Thesignsofhislikingweremanifestenough;butitwashardtoguesshowmuchtheymeant，becausehismannerwassodifferentfromanythingNorthDormerhadevershownher。Hewasatoncesimplerandmoredeferentialthananyoneshehadknown;andsometimesitwasjustwhenhewassimplestthatshemostfeltthedistancebetweenthem。Educationandopportunityhaddividedthembyawidththatnoeffortofherscouldbridge，andevenwhenhisyouthandhisadmirationbroughthimnearest，somechanceword，someunconsciousallusion，seemedtothrustherbackacrossthegulf。

NeverhadityawnedsowideaswhenshefleduptoherroomcarryingwithhertheechoofMr。Royall’stale。

HerfirstconfusedthoughtwastheprayerthatshemightneverseeyoungHarneyagain。Itwastoobittertopicturehimasthedetachedimpartiallistenertosuchastory。"Iwishhe’dgoaway：I

wishhe’dgotomorrow，andnevercomeback！"shemoanedtoherpillow;andfarintothenightshelaythere，inthedisordereddressshehadforgottentotakeoff，herwholesoulatossingmiseryonwhichherhopesanddreamsspunaboutlikedrowningstraws。

Ofallthistumultonlyavagueheart—sorenesswasleftwhensheopenedhereyesthenextmorning。Herfirstthoughtwasoftheweather，forHarneyhadaskedhertotakehimtothebrownhouseunderPorcupine，andthenaroundbyHamblin;andasthetripwasalongonetheyweretostartatnine。Thesunrosewithoutacloud，andearlierthanusualshewasinthekitchen，makingcheesesandwiches，decantingbuttermilkintoabottle，wrappingupslicesofapplepie，andaccusingVerenaofhavinggivenawayabasketsheneeded，whichhadalwayshungonahookinthepassage。Whenshecameoutintotheporch，inherpinkcalico，whichhadrunalittleinthewashing，butwasstillbrightenoughtosetoffherdarktints，shehadsuchatriumphantsenseofbeingapartofthesunlightandthemorningthatthelasttraceofhermiseryvanished。Whatdiditmatterwhereshecamefrom，orwhosechildshewas，whenlovewasdancinginherveins，anddowntheroadshesawyoungHarneycomingtowardher？

Mr。Royallwasintheporchtoo。Hehadsaidnothingatbreakfast，butwhenshecameoutinherpinkdress，thebasketinherhand，helookedatherwithsurprise。

"Whereyougoingto？"heasked。

"Why——Mr。Harney’sstartingearlierthanusualtoday，"

sheanswered。

"Mr。Harney，Mr。Harney？Ain’tMr。Harneylearnedhowtodriveahorseyet？"

Shemadenoanswer，andhesattiltedbackinhischair，drummingontherailoftheporch。Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokenoftheyoungmaninthattone，andCharityfeltafaintchillofapprehension。

Afteramomenthestoodupandwalkedawaytowardthebitofgroundbehindthehouse，wherethehiredmanwashoeing。

Theairwascoolandclear，withtheautumnalsparklethatanorthwindbringstothehillsinearlysummer，andthenighthadbeensostillthatthedewhungoneverything，notasalingeringmoisture，butinseparatebeadsthatglitteredlikediamondsonthefernsandgrasses。ItwasalongdrivetothefootofPorcupine：firstacrossthevalley，withbluehillsboundingtheopenslopes;thendownintothebeech—

woods，followingthecourseoftheCreston，abrownbrookleapingovervelvetledges;thenoutagainontothefarm—landsaboutCrestonLake，andgraduallyuptheridgesoftheEagleRange。Atlasttheyreachedtheyokeofthehills，andbeforethemopenedanothervalley，greenandwild，andbeyonditmoreblueheightseddyingawaytotheskylikethewavesofarecedingtide。

Harneytiedthehorsetoatree—stump，andtheyunpackedtheirbasketunderanagedwalnutwithariventrunkoutofwhichbumblebeesdarted。Thesunhadgrownhot，andbehindthemwasthenoondaymurmuroftheforest。Summerinsectsdancedontheair，andaflockofwhitebutterfliesfannedthemobiletipsofthecrimsonfireweed。Inthevalleybelownotahousewasvisible;itseemedasifCharityRoyallandyoungHarneyweretheonlylivingbeingsinthegreathollowofearthandsky。

Charity’sspiritsflaggedanddisquietingthoughtsstolebackonher。YoungHarneyhadgrownsilent，andashelaybesideher，hisarmsunderhishead，hiseyesonthenetworkofleavesabovehim，shewonderedifheweremusingonwhatMr。Royallhadtoldhim，andifithadreallydebasedherinhisthoughts。Shewishedhehadnotaskedhertotakehimthatdaytothebrownhouse;shedidnotwanthimtoseethepeopleshecamefromwhilethestoryofherbirthwasfreshinhismind。MorethanonceshehadbeenonthepointofsuggestingthattheyshouldfollowtheridgeanddrivestraighttoHamblin，wheretherewasalittledesertedhousehewantedtosee;butshynessandprideheldherback。"He’dbetterknowwhatkindoffolksIbelongto，"shesaidtoherself，withasomewhatforceddefiance;forinrealityitwasshamethatkepthersilent。

Suddenlysheliftedherhandandpointedtothesky。

"There’sastormcomingup。"

Hefollowedherglanceandsmiled。"Isitthatscrapofcloudamongthepinesthatfrightensyou？"

"It’sovertheMountain;andacloudovertheMountainalwaysmeanstrouble。"

"Oh，Idon’tbelievehalfthebadthingsyouallsayoftheMountain！Butanyhow，we’llgetdowntothebrownhousebeforetheraincomes。"

Hewasnotfarwrong，foronlyafewisolateddropshadfallenwhentheyturnedintotheroadundertheshaggyflankofPorcupine，andcameuponthebrownhouse。Itstoodalonebesideaswampborderedwithalderthicketsandtallbulrushes。Notanotherdwellingwasinsight，anditwashardtoguesswhatmotivecouldhaveactuatedtheearlysettlerwhohadmadehishomeinsounfriendlyaspot。

Charityhadpickedupenoughofhercompanion’seruditiontounderstandwhathadattractedhimtothehouse。Shenoticedthefan—shapedtraceryofthebrokenlightabovethedoor，theflutingsofthepaintlesspilastersatthecorners，andtheroundwindowsetinthegable;andsheknewthat，forreasonsthatstillescapedher，thesewerethingstobeadmiredandrecorded。Still，theyhadseenotherhousesfarmore"typical"（thewordwasHarney’s）;andashethrewthereinsonthehorse’sneckhesaidwithaslightshiverofrepugnance："Wewon’tstaylong。"

Againsttherestlessaldersturningtheirwhiteliningtothestormthehouselookedsingularlydesolate。

Thepaintwasalmostgonefromtheclap—boards，thewindow—paneswerebrokenandpatchedwithrags，andthegardenwasapoisonoustangleofnettles，burdocksandtallswamp—weedsoverwhichbigblue—bottleshummed。

Atthesoundofwheelsachildwithatow—headandpaleeyeslikeLiffHyatt’speeredoverthefenceandthenslippedawaybehindanout—house。HarneyjumpeddownandhelpedCharityout;andashedidsotherainbrokeonthem。Itcameslant—wise，onafuriousgale，layingshrubsandyoungtreesflat，tearingofftheirleaveslikeanautumnstorm，turningtheroadintoariver，andmakinghissingpoolsofeveryhollow。Thunderrolledincessantlythroughtheroaroftherain，andastrangeglitteroflightranalongthegroundundertheincreasingblackness。

"Luckywe’rehereafterall，"Harneylaughed。Hefastenedthehorseunderahalf—rooflessshed，andwrappingCharityinhiscoatranwithhertothehouse。

Theboyhadnotreappeared，andastherewasnoresponsetotheirknocksHarneyturnedthedoor—handleandtheywentin。

Therewerethreepeopleinthekitchentowhichthedooradmittedthem。Anoldwomanwithahandkerchiefoverherheadwassittingbythewindow。Sheheldasickly—lookingkittenonherknees，andwheneveritjumpeddownandtriedtolimpawayshestoopedandlifteditbackwithoutanychangeofheraged，unnoticingface。Anotherwoman，theunkemptcreaturethatCharityhadoncenoticedindrivingby，stoodleaningagainstthewindow—frameandstaredatthem;andnearthestoveanunshavedmaninatatteredshirtsatonabarrelasleep。

Theplacewasbareandmiserableandtheairheavywiththesmellofdirtandstaletobacco。Charity’sheartsank。OldderidedtalesoftheMountainpeoplecamebacktoher，andthewoman’sstarewassodisconcerting，andthefaceofthesleepingmansosoddenandbestial，thatherdisgustwastingedwithavaguedread。Shewasnotafraidforherself;sheknewtheHyattswouldnotbelikelytotroubleher;butshewasnotsurehowtheywouldtreata"cityfellow。"

LuciusHarneywouldcertainlyhavelaughedatherfears。Heglancedabouttheroom，utteredageneral"Howareyou？"towhichnooneresponded，andthenaskedtheyoungerwomaniftheymighttakesheltertillthestormwasover。

SheturnedhereyesawayfromhimandlookedatCharity。

"You’rethegirlfromRoyall’s，ain’tyou？"

ThecolourroseinCharity’sface。"I’mCharityRoyall，"shesaid，asifassertingherrighttothenameintheveryplacewhereitmighthavebeenmostopentoquestion。

Thewomandidnotseemtonotice。"Youkinstay，"shemerelysaid;thensheturnedawayandstoopedoveradishinwhichshewasstirringsomething。

HarneyandCharitysatdownonabenchmadeofaboardrestingontwostarchboxes。Theyfacedadoorhangingonabrokenhinge，andthroughthecracktheysawtheeyesofthetow—headedboyandofapalelittlegirlwithascaracrosshercheek。Charitysmiled，andsignedtothechildrentocomein;butassoonastheysawtheywerediscoveredtheyslippedawayonbarefeet。Itoccurredtoherthattheywereafraidofrousingthesleepingman;andprobablythewomansharedtheirfear，forshemovedaboutasnoiselesslyandavoidedgoingnearthestove。

Theraincontinuedtobeatagainstthehouse，andinoneortwoplacesitsentastreamthroughthepatchedpanesandranintopoolsonthefloor。

Everynowandthenthekittenmewedandstruggleddown，andtheoldwomanstoopedandcaughtit，holdingittightinherbonyhands;andonceortwicethemanonthebarrelhalfwoke，changedhispositionanddozedagain，hisheadfallingforwardonhishairybreast。Astheminutespassed，andtherainstillstreamedagainstthewindows，aloathingoftheplaceandthepeoplecameoverCharity。Thesightoftheweak—mindedoldwoman，ofthecowedchildren，andtheraggedmansleepingoffhisliquor，madethesettingofherownlifeseemavisionofpeaceandplenty。ShethoughtofthekitchenatMr。Royall’s，withitsscrubbedflooranddresserfullofchina，andthepeculiarsmellofyeastandcoffeeandsoft—soapthatshehadalwayshated，butthatnowseemedtheverysymbolofhouseholdorder。ShesawMr。Royall’sroom，withthehigh—backedhorsehairchair，thefadedragcarpet，therowofbooksonashelf，theengravingof"TheSurrenderofBurgoyne"overthestove，andthematwithabrownandwhitespanielonamoss—greenborder。AndthenhermindtravelledtoMissHatchard’shouse，whereallwasfreshness，purityandfragrance，andcomparedtowhichtheredhousehadalwaysseemedsopoorandplain。

"ThisiswhereIbelong——thisiswhereIbelong，"shekeptrepeatingtoherself;butthewordshadnomeaningforher。Everyinstinctandhabitmadeherastrangeramongthesepoorswamp—peoplelivinglikeverminintheirlair。WithallhersoulshewishedshehadnotyieldedtoHarney’scuriosity，andbroughthimthere。

Therainhaddrenchedher，andshebegantoshiverunderthethinfoldsofherdress。Theyoungerwomanmusthavenoticedit，forshewentoutoftheroomandcamebackwithabrokentea—cupwhichsheofferedtoCharity。Itwashalffullofwhiskey，andCharityshookherhead;butHarneytookthecupandputhislipstoit。WhenhehadsetitdownCharitysawhimfeelinhispocketanddrawoutadollar;hehesitatedamoment，andthenputitback，andsheguessedthathedidnotwishhertoseehimofferingmoneytopeopleshehadspokenofasbeingherkin。

Thesleepingmanstirred，liftedhisheadandopenedhiseyes。TheyrestedvacantlyforamomentonCharityandHarney，andthenclosedagain，andhisheaddrooped;butalookofanxietycameintothewoman’sface。SheglancedoutofthewindowandthencameuptoHarney。"Iguessyoubettergoalongnow，"shesaid。Theyoungmanunderstoodandgottohisfeet。

"Thankyou，"hesaid，holdingouthishand。Sheseemednottonoticethegesture，andturnedawayastheyopenedthedoor。

Therainwasstillcomingdown，buttheyhardlynoticedit：thepureairwaslikebalmintheirfaces。Thecloudswererisingandbreaking，andbetweentheiredgesthelightstreameddownfromremotebluehollows。

Harneyuntiedthehorse，andtheydroveoffthroughthediminishingrain，whichwasalreadybeadedwithsunlight。

ForawhileCharitywassilent，andhercompaniondidnotspeak。Shelookedtimidlyathisprofile：itwasgraverthanusual，asthoughhetoowereoppressedbywhattheyhadseen。Thenshebrokeoutabruptly：

"ThosepeoplebacktherearethekindoffolksIcomefrom。Theymaybemyrelations，forallIknow。"Shedidnotwanthimtothinkthatsheregrettedhavingtoldhimherstory。

"Poorcreatures，"herejoined。"Iwonderwhytheycamedowntothatfever—hole。"

Shelaughedironically。"Tobetterthemselves！It’sworseupontheMountain。BashHyattmarriedthedaughterofthefarmerthatusedtoownthebrownhouse。Thatwashimbythestove，Isuppose。"

Harneyseemedtofindnothingtosayandshewenton：

"Isawyoutakeoutadollartogivetothatpoorwoman。Whydidyouputitback？"

Hereddened，andleanedforwardtoflickaswamp—flyfromthehorse’sneck。"Iwasn’tsure————"

"Wasitbecauseyouknewtheyweremyfolks，andthoughtI’dbeashamedtoseeyougivethemmoney？"

Heturnedtoherwitheyesfullofreproach。"Oh，Charity————"Itwasthefirsttimehehadevercalledherbyhername。Hermiserywelledover。

"Iain’t——Iain’tashamed。They’remypeople，andI

ain’tashamedofthem，"shesobbed。

"Mydear……"hemurmured，puttinghisarmabouther;

andsheleanedagainsthimandweptoutherpain。

ItwastoolatetogoaroundtoHamblin，andallthestarswereoutinaclearskywhentheyreachedtheNorthDormervalleyanddroveuptotheredhouse。

VII

SINCEherreinstatementinMissHatchard’sfavourCharityhadnotdaredtocurtailbyamomentherhoursofattendanceatthelibrary。Sheevenmadeapointofarrivingbeforethetime，andshowedalaudableindignationwhentheyoungestTargattgirl，whohadbeenengagedtohelpinthecleaningandrearrangingofthebooks，cametrailinginlateandneglectedhertasktopeerthroughthewindowattheSollasboy。

Nevertheless，"librarydays"seemedmorethaneverirksometoCharityafterhervividhoursofliberty;

andshewouldhavefoundithardtosetagoodexampletohersubordinateifLuciusHarneyhadnotbeencommissioned，beforeMissHatchard’sdeparture，toexaminewiththelocalcarpenterthebestmeansofventilatingthe"Memorial。"

Hewascarefultoprosecutethisinquiryonthedayswhenthelibrarywasopentothepublic;andCharitywasthereforesureofspendingpartoftheafternooninhiscompany。TheTargattgirl’spresence，andtheriskofbeinginterruptedbysomepasser—bysuddenlysmittenwithathirstforletters，restrictedtheirintercoursetotheexchangeofcommonplaces;buttherewasafascinationtoCharityinthecontrastbetweenthesepubliccivilitiesandtheirsecretintimacy。

Thedayaftertheirdrivetothebrownhousewas"libraryday，"andshesatatherdeskworkingattherevisedcatalogue，whiletheTargattgirl，oneeyeonthewindow，chantedoutthetitlesofapileofbooks。

Charity’sthoughtswerefaraway，inthedismalhousebytheswamp，andunderthetwilightskyduringthelongdrivehome，whenLuciusHarneyhadconsoledherwithendearingwords。Thatday，forthefirsttimesincehehadbeenboardingwiththem，hehadfailedtoappearasusualatthemiddaymeal。Nomessagehadcometoexplainhisabsence，andMr。Royall，whowasmorethanusuallytaciturn，hadbetrayednosurprise，andmadenocomment。Initselfthisindifferencewasnotparticularlysignificant，forMr。Royall，incommonwithmostofhisfellow—citizens，hadawayofacceptingeventspassively，asifhehadlongsincecometotheconclusionthatnoonewholivedinNorthDormercouldhopetomodifythem。ButtoCharity，inthereactionfromhermoodofpassionateexaltation，therewassomethingdisquietinginhissilence。ItwasalmostasifLuciusHarneyhadneverhadapartintheirlives：Mr。Royall’simperturbableindifferenceseemedtorelegatehimtothedomainofunreality。

Asshesatatwork，shetriedtoshakeoffherdisappointmentatHarney’snon—appearing。Sometriflingincidenthadprobablykepthimfromjoiningthematmidday;butshewassurehemustbeeagertoseeheragain，andthathewouldnotwanttowaittilltheymetatsupper，betweenMr。RoyallandVerena。Shewaswonderingwhathisfirstwordswouldbe，andtryingtodeviseawayofgettingridoftheTargattgirlbeforehecame，whensheheardstepsoutside，andhewalkedupthepathwithMr。Miles。

TheclergymanfromHepburnseldomcametoNorthDormerexceptwhenhedroveovertoofficiateattheoldwhitechurchwhich，byanunusualchance，happenedtobelongtotheEpiscopalcommunion。Hewasabriskaffableman，eagertomakethemostofthefactthatalittlenucleusof"church—people"hadsurvivedinthesectarianwilderness，andresolvedtounderminetheinfluenceoftheginger—bread—colouredBaptistchapelattheotherendofthevillage;buthewaskeptbusybyparochialworkatHepburn，wheretherewerepaper—millsandsaloons，anditwasnotoftenthathecouldsparetimeforNorthDormer。

Charity，whowenttothewhitechurch（likeallthebestpeopleinNorthDormer），admiredMr。Miles，andhadeven，duringthememorabletriptoNettleton，imaginedherselfmarriedtoamanwhohadsuchastraightnoseandsuchabeautifulwayofspeaking，andwholivedinabrown—stonerectorycoveredwithVirginiacreeper。Ithadbeenashocktodiscoverthattheprivilegewasalreadyenjoyedbyaladywithcrimpedhairandalargebaby;butthearrivalofLuciusHarneyhadlongsincebanishedMr。MilesfromCharity’sdreams，andashewalkedupthepathatHarney’ssideshesawhimashereallywas：afatmiddle—agedmanwithabaldnessshowingunderhisclericalhat，andspectaclesonhisGreciannose。ShewonderedwhathadcalledhimtoNorthDormeronaweekday，andfeltalittlehurtthatHarneyshouldhavebroughthimtothelibrary。

ItpresentlyappearedthathispresencetherewasduetoMissHatchard。HehadbeenspendingafewdaysatSpringfield，tofillafriend’spulpit，andhadbeenconsultedbyMissHatchardastoyoungHarney’splanforventilatingthe"Memorial。"TolayhandsontheHatchardarkwasagravematter，andMissHatchard，alwaysfullofscruplesaboutherscruples（itwasHarney’sphrase），wishedtohaveMr。Miles’sopinionbeforedeciding。

"Icouldn’t，"Mr。Milesexplained，"quitemakeoutfromyourcousinwhatchangesyouwantedtomake，andastheothertrusteesdidnotunderstandeitherIthoughtI

hadbetterdriveoverandtakealook——thoughI’msure，"headded，turninghisfriendlyspectaclesontheyoungman，"thatnoonecouldbemorecompetent——butofcoursethisspothasitspeculiarsanctity！"

"Ihopealittlefreshairwon’tdesecrateit，"Harneylaughinglyrejoined;andtheywalkedtotheotherendofthelibrarywhilehesetforthhisideatotheRector。

Mr。Mileshadgreetedthetwogirlswithhisusualfriendliness，butCharitysawthathewasoccupiedwithotherthings，andshepresentlybecameaware，bythescrapsofconversationdriftingovertoher，thathewasstillunderthecharmofhisvisittoSpringfield，whichappearedtohavebeenfullofagreeableincidents。

"Ah，theCoopersons……yes，youknowthem，ofcourse，"

sheheard。"That’safineoldhouse！AndNedCoopersonhascollectedsomereallyremarkableimpressionistpictures……"ThenameshecitedwereunknowntoCharity。"Yes;yes;theSchaeferquartetteplayedatLyricHallonSaturdayevening;andonMondayIhadtheprivilegeofhearingthemagainattheTowers。

Beautifullydone……BachandBeethoven……alawn—partyfirst……IsawMissBalchseveraltimes，bytheway……lookingextremelyhandsome……"

CharitydroppedherpencilandforgottolistentotheTargattgirl’ssing—song。WhyhadMr。MilessuddenlybroughtupAnnabelBalch’sname？

"Oh，really？"sheheardHarneyrejoin;and，raisinghisstick，hepursued："Yousee，myplanistomovetheseshelvesaway，andopenaroundwindowinthiswall，ontheaxisoftheoneunderthepediment。"

"Isupposeshe’llbecomingupherelatertostaywithMissHatchard？"Mr。Mileswenton，followingonhistrainofthought;then，spinningaboutandtiltinghisheadback："Yes，yes，Isee——Iunderstand：thatwillgiveadraughtwithoutmateriallyalteringthelookofthings。Icanseenoobjection。"

Thediscussionwentonforsomeminutes，andgraduallythetwomenmovedbacktowardthedesk。Mr。MilesstoppedagainandlookedthoughtfullyatCharity。

"Aren’tyoualittlepale，mydear？Notoverworking？

Mr。HarneytellsmeyouandMamiearegivingthelibraryathoroughoverhauling。"Hewasalwayscarefultorememberhisparishioners’Christiannames，andattherightmomenthebenthisbenignantspectaclesontheTargattgirl。

ThenheturnedtoCharity。"Don’ttakethingshard，mydear;don’ttakethingshard。ComedownandseeMrs。

MilesandmesomedayatHepburn，"hesaid，pressingherhandandwavingafarewelltoMamieTargatt。Hewentoutofthelibrary，andHarneyfollowedhim。

CharitythoughtshedetectedalookofconstraintinHarney’seyes。Shefanciedhedidnotwanttobealonewithher;andwithasuddenpangshewonderedifherepentedthetenderthingshehadsaidtoherthenightbefore。Hiswordshadbeenmorefraternalthanlover—

like;butshehadlosttheirexactsenseinthecaressingwarmthofhisvoice。HehadmadeherfeelthatthefactofherbeingawaiffromtheMountainwasonlyanotherreasonforholdinghercloseandsoothingherwithconsolatorymurmurs;andwhenthedrivewasover，andshegotoutofthebuggy，tired，cold，andachingwithemotion，shesteppedasifthegroundwereasunlitwaveandshethesprayonitscrest。

Why，then，hadhismannersuddenlychanged，andwhydidheleavethelibrarywithMr。Miles？HerrestlessimaginationfastenedonthenameofAnnabelBalch：fromthemomentithadbeenmentionedshefanciedthatHarney’sexpressionhadaltered。AnnabelBalchatagarden—partyatSpringfield，looking"extremelyhandsome"……perhapsMr。MileshadseenherthereattheverymomentwhenCharityandHarneyweresittingintheHyatts’hovel，betweenadrunkardandahalf—wittedoldwoman！Charitydidnotknowexactlywhatagarden—partywas，butherglimpseoftheflower—edgedlawnsofNettletonhelpedhertovisualizethescene，andenviousrecollectionsofthe"oldthings"whichMissBalchavowedly"woreout"whenshecametoNorthDormermadeitonlytooeasytopictureherinhersplendour。

Charityunderstoodwhatassociationsthenamemusthavecalledup，andfelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainsttheunseeninfluencesinHarney’slife。

Whenshecamedownfromherroomforsupperhewasnotthere;andwhileshewaitedintheporchsherecalledthetoneinwhichMr。Royallhadcommentedthedaybeforeontheirearlystart。Mr。Royallsatatherside，hischairtiltedback，hisbroadblackbootswithside—elasticsrestingagainstthelowerbaroftherailings。Hisrumpledgreyhairstoodupabovehisforeheadlikethecrestofanangrybird，andtheleather—brownofhisveinedcheekswasblotchedwithred。Charityknewthatthoseredspotswerethesignsofacomingexplosion。

Suddenlyhesaid："Where’ssupper？HasVerenaMarshslippedupagainonhersoda—biscuits？"

Charitythrewastartledglanceathim。"Ipresumeshe’swaitingforMr。Harney。"

"Mr。Harney，isshe？She’dbetterdishup，then。Heain’tcoming。"Hestoodup，walkedtothedoor，andcalledout，inthepitchnecessarytopenetratetheoldwoman’stympanum："Getalongwiththesupper，Verena。"

Charitywastremblingwithapprehension。Somethinghadhappened——shewassureofitnow——andMr。Royallknewwhatitwas。Butnotfortheworldwouldshehavegratifiedhimbyshowingheranxiety。Shetookherusualplace，andheseatedhimselfopposite，andpouredoutastrongcupofteabeforepassingherthetea—pot。

Verenabroughtsomescrambledeggs，andhepiledhisplatewiththem。"Ain’tyougoingtotakeany？"heasked。Charityrousedherselfandbegantoeat。

ThetonewithwhichMr。Royallhadsaid"He’snotcoming"seemedtoherfullofanominoussatisfaction。

ShesawthathehadsuddenlybeguntohateLuciusHarney，andguessedherselftobethecauseofthischangeoffeeling。Butshehadnomeansoffindingoutwhethersomeactofhostilityonhisparthadmadetheyoungmanstayaway，orwhetherhesimplywishedtoavoidseeingheragainaftertheirdrivebackfromthebrownhouse。Sheatehersupperwithastudiedshowofindifference，butsheknewthatMr。Royallwaswatchingherandthatheragitationdidnotescapehim。

Aftersuppershewentuptoherroom。SheheardMr。

Royallcrossthepassage，andpresentlythesoundsbelowherwindowshowedthathehadreturnedtotheporch。Sheseatedherselfonherbedandbegantostruggleagainstthedesiretogodownandaskhimwhathadhappened。"I’dratherdiethandoit，"shemutteredtoherself。Withawordhecouldhaverelievedheruncertainty：butneverwouldshegratifyhimbysayingit。

Sheroseandleanedoutofthewindow。Thetwilighthaddeepenedintonight，andshewatchedthefrailcurveoftheyoungmoondroppingtotheedgeofthehills。Throughthedarknessshesawoneortwofiguresmovingdowntheroad;buttheeveningwastoocoldforloitering，andpresentlythestrollersdisappeared。

Lampswerebeginningtoshowhereandthereinthewindows。AbaroflightbroughtoutthewhitenessofaclumpofliliesintheHawes’syard：andfartherdownthestreetCarrickFry’sRochesterlampcastitsboldilluminationontherusticflower—tubinthemiddleofhisgrass—plot。

Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoleaninthewindow。

Butafeverofunrestconsumedher，andfinallyshewentdownstairs，tookherhatfromitshook，andswungoutofthehouse。Mr。Royallsatintheporch，Verenabesidehim，heroldhandscrossedonherpatchedskirt。

AsCharitywentdownthestepsMr。Royallcalledafterher："Whereyougoing？"Shecouldeasilyhaveanswered："ToOrma’s，"or"DowntotheTargatts’";andeitheranswermighthavebeentrue，forshehadnopurpose。Butshesweptoninsilence，determinednottorecognizehisrighttoquestionher。

Atthegateshepausedandlookedupanddowntheroad。

Thedarknessdrewher，andshethoughtofclimbingthehillandplungingintothedepthsofthelarch—woodabovethepasture。Thensheglancedirresolutelyalongthestreet，andasshedidsoagleamappearedthroughthesprucesatMissHatchard’sgate。LuciusHarneywasthere，then——hehadnotgonedowntoHepburnwithMr。

Miles，asshehadatfirstimagined。Butwherehadhetakenhiseveningmeal，andwhathadcausedhimtostayawayfromMr。Royall’s？Thelightwaspositiveproofofhispresence，forMissHatchard’sservantswereawayonaholiday，andherfarmer’swifecameonlyinthemornings，tomaketheyoungman’sbedandpreparehiscoffee。Besidethatlamphewasdoubtlesssittingatthismoment。ToknowthetruthCharityhadonlytowalkhalfthelengthofthevillage，andknockatthelightedwindow。Shehesitatedaminuteortwolonger，andthenturnedtowardMissHatchard’s。

Shewalkedquickly，straininghereyestodetectanyonewhomightbecomingalongthestreet;andbeforereachingtheFrys’shecrossedovertoavoidthelightfromtheirwindow。Whenevershewasunhappyshefeltherselfatbayagainstapitilessworld，andakindofanimalsecretivenesspossessedher。Butthestreetwasempty，andshepassedunnoticedthroughthegateandupthepathtothehouse。Itswhitefrontglimmeredindistinctlythroughthetrees，showingonlyoneoblongoflightonthelowerfloor。ShehadsupposedthatthelampwasinMissHatchard’ssitting—room;butshenowsawthatitshonethroughawindowatthefarthercornerofthehouse。Shedidnotknowtheroomtowhichthiswindowbelonged，andshepausedunderthetrees，checkedbyasenseofstrangeness。Thenshemovedon，treadingsoftlyontheshortgrass，andkeepingsoclosetothehousethatwhoeverwasintheroom，evenifrousedbyherapproach，wouldnotbeabletoseeher。

Thewindowopenedonanarrowverandahwithatrellisedarch。Sheleanedclosetothetrellis，andpartingthespraysofclematisthatcovereditlookedintoacorneroftheroom。Shesawthefootofamahoganybed，anengravingonthewall，awash—standonwhichatowelhadbeentossed，andoneendofthegreen—coveredtablewhichheldthelamp。Halfofthelampshadeprojectedintoherfieldofvision，andjustunderittwosmoothsunburnthands，oneholdingapencilandtheotheraruler，weremovingtoandfrooveradrawing—

board。

Herheartjumpedandthenstoodstill。Hewasthere，afewfeetaway;andwhilehersoulwastossingonseasofwoehehadbeenquietlysittingathisdrawing—

board。Thesightofthosetwohands，movingwiththeirusualskillandprecision，wokeheroutofherdream。

Hereyeswereopenedtothedisproportionbetweenwhatshehadfeltandthecauseofheragitation;andshewasturningawayfromthewindowwhenonehandabruptlypushedasidethedrawing—boardandtheotherflungdownthepencil。

CharityhadoftennoticedHarney’slovingcareofhisdrawings，andtheneatnessandmethodwithwhichhecarriedonandconcludedeachtask。Theimpatientsweepingasideofthedrawing—boardseemedtorevealanewmood。Thegesturesuggestedsuddendiscouragement，ordistasteforhisworkandshewonderedifhetoowereagitatedbysecretperplexities。Herimpulseofflightwaschecked;shesteppedupontheverandahandlookedintotheroom。

Harneyhadputhiselbowsonthetableandwasrestinghischinonhislockedhands。Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，andunbuttonedthelowcollarofhisflannelshirt;shesawthevigorouslinesofhisyoungthroat，andtherootofthemuscleswheretheyjoinedthechest。Hesatstaringstraightaheadofhim，alookofwearinessandself—disgustonhisface：

itwasalmostasifhehadbeengazingatadistortedreflectionofhisownfeatures。ForamomentCharitylookedathimwithakindofterror，asifhehadbeenastrangerunderfamiliarlineaments;thensheglancedpasthimandsawontheflooranopenportmanteauhalffullofclothes。Sheunderstoodthathewaspreparingtoleave，andthathehadprobablydecidedtogowithoutseeingher。Shesawthatthedecision，fromwhatevercauseitwastaken，haddisturbedhimdeeply;

andsheimmediatelyconcludedthathischangeofplanwasduetosomesurreptitiousinterferenceofMr。

Royall’s。Allheroldresentmentsandrebellionsflamedup，confusedlymingledwiththeyearningrousedbyHarney’snearness。Onlyafewhoursearliershehadfeltsecureinhiscomprehendingpity;nowshewasflungbackonherself，doublyaloneafterthatmomentofcommunion。

Harneywasstillunawareofherpresence。Hesatwithoutmoving，moodilystaringbeforehimatthesamespotinthewall—paper。Hehadnotevenhadtheenergytofinishhispacking，andhisclothesandpaperslayonthefloorabouttheportmanteau。Presentlyheunlockedhisclaspedhandsandstoodup;andCharity，drawingbackhastily，sankdownonthestepoftheverandah。Thenightwassodarkthattherewasnotmuchchanceofhisseeingherunlessheopenedthewindowandbeforethatshewouldhavetimetoslipawayandbelostintheshadowofthetrees。Hestoodforaminuteortwolookingaroundtheroomwiththesameexpressionofself—disgust，asifhehatedhimselfandeverythingabouthim;thenhesatdownagainatthetable，drewafewmorestrokes，andthrewhispencilaside。Finallyhewalkedacrossthefloor，kickingtheportmanteauoutofhisway，andlaydownonthebed，foldinghisarmsunderhishead，andstaringupmoroselyattheceiling。Justso，Charityhadseenhimathersideonthegrassorthepine—needles，hiseyesfixedonthesky，andpleasureflashingoverhisfaceliketheflickersofsunthebranchesshedonit。

Butnowthefacewassochangedthatshehardlyknewit;andgriefathisgriefgatheredinherthroat，rosetohereyesandranover。

Shecontinuedtocrouchonthesteps，holdingherbreathandstiffeningherselfintocompleteimmobility。

Onemotionofherhand，onetaponthepane，andshecouldpicturethesuddenchangeinhisface。Ineverypulseofherrigidbodyshewasawareofthewelcomehiseyesandlipswouldgiveher;butsomethingkeptherfrommoving。Itwasnotthefearofanysanction，humanorheavenly;shehadneverinherlifebeenafraid。Itwassimplythatshehadsuddenlyunderstoodwhatwouldhappenifshewentin。Itwasthethingthatdidhappenbetweenyoungmenandgirls，andthatNorthDormerignoredinpublicandsnickeredoveronthesly。ItwaswhatMissHatchardwasstillignorantof，buteverygirlofCharity’sclassknewaboutbeforesheleftschool。ItwaswhathadhappenedtoAllyHawes’ssisterJulia，andhadendedinhergoingtoNettleton，andinpeople’snevermentioninghername。

Itdidnot，ofcourse，alwaysendsosensationally;

nor，perhaps，onthewhole，sountragically。CharityhadalwayssuspectedthattheshunnedJulia’sfatemighthaveitscompensations。Therewereothers，worseendingsthatthevillageknewof，mean，miserable，unconfessed;otherlivesthatwentondrearily，withoutvisiblechange，inthesamecrampedsettingofhypocrisy。Butthesewerenotthereasonsthatheldherback。Sincethedaybefore，shehadknownexactlywhatshewouldfeelifHarneyshouldtakeherinhisarms：themeltingofpalmintopalmandmouthonmouth，andthelongflameburningherfromheadtofoot。Butmixedwiththisfeelingwasanother：thewonderingprideinhislikingforher，thestartledsoftnessthathissympathyhadputintoherheart。Sometimes，whenheryouthflushedupinher，shehadimaginedyieldinglikeothergirlstofurtivecaressesinthetwilight;

butshecouldnotsocheapenherselftoHarney。Shedidnotknowwhyhewasgoing;butsincehewasgoingshefeltshemustdonothingtodefacetheimageofherthathecarriedaway。Ifhewantedherhemustseekher：hemustnotbesurprisedintotakingherasgirlslikeJuliaHawesweretaken……

Nosoundcamefromthesleepingvillage，andinthedeepdarknessofthegardensheheardnowandthenasecretrustleofbranches，asthoughsomenight—birdbrushedthem。Onceafootfallpassedthegate，andsheshrankbackintohercorner;butthestepsdiedawayandleftaprofounderquiet。HereyeswerestillonHarney’stormentedface：shefeltshecouldnotmovetillhemoved。Butshewasbeginningtogrownumbfromherconstrainedposition，andattimesherthoughtsweresoindistinctthatsheseemedtobeheldthereonlybyavagueweightofweariness。

Alongtimepassedinthisstrangevigil。Harneystilllayonthebed，motionlessandwithfixedeyes，asthoughfollowinghisvisiontoitsbitterend。Atlasthestirredandchangedhisattitudeslightly，andCharity’sheartbegantotremble。Butheonlyflungouthisarmsandsankbackintohisformerposition。

Withadeepsighhetossedthehairfromhisforehead;

thenhiswholebodyrelaxed，hisheadturnedsidewaysonthepillow，andshesawthathehadfallenasleep。

Thesweetexpressioncamebacktohislips，andthehaggardnessfadedfromhisface，leavingitasfreshasaboy’s。

Sheroseandcreptaway。

VIII

SHEhadlostthesenseoftime，anddidnotknowhowlateitwastillshecameoutintothestreetandsawthatallthewindowsweredarkbetweenMissHatchard’sandtheRoyallhouse。

AsshepassedfromundertheblackpalloftheNorwaysprucesshefanciedshesawtwofiguresintheshadeabouttheduck—pond。Shedrewbackandwatched;butnothingmoved，andshehadstaredsolongintothelamp—litroomthatthedarknessconfusedher，andshethoughtshemusthavebeenmistaken。

Shewalkedon，wonderingwhetherMr。Royallwasstillintheporch。Inherexaltedmoodshedidnotgreatlycarewhetherhewaswaitingforherornot：sheseemedtobefloatinghighoverlife，onagreatcloudofmiserybeneathwhichevery—dayrealitieshaddwindledtomerespecksinspace。Buttheporchwasempty，Mr。

Royall’shathungonitspeginthepassage，andthekitchenlamphadbeenlefttolighthertobed。Shetookitandwentup。

Themorninghoursofthenextdaydraggedbywithoutincident。Charityhadimaginedthat，insomewayorother，shewouldlearnwhetherHarneyhadalreadyleft;butVerena’sdeafnesspreventedherbeingasourceofnews，andnoonecametothehousewhocouldbringenlightenment。

Mr。Royallwentoutearly，anddidnotreturntillVerenahadsetthetableforthemiddaymeal。Whenhecameinhewentstraighttothekitchenandshoutedtotheoldwoman："Readyfordinner————"thenheturnedintothedining—room，whereCharitywasalreadyseated。

Harney’splatewasinitsusualplace，butMr。Royallofferednoexplanationofhisabsence，andCharityaskednone。Thefeverishexaltationofthenightbeforehaddropped，andshesaidtoherselfthathehadgoneaway，indifferently，almostcallously，andthatnowherlifewouldlapseagainintothenarrowrutoutofwhichhehadliftedit。Foramomentshewasinclinedtosneeratherselffornothavingusedtheartsthatmighthavekepthim。

Shesatattabletillthemealwasover，lestMr。

Royallshouldremarkonherleaving;butwhenhestoodupsherosealso，withoutwaitingtohelpVerena。

Shehadherfootonthestairswhenhecalledtohertocomeback。

"I’vegotaheadache。I’mgoinguptoliedown。"

"Iwantyoushouldcomeinherefirst;I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou。"

Shewassurefromhistonethatinamomentshewouldlearnwhateverynerveinherachedtoknow;butassheturnedbackshemadealasteffortofindifference。

Mr。Royallstoodinthemiddleoftheoffice，histhickeyebrowsbeetling，hislowerjawtremblingalittle。

Atfirstshethoughthehadbeendrinking;thenshesawthathewassober，butstirredbyadeepandsternemotiontotallyunlikehisusualtransientangers。Andsuddenlysheunderstoodthat，untilthen，shehadneverreallynoticedhimorthoughtabouthim。Exceptontheoccasionofhisoneoffensehehadbeentohermerelythepersonwhoisalwaysthere，theunquestionedcentralfactoflife，asinevitablebutasuninterestingasNorthDormeritself，oranyoftheotherconditionsfatehadlaidonher。Eventhenshehadregardedhimonlyinrelationtoherself，andhadneverspeculatedastohisownfeelings，beyondinstinctivelyconcludingthathewouldnottroubleheragaininthesameway。Butnowshebegantowonderwhathewasreallylike。

Hehadgraspedthebackofhischairwithbothhands，andstoodlookinghardather。Atlengthhesaid：

"Charity，foroncelet’syouandmetalktogetherlikefriends。"

Instantlyshefeltthatsomethinghadhappened，andthatheheldherinhishand。

"WhereisMr。Harney？Whyhasn’thecomeback？Haveyousenthimaway？"shebrokeout，withoutknowingwhatshewassaying。

ThechangeinMr。Royallfrightenedher。Allthebloodseemedtoleavehisveinsandagainsthisswarthypallorthedeeplinesinhisfacelookedblack。

"Didn’thehavetimetoanswersomeofthosequestionslastnight？Youwaswithhimlongenough！"hesaid。

Charitystoodspeechless。Thetauntwassounrelatedtowhathadbeenhappeninginhersoulthatshehardlyunderstoodit。Buttheinstinctofself—defenseawokeinher。

"WhosaysIwaswithhimlastnight？"

"Thewholeplaceissayingitbynow。"

"Thenitwasyouthatputthelieintotheirmouths。——Oh，howI’vealwayshatedyou！"shecried。

Shehadexpectedaretortinkind，anditstartledhertohearherexclamationsoundingonthroughsilence。

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