Mrs。Roylake——inanexquisitemorningdress;withhersmileinperfectorder——informedmethatshewasdyingwithcuriosity。Shehadheard，fromtheservants，thatIhadnotreturnedtothehouseuntilpastteno’clockonthepreviousnight;andshewasabsolutelybewilderedbythediscovery。WhatcouldherdearGerardhavebeendoing，outinthedarkbyhimself，forallthattime？
"Forsomepartofthetime，"Ianswered，"IwascatchingmothsinFordwitchWood。"
"Whatanextraordinaryoccupationforayoungman！Well？Andwhatdidyoudoafterthat？"
"Iwalkedonthroughthewood，andrenewedmyoldassociationswiththeriverandthemill。"
Mrs。Roylake’sfascinatingsmiledisappearedwhenImentionedthemill。
Shesuddenlybecameacoldlady——Imightevensayastifflady。
"Ican’tcongratulateyouonthefirstvisityouhavepaidinourneighborhood，"shesaid。"Ofcoursethatboldgirlcontrivedtoattractyournotice？"
IrepliedthatIhadmetwiththe"boldgirl"purelybyaccident，onhersideaswellasonmine;andthenIstartedanewtopic。"Wasitapleasantdinner-partylastnight？"Iasked——asifthesubjectreallyinterestedme。IhadnotbeenquitefourandtwentyhoursinEnglandyet，andIwasbecomingahumbugalready。
Mystepmotherwashercharmingselfagainthemomentmyquestionhadpassedmylips。Society——provideditwasnotsocietyatthemill——wasalwaysattractiveasatopicofconversation。"Yourabsencewastheonlydrawback，"sheanswered。"Ihaveaskedthetwoladies（mylordhasanengagement）todinehereto-day，withoutceremony。Theyaremostanxioustomeetyou。MydearGerard！youlooksurprised。Surelyyouknowwhotheladiesare？"
Iwasobligedtoacknowledgemyignorance。
Mrs。Roylakewasshocked。"Atanyrate，"sheresumed，"youhaveheardoftheirfather，LordUppercliff？"
Imadeanothershamefulconfession。EitherIhadforgottenLordUppercliff，duringmylongabsenceabroad，orIhadneverheardofhim。
Mrs。Roylakewasdisgusted。"Andthisisaforeigneducation！"sheexclaimed。"ThankHeaven，youhavereturnedtoyourowncountry！Wewilldriveoutafterluncheon，andpayaroundofvisits。"Whenthisprospectwasplacedbeforeme，Irememberedhavingreadinbooksofsensitivepersonsreceivingimpressionswhichmadetheirbloodruncold;Inowfoundmyselfoneofthosepersons，forthefirsttimeinmylife。"Inthemeanwhile，"Mrs。Roylakecontinued，"Imusttellyou——excusemeforlaughing;itseemssoveryabsurdthatyoushouldnotknowwhoLordUppercliff’sdaughtersare——ImusttellyouthatLadyRachelistheeldest。SheismarriedtotheHonorableCaptainMillbay，oftheNavy，nowawayinhisship。Apersonofextraordinarystrengthofmind（Idon’tmeantheCaptain;ImeanLadyRachel）;Iadmireherintellect，butherpoliticalandsocialopinionsImustalwaysviewwithregret。Heryoungersister，LadyLena——notmarried，Gerard;rememberthat！——issimplythemostcharminggirlinEngland。Ifyoudon’tfallinlovewithher，youwillbetheonlyyoungmaninthecountywhohasresistedLadyLena。PoorSirGeorge——sherefusedhimlastweek;youreally_must_haveheardofSirGeorge;ourmemberofparliament;conservativeofcourse;quitebroken-heartedaboutLadyLena;goneawaytoAmericatoshootbears。Youseemtoberestless。Whatareyoufidgetingabout？Ah，Iknow！Youwanttosmokeafterbreakfast。Well，Iwon’tbeinyourway。Gooutontheterrace;yourpoorfatheralwaystookhiscigarontheterrace。Theysaysmokingleadstomeditation;IleaveyoutomeditateonLadyLena。Don’tforget——luncheonatoneo’clock，andthecarriageattwo。"
Shesmiled，andkissedherhand，andflutteredoutoftheroom。Charming;
perfectlycharming。AndyetIwasungratefulenoughtowishmyselfbackinGermanyagain。
Ilitmycigar，butnotontheterrace。Leavingthehouse，ItookthewayoncemorethatledtoFordwitchWood。WhatwouldMrs。Roylakehavesaid，ifshehaddiscoveredthatIwasgoingbacktothemill？Therewasnootheralternative。Theportfoliowasatrustconfidedtome;thesoonerI
returnedittothewriteroftheconfession——thesoonerItoldhimplainlytheconclusionatwhichIhadarrived——themoreateasemymindwouldbe。
Thesluggishriverlookedmuddierthanever，thenewcottagelookeduglierthanever，exposedtothesearchingordealofsunlight。Iknockedatthedoorontheancientsideofthebuilding。
Cristel’sfather——shallIconfessIhadhopedthatitmightbeCristelherself？——letmein。Inby-gonedays，Idimlyrememberedhimasoldandsmallandwithered。Advancingyearshadwastedhimaway，intheinterval，untilhiswhitemiller’sclotheshungabouthiminemptyfolds。Hisfleshlessfacewouldhavelookedlikethefaceofamummy，butfortherestlessbrightnessofhislittlewatchfulblackeyes。Hestaredatmeinmomentaryperplexity，and，suddenlyrecoveringhimself，askedmetowalkin。
"Areyoutheyoungmaster，sir？Ah，yes，yes;Ithoughtso。MygirlCristysaidshesawtheyoungmasterlastnight。Thankyoukindly，sir;
I’mprettywell，consideringhowI’vefallenawayinmyflesh。Ihavegotafineappetite，butsomehoworother，mymealsdon’tshowonme。Youwillexcusemyreceivingyouinthekitchen，sir;it’sthebestroomwehave。DidCristytellyouhowbadlyweareoffhereforrepairs？Youbeingourlandlord，welooktoyoutohelpus。Wearefallingtopieces，asitwere，onthisoldsideofthehouse。There’sfirstdrains————"
Heproceededtoreckonuptherepairs，countingwithhisfleshlessthumbonhisskinnyfingers，whenhewasinterruptedbyacurioussuccessionofsoundswhichbeganwithwhining，andendedwithscratchingatthecottagedoor。
Inaminuteafter，thedoorwasopenedfromwithout。Abrowndog，ofthecompanionableretrieverbreed，raninandfawneduponoldToller。Cristelfollowed（fromthekitchengarden），withabasketofvegetablesonherarm。Unliketheriverandthecottage，shegainedbybeingrevealedinthebrilliantsunlight。Inowsaw，intheirfullbeauty，thelusterofherbrowneyes，thewarmrosinessofherdarkcomplexion，thedelightfulvivacityofexpressionwhichwasthecrowningcharmofherface。Shepausedconfusedlyinthedoorway，andtriedtoresistmewhenIinsistedonrelievingherofthebasket。
"Mr。Gerard，"sheprotested，"youaretreatingmeasifIwasayounglady。Whatwouldtheysayatthegreathouse，iftheyknewyouhaddonethat？"
Myanswerwouldnodoubthaveassumedtheformofafoolishcompliment，ifherfatherhadnotsparedherthatinfliction。Hereturnedtotheall-importantquestion，thequestionofrepairs。
"Yousee，sir，it’snousespeakingtothebailiff。Savingyourpresence，he’samiserwithhismaster’smoney。Hesays，’Allright，’andhedoesnothing。There’sfirst，asItoldyoujustnow，thetrulydreadfulstateofthedrains————"
Itriedtostophimbypromisingtospeaktothebailiffmyself。Onhearingthisgoodnews，Mr。Toller’sgratitudebecameungovernable：hewasmoreeagerthanever，andmoreeloquentthanever，inreturningtotherepairs。
"Andthen，sir，there’stheoven。Theydocallbreadthestaffoflife。
It’saburntstaffatonetime，andaclammystaffatanother，inourdomesticexperience。Satisfyyourself，sir;dopleasecrossthekitchenandlookwithyourowneyesatthestate，thescandalousstate，oftheoven。"
Hisdaughterinterfered，andstoppedhimatthecriticalmomentwhenhewasactuallyofferinghisarmtoconductmeinstateacrossthekitchen。
Cristelhadjustputherprettybrownhandoverhismouth，andsaid，"Oh，father，dopraybequiet！"whenwewereallthreedisturbedbyanotherinterruption。
Aseconddoorcommunicating，asIconcludedfromitsposition，withthenewcottage，wassuddenlyopened。Intheinstantbeforethepersonbehinditappeared，thedoglookedthatway——startedup。frightened——andtookrefugeunderthetable。Atthenextmoment，thedeafLodgerwalkedintotheroom。Itwashebeyondalldoubtwhohadfrightenedthedog，forewarnedbyinstinctofhisappearance。
WhatIhadreadofhiswritingdisposedme，nowthatIsawthemanbydaylight，tofindsomethingdevilishintheexpressionofhisface。No！
strongasitwas，myprejudicefailedtomakeanydiscoveriesthatpresentedhimatadisadvantage。Hispersonalattractionstriumphedintheclearsearchinglight。Inowperceivedthathiseyeswereofthatdeeplydarkblue，whichiscommonlyandfalselydescribedasresemblingthecoloroftheviolet。Tomythinking，theyweresoentirelybeautifulthattheyhadnorighttobeinaman’sface。Imighthavefeltthesameobjectiontothepaledelicacyofhiscomplexion，tothesoftprofusionofhisreddish-brownhair，tohisfinelyshapedsensitivelips，butfortwomarkedpeculiaritiesinhimwhichwouldhaveshownmetobewrong——thatistosay：theexpressionofpowerabouthishead，andthesignsofmasculineresolutionpresentedbyhismouthandchin。
Onenteringtheroom，thefirstperson，andtheonlyperson，whoattractedhisattentionwasCristel。
Hebowed，smiled，possessedhimselfabruptlyofherhand，andkissedit。
Shetriedtowithdrawitfromhisgrasp，andmetwithanobstinateresistance。Hisgallantryaddressedherinsweetwords;andhisvoicedestroyedtheircharmbythedrearymonotonyofthetoneinwhichhespoke。"Onthislovelyday，Cristel，Naturepleadsforme。Yourheartfeelsthesunshineandsoftenstowardsthepoordeafmanwhoworshipsyou。Ah，mydear，it’suselesstosayNo。Myafflictionismyhappiness，whenyousaycruelthingstome。Iliveinmyfool’sparadise;Idon’thearyou。"Hetriedtodrawhernearertohim。"Come，myangel;letmekissyou。"
Shemadeasecondattempttoreleaseherself;andthistime，shewrenchedherhandoutofhisgraspwithastrengthforwhichhewasnotprepared。
Thatfiercestangerwhichturnsthefacepale，wastheangerthathadpossessionofCristelasshetookrefugewithherfather。"Youaskedmetobearwiththatman，"shesaid，"becausehepaidyouagoodrent。I
tellyouthis，father;mypatienceiscomingtoanend。Eitherhemustgo，orImustgo。Makeupyourmindtochoosebetweenyourmoneyandme。"
OldTollerastonishedme。Heseemedtohavecaughttheinfectionofhisdaughter’sanger。PlacedbetweenCristelandhismoney，hereallyactedasifhepreferredCristel。Hehobbleduptohislodger，andshookhisinfirmfists，andscreamedatthehighestpitchofhisoldcrackedvoice：
"Letherbe，orIwon’thaveyouherenolonger！Youdeafadder，letherbe！"
Thesensitivenervesofthedeafmanshrankasthoseshrilltonespiercedthem。"Ifyouwanttospeaktome，writeit！"hesaid，withrageandsufferingineverylineofhisface。Hetorefromhispockethislittlebook，filledwithblankleaves，andthrewitatToller’shead。"Write，"
herepeated。"Ifyoumurdermewithyourscreechingagain，lookoutforyourskinnythroat——I’llthrottleyou。"
Cristelpickedupthebook。Shewasgratefullysensibleofherfather’sinterference。"Heshallknowwhatyousaidtohim，"shepromisedtheoldman。"I’llwriteitmyself。"
Shetookthepencilfromitssheathintheleatherbindingofthebook。
Controllinghimself，theloverwhomshehatedadvancedtowardsherwithapersuasivesmile。
"Haveyouforgivenme？"heasked。"Haveyoubeenspeakingkindlyofme？I
thinkIseeitinyourface。Therearesomedeafpeoplewhocantellwhatissaidbylookingatthespeaker’slips。Iamtoostupid，ortooimpatient，ortoowickedtobeabletodothat。Writeitforme，dear，andmakemehappyfortheday。"
Cristelwasnotattendingtohim，shewasspeakingtome。"Ihope，sir，youdon’tthinkthatfatherandIaretoblameforwhathashappenedthismorning，"shesaid。Helookedwhereshewaslooking——anddiscovered，forthefirsttime，thatIwasintheroom。
Hehadalludedtohiswickednessamomentsince。Whenhisfaceturnedmyway，Ithoughtitborewitnesstohisknowledgeofhisowncharacter。
"Whydidn’tyoucometomysideofthehouse？"hesaidtome。"WhatamI
tounderstand，sir，byseeingyouhere？"
Cristeldroppedhisbookonthetable，andhurriedtomeinbreathlesssurprise。"Hespeaksasifheknewyou！"shecried。"Whatdoesitmean？"
"OnlythatImethimlastnight，"Iexplained，"afterleavingyou。"
"Didyouknowhimbeforethat？"
"No。Hewasaperfectstrangertome。"
Hepickeduphisbookfromthetable，andtookhispenciloutofCristel’shand，whilewewerespeaking。"Iwantmyanswer，"hesaid，handingmethebookandthepencil。Igavehimhisanswer。
"Youfindmehere，becauseIdon’twishtoreturntoyoursideofthehouse。"
"Isthattheimpression，"heasked，"producedbywhatIallowedyoutoread？"
Irepliedbyasignintheaffirmative。HeinquirednextifIhadbroughthisportfoliowithme。Iputitatonceintohishand。
Insomewayunknowntome，Ihadapparentlyrousedhissuspicions。Heopenedtheportfolio，andcountedthelooseleavesofwritinginitcarefully。Whilehewasabsorbedinthisoccupation，oldToller’seccentricityassumedanewform。Hislittlerestlessblackeyesfollowedthemovementsofhislodger’sfingers，astheyturnedoverleafafterleafofthemanuscript，withsucheagercuriosityandinterestthatI
lookedathiminsurprise。Findingthathehadattractedmynotice，heshowednosignsofembarrassment——heseizedtheopportunityofaskingforinformation。
"Didmygentlemantrustyou，sir，withallthatwriting？"hebegan。
"Yes。"
"Didhewantyoutoreadit？"
"Hedid。"
"What’sitallabout，sir？"
Confrontedbythiscoolinquiry，IinformedMr。Tollerthatthedemandsofcuriosityhadtheirlimits，andthathehadreachedthem。Onthisground，Ideclinedtoansweranymorequestions。Mr。Tollerwentonwithhisquestionsimmediately。
"Doyounotice，sir，thatheseemstosetadealofstorebyhiswritings？Perhapsyoucansaywhatthevalueofthemmaybe？"
Ishookmyhead。"Itwon’tdo，Mr。Toller！"
Hetriedagain——Ideclareitpositively，hetriedagain。"You’llexcuseme，sir？I’veneverseenhisportfoliobefore。AmIrightifIthinkyouknowwherehekeepsit？"
"Spareyourbreath，Mr。Toller。Oncemore，itwon’tdo！"
Cristeljoinedus，amazedathispertinacity。"Whyareyousoanxious，father，toknowaboutthatportfolio？"sheasked。
Herfatherseemedtohavereasonsofhisownforfollowingmyexampleanddecliningtoanswerquestions。Morepolite，however，thanIhadbeen，helefthisresolutiontobeinferred。Hisdaughterwasansweredbyafewgeneralremarks，settingforththeadvantagetothelandlordofhavingalodgerwhohadlostoneofsenses。
"Youseethere’ssomethingconvenient，mydear，inthecircumstanceofthatnice-lookinggentlemanovertherebeingdeaf。Wecantalkabouthimbeforehisface，justascomfortablyasifitwasbehindhisback。Isn’tthatso，Mr。Gerard？Don’tyouseeityourself，Cristy？Forinstance，I
sayitwithoutfearinhispresence：’tistheactofafooltobefumblingoverwritings，whenthere’snothinginthemthat’snotwellknowntohimselfalready——unlessindeedtheyareworthmoney，whichI
don’tdoubtisnosecretto_you，_Mr。Gerard？Eh？Ibegyourpardon，sir，didyouspeak？No？Ibegyourpardonagain。Yes，yes，Cristy，I’mnoticinghim;he’sdonewithhiswritings。SupposeIoffertoputthemawayforhim？Youcanseeinhisfacehefindsthetaleofthemcorrect。
He’scomingthisway。What’shegoingtodonext？"
Hewasgoingtoestablishaclaimonmygratitude，byrelievingmeofGilesToller。
"IhavesomethingtosaytoMr。Roylake，"heannounced，withahaughtylookathislandlord。"Mind！Idon’tforgetyourscreamingatmejustnow，andIintendtoknowwhatyoumeantbyit。Thatwilldo。Getoutoftheway。"
Theoldfellowreceivedhisdismissalwithalowbow，andleftthekitchenwithalookattheLodgerwhichrevealed（unlessIwasentirelymistaken）aslysenseoftriumph。Whatdiditmean？
Thedeafmanaddressedmewithacoldanddistantmanner。"Wemustunderstandeachother，"hesaid。"Willyoufollowmetomysideofthecottage？"Ishookmyhead。"Verywell，"heresumed;"wewillhaveitout，here。WhenItrustedyouwithmyconfessionlastnight，Ileftyoutodecide（afterreadingit）whetheryouwouldmakeanenemyofmeornot。
Yourememberthat？"Inoddedmyhead。"ThenInowaskyou，Mr。Roylake：
Whicharewe——enemiesorfriends？"
Itookthepencil，andwrotemyreply：
"Neitherenemiesnorfriends。Wearestrangersfromthistimeforth。"
Someinternalstruggleproducedachangeinhisface——visibleforonemoment，hiddenfrommeinamomentmore。"Ithinkyouwillregretthedecisionatwhichyouhavearrived。"Hesaidthat，andsalutedmewithhisgrandlygraciousbow。Asheturnedaway，heperceivedCristelattheotherendoftheroom，andeagerlyjoinedher。
"TheonlyhappymomentsIhavearemymomentspassedinyourpresence，"
hesaid。"Ishalltroubleyounomoreforto-day。Givemealittlecomforttotakebackwithmetomysolitude。Ididn’tnoticethattherewereotherpersonspresentwhenIaskedleavetokissyou。MayIhopethatyouforgiveme？"
Heheldouthishand;itwasnottaken。Hewaitedalittle，inthevainhopethatshewouldrelent：sheturnedawayfromhim。
Aspasmofpaindistortedhishandsomeface。Heopenedthedoorthatledtohissideofthecottage——paused——andlookedbackatCristel。Shetooknonoticeofhim。Ashemovedagaintothedoorandleftus，thehystericalpassioninhimforceditswayoutward——heburstintotears。
Thedogsprangupfromhisrefugeunderthetable，andshookhimselfjoyfully。Cristelbreathedagainfreely，andjoinedmeatmyendoftheroom。ShallImakeanotheracknowledgmentofweakness？Ibegantofearthatwemightallofus（evenincludingthedog！）havebeenalittlehardonthepoordeafwretchwhohadgoneawayinsuchbitterdistress。I
communicatedthisviewofthemattertoCristel。ShefailedtoseeitasIdid。
Thedoglaidhisheadonherlap，askingtobecaressed。Shepattedhimwhilesheansweredme。
"Iagreewiththisoldfriend，Mr。Gerard。Wewerebothofusfrightened，ontheveryfirstday，whenthepersonyouarepityingcametolodgewithus。Ihavegottohatehim，sincethattime——perhapstodespisehim。Butthedoghasneverchanged;hefeelsandknowsthereissomethingdreadfulinthatman。Oneofthesedays，poorPontomayturnouttoberight。——MayIaskyousomething，sir？"
"Ofcourse！"
"Youwon’tthinkIampresumingonyourkindness？"
"Yououghttoknowmebetterthanthat，Cristel！"
"Thetruthis，sir，IhavebeenalittlestartledbywhatIsawinourlodger’sface，whenheaskedifyouwerehisenemyorhisfriend。Iknowheisthoughttobehandsome——but，Mr。Gerard，thosebeautifuleyesofhissometimestelltales;andIhaveseenhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorthatturnedhimintoanuglyman。Willyoutellmewhatyouwrotewhenyouansweredhim？"
IrepeatedwhatIhadwritten，wordforword。Itfailedtosatisfyher。
"Heisveryvain，"shesaid，"andyoumayhavewoundedhisvanitybytreatinghimlikeastranger，afterhehadgivenyouhiswritingstoread，andinvitedyoutohisroom。ButIthoughtIsawsomethingmuchworsethanmortificationinhisface。ShallIbetakingaliberty，ifI
askhowitwasyougotacquaintedwithhimlastnight？"
Shewasevidentlyinearnest。IsawthatImustanswerherwithoutreserve;andIwasalittleafraidofbeingmyselfopentoasuspicionofvanity，ifImentionedthedistrustwhichIhadinnocentlyexcitedinthemindofmynewacquaintance。InthisstateofembarrassmentItookayoungman’swayoutofthedifficulty，andspokelightlyofaseriousthing。
"IbecameacquaintedwithyourdeafLodger，Cristel，underridiculouscircumstances。Hesawustalkinglastnight，anddidmethehonortobejealousofme。"
Ihadexpectedtoseeherblush。Tomysurprisesheturnedpale，andvehementlyremonstrated。
"Don’tlaugh，sir！There’snothingtobeamusedatinwhatyouhavejusttoldme。Youdidn’tgointohisroomlastnight？Oh，whatmadeyoudothat！"
Idescribedhissuccessfulappealtomycompassion——notverywillingly，foritmademelook（asIthought）likeaweakperson。Littlebylittle，sheextractedfrommetherest：howheobjectedtofindayoungman，especiallyinmysocialposition，talkingtoCristel;howheinsistedonmyrespectinghisclaims，andengagingnottoseeheragain;how，whenI
refusedtodothis，hegavemehisconfessiontoread，sothatImightfindoutwhataformidablemanIwassettingatdefiance;howIhadnotbeenintheleastalarmed，andhadtreatedhim（asCristelhadjustheard）onthefootingofaperfectstranger。
"There’sthewholestory，"Iconcluded。"Likeasceneinaplay，isn’tit？"
SheprotestedoncemoreagainstthelighttonethatIpersistedinassuming。
"Itellyouagain，sir，thisisnolaughingmatter。Youhaverousedhisjealousy。Youhadbetterhaverousedthefuryofawildbeast。Knowingwhatyouknowofhim，whydidyoustayhere，whenhecamein？And，oh，whydidIhumiliatehiminyourpresence？Leaveus，Mr。Gerard——pray，prayleaveus，anddon’tcomenearthisplaceagaintillfatherhasgotridofhim。"
DidshethinkIwastobesoeasilyfrightenedasthat？Mysenseofmyownimportancewasupinarmsatthebaresuspicionofit！
"Mydearchild，"Isaidgrandly，"doyoureallysupposeIamafraidofthatpoorwretch？AmItogiveupthepleasureofseeingyou，becauseamadfellowissimpleenoughtothinkyouwillmarryhim？Absurd，Cristel——absurd！"
Thepoorgirlwrungherhandsindespair。
"Oh，sir，don’tdistressmebytalkinginthatway！Dopleaserememberwhoyouare，andwhoIam。IfIwasthemiserablemeansofyourcomingtoanyharm——Ican’tbeareventospeakofit！Praydon’tthinkmebold;I
don’tknowhowtoexpressmyself。Yououghtnevertohavecomehere;yououghttogo;you_must_go！"
Drivenbystrongimpulse，sherantotheplaceinwhichIhadleftmyhat，andbroughtittome，andopenedthedoorwithalookofentreatywhichitwasimpossibletoresist。Itwouldhavebeenanactofdownrightcrueltytopersistinopposingher。"Iwouldn’tdistressyou，Cristel，forthewholeworld，"Isaid——andlefthertoconcludethatIhadfelttheinfluenceofherentreatiesintherightway。Shetriedtothankme;
thetearsroseinhereyes——shesignedtometoleaveher，poorsoul，asifshefeltashamedofherself。Iwasshocked;Iwasgrieved;Iwasmorethaneversecretlyresolvedtogobacktoher。Whenwesaidgood-bye——I
havebeentoldthatIdidwrong;Imeantnoharm——Ikissedher。
Havingtraversedtheshortdistancebetweenthecottageandthewood，I
rememberedthatIhadleftmywalking-stickbehindme，andreturnedtogetit。
Cristelwasleavingthekitchen;IsawheratthedoorwhichcommunicatedwiththeLodger’ssideofthecottage。Herbackwasturnedtowardsme;
astonishmentheldmesilent。Sheopenedthedoor，passedthroughit，andcloseditbehindher。
Goingtothatman，aftershehadrepelledhisadvances，inmypresence！
Goingtotheenemyagainstwhomshehadwarnedme，afterIhadfirstbeenpersuadedtoleaveher！Angrythoughtsthese——andsurelythoughtsunworthyofme？IfithadbeenthecaseofanothermanIshouldhavesaidhewasjealous。Jealousofthemiller’sdaughter——inmyposition？Absurd！
contemptible！ButIwasstillinsuchaviletemperthatIdeterminedtoletCristelknowshehadbeendiscovered。Takingoneofmyvisitingcards，Iwroteonit："Icamebackformystick，andsawyougotohim。"
AfterIhadpinnedthisspitefullittlemessagetothedoor，sothatshemightseeitwhenshereturned，Isufferedadisappointment。IwasnothalfsowellsatisfiedwithmyselfasIhadanticipated。
CHAPTERVII
THEBESTSOCIETY
Leavingthecottageforthesecondtime，Iwasmetatthedoorbyafatmanofsolemnappearancedressedinblack，whorespectfullytouchedhishat。Myangryhumoracknowledgedtheharmlessstranger’ssalutebyarudeinquiry："Whatthedevildoyouwant？"Insteadofresentingthisuncivillanguage，heindirectlyreprovedmebybecomingmorerespectfulthanever。
"Mymistressdesiresmetotellyou，sir，thatluncheoniswaiting。"I
wasinthepresenceofathoroughbredEnglishservant——andIhadfailedtodiscoverituntilhespokeofhismistress！Ihadalso，bykeepingluncheonwaiting，treatedanEnglishinstitutionwithcontempt。And，worseeventhanthis，asamisfortunewhichpersonallyaffectedme，mystepmotherevidentlyknewthatIhadpaidanothervisittothemill。
Ihurriedalongthewoodlandpath，followedbythefatdomesticinblack。
Notusedapparentlytoforcehislegsintorapidmotion，hearticulatedwiththegreatestdifficultyinansweringmynextquestion："Howdidyouknowwheretofindme？"
"Mrs。Roylakeorderedinquiriestobemade，sir。Theheadgardener——"
Therehissmallreservesofbreathfailedhim。
"Theheadgardenersawme？"
"Yes，sir。"
"When？"
"Hoursago，sir——whenyouwentintoToller’scottage。"
Itroubledmyfatfriendwithnomorequestions。
Returningtothehouse，andmakingpoliteapologies，IdiscoveredonemoreamongMrs。Roylake’smanyaccomplishments。Shepossessedtwosmiles——asugarysmile（withwhichIwasalreadyacquainted），andanacidsmilewhichsheapparentlyreservedforspecialoccasions。ItmadeitsappearancewhenIledhertotheluncheontable。
"Don’tletmedetainyou，"mystepmotherbegan。
"Won’tyougivemesomeluncheon？"Iinquired。
"Dearme！hav’n’tyoulunchedalready？"
"WhereshouldIlunch，mydearlady？"Ithoughtthiswouldinducethesugarysmiletoshowitself。Iwaswrong。
"Where？"Mrs。Roylakerepeated。"Withyourfriendsatthemillofcourse。
Veryinhospitablenottoofferyoulunch。Whenarewetohaveflourcheaper？"
Ibegantogetsulky。AllIsaidwas："Idon’tknow。"
"Curious！"Mrs。Roylakeobserved。"Younotonlydon’tgetluncheonamongyourfriends：youdon’tevengetinformation。Toknowamiller，andnottoknowthepriceofflour，isignorancepresentedinoneofitsmostpitiableaspects。AndhowisMissTollerlooking？Perfectlycharming？"
Iwasangrybythistime。"Youhaveexactlydescribedher，"Isaid。Mrs。
Roylakebegantogetangry，onherside。
"Surelyalittlecoarseandvulgar？"shesuggested，revertingtopoorCristel。
"Wouldyouliketojudgeforyourself？"Iasked。"Ishallbehappy，Mrs。
Roylake，totakeyoutothemill。"
Mystepmother’sknowledgeoftheworldimpliedconsiderableacquaintance——howobtainedIdonotpretendtoknow——withthecharactersofmen。Discoveringthatshewasindangerofoversteppingthelimitsofmypatience，shedrewbackwithaskillwhichperformedtheretrogrademovementwithoutpermittingittobetrayitself。
"Wehavecarriedourlittlejoke，mydearGerard，farenough，"shesaid。
"IfancyyourresidenceinGermanyhasratherbluntedyournativeEnglishsenseofhumor。Youdon’tsuppose，Ihopeandtrust，thatIamsoinsensibletoourrelativepositionsastothinkofinterferinginyourchoiceoffriendsorassociates。Ifyouarenotawareofitalready，letmeremindyouthatthishouseisnowyours;notmine。Ilivehere——gladlylivehere，mydearboy——byyourindulgence;fortified（Iamsure）byyourregardforyourexcellentfather’swishesasexpressedinhiswill——"
Istoppedherthere。ShehadgotthebetterofmewithadexteritywhichIseenow，butwhichIwasnotcleverenoughtoappreciateattime。Inaburstofgenerosity，IentreatedhertoconsiderTrimleyDeenasherhouse，andnevertomentionsuchashockingsubjectasmyauthorityagain。
Afterthis，needIsaythatthemostamiableofwomentookmeoutinhercarriage，andintroducedmetosomeofthebestsocietyinEngland？
IfIcouldonlyrememberallthenewfriendstowhomImademybow，aswellastheconversationinwhichweindulged，Imightwriteafewpageshere，interestinginahighdegreetopersonswithwell-balancedminds。
Unhappily，sofarasmyownimpressionswereconcerned，thebestsocietyprovedtobealwaysthesamesociety。Everyhousethatweenteredwasinthesamebeautifulorder;everymistressofthehousewasdressedinthebesttaste;everymasterofthehousehadthesamesensibleremarkstomakeonconservativeprospectsatthecomingelection;everyyounggentlemanwantedtoknowhowmygamepreserveshadbeenlookedafterinmyabsence;everyyoungladysaid："Howniceitmusthavebeen，Mr。
Roylake，tofindyourselfagainatTrimleyDeen。"HasanybodyeversufferedasIsuffered，duringthatroundofvisits，underthedesiretoyawnandtheefforttosuppressit？Isthereanysympatheticsoulwhocanunderstandme，whenIsaythatIwouldhavegivenahundredpoundsforagag，andfortheprivilegeofusingittostopmystepmother’spleasantchatinthecarriage，followingonourfriends’pleasantchatinthedrawing-room？Finally，whenwegothome，andwhenMrs。Roylakekindlypromisedmeanotherroundofvisits，andmorecharmingpeopleintheneighborhoodtosee，willanygoodChristianforgiveme，ifIownthatI
tookadvantageofbeingalonetodamntheneighborhood，andtofeelrelievedbyit？
NowthatIwasnolongerobligedtolistentopolitestrangers，mythoughtsrevertedtoCristel，andtothesuspicionsthatshehadrousedinme。
Recoveringitsinfluence，intheintervalthathadpassed，mybetternaturesharplyreproachedme。IhadpresumedtoblameCristel，withnothingtojustifymebutmyownpervertedviewofhermotives。HowdidI
knowthatshehadnotopenedthatdoor，andgonetothatsideofthecottage，withaperfectlyharmlessobjectinview？Iwasreallyanxious，ifIcouldfindtherightwaytodoit，tomakeamendsforanactofinjusticeofwhichIfeltashamed。IfIamaskedwhyIwasaseagertosetmyselfrightwithamiller’sdaughter，asifshehadbeenayoungladyinthehigherranksoflife，Icanonlyreplythatnosuchviewofourrelativepositionsasthiseveroccurredtome。Astrangestateofmind，nodoubt。Whatwastherightexplanationofit？
Therightexplanationpresenteditselfatalatertime，whentroubleshadquickenedmyintellect，andwhenIcouldestimatethepowerfulinfluenceofcircumstancesatitstruevalue。
IhadreturnedtoEngland，tofillaprominentplaceinmyownlittleworld，withoutrelationswhomIloved，withoutfriendswhosesocietyI
couldenjoy。Hopeful，ardent，eagerfortheenjoymentoflife，IhadbroughtwithmetomyowncountrythesocialhabitsandthefreerangeofthoughtofaforeignUniversity;and，asamatterofcourse，Ifailedtofeelanysympathywiththesociety——newtome——inwhichmylothadbeencast。Besetbythesedisadvantages，Ihadmetwithagirl，possessedofremarkablepersonalattractions，andassociatedwithmyearliestremembrancesofmyownhappylifeandofmymother’skindness——agirl，atoncesimpleandspirited;unspoiltbytheworldandtheworld’sways，andplacedinapositionofperilduetothepowerofherownbeauty，whichaddedtotheinterestthatshenaturallyinspired。Estimatingthesecircumstancesattheirtruevalue，didastateofmindwhichrenderedmeinsensibletothedistinctionsthatseparatetheclassesinEngland，standinanyneedofexplanation？AsIthought——andthinkstill——itexplaineditself。
MystepmotherandIpartedonthegardenterrace，whichranalongthepleasantsouthernsideofthehouse。
ThehabitsthatIhadcontracted，amongmystudentfriendsinGermany，madetobaccoandbeernecessaryaccompanimentstotheprocessofthinking。Ihadnearlyexhaustedmycigar，myjug，andmythoughts，whenIsawtwomenapproachingmefromtheendoftheterrace。
Astheycamenearer，Irecognizedinoneofthemenmyfatdomesticinblack。Hestoppedthepersonwhowasaccompanyinghimandcameontomebyhimself。
"Willyouseethatman，sir，waitingbehindme？"
"Whoishe？"
"Idon’tknow，sir。Hesayshehasgotalettertogiveyou，andhemustputitinyourownhands。Ithinkmyselfhe’sabeggar。He’sexcessivelyinsolent——heinsistsonseeingyou。ShallItellhimtogo？"
TheservantevidentlyexpectedmetosayYes。Hewasdisappointed;mycuriositywasroused;IsaidIwouldseetheinsolentstranger。
Asheapproachedme，themancertainlydidnotlooklikeabeggar。Poorhemightbe，judgingbyhisdress。Theupperpartofhimwasclothedinanoldshootingjacketofvelveteen;hislegspresentedapairoftrousers，onceblack，nowturningbrownwithage。Bothgarmentsweretoolongforhim，andbothwerekeptscrupulouslyclean。Hewasashortman，thicklyandstronglymade。Impenetrablecomposureappearedonhisuglyface。Hiseyesweresunkdeepinhishead;hisnosehadevidentlybeenbrokenandnotsuccessfullymended;hisgreyhair，whenhetookoffhishatonaddressingme，wascutshort，andshowedhislowforeheadandhisbullneck。AnEnglishmanofthelastgenerationwould，asIhavesincebeeninformed，havesethimdownasaretiredprize-fighter。Thankstomyignoranceofthepugilisticgloriesofmynativecountry，Iwastotallyatalosswhattomakeofhim。
"HaveIthehonorofspeakingtoMr。Roylake？"heasked。Hisquietsteadymannerprepossessedmeinhisfavour;itshowednoservilereverencefortheaccidentofbirth，ontheonehand，andnoinsolentassertionofindependence，ontheother。WhenIhadtoldhimthatmynamewasRoylake，hesearchedoneofthelargepocketsofhisshootingjacket，producedaletter，andsilentlyofferedittome。
BeforeItooktheletter——seeingthathewasastranger，andthathementionednonameknowntome——Ithoughtitdesirabletomakesomeinquiry。
"Isitaletterofyourownwriting？"Iasked。
"No，sir。"
"Whosendsyouwithit？"
Hewasapparentlyamanoffewwords。"Mymaster，"wastheguardedanswerthatthisoddservantreturned。
IbecameasinquisitiveasoldTollerhimself。
"Whoisyourmaster？"Iwenton。
Thereplystaggeredme。Speakingasquietlyandrespectfullyasever，hesaid："Ican’ttellyou，sir。"
"Doyoumeanthatyouareforbiddentotellme？"
"No，sir。"
"Thenwhatdoyoumean？"
"ImeanthatIdon’tknowmymaster’sname。"
Iinstantlytooktheletterfromhim，andlookedattheaddress。Foronceinaway，IhadjumpedataconclusionandIhadprovedtoberight。Thehandwritingontheletter，andthehandwritingoftheconfessionwhichI
hadreadovernight，wereoneandthesame。
"Areyoutowaitforananswer？"Iasked，asIopenedtheenvelope。
"Iamtowait，sir，ifyoutellmetodoso。"
Theletterwasalongone。Afterrunningmyeyeoverthefirstsentences，Isurprisedmyselfbyactingdiscreetly。"Youneedn’twait，"Isaid;"I
willsendareply。"Themanoffewwordsraisedhisshabbyhat，turnedaboutinsilence，andleftme。
CHAPTERVIII
THEDEAFLODGER
Theletterwassuperscribed："PrivateandConfidential。"Itwaswritteninthesewords：
"Sir，——YouwilldomegrievouswrongifyousupposethatIamtryingtoforcemyselfonyouracquaintance。Myobjectinwritingistopreventyou（ifIcan）frommisinterpretingmylanguageandmyconduct，ontheonlytwooccasionswhenwehappentohavemet。
"Iamconsciousthatyoumusthavethoughtmerudeandungrateful——perhapsevenalittlemad——whenIreturnedyourkindnesslastnight，inhonoringmewithavisit，byusinglanguagewhichhasjustifiedyouintreatingmeasastranger。
"Fortunatelyformyself，Igaveyoumyautobiographytoread。Afterwhatyounowknowofme，Imayhopethatyoursenseofjusticewillmakesomeallowanceforaman，tried（Ihadalmostwritten，cursed）bysuchsufferingasmine。
"Thereareotherdeafpersons，asIhaveheard，whosetmeagoodexample。
"Theyfeeltheconsolationsofreligion。Theirsweettempersfindreliefevenunderthelossofthemostpreciousofallthesenses。Theymixwithsociety;submittingtotheirdreadfulisolation，andpreservingunimpairedsympathywiththeirhappierfellow-creatureswhocanhear。I
amnotoneofthosepersons。WithsorrowIsayit——Ineverhavesubmitted，Inevercansubmit，tomyhardfate。
"Letmenotomittoaskyourindulgenceformybehavior，whenwemetatthecottagethismorning。
"WhatunfavorableimpressionImayhaveproducedonyou，Idarenotinquire。SolittlecapableamIofconcealingthevilefeelingswhichsometimesgetthebetterofme，thatMissCristel（observethatImentionherwithrespect）appearstohavefeltpositivealarm，onyouraccount，whenshelookedatme。
"Imaytellyou，inconfidence，thatthischarmingpersoncametomysideofthecottage，assoonasyouhadtakenyourdeparture，tointercedewithmeinyourfavour。’IfyourwickedmindisplanningtodoeviltoMr。Roylake，’shewroteinmybook，’eitheryouwillpromisemetogiveitup，orIwillneverallowyoutoseemeagain;Iwillevenleavehomesecretly，tobeoutofyourway。’Inthatstronglanguagesheexpressed——howshallIrefertoit？——shallIsaythesisterlyinterestthatshefeltinyourwelfare？"
Ilaiddowntheletterforamoment。IfIhadnotalreadyreproachedmyselfforhavingmisjudgedCristel——andifIhadnot，inthatway，donehersomelittlejusticeinmyownbetterthoughts——Ishouldneverhaverecoveredmyself-respectafterreadingthedeafman’sletter。Thegoodgirl！Thedeargoodgirl！Yes：thatwashowIthoughtofher，underthewindowsofmystepmother’sboudoir——whileMrs。Roylake，forallIknewtothecontrary，mightbelookingdownatme，andwhenLadyLena，thenobleandbeautiful，wascomingtodinner！
Theletterconcludedasfollows：
"Toreturntomyself。IgaveMissCristelthepromiseonwhichshehadinsisted;andthen，naturallyenough，Iinquiredintohermotiveforinterferinginyourfavour。
"Shefranklyadmittedthatshewasinterestedinyou。First：ingratefulremembranceofoldtimes，whenyouandyourmotherhadbeenalwaysgoodtoher。Secondly：becauseshehadfoundyouaskindandasfriendlyasever，nowthatyouwereamanandhadbecomethegreatestlandownerinthecounty。TherewastheexplanationIhadaskedfor，atmyservice。
And，onthat，sheleftme。
"DidIbelieveherwhenIwasmeditatingonourinterview，aloneinmyroom？OrdidIsuspectyouofhavingrobbedmeoftheonlyconsolationthatmakesmylifeendurable？
"Nosuchunworthysuspicionasthiswasadmittedtomymind。Withallmyheart，Ibelieveher。Andwithperfectsincerity，ItrustYou。
"Ifyourknowledgeofmehasfailedtoconvinceyouthatthereisanysuchthingasabettersidetomynature，youwillnodoubtconcludethatthisletterisatrickofminetothrowyouoffyourguard;andyouwillcontinuetodistrustmeasobstinatelyasever。Inthatcase，Iwillmerelyremindyouthatmyletterisprivateandconfidential，andIwillnotaskyoutosendmeareply。
"Iremain，Sir，yoursasyoumayreceiveme，"THEDEAFLODGER
Iwonderwhatanotherman，inmyposition，wouldhavedonewhenhehadreadthisletter？Wouldhehaveseeninitnothingtojustifysomerespectandsomekindlyfeelingtowardsthewriter？Couldhehavereconciledittohisconsciencetoleavetheafflictedmanwhohadtrustedhimwithoutawordofreply？
Formypart（donotforgetwhatayoungmanIwasinthosedays），Imadeupmymindtoreplyinthefriendliestmanner——thatistosay，inperson。
Afterconsultingmywatch，IsatisfiedmyselfthatIcouldgotothemill，andgetbackagain，beforethehourfixedforourlatedinner——supperweshouldhavecalleditinGermany。Forthesecondtimethatday，andwithoutanyhesitation，ItooktheroadthatledtoFordwitchWood。
Crossingtheglade，Iencounteredastoutyoungwoman，fillingacanwithwaterfromthespring。Shecurtseyedonseeingme。Iaskedifshebelongedtothevillage。
ThereplyinformedmethatIhadtakenanotherofmyservantsforastranger。Thestoutnymphofthespringwasmykitchen-maid;andshewasfetchingthewaterwhichwedrankatthehouse;"andthere’snowater，sir，like_yours_forallthecountryround。"Furnishedwiththesestoresofinformation，Iwentmyway，andthekitchen-maidwenthers。Shespoke，ofcourse，ofhavingseenhernewmaster，onreturningtotheservants’
hall。Inthismanner，asIafterwardsheard，thediscoveryofmeatthespring，andmydeparturebythepaththatledtothemill，reachedMrs。
Roylake’sears——themediumofinformationbeingthelady’sownmaid。Sofar，FordwitchWoodseemedtobeaplacetoavoid，intheinterestsofmydomestictranquillity。
Arrivingatthecottage，IfoundtheLodgerstandingbytheopenwindowatwhichIhadfirstseenhim。
Butonthisoccasion，hispersonalappearancehadundergoneasingularprocessoftransformation。Thelowerpartofhisface，fromhisnostrilstohischin，washiddenbyawhitehandkerchieftiedroundit。Hehadremovedthestopperfromastrangelyshapedbottle，andwasabsorbedinwatchingsomeinterestingconditioninaduskyliquidthatitcontained。
Toattracthisattentionbyspeakingwasofcourseoutofthequestion;I
couldonlywaituntilhehappenedtolookmyway。
Mypatiencewasnotseverelytried：hesoonreplacedthestopperinthebottle，and，lookingupfromit，sawme。Withhisfreehand，hequicklyremovedthehandkerchief，andspoke。
"Letmeaskyoutowaitintheboat-house，"hesaid;"Iwillcometoyoudirectly。"Hepointedroundthecornerofthenewcottage;indicatingofcoursethesideofitthatwasfarthestfromtheoldbuilding。
Followinghisdirections，Ifirstpassedthedoorthatheusedinleavingorreturningtohisroom，andthengainedthebankoftheriver。Onmyrighthandrosethemillbuilding，withitsbigwaterwheel——and，aboveit，alittlehigherupthestream，Irecognizedtheboat-house;builtoutinthewateronpiles，andapproachedbyawoodenpier。
Nostructureofthiselaborateandexpensivesortwouldhavebeensetupbymyfather，forthemiller’sconvenience。Theboat-househadbeenbuilt，manyyearssince，byarichretiredtradesmanwithamaniaforaquaticpursuits。Ouruglyriverhadnotansweredhisexpectations，andourneighborhoodhadabstainedfromreturninghisvisits。Whenheleftus，withhiswherriesandcanoesandoutriggers，themillertookpossessionoftheabandonedboat-house。"It’sthesortoffixturethatdon’tpaynohow，"oldTollerremarked。"Supposeyouremoveit——there’sawasteofmoney。Supposeyouknockittopieces——isitwortharichgentleman’swhiletosellacartloadoffirewood？"Neitherofthesealternativeshavingbeenadopted，andnobodywantinganemptyboat-house，theclumsymillboat，hithertotiedtoastake，andexposedtotheworstthattheweathercoulddotoinjureit，wasnowsnuglyshelteredunderaroof，withemptylockers（onceoccupiedbyaquaticluxuries）gapingoneithersideofit。
Iwaslookingoutontheriver，andthinkingofallthathadhappenedsincemyfirstmeetingwithCristelbymoonlight，whenthevoiceofthedeafmanmadeitselfdiscordantlyheard，behindme。
"Letmeapologizeforreceivingyouhere，"hesaid;"andletmetroubleyouwithonemoreofmyconfessions。Likeotherunfortunatedeafpeople，Isufferfromnervousirritability。Sometimes，werestlesslychangeourplacesofabode。Andsometimes，asinmycase，wetakerefugeinvarietyofoccupation。YouremembertheidealnarrativesofcrimewhichIwassofondofwritingatonetime？"
Igavetheaffirmativeanswer，intheusualway。
"Well，"hewenton，"myliteraryinventionshaveceasedtointerestme。I
havelatterlyresumedthechemicalstudies，associatedwiththathappytimeinmylifewhenIwasenteringonthemedicalprofession。Unluckilyforyou，Ihavebeentryinganexperimentto-day，whichmakessuchanabominablesmellinmyroomthatIdarenotaskyoutoenterit。Thefumesarenotonlydisagreeable，butinsomedegreedangerous。Yousawmeatthewindow，perhaps，withmynoseandmouthprotectedbeforeIopenedthebottle？"
Irepeatedtheaffirmativesign。Heproducedhislittlebookofblankleaves，andopeneditreadyforuse。
"MayIhope，"hesaid，"thatyourvisitisintendedasafavorablereplytomyletter？"
Itookthepencil，andansweredhimintheseterms：
"YourletterhassatisfiedmethatIwasmistakenintreatingyoulikeastranger。Ihavecomeheretoexpressmyregretathavingfailedtodoyoujustice。PraybeassuredthatIbelieveinyourbetternature，andthatIacceptyourletterinthespiritinwhichyouhavewrittenit。"
Hereadmyreply，andsuddenlylookedatme。
NeverhadIseenhisbeautifuleyessobrightlysoft，soirresistiblytender，astheyappearednow。Heheldouthishandtome。Itisoneofmysmallmeritstobe（inthepopularphrase）asgoodasmyword。Itookhishand;wellknowingthattheactioncommittedmetoacceptinghisfriendship。
Inrelatingtheeventswhichformthisnarrative，Ilookbackatthechain，asIaddtoitlinkbylink——sometimeswithsurprise，sometimeswithinterest，andsometimeswiththediscoverythatIhaveomittedacircumstancewhichitisnecessarytoreplace。ButIsearchmymemoryinvain，whileIdwellonthelinesthatIhavejustwritten，forarecollectionofsomeattendanteventwhichmighthavewarnedmeoftheperiltowardswhichIwasadvancingblindfold。Myremembrancepresentsusasstandingtogetherwithclaspedhands;butnothingintheslightestdegreeominousisassociatedwiththepicture。Therewasnosinisterchillcommunicatedfromhishandtomine;noshockingaccidenthappenedclosebyusintheriver;notevenapassingcloudobscuredthesunlight，shininginitsgayestgloryoverourheads。
Afterhavingshakenhands，neitherhenorIhadapparentlyanythingmoretosay。Alittleembarrassed，Iturnedtotheboat-housewindow，andlookedout。Triflingastheactionwas，mycompanionnoticedit。
"Doyoulikethatmuddyriver？"heasked。
Itookthepencilagain："OldassociationsmakeeventheuglyLokeinterestingtome。"
Hesighedashereadthosewords。"Iwish，Mr。Roylake，Icouldsaythesame。Yourinterestingriverfrightensme。"
Itwasneedlesstoaskforthepencilagain。Mypuzzledfacebeggedforanexplanation。
"Whenyouwereinmyroom，"hesaid，"youmayhavenoticedasecondwindowwhichlooksoutonTheLoke。Ihavegotintoabadhabitofsittingbythatwindowonmoonlightnights。Iwatchtheflowofthestream，anditseemstoassociateitselfwiththeflowofmythoughts。
Nothingremarkable，sofar——whileIamawake。But，later，whenIgettosleep，dreamscometome。Allofthem，sir，withoutexceptionconnectCristelwiththeriver。Lookatthestealthycurrentthatmakesnosound。
Inmylastnight’ssleep，itmadeitselfheard;itwasflowinginmyearswithawater-musicofitsown。Nolongermydeafears;Iheard，inmydream，aswellasyoucanhear。Yes;thesamewater-music，singingoverandoveragainthesamehorridsong："Fool，fool，noCristelforyou;bidhergood-bye，bidhergood-bye。"Isawherfloatingawayfrommeonthosehideouswaters。ThecruelcurrentheldmebackwhenItriedtofollowher。Istruggledandscreamedandshiveredandcried。Iwokeupwithastartthatshookmetopieces，andcursedyourinterestingriver。Don’twritetomeaboutitagain。Don’tlookatitagain。Whydidyoubringupthesubject？Ibegyourpardon;Ihadnorighttosaythat。Letmebepolite;letmebehospitable。Ibegtoinviteyoutocomeandseeme，whenmyroomispurifiedfromitspestilentsmell。Icanonlyofferyouacupoftea。Oh，thatriver，thatriver，whatdevilsetmetalkingaboutit？I’mnotmad，Mr。Roylake;onlywretched。WhenmayIexpectyou？
Chooseyourowneveningnextweek。"
Whocouldhelppityinghim？Comparedwithmysoundsweetdreamlesssleep，whatdreadfulnightswerehis！
Iacceptedhisinvitationasamatterofcourse。Whenwehadcompletedourarrangements，itwastimeformetothinkofreturningtoTrimleyDeen。Movingtowardsthedoor，Iaccidentallydirectedhisattentiontothepierbywhichtheboat-housewasapproached。
HisfaceinstantlyremindedmeofCristel’sdescriptionofhim，whenhewasstronglyandevillymoved。Itoosaw"hisbeautifulevestelltales，andhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorwhichturnedhimintoanuglyman。"Heseizedmyarm，andpointedtothepier，attheendofitwhichjoinedtheriver-bank。"Prayacceptmyexcuses;Ican’tanswerformytemperifthatwretchcomesnearme。"Withthisapologyhehurriedaway;
andslyGilesToller，havingpatientlywaiteduntilthecoastwasclear，accostedmewithhisbestbow，andsaid："Beautifulweather，isn’tit，sir？"
Ihadnoremarkstomakeontheweather;butIwasinterestedindiscoveringwhathadhappenedatthecottage。
"Youhavemortallyoffendedthegentlemanwhohasjustleftme，"Isaid。
"Whathaveyoudone？"
Mr。Tollerhadpurposesofhisowntoserve，andkeptthosepurposes（asusual）exclusivelyinview：_he_presenteddeafearstomenow！
"Idon’tthinkIeverremembersuchwonderfulweather，sir，inmytime;
andI’manoldfellow，asIneedn’ttellyou。Beingatthemilljustnow，Isawyouintheboat-house，andcametopaymyrespects。Wouldyoubesogoodastolookatthisslipofpaper，Mr。Gerard？Ifyouwillkindlyaskwhatitis，youwillinamannerhelpme。"
Iknewbuttoowellwhatitwas。"Therepairsagain！"Isaidresignedly。
"Handitover，youobstinateoldman。"
Mr。Tollerwassotickledbymydiscovery，andbythecheeringprospectconsequentonseeinghislistofrepairssafeinmypocket，thathelaugheduntilIreallythoughthewouldshakehisleanlittlebodytopieces。Bywayofbringinghismerrimenttoanend，Iassumedalookofseverity，andinsistedonknowinghowhehadoffendedtheLodger。Myvenerabletenant，tremblingforhisrepairs，driftedintoaquestionofpersonalexperience，andseemedtoanticipatethatitmightimprovemytemper。
"Whenyouhaveawomanaboutthehouse，Mr。Gerard，youmayhavenoticedthatshe’saneverlastingexpensetoyou——especiallywhenshe’sayoungone。Isn’tthatso？"
Iinquiredifheappliedthisremarktohisdaughter。
"That’sit，sir;I’mtalkingofCristy。Whenherback’sup，thereisn’therequalinEnglandforstronglanguage。Mygentlemanhasmisbehavedhimselfinsomeway（sinceyouwerewithusthismorning，sir）;how，I
don’tquiteunderstand。AllIcantellyouis，I’vegivenhimnoticetoquit。Aclearlossofmoneytomeeveryweek，andCristy’sresponsibleforit。Yes，sir！I’vebeenworkeduptoitbymygirl。IfCristy’smotherhadaskedmetogetridofapayinglodger，Ishouldhavetoldhertogoto————wewon’tsaywhere，sir;you’llknowwherewhenyou’remarriedyourself。TheupshotofitisthatIhaveoffendedmygentleman，forthesakeofmygirl：whichlastisaluxuryIcan’tafford，unlessI
lettheroomsagain。Ifyouhearofatenant，saywhatagoodlandlordI
am，andwhatsweetprettyroomsI’vegottolet。"
Iledthewaytothebankoftheriver，beforeMr。Tollercouldmakeanymorerequests。
Wepassedthesideoftheoldcottage。Thedoorwasopen;andIsawCristelemployedinthekitchen。
MywatchtoldmethatIhadstilltwoorthreeminutestospare;andmyguiltyremembranceofthemessagethatIhadpinnedtothedoorsuggestedanimmediateexpressionofregret。IapproachedCristelwithapetitionforpardononmylips。Shelookeddistrustfullyatthedoorofcommunicationwiththenewcottage，asifsheexpectedtoseeitopenedfromtheotherside。
"Notnow！"shesaid——andwentonsadlywithherhouseholdwork。
"MayIseeyouto-morrow？"Iasked。
"Ithadbetternotbehere，sir，"wastheonlyreplyshemade。
Iofferedtomeetheratanyotherplacewhichshemightappoint。Cristelpersistedinleavingittome;shespokeabsently，asifshewasthinkingallthetimeofsomethingelse。Icouldproposenobetterplace，atthemoment，thanthespringinFordwitchWood。Sheconsentedtomeetmethere，onthenextday，ifseveno’clockinthemorningwouldnotbetooearlyforme。MyGermanhabitshadaccustomedmetoearlyrising。Sheheardmetellherthis——andlookedagainattheLodger’sdoor——andabruptlywishedmegoodevening。
Herpolitefatherwasshockedatthisunceremoniousmethodofdismissingthegreatman，whohadonlytosaythewordandstoptherepairs。"Whereareyourmanners，Cristy？"heaskedindignantly。Beforehecouldsayanotherword，Iwasoutofthecottage。
AsIpassedthespringonmywayhome，Ithoughtofmytwoappointments。
Onthatevening，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthelord。Onthenextmorning，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthemiller。LadyLenaatdinner;
Cristelbeforebreakfast。IfMrs。Roylakefoundout_that_socialcontrast，whatwouldshesay？Iwasamerryyoungfool;Iburstoutlaughing。
CHAPTERIX
MRSROYLAKE’SGAME：FIRSTMOVE
ThedinneratTrimleyDeenhasleftinmymemorylittlethatIcandistinctlyrecall。Onlyafaintly-markedvisionofLadyLenarewardsmefordoingmybesttorememberher。Atallslimgracefulperson，dressedinwhitewithasimplicitywhichistheperfectionofart，presentstomyadmirationgentleblueeyes，apalecomplexiondelicatelytouchedwithcolor，awell-carriedheadcrownedbylovelylightbrownhair。Sofar，timehelpstherevivingpasttocometolifeagain——andpermitsnothingmore。IcannotsaythatInowrememberthevoiceoncesomusicalinmyears，orthatIamabletorepeattheeasyunaffectedtalkwhichonceinterestedme，orthatIseeagain（inmythoughts）theperfectcharmofmannerwhichdelightedeverybody，notforgettingmyself。Myunworthyself，Imightsay;forIwastheonlyyoungman，honoredbyanintroductiontoLadyLena，whostoppedatadmiration，andnevermadeuseofopportunitytoapproachlove。
Ontheotherhand，IdistinctlyrecollectwhatmystepmotherandIsaidtoeachotherwhenourguestshadwishedusgood-night。
IfIamaskedtoaccountforthis，IcanonlyreplythattheconspiracytoleadmeintoproposingmarriagetoLadyLenafirstshoweditselfontheoccasiontowhichIhavereferred。Inhereagernesstoreachherends，Mrs。Roylakefailedtohandlethefineweaponsofdeceptionascleverlyasusual。EvenI，withmysmallexperienceofworldlywomen，discoveredtheobjectthatshehadinview。
Ihadretiredtotheseclusionofthesmoking-room，andwasalreadyencircledbythecloudswhichfloatontheheavenoftobacco，whenI
heardarustlingofsilkoutside，andsawthesmileofMrs。Roylakebeginningtocaptivatemethroughtheopendoor。
"Ifyouthrowawayyourcigar，"criedthisamiableperson，"youwilldrivemeoutoftheroom。DearGerard，Ilikeyoursmoke。"
Myfatmaninblack，cominginatthemomenttobringmesomesodawater，lookedathismistresswithanexpressionofamazementandhorror，whichtoldmethathenowsawMrs。Roylakeinthesmoking-roomforthefirsttime。Iinvolvedmyselfinnewclouds。IfIsuffocatedmystepmother，herownpoliteequivocationwouldjustifytheact。Shesettledherselfoppositetomeinanarmchair。Theagoniesthatshemusthavesuffered，inpreventingherfacefromexpressingemotionsofdisgust，Idarenotattempttoimagine，evenatthisdistanceoftime。
"Now，Gerard，letustalkaboutthetwoladies。Whatdoyouthinkofmyfriend，LadyRachel？"
"Idon’tlikeyourfriend，LadyRachel。"
"Youastonishme。Why？"
"Ithinkshe’safalsewoman。"
"Heavens，whatathingtosayofalady——andthatladymyfriend！Herpoliticsmayveryreasonablyhavesurprisedyou。Butsurelyhervigorousintellectoughttohavechallengedyouradmiration;youcan’tdenythat？"
Iwasnotcleverenoughtobeabletodenyit。ButIwasboldenoughtosaythatLadyRachelseemedtometobeawomanwhotalkedforthesakeofproducingeffect。Sheexpressedopinions，asIventuredtodeclare，which（inherposition）Ididnotbelieveshecouldhonestlyentertain。
Mrs。Roylakeenteredavigorousprotest。SheassuredmethatIwascompletelymistaken。"LadyRachel，"shesaid，"isthemostperfectlycandidpersoninthewholecircleofmyacquaintance。"
Withthebestintentionsonmypart，thiswasmorethanIcouldpatientlyendure。
"Isn’tshethedaughterofanobleman？"Iasked。"Doesn’tsheoweherrankandhersplendor，andtherespectthatpeopleshowtoher，tothefortunatecircumstanceofherbirth？Andyetshetalksasifshewasaredrepublican。YouyourselfheardhersaythatshewasathoroughRadical，andhopedshemightlivetoseetheHouseofLordsabolished。
Oh，Iheardher！Andwhatismore，Ilistenedsoattentivelytosuchsentimentsasthese，fromaladywithatitle，thatIcanrepeat，wordforword，whatshesaidnext。"Wehav’n’tdeservedourowntitles;wehav’n’tearnedourownincomes;andwelegislateforthecountry，withouthavingbeentrustedbythecountry。Inshort，weareasetofimpostors，andthetimeiscomingwhenweshallbefoundout。"Doyoubelieveshereallymeantthat？Allasfalseasfalsecanbe——that’swhatIsayofit。"
ThereIstopped，privatelyadmiringmyowneloquence。
Quiteamistakeonmypart;myeloquencehaddonejustwhatMrs。Roylakewishedmetodo。ShewantedanopportunityofdroppingLadyRachel，andtakingupLadyLena，withaproduciblereasonwhichforbadetheimputationofapersonalmotiveonherpart。Ihadfurnishedherwiththereason。Thusfar，Icannotdenyit，mystepmotherwasequaltoherself。
"Really，Gerard，youaresoviolentinyouropinionsthatIamsorryI
spokeofLadyRachel。ShallIfindyouequallyprejudiced，andequallysevere，ifIchangethesubjecttodearLadyLena？Oh，don’tsayyouthinkSheisfalse，too！"
HereMrs。Roylakemadeherfirstmistake。Sheover-actedherpart;and，whenitwastoolate，shearrived，Isuspect，atthatconclusionherself。
"Ifyouhav’n’tseenthatIsincerelyadmireLadyLena，"Isaid，assmartlyasIcould，"thesooneryoudisfigureyourselfwithapairofspectacles，mydearlady，thebetter。Sheisverypretty，perfectlyunaffected，and，ifImaypresumetojudge，delightfullywell-bredandwell-dressed。"
Mystepmother’sfaceactuallybrightenedwithpleasure。Reflectingonitnow，Iamstronglydisposedtothinkthatshehadnotallowedherfeelingstoexpressthemselvessounreservedly，sincethetimewhenshewasagirl。Afterall，Mrs。Roylakewaspayingherstep-sonacomplimentintryingtoentraphimintoasplendidmarriage。Itwasmydutytothinkkindlyofmyambitiousrelative。Ididmyduty。
返回顶部