"YoureallylikemysweetLena？"shesaid。"Iamsoglad。Whatwereyoutalkingabout，withher？Shemadeyouexertallyourpowersofconversation，andsheseemedtobedeeplyinterested。"
Moreover-acting！Anothermistake！AndIcouldseethroughit！WithnoEnglishsubjectwhichwecoulddiscussincommon，LadyLena’sreadytactalludedtomypastlife。Mrs。RoylakehadtoldherthatIwaseducatedataGermanUniversity。Shehadheardvaguelyofstudentswithlonghair，whoworeHessianboots，andfoughtduels;andsheappealedtomyexperiencetotellhersomethingmore。Ididmybesttointeresther，withveryindifferentsuccess，andwasundeservedlyrewardedbyapatientattention，whichpresentedtheunselfishrefinementsofcourtesyundertheirmostperfectform。
Butletmedomystep-motherjustice。Shecontrivedtobendmetoherwill，beforesheleftthesmoking-room——IamsureIdon’tknowhow。
"Youhaveentertainedthecharmingdaughtersatdinner，"sheremindedme;
"andtheleastyoucando，afterthat，istopayyourrespectstotheirnoblefather。Inyourposition，mydearboy，youcannotneglectourEnglishcustomswithoutproducingtheworstpossibleimpression。"
Intwowords，Ifoundmyselfpledged，underpretenceofvisitingmylord，toimprovemyacquaintancewithLadyLenaonthenextday。
"Andpraybecareful，"Mrs。Roylakeproceeded，stillbravingtheatmosphereofthesmoking-room，"nottolooksurprisedifyoufindLordUppercliff’shousepresentingratherapoorappearancejustnow。"
Iwasdyingforanothercigar，andIentirelymisunderstoodthewordsofwarningwhichhadjustbeenaddressedtome。Itriedtobringourinterviewtoaclosebymakingagenerousproposal。
"Doeshewantmoney？"Iasked。"I’lllendhimsomewiththegreatestpleasure。"
Mrs。Roylake’shorrorexpresseditselfinalittlethinwiryscream。
"Oh，Gerard，whatpeopleyoumusthavelivedamong！Whatshockingignoranceofmylord’senormousfortune！Heandhisfamilyhaveonlyjustreturnedtotheircountryseat，afteralongabsence——parliamentyouknow，andforeignbaths，andsoon——andtheirEnglishestablishmentisnotyetcomplete。Idon’tknowwhatmistakeyoumaynotmakenext。DolistentowhatIwanttosaytoyou。"
Listening，Imustacknowledge，withanabsentmind，myattentionwassuddenlyseizedbyMrs。Roylake——withouttheslightestconsciousefforttowardsthatend，onthepartoftheladyherself。
Thefirstwordsthatstartledme，inherflowofspeech，werethese：
"AndImustnotforgettotellyouofpoorLordUppercliff’smisfortune。
Hehadafall，sometimesince，andbrokehisleg。AsIthink，hewassounwiseastoletaplausibleyoungsurgeonsetthebrokenbone。Anyway，theendofitisthatmylordslightlylimpswhenhewalks;andprayrememberthathehatestoseeitnoticed。LadyRacheldoesn’tagreewithmeinattributingherfather’slamenesstohissurgeon’swantofexperience。Betweenourselves，themanseemstohaveinterestedher。Veryhandsome，veryclever，veryagreeable，andthemannersofagentleman。
Whenhismedicalservicescametoanend，hewasquiteanacquisitionattheirpartiesinLondon——withonedrawback：hemysteriouslydisappeared，andhasneverbeenheardofsince。AskLadyLenaaboutit。Shewillgiveyouallthedetails，withouthereldersister’sbiasinfavourofthehandsomeyoungman。Whataprettycomplimentyouarepayingme！YoureallylookasifIhadinterestedyou。"
KnowingwhatIknew，Iwasunquestionablyinterested。
AlthoughtherecentreturnofLordUppercliffandhisdaughtertotheircountryhomehad，asyet，allowednoopportunityofameeting，outofdoors，betweenthedeafLodgerandthefriendswhomhehadlostsightof——nodoubtatthetimeofhisseriousillness——still，theinevitablediscoverymighthappenonanyday。Whatresultwouldfollow？AndwhatwouldbetheeffectonLadyRachel，whenshemetwiththefascinatingyoungsurgeon，anddiscoveredtheterriblechangeinhim？
CHAPTERX
WARNED！
Wewerealoneintheglade，bythesideofthespring。Atthatearlyhourtherewerenointerruptionstodread;butCristelwasillatease。Sheseemedtobeeagertogetbacktothecottageassoonaspossible。
"Fathertellsme，"shebeganabruptly，"hesawyouattheboathouse。Anditseemedtohim，thatyouwerebehavingyourselflikeafriendtothatterribleman。"
Iremindedherofmyhavingexpressedthefearthatwehadbeenneedlesslyhardonhim;and，Iaddedthathehadwrittenaletterwhichconfirmedmeinthatopinion。Shelooked，notonlydisappointed，butevenalarmed。
"Ihadhoped，"shesaidsadly，"thatfatherwasmistaken。"
"Solittlemistaken，"Iassuredher，"thatIamgoingtodrinkteawiththemanwhoseemstofrightenyou。IhopehewillaskyoutomeetSherecoiledfromthebareideaofaninvitation。
"WillyouhearwhatIwanttotellyou？"shesaidearnestly。"YoumayalteryouropinionifyouknowwhatIhavebeenfoolishenoughtodo，whenyousawmegototheothersideofthecottage。"
"DearCristel，IknowwhatIowetoyourkindinterestinmeonthatoccasion！"BeforeIcouldsayawordofapologyforhavingwrongedherbymysuspicions，sheinsistedonanexplanationofwhatIhadjustsaid。
"Didhementionitinhisletter？"sheasked。
IownedthatIhadobtainedmyinformationinthisway。AndIdeclaredthathehadexpressedhisadmirationofher，andhisbeliefinher，intermswhichmadeitasubjectofregrettomenottobeabletoshowwhathehadwritten。
Cristelforgotherfearofourbeinginterrupted。Herdismayexpresseditselfinacrythatrangthroughthewood。
"Youevenbelieveinhisletter？"sheexclaimed。"Mr。Gerard！HiswritinginthatwaytoYouaboutMeisaproofthathelies;andI’llmakeyouseeit。Ifyouwereanybodyelsebutyourself，Iwouldleaveyoutoyourfate。Yes，yourfate，"shepassionatelyrepeated。"Oh，forgiveme，sir！
I’mbehavingdisrespectfully;Ibegyourpardon。No，no;letmegoon。
WhenIspoketohiminyourbestinterests（asIdidmosttrulybelieve）
IneversuspectedwhatmischiefIhaddone，tillIlookedinhisface。
Then，Isawhowhehatedyou，andhowvilelyhewasthinkinginsecretofme——"
Puredelusion！HowcouldIallowittogoon？Iinterruptedher。
"Mydear，youhavequitemistakenhim。AsIhavealreadysaid，hesincerelyrespectsyou——andheownsthathemisjudgedmewhenheandI
firstmet。"
"What！Is_that_inhislettertoo？It’sworseeventhanIfeared。Again，andagain，andagain，Isayit"——shestampedonthegroundinthefervorofherconviction——"hehatesyouwiththehatredthatneverforgivesandneverforgets。Youthinkhimagoodman。DoyousupposeIwouldhavebeggedandprayedofmyfathertosendhimaway，withouthavingreasonsthatjustifiedme？Mr。Gerard，youforcemetotellyouwhatmyunluckyvisitdidputintohishead。Yes，hedoesbelieve——believesfirmly——thatyouhaveforgottenwhatisduetoyourrank;thatIhavebeenwickedenoughtoforgetittoo;andthatyouaregoingtotakemeawayfromhim。
Saywhathemay，andwritewhathemay，heisdeceivingyouforhisownwickedends。Ifyougotodrinkteawithhim，Godonlyknowswhatcauseyoumayhavetoregretit。Forgivemeforbeingsoviolent，sir;Ihavedonenow。Youhavemademeverywretched，butyouaretoogoodandkindtomeanit。Good-bye。"
Itookherhand，Ipressedittenderly;Iwastouched，deeplytouched。
No！letmewritehonestly。Hereyesbetrayedher，hervoicebetrayedher，whileshesaidherpartingwords。WhatIsaw，whatIheard，wasnolongerwithinthelimitsofdoubt。Thesweetgirl’sinterestinmywelfarewasnotthemerelyfriendlyinterestwhichsheherselfbelievedittobe。AndIsaidjustnowthatIwas"touched。"Cant！Lies！IlovedhermoredearlythanIhadeverlovedheryet。Thereisthetruth——strippedofpoorprudery，andthemeanfearofbeingcalledVain！
WhatImighthavesaidtoher，iftheopportunityhadoffereditself，maybeeasilyimagined。BeforeIcouldopenmylips，amanappearedonthepathwhichledfromthemilltothespring——themanwhomCristelhadsecretlysuspectedofadesigntofollowher。
Ifeltherhandtremblinginmyhand，andgaveitalittleencouragingsqueeze。"Letusjudgehim，"Isuggested，"bywhathesaysanddoes，onfindingustogether。"
Withoutanattemptatconcealmentonhispart，headvancedtowardsusbriskly，smilingandwavinghishand。
"What，Mr。Roylake，youhavealreadyfoundoutthevirtuesofyourwonderfulspring，andyouaredrinkingthewaterbeforebreakfast！IhaveoftendoneitmyselfwhenIwasnottoolazytogetup。Andthischarminggirl，"hewenton，turningtoCristel，"hasshebeentryingthevirtuesofthespringbyyouradvice？Shewon’tlistentome，orIshouldhaverecommendeditlongsince。Seemesettheexample。"
Hetookasilvermugfromhispocket，anddescendedthefewstepsthatledtothespring。Allowingforthedreadfuldeafmonotonyinhisvoice，nomancouldhavebeenmoreinnocentlyjoyousandagreeable。Whilehewastakinghismorningdraught，IappealedtoCristel’sbettersense。
"Isthisthehypocrite，whoisdeceivingmeforhisownwickedends？"I
asked。"Doeshelooklikethejealousmonsterwhoisplottingmydestruction，andwhowillsucceedifIamfoolenoughtoaccepthisinvitation？"
Poordear，shewasasobstinateasever！"ThinkoverwhatIhavesaidtoyou——think，foryourownsake，"washeronlyreply。
"Andalittlefor_your_sake？"Iventuredtoadd。
Sheranawayfromme，takingthepathwhichwouldleadherhomeagain。
ThedeafmanandIwerelefttogether。Helookedafterheruntilshewasoutofsight。Thenheproducedhisbookofblankleaves。But，insteadofhandingittomeasusual，hebegantowriteinithimself。
"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，"heexplained。
Itwasonlypossible，whilethebookwasinhispossession，toremindhimthatIcouldhear，andthathecouldspeak，byusingthelanguageofsigns。Itouchedmylips，andpointedtohim;Itouchedmyear，andpointedtomyself。
"Yes，"hesaid，understandingmewithhiscustomaryquickness;"butI
wantyoutorememberaswellastohear。WhenIhavefilledthisleaf，I
shallbegyoutokeepitaboutyou，andtorefertoitfromtimetotime。"
Hewroteonsteadily，untilhehadfilledbothsidesoftheslipofpaper。
"Quitealittleletter，"hesaid。"Prayreadit。"
ThisiswhatIread：
"YoumusthaveseenforyourselfthatIwasincapableofinsultingyouandMissCristelbyanoutbreakofjealousy，whenIfoundyoutogetherjustnow。Onlyrememberthatweallhaveourweaknesses，andthatitismyhardlottobeinastateofcontestwiththeinheritedevilwhichisthecalamityofmylife。Withyourencouragement，Imayresisttemptationinthefuture，andkeepthebetterpartofmeinauthorityovermythoughtsandactions。But，beonyourguard，andadviseMissCristeltobeonherguard，againstfalseappearances。Asweallknow，theylieliketruth。Considerme。Pityme。Iasknomore。"
Straightforwardandmanlyandmodest——IappealtoanyunprejudicedmindwhetherIshouldnothavecommittedameanaction，ifIhadplacedanevilconstructiononthis？
"AmIunderstood？"heasked。
Isignedtohimtogivemehisbook，andrelievedhimofanxietyinthesewords：
"IfIhadfailedtounderstandyou，Ishouldhavefeltashamedofmyself。
MayIshowwhatyouhavewrittentoCristel？"
Hesmiled，moresweetlyandpleasantlythanIhadseenhimsmileyet。
"Ifyouwishit，"heanswered。"Ileaveitentirelytoyou。Thankyou——andgoodmorning。"
Havingadvancedafewstepsonhiswaytothecottage，hepaused，andremindedmeofthetea-drinking："Don’tforgetto-morrowevening，atseveno’clock。"
CHAPTERXI
WARNEDAGAIN！
ThebreakfasthourhadnotyetarrivedwhenIgothome。Iwentintothegardentorefreshmyeyes——alittlewearyofthesolemnuniformityofcolorinFordwitchWood——bylookingattheflowers。
Reachingtheterrace，inthefirstplace，Iheardbelowmeaman’svoice，speakingintonesofangryauthority，andusinglanguagewhichexpressedanintentionofturningsomebodyoutofthegarden。Iatoncedescendedthestepswhichledtotheflower-beds。Themaninauthorityprovedtobeoneofmygardeners;andthemanthreatenedwithinstantexpulsionwastheoddly-dressedservantofthefriendwhomIhadjustleft。
Thepoorfellow’suglyfacepresentedapictureofshameandcontrition，themomentIshowedmyself。Hepiteouslyentreatedmetolookoverit，andtoforgivehim。
"Waitalittle，"Isaid。"LetmeseeifIhaveanythingtoforgive。"I
turnedtothegardener。"Whatisyourcomplaintofthisman？"
"He’satrespasseronyourgrounds，sir。And，hisimpudence，tosaytheleastofit，issuchasInevermetwithbefore。"
"Whatharmhashedone？"
"Harm，sir？"
"Yes——harm。Hashebeenpickingtheflowers？"
Thegardenerlookedroundhim，longingtorefermetothenecessaryevidence，andfailingtodiscoveritanywhere。Thewretchedtrespassertookheartofgrace，andsaidawordinhisowndefence。
"Nobodyeverknewmetomisbehavemyselfinagentleman’sgarden，"hesaid;"Iown，sir，tohavingtakenapeepattheflowers，overthewall。"
"Andtheytemptedyoutolookalittlecloseratthem？"
"That’sthetruth，sir。"
"Soyouarefondofflowers？"
"Yes，sir。Ioncefailedinbusinessasanurseryman——butIdon’tblametheflowers。"
Thedelightfulsimplicityofthiswaslostonthegardener。Iheardthebrutemuttertohimself："Gammon！"ForonceIassertedmyauthorityovermyservant。
"Understandthis，"Isaidtohim："Idon’tconfinetheenjoymentofmygardentomyselfandmyfriends。Anywell-behavedpersonsarewelcometocomehereandlookattheflowers。Rememberthat。Nowyoumaygo。"
Havingissuedtheseinstructions，Inextaddressedmyselftomyfriendintheshabbyshootingjacket;tellinghimtoroamwhereverheliked，andtostayaslongashepleased。Insteadofthankingmeandusinghisliberty，hehesitated，andlookedthoroughlyillatease。
"What’sthematternow？"Iasked。
"I’mafraidyoudon’tknow，sir，whoitisyouaresokindto。I’vebeensomethingelseinmytime，besidesanurseryman。"
"Whathaveyoubeen？"
"Aprize-fighter。"
Ifheexpectedmetoexhibitindignationorcontempt，hewasdisappointed。Myignorancetreatedhimascivillyasever。
"Whatisaprize-fighter？"Iinquired。
Theunfortunatepugilistlookedatmeinspeechlessbewilderment。ItoldhimthatIhadbeenbroughtupamongforeigners，andthatIhadneverevenseenanEnglishnewspaperforthelasttenyears。Thisexplanationseemedtoencouragethemanoffewwords：itsethimtalkingfreelyatlast。Hedeliveredatreatiseontheartofprizefighting，andhedidsomethingelsewhichIfoundmoreamusing——hetoldmehisname。Tomysmallsenseofhumorhisname，sotospeak，completedthisdelightfullyoddman：itwasGloody。Astothelistofhismisfortunes，theendlesslengthofitbecamesounendurablydroll，thatwebothindulgedinunfeelingfitsoflaughteroverthesorrowsofGloody。Thefirstluckyaccidentofthepoorfellow’slifehadbeen，literally，thediscoveryofhimbyhispresentmaster。
Thiseventinterestedme。IsaidIshouldliketohearhowithadhappened。
Gloodymodestlydescribedhimselfas"oneofthestarvinglot，sir，thatlooksoutforsmallerrands。Igotmyfirstdinnerforthreedays，bycarryingagentleman’sportmanteauforhim。Andhe，ifyouplease，wasafterwardsmymaster。Helivedalone。Blessyou，hewasasdeafthenasheisnow。Hesaystome，’Ifyoubawlinmyears，I’llknockyoudown。’
Ithoughttomyself，youwouldn’tsaythat，master，ifyouknewhowIwasemployedtwentyyearsago。Hetookmeintohisservice，sir，becauseI
wasugly。’I’msohandsomemyself;’hesays，’Iwantacontrastofsomethinguglyaboutme。’Youmayhavenoticedthathe’sabitterone——andbitterlyenoughhesometimesbehavedtome。Butthere’sagoodsidetohim。Hegivesmehisoldclothes，andsometimeshespeaksalmostaskindlytomeasyoudo。Butforhim，IbelieveIshouldhaveperishedofstarvation——"
Hesuddenlycheckedhimself。Whetherhewasafraidofwearyingme，orwhethersomepainfulrecollectionhadoccurredtohim，itwasofcourseimpossibletosay。
Theuglyface，towhichheowedhisfirstpoorlittlemorselofprosperity，becameovercloudedbycareanddoubt。BurstingintoexpressionsofgratitudewhichIhadcertainlynotdeserved——expressions，soevidentlysincere，thattheyborewitnesstoconstantill-usagesufferedinthecourseofhishardlife——heleftmewithaheadlonghasteofmovement，drivenawayasIfanciedbyanunquietmind。
Iwatchedhimretreatingalongthepath，andsawhimstopabruptly，stillwithhisbacktome。Hisdeepstrongvoicetravelledfartherthanhesupposed。Iheardhimsaytohimself："WhataninfernalrascalIam！"Hewaitedalittle，andturnedmywayagain。Slowlyandreluctantly，hecamebacktome。AsheapproachedIsawtheman，whohadlivedbythepublicexhibitionofhiscourage，lookingatmewithfearplainlyvisibleinthechangeofhiscolor，andtheexpressionofhisface。
"Anythingwrong？"Iinquired。
"Nothingwrong，sir。MightIbesoboldastoask——"
Wewaitedalittle;Igavehimtimetocollecthisthoughts。Perhapsthesilenceconfusedhim。Anyhow，Iwasobligedtohelphimtogeton。
"Whatdoyouwishtoaskofme？"Isaid。
"Iwishedtospeak，sir——"
Hestoppedagain。
"Aboutwhat？"Iasked。
"Aboutto-morrowevening。"
"Well？"
Heburstoutwithit，atlast。"Areyoucomingtodrinkteawithmymaster？"
"Ofcourse，Iamcoming！Mr。Gloody，doyouknowthatyourathersurpriseme？"
"Ihopenooffence，sir。"
"Nonsense！Itseemsodd，mygoodfellow，thatyourmastershouldn’thavetoldyouIwascomingtodrinkteawithhim。Isn’tityourbusinesstogetthethingsready？"
Heshiftedfromonefoottoanother，andlookedasifhewishedhimselfoutofmyway。Atalatertimeofmylife，Ihaveobservedthatthesearesignsbywhichanhonestmanisapttoconfessthathehastold，orisgoingtotell，alie。Asitwas，Ionlynoticedthatheansweredconfusedly。
"Ican’tquitesay，Mr。Roylake，thatmymasterdidn’tmentionthethingtome。"
"Butyoufailedtounderstandhim——isthatit？"
"Well，sir，ifIwanttoaskhimanythingIhavetowriteit。I’mslowatwriting，andbadatwriting，andheisn’talwayspatient。However，asyouremindedmejustnow，Ihavegottogetthethingsready。Tocutitshort，perhapsImightsaythatIdidn’tquiteexpectthetea-partywouldcomeoff。"
"Whyshouldn’titcomeoff？"
"Well，sir，youmighthavesomeotherengagement。"
Wasthisahint？oronlyanexcuse？Ineithercaseitwashightime，ifhestillrefusedtospeakout，thatIshouldsethimtheexample。
"Youhavegivenmesomecuriousinformation，"Isaid，"onthesubjectoffightingwiththefists;andyouhavemademeunderstandthedifferencebetween’fairhitting’and’foulhitting’。Areyouhittingfairnow？VerylikelyIammistaken——butyouseemtometobetryingtopreventmyacceptingyourmaster’sinvitation。"
Hepulledoffhishatinahurry。
"Ibegyourpardon，sir;Iwon’tdetainyouanylonger。Ifyouwillallowme，I’lltakemyleave。"
"Don’tgo，Mr。Gloody，withouttellingmewhetherIamrightorwrong。Istherereallysomeobjectiontomycomingtoteatomorrow？"
"Quiteamistake，sir，"hesaid，stillinahurry。"I’veledyouwrongwithoutmeaningit——beinganignorantman，andnotknowinghowtoexpressmyself。Don’tthinkmeungrateful，Mr。Roylake！Afteryourkindnesstome，I’dgothroughfireandwaterforyou——Iwould！"
Hissunkeneyesmoistened，hisbigvoicefaltered。Ilethimleaveme，inmercytothestrongfeelingwhichIhadinnocentlyroused。ButIshookhandswithhimfirst。Yieldingtooneofmyheadlongimpulses？Yes。Anddoingaveryindiscreetthing？Waitalittle——andweshallsee。
CHAPTERXII
WARNEDFORTHELASTTIME！
Myloyaltytowardstheafflictedman，whosefriendlyadvancesIhadseengoodreasontoreturn，wasinnosenseshaken。Hisundeservedmisfortunes，hismanlyappealtomeatthespring，hishopelessattachmenttothebeautifulgirlwhoseaversiontowardshimIhadunhappilyencouraged，allpleadedwithmeinhisfavour。Ihadacceptedhisinvitation;andIhadnootherengagementtoclaimme：itwouldhavebeenanactofmeannessamountingtoaconfessionoffear，ifIhadsentanexcuse。Still，whileCristel’sentreatiesandCristel’sinfluencehadfailedtoshakeme，Gloody’sstrangelanguageandGloody’sincomprehensibleconducthadtroubledmymind。Ifeltvaguelyuneasy;
irritatedbymyowndepressionofspirits。IfIhadbeenaphilosopher，I
shouldhaverecognizedthesymptomsofaverycommonattackofaverywidely-spreadmoralmalady。Themeanestofallhumaninfirmitiesisalsothemostuniversal;andthenameofitisSelf-esteem。
Itisperhapsonlyrighttoaddthatmypatiencehadbeentriedbytheprogressofdomesticevents，whichaffectedLadyLenaandmyself——viewedasvictims。
Calling，withmystepmother，atLordUppercliff’shouselaterintheday，IperceivedthatLadyRachelandMrs。Roylakefound（ormade）anopportunityoftalkingtogetherconfidentiallyinacorner;and，onceortwice，IcaughtthemlookingatLadyLenaandatme。EvenLordUppercliff（perhapsnotyettakenintotheirconfidence）noticedtheproceedingsofthetwoladies，andseemedtobeatalosstounderstandthem。
WhenMrs。RoylakeandIweretogetheragain，onourwayhome，IwaspreparedtohearthepraiseofLadyLena，followedbyadelicateexaminationintothestateofmyheart。Neitheroftheseanticipationswasrealized。Oncemore，mycleverstepmotherhadpuzzledme。
Mrs。Roylaketalkedasfluentlyasever;exhaustingonecommon-placesubjectafteranother，withouttheslightestallusiontomylord’sdaughter，tomymatrimonialprospects，ortomyvisitsatthemill。Iwassecretlyannoyed，feelingthatmystepmother’ssingularindifferencetodomesticinterestsofparamountimportance，atothertimes，musthavesomeobjectinview，entirelybeyondthereachofmypenetration。IfI
haddaredtocommitsuchanactofrudeness，Ishouldhavejumpedoutofthecarriage，andhavetoldMrs。RoylakethatImeanttowalkhome。
ThedaywasSunday。Iloiteredaboutthegarden，listeningtothedistantchurch-bellringingfortheafternoonservice。WithoutanycausethatI
knewoftoaccountforit，IwassorestlessthatnothingIcoulddoattractedmeorquietedme。
Returningtothehouse，Itriedtooccupymyselfwithmycollectionofinsects，sadlyneglectedoflate。Useless！Myownmothsfailedtointerestme。
Iwentbacktothegarden。Passingtheopenwindowofoneofthelowerroomswhichlookedoutontheterrace，IsawMrs。Roylakereadingabookinsad-coloredbinding。Shewasyawningoveritfearfully，whenshediscoveredthatIwaslookingather。Equaltoanyemergency，thisremarkablewomaninstantlyhandedtomeasecondandsimilarvolume。"Themostprecioussermons，Gerard，thathavebeenwritteninourtime。"I
lookedatthebook;Iopenedthebook;Irecoveredmypresenceofmind，andhandeditback。Ifafemalehumbugwasononesideofthewindow，amalehumbugwasontheother。"Pleasekeepitformetilltheevening，"I
said;"Iamgoingforawalk。"
WhichwaydidIturnmysteps？
Menwillwonderwhatpossessedme——womenwillthinkitaproceedingthatdidmecredit——Itookthefamiliarroadwhichledtothegloomywoodandtheguiltyriver。ThelonginginmetoseeCristelagain，wasmorethanI
couldresist。NotbecauseIwasinlovewithher;onlybecauseIhadleftherindistress。
Beyondthespring，andwithinashortdistanceoftheriver，Isawaladyadvancingtowardsmeonthepathwhichledfromthemill。
Brisk，smiling，trippingalonglikeayounggirl，beholdthemock-republican，knowninourneighborhoodasLadyRachel！Sheheldoutbothhandstome。Butforherpetticoats，IshouldhavethoughtIhadmetwithajollyyoungman。
"Ihavebeenwanderinginyourgloriouswood，Mr。Roylake。AnythingtoescapetherespectableclassesonSunday，patronizingpietyonthewaytoafternoonchurch。Imustpositivelymakeasketchofthecottagebythemill——Imean，ofcourse，thepicturesquesideofit。ThatfinegirlofToller’swasstandingatthedoor。Sheisreallyhandsomerthanever。Areyougoingtoseeher，youwickedman？Whichdoyouadmire——thatgypsycomplexion，orLena’slovelyskin？Both，Ihavenodoubt，atyourage。
Good-bye。"
Whenwehadlefteachother，IthoughtoftheabsentCaptainintheNavywhowasLadyRachel’shusband。Hewasaperfectstranger——butIputmyselfinhisplace，andfeltthatItooshouldhavegonetosea。
OldTollerwasaloneinhiskitchen，evidentlyannoyedandangry。
"Weareallatsixesandsevens，Mr。Gerard。I’vehadanotherrowwiththatdeaf-devil——mynewnameforhim，andIthinkit’sratherclever。Heswears，sir，thathewon’tgoattheendofhisweek’snotice。Says，ifI
thinkI’mlikelytogetridofhimbeforehehasmarriedCristy，I’mmistaken。Threatens，ifanymanattemptstotakeheraway，he’llshoother，andshoottheman，andshoothimself。Aha！oldasIam，ifhebelieveshe’sgoingtohaveitallhisownway，he’smistaken。I’llbeevenwithhim。Youmarkmywords：I’llbeevenwithhim。"
ThatoldToller——themostexasperatingofmen，judgedbyaquicktemper——hadirritatedmyfriendintospeakingrashlywasplainenough。
Nevertheless，Ifeltsomeanxiety（jealousanxiety，Iamafraid）aboutCristel。Afterlookingroundthekitchenagain，Iaskedwhereshewas。
"Sittingforlorninherbedroom，crying，"herfathertoldme。"Iwentoutforawalkbytheriver，andIsatdown，and（beingSunday）Ifellasleep。WhenIwoke，andgothomeagainjustnow，thatwashowIfoundher。Idon’tliketohearmygirlcrying;she’sasgoodasgoldandbetter。No，sir;ourdeaf-devilisnottoblameforthis。HehasgivenCristynoreasontocomplainofhim。Shesayssoherself——andshenevertoldalieyet。"
"But，Mr。Toller，"Iobjected，"somethingmusthavehappenedtodistressher。Hasshenottoldyouwhatitis？"
"Notshe！Obstinateaboutit。Leavesmetoguess。It’scleartomymind，Mr。Gerard，thatsomebodyhasgotatherinmyabsence，andsaidsomethingtoupsether。Youwillaskmewhothepersonis。Ican’tsayI
havefoundthatoutyet。"
"Butyoumeantotry？"
"Yes;Imeantotry。"
Heansweredmewithlittleoftheenergywhichgenerallydistinguishedhim。Perhapshewasfatigued，orperhapshehadsomethingelsetothinkof。Iofferedasuggestion。
"Whenweareinwantofhelp，"Isaid，"wesometimesfindit，nearerthanwehadventuredtoexpect——atourowndoors。"
Theancientmillerroseatthathintlikeafishatafly。
"Gloody！"hecried。
"Findhimatonce，Mr。Toller。"
Hehobbledtothedoor——andlookedroundatme。"I’vegotburdensonmymind，"heexplained，"orIshouldhavethoughtofittoo。"Havingdonejusticetohisownabilities，hebustledout。Inlessthanaminute，hewasbackagaininastateofbreathlesstriumph。"Gloodyhasseentheperson，"heannounced;"and（whatdoyouthink，sir？）it’sawoman！"
IbeckonedtoGloody，waitingmodestlyatthedoor，tocomein，andtellmewhathehaddiscovered。
"Isawheroutside，sir——rappingatthedoorhere，withherparasol。"
Thatwastheservant’sreport。
Herparasol？NotbeingacquaintedwiththedevelopmentofdressamongfemaleservantsinEngland，Iaskedifshewasalady。Thereseemedtobenodoubtofitintheman’smind。Shewasalso，asGloodysupposed，apersonwhomhehadneverseenbefore。
"Howisityouarenotsureofthat？"Isaid。
"Well，sir，shewaswaitingtobeletin;andIwasbehindher，comingoutofthewood。"
"Wholetherin？"
"MissCristel。"Hisfacebrightenedwithanexpressionofinterestwhenhementionedthemiller’sdaughter。Hewentonwithhisstorywithoutwantingquestionstohelphim。"MissCristellookedlikeapersonsurprisedatseeingastranger——what_I_shouldcallafreeandeasystranger。Shewalkedin，sir，asiftheplacebelongedtoher。"
Iamnotsuspiciousbynature，asIhopeandbelieve。ButIbegantoberemindedofLadyRachelalready。
"Didyounoticethelady’sdress？"Iasked。
Awomanwhohadseenherwouldhavebeenabletodescribeeverymorselofherdressfromheadtofoot。Themanhadonlyobservedherhat;andallhecouldsaywasthathethoughtit"asmartishone。"
"Anyparticularcolor？"Iwenton。
"NotthatIknowof。Darkgreen，Ithink。"
"Anyornamentinit？"
"Yes！Apurplefeather。"
ThehatIhadseenontheheadofthathatefulwomanwasnowsufficientlydescribed——foraman。SlyoldToller，leavingGloodyunnoticed，andkeepinghiseyeonme，sawthesignsofconvictioninmyface，andsaidwithhiscustomaryaudacity："Whoisshe？"
Ifollowed，atmyhumbledistance，theexampleofSirWalterScott，wheninquisitivepeopleaskedhimifhewastheauthoroftheWaverleyNovels。
InplainEnglish，Ideniedallknowledgeofthestrangerwearingthegreenhat。But，IwasnaturallydesirousofdiscoveringnextwhatLadyRachelhadsaid;andIaskedtospeakwithCristel。Herfar-seeingfathermightormightnothaveperceivedachanceoflisteningtoourconversation。Heledmetothedoorofhisdaughter’sroom;andstoodcloseby，whenIknockedsoftly，andbeggedthatshewouldcomeout。
Thetoneofthepoorgirl’svoice——answering，"Forgiveme，sir;Ican’tdoit"——convictedtheshe-socialist（asIthought）ofmercilessconductofsomesort。Assumingthisconclusiontobetherightone，Idetermined，thenandthere，thatLadyRachelshouldnotpassthedoorsofTrimleyDeenagain。Ifherbosom-friendresentedthatwiseactofseveritybyleavingthehouse，Ishouldsubmitwithresignation，andshouldrememberthecircumstancewithpleasure。
"Iamafraidyouareill，Cristel？"wasallIcouldfindtosay，underthedoubledisadvantageofspeakingthroughadoor，andhavingafatherlisteningatmyside。
"Ohno，Mr。Gerard，notill。Alittlelowinmymind，that’sall。Idon’tmeantoberude，sir——praybekindertomethanever！prayletmebe！"
IsaidIwouldreturnonthenextday;andlefttheroomwithasoreheart。
OldTollerhighlyapprovedofmyconduct。Herubbedhisfleshlesshands，andwhispered："You’llgetitoutofCristyto-morrow，andI’llhelpyou。"
IfoundGloodywaitingformeoutsidethecottage。HewasanxiousaboutMissCristel;hisonlyexcuse，hetoldme，beingthefearthatshemightbeill。Havingsethimatease，inthatparticular，Isaid："YouseemtobeinterestedinMissCristel。"
Hisanswerraisedhimastephigherinmyestimation。
"HowcanIhelpit，sir？"
Anoddman，withapersonalappearancethatmightexciteaprejudiceagainsthim，insomeminds。Ifailedtoseeitmyselfinthatlight。Itstruckme，asIwalkedhome，thatCristelmighthavemademanyaworsefriendthantheretiredprize-fighter。
AchangeinmymannerwasofcourseremarkedbyMrs。Roylake’sreadyobservation。ItoldherthatIhadbeenannoyed，andofferednootherexplanation。Wonderfultorelate，sheshowednocuriosityandnosurprise。Morewonderfulstill，ateveryfairopportunitythatoffered，shekeptoutofmyway。
Mynextday’sengagementbeingforseveno’clockintheevening，IputMrs。Roylake’sself-controltoanewtest。Withprefatoryexcuses，I
informedherthatIshouldnotbeabletodineathomeasusual。
Impossibleasitwasthatshecouldhavebeenpreparedtohearthis，herpresenceofmindwasequaltotheoccasion。Ileftthehouse，followedbymystepmother’sbestwishesforapleasantevening。
HopingtospeakwithCristelalone，Ihadarrangedtoreachthecottagebeforeseveno’clock。
Ontheriver-marginofthewood，Iwasconfrontedbyawildgleamofbeautyinthefamiliarview，forwhichpreviousexperiencehadnotpreparedme。AmIwronginbelievingthatallscenery，nomatterhowmagnificentorhowhomelyitmaybe，derivesasplendornotitsownfromfavouringconditionsoflightandshade？Ourgloomytreesandourrepellentriverpresentedanaspectsuperblytransfigured，undertheshadowsofthetoweringclouds，thefantasticwreathsofthemist，andtheluridreddeningofthesunasitstoopedtoitssetting。Lovelyinterfusionsofsoberedcolorrested，faded，returnedagain，ontheupperleavesofthefoliageastheylightlymoved。Themist，rollingcapriciouslyoverthewaters，revealedthegrandlydeliberatecourseoftheflowingcurrent，whileitdimmedtheturbidearthyyellowthatdiscoloredanddegradedthestreamunderthefullglareofday。Whilemyeyesfollowedthesuccessivetransformationsoftheview，asthehouradvanced，tenderandsolemninfluencesbreathedtheirbalmovermymind。
Days，happydaysthatwerepast，revived。Again，Iwalkedhandinhandwithmymother，amongthescenesthatwereroundme，andlearntfromhertobegratefulforthebeautyoftheearth，withaheartthatfeltit。Weweretracingourwayalongourfavoritewoodlandpath;andwefoundacompanionoftenderyears，hidingfromus。Sheshowedherself;blushing，hesitating，offeringanosegayofwildflowers。Mymotherwhisperedtome——Ithankedthelittlemill-girl，andgaveherakiss。DidIfeelthechild’sbreath，inmyday-dream，stillflutteringonmycheek？WasI
consciousofhertouch？Istarted，trembled，returnedreluctantlytomypresentself。Avisiblehandtouchedmyarm。AsIturnedsuddenly，alivingbreathplayedonmyface。Thechildhadfadedintoavanishingshade：theperfectedwomanwhohadgrownfromherhadstolenonmeunawares，andwasaskingmetopardonher。"Mr。Gerard，youwerelostinyourthoughts;Ispoke，andyouneverheardme。"
Ilookedatherinsilence。
WasthisthedearCristelsowellknowntome？Orwasitamockeryofherthathadtakenherplace？
"IhopeIhavenotoffendedyou？"shesaid。
"Youhavesurprisedme，"Ianswered。"Somethingmusthavehappened，sinceIsawyoulast。Whatisit？"
"Nothing。"
Iadvancedastep，anddrewherclosertome。Adarkflushdiscoloredherface。Anoverpoweringbrilliancyflashedfromhereyes;therewasanhystericaldefianceinhermanner。"Areyouexcited？areyouangry？areyoutryingtostartlemebyactingapart？"Iurgedthosequestionsonher，oneafteranother;andIwasloudlyandconfidentlyanswered。
"IdaresayIamexcited，Mr。Gerard，bythehonorthathasbeendoneme。
Youaregoingtokeepyourengagement，ofcourse？Well，yourfriend，yourfavoritefriend，hasinvitedmetomeetyou。No！that’snotquitetrue。I
invitedmyself——thedeafgentlemansubmitted。"
"Whydidyouinviteyourself？"
"Becauseatea-partyisnotcompletewithoutawoman。"
Hermannerwasasstrangelyalteredasherlooks。Thatshewasbesideherselfforthemoment，Iclearlysaw。Thatshehadansweredmeunreservedly，itwasimpossibletobelieve。Ibegantofeelangry，whenI
oughttohavemadeallowancesforher。
"IsthisLadyRachel’sdoing？"Isaid。
"WhatdoyouknowofLadyRachel，sir？"
"Iknowthatshehasvisitedyou，andspokentoyou。"
"Doyouknowwhatshehassaid？"
"Icanguess。"
"Mr。Gerard，don’tabusethatgoodandkindlady。Shedeservesyourgratitudeaswellasmine。"
Hermannerhadbecomequieter;herfacewasmorecomposed;herexpressionalmostrecovereditsnaturalcharmwhileshespokeofLadyRachel。Iwasstupefied。
"Try，sir，toforgetitandforgiveit，"sheresumedgently，"ifIhavemisbehavedmyself。Idon’trightlyknowwhatIamsayingordoing。"
Ipointedtothenewsideofthecottage，behindus。
"Isthecausethere？"Iasked。
"No！noindeed！Ihavenotseenhim;Ihavenotheardfromhim。Hisservantoftenbringsmemessages。Notonemessageto-day。"
"HaveyouseenGloodyto-day？"
"Oh，yes！There’sonething，ifImaymakesobold，Ishouldliketoknow。Mr。Gloodyisasgoodtomeasgoodcanbe;weseeeachothercontinually，livinginthesameplace。Butyouaredifferent;andhetellsmehimselfhehasonlyseenyoutwice。Whathaveyoudone，Mr。
Gerard，tomakehimlikeyousowell，inthatshorttime？"
Itoldherthathehadbeenfoundinmygarden，lookingattheflowers。
"Ashehaddonenoharm，"Isaid，"Iwouldn’tallowtheservanttoturnhimout;andIwalkedroundtheflower-bedswithhim。Littleenoughtodeservesuchgratitudeasthepoorfellowexpressed——andfelt，Idon’tdoubtit。"
Ihadintendedtosaynomorethanthis。ButtheremembranceofGloody’smysteriousprevarication，andoftheuneasinesswhichIhadundoubtedlyfeltwhenIthoughtofitafterwards，ledme（Icannotpretendtosayhow）intoassociatingCristel’sagitationwithsomethingwhichthismanmighthavesaidtoher。Iwasonthepointofputtingthequestion，whensheheldupherhand，andsaid，"Hush！"
Thewindwasblowingtowardsusfromtheriver-sidevillage，towhichI
havealreadyalluded。IamnotsurewhetherIhavementionedthatthenameoftheplacewasKylam。Itwassituatedbehindapromontoryoftheriver-bank，clothedthicklywithtrees，andwasnotvisiblefromthemill。Inthepresentdirectionofthewind，wecouldhearthestrikingofthechurchclock。Cristelcountedthestrokes。
"Seven，"shesaid。"Areyoudeterminedtokeepyourengagement？"
Shehadrepeated——inanunsteadyvoice，andwithasuddenchangeinhercolortopaleness——thestrangequestionputtomebyGloody。InhiscaseIhadfailedtotracethemotive。Itriedtodiscoveritnow。
"TellmewhyIoughttobreakmyengagement，"Isaid。
"RememberwhatItoldyouatthespring，"sheanswered。"Youaredeceivedbyafalsefriendwholiestoyouandhatesyou。"
Themanshewasspeakingofturnedthecornerofthenewcottage。Hewavedhishandgaily，andapproachedusalongtheroad。
"Go！"shesaid。"Yourguardianangelhasforgottenyou。It’stoolatenow。"
Insteadoflettingmeprecedeher，asIhadanticipated，sheranonbeforeme——madeasigntothedeafman，asshepassedhim，nottostopher——anddisappearedthroughtheopendoorofherfather’ssideofthecottage。
Iwaslefttodecideformyself。WhatshouldIhavedone，ifIhadbeentwentyyearsolder？
Saythatmymoralcouragewouldhaverisensuperiortothepoorestofallfears，thefearofappearingtobeafraid，andthatIshouldhavemademyexcusestomyhostoftheevening——howwouldmymoralcouragehaveansweredhim，ifhehadaskedforanexplanation？Uselesstospeculateonit！HadIpossessedthewisdomofmiddlelife，hisbookofleaveswouldnothavetoldhim，inmyownhandwriting，thatIbelievedinhisbetternature，andacceptedhisfriendlyletterinthespiritinwhichhehadwrittenExplainitwhocan——IknewthatIwasgoingtodrinkteawithhim，andyetIwasunwillingtoadvanceafewsteps，andmeethimontheroad！
"Ifindanewbondofunionbetweenus，"hesaid，ashejoinedme。"Webothfeel_that。_"Hepointedtothegrandlydarkeningview。"Thetwomenwhocouldhavepaintedthemysteryofthosegrowingshadowsandfadinglights，lieinthegravesofRembrandtandTurner。Shallwegototea？"
Onourwaytohisroomwestoppedatthemiller’sdoor。
"Will_you_inquire，"hesaid，"ifMissCristelisready？"
Iwentin。OldTollerwasinthekitchen，smokinghispipewithoutappearingtoenjoyit。
"What’scometomygirl？"heasked，themomenthesawme。"Yesterdayshewasinherroom，crying。To-dayshe’sinherroom，praying。"
ThewarningswhichIhadneglectedroseinjudgmentagainstme。Iwassilent;Iwasawed。BeforeIrecoveredmyself，Cristelenteredthekitchen。Herfatherwhispered，"Lookather！"
Oftheexcitementwhichhaddisturbed——Ihadalmostsaid，profaned——herbeautifulface，notavestigeremained。Pale，composed，resolute，shesaid，"Iamready，"andledthewayout。
Themanwhomshehatedofferedhisarm。Shetookit！
CHAPTERXIII
THECLARETJUG
IperceivedbutonechangeintheLodger’smiserableroom，sinceIhadseenitlast。
Asecondtablewassetagainstoneofthewalls。Ourboilingwaterfortheteawaskeptthere，inasilverkettleheatedbyaspirit-lamp。I
nextobservedadelicatelittlechinavasewhichheldthetea，andafinely-designedglassclaretjug，withasilvercover。Othermen，possessingthatbeautifulobject，wouldhavethoughtitworthyofthepurestBordeauxwinewhichtheartsofmodernadulterationpermitustodrink。Thismanhadfilledtheclaretjugwithwater。
"Allmyvaluableproperty，ostentatiouslyexposedtoview，"hesaid，inhisbitterlyfacetiousmanner。"Mylandlord’spropertymatchesitonthebigtable。"
Thebigtablepresentedacoarseearthenwareteapot;cupsandsaucerswithpieceschippedoutofthem;acrackedmilkjug;atumblerwhichservedasasugarbasin;andanoldvegetabledish，honoredbyholdingdelicateFrenchsweet-meatsforthefirsttimesinceithadlefttheshop。
Mydeaffriend，inboisterouslygoodspirits，pointedbackwardsandforwardsbetweenthepreciousandtheworthlessobjectsonthetwotables，asifhesawaprospectthatdelightedhim。
"Idon’tbelievethemanlives，"hesaid，"whoenjoysContrastasI
do。——Whatdoyouwantnow？"
ThisquestionwasaddressedtoGloody，whohadjustenteredtheroom。Hetouchedtheearthenwareteapot。Hismasteranswered："Letitalone。"
"Imaketheteaatothertimes，"themanpersisted，lookingatme。
"Whatdoeshesay？Writeitdownforme，Mr。Roylake。Ibegyouwillwriteitdown。"
Therewasangerinhiseyesashemadethatrequest。Itookhisbook，andwrotethewords——harmlesswords，surely？Hereadthem，andturnedsavagelytohisunfortunateservant。
"Inthedayswhenyouwerearuffianintheprize-ring，didtheothermen’sfistsbeatallthebrainsoutofyourhead？DoyouthinkyoucanmaketeathatisfitforMr。Roylaketodrink？"
Hepointedtoanopendoor，communicatingwithanotherbedroom。Gloody’seyesrestedsteadilyonCristel：shefailedtonoticehim，beingoccupiedatthemomentinreplacingthepinofabroochwhichhadslippedoutofherdress。Themanwithdrewintothesecondbedroom，andsoftlyclosedthedoor。
Ourhostrecoveredhisgoodhumor。Hetookawoodenstool，andseatedhimselfbyCristel。
"Borrowedfurniture，"hesaid，"aswellasborrowedtea-things。WhatadebtofobligationIowetoyourexcellentfather。Howquietyouare，deargirl。Doyouregrethavingfollowedtheimpulsewhichmadeyoukindlyoffertodrinkteawithus？"Hesuddenlyturnedtome。"Anotherproof，Mr。Roylake，ofthesisterlyinterestthatshefeelsinyou;shecan’thearofyourcomingtomyroom，withoutwantingtobewithyou。Ah，youpossessthemysteriousattractionswhichfascinatethesex。Oneofthesedays，_some_womanwillloveyouasnevermanwaslovedyet。"HeaddressedhimselfagaintoCristel。"Stilloutofspirits？Idaresayyouaretiredofwaitingforyourtea。No？Youhavehadteaalready？It’sGloody’sfault;heoughttohavetoldmethatseveno’clockwastoolateforyou。Thepoordevildeservedthatyoushouldtakenonoticeofhimwhenhelookedatyoujustnow。Areyouoneofthefewwomenwhodislikeanuglyman？Womeningeneral，Icantellyou，preferuglymen。A
handsomemanmatchesthemontheirownground，andtheydon’tlikethat。
’Wearesofondofouruglyhusbands;theysetusofftosuchadvantage。’
Oh，Idon’treportwhattheysay;Ispeakthelanguageinwhichtheythink。——Mr。Roylake，doesitstrikeyouthattheCurisasadcynic？
By-the-by，doyoucallme’theCur’（asIsuggested）whenyouspeakofmetootherpeople——toMissCristel，forinstance？Mycharmingyoungfriends，youbothlookshocked;youbothshakeyourheads。PerhapsIaminoneofmytoleranthumorsto-day;IseenothingdisgracefulinbeingaCur。Heisadogwhorepresentsdifferentbreeds。Verywell，theEnglishareapeoplewhorepresentdifferentbreeds：Saxons，Normans，Danes。Theconsequence，inonecase，isagreatnation。Theconsequence，intheothercase，isthecleverestmemberofthewholedogfamily——asyoumayfindoutforyourselfifyouwillonlyteachhim。Ha——howIamrunningon。Mygueststrytoslipinawordortwo，andcan’tfindtheiropportunity。Enjoyment，MissCristel。Excitement，Mr。Roylake。Formorethanayearpast，Ihavenotluxuriatedinthepleasuresofsociety。I
feelthesocialglow;Ilovethehumanfamily;Inever，never，neverwassuchagoodmanasIamnow。Letvileslangexpressmyemotions：isn’titjolly？"
CristelandIstoppedhim，atthesamemoment。Weinstinctivelyliftedourhandstoourears。
Inhisdeliriumofhighspirits，hehadburstthroughtheinvariablemonotonyofhisarticulation。Withouttheslightestgradationofsound，hisvoicebrokesuddenlyintoascreech，prolongedinitsowndiscorduntilitbecameperfectlyunendurabletohear。Theeffectthathehadproduceduponuswasnotlostonhim。Hisheadsankonhisbreast;horridshudderingsshookhimwithoutmercy;hesaidtohimselfnottous：
"IhadforgottenIwasdeaf。"
Therewasawholeworldofmiseryinthosesimplewords。Cristelkeptherplace，unmoved。Irose，andputmyhandkindlyonhisshoulder。ItwasthebestwayIcoulddeviseofassuringhimofmysympathy。
Helookedupatme，insilence。
Hisbookofleaveswasonthetable;hedidoncemore，whathehadalreadydoneatthespring。Insteadofusingthebookasusual，hewroteinithimself，andthenhandedittome。
"Letmespareyournervesarepetitionofmydeafdiscord。Sight，smell，touch，taste——Iwouldgivethemalltobeabletohear。Inremindingmeofthatvainaspiration，myinfirmityrevengesitself：mydeafnessisnotaccustomedtobeforgotten。Well！Icanbesilentlyuseful;Icanmakethetea。"
Herose，and，takingtheteapotwithhim，wenttothetablethathadbeenplacedagainstthewall。Inthatposition，hisbackwasturnedtowardsus。
Atthesametime，Ifelthisbookgentlytakenoutofmyhand。Cristelhadbeenreading，whileIread，overmyshoulder。Shewroteonthenextblankleaf："ShallImakethetea？"
"Now，"shesaidtome，"noticewhathappens。"
Followinghim，shetouchedhisarm，andpresentedherrequest。Heshookhisheadintokenofrefusal。Shecamebacktoherplacebyme。
"Youexpectedthat？"Isaid。
"Yes。"
"Whydidyouaskmetonoticehisrefusal？"
"BecauseImaywanttoremindyouthathewouldn’tletmemakethetea。"
"Mysteries，mydear？"
"Yes：mysteries。"
"Nottobementionedmoreparticularly？"
"Iwillmentiononeofthemmoreparticularly。Aftertheteahasbeenmade，youmaypossiblyfeelmetouchyourkneeunderthetable。"
Iwasfoolenoughtosmileatthis，andwiseenoughafterwardstoseeinherfacethatIhadmadeamistake。
"Whatisyourtouchintendedtomean？"Iasked。
"Itmeans，’Wait，’shesaid。"
Mysenseofhumorwas，bythistime，completelyheldincheck。Thatsomesurprisewasinstoreforme，andthatCristelwasresolvednottotakemeintoherconfidence，wereconclusionsatwhichInaturallyarrived。I
felt，andsurelynotwithoutgoodcause，alittleannoyed。TheLodgercamebacktouswiththeteamade。Asheputtheteapotonthetable，heapologizedtoCristel。
"Don’tthinkmerude，inrefusingyourkindoffer。IfthereisonethingIknowIcandobetterthananybodyelse，thatthingismakingtea。Doyoutakesugarandmilk，Mr。Roylake？"
Imadetheaffirmativesign。Hepouredoutthetea。Whenhehadfilledtwocups，thesupplywasexhausted。CristelandInoticedthis。Hesawit，andatoncegratifiedourcuriosity。
"Itisarule，"hesaid，"withmastersintheartofmakingtea，thatoneinfusionoughtnevertobeusedtwice。Ifwewantanymore，wewillmakemore;andifyoufeelinclinedtojoinus，MissCristel，wewillfillthethirdcup。"
Whatwasthereinthis（Iwondered）tomakeherturnpale？Andwhy，afterwhathehadjustsaid，didIseehereyeswillinglyrestonhim，forthefirsttimeinmyexperience？Entirelyatalosstounderstandher，I
resignedlystirredmytea。Onthepointoftastingitnext，feltherhandonmyknee，underthetable。
BewilderedasIwas，Iobeyedmyinstructions，andwentonstirringmytea。Ourhostsmiled。
"Yoursugartakesalongtimetomelt，"hesaid——anddrankhistea。Asheemptiedthecup，thetouchwastakenoffme。Ifollowedhisexample。
Inspiteofhisboasting，theteawastheworstIevertasted。Ishouldhavethrownitoutofthewindow，iftheyhadofferedussuchnastystuffatTrimleyDeen。WhenIsetdownmycup，heaskedfacetiouslyifIwishedhimtobrewanymore。Mynegativeanswerwasamasterpieceofstrongexpression，inthelanguageofsigns。
InsteadofsendingforGloodytoclearthetable，hemovedawaytheobjectsnearhim，soastoleaveanemptyspaceathisdisposal。
"Ioughtperhapstohavehesitated，beforeIaskedyoutospendtheeveningwithme，"hesaid，speakingwithagentlenessandamiabilityofmanner，stronglyincontrastwithhisbehavioruptothistime。"Itismymisfortune，asyoubothwellknow，tobeacheckonconversation。Idaresayyouhaveaskedyourselves：Howishegoingtoamuseus，aftertea？Ifyouwillallowme，Iproposetoamuseyoubyexhibitingthedexterityofmyfingersandthumbs。BeforeIwasdeaf，Ishouldhavepreferredthepianoforthispurpose。Asitis，aninferioraccomplishmentmustservemyturn。"
Heopenedacupboardinthewall，closebythesecondtable，andreturnedwithapackofcards。
Cristelimitatedtheactionofdealingcardsforagame。"No，"hesaid，"thatisnottheamusementwhichIhaveinview。Allowmetopresentmyselfinanewcharacter。IamnolongertheLodger，andnolongertheCur。Mynewnameismorehonorablestill——IamtheConjurer。"
Heshuffledthepackbypouringitbackwardsandforwardsfromonehandtotheother，inacascadeofcards。Thewonderfuleasewithwhichhediditpreparedmeforsomethingworthseeing。Cristel’sadmirationofhisdexterityexpresseditselfbyaprolongedclappingofhands，andastrangeuneasylaugh。Ashisexcitementsubsided，heragitationbrokeout。Isawtheflushagainonherface，andthefierybrightnessinhereyes。Once，whenhisattentionwasengaged，shestolealookatthedoorbywhichGloodyhadlefttheroom。Didthisindicateanotherofthemysterieswhich，byherownconfession，shehadinpreparationforme？Mylateexperiencehadnotinclinedmefavorablytowardsmysteries。I
devotedmywholeattentiontotheConjurer。
WhetherhechosetheeasiestexamplesofskillinsleightofhandismorethanIknow。IcanonlysaythatIneverwasmorecompletelymystifiedbyanyprofessoroflegerdemainonthepublicplatform。Aftertheperformanceofeachtrick，heaskedleaveto"timehimselfbylookingathiswatch;beinganxioustodiscoverifhehadlosthiscustomaryquicknessofexecutionthroughrecentneglectofthenecessarypractice。
OfCristel’sconduct，whilehewasamusingus，IcanonlysaythatitjustifiedMrs。Roylake’sspitefuldescriptionofherasaboldgirl。Themorecleverlythetrickswereperformed，themoretheyseemedtoannoyandprovokeher。
"Ihatebeingpuzzled！"shesaid，addressingherselfofcoursetome。
"Yes，yes;hisfingersarequickerthanmyeyes——Ihaveheardthatexplanationbefore。Whenhehasdoneoneofhistricks，Iwanttoknowhowhedoesit。Conjurersarepeoplewhoaskriddles，and，whenonecan’tguessthem，refusetosaywhattheansweris。It’sasbadascallingmeafool，tosupposethatIlikebeingdeceived。Ah，"shecried，withashockinginsolenceoflookandmanner，"ifourfriendcouldonlyhearwhatIamsaying！"
Hehadpausedwhileshewasspeaking，observingherattentively。"Yourfacedoesn’tencourageme，"hesaid，withapatienceandcourtesyofmannerwhichitwasimpossiblenottoadmire。"Iamcominggraduallytomygreatesttriumph;andIthinkIcansurpriseandpleaseyou。"
Hetimedhislasttrick，andreturnedtothetableplacedagainstthewall。
"Excusemeforamoment，"heresumed;"Iamsufferingasusual，afterdrinkingtea。Isodelightinitthatthetemptationto-nightwasmorethanIcouldresist。Teadisagreeswithmyweakstomach。Italwaysproducesthirst。"
"Whatnonsensehetalks！"Cristelexclaimed。"Allmerefancy！Heremindsmeoftheoldsongcalled’TheNervousMan。’Doyouknowit，Mr。
Roylake？"
Inspiteofmyeffortstopreventher，sheburstoutwiththefirstverseofastupidcomicsong。Sparedbyhisdeafnessfromthisinflictionofvulgarity，ourhostfilledatumblerfromthewaterintheclaretjug，anddrankit。
Ashesetthetumblerdown，wewerestartledbyanaccidentinthenextroom。Thefloorwassuddenlyshakenbythesoundofaheavyfall。Thefallwasfollowedbyagroanwhichinstantlybroughtmetomyfeet。
Althoughhisinfirmitymadehimunconsciousofthegroan，myfriendfeltthevibrationofthefloor，andsawmestartupfrommychair。HelookedevenmorealarmedthanIwas，judgingbytheghastlychangethatIsawinhiscolor;andhereachedthedoorofthesecondroomassoonasIdid。
ItisneedlesstosaythatIallowedhimtoenterfirst。
Onthepointoffollowinghim，Ifeltmyselfroughlypulledback。WhenI
turnedround，andsawCristel，Ididreallyandtrulybelievethatshewasmad。Thefuriousimpatienceinhereyes，thefrenziedstrengthofhergrasponmyarm，wouldhaveledmostothermentoformthesameconclusion。
"Come！"shecried。"No！notaword。Thereisn’tamomenttolose。"Shedraggedmeacrosstheroomtothetableonwhichtheclaretjugstood。
Shefilledthetumblerfromit，as_he_hadfilledthetumbler。Thematerialofwhichthejughadbeenmadewassosolid（crystal，notglassasIhadsupposed）thatthefillingofthetwotumblersemptiedit。
Cristelheldthewaterouttome，gaspingforbreath，tremblingasifshesawsomefrightfulreptilebeforeherinsteadofmyself。
"Drinkit，"shesaid，"ifyouvalueyourlife！"
Ishouldofcoursehavefounditperfectlyeasytoobeyher，strangeasherlanguagewas，ifIhadbeeninfullpossessionofmyself。Betweendistressandalarm，mymind（Isuppose）hadlostitsbalance。Withorwithoutacause，Ihesitated。
Shecrossedtheroom，andthrewopenthewindowwhichlookedoutontheriver。
"Youshan’tdiealone，"shesaid。"Ifyoudon’tdrinkit，I’llthrowmyselfout！"
Idrankfromthetumblertothelastdrop。
Itwasnotwater。
IthadatastewhichIcancomparetonodrink，andtonomedicine，knowntome。Ithoughtoftheotherstrangetastepeculiartothetea。Atlast，thetremendoustruthforceditselfonmymind。Themaninwhommyboyishgenerosityhadsofaithfullybelievedhadattemptedmylife。
Cristeltookthetumblerfromme。Mypoorangelclaspedherfreearmroundmyneck，andpressedherlips，inanecstasyofjoy，onmycheek。
Thenextinstant，sheseizedtheclaretjug，anddasheditintopiecesonthefloor。"Getthejugfromhiswashhand-stand，"shesaid。WhenIgaveittoher，shepouredsomeofthewateruponthebrokenfragmentsofcrystalscatteredonthefloor。Ihadputthejugbackinitsplace，andwasreturningtoCristel，whenthepoisonershowedhimself，enteringfromtheservant’sroom。
"Don’tbealarmed，"hesaid。"Gloody’snameoughttobeGlutton。Anattackofgiddiness，thoroughlywelldeserved。Ihaverelievedhim。Youremember，Mr。Roylake，thatIwasonceasurgeon——"
Thebrokenclaretjugcaughthiseye。
Wehaveallreadofmenwhowerepetrifiedbyterror。Ofthefewpersonswhohavereallywitnessedthatspectacle，Iamone。Theutterstillnessofhimwasreallyterribletosee。Cristelwroteinhisbookanexcuse，nodoubtpreparedbeforehand："Thatfallinthenextroomfrightenedme，andIfeltfaint。Iwenttogetsomewaterfromthejugyoudrankoutof，anditslippedfrommyhand。"
Sheplacedthosewordsunderhiseyes——shemightjustaswellhaveshownthemtothedog。Adeadman，erectonhisfeet——sohelookedtooureyes。
Sohestilllooked，whenItookCristel’sarm，andledheroutofthatdreadfulpresence。
"Takemeintotheair！"shewhispered。
Aburstoftearsrelievedher，aftertheunutterablesuspensethatshehadsobravelyendured。Whenshewasinsomedegreecomposedagain，wewalkedgentlyupanddownforaminuteortwointhecoolnightair。
"Don’tspeaktome，"shesaid，aswestoppedbeforeherfather’sdoor。"I
amnotfitforityet;Iknowwhatyoufeel。"Ipressedhertomyheart，andlettheembracespeakforme。Sheyieldedtoit，faintlysighing。
"To-morrow？"Iwhispered。Shebentherhead，andleftme。
Walkinghomethroughthewood，Ibecameaware，littlebylittle，thatmythoughtswerenotunderthecustomarycontrol。Overandoveragain，I
triedtoreviewtheeventsofthatterribleevening，andfailed。
Fragmentsofothermemoriespresentedthemselves——andthendesertedme。
Nonsense，absolutenonsense，founditswayintomymindnext，androseinidioticwordstomylips。Igrewtoolazyeventotalktomyself。I
strayedfromthepath。Themossyearthbegantoriseandsinkundermyfeet，likethewatersinaground-swellatsea。Istoodstill，inastateofidiot-wonder。Thegroundsuddenlyroserightuptomyface。Iremembernomore。
Myfirstconsciousexerciseofmysenses，whenIrevived，cametomebywayofmyears。Leadenweightsseemedtoclosemyeyes，tofettermymovements，tosilencemytongue，toparalyzemytouch。ButIheardawailingvoice，speakingclosetome，soclosethatitmighthavebeenmyownvoice：Idistinguishedthewords;Iknewthetones。
"Oh，mymaster，mylord，whoamIthatIshouldlive——andyoudie！andyoudie！"
Wasitherwarmyoungbreaththatquickenedmewithitsvigorouslife？I
onlyknowthattherevivalofmysenseoftouchdidcertainlyspringfromthecontactofherlips，pressedtomineintherecklessabandonmentofgriefwithouthope。Hercryofjoy，whenmyfirstsightoldherthatI
wasstillalivingcreature，ranthroughmelikeanelectricshock。I
openedmyeyes;Iheldoutmyhand;Itriedtohelpherwhensheraisedmyhead，andsetmeagainstthetreeunderwhichIhadbeenstretchedhelpless。WithaneffortIcouldcallherbyhername。Eventhatexhaustedme。MymindwassoweakthatIshouldhavebelievedher，ifshehaddeclaredherselftobeaspiritseeninadream，keepingwatchovermeinthewood。
WiserthanIwas，shesnatchedupmyhat，ranonbeforeme，andwaslostinthedarkness。
Aninterval，anunendurableinterval，passed。Shereturned，havingfilledmyhatfromthespring。Butfortheexquisitecoolnessofthewaterfallingonmyface，tricklingdownmythroat，Ishouldhavelostmysensesagain。Inafewminutesmore，Icouldtakethatdearhand，andholdittomeasifIwasholdingtomylife。Wecouldonlyseeeachotherobscurely，andinthatverycircumstance（asweconfessedtoeachotherafterwards）wefoundtheneedfulcomposurebeforewecouldspeak。
返回顶部