\"ForGod\'ssake，youknow，don\'tgetBerrymanonhishorse!\"growledthelittlefatmansuddenly。
Berrymanreturnedhisvolumetotheshelfandtookanotherdown。
Therewassomethingalmostgodlikeinhissarcasticabsent-
mindedness。
\"Imagineamanwritingthatstuff，\"hesaid，\"ifhe\'deverbeenatEton!Whatdowewanttoknowaboutthatsortofthing？Awritershouldbeasportsmanandagentleman\"；andagainhelookeddownoverhischinatShelton，asthoughexpectinghimtocontrovertthesentiment。
\"Don\'tyou——\"beganthelatter。
ButBerryman\'sattentionhadwanderedtothewall。
\"Ireallydon\'tcare，\"saidhe，\"toknowwhatawomanfeelswhensheisgoingtothedogs；itdoesn\'tinterestme。\"
ThevoiceofTrimmermadethingspleasant:
\"Questionofmoralstandards，that，andnothingmore。\"
Hehadstretchedhislegslikecompasses，——andthewayhegraspedhisgown-wingsseemedtoturnhimtoapairofscales。Hisloweringsmileembracedtheroom，deprecatingstrongexpressions。\"Afterall，\"heseemedtosay，\"wearemenoftheworld；weknowthere\'snotverymuchinanything。Thisisthemodernspirit；whynotgiveitalookin？\"
\"DoIunderstandyoutosay，Berryman，thatyoudon\'tenjoyaspicybook？\"askedWasherwithhissmile；andatthisquestionthelittlefatmansniggered，blinkingtempestuously，asiftosay，\"Nothingpleasanter，don\'tyouknow，beforeahotfireincoldweather。\"
Berrymanpaidnoattentiontotheimpertinentinquiry，continuingtodipintohisvolumeandwalkupanddown。
\"I\'venothingtosay，\"heremarked，stoppingbeforeShelton，andlookingdown，asifatlastawareofhim，\"tothosewhotalkofbeingjustifiedthroughArt。Icallaspadeaspade。\"
Sheltondidnotanswer，becausehecouldnottellwhetherBerrymanwasaddressinghimorsocietyatlarge。AndBerrymanwenton:
\"Dowewanttoknowaboutthefeelingsofamiddle-classwomanwithatasteforvice？Tellmethepointofit。Nomanwhowasinthehabitoftakingbathswouldchoosesuchasubject。\"
\"Youcometothequestionof-ah-subjects，\"thevoiceofTrimmergeniallybuzzedhehadgatheredhisgarmentstightacrosshisback-
\"mydearfellow，Art，properlyapplied，justifiesallsubjects。\"
\"ForArt，\"squeakedBerryman，puttingbackhissecondvolumeandtakingdownathird，\"youhaveHomer，Cervantes，Shakespeare，Ossian；
forgarbage，anumberofunwashedgentlemen。\"
Therewasalaugh；Sheltonglancedroundatallinturn。WiththeexceptionofCrocker，whowashalfasleepandsmilingidiotically，theywore，oneandall，alookasifbynochancecouldtheyconsideranysubjectfittomovetheirhearts；asif，oneandall，theyweresoprofoundlyanchoredontheseaoflifethatwavescouldonlyseemimpertinent。ItmayhavebeensomeglimmerinthisglanceofShelton\'sthatbroughtTrimmeroncemoretotherescuewithhiscompromisingair。
\"TheFrench，\"saidhe，\"havequiteadifferentstandardfromourselvesinliterature，justastheyhaveadifferentstandardinregardtohonour。Allthisispurelyartificial。\"
Whathe，meant，however，Sheltonfounditdifficulttotell。
\"Honour，\"saidWasher，\"\'l\'honneur，dieEhre\'duelling，unfaithfulwives——\"
Hewasclearlygoingtoaddtothis，butitwaslost；forthelittlefatman，takingthemeerschaumwithtremblingfingers，andholdingitwithintwoinchesofhischin，murmured:
\"Youfellows，Berryman\'sawf\'lystrongonhonour。\"
Heblinkedtwice，andputthemeerschaumbackbetweenhislips。
Withoutreturningthethirdvolumetoitsshelf，Berrymantookdownafourth；withchestexpanded，heappearedabouttousethebooksasdumb-bells。
\"Quiteso，\"saidTrimmer；\"thechangefromduellingtolawcourtsisprofoundly——\"
Whetherheweregoingtosay\"significant\"or\"insignificant，\"inShelton\'sestimatehedidnotknowhimself。FortunatelyBerrymanbrokein:
\"Lawcourtsornot，whenamanrunsawaywithawifeofmine，Ishallpunchhishead!\"
\"Come，come!\"saidTurner，spasmodicallygraspinghistwowings。
Sheltonhadagleamofinspiration。\"Ifyourwifedeceivedyou，\"hethought，lookingatTrimmer\'seyes，\"you\'dkeepitquiet，andholditoverher。\"
Washerpassedhishandoverhispalechaps:hissmilehadneverwavered；helookedlikeoneforeverlostinthemakingofanepigram。
Thepunchingtheoriststretchedhisbody，holdingthebookslevelwithhisshoulders，asthoughtostonehishearerswithhispointofview。Hisfacegrewpaler，hisfineeyesfiner，hislipsironical。
Almostpainfulwasthiscombinationofthe\"strong\"manandthestudentwhowasboundtogotopiecesifyouhithimasmartblow。
\"Asforforgivingfaithlesswives，\"hesaid，\"andallthatsortofthing，Idon\'tbelieveinsentiment。\"
Thewordswerehigh-pitchedandsarcastic。Sheltonlookedhastilyaround。Alltheirfaceswerecomplacent。Hegrewred，andsuddenlyremarked，inasoft；clearvoice:
\"Isee!\"
Hewasconsciousthathehadneverbeforemadeanimpressionofthissort，andthatheneverwouldagain。Thecoldhostilityflashingoutallroundwasmostenlightening；itinstantlygavewaytothepolite，satiricalindulgencepeculiartohighly-cultivatedmen。Crockerrosenervously；heseemedscared，andwasobviouslyrelievedwhenShelton，followinghisexample，graspedthelittlefatman\'shand，whosaidgood-nightinavoiceshakenbytobacco。
\"Whoareyourunshavenfriends？\"heheardasthedoorwasclosedbehindthem。
CHAPTERXIX
ANINCIDENT
\"Eleveno\'clock，\"saidCrocker，astheywentoutofcollege。\"I
don\'tfeelsleepy；shallwestrollalongthe\'High\'abit？\"
Sheltonassented；hewastoobusythinkingofhisencounterwiththedonstoheedthesorenessofhisfeet。This，too，wasthelastdayofhistravels，forhehadnotalteredhisintentionofwaitingatOxfordtillJuly。
\"Wecallthisplacetheheartofknowledge，\"hesaid，passingagreatbuildingthatpresided，whiteandsilent，overdarkness；\"itseemstomeaslittlethat，asSocietyistheheartoftruegentility。\"
Crocker\'sanswerwasagrunt；hewaslookingatthestars，calculatingpossiblyinhowlonghecouldwalktoheaven。
\"No，\"proceededShelton；\"we\'vetoomuchcommon-senseupheretostrainourminds。Weknowwhenit\'stimetostop。WepileupnewsofPapiasandalltheverbsin\'ui\'butasfornewsoflifeorofoneself!Realseekersafterknowledgeareadifferentsort。Theyfightinthedark——noquartergiven。Wedon\'tgrowthatsortuphere。\"
\"Howjollythelimessmell!\"saidCrocker。
Hehadhaltedoppositeagarden，andtakenholdofSheltonbyabuttonofhiscoat。Hiseyes，likeadog\'s，staredwistfully。Itseemedasthoughhewishedtospeak，butfearedtogiveoffence。
\"Theytellyou，\"pursuedShelton，\"thatwelearntobegentlemenuphere。Welearnthatbetterthroughoneincidentthatstirsourheartsthanwelearnithereinallthetimewe\'reup。\"
\"Hum!\"mutteredCrocker，twistingatthebutton；\"thosefellowswhoseemedthebestsortsupherehaveturnedoutthebestsortsafterwards。\"
\"Ihopenot，\"saidSheltongloomily；\"IwasasnobwhenIwasuphere。IbelievedallIwastold，anythingthatmadethingspleasant；
my\"set\"werenothingbut——\"
Crockersmiledinthedarkness；hehadbeentoo\"cranky\"tobelongtoShelton\'s\"set。\"
\"Youneverweremuchlikeyour\'set，\'oldchap，\"hesaid。
Sheltonturnedaway，sniffingtheperfumeofthelimes。Imageswerethrongingthroughhismind。Thefacesofhisoldfriendsstrangelymixedwiththoseofpeoplehehadlatelymet——thegirlinthetrain，Ferrand，theladywiththeshort，round，powderedface，thelittlebarber；others，too，andfloating，mysterious，——connectedwiththemall，Antonia\'sface。Thescentofthelime-treesdriftedathimwithitsmagicsweetness。Fromthestreetbehind，thefootstepsofthepassers-bysoundedmuffled，yetexact，andonthebreezewasbornethestrain:\"Forhe\'sajollygoodfellow!
Forhe\'sajollygoodfellow!Forhe\'sajollygoodfe-ellow!Andsosayallofus!\"
\"Ah!\"hesaid，\"theyweregoodchaps。\"
\"Iusedtothink，\"saidCrockerdreamily，\"thatsomeofthemhadtoomuchside。\"
AndSheltonlaughed。
\"Thethingsickensme，\"saidhe，\"thewholesnobbish，selfishbusiness。Theplacesickensme，linedwithcotton-wool-madesobeastlycomfortable。\"
Crockershookhishead。
\"It\'sasplendidoldplace，\"hesaid，hiseyesfasteningatlastonShelton\'sboots。\"Youknow，oldchap，\"hestammered，\"Ithinkyou——
yououghttotakecare!\"
\"Takecare？Whatof？\"
Crockerpressedhisarmconvulsively。
\"Don\'tbewaxy，oldboy，\"hesaid；\"Imeanthatyouseemsomehow——tobe——tobelosingyourself。\"
\"Losingmyself!Findingmyself，youmean!\"
Crockerdidnotanswer；hisfacewasdisappointed。Ofwhatexactlywashethinking？InShelton\'shearttherewasabitterpleasureinknowingthathisfriendwasuncomfortableonhisaccount，asortofcontempt，asortofaching。Crockerbrokethesilence。
\"IthinkIshalldoabitmorewalkingto-night，\"hesaid；\"Ifeelveryfit。Don\'tyoureallymeantocomeanyfurtherwithme，Bird？\"
Andtherewasanxietyinhisvoice，asthoughSheltonwereindangerofmissingsomethinggood。Thelatter\'sfeethadinstantlybeguntoacheandburn。
\"No!\"？hesaid；\"youknowwhatI\'mstayingherefor。\"
Crockernodded。
\"Shelivesnearhere。Well，then，I\'llsaygood-bye。Ishouldliketodoanothertenmilesto-night。\"
\"Mydearfellow，you\'retiredandlame。\"
Crockerchuckled。
\"No，\"hesaid；\"Iwanttogeton。SeeyouinLondon。Good-bye!\"
and，grippingShelton\'shand，heturnedandlimpedaway。
Sheltoncalledafterhim:\"Don\'tbeanidiot:You\'llonlyknockyourselfup。\"
ButthesoleanswerwasthepalemoonofCrocker\'sfacescrewedroundtowardshiminthedarkness，andthewavingofhisstick。
Sheltonstrolledslowlyon；leaningoverthebridge，hewatchedtheoilygleamoflamps，onthedarkwaterunderneaththetrees。Hefeltrelieved，yetsorry。Histhoughtswererandom，curious，halfmutinous，halfsweet。Thatafternoonfiveyearsago，whenhehadwalkedbackfromtheriverwithAntoniaacrosstheChristchurchmeadows，wasvividtohismind；thescentofthatafternoonhadneverdiedawayfromhim-thearomaofhislove。Soonshewouldbehiswife——hiswife!Thefacesofthedonssprangupbeforehim。Theyhadwives，perhaps。Fat，lean，satirical，andcompromising——whatwasitthatthroughdiversitytheyhadincommon？Culturedintolerance!……Honour!……Aqueersubjecttodiscuss。Honour!Thehonourthatmadeafuss，andclaimeditsrights!AndSheltonsmiled。
\"Asifman\'shonoursufferedwhenhe\'sinjured!\"Andslowlyhewalkedalongtheechoing，emptystreettohisroomattheBishop\'sHead。Nextmorninghereceivedthefollowingwire:
ThirtymileslefteighteenhoursheelbadbutgoingstrongCROCKER
HepassedafortnightattheBishop\'sHead，waitingfortheendofhisprobation，andtheendseemedlongincoming。TobesonearAntonia，andasfarasifheliveduponanotherplanet，wasworsethanever。Eachdayhetookascullingskiff，andpulleddowntonearHolmOaks，onthechanceofherbeingontheriver；butthehousewastwomilesoff，andthechancebutslender。Shenevercame。
Afterspendingtheafternoonslikethishewouldreturn，pullinghardagainstthestream，withaqueerfeelingofrelief，dineheartily，andfalladreamingoverhiscigar。Eachmorningheawokeinanexcitedmood，devouredhisletterifhehadone，andsatdowntowritetoher。Theselettersofhiswerethemostamazingportionofthatfortnight。Theywereremarkableforfailingtoexpressanysingleoneofhisrealthoughts，buttheywerefullofsentimentswhichwerenotwhathewastrulyfeeling；andwhenhesethimselftoanalyse，hehadsuchmomentsofdeliriumthathewasscared，andshocked，andquiteunabletowriteanything。Hemadethediscoverythatnotwohumanbeingsevertelleachotherwhattheyreallyfeel，except，perhaps，insituationswithwhichhecouldnotconnectAntonia\'sice-blueeyesandbrilliantsmile。Alltheworldwastooengagedinplanningdecency。
Absorbedbylongings，hebutvaguelyrealisedtheturmoilofCommemoration，whichhadgathereditshundredsfortheirannualcureofsalmonmayonnaiseandcheapchampagne。InpreparationforhisvisittoHolmOaksheshavedhisbeardandhadsomeclothessentdownfromLondon。WiththemwasforwardedaletterfromFerrand，whichranasfollows:
IMPERIALPEACOCKHOTEL，FOLKESTONE，June20。
MYDEARSIR，Forgivemefornothavingwrittentoyoubefore，butIhavebeensobotheredthatIhavefeltnotasteforwriting；whenIhavethetime，Ihavesomecuriousstoriestotellyou。OnceagainIhaveencounteredthatdemonofmisfortunewhichdogsmyfootsteps。Beingoccupiedalldayandnearlyallnightuponbusinesswhichbringsmeaheapofworriesandnexttonoprofit，Ihavenochancetolookaftermythings。Thieveshaveenteredmyroom，stoleneverything，andleftmeanemptybox。Iamonceagainalmostwithoutclothes，andknownotwheretoturntomakethatfigurenecessaryforthefulfilmentofmyduties。Yousee，Iamnotlucky。Sincecomingtoyourcountry，thesolepieceoffortuneIhavehadwastotumbleonamanlikeyou。
Excusemefornotwritingmoreatthismoment。Hopingthatyouareingoodhealth，andinaffectionatelypressingyourhand，Iam，AlwaysyourdevotedLOUISFERRAND。
UponreadingthisletterSheltonhadoncemoreasenseofbeingexploited，ofwhichhewasashamed；hesatdownimmediatelyandwrotethefollowingreply:
BISHOPSHEADHOTEL，OXFORD，June25。
MYDEARFERRAND，Iamgrievedtohearofyourmisfortunes。Iwasmuchhopingthatyouhadmadeabetterstart。IencloseyouPostOfficeOrdersforfourpounds。Alwaysgladtohearfromyou。
Yourssincerely，RICHARDSHELTON。
Heposteditwiththesatisfactionthatamanfeelswhonoblyshakesoffhisresponsibilities。
ThreedaysbeforeJulyhemetwithoneofthosedisturbingincidentswhichbefallnopersonswhoattendquietlytotheir，propertyandreputation。
Thenightwasunbearablyhot，andhehadwanderedoutwithhiscigar；
awomancamesidlingupandspoketohim。Heperceivedhertobeoneofthosemadebymenintomediumsfortheirpleasure，tofeelsympathywithwhomwassentimental。Herfacewasflushed，herwhisperhoarse；shehadnoattractionsbutthecurvesofatawdryfigure。Sheltonwasrepelledbyherproprietarytone，byherblowzyface，andbythescentofpatchouli。Hertouchonhisarmstartledhim，sendingashiverthroughhismarrow；healmostleapedaside，andwalkedthefaster。Butherbreathingasshefollowedsoundedlaboured；itsuddenlyseemedpitifulthatawomanshouldbepantingafterhimlikethat。
\"TheleastIcando，\"hethought，\"istospeaktoher。\"Hestopped，and，withamixtureofhardnessandcompassion，said，\"It\'simpossible。\"
Inspiteofhersmile，hesawbyherdisappointedeyesthatsheacceptedtheimpossibility。
\"I\'msorry，\"hesaid。
Shemutteredsomething。Sheltonshookhishead。
\"I\'msorry，\"hesaidoncemore。\"Good-night。\"
Thewomanbitherlowerlip。
\"Good-night，\"sheanswereddully。
Atthecornerofthestreetheturnedhishead。Thewomanwashurryinguneasily；apolicemancomingfrombehindhadcaughtherbythearm。
Hisheartbegantobeat。\"Heavens!\"hethought，\"whatshallIdonow？\"Hisfirstimpulsewastowalkaway，andthinknomoreaboutit——toact，indeed，likeanyaveragelydecentmanwhodidnotcaretobeconcernedinsuchaffairs。
Heretracedhissteps，however，andhaltedhalfadozenpacesfromtheirfigures。
\"Askthegentleman!Hespoketome，\"shewassayinginherbrassyvoice，throughtheemphasisofwhichSheltoncoulddetectherfear。
\"That\'sallright，\"returnedthepoliceman，\"weknowallaboutthat。\"
\"You——police!\"criedthewomantearfully；\"I\'vegottogetmyliving，haven\'tI，thesameasyou？\"
Sheltonhesitated，then，catchingtheexpressioninherfrightenedface，steppedforward。Thepolicemanturned，andatthesightofhispale，heavyjowl，cutbythecheek-strap，andthebullyingeyes，hefeltbothhateandfear，asifbroughtfacetofacewithallthathedespisedandloathed，yetstrangelydreaded。Thecoldcertaintyoflawandorderupholdingthestrong，treadingunderfoottheweak，thesmugfrontofmeannessthatonlythepurestspiritsmayattack，seemedtobefacinghim。Andtheoddthingwas，thismanwasonlycarryingouthisduty。Sheltonmoistenedhislips。
\"You\'renotgoingtochargeher？\"
\"Aren\'tI？\"returnedthepoliceman。
\"Lookhere；constable，you\'remakingamistake。\"
Thepolicemantookouthisnote-book。
\"Oh，I\'mmakingamistake？I\'lltakeyournameandaddress，please；wehavetoreportthesethings。\"
\"Byallmeans，\"saidShelton，angrilygivingit。\"Ispoketoherfirst。\"
\"Perhapsyou\'llcomeuptothecourttomorrowmorning，andrepeatthat，\"repliedthepoliceman，withincivility。
Sheltonlookedathimwithalltheforceathiscommand。
\"Youhadbetterbecareful，constable，\"hesaid；butintheactofutteringthesewordshethoughthowpitiabletheysounded。
\"We\'renottobetrifledwith，\"returnedthepolicemaninathreateningvoice。
Sheltoncouldthinkofnothingbuttorepeat:
\"Youhadbetterbecareful，constable。\"
\"You\'reagentleman，\"repliedthepoliceman。\"I\'monlyapoliceman。
You\'vegottheriches，I\'vegotthepower。\"
Graspingthewoman\'sarm，hebegantomovealongwithher。
Sheltonturned，andwalkedaway。
HewenttoGrinnings\'Club，andflunghimselfdownuponasofa。Hisfeelingwasnotoneofpityforthewoman，norofpeculiarangerwiththepoliceman，butratherofdissatisfactionwithhimself。
\"WhatoughtItohavedone？\"hethought，\"thebeggarwaswithinhisrights。\"
Hestaredatthepicturesonthewall，andatideofdisgustsurgedupinhim。
\"Oneorotherofus，\"hereflected，\"wemakethesewomenwhattheyare。Andwhenwe\'vemadethem，wecan\'tdowithoutthem；wedon\'twantto；butwegivethemnoproperhomes，sothatthey\'rereducedtoprowlaboutthestreets，andthenwerunthemin。Ha!that\'sgood——
that\'sexcellent!Werunthemin!Andherewesitandcarp。Butwhatdowedo？Nothing!Oursystemisthemosthighlymoralknown。
Wegetthebenefitwithoutsoilingeventhehemofourphylacteries——
thewomenaretheonlyonesthatsuffer。Andwhyshouldn\'tthey——
inferiorthings？\"
Helitacigarette，andorderedthewaitertobringadrink。
\"I\'llgototheCourt，\"hethought；butsuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatthecasewouldgetintothelocalpapers。Thepresswouldnevermisssonicealittlebitofscandal——\"Gentlemanv。Policeman!\"
AndhehadavisionofAntonia\'sfather，aneighbouringandconscientiousmagistrate，solemnlyreadingthis。Someone，atallevents，wasboundtoseehisnameandmakeapointofmentioningittoogoodtobemissed!Andsuddenlyhesawwithhorrorthattohelpthewomanhewouldhavetoassertagainthathehadspokentoherfirst。\"ImustgototheCourt!\"hekeptthinking，asiftoassurehimselfthathewasnotacoward。
Helayawakehalfthenightworryingoverthisdilemma。
\"ButIdidn\'tspeaktoherfirst，\"hetoldhimself；\"Ishallonlybetellingalie，andthey\'llmakemeswearit，too!\"
Hetriedtopersuadehimselfthatthiswasagainsthisprinciples，butatthebottomofhisheartheknewthathewouldnotobjecttotellingsuchalieifonlyguaranteedimmunefromconsequences；itappearedtohim，indeed，butobvioushumanity。
\"ButwhyshouldIsuffer？\"hethought；\"I\'vedonenothing。It\'sneitherreasonablenorjust。\"
Hehatedtheunhappywomanwhowascausinghimthesehorrorsofuncertainty。Wheneverhedecidedonewayorother，thepoliceman\'sface，withitstyrannicalandmuddyeyes，rosebeforehimlikeanightmare，andforcedhimtoanoppositeconviction。Hefellasleepatlastwiththefulldeterminationtogoandseewhathappened。
Hewokewithasenseofodddisturbance。\"Icandonogoodbygoing，\"hethought，remembering，aidlyingverystill；\"they\'recertaintobelievethepoliceman；Ishallonlyblackenmyselffornothing；\"andthecombatbeganagainwithinhim，butwithfarlessfury。Itwasnotwhatotherpeoplethought，noteventheriskofperjurythatmatteredallthishemadequiteclear——itwasAntonia。
Itwasnotfairtohertoputhimselfinsuchafalseposition；infact，notdecent。
Hebreakfasted。IntheroomweresomeAmericans，andthefaceofoneyounggirlremindedhimalittleofAntonia。Fainterandfaintergrewtheincident；itseemedtohaveitsrightproportions。
Twohourslater，lookingattheclock，hefoundthatitwaslunch-
time。Hehadnotgone，hadnotcommittedperjury；buthewrotetoadailypaper，pointingoutthedangerrunbythecommunityfromthepowerwhichabeliefintheirinfallibilityplacesinthehandsofthepolice——how，sincetheyaretheswornabettorsofrightandjustice，theirwordisalmostnecessarilytakentobegospel；howoneandalltheyhangtogether，frommingledinterestandespritdecorps。Wasitnot，hesaid，reasonabletosupposethatamongstthousandsofhumanbeingsinvestedwithsuchopportunitiestherewouldbefoundbullieswhowouldtakeadvantageofthem，andrisetodistinctionintheserviceuponthehelplessnessoftheunfortunateandthecowardiceofpeoplewithanythingtolose？Thosewhohadintheirhandsthesacreddutiesofselectingapracticallyirresponsiblebodyofmenwerebound，forthesakeoffreedomandhumanity，toexercisethosedutieswiththeutmostcareandthoroughness……
Howevertrue，noneofthishelpedhimtothinkanybetterofhimselfatheart，andhewashauntedbythefeelingthatastoutandhonestbitofperjurywasworthmorethanalettertoadailypaper。
Heneversawhisletterprinted，containing，asitdid，thegermsofanunpalatabletruth。
Intheafternoonhehiredahorse，andgallopedonPortMeadow。Thestrainofhisindecisionover，hefeltlikeamanrecoveringfromanillness，andhecarefullyabstainedfromlookingatthelocalpapers。
Therewasthatwithinhim，however，whichresentedtheworstingofhischivalry。
CHAPTERXX
HOLMOAKS
HolmOaksstoodbackbutlittlefromtheroad——anoldmanor-house，notsetupondisplay，butdwellingclosetoitsbarns，stables，andwalledgardens，likeagoodmother；long，flat-roofed，red，ithadQueenAnnewindows，onwhosewhite-frameddiamondpanesthesunbeamsglinted。
Infrontofitafringeofelms，ofalltreesthetreeofmostestablishedprinciple，borderedthestretchofturfbetweenthegraveldriveandroad；andtheseelmswerethehomesofrooksofallbirdsthemostconventional。Ahugeaspen——impressionablecreature——
shiveredandshookbeyond，apologisingforappearanceamongsuchimperturbablesurroundings。Itwasfrequentedbyacuckoo，whocameonceayeartohootattherulesoflife，butseldommadelongstay；
forboysthrewstonesatit，exasperatedbytheabsenceofitsmorals。
Thevillagewhichclusteredinthediphadnotyetlostitsdreadofmotor-cars。Aboutthisgroupofflat-facedcottageswithgabledroofsthescentofhay，manure，androsesclungcontinually；justnowtheodourofthelimestroubleditsservilesturdiness。Beyondthedip，again，asquare-toweredchurchkeptwithingreywallstherecordofthevillageflock，births，deaths，andmarriages——eventhebirthsofbastards，eventhedeathsofsuicides——andseemedtostretchahandinvisibleabovetheheadsofcommonfolktograsptheforgersofthemanor-house。Decentanddiscreet，thetworoofscaughttheeyetotheexclusionofallmeanerdwellings，seemingtohavejoinedinaconspiracytokeepthemoutofsight。
TheJulysunhadburnedhisfaceallthewayfromOxford，yetpalewasSheltonwhenhewalkedupthedriveandrangthebell。
\"Mrs。Dennantathome，Dobson？\"heaskedofthegravebutler，who，oldservantthathewas，stillworecolouredtrousersforitwasnotyettwelveo\'clock，andheregardedcolouredtrousersuptonoonasasacreddistinctionbetweenthefootmenandhimself。
\"Mrs。Dennant，\"repliedthispersonage，raisinghisroundandhairlessface，whileonhismouthappearedthatapologeticpoutwhichcomesoflivingwithgoodfamilies——\"Mrs。Dennanthasgoneintothevillage，sir；butMissAntoniaisinthemorning-room。\"
Sheltoncrossedthepanelled，low-roofedhall，throughwhosefarsidethelawnwasvisible，avisionofserenity。Hemountedsixwide，shallowsteps，andstopped。Frombehindacloseddoortherecamethesoundofscales，andhestood，apreytohisemotions，thenotesminglinginhisearswiththebeatingofhisheart。Hesoftlyturnedthehandle，afixedsmileonhislips。
Antoniawasatthepiano；herheadwasbobbingtothemovementsofherfingers，andpressingdownthepedalswereherslimmonotonouslymovingfeet。Shehadbeenplayingtennis，foraracquetandhertam-
o\'-shanterwereflungdown，andshewasdressedinablueskirtandcreamyblouse，fittingcollarlessaboutherthroat。Herfacewasflushed，andworealittlefrown；andasherfingersracedalongthekeys，herneckswayed，andthesilkclungandshiveredonherarms。
Shelton\'seyesfastenedonthesilent，countinglips，onthefairhairaboutherforehead，thedarkereyebrowsslantingdowntowardsthenose，theundimpledcheekswiththefaintfinger-marksbeneaththeice-blueeyes，thesoftly-poutingandundimpledchin，thewholeremote，sweet，suntouched，glacialface。
Sheturnedherhead，and，springingup，cried:
\"Dick!Whatfun!\"Shegavehimbothherhands，buthersmilingfacesaidveryplainly，\"Oh；don\'tletusbesentimental!\"
\"Aren\'tyougladtoseeme？\"mutteredShelton。
\"Gladtoseeyou!Youarefunny，Dick!——asifyoudidn\'tknow!
Why，you\'veshavedyourbeard!MotherandSybilhavegoneintothevillagetoseeoldMrs。Hopkins。Shallwegoout？Theaandtheboysareplayingtennis。It\'ssojollythatyou\'vecome!\"Shecaughtupthetam-o\'-shanter，andpinnedittoherhair。AlmostastallasShelton，shelookedtaller，witharmsraisedandloosesleevesquiveringlikewingstothemovementsofherfingers。\"Wemighthaveagamebeforelunch；youcanhavemyotherracquet。\"
\"I\'vegotnothings，\"saidSheltonblankly。
Hercalmglanceranoverhim。
\"YoucanhavesomeofoldBernard\'s；he\'sgotanyamount。I\'llwaitforyou。\"Sheswungherracquet，lookedatShelton，cried，\"Bequick!\"andvanished。
Sheltonranup-stairs，anddressedintheundecidedwayofmenassumingotherpeople\'sclothes。Shewasinthehallwhenhedescended，hummingatuneandproddingathershoe；hersmileshowedallherpearlyupperteeth。Hecaughtholdofhersleeveandwhispered:
\"Antonia!\"
Thecolourrushedintohercheeks；shelookedbackacrosshershoulder。
\"Comealong，oldDick!\"shecried；and，flingingopentheglassdoor，ranintothegarden。
Sheltonfollowed。
Thetennis-groundwasdividedbytallnettingfromapaddock。Aholmoaktreeshadedonecorner，anditsthickdarkfoliagegaveanunexpecteddepthtothegreensmoothnessofthescene。AsSheltonandAntoniacarneup，BernardDennantstoppedandcordiallygraspedShelton\'shand。FromthefarsideofthenetThea，inashortishskirt，tossedbackherstraightfairhair，and，wardingoffthesun，camestrollinguptothem。Theumpire，asmallboyoftwelve，waslyingonhisstomach，squealingandticklingacollie。Sheltonbentandpulledhishair。
\"Hallo，Toddles!youyoungruffian!\"
OneandalltheystoodroundShelton，andtherewasafrankandpitilessinquiryintheireyes，intheangleoftheirnosessomethingchaffinganddistrustful，asthoughabouthimweresomesubtlepoignantscentexcitingcuriosityanddisapproval。
Whenthesettswereover，andthegirlsrestinginthedoublehammockunderneaththeholmoak，SheltonwentwithBernardtothepaddocktohuntforthelostballs。
\"Isay，oldchap，\"saidhisoldschool-fellow，smilingdryly，\"you\'reinforawiggingfromtheMater。\"
\"Awigging？\"murmuredShelton。
\"Idon\'tknowmuchaboutit，butfromsomethingsheletdropitseemsyou\'vebeensayingsomequeerthingsinyourletterstoAntonia\"；andagainhelookedatSheltonwithhisdrysmile。
\"Queerthings？\"saidthelatterangrily。\"Whatd\'youmean？\"
\"Oh，don\'taskme。TheMaterthinksshe\'sinabadway——unsettled，orwhatd\'youcallat。You\'vebeentellingherthatthingsarenotwhattheyseem。That\'sbad，youknow\"；andstillsmilingheshookhishead。
Sheltondroppedhiseyes。
\"Well，theyaren\'t!\"hesaid。
\"Oh，that\'sallright!Butdon\'tbringyourphilosophydownhere，oldchap。\"
\"Philosophy!\"saidShelton，puzzled。
\"Leaveusasacredprejudiceortwo。\"
\"Sacred!Nothing\'ssacred，except——\"ButSheltondidnotfinishhisremark。\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"hesaid。
\"Ideals，thatsortofthing!You\'vebeendivingdownbelowthelineof\'practicalpolitics，\'that\'saboutthesizeofit，myboy\"；and，stoopingsuddenly，hepickedupthelastball。\"ThereistheMater!\"
SheltonsawMrs。Dennantcomingdownthelawnwithherseconddaughter，Sybil。
Bythetimetheyreachedtheholmoakthethreegirlshaddepartedtowardsthehouse，walkingarminarm，andMrs。Dennantwasstandingtherealone，inagreydress，talkingtoanundergardener。Herhands，casedintangauntlets，heldabasketwhichwardedoffthebeardedgardenerfromtheseverebutamplelinesofheruseful-lookingskirt。Thecollie，erectuponhishaunches，lookedattheirtwofaces，prickinghisearsinhisendeavourtoappreciatehowoneofthesetwobipedsdifferedfromtheother。
\"Thankyou；that\'lldo，Bunyan。Ah，Dick!Charmin\'toseeyouhere，atlast!\"
InhisintercoursewithMrs。Dennant，Sheltonneverfailedtomarkthetypicalnatureofherpersonality。Italwaysseemedtohimthathehadmetsomanyotherladieslikeher。Hefeltthatherundoubtablequalityhadanon-individualflavour，asifstandingforherclass。Shethoughtthatstandingforherselfwasnotthething；
yetshewasfullofcharacter。Tall，withnoseatriflebeaked，long，slopingchin，andanassured，benevolentmouth，showing，perhaps，toomanyteeth——thoughthin，shewasnotunsubstantial。Heraccentinspeakingshowedherheritage；itwasakindofdrawlwhichdisregardedvulgarmeritssuchastone；leanedonsomesyllables，anddespisedthefinal\'g\'——thepeculiaraccent，infact，ofaristocracy，addingitsdeliberatejoystolife。
Sheltonknewthatshehadmanyinterests；shewasneverreallyidle，fromthetime7A。M。whenhermaidbroughtheralittlechinapotofteawithasinglebiscuitandherpetdog，Tops，tilleleveno\'clockatnight，whenshelightedawaxcandleinasilvercandlestick，andwiththisinonehand，andintheotheranewnovel，or，betterstill，oneofthosecharmingvolumeswrittenbygreatpeopleaboutthestillgreaterpeopletheyhavemet，shesaidgood-
nighttoherchildrenandherguests。No!Whatwithphotography，thepresidencyofalocalleague，visitingtherich，superintendingallthepoor，gardening，reading，keepingallherideassotidythatnoforeignnotionsmightstrayin，shewasneveridle。Theinformationshecollectedfromthesesourceswasbothvastandvaried，butsheneverletitflavourheropinions，whichlackedsauce，andweredrawnfromsomesortofdishintowhich，withallherclass，shedippedherfingers。
Helikedher。Noonecouldhelplikingher。Shewaskind，andofsuchgoodquality，withasuggestionaboutherofthin，excellent，andusefulchina；andshewasscented，too——notwithverbena，violets，orthoseessenceswhichwomenlove，butwithnothing，asifshehadtakenstandagainstallmeretricity。Inherintercoursewithpersonsnot\"quitethething\"sheexceptedthevicarfromthiscategory，thoughhisfatherhaddealtinhaberdashery，herrefinement，gently，unobtrusively，andwithgreatpracticalgoodsense，seemedcontinuallytomurmur，\"Iam，andyou——well，areyou，don\'tyouknow？\"Buttherewasnoself-consciousnessaboutthisattitude，forshewasreallynotacommonwoman。Shesimplycouldnothelpit；allherpeoplehaddonethis。Theirnursesbreathedabovethemintheircradlessomethingthat，inhaledintotheirsystems，everafterwardspreventedthemfromtakinggood，clearbreaths。Andhermanner!Ah!hermanner——itconcealedtheinnerwomansoastoleavedoubtofherexistence!
Sheltonlistenedtothekindlybrisknesswithwhichshedweltupontheunder-gardener。
\"PoorBunyan!helosthiswifesixmonthsago，andwasquitecheerfuljustatfirst，butnowhe\'sreallytoodistressin\'。I\'vedoneallIcantorousehim；it\'ssomelancholytoseehimmopin\'。And，mydearDick，thewayhemanglesthenewrose-trees!I\'mafraidhe\'sgoin\'mad；Ishallhavetosendhimaway；poorfellow!\"
ItwasclearthatshesympathisedwithBunyan，or，rather，believedhimentitledtoamodicumofwholesomegrief，thelossofwivesbeingacanonisedandlegal，sorrow。Butexcesses!Odear，no!
\"I\'vetoldhimIshallraisehiswages，\"shesighed。\"Heusedtobesuchasplendidgardener!Thatremindsme，mydearDick；Iwanttohaveatalkwithyou。Shallwegointolunch？\"
Consultingthememorandum-bookinwhichshehadbeennotingthecaseofMrs。Hopkins，sheslightlyprecededSheltontothehouse。
ItwassomewhatlatethatafternoonwhenSheltonhadhis\"wigging\"；
nordiditseemtohim，hypnotisedbythemomentaryabsenceofAntonia，suchaveryseriousaffair。
\"Now，Dick，\"theHonourableMrs。Dennantsaid，inherdecisivedrawl，\"Idon\'tthinkit\'srighttoputideasintoAntonia\'shead。\"
\"Ideas!\"murmuredSheltoninconfusion。
\"Weallknow，\"continuedMrs。Dennant，\"thatthingsarenotalwayswhattheyoughttobe。\"
Sheltonlookedather；shewasseatedatherwriting-table，addressinginherlarge，freewritingadinnerinvitationtoabishop。Therewasnotthefaintesttraceofawkwardnessabouther，yetSheltoncouldnothelpacertainsenseofshock。Ifshe——she——
didnotthinkthingswerewhattheyoughttobe——inabadwaythingsmustbeindeed!
\"Things!\"hemuttered。
Mrs。Dennantlookedathimfirmlybutkindlywiththeeyesthatwouldremindhimofahare\'s。
\"Sheshowedmesomeofyourletters，youknow。Well，it\'snotabitofusedenyin\'，mydearDick，thatyou\'vebeenthinkin\'toomuchlately。\"
Sheltonperceivedthathehaddoneheraninjustice；shehandled\"things\"asshehandledunder-gardeners——putthemawaywhentheyshowedsignsofrunningtoextremes。
\"Ican\'thelpthat，I\'mafraid，\"heanswered。
\"Mydearboy!you\'llnevergetonthatway。Now，Iwantyoutopromisemeyouwon\'ttalktoAntoniaaboutthosesortofthings。\"
Sheltonraisedhiseyebrows。
\"Oh，youknowwhatImean!\"
HesawthattopressMrs。Dennanttosaywhatshemeantby\"things\"
wouldreallyhurthersenseofform；itwouldbecrueltoforceherthusbelowthesurface!
Hethereforesaid，\"Quiteso!\"
Tohisextremesurprise，flushingthepeculiararidpatheticflushofwomenpasttheirprime，shedrawledout:
\"Aboutthepoor——andcriminals——andmarriages——therewasthatwedding，don\'tyouknow？\"
Sheltonbowedhishead。Motherhoodhadbeentoostrongforher；inhermaternalfluttershehadcommittedthesolecismoftouchinginsomanywordson\"things。\"
\"Doesn\'tshereallyseethefun，\"hethought，\"inonemandiningoutofgoldandanotherdininginthegutter；orintwomarriedpeoplelivingontogetherinperfectdiscord\'pourencourageslesautres\'，orinworshippingJesusChristandclaimingallherrightsatthesametime；orindespisingforeignersbecausetheyareforeigners；orinwar；orinanythingthatisfunny？\"Buthedidheracertainamountofjusticebyrecognisingthatthiswasnatural，sinceherwholelifehadbeenpassedintryingnottoseethefuninallthesethings。
ButAntoniastoodsmilinginthedoorway。Brilliantandgayshelooked，yetresentful，asifsheknewtheyhadbeentalkingofher。
ShesatdownbyShelton\'sside，andbeganaskinghimabouttheyouthfulforeignerwhomhehadspokenof；andhereyesmadehimdoubtwhethershe，too，sawthefunthatlayinonehumanbeingpatronisingothers。