\"ButIsupposehe\'sreallygood，\"shesaid，\"Imean，allthosethingshetoldyouaboutwereonly——\"
\"Good!\"heanswered，fidgeting；\"Idon\'treallyknowwhatthewordmeans。\"
Hereyesclouded。\"Dick，howcanyou？\"theyseemedtosay。
Sheltonstrokedhersleeve。
\"TellusaboutMr。Crocker，\"shesaid，takingnoheedofhiscaress。
\"Thelunatic!\"hesaid。
\"Lunatic!Why，inyourlettershewassplendid。\"
\"Soheis，\"saidShelton，halfashamed；\"he\'snotabitmad，really——thatis，IonlywishIwerehalfasmad。\"
\"Who\'sthatmad？\"queriedMrs。Dennantfrombehindtheurn——\"TomCrocker？Ah，yes!Iknewhismother；shewasaSpringer。\"
\"Didhedoitintheweek？\"saidThea，appearinginthewindowwithakitten。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"Sheltonwasobligedtoanswer。
Theashookbackherhair。
\"Icallitawfullyslackofyounottohavefoundout，\"shesaid。
Antoniafrowned。
\"Youwereverysweettothatyoungforeigner，Dick，\"shemurmuredwithasmileatShelton。\"Iwishthatwecouldseehim。\"
ButSheltonshookhishead。
\"Itseemstome，\"hemuttered，\"thatIdidaboutaslittleforhimasIcould。\"
Againherfacegrewthoughtful，asthoughhiswordshadchilledher。
\"Idon\'tseewhatmoreyoucouldhavedone，\"sheanswered。
Adesiretogetclosetoher，halffear，halfache，asenseoffutilityandbafflement，aninnerburning，madehimfeelasthoughaflamewerelickingathisheart。
CHAPTERXXI
ENGLISH
JustasSheltonwasstartingtowalkbacktoOxfordhemetMr。
Dennantcomingfromaride。Antonia\'sfatherwasasparemanofmediumheight，withyellowishface，greymoustache，ironicaleyebrows，andsometinycrow\'s-feet。Inhisold，shortgreycoat，withalittleslitupthemiddleoftheback，hisdrabcordbreeches，ancientmahoganyleggings，andcarefullyblackedboats，hehadadry，threadbarequalitynotwithoutdistinction。
\"Ah，Shelton!\"hesaid，inhisquietlyfestivevoice；\"gladtoseethepilgrimhere，atlast。You\'renotoffalready？\"and，layinghishandonShelton\'sarm，heproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhimacrossthefields。
Thiswasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincetheengagement；andSheltonbegantonervehimselftoexpresssomesentiment，howeverbald，aboutit。Hesquaredhisshoulders，clearedhisthroat，andlookedaskanceatMr。Dennant。Thatgentlemanwaswalkingstiffly，hiscordbreechesfaintlysqueaking。Heswitchedayellow，jointedcaneagainsthisleggings，andaftereachblowlookedathislegssatirically。Hehimselfwasratherlikethatyellowcane-pale，andslim，andjointed，withfeaturesarchingjustalittle，likethearchingofitshandle。
\"Theysayit\'llbeabadyearforfruit，\"Sheltonsaidatlast。
\"Mydearfellow，youdon\'tknowyourfarmer，I\'mafraid。Weoughttohangsomefarmers——doaworldofgood。Dearsouls!I\'vegotsomeperfectstrawberries。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidShelton，gladtopostponetheevilmoment，\"inaclimatelikethisamanmustgrumble。\"
\"Quiteso，quiteso!Lookatuspoorslavesofland-owners；ifI
couldn\'tabusethefarmersIshouldbewretched。Didyoueverseeanythingfinerthanthispasture？Andtheywantmetolowertheirrents!\"
AndMr。Dennant\'sglancesatiricallywavered，restedonShelton，andwhiskedbacktothegroundasthoughhehadseensomethingthatalarmedhim。Therewasapause。
\"Nowforit!\"thoughttheyoungerman。
Mr。Dennantkepthiseyesfixedonhisboots。
\"Ifthey\'dsaid，now，\"heremarkedjocosely，\"thatthefrosthadnippedthepartridges，there\'dhavebeensomesenseinit；butwhatcanyouexpect？They\'venoconsideration，dearsouls!\"
Sheltontookabreath，and，withavertedeyes，hehurriedlybegan:
\"It\'sawfullyhard，sir，to——\"
Mr。Dennantswitchedhiscaneagainsthisshin。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"it\'sawfullyhardtoputupwith，butwhatcanafellowdo？Onemusthavefarmers。Why，ifitwasn\'tforthefarmers，there\'dbestillahareortwoabouttheplace!\"
Sheltonlaughedspasmodically；againheglancedaskanceathisfuturefather-in-law。Whatdidthewagglingofhisheadmean，thedeepeningofhiscrow\'s-feet，theoddcontractionofthemouth？AndhiseyecaughtMr。Dennant\'seye；itsexpressionwasqueerabovethefine，drynoseoneofthesortthatreddensinawind。
\"I\'veneverhadmuchtodowithfarmers，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Haven\'tyou？Luckyfellow!Themost——yes，quitethemosttryingportionofthehumanspecies——nexttodaughters。\"
\"Well，sir，youcanhardlyexpectme——\"beganShelton。
\"Idon\'t——oh，Idon\'t!D\'youknow，Ireallybelievewe\'reinforaducking。\"
Alargeblackcloudhadcoveredupthesun，andsomedropswerespatteringonMr。Dennant\'shardfelthat。
Sheltonwelcomedtheshower；itappearedtohimaninterventiononthepartofProvidence。Hewouldhavetosaysomething，butnotnow，later。
\"I\'llgoon，\"hesaid；\"Idon\'tmindtherain。Butyou\'dbettergetback，sir。\"
\"Dearme!I\'ve\'atenantinthiscottage，\'saidMr。Dennantinhis，leisurely，drymanner\"andabeggarheistopoach，too。Leastwecando\'stoaskforalittleshelter；whatdoyouthink？\"andsmilingsarcastically，asthoughdeprecatinghisintentiontokeepdry，herappedonthedoorofaprosperous-lookingcottage。
ItwasopenedbyagirlofAntonia\'sageandheight。
\"Ah，Phoebe!Yourfatherin？\"
\"No，\"repliedthegirl，fluttering；\"father\'sout，Mr。Dennant。\"
\"Sosorry!Willyouletusbideabitoutoftherain？\"
Thesweet-lookingPhoebedustedthemtwochairs，and，curtseying，leftthemintheparlour。
\"Whataprettygirl!\"saidShelton。
\"Yes，she\'saprettygirl；halftheyoungfellowsareafterher，butshewon\'tleaveherfather。Oh，he\'sacharmingrascalisthatfellow!\"
ThisremarksuddenlybroughthometoSheltontheconvictionthathewasfurtherthaneverfromavoidingthenecessityforspeaking。Hewalkedovertothewindow。Therain。wascomingdownwithfury，thoughagoldenlinefardowntheskypromisedtheshower\'squickend。\"Forgoodness\'sake，\"hethought，\"letmesaysomething，howeveridiotic，andgetitover!\"Buthedidnotturn；akindofparalysishadseizedonhim。
\"Tremendousheavyrain!\"hesaidatlast；\"comingdowninwaterspouts。\"
Itwouldhavebeenjustaseasytosay:\"Ibelieveyourdaughtertobethesweetestthingonearth；Iloveher，andI\'mgoingtomakeherhappy!\"Justaseasy，justaboutthesameamountofbreathrequired；buthecouldn\'tsayit!Hewatchedtherainstreamandhissagainsttheleavesandchurnthedustontheparchedroadwithitsinsistenttorrent；andhenoticedwithprecisionallthedetailsoftheprocessgoingonoutsidehowtheraindropsdartedattheleaveslikespears，andhowtheleavesshookthemselvesfreeahundredtimesaminute，whilelittlerunnelsofwater，ice-clear，rolledovertheiredges，softandquick。Henoticed，too，themournfulheadofashelteringcowthatwaschewingatthehedge。
Mr。Dennanthadnotrepliedtohisremarkabouttherain。SodisconcertingwasthissilencethatSheltonturned。Hisfuturefather-in-law，uponhiswoodenchair，wasstaringathiswell-blackedboots，bendingforwardabovehispartedknees，andproddingatthecarpet；aglimpseathisfacedisturbedShelton\'sresolution。Itwasnotforbidding，stern，discouraging——notintheleast；ithadmerelyforthemomentceasedtolooksatirical。ThiswassostartlingthatSheltonlosthischanceofspeaking。ThereseemedahearttoMr。
Dennant\'sgravity；asthoughforoncehewerelookinggravebecausehefeltso。ButglancingupatShelton，hisdryjocosityreappearedatonce。
\"Whatadayforducks!\"hesaid；andagaintherewasunmistakablealarmabouttheeye。Wasitpossiblethathe，too，dreadedsomething？
\"Ican\'texpress——\"beganSheltonhurriedly。
\"Yes，it\'sbeastlytogetwet，\"saidMr。Dennant，andhesang——
Forwecanwrestleandfight，myboys，Andjumpoutanywhere。
\"You\'llbewithusforthatdinner-partynextweek，eh？Capital!
There\'stheBishopofBlumenthalandoldSirJackBuckwell；Imustgetmywifetoputyoubetweenthem——\"
Forit\'smydelightofastarrynight——
\"TheBishop\'sagreatanti-divorceman，andoldBuckwell\'sbeeninthecourtatleasttwice——\'
Intheseasonoftheyear!
\"Willyoupleasetotakesometea，gentlemen？\"saidthevoiceofPhoebeinthedoorway。
\"No，thankyou，Phoebe。Thatgirloughttogetmarried，\"wentonMr。
Dennant，asPhoebeblushinglywithdrew。Aflushshowedqueerlyonhissallowcheeks。\"Ashametokeephertiedlikethistoherfather\'sapron-strings——selfishfellow，that!\"Helookedupsharply，asifhehadmadeadangerousremark。
Thekeeperhewaswatchingus，Forhimwedidn\'tcare!
SheltonsuddenlyfeltcertainthatAntonia\'sfatherwasjustasanxioustosaysomethingexpressiveofhisfeelings，andasunableashimself。Andthiswascomforting。
\"Youknow，sir——\"hebegan。
ButMr。Dennant\'seyebrowsrose，hiscrow\'s-feettwinkled；hispersonalityseemedtoshrinktogether。
\"ByJove!\"hesaid，\"it\'sstopped!Now\'sourchance!Comealong，mydearfellow；delaysaredangerous!\"andwithhisbanteringcourtesyheheldthedoorforSheltontopassout。\"Ithinkwe\'llparthere，\"hesaid——\"Ialmostthinkso。Goodlucktoyou!\"
Heheldouthisdry，yellowhand。Sheltonseizedit，wrungithard，andmutteredtheword:
\"Grateful!\"
AgainMr。Dennant\'seyebrowsquiveredasiftheyhadbeentweaked；hehadbeenfoundout，andhedislikedit。Thecolourinhisfacehaddiedaway；itwascalm，wrinkled，dead-lookingundertheflattened，narrowbrimofhisblackhat；hisgreymoustachedroopedthinly；thecrow\'s-feethardenedroundhiseyes；hisnostrilsweredistendedbythequeerestsmile。
\"Gratitude!\"hesaid；\"almostavice，isn\'tit？Good-night!\"
Shelton\'sfacequivered；heraisedhishat，and，turningasabruptlyashissenior，proceededonhisway。HehadbeenplayinginacomedythatcouldonlyhavebeenplayedinEngland。Hecouldaffordtosmilenowathispastdiscomfort，havingnolongerthesenseofdutyunfulfilled。Everythinghadbeensaidthatwasrightandpropertobesaid，inthewaythatwesuchthingsshouldsay。Noviolencehadbeendone；hecouldaffordtosmile——smileathimself，atMr。
Dennant，atto-morrow；smileatthesweetaromaoftheearth，theshy，unwillingsweetnessthatonlyrainbringsforth。
CHAPTERXXII
THECOUNTRYHOUSE
TheluncheonhouratHolmOaks，was，asinmanywell-bredcountryhouses——outoftheshootingseason，beitunderstood——thesoulfulhour。Thefermentofthedailydoingswasthenatitsfullheight，andtheclamourofitsconversationontheweather，andthedogs，thehorses，neighbours，cricket，golf，wasmingledwithaliterarymurmur；fortheDennantsweresuperior，anditwasquiteusualtohearremarkslikethese\"Haveyoureadthatcharmin\'thingofPoser\'s？\"or，\"Yes，I\'vegottheneweditionofoldBablington:
delightfullybound——solight。\"AnditwasinJulythatHolmOaks，asagathering-placeoftheelect，wasatitsbest。ForinJulyithadbecomecustomarytowelcometheremanyofthosepoorsoulsfromLondonwhoarrivedexhaustedbytheseason，andthanwhomnoseamstressinatwo-pairbackcouldbetterhaveearnedaholiday。
TheDennantsthemselvesneverwenttoLondonfortheseason。Itwastheirgoodpleasurenotto。Aweekorfortnightofitsatisfiedthem。Theyhadaradicalweaknessforfreshair，andAntonia，evenafterherpresentationtwoseasonsback，hadinsistedonreturninghome，stigmatisingLondonballsas\"stuffythings。\"
WhenSheltonarrivedthestreamhadonlyjustbegun，buteverydaybroughtfresh，orratherjaded，peopletooccupytheold，dark，sweet-smellingbedrooms。Individually，helikedhisfellow-guests，buthefoundhimselfobservingthem。Heknewthat，ifamanjudgedpeoplesingly，almostallwerebetterthanhimself；onlywhenjudgedinbulkweretheyworthyofthesweepingcriticismshefeltinclinedtopassonthem。Heknewthisjustasheknewthattheconventions，havingbeeninventedtopreventmanfollowinghisnaturaldesires，weremerelythedisapprovingsumsofinnumerableindividualapprovals。
Itwasinthebulk；then，thathefoundhimselfobserving。Butwithhisamiabilityanddreadofnotorietyheremainedtoallappearanceawell-bred，docilecreature，andhekepthisjudgmentstohimself。
Inthematterofintellecthemadearoughdivisionoftheguests——
thosewhoacceptedthingswithoutamurmur，thosewhoacceptedthemwithcarpingjocularity；inthematterofmoralshefoundtheyallacceptedthingswithoutthesemblanceofakick。Toshowsignofprivatemoraljudgmentwastohavelostyoursoul，and，worse，tobeabitofanoutsider。Hegatheredthisbyintuitionratherthanfromconversation；forconversationnaturallytabooedsuchquestions，andwascarriedonintheloudandcheerfultonespeculiartopeopleofgoodbreeding。Sheltonhadneverbeenabletoacquirethistone，andhecouldnothelpfeelingthattheinabilitymadehimmoreorlessanobjectofsuspicion。Theatmospherestruckhimasitneverhadbefore，causinghimtofeeladoubtofhisgentility。Couldamansufferfrompassion，heart-searchings，ormisgivings，andremainagentleman？Itseemedimprobable。Oneofhisfellow-guests，amancalledEdgbaston，small-eyedandsemi-bald，withadarkmoustacheandadistinguishedairofmeanness，disconcertedhimonedaybyremarkingofanunknownperson，\"Ahalf-bredlookin\'chap；didn\'tseemtoknowhismind。\"Sheltonwasharassedbyahorriddoubt。
Everythingseemeddividedintoclasses，carefullydocketedandvalued。Forinstance，aBritonwasofmorevaluethanaman，andwivesthanwomen。Thosethingsorphasesoflifewithwhichpeoplehadnopersonalacquaintancewereregardedwithafaintamusementandacertaindisapproval。Theprinciplesoftheupperclass，infact，werestrictlyfollowed。
Hewasinthathypersenstiveandnervousstatefavourableforrecordingcurrentsforeigntoitself。Thingshehadneverbeforenoticednowhadprofoundeffectonhim，suchasthetoneinwhichmenspokeofwomen——notpreciselywithhostility，norexactlywithcontemptbest，perhaps，describedasculturedjeering；never，ofcourse，whenmenspokeoftheirownwives，mothers，sisters，orimmediatefriends，butmerelywhentheyspokeofanyotherwomen。Hereflecteduponthis，andcametotheconclusionthat，amongtheupperclasses，eachman\'sownpropertywasholy，whileotherwomenwerecreatedtosupplyhimwithgossip，jests，andspice。Anotherthingthatstruckhimwasthewayinwhichthewarthengoingonwasmadeintoanaffairofclass。Intheirviewitwasabaddishbusiness，becausepoorhackBlankandPeterBlank-Blankhadlosttheirlives，andpoorTeddyBlankhadnowonearminsteadoftwo。Humanityingeneralwasomitted，butnottheupperclasses，nor，incidentally，thecountrywhichbelongedtothem。Fortheretheywere，allseatedinarow，witheyesfixedonthehorizonoftheirlawns。
Lateoneevening，billiardsandmusicbeingoverandtheladiesgone，Sheltonreturnedfromchangingtohissmoking-suit，anddroppedintooneofthegreatarm-chairsthateveninsummermadeasemicircleroundthefenderedhearth。Freshfromhisgood-nightpartingwithAntonia，hesatperhapstenminutesbeforehebegantotakeinallthefiguresintheirparti-colouredsmokingjackets，cross-legged，withglassesintheirhands，andcigarsbetweentheirteeth。
Themaninthenextchairrousedhimbyputtingdownhistumblerwithatap，andseatinghimselfuponthecushionedfender。Throughthemistofsmoke，withshouldershunched，elbowsandkneescrookedout，cigarprotruding，beak-ways，belowhisnose，andthecrimsoncollarofhissmokingjacketbuttonedcloseasplumageonhisbreast，helookedalittlelikeagorgeousbird。
\"Theydoyouawfullywell，\"hesaid。
AvoicefromthechaironShelton\'srightreplied，\"TheydoyoubetteratVerado\'s。\"
\"TheVeaud\'Or\'sthebestplace；theygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing!\"drawledafatmanwithatinymouth。
Thesuavityofthispronouncementenfoldedallaswithablessing。
Andatonce，asifbymagic，intheold，oak-panelledroom，theworldfellnaturallyintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；andthatwheretheygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing。
\"IfyouwantTurkishbaths，\"saidatallyouthwithcleanredface，whohadcomeintotheroom，andstood，hismouthalittleopen，andlongfeetjuttingwithsweethelplessnessinfrontofhim，\"youshouldgo，youknow，toBudaPesth；mostawfullyrippin\'there。\"
Sheltonsawanindescribableappreciationriseoneveryface，asthoughtheyhadbeenofferedtrufflesorsomethingequallydelicious。
\"Ohno，Poodles，\"saidthemanperchedonthefender。\"AJohnnyI
knowtellsmethey\'renothingtoSofia。\"Hisfacewastransfiguredbythesubtlegloatingofamanenjoyingvicebyproxy。
\"Ah!\"drawledthesmall-mouthedman，\"there\'snothingfittoholdacandletoBaghda-ad。\"
Onceagainhisutteranceenfoldedallaswithablessing，andonceagaintheworldfellintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；and——Baghdad。
Sheltonthoughttohimself:\"Whydon\'tIknowaplacethat\'sbetterthanBaghdad？\"
Hefeltsoinsignificant。Itseemedthatheknewnoneofthesedelightfulspots；thathewasofnousetoanyofhisfellow-men；
thoughprivatelyhewasconvincedthatallthesespeakerswereas。
ignorantashimself，andmerelyfounditwarmingtorecallsuchthingsastheyhadheard，withthatpeculiargloatinglook。Alas!
hisanecdoteswouldneverearnforhimthatprizeofpersonsinsociety，thelabelofa\"goodchap\"and\"sportsman。\"
\"HaveyoueverbeeninBaghdad？\"hefeeblyasked。
Thefatmandidnotanswer；hehadbegunananecdote，andinhisbroadexpanseoffacehistinymouthwrithedlikeacaterpillar。Theanecdotewashumorous。
WiththeexceptionofAntonia，Sheltonsawbutlittleoftheladies，for，followingthewell-knowncustomofthecountryhouse，menandwomenavoidedeachotherasmuchasmightbe。Theymetatmeals，andoccasionallyjoinedintennisandincroquet；otherwiseitseemed——
almostOrientally——agreedthattheywerebetterkeptapart。
Chancingonedaytoenterthewithdrawingroom，whilesearchingforAntonia，hefoundthathehadlightedonafemininediscussion；hewouldhavebeatenaretreat，ofcourse，butitseemedtooobviousthathewasmerelylookingforhisfiancee，so，sittingdown，helistened。
TheHonourableCharlottePenguin，stillknittingasilktie——thesixthsincethatshehadbeenknittingatHyeres——satonthelowwindow-seatclosetoahydrangea，thepetalsofwhoseroundflowersalmostkissedhersanguinecheek。Hereyeswerefixedwithlanguidaspirationontheladywhowasspeaking。Thiswasasquarewomanofmediumheight，withgreyhairbrushedfromherlowforehead，theexpressionofwhosefacewasbriskandrathercross。Shewasstandingwithabook，asifdeliveringasermon。Hadshebeenamanshemighthavebeendescribedasabrightyoungmanofbusiness；for，thoughgrey，shenevercouldbeold，noreverlosethepowerofformingquickdecisions。Herfeaturesandhereyeswerepromptandslightlyhard，tingedwithfaithfanaticalinthejusticeofherjudgments，andshehadthatfussysimplenessofdresswhichindicatestherighttomeddle。Notred，notwhite，neitheryellownorquiteblue，hercomplexionwassuffusedwithacertainmixtureofthesecolours，adaptedtotheclimate；andhersmilehadastrangesoursweetness，likenothingbuttheflavourofanappleontheturn。
\"Idon\'tcarewhattheytellyou，\"shewassaying——notoffensively，thoughhervoiceseemedtoimplythatshehadnotimetowasteinpleasing——\"inallmydealingswiththemI\'vefounditbesttotreatthemquitelikechildren。\"
Alady，behindtheTimes，smiled；hermouth——indeed，herwholehard，handsomeface——wasreminiscentofdappledrocking-horsesfoundintheSohoBazaar。Shecrossedherfeet，andsomerichandsilkstuffrustled。Herwholepersonalityseemedtocreakas，withoutlooking，sheansweredinharshtones:
\"Ifindthepooraremostdelightfulpersons。\"
SybilDennant，seatedonthesofa，withafeatherylaughshotabarkingterrierdogatShelton。
\"Here\'sDick，\"shesaid。\"Well，Dick，what\'syouropinion？\"
Sheltonlookedaroundhim，scared。Theelderladieswhohadspokenhadfixedtheireyesonhim，andintheirgazehereadhisutterinsignificance。
\"Oh，thatyoungman!\"theyseemedtosay。\"Expectapracticalremarkfromhim？Now，come!\"
\"Opinion，\"hestammered，\"ofthepoor？Ihaven\'tany。\"
Thepersononherfeet，whosenamewasMrs。Mattock，directingherpeculiarsweet-soursmileatthedistinguishedladywiththeTimes，said:
\"Perhapsyou\'venothadexperienceoftheminLondon，LadyBonington？\"
LadyBonington，inanswer，rustled。
\"Oh，dotellusabouttheslums，Mrs。Mattock!\"criedSybil。
\"Slummingmustbesplendid!It\'ssodeadlyhere——nothingbutflannelpetticoats。\"
\"Thepoor，mydear，\"beganMrs。Mattock，\"arenottheleastbitwhatyouthinkthem——\"
\"Oh，d\'youknow，Ithinkthey\'rerathernice!\"brokeinAuntCharlotteclosetothehydrangea。
\"Youthinkso？\"saidMrs。Mattocksharply。\"Ifindtheydonothingbutgrumble。\"
\"Theydon\'tgrumbleatme:theyaredelightfulpersons\"，andLadyBoningtongaveSheltonagrimsmile。
Hecouldnothelpthinkingthattogrumbleinthepresenceofthatrich，despoticpersonalitywouldrequireasuperhumancourage。
\"They\'rethemostungratefulpeopleintheworld，\"saidMrs。Mattock。
\"Why，then，\"thoughtShelton，\"doyougoamongstthem？\"
Shecontinued，\"Onemustdothemgood，one，mustdoone\'sduty，butastogettingthanks——\"
LadyBoningtonsardonicallysaid，\"Poorthings!theyhavealottobear。\"
\"Thelittlechildren!\"murmuredAuntCharlotte，withaflushingcheekandshiningeyes；\"it\'sratherpathetic。\"
\"Childrenindeed!\"saidMrs。Mattock。\"Itputsmeoutofallpatiencetoseethewaythattheyneglectthem。Peoplearesosentimentalaboutthepoor。\"
LadyBoningtoncreakedagain。Hersplendidshoulderswerewedgedintoherchair；herfinedarkhair，gleamingwithsilver，sprangbackuponherbrow；arubybraceletglowedonthepowerfulwristthatheldthejournal；sherockedhercopper-slipperedfoot。Shedidnotappeartobetoosentimental。
\"Iknowtheyoftenhaveaveryeasytime，\"saidMrs。Mattock，asifsomeonehadinjuredherseverely。AndSheltonsaw，notwithoutpity，thatFatehadscoredherkindandsquashed-upfacewithwrinkles，whosetinyfurrowswereeloquentofgoodintentionsfrustratedbytheunpracticalanddiscontentedpoor。\"Dowhatyouwill，theyareneversatisfied；theyonlyresentone\'shelp，orelsetheytakethehelpandneverthankyouforit!\"
\"Oh!\"murmuredAuntCharlotte，\"that\'sratherhard。\"
Sheltonhadbeengrowing，moreuneasy。Hesaidabruptly:
\"IshoulddothesameifIwerethey。\"
Mrs。Mattock\'sbrowneyesflewathim；LadyBoningtonspoketotheTimes；herrubybraceletandabanglejingled。
\"Weoughttoputourselvesintheirplaces。\"
Sheltoncouldnothelpasmile；LadyBoningtonintheplacesofthepoor!
\"Oh!\"exclaimedMrs。Mattock，\"Iputmyselfentirelyintheirplace。
Iquiteunderstandtheirfeelings。Butingratitudeisarepulsivequality。\"
\"Theyseemunabletoputthemselvesinyourplace，\"murmuredShelton；
andinafitofcouragehetooktheroominwithasweepingglance。
Yes，thatroomwaswonderfullyconsistent，withitsairofperfectsecond-handedness，asifeachpicture，andeachpieceoffurniture，eachbook，eachladypresent，hadbeenmadefrompatterns。Theywereallwidelydifferent，yetalllikeworksofartseeninsomeexhibitionshadthelookofbeingafterthedesignsofsomeoriginalspirit。Thewholeroomwaschaste，restrained，derived，practical，andcomfortable；neitherinvirtuenorinwork，neitherinmanner，speech，appearance，norintheory，coulditgiveitselfaway。
CHAPTERXXIII
THESTAINED-GLASSMAN
StilllookingforAntonia，Sheltonwentuptothemorning-room。TheaDennantandanothergirlwereseatedinthewindow，talking。Fromthelooktheygavehimhesawthathehadbetterneverhavebeenborn；hehastilywithdrew。Descendingtothehall，hecameonMr。
Dennantcrossingtohisstudy，withahandfulofofficial-lookingpapers。
\"Ah，Shelton!\"saidhe，\"youlookalittlelost。Istheshrineinvisible？\"
Sheltongrinned，said\"Yes，\"andwentonlooking。Hewasnotfortunate。Inthedining-roomsatMrs。Dennant，makingupherlistofbooks。
\"Dogivemeyouropinion，Dick，\"shesaid。\"Everybody\'sreadin\'
thisthingofKatherineAsterick\'s；Ibelieveit\'ssimplybecauseshe\'sgotatitle。\"
\"Onemustreadabookforsomereasonorother，\"answeredShelton。
\"Well，\"returnedMrs。Dennant，\"Ihatedoin\'thingsjustbecauseotherpeopledothem，andIsha\'n\'tgetit。\"
\"Good!\"
Mrs。Dennantmarkedthecatalogue。
\"Here\'sLinseed\'slast，ofcourse；thoughImustsayIdon\'tcareforhim，butIsupposeweoughttohaveitinthehouse。Andthere\'sQuality\'s\'TheSplendidDiatribes\':that\'ssuretobegood，he\'salwayssorefined。ButwhatamItodoaboutthisofArthurBaal\'s？
Theysaythathe\'sacharlatan，buteverybodyreadshim，don\'tyouknow\"；andoverthecatalogueSheltoncaughtthegleamofhare-likeeyes。
Decisionhadvanishedfromherface，withitsarchednoseandslightlyslopingchin，asthoughsomeonehadsuddenlyappealedtohertotrustherinstincts。Itwasquitepathetic。Still，therewasalwaysthebook\'scirculationtoformherjudgmentby。
\"IthinkI\'dbettermarkit，\"shesaid，\"don\'tyou？Wereyoulookin\'forAntonia？IfyoucomeacrossBunyaninthegarden，Dick，dosayIwanttoseehim；he\'sgettin\'tobeaperfectnuisance。I
canunderstandhisfeelin\'s，butreallyhe\'scarryin\'ittoofar。\"
Primedwithhismessagetotheunder-gardener，Sheltonwent。Hetookadespairinglookintothebilliard-room。Antoniawasnotthere。
Instead，atallandfat-cheekedgentlemanwithaneatmoustache，calledMabbey，waspractisingthespot-stroke。HepausedasSheltonentered，and，poutinglikeababy，askedinasleepyvoice，\"Playmeahundredup？\"
Sheltonshookhishead，stammeredouthissorrow，andwasabouttogo。
ThegentlemancalledMabbey，plaintivelyfeelingtheplaceswherehismoustachesjoinedhispinkandglossycheeks，askedwithanairofsomesurprise，\"What\'syourgeneralgame，then？\"
\"Ireallydon\'tknow，\"saidShelton。
ThegentlemancalledMabbeychalkedhiscue，and，movinghisround，knock-kneedlegsintheirtighttrousers，tookuphispositionforthestroke。
\"Whatpricethat？\"hesaid，asheregainedtheperpendicular；andhiswell-fedeyesfollowedSheltonwithsleepyinquisition。\"Curiousdarkhorse，Shelton，\"theyseemedtosay。
Sheltonhurriedout，andwasabouttorundownthelowerlawn，whenhewasaccostedbyanotherpersonwalkinginthesunshine——aslight-
builtmaninaturned-downcollar，withathinandfairmoustache，andafaintbluishtintononesideofhishighforehead，causedbyanetworkofthinveins。Hisfacehadsomethingoftheyouthful，optimistic，stained-glasslookpeculiartotherefinedEnglishtype。
Hewalkedelastically，yetwithtrimprecision，asifhehadapleasanttasteinfurnitureandchurches，andheldtheSpectatorinhishand。
\"Ah，Shelton!\"hesaidinhigh-tunedtones，haltinghislegsinsuchaneasyattitudethatitwasimpossibletointerruptit:\"cometotaketheair？\"
Shelton\'sownbrownface，nondescriptnose，andhisamiablebutdoggedchincontrastedstrangelywiththeclear-cutfeaturesofthestained-glassman。
\"IhearfromHalidomethatyou\'regoingtostandforParliament，\"thelattersaid。
Shelton，recallingHalidome\'sautocraticmannerofsettlingotherpeople\'sbusiness，smiled。
\"DoIlooklikeit？\"heasked。
Theeyebrowsquiveredonthestained-glassman。Ithadneveroccurredtohim，perhaps，thattostandforParliamentamanmustlooklikeit；heexaminedSheltonwithsomecuriosity。
\"Ah，well，\"hesaid，\"nowyoumentionit，perhapsnot。\"Hiseyes，socarefullyironical，althoughtheydifferedfromtheeyesofMabbey，alsoseemedtoaskofSheltonwhatsortofadarkhorsehewas。
\"You\'restillintheDomesticOffice，then？\"askedShelton。
Thestained-glassmanstoopedtosniffarosebush。\"Yes，\"hesaid；
\"itsuitsmeverywell。Igetlotsoftimeformyartwork。\"
\"Thatmustbeveryinteresting，\"saidShelton，whoseglancewasrovingforAntonia；\"Inevermanagedtobeginahobby。\"
\"Neverhadahobby!\"saidthestained-glassman，brushingbackhishairhewaswalkingwithnohat；\"why，whatthedeuced\'youdo？\"
Sheltoncouldnotanswer；theideahadnevertroubledhim。
\"Ireallydon\'tknow，\"hesaid，embarrassed；\"there\'salwayssomethinggoingon，asfarasIcansee。\"
Thestained-glassmanplacedhishandswithinhispockets，andhisbrightglancesweptoverhiscompanion。
\"Afellowmusthaveahobbytogivehimaninterestinlife，\"hesaid。
\"Aninterestinlife？\"repeatedSheltongrimly；\"lifeitselfisgoodenoughforme。\"
\"Oh!\"repliedthestained-glassman，asthoughhedisapprovedofregardinglifeitselfasinteresting。
\"That\'sallverywell，butyouwantsomethingmorethanthat。Whydon\'tyoutakeupwoodcarving？\"
\"Wood-carving？\"
\"ThemomentIgetfaggedwithofficepapersandthatsortofthingI
takeupmywood-carving；goodasagameofhockey。\"
\"Ihaven\'ttheenthusiasm。\"
Theeyebrowsofthestained-glassmantwitched；hetwistedhismoustache。
\"You\'llfindnothavingahobbydoesn\'tpay，\"hesaid；\"you\'llgetold，thenwhere\'llyoube？\"
Itcameasasurprisethatheshouldusethewords\"itdoesn\'tpay，\"
forhehadakindofpartiallyenamelledlook，likethatmodernjewellerywhichreallyseemsunconsciousofitsmarketvalue。
\"You\'vegivenuptheBar？Don\'tyougetawfullyboredhavingnothingtodo？\"pursuedthestained-glassman，stoppingbeforeanancientsundial。
Sheltonfeltadelicacy，asamannaturallywould，inexplainingthatbeinginlovewasinitselfenoughtodo。Todonothingisunworthyofaman!Buthehadneverfeltasyetthewantofanyoccupation。
Hissilenceinnowaydisconcertedhisacquaintance。
\"That\'saniceoldarticleofvirtue，\"hesaid，pointingwithhischin；and，walkingroundthesundial，hemadeitsacquaintancefromtheotherside。Itsgreyprofilecastathinandshorteningshadowontheturf；tonguesofmosswerelickingatitssides；thedaisiesclusteredthickarounditsbase；ithadacquiredalookofgrowingfromthesoil。\"Ishouldliketogetholdofthat，\"thestained-
glassmanremarked；\"Idon\'tknowwhenI\'veseenabetterspecimen，\"
andhewalkedrounditonceagain。
Hiseyebrowswerestillironicallyarched，butbelowthemhiseyeswerealmostcalculating，andbelowthem，again，hismouthhadopenedjustalittle。Apersonwithakeenereyewouldhavesaidhisfacelookedgreedy，andevenSheltonwassurprised，asthoughhehadreadintheSpectatoraconfessionofcommercialism。
\"Youcouldn\'tuprootathinglikethat，\"hesaid；\"itwouldloseallitscharm。\"
Hiscompanionturnedimpatiently，andhiscountenancelookedwonderfullygenuine。
\"Couldn\'tI？\"hesaid。\"ByJove!Ithoughtso。1690!Thebestperiod。\"Heranhisforgerroundthesundial\'sedge。\"Splendidline-cleanasthedaytheymadeit。Youdon\'tseemtocaremuchaboutthatsortofthing\"；andonceagain，asthoughaccustomedtotheindifferenceofVandals，hisfaceregaineditsmask。
Theystrolledontowardsthekitchengardens，Sheltonstillbusysearchingeverypatchofshade。Hewantedtosay\"Can\'tstop，\"andhurryoff；buttherewasaboutthestained-glassmanasomethingthat，whilestingingShelton\'sfeelings，madetheshowingofthemquiteimpossible。\"Feelings!\"thatpersonseemedtosay；\"allverywell，butyouwantmorethanthat。Whynottakeupwood-carving？……Feelings!IwasborninEngland，andhavebeenatCambridge。\"
\"Areyoustayinglong？\"heaskedShelton。\"IgoontoHalidome\'sto-morrow；supposeIsha\'n\'tseeyouthere？Good，chap，oldHalidome!Collectionofetchingsveryfine!\"
\"No；I\'mstayingon，\"saidShelton。
\"Ah!\"saidthestained-glassman，\"charmingpeople，theDennants!\"
Shelton，reddeningslowly，turnedhisheadaway；hepickedagooseberry，andmuttered，\"Yes。\"
\"Theeldestgirlespecially；nononsenseabouther。Ithoughtshewasaparticularlynicegirl。\"
SheltonheardthispraiseofAntoniawithanoddsensation；itgavehimthereverseofpleasure，asthoughthewordshadcastnewlightuponher。Hegruntedhastily，\"Isupposeyouknowthatwe\'reengaged？\"
\"Really!\"saidthestained-glassman，andagainhisbright，clear，iron-committalglancesweptoverShelton——\"really!Ididn\'tknow。
Congratulateyou!\"
Itwasasifhesaid:\"You\'reamanoftaste；Ishouldsayshewouldgowellinalmostanydrawing-room!\"
\"Thanks，\"saidShelton；\"thereshe\'is。Ifyou\'llexcuseme，Iwanttospeaktoher。\"
CHAPTERXXIV
PARADISE
Antonia，inasunnyangleoftheoldbrickwall，amidthepinksandpoppiesandcornflowers，washummingtoherself。Sheltonsawthestained-glassmanpassoutofsight，then，unobserved，hewatchedhersmellingattheflowers，caressingherfacewitheachinturn，castingawayspoiledblossoms，andallthetimehummingthatsofttune。
Intwomonths，orthree，allbarriersbetweenhimselfandthisinscrutableyoungEvewouldbreak；shewouldbeapartofhim，andheapartofher；hewouldknowallherthoughts，andsheallhis；
togethertheywouldbeasone，andallwouldthinkofthem，andtalkofthem，asone；andthiswouldcomeaboutbystandinghalfanhourtogetherinachurch，bythepassingofaring，andthesigningoftheirnames。
Thesunwasburnishingherhair——sheworenohatflushinghercheeks，sweeteningandmakingsensuousherlimbs；ithadwarmedherthroughandthrough，sothat，liketheflowersandbees，thesunlightandtheair，shewasallmotion，light，andcolour。
SheturnedandsawSheltonstandingthere。
\"Oh，Dick!\"shesaid:\"Lendmeyourhand-kerchieftoputtheseflowersin，there\'sagoodboy!\"
Hercandideyes，blueastheflowersinherhands，wereclearandcoolasice，butinhersmilewasallthewarmprofusionofthatcorner；thesweetnesshadsoakedintoher，andwaswellingforthagain。Thesightofthosesun-warmedcheeks，andfingerstwiningroundtheflower-stalks，herpearlyteeth，andhairallfragrant，stolethereasonoutofShelton。Hestoodbeforeher，weakabouttheknees。
\"Foundyouatlast!\"hesaid。
Curvingbackherneck，shecriedout，\"Catch!\"andwithasweepofbothherhandsflungtheflowersintoShelton\'sarms。
Undertherainofflowers，allwarmandodorous，hedroppeddownonhisknees，andputthemonebyonetogether，smellingatthepinks，tohidetheviolenceofhisfeelings。Antoniawentonpickingflowers，andeverytimeherhandwasfullshedroppedthemonhishat，hisshoulder，orhisarms，andwentonpluckingmore；shesmiled，andonherlipsalittledevildanced，thatseemedtoknowwhathewassuffering。AndSheltonfeltthatshedidknow。
\"Areyoutired？\"sheasked；\"thereareheapsmorewanted。Thesearethebedroom-flowers——fourteenlots。Ican\'tthinkhowpeoplecanlivewithoutflowers，canyou？\"andcloseabovehisheadsheburiedherfaceinpinks。
Hekepthiseyesonthepluckedflowersbeforehimonthegrass，andforcedhimselftoanswer，\"IthinkIcanholdout。\"
\"PooroldDick!\"Shehadsteppedback。Thesunlittheclear-cutprofileofhercheek，andpoureditsgoldoverthebosomofherblouse。\"PooroldDick!Awfullyhardluck，isn\'tit？\"Burdenedwithmignonette，shecamesocloseagainthatnowshetouchedhisshoulder，butSheltondidnotlook；breathless，withwildlybeatingheart，hewentonsortingouttheflowers。Theseedsofmignonetterainedonhisneck，andasshelettheblossomsfall，theirperfumefannedhisface。\"Youneedn\'tsortthemout!\"shesaid。
Wassheenticinghim？Hestolealook；butshewasgoneagain，swayingandsniffingattheflowers。
\"IsupposeI\'monlyhinderingyou，\"hegrowled；\"I\'dbettergo。\"
Shelaughed。
\"Iliketoseeyouonyourknees，youlooksofunny!\"andasshespokesheflungaclovecarnationathim。\"Doesn\'titsmellgood？\"
\"ToogoodOh，Antonia!whyareyoudoingthis？\"
\"WhyamIdoingwhat？\"
\"Don\'tyouknowwhatyouaredoing？\"
\"Why，pickingflowers!\"andoncemoreshewasback，bendingandsniffingattheblossoms。
\"That\'senough。\"