SEQUEL
PREFATORYNOTE
Thefollowingstory，thefirstpublishedbytheauthor，waswrittennineteenyearsago，atatimewhenhewasfeelinghiswaytoamethod。Theprinciplesobservedinitscompositionare，nodoubt，tooexclusivelythoseinwhichmystery，entanglement，surprise，andmoralobliquityaredependedonforexcitinginterest；butsomeofthescenes，andatleastoneofthecharacters，havebeendeemednotunworthyofalittlelongerpreservation；andastheycouldhardlybereproducedinafragmentaryformthenovelisreissuedcomplete——
themorereadilythatithasforsomeconsiderabletimebeenreprintedandwidelycirculatedinAmerica。
January1889。
TotheforegoingnoteIhaveonlytoaddthat，inthepresenteditionof'DesperateRemedies，'someWessextownsandotherplacesthatarecommontothescenesofseveralofthesestorieshavebeencalledforthefirsttimebythenamesunderwhichtheyappearelsewhere，forthesatisfactionofanyreaderwhomaycareforconsistencyinsuchmatters。
Thisistheonlymaterialchange；for，asithappenedthatcertaincharacteristicswhichprovokedmostdiscussioninmylateststorywerepresentinthismyfirst——publishedin1871，whentherewasnoFrenchnameforthemithasseemedbesttoletthemstandunaltered。
T。H。
February1896。
I。THEEVENTSOFTHIRTYYEARS
1。DECEMBERANDJANUARY，1835-36
InthelongandintricatelyinwroughtchainofcircumstancewhichrendersworthyofrecordsomeexperiencesofCythereaGraye，EdwardSpringrove，andothers，thefirsteventdirectlyinfluencingtheissuewasaChristmasvisit。
Intheabove-mentionedyear，1835，AmbroseGraye，ayoungarchitectwhohadjustbegunthepracticeofhisprofessioninthemidlandtownofHocbridge，tothenorthofChristminster，wenttoLondontospendtheChristmasholidayswithafriendwholivedinBloomsbury。
TheyhadgoneuptoCambridgeinthesameyear，and，aftergraduatingtogether，Huntway，thefriend，hadtakenorders。
Grayewashandsome，frank，andgentle。Hehadaqualityofthoughtwhich，exercisedonhomeliness，washumour；onnature，picturesqueness；onabstractions，poetry。Being，asarule，broadcast，itwasallthree。
Ofthewickednessoftheworldhewastooforgetful。Todiscoverevilinanewfriendistomostpeopleonlyanadditionalexperience：tohimitwaseverasurprise。
WhileinLondonhebecameacquaintedwitharetiredofficerintheNavynamedBradleigh，who，withhiswifeandtheirdaughter，livedinastreetnotfarfromRussellSquare。Thoughtheywereinnomorethancomfortablecircumstances，thecaptain'swifecameofanancientfamilywhosegenealogicaltreewasinterlacedwithsomeofthemostillustriousandwell-knowninthekingdom。
Theyounglady，theirdaughter，seemedtoGrayebyfarthemostbeautifulandqueenlybeinghehadeverbeheld。Shewasaboutnineteenortwenty，andhernamewasCytherea。Intruthshewasnotsoveryunlikecountrygirlsofthattypeofbeauty，exceptinonerespect。Shewasperfectinhermannerandbearing，andtheywerenot。Ameredistinguishingpeculiarity，bycatchingtheeye，isoftenreadasthepervadingcharacteristic，andsheappearedtohimnolessthanperfectionthroughout——transcendingherruralrivalsinverynature。Grayedidathingtheblissfulnessofwhichwasonlyeclipsedbyitshazardousness。Helovedheratfirstsight。
HisintroductionshadledhimintocontactwithCythereaandherparentstwoorthreetimesonthefirstweekofhisarrivalinLondon，andaccidentandalover'scontrivancebroughtthemtogetherasfrequentlytheweekfollowing。TheparentslikedyoungGraye，andhavingfewfriends(fortheirequalsinbloodweretheirsuperiorsinposition)，hewasreceivedonverygenerousterms。HispassionforCythereagrewnotonlystrong，butineffablyexalted：
she，withoutpositivelyencouraginghim，tacitlyassentedtohisschemesforbeingnearher。Herfatherandmotherseemedtohavelostallconfidenceinnobilityofbirth，withoutmoneytogiveeffecttoitspresence，andlookeduponthebuddingconsequenceoftheyoungpeople'sreciprocalglanceswithplacidity，ifnotactualfavour。
Graye'swholeimpassioneddreamterminatedinasadandunaccountableepisode。Afterpassingthroughthreeweeksofsweetexperience，hehadarrivedatthelaststage——akindofmoralGaza——
beforeplungingintoanemotionaldesert。ThesecondweekinJanuaryhadcomeround，anditwasnecessaryfortheyoungarchitecttoleavetown。
Throughouthisacquaintanceshipwiththeladyofhishearttherehadbeenthismarkedpeculiarityinherlove：shehaddelightedinhispresenceasasweetheartshoulddo，yetfromfirsttolastshehadrepressedallrecognitionofthetruenatureofthethreadwhichdrewthemtogether，blindingherselftoitsmeaningandonlynaturaltendency，andappearingtodreadhisannouncementofthem。Thepresentseemedenoughforherwithoutcumulativehope：usually，evenifloveisinitselfanend，itmustberegardedasabeginningtobeenjoyed。
Inspiteofevasionsasanobstacle，andinconsequenceofthemasaspur，hewouldputthematteroffnolonger。Itwasevening。Hetookherintoalittleconservatoryonthelanding，andthereamongtheevergreens，bythelightofafewtinylamps，infinitelyenhancingthefreshnessandbeautyoftheleaves，hemadethedeclarationofaloveasfreshandbeautifulasthey。
'Mylove——mydarling，bemywife！'
Sheseemedlikeonejustawakened。'Ah——wemustpartnow！'shefaltered，inavoiceofanguish。'Iwillwritetoyou。'Sheloosenedherhandandrushedaway。
InawildfeverGrayewenthomeandwatchedforthenextmorning。
Whoshallexpresshismiseryandwonderwhenanotecontainingthesewordswasputintohishand？
'Good-bye；good-byeforever。Asrecognizedloverssomethingdividesuseternally。Forgiveme——Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore；
butyourlovewassweet！Nevermentionme。'
Thatveryday，andasitseemed，toputanendtoapainfulconditionofthings，daughterandparentsleftLondontopayoffapromisedvisittoarelativeinawesterncounty。Nomessageorletterofentreatycouldwringfromheranyexplanation。Shebeggedhimnottofollowher，andthemostbewilderingpointwasthatherfatherandmotherappeared，fromthetoneofaletterGrayereceivedfromthem，asvexedandsadasheatthissuddenrenunciation。Onethingwasplain：withoutadmittingherreasonasvalid，theyknewwhatthatreasonwas，anddidnotintendtorevealit。
AweekfromthatdayAmbroseGrayelefthisfriendHuntway'shouseandsawnomoreoftheLovehemourned。FromtimetotimehisfriendansweredanyinquiryGrayemadebyletterrespectingher。
Butverypoorfoodtoaloverisintelligenceofamistressfilteredthroughafriend。Huntwaycouldtellnothingdefinitely。HesaidhebelievedtherehadbeensomepriorflirtationbetweenCythereaandhercousin，anofficeroftheline，twoorthreeyearsbeforeGrayemether，whichhadsuddenlybeenterminatedbythecousin'sdepartureforIndia，andtheyounglady'stravellingontheContinentwithherparentsthewholeoftheensuingsummer，onaccountofdelicatehealth。EventuallyHuntwaysaidthatcircumstanceshadrenderedGraye'sattachmentmorehopelessstill。
Cytherea'smotherhadunexpectedlyinheritedalargefortuneandestatesinthewestofEnglandbytherapidfallofsomeinterveninglives。ThishadcausedtheirremovalfromthesmallhouseinBloomsbury，and，asitappeared，arenunciationoftheiroldfriendsinthatquarter。
YoungGrayeconcludedthathisCythereahadforgottenhimandhislove。Buthecouldnotforgether。
2。FROM1843TO1861
Eightyearslater，feelinglonelyanddepressed——amanwithoutrelatives，withmanyacquaintancesbutnofriends——AmbroseGrayemetayoungladyofadifferentkind，fairlyendowedwithmoneyandgoodgifts。AstocaringverydeeplyforanotherwomanafterthelossofCytherea，itwasanabsoluteimpossibilitywithhim。Withall，thebeautifulthingsoftheearthbecomemoredearastheyeludepursuit；butwithsomenaturesutterelusionistheonespecialeventwhichwillmakeapassinglovepermanentforever。
ThissecondyoungladyandGrayeweremarried。Thathedidnot，firstorlast，lovehiswifeasheshouldhavedone，wasknowntoall；butfewknewthathisunmanageableheartcouldneverbeweanedfromuselessrepiningatthelossofitsfirstidol。
Hischaractertosomeextentdeteriorated，asemotionalconstitutionswillunderthelongsenseofdisappointmentathavingmissedtheirimagineddestiny。Andthus，thoughnaturallyofagentleandpleasantdisposition，hegrewtobenotsotenderlyregardedbyhisacquaintancesasitisthelotofsomeofthosepersonstobe。Thewinningandsanguinereceptivityofhisearlylifedevelopedbydegreesamoodynervousness，andwhennotpicturingprospectsdrawnfrombaselesshopehewasthevictimofindescribabledepression。Thepracticalissueofsuchaconditionwasimprovidence，originallyalmostanunconsciousimprovidence，foreverydebtincurredhadbeenmentallypaidoffwithareligiousexactnessfromthetreasuresofexpectationbeforementioned。Butasyearsrevolved，thesamecoursewascontinuedfromthelackofspiritsufficientforshiftingoutofanoldgroovewhenithasbeenfoundtoleadtodisaster。
Intheyear1861hiswifedied，leavinghimawidowerwithtwochildren。Theelder，asonnamedOwen，nowjustturnedseventeen，wastakenfromschool，andinitiatedaspupiltotheprofessionofarchitectinhisfather'soffice。Theremainingchildwasadaughter，andOwen'sjuniorbyayear。
HerchristiannamewasCytherea，anditiseasytoguesswhy。
3。OCTOBERTHETWELFTH，1863
Wepassovertwoyearsinordertoreachthenextcardinaleventofthesepersons'lives。ThesceneisstilltheGrayes'nativetownofHocbridge，butasitappearedonaMondayafternooninthemonthofOctober。
Theweatherwassunnyanddry，buttheancientboroughwastobeseenwearingoneofitsleastattractiveaspects。Firstonaccountofthetime。Itwasthatstagnanthourofthetwenty-fourwhenthepracticalgarishnessofDay，havingescapedfromthefreshlongshadowsandenliveningnewnessofthemorning，hasnotyetmadeanyperceptibleadvancetowardsacquiringthosemellowandsoothingtoneswhichgraceitsdecline。Next，itwasthatstageintheprogressoftheweekwhenbusiness——which，carriedonunderthegablesofanoldcountryplace，isnotdevoidofaromanticsparkle——
waswell-nighextinguished。Lastly，thetownwasintentionallybentuponbeingattractivebyexhibitingtoaninfluxofvisitorsthelocaltalentfordramaticrecitation，andprovincialtownstryingtobelivelyarethedullestofdullthings。
Littletownsarelikelittlechildreninthisrespect，thattheyinterestmostwhentheyareenactingnativepeculiaritiesunconsciousofbeholders。Discoveringthemselvestobewatchedtheyattempttobeentertainingbyputtingonanantic，andproducedisagreeablecaricatureswhichspoilthem。
Theweather-stainedclock-faceinthelowchurchtowerstandingattheintersectionofthethreechiefstreetswasexpressinghalf-pasttwototheTownHallopposite，wherethemuchtalked-ofreadingfromShakespearewasabouttobegin。Thedoorswereopen，andthosepersonswhohadalreadyassembledwithinthebuildingwerenoticingtheentranceofthenew-comers——silentlycriticizingtheirdress——
questioningthegenuinenessoftheirteethandhair——estimatingtheirprivatemeans。
Amongtheselateronescameanexceptionalyoungmaidenwhoglowedamidthedulnesslikeasinglebright-redpoppyinafieldofbrownstubble。Sheworeanelegantdarkjacket，lavenderdress，hatwithgreystringsandtrimmings，andglovesofacolourtoharmonize。
Shelightlywalkedupthesidepassageoftheroom，castaslightglancearound，andenteredtheseatpointedouttoher。
TheyounggirlwasCythereaGraye；heragewasnowabouteighteen。
Duringherentry，andatvarioustimeswhilstsittinginherseatandlisteningtothereaderontheplatform，herpersonalappearanceformedaninterestingsubjectofstudyforseveralneighbouringeyes。
Herfacewasexceedinglyattractive，thoughartisticallylessperfectthanherfigure，whichapproachedunusuallyneartothestandardoffaultlessness。Buteventhisfeatureofhersyieldedthepalmtothegracefulnessofhermovement，whichwasfascinatinganddelightfultoanextremedegree。
Indeed，motionwasherspeciality，whethershownonitsmostextendedscaleofbodilyprogression，orminutely，asintheupliftingofhereyelids，thebendingofherfingers，thepoutingofherlip。Thecarriageofherhead——motionwithinmotion——aglideuponaglide——wasasdelicateasthatofamagneticneedle。Andthisflexibilityandelasticityhadneverbeentaughtherbyrule，norevenbeenacquiredbyobservation，but，nullocultu，hadnaturallydevelopeditselfwithheryears。Inchildhood，astoneorstalkintheway，whichhadbeentheinevitableoccasionofafalltoherplaymates，hadusuallylefthersafeanduprightonherfeetafterthenarrowestescapebyoscillationsandwhirlsforthepreservationofherbalance。AtmixedChristmasparties，whenshenumberedbuttwelveorthirteenyears，andwasheartilydespisedonthataccountbyladswhodeemedthemselvesmen，heraptlightnessinthedancecoveredthisincompletenessinherwomanhood，andcompelledtheself-sameyouthsinspiteofresolutionstoseizeuponherchildishfigureasapartnerwhomtheycouldnotaffordtocontemn。Andinlateryears，whentheinstinctsofhersexhadshownherthispointasthebestandrarestfeatureinherexternalself，shewasnotfoundwantinginattentiontothecultivationoffinishinitsdetails。
Herhairrestedgailyuponhershouldersincurlsandwasofashiningcornyellowinthehighlights，deepeningtoadefinitenut-
brownaseachcurlwoundroundintotheshade。Shehadeyesofasapphirehue，thoughratherdarkerthanthegemordinarilyappears；
theypossessedtheaffectionateandliquidsparkleofloyaltyandgoodfaithasdistinguishablefromthatharderbrightnesswhichseemstoexpressfaithfulnessonlytotheobjectconfrontingthem。
Buttoattempttogainaviewofher——orindeedofanyfascinatingwoman——fromameasuredcategory，isasdifficultastoappreciatetheeffectofalandscapebyexploringitatnightwithalantern——
orofafullchordofmusicbypipingthenotesinsuccession。
Neverthelessitmayreadilybebelievedfromthedescriptionhereventured，thatamongthemanywinningphasesofheraspect，thesewereparticularlystriking：——
Duringpleasantdoubt，whenhereyesbrightenedstealthilyandsmiled(aseyeswillsmile)asdistinctlyasherlips，andinthespaceofasingleinstantexpressedclearlythewholeroundofdegreesofexpectancywhichlieoverthewideexpansebetweenYeaandNay。
Duringthetellingofasecret，whichwasinvoluntarilyaccompaniedbyasuddenminutestart，andecstaticpressureofthelistener'sarm，side，orneck，asthepositionanddegreeofintimacydictated。
Whenanxiouslyregardingonewhopossessedheraffections。
Shesuddenlyassumedthelast-mentionedbearingintheprogressofthepresententertainment。Herglancewasdirectedoutofthewindow。
Whytheparticularsofayounglady'spresenceataverymediocreperformancewerepreventedfromdroppingintotheoblivionwhichtheirintrinsicinsignificancewouldnaturallyhaveinvolved——whytheywererememberedandindividualizedbyherselfandothersthroughafteryears——wassimplythatsheunknowinglystood，asitwere，upontheextremeposterioredgeofatractinherlife，inwhichtherealmeaningofTakingThoughthadneverbeenknown。Itwasthelasthourofexperiencesheeverenjoyedwithamindentirelyfreefromaknowledgeofthatlabyrinthintowhichshesteppedimmediatelyafterwards——tocontinueaperplexedcoursealongitsmazesforthegreaterportionoftwenty-ninesubsequentmonths。
TheTownHall，inwhichCythereasat，wasabuildingofbrownstone，andthroughoneofthewindowscouldbeseenfromtheinterioroftheroomthehousetopsandchimneysoftheadjacentstreet，andalsotheupperpartofaneighbouringchurchspire，nowincourseofcompletionunderthesuperintendenceofMissGraye'sfather，thearchitecttothework。
ThatthetopofthisspireshouldbevisiblefromherpositionintheroomwasafactwhichCytherea'sidlingeyeshaddiscoveredwithsomeinterest，andshewasnowengagedinwatchingthescenethatwasbeingenactedaboutitsairysummit。Roundtheconicalstoneworkroseacageofscaffoldingagainstthebluesky，anduponthisstoodfivemen——fourinclothesaswhiteasthenewerectionclosebeneaththeirhands，thefifthintheordinarydarksuitofagentleman。
Thefourworking-meninwhitewerethreemasonsandamason'slabourer。Thefifthmanwasthearchitect，Mr。Graye。Hehadbeengivingdirectionsasitseemed，andretiringasfarasthenarrowfootwayallowed，stoodperfectlystill。
ThepicturethuspresentedtoaspectatorintheTownHallwascuriousandstriking。Itwasanilluminatedminiature，framedinbythedarkmarginofthewindow，thekeen-edgedshadinessofwhichemphasizedbycontrastthesoftnessoftheobjectsenclosed。
Theheightofthespirewasaboutonehundredandtwentyfeet，andthefivemenengagedthereonseemedentirelyremovedfromthesphereandexperiencesofordinaryhumanbeings。Theyappearedlittlelargerthanpigeons，andmadetheirtinymovementswithasoft，spirit-likesilentness。Oneideaaboveallotherswasconveyedtothemindofapersononthegroundbytheiraspect，namely，concentrationofpurpose：thattheywereindifferentto——evenunconsciousof——thedistractedworldbeneaththem，andallthatmoveduponit。Theyneverlookedoffthescaffolding。
Thenoneofthemturned；itwasMr。Graye。Againhestoodmotionless，withattentiontotheoperationsoftheothers。Heappearedtobelostinreflection，andhaddirectedhisfacetowardsanewstonetheywerelifting。
'Whydoeshestandlikethat？'theyoungladythoughtatlength——uptothatmomentaslistlessandcarelessasoneoftheancientTarentines，who，onsuchanafternoonasthis，watchedfromtheTheatretheentryintotheirHarbourofapowerthatoverturnedtheState。
Shemovedherselfuneasily。'Iwishhewouldcomedown，'shewhispered，stillgazingattheskybackedpicture。'Itissodangeroustobeabsent-mindedupthere。'
Whenshehaddonemurmuringthewordsherfatherindecisivelylaidholdofoneofthescaffold-poles，asiftotestitsstrength，thenletitgoandsteppedback。Instepping，hisfootslipped。Aninstantofdoublingforwardandsideways，andhereeledoffintotheair，immediatelydisappearingdownwards。
Hisagonizeddaughterrosetoherfeetbyaconvulsivemovement。
Herlipsparted，andshegaspedforbreath。Shecouldutternosound。Onebyonethepeopleabouther，unconsciousofwhathadhappened，turnedtheirheads，andinquiryandalarmbecamevisibleupontheirfacesatthesightofthepoorchild。Amomentlonger，andshefelltothefloor，ThenextimpressionofwhichCythereahadanyconsciousnesswasofbeingcarriedfromastrangevehicleacrossthepavementtothestepsofherownhousebyherbrotherandanolderman。
Recollectionofwhathadpassedevolveditselfaninstantlater，andjustastheyenteredthedoor——throughwhichanotherandsadderburdenhadbeencarriedbutafewinstantsbefore——hereyescaughtsightofthesouth-westernsky，and，withoutheeding，sawwhitesunlightshininginshaft-likelinesfromariftinaslatycloud。
Emotionswillattachthemselvestoscenesthataresimultaneous——
howeverforeigninessencethesescenesmaybe——aschemicalwaterswillcrystallizeontwigsandwires。EvenafterthattimeanymentalagonybroughtlessvividlytoCytherea'smindthescenefromtheTownHallwindowsthansunlightstreaminginshaft-likelines。
4。OCTOBERTHENINETEENTH
Whendeathentersahouse，anelementofsadnessandanelementofhorroraccompanyit。Sadness，fromthedeathitself：horror，fromthecloudsofblacknesswedesignedlylabourtointroduce。
Thefuneralhadtakenplace。Depressed，yetresolvedinhisdemeanour，OwenGrayesatbeforehisfather'sprivateescritoire，engagedinturningoutandunfoldingaheterogeneouscollectionofpapers——forbiddingandinharmonioustotheeyeatalltimes——mostofalltooneundertheinfluenceofagreatgrief。Laminaeofwhitepapertiedwithtwinewereindiscriminatelyintermixedwithotherwhitepapersboundedbyblackedges——thesewithbluefoolscapwrappedroundwithcruderedtape。
Thebulkoftheseletters，bills，andotherdocumentsweresubmittedtoacarefulexamination，bywhichtheappendedparticularswereascertained：——
First，thattheirfather'sincomefromprofessionalsourceshadbeenverysmall，amountingtonotmorethanhalftheirexpenditure；
andthathisownandhiswife'sproperty，uponwhichhehadreliedforthebalance，hadbeensunkandlostinunwiseloanstounscrupulousmen，whohadtradedupontheirfather'stooopen-
heartedtrustfulness。
Second，thatfindinghismistake，hehadendeavouredtoregainhisstandingbytheillusorypathofspeculation。Themostnotableinstanceofthiswasthefollowing。Hehadbeeninduced，whenatPlymouthintheautumnofthepreviousyear，toventureallhissparecapitalonthebottomrysecurityofanItalianbrigwhichhadputintotheharbourindistress。Theprofitwastobeconsiderable，sowastherisk。Thereturnedouttobenosecuritywhatever。Thecircumstancesofthecasetendereditthemostunfortunatespeculationthatamanlikehimself——ignorantofallsuchmatters——couldpossiblyengagein。Thevesselwentdown，andallMr。Graye'smoneywithit。
Third，thatthesefailureshadlefthimburdenedwithdebtsheknewnothowtomeet；sothatatthetimeofhisdeatheventhefewpoundslyingtohisaccountatthebankwerehisonlyinname。
Fourth，thatthelossofhiswifetwoyearsearlierhadawakenedhimtoakeensenseofhisblindness，andofhisdutybyhischildren。Hehadthenresolvedtoreinstatebyunflaggingzealinthepursuitofhisprofession，andbynospeculation，atleastaportionofthelittlefortunehehadletgo。
Cythereawasfrequentlyatherbrother'selbowduringtheseexaminations。Sheoftenremarkedsadly——
'Poorpapafailedtofulfilhisgoodintentionforwantoftime，didn'the，Owen？Andtherewasanexcuseforhispast，thoughheneverwouldclaimit。Ineverforgetthatoriginaldishearteningblow，andhowthatfromitsprangalltheillsofhislife——
everythingconnectedwithhisgloom，andthelassitudeinbusinessweusedsooftentoseeabouthim。'
'Irememberwhathesaidonce，'returnedthebrother，'whenIsatuplatewithhim。Hesaid，“Owen，don'tlovetooblindly：blindlyyouwillloveifyouloveatall，butalittlecareisstillpossibletoawell-disciplinedheart。Maythatheartbeyoursasitwasnotmine，“fathersaid。“Cultivatetheartofrenunciation。“AndIamgoingto，Cytherea。'
'Andoncemammasaidthatanexcellentwomanwaspapa'sruin，becausehedidnotknowthewaytogiveherupwhenhehadlosther。
Iwonderwheresheisnow，Owen？Weweretoldnottotrytofindoutanythingabouther。Papanevertoldushername，didhe？'
'Thatwasbyherownrequest，Ibelieve。Butnevermindher；shewasnotourmother。'
TheloveaffairwhichhadbeenAmbroseGraye'sdishearteningblowwaspreciselyofthatnaturewhichladstakelittleaccountof，butgirlsponderintheirhearts。
5。FROMOCTOBERTHENINETEENTHTOJULYTHENINTH
ThusAmbroseGraye'sgoodintentionswithregardtothereintegrationofhispropertyhadscarcelytakentangibleformwhenhissuddendeathputthemforeveroutofhispower。
Heavybills，showingtheextentofhisobligations，tumbledinimmediatelyupontheheelsofthefuneralfromquarterspreviouslyunheardandunthoughtof。Thuspressed，abillwasfiledinChancerytohavetheassets，suchastheywere，administeredbytheCourt。
'Whatwillbecomeofusnow？'thoughtOwencontinually。
Thereisinusanunquenchableexpectation，whichatthegloomiesttimepersistsininferringthatbecauseweareOURSELVES，theremustbeaspecialfutureinstoreforus，thoughournatureandantecedentstotheremotestparticularhavebeencommontothousands。ThustoCythereaandOwenGrayethequestionhowtheirliveswouldendseemedthedeepestofpossibleenigmas。Tootherswhoknewtheirpositionequallywellwiththemselvesthequestionwastheeasiestthatcouldbeasked——'Likethoseofotherpeoplesimilarlycircumstanced。'
ThenOwenheldaconsultationwithhissistertocometosomedecisionontheirfuturecourse，andamonthwaspassedinwaitingforanswerstoletters，andintheexaminationofschemesmoreorlessfutile。Suddenhopesthatwererainbowstothesightprovedbutmiststothetouch。Inthemeantime，unpleasantremarks，disguisethemassomewell-meaningpeoplemight，werefloatingaroundthemeveryday。Theundoubtedtruth，thattheywerethechildrenofadreamerwholetslipawayeveryfarthingofhismoneyandranintodebtwithhisneighbours——thatthedaughterhadbeenbroughtuptonoprofession——thatthesonwhohad，hadmadenoprogressinit，andmightcometothedogs——couldnotfromthenatureofthingsbewrappedupinsilenceinorderthatitmightnothurttheirfeelings；andasamatteroffact，itgreetedtheirearsinsomeformorotherwherevertheywent。Theirfewacquaintancespassedthemhurriedly。Ancientpot-wallopers，andthrivingshopkeepers，intheirintervalsofleisure，stoodattheirshop-
doors——theirtoeshangingovertheedgeofthestep，andtheirobesewaistshangingovertheirtoes——andindiscourseswithfriendsonthepavement，formulatedthecourseoftheimprovident，andreducedthechildren'sprospectstoashadow-likeattenuation。Thesonsofthesemen(whoworebreastpinsofasarcastickind，andsmokedhumorouspipes)staredatCythereawithastareunmitigatedbyanyoftherespectthathadformerlysoftenedit。
Nowitisanoticeablefactthatwedonotmuchmindwhatmenthinkofus，orwhathumiliatingsecrettheydiscoverofourmeans，parentage，orobject，providedthateachthinksandactsthereuponinisolation。Itistheexchangeofideasaboutusthatwedreadmost；andthepossessionbyahundredacquaintances，severallyinsulated，oftheknowledgeofourskeleton-closet'swhereabouts，isnotsodistressingtothenervesasachatoveritbyapartyofhalf-a-dozen——exclusivedepositariesthoughthesemaybe。
Perhaps，thoughHocbridgewatchedandwhispered，itsanimuswouldhavebeenlittlemorethanatrifletopersonsinthrivingcircumstances。Butunfortunately，poverty，whilstitisnew，andbeforetheskinhashadtimetothicken，makespeoplesusceptibleinverselytotheiropportunitiesforshieldingthemselves。InOwenwasfound，inplaceofhisfather'simpressibility，alargershareofhisfather'spride，andasquarenessofideawhich，ifcoupledwithalittlemoreblindness，wouldhaveamountedtopositiveprejudice。Tohimhumanity，sofarashehadthoughtofitatall，wasratherdividedintodistinctclassesthanblendedfromextremetoextreme。Hencebyasequenceofideaswhichmightbetracedifitwereworthwhile，heeitherdetestedorrespectedopinion，andinstinctivelysoughttoescapeacoldshadethatmeresensitivenesswouldhaveendured。Hecouldhavesubmittedtoseparation，sickness，exile，drudgery，hungerandthirst，withstoicalindifference，butsuperciliousnesswastooincisive。
Afterlivingonforninemonthsinattemptstomakeanincomeashisfather'ssuccessorintheprofession——attemptswhichwereutterlyfruitlessbyreasonofhisinexperience——Grayecametoasimpleandsweepingresolution。TheywouldprivatelyleavethatpartofEngland，dropfromthesightofacquaintances，gossips，harshcritics，andbittercreditorsofwhosemisfortunehewasnotthecause，andescapethepositionwhichgalledhimbytheonlyroadtheirgreatpovertyleftopentothem——thatofhisobtainingsomeemploymentinadistantplacebyfollowinghisprofessionasahumbleunder-draughtsman。
Hethoughtoverhiscapabilitieswiththesensationsofasoldiergrindinghisswordattheopeningofacampaign。Whatwithlackofemployment，owingtothedecreaseofhislatefather'spractice，andtheabsenceofdirectanduncompromisingpressuretowardsmonetaryresultsfromapupil'slabour(whichseemstobealwaysthecasewhenaprofessionalman'spupilisalsohisson)，Owen'sprogressintheartandscienceofarchitecturehadbeenveryinsignificantindeed。Thoughanythingbutanidleyoungman，hehadhardlyreachedtheageatwhichindustriousmenwholackanexternalwhiptosendthemonintheworld，areinducedbytheirowncommonsensetowhiponthemselves。Hencehisknowledgeofplans，elevations，sections，andspecifications，wasnotgreaterattheendoftwoyearsofprobationthanmighteasilyhavebeenacquiredinsixmonthsbyayouthofaverageability——himself，forinstance——amidabustlingLondonpractice。
Butatanyratehecouldmakehimselfhandytooneoftheprofession——somemaninaremotetown——andtherefulfilhisindentures。Atangibleinducementlayinthisdirectionofsurvey。
Hehadaslightconceptionofsuchaman——aMr。Gradfield——whowasinpracticeinBudmouthRegis，aseaporttownandwatering-placeinthesouthofEngland。
Aftersomedoubts，Grayeventuredtowritetothisgentleman，askingthenecessaryquestion，shortlyalludingtohisfather'sdeath，andstatingthathistermofapprenticeshiphadonlyhalfexpired。Hewouldbegladtocompletehisarticlesataverylowsalaryforthewholeremainingtwoyears，providedpaymentcouldbeginatonce。
TheanswerfromMr。GradfieldstatedthathewasnotinwantofapupilwhowouldservetheremainderofhistimeonthetermsMr。
Grayementioned。Buthewouldjustaddoneremark。Hechancedtobeinwantofsomeyoungmaninhisoffice——forashorttimeonly，probablyabouttwomonths——totracedrawings，andattendtoothersubsidiaryworkofthekind。IfMr。Grayedidnotobjecttooccupysuchaninferiorpositionasthesedutieswouldentail，andtoacceptweeklywageswhichtoonewithhisexpectationswouldbeconsideredmerelynominal，thepostwouldgivehimanopportunityforlearningafewmoredetailsoftheprofession。
'Itisabeginning，and，aboveall，anabiding-place，awayfromtheshadowofthecloudwhichhangsoverushere——Iwillgo，'saidOwen。
Cytherea'splanforherfuture，anintenselysimpleone，owingtotheevengreaternarrownessofherresources，wasalreadymarkedout。Oneadvantagehadaccruedtoherthroughhermother'spossessionofafairshareofpersonalproperty，andperhapsonlyone。Shehadbeencarefullyeducated。Uponthisconsiderationherplanwasbased。Shewastotakeupherabodeinherbrother'slodgingatBudmouth，whenshewouldimmediatelyadvertiseforasituationasgoverness，havingobtainedtheconsentofalawyeratAldbrickhamwhowaswindingupherfather'saffairs，andwhoknewthehistoryofherposition，toallowhimselftobereferredtointhematterofherpastlifeandrespectability。
Earlyonemorningtheydepartedfromtheirnativetown，leavingbehindthemscarcelyatraceoftheirfootsteps。
Thenthetownpitiedtheirwantofwisdomintakingsuchastep。
'Rashness；theywouldhavemadeabetterincomeinHocbridge，wheretheyareknown！Thereisnodoubtthattheywould。'
ButwhatisWisdomreally？Asteadyhandlingofanymeanstobringaboutanyendnecessarytohappiness。
Yetwhetherone'sendbetheusualend——awealthypositioninlife——
orno，thenameofwisdomisseldomappliedbuttothemeanstothatusualend。
II。THEEVENTSOFAFORTNIGHT
1。THENINTHOFJULY
Thedayoftheirdeparturewasoneofthemostglowingthattheclimaxofalongseriesofsummerheatscouldevolve。Thewideexpanseoflandscapequiveredupanddownliketheflameofataper，astheysteamedalongthroughthemidstofit。Placidflocksofsheeprecliningundertreesalittlewayoffappearedofapalebluecolour。Cloverfieldswerelividwiththebrightnessofthesunupontheirdeepredflowers。Allwaggonsandcartsweremovedtotheshadebytheircarefulowners，rain-waterbuttsfelltopieces；
well-bucketswereloweredinsidethecoversofthewell-hole，topreservethemfromthefateofthebutts，andgenerally，waterseemedscarcerinthecountrythanthebeerandciderofthepeasantrywhotoiledoridledthere。
Toseepersonslookingwithchildren'seyesatanyordinaryscenery，isaproofthattheypossessthecharmingfacultyofdrawingnewsensationsfromanoldexperience——ahealthysign，rareinthesefeverishdays——themarkofanimperishablebrightnessofnature。
Bothbrotherandsistercoulddothis；Cythereamorenoticeably。
Theywatchedtheundulatingcorn-lands，monotonoustoalltheircompanions；thestonyandclayeyprospectsucceedingthose，withitsangularandabrupthills。Boggymoorscamenext，nowwitheredanddry——thespotsuponwhichpoolsusuallyspreadtheirwatersshowingthemselvesascirclesofsmoothbaresoil，over-runbyanet-workofinnumerablelittlefissures。Thenaroseplantationsoffirs，abruptlyterminatingbesidemeadowscleanlymown，inwhichhigh-
hipped，rich-colouredcows，withbackshorizontalandstraightastheridgeofahouse，stoodmotionlessorlazilyfed。Glimpsesoftheseanowinterestedthem，whichbecamemoreandmorefrequenttillthetrainfinallydrewupbesidetheplatformatBudmouth。
'Thewholetownislookingoutforus，'hadbeenGraye'simpressionthroughouttheday。HecalleduponMr。Gradfield——theonlymanwhohadbeendirectlyinformedofhiscoming——andfoundthatMr。
Gradfieldhadforgottenit。
However，arrangementsweremadewiththisgentleman——astout，active，grey-beardedburgherofsixty——bywhichOwenwastocommenceworkinhisofficethefollowingweek。
ThesamedayCythereadrewupandsentofftheadvertisementappended：——
'AYOUNGLADYisdesirousofmeetingwithanENGAGEMENTasGOVERNESS
orCOMPANION。SheiscompetenttoteachEnglish，French，andMusic。
Satisfactoryreferences——Address，C。G。，Post-Office，Budmouth。'
Itseemedamorematerialexistencethanherownthatshesawthusdelineatedonthepaper。'Thatcan'tbemyself；howoddIlook！'
shesaid，andsmiled。
2。JULYTHEELEVENTH
OntheMondaysubsequenttotheirarrivalinBudmouth，OwenGrayeattendedatMr。Gradfield'sofficetoenteruponhisduties，andhissisterwasleftintheirlodgingsaloneforthefirsttime。
Despitethesadoccurrencesoftheprecedingautumn，anunwontedcheerfulnesspervadedherspiritthroughouttheday。Changeofscene——andthattountravelledeyes——conjoinedwiththesensationoffreedomfromsupervision，revivedthesparkleofawarmyoungnaturereadyenoughtotakeadvantageofanyadventitiousrestoratives。
Point-blankgrieftendsrathertosealuphappinessforatimethantoproducethatattritionwhichresultsfromgriefsofanticipationthatmoveonwardwiththedays：thesemaybesaidtofurrowawaythecapacityforpleasure。
Herexpectationsfromtheadvertisementbegantobeextravagant。A
thrivingfamily，whohadalwayssadlyneededher，wasalreadydefinitelypicturedinherfancy，which，initsexuberance，ledherontopicturingitsindividualmembers，theirpossiblepeculiarities，virtues，andvices，andobliteratedforatimetherecollectionthatshewouldbeseparatedfromherbrother。
Thusmusing，asshewaitedforhisreturnintheevening，hereyesfellonherlefthand。Thecontemplationofherownleftfourthfingerbysymbol-lovinggirlhoodofthisageis，itseems，veryfrequently，ifnotalways，followedbyapeculiartrainofromanticideas。Cytherea'sthoughts，stillplayingaboutherfuture，becamedirectedintothisromanticgroove。Sheleantbackinherchair，andtakingholdofthefourthfinger，whichhadattractedherattention，shelifteditwiththetipsoftheothers，andlookedatthesmoothandtaperingmemberforalongtime。
Shewhisperedidly，'Iwonderwhoandwhathewillbe？
'Ifhe'sagentlemanoffashion，hewilltakemyfingerso，justwiththetipsofhisown，andwithsomeflutteringoftheheart，andtheleasttremblingofhislip，sliptheringsolightlyonthatI
shallhardlyknowitisthere——lookingdelightfullyintomyeyesallthetime。
'Ifhe'sabold，dashingsoldier，Iexpecthewillproudlyturnround，taketheringasifitequalledherMajesty'scrowninvalue，anddesperatelysetitonmyfingerthus。Hewillfixhiseyesunflinchinglyuponwhatheisdoing——justasifhestoodinbattlebeforetheenemy(though，inreality，veryfondofme，ofcourse)，andblushasmuchasIshall。
'Ifhe'sasailor，hewilltakemyfingerandtheringinthisway，anddeckitoutwithahousewifelytouchandatendernessofexpressionabouthismouth，assailorsdo：kissit，perhaps，withasimpleair，asifwewerechildrenplayinganidlegame，andnotattheveryheightofobservationandenvybyagreatcrowdsaying，“Ah！theyarehappynow！”
'Ifheshouldberatherapoorman——noble-mindedandaffectionate，butstillpoor——'
Owen'sfootstepsrapidlyascendingthestairs，interruptedthisfancy-freemeditation。Reproachingherself，evenangrywithherselfforallowinghermindtostrayuponsuchsubjectsinthefaceoftheirpresentdesperatecondition，sherosetomeethim，andmaketea。
Cytherea'sinteresttoknowhowherbrotherhadbeenreceivedatMr。
Gradfield'sbrokeforthintowordsatonce。Almostbeforetheyhadsatdowntotable，shebegancross-examininghimintheregularsisterlyway。
'Well，Owen，howhasitbeenwithyouto-day？Whatistheplacelike——doyouthinkyouwilllikeMrGradfield？'
'Oyes。Buthehasnotbeenthereto-day；Ihaveonlyhadtheheaddraughtsmanwithme。'
Youngwomenhaveahabit，notnoticeableinmen，ofputtingonatamoment'snoticethedramaofwhosoever'slifetheychoose。
Cytherea'sinterestwastransferredfromMr。Gradfieldtohisrepresentative。
'Whatsortofamanishe？'
'Heseemsaverynicefellowindeed；thoughofcourseIcanhardlytelltoacertaintyasyet。ButIthinkhe'saveryworthyfellow；
there'snononsenseinhim，andthoughheisnotapublicschoolmanhehasreadwidely，andhasasharpappreciationofwhat'sgoodinbooksandart。Infact，hisknowledgeisn'tnearlysoexclusiveasmostprofessionalmen's。'
'That'sagreatdealtosayofanarchitect，forofallprofessionalmentheyare，asarule，themostprofessional。'
'Yes；perhapstheyare。Thismanisratherofamelancholyturnofmind，Ithink。'
'Hasthemanagingclerkanyfamily？'shemildlyasked，afterawhile，pouringoutsomemoretea。
'Family；no！'
'Well，dearOwen，howshouldIknow？'
'Why，ofcourseheisn'tmarried。Buttherehappenedtobeaconversationaboutwomengoingonintheoffice，andIheardhimsaywhatheshouldwishhiswifetobelike。'
'Whatwouldhewishhiswifetobelike？'shesaid，withgreatapparentlackofinterest。
'O，hesaysshemustbegirlishandartless：yethewouldbelothtodowithoutadashofwomanlysubtlety，'tissopiquant。Yes，hesaid，thatmustbeinher；shemusthavewomanlycleverness。“AndyetIshouldlikehertoblushifonlyacock-sparrowweretolookatherhard，“hesaid，“whichbringsmebacktothegirlagain：andsoIflitbackwardsandforwards。Imusthavewhatcomes，I
suppose，“hesaid，“andwhatevershemaybe，thankGodshe'snoworse。However，ifhemightgiveafinalhinttoProvidence，“hesaid，“achildamongpleasures，andawomanamongpainswastheroughoutlineofhisrequirement。“'
'Didhesaythat？Whatamusingcreaturehemustbe。'
'Hedid，indeed。'
3。FROMTHETWELFTHTOTHEFIFTEENTHOFJULY
Asiswellknown，ideasaresoelasticinahumanbrain，thattheyhavenoconstantmeasurewhichmaybecalledtheiractualbulk。Anyimportantideamaybecompressedtoamoleculebyanunwontedcrowdingofothers；andanysmallideawillexpandtowhateverlengthandbreadthofvacuumthemindmaybeabletomakeovertoit。Cytherea'sworldwastolerablyvacantatthistime，andtheyoungarchitecturaldesigner'simagebecameverypervasive。Thenexteveningthissubjectwasagainrenewed。
'HisnameisSpringrove，'saidOwen，inreplytoher。'Heisathoroughartist，butamanofratherhumbleorigin，itseems，whohasmadehimselfsofar。Ithinkheisthesonofafarmer，orsomethingofthekind。'
'Well，he'snonetheworseforthat，Isuppose。'
'Nonetheworse。Aswecomedownthehill，weshallbecontinuallymeetingpeoplegoingup。'ButOwenhadfeltthatSpringrovewasalittletheworsenevertheless。
'Ofcoursehe'sratheroldbythistime。'
'Ono。He'saboutsix-and-twenty——notmore。'
'Ah，Isee……Whatishelike，Owen？'
'Ican'texactlytellyouhisappearance：'tisalwayssuchadifficultthingtodo。'
'Amanyouwoulddescribeasshort？Mostmenarethoseweshoulddescribeasshort，Ifancy。'
'Ishouldcallhim，Ithink，ofthemiddleheight；butasIonlyseehimsittingintheoffice，ofcourseIamnotcertainabouthisformandfigure。'
'Iwishyouwere，then。'
'Perhapsyoudo。ButIamnot，yousee。'
'Ofcoursenot，youarealwayssoprovoking。Owen，Isawamaninthestreetto-daywhomIfanciedwashe——andyet，Idon'tseehowitcouldbe，either。Hehadlightbrownhair，asnubnose，veryroundface，andapeculiarhabitofreducinghiseyestostraightlineswhenhelookednarrowlyatanything。'
'Ono。Thatwasnothe，Cytherea。'
'Notabitlikehiminallprobability。'
'Notabit。Hehasdarkhair——almostaGreciannose，regularteeth，andanintellectualface，asnearlyasIcanrecalltomind。'
'Ah，therenow，Owen，youHAVEdescribedhim！ButIsupposehe'snotgenerallycalledpleasing，or——'
'Handsome？'
'Iscarcelymeantthat。Butsinceyouhavesaidit，ishehandsome？'
'Rather。'
'Histoutensembleisstriking？'
'Yes——Ono，no——Iforgot：itisnot。Heisratheruntidyinhiswaistcoat，andneck-ties，andhair。'
'Howvexing！……itmustbetohimself，poorthing。'
'He'sathoroughbookworm——despisesthepap-and-daisyschoolofverse——knowsShakespearetotheverydregsofthefoot-notes。
Indeed，he'sapoethimselfinasmallway。'
'Howdelicious！'shesaid。'Ihaveneverknownapoet。'
'Andyoudon'tknowhim，'saidOwendryly。
Shereddened。'OfcourseIdon't。Iknowthat。'
'Haveyoureceivedanyanswertoyouradvertisement？'heinquired。
'Ah——no！'shesaid，andtheforgottendisappointmentwhichhadshoweditselfinherfaceatdifferenttimesduringtheday，becamevisibleagain。
Anotherdaypassedaway。OnThursday，withoutinquiry，shelearntmoreoftheheaddraughtsman。HeandGrayehadbecomeveryfriendly，andhehadbeentemptedtoshowherbrotheracopyofsomepoemsofhis——someseriousandsad——somehumorous——whichhadappearedinthepoets'cornerofamagazinefromtimetotime。OwenshowedthemnowtoCytherea，whoinstantlybegantoreadthemcarefullyandtothinkthemverybeautiful。
'Yes——Springrove'snofool，'saidOwensententiously。
'Nofool！——Ishouldthinkheisn't，indeed，'saidCytherea，lookingupfromthepaperinquiteanexcitement：'towritesuchversesasthese！'
'Whatlogicareyouchopping，Cytherea？Well，Idon'tmeanonaccountoftheverses，becauseIhaven'treadthem；butforwhathesaidwhenthefellowsweretalkingaboutfallinginlove。'
'Whichyouwilltellme？'
'Hesaysthatyourtrueloverbreathlesslyfindshimselfengagedtoasweetheart，likeamanwhohascaughtsomethinginthedark。Hedoesn'tknowwhetheritisabatorabird，andtakesittothelightwhenheiscooltolearnwhatitis。Helookstoseeifsheistherightage，butrightageorwrongage，hemustconsiderheraprize。Sometimelaterheponderswhethersheistherightkindofprizeforhim。Rightkindorwrongkind——hehascalledherhis，andmustabidebyit。Afteratimeheaskshimself，“Hasshethetemper，hair，andeyesImeanttohave，andwasfirmlyresolvednottodowithout？”Hefindsitisallwrong，andthencomesthetussle——'
'Dotheymarryandlivehappily？'
'Who？O，thesupposedpair。Ithinkhesaid——well，Ireallyforgetwhathesaid。'
'ThatISstupidofyou！'saidtheyoungladywithdismay。
'Yes。'
'Buthe'sasatirist——Idon'tthinkIcareabouthimnow。'
'Thereyouarejustwrong。Heisnot。Heis，asIbelieve，animpulsivefellowwhohasbeenmadetopaythepenaltyofhisrashnessinsomeloveaffair。'
ThusendedthedialogueofThursday，butCythereareadtheversesagaininprivate。OnFridayherbrotherremarkedthatSpringrovehadinformedhimhewasgoingtoleaveMr。Gradfield'sinafortnighttopushhisfortunesinLondon。
AnindescribablefeelingofsadnessshotthroughCytherea'sheart。
Whyshouldshebesadatsuchanannouncementasthat，shethought，concerningamanshehadneverseen，whenherspiritswereelasticenoughtoreboundafterhardblowsfromdeepandrealtroublesasifshehadscarcelyknownthem？Thoughshecouldnotanswerthisquestion，sheknewonething，shewassaddenedbyOwen'snews。
4。JULYTHETWENTY-FIRST
AverypopularlocalexcursionbysteamboattoLulsteadCovewasannouncedthroughthestreetsofBudmouthoneThursdaymorningbytheweak-voicedtown-crier，tostartatsixo'clockthesameday。
Theweatherwaslovely，andtheopportunitybeingthefirstofthekindofferedtothem，OwenandCythereawentwiththerest。
TheyhadreachedtheCove，andhadwalkedlandwardfornearlyanhouroverthehillwhichrosebesidethestrand，whenGrayerecollectedthattwoorthreemilesyetfurtherinlandfromthisspotwasaninterestingmediaevalruin。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwithitscharacteristicsthroughthemediumofanarchaeologicalwork，andnowfindinghimselfsoclosetothereality，feltinclinedtoverifysometheoryhehadformedrespectingit。Concludingthattherewouldbejustsufficienttimeforhimtogothereandreturnbeforetheboathadlefttheshore，hepartedfromCythereaonthehill，struckdownwards，andthenupaheatheryvalley。
Sheremainedonthesummitwherehehadlefthertillthetimeofhisexpectedreturn，scanningthedetailsoftheprospectaround。
PlacidlyspreadoutbeforeheronthesouthwastheopenChannel，reflectingablueintenserbymanyshadesthanthatoftheskyoverhead，anddottedintheforegroundbyhalf-a-dozensmallcraftofcontrastingrig，theirsailsgraduatinginhuefromextremewhitenesstoreddishbrown，thevaryingactualcoloursvariedagaininadoubledegreebytheraysofthedecliningsun。
Presentlythedistantbellfromtheboatwasheard，warningthepassengerstoembark。Thiswasfollowedbyalivelyairfromtheharpsandviolinsonboard，theirtones，astheyarose，becomingintermingledwith，thoughnotmarredby，thebrushofthewaveswhentheircrestsrolledover——atthepointwherethecheckoftheshallowswasfirstfelt——andthenthinnedawayuptheslopeofpebblesandsand。
Sheturnedherfacelandwardandstrainedhereyestodiscern，ifpossible，somesignofOwen'sreturn。Nothingwasvisiblesavethestrikinglybrilliant，stilllandscape。Thewideconcavewhichlayatthebackofthehillinthisdirectionwasblazingwiththewesternlight，addinganorangetinttothevividpurpleoftheheather，nowattheveryclimaxofbloom，andfreefromtheslightesttouchoftheinvidiousbrownthatsosooncreepsintoitsshades。Thelightsointensifiedthecoloursthattheyseemedtostandabovethesurfaceoftheearthandfloatinmid-airlikeanexhalationofred。Intheminorvalleys，betweenthehillocksandridgeswhichdiversifiedthecontourofthebasin，butdidnotdisturbitsgeneralsweep，shemarkedbrakesoftall，heavy-stemmedferns，fiveorsixfeethigh，inabrilliantlight-greendress——abroadribandofthemwiththepathintheirmidstwindinglikeastreamalongthelittleravinethatreachedtothefootofthehill，anddeliveredupthepathtoitsgrassyarea。Amongthefernsgrewhollybushesdeeperintintthananyshadowaboutthem，whilstthewholesurfaceofthescenewasdimpledwithsmallconicalpits，andhereandtherewereroundponds，nowdry，andhalfovergrownwithrushes。
Thelastbellofthesteamerrang。Cythereahadforgottenherself，andwhatshewaslookingfor。InafeverofdistresslestOwenshouldbeleftbehind，shegatheredupinherhandthecornersofherhandkerchief，containingspecimensoftheshells，plants，andfossilswhichthelocalityproduced，startedofftothesands，andmingledwiththeknotsofvisitorstherecongregatedfromotherinterestingpointsaround；fromtheinn，thecottages，andhiredconveyancesthathadreturnedfromshortdrivesinland。Theyallwentaboardbytheprimitiveplanofanarrowplankontwowheels——
thewomenbeingassistedbyarope。Cytherealingeredtilltheverylast，reluctanttofollow，andlookingalternatelyattheboatandthevalleybehind。HerdelayprovokedaremarkfromCaptainJacobs，athicksetmanofhybridstains，resultingfromthemixedeffectsoffireandwater，peculiartosailorswhereenginesarethepropellingpower。
'Nowthen，missy，ifyouplease。Iamsorrytotell'eeourtime'sup。Whoareyoulookingfor，miss？'
'Mybrother——hehaswalkedashortdistanceinland；hemustbeheredirectly。Couldyouwaitforhim——justaminute？'
'Really，Iamafraidnot，m'm。'Cytherealookedatthestout，round-facedman，andatthevessel，withalightinhereyessoexpressiveofherownopinionbeingthesame，onreflection，ashis，andwithsuchresignation，too，that，fromaninstinctivefeelingofprideatbeingabletoprovehimselfmorehumanethanhewasthoughttobe——worksofsupererogationaretheonlysacrificesthatenticeinthisway——andthatataverysmallcost，hedelayedtheboattillsomeamongthepassengersbegantomurmur。
'There，nevermind，'saidCythereadecisively。'Goonwithoutme——I
shallwaitforhim。'
'Well，'tisaveryawkwardthingtoleaveyouhereallalone，'saidthecaptain。'Icertainlyadviseyounottowait。'
'He'sgoneacrosstotherailwaystation，forcertain，'saidanotherpassenger。
'No——hereheis！'Cythereasaid，regarding，asshespoke，thehalfhiddenfigureofamanwhowasseenadvancingataheadlongpacedowntheravinewhichlaybetweentheheathandtheshore。
'Hecan'tgethereinlessthanfiveminutes，'apassengersaid。
'Peopleshouldknowwhattheyareabout，andkeeptime。Really，if——
'
'Yousee，sir，'saidthecaptain，inanapologeticundertone，'since'tisherbrother，andshe'sallalone，'tisonlynatertowaitaminute，nowhe'sinsight。Suppose，now，youwereayoungwoman，asmightbe，andhadabrother，likethisone，andyoustoodofaneveninguponthisherewildlonelyshore，likeher，whyyou'dwantustowait，too，wouldn'tyou，sir？Ithinkyouwould。'
Thepersonsohastilyapproachinghadbeenlosttoviewduringthisremarkbyreasonofahollowintheground，andtheprojectingcliffimmediatelyathandcoveredthepathinitsrise。Hisfootstepswerenowheardstrikingsharplyupontheflintyroadatadistanceofabouttwentyorthirtyyards，butstillbehindtheescarpment。
Tosavetime，Cythereapreparedtoascendtheplank。
'Letmegiveyoumyhand，miss，'saidCaptainJacobs。
'No——pleasedon'ttouchme，'saidshe，ascendingcautiouslybyslidingonefootforwardtwoorthreeinches，bringinguptheotherbehindit，andsoonalternately——herlipscompressedbyconcentrationonthefeat，hereyesgluedtotheplank，herhandtotherope，andherimmediatethoughttothefactofthedistressingnarrownessofherfooting。Stepsnowshookthelowerendoftheboard，andinaninstantwereuptoherheelswithabound。
'O，Owen，Iamsogladyouarecome！'shesaidwithoutturning。
'Don't，don'tshaketheplankortouchme，whateveryoudo……
There，Iamup。Wherehaveyoubeensolong？'shecontinued，inalowertone，turningroundtohimasshereachedthetop。
Raisinghereyesfromherfeet，which，standingonthefirmdeck，demandedherattentionnolonger，sheacquiredperceptionsofthenew-comerinthefollowingorder：unknowntrousers；unknownwaistcoat；unknownface。Themanwasnotherbrother，butatotalstranger。
Offwenttheplank；thepaddlesstarted，stopped，backed，patteredinconfusion，thenrevolveddecisively，andtheboatpassedoutintodeepwater。
Oneortwopersonshadsaid，'Howd'yedo，Mr。Springrove？'andlookedatCytherea，toseehowsheboreherdisappointment。Herearshadbutjustcaughtthenameoftheheaddraughtsman，whenshesawhimadvancingdirectlytoaddressher。
'MissGraye，Ibelieve？'hesaid，liftinghishat。
'Yes，'saidCytherea，colouring，andtryingnottolookguiltyofasurreptitiousknowledgeofhim。
'IamMr。Springrove。IpassedCorvsgateCastleaboutanhourago，andsoonafterwardsmetyourbrothergoingthatway。Hehadbeendeceivedinthedistance，andwasabouttoturnwithoutseeingtheruin，onaccountofalamenessthathadcomeoninhislegorfoot。
Iproposedthatheshouldgoon，sincehehadgotsonear；andafterwards，insteadofwalkingbacktotheboat，getacrosstoAngleburyStation——ashorterwalkforhim——wherehecouldcatchthelatetrain，andgodirectlyhome。Icouldletyouknowwhathehaddone，andallayanyuneasiness。'
'Isthelamenessserious，doyouknow？'
'Ono；simplyfromover-walkinghimself。Still，itwasjustaswelltoridehome。'
RelievedfromherapprehensionsonOwen'sscore，shewasableslightlytoexaminetheappearanceofherinformant——EdwardSpringrove——whonowremovedhishatforawhile，tocoolhimself。
Hewasratheraboveherbrother'sheight。Althoughtheupperpartofhisfaceandheadwashandsomelyformed，andboundedbylinesofsufficientlymasculineregularity，hisbrowsweresomewhattoosoftlyarched，andfinelypencilledforoneofhissex；withoutprejudice，however，tothebeliefwhichthesumtotalofhisfeaturesinspired——thatthoughtheydidnotprovethatthemanwhothoughtinsidethemwoulddomuchintheworld，menwhohaddonemostofallhadhadnobetterones。Acrosshisforehead，otherwiseperfectlysmooth，ranonethinline，thehealthyfreshnessofhisremainingfeaturesexpressingthatithadcomethereprematurely。
Thoughsomeyearsshortoftheageatwhichtheclearspiritbidsgood-byetothelastinfirmityofnoblemind，andtakestohouse-
huntingandinvestments，hehadreachedtheperiodinayoungman'slifewhenepisodicperiods，withahopefulbirthandadisappointingdeath，havebeguntoaccumulate，andtobearafruitofgeneralities；hisglancesometimesseemingtostate，'Ihavealreadythoughtouttheissueofsuchconditionsastheseweareexperiencing。'Atothertimesheworeanabstractedlook：'Iseemtohavelivedthroughthismomentbefore。'
Hewascarelesslydressedindarkgrey，wearingarolled-upblackkerchiefasaneck-cloth；theknotofwhichwasdisarranged，andstoodobliquely——adepositofwhitedusthavinglodgedinthecreases。
'Iamsorryforyourdisappointment，'hecontinued，glancingintoherface。Theireyeshavingmet，became，asitwere，mutuallylockedtogether，andthesingleinstantonlywhichgoodbreedingallowsasthelengthofsuchalook，becametrebled：aclearpenetratingrayofintelligencehadshotfromeachintoeach，givingbirthtooneofthoseunaccountablesensationswhichcarryhometotheheartbeforethehandhasbeentouchedorthemerestcomplimentpassed，bysomethingstrongerthanmathematicalproof，theconviction，'Atiehasbeguntouniteus。'
Bothfacesalsounconsciouslystatedthattheirownershadbeenmuchineachother'sthoughtsoflate。OwenhadtalkedtotheyoungarchitectofhissisterasfreelyastoCythereaoftheyoungarchitect。
Aconversationbegan，whichwasnonethelessinterestingtothepartiesengagedbecauseitconsistedonlyofthemosttrivialandcommonplaceremarks。Thenthebandofharpsandviolinsstruckupalivelymelody，andthedeckwasclearedfordancing；thesundippingbeneaththehorizonduringtheproceeding，andthemoonshowingherselfattheirstern。Theseawassocalm，thatthesofthissproducedbytheburstingoftheinnumerablebubblesoffoambehindthepaddlescouldbedistinctlyheard。Thepassengerswhodidnotdance，includingCythereaandSpringrove，lapsedintosilence，leaningagainstthepaddle-boxes，orstandingaloof——noticingthetremblingofthedecktothestepsofthedance——watchingthewavesfromthepaddlesastheyslidthinlyandeasilyundereachother'sedges。
NighthadquiteclosedinbythetimetheyreachedBudmouthharbour，sparklingwithitswhite，red，andgreenlightsinoppositiontotheshimmeringpathofthemoon'sreflectionontheotherside，whichreachedawaytothehorizontillthefleckedripplesreducedthemselvestosparklesasfineasgolddust。
'Iwillwalktothestationandfindouttheexacttimethetrainarrives，'saidSpringrove，rathereagerly，whentheyhadlanded。
Shethankedhimmuch。
'Perhapswemightwalktogether，'hesuggestedhesitatingly。Shelookedasifshedidnotquiteknow，andhesettledthequestionbyshowingtheway。
Theyfound，onarrivingthere，thatonthefirstdayofthatmonththeparticulartrainselectedforGraye'sreturnhadceasedtostopatAngleburystation。
'IamverysorryImisledhim，'saidSpringrove。
'O，Iamnotalarmedatall，'repliedCytherea。
'Well，it'ssuretobeallright——hewillsleepthere，andcomebythefirstinthemorning。Butwhatwillyoudo，alone？'
'Iamquiteeasyonthatpoint；thelandladyisveryfriendly。I
mustgoindoorsnow。Good-night，Mr。Springrove。'
'Letmegoroundtoyourdoorwithyou？'hepleaded。
'No，thankyou；welivecloseby。'
Helookedatherasawaiterlooksatthechangehebringsback。
Butshewasinexorable。
'Don't——forgetme，'hemurmured。Shedidnotanswer。
'Letmeseeyousometimes，'hesaid。
'Perhapsyouneverwillagain——Iamgoingaway，'sherepliedinlingeringtones；andturningintoCrossStreet，ranindoorsandupstairs。
Thesuddenwithdrawalofwhatwassuperfluousatfirst，isoftenfeltasanessentialloss。Itwasfeltnowwithregardtothemaiden。More，too，afterameetingsopleasantandsoenkindling，shehadseemedtoimplythattheywouldnevercometogetheragain。
Theyoungmansoftlyfollowedher，stoodoppositethehouseandwatchedhercomeintotheupperroomwiththelight。Presentlyhisgazewascutshortbyherapproachingthewindowandpullingdowntheblind——EdwarddwellinguponhervanishingfigurewithahopelesssenseoflossakintothatwhichAdamissaidbylogicianstohavefeltwhenhefirstsawthesunset，andthought，inhisinexperience，thatitwouldreturnnomore。
Hewaitedtillhershadowhadtwicecrossedthewindow，when，findingthecharmingoutlinewasnottobeexpectedagain，heleftthestreet，crossedtheharbour-bridge，andenteredhisownsolitarychamberontheotherside，vaguelythinkingashewent(forundefinedreasons)，'OnehopeistoolikedespairForprudencetosmother。'
返回顶部