’Aforeigner，too！’observedtheSquire。
Dickcouldnotsufficientlycongratulatehimselfontheescapehehadeffected。HadtheAdmiralmethimwithhisfather，whatwouldhavebeentheresult？Andcouldsuchacatastrophebelongpostponed？Itseemedtohimasifthestormwerenearlyripe;anditwassomorenearlythanhethought。
Hedidnotgotothecottageintheafternoon，withheldbyfearandshame;butwhendinnerwasoveratNasebyHouse，andtheSquirehadgoneoffintoacomfortabledoze，Dickslippedoutoftheroom，andranacrosscountry，inparttosavetime，inparttosavehisowncouragefromgrowingcold;forhenowhatedthenotionofthecottageortheAdmiral，andifhedidnothate，atleastfearedtothinkofEsther。Hehadnocluetoherreflections;buthecouldnotconcealfromhisownheartthathemusthavesunkinheresteem，andthespectacleofherinfatuationgalledhimlikeaninsult。
Heknockedandwasadmitted。Theroomlookedverymuchasonhislastvisit，withEstheratthetableandVanTrompbesidethefire;buttheexpressionofthetwofacestoldaverydifferentstory。Thegirlwaspalerthanusual;hereyesweredark，thecolourseemedtohavefadedfromroundaboutthem，andherswiftestglancewasasintentasastare。TheappearanceoftheAdmiral，ontheotherhand，wasrosy，andflabby，andmoist;hisjowlhungoverhisshirtcollar，hissmilewaslooseandwandering，andhehadsofarrelaxedthenaturalcontrolofhiseyes，thatoneofthemwasaimedinward，asiftowatchthegrowthofthecarbuncle。Wearewarnedagainstbadjudgments;buttheAdmiralwascertainlynotsober。HemadenoattempttorisewhenRichardentered，butwavedhispipeflightilyintheair，andgavealeerofwelcome。Esthertookaslittlenoticeofhimasmightbe。
’Aha！Dick！’criedthepainter。’I’vebeentochurch;I