Itwasnotlongbeforetheinevitablechangecameinthespiritofthesituation；moreandmorewasSheltonconsciousofaquaintuneasinessintheverybreathingofthehousehold。
\"Curiousfellowyou\'vegotholdofthere，Shelton，\"Mr。Dennantsaidtohimduringagameofcroquet；\"he\'llneverdoanygoodforhimself，I\'mafraid。\"
\"InonesenseI\'mafraidnot，\"admittedShelton。
\"Doyouknowhisstory？Iwillbetyousixpence\"——andMr。Dennantpausedtoswinghismalletwithaproperaccuracy\"thathe\'sbeeninprison。\"
\"Prison!\"ejaculatedShelton。
\"Ithink，\"saidMr。Dennant，withbentkneescarefullymeasuringhisnextshot，\"thatyououghttomakeinquiries——ah!missedit!
Awkwardthesehoops!Onemustdrawthelinesomewhere。\"
\"Inevercoulddraw，\"returnedShelton，nettledanduneasy；\"butI
understand——I\'llgivehimahinttogo。\"
\"Don\'t，\"saidMr。Dennant，movingafterhissecondball，whichSheltonhadsmittentothefartherend，\"beoffended，mydearShelton，andbynomeansgivehimahint；heinterestsmeverymuch——
averyclever，quietyoungfellow。\"
ThatthiswasnothisprivateviewSheltoninferredbystudyingMr。
Dennant\'smannerinthepresenceofthevagabond。Underlyingthewell-bredbanterofthetranquilvoice，theguardedquizzicalityofhispalebrownface，itcouldbeseenthatAlgernonCuffeDennant，Esq。，J。P。，accustomedtolaughatotherpeople，suspectedthathewasbeinglaughedat。Whatmorenaturalthanthatheshouldgropeabouttoseehowthiscouldbe？AvagrantalienwasmakinghimselffeltbyanEnglishJusticeofthePeace——nosmalltribute，this，toFerrand\'spersonality。Thelatterwouldsitsilentthroughameal，andyetmakehiseffect。He，theobjectoftheirkindness，education，patronage，inspiredtheirfear。Therewasnolongeranydoubt；itwasnotofFerrandthattheywereafraid，butofwhattheydidnotunderstandinhim；ofhorridsubtletiesmeanderinginthebrainunderthatstraight，wet-lookinghair；ofsomethingbizarrepoppingfromthecurvinglipsbelowthatthin，lopsidednose。
ButtoSheltoninthis，asinallelse，Antoniawaswhatmattered。
Atfirst，anxioustoshowherloverthatshetrustedhim，sheseemednevertiredofdoingthingsforhisyoungprotege，asthoughshetoohadsetherheartonhissalvation；but，watchinghereyeswhentheyrestedonthevagabond，SheltonwasperpetuallyremindedofhersayingonthefirstdayofhisvisittoHolmOaks，\"Isupposehe\'sreallygood——Imeanallthesethingsyoutoldmeaboutwereonly……\"
Curiosityneverleftherglance，nordidthatstoryofhisfourdays\'
starvingleavehermind；asentimentalpicturesquenessclungaboutthatincidentmorevaluablebyfarthanthismerehumanbeingwithwhomshehadsostrangelycomeincontact。ShewatchedFerrand，andSheltonwatchedher。Ifhehadbeentoldthathewaswatchingher，hewouldhavedenieditingoodfaith；buthewasboundtowatchher，tofindoutwithwhateyessheviewedthisvisitorwhoembodiedalltherebelliousunder-sideoflife，allthatwasabsentinherself。
\"Dick，\"shesaidtohimoneday，\"younevertalktomeofMonsieurFerrand。\"
\"Doyouwanttotalkofhim？\"
\"Don\'tyouthinkthathe\'simproved？\"
\"He\'sfatter。\"
Antonialookedgrave。
\"No，butreally？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidShelton；\"Ican\'tjudgehim。\"
Antoniaturnedherfaceaway，andsomethinginherattitudealarmedhim。
\"Hewasonceasortofgentleman，\"shesaid；\"whyshouldn\'thebecomeoneagain？\"
Sittingonthelowwallofthekitchen-garden，herheadwasframedbygoldenplums。Thesunlaybarredbehindthefoliageoftheholmoak，butalittlepatchfilteringthroughagaphadrestedintheplum-
tree\'sheart。Itcrownedthegirl。Herraiment，thedarkleaves，theredwall，thegoldenplums，werewovenbythepassingglowtoablockofpagancolour。Andherfaceaboveit，chaste，serene，waslikethescentlesssummerevening。Abirdamongstthecurrantbusheskeptalittlechantvibrating；andalltheplum-tree\'sshapeandcolourseemedalive。
\"Perhapshedoesn\'twanttobeagentleman，\"saidShelton。
Antoniaswungherfoot。
\"Howcanhehelpwantingto？\"
\"Hemayhaveadifferentphilosophyoflife。\"
Antoniawasslowtoanswer。
\"Iknownothingaboutphilosophiesoflife，\"shesaidatlast。
Sheltonansweredcoldly，\"Notwopeoplehavethesame。\"
Withthefallingsun-glowthecharmpassedoffthetree。Chilledandharder，yetlessdeep，itwasnomoreablockofwovencolour，warmandimpassive，likeasoutherngoddess；itwasnowanortherntree，withagreylightthroughitsleaves。
\"Idon\'tunderstandyouintheleast，\"shesaid；\"everyonewishestobegood。\"
\"Andsafe？\"askedSheltongently。
Antoniastared。
\"Suppose，\"hesaid——\"Idon\'tpretendtoknow，Ionlysuppose——whatFerrandreallycaresforisdoingthingsdifferentlyfromotherpeople？Ifyouweretoloadhimwithacharacterandgivehimmoneyonconditionthatheactedasweallact，doyouthinkhewouldacceptit？\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Whyaren\'tcatsdogs；orpagansChristians？\"
Antoniasliddownfromthewall。
\"Youdon\'tseemtothinkthere\'sanyuseintrying，\"shesaid，andturnedaway。
Sheltonmadeamovementasifhewouldgoafterher，andthenstoodstill，watchingherfigureslowlypass，herheadoutlinedabovethewall，herhandsturnedbackacrosshernarrowhips。Shehaltedatthebend，lookedback，then，withanimpatientgesture，disappeared。
Antoniawasslippingfromhim!
Amoment\'svisionfromwithouthimselfwouldhaveshownhimthatitwashewhomovedandshewhowasstandingstill，likethefigureofonewatchingthepassageofastreamwithclear，direct，andsulleneyes。
CHAPTERXXVIII
THERIVER
OnedaytowardstheendofAugustSheltontookAntoniaontheriver——
theriverthat，likesoftmusic，soothestheland；theriverofthereedsandpoplars，thesilverswan-sails，sunandmoon，woods，andthewhiteslumbrousclouds；wherecuckoos，andthewind，thepigeons，andtheweirsarealwayssinging；andintheflashofnakedbodies，theplayofwaterlilyleaves，queergoblinstumps，andthetwilightfacesofthetwistedtree-roots，Panlivesoncemore。
ThereachwhichSheltonchosewasinnocentoflaunches，champagnebottlesandloudlaughter；itwasuncivilised，andseldomtroubledbythesehumanisinginfluences。Hepaddledslowly，silentandabsorbed，watchingAntonia。Anunaccustomedlanguorclungabouther；hereyeshadshadows，asthoughshehadnotslept；colourglowedsoftlyinhercheeks，herfrockseemedallalightwithgoldenradiance。ShemadeSheltonpullintothereeds，andpluckedtworoundedliliessailinglikeshipsagainstslow-movingwater。
\"Pullintotheshade，please，\"shesaid；it\'stoohotouthere。\"
Thebrimofherlinenhatkeptthesunfromherface，butherheadwasdroopinglikeaflower\'sheadatnoon。
Sheltonsawthattheheatwasreallyharmingher，astoohotadaywilldimtheicyfreshnessofanorthernplant。Hedippedhissculls，theripplesstartedoutandswamingravediminuendotilltheytouchedthebanks。
Heshottheboatintoacleft，andcaughtthebranchesofanoverhangingtree。Theskiffrested，balancingwithmutinousvibration，likealivingthing。
\"IshouldhatetoliveinLondon，\"saidAntoniasuddenly；\"theslumsmustbesoawful。Whatapity，whenthereareplaceslikethis!Butit\'snogoodthinking。\"
\"No，\"answeredSheltonslowly!\"Isupposeitisnogood。\"
\"TherearesomebadcottagesatthelowerendofCrossEaton。IwentthemonedaywithMissTruecote。Thepeoplewon\'thelpthemselves。
It\'ssodiscouragingtohelppeoplewhowon\'thelpthemselves。\"
Shewasleaningherelbowsonherknees，and，withherchinrestingonherhands，gazedupatShelton。Allaroundthemhungatentofsoft，thickleaves，and，below，thewaterwasdeep-dyedwithgreenrefraction。Willowboughs，swayingabovetheboat，caressedAntonia\'sarmsandshoulders；herfaceandhairalonewerefree。
\"Sodiscouraging，\"shesaidagain。
Asilencefell……Antoniaseemedthinkingdeeply。
\"Doubtsdon\'thelpyou，\"shesaidsuddenly；\"howcanyougetanygoodfromdoubts？Thethingistowinvictories。\"
\"Victories？\"saidShelton。\"I\'dratherunderstandthanconquer!\"
Hehadrisentohisfeet，andgraspedstuntedbranch，cantingtheboattowardsthebank。
\"Howcanyouletthingsslidelikethat，Dick？It\'slikeFerrand。\"
\"Haveyousuchabadopinionofhim，then？\"askedShelton。Hefeltonthevergeofsome，discovery。
Sheburiedherchindeeperinherhands。
\"Ilikedhimatfirst，\"shesaid；\"Ithoughtthathewasdifferent。
Ithoughthecouldn\'treallybe——\"
\"Reallybewhat？\"
Antoniadidnotanswer。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"shesaidatlast。\"Ican\'texplain。Ithought——\"
Sheltonstillstood，holdingtothebranch，andtheoscillationoftheboatfreedaninfinityoftinyripples。
\"Youthought——what？\"hesaid。
Heoughttohaveseenherfacegrowyounger，morechildish，eventimid。Shesaidinavoicesmooth，round，andyoung:
\"Youknow，Dick，Idothinkweoughttotry。IknowIdon\'ttryhalfhardenough。Itdoesn\'tdoanygoodtothink；whenyouthink，everythingseemssomixed，asiftherewerenothingtolayholdof。
Idosohatetofeellikethat。Itisn\'tasifwedidn\'tknowwhat\'sright。SometimesIthink，andthink，andit\'sallnogood，onlyawasteoftime，andyoufeelattheendasifyouhadbeendoingwrong。\"
Sheltonfrowned。
\"Whathasn\'tbeenthroughfire\'snogood，\"hesaid；and，lettinggothebranch，satdown。Freedfromrestraint，theboatedgedouttowardsthecurrent。\"ButwhataboutFerrand？\"
\"Ilayawakelastnightwonderingwhatmakesyoulikehimso。He\'ssobitter；hemakesmefeelunhappy。Heneverseemscontentwithanything。Andhedespises\"——herfacehardened——\"Imean，hehatesusall!\"
\"SoshouldIifIwerehe，\"saidShelton。
Theboatwasdriftingon，andgleamsofsunlightchasedacrosstheirfaces。Antoniaspokeagain。
\"Heseemstobealwayslookingatdarkthings，orelseheseemsasif——asifhecould——enjoyhimselftoomuch。Ithought——Ithoughtatfirst，\"shestammered，\"thatwecoulddohimgood。\"
\"Dohimgood!Ha，ha!\"
Astartledratwentswimmingforitslifeagainstthestream；andSheltonsawthathehaddoneadreadfulthing:hehadletAntoniawithajerkintoasecretnothithertoadmittedevenbyhimself——thesecretthathereyeswerenothiseyes，herwayofseeingthingsnothisnoreverwouldbe。Hequicklymuffleduphislaughter。Antoniahaddroppedhergaze；herfaceregaineditslanguor，butthebosomofherdresswasheaving。Sheltonwatchedher，rackinghisbrainstofindexcusesforthatfatallaugh；nonecouldhefind。Itwasalittlepieceoftruth。Hepaddledslowlyon，closetothebank，inthelongsilenceoftheriver。
Thebreezehaddiedaway，notafishwasrising；saveforthelostmusicofthelarksnobirdswerepiping；alone，asinglepigeonatbriefintervalscooedfromtheneighbouringwood。
Theydidnotstaymuchlongerintheboat。
Onthehomewardjourneyinthepony-cart，roundingacorneroftheroad，theycameonFerrandinhispince-nez，holdingacigarettebetweenhisfingersandtalkingtoatramp，whowassquattingonthebank。Theyoungforeignerrecognisedthem，andatonceremovedhishat。
\"Thereheis，\"saidShelton，returningthesalute。
Antoniabowed。
\"Oh!\"she，cried，whentheywereoutofhearing，\"Iwishhe\'dgo。
Ican\'tbeartoseehim；it\'slikelookingatthedark。\"
CHAPTERXXIX
ONTHEWING
Thatnight，havinggoneuptohisroom，Sheltonfilledhispipeforhisunpleasantduty。HehadresolvedtohinttoFerrandthathehadbettergo。Hewasstilldebatingwhethertowriteorgohimselftotheyoungforeigner，whentherecameaknockandFerrandhimselfappeared。
\"Ishouldbesorry，\"hesaid，breakinganawkwardsilence，\"ifyouweretothinkmeungrateful，butIseenofutureformehere。Itwouldbebetterformetogo。Ishouldneverbecontenttopassmylifeinteachinglanguages\'cen\'estgueredansmoncaractre\'。\"
Assoonaswhathehadbeencudgellinghisbrainstofindawayofsayinghadthusbeensaidforhim，Sheltonexperiencedasenseofdisapproval。
\"Whatdoyouexpecttogetthat\'sbetter？\"hesaid，avoidingFerrand\'seyes。
\"Thankstoyourkindness，\"repliedthelatter，\"Ifindmyselfrestored。IfeelthatIoughttomakesomegoodeffortstodominatemysocialposition。\"
\"Ishouldthinkitwellover，ifIwereyou!\"saidShelton。
\"Ihave，anditseemstomethatI\'mwastingmytime。Foramanwithanycouragelanguagesarenocareer；and，thoughI\'vemanydefects，Istillhavecourage。\"
Sheltonlethispipegoout，sopatheticseemedtohimthisyoungman\'sfaithinhiscareer；itwasnopretendedfaith，butneitherwasit，hefelt，histruemotivefordeparture。\"He\'stired，\"hethought；\"that\'sit。Tiredofoneplace。\"AndhavingtheinstinctivesensethatnothingwouldkeepFerrand，heredoubledhisadvice。
\"Ishouldhavethought，\"hesaid，\"thatyouwouldhavedonebettertohaveheldonhereandsavedalittlebeforegoingofftoGodknowswhat。\"
\"Tosave，\"saidFerrand，\"isimpossibleforme，but，thankstoyouandyourgoodfriends，I\'veenoughtomakefronttofirstnecessities。I\'mincorrespondencewithafriend；it\'sofgreatimportanceformetoreachParisbeforealltheworldreturns。I\'veachancetoget，apostinoneoftheWestAfricancompanies。Onemakesfortunesoutthere——ifonesurvives，and，asyouknow，Idon\'tsettoomuchstorebylife。\"
\"Wehaveaproverb，\"saidShelton，\"\'Abirdinthehandisworthtwobirdsinthebush!\'\"
\"That，\"returnedFerrand，\"likeallproverbs，isjusthalftrue。
Thisisanaffairoftemperament。It\'snotinmycharactertodandleonewhenIseetwowaitingtobecaught；\'voyager，apprendre，c\'estplusfortquemoi\'。\"Hepaused；then，withanervousgoggleoftheeyesandanironicsmilehesaid:\"Besides，\'monchermonsieur\'，itisbetterthatIgo。Ihaveneverbeenonetohugillusions，andIseeprettyclearlythatmypresenceishardlyacceptableinthishouse。\"
\"Whatmakesyousaythat？\"asked，Shelton，feelingthatthemurderwasnowout。\"
\"Mydearsir，alltheworldhasnotyourunderstandingandyourlackofprejudice，and，thoughyourfriendshavebeenextremelykindtome，Iaminafalseposition；Icausethemembarrassment，whichisnotextraordinarywhenyoureflectwhatIhavebeen，andthattheyknowmyhistory。\"
\"Notthroughme，\"saidSheltonquickly，\"forIdon\'tknowitmyself。\"
\"It\'senough，\"thevagrantsaid，\"thattheyfeelI\'mnotabirdoftheirfeather。Theycannotchange，neithercanI。IhaveneverwantedtoremainwhereI\'mnotwelcome。\"
Sheltonturnedtothewindow，andstaredintothedarkness；hewouldneverquiteunderstandthisvagabond，sodelicate，socynical，andhewonderedifFerrandhadbeenswallowingdownthewords，\"Why，evenyouwon\'tbesorrytoseemyback!\"
\"Well，\"hesaidatlast，\"ifyoumustgo，youmust。Whendoyoustart？\"
\"I\'vearrangedwithamantocarrymythingstotheearlytrain。I
thinkitbetternottosaygood-bye。I\'vewrittenaletterinstead；
hereitis。Ileftitopenforyoutoreadifyoushouldwish，\"
\"Then，\"saidShelton，withacuriousminglingofrelief，regret，good-will，\"Isha\'n\'tseeyouagain？\"
Ferrandgavehishandastealthyrub，andhelditout。
\"Ishallneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforme，\"hesaid。
\"Mindyouwrite，\"saidShelton。
\"Yes，yes\"——the，vagrant\'sfacewasoddlytwisted——\"youdon\'tknowwhatadifferenceitmakestohaveacorrespondent；itgivesonecourage。Ihopetoremainalongtimeincorrespondencewithyou。\"
\"Idaresayyoudo，\"thoughtSheltongrimly，withacertainqueeremotion。
\"YouwilldomethejusticetorememberthatIhaveneveraskedyouforanything，\"saidFerrand。\"Thankyouathousandtimes。
Good-bye!\"
Heagainwrunghispatron\'shandinhisdampgrasp，and，goingout，leftSheltonwithanoddsensationinhisthroat。\"YouwilldomethejusticetorememberthatIhaveneveraskedyouforanything。\"
Thephraseseemedstrange，andhismindflewbackoverallthisqueeracquaintanceship。Itwasafact:fromthebeginningtotheendtheyouthhadneverreallyaskedforanything。Sheltonsatdownonhisbed，andbegantoreadtheletterinhishand。ItwasinFrench。
DEARMADAMEitran，Itwillbeinsupportabletome，afteryourkindness，ifyoutakemeforungrateful。Unfortunately，acrisishasarrivedwhichplungesmeintothenecessityofleavingyourhospitality。Inalllives，asyouarewellaware，thereariseoccasionsthatonecannotgovern，andI
knowthatyouwillpardonmethatIenterintonoexplanationonaneventwhichgivesmegreatchagrin，and，aboveall，rendersmesubjecttoanimputationofingratitude，which，believeme，dearMadame，bynomeansliesinmycharacter。Iknowwellenoughthatitisabreachofpolitenesstoleaveyouwithoutinpersonconveyingtheexpressionofmyprofoundreconnaissance，butifyouconsiderhowharditisformetobecompelledtoabandonallthatissodistinguishedindomesticlife，youwillforgivemyweakness。Peoplelikeme，whohavegonethroughexistencewiththeireyesopen，haveremarkedthatthosewhoareendowedwithricheshavearighttolookdownonsuchasarenotbywealthandbreedingfittedtooccupythesameposition。Ishallneverdisputearightsonaturalandsalutary，seeingthatwithoutthisdistinction，thissuperiority，whichmakesofthewell-bornandthewell-bredaraceapart，therestoftheworldwouldhavenostandardbywhichtoruletheirlives，noanchortothrowintothedepthsofthatvastseaoffortuneandofmisfortuneonwhichweothersdrivebeforethewind。Itisbecauseofthis，dearMadame，thatIregardmyselfsodoublyfortunatetohavebeenableforafewminutesinthisbitterpilgrimagecalledlife，tositbeneaththetreeofsafety。Tohavebeenable，ifonlyforanhour，tositandsetthepilgrimspass，thepilgrimswiththeblisteredfeetandraggedclothes，andwhoyet，dearMadame，guardwithintheirheartsacertainjoyinlife，illegaljoy，likethedesertairwhichtravellerswilltellyoufillsmenaswithwinetobeablethustositanhour，andwithasmiletowatchthempass，lameandblind，inalltheragsoftheirdeservedmisfortunes，canyounotconceive，dearMadame，howthatmustbeforsuchasIacomfort？Whateveronemaysay，itissweet，fromapositionofsecurity，towatchthesufferingsofothers；itgivesoneagoodsensationintheheart。
Inwritingthis，IrecollectthatImyselfoncehadthechanceofpassingallmylifeinthisenviablesafety，andasyoumaysuppose，dearMadame，IcursemyselfthatIshouldeverhavehadthecouragetostepbeyondtheboundariesofthisfinetranquilstate。Yet，too，therehavebeentimeswhenIhaveaskedmyself:\"Dowereallydifferfromthewealthy——weothers，birdsofthefields，whohaveourownphilosophy，grownfromthepainsofneedingbread——wewhoseethatthehumanheartisnotalwaysanaffairoffigures，orofthosegoodmaximsthatonefindsincopy-books——dowereallydiffer？\"ItiswithshamethatIconfesstohaveaskedmyselfaquestionsoheretical。Butnow，whenforthesefourweeksIhavehadthefortuneofthisrestbeneathyourroof，IseehowwrongIwastoentertainsuchdoubts。Itisagreathappinesstohavedecidedonceforallthispoint，foritisnotinmycharactertopassthroughlifeuncertain——mistaken，perhaps——onpsychologicalmatterssuchasthese。
No，Madame；resthappilyassuredthatthereisagreatdifference，whichinthefuturewillbesacredforme。For，believeme，Madame，itwouldbecalamityforhighSocietyifbychancethereshouldariseamongstthemanyunderstandingofallthatsideoflifewhich——vastastheplainsandbitterasthesea，blackastheashesofacorpse，andyetmorefreethananywingsofbirdswhoflyaway——issojustlybeyondthegraspoftheirphilosophy。Yes，believeme，dearMadame，thereisnodangerintheworldsomuchtobeavoidedbyallthemembersofthatcircle，mostillustrious，mostrespectable，calledhighSociety。
>FromwhatIhavesaidyoumayimaginehowharditisformetotakemyflight。Ishallalwayskeepforyouthemostdistinguishedsentiments。Withtheexpressionofmyfullregardforyouandyourgoodfamily，andofagratitudeassincereasitisbadlyworded，Believeme，dearMadame，YourdevotedLOUISFERRAND。
Shelton\'sfirstimpulsewastoteartheletterup，butthishereflectedhehadnorighttodo。Remembering，too，thatMrs。
Dennant\'sFrenchwasorthodox，hefeltsureshewouldneverunderstandtheyoungforeigner\'ssubtleinnuendoes。Heclosedtheenvelopeandwenttobed，hauntedstillbyFerrand\'spartinglook。
Itwaswithnosmallfeelingofembarrassment，however，that，havingsentthelettertoitsdestinationbyanearlyfootman，hemadehisappearanceatthebreakfast-table。BehindtheAustriancoffee-urn，filledwithFrenchcoffee，Mrs。Dennant，whohadplacedfoureggsinaGermanegg-boiler，said\"Good-morning，\"withakindlysmile。
\"Dick，anegg？\"sheaskedhim，holdingupafifth。
\"No，thankyou，\"repliedShelton，greetingthetableandfittingdown。
Hewasalittlelate；thebuzzofconversationrosehilariouslyaround。
\"Mydear，\"continuedMr。Dennant，whowastalkingtohisyoungestdaughter，\"you\'llhavenochancewhatever——nottheleastlittlebitofchance。\"
\"Father，whatnonsense!Youknowweshallbeatyourheadsoff!\"
\"Beforeit\'stoolate，then，Iwilleatamuffin。Shelton，passthemuffins!\"Butinmakingthisrequest，Mr。Dennantavoidedlookinginhisface。
Antonia，too，seemedtokeephereyesawayfromhim。ShewastalkingtoaConnoisseuronArtofsupernaturalappearances，andseemedinthehighestspirits。Sheltonrose，and，goingtothesideboard，helpedhimselftogrouse。
\"WhowastheyoungmanIsawyesterdayonthelawn？\"heheardtheConnoisseurremark。\"Struckmeashavingan——er——quiteintelligentphysiog。\"
Hisownintelligentphysiog，raisedataslightslantsothathemightlookthebetterthroughhisnose-nippers，wastheverypatternofapproval。\"It\'scurioushowone\'salwaysmeetingwithintelligence；\"itseemedtosay。Mrs。Dennantpausedintheactofaddingcream，andSheltonscrutinisedherface；itwashare-like，andsuperiorasever。Thankgoodnessshehadsmeltnorat!Hefeltstrangelydisappointed。
\"YoumeanMonsieurFerrand，teachin\'ToddlesFrench？Dobson，theProfessor\'scup。\"
\"IhopeIshallseehimagain，\"cooedtheConnoisseur；\"hewasquiteinterestingonthesubjectofyoungGermanworkingmen。Itseemstheytrampfromplacetoplacetolearntheirtrades。Whatnationalitywashe，mayIask？\"
Mr。Dennant，ofwhomheaskedthisquestion，liftedhisbrows，andsaid，\"AskShelton。\"
\"HalfDutch，halfFrench。\"
\"Veryinterestingbreed；IhopeIshallseehimagain。\"
\"Well，youwon\'t，\"saidTheasuddenly；\"he\'sgone。\"
Sheltonsawthattheirgoodbreedingalonepreventedallfromadding，\"Andthankgoodness，too!\"
\"Gone？Dearme，it\'svery——\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Dennant，\"verysudden。\"
\"Now，Algie，\"murmuredMrs。Dennant，\"it\'squiteacharmin\'letter。
Musthavetakenthepooryoungmananhourtowrite。\"
\"Oh，mother!\"criedAntonia。
AndSheltonfelthisfacegocrimson。HehadsuddenlyrememberedthatherFrenchwasbetterthanhermother\'s。
\"Heseemstohavehadasingularexperience，\"saidtheConnoisseur。
\"Yes，\"echoedMr。Dennant；\"he\'shadsomesingularexperience。Ifyouwanttoknowthedetails，askfriendShelton；it\'squiteromantic。Inthemeantime，mydear；anothercup？\"
TheConnoisseur，neverquitedevoidofabsent-mindedmalice，spurredhiscuriositytoafurthereffort；and，turninghiswell-defendedeyesonShelton，murmured，\"Well，Mr。Shelton，youarethehistorian，itseems。\"
\"Thereisnohistory，\"saidShelton，withoutlookingup。
\"Ah，that\'sverydull，\"remarkedtheConnoisseur。
\"MydearDick，\"saidMrs。Dennant，\"thatwasreallyamosttouchin\'
storyabouthisgoin\'withoutfoodinParis。\"
SheltonshotanotherlookatAntonia；herfacewasfrigid。\"Ihateyourd——dsuperiority!\"hethought，staringattheConnoisseur。
\"There\'snothing，\"saidthatgentleman，\"moreenthrallingthanstarvation。Come，MrShelton。\"
\"Ican\'ttellstories，\"saidShelton；\"nevercould。\"
HecarednotastrawforFerrand，hiscoming，going，orhishistory；
for，lookingatAntonia，hisheartwasheavy。
CHAPTERXX
THELADYFROMBEYOND
Themorningwassultry，brooding，steamy。Antoniawasathermusic，andfromtheroomwhereSheltontriedtofixattentiononabookhecouldhearherpractisingherscaleswithacoldfurythatcastanaddedgloomuponhisspirit。Hedidnotseeheruntillunch，andthensheagainsatnexttheConnoisseur。Hercheekswerepale，buttherewassomethingfeverishinherchattertoherneighbour；shestillrefusedtolookatShelton。Hefeltverymiserable。Afterlunch，whenmostofthemhadleftthetable，therestfelltodiscussingcountryneighbours。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMrs。Dennant，\"therearetheFoliots；butnobodycallsonthem。\"
\"Ah!\"saidtheConnoisseur，\"theFoliots——theFoliots——thepeople——
er——who——quiteso!\"
\"It\'sreallydistressin\'；shelookssosweetridin\'about。Manypeoplewithworsestoriesgetcalledon，\"continuedMrs。Dennant，withthatlargefranknessofintrusionupondoubtfulsubjectswhichmaybemadebycertainpeopleinacertainway，\"but，afterall，onecouldn\'taskthemtomeetanybody。\"
\"No，\"theConnoisseurassented。\"IusedtoknowFoliot。Thousandpities。Theysayshewasaveryprettywoman。\"
\"Oh，notpretty!\"saidMrs。Dennant!\"moreinterestinthanpretty，I
shouldsay。\"
Shelton，whoknewtheladyslightly，noticedthattheyspokeofherasinthepast。HedidnotlooktowardsAntonia；for，thoughalittletroubledatherpresencewhilesuchasubjectwasdiscussed，hehatedhisconvictionthatherface，wasasunruffledasthoughtheFoliotshadbeenaseparatespecies。Therewas，infact，acuriosityabouthereyes，afaintimpatienceonherlips；shewasrollinglittlecrumbsofbread。Suddenlyyawning，shemutteredsomeremark，androse。Sheltonstoppedheratthedoor。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"
\"Forawalk。\"
\"Mayn\'tIcome？\"。
Sheshookherhead。
\"I\'mgoingtotakeToddles。\"
Sheltonheldthedooropen，andwentbacktothetable。
\"Yes，\"theConnoisseursaid，sippingathissherry，\"I\'mafraidit\'salloverwithyoungFoliot。\"
\"Suchapity!\"murmuredMrs。Dennant，andherkindlyfacelookedquitedisturbed。\"I\'veknownhimeversincehewasaboy。Ofcourse，Ithinkhemadeagreatmistaketobringherdownhere。Notevenbein\'abletogetmarriedmakesitdoublyawkward。Oh，Ithinkhemadeagreatmistake!\"
\"Ah!\"saidtheConnoisseur，\"butd\'yousupposethatmakesmuchdifference？EvenifWhat\'s——his-namegaveheradivorce，Idon\'tthink，don\'tyouknow，that——\"
\"Oh，itdoes!Somanypeoplewouldbeinclinedtolookoveritintime。Butasitisit\'shopeless，quite。Soveryawkwardforpeople，too，meetin\'themabout。TheTelfordsandtheButterwicks——
bytheway，they\'recomin\'heretodineto-night——livenearthem，don\'tyouknow。\"
\"Didyouevermeetherbefore-er-beforetheflood？\"theConnoisseurinquired；andhislipspartingandunexpectedlyrevealingteethgavehimashadowyresemblancetoagoat。
\"Yes；IdidmeetheronceattheBranksomes\'。Ithoughtherquiteacharmin\'person。\"
\"Poorfellow!\"saidtheConnoisseur；\"theytellmehewasgoingtotakethehounds。\"
\"Andtherearehisdelightfulcoverts，too。Algieoftenusedtoshootthere，andnowtheysayhejusthashisbrotherdowntoshootwithhim。It\'sreallyquitetoomelancholy!Didyouknowhim，Dick？\"
\"Foliot？\"repliedSheltonabsently。\"No；Inevermethim:I\'veseenheronceortwiceatAscot。\"
ThroughthewindowhecouldseeAntoniainherscarletTam-o\'-
shanter，swingingherstick，andhegotupfeigningunconcern。JustthenToddlescameboundingupagainsthissister。Theywentoffarminarm。Shehadseenhimatthewindow，yetshegavenofriendlyglance；Sheltonfeltmoremiserablethanever。Hesteppedoutuponthedrive。Therewasalurid，gloomycanopyabove；theelm-treesdroopedtheirheavyblackishgreen，thewontedrustleoftheaspen-
treewasgone，eventherooksweresilent。Astoreofforcelayheavyontheheartofnature。Hestartedpacingslowlyupanddown，hisprideforbiddinghimtofollowher，andpresentlysatdownonanoldstoneseatthatfacedtheroad。Hestayedalongtimestaringattheelms，askinghimselfwhathehaddoneandwhatheoughttodo。
Andsomehowhewasfrightened。Asenseoflonelinesswasonhim，soreal，sopainful，thatheshiveredintheswelteringheat。Hewasthere，perhaps，anhour，alone，andsawnobodypassalongtheroad。
Thencamethesoundofhorse\'shoofs，andatthesametimeheheardamotor-carapproachingfromtheoppositedirection。Theridermadeappearancefirst，ridingagreyhorsewithanArab\'shighsetheadandtail。Shewasholdinghimwithdifficulty，forthewhirroftheapproachingcargreweverymomentlouder。Sheltonrose；thecarflashedby。Hesawthehorsestaggerinthegate-way，crushingitsriderupagainstthegatepost。
Heran，butbeforehereachedthegatetheladywasonfoot，holdingtheplunginghorse\'sbridle。
\"Areyouhurt？\"criedSheltonbreathlessly，andhe，too，grabbedthebridle。\"Thosebeastlycars!\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"shesaid。\"Pleasedon\'t；hewon\'tletstrangerstouchhim。\"
Sheltonletgo，andwatchedhercoaxthehorse。Shewasrathertall，dressedinagreyhabit，withagreyRussiancapuponherhead，andhesuddenlyrecognisedtheMrs。Foliotwhomtheyhadbeentalkingofatlunch。
\"He\'llbequietnow，\"shesaid，\"ifyouwouldn\'tmindholdinghimaminute。\"
Shegavethereinstohim，andleanedagainstthegate。Shewasverypale。
\"Idohopehehasn\'thurtyou，\"Sheltonsaid。Hewasquiteclosetoher，wellabletoseeherface——acuriousfacewithhighcheek-bonesandaflatfishmoulding，enigmatic，yetstrangelypassionateforallitslistlesspallor。Hersmiling，tightenedlipswerepallid；
pallid，too，hergreyanddeep-seteyeswithgreenishtints；aboveall，paletheashymassofhaircoiledunderhergreycap。
\"Th-thanks!\"shesaid；\"Ishallbeallrightdirectly。I\'msorrytohavemadeafuss。\"
Shebitherlipsandsmiled。
\"I\'msureyou\'rehurt；doletmegofor——\"stammeredShelton。
\"Icaneasilygethelp。\"
\"Help!\"shesaid，withastonylittlelaugh；\"oh，no，thanks!\"
Sheleftthegate，andcrossedtheroadtowhereheheldthehorse。
Shelton，toconcealembarrassment，lookedatthehorse\'slegs，andnoticedthatthegreywasrestingoneofthem。Heranhishanddown。
\"I\'mafraid，\"hesaid，\"yourhorsehasknockedhisoffknee；it\'sswelling。\"
Shesmiledagain。
\"Thenwe\'rebothcripples。\"
\"He\'llbelamewhenhegetscold。Wouldn\'tyouliketoputhiminthestablehere？I\'msureyououghttodrivehome。\"
\"No，thanks；ifI\'mabletoridehimhecancarryme。Givemeahandup。\"
Hervoicesoundedasthoughsomethinghadoffendedher。Risingfrominspectionofthehorse\'sleg，SheltonsawAntoniaandToddlesstandingby。Theyhadcomethroughawicketgateleadingfromthefields。
Thelatterranuptohimatonce。
\"Wesawit，\"hewhispered——\"jollysmash-up。Can\'tIhelp？\"
\"Holdhisbridle，\"answeredShelton，andhelookedfromoneladytotheother。
Therearemomentswhentheexpressionofafacefixesitselfwithpainfulclearness；toSheltonthiswassuchamoment。Thosetwofacesclosetogether，undertheircoveringsofscarletandofgrey，showedacontrastalmostcruellyvivid。Antoniawasflushed，hereyeshadgrowndeepblue；herlookofstartleddoubthadpassedandleftaquestioninherface。
\"Wouldyouliketocomeinandwait？Wecouldsendyouhome，inthebrougham，\"shesaid。
TheladycalledMrs。Foliotstood，onearmacrossthecrupperofhersaddle，bitingherlipsandsmilingstillherenigmaticsmile，anditwasherfacethatstayedmostvividlyonShelton\'smind，itsashyhail，itspallor，andfixed，scornfuleyes。
\"Oh，no，thanks!You\'reverykind。\"
OutofAntonia\'sfacethetimid，doubtingfriendlinesshadfled，andwasreplacedbyenmity。Withalong，coldlookatbothofthemsheturnedaway。Mrs。Foliotgavealittlelaugh，andraisedherfootforShelton\'shelp。Heheardahissofpainasheswungherup，butwhenhelookedathershesmiled。
\"Anyway，\"hesaidimpatiently，\"letmecomeandseeyoudon\'tbreakdown。
Sheshookherhead。\"It\'sonlytwomiles。I\'mnotmadeofsugar。\"
\"ThenIshallsimplyhavetofollow。\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders，fixingherresoluteeyesonhim。
\"Wouldthatboyliketocome？\"sheasked。
Toddlesleftthehorse\'shead。
\"ByJove!\"hecried。\"Wouldn\'tIjust!\"
\"Then，\"shesaid，\"Ithinkthatwillbebest。You\'vebeensokind。\"
Shebowed，smiledinscrutablyoncemore，touchedtheArabwithherwhip，andstarted，Toddlestrottingatherside。
SheltonwasleftwithAntoniaunderneaththeelms。Asuddenpuffoftepidairblewintheirfaces，likeawarningmessagefromtheheavy，purpleheatclouds；lowrumblingthundertravelledslowlyfromafar。
\"We\'regoingtohaveastorm，\"hesaid。
Antonianodded。Shewaspalenow，andherfacestillworeitscoldlookofoffence。
\"I\'vegotaheadache，\"shesaid，\"Ishallgoinandliedown。\"
Sheltontriedtospeak，butsomethingkepthimsilent——submissiontowhatwascoming，likethemutesubmissionofthefieldsandbirdstothemenaceofthestorm。
Hewatchedhergo，andwentbacktohisseat。Andthesilenceseemedtogrow；theflowersceasedtoexudetheirfragrance，numbedbytheweightyair。Allthelonghousebehindhimseemedasleep，deserted。
Nonoisecameforth，nolaughter，theechoofnomusic，theringingofnobell；theheathadwrappeditroundwithdrowsiness。Andthesilenceaddedtothesolitudewithinhim。Whatanunluckychance，thatwoman\'saccident!DesignedbyProvidencetoputAntoniafurtherfromhimthanbefore!Whywasnottheworldcomposedoftheimmaculatealone？Hestartedpacingupanddown，torturedbyadreadfulheartache。
\"Imustgetridofthis，\"hethought。\"I\'llgoforagoodtramp，andchancethestorm。\"
LeavingthedriveheranonToddles，returninginthehighestspirits。
\"Isawherhome，\"hecrowed。\"Isay，whataripper，isn\'tshe？
She\'llbeaslameasatreeto-morrow；sowillthegee。Jollyhot!\"
ThismeetingshowedSheltonthathehadbeenanhouronthestoneseat；hehadthoughtitsometenminutes，andthediscoveryalarmedhim。Itseemedtobringtheimportofhismiserablefearrighthometohim。Hestartedwithaswingingstride，keepinghiseyesfixedontheroad，theperspirationstreamingdownhisface。
CHAPTERXXXI
THESTORM