Theyhadthehabitofexchangingderisiveglanceswhichtoashymanmusthavebeenverytrying。Theythoughttheirunclenodoubtaboreandperhapsanass。
IwasnotsurprisedtohearthatverysoonAnthonyformedthehabitofcrossingthetwoneighbouringfieldstoseektheshadeofaclumpofelmsatagooddistancefromthecottage。Helayonthegrassandsmokedhispipeallthemorning。Mrs。Fynewonderedatherbrother’sindolenthabits。Hehadaskedforbooksitistruebuttherewerebutfewinthecottage。Hereadthemthroughinthreedaysandthencontinuedtoliecontentedlyonhisbackwithnoothercompanionbuthispipe。Amazingindolence！Thelive-longmorning，Mrs。Fyne，busywritingupstairsinthecottage，couldseehimoutofthewindow。Shehadaverylongsight，andtheseelmsweregroupedonariseoftheground。Hisindolencewasplainlyexposedtohercriticismonagentlegreenslope。Mrs。Fynewonderedatit；
shewasdisgustedtoo。Buthavingjustthen’commencedauthor，’asyouknow，shecouldnottearherselfawayfromthefascinatingnovelty。Shelethimwallowinhisvice。IimagineCaptainAnthonymusthavehadaratherpleasanttimeinaquietway。Itwas，I
remember，ahotdrysummer，favourabletocontemplativelifeoutofdoors。AndMrs。Fynewasscandalized。Womendon’tunderstandtheforceofacontemplativetemperament。Itsimplyshocksthem。Theyfeelinstinctivelythatitistheonewhichescapesbestthedominationoffeminineinfluences。Thedeargirlswereexchangingjeeringremarksabout”lazyuncleRoderick”openly，inherindulgenthearing。Anditwassostrange，shetoldme，becauseasaboyhewasanythingbutindolent。Onthecontrary。Alwaysactive。
Iremarkedthatamanofthirty-fivewasnolongeraboy。Itwasanobviousremarkbutshereceiveditwithoutfavour。Shetoldmepositivelythatthebest，thenicestmenremainedboysalltheirlives。Shewasdisappointednottobeabletodetectanythingboyishinherbrother。Very，verysorry。Shehadnotseenhimforfifteenyearsorthereabouts，exceptonthreeorfouroccasionsforafewhoursatatime。No。Notatraceoftheboy，heusedtobe，leftinhim。
ShefellsilentforamomentandImusedidlyontheboyhoodoflittleFyne。Icouldnotimaginewhatitmighthavebeenlike。Hisdominanttraitwasclearlytheremnantofstillearlierdays，becauseI’veneverseensuchstaringsolemnityasFyne’sexceptinaveryyoungbaby。Butwherewasheallthattime？Didn’thesuffercontaminationfromtheindolenceofCaptainAnthony，Iinquired。I
wastoldthatMr。Fynewasverylittleatthecottageatthetime。
SomecolleagueofhiswasconvalescingafterasevereillnessinalittleseasidevillageintheneighbourhoodandFynewentoffeverymorningbytraintospendthedaywiththeelderlyinvalidwhohadnoonetolookafterhim。Itwasaverypraiseworthyexcuseforneglectinghisbrother-in-law”thesonofthepoet，youknow，”withwhomhehadnothingincommonevenintheremotestdegree。IfCaptainAnthonyRoderickhadbeenapedestrianitwouldhavebeensufficient；buthewasnot。Still，intheafternoon，hewentsometimesforaslowcasualstroll，byhimselfofcourse，thechildrenhavingdefinitelycold-shoulderedhim，andhisonlysisterbeingbusywiththatinflammatorybookwhichwastoblazeupontheworldayearormoreafterwards。Itseemshoweverthatshewascapableofdetachinghereyesfromhertasknowandthen，ifonlyforamoment，becauseitwasfromthatgarretfittedoutforastudythatoneafternoonsheobservedherbrotherandFloradeBarralcomingdowntheroadsidebyside。Theyhadmetsomewhereaccidentallywhichofthemcrossedtheother’spath，asthesayingis，Idon’tknow，andwerereturningtoteatogether。Shenoticedthattheyappearedtobeconversingwithoutconstraint。”Ihadthesimplicitytobepleased，”Mrs。Fynecommentedwithadrylittlelaugh。”Pleasedforboththeirsakes。”CaptainAnthonyshookoffhisindolencefromthatdayforth，andaccompaniedMissFlorafrequentlyonhermorningwalks。Mrs。Fyneremainedpleased。
Shecouldnowforgetthemcomfortablyandgiveherselfuptothedelightsofaudaciousthoughtandliterarycomposition。Onlyaweekbeforetheblowfellshe，happeningtoraisehereyesfromthepaper，sawtwofiguresseatedonthegrassundertheshadeoftheelms。Shecouldmakeoutthewhiteblouse。Therecouldbenomistake。”Isupposetheyimaginedthemselvesconcealedbythehedge。TheyforgotnodoubtIwasworkinginthegarret，”shesaidbitterly。”Orperhapstheydidn’tcare。Theywereright。Iamratherasimpleperson……”Shelaughedagain……”Iwasincapableofsuspectingsuchduplicity。””Duplicityisastrongword，Mrs。Fyne——isn’tit？”Iexpostulated。”AndconsideringthatCaptainAnthonyhimself……””Ohwell——perhaps，”sheinterruptedme。Hereyeswhichneverstrayedawayfrommine，hersetfeatures，herwholeimmovablefigure，howwellIknewthoseappearancesofapersonwhohas”madeuphermind。”Averyhopelessconditionthat，speciallyinwomen。
Imistrustedherconcessionsoeasily，sostonilymade。Shereflectedamoment。”Yes。Ioughttohavesaid——ingratitude，perhaps。”
Afterhavingthusdisengagedherbrotherandpushedthepoorgirlalittlefurtheroffasitwere——isn’twomen’sclevernessperfectlydiabolicwhentheyarereallyputontheirmettle？——afterhavingdonethesethingsandalsomademefeelthatIwasnomatchforher，shewentonscrupulously:”Onedoesn’tliketousethatwordeither。Theclaimisverysmall。It’ssolittleonecoulddoforher。Still……””Idaresay，”Iexclaimed，throwingdiplomacytothewinds。”Butreally，Mrs。Fyne，it’simpossibletodismissyourbrotherlikethisoutofthebusiness……””Shethrewherselfathishead，”Mrs。Fyneutteredfirmly。”Hehadnobusinesstoputhisheadintheway，then，”Iretortedwithanangrylaugh。Ididn’trestrainmyselfbecauseherfixedstareseemedtoexpressthepurposetodauntme。Iwasnotafraidofher，butitoccurredtomethatIwaswithinanaceofdriftingintoadownrightquarrelwithaladyand，besides，myguest。Therewasthecoldteapot，theemptiedcups，emblemsofhospitality。Itcouldnotbe。IcutshortmyangrylaughwhileMrs。Fynemurmuredwithaslightmovementofhershoulders，”He！Poorman！Ohcome……”
ByagreateffortofwillIfoundmyselfabletosmileamiably，tospeakwithpropersoftness。”MydearMrs。Fyne，youforgetthatIdon’tknowhim——notevenbysight。It’sdifficulttoimagineavictimaspassiveasallthat；
butgrantingyoutheIverynearlysaid:imbecility，butcheckedmyselfintimeinnocenceofCaptainAnthony，don’tyouthinknow，frankly，thatthereisalittleofyourownfaultinwhathashappened。Youbringthemtogether，youleaveyourbrothertohimself！”
Shesatupandleaningherelbowonthetablesustainedherheadinheropenpalmcastingdownhereyes。Compunction？Itwasindeedaveryoff-handwayoftreatingabrothercometostayforthefirsttimeinfifteenyears。Isupposeshediscoveredverysoonthatshehadnothingincommonwiththatsailor，thatstranger，fashionedandmarkedbytheseaoflongvoyages。Inherstrong-mindedwayshehadscornedpretences，hadgonetoherwritingwhichinterestedherimmensely。Averypraiseworthythingyoursincereconduct，——ifitdidn’tattimesresemblebrutalitysomuch。ButIdon’tthinkitwascompunction。Thatsentimentisrareinwomen……””Isit？”Iinterruptedindignantly。”YouknowmorewomenthanIdo，”retortedtheunabashedMarlow。”Youmakeityourbusinesstoknowthem——don’tyou？Yougoaboutalotamongstallsortsofpeople。Youareatolerablyhonestobserver。Well，justtrytorememberhowmanyinstancesofcompunctionyouhaveseen。Iamreadytotakeyourbarewordforit。Compunction！Haveyoueverseenasmuchasitsshadow？Haveyouever？Justashadow——apassingshadow！Itellyouitissorarethatyoumaycallitnon-existent。Theyaretoopassionate。
Toopedantic。Toocourageouswiththemselves——perhaps。NoIdon’tthinkforamomentthatMrs。Fynefelttheslightestcompunctionathertreatmentofhersea-goingbrother。WhatHEthoughtofitwhocantell？Itispossiblethathewonderedwhyhehadbeensoinsistentlyurgedtocome。Itispossiblethathewonderedbitterly——orcontemptuously——orhumbly。Anditmaybethathewasonlysurprisedandbored。Hadhebeenassincereinhisconductashisonlysisterhewouldhaveprobablytakenhimselfoffattheendofthesecondday。Butperhapshewasafraidofappearingbrutal。
Iamnotfarremovedfromtheconvictionthatbetweenthesinceritiesofhissisterandofhisdearnieces，CaptainAnthonyoftheFerndalemusthavehadhislonelinessbroughthometohisbosomforthefirsttimeofhislife，atanage，thirty-fiveorthereabouts，whenoneismatureenoughtofeelthepangofsuchadiscovery。Angryorsimplysadbutcertainlydisillusionedhewandersaboutandmeetsthegirloneafternoonandundertheswayofastrongfeelingforgetshisshyness。Thisisnosupposition。Itisafact。Therewassuchameetinginwhichtheshynessmusthaveperishedbeforewedon’tknowwhatencouragement，orinthecommunityofmoodmadeapparentbysomecasualword。YourememberthatMrs。Fynesawthemoneafternooncomingbacktothecottagetogether。Don’tyouthinkthatIhavehitonthepsychologyofthesituation？……””Doubtless……”Ibegantoponder。”Iwasverycertainofmyconclusionsatthetime，”Marlowwentonimpatiently。”Butdon’tthinkforamomentthatMrs。Fyneinhernewattitudeandtoyingthoughtfullywithateaspoonwasabouttosurrender。Shemurmured:”It’sthelastthingIshouldhavethoughtcouldhappen。””Youdidn’tsupposetheywereromanticenough，”Isuggesteddryly。
Sheletitpassandwithgreatdecisionbutasifspeakingtoherself，”Roderickreallymustbewarned。”
Shedidn’tgivemethetimetoaskofwhatprecisely。Sheraisedherheadandaddressedme。”IamsurprisedandgrievedmorethanIcantellyouatMr。Fyne’sresistance。Wehavebeenalwayscompletelyatoneoneveryquestion。Andthatweshoulddiffernowonapointtouchingmybrothersocloselyisamostpainfulsurprisetome。”Herhandrattledtheteaspoonbrusquelybyaninvoluntarymovement。”Itisintolerable，”sheaddedtempestuously——forMrs。Fynethatis。I
supposeshehadnervesofherownlikeanyotherwoman。
UndertheporchwhereFynehadsoughtrefugewiththedogtherewassilence。Itookitforaproofofdeepsagacity。Idon’tmeanonthepartofthedog。Hewasaconfirmedfool。
Isaid:”Youwantabsolutelytointerfere……？”Mrs。Fynenoddedjustperceptibly……”Well——formypart……butIdon’treallyknowhowmattersstandatthepresenttime。YouhavehadaletterfromMissdeBarral。Whatdoesthatlettersay？””Sheasksforhervalisetobesenttohertownaddress，”Mrs。Fyneutteredreluctantlyandstopped。Iwaitedabit——thenexploded。”Well！What’sthematter？Where’sthedifficulty？Doesyourhusbandobjecttothat？Youdon’tmeantosaythathewantsyoutoappropriatethegirl’sclothes？””Mr。Marlow！””Well，butyoutalkofapainfuldifferenceofopinionwithyourhusband，andthen，whenIaskforinformationonthepoint，youbringoutavalise。Andonlyafewmomentsagoyoureproachedmefornotbeingserious。Iwonderwhoistheseriouspersonofustwonow。”
Shesmiledfaintlyandinafriendlytone，fromwhichIconcludedatoncethatshedidnotmeantoshowmethegirl’sletter，shesaidthatundoubtedlytheletterdisclosedanunderstandingbetweenCaptainAnthonyandFloradeBarral。”Whatunderstanding？”Ipressedher。”Anengagementisanunderstanding。””Thereisnoengagement——notyet，”shesaiddecisively。”Thatletter，Mr。Marlow，iscouchedinveryvagueterms。Thatiswhy——”
Iinterruptedherwithoutceremony。”Youstillhopetointerferetosomepurpose。Isn’titso？Yes？
ButhowshouldyouhavelikeditifanybodyhadtriedtointerferebetweenyouandMr。Fyneatthetimewhenyourunderstandingwitheachothercouldstillhavebeendescribedinvagueterms？”
Shehadagenuinemovementofastonishedindignation。Itiswiththeaccentofperfectsinceritythatshecriedoutatme:”Butitisn’tatallthesamething！Howcanyou！”
IndeedhowcouldI！Thedaughterofapoetandthedaughterofaconvictarenotcomparableintheconsequencesoftheirconductiftheirnecessitymaywearattimesasimilaraspect。AmongsttheseconsequencesIcouldperceiveundesirablecousinsforthesedearhealthygirls，andsuchlike，possiblecausesofembarrassmentinthefuture。”No！Youcan’tbeserious，”Mrs。Fyne’ssmoulderingresentmentbrokeoutagain。”Youhaven’tthought——””Ohyes，Mrs。Fyne！Ihavethought。Iamstillthinking。Iameventryingtothinklikeyou。””Mr。Marlow，”shesaidearnestly。”BelievemethatIreallyamthinkingofmybrotherinallthis……”IassuredherthatI
quitebelievedshewas。Forthereisnolawofnaturemakingitimpossibletothinkofmorethanonepersonatatime。ThenIsaid:”Shehastoldhimallaboutherselfofcourse。””Allaboutherlife，”assentedMrs。Fynewithanair，however，ofmakingsomementalreservationwhichIdidnotpausetoinvestigate。”Herlife！”Irepeated。”Thatgirlmusthavehadamightybadtimeofit。””Horrible，”Mrs。Fyneadmittedwithareadyfranknessverycreditableunderthecircumstances，andawarmthoftonewhichmademelookatherwithafriendlyeye。”Horrible！No！Youcan’timaginethesortofvulgarpeopleshebecamedependenton……Youknowherfatherneverattemptedtoseeherwhilehewasstillatlarge。Afterhisarrestheinstructedthatrelativeofhis——theodiouspersonwhotookherawayfromBrighton——nottolethisdaughtercometothecourtduringthetrial。Herefusedtoholdanycommunicationwithherwhatever。”
IrememberedwhatMrs。FynehadtoldmebeforeoftheviewshehadyearsagoofdeBarralclingingtothechildatthesideofhiswife’sgraveandlateronofthesetwowalkinghandinhandtheobservedofalleyesbythesea。PicturesfromDickens——pregnantwithpathos。
CHAPTERSIX——FLORA”Averysingularprohibition，”remarkedMrs。Fyneafterashortsilence。”Heseemedtolovethechild。”
Shewaspuzzled。ButIsurmisedthatitmighthavebeenthesullennessofamanunconsciousofguiltandstandingatbaytofighthis”persecutors，”ashecalledthem；orelsethefearofasofteremotionweakeninghisdefiantattitude；perhaps，even，itwasaself-denyingordinance，inordertosparethegirlthesightofherfatherinthedock，accusedofcheating，sentencedasaswindler——provingthepossessionofacertainmoraldelicacy。
Mrs。Fynedidn’tknowwhattothink。Shesupposeditmighthavebeenmerecallousness。Butthepeopleamongstwhomthegirlhadfallenhadpositivelynotagrainofmoraldelicacy。Ofthatshewascertain。Mrs。Fynecouldnotundertaketogivemeanideaoftheirabominablevulgarity。Florausedtotellhersomethingofherlifeinthathousehold，overthere，downLimehouseway。Itwasincredible。ItpassedMrs。Fyne’scomprehension。Itwasasortofmoralsavagerywhichshecouldnothavethoughtpossible。
I，onthecontrary，thoughtitverypossible。Icouldimagineeasilyhowthepoorgirlmusthavebeenbewilderedandhurtatherreceptioninthathousehold——enviedforherpastwhiledelivereddefencelesstothetendermerciesofpeoplewithoutanyfinenesseitheroffeelingormind，unabletounderstandhermisery，grosslycurious，mistakinghermannerfordisdain，hersilentshrinkingforpride。Thewifeofthe”odiousperson”waswitlessandfatuouslyconceited。Ofthetwogirlsofthehouseonewaspiousandtheotheraromp；bothwerecoarse-minded——iftheymaybecreditedwithanymindatall。Therathernumerousmenofthefamilyweredenseandgrumpy，ordenseandjocose。Noneinthatgrubbinglothadenoughhumanitytoleaveheralone。Atfirstshewasmademuchof，inanoffensivelypatronisingmanner。TheconnectionwiththegreatdeBarralgratifiedtheirvanityeveninthemomentofthesmash。
Theydraggedhertotheirplaceofworship，whateveritmighthavebeen，wherethecongregationstaredather，andtheygavepartiestootherbeingslikethemselvesatwhichtheyexhibitedherwithignobleself-satisfaction。Shedidnotknowhowtodefendherselffromtheirimportunities，insolenceandexigencies。Shelivedamongstthem，apassivevictim，quiveringineverynerve，asifshewereflayed。Afterthetrialherpositionbecamestillworse。Ontheleastoccasionandevenonnooccasionsatallshewasscolded，orelsetauntedwithherdependence。Thepiousgirllecturedheronherdefects，therompinggirlteasedherwithcontemptuousreferencestoheraccomplishments，andwasalwaystryingtopickinsensatequarrelswithheraboutsome”fellow”orother。Themotherbackeduphergirlsinvariably，addingherownsilly，woundingremarks。Imustsaytheywereprobablynotawareoftheuglinessoftheirconduct。Theywerenastyamongstthemselvesasamatterofcourse；theirdisputeswerenauseatinginorigin，inmanner，inthespiritofmeanselfishness。Thesewomen，too，seemedtoenjoygreatlyanysortofrowandwerealwaysreadytocombinetogethertomakeawfulscenestothelucklessgirlonincrediblyflimsypretences。ThusFloraononeoccasionhadbeenreducedtorageanddespair，hadhermostsecretfeelingslacerated，hadobtainedaviewoftheutmostbasenesstowhichcommonhumannaturecandescend——Iwon’tsayeproposdebottesastheFrenchwouldexcellentlyputit，butliterallyeproposofsomemislaidcheaplacetrimmingsforanightgowntherompingonewasmakingforherself。Yes，thatwastheoriginofoneofthegrossestsceneswhich，intheirrepetition，musthavehadadeplorableeffectontheunformedcharacterofthemostpitifulofdeBarral’svictims。I
haveitfromMrs。Fyne。ThegirlturnedupattheFynes’houseathalf-pastnineonacold，drizzlyevening。Shehadwalkedbareheaded，Ibelieve，justassheranoutofthehouse，fromsomewhereinPoplartotheneighbourhoodofSloaneSquare——withoutstopping，withoutdrawingbreath，ifonlyforasob。”Wewerehavingsomepeopletodinner，”saidtheanxioussisterofCaptainAnthony。
Shehadheardthefrontdoorbellandwonderedwhatitmightmean。
Theparlourmaidmanagedtowhispertoherwithoutattractingattention。Theservantshadbeenfrightenedbytheinvasionofthatwildgirlinamuddyskirtandwithwispsofdamphairstickingtoherpalecheeks。Buttheyhadseenherbefore。Thiswasnotthefirstoccasion，noryetthelast。
DirectlyshecouldslipawayfromherguestsMrs。Fyneranupstairs。”Ifoundherinthenightnurserycrouchingonthefloor，herheadrestingonthecotoftheyoungestofmygirls。Theeldestwassittingupinbedlookingatheracrosstheroom。”
Onlyanightlightwasburningthere。Mrs。Fyneraisedherup，tookherovertoMr。Fyne’slittledressing-roomontheothersideofthelanding，toafirebywhichshecoulddryherself，andleftherthere。Shehadtogobacktoherguests。
AmostdisagreeablesurpriseitmusthavebeentotheFynes。
Afterwardstheybothwentupandinterviewedthegirl。Shejumpedupattheirentrance。Shehadshakenherdamphairloose；hereyesweredry——withtheheatofrage。
IcanimaginelittleFynesolemnlysympathetic，solemnlylistening，solemnlyretreatingtothemaritalbedroom。Mrs。Fynepacifiedthegirl，and，fortunately，therewasabedwhichcouldbemadeupforherinthedressing-room。”But——whatcouldonedoafterall！”concludedMrs。Fyne。
Andthisstereotypedexclamation，expressingthedifficultyoftheproblemandthereadinessatanyrateofgoodintentions，mademe，asusual，feelmorekindlytowardsher。
Nextmorning，veryearly，longbeforeFynehadtostartforhisoffice，the”odiouspersonage”turnedup，notexactlyunexpectedperhaps，butstartlingallthesame，ifonlybythepromptnessofhisaction。FromwhatFloraherselfrelatedtoMrs。Fyne，itseemsthatwithoutbeingveryperceptiblyless”odious”thanhisfamilyhehadinarathermysteriousfashioninterposedhisauthorityfortheprotectionofthegirl。”Notthathecares，”explainedFlora。”I
amsurehedoesnot。Icouldnotstandbeinglikedbyanyofthesepeople。IfIthoughthelikedmeIwoulddrownmyselfratherthangobackwithhim。”
Forofcoursehehadcometotake”Florrie”home。Thescenewasthedining-room——breakfastinterrupted，dishesgrowingcold，littleFyne’stoastgrowingleathery，Fyneoutofhischairwithhisbacktothefire，thenewspaperonthecarpet，servantsshutout，Mrs。
Fynerigidinherplacewiththegirlsittingbesideher——the”odiousperson，”whohadbustledinwithhardlyagreeting，lookingfromFynetoMrs。Fyneasthoughhewereinwardlyamusedatsomethingheknewofthem；andthenbeginningironicallyhisdiscourse。HedidnotapologizefordisturbingFyneandhis”goodlady”atbreakfast，becauseheknewtheydidnotwantwithanodatthegirltohavemoreofherthancouldbehelped。Hecamethefirstpossiblemomentbecausehehadhisbusinesstoattendto。Hewasn’tdrawingatip-topsalarythisstaringatFyneinaluxuriouslyfurnishedoffice。Nothe。Hehadrisentobeanemployeroflabourandwasboundtogiveagoodexample。
Ibelievethefellowwasawareof，andenjoyedquietly，theconsternationhispresencebroughttothebosomofMr。andMrs。
Fyne。Heturnedbrisklytothegirl。Mrs。Fyneconfessedtomethattheyhadremainedallthreesilentandinanimate。Heturnedtothegirl:”What’sthisgame，Florrie？Youhadbettergiveitup。
IfyouexpectmetorunalloverLondonlookingforyoueverytimeyouhappentohaveatiffwithyourauntieandcousinsyouaremistaken。Ican’taffordit。”
Tiff——wasthesortofdefinitiontotakeone’sbreathaway，havingregardtothefactthatboththewordconvictandthewordpauperhadbeenusedamomentbeforeFloradeBarralranawayfromthequarrelaboutthelacetrimmings。Yes，theseverywords！SoatleastthegirlhadtoldMrs。Fynetheeveningbefore。Thewordtiffinconnectionwithhertalehadapeculiarsavour，aparalysingeffect。Nobodymadeasound。TherelativeofdeBarralproceededuninterruptedtoadisplayofmagnanimity。”Auntietoldmetotellyoushe’ssorry——there！AndAmeliatherompingsistershan’tworryyouagain。I’llseetothat。Yououghttobesatisfied。
Rememberyourposition。”
EmboldenedbytheutterstillnesspervadingtheroomheaddressedhimselftoMrs。Fynewithstolideffrontery:”WhatIsayisthatpeopleshouldbegood-natured。Shecan’tstandbeingchaffed。Sheputsonhergrandairs。Shewon’ttakeabitofajokefrompeopleasgoodasherselfanyway。Weareaplainlot。
Wedon’tlikeit。Andthat’showtroublebegins。”
Insensibletothestonystareofthreepairsofeyes，which，ifthestoriesofourchildhoodastothepowerofthehumaneyearetrue，oughttohavebeenenoughtodauntatiger，thatunabashedmanufacturerfromtheEastEndfastenedhisfangs，figurativelyspeaking，intothepoorgirlandpreparedtodragherawayforapreytohiscubsofbothsexes。”Auntiehasthoughtofsendingyouyourhatandcoat。I’vegotthemoutsideinthecab。”
Mrs。Fynelookedmechanicallyoutofthewindow。Afour-wheelerstoodbeforethegateundertheweepingsky。Thedriverinhisconicalcapeandtarpaulinhat，streamedwithwater。Thedroopinghorselookedasthoughithadbeenfishedout，halfunconscious，fromapond。Mrs。Fynefoundsomereliefinlookingatthatmiserablesight，awayfromtheroominwhichthevoiceoftheamiablevisitorresoundedwithavulgarintonationexhortingthestrayedsheeptoreturntothedelightfulfold。”Come，Florrie，makeamove。Ican’twaitonyoualldayhere。”
Mrs。Fyneheardallthiswithoutturningherheadawayfromthewindow。Fyneonthehearthrughadtolistenandtolookontoo。I
shallnottrytoformasurmiseastotherealnatureofthesuspense。Theirverygoodnessmusthavemadeitveryanxious。Thegirl’shandswerelyinginherlap；herheadwasloweredasifindeepthought；andtheotherwentondeliveringasortofhomily。
Ingratitudewascondemnedinit，thesinfulnessofpridewaspointedout——togetherwiththeproverbialfactthatit”goesbeforeafall。”
Therewerealsosomesoundremarksastothedangerofnonsensicalnotionsandthedisadvantagesofaquicktemper。Itsetsone’sbestfriendsagainstone。”Andifanybodyeverwantedfriendsintheworldit’syou，mygirl。”Evenrespectforparentalauthoritywasinvoked。”Inthefirsthourofhistroubleyourfatherwrotetometotakecareofyou——don’tforgetit。Yes，tome，justaplainman，ratherthantoanyofhisfineWest-Endfriends。Youcan’tgetoverthat。Andafather’safathernomatterwhatamesshe’sgothimselfinto。Youain’tgoingtothrowoveryourownfather——areyou？”
Itwasdifficulttosaywhetherhewasmoreabsurdthancruelormorecruelthanabsurd。Mrs。Fyne，withthefineearofawoman，seemedtodetectajeeringintentioninhismeanlyunctuoustone，somethingmorevilethanmerecruelty。Sheglancedquicklyoverhershoulderandsawthegirlraisehertwohandstoherhead，thenletthemfallagainonherlap。Fyneinfrontofthefirewaslikethevictimofanunholyspell——bereftofmotionandspeechbutobviouslyinpain。Itwasashortpauseofperfectsilence，andthenthat”odiouscreature”hemusthavebeenreallyaremarkableindividualinhiswaystruckoutintosarcasm。”Well？……”Againasilence。”Ifyouhavefixeditupwiththeladyandgentlemanpresenthereforyourboardandlodgingyouhadbettersayso。Idon’twanttointerfereinabargainIknownothingof。ButIwonderhowyourfatherwilltakeitwhenhecomesout……ordon’tyouexpecthimevertocomeout？”
Atthatmoment，Mrs。Fynetoldmeshemetthegirl’seyes。Therewasthatinthemwhichmadehershutherown。Shealsofeltasthoughshewouldhavelikedtoputherfingersinherears。Sherestrainedherself，however；andthe”plainman”passedinhisappallingversatilityfromsarcasmtoveiledmenace。”Youhave——eh？Wellandgood。ButbeforeIgohomeletmeaskyou，mygirl，tothinkifbyanychanceyouthrowingusoverlikethiswon’tberatherbadforyourfatherlateron？Justthinkitover。”
Helookedathisvictimwithanairofcunningmystery。Shejumpedupsosuddenlythathestartedback。Mrs。Fynerosetoo，andeventhespellwasremovedfromherhusband。ButthegirldroppedagainintothechairandturnedherheadtolookatMrs。Fyne。Thistimeitwasnoaccidentalmeetingoffugitiveglances。Itwasadeliberatecommunication。TomyquestionastoitsnatureMrs。Fynesaidshedidnotknow。”Wasitappealing？”Isuggested。”No，”shesaid。”Wasitfrightened，angry，crushed，resigned？””No！No！
Nothingofthese。”Butithadfrightenedher。Sherememberedittothisday。Shehadbeeneversincefancyingshecoulddetectthelingeringreflectionofthatlookinallthegirl’sglances。Intheattentive，inthecasual——eveninthegratefulglances——intheexpressionofthesoftestmoods。”Hasshehersoftmoods，then？”Iaskedwithinterest。
MrsFyne，muchmovedbyherrecollections，heedednotmyinquiry。
Allhermentalenergywasconcentratedonthenatureofthatmemorableglance。Thegeneraltraditionofmankindteachesusthatglancesoccupyaconsiderableplaceintheself-expressionofwomen。
Mrs。Fynewastryinghonestlytogivemesomeidea，asmuchperhapstosatisfyherownuneasinessasmycuriosity。Shewasfrowningintheeffortasyouseesometimesachilddowhatisdelightfulinwomenisthattheysooftenresembleintelligentchildren——Imeanthecrustiest，thesourest，themostbatteredofthemdo——attimes。
Shewasfrowning，Isay，andIwasbeginningtosmilefaintlyatherwhenallatonceshecameoutwithsomethingtotallyunexpected。”Itwashorriblymerry，”shesaid。
Isupposeshemusthavebeensatisfiedbymysuddengravitybecauseshelookedatmeinafriendlymanner。”Yes，Mrs。Fyne，”Isaid，smilingnolonger。”Isee。Itwouldhavebeenhorribleevenonthestage。””Ah！”sheinterruptedme——andIreallybelieveherchangeofattitudebacktofoldedarmswasmeanttocheckashudder。”Butitwasn’tonthestage，anditwasnotwithherlipsthatshelaughed。””Yes。Itmusthavebeenhorrible，”Iassented。”Andthenshehadtogoawayultimately——Isuppose。Youdidn’tsayanything？””No，”saidMrs。Fyne。”Irangthebellandtoldoneofthemaidstogoandbringthehatandcoatoutofthecab。Andthenwewaited。”
Idon’tthinkthatthereeverwassuchwaitingunlesspossiblyinajailatsomemomentorotheronthemorningofanexecution。Theservantappearedwiththehatandcoat，andthen，stillasonthemorningofanexecution，whenthecondemned，Ibelieve，isofferedabreakfast，Mrs。Fyne，anxiousthatthewhite-facedgirlshouldswallowsomethingwarmifshecouldbeforeleavingherhouseforaninterminabledrivethroughrawcoldairinadampfour-wheeler——
Mrs。Fynebroketheawfulsilence:”Youreallymusttrytoeatsomething，”inherbestresolutemanner。Sheturnedtothe”odiousperson”withthesamedetermination。”Perhapsyouwillsitdownandhaveacupofcoffee，too。”
Theworthy”employeroflabour”satdown。HemighthavebeenawedbyMrs。Fyne’speremptorymanner——forshedidnotthinkofconciliatinghimthen。Hesatdown，provisionally，likeamanwhofindshimselfmuchagainsthiswillindoubtfulcompany。HeacceptedungraciouslythecuphandedtohimbyMrs。Fyne，tookanunwillingsiportwoandputitdownasifthereweresomemoralcontaminationinthecoffeeofthese”swells。”BetweenwhileshedirectedmysteriouslyinexpressiveglancesatlittleFyne，who，I
gather，hadnobreakfastthatmorningatall。Neitherhadthegirl。
Shenevermovedherhandsfromherlaptillherappointedguardiangotup，leavinghiscuphalffull。”Well。Ifyoudon’tmeantotakeadvantageofthislady’skindofferImayjustaswelltakeyouhomeatonce。Iwanttobeginmyday——Ido。”
Afterafewmoredumb，leaden-footedminuteswhileFlorawasputtingonherhatandjacket，theFyneswithoutmoving，withoutsayinganything，sawthesetwoleavetheroom。”Sheneverlookedbackatus，”saidMrs。Fyne。”Shejustfollowedhimout。I’veneverhadsuchacrushingimpressionofthemiserabledependenceofgirls——ofwomen。Thiswasanextremecase。Butayoungman——anyman——couldhavegonetobreakstonesontheroadsorsomethingofthatkind——orenlisted——or——”
Itwasverytrue。Womencan’tgoforthonthehighroadsandby-
waystopickupalivingevenwhendignity，independence，orexistenceitselfareatstake。ButwhatmademeinterruptMrs。
Fyne’stiradewasmyprofoundsurpriseatthefactofthatrespectablecitizenbeingsowillingtokeepinhishomethepoorgirlforwhomitseemedtherewasnoplaceintheworld。Andnotonlywillingbutanxious。Icouldn’tcredithimwithgenerousimpulses。ForitseemedobvioustomefromwhatIhadlearnedthat，toputitmildly，hewasnotanimpulsiveperson。”IconfessthatIcan’tunderstandhismotive，”Iexclaimed。”ThisisexactlywhatJohnwonderedat，atfirst，”saidMrs。Fyne。
Bythattimeanintimacy——ifnotexactlyconfidence——hadsprungupbetweenuswhichpermittedherinthisdiscussiontorefertoherhusbandasJohn。”Youknowhehadnotopenedhislipsallthattime，”shepursued。”Idon’tblamehisrestraint。Onthecontrary。
Whatcouldhehavesaid？Icouldseehewasobservingthemanverythoughtfully。””Andso，Mr。Fynelistened，observedandmeditated，”Isaid。”That’sanexcellentwayofcomingtoaconclusion。AndmayIaskatwhatconclusionhehadmanagedtoarrive？Onwhatgrounddidheceasetowonderattheinexplicable？ForIcan’tadmithumanitytobetheexplanation。Itwouldbetoomonstrous。”
Itwasnothingofthesort，Mrs。Fyneassuredmewithsomeresentment，asthoughIhadaspersedlittleFyne’ssanity。Fyneverysensiblyhadsethimselfthementaltaskofdiscoveringtheself-interest。Ishouldnothavethoughthimcapableofsomuchcynicism。Hesaidtohimselfthatforpeopleofthatsortreligiousfearsorthevanityofrighteousnessputasidemoney——
notgreatwealth，butmoney，justalittlemoney——isthemeasureofvirtue，ofexpediency，ofwisdom——ofprettywelleverything。Butthegirlwasabsolutelydestitute。Thefatherwasinprisonafterthemostterriblycompleteanddisgracefulsmashofmoderntimes。
AndthenitdawneduponFynethatthiswasjustit。Thegreatsmash，inthegreatdustofvanishingmillions！Wasitpossiblethattheyallhadvanishedtothelastpenny？Wasn’tthere，somewhere，somethingpalpable；somefragmentofthefabricleft？”That’sit，”hadexclaimedFyne，startlinghiswifebythisexplosiveunseatingofhislipslessthanhalfanhourafterthedepartureofdeBarral’scousinwithdeBarral’sdaughter。Itwasstillinthedining-room，verynearthetimeforhimtogoforthaffrontingtheelementsinordertoputinanotherday’sworkinhiscountry’sservice。Allhecouldsayatthemomentinelucidationofthisbreakdownfromhisusualplacidsolemnitywas:”ThefellowimaginesthatdeBarralhasgotsomeplunderputawaysomewhere。”
ThisbeingthetheoryarrivedatbyFyne，hiscommentonitwasthatagoodmanybankruptshadbeenknowntohavetakensuchaprecaution。ItwaspossibleindeBarral’scase。Fynewentsofarinhisdisplayofcynicalpessimismastosaythatitwasextremelyprobable。
HeexplainedatlengthtoMrs。FynethatdeBarralcertainlydidnottakeanyoneintohisconfidence。Butthebeastlyrelativehadmadeuphislowmindthatitwasso。Hewasselfishandpitilessinhisstupidity，buthehadclearlyconceivedthenotionofmakingaclaimondeBarralwhendeBarralcameoutofprisononthestrengthofhaving”lookedafter”ashewouldhavehimselfexpressedithisdaughter。Henursedhishopes，suchastheywere，insecret，anditistobesupposedkeptthemevenfromhiswife。
Icouldseeitverywell。Thatbeliefaccountedforhismysteriousairwhileheinterferedinfavourofthegirl。Hewastheonlyprotectorshehad。ItwasasthoughFlorahadbeenfatedtobealwayssurroundedbytreacheryandliesstiflingeverybetterimpulse，everyinstinctiveaspirationofhersoultotrustandtolove。Itwouldhavebeenenoughtodriveafinenatureintothemadnessofuniversalsuspicion——intoanysortofmadness。Idon’tknowhowfarasenseofhumourwillstandbyone。Tothefootofthegallows，perhaps。ButfrommyrecollectionofFloradeBarralI
fearedthatshehadn’tmuchsenseofhumour。ShehadcriedatthedesertionoftheabsurdFynedog。Thatanimalwascertainlyfreefromduplicity。Hewasfrankandsimpleandridiculous。Theindignationofthegirlathisunhypocriticalbehaviourhadbeenfunnybutnothumorous。
AsyoumayimagineIwasnotveryanxioustoresumethediscussiononthejustice，expediency，effectivenessorwhatnot，ofFyne’sjourneytoLondon。Itisn’tthatIwasunfaithfultolittleFyneoutintheporchwiththedog。Theykeptamazinglyquietthere。
Couldtheyhavegonetosleep？WhatIfeltwasthateithermysagacityormyconsciencewouldcomeoutdamagedfromthatcampaign。
Andnomanwillwillinglyputhimselfinthewayofmoraldamage。I
didnotwantawarwithMrs。Fyne。Imuchpreferredtohearsomethingmoreofthegirl。Isaid:”Andsoshewentawaywiththatrespectableruffian。”
Mrs。Fynemovedhershouldersslightly——”Whatelsecouldshehavedone？”Iagreedwithherbyanotherhopelessgesture。Itisn’tsoeasyforagirllikeFloradeBarraltobecomeafactoryhand，apatheticseamstressorevenabarmaid。Shewouldn’thaveknownhowtobegin。Shewasthecaptiveofthemeanestconceivablefate。Andshewasn’tmeanenoughforit。Itistoberemarkedthatagoodmanypeopleareborncuriouslyunfittedforthefateawaitingthemonthisearth。AsIdon’twantyoutothinkthatIamundulypartialtothegirlweshallsaythatshefaileddecidedlytoendearherselftothatsimple，virtuousand，Ibelieve，teetotalhousehold。
It’smyconvictionthatanangelwouldhavefailedlikewise。It’snousegoingintodetails；sufficeittostatethatbeforetheyearwasoutshewasagainattheFynes’door。
Thistimeshewasescortedbyastoutyouth。Hislargepalefaceworeasmileofinanecunningsouredbyannoyance。Hisclotheswerenewandtheindescribablesmartnessoftheircut，agenrewhichhadneverbeenobtrudedonhernoticebefore，astonishedMrs。Fyne，whocameoutintothehallwithherhaton；forshewasabouttogoouttohearanewpianistagirlinafriend’shouse。TheyouthaddressingMrs。Fyneeasilybeggedhernottolet”thatsillythinggobacktousanymore。”Therehadbeen，hesaid，nothingbut”ructions”athomeaboutherforthelastthreeweeks。Everybodyinthefamilywasheartilysickofquarrelling。Hisgovernorhadchargedhimtobringhertothisaddressandsaythattheladyandgentlemanwerequitewelcometoalltherewasinit。Shehadn’tenoughsensetoappreciateaplain，honestEnglishhomeandshewasbetteroutofit。
Theyoung，pimply-facedfellowwasvexedbythisjobhisgovernorhadsprungonhim。Itwasthecauseofhismissinganappointmentforthatafternoonwithacertainyounglady。Theladyhewasengagedto。Buthemeanttodashbackandtryforasightofherthateveningyet”ifheweretoburstoverit。””Good-bye，Florrie。
Goodlucktoyou——andIhopeI’llneverseeyourfaceagain。”
Withthatheranoutinlover-likehasteleavingthehall-doorwideopen。Mrs。Fynehadnotfoundawordtosay。Shehadbeentoomuchtakenabackeventogaspfreely。Butshehadthepresenceofmindtograbthegirl’sarmjustasshe，too，wasrunningoutintothestreet——withthehaste，Isuppose，ofdespairandtokeepIdon’tknowwhattragictryst。”Youstoppedherwithyourownhand，Mrs。Fyne，”Isaid。”Ipresumeshemeanttogetaway。Thatgirlisnocomedian——ifIamanyjudge。””Yes！Ihadtousesomeforcetodragherin。”
Mrs。Fynehadnodifficultyinstatingthetruth。”YouseeIwasintheveryactoflettingmyselfoutwhenthesetwoappeared。Sothat，whenthatunpleasantyoungmanranoff，IfoundmyselfalonewithFlora。ItwasallIcoulddotoholdherinthehallwhileI
calledtotheservantstocomeandshutthedoor。”
Asismyhabit，ormyweakness，ormygift，Idon’tknowwhich，I
visualizedthestoryformyself。Ireallycan’thelpit。AndthevisionofMrs。Fynedressedforaratherspecialafternoonfunction，engagedinwrestlingwithawild-eyed，white-facedgirlhadacertaindramaticfascination。”Really！”Imurmured。”Oh！There’snodoubtthatshestruggled，”saidMrs。Fyne。Shecompressedherlipsforamomentandthenadded:”Astoherbeingacomedianthat’sanotherquestion。”
Mrs。Fynehadreturnedtoherattitudeoffoldedarms。Isawbeforemethedaughteroftherefinedpoetacceptinglifewholewithitsunavoidableconditionsofwhichoneofthefirstistheinstinctofself-preservationandtheegoismofeverylivingcreature。”Thefactremainsneverthelessthatyou——yourself——have，inyourownwords，pulledherin，”Iinsistedinajoculartone，withaseriousintention。”Whatwasonetodo，”exclaimedMrs。Fynewithalmostcomicexasperation。”Areyoureproachingmewithbeingtooimpulsive？”
Andshewentontellingmethatshewasnotthatintheleast。Oneoftherecommendationsshealwaysinsistedontothegirl-friends，Iimaginewastobeonguardagainstimpulse。Always！ButIhadnotbeentheretoseethefaceofFloraatthetime。IfIhaditwouldbehauntingmetothisday。Nobodyunlessmadeofironwouldhaveallowedahumanbeingwithafacelikethattorushoutaloneintothestreets。”Anddoesn’tithauntyou，Mrs。Fyne？”Iasked。”No，notnow，”shesaidimplacably。”PerhapsifIhadlethergoitmighthavedone……Don’tconclude，though，thatIthinkshewasplayingacomedythen，becauseafterstrugglingatfirstsheendedbyremaining。Shegaveupverysuddenly。Shecollapsedinourarms，mineandthemaid’swhocamerunningupinresponsetomycalls，and……””Andthedoorwasthenshut，”Icompletedthephraseinmyownway。”Yes，thedoorwasshut，”Mrs。Fyneloweredandraisedherheadslowly。
Ididnotaskherfordetails。OfonethingIamcertain，andthatisthatMrs。Fynedidnotgoouttothemusicalfunctionthatafternoon。Shewasnodoubtconsiderablyannoyedatmissingtheprivilegeofhearingprivatelyaninterestingyoungpianistagirl
who，since，hadbecomeoneoftherecognizedperformers。Mrs。Fynedidnotdareleaveherhouse。AstothefeelingsoflittleFynewhenhecamehomefromtheoffice，viahisclub，justhalfanhourbeforedinner，Ihavenoinformation。ButIventuretoaffirmthatinthemaintheywerekindly，thoughitisquitepossiblethatinthefirstmomentofsurprisehehadtokeepdownaswear-wordortwo。
ThelongandtheshortofitallisthatnextdaytheFynesmadeuptheirmindstotakeintotheirconfidenceacertainwealthyoldlady。Withcertainoldladiesthepassingyearsbringbackasortofmellowedyouthfulnessoffeeling，anoptimisticoutlook，likingfornovelty，readinessforexperiment。Theoldladywasverymuchinterested:”Doletmeseethepoorthing！”ShewasaccordinglyallowedtoseeFloradeBarralinMrs。Fyne’sdrawing-roomonadaywhentherewasnooneelsethere，andshepreachedtoherwithcharming，sympatheticauthority:”Theonlywaytodealwithourtroubles，mydearchild，istoforgetthem。Youmustforgetyours。
It’sverysimple。Lookatme。Ialwaysforgetmine。Atyourageoneoughttobecheerful。”
LateronwhenleftalonewithMrs。Fyneshesaidtothatlady:”I
dohopethechildwillmanagetobecheerful。Ican’thavesadfacesnearme。Atmyageoneneedscheerfulcompanions。”
AndinthishopeshecarriedoffFloradeBarraltoBournemouthforthewintermonthsinthequalityofreaderandcompanion。Shehadsaidtoherwithkindlyjocularity:”Weshallhaveagoodtimetogether。Iamnotagrumpyoldwoman。”ButontheirreturntoLondonshesoughtMrs。Fyneatonce。ShehaddiscoveredthatFlorawasnotnaturallycheerful。Whenshemadeeffortstobeitwasstillworse。Theoldladycouldn’tstandthestrainofthat。Andthen，tohavethewholethingout，shecouldnotbeartohaveforacompanionanyonewhodidnotloveher。ShewascertainthatFloradidnotloveher。Why？Shecouldn’tsay。Moreover，shehadcaughtthegirllookingatherinapeculiarwayattimes。Ohno！——itwasnotanevillook——itwasanunusualexpressionwhichonecouldnotunderstand。Andwhenonerememberedthatherfatherwasinprisonshutuptogetherwithalotofcriminalsandsoon——itmadeoneuncomfortable。Ifthechildhadonlytriedtoforgethertroubles！
Butsheobviouslywasincapableorunwillingtodoso。Andthatwassomewhatperverse——wasn’tit？Uponthewhole，shethoughtitwouldbebetterperhaps-
Mrs。Fyneassentedhurriedlytotheunspokenconclusion:”Ohcertainly！Certainly，”wonderingtoherselfwhatwastobedonewithFloranext；butshewasnotverymuchsurprisedatthechangeintheoldlady’sviewofFloradeBarral。Shealmostunderstoodit。
WhatcamenextwasaGermanfamily，thecontinentalacquaintancesofthewifeofoneofFyne’scolleaguesintheHomeOffice。Floraoftheenigmaticalglanceswasdispatchedtothemwithoutmuchreflection。Asitwasnotconsideredabsolutelynecessarytotakethemintofullconfidence，theyneitherexpectedthegirltobespeciallycheerfulnorweretheydiscomposedundulybytheindescribablequalityofherglances。TheGermanwomanwasquiteordinary；thereweretwoboystolookafter；theywereordinary，too，Ipresume；andFlora，Iunderstand，wasveryattentivetothem。
Ifshetaughtthemanythingitmusthavebeenbyinspirationalone，forshecertainlyknewnothingofteaching。Butitwasmostly”conversation”whichwasdemandedfromher。FloradeBarralconversingwithtwosmallGermanboys，regularly，industriously，conscientiously，inordertokeepherselfaliveintheworldwhichheldforherthepastweknowandthefutureofanevenmoreundesirablequality——seemstomeaveryfantasticcombination。ButIbelieveitwasnotsobad。Shewasbeing，shewrote，mercifullydruggedbyhertask。Shehadlearnedto”converse”alldaylong，mechanically，absently，asifinatrance。Anuneasytranceitmusthavebeen！Herworstmomentswerewhenoffduty——aloneintheevening，shutupinherownlittleroom，herdulledthoughtswakingupslowlytillshestartedintothefullconsciousnessofherposition，likeapersonwakingupincontactwithsomethingvenomous——asnake，forinstance——experiencingamadimpulsetoflingthethingawayandrunoffscreamingtohidesomewhere。
AtthisperiodofherexistenceFloradeBarralusedtowritetoMrs。Fynenotregularlybutfairlyoften。Idon’tknowhowlongshewouldhavegoneon”conversing”and，incidentally，helpingtosupervisethebeautifullystockedlinenclosetsofthatwell-to-doGermanhousehold，ifthemanofithadnotdevelopedintheintervalsofhisavocationshewasamerchantandathoroughlydomesticatedcharacterapsychologicalresemblancetotheBournemoutholdlady。Itappearedthathe，too，wantedtobeloved。
Hewasnot，however，ofaconqueringtemperament——akiss-snatching，door-burstingtypeoflibertine。Intheveryactofstrayingfromthepathofvirtueheremainedarespectablemerchant。ItwouldhavebeenperhapsbetterforFloraifhehadbeenamerebrute。Buthesetabouthissinisterenterpriseinasentimental，cautious，almostpaternalmanner；andthoughthewouldbesafewithaprettyorphan。Thegirlforallherexperiencewasstilltooinnocent，andindeednotyetsufficientlyawareofherselfasawoman，tomistrustthesemaskedapproaches。Shedidnotseethem，infact。Shethoughthimsympathetic——thefirstexpressivelysympatheticpersonshehadevermet。ShewassoinnocentthatshecouldnotunderstandthefuryoftheGermanwoman。For，asyoumayimagine，thewifelypenetrationwasnottobedeceivedforanygreatlengthoftime——themoresothatthewifewasolderthanthehusband。ThemanwiththepeculiarcowardiceofrespectabilityneversaidawordinFlora’sdefence。Hestoodbyandheardherreviledinthemostabusiveterms，onlynoddingandfrowningvaguelyfromtimetotime。Itwillgiveyoutheideaofthegirl’sinnocencewhenIsaythatatfirstsheactuallythoughtthisstormofindignantreproacheswascausedbythediscoveryofherrealnameandherrelationtoaconvict。
Shehadbeensentoutunderanassumedname——ahighlyrecommendedorphanofhonourableparentage。Herdistress，herburningcheeks，herendeavourstoexpressherregretforthisdeceptionweretakenforaconfessionofguilt。”Youattemptedtobringdishonourtomyhome，”theGermanwomanscreamedather。
Here’samisunderstandingforyou！FloradeBarral，whofelttheshamebutdidnotbelieveintheguiltofherfather，retortedfiercely，”NeverthelessIamashonourableasyouare。”AndthentheGermanwomannearlywentintoafitfromrage。”Ishallhaveyouthrownoutintothestreet。”
Florawasnotexactlythrownoutintothestreet，Ibelieve，butshewasbundledbagandbaggageonboardasteamerforLondon。DidI
tellyouthesepeoplelivedinHamburg？Wellyes——senttothedockslateonarainywintereveninginchargeofsomesneeringlackeyorotherwhobehavedtoherinsolentlyandleftherondeckburningwithindignation，herhairhalfdown，shakingwithexcitementand，truthtosay，scaredasnearaspossibleintohysterics。Ifithadnotbeenforthestewardesswho，withoutaskingquestions，goodsoul，tookchargeofherquietlyintheladies’saloonluckilyitwasemptyitisbynomeanscertainshewouldeverhavereachedEngland。Ican’ttellifastraweversavedadrowningman，butI
knowthatamereglanceisenoughtomakedespairpause。Forintruthwewhoarecreaturesofimpulsearenotcreaturesofdespair。
Suicide，Isuspect，isveryoftentheoutcomeofmerementalweariness——notanactofsavageenergybutthefinalsymptomofcompletecollapse。Thequiet，matter-of-factattentionsofaship’sstewardess，whodidnotseemawareofotherhumanagoniesthansea-
sickness，whotalkedoftheprobableweatherofthepassage——itwouldbearoughnight，shethought——andwhoinsistedinaprofessionallybusymanner，”Letmemakeyoucomfortabledownbelowatonce，miss，”asthoughshewerethinkingofnothingelsebuthertip——wasenoughtodissipatetheshadesofdeathgatheringroundthemortalwearinessofbewilderedthinkingwhichmakestheideaofnon-
existencewelcomesooftentotheyoung。FloradeBarraldidliedown，anditmaybepresumedsheslept。AtanyrateshesurvivedthevoyageacrosstheNorthSeaandtoldMrs。Fyneallaboutit，concealingnothingandreceivingnorebuke——forMrs。Fyne’sopinionshadalargefreedomintheirpedantry。Sheheld，Isuppose，thatawomanholdsanabsoluteright——orpossessesaperfectexcuse——toescapeinherownwayfromaman-mismanagedworld。
WhatistobenotedisthateveninLondon，havinghadtimetotakeareflectiveview，poorFlorawasfarfrombeingcertainastothetrueinwardnessofherviolentdismissal。Shefeltthehumiliationofitwithanalmostmaddenedresentment。”Anddidyouenlightenheronthepoint？”Iventuredtoask。
Mrs。Fynemovedhershoulderswithaphilosophicalacceptanceofallthenecessitieswhichoughtnottobe。Somethinghadtobesaid，shemurmured。Shehadtoldthegirlenoughtomakehercometotherightconclusionbyherself。”Andshedid？””Yes。Ofcourse。Sheisn’tagoose，”retortedMrs。Fynetartly。”Thenhereducationiscompleted，”Iremarkedwithsomebitterness。”Don’tyouthinksheoughttobegivenachance？”
Mrs。Fyneunderstoodmymeaning。”Notthisone，”shesnappedinaquitefeminineway。”It’sallverywellforyoutoplead，butI——””Idonotplead。Isimplyasked。Itseemednaturaltoaskwhatyouthought。””It’swhatIfeelthatmatters。AndIcan’thelpmyfeelings。Youmayguess，”sheaddedinasoftertone，”thatmyfeelingsaremostlyconcernedwithmybrother。Wewereveryfondofeachother。Thedifferenceofourageswasnotverygreat。IsupposeyouknowheisalittleyoungerthanIam。Hewasasensitiveboy。Hehadthehabitofbrooding。Itisnouseconcealingfromyouthatneitherofuswashappyathome。Youhaveheard，nodoubt……Yes？Well，I
wasmadestillmoreunhappyandhurt——Idon’tmindtellingyouthat。
Hemadehiswaytosomedistantrelationsofourmother’speoplewhoIbelievewerenotknowntomyfatheratall。Idon’twishtojudgetheiraction。”
IinterruptedMrs。Fynehere。Ihadheard。Fynewasnotverycommunicativeingeneral，buthewasproudofhisfather-in-law——”CarleonAnthony，thepoet，youknow。”Proudofhiscelebritywithoutapprovingofhischaracter。Itwasonthataccount，I
stronglysuspect，thatheseizedwithavidityuponthetheoryofpoeticalgeniusbeingalliedtomadness，whichhegotholdofinsomeidioticbookeverybodywasreadingafewyearsago。Itstruckhimasbeingtruthitself——illuminatinglikethesun。Headopteditdevoutly。Heboredmewithitsometimes。Once，justtoshuthimup，Iaskedquietlyifthistheorywhichheregardedassoincontrovertibledidnotcausehimsomeuneasinessabouthiswifeandthedeargirls？Hetransfixedmewithapityingstareandrequestedmeinhisdeepsolemnvoicetorememberthe”well-
establishedfact”thatgeniuswasnottransmissible。
Isaidonly”Oh！Isn’tit？”andhethoughthehadsilencedmebyanunanswerableargument。Buthecontinuedtotalkofhisgloriousfather-in-law，anditwasinthecourseofthatconversationthathetoldmehow，whentheLiverpoolrelationsofthepoet’slatewifenaturallyaddressedthemselvestohiminconsiderableconcern，suggestingafriendlyconsultationastotheboy’sfuture，theincensedbutalwaysrefinedpoetwroteinansweraletterofmerepolishedbadinagewhichoffendedmortallytheLiverpoolpeople。
Thiswittyoutbreakofwhatwasinfactmortificationandrageappearedtothemsoheartlessthattheysimplykepttheboy。Theylethimgotoseanotbecausehewasintheirwaybutbecausehebeggedhardtobeallowedtogo。”Oh！Youdoknow，”saidMrs。Fyneafterapause。”Well——Ifeltmyselfverymuchabandoned。Thenhischoiceoflife——soextraordinary，sounfortunate，Imaysay。Iwasverymuchgrieved。
Ishouldhavelikedhimtohavebeendistinguished——oratanyratetoremaininthesocialspherewherewecouldhavehadcommoninterests，acquaintances，thoughts。Don’tthinkthatIamestrangedfromhim。ButtheprecisetruthisthatIdonotknowhim。Iwasmostpainfullyaffectedwhenhewasherebythedifficultyoffindingasingletopicwecoulddiscusstogether。”
WhileMrs。FynewastalkingofherbrotherIletmythoughtswanderoutoftheroomtolittleFynewhobyleavingmealonewithhiswifehad，sotospeak，entrustedhisdomesticpeacetomyhonour。”Well，then，Mrs。Fyne，doesitnotstrikeyouthatitwouldbereasonableunderthecircumstancestoletyourbrothertakecareofhimself？””AndsupposeIhavegroundstothinkthathecan’ttakecareofhimselfinagiveninstance。”Shehesitatedinafunny，bashfulmannerwhichrousedmyinterest。Then:”SailorsIbelieveareverysusceptible，”sheaddedwithforcedassurance。
Iburstintoalaughwhichonlyincreasedthecoldnessofherobservingstare。”Theyare。Immensely！Hopelessly！MydearMrs。Fyne，youhadbettergiveitup！Itonlymakesyourhusbandmiserable。””AndIamquitemiserabletoo。Itisreallyourfirstdifference……””RegardingMissdeBarral？”Iasked。”Regardingeverything。It’sreallyintolerablethatthisgirlshouldbetheoccasion。Ithinkhereallyoughttogiveway。”
SheturnedherchairroundalittleandpickingupthebookIhadbeenreadinginthemorningbegantoturntheleavesabsently。
Hereyesbeingoffme，IfeltIcouldallowmyselftoleavetheroom。ItsatmospherehadbecomehopelessforlittleFyne’sdomesticpeace。Youmaysmile。Buttothesolemnallthingsaresolemn。I
hadenoughsagacitytounderstandthat。
Islippedoutintotheporch。ThedogwasslumberingatFyne’sfeet。Themuscularlittlemanleaningonhiselbowandgazingoverthefieldspresentedaforlornfigure。Heturnedhisheadquickly，butseeingIwasalone，relapsedintohismoodycontemplationofthegreenlandscape。
Isaidloudlyanddistinctly:”I’vecomeouttosmokeacigarette，”
andsatdownnearhimonthelittlebench。Thenloweringmyvoice:”Toleranceisanextremelydifficultvirtue，”Isaid。”Moredifficultforsomethanheroism。Moredifficultthancompassion。”
Iavoidedlookingathim。Iknewwellenoughthathewouldnotlikethisopening。Generalideaswerenottohistaste。Hemistrustedthem。Ilightedacigarette，notthatIwantedtosmoke，buttogiveanothermomenttotheconsiderationoftheadvice——thediplomaticadviceIhadmadeupmymindtobowlhimoverwith。AndIcontinuedinsubduedtones。”IhavebeenledtomaketheseremarksbywhatIhavediscoveredsinceyouleftus。Isuspectedfromthefirst。AndnowIamcertain。WhatyourwifecannottolerateinthisaffairisMissdeBarralbeingwhatsheis。”
Hemadeamovement，butIkeptmyeyesawayfromhimandwentonsteadily。”Thatis——herbeingawoman。IhavesomeideaofMrs。
Fyne’smentalattitudetowardssocietywithitsinjustices，withitsatrociousorridiculousconventions。Asagainstthemthereisnoaudacityofactionyourwife’smindrefusestosanction。ThedoctrinewhichIimagineshestuffsintotheprettyheadsofyourgirl-guestsisalmostvengeful。Asortofmoralfire-and-sworddoctrine。Howfarthelessoniswiseisnotformetosay。Idon’tpermitmyselftojudge。Iseemtoseeherverydelightfuldisciplessingeingthemselveswiththetorches，andcuttingtheirfingerswiththeswordsofMrs。Fyne’sfurnishing。””Mywifeholdsheropinionsveryseriously，”murmuredFynesuddenly。”Yes。Nodoubt，”Iassentedinalowvoiceasbefore。”Butitisamereintellectualexercise。WhatIseeisthatindealingwithrealityMrs。Fyneceasestobetolerant。Inotherwords，thatshecan’tforgiveMissdeBarralforbeingawomanandbehavinglikeawoman。Andyetthisisnotonlyreasonableandnatural，butitisheronlychance。Awomanagainsttheworldhasnoresourcesbutinherself。HeronlymeansofactionistobewhatSHEIS。YouunderstandwhatImean。”
Fynemumbledbetweenhisteeththatheunderstood。Buthedidnotseeminterested。Whatheexpectedofmewastoextricatehimfromadifficultsituation。Idon’tknowhowfarcrediblethismaysound，tolesssolemnmarriedcouples，buttoremainatvariancewithhiswifeseemedtohimaconsiderableincident。Almostadisaster。”ItlooksasthoughIdidn’tcarewhathappenedtoherbrother，”hesaid。”Andafterallifanything……”
Ibecamealittleimpatientbutwithoutraisingmytone:”Whatthing？”Iasked。”Theliabilitytogetpenalservitudeissofarlikegeniusthatitisn’thereditary。Andwhatelsecanbeobjectedtothegirl？Alltheenergyofherdeeperfeelings，whichshewoulduseupvainlyinthedangerandfatigueofastrugglewithsocietymaybeturnedintodevotedattachmenttothemanwhooffersherawayofescapefromwhatcanbeonlyalifeofmoralanguish。
Idon’tmentionthephysicaldifficulties。”
GlancingatFyneoutofthecornerofoneeyeIdiscoveredthathewasattentive。HemadetheremarkthatIshouldhavesaidallthistohiswife。Itwasasensibleenoughremark。ButIhadgivenMrs。
Fyneup。Iaskedhimifhisimpressionwasthathiswifemeanttoentrusthimwithaletterforherbrother？
No。Hedidn’tthinkso。TherewerecertainreasonswhichmadeMrs。
Fyneunwillingtocommitherargumentstopaper。Fynewastobeprimedwiththem。Buthehadnodoubtthatifhepersistedinhisrefusalshewouldmakeuphermindtowrite。”Shedoesnotwishmetogounlesswithafullconvictionthatsheisright，”saidFynesolemnly。”She’sveryexacting，”Icommented。AndthenIreflectedthatshewasusedtoit。”Wouldnothinglessdoforonce？””Youdon’tmeanthatIshouldgiveway——doyou？”askedFyneinawhisperofalarmedsuspicion。
AsthiswasexactlywhatImeant，Ilethisfrightsinkintohim。
Hefidgeted。Ifthewordmaybeusedofsosolemnapersonage，hewriggled。Andwhenthehorridsuspicionhaddescendedintohisveryheels，sotospeak，hebecameverystill。Hesatgazingstonilyintospaceboundedbytheyellow，burnt-upslopesoftherisinggroundacoupleofmilesaway。ThefaceofthedownshowedthewhitescarofthequarrywherenotmorethansixteenhoursbeforeFyneandIhadbeengropinginthedarkwithhorribleapprehensionoffindingunderourhandstheshatteredbodyofagirl。FormyselfIhadinadditionthememoryofmymeetingwithher。Shewascertainlywalkingveryneartheedge——courtingasinistersolution。
But，now，havingbythemostunexpectedchancecomeuponaman，shehadfoundanotherwaytoescapefromtheworld。Suchworldaswasopentoher——withoutshelter，withoutbread，withouthonour。Thebestshecouldhavefoundinitwouldhavebeenaprecariousdoleofpitydiminishingasheryearsincreased。TheappealoftheabandonedchildFloratothesympathiesoftheFyneshadbeenirresistible。Butnowshehadbecomeawoman，andMrs。Fynewaspresentinganimplacablefronttoaparticularlyfemininetransaction。Imaysaytriumphantlyfeminine。ItistruethatMrs。
Fynedidnotwantwomentobewomen。Hertheorywasthattheyshouldturnthemselvesintounscrupuloussexlessnuisances。Anoffendedtheoristdweltinherbosomsomewhere。InwhatwaysheexpectedFloradeBarraltosetaboutsavingherselffromamostmiserableexistenceIcan’tconceive；butIverifybelievethatshewouldhavefounditeasiertoforgivethegirlanactualcrime；saytheriflingoftheBournemoutholdlady’sdesk，forinstance。Andthen——forMrs。Fynewasverymuchofawomanherself——hersenseofproprietorshipwasverystrongwithinher；andthoughshehadnotmuchuseforherbrother，yetshedidnotliketoseehimannexedbyanotherwoman。Byachitofagirl。Andsuchagirl，too。Nothingistruerthanthat，inthisworld，thelucklesshavenorighttotheiropportunities——asifmisfortunewerealegaldisqualification。
Fyne’ssentimentsastheynaturallywouldbeinamanhadmorestability。Agooddealofhissympathysurvived。IndeedIheardhimmurmur”Ghastlynuisance，”butIknewitwasoftheintegrityofhisdomesticaccordthathewasthinking。WithmyeyesonthedoglyingcurledupinsleepinthemiddleoftheporchIsuggestedinasubduedimpersonaltone:”Yes。Whynotletyourselfbepersuaded？”
IneversawlittleFynelesssolemn。Hehissedthroughhisteethinunexpectedlyfigurativestylethatitwouldtakealottopersuadehimto”pushundertheheadofapoordevilofagirlquitesufficientlyplucky”——andsnorted。Hewasstillgazingatthedistantquarry，andIthinkhewasaffectedbythatsight。I
assuredhimthatIwasfarfromadvisinghimtodoanythingsocruel。Iamconvincedhehadalwaysdoubtedthesoundnessofmyprinciples，becauseheturnedonmeswiftlyasthoughhehadbeenonthewatchforalapsefromthestraightpath。”Thenwhatdoyoumean？ThatIshouldpretend！””No！Whatnonsense！Itwouldbeimmoral。ImayhowevertellyouthatifIhadtomakeachoiceIwouldratherdosomethingimmoralthansomethingcruel。WhatImeantwasthat，notbelievingintheefficacyoftheinterference，thewholequestionisreducedtoyourconsentingtodowhatyourwifewishesyoutodo。Thatwouldbeactinglikeagentleman，surely。Andactingunselfishlytoo，becauseIcanverywellunderstandhowdistastefulitmaybetoyou。
Generallyspeaking，anunselfishactionisamoralaction。I’lltellyouwhat。I’llgowithyou。”
Heturnedroundandstaredatmewithsurpriseandsuspicion。”Youwouldgowithme？”herepeated。”Youdon’tunderstand，”Isaid，amusedattheincredulousdisgustofhistone。”Imustrunuptotown，to-morrowmorning。Letusgotogether。Youhaveasetoftravellingchessmen。”
Hisphysiognomy，contractedbyavarietyofemotions，relaxedtoacertainextentattheideaofagame。ItoldhimthatasIhadbusinessattheDocksheshouldhavemycompanytotheveryship。”WeshallbeguilethewaytothewildsoftheEastbyimprovingconversation，”Iencouragedhim。”Mybrother-in-lawisstayingatanhotel——theEasternHotel，”hesaid，becomingsombreagain。”Ihaven’ttheslightestideawhereitis。””Iknowtheplace。Ishallleaveyouatthedoorwiththecomfortableconvictionthatyouaredoingwhat’srightsinceitpleasesaladyandcannotdoanyharmtoanybodywhatever。””Youthinkso？Noharmtoanybody？”herepeateddoubtfully。”Iassureyouit’snottheslightestuse，”Isaidwithallpossibleemphasiswhichseemedonlytoincreasethesolemndiscontentofhisexpression。”ButinorderthatmygoingshouldbeaperfectlycandidproceedingImustfirstconvincemywifethatitisn’ttheslightestuse，”heobjectedportentously。”Oh，youcasuist！”Isaid。AndIsaidnothingmorebecauseatthatmomentMrs。Fynesteppedoutintotheporch。Werosetogetheratherappearance。Herclear，colourless，unflinchingglanceenvelopedusbothcritically。Isustainedthechillsmilingly，butFynestoopedatoncetoreleasethedog。Hewassometimeaboutit；thensimultaneouslywithhisrecoveryofuprightpositiontheanimalpassedatoneboundfromprofoundestslumberintomosttumultuousactivity。EnvelopedinthetornadoofhisinanescurryingsandbarkingsItookMrs。Fyne’shandextendedtomewoodenlyandbowedoveritwithdeference。Shewalkeddownthepathwithoutaword；
Fynehadprecededherandwaswaitingbytheopengate。Theypassedoutandwalkeduptheroadsurroundedbyalowcloudofdustraisedbythedoggyratingmadlyabouttheirtwofiguresprogressingsidebysidewithrectitudeandpropriety，andIdon’tknowwhylookingtomeasiftheyhadannexedthewholecountry-side。Perhapsitwasthattheyhadimpressedmesomehowwiththesenseoftheirsuperiority。Whatsuperiority？Perhapsitconsistedjustintheirlimitations。Itwasobviousthatneitherofthemhadcarriedawayahighopinionofme。ButwhataffectedmemostwastheindifferenceoftheFynedog。Heusedtoprecipitatehimselfatfullspeedandwithafrightfulfinalupwardspringuponmywaistcoat，atleastonceateachofourmeetings。Hehadneglectedthatceremonythistimenotwithstandingmycorrectandevenconventionalconductinofferinghimacake；itseemedtomesymbolicofmyfinalseparationfromtheFynehousehold。AndIrememberedagainsthimhowonacertaindayhehadabandonedpoorFloradeBarral——whowasmorbidlysensitive。
Isatdownintheporchand，maybeinspiredbysecretantagonismtotheFynes，IsaidtomyselfdeliberatelythatCaptainAnthonymustbeafinefellow。YetonthefactsasIknewthemhemighthavebeenadangeroustrifleroradownrightscoundrel。Hehadmadeamiserable，hopelessgirlfollowhimclandestinelytoLondon。Itistruethatthegirlhadwrittensince，onlyMrs。Fynehadbeenremarkablyvagueastothecontents。Theywereunsatisfactory。
TheydidnotpositivelyannounceimminentnuptialsasfarasIcouldmakeitoutfromherrathermysterioushints。Butthenherinexperiencemighthaveledherastray。TherewasnofathomingtheinnocenceofawomanlikeMrs。Fynewho，venturingasfaraspossibleintheory，wouldknownothingoftherealaspectofthings。
Itwouldhavebeencomicifsheweremakingallthisfussfornothing。ButIrejectedthissuspicionforthehonourofhumannature。
IimaginedtomyselfCaptainAnthonyassimpleandromantic。Itwasmuchmorepleasant。Geniusisnothereditarybuttemperamentmaybe。Andhewasthesonofapoetwithanadmirablegiftofindividualising，ofetherealizingthecommon-place；ofmakingtouching，delicate，fascinatingthemosthopelessconventionsofthe，so-called，refinedexistence。
WhatIcouldnotunderstandwasMrs。Fyne’sdog-in-the-mangerattitude。Sentimentallysheneededthatbrotherofherssolittle！
Whatcoulditmattertoheronewayoranother——settingasidecommonhumanitywhichwouldsuggestatleastaneutralattitude。UnlessindeeditwastheblindworkingofthelawthatinourworldofchancesthelucklessMUSTbeputinthewrongsomehow。
AndmusingthusonthegeneralinclinationofourinstinctstowardsinjusticeImetunexpectedly，attheturnoftheroad，asitwere，ashapeofduplicity。ItmighthavebeenunconsciousonMrs。Fyne’spart，butherleadingideaappearedtometobenottokeep，nottopreserveherbrother，buttogetridofhimdefinitely。Shedidnothopetostopanything。Shehadtoomuchsenseforthat。Almostanyoneoutofanidiotasylumwouldhavehadenoughsenseforthat。
Shewantedtheprotesttobemade，emphatically，withFyne’sfullestconcurrenceinordertomakeallintercourseforthefutureimpossible。SuchanactionwouldestrangethepairforeverfromtheFynes。Sheunderstoodherbrotherandthegirltoo。Happytogether，theywouldneverforgivethatoutspokenhostility——andshouldthemarriageturnoutbadly……Well，itwouldbejustthesame。Neitherofthemwouldbelikelytobringtheirtroublestosuchagoodprophetofevil。
Yes。Thatmusthavebeenhermotive。TheinspirationofapossiblyunconsciousMachiavellism！Eithershewasafraidofhavingasister-in-lawtolookafterduringthehusband’slongabsences；ordreadedthemoreorlessdistanteventualityofherbrotherbeingpersuadedtoleavethesea，thefriendlyrefugeofhisunhappyyouth，andtosettleonshore，bringingtoherverydoorthisundesirable，thisembarrassingconnection。Shewantedtobedonewithit——maybesimplyfromthefatigueofcontinuouseffortingoodorevil，which，inthebulkofcommonmortals，accountsforsomanysurprisinginconsistenciesofconduct。
Idon’tknowthatIhadclassedMrs。Fyne，inmythoughts，amongstcommonmortals。Shewastooquietlysureofherselfforthat。ButlittleFyne，asIspiedhimnextmorningoutofthecarriagewindowspeedingalongtheplatform，lookedverymuchlikeacommon，flusteredmortalwhohasmadeaverynearthingofcatchinghistrain:thestartingwildeyes，thetenseandexcitedface，thedistractedgait，allthecommonsymptomswerethere，renderedmoreimpressivebyhisnativesolemnitywhichflappedabouthimlikeadisorderedgarment。Hadhe——Iaskedmyselfwithinterest——resistedhiswifetotheverylastminuteandthenbolteduptheroadfromthelastconclusiveargument，asthoughithadbeenaloadedgunsuddenlyproduced？Iopenedthecarriagedoor，andavigorousportershovedhiminfrombehindjustastheendoftherusticplatformwentglidingswiftlyfromunderhisfeet。Hewasverymuchoutofbreath，andIwaitedwithsomecuriosityforthemomenthewouldrecoverhispowerofspeech。Thatmomentcame。Hesaid”Goodmorning”withaslightgasp，remainedverystillforanotherminuteandthenpulledoutofhispocketthetravellingchessboard，andholdingitinhishand，directedatmeaglanceofinquiry。”Yes。Certainly，”Isaid，verymuchdisappointed。