Themorningwasfaradvancedbeforehecouldgotobed。Whenthefirstlightoftheaurorabrokethesky，helookedoutagain；——andthefirstglimmeringsofthemorninginthewoodweremoredreadfulthanthedeepestdarknessofthepastnight。Possessedbyanewhorror，hethoughthowawfulitwouldbetoseeabelatedghost，hurryingawayinhelplesshaste。Thespectrewouldbeyetmoreterribleinthegreylightofthecomingday，andtheazurebreezesofthemorning，whichtoitwouldbelikeanewandmorefearfuldeath，thanamidstitsownhomelysepulchraldarkness；whilethesilenceallaround——silenceinlight——couldbefitonlythatdreadseasonoflonelinesswhenmenarelostinsleep，andghosts，iftheywalkatall，walkindismay。
Butatlengthfearyieldedtosleep，thoughstillhetroubledhershortreign。
Whenheawoke，hefounditsolate，thatitwasallhecoulddotogetdownintimeforbreakfast。Butsoanxiouswashenottobelaterthanusual，thathewasintheroombeforeMr。Arnoldmadehisappearance。Euphra，however，wastherebeforehim。Shegreetedhimintheusualway，quitecircumspectly。Butshelookedtroubled。
Herfacewasverypale，andhereyeswerered，asiffromsleeplessnessorweeping。Whenheruncleentered，sheaddressedhimwithmoregaietythanusual，andhedidnotperceivethatanythingwasamisswithher。Butthewholeofthatdayshewalkedasinareverie，avoidingHughtwoorthreetimesthattheychancedtomeetwithoutathirdpersonintheneighbourhood。Onceintheforenoon——whenshewasgenerallytobefoundinherroom——hecouldnotrefrainfromtryingtoseeher。Thechangeandthemysterywereinsupportabletohim。Butwhenhetappedatherdoor，noanswercame；andhewalkedbacktoHarry，feeling，asif，byanunknowndoorinhisownsoul，hehadbeenshutoutofthehalfofhisbeing。
Orrather——awallseemedtohavebeenbuiltrightbeforehiseyes，whichstillwastherewhereverhewent。
Astotheglidingphantomofthepreviousnight，thedaydenieditall，tellinghimitwasbutthecoinageofhisownover-wroughtbrain，weakenedbyprolongedtensionoftheintellect，andexcitedbythepresenceofEuphraatanhourclaimedbyphantomswhennotyieldedtosleep。Thiswastheeasiestandmostnaturalwayofdisposingofthedifficulty。ThecloudaroundEuphrahidtheghostinitsskirts。
Althoughfearinsomemeasurereturnedwiththereturningshadows，heyetresolvedtotrytogetEuphratomeethimagaininthelibrarythatnight。Butshenevergavehimachanceofevendroppingahinttothatpurpose。Shehadnotgoneoutwiththeminthemorning；andwhenhefollowedherintothedrawing-room，shewasalreadyatthepiano。Hethoughthemightconveyhiswishwithoutinterruptingthemusic；butasoftenasheapproachedher，shebroke，orratherglided，outintosong，asifshehadbeensinginginanundertoneallthewhile。Hecouldnothelpseeingshedidnotintendtolethimspeaktoher。But，allthetime，whatevershesangwassomethingsheknewheliked；andasoftenasshespoketohiminthehearingofheruncleorcousin，itwasinamannerpeculiarlygracefulandsimple。
Hecouldnotunderstandher；andwasmorebewitched，morefascinatedthanever，byseeingherthroughthefoldsoftheincomprehensible，inwhichelementshehadwrappedherselffromhisnearervision。
Shehadalwaysseemedabovehim——nowsheseemedmilesawayaswell；
aregionofParadise，intowhichhewasforbiddentoenter。
Everythingabouther，toherhandkerchiefandhergloves，washauntedbyavaguemysteryofworshipfulness，anddrewhimtowardsitwithwonderandtrembling。Whentheypartedforthenight，sheshookhandswithhimwithacoolfrankness，thatputhimnearlybesidehimselfwithdespair；andwhenhefoundhimselfinhisownroom，itwassometimebeforehecouldcollecthisthoughts。Havingsucceeded，however，heresolved，inspiteofgrowingfears，togotothelibrary，andseewhetheritwerenotpossibleshemightbethere。Hetookupacandle，andwentdownthebackstair。Butwhenheopenedthelibrarydoor，agustofwindblewhiscandleout；allwasdarknesswithin；asuddenhorrorseizedhim；and，afraidofyieldingtotheinclinationtoboundupthestair，lestheshouldgowildwiththeterrorofpursuit，hecreptslowlyback，feelinghiswaytohisownroomwithadetermineddeliberateness——Couldthelibrarywindowhavebeenleftopen？Elsewhencethegustofwind？
Nextday，andthenext，andthenext，hefarednobetter：herbehaviourcontinuedthesame；andsheallowedhimnoopportunityofrequestinganexplanation。
CHAPTERXII。
ASUNDAY。
Amanmaybeahereticinthetruth；andifhebelievethingsonlybecausehispastorsaysso，ortheassemblysodetermines，withoutknowingotherreason，thoughhisbeliefbetrue，yettheverytruthheholdsbecomeshisheresy——MILTON——Areopagitica。
Atlengththeexpectedvisitorsarrived。Hughsawnothingofthemtilltheyassembledfordinner。Mrs。Eltonwasabenevolentoldlady——notoldenoughtogiveintobeingold——rathertall，andratherstout，inrichwidow-costume，whosedepthhadbeenmoderatedbytime。Herkindlygreyeyeslookedoutfromacalmface，whichseemedtohavetakencomfortfromlovingeverybodyinamildandmoderatefashion。LadyEmilywasaslendergirl，rathershy，withfairhair，andapaleinnocentface。Sheworeavioletdress，whichputoutherblueeyes。SheshowedtonoadvantagebesidethesuppressedglowoflifewhichmadeEuphralooklikeatropicaltwilight——Iamawarethereisnosuchthing，butiftherewere，itwouldbejustlikeher。
Mrs。Eltonseemedtohaveconcentratedthemotherhoodofhernature，whichwashermostprominentcharacteristic，notwithstanding——orperhapsinvirtueof——herchildlessness，uponLadyEmily。ToherMrs。Eltonwassolicitouslyattentive；andshe，onherpart，receiveditallsweetlyandgratefully，takingnoumbrageatbeingtreatedasmoreofaninvalidthanshewas。
LadyEmilyatenothingbutchicken，andcustard-puddingorrice，allthetimeshewasatArnstead。
Thericherandmoreseasonedanydish，themoregratefulitwastoEuphra。
Mr。Arnoldwasasaddle-of-muttonman。
Hughpreferredroast-beef，butateanything。
“Whatsortofaclergymanhaveyounow，Mr。Arnold？”askedMrs。
Elton，atthedinner-table。
“Oh！averyrespectableyounggentleman，brothertoSirRichard，whohasthegift，youknow。Averymoderate，excellentclergymanhemakes，too！”
“All！butyouknow，LadyEmilyandI“——hereshelookedatLadyEmily，whosmiledandblushedfaintly，“areverydependentonourSundays，and“——
“Weallgotochurchregularly，Iassureyou，Mrs。Elton；andofcoursemycarriageshallbealwaysatyourdisposal。“
“Iwasinnodoubtabouteitherofthosethings，indeed，Mr。Arnold。
Butwhatsortofapreacherishe？”
“Ah，well！letmesee——WhatwasthesubjectofhissermonlastSunday，Euphra，mydear？”
“Thedevilandallhisangels，“answeredEuphra，withawickedflashinhereyes。
“Yes，yes；soitwas。Oh！Iassureyou，Mrs。Elton，heisquitearespectablepreacher，aswellasclergyman。Heisanhonourtothecloth。“
Hughcouldnothelpthinkingthatthetailorshouldhavehisdue，andthatMr。Arnoldgaveithim。
“HeisnoPuseyiteeither，“addedMr。Arnold，seeingbutnotunderstandingMrs。Elton\'sbaffledexpression，“thoughhedoespreachonceamonthinhissurplice。“
“Iamafraidyouwillnotfindhimveryoriginal，though，“saidHugh，wishingtohelptheoldlady。
“Original！”interposedMr。Arnold。“Really，IamboundtosayI
don\'tknowhowtheremarkapplies。Howisamantobeoriginalonasubjectthatisalllaiddowninplainprint——touseavulgarexpression——andhasbeencommenteduponforeighteenhundredyearsandmore？”
“Verytrue，Mr。Arnold，“respondedMrs。Elton。“Wedon\'twantoriginality，dowe？Itisonlythegospelwewant。Doeshepreachthegospel？”
“Howcanhepreachanythingelse？HistextisalwaysoutofsomepartoftheBible。“
“IamgladtoseeyouholdbytheInspirationoftheScriptures，Mr。
Arnold，“saidMrs。Elton，chaoticallybewildered。
“Goodheavens！Madam，whatdoyoumean？Couldyouforamomentsupposemetobeanatheist？SurelyyouhavenotbecomeastudentofGermanNeology？”AndMr。Arnoldsmiledagrimsmile。
“NotI，indeed！”protestedpoorMrs。Elton，movinguneasilyinherseat；——“Iquiteagreewithyou，Mr。Arnold。“
“Thenyoumaytakemywordforit，thatyouwillhearnothingbutwhatishighlyorthodox，andperfectlyworthyofagentlemanandaclergyman，fromthepulpitofMr。Penfold。Hedinedwithusonlylastweek。“
Thislastassertionwasmadeinaninjuredtone，justsufficienttocurlthetailofthesentence。Afterwhich，whatwastobesaid？
Severalvainattemptsfollowed，beforeanewsubjectwasstarted，sufficientlyuninterestingtocause，neitherfromwarmthnorstupidity，anydangerofdissension，andquiteworthyofbeinghereomitted。
Dinnerover，andtheceremonyoftea——inLadyEmily\'scase，milkandwater——havingbeenobserved，thevisitorswithdrew。
ThenextdaywasSunday。LadyEmilycamedownstairsinblack，whichsuitedherbetter。Shewasapretty，gentlecreature，interestingfromherillness，andgood，becausesheknewnoevil，exceptwhatsheheardoffromthepulpit。Theywalkedtochurch，whichwasatnogreatdistance，alongameadow-pathpavedwithflags，someofthemwornthroughbytheheavyshoesofcountrygenerations。Thechurchwasoneofthosewhichare，insomemeasure，typicaloftheChurchitself；foritwasveryold，andwouldhavebeenverybeautiful，haditnotbeenallplasteredover，andwhitenedtoasmoothuniformityofugliness——theattempthavingbeenmoresuccessfulinthecaseofthetype。TheopenroofhadhadaFrenchheavenaddedtoit——Imeanaceiling；andthepillars，which，eveniftheywerenotcarved——thoughitwasimpossibletocometoaconclusiononthatpoint——mustyethavebeenwornintothebeautyofage，hadbeenfilledup，andstainedwithyellowochre。
Eventheremnantsofstainedglassinsomeofthewindows，werehalfconcealedbymodernappliancesforthepartialexclusionofthelight。ThechurchhadfaredasChaucerinthehandsofDryden。Sohadthetruth，thatflickeredthroughthesermon，faredinthehandsoftheclergyman，orofthesermon-wrightwhosemanuscripthehadboughtforeighteenpence——Iamtoldthatsermonsaretobeprocuredatthatprice——onhislastvisittoLondon。Having，althoughaScotchman，hadanepiscopalianeducation，HughcouldnothelprejoicingthatnotmerelytheBible，buttheChurch-serviceaswell，hadbeenfixedbeyondthereachofsuchdegeneratinginfluencesasthosewhichhadoperatedonthemorematerialembodimentsofreligion；forotherwisesuchwouldcertainlyhavebeenthefirsttooperate，andwouldhavefoundthegreatestscopeinanyalteration。
Wemayhopethatnothingbutatruegrowthinsuchreligionasneedsandseeksnewexpressionfornewdepthandbreadthoffeeling，willeverbepermittedtolaythehandofchangeuponit——ahand，otherwise，ofdesecrationandruin。
ThesermonwaschieflyoccupiedwithprovingthatGodisnorespecterofpersons；amarkofindubitablecondescensionintheclergyman，therankinsocietywhichhecouldclaimforhimselfdulyconsidered。But，unfortunately，thechurchwassoconstructed，thatitsareacontainedthreeplatformsofposition，actuallyofdifferinglevel；theloftiest，inthechancel，ontherighthandofthepulpit，occupiedbythegentry；themiddle，oppositethepulpit，occupiedbythetulip-bedsoftheirservants；andthethird，ontheleftofthepulpit，occupiedbythecommonparishioners。
Unfortunately，too，bytheperpetuationofsomeoldcustom，whosesignificancewasnotwornout，allontheleftofthepulpitwereexpected，asoftenastheystooduptosing——whichwasthreetimes——toturntheirbackstothepulpit，andsofaceawayfromthechancelwherethegentrystood。Buttherewasnotmuchinconsistency，afterall；thesermonfoundingitsargumentchieflyontheantitheticalfacts，thatdeath，loweringtherichtothelevelofthepoor，wasadeadleveller；andthat，ontheotherhand，thelifetocomewouldraisethepoortotheleveloftherich。Itwasapitythattherewasnophraseinthelanguagetojustifyhimincarryingouttheantithesis，andsobalancinghissentencelikearope-walker，bysayingthatlifewasaliveleveller。Thesermonendedwithasolemnwarning：“Thosewhoneglectthegospel-scheme，andneverthinkofdeathandjudgment——betheyrichorpoor，betheywiseorignorant——whethertheydwellinthepalaceorthehut——shallbedamned。GlorybetotheFather，andtotheSon，andtotheHolyGhost，“&c。
LadyEmilywasforcedtoconfessthatshehadnotbeenmuchinterestedinthesermon。Mrs。Eltonthoughthespokeplainly，buttherewasnotmuchofthegospelinit。Mr。Arnoldopinedthatpeopleshouldnotgotochurchtohearsermons，buttomaketheresponses；whoeverreadprayers，itmadenodifference，fortheprayersweretheChurch\'s，nottheparson\'s；andforthesermon，aslongasitshowedtheuneducatedhowtobesaved，andtaughtthemtodotheirdutyinthestationoflifetowhichGodhadcalledthem，andsolongastheparsonpreachedneitherPuseyismnorRadicalism——hefrownedsolemnlyanddisgustedlyasherepeatedtheword——norRadicalism，itwasofcomparativelylittlemomentwhetherhewasamanofintellectornot，forhecouldnotgowrong。
Littlewassaidinreplytothis，exceptsomethingnotveryaudibleordefinite，byMrs。Elton，aboutthenecessityoffaith。Theconversation，whichtookplaceatluncheon，flagged，andthevisitorswithdrewtotheirrespectiverooms，tocomfortthemselveswiththeirDailyPortions。
Atdinner，Mr。Arnold，evidentlybelievinghehadmadeanimpressionbyhisharangueofthemorning，resumedthesubject。Hughwasalittlesurprisedtofindthathehad，evenofanegativesort，strongopinionsonthesubjectofreligion。
“Whatdoyouthink，then，Mrs。Elton，mydearmadam，thataclergymanoughttopreach？”
“Ithink，Mr。Arnold，thatheoughttopreachsalvationbyfaithinthemeritsoftheSaviour。“
“Oh！ofcourse，ofcourse。Weshallnotdifferaboutthat。
Everybodybelievesthat。“
“Idoubtitverymuch——Heought，inorderthatmenmaybelieve，toexplainthedivineplan，bywhichthedemandsofdivinejusticearesatisfied，andthepunishmentduetosinavertedfromtheguilty，andlaidupontheinnocent；that，bybearingoursins，hemightmakeatonementtothewrathofajustlyoffendedGod；andso——“
“Now，mydearmadam，permitmetoaskwhatrightwe，thesubjectsofaSupremeAuthority，havetoinquireintothereasonsofhisdoings？
Itseemstome——Ishouldbesorrytooffendanyone，butitseemstomequiteaspresumptuousasthepresentarroganceofthelowerclassesininterferingwithgovernment，anddemandingarighttogivetheiropinion，forsooth，astothelawsbywhichtheyshallbegoverned；asiftheywerecapableofunderstandingtheprinciplesbywhichkingsrule，andgovernorsdecreejustice——IbelieveIquoteScripture。“
“Arewe，then，toremaininutterignoranceofthedivinecharacter？”
“Whatbusinesshavewewiththedivinecharacter？Orhowcouldweunderstandit？Itseemstomewehaveenoughtodowithourown。
DoIinquireintothecharacterofmysovereign？Allwehavetodois，tolistentowhatwearetoldbythosewhoareeducatedforsuchstudies，whomtheChurchapproves，andwhoareappointedtotakecareofthesoulscommittedtotheircharge；toteachthemtorespecttheirsuperiors，andtoleadhonest，hard-workinglives。“
MuchmoreofthesamesortflowedfromtheoracularlipsofMr。
Arnold。Whenheceased，hefoundthattheconversationhadceasedalso。Assoonastheladieswithdrew，hesaid，withoutlookingatHugh，ashefilledhisglass：
“Mr。Sutherland，Ihatecant。“
Andsohecantedagainstit。
Butthenextday，andduringthewholeweek，heseemedtolayhimselfouttomakeamendsforthesharpnessofhisremarksontheSunday。Hewasafraidhehadmadehisguestsuncomfortable，andsosinnedagainsthisowncharacterasahost。Everythingthathecoulddevise，wasbroughttobearfortheirentertainment；dailyridesintheopencarriage，inwhichhealwaysaccompaniedthem，toshowhisestate，andtheimprovementshewasmakinguponit；visitssometimestothemoredeserving，ashecalledthem，ofthepooruponhisproperty——themoredeservingbeingthemostsubmissiveandobedienttothewishesoftheirlord；inspectionsoftheschools，&c。，&c。；inallofwhichmattershetookastupid，benevolentinterest。Forifpeoplewouldbecontenttooccupythecornerinwhichhechosetoplacethem，hewouldthrowthemmorselaftermorsel，aslongasevertheychosetopickitup。Butwoetothemiftheyleftthiscornerasinglepace！
Euphramadeoneofthepartyalways；anditwasdrearyindeedforHughtobeleftinthedesolatehousewithouther，thoughbutforafewhours。Andwhenshewasathome，sheneveryetpermittedhimtospeaktoheralone。
TheremighthavebeensomehopeforHarryinHugh\'sseparationfromEuphra；buttheresultwas，that，althoughhespentschool-hoursmoreregularlywithhim，Hughwasyetmoredull，anduninterestedinthework，thanhehadbeenbefore。Insteadofcaringthathispupilshouldunderstandthisorthatparticular，hewouldbespeculatingonEuphra\'sbehaviour，tryingtoaccountforthisorthatindividuallookortone，orseeking，perhaps，aspecialsymbolicmeaninginsomegeneralremarkthatshehadhappenedtoletfall。Meanwhile，poorHarrywouldbestupifyinghimselfwithworkwhichhecouldnotunderstandforlackofsomeexplanationorotherthatoughttohavebeengivenhimweeksago。Still，however，heclungtoHughwithafar-off，worshippinglove，neversuspectingthathecouldbetoblame，butthinkingatonetimethathemustbeill，atanotherthathehimselfwasreallytoostupid，andthathisbigbrothercouldnothelpgettingtiredofhim。WhenHughwouldbewanderingabouttheplace，seekingtocatchaglimpseoftheskirtofEuphra\'sdress，asshewentaboutwithherguests，ordevisinghowhecouldprocureaninterviewwithheralone，Harrywouldbefollowinghimatadistance，likealittleterrierthathadlostitsmaster，anddidnotknowwhetherthismanwouldbefriendlyornot；neverspyingonhisactions，butmerelylongingtobenearhim——forhadnotHughsethimgoinginthewayoflife，evenifhehadnowlefthimtowalkinitalone？IfHughcouldhaveonceseenintothatwarm，true，pininglittleheart，hewouldnothaveneglecteditashedid。Hehadnoeyes，however，butforEuphra。
Still，itmaybethatevennowHarrywasabletogather，thoughwithtears，someadvantagefromHugh\'sneglect。Heusedtowanderaboutalone；anditmaybethatthehintswhichhistutorhadalreadygivenhim，enabledhimnowtofindforhimselftheinterestbelongingtomanyobjectsneverbeforeremarked。Perhapsevennowhebegantotakeafewstepsalone；thewakingindependenceofwhichwasofmorevalueforthefuturegrowthofhisnature，thanathousandmilesaccomplishedbytheaidofthestrongarmofhistutor。Onecertainadvantagewas，thattheconstitutionaltroubleoftheboy\'snaturehadnowassumedadefiniteform，bygatheringaroundadefiniteobject，andblendingitsownshadowybeingwiththesorrowheexperiencedfromthelossofhistutor\'ssympathy。
Shouldthatsorroweverbeclearedaway，muchbesidesmightbeclearedawayalongwithit。
Meantime，naturefoundsomechannels，wornbyhisgrief，throughwhichhercomforts，that，likewaters，pressonallsides，andenterateverycrannyandfissureinthehouseoflife，mightgentlyflowintohimwiththeirsympatheticsoothing。OftenhewouldcreepawaytothenestwhichHughhadbuiltandthenforsaken；andseatedthereinthesolitudeofthewide-bourgeonedoak，hewouldsometimesfeelforamomentasifliftedupabovetheworldanditssorrows，tobevisitedbyanall-healingwindfromGod，thatcametohim，throughthewildernessofleavesaroundhim——gently，likeallpowerfulthings。
ButIamputtingtheboy\'sfeelingsintoformsandwordsforhim。
Hehadnoneofeitherforthem。
CHAPTERXIII。
ASTORM。
Whenthemind\'sfree，Thebody\'sdelicate：thetempestinmymindDothfrommysensestakeallfeelingelseSavewhatbeatsthere。
KingLear。
WhileHarrytooktowanderingabroadintheafternoonsun，Hugh，onthecontrary，foundthebrightweathersodistastefultohim，thathegenerallytrifledawayhisafternoonswithsomeoldromanceinthedarklibrary，orlayonthecouchinhisstudy，listlessandsuffering。Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite。Whathefelthemustdohedid；butnothingmore。
Oneday，aboutnoon，theweatherbegantochange。Intheafternoonitgrewdark；andHugh，goingtothewindow，perceivedwithdelight——thefirsthehadexperiencedformanydays——thatagreatthunder-stormwasathand。Harrywasratherfrightened；butunderhisfear，thereevidentlylayadeepdelight。Thestormcamenearerandnearer；tillatlengthavividflashbrokefromthemassofdarknessoverthewoods，lastedforonebrilliantmoment，andvanished。Thethunderfollowed，likeapursuingwildbeast，closeonthetracesofthevanishinglight；asifthedarknesswerehuntingthelightfromtheearth，andbellowingwithragethatitcouldnotovertakeandannihilateit。Withouttheusualpreludeofafewgreatdrops，therainpouredatonce，incontinuousstreams，fromthedensecanopyoverhead；andinafewmomentsthereweresixinchesofwaterallroundthehouse，whichtheforceofthefallingstreamsmadetofoam，andfume，andflashlikeaseethingtorrent。
HarryhadcreptclosetoHugh，whostoodlookingoutofthewindow；
andasiftheconvulsionoftheelementshadbeguntoclearthespiritualandmoral，aswellasthephysicalatmosphere，Hughlookeddownontheboykindly，andputhisarmroundhisshoulders。Harrynestledcloser，andwisheditwouldthunderforever。Butlongingtohearhistutor\'svoice，heventuredtospeak，lookinguptohisface：
“Euphrasaysitisonlyelectricity，Mr。Sutherland。Whatisthat？”
Acommontutorwouldhaveseizedtheopportunityofexplainingwhatheknewofthelawsandoperationsofelectricity。ButHughhadbeenlongenoughapupilofDavidtofeelthattotalkatsuchatimeofanythinginnaturebutGod，wouldbetodotheboyaseriouswrong。Onecapableofsodoingwould，inthepresenceoftheSaviourhimself，speculateonthenatureofhisownfaith；oruponthedeathofhischild，seizetheopportunityoflecturingonanatomy。ButbeforeHughcouldmakeanyreply，aflash，almostinvisiblefromexcessoflight，wasaccompaniedratherthanfollowedbyaroarthatmadethehouseshake；andinamomentmoretheroomwasfilledwiththeterrifiedhousehold，which，byanunreasoningimpulse，rushedtotheneighbourhoodofhimwhowasconsideredthestrongest——Mr。Arnoldwasnotathome。
“Comefromthewindowinstantly，Mr。Sutherland。Howcanyoubesoimprudent！”criedMrs。Elton，herusuallycalmvoiceelevatedincommand，buttremulouswithfear。
“Why，Mrs。Elton，“answeredHughonwhosetemper，aswellasconduct，recenteventshadhadtheiroperation，“doyouthinkthedevilmakesthethunder？”
LadyEmilygaveafaintshriek，whetheroutofreverenceforthedevil，orfearofGod，Ihesitatetodecide；andflittingoutoftheroom，divedintoherbed，anddrewtheclothesoverherhead——atleastsoshewasfoundatalaterperiodoftheday。EuphrawalkeduptothewindowbesideHugh，asiftoshowherapprovalofhisrudeness；andstoodlookingoutwitheyesthatfilledtheirownnightwithhome-bornflashes，thoughherlipwaspale，andquiveredalittle。Mrs。Elton，confoundedatHugh\'sreply，andperhapsfearingthehousemightinconsequencesharethefateofSodom，notwithstandingthepresenceofagoodlyproportionoftherighteous，fled，accompaniedbythehousekeeper，tothewine-cellar。
Therestofthehouseholdcreptintocorners，exceptthecoachman，who，retaininghiscomposure，invirtueofagreaterdegreeofinsensibilityfromhisnearerapproximationtotheinanimatecreation，emptiedthejugofaleintendedforthedinnerofthecompany，andwentouttolookafterhishorses。
Buttherewasoneinthehousewho，leftalone，threwthewindowwideopen；and，withgentlyclaspedhandsandcalmcountenance，lookedupintotheheavens；andtheclearnessofwhoseeyeseemedthepropheticsymboloftheclearnessthatrosealluntroubledabovetheturmoiloftheearthlystorm。TrulyGodwasinthestorm；buttherewasmoreofGodintheclearheavenbeyond；andyetmoreofHimintheeyethatregardedthewholewithastilljoy，inwhichwasminglednodismay。
Euphra，Hugh，andHarrywerelefttogether，lookingoutuponthestorm。HughcouldnotspeakinHarry\'spresence。Atlengththeboysatdowninadarkcorneronthefloor，concealedfromtheothersbyawindow-curtain。Hughthoughthehadlefttheroom。
“Euphra，“hebegan。
EuphralookedroundforHarry，andnotseeinghim，thoughtlikewisethathehadlefttheroom：sheglidedawaywithoutmakinganyanswertoHugh\'sinvocation。
Hestoodforafewmomentsinmotionlessdespair；thenglancingroundtheroom，andtakinginallitsdesertedness，caughtuphishat，andrushedoutintothestorm。Itwasthebestreliefhisfeelingscouldhavehad；forthesullengloom，alternatedwithburstsofflame，invasionsofhorriduproar，andlongwailingblastsoftyrannouswind，gavehimhisownmoodtowalkin；methisspiritwithitsownelement；widened，asitwere，hismicrocosmtotheexpanseofthemacrocosmaroundhim。Allthewallsofseparationwerethrowndown，andhelived，notinhisownframe，butintheuniversalframeofnature。Theworldwasforthetime，totherealityofhisfeeling，whatSchleiermacher，inhisMonologen，describesitasbeingtoman，anextensionofthebodyinwhichhedwells。Hisspiritflashedinthelightning，ravedinthethunder，moanedinthewind，andweptintherain。
Butthiscouldnotlastlong，eitherwithoutorwithinhim。
Hecametohimselfinthewoods。Howfarhehadwandered，orwhereabouthewas，hedidnotknow。Thestormhaddiedaway，andallthatremainedwasthewindandtherain。Thetree-topsswayedwildlyintheirregularblasts，andshooknew，fitful，distracted，andmomentaryshowersuponhim。Itwasevening，butwhathouroftheeveninghecouldnottell。Hewaswettotheskin；butthattoayoungScotchmanisamatteroflittlemoment。
Althoughhehadnointentionofreturninghomeforsometime，andmeantespeciallytoavoidthedinner-table——for，inthemoodhewasin，itseemedmorethanhecouldendure——heyetfelttheweaknesstowhichwearesubjectasembodiedbeings，inacommonenoughform；
that，namely，ofthenecessityofknowingthepreciseportionofspacewhichatthemomentwefill；aconvictionofouridentitynotbeingsufficienttomakeuscomfortable，withoutaknowledgeofourlocality。So，lookingallabouthim，andfindingwherethewoodseemedthinnest，hewentinthatdirection；andsoon，byforcinghiswaythroughobstaclesofallsalvagekinds，foundhimselfinthehighroad，withinaquarterofamileofthecountrytownnexttoArnstead，removedfromitaboutthreemiles。Thislittletownheknewprettywell；and，beginningtofeelexhausted，resolvedtogotoaninnthere，dryhisclothes，andthenwalkbackinthemoonlight；forhefeltsurethestormwouldbequiteoverinanhourorso。Thefatiguehenowfeltwasproofenoughinitself，thattheinwardstormhad，forthetime，raveditselfoff；andnow——mustitbeconfessed？——hewishedverymuchforsomethingtoeatanddrink。
Hewassoonseatedbyablazingfire，withachopandajugofalebeforehim。
CHAPTERXIV。
ANEVENINGLECTURE。
TheNightmareShallcalltheewhenitwalks。
MIDDLETON——TheWitch。
TheinntowhichHughhadbetakenhimself，thoughnotthefirstinthetown，wasyetwhatiscalledarespectablehouse，andwaspossessedofaroomofconsiderablesize，inwhichthefarmersoftheneighbourhoodwereaccustomedtoholdtheirgatherings。Whileeatinghisdinner，Hughlearnedfromtheconversationaroundhim——forhesatinthekitchenforthesakeofthefire——thatthisroomwasbeinggotreadyforalectureonBilology，asthelandladycalledit。Billsinredandbluehadbeenpostedalloverthetown；
andbeforehehadfinishedhisdinner，theaudiencehadbeguntoarrive。Partlyfromcuriosityaboutasubjectofwhichheknewnothing，andpartlybecauseitstillrained，and，havinggotnearlydry，hedidnotcareaboutasecondwettingifhecouldhelpit，Hughresolvedtomakeoneofthem。Sohestoodbythefiretillhewasinformedthatthelecturerhadmadehisappearance，whenhewentup-stairs，paidhisshilling，andwasadmittedtooneofthefrontseats。Theroomwastolerablylightedwithgas；andaplatformhadbeenconstructedforthelecturerandhissubjects。Whentheplacewasabouthalf-filled，hecamefromanotherroomalone——alittle，thick-set，bull-neckedman，withvulgarfaceandrustyblackclothes；and，mountingtheplatform，commencedhislecture；iflectureitcouldbecalled，inwhichthereseemedtobenoorder，andscarcelyanysequence。Noattemptevenatatheory，showeditselfinthemassofwhathecalledfactsandscientifictruths；
andheperpeturatedthemostawfulblundersinhisEnglish。ItwillnotbedesiredthatIshouldgiveanyfurtheraccountofsuchalecture。Thelecturerhimselfseemedtodependchieflyforhissuccess，uponthemanifestationsofhisartwhichheproceededtobringforward。HecalledhisfamiliarbythenameofWilli-am，andastunted，pale-faced，dull-lookingyouthstartedupfromsomewhere，andscrambledupontheplatformbesidehismaster。Uponthistutoredslaveanumberofexperimentswasperformed。Hewasfirstcastintowhateverabnormalconditionisnecessaryfortheoperationsofbiology，andthencompelledtomakeafoolofhimselfbyexhibitingactionsthemostinconsistentwithhisrealcircumstancesandnecessities。But，awarethatallthiswasopentothemostpalpableobjectionofcollusion，theoperatornextinvitedanyofthecompanythatpleased，tosubmitthemselvestohisinfluences。Afterapauseofafewmoments，astoutcountryfellow，floridandhealthy，gotupandslouchedtotheplatform。Certainly，whatevermightbethenatureoftheinfluencethatwasbroughttobear，itsoperativepowercouldnot，withtheleastprobability，beattributedtoanover-activityofimaginationineitherofthesubjectssubmittedtoitsexercise。Inthelatter，aswellasintheformercase，theoperatorwaseminentlysuccessful；andtheclownreturnedtohisseat，lookingremarkablyfoolishandconsciousofdisgrace——asufficientvouchertomostpresent，thatinthiscaseatleasttherehadbeennocollusion。Severalothersvolunteeredtheirnegativeservices；butwithnooneofthemdidhesucceedsowell；andinonecasethefailurewasevident。Thelecturerpretendedtoaccountforthis，inmakingsomeconfusedandunintelligibleremarksaboutthestateoftheweather，thethunder-storm，electricity，&c。，ofwhichthingsheevidentlydidnotunderstandthebestknownlaws。
“Theblunderingidiot！”growled，closetoHugh\'sear，avoicewithaforeignaccent。
Helookedroundsharply。
Atall，powerful，eminentlyhandsomeman，withafaceasforeignashistoneandaccent，satbesidehim。
“Ibegyourpardon，“hesaidtoHugh；“Ithoughtaloud。“
“Ishouldliketoknow，ifyouwouldn\'tmindtellingme，whatyoudetectoftheblundererinhim。Iamquiteignorantofthesematters。“
“Ihavehadmanyopportunitiesofobservingthem；andIseeatoncethatthisman，thoughhehasthenaturalpower，isexcessivelyignorantofthewholesubject。“
ThiswasalltheanswerhevouchsafedtoHugh\'smodestinquiry。
Hughhadnotyetlearnedthatonewillalwaysfarebetterbyconcealingthanbyacknowledgingignorance。Theman，whateverhiscapacity，whohonestlyconfessesevenapartialignorance，willinstantlybetreatedasmoreorlessincapable，bytheordinarymanwhohasalreadygainedapartialknowledge，oriscapableofassumingaknowledgewhichhedoesnotpossess。But，forGod\'ssake！letthehonestandmodestmansticktohishonestyandmodesty，costwhattheymay。
Hughwassilent，andfixedhisattentiononcemoreonwhatwasgoingon。Butpresentlyhebecameawarethattheforeignerwasscrutinizinghimwiththeclosestattention。Heknewthis，somehow，withouthavinglookedround；andtheknowledgewasaccompaniedwithafeelingofdiscomfortthatcausedhimtomakearestlessmovementonhisseat。Presentlyhefeltthattheannoyancehadceased；butnotmanyminuteshadpassed，beforeitagaincommenced。Inordertorelievehimselffromafeelingwhichhecouldonlycomparetothatwhichmightbeproducedbythepresenceofthedead，heturnedtowardshisneighboursosuddenly，thatitseemedforamomenttoembarrasshim，hiseyesbeingcaughtintheveryactofdevouringthestolenindulgence。Butthestrangerrecoveredhimselfinstantlywiththequestion：
“Willyoupermitmetoaskofwhatcountryyouare？”
Hughthoughthemadetherequestonlyforthesakeofcoveringhisrudeness；andsomerelyanswered：
“Why，anEnglishman，ofcourse。“
“Ah！yes；itisnotnecessarytobetoldthat。Butitseemstome，fromyouraccent，thatyouareaScotchman。“
“SoIam。“
“AHighlander？”
“IwasbornintheHighlands。Butifyouareveryanxioustoknowmypedigree，IhavenoreasonforconcealingthefactthatIam，bybirth，halfaScotchmanandhalfaWelchman。“
Theforeignerrivetedhisgaze，thoughbutforthebriefestmomentsufficienttojustifyitsbeingcalledagaze，oncemoreuponHugh；
andthen，withaslightbow，asofacquiescence，turnedtowardsthelecturer。
Whenthelecturewasover，andHughwaswalkingawayinthemidstofthewithdrawingaudience，thestrangertouchedhimontheshoulder。
“Yousaidthatyouwouldliketoknowmoreofthisscience：willyoucometomylodging？”saidhe。
“Withpleasure，“Hughanswered；thoughthelookwithwhichheaccompaniedthewords，musthavebeenoneratherofsurprise。
“Youareastonishedthatastrangershouldinviteyouso。Ah！youEnglishalwaysdemandanintroduction。Thereismine。“
HehandedHughacard：HerrvonFunkelstein。Hughhappenedtobeprovidedwithoneinexchange。
Thetwowalkedoutoftheinn，alongtheoldHighStreet，fullofgablesandallthedelightfulirregularitiesofanoldcountry-town，tilltheycametoacourt，downwhichHerrvonFunkelsteinledtheway。
Helethimselfinwithapass-keyatalowdoor，andthenconductedHugh，byastairwhosenarrownesswasequalledbyitssteepness，toaroom，which，thoughnotmanyyardsabovethelevelofthecourt，wasyetnexttotheroofofthelowhouse。Hughcouldseenothingtillhisconductorlightedacandle。Thenhefoundhimselfinaratherlargeroomwithashakyfloorandalowroof。A
chintz-curtainedbedinonecornerhadtheskinofatigerthrownoverit；andatableinanotherhadapairoffoilslyinguponit。
TheGerman——forsuchheseemedtoHugh——offeredhimachairinthepolitestmanner；andHughsatdown。
“Iamonlyinlodgingshere，“saidthehost；“soyouwillforgivethepovertyofmyestablishment。“
“Thereisnooccasionforforgiveness，Iassureyou，“answeredHugh。
“Youwishedtoknowsomethingofthesubjectwithwhichthatlecturerwasbefoolinghimselfandtheaudienceatthesametime。“
“Ishallbegratefulforanyenlightenment。“
“Ah！itisasubjectforthestudyofabenevolentscholar，notforsuchaclownasthat。Hejumpsatnoconclusions；yethesharesthefateofonewhodoes：hefloundersinthemirebetween。Nomanwillmakeanythingofitwhohasnotthebenefitofthehumanraceatheart。Humanityistheonlysafeguideinmatterssuchasthese。
Thisisadangerousstudyindeedinunskilfulhands。“
HereafrightfulcaterwaulinginterruptedHerrvonFunkelstein。Theroomhadastorm-window，ofwhichthelatticestoodopen。Infrontofit，ontheroof，seenagainstawhitehouseopposite，stoodademonofacat，archedtohalfitslength，withatailexpandedtodoubleitsnaturalthickness。ItsantagonistwasinvisiblefromwhereHughsat。VonFunkelsteinstartedupwithoutmakingtheslightestnoise，trodassoftlyasacattothetable，tookuponeofthefoils，removedthebutton，and，creepingclosetothewindow，madeonerapidpassattheenemy，whichvanishedwithashriekofhatredandfear。Hethen，replacingthebutton，laidthefoildown，andresumedhisseatandhisdiscourse。This，afterdealingwithgeneralitiesandcommonplacesforsometime，gavenosignofcomingeithertoanendortothepoint。AllthetimehewaswatchingHugh——atleastsoHughthought——asifspeculatingonhimingeneral。
Thenappearingtohavecometosomeconclusion，hegavehismindmoretohistalk，andencouragedHughtospeakaswell。Theconversationlastedfornearlyhalfanhour。Atitsclose，Hughfeltthatthestrangerhadtoucheduponavarietyofinterestingsubjects，asonepossessedofaminuteknowledgeofthem。Buthedidnotfeelthathehadgainedanyinsightfromhisconversation。
Itseemedratherasifhehadbeengivinghimanumberofpsychological，social，literary，andscientificreceipts。Duringthecourseofthetalk，hiseyehadappearedtorestonHughbyakindofcompulsion；asifbyitsownwillitwouldhaveretiredfromthescrutiny，butthewillofitsownerwastoostrongforit。Inseemed，inrelationtohim，tobeonlyakindoftool，whichheusedforaparticularpurpose。
AtlengthFunkelsteinrose，and，marchingacrosstheroomtoacupboard，broughtoutabottleandglasses，saying，inthemostby-the-byeway，ashewent：
“Haveyouthesecond-sight，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Certainlynot，asfarasIamaware。“
“Ah！theWelchdohaveit，dotheynot？”
“Oh！yes，ofcourse，“answeredHughlaughing。“Ishouldliketoknow，though，“headded，“whethertheyinheritthegiftasCeltsorasmountaineers。“
“Willyoutakeaglassof——？”
“Ofnothing，thankyou，“answeredandinterruptedHugh。“Itistimeformetobegoing。Indeed，IfearIhavestayedtoolongalready。
Goodnight，HerrvonFunkelstein。“
“Youwillallowmethehonourofreturningyourvisit？”
Hughfelthecoulddonoless，althoughhehadnotthesmallestdesiretokeepuptheacquaintance。HewroteArnsteadonhiscard。
Asheleftthehouse，hestumbledoversomethinginthecourt。
Lookingdown，hesawitwasacat，apparentlydead。
“CanitbethecatHerrFunkelsteinmadethepassat？”thoughthe。
Butpresentlyheforgotallaboutit，inthevisionsofEuphrawhichfilledhismindduringhismoonlightwalkhome。Itjustoccurredtohim，however，beforethosevisionshadblottedeverythingelsefromhisview，thathehadlearnedsimplynothingwhateveraboutbiologyfromhislatehost。
Whenhereachedhome，hewasadmittedbythebutler，andretiredtobedatonce，wherehesleptsoundly，forthefirsttimeformanynights。
But，ashedrewnearhisownroom，hemighthaveseen，thoughhesawnot，alittlewhitefigureglidingawayinthefardistanceofthelongpassage。ItwasonlyHarry，whocouldnotliestillinhisbed，tillheknewthathisbigbrotherwassafeathome。
CHAPTERXV。
ANOTHEREVENINGLECTURE。
ThisEneasiscometoParadiseOutoftheswoloweofHell。
CHAUCER——LegendofDido。
Thenextday，HughwasdeterminedtofindormakeanopportunityofspeakingtoEuphra；andfortuneseemedtofavourhim——OrwasitEuphraherself，inoneorotherofherinexplicablemoods？Atallevents，shehadthatmorningallowedtheladiesandheruncletogowithouther；andHughmetherashewenttohisstudy。
“MayIspeaktoyouforonemoment？”saidhe，hurriedly，andwithtremblinglips。
Yes，certainly，“sherepliedwithasmile，andaglanceinhisfaceasofwonderastowhatcouldtroublehimsomuch。Thenturning，andleadingtheway，shesaid：
“Comeintomyroom。“
Hefollowedher。Sheturnedandshutthedoor，whichhehadleftopenbehindhim。Healmostknelttoher；butsomethingheldhimbackfromthat。
“Euphra，“hesaid，“whathaveIdonetooffendyou？”
“Offendme！Nothing。“——Thiswasutteredinaperfecttoneofsurprise。
“Howisitthatyouavoidmeasyoudo，andwillnotallowmeonemoment\'sspeechwithyou？Youaredrivingmetodistraction。“
“Why，youfoolishman！”sheanswered，halfplayfully，pressingthepalmsofherlittlehandstogether，andlookingupinhisface，“howcanI？Don\'tyouseehowthosetwodearoldladiesswallowmeupintheirfaddles？Oh，dear？Oh，dear！Iwishtheywouldgo。Thenitwouldbeallrightagain——wouldn\'tit？”
ButHughwasnottobesoeasilysatisfied。
“Beforetheycame，eversincethatnight——“
“Hush-sh！”sheinterrupted，puttingherfingeronhislips，andlookinghurriedlyroundherwithanairoffright，ofwhichhecouldhardlyjudgewhetheritwasrealorassumed——“hush！”
Comfortedwondrouslybythehushingfinger，Hughwouldyetunderstandmore。
“Iamnobaby，dearEuphra，“hesaid，takingholdofthehandtowhichthefingerbelonged，andlayingitonhismouth；“donotmakeoneofme。Thereissomemysteryinallthis——atleastsomethingI
donotunderstand。“
“Iwilltellyouallaboutitoneday。But，seriously，youmustbecarefulhowyoubehavetome；forifmyuncleshould，butforonemoment，entertainasuspicion——good-byetoyou——perhapsgood-byetoArnstead。AllmyinfluencewithhimcomesfromhisthinkingthatI
likehimbetterthananybodyelse。Soyoumustnotmakethepooroldmanjealous。Bythebye，“shewenton——rapidly，asifshewouldturnthecurrentoftheconversationaside——“whatafavouriteyouhavegrownwithhim！Youshouldhaveheardhimtalkofyoutotheoldladies。Imightwellbejealousofyou。Thereneverwasatutorlikehis。“
Hugh\'sheartsmotehimthatthepraiseofeventhiscommonman，proudofhisownvanity，shouldbeundeservedbyhim。Hewastroubled，too，attheflippancywithwhichEuphraspoke；yetnotthelessdidhefeelthathelovedherpassionately。
“Idaresay，“hereplied，“hepraisedmeashewouldanythingelsethathappenedtobehis。Isn\'tthatoldbayhorseofhisthebesthackinthecounty？”
“Younaughtyman！Areyougoingtobesatirical？”
“Youclaimthatasyourprivilege，doyou？”
“Worseandworse！Iwillnottalktoyou。But，seriously，forI
mustgo——bringyourItalianto——to——“Shehesitated。
“Tothelibrary——whynot？”suggestedHugh。
“No-o，“sheanswered，shakingherhead，andlookingquitesolemn。
“Well，willyoucometomystudy？Willthatpleaseyoubetter？”
“Yes，Iwill，“sheanswered，withadefinitivetone。“Good-bye，now。“
Sheopenedthedoor，andhavinglookedouttoseethatnoonewaspassing，toldhimtogo。Ashewent，hefeltasiftheoakenfloorwereelasticbeneathhistread。
Itwassometimeafterthehouseholdhadretired，however，beforeEuphramadeherappearanceatthedoorofhisstudy。Sheseemedrathershyofentering，andhesitated，asifshefeltshewasdoingsomethingsheoughtnottodo。Butassoonasshehadentered，andthedoorwasshut，sheappearedtorecoverherselfquite；andtheysatdownatthetablewiththeirbooks。Theycouldnotgetonverywellwiththeirreading，however。Hughoftenforgotwhathewasabout，inlookingather；andsheseemednowiseinclinedtoaverthisgazes，orcheckthegrowthofhisadmiration。
Ratherabruptly，butapparentlystartingfromsomesuggestioninthebook，shesaidtohim：
“Bythebye，hasMr。Arnoldeversaidanythingtoyouaboutthefamilyjewels？”
“No，“saidHugh。“Aretheremany？”
“Yes，agreatmany。Mr。Arnoldisveryproudofthem，aswellasoftheportraits；sohetreatstheminthesameway——keepsthemlockedup。Indeedheseldomallowsthemtoseedaylight，exceptitbeasamarkofespecialfavourtosomeone。“
“Ishouldlikemuchtoseethem。Ihavealwaysbeencuriousaboutstones。Theyarewonderful，mysteriousthingstome。“
Euphragavehimaverypeculiar，searchingglance，ashespoke。
“ShallI，“hecontinued，“givehimahintthatIshouldliketoseethem？”
“Bynomeans，“answeredEuphra，emphatically，“exceptheshouldrefertothemhimself。Heisveryjealousofhispossessions——hisfamilypossessions，Imean。Pooroldman！hehasnotmuchelsetoplumehimselfupon；hashe？”
“Heiskindtoyou，Euphra。“
Shelookedathimasifshedidnotunderstandhim。
“Yes。Whatthen？”
“Yououghtnottobeunkindtohim。“
“Youoddcreature！Iamnotunkindtohim。Ilikehim。Butwearenotgettingonwithourreading。Whatcouldhaveledmetotalkaboutfamily-jewels？Oh！Isee。Whatastrangethingtheassociationofideasis！Thereisnotaveryobviousconnexionhere；isthere？”
“No。Onecannotaccountforsuchthings。Thelinksinthechainofideasaresometimesslenderenough。Yettheslenderestissufficienttoenabletheelectricflashofthoughttopassalongtheline。“
Sheseemedponderingforamoment。
“Thatstrikesmeasafinesimile，“shesaid。“Yououghttobeapoetyourself。“
Hughmadenoreply。
“Idaresayyouhavehundredsofpoemsinthatolddesk，now？”
“Ithinktheymightbecountedbytens。“
“Doletmeseethem。“
“Youwouldnotcareforthem。“
“Wouldn\'tI，Hugh？”
“Iwill，ononecondition——twoconditions，Imean。“
“Whatarethey？”
“Oneis，thatyoushowmeyours。“
“Mine？”
“Yes。“
“WhotoldyouIwroteverses？Thatsillyboy？”
“No——IsawyourversesbeforeIsawyou。Youremember？”
“Itwasverydishonourableinyoutoreadthem。“
“Ionlysawtheywereverses。Ididnotreadaword。“
“Iforgiveyou，then。Youmustshowmeyoursfirst，tillIseewhetherIcouldventuretoletyouseemine。Ifyourswereverybadindeed，thenImightriskshowingmine。“
Andmuchmoreofthissort，withwhichIwillnotwearymyreaders。
ItendedinHugh\'stakingfromtheoldescritoireabundleofpapers，andhandingthemtoEuphra。ButthereaderneednotfearthatIamgoingtoprintanyoftheseverses。Ihavemorerespectformyhonestprosepagethantobreakitupso。Indeed，thewholeofthisinterviewmighthavebeenomitted，butfortwocircumstances。Oneofthemwas，thatingettingthesepapers，Hughhadtoopenaconcealedportionoftheescritoire，whichhismathematicalknowledgehadenabledhimtodiscover。Ithadevidentlynotbeenopenedformanyyearsbeforehefoundit。Hehadmadeuseofittoholdtheonlytreasureshehad——poorenoughtreasures，certainly！Notalovingnote，notalockofhairevenhadhe——nothingbutthefewcobwebsspunfromhisownbrain。Itistrue，wearerichorpooraccordingtowhatweare，notwhatwehave。Butwhatamanhasproduced，isnotwhatheis。Hemayevenimpoverishhistrueselfbyproduction。
WhenEuphrasawhimopenthisplace，sheutteredasuppressedcryofastonishment。
“Ah！”saidHugh，“youdidnotknowofthishidie-hole，didyou？”
“Indeed，Ididnot。Ihadusedthedeskmyself，forthiswasafavouriteroomofminebeforeyoucame，butIneverfoundthat。
Dearme！Letmelook。“
Sheputherhandonhisshoulderandleanedoverhim，ashepointedoutthewayofopeningit。
“Didyoufindnothinginit？”shesaid，withaslighttremourinhervoice。
“Nothingwhatever。“
“Theremaybemoreplaces。“
“No。Ihaveaccountedforthewholebulk，Ibelieve。“
“Howstrange！”
“Butnowyoumustgivememyguerdon，“saidHughtimidly。
Thefactwas，thepooryouthhadbargained，inaplayfulmanner，andyetwithanearnest，covetousheart，forone，thefirstkiss，inreturnforthepoemsshebeggedtosee。
Sheturnedherfacetowardshim。
Thesecondcircumstancewhichmakestheinterviewworthrecordingis，that，atthismoment，threedistinctknockswereheardonthewindow。Theysprangasunder，andsaweachother\'sfacepaleasdeath。InEuphra\'s，theexpressionoffrightwasmingledwithoneofannoyance。Hugh，thoughhishearttrembledlikeabird，leapedtothewindow。Nothingwastobeseenbutthetreesthat“stretchedtheirdarkarms“withinafewfeetoftheoriel。TurningagaintowardsEuphra，hefound，tohismortification，thatshehadvanished——andhadleftthepacketofpoemsbehindher。
Hereplacedthemintheiroldquartersintheescritoire；andhisvaguedismayattheunaccountablenoises，wasdrownedinthebitterwatersofmiserablehumiliation。Hesleptatlast，fromtheexhaustionofdisappointment。
Whenheawoke，however，hetriedtopersuadehimselfthathehadmadefartoomuchofthetriflingcircumstanceofherleavingtheversesbehind。Forwasshenotterrified？——Why，then，didsheleavehimandgoalonetoherownroom？——Shemusthavefeltthatsheoughtnottobeinhis，atthathour，andthereforedarednotstay——Whydarednot？Didshethinkthehousewashauntedbyaghostofpropriety？Whatrationaltheorycouldheinventtoaccountforthestrangeandrepeatedsounds？——Hepuzzledhimselfoverittothevergeofabsoluteintellectualprostration。
Hewasgenerallythefirstinthebreakfast-room；thatis，afterEuphra，whowasalwaysthefirst。Shewentuptohimasheentered，andsaid，almostinawhisper：
“Haveyougotthepoemsforme？Quick！”
Hughhesitated。Shelookedathim。
“No，“hesaidatlast——“Youneverwantedthem。“
“Thatisveryunkind；whenyouknowIwasfrightenedoutofmywits。
Dogivemethem。“
“Theyarenotworthgivingyou。Besides，Ihavenotgotthem。I
don\'tcarrytheminmypocket。Theyareintheescritoire。I
couldn\'tleavethemlyingabout。Nevermindthem。“
“Ihavearighttothem，“shesaid，lookingupathimslylyandshyly。
“Well，Igaveyouthem，andyoudidnotthinkthemworthkeeping。I
keptmypartofthebargain。“
Shelookedannoyed。
“Nevermind，dearEuphra；youshallhavethem，oranythingelseI
have；——thebrainthatmadethem，ifyoulike。“
“Wasitonlythebrainthathadtodowiththemakingofthem？”
“Perhapsthehearttoo；butyouhavethatalready。“
Herfaceflushedlikeadamaskrose。
AtthatmomentMrs。Eltonentered，andlookedalittlesurprised。
Euphrainstantlysaid：
“Ithinkitisrathertoobadofyou，Mr。Sutherland，tokeepthepoorboysohardtohiswork，whenyouknowheisnotstrong。Mrs。
Elton，IhavebeenbeggingaholidayforpoorHarry，tolethimgowithustoWottonHouse；buthehassuchahardtask-master！Hewillnothearofit。“
Theflush，whichshecouldnotgetridofallatonce，wasthusmadetododutyasoneofdispleasure。Mrs。Eltonwasthoroughlydeceived，andunitedherentreatiestothoseofMissCameron。Hughwascompelledtojoininthedeception，andpretendtoyieldaslowconsent。ThusaholidaywasextemporisedforHarry，subjecttotheapprobationofhisfather。Thiswasreadilygranted；andMr。
Arnold，turningtoHugh，said：
“Youwillhavenothingtodo，Mr。Sutherland：hadyounotbetterjoinus？”
“Withpleasure，“repliedhe；“butthecarriagewillbefull。“
“Youcantakeyourhorse。“
“Thankyouverymuch。Iwill。“
Thedaywasdelightful；oneofthosegreysummer-days，thatarefarbetterforanexcursionthanbrightones。Inthebestofspirits，mountedonagoodhorse，ridingalongsideofthecarriageinwhichwastheladywhowasallwomankindtohim，andwho，withouttakingmuchnoticeofhim，yetcontrivedtothrowhimaglancenowandthen，Hughwouldhavebeenoverflowinglyhappy，butforanunquiet，distressedfeeling，whichallthetimemadehimawareofthepresenceofasickconsciencesomewherewithin。Mr。Arnoldwasexceedinglypleasant，forhewasmuchtakenwiththesweetnessandmodestyofLadyEmily，who，havingnostrongopinionsuponanything，receivedthoseofMr。Arnoldwithattentivesubmission。Hesaw，orfanciedhesawinher，agreatresemblancetohisdeceasedwife，towhomhehadbeenassincerelyattachedashisnaturewouldallow。
Infact，LadyEmilyadvancedsorapidlyinhisgoodgraces，thateitherEuphrawas，orthoughtfittoappear，ratherjealousofher。
Shepaidhereveryattention，however，andseemedtogratifyMr。
Arnoldbyhercareoftheinvalid。Sheevenjoinedintheentreatieswhich，ontheirwayhome，hemadewithevidentearnestness，foranextensionoftheirvisittoamonth。LadyEmilywasalreadysomuchbetterforthechange，thatMrs。Eltonmadenoobjectiontotheproposal。EuphragaveHughonelookofmisery，and，turningagain，insistedwithincreasedwarmthontheirimmediateconsent。Itwasgainedwithoutmuchdifficultybeforetheyreachedhome。
Harry，too，wascaptivatedbythegentlekindnessofLadyEmily，andhardlytookhiseyesoffheralltheway；while，ontheotherhand，hisdelicatelittleattentionshadalreadygainedtheheartofgoodMrs。Elton，whofromthefirsthadremarkedandpitiedthesadlooksoftheboy。
CHAPTERXVI。
ANEWVISITORANDANOLDACQUAINTANCE。
He\'senoughTobringawomantoconfusion，Morethanawiserman，orafargreater。
MIDDLETON——TheWitch。
Whentheyreachedthelodge，LadyEmilyexpressedawishtowalkuptheavenuetothehouse。TothisMr。Arnoldgladlyconsented。Thecarriagewassentroundthebackway；andHugh，dismounting，gavehishorsetothefootmaninattendance。Astheydrewnearthehouse，therestofthepartyhavingstoppedtolookatanoldtreewhichwasafavouritewithitsowner，HughandHarryweresomeyardsinadvance；whentheformerspied，approachingthemfromthehouse，thedistinguishedfigureofHerrvonFunkelstein。Salutingastheymet，thevisitorinformedHughthathehadjustbeenleavinghiscardforhim，andwouldcallsomeothermorningsoon；for，ashewasrusticating，hehadlittletooccupyhim。Hughturnedwithhimtowardstherestoftheparty，whowerenowcloseathand；whenFunkelsteinexclaimed，inatoneofsurprise，“What！MissCameronhere！”andadvancedwithaprofoundobeisance，holdinghishatinhishand。
Hughthoughthesawherlookannoyed；butsheheldoutherhandtohim，and，inavoiceindicating——stillasitappearedtoHugh——somereluctance，introducedhimtoheruncle，withthewords：
“WemetatSirEdwardLaston\'s，whenIwasvisitingMrs。Elkingham，twoyearsago，uncle。“
Mr。Arnoldliftedhishatandbowedpolitelytothestranger。HadEuphrainformedhimthat，althoughapersonofconsiderableinfluenceinSirEdward\'shousehold，HerrvonFunkelsteinhadhisstandingthereonlyasSirEdward\'sprivatesecretary，Mr。Arnold\'saversiontoforeignersgenerallywouldnothavebeensoscrupulouslybanishedintothebackgroundofhisbehaviour。Ordinarycivilitiespassedbetweenthem，markedbyanairofflatteringdeferenceonFunkelstein\'spart，whichmighthavebeendisagreeabletoamanlessuninterruptedlyconsciousofhisownimportancethanMr。Arnold；andthenewvisitorturnedoncemore，asifforgetfulofhispreviousdirection，andaccompaniedthemtowardsthehouse。Beforetheyreachedithehad，eveninthatshortspace，ingratiatedhimselfsofarwithMr。Arnold，thatheaskedhimtostayanddinewiththem——aninvitationwhichwasacceptedwithmanifestpleasure。
“Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，“willyoushowyourfriendanythingworthnoteabouttheplace？Hehaskindlyconsentedtodinewithus；andinthemeantimeIhavesomeletterstowrite。“
“Withpleasure，“answeredHugh。
Butallthistimehehadbeeninwardlycommentingontheappearanceofhisfriend，asMr。Arnoldcalledhim，withthejealousyofayouthinlove；forwasnotFunkelsteinanoldacquaintanceofMissCameron？Whatmightnothavepassedbetweentheminthatoldhiddentime？——forloveisjealousofthepastaswellasofthefuture。
Love，aswellasmetaphysics，hasalastingquarrelwithtimeandspace：thelowerlovefearsthem，whilethehigherdefiesthem——AndhecouldnothelpseeingthatFunkelsteinwasonetowinfavourinladies\'eyes。VeryregularfeaturesandadarkcomplexionwerelightedupbyeyesasblackasEuphra\'s，andcapableofawonderfulplayoflight；whilehisformwasremarkableforstrengthandsymmetry。Hughfeltthatinanycompanyhewouldattractimmediateattention。Hislongdarkbeard，ofwhichjustthecentrewasremovedtoexposeafinely-turnedchin，blewovereachshoulderasoftenastheymetthewindingoingroundthehouse。FromwhatI
haveheardofhimfromotherdeponentsbesidesHugh，Ishouldjudgethathedidwelltoconcealthelinesofhismouthinalongmoustache，whichflowedintohisbifurcatedbeard。Hehadjustenoughoftheforeigninhisdresstoaddtotheappearanceoffashionwhichitbore。
Astheywalked，Hughcouldnothelpobservinganoddpeculiarityinthecarriageofhiscompanion。Itwas，that，everyfewsteps，hegaveabackwardanddownwardglancetotheright，withasweepingbendofhisbody，asifheweretryingtogetaviewofthecalfofhisleg，orasifhefanciedhefeltsomethingtrailingathisfoot。
Soprobable，fromhismotion，didthelattersuppositionseem，thatHughchangedsidestosatisfyhimselfwhetherornottherewassomedraggingbriarorstrawannoyinghim；butnofollowerwastobediscovered。
“Youareahappyman，Mr。Sutherland，“saidtheguest，“toliveunderthesameroofwiththatbeautifulMissCameron。“
“AmI？”thoughtHugh；butheonlysaid，affectingsomesurprise：
“Doyouthinkhersobeautiful？”
Funkelstein\'seyeswerefixeduponhim，asiftoseetheeffectofhisremark。Hughfeltthem，andcouldnotconformhisfacetotheindifferenceofhiswords。Buthiscompaniononlyansweredindifferently：
“Well，Ishouldsayso；butbeautyisnot，thatisnotbeautyforus。“
Whetherornottherewaspoisonintheforkofthisremark，Hughcouldonlyconjecture。Hemadenoreply。
Astheywalkedabouttheprecinctsofthehouse，FunkelsteinaskedmanyquestionsofHugh，whichhisentireignoranceofdomesticarchitecturemadeitimpossibleforhimtoanswer。Thisseemedonlytoexcitethequestioner\'sdesireforinformationtoahigherpitch；
andasiftheverystonescouldreplytohisdemands，heexaminedthewholerangeofthevariousbuildingsconstitutingthehouseofArnstead“ashewoulddrawit。“
“Certainly，“saidhe，“thereisatleastvarietyenoughinthestyleofthismassofmaterial。Thereisenoughforonepyramid。“
“Thatwouldberatherattheexpenseofthevariety，woulditnot？”
saidHugh，inspitefulresponsetotheinconsequenceofthesecondmemberofFunkelstein\'sremark。Butthelatterwasapparentlytoomuchabsorbedinhiscontinuedinspectionofthehouse，fromeveryattainablepointofnearview，toheedthecomment。
“ThistheycalltheGhost\'sWalk，“saidHugh。
“Ah！abouttheseoldhousestherearealwayssuchtales。“
“Whatsortoftalesdoyoumean？”
“Imeanofparticularspotsandtheirghosts。Youmusthaveheardmanysuch？”
“No，notI。“
“IthinkGermanyismoreprolificofsuchstories。Icouldtellyouplenty。“
“Butyoudon\'tmeanyoubelievesuchthings？”
“Tomeitisequal。Ilookatthementirelyasobjectsofart。“
“Thatisanewviewofaghosttome。Anobjectofart？Ishouldhavethoughtthemconsiderablymoresuitableobjectsprevioustotheirdisembodiment。“
“Ah！youdonotunderstand。Youcallartpainting，don\'tyou——orsculptureatmost？Igiveupsculpturecertainly——andpaintingtoo。
Butdon\'tyouthinkaghostaveryeffectiveobjectinliteraturenow？Confess：doyounotlikeaghost-storyverymuch？”
“Yes，ifitisaverygoodone。“
“Hamletnow？”
“Ah！wedon\'tspeakofShakspere\'splaysasstories。Hischaractersaresorealtous，that，inthinkingoftheirdevelopment，wegobackeventotheirfathersandmothers——andsometimesevenspeculateabouttheirfuture。“
“Youislandersarealwaysinearliestsomehow。SoareweGermans。
Weareallone。“
“Ihopeyoucanbeinearnestaboutdinner，then，forIhearthebell。“
“Wemustrenderourselvesinthedrawing-room，then？Yes。“
Whentheyenteredthedrawing-room，theyfoundMissCameronalone。
Funkelsteinadvanced，andaddressedafewwordstoherinGerman，whichHugh\'slimitedacquaintancewiththelanguagepreventedhimfromcatching。Atthesamemoment，Mr。Arnoldentered，andFunkelstein，turningtohimimmediately，proceeded，asifbywayofapologyforspeakinginanunknowntongue，tointerpretforMr。
Arnold\'sbenefit：
“IhavejustbeentellingMissCameroninthelanguageofmycountry，howmuchbettershelooksthanwhenIsawheratSirEdwardLastons。“
“IknowIwasquiteascare-crowthen，“saidEuphra，attemptingtolaugh。
“Andnowyouarequiteadecoy-duck，eh，Euphra？”saidMr。Arnold，laughinginrealityathisownjoke，whichputhimingreatgood-humourforthewholetimeofdinneranddessert。
“Thankyou，uncle，“saidEuphra，withaprettilypretendedaffectationofhumility。Thensheaddedgaily：
“WhendidyouriseonourSussexhorizon，HerrvonFunkelstein？”
“Oh！Ihavebeenintheneighbourhoodforafewdays；butIowemymeetingwithyoutooneofthosecoincidenceswhich，weretheynotsopleasant——tomeinthiscase，atleast——onewouldthinkcouldonlyresultfromtheblunderingofoldDameNatureoverherknitting。IfIhadnothadthegoodfortunetomeetMr。Sutherlandtheotherevening，Ishouldhaveremainedinutterignoranceofyourneighbourhoodandmyownfelicity，MissCameron。Indeed，Icallednowtoseehim，notyou。“
HughsawMr。Arnoldlookingratherdoubtfuloftheforeigner\'sfinespeeches。