Shewasasleepinfiveminutes；andMissGalesatwatchingheratfirst，butpresentlyjoinedVizardattheotherend，andtheywhisperedtogether。Saidshe，\"Whatbecomesofthetheorythatwomenhavenostrengthofwill?ThereisMademoiselle_Jeleveux_inperson。Whenshewantstosleep，shesleeps；andlookatyouandme——doyouknowwherewearegoing?\"
\"No。\"
\"NomoredoI。Themotivepoweristhatpersonificationofdivinereposethere。Howbeautifulsheiswithhersweetlipsparted，andherwhiteteethpeeping，andherupperandlowerlasheswedded，andhowgraceful!\"
\"Sheisagoddess，\"saidVizard。\"IwishIhadneverseenher。Markmywords，shewillgivemethesorestheartofall。\"
\"Ihopenot，\"saidRhoda，veryseriously。
Inasleptsweetlyfornearlytwohours，andallthattimeherfriendscouldonlyguesswheretheyweregoing。
Atlastthetrainstopped，forthesixthtime，andAshmeadopenedthedoor。
Thisworthy，whowasentirelyincommandoftheexpedition，collectedtheluggage，includingVizard\'sbag，anddepositeditatthestation。Hethenintroducedthepartytoapair-horsefly，andmountedthebox。
WhentheystoppedatBagley，Vizardsuspectedwheretheyweregoing。
Whenhesawthedirectionthecarriagetook，heknewit，andturnedverygraveindeed。
Heevenregrettedthathehadputhimselfsoblindlyunderthecontrolofawoman。HecastsearchingglancesatMademoiselleKloskingtotryanddiscoverwhatonearthshewasgoingtodo。Butherfacewasasimpenetrableasmarble。Still，sheneverlookedlesslikelytodoanythingrashorinbadtaste。Quietnesswasthemaincharacteristicofherface，whennotrippledoverbyaravishingsweetness；buthehadneverseenherlooksogreat，andlofty，andresoluteasshelookednow；
alittlestern，too，asonewhohadagreatdutytodo，andwasinflexibleasiron。Whentrulyfemininefeaturesstiffenintomarblelikethis，beautyisindeedimperial，andworthyofepicsong；itrisesbeyondthewingofprose。
MyreaderistoointelligentnottodivinethatshewassteelingherselftoaterribleinterviewwithZoeVizard——terriblemainlyonaccountoftheanguishsheknewshemustinflict。
Butwecanrarelycarryoutourplansexactlyaswetracethem——unexpectedcircumstancesderangethemorexpandthem；andIwillsofaranticipateastosaythatinthiscaseamostunexpectedturnofeventstookLaKloskingbysurprise。
Whethersheprovedequaltotheoccasionthesepageswillshowverysoon。
CHAPTERXXVI。
POIKILUSneverleftTaddington——onlythe\"Swan。\"MorethanoncehewaswithinsightofAshmeadunobserved。Once，indeed，thatgentleman，whohadagreatrespectfordignitaries，salutedhim；foratthatmomentPoikilushappenedtobeasleekdignitaryoftheChurchofEngland。Poikilus，whenquitehimself，woreamustache，andwassallow，andleanasaweasel；butheshavedandstuffedandcoloredforthedean。Shovel-hat，portlywalk，andgreenspectaclesdidtherest。GrandfatherWhiteheadsaluted。Hisreverencechuckled。
PoikiluskeptSevernepostedbyletterandwireastomanythingsthathappenedoutsideVizardCourt；buthecouldnotdivinethestormthatwasbrewinginsideInaKlosking\'sroom。YetSevernedefendedhimselfexactlyashewouldhavedonehadheknownall。HeandZoespentElysianhours，meetingtwiceadayintheshrubbery，andmakingloveasiftheyweretheonlytwocreaturesintheworld；butitwasblindElysiumonlytooneofthem——Severnewasuneasyandalarmedthewholetime。Hissagacityshowedhimitcouldnotlast，andtherewasalwaysacreepingterroronhim。
WouldnotUxmoorcauseinquiries?WouldhenotbesuretotellVizard?
WouldnotVizardcometheretolookafterZoe，ororderherbacktoVizardCourt?WouldnottheKloskinggetwell，andinterfereoncemore?
Hepassedthetimebetweenheavenandhell；wheneverhewasnotundertheimmediatespellofZoe\'spresence，asortofvagueterrorwasalwaysonhim。Helookedallroundhim，whereverhewent。
Thisterror，andhispassion，whichwasnowasviolentasitwaswicked，soondrovehimtoconceivedesperatemeasures。But，bymasterlyself-government，hekeptthemtwodaystohisownbosom。HefeltitwastoosoontoraiseafreshandpainfuldiscussionwithZoe。Hemustletherdrinkunmixeddelight，andgetatasteforit；andthenshowheronwhatconditionsaloneitcouldbehadforever。
Itwasonthethirddayaftertheirreconciliationshefoundhimseatedonabenchintheshrubbery，lostinthought，andlookingverydejected。
Shewasclosetohimbeforehenoticed；thenhesprungup，staredather，andbegantokissherhandsviolently，andevenherverydress。
\"Itisyou，\"saidhe，\"oncemore。\"
\"Yes，dear，\"saidZoe，tenderly；\"didyouthinkIwouldnotcome?\"
\"Ididnotknowwhetheryoucouldcome。Ifeelthatmyhappinesscannotlastlong。And，Zoedear，Ihavehadadream。Idreamedweweretakenprisoners，andcarriedtoVizardCourt，andonthestepsstoodVizardandMademoiselleKloskingarm-in-arm；Ibelievetheyweremanandwife。Andyouweretakenoutandled，weeping，intothehouse，andIwasleftthereragingwithagony。Andthenthatladyputoutherfingerinacommandingway，andIwaswhirledawayintoutterdarkness，andIheardyoumoan，andIfought，anddashedmyheadagainstthecarriage，andIfeltmyheartburst，andmywholebodyfilledwithsomecoldliquid，andIwenttosleep，andIheardavoicesay，\'Itisallover；histroubleisended。\'Iwasdead。\"
Thisnarrative，andhisdeepdejection，setZoe\'stearsflowing。\"PoorEdward!\"shesighed。\"Iwouldnotsurviveyou。Butcheerup，dear；itwasonlyadream。Wearenotslaves。Iamnotdependentonanyone。Howcanwebeparted?\"
\"Weshall，unlessweuseouropportunity，andmakeitimpossibletopartus。Zoe，donotslightmyalarmandmymisgivings；suchwarningsareprophetic。ForHeaven\'ssake，makeonesacrificemore，andletusplaceourhappinessbeyondthereachofman!\"
\"Onlytellmehow。\"
\"Thereisbutoneway——marriage。\"
Zoeblushedhigh，andpantedalittle，butsaidnothing。
\"Ah!\"saidhe，piteously，\"Iasktoomuch。\"
\"Howcanyousaythat?\"saidZoe。\"OfcourseIshallmarryyou，dearest。
What!doyouthinkIcoulddowhatI_have_doneforanybodybutmyhusbandthatistobe?\"
\"Iwasmadtothinkotherwise，\"saidhe，\"butIaminlowspirits，andfullofmisgivings。Oh，thecomfort，thebliss，thepeaceofmind，thejoy，ifyouwouldseeourhazardouscondition，andmakeallsafebymarryingmeto-morrow。\"
\"To-morrow!Why，Edward，areyoumad?Howcanwebemarried，solongasmybrotherissoprejudicedagainstyou?\"
\"Ifwewaithisconsent，wearepartedforever。Hewouldforgiveusafterit——thatiscertain。Buthewouldneverconsent。Heistoomuchundertheinfluenceofhis——ofMademoiselleKlosking。\"
\"Indeed，Icannothopehewillconsentbeforehand，\"sighedZoe；\"butI
havenotthecouragetodefyhim；andifIhad，wecouldnotmarryallinamoment，likethat。Weshouldhavetobecriedinchurch。\"
\"Thatisquitegoneoutamongladiesandgentlemen。\"
\"Notinourfamily。Besides，evenaspeciallicensetakestime，I
suppose。Ohno，Icouldnotbemarriedinaclandestine，discreditableway。IamaVizard——pleaserememberthat。Wouldyoudegradethewomanyouhonorwithyourchoice?\"
Andherredcheeksandflashingeyeswarnedhimtodesist。
\"Godforbid!\"saidhe。\"Ifthatisthealternative，Iconsenttoloseher——andloseherIshall。\"
Hethenaffectedtodismissthesubject，andsaid，\"Letmeenjoythehoursthatareleftme。Muchmiseryormuchblisscanbecondensedinafewdays。Iwillenjoytheblessedtime，andwewillwaitforthechapterofaccidentsthatissuretopartus。\"Thenheactedrecklesshappiness，andbrokedownatlast。
Shecried，butshowednosignofyielding。Herprideandself-respectwererousedandontheirdefense。
Thenextdayhecametoherquietlysad。Heseemedlanguidandlistless，andtocarefornothing。Hewasartfulenoughtotellher，ontheinformationofPoikilus，thatVizardhadhiredthecathedralchoirthreetimesaweektosingtohisinamorata；andthathehaddrivenheraboutTaddington，dressedlikeaduchess，inawholesuitofsables。
Atthatwordthegirlturnedpale。
Heobserved，andcontinued:\"Anditseemsthesesablesareknownthroughoutthecounty。Therewereseveralcarriagesinthetown，andmyinformantheardaladysaytheywereMrs。Vizard\'ssables，worthfivehundredguineas——aRussianprincessgavethemher。\"
\"Itisquitetrue，\"saidZoe。\"Hismother\'ssables!Isitpossible!\"
\"Theyallsayheiscaughtatlast，andthisistobethenextMrs。
Vizard。\"
\"Theymaywellsayso，ifheparadesherinhismother\'ssables，\"saidZoe，andcouldnotconcealherjealousyandherindignation。\"Ineverdaredsomuchasaskhispermissiontowearthem，\"saidshe。
\"Andifyouhad，hewouldhavetoldyoutherelicsofasaintwerenottobeplayedwith。\"
\"Thatisjustwhathewouldhavesaid，Idobelieve。\"Thefemaleheartwasstung。
\"Ah，well，\"saidSeverne，\"IamsureIshouldnotgrudgehimhishappiness，ifyouwouldseethingsashedoes，andbeasbraveasheis。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidZoe。\"Womencannotdefytheworldasmendo。\"Then，passionately，\"Whydoyoutormentmeso?whydoyouurgemeso?apoorgirl，allalone，andfarfromadvice。Whatonearthwouldyouhavemedo?\"
\"Secureusagainstanotherseparation，uniteusinblissforever。\"
\"AndsoIwouldifIcould；youknowIwould。Butitisimpossible。\"
\"No，Zoe；itiseasy。Therearetwoways:wecanreachScotlandineighthours；andthere，byasimplewritinganddeclarationbeforewitnesses，wearemanandwife。\"
\"AGretnaGreenmarriage?\"
\"ItisjustasmuchalegalmarriageasifabishopmarriedusatSt。
Paul\'s。However，wecouldfollowitupimmediatelybymarriageinachurch，eitherinScotlandortheNorthofEnglandButthereisanotherway:wecanbemarriedatBagley，anyday，beforetheregistrar。\"
\"Isthatamarriage——arealmarriage?\"
\"Asreal，aslegal，asbindingasaweddinginSt。Paul\'s。\"
\"Nobodyinthiscountyhaseverbeenmarriedso。Ishouldblushtobeseenaboutafterit。\"
\"Ourfirsthappyyearwouldnotbepassedinthiscountry。Weshouldgoabroadforsixmonths。\"
\"Ay，flyfromshame。\"
\"OnourreturnweshouldbereceivedwithopenarmsbymyownpeopleinHuntingdonshire，untilyourpeoplecameround，astheyalwaysdo。\"
Hethenshowedheraletter，inwhichhispearlofacousinsaidtheywouldreceivehiswifewithopenarms，andmakeherashappyastheycould。UncleTomwascominghomefromIndia，withtwohundredthousandpounds；hewasaconfirmedoldbachelor，andEdwardhisfavorite，etc。
Zoefalteredalittle:sothenhepressedherhardwithlove，andentreaties，andpromises，andevenhystericaltears；thenshebegantocry——asuresignofyielding。\"Givemetime，\"shesaid——\"givemetime。\"
Hegroaned，andsaidtherewasnotimetolose。Otherwiseheneverwouldhaveurgedherso。
Forallthat，shecouldnotbedrawntoadecision。Shemustthinkoversuchastep。Nextmorning，attheusualtime，hecametoknowhisfate。
Butshedidnotappear。Hewaitedanhourforher。Shedidnotcome。Hebegantorageandstorm，andcursehisfollyfordrivinghersohard。
Atlastshecame，andfoundhimpalewithanxiety，andlookingutterlymiserable。Shetoldhimshehadpassedasleeplessnight，andherheadhadachedsointhemorningshecouldnotmove。
\"Mypoordarling!\"saidhe；\"andIamthecause。Saynomoreaboutit，dearone。IseeyoudonotlovemeasIloveyou，andIforgiveyou。\"
Shesmiledsadlyatthat，forshewassurerofherownlovethanhis。
Zoehadpassedanightoftormentandvacillation；andbutforherbrotherhavingparadedMademoiselleKloskinginhismother\'ssables，shewould，Ithink，haveheldout。Butthisturnedheralittleagainstherbrother；and，ashewasthemainobstacletoherunionwithSeverne，loveandpityconquered。YetstillHonorandPridehadtheirsay。\"Edward，\"
saidshe，\"Iloveyouwithallmyheart，andshareyourfearsthataccidentmayseparateus。Iwillletyoudecideforbothofus。But，beforeyoudecide，bewarnedofonething。Iamagirlnolonger，butawomanwhohasbeendistractedwithmanypassions。Ifanyslurrestsonmyfairname，deeplyasIloveyounow，Ishallabhoryouthen。\"
Heturnedpale，forhereyeflasheddismayintohiscravensoul。
Hesaidnothing；andshecontinued:\"Ifyouinsistonthishasty，half-clandestinemarriage，thenIconsenttothis——Iwillgowithyoubeforetheregistrar，andIshallcomebackheredirectly。NextmorningearlywewillstartforScotland，andbemarriedthatotherwaybeforewitnesses。Thenyourfearswillbeatanend，foryoubelieveinthesemarriages；onlyasIdonot——forIlookonthese_legal_marriagesmerelyassolemnbetrothals——IshallbeMissZoeVizard，andexpectyoutotreatmeso，untilIhavebeenmarriedinachurch，likealady。\"
\"Ofcourseyoushall，\"saidhe；andoverwhelmedherwithexpressionsofgratitude，respect，andaffection。
Thissoothedhertroubledmind，andshelethimtakeherhandandpourhishoneyedflatteriesintoherear，ashewalkedherslowlyupanddown。
Shecouldhardlytearherselfawayfromthesoftpressureofhishandandthefascinationofhistongue，andshelefthim，moremadlyinlovewithhimthanever，andreadytofaceanythingbutdishonorforhim。Shewastocomeoutattwelveo\'clock，andwalkintoBagleywithhimtobetrothherselftohim，asshechosetoconsiderit，beforethestipendiarymagistrate，whomarriedcouplesinthatway。Ofthetwomarriagesshehadconsentedto，merelyaspreliminariestoarealmarriage，Zoedespisedthisthemost；fortheScotchmarriagewas，atallevents，ancient，andrespectablelovershadbeendriventoitagainandagain。
Shewasbehindhertime，andSevernethoughthercouragehadfailedher，afterall。Butno:athalf-pasttwelveshecameout，andwalkedbrisklytowardBagley。
Hewasbehindher，andfollowedher。Shetookhisarmnervously。\"Letmefeelyoualltheway，\"shesaid，\"togivemecourage。\"
Sotheywalkedarm-in-arm；and，astheywent，hiscouragesecretlywavered，her\'sroseateverystep。
Abouthalfamilefromthetowntheymetacarriageandpair。
Atsightofthemagentlemanontheboxtappedattheglasswindow，andsaid，hurriedly，\"Heretheyare_together。\"_
MademoiselleKloskingsaid，\"Stopthecarriage\":then，pausingalittle，\"Mr。Vizard——onyourwordofhonor，noviolence。\"
Thecarriagewasdrawnup，Ashmeadopenedthedoorinatrice，andLaKlosking，followedbyVizard，steppedout，andstoodlikeastatuebeforeEdwardSeverneandZoeVizard。
Severnedroppedherarmdirectly，andwaspanic-stricken。
ZoeutteredalittlescreamatthesightofVizard；butthenextmomenttookfireatherrival\'saudacity，andsteppedboldlybeforeherlover，withflashingeyesandexpandednostrilsthatliterallybreatheddefiance。
CHAPTERXXVII。
\"YOUinfernalscoundrel!\"roaredVizard，andtookastridetowardSeverne。
\"Noviolence，\"saidInaKlosking，sternly:\"itwillbeaninsulttothisladyandme。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"saidVizard，grimly，\"ImustwaittillIcatchhimalone。\"
\"Meantime，permitmetospeak，sir，\"saidIna。\"Believeme，Ihaveabetterrightthanevenyou。\"
\"ThenprayaskmysisterwhyIfindheronthatvillain\'sarm。\"
\"Ishouldnotanswerher，\"saidZoe，haughtily。\"ButmybrotherIwill。
Harrington，allthisvulgarabuseconfirmsmeinmychoice:ItakehisarmbecauseIhaveacceptedhishand。IamgoingintoBagleywithhimtobecomehiswife。\"
ThisannouncementtookawayVizard\'sbreathforamoment，andInaKloskingputinherword。\"Youcannotdothat:prayhewarned。Heisleadingyoutoinfamy。\"
\"Infamy!What，becausehecannotgivemeasuitofsables?Infamy!
becauseweprefervirtuouspovertytoviceandwealth?\"
\"No，younglady，\"saidIna，coloringfaintlyatthetaunt；\"butbecauseyoucouldonlybehisparamour；nothiswife。Heismarriedalready。\"
Atthesewords，spokenwiththatpowerInaKloskingcouldalwayscommand，ZoeVizardturnedashypale。Butshefoughtonbravely。
\"Married?Itisfalse!Towhom?\"
\"Tome。\"
\"Ithoughtso。NowIknowitisnottrue。Heleftyoumonthsbeforeweeverknewhim。\"
\"Lookathim。Hedoesnotsayitisfalse。\"
ZoeturnedonSeverne，andathisfaceherownheartquaked。\"Areyoumarriedtothislady?\"sheasked；andhereyes，dilatedtotheirfullsize，searchedhiseveryfeature。
\"NotthatIknowof，\"saidhe，impudently。
\"Isthattheseriousansweryouexpected，MissVizard?\"saidIna，keenly:
thentoSeverne，\"Youareunwisetoinsultthewomanonwhom，fromthisday，youmustdependforbread。MissVizard，toyouIspeak，andnottothisshamelessman。Foryourmother\'ssake，domejustice。Ihavelovedhimdearly；butnowIabhorhim。WouldIcouldbreakthetiethatbindsusandgivehimtoyou，ortoanyladywhowouldhavehim!ButIcannot。
AndshallIholdmytongue，andletyouberuinedanddishonored?Iamanolderwomanthanyou，andboundbygratitudetoallyourhouse。Dearlady，Ihavetaxedmystrengthtosaveyou。Ifeelthatstrengthwaning。
Prayreadthispaper，andconsenttosave_yourself。\"_
\"Iwillreadit，\"saidRhodaGale，interfering。\"IknowGerman。ItisanauthorizedduplicatecertifyingthemarriageofEdwardSeverne，ofWillingham，inHuntingdonshire，England，toInaFerris，daughterofWalterFerrisandEvaKlosking，ofZutzig，inDenmark。ThemarriagewassolemnizedatBerlin，andherearethesignaturesofseveralwitnesses:
EvaKlosking；FrauleinGraafe；Zug，theCapellmeister；VicomteMeurice，French_attache\'；_CountHompesch，Bavarianplenipotentiary；HerrFormes。\"
Inaexplained，inavoicethatwasnowfeeble，\"Iwasapubliccharacter；
mymarriagewaspublic:notliketheclandestineunionwhichisallhedaredoffertothiswell-bornlady。\"
\"TheBavarianandFrenchministersarebothinLondon，\"saidVizard，eagerly。\"Wecaneasilylearnifthesesignaturesareforged，like_your_
acceptances。\"
But，ifoneshadowofdoubtremained，Severnenowremovedit；heutteredascreamofagony，andfledasifthedemonsofremorseanddespairwerespurringhimwithred-hotrowels。
\"There，youlittleidiot!\"roaredVizard；\"doesthatopenyoueyes?\"
\"Oh，Mr。Vizard，\"saidIna，reproachfully，\"forpity\'ssake，thinkonlyofheryouth，andwhatshehastosuffer。Icandonomoreforher:I
feel——so——faint。\"
AshmeadandRhodasupportedherintothecarriage。Vizard，touchedtotheheartbyIna\'sappeal，heldouthiseloquentarmstohisstrickensister，andshetotteredtohim，andclungtohim，alllimpandbroken，andwishingshecouldsinkoutofthesightofallmankind。Heputhisstrongarmroundher，and，thoughhisownheartwasdesolateandbroken，hesupportedthatbrokenflowerofwomanhood，andhalfled，halfliftedheron，untilhelaidheronasofainSomervilleVilla。Then，forthefirsttime，hespoketoher。\"Wearebothdesolate，now，mychild。Letusloveoneanother。IwillbetentimestenderertoyouthanIeverhavebeen。\"
Shegaveagreatsob，butshewaspastspeaking。
InaKlosking，MissGale，andAshmeadreturnedinthecarriagetoBagley。
Halfamileoutofthetowntheyfoundamanlyingonthepathway，withhishatoff，andwhiteasasheet。ItwasEdwardSeverne。Hehadruntillhedropped。
Ashmeadgotdownandexaminedhim。Hecamebacktothecarriagedoor，lookingwhiteenoughhimself。\"Itisallover，\"saidhe；\"themanisdead。\"
MissGalewasoutinamomentandexaminedhim。\"No，\"saidshe。\"Theheartdoesnotbeatperceptibly；buthebreathes。Itisanotherofthoseseizures。Helpmegethimintothecarriage。\"
Thiswasdone，andthedriverorderedtogoafoot\'space。
ThestimulantsMissGalehadbroughtforInaKloskingwerenowappliedtorevivethismalefactor；andbothladiesactuallyministeredtohimwithcompassionatefaces。Hewasavillain；buthewassuperlativelyhandsome，andafeathermightturnthescaleoflifeordeath。
Theseizure，thoughreallyappallingtolookat，didnotlastlong。Herevivedalittleinthecarriage，andwastaken，stillinsensible，butbreathinghard，intoaroomintherailwayhotel。Whenhewasoutofdanger，MissGalefeltInaKlosking\'spulse，andinsistedonhergoingtoTaddingtonbythenexttrainandleavingSevernetothecareofMr。
Ashmead。
Ina，who，intruth，wasjustthenmostunfitforanymoretrials，feeblyconsented，butnotuntilshehadgivenAshmeadsomeimportantinstructionsrespectinghermalefactor，andsuppliedhimwithfunds。MissGalealsoinstructedAshmeadhowtoproceedincaseofarelapse，andprovidedhimwithmaterials。
Theladiestookatrain，whicharrivedsoonafter；and，beingsofortunateastogetalady\'scarriagealltothemselves，theysatintertwinedandrockingtogether，andInaKloskingfoundreliefatlastinacopiousflowoftears。
RhodagothertoHillstoke，cookedforher，nursedher，lightedfires，airedherbed，andthesetwofriendsslepttogetherineachother\'sarms。
AshmeadhadahardtimeofitwithSeverne。Hemanagedprettywellwithhimatfirst，becausehestupefiedhimwithbrandybeforehehadcometohissenses，andinthatstategothimintothenexttrain。Butasthefumesworeoff，andSevernerealizedhisvillainy，hisdefeat，andhisabjectconditionbetweenthetwowomenhehadwronged，hesuddenlyutteredayellandmadeaspringatthewindow。Ashmeadcaughthimbyhiscalves，anddraggedhimsopowerfullydownthathisfacestruckthefloorhardandhisnosebledprofusely。Thehemorrhageandtheblowquietedhimforatime，andthenAshmeadgavehimmorebrandy，andgothimtothe\"Swan\"inahalf-lethargiclull。Thisfaithfulagent，andmanofallwork，tookaprivatesittingroomwithadoublebeddedroomadjoiningit，andorderedahotsupperwithchampagneandmadeira。Severnelayonasofamoaning。
Thewaiterstared。\"Trouble!\"whisperedAshmead，confidentially。\"Takenonotice。Supperasquickaspossible。\"
By-and-bySevernestartedupandbegantoraveandtearabouttheroom，cursinghishardfate，andendedinakindofhystericalfit。Ashmead，beingprovidedbyMissGalewithsaltsandaromaticvinegar，etc。，appliedthem，andendedbydashingatumblerofwaterrightintohisface，whichdidhimmoregoodthanchemistry。
Thenhetriedtoawakenmanhoodinthefellow。\"Whatare_you_howlingabout?\"saidhe。\"Why，youaretheonlysinner，andyouaretheleastsufferer。Come，dropsniveling，andeatabit。Troubledon\'tdoonanemptystomach。\"
Severnesaidhewouldtry，butbeggedthewaitermightnotbeallowedtostareatabroken-heartedman。
\"Brokenfiddlesticks!\"saidhonestJoe。
Severnetriedtoeat，butcouldnot。Buthecoulddrink，andsaidso。
Ashmeadgavehimchampagneintumblers，andthat，onhisemptystomach，sethimraving，andsayinglifewashelltohimnow。Butpresentlyhefelltoweepingbitterly。InwhichconditionAshmeadforcedhimtobed，andtherehesleptheavily。InthemorningAshmeadsatbyhisbedside，andtriedtobringhimtoreason。\"Now，lookhere，\"saidhe，\"youarealuckyfellow，ifyouwillonlyseeit。Youhaveescapedbigamyandajail，and，asarewardforyourgoodconducttoyourwife，andthemanyvirtuesyouhaveexhibitedinashortspaceoftime，IaminstructedbythatladytopayyoutwentypoundseverySaturdayattwelveo\'clock。Itisonlyathousandayear；butdon\'tyoubedown-hearted；Iconcludeshewillraiseyoursalaryasyouadvance。Youmustforgehernametoaheavycheck，robachurch，andabductaschoolgirlortwo——missesintheirteensandwardsofChancerypreferred——andshewillmakeitthirty，nodoubt；\"andJoelookedverysour。
\"Thatforhertwentypoundsaweek!\"criedthisinjuredman。\"Sheowesmetwothousandpoundsandmore。Shehasbeenmyenemy，andherown。Thefool!——togoandpeach!Shehadonlytoholdhertongue，andbeMrs。
Vizard，andthenshewouldhavehadarichhusbandthatadoresher，andI
shouldhavehadmydarlingbeautifulZoe，theonlywomanIeverlovedorevershall。\"
\"Oh，\"saidAshmead，\"thenyouexpectedyourwifetocommitbigamy，andsomakeitsmoothtoyou。\"
_\"OfcourseIdid，\"_wastheworthySeverne\'sreply；\"andsoshewould，ifshehadhadagrainofsense。Seewhatacontrastnow。Weareallunhappy——herselfincluded——anditisallherdoing。\"
\"Well，youngman，\"saidAshmead，drawingalongbreath；\"didn\'tItellyouyouarealuckyfellow?Youhavegottwentypoundsaweek，andthatblestboon，\'aconsciencevoidofoffense。\'Youareahappyman。Here\'sastrongcupofteaforyou:justyoudrinkit，andthengetupandtakethetraintothelittlevillage。Therekindredspiritsandfreshdelightsawaityou。YouarenottoadornBarfordshireanylonger:thatistheorder。\"
\"Well，I\'llgotoLondon——butnotwithoutyou。\"
\"Me!Whatdoyouwantof_me?\"_
\"Youareagoodfellow，andtheonlyfriendIhaveleft。Butforyou，I
shouldbedead，ormad。Youhavepulledmethrough。\"
\"ThroughthewindowIdid。Lord，forgivemeforit，\"saidJoseph。\"Well，I\'llgouptotownwithyou；butIcan\'tbealwaystiedtoyourtail。I
haven\'tgottwentypoundsaweek。Tobesure，\"headded，dryly，\"I
haven\'tearnedit。Thatisonecomfort。\"
HetelegraphedHillstoke，andtookSeverneuptoLondon。
TheretheBohemianverysoonfoundhecouldlive，andevenderivesomelittleenjoymentfromhisvices——withoutJosephAshmead。HevisitedhimpunctuallyeverySaturday，andconverseddelightfully。Ifhecameanyotherday，itwassuretobeforanadvance:henevergotit。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
FANNYDOVERwassentfordirectlytoSomervilleVilla；and，threedaysafterthedistressingsceneIhaveendeavoredtodescribe，Vizardbroughthiswreckedsisterhome。Herconditionwaspitiable；andthemomenthereachedVizardCourthemountedhishorseandrodetoHillstoketobringMissGaledowntoher。
TherehefoundInaKlosking，withherboxesatthedoor，waitingfortheflythatwastotakeheraway。
Itwasasadinterview。Hethankedherdeeplyforhernobleconducttohissister，andthenhecouldnothelpspeakingofhisowndisappointment。
MademoiselleKlosking，onthisoccasion，wassimple，sad，andeventender，withinprudentlimits。Shetreatedthisasapartingforever，andthereforemadenosecretofheresteemforhim。\"But，\"saidshe，\"Ihopeonedaytohearyouhavefoundapartnerworthyofyou。Asforme，whoamtiedforlifetooneIdespise，andcanneverloveagain，Ishallseekmyconsolationinmusic，and，pleaseGod，incharitableactions。\"
Hekissedherhandatparting，andgaveheralong，longlookofmiserableregretthattriedhercomposurehard，andoftenrecurredtohermemory。
ShewentuptoLondon，tookasmallsuburbanhouse，ledasecludedlife，anddevotedherselftoherart，makingaparticularstudynowofsacredmusic；shecollectedvolumesofit，anddidnotdisdaintobuyitatbookstalls，orwherevershecouldfindit。
Ashmeadworkedforher，andshemadeherfirstappearanceinaneworatorio。Hersongsprovedaprincipalfeatureintheperformance。
EventsdidnotstandstillinBarfordshire；buttheyweretame，comparedwiththoseIhavelatelyrelated，andmustbedispatchedinfewerwords。
AuntMaitlandrecoveredunexpectedlyfromasevereillness，andwasasoftenedwoman:shesentFannyofftokeepZoecompany。Thatpoorgirlhadabittertime，andgaveDoctressGalegreatanxiety。Shehadnobrainfever，butseemedquietly，insensibly，sinkingintohergrave。Noappetite，andindeedwasthreatenedwithatrophyatonetime。Butshewassosurroundedwithloving-kindnessthathershamediminished，herpriderose，andatlastheragonywasblunted，andonlyapensivelanguorremainedtoshowthatshehadbeencrushed，andcouldnotbeagainthebright，proud，high-spiritedbeautyofBarfordshire。
FormanymonthsshenevermentionedeitherEdwardSeverne，InaKlosking，orLordUxmoor。
Itwasalongtimebeforeshewentoutsidethegatesofherownpark。Sheseemedtohatetheouterworld。
HerfirstvisitwastoMissGale；thatyoungladywasnowveryhappy。Shehadhermotherwithher。Mrs。Galehaddefeatedthetrickyexecutor，andhadcometoEnglandwithatidylittlecapital，savedoutofthefirebyhersagacityandspirit。
Mrs。Gale\'scharacterhasbeenpartlyrevealedbyherdaughter。Ihaveonlytoaddshewasahomely，well-readwoman，offewwords，butthosefew——grape-shot。Example——shesaidtoZoe，\"Younglady，excuseanoldwoman\'sfreedom，whomightbeyourmother:thetroublesofyoungfolkhaveadealofselfinthem；morethanyoucouldbelieve。Nowjustyoutrysomethingtotakeyououtofself，andyouwillbeanothercreature。\"
\"Ah，\"sighedZoe，\"wouldtoHeavenIcould!\"
\"Oh，\"saidMrs。Gale，\"anybodywithmoneycandoit，andtheworldsofullofrealtrouble。Now，mygirltellsmeyouarekindtothepoor:whynotdosomethinglikeRhodaisdoingforthislordsheisoverseer，orgoodnessknowswhat，to?\"
Rhodadefiantly，\"Viceroy。\"
\"Youhavemoney，andyourbrotherwillnotrefuseyouabito\'land。Whynotbuildsomeofthesenew-fangledcottages，withfancygardens，anddwarfpalacesforacowandapig?Rhoda，child，ifIwasapoorwoman，I
couldgrazeacowinthelaneshereabouts，andfeedapiginthewoods。
Nowyoudothatforthepoor，MissVizard，anddon\'tletmygirlthinkforyou。Breedyourownideas。Thatwilldivertyoufromself，mydear，andyouwillbegintofindit——there——justasifablackcloudwasclearingawayfromyourmind，andlettingyourheartwarmagain。\"
Zoecaughtattheidea，andthatverydayaskedVizardtimidlywhetherhewouldletherhavesomelandtobuildamodelcottageortwoon。
Willitbebelievedthatthegood-naturedVizardmadeawryface?\"What，twoproprietorsinIslip!\"Foramomentortwohewasallsquire。Butsoonthebrotherconquered。\"Well，\"saidhe，\"Ican\'tgiveyouafee-simple；Imustthinkofmyheirs:butIwillholdacourt，andgrantyouacopy-hold；orI\'llgiveyouaninety-nineyears\'leaseatapepper-corn。There\'saslipofthreeacresontheedgeoftheGreen。Youshallamuseyourselfwiththat。\"Hemadeitovertoherdirectly，foracentury，attenshillingsayear；and，ashewashersurvivingtrustee，heletherdrawinadvanceonhertenthousandpounds。
MappingoutthegroundwithRhoda，settlingthegardensandtheminiaturepastures，andplanningthelittlehousesandouthouses，andtalkingagreatdeal，comparedwithwhatshetransacted，provedreallyacertainantidotetothatlethargyofwoewhichoppressedher:andhere，foratime，Imustleaveher，returningslowlytohealthofbody，andsometranquillityofmind；butstillsubjecttofitsofshame，andgnawedbybitterregrets。
CHAPTERXXIX。
THEreputationMademoiselleKloskinggainedintheneworatorio，aidedbyAshmead\'sexertions，launchedherinawalkofartthataccordedwithhersentiments。
Shesungintheoratoriowheneveritcouldbeperformed，andalsosungselectsongsfromit，andothersacredsongsatconcerts。
Shewasengagedatamusicalfestivalintheverycathedraltownwhosechoirhadbeensoconsolingtoher。Sheenteredwithgreatzealintothisengagement，andfindingtherewasageneraldesiretointroducetheleadingchorister-boytothepublicinaduet，shesurprisedthemallbyofferingtosingthesecondpartwithhim，ifhewouldrehearseitcarefullywithheratherlodgings。Hewasonlytooglad，asmightbesupposed。Shefoundhehadalovelyvoice，butlittlephysicalculture。
Hereadcorrectly，butdidnotevenknowthenatureofthevocalinstrumentanditsconstruction，whichisthatofabagpipe。Shetaughthimhowtokeephislungsfullinsinging，yetnottogasp，andbythissimplemeansenabledhimtosingwithmorethantwicethepowerhehadeverexercisedyet。Shealsotaughthimtheswell，afigureofmusicheknewliterallynothingabout。
When，aftersingingagreatsolo，tosalvosofapplause，MademoiselleKloskingtookthesecondpartwiththisurchin，thecitizensandallthemusicalpeoplewhohauntacathedralwereonthetiptoeofexpectation。
Theboyamazedthem，andtherichcontraltothatsupportedhimandroseandswelledwithhiminravishingharmonyenchantedthem。Thevastimprovementintheboy\'sstyledidnotescapethehundredsofpersonswhoknewhim，andthisduetgaveLaKloskingagreatpersonalpopularity。
Herlastsong，byherownchoice，was，\"WhatthoughItrace\"Handel，andthemajesticvolumethatrangthroughtheechoingvaultshowedwithwhatagenerousspiritshehadsubduedthatmagnificentorgannottocrushherjuvenilepartnerintheprecedingduet。
AmongthepersonspresentwasHarringtonVizard。Hehadcomethereagainsthisjudgment；buthecouldnothelpit。
Hehadbeencultivatingadulltranquillity，andwasevenbeginninghisoldgameofrailingonwomen，asthegreatdisturbersofmalepeace。Atthesightofher，andthesoundofherfirstnotes，awaywenthistranquillity，andhelovedherasardentlyasever。Butwhenshesunghismother\'sfavorite，andtheveryroofrang，andthreethousandsoulswerethrilledandliftedtoheavenbythatpureandnoblestrain，therapturecouldnotpassawayfromthisoneheart；whiletheearachedatthecessationofhervoice，theheartalsoached，andpined，andyearned。
Heceasedtoresist。FromthatdayhefollowedherabouttoherpublicperformancesallovertheMidlandCounties；andshesoonbecameawareofhispresence。ShesaidnothingtillAshmeaddrewherattention；then，beingcompelledtonoticeit，shesaiditwasagreatpity。Surelyhemusthavemoreimportantdutiesathome。
Ashmeadwantedtorecognizehim，andputhimintothebestplacevacant；
butLaKloskingsaid，\"No。Iwillbemorehisfriendthantolendhimtheleastencouragement。\"
AttheendofthattourshereturnedtoLondon。
Whileshewasthereinherlittlesuburbanhouse，shereceivedavisitfromMr。EdwardSeverne。Hecametothrowhimselfatherfeetandbegforgiveness。Shesaidshewouldtryandforgivehim。Hethenimploredhertoforgetthepast。Shetoldhimthatwasbeyondherpower。Hepersisted，andtoldherhehadcometohissenses；allhismisconductnowseemedahideousdream，andhefoundhehadneverreallylovedanyonebuther。Sothenheentreatedhertotryhimoncemore；togivehimbackthetreasureofherlove。
Shelistenedtohimlikeawomanofmarble。\"LovewhereIdespise!\"saidshe。\"Never。Thedayhasgonebywhenthesewordscanmoveme。Cometomeforthemeansofenjoyingyourself——gambling，drinking，andyourothervices——andIshallindulgeyou。Butdonotprofanethenameoflove。I
forbidyouevertoentermydooronthaterrand。Ipresumeyouwantmoney。Thereisahundredpounds。Takeit；andkeepoutofmysighttillyouhavewastedit。\"
Hedashedthenotesproudlydown。Sheturnedherbackonhim，andglidedintoanotherroom。
Whenshereturned，hewasgone，andthehundredpoundshadmanagedtoaccompanyhim。
HewentstraightfromhertoAshmeadandtalkedbig。Hewouldsueforrestitutionofconjugalrights。
\"Don\'tdothat，formysake，\"saidAshamed。\"Shewillflythecountrylikeabird，andliveinsomevillageonbreadandmilk。\"
\"Oh，Iwouldnotdoyouanillturnfortheworld，\"saidtheMasterofArts。\"Youhavebeenakindfriendtome。Yousavedmylife。Itisimbitteredbyremorse，andrecollectionsofthehappinessIhavethrownaway，andtheheartIhavewronged。Nomatter!\"
ThisvisitdisturbedLaKlosking，anddisposedhertoleaveLondon。Shelistenedtoabrilliantofferthatwasmadeher，throughAshmead，bythemanageroftheItalianOpera，whowasorganizingaprovincialtour。Thetourwaswelladvertisedinadvance，andthecompanyopenedtoagrandhouseatBirmingham。
MademoiselleKloskinghadnotbeenlongonthestagewhenshediscoveredherdiscardedhusbandinthestalls，lookingtheperfectionofyouthfulbeauty。ThenextminuteshesawVizardinaprivatebox。Mr。Severneapplaudedherloudly，andflungherabouquet。Mr。Vizardfixedhiseyesonher，beamingwithadmiration，butmadenopublicdemonstration。
Thesameincidentrepeateditselfeverynightshesung，andateverytown。
AtlastshespokeaboutittoAshmead，inthevague，suggestivewayhersexexcelsin。\"Ipresumeyouhaveobservedthepeopleinfront。\"
\"Yes，madam。Twoinparticular。\"
\"Couldyounotadvisehimtodesist?\"
\"Whichof\'em，madam?\"
\"Mr。Vizard，ofcourse。Heislosinghistime，andwastingsentimentsitiscruelshouldbewasted。\"
AshmeadsaidhedarednottakeanylibertywithMr。Vizard。
Sothethingwenton。
Severnemadeacquaintancewiththemanager，andobtainedthe_entre\'e_
behindthescenes。Hebroughthiswifeabouqueteverynight，andpresentedittoherwithsuchreverenceandgrace，thatshewasobligedtotakeitandcourtesy，orseemrudetothepeopleabout。
ThenshewrotetoMissGaleandbeggedhertocomeifshecould。
MissGale，whohadallthistimebeenwritingherlove-letterstwiceaweek，immediatelyappointedhermotherviceroy，andwenttoherfriend。
InaKloskingexplainedthesituationtoherwithacertainslighttimidityandconfusionnotusualtoher；andsaid，\"Now，dear，youhavemorecouragethantherestofus；andIknowhehasagreatrespectforyou；and，indeed，MissDovertoldmehewouldquiteobeyyou。Woulditnotbetheactofafriendtoadvisehimtoceasethisunhappy——Whatgoodcancomeofit?Heneglectshisownduties，anddisturbsmeinmine。
Isometimesaskmyselfwoulditnotbekinderofmetogiveupmybusiness，orpracticeitelsewhere——Germany，orevenItaly。
\"Doeshecallonyou?\"
\"No。\"
\"Doeshewritetoyou?\"
\"Ohno。Iwishhewould。BecausethenIshouldbeabletoreplylikeatruefriend，andsendhimaway。Consider，dear，itisnotlikeanobodydanglingafterapublicsinger；thatiscommonenough。Weareallrunafterbyidlemen；evenSignorinaZubetta，whohasnotmuchvoice，norappearance，andspeaksaGenoesepatoiswhensheisnotdeliveringalibretto。Butforagentlemanofposition，withaheartofgoldandthesoulofanemperor，thatheshouldwastehistimeandhisfeelingsso，onawomanwhocanneverbeanythingtohim，itispitiable。\"
\"Well，but，afterall，itishisbusiness；andheisnotachild:
besides，rememberheisreallyveryfondofmusic。IfIwereyouI\'dlookanotherway，andtakenonotice。\"
\"ButIcannot。\"
\"Ah!Andwhynot，pray?\"
\"Becausehealwaystakesaboxonmylefthand，twofromthestage。I
can\'tthinkhowhegetsitatallthetheaters。Andthenhefixeshiseyesonmeso，Icannothelpstealingalook。Heneverapplauds，northrowsmebouquets。Helooks:oh，youcannotconceivehowhelooks，andthestrangeeffectitisbeginningtoproduceonme。\"
\"Hemesmerizesyou?\"
\"Iknownot。Butitisagrowingfascination。Oh，mydearphysician，interfere。Ifitgoeson，weshallbemorewretchedthanever。\"ThensheenvelopedRhodainherarms，andrestedahotcheekagainsthers。
\"Isee，\"saidRhoda。\"Youareafraidhewillmakeyoulovehim。\"
\"Ihopenot。Butartistsareimpressionable；andbeinglookedatso，byoneIesteem，nightafternight，whenmynervesarestrung——_celam\'agace；\"_andshegaveashiver，andthenwasalittlehysterical；andthatwasveryunlikeher。
Rhodakissedher，andsaidresolutelyshewouldstopit。
\"Notunkindly?\"
\"Ohno。\"
\"Youwillnottellhimitisoffensivetome?\"
\"No。\"
\"Praydonotgivehimunnecessarypain。\"
\"No。\"
\"Heisnottobemortified。\"
\"No。\"
\"Ishallmisshimsadly。\"
\"Shallyou?\"