“SaxonorKelt？“shecontinued，laughinginthedarkness。“Butitdoesn\'tmatter。Whicheveryouare，youwillhavetolistentome。Ilovethisplace。IloveShropshire。
IhateLondon。Iamgladthatthiswillbemyhome。Ah，dear“——shewasnowmovingbacktowardsthehouse——“whatacomforttohavearrived！“
“Thatwomanmeansmischief，“thoughtCharles，andcompressedhislips。Inafewminuteshefollowedherindoors，asthegroundwasgettingdamp。Mistswererisingfromtheriver，andpresentlyitbecameinvisible，thoughitwhisperedmoreloudly。TherehadbeenaheavydownpourintheWelshhills。Chapter26Nextmorningafinemistcoveredthepeninsula。Theweatherpromisedwell，andtheoutlineofthecastlemoundgrewclearereachmomentthatMargaretwatchedit。Presentlyshesawthekeep，andthesunpaintedtherubblegold，andchargedthewhiteskywithblue。Theshadowofthehousegathereditselftogetherandfelloverthegarden。A
catlookedupatherwindowandmewed。Lastlytheriverappeared，stillholdingthemistsbetweenitsbanksanditsoverhangingalders，andonlyvisibleasfarasahill，whichcutoffitsupperreaches。
MargaretwasfascinatedbyOniton。Shehadsaidthatshelovedit，butitwasratheritsromantictensionthatheldher。TheroundedDruidsofwhomshehadcaughtglimpsesinherdrive，therivershurryingdownfromthemtoEngland，thecarelesslymodelledmassesofthelowerhills，thrilledherwithpoetry。Thehousewasinsignificant，buttheprospectfromitwouldbeaneternaljoy，andshethoughtofallthefriendsshewouldhavetostopinit，andoftheconversionofHenryhimselftoarurallife。Society，too，promisedfavourably。
Therectoroftheparishhaddinedwiththemlastnight，andshefoundthathewasafriendofherfather\'s，andsoknewwhattofindinher。
Shelikedhim。Hewouldintroducehertothetown。While，onherotherside，SirJamesBiddersat，repeatingthatsheonlyhadtogivetheword，andhewouldwhipupthecountyfamiliesfortwentymilesround。
WhetherSirJames，whowasGardenSeeds，hadpromisedwhathecouldperform，shedoubted，butsolongasHenrymistookthemforthecountyfamilieswhentheydidcall，shewascontent。
CharlesandAlbertFussellnowcrossedthelawn。
Theyweregoingforamorningdip，andaservantfollowedthemwiththeirbathing-dresses。Shehadmeanttotakeastrollherselfbeforebreakfast，butsawthatthedaywasstillsacredtomen，andamusedherselfbywatchingtheircontretemps。Inthefirstplacethekeyofthebathing-shedcouldnotbefound。Charlesstoodbytheriversidewithfoldedhands，tragical，whiletheservantshouted，andwasmisunderstoodbyanotherservantinthegarden。Thencameadifficultyaboutaspring-board，andsoonthreepeoplewererunningbackwardsandforwardsoverthemeadow，withordersandcounterordersandrecriminationsandapologies。IfMargaretwantedtojumpfromamotor-car，shejumped；ifTibbythoughtpaddlingwouldbenefithisankles，hepaddled；ifaclerkdesiredadventure，hetookawalkinthedark。Buttheseathletesseemedparalysed。
Theycouldnotbathewithouttheirappliances，thoughthemorningsunwascallingandthelastmistswererisingfromthedimplingstream。
Hadtheyfoundthelifeofthebodyafterall？Couldnotthemenwhomtheydespisedasmilksopsbeatthem，evenontheirownground？
Shethoughtofthebathingarrangementsastheyshouldbeinherday——noworryingofservants，noappliances，beyondgoodsense。Herreflectionsweredisturbedbythequietchild，whohadcomeouttospeaktothecat，butwasnowwatchingherwatchthemen。
Shecalled，“Good-morning，dear，“alittlesharply。Hervoicespreadconsternation。Charleslookedround，andthoughcompletelyattiredinindigoblue，vanishedintotheshed，andwasseennomore。
“MissWilcoxisup——“thechildwhispered，andthenbecameunintelligible。
“What\'sthat？“
Itsoundedlike，“——cut-yoke——sackback——“
“Ican\'thear。“
“——Onthebed——tissue-paper——“
Gatheringthatthewedding-dresswasonview，andthatavisitwouldbeseemly，shewenttoEvie\'sroom。Allwashilarityhere。Evie，inapetticoat，wasdancingwithoneoftheAnglo-Indianladies，whiletheotherwasadoringyardsofwhitesatin。Theyscreamed，theylaughed，theysang，andthedogbarked。
Margaretscreamedalittletoo，butwithoutconviction。
Shecouldnotfeelthataweddingwassofunny。Perhapssomethingwasmissinginherequipment。
Eviegasped:“Dollyisarotternottobehere！
Oh，wewouldragjustthen！“ThenMargaretwentdowntobreakfast。
Henrywasalreadyinstalled；heateslowlyandspokelittle，andwas，inMargaret\'seyes，theonlymemberoftheirpartywhododgedemotionsuccessfully。Shecouldnotsupposehimindifferenteithertothelossofhisdaughterortothepresenceofhisfuturewife。
Yethedweltintact，onlyissuingordersoccasionally——ordersthatpromotedthecomfortofhisguests。Heinquiredafterherhand；hesethertopouroutthecoffeeandMrs。Warringtontopouroutthetea。WhenEviecamedowntherewasamoment\'sawkwardness，andbothladiesrosetovacatetheirplaces。“Burton，“calledHenry，“serveteaandcoffeefromtheside-board！“Itwasn\'tgenuinetact，butitwastact，ofasort——thesortthatisasusefulasthegenuine，andsavesevenmoresituationsatBoardmeetings。Henrytreatedamarriagelikeafuneral，itembyitem，neverraisinghiseyestothewhole，and“Death，whereisthysting？Love，whereisthyvictory？“onewouldexclaimattheclose。
Afterbreakfastsheclaimedafewwordswithhim。
Itwasalwaysbesttoapproachhimformally。Sheaskedfortheinterview，becausehewasgoingontoshootgrousetomorrow，andshewasreturningtoHelenintown。
“Certainly，dear，“saidhe。“Ofcourse，I
havethetime。Whatdoyouwant？“
“Nothing。“
“Iwasafraidsomethinghadgonewrong。“
“No；Ihavenothingtosay，butyoumaytalk。“
Glancingathiswatch，hetalkedofthenastycurveatthelych-gate。Sheheardhimwithinterest。Hersurfacecouldalwaysrespondtohiswithoutcontempt，thoughallherdeeperbeingmightbeyearningtohelphim。Shehadabandonedanyplanofaction。
Loveisthebest，andthemoresheletherselflovehim，themorechancewastherethathewouldsethissoulinorder。Suchamomentasthis，whentheysatunderfairweatherbythewalksoftheirfuturehome，wassosweettoherthatitssweetnesswouldsurelypiercetohim。Eachliftofhiseyes，eachpartingofthethatchedlipfromtheclean-shaven，mustpreludethetendernessthatkillstheMonkandtheBeastatasingleblow。Disappointedahundredtimes，shestillhoped。Shelovedhimwithtooclearavisiontofearhiscloudiness。Whetherhedronedtrivialities，astoday，orsprangkissesonherinthetwilight，shecouldpardonhim，shecouldrespond。
“Ifthereisthisnastycurve，“shesuggested，“couldn\'twewalktothechurch？Not，ofcourse，youandEvie；buttherestofusmightverywellgoonfirst，andthatwouldmeanfewercarriages。“
“Onecan\'thaveladieswalkingthroughtheMarketSquare。TheFussellswouldn\'tlikeit；theywereawfullyparticularatCharles\'swedding。My——she——oneofourpartywasanxioustowalk，andcertainlythechurchwasjustroundthecorner，andIshouldn\'thaveminded；buttheColonelmadeagreatpointofit。“
“Youmenshouldn\'tbesochivalrous，“saidMargaretthoughtfully。
“Whynot？“
Sheknewwhynot，butsaidthatshedidnotknow。
Hethenannouncedthat，unlessshehadanythingspecialtosay，hemustvisitthewine-cellar，andtheywentofftogetherinsearchofBurton。Thoughclumsyandalittleinconvenient，Onitonwasagenuinecountryhouse。Theyclattereddownflaggedpassages，lookingintoroomafterroom，andscaringunknownmaidsfromtheperformanceofobscureduties。Thewedding-breakfastmustbeinreadinesswhentheycamebackfromchurch，andteawouldbeservedinthegarden。
ThesightofsomanyagitatedandseriouspeoplemadeMargaretsmile，butshereflectedthattheywerepaidtobeserious，andenjoyedbeingagitated。
HerewerethelowerwheelsofthemachinethatwastossingEvieupintonuptialglory。Alittleboyblockedtheirwaywithpig-tails。
Hismindcouldnotgrasptheirgreatness，andhesaid:“Byyourleave；
letmepass，please。“HenryaskedhimwhereBurtonwas。Buttheservantsweresonewthattheydidnotknowoneanother\'snames。Inthestill-roomsattheband，whohadstipulatedforchampagneaspartoftheirfee，andwhowerealreadydrinkingbeer。ScentsofArabycamefromthekitchen，mingledwithcries。Margaretknewwhathadhappenedthere，forithappenedatWickhamPlace。Oneoftheweddingdisheshadboiledover，andthecookwasthrowingcedar-shavingstohidethesmell。Atlasttheycameuponthebutler。Henrygavehimthekeys，andhandedMargaretdownthecellar-stairs。Twodoorswereunlocked。She，whokeptallherwineatthebottomofthelinen-cupboard，wasastonishedatthesight。“Weshallnevergetthroughit！“shecried，andthetwomenweresuddenlydrawnintobrotherhood，andexchangedsmiles。Shefeltasifshehadagainjumpedoutofthecarwhileitwasmoving。
CertainlyOnitonwouldtakesomedigesting。
Itwouldbenosmallbusinesstoremainherself，andyettoassimilatesuchanestablishment。Shemustremainherself，forhissakeaswellasherown，sinceashadowywifedegradesthehusbandwhomsheaccompanies；
andshemustassimilateforreasonsofcommonhonesty，sinceshehadnorighttomarryamanandmakehimuncomfortable。HeronlyallywasthepowerofHome。ThelossofWickhamPlacehadtaughthermorethanitspossession。HowardsEndhadrepeatedthelesson。Shewasdeterminedtocreatenewsanctitiesamongthesehills。
Aftervisitingthewine-cellar，shedressed，andthencamethewedding，whichseemedasmallaffairwhencomparedwiththepreparationsforit。Everythingwentlikeoneo\'clock。Mr。
Cahillmaterializedoutofspace，andwaswaitingforhisbrideatthechurchdoor。Noonedroppedtheringormispronouncedtheresponses，ortrodonEvie\'strain，orcried。Inafewminutes——theclergymenperformedtheirduty，theregisterwassigned，andtheywerebackintheircarriages，negotiatingthedangerouscurvebythelych-gate。Margaretwasconvincedthattheyhadnotbeenmarriedatall，andthattheNormanchurchhadbeenintentallthetimeonotherbusiness。
Thereweremoredocumentstosignatthehouse，andthebreakfasttoeat，andthenafewmorepeopledroppedinforthegardenparty。Therehadbeenagreatmanyrefusals，andafterallitwasnotaverybigaffair——notasbigasMargaret\'swouldbe。
Shenotedthedishesandthestripsofredcarpet，thatoutwardlyshemightgiveHenrywhatwasproper。ButinwardlyshehopedforsomethingbetterthanthisblendofSundaychurchandfox-hunting。Ifonlysomeonehadbeenupset！Butthisweddinghadgoneoffsoparticularlywell——“quitelikeaDurbar“intheopinionofLadyEdser，andshethoroughlyagreedwithher。
Sothewasteddaylumberedforward，thebrideandbridegroomdroveoff，yellingwithlaughter，andforthesecondtimethesunretreatedtowardsthehillsofWales。Henry，whowasmoretiredthanheowned，cameuptoherinthecastlemeadow，and，intonesofunusualsoftness，saidthathewaspleased。Everythinghadgoneoffsowell。
Shefeltthathewaspraisingher，too，andblushed；certainlyshehaddoneallshecouldwithhisintractablefriends，andhadmadeaspecialpointofkowtowingtothemen。Theywerebreakingcampthisevening:
onlytheWarringtonsandquietchildwouldstaythenight，andtheotherswerealreadymovingtowardsthehousetofinishtheirpacking。“I
thinkitdidgooffwell，“sheagreed。“SinceIhadtojumpoutofthemotor，I\'mthankfulIlightedonmylefthand。Iamsoverygladaboutit，Henrydear；Ionlyhopethattheguestsatoursmaybehalfascomfortable。Youmustallrememberthatwehavenopracticalpersonamongus，exceptmyaunt，andsheisnotusedtoentertainmentsonalargescale。“
“Iknow，“hesaidgravely。“Underthecircumstances，itwouldbebettertoputeverythingintothehandsofHarrod\'sorWhiteley\'s，oreventogotosomehotel。“
“Youdesireahotel？“
“Yes，because——well，Imustn\'tinterferewithyou。
Nodoubtyouwanttobemarriedfromyouroldhome。“
“Myoldhome\'sfallingintopieces，Henry。
Ionlywantmynew。Isn\'titaperfectevening——“
“TheAlexandrinaisn\'tbad——“
“TheAlexandrina，“sheechoed，moreoccupiedwiththethreadsofsmokethatwereissuingfromtheirchimneys，andrulingthesunlitslopeswithparallelsofgrey。
“It\'soffCurzonStreet。“
“Isit？Let\'sbemarriedfromoffCurzonStreet。“
Thensheturnedwestward，togazeattheswirlinggold。Justwheretheriverroundedthehillthesuncaughtit。
Fairylandmustlieabovethebend，anditspreciousliquidwaspouringtowardsthempastCharles\'sbathing-shed。Shegazedsolongthathereyesweredazzled，andwhentheymovedbacktothehouse，shecouldnotrecognizethefacesofpeoplewhowerecomingoutofit。Aparlour-maidwasprecedingthem。
“Whoarethosepeople？“sheasked。
“They\'recallers！“exclaimedHenry。“It\'stoolateforcallers。“
“Perhapsthey\'retownpeoplewhowanttoseetheweddingpresents。“
“I\'mnotathomeyettotownees。“
“Well，hideamongtheruins，andifIcanstopthem，Iwill。“
Hethankedher。
Margaretwentforward，smilingsocially。Shesupposedthatthesewereunpunctualguests，whowouldhavetobecontentwithvicariouscivility，sinceEvieandCharlesweregone，Henrytired，andtheothersintheirrooms。Sheassumedtheairsofahostess；
notforlong。ForoneofthegroupwasHelen——Heleninheroldestclothes，anddominatedbythattense，woundingexcitementthathadmadeheraterrorintheirnurserydays。
“Whatisit？“shecalled。“Oh，what\'swrong？
IsTibbyill？“
Helenspoketohertwocompanions，whofellback。
Thensheboreforwardfuriously。
“They\'restarving！“sheshouted。“Ifoundthemstarving！“
“Who？Whyhaveyoucome？“
“TheBasts。“
“Oh，Helen！“moanedMargaret。“Whateverhaveyoudonenow？“
“Hehaslosthisplace。Hehasbeenturnedoutofhisbank。Yes，he\'sdonefor。Weupperclasseshaveruinedhim，andIsupposeyou\'lltellmeit\'sthebattleoflife。
Starving。Hiswifeisill。Starving。Shefaintedinthetrain。“
“Helen，areyoumad？“
“Perhaps。Yes。Ifyoulike，I\'mmad。
ButI\'vebroughtthem。I\'llstandinjusticenolonger。I\'llshowupthewretchednessthatliesunderthisluxury，thistalkofimpersonalforces，thiscantaboutGoddoingwhatwe\'retooslacktodoourselves。“
“HaveyouactuallybroughttwostarvingpeoplefromLondontoShropshire，Helen？“
Helenwaschecked。Shehadnotthoughtofthis，andherhysteriaabated。“Therewasarestaurantcaronthetrain，“shesaid。
“Don\'tbeabsurd。Theyaren\'tstarving，andyouknowit。Now，beginfromthebeginning。Iwon\'thavesuchtheatricalnonsense。Howdareyou！Yes，howdareyou！“sherepeated，asangerfilledher，“burstingintoEvie\'sweddinginthisheartlessway。Mygoodness！butyou\'veapervertednotionofphilanthropy。
Look“——sheindicatedthehouse——“servants，peopleoutofthewindows。
Theythinkit\'ssomevulgarscandal，andImustexplain，\'Ohno，it\'sonlymysisterscreaming，andonlytwohangers-onofours，whomshehasbroughtherefornoconceivablereason。\'“
“Kindlytakebackthatword\'hangers-on，\'“saidHelen，ominouslycalm。
“Verywell，“concededMargaret，whoforallherwrathwasdeterminedtoavoidarealquarrel。“I，too，amsorryaboutthem，butitbeatsmewhyyou\'vebroughtthemhere，orwhyyou\'rehereyourself。
“It\'sourlastchanceofseeingMr。Wilcox。“
Margaretmovedtowardsthehouseatthis。
ShewasdeterminednottoworryHenry。
“He\'sgoingtoScotland。Iknowheis。
Iinsistonseeinghim。“
“Yes，tomorrow。“
“Iknewitwasourlastchance。“
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Bast？“saidMargaret，tryingtocontrolhervoice。“Thisisanoddbusiness。Whatviewdoyoutakeofit？“
“ThereisMrs。Bast，too，“promptedHelen。
Jackyalsoshookhands。She，likeherhusband，wasshy，and，furthermore，ill，andfurthermore，sobestiallystupidthatshecouldnotgraspwhatwashappening。Sheonlyknewthattheladyhadsweptdownlikeawhirlwindlastnight，hadpaidtherent，redeemedthefurniture，providedthemwithadinnerandbreakfast，andorderedthemtomeetheratPaddingtonnextmorning。Leonardhadfeeblyprotested，andwhenthemorningcame，hadsuggestedthattheyshouldn\'tgo。
Butshe，halfmesmerized，hadobeyed。Theladyhadtoldthemto，andtheymust，andtheirbed-sitting-roomhadaccordinglychangedintoPaddington，andPaddingtonintoarailwaycarriage，thatshook，andgrewhot，andgrewcold，andvanishedentirely，andreappearedamidtorrentsofexpensivescent。“Youhavefainted，“saidtheladyinanawe-struckvoice。“Perhapstheairwilldoyougood。“Andperhapsithad，forhereshewas，feelingratherbetteramongalotofflowers。
“I\'msureIdon\'twanttointrude，“beganLeonard，inanswertoMargaret\'squestion。“ButyouhavebeensokindtomeinthepastinwarningmeaboutthePorphyrionthatIwondered——why，I
wonderedwhether——“
“WhetherwecouldgethimbackintothePorphyrionagain，“suppliedHelen。“Meg，thishasbeenacheerfulbusiness。
Abrightevening\'sworkthatwasonChelseaEmbankment。“
MargaretshookherheadandreturnedtoMr。Bast。
“Idon\'tunderstand。YouleftthePorphyrionbecausewesuggesteditwasabadconcern，didn\'tyou？“
“That\'sright。“
“Andwentintoabankinstead？“
“Itoldyouallthat，“saidHelen；“andtheyreducedtheirstaffafterhehadbeeninamonth，andnowhe\'spenniless，andI
considerthatweandourinformantaredirectlytoblame。“
“Ihateallthis，“Leonardmuttered。
“Ihopeyoudo，Mr。Bast。Butit\'snogoodmincingmatters。Youhavedoneyourselfnogoodbycominghere。
IfyouintendtoconfrontMr。Wilcox，andtocallhimtoaccountforachanceremark，youwillmakeaverygreatmistake。“
“Ibroughtthem。Ididitall，“criedHelen。
“Icanonlyadviseyoutogoatonce。Mysisterhasputyouinafalseposition，anditiskindesttotellyouso。
It\'stoolatetogettotown，butyou\'llfindacomfortablehotelinOniton，whereMrs。Bastcanrest，andIhopeyou\'llbemygueststhere。“
“Thatisn\'twhatIwant，MissSchlegel，“saidLeonard。
“You\'reverykind，andnodoubtit\'safalseposition，butyoumakememiserable。Iseemnogoodatall。“
“It\'sworkhewants，“interpretedHelen。“Can\'tyousee？“
Thenhesaid:“Jacky，let\'sgo。We\'remorebotherthanwe\'reworth。We\'recostingtheseladiespoundsandpoundsalreadytogetworkforus，andtheyneverwill。There\'snothingwe\'regoodenoughtodo。“
“Wewouldliketofindyouwork，“saidMargaretratherconventionally。“Wewantto——I，likemysister。You\'reonlydowninyourluck。Gotothehotel，haveagoodnight\'srest，andsomedayyoushallpaymebackthebill，ifyoupreferit。“
ButLeonardwasneartheabyss，andatsuchmomentsmenseeclearly。“Youdon\'tknowwhatyou\'retalkingabout，“hesaid。
“Ishallnevergetworknow。Ifrichpeoplefailatoneprofession，theycantryanother。NotI。Ihadmygroove，andI\'vegotoutofit。Icoulddooneparticularbranchofinsuranceinoneparticularofficewellenoughtocommandasalary，butthat\'sall。Poetry\'snothing，MissSchlegel。One\'sthoughtsaboutthisandthatarenothing。
Yourmoney，too，isnothing，ifyou\'llunderstandme。Imeanifamanovertwentyonceloseshisownparticularjob，it\'salloverwithhim。
Ihaveseenithappentoothers。Theirfriendsgavethemmoneyforalittle，butintheendtheyfallovertheedge。It\'snogood。
It\'sthewholeworldpulling。Therealwayswillberichandpoor。“
Heceased。
“Won\'tyouhavesomethingtoeat？“saidMargaret。
“Idon\'tknowwhattodo。Itisn\'tmyhouse，andthoughMr。Wilcoxwouldhavebeengladtoseeyouatanyothertime——asIsay，Idon\'tknowwhattodo，butIundertaketodowhatIcanforyou。Helen，offerthemsomething。Dotryasandwich，Mrs。Bast。“
Theymovedtoalongtablebehindwhichaservantwasstillstanding。Icedcakes，sandwichesinnumerable，coffee，claret-cup，champagne，remainedalmostintact:theiroverfedguestscoulddonomore。
Leonardrefused。Jackythoughtshecouldmanagealittle。MargaretleftthemwhisperingtogetherandhadafewmorewordswithHelen。
Shesaid:“Helen，IlikeMr。Bast。Iagreethathe\'sworthhelping。Iagreethatwearedirectlyresponsible。“
“No，indirectly。ViaMr。Wilcox。“
“Letmetellyouonceforallthatifyoutakeupthatattitude，I\'lldonothing。Nodoubtyou\'rerightlogically，andareentitledtosayagreatmanyscathingthingsaboutHenry。
Only，Iwon\'thaveit。Sochoose。
Helenlookedatthesunset。
“IfyoupromisetotakethemquietlytotheGeorge，IwillspeaktoHenryaboutthem——inmyownway，mind；thereistobenoneofthisabsurdscreamingaboutjustice。Ihavenouseforjustice。
Ifitwasonlyaquestionofmoney，wecoulddoitourselves。Buthewantswork，andthatwecan\'tgivehim，butpossiblyHenrycan。“
“It\'shisdutyto，“grumbledHelen。
“NoramIconcernedwithduty。I\'mconcernedwiththecharactersofvariouspeoplewhomweknow，andhow，thingsbeingastheyare，thingsmaybemadealittlebetter。Mr。Wilcoxhatesbeingaskedfavours:allbusinessmendo。ButIamgoingtoaskhim，attheriskofarebuff，becauseIwanttomakethingsalittlebetter。“
“Verywell。Ipromise。Youtakeitverycalmly。“
“TakethemofftotheGeorge，then，andI\'lltry。
Poorcreatures！buttheylooktried。“Astheyparted，sheadded:
“Ihaven\'tnearlydonewithyou，though，Helen。Youhavebeenmostself-indulgent。Ican\'tgetoverit。Youhavelessrestraintratherthanmoreasyougrowolder。Thinkitoverandalteryourself，orweshan\'thavehappylives。“
SherejoinedHenry。Fortunatelyhehadbeensittingdown:thesephysicalmatterswereimportant。“Wasittownees？“
heasked，greetingherwithapleasantsmile。
“You\'llneverbelieveme，“saidMargaret，sittingdownbesidehim。“It\'sallrightnow，butitwasmysister。“
“Helenhere？“hecried，preparingtorise。
“Butsherefusedtheinvitation。Ithoughtshedespisedweddings。“
“Don\'tgetup。Shehasnotcometothewedding。
I\'vebundledherofftotheGeorge。“
Inherentlyhospitable，heprotested。
“No；shehastwoofherproté；gé；swithher，andmustkeepwiththem。“
“Let\'emallcome。“
“MydearHenry，didyouseethem？“
“Ididcatchsightofabrownbunchofawoman，certainly。
“ThebrownbunchwasHelen，butdidyoucatchsightofasea-greenandsalmonbunch？“
“What！aretheyoutbeanfeasting？“
“No；business。Theywantedtoseeme，andlateronIwanttotalktoyouaboutthem。“
Shewasashamedofherowndiplomacy。IndealingwithaWilcox，howtemptingitwastolapsefromcomradeship，andtogivehimthekindofwomanthathedesired！Henrytookthehintatonce，andsaid:“Whylateron？Tellmenow。Notimelikethepresent。“
“ShallI？“
“Ifitisn\'talongstory。“
“Oh，notfiveminutes；butthere\'sastingattheendofit，forIwantyoutofindthemansomeworkinyouroffice。“
“Whatarehisqualifications？“
“Idon\'tknow。He\'saclerk。“
“Howold？“
“Twenty-five，perhaps。“
“What\'shisname？“
“Bast，“saidMargaret，andwasabouttoremindhimthattheyhadmetatWickhamPlace，butstoppedherself。Ithadnotbeenasuccessfulmeeting。
“Wherewashebefore？“
“Dempster\'sBank。“
“Whydidheleave？“heasked，stillrememberingnothing。
“Theyreducedtheirstaff。“
“Allright；I\'llseehim。“
Itwastherewardofhertactanddevotionthroughtheday。Nowsheunderstoodwhysomewomenpreferinfluencetorights。
Mrs。Plynlimmon，whencondemningsuffragettes，hadsaid:“Thewomanwhocan\'tinfluenceherhusbandtovotethewayshewantsoughttobeashamedofherself。“Margarethadwinced，butshewasinfluencingHenrynow，andthoughpleasedatherlittlevictory，sheknewthatshehadwonitbythemethodsoftheharem。
“Ishouldbegladifyoutookhim，“shesaid，“butIdon\'tknowwhetherhe\'squalified。“
“I\'lldowhatIcan。But，Margaret，thismustn\'tbetakenasaprecedent。“
“No，ofcourse——ofcourse——“
“Ican\'tfitinyourproté；gé；severyday。Businesswouldsuffer。“
“Icanpromiseyouhe\'sthelast。He——he\'sratheraspecialcase。“
“Proté；gé；salwaysare。“
Sheletitstandatthat。Herosewithalittleextratouchofcomplacency，andheldouthishandtohelpherup。
HowwidethegulfbetweenHenryashewasandHenryasHelenthoughtheoughttobe！Andsheherself——hoveringasusualbetweenthetwo，nowacceptingmenastheyare，nowyearningwithhersisterforTruth。
LoveandTruth——theirwarfareseemseternal。Perhapsthewholevisibleworldrestsonit，andiftheywereone，lifeitself，likethespiritswhenProsperowasreconciledtohisbrother，mightvanishintoair，intothinair。
“Yourproté；gé；hasmadeuslate，“saidhe。“TheFussellswilljustbestarting。“
Onthewholeshesidedwithmenastheyare。
HenrywouldsavetheBastsashehadsavedHowardsEnd，whileHelenandherfriendswerediscussingtheethicsofsalvation。Hiswasaslap-dashmethod，buttheworldhasbeenbuiltslap-dash，andthebeautyofmountainandriverandsunsetmaybebutthevarnishwithwhichtheunskilledartificerhideshisjoins。Oniton，likeherself，wasimperfect。Itsapple-treeswerestunted，itscastleruinous。It，too，hadsufferedintheborderwarfarebetweentheAngloSaxonandtheKelt，betweenthingsastheyareandastheyoughttobe。Oncemorethewestwasretreating，onceagaintheorderlystarsweredottingtheeasternsky。Thereiscertainlynorestforusontheearth。Butthereishappiness，andasMargaretdescendedthemoundonherlover\'sarm，shefeltthatshewashavinghershare。
Toherannoyance，Mrs。Bastwasstillinthegarden；
thehusbandandHelenhadlefthertheretofinishhermealwhiletheywenttoengagerooms。Margaretfoundthiswomanrepellent。
Shehadfelt，whenshakingherhand，anoverpoweringshame。SherememberedthemotiveofhercallatWickhamPlace，andsmeltagainodoursfromtheabyss——odoursthemoredisturbingbecausetheywereinvoluntary。
FortherewasnomaliceinJacky。Thereshesat，apieceofcakeinonehand，anemptychampagneglassintheother，doingnoharmtoanybody。
“She\'sovertired，“Margaretwhispered。
“She\'ssomethingelse，“saidHenry。“Thiswon\'tdo。Ican\'thaveherinmygardeninthisstate。“
“Isshe——“Margarethesitatedtoadd“drunk。“Nowthatshewasgoingtomarryhim，hehadgrownparticular。Hediscountenancedrisqué；conversationsnow。
Henrywentuptothewoman。Sheraisedherface，whichgleamedinthetwilightlikeapuff-ball。
“Madam，youwillbemorecomfortableatthehotel，“
hesaidsharply。
Jackyreplied:“Ifitisn\'tHen！“
“Necroispasquelemariluiressemble，“apologizedMargaret。“Ilesttoutà；faitdiffé；rent。“
“Henry！“sherepeated，quitedistinctly。
Mr。Wilcoxwasmuchannoyed。“Ican\'tcongratulateyouonyourproté；gé；s，“heremarked。
“Hen，don\'tgo。Youdoloveme，dear，don\'tyou？“
“Blessus，whataperson！“sighedMargaret，gatheringupherskirts。
Jackypointedwithhercake。“You\'reaniceboy，youare。“Sheyawned。“Therenow，Iloveyou。“
“Henry，Iamawfullysorry。“
“Andpraywhy？“heasked，andlookedathersosternlythatshefearedhewasill。Heseemedmorescandalizedthanthefactsdemanded。
“Tohavebroughtthisdownonyou。“
“Praydon\'tapologize。“
Thevoicecontinued。
“Whydoesshecallyou\'Hen\'？“saidMargaretinnocently。
“Hassheeverseenyoubefore？“
“SeenHenbefore！“saidJacky。“Whohasn\'tseenHen？He\'sservingyoulikeme，mydear。Theseboys！
Youwait——Stillwelove\'em。“
“Areyounowsatisfied？“Henryasked。
Margaretbegantogrowfrightened。“Idon\'tknowwhatitisallabout，“shesaid。“Let\'scomein。“
Buthethoughtshewasacting。Hethoughthewastrapped。Hesawhiswholelifecrumbling。“Don\'tyouindeed？“hesaidbitingly。“Ido。Allowmetocongratulateyouonthesuccessofyourplan。“
“ThisisHelen\'splan，notmine。“
“InowunderstandyourinterestintheBasts。
Verywellthoughtout。Iamamusedatyourcaution，Margaret。
Youarequiteright——itwasnecessary。Iamaman，andhavelivedaman\'spast。Ihavethehonourtoreleaseyoufromyourengagement。“
Stillshecouldnotunderstand。Sheknewoflife\'sseamysideasatheory；shecouldnotgraspitasafact。
MorewordsfromJackywerenecessary——wordsunequivocal，undenied。
“Sothat——“burstfromher，andshewentindoors。
Shestoppedherselffromsayingmore。
“Sowhat？“askedColonelFussell，whowasgettingreadytostartinthehall。
“Weweresaying——HenryandIwerejusthavingthefiercestargument，mypointbeing——“Seizinghisfurcoatfromafootman，sheofferedtohelphimon。Heprotested，andtherewasaplayfullittlescene。
“No，letmedothat，“saidHenry，following。
“Thankssomuch！Yousee——hehasforgivenme！“
TheColonelsaidgallantly:“Idon\'texpectthere\'smuchtoforgive。
Hegotintothecar。Theladiesfollowedhimafteraninterval。Maids，courier，andheavierluggagehadbeensentonearlierbythebranch——line。Stillchattering，stillthankingtheirhostandpatronizingtheirfuturehostess，theguestswerehomeaway。
ThenMargaretcontinued:“Sothatwomanhasbeenyourmistress？“
“Youputitwithyourusualdelicacy，“hereplied。
“When，please？“
“Why？“
“When，please？“
“Tenyearsago。“
Shelefthimwithoutaword。Foritwasnothertragedy:itwasMrs。Wilcox\'s。Chapter27Helenbegantowonderwhyshehadspentamatterofeightpoundsinmakingsomepeopleillandothersangry。Nowthatthewaveofexcitementwasebbing，andhadlefther，Mr。Bast，andMrs。BaststrandedforthenightinaShropshirehotel，sheaskedherselfwhatforceshadmadethewaveflow。Atallevents，noharmwasdone。Margaretwouldplaythegameproperlynow，andthoughHelendisapprovedofhersister\'smethods，sheknewthattheBastswouldbenefitbytheminthelongrun。
“Mr。Wilcoxissoillogical，“sheexplainedtoLeonard，whohadputhiswifetobed，andwassittingwithherintheemptycoffee-room。
“Ifwetoldhimitwashisdutytotakeyouon，hemightrefusetodoit。
Thefactis，heisn\'tproperlyeducated。Idon\'twanttosetyouagainsthim，butyou\'llfindhimatrial。“
“Icanneverthankyousufficiently，MissSchlegel，“
wasallthatLeonardfeltequalto。
“Ibelieveinpersonalresponsibility。Don\'tyou？Andinpersonaleverything。Ihate——IsupposeIoughtn\'ttosaythat——buttheWilcoxesareonthewrongtacksurely。Orperhapsitisn\'ttheirfault。Perhapsthelittlethingthatsays\'I\'ismissingoutofthemiddleoftheirheads，andthenit\'sawasteoftimetoblamethem。There\'sanightmareofatheorythatsaysaspecialraceisbeingbornwhichwillruletherestofusinthefuturejustbecauseitlacksthelittlethingthatsays\'I。\'Hadyouheardthat？“
“Igetnotimeforreading。“
“Hadyouthoughtit，then？Thattherearetwokindsofpeople——ourkind，wholivestraightfromthemiddleoftheirheads，andtheotherkindwhocan\'t，becausetheirheadshavenomiddle？
Theycan\'tsay\'I。\'Theyaren\'tinfact，andsothey\'resupermen。
PierpontMorganhasneversaid\'I\'inhislife。“
Leonardrousedhimself。Ifhisbenefactresswantedintellectualconversation，shemusthaveit。Shewasmoreimportantthanhisruinedpast。“InevergotontoNietzsche，“hesaid。“ButIalwaysunderstoodthatthosesupermenwereratherwhatyoumaycallegoists。“
“Oh，no，that\'swrong，“repliedHelen。“Nosupermaneversaid\'Iwant，\'because\'Iwant\'mustleadtothequestion，\'WhoamI？\'andsotoPityandtoJustice。Heonlysays\'want。\'\'WantEurope，\'ifhe\'sNapoleon；\'wantwives，\'ifhe\'sBluebeard；\'wantBotticelli，\'
ifhe\'sPierpontMorgan。Neverthe\'I\'；andifyoucouldpiercethroughhim，you\'dfindpanicandemptinessinthemiddle。“
Leonardwassilentforamoment。Thenhesaid:
“MayItakeit，MissSchlegel，thatyouandIareboththesortthatsay\'I\'？“
“Ofcourse。“
“Andyoursistertoo？“
“Ofcourse，“repeatedHelen，alittlesharply。
ShewasannoyedwithMargaret，butdidnotwantherdiscussed。“Allpresentablepeoplesay\'I。\'“
“ButMr。Wilcox——heisnotperhaps——“
“Idon\'tknowthatit\'sanygooddiscussingMr。
Wilcoxeither。“
“Quiteso，quiteso，“heagreed。Helenaskedherselfwhyshehadsnubbedhim。Onceortwiceduringthedayshehadencouragedhimtocriticize，andthenhadpulledhimupshort。
Wassheafraidofhimpresuming？Ifso，itwasdisgustingofher。
Buthewasthinkingthesnubquitenatural。
Everythingshedidwasnatural，andincapableofcausingoffence。
WhiletheMissSchlegelsweretogetherhehadfeltthemscarcelyhuman——asortofadmonitorywhirligig。ButaMissSchlegelalonewasdifferent。
ShewasinHelen\'scaseunmarried，inMargaret\'sabouttobemarried，inneithercaseanechoofhersister。Alighthadfallenatlastintothisrichupperworld，andhesawthatitwasfullofmenandwomen，someofwhomweremorefriendlytohimthanothers。Helenhadbecome“his“
MissSchlegel，whoscoldedhimandcorrespondedwithhim，andhadsweptdownyesterdaywithgratefulvehemence。Margaret，thoughnotunkind，wassevereandremote。Hewouldnotpresumetohelpher，forinstance。
Hehadneverlikedher，andbegantothinkthathisoriginalimpressionwastrue，andthathersisterdidnotlikehereither。Helenwascertainlylonely。She，whogaveawaysomuch，wasreceivingtoolittle。
LeonardwaspleasedtothinkthathecouldsparehervexationbyholdinghistongueandconcealingwhatheknewaboutMr。Wilcox。Jackyhadannouncedherdiscoverywhenhefetchedherfromthelawn。Afterthefirstshock，hedidnotmindforhimself。Bynowhehadnoillusionsabouthiswife，andthiswasonlyonenewstainonthefaceofalovethathadneverbeenpure。Tokeepperfectionperfect，thatshouldbehisideal，ifthefuturegavehimtimetohaveideals。Helen，andMargaretforHelen\'ssake，mustnotknow。
Helendisconcertedhimbyfumingtheconversationtohiswife。“Mrs。Bast——doessheeversay\'I\'？“sheasked，halfmischievously，andthen，“Issheverytired？“
“It\'sbettershestopsinherroom，“saidLeonard。
“ShallIsitupwithher？“
“No，thankyou；shedoesnotneedcompany。“
“Mr。Bast，whatkindofwomanisyourwife？“
Leonardblusheduptohiseyes。
“Yououghttoknowmywaysbynow。Doesthatquestionoffendyou？“
“No，ohno，MissSchlegel，no。“
“BecauseIlovehonesty。Don\'tpretendyourmarriagehasbeenahappyone。Youandshecanhavenothingincommon。“
Hedidnotdenyit，butsaidshyly:“Isupposethat\'sprettyobvious；butJackynevermeanttodoanybodyanyharm。Whenthingswentwrong，orIheardthings，Iusedtothinkitwasherfault，but，lookingback，it\'smoremine。Ineedn\'thavemarriedher，butasIhaveImuststicktoherandkeepher。“
“Howlonghaveyoubeenmarried？“
“Nearlythreeyears。“
“Whatdidyourpeoplesay？“
“Theywillnothaveanythingtodowithus。
TheyhadasortoffamilycouncilwhentheyheardIwasmarried，andcutusoffaltogether。“
Helenbegantopaceupanddowntheroom。
“Mygoodboy，whatamess！“shesaidgently。“Whoareyourpeople？“
Hecouldanswerthis。Hisparents，whoweredead，hadbeenintrade；hissistershadmarriedcommercialtravellers；
hisbrotherwasalay-reader。
“Andyourgrandparents？“
Leonardtoldherasecretthathehadheldshamefuluptonow。“Theywerejustnothingatall，“hesaid，“——agriculturallabourersandthatsort。“
“So！Fromwhichpart？“
“Lincolnshiremostly，butmymother\'sfather——he，oddlyenough，camefromthesepartsroundhere。“
“FromthisveryShropshire。Yes，thatisodd。
Mymother\'speoplewereLancashire。ButwhydoyourbrotherandyoursistersobjecttoMrs。Bast？“
“Oh，Idon\'tknow。“
“Excuseme，youdoknow。Iamnotababy。
Icanbearanythingyoutellme，andthemoreyoutellthemoreIshallbeabletohelp。Havetheyheardanythingagainsther？“
Hewassilent。
“IthinkIhaveguessednow，“saidHelenverygravely。
“Idon\'tthinkso，MissSchlegel；Ihopenot。“
“Wemustbehonest，evenoverthesethings。
Ihaveguessed。Iamfrightfully，dreadfullysorry，butitdoesnotmaketheleastdifferencetome。Ishallfeeljustthesametobothofyou。Iblame，notyourwifeforthesethings，butmen。“
Leonardleftitatthat——solongasshedidnotguesstheman。Shestoodatthewindowandslowlypulleduptheblinds。
Thehotellookedoveradarksquare。Themistshadbegun。Whensheturnedbacktohimhereyeswereshining。
“Don\'tyouworry，“hepleaded。“Ican\'tbearthat。WeshallbeallrightifIgetwork。IfIcouldonlygetwork——somethingregulartodo。Thenitwouldn\'tbesobadagain。
Idon\'ttroubleafterbooksasIused。Icanimaginethatwithregularworkweshouldsettledownagain。Itstopsonethinking。“
“Settledowntowhat？“
“Oh，justsettledown。“
“Andthat\'stobelife！“saidHelen，withacatchinherthroat。“Howcanyou，withallthebeautifulthingstoseeanddo——withmusic——withwalkingatnight——“
“Walkingiswellenoughwhenaman\'sinwork，“heanswered。“Oh，Ididtalkalotofnonsenseonce，butthere\'snothinglikeabailiffinthehousetodriveitoutofyou。WhenIsawhimfingeringmyRuskinsandStevensons，Iseemedtoseelifestraightreal，anditisn\'taprettysight。Mybooksarebackagain，thankstoyou，butthey\'llneverbethesametomeagain，andIshan\'teveragainthinknightinthewoodsiswonderful。“
“Whynot？“askedHelen，throwingupthewindow。
“BecauseIseeonemusthavemoney。“
“Well，you\'rewrong。“
“IwishIwaswrong，but——theclergyman——hehasmoneyofhisown，orelsehe\'spaid；thepoetorthemusician——justthesame；thetramp——he\'snodifferent。Thetrampgoestotheworkhouseintheend，andispaidforwithotherpeople\'smoney。MissSchlegel，therealthing\'smoneyandalltherestisadream。“
“You\'restillwrong。You\'veforgottenDeath。“
Leonardcouldnotunderstand。
“Ifwelivedforeverwhatyousaywouldbetrue。
Butwehavetodie，wehavetoleavelifepresently。Injusticeandgreedwouldbetherealthingifwelivedforever。Asitis，wemustholdtootherthings，becauseDeathiscoming。IloveDeath——notmorbidly，butbecauseHeexplains。HeshowsmetheemptinessofMoney。
DeathandMoneyaretheeternalfoes。NotDeathandLife。NevermindwhatliesbehindDeath，Mr。Bast，butbesurethatthepoetandthemusicianandthetrampwillbehappierinitthanthemanwhohasneverlearnttosay，\'IamI。\'“
“Iwonder。“
“Weareallinamist——IknowbutIcanhelpyouthisfar——menliketheWilcoxesaredeeperinthemistthanany。
Sane，soundEnglishmen！buildingupempires，levellingalltheworldintowhattheycallcommonsense。ButmentionDeathtothemandthey\'reoffended，becauseDeath\'sreallyImperial，andHecriesoutagainstthemforever。“
“IamasafraidofDeathasanyone。“
“ButnotoftheideaofDeath。“
“Butwhatisthedifference？“
“Infinitedifference，“saidHelen，moregravelythanbefore。
Leonardlookedatherwondering，andhadthesenseofgreatthingssweepingoutoftheshroudednight。Buthecouldnotreceivethem，becausehisheartwasstillfulloflittlethings。
AsthelostumbrellahadspoilttheconcertatQueen\'sHall，sothelostsituationwasobscuringthedivinerharmoniesnow。Death，LifeandMaterialismwerefinewords，butwouldMr。Wilcoxtakehimonasaclerk？
Talkasonewould，Mr。Wilcoxwaskingofthisworld，thesuperman，withhisownmorality，whoseheadremainedintheclouds。
“Imustbestupid，“hesaidapologetically。
WhiletoHelentheparadoxbecameclearerandclearer。
“Deathdestroysaman:theideaofDeathsaveshim。“Behindthecoffinsandtheskeletonsthatstaythevulgarmindliessomethingsoimmensethatallthatisgreatinusrespondstoit。Menoftheworldmayrecoilfromthecharnel-housethattheywillonedayenter，butLoveknowsbetter。
Deathishisfoe，buthispeer，andintheirage-longstrugglethethewsofLovehavebeenstrengthened，andhisvisioncleared，untilthereisnoonewhocanstandagainsthim。
“Sonevergivein，“continuedthegirl，andrestatedagainandagainthevagueyetconvincingpleathattheInvisiblelodgesagainsttheVisible。HerexcitementgrewasshetriedtocuttheropethatfastenedLeonardtotheearth。Wovenofbitterexperience，itresistedher。PresentlythewaitressenteredandgaveheraletterfromMargaret。Anothernote，addressedtoLeonard，wasinside。
Theyreadthem，listeningtothemurmuringsoftheriver。Chapter28FormanyhoursMargaretdidnothing；thenshecontrolledherself，andwrotesomeletters。ShewastoobruisedtospeaktoHenry；shecouldpityhim，andevendeterminetomarryhim，butasyetalllaytoodeepinherheartforspeech。Onthesurfacethesenseofhisdegradationwastoostrong。Shecouldnotcommandvoiceorlook，andthegentlewordsthatsheforcedoutthroughherpenseemedtoproceedfromsomeotherperson。
“Mydearestboy，“shebegan，“thisisnottopartus。Itiseverythingornothing，andImeanittobenothing。
Ithappenedlongbeforeweevermet，andevenifithadhappenedsince，Ishouldbewritingthesame，Ihope。Idounderstand。“
Butshecrossedout“Idounderstand“；itstruckafalsenote。Henrycouldnotbeartobeunderstood。Shealsocrossedout，“Itiseverythingornothing。“Henrywouldresentsostrongagraspofthesituation。Shemustnotcomment；commentisunfeminine。
“Ithinkthat\'llaboutdo，“shethought。
Thenthesenseofhisdegradationchokedher。
Washeworthallthisbother？Tohaveyieldedtoawomanofthatsortwaseverything，yes，itwas，andshecouldnotbehiswife。
Shetriedtotranslatehistemptationintoherownlanguage，andherbrainreeled。Menmustbedifferent，eventowanttoyieldtosuchatemptation。
Herbeliefincomradeshipwasstifled，andshesawlifeasfromthatglasssaloonontheGreatWestern，whichshelteredmaleandfemalealikefromthefreshair。Arethesexesreallyraces，eachwithitsowncodeofmorality，andtheirmutualloveameredeviceofNaturetokeepthingsgoing？Striphumanintercourseoftheproprieties，andisitreducedtothis？Herjudgmenttoldherno。SheknewthatoutofNature\'sdevicewehavebuiltamagicthatwillwinusimmortality。Farmoremysteriousthanthecallofsextosexisthetendernessthatwethrowintothatcall；farwideristhegulfbetweenusandthefarmyardthanbetweenthefarm-yardandthegarbagethatnourishesit。Weareevolving，inwaysthatSciencecannotmeasure，toendsthatTheologydaresnotcontemplate。
“Mendidproduceonejewel，“thegodswillsay，and，saying，willgiveusimmortality。Margaretknewallthis，butforthemomentshecouldnotfeelit，andtransformedthemarriageofEvieandMr。Cahillintoacarnivaloffools，andherownmarriage——toomiserabletothinkofthat，shetoreuptheletter，andthenwroteanother:DearMr。Bast，IhavespokentoMr。Wilcoxaboutyou，asIpromised，andamsorrytosaythathehasnovacancyforyou。Yourstruly，M。J。SchlegelSheenclosedthisinanotetoHelen，overwhichshetooklesstroublethanshemighthavedone；butherheadwasaching，andshecouldnotstoptopickherwords:DearHelen，Givehimthis。TheBastsarenogood。
Henryfoundthewomandrunkonthelawn。Iamhavingaroomgotreadyforyouhere，andwillyoupleasecomeroundatonceongettingthis？
TheBastsarenotatallthetypeweshouldtroubleabout。Imaygoroundtothemmyselfinthemorning，anddoanythingthatisfair。MInwritingthis，Margaretfeltthatshewasbeingpractical。
SomethingmightbearrangedfortheBastslateron，buttheymustbesilencedforthemoment。ShehopedtoavoidaconversationbetweenthewomanandHelen。Sherangthebellforaservant，butnooneansweredit；
Mr。WilcoxandtheWarringtonsweregonetobed，andthekitchenwasabandonedtoSaturnalia。ConsequentlyshewentovertotheGeorgeherself。
Shedidnotenterthehotel，fordiscussionwouldhavebeenperilous，and，sayingthattheletterwasimportant，shegaveittothewaitress。
AssherecrossedthesquareshesawHelenandMr。Bastlookingoutofthewindowofthecoffee-room，andfearedshewasalreadytoolate。Hertaskwasnotyetover；sheoughttotellHenrywhatshehaddone。
Thiscameeasily，forshesawhiminthehall。
Thenightwindhadbeenrattlingthepicturesagainstthewall，andthenoisehaddisturbedhim。
“Who\'sthere？“hecalled，quitethehouseholder。
Margaretwalkedinandpasthim。
“IhaveaskedHelentosleep，“shesaid。“Sheisbesthere；sodon\'tlockthefront-door。“
“Ithoughtsomeonehadgotin，“saidHenry。
“AtthesametimeItoldthemanthatwecoulddonothingforhim。Idon\'tknowaboutlater，butnowtheBastsmustclearlygo。“
“Didyousaythatyoursisterissleepinghere，afterall？“
“Probably。“
“Isshetobeshownuptoyourroom？“
“Ihavenaturallynothingtosaytoher；Iamgoingtobed。WillyoutelltheservantsaboutHelen？Couldsomeonegotocarryherbag？“
Hetappedalittlegong，whichhadbeenboughttosummontheservants。
“Youmustmakemorenoisethanthatifyouwantthemtohear。“
Henryopenedadoor，anddownthecorridorcameshoutsoflaughter。“Fartoomuchscreamingthere，“hesaid，andstrodetowardsit。Margaretwentupstairs，uncertainwhethertobegladthattheyhadmet，orsorry。Theyhadbehavedasifnothinghadhappened，andherdeepestinstinctstoldherthatthiswaswrong。
Forhisownsake，someexplanationwasdue。
Andyet——whatcouldanexplanationtellher？
Adate，aplace，afewdetails，whichshecouldimaginealltooclearly。
Nowthatthefirstshockwasover，shesawthattherewaseveryreasontopremiseaMrs。Bast。Henry\'sinnerlifehadlonglaidopentoher——hisintellectualconfusion，hisobtusenesstopersonalinfluence，hisstrongbutfurtivepassions。Shouldsherefusehimbecausehisouterlifecorresponded？Perhaps。Perhaps，ifthedishonourhadbeendonetoher，butitwasdonelongbeforeherday。Shestruggledagainstthefeeling。ShetoldherselfthatMrs。Wilcox\'swrongwasherown。Butshewasnotabargaintheorist。Assheundressed，heranger，herregardforthedead，herdesireforascene，allgrewweak。
Henrymusthaveitasheliked，forshelovedhim，andsomedayshewoulduseherlovetomakehimabetterman。
Pitywasatthebottomofheractionsallthroughthiscrisis。Pity，ifonemaygeneralize，isatthebottomofwoman。
Whenmenlikeus，itisforourbetterqualities，andhowevertendertheirliking，wedarenotbeunworthyofit，ortheywillquietlyletusgo。
Butunworthinessstimulateswoman。Itbringsoutherdeepernature，forgoodorforevil。
Herewasthecoreofthequestion。Henrymustbeforgiven，andmadebetterbylove；nothingelsemattered。Mrs。
Wilcox，thatunquietyetkindlyghost，mustbelefttoherownwrong。
Tohereverythingwasinproportionnow，andshe，too，wouldpitythemanwhowasblunderingupanddowntheirlives。HadMrs。Wilcoxknownofhistrespass？Aninterestingquestion，butMargaretfellasleep，tetheredbyaffection，andlulledbythemurmursoftheriverthatdescendedallthenightfromWales。Shefeltherselfatonewithherfuturehome，colouringitandcolouredbyit，andawoketosee，forthesecondtime，OnitonCastleconqueringthemorningmists。Chapter29“Henrydear——“washergreeting。
Hehadfinishedhisbreakfast，andwasbeginningtheTimes。Hissister-in-lawwaspacking。Shekneltbyhimandtookthepaperfromhim，feelingthatitwasunusuallyheavyandthick。Then，puttingherfacewhereithadbeen，shelookedupinhiseyes。
“Henrydear，lookatme。No，Iwon\'thaveyoushirking。Lookatme。There。That\'sall。“
“You\'rereferringtolastevening，“hesaidhuskily。
“Ihavereleasedyoufromyourengagement。Icouldfindexcuses，butIwon\'t。No，Iwon\'t。Athousandtimesno。I\'mabadlot，andmustbeleftatthat。“
Expelledfromhisoldfortress，Mr。Wilcoxwasbuildinganewone。Hecouldnolongerappearrespectabletoher，sohedefendedhimselfinsteadinaluridpast。Itwasnottruerepentance。
“Leaveitwhereyouwill，boy。It\'snotgoingtotroubleus:IknowwhatI\'mtalkingabout，anditwillmakenodifference。“
“Nodifference？“heinquired。“Nodifference，whenyoufindthatIamnotthefellowyouthought？“HewasannoyedwithMissSchlegelhere。Hewouldhavepreferredhertobeprostratedbytheblow，oreventorage。Againstthetideofhissinflowedthefeelingthatshewasnotaltogetherwomanly。Hereyesgazedtoostraight；theyhadreadbooksthataresuitableformenonly。Andthoughhehaddreadedascene，andthoughshehaddeterminedagainstone，therewasascene，allthesame。Itwassomehowimperative。
“Iamunworthyofyou，“hebegan。“HadIbeenworthy，Ishouldnothavereleasedyoufromyourengagement。IknowwhatIamtalkingabout。Ican\'tbeartotalkofsuchthings。
Wehadbetterleaveit。“
Shekissedhishand。Hejerkeditfromher，and，risingtohisfeet，wenton:“You，withyourshelteredlife，andrefinedpursuits，andfriends，andbooks，youandyoursister，andwomenlikeyou——I
say，howcanyouguessthetemptationsthatlieroundaman？“
“Itisdifficultforus，“saidMargaret；“butifweareworthmarrying，wedoguess。“
“Cutofffromdecentsocietyandfamilyties，whatdoyousupposehappenstothousandsofyoungfellowsoverseas？Isolated。
Noonenear。Iknowbybitterexperience，andyetyousayitmakes\'nodifference。\'“
“Nottome。“
Helaughedbitterly。Margaretwenttotheside-boardandhelpedherselftooneofthebreakfastdishes。Beingthelastdown，sheturnedoutthespirit-lampthatkeptthemwarm。
Shewastender，butgrave。SheknewthatHenrywasnotsomuchconfessinghissoulaspointingoutthegulfbetweenthemalesoulandthefemale，andshedidnotdesiretohearhimonthispoint。
“DidHelencome？“sheasked。
Heshookhishead。
“Butthatwon\'tdoatall，atall！Wedon\'twanthergossipingwithMrs。Bast。“
“GoodGod！no！“heexclaimed，suddenlynatural。
Thenhecaughthimselfup。“Letthemgossip。Mygame\'sup，thoughIthankyouforyourunselfishness——littleasmythanksareworth。“
“Didn\'tshesendmeamessageoranything？“
“Iheardofnone。“
“Wouldyouringthebell，please？“
“Whattodo？“
“Why，toinquire。“
Heswaggereduptoittragically，andsoundedapeal。Margaretpouredherselfoutsomecoffee。Thebutlercame，andsaidthatMissSchlegelhadsleptattheGeorge，sofarashehadheard。
ShouldhegoroundtotheGeorge？
“I\'llgo，thankyou，“saidMargaret，anddismissedhim。
“Itisnogood，“saidHenry。“Thosethingsleakout；youcannotstopastoryonceithasstarted。Ihaveknowncasesofothermen——Idespisedthemonce，IthoughtthatI\'mdifferent，Ishallneverbetempted。Oh，Margaret——“Hecameandsatdownnearher，improvisingemotion。Shecouldnotbeartolistentohim。
“Wefellowsallcometogriefonceinourtime。Willyoubelievethat？Therearemomentswhenthestrongestman——\'Lethimwhostandeth，takeheedlesthefall。\'That\'strue，isn\'tit？Ifyouknewall，youwouldexcuseme。Iwasfarfromgoodinfluences——farevenfromEngland。Iwasvery，verylonely，andlongedforawoman\'svoice。
That\'senough。Ihavetoldyoutoomuchalreadyforyoutoforgivemenow。“
“Yes，that\'senough，dear。“
“Ihave“——heloweredhisvoice——“Ihavebeenthroughhell。“
Gravelysheconsideredthisclaim。Hadhe？