewords。
Onthisoccasionhebegan，whiletheywaitedforaminuteontheedgeoftheStrand:
“IhearthatBennetthasgivenuphistheoryoftruth。“
Denhamreturnedasuitableanswer，andheproceededtoexplainhowthisdecisionhadbeenarrivedat，andwhatchangesitinvolvedinthephilosophywhichtheybothaccepted。MeanwhileKatharineandRodneydrewfurtherahead，andDenhamkept，ifthatistherightexpressionforaninvoluntaryaction，onefilamentofhisminduponthem，whilewiththerestofhisintelligencehesoughttounderstandwhatSandyswassaying。
Astheypassedthroughthecourtsthustalking，Sandyslaidthetipofhisstickupononeofthestonesformingatime-wornarch，andstruckitmeditativelytwoorthreetimesinordertoillustratesomethingveryobscureaboutthecomplexnatureofone'sapprehensionoffacts。
Duringthepausewhichthisnecessitated，KatharineandRodneyturnedthecorneranddisappeared。ForamomentDenhamstoppedinvoluntarilyinhissentence，andcontinueditwithasenseofhavinglostsomething。
Unconsciousthattheywereobserved，KatharineandRodneyhadcomeoutontheEmbankment。Whentheyhadcrossedtheroad，Rodneyslappedhishanduponthestoneparapetabovetheriverandexclaimed:
“IpromiseIwon'tsayanotherwordaboutit，Katharine！Butdostopaminuteandlookatthemoonuponthewater。“
Katharinepaused，lookedupanddowntheriver，andsnuffedtheair。
“I'msureonecansmellthesea，withthewindblowingthisway，“shesaid。
Theystoodsilentforafewmomentswhiletherivershiftedinitsbed，andthesilverandredlightswhichwerelaiduponitweretornbythecurrentandjoinedtogetheragain。Veryfaroffuptheriverasteamerhootedwithitshollowvoiceofunspeakablemelancholy，asiffromtheheartoflonelymist-shroudedvoyagings。
“Ah！“Rodneycried，strikinghishandoncemoreuponthebalustrade，“whycan'tonesayhowbeautifulitallis？WhyamIcondemnedforever，Katharine，tofeelwhatIcan'texpress？AndthethingsIcangivethere'snouseinmygiving。Trustme，Katharine，“headdedhastily，“Iwon'tspeakofitagain。Butinthepresenceofbeauty——
lookattheiridescenceroundthemoon！——onefeels——onefeels——Perhapsifyoumarriedme——I'mhalfapoet，yousee，andIcan'tpretendnottofeelwhatIdofeel。IfIcouldwrite——ah，thatwouldbeanothermatter。Ishouldn'tbotheryoutomarrymethen，Katharine。“
Hespokethesedisconnectedsentencesratherabruptly，withhiseyesalternatelyuponthemoonanduponthestream。
“ButformeIsupposeyouwouldrecommendmarriage？“saidKatharine，withhereyesfixedonthemoon。
“CertainlyIshould。Notforyouonly，butforallwomen。Why，you'renothingatallwithoutit；you'reonlyhalfalive；usingonlyhalfyourfaculties；youmustfeelthatforyourself。Thatiswhy——“Herehestoppedhimself，andtheybegantowalkslowlyalongtheEmbankment，themoonfrontingthem。
“Withhowsadstepssheclimbsthesky，Howsilentlyandwithhowwanaface，“
Rodneyquoted。
“I'vebeentoldagreatmanyunpleasantthingsaboutmyselfto-night，“
Katharinestated，withoutattendingtohim。“Mr。Denhamseemstothinkithismissiontolectureme，thoughIhardlyknowhim。Bytheway，William，youknowhim；tellme，whatishelike？“
Williamdrewadeepsigh。
“Wemaylectureyoutillwe'reblueintheface——“
“Yes——butwhat'shelike？“
“Andwewritesonnetstoyoureyebrows，youcruelpracticalcreature。
Denham？“headded，asKatharineremainedsilent。“Agoodfellow，I
shouldthink。Hecares，naturally，fortherightsortofthings，I
expect。Butyoumustn'tmarryhim，though。Hescoldedyou，didhe——
whatdidhesay？“
“WhathappenswithMr。Denhamisthis:Hecomestotea。IdoallIcantoputhimathisease。Hemerelysitsandscowlsatme。ThenIshowhimourmanuscripts。Atthishebecomesreallyangry，andtellsmeI'venobusinesstocallmyselfamiddle-classwoman。Sowepartinahuff；andnexttimewemeet，whichwasto-night，hewalksstraightuptome，andsays，'GototheDevil！'That'sthesortofbehaviormymothercomplainsof。Iwanttoknow，whatdoesitmean？“
Shepausedand，slackeninghersteps，lookedatthelightedtraindrawingitselfsmoothlyoverHungerfordBridge。
“Itmeans，Ishouldsay，thathefindsyouchillyandunsympathetic。“
Katharinelaughedwithround，separatenotesofgenuineamusement。
“It'stimeIjumpedintoacabandhidmyselfinmyownhouse，“sheexclaimed。
“Wouldyourmotherobjecttomybeingseenwithyou？Noonecouldpossiblyrecognizeus，couldthey？“Rodneyinquired，withsomesolicitude。
Katharinelookedathim，andperceivingthathissolicitudewasgenuine，shelaughedagain，butwithanironicalnoteinherlaughter。
“Youmaylaugh，Katharine，butIcantellyouthatifanyofyourfriendssawustogetheratthistimeofnighttheywouldtalkaboutit，andIshouldfindthatverydisagreeable。Butwhydoyoulaugh？“
“Idon'tknow。Becauseyou'resuchaqueermixture，Ithink。You'rehalfpoetandhalfoldmaid。“
“IknowIalwaysseemtoyouhighlyridiculous。ButIcan'thelphavinginheritedcertaintraditionsandtryingtoputthemintopractice。“
“Nonsense，William。YoumaycomeoftheoldestfamilyinDevonshire，butthat'snoreasonwhyyoushouldmindbeingseenalonewithmeontheEmbankment。“
“I'mtenyearsolderthanyouare，Katharine，andIknowmoreoftheworldthanyoudo。“
“Verywell。Leavemeandgohome。“
Rodneylookedbackoverhisshoulderandperceivedthattheywerebeingfollowedatashortdistancebyataxicab，whichevidentlyawaitedhissummons。Katharinesawit，too，andexclaimed:
“Don'tcallthatcabforme，William。Ishallwalk。“
“Nonsense，Katharine；you'lldonothingofthekind。It'snearlytwelveo'clock，andwe'vewalkedtoofarasitis。“
KatharinelaughedandwalkedonsoquicklythatbothRodneyandthetaxicabhadtoincreasetheirpacetokeepupwithher。
“Now，William，“shesaid，“ifpeopleseemeracingalongtheEmbankmentlikethistheyWILLtalk。Youhadfarbettersaygood-night，ifyoudon'twantpeopletotalk。“
AtthisWilliambeckoned，withadespoticgesture，tothecabwithonehand，andwiththeotherhebroughtKatharinetoastandstill。
“Don'tletthemanseeusstruggling，forGod'ssake！“hemurmured。
Katharinestoodforamomentquitestill。
“There'smoreoftheoldmaidinyouthanthepoet，“sheobservedbriefly。
Williamshutthedoorsharply，gavetheaddresstothedriver，andturnedaway，liftinghishatpunctiliouslyhighinfarewelltotheinvisiblelady。
Helookedbackafterthecabtwice，suspiciously，halfexpectingthatshewouldstopitanddismount；butitboreherswiftlyon，andwassoonoutofsight。Williamfeltinthemoodforashortsoliloquyofindignation，forKatharinehadcontrivedtoexasperatehiminmorewaysthanone。
“Ofalltheunreasonable，inconsideratecreaturesI'veeverknown，she'stheworst！“heexclaimedtohimself，stridingbackalongtheEmbankment。“HeavenforbidthatIshouldevermakeafoolofmyselfwithheragain。Why，I'dsoonermarrythedaughterofmylandladythanKatharineHilbery！She'dleavemenotamoment'speace——andshe'dneverunderstandme——never，never，never！“
UtteredaloudandwithvehemencesothatthestarsofHeavenmighthear，fortherewasnohumanbeingathand，thesesentimentssoundedsatisfactorilyirrefutable。Rodneyquieteddown，andwalkedoninsilence，untilheperceivedsomeoneapproachinghim，whohadsomething，eitherinhiswalkorhisdress，whichproclaimedthathewasoneofWilliam'sacquaintancesbeforeitwaspossibletotellwhichofthemhewas。ItwasDenhamwho，havingpartedfromSandysatthebottomofhisstaircase，wasnowwalkingtotheTubeatCharingCross，deepinthethoughtswhichhistalkwithSandyshadsuggested。
HehadforgottenthemeetingatMaryDatchet'srooms，hehadforgottenRodney，andmetaphorsandElizabethandrama，andcouldhaveswornthathehadforgottenKatharineHilbery，too，althoughthatwasmoredisputable。Hismindwasscalingthehighestpinnaclesofitsalps，wheretherewasonlystarlightandtheuntroddensnow。HecaststrangeeyesuponRodney，astheyencounteredeachotherbeneathalamp-post。
“Ha！“Rodneyexclaimed。
Ifhehadbeeninfullpossessionofhismind，Denhamwouldprobablyhavepassedonwithasalutation。Buttheshockoftheinterruptionmadehimstandstill，andbeforeheknewwhathewasdoing，hehadturnedandwaswalkingwithRodneyinobediencetoRodney'sinvitationtocometohisroomsandhavesomethingtodrink。DenhamhadnowishtodrinkwithRodney，buthefollowedhimpassivelyenough。Rodneywasgratifiedbythisobedience。Hefeltinclinedtobecommunicativewiththissilentman，whopossessedsoobviouslyallthegoodmasculinequalitiesinwhichKatharinenowseemedlamentablydeficient。
“Youdowell，Denham，“hebeganimpulsively，“tohavenothingtodowithyoungwomen。Iofferyoumyexperience——ifonetruststhemoneinvariablyhascausetorepent。NotthatIhaveanyreasonatthismoment，“headdedhastily，“tocomplainofthem。It'sasubjectthatcropsupnowandagainfornoparticularreason。MissDatchet，Idaresay，isoneoftheexceptions。DoyoulikeMissDatchet？“
TheseremarksindicatedclearlyenoughthatRodney'snerveswereinastateofirritation，andDenhamspeedilywoketothesituationoftheworldasithadbeenonehourago。HehadlastseenRodneywalkingwithKatharine。Hecouldnothelpregrettingtheeagernesswithwhichhismindreturnedtotheseinterests，andfrettedhimwiththeoldtrivialanxieties。Hesankinhisownesteem。ReasonbadehimbreakfromRodney，whoclearlytendedtobecomeconfidential，beforehehadutterlylosttouchwiththeproblemsofhighphilosophy。Helookedalongtheroad，andmarkedalamp-postatadistanceofsomehundredyards，anddecidedthathewouldpartfromRodneywhentheyreachedthispoint。
“Yes，IlikeMary；Idon'tseehowonecouldhelplikingher，“heremarkedcautiously，withhiseyeonthelamp-post。
“Ah，Denham，you'resodifferentfromme。Younevergiveyourselfaway。IwatchedyouthiseveningwithKatharineHilbery。MyinstinctistotrustthepersonI'mtalkingto。That'swhyI'malwaysbeingtakenin，Isuppose。“
DenhamseemedtobeponderingthisstatementofRodney's，but，asamatteroffact，hewashardlyconsciousofRodneyandhisrevelations，andwasonlyconcernedtomakehimmentionKatharineagainbeforetheyreachedthelamp-post。
“Who'stakenyouinnow？“heasked。“KatharineHilbery？“
Rodneystoppedandoncemorebeganbeatingakindofrhythm，asifheweremarkingaphraseinasymphony，uponthesmoothstonebalustradeoftheEmbankment。
“KatharineHilbery，“herepeated，withacuriouslittlechuckle。“No，Denham，Ihavenoillusionsaboutthatyoungwoman。IthinkImadethatplaintoherto-night。Butdon'trunawaywithafalseimpression，“hecontinuedeagerly，turningandlinkinghisarmthroughDenham's，asthoughtopreventhimfromescaping；and，thuscompelled，Denhampassedthemonitorylamp-post，towhich，inpassing，hebreathedanexcuse，forhowcouldhebreakawaywhenRodney'sarmwasactuallylinkedinhis？“YoumustnotthinkthatIhaveanybitternessagainsther——farfromit。It'snotaltogetherherfault，poorgirl。
Shelives，youknow，oneofthoseodious，self-centeredlives——atleast，Ithinkthemodiousforawoman——feedingherwitsuponeverything，havingcontrolofeverything，gettingfartoomuchherownwayathome——spoilt，inasense，feelingthateveryoneisatherfeet，andsonotrealizinghowshehurts——thatis，howrudelyshebehavestopeoplewhohaven'tallheradvantages。Still，todoherjustice，she'snofool，“headded，asiftowarnDenhamnottotakeanyliberties。“Shehastaste。Shehassense。Shecanunderstandyouwhenyoutalktoher。Butshe'sawoman，andthere'sanendofit，“headded，withanotherlittlechuckle，anddroppedDenham'sarm。
“Anddidyoutellherallthisto-night？“Denhamasked。
“Ohdearme，no。IshouldneverthinkoftellingKatharinethetruthaboutherself。Thatwouldn'tdoatall。OnehastobeinanattitudeofadorationinordertogetonwithKatharine。
“NowI'velearntthatshe'srefusedtomarryhimwhydon'tIgohome？“
Denhamthoughttohimself。ButhewentonwalkingbesideRodney，andforatimetheydidnotspeak，thoughRodneyhummedsnatchesofatuneoutofanoperabyMozart。Afeelingofcontemptandlikingcombineverynaturallyinthemindofonetowhomanotherhasjustspokenunpremeditatedly，revealingrathermoreofhisprivatefeelingsthanheintendedtoreveal。DenhambegantowonderwhatsortofpersonRodneywas，andatthesametimeRodneybegantothinkaboutDenham。
“You'reaslavelikeme，Isuppose？“heasked。
“Asolicitor，yes。“
“Isometimeswonderwhywedon'tchuckit。Whydon'tyouemigrate，Denham？Ishouldhavethoughtthatwouldsuityou。“
“I'veafamily。“
“I'moftenonthepointofgoingmyself。AndthenIknowIcouldn'tlivewithoutthis“——andhewavedhishandtowardstheCityofLondon，whichwore，atthismoment，theappearanceofatowncutoutofgray-
bluecardboard，andpastedflatagainstthesky，whichwasofadeeperblue。
“ThereareoneortwopeopleI'mfondof，andthere'salittlegoodmusic，andafewpictures，nowandthen——justenoughtokeeponedanglingabouthere。Ah，butIcouldn'tlivewithsavages！Areyoufondofbooks？Music？Pictures？D'youcareatallforfirsteditions？
I'vegotafewnicethingsuphere，thingsIpickupcheap，forI
can'taffordtogivewhattheyask。“
Theyhadreachedasmallcourtofhigheighteenth-centuryhouses，inoneofwhichRodneyhadhisrooms。Theyclimbedaverysteepstaircase，throughwhoseuncurtainedwindowsthemoonlightfell，illuminatingthebanisterswiththeirtwistedpillars，andthepilesofplatessetonthewindow-sills，andjarshalf-fullofmilk。
Rodney'sroomsweresmall，butthesitting-roomwindowlookedoutintoacourtyard，withitsflaggedpavement，anditssingletree，andacrosstotheflatred-brickfrontsoftheoppositehouses，whichwouldnothavesurprisedDr。Johnson，ifhehadcomeoutofhisgraveforaturninthemoonlight。Rodneylithislamp，pulledhiscurtains，offeredDenhamachair，and，flingingthemanuscriptofhispaperontheElizabethanuseofMetaphorontothetable，exclaimed:
“Ohdearme，whatawasteoftime！Butit'sovernow，andsowemaythinknomoreaboutit。“
Hethenbusiedhimselfverydexterouslyinlightingafire，producingglasses，whisky，acake，andcupsandsaucers。Heputonafadedcrimsondressing-gown，andapairofredslippers，andadvancedtoDenhamwithatumblerinonehandandawell-burnishedbookintheother。
“TheBaskervilleCongreve，“saidRodney，offeringittohisguest。“I
couldn'treadhiminacheapedition。“
Whenhewasseenthusamonghisbooksandhisvaluables，amiablyanxioustomakehisvisitorcomfortable，andmovingaboutwithsomethingofthedexterityandgraceofaPersiancat，Denhamrelaxedhiscriticalattitude，andfeltmoreathomewithRodneythanhewouldhavedonewithmanymenbetterknowntohim。Rodney'sroomwastheroomofapersonwhocherishesagreatmanypersonaltastes，guardingthemfromtheroughblastsofthepublicwithscrupulousattention。
Hispapersandhisbooksroseinjaggedmoundsontableandfloor，roundwhichheskirtedwithnervouscarelesthisdressing-gownmightdisarrangethemeversoslightly。Onachairstoodastackofphotographsofstatuesandpictures，whichitwashishabittoexhibit，onebyone，forthespaceofadayortwo。Thebooksonhisshelveswereasorderlyasregimentsofsoldiers，andthebacksofthemshonelikesomanybronzebeetle-wings；though，ifyoutookonefromitsplaceyousawashabbiervolumebehindit，sincespacewaslimited。AnovalVenetianmirrorstoodabovethefireplace，andreflectedduskilyinitsspotteddepthsthefaintyellowandcrimsonofajarfuloftulipswhichstoodamongthelettersandpipesandcigarettesuponthemantelpiece。Asmallpianooccupiedacorneroftheroom，withthescoreof“DonGiovanni“openuponthebracket。
“Well，Rodney，“saidDenham，ashefilledhispipeandlookedabouthim，“thisisallveryniceandcomfortable。“
Rodneyturnedhisheadhalfroundandsmiled，withtheprideofaproprietor，andthenpreventedhimselffromsmiling。
“Tolerable，“hemuttered。
“ButIdaresayit'sjustaswellthatyouhavetoearnyourownliving。“
“IfyoumeanthatIshouldn'tdoanythinggoodwithleisureifIhadit，Idaresayyou'reright。ButIshouldbetentimesashappywithmywholedaytospendasIliked。“
“Idoubtthat，“Denhamreplied。
Theysatsilent，andthesmokefromtheirpipesjoinedamicablyinabluevaporabovetheirheads。
“IcouldspendthreehourseverydayreadingShakespeare，“Rodneyremarked。“Andthere'smusicandpictures，letalonethesocietyofthepeopleonelikes。“
“You'dbeboredtodeathinayear'stime。“
“Oh，IgrantyouIshouldbeboredifIdidnothing。ButIshouldwriteplays。“
“H'm！“
“Ishouldwriteplays，“herepeated。“I'vewrittenthree-quartersofonealready，andI'monlywaitingforaholidaytofinishit。Andit'snotbad——no，someofit'sreallyrathernice。“
ThequestionaroseinDenham'smindwhetherheshouldasktoseethisplay，as，nodoubt，hewasexpectedtodo。HelookedratherstealthilyatRodney，whowastappingthecoalnervouslywithapoker，andquiveringalmostphysically，soDenhamthought，withdesiretotalkaboutthisplayofhis，andvanityunrequitedandurgent。HeseemedverymuchatDenham'smercy，andDenhamcouldnothelplikinghim，partlyonthataccount。
“Well，……willyouletmeseetheplay？“Denhamasked，andRodneylookedimmediatelyappeased，but，nevertheless，hesatsilentforamoment，holdingthepokerperfectlyuprightintheair，regardingitwithhisratherprominenteyes，andopeninghislipsandshuttingthemagain。
“Doyoureallycareforthiskindofthing？“heaskedatlength，inadifferenttoneofvoicefromthatinwhichhehadbeenspeaking。And，withoutwaitingforananswer，hewenton，ratherquerulously:“Veryfewpeoplecareforpoetry。Idaresayitboresyou。“
“Perhaps，“Denhamremarked。
“Well，I'lllendityou，“Rodneyannounced，puttingdownthepoker。
Ashemovedtofetchtheplay，Denhamstretchedahandtothebookcasebesidehim，andtookdownthefirstvolumewhichhisfingerstouched。
IthappenedtobeasmallandverylovelyeditionofSirThomasBrowne，containingthe“UrnBurial，“the“Hydriotaphia，“andthe“GardenofCyrus，“and，openingitatapassagewhichheknewverynearlybyheart，Denhambegantoreadand，forsometime，continuedtoread。
Rodneyresumedhisseat，withhismanuscriptonhisknee，andfromtimetotimeheglancedatDenham，andthenjoinedhisfinger-tipsandcrossedhisthinlegsoverthefender，asifheexperiencedagooddealofpleasure。AtlengthDenhamshutthebook，andstood，withhisbacktothefireplace，occasionallymakinganinarticulatehummingsoundwhichseemedtorefertoSirThomasBrowne。Heputhishatonhishead，andstoodoverRodney，whostilllaystretchedbackinhischair，withhistoeswithinthefender。
“Ishalllookinagainsometime，“Denhamremarked，uponwhichRodneyhelduphishand，containinghismanuscript，withoutsayinganythingexcept——“Ifyoulike。“
Denhamtookthemanuscriptandwent。Twodayslaterhewasmuchsurprisedtofindathinparcelonhisbreakfastplate，which，onbeingopened，revealedtheverycopyofSirThomasBrownewhichhehadstudiedsointentlyinRodney'srooms。Fromsheerlazinesshereturnednothanks，buthethoughtofRodneyfromtimetotimewithinterest，disconnectinghimfromKatharine，andmeanttogoroundoneeveningandsmokeapipewithhim。ItpleasedRodneythustogiveawaywhateverhisfriendsgenuinelyadmired。Hislibrarywasconstantlybeingdiminished。
CHAPTERVI
Ofallthehoursofanordinaryworkingweek-day，whicharethepleasantesttolookforwardtoandtolookbackupon？Ifasingleinstanceisofuseinframingatheory，itmaybesaidthattheminutesbetweennine-twenty-fiveandnine-thirtyinthemorninghadasingularcharmforMaryDatchet。Shespenttheminaveryenviableframeofmind；hercontentmentwasalmostunalloyed。Highintheairasherflatwas，somebeamsfromthemorningsunreachedhereveninNovember，strikingstraightatcurtain，chair，andcarpet，andpaintingtherethreebright，truespacesofgreen，blue，andpurple，uponwhichtheeyerestedwithapleasurewhichgavephysicalwarmthtothebody。
TherewerefewmorningswhenMarydidnotlookup，asshebenttolaceherboots，andasshefollowedtheyellowrodfromcurtaintobreakfast-tablesheusuallybreathedsomesighofthankfulnessthatherlifeprovidedherwithsuchmomentsofpureenjoyment。Shewasrobbingnooneofanything，andyet，togetsomuchpleasurefromsimplethings，suchaseatingone'sbreakfastaloneinaroomwhichhadnicecolorsinit，cleanfromtheskirtingoftheboardstothecornersoftheceiling，seemedtosuithersothoroughlythatsheusedatfirsttohuntaboutforsomeonetoapologizeto，orforsomeflawinthesituation。ShehadnowbeensixmonthsinLondon，andshecouldfindnoflaw，butthat，assheinvariablyconcludedbythetimeherbootswerelaced，wassolelyandentirelyduetothefactthatshehadherwork。Everyday，asshestoodwithherdispatch-boxinherhandatthedoorofherflat，andgaveonelookbackintotheroomtoseethateverythingwasstraightbeforesheleft，shesaidtoherselfthatshewasverygladthatshewasgoingtoleaveitall，thattohavesattherealldaylong，intheenjoymentofleisure，wouldhavebeenintolerable。
Outinthestreetshelikedtothinkherselfoneoftheworkerswho，atthishour，taketheirwayinrapidsinglefilealongallthebroadpavementsofthecity，withtheirheadsslightlylowered，asifalltheireffortweretofolloweachotherascloselyasmightbe；sothatMaryusedtofiguretoherselfastraightrabbit-runwornbytheirunswervingfeetuponthepavement。Butshelikedtopretendthatshewasindistinguishablefromtherest，andthatwhenawetdaydrovehertotheUndergroundoromnibus，shegaveandtookhershareofcrowdandwetwithclerksandtypistsandcommercialmen，andsharedwiththemtheseriousbusinessofwinding-uptheworldtotickforanotherfour-and-twentyhours。
Thusthinking，ontheparticularmorninginquestion，shemadeherawayacrossLincoln'sInnFieldsandupKingsway，andsothroughSouthamptonRowuntilshereachedherofficeinRussellSquare。Nowandthenshewouldpauseandlookintothewindowofsomebooksellerorflowershop，where，atthisearlyhour，thegoodswerebeingarranged，andemptygapsbehindtheplateglassrevealedastateofundress。Maryfeltkindlydisposedtowardstheshopkeepers，andhopedthattheywouldtrickthemiddaypublicintopurchasing，foratthishourofthemorningsherangedherselfentirelyonthesideoftheshopkeepersandbankclerks，andregardedallwhosleptlateandhadmoneytospendasherenemyandnaturalprey。AnddirectlyshehadcrossedtheroadatHolborn，herthoughtsallcamenaturallyandregularlytoroostuponherwork，andsheforgotthatshewas，properlyspeaking，anamateurworker，whoseserviceswereunpaid，andcouldhardlybesaidtowindtheworldupforitsdailytask，sincetheworld，sofar，hadshownverylittledesiretotaketheboonswhichMary'ssocietyforwoman'ssuffragehadofferedit。
ShewasthinkingallthewayupSouthamptonRowofnotepaperandfoolscap，andhowaneconomyintheuseofpapermightbeeffected(without，ofcourse，hurtingMrs。Seal'sfeelings)，forshewascertainthatthegreatorganizersalwayspounce，tobeginwith，upontrifleslikethese，andbuilduptheirtriumphantreformsuponabasisofabsolutesolidity；and，withoutacknowledgingitforamoment，MaryDatchetwasdeterminedtobeagreatorganizer，andhadalreadydoomedhersocietytoreconstructionofthemostradicalkind。Onceortwicelately，itistrue，shehadstarted，broadawake，beforeturningintoRussellSquare，anddenouncedherselfrathersharplyforbeingalreadyinagroove，capable，thatis，ofthinkingthesamethoughtseverymorningatthesamehour，sothatthechestnut-coloredbrickoftheRussellSquarehouseshadsomecuriousconnectionwithherthoughtsaboutofficeeconomy，andservedalsoasasignthatsheshouldgetintotrimformeetingMr。Clacton，orMrs。Seal，orwhoevermightbebeforehandwithherattheoffice。Havingnoreligiousbelief，shewasthemoreconscientiousaboutherlife，examiningherpositionfromtimetotimeveryseriously，andnothingannoyedhermorethantofindoneofthesebadhabitsnibblingawayunheededattheprecioussubstance。Whatwasthegood，afterall，ofbeingawomanifonedidn'tkeepfresh，andcramone'slifewithallsortsofviewsandexperiments？Thusshealwaysgaveherselfalittleshake，assheturnedthecorner，and，asoftenasnot，reachedherowndoorwhistlingasnatchofaSomersetshireballad。
ThesuffrageofficewasatthetopofoneofthelargeRussellSquarehouses，whichhadoncebeenlivedinbyagreatcitymerchantandhisfamily，andwasnowletoutinslicestoanumberofsocietieswhichdisplayedassortedinitialsupondoorsofgroundglass，andkept，eachofthem，atypewriterwhichclickedbusilyalldaylong。Theoldhouse，withitsgreatstonestaircase，echoedhollowlytothesoundoftypewritersandoferrand-boysfromtentosix。Thenoiseofdifferenttypewritersalreadyatwork，disseminatingtheirviewsupontheprotectionofnativeraces，orthevalueofcerealsasfoodstuffs，quickenedMary'ssteps，andshealwaysranupthelastflightofstepswhichledtoherownlanding，atwhateverhourshecame，soastogethertypewritertotakeitsplaceincompetitionwiththerest。
Shesatherselfdowntoherletters，andverysoonallthesespeculationswereforgotten，andthetwolinesdrewthemselvesbetweenhereyebrows，asthecontentsoftheletters，theofficefurniture，andthesoundsofactivityinthenextroomgraduallyassertedtheirswayuponher。Byeleveno'clocktheatmosphereofconcentrationwasrunningsostronglyinonedirectionthatanythoughtofadifferentordercouldhardlyhavesurviveditsbirthmorethanamomentorso。
Thetaskwhichlaybeforeherwastoorganizeaseriesofentertainments，theprofitsofwhichweretobenefitthesociety，whichdroopedforwantoffunds。Itwasherfirstattemptatorganizationonalargescale，andshemeanttoachievesomethingremarkable。Shemeanttousethecumbrousmachinetopickoutthis，that，andtheotherinterestingpersonfromthemuddleoftheworld，andtosetthemforaweekinapatternwhichmustcatchtheeyesofCabinetMinisters，andtheeyesoncecaught，theoldargumentsweretobedeliveredwithunexampledoriginality。Suchwastheschemeasawhole；andincontemplationofitshewouldbecomequiteflushedandexcited，andhavetoremindherselfofallthedetailsthatintervenedbetweenherandsuccess。
Thedoorwouldopen，andMr。Clactonwouldcomeintosearchforacertainleafletburiedbeneathapyramidofleaflets。Hewasathin，sandy-hairedmanofaboutthirty-five，spokewithaCockneyaccent，andhadabouthimafrugallook，asifnaturehadnotdealtgenerouslywithhiminanyway，which，naturally，preventedhimfromdealinggenerouslywithotherpeople。Whenhehadfoundhisleaflet，andofferedafewjocularhintsuponkeepingpapersinorder，thetypewritingwouldstopabruptly，andMrs。Sealwouldburstintotheroomwithaletterwhichneededexplanationinherhand。Thiswasamoreseriousinterruptionthantheother，becausesheneverknewexactlywhatshewanted，andhalfadozenrequestswouldboltfromher，nooneofwhichwasclearlystated。Dressedinplum-coloredvelveteen，withshort，grayhair，andafacethatseemedpermanentlyflushedwithphilanthropicenthusiasm，shewasalwaysinahurry，andalwaysinsomedisorder。Sheworetwocrucifixes，whichgotthemselvesentangledinaheavygoldchainuponherbreast，andseemedtoMaryexpressiveofhermentalambiguity。OnlyhervastenthusiasmandherworshipofMissMarkham，oneofthepioneersofthesociety，keptherinherplace，forwhichshehadnosoundqualification。
Sothemorningworeon，andthepileoflettersgrew，andMaryfelt，atlast，thatshewasthecenterganglionofaveryfinenetworkofnerveswhichfelloverEngland，andoneofthesedays，whenshetouchedtheheartofthesystem，wouldbeginfeelingandrushingtogetherandemittingtheirsplendidblazeofrevolutionaryfireworks——forsomesuchmetaphorrepresentswhatshefeltaboutherwork，whenherbrainhadbeenheatedbythreehoursofapplication。
Shortlybeforeoneo'clockMr。ClactonandMrs。Sealdesistedfromtheirlabors，andtheoldjokeaboutluncheon，whichcameoutregularlyatthishour，wasrepeatedwithscarcelyanyvariationofwords。Mr。Clactonpatronizedavegetarianrestaurant；Mrs。Sealbroughtsandwiches，whichsheatebeneaththeplane-treesinRussellSquare；whileMarygenerallywenttoagaudyestablishment，upholsteredinredplush，nearby，where，muchtothevegetarian'sdisapproval，youcouldbuysteak，twoinchesthick，oraroastsectionoffowl，swimminginapewterdish。
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