TheprimitivegovernmentwastheMatriarchate。TheMatriarchate！
TheLordsofCreationjustranaboutanddidwhattheyweretold。\"
\"Butisthatreallyso？\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Ithasbeenproved，\"saidMissMiniver，andadded，\"byAmericanprofessors。\"
\"Buthowdidtheyproveit？\"
\"Byscience，\"saidMissMiniver，andhurriedon，puttingoutarhetoricalhandthatshowedaslashoffingerthroughitsglove。
\"Andnow，lookatus！Seewhatwehavebecome。Toys！Delicatetrifles！Asexofinvalids。Itiswewhohavebecometheparasitesandtoys。\"
Itwas，AnnVeronicafelt，atonceabsurdandextraordinarilyright。Hetty，whohadperiodsoflucidexpression，putthethingforherfromherpillow。ShechargedboldlyintothespaceofMissMiniver’srhetoricalpause。
\"Itisn’tquitethatwe’retoys。Nobodytoyswithme。NobodyregardsConstanceorVeeasadelicatetrifle。\"
Teddymadesomeconfusednoise，athoracicstreetrow；someremarkwasassassinatedbyarivalinhisthroatandburiedhastilyunderacough。
\"They’dbetternot，\"saidHetty。\"Thepointiswe’renottoys，toysisn’ttheword；we’relitter。We’rehandfuls。We’reregardedasinflammablelitterthatmustn’tbeleftabout。Wearethespecies，andmaternityisourgame；that’sallright，butnobodywantsthatadmittedforfearweshouldallcatchfire，andsetaboutfulfillingthepurposeofourbeingswithoutwaitingforfurtherexplanations。Asifwedidn’tknow！Thepracticaltroubleisourages。Theyusedtomarryusoffatseventeen，rushusintothingsbeforewehadtimetoprotest。Theydon’tnow。Heavenknowswhy！Theydon’tmarrymostofusoffnowuntilhighupinthetwenties。Andtheagegetshigher。Wehavetohangaboutintheinterval。There’sagreatgulfopened，andnobody’sgotanyplanswhattodowithus。Sotheworldischokedwithwasteandwaitingdaughters。Hangingabout！Andtheystartthinkingandaskingquestions，andbegintobeneitheronethingnortheother。We’repartlyhumanbeingsandpartlyfemalesinsuspense。\"
MissMiniverfollowedwithanexpressionofperplexity，hermouthshapedtofutileexpositions。TheWidgettmethodofthoughtpuzzledherweaklyrhetoricalmind。\"Thereisnoremedy，girls，\"
shebegan，breathlessly，\"excepttheVote。Giveusthat——\"
AnnVeronicacameinwithacertaindisregardofMissMiniver。
\"That’sit，\"shesaid。\"Theyhavenoplansforus。Theyhavenoideaswhattodowithus。\"
\"Except，\"saidConstance，surveyingherworkwithherheadononeside，\"tokeepthematchesfromthelitter。\"
\"Andtheywon’tletusmakeplansforourselves。\"
\"Wewill，\"saidMissMiniver，refusingtobesuppressed，\"ifsomeofushavetobekilledtogetit。\"Andshepressedherlipstogetherinwhiteresolutionandnodded，andshewasmanifestlyfullofthatsamepassionforconflictandself-sacrificethathasgiventheworldmartyrssincethebeginningofthings。\"I
wishIcouldmakeeverywoman，everygirl，seethisasclearlyasIseeit——justwhattheVotemeanstous。Justwhatitmeans……\"
Part2
AsAnnVeronicawentbackalongtheAvenuetoherauntshebecameawareofalight-footedpursuerrunning。Teddyovertookher，alittleoutofbreath，hisinnocentfaceflushed，hisstraw-coloredhairdisordered。Hewasoutofbreath，andspokeinbrokensentences。
\"Isay，Vee。Halfaminute，Vee。It’slikethis:Youwantfreedom。Lookhere。Youknow——ifyouwantfreedom。Justanideaofmine。YouknowhowthoseRussianstudentsdo？InRussia。Justaformalmarriage。Mereformality。Liberatesthegirlfromparentalcontrol。See？Youmarryme。Simply。Nofurtherresponsibilitywhatever。Withouthindrance——presentoccupation。Whynot？Quitewilling。Getalicense——justanideaofmine。Doesn’tmatterabittome。Doanythingtopleaseyou，Vee。Anything。Notfittobedustonyourboots。
Still——thereyouare！\"
Hepaused。
AnnVeronica’sdesiretolaughunrestrainedlywascheckedbythetremendousearnestnessofhisexpression。\"Awfullygoodofyou，Teddy。\"shesaid。
Henoddedsilently，toofullforwords。
\"ButIdon’tsee，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"justhowitfitsthepresentsituation。\"
\"No！Well，Ijustsuggestedit。Threwitout。Ofcourse，ifatanytime——seereason——alteryouropinion。Alwaysatyourservice。
Nooffence，Ihope。Allright！I’moff。Duetoplayhockey。
Jackson’s。Horridsnorters！Solong，Vee！Justsuggestedit。
See？Nothingreally。Passingthought。\"
\"Teddy，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"you’readear！\"
\"Oh，quite！\"saidTeddy，convulsively，andliftedanimaginaryhatandlefther。
Part3
ThecallAnnVeronicapaidwithherauntthatafternoonhadatfirstmuchthesamerelationtotheWidgettconversationthataplasterstatueofMr。Gladstonewouldhavetoacarelesslydisplayedinterioronadissecting-roomtable。TheWidgettstalkedwitharemarkableabsenceofexternalcoverings；thePalsworthysfoundallthemeaningsoflifeonitssurfaces。TheyseemedthemostwrappedthingsinallAnnVeronica’swrapperedworld。TheWidgettmentalfurniturewasperhapswornandshabby，butthereitwasbeforeyou，undisguised，fadingvisiblyinanalmostpitilesssunlight。LadyPalsworthywasthewidowofaknightwhohadwonhisspursinthewholesalecoaltrade，shewasofgoodseventeenth-centuryattorneyblood，acountyfamily，anddistantlyrelatedtoAuntMollie’sdeceasedcurate。ShewasthesocialleaderofMorningsidePark，andinhersuperficialandeuphuisticwayanextremelykindandpleasantwoman。WithherlivedaMrs。Pramlay，asisteroftheMorningsideParkdoctor，andaveryactiveandusefulmemberoftheCommitteeoftheImpoverishedGentlewomen’sAidSociety。BothladieswereoneasyandfriendlytermswithallthatwasbestinMorningsideParksociety；theyhadanafternoononceamonththatwasquitewellattended，theysometimesgavemusicalevenings，theydinedoutandgaveafinishtopeople’sdinners，theyhadafull-sizedcroquetlawnandtennisbeyond，andunderstoodtheartofbringingpeopletogether。Andtheynevertalkedofanythingatall，neverdiscussed，neverevenencouragedgossip。Theywerejustnice。
AnnVeronicafoundherselfwalkingbackdowntheAvenuethathadjustbeenthesceneofherfirstproposalbesideheraunt，andspeculatingforthefirsttimeinherlifeaboutthatlady’smentalattitudes。Herprevailingeffectwasoneofquietandcompleteassurance，asthoughsheknewallabouteverything，andwasonlyrestrainedbyherinstinctivedelicacyfromtellingwhatsheknew。Buttherestraintexercisedbyherinstinctivedelicacywasverygreat；overandabovecoarseorsexualmattersitcoveredreligionandpoliticsandanymentionofmoneymattersorcrime，andAnnVeronicafoundherselfwonderingwhethertheseexclusionsrepresented，afterall，anythingmorethansuppressions。Wasthereanythingatallinthoselockedroomsofheraunt’smind？Weretheyfullyfurnishedandonlyalittledustyandcobwebbyandinneedofanairing，orweretheystarkvacancyexcept，perhaps，foracockroachorsoorthegnawingofarat？Whatwasthementalequivalentofarat’sgnawing？Theimagewasgoingastray。ButwhatwouldherauntthinkofTeddy’srecentoff-handsuggestionofmarriage？WhatwouldshethinkoftheWidgettconversation？Supposeshewastotellherauntquietlybutfirmlyabouttheparasiticmalesofdegradedcrustacea。Thegirlsuppressedachucklethatwouldhavebeeninexplicable。
Therecameawildrushofanthropologicalloreintoherbrain，aflareofindecoroushumor。Itwasoneofthesecrettroublesofhermind，thisgrotesquetwistherideaswouldsometimestake，asthoughtheyrebelledandrioted。Afterall，shefoundherselfreflecting，behindheraunt’scomplacentvisagetherewasapastasluridasanyone’s——not，ofcourse，heraunt’sownpersonalpast，whichwasapparentlyjustthatcurateandalmostincrediblyjejune，butanancestralpastwithallsortsofscandalousthingsinit:fireandslaughterings，exogamy，marriagebycapture，corroborees，cannibalism！Ancestresseswithperhapsdimanticipatorylikenessestoheraunt，theirhairlessneatlydone，nodoubt，theirmannersandgesturesasyetundisciplined，butstillancestressesinthedirectline，musthavedancedthroughabriefandstirringlifeinthewoadybuff。WastherenoechoanywhereinMissStanley’spacifiedbrain？Thoseemptyrooms，iftheywereempty，weretheequivalentsofastoundinglydecoratedpredecessors。Perhapsitwasjustaswelltherewasnoinheritedmemory。
AnnVeronicawasbythistimequiteshockedatherownthoughts，andyettheywouldgoonwiththeirfreaks。Greatvistasofhistoryopened，andsheandherauntwerenearrevertingtotheprimitiveandpassionateandentirelyindecorousarboreal——wereswingingfrombranchesbythearms，andreallygoingonquitedread-fully——whentheirarrivalatthePalsworthys’happilycheckedthisplayoffancy，andbroughtAnnVeronicabacktotheexigenciesofthewrapperedlifeagain。
LadyPalsworthylikedAnnVeronicabecauseshewasneverawkward，hadsteadyeyes，andanalmostinvariableneatnessanddignityinherclothes。Sheseemedjustasstiffandshyasagirloughttobe，LadyPalsworthythought，neithergarrulousnorunready，andfreefromnearlyalltheheavyaggressiveness，theovergrown，overblownquality，theegotismandwantofconsiderationofthetypicalmoderngirl。ButthenLadyPalsworthyhadneverseenAnnVeronicarunninglikethewindathockey。Shehadneverseenhersittingontablesnorheardherdiscussingtheology，andhadfailedtoobservethatthegracefulfigurewasanaturaloneandnotduetoablychosenstays。ShetookitforgrantedAnnVeronicaworestays——mildstays，perhaps，butstays，andthoughtnomoreofthematter。Shehadseenherreallyonlyatteas，withtheStanleystraininheruppermost。Therearesomanygirlsnowadayswhoarequiteunpresentableattea，withtheiruntrimmedlaughs，theirawfuldispositionsoftheirlegswhentheysitdown，theirslangydisrespect；theynolongersmoke，itistrue，likethegirlsoftheeightiesandnineties，neverthelesstoafineintelligencetheyhavetheflavoroftobacco。Theyhavenoamenities，theyscratchthemellowsurfaceofthingsalmostasiftheydiditonpurpose；andLadyPalsworthyandMrs。Pramlaylivedforamenitiesandthemellowedsurfacesofthings。AnnVeronicawasoneofthefewyoungpeople——andonemusthaveyoungpeoplejustasonemusthaveflowers——onecouldasktoalittlegatheringwithouttheriskofapainfuldiscord。ThenthedistantrelationshiptoMissStanleygavethemaslightbutpleasantsenseofproprietorshipinthegirl。Theyhadtheirlittledreamsabouther。
Mrs。Pramlayreceivedthemintheprettychintzdrawing-room，whichopenedbyFrenchwindowsonthetrimgarden，withitscroquetlawn，itstennis-netinthemiddledistance，anditsremoterosealleylinedwithsmartdahliasandflamingsunflowers。HereyemetMissStanley’sunderstandingly，andshewasifanythingatriflemoreaffectionateinhergreetingtoAnnVeronica。ThenAnnVeronicapassedontowardtheteainthegarden，whichwasdottedwiththeeliteofMorningsideParksociety，andthereshewaspounceduponbyLadyPalsworthyandgiventeaandledabout。Acrossthelawnandhoveringindecisively，AnnVeronicasawandimmediatelyaffectednottoseeMr。Manning，LadyPalsworthy’snephew，atallyoungmanofseven-and-thirtywithahandsome，thoughtful，impassiveface，afullblackmustache，andacertainheavyluxuriousnessofgesture。ThepartyresolveditselfforAnnVeronicaintoagameinwhichshemanoeuvredunostentatiouslyandfinallyunsuccessfullytoavoidtalkingalonewiththisgentleman。
Mr。ManninghadshownonpreviousoccasionsthathefoundAnnVeronicainterestingandthathewishedtointeresther。Hewasacivilservantofsomestanding，andafterapreviousconversationuponaestheticsofasententious，nebulous，andsympatheticcharacter，hehadsentherasmallvolume，whichhedescribedasthefruitsofhisleisureandwhichwasasamatteroffactrathercarefullyfinishedverse。ItdealtwithfineaspectsofMr。Manning’sfeelings，andasAnnVeronica’smindwasstilllargelyengagedwithfundamentalsandfoundnopleasureinmetricalforms，shehadnotasyetcutitspages。Sothatasshesawhimsheremarkedtoherselfveryfaintlybutdefinitely，\"Oh，golly！\"andsetupacampaignofavoidancethatMr。Manningatlastbrokedownbycomingdirectlyatherasshetalkedwiththevicar’sauntaboutsomeofthedetailsoftheallegedsmellofthenewchurchlamps。Hedidnotsomuchcutintothisconversationasloomoverit，forhewasatall，ifratherstudiouslystooping，man。
ThefacethatlookeddownuponAnnVeronicawasfullofamiableintention。\"Splendidyouarelookingto-day，MissStanley，\"hesaid。\"Howwellandjollyyoumustbefeeling。\"
Hebeamedovertheeffectofthisandshookhandswitheffusion，andLadyPalsworthysuddenlyappearedashisconfederateanddisentangledthevicar’saunt。
\"Ilovethiswarmendofsummermorethanwordscantell，\"hesaid。\"I’vetriedtomakewordstellit。It’snogood。Mild，youknow，andboon。Youwantmusic。\"
AnnVeronicaagreed，andtriedtomakethemannerofherassentcoverapossibleknowledgeofaprobablepoem。
\"Splendiditmustbetobeacomposer。Glorious！ThePastoral。
Beethoven；he’sthebestofthem。Don’tyouthink？Tum，tay，tum，tay。\"
AnnVeronicadid。
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingsinceourlasttalk？Stillcuttinguprabbitsandprobingintothings？I’veoftenthoughtofthattalkofours——often。\"
Hedidnotappeartorequireanyanswertohisquestion。
\"Often，\"herepeated，alittleheavily。
\"Beautifultheseautumnflowersare，\"saidAnnVeronica，inawide，uncomfortablepause。
\"DocomeandseetheMichaelmasdaisiesattheendofthegarden，\"saidMr。Manning，\"they’readream。\"AndAnnVeronicafoundherselfbeingcarriedofftoanisolationevenremoterandmoreconspicuousthanthecornerofthelawn，withthewholeofthepartyaidingandabettingandglancingatthem。\"Damn！\"saidAnnVeronicatoherself，rousingherselfforaconflict。
Mr。Manningtoldherhelovedbeauty，andextortedasimilaradmissionfromher；hethenexpatiateduponhisownloveofbeauty。Hesaidthatforhimbeautyjustifiedlife，thathecouldnotimagineagoodactionthatwasnotabeautifulonenoranybeautifulthingthatcouldbealtogetherbad。AnnVeronicahazardedanopinionthatasamatterofhistorysomeverybeautifulpeoplehad，toaquiteconsiderableextent，beenbad，butMr。Manningquestionedwhetherwhentheywerebadtheywerereallybeautifulorwhentheywerebeautifulbad。AnnVeronicafoundherattentionwanderingalittleashetoldherthathewasnotashamedtofeelalmostslavishinthepresenceofreallybeautifulpeople，andthentheycametotheMichaelmasdaisies。
Theywerereallyveryfineandabundant，withablazeofperennialsunflowersbehindthem。
\"Theymakemewanttoshout，\"saidMr。Manning，withasweepofthearm。
\"They’reverygoodthisyear，\"saidAnnVeronica，avoidingcontroversialmatter。
\"EitherIwanttoshout，\"saidMr。Manning，\"whenIseebeautifulthings，orelseIwanttoweep。\"Hepausedandlookedather，andsaid，withasuddendropintoaconfidentialundertone，\"OrelseIwanttopray。\"
\"WhenisMichaelmasDay？\"saidAnnVeronica，alittleabruptly。
\"Heavenknows！\"saidMr。Manning；andadded，\"thetwenty-ninth。\"
\"Ithoughtitwasearlier，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Wasn’tParliamenttoreassemble？\"
Heputouthishandandleanedagainstatreeandcrossedhislegs。\"You’renotinterestedinpolitics？\"heasked，almostwithanoteofprotest。
\"Well，rather，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Itseems——It’sinteresting。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？Ifindmyinterestinthatsortofthingdeclineanddecline。\"
\"I’mcurious。PerhapsbecauseIdon’tknow。IsupposeanintelligentpersonOUGHTtobeinterestedinpoliticalaffairs。
Theyconcernusall。\"
\"Iwonder，\"saidMr。Manning，withabafflingsmile。
\"Ithinktheydo。Afterall，they’rehistoryinthemaking。\"
\"Asortofhistory，\"saidMr。Manning；andrepeated，\"asortofhistory。Butlookatthesegloriousdaisies！\"
\"Butdon’tyouthinkpoliticalquestionsAREimportant？\"
\"Idon’tthinktheyarethisafternoon，andIdon’tthinktheyaretoyou。\"
AnnVeronicaturnedherbackontheMichaelmasdaisies，andfacedtowardthehousewithanairofadutycompleted。
\"Justcometothatseatnowyouarehere，MissStanley，andlookdowntheotherpath；there’savistaofjustthecommonsort。
Bettereventhanthese。\"
AnnVeronicawalkedasheindicated。
\"YouknowI’mold-fashioned，MissStanley。Idon’tthinkwomenneedtotroubleaboutpoliticalquestions。\"
\"Iwantavote，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Really！\"saidMr。Manning，inanearnestvoice，andwavedhishandtothealleyofmauveandpurple。\"Iwishyoudidn’t。\"
\"Whynot？\"Sheturnedonhim。
\"Itjars。Itjarswithallmyideas。Womentomearesomethingsoserene，sofine，sofeminine，andpoliticsaresodusty，sosordid，sowearisomeandquarrelsome。Itseemstomeawoman’sdutytobebeautiful，toBEbeautifulandtobehavebeautifully，andpoliticsarebytheirverynatureugly。Yousee，I——Iamawomanworshipper。IworshippedwomenlongbeforeIfoundanywomanImighteverhopetoworship。Longago。And——theideaofcommittees，ofhustings，ofagenda-papers！\"
\"Idon’tseewhytheresponsibilityofbeautyshouldallbeshiftedontothewomen，\"saidAnnVeronica，suddenlyrememberingapartofMissMiniver’sdiscourse。
\"Itrestswiththembythenatureofthings。Whyshouldyouwhoarequeenscomedownfromyourthrones？Ifyoucanaffordit，WE
can’t。Wecan’taffordtoturnourwomen，ourMadonnas，ourSaintCatherines，ourMonaLisas，ourgoddessesandangelsandfairyprincesses，intoasortofman。Womanhoodissacredtome。
Mypoliticsinthatmatterwouldn’tbetogivewomenvotes。I’maSocialist，MissStanley。\"
\"WHAT？\"saidAnnVeronica，startled。
\"ASocialistoftheorderofJohnRuskin。IndeedIam！Iwouldmakethiscountryacollectivemonarchy，andallthegirlsandwomeninitshouldbetheQueen。Theyshouldnevercomeintocontactwithpoliticsoreconomics——oranyofthosethings。Andwemenwouldworkforthemandservetheminloyalfealty。\"
\"That’sratherthetheorynow，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Onlysomanymenneglecttheirduties。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Manning，withanairofemergingfromanelaboratedemonstration，\"andsoeachofusmust，underexistingconditions，beingchivalrousindeedtoallwomen，chooseforhimselfhisownparticularandworshipfulqueen。\"
\"Sofarasonecanjudgefromthesysteminpractice，\"saidAnnVeronica，speakinginaloud，common-sense，detachedtone，andbeginningtowalkslowlybutresolutelytowardthelawn，\"itdoesn’twork。\"
\"Everyonemustbeexperimental，\"saidMr。Manning，andglancedroundhastilyforfurtherhorticulturalpointsofinterestinsecludedcorners。Nonepresentedthemselvestosavehimfromthatreturn。
\"That’sallverywellwhenoneisn’tthematerialexperimentedupon，\"AnnVeronicahadremarked。
\"Womenwould——theyDOhavefarmorepowerthantheythink，asinfluences，asinspirations。\"
AnnVeronicasaidnothinginanswertothat。
\"Yousayyouwantavote，\"saidMr。Manning，abruptly。
\"IthinkIoughttohaveone。\"
\"Well，Ihavetwo，\"saidMr。Manning——\"oneinOxfordUniversityandoneinKensington。\"Hecaughtupandwentonwithasortofclumsiness:\"Letmepresentyouwiththemandbeyourvoter。\"
Therefollowedaninstant’spause，andthenAnnVeronicahaddecidedtomisunderstand。
\"Iwantavoteformyself，\"shesaid。\"Idon’tseewhyIshouldtakeitsecond-hand。Thoughit’sverykindofyou。Andratherunscrupulous。Haveyouevervoted，Mr。Manning？Isupposethere’sasortofplacelikeaticket-office。Andaballot-box——\"Herfaceassumedanexpressionofintellectualconflict。\"Whatisaballot-boxlike，exactly？\"sheasked，asthoughitwasveryimportanttoher。
Mr。Manningregardedherthoughtfullyforamomentandstrokedhismustache。\"Aballot-box，youknow，\"hesaid，\"isverylargelyjustabox。\"Hemadequitealongpause，andwenton，withasigh:\"Youhaveavotingpapergivenyou——\"
Theyemergedintothepublicityofthelawn。
\"Yes，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"yes，\"tohisexplanation，andsawacrossthelawnLadyPalsworthytalkingtoheraunt，andbothofthemstaringfranklyacrossatherandMr。Manningastheytalked。
CHAPTERTHETHIRD
THEMORNINGOFTHECRISIS
Part1
TwodaysaftercamethedayoftheCrisis，thedayoftheFaddenDance。Itwouldhavebeenacrisisanyhow，butitwascomplicatedinAnnVeronica’smindbythefactthataletterlayonthebreakfast-tablefromMr。Manning，andthatherauntfocussedabrightlytactfuldisregarduponthisthroughoutthemeal。AnnVeronicahadcomedownthinkingofnothingintheworldbutherinflexibleresolutiontogotothedanceintheteethofallopposition。ShedidnotknowMr。Manning’shandwriting，andopenedhisletterandreadsomelinesbeforeitsimportappeared。ThenforatimesheforgottheFaddenaffairaltogether。Withawell-simulatedunconcernandaheightenedcolorshefinishedherbreakfast。
ShewasnotobligedtogototheTredgoldCollege，becauseasyettheCollegehadnotsettleddownforthesession。Shewassupposedtobereadingathome，andafterbreakfastshestrolledintothevegetablegarden，andhavingtakenupapositionuponthestagingofadisusedgreenhousethathadthedoubleadvantageofbeinghiddenfromthewindowsofthehouseandsecurefromthesuddenappearanceofanyone，sheresumedthereadingofMr。
Manning’sletter。
Mr。Manning’shandwritinghadanairofbeingclearwithoutbeingeasilylegible；itwaslargeandratherroundish，withalackofdefinitionaboutthelettersandadispositiontotreatthelargeonesasliberal-mindedpeoplenowadaystreatopinions，asallamountingtothesamethingreally——ayears-smoothedboyishratherthananadulthand。Anditfilledsevensheetsofnotepaper，eachwrittenonlyononeside。
\"MYDEARMISSSTANLEY，\"itbegan，——\"Ihopeyouwillforgivemybotheringyouwithaletter，butIhavebeenthinkingverymuchoverourconversationatLadyPalsworthy’s，andIfeeltherearethingsIwanttosaytoyousomuchthatIcannotwaituntilwemeetagain。Itistheworstoftalkundersuchsocialcircumstancesthatitisalwaysgettingcutoffsosoonasitisbeginning；andIwenthomethatafternoonfeelingIhadsaidnothing——literallynothing——ofthethingsIhadmeanttosaytoyouandthatwerecoursingthroughmyhead。TheywerethingsI
hadmeantverymuchtotalktoyouabout，sothatIwenthomevexedanddisappointed，andonlyrelievedmyselfalittlebywritingafewverses。IwonderifyouwillmindverymuchwhenI
tellyoutheyweresuggestedbyyou。Youmustforgivethepoet’slicenseItake。Hereisoneverse。Themetricalirregularityisintentional，becauseIwant，asitwere，toputyouapart:tochangetheliltandthemoodaltogetherwhenIspeakofyou。
\"’ASONGOFLADIESANDMYLADY
\"’SaintlywhiteandalilyisMary，Margaret’sviolets，sweetandshy；
GreenanddewyisNellie-budfairy，Forget-me-notsliveinGwendolen’seye。
Annabelshineslikeastarinthedarkness，Rosamundqueensitarose，deeprose；
ButtheladyIloveislikesunshineinAprilweather，Shegleamsandgladdens，shewarms——andgoes。’
\"Crude，Iadmit。Butletthatversetellmysecret。Allbadverse——originallytheepigramwasLang’s，Ibelieve——iswritteninastateofemotion。
\"MydearMissStanley，whenItalkedtoyoutheotherafternoonofworkandpoliticsandsuch-likethings，mymindwasallthetimeresentingitbeyondmeasure。Therewewerediscussingwhetheryoushouldhaveavote，andIrememberedthelastoccasionwemetitwasaboutyourprospectsofsuccessinthemedicalprofessionorasaGovernmentofficialsuchasanumberofwomennoware，andallthetimemyheartwascryingoutwithinme，’HereistheQueenofyourcareer。’Iwanted，asIhaveneverwantedbefore，totakeyouup，tomakeyoumine，tocarryyouoffandsetyouapartfromallthestrainandturmoiloflife。Fornothingwilleverconvincemethatitisnottheman’sshareinlifetoshield，toprotect，toleadandtoilandwatchandbattlewiththeworldatlarge。Iwanttobeyourknight，yourservant，yourprotector，your——Idarescarcelywritetheword——yourhusband。SoIcomesuppliant。Iamfive-and-thirty，andIhaveknockedaboutintheworldandtastedthequalityoflife。IhadahardfighttobeginwithtowinmywayintotheUpperDivision——Iwasthirdonalistofforty-seven——andsincethenIhavefoundmyselfpromotedalmostyearlyinawideningsphereofsocialservice。BeforeImetyouInevermetanyonewhomIfeltIcouldlove，butyouhavediscovereddepthsinmyownnatureIhadscarcelysuspected。Exceptforafewearlyebullitionsofpassion，naturaltoawarmandromanticdisposition，andleavingnoharmfulafter-effects——ebullitionsthatbythestandardsofthehighertruthIfeelnoonecanjustlycastastoneat，andofwhichIforoneambynomeansashamed——Icometoyouapureandunencumberedman。Iloveyou。
InadditiontomypublicsalaryIhaveacertainprivatepropertyandfurtherexpectationsthroughmyaunt，sothatIcanofferyoualifeofwideandgenerousrefinement，travel，books，discussion，andeasyrelationswithacircleofcleverandbrilliantandthoughtfulpeoplewithwhommyliteraryworkhasbroughtmeintocontact，andofwhich，seeingmeonlyasyouhavedonealoneinMorningsidePark，youcanhavenoidea。Ihaveacertainstandingnotonlyasasingerbutasacritic，andI
belongtooneofthemostbrilliantcauseriedinnerclubsoftheday，inwhichsuccessfulBohemianism，politicians，menofaffairs，artists，sculptors，andcultivatednoblemengenerally，mingletogetherintheeasiestandmostdelightfulintercourse。
Thatismyrealmilieu，andonethatIamconvincedyouwouldnotonlyadornbutdelightin。
\"Ifinditveryhardtowritethisletter。TherearesomanythingsIwanttotellyou，andtheystandonsuchdifferentlevels，thattheeffectisnecessarilyconfusinganddiscordant，andIfindmyselfdoubtingifIamreallygivingyouthethreadofemotionthatshouldrunthroughallthisletter。ForalthoughImustconfessitreadsverymuchlikeanapplicationoratestimonialorsomesuchthingasthat，IcanassureyouIamwritingthisinfearandtremblingwithasinkingheart。MymindisfullofideasandimagesthatIhavebeencherishingandaccumulating——dreamsoftravellingsidebyside，oflunchingquietlytogetherinsomejollyrestaurant，ofmoonlightandmusicandallthatsideoflife，ofseeingyoudressedlikeaqueenandshininginsomebrilliantthrong——mine；ofyourlookingatflowersinsomeold-worldgarden，ourgarden——therearesplendidplacestobegotdowninSurrey，andalittlerunaboutmotorisquitewithinmymeans。Youknowtheysay，as，indeed，Ihavejustquotedalready，thatallbadpoetryiswritteninastateofemotion，butIhavenodoubtthatthisistrueofbadoffersofmarriage。Ihaveoftenfeltbeforethatitisonlywhenonehasnothingtosaythatonecanwriteeasypoetry。WitnessBrowning。
AndhowcanIgetintoonebriefletterthecomplexaccumulateddesiresofwhatisnow，Ifindonreferencetomydiary，nearlysixteenmonthsoflettingmymindrunonyou——eversincethatjollypartyatSurbiton，whereweracedandbeattheotherboat。
YousteeredandIrowedstroke。Myverysentencesstumbleandgiveway。ButIdonotevencareifIamabsurd。Iamaresoluteman，andhithertowhenIhavewantedathingIhavegotit；butIhaveneveryetwantedanythinginmylifeasIhavewantedyou。Itisn’tthesamething。IamafraidbecauseIloveyou，sothatthemerethoughtoffailurehurts。IfIdidnotloveyousomuchIbelieveIcouldwinyoubysheerforceofcharacter，forpeopletellmeIamnaturallyofthedominatingtype。Mostofmysuccessesinlifehavebeenmadewithasortofrecklessvigor。
\"Well，IhavesaidwhatIhadtosay，stumblinglyandbadly，andbaldly。ButIamsickoftearinguplettersandhopelessofgettingwhatIhavetosaybettersaid。Itwouldbeeasyenoughformetowriteaneloquentletteraboutsomethingelse。OnlyI
donotcaretowriteaboutanythingelse。LetmeputthemainquestiontoyounowthatIcouldnotputtheotherafternoon。
Willyoumarryme，AnnVeronica？
Verysincerelyyours，\"HUBERTMANNING。\"
AnnVeronicareadthisletterthroughwithgrave，attentiveeyes。
Herinterestgrewassheread，acertaindistastedisappeared。
Twiceshesmiled，butnotunkindly。Thenshewentbackandmixedupthesheetsinasearchforparticularpassages。Finallyshefellintoreflection。
\"Odd！\"shesaid。\"IsupposeIshallhavetowriteananswer。
It’ssodifferentfromwhatonehasbeenledtoexpect。\"
Shebecameawareofheraunt，throughthepanesofthegreenhouse，advancingwithanairofsereneunconsciousnessfromamongtheraspberrycanes。
\"Noyoudon’t！\"saidAnnVeronica，andwalkedoutatabriskandbusiness-likepacetowardthehouse。
\"I’mgoingforalongtramp，auntie，\"shesaid。
\"Alone，dear？\"
\"Yes，aunt。I’vegotalotofthingstothinkabout。\"
MissStanleyreflectedasAnnVeronicawenttowardthehouse。
Shethoughthernieceveryhardandveryself-possessedandself-confident。Sheoughttobesoftenedandtenderandconfidentialatthisphaseofherlife。Sheseemedtohavenoideawhateveroftheemotionalstatesthatwerebecomingtoherageandposition。MissStanleywalkedroundthegardenthinking，andpresentlyhouseandgardenreverberatedtoAnnVeronica’sslammingofthefrontdoor。
\"Iwonder！\"saidMissStanley。
Foralongtimeshesurveyedarowoftoweringholly-hocks，asthoughtheyofferedanexplanation。Thenshewentinandup-stairs，hesitatedonthelanding，andfinally，alittlebreathlessandwithanairofgreatdignity，openedthedoorandwalkedintoAnnVeronica’sroom。Itwasaneat，efficient-lookingroom，withawriting-tableplacedwithabusiness-likeregardtothewindow，andabookcasesurmountedbyapig’sskull，adissectedfroginasealedbottle，andapileofshiny，black-coverednote-books。Inthecorneroftheroomweretwohockey-sticksandatennis-racket，anduponthewallsAnnVeronica，bymeansofautotypes，hadindicatedherproclivitiesinart。ButMissStanleytooknonoticeofthesethings。Shewalkedstraightacrosstothewardrobeandopenedit。There，hangingamongAnnVeronica’smorenormalclothing，wasaskimpydressofredcanvas，trimmedwithcheapandtawdrybraid，andshort——itcouldhardlyreachbelowtheknee。OnthesamepegandevidentlybelongingtoitwasablackvelvetZouavejacket。Andthen！agarmentthatwasconceivablyasecondaryskirt。
MissStanleyhesitated，andtookfirstoneandthenanotheroftheconstituentsofthiscostumeoffitspegandsurveyedit。
Thethirditemshetookwithatremblinghandbyitswaistbelt。
Assheraisedit，itslowerportionfellapartintotwobaggycrimsonmasses。
\"TROUSERS！\"shewhispered。
Hereyestravelledabouttheroomasifinappealtotheverychairs。
Tuckedunderthewriting-tableapairofyellowandgoldTurkishslippersofahighlymeretriciousqualitycaughthereye。Shewalkedovertothemstillcarryingthetrousersinherhands，andstoopedtoexaminethem。Theywereingeniousdisguisesofgiltpaperdestructivelygummed，itwouldseem，toAnnVeronicas’bestdancing-slippers。
Thensherevertedtothetrousers。
\"HowCANItellhim？\"whisperedMissStanley。
Part2
AnnVeronicacarriedalightbutbusiness-likewalking-stick。
ShewalkedwithaneasyquicknessdowntheAvenueandthroughtheproletarianportionofMorningsidePark，andcrossingthesefieldscameintoaprettyoverhunglanethatledtowardCaddingtonandtheDowns。Andthenherpaceslackened。Shetuckedherstickunderherarmandre-readManning’sletter。
\"Letmethink，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Iwishthishadn’tturnedupto-dayofalldays。\"
Shefounditdifficulttobeginthinking，andindeedshewasanythingbutclearwhatitwasshehadtothinkabout。
Practicallyitwasmostofthechiefinterestsinlifethatsheproposedtosettleinthispedestrianmeditation。Primarilyitwasherownproblem，andinparticulartheanswershehadtogivetoMr。Manning’sletter，butinordertogetdataforthatshefoundthatshe，havingalogicalandorderedmind，hadtodecideuponthegeneralrelationsofmentowomen，theobjectsandconditionsofmarriageanditsbearinguponthewelfareoftherace，thepurposeoftherace，thepurpose，ifany，ofeverything……
\"Frightfullotofthingsaren’tsettled，\"saidAnnVeronica。Inaddition，theFaddenDancebusiness，alloutofproportion，occupiedthewholeforegroundofherthoughtsandthrewacolorofrebellionovereverything。ShekeptthinkingshewasthinkingaboutMr。Manning’sproposalofmarriageandfindingshewasthinkingofthedance。
ForatimehereffortstoachieveacomprehensiveconcentrationweredispersedbythepassageofthevillagestreetofCaddington，thepassingofagoggledcar-loadofmotorists，andthestrugglesofastableladmountedononerecalcitranthorseandleadinganother。Whenshegotbacktoherquestionsagaininthemonotonoushigh-roadthatledupthehill，shefoundtheimageofMr。Manningcentralinhermind。Hestoodthere，largeanddark，enunciating，inhisclearvoicefrombeneathhislargemustache，clearflatsentences，deliberatelykindly。Heproposed，hewantedtopossessher！Helovedher。
AnnVeronicafeltnorepulsionattheprospect。ThatMr。Manninglovedherpresenteditselftoherbloodlessly，stilledfromanyimaginativequiverorthrillofpassionordisgust。Therelationshipseemedtohavealmostasmuchtodowithbloodandbodyasamortgage。Itwassomethingthatwouldcreateamutualclaim，arelationship。Itwasinanotherworldfromthatinwhichmenwilldieforakiss，andtouchinghandslightsfiresthatburnuplives——theworldofromance，theworldofpassionatelybeautifulthings。
Butthatotherworld，inspiteofherresoluteexclusionofit，wasalwayslookingroundcornersandpeepingthroughchinksandcrannies，andrustlingandraidingintotheorderinwhichshechosetolive，shiningoutofpicturesather，echoinginlyricsandmusic；itinvadedherdreams，itwroteupbrokenandenigmaticalsentencesuponthepassagewallsofhermind。Shewasawareofitnowasifitwereavoiceshoutingoutsideahouse，shoutingpassionateveritiesinahotsunlight，avoicethatcrieswhilepeopletalkinsincerelyinadarkenedroomandpretendnottohear。ItsshoutingnowdidinsomeoccultmannerconveyaprotestthatMr。Manningwouldonnoaccountdo，thoughhewastallanddarkandhandsomeandkind，andthirty-fiveandadequatelyprosperous，andallthatahusbandshouldbe。Buttherewas，itinsisted，nomobilityinhisface，nomovement，nothingabouthimthatwarmed。IfAnnVeronicacouldhaveputwordstothatsongtheywouldhavebeen，\"Hot-bloodedmarriageornone！\"butshewasfartooindistinctinthismattertoframeanywordsatall。
\"Idon’tlovehim，\"saidAnnVeronica，gettingagleam。\"Idon’tseethathisbeingagoodsortmatters。Thatreallysettlesaboutthat……Butitmeansnoendofarow。\"
Foratimeshesatonarailbeforeleavingtheroadforthedownlandturf。\"ButIwish，\"shesaid，\"IhadsomeideawhatI
wasreallyupto。\"
Herthoughtswentintosolutionforatime，whileshelistenedtoalarksinging。
\"Marriageandmothering，\"saidAnnVeronica，withhermindcrystallizingoutagainasthelarkdroppedtothenestintheturf。\"Andalltherestofitperhapsisasong。\"
Part3
HermindgotbacktotheFaddenBall。
Shemeanttogo，shemeanttogo，shemeanttogo。Nothingwouldstopher，andshewaspreparedtofacetheconsequences。Supposeherfatherturnedheroutofdoors！Shedidnotcare，shemeanttogo。Shewouldjustwalkoutofthehouseandgo……
Shethoughtofhercostumeinsomedetailandwithconsiderablesatisfaction，andparticularlyofaveryjollypropertydaggerwithlargeglassjewelsinthehandle，thatreposedinadrawerinherroom。ShewastobeaCorsair’sBride。\"Fancystabbingamanforjealousy！\"shethought。\"You’dhavetothinkhowtogetinbetweenhisbones。\"
Shethoughtofherfather，andwithaneffortdismissedhimfromhermind。
ShetriedtoimaginethecollectiveeffectoftheFaddenBall；
shehadneverseenafancy-dressgatheringinherlife。Mr。
Manningcameintoherthoughtsagain，anunexpected，tall，dark，self-containedpresenceattheFadden。Onemightsupposehimturningup；heknewalotofcleverpeople，andsomeofthemmightbelongtotheclass。Whatwouldhecomeas？
Presentlysherousedherselfwithaguiltystartfromthetaskofdressingandre-dressingMr。Manninginfancycostume，asthoughhewasadoll。ShehadtriedhimasaCrusader，inwhichguiseheseemedplausiblebutheavy——\"ThereISsomethingheavyabouthim；Iwonderifit’shismustache？\"——andasaHussar，whichmadehimpreposterous，andasaBlackBrunswicker，whichwasbetter，andasanArabsheik。Alsoshehadtriedhimasadragomanandasagendarme，whichseemedthemostsuitableofalltohisseverelyhandsome，immobileprofile。Shefelthewouldtellpeopletheway，controltraffic，andrefuseadmissiontopublicbuildingswithinvinciblecorrectnessandtheveryfinestexplicitfeelingspossible。Foreachcostumeshehaddevisedasuitableformofmatrimonialrefusal。\"Oh，Lord！\"shesaid，discoveringwhatshewasupto，anddroppedlightlyfromthefenceupontheturfandwentonherwaytowardthecrest。
\"Ishallnevermarry，\"saidAnnVeronica，resolutely；\"I’mnotthesort。That’swhyit’ssoimportantIshouldtakemyownlinenow。\"
Part4
AnnVeronica’sideasofmarriagewerelimitedandunsystematic。
Herteachersandmistresseshaddonetheirbesttostamphermindwithanineradicablepersuasionthatitwastremendouslyimportant，andonnoaccounttobethoughtabout。Herfirstintimationsofmarriageasafactofextremesignificanceinawoman’slifehadcomewiththemarriageofAliceandtheelopementofhersecondsister，Gwen。
TheseconvulsionsoccurredwhenAnnVeronicawasabouttwelve。
Therewasagulfofeightyearsbetweenherandtheyoungestofherbraceofsisters——animpassablegulfinhabitedchaoticallybytwonoisybrothers。Thesesistersmovedinagrown-upworldinaccessibletoAnnVeronica’ssympathies，andtoalargeextentremotefromhercuriosity。Shegotintorowsthroughmeddlingwiththeirshoesandtennis-rackets，andhadmomentsofcarefullyconcealedadmirationwhenshewasprivilegedtoseethemjustbeforeherbedtime，ratherradiantlydressedinwhiteorpinkoramberandpreparedtogooutwithhermother。ShethoughtAliceabitofasneak，anopinionherbrothersshared，andGwenratherasnatchatmeals。Shesawnothingoftheirlove-making，andcamehomefromherboarding-schoolinastateofdecentlysuppressedcuriosityforAlice’swedding。
Herimpressionsofthiscardinalceremonywererichandconfused，complicatedbyaquitetransitorypassionthatawakenednoreciprocalfireforafatcurlyheadedcousininblackvelveteenandalacecollar，whoassistedasapage。Shefollowedhimaboutpersistently，andsucceeded，afterabrisk，unchivalrousstruggleinwhichhepinchedandaskedherto\"cheeseit\"，inkissinghimamongtheraspberriesbehindthegreenhouse。
AfterwardherbrotherRoddy，alsostrangeinvelveteen，feelingratherthanknowingofthisrelationship，punchedthisAdonis’shead。
Amarriageinthehouseprovedtobeexcitingbutextremelydisorganizing。Everythingseemeddesignedtounhingethemindandmakethecatwretched。Allthefurniturewasmoved，allthemealsweredisarranged，andeverybody，AnnVeronicaincluded，appearedinnew，brightcostumes。Shehadtowearcreamandabrownsashandashortfrockandherhairdown，andGwencreamandabrownsashandalongskirtandherhairup。Andhermother，lookingunusuallyalertandhectic，worecreamandbrownalso，madeupinamorecomplicatedmanner。
AnnVeronicawasmuchimpressedbyamightytryingonandalteringandfussingaboutAlice’s\"things\"——Alicewasbeingre-costumedfromgarrettocellar，withawalking-dressandwalking-bootstomeasure，andabride’scostumeofthemostravishingdescription，andstockingsandsuchlikebeyondthedreamsofavarice——andaconstantandincreasingdrippingintothehouseofirrelevantremarkableobjects，suchas——
Reallacebedspread；
Gilttravellingclock；
Ornamentalpewterplaque；
Saladbowlsilvermountedandservers；
Madgett’s\"EnglishPoets\"twelvevolumes，boundpurplemorocco；
Etc。，etc。
Throughallthisflutterofnoveltytherecameandwentasolicitous，preoccupied，almostdepressedfigure。ItwasDoctorRalph，formerlythepartnerofDoctorStickellintheAvenue，andnowwithathrivingpracticeofhisowninWamblesmith。Hehadshavedhisside-whiskersandcomeoverinflannels，buthewasstillindisputablythesamepersonwhohadattendedAnnVeronicaforthemeaslesandwhensheswallowedthefish-bone。Buthisrolewasaltered，andhewasnowplayingthebridegroominthisremarkabledrama。AlicewasgoingtobeMrs。Ralph。Hecameinapologetically；alltheold\"Well，andhowAREwe？\"notegone；
andonceheaskedAnnVeronica，almostfurtively，\"How’sAlicegettingon，Vee？\"Finally，ontheDay，heappearedlikehisoldprofessionalselftransfigured，inthemostbeautifullightgraytrousersAnnVeronicahadeverseenandanewshinysilkhatwithamostbecomingroll……
Itwasnotsimplythatalltheroomswererearrangedandeverybodydressedinunusualfashions，andalltheroutinesoflifeabolishedandputaway:people’stempersandemotionsalsoseemedstrangelydisturbedandshiftedabout。Herfatherwasdistinctlyirascible，anddisposedmorethanevertohideawayamongthepetrologicalthings——thestudywasturnedout。Attablehecarvedinagloomybutresolutemanner。OntheDayhehadtrumpet-likeoutbreaksofcordiality，variedbyawatchfulpreoccupation。GwenandAlicewerefantasticallyfriendly，whichseemedtoannoyhim，andMrs。Stanleywasthroughoutenigmatical，withananxiouseyeonherhusbandandAlice。
Therewasaconfusedimpressionofliverycarriagesandwhipswithwhitefavors，peoplefussilywantingotherpeopletogetinbeforethem，andthenthechurch。Peoplesatinunusualpews，andawidemarginofhassockyemptinessintervenedbetweentheceremonyandthewalls。
AnnVeronicahadanumberoffragmentaryimpressionsofAlicestrangelytransfiguredinbridalraiment。Itseemedtomakehersisterdowncastbeyondanyprecedent。Thebridesmaidsandpagesgotratherjumbledintheaisle，andshehadaneffectofAlice’swhitebackandslopingshouldersandveiledheadrecedingtowardthealtar。InsomeincomprehensiblewaythatbackviewmadeherfeelsorryforAlice。Alsosherememberedveryvividlythesmelloforangeblossom，andAlice，droopingandspiritless，mumblingresponses，facingDoctorRalph，whiletheRev。EdwardBribblestoodbetweenthemwithanopenbook。DoctorRalphlookedkindandlarge，andlistenedtoAlice’sresponsesasthoughhewaslisteningtosymptomsandthoughtthatonthewholeshewasprogressingfavorably。
AndafterwardhermotherandAlicekissedlongandclungtoeachother。AndDoctorRalphstoodbylookingconsiderate。Heandherfathershookhandsmanfully。
AnnVeronicahadgotquiteinterestedinMr。Bribble’srenderingoftheservice——hehadthesortofvoicethatbringsoutthings——andwasstillteemingwithideasaboutitwhenfinallyawildoutburstfromtheorganmadeitclearthat，whateversnivellingtheremightbedowninthechancel，thatexcellentwindinstrumentwas，initsMendelssohnianway，asgladaseveritcouldbe。\"Pump，pump，per-um-pump，Pum，Pump，Per-um……\"
Thewedding-breakfastwasforAnnVeronicaaspectacleoftheunrealconsumingthereal；shelikedthatpartverywell，untilshewascarelesslyservedagainstherexpressedwisheswithmayonnaise。Shewascaughtbyanuncle，whoseopinionshevalued，makingfacesatRoddybecausehehadexultedatthis。
OfthevastmassoftheseimpressionsAnnVeronicacouldmakenothingatthetime；theretheywere——Fact！Shestoredthemawayinamindnaturallyretentive，asasquirrelstoresawaynuts，forfurtherdigestion。Onlyonethingemergedwithanyreasonableclarityinhermindatonce，andthatwasthatunlessshewassavedfromdrowningbyanunmarriedman，inwhichcasetheceremonyisunavoidable，ortotallydestituteofunder-
clothing，andsodriventogetatrousseau，inwhichhardshipatrousseauwouldcertainlybe\"ripping，\"marriagewasanexperiencetobestrenuouslyevaded。
WhentheyweregoinghomesheaskedhermotherwhysheandGwenandAlicehadcried。
\"Ssh！\"saidhermother，andthenadded，\"Alittlenaturalfeeling，dear。\"
\"Butdidn’tAlicewanttomarryDoctorRalph？\"
\"Oh，ssh，Vee！\"saidhermother，withanevasionaspatentasanadvertisementboard。\"IamsureshewillbeveryhappyindeedwithDoctorRalph。\"
ButAnnVeronicawasbynomeanssureofthatuntilshewentovertoWamblesmithandsawhersister，veryremoteanddomesticandauthoritative，inabecomingtea-gown，incommandofDoctorRalph’shome。DoctorRalphcameintoteaandputhisarmroundAliceandkissedher，andAlicecalledhim\"Squiggles，\"andstoodintheshelterofhisarmsforamomentwithanexpressionofsatisfiedproprietorship。SheHADcried，AnnVeronicaknew。
Therehadbeenfussesandscenesdimlyapprehendedthroughhalf-opendoors。ShehadheardAlicetalkingandcryingatthesametime，apainfulnoise。Perhapsmarriagehurt。Butnowitwasallover，andAlicewasgettingonwell。ItremindedAnnVeronicaofhavingatoothstopped。
AndafterthatAlicebecameremoterthanever，and，afteratime，ill。Thenshehadababyandbecameasoldasanyreallygrown-upperson，orolder，andverydull。ThensheandherhusbandwentofftoaYorkshirepractice，andhadfourmorebabies，noneofwhomphotographedwell，andsoshepassedbeyondthesphereofAnnVeronica’ssympathiesaltogether。
Part5
TheGwenaffairhappenedwhenshewasawayatschoolatMarticombe-on-Sea，atermbeforeshewenttotheHighSchool，andwasneververycleartoher。
Hermothermissedwritingforaweek，andthenshewroteinanunusualkey。\"Mydear，\"theletterran，\"IhavetotellyouthatyoursisterGwenhasoffendedyourfatherverymuch。Ihopeyouwillalwaysloveher，butIwantyoutoremembershehasoffendedyourfatherandmarriedwithouthisconsent。Yourfatherisveryangry，andwillnothavehernamementionedinhishearing。Shehasmarriedsomeonehecouldnotapproveof，andgonerightaway……\"
WhenthenextholidayscameAnnVeronica’smotherwasill，andGwenwasinthesick-roomwhenAnnVeronicareturnedhome。Shewasinoneofheroldwalking-dresses，herhairwasdoneinanunfamiliarmanner，sheworeawedding-ring，andshelookedasifshehadbeencrying。
\"Hello，Gwen！\"saidAnnVeronica，tryingtoputeveryoneattheirease。\"Beenandmarried？……What’sthenameofthehappyman？\"
Gwenownedto\"Fortescue。\"
\"Gotaphotographofhimoranything？\"saidAnnVeronica，afterkissinghermother。
Gwenmadeaninquiry，and，directedbyMrs。Stanley，producedaportraitfromitshiding-placeinthejewel-drawerunderthemirror。Itpresentedaclean-shavenfacewithalargeCorinthiannose，hairtremendouslywavingofftheforeheadandmorechinandneckthanisgoodforaman。
\"LOOKSallright，\"saidAnnVeronica，regardinghimwithherheadfirstononesideandthenontheother，andtryingtobeagreeable。\"What’stheobjection？\"
\"Isupposesheoughttoknow？\"saidGwentohermother，tryingtoalterthekeyoftheconversation。
\"Yousee，Vee，\"saidMrs。Stanley，\"Mr。Fortescueisanactor，andyourfatherdoesnotapproveoftheprofession。\"
\"Oh！\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Ithoughttheymadeknightsofactors？\"
\"TheymayofHalsomeday，\"saidGwen。\"Butit’salongbusiness。\"
\"Isupposethismakesyouanactress？\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Idon’tknowwhetherIshallgoon，\"saidGwen，anovelnoteoflanguorousprofessionalismcreepingintohervoice。\"Theotherwomendon’tmuchlikeitifhusbandandwifeworktogether，andI
don’tthinkHalwouldlikemetoactawayfromhim。\"
AnnVeronicaregardedhersisterwithanewrespect，butthetraditionsoffamilylifearestrong。\"Idon’tsupposeyou’llbeabletodoitmuch，\"saidAnnVeronica。
LaterGwen’stroubleweighedsoheavilyonMrs。StanleyinherillnessthatherhusbandconsentedtoreceiveMr。Fortescueinthedrawing-room，andactuallyshakehandswithhiminanentirelyhopelessmannerandhopeeverythingwouldturnoutforthebest。
Theforgivenessandreconciliationwasacoldandformalaffair，andafterwardsherfatherwentoffgloomilytohisstudy，andMr。
Fortescuerambledroundthegardenwithsoft，propitiatorysteps，theCorinthiannoseupraisedandhishandsbehindhisback，pausingtolooklongandhardatthefruit-treesagainstthewall。
AnnVeronicawatchedhimfromthedining-roomwindow，andaftersomemomentsofmaidenlyhesitationrambledoutintothegardeninareversedirectiontoMr。Fortescue’ssteps，andencounteredhimwithanairofartlesssurprise。
\"Hello！\"saidAnnVeronica，witharmsakimboandacareless，breathlessmanner。\"YouMr。Fortescue？\"
\"Atyourservice。YouAnnVeronica？\"
\"Rather！Isay——didyoumarryGwen？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Why？\"
Mr。Fortescueraisedhiseyebrowsandassumedalight-comedyexpression。\"IsupposeIfellinlovewithher，AnnVeronica。\"
\"Rum，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Haveyougottokeephernow？\"
\"Tothebestofmyability，\"saidMr。Fortescue，withabow。
\"Haveyoumuchability？\"askedAnnVeronica。
Mr。Fortescuetriedtoactembarrassmentinordertoconcealitsreality，andAnnVeronicawentontoaskastringofquestionsaboutacting，andwhetherhersisterwouldact，andwasshebeautifulenoughforit，andwhowouldmakeherdresses，andsoon。
AsamatteroffactMr。Fortescuehadnotmuchabilitytokeephersister，andalittlewhileafterhermother’sdeathAnnVeronicametGwensuddenlyonthestaircasecomingfromherfather’sstudy，shockinglydingyindustymourningandtearfulandresentful，andafterthatGwenrecededfromtheMorningsideParkworld，andnoteventhebegginglettersanddistressfulcommunicationsthatherfatherandauntreceived，butonlyavagueintimationofdreadfulness，aleakageofincidentalcomment，flashesofpaternalangerat\"thatblackguard，\"cametoAnnVeronica’sears。
Part6
ThesewereAnnVeronica’sleadingcasesinthequestionofmarriage。Theyweretheonlyrealmarriagesshehadseenclearly。Fortherest，shederivedherideasofthemarriedstatefromtheobservedbehaviorofmarriedwomen，whichimpressedherinMorningsideParkasbeingtiedanddullandinelasticincomparisonwiththelifeoftheyoung，andfromaremarkablyvariousreadingamongbooks。Asanetresultshehadcometothinkofallmarriedpeoplemuchasonethinksofinsectsthathavelosttheirwings，andofhersistersasnewhatchedcreatureswhohadscarcelyforamomenthadwings。SheevolvedadimimageofherselfcoopedupinahouseunderthebenevolentshadowofMr。Manning。Whoknows？——ontheanalogyof\"Squiggles\"
shemightcometocallhim\"Mangles！\"
\"Idon’tthinkIcanevermarryanyone，\"shesaid，andfellsuddenlyintoanothersetofconsiderationsthatperplexedherforatime。Hadromancetobebanishedfromlife？……
Itwashardtopartwithromance，butshehadneverthirstedsokeenlytogoonwithherUniversityworkinherlifeasshedidthatday。Shehadneverfeltsoacutelythedesireforfreeinitiative，foralifeunhamperedbyothers。Atanycost！Herbrothershaditpractically——atleasttheyhaditfarmorethanitseemedlikelyshewouldunlesssheexertedherselfwithquiteexceptionalvigor。Betweenherandthefair，farprospectoffreedomandself-developmentmanoeuvredMr。Manning，herauntandfather，neighbors，customs，traditions，forces。Theyseemedtoherthatmorningtobeallarmedwithnetsandpreparedtothrowthemoverherdirectlyhermovementsbecameinanymannertrulyfree。
Shehadafeelingasthoughsomethinghaddroppedfromhereyes，asthoughshehadjustdiscoveredherselfforthefirsttime——discoveredherselfasasleep-walkermightdo，abruptlyamongdangers，hindrances，andperplexities，onthevergeofacardinalcrisis。
Thelifeofagirlpresenteditselftoherassomethinghappyandheedlessandunthinking，yetreallyguidedandcontrolledbyothers，andgoingonamidstunsuspectedscreensandconcealments。
Andinitswayitwasverywell。Thensuddenlywitharushcamereality，came\"growingup\"；ahastyimperativeappealforseriousness，forsupremeseriousness。TheRalphsandManningsandFortescuescamedownupontherawinexperience，upontheblinkingignoranceofthenewcomer；andbeforehereyeswerefairlyopen，beforesheknewwhathadhappened，anewsetofguidesandcontrols，anewsetofobligationsandresponsibilitiesandlimitations，hadreplacedtheold。\"IwanttobeaPerson，\"saidAnnVeronicatothedownsandtheopensky；
\"Iwillnothavethishappentome，whateverelsemayhappeninitsplace。\"
AnnVeronicahadthreethingsverydefinitelysettledbythetimewhen，alittleaftermid-day，shefoundherselfpercheduponagatebetweenabridle-pathandafieldthatcommandedthewholewidestretchofcountrybetweenChalkingandWaldersham。
Firstly，shedidnotintendtomarryatall，andparticularlyshedidnotmeantomarryMr。Manning；secondly，bysomemeasureorother，shemeanttogoonwithherstudies，notattheTredgoldSchoolsbutattheImperialCollege；and，thirdly，shewas，asanimmediateanddecisiveact，asymbolofjustexactlywhereshestood，adeclarationoffreeandadultinitiative，goingthatnighttotheFaddenBall。
Butthepossibleattitudeofherfathershehadstilltoface。
Sofarshehadtheutmostdifficultyingettingontothatvitallyimportantmatter。Thewholeofthatrelationshippersistedinremainingobscure。WhatwouldhappenwhennextmorningshereturnedtoMorningsidePark？
Hecouldn’tturnheroutofdoors。Butwhathecoulddoormightdoshecouldnotimagine。Shewasnotafraidofviolence，butshewasafraidofsomethingmean，somesecondarykindofforce。
Supposehestoppedallherallowance，madeitimperativethatsheshouldeitherstayineffectuallyresentfulathomeorearnalivingforherselfatonce……Itappearedhighlyprobabletoherthathewouldstopherallowance。
Whatcanagirldo？
SomewhereatthispointAnnVeronica’sspeculationswereinterruptedandturnedasidebytheapproachofahorseandrider。Mr。Ramage，thatiron-graymanoftheworld，appeareddressedinabowlerhatandasuitofhardgray，astrideofablackhorse。Hepulledreinatthesightofher，saluted，andregardedherwithhisrathertooprotuberanteyes。Thegirl’sgazemethisininterestedinquiry。
\"You’vegotmyview，\"hesaid，afterapensivesecond。\"Ialwaysgetoffhereandleanoverthatrailforabit。MayIdosoto-day？\"
\"It’syourgate，\"shesaid，amiably；\"yougotitfirst。It’sforyoutosayifImaysitonit。\"
Heslippedoffthehorse。\"LetmeintroduceyoutoCaesar，\"hesaid；andshepattedCaesar’sneck，andremarkedhowsofthisnosewas，andsecretlydeploredtheuglinessofequineteeth。
Ramagetetheredthehorsetothefarthergate-post，andCaesarblewheavilyandbegantoinvestigatethehedge。
RamageleanedoverthegateatAnnVeronica’sside，andforamomenttherewassilence。
Hemadesomeobviouscommentsonthewideviewwarmingtowarditsautumnalblazethatspreaditselfinhillandvalley，woodandvillage，below。
\"It’sasbroadaslife，\"saidMr。Ramage，regardingitandputtingawell-bootedfootuponthebottomrail。
Part7
\"Andwhatareyoudoinghere，younglady，\"hesaid，lookingupatherface，\"wanderingalonesofarfromhome？\"
\"Ilikelongwalks，\"saidAnnVeronica，lookingdownonhim。
\"Solitarywalks？\"
\"That’sthepointofthem。Ithinkoverallsortsofthings。\"
\"Problems？\"
\"Sometimesquitedifficultproblems。\"
\"You’reluckytoliveinanagewhenyoucandoso。Yourmother，forinstance，couldn’t。Shehadtodoherthinkingathome——underinspection。\"
Shelookeddownonhimthoughtfully，andhelethisadmirationofherfreeyoungpoiseshowinhisface。
\"Isupposethingshavechanged？\"shesaid。
\"Neverwassuchanageoftransition。\"
Shewonderedwhatto。Mr。Ramagedidnotknow。\"Sufficientuntomeisthechangethereof，\"hesaid，withalltheeffectofanepigram。
\"Imustconfess，\"hesaid，\"theNewWomanandtheNewGirlintriguemeprofoundly。Iamoneofthosepeoplewhoareinterestedinwomen，moreinterestedthanIaminanythingelse。
Idon’tconcealit。Andthechange，thechangeofattitude！Thewayalltheoldclingingnesshasbeenthrownasideisamazing。
Andalltheold——theoldtrickofshrinkinguplikeasnailatatouch。IfyouhadlivedtwentyyearsagoyouwouldhavebeencalledaYoungPerson，anditwouldhavebeenyourchiefdutyinlifenottoknow，nevertohaveheardof，andnevertounderstand。\"
\"There’squiteenoughstill，\"saidAnnVeronica，smiling，\"thatonedoesn’tunderstand。\"
\"Quite。Butyourrolewouldhavebeentogoaboutsaying，’Ibegyourpardon’inareprovingtonetothingsyouunderstoodquitewellinyourheartandsawnoharmin。ThatterribleYoungPerson！she’svanished。Lost，stolen，orstrayed，theYoungPerson！……Ihopewemayneverfindheragain。\"
Herejoicedoverthisemancipation。\"Whilethatlambwasabouteverymanofanyspiritwasregardedasadangerouswolf。Weworeinvisiblechainsandinvisibleblinkers。Now，youandIcangossipatagate，and{}Honisoitquimalypense。Thechangehasgivenmanonegoodthingheneverhadbefore，\"hesaid。\"Girlfriends。AndIamcomingtobelievethebestaswellasthemostbeautifulfriendsamancanhavearegirlfriends。\"
Hepaused，andwenton，afterakeenlookather:
\"Ihadrathergossiptoareallyintelligentgirlthantoanymanalive。\"
\"IsupposeweAREmorefreethanwewere？\"saidAnnVeronica，keepingthequestiongeneral。
\"Oh，there’snodoubtofit！Sincethegirlsoftheeightiesbrokeboundsandsailedawayonbicycles——myyoungdaysgobacktotheverybeginningsofthat——it’sbeenonetriumphantrelaxation。\"
\"Relaxation，perhaps。Butareweanymorefree？\"
\"Well？\"
\"Imeanwe’velongstringstotetherus，butweareboundallthesame。Awomanisn’tmuchfreer——inreality。\"
Mr。Ramagedemurred。
\"Onerunsabout，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Yes。\"
\"Butit’sonconditiononedoesn’tdoanything。\"
\"Dowhat？\"
\"Oh！——anything。\"
Helookedinterrogationwithafaintsmile。
\"Itseemstomeitcomestoearningone’slivinginthelongrun，\"saidAnnVeronica，coloringfaintly。\"Untilagirlcangoawayasasondoesandearnherindependentincome，she’sstillonastring。Itmaybealongstring，longenoughifyouliketotangleupallsortsofpeople；butthereitis！Ifthepaymasterpulls，homeshemustgo。That’swhatImean。\"
Mr。Ramageadmittedtheforceofthat。HewasalittleimpressedbyAnnVeronica’smetaphorofthestring，which，indeed，sheowedtoHettyWidgett。\"YOUwouldn’tliketobeindependent？\"heasked，abruptly。\"ImeanREALLYindependent。Onyourown。Itisn’tsuchfunasitseems。\"
\"Everyonewantstobeindependent，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Everyone。Manorwoman。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"Rather！\"
\"Iwonderwhy？\"
\"There’snowhy。It’sjusttofeel——oneownsone’sself。\"
\"Nobodydoesthat，\"saidRamage，andkeptsilenceforamoment。
\"Butaboy——aboygoesoutintotheworldandpresentlystandsonhisownfeet。Hebuyshisownclothes，chooseshisowncompany，makeshisownwayofliving。\"
\"You’dliketodothat？\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Wouldyouliketobeaboy？\"
\"Iwonder！It’soutofthequestion，anyway。\"
Ramagereflected。\"Whydon’tyou？\"
\"Well，itmightmeanratherarow。\"
\"Iknow——\"saidRamage，withsympathy。
\"Andbesides，\"saidAnnVeronica，sweepingthataspectaside，\"whatcouldIdo？Aboysailsoutintoatradeorprofession。
But——it’soneofthethingsI’vejustbeenthinkingover。
Suppose——supposeagirldidwanttostartinlife，startinlifeforherself——\"Shelookedhimfranklyintheeyes。\"Whatoughtshetodo？\"
\"Supposeyou——\"
\"Yes，supposeI——\"
Hefeltthathisadvicewasbeingasked。Hebecamealittlemorepersonalandintimate。\"Iwonderwhatyoucoulddo？\"hesaid。
\"IshouldthinkYOUcoulddoallsortsofthings……
\"Whatoughtyoutodo？\"Hebegantoproducehisknowledgeoftheworldforherbenefit，jerkilyandallusively，andwithastrong，rankflavorof\"savoirfaire。\"Hetookanoptimistviewofherchances。AnnVeronicalistenedthoughtfully，withhereyesontheturf，andnowandthensheaskedaquestionorlookeduptodiscussapoint。Inthemeanwhile，ashetalked，hescrutinizedherface，ranhiseyesoverhercareless，graciouspoise，wonderedhardabouther。Hedescribedherprivatelytohimselfasasplendidgirl。Itwasclearshewantedtogetawayfromhome，thatshewasimpatienttogetawayfromhome。Why？Whilethefrontofhismindwasbusywarninghernottofallintothehopelessmiseriesofunderpaidteaching，andexplaininghisideathatforwomenofinitiative，quiteasmuchasformen，theworldofbusinesshadbyfarthebestchances，thebackchambersofhisbrainwerebusywiththeproblemofthat\"Why？\"
Hisfirstideaasamanoftheworldwastoexplainherunrestbyalover，somesecretorforbiddenorimpossiblelover。Buthedismissedthatbecausethenshewouldaskherloverandnothimallthesethings。Restlessness，then，wasthetrouble，simplerestlessness:homeboredher。HecouldquiteunderstandthedaughterofMr。Stanleybeingboredandfeelinglimited。Butwasthatenough？Dim，formlesssuspicionsofsomethingmorevitalwanderedabouthismind。Wastheyoungladyimpatientforexperience？Wassheadventurous？Asamanoftheworldhedidnotthinkitbecomingtoacceptmaidenlycalmasanythingmorethanamask。Warmlifewasbehindthatalways，evenifitslept。
Ifitwasnotanactualpersonallover，itstillmightbethelovernotyetincarnate，notyetperhapssuspected……
Hehaddivergedonlyalittlefromthetruthwhenhesaidthathischiefinterestinlifewaswomen。Itwasn’tsomuchwomenasWomanthatengagedhismind。HiswastheLatinturnofthinking；
hehadfalleninloveatthirteen，andhewasstillcapable——hepridedhimself——offallinginlove。Hisinvalidwifeandhermoneyhadbeenonlythethinthreadthatheldhislifetogether；
beadedonthatpermanentrelationhadbeenaninter-weavingseriesofotherfeminineexperiences，disturbing，absorbing，interesting，memorableaffairs。Eachonehadbeendifferentfromtheothers，eachhadhadaqualityallitsown，adistinctivefreshness，adistinctivebeauty。Hecouldnotunderstandhowmencouldliveignoringthisonepredominantinterest，thiswonderfulresearchintopersonalityandthepossibilitiesofpleasing，thesecomplex，fascinatingexpeditionsthatbeganininterestandmountedtothesupremest，mostpassionateintimacy。Alltherestofhisexistencewassubordinatetothispursuit；helivedforit，workedforit，kepthimselfintrainingforit。
Sowhilehetalkedtothisgirlofworkandfreedom，hisslightlyprotuberanteyeswerenotingthegraciousbalanceofherlimbsandbodyacrossthegate，thefinelinesofherchinandneck。
Hergravefineface，herwarmclearcomplexion，hadalreadyarousedhiscuriosityashehadgonetoandfroinMorningsidePark，andheresuddenlyhewasneartoherandtalkingfreelyandintimately。Hehadfoundherinacommunicativemood，andheusedtheaccumulatedskillofyearsinturningthattoaccount。
Shewaspleasedandalittleflatteredbyhisinterestandsympathy。Shebecameeagertoexplainherself，toshowherselfintherightlight。Hewasmanifestlyexertinghismindforher，andshefoundherselffullydisposedtojustifyhisinterest。
She，perhaps，displayedherselfratherconsciouslyasafinepersonundulylimited。Sheeventouchedlightlyonherfather’sunreasonableness。
\"Iwonder，\"saidRamage，\"thatmoregirlsdon’tthinkasyoudoandwanttostrikeoutintheworld。\"
Andthenhespeculated。\"Iwonderifyouwill？\"
\"Letmesayonething，\"hesaid。\"IfeveryoudoandIcanhelpyouinanyway，byadviceorinquiryorrecommendation——Yousee，I’mnobelieverinfeminineincapacity，butIdoperceivethereissuchathingasfeminineinexperience。Asasexyou’realittleunder-trained——inaffairs。I’dtakeit——forgivemeifI
seemalittleurgent——asasortofproofoffriendliness。Icanimaginenothingmorepleasantinlifethantohelpyou，becauseI
knowitwouldpaytohelpyou。There’ssomethingaboutyou，alittleflavorofWill，Isuppose，thatmakesonefeel——goodluckaboutyouandsuccess……\"
Andwhilehetalkedandwatchedherashetalked，sheanswered，andbehindherlisteningwatchedandthoughtabouthim。Shelikedtheanimatedeagernessofhismanner。
Hismindseemedtobearemarkablyfullone；hisknowledgeofdetailedrealitycameinjustwhereherownmindwasmostweaklyequipped。Throughallhesaidranonequalitythatpleasedher——thequalityofamanwhofeelsthatthingscanbedone，thatoneneednotwaitfortheworldtopushonebeforeonemoved。
ComparedwithherfatherandMr。Manningandthemenin\"fixed\"
positionsgenerallythatsheknew，Ramage，presentedbyhimself，hadafinesuggestionoffreedom，ofpower，ofdeliberateandsustainedadventure……
Shewasparticularlycharmedbyhistheoryorfriendship。Itwasreallyveryjollytotalktoamaninthisway——whosawthewomaninheranddidnottreatherasachild。Shewasinclinedtothinkthatperhapsforagirltheconverseofhismethodwasthecase；anolderman，amanbeyondtherangeofanything\"nonsensical，\"was，perhaps，themostinterestingsortoffriendonecouldmeet。Butinthatreservationitmaybeshewentalittlebeyondtheconverseofhisview……
Theygotonwonderfullywelltogether。Theytalkedforthebetterpartofanhour，andatlastwalkedtogethertothejunctionofhighroadandthebridle-path。There，afterprotestationsoffriendlinessandhelpfulnessthatwerealmostardent，hemountedalittleclumsilyandrodeoffatanamiablepace，lookinghisbest，makingalegwithhisridinggaiters，smilingandsaluting，whileAnnVeronicaturnednorthwardandsocametoMicklechesil。There，inalittleteaandsweet-stuffshop，sheboughtandconsumedslowlyandabsent-mindedlytheinsufficientnourishmentthatisnaturaltohersexonsuchoccasions。
CHAPTERTHEFOURTH
THECRISIS