She'sanextraordinarypictureofwomankind——veryextraordinary。'

'Inwhatwaybesides？'

'You'llknowsoonenough，miss。Shehashadsevenlady's-maidsthislasttwelvemonth。Iassureyou'tisonebody'sworktofetch'emfromthestationandtake'embackagain。TheLordmustbeaneglectfulpartyatheart，orhe'dneverpermitsuchoverbearengoingson！'

'Doesshedismissthemdirectlytheycome！'

'Notatall——sheneverdismissesthem——theygotheirselves。Yesee'tislikethis。She'sgotaveryquicktemper；shefleesinapassionwiththemfornothingatall；nextmornentheycomeupandsaytheyaregoing；she'ssorryforitandwishesthey'dstay，butshe'sasproudasalucifer，andherpridewon'tlethersay，“Stay，“andawaytheygo。'Tislikethisinfact。Ifyousaytoheraboutanybody，“Ah，poorthing！”shesays，“Pooh！indeed！”Ifyousay，“Pooh，indeed！”“Ah，poorthing！”shesaysdirectly。Shehangsthechiefbaker，asmidbe，andrestoresthechiefbutler，asmidbe，thoughthedevilbutPharaohherselfcanseethedifferencebetween'em。'

Cythereawassilent。Shefearedshemightbeagainaburdentoherbrother。

'However，youstandaverygoodchance，'themanwenton，'forI

thinkshelikesyoumorethancommon。Ihaveneverknownhersendthepony-carriagetomeetonebefore；'tisalwaysthetrap，butthistimeshesaid，inaveryparticularladyliketone，“Roobert，gaowwiththepony-kerriage。“……There，'tistrue，ponyandcarriagetooaregettenrathershabbynow，'headded，lookingrounduponthevehicleasiftokeepCytherea'spridewithinreasonablelimits。

''Tistobehopedyou'llpleaseindressenherto-night。'

'Whyto-night？'

'There'sadinner-partyofseventeen；'tisherfather'sbirthday，andshe'sveryparticularaboutherlooksatsuchtimes。Nowsee；

thisisthehouse。Livelieruphere，isn'tit，miss？'

Theywerenowonrisingground，andhadjustemergedfromaclumpoftrees。Stillalittlehigherthanwheretheystoodwassituatedthemansion，calledKnapwaterHouse，theofficesgraduallylosingthemselvesamongthetreesbehind。

2。EVENING

Thehousewasregularlyandsubstantiallybuiltofcleangreyfreestonethroughout，inthatplainerfashionofGreekclassicismwhichprevailedatthelatterendofthelastcentury，whenthecopyistscalleddesignershadgrownwearyoffantasticvariationsintheRomanorders。Themainblockapproximatedtoasquareonthegroundplan，havingaprojectioninthecentreofeachside，surmountedbyapediment。Fromeachangleoftheinferiorsideranalineofbuildingslowerthantherest，turninginwardsagainattheirfurtherend，andformingwithinthemaspaciousopencourt，withinwhichresoundedanechoofastonishingclearness。Theseerectionswereintheirturnbackedbyivy-coveredice-houses，laundries，andstables，thewholemassofsubsidiarybuildingsbeinghalfburiedbeneathclose-setshrubsandtrees。

Therewasopeningsufficientthroughthefoliageontherighthandtoenableheronnearerapproachtoformanideaofthearrangementoftheremoterorlawnfrontalso。Thenaturalfeaturesandcontourofthisquarterofthesitehadevidentlydictatedthepositionofthehouseprimarily，andwereoftheordinary，anduponthewhole，mostsatisfactorykind，namely，abroad，gracefulsloperunningfromtheterracebeneaththewallstothemarginofaplacidlakelyingbelow，uponthesurfaceofwhichadozenswansandagreenpuntfloatedatleisure。Anirregularwoodedislandstoodinthemidstofthelake；beyondthisandthefurthermarginofthewaterwereplantationsandgreenswardofvariedoutlines，thetreesheightening，byhalfveiling，thesoftnessoftheexquisitelandscapestretchingbehind。

Theglimpsesshehadobtainedofthisportionwerenowcheckedbytheangleofthebuilding。Inaminuteortwotheyreachedthesidedoor，atwhichCythereaalighted。Shewaswelcomedbyanelderlywomanoflengthysmilesandgeneralpleasantness，whoannouncedherselftobeMrs。Morris，thehousekeeper。

'Mrs。Graye，Ibelieve？'shesaid。

'Iamnot——Oyes，yes，weareallmistresses，'saidCytherea，smiling，butforcedly。Thetitleaccordedherseemeddisagreeablylikethefirstslightscarofabrand，andshethoughtofOwen'sprophecy。

Mrs。MorrisledherintoacomfortableparlourcalledTheRoom。

Hereteawasmadeready，andCythereasatdown，looking，wheneveroccasionallowed，atMrs。Morriswithgreatinterestandcuriosity，todiscover，ifpossible，somethinginherwhichshouldgiveacluetothesecretofherknowledgeofherself，andtherecommendationbaseduponit。Butnothingwastobelearnt，atanyratejustthen。

Mrs。Morriswasperpetuallygettingup，feelinginherpockets，goingtocupboards，leavingtheroomtwoorthreeminutes，andtrottingbackagain。

'You'llexcuseme，Mrs。Graye，'shesaid，'but'tistheoldgentleman'sbirthday，andtheyalwayshavealotofpeopletodinneronthatday，thoughhe'sgettingupinyearsnow。However，noneofthemaresleepers——shegenerallykeepsthehouseprettyclearoflodgers(beingaladywithnointimatefriends，thoughmanyacquaintances)，which，thoughitgivesuslesstodo，makesitallthedullerfortheyoungermaidsinthehouse。'Mrs。Morristhenproceededtogiveinfragmentaryspeechesanoutlineoftheconstitutionandgovernmentoftheestate。

'Now，areyousureyouhavequitedonetea？Notabitordropmore？

Why，you'veeatennothing，I'msure……Well，now，itisratherinconvenientthattheothermaidisnotheretoshowyouthewaysofthehousealittle，butsheleftlastSaturday，andMissAldclyffehasbeenmakingshiftwithpooroldclumsymeforamaidallyesterdayandthismorning。Sheisnotcomeinyet。Iexpectshewillaskforyou，Mrs。Graye，thefirstthing……Iwasgoingtosaythatifyouhavereallydonetea，Iwilltakeyouupstairs，andshowyouthroughthewardrobes——MissAldclyffe'sthingsarenotlaidoutforto-nightyet。'

SheprecededCythereaupstairs，pointedoutherownroom，andthentookherintoMissAldclyffe'sdressing-room，onthefirst-floor；

where，afterexplainingthewhereaboutsofvariousarticlesofapparel，thehousekeeperlefther，tellingherthatshehadanhouryetuponherhandsbeforedressing-time。Cytherealaidoutuponthebedinthenextroomallthatshehadbeentoldwouldberequiredthatevening，andthenwentagaintothelittleroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtoherself。

Hereshesatdownbytheopenwindow，leantoutuponthesilllikeanotherBlessedDamozel，andlistlesslylookeddownuponthebrilliantpatternofcoloursformedbytheflower-bedsonthelawn——

nowrichlycrowdedwithlatesummerblossom。Butthevivacityofspiritwhichhadhithertoenlivenedher，wasfastebbingunderthepressureofprosaicrealities，andthewarmscarletofthegeraniums，glowingmostconspicuously，andminglingwiththevividcoldredandgreenoftheverbenas，therichdepthofthedahlia，andtheripemellownessofthecalceolaria，backedbythepalehueofaflockofmeeksheepfeedingintheopenpark，closetotheothersideofthefence，were，toagreatextent，lostuponhereyes。Shewasthinkingthatnothingseemedworthwhile；thatitwaspossibleshemightdieinaworkhouse；andwhatdiditmatter？Thepetty，vulgardetailsofservitudethatshehadjustpassedthrough，herdependenceuponthewhimsofastrangewoman，thenecessityofquenchingallindividualityofcharacterinherself，andrelinquishingherownpeculiartastestohelponthewheelofthisalienestablishment，madehersickandsad，andshealmostlongedtopursuesomefree，out-of-doorsemployment，sleepundertreesorahut，andknownoenemybutwinterandcoldweather，likeshepherdsandcowkeepers，andbirdsandanimals——ay，likethesheepshesawthereunderherwindow。Shelookedsympathizinglyatthemforseveralminutes，imaginingtheirenjoymentoftherichgrass。

'Yes——likethosesheep，'shesaidaloud；andherfacereddenedwithsurpriseatadiscoveryshemadethatveryinstant。

Theflockconsistedofsomeninetyorahundredyoungstockewes：

thesurfaceoftheirfleecewasasroundedandevenasacushion，andwhiteasmilk。Nowshehadjustobservedthatontheleftbuttockofeveryoneofthemweremarkedindistinctredletterstheinitials'E。S。'

'E。S。'couldbringtoCytherea'smindonlyonethought；butthatimmediatelyandforever——thenameofherlover，EdwardSpringrove。

'O，ifitshouldbe——！'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyaresolve。

MissAldclyffe'scarriageatthesamemomentmadeitsappearanceinthedrive；butMissAldclyffewasnotherobjectnow。Itwastoascertaintowhomthesheepbelonged，andtosethersurmiseatrestonewayortheother。SheflewdownstairstoMrs。Morris。

'Whosesheeparethoseinthepark，Mrs。Morris？'

'FarmerSpringrove's。'

'WhatFarmerSpringroveisthat？'shesaidquickly。

'Why，surelyyouknow？Yourfriend，FarmerSpringrove，thecider-

maker，andwhokeepstheThreeTrantersInn；whorecommendedyoutomewhenhecameintoseemetheotherday？'

Cytherea'smother-witsuddenlywarnedherinthemidstofherexcitementthatitwasnecessarynottobetraythesecretofherlove。'Oyes，'shesaid，'ofcourse。'Herthoughtshadrunasfollowsinthatshortinterval：——

'FarmerSpringroveisEdward'sfather，andhisnameisEdwardtoo。

'EdwardknewIwasgoingtoadvertiseforasituationofsomekind。

'HewatchedtheTimes，andsawit，myaddressbeingattached。

'Hethoughtitwouldbeexcellentformetobeherethatwemightmeetwheneverhecamehome。

'HetoldhisfatherthatImightberecommendedasalady's-maid；

andheknewmybrotherandmyself。

'HisfathertoldMrs。Morris；Mrs。MorristoldMissAldclyffe。'

Thewholechainofincidentsthatdrewhertherewasplain，andtherewasnosuchthingaschanceinthematter。ItwasallEdward'sdoing。

Thesoundofabellwasheard。Cythereadidnotheedit，andstillcontinuedinherreverie。

'That'sMissAldclyffe'sbell，'saidMrs。Morris。

'Isupposeitis，'saidtheyoungwomanplacidly。

'Well，itmeansthatyoumustgouptoher，'thematroncontinued，inatoneofsurprise。

Cythereafeltaburningheatcomeoverher，mingledwithasuddenirritationatMrs。Morris'shint。Butthegoodsensewhichhadrecognizedsternnecessityprevailedoverrebelliousindependence；

theflushpassed，andshesaidhastily——

'Yes，yes；ofcourse，Imustgotoherwhenshepullsthebell——

whetherIwanttoorno。'

However，inspiteofthispainfulreminderofhernewpositioninlife，Cytherealefttheapartmentinamoodfardifferentfromthegloomysadnessoftenminutesprevious。Theplacefeltlikehometohernow；shedidnotmindthepettinessofheroccupation，becauseEdwardevidentlydidnotmindit；andthiswasEdward'sownspot。

ShefoundtimeonherwaytoMissAldclyffe'sdressing-roomtohurriedlyglideoutbyasidedoor，andlookforamomentattheunconscioussheepbearingthefriendlyinitials。Shewentuptothemtotrytotouchoneoftheflock，andfeltvexedthattheyallstaredscepticallyatherkindadvances，andthenranpell-melldownthehill。Then，fearinganyoneshoulddiscoverherchildishmovements，sheslippedindoorsagain，andascendedthestaircase，catchingglimpses，asshepassed，ofsilver-buttonedfootmen，whoflashedaboutthepassageslikelightning。

MissAldclyffe'sdressing-roomwasanapartmentwhich，onacasualsurvey，conveyedanimpressionthatitwasavailableforalmostanypurposesavetheadornmentofthefeminineperson。Initshoursofperfectordernothingpertainingtothetoiletwasvisible；eventheinevitablemirrorswiththeiraccessorieswerearrangedinaroomyrecessnotnoticeablefromthedoor，lightedbyawindowofitsown，calledthedressing-window。

Thewashing-standfiguredasavastoakchest，carvedwithgrotesqueRenaissanceornament。Thedressingtablewasinappearancesomethingbetweenahighaltarandacabinetpiano，thesurfacebeingrichlyworkedinthesamestyleofsemi-classicdecoration，buttheextraordinaryoutlinehavingbeenarrivedatbyaningeniousjoineranddecoratorfromtheneighbouringtown，aftermonthsofpainfultoilincuttingandfitting，underMissAldclyffe'simmediateeye；thematerialsbeingtheremainsoftwoorthreeoldcabinetstheladyhadfoundinthelumber-room。Abouttwo-thirdsofthefloorwascarpeted，theremainingportionbeinglaidwithparquetryoflightanddarkwoods。

MissAldclyffewasstandingatthelargerwindow，awayfromthedressing-niche。Shebowed，andsaidpleasantly，'Iamgladyouhavecome。Weshallgetoncapitally，Idaresay。'

Herbonnetwasoff。Cythereadidnotthinkhersohandsomeasontheearlierday；thequeenlinessofherbeautywasharderandlesswarm。ButaworsediscoverythanthiswasthatMissAldclyffe，withtheusualobliviousnessofrichpeopletotheirdependents'

specialities，seemedtohavequiteforgottenCytherea'sinexperience，andmechanicallydeliveredupherbodytoherhandmaidwithoutathoughtofdetails，andwithamildyawn。

Everythingwentwellatfirst。Thedresswasremoved，stockingsandblackbootsweretakenoff，andsilkstockingsandwhiteshoeswereputon。MissAldclyffethenretiredtobatheherhandsandface，andCythereadrewbreath。Ifshecouldgetthroughthisfirstevening，allwouldberight。Shefeltthatitwasunfortunatethatsuchacrucialtestforherpowersasabirthdaydinnershouldhavebeenappliedonthethresholdofherarrival；butsettoagain。

MissAldclyffewasnowarrayedinawhitedressing-gown，anddroppedlanguidlyintoaneasy-chair，pushedupbeforetheglass。TheinstinctsofhersexandherownpracticetoldCythereathenextmovement。SheletMissAldclyffe'shairfallabouthershoulders，andbegantoarrangeit。Itprovedtobeallreal；asatisfaction。

MissAldclyffewasmusinglylookingonthefloor，andtheoperationwentonforsomeminutesinsilence。Atlengthherthoughtsseemedtoturntothepresent，andsheliftedhereyestotheglass。

'Why，whatonearthareyoudoingwithmyhead？'sheexclaimed，withwidelyopenedeyes。AtthewordsshefeltthebackofCytherea'slittlehandtrembleagainstherneck。

'Perhapsyoupreferitdonetheotherfashion，madam？'saidthemaiden。

'No，no；that'sthefashionrightenough，butyoumustmakemoreshowofmyhairthanthat，orIshallhavetobuysome，whichGodforbid！'

'ItishowIdomyown，'saidCythereanaively，andwithasweetnessoftonethatwouldhavepleasedthemostacrimoniousunderfavourablecircumstances；buttyrannywasintheascendantwithMissAldclyffeatthismoment，andshewasassuredofpalatablefoodforhervicebyhavingfeltthetremblingofCytherea'shand。

'Yours，indeed！YOURhair！Come，goon。'ConsideringthatCythereapossessedatleastfivetimesasmuchofthatvaluableauxiliarytowoman'sbeautyastheladybeforeher，therewasatthesametimesomeexcuseforMissAldclyffe'soutburst。Sherememberedherself，however，andsaidmorequietly，'Nowthen，Graye——By-the-

bye，whatdotheycallyoudownstairs？'

'Mrs。Graye，'saidthehandmaid。

'Thentellthemnottodoanysuchabsurdthing——notbutthatitisquiteaccordingtousage；butyouaretooyoungyet。'

ThisdialoguetidedCythereasafelyonwardthroughthehairdressingtilltheflowersanddiamondsweretobeplaceduponthelady'sbrow。Cythereabeganarrangingthemtastefully，andtotheverybestofherjudgment。

'Thatwon'tdo，'saidMissAldclyffeharshly。

'Why？'

'Ilooktooyoung——anolddresseddoll。'

'Willthat，madam？'

'No，Ilookafright——aperfectfright！'

'Thisway，perhaps？'

'Heavens！Don'tworrymeso。'Sheshutherlipslikeatrap。

Havingonceworkedherselfuptothebeliefthatherhead-dresswastobeafailurethatevening，noclevernessofCytherea'sinarrangingitcouldpleaseher。Shecontinuedinasmoulderingpassionduringtheremainderoftheperformance，keepingherlipsfirmlyclosed，andthemusclesofherbodyrigid。Finally，snatchinguphergloves，andtakingherhandkerchiefandfaninherhand，shesilentlysailedoutoftheroom，withoutbetrayingtheleastconsciousnessofanotherwoman'spresencebehindher。

Cytherea'sfearsthatattheundressingthissuppressedangerwouldfindavent，keptheronthornsthroughouttheevening。Shetriedtoread；shecouldnot。Shetriedtosew；shecouldnot。Shetriedtomuse；shecouldnotdothatconnectedly。'Ifthisisthebeginning，whatwilltheendbe！'shesaidinawhisper，andfeltmanymisgivingsastothepolicyofbeingoverhastyinestablishinganindependenceattheexpenseofcongruitywithacherishedpast。

3。MIDNIGHT

Theclockstrucktwelve。TheAldclyffestatedinnerwasover。Thecompanyhadallgone，andMissAldclyffe'sbellrangloudlyandjerkingly。

Cythereastartedtoherfeetatthesound，whichbrokeinuponafitfulsleepthathadovertakenher。Shehadbeensittingdrearilyinherchairwaitingminuteafterminuteforthesignal，herbraininthatstateofintentnesswhichtakescognizanceofthepassageofTimeasarealmotion——motionwithoutmatter——theinstantsthrobbingpastinthecompanyofafeverishpulse。Shehastenedtotheroom，tofindtheladysittingbeforethedressingshrine，illuminatedonbothsides，andlookingsoqueenlyinherattitudeofabsoluterepose，thattheyoungerwomanfelttheawfullestsenseofresponsibilityatherVandalisminhavingundertakentodemolishsoimposingapile。

Thelady'sjewelledornamentsweretakenoffinsilence——somebyherownlistlesshands，somebyCytherea's。Thenfollowedtheouterstratumofclothing。Thedressbeingremoved，Cythereatookitinherhandandwentwithitintothebedroomadjoining，intendingtohangitinthewardrobe。Butonsecondthoughts，inorderthatshemightnotkeepMissAldclyffewaitingamomentlongerthannecessary，sheflungitdownonthefirstresting-placethatcametohand，whichhappenedtobethebed，andre-enteredthedressing-roomwiththenoiselessfootfallofakitten。Shepausedinthemiddleoftheroom。

Shewasunnoticed，andhersuddenreturnhadplainlynotbeenexpected。DuringtheshorttimeofCytherea'sabsence，MissAldclyffehadpulledoffakindofchemisetteofBrusselsnet，drawnhighabovethethroat，whichshehadwornwithhereveningdressasasemi-opaquecoveringtohershoulders，andinitsplacehadputhernight-gownroundher。Herrighthandwasliftedtoherneck，asifengagedinfasteninghernight-gown。

ButonasecondglanceMissAldclyffe'sproceedingwasclearertoCytherea。Shewasnotfasteninghernight-gown；ithadbeencarelesslythrownroundher，andMissAldclyffewasreallyoccupiedinholdinguptohereyessomesmallobjectthatshewaskeenlyscrutinizing。AndnowonsuddenlydiscoveringthepresenceofCythereaatthebackoftheapartment，insteadofnaturallycontinuingorconcludingherinspection，shedesistedhurriedly；thetinysnapofaspringwasheard，herhandwasremoved，andshebeganadjustingherrobes。

Modestymighthavedirectedherhastyactionofenwrappinghershoulders，butitwasscarcelylikely，consideringMissAldclyffe'stemperament，thatshehadallherlifebeenusedtoamaid，Cytherea'syouth，andtheelderlady'smarkedtreatmentofherasifshewereamerechildorplaything。Thematterwastooslighttoreasonabout，andyetuponthewholeitseemedthatMissAldclyffemusthaveapracticalreasonforconcealingherneck。

WithatimidsenseofbeinganintruderCythereawasabouttostepbackandoutoftheroom；butatthesamemomentMissAldclyffeturned，sawtheimpulse，andtoldhercompaniontostay，lookingintohereyesasifshehadhalfanintentiontoexplainsomething。

Cythereafeltcertainitwasthelittlemysteryofherlatemovements。Theotherwithdrewhereyes；Cythereawenttofetchthedressing-gown，andwheeledroundagaintobringituptoMissAldclyffe，whohadnowpartlyremovedhernight-dresstoputitontheproperway，andstillsatwithherbacktowardsCytherea。

Herneckwasagainquiteopenanduncovered，andthoughhiddenfromthedirectlineofCytherea'svision，shesawitreflectedintheglass——thefairwhitesurface，andtheinimitablecombinationofcurvesbetweenthroatandbosomwhichartistsadore，beingbrightlylitupbythelightburningoneitherside。

Andthelady'spriorproceedingswerenowexplainedinthesimplestmanner。Inthemidstofherbreast，likeanislandinaseaofpearl，reclinedanexquisitelittlegoldlocket，embellishedwitharabesqueworkofblue，red，andwhiteenamel。ThatwasundoubtedlywhatMissAldclyffehadbeencontemplating；and，moreover，nothavingbeenputoffwithherotherornaments，itwastoberetainedduringthenight——aslightdeparturefromthecustomofladieswhichMissAldclyffehadatfirstnotcaredtoexhibittohernewassistant，thoughnow，onfurtherthought，sheseemedtohavebecomeindifferentonthematter。

'Mydressing-gown，'shesaid，quietlyfasteninghernight-dressasshespoke。

Cythereacameforwardwithit。MissAldclyffedidnotturnherhead，butlookedinquiringlyathermaidintheglass。

'YousawwhatIwearonmyneck，Isuppose？'shesaidtoCytherea'sreflectedface。

'Yes，madam，Idid，'saidCythereatoMissAldclyffe'sreflectedface。

MissAldclyffeagainlookedatCytherea'sreflectionasifshewereonthepointofexplaining。Againshecheckedherresolve，andsaidlightly——

'FewofmymaidsdiscoverthatIwearitalways。Igenerallykeepitasecret——notthatitmattersmuch。ButIwascarelesswithyou，andseemedtowanttotellyou。Youwinmetomakeconfidencesthat……'

Sheceased，tookCytherea'shandinherown，liftedthelocketwiththeother，touchedthespringanddisclosedaminiature。

'Itisahandsomeface，isitnot？'shewhisperedmournfully，andeventimidly。

'Itis。'

ButthesighthadgonethroughCytherealikeanelectricshock，andtherewasaninstantaneousawakeningofperceptioninher，sothrillinginitspresenceastobewell-nighinsupportable。Thefaceintheminiaturewasthefaceofherownfather——youngerandfresherthanshehadeverknownhim——butherfather！

Wasthisthewomanofhiswildandunquenchableearlylove？Andwasthisthewomanwhohadfiguredinthegate-man'sstoryasansweringthenameofCythereabeforeherjudgmentwasawake？Surelyitwas。

Andifso，herewasthetangibleoutcropofaromanticandhiddenstratumofthepasthithertoseenonlyinherimagination；butasfarasherscopeallowed，clearlydefinedthereinbyreasonofitsstrangeness。

MissAldclyffe'seyesandthoughtsweresointentupontheminiaturethatshehadnotbeenconsciousofCytherea'sstartofsurprise。

Shewentonspeakinginalowandabstractedtone。

'Yes，Ilosthim。'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyashortmeditation，andwentonagain。'Ilosthimbyexcessofhonestyasregardedmypast。Butitwasbestthatitshouldbeso……Iwasledtothinkrathermorethanusualofthecircumstancesto-nightbecauseofyourname。Itispronouncedthesameway，thoughdifferentlyspelt。'

TheonlymeansbywhichCytherea'ssurnamecouldhavebeenspelttoMissAldclyffemusthavebeenbyMrs。MorrisorFarmerSpringrove。

ShefanciedFarmerSpringrovewouldhavespeltitproperlyifEdwardwashisinformant，whichmadeMissAldclyffe'sremarkobscure。

Womenmakeconfidencesandthenregretthem。TheimpulsiverushoffeelingwhichhadledMissAldclyffetoindulgeinthisrevelation，triflingasitwas，diedoutimmediatelyherwordswerebeyondrecall；andtheturmoil，occasionedinherbydwellinguponthatchapterofherlife，foundventinanotherkindofemotion——theresultofatrivialaccident。

Cytherea，afterlettingdownMissAldclyffe'shair，adoptedsomeplanwithittowhichtheladyhadnotbeenaccustomed。Arapidrevulsiontoirritationensued。Themaiden'smeretouchseemedtodischargethepent-upregretoftheladyasifshehadbeenajarofelectricity。

'Howstrangelyyoutreatmyhair！'sheexclaimed。

Asilence。

'IhavetoldyouwhatInevertellmymaidsasarule；ofcourseNOTHINGthatIsayinthisroomistobementionedoutsideit。'Shespokecrosslynolessthanemphatically。

'Itshallnotbe，madam，'saidCytherea，agitatedandvexedthatthewomanofherromanticwonderingsshouldbesodisagreeabletoher。

'WhyonearthdidItellyouofmypast？'shewenton。

Cythereamadenoanswer。

Thelady'svexationwithherself，andtheaccidentwhichhadledtothedisclosureswelledlittlebylittletillitknewnobounds。Butwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthoughCythereahadshownamostwinningresponsiveness，quarrelMissAldclyffemust。SherecurredtothesubjectofCytherea'swantofexpertness，likeabitterreviewer，whofindingthesentimentsofapoetunimpeachable，quarrelswithhisrhymes。

'Never，neverbeforedidIservemyselfsuchatrickasthisinengagingamaid！'Shewaitedforanexpostulation：nonecame。

MissAldclyffetriedagain。

'Theideaofmytakingagirlwithoutaskinghermorethanthreequestions，orhavingasinglereference，allbecauseofhergoodl——

，theshapeofherfaceandbody！ItWASafool'strick。There，I

amservedright，quiteright——bybeingdeceivedinsuchaway。'

'Ididn'tdeceiveyou，'saidCytherea。Thespeechwasanunfortunateone，andwasthevery'fueltomaintainitsfires'thattheother'spetulancedesired。

'Youdid，'shesaidhotly。

'ItoldyouIcouldn'tpromisetobeacquaintedwitheverydetailofroutinejustatfirst。'

'Willyoucontradictmeinthisway！Youaretellinguntruths，I

say。'

Cytherea'slipquivered。'Iwouldanswertheremarkif——if——'

'Ifwhat？'

'Ifitwerealady's！'

'Yougirlofimpudence——whatdoyousay？Leavetheroomthisinstant，Itellyou。'

'AndItellyouthatapersonwhospeakstoaladyasyoudotome，isnoladyherself！'

'Toalady？Alady's-maidspeaksinthisway。Theidea！'

'Don't“lady's-maid“me：nobodyismymistressIwon'thaveit！'

'GoodHeavens！'

'Iwouldn'thavecome——no——Iwouldn't！ifIhadknown！'

'What？'

'Thatyouweresuchanill-tempered，unjustwoman！'

'PossestbeyondtheMuse'spainting，'MissAldclyffeexclaimed——

'AWoman，amI！I'llteachyouifIamaWoman！'andliftedherhandasifshewouldhavelikedtostrikehercompanion。Thisstungthemaidenintoabsolutedefiance。

'Idareyoutotouchme！'shecried。'Strikemeifyoudare，madam！

Iamnotafraidofyou——whatdoyoumeanbysuchanactionasthat？'

MissAldclyffewasdisconcertedatthisunexpectedshowofspirit，andashamedofherunladylikeimpulsenowitwasputintowords。

Shesankbackinthechair。'Iwasnotgoingtostrikeyou——gotoyourroom——Ibegyoutogotoyourroom！'sherepeatedinahuskywhisper。

Cytherea，redandpanting，tookuphercandlestickandadvancedtothetabletogetalight。Asshestoodclosetothemtheraysfromthecandlesstrucksharplyonherface。Sheusuallyboreamuchstrongerlikenesstohermotherthantoherfather，butnow，lookingwithagrave，reckless，andangeredexpressionofcountenanceatthekindlingwickasshehelditslantingintotheotherflame，herfather'sfeaturesweredistinctinher。ItwasthefirsttimeMissAldclyffehadseenherinapassionatemood，andwearingthatexpressionwhichwasinvariablyitsconcomitant。ItwasMissAldclyffe'sturntostartnow；andtheremarkshemadewasaninstanceofthatsuddenchangeoftonefromhigh-flowninvectivetothepettinessofcuriositywhichsooftenmakeswomen'squarrelsridiculous。EvenMissAldclyffe'sdignityhadnotsufficientpowertopostponetheabsorbingdesireshenowfelttosettlethestrangesuspicionthathadenteredherhead。

'Youspellyournamethecommonway，G，R，E，Y，don'tyou？'shesaid，withassumedindifference。

'No，'saidCytherea，poisedonthesideofherfoot，andstilllookingintotheflame。

'Yes，surely？Thenamewasspeltthatwayonyourboxes：Ilookedandsawitmyself。'

TheenigmaofMissAldclyffe'smistakewassolved。'O，wasit？'

saidCytherea。'Ah，IrememberMrs。Jackson，thelodging-housekeeperatBudmouth，labelledthem。WespellournameG，R，A，Y，E。'

'Whatwasyourfather'strade？'

Cythereathoughtitwouldbeuselesstoattempttoconcealfactsanylonger。'Hiswasnotatrade，'shesaid。'Hewasanarchitect。'

'Theideaofyourbeinganarchitect'sdaughter！'

'There'snothingtooffend，youinthat，Ihope？'

'Ono。'

'Whydidyousay“theidea“？'

'Leavethatalone。DidheevervisitinGowerStreet，Bloomsbury，oneChristmas，manyyearsago？——butyouwouldnotknowthat。'

'IhaveheardhimsaythatMr。Huntway，acuratesomewhereinthatpartofLondon，andwhodiedthere，wasanoldcollegefriendofhis。'

'WhatisyourChristianname？'

'Cytherea。'

'No！Andisitreally？AndyouknewthatfaceIshowedyou？Yes，Iseeyoudid。'MissAldclyffestopped，andclosedherlipsimpassibly。Shewasalittleagitated。

'Doyouwantmeanylonger？'saidCytherea，standingcandleinhandandlookingquietlyinMissAldclyffe'sface。

'Well——no：nolonger，'saidtheotherlingeringly。

'Withyourpermission，Iwillleavethehousetomorrowmorning，madam。'

'Ah。'MissAldclyffehadnonotionofwhatshewassaying。

'AndIknowyouwillbesogoodasnottointrudeuponmeduringtheshortremainderofmystay？'

SayingthisCytherealefttheroombeforehercompanionhadanswered。MissAldclyffe，then，hadrecognizedheratlast，andhadbeencuriousabouthernamefromthebeginning。

Theothermembersofthehouseholdhadretiredtorest。AsCythereawentalongthepassageleadingtoherroomherskirtsrustledagainstthepartition。Adooronherleftopened，andMrs。Morrislookedout。

'Iwaitedoutofbedtillyoucameup，'shesaid，'itbeingyourfirstnight，incaseyoushouldbeatalossforanything。HowhaveyougotonwithMissAldclyffe？'

'Prettywell——thoughnotsowellasIcouldhavewished。'

'Hasshebeenscolding？'

'Alittle。'

'She'saveryoddlady——'tisallonewayortheotherwithher。

She'snotbadatheart，butunbearableinclosequarters。Thoseofuswhodon'thavemuchtodowithherpersonally，stayonforyearsandyears。'

'HasMissAldclyffe'sfamilyalwaysbeenrich？'saidCytherea。

'Ono。Theproperty，withthename，camefromhermother'suncle。

HerfamilyisabranchoftheoldAldclyffefamilyonthematernalside。HermothermarriedaBradleigh——amerenobodyatthattime——

andwasonthataccountcutbyherrelations。Butverysingularlytheotherbranchofthefamilydiedoutonebyone——threeofthem，andMissAldclyffe'sgreat-unclethenleftallhisproperty，includingthisestate，toCaptainBradleighandhiswife——MissAldclyffe'sfatherandmother——onconditionthattheytooktheoldfamilynameaswell。There'sallaboutitinthe“LandedGentry。“

'Tisathingveryoftendone。'

'O，Isee。Thankyou。Well，nowIamgoing。Good-night。'

VI。THEEVENTSOFTWELVEHOURS

1。AUGUSTTHENINTH。ONETOTWOO'CLOCKA。M。

Cythereaenteredherbedroom，andflungherselfonthe，bed，bewilderedbyawhirlofthought。Onlyonesubjectwasclearinhermind，anditwasthat，inspiteoffamilydiscoveries，thatdaywastobethefirstandlastofherexperienceasalady's-maid。

Starvationitselfshouldnotcompelhertoholdsuchahumiliatingpostforanotherinstant。'Ah，'shethought，withasigh，atthemartyrdomofherlastlittlefragmentofself-conceit，'OwenknowseverythingbetterthanI。'

Shejumpedupandbeganmakingreadyforherdepartureinthemorning，thetearsstreamingdownwhenshegrievedandwonderedwhatpracticalmatteronearthshecouldturnherhandtonext。Allthesepreparationscompleted，shebegantoundress，hermindunconsciouslydriftingawaytothecontemplationofherlatesurprises。Tolookintheglassforaninstantatthereflectionofherownmagnificentresourcesinfaceandbosom，andtomarktheirattractivenessunadorned，wasperhapsbutthenaturalactionofayoungwomanwhohadsolatelybeenchiddenwhilstpassingthroughtheharassingexperienceofdecoratinganolderbeautyofMissAldclyffe'stemper。

Butshedirectlycheckedherweaknessbysympathizingreflectionsonthehiddentroubleswhichmusthavethrongedthepastyearsofthesolitarylady，tokeepher，thoughsorichandcourted，inamoodsorepellentandgloomyasthatinwhichCythereafoundher；andthentheyounggirlmarvelledagainandagain，asshehadmarvelledbefore，atthestrangeconfluenceofcircumstanceswhichhadbroughtherselfintocontactwiththeonewomanintheworldwhosehistorywassoromanticallyintertwinedwithherown。Shealmostbegantowishshewerenotobligedtogoawayandleavethelonelybeingtolonelinessstill。

Inbedandinthedark，MissAldclyffehauntedhermindmorepersistentlythanever。Insteadofsleeping，shecalledupstaringvisionsofthepossiblepastofthisqueenlylady，hermother'srival。Upthelongvistaofbygoneyearsshesaw，behindall，theyounggirl'sflirtation，littleormuch，withthecousin，thatseemedtohavebeennippedinthebud，ortohaveterminatedhastilyinsomeway。ThenthesecretmeetingsbetweenMissAldclyffeandtheotherwomanatthelittleinnatHammersmithandotherplaces：

thecommonplacenamesheadopted：herswoonatsomepainfulnews，andtheveryslightknowledgetheelderfemalehadofherpartnerinmystery。Then，morethanayearafterwards，theacquaintanceshipofherownfatherwiththishisfirstlove；theawakeningofthepassion，hisactsofdevotion，theunreasoningheatofhisrapture，hertacitacceptanceofit，andyetheruneasinessunderthedelight。Thenhisdeclarationamidtheevergreens：theutterchangeproducedinhermannerthereby，seeminglytheresultofarigiddetermination：andthetotalconcealmentofherreasonbyherselfandherparents，whateveritwas。Thenthelady'scoursedroppedintodarkness，andnothingmorewasvisibletillshewasdiscoveredhereatKnapwater，nearlyfiftyyearsold，stillunmarriedandstillbeautiful，butlonely，embittered，andhaughty。

Cythereaimaginedthatherfather'simagewasstillwarmlycherishedinMissAldclyffe'sheart，andwasthankfulthatsheherselfhadnotbeenbetrayedintoannouncingthatsheknewmanyparticularsofthispageofherfather'shistory，andthechiefone，thelady'sunaccountablerenunciationofhim。Itwouldhavemadeherbearingtowardsthemistressofthemansionmoreawkward，andwouldhavebeennobenefittoeither。

Thusconjuringupthepast，andtheorizingonthepresent，shelayrestless，changingherposturefromonesidetotheotherandbackagain。Finally，whencourtingsleepwithallherart，sheheardaclockstriketwo。Aminutelater，andshefanciedshecoulddistinguishasoftrustleinthepassageoutsideherroom。

Toburyherheadinthesheetswasherfirstimpulse；thentouncoverit，raiseherselfonherelbow，andstretchhereyeswideopeninthedarkness；herlipsbeingpartedwiththeintentnessofherlistening。Whateverthenoisewas，ithadceasedforthetime。

Itbeganagainandcameclosetoherdoor，lightlytouchingthepanels。Thentherewasanotherstillness；Cythereamadeamovementwhichcausedafaintrustlingofthebed-clothes。

Beforeshehadtimetothinkanotherthoughtalighttapwasgiven。

Cythereabreathed：thepersonoutsidewasevidentlybentuponfindingherawake，andtherustleshehadmadehadencouragedthehope。Themaiden'sphysicalconditionshiftedfromonepoletoitsopposite。Thecoldsweatofterrorforsookher，andmodestytookthealarm。Shebecamehotandred；herdoorwasnotlocked。

Adistinctwoman'swhispercametoherthroughthekeyhole：

'Cytherea！'

OnlyonebeinginthehouseknewherChristianname，andthatwasMissAldclyffe。Cythereasteppedoutofbed，wenttothedoor，andwhisperedback，'Yes？'

'Letmecomein，darling。'

Theyoungwomanpausedinaconflictbetweenjudgmentandemotion。

Itwasnowmistressandmaidnolonger；womanandwomanonly。Yes；

shemustlethercomein，poorthing。

Shegotalightinaninstant，openedthedoor，andraisinghereyesandthecandle，sawMissAldclyffestandingoutsideinherdressing-

gown。

'Nowyouseethatitisreallymyself；putoutthelight，'saidthevisitor。'Iwanttostayherewithyou，Cythie。Icametoaskyoutocomedownintomybed，butitissnuggerhere。Butrememberthatyouaremistressinthisroom，andthatIhavenobusinesshere，andthatyoumaysendmeawayifyouchoose。ShallIgo？'

'Ono；youshan'tindeedifyoudon'twantto，'saidCythiegenerously。

TheinstanttheywereinbedMissAldclyffefreedherselffromthelastremnantofrestraint。Sheflungherarmsroundtheyounggirl，andpressedhergentlytoherheart。

'Nowkissme，'shesaid。

Cytherea，uponthewhole，wasratherdiscomposedatthischangeoftreatment；and，discomposedorno，herpassionswerenotsoimpetuousasMissAldclyffe's。Shecouldnotbringhersoultoherlipsforamoment，tryhowshewould。

'Come，kissme，'repeatedMissAldclyffe。

Cythereagaveheraverysmallone，assoftintouchandinsoundastheburstingofabubble。

'Moreearnestlythanthat——come。'

Shegaveanother，alittlebutnotmuchmoreexpressively。

'Idon'tdeserveamorefeelingone，Isuppose，'saidMissAldclyffe，withanemphasisofsadbitternessinhertone。'Iamanill-temperedwoman，youthink；halfoutofmymind。Well，perhapsI

am；butIhavehadgriefmorethanyoucanthinkordreamof。ButI

can'thelplovingyou——yournameisthesameasmine——isn'titstrange？'

Cythereawasinclinedtosayno，butremainedsilent。

'Now，don'tyouthinkImustloveyou？'continuedtheother。

'Yes，'saidCythereaabsently。ShewasstillthinkingwhetherdutytoOwenandherfather，whichaskedforsilenceonherknowledgeofherfather'sunfortunatelove，ordutytothewomanembracingher，whichseemedtoaskforconfidence，oughttopredominate。Herewasasolution。ShewouldwaittillMissAldclyffereferredtoheracquaintanceshipandattachmenttoCytherea'sfatherinpasttimes：

thenshewouldtellherallsheknew：thatwouldbehonour。

'Whycan'tyoukissmeasIcankissyou？Whycan'tyou！'SheimpresseduponCytherea'slipsawarmmotherlysalute，givenasifintheoutburstofstrongfeeling，longchecked，andyearningforsomethingtoloveandbelovedbyinreturn。

'Doyouthinkbadlyofmeformybehaviourthisevening，child？I

don'tknowwhyIamsofoolishastospeaktoyouinthisway。Iamaveryfool，Ibelieve。Yes。Howoldareyou？'

'Eighteen。'

'Eighteen！……Well，whydon'tyouaskmehowoldIam？'

'BecauseIdon'twanttoknow。'

'Nevermindifyoudon't。Iamforty-six；anditgivesmegreaterpleasuretotellyouthisthanitdoestoyoutolisten。Ihavenottoldmyagetrulyforthelasttwentyyearstillnow。'

'Whyhaven'tyou？'

'Ihavemetdeceitbydeceit，tillIamwearyofit——weary，weary——

andIlongtobewhatIshallneverbeagain——artlessandinnocent，likeyou。ButIsupposethatyou，too，will，provetobenotworthathought，aseverynewfrienddoesonmoreintimateknowledge。

Come，whydon'tyoutalktome，child？Haveyousaidyourprayers？'

'Yes——no！Iforgotthemto-night。'

'Isupposeyousaythemeverynightasarule？'

'Yes。'

'Whydoyoudothat？'

'BecauseIhavealwaysdoneso，anditwouldseemstrangeifIwerenotto。Doyou？'

'I？Awickedoldsinnerlikeme！No，Ineverdo。Ihavethoughtallsuchmattershumbugforyears——thoughtsosolongthatIshouldbegladtothinkotherwisefromveryweariness；andyet，suchisthecodeofthepoliteworld，thatIsubscriberegularlytoMissionarySocietiesandothersofthesort……Well，sayyourprayers，dear——youwon'tomitthemnowyourecollectit。Ishouldliketohearyouverymuch。Willyou？'

'Itseemshardly——'

'Itwouldseemsolikeoldtimestome——whenIwasyoung，andnearer——farnearerHeaventhanIamnow。Do，sweetone，'

Cythereawasembarrassed，andherembarrassmentarosefromthefollowingconjunctureofaffairs。SinceshehadlovedEdwardSpringrove，shehadlinkedhisnamewithherbrotherOwen'sinhernightlysupplicationstotheAlmighty。Shewishedtokeepherloveforhimasecret，and，aboveall，asecretfromawomanlikeMissAldclyffe；yetherconscienceandthehonestyofherlovewouldnotforaninstantallowhertothinkofomittinghisdearname，andsoendangertheefficacyofallherpreviousprayersforhissuccessbyanunworthyshamenow：itwouldbewickedofher，shethought，andagrievouswrongtohim。Underanyworldlycircumstancesshemighthavethoughtthepositionjustifiedalittlefinesse，andhaveskippedhimforonce；butprayerwastoosolemnathingforsuchtrifling。

'Iwouldrathernotsaythem，'shemurmuredfirst。Itstruckherthenthatthisdecliningaltogetherwasthesamecowardiceinanotherdress，andwasdeliveringherpoorEdwardovertoSatanjustasunceremoniouslyasbefore。'Yes；Iwillsaymyprayers，andyoushallhearme，'sheaddedfirmly。

Sheturnedherfacetothepillowandrepeatedinlowsofttonesthesimplewordsshehadusedfromchildhoodonsuchoccasions。Owen'snamewasmentionedwithoutfaltering，butintheothercase，maidenlyshynesswastoostrongevenforreligion，andthatwhensupportedbyexcellentintentions。AtthenameofEdwardshestammered，andhervoicesanktothefaintestwhisperinspiteofher。

'Thankyou，dearest，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Ihaveprayedtoo，I

verilybelieve。Youareagoodgirl，Ithink。'Thentheexpectedquestioncame。

'“BlessOwen，“andwhom，didyousay？'

Therewasnohelpforitnow，andoutitcame。'OwenandEdward，'

saidCytherea。

'WhoareOwenandEdward？'

'Owenismybrother，madam，'falteredthemaid。

'Ah，Iremember。WhoisEdward？'

Asilence。

'Yourbrother，too？'continuedMissAldclyffe。

'No。'

MissAldclyffereflectedamoment。'Don'tyouwanttotellmewhoEdwardis？'shesaidatlast，inatoneofmeaning。

'Idon'tmindtelling；only……'

'Youwouldrathernot，Isuppose？'

'Yes。'

MissAldclyffeshiftedherground。'Wereyoueverinlove？'sheinquiredsuddenly。

Cythereawassurprisedtohearhowquicklythevoicehadalteredfromtendernesstoharshness，vexation，anddisappointment。

'Yes——IthinkIwas——once，'shemurmured。

'Aha！Andwereyoueverkissedbyaman？'

Apause。

'Well，wereyou？'saidMissAldclyffe，rathersharply。

'Don'tpressmetotell——Ican't——indeed，Iwon't，madam！'

MissAldclyfferemovedherarmsfromCytherea'sneck。''Tisnowwithyouasitisalwayswithallgirls，'shesaid，injealousandgloomyaccents。'Youarenot，afterall，theinnocentItookyoufor。No，no。'Shethenchangedhertonewithfitfulrapidity。

'Cytherea，trytolovememorethanyoulovehim——do。Iloveyoumoresincerelythananymancan。Do，Cythie：don'tletanymanstandbetweenus。O，Ican'tbearthat！'SheclaspedCytherea'sneckagain。

'ImustlovehimnowIhavebegun，'repliedtheother。

'Must——yes——must，'saidtheelderladyreproachfully。'Yes，womenareallalike。IthoughtIhadatlastfoundanartlesswomanwhohadnotbeensulliedbyaman'slips，andwhohadnotpractisedorbeenpractiseduponbytheartswhichruinallthetruthandsweetnessandgoodnessinus。Findagirl，ifyoucan，whosemouthandearshavenotbeenmadearegularhighwayofbysomemanoranother！Leavetheadmittedlynotoriousspots——thedrawing-roomsofsociety——andlookinthevillages——leavethevillagesandsearchintheschools——andyoucanhardlyfindagirlwhosehearthasnotbeenHAD——isnotanoldthinghalfwornoutbysomeHeoranother！Ifmenonlyknewthestalenessofthefreshestofus！thatninetimesoutoftenthe“firstlove“theythinktheyarewinningfromawomanisbutthehulkofanoldwreckedaffection，fittedwithnewsailsandre-used。OCytherea，canitbethatyou，too，areliketherest？'

'No，no，no，'urgedCytherea，awedbythestormshehadraisedintheimpetuouswoman'smind。'Heonlykissedmeonce——twiceImean。'

'Hemighthavedoneitathousandtimesifhehadcaredto，there'snodoubtaboutthat，whoeverhislordshipis。YouareasbadasI——

weareallalike；andI——anoldfool——havebeensippingatyourmouthasifitwerehoney，becauseIfanciednowastingloverknewthespot。Butaminuteago，andyouseemedtomelikeafreshspringmeadow——nowyouseemadustyhighway。'

'Ono，no！'Cythereawasnotweakenoughtoshedtearsexceptonextraordinaryoccasions，butshewasfaintobeginsobbingnow。ShewishedMissAldclyffewouldgotoherownroom，andleaveherandhertreasureddreamsalone。Thisvehementimperiousaffectionwasinonesensesoothing，butyetitwasnotofthekindthatCytherea'sinstinctsdesired。Thoughitwasgenerous，itseemedsomewhattoorankandcapriciousforendurance。

'Well，'saidtheladyincontinuation，'whoishe？'

Hercompanionwasdesperatelydeterminednottotellhisname：shetoomuchfearedatauntwhenMissAldclyffe'sfierymoodagainruledhertongue。

'Won'tyoutellme？nottellmeafteralltheaffectionIhaveshown？'

'Iwill，perhaps，anotherday。'

'DidyouwearahatandwhitefeatherinBudmouthfortheweekortwoprevioustoyourcominghere？'

'Yes。'

'ThenIhaveseenyouandyourloveratadistance！Herowedyouroundthebaywithyourbrother。'

'Yes。'

'Andwithoutyourbrother——fie！There，there，don'tletthatlittleheartbeatitselftodeath：throb，throb：itshakesthebed，yousillything。Ididn'tmeanthattherewasanyharmingoingalonewithhim。IonlysawyoufromtheEsplanade，incommonwiththerestofthepeople。IoftenrundowntoBudmouth。Hewasaverygoodfigure：nowwhowashe？'

'I——Iwon'ttell，madam——Icannotindeed！'

'Won'ttell——verywell，don't。Youareveryfoolishtotreasureuphisnameandimageasyoudo。Why，hehashadlovesbeforeyou，trusthimforthat，whoeverheis，andyouarebutatemporarylinkinalongchainofotherslikeyou：whoonlyhaveyourlittledayastheyhavehadtheirs。'

''Tisn'ttrue！'tisn'ttrue！'tisn'ttrue！'criedCythereainanagonyoftorture。'Hehasneverlovedanybodyelse，Iknow——Iamsurehehasn't。'

MissAldclyffewasasjealousasanymancouldhavebeen。Shecontinued——

'Heseesabeautifulfaceandthinkshewillneverforgetit，butinafewweeksthefeelingpassesoff，andhewondershowhecouldhavecaredforanybodysoabsurdlymuch。'

'No，no，hedoesn't——Whatdoeshedowhenhehasthoughtthat——Come，tellme——tellme！'

'Youareashotasfire，andthethrobbingofyourheartmakesmenervous。Ican'ttellyouifyougetinthatflusteredstate。'

'Do，dotell——O，itmakesmesomiserable！buttell——cometellme！'

'Ah——thetablesareturnednow，dear！'shecontinued，inatonewhichmingledpitywithderision——

'“Love'spassionsshallrocktheeAsthestormrockstheravensonhigh，BrightreasonwillmocktheeLikethesunfromawintrysky。“

'Whatdoeshedonext？——Why，thisiswhathedoesnext：ruminateonwhathehasheardofwomen'sromanticimpulses，andhoweasilymentorturethemwhentheyhavegivenwaytothosefeelings，andhaveresignedeverythingfortheirhero。Itmaybethatthoughhelovesyouheartilynow——thatis，asheartilyasamancan——andyoulovehiminreturn，yourlovesmaybeimpracticableandhopeless，andyoumaybeseparatedforever。You，astheweary，wearyyearspassbywillfadeandfade——brighteyesWILLfade——andyouwillperhapsthendieearly——truetohimtoyourlatestbreath，andbelievinghimtobetruetothelatestbreathalso；whilsthe，insomegayandbusyspotfarawayfromyourlastquietnook，willhavemarriedsomedashinglady，andnotpurelyobliviousofyou，willlonghaveceasedtoregretyou——willchataboutyou，asyouwereinlongpastyears——

willsay，“Ah，littleCythereausedtotieherhairlikethat——poorinnocenttrustingthing；itwasapleasantuselessidledream——thatdreamofmineforthemaidwiththebrighteyesandsimple，sillyheart；butIwasafoolishladatthattime。“ThenhewilltellthetaleofallyourlittleWillsandWont'sandparticularways，andashespeaks，turntohiswifewithaplacidsmile。'

'Itisnottrue！Hecan't，hec-can'tbes-socruel——andyouarecrueltome——youare，youare！'Shewasatlastdriventodesperation：hernaturalcommonsenseandshrewdnesshadseenallthroughthepiecehowimaginaryheremotionswere——shefeltherselftobeweakandfoolishinpermittingthemtorise；buteventhenshecouldnotcontrolthem：beagonizedshemust。Shewasonlyeighteen，andthelongday'slabour，herweariness，herexcitement，hadcompletelyunnervedher，andwornherout：shewasbenthitherandthitherbythistyrannicalworkinguponherimagination，asayoungrushinthewind。Sheweptbitterly。'AndnowthinkhowmuchIlikeyou，'resumedMissAldclyffe，whenCythereagrewcalmer。'I

shallneverforgetyouforanybodyelse，asmendo——never。Iwillbeexactlyasamothertoyou。Nowwillyoupromisetolivewithmealways，andalwaysbetakencareof，andneverdeserted？'

'Icannot。Iwillnotbeanybody'smaidforanotherdayonanyconsideration。'

'No，no，no。Youshan'tbealady's-maid。Youshallbemycompanion。Iwillgetanothermaid。'

Companion——thatwasanewidea。Cythereacouldnotresisttheevidentlyheartfeltdesireofthestrange-temperedwomanforherpresence。Butshecouldnottrusttothemoment'simpulse。

'Iwillstay，Ithink。Butdonotaskforafinalanswerto-night。'

'Nevermindnow，then。Putyourhairroundyourmamma'sneck，andgivemeonegoodlongkiss，andIwon'ttalkanymoreinthatwayaboutyourlover。Afterall，someyoungmenarenotsofickleasothers；butevenifhe'stheficklest，thereisconsolation。Theloveofaninconstantmanistentimesmoreardentthanthatofafaithfulman——thatis，whileitlasts。'

Cythereadidasshewastold，toescapethepunishmentoffurthertalk；flungthetwiningtressesofherlong，richhairoverMissAldclyffe'sshouldersasdirected，andthetwoceasedconversing，makingthemselvesupforsleep。MissAldclyffeseemedtogiveherselfovertoaluxurioussenseofcontentandquiet，asifthemaidenathersideaffordedheraprotectionagainstdangerswhichhadmenacedherforyears；shewassoonsleepingcalmly。

2。TWOTOFIVEA。M。

WithCythereaitwasotherwise。Unusedtotheplaceandcircumstances，shecontinuedwakeful，illatease，andmentallydistressed。Shewithdrewherselffromhercompanion'sembrace，turnedtotheotherside，andendeavouredtorelieveherbusybrainbylookingatthewindow-blind，andnoticingthelightoftherisingmoon——nowinherlastquarter——creeprounduponit：itwasthelightofanoldwaningmoonwhichhadbutafewdayslongertolive。

Thesightledhertothinkagainofwhathadhappenedundertheraysofthesamemonth'smoon，alittlebeforeitsfull，theecstaticeveningscenewithEdward：thekiss，andtheshortnessofthosehappymoments——maidenimaginationbringingabouttheapotheosisofastatusquowhichhadhadseveralunpleasantnessesinitsearthlyreality。

Butsoundswereintheascendantthatnight。Herearsbecameawareofastrangeandgloomymurmur。

Sherecognizedit：itwasthegushingofthewaterfall，faintandlow，broughtfromitssourcetotheunwonteddistanceoftheHousebyafaintbreezewhichmadeitdistinctandrecognizablebyreasonoftheutterabsenceofalldisturbingsounds。Thegroom'smelancholyrepresentationlenttothesoundamoredismaleffectthanitwouldhavehadofitsownnature。Shebegantofancywhatthewaterfallmustbelikeatthathour，underthetreesintheghostlymoonlight。Blackatthehead，andoverthesurfaceofthedeepcoldholeintowhichitfell；whiteandfrothyatthefall；

blackandwhite，likeapallanditsborder；sadeverywhere。

Shewasinthemoodforsoundsofeverykindnow，andstrainedherearstocatchthefaintest，inwaywardenmitytoherquietofmind。

Anothersooncame。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读