Hadhesufferedtorturesofremorse，orhaditbeen，“There！that\'sover。Nowforrespectablelifeagain“？Thelatter，ifshereadhimrightly。Amanwhohasbeenthroughhelldoesnotboastofhisvirility。Heishumbleandhidesit，if，indeed，itstillexists。
Onlyinlegenddoesthesinnercomeforthpenitent，butterrible，toconquerpurewomanbyhisresistlesspower。Henrywasanxioustobeterrible，buthadnotgotitinhim。HewasagoodaverageEnglishman，whohadslipped。Thereallyculpablepoint——hisfaithlessnesstoMrs。
Wilcox——neverseemedtostrikehim。ShelongedtomentionMrs。Wilcox。
Andbitbybitthestorywastoldher。Itwasaverysimplestory。Tenyearsagowasthetime，agarrisontowninCyprustheplace。Nowandthenheaskedherwhethershecouldpossiblyforgivehim，andsheanswered，“Ihavealreadyforgivenyou，Henry。“
Shechoseherwordscarefully，andsosavedhimfrompanic。Sheplayedthegirl，untilhecouldrebuildhisfortressandhidehissoulfromtheworld。Whenthebutlercametoclearaway，Henrywasinaverydifferentmood——askedthefellowwhathewasinsuchahurryfor，complainedofthenoiselastnightintheservants\'hall。Margaretlookedintentlyatthebutler。He，asahandsomeyoungman，wasfaintlyattractivetoherasawoman——anattractionsofaintasscarcelytobeperceptible，yettheskieswouldhavefallenifshehadmentionedittoHenry。
OnherreturnfromtheGeorgethebuildingoperationswerecomplete，andtheoldHenryfrontedher，competent，cynical，andkind。
Hehadmadeacleanbreast，hadbeenforgiven，andthegreatthingnowwastoforgethisfailure，andtosenditthewayofotherunsuccessfulinvestments。JackyrejoinedHowardsEndandDucieStreet，andthevermilionmotor-car，andtheArgentineHardDollars，andallthethingsandpeopleforwhomhehadneverhadmuchuseandhadlessnow。Theirmemoryhamperedhim。HecouldscarcelyattendtoMargaretwhobroughtbackdisquietingnewsfromtheGeorge。Helenandherclientshadgone。
“Well，letthemgo——themanandhiswife，Imean，forthemoreweseeofyoursisterthebetter。“
“Buttheyhavegoneseparately——Helenveryearly，theBastsjustbeforeIarrived。Theyhaveleftnomessage。
Theyhaveansweredneitherofmynotes。Idon\'tliketothinkwhatitallmeans。“
“Whatdidyousayinthenotes？“
“Itoldyoulastnight。“
“Oh——ah——yes！Dear，wouldyoulikeoneturninthegarden？“
Margarettookhisarm。Thebeautifulweathersoothedher。ButthewheelsofEvie\'sweddingwerestillatwork，tossingtheguestsoutwardsasdeftlyastheyhaddrawnthemin，andshecouldnotbewithhimlong。IthadbeenarrangedthattheyshouldmotortoShrewsbury，whencehewouldgonorth，andshebacktoLondonwiththeWarringtons。Forafractionoftimeshewashappy。Thenherbrainrecommenced。
“IamafraidtherehasbeengossipingofsomekindattheGeorge。Helenwouldnothaveleftunlessshehadheardsomething。
Imismanagedthat。Itiswretched。Ioughtto——havepartedherfromthatwomanatonce。
“Margaret！“heexclaimed，loosingherarmimpressively。
“Yes——yes，Henry？“
“Iamfarfromasaint——infact，thereverse——butyouhavetakenme，forbetterorworse。Bygonesmustbebygones。
Youhavepromisedtoforgiveme。Margaret，apromiseisapromise。
Nevermentionthatwomanagain。“
“Exceptforsomepracticalreason——never。“
“Practical！Youpractical！“
“Yes，I\'mpractical，“shemurmured，stoopingoverthemowing-machineandplayingwiththegrasswhichtrickledthroughherfingerslikesand。
Hehadsilencedher，butherfearsmadehimuneasy。
Notforthefirsttime，hewasthreatenedwithblackmail。Hewasrichandsupposedtobemoral；theBastsknewthathewasnot，andmightfinditprofitabletohintasmuch。
“Atallevents，youmustn\'tworry，“hesaid。
“Thisisaman\'sbusiness。“Hethoughtintently。“Onnoaccountmentionittoanybody。“
Margaretflushedatadvicesoelementary，buthewasreallypavingthewayforalie。IfnecessaryhewoulddenythathehadeverknownMrs。Bast，andprosecuteherforlibel。Perhapsheneverhadknownher。HerewasMargaret，whobehavedasifhehadnot。Therethehouse。Roundthemwerehalfadozengardeners，clearingupafterhisdaughter\'swedding。Allwassosolidandspruce，thatthepastflewupoutofsightlikeaspring-blind，leavingonlythelastfiveminutesunrolled。
Glancingatthese，hesawthatthecarwouldberoundduringthenextfive，andplungedintoaction。Gongsweretapped，ordersissued，Margaretwassenttodress，andthehousemaidtosweepupthelongtrickleofgrassthatshehadleftacrossthehall。AsisMantotheUniverse，sowasthemindofMr。Wilcoxtothemindsofsomemen——aconcentratedlightuponatinyspot，alittleTenMinutesmovingself-containedthroughitsappointedyears。NoPaganhe，wholivesfortheNow，andmaybewiserthanallphilosophers。Helivedforthefiveminutesthathavepast，andthefivetocome；hehadthebusinessmind。
Howdidhestandnow，ashismotorslippedoutofOnitonandbreastedthegreatroundhills？Margarethadheardacertainrumour，butwasallright。Shehadforgivenhim，Godblessher，andhefeltthemanlierforit。CharlesandEviehadnotheardit，andnevermusthear。NomoremustPaul。Overhischildrenhefeltgreattenderness，whichhedidnottrytotracktoacause:Mrs。Wilcoxwastoofarbackinhislife。HedidnotconnectherwiththesuddenachinglovethathefeltforEvie。PoorlittleEvie！hetrustedthatCahillwouldmakeheradecenthusband。
AndMargaret？Howdidshestand？
Shehadseveralminorworries。Clearlyhersisterhadheardsomething。Shedreadedmeetingherintown。
AndshewasanxiousaboutLeonard，forwhomtheycertainlywereresponsible。
NoroughtMrs。Basttostarve。Butthemainsituationhadnotaltered。
ShestilllovedHenry。Hisactions，nothisdisposition，haddisappointedher，andshecouldbearthat。Andshelovedherfuturehome。
Standingupinthecar，justwhereshehadleaptfromittwodaysbefore，shegazedbackwithdeepemotionuponOniton。BesidestheGrangeandtheCastlekeep，shecouldnowpickoutthechurchandtheblack-and-whitegablesoftheGeorge。Therewasthebridge，andtherivernibblingitsgreenpeninsula。Shecouldevenseethebathing-shed，butwhileshewaslookingforCharles\'snewspringboard，theforeheadofthehillroseupandhidthewholescene。
Sheneversawitagain。DayandnighttheriverflowsdownintoEngland，dayafterdaythesunretreatsintotheWelshmountains，andthetowerchimes，“SeetheConqueringHero。“ButtheWilcoxeshavenopartintheplace，norinanyplace。Itisnottheirnamesthatrecurintheparishregister。Itisnottheirghoststhatsighamongthealdersatevening。Theyhavesweptintothevalleyandsweptoutofit，leavingalittledustandalittlemoneybehind。Chapter30TibbywasnowapproachinghislastyearatOxford。Hehadmovedoutofcollege，andwascontemplatingtheUniverse，orsuchportionsofitasconcernedhim，fromhiscomfortablelodgingsinLongWall。Hewasnotconcernedwithmuch。Whenayoungmanisuntroubledbypassionsandsincerelyindifferenttopublicopinion，hisoutlookisnecessarilylimited。Tibbyneitherwishedtostrengthenthepositionoftherichnortoimprovethatofthepoor，andsowaswellcontenttowatchtheelmsnoddingbehindthemildlyembattledparapetsofMagdalen。Thereareworselives。Thoughselfish，hewasnevercruel；thoughaffectedinmanner，heneverposed。LikeMargaret，hedisdainedtheheroicequipment，anditwasonlyaftermanyvisitsthatmendiscoveredSchlegeltopossessacharacterandabrain。HehaddonewellinMods，muchtothesurpriseofthosewhoattendedlecturesandtookproperexercise，andwasnowglancingdisdainfullyatChineseincaseheshouldsomedayconsenttoqualifyasaStudentInterpreter。TohimthusemployedHelenentered。Atelegramhadprecededher。
Henoticed，inadistantway，thathissisterhadaltered。Asarulehefoundhertoopronounced，andhadnevercomeacrossthislookofappeal，patheticyetdignified——thelookofasailorwhohaslosteverythingatsea。
“IhavecomefromOniton，“shebegan。“Therehasbeenagreatdealoftroublethere。“
“Who\'sforlunch？“saidTibby，pickinguptheclaret，whichwaswarminginthehearth。Helensatdownsubmissivelyatthetable。“Whysuchanearlystart？“heasked。
“Sunriseorsomething——whenIcouldgetaway。“
“SoIsurmise。Why？“
“Idon\'tknowwhat\'stobedone，Tibby。I
amverymuchupsetatapieceofnewsthatconcernsMeg，anddonotwanttofaceher，andIamnotgoingbacktoWickhamPlace。Istoppedheretotellyouthis。“
Thelandladycameinwiththecutlets。TibbyputamarkerintheleavesofhisChineseGrammarandhelpedthem。
Oxford——theOxfordofthevacation——dreamedandrustledoutside，andindoorsthelittlefirewascoatedwithgreywherethesunshinetouchedit。
Helencontinuedheroddstory。
“GiveMegmyloveandsaythatIwanttobealone。
ImeantogotoMunichorelseBonn。“
“Suchamessageiseasilygiven，“saidherbrother。
“AsregardsWickhamPlaceandmyshareofthefurniture，youandshearetodoexactlyasyoulike。Myownfeelingisthateverythingmayjustaswellbesold。Whatdoesonewantwithdustyeconomic，books，whichhavemadetheworldnobetter，orwithmother\'shideouschiffoniers？Ihavealsoanothercommissionforyou。
Iwantyoutodeliveraletter。“Shegotup。“Ihaven\'twrittenityet。Whyshouldn\'tIpostit，though？“Shesatdownagain。
“Myheadisratherwretched。Ihopethatnoneofyourfriendsarelikelytocomein。“
Tibbylockedthedoor。Hisfriendsoftenfounditinthiscondition。ThenheaskedwhetheranythinghadgonewrongatEvie\'swedding。
“Notthere，“saidHelen，andburstintotears。
Hehadknownherhysterical——itwasoneofheraspectswithwhichhehadnoconcern——andyetthesetearstouchedhimassomethingunusual。Theywerenearerthethingsthatdidconcernhim，suchasmusic。Helaiddownhisknifeandlookedathercuriously。
Then，asshecontinuedtosob，hewentonwithhislunch。
Thetimecameforthesecondcourse，andshewasstillcrying。AppleCharlottewastofollow，whichspoilsbywaiting。
“DoyoumindMrs。Martlettcomingin？“heasked，“orshallItakeitfromheratthedoor？“
“CouldIbathemyeyes，Tibby？“
Hetookhertohisbedroom，andintroducedthepuddinginherabsence。Havinghelpedhimself，heputitdowntowarminthehearth。HishandstretchedtowardstheGrammar，andsoonhewasturningoverthepages，raisinghiseyebrowsscornfully，perhapsathumannature，perhapsatChinese。TohimthusemployedHelenreturned。
Shehadpulledherselftogether，butthegraveappealhadnotvanishedfromhereyes。
“Nowfortheexplanation，“shesaid。“Whydidn\'tIbeginwithit？IhavefoundoutsomethingaboutMr。Wilcox。
Hehasbehavedverywronglyindeed，andruinedtwopeople\'slives。
Itallcameonmeverysuddenlylastnight；Iamverymuchupset，andI
donotknowwhattodo。Mrs。Bast——“
“Oh，thosepeople！“
Helenseemedsilenced。
“ShallIlockthedooragain？“
“No，thanks，Tibbikins。You\'rebeingverygoodtome。IwanttotellyouthestorybeforeIgoabroad。
Youmustdoexactlywhatyoulike——treatitaspartofthefurniture。
Megcannothaveheardityet，Ithink。ButIcannotfaceherandtellherthatthemansheisgoingtomarryhasmisconductedhimself。
Idon\'tevenknowwhethersheoughttobetold。KnowingasshedoesthatIdislikehim，shewillsuspectme，andthinkthatIwanttoruinhermatch。Isimplydon\'tknowwhattomakeofsuchathing。
Itrustyourjudgment。Whatwouldyoudo？“
“Igatherhehashadamistress，“saidTibby。
Helenflushedwithshameandanger。“Andruinedtwopeople\'slives。Andgoesaboutsayingthatpersonalactionscountfornothing，andtherealwayswillberichandpoor。HemetherwhenhewastryingtogetrichoutinCyprus——Idon\'twishtomakehimworsethanheis，andnodoubtshewasreadyenoughtomeethim。Butthereitis。Theymet。Hegoeshiswayandshegoeshers。Whatdoyousupposeistheendofsuchwomen？“
Heconcededthatitwasabadbusiness。
“Theyendintwoways:Eithertheysinktillthelunaticasylumsandtheworkhousesarefullofthem，andcauseMr。Wilcoxtowriteletterstothepaperscomplainingofournationaldegeneracy，orelsetheyentrapaboyintomarriagebeforeitistoolate。She——I
can\'tblameher。
“Butthisisn\'tall，“shecontinuedafteralongpause，duringwhichthelandladyservedthemwithcoffee。“IcomenowtothebusinessthattookustoOniton。Wewentallthree。
ActingonMr。Wilcox\'sadvice，themanthrowsupasecuresituationandtakesaninsecureone，fromwhichheisdismissed。Therearecertainexcuses，butinthemainMr。Wilcoxistoblame，asMegherselfadmitted。
Itisonlycommonjusticethatheshouldemploythemanhimself。
Buthemeetsthewoman，and，likethecurthatheis，herefuses，andtriestogetridofthem。HemakesMegwrite。Twonotescamefromherlatethatevening——oneforme，oneforLeonard，dismissinghimwithbarelyareason。Icouldn\'tunderstand。ThenitcomesoutthatMrs。BasthadspokentoMr。Wilcoxonthelawnwhilewelefthertogetrooms，andwasstillspeakingabouthimwhenLeonardcamebacktoher。
ThisLeonardknewallalong。Hethoughtitnaturalheshouldberuinedtwice。Natural！Couldyouhavecontainedyourself？。
“Itiscertainlyaverybadbusiness，“saidTibby。
Hisreplyseemedtocalmhissister。“IwasafraidthatIsawitoutofproportion。Butyouarerightoutsideit，andyoumustknow。Inadayortwo——orperhapsaweek——takewhateverstepsyouthinkfit。Ileaveitinyourhands。“
Sheconcludedhercharge。
“ThefactsastheytouchMegareallbeforeyou，“
sheadded；andTibbysighedandfeltitratherhardthat，becauseofhisopenmind，heshouldbeempanelledtoserveasajuror。Hehadneverbeeninterestedinhumanbeings，forwhichonemustblamehim，buthehadhadrathertoomuchofthematWickhamPlace。Justassomepeopleceasetoattendwhenbooksarementioned，soTibby\'sattentionwanderedwhen“personalrelations“cameunderdiscussion。OughtMargarettoknowwhatHelenknewtheBaststoknow？Similarquestionshadvexedhimfrominfancy，andatOxfordhehadlearnedtosaythattheimportanceofhumanbeingshasbeenvastlyoverratedbyspecialists。Theepigram，withitsfaintwhiffoftheeighties，meantnothing。Buthemighthaveletitoffnowifhissisterhadnotbeenceaselesslybeautiful。
“Yousee，Helen——haveacigarette——Idon\'tseewhatI\'mtodo。“
“Thenthere\'snothingtobedone。Idaresayyouareright。Letthemmarry。Thereremainsthequestionofcompensation。“
“Doyouwantmetoadjudicatethattoo？Hadyounotbetterconsultanexpert？“
“Thispartisinconfidence，“saidHelen。
“IthasnothingtodowithMeg，anddonotmentionittoher。Thecompensation——IdonotseewhoistopayitifIdon\'t，andIhavealreadydecidedontheminimumsum。AssoonaspossibleIamplacingittoyouraccount，andwhenIaminGermanyyouwillpayitoverforme。
Ishallneverforgetyourkindness，Tibbikins，ifyoudothis。“
“Whatisthesum？“
“Fivethousand。“
“GoodGodalive！“saidTibby，andwentcrimson。
“Now，whatisthegoodofdriblets？Togothroughlifehavingdoneonething——tohaveraisedonepersonfromtheabyss:notthesepunygiftsofshillingsandblankets——makingthegreymoregrey。Nodoubtpeoplewillthinkmeextraordinary。“
“Idon\'tcareadamnwhatpeoplethink！“criedhe，heatedtounusualmanlinessofdiction。“Butit\'shalfwhatyouhave。“
“Notnearlyhalf。“Shespreadoutherhandsoverhersoiledskirt。“Ihavefartoomuch，andwesettledatChelsealastspringthatthreehundredayearisnecessarytosetamanonhisfeet。WhatIgivewillbringinahundredandfiftybetweentwo。
Itisn\'tenough。“
Hecouldnotrecover。Hewasnotangryorevenshocked，andhesawthatHelenwouldstillhaveplentytoliveon。
Butitamazedhimtothinkwhathaycockspeoplecanmakeoftheirlives。
Hisdelicateintonationswouldnotwork，andhecouldonlyblurtoutthatthefivethousandpoundswouldmeanagreatdealofbotherforhimpersonally。
“Ididn\'texpectyoutounderstandme。“
“I？Iunderstandnobody。“
“Butyou\'lldoit？“
“Apparently。“
“Ileaveyoutwocommissions，then。ThefirstconcernsMr。Wilcox，andyouaretouseyourdiscretion。Thesecondconcernsthemoney，andistobementionedtonoone，andcarriedoutliterally。
Youwillsendahundredpoundsonaccounttomorrow。“
Hewalkedwithhertothestation，passingthroughthosestreetswhoseserriedbeautyneverbewilderedhimandneverfatigued。
Thelovelycreatureraiseddomesandspiresintothecloudlessblue，andonlytheganglionofvulgarityroundCarfaxshowedhowevanescentwasthephantom，howfaintitsclaimtorepresentEngland。Helen，rehearsinghercommission，noticednothing:theBastswereinherbrain，andsheretoldthecrisisinameditativeway，whichmighthavemadeothermencurious。
Shewasseeingwhetheritwouldhold。HeaskedheroncewhyshehadtakentheBastsrightintotheheartofEvie\'swedding。Shestoppedlikeafrightenedanimalandsaid，“Doesthatseemtoyousoodd？“
Hereyes，thehandlaidonthemouth，quitehauntedhim，untiltheywereabsorbedintothefigureofSt。MarytheVirgin，beforewhomhepausedforamomentonthewalkhome。
Itisconvenienttofollowhiminthedischargeofhisduties。Margaretsummonedhimthenextday。ShewasterrifiedatHelen\'sflight，andhehadtosaythatshehadcalledinatOxford。Thenshesaid:“DidsheseemworriedatanyrumouraboutHenry？“Heanswered，“Yes。““Iknewitwasthat！“sheexclaimed。
“I\'llwritetoher。“Tibbywasrelieved。
HethensentthechequetotheaddressthatHelengavehim，andstatedthatlateronhewasinstructedtoforwardfivethousandpounds。Ananswercameback，verycivilandquietintone——suchananswerasTibbyhimselfwouldhavegiven。Thechequewasreturned，thelegacyrefused，thewriterbeinginnoneedofmoney。TibbyforwardedthistoHelen，addinginthefulnessofhisheartthatLeonardBastseemedsomewhatamonumentalpersonafterall。Helen\'sreplywasfrantic。
Hewastotakenonotice。Hewastogodownatonceandsaythatshecommandedacceptance。Hewent。Ascurfofbooksandchinaornamentsawaitedthem。TheBastshadjustbeenevictedfornotpayingtheirrent，andhadwanderednooneknewwhither。Helenhadbegunbunglingwithhermoneybythistime，andhadevensoldouthersharesintheNottinghamandDerbyRailway。Forsomeweeksshedidnothing。
Thenshereinvested，and，owingtothegoodadviceofherstockbrokers，becameratherricherthanshehadbeenbefore。Chapter31Houseshavetheirownwaysofdying，fallingasvariouslyasthegenerationsofmen，somewithatragicroar，somequietly，buttoanafter-lifeinthecityofghosts，whilefromothers——andthuswasthedeathofWickhamPlace——thespiritslipsbeforethebodyperishes。Ithaddecayedinthespring，disintegratingthegirlsmorethantheyknew，andcausingeithertoaccostunfamiliarregions。BySeptemberitwasacorpse，voidofemotion，andscarcelyhallowedbythememoriesofthirtyyearsofhappiness。Throughitsround-toppeddoorwaypassedfurniture，andpictures，andbooks，untilthelastroomwasguttedandthelastvanhadrumbledaway。Itstoodforaweekortwolonger，open-eyed，asifastonishedatitsownemptiness。Thenitfell。Navviescame，andspiltitbackintothegrey。Withtheirmusclesandtheirbeerygoodtemper，theywerenottheworstofundertakersforahousewhichhadalwaysbeenhuman，andhadnotmistakencultureforanend。
Thefurniture，withafewexceptions，wentdownintoHertfordshire，Mr。WilcoxhavingmostkindlyofferedHowardsEndasawarehouse。Mr。Brycehaddiedabroad——anunsatisfactoryaffair——andasthereseemedlittleguaranteethattherentwouldbepaidregularly，hecancelledtheagreement，andresumedpossessionhimself。Untilhereletthehouse，theSchlegelswerewelcometostacktheirfurnitureinthegarageandlowerrooms。Margaretdemurred，butTibbyacceptedtheoffergladly；itsavedhimfromcomingtoanydecisionaboutthefuture。
TheplateandthemorevaluablepicturesfoundasaferhomeinLondon，butthebulkofthethingswentcountry-ways，andwereentrustedtotheguardianshipofMissAvery。
Shortlybeforethemove，ourheroandheroineweremarried。Theyhaveweatheredthestorm，andmayreasonablyexpectpeace。Tohavenoillusionsandyettolove——whatstrongersuretycanawomanfind？Shehadseenherhusband\'spastaswellashisheart。Sheknewherownheartwithathoroughnessthatcommonplacepeoplebelieveimpossible。TheheartofMrs。Wilcoxwasalonehidden，andperhapsitissuperstitioustospeculateonthefeelingsofthedead。
Theyweremarriedquietly——reallyquietly，forasthedayapproachedsherefusedtogothroughanotherOniton。Herbrothergaveheraway，heraunt，whowasoutofhealth，presidedoverafewcolourlessrefreshments。
TheWilcoxeswererepresentedbyCharles，whowitnessedthemarriagesettlement，andbyMr。Cahill。Pauldidsendacablegram。Inafewminutes，andwithouttheaidofmusic，theclergymanmadethemmanandwife，andsoontheglassshadehadfallenthatcutsoffmarriedcouplesfromtheworld。She，amonogamist，regrettedthecessationofsomeoflife\'sinnocentodours；he，whoseinstinctswerepolygamous，feltmorallybracedbythechange，andlessliabletothetemptationsthathadassailedhiminthepast。
TheyspenttheirhoneymoonnearInnsbruck。
Henryknewofareliablehotelthere，andMargarethopedforameetingwithhersister。Inthisshewasdisappointed。Astheycamesouth，HelenretreatedovertheBrenner，andwroteanunsatisfactorypostcardfromtheshoresoftheLakeofGarda，sayingthatherplanswereuncertainandhadbetterbeignored。EvidentlyshedislikedmeetingHenry。
Twomonthsaresurelyenoughtoaccustomanoutsidertoasituationwhichawifehasacceptedintwodays，andMargarethadagaintoregrethersister\'slackofself-control。Inalonglettershepointedouttheneedofcharityinsexualmatters:solittleisknownaboutthem；itishardenoughforthosewhoarepersonallytouchedtojudge；thenhowfutilemustbetheverdictofSociety。“Idon\'tsaythereisnostandard，forthatwoulddestroymorality；onlythattherecanbenostandarduntilourimpulsesareclassifiedandbetterunderstood。“Helenthankedherforherkindletter——ratheracuriousreply。Shemovedsouthagain，andspokeofwinteringinNaples。
Mr。Wilcoxwasnotsorrythatthemeetingfailed。
Helenlefthimtimetogrowskinoverhiswound。Therewerestillmomentswhenitpainedhim。HadheonlyknownthatMargaretwasawaitinghim——Margaret，solivelyandintelligent，andyetsosubmissive——hewouldhavekepthimselfworthierofher。Incapableofgroupingthepast，heconfusedtheepisodeofJackywithanotherepisodethathadtakenplaceinthedaysofhisbachelorhood。Thetwomadeonecropofwildoats，forwhichhewasheartilysorry，andhecouldnotseethatthoseoatsareofadarkerstockwhicharerootedinanother\'sdishonour。UnchastityandinfidelitywereasconfusedtohimastotheMiddleAges，hisonlymoralteacher。RuthpooroldRuth！didnotenterintohiscalculationsatall，forpooroldRuthhadneverfoundhimout。
Hisaffectionforhispresentwifegrewsteadily。
Herclevernessgavehimnotrouble，and，indeed，helikedtoseeherreadingpoetryorsomethingaboutsocialquestions；itdistinguishedherfromthewivesofothermen。Hehadonlytocall，andsheclappedthebookupandwasreadytodowhathewished。Thentheywouldarguesojollily，andonceortwiceshehadhiminquiteatightcorner，butassoonashegrewreallyserious，shegavein。Manisforwar，womanfortherecreationofthewarrior，buthedoesnotdislikeitifshemakesashowoffight。
Shecannotwininarealbattle，havingnomuscles，onlynerves。
Nervesmakeherjumpoutofamovingmotor-car，orrefusetobemarriedfashionably。Thewarriormaywellallowhertotriumphonsuchoccasions；
theymovenottheimperishableplinthofthingsthattouchhispeace。
Margarethadabadattackofthesenervesduringthehoneymoon。Hetoldher——casually，aswashishabit——thatOnitonGrangewaslet。Sheshowedherannoyance，andaskedrathercrosslywhyshehadnotbeenconsulted。
“Ididn\'twanttobotheryou，“hereplied。
“Besides，Ihaveonlyheardforcertainthismorning。“
“Wherearewetolive？“saidMargaret，tryingtolaugh。“Ilovedtheplaceextraordinarily。Don\'tyoubelieveinhavingapermanenthome，Henry？“
Heassuredherthatshemisunderstoodhim。
Itishomelifethatdistinguishesusfromtheforeigner。Buthedidnotbelieveinadamphome。
“Thisisnews。IneverheardtillthisminutethatOnitonwasdamp。“
“Mydeargirl！“——heflungouthishand——“haveyoueyes？haveyouaskin？Howcoulditbeanythingbutdampinsuchasituation？Inthefirstplace，theGrangeisonclay，andbuiltwherethecastlemoatmusthavebeen；thenthere\'sthatdestestablelittleriver，steamingallnightlikeakettle。Feelthecellarwalls；
lookupundertheeaves。AskSirJamesoranyone。ThoseShropshirevalleysarenotorious。TheonlypossibleplaceforahouseinShropshireisonahill；but，formypart，IthinkthecountryistoofarfromLondon，andthescenerynothingspecial。“
Margaretcouldnotresistsaying，“Whydidyougothere，then？“
“I——because——“Hedrewhisheadbackandgrewratherangry。“WhyhavewecometotheTyrol，ifitcomestothat？
Onemightgoonaskingsuchquestionsindefinitely。“
Onemight；buthewasonlygainingtimeforaplausibleanswer。Outitcame，andhebelieveditassoonasitwasspoken。
“Thetruthis，ItookOnitononaccountofEvie。
Don\'tletthisgoanyfurther。“
“Certainlynot。“
“Ishouldn\'tlikehertoknowthatshenearlyletmeinforaverybadbargain。NosoonerdidIsigntheagreementthanshegotengaged。Poorlittlegirl！Shewassokeenonitall，andwouldn\'tevenwaittomakeproperinquiriesabouttheshooting。
Afraiditwouldgetsnappedup——justlikeallofyoursex。Well，noharm\'sdone。Shehashadhercountrywedding，andI\'vegotridofmyhousetosomefellowswhoarestartingapreparatoryschool。“
“Whereshallwelive，then，Henry？Ishouldenjoylivingsomewhere。“
“Ihavenotyetdecided。WhataboutNorfolk？“
Margaretwassilent。Marriagehadnotsavedherfromthesenseofflux。Londonwasbutaforetasteofthisnomadiccivilizationwhichisalteringhumannaturesoprofoundly，andthrowsuponpersonalrelationsastressgreaterthantheyhaveeverbornebefore。
Undercosmopolitanism，ifitcomes，weshallreceivenohelpfromtheearth。
Treesandmeadowsandmountainswillonlybeaspectacle，andthebindingforcethattheyonceexercisedoncharactermustbeentrustedtoLovealone。
MayLovebeequaltothetask！
“Itisnowwhat？“continuedHenry。“NearlyOctober。LetuscampforthewinteratDucieStreet，andlookoutforsomethinginthespring。
“Ifpossible，somethingpermanent。Ican\'tbeasyoungasIwas，forthesealterationsdon\'tsuitme。“
“But，mydear，whichwouldyouratherhave——alterationsorrheumatism？“
“Iseeyourpoint，“saidMargaret，gettingup。
“IfOnitonisreallydamp，itisimpossible，andmustbeinhabitedbylittleboys。Only，inthespring，letuslookbeforeweleap。IwilltakewarningbyEvie，andnothurryyou。Rememberthatyouhaveafreehandthistime。Theseendlessmovesmustbebadforthefurniture，andarecertainlyexpensive。“
“Whatapracticallittlewomanitis！What\'sitbeenreading？Theo——theo——howmuch？“
“Theosophy。“
SoDucieStreetwasherfirstfate——apleasantenoughfate。Thehouse，beingonlyalittlelargerthanWickhamPlace，trainedherfortheimmenseestablishmentthatwaspromisedinthespring。
Theywerefrequentlyaway，butathomeliferanfairlyregularly。
InthemorningHenrywenttothebusiness，andhissandwich——arelicthisofsomeprehistoriccraving——wasalwayscutbyherownhand。Hedidnotrelyuponthesandwichforlunch，butlikedtohaveitbyhimincasehegrewhungryateleven。Whenhehadgone，therewasthehousetolookafter，andtheservantstohumanize，andseveralkettlesofHelen\'stokeepontheboil。HerconscienceprickedheralittleabouttheBasts；shewasnotsorrytohavelostsightofthem。NodoubtLeonardwasworthhelping，butbeingHenry\'swife，shepreferredtohelpsomeoneelse。Asfortheatresanddiscussionsocieties，theyattractedherlessandless。Shebeganto“miss“newmovements，andtospendhersparetimere-readingorthinking，rathertotheconcernofherChelseafriends。Theyattributedthechangetohermarriage，andperhapssomedeepinstinctdidwarnhernottotravelfurtherfromherhusbandthanwasinevitable。Yetthemaincauselaydeeperstill；shehadoutgrownstimulants，andwaspassingfromwordstothings。ItwasdoubtlessapitynottokeepupwithWedekindorJohn，butsomeclosingofthegatesisinevitableafterthirty，iftheminditselfistobecomeacreativepower。Chapter32Shewaslookingatplansonedayinthefollowingspring——theyhadfinallydecidedtogodownintoSussexandbuild——whenMrs。CharlesWilcoxwasannounced。
“Haveyouheardthenews？“Dollycried，assoonassheenteredtheroom。“Charlesissoang——Imeanheissureyouknowaboutit，orrather，thatyoudon\'tknow。“
“Why，Dolly！“saidMargaret，placidlykissingher。
“Here\'sasurprise！Howaretheboysandthebaby？“
Boysandthebabywerewell，andindescribingagreatrowthattherehadbeenatHiltonTennisClub，Dollyforgothernews。
Thewrongpeoplehadtriedtogetin。Therector，asrepresentingtheolderinhabitants，hadsaid——Charleshadsaid——thetax-collectorhadsaid——Charleshadregrettednotsaying——andsheclosedthedescriptionwith，“Butluckyyou，withfourcourtsofyourownatMidhurst。“
“Itwillbeveryjolly，“repliedMargaret。
“Arethosetheplans？Doesitmattermeseeingthem？“
“Ofcoursenot。“
“Charleshasneverseentheplans。“
“Theyhaveonlyjustarrived。Hereisthegroundfloor——no，that\'sratherdifficult。Trytheelevation。
Wearetohaveagoodmanygablesandapicturesquesky-line。“
“Whatmakesitsmellsofunny？“saidDolly，afteramoment\'sinspection。Shewasincapableofunderstandingplansormaps。
“Isupposethepaper。“
“Andwhichwayupisit？“
“Justtheordinarywayup。That\'sthesky-line，andthepartthatsmellsstrongestisthesky。“
“Well，askmeanother。Margaret——oh——whatwasIgoingtosay？How\'sHelen？“
“Quitewell。“
“IsshenevercomingbacktoEngland？Everyonethinksit\'sawfullyoddshedoesn\'t。“
“Soitis，“saidMargaret，tryingtoconcealhervexation。Shewasgettingrathersoreonthispoint。“Helenisodd，awfully。Shehasnowbeenawayeightmonths。
“Buthasn\'tsheanyaddress？“
“AposterestantesomewhereinBavariaisheraddress。
Dowriteheraline。Iwilllookitupforyou。“
“No，don\'tbother。That\'seightmonthsshehasbeenaway，surely？“
“Exactly。SheleftjustafterEvie\'swedding。
Itwouldbeeightmonths。“
“Justwhenbabywasborn，then？“
“Justso。“
Dollysighed，andstaredenviouslyroundthedrawing-room。
Shewasbeginningtoloseherbrightnessandgoodlooks。TheCharles\'
werenotwelloff，forMr。Wilcox，havingbroughtuphischildrenwithexpensivetastes，believedinlettingthemshiftforthemselves。
Afterall，hehadnottreatedthemgenerously。Yetanotherbabywasexpected，shetoldMargaret，andtheywouldhavetogiveupthemotor。
Margaretsympathized，butinaformalfashion，andDollylittleimaginedthatthestep-motherwasurgingMr。Wilcoxtomakethemamoreliberalallowance。Shesighedagain，andatlasttheparticulargrievancewasremembered。“Ohyes，“shecried，“thatisit:MissAveryhasbeenunpackingyourpacking-cases。“
“Whyhasshedonethat？Howunnecessary！“
“Askanother。Isupposeyouorderedherto。“
“Igavenosuchorders。Perhapsshewasairingthethings。Shedidundertaketolightanoccasionalfire。“
“Itwasfarmorethananair，“saidDollysolemnly。
“Thefloorsoundscoveredwithbooks。Charlessentmetoknowwhatistobedone，forhefeelscertainyoudon\'tknow。“
“Books！“criedMargaret，movedbytheholyword。
“Dolly，areyouserious？Hasshebeentouchingourbooks？“
“Hasn\'tshe，though！Whatusedtobethehall\'sfullofthem。Charlesthoughtforcertainyouknewofit。“
“Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，Dolly。WhatcanhavecomeoverMissAvery？Imustgodownaboutitatonce。
Someofthebooksaremybrother\'s，andarequitevaluable。Shehadnorighttoopenanyofthecases。“
“Isayshe\'sdotty。Shewastheonethatnevergotmarried，youknow。Oh，Isay，perhapsshethinksyourbooksarewedding-presentstoherself。Oldmaidsaretakenthatwaysometimes。
MissAveryhatesusalllikepoisoneversinceherfrightfuldust-upwithEvie。“
“Ihadn\'theardofthat，“saidMargaret。A
visitfromDollyhaditscompensations。
“Didn\'tyouknowshegaveEvieapresentlastAugust，andEviereturnedit，andthen——oh，goloshes！YouneverreadsuchaletterasMissAverywrote。“
“ButitwaswrongofEvietoreturnit。Itwasn\'tlikehertodosuchaheartlessthing。“
“Butthepresentwassoexpensive。“
“Whydoesthatmakeanydifference，Dolly？“
“Still，whenitcostsoverfivepounds——Ididn\'tseeit，butitwasalovelyenamelpendantfromaBondStreetshop。
Youcan\'tverywellacceptthatkindofthingfromafarmwoman。
Now，canyou？“
“YouacceptedapresentfromMissAverywhenyouweremarried。
“Oh，minewasoldearthenwarestuff——notworthahalfpenny。Evie\'swasquitedifferent。You\'dhavetoaskanyonetotheweddingwhogaveyouapendantlikethat。UnclePercyandAlbertandfatherandCharlesallsaiditwasquiteimpossible，andwhenfourmenagree，whatisagirltodo？Eviedidn\'twanttoupsettheoldthing，sothoughtasortofjokingletterbest，andreturnedthependantstraighttotheshoptosaveMissAverytrouble。“
“ButMissAverysaid——“
Dolly\'seyesgrewround。“Itwasaperfectlyawfulletter。Charlessaiditwastheletterofamadman。Intheendshehadthependantbackagainfromtheshopandthrewitintotheduckpond。
“Didshegiveanyreasons？“
“WethinkshemeanttobeinvitedtoOniton，andsoclimbintosociety。“
“She\'sratheroldforthat，“saidMargaretpensively。
“MaynotshehavegiventhepresenttoEvieinremembranceofhermother？“
“That\'sanotion。Giveeveryonetheirdue，eh？Well，IsupposeIoughttobetoddling。Comealong，Mr。
Muff——youwantanewcoat，butIdon\'tknowwho\'llgiveityou，I\'msure；“
andaddressingherapparelwithmournfulhumour，Dollymovedfromtheroom。
MargaretfollowedhertoaskwhetherHenryknewaboutMissAvery\'srudeness。
“Ohyes。“
“Iwonder，then，whyheletmeaskhertolookafterthehouse。“
“Butshe\'sonlyafarmwoman，“saidDolly，andherexplanationprovedcorrect。Henryonlycensuredthelowerclasseswhenitsuitedhim。HeborewithMissAveryaswithCrane——becausehecouldgetgoodvalueoutofthem。“Ihavepatiencewithamanwhoknowshisjob，“hewouldsay，reallyhavingpatiencewiththejob，andnottheman。Paradoxicalasitmaysound，hehadsomethingoftheartistabouthim；hewouldpassoveraninsulttohisdaughtersoonerthanloseagoodcharwomanforhiswife。
Margaretjudgeditbettertosettlethelittletroubleherself。Partieswereevidentlyruffled。WithHenry\'spermission，shewroteapleasantnotetoMissAvery，askinghertoleavethecasesuntouched。Then，atthefirstconvenientopportunity，shewentdownherself，intendingtorepackherbelongingsandstorethemproperlyinthelocalwarehouse:theplanhadbeenamateurishandafailure。
Tibbypromisedtoaccompanyher，butatthelastmomentbeggedtobeexcused。
So，forthesecondtimeinherlife，sheenteredthehousealone。Chapter33Thedayofhervisitwasexquisite，andthelastofuncloudedhappinessthatshewastohaveformanymonths。HeranxietyaboutHelen\'sextraordinaryabsencewasstilldormant，andasforapossiblebrushwithMissAvery——thatonlygavezesttotheexpedition。ShehadalsoeludedDolly\'sinvitationtoluncheon。Walkingstraightupfromthestation，shecrossedthevillagegreenandenteredthelongchestnutavenuethatconnectsitwiththechurch。Thechurchitselfstoodinthevillageonce。Butitthereattractedsomanyworshippersthatthedevil，inapet，snatcheditfromitsfoundations，andpoiseditonaninconvenientknoll，three-quartersofamileaway。Ifthisstoryistrue，thechestnutavenuemusthavebeenplantedbytheangels。Nomoretemptingapproachcouldbeimaginedfortheluke-warmChristian，andifhestillfindsthewalktoolong，thedevilisdefeatedallthesame，SciencehavingbuiltHolyTrinity，aChapelofEase，neartheCharles\'，androofeditwithtin。
UptheavenueMargaretstrolledslowly，stoppingtowatchtheskythatgleamedthroughtheupperbranchesofthechestnuts，ortofingerthelittlehorseshoesonthelowerbranches。WhyhasnotEnglandagreatmythology？Ourfolklorehasneveradvancedbeyonddaintiness，andthegreatermelodiesaboutourcountry-sidehaveallissuedthroughthepipesofGreece。Deepandtrueasthenativeimaginationcanbe，itseemstohavefailedhere。Ithasstoppedwiththewitchesandthefairies。Itcannotvivifyonefractionofasummerfield，orgivenamestohalfadozenstars。Englandstillwaitsforthesuprememomentofherliterature——forthegreatpoetwhoshallvoiceher，or，betterstill，forthethousandlittlepoetswhosevoicesshallpassintoourcommontalk。
Atthechurchthescenerychanged。Thechestnutavenueopenedintoaroad，smoothbutnarrow，whichledintotheuntouchedcountry。Shefolloweditforoveramile。Itslittlehesitationspleasedher。Havingnourgentdestiny，itstrolleddownhillorupasitwished，takingnotroubleaboutthegradients，norabouttheview，whichneverthelessexpanded。ThegreatestatesthatthrottlethesouthofHertfordshirewerelessobtrusivehere，andtheappearanceofthelandwasneitheraristocraticnorsuburban。Todefineitwasdifficult，butMargaretknewwhatitwasnot:itwasnotsnobbish。
Thoughitscontourswereslight，therewasatouchoffreedomintheirsweeptowhichSurreywillneverattain，andthedistantbrowoftheChilternstoweredlikeamountain。“Lefttoitself，“wasMargaret\'sopinion，“thiscountywouldvoteLiberal。“Thecomradeship，notpassionate，thatisourhighestgiftasanation，waspromisedbyit，asbythelowbrickfarmwhereshecalledforthekey。
Buttheinsideofthefarmwasdisappointing。
Amostfinishedyoungpersonreceivedher。“Yes，Mrs。Wilcox；no，Mrs。Wilcox；ohyes，Mrs。Wilcox，auntiereceivedyourletterquiteduly。
Auntiehasgoneuptoyourlittleplaceatthepresentmoment。ShallIsendtheservanttodirectyou？“Followedby:“Ofcourse，auntiedoesnotgenerallylookafteryourplace；sheonlydoesittoobligeaneighbourassomethingexceptional。Itgiveshersomethingtodo。
Shespendsquitealotofhertimethere。Myhusbandsaystomesometimes，\'Where\'sauntie？\'Isay，\'Needyouask？She\'satHowardsEnd。\'Yes，Mrs。Wilcox。Mrs。Wilcox，couldIprevailuponyoutoacceptapieceofcake？NotifIcutitforyou？“
Margaretrefusedthecake，butunfortunatelythisacquiredhergentilityintheeyesofMissAvery\'sniece。
“Icannotletyougoonalone。Nowdon\'t。
Youreallymustn\'t。Iwilldirectyoumyselfifitcomestothat。
Imustgetmyhat。Now“——roguishly——“Mrs。Wilcox，don\'tyoumovewhileI\'mgone。“
Stunned，Margaretdidnotmovefromthebestparlour，overwhichthetouchofartnouveauhadfallen。Buttheotherroomslookedinkeeping，thoughtheyconveyedthepeculiarsadnessofaruralinterior。Herehadlivedanelderrace，towhichwelookbackwithdisquietude。Thecountrywhichwevisitatweek-endswasreallyahometoit，andthegraversidesoflife，thedeaths，thepartings，theyearningsforlove，havetheirdeepestexpressionintheheartofthefields。
Allwasnotsadness。Thesunwasshiningwithout。Thethrushsanghistwosyllablesonthebuddingguelder-rose。Somechildrenwereplayinguproariouslyinheapsofgoldenstraw。ItwasthepresenceofsadnessatallthatsurprisedMargaret，andendedbygivingherafeelingofcompleteness。IntheseEnglishfarms，ifanywhere，onemightseelifesteadilyandseeitwhole，groupinonevisionitstransitorinessanditseternalyouth，connect——connectwithoutbitternessuntilallmenarebrothers。ButherthoughtswereinterruptedbythereturnofMissAvery\'sniece，andweresotranquillizingthatshesufferedtheinterruptiongladly。
Itwasquickertogooutbythebackdoor，and，afterdueexplanations，theywentoutbyit。Theniecewasnowmortifiedbyunnumerablechickens，whorusheduptoherfeetforfood，andbyashamelessandmaternalsow。Shedidnotknowwhatanimalswerecomingto。
Buthergentilitywitheredatthetouchofthesweetair。Thewindwasrising，scatteringthestrawandrufflingthetailsoftheducksastheyfloatedinfamiliesoverEvie\'spendant。Oneofthosedeliciousgalesofspring，inwhichleavesstiffinbudseemtorustle，sweptoverthelandandthenfellsilent。“Georgia，“sangthethrush。
“Cuckoo，“camefurtivelyfromthecliffofpine-trees。“Georgia，prettyGeorgia，“andtheotherbirdsjoinedinwithnonsense。Thehedgewasahalf-paintedpicturewhichwouldbefinishedinafewdays。
Celandinesgrewonitsbanks，lordsandladiesandprimrosesinthedefendedhollows；thewildrose-bushes，stillbearingtheirwitheredhips，showedalsothepromiseofblossom。Springhadcome，cladinnoclassicalgarb，yetfairerthanallsprings；fairereventhanshewhowalksthroughthemyrtlesofTuscanywiththegracesbeforeherandthezephyrbehind。
Thetwowomenwalkedupthelanefullofoutwardcivility。ButMargaretwasthinkinghowdifficultitwastobeearnestaboutfurnitureonsuchaday，andtheniecewasthinkingabouthats。
Thusengaged，theyreachedHowardsEnd。Petulantcriesof“Auntie！“
severedtheair。Therewasnoreply，andthefrontdoorwaslocked。
“AreyousurethatMissAveryisuphere？“askedMargaret。
“Ohyes，Mrs。Wilcox，quitesure。Sheisheredaily。“
Margarettriedtolookinthroughthedining-roomwindow，butthecurtaininsidewasdrawntightly。Sowiththedrawing-roomandthehall。Theappearanceofthesecurtainswasfamiliar，yetshedidnotrememberthembeingthereonherothervisit:herimpressionwasthatMr。Brycehadtakeneverythingaway。Theytriedtheback。
Hereagaintheyreceivednoanswer，andcouldseenothing；thekitchen-windowwasfittedwithablind，whilethepantryandsculleryhadpiecesofwoodproppedupagainstthem，whichlookedominouslylikethelidsofpacking-cases。
Margaretthoughtofherbooks，andshelifteduphervoicealso。
Atthefirstcryshesucceeded。
“Well，well！“repliedsomeoneinsidethehouse。
“Ifitisn\'tMrs。Wilcoxcomeatlast！“
“Haveyougotthekey，auntie？“
“Madge，goaway，“saidMissAvery，stillinvisible。
“Auntie，it\'sMrs。Wilcox——“
Margaretsupportedher。“YournieceandI
havecometogether——“
“Madge，goaway。Thisisnomomentforyourhat。“
Thepoorwomanwentred。“Auntiegetsmoreeccentriclately，“shesaidnervously。
“MissAvery！“calledMargaret。“Ihavecomeaboutthefurniture。Couldyoukindlyletmein？“
“Yes，Mrs。Wilcox，“saidthevoice，“ofcourse。“
Butafterthatcamesilence。Theycalledagainwithoutresponse。
Theywalkedroundthehousedisconsolately。
“IhopeMissAveryisnotill，“hazardedMargaret。
“Well，ifyou\'llexcuseme，“saidMadge，“perhapsIoughttobeleavingyounow。Theservantsneedseeingtoatthefarm。Auntieissooddattimes。“Gatheringupherelegancies，sheretireddefeated，and，asifherdeparturehadloosedaspring，thefrontdooropenedatonce。
MissAverysaid，“Well，comerightin，Mrs。Wilcox！“
quitepleasantlyandcalmly。
“Thankyousomuch，“beganMargaret，butbrokeoffatthesightofanumbrella-stand。Itwasherown。
“Comerightintothehallfirst，“saidMissAvery。
Shedrewthecurtain，andMargaretutteredacryofdespair。Foranappallingthinghadhappened。ThehallwasfittedupwiththecontentsofthelibraryfromWickhamPlace。Thecarpethadbeenlaid，thebigwork-tabledrawnupnearthewindow；thebookcasesfilledthewalloppositethefireplace，andherfather\'ssword——thisiswhatbewilderedherparticularly——hadbeendrawnfromitsscabbardandhungnakedamongstthesobervolumes。MissAverymusthaveworkedfordays。
“I\'mafraidthisisn\'twhatwemeant，“shebegan。
“Mr。WilcoxandIneverintendedthecasestobetouched。Forinstance，thesebooksaremybrother\'s。Wearestoringthemforhimandformysister，whoisabroad。Whenyoukindlyundertooktolookafterthings，weneverexpectedyoutodosomuch。“
“Thehousehasbeenemptylongenough，“saidtheoldwoman。
Margaretrefusedtoargue。“Idaresaywedidn\'texplain，“shesaidcivilly。“Ithasbeenamistake，andverylikelyourmistake。“
“Mrs。Wilcox，ithasbeenmistakeuponmistakeforfiftyyears。ThehouseisMrs。Wilcox\'s，andshewouldnotdesireittostandemptyanylonger。“
Tohelpthepoordecayingbrain，Margaretsaid:
“Yes，Mrs。Wilcox\'shouse，themotherofMr。Charles。“
“Mistakeuponmistake，“saidMissAvery。“Mistakeuponmistake。“
“Well，Idon\'tknow，“saidMargaret，sittingdowninoneofherownchairs。“Ireallydon\'tknowwhat\'stobedone。“
Shecouldnothelplaughing。
Theothersaid:“Yes，itshouldbeamerryhouseenough。“
“Idon\'tknow——Idaresay。Well，thankyouverymuch，MissAvery。Yes，that\'sallright。Delightful。“
“Thereisstilltheparlour。“Shewentthroughthedooroppositeanddrewacurtain。Lightfloodedthedrawing-roomandthedrawing-roomfurniturefromWickhamPlace。“Andthedining-room。“
Morecurtainsweredrawn，morewindowswereflungopentothespring。
“Thenthroughhere——“MissAverycontinuedpassingandrepassingthroughthehall。Hervoicewaslost，butMargaretheardherpullingupthekitchenblind。“I\'venotfinishedhereyet，“sheannounced，returning。
“There\'sstilladealtodo。Thefarmladswillcarryyourgreatwardrobesupstairs，forthereisnoneedtogointoexpenseatHilton。“
“Itisallamistake，“repeatedMargaret，feelingthatshemustputherfootdown。“Amisunderstanding。Mr。WilcoxandIarenotgoingtoliveatHowardsEnd。“
“Oh，indeed。Onaccountofhishayfever？“
“WehavesettledtobuildanewhomeforourselvesinSussex，andpartofthisfurniture——mypart——willgodowntherepresently。“
ShelookedatMissAveryintently，tryingtounderstandthekinkinherbrain。Herewasnomaunderingoldwoman。Herwrinkleswereshrewdandhumorous。Shelookedcapableofscathingwitandalsoofhighbutunostentatiousnobility。
“Youthinkthatyouwon\'tcomebacktolivehere，Mrs。Wilcox，butyouwill。“
“Thatremainstobeseen，“saidMargaret，smiling。
“Wehavenointentionofdoingsoforthepresent。Wehappentoneedamuchlargerhouse。Circumstancesobligeustogivebigparties。
Ofcourse，someday——oneneverknows，doesone？“
MissAveryretorted:“Someday！Tcha！
tcha！Don\'ttalkaboutsomeday。Youarelivingherenow。“
“AmI？“
“Youarelivinghere，andhavebeenforthelasttenminutes，ifyouaskme。“
Itwasasenselessremark，butwithaqueerfeelingofdisloyaltyMargaretrosefromherchair。ShefeltthatHenryhadbeenobscurelycensured。Theywentintothedining-room，wherethesunlightpouredinuponhermother\'schiffonier，andupstairs，wheremanyanoldgodpeepedfromanewniche。Thefurniturefittedextraordinarilywell。Inthecentralroom——overthehall，theroomthatHelenhadsleptinfouryearsago——MissAveryhadplacedTibby\'soldbassinette。
“Thenursery，“shesaid。
Margaretturnedawaywithoutspeaking。
Atlasteverythingwasseen。Thekitchenandlobbywerestillstackedwithfurnitureandstraw，but，asfarasshecouldmakeout，nothinghadbeenbrokenorscratched。Apatheticdisplayofingenuity！Thentheytookafriendlystrollinthegarden。
Ithadgonewildsinceherlastvisit。Thegravelsweepwasweedy，andgrasshadsprungupattheveryjawsofthegarage。AndEvie\'srockerywasonlybumps。PerhapsEviewasresponsibleforMissAvery\'soddness。ButMargaretsuspectedthatthecauselaydeeper，andthatthegirl\'ssillyletterhadbutloosedtheirritationofyears。
“It\'sabeautifulmeadow，“sheremarked。Itwasoneofthoseopen-airdrawing-roomsthathavebeenformed，hundredsofyearsago，outofthesmallerfields。Sotheboundaryhedgezigzaggeddownthehillatrightangles，andatthebottomtherewasalittlegreenannex——asortofpowder-closetforthecows。
“Yes，themaidy\'swellenough，“saidMissAvery，“forthosethatis，whodon\'tsufferfromsneezing。“Andshecackledmaliciously。
“I\'veseenCharlieWilcoxgoouttomyladsinhaytime——oh，theyoughttodothis——theymustn\'tdothat——he\'dlearnthemtobelads。Andjustthentheticklingtookhim。Hehasitfromhisfather，withotherthings。There\'snotoneWilcoxthatcanstandupagainstafieldinJune——IlaughedfittoburstwhilehewascourtingRuth。“
“Mybrothergetshayfevertoo，“saidMargaret。
“Thishouseliestoomuchonthelandforthem。
Naturally，theyweregladenoughtoslipinatfirst。ButWilcoxesarebetterthannothing，asIseeyou\'vefound。“
Margaretlaughed。
“Theykeepaplacegoing，don\'tthey？Yes，itisjustthat。“
“TheykeepEnglandgoing，itismyopinion。“
ButMissAveryupsetherbyreplying:“Ay，theybreedlikerabbits。Well，well，it\'safunnyworld。ButHewhomadeitknowswhatHewantsinit，Isuppose。IfMrs。Charlieisexpectingherfourth，itisn\'tforustorepine。“
“Theybreedandtheyalsowork，“saidMargaret，consciousofsomeinvitationtodisloyalty，whichwasechoedbytheverybreezeandbythesongsofthebirds。“Itcertainlyisafunnyworld，butsolongasmenlikemyhusbandandhissonsgovernit，Ithinkit\'llneverbeabadone——neverreallybad。“
“No，better\'nnothing，“saidMissAvery，andturnedtothewych-elm。
Ontheirwaybacktothefarmshespokeofheroldfriendmuchmoreclearlythanbefore。InthehouseMargarethadwonderedwhethershequitedistinguishedthefirstwifefromthesecond。Nowshesaid:“IneversawmuchofRuthafterhergrandmotherdied，butwestayedcivil。Itwasaverycivilfamily。OldMrs。Howardneverspokeagainstanybody，norletanyonebeturnedawaywithoutfood。
Thenitwasnever\'Trespasserswillbeprosecuted\'intheirland，butwouldpeoplepleasenotcomein。Mrs。Howardwasnevercreatedtorunafarm。“
“Hadtheynomentohelpthem？“Margaretasked。
MissAveryreplied:“Thingswentonuntiltherewerenomen。“
“UntilMr。Wilcoxcamealong，“correctedMargaret，anxiousthatherhusbandshouldreceivehisdues。
“Isupposeso；butRuthshouldhavemarrieda——nodisrespecttoyoutosaythis，forItakeityouwereintendedtogetWilcoxanyway，whethershegothimfirstorno。“
“Whomshouldshehavemarried？“
“Asoldier！“exclaimedtheoldwoman。“Somerealsoldier。“
Margaretwassilent。ItwasacriticismofHenry\'scharacterfarmoretrenchantthananyofherown。Shefeltdissatisfied。
“Butthat\'sallover，“shewenton。“Abettertimeiscomingnow，thoughyou\'vekeptmelongenoughwaiting。InacoupleofweeksI\'llseeyourlightsshiningthroughthehedgeofanevening。Haveyouorderedincoals？“
“Wearenotcoming，“saidMargaretfirmly。
SherespectedMissAverytoomuchtohumourher。“No。Notcoming。
Nevercoming。Ithasallbeenamistake。Thefurnituremustberepackedatonce，andIamverysorrybutIammakingotherarrangements，andmustaskyoutogivemethekeys。“
“Certainly，Mrs。Wilcox，“saidMissAvery，andresignedherdutieswithasmile。
Relievedatthisconclusion，andhavingsenthercomplimentstoMadge，Margaretwalkedbacktothestation。Shehadintendedtogotothefurniturewarehouseandgivedirectionsforremoval，butthemuddlehadturnedoutmoreextensivethansheexpected，soshedecidedtoconsultHenry。Itwasaswellthatshedidthis。
Hewasstronglyagainstemployingthelocalmanwhomhehadpreviouslyrecommended，andadvisedhertostoreinLondonafterall。
Butbeforethiscouldbedoneanunexpectedtroublefelluponher。Chapter34Itwasnotunexpectedentirely。AuntJuley\'shealthhadbeenbadallthewinter。Shehadhadalongseriesofcoldsandcoughs，andhadbeentoobusytogetridofthem。Shehadscarcelypromisedherniece“toreallytakemytiresomechestinhand，“whenshecaughtachillanddevelopedacutepneumonia。MargaretandTibbywentdowntoSwanage。
Helenwastelegraphedfor，andthatspringpartythatafterallgatheredinthathospitablehousehadallthepathosoffairmemories。Onaperfectday，whentheskyseemedblueporcelain，andthewavesofthediscreetlittlebaybeatgentlestoftattoosuponthesand，Margarethurriedupthroughtherhododendrons，confrontedagainbythesenselessnessofDeath。Onedeathmayexplainitself，butitthrowsnolightuponanother:thegropinginquirymustbeginanew。Preachersorscientistsmaygeneralize，butweknowthatnogeneralityispossibleaboutthosewhomwelove；notoneheavenawaitsthem，notevenoneoblivion。
AuntJuley，incapableoftragedy，slippedoutoflifewithoddlittlelaughsandapologiesforhavingstoppedinitsolong。Shewasveryweak；
shecouldnotrisetotheoccasion，orrealizethegreatmysterywhichallagreemustawaither；itonlyseemedtoherthatshewasquitedoneup——moredoneupthaneverbefore；thatshesawandheardandfeltlesseverymoment；andthat，unlesssomethingchanged，shewouldsoonfeelnothing。
Hersparestrengthshedevotedtoplans:couldnotMargarettakesomesteamerexpeditions？weremackerelcookedasTibbylikedthem？SheworriedherselfaboutHelen\'sabsence，andalsothatshecouldbethecauseofHelen\'sreturn。Thenursesseemedtothinksuchinterestsquitenatural，andperhapsherswasanaverageapproachtotheGreatGate。
ButMargaretsawDeathstrippedofanyfalseromance；whatevertheideaofDeathmaycontain，theprocesscanbetrivialandhideous。
“Important——Margaretdear，taketheLulworthwhenHelencomes。“
“Helenwon\'tbeabletostop，AuntJuley。
Shehastelegraphedthatshecanonlygetawayjusttoseeyou。ShemustgobacktoGermanyassoonasyouarewell。“
“HowveryoddofHelen！Mr。Wilcox——“
“Yes，dear？“
“Canhespareyou？“
Henrywishedhertocome，andhadbeenverykind。
YetagainMargaretsaidso。
Mrs。Muntdidnotdie。Quiteoutsideherwill，amoredignifiedpowertookholdofherandcheckedheronthedownwardslope。Shereturned，withoutemotion，asfidgetyasever。Onthefourthdayshewasoutofdanger。
“Margaret——important，“itwenton:“Ishouldlikeyoutohavesomecompaniontotakewalkswith。DotryMissConder。“
“IhavebeenalittlewalkwithMissConder。“
“Butsheisnotreallyinteresting。IfonlyyouhadHelen。“
“IhaveTibby，AuntJuley。“
“No，buthehastodohisChinese。Somerealcompanioniswhatyouneed。Really，Helenisodd。“
“Helenisodd，very，“agreedMargaret。
“Notcontentwithgoingabroad，whydoesshewanttogobackthereatonce？“
“Nodoubtshewillchangehermindwhensheseesus。Shehasnottheleastbalance。“
ThatwasthestockcriticismaboutHelen，butMargaret\'svoicetrembledasshemadeit。Bynowshewasdeeplypainedathersister\'sbehaviour。ItmaybeunbalancedtoflyoutofEngland，buttostopawayeightmonthsarguesthattheheartisawryaswellasthehead。Asick-bedcouldrecallHelen，butshewasdeaftomorehumancalls；afteraglimpseatheraunt，shewouldretireintohernebulouslifebehindsomeposterestante。Shescarcelyexisted；herlettershadbecomedullandinfrequent；shehadnowantsandnocuriosity。
AnditwasallputdowntopoorHenry\'saccount！Henry，longpardonedbyhiswife，wasstilltooinfamoustobegreetedbyhissister-in-law。
Itwasmorbid，and，toheralarm，MargaretfanciedthatshecouldtracethegrowthofmorbiditybackinHelen\'slifefornearlyfouryears。
TheflightfromOniton；theunbalancedpatronageoftheBasts；theexplosionofgriefupontheDowns——allconnectedwithPaul，aninsignificantboywhoselipshadkissedhersforafractionoftime。MargaretandMrs。
Wilcoxhadfearedthattheymightkissagain。Foolishly:therealdangerwasreaction。ReactionagainsttheWilcoxeshadeatenintoherlifeuntilshewasscarcelysane。Attwenty-fiveshehadanidé；efixe。Whathopewasthereforherasanoldwoman？
ThemoreMargaretthoughtaboutitthemorealarmedshebecame。Formanymonthsshehadputthesubjectaway，butitwastoobigtobeslightednow。Therewasalmostataintofmadness。