\"Iamgoingmyrounds:youcancomewithme，ifIamsoattractive。\"
Hesaidheshouldbeproud，andsheputonherhatinthirtyseconds。
Theywalkedtogetherinsilence。Hefeltasifhewerepromenadingatigercat，thatmightstopanymomenttofalluponhim。
Shewalkedhimintoacottage:therewasalittledeadwoodburningonthatportionofthebrickfloorcalledthehearth。Apaleoldmansatclosetothefire，inawoodenarmchair。Shefelthispulse，andwrotehimaprescription。
\"ToMr。Vizard\'shousekeeper，VizardCourt:
\"Pleasegivethebearertwopoundsofgoodroastbeeformutton，notsalted，andonepintportwine，\"RHODAGALE，M。D。\"
\"Here，Jenny，\"shesaidtoasharplittlegirl，theman\'sgrandniece，\"takethisdowntoVizardCourt，andifthehousekeeperobjects，gotothefront-dooranddemandinmynametoseethesquireorMissVizard，andgive_them_thepaper。Don\'tyougiveitupwithoutthemeat。Takethisbasketonyourarm。\"
Thenshewalkedoutofthecottage，andSevernefollowedher:heventuredtosaythatwasanovelprescription。
Sheexplained。\"Physiciansareobligedtosendtherichtothechemist，orelsethefoolswouldthinktheywereslighted。Butweneednotbesonicewiththepoor；wecanprescribetodothemgood。Whenyouinflictedyourcompanyonme，Iwassketchingoutatreatise，tobeentitled，\'CureofDisordersbyEsculents。\'Thatoldmanisnearlyexsanguis。Thereisnotadrugincreationthatcoulddohimanatomofgood。Nourishingfoodmay。Ifnot，why，heisbookedforthelongjourney。Well，hehashadhisinnings。Heisfourscore。Doyouthink_you_willeverseefourscore——youandyourvices?\"
\"Oh，no。ButIthink_you_will；andIhopeso；foryougoaboutdoinggood。\"
\"Andsomepeopleonecouldnamegoaboutdoingmischief?\"
Severnemadenoreply。
Soonaftertheydiscoveredalittlegroup，principallywomenandchildren。Thesewereinspectingsomethingontheground，andchatteringexcitedly。Thewordsofdireimport，\"Shehavepossessedhimwithadevil，\"strucktheirear。ButsoontheycaughtsightofMissGale，andweredeadsilent。Shesaid，\"Whatisthematter?Oh，Isee，thevermifugehasacted。\"
Itwasso:aputty-facedboyhadbeenunabletoeathisbreakfast；hadsufferedmalaiseforhoursafterward，andatlasthadbeenseizedwithasortofdryretching，andhadrestoredtotheworldtheysoadornanumberofamphibia，whichnowwriggledinaheap，andnodoubtbitterlyregrettedtherecklessimpatiencewithwhichtheyhadfledfromanunpleasantmedicinetoacold-heartedworld。
\"Well，goodpeople，\"saidMissGale，whatareyoumakingafussabout?
Aretheybetterintheboyoroutofhim?\"
Thewomencouldnotfindtheircandoratamoment\'snotice，butoldGilesrepliedheartily，\"Why，hout!betteranemptyhousethanabadtenant。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidhalfadozenvoicesatonce。Theycouldresistcommonsenseinitsliquidform，butnotwhensolidifiedintoaproverb。
\"Catchmetheboy，\"saidMissGale，severely。
Habitualculpabilitydestroysself-confidence；sotheboysuspectedhimselfofcrime，andinstantlytooktoflight。Hiscompanionslovedhunting；sothreeswifterboysfollowedhimwithacheerfulyell，securedhim，andbroughthimupforsentence。
\"Don\'tbefrightened，Jacob，\"saidthedoctress。\"Ionlywanttoknowwhetheryoufeelbetterorworse。\"
Hismotherputinherword:\"Hewaseversobadallthemorning。\"
\"Holdyourjaw，\"saidoldGiles，\"andlettheboytellhisowntale。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidJacob，\"Iwasmortalbad，butnowdoIfeellikeafeather；wuston\'tis，Ibesoblessedhungrynow。Dall\'difIcouldn\'teatthedevil——stuffedwiththunderandlightning。\"
\"I\'llprescribeaccordingly，\"saidMissGale，andwroteinpencilanorderonabeefsteakpietheyhadsentherfromtheCourt。
Theboy\'scompanionsputtheirheadstogetheroverthisorder，andofferedtheirservicestoescorthim。
\"No，thankyou，\"saidthedoctress。\"Hewillgoalone，youyoungmonkeys。
Yourturnwillcome。\"
Thensheproceededonherrounds，withMr。Severneatherheels，untilitwaspastoneo\'clock。
Thensheturnedroundandfacedhim。\"Wewillparthere，\"saidshe，\"andIwillexplainmyconducttoyou，asyouseeminthedark。Ihavebeenco-operatingwithMissVizardallthistime。IreckonshesentyououtofthewaytogiveLordUxmoorhisopportunity，soIhavedetainedyou。
Whileyouhavebeenstudyingmedicine，hehasbeenpoppingthequestion，ofcourse。Good-by，Mr。Villain。\"
Herwordswentthroughthemanlikecoldsteel。Itwasonewomanreadinganother。Heturnedverywhite，andputhishandtohisheart。Butherecoveredhimself，andsaid，\"Ifsheprefersanothertome，Imustsubmit。Itisnotmyabsenceforafewhoursthatwillmakethedifference。YoucannotmakemeregretthehoursIhavepassedinyourcompany。Good-by，\"andheseemedtoleaveherveryreluctantly。
\"Oneword，\"saidshe，softeningalittle。\"I\'mnotproofagainstyourcharm。UnlessIseeZoeVizardindanger，youhavenothingtofearfromme。ButIlove_her，_youunderstand。\"
Hereturnedtoherdirectly，andsaid，inmostearnest，supplicatingtones，\"Butwillyoueverforgiveme?\"
\"Iwilltry。\"
Andsotheyparted。
Hewenthomeatagreatrate；forMissGale\'sinsinuationshadraisedsomefearinhisbreast。
MeantimethisiswhathadreallypassedbetweenZoeandLordUxmoor。
Vizardwenttohisstudy，andFannyretiredatasignalfromZoe。Sherose，butdidnotgo；shewalkedslowlytowardthewindow；Uxmoorjoinedher:forhesawhewastohavehisanswerfromhermouth。
Herbosomheavedalittle，andhercheeksflushed。\"LordUxmoor，\"shesaid，\"youhavedonemethegreatesthonoranymancanpayawoman，andfromyouitisindeedanhonor。IcouldnotwritesuchananswerasI
couldwish；and，besides，IwishtospareyouallthemortificationI
can。\"
\"Ah!\"saidUxmoor，piteously。
\"Youareworthyofanylady\'slove；butIhaveonlymyesteemtogiveyou，andthatwasgivenlongago。\"
Uxmoor，whohadbeengraduallyturningverywhite，faltered，\"Ihadmyfears。Good-by。\"
Shegavehimherhand。Heputitrespectfullytohislips:thenturnedandlefther，sickatheart，buttoobravetoletitbeseen。Hepreferredheresteemtoherpity。
Bythismeanshegotboth。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyeswithoutdisguise。Butheonlyturnedatthedoortosay，inaprettyfirmvoice，\"Godblessyou!\"
Inlessthananhourhedrovehisteamfromthedoor，sittingheartbrokenanddesolate，butfirmandunflinchingasarock。
Sothen，onhisreturnfromHillstoke，SevernefoundthemallatluncheonexceptUxmoor。HedetailedhisvisittoMissGale，and，whilehetalked，observed。Zoewasbeamingwithloveandkindness。Hefeltsureshehadnotdeceivedhim。Helearned，bymerelylistening，thatLordUxmoorwasgone，andheexultedinwardly。
Afterluncheon，Elysium。Hewalkedwiththetwogirls，andFannylaggedbehind；andZoeprovedherselfnocoquette。Acoquettewouldhavebeenalittlecrossandshownhimshehadmadeasacrifice。NotsoZoeVizard。
Shenevertoldhim，norevenFanny，shehadrefusedLordUxmoor。Sheesteemedthegreatsacrificeshehadmadeforhimasalittleone，andsolovedhimalittlemorethathehadcostheranearl\'scoronetandalargefortune。
ThepartyresumedtheirhabitsthatUxmoorhadinterrupted，andnowarningvoicewasraised。
TheboringcommencedatHillstoke，andDoctressGalehoveredoverthework。Thevariousstrataandtheirfossildepositswereanendlessstudy，andkepthermicroscopeemployed。Withthis，andhertreatiseon\"CurebyEsculents\"shewassoemployedthatshedidnotvisittheCourtforsomedays:thencameaninvitationfromLordUxmoortostayaweekwithhim，andinspecthisvillage。Sheacceptedit，anddroveherselfinthebailiff\'sgig，allalone。Shefoundherhostattendingtohisduties，butdejected；sothenshesuspected，andturnedtheconversationtoZoeVizard，andsoonsatisfiedherselfhehadnohopesinthatquarter。Yethespokeofherwithundisguisedandtenderadmiration。Thenshesaidtoherself，\"Thisisaman，andheshallhaveher。\"
ShesatdownandwrotealettertoVizard，tellinghimallsheknew，andwhatshethought，viz。，thatanotherwoman，andarespectableone，hadaclaimonMr。Severne，whichoughttobecloselyinquiredinto，and_thelady\'sversionheard。_\"Thinkofit，\"saidshe。\"Hedisownedthewomanwhohadsavedhislife，hewassoafraidIshouldtellMissVizardunderwhatcircumstancesIfirstsawhim。\"
Shefoldedandaddressedtheletter。
Buthavingrelievedhermindinsomedegreebythis，sheaskedherselfwhetheritwouldnotbekindertoallpartiestotryandsaveZoewithoutanexposure。ProbablySevernebenefitedbyhisgraceandhisdisarmingqualities；forherultimateresolutionwastogivehimachance，offerhimanalternative:hemusteitherquietlyretire，orbeopenlyexposed。
Sothensheputtheletterinherdesk，madeouthervisit，ofwhichnofurtherparticularscanbegivenatpresent，returnedhome，andwalkeddowntotheCourtnextmorningtohaveitoutwithEdwardSeverne。
But，unfortunately，fromtheverydaysheofferedhimtermsupatHillstoke，thetidebegantoruninSeverne\'sfavorwithgreatrapidity。
Alettercamefromthedetective。Severnereceiveditatbreakfast，andlaiditbeforeZoe，whichhadafavorableeffectonhermindtobegin。
Poikilusreportedthatthemoneywasingoodhands。Hehadseenthelady。
Shemadenosecretofthething——thesumwas4，900pounds，andshesaidhalfbelongedtoherandhalftoagentleman。Shedidnotknowhim，butheragent，Ashmead，did。Poikilusaddedthathehadaskedherwouldshehonorthatgentleman\'sdraft?Shehadrepliedsheshouldbeafraidtodothat；butMr。Ashmeadshouldhandittohimondemand。Poikilussummedupthattheladywasevidentlyrespectable，andthewholethingsquare。
Severnepostedthislettertohiscousin，undercover，toshowhimhewasreallygoingtoclearhisestate，butbeggedhimtoreturnitimmediatelyandlendhim50pounds。Theaccommodatingcousinsenthim50pounds，toaidhiminwooinghisheiress。Heboughtherahoopring，apologizedforitssmallvalue，andexpressedhisregretthatallhecouldofferherwasonassmallascale，excepthislove。
Sheblushed，andsmiledonhim，likeheavenopening。\"Smallandgreat，I
takethem，\"saidshe；andherlovelyheadrestedonhisshoulder。
Theywereengaged。
Fromthathourhecouldcommanda_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_withherwheneverhechose，andhisinfernalpassionbegantosuggestallmannerofwild，wickedandunreasonablehopes。
Meantimetherewasnostopping。HesoonfoundhemustspeakseriouslytoVizard。Hewentintohisstudyandbegantoopenthesubject。Vizardstoppedhim。\"Fetchtheotherculprit，\"saidhe；andwhenZoecame，blushing，hesaid，\"NowIamgoingtomakeshorterworkofthisthanyouhavedone。Zoehastenthousandpounds。Whathaveyougot?\"
\"Onlyasmallestate，wortheightthousandpounds，thatIhopetoclearofallincumbrances，ifIcangetmymoney。\"
\"Fondofeachother?Well，don\'tstrikemedeadwithyoureyes。Ihavewatchedyou，andIownaprettierpairofturtledovesIneversaw。Well，youhavegotloveandIhavegotmoney。I\'lltakecareofyouboth。Butyoumustlivewithme。Ipromisenevertomarry。\"
ThisbroughtZoeroundhisneck，withtearsandkissesofpureaffection。
Hereturnedthem，andpartedherhairpaternally。
\"Thisisabeautifulworld，isn\'tit?\"saidhe，withmoretendernessthancynicismthistime。
\"Ah，thatitis!\"criedZoe，earnestly。\"ButIcan\'thaveyousayyouwillneverbeashappyasIam。Therearetrueheartsinthisheavenlyworld；forIhavefoundone。\"
\"Ihavenot，anddon\'tmeantotryagain。Iamgoinginforthepaternalnow。Youtwoaremychildren。Ihaveatalismantokeepmefrommarrying。
I\'llshowityou。\"Hedrewaphotographfromhisdrawer，setroundwithgoldandpearls。Heshoweditthemsuddenly。Theybothstarted。AfinephotographofInaKlosking。Shewasdressedasplainlyasatthegambling-table，butwithoutabonnet，andonlyoneroseinherhair。Hernobleforeheadwasshown，andherface，amodelofintelligence，womanliness，andserenedignity。
Hegazedatit，andtheyathimandit。
Hekissedit。\"HereismyFate，\"saidhe。\"Nowmarktheingenuityofaparent。IkeepoutofmyFate\'sway。ButIusehertokeepoffanyotherlittleFatesthatmaybeabout。NootherhumbugcanevercatchmewhileI
havesuchanoblehumbugasthistocontemplate。Ah!andheresheisasSiebel。Whatagoddess!Justlookather。Adorable!There，thisshallstanduponmytable，andtheothershallbehunginmybedroom。Then，mydearZoe，youwillbesafefromastepmother。ForIamyourfathernow。
Pleaseunderstandthat。\"
ThisbroughtpoorZoeroundhisneckagainwithsuchaneffusionthatatlasthehandedhertoSeverne，andheledherfromtheroom，quiteovercome，and，toavoidallconversationaboutwhathadjustpassed，gaveherovertoFanny，whileheretiredtocomposehimself。
Bydinner-timehewasashappyasaprinceagainandrelievedofallcompunction。
HeheardafterwardfromFannythatZoeandshehaddiscussedtheincidentandVizard\'sinfatuation，FannybeingspeciallywrothatVizard\'sabuseofpearls；butshetoldhimshehadadvisedZoenottomentionthatlady\'sname，butletherdieout。
And，inpointoffact，Zoedidavoidthesubject。
Therecameaneventfulday。Vizardgotaletter，atbreakfast，fromhisbankers，thatmadehimstare，andthenknithisbrows。ItwasaboutEdwardSeverne\'sacceptances。Hesaidnothing，butorderedhishorseandrodeintoTaddington。
Thedaywaskeenbutsunny，and，seeinghimafootsoearly，Zoesaidsheshouldlikeadrivebeforeluncheon。ShewouldshowSeverneandFannysomeruinsonPagnellHill。Theycouldleavethetrapatthevillageinnandwalkupthehill。Fannybeggedoff，andSevernewasveryglad。TheprospectofalongwalkupahillwithZoe，andthenadayspentinutterseclusionwithher，firedhisimaginationandmadehisheartbeat。Herewasoneoftheopportunitieshehadlongsighedforofmakingpassionatelovetoinnocenceandinexperience。
Zoeherselfwaseagerforthedrive，andcamedown，followedbyRosawithsomewraps，andwaitedinthemorning-roomforthedog-cart。Itwasbehindtimeforonce，becausethecarefulcoachmanhadinsistedontheaxlebeingoiled。Atlastthesoundofwheelswasheard。Acarriagedrewupatthedoor。
\"TellMr。Severne，\"saidZoe。\"Heisinthedining-room，Ithink。\"
Butitwasnotthedog-cart。
Avigilantfootmancamehastilyoutandopenedthehalldoor。Aladywasonthesteps，andspoketohim，but，inspeaking，shecaughtsightofZoeinthehall。Sheinstantlyslippedpassthemanandstoodwithinthegreatdoor。
\"MissVizard?\"saidshe。
Zoetookasteptowardherandsaid，withastonishment，\"MademoiselleKlosking!\"
Theladieslookedateachother，andZoesawsomethingstrangewascoming；fortheKloskingwasverypale，yetfirm，andfixedhereyesuponherasiftherewasnothingelseinsight。
\"Youhaveavisitor——Mr。Severne?\"
\"Yes，\"saidZoe，drawingup。
\"CanIspeakwithhim?\"
\"Hewillanswerforhimself。EDWARD!\"
AthercallSevernecameouthastilybehindInaKlosking。
Sheturned，andtheyfacedeachother。
\"Ah!\"shecried；andinspiteofall，therewasmoreofjoythananyotherpassionintheexclamation。
Notsohe。Heutteredascreamofdismay，andstaggered，whiteasaghost，butstillglaredatInaKlosking。
Zoe\'svoicefellonhimlikeaclapofthunder:\"What!——Edward!——Mr。
Severne!——Hasthisladystillanyright——\"
\"No，nonewhatever!\"hecried；\"itisallpastandgone。\"
\"Whatispast?\"saidInaKlosking，grandly。\"Areyououtofyoursenses?\"
Thenshewasclosetohiminamoment，byonegrandmovement，andtookhimbybothlapelsofhiscoat，andheldhimfirmly。\"Speakbeforethislady，\"shecried。\"Have——I——no——rights——overyou?\"andhervoicewasmajestic，andherDanisheyesgleamedlightning。
Thewretch\'skneesgavewayamomentandheshookinherhands。Then，suddenly，heturnedwild。\"Fiend!youhaveruinedme!\"heyelled；andthen，withhisnaturalstrength，whichwasgreat，andthesuperhumanpowerofmadexcitement，hewhirledherrightroundandflungherfromhim，anddashedoutofthedoor，utteringcriesofrageanddespair。
Theunfortunatelady，thustakenbysurprise，fellheavily，and，bycruelillluck，struckhertemple，infalling，againstthesharpcornerofamarbletable。Itgashedherforeheadfearfully，andshelaysenseless，withthebloodspurtinginjetsfromherwhitetemple。
Zoescreamedviolently，andthehallandthehallstaircaseseemedtofillbymagic。
Intheterrorandconfusion，HarringtonVizardstrodeintothehall，fromTaddington。\"Whatisthematter?\"hecried。\"Awomankilled?\"
Someonecriedoutshehadfallen。
\"Water，fools——asponge——don\'tstandgaping!\"andheflunghimselfonhisknees，andraisedthewoman\'sheadfromthefloor。Oneeagerlookintoherwhiteface——onewildcry——\"GreatGod!itis——\"Hehadrecognizedher。
CHAPTERXX。
ITwaspiteoustoseeandhear。Thebloodwouldnotstop；itspurtednolonger，butitflowedalarmingly。VizardsentHarrisoffinhisownflyforadoctor，tosavetime。Hecalledforice。Hecriedoutinagonytohisservants，\"Cannoneofyouthinkofanything?There——thathat。Here，youwomen；tearmethenapoffwithyourfingers。MyGod!whatistobedone?She\'llbleedtodeath!\"Andheheldhertohisbreast，andalmostmoanedwithpityoverher，ashepressedthecoldspongetoherwound——invain；forstilltheredbloodwouldflow。
Wheelsgroundthegravel。Servantsflewtothedoor，crying，\"Thedoctor!
thedoctor!\"
Asifhecouldhavebeenfetchedinfiveminutesfromthreemilesoff。
Yetitwasadoctor。HarrishadmetMissGalewalkingquietlydownfromHillstoke。Hehadtoldherinafewhurriedwords，andbroughtherasfastasthehorsescouldgo。
Sheglidedinswiftly，keen，butself-possessed，andtookitallindirectly。
Vizardsawher，andcried，\"Ah!Help!——sheisbleedingtodeath!\"
\"Sheshallnot，\"saidRhoda。Thentoonefootman，\"Bringafootstool，_you；\"_toanother，_\"You_bringmeacork；\"toVizard，_\"You_holdhertowardmeso。Nowspongethewound。\"
Thisdone，shepinchedthelipsofthewoundtogetherwithherneat，strongfingers。\"SeewhatIdo，\"shesaidtoVizard。\"Youwillhavetodoit，whileI——Ah，thestool!Nowlayherheadonthat；theotherside，man。Now，sir，compressthewoundasIdid，vigorously。Holdthecork，_you，_tillIwantit。\"
Shetookoutofherpocketsomeadhesiveplaster，andflakesofsomestrongstyptic，andapieceofelastic。\"Now，\"saidshetoVizard，\"givemealittleopeninginthemiddletoplasterthesestripsacrossthewound。\"Hedidso。Theninamomentshepassedtheelasticunderthesufferer\'shead，drewitoverwiththestypticbetweenherfingerandthumb，andcrack!thestypticwastightonthecompressedwound。Sheforcedinmorestyptic，increasingthepressure，thenshewhippedoutasortofsurgicalhousewife，andwithsomecuttinginstrumentreducedthecork，thencutitconvex，andfasteneditonthestypticbyanotherelastic。Therewasnoflutter，yetitwasalldoneinfiftyseconds。
\"There，\"saidshe，\"shewillbleednomore，tospeakof。Nowseatherupright。Why!Ihaveseenherbefore。Thisis——sir，youcansendthemenaway。\"\'
\"Yes；and，Harris，packupMr。Severne\'sthings，andbringthemdownherethismoment。\"
Themaleservantsretired，thewomenheldaloof。FannyDovercameforward，paleandtrembling，andhelpedtoplaceInaKloskinginthehallporter\'schair。Shewasinsensiblestill，butmoanedfaintly。
Hermoanswereechoed:alleyesturned。ItwasZoe，seatedapart，allbowedandbroken——ghastlypale，andglaringstraightbeforeher。
\"Poorgirl!\"saidVizard。\"Weforgother。Itisherheartthatbleeds。
Whereisthescoundrel，thatImaykillhim?\"andherushedoutatthedoortolookforhim。Theman\'slifewouldnothavebeenworthmuchifSquireVizardcouldhavefoundhimthen。
Buthesooncamebacktohiswretchedhome，andeyedthedismalscene，andthehavoconemanhadmade——themarblefloorallstainedwithblood——InaKloskingsupportedinachair，white，andfaintlymoaning——Zoestillcrushedandglaringatvacancy，andFannysobbingroundherwithpityandterror；forsheknewtheremustbeworsetocomethanthiswildstupor。
\"Takehertoherroom，Fannydear，\"saidVizard，inahurried，falteringvoice，\"anddon\'tleaveher。Rosa，helpMissDover。Donotleaveheralone，nightnorday。\"ThentoMissGale，\"Shewilllive?Tellmeshewilllive。\"
\"Ihopeso，\"saidRhodaGale。\"Oh，theblowwillnotkillher，noryetthelossofblood。ButIfeartherewillbedistressofmindaddedtothebodilyshock。Andsuchanobleface!Myownheartbleedsforher。Oh，sir，donotsendherawaytostrangers!Letmetakeheruptothefarm。
Itisnursingshewillneed，andtact，whenshecomestoherself。\"
\"Sendhereawaytostrangers!\"criedVizard。\"Never!No。Noteventothefarm。Hereshereceivedherwound；hereallthatyouandIcandoshallbedonetosaveher。Ah，here\'sHarris，withthevillain\'sthings。Getthelady\'sboxesout，andputMr。Severne\'sintothefly。Givethemantwoguineas，andlethimleavethematthe\'Swan，\'inTaddington。\"
Hethenbeckoneddownthewomen，andhadInaKloskingcarriedupstairstotheveryroomSevernehadoccupied。
Hethenconvenedtheservants，andplacedthemformallyunderMissGale\'sorders，andonefemaleservanthavingmadearemark，heturnedheroutofthehouse，neckandcrop，directlywithhermonth\'swages。Theothershadtohelpherpack，onlyhalfanhourbeingallowedforherexit。
Thehouseseemedallchanged。CouldthisbeVizardCourt?Deadgloom——hurriedwhispers——andeverybodywalkingsoftly，andscared——noneknowingwhatmightbethenextcalamity。
Vizardfeltsickatheartandhelpless。Hehaddoneallhecould，andwasreducedtothatconditionwomenbearfarbetterthanmen——hemustwait，andhope，andfear。Hewalkedupanddownthecarpetedlanding，rackedwithanxiety。
AtlasttherecameasinglescreamofagonyfromInaKlosking\'sroom。
Itmadethestrongmanquake。
Hetappedsoftlyatthedoor。
Rhodaopenedit。
\"Whatisit?\"hefaltered。
Shereplied，gravely，\"Onlywhatmustbe。Sheisbeginningtorealizewhathasbefallenher。Don\'tcomehere。Youcandonogood。IwillrundowntoyouwheneverIdare。Givemeanursetohelp，thisfirstnight。\"
Hewentdownandsentintothevillageforawomanwhoboreagreatnamefornursing。Thenhewanderedaboutdisconsolate。
Theleadenhourspassed。Hewenttodress，anddiscoveredInaKlosking\'sblooduponhisclothes。Itshockedhimfirst，andthenitmeltedhim:hefeltaninexpressibletendernessatsightofit。Thebloodthathadflowedinherveinsseemedsacredtohim。Hefoldedthatsuit，andtieditupinasilkhandkerchief，andlockeditaway。
Induecoursehesatdowntodinner——weareallsuchcreaturesofhabit。
Therewaseverythingasusual，exceptthefamiliarfaces。Therewastheglitteringplateonthepolishedsideboard，thepyramidofflowerssurroundedwithfruits。Therewereevenchairsatthetable，fortheservantsdidnotknowhewastobequitealone。Buthewas。Onedelicatedishafteranotherwasbroughthim，andsentawayuntasted。SoonafterdinnerRhodaGalecamedownandtoldhimherpatientwasinaprecariouscondition，andshefearedfeveranddelirium。Shebeggedhimtosendoneservantuptothefarmforcertainmedicamentsshehadthere，andanothertothechemistatTaddington。Theseweredispatchedonswifthorses，andbothwerebackinhalfanhour。
By-and-byFannyDovercamedowntohim，withredeyes，andbroughthimZoe\'slove。\"But，\"saidshe，\"don\'taskhertocomedown。Sheisashamedtolookanybodyintheface，poorgirl。\"
\"Why?whathas_she_done?\"
\"Oh，Harrington，shehasmadenosecretofheraffection；andnow，atsightofthatwoman，hehasabandonedher。\"
\"TellherIlovehermorethanIeverdid，andrespecthermore。Whereisherpride?\"
\"Pride!sheisfullofit；anditwillhelpher——by-and-by。Butshehasabittertimetogothroughfirst。Youdon\'tknowhowsheloveshim。\"
\"What!lovehimstill，afterwhathehasdone?\"
\"Yes!Sheinterpretsitthiswayandthat。Shecannotbeartobelieveanotherwomanhasanyrealrighttoseparatethem。\"
\"Separatethem!Thescoundrelknocked_her_downforlovinghimstill，andfledfromthemboth。Waseverguiltmoreclear?Ifshedoubtsthatheisavillain，tellherfrommeheisaforger，andhasgivenmebillswithfalsenamesonthem。Thebankersgavemenoticeto-day，andIwascominghometoorderhimoutofthehousewhenthismiserablebusinesshappened。\"
\"Aforger!isitpossible?\"saidFanny。\"Butitisnousemytellingherthatsortofthing。Ifhehadcommittedmurder，andwastruetoher，shewouldclingtohim。Sheneverknewtillnowhowshelovedhim，norI
neither。SheputhiminCoventryfortellingalie；butshewasfarmoreunhappyallthetimethanhewas。Thereisnothingtodobuttobekindtoher，andletherhideherface。Don\'thurryher。\"
\"NotI。Godhelpher!Ifshehasawish，itshallbegratified。Iampowerless。Sheisyoung。Surelytimewillcureherofavillain，nowheisdetected。\"
Fannysaidshehopedso。
Thetruthis，ZoehadnotopenedherhearttoFanny。Sheclungtoher，andwrithedinherarms；butshespokelittle，andonebrokensentencecontradictedtheother。Butmentalagony，likebodily，findsitsvent，notinspeech，thebrain\'sgreatinterpreter，butininarticulatecries，andmoans，andsighs，thatproveusanimalseveninthethroesofmind。
Zoewasinthatcruelstageofsuffering。
Sopassedthatmiserableday。
CHAPTERXXI。
INAKLOSKINGrecoveredhersensesthatevening，andaskedMissGalewhereshewas。MissGaletoldhershewasinthehouseofafriend。
\"Whatfriend?\"
\"That，\"saidMissGale，\"Iwilltellyouby-and-by。Youareingoodhands，andIamyourphysician。\"
\"Ihaveheardyourvoicebefore，\"saidIna，\"butIknownotwhere；anditissodark!Whyisitsodark?\"
\"Becausetoomuchlightisnotgoodforyou。Youhavemetwithanaccident。\"
\"Whataccident，madam?\"
\"Youfellandhurtyourpoorforehead。See，Ihavebandagedit，andnowyoumustletmewetthebandage——tokeepyourbrowcool。\"
\"Thankyou，madam，\"saidIna，inherownsweetbutqueenlyway。\"Youareverygoodtome。IwishIcouldseeyourfacemoreclearly。Iknowyourvoice。\"Then，afterasilence，duringwhichMissGaleeyedherwithanxiety，shesaid，likeonegropingherwaytothetruth，\"I——fell——and——hurt——myforehead?——_Ah!\"_
ThenitwassheutteredthecrythatmadeVizardquakeatthedoor，andshookforamomentevenRhoda\'snerves，though，asarule，theywereironinasituationofthiskind。
IthadallcomebacktoInaKlosking。
Afterthatpiteouscrysheneversaidaword。Shedidnothingbutthink，andputherhandtoherhead。
Andsoonaftermidnightshebegantotalkincoherently。
Thephysiciancouldonlyproceedbyphysicalmeans。Sheattackedthecomingfeveratonce，withtheremediesoftheday，andalsowithaninfusionofmonk\'s-hood。Thatpoison，promptlyadministered，didnotdeceiveher。Sheobtainedaslightperspiration，whichwassomuchgainedinthebattle。
Inthemorningshegotthepatientshiftedintoanotherbed，andshesleptalittleafterthat。Butsoonshewasawake，restless，andraving:
stillhercharacterpervadedherdelirium。Noviolence。Nothinganysoreinjuredwomanneedbeashamedtohavesaid:onlyitwasalldisconnected。
Onemomentshewasspeakingtotheleaderoftheorchestra，atanothertoMr。Ashmead，atanother，withdivinetenderness，toherstillfaithfulSeverne。Andthoughnothurried，asusualinthesecases，itwasalmostincessantandpitiabletohear，eachobservationwassowiseandgood；
yet，allbeingdisconnected，thehearercouldnotbutfeelthatanoblemindlaybeforehim，overthrownandbrokenintofragmentslikesomeAtticcolumn。
Inthemiddleofthisthehandlewassoftlyturned，andZoeVizardcamein，paleandsomber。
LongbeforethisshehadsaidtoFannyseveraltimes，\"Ioughttogoandseeher；\"andFannyhadsaid，\"Ofcourseyouought。\"
Sonowshecame。Shefoldedherarmsandstoodatthefootofthebed，andlookedatherunhappyrival，unhappyaspossibleherself。
Whatcontraryfeelingsfoughtinthatyoungbreast!Pityandhatred。Shemusthatetherivalwhohadcomebetweenherandhimsheloved；shemustpitythewomanwholaythere，pale，wounded，andlittlelikelytorecover。
And，withallthis，agreatdesiretoknowwhetherthissuffererhadanyrighttocomeandseizeEdwardSevernebythearm，andsodrawdowncalamityonboththewomenwholovedhim。
Shelookedandlistened，andRhodaGalethoughtitharduponherpatient。
Butitwasnotinhumannaturethegirlshoulddootherwise；soRhodasaidnothing。
WhatfellfromIna\'slipswasnotofakindtomakeZoemoreherfriend。
Hermindseemednowlikeabirdtiedbyalongsilkenthread。Itmadelargeexcursions，butconstantlycamebacktoherlove。Sometimesthatlovewashappy，sometimesunhappy。Oftenshesaid\"Edward!\"intheexquisitetoneofalovingwoman；andwhenevershedid，Zoereceiveditwithasortofshiver，asifadagger，fineasaneedle，hadpassedthroughherwholebody。
Atlast，aftertellingsometenorthathehadsungFnaturalinsteadofF
sharp，andpraisedsomebody\'srenderingofasongin\"IlFlautoMagico，\"
andtoldAshmeadtomakenomoreengagementsforheratpresent，forshewasgoingtoVizardCourt，thepoorsoulpausedaminute，andutteredadeepmoan。
_\"Struckdownbytheveryhandthatwasvowedtoprotectme!\"_saidshe。
Thenwassilentagain。Thenbegantocry，andsob，andwringherhands。
Zoeputherhandtoherheartandmovedfeeblytowardthedoor。However，shestoppedamomenttosay，\"Iamnousehere。Youwouldsoonhavemeravinginthenextbed。IwillsendFanny。\"Thenshedrewherselfup。
\"MissGale，everybodyhereisatyourcommand。Praysparenothingyoucanthinkoftosave——_mybrother\'sguest。\"_
Therecameoutthebitterdrop。
Whenshehadsaidthat，shestalkedfromtheroomlikesomeredIndianbearingamortalarrowinhim，buttooproudtoshowit。
Butwhenshegottoherownroomsheflungherselfonhersofa，andwrithedandsobbedinagony。
FannyDovercameinandfoundherso，andflewtoher。
Butsheorderedheroutquitewildly。\"No，no；goto_her，_likealltherest，andleavepoorZoeallalone。She_is_alone。\"
ThenFannyclungtoher，andtriedhardtocomforther。
Thisyoungladynowbecameveryzealousandactive。Shedividedhertimebetweenthetwosufferers，andwasindefatigableintheirservice。WhenshewasnotsupportingZoe，shewasalwaysatMissGale\'selbowofferingherservices。\"Doletmehelpyou，\"shesaid。\"Doprayletmehelp。Wearepoorathome，andthereisnothingIcannotdo。I\'mworthanythreeservants。\"
Shealwayshelpedshiftthepatientintoafreshbed，andthatwasdoneveryoften。Shewouldruntothecookorthebutlerforanythingthatwaswantedinahurry。Sheflunggentilityandhumbugtothewinds。Thenshedressedintenminutes，andwentanddinedwithVizard，andmadeexcusesforZoe\'sabsence，tokeepeverythingsmooth；andfinallysheinsistedonsittingupwithInaKloskingtillthreeinthemorning，andmadeMissGalegotobedintheroom。\"Paidnurses!\"saidshe；\"theyarenouseexcepttosnoreanddrinkthepatient\'swine。YouandIwillwatchhereverymomentofthenight；andifI\'meveratalosswhattodo，Iwillcallyou。\"
MissGalestaredatheronce，andthenacceptedthisnewphaseofhercharacter。
Thefeverwashotwhileitlasted；butitwassoencounteredwithtonics，andportwine，andstrongbeefsoupnotyourrubbishybeeftea，thatinforty-eighthoursitbegantoabate。InarecognizedRhodaGaleastheladywhohadsavedSeverne\'slifeatMontpellier，andweptlongandsilentlyuponherneck。Induecourse，Zoe，hearingtherewasagreatchange，cameinagaintolookather。Shestoodandeyedher。SoonInaKloskingcaughtsightofher，andstaredather。
\"Youhere!\"saidshe。\"Ah!youareMissVizard。Iaminyourhouse。I
willgetupandleaveit；\"andshemadeafeebleattempttorise，butfellback，andthetearswelledoutofhereyesatherhelplessness。
Zoewasindignant，butforthemomentmoreshockedthananythingelse。
Shemovedawayalittle，anddidnotknowwhattosay。
\"Letmelookatyou，\"saidthepatient。\"Ah!youarebeautiful。WhenI
sawyouatthetheater，youfascinatedme。Howmuchmoreaman?Iwillresistnomore。Youaretoobeautifultoberesisted。Takehim，andletmedie。\"
\"Idohernogood，\"saidZoe，halfsullenly，halftrembling。
\"Indeedyoudonot，\"saidRhoda，bluntly，andalmostbitterly。Shewasallnurse。
\"I\'llcomeherenomore，\"saidZoe，sadlybutsternly，andlefttheroom。
ThenInaturnedtoMissGaleandsaid，patiently，\"IhopeIwasnotrudetothatlady——whohasbrokenmyheart。\"
FannyandRhodatookeachahandandtoldhershecouldnotberudetoanybody。
\"Myfriends，\"saidIna，lookingpiteouslytoeachinturn，\"itisherhouse，youknow，andsheisverygoodtomenow——afterbreakingmyheart。\"
ThenFannyshowedadealoftact。_\"Her_house!\"saidshe。\"Itisnomorehersthanmine。Why，thishousebelongstoagentleman，andheismadaftermusic。Heknowsyouverywell，thoughyoudon\'tknowhim，andhethinksyouthefirstsingerinEurope。\"
\"Youflatterme，\"saidIna，sadly。
\"Well，hethinksso；andheisreckonedaverygoodjudge。Ah!nowI
thinkofit，Iwillshowyousomething，andthenyouwillbelieveme。\"
Sheranofftothelibrary，snatchedupIna\'spicturesetroundwithpearls，andcamepantinginwithit。\"There，\"saidshe；\"nowyoulookatthat!\"andsheputitbeforehereyes。\"Now，whoisthat，ifyouplease?\"
\"Oh!ItisInaKloskingthatwas。Pleasebringmeaglass。\"
Thetwoladieslookedateachother。MissGalemadeanegativesignal，andFannysaid，\"By-and-by。Thiswilldoinstead，foritisaslikeastwopeas。Nowaskyourselfhowthiscomestobeinthehouse，andsetinpearls。Why，theyareworththreehundredpounds。Iassureyouthatthemasterofthishouseis_fanaticoperlamusica；_heardyousingSiebelatHomburg——ravedaboutyou——wantedtocallonyou。Wehadtodraghimawayfromtheplace；andhedeclaresyouarethefirstsingerintheworld；andyoucannotdoubthissincerity，for_herearethepearls。\"_
InaKlosking\'spalecheekcolored，andthensheopenedhertwoarmswide，andputthemroundFanny\'sneckandkissedher:herinnocentvanitywasgratified，andhergraciousnaturesuggestedgratitudetoherwhohadbroughtherthecompliment，insteadoftheusualungratefulbumptiousnesspraiseelicitsfromvanity。
ThenMissGaleputinherword——\"Whenyoumetwiththisunfortunateaccident，Iwasfortakingyouuptomyhouse。Itisthreemilesoff；buthewouldnothearofit。Hesaid，\'No；hereshegotherwound，andhereshemustbecured。\'\"
\"So，\"saidFanny，\"praysetyourmindatease。MycousinHarringtonisaverygoodsoul，butratherarbitrary。Ifyouwanttoleavethisplace，youmustgetthoroughlywellandstrong，forhewillneverletyougotillyouare。\"
Betweenthesetwoladies，cleverandcooperating，Inasmiled，andseemedrelieved；butshewastooweaktoconverseanymorejustthen。
SomehoursafterwardshebeckonedFannytoher，andsaid，\"Themasterofthehouse——whatishisname?\"
\"HarringtonVizard。\"
\"What!——_her_father?\"
\"La，no；onlyherhalf-brother。\"
\"IfheissokindtomebecauseIsing，whycomeshenottoseeme?_She_
hascome。\"
Fannysmiled。\"ItisplainyouarenotanEnglishwoman，thoughyouspeakitsobeautifully。AnEnglishgentlemandoesnotintrudeintoalady\'sroom。\"
\"Itishisroom。\"
\"Hewouldsaythat，whileyouoccupyit，itisyours，andnothis。\"
\"Heawaitsmyinvitation，then。\"
\"Idaresayhewouldcomeifyouweretoinvitehim，butcertainlynotwithout。\"
\"Iwishtoseehimwhohasbeensokindtome，andsolovesmusic；butnotto-day——Ifeelunable。\"
Thenextdaysheaskedforaglass，andwasdistressedatherappearance。
Shebeggedforacap。
\"Whatkindofacap?\"askedFanny。
\"Onelikethat，\"saidshe，pointingtoaportraitonthewall。Itwasofaladyinaplainbrownsilkdressandalittlewhiteshawl，andaneatcapwithanarrowlaceborderallroundherface。
Thisparticularcapwasoutofdatefullsixtyyears；butthehousehadastoreroomofrelics，andFanny，withVizard\'shelp，soonrummagedoutacapofthesort，withanarrowfrillallround。
Herhairwassmoothed，awhitesilkbandpassedoverthenowclosedwound，andthecapfittedonher。Shelookedpale，butangelic。
FannywentdowntoVizard，andinvitedhimtocomeandseeMademoiselleKlosking——byherdesire。\"But，\"sheadded，\"MissGaleisveryanxiouslestyoushouldgettalkingofSeverne。Shesaysthefeverandlossofbloodhaveweakenedherterribly；andifwebringthefeveronagain，shecannotanswerforherlife。\"
\"Hasshespokenofhimtoyou?\"
\"Notonce。\"
\"Thenwhyshouldshetome?\"
\"Becauseyouareaman，andshemaythinktogetthe_truth_outofyou:
sheknows_we_shallonlysaywhatisforthebest。Sheisverydeep，andwedon\'tknowhermindyet。\"
Vizardsaidhewouldbeasguardedashecould；butiftheysawhimgoingwrong，theymustsendhimaway。
\"Oh，MissGalewilldothat，youmaybesure，\"saidFanny。
Thusprepared，VizardfollowedFannyupthestairstothesick-room。
Eitherthereissuchathingasloveatfirstsight，oritissomethingmorethanfirstsight，whenanobservantmangazesatawomanforanhourinablazeoflight，anddrinksinherlooks，herwalk，hervoice，andalltheoutwardsignsofabeautifulsoul；forthestoutcynic\'sheartbeatatenteringthatroomasithadnotbeatforyears。Tobesure，hehadnotonlyseenheronthestageinallherglory，buthadheldher，paleandbleeding，tohismanlybreast，andhisheartwarmedtoherallthemore，and，indeed，fairlymeltedwithtenderness。
Fannywentinandannouncedhim。Hefollowedsoftly，andlookedather。
Wealthcanmakeevenasick-roompretty。TheKloskinglayonsnowypillowswhoseglossydamaskwasedgedwithlace；anduponherformwasaneider-downquiltcoveredwithviolet-coloredsatin，andherfacewassetinthatsweetcapwhichhidherwound，andmadehereloquentfacelessghastly。
Sheturnedtolookathim，andhegazedatherinawaythatspokevolumes。
\"Aseat，\"saidshe，softly。
Fannywasforputtingoneclosetoher。\"No，\"saidMissGale，\"lowerdown；thensheneednottoturnherhead。\"
Sohesatdownnearerherfeet。
\"Mygoodhost，\"saidshe，inhermellowvoice，thatretaineditsquality，butnotitspower，\"Idesiretothankyouforyourgoodnesstoapoorsinger，struckdown——bythehandthatwasboundtoprotecther。\"
Vizardfalteredoutthattherewasnothingtothankhimfor。Hewasproudtohaveherunderhisroof，thoughdeeplygrievedatthecause。
Shelookedathim，andhertwonurseslookedatherandateachother，asmuchastosay，\"Sheisgoingupondangerousground。\"
Theywereright。Butshehadnotthecourage，or，perhaps，asmostwomenarealittlecat-likeinthis，thattheygoawayonceortwicefromthesubjectnearesttheirheartbeforetheyturnandpounceonit，shemustspeakofotherthingsfirst。Saidshe，\"ButifIwasunfortunateinthat，Iwasfortunateinthis，thatIfellintogoodhands。Theseladiesaresisterstome，\"andshegaveMissGaleherhand，andkissedtheotherhandtoFanny，thoughshecouldscarcelyliftit；\"andIhaveahostwholovesmusic，andoverratesmypoorability。\"Then，afterapause，\"Whathaveyouheardmesing?\"
\"Siebel。\"
\"OnlySiebel!why，thatisapoorlittlething。\"