\"So_I_thought，tillIheardyousingit。\"
\"And，afterSiebel，youboughtmyphotograph。\"
\"Instantly。\"
\"Andwastedpearlsonit。\"
\"No，madam。Iwasteditonpearls。\"
\"IfIwerewell，Ishouldcallthatextravagant。Butitispermittedtoflatterthesick——itiskind。Meyouoverrate，Ifear；butyoudowelltohonormusic。Ay，I，wholieherewoundedandbroken-hearted，dothankGodformusic。Ourbodiesaresooncrushed，ourlovesdecayorturntohate，butartisimmortal。\"
Shecouldnolongerrollthisoutinhergrandcontralto，butshecouldstillraisehereyeswithenthusiasm，andherpalefacewasilluminated。
Agrandsoulshonethroughher，thoughshewaspale，weak，andprostrate。
Theyadmiredherinsilence。
Afterawhilesheresumed，andsaid，\"IfIlive，Imustliveformyartalone。\"
MissGalesawherapproachingadangeroustopic，soshesaid，hastily，\"Don\'tsay_if_youlive，please，becausethatisarranged。Youhavebeenoutofdangerthistwenty-fourhours，providedyoudonotrelapse；andI
musttakecareofthat。\"
\"Mykindfriend，\"saidIna，\"Ishallnotrelapse；onlymyweaknessispitiable。SometimesIcanscarcelyforbearcrying，Ifeelsoweak。WhenshallIbestronger?\"
\"Youshallbealittlestrongereverythreedays。Therearealwaysupsanddownsinconvalescence。\"
\"WhenshallIbestrongenoughtomove?\"
\"Letmeanswerthatquestion，\"saidVizard。\"WhenyouarestrongenoughtosingusSiebel\'sgreatsong。\"
\"There，\"saidFannyDover；\"thereisamercenaryhostforyou。Hemeanstohaveasongoutofyou。Tillthenyouarehisprisoner。\"
\"No，no，sheismine，saidMissGale；\"andsheshan\'tgotillshehassungme\'Hail，Columbia。\'NoneofyourItaliantrashforme。\"
Inasmiled，andsaiditwasafaircondition，providedthat\"Hail，Columbia，\"withwhichcomposition，unfortunately，shewasunacquainted，wasnotbeyondherpowers。\"Ihaveoftensungformoney，\"saidshe；\"butthistime\"——heresheopenedhergrandarmsandtookRhodaGaletoherbosom——\"Ishallsingforlove。\"
\"Nowwehavesettledthat，\"saidVizard，\"mymindismoreatease，andI
willretire。\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidIna，turningtohim。Then，inalowandverymeaningvoice，_\"Thereissomethingelse。\"_
\"Nodoubtthereisplenty，\"saidMissGale，sharply；\"and，bymyauthority，Ipostponeitalltillyouarestronger。Bidusgood-byforthepresent，Mr。Vizard。\"
\"Iobey，\"saidhe。\"But，madam，pleaserememberIamalwaysatyourservice。Sendformewhenyouplease，andtheoftenerthebetterforme。\"
\"Thankyou，mykindhost。Obligemewithyourhand。\"
Hegaveherhishand。Shetookit，andputherlipstoitwithpureandgentleandseemlygratitude，andwithnolossofdignity，thoughtheactwashumble。
Heturnedhisheadaway，tohidetheemotionthatactandthetouchofhersweetlipscausedhim；MissGalehurriedhimoutoftheroom。
\"Younaughtypatient，\"saidshe；\"youmustdonothingtoexciteyourself。\"
\"Sweetphysician，lovingnurse，Iamnotexcited。\"
MissGalefeltherhearttosee。
\"Gratitudedoesnotexcite，\"saidIna。\"Itistootameafeelinginthebestofus。\"
\"Thatisafact，\"saidMissGale；\"soletusallbegrateful，andavoidexcitingtopics。ThinkwhatIshouldfeelifyouhadarelapse。Why，youwouldbreakmyheart。\"
\"ShouldI?\"
\"Ireallythinkyouwould，toughasitis。Onegetssofondofanunselfishpatient。Youcannotthinkhowraretheyare，dear。Youareapearl。Icannotaffordtoloseyou。\"
\"Thenyoushallnot，\"saidIna，firmly。\"KnowthatI，whoseemsoweak，amawomanofgreatresolution。Iwillfollowgoodcounsel；IwillpostponealldangeroustopicstillIamstronger；Iwilllive。ForIwillnotgrievethetruefriendscalamityhasraisedme。\"
OfcourseFannytoldZoeallaboutthisinterview。Shelistenedgloomily；
andallshesaidwas，\"Sistersdonotgoformuchwhenamanisinlove。\"
\"Dobrothers，whenawomanis?\"saidFanny。
\"Idaresaytheygoforasmuchastheyareworth。\"
\"Zoe，thatisnotfair。Harringtonisfullofaffectionforyou。Butyouwillnotgonearhim。Anyothermanwouldbeveryangry。Dopraymakeaneffort，andcomedowntodinnerto-day。\"
\"No，no。HehasyouandhisKlosking。AndIhavemybrokenheart。I_am_
alone；andsowillbeallalone。\"
Shecriedandsobbed，butshewasobstinate，andFannycouldonlyletherhaveherownwayinthat。
Anotherquestionwassoondisposedof。WhenFannyinvitedherintothesickroom，shesaid，haughtily，\"Igotherenomore。Cureher，andsendheraway——ifHarringtonwilllethergo。Idaresaysheistobepitied。\"
\"Ofcoursesheis。Sheisyourfellow-victim，ifyouwouldonlyletyourselfseeit。\"
\"Unfortunately，insteadofpityingher，Ihateher。Shehasdestroyedmyhappiness，anddoneherselfnogood。Hedoesnotloveher，andneverwill。\"
Fannyfoundherselfgettingangry，soshesaidnomore；forshewasdeterminednothingshouldmakeherquarrelwithpoorZoe；butafterdinner，being_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_withVizard，shetoldhimshewasafraidZoecouldnotseethingsastheywere；andsheaskedhimifhehadanyideawhathadbecomeofSeverne。
\"Fledthecountry，Isuppose。\"
\"Areyousureheisnotlurkingabout?\"
\"Whatfor?\"
\"TogetawordwithZoe——alone。\"
\"Hewillnotcomenearthis。Iwillbreakeveryboneinhisskinifhedoes。\"
\"Butheissosly；hemighthangabout。\"
\"Whatfor?Shenevergoesout；andifshedid，haveyousopooranopinionofherastothinkshewouldspeaktohim?\"
\"Oh，no!andshewouldforbidhimtospeaktoher。Buthewouldbesuretopersist；andhehassuchwonderfulpowersofexplanation，andsheisblindedbylove，Ithinkhewouldmakeherbelieveblackwaswhite，ifhehadachance；andifheisabout，hewillgetachancesomeday。Sheisdoingtheveryworstthingshecould——shuttingherselfupso。Anymomentshewillturnwild，andrushoutreckless。Sheisinadangerousstate，youmarkmywords；sheisbroken-hearted，andyetsheisbitteragainsteverybody，exceptthatyoungvillain，andheistheonlyenemyshehasintheworld。Idon\'tbelieveMademoiselleKloskingeverwrongedher，noreverwill。Appearancesareagainsther；butsheisagoodwoman，orIamafool。Takemyadvice，Harrington，andbeonyourguard。IfhehadwrittenapenitentlettertoMademoiselleKlosking，thatwouldbeadifferentthing；butheignoresher，andthatfrightensmeforZoe。\"
HarringtonwouldnotadmitthatZoeneededanyothersafeguardagainstadetectedscoundrelthanherownsenseofdignity。Heconsented，however，totakeprecautions，ifFannywouldsolemnlypromisenottotellZoe，andsowoundher。Onthatcondition，hewouldseehishead-keepertomorrow，andallthekeepersandwatchersshouldbepostedsoastoencircletheparishwithvigilance。HeassuredFannythesefellowshadawholesystemofsignalstotheearandeye，andSevernecouldnotgetwithinamileofthehouseundetected。\"But，\"saidhe，\"Iwillnottrusttothatalone。I
willsendanadvertisementtothelocalpapersandtheleadingLondonjournals，sowordedthatthescoundrelshallknowhisforgeryisdetected，andthathewillbearrestedonamagistrate\'swarrantifhesetsfootinBarfordshire。\"
Fannysaidthatwascapital，and，altogether，hehadsethermindatrest。
\"Thendoasmuchforme，\"saidVizard。\"Pleaseexplainaremarkablephenomenon。Youwerealwaysabrightgirl，andnofool；butnotexactlywhathumdrumpeoplewouldcallagoodgirl。Youarenotoffended?\"
\"Theidea!Why，Ihavepubliclydisownedgoodnessagainandagain。Youhaveheardme。\"
\"SoIhave。Butwasnotthatratherdeceitfulofyou?foryouhaveturnedoutasgoodasgold。Anxietyhaskeptmeathomeoflate，andIhavewatchedyou。Youliveforothers；youarealloverthehousetoservetwosuffering_women。_Thatisrealcharity，notsexualcharity，whichhumbugstheworld，butnotme。Youarecook，housemaid，butler，nurse，andfriendtobothofthem。Inanintervalofyourtime，socreditablyemployed，youcomeandcheermeupwithyourbrightlittleface，andgivemewiseadvice。Iknowthatwomenareallhumbugs；onlyyouareahumbugreversed，anddeserveastatue——andtrimmings。Youhavebeenpassingyourselfoffforanaughtygirl，andallthetimeyouwereanextragoodone。\"
\"Andthatpuzzlesthewoman-hater，thecynicalstudent，whosayshehasfathomedwoman。MypoordearHarrington，ifyoucannotreadsoshallowacharacterasIam，howwillyougetonwiththoseladiesupstairs——Zoe，whoisasdeepasthesea，andturbidwithpassion，andtheKlosking，whoisasdeepastheocean?\"
Shethoughtamomentandsaid，\"There，Iwillhavepityonyou。Youshallunderstandonewomanbeforeyoudie，andthatisme。I\'llgiveyoutheclewtomyseeminginconsistencies——if_you_willgive_me_acigarette。\"
\"What!anotherhiddenvirtue?Yousmoke?\"
\"NotI，exceptwhenIhappentobewithanoblesoulwhowon\'ttell。\"
VizardfoundheraRussiancigarette，andlightedhisowncigar，andshelecturedasfollows:
\"Whatwomenlove，andcan\'tdowithout，iftheyareyoungandhealthyandspirited，is——Excitement。Iamonewhopinesforit。Now，societyissoconstructedthattogetexcitementyoumustbenaughty。Waltzingallnightandflirtingalldayareexcitement。Crochet，andchurch，andexamininggirlsinSt。Matthew，anddining_enfamille，_andgoingtobedatten，arestagnation。Goodgirls——thatmeansstagnantgirls:Ihateanddespisethetamelittlewretches，andIneverwasone，andneverwillbe。
Butnowlookhere:Wehavetwoladiesinlovewithonevillain——thatisexciting。Onegetsnearlykilledinthehouse——thatisgloriouslyexciting。Theotherisbroken-hearted。IfIweretobeabadgirl，andsay，\'Itisnotmybusiness；Iwillleavethemtothemselves，andgomylittlemill-roundofselfishnessasbefore，\'why，whatafoolImustbe!
IshouldloseExcitement。Insteadofthat，IrunandgetthinksfortheKlosking——Excitement。Icookforher，andnurseher，andsituphalfthenight——Excitement。ThenIruntoZoe，anddomybestforher——andgetsnubbed——Excitement。ThenIsitattheheadofyourtable，andorderyou——Excitement。Oh，itislovely!\"
\"Shallyounotbesorrywhentheybothgetwell，andRoutinerecommences?\"
\"OfcourseIshall。ThatisthesortofgoodgirlIam。And，oh!whenthatfataldaycomes，howIshallflirt。Heavenhelpmynextflirtee!I
shallsoonflirtoutthestigmaofagoodgirl。Youmarkmywords，I
shallflirtwithsome_marriedman_afterthis。Ineverdidthatyet。ButIshall；IknowIshall——Ah!——there，Ihaveburnedmyfinger。\"
\"Nevermind。Thatisexciting。\"
\"AssuchIacceptit。Good-by。ImustgoandrelieveMissGale。Exitthegoodgirlonhermissionofcharity——ha!ha!\"Shehummeda_valse\'adeuxtemps，_andwentdancingoutwithsuchawhirlthatherpetticoats，whichwereample，andnot，asnow，likeasacktiedattheknees，madequiteacoolairintheroom。
ShehadnotbeengonelongwhenMissGalecamedown，fullofherpatient。
Shewantedtogetheroutofbedduringthedaytime，butsaidshewasnotstrongenoughtositup。WouldheorderaninvalidcouchdownfromLondon?Shedescribedthearticle，andwhereitwastobehad。
HesaidHarrisshouldgoupinthemorningandbringonedownwithhim。
Hethenputherseveralquestionsaboutherpatient；andatlastaskedher，withananxietyheinvainendeavoredtoconceal，whatshethoughtwastherelationbetweenherandSeverne。
NowitmayberememberedthatMissGalehadoncebeenonthepointoftellinghimallsheknew，andhadwrittenhimaletter。ButatthattimetheKloskingwasnotexpectedtoappearonthesceneinperson。WereshenowtosayshehadseenherandSevernelivingtogether，Rhodafeltthatsheshouldlowerherpatient。Shehadnotthehearttodothat。
RhodaGalewasnotofanamoroustemperament，andshewasallthemoreopentofemaleattachments。WithalittleencouragementshewouldhavelovedZoe，butshehadnowtransferredheraffectiontotheKlosking。SherepliedtoVizardalmostlikeamaleloverdefendingtheobjectofhisaffection。
\"TheexactrelationismorethanIcantell；butIthinkhehasliveduponher，forshewasricherthanhewas；andIfeelsurehehaspromisedhermarriage。Andmygreatfearnowislestheshouldgetholdofherandkeephispromise。Heisaspoorasaratorafemalephysician；andshehasafortuneinhervoice，andhasmoneybesides，MissDovertellsme。
Praykeepherheretillsheisquitewell，please。\"
\"Iwill。\"
\"AndthenletmehaveherupatHillstoke。Sheisbeginningtoloveme，andIdoteonher。\"
\"SodoI。\"
\"Ah，butyoumustnot。\"
\"Whynot?\"
\"Because。\"
\"Well，whynot?\"
\"Sheisnottoloveanymanagainwhowillnotmarryher。Iwon\'tlether。I\'llkillherfirst，Iloveherso。Aroguesheshan\'tmarry，andI
can\'tletyoumarryher，because，herconnectionwiththatSeverneismysterious。Sheseemsthesoulofvirtue，butIcouldnotlet_you_marryheruntilthingsareclearer。\"
\"Makeyourmindeasy。Iwillnotmarryher——noranybodyelse——tillthingsareagreatdealclearerthanIhaveeverfoundthem，whereyoursexisconcerned。\"
MissGaleapprovedtheresolution。
NextdayVizardpostedhiskeepers，andsenthisadvertisementstotheLondonandcountryjournals。
Fannycameintohisstudytotellhimtherewasmoretrouble——MissMaitlandtakenseriouslyill，andhadwrittentoZoe。
\"Pooroldsoul!\"saidVizard。\"Ihaveagreatmindtorideoverandseeher。\"
\"Somebodyoughttogo，\"saidFanny。
\"Well，yougo。\"
\"HowcanI——withZoe，andMademoiselleKlosking，andyou，tolookafter?\"
\"Insteadofoneoldwoman。Notmuchexcitementinthat。\"
\"No，cousin。Tothinkofyourremembering!Why，youmusthavegonetobedsober。\"
\"Ioftendo。\"
\"Youwerealwaysaneccentriclandowner。\"
\"Don\'tyoutalk。Youareacaricature。\"
ThisbanterwasinterruptedbyMissGale，whocametotellHarringtonMademoiselleKloskingdesiredtoseehim，athisleisure。
Hesaidhewouldcomedirectly。
\"Beforeyougo，\"saidMissGale，\"letuscometoanunderstanding。Shehadonlytwodays\'fever；butthatfever，andthelossofblood，andtheshocktohernerves，broughthertodeath\'sdoorbyexhaustion。Nowsheisslowlyrecoveringherstrength，becauseshehasahealthystomach，andIgivehernostimulantstospurandthenweakenher，butchoiceandsimpleesculents，theeffectofwhichIwatch，andvarythemaccordingly。
Buttheconvalescentperiodisalwaysoneofdanger，especiallyfromchillstothebody，andexcitementstothebrain。Atnoperiodaremorepatientsthrownawayforwantofvigilance。NowIcanguardagainstchillsandotherbodilythings，butnotagainstexcitements——unlessyouco-operate。Thefactis，wemustagreetoavoidspeakingaboutMr。
Severne。Wemustbeonourguard。Wemustparry；wemustevade；wemustbedeaf，stupid，slippery；butnoSeverne——forfiveorsixdaysmore，atallevents。\"
Thusforewarned，Vizard，induecourse，paidhissecondvisittoInaKlosking。
Hefoundherproppedupwithpillowsthistime。Shebeggedhimtobeseated。
Shehadevidentlysomethingonhermind，andhernurseswatchedherlikecats。
\"Youarefondofmusic，sir?\"
\"Notofallmusic。Iadoregoodmusic，Ihatebad，andIdespisemediocre。Silenceisgolden，indeed，comparedwithpoormusic。\"
\"Youareright，sir。Haveyougoodmusicinthehouse?\"
\"Alittle。Igetalltheoperas，andyouknowtherearegenerallyoneortwogoodthingsinanopera——amongtherubbish。Butthegreatbulkofourcollectionisratherold-fashioned。Itissacredmusic——oratorios，masses，anthems，services，chants。Mymotherwasthecollector。Hertastesweregood，butnarrow。Doyoucareforthatsortofmusic?\"
\"Sacredmusic?Why，itis，ofallmusic，themostdivine，andsoothesthetroubledsoul。CanInotseethebooks?Ireadmusiclikewords。ByreadingIalmosthear。\"
\"Wewillbringyouupadozenbookstobeginon。\"
Hewentdowndirectly；andsuchwashispleasureindoinganythingfortheKloskingthatheexecutedtheorderinperson，broughtupalittlepileoffoliosandquartos，beautifullyboundandlettered，aladyhavingbeenthecollector。
Now，ashemountedthestairs，withhisverychinuponthepile，whoshouldheseelookingovertherailsathimbuthissisterZoe。
Shewassadlychanged。Therewasafixedashenpalloronhercheek，andadarkcircleunderhereyes。
Hestoppedtolookather。\"Mypoorchild，\"saidhe，\"youlookveryill。\"
\"Iamveryill，dear。\"
\"Wouldyounotbebetterforachange?\"
\"Imight。\"
\"Whycoopyourselfupinyourownroom?Whydenyyourselfabrother\'ssympathy?\"
Thegirltrembled，andtearscametohereyes。
\"Isitwithmeyousympathize?\"saidshe。
\"Canyoudoubtit，Zoe?\"
Zoehungherheadamoment，anddidnotreply。Thenshemadeadiversion。
\"Whatarethosebooks?Oh，Isee——yourmother\'smusic-books。Nothingistoogoodfor_her。\"_
\"Nothinginthewayofmusic-booksistoogoodforher。Forshame!areyoujealousofthatunfortunatelady?\"
Zoemadenoreply。
Sheputherhandsbeforeherface，thatVizardmightnotseehermind。
Thenherestedhisbooksonatable，andcameandtookherheadinhishandspaternally。\"Donotshutyourselfupanylonger。Solitudeisdangeroustotheafflicted。Bemorewithmethanever，andletthiscruelblowbindusmoreclosely，insteadofdisunitingus。\"
Hekissedherlovingly，andhiskindwordssethertearsflowing；buttheydidherlittlegood——theywerebittertears。Betweenherandherbrothertherewasnowabarriersisterlylovecouldnotpass。HehatedanddespisedEdwardSeverne；andsheonlydistrustedhim，andfearedhewasavillain。Shelovedhimstillwitheveryfiberofherheart，andpinedforhisexplanationofallthatseemedsodark。
Sothenheenteredthesick-roomwithhismusic-books；andZoe，afterwatchinghiminwithoutseemingtodoso，creptawaytoherownroom。
Thentherewasratheraprettylittlescene。MissGaleandMissDover，oneachsideofthebed，heldaheavymusic-book，andMademoiselleKloskingturnedtheleavesandread，whenthecompositionwasworthreading。Ifitwasnot，shequietlypasseditover，withoutanyinjuriouscomment。
Vizardwatchedherfromthefootofthebed，andcouldtellinamoment，byherface，whetherthecompositionwasgood，bad，orindifferent。Whenbad，herfaceseemedtoturnimpassive，likemarble；whengood，toexpand；andwhenshelightedonamasterpiece，shewasalmosttransfigured，andherfaceshonewithelevatedjoy。
ThiswasastudytotheenamoredVizard，anditdidnotescapethequick-sighteddoctress。Shedespisedmusiconitsownmerits，butshedespisednothingthatcouldbepressedintotheserviceofmedicine；andshesaidtoherself，\"I\'llcureherwithesculentsandmusic。\"
Thebookwastakenawaytomakeroomforanother。
ThensaidInaKlosking，\"Mr。Vizard，Idesiretosayawordtoyou。
Excuseme，mydearfriends。\"
MissGalecoloredup。Shehadnotforeseena_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_betweenVizardandherpatient。However，therewasnohelpforit，andshewithdrewtoalittledistancewithFanny；butshesaidtoVizard，openlyandexpressively，\"Remember!\"
Whentheyhadwithdrawnalittleway，InaKloskingfixedhereyesonVizard，andsaid，inalowvoice，\"Yoursister!\"
Vizardstartedalittleatthesuddennessofthis，buthesaidnothing:
hedidnotknowwhattosay。
Whenshehadwaitedalittle，andhesaidnothing，shespokeagain。\"Tellmesomethingabouther。Isshegood?Forgiveme:itisnotthatIdoubt。\"
\"Sheisgood，accordingtoherlights。\"
\"Issheproud?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Isshejust?\"
\"No。AndInevermetawomanthatwas。\"
\"Indeeditisrare。Whydoesshenotvisitme?\"
\"Idon\'tknow\"
\"Sheblamesmeforallthathashappened。\"
\"Idon\'tknow，madam。Mysisterlooksveryill，andkeepsherownroom。
Ifshedoesnotvisityou，sheholdsequallyalooffromusall。Shehasnottakenasinglemealwithmeforsomedays。\"
\"SinceIwasyourpatientandyourguest。\"
\"Praydonotconcludefromthat——Whocaninterpretawoman?\"
\"Anotherwoman。Enigmastoyou，wearetransparenttoeachother。Sir，willyougrantmeafavor?WillyoupersuadeMissVizardtoseemeherealone——allalone?Itwillbeagreatertrialtomethantoher，forIamweak。InthisrequestIamnotselfish。Shecandonothingforme；butI
candoalittleforher，topaythedebtofgratitudeIowethishospitablehouse。MayHeavenblessit，fromtherooftothefoundationstone!\"
\"Iwillspeaktomysister，andsheshallvisityou——withtheconsentofyourphysician。\"
\"Itiswell，\"saidInaKlosking，andbeckonedherfriends，oneofwhom，MissGale，proceededtofeelherpulse，withsuspiciousglancesatVizard。Butshefoundthepulsecalm，andsaidso。
VizardtookhisleaveandwentstraighttoZoe\'sroom。Shewasnotthere。
Hewasgladofthat，foritgavehimhopesshewasgoingtorespecthisadviceandgiveuphersolitarylife。
Hewentdownstairsandontothelawntolookforher。Hecouldnotseeheranywhere。
Atlast，whenhehadgivenuplookingforher，hefoundherinhisstudycrouchedinacorner。
Sheroseatsightofhimandstoodbeforehim。\"Harrington，\"saidshe，inratheracommandingway，\"AuntMaitlandisill，andIwishtogotoher。\"
Harringtonstaredatherwithsurprise。\"Youarenotwellenoughyourself。\"
\"Quitewellenoughinbodytogoanywhere。\"
\"Well，but——\"saidHarrington。
Shecaughthimupimpatiently。\"SurelyyoucannotobjecttomyvisitingAuntMaitland。Sheisdangerouslyill。Ihadasecondletterthismorning——see。\"Andsheheldhimoutaletter。
Harringtonwasinadifficulty。Hefeltsurethiswasnotherrealmotive；buthedidnotliketosaysoharshlytoanunhappygirl。Hetookamoderatecourse。\"Notjustnow，dear，\"saidhe。
\"What!amItowaittillshedies?\"criedZoe，gettingagitatedathisopposition。
\"Bereasonable，dear。Youknowyouarethemistressofthishouse。Donotdesertmejustnow。Considertheposition。Itisaverychatteringcounty。IentertainMademoiselleKlosking；Icouldnotdootherwisewhenshewasnearlykilledinmyhall。Butformysistertogoawaywhilesheremainsherewouldhaveabadeffect。\"
\"Itistoolatetothinkofthat，Harrington。Themischiefisdone，andyoumustpleadyoureccentricity。WhyshouldIbeartheblame?Ineverapprovedit。\"
\"Youwouldhavesenthertoaninn，eh?\"
\"No；butMissGaleofferedtotakeher。\"
\"ThenIamtounderstandthatyouproposetomarkyourreprobationofmyconductbyleavingmyhouse。\"
\"What!publicly?Ohno。YoumaysaytoyourselfthatyoursistercouldnotbeartostayunderthesameroofwithMr。Severne\'smistress。Butthischatteringcountyshallneverknowmymind。Myauntisdangerouslyill。Shelivesbutthirtymilesoff。Sheisafitobjectofpity。Sheisa——respectable——lady；sheisallalone；nofemalephysician，noflirtturnedSisterofCharity，nowoman-hater，tofetchandcarryforher。AndsoIshallgotoher。Iamyoursister，notyourslave。Ifyougrudgemeyourhorses，Iwillgoonfoot。\"
Vizardwaswhitewithwrath，butgovernedhimselflikeaman。\"Goon，younglady!\"saidhe；\"goon!Jeer，andtaunt，andwoundthebestbrotheranyyoungmadwomaneverhad。Butdon\'tthinkI\'llansweryouasyoudeserve。I\'mtoocunning。IfIwastosayanunkindwordtoyou，Ishouldsufferthetorturesofthedamned。Sogoon!\"
\"No，no。Forgiveme，Harrington。Itisyouroppositionthatdrivesmewild。Oh，havepityonme!IshallgomadifIstayhere。Do，pray，pray，prayletmegotoAuntMaitland!\"
\"Youshallgo，Zoe。ButItellyouplainly，thisstepwillbeablowtoouraffection——thefirst。\"
Zoecriedatthat。Butasshedidnotwithdrawherrequest，Harringtontoldher，withcoldcivility，thatshemustbegoodenoughtobereadydirectlyafterbreakfastto-morrow，andtakeaslittleluggageasshecouldwithconveniencetoherself。
Horsesweresentonthatnighttothe\"Fox，\"aninnhalf-waybetweenVizardCourtandMissMaitland\'splace。
Inthemorningalightbarouche，withaslingforluggage，cameround，andZoewassoonseatedinit。Then，tohersurprise，Harringtoncameoutandsatbesideher。
Shewaspleasedatthisandsaid，\"What!areyougoingwithme，dear，allthatway?\"
\"Yes，tosaveappearances，\"saidhe；andtookoutanewspapertoread。
ThisfrozeZoe，andsheretiredwithinherself。
Itwasafinefreshmorning；thecoachmandrovefast；theairfannedhercheek；themotionwasenlivening；thehorses\'shoofsrangquickandclearupontheroad。Freshobjectsmettheeyeeverymoment。Herheartwasassadandachingasbefore，buttherearoseafaintencouragingsensethatsomedayshemightbebetter，orthingsmighttakesometurn。
Whentheyhadrolledabouttenmilesshesaid，inalowvoice，\"Harrington。\"
\"Well?\"
\"Youwereright。Coopingone\'sselfupisthewaytogomad。\"
\"Ofcourseitis。\"
\"Ifeelalittlebetternow——averylittle。\"
\"Iamgladofit。\"
Buthewasnothearty，andshesaidnomore。
Hewasextremelyattentivetoherallthejourney，and，indeed，hadneverbeenhalfsopolitetoher。
This，however，ledtoaresulthedidnotintendnoranticipate。Zoe，beingnowcool，fellintoastateofcompunctionanddismay。Shesawhisaffectionleavingherfor_her，_andstiffpolitenesscominginstead。
Sheleanedforward，putherhandsonhisknees，andlooked，allscared，inhisface。\"Harrington，\"shecried，\"Iwaswrong。WhatisAuntMaitlandtome?Youaremyall。Bidhimturnthehorses\'headsandgohome。\"
\"Why，weareonlysixmilesfromtheplace。\"
\"Whatdoesthatmatter?Weshallhavehadagoodlongdrivetogether，andIwilldinewithyouafterit；andIwillrideordrivewithyoueveryday，ifyouwillletme。\"
Vizardcouldnothelpsmiling。Hewasdisarmed。\"Youimpulsiveyoungmonkey，\"saidhe，\"Ishalldonothingofthekind。Inthefirstplace，I
couldn\'tturnbackfromanything；I\'monlyaman。Inthenextplace，I
havebeenthinkingitover，asyouhave；andthisisagoodmoveofours，thoughIwasalittlemortifiedatfirst。Occupationisthebestcureoflove，andthisoldladywillfindyouplenty。Besides，nursingimprovesthecharacter。LookatthatfrivolousgirlFanny，howshehascomeout。
Andyouknow，Zoe，ifyougetsickofitinadayortwo，youhaveonlytowritetome，andIwillsendforyoudirectly。Ashortabsence，withsoreasonableamotiveasvisitingasickaunt，willprovokenocomments。
Itisallforthebest。\"
ThissetZoeatherease，andbrotherandsisterresumedtheirusualmanners。
TheyreachedMissMaitland\'shouse，andwereadmittedtohersick-room。
Shewasreallyveryill，andthankedthemsopatheticallyforcomingtovisitapoorloneoldwomanthatnowtheywerebothgladtheyhadcome。
Zoeenteredonherfunctionswithanalacritythatsurprisedherself，andVizarddroveaway。Buthedidnotdrivestraighthome。HehadstartedfromVizardCourtwithotherviews。HehadtelegraphedLordUxmoorthenightbefore，andnowdrovetohisplace，whichwasonlyfivemilesdistant。Hefoundhimathome，andsoontoldhimhiserrand。\"Doyouremembermeetingayoungfellowatmyhouse，calledSeverne?\"
\"Ido，\"saidLordUxmoor，drylyenough。
\"Well，hehasturnedoutanimpostor。\"
Uxmoor\'seyeflashed。HehadalwayssuspectedSeverneofbeinghisrivalandamaincauseofhisdefeat。\"Animpostor?\"saidhe:\"thatisratherastrongword。CertainlyIneverheardagentlemantellsuchafalsehoodashevolunteeredabout——what\'sthefellow\'sname?——adetective。\"
\"Oh，Poikilus。Thatisnothing。Thatwasoneofhiswhitelies。Heisavillainallround，andaforgerbywayofclimax。\"
\"Aforger!What，acriminal?\"
\"Rather!Herearehisdrafts。Thedrawerandacceptordonotexist。ThewholethingwaswrittenbyEdwardSeverne，whoseindorsementfiguresonthebill。Hegotmetocashthesebills。Idepositthemwithyou，andI
askyouforawarranttocommithim——ifheshouldcomethisway。\"
\"Isthatlikely?\"
\"Notatall；itisahundredtoonehenevershowshisnoseagaininBarfordshire。Whenhewasfoundout，hebolted，andlefthisveryclothesinmyhouse。Ipackedthemofftothe\'Swan\'atTaddington。Hehasneverbeenheardofsince；andIhavewarnedhim，byadvertisement，thathewillbearrestedifeverhesetsfootinBarfordshire。\"
\"Well，then?\"
\"Well，then，Iamnotgoingtothrowawayachance。ThebeggarhadtheimpudencetospoononmysisterZoe。Thatwasmyfault，nothers。Hewasanoldcollegeacquaintance，andIgavehimopportunities——Ideservetobehorsewhipped。However，Iamnotgoingtocommitthesameblundertwice。Mysisterisinyourneighborhoodforafewdays。\"
\"Ah!\"
\"Andperhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtokeepyoureyeonher。\"
\"Ifeelmuchhonoredbysuchacommission。ButyouhavenottoldmewhereMissVizardis。\"
\"Withheraunt，MissMaitland，atSomervilleVilla，nearBagley。Apropos，Ihadbettertellyouwhatsheistherefor，oryourgooddowagerwillbeaskinghertoparties。ShehascometonurseherauntMaitland。Theoldladyisseriouslyill，andallouryoungcoquettesaregoinginfornursing。Wehaveasickladyatourhouse，Iamsorrytosay，andsheisnursedlikeaqueenbyDoctressGaleandexFlirtFannyDover。Nowisfulfilledthesayingthatwassaid，\'Owoman!inourhoursofease——\'
Ispareyoutherest，andsimplyremarkthatourZoe，firedbytheexampleofthosetwoladies，hasdevotedherselftonursingAuntMaitland。Itisverygoodofher，butexperiencetellsmeshewillverysoonfinditextremelytrying；andassheisaveryprettygirl，andthereforeafitsubjectofmalecharity，youmightpayheravisitnowandthen，andshowherthatthisbestofallpossibleworldscontainsyounggentlemenofdistinction，withlongandglossybeards，aswellaspeevisholdwomen，whoareextraselfishandtyrannicalwhentheyhappentobesick。\"
Uxmoorpositivelyradiatedasthisprogrammewasunfoldedtohim。Vizardobservedthat，andchuckledinwardly。
Hethenhandedhimtheforgedacceptances。
LordUxmoorbeggedhimtowritedownthefactsonpaper，andalsohisapplicationforthewarrant。Hedidso。LordUxmoorlockedthepaperup，andthefriendsparted。Vizarddroveoff，easyinhismind，andcongratulatinghimself，notunreasonably，onhislittlecombination，bymeansofwhichhehadprovidedhissisterwithawatch-dog，acompanion，andanhonorableloverallinone。
Uxmoorputonhishatandstrodeforthintohisowngrounds，withhisheartbeatinghighatthisstrangeturnofthingsinfavorofhislove。
Neitherforesawthestrangecombinationswhichweretoariseoutofaneventthatappearedsosimpleandone-sided。
CHAPTERXXII。
INAKLOSKING\'Scurewasretardedbythestateofhermind。Theexcitementandsharpagonyherphysicianhadfeareddiedawayasthefeverofthebrainsubsided；butthentheresettleddownagrim，listlesslethargy，whichobstructedherreturntohealthandvigor。OnceshesaidtoRhodaGale，\"ButIhavenothingtogetwellfor。\"
Asarule，shedidnotspeakhermind，butthoughtagreatdeal。SheoftenaskedafterZoe；andhernursescouldseethatheronelanguidanxietywassomehowconnectedwiththatlady。Yetshedidnotseemhostiletohernow，norjealous。Itwashardtounderstandher；shewasreserved，andverydeep。
ThefirstrelieftothedeadlylanguorofhermindcametoherfromMusic。Thatwasnogreatwonder；but，strangetosay，themusicthatdidhergoodwasneitheroldenoughtoberevered，nornewenoughtobefashionable。ItwasEnglishmusictoo，and_passe\'_music。ShecameacrossacollectionofAnglicananthemsandservices——written，mostofit，towardtheendofthelastcenturyandthebeginningofthis。Thecomposers\'namespromisedlittle:theywereBlow，Nares，Green，Kent，King，Jackson，etc。Thewordsandthemusicofthesecompositionsseemedtosuitoneanother；and，astheywereallquitenewtoher，shewentthroughthemalmosteagerly，andhummedseveralofthestrains，andwithherwhitebutnowthinhandbeattimetoothers。SheevensentforVizard，andsaidtohim，\"Youhaveatreasurehere。Doyouknowthesecompositions?\"
Heinspectedhistreasure。\"Iremember，\"saidhe，\"mymotherusedtosingthisone，\'WhentheEyesawHer，thenitblessedHer；\'andpartsofthisone，\'HearmyPrayer；\'and，letmesee，sheusedtosingthispsalm，\'PraisetheLord，\'byJackson。IamashamedtosayIusedtoaskfor\'PraisetheLordJackson，\'meaningtobefunny，notdevout。\"
\"Shedidnotchooseill，\"saidIna。\"IthoughtIknewEnglishmusic，yethereisawholestreamofitnewtome。Isitesteemed?\"
\"Ithinkitwasonce，butithashaditsday。\"
\"Thatisstrange；forherearesomeimmortalqualities。Thesecomposershadbrains，andbeganattherightend；theyselectedgrandandtunefulwords，greatandpiousthoughts；theyimpregnatedthemselveswiththosewordsandproducedappropriatemusic。Theharmoniesaresometimesthin，andthewritersseemscarcelytoknowtheskillfuluseofdiscords；buttheyhadheartandinvention；theysawtheirwayclearbeforetheywrotethefirstnote；thereisaninspiredsimplicityandfervor:ifallthesechoicethingsaredead，theymusthavefallenuponbadinterpreters。\"
\"Nodoubt，\"saidVizard；\"sopleasegetwell，andletmehearthesepiousstrains，whichmypoordearmotherlovedsowell，interpretedworthily。\"
TheKlosking\'seyesfilled。\"Thatisatemptation，\"saidshe，simply。
ThensheturnedtoRhodaGale。\"Sweetphysician，hehasdonemegood。Hehasgivenmesomethingtogetwellfor。\"
Vizard\'sheartyearned。\"Donottalklikethat，\"saidhe，buoyantly；
then，inabrokenvoice，\"Heavenforbidyoushouldhavenothingbettertoliveforthanthat。\"
\"Sir，\"saidshe，gravely，\"Ihavenothingbettertolivefornowthantointerpretgoodmusicworthily。\"
Therewasapainfulsilence。
Inabrokeit。Shesaid，quitecalmly，\"Firstofall，Iwishtoknowhowothersinterpretthesestrainsyourmotherloved，andIhavethehonortoagreewithher。\"
\"Oh，\"saidVizard，\"wewillsoonmanagethatforyou。Thesethingsarenotdefunct，onlyunfashionable。EverychoirinEnglandhassungthem，andcansingthem，afterafashion；so，attwelveo\'clockto-morrow，lookout——forsqualls!\"
Hemountedhishorse，rodeintothecathedraltown——distanteightmiles——andarrangedwiththeorganistforhimself，fourleadingboys，andthreelayclerks。Hewastosendacarriageinforthemafterthemorningservice，andreturnthemingoodtimeforvespers。
FannytoldInaKlosking，andsheinsistedongettingup。
BythistimeDoctressGalehadsatisfiedherselfthatalittleexcitementwasdownrightgoodforherpatient，andledtorefreshingsleep。Sotheydressedherlooselybutverywarmly，androlledhertothewindowonherinvalidcouch，setatahighangle。ItwasafinecleardayinOctober，keenbutgenial；andaftermufflingherwell，theyopenedthewindow。
Whileshesatthere，proppedhigh，andinhalingthepureair，Vizardconveyedhislittlechoir，byanotherstaircase，intotheantechamber；
and，underhisadvice，theyavoidedpreludesandopenedinfullchoruswithJackson\'ssongofpraise。
Atthefirstburstofsacredharmony，InaKloskingwasobservedtoquiverallover。
Theysungitrathercoarsely，butcorrectlyandboldly，andwithacertainfervor。Therewerenooperaticartificestoremindherofearth；
thepurityandtheharmonystruckherfull。ThegreatsingerandsuffererliftedherclaspedhandstoGod，andthetearsflowedfastdownhercheeks。
Thesetearswerebalmtothatpoorlaceratedsoul，tormentedbymanyblows。
\"Olacrymarumfons，tenerosacrosDucemtiumortusexanimo，quaterFelix，inimoquiscatentemPectore，te，pianympha，sensit。\"
RhodaGale，whohatedmusiclikepoison，creptuptoher，and，infoldingherdelicately，laidapairofweteyessoftlyonhershoulder。
Vizardnowtappedatthedoor，andwasadmittedfromthemusic-room。HebeggedInatochooseanothercompositionfromherbook。Shemarkedaserviceandtwoanthems，andhandedhimthevolume，butbeggedtheymightnotbedonetoosoon，oneaftertheother。Thatwouldbequiteenoughforoneday，especiallyiftheywouldbegoodenoughtorepeatthehymnofpraisetoconclude；\"for，\"saidshe，\"thesearethingstobedigested。\"
Soontheboys\'purevoicesroseagainandthosepoordeadEnglishcomposers，withprosaicnames，foundtheirwayagaintothegreatforeignsinger\'ssoul。
Theysungananthem，whichisnowespeciallydespisedbythosegreatcritics，theorganistsofthecountry——\"MySongshallbeofMercyandJudgment。\"
TheKloskingforgavethethinnessoftheharmony，andmanylittlefaultsinthevocalexecution。Thewords，nodoubt，wentfarwithher，beingclearlyspoken。Shesatmeditating，withhermoisteyesraised，andherfacetransfigured，andattheendshemurmuredtoVizard，withhereyesstillraised，\"Afterall，theyaregreatandpiouswords，andthemusichasatleastthiscrowningvirtue——itmeansthewords。\"Thenshesuddenlyturneduponhimandsaid，\"ThereisanotherpersoninthishousewhoneedsthisconsolationasmuchasIdo。Whydoesshenotcome?Butperhapssheiswiththemusicians。\"
\"Whomdoyoumean?\"
\"Yoursister。\"
\"Why，sheisnotinthehouse。\"
InaKloskingstartedatthatinformation，andbenthereyeskeenlyandinquiringlyonhim。
\"Shelefttwodaysago。\"
\"Indeed!\"
\"Tonurseasickaunt。\"
\"Indeed!Hadshenootherreason?\"
\"NotthatIknowof，\"saidVizard；buthecouldnothelpcoloringalittle。
Thelittlechoirnowsungaservice，KinginF。Theysung\"TheMagnificat\"rudely，andratherprofanely，butrecoveredthemselvesinthe\"Dimittis。\"
Whenitwasover，Inawhispered，\"\'TobealighttolightentheGentiles。\'Thatisaninspiredduet。Oh，howitmightbesung!\"
\"Ofcourseitmight，\"whisperedVizard；\"soyouhavesomethingtogetwellfor。\"
\"Yes，myfriend——thankstoyouandyoursaintedmother。\"
This，utteredinavoicewhich，underthehealinginfluenceofmusic，seemedtohaveregainedsomeofitsrichmelody，wastoomuchforourcynic，andhebustledofftohidehisemotion，andinvitedthemusicianstolunch。
Alltheservantshadbeenlisteningonthestairs，andthehospitableoldbutlerpliedtheboyswithsparklingMoselle，which，beinghimselfrearedonmightyPort；hethoughtalightandplayfulwine——justthethingforwomenandchildren。Soafterluncheontheysungratherwild，andtheKloskingtoldVizard，dryly，thatwoulddoforthepresent。
Thenheorderedthecarriageforthem，andaskedMademoiselleKloskingwhenshewouldlikethemagain。
\"When_can_I?\"sheinquired，rathertimidly。
\"Everyday，ifyoulike——Sundaysandall。\"