’Youmustfindit，’cameagaindownthestairs。’’Tissomewhereupinchimley，butinwhichpartIcan’tmind。ReallyIdon’tknowwhetherIbeuponmyheadormyheels，andmybrainisallinaspin，wi’beingraftedupinsuchalarry！’
’Bidewhereyoube，there’sadear，’saidSol。’We’lldoitall。
Justtelluswherethetea-caddyis，andthegridiron，andthenyoucangotosleepagain。’
Thewomanappearedtotakehisadvice，forshegavetheinformation，andsilencesoonreignedupstairs。
Whenonepieceofbaconhadbeenwithdifficultycookedoverthenewly-litfire，SolsaidtoMountclere，withtherasheronhisfork:
’Nowlookhere，sir，IthinkwhileIammakingthetea，yououghttogoongriddlingsomemoreofthese，asyouhaven’tdonenothingatall？’
’Idothepaying……Well，givemethebacon。’
’Andwhenyouhavedoneyours，I’llcooktheman’s，asthepoorfeller’shungry，Imakenodoubt。’
Mountclere，forkinhand，thenbeganwithhisrasher，tossingitaboutthegridironinmasterlystyle，Solattendingtothetea。Hewasattractedfromthisoccupationbyabrilliantflameupthechimney，Mountclereexclaiming，’Nowthecursedthingisonfire！’
’Blowitout——hard——that’sit！Wellnow，sir，doyoucomeandbeginuponmine，asyoumustbehungry。I’llfinishthegriddling。Oughtwetomindthemansittingdowninourcompany，asthere’snootherroomforhim？Ihearhimcomingin。’
’Ono——notatall。Puthimoveratthattable。’
’AndI’lljoinhim。Youcansitherebyyourself，sir。’
Themealwasdespatched，andthecoachmanagainretired，promisingtohavethehorsesreadyinaboutanhourandahalf。SolandMountcleremadethemselvescomfortableuponeithersideofthefireplace，sincetherewasnoremedyforthedelay:aftersittinginsilenceawhile，theynoddedandslept。
Howlongtheywouldhaveremainedthus，inconsequenceoftheirfatigues，thereisnotelling，hadnotthemistressofthecottagedescendedthestairsabouttwohourslater，afterpeepingdownuponthematintervalsoffiveminutesduringtheirsleep，lesttheyshouldleavewithoutherknowledge。Itwassixo’clock，andSolwentoutfortheman，whomhefoundsnoringinthehay-loft。Therewasnowrealnecessityforhaste，andintenminutestheywereagainontheirway。
Daydawneduponthe’RedLion’innatAngleburywithatimidandwateryeye。Fromtheshadowyarchwaycameashininglantern，whichwasseentobedanglingfromthehandofalittlebow-leggedoldman——thehostler，John。Havingreachedthefront，helookedaroundtomeasurethedaylight，openedthelantern，andextinguisheditbyapinchofhisfingers。Hepausedforamomenttohavethecustomarywordortwowithhisneighbourthemilkman，whousuallyappearedatthispointatthistime。
’Itsoundslikethewhistleofthemorningtrain，’themilkmansaidashedrewnear，ascreamfromthefurtherendofthetownreachingtheirears。’Well，Ihope，nowthewind’sinthatquarter，weshallha’ealittlemorefineweather——hey，hostler？’
’Whatbeyeatalkingo’？’
’Canhearthewhistleplain，Isay。’
’Oay。Isupposeyoudo。Butfaith，’tisapoorfistIcanmakeathearinganything。There，Icouldhavetoldallthesamethatthewindwasintheeast，evenifIhadnotseedpoorThomasTribble’ssmokeblowingacrossthelittleorchard。Jointsbeatrueweathercockenoughwhenpastthree-score。Theseeasterlyrains，whentheydocome，whichisnotoften，comewi’mightenoughtosquailamanintohisgrave。’
’Well，wemustlookforit，hostler……Why，whatmightyekkypageisthis，cometotownatsuchapurblinkingtimeofday？’
’’Tiswhattimeonlycantell——though’twillnotbelongfirst，’thehostlerreplied，asthedriverofthepairofhorsesandcarriagecontainingSolandMountclereslackenedpace，anddrewreinbeforetheinn。
Freshhorseswereimmediatelycalledfor，andwhiletheywerebeingputinthetwotravellerswalkedupanddown。
’Itisnowaquartertoseveno’clock，’saidMountclere；’andthequestionarises，shallIgoontoKnollsea，orbranchoffatCorvsgateCastleforEnckworth？IthinkthebestplanwillbetodrivefirsttoEnckworth，setmedown，andthengethimtotakeyouonatoncetoKnollsea。Whatdoyousay？’
’WhenshallIreachKnollseabythatarrangement？’
’Byhalf-pasteighto’clock。WeshallbeatEnckworthbeforeeight，whichisexcellenttime。’
’Verywell，sir，Iagreetothat，’saidSol，feelingthatassoonasoneofthetwobirdshadbeencaught，theothercouldnotmatewithouttheirknowledge。
Thecarriageandhorsesbeingagainready，awaytheydroveatonce，bothhavingbythistimegrowntoorestlesstospendinAngleburyaminutemorethanwasnecessary。
ThehostlerandhisladhadtakenthejadedSandbournehorsestothestable，rubbedthemdown，andfedthem，whenanothernoisewasheardoutsidetheyard；theomnibushadreturnedfrommeetingthetrain。
Relinquishingthehorsestothesmallstable-lad，theoldhostleragainlookedoutfromthearch。
Ayoungmanhadsteppedfromtheomnibus，andhecameforward。’I
wantaconveyanceofsomesorttotakemetoKnollsea，atonce。Canyougetahorseharnessedinfiveminutes？’
’I’llmakeshifttodowhatIcanmaster，notpromisingabouttheminutes。Thetruestmancansaynomore。Won’tyestepintothebar，sir，andgiveyourorder？I’llletyeknowassoonas’tisready。’
Christopherturnedintoaroomsmellingstronglyofthenightbefore，andstoodbythenewly-kindledfiretowait。HehadjustcomeinhastefromMelchester。Theupshotofhisexcitementaboutthewedding，which，asthepossiblehourofitssolemnizationdrewnear，hadincreasedtillitborehimonlikeawind，wasthisunpremeditatedjourney。Lyingawakethepreviousnight，thehangingsofhisbedpulsingtoeverybeatofhisheart，hedecidedthattherewasonelastandgreatservicewhichitbehovedhim，asanhonestmanandfriend，tosaynothingoflover，torendertoEthelbertaatthisjuncture。ItwastoaskherbysomemeanswhetherornotshehadengagedwithopeneyestomarryLordMountclere；andifnot，togiveherawordortwoofenlightenment。
Thatdone，shemightbelefttotakecareofherself。
HisplanwastoobtainaninterviewwithPicotee，andlearnfromheraccuratelythestateofthings。Shouldhe，byanypossibility，bemistakeninhisbeliefastothecontractingparties，aknowledgeofthemistakewouldbecheaplypurchasedbythejourney。Shouldhenot，hewouldsenduptoEthelbertathestrongnoteofexpostulationwhichwasalreadywritten，andwaitinginhispocket。Tointrudeuponheratsuchatimewasunseemly；andtodespatchaletterbyamessengerbeforeevidenceofitsnecessityhadbeenreceivedwasmostundesirable。Thewholeproceedingatbestwasclumsy；yetearnestnessismostlyclumsy；andhowcouldhelettheeventpasswithoutaprotest？Beforedaylightonthatautumnmorninghehadrisen，toldFaithofhisintention，andstartedoff。
Assoonasthevehiclewasready，Christopherhastenedtothedoorandsteppedup。Thelittlestable-boyledthehorseafewpacesonthewaybeforerelinquishinghishold；atthesamemomentarespectablydressedmanonfoot，withasmallblackbaginhishand，cameupfromtheoppositedirection，alongthestreetleadingfromtherailway。Hewasathin，elderlyman，withgreyhair；thatagreatanxietypervadedhimwasasplainlyvisibleaswerehisfeatures。Withoutenteringtheinn，hecameupatoncetooldJohn。
’HaveyouanythinggoingtoKnollseathismorningthatIcangetaliftin？’saidthepedestrian——nootherthanEthelberta’sfather。
’Nothingempty，thatIknowof。’
’Orcarrier？’
’No。’
’Amatteroffifteenshillings，then，Isuppose？’
’Yes——nodoubt。Butyondthere’sayoungmanjustnowstarting；hemightnottakeitillifyeweretoaskhimforaseat，andgohalvesinthehireofthetrap。ShallIcallout？’
’Ah，do。’
Thehostlerbawledtothestable-boy，whoputthequestiontoChristopher。Therewasroomfortwointhedogcart，andJulianhadnoobjectiontosavetheshillingsofafellow-travellerwhowasevidentlynotrich。WhenChickerelmountedtohisseat，Christopherpausedtolookathimaswepauseinsomeenactmentthatseemstohavebeenalreadybeforeusinadreamlongago。Ethelberta’sfacewasthere，asthelandscapeisinthemap，theromanceinthehistory，theaiminthedeed:denuded，rayless，andsorry，butdiscernible。
Forthemoment，however，thisdidnotoccurtoJulian。Hetookthewhip，theboyloosedhisholduponthehorse，andtheyproceededontheirway。
’Whatslap-dashjinksmaytherebegoingonatKnollsea，then，mysonny？’saidthehostlertothelad，asthedogcartandthebacksofthetwomendiminishedontheroad。’YoubeaKnollseaboy:haveanythingreachedyouryoungearsaboutwhat’sinthewindthere，DavidStraw？’
’No，nothing:exceptthat’tisgoingtobeChristmasdayinfiveweeks:andthenahide-boundbullisgoingtobekilledifhedon’tdieaforethetime，andgi’edawaybymylordinthree-poundjunks，asarewardtogoodpeoplewhonevercurseandsingbadsongs，exceptwhentheybedrunk；mothersaysperhapsshewillhavesome，and’tisexcellentifwellstewed，mothersays。’
’Averyfairchronicleforaboytogive，butnotwhatIaskedfor。
Whenyoutrytoansweraoldman’squestion，alwaysbearinmindwhatitwasthatoldmanasked。Ahide-boundbullisgoodwhenwellstewed，Imakenodoubt——fortheywholikeit；butthat’snotit。
WhatIsaidwas，doyouknowwhythreefokes，arichman，amiddlingman，andapoorman，shouldwanthorsesforKnollseaaforeseveno’clockinthemorningonablinkingdayinFall，wheneverythingisaswetasadishclout，whereasthat’smorethanoftenhappensinfinesummerweather？’
’No——Idon’tknow，Johnhostler。’
’Thengohomeandtellyourmotherthatyebenowide-awakeboy，andthatoldJohn，whowenttoschoolwithherfatheraforeshewasbornorthoughto’，saysso……Chok’itall，whyshouldIthinkthere’ssommatgoingonatKnollsea？HonesttravellinghavebeensorascallyabusedsinceIwasaboyinpinners，bytribesofnobodiestearingfromoneendofthecountrytot’other，toseethesungodowninsaltwater，orthemoonplayjack-lanternbehindsomerottentowerorother，that，uponmysong，whenlifeanddeath’sinthewindthere’snotellingthedifference！’
’Iliketheirsixpenceseversomuch。’
’Youngsonny，don’tyouansweruptomewhenyoubaintinthestory——
stoppingmywordsinthatfashion。Iwon’thaveit，David。Nowupinthetalletwithye，there’sagoodboy，anddownwithanotherlockortwoofhay——asfastasyoucandoitforme。’
Theboyvanishedunderthearchway，andthehostlerfollowedathisheels。MeanwhilethecarriagebearingMr。MountclereandSolwasspeedingonitswaytoEnckworth。Whentheyreachedthespotatwhichtheroadforkedintotwo，theylefttheKnollsearoute，andkeepingthenceunderthehillsforthedistanceoffiveorsixmiles，droveintoLordMountclere’spark。Intenminutesthehousewasbeforethem，framedinbydrippingtrees。
Mountclerejumpedout，andenteredwithoutceremony。Sol，beinganxioustoknowifLordMountclerewasthere，orderedthecoachmantowaitafewmoments。Itwasnownearlyeighto’clock，andthesmokewhichascendedfromthenewly-litfiresoftheCourtpaintedsoftbluetintsuponthebrownandgoldenleavesofloftyboughsadjoining。
’O，Ethelberta！’saidSol，asheregardedthefairprospect。
Thegravelofthedrivehadbeenwashedcleanandsmoothbythenight’srain，buttherewerefreshwheelmarksotherthantheirownuponthetrack。Yetthemansionseemedscarcelyawake，andstillnessreignedeverywherearound。
NotmorethanthreeorfourminuteshadpassedwhenthedoorwasopenedforMountclere，andhecamehastilyfromthedoorsteps。
’Imustgoonwithyou，’hesaid，gettingintothevehicle。’He’sgone。’
’Where——toKnollsea？’saidSol。
’Yes，’saidMountclere。’Now，goaheadtoKnollsea！’heshoutedtotheman。’TothinkIshouldbefooledlikethis！Ihadnoideathathewouldbeleavingsosoon！Wemightperhapshavebeenhereanhourearlierbyhardstriving。Butwhowastodreamthathewouldarrangetoleaveitatsuchanunearthlytimeofthemorningatthisdarkseasonoftheyear？Drive——drive！’hecalledagainoutofthewindow，andthepacewasincreased。
’Ihavecometwoorthreemilesoutofmywayonaccountofyou，’
saidSolsullenly。’Andallthistimelost。Idon’tseewhyyouwantedtocomehereatall。Iknewitwouldbeawasteoftime。’
’Damnitall，man，’saidMountclere；’itisnouseforyoutobeangrywithme！’
’Ithinkitis，for’tisyouhavebroughtmeintothismuddle，’saidSol，innosweetertone。’Ha，ha！UponmylifeIshouldbeinclinedtolaugh，ifIwerenotsomuchinclinedtodotheotherthing，atBerta’strickoftryingtomakeclosefamilyalliesofsuchacantankerouspairasyouandI！Somuchofonemindaswebe，soalikeinourwaysofliving，socloseconnectedinourcallingsandprinciples，somatchedinmannersandcustoms！’twouldbeathousandpitiestopartus——hey，Mr。Mountclere！’
Mountclerefaintlylaughedwiththesamehideousmerrimentatthesameidea，andthenbothremainedinawitheringsilence，meanttoexpresstheuttercontemptofeachfortheother，bothinfamilyandinperson。TheypassedtheLodge，andagainsweptintothehighroad。
’Driveon！’saidMountclere，puttinghisheadagainoutofthewindow，andshoutingtotheman。’Drivelikethedevil！’heroaredagainafewminutesafterwards，infumingdissatisfactionwiththeirrateofprogress。
’BaintIdoingofit？’saidthedriver，turningangrilyround。’I
ain’tgoingtoruinmygovernor’shorsesforstrangerswhowon’tpaydoublefor’em——notI。IamdrivingasfastasIcan。IfotherfolksgetinthewaywiththeirtrapsIsupposeImustdriveround’em，sir？’
Therewasaslightcrash。
’There！’continuedthecoachman。’That’swhatcomesofmyturninground！’
Sollookedoutontheotherside，andfoundthattheforewheeloftheircarriagehadbecomelockedinthewheelofadogcarttheyhadovertaken，theroadherebeingverynarrow。Theircoachman，whoknewhewastoblameforthismishap，felttheadvantageoftakingtimebytheforelockinacaseofaccusation，andbeganswearingathisvictimasifhewerethesinner。Soljumpedout，andlookingupattheoccupantsoftheotherconveyance，sawagainsttheskythebackelevationofhisfatherandChristopherJulian，sittinguponalittleseatwhichtheyoverhung，liketwobigpuddingsuponasmalldish。
’Father——what，yougoing？’saidSol。’IsitaboutBertathatyou’vecome？’
’Yes，Igotyourletter，’saidChickerel，’andIfeltIshouldliketocome——thatIoughttocome，tosaveherfromwhatshe’llregret。
Luckily，thisgentleman，astrangertome，hasgivenmealiftfromAnglebury，orImusthavehired。’HepointedtoChristopher。
’Buthe’sMr。Julian！’saidSol。
’YouareMrs。Petherwin’sfather？——Ihavetravelledinyourcompanywithoutknowingit！’exclaimedChristopher，feelingandlookingbothastonishedandpuzzled。Atfirst，ithadappearedtohimthat，indirectantagonismtohisownpurpose，herfriendswerefavouringEthelberta’swedding；butitwasevidentlyotherwise。
’Yes，that’sfather，’saidSol。’Father，thisisMr。Julian。Mr。
Julian，thisgentlemanhereisLordMountclere’sbrother——and，tocutthestoryshort，weallwishtostopthewedding。’
’Thenletusgeton，inHeaven’sname！’saidMountclere。’Youarethelady’sfather？’
’Iam，’saidChickerel。
’Thenyouhadbettercomeintothiscarriage。Weshallgofasterthanthedogcart。Now，driver，arethewheelsrightagain？’
ChickerelhastilyenteredwithMountclere，Soljoinedthem，andtheyspedon。Christopherdrovecloseintheirrear，notquitecertainwhetherhedidwellingoingfurther，nowthattherewereplentyofpeopletoattendtothebusiness，butanxioustoseetheend。Theotherthreesatinsilence，withtheireyesupontheirknees，thoughthecloudsweredispersing，andthemorninggrewbright。InabouttwentyminutesthesquareunembattledtowerofKnollseaChurchappearedbelowtheminthevale，itssummitjusttouchingthedistantlineofseauponsky。Theelementbywhichtheyhadbeenvictimizedonthepreviouseveningnowsmiledfalselytothelowmorningsun。
Theydescendedtheroadtothevillageatalittlemoremannerlypacethanthatoftheearlierjourney，andsawtheraysglanceuponthehandsofthechurchclock，whichmarkedfive-and-twentyminutestonine。
45。KNOLLSEA-THEROADTHENCE-ENCKWORTH
Alleyesweredirectedtothechurch-gate，asthetravellersdescendedthehill。Noweddingcarriageswerethere，nofavours，noslatternlygroupofwomenbrimmingwithinterest，noagedpauperontwosticks，whocomesbecausehehasnothingelsetodotilldyingtime，nonamelessfemalepassingbyontheothersidewithalaughofindifference，noringerstakingofftheircoatsastheyvanishupaturret，nohobbledehoysontiptoeoutsidethechancelwindows——inshort，nonewhateverofthecustomaryaccessoriesofacountryweddingwasanywherevisible。
’ThankGod！’saidChickerel。
’Waittillyouknowhedeservesit，’saidMountclere。
’Nothing’sdoneyetbetweenthem。’
’Itisnotlikelythatanythingisdoneatthistimeofday。ButI
havedecidedtogotothechurchfirst。Youwillprobablygotoyourrelative’shouseatonce？’
Sollookedtohisfatherforareply。
’No，Itooshallgotothechurchfirst，justtoassuremyself，’
saidChickerel。’IshallthengoontoMrsPetherwin’s。’
Thecarriagewasstoppedatthecornerofasteepinclineleadingdowntotheedifice。MountclereandChickerelalightedandwalkedontowardsthegates，Solremaininginhisplace。Christopherwassomewayoff，descendingthehillonfoot，havinghaltedtoleavehishorseandtrapatasmallinnattheentrancetothevillage。
WhenChickerelandMountclerereachedthechurchyardgatetheyfounditslightlyopen。Thechurch-doorbeyonditwasalsoopen，butnobodywasnearthespot。
’Wehavearrivednotaminutetoosoon，however，’saidMountclere。
’Preparationshaveapparentlybegun。Itwastobeanearlywedding，nodoubt。’
Enteringthebuilding，theylookedaround；itwasquiteempty。
Chickerelturnedtowardsthechancel，hiseyebeingattractedbyaredkneeling-cushion，placedataboutthemiddleofthealtar-
railing，asifforearlyuse。Mountclerestrodetothevestry，somewhatatalosshowtoproceedinhisdifficulttaskofunearthinghisbrother，obtainingaprivateinterviewwithhim，andthen，bytheintroductionofSolandChickerel，causingageneralconvulsion。
’Ha！here’ssomebody，’hesaid，observingamaninthevestry。HeadvancedwiththeintentionofaskingwhereLordMountclerewastobefound。Chickerelcameforwardinthesamedirection。
’Areyoutheparishclerk？’saidMountcleretotheman，whowasdressedupinhisbestclothes。
’Ihevthehonourofthatcalling，’themanreplied。
Twolargebookswerelyingbeforehimonthevestrytable，oneofthembeingopen。Astheclerkspokehelookedslantinglyonthepage，asapersonmightdotodiscoverifsomewritingweredry。
MountclereandChickerelgazedonthesamepage。Thebookwasthemarriage-register。
’Toolate！’saidChickerel。
ThereplainlyenoughstoodthesignaturesofLordMountclereandEthelberta。Theviscount’swasveryblack，andhadnotyetdried。
Herstrokeswerefirm，andcomparativelythickforawoman’s，thoughpaledbyjuxtapositionwithherhusband’smuddledcharacters。Inthespaceforwitnesses’namesappearedintremblinglinesasfineassilktheautographofPicotee，thesecondnamebeingthatofastranger，probablytheclerk。
’Yes，yes——wearetoolate，itseems，’saidMountclerecoolly。’Whocouldhavethoughtthey’dmarryateight！’
Chickerelstoodlikeamanbakedhardanddry。Furtherthanhisfirsttwowordshecouldsaynothing。
’Theymusthavesetaboutitearly，uponmysoul，’Mountclerecontinued。’Whendidtheweddingtakeplace？’heaskedoftheclerksharply。
’Itwasoveraboutfiveminutesbeforeyoucamein，’repliedthatluminarypleasantly，asheplayedataninvisiblegameofpitch-and-
tosswithsomehalf-sovereignsinhispocket。’Ireceivedorderstohavethechurchreadyatfiveminutestoeightthismorning，thoughIknewnothingaboutsuchathingtillbedtimelastnight。Itwasveryprivateandplain，notthatIshouldmindanothersuchaone，sir；’andhesecretlypitchedandtossedagain。
MeanwhileSolhadfoundhimselftoorestlesstositwaitinginthecarriageformorethanaminuteaftertheothertwohadleftit。HesteppedoutatthesameinstantthatChristophercamepast，andtogethertheytoowentontothechurch。
’Father，oughtwenottogoonatoncetoEthelberta’s，insteadofwaiting？’saidSol，onreachingthevestry，stillinignorance。
’’Twasnouseincominghere。’
’Nouseatall，’saidChickerel，asifhehadstrawinhisthroat。
’Lookatthis。IwouldalmostsoonerhavehaditthatinleavingthischurchIcamefromhergrave——well，no，perhapsnotthat，butI
fearitisabadthing。’
Solthensawthenamesintheregister，Christophersawthem，andthemanclosedthebook。Christophercouldnotwellcommandhimself，andheretired。
’Iknewit。IalwayssaidthatpridewouldleadBertatomarryanunworthyman，andsoithas！’saidSolbitterly。’Whatshallwedonow？I’llseeher。’
’Donosuchthing，youngman，’saidMountclere。’Thebestcourseistoleavemattersalone。Theyaremarried。Ifyouarewise，youwilltrytothinkthematchagoodone，andbecontenttoletherkeepherpositionwithoutinconveniencingherbyyourintrusionsorcomplaints。Itispossiblethatthesatisfactionofherambitionwillhelphertoendureanyfewsurprisestoherproprietythatmayoccur。Sheisacleveryoungwoman，andhasplayedhercardsadroitly。Ionlyhopeshemayneverrepentofthegame！A-hem。
Goodmorning。’Sayingthis，Mountclereslightlybowedtohisrelations，andmarchedoutofthechurchwithdignity；butitwastoldafterwardsbythecoachman，whohadnoloveforMountclere，thatwhenhesteppedintothefly，andwasashebelievedunobserved，hewasquiteovercomewithfatuousrage，hislipsfrothinglikeamugofhotale。
’Whatanimpertinentgentleman’tis，’saidChickerel。’Asifwehadtriedforhertomarryhisbrother！’
’Heknowsbetterthanthat，’saidSol。’Buthe’llneverbelievethatBertadidn’tlayatrapfortheoldfellow。HethinksatthismomentthatLordMountclerehasneverbeentoldofusandourbelongings。’
’Iwonderifshehasdeceivedhiminanything，’murmuredChickerel。
’Icanhardlysupposeit。Butsheisaltogetherbeyondme。
However，ifshehasmisledhimonanypointshewillsufferforit。’
’Youneednotfearthat，father。Itisn’therwayofworking。Whycouldn’tshehaveknownthatwhenatitleistobehadfortheasking，theownermustbeashockingoneindeed？’
’Thetitleiswellenough。Anypoorscrubsinourplacemustbefoolsnottothinkthematchaveryrareandastonishinghonour，asfarasthepositiongoes。ButthatmybravegirlwillbemiserableisapartofthehonourIcan’tstomachsowell。Ifhehadbeenanyotherlordinthekingdom，wemighthavebeenmerryindeed。I
believehewillruinherhappiness——yes，Ido——notbyanypersonalsnubbingorroughconduct，butbyotherthings，causinghertobedespised；andthatisathingshecan’tendure。’
’She’snottobedespisedwithoutadealoftrouble——wemustrememberthat。Andifheinsultsherbyintroducingnewfavourites，astheysayhedidhisfirstwife，I’llcalluponhimandaskhismeaning，andtakeheraway。’
’Nonsense——weshallneverknowwhathedoes，orhowshefeels；shewillneverletoutaword。Howeverunhappyshemaybe，shewillalwaysdenyit——that’stheunfortunatepartofsuchmarriages。’
’Anoldchaplikethatoughttoleaveyoungwomenalone，damnhim！’
Theclerkcamenearer。’IamafraidIcannotallowbadwordstobespokeinthissacredpile，’hesaid。’Asfarasmypersonalselfgoes，Ishouldhavenoobjectiontoyourcussingasmuchasyoulike，butasaofficialofthechurchmyconsciencewon’tallowittobedone。’
’Yourconsciencehasallowedsomethingtobedonethatcussingandswearingaregodlyworshipto。’
’Theprettiestmaidisleftoutofharness，however，’saidtheclerk。’Thelittlewitnesswasthechickentomytaste——Lordforgivemeforsayingit，andamanwithawifeandfamily！’
Solandhisfatherturnedtowithdraw，andsoonforgottheremark，butitwasfrequentlyrecalledbyChristopher。
’DoyouthinkoftryingtoseeEthelbertabeforeyouleave？’saidSol。
’Certainlynot，’saidChickerel。’Mr。Mountclere’sadvicewasgoodinthat。Themorewekeepoutofthewaythemoregoodwearedoingher。IshallgobacktoAngleburybythecarrier，andgetonatoncetoLondon。Youwillgowithme，Isuppose？’
’Thecarrierdoesnotleaveyetforanhourortwo。’
’Ishallwalkon，andlethimovertakeme。Ifpossible，IwillgetoneglimpseofEnckworthCourt，Berta’snewhome；theremaybetime，ifIstartatonce。’
’Iwillwalkwithyou，’saidSol。
’Thereisroomforonewithme，’saidChristopher。’Ishalldrivebackearlyintheafternoon。’
’Thankyou，’saidSol。’IwillendeavourtomeetyouatCorvsgate。’
Thusitwasarranged。ChickerelcouldhavewishedtosearchforPicotee，andlearnfromherthedetailsofthismysteriousmatter。
Butitwasparticularlypainfultohimtomakehimselfbusyaftertheevent；andtoappearsuddenlyanduselesslywherehewasplainlynotwantedtoappearwouldbeanawkwardnesswhichthepleasureofseeingeitherdaughtercouldscarcelycounterbalance。Hencehehadresolvedtoreturnatoncetotown，andthereawaitthenews，togetherwiththedetaileddirectionsastohisownfuturemovements，carefullyconsideredandlaiddown，whichweresuretobegivenbythefar-seeingEthelberta。
Solandhisfatherwalkedontogether，ChickereltomeetthecarrierjustbeyondEnckworth，SoltowaitforChristopheratCorvsgate。
Hiswishtosee，incompanywithhisfather，theoutlineoftheseattowhichEthelbertahadbeenadvancedthatday，wasthetriumphofyouthfulcuriosityandinterestoverdoggedobjection。Hisfather’swishwasbasedoncalmerreasons。
Christopher，loneandoutofplace，remainedinthechurchyetalittlelonger。Hedesultorilywalkedround。Reachingtheorganchamber，helookedattheinstrument，andwassurprisedtofindbehinditayoungman。Julianfirstthoughthimtobetheorganist；
onsecondinspection，however，heprovedtobeapersonChristopherhadmetbefore，underfardifferentcircumstances；itwasouryoungfriendLadywell，lookingassickandsorryasalilywithasluginitsstalk。
Theoccasion，theplace，andtheirowncondition，madethemkin。
ChristopherhaddespisedLadywell，LadywellhaddislikedChristopher；butathirditemneutralizedtheothertwo——itwastheircommonlot。
Christopherjustnodded，fortheyhadonlymetonEthelberta’sstairs。Ladywellnoddedmore，andspoke。’Thechurchappearstobeinteresting，’hesaid。
’Yes。SuchatowerisrareinEngland，’saidChristopher。
Theythendweltonotherfeaturesofthebuilding，thenceenlargingtothevillage，andthentotherocksandmarinescenery，bothavoidingthemaladytheysufferedfrom——themarriageofEthelberta。
’Thevillagestreetsareverypicturesque，andthecliffsceneryisgoodofitskind，’rejoinedLadywell。’Therocksrepresentthefemininesideofgrandeur。Heretheyarewhite，withdelicatetops。
Onthewestcoasttheyarehigher，black，andwithangularsummits。
Thoserepresentgrandeurinitsmasculineaspect。Itismerelymyownidea，andnotverybright，perhaps。’
’Itisveryingenious，’saidChristopher，’andperfectlytrue。’
Ladywellwaspleased。’Iamhereatpresentmakingsketchesformynextsubject——awintersea。OtherwiseIshouldnothave——happenedtobeinthechurch。’
’YouareacquaintedwithMrs。Petherwin——IthinkyouareMr。
Ladywell，whopaintedherportraitlastseason？’
’Yes，’saidLadywell，colouring。
’YoumayhaveheardherspeakofMr。Julian？’
’Oyes，’saidLadywell，offeringhishand。Thenbydegreestheirtongueswoundcloserroundthesubjectoftheirsadness，eachtacitlyowningtowhathewouldnottell。
’Isawit，’saidLadywellheavily。
’Didshelooktroubled？’
’Notintheleast——brightandfreshasaMaymorning。Shehasplayedmemanyabittertrick，andpoorNeightoo，afriendofmine。
ButIcannothelpforgivingher……Isawacarriageatthedoor，andstrolledin。Theceremonywasjustproceeding，soIsatdownhere。Well，IhavedonewithKnollsea。Theplacehasnofurtherinterestformenow。Imayowntoyouasafriend，thatifshehadnotbeenlivinghereIshouldhavestudiedatsomeothercoast——ofcoursethat’sinconfidence。’
’Iunderstand，quite。’
’Ionlyarrivedintheneighbourhoodtwodaysago，anddidnotseteyesuponhertillthismorning，shehaskeptsoentirelyindoors。’
Thentheyoungmenparted，andhalf-an-hourlatertheingenuousLadywellcamefromthevisitors’innbytheshore，amanwalkingbehindhimwithaquantityofartists’materialsandappliances。Hewentonboardthesteamer，whichthismorninghadperformedthepassageinsafety。EthelbertasinglehavingbeentheloadstoneinthecliffsthathadattractedLadywellhither，Ethelbertamarriedwasthenegativepoleofthesame，sendinghimaway。Andthusdidawomanputanendtotheonlyopportunityofdistinction，onArt-
exhibitionwalls，thateveroffereditselftothetortuousways，quaintalleys，andmarbledbluffsofKnollsea，asaccessoriesinthepictureofawintersea。
Christopher’sinterestinthevillagewasofthesameevaporatingnature。Helookeduponthesea，andthegreatswell，andthewavessendingupasoundlikethehuzzasofmultitudes；butallthewildscenewasirksomenow。Theocean-boundsteamersfarawayonthehorizoninspiredhimwithnocuriosityastotheirdestination；thehouseEthelbertahadoccupiedwaspositivelyhateful；andheturnedawaytowaitimpatientlyforthehouratwhichhehadpromisedtodriveontomeetSolatCorvsgate。
SolandChickerelploddedalongtheroad，inordertoskirtEnckworthbeforethecarriercameup。Reachingthetopofahillontheirway，theypausedtolookdownonapeacefulscene。Itwasaparkandwood，glowinginallthematchlesscoloursoflateautumn，parapetsandpedimentspeeringoutfromacentralpositionafar。Atthebottomofthedescentbeforethemwasalodge，towhichtheynowdescended。Thegatestoodinvitinglyopen。Exclusivenesswasnopartoftheowner’sinstincts:onecouldseethatataglance。Noappearanceofawell-rolledgarden-pathattachedtothepark-drive；
asisthecasewithmany，betokeningbytheperfectionoftheirsurfacestheirproprietor’sdeficiencyinhospitality。Theapproachwaslikeaturnpikeroadfullofgreatruts，clumsymendings；
borderedbytramplededgesandincursionsuponthegrassatpleasure。Butchersandbakersdroveasfreelyhereinaspeersandpeeresses。Christeningparties，weddingcompanies，andfuneraltrainspassedalongbythedoorsofthemansionwithoutcheckorquestion。Awilduntidinessinthisparticularhasitsrecommendations；forguardedgroundseverconveyasuspicionthattheirownerisyoungtolandedpossessions，asreligiousearnestnesssimpliesnewnessofconversion，andconjugaltendernessrecentmarriage。
Half-an-hourbeingwantingasyettoChickerel’stimewiththecarrier，Solandhimself，liketherestoftheworldwhenatleisure，walkedintotheextensivestretchofgrassandgrove。Itformedaparksolargethatnotoneofitsownershadeverwisheditlarger，notoneofitsowner’srivalshadeverfailedtowishitsmaller，andnotoneofitsowner’ssatelliteshadeverseenitwithoutpraise。Theysomewhatavoidedtheroadwaypassingunderthehuge，misshapen，raggedtrees，andthroughfernbrakes，ruddyandcrispintheirdecay。Onreachingasuitableeminence，thefatherandsonstoodstilltolookuponthemany-chimneyedbuilding，orratherconglomerationofbuildings，towhichthesegrovesandgladesformedasetting。
’Wewilljustgiveaglance，’saidChickerel，’andthengoaway。Itdon’tseemwelltomethatEthelbertashouldhavethis；itistoomuch。Thesuddenchangewilldohernogood。Ineverbelieveinanythingthatcomesintheshapeofwonderfulluck。Asitcomes，soitgoes。Hadshebeenbroughthometodaytooneofthosetenant-
farmsinsteadofthesewoodsandwalls，Icouldhavecalleditgoodfortune。Whatsheshouldhavedonewasglorifyherselfbyglorifyingherownlineoflife，notbyforsakingthatlineforanother。Betterhavebeenadmiredasagovernessthanshunnedasapeeress，whichiswhatshewillbe。Butitisjustthesameeverywhereinthesedays。Youngmenwillratherwearablackcoatandstarvethanwearfustiananddowell。’
’Onemantowantsuchamonstroushouseasthat！Well，’tisafineplace。See，there’sthecarpenters’shops，thetimber-yard，andeverything，asifitwerealittletown。PerhapsBertamayhiremeforajobnowandthen。’
’Ialwaysknewshewouldcutherselfofffromus。Shemarkedforitfromchildhood，andshehasfinishedthebusinessthoroughly。’
’Well，itisnomatter，father，forwhyshouldwewanttotroubleher？Shemaywrite，andIshallanswer；butifshecallstoseeme，Ishallnotreturnthevisit；andifshemeetsmewithherhusbandoranyofhernewsocietyabouther，Ishallbehaveasastranger。’
’Itwillbebest，’saidChickerel。’Well，nowImustmove。’
However，bythesorceryofaccident，beforetheyhadveryfarretracedtheirstepsanopencarriagebecamevisibleroundabendinthedrive。Chickerel，withaservant’sinstinct，wasforbeatingaretreat。
’No，’saidSol。’Letusstandourground。Wehavealreadybeenseen，andwedonoharm。’
Sotheystoodstillontheedgeofthedrive，andthecarriagedrewnear。Itwasalandau，andthesunshoneinuponLordMountclere，withLadyMountcleresittingbesidehim，likeAbishagbesideKingDavid。
Veryblithelookedtheviscount，forherodeuponacherubto-day。
Sheappearedfresh，rosy，andstrong，butdubious；thoughifmienwasanything，shewasaviscountesstwiceover。Herdresswasofadove-colouredmaterial，withabonnettomatch，alittletuftedwhitefeatherrestingonthetop，likeatruce-flagbetweenthebloodofnobleandvassal。Uponthecoolgreyofhershouldershungafewlocksofhair，tonedwarmasfirebythesunshinyadditiontoitsnaturalhue。
Chickerelinstinctivelytookoffhishat；Soldidthesame。
ForonlyamomentdidEthelbertaseemuncertainhowtoact。Butasolutiontoherdifficultywasgivenbythefaceofherbrother。
Thereshesawplainlyatoneglancemorethanadozenspeecheswouldhavetold——forSol’sfeaturesthoroughlyexpressedhisintentionthattohimshewastobeastranger。HereyesflewtoChickerel，andheslightlyshookhishead。Sheunderstoodthemnow。Withatearinhereyeforherfather，andasighinherbosomforSol，shebowedinanswertotheirsalute；herhusbandmovedhishatandnodded，andthecarriagerolledon。LordMountcleremightpossiblybemakinguseofthefinemorninginshowinghertheparkandpremises。Chickerel，withamoisteye，nowwentonwithhissontowardsthehighroad。Whentheyreachedthelodge，thelodge-keeperwaswalkinginthesun，smokinghispipe。’Goodmorning，’hesaidtoChickerel。
’AnyrejoicingsattheCourtto-day？’thebutlerinquired。
’Quitethereverse。Notasoulthere。’Tisn’tknowedanywhereatall。Ihadnoideaofsuchathingtillhebroughtmyladyhere。
Notgoingoff，neither。They’vecomehomelikethecommonestcoupleintheland，andnoteventhebellsallowedtoring。’
Theywalkedalongthepublicroad，andthecarriercameinview。
’Father，’saidSol，’Idon’tthinkI’llgofurtherwithyou。She’sgoneintothehouse；andsupposesheshouldrunbackwithouthimtotrytofindus？Itwouldbecrueltodisappointher。I’llbideabouthereforaquarterofanhour，incasesheshould。Mr。Julianwon’thavepassedCorvsgatetillIgetthere。’
’Well，oneortwoofheroldwaysmaybeleftinherstill，anditisnotabadthought。Thenyouwillwalktherestofthedistanceifyoudon’tmeetMr。Julian？ImustbeinLondonbytheevening。’
’Anytimeto-nightwilldoforme。Ishallnotbeginworkuntilto-
morrow，sothatthefouro’clocktrainwillanswermypurpose。’
Thustheyparted，andSolstrolledleisurelyback。Theroadwasquitedeserted，andhelingeredbytheparkfence。
’Sol！’saidabird-likevoice；’howdidyoucomehere？’
Helookedup，andsawafigurepeeringdownuponhimfromthetopoftheparkwall，thegroundontheinsidebeinghigherthantheroad。
ThespeakerwastotheexpectedEthelbertawhatthemoonistothesun，astartothemoon。ItwasPicotee。
’Hullo，Picotee！’saidSol。
’There’salittlegateaquarterofamilefurtheron，’saidPicotee。’Wecanmeettherewithoutyourpassingthroughthebiglodge。I’llbethereassoonasyou。’
Solascendedthehill，passedthroughthesecondgate，andturnedbackagain，whenhemetPicoteecomingforwardunderthetrees。
Theywalkedtogetherinthissecludedspot。
’Bertasaysshewantstoseeyouandfather，’saidPicoteebreathlessly。’Youmustcomeinandmakeyourselvescomfortable。
Shehadnoideayouwereheresosecretly，andshedidn’tknowwhattodo。’
’Father’sgone，’saidSol。
’Howvexedshewillbe！Shethinksthereissomethingthematter——
thatyouareangrywithherfornottellingyouearlier。Butyouwillcomein，Sol？’
’No，Ican’tcomein，’saidherbrother。
’Whynot？Itissuchabighouse，youcan’tthink。Youneednotcomenearthefrontapartments，ifyouthinkweshallbeashamedofyouinyourworkingclothes。Howcameyounottodressupabit，Sol？Still，Bertawon’tminditmuch。ShesaysLordMountcleremusttakeherassheis，orheiskindlywelcometoleaveher。’
’Ah，well！Imighthavehadawordortwotosayaboutthat，butthetimehasgonebyforit，worseluck。PerhapsitisbestthatI
havesaidnothing，andshehashadherway。No，Ishan’tcomein，Picotee。Fatherisgone，andIamgoingtoo。’
’OSol！’
’Weareratherputoutatheractinglikethis——fatherandIandallofus。Shemighthaveletusknowaboutitbeforehand，evenifsheisaladyandwewhatwealwayswas。Itwouldn’thaveletherdownsoterriblemuchtowritealine。Shemighthavelearntsomethingthatwouldhaveledhertotakeadifferentstep。’
’ButyouwillseepoorBerta？Shehasdonenoharm。Shewasgoingtowritelongletterstoallofyouto-day，explainingherwedding，andhowsheisgoingtohelpusallonintheworld。’
Solpausedirresolutely。’No，Iwon’tcomein，’hesaid。’Itwoulddisgraceher，foronething，dressedasIbe；morethanthat，I
don’twanttocomein。ButIshouldliketoseeher，ifshewouldliketoseeme；andI’llgouptheretothatlittlefirplantation，andwalkupanddownbehinditforexactlyhalf-an-hour。Shecancomeouttomethere。’Solhadpointedashespoketoaknotofyoungtreesthathoodedaknollalittlewayoff。
’I’llgoandtellher，’saidPicotee。
’Isupposetheywillbeoffsomewhere，andsheisbusygettingready？’
’Ono。Theyarenotgoingtotraveltillnextyear。Ethelbertadoesnotwanttogoanywhere；andLordMountclerecannotendurethischangeableweatherinanyplacebuthisownhouse。’
’Poorfellow！’
’Thenyouwillwaitforherbythefirs？I’lltellheratonce。’
Picoteelefthim，andSolwentacrosstheglade。
46。ENCKWORTHcontinued-THEANGLEBURYHIGHWAY
HehadnotpacedbehindthefirsmorethantenminuteswhenEthelbertaappearedfromtheoppositeside。Atgreatinconveniencetoherself，shehadcompliedwithhisrequest。
Ethelbertawastrembling。Shetookherbrother’shand，andsaid，’Isfather，then，gone？’
’Yes，’saidSol。’Ishouldhavebeengonelikewise，butIthoughtyouwantedtoseeme。’
’OfcourseIdid，andhimtoo。Whydidyoucomesomysteriously，and，Imustsay，unbecomingly？IamafraidIdidwronginnotinformingyouofmyintention。’
’Toyourselfyoumayhave。Fatherwouldhavelikedawordwithyoubefore——youdidit。’
’YoubothlookedsoforbiddingthatIdidnotliketostopthecarriagewhenwepassedyou。Iwanttoseehimonanimportantmatter——hisleavingMrs。Doncastle’sserviceatonce。Iamgoingtowriteandbeghertodispensewithanotice，whichIhavenodoubtshewilldo。’
’He’sverymuchupsetaboutyou。’
’Mysecrecywasperhapsanerrorofjudgment，’shesaidsadly。’ButIhadreasons。Whydidyouandmyfathercomehereatallifyoudidnotwanttoseeme？’
’Wedidwanttoseeyouuptoacertaintime。’
’Youdidnotcometopreventmymarriage？’
’Wewishedtoseeyoubeforethemarriage——Ican’tsaymore。’
’IthoughtyoumightnotapproveofwhatIhaddone，’saidEthelbertamournfully。’Butatimemaycomewhenyouwillapprove。’
’Never。’
’Don’tbeharsh，Sol。Acoronetcoversamultitudeofsins。’
’Acoronet:goodLord——andyoumysister！Lookatmyhand。’Solextendedhishand。’Lookhowmythumbstandsoutattheroot，asifitwereoutofjoint，andthathardplaceinsidethere。Didyoueverseeanythingsouglyasthathand——amisshapedmonster，isn’the？Thatcomesfromthejackplane，andmypushingagainstitdayafterdayandyearafteryear。IfIwerefounddrownedorburied，dressedorundressed，infustianorinbroadcloth，folkwouldlookatmyhandandsay，\"Thatman’sacarpenter。\"Wellnow，howcanaman，brandedwithworkasIbe，bebrothertoaviscountesswithoutsomethingbeingwrong？Ofcoursethere’ssomethingwronginit，orhewouldn’thavemarriedyou——somethingwhichwon’tberightedwithoutterriblesuffering。’
’No，no，’saidshe。’Youaremistaken。Thereisnosuchwonderfulqualityinatitleinthesedays。WhatIreallyamissecondwifetoaquietoldcountrynobleman，whohasgivenupsociety。Whatmorecommonplace？Mylifewillbeassimple，evenmoresimple，thanitwasbefore。’
’Berta，youhaveworkedtofalselines。Acreepingupamongtheuselesslumberofournationthat’llbethefirsttoburniftherecomesaflare。Ineverseesuchadeserterofyourownlotasyoube！Butyouwerealwayslikeit，Berta，andIamashamedofye。
Morethanthat，agoodwomannevermarriestwice。’
’Youaretoohard，Sol，’saidthepoorviscountess，almostcrying。
’I’vedoneitallforyou！EvenifIhavemadeamistake，andgivenmyambitionanignobleturn，don’ttellmesonow，oryoumaydomoreharminaminutethanyouwillcureinalifetime。Itisabsurdtoletrepublicanpassionssoblindyoutofact。Afamilywhichcanbehonourablytracedthroughhistoryforfivehundredyears，doesaffecttheheartofapersonnotentirelyhardenedagainstromance。Whetheryoulikethepeerageorno，theyappealtoourhistoricalsenseandloveofoldassociations。’
’Idon’tcareforhistory。Prophecyistheonlythingcandopoormenanygood。Whenyouwereagirl，youwouldn’tdropacurtseyto’em，historicalorotherwise，andthereyouwereright。But，insteadofstickingtosuchprinciples，youmustneedspushup，soastogetgirlssuchasyouwereoncetocurtseytoyou，noteventhinkingmarriagewithabadmantoogreatapricetopayfor’t。’
’Abadman？Whatdoyoumeanbythat？LordMountclereisratherold，buthe’sworthy。Whatdidyoumean，Sol？’
’Nothing——ameresommattosay。’
AtthatmomentPicoteeemergedfrombehindatree，andtoldhersisterthatLordMountclerewaslookingforher。
’Well，Sol，Icannotexplainalltoyounow，’shesaid。’IwillsendforyouinLondon。’Shewishedhimgoodbye，andtheyseparated，PicoteeaccompanyingSolalittleonhisway。
Ethelbertawasgreatlyperturbedbythismeeting。Afterretracingherstepsashortdistance，shestillfeltsodistressedandunpresentablethatsheresolvednottoallowLordMountcleretoseehertillthecloudshadsomewhatpassedoff；itwasbutabareactofjusticetohimtohidefromhissightsuchabridalmoodasthis。
Itwasbettertokeephimwaitingthantomakehimpositivelyunhappy。Sheturnedaside，andwentupthevalley，wheretheparkmergedinmilesofwoodandcopse。
Sheopenedanirongateandenteredthewood，casuallyinterestedinthevastvarietyofcoloursthatthehalf-fallenleavesoftheseasonwore:more，muchmore，occupiedwithpersonalthought。Thepathshepursuedbecamegraduallyinvolvedinbushesaswellastrees，givingtothespotthecharacterratherofacoppicethanawood。Perceivingthatshehadgonefarenough，Ethelbertaturnedbackbyapathwhichatthispointintersectedthatbywhichshehadapproached，andpromisedamoredirectreturntowardstheCourt。
Shehadnotgonemanystepsamongthehazels，whichhereformedaperfectthicket，whensheobservedabeltofholly-bushesintheirmidst；towardstheoutskirtsoftheseanopeningonherlefthanddirectlyled，thencewindingroundintoaclearspaceofgreensward，whichtheycompletelyenclosed。Onthisisolatedandmewed-upbitoflawnstoodatimber-builtcottage，havingornamentalbarge-
boards，balconettes，andporch。Itwasanerectioninterestingenoughasanexperiment，andgrandasatoy，butasabuildingcontemptible。
Abluegauzeofsmokefloatedoverthechimney，asifsomebodywaslivingthere；roundtowardsthesidesomeemptyhen-coopswerepiledaway；whileunderthehollieswerediversframeworksofwirenettingandsticks，showingthatbirdswerekepthereatsomeseasonsoftheyear。
Beingladyofallshesurveyed，Ethelbertacrossedtheleafysward，andknockedatthedoor。Shewasinterestedinknowingthepurposeofthepeculiarlittleedifice。
Thedoorwasopenedbyawomanwearingacleanapronuponanotverycleangown。Ethelbertaaskedwholivedinsoprettyaplace。
’MissGruchette，’theservantreplied。’Butsheisnotherenow。’
’Doessheliveherealone？’
’Yes——exceptingmyselfandafellow-servant。’
’Oh。’
’Shelivesheretoattendtothepheasantsandpoultry，becausesheissocleverinmanagingthem。Theyarebroughtherefromthekeeper’soverthehill。Herfatherwasafancier。’
’MissGruchetteattendstothebirds，andtwoservantsattendtoMissGruchette？’
’Well，totellthetruth，m’m，theservantsdoalmostallofit。
Still，that’swhatMissGruchetteisherefor。Wouldyouliketoseethehouse？Itispretty。’Thewomanspokewithhesitation，asifindoubtbetweenthedesireofearningashillingandthefearthatEthelbertawasnotastranger。ThatEthelbertawasLadyMountcleresheplainlydidnotdream。
’IfearIcanscarcelystaylongenough；yetIwilljustlookin，’
saidEthelberta。Andassoonastheyhadcrossedthethresholdshewasgladofhavingdoneso。
Thecottageinternallymaybedescribedasasortofboudoirextractedfromthebulkofamansionanddepositedinawood。Thefrontroomwasfilledwithnicknacks，curiouswork-tables，filigreebaskets，twistedbracketssupportingstatuettes，inwhichthegrotesqueineverycaseruledthedesign；love-birds，ingiltcages；
Frenchbronzes，wonderfulboxes，needleworkofstrangepatterns，andotherattractiveobjects。Theapartmentwasoneofthosewhichseemtolaughinavisitor’sfaceandoncloserexaminationexpressfrivolitymoredistinctlythanbywords。
’MissGruchetteisheretokeepthefowls？’saidEthelberta，inapuzzledtone，afterasurvey。
’Yes。Buttheydon’tkeepher。’
Ethelbertadidnotattempttounderstand，andceasedtooccupyhermindwiththematter。Theycamefromthecottagetothedoor，whereshegavethewomanatriflingsum，andturnedtoleave。Butfootstepswereatthatmomenttobeheardbeatingamongtheleavesontheothersideofthehollies，andEthelbertawaitedtillthewalkersshouldhavepassed。Thevoicesoftwomenreachedherselfandthewomanastheystood。Theywereclosetothehouse，yetscreenedfromitbytheholly-bushes，whenonecouldbeheardtosaydistinctly，asifwithhisfaceturnedtothecottage——
’LadyMountcleregoneforgood？’
’Isupposeso。Ha-ha！Socome，sogo。’
Thespeakerspassedon，theirbacksbecomingvisiblethroughtheopening。Theyappearedtobewoodmen。
’WhatLadyMountcleredotheymean？’saidEthelberta。
Thewomanblushed。’TheymeantMissGruchette。’
’Oh——anickname。’
’Yes。’
’Why？’
Thewomanwhisperedwhyinastoryofabouttwominutes’length。
Ethelbertaturnedpale。
’Isshegoingtoreturn？’sheinquired，inathinhardvoice。
’Yes；nextweek。Youknowher，m’m？’
’No。Iamastranger。’
’Somuchthebetter。Imaytellyou，then，thatanoldtaleisflyingabouttheneighbourhood——thatLordMountclerewasprivatelymarriedtoanotherwoman，atKnollsea，thismorningearly。Canitbetrue？’
’Ibelieveittobetrue。’
’Andthatsheisofnofamily？’
’Ofnofamily。’
’Indeed。ThentheLordonlyknowswhatwillbecomeofthepoorthing。Therewillbemurderbetween’em。’
’Betweenwhom？’
’Herandtheladywholiveshere。Shewon’tbudgeaninch——notshe！’
Ethelbertamovedaside。Ashadeseemedtooverspreadtheworld，thesky，thetrees，andtheobjectsintheforeground。Shekeptherfaceawayfromthewoman，and，whisperingareplytoherGood-
morning，passedthroughtheholliesintotheleaf-strewnpath。Assoonasshecametoalargetrunksheplacedherhandsagainstitandrestedherfaceuponthem。Shedrewherselflowerdown，lower，lower，tillshecrouchedupontheleaves。’Ay——’tiswhatfatherandSolmeant！OHeaven！’shewhispered。
Shesoonarose，andwentonherwaytothehouse。Herfairfeatureswerefirmlyset，andshescarcelyheededthepathintheconcentrationwhichhadfollowedherparoxysm。Whenshereachedtheparkpropershebecameawareofanexcitementthatwasinprogressthere。
Ethelberta’sabsencehadbecomeunaccountabletoLordMountclere，whocouldhardlypermitherretirementfromhissightforaminute。
Butatfirsthehadmadedueallowanceforhereccentricityasawomanofgenius，andwouldnottakenoticeofthehalf-hour’sdesertion，unpardonableasitmighthavebeeninotherclassesofwives。Thenhehadinquired，searched，beenalarmed:hehadfinallysentmen-servantsinalldirectionsabouttheparktolookforher。Hefearedshehadfallenoutofawindow，downawell，orintothelake。Thenextstageofsearchwastohavebeendragsandgrapnels:butEthelbertaenteredthehouse。
LordMountclererushedforwardtomeether，andsuchwashercontrivancethathenoticednochange。Thesearcherswerecalledin，Ethelbertaexplainingthatshehadmerelyobeyedthewishofherbrotheringoingouttomeethim。Picotee，whohadreturnedfromherwalkwithSol，wasupstairsinoneoftheroomswhichhadbeenallottedtoher。Ethelbertamanagedtoruninthereonherwayupstairstoherownchamber。
’Picotee，putyourthingsonagain，’shesaid。’YouaretheonlyfriendIhaveinthishouse，andIwantonebadly。GotoSol，anddeliverthismessagetohim——thatIwanttoseehimatonce。Youmustovertakehim，ifyouwalkallthewaytoAnglebury。Butthetraindoesnotleavetillfour，sothatthereisplentyoftime。’
’Whatisthematter？’saidPicotee。’Icannotwalkalltheway。’
’Idon’tthinkyouwillhavetodothat——Ihopenot。’