Heopenedtheglassofthedulllamp，whosewick，burntupandswollenlikeadrunkard’snose，cameflyingoffinlittlecarbunclesatthecandle’stouch，andscatteringhotsparksabout，rendereditmatterofsomedifficultytokindlethelazytaper;
whenanoise，asofamansnoringdeeplysomestepshigherup，causedhimtopauseandlisten。Itwastheheavybreathingofasleeper，closeathand。Somefellowhadlaindownontheopenstaircase，andwasslumberingsoundly。Havinglightedthecandleatlengthandopenedhisowndoor，hesoftlyascended，holdingthetaperhighabovehishead，andpeeringcautiouslyabout;curioustoseewhatkindofmanhadchosensocomfortlessashelterforhislodging。
Withhisheaduponthelandingandhisgreatlimbsflungoverhalf-
a-dozenstairs，ascarelesslyasthoughhewereadeadmanwhomdrunkenbearershadthrowndownbychance，therelayHugh，faceuppermost，hislonghairdroopinglikesomewildweeduponhiswoodenpillow，andhishugechestheavingwiththesoundswhichsounwontedlydisturbedtheplaceandhour。
Hewhocameuponhimsounexpectedlywasabouttobreakhisrestbythrustinghimwithhisfoot，when，glancingathisupturnedface，hearrestedhimselfintheveryaction，andstoopingdownandshadingthecandlewithhishand，examinedhisfeaturesclosely。
Closeashisfirstinspectionwas，itdidnotsuffice，forhepassedthelight，stillcarefullyshadedasbefore，acrossandacrosshisface，andyetobservedhimwithasearchingeye。
Whilehewasthusengaged，thesleeper，withoutanystartingorturninground，awoke。Therewasakindoffascinationinmeetinghissteadygazesosuddenly，whichtookfromtheotherthepresenceofmindtowithdrawhiseyes，andforcedhim，asitwere，tomeethislook。Sotheyremainedstaringateachother，untilMrChesteratlastbrokesilence，andaskedhiminalowvoice，whyhelaysleepingthere。
’Ithought，’saidHugh，strugglingintoasittingpostureandgazingathimintently，still，’thatyouwereapartofmydream。
Itwasacuriousone。Ihopeitmaynevercometrue，master。’
’Whatmakesyoushiver？’
’The——thecold，Isuppose，’hegrowled，asheshookhimselfandrose。’IhardlyknowwhereIamyet。’
’Doyouknowme？’saidMrChester。
’Ay，Iknowyou，’heanswered。’Iwasdreamingofyou——we’renotwhereIthoughtwewere。That’sacomfort。’
Helookedroundhimashespoke，andinparticularlookedabovehishead，asthoughhehalfexpectedtobestandingundersomeobjectwhichhadhadexistenceinhisdream。Thenherubbedhiseyesandshookhimselfagain，andfollowedhisconductorintohisownrooms。
MrChesterlightedthecandleswhichstooduponhisdressing-table，andwheelinganeasy-chairtowardsthefire，whichwasyetburning，stirredupacheerfulblaze，satdownbeforeit，andbadehisuncouthvisitor’Comehere，’anddrawhisbootsoff。
’Youhavebeendrinkingagain，myfinefellow，’hesaid，asHughwentdownononeknee，anddidashewastold。
’AsI’malive，master，I’vewalkedthetwelvelongmiles，andwaitedhereIdon’tknowhowlong，andhadnodrinkbetweenmylipssincedinner-timeatnoon。’
’Andcanyoudonothingbetter，mypleasantfriend，thanfallasleep，andshaketheverybuildingwithyoursnores？’saidMrChester。’Can’tyoudreaminyourstrawathome，dulldogasyouare，thatyouneedcomeheretodoit？——Reachmethoseslippers，andtreadsoftly。’
Hughobeyedinsilence。
’Andharkee，mydearyounggentleman，’saidMrChester，asheputthemon，’thenexttimeyoudream，don’tletitbeofme，butofsomedogorhorsewithwhomyouarebetteracquainted。Filltheglassonce——you’llfinditandthebottleinthesameplace——andemptyittokeepyourselfawake。’
Hughobeyedagainevenmorezealously——andhavingdoneso，presentedhimselfbeforehispatron。
’Now，’saidMrChester，’whatdoyouwantwithme？’
’Therewasnewsto-day，’returnedHugh。’Yoursonwasatourhouse——camedownonhorseback。Hetriedtoseetheyoungwoman，butcouldn’tgetsightofher。HeleftsomeletterorsomemessagewhichourJoehadchargeof，butheandtheoldonequarrelledaboutitwhenyoursonhadgone，andtheoldonewouldn’tletitbedelivered。Hesaysthat’stheoldonedoesthatnoneofhispeopleshallinterfereandgethimintotrouble。He’salandlord，hesays，andlivesoneverybody’scustom。’
’He’sajewel，’smiledMrChester，’andthebetterforbeingadullone——Well？’
’Varden’sdaughter——that’sthegirlIkissed——’
’——andstolethebraceletfromupontheking’shighway，’saidMrChester，composedly。’Yes;whatofher？’
’Shewroteanoteatourhousetotheyoungwoman，sayingshelosttheletterIbroughttoyou，andyouburnt。OurJoewastocarryit，buttheoldonekepthimathomeallnextday，onpurposethatheshouldn’t。Nextmorninghegaveittometotake;andhereitis。’
’Youdidn’tdeliveritthen，mygoodfriend？’saidMrChester，twirlingDolly’snotebetweenhisfingerandthumb，andfeigningtobesurprised。
’Isupposedyou’dwanttohaveit，’retortedHugh。’Burnone，burnall，Ithought。’
’Mydevil-may-careacquaintance，’saidMrChester——’reallyifyoudonotdrawsomenicerdistinctions，yourcareerwillbecutshortwithmostsurprisingsuddenness。Don’tyouknowthattheletteryoubroughttome，wasdirectedtomysonwhoresidesinthisveryplace？Andcanyoudescrynodifferencebetweenhislettersandthoseaddressedtootherpeople？’
’Ifyoudon’twantit，’saidHugh，disconcertedbythisreproof，forhehadexpectedhighpraise，’giveitmeback，andI’lldeliverit。Idon’tknowhowtopleaseyou，master。’
’Ishalldeliverit，’returnedhispatron，puttingitawayafteramoment’sconsideration，’myself。Doestheyoungladywalkout，onfinemornings？’
’Mostly——aboutnoonisherusualtime。’
’Alone？’
’Yes，alone。’
’Where？’
’Inthegroundsbeforethehouse——Themthatthefootpathcrosses。’
’Iftheweathershouldbefine，Imaythrowmyselfinherwayto-
morrow，perhaps，’saidMrChester，ascoollyasifshewereoneofhisordinaryacquaintance。’MrHugh，ifIshouldrideuptotheMaypoledoor，youwilldomethefavouronlytohaveseenmeonce。
Youmustsuppressyourgratitude，andendeavourtoforgetmyforbearanceinthematterofthebracelet。Itisnaturalitshouldbreakout，anditdoesyouhonour;butwhenotherfolksareby，youmust，foryourownsakeandsafety，beaslikeyourusualselfasthoughyouowedmenoobligationwhatever，andhadneverstoodwithinthesewalls。Youcomprehendme？’
Hughunderstoodhimperfectly。Afterapausehemutteredthathehopedhispatronwouldinvolvehiminnotroubleaboutthislastletter;forhehadkeptitbacksolelywiththeviewofpleasinghim。Hewascontinuinginthisstrain，whenMrChesterwithamostbeneficentandpatronisingaircuthimshortbysaying:
’Mygoodfellow，youhavemypromise，myword，mysealedbondforaverbalpledgewithmeisquiteasgood，thatIwillalwaysprotectyousolongasyoudeserveit。Now，dosetyourmindatrest。Keepitatease，Ibegofyou。Whenamanputshimselfinmypowersothoroughlyasyouhavedone，Ireallyfeelasthoughhehadakindofclaimuponme。IammoredisposedtomercyandforbearanceundersuchcircumstancesthanIcantellyou，Hugh。Dolookuponmeasyourprotector，andrestassured，Ientreatyou，thatonthesubjectofthatindiscretion，youmaypreserve，aslongasyouandIarefriends，thelightestheartthateverbeatwithinahumanbreast。Fillthatglassoncemoretocheeryouonyourroadhomewards——Iamreallyquiteashamedtothinkhowfaryouhavetogo——andthenGodblessyouforthenight。’
’Theythink，’saidHugh，whenhehadtossedtheliquordown，’thatIamsleepingsoundlyinthestable。Hahaha！Thestabledoorisshut，butthesteed’sgone，master。’
’Youareamostconvivialfellow，’returnedhisfriend，’andIloveyourhumourofallthings。Goodnight！Takethegreatestpossiblecareofyourself，formysake！’
Itwasremarkablethatduringthewholeinterview，eachhadendeavouredtocatchstolenglancesoftheother’sface，andhadneverlookedfullatit。TheyinterchangedonebriefandhastyglanceasHughwentout，avertedtheireyesdirectly，andsoseparated。Hughclosedthedoubledoorsbehindhim，carefullyandwithoutnoise;andMrChesterremainedinhiseasy-chair，withhisgazeintentlyfixeduponthefire。
’Well！’hesaid，aftermeditatingforalongtime——andsaidwithadeepsighandanuneasyshiftingofhisattitude，asthoughhedismissedsomeothersubjectfromhisthoughts，andreturnedtothatwhichhadheldpossessionofthemalltheday——theplotthickens;Ihavethrowntheshell;itwillexplode，Ithink，ineight-and-fortyhours，andshouldscatterthesegoodfolksamazingly。Weshallsee！’
Hewenttobedandfellasleep，buthadnotsleptlongwhenhestartedupandthoughtthatHughwasattheouterdoor，callinginastrangevoice，verydifferentfromhisown，tobeadmitted。Thedelusionwassostronguponhim，andwassofullofthatvagueterrorofthenightinwhichsuchvisionshavetheirbeing，thatherose，andtakinghissheathedswordinhishand，openedthedoor，andlookedoutuponthestaircase，andtowardsthespotwhereHughhadlainasleep;andevenspoketohimbyname。Butallwasdarkandquiet，andcreepingbacktobedagain，hefell，afteranhour’suneasywatching，intoasecondsleep，andwokenomoretillmorning。
Chapter29
Thethoughtsofworldlymenareforeverregulatedbyamorallawofgravitation，which，likethephysicalone，holdsthemdowntoearth。Thebrightgloryofday，andthesilentwondersofastarlitnight，appealtotheirmindsinvain。Therearenosignsinthesun，orinthemoon，orinthestars，fortheirreading。
Theyarelikesomewisemen，who，learningtoknoweachplanetbyitsLatinname，havequiteforgottensuchsmallheavenlyconstellationsasCharity，Forbearance，UniversalLove，andMercy，althoughtheyshinebynightanddaysobrightlythattheblindmayseethem;andwho，lookingupwardatthespangledsky，seenothingtherebutthereflectionoftheirowngreatwisdomandbook-
learning。
Itiscurioustoimaginethesepeopleoftheworld，busyinthought，turningtheireyestowardsthecountlessspheresthatshineaboveus，andmakingthemreflecttheonlyimagestheirmindscontain。Themanwholivesbutinthebreathofprinces，hasnothinghissightbutstarsforcourtiers’breasts。Theenviousmanbeholdshisneighbours’honourseveninthesky;tothemoney-
hoarder，andthemassofworldlyfolk，thewholegreatuniverseaboveglitterswithsterlingcoin——freshfromthemint——stampedwiththesovereign’shead——comingalwaysbetweenthemandheaven，turnwheretheymay。Sodotheshadowsofourowndesiresstandbetweenusandourbetterangels，andthustheirbrightnessiseclipsed。
Everythingwasfreshandgay，asthoughtheworldwerebutthatmorningmade，whenMrChesterrodeatatranquilpacealongtheForestroad。Thoughearlyintheseason，itwaswarmandgenialweather;thetreeswerebuddingintoleaf，thehedgesandthegrassweregreen，theairwasmusicalwithsongsofbirds，andhighabovethemallthelarkpouredoutherrichestmelody。Inshadyspots，themorningdewsparkledoneachyoungleafandbladeofgrass;
andwherethesunwasshining，somediamonddropsyetglistenedbrightly，asinunwillingnesstoleavesofairaworld，andhavesuchbriefexistence。Eventhelightwind，whoserustlingwasasgentletotheearassoftly-fallingwater，haditshopeandpromise;and，leavingapleasantfragranceinitstrackasitwentflutteringby，whisperedofitsintercoursewithSummer，andofhishappycoming。
Thesolitaryriderwentglancingonamongthetrees，fromsunlightintoshadeandbackagain，atthesameevenpace——lookingabouthim，certainly，fromtimetotime，butwithnogreaterthoughtofthedayorthescenethroughwhichhemoved，thanthathewasfortunatebeingchoicelydressedtohavesuchfavourableweather。
Hesmiledverycomplacentlyatsuchtimes，butratherasifheweresatisfiedwithhimselfthanwithanythingelse:andsowentridingon，uponhischestnutcob，aspleasanttolookuponashisownhorse，andprobablyfarlesssensitivetothemanycheerfulinfluencesbywhichhewassurrounded。
Inthecourseoftime，theMaypole’smassivechimneysroseuponhisview:buthequickenednothispaceonejot，andwiththesamecoolgravityrodeuptothetavernporch。JohnWillet，whowastoastinghisredfacebeforeagreatfireinthebar，andwho，withsurpassingforesightandquicknessofapprehension，hadbeenthinking，ashelookedatthebluesky，thatifthatstateofthingslastedmuchlonger，itmightultimatelybecomenecessarytoleaveofffiresandthrowthewindowsopen，issuedforthtoholdhisstirrup;callinglustilyforHugh。
’Oh，you’rehere，areyou，sir？’saidJohn，rathersurprisedbythequicknesswithwhichheappeared。’Takethisherevaluableanimalintothestable，andhavemorethanparticularcareofhimifyouwanttokeepyourplace。Amortallazyfellow，sir;heneedsadealoflookingafter。’
’Butyouhaveason，’returnedMrChester，givinghisbridletoHughashedismounted，andacknowledginghissalutebyacarelessmotionofhishandtowardshishat。’Whydon’tyoumakeHIM
useful？’
’Why，thetruthis，sir，’repliedJohnwithgreatimportance，’thatmyson——what，you’rea-listeningareyou，villain？’
’Who’slistening？’returnedHughangrily。’Atreat，indeed，tohearYOUspeak！Wouldyouhavemetakehimintillhe’scool？’
’Walkhimupanddownfurtheroffthen，sir，’criedoldJohn，’andwhenyouseemeandanoblegentlemanentertainingourselveswithtalk，keepyourdistance。Ifyoudon’tknowyourdistance，sir，’
addedMrWillet，afteranenormouslylongpause，duringwhichhefixedhisgreatdulleyesonHugh，andwaitedwithexemplarypatienceforanylittlepropertyinthewayofideasthatmightcometohim，’we’llfindawaytoteachyou，prettysoon。’
Hughshruggedhisshouldersscornfully，andinhisrecklessswaggeringway，crossedtotheothersideofthelittlegreen，andthere，withthebridleslunglooselyoverhisshoulder，ledthehorsetoandfro，glancingathismastereverynowandthenfromunderhisbushyeyebrows，withassinisteranaspectasonewoulddesiretosee。
MrChester，who，withoutappearingtodoso，hadeyedhimattentivelyduringthisbriefdispute，steppedintotheporch，andturningabruptlytoMrWillet，said，’Youkeepstrangeservants，John。’
’Strangeenoughtolookat，sir，certainly，’answeredthehost;
’butoutofdoors;forhorses，dogs，andthelikesofthat;therean’tabettermaninEnglandthanisthatMaypoleHughyonder。Hean’tfitforindoors，’addedMrWillet，withtheconfidentialairofamanwhofelthisownsuperiornature。’Idothat;butifthatchaphadonlyalittleimagination，sir——’
’He’sanactivefellownow，Idareswear，’saidMrChester，inamusingtone，whichseemedtosuggestthathewouldhavesaidthesamehadtherebeennobodytohearhim。
’Active，sir！’retortedJohn，withquiteanexpressioninhisface;
’thatchap！Hallothere！You，sir！Bringthathorsehere，andgoandhangmywigontheweathercock，toshowthisgentlemanwhetheryou’reoneofthelivelysortornot。’
Hughmadenoanswer，butthrowingthebridletohismaster，andsnatchinghiswigfromhishead，inamannersounceremoniousandhastythattheactiondiscomposedMrWilletnotalittle，thoughperformedathisownspecialdesire，climbednimblytotheverysummitofthemaypolebeforethehouse，andhangingthewigupontheweathercock，sentittwirlingroundlikearoastingjack。
Havingachievedthisperformance，hecastitontheground，andslidingdownthepolewithinconceivablerapidity，alightedonhisfeetalmostassoonasithadtouchedtheearth。
’There，sir，’saidJohn，relapsingintohisusualstolidstate，’youwon’tseethatatmanyhouses，besidestheMaypole，wherethere’sgoodaccommodationformanandbeast——northatneither，thoughthatwithhimisnothing。’
Thislastremarkborereferencetohisvaultingonhorseback，asuponMrChester’sfirstvisit，andquicklydisappearingbythestablegate。
’Thatwithhimisnothing，’repeatedMrWillet，brushinghiswigwithhiswrist，andinwardlyresolvingtodistributeasmallchargefordustanddamagetothatarticleofdress，throughthevariousitemsofhisguest’sbill;’he’llgetoutofa’mostanywinderinthehouse。Thereneverwassuchachapforflinginghimselfaboutandneverhurtinghisbones。It’smyopinion，sir，thatit’sprettynearlyallowingtohisnothavinganyimagination;andthatifimaginationcouldbewhichitcan’tknockedintohim，he’dneverbeabletodoitanymore。Butwewasa-talking，sir，aboutmyson。’
’True，Willet，true，’saidhisvisitor，turningagaintowardsthelandlordwithhisaccustomedserenityofface。’Mygoodfriend，whatabouthim？’
IthasbeenreportedthatMrWillet，previouslytomakinganswer，winked。Butashewasneverknowntobeguiltyofsuchlightnessofconducteitherbeforeorafterwards，thismaybelookeduponasamaliciousinventionofhisenemies——founded，perhaps，upontheundisputedcircumstanceofhistakinghisguestbythethirdbreastbuttonofhiscoat，countingdownwardsfromthechin，andpouringhisreplyintohisear:
’Sir，’whisperedJohn，withdignity，’Iknowmyduty。Wewantnolove-makinghere，sir，unbeknowntoparents。Irespectacertainyounggentleman，takinghiminthelightofayounggentleman;I
respectacertainyounglady，takingherinthelightofayounglady;butofthetwoasacouple，Ihavenoknowledge，sir，nonewhatever。Myson，sir，isuponhispatrole。’
’IthoughtIsawhimlookingthroughthecornerwindowbutthismoment，’saidMrChester，whonaturallythoughtthatbeingonpatrole，impliedwalkingaboutsomewhere。
’Nodoubtyoudid，sir，’returnedJohn。’Heisuponhispatroleofhonour，sir，nottoleavethepremises。MeandsomefriendsofminethatusetheMaypoleofanevening，sir，consideredwhatwasbesttobedonewithhim，topreventhisdoinganythingunpleasantinopposingyourdesires;andwe’veputhimonhispatrole。Andwhat’smore，sir，hewon’tbeoffhispatroleforaprettylongtimetocome，Icantellyouthat。’
Whenhehadcommunicatedthisbrightidea，whichhaditsoriginintheperusalbythevillagecroniesofanewspaper，containing，amongothermatters，anaccountofhowsomeofficerpendingthesentenceofsomecourt-martialhadbeenenlargedonparole，MrWilletdrewbackfromhisguest’sear，andwithoutanyvisiblealterationoffeature，chuckledthriceaudibly。Thisnearestapproachtoalaughinwhichheeverindulgedandthatbutseldomandonlyonextremeoccasions，neverevencurledhisliporeffectedthesmallestchangein——no，notsomuchasaslightwaggingof——hisgreat，fat，doublechin，whichatthesetimes，asatallothers，remainedaperfectdesertinthebroadmapofhisface;onechangeless，dull，tremendousblank。
Lestitshouldbematterofsurprisetoany，thatMrWilletadoptedthisboldcourseinoppositiontoonewhomhehadoftenentertained，andwhohadalwayspaidhiswayattheMaypolegallantly，itmayberemarkedthatitwashisverypenetrationandsagacityinthisrespect，whichoccasionedhimtoindulgeinthoseunusualdemonstrationsofjocularity，justnowrecorded。ForMrWillet，aftercarefullybalancingfatherandsoninhismentalscales，hadarrivedatthedistinctconclusionthattheoldgentlemanwasabettersortofacustomerthantheyoungone。
Throwinghislandlordintothesamescale，whichwasalreadyturnedbythisconsideration，andheapinguponhim，again，hisstrongdesirestoruncountertotheunfortunateJoe，andhisoppositionasageneralprincipletoallmattersofloveandmatrimony，itwentdowntotheverygroundstraightway，andsentthelightcauseoftheyoungergentlemanflyingupwardstotheceiling。MrChesterwasnotthekindofmantobebyanymeansdim-sightedtoMrWillet’smotives，buthethankedhimasgraciouslyasifhehadbeenoneofthemostdisinterestedmartyrsthatevershoneonearth;andleavinghim，withmanycomplimentaryreliancesonhisgreattasteandjudgment，topreparewhateverdinnerhemightdeemmostfittingtheoccasion，benthisstepstowardstheWarren。
Dressedwithmorethanhisusualelegance;assumingagracefulnessofmanner，which，thoughitwastheresultoflongstudy，sateasilyuponhimandbecamehimwell;composinghisfeaturesintotheirmostsereneandprepossessingexpression;andsettinginshortthatguarduponhimself，ateverypoint，whichdenotedthatheattachednoslightimportancetotheimpressionhewasabouttomake;heenteredtheboundsofMissHaredale’susualwalk。Hehadnotgonefar，orlookedabouthimlong，whenhedescriedcomingtowardshim，afemalefigure。Aglimpseoftheformanddressasshecrossedalittlewoodenbridgewhichlaybetweenthem，satisfiedhimthathehadfoundherwhomhedesiredtosee。Hethrewhimselfinherway，andaveryfewpacesbroughtthemclosetogether。
Heraisedhishatfromhishead，andyieldingthepath，sufferedhertopasshim。Then，asiftheideahadbutthatmomentoccurredtohim，heturnedhastilybackandsaidinanagitatedvoice:
’Ibegpardon——doIaddressMissHaredale？’
Shestoppedinsomeconfusionatbeingsounexpectedlyaccostedbyastranger;andanswered’Yes。’
’Somethingtoldme，’hesaid，LOOKINGacomplimenttoherbeauty，’thatitcouldbenoother。MissHaredale，Ibearanamewhichisnotunknowntoyou——whichitisapride，andyetapaintometoknow，soundspleasantlyinyourears。Iamamanadvancedinlife，asyousee。Iamthefatherofhimwhomyouhonouranddistinguishaboveallothermen。MayIforweightyreasonswhichfillmewithdistress，begbutaminute’sconversationwithyouhere？’
Whothatwasinexperiencedindeceit，andhadafrankandyouthfulheart，coulddoubtthespeaker’struth——coulddoubtittoo，whenthevoicethatspoke，waslikethefaintechoofonesheknewsowell，andsomuchlovedtohear？Sheinclinedherhead，andstopping，casthereyesupontheground。
’Alittlemoreapart——amongthesetrees。Itisanoldman’shand，MissHaredale;anhonestone，believeme。’
Sheputhersinitashesaidthesewords，andsufferedhimtoleadhertoaneighbouringseat。
’Youalarmme，sir，’shesaidinalowvoice。’Youarenotthebearerofanyillnews，Ihope？’
’Ofnonethatyouanticipate，’heanswered，sittingdownbesideher。’Edwardiswell——quitewell。ItisofhimIwishtospeak，certainly;butIhavenomisfortunetocommunicate。’
Shebowedherheadagain，andmadeasthoughshewouldhavebeggedhimtoproceed;butsaidnothing。
’IamsensiblethatIspeaktoyouatadisadvantage，dearMissHaredale。BelievemethatIamnotsoforgetfulofthefeelingsofmyyoungerdaysasnottoknowthatyouarelittledisposedtoviewmewithfavour。Youhaveheardmedescribedascold-hearted，calculating，selfish——’
’Ihavenever，sir，’——sheinterposedwithanalteredmannerandafirmervoice;’Ihaveneverheardyouspokenofinharshordisrespectfulterms。YoudoagreatwrongtoEdward’snatureifyoubelievehimcapableofanymeanorbaseproceeding。’
’Pardonme，mysweetyounglady，butyouruncle——’
’Norisitmyuncle’snatureeither，’shereplied，withaheightenedcolourinhercheek。’Itisnothisnaturetostabinthedark，norisitminetolovesuchdeeds。’
Sheroseasshespoke，andwouldhavelefthim;buthedetainedherwithagentlehand，andbesoughtherinsuchpersuasiveaccentstohearhimbutanotherminute，thatshewaseasilyprevailedupontocomply，andsosatdownagain。
’Anditis，’saidMrChester，lookingupward，andapostrophisingtheair;’itisthisfrank，ingenuous，noblenature，Ned，thatyoucanwoundsolightly。Shame——shameuponyou，boy！’
Sheturnedtowardshimquickly，andwithascornfullookandflashingeyes。ThereweretearsinMrChester’seyes，buthedashedthemhurriedlyaway，asthoughunwillingthathisweaknessshouldbeknown，andregardedherwithmingledadmirationandcompassion。
’Ineveruntilnow，’hesaid，’believed，thatthefrivolousactionsofayoungmancouldmovemeliketheseofmyownson。Ineverknewtillnow，theworthofawoman’sheart，whichboyssolightlywin，andlightlyflingaway。Trustme，dearyounglady，thatI
neveruntilnowdidknowyourworth;andthoughanabhorrenceofdeceitandfalsehoodhasimpelledmetoseekyouout，andwouldhavedonesohadyoubeenthepoorestandleastgiftedofyoursex，IshouldhavelackedthefortitudetosustainthisinterviewcouldIhavepicturedyoutomyimaginationasyoureallyare。’
Oh！IfMrsVardencouldhaveseenthevirtuousgentlemanashesaidthesewords，withindignationsparklingfromhiseyes——ifshecouldhaveheardhisbroken，quaveringvoice——ifshecouldhavebeheldhimashestoodbareheadedinthesunlight，andwithunwontedenergypouredforthhiseloquence！
Withahaughtyface，butpaleandtremblingtoo，Emmaregardedhiminsilence。Sheneitherspokenormoved，butgazeduponhimasthoughshewouldlookintohisheart。
’Ithrowoff，’saidMrChester，’therestraintwhichnaturalaffectionwouldimposeonsomemen，andrejectallbondsbutthoseoftruthandduty。MissHaredale，youaredeceived;youaredeceivedbyyourunworthylover，andmyunworthyson。’
Stillshelookedathimsteadily，andstillsaidnotoneword。
’Ihaveeveropposedhisprofessionsofloveforyou;youwilldomethejustice，dearMissHaredale，torememberthat。Youruncleandmyselfwereenemiesinearlylife，andifIhadsoughtretaliation，Imighthavefoundithere。Butaswegrowolder，wegrowwiser——bitter，Iwouldfainhope——andfromthefirst，Ihaveopposedhiminthisattempt。Iforesawtheend，andwouldhavesparedyou，ifIcould。’
’Speakplainly，sir，’shefaltered。’Youdeceiveme，oraredeceivedyourself。Idonotbelieveyou——Icannot——Ishouldnot。’
’First，’saidMrChester，soothingly，’fortheremaybeinyourmindsomelatentangryfeelingtowhichIwouldnotappeal，praytakethisletter。Itreachedmyhandsbychance，andbymistake，andshouldhaveaccountedtoyouasIamtoldformyson’snotansweringsomeothernoteofyours。Godforbid，MissHaredale，’
saidthegoodgentleman，withgreatemotion，’thatthereshouldbeinyourgentlebreastonecauselessgroundofquarrelwithhim。
Youshouldknow，andyouwillsee，thathewasinnofaulthere。’
Thereappearedsomethingsoverycandid，soscrupulouslyhonourable，soverytruthfulandjustinthiscoursesomethingwhichrenderedtheuprightpersonwhoresortedtoit，soworthyofbelief——thatEmma’sheart，forthefirsttime，sunkwithinher。
Sheturnedawayandburstintotears。
’Iwould，’saidMrChester，leaningoverher，andspeakinginmildandquitevenerableaccents;’Iwould，deargirl，itweremytasktobanish，notincrease，thosetokensofyourgrief。Myson，myerringson，——Iwillnotcallhimdeliberatelycriminalinthis，formensoyoung，whohavebeeninconstanttwiceorthricebefore，actwithoutreflection，almostwithoutaknowledgeofthewrongtheydo，——willbreakhisplightedfaithtoyou;hasbrokenitevennow。
ShallIstophere，andhavinggivenyouthiswarning，leaveittobefulfilled;orshallIgoon？’
’Youwillgoon，sir，’sheanswered，’andspeakmoreplainlyyet，injusticebothtohimandme。’
’Mydeargirl，’saidMrChester，bendingoverhermoreaffectionatelystill;’whomIwouldcallmydaughter，buttheFatesforbid，Edwardseekstobreakwithyouuponafalseandmostunwarrantablepretence。Ihaveitonhisownshowing;inhisownhand。Forgiveme，ifIhavehadawatchuponhisconduct;Iamhisfather;Ihadaregardforyourpeaceandhishonour，andnobetterresourcewasleftme。Thereliesonhisdeskatthispresentmoment，readyfortransmissiontoyou，aletter，inwhichhetellsyouthatourpoverty——ourpoverty;hisandmine，MissHaredale——
forbidshimtopursuehisclaimuponyourhand;inwhichheoffers，voluntarilyproposes，tofreeyoufromyourpledge;andtalksmagnanimouslymendoso，verycommonly，insuchcasesofbeingintimemoreworthyofyourregard——andsoforth。Aletter，tobeplain，inwhichhenotonlyjiltsyou——pardontheword;Iwouldsummontoyouraidyourprideanddignity——notonlyjiltsyou，I
fear，infavouroftheobjectwhoseslightingtreatmentfirstinspiredhisbriefpassionforyourselfandgaveitbirthinwoundedvanity，butaffectstomakeameritandavirtueoftheact。’
Sheglancedproudlyathimoncemore，asbyaninvoluntaryimpulse，andwithaswellingbreastrejoined，’Ifwhatyousaybetrue，hetakesmuchneedlesstrouble，sir，tocompasshisdesign。He’sverytenderofmypeaceofmind。Iquitethankhim。’
’ThetruthofwhatItellyou，dearyounglady，’hereplied，’youwilltestbythereceiptornon-receiptoftheletterofwhichI
speak。Haredale，mydearfellow，Iamdelightedtoseeyou，althoughwemeetundersingularcircumstances，anduponamelancholyoccasion。Ihopeyouareverywell。’
Atthesewordstheyoungladyraisedhereyes，whichwerefilledwithtears;andseeingthatheruncleindeedstoodbeforethem，andbeingquiteunequaltothetrialofhearingorofspeakingonewordmore，hurriedlywithdrew，andleftthem。Theystoodlookingateachother，andatherretreatingfigure，andforalongtimeneitherofthemspoke。
’Whatdoesthismean？Explainit，’saidMrHaredaleatlength。
’Whyareyouhere，andwhywithher？’
’Mydearfriend，’rejoinedtheother，resuminghisaccustomedmannerwithinfinitereadiness，andthrowinghimselfuponthebenchwithawearyair，’youtoldmenotverylongago，atthatdelightfuloldtavernofwhichyouaretheesteemedproprietorandamostcharmingestablishmentitisforpersonsofruralpursuitsandinrobusthealth，whoarenotliabletotakecold，thatIhadtheheadandheartofanevilspiritinallmattersofdeception。
Ithoughtatthetime;Ireallydidthink;youflatteredme。ButnowIbegintowonderatyourdiscernment，andvanityapart，dohonestlybelieveyouspokethetruth。Didyouevercounterfeitextremeingenuousnessandhonestindignation？Mydearfellow，youhavenoconception，ifyouneverdid，howfainttheeffortmakesone。’
MrHaredalesurveyedhimwithalookofcoldcontempt。’Youmayevadeanexplanation，Iknow，’hesaid，foldinghisarms。’ButI
musthaveit。Icanwait。’
’Notatall。Notatall，mygoodfellow。Youshallnotwaitamoment，’returnedhisfriend，ashelazilycrossedhislegs。’Thesimplestthingintheworld。Itliesinanutshell。Nedhaswrittenheraletter——aboyish，honest，sentimentalcomposition，whichremainsasyetinhisdesk，becausehehasn’thadthehearttosendit。Ihavetakenaliberty，forwhichmyparentalaffectionandanxietyareasufficientexcuse，andpossessedmyselfofthecontents。Ihavedescribedthemtoyournieceamostenchantingperson，Haredale;quiteanangeliccreature，withalittlecolouringanddescriptionadaptedtoourpurpose。It’sdone。Youmaybequiteeasy。It’sallover。Deprivedoftheiradherentsandmediators;herprideandjealousyrousedtotheutmost;withnobodytoundeceiveher，andyoutoconfirmme;youwillfindthattheirintercoursewillclosewithheranswer。IfshereceivesNed’sletterbyto-morrownoon，youmaydatetheirpartingfromto-morrownight。Nothanks，Ibeg;youowemenone。
Ihaveactedformyself;andifIhaveforwardedourcompactwithalltheardourevenyoucouldhavedesired，Ihavedonesoselfishly，indeed。’
’Icursethecompact，asyoucallit，withmywholeheartandsoul，’returnedtheother。’Itwasmadeinanevilhour。Ihaveboundmyselftoalie;Ihaveleaguedmyselfwithyou;andthoughI
didsowitharighteousmotive，andthoughitcostmesuchaneffortashaplyfewmenknow，Ihateanddespisemyselfforthedeed。’
’Youareverywarm，’saidMrChesterwithalanguidsmile。
’IAMwarm。Iammaddenedbyyourcoldness。’Death，Chester，ifyourbloodranwarmerinyourveins，andtherewerenorestraintsuponme，suchasthosethatholdanddragmeback——well;itisdone;youtellmeso，andonsuchapointImaybelieveyou。WhenIammostremorsefulforthistreachery，Iwillthinkofyouandyourmarriage，andtrytojustifymyselfinsuchremembrances，forhavingtornasunderEmmaandyourson，atanycost。Ourbondiscancellednow，andwemaypart。’
MrChesterkissedhishandgracefully;andwiththesametranquilfacehehadpreservedthroughout——evenwhenhehadseenhiscompanionsotorturedandtransportedbyhispassionthathiswholeframewasshaken——layinhisloungingpostureontheseatandwatchedhimashewalkedaway。
’Myscapegoatandmydrudgeatschool，’hesaid，raisinghisheadtolookafterhim;’myfriendoflaterdays，whocouldnotkeephismistresswhenhehadwonher，andthrewmeinherwaytocarryofftheprize;Itriumphinthepresentandthepast。Barkon，ill-
favoured，ill-conditionedcur;fortunehaseverbeenwithme——I
liketohearyou。’
Thespotwheretheyhadmet，wasinanavenueoftrees。MrHaredalenotpassingoutoneitherhand，hadwalkedstraighton。
Hechancedtoturnhisheadwhenatsomeconsiderabledistance，andseeingthathislatecompanionhadbythattimerisenandwaslookingafterhim，stoodstillasthoughhehalfexpectedhimtofollowandwaitedforhiscomingup。
’ItMAYcometothatoneday，butnotyet，’saidMrChester，wavinghishand，asthoughtheywerethebestoffriends，andturningaway。’Notyet，Haredale。Lifeispleasantenoughtome;
dullandfullofheavinesstoyou。No。Tocrossswordswithsuchaman——toindulgehishumourunlessuponextremity——wouldbeweakindeed。’
Forallthat，hedrewhisswordashewalkedalong，andinanabsenthumourranhiseyefromhilttopointfulltwentytimes。
Butthoughtfulnessbegetswrinkles;rememberingthis，hesoonputitup，smoothedhiscontractedbrow，hummedagaytunewithgreatergaietyofmanner，andwashisunruffledselfagain。
Chapter30
Ahomelyproverbrecognisestheexistenceofatroublesomeclassofpersonswho，havinganinchconcededthem，willtakeanell。Nottoquotetheillustriousexamplesofthoseheroicscourgesofmankind，whoseamiablepathinlifehasbeenfrombirthtodeaththroughblood，andfire，andruin，andwhowouldseemtohaveexistedfornobetterpurposethantoteachmankindthatastheabsenceofpainispleasure，sotheearth，purgedoftheirpresence，maybedeemedablessedplace——nottoquotesuchmightyinstances，itwillbesufficienttorefertooldJohnWillet。
OldJohnhavinglongencroachedagoodstandardinch，fullmeasure，onthelibertyofJoe，andhavingsnippedoffaFlemishellinthematteroftheparole，grewsodespoticandsogreat，thathisthirstforconquestknewnobounds。ThemoreyoungJoesubmitted，themoreabsoluteoldJohnbecame。Theellsoonfadedintonothing。Yards，furlongs，milesarose;andonwentoldJohninthepleasantestmannerpossible，trimmingoffanexuberanceinthisplace，shearingawaysomelibertyofspeechoractioninthat，andconductinghimselfinhissmallwaywithasmuchhighmightinessandmajesty，asthemostglorioustyrantthateverhadhisstatuerearedinthepublicways，ofancientorofmoderntimes。
Asgreatmenareurgedontotheabuseofpowerwhentheyneedurging，whichisnotoften，bytheirflatterersanddependents，sooldJohnwasimpelledtotheseexercisesofauthoritybytheapplauseandadmirationofhisMaypolecronies，who，intheintervalsoftheirnightlypipesandpots，wouldshaketheirheadsandsaythatMrWilletwasafatherofthegoodoldEnglishsort;
thattherewerenonew-fanglednotionsormodernwaysinhim;thatheputtheminmindofwhattheirfatherswerewhentheywereboys;
thattherewasnomistakeabouthim;thatitwouldbewellforthecountryifthereweremorelikehim，andmorewasthepitythattherewerenot;withmanyotheroriginalremarksofthatnature。
ThentheywouldcondescendinglygiveJoetounderstandthatitwasallforhisgood，andhewouldbethankfulforitoneday;andinparticular，MrCobbwouldacquainthim，thatwhenhewashisage，hisfatherthoughtnomoreofgivinghimaparentalkick，oraboxontheears，oracuffonthehead，orsomelittleadmonitionofthatsort，thanhedidofanyotherordinarydutyoflife;andhewouldfurtherremark，withlooksofgreatsignificance，thatbutforthisjudiciousbringingup，hemighthaveneverbeenthemanhewasatthatpresentspeaking;whichwasprobableenough，ashewas，beyondallquestion，thedullestdogoftheparty。Inshort，betweenoldJohnandoldJohn’sfriends，thereneverwasanunfortunateyoungfellowsobullied，badgered，worried，fretted，andbrow-beaten;soconstantlybeset，ormadesotiredofhislife，aspoorJoeWillet。
Thishadcometobetherecognisedandestablishedstateofthings;
butasJohnwasveryanxioustoflourishhissupremacybeforetheeyesofMrChester，hedidthatdayexceedhimself，anddidsogoadandchafehissonandheir，thatbutforJoe’shavingmadeasolemnvowtokeephishandsinhispocketswhentheywerenototherwiseengaged，itisimpossibletosaywhathemighthavedonewiththem。Butthelongestdayhasanend，andatlengthMrChestercamedownstairstomounthishorse，whichwasreadyatthedoor。
AsoldJohnwasnotinthewayatthemoment，Joe，whowassittinginthebarruminatingonhisdismalfateandthemanifoldperfectionsofDollyVarden，ranouttoholdtheguest’sstirrupandassisthimtomount。MrChesterwasscarcelyinthesaddle，andJoewasintheveryactofmakinghimagracefulbow，whenoldJohncamedivingoutoftheporch，andcollaredhim。
’Noneofthat，sir，’saidJohn，’noneofthat，sir。Nobreakingofpatroles。Howdareyoucomeoutofthedoor，sir，withoutleave？
You’retryingtogetaway，sir，areyou，andtomakeatraitorofyourselfagain？Whatdoyoumean，sir？’
’Letmego，father，’saidJoe，imploringly，ashemarkedthesmileupontheirvisitor’sface，andobservedthepleasurehisdisgraceaffordedhim。’Thisistoobad。Whowantstogetaway？’
’Whowantstogetaway！’criedJohn，shakinghim。’Whyyoudo，sir，youdo。You’retheboy，sir，’addedJohn，collaringwithoneband，andaidingtheeffectofafarewellbowtothevisitorwiththeother，’thatwantstosneakintohouses，andstirupdifferencesbetweennoblegentlemenandtheirsons，areyou，eh？
Holdyourtongue，sir。’
Joemadenoefforttoreply。Itwasthecrowningcircumstanceofhisdegradation。Heextricatedhimselffromhisfather’sgrasp，dartedanangrylookatthedepartingguest，andreturnedintothehouse。
’Butforher，’thoughtJoe，ashethrewhisarmsuponatableinthecommonroom，andlaidhisheaduponthem，’butforDolly，whoI
couldn’tbearshouldthinkmetherascaltheywouldmakemeouttobeifIranaway，thishouseandIshouldpartto-night。’
Itbeingeveningbythistime，SolomonDaisy，TomCobb，andLongParkes，wereallinthecommonroomtoo，andhadfromthewindowbeenwitnessesofwhathadjustoccurred。MrWilletjoiningthemsoonafterwards，receivedthecomplimentsofthecompanywithgreatcomposure，andlightinghispipe，satdownamongthem。
’We’llsee，gentlemen，’saidJohn，afteralongpause，’who’sthemasterofthishouse，andwhoisn’t。We’llseewhetherboysaretogovernmen，ormenaretogovernboys。’
’Andquiterighttoo，’assentedSolomonDaisywithsomeapprovingnods;’quiteright，Johnny。Verygood，Johnny。Wellsaid，MrWillet。Brayvo，sir。’
Johnslowlybroughthiseyestobearuponhim，lookedathimforalongtime，andfinallymadeanswer，totheunspeakableconsternationofhishearers，’WhenIwantencouragementfromyou，sir，I’llaskyouforit。Youletmealone，sir。Icangetonwithoutyou，Ihope。Don’tyoutackleme，sir，ifyouplease。’
’Don’ttakeitill，Johnny;Ididn’tmeananyharm，’pleadedthelittleman。
’Verygood，sir，’saidJohn，morethanusuallyobstinateafterhislatesuccess。’Nevermind，sir。Icanstandprettyfirmofmyself，sir，Ibelieve，withoutbeingshoredupbyyou。’Andhavinggivenutterancetothisretort，MrWilletfixedhiseyesupontheboiler，andfellintoakindoftobacco-trance。
Thespiritsofthecompanybeingsomewhatdampedbythisembarrassinglineofconductonthepartoftheirhost，nothingmorewassaidforalongtime;butatlengthMrCobbtookuponhimselftoremark，asherosetoknocktheashesoutofhispipe，thathehopedJoewouldthenceforthlearntoobeyhisfatherinallthings;thathehadfound，thatday，hewasnotoneofthesortofmenwhoweretobetrifledwith;andthathewouldrecommendhim，poeticallyspeaking，tomindhiseyeforthefuture。
’I’drecommendyou，inreturn，’saidJoe，lookingupwithaflushedface，’nottotalktome。’
’Holdyourtongue，sir，’criedMrWillet，suddenlyrousinghimself，andturninground。
’Iwon’t，father，’criedJoe，smitingthetablewithhisfist，sothatthejugsandglassesrungagain;’thesethingsarehardenoughtobearfromyou;fromanybodyelseIneverwillendurethemanymore。ThereforeIsay，MrCobb，don’ttalktome。’
’Why，whoareyou，’saidMrCobb，sneeringly，’thatyou’renottobetalkedto，eh，Joe？’
TowhichJoereturnednoanswer，butwithaveryominousshakeofthehead，resumedhisoldposition，whichhewouldhavepeacefullypreserveduntilthehouseshutupatnight，butthatMrCobb，stimulatedbythewonderofthecompanyattheyoungman’spresumption，retortedwithsundrytaunts，whichprovedtoomuchforfleshandbloodtobear。Crowdingintoonemomentthevexationandthewrathofyears，Joestartedup，overturnedthetable，felluponhislongenemy，pummelledhimwithallhismightandmain，andfinishedbydrivinghimwithsurprisingswiftnessagainstaheapofspittoonsinonecorner;plungingintowhich，headforemost，withatremendouscrash，helayatfulllengthamongtheruins，stunnedandmotionless。Then，withoutwaitingtoreceivethecomplimentsofthebystandersonthevictorybehadwon，heretreatedtohisownbedchamber，andconsideringhimselfinastateofsiege，piledalltheportablefurnitureagainstthedoorbywayofbarricade。
’Ihavedoneitnow，’saidJoe，ashesatdownuponhisbedsteadandwipedhisheatedface。’Iknewitwouldcomeatlast。TheMaypoleandImustpartcompany。I’marovingvagabond——shehatesmeforevermore——it’sallover！’
Chapter31
Ponderingonhisunhappylot，Joesatandlistenedforalongtime，expectingeverymomenttoheartheircreakingfootstepsonthestairs，ortobegreetedbyhisworthyfatherwithasummonstocapitulateunconditionally，anddeliverhimselfupstraightway。
Butneithervoicenorfootstepcame;andthoughsomedistantechoes，asofclosingdoorsandpeoplehurryinginandoutofrooms，resoundingfromtimetotimethroughthegreatpassages，andpenetratingtohisremoteseclusion，gavenoteofunusualcommotiondownstairs，nonearersounddisturbedhisplaceofretreat，whichseemedthequieterforthesefar-offnoises，andwasasdullandfullofgloomasanyhermit’scell。
Itcameondarkeranddarker。Theold-fashionedfurnitureofthechamber，whichwasakindofhospitalforalltheinvalidedmovablesinthehouse，grewindistinctandshadowyinitsmanyshapes;chairsandtables，whichbydaywereashonestcripplesasneedbe，assumedadoubtfulandmysteriouscharacter;andoneoldleprousscreenoffadedIndialeatherandgoldbinding，whichhadkeptoutmanyacoldbreathofairindaysofyoreandshutinmanyajollyface，frownedonhimwithaspectralaspect，andstoodatfullheightinitsallottedcorner，likesomegauntghostwhowaitedtobequestioned。Aportraitoppositethewindow——aqueer，oldgrey-eyedgeneral，inanovalframe——seemedtowinkanddozeasthelightdecayed，andatlength，whenthelastfaintglimmeringspeckofdaywentout，toshutitseyesingoodearnest，andfallsoundasleep。Therewassuchahushandmysteryabouteverything，thatJoecouldnothelpfollowingitsexample;andsowentoffintoaslumberlikewise，anddreamedofDolly，tilltheclockofChigwellchurchstrucktwo。
Stillnobodycame。Thedistantnoisesinthehousehadceased，andoutofdoorsallwasquiet;savefortheoccasionalbarkingofsomedeep-moutheddog，andtheshakingofthebranchesbythenightwind。Hegazedmournfullyoutofwindowateachwell-knownobjectasitlaysleepinginthedimlightofthemoon;andcreepingbacktohisformerseat，thoughtaboutthelateuproar，until，withlongthinkingof，itseemedtohaveoccurredamonthago。Thus，betweendozing，andthinking，andwalkingtothewindowandlookingout，thenightworeaway;thegrimoldscreen，andthekindredchairsandtables，beganslowlytorevealthemselvesintheiraccustomedforms;thegrey-eyedgeneralseemedtowinkandyawnandrousehimself;andatlasthewasbroadawakeagain，andveryuncomfortableandcoldandhaggardhelooked，inthedullgreylightofmorning。
Thesunhadbeguntopeepabovetheforesttrees，andalreadyflungacrossthecurlingmistbrightbarsofgold，whenJoedroppedfromhiswindowonthegroundbelow，alittlebundleandhistrustystick，andpreparedtodescendhimself。
Itwasnotaverydifficulttask;forthereweresomanyprojectionsandgableendsintheway，thattheyformedaseriesofclumsysteps，withnogreaterobstaclethanajumpofsomefewfeetatlast。Joe，withhisstickandbundleonhisshoulder，quicklystoodonthefirmearth，andlookedupattheoldMaypole，itmightbeforthelasttime。
Hedidn’tapostrophiseit，forhewasnogreatscholar。Hedidn’tcurseit，forhehadlittleill-willtogivetoanythingonearth。
Hefeltmoreaffectionateandkindtoitthaneverhehaddoneinallhislifebefore，sosaidwithallhisheart，’Godblessyou！’
asapartingwish，andturnedaway。
Hewalkedalongatabriskpace，bigwithgreatthoughtsofgoingforasoldieranddyinginsomeforeigncountrywhereitwasveryhotandsandy，andleavingGodknowswhatunheard-ofwealthinprize-moneytoDolly，whowouldbeverymuchaffectedwhenshecametoknowofit;andfullofsuchyouthfulvisions，whichweresometimessanguineandsometimesmelancholy，butalwayshadherfortheirmainpointandcentre，pushedonvigorouslyuntilthenoiseofLondonsoundedinhisears，andtheBlackLionhoveinsight。
Itwasonlyeighto’clockthen，andverymuchastonishedtheBlackLionwas，toseehimcomewalkinginwithdustuponhisfeetatthatearlyhour，withnogreymaretobearhimcompany。Butasheorderedbreakfasttobegotreadywithallspeed，andonitsbeingsetbeforehimgaveindisputabletokensofaheartyappetite，theLionreceivedhim，asusual，withahospitablewelcome;andtreatedhimwiththosemarksofdistinction，which，asaregularcustomer，andonewithinthefreemasonryofthetrade，hehadarighttoclaim。
ThisLionorlandlord，——forhewascalledbothmanandbeast，byreasonofhishavinginstructedtheartistwhopaintedhissign，toconveyintothefeaturesofthelordlybrutewhoseeffigyitbore，asnearacounterpartofhisownfaceashisskillcouldcompassanddevise，——wasagentlemanalmostasquickofapprehension，andofalmostassubtleawit，asthemightyJohnhimself。Butthedifferencebetweenthemlayinthis:thatwhereasMrWillet’sextremesagacityandacutenessweretheeffortsofunassistednature，theLionstoodindebted，innosmallamount，tobeer;ofwhichheswiggedsuchcopiousdraughts，thatmostofhisfacultieswereutterlydrownedandwashedaway，excepttheonegreatfacultyofsleep，whichheretainedinsurprisingperfection。ThecreakingLionoverthehouse-doorwas，therefore，tosaythetruth，ratheradrowsy，tame，andfeeblelion;andasthesesocialrepresentativesofasavageclassareusuallyofaconventionalcharacterbeingdepicted，forthemostpart，inimpossibleattitudesandofunearthlycolours，hewasfrequentlysupposedbythemoreignorantanduninformedamongtheneighbours，tobetheveritableportraitofthehostasheappearedontheoccasionofsomegreatfuneralceremonyorpublicmourning。
’Whatnoisyfellowisthatinthenextroom？’saidJoe，whenhehaddisposedofhisbreakfast，andhadwashedandbrushedhimself。
’Arecruitingserjeant，’repliedtheLion。
Joestartedinvoluntarily。Herewastheverythinghehadbeendreamingof，allthewayalong。
’AndIwish，’saidtheLion，’hewasanywhereelsebuthere。Thepartymakenoiseenough，butdon’tcallformuch。There’sgreatcrythere，MrWillet，butverylittlewool。Yourfatherwouldn’tlike’em，Iknow。’
Perhapsnotmuchunderanycircumstances。PerhapsifhecouldhaveknownwhatwaspassingatthatmomentinJoe’smind，hewouldhavelikedthemstillless。
’Isherecruitingfora——forafineregiment？’saidJoe，glancingatalittleroundmirrorthathunginthebar。
’Ibelieveheis，’repliedthehost。’It’smuchthesamething，whateverregimenthe’srecruitingfor。I’mtoldtherean’tadealofdifferencebetweenafinemanandanotherone，whenthey’reshotthroughandthrough。’
’They’renotallshot，’saidJoe。
’No，’theLionanswered，’notall。Thosethatare——supposingit’sdoneeasy——arethebestoffinmyopinion。’
’Ah！’retortedJoe，’butyoudon’tcareforglory。’
’Forwhat？’saidtheLion。
’Glory。’
’No，’returnedtheLion，withsupremeindifference。’Idon’t。
You’rerightinthat，MrWillet。WhenGlorycomeshere，andcallsforanythingtodrinkandchangesaguineatopayforit，I’llgiveithimfornothing。It’smybelief，sir，thattheGlory’sarmswouldn’tdoaverystrongbusiness。’
Theseremarkswerenotatallcomforting。Joewalkedout，stoppedatthedoorofthenextroom，andlistened。Theserjeantwasdescribingamilitarylife。Itwasalldrinking，hesaid，exceptthattherewerefrequentintervalsofeatingandlove-making。A
battlewasthefinestthingintheworld——whenyoursidewonit——
andEnglishmenalwaysdidthat。’Supposingyoushouldbekilled，sir？’saidatimidvoiceinonecorner。’Well，sir，supposingyoushouldbe，’saidtheserjeant，’whatthen？Yourcountrylovesyou，sir;hisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdlovesyou;yourmemoryishonoured，revered，respected;everybody’sfondofyou，andgratefultoyou;yourname’swrotedownatfulllengthinabookintheWarOffice。Damme，gentlemen，wemustalldiesometime，oranother，eh？’
Thevoicecoughed，andsaidnomore。
Joewalkedintotheroom。Agroupofhalf-a-dozenfellowshadgatheredtogetherinthetaproom，andwerelisteningwithgreedyears。Oneofthem，acarterinasmockfrock，seemedwaveringanddisposedtoenlist。Therest，whowerebynomeansdisposed，stronglyurgedhimtodosoaccordingtothecustomofmankind，backedtheserjeant’sarguments，andgrinnedamongthemselves。’I
saynothing，boys，’saidtheserjeant，whosatalittleapart，drinkinghisliquor。’Forladsofspirit’——herehecastaneyeonJoe——’thisisthetime。Idon’twanttoinveigleyou。Theking’snotcometothat，Ihope。Briskyoungbloodiswhatwewant;notmilkandwater。Wewon’ttakefivemenoutofsix。Wewanttop-
sawyers，wedo。I’mnota-goingtotelltalesoutofschool，but，damme，ifeverygentleman’ssonthatcarriesarmsinourcorps，throughbeingunderacloudandhavinglittledifferenceswithhisrelations，wascountedup’——herehiseyefellonJoeagain，andsogood-naturedly，thatJoebeckonedhimout。Hecamedirectly。
’You’reagentleman，byG——！’washisfirstremark，asheslappedhimontheback。’You’reagentlemanindisguise。SoamI。Let’sswearafriendship。’
Joedidn’texactlydothat，butheshookhandswithhim，andthankedhimforhisgoodopinion。
’Youwanttoserve，’saidhisnewfriend。’Youshall。Youweremadeforit。You’reoneofusbynature。What’llyoutaketodrink？’
’Nothingjustnow，’repliedJoe，smilingfaintly。’Ihaven’tquitemadeupmymind。’
’Amettlesomefellowlikeyou，andnotmadeuphismind！’criedtheserjeant。’Here——letmegivethebellapull，andyou’llmakeupyourmindinhalfaminute，Iknow。’
’You’rerightsofar’——answeredJoe，’forifyoupullthebellhere，whereI’mknown，there’llbeanendofmysoldieringinclinationsinnotime。Lookinmyface。Youseeme，doyou？’
’Ido，’repliedtheserjeantwithanoath，’andafineryoungfelloworonebetterqualifiedtoservehiskingandcountry，I
neversetmy——’heusedanadjectiveinthisplace——’eyeson。
’Thankyou，’saidJoe，’Ididn’taskyouforwantofacompliment，butthankyouallthesame。DoIlooklikeasneakingfelloworaliar？’
Theserjeantrejoinedwithmanychoiceasseverationsthathedidn’t;andthatifhistheserjeant’sownfatherweretosayhedid，hewouldruntheoldgentlemanthroughthebodycheerfully，andconsideritameritoriousaction。
Joeexpressedhisobligations，andcontinued，’Youcantrustmethen，andcreditwhatIsay。IbelieveIshallenlistinyourregimentto-night。ThereasonIdon’tdosonowis，becauseI
don’twantuntilto-night，todowhatIcan’trecall。WhereshallIfindyou，thisevening？’
Hisfriendrepliedwithsomeunwillingness，andaftermuchineffectualentreatyhavingforitsobjecttheimmediatesettlementofthebusiness，thathisquarterswouldbeattheCrookedBilletinTowerStreet;wherehewouldbefoundwakinguntilmidnight，andsleepinguntilbreakfasttimeto-morrow。
’AndifIdocome——whichit’samilliontoone，Ishall——whenwillyoutakemeoutofLondon？’demandedJoe。
’To-morrowmorning，athalfaftereighto’clock，’repliedtheserjeant。’You’llgoabroad——acountrywhereit’sallsunshineandplunder——thefinestclimateintheworld。’
’Togoabroad，’saidJoe，shakinghandswithhim，’istheverythingIwant。Youmayexpectme。’
’You’rethekindofladforus，’criedtheserjeant，holdingJoe’shandinhis，intheexcessofhisadmiration。’You’retheboytopushyourfortune。Idon’tsayitbecauseIbearyouanyenvy，orwouldtakeawayfromthecreditoftheriseyou’llmake，butifI
hadbeenbredandtaughtlikeyou，I’dhavebeenacolonelbythistime。’
’Tush，man！’saidJoe，’I’mnotsoyoungasthat。Needsmustwhenthedevildrives;andthedevilthatdrivesmeisanemptypocketandanunhappyhome。Forthepresent，good-bye。’
’Forkingandcountry！’criedtheserjeant，flourishinghiscap。
’Forbreadandmeat！’criedJoe，snappinghisfingers。Andsotheyparted。
Hehadverylittlemoneyinhispocket;solittleindeed，thatafterpayingforhisbreakfastwhichhewastoohonestandperhapstooproudtoscoreuptohisfather’schargehehadbutapennyleft。Hehadcourage，notwithstanding，toresistalltheaffectionateimportunitiesoftheserjeant，whowaylaidhimatthedoorwithmanyprotestationsofeternalfriendship，anddidinparticularrequestthathewoulddohimthefavourtoacceptofonlyoneshillingasatemporaryaccommodation。Rejectinghisoffersbothofcashandcredit，Joewalkedawaywithstickandbundleasbefore，bentupongettingthroughthedayashebestcould，andgoingdowntothelocksmith’sintheduskoftheevening;foritshouldgohard，hehadresolved，buthewouldhaveapartingwordwithcharmingDollyVarden。
HewentoutbyIslingtonandsoontoHighgate，andsatonmanystonesandgates，buttherewerenovoicesinthebellstobidhimturn。SincethetimeofnobleWhittington，fairflowerofmerchants，bellshavecometohavelesssympathywithhumankind。
Theyonlyringformoneyandonstateoccasions。Wanderershaveincreasedinnumber;shipsleavetheThamesfordistantregions，carryingfromstemtosternnoothercargo;thebellsaresilent;
theyringoutnoentreatiesorregrets;theyareusedtoitandhavegrownworldly。
Joeboughtaroll，andreducedhispursetotheconditionwithadifferenceofthatcelebratedpurseofFortunatus，which，whateverwereitsfavouredowner’snecessities，hadoneunvaryingamountinit。Intheserealtimes，whenalltheFairiesaredeadandburied，therearestillagreatmanypurseswhichpossessthatquality。Thesum-totaltheycontainisexpressedinarithmeticbyacircle，andwhetheritbeaddedtoormultipliedbyitsownamount，theresultoftheproblemismoreeasilystatedthananyknowninfigures。
Eveningdrewonatlast。Withthedesolateandsolitaryfeelingofonewhohadnohomeorshelter，andwasaloneutterlyintheworldforthefirsttime，hebenthisstepstowardsthelocksmith’shouse。Hehaddelayedtillnow，knowingthatMrsVardensometimeswentoutalone，orwithMiggsforhersoleattendant，tolecturesintheevening;anddevoutlyhopingthatthismightbeoneofhernightsofmoralculture。
Hehadwalkedupanddownbeforethehouse，ontheoppositesideoftheway，twoorthreetimes，whenashereturnedtoitagain，hecaughtaglimpseofaflutteringskirtatthedoor。ItwasDolly’s——towhomelsecoulditbelong？nodressbuthershadsuchaflowasthat。Hepluckeduphisspirits，andfolloweditintotheworkshopoftheGoldenKey。
Hisdarkeningthedoorcausedhertolookround。Ohthatface！
’Ifithadn’tbeenforthat，’thoughtJoe，’IshouldneverhavewalkedintopoorTomCobb。She’stwentytimeshandsomerthanever。
ShemightmarryaLord！’
Hedidn’tsaythis。Heonlythoughtit——perhapslookeditalso。
Dollywasgladtoseehim，andwasSOsorryherfatherandmotherwereawayfromhome。Joebeggedshewouldn’tmentionitonanyaccount。
Dollyhesitatedtoleadthewayintotheparlour，forthereitwasnearlydark;atthesametimeshehesitatedtostandtalkingintheworkshop，whichwasyetlightandopentothestreet。Theyhadgotbysomemeans，too，beforethelittleforge;andJoehavingherhandinhiswhichhehadnorighttohave，forDollyonlygaveithimtoshake，itwassolikestandingbeforesomehomelyaltarbeingmarried，thatitwasthemostembarrassingstateofthingsintheworld。
’Ihavecome，’saidJoe，’tosaygood-bye——tosaygood-byeforI
don’tknowhowmanyyears;perhapsforever。Iamgoingabroad。’
Nowthiswasexactlywhatheshouldnothavesaid。Herehewas，talkinglikeagentlemanatlargewhowasfreetocomeandgoandroamabouttheworldatpleasure，whenthatgallantcoachmakerhadvowedbutthenightbeforethatMissVardenheldhimboundinadamantinechains;andhadpositivelystatedinsomanywordsthatshewaskillinghimbyinches，andthatinafortnightmoreorthereaboutsheexpectedtomakeadecentendandleavethebusinesstohismother。
Dollyreleasedherhandandsaid’Indeed！’Sheremarkedinthesamebreaththatitwasafinenight，andinshort，betrayednomoreemotionthantheforgeitself。
’Icouldn’tgo，’saidJoe，’withoutcomingtoseeyou。Ihadn’ttheheartto。’
Dollywasmoresorrythanshecouldtell，thatheshouldhavetakensomuchtrouble。Itwassuchalongway，andhemusthavesuchadealtodo。AndhowWASMrWillet——thatdearoldgentleman——
’Isthisallyousay！’criedJoe。
All！Goodgracious，whatdidthemanexpect！Shewasobligedtotakeheraproninherhandandrunhereyesalongthehemfromcornertocorner，tokeepherselffromlaughinginhisface;——notbecausehisgazeconfusedher——notatall。
Joehadsmallexperienceinloveaffairs，andhadnonotionhowdifferentyoungladiesareatdifferenttimes;hehadexpectedtotakeDollyupagainattheverypointwherehehadleftherafterthatdeliciouseveningride，andwasnomorepreparedforsuchanalterationthantoseethesunandmoonchangeplaces。Hehadbuoyedhimselfupalldaywithanindistinctideathatshewouldcertainlysay’Don’tgo，’or’Don’tleaveus，’or’Whydoyougo？’
or’Whydoyouleaveus？’orwouldgivehimsomelittleencouragementofthatsort;hehadevenentertainedthepossibilityofherburstingintotears，ofherthrowingherselfintohisarms，ofherfallingdowninafaintingfitwithoutpreviouswordorsign;butanyapproachtosuchalineofconductasthis，hadbeensofarfromhisthoughtsthathecouldonlylookatherinsilentwonder。