Butnatureisnotsounfairtohonestmenastogivewisdomtothecunning。RarelydoesreasonprevailagainstpassioninsuchamindasSeverne\'s。Itended，asmighthavebeenexpected，inhisgoingdowntoVizardCourtwithZoe。
AnexpresstrainsoonwhirledthemdowntoTaddington，inBarfordshire。
TherewasHarris，withthreeservants，waitingforthem，onewithalightcartfortheirluggage，andtwowithanopencarriageandtwospankingbays，whosecoatsshonelikesatin。Theservants，liveried，andtop-booted，andbuckskin-gloved，andspruceasifjustoutofabandbox，wereallsmartnessandrespectfulzeal。Theygottheluggageoutinatrice，withHarris\'sassistance。Mr。Harristhendroveawaylikethewindinhisdog-cart；thetravelingpartyweresooninthebarouche。Itglidedaway，andtheyrolledoneasyspringsattherateoftwelvemilesanhourtilltheycametothelodge-gate。Itwasopenedattheirapproach，andtheydrovefullhalfamileoverabroadgravelpath，withrichgrassoneachside，andgrandoldpatriarchs，oakandbeech，standinghereandthere，anddappleddeer，grazingorlying，inmottledgroups，tilltheycametoanobleavenueofloftylime-trees，withstemsofraresizeandsmoothness，andtoweringpilesonpilesoftranslucentleaves，thatglowedinthesunlikeflakesofgold。
Attheendofthisavenuewasseenanoldmansion，builtofthatbeautifulcleanredbrick——whichseemstohavediedout——andwhite-stonefacingsandmullions，withgablesandorielwindowsbythedozen；butbetweentheavenueandthehousewasalargeovalplotofturf，withabroadgravelroadrunningroundit；andattachedtothehouse，butthrownalittleback，werethestables，whichformedthreesidesofagood-sizedquadrangle，withanenormousclockinthecenter。Thelawn，kitchen-garden，ice-houses，pineries，greenhouses，revealedthemselvesonlyinpeepsasthecarriagesweptroundthespaciousplotanddrewupatthehalldoor。
Noringingofbellsnorknocking。Evenasthecoachmantightenedhisreins，thegreathalldoorwasswungopen，andtwofootmenappeared。
Harrisbroughtuparear-guard，andreceivedthepartyinduestate。
Adoublestaircase，abouttenfeetbroad，roseoutofthehall，andupthisMr。HarrisconductedSeverne，theonlystranger，intoabedroomwithagreatorielwindowlookingwest。
\"Thisisyourroom，sir，\"saidhe。\"ShallIunpackyourthingswhentheycome?\"
Severneassented，andthatperfectmajor-domoinformedhimthatluncheonwasready，andretiredcat-like，andclosedthedoorsosoftlynosoundwasheard。
Mr。Severnelookedabouthim，andadmittedtohimselfthat，withallhisexperiencesoflife，thiswashisfirstbedroom。Itwasofgreatsize，tobegin。Theorielwindowwastwentyfeetwide，andhadhalfadozencasements，eachwithrose-coloredblinds，thoughsomeofthemneedednoblinds，forgreencreepers，withflowerslikeclustersofgrapes，curledroundthemullions，andthesunshonemellowedthroughtheirleaves。
Enormouscurtainsofpurplecloth，withcoldborders，hungateachsideinmightyfolds，tobedrawnatnight-timewhentheeyeshouldneedreposefromfeastinguponcolor。
Therewerethreebrassbedsteadsinarow，onlyfourfeetbroad，withspring-beds，hairmattressesafootthick，andsnowysheetsforcoverlets，insteadofcounter-panes；sothat，ifyouwerehot，feverish，orsleeplessinonebed，youmighttryanother，ortwo。
Thickcarpetsandrugs，satin-woodwardrobes，prodigiouswash-handstands，withchinabacksfourfeethigh。Towel-horses，nearlyasbigasadonkey，withshorttowels，longtowels，thicktowels，thintowels，bathingsheets，etc。；bathsofeveryshape；andcansofeverysize；alargeknee-holetable；paperandenvelopesofeverysize。Inshort，aroomtosleepin，studyin，livein，andstickfastin，nightandday。
Butwhatisthis?AGothicarch，curtainedwithvioletmerino。Hedrawsthecurtain。Itisanante-room。Onehalfofitisabathroom，screened，andpavedwithencaustictilesthatrunupthewalls，soyoumaysplashtoyourheart\'scontent。Therestisastudio，andcontainsachoicelittlelibraryofwell-boundbooksinglasscases，apiano-forte，andaharmonium。Severnetriedthem；theywerebothinperfecttune。Twoclocks，oneineachroom，werealsoinperfecttime。Thereathewondered。
Butthetruthis，itwasahousewhereinprecisionreigned:atunerandaclockmakervisitedbycontracteverymonth。
This，andtwomoreguest-chambers，andthegreatdining-hall，werebuiltunderthePlantagenets，whenalllargelandownersentertainedkingsandprinceswiththeirretinues。AstothatpartofthehousewhichwasbuiltundertheTudors，therearehundredsofcountryhousesasimportant，onlyMr。Severnehadnotbeeninsidethem，andwashardlyawaretowhatperfectionrationalluxuryisbroughtinthehousesofourlargelandedgentry。Hesatdowninanantiquechairofenormoussize；thebackwenthigherthanhishead，theseatranoutasfarashisankle，whenseated；
therewasroominitfortwo，anditwasstuffed——yegods，howitwasstuffed!Thesides，theback，andtheseatwereallhairmattresses，afootthickatleast。Herenestledoursybarite；withthesunshiningthroughleaves，andsplashinghisbeautifulheadwithgoldentintsandtransparentshadows，andfeltinthetempleofcomfort，andincapableofleavingitalive。
Hewentdowntoluncheon。Itwasdistinguishablefromdinnerinthis，thattheyallgotupafterit，andZoesaid，\"Comewithme，children。\"
FannyandSeverneroseattheword。Vizardsaidhefeltexcludedfromthatinvitation，havingcuthiswise-teeth；sohewouldlightacigarinstead；andhedid。Zoetooktheothertwointothekitchengarden——fouracres，surroundedwithahighwall，oforange-redbrick，fulloflittleholeswherethenailshadbeen。Zoe，beingnowathome，andqueen，woreanewandprettydeportment。Shewashalfmaternal，andledherfriendandloveraboutliketwokids。Shetookthemtothisandthatfruittree，setthemtoeat，andlookedon，superior。Bywayofclimax，sheledthemtothesouthwall，crimsonwithtenthousandpeachesandnectarines；shesteppedovertheborder，tooksuperbpeachesandnectarinesfromthetrees，andgavethemwithherownhandtoFannyandSeverne。Theheadgardenerglaredindismayatthefairspoliator。Zoeobservedhim，andlaughed。\"PoorLucas，\"saidshe；\"hewouldlikethemalltohangonthetreetilltheyfelloffwithawaspinside。Eatasmanyaseveryoucan，youngpeople；Lucasisamusing。\"
\"Ineverhadpeachesenoughoffthetreebefore，\"saidFanny。
\"NomorehaveI，\"saidSeverne。\"ThismustbetheElysianfields，andI
shallspoilmydinner。\"
\"Whocares?\"saidFanny，recklessly。\"Dinnercomeseveryday，andalwaysattheonlytimewhenonehasnoappetite。Butthiseatingofpeaches——
Oh，whatabeauty!\"
\"Children，\"saidZoe，gravely，\"Iadviseyounottoeataboveadozen。Donotenteronafatalcourse，whichinonebriefyearwillreduceyoutoahaplesscondition。There——Iwasletlooseamongthematsixteen，andeversincetheypall。ButIdoliketoseeyoueatthem，andyoureyessparkle。\"
\"Thatistoobadofyou，\"saidFanny，drivingherwhiteteethdeepintoapeach。\"Theidea!Now，Mr。Severne，domyeyessparkle?\"
\"Likediamonds。Butthatprovesnothing:itistheirnormalcondition。\"
\"There，makehimacourtesy，\"saidZoe，\"andcomealong。\"
Shetookthemintothevillage。Itwasoneoftheoldsort；littledetachedhouseswithlittlegardensinfront，inallofwhichwereafewhumbleflowers，andoftenadarkroseofsurpassingbeauty。Behindeachcottagewasalargegarden，withvariousvegetables，andsometimesafewsquareyardsofwheat。Therewasonelittlerowofnewbrickhousesstandingtogether；theirnumberfive，theirnameNewtown。Thistownoffivehouseswastiled；thedetachedhouseswerethatched，andthewallsplasteredandwhitewashedlikesnow。Suchwhitewashseemsnevertobemadeintowns，ortoloseitswhitenessinaday。Thisbroadsurfaceofvividwhitewasabackground，againstwhichtheclingingroses，theclustering，creepinghoneysuckles，andthedeepyoungivywithitstendergreenandpolishedleaves，shonelovely；woodsmokemounted，thinandsilvery，fromacottageortwo，thatwerecooking，andembroideredtheair，notfouledit。Thelittlewindowshaddiamondpanes，asintheMiddleAges，andeverycottagedoorwasopen，suggestinghospitalityanddearthofthieves。Therewasalsothatoldessential，avillagegreen——abroadstripofsacredturf，thatwaseverybody\'sbycustom，thoughinstrictlawVizard\'s。Hereavillagecowandadonkeywentaboutgrazingtheedges，fortheturfingeneralwassmoothasalawn。Bythesideofthegreenwasthevillageale-house。Afterthegreenothercottages；twoofthem\"Quiteovercanopiedwithlushwoodbine，Withsweetmusk-rosesandwitheglantine。\"
OneofthesewascalledMarks\'scottage，andtheotherAllen\'s。Therusticchurchstoodinthemiddleofahillnearlyhalfamilefromthevillage。Theystrolleduptoit。Ithadatowerbuiltofflint，andcladontwosideswithivythreefeetdeep，andthebodyofthechurchwasassnowyasthecottages，andonthesouthsideadozenswallowsandmartinshadlodgedtheirmortarnestsundertheeaves；theylooked，againstthewhite，likeruggedgraystonebosses。Swallowsandmartinsinnumerablewheeled，swiftasarrows，roundthetower，chirping，andinandoutofthechurchthroughanopenwindow，andaddedtheirmusicandtheirmotiontothebeautyoftheplace。
Returningfromthechurchtothevillage，MissDoverlaggedbehind，andthenSeverneinfusedintohisvoicethosetendertones，whichgiveamoroussignificancetothepoorestprose。
\"WhatanArcadia!\"saidhe。
\"Youwouldnotliketobebanishedtoit，\"saidZoe，demurely。
\"Thatdepends，\"saidhe，significantly。Insteadofmeetinghimhalfwayanddemandinganexplanation，ZoeturnedcoyandfelltowonderingwhatFannywasabout。
\"Oh，don\'tcompelhertojoinus，\"saidSeverne。\"Sheismeditating。\"
\"Onwhat?Sheisnotmuchgiventhatway。\"
\"Onherpastsins；andpreparingnewones。\"
\"Forshame!Sheisnoworsethanweare。DoyoureallyadmireIslip?\"
\"IndeedIdo，ifthisisIslip?\"
\"Itisthen；andthiscottagewiththecluster-rosetreealloverthewallsisMarks\'scottage。WeareratherproudofMarks\'scottage，\"saidshe，timidly。
\"Itisabower，\"saidhe，warmly。
ThisencouragedZoe，andshesaid，\"Istherenotawonderfulcharmincottages?IoftenthinkIshouldliketoliveinMarks\'s。Haveyoueverhadthatfeeling?\"
\"Never。ButIhaveitnow。Ishouldliketoliveinit——withyou。\"
Zoeblushedlikearose，butturneditoff。\"YouwouldsoonwishyourselfbackagainatVizardCourt，\"saidshe。\"Fanny——Fanny!\"andshestoodstill。
Fannycameup。\"Well，whatisthematternow?\"saidshe，withpert，yetthoroughlyapathetic，indifference。
\"Thematteris——extravagances。HereisamanoftheworldpretendinghewouldliketoendhisdaysinMarks\'scottage。\"
\"Stopabit。ItwastobewithsomebodyIloved。Andwouldn\'tyou，MissDover?\"
\"Ohdear，no。Weshouldbesuretoquarrel，coopedupinsuchamiteofaplace。No；givemeVizardCourt，andplentyofmoney，andthemanofmyheart。\"
\"Youhavenotgotone，I\'mafraid，\"saidZoe，\"oryouwouldnotputhimlast。\"
\"Whynot?whenheisofthelastimportance，\"saidFanny，flippantly，andturnedthelaughherway。
Theystrolledthroughthevillagetogether，butinthegroundsofVizardCourtFannyfairlygavethemtheslip。Severnesawhischance，andsaid，tenderly，\"Didyouhearwhatshesaidaboutalargehousebeingbestforlovers?\"
\"Yes，Iheardher，\"saidZoe，defensively；\"butverylikelyshedidnotmeanit。Thatyounglady\'swordsareair。Shewillsayonethingonedayandanotherthenext。\"
\"Idon\'tknow。Thereisonethingeveryyounglady\'smindismadeupabout，andthatis，whetheritistobeloveormoney。\"
\"Shewasforboth，ifIremember，\"saidZoe，stillcoldly。
\"Becausesheisnotinlove。\"
\"Well，Ireallybelievesheisnot——foronce。\"
\"There，yousee。Sheisinanunnaturalcondition。\"
\"Forher，very。\"
\"Sosheisnojudge。No；IshouldpreferMarks\'scottage。Thesmallerthebetter；becausethenthewomanIlovecouldnoteverbefarfromme。\"
Heloweredhisvoice，anddrovetheinsidiouswordsintohertenderbosom。Shebegantotrembleandheave，anddefendherselffeebly。
\"WhathaveItodowiththat?Youmustn\'t。\"
\"HowcanIhelpit?YouknowthewomanIlove——Iadore——andwouldnotthesmallestcottageinEnglandbeapalaceifIwasblessedwithhersweetloveandherdivinecompany?Oh，Zoe，Zoe!\"
Thenshediddefendherself，afterafashion:\"Iwon\'tlistentosuch——Edward!\"Havingutteredhisnamewithdivinetenderness，sheputherhandstoherblushingface，andfledfromhim。AttheheadofthestairssheencounteredFanny，lookingsatirical。Shereprimandedher。
\"Fanny，\"saidshe，\"youreallymustnotdo_that\"_——[pause]——\"outofourowngrounds。Kissme，darling。Iamahappygirl。\"AndshecurledroundFanny，andpantedonhershoulder。
MissArtful，knownuntomenasFannyDover，hadalreadytracedoutinherownmindalineofconduct，whichtheabovereprimand，minustheabovekisses，takenattheirjointalgebraicalvalue，didnotdisturb。Thefactis，Fannyhatedhome；andlikedVizardCourtaboveallplaces。Butshewasdueathome，andhangingontothepalaceofcomfortbyathread。Anydayhermother，outofnaturalaffectionandgood-breeding，mightwriteforher；andunlessoneofherhostsinterfered，sheshouldhavetogo。
ButHarringtonwentfornothinginthis，unfortunately。Hishospitalitywasunobtrusive，butinfinite。ItcametohimfromthePlantagenetsthroughalonglineofgentlemenwhoshoneinvices；butinhospitalitywasunknowntothewholechain，andeveryhumanlinkinit。HemightverylikelyforgettoinviteFannyDoverunlessreminded；but，whenshewasthere，shewaswelcometostayforeverifshechose。Itwasallonetohim。Heneverbotheredhimselftoamusehisguests，andsotheyneverboredhim。Heneverletthem。Hemadethemathome；puthispeopleandhishorsesattheirservice；andpreservedhiseventenor。So，then，thequestionofFanny\'sstaylaywithZoe；andZoewoulddooneoftwothings:shewouldeithersay，withwell-bredhypocrisy，sheoughtnottokeepFannyanylongerfromhermother——andsogetridofher；orwouldinterpose，andgivesomereasonorother。Whatthatreasonwouldbe，Fannyhadnopreciseidea。Shewassureitwouldnotbethetrueone；butthereherinsightintofuturityandfemalesceased。Now，ZoewasthoroughlyfascinatedbySeverne，andFannysawit；andyetZoewastoohigh-bredagirltoparadethevillageandtheneighborhoodwithhimalone——andsoplacardherattachment——beforetheywereengaged，andtheengagementsanctionedbytheheadofthehouse。ThisconsiderationenabledMissArtfultomakeherselfnecessarytoZoe。Accordingly，sheshowed，ontheveryfirstafternoon，thatshewaspreparedtoplaytheconvenientfriend，andhelpZoetocombinecourtshipwithpropriety。
Thisplanonceconceived，sheadheredtoitwithpertinacityandskill。
Sherodeandwalkedwiththem，andinpublicputherselfratherforward，andassertedtheleader；butsoonerorlater，atapropertimeandplace，shelaggedbehind，orcanteredahead，andmanipulatedthewooingwithtactanddexterity。
TheconsequencewasthatZoewroteofherownaccordtoMrs。Dover，askingleavetodetainFanny，becauseherbrotherhadinvitedacollegefriend，anditwasratherawkwardforherwithoutFanny，therebeingnootherladyinthehouseatpresent。
SheshowedthistoFanny，whosaid，earnestly，\"Aslongaseveryoulike，dear。Mammawillnotmissmeabit。Makeyourmindeasy。\"
Vizard，knowinghissister，andentirelydeceivedinSeverne，exercisednovigilance；for，todoZoejustice，nonewasnecessary，ifSevernehadbeenthemanheseemed。
Therewasnomotherinthehousetotrembleforherdaughter，tobejealous，towatch，toquestion，todemandaclearexplanation——inshort，toguardheryoungasonlythemothersofcreationdo。
TheElysiandaysrolledon。Zoewasinheaven，andSeverneinafool\'sparadise，enjoyingeverything，hopingeverything，forgettingeverything，andfearingnothing。Hehadcometothis，withallhiscunning；hewasintoxicatedandblindedwithpassion。
NowitwasthattheideaofmarryingZoefirstenteredhishead。Buthewasnotmadenoughforthat。Herepelleditwithterror，rage，anddespair。Hepassedanhourortwoofagonyinhisownroom，andcamedown，lookingpaleandexhausted。But，indeed，thelittleDumas，thoughhedoesnotpassforamoralist，saystrulyandwell，\"Lesamoursille\'gitimesportenttoujoursdesfruitsamers；\"andNedSeverne\'sturnwascometosufferafewofthepangshehadinflictedgaylyonmorethanonewomanandherlover。
OnemorningatbreakfastVizardmadetwoannouncements。\"Here\'snews，\"
saidhe；\"Dr。Galewritestopostponehervisit。Sheisill，poorgirl!\"
\"Oh，dear!whatisthematter?\"inquiredZoe，alwayskind-hearted。
\"Gastritis——soshesays。\"
\"Whatisthat?\"inquiredFanny。
Mr。Severne，whowasmuchpleasedatthisopportuneillness，couldnotrestrainhishumor，andsaiditwasadisorderproducedbythefumesofgas。
Zoe，accustomedtobelievethisgentleman\'slies，andnotgivingherselftimetothink，saidtherewasagreatescapeinthepassagethenightshewentthere。
Thentherewasalaughathersimplicity。Shejoinedinit，butshookherfingeratMasterSeverne。
VizardtheninformedZoethatLordUxmoorhadbeenstayingsometimeatBasildonHall，aboutninemilesoff；sohehadaskedhimtocomeoverforaweek，andhehadaccepted。\"Hewillbeheretodinner，\"saidVizard。Hethenrangthebell，andsentforHarris，andorderedhimtopreparethebluechamberforLordUxmoor，andseethethingsairedhimself。Harrishavingretired，cat-like，Vizardexplained，\"MywomankindshallnotkillUxmoor。Heisagoodfellow，andhismania——wehaveallgotamania，myyoungfriends——isarespectableone。Hewantstoimprovetheconditionofthepoor——againsttheirwill。\"
\"Hisfriend!thatwassoill。Ihopehehasnotlosthim，\"saidZoe。
\"Hehasn\'tlosthiminthisletter，MissGush，\"saidVizard。\"Butyoucanaskhimwhenhecomes。\"
\"OfcourseIshallaskhim，\"saidZoe。
Halfanhourbeforedinnertherewasagratingofwheelsonthegravel。
Severnelookedoutofhisbedroomwindow，andsawUxmoordriveup。Darkbluecoach；silverharness，glitteringinthesun；fourchestnuts，glossyasvelvet；twoneatgroomsasquickaslightning。Hewasdowninamoment，andhistrapsinthehall，andthegroomsdrovethetraproundtothestables。
Theywereallinthedrawing-roomwhenLordUxmoorappeared；greetedZoewithrespectfulwarmth，Vizardwitheasyfriendship，SeverneandMissDoverwithwell-bredcivility。HetookZoeout，andsatatherrighthandatdinner。
Asthenewguest，hehadthefirstclaimonherattentionandtheyhadatopicready——hissickfriend。Hetoldherallabouthim，andhishappyrecovery，withsimplewarmth。Zoewasinterestedandsympathetic；Fannylistened，andgaveSeverneshortanswers。Severnefeltdethroned。
Hewasrathermortified，andalittleuneasy，buttoobravetoshowit。
Hebidedhistime。Inthedrawing-roomLordUxmoorsingledoutZoe，andcourtedheropenlywithrespectfuladmiration。SevernedrewFannyapart，andexertedhimselftoamuseher。Zoebegantocastuneasyglances。
SevernemadecommoncausewithFanny。\"Wehavenochanceagainstalord，oralady，youandI，MissDover。\"
\"Ihaven\'t，\"saidshe；\"butyouneednotcomplain。Shewishesshewerehere。\"
\"SodoI。Willyouhelpme?\"
\"No，Ishallnot。Youcanmakelovetome。Iamtiredofneverbeingmadeloveto。\"
\"Well，\"saidthisingenuousyouth，\"youcertainlydonotgetyourdesertsinthishouse。EvenIamsoblindedbymypassionforZoe，thatIforgetshedoesnotmonopolizeallthebeautyandgraceandwitinthehouse。\"
\"Goon，\"saidFanny。\"Icanbearagooddealofit——aftersuchafast。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyoucanbearagooddeal。Youareoneofthosethatinspirefeelings，butdon\'tsharethem。Givemeachance；letmesingyouasong。\"
\"Alovesong?\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Canyousingitaswellasyoucantalkit?\"
\"Withalittleencouragement。Ifyouwouldkindlystandattheendofthepiano，andletmeseeyourbeautifuleyesfixedonme。\"
\"Withdisdain?\"
\"No，no。\"
\"Withjustsuspicion?\"
\"No；withunmeritedpity。\"Andhebegantoopenthepiano。
\"What!doyouaccompanyyourself?\"
\"Yes，afterafashion；bythatmeansIdon\'tgetrunover。\"
ThenthisaccomplishedpersonfixedhiseyesonFannyDover，andsungheranItalianlovesongintheartificialpassionatestyleofthatnation；
andtheEnglishgirlreceiveditpointblankwithcomplacentcomposure。
ButZoestartedandthrilledatthefirstnote，andcreptuptothepianoasifdrawnbyanirresistiblecord。Shegazedonthesingerwithamazementandadmiration。Hisvoicewasalowtenor，round，andsweetashoney。Itwasarealvoice，amusicalinstrument。
\"Moretunablethanlarktoshepherd\'searWhenwheatisgreen，whenhawthornbudsappear。\"
AndtheKloskinghadcuredhimofthefatalwhinewhichstainstheamateur，maleorfemale，andhadtaughthimclimax，sothathearticulatedandsungwithperfectpurity，andrangouthisfinalnotesinsteadofslurringthem。Inshort，inplainpassageshewasareflection，onasmallscale，ofthatgreatsinger。Heknewthishimself，andhadkeptclearofsong:itwassofullofreminiscenceandstings。
Butnowjealousydrovehimtoit。
ItwasVizard\'sruletoleavetheroomwheneverZoeorFannyopenedthepiano。Sointheeveningthatinstrumentoftorturewasalwaysmute。
Buthearingamalevoice，thesquire，whodotedongoodmusic，asheabhorredbad，strolledinuponthechance；andhestaredatthesinger。
Whenthesongended，therewasalittleclamorofladies\'voicescallinghimtoaccountforconcealinghistalentfromthem。
\"IwasafraidofVizard，\"saidhe；\"hehatesbadmusic。\"
\"Noneofyourtricks，\"saidthesquire；\"yoursisnotbadmusic；youspeakyourwordsarticulately，andeveneloquently。Youraccompanimentisalittlequeer，especiallyinthebass；butyoufindoutyourmistakes，andslipoutofthemHeavenknowshow。Zoe，youaretame，butaccurate。
Correcthisaccompanimentssomeday——whenI\'moutofhearing。Practicedrivesmemad。Giveusanother。\"
Severnelaughedgood-humoredly。\"Thusencouraged，whocouldresist?\"saidhe。\"Itissodelightfultosinginashowerbathofcriticism。\"
HesungasprightlyFrenchsong，withprodigiousspiritanddash。
Theyallapplauded，andVizardsaid，\"Iseehowitis。Wewerenotgoodenough。Hewouldnotcomeoutforus。Hewantedthepublic。Uxmoor，youarethepublic。Itistoyouweowethisprettywarbler。Haveyouanyfavoritesong，Public?Saytheword，andheshallsingityou。\"
Severneturnedratherredatthat，andwasabouttoriseslowly，whenUxmoor，whowasinstinctivelyagentleman，thoughnotacourtier，said，\"Idon\'tpresumetochooseMr。Severne\'ssongs；butifwearenottiringhim，IownIshouldliketohearanEnglishsong；forIamnomusician，andthewordsareeverythingwithme。\"
Severneassenteddryly，andmadehimashrewdreturnforhiscourtesy。
Zoehadabraveroseinherblackhair。Hegaveheronerapidglanceofsignificance，andsungaScotchsong，almostasfinelyasitcouldbesunginaroom:
\"Myloveislikethered，redroseThat\'snewlysprunginJune；MyloveislikeamelodyThat\'ssweetlyplayedintune。\"
Thedogdidnotslurtheshortnotesandhowluponthelongones，asdidalittlefatJewfromLondon，withasweetvoiceandnobrains，whomI
lastheardhowlitintheTheaterRoyal，Edinburgh。No；heretainedthepurerhythmofthecomposition，and，aboveall，sungitwiththegentleearnestnessandunquaveringemotionofaBriton。
ItstruckZoe\'sheartpointblank。Shedrewback，blushingliketheroseinherhairandinthesong，andhidingherhappinessfromallbutthekeenFanny。EverybodybutZoeapplaudedthesong。Shespokeonlywithhercheeksandeyes。
Severnerosefromthepiano。Hewasaskedtosinganother，butdeclinedlaughingly。Indeed，soonafterwardheglidedoutoftheroomandwasseennomorethatnight。
Consequentlyhebecamethetopicofconversation；andthethree，whothoughttheyknewhim，viedinhispraises。
Inthemorninganexpeditionwasplanned，andUxmoorprofferedhis\"four-in-hand。\"Itwasaccepted。Allyoungladiesliketositbehindfourspankingtrotters；andfewobjecttobedrivenbyaviscountwithagloriousbeardandlargeestates。
ZoesatbyUxmoor。SevernesatbehindthemwithFanny，aspectatorofhisopenadmiration。Hecouldnotdefendhimselfsowellaslastnight，andhefelthumiliatedbytheposition。
Itwasreneweddayafterday。Zoeoftencastaglanceback，anddrewhimintotheconversation；yet，onthewhole，Uxmoorthrusthimasidebyhisadvantagesandhisresolutewooing。
Thesamethingatdinner。Itwasonlyatnighthecouldbenumberone。HetunedZoe\'sguitar；andonenightwhentherewasaparty，hewalkedabouttheroomwiththis，and，puttinghisleftlegout，serenadedoneladyafteranother。Barfordshirewasamazedanddelightedathim，butUxmoorcourtedZoeasifhedidnotexist。HebegantofeelthathewasthemantoamusewomeninBarfordshire，butUxmoorthemantomarrythem。Hebegantosulk。Zoe\'squickeyessawandpitied。Shewaspuzzledwhattodo。LordUxmoorgavehernoexcuseforthrowingcoldwateronhim，becausehisadorationwasimplied，notexpressed；andhefollowedherupsoclosely，shecouldhardlygetawordwithSeverne。Whenshedid，therewasconsolationineverytone；andshetookcaretoletdropthatLordUxmoorwasgoinginadayortwo。Sohewas，buthealteredhismind，andaskedleavetostay。
Severnelookedgloomyatthis，andhebecamedejected。Hewasmiserable，andshowedit，toseewhatZoewoulddo。WhatshedidwastogetratherboredbyUxmoor，andglancefromFannytoSeverne。IbelieveZoeonlymeant，\"Dopraysaythingstocomforthim；\"butFannyreadthesegentleglances_\'ala_Dover。ShegotholdofSeverneoneday，andsaid，\"Whatisthematterwithyou?\"
\"Ofcourseyoucan\'tdivine，\"saidhe，sarcastically。
\"Ohyes，Ican；anditisyourownfault。\"
\"Myfault!Thatisagoodjoke。DidIinvitethismanwithallhisadvantages?ThatwasVizard\'sdoing，whocallshimselfmyfriend。\"
\"Ifitwasnotthisone，itwouldbesomeother。CanyouhopetokeepZoeVizardfrombeingcourted?Why，sheisthebeautyofthecounty!andherbrothernotmarried。Itisnouseyourmakinglovebyhalvestoher。Shewillgotosomemanwhoisinearnest。\"
\"AndamInotinearnest?\"
\"Notsomuchasheis。Youhaveknownherfourmonths，andneveronceaskedhertomarryyou。\"
\"SoIamtobepunishedformyself-denial。\"
\"Self-denial!Nonsense。Menhavenoself-denial。Itisyourcowardice。\"
\"Don\'tbecruel。Youknowitismypoverty。\"
\"Yourpovertyofspirit。Yougaveupmoneyforher，andthatisasgoodasifyouhaditstill，andbetter。IfyouloveZoe，scrapeupanincomesomehow，andsaytheword。Why，Harringtonisbewitchedwithyou，andheisrollinginmoney。Iwouldn\'tloseherbycowardice，ifIwereyou。
Uxmoorwilloffermarriagebeforehegoes。Heisstayingonforthat。
Now，takemywordforit，whenonemanoffersmarriage，andtheotherdoesnot，thereisalwaysagoodchanceofthegirlsayingthisoneisinearnest，andtheotherisnot。Wedon\'texpectself-denialinaman；wedon\'tbelieveinit。Weseeyouseizinguponeverythingelseyoucarefor；and，ifyoudon\'tseizeonus，itwoundsourvanity，thestrongestpassionwehave。Consider，Uxmoorhastitle，wealth，everythingtobestowwiththewedding-ring。Ifheoffersallthat，andyoudon\'tofferallyouhave，howmuchmoregeneroushelookstoherthanyoudo!\"
\"Inshort，youthinkshewilldoubtmyaffection，ifIdon\'taskhertosharemypoverty。\"
\"Ifyoudon\'t，andarichmanaskshertosharehisall，I\'msureshewill。AndsoshouldI。Wordsareonlywords。\"
\"Youtortureme。I\'dratherdiethanloseher。\"
\"Thenliveandwinher。I\'vetoldyoutheway。\"
\"Iwillscrapeanincometogether，andaskher。\"
\"Uponyourhonor?\"
\"Uponmysoul。\"
\"Then，inmyopinion，youwillhaveherinspiteofLordUxmoor。\"
Hotfromthis，EdwardSevernesatdownandwroteamovinglettertoacertaincousinofhisinHuntingdonshire。
\"MYDEARCOUSIN——Ihaveoftenheardyousayyouwereunderobligationstomyfather，andhadaregardforme。Indeed，youhaveshownthelatterbylettingtheinterestonmymortgagerunoutmanyyearsandnotforeclosing。Havingnootherfriend，Inowwritetoyou，andthrowmyselfonyourpity。Ihaveformedadeepattachmenttoayoungladyofinfinitebeautyandvirtue。Sheisabovemeineverything，especiallyinfortune。
Yetshedeignstoloveme。Ican\'taskherhandasapauper；andbymyownfolly，nowdeeplyrepented，Iamlittlemore。Now，alldependsonyou——myhappiness，myrespectability。Soonerorlater，Ishallbeabletorepayyouall。ForGod\'ssakecometotheassistanceofyouraffectionatecousin，EDWARDSEVERNE。\"
\"Thebrother，amanofimmenseestates，isanoldfriend，andwarmlyattachedtome。IfIcouldonly，throughyourtemporaryassistanceorconnivance，presentmyestateasclear，allwouldbewell，andIcouldrepayyouafterward。\"
Tothisletterhereceivedanimmediatereply:
\"DEAREDWARD——Ithoughtyouhadforgottenmyveryexistence。Yes，Iowemuchtoyourfather，andhavealwayssaidso，andactedaccordingly。
Whileyouhavebeenwanderingabroad，desertingusall，Ihaveimprovedyourestate。Ihaveboughtalltheothermortgages，andoflatetherenthaspaidtheinterest，withinafewpounds。Inowmakeyouanoffer。Givemealongleaseofthetwofarmsatthreehundredpoundsayear——theywillsoonbevacant——andtwothousandpoundsoutofhand，andIwillcancelallthemortgages，andgiveyouareceiptforthem，aspaidinfull。Thiswillbelikepayingyouseveralthousandpoundsforabeneficiallease。ThetwothousandpoundsImustinsiston，injusticetomyownfamily。
\"Youraffectionatecousin，\"GEORGESEVERNE。\"
ThismunificentoffersurprisedanddelightedSeverne，and，indeed，noothermanbutCousinGeorge，whohadaheartofgold，andwasgratefultoNed\'sfather，andalsolovedthescamphimself，aseverybodydid，wouldhavemadesuchanoffer。
Ouradventurerwrote，andclosedwithit，andgushedgratitude。Thenheaskedhimselfhowtogetthemoney。HadhebeenmarriedtoZoe，ornotthinkingofher，hewouldhavegoneatoncetoVizard，forthesecuritywasample。Butinhispresentdelicatesituationthiswouldnotdo。No；
hemustbeabletocomeandsay，\"Myestateissmall，butitisclear。
Hereisareceiptforsixthousandpounds\'worthofmortgagesIhavepaidoff。Iampoorinlandbutrichinexperience，regrets，andlove。Bemyfriend，andtrustmewithZoe。\"
Heturnedandtwisteditinhismind，andresolvedonaboldcourse。HewouldgotoHomburg，andgetthatsumbyhookorbycrookoutofInaKlosking\'swinnings。HetookFannyintohisconfidence；onlyhesubstitutedLondonforHomburg。
\"Andoh，MissDover，\"saidhe，\"donotletmesufferbygoingawayandleavingarivalbehind。\"
\"Sufferbyit!\"saidshe。\"No，Imeantorewardyoufortakingmyadvice。
Don\'tyousayawordto_her。_Itwillcomebetterfromme。I\'llletherknowwhatyouaregonefor；andsheisjustthegirltobeuponhonor，andeversomuchcoolertoLordUxmoorbecauseyouareunhappy，buthavegoneawaytrustingher。\"
Andhisartfulallykeptherword。ShewentintoZoe\'sroombeforedinnertohaveitoutwithher。
IntheeveningSevernetoldVizardhemustgouptoLondonforadayortwo。
\"Allright，\"saidVizard。\"Tellsomeofthemtoorderthedog-cartforyourtrain。\"
ButZoetookoccasiontoaskhimforhowlong，andmurmured，\"Rememberhowweshallmissyou，\"withsuchalookthathewasinElysiumthatevening。
ButatnighthepackedhisbagforHomburg，andthatchilledhim。Helayslumberingallnight，butnotsleeping，andwakingwithstartsandasenseofhorror。
Atbreakfast，afterreadinghisletters，Vizardaskedhimwhattrainhewouldgoby。
Hesaid，theoneo\'clock。
\"Allright，\"saidVizard。Thenherangthebell，countermandedthedog-cart，andorderedthebarouche。
\"Abaroucheforme!\"saidSeverne。\"Why，Iamnotgoingtotaketheladiestothestation。\"
\"No；itistobringonehere。ShecomesdownfromLondonfiveminutesbeforeyoutaketheuptrain。\"
Therewasageneralexclamation:Whowasit?AuntMaitland?
\"No，\"saidVizard，tossinganotetoZoe——\"itisDoctressGale。\"
Severne\'scountenancefell。
CHAPTERXVII。
EDWARDSEVERNE，masterofarts，dreadedRhodaGale，M。D。Hehaddeluded，invariousdegrees，severalladiesthatwerenofools；butherewasonewhostaggeredandpuzzledhim。Brightandkeenassteel，quickandspirited，yetcontrolledbyjudgmentandalwaysmistressofherself，sheseemedtohimanewspecies。Theworstofitwas，hefelthimselfinthepowerofthisnewwoman，and，indeed，hesawnolimittothemischiefshemightpossiblydohimifsheandZoecomparednotes。Hehadthoughtthematterover，andrealizedthismorethanhedidwheninLondon。Hencethegoodyouth\'sdelightatherillness，noticedinaformerchapter。
Hewasverythoughtfulallbreakfasttime，andassoonasitwasoverdrewVizardapart，andsaidhewouldpostponehisvisittoLondonuntilhehadcommunicatedwithhismanofbusiness。Hewouldgotothestationandtelegraphhim，andbythatmeanswoulddothecivilandmeetMissGale。Vizardstaredathim。
\"Youmeetmyvirago?Why，Ithoughtyoudisapprovedherentirely。\"
\"No，no；onlytheideaofafemaledoctor，nottheladyherself。Besides，itisarulewithme，mydearfellow，nevertoletmyselfdisapprovemyfriends\'friends。\"
\"Thatisabrightidea，andyouareagoodfellow，\"saidVizard。\"Goandmeetthepest，byallmeans，andbringherheretoluncheon。Afterluncheonwewilldriveheruptothefarmandensconceher。\"
EdwardSevernehadthisadvantageovermostimpostors，thathewasmasculineorfeminineasoccasionrequired。Forinstance，hecouldbehystericalorboldtoservetheturn。Anotherexample——hewatchedfaceslikeawoman，andyethecouldlookyouinthefacelikeaman，especiallywhenhewaslying。Inthepresentconjunctureacraftywomanwouldhavebristledwithalltheartsofself-defense，butstayedathomeandkeptclosetoZoe。Notsoourmasterofarts；hewentmanfullytomeetRhodaGale，andsosecurea_te\'te-\'a-te\'te，_andlearn，ifpossible，whatshemeanttodo，andwhethershecouldbecannilypropitiated。Hereachedthestationbeforeher，andwiredaveryintelligentpersonwho，heknew，conducteddelicateinquiries，andhadbeenverysuccessfulinadivorcecase，publictwoyearsbefore。Evenashedispatchedthismessagetherewasawhistlingandaringing，andthesoundofacomingtrain，andNedSevernerantomeetRhodaGalewithaheartpalpitatingalittle，andafacebeaminggreatlytoorder。Helookedforherinthefirst-classcarriages，butshewasinthesecond，andsawhim。Hedidnotseehertillshesteppedoutontheplatform。
Thenhemadetowardher。Hetookoffhishat，andsaid，withrespectfulzeal，\"Ifyouwilltellmewhatluggageyouhave，thegroomshallgetitout。\"
MissGale\'seyeswanderedoverhimloftily。\"Ihaveonlyaboxandabag，sir，bothmarked\'R。G。\'\"
\"Joe，\"saidhe——forhehadalreadymadefriendswithalltheservants，andwontheirhearts——\"boxandbagmarked\'R。G。\'MissGale，youhadbettertakeyourseatinthecarriage。\"
MissGalegavealittlesuperciliousnod，andheshowedherobsequiouslyintothecarriage。Shelaidherheadback，andcontemplatedvacancyaheadinamanneranythingbutencouragingtothisnewadmirerFatehadsenther。Heturnedaway，alittlediscomfited，andwhentheluggagewasbroughtup，hehadthebagplacedinside，andtheboxinasortofboot，andthenjumpedinandseatedhimselfinside。\"Home，\"saidhetothecoachman，andofftheywent。Whenhecameinshestartedwithwell-feignedsurprise，andstaredathim。
\"Oh，\"saidshe，\"Ihavemetyoubefore。Why，itisMr。Severne。Excusemetakingyouforoneoftheservants。Somepeoplehaveshortmemories，youknow。\"
Thisdeliberateaffrontwasdulyfelt，butparriedwithamaster-hand。
\"Why，I_am_oneoftheservants，\"saidhe；\"onlyIamnotVizard\'s。I\'myours。\"
\"In-deed!\"
\"Ifyouwillletme。\"
\"Iamtoopoortohavefineservants。\"
\"Saytoohaughty。Youarenottoopoor，forIshan\'tcostyouanythingbutagraciouswordnowandthen。\"
\"UnfortunatelyIdon\'tdealingraciouswords，onlytrueones。\"
\"Iseethat。\"