Uxmoorlookedgrave。Vizardaffectedtodoubttheirauthenticity。Hesaid，\"Youmaynotknowit，butIamazoologist，andtheseareantediluvianeccentricitiesthathavelongceasedtoembellishtheworldwelivein。Fie!MissGale。Downwithanachronisms。\"
MissGalesmiled，andadmittedthatoneortwooftheprodigiesresembledantediluvianmonsters，butsaidoracularlythatnaturewasfondofproducingthesamethingonalargescaleandasmallscale，anditwasquitepossiblethesmalltypeofantediluvianmonstermighthavesurvivedthelarge。
\"Thatismostingenious，\"saidVizard；\"butitdoesnotaccountforthisfellow。Heisnotanantediluvian；heisabarefacedmodern，forheisA
STEAMENGINE。\"
Thiscausedalaugh，forthecreaturehadaperpendicularneck，likeafunnel，thatroseoutofabodylikeahorizontalcylinder。
\"Atanyrate，\"saidMissGale，\"thelittlemonsterwasintheworldfirst；soheisnotanimitationofman\'swork。\"
\"Well，\"saidVizard，\"afterall，wehavehadenoughofthemonstersofthedeep。Nowwecanvarythemonotony，andsaythemonstersoftheshallow。ButIdon\'tseehowtheycancauserheumatism。\"
\"Ineversaidtheydid，\"retortedMissGale，sharply:\"butthewaterwhichcontainsthemissoftwater。Thereisnolimeinit，andthatisbadforthebonesineveryway。Onlythechildrendrinkitasitis:thewivesboilit，andsodrinksoftwateranddeadreptilesintheirtea。
Themeninstinctivelyavoiditanddrinknothingbutbeer。Thus，forwantofapurediluentwithlimeinsolution，anacidiscreatedinthebloodwhichproducesgoutintherich，andrheumatisminthepoor，thankstotheirmeagerfoodandexposuretotheweather。\"
\"Poorthings!\"saidwomanlyZoe。\"Whatistobedone?\"
\"La!\"saidFanny，\"throwlimeintotheponds。Thatwillkillthemonsters，andcuretheoldpeople\'sbonesintothebargain。\"
Thiscompendiousschemestrucktheimagination，butdidnotsatisfythejudgmentoftheassembly。
\"Fanny!\"saidZoe，reproachfully。
\"That_would_bekillingtwobirdswithonestone，\"suggestedUxmoor，satirically。
\"Thetendermerciesofthewickedarecruel，\"explainedVizard，composedly。
Zoereiteratedherquestion，Whatwastobedone?
MissGaleturnedtoherwithasmile。_\"We_havegotnothingtodobuttopointouttheseabominations。ThepersontoactistheRussianautocrat，thepaternaldictator，themonarchofallhesurveys，andadvocateofmonarchialinstitutions。Heisthebufferbetweenthepoorandalltheirills，especiallypoison:hemustdigawell。\"
EveryeyebeingturnedonVizardtoseehowhetookthis，hesaid，alittlesatirically，\"What!doesSciencebidmeboreforwateratthetopofahill?\"
\"Shedoes_so，\"_saidthevirago。\"Nowlookhere，goodpeople。\"
Andalthoughtheywerenotallgoodpeople，yettheyalldidlookthere，sheshonesowithintelligence，beingnowquiteonhermettle。
\"Half-civilizedmanmakesblundersthatboththesavageandthecivilizedavoid。Thesavagebuildshishutbyarunningstream。Thecivilizedmandrawsgoodwatertohisdoor，thoughhemustlaydownpipesfromahighlandlaketoalowlandcity。Itisonlyhalf-civilizedmanthatbuildsavillageonahill，anddrinksworms，andsnakes，andefts，andantediluvianmonstersinlimelesswater。ThenIsay，ifgreatbuthalfcivilizedmonarchswouldconsultScience_before_theybuilttheirserfhuts，Sciencewouldsay，\'Don\'tyougoandputdownhumanhabitationsfarfrompurewater——theuniversaldiluent，theonlycheapdiluent，andtheonlyliquidwhichdoesnotrequiredigestion，andthereforemustalwaysassist，andneverchemicallyresist，thedigestionofsolids。\'Butwhenthemischiefisdone，andthecottagesarebuiltonahillthreemilesfromwater，thenallthatSciencecandoistoshowtheremedy，andtheremedyis——boring。\"
\"Thentheremedyislikethediscussion，\"saidFannyDover，verypertly。
Zoewasamused，butshocked。MissGaleturnedherheadontheoffenderassharpasabird。\"Ofcourseitis，to_children，\"_saidshe；\"andthatiswhyIwishedtoconfineittomatureminds。ItistoyouIspeak，sir。
Areyoursubjectstodrinkpoison，orwillyouboremeawell?——Oh，please!\"
\"Doyouhearthat?\"saidVizard，piteously，toUxmoor。\"Threatenedandcajoledinonebreath。Whocanresistthisfatalsex?——MissGale，IwillboreawellonHillstokecommon。Anyideahowdeepwemustgo——totheantipodes，oronlytothecenter?\"
\"Threehundredandthirtyfeet，orthereabouts。\"
\"Nomore?Anyideawhatitwillcost?\"
\"OfcourseIhave。Thewell，thedoublewindlass，theironchain，thetwobuckets，acupolaoverthewell，andtwenty-threekeys——oneforeveryheadofahouseinthehamlet——willcostyouabout315pounds。\"
\"Why，thisisDetailmadewoman。Howdoyouknowallthis?\"
\"FromTomWilder。\"
\"Whoishe?\"
\"What，don\'tyouknow?HeistheeldestsonoftheIslipblacksmith，andamanthatwillmakehismark。HecastseveryThursdaynight。Heistheonlyvillageblacksmithinallthecountywho_casts。_Youknowthat，I
suppose。\"
\"No，Ihadnotthehonor。\"
\"Well，heis，then:andIthoughtyouwouldconsent，becauseyouaresogood:andsoIthoughttherecouldbenoharminsoundingTomWilder。Heofferstotakethewholecontract，ifsquire\'sagreeable；borethewell；
brickitfiftyyardsdown:hesaysthatoughttobedone，ifsheistohavejustice。\'She\'isthewell:andhewillalsoconstructthegear；hesaystheremustbetwoironchainsandtwobucketsgoingtogether；sothentheemptybucketdescendingwillhelpthemanorwomanatthewindlasstodrawthefullbucketup。315pounds:oneweek\'sincome，yourMajesty。\"
\"Shehasinspectedourrent-roll，now，\"saidVizard，pathetically:\"andknowsnothingaboutthematter。\"
\"Exceptthatitisamereflea-bitetoyoutoborethroughahillforwater。Forallthat，IhopeyouwillleavemetobattleitwithTomWilder。Thenyouwon\'tbecheated，foronce。_Youalwaysare，_anditisabominable。Itwouldhavebeenfivehundredifyouhadopenedthebusiness。\"
\"Iamsurethatistrue，\"saidZoe。SheaddedthiswouldpleaseMrs。
Judge:shewasfullofthesuperiorityofIsliptoHillstoke。
\"Stopabit，\"saidVizard。\"MissGalehasnotreportedonIslipyet。\"
\"No，dear；butshehaslookedintoeverything，forMrs。Judgetoldme。
Youhavebeenintothecottages?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"IntoMarks\'s?\"
\"Yes，IhavebeenintoMarks\'s。\"
Shedidnotseeminclinedtobeverycommunicative；soFanny，outofmischief，said，pertly，\"Andwhatdidyouseethere，withyourArguseye?\"
\"Isaw——threegenerations。\"
\"Ha!ha!La!didyounow?Andwhatweretheyalldoing?\"
\"Theywerealllivingtogether，nightandday，inoneroom。\"
Thisconveyednoverydistinctideatotheladies；butVizard，forthefirsttime，turnedredatthisrevelationbeforeUxmoor，improverofcottagelife。\"Confoundthebrutes!\"saidhe。\"Why，Ibuiltthemanewroom；alargerone:didn\'tyouseeit?\"
\"Yes。Theystacktheirpotatoesinit。\"
\"Justlikemypeople，\"saidUxmoor。\"Thatistheworstofit:theyresisttheirownimprovement。\"
\"Yes，but，\"saidthedoctress，\"withmonarchialpowerwecantrampleonthemfortheirgood。OutsideMarks\'sdooratthebackthereisamuck-heap，ashecallsit；alltherefuseofthehouseisthrownthere；
itisahorriblemelangeoforganicmatteranddecayingvegetables，ahot-bedoffeverandmalaria。Suffocatedandpoisonedwiththebreathofadozenpersons，theyopenthewindowforfreshair，andinrushestyphoidfromthestrongholditsvictimshavebuilt。Twochildrenwereburiedfromthathouselastyear。Theywerebothkilledbythedomesticarrangementsascertainlyasiftheyhadbeenshotwithadouble-barreledpistol。Theoutsiderosesyouadmiresoareasdelusiveasflattery；
theirsweetnesscoversafoul，unwholesomeden。\"
\"Marks\'scottage!Theshowplaceofthevillage!\"ZoeVizardflushedwithindignationattheboldhandoftruthsorudelyappliedtoapleasantandcherishedillusion。
Vizard，morecandidandopentonewtruths，shruggedhisshoulders，andsaid，\"WhatcanIdomorethanIhavedone?\"
\"Oh，itisnotyourfault，\"saidthedoctress，graciously。\"Itistheirs。
Only，asyouaretheirsuperiorinintelligenceandpower，youmightdosomethingtoputdownindecency，immorality，anddisease。\"
\"MayIaskwhat?\"
\"Well，youmightbuildagranaryforthepoorpeople\'spotatoes。Noroomcankeepthemdry；butyoubuildyourgranaryuponfourpillars:thenthatislikearoomoveracellar。\"
\"Well，I\'llbuilditso——ifIbuilditatall，\"saidVizard，dryly。\"Whatnext?\"
\"Thenyoucouldmakethemstacktheirpotatoesinthegranary，andusethespareroom，andsodividetheirfamilies，andgivemoralityachance。
Themuck-heapyoushoulddisperseatoncewiththestronghandofpower。\"
Atthislastproposal，SquireVizard——thetruthmustbetold——deliveredalong，plowman\'swhistleattheheadofhisowntable。
\"Pheugh!\"saidhe；\"foraladythatismorethanhalfrepublican，youseemtobetakingverykindlytomonarchialtyranny。\"
\"Well，now，I\'lltellyouthetruth，\"saidshe。\"Youhaveconvertedme。
Eversinceyoupromisedmethewell，Ihavediscoveredthatthebestformofgovernmentisagood-heartedtyrant。\"
\"Withafemaleviceroyoverhim，eh?\"
\"Onlyintheselittledomesticmatters，\"saidRhoda，deprecatingly。
\"Womenaregoodadvisersinsuchthings。Themalephysicianreliesondrugs。Medicalwomenarewantedtomoderatethatdelusion；topreventdiseasebydomesticvigilance，andcureitbyselectedesculentsandpureair。Thesewillcurefiftyforonethatmedicinecan；besidesdrugskilleversomany:theseneverkilledacreature。Youwillgivemethegranary，won\'tyou?Oh，andthere\'sablackpondinthecenterofthevillage。YourtenantPickett，whoisafool——begginghispardon——letsallhisliquidmanurerunoutofhisyardintothevillagetillitaccumulatesinapondrightoppositethefivecottagestheycallNewTown，anditsexhalationstainttheair。ThereareasmanyfeversinIslipasinthebackslumsofatown。Youmightfillthepondupwithchalk，andcompelPicketttosinkatankinhisyard，andcoverit；thenanagriculturaltreasurewouldbepreservedforitsproperuse，insteadofbeingpervertedintoasourceofinfection。\"
Vizardlistenedcivilly，and，asshestopped，requestedhertogoon。
\"Ithinkwehavehadenough，\"saidZoe，bitterly。
Rhoda，whowasinlovewithZoe，hungherhead，andsaid，\"Yes；Ihavebeenverybold。\"
\"Fiddlestick!\"saidVizard。\"Nevermindthosegirls。_You_speakoutlikeaman:astranger\'seyealwaysdiscoversthingsthatescapethenatives。
Proceed。\"
\"No；Iwon\'tproceedtillIhaveexplainedtoMissVizard。\"
\"Youmayspareyourselfthetrouble。MissVizardthoughtIslipwasaparadise。Youhavedispelledtheillusion，andshewillneverforgiveyou。MissDoverwill；becausesheislikeGallio——shecarethfornoneofthesethings。\"
\"Notapin，\"saidFanny，withadmirablefrankness。
\"Well，but，\"saidRhoda，naively，\"Ican\'tbearMissVizardtobeangrywithme；Iadmireherso。Pleaseletmeexplain。Islipisnoparadise——quitethereverse；butthefaultsofIsliparenot_your_
faults。Thechildrenareignorant；butyoupayforaschool。Thepeoplearepoorfrominsufficientwages；butyouarenotpaymaster。_Your_
gardeners，_your_hinds，andallyouroutdoorpeoplehaveenough。Yougivethemhouses。Youletcottagesandgardenstotherestathalftheirvalue；andveryoftentheydon\'tpaythat，butmakeexcuses；andyouacceptthem，thoughtheyareallstories；fortheycanpayeverybodybutyou，andtheironegoodbargainiswithyou。MissVizardhascarriedabasketallherlifewiththingsfromyourtableforthepoor。\"
MissVizardblushedcrimsonatthissuddenrevelation。
\"Ifamanorawomanhasservedyourhouselong，there\'sapensionforlife。Youareeasy，kind，andcharitable。ItisthefaultsofothersI
askyoutocure，becauseyouhavesuchpower。Now，forinstance，iftheboysatHillstokeareputty-faced，theboysatIsliphavenocalvestotheirlegs。Thatisasuresignofdeterioratingspecies。Thelowertypeofsavagehasnexttonocalf。Thecalfisasignofcivilizationandduenourishment。Thissinglephenomenonwasmyclew，andledmetoothers；
andIhaveexaminedthemothersandthepeopleofallages，andItellyouitisavillageofstarvelings。Hereachildbeginslifeastarveling，andendsashebegan。Thenursingmotherhasnotfoodenoughforone，farlessfortwo。Theman\'swagesareinsufficient，andthedietisnotonlyinsufficient，butinjudicious。Theracehasdeclined。
Thereareonlyfivereallybig，strongmen——JoshGrace，WillHudson，DavidWilder，AbsalomGreen，andJackGreenaway；andtheyarealloverfifty——menofanothergeneration。Ihavequestionedthesemenhowtheywerebred，andtheyallsaymilkwascommonwhentheywereboys。Manypoorpeoplekeptacow；squiredoledit；thefarmersgaveitorsolditcheap；butnowadaysitisscarcelytobehad。Now，thatisnotyourfault，butyouarethemanwhocanmendit。Newmilkismeatanddrinkespeciallytoyoungandgrowingpeople。Youhavealargemeadowatthebackofthevillage。Ifyoucouldbepersuadedtostartfourorfivecows，andletsomebodysellthenewmilktothepooratcostprice——say，fivefarthingsthequart。Youmustnotgiveit，ortheywillwatertheirmuckheapswithit。Withthosecowsaloneyouwillgetrid，inthenextgeneration，ofthehalf-grown，slouchingmen，thehollow-eyed，narrow-chested，round-backedwomen，andthecalflessboysoneseesalloverIslip，andrestorethestalwartracethatfilledthelittlevillageunderyoursiresandhaveleftproofsoftheirwholesomefoodonthetombstones:forIhavereadeveryinscription，andfarmorepeoplereachedeighty-fivebetween1750and1800thanbetween1820and1870。Ah，howIenvyyoutobeabletodosuchgreatthingssoeasily!WatertopoisonedHillstokewithonehand；milktostarvedIslipwiththeother。
Thisistobeindeedaking!\"
Theenthusiastrosefromthetableinherexcitement，andherfacewastransfigured；shelookedbeautifulforthemoment。
\"I\'lldoit，\"shoutedVizard；\"andyouareatrump。\"
MissGalesatdown，andthecolorlefthercheekentirely。
FannyDover，whohadaveryquickeyeforpassingevents，criedout，\"Ohdear!sheisgoingtofaint_now。\"_Thetoneimplied，whataplaguesheis!
ThereuponSevernerushedtoher，andwasgoingtosprinkleherface；butshefaltered，\"No!no!aglassofwine。\"Hegaveheronewithallthehurryandempressementintheworld。Shefixedhimwithastrangelookasshetookitfromhim:shesippedit；onetearranintoit。Shesaidshehadexcitedherself；butshewasallrightnow。ElasticRhoda!
\"Iamverygladofit，\"saidVizard。\"Youarequitestrongenoughwithoutfainting。ForHeaven\'ssake，don\'taddwoman\'sweaknesstoyourartillery，oryouwillbeirresistible；andIshallhavetodivideVizardCourtamongthevillagers。AtpresentIgetoffcheap，andScienceontheRampage:letmesee——onlyagranary，awell，andsixcows。\"
\"They\'llgiveasmuchmilkastwelvecowswithoutthewell，\"saidFanny。
Itwasherdayforwit。
Thistimeshewasrewardedwithagenerallaugh。
Itsubsided，assuchthingswill，andthenVizardsaid，solemnly，\"Newideasaresuggestedtomebythischarminginterview；andpermitmetogivethemaform，whichwilldoubtlessbenewtotheseaccomplishedladies:
\"\'Ginthere\'saholeina\'yourcoats，Iredeyetentit；Achiel\'samangyetakin\'notes，And，faith，he\'llprentit。\'\"
Zoelookedpuzzled，andFannyinquiredwhatlanguagethatwas。
\"Verygoodlanguage。\"
\"Thenperhapsyouwilltranslateitintolanguageonecanunderstand。\"
\"TheEnglishoftheday，eh?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youthinkthatwouldimproveit，doyou?Well，then:
\'Ifthereisadefectinanyoneofyourhabilimeats，Letmeearnestlyimpressonyoutheexpediencyofrepairingit；Anindividualisamongyouwithsingularpowersofobservation，Whichwillinfalliblyresultinprintingandpublication。\'
Zoe，youareanaffectionatesister；takethistooobservantladyintothegarden，poisonherwithrawfruit，andburyherunderapeartree。\"
Zoesaidshewouldcarryoutpartoftheprogramme，ifMissGalewouldcome。
Thentheladiesroseandrustledaway，andtherivalswouldhavefollowed，butVizarddetainedthemonthepretenseofconsultingthemaboutthewell；but，whentheladieshadgone，heownedhehaddoneitoutofhishatredtothesex。Hesaidhewassurebothgirlsdislikedhisviragointheirhearts，sohehadcompelledthemtospendanhourtogether，withoutanymantosoftentheirasperity。
Thismaliciousexperimentwastolerablysuccessful。Thethreeladiesstrolledtogether，dismalassoulsinpurgatory。Oneortwolittleattemptsatconversationweremade，butdiedoutforwantofsympathy。
ThenFannytriedpersonalities，thenaturaltopicofthesexingeneral。
\"MissGale，whichdoyouadmiremost，LordUxmoororMr。Severne?\"
\"Fortheirlooks?\"
\"Oh，ofcourse。\"
\"Mr。Severne。\"
\"Youdon\'tadmirebeards，then?\"
\"Thatdepends。Wherethemouthiswellshapedandexpressive，thebeardspoilsit。Whereitiscommonplace，thebeardhidesitsdefect，andgivesamanlycharacter。Asageneralrule，Ithinkthemalebirdlookswellwithhiscrestandfeathers。\"
\"AndsodoI，\"saidFanny，warmly；\"andyetIshouldnotlikeMr。Severnetohaveabeard。Don\'tyouthinkheisveryhandsome?\"
\"Heissomethingmore，\"saidRhoda。\"Heisbeautiful。Ifhewasdressedasawoman，thegentlemenwouldallrunafterhim。IthinkhisisthemostperfectovalfaceIeversaw。\"
\"Butyoumustnotfallinlovewithhim，\"saidFanny。
\"Idonotmeanto，\"saidRhoda。\"Fallinginloveisnotmybusiness:andifitwas，IshouldnotselectMr。Severne。\"
\"Whynot，pray?\"inquiredZoehaughtily。HermannerwassomenacingthatRhodadidnotliketosaytoomuchjustthen。Shefeltherway。\"Iamaphysiognomist，\"saidshe，\"andIdon\'tthinkhecanbeverytruthful。Heisoldofhisage，andthereareprematuremarksunderhiseyesthatrevealcraft，andperhapsdissipation。Thesearehardlyvisibleintheroom，buttheyareintheopenair，whenyougetthefulllightofday。
Tobesure，justnowhisfaceismarkedwithcareandanxiety；thatyoungmanhasagooddealonhismind。\"
Heretheobserverdiscoveredthateventhiswasagreatdealtoomuch。
Zoewasdispleased，andfeltaffrontedbyherremarks，thoughshedidnotcondescendtonoticethem；soRhodabrokeoffandsaid，\"Itisnotfairofyou，MissDover，tosetmegivingmyopinionofpeopleyoumustknowbetterthanIdo。Oh，whatagarden!\"Andshewasoffdirectlyonatourofinspection。\"Comealong，\"saidshe，\"andIwilltellyoutheirnamesandproperties。\"
Theycouldhardlykeepupwithher，shewassoeager。Thefruitsdidnotinteresther，butonlythesimples。Shewasdownrightlearnedinthese，andfoundasurprisingnumber。Butthefactis，Mr。Lucashadarespectforhispredecessors。Whattheyhadplanted，heseldomuprooted——atleast，healwaysleftaspecimen。MissGaleapprovedhissystemhighly，untilshecametoarowofgreenleaveslikesmallhorseradish，whichwasplantedbythesideofanotherrowthatreallywashorseradish。
\"Thisistoobad，evenforIslip，\"saidMissGale。\"Hereisoneofourdeadliestpoisonsplantedbytheverysideofanesculentherb，whichitresembles。Youdon\'thappentohavehiredthedevilforgardeneratanytime，doyou?Justfancy!anycookmightcomeouthereforhorseradish，andgatherthisplant，andlayyoualldeadatyourowntable。ItistheAconitumofmedicine，theMonk\'s-hoodorWolf\'s-bane\'ofourancestors。
Callthegardener，please，andhaveeverybitofitpulledupbytheroots。Noneofyourlivesaresafewhilepoisonsandesculentsareplantedtogetherlikethis。\"
AndshewouldnotbudgetillZoedirectedagardenertodigupalltheAconite。Acoupleofthemwenttoworkandsoonuprootedit。Thegardenersthenaskediftheyshouldburnit。
\"Notforalltheworld，\"saidMissGale。\"Makeabundleofitformetotakehome。Itisonlypoisoninthehandsofignoramuses。Itismostsovereignmedicine。Ishallmaketinctures，andcheckmanyasharpillwithit。Givenintime，itcutsdownfeverwonderfully；andwhenyoucheckthefever，youcheckthedisease。\"
SoonafterthisMissGalesaidshehadnotcometostop；shewasonherwaytoTaddingtontobuylintandGermanstyptics，andmanythingsusefulindomesticsurgery。\"For，\"saidshe，\"thepeopleatHillstokearerelenting；atleast，theyruntomewiththeircutfingersandblackeyes，thoughtheywon\'ttrustmewiththeirsacredrheumatics。Imustalsosupplymyselfwithvermifugestillthewellisdug，andsomitigatepuerileputtinessandinternaltorments。\"
Theotherladieswerenotsorrytogetridofanirrelevantzealot，whotalkedneitherlove，nordress，noranythingthatreachesthesoul。
SoZoesaid，\"What，goingalready?\"andhavingpaidthattaxtopoliteness，returnedtothehousewithalacrity。
ButthedoctresswouldnotgowithoutherWolf\'s-bane，Aconiteycleped。
Theirrelevantzealotbeinggone，thetruebusinessofthemindwasresumed；andthatislove-making，ornovelistsgiveusfalsepicturesoflife，andthatisimpossible。
Asthedoctressdrovefromthefrontdoor，LordUxmooremergedfromthelibrary——acoincidencethatmadebothgirlssmile；hehopedMissVizardwasnottootiredtotakeanotherturn。
\"Ohno!\"saidZoe:\"areyou，Fanny?\"
Atthefirststeptheytook，Severnecameroundanangleofthebuildingandjoinedthem。Hehadwatchedfromthebalconyofhisbedroom。
Bothmenlookedblackateachother，andmadeuptoZoe。Shefeltuncomfortable，andhardlyknewwhattodo。However，shewouldnotseemtoobserve，andwaspolite，butalittlestiff，toboth。
However，atlast，Severne，havingassertedhisrights，ashethought，gaveway，butnotwithoutasufficientmotive，asmaybegatheredfromhisfirstwordtoFanny。
\"Mydearfriend，forHeaven\'ssake，whatisthematter?Sheisangrywithmeaboutsomething。Whatisit?hasshetoldyou?\"
\"Notaword。ButIseesheisinafurywithyou；andreallyitistooridiculous。Youtoldafib；thatisthemightymatter，Idobelieve。No，itisn\'t；foryouhavetoldherahundred，nodoubt，andshelikedyouallthebetter；butthistimeyouhavebeennaughtyenoughtobefoundout，andsheisromantic，andthinksherloveroughttobethesouloftruth。\"
\"Well，andsoheought，\"saidNed。
\"Heisn\'t，then；\"andFannyburstoutlaughingsoloudthatZoeturnedroundandenvelopedthembothinonehaughtyglance，astheexaggeratingGaulwouldsay。
\"La!therewasalookforyou!\"saidFanny，pertly:\"asifIcaredforherblackbrows。\"
\"Ido，though:prayrememberthat。\"
\"Thentellnomorefibs。Suchafussaboutnothing!Whatisafib?\"andsheturnedupherlittlenoseverycontemptuouslyatallsuchtrivialsoulsasmindedalittlemendacity。
Indeed，shedisclaimedtheimportanceofveracitysoimperiouslythatSevernewasbetrayedintosaying，\"Well，notmuch，betweenyouandme；
andI\'llbeboundIcanexplainit。\"
\"Explainittome，then。\"
\"Well，butIdon\'tknow——\"
\"Whichofyourfibsitwas。\"
Anothersilverburstoflaughter。ButZoeonlyvouchsafedaslightlycontemptuousmovementofhershoulders。
\"Well，no，\"saidSeverne，halflaughinghimselfatthesprightlyjade\'ssmartness。
\"Well，then，thatfriendofyoursthatcalledatluncheon。\"
Severneturnedgravedirectly。\"Yes，\"saidhe。
\"Yousaidhewasyourlawyer，andcameaboutalease。\"
\"Sohedid。\"
\"AndhisnamewasJackson。
\"Soitwas。\"
\"Thiswon\'tdo。Youmustn\'tfibto_me!_ItwasPoikilus，aSecretInquiry；andtheyallknowit；nowtellme，withoutafib——ifyoucan——whateverdidyouwantwithPoikilus?\"
Severnelookedaghast。Hefalteredout，\"Why，howcouldtheyknow?\"
\"Why，headvertises，stupid!andLordUxmoorandHarringtonhadseenit。
Gentlemen_read_advertisements。Thatisoneoftheirpeculiarities。\"
\"Ofcourseheadvertises:thatisnotwhatImean。Ididnotdrophiscard，didI?No；IamsureIpocketeditdirectly。Whatmischief-makingvillaintoldthemitwasPoikilus?\"
Fannycoloredalittle，butsaid，hastily，\"Ah，thatIcouldnottellyou。\"
\"Thefootman，perhaps?\"
\"Ishouldnotwonder。\"Whatisafib?
\"Cursehim!\"
\"Oh，don\'tswearattheservants；thatisbadtaste。\"
\"Notwhenhehasruinedme?\"
\"Ruinedyou?——nonsense!Makeupsomeotherfib，andexcusethefirst。\"
\"Ican\'t。Idon\'tknowwhattodo；andbeforemyrival，too!Thisaccountsfortheairoftriumphhehasworneversince，andherglancesofscornandpity。Sheisanangel，andIhavelosther。\"
\"Stuffandnonsense!\"saidFannyDover。\"Beaman，andtellmethetruth。\"
\"Well，Iwill，\"saidhe；\"forIamindespair。ItisallthatcursedmoneyatHomburg。Icouldnotclearmyestatewithoutit。Idarenotgoforit。Sheforbademe；andindeedIcan\'tbeartoleaveherforanything；soIemployedPoikilustotryandlearnwhetherthatladyhasthemoneystill，andwhethershemeanstorobmeofitornot。\"
FannyDoverreflectedamoment，thendeliveredherselfthus:\"Youwerewrongtotellafibaboutit。Whatyoumustdonow——brazenitout。Tellheryouloveher，buthavegotyourprideandwillnotcomeintoherfamilyapauper。Defyher，tobesure；weliketobedefiednowandthen，whenwearefondofthefellow。\"
\"Iwilldoit，\"saidhe；\"butsheshunsme。Ican\'tgetawordwithher。\"
Fannysaidshewouldtryandmanagethatforhim；andastherestoftheirtalkmightnotinterestthereader，andcertainlywouldnotedifyhim，Ipassontothefactthatshedid，thatveryafternoon，gointoZoe\'sroom，andtellherSevernewasveryunhappy:hehadtoldafib；butitwasnotintendedtodeceiveher，andhewishedtoexplainthewholething。
\"Didheexplainittoyou?\"askedZoe，rathersharply。
\"No；buthesaidenoughtomakemethinkyouareusinghimveryhardly。
Tobesure，youhaveanotherstringtoyourbow。\"
\"Oh，thatistheinterpretationyouput。\"
\"Itisthetrueone。Doyouthinkyoucanmake_me_believeyouwouldhaveshiedhimsolongifLordUxmoorhadnotbeeninthehouse?\"
Zoebridled，butmadenoreply，andFannywenttoherownroom，laughing。
Zoewasmuchdisturbed。ShesecretlylongedtohearSevernejustifyhimself。Shecouldnotforgivealie，noresteemaliar。Shewasoneofthosewhocouldpardoncertainthingsinawomanshewouldnotforgiveinaman。Underacalmexterior，shehadsufferedanobledistress；butherpridewouldnotlethershowit。Yetnowthathehadappealedtoherforahearing，andFannyknewhehadappealed，shebegantofalter。
StillFannywasnotaltogetherwrong:thepresenceofamanincapableofafalsehood，andthatmandevotedtoher，wasalittledamagingtoSeverne，thoughnotsomuchasMissArtfulthought。
However，thisveryafternoonLordUxmoorhadtoldherhemustleaveVizardCourtto-morrowmorning。
SoZoesaidtoherself，\"Ineednotmakeopportunities；afterto-morrowhewillfindplenty。\"
Shehadaninstinctivefearhewouldtellmorefalsehoodstocoverthosehehadtold；andthensheshoulddespisehim，andtheywouldbothbemiserable；forshefeltforamomentahorribledreadthatshemightbothloveanddespisethesameperson，ifitwasEdwardSeverne。
Therewereseveralpeopletodinner，and，ashostess，shemanagednottothinktoomuchofeitherofheradmirers。
However，astolenglanceshowedhertheywerebothoutofspirits。
Shefeltsorry。Hernaturewasverypitiful。Sheaskedherselfwasitherfault，anddidnotquiteacquitherself。Perhapssheoughttohavebeenmoreopenanddeclaredhersentiments。Yetwouldthathavebeenmodestinaladywhowasnotformallyengaged?Shewaspuzzled。Shehadnoexperiencetoguideher:onlyherhighbreedingandhervirginalinstincts。
Shewasgladwhenthenightended。
Shecaughtherselfwishingthenextdaywasgonetoo。
WhensheretiredUxmoorwasalreadygone，andSeverneopenedthedoortoher。Hefixedhiseyesonhersoimploringly，itmadeherheartmelt；butsheonlyblushedhigh，andwentawaysadandsilent。
Ashermaidwasundressinghershecaughtsightofaletteronhertable。
\"Whatisthat?\"saidshe。
\"Itisaletter，\"saidRosa，verydemurely。
Zoedivinedthatthegirlhadbeenaskedtoputitthere。
Herbosomheaved，butshewouldnotencouragesuchproceedings，norletRosaseehoweagershewastohearthoseveryexcusesshehadevaded。
But，forallthat，Rosaknewshewasgoingtoreadit，forsheonlyhadhergowntakenoffandapeignoirsubstituted，andherhairletdownandbrushedalittle。ThenshedismissedRosa，lockedthedoor，andpouncedontheletter。Itlayonhertablewiththesealuppermost。Sheturneditround。Itwasnotfrom_him:_itwasfromLordUxmoor。
Shesatdownandreadit。
\"DEARMISSVIZARD——IhavehadnoopportunitiesoftellingyouallIfeelforyou，withoutattractinganattentionthatmighthavebeenunpleasanttoyou；butIamsureyoumusthaveseenthatIadmiredyouatfirstsight。Thatwasadmirationofyourbeautyandgrace，thougheventhenyoushowedmeagentleheartandasympathythatmademegrateful。But，nowI
havehadtheprivilegeofbeingunderthesameroofwithyou，itisadmirationnolonger——itisdeepandardentlove；andIseethatmyhappinessdependsonyou。Willyouconfide_your_happinesstome?I
don\'tknowthatIcouldmakeyouasproudandhappyasIshouldbemyself；butIshouldtryveryhard，outofgratitudeaswellaslove。Wehavealsocertainsentimentsincommon。Thatwouldbeonebondmore。
\"ButindeedIfeelIcannotmakemyloveagoodbargaintoyou，foryouarepeerless，anddeserveamuchbetterlotineverywaythanIcanoffer。Icanonlykneeltoyouandsay，\'ZoeVizard，ifyourheartisyourowntogive，praybemylover，myqueen，mywife。\'
\"Yourfaithfulservantanddevotedadmirer，UXMOOR。\"
\"Poorfellow!\"saidZoe，andhereyesfilled。Shesatquitequiet，withtheletteropeninherhand。Shelookedatit，andmurmured，\"Apearlisofferedmehere:wealth，title，allthatsomewomensighfor，and——whatI
valueaboveall——anoblenature，atrueheart，andasoulaboveallmeanness。No；Uxmoorwillnevertellafalsehood。He_could_not。\"
Shesigheddeeply，andclosedhereyes。Allwasstill。Thelightwasfaint；yetsheclosedhereyes，likeatruewoman，toseethefutureclearer。
Then，inthesoberanddeepcalm，thereseemedtobefaintpeepsofcomingthings:Itappearedatroubledsea，andUxmoor\'sstronghandstretchedouttorescueher。Ifshemarriedhim，sheknewtheworst——anhonestmansheesteemed，andhadalmostanaffectionfor，butnolove。
Assomehaveanimpulsetoflingthemselvesfromaheight，shehadonetogiveherselftoUxmoor，quietly，irrevocably，bythreewrittenwordsdispatchedthatnight。
Butitwasonlyanimpulse。Ifshehadwrittenit，shewouldhavetornitup。
Presentlyalightthrillpassedthroughher:sheworeasortofhalf-furtive，guiltylook，andopenedthewindow。
Ay，therehestoodinthemoonlight，waitingtobeheard。
Shedidnotstartnorutteranyexclamation。Somehoworothershealmostknewhewastherebeforesheopenedthewindow。
\"Well?\"saidshe，withaworldofmeaning。
\"Yougrantmeahearingatlast。\"
\"Ido。Butitisnouse。Youcannotexplainawayafalsehood。\"
\"Ofcoursenot。IamheretoconfessthatItoldafalsehood。ButitwasnotyouIwishedtodeceive。Iwasgoingtoexplainthewholethingtoyou，andtellyouall；butthereisnogettingawordwithyousincethatlordcame。\"
\"Hehadnothingtodowithit。Ishouldhavebeenjustasmuchshocked。\"
\"Butitwouldonlyhavebeenforfiveminutes。Zoe!\"
\"Well?\"
\"Justputyourselfinmyplace。Adetective，whooughttohavewrittentomeinreplytomynote，surprisesmewithacall。Iwasashamedthatsuchavisitorshouldenteryourbrother\'shousetoseeme。Theresatmyrival——anaristocrat。Iwassurprisedintodisowningtheunwelcomedvisitor，andcallinghimmysolicitor。\"
NowifZoehadbeenanOldBaileycounsel，shewouldhavekepthimtothepoint，remindedhimthathisvisitorwasunseen，andfixedavoluntaryfalsehoodonhim；butshewasnotanexperiencedcross-examiner，andperhapsshewasatheartasindignantatthedetectiveasatthefalsehood:soshemissedheradvantage，andsaid，indignantly，\"Andwhatbusinesshadyouwithadetective?Youhavingoneatall，andthencallinghimyoursolicitor，makesonethinkallmannerofthings。\"
\"Ishouldhavetoldyouallaboutitthatafternoon，onlyourintercourseisbrokenofftopleasearival。SupposeIgaveyouarival，andusedyouforhersakeasyouusemeforhis，whatwouldyousay?Thatwouldbeaworseinfidelitythansendingforadetective，woulditnot?\"
Zoereplied，haughtily，\"Youhavenorighttosayyouhavearival；howdareyou?Besides，\"saidshe，alittleruefully，\"itisyouwhoareonyourdefense，notme。\"
\"True；Iforgotthat。Recriminationisnotconvenient，isit?\"
\"Icanescapeitbyshuttingthewindow，\"saidZoe，coldly。
\"Oh，don\'tdothat。Letmehavetheblissofseeingyou，andIwillsubmittoagooddealofinjusticewithoutamurmur。\"
\"Thedetective?\"saidZoe，sternly。
\"Isentforhim，andgavehimhisinstructions，andheisgoneformetoHomburg。\"
\"Ah!Ithoughtso。Whatfor?\"
\"Aboutmymoney。Totryandfindoutwhethertheymeantokeepit。\"
\"Wouldyoureallytakeitiftheywouldgiveityou?\"
\"OfcourseIwould。\"
\"Yetyouknowmymindaboutit。\"
\"Iknowyouforbademetogoforitinperson:andIobeyedyou，didI
not?\"
\"Yes，youdid——atthetime。\"
\"Idonow。YouobjecttomygoinginpersontoHomburg。YouknowIwasonceacquaintedwiththatlady，andyoufeelaboutheralittleofwhatI
feelaboutLordUxmoor；aboutatenthpartofwhatIfeel，Isuppose，andwithnotone-tenthsomuchreason。Well，Iknowwhatthepangsofjealousyare:Iwillneverinflictthemonyou，asyouhaveonme。ButI
_will_havemymoney，whetheryoulikeornot。\"
Zoelookedamazedatbeingdefied。Itwasnewtoher。Shedrewup，butsaidnothing。
Severnewenton:\"AndIwilltellyouwhy:becausewithoutmoneyIcannothaveyou。Mycircumstanceshavelatelyimproved；withmymoneythatliesinHomburgIcannowclearmyfamilyestateofallincumbrance，andcometoyourbrotherforyourhand。Oh，Ishallbeaverybadmatcheventhen，butIshallnotbeapauper，noramanindebt。Ishallbeoneofyourownclass，asIwasborn——asmalllandedgentlemanwithanunencumberedestate。\"
\"Thatisnotthewaytomyaffection。Idonotcareformoney。\"
\"Butotherpeopledo。DearZoe，youhaveplentyofprideyourself；youmustletmehavealittle。DeeplyasIloveyou，Icouldnotcometoyourbrotherandsay，\'Givemeyoursister，andmaintainusboth。\'No，Zoe，I
cannotaskyourhandtillIhaveclearedmyestate；andIcannotclearitwithoutthatmoney。ForonceImustresistyou，andtakemychance。Thereiswealthandatitleofferedyou。Iwon\'taskyoutodismissthemandtakeapauper。Ifyoudon\'tlikemetotryformyownmoney，giveyourhandtoLordUxmoor；thenIshallrecallmydetective，andletallgo；
forpovertyorwealthwillmatternothingtome:IshallhavelosttheangelIlove:andsheoncelovedme。\"
Hefaltered，andthesadcadenceofhisvoicemeltedher。Shebegantocry。Heturnedhisheadawayandcriedtoo。
Therewasasilence。Zoebrokeitfirst。
\"Edward，\"saidshe，softly。
\"Zoe!\"
\"Youneednotdefyme。Iwouldnothumiliateyouforalltheworld。WillitcomfortyoutoknowthatIhavebeenveryunhappyeversinceyouloweredyourselfso?Iwilltryandacceptyourexplanation。\"
Heclaspedhishandswithgratitude。
\"Edward，willyougrantmeafavor?\"
\"Canyouask?\"
\"Itistohavealittlemoreconfidenceinonewho——Nowyoumustobeymeimplicitly，andperhapswemaybothbehappierto-morrownightthanweareto-night。DirectlyafterbreakfasttakeyourhatandwalktoHillstoke。YoucancallonMissGale，ifyoulike，andsaysomethingcivil。\"
\"What!goandleaveyoualonewithLordUxmoor?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ah，Zoe，youknowyourpower。Havealittlemercy。\"
\"PerhapsImayhaveagreatdeal——ifyouobeyme。\"
\"I_will_obeyyou。\"
\"Thengotobedthisminute。\"
Shegavehimaheavenlysmile，andclosedthewindow。
Nextmorning，assoonasbreakfastwasover，NedSevernesaid，\"AnymessagesforHillstoke?Iamgoingtowalkuptherethismorning。\"
\"Embracemyviragoforme，\"saidVizard。
Severnebeggedtobeexcused。
Hehurriedoff，andLordUxmoorfeltacertainrelief。
TheMasterofArtsaskedhimselfwhathecoulddotopropitiatethefemaleM。D。Hewenttothegardenerandgothimtocutahugebouquet，choiceandfragrant，andhecarrieditallthewaytoHillstoke。MissGalewasathome。Ashewasintroducedrathersuddenly，shestartedandchangedcolor，andsaid，sharply，\"Whatdoyouwant?\"Neveraskedhimtositdown，rudeThing!
Hestoodhanginghisheadlikeaculprit，andsaid，withwell-feignedtimidity，thathecame，bydesireofMissVizard，toinquirehowshewasgettingon，andtohopethepeoplewerebeginningtoappreciateher。
\"Oh!thataltersthecase；anymessengerfromMissVizardiswelcome。Didshesendmethoseflowers，too?Theyarebeautiful。\"
\"No。Igatheredthemmyself。Ihavealwaysunderstoodladieslovedflowers。\"
\"Itisonlybyreportyouknowthat，eh?Letmeaddsomethingtoyourinformation:agooddealdependsonthegiver；andyoumayflingtheseoutofthewindow。\"Shetossedthemtohim。
TheMasterofArtsgaveahumble，patientsigh，andthrewtheflowersoutofthewindow，whichwasopen。Hethensunkintoachairandhidhisfaceinhishands。
MissGalecolored，andbitherlip。Shedidnotthinkhewouldhavedonethat，anditvexedhereconomicalsoul。Shecastapiercingglanceathim，thenresumedherstudies，andignoredhispresence。
Buthispatienceexhaustedhers。Hesattheretwentyminutes，atleast，inastateofcollapsethatbidfairtolastforever。
Sopresentlyshelookedupandaffectedtostart。\"What!areyoutherestill?\"saidshe。
\"Yes，\"saidbe；\"youdidnotdismissme；onlymypoorflowers。\"
\"Well，\"saidshe，apologetically，\"thetruthis，I\'mnotstrongenoughtodismissyoubythesameroad。\"
\"Itisnotnecessary。Youhaveonlytosay，\'Go。\'\"
\"Oh，thatwouldberude。Couldnotyougowithoutbeingtoldrightout?\"
\"No，Icouldnot。MissGale，Ican\'taccountforit，butthereissomestrangeattraction。Youhateme，andIfearyou，yetIcouldfollowyouaboutlikeadog。Letmesitherealittlelongerandseeyouwork。\"
MissGaleleanedherheaduponherhand，andcontemplatedhimatgreatlength。Finallysheadoptedacat-likecourse。\"No，\"saidshe，atlast；