Thefollowingchapterswerewrittenatatimewhenthecrazeforindiscriminatechurch-restorationhadjustreachedtheremotestnooksofwesternEngland，wherethewildandtragicfeaturesofthecoasthadlongcombinedinperfectharmonywiththecrudeGothicArtoftheecclesiasticalbuildingsscatteredalongit，throwingintoextraordinarydiscordallarchitecturalattemptsatnewnessthere。Torestorethegreycarcasesofamediaevalismwhosespirithadfled，seemedanotlessincongruousactthantosetaboutrenovatingtheadjoiningcragsthemselves。
Henceithappenedthatanimaginaryhistoryofthreehumanhearts，whoseemotionswerenotwithoutcorrespondencewiththesematerialcircumstances，foundintheordinaryincidentsofsuchchurch-
renovationsafittingframeforitspresentation。
Theshoreandcountryabout\'CastleBoterel\'isnowgettingwellknown，andwillbereadilyrecognized。Thespotis，Imayadd，thefurthestwestwardofallthoseconvenientcornerswhereinI
haveventuredtoerectmytheatrefortheseimperfectlittledramasofcountrylifeandpassions；anditliesnearto，ornogreatwaybeyond，thevagueborderoftheWessexkingdomonthatside，which，likethewesteringvergeofmodernAmericansettlements，wasprogressiveanduncertain。
This，however，isoflittleimportance。Theplaceispre-
eminentlyforonepersonatleasttheregionofdreamandmystery。Theghostlybirds，thepall-likesea，thefrothywind，theeternalsoliloquyofthewaters，thebloomofdarkpurplecast，thatseemstoexhalefromtheshorewardprecipices，inthemselveslendtothesceneanatmospherelikethetwilightofanightvision。
Oneenormoussea-bordcliffinparticularfiguresinthenarrative；andforsomeforgottenreasonorotherthiscliffwasdescribedinthestoryasbeingwithoutaname。Accuracywouldrequirethestatementtobethataremarkablecliffwhichresemblesinmanypointsthecliffofthedescriptionbearsanamethatnoeventhasmadefamous。
T。H。
March1899
THEPERSONS
ELFRIDESWANCOURTayoungLadyCHRISTOPHERSWANCOURTaClergymanSTEPHENSMITHanArchitectHENRYKNIGHTaReviewerandEssayistCHARLOTTETROYTONarichWidowGERTRUDEJETHWAYapoorWidowSPENSERHUGOLUXELLIANaPeerLADYLUXELLIANhisWifeMARYANDKATEtwolittleGirlsWILLIAMWORMadazedFactotumJOHNSMITHaMaster-masonJANESMITHhisWifeMARTINCANNISTERaSextonUNITYaMaid-servantOtherservants，masons，labourers，grooms，nondescripts，etc。，etc。
THESCENE
MostlyontheoutskirtsofLowerWessex。
ChapterI
\'Afairvestal，thronedinthewest\'
ElfrideSwancourtwasagirlwhoseemotionslayverynearthesurface。Theirnaturemoreprecisely，andasmodifiedbythecreepinghoursoftime，wasknownonlytothosewhowatchedthecircumstancesofherhistory。
Personally，shewasthecombinationofveryinterestingparticulars，whoserarity，however，layinthecombinationitselfratherthanintheindividualelementscombined。Asamatteroffact，youdidnotseetheformandsubstanceofherfeatureswhenconversingwithher；andthischarmingpowerofpreventingamaterialstudyofherlineamentsbyaninterlocutor，originatednotinthecloakingeffectofawell-formedmannerforhermannerwaschildishandscarcelyformed，butintheattractivecrudenessoftheremarksthemselves。Shehadlivedallherlifeinretirement——themonstrarigigitoofidlemenhadnotflatteredher，andattheageofnineteenortwentyshewasnofurtheroninsocialconsciousnessthananurbanyoungladyoffifteen。
Onepointinher，however，youdidnotice:thatwashereyes。Inthemwasseenasublimationofallofher；itwasnotnecessarytolookfurther:thereshelived。
Theseeyeswereblue；blueasautumndistance——blueastheblueweseebetweentheretreatingmouldingsofhillsandwoodyslopesonasunnySeptembermorning。Amistyandshadyblue，thathadnobeginningorsurface，andwaslookedINTOratherthanAT。
Astoherpresence，itwasnotpowerful；itwasweak。Somewomencanmaketheirpersonalitypervadetheatmosphereofawholebanquetinghall；Elfride\'swasnomorepervasivethanthatofakitten。
ElfridehadasherownthethoughtfulnesswhichappearsinthefaceoftheMadonnadellaSedia，withoutitsrapture:thewarmthandspiritofthetypeofwoman\'sfeaturemostcommontothebeauties——mortalandimmortal——ofRubens，withouttheirinsistentfleshiness。ThecharacteristicexpressionofthefemalefacesofCorreggio——thatoftheyearninghumanthoughtsthatlietoodeepfortears——washerssometimes，butseldomunderordinaryconditions。
ThepointinElfrideSwancourt\'slifeatwhichadeepercurrentmaybesaidtohavepermanentlysetin，wasonewinterafternoonwhenshefoundherselfstanding，inthecharacterofhostess，facetofacewithamanshehadneverseenbefore——moreover，lookingathimwithaMiranda-likecuriosityandinterestthatshehadneveryetbestowedonamortal。
Onthisparticulardayherfather，thevicarofaparishonthesea-sweptoutskirtsofLowerWessex，andawidower，wassufferingfromanattackofgout。AfterfinishingherhouseholdsupervisionsElfridebecamerestless，andseveraltimeslefttheroom，ascendedthestaircase，andknockedatherfather\'schamber-
door。
\'Comein!\'wasalwaysansweredinaheartyout-of-doorvoicefromtheinside。
\'Papa，\'shesaidononeoccasiontothefine，red-faced，handsomemanofforty，who，puffingandfizzinglikeaburstingbottle，layonthebedwrappedinadressing-gown，andeverynowandthenenunciating，inspiteofhimself，aboutoneletterofsomewordorwordsthatwerealmostoaths；\'papa，willyounotcomedownstairsthisevening？\'Shespokedistinctly:hewasratherdeaf。
\'Afraidnot——eh-hh!——verymuchafraidIshallnot，Elfride。
Piph-ph-ph!Ican\'tbearevenahandkerchiefuponthisdeucedtoeofmine，muchlessastockingorslipper——piph-ph-ph!There\'tisagain!No，Ishan\'tgetuptillto-morrow。\'
\'ThenIhopethisLondonmanwon\'tcome；forIdon\'tknowwhatI
shoulddo，papa。\'
\'Well，itwouldbeawkward，certainly。\'
\'Ishouldhardlythinkhewouldcometo-day。\'
\'Why？\'
\'Becausethewindblowsso。\'
\'Wind!Whatideasyouhave，Elfride!Whoeverheardofwindstoppingamanfromdoinghisbusiness？Theideaofthistoeofminecomingonsosuddenly!……Ifheshouldcome，youmustsendhimuptome，Isuppose，andthengivehimsomefoodandputhimtobedinsomeway。Dearme，whatanuisanceallthisis!\'
\'Musthehavedinner？\'
\'Tooheavyforatiredmanattheendofatediousjourney。\'
\'Tea，then？\'
\'Notsubstantialenough。\'
\'Hightea，then？Thereiscoldfowl，rabbit-pie，somepasties，andthingsofthatkind。\'
\'Yes，hightea。\'
\'MustIpourouthistea，papa？\'
\'Ofcourse；youarethemistressofthehouse。\'
\'What!sitthereallthetimewithastranger，justasifIknewhim，andnotanybodytointroduceus？\'
\'Nonsense，child，aboutintroducing；youknowbetterthanthat。A
practicalprofessionalman，tiredandhungry，whohasbeentravellingeversincedaylightthismorning，willhardlybeinclinedtotalkandaircourtesiesto-night。Hewantsfoodandshelter，andyoumustseethathehasit，simplybecauseIamsuddenlylaidupandcannot。Thereisnothingsodreadfulinthat，Ihope？Yougetallkindsofstuffintoyourheadfromreadingsomanyofthosenovels。\'
\'Ohno；thereisnothingdreadfulinitwhenitbecomesplainlyacaseofnecessitylikethis。But，yousee，youarealwaystherewhenpeoplecometodinner，evenifweknowthem；andthisissomestrangeLondonmanoftheworld，whowillthinkitodd，perhaps。\'
\'Verywell；lethim。\'
\'IsheMr。Hewby\'spartner？\'
\'Ishouldscarcelythinkso:hemaybe。\'
\'Howoldishe，Iwonder？\'
\'ThatIcannottell。YouwillfindthecopyofmylettertoMr。
Hewby，andhisanswer，uponthetableinthestudy。Youmayreadthem，andthenyou\'llknowasmuchasIdoaboutourvisitor。\'
\'Ihavereadthem。\'
\'Well，what\'stheuseofaskingquestions，then？TheycontainallIknow。Ugh-h-h!……Odplagueyou，youyoungscamp!don\'tputanythingthere!Ican\'tbeartheweightofafly。\'
\'Oh，Iamsorry，papa。Iforgot；Ithoughtyoumightbecold，\'
shesaid，hastilyremovingtherugshehadthrownuponthefeetofthesufferer；andwaitingtillshesawthatconsciousnessofheroffencehadpassedfromhisface，shewithdrewfromtheroom，andretiredagaindownstairs。
ChapterII
\'Twasontheeveningofawinter\'sday。\'
Whentwoorthreeadditionalhourshadmergedthesameafternooninevening，somemovingoutlinesmighthavebeenobservedagainsttheskyonthesummitofawildlonehillinthatdistrict。Theycircumscribedtwomen，havingatpresenttheaspectofsilhouettes，sittinginadog-cartandpushingalongintheteethofthewind。Scarcelyasolitaryhouseormanhadbeenvisiblealongthewholedrearydistanceofopencountrytheyweretraversing；andnowthatnighthadbeguntofall，thefainttwilight，whichstillgaveanideaofthelandscapetotheirobservation，wasenlivenedbythequietappearanceoftheplanetJupiter，momentarilygleaminginintenserbrilliancyinfrontofthem，andbySiriussheddinghisraysinrivalryfromhispositionovertheirshoulders。
Theonlylightsapparentonearthweresomespotsofdullred，glowinghereandthereuponthedistanthills，which，asthedriverofthevehiclegratuitouslyremarkedtothehirer，weresmoulderingfiresfortheconsumptionofpeatandgorse-roots，wherethecommonwasbeingbrokenupforagriculturalpurposes。Thewindprevailedwithbutlittleabatementfromitsdaytimeboisterousness，threeorfoursmallclouds，delicateandpale，creepingalongundertheskysouthwardtotheChannel。
Fourteenofthesixteenmilesinterveningbetweentherailwayterminusandtheendoftheirjourneyhadbeengoneover，whentheybegantopassalongthebrinkofavalleysomemilesinextent，whereinthewintryskeletonsofamoreluxuriantvegetationthanhadhithertosurroundedthemproclaimedanincreasedrichnessofsoil，whichshowedsignsoffarmorecarefulenclosureandmanagementthanhadanyslopestheyhadyetpassed。
Alittlefarther，andanopeningintheelmsstretchingupfromthisfertilevalleyrevealedamansion。
\'That\'sEndelstowHouse，LordLuxellian\'s，\'saidthedriver。
\'EndelstowHouse，LordLuxellian\'s，\'repeatedtheothermechanically。Hethenturnedhimselfsideways，andkeenlyscrutinizedthealmostinvisiblehousewithaninterestwhichtheindistinctpictureitselfseemedfarfromadequatetocreate。
\'Yes，that\'sLordLuxellian\'s，\'hesaidyetagainafterawhile，ashestilllookedinthesamedirection。
\'What，bewegoingthere？\'
\'No；EndelstowVicarage，asIhavetoldyou。\'
\'Ithoughtyoum\'thavealteredyourmind，sir，asyehavestaredthatwayatnothingsolong。\'
\'Ohno；Iaminterestedinthehouse，that\'sall。\'
\'Mostpeoplebe，asthesayingis。\'
\'NotinthesensethatIam。\'
\'Oh!……Well，hisfamilyisnobetterthanmyown，\'ab\'lieve。\'
\'Howisthat？\'
\'Hedgersandditchersbyrights。Butonceinancienttimesoneof\'em，whenhewasatwork，changedclotheswithKingCharlestheSecond，andsavedtheking\'slife。KingCharlescameuptohimlikeacommonman，andsaidoff-hand，\"Maninthesmock-frock，mynameisCharlestheSecond，andthat\'sthetruthon\'t。Willyoulendmeyourclothes？\"\"Idon\'tmindifIdo，\"saidHedgerLuxellian；andtheychangedthereandthen。\"Nowmindye，\"KingCharlestheSecondsaid，likeacommonman，asherodeaway，\"ifeverIcometothecrown，youcometocourt，knockatthedoor，andsayoutbold，\'IsKingCharlestheSecondathome？\'Tellyourname，andtheyshallletyouin，andyoushallbemadealord。”
Now，thatwasveryniceofMasterCharley？\'
\'Veryniceindeed。\'
\'Well，asthestoryis，thekingcametothethrone；andsomeyearsafterthat，awaywentHedgerLuxellian，knockedattheking\'sdoor，andaskedifKingCharlestheSecondwasin。\"No，heisn\'t，\"theysaid。\"Then，isCharlestheThird？\"saidHedgerLuxellian。\"Yes，\"saidayoungfellerstandingbylikeacommonman，onlyhehadacrownon，\"mynameisCharlestheThird。”And——\'
\'Ireallyfancythatmustbeamistake。Idon\'trecollectanythinginEnglishhistoryaboutCharlestheThird，\'saidtheotherinatoneofmildremonstrance。
\'Oh，that\'srighthistoryenough，only\'twasn\'tprented；hewasratheraqueer-temperedman，ifyouremember。\'
\'Verywell；goon。\'
\'And，byhookorbycrook，HedgerLuxellianwasmadealord，andeverythingwentonwelltillsometimeafter，whenhegotintoamostterriblerowwithKingCharlestheFourth\'Ican\'tstandCharlestheFourth。Uponmyword，that\'stoomuch。\'
\'Why？TherewasaGeorgetheFourth，wasn\'tthere？\'
\'Certainly。\'
\'Well，CharlesesbeascommonasGeorges。HoweverI\'llsaynomoreaboutit……Ah，well!\'tisthefunniestworldeverIlivedin——uponmylife\'tis。Ah，thatsuchshouldbe!\'
Theduskhadthickenedintodarknesswhiletheythusconversed，andtheoutlineandsurfaceofthemansiongraduallydisappeared。
Thewindows，whichhadbeforebeenasblackblotsonalighterexpanseofwall，becameilluminated，andweretransfiguredtosquaresoflightonthegeneraldarkbodyofthenightlandscapeasitabsorbedtheoutlinesoftheedificeintoitsgloomymonochrome。
Notanotherwordwasspokenforsometime，andtheyclimbedahill，thenanotherhillpiledonthesummitofthefirst。Anadditionalmileofplateaufollowed，fromwhichcouldbediscernedtwolight-housesonthecoasttheywerenearing，reposingonthehorizonwithacalmlustreofbenignity。Anotheroasiswasreached；alittledelllaylikeanestattheirfeet，towardswhichthedriverpulledthehorseatasharpangle，anddescendedasteepslopewhichdivedunderthetreeslikearabbit\'sburrow。
Theysanklowerandlower。
\'EndelstowVicarageisinsidehere，\'continuedthemanwiththereins。\'ThispartabouthereisWestEndelstow；LordLuxellian\'sisEastEndelstow，andhasachurchtoitself。Pa\'sonSwancourtisthepa\'sonofboth，andbobsbackwardandforward。Ah，well!
\'tisafunnyworld。\'Ab\'lievetherewasonceaquarrywherethishousestands。Themanwhobuiltitinpasttimescrapedalltheglebeforearthtoputroundthevicarage，andlaidoutalittleparadiseofflowersandtreesinthesoilhehadgottogetherinthisway，whilstthefieldshescrapedhavebeengoodfornothingeversince。\'
\'Howlonghasthepresentincumbentbeenhere？\'
\'Maybeaboutayear，orayearandhalf:\'tisn\'ttwoyears；fortheydon\'tscandalizehimyet；and，asarule，aparishbeginstoscandalizethepa\'sonattheendoftwoyearsamong\'emfamiliar。
Buthe\'saveryniceparty。Ay，Pa\'sonSwancourtknowsmeprettywellfromoftendrivingover；andIknowPa\'sonSwancourt。\'
Theyemergedfromthebower，sweptroundinacurve，andthechimneysandgablesofthevicaragebecamedarklyvisible。Notalightshowedanywhere。Theyalighted；themanfelthiswayintotheporch，andrangthebell。
Attheendofthreeorfourminutes，spentinpatientwaitingwithouthearinganysoundsofaresponse，thestrangeradvancedandrepeatedthecallinamoredecidedmanner。Hethenfanciedheheardfootstepsinthehall，andsundrymovementsofthedoor-
knob，butnobodyappeared。
\'Perhapstheybeantathome，\'sighedthedriver。\'AndIpromisedmyselfabitofsupperinPa\'sonSwancourt\'skitchen。Sichlovelymate-pizeandfiggedkeakes，andcider，anddropso\'cordialthattheydokeephere!\'
\'Allright，naibours!Beyerichmenorbeyepoormen，thatyemustneedscometotheworld\'sendatthistimeo\'night？\'
exclaimedavoiceatthisinstant；and，turningtheirheads，theysawaricketyindividualshamblingroundfromthebackdoorwithahornlanterndanglingfromhishand。
\'Timeo\'night，\'ab\'lieve!andtheclockonlygonesevenof\'em。
Showalight，andletusin，WilliamWorm。\'
\'Oh，thatyou，RobertLickpan？\'
\'Nobodyelse，WilliamWorm。\'
\'Andisthevisitingmana-come？\'
\'Yes，\'saidthestranger。\'IsMr。Swancourtathome？\'
\'That\'ais，sir。Andwouldyemindcomingroundbythebackway？
Thefrontdoorisgotstuckwi\'thewet，ashewilldosometimes；
andtheTurkcan\'topenen。IknowIamonlyapoorwamblingmanthat\'illneverpaytheLordformymaking，sir；butIcanshowthewayin，sir。\'
Thenewarrivalfollowedhisguidethroughalittledoorinawall，andthenpromenadedasculleryandakitchen，alongwhichhepassedwitheyesrigidlyfixedinadvance，aninbredhorrorofpryingforbiddinghimtogazearoundapartmentsthatformedthebacksideofthehouseholdtapestry。Enteringthehall，hewasabouttobeshowntohisroom，whenfromtheinnerlobbyofthefrontentrance，whithershehadgonetolearnthecauseofthedelay，sailedforththeformofElfride。Herstartofamazementatthesightofthevisitorcomingforthfromunderthestairsprovedthatshehadnotbeenexpectingthissurprisingflankmovement，whichhadbeenoriginatedentirelybytheingenuityofWilliamWorm。
Sheappearedintheprettiestofallfeminineguises，thatistosay，indemi-toilette，withplentyofloosecurlyhairtumblingdownabouthershoulders。Anexpressionofuneasinesspervadedhercountenance；andaltogethershescarcelyappearedwomanenoughforthesituation。Thevisitorremovedhishat，andthefirstwordswerespoken；Elfrideprelusivelylookingwithadealofinterest，notunmixedwithsurprise，atthepersontowardswhomshewastodothedutiesofhospitality。
\'IamMr。Smith，\'saidthestrangerinamusicalvoice。
\'IamMissSwancourt，\'saidElfride。
Herconstraintwasover。Thegreatcontrastbetweentherealityshebeheldbeforeher，andthedark，taciturn，sharp，elderlymanofbusinesswhohadlurkedinherimagination——amanwithclothessmellingofcitysmoke，skinsallowfromwantofsun，andtalkflavouredwithepigram——wassucharelieftoherthatElfridesmiled，almostlaughed，inthenew-comer\'sface。
StephenSmith，whohashithertobeenhiddenfromusbythedarkness，wasatthistimeofhislifebutayouthinappearance，andbarelyamaninyears。Judgingfromhislook，Londonwasthelastplaceintheworldthatonewouldhaveimaginedtobethesceneofhisactivities:
suchafacesurelycouldnotbenourishedamidsmokeandmudandfoganddust；suchanopencountenancecouldneverevenhaveseenanythingof\'theweariness，thefever，andthefret\'ofBabylontheSecond。
HiscomplexionwasasfineasElfride\'sown；thepinkofhischeeksasdelicate。HismouthasperfectasCupid\'sbowinform，andascherry-redincolourashers。Brightcurlyhair；brightsparklingblue-grayeyes；aboy\'sblushandmanner；neitherwhiskernormoustache，unlessalittlelight-brownfuronhisupperlipdeservedthelattertitle:thiscomposedtheLondonprofessionalman，theprospectofwhoseadventhadsotroubledElfride。
ElfridehastenedtosayshewassorrytotellhimthatMr。
Swancourtwasnotabletoreceivehimthatevening，andgavethereasonwhy。Mr。Smithreplied，inavoiceboyishbynatureandmanlybyart，thathewasverysorrytohearthisnews；butthatasfarashisreceptionwasconcerned，itdidnotmatterintheleast。
Stephenwasshownuptohisroom。InhisabsenceElfridestealthilyglidedintoherfather\'s。
\'He\'scome，papa。Suchayoungmanforabusinessman!\'
\'Oh，indeed!\'
\'Hisfaceis——well——PRETTY；justlikemine。\'
\'H\'m!whatnext？\'
\'Nothing；that\'sallIknowofhimyet。Itisrathernice，isitnot？\'
\'Well，weshallseethatwhenweknowhimbetter。Godownandgivethepoorfellowsomethingtoeatanddrink，forHeaven\'ssake。Andwhenhehasdoneeating，sayIshouldliketohaveafewwordswithhim，ifhedoesn\'tmindcominguphere。\'
Theyoungladyglideddownstairsagain，andwhilstsheawaitsyoungSmith\'sentry，thelettersreferringtohisvisithadbetterbegiven。
1——MR。SWANCOURTTOMR。HEWBY。
\'ENDELSTOWVICARAGE，Feb。18，18。
\'SIR，——Wearethinkingofrestoringthetowerandaisleofthechurchinthisparish；andLordLuxellian，thepatronoftheliving，hasmentionedyournameasthatofatrustworthyarchitectwhomitwouldbedesirabletoasktosuperintendthework。
\'Iamexceedinglyignorantofthenecessarypreliminarysteps。
Probably，however，thefirstisthatshouldyoube，asLordLuxelliansaysyouare，disposedtoassistusyourselforsomememberofyourstaffcomeandseethebuilding，andreportthereuponforthesatisfactionofparishionersandothers。
\'Thespotisaveryremoteone:wehavenorailwaywithinfourteenmiles；andthenearestplaceforputtingupat——calledatown，thoughmerelyalargevillage——isCastleBoterel，twomilesfurtheron；sothatitwouldbemostconvenientforyoutostayatthevicarage——whichIamgladtoplaceatyourdisposal——insteadofpushingontothehotelatCastleBoterel，andcomingbackagaininthemorning。
\'Anydayofthenextweekthatyouliketonameforthevisitwillfindusquitereadytoreceiveyou——Yoursverytruly，CHRISTOPHER
SWANCOURT。
2——MR。HEWBYTOMR。SWANCOURT。
\"PERCYPLACE，CHARINGCROSS，Feb。20，18。
\'DEARSIR，——Agreeablytoyourrequestofthe18thinstant，Ihavearrangedtosurveyandmakedrawingsoftheaisleandtowerofyourparishchurch，andofthedilapidationswhichhavebeensufferedtoaccruethereto，withaviewtoitsrestoration。
\'Myassistant，Mr。StephenSmith，willleaveLondonbytheearlytrainto-morrowmorningforthepurpose。Manythanksforyourproposaltoaccommodatehim。Hewilltakeadvantageofyouroffer，andwillprobablyreachyourhouseatsomehouroftheevening。Youmayputeveryconfidenceinhim，andmayrelyuponhisdiscernmentinthematterofchurcharchitecture。
\'Trustingthattheplansfortherestoration，whichIshallpreparefromthedetailsofhissurvey，willprovesatisfactorytoyourselfandLordLuxellian，Iam，dearsir，yoursfaithfully，WALTERHEWBY。\'
ChapterIII
\'Melodiousbirdssingmadrigals\'
ThatfirstrepastinEndelstowVicaragewasaveryagreeableonetoyoungStephenSmith。Thetablewasspread，asElfridehadsuggestedtoherfather，withthematerialsfortheheterogeneousmealcalledhightea——aclassofrefectionwelcometoallwhenawayfrommenandtowns，andparticularlyattractivetoyouthfulpalates。Thetablewasprettilydeckedwithwinterflowersandleaves，amidwhichtheeyewasgreetedbychops，chicken，pie，&c。，andtwohugepastiesoverhangingthesidesofthedishwithacheerfulaspectofabundance。
Attheend，towardsthefireplace，appearedthetea-service，ofold-fashionedWorcesterporcelain，andbehindthisarosetheslightformofElfride，attemptingtoaddmatronlydignitytothemovementofpouringouttea，andtohaveaweightyandconcernedlookinmattersofmarmalade，honey，andclottedcream。Havingmadeherownmealbeforehearrived，shefoundtoherembarrassmentthattherewasnothingleftforhertodobuttalkwhennotassistinghim。Sheaskedhimifhewouldexcuseherfinishingalettershehadbeenwritingataside-table，and，aftersittingdowntoit，tingledwithasenseofbeinggrosslyrude。However，seeingthathenoticednothingpersonallywronginher，andthathetoowasembarrassedwhensheattentivelywatchedhiscuptorefillit，Elfridebecamebetteratease；
andwhenfurthermoreheaccidentallykickedthelegofthetable，andthennearlyupsethistea-cup，justasschoolboysdid，shefeltherselfmistressofthesituation，andcouldtalkverywell。Inafewminutesingenuousnessandacommontermofyearsobliteratedallrecollectionthattheywerestrangersjustmet。Stephenbegantowaxeloquentonextremelyslightexperiencesconnectedwithhisprofessionalpursuits；andshe，havingnoexperiencestofallbackupon，recountedwithmuchanimationstoriesthathadbeenrelatedtoherbyherfather，whichwouldhaveastonishedhimhadheheardwithwhatfidelityofactionandtonetheywererendered。Uponthewhole，averyinterestingpictureofSweet-and-TwentywasonviewthateveninginMr。Swancourt\'shouse。
UltimatelyStephenhadtogoupstairsandtalkloudtothevicar，receivingfromhimbetweenhispuffsagreatmanyapologiesforcallinghimsounceremoniouslytoastranger\'sbedroom。\'But，\'
continuedMr。Swancourt，\'IfeltthatIwantedtosayafewwordstoyoubeforethemorning，onthebusinessofyourvisit。One\'spatiencegetsexhaustedbystayingaprisonerinbedalldaythroughasuddenfreakofone\'senemy——newtome，though——forI
haveknownverylittleofgoutasyet。However，he\'sgonetomyothertoeinaverymildmanner，andIexpecthe\'llslinkoffaltogetherbythemorning。Ihopeyouhavebeenwellattendedtodownstairs？\'
\'Perfectly。Andthoughitisunfortunate，andIamsorrytoseeyoulaidup，Ibegyouwillnottaketheslightestnoticeofmybeinginthehousethewhile。\'
\'Iwillnot。ButIshallbedownto-morrow。Mydaughterisanexcellentdoctor。Adoseortwoofhermildmixtureswillfetchmeroundquickerthanallthedrugstuffintheworld。Well，nowaboutthechurchbusiness。Takeaseat，do。Wecan\'taffordtostanduponceremonyinthesepartsasyousee，andforthisreason，thatacivilizedhumanbeingseldomstayslongwithus；
andsowecannotwastetimeinapproachinghim，orhewillbegonebeforewehavehadthepleasureofcloseacquaintance。Thistowerofoursis，asyouwillnotice，entirelygonebeyondthepossibilityofrestoration；butthechurchitselfiswellenough。
Youshouldseesomeofthechurchesinthiscounty。Floorsrotten:ivyliningthewalls。\'
\'Dearme!\'
\'Oh，that\'snothing。Thecongregationofaneighbourofmine，wheneverastormofraincomesonduringservice，opentheirumbrellasandholdthemuptillthedrippingceasesfromtheroof。
Now，ifyouwillkindlybringmethosepapersandlettersyouseelyingonthetable，Iwillshowyouhowfarwehavegot。\'
Stephencrossedtheroomtofetchthem，andthevicarseemedtonoticemoreparticularlytheslimfigureofhisvisitor。
\'Isupposeyouarequitecompetent？\'hesaid。
\'Quite，\'saidtheyoungman，colouringslightly。
\'Youareveryyoung，Ifancy——Ishouldsayyouarenotmorethannineteen？\'
Iamnearlytwenty-one。\'
\'Exactlyhalfmyage；Iamforty-two。\'
\'Bytheway，\'saidMr。Swancourt，aftersomeconversation，\'yousaidyourwholenamewasStephenFitzmaurice，andthatyourgrandfathercameoriginallyfromCaxbury。SinceIhavebeenspeaking，ithasoccurredtomethatIknowsomethingofyou。Youbelongtoawell-knownancientcountyfamily——notordinarySmithsintheleast。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkwehaveanyoftheirbloodinourveins。\'
\'Nonsense!youmust。Handmethe\"LandedGentry。”Now，letmesee。There，StephenFitzmauriceSmith——heliesinSt。Mary\'sChurch，doesn\'the？Well，outofthatfamilySprangtheLeaseworthySmiths，andcollaterallycameGeneralSirStephenFitzmauriceSmithofCaxbury——\'
\'Yes；Ihaveseenhismonumentthere，\'shoutedStephen。\'Butthereisnoconnectionbetweenhisfamilyandmine:therecannotbe。\'
\'Thereisnone，possibly，toyourknowledge。Butlookatthis，mydearsir，\'saidthevicar，strikinghisfistuponthebedpostforemphasis。\'Hereareyou，StephenFitzmauriceSmith，livinginLondon，butspringingfromCaxbury。HereinthisbookisagenealogicaltreeoftheStephenFitzmauriceSmithsofCaxburyManor。Youmaybeonlyafamilyofprofessionalmennow——Iamnotinquisitive:Idon\'taskquestionsofthatkind；itisnotinmetodoso——butitisasplainasthenoseinyourfacethatthere\'syourorigin!And，Mr。Smith，Icongratulateyouuponyourblood；
blueblood，sir；and，uponmylife，averydesirablecolour，astheworldgoes。\'
\'Iwishyoucouldcongratulatemeuponsomemoretangiblequality，\'saidtheyoungerman，sadlynolessthanmodestly。
\'Nonsense!thatwillcomewithtime。Youareyoung:allyourlifeisbeforeyou。Nowlook——seehowfarbackinthemistsofantiquitymyownfamilyofSwancourthavearoot。Here，yousee，\'
hecontinued，turningtothepage，\'isGeoffrey，theoneamongmyancestorswholostabaronybecausehewouldcuthisjoke。Ah，it\'sthesortofus!Butthestoryistoolongtotellnow。Ay，I\'mapoorman——apoorgentleman，infact:thoseIwouldbefriendswith，won\'tbefriendswithme；thosewhoarewillingtobefriendswithme，Iamabovebeingfriendswith。Beyonddiningwithaneighbouringincumbentortwo。andanoccasionalchat——
sometimesdinner——withLordLuxellian，aconnectionofmine，Iaminabsolutesolitude——absolute。\'
\'Youhaveyourstudies，yourbooks，andyour——daughter。\'
\'Ohyes，yes；andIdon\'tcomplainofpoverty。Cantocoramlatrone。Well，Mr。Smith，don\'tletmedetainyouanylongerinasickroom。Ha!thatremindsmeofastoryIonceheardinmyyoungerdays。\'Herethevicarbeganaseriesofsmallprivatelaughs，andStephenlookedinquiry。\'Oh，no，no!itistoobad——
toobadtotell!\'continuedMr。Swancourtinundertonesofgrimmirth。\'Well，godownstairs；mydaughtermustdothebestshecanwithyouthisevening。Askhertosingtoyou——sheplaysandsingsverynicely。Good-night；IfeelasifIhadknownyouforfiveorsixyears。I\'llringforsomebodytoshowyoudown。\'
\'Nevermind，\'saidStephen，\'Icanfindtheway。\'Andhewentdownstairs，thinkingofthedelightfulfreedomofmannerintheremotercountiesincomparisonwiththereserveofLondon。
\'Iforgottotellyouthatmyfatherwasratherdeaf，\'saidElfrideanxiously，whenStephenenteredthelittledrawing-room。
\'Nevermind；Iknowallaboutit，andwearegreatfriends，\'themanofbusinessrepliedenthusiastically。\'And，MissSwancourt，willyoukindlysingtome？\'
ToMissSwancourtthisrequestseemed，whatinfactitwas，exceptionallypoint-blank；thoughsheguessedthatherfatherhadsomehandinframingit，knowing，rathertohercost，ofhisunceremoniouswayofutilizingherforthebenefitofdullsojourners。Atthesametime，asMr。Smith\'smannerwastoofranktoprovokecriticism，andhisagetoolittletoinspirefear，shewasready——nottosaypleased——toaccede。Selectingfromthecanterburysomeoldfamilyditties，thatinyearsgonebyhadbeenplayedandsungbyhermother，Elfridesatdowntothepianoforte，andbegan，\"Twasontheeveningofawinter\'sday，\'inaprettycontraltovoice。
\'Doyoulikethatoldthing，Mr。Smith？\'shesaidattheend。
\'Yes，Idomuch，\'saidStephen——wordshewouldhaveuttered，andsincerely，toanythingonearth，fromgleetorequiem，thatshemighthavechosen。
\'YoushallhavealittleonebyDeLeyre，thatwasgivenmebyayoungFrenchladywhowasstayingatEndelstowHouse:
\'\"Jel\'aiplante，jel\'aivunaitre，Cebeaurosieroulesoiseaux，\"&c。；
andthenIshallwanttogiveyoumyownfavouritefortheverylast，Shelley\'s\"Whenthelampisshattered，\"assettomusicbymypoormother。IsomuchlikesingingtoanybodywhoREALLY