XIII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
1。THEFIFTHOFJANUARY。BEFOREDAWN
Wepassovertheinterveningweeks。Thetimeofthestoryisthusadvancedmorethanaquarterofayear。
Onthemidnightprecedingthemorningwhichwouldmakeherthewifeofamanwhosepresencefascinatedherintoinvoluntarinessofbearing，andwhominabsenceshealmostdreaded，Cytherealayinherlittlebed，vainlyendeavouringtosleep。
Shehadbeenlookingbackamidtheyearsofhershortthoughvariedpast，andthinkingofthethresholduponwhichshestood。DaysandmonthshaddimmedtheformofEdwardSpringrovelikethegauzesofavanishingstage-scene，buthisdyingvoicecouldstillbeheardfaintlybehind。Thatasoftsmallchordinherstillvibratedtruetohismemory，shewouldnotadmit：thatshedidnotapproachManstonwithfeelingswhichcouldbyanystretchofwordsbecalledhymeneal，shecalmlyowned。
\'WhydoImarryhim？\'shesaidtoherself。\'BecauseOwen，dearOwenmybrother，wishesmetomarryhim。BecauseMr。Manstonis，andhasbeen，uniformlykindtoOwen，andtome。“Actinobediencetothedictatesofcommon-sense，“Owensaid，“anddreadthesharpstingofpoverty。Howmanythousandsofwomenlikeyoumarryeveryyearforthesamereason，tosecureahome，andmereordinary，materialcomforts，whichafterallgofartomakelifeendurable，evenifnotsupremelyhappy。“
\'\'Tisright，Isuppose，forhimtosaythat。O，ifpeopleonlyknewwhatatimidityandmelancholyuponthesubjectofherfuturegrowsupintheheartofafriendlesswomanwhoisblownaboutlikeareedshakenwiththewind，asIam，theywouldnotcallthisresignationofone\'sselfbythenameofschemingtogetahusband。Schemetomarry？I\'dratherschemetodie！IknowIamnotpleasingmyheart；IknowthatifIonlywereconcerned，Ishouldlikeriskingasinglefuture。ButwhyshouldIpleasemyuselessselfovermuch，whenbydoingotherwiseIpleasethosewhoaremorevaluablethanI？\'
Inthemidstofdesultoryreflectionslikethese，whichalternatedwithsurmisesastotheinexplicableconnectionthatappearedtoexistbetweenherintendedhusbandandMissAldclyffe，shehearddullnoisesoutsidethewallsofthehouse，whichshecouldnotquitefancytobecausedbythewind。Sheseemeddoomedtosuchdisturbancesatcriticalperiodsofherexistence。\'Itisstrange，\'
shepondered，\'thatthismylastnightinKnapwaterHouseshouldbedisturbedpreciselyasmyfirstwas，nooccurrenceofthekindhavingintervened。\'
Astheminutesglidedbythenoiseincreased，soundingasifsomeonewerebeatingthewallbelowherwindowwithabunchofswitches。
Shewouldgladlyhaveleftherroomandgonetostaywithoneofthemaids，buttheywerewithoutdoubtallasleep。
Theonlypersoninthehouselikelytobeawake，orwhowouldhavebrainsenoughtocomprehendhernervousness，wasMissAldclyffe，butCythereanevercaredtogotoMissAldclyffe\'sroom，thoughshewasalwayswelcomethere，andwasoftenalmostcompelledtogoagainstherwill。
Theoft-repeatednoiseofswitchesgrewheavieruponthewall，andwasnowintermingledwithcreaks，andarattlingliketherattlingofdice。Thewindblewstronger；therecamefirstasnapping，thenacrash，andsomeportionofthemysterywasrevealed。Itwasthebreakingoffandfallofabranchfromoneofthelargetreesoutside。Thesmackingagainstthewall，andtheintermediaterattling，ceasedfromthattime。
Well，itwasthetreewhichhadcausedthenoises。Theunexplainedmatterwasthatneitherofthetreesevertouchedthewallsofthehouseduringthehighestwind，andthattreescouldnotrattlelikeamanplayingcastanetsorshakingdice。
Shethought，\'IsittheintentionofFatethatsomethingconnectedwiththesenoisesshallinfluencemyfutureasinthelastcaseofthekind？\'
Duringthedilemmashefellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamtthatshewasbeingwhippedwithdrybonessuspendedonstrings，whichrattledateveryblowlikethoseofamalefactoronagibbet；thatsheshiftedandshrankandavoidedeveryblow，andtheyfellthenuponthewalltowhichshewastied。Shecouldnotseethefaceoftheexecutionerforhismask，buthisformwaslikeManston\'s。
\'ThankHeaven！\'shesaid，whensheawokeandsawafaintlightstrugglingthroughherblind。\'Nowwhatwerethosenoises？\'Tosettlethatquestionseemedmoretoherthantheeventoftheday。
Shepulledtheblindasideandlookedout。Allwasplain。Theeveningprevioushadclosedinwithagreydrizzle，borneuponapiercingairfromthenorth，andnowitseffectswerevisible。Thehoarydrizzlestillcontinued；butthetreesandshrubswereladenwithiciclestoanextentsuchasshehadneverbeforewitnessed。A
shootofthediameterofapin\'sheadwasicedasthickasherfinger；alltheboughsintheparkwerebentalmosttotheearthwiththeimmenseweightoftheglisteningincumbrance；thewalkswerelikealooking-glass。Manyboughshadsnappedbeneaththeirburden，andlayinheapsupontheicygrass。Oppositehereye，onthenearesttree，wasafreshyellowscar，showingwherethebranchthathadterrifiedherhadbeensplinteredfromthetrunk。
\'Inevercouldhavebelieveditpossible，\'shethought，surveyingthebowed-downbranches，\'thattreeswouldbendsofaroutoftheirtruepositionswithoutbreaking。\'Bywatchingatwigshecouldseeadropcollectuponitfromthehoaryfog，sinktothelowestpoint，andtherebecomecoagulatedastheothershaddone。
\'OrthatIcouldsoexactlyhaveimitatedthem，\'shecontinued。\'OnthismorningIamtobemarried——unlessthisisaschemeofthegreatMothertohinderaunionofwhichshedoesnotapprove。Isitpossibleformyweddingtotakeplaceinthefaceofsuchweatherasthis？\'
2。MORNING
HerbrotherOwenwasstayingwithManstonattheOldHouse。
Contrarytotheopinionofthedoctors，thewoundhadhealedafterthefirstsurgicaloperation，andhislegwasgraduallyacquiringstrength，thoughhecouldonlyasyetgetaboutoncrutches，orride，orbedraggedinachair。
MissAldclyffehadarrangedthatCythereashouldbemarriedfromKnapwaterHouse，andnotfromherbrother\'slodgingsatBudmouth，whichwasCytherea\'sfirstidea。Owen，too，seemedtoprefertheplan。Thecapriciousoldmaidhadlatterlytakentothecontemplationoftheweddingwithevengreaterwarmththanhadatfirstinspiredher，andappeareddeterminedtodoeverythinginherpower，consistentwithherdignity，torendertheadjunctsoftheceremonypleasingandcomplete。
Buttheweatherseemedinflatcontradictionofthewholeproceeding。Ateighto\'clockthecoachmancreptuptotheHousealmostuponhishandsandknees，enteredthekitchen，andstoodwithhisbacktothefire，pantingfromhisexertionsinpedestrianism。
ThekitchenwasbyfarthepleasantestapartmentinKnapwaterHouseonsuchamorningasthis。Thevastfirewasthecentreofthewholesystem，likeasun，andthrewitswarmraysuponthefiguresofthedomestics，wheelingaboutitintrueplanetarystyle。A
nervously-feebleimitationofitsflickerwascontinuallyattemptedbyafamilyofpolishedmetallicutensilsstandinginrowsandgroupsagainstthewallsopposite，thewholecollectionofshinesnearlyannihilatingtheweakdaylightfromoutside。Astepfurtherin，andthenostrilsweregreetedbythescentofgreenherbsjustgathered，andtheeyebytheplumpformofthecook，wholesome，white-aproned，andfloury——lookingasedibleasthefoodshemanipulated——hermovementsbeingsupportedandassistedbyhersatellites，thekitchenandscullerymaids。Minuterecurrentsoundsprevailed——theclickofthesmoke-jack，theflapoftheflames，andthelighttouchesofthewomen\'sslippersuponthestonefloor。
Thecoachmanhemmed，spreadhisfeetmorefirmlyuponthehearthstone，andlookedhardatasmallplateintheextremecornerofthedresser。
\'Noweddenthismornen——that\'smyopinion。Infact，therecan\'tbe，\'hesaidabruptly，asifthewordswerethemeretorsoofamany-memberedthoughtthathadexistedcompleteinhishead。
Thekitchen-maidwastoastingasliceofbreadattheendofaverylongtoasting-fork，whichsheheldatarm\'slengthtowardstheunapproachablefire，travestyingtheFlanconnadeinfencing。
\'Badoutofdoors，isn\'tit？\'shesaid，withalookofcommiserationforthingsingeneral。
\'Bad？Notevenalivensoul，gentleorsimple，canstandonlevelground。Astogettenuphilltothechurch，\'tisperfectlunacy。
AndIspeakoffoot-passengers。Astohorsesandcarriage，\'tismurdertothinkof\'em。Iamgoingtosendstraightasalineintothebreakfast-room，andsay\'tisacloser……Hullo——here\'sClerkCrickettandJohnDaya-comen！Nowjustlookat\'emandpictureaweddenifyoucan。\'
Alleyeswereturnedtothewindow，fromwhichtheclerkandgardenerwereseencrossingthecourt，bowedandstoopinglikeBelandNebo。
\'You\'llhavetogoifitbreaksallthehorses\'legsinthecounty，\'
saidthecook，turningfromthespectacle，knockingopentheoven-
doorwiththetongs，glancingcriticallyin，andslammingittogetherwithaclang。
\'O，O；whyshallI？\'askedthecoachman，includinginhisauditorybyaglancetheclerkandgardenerwhohadjustentered。
\'BecauseMr。Manstonisinthebusiness。Didyoueverknowhimtogiveupforweatherofanykind，orforanyothermortalthinginheavenorearth？\'
\'——Mornenso\'s——suchasitis！\'interruptedMr。Crickettcheerily，comingforwardtotheblazeandwarmingonehandwithoutlookingatthefire。\'Mr。Manstongieupforanythinginheavenorearth，didyousay？Youmightha\'cutitshortbysayen“toMissAldclyffe，“andleavenoutheavenandearthastrifles。Butitmightbeputoff；puttenoffathingisn\'tgettenridofathing，ifthatthingisawoman。Ono，no！\'
Thecoachmanandgardenernownaturallysubsidedintosecondaries。
Thecookwentonrathersharply，asshedribbledmilkintotheexactcentreofalittlecraterofflourinaplatter——
\'Itmightbeinthiscase；she\'ssoindifferent。\'
\'Dangmyoldsides！andsoitmightbe。Ihaveabitofnews——I
thoughttherewassomethinguponmytongue；but\'tisasecret；notaword，mind，notaword。Why，MissHintontookaholidayyesterday。\'
\'Yes？\'inquiredthecook，lookingupwithperplexedcuriosity。
\'D\'yethinkthat\'sall？\'
\'Don\'tbesothree-cunning——ifitisall，deliveryoufromtheevilofraisingawoman\'sexpectationswrongfully；I\'llskimmeryourpateassureasyoucryAmen！\'
\'Well，itisn\'tall。WhenIgothomelastnightmywifesaid，“MissAdelaidetookaholidaythismornen，“saysshemywife，thatis；
“walkedovertoNetherMynton，metthecomenman，andgotmarried！”
saysshe。\'
\'Gotmarried！what，Lord-a-mercy，didSpringrovecome？\'
\'Springrove，no——no——Springrove\'snothentodowi\'it——\'twasFarmerBollens。They\'vebeenplayingbo-peepforthesetwoorthreemonthsseemingly。WhilstMasterTeddySpringrovehasbeendaddlen，andhawken，andspettenabouthavingher，she\'squietlylefthimallforsook。Servehimright。Idon\'tblamethelittlewomanabit。\'
\'FarmerBollensisoldenoughtobeherfather！\'
\'Ay，quite；andrichenoughtobetenfathers。Theysayhe\'ssorichthathehasbusinessineverybank，andmeasureshismoneyinhalf-pintcups。\'
\'Lord，Iwishitwasme，don\'tIwish\'twasme！\'saidthescullery-
maid。
\'Yes，\'twasasneatabitofstitchingaseverIheardof，\'
continuedtheclerk，withafixedeye，asifhewerewatchingtheprocessfromadistance。\'Notasoulknewanythingaboutit，andmywifeistheonlyoneinourparishwhoknowsityet。MissHintoncamebackfromthewedden，wenttoMr。Manston，puffedherselfoutlarge，andsaidshewasMrs。Bollens，butthatifhewished，shehadnoobjectiontokeeponthehousetilltheregulartimeofgivingnoticehadexpired，ortillhecouldgetanothertenant。\'
\'Justlikeherindependence，\'saidthecook。
\'Well，independentorno，she\'sMrs。Bollensnow。Ah，IshallneverforgetoncewhenIwentbyFarmerBollens\'sgarden——yearsagonow——
years，whenhewastakingupashleaftaties。AmerryfellerIwasatthattime，averymerryfeller——for\'twasbeforeItookholyorders，anditdidn\'tprickmyconscienceas\'twouldnow。“Farmer，“
saysI，“littletatiesseemtoturnoutsmallthisyear，don\'tem？”
“Ono，Crickett，“sayshe，“somebefair-sized。“He\'sadullman——
FarmerBollensis——healwayswas。However，that\'sneitherherenorthere；he\'sa-marriedtoasharpwoman，andifIdon\'tmakeamistakeshe\'llbringhimaprettygoodfamily，giehertime。\'
\'Well，itdon\'tmatter；there\'saProvidenceinit，\'saidthescullery-maid。\'GodA\'mightyalwayssendsbreadaswellaschildren。\'
\'But\'tisthebreadtoonehouseandthechildrentoanotherveryoften。However，IthinkIcanseemyladyHinton\'sreasonforchosenyesterdaytosickness-or-health-it。Youryoungmiss，andthatone，hadcrossedoneanother\'spathinregardtoyoungMasterSpringrove；andIexpectthatwhenAddyHintonfoundMissGrayewasn\'tcarentohaveen，shethoughtshe\'dbebeforehandwithheroldenemyinmarryingsomebodyelsetoo。That\'smaids\'logicallover，andmaids\'malicelikewise。\'
Womenwhoarebadenoughtodivideagainstthemselvesunderaman\'spartialityaregoodenoughtoinstantlyuniteinacommoncauseagainsthisattack。\'I\'lljusttellyouonethingthen，\'saidthecook，shakingoutherwordstothetimeofawhiskshewasbeatingeggswith。\'Whatevermaids\'logicisandmaids\'malicetoo，ifCythereaGrayeevennowknowsthatyoungSpringroveisfreeagain，she\'llflingoverthestewardassoonaslookathim。\'
\'No，no：notnow，\'thecoachmanbrokeinlikeamoderator。
\'There\'shonourinthatmaid，ifevertherewasinone。NoMissHinton\'stricksinher。She\'llsticktoManston。\'
\'Pifh！\'
\'Don\'tletawordbesaidtilltheweddenisover，forHeaven\'ssake，\'theclerkcontinued。\'MissAldclyffewouldfairlyhangandquarterme，ifmynewsbrokeoffthatthereweddenatalastminutelikethis。\'
\'Thenyouhadbettergetyourwifetoboltyouintheclosetforanhourortwo，foryou\'llchatterityourselftothewholeboilingparishifshedon\'t！\'Tisapoorwomanlyfeller！\'
\'Youshouldn\'tha\'begunit，clerk。Iknewhow\'twouldbe，\'saidthegardenersoothingly，inawhispertotheclerk\'smangledremains。
Theclerkturnedandsmiledatthefire，andwarmedhisotherhand。
3。NOON
Theweathergaveway。Inhalf-an-hourtherebeganarapidthaw。Byteno\'clocktheroads，thoughstilldangerous，werepracticabletotheextentofthehalf-milerequiredbythepeopleofKnapwaterPark。Onemassofheavyleadencloudspreadoverthewholesky；theairbegantofeeldampandmildoutofdoors，thoughstillcoldandfrostywithin。
Theyreachedthechurchandpassedupthenave，thedeep-colouredglassofthenarrowwindowsrenderingthegloomofthemorningalmostnightitselfinsidethebuilding。Thentheceremonybegan。
Theonlywarmthorspiritimportedintoitcamefromthebridegroom，whoretainedavigorous——evenSpenserian——bridal-moodthroughoutthemorning。
Cythereawasasfirmasheatthiscriticalmoment，butascoldastheairsurroundingher。Thefewpersonsformingthewedding-partywereconstrainedinmovementandtone，andfromthenaveofthechurchcameoccasionalcoughs，emittedbythosewho，inspiteoftheweather，hadassembledtoseetheterminationofCytherea\'sexistenceasasinglewoman。Manypoorpeoplelovedher。Theypitiedhersuccess，why，theycouldnottell，exceptthatitwasbecausesheseemedtostandmorelikeastatuethanCythereaGraye。
Yetshewasprettilyandcarefullydressed；astrangecontradictioninaman\'sideaofthings——asaddening，perplexingcontradiction。
Arethereanypointsinwhichadifferenceofsexamountstoadifferenceofnature？Thenthisissurelyone。Notsomuch，asitiscommonlyput，inregardtotheamountofconsiderationgiven，butintheconceptionofthethingconsidered。Amanemasculatedbycoxcombrymayspendmoretimeuponthearrangementofhisclothesthananywoman，buteventhenthereisnofetichisminhisideaofthem——theyarestillonlyacoveringheusesforatime。ButherewasCytherea，inthebottomofherheartalmostindifferenttolife，yetpossessinganinstinctwithwhichherhearthadnothingtodo，theinstincttobeparticularlyregardfulofthosesorrytrifles，herrobe，herflowers，herveil，andhergloves。
Theirrevocablewordsweresoonspoken——theindeliblewritingsoonwritten——andtheycameoutofthevestry。Candleshadbeennecessaryheretoenablethemtosigntheirnames，andontheirreturntothechurchthelightfromthecandlesstreamedfromthesmallopendoor，andacrossthechanceltoablackchestnutscreenonthesouthside，dividingitfromasmallchapelorchantry，erectedforthesoul\'speaceofsomeAldclyffeofthepast。Throughtheopen-workofthisscreencouldnowbeseenilluminated，insidethechantry，therecliningfiguresofcross-leggedknights，dampandgreenwithage，andabovethemahugeclassicmonument，alsoinscribedtotheAldclyffefamily，heavilysculpturedincadaverousmarble。
Leaninghere——almosthangingtothemonument——wasEdwardSpringrove，orhisspirit。
Theweakdaylightwouldneverhaverevealedhim，shadedashewasbythescreen；buttheunexpectedraysofcandle-lightinthefrontshowedhimforthinstartlingrelieftoanyandallofthosewhoseeyeswanderedinthatdirection。Thesightwasasadone——sadbeyondalldescription。Hiseyeswerewild，theirorbitsleaden。
Hisfacewasofasicklypaleness，hishairdryanddisordered，hislipspartedasifhecouldgetnobreath。Hisfigurewasspectre-
thin。Hisactionsseemedbeyondhisowncontrol。
Manstondidnotseehim；Cythereadid。Thehealingeffectuponherheartofayear\'ssilence——ayearandahalf\'sseparation——wasundoneinaninstant。Oneofthosestrangerevivalsofpassionbymeresight——commonerinwomenthaninmen，andinoppressedwomencommonestofall——hadtakenplaceinher——sotranscendently，thateventoherselfitseemedmorelikeanewcreationthanarevival。
Marryingforahome——whatamockeryitwas！
Itmaybesaidthatthemeansmostpotentforrekindlingoldloveinamaiden\'sheartare，toseeherloverinlaughterandgoodspiritsinherdespitewhenthebreachhasbeenowingtoaslightfromherself；whenowingtoaslightfromhim，toseehimsufferingforhisownfault。Ifheishappyinaclearconscience，sheblameshim；ifheismiserablebecausedeeplytoblame，sheblamesherself。
ThelatterwasCytherea\'scasenow。
First，anagonyoffacetoldofthesuppressedmiserywithinher，whichpresentlycouldbesuppressednolonger。Whentheywerecomingoutoftheporch，therebrokefromherinalowplaintivescreamthewords，\'He\'sdying——dying！OGod，saveus！\'Shebegantosinkdown，andwouldhavefallenhadnotManstoncaughther。Thechiefbridesmaidappliedhervinaigrette。
\'Whatdidshesay？\'inquiredManston。
Owenwastheonlyonetowhomthewordswereintelligible，andhewasfartoodeeplyimpressed，orratheralarmed，toreply。Shedidnotfaint，andsoonbegantorecoverherself-command。Owentookadvantageofthehindrancetostepbacktowheretheapparitionhadbeenseen。HewasenragedwithSpringroveforwhatheconsideredanunwarrantableintrusion。
ButEdwardwasnotinthechantry。Ashehadcome，sohehadgone，nobodycouldtellhoworwhither。
4。AFTERNOON
ItmightalmosthavebeenbelievedthatatransmutationhadtakenplaceinCytherea\'sidiosyncrasy，thathermoralnaturehadfled。
Thewedding-partyreturnedtothehouse。Assoonashecouldfindanopportunity，Owentookhissisterasidetospeakprivatelywithheronwhathadhappened。Theexpressionofherfacewashard，wild，andunreal——anexpressionhehadneverseentherebefore，anditdisturbedhim。Hespoketoherseverelyandsadly。
\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'Iknowthecauseofthisemotionofyours。
Butrememberthis，therewasnoexcuseforit。Youshouldhavebeenwomanenoughtocontrolyourself。Rememberwhosewifeyouare，anddon\'tthinkanythingmoreofamean-spiritedfellowlikeSpringrove；
hehadnobusinesstocomethereashedid。Youarealtogetherwrong，Cytherea，andIamvexedwithyoumorethanIcansay——veryvexed。\'
\'Sayashamedofmeatonce，\'shebitterlyanswered。
\'Iamashamedofyou，\'heretortedangrily；\'themoodhasnotleftyouyet，then？\'
\'Owen，\'shesaid，andpaused。Herliptrembled；hereyetoldofsensationstoodeepfortears。\'No，Owen，ithasnotleftme；andI
willbehonest。Iownnowtoyou，withoutanydisguiseofwords，whatlastnightIdidnotowntomyself，becauseIhardlyknewofit。IloveEdwardSpringrovewithallmystrength，andheart，andsoul。Youcallmeawantonforit，don\'tyou？Idon\'tcare；Ihavegonebeyondcaringforanything！\'Shelookedstonilyintohisfaceandmadethespeechcalmly。
\'Well，poorCytherea，don\'ttalklikethat！\'hesaid，alarmedathermanner。
\'IthoughtthatIdidnotlovehimatall，\'shewentonhysterically。\'Ayearandahalfhadpassedsincewemet。Icouldgobythegateofhisgardenwithoutthinkingofhim——lookathisseatinchurchandnotcare。ButIsawhimthismorning——dyingbecausehelovesmeso——Iknowitisthat！CanIhelplovinghimtoo？No，Icannot，andIwilllovehim，andIdon\'tcare！Wehavebeenseparatedsomehowbysomecontrivance——Iknowwehave。O，ifI
couldonlydie！\'
Heheldherinhisarms。\'Manyawomanhasgonetoruinherself，\'
hesaid，\'andbroughtthosewholoveherintodisgrace，byactinguponsuchimpulsesaspossessyounow。Ihaveareputationtoloseaswellasyou。ItseemsthatdowhatIwillbywayofremedyingthestainswhichfelluponus，itisalldoomedtobeundoneagain。\'
Hisvoicegrewhuskyashemadethereply。
Therightandonlyeffectivechordhadbeentouched。SinceshehadseenEdward，shehadthoughtonlyofherselfandhim。Owen——hername——position——future——hadbeenasiftheydidnotexist。
\'Iwon\'tgivewayandbecomeadisgracetoYOU，atanyrate，\'shesaid。
\'Besides，yourdutytosociety，andthoseaboutyou，requiresthatyoushouldlivewithatanyratealltheappearanceofagoodwife，andtrytoloveyourhusband。\'
\'Yes——mydutytosociety，\'shemurmured。\'Butah，Owen，itisdifficulttoadjustourouterandinnerlifewithperfecthonestytoall！Thoughitmayberighttocaremoreforthebenefitofthemanythanfortheindulgenceofyourownsingleself，whenyouconsiderthatthemany，anddutytothem，onlyexisttoyouthroughyourownexistence，whatcanbesaid？Whatdoourownacquaintancescareaboutus？Notmuch。Ithinkofmine。Minewillnowdotheylearnallthewickedfrailtyofmyheartinthisaffairlookatme，smilesickly，andcondemnme。Andperhaps，farintimetocome，whenIamdeadandgone，someother\'saccent，orsomeother\'ssong，orthought，likeanoldoneofmine，willcarrythembacktowhatI
usedtosay，andhurttheirheartsalittlethattheyblamedmesosoon。Andtheywillpausejustforaninstant，andgiveasightome，andthink，“Poorgirl！”believingtheydogreatjusticetomymemorybythis。Buttheywillnever，neverrealizethatitwasmysingleopportunityofexistence，aswellasofdoingmyduty，whichtheyareregarding；theywillnotfeelthatwhattothemisbutathought，easilyheldinthosetwowordsofpity，“Poorgirl！”wasawholelifetome；asfullofhours，minutes，andpeculiarminutes，ofhopesanddreads，smiles，whisperings，tears，astheirs：thatitwasmyworld，whatistothemtheirworld，andtheyinthatlifeofmine，howevermuchIcaredforthem，onlyasthethoughtIseemtothemtobe。Nobodycanenterintoanother\'snaturetruly，that\'swhatissogrievous。\'
\'Well，itcannotbehelped，\'saidOwen。
\'Butwemustnotstayhere，\'shecontinued，startingupandgoing。
\'Weshallbemissed。I\'lldomybest，Owen——Iwill，indeed。\'
Ithadbeendecidedthatonaccountofthewretchedstateoftheroads，thenewly-marriedpairshouldnotdrivetothestationtillthelatesthourintheafternoonatwhichtheycouldgetatraintotakethemtoSouthamptontheirdestinationthatnightbyareasonabletimeintheevening。TheyintendedthenextmorningtocrosstoHavre，andthencetoParis——aplaceCythereahadnevervisited——fortheirweddingtour。
Theafternoondrewon。Thepackingwasdone。Cythereawassorestlessthatshecouldstaystillnowhere。MissAldclyffe，who，thoughshetooklittlepartintheday\'sproceedings，was，asitwere，instinctivelyconsciousofalltheirmovements，putdownhercharge\'sagitationforonceasthenaturalresultofthenovelevent，andManstonhimselfwasasindulgentascouldbewished。
AtlengthCythereawanderedaloneintotheconservatory。Wheninit，shethoughtshewouldrunacrosstothehot-houseintheoutergarden，havinginherheartawhimsicaldesirethatsheshouldalsoliketotakealastlookatthefamiliarflowersandluxuriantleavescollectedthere。Shepulledonapairofovershoes，andthithershewent。Notasoulwasinoraroundtheplace。ThegardenerwasmakingmerryonManston\'sandheraccount。
Thehappinessthatagenerousspiritderivesfromthebeliefthatitexistsinothersisoftengreaterthantheprimaryhappinessitself。
Thegardenerthought\'Howhappytheyare！\'andthethoughtmadehimhappierthanthey。
Comingoutoftheforcing-houseagain，shewasonthepointofreturningindoors，whenafeelingthatthesemomentsofsolitudewouldbeherlastoffreedominducedhertoprolongthemalittle，andshestoodstill，unheedingthewintryaspectofthecurly-leavedplants，thestraw-coveredbeds，andthebarefruit-treesaroundher。
Thegarden，nopartofwhichwasvisiblefromthehouse，slopeddowntoanarrowriveratthefoot，dividingitfromthemeadowswithout。
Amanwaslingeringalongthepublicpathontheothersideoftheriver；shefanciedsheknewtheform。Herresolutions，takeninthepresenceofOwen，didnotfailhernow。Shehopedandprayedthatitmightnotbeonewhohadstolenherheartaway，andstillkeptit。Whyshouldhehavereappearedatall，whenhehaddeclaredthathewentoutofhersightforever？
Shehastilyhidherself，inthelowestcornerofthegardenclosetotheriver。Alargedeadtree，thicklyrobedinivy，hadbeenconsiderablydepressedbyitsicyloadofthemorning，andhunglowoverthestream，whichhereranslowanddeep。Thetreescreenedherfromtheeyesofanypasserontheotherside。
Shewaitedtimidly，andhertimidityincreased。Shewouldnotallowherselftoseehim——shewouldhearhimpass，andthenlooktoseeifithadbeenEdward。
But，beforesheheardanything，shebecameawareofanobjectreflectedinthewaterfromunderthetreewhichhungovertheriverinsuchawaythat，thoughhidingtheactualpath，andobjectsuponit，itpermittedtheirreflectedimagestopassbeneathitsboughs。
Thereflectedformwasthatofthemanshehadseenfurtheroff，butbeinginverted，shecouldnotdefinitelycharacterizehim。
HewaslookingattheupperwindowsoftheHouse——athers——wasitEdward，indeed？Ifso，hewasprobablythinkinghewouldliketosayonepartingword。Hecamecloser，gazedintothestream，andwalkedveryslowly。ShewasalmostcertainthatitwasEdward。Shekeptmoresafelyhidden。Consciencetoldherthatsheoughtnottoseehim。Butshesuddenlyaskedherselfaquestion：\'Canitbepossiblethatheseesmyreflectedimage，asIseehis？Ofcoursehedoes！\'
Hewaslookingatherinthewater。
Shecouldnothelpherselfnow。Shesteppedforwardjustasheemergedfromtheothersideofthetreeandappearederectbeforeher。ItwasEdwardSpringrove——tilltheinvertedvisionmethiseye，dreamingnomoreofseeinghisCythereatherethanofseeingthedeadthemselves。
\'Cytherea！\'
\'Mr。Springrove，\'shereturned，inalowvoice，acrossthestream。
Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。
\'Sincewehavemet，Iwanttotellyousomething，beforewebecomequiteasstrangerstoeachother。\'
\'No——notnow——Ididnotmeantospeak——itisnotright，Edward。\'
Shespokehurriedlyandturnedawayfromhim，beatingtheairwithherhand。
\'Notonecommonwordofexplanation？\'heimplored。\'Don\'tthinkI
ambadenoughtotrytoleadyouastray。Well，go——itisbetter。\'
Theireyesmetagain。Shewasnearlychoked。O，howshelonged——
anddreaded——tohearhisexplanation！
\'Whatisit？\'shesaiddesperately。
\'ItisthatIdidnotcometothechurchthismorninginordertodistressyou：Ididnot，Cytherea。Itwastotrytospeaktoyoubeforeyouwere——married。\'
Hesteppedcloser，andwenton，\'Youknowwhathastakenplace？
Surelyyoudo？——mycousinismarried，andIamfree。\'
\'Married——andnottoyou？\'Cythereafaltered，inaweakwhisper。
\'Yes，shewasmarriedyesterday！Arichmanhadappeared，andshejiltedme。Shesaidsheneverwouldhavejiltedastranger，butthatbyjiltingme，sheonlyexercisedtherighteverybodyhasofsnubbingtheirownrelations。Butthat\'snothingnow。Icametoyoutoaskoncemoreif……ButIwastoolate。\'
\'But，Edward，what\'sthat，what\'sthat！\'shecried，inanagonyofreproach。\'Whydidyouleavemetoreturntoher？Whydidyouwritemethatcruel，cruelletterthatnearlykilledme！\'
\'Cytherea！Why，youhadgrowntolove——like——Mr。Manston，andhowcouldyoubeanythingtome——orcareforme？SurelyIactednaturally？\'
\'Ono——never！Ilovedyou——onlyyou——nothim——alwaysyou！——tilllately……Itrytolovehimnow。\'
\'Butthatcan\'tbecorrect！MissAldclyffetoldmethatyouwantedtohearnomoreofme——provedittome！\'saidEdward。
\'Never！shecouldn\'t。\'
\'Shedid，Cytherea。Andshesentmealetter——alove-letter，youwrotetoMr。Manston。\'
\'Alove-letterIwrote？\'
\'Yes，alove-letter——youcouldnotmeethimjustthen，yousaidyouweresorry，buttheemotionyouhadfeltwithhimmadeyouforgetfulofrealities。\'
Thestrifeofthoughtintheunhappygirlwholistenedtothisdistortionofhermeaningcouldfindnoventinwords。Andthentherefollowedtheslowrevelationinreturn，bringingwithitallthemiseryofanexplanationwhichcomestoolate。ThequestionwhetherMissAldclyffewereschemerordupewasalmostpassedoverbyCytherea，undertheimmediateoppressivenessofherdespairinthesensethatherpositionwasirretrievable。
NotsoSpringrove。Hesawthroughallthecunninghalf-
misrepresentations——worsethandownrightlies——whichhadjustbeensufficienttoturnthescalebothwithhimandwithher；andfromthebottomofhissoulhecursedthewomanandmanwhohadbroughtallthisagonyuponhimandhisLove。Buthecouldnotaddmoremiserytothefutureofthepoorchildbyrevealingtoomuch。Thewholeschemesheshouldneverknow。
\'Iwasindifferenttomyownfuture，\'Edwardsaid，\'andwasurgedtopromiseadherencetomyengagementwithmycousinAdelaidebyMissAldclyffe：nowyouaremarriedIcannottellyouhow，butitwasonaccountofmyfather。Beingforbiddentothinkofyou，whatdidI
careaboutanything？Mynewthoughtthatyoustilllovedmewasfirstraisedbywhatmyfathersaidintheletterannouncingmycousin\'smarriage。HesaidthatalthoughyouweretobemarriedonOldChristmasDay——thatisto-morrow——hehadnoticedyourappearancewithpity：hethoughtyoulovedmestill。Itwasenoughforme——I
camedownbytheearliestmorningtrain，thinkingIcouldseeyousometimeto-day，theday，asIthought，beforeyourmarriage，hoping，buthardlydaringtohope，thatyoumightbeinducedtomarryme。Ihurriedfromthestation；whenIreachedthevillageI
sawidlersaboutthechurch，andtheprivategateleadingtotheHouseopen。Iranintothechurchbythesmalldoorandsawyoucomeoutofthevestry；Iwastoolate。Ihavenowtoldyou。Iwascompelledtotellyou。O，mylostdarling，nowIshalllivecontent——ordiecontent！\'
\'Iamtoblame，Edward，Iam，\'shesaidmournfully；\'Iwastaughttodreadpauperism；mynightsweremadesleepless；therewascontinuallyreiteratedinmyearstillIbelievedit——
\'“Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth，AndtopressapointwheretheseopposeWereasimplepolicy。“
ButIwillsaynothingaboutwhoinfluenced——whopersuaded。Theactismine，afterall。Edward，ImarriedtoescapedependenceformybreaduponthewhimofMissAldclyffe，orotherslikeher。Itwasclearlyrepresentedtomethatdependenceisbearableifwehaveanotherplacewhichwecancallhome；buttobeadependentandtohavenootherspotforthehearttoanchorupon——O，itismournfulandharassing！……Butthatwithoutwhichallpersuasionwouldhavebeenasair，wasaddedbymymiserableconvictionthatyouwerefalse；thatdidit，thatturnedme！Youweretobeconsideredasnobodytome，andMr。Manstonwasinvariablykind。Well，thedeedisdone——Imustabidebyit。IshallneverlethimknowthatIdonotlovehim——never。Ifthingshadonlyremainedastheyseemedtobe，ifyouhadreallyforgottenmeandmarriedanotherwoman，I
couldhaveborneitbetter。IwishIdidnotknowthetruthasI
knowitnow！Butourlife，whatisit？Letusbebrave，Edward，andliveoutourfewremainingyearswithdignity。Theywillnotbelong。O，Ihopetheywillnotbelong！……Now，good-bye，good-
bye！\'
\'IwishIcouldbenearandtouchyouonce，justonce，\'saidSpringrove，inavoicewhichhevainlyendeavouredtokeepfirmandclear。
Theylookedattheriver，thenintoit；ashoalofminnowswasfloatingoverthesandybottom，liketheblackdashesonminiver；
thoughnarrow，thestreamwasdeep，andtherewasnobridge。
\'Cytherea，reachoutyourhandthatImayjusttouchitwithmine。\'
Shesteppedtothebrinkandstretchedoutherhandandfingerstowardshis，butnotintothem。Theriverwastoowide。
\'Nevermind，\'saidCytherea，hervoicebrokenbyagitation，\'Imustbegoing。Godblessandkeepyou，myEdward！Godblessyou！\'
\'Imusttouchyou，Imustpressyourhand，\'hesaid。
Theycamenear——nearer——nearerstill——theirfingersmet。Therewasalongfirmclasp，socloseandstillthateachhandcouldfeeltheother\'spulsethrobbingbesideitsown。
\'MyCytherea！mystolenpetlamb！\'
Sheglancedamutefarewellfromherlargeperturbedeyes，turned，andranupthegardenwithoutlookingback。Allwasoverbetweenthem。Theriverflowedonasquietlyandobtuselyasever，andtheminnowsgatheredagainintheirfavouritespotasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbed。
Nobodyindoorsguessedfromhercountenanceandbearingthatherheartwasneartobreakingwiththeintensityofthemiserywhichgnawedthere。Atthesetimesawomandoesnotfaint，orweep，orscream，asshewillinthemomentofsuddenshocks。Whenlancedbyamentalagonyofsuchrefinedandspecialtorturethatitisindescribablebymen\'swords，shemovesamongheracquaintancesmuchasbefore，andcontrivessotocastheractionsintheoldmouldsthatsheisonlyconsideredtoberatherdullerthanusual。
5。HALF-PASTTWOTOFIVEO\'CLOCKP。M。
Owenaccompaniedthenewly-marriedcoupletotherailway-station，andinhisanxietytoseethelastofhissister，leftthebroughamandstooduponhiscrutcheswhilstthetrainwasstarting。
Whenthehusbandandwifewereabouttoentertherailway-carriagetheysawoneoftheporterslookingfrequentlyandfurtivelyatthem。Hewaspale，andapparentlyveryill。
\'Lookatthatpoorsickman，\'saidCythereacompassionately，\'surelyheoughtnottobehere。\'
\'He\'sbeenveryqueerto-day，madam，veryqueer，\'anotherporteranswered。\'Hedohardlyhearwhenhe\'sspokento，andd\'seemgiddy，orasifsomethingwasonhismind。He\'sbeenlikeitforthismonthpast，butnothingsobadasheisto-day。\'
\'Poorthing。\'
Shecouldnotresistaninnatedesiretodosomejustthingonthismostdeceitfulandwretcheddayofherlife。Goinguptohimshegavehimmoney，andtoldhimtosendtotheoldmanor-houseforwineorwhateverhewanted。
Thetrainmovedoffasthetremblingmanwasmurmuringhisincoherentthanks。Owenwavedhishand；Cythereasmiledbacktohimasifitwereunknowntoherthatsheweptallthewhile。
OwenwasdrivenbacktotheOldHouse。Buthecouldnotrestinthelonelyplace。Hisconsciencebegantoreproachhimforhavingforcedonthemarriageofhissisterwithalittletoomuchperemptoriness。Takinguphiscrutcheshewentoutofdoorsandwanderedaboutthemuddyroadswithnoobjectinviewsavethatofgettingridoftime。
Thecloudswhichhadhungsolowanddenselyduringthedayclearedfromthewestjustnowasthesunwassetting，callingforthaweaklytwitterfromafewsmallbirds。Owencrawleddownthepathtothewaterfall，andlingeredthereabouttillthesolitudeoftheplaceoppressedhim，whenheturnedbackandintotheroadtothevillage。Hewassad；hesaidtohimself——
\'Ifthereiseveranymeaninginthoseheavyfeelingswhicharecalledpresentiments——andIdon\'tbelievethereis——therewillbeinmineto-day……PoorlittleCytherea！\'
Atthatmomentthelastlowraysofthesuntouchedtheheadandshouldersofamanwhowasapproaching，andshowedhimuptoOwen\'sview。ItwasoldMr。Springrove。TheyhadgrownfamiliarwitheachotherbyreasonofOwen\'svisitstoKnapwaterduringthepastyear。ThefarmerinquiredhowOwen\'sfootwasprogressing，andwasgladtoseehimsonimbleagain。
\'Howisyourson？\'saidOwenmechanically。
\'Heisathome，sittingbythefire，\'saidthefarmer，inasadvoice。\'ThismorningheslippedindoorsfromGodknowswhere，andtherehesitsandmopes，andthinks，andthinks，andpresseshisheadsohard，thatIcan\'thelpfeelingforhim。\'
\'Ishemarried？\'saidOwen。Cythereahadfearedtotellhimoftheinterviewinthegarden。
\'No。Ican\'tquiteunderstandhowthematterrests……Ah！
Edward，too，whostartedwithsuchpromise；thatheshouldnowhavebecomesuchacarelessfellow——notamonthinoneplace。There，Mr。
Graye，Iknowwhatitismainlyowingto。Ifithadn\'tbeenforthatheartaffair，hemighthavedone——butthelesssaidabouthimthebetter。Idon\'tknowwhatweshouldhavedoneifMissAldclyffehadinsistedupontheconditionsoftheleases。Yourbrother-in-
law，thesteward，hadahandinmakingitlightforus，Iknow，andIheartilythankhimforit。\'Heceasedspeaking，andlookedroundatthesky。
\'Haveyouheardo\'what\'shappened？\'hesaidsuddenly；\'Iwasjustcomingouttolearnaboutit。\'
\'Ihaven\'theardofanything。\'
\'Itissomethingveryserious，thoughIdon\'tknowwhat。AllIknowiswhatIheardamancalloutbynow——thatitverymuchconcernssomebodywholivesintheparish。\'
Itseemssingularenough，eventomindswhohavenodimbeliefsinadumbrationandpresentiment，thatatthatmomentnottheshadowofathoughtcrossedOwen\'smindthatthesomebodywhomthematterconcernedmightbehimself，oranybelongingtohim。Theeventabouttotranspirewasasportentoustothewomanwhosewelfarewasmoredeartohimthanhisown，asany，shortofdeathitself，couldpossiblybe；andeverafterwards，whenheconsideredtheeffectoftheknowledgethenexthalf-hourconveyedtohisbrain，evenhispracticalgoodsensecouldnotrefrainfromwonderthatheshouldhavewalkedtowardthevillageafterhearingthosewordsofthefarmer，insoleisurelyandunconcernedaway。\'HowunutterablymeanmustmyintelligencehaveappearedtotheeyeofaforeseeingGod，\'hefrequentlysaidinafter-time。\'Columbusontheeveofhisdiscoveryofaworldwasnotsocontemptiblyunaware。\'
Afterafewadditionalwordsofcommon-placethefarmerlefthim，and，ashasbeensaid，Owenproceededslowlyandindifferentlytowardsthevillage。
Thelabouringmenhadjustleftwork，andpassedtheparkgate，whichopenedintothestreetasOwencamedowntowardsit。Theywentalonginadrift，earnestlytalking，andwerefinallyabouttoturninattheirrespectivedoorways。Butuponseeinghimtheylookedsignificantlyatoneanother，andpaused。Hecameintotheroad，onthatsideofthevillage-greenwhichwasoppositetherowofcottages，andturnedroundtotheright。WhenOwenturned，alleyesturned；oneortwomenwenthurriedlyindoors，andafterwardsappearedatthedoorstepwiththeirwives，whoalsocontemplatedhim，talkingastheylooked。Theyseemeduncertainhowtoactinsomematter。
\'Iftheywantme，surelytheywillcallme，\'hethought，wonderingmoreandmore。Hecouldnolongerdoubtthathewasconnectedwiththesubjectoftheirdiscourse。
Thefirstwhoapproachedhimwasaboy。
\'Whathasoccurred？\'saidOwen。
\'O，amanha\'gotcrazy-religious，andsentforthepa\'son。\'
\'Isthatall？\'
\'Yes，sir。Hewishedhewasdead，hesaid，andhe\'salmostoutofhismindwi\'wishenitsomuch。ThatwasbeforeMr。Raunhamcame。\'
\'Whoishe？\'saidOwen。
\'JosephChinney，oneoftherailway-porters；heusedtobenight-
porter。\'
\'Ah——themanwhowasillthisafternoon；bytheway，hewastoldtocometotheOldHouseforsomething，buthehasn\'tbeen。Buthasanythingelsehappened——anythingthatconcernstheweddingto-day？\'
\'No，sir。\'
ConcludingthattheconnectionwhichhadseemedtobetracedbetweenhimselfandtheeventmustinsomewayhavearisenfromCytherea\'sfriendlinesstowardstheman，Owenturnedaboutandwenthomewardsinamuchquieterframeofmind——yetscarcelysatisfiedwiththesolution。Theroutehehadchosenledthroughthedairy-yard，andheopenedthegate。
Fiveminutesbeforethispointoftime，EdwardSpringrovewaslookingoveroneofhisfather\'sfieldsatanoutlyinghamletofthreeorfourcottagessomemileandahalfdistant。Aturnpike-
gatewasclosebythegateofthefield。
ThecarriertoCasterbridgecameupasEdwardsteppedintotheroad，andjumpeddownfromthevantopaytoll。HerecognizedSpringrove。
\'Thisisaprettyset-toinyourplace，sir，\'hesaid。\'Youdon\'tknowaboutit，Isuppose？\'
\'What？\'saidSpringrove。
Thecarrierpaidhisdues，cameuptoEdward，andspoketenwordsinaconfidentialwhisper：thensprangupontheshaftsofhisvehicle，gaveaclinchingnodofsignificancetoSpringrove，andrattledaway。
Edwardturnedpalewiththeintelligence。Hisfirstthoughtwas，\'Bringherhome！\'
Thenext——didOwenGrayeknowwhathadbeendiscovered？Heprobablydidbythattime，butnorisksofprobabilitymustberunbyawomanheloveddearerthanalltheworldbesides。Hewouldatanyratemakeperfectlysurethatherbrotherwasinpossessionoftheknowledge，bytellingithimwithhisownlips。
Offheraninthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
Thepathwasacrossarableland，andwasploughedupwiththerestofthefieldeveryautumn，afterwhichitwastroddenoutafresh。
Thethawhadsoloosenedthesoftearth，thatlumpsofstiffmudwereliftedbyhisfeetateveryleaphetook，andflungagainsthimbyhisrapidmotion，asitweredoggedlyimpedinghim，andincreasingtenfoldthecustomaryeffortofrunning，Butheranon——uphill，anddownhill，thesamepacealike——liketheshadowofacloud。Hisnearestdirection，too，likeOwen\'s，wasthroughthedairy-barton，andasOwenenteredithesawthefigureofEdwardrapidlydescendingtheoppositehill，atadistanceoftwoorthreehundredyards。Owenadvancedamidthecows。
Thedairyman，whohadhithertobeentalkingloudlyonsomeabsorbingsubjecttothemaidsandmenmilkingaroundhim，turnedhisfacetowardstheheadofthecowwhenOwenpassed，andceasedspeaking。
Owenapproachedhimandsaid——
\'Asingularthinghashappened，Ihear。Themanisnotinsane，I
suppose？\'
\'Nothe——he\'ssensibleenough，\'saidthedairyman，andpaused。Hewasamannoisywithhisassociates——stolidandtaciturnwithstrangers。
\'IsittruethatheisChinney，therailway-porter？\'
\'That\'stheman，sir。\'Themaidsandmensittingunderthecowswereallattentivelylisteningtothisdiscourse，milkingirregularly，andsoftlydirectingthejetsagainstthesidesofthepail。
Owencouldcontainhimselfnolonger，muchashisminddreadedanythingofthenatureofridicule。\'Thepeopleallseemtolookatme，asifsomethingseriouslyconcernedme；isitthisstupidmatter，orwhatisit？\'
\'Surely，sir，youknowbetterthananybodyelseifsuchastrangethingconcernsyou。\'
\'Whatstrangething？\'
\'Don\'tyouknow！HisconfessingtoParsonRaunham。\'
\'Whatdidheconfess？Tellme。\'
\'Ifyoureallyha\'n\'theard，\'tisthis。Hewasasusualondutyatthestationonthenightofthefirelastyear，otherwisehewouldn\'tha\'knownit。\'
\'Knownwhat？ForGod\'ssaketell，man！\'
Butatthisinstantthetwooppositegatesofthedairy-yard，oneontheeast，theotheronthewestside，slammedalmostsimultaneously。
Therectorfromone，Springrovefromtheother，camestridingacrossthebarton。
Edwardwasnearest，andspokefirst。Hesaidinalowvoice：\'Yoursisterisnotlegallymarried！Hisfirstwifeisstillliving！HowitcomesoutIdon\'tknow！\'
\'O，hereyouareatlast，Mr。Graye，thankHeaven！\'saidtherectorbreathlessly。\'IhavebeentotheOldHouse，andthentoMissAldclyffe\'slookingforyou——somethingveryextraordinary。\'HebeckonedtoOwen，afterwardsincludedSpringroveinhisglance，andthethreesteppedasidetogether。
\'Aporteratthestation。Hewasacuriousnervousman。Hehadbeeninastrangestateallday，buthewouldn\'tgohome。Yoursisterwaskindtohim，itseems，thisafternoon。Whensheandherhusbandhadgone，hewentonwithhiswork，shiftingluggage-vans。
Well，hegotintheway，asifhewerequitelosttowhatwasgoingon，andtheysenthimhomeatlast。Thenhewishedtoseeme。I
wentdirectly。Therewassomethingonhismind，hesaid，andtoldit。AboutthetimewhenthefireoflastNovembertwelvemonthwasgotunder，whilsthewasbyhimselfintheporter\'sroom，almostasleep，somebodycametothestationandtriedtoopenthedoor。HewentoutandfoundthepersontobetheladyhehadaccompaniedtoCarrifordearlierintheevening，Mrs。Manston。Sheasked，whenwouldbeanothertraintoLondon？Thefirstthenextmorning，hetoldher，wasataquarter-pastsixo\'clockfromBudmouth，butthatitwasexpress，anddidn\'tstopatCarrifordRoad——itdidn\'tstoptillitgottoAnglebury。“HowfarisittoAnglebury？”shesaid。
Hetoldher，andshethankedhim，andwentawayuptheline。Inashorttimesheranbackandtookoutherpurse。“Don\'tonanyaccountsayawordinthevillageoranywherethatIhavebeenhere，orasinglebreathaboutme——I\'mashamedevertohavecome。“Hepromised；shetookouttwosovereigns。“SwearitontheTestamentinthewaiting-room，“shesaid，“andI\'llpayyouthese。“Hegotthebook，tookanoathuponit，receivedthemoney，andshelefthim。Hewasoffdutyathalf-pastfive。Hehaskeptsilenceallthroughtheinterveningtimetillnow，butlatelytheknowledgehepossessedweighedheavilyuponhisconscienceandweakmind。Yetthenearercamethewedding-day，themorehefearedtotell。Theactualmarriagefilledhimwithremorse。Hesaysyoursister\'skindnessafterwardswaslikeaknifegoingthroughhisheart。Hethoughthehadruinedher。\'
\'Butwhatevercanbedone？Whydidn\'thespeaksooner？\'criedOwen。
\'Heactuallycalledatmyhousetwiceyesterday，\'therectorcontinued，\'resolved，itseems，tounburdenhismind。Iwasoutbothtimes——heleftnomessage，and，theysay，helookedrelievedthathisobjectwasdefeated。ThenhesaysheresolvedtocometoyouattheOldHouselastnight——started，reachedthedoor，anddreadedtoknock——andthenwenthomeagain。\'
\'Herewillbeataleforthenewsmongersofthecounty，\'saidOwenbitterly。\'Theideaofhisnotopeninghismouthsooner——thecriminalityofthething！\'
\'Ah，that\'stheinconsistencyofaweaknature。Butnowthatitisputtousinthisway，howmuchmoreprobableitseemsthatsheshouldhaveescapedthanhavebeenburnt——\'
\'Youwill，ofcourse，gostraighttoMr。Manston，andaskhimwhatitallmeans？\'Edwardinterrupted。
\'OfcourseIshall！Manstonhasnorighttocarryoffmysisterunlesshe\'sherhusband，\'saidOwen。\'Ishallgoandseparatethem。\'
\'Certainlyyouwill，\'saidtherector。
\'Where\'stheman？\'
\'Inhiscottage。\'
\'\'Tisnousegoingtohim，either。Imustgooffatonceandovertakethem——laythecasebeforeManston，andaskhimforadditionalandcertainproofsofhisfirstwife\'sdeath。Anup-
trainpassessoon，Ithink。\'
\'Wherehavetheygone？\'saidEdward。
\'ToParis——asfarasSouthamptonthisafternoon，toproceedto-
morrowmorning。\'
\'WhereinSouthampton？\'
\'Ireallydon\'tknow——somehotel。IonlyhavetheirParisaddress。
ButIshallfindthembymakingafewinquiries。\'
Therectorhadinthemeantimebeentakingouthispocket-book，andnowopeneditatthefirstpage，whereonitwashiscustomeverymonthtogumasmallrailwaytime-table——cutfromthelocalnewspaper。
\'Theafternoonexpressisjustgone，\'hesaid，holdingopenthepage，\'andthenexttraintoSouthamptonpassesattenminutestosixo\'clock。Nowitwants——letmesee——five-and-fortyminutestothattime。Mr。Graye，myadviceisthatyoucomewithmetotheporter\'scottage，whereIwillshortlywriteoutthesubstanceofwhathehassaid，andgethimtosignit。YouwillthenhavefarbettergroundsforinterferingbetweenMr。andMrs。Manstonthanifyouwenttothemwithamerehearsaystory。\'
Thesuggestionseemedagoodone。\'Yes，therewillbetimebeforethetrainstarts，\'saidOwen。
Edwardhadbeenmusingrestlessly。
\'LetmegotoSouthamptoninyourplace，onaccountofyourlameness？\'hesaidsuddenlytoGraye。
\'Iammuchobligedtoyou，butIthinkIcanscarcelyaccepttheoffer，\'returnedOwencoldly。\'Mr。Manstonisanhonourableman，andIhadmuchbetterseehimmyself。\'
\'Thereisnodoubt，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'thatthedeathofhiswifewasfullybelievedinbyhimself。\'
\'Nonewhatever，\'saidOwen；\'andthenewsmustbebrokentohim，andthequestionofotherproofsasked，inafriendlyway。ItwouldnotdoforMr。Springrovetoappearinthecaseatall。\'Hestillspokerathercoldly；therecollectionoftheattachmentbetweenhissisterandEdwardwasnotapleasantonetohim。
\'Youwillneverfindthem，\'saidEdward。\'YouhaveneverbeentoSouthampton，andIknoweveryhousethere。\'
\'Thatmakeslittledifference，\'saidtherector；\'hewillhaveacab。CertainlyMr。Grayeisthepropermantogoontheerrand。\'
\'Stay；I\'lltelegraphtoaskthemtomeetmewhenIarriveattheterminus，\'saidOwen；\'thatis，iftheirtrainhasnotalreadyarrived。\'
Mr。Raunhampulledouthispocket-bookagain。\'Thetwo-thirtytrainreachedSouthamptonaquarterofanhourago，\'hesaid。
Itwastoolatetocatchthematthestation。Nevertheless，therectorsuggestedthatitwouldbeworthwhiletodirectamessageto\'alltherespectablehotelsinSouthampton，\'onthechanceofitsfindingthem，andthussavingadealofpersonallabourtoOweninsearchingabouttheplace。
\'I\'llgoandtelegraph，whilstyoureturntotheman，\'saidEdward——
anofferwhichwasaccepted。Grayeandtherectorthenturnedoffinthedirectionoftheporter\'scottage。
Edward，todespatchthemessageatonce，hurriedlyfollowedtheroadtowardsthestation，stillrestlesslythinking。AllOwen\'sproceedingswerebasedontheassumption，naturalunderthecircumstances，ofManston\'sgoodfaith，andthathewouldreadilyacquiesceinanyarrangementwhichshouldclearupthemystery。
\'But，\'thoughtEdward，\'suppose——andHeavenforgiveme，Icannothelpsupposingit——thatManstonisnotthathonourableman，whatwillayoungandinexperiencedfellowlikeOwendo？Willhenotbehoodwinkedbysomespeciousstoryoranother，framedtolasttillManstongetstiredofpoorCytherea？Andthenthedisclosureofthetruthwillruinandblackenboththeirfuturesirremediably。\'
However，heproceededtoexecutehiscommission。ThisheputintheformofasimplerequestfromOwentoManston，thatManstonwouldcometotheSouthamptonplatform，andwaitforOwen\'sarrival，ashevaluedhisreputation。Themessagewasdirectedastherectorhadsuggested，Edwardguaranteeingtotheclerkwhosentitoffthateveryexpenseconnectedwiththesearchwouldbepaid。
Nosoonerhadthetelegrambeendespatchedthanhisheartsankwithinhimatthewantofforesightshowninsendingit。HadManston，allthetime，aknowledgethathisfirstwifelived，thetelegramwouldbeaforewarningwhichmightenablehimtodefeatOwenstillmoresignally。
Whilstthemachinewasstillgivingoffitsmultitudinousseriesofraps，Edwardheardapowerfulrushundertheshedoutside，followedbyalongsonorouscreak。Itwasatrainofsomesort，stealingsoftlyintothestation，anditwasanup-train。Therewastheringofabell。Itwascertainlyapassengertrain。
Yetthebooking-officewindowwasclosed。
\'Ho，ho，John，seventeenminutesaftertimeandonlythreestationsuptheline。Theinclineagain？\'Thevoicewasthestationmaster\'s，andthereplyseemedtocomefromtheguard。
\'Yes，theothersideofthecutting。Thethawhasmadeitallinaperfectcloudoffog，andtherailsareasslipperyasglass。Wehadtobringthemthroughthecuttingattwice。\'
\'Anybodyelseforthefour-forty-fiveexpress？\'thevoicecontinued。
Thefewpassengers，havingcrossedovertotheothersidelongbeforethistime，hadtakentheirplacesatonce。
AconvictionsuddenlybrokeinuponEdward\'smind；thenawishoverwhelmedhim。Theconviction——asstartlingasitwassudden——wasthatManstonwasavillain，whoatsomeearliertimehaddiscoveredthathiswifelived，andhadbribedhertokeepoutofsight，thathemightpossessCytherea。Thewishwas——toproceedatoncebythisverytrainthatwasstarting，findManstonbeforehewouldexpectfromthewordsofthetelegramifhegotitthatanybodyfromCarrifordcouldbewithhim——chargehimboldlywiththecrime，andtrusttohisconsequentconfusionifhewereguiltyforasolutionoftheextraordinaryriddle，andthereleaseofCytherea！
Theticket-officehadbeenlockedupattheexpirationofthetimeatwhichthetrainwasdue。Rushingoutastheguardblewhiswhistle，Edwardopenedthedoorofacarriageandleaptin。Thetrainmovedalong，andhewassoonoutofsight。
Springrovehadlongsincepassedthatpeculiarlinewhichliesacrossthecourseoffallinginlove——if，indeed，itmaynotbecalledtheinitialitselfofthecompletepassion——alongingtocherish；whenthewomanisshiftedinaman\'smindfromtheregionofmereadmirationtotheregionofwarmfellowship。Atthisassumptionofhernature，shechangestohimintone，hue，andexpression。Allaboutthelovedonethatsaid\'She\'before，says\'We\'now。Eyesthatweretobesubduedbecomeeyestobefearedfor：abrainthatwastobeprobedbycynicismbecomesabrainthatistobetenderlyassisted；feetthatweretobetestedinthedancebecomefeetthatarenottobedistressed；theonce-criticizedaccent，manner，anddress，becometheclientsofaspecialpleader。
6。FIVETOEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。
Nowthathewasfairlyonthetrack，andhadbeguntocooldown，Edwardrememberedthathehadnothingtoshow——nolegalauthoritywhatevertoquestionManstonorinterferebetweenhimandCythereaashusbandandwife。Henowsawthewisdomoftherectorinobtainingasignedconfessionfromtheporter。Thedocumentwouldnotbeadeath-bedconfession——perhapsnotworthanythinglegally——
butitwouldbeheldbyOwen；andhealone，asCytherea\'snaturalguardian，couldseparatethemonthemeregroundofanunprovedprobability，orwhatmightperhapsbecalledthehallucinationofanidiot。Edwardhimself，however，wasasfirmlyconvincedastherectorhadbeenofthetruthoftheman\'sstory，andpacedbackwardandforwardthesolitarycompartmentasthetrainwoundthroughthedarkheatheryplains，themazywoods，andmoaningcoppices，asresolvedasevertopounceonManston，andchargehimwiththecrimeduringthecriticalintervalbetweenthereceptionofthetelegramandthehouratwhichOwen\'strainwouldarrive——trustingtocircumstancesforwhatheshouldsayanddoafterwards，butmakinguphismindtobeareadysecondtoOweninanyemergencythatmightarise。
Atthirty-threeminutespastsevenhestoodontheplatformofthestationatSouthampton——aclearhourbeforethetraincontainingOwencouldpossiblyarrive。
Makingafewinquirieshere，buttooimpatienttopursuehisinvestigationcarefullyandinductively，hewentintothetown。
Attheexpirationofanotherhalf-hourhehadvisitedsevenhotelsandinns，largeandsmall，askingthesamequestionsateach，andalwaysreceivingthesamereply——nobodyofthatname，oransweringtothatdescription，hadbeenthere。Aboyfromthetelegraph-
officehadcalled，askingforthesamepersons，iftheyrecollectedrightly。
Hereflectedawhile，struckagainbyapainfulthoughtthattheymightpossiblyhavedecidedtocrosstheChannelbythenight-boat。
Thenhehastenedofftoanotherquarterofthetowntopursuehisinquiriesamonghotelsofthemoreold-fashionedandquietclass。
Hisstainedandwearyappearanceobtainedforhimbutamodicumofcivility，whereverhewent，whichmadehistaskyetmoredifficult。
Hecalledatthreeseveralhousesinthisneighbourhood，withthesameresultasbefore。Heenteredthedoorofthefourthhousewhilsttheclockofthenearestchurchwasstrikingeight。
\'HaveatallgentlemannamedManston，andayoungwifearrivedherethisevening？\'heaskedagain，inwordswhichhadgrownoddtohisearsfromveryfamiliarity。
\'Anew-marriedcouple，didyousay？\'
\'Theyare，thoughIdidn\'tsayso。\'
\'Theyhavetakenasitting-roomandbedroom，numberthirteen。\'
\'Aretheyindoors？\'
\'Idon\'tknow。Eliza！\'
\'Yes，m\'m。\'
\'Seeifnumberthirteenisin——thatgentlemanandhiswife。\'
\'Yes，m\'m。\'
\'Hasanytelegramcomeforthem？\'saidEdward，whenthemaidhadgoneonhererrand。
\'No——nothingthatIknowof。\'
\'SomebodydidcomeandaskifaMr。andMrs。Masters，orsomesuchname，wereherethisevening，\'saidanothervoicefromthebackofthebar-parlour。
\'Anddidtheygetthemessage？\'
\'Ofcoursetheydidnot——theywerenothere——theydidn\'tcometillhalf-an-hourafterthat。Themanwhomadeinquiriesleftnomessage。Itoldthemwhentheycamethatthey，oranamesomethingliketheirs，hadbeenaskedfor，buttheydidn\'tseemtounderstandwhyitshouldbe，andsothematterdropped。\'
Thechambermaidcameback。\'Thegentlemanisnotin，buttheladyis。WhoshallIsay？\'
\'Nobody，\'saidEdward。Foritnowbecamenecessarytoreflectuponhismethodofproceeding。Hisobjectinfindingtheirwhereabouts——
apartfromthewishtoassistOwen——hadbeentoseeManston，askhimflatlyforanexplanation，andconfirmtherequestofthemessageinthepresenceofCytherea——soastopreventthepossibilityofthesteward\'spalmingoffastoryuponCytherea，oreludingherbrotherwhenhecame。Buthereweretwoimportantmodificationsoftheexpectedconditionofaffairs。Thetelegramhadnotbeenreceived，andCythereawasinthehousealone。
HehesitatedastotheproprietyofintrudinguponherinManston\'sabsence。Besides，thewomenatthebottomofthestairswouldseehim——hisintrusionwouldseemodd——andManstonmightreturnatanymoment。Hecertainlymightcall，andwaitforManstonwiththeaccusationuponhistongue，ashehadintended。Butitwasadoubtfulcourse。ThatideahadbeenbasedupontheassumptionthatCythereawasnotmarried。Ifthefirstwifewerereallydeadafterall——andhefeltsickatthethought——Cythereaasthesteward\'swifemightinafter-years——perhaps，atonce——besubjectedtoindignityandcrueltyonaccountofanoldlover\'sinterferencenow。
Yes，perhapstheannouncementwouldcomemostproperlyandsafelyforherfromherbrotherOwen，thetimeofwhosearrivalhadalmostexpired。
But，onturninground，hesawthatthestaircaseandpassagewerequitedeserted。Heandhiserrandhadascompletelydiedfromthemindsoftheattendantsasiftheyhadneverbeen。TherewasabsolutelynothingbetweenhimandCytherea\'spresence。Reasonwaspowerlessnow；hemustseeher——rightorwrong，fairorunfairtoManston——offensivetoherbrotherorno。Hislipsmustbethefirsttotellthealarmingstorytoher。Wholovedherashe！Hewentbacklightlythroughthehall，upthestairs，twoatatime，andfollowedthecorridortillhecametothedoornumberedthirteen。
Heknockedsoftly：nobodyanswered。
TherewasnotimetoloseifhewouldspeaktoCythereabeforeManstoncame。Heturnedthehandleofthedoorandlookedin。Thelamponthetableburnedlow，andshowedwritingmaterialsopenbesideit；thechieflightcamefromthefire，thedirectraysofwhichwereobscuredbyasweetfamiliaroutlineofheadandshoulders——stillasprecioustohimasever。