\"Ohno，\"shecalled；\"it\'snotnotnearly。
\"Keeponputtingthemtogether，ifyouloveme。\"
\"YouknowIloveyou，\"answeredShelton，inasmotheredvoice。
Antoniagazedathimacrosshershoulder；puzzledandinquiringwasherface。
\"I\'mnotabitlikeyou，\"shesaid。\"Whatwillyouhaveforyourroom？\"
\"Choose!\"
\"Cornflowersandclovepinks。Poppiesaretoofrivolous，andpinkstoo——\"
\"White，\"saidShelton。
\"Andmignonettetoohardand——\"
\"Sweet。Whycornflowers？\"
Antoniastoodbeforehimwithherhandsagainsthersides；herfigurewassoslimandyoung，herfaceuncertainandsograve。
\"Becausethey\'redarkanddeep。\"
\"Andwhyclovepinks？\"
Antoniadidnotanswer。
\"Andwhyclovepinks？\"
\"Because，\"shesaid，and，flushing，touchedabeethathadsettledonherskirt，\"becauseofsomethinginyouIdon\'tunderstand。\"
\"Ah!AndwhatflowersshalltgiveYOU？\"
Sheputherhandsbehindher。
\"Therearealltheotherflowersforme。\"
SheltonsnatchedfromthemassinfrontofhimanIcelandpoppywithstraightstemandacurvedneck，whitepinks，andsprigsofhard，sweetmignonette，andhelditouttoher。
\"There，\"hesaid，\"that\'syou。\"ButAntoniadidnotmove。
\"Ohno，itisn\'t!\"andbehindherbackherfingersslowlycrushedthepetalsofablood-redpoppy。Sheshookherhead，smilingabrilliantsmile。Theblossomsfell，heflunghisarmsaroundher，andkissedheronthelips。
Buthishandsdropped；notfearexactly，norexactlyshame，hadcometohim。Shehadnotresisted，buthehadkissedthesmileaway；hadkissedastrange，cold，frightenedlook，intohereyes。
\"Shedidn\'tmeantotemptme，then，\"hethought，insurpriseandanger。\"Whatdidshemean？\"and，likeascoldeddog，hekepthistroubledwatchuponherface。
CHAPTERXXV
THERIDE
\"Wherenow？\"Antoniaasked，wheelingherchestnutmare，astheyturnedupHighStreet，OxfordCity。\"Iwon\'tgobackthesameway，Dick!\"
\"WecouldhaveagalloponPortMeadow，crosstheUpperRivertwice，andgethomethatway；butyou\'llbetired。\"
Antoniashookherhead。Aslanthercheekthebrimofastrawhatthrewacurveofshade，herearglowedtransparentinthesun。
Adifferencehadcomeintheirrelationssincethatkiss；outwardlyshewasthesamegoodcomrade，coolandquick。Butasbeforeachangeonefeelsthesubtledifferenceinthetemperofthewind，soSheltonwasaffectedbytheinnerchangeinher。Hehadmadeablotuponhercandour；hehadtriedtorubitoutagain，buttherewasleftamark，anditwasineffaceable。Antoniabelongedtothemostciviliseddivisionoftheracemostcivilisedinalltheworld，whosecreedis\"Letusloveandhate，letusworkandmarry，butletusnevergiveourselvesaway；togiveourselvesawayistoleaveamark，andthatispastforgiveness。Letourlivesbelikeourfaces，freefromeverykindofwrinkle，eventhoseoflaughter；inthiswayalonecanwebereallycivilised。\"
Hefeltthatshewasruffledbyavaguediscomfort。Thatheshouldgivehimselfawaywasnatural，perhaps，andonlymadeherwonder，butthatheshouldgiveherthefeelingthatshehadgivenherselfawaywasaverydifferentthing。
\"DoyoumindifIjustaskattheBishop\'sHeadforletters？\"hesaid，astheypassedtheoldhotel。
Adirtyandthinenvelopewasbroughttohim，addressed\"Mr。RichardShelton，Esq。，\"inhandwritingthatwaspassionatelyclear，asthoughthewriterhadputhissoulintosecuringdeliveryoftheletter。Itwasdatedthreedaysback，and，astheyrodeaway，Sheltonreadasfollows:
IMPERIALPEACOCKHOTEL，FOLKESTONE。
MONCHERMONSIEURSHELTON，ThisisalreadythethirdtimeIhavetakenuppentowritetoyou，but，havingnothingbutmisfortunetorecount，Ihesitated，awaitingbetterdays。Indeed，IhavebeensoprofoundlydiscouragedthatifI
hadnotthoughtitmydutytoletyouknowofmyfortunesIknownotevennowifIshouldhavefoundthenecessaryspirit。\'Leschosesvontdemalenmal\'。FromwhatIheartherehasneverbeensobadaseasonhere。Nothinggoingon。Allthesame，Iamtormentedbyamoboflittlematterswhichbringmenotsufficienttosupportmylife。Iknownotwhattodo；onethingiscertain，innocaseshallIreturnhereanotheryear。Thepatronofthishotel，mygoodemployer，isoneofthoseinnumerablespecimenswhodonotforgeorstealbecausetheyhavenoneed，andiftheyhadwouldlackthecourage；whoobservethemarriagelawsbecausetheyhavebeenbroughtuptobelieveinthem，andknowthatbreakingthembringsriskandlossofreputation；whodonotgamblebecausetheydarenot；donotdrinkbecauseitdisagreeswiththem；gotochurchbecausetheirneighboursgo，andtoprocureanappetiteforthemid-daymeal；
commitnomurderbecause，nottransgressinginanyotherfashion，theyarenotobliged。Whatistheretorespectinpersonsofthissort？Yettheyarehighlyesteemed，andformthreequartersofSociety。Therulewiththesegoodgentlemenistoshuttheireyes，neverusetheirthinkingpowers，andclosethedooronallthedogsoflifeforfeartheyshouldgetbitten。
Sheltonpaused，consciousofAntonia\'seyesfixedonhimwiththeinquiringlookthathehadcometodread。Inthatchillyquestioningsheseemedtosay:\"Iamwaiting。Iampreparedtobetoldthings——
thatis，usefulthings——thingsthathelponetobelievewithouttheriskoftoomuchthinking。\"
\"It\'sfromthatyoungforeigner，\"hesaid；andwentonreadingtohimself。
Ihaveeyes，andhereIam；Ihaveanose\'pour，flairerlehumbug\'。
Iseethatamongstthevalueofthingsnothingistheequalof\"freethought。\"Everythingelsetheycantakefromme，\'onnepentpasm\'otercela\'!Iseenofutureformehere，andcertainlyshouldhavedepartedlongagoifIhadhadthemoney，but，asIhavealreadytoldyou，allthatIcandobarelysufficestoprocureme\'dequoivivre\'。
\'Jemesensecceuye\'。DonotpaytoomuchattentiontomyJeremiads；
youknowwhatapessimistIam。\'Jeneperdspascourage\'。
Hopingthatyouarewell，andinthecordialpressingofyourhand，I
subscribemyself，YourverydevotedLOUISFERRAND。
Herodewiththeletteropeninhishand，frowningatthecuriousturmoilwhichFerrandexcitedinhisheart。Itwasasthoughthisforeignvagranttwangedwithinhimaneglectedstring，whichgaveforthmoansofamutiny。
\"Whatdoeshesay？\"Antoniaasked。
Shouldheshowittoher？Ifhemightnot，whatshouldhedowhentheyweremarried？
\"Idon\'tquiteknow，\"hesaidatlast；\"it\'snotparticularlycheering。\"\'
\"Whatishelike，Dick——Imean，tolookat？Likeagentleman，orwhat？\"
Sheltonstifledadesiretolaugh。
\"Helooksverywellinafrock-coat，\"hereplied；\"hisfatherwasawinemerchant。\"
Antoniaflickedherwhipagainstherskirt。
\"Ofcourse，\"shemurmured，\"Idon\'twanttohearifthere\'sanythingIoughtnot。\"
ButinsteadofsoothingShelton，thesewordshadjusttheoppositeeffect。Hisconceptionoftheidealwifewasnotthatofonefromwhomthehalfoflifemustbeexcluded。
\"It\'sonly，\"hestammeredagain，\"thatit\'snotcheerful。\"
\"Oh，allright!\"shecried，and，touchingherhorse，flewoffinfront。\"Ihatedismalthings。\"
Sheltonbithislips。Itwasnothisfaultthathalftheworldwasdark。Heknewherwordswereloosedagainsthimself，and，asalwaysatasignofherdispleasure，wasafraid。Hegallopedafterheronthescorchedturf。
\"Whatisit？\"hesaid。\"You\'reangrywithme!\"
\"Ohno!\"
\"Darling，Ican\'thelpitifthingsaren\'tcheerful。Wehaveeyes，\"
headded，quotingfromtheletter。
Antoniadidnotlookathim；buttouchedherhorseagain。
\"Well，Idon\'twanttoseethegloomyside，\"shesaid，\"andIcan\'tseewhyYOUshould。It\'swickedtobediscontented\"；andshegallopedoff。
Itwasnothisfaultiftherewereathousanddifferentkindsofmen，athousanddifferentpointsofview，outsidethefenceofherexperience!\"Whatbusiness，\"hethought，digginginhisdummyspurs，\"hasourclasstopatronise？We\'retheonlypeoplewhohaven\'tanideaofwhatlifereallymeans。\"Chipsofdriedturfanddustcameflyingback，stinginghisface。Hegainedonher，drewalmostwithinreach，then，asthoughshehadbeenplayingwithhim，waslefthopelesslybehind。
Shestoopedunderthefarhedge，fanningherflushedfacewithdock-
leaves:
\"Aha，Dick!Iknewyou\'dnevercatchme\"andshepattedthechestnutmare，whoturnedherblowingmuzzlewithcontemptuoushumourtowardsShelton\'ssteed，whileherflanksheavedrapturously，graduallydarkeningwithsweat。
\"We\'dbettertakethemsteadily，\"gruntedShelton，gettingoffandlooseninghisgirths，\"ifwemeantogethomeatall。\"
\"Don\'tbecross，Dick!\"
\"Weoughtn\'ttohavegallopedthemlikethis；they\'renotincondition。\"We\'dbettergohomethewaywecame。\"
Antoniadroppedthereins，andstraightenedherbackhair。
\"There\'snofuninthat，\"shesaid。\"Outandbackagain；Ihateadog\'swalk。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidShelton；hewouldhaveherlongertohimself!
Theroadledupandupahill，andfromthetopavisionofSaxonialaydisclosedinwavesofwoodandpasture。Theirwaybrancheddownagatelessglade，andSheltonsidledclosertillhiskneetouchedthemare\'soff-flank。
Antonia\'sprofileconjuredupvisions。Shewasyouthitself；hereyessobrilliant，andsoinnocent，hercheekssoglowing，andherbrowunruffled；butinhersmileandinthesettingofherjawlurkedsomethingresoluteandmischievous。Sheltonputhishandouttothemare\'smane。
\"Whatmadeyoupromisetomarryme？\"hesaid。
Shesmiled。
\"Well，whatmadeyou？\"
\"I？\"criedShelton。
Sheslippedherhandoverhishand。
\"Oh，Dick!\"shesaid。
\"Iwant，\"hestammered，\"tobeeverythingtoyou。DoyouthinkI
shall？\"
\"Ofcourse!\"
Ofcourse!Thewordsseemedverymuchorverylittle。
Shelookeddownattheriver，gleamingbelowthegladeinacurvingsilverline。\"Dick，therearesuchalotofsplendidthingsthatwemightdo。\"
Didshemean，amongstthosesplendidthings，thattheymightunderstandeachother；orweretheyfatedtopretendtoonly，intheoldtime-honouredway？
Theycrossedtheriverbyaferry，androdealongtimeinsilence，whilethetwilightslowlyfellbehindtheaspens。Andallthebeautyoftheevening，withitsrestlessleaves，itsgraveyoungmoon，andlightedcampionflowers，wasbutapartofher；thescents，thewitcheryandshadows，thequaintfieldnoises，theyokels\'whistling，andthesplashofwater-fowl，eachseemedtohimenchanted。Theflightingbats，theformsofthedimhayricks，andsweet-brierperfume-shesummedthemallupinherself。Thefingermarkshaddeepenedunderneathhereyes，alanguorcameuponher；itmadeherthemoresweetandyouthful。Hershouldersseemedtobearonthemtheveryimageofourland——graveandaspiring，eageryetcontained——
beforetherecameuponthatlandthegrinofgreed，thefoldsofwealth，thesimperofcontent。Fair，unconscious，free!
Andhewassilent，withabeatingheart。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEBIRD\'OFPASSAGE
Thatnight，aftertheride，whenSheltonwasabouttogotobed，hiseyesfellonFerrand\'sletter，andwithasleepysenseofdutyhebegantoreaditthroughasecondtime。Inthedark，oak-panelledbedroom，hisfour-postbed，withbackofcrimsondamaskanditsdaintysheets，waslightedbythecandleglow；thecopperpitcherofhotwaterinthebasin，thesilverofhisbrushes，andthelineofhiswell-polishedbootsallshone，andShelton\'sfacealonewasgloomy，staringattheyellowishpaperinhishand。
\"Thepoorchapwantsmoney，ofcourse，\"hethought。Butwhygoonforeverhelpingonewhohadnoclaimonhim，ahopelesscase，incurable——onewhomitwashisdutytoletsinkforthegoodofthecommunityatlarge？Ferrand\'svagabondrefinementhadbeguiledhimintocharitythatshouldhavebeenbestowedonhospitals，oranycharitableworkbutforeignmissions。Togiveahelpinghand，abitofhimself，anodoffellowshiptoanyfellow-beingirrespectiveofaclaim，merelybecausehehappenedtobedown，wassentimentalnonsense!Thelinemustbedrawn!Butinthemutteringofthisconclusionheexperiencedatwingeofhonesty。\"Humbug!Youdon\'twanttopartwithyourmoney，that\'sall!\"
So，sittingdowninshirt-sleevesathiswritingtable，hepennedthefollowingonpaperstampedwiththeHolmOaksaddressandcrest:
MYDEARFERRAND，Iamsorryyouarehavingsuchabadspell。Youseemtobedeadoutofluck。Ihopebythetimeyougetthisthingswillhavechangedforthebetter。Ishouldverymuchliketoseeyouagainandhaveatalk，butshallbeawayforsometimelonger，anddoubtevenwhenI
getbackwhetherIshouldbeabletorundownandlookyouup。Keepme\'aucourant\'astoyourmovements。Iencloseacheque。
Yourssincerely，RICHARDSHELTON。
Beforehehadwrittenoutthecheque，amothflutteringroundthecandledistractedhisattention，andbythetimehehadcaughtandputitouthehadforgottenthatthechequewasnotenclosed。Theletter，removedwithhisclothesbeforehewasawake，waspostedinanemptystate。
Onemorningaweeklaterhewassittinginthesmoking-roominthecompanyofthegentlemancalledMabbey，whowastellinghimhowmanygrousehehaddeprivedoflifeonAugust12lastyear，andhowmanyheintendedtodepriveoflifeonAugust12thisyear，whenthedoorwasopened，andthebutlerentered，carryinghisheadasthoughitheldsomefatalsecret。
\"Ayoungmanisaskingforyou，sir，\"hesaidtoShelton，bendingdowndiscreetly；\"Idon\'tknowifyouwouldwishtoseehim，sir。\"
\"Ayoungman!\"repeatedShelton；\"whatsortofayoungman？\"
\"Ishouldsayasortofforeigner，sir，\"apologeticallyrepliedthebutler。\"He\'swearingafrock-coat，buthelooksasifhehadbeenwalkingagooddeal。\"
Sheltonrosewithhaste；thedescriptionsoundedtohimominous。
\"Whereishe？\"
\"Iputhimintheyoungladies\'littleroom，sir。\"
\"Allright，\"saidShelton；\"I\'llcomeandseehim。Now，whatthedeuce!\"hethought，runningdownthestairs。
Itwaswithaqueercomminglingofpleasureandvexationthatheenteredthelittlechambersacredtothebirds，beasts，racquets，golf-clubs，andgeneralyoungladies\'litter。Ferrandwasstandingunderneaththecageofacanary，hishandsfoldedonhispinched-uphat，anervoussmileuponhislips。HewasdressedinShelton\'soldfrock-coat，tightlybuttoned，andwouldhavecutastylishfigurebutfarhislookoftravel。Heworeapairofpince-nez，too，whichsomewhatveiledhiscynicalblueeyes，andclashedalittlewiththepaganlookofhim。Inthemidstofthestrangesurroundingshestillpreservedthatairofknowing，andbeingmasterof，hisfate，whichwashischiefattraction。
\"I\'mgladtoseeyou，\"saidShelton，holdingouthishand。
\"Forgivethisliberty，\"beganFerrand，\"butIthoughtitduetoyouafterallyou\'vedoneformenottothrowupmyeffortstogetemploymentinEnglandwithoutlettingyouknowfirst。I\'mentirelyattheendofmyresources。\"
ThephrasestruckSheltonasonethathehadheardbefore。
ButIwrotetoyou，\"hesaid；\"didn\'tyougetmyletter？\"
Aflickerpassedacrossthevagrant\'sface；hedrewtheletterfromhispocketandhelditout。
\"Hereitis，monsieur。\"
Sheltonstaredatit。
\"Surely，\"saidhe，\"Isentacheque？\"
Ferranddidnotsmile；therewasalookabouthimasthoughSheltonbyforgettingtoenclosethatchequehaddonehimarealinjury。
Sheltoncouldnotquitehideaglanceofdoubt。
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaid，\"I——I——meanttoencloseacheque。\"
Toosubtletosayanything，Ferrandcurledhislip。，\"Iamcapableofmuch，butnotofthat，\"heseemedtosay；andatonceSheltonfeltthemeannessofhisdoubt。
\"Stupidofme，\"hesaid。
\"Ihadnointentionofintrudinghere，\"saidFerrand；\"Ihopedtoseeyouintheneighbourhood，butIarriveexhaustedwithfatigue。I\'veeatennothingsinceyesterdayatnoon，andwalkedthirtymiles。\"Heshruggedhisshoulders。\"Yousee，Ihadnotimetolosebeforeassuringmyselfwhetheryouwerehereornot。\"
\"Ofcourse——\"beganShelton，butagainhestopped。
\"Ishouldverymuchlike，\"theyoungforeignerwenton，\"foroneofyourgoodlegislatorstofindhimselfinthesecountryvillageswithapennyinhispocket。Inothercountriesbakersareobligedtosellyouanequivalentofbreadforapenny；heretheywon\'tsellyouasmuchasacrustundertwopence。Youdon\'tencouragepoverty。\"
\"Whatisyourideanow？\"askedShelton，tryingtogaintime。
\"AsItoldyou，\"repliedFerrand，\"there\'snothingtobedoneatFolkestone，thoughIshouldhavestayedthereifIhadhadthemoneytodefraycertainexpenses\"；andagainheseemedtoreproachhispatronwiththeomissionofthatcheque。\"Theysaythingswillcertainlybebetterattheendofthemonth。NowthatIknowEnglishwell，IthoughtperhapsIcouldprocureasituationforteachinglanguages。\"
\"Isee，\"saidShelton。
Asafact，however，hewasfarfromseeing；heliterallydidnotknowwhattodo。ItseemedsobrutaltogiveFerrandmoneyandaskhimtoclearout；besides，hechancedtohavenoneinhispocket。
\"ItneedsphilosophytosupportwhatI\'vegonethroughthisweek，\"
saidFerrand，shrugginghisshoulders。\"OnWednesdaylast，whenI
receivedyourletter，Ihadjusteighteen-pence，andatonceImadearesolutiontocomeandseeyou；onthatsumI\'vedonethejourney。
Mystrengthisnearlyatanend。\"
Sheltonstrokedhischin。
\"Well，\"hehadjustbegun，\"wemustthinkitover，\"whenbyFerrand\'sfacehesawthatsomeonehadcomein。Heturned，andsawAntoniainthedoorway。\"Excuseme，\"hestammered，and，goingtoAntonia，drewherfromtheroom。
Withasmileshesaidatonce:\"It\'stheyoungforeigner；I\'mcertain。Oh，whatfun!\"
\"Yes，\"answeredSheltonslowly；\"he\'scometoseemeaboutgettingsomesortoftutorshiporother。DoyouthinkyourmotherwouldmindifItookhimuptohaveawash？He\'shadalongishwalk。Andmighthehavesomebreakfast？Hemustbehungry。\"
\"Ofcourse!I\'lltellDobson。ShallIspeaktomother？Helooksnice，Dick。\"
Hegaveheragrateful，furtivelook，andwentbacktohisguest；animpulsehadmadehimhidefromherthetrueconditionofaffairs。
Ferrandwasstandingwherehehadbeenlefthisfacestillclothedinmordantimpassivity。
\"Comeuptomyroom!\"saidShelton；andwhilehisguestwaswashing，brushing，andotherwiseembellishinghisperson，hestoodreflectingthatFerrandwasbynomeansunpresentable，andhefeltquitegratefultohim。
Hetookanopportunity，whentheyoungman\'sbackwasturned，ofexamininghiscounterfoils。Therewasnorecord，naturally，ofachequedrawninFerrand\'sfavour。Sheltonfeltmoremeanthanever。
AmessagecamefromMrs。Dennant；sohetookthetravellertothedining-roomandlefthimthere，whilehehimselfwenttotheladyofthehouse。HemetAntoniacomingdown。
\"Howmanydaysdidyousayhewentwithoutfoodthattime——youknow？\"
sheaskedinpassing。
\"Four。\"
\"Hedoesn\'tlookabitcommon，Dick。\"
Sheltongazedatherdubiously。
\"They\'resurelynotgoingtomakeashowofhim!\"hethought。
Mrs。Dennantwaswriting，inadark-bluedressstarredoverwithwhitespots，whosefinelawncollarwasthreadedwithblackvelvet。
\"HaveyouseenthenewhybridAlgy\'sbroughtmebackfromKidstone？
Isn\'titcharmin\'？\"andshebentherfacetowardsthisperfectrose。
\"Theysayunique；I\'mawfullyinterestedtofindoutifthat\'strue。
I\'vetoldAlgyIreallymusthavesome。\"
Sheltonthoughtoftheuniquehybridbreakfastingdownstairs；hewishedthatMrs。Dennantwouldshowinhimtheinterestshehadmanifestedintherose。Butthiswasabsurdofhim，heknew，forthepotentlawofhobbiescontrolledtheupperclasses，forcingthemtotakemoreinterestinbirds，androses，missionaries，orlimitedandhighly-boundeditionsofoldbooksthings，inaword，intreatingwhichyouknewexactlywhereyouwerethaninthemanifestationsofmerelifethatcamebeforetheireyes。
\"Oh，Dick，aboutthatyoungFrenchman。Antoniasayshewantsatutorship；now，canyoureallyrecommendhim？There\'sMrs。RobinsonattheGatewayswantssomeonetoteachherboyslanguages；and，ifhewerequitesatisfactory，it\'sreallytimeToddleshadafewlessonsinFrench；hegoestoEtonnexthalf。\"
Sheltonstaredattherose；hehadsuddenlyrealisedwhyitwasthatpeopletakemoreinterestinrosesthaninhumanbeings——onecoulddoitwithaquietheart。
\"He\'snotaFrenchman，youknow，\"hesaidtogainalittletime。
\"He\'snotaGerman，Ihope，\"Mrs。Dennantanswered，passingherforgersroundapetal，toimpressitsfashiononherbrain；\"Idon\'tlikeGermans。Isn\'thetheoneyouwroteabout——comedownintheworld？Suchapitywithsoyoungafellow!Hisfatherwasamerchant，Ithinkyoutoldus。Antoniasayshe\'squiterefinedtolookat。\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidShelton，feelingonsafeground；\"he\'srefinedenoughtolookat。\"
Mrs。Dennanttooktheroseandputittohernose。
\"Deliciousperfume!Thatwasaverytouchin\'storyabouthisgoin\'
withoutfoodinParis。OldMrs。Hopkinshasaroomtolet；Ishouldliketodoheragoodturn。I\'mafraidthere\'saholeintheceilin\'，though。Orthere\'stheroomhereintheleftwingontheground-floorwhereJohnthefootmanusedtosleep。It\'squitenice；
perhapshecouldhavethat。\"
\"You\'reawfullykind，\"saidShelton，\"but——\"
\"Ishouldliketodosomethingtorestorehisself-respect，\"，wentonMrs。Dennant，\"if，asyousay，he\'scleverandallthat。Seein\'alittlerefinedlifeagainmightmakeaworldofdifferencetohim。
It\'ssosadwhenayoungmanlosesself-respect。\"
Sheltonwasmuchstruckbythepracticalwayinwhichshelookedatthings。Restorehisself-respect!Itseemedquiteasplendidnotion!Hesmiled，andsaid，\"You\'retookind。Ithink——\"
\"Idon\'tbelieveindoin\'thingsbyhalves，\"saidMrs。Dennant；\"hedoesn\'tdrink，Isuppose？\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidShelton。\"He\'sratheratobaccomaniac，ofcourse。\"
\"Well，that\'samercy!Youwouldn\'tbelievethetroubleI\'vehadwithdrink，especiallyovercooksandcoachmen。AndnowBunyan\'stakentoit。\"
\"Oh，you\'dhavenotroublewithFerrand，\"returnedShelton；\"youcouldn\'ttellhimfromagentlemanasfarasmannersgo。\"
Mrs。Dennantsmiledoneofherrathersweetandkindlysmiles。
\"MydearDick，\"shesaid，\"there\'snotmuchcomfortinthat。LookatpoorBobbySurcingle，lookatOliverSemplesandVictorMedallion；
youcouldn\'thavebetterfamilies。Butifyou\'resurehedoesn\'tdrink!Algy\'lllaugh，ofcourse；thatdoesn\'tmatter——helaughsateverything。\"
Sheltonfeltguilty；beingquiteunpreparedforsorapidanadoptionofhisclient。
\"Ireallybelievethere\'salotofgoodinhim，\"hestammered；\"but，ofcourse，Iknowverylittle，andfromwhathetellsmehe\'shadaverycuriouslife。Ishouldn\'tlike——\"
\"Wherewasheeducated？\"inquiredMrs。Dennant。\"TheyhavenopublicschoolsinFrance，soI\'vebeentold；but，ofcourse，hecan\'thelpthat，pooryoungfellow!Oh，and，Dick，there\'sonething——hasherelations？Onehasalwaystobesocarefulaboutthat。It\'sonethingtohelpayoungfellow，butquiteanothertohelphisfamilytoo。Oneseessomanycasesofthatwheremenmarrygirlswithoutmoney，don\'tyouknow。\"
\"Hehastoldme，\"answeredShelton，\"hisonlyrelationsaresomecousins，andtheyarerich。\"
Mrs。Dennanttookoutherhandkerchief，and，bendingabovetherose，removedatinyinsect。
\"Thesegreen-flygetineverywhere，\"shesaid。
\"Verysadstory；can\'ttheydoanythingforhim？\"andshemaderesearchesintherose\'sheart。
\"He\'squarrelledwiththem，Ibelieve，\"saidShelton；\"Ihaven\'tlikedtopresshim，aboutthat。\"
\"No，ofcoursenot，\"assentedMrs。Dennantabsently——shehadfoundanothergreen-fly\"Ialwaysthinkit\'spainfulwhenayoungmanseemssofriendless。\"
Sheltonwassilent；hewasthinkingdeeply。Hehadneverbeforefeltsodistrustfuloftheyouthfulforeigner。
\"Ithink，\"hesaidatlast，\"thebestthingwouldbeforyoutoseehimforyourself。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidMrs。Dennant。\"Ishouldbesogladifyouwouldtellhimtocomeup。ImustsayIdothinkthatwasamosttouchin\'
storyaboutParis。Iwonderwhetherthislight\'sstrongenoughnowformetophotographthisrose。\"
Sheltonwithdrewandwentdown-stairs。Ferrandwasstillatbreakfast。Antoniastoodatthesideboardcarvingbeefforhim，andinthewindowsatTheawithherPersiankitten。
Bothgirlswerefollowingthetraveller\'smovementswithinscrutableblueeyes。AshiverrandownShelton\'sspine。Tospeaktruth，hecursedtheyoungman\'scoming，asthoughitaffectedhisrelationswithAntonia。
CHAPTERXXVII
SUBROSA
>Fromtheinterview，whichSheltonhadthemixeddelightofwatching，betweenFerrandandtheHonourableMrs。Dennant，certaindefiniteresultsaccrued，thechiefofwhichwasthepermissionaccordedtheyoungwanderertooccupytheroomwhichhadformerlybeentenantedbythefootmanJohn。SheltonwaslostinadmirationofFerrand\'smannerinthisscene……Itssubtlecombinationofdeferenceanddignitywasalmostparalysing；paralysing，too，thesubterraneansmileuponhislips。
\"Charmin\'youngman，Dick，\"saidMrs。Dennant，whenSheltonlingeredtosayoncemorethatheknewbutverylittleofhim；\"IshallsendanoteroundtoMrs。Robinsonatonce。They\'rerathercommon，youknow——theRobinsons。Ithinkthey\'lltakeanyoneIrecommend。\"
\"I\'msuretheywill，\"saidShelton；\"that\'swhyIthinkyououghttoknow——\"
ButMrs。Dennant\'seyes，fervent，hare-like，werefixedonsomethingfaraway；turning，hesawtheroseinatallvaseonatallandspindlystool。Itseemedtonodtowardstheminthesunshine。Mrs。
Dennantdivedhernosetowardshercamera。
\"Thelight\'sperfectnow，\"shesaid，inavoicemuffledbythecloth。
\"Ifeelsurethatlivin\'withdecentpeoplewilldowondersforhim。
Ofcourse，heunderstandsthathismealswillbeservedtohimapart。\"
Shelton，doublyanxious，nowthathiseffortshadlodgedhisclientinaplaceoftrust，fell，backonhopingforthebest；hisinstincttoldhimthat，vagabondasFerrandwas，hehadacuriousself-
respect，thatwouldsavehimfromameaningratitude。
Infact，asMrs。Dennant，whowasbynomeansvoidofcommon-sense，foresaw，thearrangementworkedallright。FerrandenteredonhisdutiesasFrenchtutortothelittleRobinsons。IntheDennants\'
householdhekepthimselftohisownroom，which，dayandnight，heperfumedwithtobacco，emergingatnoonintothegarden，or，ifwet，intothestudy，toteachyoungToddlesFrench。Afteratimeitbecamecustomaryforhimtolunchwiththehouse-party，partlythroughamistakeofToddles，whoseemedtothinkthatitwasnatural，andpartlythroughJohnNoble，oneofShelton\'sfriends，whohadcometostay，anddiscoveredFerrandtobeamostawfullyinterestingpersonhewasalways，indeed，discoveringthemostawfullyinterestingpersons。Inhisgraveandtonelessvoice，brushinghishairfromoffhisbrow，hedescanteduponFerrandwithenthusiasm，towhichwasjoinedakindofshockedamusement，aswhoshouldsay，\"Ofcourse，Iknowit\'sveryodd，butreallyhe\'ssuchanawfullyinterestingperson。\"ForJohnNoblewasapolitician，belongingtooneofthosetwoPeculiarparties，which，thoroughlyinearnest，ofanhonestyabovesuspicion，andalwaysverybusy，areconstitutionallyaversetoanythingpeculiarforfearoffindingtheyhaveoversteppedthelimitofwhatispracticalinpolitics。Assuchheinspiredconfidence，notcaringforthingsunlesshesawsomeimmediatebenefittobehadfromthem，havingaperfectsenseofdecency，andasmallimagination。HediscussedallsortsofthingswithFerrand；ononeoccasionSheltonoverheardthemarguingonanarchism。
\"NoEnglishmanapprovesofmurder，\"Noblewassaying，inthegloomyvoicethatcontrastedwiththeoptimisticcastofhisfinehead，\"butthemainprincipleisright。Equalisationofpropertyisboundtocome。Isympathisewiththen，notwiththeirmethods。\"
\"Forgiveme，\"struckinFerrand；\"doyouknowanyanarchists？\"
\"No，\"returnedNoble；\"Icertainlydonot。\"
\"Yousayyousympathisewiththem，butthefirsttimeitcomestoaction——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Oh，monsieur!onedoesn\'tmakeanarchismwiththehead。\"
Sheltonperceivedthathehadmeanttoadd，\"butwiththeheart，thelungs，theliver。\"Hedrewadeepermeaningfromthesaying，andseemedtosee，curlingwiththesmokefromFerrand\'slips，thewords:
\"Whatdoyou，anEnglishgentleman，ofexcellentposition，andalltheprejudicesofyourclass，knowaboutusoutcasts？Ifyouwanttounderstandusyoumustbeanoutcasttoo；wearenotplayingatthegame。\"
Thistalktookplaceuponthelawn，attheendofoneofToddles\'sFrenchlessons，andSheltonleftJohnNoblemaintainingtotheyouthfulforeigner，withstubbornlogic，thathe，JohnNoble，andtheanarchistshadmuch，incommon。Hewasreturningtothehouse，whensomeonecalledhisnamefromunderneaththeholmoak。There，sittingTurkishfashiononthegrass，apipebetweenhisteeth，hefoundamanwhohadarrivedthenightbefore，andimpressedhimbyhisfriendlytaciturnity。HisnamewasWhyddon，andhehadjustreturnedfromCentralAfrica；abrown-faced，large-jawedman，withsmallbutgoodandsteadyeyes，andstrong，sparefigure。
\"Oh，Mr。Shelton!\"hesaid，\"IwonderedifyoucouldtellmewhattipsIoughttogivetheservantshere；aftertenyearsawayI\'veforgottenallaboutthatsortofthing。\"
Sheltonsatdownbesidehim；unconsciouslyassuming，too，across-
leggedattitude，whichcausedhimmuchdiscomfort。
\"Iwaslistening，\"saidhisnewacquaintance，\"tothelittlechaplearninghisFrench。I\'veforgottenmine。Onefeelsahopelessdufferknowingno，languages。\"
\"IsupposeyouspeakArabic？\"saidShelton。
\"Oh，Arabic，andadialectortwo；theydon\'tcount。Thattutorhasacuriousface。\"
\"Youthinkso？\"saidShelton，interested。\"He\'shadacuriouslife。\"
Thetravellerspreadhishands，palmsdownwards，onthegrassandlookedatSheltonwith，asmile。
\"Ishouldsayhewasarollingstone，\"hesaid。\"It\'sodd，I\'veseenwhitemeninCentralAfricawithagooddealofhislookaboutthem。
\"Yourdiagnosisisagoodone，\"answeredShelton。
\"I\'malwayssorryforthosefellows。There\'sgenerallysomegoodinthem。Theyaretheirownenemies。Abadbusinesstobeunabletotakeprideinanythingonedoes!\"Andtherewasalookofpityonhisface。
\"That\'sexactlyit，\"saidShelton。\"I\'veoftentriedtoputitintowords。Isitincurable？\"
\"Ithinkso。\"
\"Canyoutellmewhy？\"
Whyddonpondered。
\"Iratherthink，\"hesaidatlast，\"itmustbebecausetheyhavetoostrongafacultyofcriticism。Youcan\'tteachamantobeproudofhisownwork；thatliesinhisblood\"；foldinghisarmsacrosshisbreast，heheavedasigh。Underthedarkfoliage，hiseyesonthesunlight，hewasthetypeofallthoseEnglishmenwhokeeptheirspiritsbrightandweartheirbodiesoutinthedarkplacesofhardwork。\"Youcan\'tthink，\"hesaid，showinghisteethinasmile，\"howdelightfulitistobeathome!Youlearntolovetheoldcountrywhenyou\'reawayfromit。\"
Sheltonoftenthought，afterwards；ofthisdiagnosisofthevagabond，forhewasalwaysstumblingoninstancesofthatpowerofsubtlecriticismwhichwastheyoungforeigner\'sprimeclaimtobe\"amostawfullyinteresting\"andperhapsarathershockingperson。
Anoldschool-fellowofShelton\'sandhiswifewerestayinginthehouse，whoofferedtotheeyethepictureofaperfectdomesticity。
Passionlessandsmiling，itwasimpossibletoimaginetheycouldeverhaveadifference。Shelton，whosebedroomwasnexttotheirs，couldheartheminthemorningstalkinginexactlythetonestheyusedatlunch，andlaughingthesamelaughs。Theirlifeseemedtoaccordthemperfectsatisfaction；theyweresuppliedwiththeirconvictionsbySocietyjustas，whenathome，theyweresuppliedwithalltheothernecessariesoflifebysomeco-operativestores。Theirfairlyhandsomefaces，withthefairlykindexpressions，quicklyandcarefullyregulatedbyasenseofcompromise，begantoworryhimsomuchthatwheninthesameroomhewouldevenreadtoavoidtheneedoflookingatthem。Andyettheywerekind——thatis，fairlykind——
andcleanandquietinthehouse，exceptwhentheylaughed，whichwasoften，andatthingswhichmadehimwanttohowlasadoghowlsatmusic。
\"Mr。Shelton，\"Ferrandsaidoneday，\"I\'mnotanamateurofmarriage——neverhadthechance，asyoumaywellsuppose；but，inanycase，youhavesomepeopleinthehousewhowouldmakememarktimebeforeIwentcommittingit。Theyseemtheidealyoungmarriedpeople——don\'tquarrel，haveperfecthealth，agreewitheverybody，gotochurch，havechildren——butIshouldliketohearwhatisbeautifulintheirlife，\"andhegrimaced。\"ItseemstomesouglythatIcanonlygasp。Iwouldmuchrathertheyill-treatedeachother，justtoshowtheyhadthecornerofasoulbetweenthem。Ifthatismarriage，\'Dieum\'engarde!\'\"
ButSheltondidnotanswer；hewasthinkingdeeply。
ThesayingofJohnNoble\'s，\"He\'sreallyamostinterestingperson，\"
grewmoreandmoreuponhisnerves；itseemedtodescribetheDennantattitudetowardsthisstrangerwithintheirgates。Theytreatedhimwithasortofwonderonthe\"don\'ttouch\"system，likeanobjectinanexhibition。Therestoration，however，of，hisself-respectproceededwithsuccess。ForallthesemblanceofhavinggrowntoobigforShelton\'sclothes，forallhisvividlyburntface，andthequickbutguardedplayofcynicismonhislips——hedidmuchcredittohispatrons。Hehadsubduedhisterrorofarazor，andlookedwellinasuitofShelton\'sflannels。For，afterall，hehadonlybeeneightyearsexiledfrommiddle-classgentility，andhehadbeenawaiterhalfthattime。ButSheltonwishedhimatthedevil。Notforhismanners\'sake——hewasnevertiredofwatchinghowsubtlythevagabondadaptedhisconducttotheconductofhishosts，whilekeepinguphiscriticaldetachment——butbecausethatcriticaldetachmentwasaconstantspurtohisownvision，compellinghimtoanalysethelifeintowhich，hehadbeenbornandwasabouttomarry。
Thisprocesswasdisturbing；andtofindoutwhenithadcommenced，hehadtogobacktohismeetingwithFerrandonthejourneyupfromDover。
Therewaskindnessinahospitalitywhichopenedtosostrangeabird；admittingthekindness，Sheltonfelltoanalysingit。Tohimself，topeopleofhisclass，theuseofkindnesswasaluxury，notsignificantofsacrifice，butproductiveofapleasantfeelingintheheart，suchasmassagewillsetupinthelegs。\"Everybody\'skind，\"hethought；\"thequestionis，Whatunderstandingisthere，whatrealsympathy？\"Thisproblemgavehimfoodforthought。
Theprogress，whichMrs。Dennantnotunfrequentlyremarkedupon，inFerrand\'sconquestofhisstrangeposition，seemedtoSheltonbutasignthathewasgettingwhathecouldoutofhissuddenvisittogreenpastures；underthesamecircumstances，Sheltonthoughtthathehimselfwoulddothesame。Hefeltthattheyoungforeignerwasmakingaconvenientbowtoproperty，buthehadmorerespectforthesarcasticsmileonthelipsofFerrand\'sheart。