第1章

SEQUEL

PREFATORYNOTE

Thefollowingstory，thefirstpublishedbytheauthor，waswrittennineteenyearsago，atatimewhenhewasfeelinghiswaytoamethod。Theprinciplesobservedinitscompositionare，nodoubt，tooexclusivelythoseinwhichmystery，entanglement，surprise，andmoralobliquityaredependedonforexcitinginterest；butsomeofthescenes，andatleastoneofthecharacters，havebeendeemednotunworthyofalittlelongerpreservation；andastheycouldhardlybereproducedinafragmentaryformthenovelisreissuedcomplete——

themorereadilythatithasforsomeconsiderabletimebeenreprintedandwidelycirculatedinAmerica。

January1889。

TotheforegoingnoteIhaveonlytoaddthat，inthepresenteditionof\'DesperateRemedies，\'someWessextownsandotherplacesthatarecommontothescenesofseveralofthesestorieshavebeencalledforthefirsttimebythenamesunderwhichtheyappearelsewhere，forthesatisfactionofanyreaderwhomaycareforconsistencyinsuchmatters。

Thisistheonlymaterialchange；for，asithappenedthatcertaincharacteristicswhichprovokedmostdiscussioninmylateststorywerepresentinthismyfirst——publishedin1871，whentherewasnoFrenchnameforthemithasseemedbesttoletthemstandunaltered。

T。H。

February1896。

I。THEEVENTSOFTHIRTYYEARS

1。DECEMBERANDJANUARY，1835-36

InthelongandintricatelyinwroughtchainofcircumstancewhichrendersworthyofrecordsomeexperiencesofCythereaGraye，EdwardSpringrove，andothers，thefirsteventdirectlyinfluencingtheissuewasaChristmasvisit。

Intheabove-mentionedyear，1835，AmbroseGraye，ayoungarchitectwhohadjustbegunthepracticeofhisprofessioninthemidlandtownofHocbridge，tothenorthofChristminster，wenttoLondontospendtheChristmasholidayswithafriendwholivedinBloomsbury。

TheyhadgoneuptoCambridgeinthesameyear，and，aftergraduatingtogether，Huntway，thefriend，hadtakenorders。

Grayewashandsome，frank，andgentle。Hehadaqualityofthoughtwhich，exercisedonhomeliness，washumour；onnature，picturesqueness；onabstractions，poetry。Being，asarule，broadcast，itwasallthree。

Ofthewickednessoftheworldhewastooforgetful。Todiscoverevilinanewfriendistomostpeopleonlyanadditionalexperience：tohimitwaseverasurprise。

WhileinLondonhebecameacquaintedwitharetiredofficerintheNavynamedBradleigh，who，withhiswifeandtheirdaughter，livedinastreetnotfarfromRussellSquare。Thoughtheywereinnomorethancomfortablecircumstances，thecaptain\'swifecameofanancientfamilywhosegenealogicaltreewasinterlacedwithsomeofthemostillustriousandwell-knowninthekingdom。

Theyounglady，theirdaughter，seemedtoGrayebyfarthemostbeautifulandqueenlybeinghehadeverbeheld。Shewasaboutnineteenortwenty，andhernamewasCytherea。Intruthshewasnotsoveryunlikecountrygirlsofthattypeofbeauty，exceptinonerespect。Shewasperfectinhermannerandbearing，andtheywerenot。Ameredistinguishingpeculiarity，bycatchingtheeye，isoftenreadasthepervadingcharacteristic，andsheappearedtohimnolessthanperfectionthroughout——transcendingherruralrivalsinverynature。Grayedidathingtheblissfulnessofwhichwasonlyeclipsedbyitshazardousness。Helovedheratfirstsight。

HisintroductionshadledhimintocontactwithCythereaandherparentstwoorthreetimesonthefirstweekofhisarrivalinLondon，andaccidentandalover\'scontrivancebroughtthemtogetherasfrequentlytheweekfollowing。TheparentslikedyoungGraye，andhavingfewfriends(fortheirequalsinbloodweretheirsuperiorsinposition)，hewasreceivedonverygenerousterms。HispassionforCythereagrewnotonlystrong，butineffablyexalted：

she，withoutpositivelyencouraginghim，tacitlyassentedtohisschemesforbeingnearher。Herfatherandmotherseemedtohavelostallconfidenceinnobilityofbirth，withoutmoneytogiveeffecttoitspresence，andlookeduponthebuddingconsequenceoftheyoungpeople\'sreciprocalglanceswithplacidity，ifnotactualfavour。

Graye\'swholeimpassioneddreamterminatedinasadandunaccountableepisode。Afterpassingthroughthreeweeksofsweetexperience，hehadarrivedatthelaststage——akindofmoralGaza——

beforeplungingintoanemotionaldesert。ThesecondweekinJanuaryhadcomeround，anditwasnecessaryfortheyoungarchitecttoleavetown。

Throughouthisacquaintanceshipwiththeladyofhishearttherehadbeenthismarkedpeculiarityinherlove：shehaddelightedinhispresenceasasweetheartshoulddo，yetfromfirsttolastshehadrepressedallrecognitionofthetruenatureofthethreadwhichdrewthemtogether，blindingherselftoitsmeaningandonlynaturaltendency，andappearingtodreadhisannouncementofthem。Thepresentseemedenoughforherwithoutcumulativehope：usually，evenifloveisinitselfanend，itmustberegardedasabeginningtobeenjoyed。

Inspiteofevasionsasanobstacle，andinconsequenceofthemasaspur，hewouldputthematteroffnolonger。Itwasevening。Hetookherintoalittleconservatoryonthelanding，andthereamongtheevergreens，bythelightofafewtinylamps，infinitelyenhancingthefreshnessandbeautyoftheleaves，hemadethedeclarationofaloveasfreshandbeautifulasthey。

\'Mylove——mydarling，bemywife！\'

Sheseemedlikeonejustawakened。\'Ah——wemustpartnow！\'shefaltered，inavoiceofanguish。\'Iwillwritetoyou。\'Sheloosenedherhandandrushedaway。

InawildfeverGrayewenthomeandwatchedforthenextmorning。

Whoshallexpresshismiseryandwonderwhenanotecontainingthesewordswasputintohishand？

\'Good-bye；good-byeforever。Asrecognizedloverssomethingdividesuseternally。Forgiveme——Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore；

butyourlovewassweet！Nevermentionme。\'

Thatveryday，andasitseemed，toputanendtoapainfulconditionofthings，daughterandparentsleftLondontopayoffapromisedvisittoarelativeinawesterncounty。Nomessageorletterofentreatycouldwringfromheranyexplanation。Shebeggedhimnottofollowher，andthemostbewilderingpointwasthatherfatherandmotherappeared，fromthetoneofaletterGrayereceivedfromthem，asvexedandsadasheatthissuddenrenunciation。Onethingwasplain：withoutadmittingherreasonasvalid，theyknewwhatthatreasonwas，anddidnotintendtorevealit。

AweekfromthatdayAmbroseGrayelefthisfriendHuntway\'shouseandsawnomoreoftheLovehemourned。FromtimetotimehisfriendansweredanyinquiryGrayemadebyletterrespectingher。

Butverypoorfoodtoaloverisintelligenceofamistressfilteredthroughafriend。Huntwaycouldtellnothingdefinitely。HesaidhebelievedtherehadbeensomepriorflirtationbetweenCythereaandhercousin，anofficeroftheline，twoorthreeyearsbeforeGrayemether，whichhadsuddenlybeenterminatedbythecousin\'sdepartureforIndia，andtheyounglady\'stravellingontheContinentwithherparentsthewholeoftheensuingsummer，onaccountofdelicatehealth。EventuallyHuntwaysaidthatcircumstanceshadrenderedGraye\'sattachmentmorehopelessstill。

Cytherea\'smotherhadunexpectedlyinheritedalargefortuneandestatesinthewestofEnglandbytherapidfallofsomeinterveninglives。ThishadcausedtheirremovalfromthesmallhouseinBloomsbury，and，asitappeared，arenunciationoftheiroldfriendsinthatquarter。

YoungGrayeconcludedthathisCythereahadforgottenhimandhislove。Buthecouldnotforgether。

2。FROM1843TO1861

Eightyearslater，feelinglonelyanddepressed——amanwithoutrelatives，withmanyacquaintancesbutnofriends——AmbroseGrayemetayoungladyofadifferentkind，fairlyendowedwithmoneyandgoodgifts。AstocaringverydeeplyforanotherwomanafterthelossofCytherea，itwasanabsoluteimpossibilitywithhim。Withall，thebeautifulthingsoftheearthbecomemoredearastheyeludepursuit；butwithsomenaturesutterelusionistheonespecialeventwhichwillmakeapassinglovepermanentforever。

ThissecondyoungladyandGrayeweremarried。Thathedidnot，firstorlast，lovehiswifeasheshouldhavedone，wasknowntoall；butfewknewthathisunmanageableheartcouldneverbeweanedfromuselessrepiningatthelossofitsfirstidol。

Hischaractertosomeextentdeteriorated，asemotionalconstitutionswillunderthelongsenseofdisappointmentathavingmissedtheirimagineddestiny。Andthus，thoughnaturallyofagentleandpleasantdisposition，hegrewtobenotsotenderlyregardedbyhisacquaintancesasitisthelotofsomeofthosepersonstobe。Thewinningandsanguinereceptivityofhisearlylifedevelopedbydegreesamoodynervousness，andwhennotpicturingprospectsdrawnfrombaselesshopehewasthevictimofindescribabledepression。Thepracticalissueofsuchaconditionwasimprovidence，originallyalmostanunconsciousimprovidence，foreverydebtincurredhadbeenmentallypaidoffwithareligiousexactnessfromthetreasuresofexpectationbeforementioned。Butasyearsrevolved，thesamecoursewascontinuedfromthelackofspiritsufficientforshiftingoutofanoldgroovewhenithasbeenfoundtoleadtodisaster。

Intheyear1861hiswifedied，leavinghimawidowerwithtwochildren。Theelder，asonnamedOwen，nowjustturnedseventeen，wastakenfromschool，andinitiatedaspupiltotheprofessionofarchitectinhisfather\'soffice。Theremainingchildwasadaughter，andOwen\'sjuniorbyayear。

HerchristiannamewasCytherea，anditiseasytoguesswhy。

3。OCTOBERTHETWELFTH，1863

Wepassovertwoyearsinordertoreachthenextcardinaleventofthesepersons\'lives。ThesceneisstilltheGrayes\'nativetownofHocbridge，butasitappearedonaMondayafternooninthemonthofOctober。

Theweatherwassunnyanddry，buttheancientboroughwastobeseenwearingoneofitsleastattractiveaspects。Firstonaccountofthetime。Itwasthatstagnanthourofthetwenty-fourwhenthepracticalgarishnessofDay，havingescapedfromthefreshlongshadowsandenliveningnewnessofthemorning，hasnotyetmadeanyperceptibleadvancetowardsacquiringthosemellowandsoothingtoneswhichgraceitsdecline。Next，itwasthatstageintheprogressoftheweekwhenbusiness——which，carriedonunderthegablesofanoldcountryplace，isnotdevoidofaromanticsparkle——

waswell-nighextinguished。Lastly，thetownwasintentionallybentuponbeingattractivebyexhibitingtoaninfluxofvisitorsthelocaltalentfordramaticrecitation，andprovincialtownstryingtobelivelyarethedullestofdullthings。

Littletownsarelikelittlechildreninthisrespect，thattheyinterestmostwhentheyareenactingnativepeculiaritiesunconsciousofbeholders。Discoveringthemselvestobewatchedtheyattempttobeentertainingbyputtingonanantic，andproducedisagreeablecaricatureswhichspoilthem。

Theweather-stainedclock-faceinthelowchurchtowerstandingattheintersectionofthethreechiefstreetswasexpressinghalf-pasttwototheTownHallopposite，wherethemuchtalked-ofreadingfromShakespearewasabouttobegin。Thedoorswereopen，andthosepersonswhohadalreadyassembledwithinthebuildingwerenoticingtheentranceofthenew-comers——silentlycriticizingtheirdress——

questioningthegenuinenessoftheirteethandhair——estimatingtheirprivatemeans。

Amongtheselateronescameanexceptionalyoungmaidenwhoglowedamidthedulnesslikeasinglebright-redpoppyinafieldofbrownstubble。Sheworeanelegantdarkjacket，lavenderdress，hatwithgreystringsandtrimmings，andglovesofacolourtoharmonize。

Shelightlywalkedupthesidepassageoftheroom，castaslightglancearound，andenteredtheseatpointedouttoher。

TheyounggirlwasCythereaGraye；heragewasnowabouteighteen。

Duringherentry，andatvarioustimeswhilstsittinginherseatandlisteningtothereaderontheplatform，herpersonalappearanceformedaninterestingsubjectofstudyforseveralneighbouringeyes。

Herfacewasexceedinglyattractive，thoughartisticallylessperfectthanherfigure，whichapproachedunusuallyneartothestandardoffaultlessness。Buteventhisfeatureofhersyieldedthepalmtothegracefulnessofhermovement，whichwasfascinatinganddelightfultoanextremedegree。

Indeed，motionwasherspeciality，whethershownonitsmostextendedscaleofbodilyprogression，orminutely，asintheupliftingofhereyelids，thebendingofherfingers，thepoutingofherlip。Thecarriageofherhead——motionwithinmotion——aglideuponaglide——wasasdelicateasthatofamagneticneedle。Andthisflexibilityandelasticityhadneverbeentaughtherbyrule，norevenbeenacquiredbyobservation，but，nullocultu，hadnaturallydevelopeditselfwithheryears。Inchildhood，astoneorstalkintheway，whichhadbeentheinevitableoccasionofafalltoherplaymates，hadusuallylefthersafeanduprightonherfeetafterthenarrowestescapebyoscillationsandwhirlsforthepreservationofherbalance。AtmixedChristmasparties，whenshenumberedbuttwelveorthirteenyears，andwasheartilydespisedonthataccountbyladswhodeemedthemselvesmen，heraptlightnessinthedancecoveredthisincompletenessinherwomanhood，andcompelledtheself-sameyouthsinspiteofresolutionstoseizeuponherchildishfigureasapartnerwhomtheycouldnotaffordtocontemn。Andinlateryears，whentheinstinctsofhersexhadshownherthispointasthebestandrarestfeatureinherexternalself，shewasnotfoundwantinginattentiontothecultivationoffinishinitsdetails。

Herhairrestedgailyuponhershouldersincurlsandwasofashiningcornyellowinthehighlights，deepeningtoadefinitenut-

brownaseachcurlwoundroundintotheshade。Shehadeyesofasapphirehue，thoughratherdarkerthanthegemordinarilyappears；

theypossessedtheaffectionateandliquidsparkleofloyaltyandgoodfaithasdistinguishablefromthatharderbrightnesswhichseemstoexpressfaithfulnessonlytotheobjectconfrontingthem。

Buttoattempttogainaviewofher——orindeedofanyfascinatingwoman——fromameasuredcategory，isasdifficultastoappreciatetheeffectofalandscapebyexploringitatnightwithalantern——

orofafullchordofmusicbypipingthenotesinsuccession。

Neverthelessitmayreadilybebelievedfromthedescriptionhereventured，thatamongthemanywinningphasesofheraspect，thesewereparticularlystriking：——

Duringpleasantdoubt，whenhereyesbrightenedstealthilyandsmiled(aseyeswillsmile)asdistinctlyasherlips，andinthespaceofasingleinstantexpressedclearlythewholeroundofdegreesofexpectancywhichlieoverthewideexpansebetweenYeaandNay。

Duringthetellingofasecret，whichwasinvoluntarilyaccompaniedbyasuddenminutestart，andecstaticpressureofthelistener\'sarm，side，orneck，asthepositionanddegreeofintimacydictated。

Whenanxiouslyregardingonewhopossessedheraffections。

Shesuddenlyassumedthelast-mentionedbearingintheprogressofthepresententertainment。Herglancewasdirectedoutofthewindow。

Whytheparticularsofayounglady\'spresenceataverymediocreperformancewerepreventedfromdroppingintotheoblivionwhichtheirintrinsicinsignificancewouldnaturallyhaveinvolved——whytheywererememberedandindividualizedbyherselfandothersthroughafteryears——wassimplythatsheunknowinglystood，asitwere，upontheextremeposterioredgeofatractinherlife，inwhichtherealmeaningofTakingThoughthadneverbeenknown。Itwasthelasthourofexperiencesheeverenjoyedwithamindentirelyfreefromaknowledgeofthatlabyrinthintowhichshesteppedimmediatelyafterwards——tocontinueaperplexedcoursealongitsmazesforthegreaterportionoftwenty-ninesubsequentmonths。

TheTownHall，inwhichCythereasat，wasabuildingofbrownstone，andthroughoneofthewindowscouldbeseenfromtheinterioroftheroomthehousetopsandchimneysoftheadjacentstreet，andalsotheupperpartofaneighbouringchurchspire，nowincourseofcompletionunderthesuperintendenceofMissGraye\'sfather，thearchitecttothework。

ThatthetopofthisspireshouldbevisiblefromherpositionintheroomwasafactwhichCytherea\'sidlingeyeshaddiscoveredwithsomeinterest，andshewasnowengagedinwatchingthescenethatwasbeingenactedaboutitsairysummit。Roundtheconicalstoneworkroseacageofscaffoldingagainstthebluesky，anduponthisstoodfivemen——fourinclothesaswhiteasthenewerectionclosebeneaththeirhands，thefifthintheordinarydarksuitofagentleman。

Thefourworking-meninwhitewerethreemasonsandamason\'slabourer。Thefifthmanwasthearchitect，Mr。Graye。Hehadbeengivingdirectionsasitseemed，andretiringasfarasthenarrowfootwayallowed，stoodperfectlystill。

ThepicturethuspresentedtoaspectatorintheTownHallwascuriousandstriking。Itwasanilluminatedminiature，framedinbythedarkmarginofthewindow，thekeen-edgedshadinessofwhichemphasizedbycontrastthesoftnessoftheobjectsenclosed。

Theheightofthespirewasaboutonehundredandtwentyfeet，andthefivemenengagedthereonseemedentirelyremovedfromthesphereandexperiencesofordinaryhumanbeings。Theyappearedlittlelargerthanpigeons，andmadetheirtinymovementswithasoft，spirit-likesilentness。Oneideaaboveallotherswasconveyedtothemindofapersononthegroundbytheiraspect，namely，concentrationofpurpose：thattheywereindifferentto——evenunconsciousof——thedistractedworldbeneaththem，andallthatmoveduponit。Theyneverlookedoffthescaffolding。

Thenoneofthemturned；itwasMr。Graye。Againhestoodmotionless，withattentiontotheoperationsoftheothers。Heappearedtobelostinreflection，andhaddirectedhisfacetowardsanewstonetheywerelifting。

\'Whydoeshestandlikethat？\'theyoungladythoughtatlength——uptothatmomentaslistlessandcarelessasoneoftheancientTarentines，who，onsuchanafternoonasthis，watchedfromtheTheatretheentryintotheirHarbourofapowerthatoverturnedtheState。

Shemovedherselfuneasily。\'Iwishhewouldcomedown，\'shewhispered，stillgazingattheskybackedpicture。\'Itissodangeroustobeabsent-mindedupthere。\'

Whenshehaddonemurmuringthewordsherfatherindecisivelylaidholdofoneofthescaffold-poles，asiftotestitsstrength，thenletitgoandsteppedback。Instepping，hisfootslipped。Aninstantofdoublingforwardandsideways，andhereeledoffintotheair，immediatelydisappearingdownwards。

Hisagonizeddaughterrosetoherfeetbyaconvulsivemovement。

Herlipsparted，andshegaspedforbreath。Shecouldutternosound。Onebyonethepeopleabouther，unconsciousofwhathadhappened，turnedtheirheads，andinquiryandalarmbecamevisibleupontheirfacesatthesightofthepoorchild。Amomentlonger，andshefelltothefloor，ThenextimpressionofwhichCythereahadanyconsciousnesswasofbeingcarriedfromastrangevehicleacrossthepavementtothestepsofherownhousebyherbrotherandanolderman。

Recollectionofwhathadpassedevolveditselfaninstantlater，andjustastheyenteredthedoor——throughwhichanotherandsadderburdenhadbeencarriedbutafewinstantsbefore——hereyescaughtsightofthesouth-westernsky，and，withoutheeding，sawwhitesunlightshininginshaft-likelinesfromariftinaslatycloud。

Emotionswillattachthemselvestoscenesthataresimultaneous——

howeverforeigninessencethesescenesmaybe——aschemicalwaterswillcrystallizeontwigsandwires。EvenafterthattimeanymentalagonybroughtlessvividlytoCytherea\'smindthescenefromtheTownHallwindowsthansunlightstreaminginshaft-likelines。

4。OCTOBERTHENINETEENTH

Whendeathentersahouse，anelementofsadnessandanelementofhorroraccompanyit。Sadness，fromthedeathitself：horror，fromthecloudsofblacknesswedesignedlylabourtointroduce。

Thefuneralhadtakenplace。Depressed，yetresolvedinhisdemeanour，OwenGrayesatbeforehisfather\'sprivateescritoire，engagedinturningoutandunfoldingaheterogeneouscollectionofpapers——forbiddingandinharmonioustotheeyeatalltimes——mostofalltooneundertheinfluenceofagreatgrief。Laminaeofwhitepapertiedwithtwinewereindiscriminatelyintermixedwithotherwhitepapersboundedbyblackedges——thesewithbluefoolscapwrappedroundwithcruderedtape。

Thebulkoftheseletters，bills，andotherdocumentsweresubmittedtoacarefulexamination，bywhichtheappendedparticularswereascertained：——

First，thattheirfather\'sincomefromprofessionalsourceshadbeenverysmall，amountingtonotmorethanhalftheirexpenditure；

andthathisownandhiswife\'sproperty，uponwhichhehadreliedforthebalance，hadbeensunkandlostinunwiseloanstounscrupulousmen，whohadtradedupontheirfather\'stooopen-

heartedtrustfulness。

Second，thatfindinghismistake，hehadendeavouredtoregainhisstandingbytheillusorypathofspeculation。Themostnotableinstanceofthiswasthefollowing。Hehadbeeninduced，whenatPlymouthintheautumnofthepreviousyear，toventureallhissparecapitalonthebottomrysecurityofanItalianbrigwhichhadputintotheharbourindistress。Theprofitwastobeconsiderable，sowastherisk。Thereturnedouttobenosecuritywhatever。Thecircumstancesofthecasetendereditthemostunfortunatespeculationthatamanlikehimself——ignorantofallsuchmatters——couldpossiblyengagein。Thevesselwentdown，andallMr。Graye\'smoneywithit。

Third，thatthesefailureshadlefthimburdenedwithdebtsheknewnothowtomeet；sothatatthetimeofhisdeatheventhefewpoundslyingtohisaccountatthebankwerehisonlyinname。

Fourth，thatthelossofhiswifetwoyearsearlierhadawakenedhimtoakeensenseofhisblindness，andofhisdutybyhischildren。Hehadthenresolvedtoreinstatebyunflaggingzealinthepursuitofhisprofession，andbynospeculation，atleastaportionofthelittlefortunehehadletgo。

Cythereawasfrequentlyatherbrother\'selbowduringtheseexaminations。Sheoftenremarkedsadly——

\'Poorpapafailedtofulfilhisgoodintentionforwantoftime，didn\'the，Owen？Andtherewasanexcuseforhispast，thoughheneverwouldclaimit。Ineverforgetthatoriginaldishearteningblow，andhowthatfromitsprangalltheillsofhislife——

everythingconnectedwithhisgloom，andthelassitudeinbusinessweusedsooftentoseeabouthim。\'

\'Irememberwhathesaidonce，\'returnedthebrother，\'whenIsatuplatewithhim。Hesaid，“Owen，don\'tlovetooblindly：blindlyyouwillloveifyouloveatall，butalittlecareisstillpossibletoawell-disciplinedheart。Maythatheartbeyoursasitwasnotmine，“fathersaid。“Cultivatetheartofrenunciation。“AndIamgoingto，Cytherea。\'

\'Andoncemammasaidthatanexcellentwomanwaspapa\'sruin，becausehedidnotknowthewaytogiveherupwhenhehadlosther。

Iwonderwheresheisnow，Owen？Weweretoldnottotrytofindoutanythingabouther。Papanevertoldushername，didhe？\'

\'Thatwasbyherownrequest，Ibelieve。Butnevermindher；shewasnotourmother。\'

TheloveaffairwhichhadbeenAmbroseGraye\'sdishearteningblowwaspreciselyofthatnaturewhichladstakelittleaccountof，butgirlsponderintheirhearts。

5。FROMOCTOBERTHENINETEENTHTOJULYTHENINTH

ThusAmbroseGraye\'sgoodintentionswithregardtothereintegrationofhispropertyhadscarcelytakentangibleformwhenhissuddendeathputthemforeveroutofhispower。

Heavybills，showingtheextentofhisobligations，tumbledinimmediatelyupontheheelsofthefuneralfromquarterspreviouslyunheardandunthoughtof。Thuspressed，abillwasfiledinChancerytohavetheassets，suchastheywere，administeredbytheCourt。

\'Whatwillbecomeofusnow？\'thoughtOwencontinually。

Thereisinusanunquenchableexpectation，whichatthegloomiesttimepersistsininferringthatbecauseweareOURSELVES，theremustbeaspecialfutureinstoreforus，thoughournatureandantecedentstotheremotestparticularhavebeencommontothousands。ThustoCythereaandOwenGrayethequestionhowtheirliveswouldendseemedthedeepestofpossibleenigmas。Tootherswhoknewtheirpositionequallywellwiththemselvesthequestionwastheeasiestthatcouldbeasked——\'Likethoseofotherpeoplesimilarlycircumstanced。\'

ThenOwenheldaconsultationwithhissistertocometosomedecisionontheirfuturecourse，andamonthwaspassedinwaitingforanswerstoletters，andintheexaminationofschemesmoreorlessfutile。Suddenhopesthatwererainbowstothesightprovedbutmiststothetouch。Inthemeantime，unpleasantremarks，disguisethemassomewell-meaningpeoplemight，werefloatingaroundthemeveryday。Theundoubtedtruth，thattheywerethechildrenofadreamerwholetslipawayeveryfarthingofhismoneyandranintodebtwithhisneighbours——thatthedaughterhadbeenbroughtuptonoprofession——thatthesonwhohad，hadmadenoprogressinit，andmightcometothedogs——couldnotfromthenatureofthingsbewrappedupinsilenceinorderthatitmightnothurttheirfeelings；andasamatteroffact，itgreetedtheirearsinsomeformorotherwherevertheywent。Theirfewacquaintancespassedthemhurriedly。Ancientpot-wallopers，andthrivingshopkeepers，intheirintervalsofleisure，stoodattheirshop-

doors——theirtoeshangingovertheedgeofthestep，andtheirobesewaistshangingovertheirtoes——andindiscourseswithfriendsonthepavement，formulatedthecourseoftheimprovident，andreducedthechildren\'sprospectstoashadow-likeattenuation。Thesonsofthesemen(whoworebreastpinsofasarcastickind，andsmokedhumorouspipes)staredatCythereawithastareunmitigatedbyanyoftherespectthathadformerlysoftenedit。

Nowitisanoticeablefactthatwedonotmuchmindwhatmenthinkofus，orwhathumiliatingsecrettheydiscoverofourmeans，parentage，orobject，providedthateachthinksandactsthereuponinisolation。Itistheexchangeofideasaboutusthatwedreadmost；andthepossessionbyahundredacquaintances，severallyinsulated，oftheknowledgeofourskeleton-closet\'swhereabouts，isnotsodistressingtothenervesasachatoveritbyapartyofhalf-a-dozen——exclusivedepositariesthoughthesemaybe。

Perhaps，thoughHocbridgewatchedandwhispered，itsanimuswouldhavebeenlittlemorethanatrifletopersonsinthrivingcircumstances。Butunfortunately，poverty，whilstitisnew，andbeforetheskinhashadtimetothicken，makespeoplesusceptibleinverselytotheiropportunitiesforshieldingthemselves。InOwenwasfound，inplaceofhisfather\'simpressibility，alargershareofhisfather\'spride，andasquarenessofideawhich，ifcoupledwithalittlemoreblindness，wouldhaveamountedtopositiveprejudice。Tohimhumanity，sofarashehadthoughtofitatall，wasratherdividedintodistinctclassesthanblendedfromextremetoextreme。Hencebyasequenceofideaswhichmightbetracedifitwereworthwhile，heeitherdetestedorrespectedopinion，andinstinctivelysoughttoescapeacoldshadethatmeresensitivenesswouldhaveendured。Hecouldhavesubmittedtoseparation，sickness，exile，drudgery，hungerandthirst，withstoicalindifference，butsuperciliousnesswastooincisive。

Afterlivingonforninemonthsinattemptstomakeanincomeashisfather\'ssuccessorintheprofession——attemptswhichwereutterlyfruitlessbyreasonofhisinexperience——Grayecametoasimpleandsweepingresolution。TheywouldprivatelyleavethatpartofEngland，dropfromthesightofacquaintances，gossips，harshcritics，andbittercreditorsofwhosemisfortunehewasnotthecause，andescapethepositionwhichgalledhimbytheonlyroadtheirgreatpovertyleftopentothem——thatofhisobtainingsomeemploymentinadistantplacebyfollowinghisprofessionasahumbleunder-draughtsman。

Hethoughtoverhiscapabilitieswiththesensationsofasoldiergrindinghisswordattheopeningofacampaign。Whatwithlackofemployment，owingtothedecreaseofhislatefather\'spractice，andtheabsenceofdirectanduncompromisingpressuretowardsmonetaryresultsfromapupil\'slabour(whichseemstobealwaysthecasewhenaprofessionalman\'spupilisalsohisson)，Owen\'sprogressintheartandscienceofarchitecturehadbeenveryinsignificantindeed。Thoughanythingbutanidleyoungman，hehadhardlyreachedtheageatwhichindustriousmenwholackanexternalwhiptosendthemonintheworld，areinducedbytheirowncommonsensetowhiponthemselves。Hencehisknowledgeofplans，elevations，sections，andspecifications，wasnotgreaterattheendoftwoyearsofprobationthanmighteasilyhavebeenacquiredinsixmonthsbyayouthofaverageability——himself，forinstance——amidabustlingLondonpractice。

Butatanyratehecouldmakehimselfhandytooneoftheprofession——somemaninaremotetown——andtherefulfilhisindentures。Atangibleinducementlayinthisdirectionofsurvey。

Hehadaslightconceptionofsuchaman——aMr。Gradfield——whowasinpracticeinBudmouthRegis，aseaporttownandwatering-placeinthesouthofEngland。

Aftersomedoubts，Grayeventuredtowritetothisgentleman，askingthenecessaryquestion，shortlyalludingtohisfather\'sdeath，andstatingthathistermofapprenticeshiphadonlyhalfexpired。Hewouldbegladtocompletehisarticlesataverylowsalaryforthewholeremainingtwoyears，providedpaymentcouldbeginatonce。

TheanswerfromMr。GradfieldstatedthathewasnotinwantofapupilwhowouldservetheremainderofhistimeonthetermsMr。

Grayementioned。Buthewouldjustaddoneremark。Hechancedtobeinwantofsomeyoungmaninhisoffice——forashorttimeonly，probablyabouttwomonths——totracedrawings，andattendtoothersubsidiaryworkofthekind。IfMr。Grayedidnotobjecttooccupysuchaninferiorpositionasthesedutieswouldentail，andtoacceptweeklywageswhichtoonewithhisexpectationswouldbeconsideredmerelynominal，thepostwouldgivehimanopportunityforlearningafewmoredetailsoftheprofession。

\'Itisabeginning，and，aboveall，anabiding-place，awayfromtheshadowofthecloudwhichhangsoverushere——Iwillgo，\'saidOwen。

Cytherea\'splanforherfuture，anintenselysimpleone，owingtotheevengreaternarrownessofherresources，wasalreadymarkedout。Oneadvantagehadaccruedtoherthroughhermother\'spossessionofafairshareofpersonalproperty，andperhapsonlyone。Shehadbeencarefullyeducated。Uponthisconsiderationherplanwasbased。Shewastotakeupherabodeinherbrother\'slodgingatBudmouth，whenshewouldimmediatelyadvertiseforasituationasgoverness，havingobtainedtheconsentofalawyeratAldbrickhamwhowaswindingupherfather\'saffairs，andwhoknewthehistoryofherposition，toallowhimselftobereferredtointhematterofherpastlifeandrespectability。

Earlyonemorningtheydepartedfromtheirnativetown，leavingbehindthemscarcelyatraceoftheirfootsteps。

Thenthetownpitiedtheirwantofwisdomintakingsuchastep。

\'Rashness；theywouldhavemadeabetterincomeinHocbridge，wheretheyareknown！Thereisnodoubtthattheywould。\'

ButwhatisWisdomreally？Asteadyhandlingofanymeanstobringaboutanyendnecessarytohappiness。

Yetwhetherone\'sendbetheusualend——awealthypositioninlife——

orno，thenameofwisdomisseldomappliedbuttothemeanstothatusualend。

II。THEEVENTSOFAFORTNIGHT

1。THENINTHOFJULY

Thedayoftheirdeparturewasoneofthemostglowingthattheclimaxofalongseriesofsummerheatscouldevolve。Thewideexpanseoflandscapequiveredupanddownliketheflameofataper，astheysteamedalongthroughthemidstofit。Placidflocksofsheeprecliningundertreesalittlewayoffappearedofapalebluecolour。Cloverfieldswerelividwiththebrightnessofthesunupontheirdeepredflowers。Allwaggonsandcartsweremovedtotheshadebytheircarefulowners，rain-waterbuttsfelltopieces；

well-bucketswereloweredinsidethecoversofthewell-hole，topreservethemfromthefateofthebutts，andgenerally，waterseemedscarcerinthecountrythanthebeerandciderofthepeasantrywhotoiledoridledthere。

Toseepersonslookingwithchildren\'seyesatanyordinaryscenery，isaproofthattheypossessthecharmingfacultyofdrawingnewsensationsfromanoldexperience——ahealthysign，rareinthesefeverishdays——themarkofanimperishablebrightnessofnature。

Bothbrotherandsistercoulddothis；Cythereamorenoticeably。

Theywatchedtheundulatingcorn-lands，monotonoustoalltheircompanions；thestonyandclayeyprospectsucceedingthose，withitsangularandabrupthills。Boggymoorscamenext，nowwitheredanddry——thespotsuponwhichpoolsusuallyspreadtheirwatersshowingthemselvesascirclesofsmoothbaresoil，over-runbyanet-workofinnumerablelittlefissures。Thenaroseplantationsoffirs，abruptlyterminatingbesidemeadowscleanlymown，inwhichhigh-

hipped，rich-colouredcows，withbackshorizontalandstraightastheridgeofahouse，stoodmotionlessorlazilyfed。Glimpsesoftheseanowinterestedthem，whichbecamemoreandmorefrequenttillthetrainfinallydrewupbesidetheplatformatBudmouth。

\'Thewholetownislookingoutforus，\'hadbeenGraye\'simpressionthroughouttheday。HecalleduponMr。Gradfield——theonlymanwhohadbeendirectlyinformedofhiscoming——andfoundthatMr。

Gradfieldhadforgottenit。

However，arrangementsweremadewiththisgentleman——astout，active，grey-beardedburgherofsixty——bywhichOwenwastocommenceworkinhisofficethefollowingweek。

ThesamedayCythereadrewupandsentofftheadvertisementappended：——

\'AYOUNGLADYisdesirousofmeetingwithanENGAGEMENTasGOVERNESS

orCOMPANION。SheiscompetenttoteachEnglish，French，andMusic。

Satisfactoryreferences——Address，C。G。，Post-Office，Budmouth。\'

Itseemedamorematerialexistencethanherownthatshesawthusdelineatedonthepaper。\'Thatcan\'tbemyself；howoddIlook！\'

shesaid，andsmiled。

2。JULYTHEELEVENTH

OntheMondaysubsequenttotheirarrivalinBudmouth，OwenGrayeattendedatMr。Gradfield\'sofficetoenteruponhisduties，andhissisterwasleftintheirlodgingsaloneforthefirsttime。

Despitethesadoccurrencesoftheprecedingautumn，anunwontedcheerfulnesspervadedherspiritthroughouttheday。Changeofscene——andthattountravelledeyes——conjoinedwiththesensationoffreedomfromsupervision，revivedthesparkleofawarmyoungnaturereadyenoughtotakeadvantageofanyadventitiousrestoratives。

Point-blankgrieftendsrathertosealuphappinessforatimethantoproducethatattritionwhichresultsfromgriefsofanticipationthatmoveonwardwiththedays：thesemaybesaidtofurrowawaythecapacityforpleasure。

Herexpectationsfromtheadvertisementbegantobeextravagant。A

thrivingfamily，whohadalwayssadlyneededher，wasalreadydefinitelypicturedinherfancy，which，initsexuberance，ledherontopicturingitsindividualmembers，theirpossiblepeculiarities，virtues，andvices，andobliteratedforatimetherecollectionthatshewouldbeseparatedfromherbrother。

Thusmusing，asshewaitedforhisreturnintheevening，hereyesfellonherlefthand。Thecontemplationofherownleftfourthfingerbysymbol-lovinggirlhoodofthisageis，itseems，veryfrequently，ifnotalways，followedbyapeculiartrainofromanticideas。Cytherea\'sthoughts，stillplayingaboutherfuture，becamedirectedintothisromanticgroove。Sheleantbackinherchair，andtakingholdofthefourthfinger，whichhadattractedherattention，shelifteditwiththetipsoftheothers，andlookedatthesmoothandtaperingmemberforalongtime。

Shewhisperedidly，\'Iwonderwhoandwhathewillbe？

\'Ifhe\'sagentlemanoffashion，hewilltakemyfingerso，justwiththetipsofhisown，andwithsomeflutteringoftheheart，andtheleasttremblingofhislip，sliptheringsolightlyonthatI

shallhardlyknowitisthere——lookingdelightfullyintomyeyesallthetime。

\'Ifhe\'sabold，dashingsoldier，Iexpecthewillproudlyturnround，taketheringasifitequalledherMajesty\'scrowninvalue，anddesperatelysetitonmyfingerthus。Hewillfixhiseyesunflinchinglyuponwhatheisdoing——justasifhestoodinbattlebeforetheenemy(though，inreality，veryfondofme，ofcourse)，andblushasmuchasIshall。

\'Ifhe\'sasailor，hewilltakemyfingerandtheringinthisway，anddeckitoutwithahousewifelytouchandatendernessofexpressionabouthismouth，assailorsdo：kissit，perhaps，withasimpleair，asifwewerechildrenplayinganidlegame，andnotattheveryheightofobservationandenvybyagreatcrowdsaying，“Ah！theyarehappynow！”

\'Ifheshouldberatherapoorman——noble-mindedandaffectionate，butstillpoor——\'

Owen\'sfootstepsrapidlyascendingthestairs，interruptedthisfancy-freemeditation。Reproachingherself，evenangrywithherselfforallowinghermindtostrayuponsuchsubjectsinthefaceoftheirpresentdesperatecondition，sherosetomeethim，andmaketea。

Cytherea\'sinteresttoknowhowherbrotherhadbeenreceivedatMr。

Gradfield\'sbrokeforthintowordsatonce。Almostbeforetheyhadsatdowntotable，shebegancross-examininghimintheregularsisterlyway。

\'Well，Owen，howhasitbeenwithyouto-day？Whatistheplacelike——doyouthinkyouwilllikeMrGradfield？\'

\'Oyes。Buthehasnotbeenthereto-day；Ihaveonlyhadtheheaddraughtsmanwithme。\'

Youngwomenhaveahabit，notnoticeableinmen，ofputtingonatamoment\'snoticethedramaofwhosoever\'slifetheychoose。

Cytherea\'sinterestwastransferredfromMr。Gradfieldtohisrepresentative。

\'Whatsortofamanishe？\'

\'Heseemsaverynicefellowindeed；thoughofcourseIcanhardlytelltoacertaintyasyet。ButIthinkhe\'saveryworthyfellow；

there\'snononsenseinhim，andthoughheisnotapublicschoolmanhehasreadwidely，andhasasharpappreciationofwhat\'sgoodinbooksandart。Infact，hisknowledgeisn\'tnearlysoexclusiveasmostprofessionalmen\'s。\'

\'That\'sagreatdealtosayofanarchitect，forofallprofessionalmentheyare，asarule，themostprofessional。\'

\'Yes；perhapstheyare。Thismanisratherofamelancholyturnofmind，Ithink。\'

\'Hasthemanagingclerkanyfamily？\'shemildlyasked，afterawhile，pouringoutsomemoretea。

\'Family；no！\'

\'Well，dearOwen，howshouldIknow？\'

\'Why，ofcourseheisn\'tmarried。Buttherehappenedtobeaconversationaboutwomengoingonintheoffice，andIheardhimsaywhatheshouldwishhiswifetobelike。\'

\'Whatwouldhewishhiswifetobelike？\'shesaid，withgreatapparentlackofinterest。

\'O，hesaysshemustbegirlishandartless：yethewouldbelothtodowithoutadashofwomanlysubtlety，\'tissopiquant。Yes，hesaid，thatmustbeinher；shemusthavewomanlycleverness。“AndyetIshouldlikehertoblushifonlyacock-sparrowweretolookatherhard，“hesaid，“whichbringsmebacktothegirlagain：andsoIflitbackwardsandforwards。Imusthavewhatcomes，I

suppose，“hesaid，“andwhatevershemaybe，thankGodshe\'snoworse。However，ifhemightgiveafinalhinttoProvidence，“hesaid，“achildamongpleasures，andawomanamongpainswastheroughoutlineofhisrequirement。“\'

\'Didhesaythat？Whatamusingcreaturehemustbe。\'

\'Hedid，indeed。\'

3。FROMTHETWELFTHTOTHEFIFTEENTHOFJULY

Asiswellknown，ideasaresoelasticinahumanbrain，thattheyhavenoconstantmeasurewhichmaybecalledtheiractualbulk。Anyimportantideamaybecompressedtoamoleculebyanunwontedcrowdingofothers；andanysmallideawillexpandtowhateverlengthandbreadthofvacuumthemindmaybeabletomakeovertoit。Cytherea\'sworldwastolerablyvacantatthistime，andtheyoungarchitecturaldesigner\'simagebecameverypervasive。Thenexteveningthissubjectwasagainrenewed。

\'HisnameisSpringrove，\'saidOwen，inreplytoher。\'Heisathoroughartist，butamanofratherhumbleorigin，itseems，whohasmadehimselfsofar。Ithinkheisthesonofafarmer，orsomethingofthekind。\'

\'Well，he\'snonetheworseforthat，Isuppose。\'

\'Nonetheworse。Aswecomedownthehill，weshallbecontinuallymeetingpeoplegoingup。\'ButOwenhadfeltthatSpringrovewasalittletheworsenevertheless。

\'Ofcoursehe\'sratheroldbythistime。\'

\'Ono。He\'saboutsix-and-twenty——notmore。\'

\'Ah，Isee……Whatishelike，Owen？\'

\'Ican\'texactlytellyouhisappearance：\'tisalwayssuchadifficultthingtodo。\'

\'Amanyouwoulddescribeasshort？Mostmenarethoseweshoulddescribeasshort，Ifancy。\'

\'Ishouldcallhim，Ithink，ofthemiddleheight；butasIonlyseehimsittingintheoffice，ofcourseIamnotcertainabouthisformandfigure。\'

\'Iwishyouwere，then。\'

\'Perhapsyoudo。ButIamnot，yousee。\'

\'Ofcoursenot，youarealwayssoprovoking。Owen，Isawamaninthestreetto-daywhomIfanciedwashe——andyet，Idon\'tseehowitcouldbe，either。Hehadlightbrownhair，asnubnose，veryroundface，andapeculiarhabitofreducinghiseyestostraightlineswhenhelookednarrowlyatanything。\'

\'Ono。Thatwasnothe，Cytherea。\'

\'Notabitlikehiminallprobability。\'

\'Notabit。Hehasdarkhair——almostaGreciannose，regularteeth，andanintellectualface，asnearlyasIcanrecalltomind。\'

\'Ah，therenow，Owen，youHAVEdescribedhim！ButIsupposehe\'snotgenerallycalledpleasing，or——\'

\'Handsome？\'

\'Iscarcelymeantthat。Butsinceyouhavesaidit，ishehandsome？\'

\'Rather。\'

\'Histoutensembleisstriking？\'

\'Yes——Ono，no——Iforgot：itisnot。Heisratheruntidyinhiswaistcoat，andneck-ties，andhair。\'

\'Howvexing！……itmustbetohimself，poorthing。\'

\'He\'sathoroughbookworm——despisesthepap-and-daisyschoolofverse——knowsShakespearetotheverydregsofthefoot-notes。

Indeed，he\'sapoethimselfinasmallway。\'

\'Howdelicious！\'shesaid。\'Ihaveneverknownapoet。\'

\'Andyoudon\'tknowhim，\'saidOwendryly。

Shereddened。\'OfcourseIdon\'t。Iknowthat。\'

\'Haveyoureceivedanyanswertoyouradvertisement？\'heinquired。

\'Ah——no！\'shesaid，andtheforgottendisappointmentwhichhadshoweditselfinherfaceatdifferenttimesduringtheday，becamevisibleagain。

Anotherdaypassedaway。OnThursday，withoutinquiry，shelearntmoreoftheheaddraughtsman。HeandGrayehadbecomeveryfriendly，andhehadbeentemptedtoshowherbrotheracopyofsomepoemsofhis——someseriousandsad——somehumorous——whichhadappearedinthepoets\'cornerofamagazinefromtimetotime。OwenshowedthemnowtoCytherea，whoinstantlybegantoreadthemcarefullyandtothinkthemverybeautiful。

\'Yes——Springrove\'snofool，\'saidOwensententiously。

\'Nofool！——Ishouldthinkheisn\'t，indeed，\'saidCytherea，lookingupfromthepaperinquiteanexcitement：\'towritesuchversesasthese！\'

\'Whatlogicareyouchopping，Cytherea？Well，Idon\'tmeanonaccountoftheverses，becauseIhaven\'treadthem；butforwhathesaidwhenthefellowsweretalkingaboutfallinginlove。\'

\'Whichyouwilltellme？\'

\'Hesaysthatyourtrueloverbreathlesslyfindshimselfengagedtoasweetheart，likeamanwhohascaughtsomethinginthedark。Hedoesn\'tknowwhetheritisabatorabird，andtakesittothelightwhenheiscooltolearnwhatitis。Helookstoseeifsheistherightage，butrightageorwrongage，hemustconsiderheraprize。Sometimelaterheponderswhethersheistherightkindofprizeforhim。Rightkindorwrongkind——hehascalledherhis，andmustabidebyit。Afteratimeheaskshimself，“Hasshethetemper，hair，andeyesImeanttohave，andwasfirmlyresolvednottodowithout？”Hefindsitisallwrong，andthencomesthetussle——\'

\'Dotheymarryandlivehappily？\'

\'Who？O，thesupposedpair。Ithinkhesaid——well，Ireallyforgetwhathesaid。\'

\'ThatISstupidofyou！\'saidtheyoungladywithdismay。

\'Yes。\'

\'Buthe\'sasatirist——Idon\'tthinkIcareabouthimnow。\'

\'Thereyouarejustwrong。Heisnot。Heis，asIbelieve，animpulsivefellowwhohasbeenmadetopaythepenaltyofhisrashnessinsomeloveaffair。\'

ThusendedthedialogueofThursday，butCythereareadtheversesagaininprivate。OnFridayherbrotherremarkedthatSpringrovehadinformedhimhewasgoingtoleaveMr。Gradfield\'sinafortnighttopushhisfortunesinLondon。

AnindescribablefeelingofsadnessshotthroughCytherea\'sheart。

Whyshouldshebesadatsuchanannouncementasthat，shethought，concerningamanshehadneverseen，whenherspiritswereelasticenoughtoreboundafterhardblowsfromdeepandrealtroublesasifshehadscarcelyknownthem？Thoughshecouldnotanswerthisquestion，sheknewonething，shewassaddenedbyOwen\'snews。

4。JULYTHETWENTY-FIRST

AverypopularlocalexcursionbysteamboattoLulsteadCovewasannouncedthroughthestreetsofBudmouthoneThursdaymorningbytheweak-voicedtown-crier，tostartatsixo\'clockthesameday。

Theweatherwaslovely，andtheopportunitybeingthefirstofthekindofferedtothem，OwenandCythereawentwiththerest。

TheyhadreachedtheCove，andhadwalkedlandwardfornearlyanhouroverthehillwhichrosebesidethestrand，whenGrayerecollectedthattwoorthreemilesyetfurtherinlandfromthisspotwasaninterestingmediaevalruin。Hewasalreadyfamiliarwithitscharacteristicsthroughthemediumofanarchaeologicalwork，andnowfindinghimselfsoclosetothereality，feltinclinedtoverifysometheoryhehadformedrespectingit。Concludingthattherewouldbejustsufficienttimeforhimtogothereandreturnbeforetheboathadlefttheshore，hepartedfromCythereaonthehill，struckdownwards，andthenupaheatheryvalley。

Sheremainedonthesummitwherehehadlefthertillthetimeofhisexpectedreturn，scanningthedetailsoftheprospectaround。

PlacidlyspreadoutbeforeheronthesouthwastheopenChannel，reflectingablueintenserbymanyshadesthanthatoftheskyoverhead，anddottedintheforegroundbyhalf-a-dozensmallcraftofcontrastingrig，theirsailsgraduatinginhuefromextremewhitenesstoreddishbrown，thevaryingactualcoloursvariedagaininadoubledegreebytheraysofthedecliningsun。

Presentlythedistantbellfromtheboatwasheard，warningthepassengerstoembark。Thiswasfollowedbyalivelyairfromtheharpsandviolinsonboard，theirtones，astheyarose，becomingintermingledwith，thoughnotmarredby，thebrushofthewaveswhentheircrestsrolledover——atthepointwherethecheckoftheshallowswasfirstfelt——andthenthinnedawayuptheslopeofpebblesandsand。

Sheturnedherfacelandwardandstrainedhereyestodiscern，ifpossible，somesignofOwen\'sreturn。Nothingwasvisiblesavethestrikinglybrilliant，stilllandscape。Thewideconcavewhichlayatthebackofthehillinthisdirectionwasblazingwiththewesternlight，addinganorangetinttothevividpurpleoftheheather，nowattheveryclimaxofbloom，andfreefromtheslightesttouchoftheinvidiousbrownthatsosooncreepsintoitsshades。Thelightsointensifiedthecoloursthattheyseemedtostandabovethesurfaceoftheearthandfloatinmid-airlikeanexhalationofred。Intheminorvalleys，betweenthehillocksandridgeswhichdiversifiedthecontourofthebasin，butdidnotdisturbitsgeneralsweep，shemarkedbrakesoftall，heavy-stemmedferns，fiveorsixfeethigh，inabrilliantlight-greendress——abroadribandofthemwiththepathintheirmidstwindinglikeastreamalongthelittleravinethatreachedtothefootofthehill，anddeliveredupthepathtoitsgrassyarea。Amongthefernsgrewhollybushesdeeperintintthananyshadowaboutthem，whilstthewholesurfaceofthescenewasdimpledwithsmallconicalpits，andhereandtherewereroundponds，nowdry，andhalfovergrownwithrushes。

Thelastbellofthesteamerrang。Cythereahadforgottenherself，andwhatshewaslookingfor。InafeverofdistresslestOwenshouldbeleftbehind，shegatheredupinherhandthecornersofherhandkerchief，containingspecimensoftheshells，plants，andfossilswhichthelocalityproduced，startedofftothesands，andmingledwiththeknotsofvisitorstherecongregatedfromotherinterestingpointsaround；fromtheinn，thecottages，andhiredconveyancesthathadreturnedfromshortdrivesinland。Theyallwentaboardbytheprimitiveplanofanarrowplankontwowheels——

thewomenbeingassistedbyarope。Cytherealingeredtilltheverylast，reluctanttofollow，andlookingalternatelyattheboatandthevalleybehind。HerdelayprovokedaremarkfromCaptainJacobs，athicksetmanofhybridstains，resultingfromthemixedeffectsoffireandwater，peculiartosailorswhereenginesarethepropellingpower。

\'Nowthen，missy，ifyouplease。Iamsorrytotell\'eeourtime\'sup。Whoareyoulookingfor，miss？\'

\'Mybrother——hehaswalkedashortdistanceinland；hemustbeheredirectly。Couldyouwaitforhim——justaminute？\'

\'Really，Iamafraidnot，m\'m。\'Cytherealookedatthestout，round-facedman，andatthevessel，withalightinhereyessoexpressiveofherownopinionbeingthesame，onreflection，ashis，andwithsuchresignation，too，that，fromaninstinctivefeelingofprideatbeingabletoprovehimselfmorehumanethanhewasthoughttobe——worksofsupererogationaretheonlysacrificesthatenticeinthisway——andthatataverysmallcost，hedelayedtheboattillsomeamongthepassengersbegantomurmur。

\'There，nevermind，\'saidCythereadecisively。\'Goonwithoutme——I

shallwaitforhim。\'

\'Well，\'tisaveryawkwardthingtoleaveyouhereallalone，\'saidthecaptain。\'Icertainlyadviseyounottowait。\'

\'He\'sgoneacrosstotherailwaystation，forcertain，\'saidanotherpassenger。

\'No——hereheis！\'Cythereasaid，regarding，asshespoke，thehalfhiddenfigureofamanwhowasseenadvancingataheadlongpacedowntheravinewhichlaybetweentheheathandtheshore。

\'Hecan\'tgethereinlessthanfiveminutes，\'apassengersaid。

\'Peopleshouldknowwhattheyareabout，andkeeptime。Really，if——

\'

\'Yousee，sir，\'saidthecaptain，inanapologeticundertone，\'since\'tisherbrother，andshe\'sallalone，\'tisonlynatertowaitaminute，nowhe\'sinsight。Suppose，now，youwereayoungwoman，asmightbe，andhadabrother，likethisone，andyoustoodofaneveninguponthisherewildlonelyshore，likeher，whyyou\'dwantustowait，too，wouldn\'tyou，sir？Ithinkyouwould。\'

Thepersonsohastilyapproachinghadbeenlosttoviewduringthisremarkbyreasonofahollowintheground，andtheprojectingcliffimmediatelyathandcoveredthepathinitsrise。Hisfootstepswerenowheardstrikingsharplyupontheflintyroadatadistanceofabouttwentyorthirtyyards，butstillbehindtheescarpment。

Tosavetime，Cythereapreparedtoascendtheplank。

\'Letmegiveyoumyhand，miss，\'saidCaptainJacobs。

\'No——pleasedon\'ttouchme，\'saidshe，ascendingcautiouslybyslidingonefootforwardtwoorthreeinches，bringinguptheotherbehindit，andsoonalternately——herlipscompressedbyconcentrationonthefeat，hereyesgluedtotheplank，herhandtotherope，andherimmediatethoughttothefactofthedistressingnarrownessofherfooting。Stepsnowshookthelowerendoftheboard，andinaninstantwereuptoherheelswithabound。

\'O，Owen，Iamsogladyouarecome！\'shesaidwithoutturning。

\'Don\'t，don\'tshaketheplankortouchme，whateveryoudo……

There，Iamup。Wherehaveyoubeensolong？\'shecontinued，inalowertone，turningroundtohimasshereachedthetop。

Raisinghereyesfromherfeet，which，standingonthefirmdeck，demandedherattentionnolonger，sheacquiredperceptionsofthenew-comerinthefollowingorder：unknowntrousers；unknownwaistcoat；unknownface。Themanwasnotherbrother，butatotalstranger。

Offwenttheplank；thepaddlesstarted，stopped，backed，patteredinconfusion，thenrevolveddecisively，andtheboatpassedoutintodeepwater。

Oneortwopersonshadsaid，\'Howd\'yedo，Mr。Springrove？\'andlookedatCytherea，toseehowsheboreherdisappointment。Herearshadbutjustcaughtthenameoftheheaddraughtsman，whenshesawhimadvancingdirectlytoaddressher。

\'MissGraye，Ibelieve？\'hesaid，liftinghishat。

\'Yes，\'saidCytherea，colouring，andtryingnottolookguiltyofasurreptitiousknowledgeofhim。

\'IamMr。Springrove。IpassedCorvsgateCastleaboutanhourago，andsoonafterwardsmetyourbrothergoingthatway。Hehadbeendeceivedinthedistance，andwasabouttoturnwithoutseeingtheruin，onaccountofalamenessthathadcomeoninhislegorfoot。

Iproposedthatheshouldgoon，sincehehadgotsonear；andafterwards，insteadofwalkingbacktotheboat，getacrosstoAngleburyStation——ashorterwalkforhim——wherehecouldcatchthelatetrain，andgodirectlyhome。Icouldletyouknowwhathehaddone，andallayanyuneasiness。\'

\'Isthelamenessserious，doyouknow？\'

\'Ono；simplyfromover-walkinghimself。Still，itwasjustaswelltoridehome。\'

RelievedfromherapprehensionsonOwen\'sscore，shewasableslightlytoexaminetheappearanceofherinformant——EdwardSpringrove——whonowremovedhishatforawhile，tocoolhimself。

Hewasratheraboveherbrother\'sheight。Althoughtheupperpartofhisfaceandheadwashandsomelyformed，andboundedbylinesofsufficientlymasculineregularity，hisbrowsweresomewhattoosoftlyarched，andfinelypencilledforoneofhissex；withoutprejudice，however，tothebeliefwhichthesumtotalofhisfeaturesinspired——thatthoughtheydidnotprovethatthemanwhothoughtinsidethemwoulddomuchintheworld，menwhohaddonemostofallhadhadnobetterones。Acrosshisforehead，otherwiseperfectlysmooth，ranonethinline，thehealthyfreshnessofhisremainingfeaturesexpressingthatithadcomethereprematurely。

Thoughsomeyearsshortoftheageatwhichtheclearspiritbidsgood-byetothelastinfirmityofnoblemind，andtakestohouse-

huntingandinvestments，hehadreachedtheperiodinayoungman\'slifewhenepisodicperiods，withahopefulbirthandadisappointingdeath，havebeguntoaccumulate，andtobearafruitofgeneralities；hisglancesometimesseemingtostate，\'Ihavealreadythoughtouttheissueofsuchconditionsastheseweareexperiencing。\'Atothertimesheworeanabstractedlook：\'Iseemtohavelivedthroughthismomentbefore。\'

Hewascarelesslydressedindarkgrey，wearingarolled-upblackkerchiefasaneck-cloth；theknotofwhichwasdisarranged，andstoodobliquely——adepositofwhitedusthavinglodgedinthecreases。

\'Iamsorryforyourdisappointment，\'hecontinued，glancingintoherface。Theireyeshavingmet，became，asitwere，mutuallylockedtogether，andthesingleinstantonlywhichgoodbreedingallowsasthelengthofsuchalook，becametrebled：aclearpenetratingrayofintelligencehadshotfromeachintoeach，givingbirthtooneofthoseunaccountablesensationswhichcarryhometotheheartbeforethehandhasbeentouchedorthemerestcomplimentpassed，bysomethingstrongerthanmathematicalproof，theconviction，\'Atiehasbeguntouniteus。\'

Bothfacesalsounconsciouslystatedthattheirownershadbeenmuchineachother\'sthoughtsoflate。OwenhadtalkedtotheyoungarchitectofhissisterasfreelyastoCythereaoftheyoungarchitect。

Aconversationbegan，whichwasnonethelessinterestingtothepartiesengagedbecauseitconsistedonlyofthemosttrivialandcommonplaceremarks。Thenthebandofharpsandviolinsstruckupalivelymelody，andthedeckwasclearedfordancing；thesundippingbeneaththehorizonduringtheproceeding，andthemoonshowingherselfattheirstern。Theseawassocalm，thatthesofthissproducedbytheburstingoftheinnumerablebubblesoffoambehindthepaddlescouldbedistinctlyheard。Thepassengerswhodidnotdance，includingCythereaandSpringrove，lapsedintosilence，leaningagainstthepaddle-boxes，orstandingaloof——noticingthetremblingofthedecktothestepsofthedance——watchingthewavesfromthepaddlesastheyslidthinlyandeasilyundereachother\'sedges。

NighthadquiteclosedinbythetimetheyreachedBudmouthharbour，sparklingwithitswhite，red，andgreenlightsinoppositiontotheshimmeringpathofthemoon\'sreflectionontheotherside，whichreachedawaytothehorizontillthefleckedripplesreducedthemselvestosparklesasfineasgolddust。

\'Iwillwalktothestationandfindouttheexacttimethetrainarrives，\'saidSpringrove，rathereagerly，whentheyhadlanded。

Shethankedhimmuch。

\'Perhapswemightwalktogether，\'hesuggestedhesitatingly。Shelookedasifshedidnotquiteknow，andhesettledthequestionbyshowingtheway。

Theyfound，onarrivingthere，thatonthefirstdayofthatmonththeparticulartrainselectedforGraye\'sreturnhadceasedtostopatAngleburystation。

\'IamverysorryImisledhim，\'saidSpringrove。

\'O，Iamnotalarmedatall，\'repliedCytherea。

\'Well，it\'ssuretobeallright——hewillsleepthere，andcomebythefirstinthemorning。Butwhatwillyoudo，alone？\'

\'Iamquiteeasyonthatpoint；thelandladyisveryfriendly。I

mustgoindoorsnow。Good-night，Mr。Springrove。\'

\'Letmegoroundtoyourdoorwithyou？\'hepleaded。

\'No，thankyou；welivecloseby。\'

Helookedatherasawaiterlooksatthechangehebringsback。

Butshewasinexorable。

\'Don\'t——forgetme，\'hemurmured。Shedidnotanswer。

\'Letmeseeyousometimes，\'hesaid。

\'Perhapsyouneverwillagain——Iamgoingaway，\'sherepliedinlingeringtones；andturningintoCrossStreet，ranindoorsandupstairs。

Thesuddenwithdrawalofwhatwassuperfluousatfirst，isoftenfeltasanessentialloss。Itwasfeltnowwithregardtothemaiden。More，too，afterameetingsopleasantandsoenkindling，shehadseemedtoimplythattheywouldnevercometogetheragain。

Theyoungmansoftlyfollowedher，stoodoppositethehouseandwatchedhercomeintotheupperroomwiththelight。Presentlyhisgazewascutshortbyherapproachingthewindowandpullingdowntheblind——EdwarddwellinguponhervanishingfigurewithahopelesssenseoflossakintothatwhichAdamissaidbylogicianstohavefeltwhenhefirstsawthesunset，andthought，inhisinexperience，thatitwouldreturnnomore。

Hewaitedtillhershadowhadtwicecrossedthewindow，when，findingthecharmingoutlinewasnottobeexpectedagain，heleftthestreet，crossedtheharbour-bridge，andenteredhisownsolitarychamberontheotherside，vaguelythinkingashewent(forundefinedreasons)，\'OnehopeistoolikedespairForprudencetosmother。\'