“ThebarebranchesagainsttheskydoonesomuchGOOD，“Mrs。Sealasserted，lookingoutintotheSquare。
“Butonecan'tlunchofftrees，Sally，“saidMary。
“IconfessIdon'tknowhowyoumanageit，MissDatchet，“Mr。Clactonremarked。“Ishouldsleepalltheafternoon，Iknow，ifItookaheavymealinthemiddleoftheday。“
“What'stheverylatestthinginliterature？“Maryasked，good-
humoredlypointingtotheyellow-coveredvolumebeneathMr。Clacton'sarm，forheinvariablyreadsomenewFrenchauthoratlunch-time，orsqueezedinavisittoapicturegallery，balancinghissocialworkwithanardentcultureofwhichhewassecretlyproud，asMaryhadverysoondivined。
SotheypartedandMarywalkedaway，wonderingiftheyguessedthatshereallywantedtogetawayfromthem，andsupposingthattheyhadnotquitereachedthatdegreeofsubtlety。Sheboughtherselfaneveningpaper，whichshereadassheate，lookingoverthetopofitagainandagainatthequeerpeoplewhowerebuyingcakesorimpartingtheirsecrets，untilsomeyoungwomanwhomsheknewcamein，andshecalledout，“Eleanor，comeandsitbyme，“andtheyfinishedtheirlunchtogether，partingonthestripofpavementamongthedifferentlinesoftrafficwithapleasantfeelingthattheyweresteppingoncemoreintotheirseparateplacesinthegreatandeternallymovingpatternofhumanlife。
But，insteadofgoingstraightbacktotheofficeto-day，MaryturnedintotheBritishMuseum，andstrolleddownthegallerywiththeshapesofstoneuntilshefoundanemptyseatdirectlybeneaththegazeoftheElginmarbles。Shelookedatthem，andseemed，asusual，borneuponsomewaveofexaltationandemotion，bywhichherlifeatoncebecamesolemnandbeautiful——animpressionwhichwasdueasmuch，perhaps，tothesolitudeandchillandsilenceofthegalleryastotheactualbeautyofthestatues。Onemustsuppose，atleast，thatheremotionswerenotpurelyesthetic，because，aftershehadgazedattheUlyssesforaminuteortwo，shebegantothinkaboutRalphDenham。Sosecuredidshefeelwiththesesilentshapesthatshealmostyieldedtoanimpulsetosay“Iaminlovewithyou“aloud。Thepresenceofthisimmenseandenduringbeautymadeheralmostalarminglyconsciousofherdesire，andatthesametimeproudofafeelingwhichdidnotdisplayanythinglikethesameproportionswhenshewasgoingaboutherdailywork。
Sherepressedherimpulsetospeakaloud，androseandwanderedaboutratheraimlesslyamongthestatuesuntilshefoundherselfinanothergallerydevotedtoengravedobelisksandwingedAssyrianbulls，andheremotiontookanotherturn。ShebegantopictureherselftravelingwithRalphinalandwherethesemonsterswerecouchantinthesand。
“For，“shethoughttoherself，asshegazedfixedlyatsomeinformationprintedbehindapieceofglass，“thewonderfulthingaboutyouisthatyou'rereadyforanything；you'renotintheleastconventional，likemostclevermen。“
Andsheconjuredupasceneofherselfonacamel'sback，inthedesert，whileRalphcommandedawholetribeofnatives。
“Thatiswhatyoucando，“shewenton，movingontothenextstatue。
“Youalwaysmakepeopledowhatyouwant。“
Aglowspreadoverherspirit，andfilledhereyeswithbrightness。
Nevertheless，beforeshelefttheMuseumshewasveryfarfromsaying，evenintheprivacyofherownmind，“Iaminlovewithyou，“andthatsentencemightverywellneverhaveframeditself。Shewas，indeed，ratherannoyedwithherselfforhavingallowedsuchanill-consideredbreachofherreserve，weakeningherpowersofresistance，shefelt，shouldthisimpulsereturnagain。For，asshewalkedalongthestreettoheroffice，theforceofallhercustomaryobjectionstobeinginlovewithanyoneovercameher。Shedidnotwanttomarryatall。Itseemedtoherthattherewassomethingamateurishinbringingloveintotouchwithaperfectlystraightforwardfriendship，suchasherswaswithRalph，which，fortwoyearsnow，hadbaseditselfuponcommoninterestsinimpersonaltopics，suchasthehousingofthepoor，orthetaxationoflandvalues。
Buttheafternoonspiritdifferedintrinsicallyfromthemorningspirit。Maryfoundherselfwatchingtheflightofabird，ormakingdrawingsofthebranchesoftheplane-treesuponherblotting-paper。
PeoplecameintoseeMr。Clactononbusiness，andaseductivesmellofcigarettesmokeissuedfromhisroom。Mrs。Sealwanderedaboutwithnewspapercuttings，whichseemedtohereither“quitesplendid“or“reallytoobadforwords。“Sheusedtopastetheseintobooks，orsendthemtoherfriends，havingfirstdrawnabroadbarinbluepencildownthemargin，aproceedingwhichsignifiedequallyandindistinguishablythedepthsofherreprobationortheheightsofherapproval。
Aboutfouro'clockonthatsameafternoonKatharineHilberywaswalkingupKingsway。Thequestionofteapresenteditself。Thestreetlampswerebeinglitalready，andasshestoodstillforamomentbeneathoneofthem，shetriedtothinkofsomeneighboringdrawing-roomwheretherewouldbefirelightandtalkcongenialtohermood。Thatmood，owingtothespinningtrafficandtheeveningveilofunreality，wasill-adaptedtoherhomesurroundings。Perhaps，onthewhole，ashopwasthebestplaceinwhichtopreservethisqueersenseofheightenedexistence。Atthesametimeshewishedtotalk。
RememberingMaryDatchetandherrepeatedinvitations，shecrossedtheroad，turnedintoRussellSquare，andpeeredabout，seekingfornumberswithasenseofadventurethatwasoutofallproportiontothedeeditself。Shefoundherselfinadimlylightedhall，unguardedbyaporter，andpushedopenthefirstswingdoor。Buttheoffice-boyhadneverheardofMissDatchet。DidshebelongtotheS。R。F。R。？
Katharineshookherheadwithasmileofdismay。Avoicefromwithinshouted，“No。TheS。G。S——topfloor。“
Katharinemountedpastinnumerableglassdoors，withinitialsonthem，andbecamesteadilymoreandmoredoubtfulofthewisdomofherventure。Atthetopshepausedforamomenttobreatheandcollectherself。Sheheardthetypewriterandformalprofessionalvoicesinside，notbelonging，shethought，toanyoneshehadeverspokento。
Shetouchedthebell，andthedoorwasopenedalmostimmediatelybyMaryherself。HerfacehadtochangeitsexpressionentirelywhenshesawKatharine。
“You！“sheexclaimed。“Wethoughtyouweretheprinter。“Stillholdingthedooropen，shecalledback，“No，Mr。Clacton，it'snotPenningtons。Ishouldringthemupagain——doublethreedoubleeight，Central。Well，thisisasurprise。Comein，“sheadded。“You'rejustintimefortea。“
ThelightofreliefshoneinMary'seyes。Theboredomoftheafternoonwasdissipatedatonce，andshewasgladthatKatharinehadfoundtheminamomentarypressofactivity，owingtothefailureoftheprintertosendbackcertainproofs。
TheunshadedelectriclightshininguponthetablecoveredwithpapersdazedKatharineforamoment。Aftertheconfusionofhertwilightwalk，andherrandomthoughts，lifeinthissmallroomappearedextremelyconcentratedandbright。Sheturnedinstinctivelytolookoutofthewindow，whichwasuncurtained，butMaryimmediatelyrecalledher。
“Itwasverycleverofyoutofindyourway，“shesaid，andKatharinewondered，asshestoodthere，feeling，forthemoment，entirelydetachedandunabsorbed，whyshehadcome。Shelooked，indeed，toMary'seyesstrangelyoutofplaceintheoffice。Herfigureinthelongcloak，whichtookdeepfolds，andherface，whichwascomposedintoamaskofsensitiveapprehension，disturbedMaryforamomentwithasenseofthepresenceofsomeonewhowasofanotherworld，and，therefore，subversiveofherworld。ShebecameimmediatelyanxiousthatKatharineshouldbeimpressedbytheimportanceofherworld，andhopedthatneitherMrs。SealnorMr。Clactonwouldappearuntiltheimpressionofimportancehadbeenreceived。Butinthisshewasdisappointed。Mrs。Sealburstintotheroomholdingakettleinherhand，whichshesetuponthestove，andthen，withinefficienthaste，shesetlighttothegas，whichflaredup，exploded，andwentout。
“Alwaystheway，alwaystheway，“shemuttered。“KitMarkhamistheonlypersonwhoknowshowtodealwiththething。“
Maryhadtogotoherhelp，andtogethertheyspreadthetable，andapologizedforthedisparitybetweenthecupsandtheplainnessofthefood。
“IfwehadknownMissHilberywascoming，weshouldhaveboughtacake，“saidMary，uponwhichMrs。SeallookedatKatharineforthefirsttime，suspiciously，becauseshewasapersonwhoneededcake。
HereMr。Clactonopenedthedoor，andcamein，holdingatypewrittenletterinhishand，whichhewasreadingaloud。
“Salford'saffiliated，“hesaid。
“Welldone，Salford！“Mrs。Sealexclaimedenthusiastically，thumpingtheteapotwhichshehelduponthetable，intokenofapplause。
“Yes，theseprovincialcentersseemtobecomingintolineatlast，“
saidMr。Clacton，andthenMaryintroducedhimtoMissHilbery，andheaskedher，inaveryformalmanner，ifshewereinterested“inourwork。“
“Andtheproofsstillnotcome？“saidMrs。Seal，puttingbothherelbowsonthetable，andproppingherchinonherhands，asMarybegantopourouttea。“It'stoobad——toobad。Atthisrateweshallmissthecountrypost。Whichremindsme，Mr。Clacton，don'tyouthinkweshouldcircularizetheprovinceswithPartridge'slastspeech？What？
You'venotreadit？Oh，it'sthebestthingthey'vehadintheHousethisSession。EventhePrimeMinister——“
ButMarycuthershort。
“Wedon'tallowshopattea，Sally，“shesaidfirmly。“Wefineherapennyeachtimesheforgets，andthefinesgotobuyingaplumcake，“
sheexplained，seekingtodrawKatharineintothecommunity。Shehadgivenupallhopeofimpressingher。
“I'msorry，I'msorry，“Mrs。Sealapologized。“It'smymisfortunetobeanenthusiast，“shesaid，turningtoKatharine。“Myfather'sdaughtercouldhardlybeanythingelse。IthinkI'vebeenonasmanycommitteesasmostpeople。WaifsandStrays，RescueWork，ChurchWork，C。O。S——localbranch——besidestheusualcivicdutieswhichfalltooneasahouseholder。ButI'vegiventhemallupforourworkhere，andIdon'tregretitforasecond，“sheadded。“Thisistherootquestion，Ifeel；untilwomenhavevotes——“
“It'llbesixpence，atleast，Sally，“saidMary，bringingherfistdownonthetable。“Andwe'reallsicktodeathofwomenandtheirvotes。“
Mrs。Seallookedforamomentasthoughshecouldhardlybelieveherears，andmadeadeprecating“tut-tut-tut“inherthroat，lookingalternatelyatKatharineandMary，andshakingherheadasshedidso。
Thensheremarked，ratherconfidentiallytoKatharine，withalittlenodinMary'sdirection:
“She'sdoingmoreforthecausethananyofus。She'sgivingheryouth——for，alas！whenIwasyoungthereweredomesticcircumstances——“shesighed，andstoppedshort。
Mr。Clactonhastilyrevertedtothejokeaboutluncheon，andexplainedhowMrs。Sealfedonabagofbiscuitsunderthetrees，whatevertheweathermightbe，rather，Katharinethought，asthoughMrs。Sealwereapetdogwhohadconvenienttricks。
“Yes，Itookmylittlebagintothesquare，“saidMrs。Seal，withtheself-consciousguiltofachildowningsomefaulttoitselders。“Itwasreallyverysustaining，andthebareboughsagainsttheskydoonesomuchGOOD。ButIshallhavetogiveupgoingintothesquare，“sheproceeded，wrinklingherforehead。“Theinjusticeofit！WhyshouldI
haveabeautifulsquarealltomyself，whenpoorwomenwhoneedresthavenowhereatalltosit？“ShelookedfiercelyatKatharine，givinghershortlocksalittleshake。“It'sdreadfulwhatatyrantonestillis，inspiteofallone'sefforts。Onetriestoleadadecentlife，butonecan't。Ofcourse，directlyonethinksofit，oneseesthatALL
squaresshouldbeopentoEVERYONE。Isthereanysocietywiththatobject，Mr。Clacton？Ifnot，thereshouldbe，surely。“
“Amostexcellentobject，“saidMr。Clactoninhisprofessionalmanner。“Atthesametime，onemustdeploretheramificationoforganizations，Mrs。Seal。Somuchexcellenteffortthrownaway，nottospeakofpounds，shillings，andpence。NowhowmanyorganizationsofaphilanthropicnaturedoyousupposethereareintheCityofLondonitself，MissHilbery？“headded，screwinghismouthintoaqueerlittlesmile，asiftoshowthatthequestionhaditsfrivolousside。
Katharinesmiled，too。Herunlikenesstotherestofthemhad，bythistime，penetratedtoMr。Clacton，whowasnotnaturallyobservant，andhewaswonderingwhoshewas；thissameunlikenesshadsubtlystimulatedMrs。Sealtotryandmakeaconvertofher。Mary，too，lookedatheralmostasifshebeggedhertomakethingseasy。ForKatharinehadshownnodispositiontomakethingseasy。Shehadscarcelyspoken，andhersilence，thoughgraveandeventhoughtful，seemedtoMarythesilenceofonewhocriticizes。
“Well，therearemoreinthishousethanI'danynotionof，“shesaid。
“Onthegroundflooryouprotectnatives，onthenextyouemigratewomenandtellpeopletoeatnuts——“
“Whydoyousaythat'we'dothesethings？“Maryinterposed，rathersharply。“We'renotresponsibleforallthecrankswhochoosetolodgeinthesamehousewithus。“
Mr。Clactonclearedhisthroatandlookedateachoftheyoungladiesinturn。HewasagooddealstruckbytheappearanceandmannerofMissHilbery，whichseemedtohimtoplaceheramongthosecultivatedandluxuriouspeopleofwhomheusedtodream。Mary，ontheotherhand，wasmoreofhisownsort，andalittletoomuchinclinedtoorderhimabout。Hepickedupcrumbsofdrybiscuitandputthemintohismouthwithincrediblerapidity。
“Youdon'tbelongtooursociety，then？“saidMrs。Seal。
“No，I'mafraidIdon't，“saidKatharine，withsuchreadycandorthatMrs。Sealwasnonplussed，andstaredatherwithapuzzledexpression，asifshecouldnotclassifyheramongthevarietiesofhumanbeingsknowntoher。
“Butsurely“shebegan。
“Mrs。Sealisanenthusiastinthesematters，“saidMr。Clacton，almostapologetically。“Wehavetoremindhersometimesthatothershavearighttotheirviewseveniftheydifferfromourown……
“Punch“hasaveryfunnypicturethisweek，aboutaSuffragistandanagriculturallaborer。Haveyouseenthisweek's“Punch，“MissDatchet？“
Marylaughed，andsaid“No。“
Mr。Clactonthentoldthemthesubstanceofthejoke，which，however，dependedagooddealforitssuccessupontheexpressionwhichtheartisthadputintothepeople'sfaces。Mrs。Sealsatallthetimeperfectlygrave。Directlyhehaddonespeakingsheburstout:
“Butsurely，ifyoucareaboutthewelfareofyoursexatall，youmustwishthemtohavethevote？“
“IneversaidIdidn'twishthemtohavethevote，“Katharineprotested。
“Thenwhyaren'tyouamemberofoursociety？“Mrs。Sealdemanded。
Katharinestirredherspoonroundandround，staredintotheswirlofthetea，andremainedsilent。Mr。Clacton，meanwhile，framedaquestionwhich，afteramoment'shesitation，heputtoKatharine。
“Areyouinanywayrelated，Iwonder，tothepoetAlardyce？Hisdaughter，Ibelieve，marriedaMr。Hilbery。“
“Yes；I'mthepoet'sgranddaughter，“saidKatharine，withalittlesigh，afterapause；andforamomenttheywereallsilent。
“Thepoet'sgranddaughter！“Mrs。Sealrepeated，halftoherself，withashakeofherhead，asifthatexplainedwhatwasotherwiseinexplicable。
ThelightkindledinMr。Clacton'seye。
“Ah，indeed。Thatinterestsmeverymuch，“hesaid。“Ioweagreatdebttoyourgrandfather，MissHilbery。AtonetimeIcouldhaverepeatedthegreaterpartofhimbyheart。Butonegetsoutofthewayofreadingpoetry，unfortunately。Youdon'trememberhim，Isuppose？“
AsharprapatthedoormadeKatharine'sanswerinaudible。Mrs。Seallookedupwithrenewedhopeinhereyes，andexclaiming:
“Theproofsatlast！“rantoopenthedoor。“Oh，it'sonlyMr。
Denham！“shecried，withoutanyattempttoconcealherdisappointment。
Ralph，Katharinesupposed，wasafrequentvisitor，fortheonlypersonhethoughtitnecessarytogreetwasherself，andMaryatonceexplainedthestrangefactofherbeingtherebysaying:
“Katharinehascometoseehowonerunsanoffice。“
Ralphfelthimselfstiffenuncomfortably，ashesaid:
“IhopeMaryhasn'tpersuadedyouthatsheknowshowtorunanoffice？“
“What，doesn'tshe？“saidKatharine，lookingfromonetotheother。
AttheseremarksMrs。Sealbegantoexhibitsignsofdiscomposure，whichdisplayedthemselvesbyatossingmovementofherhead，and，asRalphtookaletterfromhispocket，andplacedhisfingeruponacertainsentence，sheforestalledhimbyexclaiminginconfusion:
“Now，Iknowwhatyou'regoingtosay，Mr。Denham！ButitwasthedayKitMarkhamwashere，andsheupsetsoneso——withherwonderfulvitality，alwaysthinkingofsomethingnewthatweoughttobedoingandaren't——andIwasconsciousatthetimethatmydatesweremixed。
IthadnothingtodowithMaryatall，Iassureyou。“
“MydearSally，don'tapologize，“saidMary，laughing。“Menaresuchpedants——theydon'tknowwhatthingsmatter，andwhatthingsdon't。“
“Now，Denham，speakupforoursex，“saidMr。Clactoninajocularmanner，indeed，butlikemostinsignificantmenhewasveryquicktoresentbeingfoundfaultwithbyawoman，inargumentwithwhomhewasfondofcallinghimself“amereman。“Hewished，however，toenterintoaliteraryconservationwithMissHilbery，andthusletthematterdrop。
“Doesn'titseemstrangetoyou，MissHilbery，“hesaid，“thattheFrench，withalltheirwealthofillustriousnames，havenopoetwhocancomparewithyourgrandfather？Letmesee。There'sChenierandHugoandAlfreddeMusset——wonderfulmen，but，atthesametime，there'sarichness，afreshnessaboutAlardyce——“
Herethetelephonebellrang，andhehadtoabsenthimselfwithasmileandabowwhichsignifiedthat，althoughliteratureisdelightful，itisnotwork。Mrs。Sealroseatthesametime，butremainedhoveringoverthetable，deliveringherselfofatiradeagainstpartygovernment。“ForifIweretotellyouwhatIknowofback-stairsintrigue，andwhatcanbedonebythepowerofthepurse，youwouldn'tcreditme，Mr。Denham，youwouldn't，indeed。WhichiswhyIfeelthattheonlyworkformyfather'sdaughter——forhewasoneofthepioneers，Mr。Denham，andonhistombstoneIhadthatversefromthePsalmsput，aboutthesowersandtheseed……Andwhatwouldn'tIgivethatheshouldbealivenow，seeingwhatwe'regoingtosee——“
butreflectingthatthegloriesofthefuturedependedinpartupontheactivityofhertypewriter，shebobbedherhead，andhurriedbacktotheseclusionofherlittleroom，fromwhichimmediatelyissuedsoundsofenthusiastic，butobviouslyerratic，composition。
Marymadeitclearatonce，bystartingafreshtopicofgeneralinterest，thatthoughshesawthehumorofhercolleague，shedidnotintendtohaveherlaughedat。
“Thestandardofmoralityseemstomefrightfullylow，“sheobservedreflectively，pouringoutasecondcupoftea，“especiallyamongwomenwhoaren'twelleducated。Theydon'tseethatsmallthingsmatter，andthat'swheretheleakagebegins，andthenwefindourselvesindifficulties——Iverynearlylostmytemperyesterday，“shewenton，lookingatRalphwithalittlesmile，asthoughheknewwhathappenedwhenshelosthertemper。“Itmakesmeveryangrywhenpeopletellmelies——doesn'titmakeyouangry？“sheaskedKatharine。
“Butconsideringthateveryonetellslies，“Katharineremarked，lookingabouttheroomtoseewhereshehadputdownherumbrellaandherparcel，fortherewasanintimacyinthewayinwhichMaryandRalphaddressedeachotherwhichmadeherwishtoleavethem。Mary，ontheotherhand，wasanxious，superficiallyatleast，thatKatharineshouldstayandsofortifyherinherdeterminationnottobeinlovewithRalph。
Ralph，whileliftinghiscupfromhislipstothetable，hadmadeuphismindthatifMissHilberyleft，hewouldgowithher。
“Idon'tthinkthatItelllies，andIdon'tthinkthatRalphtellslies，doyou，Ralph？“Marycontinued。
Katharinelaughed，withmoregayety，asitseemedtoMary，thanshecouldproperlyaccountfor。Whatwasshelaughingat？Atthem，presumably。Katharinehadrisen，andwasglancinghitherandthither，atthepressesandthecupboards，andallthemachineryoftheoffice，asifsheincludedthemallinherrathermaliciousamusement，whichcausedMarytokeephereyesonherstraightlyandratherfiercely，asifshewereagay-plumed，mischievousbird，whomightlightonthetopmostboughandpickofftheruddiestcherry，withoutanywarning。
Twowomenlesslikeeachothercouldscarcelybeimagined，Ralphthought，lookingfromonetotheother。Nextmoment，hetoo，rose，andnoddingtoMary，asKatharinesaidgood-bye，openedthedoorforher，andfollowedherout。
Marysatstillandmadenoattempttopreventthemfromgoing。Forasecondortwoafterthedoorhadshutonthemhereyesrestedonthedoorwithastraightforwardfiercenessinwhich，foramoment，acertaindegreeofbewildermentseemedtoenter；but，afterabriefhesitation，sheputdownhercupandproceededtoclearawaythetea-things。
TheimpulsewhichhaddrivenRalphtotakethisactionwastheresultofaveryswiftlittlepieceofreasoning，andthus，perhaps，wasnotquitesomuchofanimpulseasitseemed。ItpassedthroughhismindthatifhemissedthischanceoftalkingtoKatharine，hewouldhavetofaceanenragedghost，whenhewasaloneinhisroomagain，demandinganexplanationofhiscowardlyindecision。Itwasbetter，onthewhole，toriskpresentdiscomfiturethantowasteaneveningbandyingexcusesandconstructingimpossiblesceneswiththisuncompromisingsectionofhimself。ForeversincehehadvisitedtheHilberyshehadbeenmuchatthemercyofaphantomKatharine，whocametohimwhenhesatalone，andansweredhimashewouldhaveheranswer，andwasalwaysbesidehimtocrownthosevaryingtriumphswhichweretransactedalmosteverynight，inimaginaryscenes，ashewalkedthroughthelamplitstreetshomefromtheoffice。TowalkwithKatharineinthefleshwouldeitherfeedthatphantomwithfreshfood，which，asallwhonourishdreamsareaware，isaprocessthatbecomesnecessaryfromtimetotime，orrefineittosuchadegreeofthinnessthatitwasscarcelyserviceableanylonger；andthat，too，issometimesawelcomechangetoadreamer。AndallthetimeRalphwaswellawarethatthebulkofKatharinewasnotrepresentedinhisdreamsatall，sothatwhenhemetherhewasbewilderedbythefactthatshehadnothingtodowithhisdreamofher。
When，onreachingthestreet，KatharinefoundthatMr。Denhamproceededtokeeppacebyherside，shewassurprisedand，perhaps，alittleannoyed。She，too，hadhermarginofimagination，andto-nightheractivityinthisobscureregionofthemindrequiredsolitude。Ifshehadhadherway，shewouldhavewalkedveryfastdowntheTottenhamCourtRoad，andthensprungintoacabandracedswiftlyhome。Theviewshehadhadoftheinsideofanofficewasofthenatureofadreamtoher。Shutoffupthere，shecomparedMrs。Seal，andMaryDatchet，andMr。Clactontoenchantedpeopleinabewitchedtower，withthespiders'websloopingacrossthecornersoftheroom，andallthetoolsofthenecromancer'scraftathand；forsoaloofandunrealandapartfromthenormalworlddidtheyseemtoher，inthehouseofinnumerabletypewriters，murmuringtheirincantationsandconcoctingtheirdrugs，andflingingtheirfrailspiders'websoverthetorrentoflifewhichrusheddownthestreetsoutside。
Shemayhavebeenconsciousthattherewassomeexaggerationinthisfancyofhers，forshecertainlydidnotwishtoshareitwithRalph。
Tohim，shesupposed，MaryDatchet，composingleafletsforCabinetMinistersamonghertypewriters，representedallthatwasinterestingandgenuine；and，accordingly，sheshutthembothoutfromallshareinthecrowdedstreet，withitspendantnecklaceoflamps，itslightedwindows，anditsthrongofmenandwomen，whichexhilaratedhertosuchanextentthatsheverynearlyforgothercompanion。Shewalkedveryfast，andtheeffectofpeoplepassingintheoppositedirectionwastoproduceaqueerdizzinessbothinherheadandinRalph's，whichsettheirbodiesfarapart。Butshedidherdutybyhercompanionalmostunconsciously。
“MaryDatchetdoesthatsortofworkverywell……She'sresponsibleforit，Isuppose？“
“Yes。Theothersdon'thelpatall……Hasshemadeaconvertofyou？“
“Ohno。Thatis，I'maconvertalready。“
“Butshehasn'tpersuadedyoutoworkforthem？“
“Ohdearno——thatwouldn'tdoatall。“
SotheywalkedondowntheTottenhamCourtRoad，partingandcomingtogetheragain，andRalphfeltmuchasthoughhewereaddressingthesummitofapoplarinahighgaleofwind。
“Supposewegetontothatomnibus？“hesuggested。
Katharineacquiesced，andtheyclimbedup，andfoundthemselvesaloneontopofit。
“Butwhichwayareyougoing？“Katharineasked，wakingalittlefromthetranceintowhichmovementamongmovingthingshadthrownher。
“I'mgoingtotheTemple，“Ralphreplied，inventingadestinationonthespurofthemoment。Hefeltthechangecomeoverherastheysatdownandtheomnibusbegantomoveforward。Heimaginedhercontemplatingtheavenueinfrontofthemwiththosehonestsadeyeswhichseemedtosethimatsuchadistancefromthem。Butthebreezewasblowingintheirfaces；itliftedherhatforasecond，andshedrewoutapinandstuckitinagain，——alittleactionwhichseemed，forsomereason，tomakeherrathermorefallible。Ah，ifonlyherhatwouldblowoff，andleaveheraltogetherdisheveled，acceptingitfromhishands！
“ThisislikeVenice，“sheobserved，raisingherhand。“Themotor-
cars，Imean，shootingaboutsoquickly，withtheirlights。“
“I'veneverseenVenice，“hereplied。“Ikeepthatandsomeotherthingsformyoldage。“
“Whataretheotherthings？“sheasked。
“There'sVeniceandIndiaand，Ithink，Dante，too。“
Shelaughed。
“Thinkofprovidingforone'soldage！AndwouldyourefusetoseeVeniceifyouhadthechance？“
Insteadofansweringher，hewonderedwhetherheshouldtellhersomethingthatwasquitetrueabouthimself；andashewondered，hetoldher。
“I'veplannedoutmylifeinsectionseversinceIwasachild，tomakeitlastlonger。Yousee，I'malwaysafraidthatI'mmissingsomething——“
“AndsoamI！“Katharineexclaimed。“But，afterall，“sheadded，“whyshouldyoumissanything？“
“Why？BecauseI'mpoor，foronething，“Ralphrejoined。“You，I
suppose，canhaveVeniceandIndiaandDanteeverydayofyourlife。“
Shesaidnothingforamoment，butrestedonehand，whichwasbareofglove，upontherailinfrontofher，meditatinguponavarietyofthings，ofwhichonewasthatthisstrangeyoungmanpronouncedDanteasshewasusedtohearingitpronounced，andanother，thathehad，mostunexpectedly，afeelingaboutlifethatwasfamiliartoher。
Perhaps，then，hewasthesortofpersonshemighttakeaninterestin，ifshecametoknowhimbetter，andasshehadplacedhimamongthosewhomshewouldneverwanttoknowbetter，thiswasenoughtomakehersilent。Shehastilyrecalledherfirstviewofhim，inthelittleroomwheretherelicswerekept，andranabarthroughhalfherimpressions，asonecancelsabadlywrittensentence，havingfoundtherightone。
“Buttoknowthatonemighthavethingsdoesn'talterthefactthatonehasn'tgotthem，“shesaid，insomeconfusion。“HowcouldIgotoIndia，forexample？Besides，“shebeganimpulsively，andstoppedherself。Heretheconductorcameround，andinterruptedthem。Ralphwaitedforhertoresumehersentence，butshesaidnomore。
“Ihaveamessagetogiveyourfather，“heremarked。“Perhapsyouwouldgiveithim，orIcouldcome——“
“Yes，docome，“Katharinereplied。
“Still，Idon'tseewhyyoushouldn'tgotoIndia，“Ralphbegan，inordertokeepherfromrising，asshethreatenedtodo。
Butshegotupinspiteofhim，andsaidgood-byewithherusualairofdecision，andlefthimwithaquicknesswhichRalphconnectednowwithallhermovements。Helookeddownandsawherstandingonthepavementedge，analert，commandingfigure，whichwaiteditsseasontocross，andthenwalkedboldlyandswiftlytotheotherside。Thatgestureandactionwouldbeaddedtothepicturehehadofher，butatpresenttherealwomancompletelyroutedthephantomone。
CHAPTERVII
AndlittleAugustusPelhamsaidtome，'It'stheyoungergenerationknockingatthedoor，'andIsaidtohim，'Oh，buttheyoungergenerationcomesinwithoutknocking，Mr。Pelham。'Suchafeeblelittlejoke，wasn'tit，butdownitwentintohisnotebookallthesame。“
“Letuscongratulateourselvesthatweshallbeinthegravebeforethatworkispublished，“saidMr。Hilbery。
Theelderlycouplewerewaitingforthedinner-belltoringandfortheirdaughtertocomeintotheroom。Theirarm-chairsweredrawnuponeithersideofthefire，andeachsatinthesameslightlycrouchedposition，lookingintothecoals，withtheexpressionsofpeoplewhohavehadtheirshareofexperiencesandwait，ratherpassively，forsomethingtohappen。Mr。Hilberynowgaveallhisattentiontoapieceofcoalwhichhadfallenoutofthegrate，andtoselectingafavorablepositionforitamongthelumpsthatwereburningalready。
Mrs。Hilberywatchedhiminsilence，andthesmilechangedonherlipsasifhermindstillplayedwiththeeventsoftheafternoon。
WhenMr。Hilberyhadaccomplishedhistask，heresumedhiscrouchingpositionagain，andbegantotoywiththelittlegreenstoneattachedtohiswatch-chain。Hisdeep，oval-shapedeyeswerefixedupontheflames，butbehindthesuperficialglazeseemedtobroodanobservantandwhimsicalspirit，whichkeptthebrownoftheeyestillunusuallyvivid。Butalookofindolence，theresultofskepticismorofatastetoofastidioustobesatisfiedbytheprizesandconclusionssoeasilywithinhisgrasp，lenthimanexpressionalmostofmelancholy。Aftersittingthusforatime，heseemedtoreachsomepointinhisthinkingwhichdemonstrateditsfutility，uponwhichhesighedandstretchedhishandforabooklyingonthetablebyhisside。
Directlythedooropenedheclosedthebook，andtheeyesoffatherandmotherbothrestedonKatharineasshecametowardsthem。Thesightseemedatoncetogivethemamotivewhichtheyhadnothadbefore。Tothemsheappeared，asshewalkedtowardstheminherlighteveningdress，extremelyyoung，andthesightofherrefreshedthem，wereitonlybecauseheryouthandignorancemadetheirknowledgeoftheworldofsomevalue。
“Theonlyexcuseforyou，Katharine，isthatdinnerisstilllaterthanyouare，“saidMr。Hilbery，puttingdownhisspectacles。
“Idon'tmindherbeinglatewhentheresultissocharming，“saidMrs。Hilbery，lookingwithprideatherdaughter。“Still，Idon'tknowthatILIKEyourbeingoutsolate，Katharine，“shecontinued。“Youtookacab，Ihope？“
Heredinnerwasannounced，andMr。Hilberyformallyledhiswifedownstairsonhisarm。Theywerealldressedfordinner，and，indeed，theprettinessofthedinner-tablemeritedthatcompliment。Therewasnoclothuponthetable，andthechinamaderegularcirclesofdeepblueupontheshiningbrownwood。Inthemiddletherewasabowloftawnyredandyellowchrysanthemums，andoneofpurewhite，sofreshthatthenarrowpetalswerecurvedbackwardsintoafirmwhiteball。
FromthesurroundingwallstheheadsofthreefamousVictorianwriterssurveyedthisentertainment，andslipsofpaperpastedbeneaththemtestifiedinthegreatman'sownhandwritingthathewasyourssincerelyoraffectionatelyorforever。Thefatheranddaughterwouldhavebeenquitecontent，apparently，toeattheirdinnerinsilence，orwithafewcrypticremarksexpressedinashorthandwhichcouldnotbeunderstoodbytheservants。ButsilencedepressedMrs。Hilbery，andfarfrommindingthepresenceofmaids，shewouldoftenaddressherselftothem，andwasneveraltogetherunconsciousoftheirapprovalordisapprovalofherremarks。Inthefirstplaceshecalledthemtowitnessthattheroomwasdarkerthanusual，andhadallthelightsturnedon。
“That'smorecheerful，“sheexclaimed。“D'youknow，Katharine，thatridiculousgoosecametoteawithme？Oh，howIwantedyou！Hetriedtomakeepigramsallthetime，andIgotsonervous，expectingthem，youknow，thatIspiltthetea——andhemadeanepigramaboutthat！“
“Whichridiculousgoose？“Katharineaskedherfather。
“Onlyoneofmygeese，happily，makesepigrams——AugustusPelham，ofcourse，“saidMrs。Hilbery。
“I'mnotsorrythatIwasout，“saidKatharine。
“PoorAugustus！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Butwe'realltoohardonhim。Rememberhowdevotedheistohistiresomeoldmother。“
“That'sonlybecausesheishismother。Anyoneconnectedwithhimself——“
“No，no，Katharine——that'stoobad。That's——what'sthewordImean，Trevor，somethinglongandLatin——thesortofwordyouandKatharineknow——“
Mr。Hilberysuggested“cynical。“
“Well，that'lldo。Idon'tbelieveinsendinggirlstocollege，butI
shouldteachthemthatsortofthing。Itmakesonefeelsodignified，bringingouttheselittleallusions，andpassingongracefullytothenexttopic。ButIdon'tknowwhat'scomeoverme——IactuallyhadtoaskAugustusthenameoftheladyHamletwasinlovewith，asyouwereout，Katharine，andHeavenknowswhathemayn'tputdownaboutmeinhisdiary。“
“Iwish，“Katharinestarted，withgreatimpetuosity，andcheckedherself。Hermotheralwaysstirredhertofeelandthinkquickly，andthensherememberedthatherfatherwasthere，listeningwithattention。
“Whatisityouwish？“heasked，asshepaused。
Heoftensurprisedher，thus，intotellinghimwhatshehadnotmeanttotellhim；andthentheyargued，whileMrs。Hilberywentonwithherownthoughts。
“Iwishmotherwasn'tfamous。Iwasoutattea，andtheywouldtalktomeaboutpoetry。“
“Thinkingyoumustbepoetical，Isee——andaren'tyou？“
“Who'sbeentalkingtoyouaboutpoetry，Katharine？“Mrs。Hilberydemanded，andKatharinewascommittedtogivingherparentsanaccountofhervisittotheSuffrageoffice。
“TheyhaveanofficeatthetopofoneoftheoldhousesinRussellSquare。Ineversawsuchqueer-lookingpeople。AndthemandiscoveredIwasrelatedtothepoet，andtalkedtomeaboutpoetry。EvenMaryDatchetseemsdifferentinthatatmosphere。“
“Yes，theofficeatmosphereisverybadforthesoul，“saidMr。
Hilbery。
“Idon'trememberanyofficesinRussellSquareintheolddays，whenMammalivedthere，“Mrs。Hilberymused，“andIcan'tfancyturningoneofthosenoblegreatroomsintoastuffylittleSuffrageoffice。
Still，iftheclerksreadpoetrytheremustbesomethingniceaboutthem。“
“No，becausetheydon'treaditaswereadit，“Katharineinsisted。
“Butit'snicetothinkofthemreadingyourgrandfather，andnotfillingupthosedreadfullittleformsalldaylong，“Mrs。Hilberypersisted，hernotionofofficelifebeingderivedfromsomechanceviewofascenebehindthecounteratherbank，assheslippedthesovereignsintoherpurse。
“Atanyrate，theyhaven'tmadeaconvertofKatharine，whichwaswhatIwasafraidof，“Mr。Hilberyremarked。
“Ohno，“saidKatharineverydecidedly，“Iwouldn'tworkwiththemforanything。“
“It'scurious，“Mr。Hilberycontinued，agreeingwithhisdaughter，“howthesightofone'sfellow-enthusiastsalwayschokesoneoff。Theyshowupthefaultsofone'scausesomuchmoreplainlythanone'santagonists。Onecanbeenthusiasticinone'sstudy，butdirectlyonecomesintotouchwiththepeoplewhoagreewithone，alltheglamorgoes。SoI'vealwaysfound，“andheproceededtotellthem，ashepeeledhisapple，howhecommittedhimselfonce，inhisyouthfuldays，tomakeaspeechatapoliticalmeeting，andwentthereablazewithenthusiasmfortheidealsofhisownside；butwhilehisleadersspoke，hebecamegraduallyconvertedtotheotherwayofthinking，ifthinkingitcouldbecalled，andhadtofeignillnessinordertoavoidmakingafoolofhimself——anexperiencewhichhadsickenedhimofpublicmeetings。
Katharinelistenedandfeltasshegenerallydidwhenherfather，andtosomeextenthermother，describedtheirfeelings，thatshequiteunderstoodandagreedwiththem，but，atthesametime，sawsomethingwhichtheydidnotsee，andalwaysfeltsomedisappointmentwhentheyfellshortofhervision，astheyalwaysdid。Theplatessucceededeachotherswiftlyandnoiselesslyinfrontofher，andthetablewasdeckedfordessert，andasthetalkmurmuredoninfamiliargrooves，shesatthere，ratherlikeajudge，listeningtoherparents，whodid，indeed，feelitverypleasantwhentheymadeherlaugh。
Dailylifeinahousewherethereareyoungandoldisfullofcuriouslittleceremoniesandpieties，whicharedischargedquitepunctually，thoughthemeaningofthemisobscure，andamysteryhascometobroodoverthemwhichlendsevenasuperstitiouscharmtotheirperformance。
Suchwasthenightlyceremonyofthecigarandtheglassofport，whichwereplacedontherighthandandonthelefthandofMr。
Hilbery，andsimultaneouslyMrs。HilberyandKatharinelefttheroom。
AlltheyearstheyhadlivedtogethertheyhadneverseenMr。Hilberysmokehiscigarordrinkhisport，andtheywouldhavefeltitunseemlyif，bychance，theyhadsurprisedhimashesatthere。Theseshort，butclearlymarked，periodsofseparationbetweenthesexeswerealwaysusedforanintimatepostscripttowhathadbeensaidatdinner，thesenseofbeingwomentogethercomingoutmoststronglywhenthemalesexwas，asifbysomereligiousrite，secludedfromthefemale。Katharineknewbyheartthesortofmoodthatpossessedherasshewalkedupstairstothedrawing-room，hermother'sarminhers；andshecouldanticipatethepleasurewithwhich，whenshehadturnedonthelights，theybothregardedthedrawing-room，freshsweptandsetinorderforthelastsectionoftheday，withtheredparrotsswingingonthechintzcurtains，andthearm-chairswarmingintheblaze。Mrs。Hilberystoodoverthefire，withonefootonthefender，andherskirtsslightlyraised。
“Oh，Katharine，“sheexclaimed，“howyou'vemademethinkofMammaandtheolddaysinRussellSquare！Icanseethechandeliers，andthegreensilkofthepiano，andMammasittinginhercashmereshawlbythewindow，singingtillthelittleragamuffinboysoutsidestoppedtolisten。Papasentmeinwithabunchofvioletswhilehewaitedroundthecorner。Itmusthavebeenasummerevening。Thatwasbeforethingswerehopeless……“
Asshespokeanexpressionofregret，whichmusthavecomefrequentlytocausethelineswhichnowgrewdeeproundthelipsandeyes，settledonherface。Thepoet'smarriagehadnotbeenahappyone。Hehadlefthiswife，andaftersomeyearsofaratherrecklessexistence，shehaddied，beforehertime。Thisdisasterhadledtogreatirregularitiesofeducation，and，indeed，Mrs。Hilberymightbesaidtohaveescapededucationaltogether。Butshehadbeenherfather'scompanionattheseasonwhenhewrotethefinestofhispoems。Shehadsatonhiskneeintavernsandotherhauntsofdrunkenpoets，anditwasforhersake，sopeoplesaid，thathehadcuredhimselfofhisdissipation，andbecometheirreproachableliterarycharacterthattheworldknows，whoseinspirationhaddesertedhim。AsMrs。Hilberygrewoldshethoughtmoreandmoreofthepast，andthisancientdisasterseemedattimesalmosttopreyuponhermind，asifshecouldnotpassoutoflifeherselfwithoutlayingtheghostofherparent'ssorrowtorest。
Katharinewishedtocomforthermother，butitwasdifficulttodothissatisfactorilywhenthefactsthemselvesweresomuchofalegend。ThehouseinRussellSquare，forexample，withitsnoblerooms，andthemagnolia-treeinthegarden，andthesweet-voicedpiano，andthesoundoffeetcomingdownthecorridors，andotherpropertiesofsizeandromance——hadtheyanyexistence？YetwhyshouldMrs。Alardyceliveallaloneinthisgiganticmansion，and，ifshedidnotlivealone，withwhomdidshelive？Foritsownsake，Katharineratherlikedthistragicstory，andwouldhavebeengladtohearthedetailsofit，andtohavebeenabletodiscussthemfrankly。Butthisitbecamelessandlesspossibletodo，forthoughMrs。Hilberywasconstantlyrevertingtothestory，itwasalwaysinthistentativeandrestlessfashion，asthoughbyatouchhereandthereshecouldsetthingsstraightwhichhadbeencrookedthesesixtyyears。Perhaps，indeed，shenolongerknewwhatthetruthwas。
“Ifthey'dlivednow，“sheconcluded，“Ifeelitwouldn'thavehappened。Peoplearen'tsosetupontragedyastheywerethen。Ifmyfatherhadbeenabletogoroundtheworld，orifshe'dhadarestcure，everythingwouldhavecomeright。ButwhatcouldIdo？Andthentheyhadbadfriends，bothofthem，whomademischief。Ah，Katharine，whenyoumarry，bequite，quitesurethatyouloveyourhusband！“
ThetearsstoodinMrs。Hilbery'seyes。
Whilecomfortingher，Katharinethoughttoherself，“NowthisiswhatMaryDatchetandMr。Denhamdon'tunderstand。ThisisthesortofpositionI'malwaysgettinginto。Howsimpleitmustbetoliveastheydo！“foralltheeveningshehadbeencomparingherhomeandherfatherandmotherwiththeSuffrageofficeandthepeoplethere。
“But，Katharine，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued，withoneofhersuddenchangesofmood，“though，Heavenknows，Idon'twanttoseeyoumarried，surelyifeveramanlovedawoman，Williamlovesyou。Andit'sanice，rich-soundingnametoo——KatharineRodney，which，unfortunately，doesn'tmeanthathe'sgotanymoney，becausehehasn't。“
ThealterationofhernameannoyedKatharine，andsheobserved，rathersharply，thatshedidn'twanttomarryanyone。
“It'sverydullthatyoucanonlymarryonehusband，certainly，“Mrs。
Hilberyreflected。“Ialwayswishthatyoucouldmarryeverybodywhowantstomarryyou。Perhapsthey'llcometothatintime，butmeanwhileIconfessthatdearWilliam——“ButhereMr。Hilberycamein，andthemoresolidpartoftheeveningbegan。ThisconsistedinthereadingaloudbyKatharinefromsomeproseworkorother，whilehermotherknittedscarvesintermittentlyonalittlecircularframe，andherfatherreadthenewspaper，notsoattentivelybutthathecouldcommenthumorouslynowandagainuponthefortunesoftheheroandtheheroine。TheHilberyssubscribedtoalibrary，whichdeliveredbooksonTuesdaysandFridays，andKatharinedidherbesttointerestherparentsintheworksoflivingandhighlyrespectableauthors；butMrs。Hilberywasperturbedbytheverylookofthelight，gold-
wreathedvolumes，andwouldmakelittlefacesasifshetastedsomethingbitterasthereadingwenton；whileMr。Hilberywouldtreatthemodernswithacuriouselaboratebantersuchasonemightapplytotheanticsofapromisingchild。Sothisevening，afterfivepagesorsoofoneofthesemasters，Mrs。Hilberyprotestedthatitwasalltoocleverandcheapandnastyforwords。
“Please，Katharine，readussomethingREAL。“
Katharinehadtogotothebookcaseandchooseaportlyvolumeinsleek，yellowcalf，whichhaddirectlyasedativeeffectuponbothherparents。ButthedeliveryoftheeveningpostbrokeinupontheperiodsofHenryFielding，andKatharinefoundthatherlettersneededallherattention。
CHAPTERVIII
Shetookherlettersuptoherroomwithher，havingpersuadedhermothertogotobeddirectlyMr。Hilberyleftthem，forsolongasshesatinthesameroomashermother，Mrs。Hilberymight，atanymoment，askforasightofthepost。AveryhastyglancethroughmanysheetshadshownKatharinethat，bysomecoincidence，herattentionhadtobedirectedtomanydifferentanxietiessimultaneously。Inthefirstplace，Rodneyhadwrittenaveryfullaccountofhisstateofmind，whichwasillustratedbyasonnet，andhedemandedareconsiderationoftheirposition，whichagitatedKatharinemorethansheliked。Thenthereweretwoletterswhichhadtobelaidsidebysideandcomparedbeforeshecouldmakeoutthetruthoftheirstory，andevenwhensheknewthefactsshecouldnotdecidewhattomakeofthem；andfinallyshehadtoreflectuponagreatmanypagesfromacousinwhofoundhimselfinfinancialdifficulties，whichforcedhimtotheuncongenialoccupationofteachingtheyoungladiesofBungaytoplayupontheviolin。
Butthetwoletterswhicheachtoldthesamestorydifferentlywerethechiefsourceofherperplexity。Shewasreallyrathershockedtofinditdefinitelyestablishedthatherownsecondcousin，CyrilAlardyce，hadlivedforthelastfouryearswithawomanwhowasnothiswife，whohadbornehimtwochildren，andwasnowabouttobearhimanother。ThisstateofthingshadbeendiscoveredbyMrs。Milvain，herauntCelia，azealousinquirerintosuchmatters，whoseletterwasalsounderconsideration。Cyril，shesaid，mustbemadetomarrythewomanatonce；andCyril，rightlyorwrongly，wasindignantwithsuchinterferencewithhisaffairs，andwouldnotownthathehadanycausetobeashamedofhimself。Hadheanycausetobeashamedofhimself，Katharinewondered；andsheturnedtoherauntagain。
“Remember，“shewrote，inherprofuse，emphaticstatement，“thathebearsyourgrandfather'sname，andsowillthechildthatistobeborn。Thepoorboyisnotsomuchtoblameasthewomanwhodeludedhim，thinkinghimagentleman，whichheIS，andhavingmoney，whichhehasNOT。“
“WhatwouldRalphDenhamsaytothis？“thoughtKatharine，beginningtopaceupanddownherbedroom。Shetwitchedasidethecurtains，sothat，onturning，shewasfacedbydarkness，andlookingout，couldjustdistinguishthebranchesofaplane-treeandtheyellowlightsofsomeoneelse'swindows。
“WhatwouldMaryDatchetandRalphDenhamsay？“shereflected，pausingbythewindow，which，asthenightwaswarm，sheraised，inordertofeeltheairuponherface，andtoloseherselfinthenothingnessofnight。Butwiththeairthedistanthummingsoundoffar-offcrowdedthoroughfareswasadmittedtotheroom。Theincessantandtumultuoushumofthedistanttrafficseemed，asshestoodthere，torepresentthethicktextureofherlife，forherlifewassohemmedinwiththeprogressofotherlivesthatthesoundofitsownadvancewasinaudible。PeoplelikeRalphandMary，shethought，haditalltheirownway，andanemptyspacebeforethem，and，assheenviedthem，shecasthermindouttoimagineanemptylandwhereallthispettyintercourseofmenandwomen，thislifemadeupofthedensecrossingsandentanglementsofmenandwomen，hadnoexistencewhatever。Evennow，alone，atnight，lookingoutintotheshapelessmassofLondon，shewasforcedtorememberthattherewasonepointandhereanotherwithwhichshehadsomeconnection。WilliamRodney，atthisverymoment，wasseatedinaminutespeckoflightsomewheretotheeastofher，andhismindwasoccupied，notwithhisbook，butwithher。Shewishedthatnooneinthewholeworldwouldthinkofher。However，therewasnowayofescapingfromone'sfellow-beings，sheconcluded，andshutthewindowwithasigh，andreturnedoncemoretoherletters。
ShecouldnotdoubtbutthatWilliam'sletterwasthemostgenuineshehadyetreceivedfromhim。Hehadcometotheconclusionthathecouldnotlivewithouther，hewrote。Hebelievedthatheknewher，andcouldgiveherhappiness，andthattheirmarriagewouldbeunlikeothermarriages。Norwasthesonnet，inspiteofitsaccomplishment，lackinginpassion，andKatharine，asshereadthepagesthroughagain，couldseeinwhatdirectionherfeelingsoughttoflow，supposingtheyrevealedthemselves。Shewouldcometofeelahumoroussortoftendernessforhim，azealouscareforhissusceptibilities，and，afterall，sheconsidered，thinkingofherfatherandmother，whatislove？
Naturally，withherface，position，andbackground，shehadexperienceofyoungmenwhowishedtomarryher，andmadeprotestationsoflove，but，perhapsbecauseshedidnotreturnthefeeling，itremainedsomethingofapageanttoher。Nothavingexperienceofitherself，hermindhadunconsciouslyoccupieditselfforsomeyearsindressingupanimageoflove，andthemarriagethatwastheoutcomeoflove，andthemanwhoinspiredlove，whichnaturallydwarfedanyexamplesthatcameherway。Easily，andwithoutcorrectionbyreason，herimaginationmadepictures，superbbackgroundscastingarichthoughphantomlightuponthefactsintheforeground。Splendidasthewatersthatdropwithresoundingthunderfromhighledgesofrock，andplungedownwardsintothebluedepthsofnight，wasthepresenceofloveshedreamt，drawingintoiteverydropoftheforceoflife，anddashingthemallasunderinthesuperbcatastropheinwhicheverythingwassurrendered，andnothingmightbereclaimed。Theman，too，wassomemagnanimoushero，ridingagreathorsebytheshoreofthesea。Theyrodethroughforeststogether，theygallopedbytherimofthesea。
Butwaking，shewasabletocontemplateaperfectlylovelessmarriage，asthethingonedidactuallyinreallife，forpossiblythepeoplewhodreamthusarethosewhodothemostprosaicthings。
Atthismomentshewasmuchinclinedtositonintothenight，spinningherlightfabricofthoughtsuntilshetiredoftheirfutility，andwenttohermathematics；but，assheknewverywell，itwasnecessarythatsheshouldseeherfatherbeforehewenttobed。
ThecaseofCyrilAlardycemustbediscussed，hermother'sillusionsandtherightsofthefamilyattendedto。Beingvagueherselfastowhatallthisamountedto，shehadtotakecounselwithherfather。
Shetookherlettersinherhandandwentdownstairs。Itwaspasteleven，andtheclockshadcomeintotheirreign，thegrandfather'sclockinthehalltickingincompetitionwiththesmallclockonthelanding。Mr。Hilbery'sstudyranoutbehindtherestofthehouse，onthegroundfloor，andwasaverysilent，subterraneanplace，thesunindaytimecastingamereabstractoflightthroughaskylightuponhisbooksandthelargetable，withitsspreadofwhitepapers，nowilluminedbyagreenreading-lamp。HereMr。Hilberysateditinghisreview，orplacingtogetherdocumentsbymeansofwhichitcouldbeprovedthatShelleyhadwritten“of“insteadof“and，“orthattheinninwhichByronhadsleptwascalledthe“Nag'sHead“andnotthe“TurkishKnight，“orthattheChristiannameofKeats'sunclehadbeenJohnratherthanRichard，forheknewmoreminutedetailsaboutthesepoetsthananymaninEngland，probably，andwaspreparinganeditionofShelleywhichscrupulouslyobservedthepoet'ssystemofpunctuation。Hesawthehumoroftheseresearches，butthatdidnotpreventhimfromcarryingthemoutwiththeutmostscrupulosity。
Hewaslyingbackcomfortablyinadeeparm-chairsmokingacigar，andruminatingthefruitfulquestionastowhetherColeridgehadwishedtomarryDorothyWordsworth，andwhat，ifhehaddoneso，wouldhavebeentheconsequencestohiminparticular，andtoliteratureingeneral。
WhenKatharinecameinhereflectedthatheknewwhatshehadcomefor，andhemadeapencilnotebeforehespoketoher。Havingdonethis，hesawthatshewasreading，andhewatchedherforamomentwithoutsayinganything。Shewasreading“IsabellaandthePotofBasil，“andhermindwasfulloftheItalianhillsandthebluedaylight，andthehedgessetwithlittlerosettesofredandwhiteroses。Feelingthatherfatherwaitedforher，shesighedandsaid，shuttingherbook:
“I'vehadaletterfromAuntCeliaaboutCyril，father……Itseemstobetrue——abouthismarriage。Whatarewetodo？“
“Cyrilseemstohavebeenbehavinginaveryfoolishmanner，“saidMr。
Hilbery，inhispleasantanddeliberatetones。
Katharinefoundsomedifficultyincarryingontheconversation，whileherfatherbalancedhisfinger-tipssojudiciously，andseemedtoreservesomanyofhisthoughtsforhimself。
“He'saboutdoneforhimself，Ishouldsay，“hecontinued。Withoutsayinganything，hetookKatharine'slettersoutofherhand，adjustedhiseyeglasses，andreadthemthrough。
Atlengthhesaid“Humph！“andgavethelettersbacktoher。
“Motherknowsnothingaboutit，“Katharineremarked。“Willyoutellher？“
“Ishalltellyourmother。ButIshalltellherthatthereisnothingwhateverforustodo。“
“Butthemarriage？“Katharineasked，withsomediffidence。
Mr。Hilberysaidnothing，andstaredintothefire。
“Whatinthenameofconsciencedidhedoitfor？“hespeculatedatlast，rathertohimselfthantoher。
Katharinehadbeguntoreadheraunt'sletteroveragain，andshenowquotedasentence。“IbsenandButler……Hehassentmealetterfullofquotations——nonsense，thoughclevernonsense。“
“Well，iftheyoungergenerationwanttocarryonitslifeonthoselines，it'snoneofouraffair，“heremarked。
“Butisn'titouraffair，perhaps，tomakethemgetmarried？“
Katharineaskedratherwearily。
“Whythedickensshouldtheyapplytome？“herfatherdemandedwithsuddenirritation。
“Onlyastheheadofthefamily——“
“ButI'mnottheheadofthefamily。Alfred'stheheadofthefamily。
LetthemapplytoAlfred，“saidMr。Hilbery，relapsingagainintohisarm-chair。Katharinewasawarethatshehadtouchedasensitivespot，however，inmentioningthefamily。
“Ithink，perhaps，thebestthingwouldbeformetogoandseethem，“
sheobserved。
“Iwon'thaveyougoinganywherenearthem，“Mr。Hilberyrepliedwithunwonteddecisionandauthority。“Indeed，Idon'tunderstandwhythey'vedraggedyouintothebusinessatall——Idon'tseethatit'sgotanythingtodowithyou。“
“I'vealwaysbeenfriendswithCyril，“Katharineobserved。
“Butdidheevertellyouanythingaboutthis？“Mr。Hilberyaskedrathersharply。
Katharineshookherhead。Shewas，indeed，agooddealhurtthatCyrilhadnotconfidedinher——didhethink，asRalphDenhamorMaryDatchetmightthink，thatshewas，forsomereason，unsympathetic——hostileeven？
“Astoyourmother，“saidMr。Hilbery，afterapause，inwhichheseemedtobeconsideringthecoloroftheflames，“youhadbettertellherthefacts。She'dbetterknowthefactsbeforeeveryonebeginstotalkaboutit，thoughwhyAuntCeliathinksitnecessarytocome，I'msureIdon'tknow。Andthelesstalkthereisthebetter。“
Grantingtheassumptionthatgentlemenofsixtywhoarehighlycultivated，andhavehadmuchexperienceoflife，probablythinkofmanythingswhichtheydonotsay，Katharinecouldnothelpfeelingratherpuzzledbyherfather'sattitude，asshewentbacktoherroom。
Whatadistancehewasfromitall！Howsuperficiallyhesmoothedtheseeventsintoasemblanceofdecencywhichharmonizedwithhisownviewoflife！HeneverwonderedwhatCyrilhadfelt，nordidthehiddenaspectsofthecasetempthimtoexamineintothem。Hemerelyseemedtorealize，ratherlanguidly，thatCyrilhadbehavedinawaywhichwasfoolish，becauseotherpeopledidnotbehaveinthatway。Heseemedtobelookingthroughatelescopeatlittlefigureshundredsofmilesinthedistance。
HerselfishanxietynottohavetotellMrs。Hilberywhathadhappenedmadeherfollowherfatherintothehallafterbreakfastthenextmorninginordertoquestionhim。
“Haveyoutoldmother？“sheasked。Hermannertoherfatherwasalmoststern，andsheseemedtoholdendlessdepthsofreflectioninthedarkofhereyes。
Mr。Hilberysighed。
“Mydearchild，itwentoutofmyhead。“Hesmoothedhissilkhatenergetically，andatonceaffectedanairofhurry。“I'llsendanoteroundfromtheoffice……I'mlatethismorning，andI'veanyamountofproofstogetthrough。“
“Thatwouldn'tdoatall，“Katharinesaiddecidedly。“Shemustbetold——youorImusttellher。Weoughttohavetoldheratfirst。“
Mr。Hilberyhadnowplacedhishatonhishead，andhishandwasonthedoor-knob。AnexpressionwhichKatharineknewwellfromherchildhood，whenheaskedhertoshieldhiminsomeneglectofduty，cameintohiseyes；malice，humor，andirresponsibilitywereblendedinit。Henoddedhisheadtoandfrosignificantly，openedthedoorwithanadroitmovement，andsteppedoutwithalightnessunexpectedathisage。Hewavedhishandoncetohisdaughter，andwasgone。Leftalone，Katharinecouldnothelplaughingtofindherselfcheatedasusualindomesticbargainingswithherfather，andlefttodothedisagreeableworkwhichbelonged，byrights，tohim。
CHAPTERIX
KatharinedislikedtellinghermotheraboutCyril'smisbehaviorquiteasmuchasherfatherdid，andformuchthesamereasons。Theybothshrank，nervously，aspeoplefearthereportofagunonthestage，fromallthatwouldhavetobesaidonthisoccasion。Katharine，moreover，wasunabletodecidewhatshethoughtofCyril'smisbehavior。Asusual，shesawsomethingwhichherfatherandmotherdidnotsee，andtheeffectofthatsomethingwastosuspendCyril'sbehaviorinhermindwithoutanyqualificationatall。Theywouldthinkwhetheritwasgoodorbad；toheritwasmerelyathingthathadhappened。
WhenKatharinereachedthestudy，Mrs。Hilberyhadalreadydippedherpenintheink。
“Katharine，“shesaid，liftingitintheair，“I'vejustmadeoutsuchaqueer，strangethingaboutyourgrandfather。I'mthreeyearsandsixmonthsolderthanhewaswhenhedied。Icouldn'tverywellhavebeenhismother，butImighthavebeenhiseldersister，andthatseemstomesuchapleasantfancy。I'mgoingtostartquitefreshthismorning，andgetalotdone。“
Shebeganhersentence，atanyrate，andKatharinesatdownatherowntable，untiedthebundleofoldlettersuponwhichshewasworking，smoothedthemoutabsent-mindedly，andbegantodecipherthefadedscript。Inaminuteshelookedacrossathermother，tojudgehermood。Peaceandhappinesshadrelaxedeverymuscleinherface；herlipswerepartedveryslightly，andherbreathcameinsmooth，controlledinspirationslikethoseofachildwhoissurroundingitselfwithabuildingofbricks，andincreasinginecstasyaseachbrickisplacedinposition。SoMrs。Hilberywasraisingroundhertheskiesandtreesofthepastwitheverystrokeofherpen，andrecallingthevoicesofthedead。Quietastheroomwas，andundisturbedbythesoundsofthepresentmoment，Katharinecouldfancythatherewasadeeppoolofpasttime，andthatsheandhermotherwerebathedinthelightofsixtyyearsago。Whatcouldthepresentgive，shewondered，tocomparewiththerichcrowdofgiftsbestowedbythepast？HerewasaThursdaymorninginprocessofmanufacture；
eachsecondwasmintedfreshbytheclockuponthemantelpiece。Shestrainedherearsandcouldjusthear，faroff，thehootofamotor-carandtherushofwheelscomingneareranddyingawayagain，andthevoicesofmencryingoldironandvegetablesinoneofthepoorerstreetsatthebackofthehouse。Rooms，ofcourse，accumulatetheirsuggestions，andanyroominwhichonehasbeenusedtocarryonanyparticularoccupationgivesoffmemoriesofmoods，ofideas，ofposturesthathavebeenseeninit；sothattoattemptanydifferentkindofworkthereisalmostimpossible。
Katharinewasunconsciouslyaffected，eachtimesheenteredhermother'sroom，byalltheseinfluences，whichhadhadtheirbirthyearsago，whenshewasachild，andhadsomethingsweetandsolemnaboutthem，andconnectedthemselveswithearlymemoriesofthecavernousgloomsandsonorousechoesoftheAbbeywherehergrandfatherlayburied。Allthebooksandpictures，eventhechairsandtables，hadbelongedtohim，orhadreferencetohim；eventhechinadogsonthemantelpieceandthelittleshepherdesseswiththeirsheephadbeenboughtbyhimforapennyapiecefromamanwhousedtostandwithatrayoftoysinKensingtonHighStreet，asKatharinehadoftenheardhermothertell。Oftenshehadsatinthisroom，withhermindfixedsofirmlyonthosevanishedfiguresthatshecouldalmostseethemusclesroundtheireyesandlips，andhadgiventoeachhisownvoice，withitstricksofaccent，andhiscoatandhiscravat。Oftenshehadseemedtoherselftobemovingamongthem，aninvisibleghostamongtheliving，betteracquaintedwiththemthanwithherownfriends，becausesheknewtheirsecretsandpossessedadivineforeknowledgeoftheirdestiny。Theyhadbeensounhappy，suchmuddlers，sowrong-headed，itseemedtoher。Shecouldhavetoldthemwhattodo，andwhatnottodo。Itwasamelancholyfactthattheywouldpaynoheedtoher，andwereboundtocometogriefintheirownantiquatedway。Theirbehaviorwasoftengrotesquelyirrational；theirconventionsmonstrouslyabsurd；andyet，asshebroodeduponthem，shefeltsocloselyattachedtothemthatitwasuselesstotrytopassjudgmentuponthem。Sheverynearlylostconsciousnessthatshewasaseparatebeing，withafutureofherown。Onamorningofslightdepression，suchasthis，shewouldtrytofindsomesortofcluetothemuddlewhichtheiroldletterspresented；somereasonwhichseemedtomakeitworthwhiletothem；someaimwhichtheykeptsteadilyinview——butshewasinterrupted。
Mrs。Hilberyhadrisenfromhertable，andwasstandinglookingoutofthewindowatastringofbargesswimminguptheriver。
Katharinewatchedher。SuddenlyMrs。Hilberyturnedabruptly，andexclaimed:
“IreallybelieveI'mbewitched！Ionlywantthreesentences，yousee，somethingquitestraightforwardandcommonplace，andIcan'tfind'em。“
Shebegantopaceupanddowntheroom，snatchingupherduster；butshewastoomuchannoyedtofindanyrelief，asyet，inpolishingthebacksofbooks。
“Besides，“shesaid，givingthesheetshehadwrittentoKatharine，“I
don'tbelievethis'lldo。DidyourgrandfatherevervisittheHebrides，Katharine？“Shelookedinastrangelybeseechingwayatherdaughter。“MymindgotrunningontheHebrides，andIcouldn'thelpwritingalittledescriptionofthem。Perhapsitwoulddoatthebeginningofachapter。Chaptersoftenbeginquitedifferentlyfromthewaytheygoon，youknow。“Katharinereadwhathermotherhadwritten。Shemighthavebeenaschoolmastercriticizingachild'sessay。HerfacegaveMrs。Hilbery，whowatcheditanxiously，nogroundforhope。
“It'sverybeautiful，“shestated，“but，yousee，mother，weoughttogofrompointtopoint——“
“Oh，Iknow，“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Andthat'sjustwhatIcan'tdo。Thingskeepcomingintomyhead。Itisn'tthatIdon'tknoweverythingandfeeleverything(whodidknowhim，ifIdidn't？)，butI
can'tputitdown，yousee。There'sakindofblindspot，“shesaid，touchingherforehead，“there。AndwhenIcan'tsleepo'nights，I
fancyIshalldiewithouthavingdoneit。“
Fromexultationshehadpassedtothedepthsofdepressionwhichtheimaginationofherdeatharoused。ThedepressioncommunicateditselftoKatharine。Howimpotenttheywere，fiddlingaboutalldaylongwithpapers！Andtheclockwasstrikingelevenandnothingdone！Shewatchedhermother，nowrummaginginagreatbrass-boundboxwhichstoodbyhertable，butshedidnotgotoherhelp。Ofcourse，Katharinereflected，hermotherhadnowlostsomepaper，andtheywouldwastetherestofthemorninglookingforit。Shecasthereyesdowninirritation，andreadagainhermother'smusicalsentencesaboutthesilvergulls，andtherootsoflittlepinkflowerswashedbypellucidstreams，andthebluemistsofhyacinths，untilshewasstruckbyhermother'ssilence。Sheraisedhereyes。Mrs。Hilberyhademptiedaportfoliocontainingoldphotographsoverhertable，andwaslookingfromonetoanother。
“Surely，Katharine，“shesaid，“themenwerefarhandsomerinthosedaysthantheyarenow，inspiteoftheirodiouswhiskers？LookatoldJohnGraham，inhiswhitewaistcoat——lookatUncleHarley。That'sPeterthemanservant，Isuppose。UncleJohnbroughthimbackfromIndia。“
Katharinelookedathermother，butdidnotstiroranswer。Shehadsuddenlybecomeveryangry，witharagewhichtheirrelationshipmadesilent，andthereforedoublypowerfulandcritical。Shefeltalltheunfairnessoftheclaimwhichhermothertacitlymadetohertimeandsympathy，andwhatMrs。Hilberytook，Katharinethoughtbitterly，shewasted。Then，inaflash，sherememberedthatshehadstilltotellheraboutCyril'smisbehavior。Herangerimmediatelydissipateditself；itbrokelikesomewavethathasgathereditselfhighabovetherest；thewaterswereresumedintotheseaagain，andKatharinefeltoncemorefullofpeaceandsolicitude，andanxiousonlythathermothershouldbeprotectedfrompain。Shecrossedtheroominstinctively，andsatonthearmofhermother'schair。Mrs。Hilberyleantherheadagainstherdaughter'sbody。
“Whatisnobler，“shemused，turningoverthephotographs，“thantobeawomantowhomeveryoneturns，insorrowordifficulty？Howhavetheyoungwomenofyourgenerationimproveduponthat，Katharine？Icanseethemnow，sweepingoverthelawnsatMelburyHouse，intheirflouncesandfurbelows，socalmandstatelyandimperial(andthemonkeyandthelittleblackdwarffollowingbehind)，asifnothingmatteredintheworldbuttobebeautifulandkind。Buttheydidmorethanwedo，Isometimesthink。TheyWERE，andthat'sbetterthandoing。Theyseemtomelikeships，likemajesticships，holdingontheirway，notshovingorpushing，notfrettedbylittlethings，asweare，buttakingtheirway，likeshipswithwhitesails。“
Katharinetriedtointerruptthisdiscourse，buttheopportunitydidnotcome，andshecouldnotforbeartoturnoverthepagesofthealbuminwhichtheoldphotographswerestored。Thefacesofthesemenandwomenshoneforthwonderfullyafterthehubbuboflivingfaces，andseemed，ashermotherhadsaid，towearamarvelousdignityandcalm，asiftheyhadruledtheirkingdomsjustlyanddeservedgreatlove。Somewereofalmostincrediblebeauty，otherswereuglyenoughinaforcibleway，butnoneweredullorboredorinsignificant。Thesuperbstifffoldsofthecrinolinessuitedthewomen；thecloaksandhatsofthegentlemenseemedfullofcharacter。OncemoreKatharinefeltthesereneairallroundher，andseemedfarofftohearthesolemnbeatingoftheseaupontheshore。Butsheknewthatshemustjointhepresentontothispast。
Mrs。Hilberywasramblingon，fromstorytostory。
“That'sJanieMannering，“shesaid，pointingtoasuperb，white-haireddame，whosesatinrobesseemedstrungwithpearls。“ImusthavetoldyouhowshefoundhercookdrunkunderthekitchentablewhentheEmpresswascomingtodinner，andtuckeduphervelvetsleeves(shealwaysdressedlikeanEmpressherself)，cookedthewholemeal，andappearedinthedrawing-roomasifshe'dbeensleepingonabankofrosesallday。Shecoulddoanythingwithherhands——theyallcould——
makeacottageorembroiderapetticoat。
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