\'No，Icannotsendyouaway:Icannot。Godknowswhatdarkfuturemayariseoutofthisevening\'swork；butIcannotsendyouaway!
Youmustsitdown，andIwillendeavourtocollectmythoughtsandseewhathadbetterbedone。
Atthatmomentaloudknockingatthehousedoorwasheardbyboth，accompaniedbyahurriedringingofthebellthatechoedfromattictobasement。Thedoorwasquicklyopened，andafterafewhastywordsofconverseinthehall，heavyfootstepsascendedthestairs。
ThefaceofMr。Swancourt，flushed，grieved，andstern，appearedroundthelandingofthestaircase。Hecamehigherup，andstoodbesidethem。GlancingoverandpastKnightwithsilentindignation，heturnedtothetremblinggirl。
\'OElfride!andhaveIfoundyouatlast？Aretheseyourtricks，madam？Whenwillyougetridofyouridiocies，andconductyourselflikeadecentwoman？Ismyfamilynameandhousetobedisgracedbyactsthatwouldbeascandaltoawasherwoman\'sdaughter？Comealong，madam；come!\'
\'Sheissoweary!\'saidKnight，inavoiceofintensestanguish。
\'Mr。Swancourt，don\'tbeharshwithher——letmebegofyoutobetenderwithher，andloveher!\'
\'Toyou，sir，\'saidMr。Swancourt，turningtohimasifbythesheerpressureofcircumstances，\'Ihavelittletosay。Icanonlyremark，thatthesoonerIcanretirefromyourpresencethebetterIshallbepleased。Whyyoucouldnotconductyourcourtshipofmydaughterlikeanhonestman，Idonotknow。Whyshe——afoolishinexperiencedgirl——shouldhavebeentemptedtothispieceoffolly，Idonotknow。Evenifshehadnotknownbetterthantoleaveherhome，youmighthave，Ishouldthink。\'
\'Itisnothisfault:hedidnottemptme，papa!Icame。\'
\'Ifyouwishedthemarriagebrokenoff，whydidn\'tyousaysoplainly？Ifyouneverintendedtomarry，whycouldyounotleaveheralone？Uponmysoul，itgratesmetothehearttobeobligedtothinksoillofamanIthoughtmyfriend!\'
Knight，soul-sickandwearyofhislife，didnotarousehimselftoutterawordinreply。HowshouldhedefendhimselfwhenhisdefencewastheaccusationofElfride？Onthataccounthefeltamiserablesatisfactioninlettingherfathergoonthinkingandspeakingwrongfully。Itwasafaintrayofpleasurestrayingintothegreatgloominessofhisbraintothinkthatthevicarmightneverknowbutthathe，asherlover，temptedheraway，whichseemedtobetheformMr。Swancourt\'smisapprehensionhadtaken。
\'Now，areyoucoming？\'saidMr。Swancourttoheragain。Hetookherunresistinghand，drewitwithinhisarm，andledherdownthestairs。Knight\'seyesfollowedher，thelastmomentbegettinginhimafrantichopethatshewouldturnherhead。Shepassedon，andneverlookedback。
Heheardthedooropen——closeagain。Thewheelsofacabgrazedthekerbstone，amurmureddirectionfollowed。Thedoorwasslammedtogether，thewheelsmoved，andtheyrolledaway。
FromthathourofherreappearanceadreadfulconflictragedwithinthebreastofHenryKnight。Hisinstinct，emotion，affectiveness——orwhateveritmaybecalled——urgedhimtostandforward，seizeuponElfride，andbehercherisherandprotectorthroughlife。ThencamethedevastatingthoughtthatElfride\'schildlike，unreasoning，andindiscreetactinflyingtohimonlyprovedthattheproprietiesmustbeadeadletterwithher；thattheunreserve，whichwasreallyartlessnesswithoutballast，meantindifferencetodecorum；andwhatsolikelyasthatsuchawomanhadbeendeceivedinthepast？Hesaidtohimself，inamoodofthebitterestcynicism:\'Thesuspiciousdiscreetwomanwhoimaginesdarkandevilthingsofallherfellow-creaturesisfartooshrewdtobedeludedbyman:trustingbeingslikeElfridearethewomenwhofall。\'
Hoursanddayswentby，andKnightremainedinactive。Lengtheningtime，whichmadefaintertheheart-awakeningpowerofherpresence，strengthenedthementalabilitytoreasonherdown。
Elfridelovedhim，heknew，andhecouldnotleaveofflovingherbutmarryherhewouldnot。IfshecouldbutbeagainhisownElfride——thewomanshehadseemedtobe——butthatwomanwasdeadandburied，andheknewhernomore!AndhowcouldhemarrythisElfride，onewho，ifhehadoriginallyseenherasshewas，wouldhavebeenbarelyaninterestingpitiableacquaintanceinhiseyes——
nomore？
Itcankeredhishearttothinkhewasconfrontedbytheclosestinstanceofaworsestateofthingsthananyhehadassumedinthepleasantsocialphilosophyandsatireofhisessays。
Themoralrightnessofthisman\'slifewasworthyofallpraise；
butinspiteofsomeintellectualacumen，Knighthadinhimamodicumofthatwrongheadednesswhichismostlyfoundinscrupulouslyhonestpeople。Withhim，truthseemedtoocleanandpureanabstractiontobesohopelesslychurnedinwitherroraspracticalpersonsfindit。HavingnowseenhimselfmistakeninsupposingElfridetobepeerless，nothingonearthcouldmakehimbelieveshewasnotsoverybadafterall。
Helingeredintownafortnight，doinglittleelsethanvibratebetweenpassionandopinions。Oneidearemainedintact——thatitwasbetterElfrideandhimselfshouldnotmeet。
Whenhesurveyedthevolumesonhisshelves——fewofwhichhadbeenopenedsinceElfridefirsttookpossessionofhisheart——theiruntouchedandorderlyarrangementreproachedhimasanapostatefromtheoldfaithofhisyouthandearlymanhood。Hehaddesertedthosenever-failingfriends，sotheyseemedtosay，foranunstabledelightinaductilewoman，whichhadendedallinbitterness。Thespiritofself-denial，vergingonasceticism，whichhadeveranimatedKnightinoldtimes，announceditselfashavingdepartedwiththebirthoflove，withithavinggonetheself-respectwhichhadcompensatedforthelackofself-
gratification。PoorlittleElfride，insteadofholding，asformerly，aplaceinhisreligion，begantoassumethehueofatemptation。PerhapsitwashumanandcorrectlynaturalthatKnightneveroncethoughtwhetherhedidnotoweheralittlesacrificeforheruncharydevotioninsavinghislife。
Withaconsciousnessofhavingthus，likeAntony，kissedawaykingdomsandprovinces，henextconsideredhowhehadrevealedhishighersecretsandintentionstoher，anunreservehewouldneverhaveallowedhimselfwithanymanliving。Howwasitthathehadnotbeenabletorefrainfromtellingherofadumbrationsheretoforelockedinthecloseststrongholdsofhismind？
Knight\'swasarobustintellect，whichcouldescapeoutsidetheatmosphereofheart，andperceivethathisownlove，aswellasotherpeople\'s，couldbereducedbychangeofsceneandcircumstances。Atthesametimetheperceptionwasasuperimposedsorrow:
\'Olastregret，regretcandie!\'
Butbeingconvincedthatthedeathofthisregretwasthebestthingforhim，hedidnotlongshrinkfromattemptingit。Heclosedhischambers，suspendedhisconnectionwitheditors，andleftLondonfortheContinent。Herewewillleavehimtowanderwithoutpurpose，beyondthenominaloneofencouragingobliviousnessofElfride。
ChapterXXXVI
\'Thepennie\'sthejewelthatbeautifiesa\'。\'
\'Ican\'tthinkwhat\'scomingtotheseSt。Launce\'speopleatallatall。\'
\'Withtheir\"How-d\'ye-do\'s，\"doyoumean？\'
\'Ay，withtheir\"How-d\'ye-do\'s，\"andshakingofhands，askingmein，andtenderinquiriesforyou，John。\'
ThesewordsformedpartofaconversationbetweenJohnSmithandhiswifeonaSaturdayeveninginthespringwhichfollowedKnight\'sdeparturefromEngland。StephenhadlongsincereturnedtoIndia；andtheperseveringcouplethemselveshadmigratedfromLordLuxellian\'sparkatEndelstowtoacomfortableroadsidedwellingaboutamileoutofSt。Launce\'s，whereJohnhadopenedasmallstoneandslateyardinhisownname。
\'Whenwecameheresixmonthsago，\'continuedMrs。Smith，\'thoughIhadpaidreadymoneysomanyyearsinthetown，myfriskiershopkeeperswouldonlyspeakoverthecounter。Meet\'eminthestreethalf-an-hourafter，andthey\'dtreatmewithstaringignoranceofmyface。\'
\'Lookthroughyeasthroughaglasswinder？\'
\'Yes，thebrazenoneswould。Thequietandcooloneswouldglanceoverthetopofmyhead，pastmyside，overmyshoulder，butnevermeetmyeye。Thegentle-modestwouldturntheirfacessouthifI
werecomingeast，flitdownapassageifIwereabouttohalvethepavementwiththem。Therewasthespruceyoungbooksellerwouldplaythesametricks；thebutcher\'sdaughters；theupholsterer\'syoungmen。Handinglovewhendoingbusinessoutofsightwithyou；butcaringnothingfora\'oldwomanwhenplayingthegenteelawayfromallsignsoftheirtrade。\'
\'Trueenough，Maria。\'
\'Well，to-day\'tisalldifferent。I\'dnosoonergottomarketthanMrs。Joakesrusheduptomeintheeyesofthetownandsaid，\"MydearMrs。Smith，nowyoumustbetiredwithyourwalk!Comeinandhavesomelunch!Iinsistuponit；knowingyousomanyyearsasIhave!Don\'tyourememberwhenweusedtogolookingforowls\'
featherstogetherintheCastleruins？\"There\'snoknowingwhatyoumayneed，soIansweredthewomancivilly。Ihadn\'tgottothecornerbeforethatthrivingyounglawyer，Sweet，who\'squitethedandy，ranaftermeoutofbreath。\"Mrs。Smith，\"hesays，\"excusemyrudeness，butthere\'sabrambleonthetailofyourdress，whichyou\'vedraggedinfromthecountry；allowmetopullitoffforyou。”Ifyou\'llbelieveme，thiswasintheveryfrontoftheTownHall。What\'sthemeaningofsuchsuddenlovefora\'
oldwoman？\'
\'Can\'tsay；unless\'tisrepentance。\'
\'Repentance!wasthereeversuchafoolasyou。John？Didanybodyeverrepentwithmoneyin\'spocketandfiftyyearstolive？\'
\'Now，I\'vebeenthinkingtoo，\'saidJohn，passingoverthequeryashardlypertinent，\'thatI\'vehadmoreloving-kindnessfromfolksto-daythanIeverhavebeforesincewemovedhere。Why，oldAldermanTopewalkedouttothemiddleofthestreetwhereI
was，toshakehandswithme——so\'adid。Havingonmyworkingclothes，Ithought\'twasodd。Ay，andtherewasyoungWerrington。\'
\'Who\'she？\'
\'Why，themaninHillStreet，whoplaysandsellsflutes，trumpets，andfiddles，andgrandpehanners。HewastalkingtoEgloskerry，thatverysmallbachelor-manwithmoneyinthefunds。
Iwasgoingby，I\'msure，withoutthinkingorexpectinganodfrommenofthatglibkidneywheninmyworkingclothes——\'
\'Youalwayswillgopokingintotowninyourworkingclothes。BegyoutochangehowIwill，\'tisnouse。\'
\'Well，however，Iwasinmyworkingclothes。Werringtonsawme。
\"Ah，Mr。Smith!afinemorning；excellentweatherforbuilding，\"
sayshe，outasloudandfriendlyasifI\'dmethiminsomedeephollow，wherehecouldgetnobodyelsetospeaktoatall。\'Twasodd:forWerringtonisoneoftheveryringleadersofthefastclass。\'
Atthatmomentatapcametothedoor。ThedoorwasimmediatelyopenedbyMrs。Smithinperson。
\'You\'llexcuseus，I\'msure，Mrs。Smith，butthisbeautifulspringweatherwastoomuchforus。Yes，andwecouldstayinnolonger；
andItookMrs。Trewenuponmyarmdirectlywe\'dhadacupoftea，andoutwecame。Andseeingyourbeautifulcrocusesinsuchabloom，we\'vetakenthelibertytoenter。We\'llsteproundthegarden，ifyoudon\'tmind。\'
\'Notatall，\'saidMrs。Smith；andtheywalkedroundthegarden。
Sheliftedherhandsinamazementdirectlytheirbackswereturned。\'Goodnesssendusgrace!\'
Whobethey？\'saidherhusband。
\'ActuallyMr。Trewen，thebank-manager，andhiswife。\'
JohnSmith，staggeredinmind，wentoutofdoorsandlookedoverthegardengate，tocollecthisideas。Hehadnotbeentheretwominuteswhenwheelswereheard，andacarriageandpairrolledalongtheroad。Adistinguished-lookinglady，withthedemeanourofaduchess，reclinedwithin。WhenoppositeSmith\'sgatesheturnedherhead，andinstantlycommandedthecoachmantostop。
\'Ah，Mr。Smith，Iamgladtoseeyoulookingsowell。IcouldnothelpstoppingamomenttocongratulateyouandMrs。Smithuponthehappinessyoumustenjoy。Joseph，youmaydriveon。\'
AndthecarriagerolledawaytowardsSt。Launce\'s。
OutrushedMrs。Smithfrombehindalaurel-bush，whereshehadstoodpondering。
\'Justgoingtotouchmyhattoher，\'saidJohn；\'justforalltheworldasIwouldhavetopoorLadyLuxellianyearsago。\'
\'Lord!whoisshe？\'
\'Thepublic-housewoman——what\'shername？Mrs——Mrs——attheFalcon。\'
\'Public-housewoman。TheclumsinessoftheSmithfamily!YouMIGHTsaythelandladyoftheFalconHotel，sinceweareinforpoliteness。Thepeopleareridiculousenough，butgivethemtheirdue。\'
ThepossibilityisthatMrs。Smithwasgettingmollified，inspiteofherself，bytheseremarkablyfriendlyphenomenaamongthepeopleofSt。Launce\'s。Andinjusticetothemitwasquitedesirablethatsheshoulddoso。Theinterestwhichtheunpractisedonesofthistownexpressedsogrotesquelywasgenuineofitskind，andequalinintrinsicworthtothemorepolishedsmilesoflargercommunities。
BythistimeMr。andMrs。Trewenwerereturningfromthegarden。
\'I\'llask\'emflat，\'whisperedJohntohiswife。\'I\'llsay，\"Webeinafog——you\'llexcusemyaskingaquestion，Mr。andMrs。
Trewen。Howisityouallbesofriendlyto-day？\"Hey？\'Twouldsoundrightandsensible，wouldn\'tit？\'
\'Notaword!Goodmercy，whenwillthemanhavemanners!\'
\'Itmustbeaproudmomentforyou，Iamsure，Mr。andMrs。Smith，tohaveasonsocelebrated，\'saidthebank-manageradvancing。
\'Ah，\'tisStephen——Iknewit!\'saidMrs。Smithtriumphantlytoherself。
\'Wedon\'tknowparticulars，\'saidJohn。
\'Notknow!\'
\'No。\'
\'Why，\'tisallovertown。OurworthyMayoralludedtoitinaspeechatthedinnerlastnightoftheEvery-Man-his-own-MakerClub。\'
\'AndwhataboutStephen？\'urgedMrs。Smith。
\'Why，yoursonhasbeenfetedbydeputy-governorsandParseeprincesandnobody-knows-whoinIndia；ishandinglovewithnabobs，andistodesignalargepalace，andcathedral，andhospitals，colleges，halls，andfortifications，bythegeneralconsentoftherulingpowers，ChristianandPaganalike。\'
\'\'Twassuretocometotheboy，\'saidMr。Smithunassumingly。
\'\'Tisinyesterday\'sSt。Launce\'sChronicle；andourworthyMayorinthechairintroducedthesubjectintohisspeechlastnightinamasterlymanner。\'
\'\'TwasverygoodoftheworthyMayorinthechairI\'msure，\'saidStephen\'smother。\'Ihopetheboywillhavethesensetokeepwhathe\'sgot；butasformen，theyareasimplesex。Somewomanwillhookhim。\'
\'Well，Mr。andMrs。Smith，theeveningclosesin，andwemustbegoing；andrememberthis，thateverySaturdaywhenyoucomeintomarket，youaretomakeourhouseasyourown。Therewillbealwaysatea-cupandsaucerforyou，asyouknowtherehasbeenformonths，thoughyoumayhaveforgottenit。I\'maplain-
speakingwoman，andwhatIsayImean。\'
Whenthevisitorsweregone，andthesunhadset，andthemoon\'srayswerejustbeginningtoassertthemselvesuponthewallsofthedwelling，JohnSmithandhiswifesatdawntothenewspapertheyhadhastilyprocuredfromthetown。Andwhenthereadingwasdone，theyconsideredhowbesttomeetthenewsocialrequirementssettlinguponthem，whichMrs。Smithconsideredcouldbedonebynewfurnitureandhouseenlargementalone。
\'And，John，mindonething，\'shesaidinconclusion。\'InwritingtoStephen，neverbyanymeansmentionthenameofElfrideSwancourtagain。We\'velefttheplace，andknownomoreaboutherexceptbyhearsay。Heseemstobegettingfreeofher，andgladamIforit。Itwasacloudyhourforhimwhenhefirstseteyesuponthegirl。Thatfamily\'sbeennogoodtohim，firstorlast；
soletthemkeeptheirbloodtothemselvesiftheywantto。Hethinksofher，Iknow，butnotsohopelessly。Sodon\'ttrytoknowanythingabouther，andwecan\'tanswerhisquestions。Shemaydieoutofhismindthen。\'
\'Thatshallbeit，\'saidJohn。
ChapterXXXVII
\'Aftermanydays。\'
Knightroamedsouth，undercolourofstudyingContinentalantiquities。
HepacedtheloftyaislesofAmiens，loiteredbyArdennesAbbey，climbedintothestrangetowersofLaon，analyzedNoyonandRheims。ThenhewenttoChartres，andexamineditsscalyspiresandquaintcarvingthenheidledaboutCoutances。HerowedbeneaththebaseofMontSt。Michel，andcaughtthevariedskylineofthecrumblingedificesencrustingit。St。Ouen\'s，Rouen，knewhimfordays；sodidVezelay，Sens，andmanyahallowedmonumentbesides。AbandoningtheinspectionofearlyFrenchartwiththesamepurposelesshasteashehadshowninundertakingit，hewentfurther，andlingeredaboutFerrara，Padua，andPisa。Satiatedwithmediaevalism，hetriedtheRomanForum。NextheobservedmoonlightandstarlighteffectsbythebayofNaples。HeturnedtoAustria，becameenervatedanddepressedonHungarianandBohemianplains，andwasrefreshedagainbybreezesonthedeclivitiesoftheCarpathians。
ThenhefoundhimselfinGreece。HevisitedtheplainofMarathon，andstrovetoimaginethePersiandefeat；toMarsHill，topictureSt。PauladdressingtheancientAthenians；toThermopylaeandSalamis，torunthroughthefactsandtraditionsoftheSecondInvasion——theresultofhisendeavoursbeingmoreorlesschaotic。Knightgrewaswearyoftheseplacesasofallothers。ThenhefelttheshockofanearthquakeintheIonianIslands，andwenttoVenice。HereheshotingondolasupanddownthewindingthoroughfareoftheGrandCanal，andloiteredoncalleandpiazzaatnight，whenthelaguneswereundisturbedbyaripple，andnosoundwastobeheardbutthestrokeofthemidnightclock。Afterwardsheremainedforweeksinthemuseums，galleries，andlibrariesofVienna，Berlin，andParis；andthencecamehome。
TimethusrollsusontoaFebruaryafternoon，dividedbyfifteenmonthsfromthepartingofElfrideandherloverinthebrownstubblefieldtowardsthesea。
TwomenobviouslynotLondoners，andwithatouchofforeignnessintheirlook，metbyaccidentononeofthegravelwalksleadingacrossHydePark。Theyounger，moregiventolookingabouthimthanhisfellow，sawandnoticedtheapproachofhisseniorsometimebeforethelatterhadraisedhiseyesfromtheground，uponwhichtheywerebentinanabstractedgazethatseemedhabitualwithhim。
\'Mr。Knight——indeeditis!\'exclaimedtheyoungerman。
\'Ah，StephenSmith!\'saidKnight。
Simultaneousoperationsmightnowhavebeenobservedprogressinginboth，theresultbeingthatanexpressionlessfrankandimpulsivethanthefirsttookpossessionoftheirfeatures。Itwasmanifestthatthenextwordsutteredwereasuperficialcoveringtoconstraintonbothsides。
\'HaveyoubeeninEnglandlong？\'saidKnight。
\'Onlytwodays，\'saidSmith。Indiaeversince？\'
\'Nearlyeversince。\'
\'TheyweremakingafussaboutyouatSt。Launce\'slastyear。I
fancyIsawsomethingofthesortinthepapers。\'
\'Yes；Ibelievesomethingwassaidaboutme。\'
\'Imustcongratulateyouonyourachievements。\'
\'Thanks，buttheyarenothingveryextraordinary。Anaturalprofessionalprogresswheretherewasnoopposition。\'
Therefollowedthatwantofwordswhichwillalwaysassertitselfbetweennominalfriendswhofindtheyhaveceasedtoberealones，andhavenotyetsunktothelevelofmereacquaintance。EachlookedupanddownthePark。KnightmaypossiblyhaveborneinmindduringtheinterveningmonthsStephen\'smannertowardshimthelasttimetheyhadmet，andmayhaveencouragedhisformerinterestinStephen\'swelfaretodieoutofhimasmisplaced。
StephencertainlywasfullofthefeelingsbegottenbythebeliefthatKnighthadtakenawaythewomanhelovedsowell。
StephenSmiththenaskedaquestion，adoptingacertainrecklessnessofmannerandtonetohide，ifpossible，thefactthatthesubjectwasamuchgreateronetohimthanhisfriendhadeversupposed。
\'Areyoumarried？\'
\'Iamnot。\'
Knightspokeinanindescribabletoneofbitternessthatwasalmostmoroseness。
\'AndInevershallbe，\'headdeddecisively。\'Areyou？\'
\'No，\'saidStephen，sadlyandquietly，likeamaninasick-room。
TotallyignorantwhetherornotKnightknewofhisownpreviousclaimsuponElfride，heyetresolvedtohazardafewmorewordsuponthetopicwhichhadanachingfascinationforhimevennow。
\'ThenyourengagementtoMissSwancourtcametonothing，\'hesaid。
\'YourememberImetyouwithheronce？\'
Stephen\'svoicegavewayalittlehere，indefianceofhisfirmestwilltothecontrary。Indianaffairshadnotyetloweredthoseemotionsdowntothepointofcontrol。
\'Itwasbrokenoff，\'camequicklyfromKnight。\'Engagementstomarryoftenendlikethat——forbetterorforworse。\'
\'Yes；sotheydo。Andwhathaveyoubeendoinglately？\'
\'Doing？Nothing。\'
\'Wherehaveyoubeen？\'
\'Icanhardlytellyou。Inthemain，goingaboutEurope；anditmayperhapsinterestyoutoknowthatIhavebeenattemptingtheseriousstudyofContinentalartoftheMiddleAges。MynotesoneachexampleIvisitedareatyourservice。Theyareofnousetome。\'
\'Ishallbegladwiththem……Oh，travellingfarandnear!\'
\'Notfar，\'saidKnight，withmoodycarelessness。\'Youknow，I
daresay，thatsheepoccasionallybecomegiddy——hydatidsinthehead，\'tiscalled，inwhichtheirbrainsbecomeeatenup，andtheanimalexhibitsthestrangepeculiarityofwalkingroundandroundinacirclecontinually。Ihavetravelledjustinthesameway——
roundandroundlikeagiddyram。\'
Thereckless，bitter，andramblingstyleinwhichKnighttalked，asifrathertoventhisimagesthantoconveyanyideastoStephen，strucktheyoungmanpainfully。Hisformerfriend\'sdayshadbecomecankeredinsomeway:Knightwasachangedman。Hehimselfhadchangedmuch，butnotasKnighthadchanged。
\'YesterdayIcamehome，\'continuedKnight，\'withouthaving，tothebestofmybelief，imbibedhalf-a-dozenideasworthretaining。\'
\'Youout-HamletHamletinmorbidnessofmood，\'saidStephen，withregretfulfrankness。
Knightmadenoreply。
\'Doyouknow，\'Stephencontinued，\'Icouldalmosthaveswornthatyouwouldbemarriedbeforethistime，fromwhatIsaw？\'
Knight\'sfacegrewharder。\'Couldyou？\'hesaid。
Stephenwaspowerlesstoforsakethedepressing，luringsubject。
\'Yes；andIsimplywonderatit。\'
\'Whomdidyouexpectmetomarry？\'
\'HerIsawyouwith。\'
\'Thankyouforthatwonder。\'
\'Didshejiltyou？\'
\'Smith，nowonewordtoyou，\'Knightreturnedsteadily。\'Don\'tyoueverquestionmeonthatsubject。Ihaveareasonformakingthisrequest，mind。Andifyoudoquestionme，youwillnotgetananswer。\'
\'Oh，Idon\'tforamomentwishtoaskwhatisunpleasanttoyou——
notI。IhadamomentaryfeelingthatIshouldliketoexplainsomethingonmyside，andhearasimilarexplanationonyours。
Butletitgo，letitgo，byallmeans。\'
\'Whatwouldyouexplain？\'
\'IlostthewomanIwasgoingtomarry:youhavenotmarriedasyouintended。Wemighthavecomparednotes。\'
\'Ihaveneveraskedyouawordaboutyourcase。\'
\'Iknowthat。\'
\'Andtheinferenceisobvious。\'
\'Quiteso。\'
\'Thetruthis，Stephen，Ihavedoggedlyresolvednevertoalludetothematter——forwhichIhaveaverygoodreason。\'
\'Doubtless。Asgoodareasonasyouhadfornotmarryingher。\'
\'Youtalkinsidiously。Ihadagoodone——amiserablygoodone!\'
Smith\'sanxietyurgedhimtoventureonemorequestion。
\'Didshenotloveyouenough？\'Hedrewhisbreathinaslowandattenuatedstream，ashewaitedintimoroushopefortheanswer。
\'Stephen，youratherstrainordinarycourtesyinpressingquestionsofthatkindafterwhatIhavesaid。Icannotunderstandyouatall。Imustgoonnow。\'
\'Why，goodGod!\'exclaimedStephenpassionately，\'youtalkasifyouhadn\'tatalltakenherawayfromanybodywhohadbetterclaimstoherthanyou!\'
\'Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\'saidKnight，withapuzzledair。
\'Whathaveyouheard？\'
\'Nothing。Itoomustgoon。Good-day。\'
\'Ifyouwillgo，\'saidKnight，reluctantlynow，\'youmust，I
suppose。IamsureIcannotunderstandwhyyoubehaveso。\'
\'NorIwhyyoudo。Ihavealwaysbeengratefultoyou，andasfarasIamconcernedweneedneverhavebecomesoestrangedaswehave。\'
\'AndhaveIeverbeenanythingbutwell-disposedtowardsyou，Stephen？SurelyyouknowthatIhavenot!Thesystemofreservebeganwithyou:youknowthat。\'
\'No，no!Youaltogethermistakeourposition。Youwerealwaysfromthefirstreservedtome，thoughIwasconfidentialtoyou。
Thatwas，Isuppose，thenaturalissueofourdifferingpositionsinlife。AndwhenI，thepupil，becamereservedlikeyou，themaster，youdidnotlikeit。However，Iwasgoingtoaskyoutocomeroundandseeme。\'
\'Whereareyoustaying？\'
\'AttheGrosvenorHotel，Pimlico。\'
\'SoamI。\'
\'That\'sconvenient，nottosayodd。Well，IamdetainedinLondonforadayortwo；thenIamgoingdowntoseemyfatherandmother，wholiveatSt。Launce\'snow。Willyouseemethisevening？\'
\'Imay；butIwillnotpromise。Iwaswishingtobealoneforanhourortwo；butIshallknowwheretofindyou，atanyrate。
Good-bye。\'
ChapterXXXVIII
\'Jealousyiscruelasthegrave。\'
Stephenponderednotalittleonthismeetingwithhisoldfriendandonce-belovedexemplar。Hewasgrieved，foramidallthedistractionsofhislatteryearsastillsmallvoiceoffidelitytoKnighthadlingeredoninhim。PerhapsthisstaunchnesswasbecauseKnightevertreatedhimasameredisciple——eventosnubbinghimsometimes；andhadatlast，thoughunwittingly，inflicteduponhimthegreatestsnubofall，thatoftakingawayhissweetheart。Theemotionalsideofhisconstitutionwasbuiltratherafterafemininethanamalemodel；andthattremendouswoundfromKnight\'shandmayhavetendedtokeepaliveawarmthwhichsolicitousnesswouldhaveextinguishedaltogether。
Knight，onhispart，wasvexed，aftertheyhadparted，thathehadnottakenStepheninhandalittleaftertheoldmanner。ThosewordswhichSmithhadletfallconcerningsomebodyhavingapriorclaimtoElfride，would，ifutteredwhenthemanwasyounger，haveprovokedsuchaqueryas，\'Come，tellmeallaboutit，mylad，\'
fromKnight，andStephenwouldstraightwayhavedeliveredhimselfofallheknewonthesubject。
Stephentheingenuousboy，thoughnowobliteratedexternallybyStephenthecontrivingman，returnedtoKnight\'smemoryvividlythatafternoon。HewasatpresentbutasojournerinLondon；andafterattendingtothetwoorthreemattersofbusinesswhichremainedtobedonethatday，hewalkedabstractedlyintothegloomycorridorsoftheBritishMuseumforthehalf-hourprevioustotheirclosing。ThatmeetingwithSmithhadreunitedthepresentwiththepast，closingupthechasmofhisabsencefromEnglandasifithadneverexisted，untilthefinalcircumstancesofhisprevioustimeofresidenceinLondonformedbutayesterdaytothecircumstancesnow。TheconflictthatthenhadragedinhimconcerningElfrideSwancourtrevived，strengthenedbyitssleep。
Indeed，inthosemanymonthsofabsence，thoughquellingtheintentiontomakeherhiswife，hehadneverforgottenthatshewasthetypeofwomanadaptedtohisnature；andinsteadoftryingtoobliteratethoughtsofheraltogether，hehadgrowntoregardthemasaninfirmityitwasnecessarytotolerate。
Knightreturnedtohishotelmuchearlierintheeveningthanhewouldhavedoneintheordinarycourseofthings。Hedidnotcaretothinkwhetherthisarosefromafriendlywishtoclosethegapthathadslowlybeenwideningbetweenhimselfandhisearliestacquaintance，orfromahankeringdesiretohearthemeaningofthedarkoraclesStephenhadhastilypronounced，betokeningthatheknewsomethingmoreofElfridethanKnighthadsupposed。
Hemadeahastydinner，inquiredforSmith，andsoonwasusheredintotheyoungman\'spresence，whomhefoundsittinginfrontofacomfortablefire，besideatablespreadwithafewscientificperiodicalsandartreviews。
\'Ihavecometoyou，afterall，\'saidKnight。\'Mymannerwasoddthismorning，anditseemeddesirabletocall；butthatyouhadtoomuchsensetonotice，Stephen，Iknow。PutitdowntomywanderingsinFranceandItaly。\'
\'Don\'tsayanotherword，butsitdown。Iamonlytoogladtoseeyouagain。\'
StephenwouldhardlyhavecaredtotellKnightjustthenthattheminutebeforeKnightwasannouncedhehadbeenreadingoversomeoldlettersofElfride\'s。Theywerenotmany；anduntilto-nighthadbeensealedup，andstowedawayinacornerofhisleathertrunk，withafewothermementoesandrelicswhichhadaccompaniedhiminhistravels。ThefamiliarsightsandsoundsofLondon，themeetingwithhisfriend，hadwithhimalsorevivedthatsenseofabidingcontinuitywithregardtoElfrideandlovewhichhisabsenceattheothersideoftheworldhadtosomeextentsuspended，thoughneverruptured。Heatfirstintendedonlytolookovertheselettersontheoutside；thenhereadone；thenanother；untilthewholewasthusre-usedasastimulustosadmemories。Hefoldedthemawayagain，placedtheminhispocket，andinsteadofgoingonwithanexaminationintothestateoftheartisticworld，hadremainedmusingonthestrangecircumstancethathehadreturnedtofindKnightnotthehusbandofElfrideafterall。
Thepossibilityofanygivengratificationbegetsacumulativesenseofitsnecessity。Stephengavethereintohisimagination，andfeltmoreintenselythanhehadfeltformanymonthsthat，withoutElfride，hislifewouldneverbeanygreatpleasuretohimself，orhonourtohisMaker。
Theysatbythefire，chattingonexternalandrandomsubjects，neithercaringtobethefirsttoapproachthemattereachmostlongedtodiscuss。Onthetablewiththeperiodicalslaytwoorthreepocket-books，oneofthembeingopen。Knightseeingfromtheexposedpagethatthecontentsweresketchesonly，beganturningtheleavesovercarelesslywithhisfinger。When，sometimelater，Stephenwasoutoftheroom，Knightproceededtopasstheintervalbylookingatthesketchesmorecarefully。
Thefirstcrudeideas，pertainingtodwellingsofallkinds，wereroughlyoutlinedonthedifferentpages。Antiquitieshadbeencopied；fragmentsofIndiancolumns，colossalstatues，andoutlandishornamentfromthetemplesofElephantaandKenneri，werecarelesslyintrudeduponbyoutlinesofmoderndoors，windows，roofs，cooking-stoves，andhouseholdfurniture；
everything，inshort，whichcomeswithintherangeofapractisingarchitect\'sexperience，whotravelswithhiseyesopen。Amongtheseoccasionallyappearedroughdelineationsofmediaevalsubjectsforcarvingorillumination——headsofVirgins，Saints，andProphets。
Stephenwasnotprofessedlyafree-handdraughtsman，buthedrewthehumanfigurewithcorrectnessandskill。Initsnumerousrepetitionsonthesidesandedgesoftheleaves，Knightbegantonoticeapeculiarity。Allthefemininesaintshadonetypeoffeature。Therewerelargenimbiandsmallnimbiabouttheirdroopingheads，butthefacewasalwaysthesame。Thatprofile——
howwellKnightknewthatprofile!
Hadtherebeenbutonespecimenofthefamiliarcountenance，hemighthavepassedovertheresemblanceasaccidental；butarepetitionmeantmore。KnightthoughtanewofSmith\'shastywordsearlierintheday，andlookedatthesketchesagainandagain。
Ontheyoungman\'sentry，Knightsaidwithpalpableagitation——
\'Stephen，whoarethoseintendedfor？\'
Stephenlookedoverthebookwithutterunconcern，\'Saintsandangels，doneinmyleisuremoments。TheywereintendedasdesignsforthestainedglassofanEnglishchurch。\'
\'ButwhomdoyouidealizebythattypeofwomanyoualwaysadoptfortheVirgin？\'
\'Nobody。\'
AndthenathoughtracedalongStephen\'smindandhelookedupathisfriend。
Thetruthis，Stephen\'sintroductionofElfride\'slineamentshadbeensounconsciousthathehadnotatfirstunderstoodhiscompanion\'sdrift。Thehand，likethetongue，easilyacquiresthetrickofrepetitionbyrote，withoutcallinginthemindtoassistatall；andthishadbeenthecasehere。YoungmenwhocannotwriteversesabouttheirLovesgenerallytaketoportrayingthem，andintheearlydaysofhisattachmentSmithhadneverbeenwearyofoutliningElfride。Thelay-figureofStephen\'ssketchesnowinitiatedanadjustmentofmanythings。Knighthadrecognizedher。Theopportunityofcomparingnoteshadcomeunsought。
\'ElfrideSwancourt，towhomIwasengaged，\'hesaidquietly。
\'Stephen!\'
\'Iknowwhatyoumeanbyspeakinglikethat。\'
\'WasitElfride？YOUtheman，Stephen？\'
\'Yes；andyouarethinkingwhydidIconcealthefactfromyouthattimeatEndelstow，areyounot？\'
\'Yes，andmore——more。\'
\'Ididitforthebest；blamemeifyouwill；Ididitforthebest。AndnowsayhowcouldIbewithyouafterwardsasIhadbeenbefore？\'
\'Idon\'tknowatall；Ican\'tsay。\'
Knightremainedfixedinthought，andoncehemurmured——
\'Ihadasuspicionthisafternoonthattheremightbesomesuchmeaninginyourwordsaboutmytakingheraway。ButIdismissedit。Howcameyoutoknowher？\'hepresentlyasked，inalmostaperemptorytone。
\'Iwentdownaboutthechurch；yearsagonow。\'