\"Naturally。Especiallyateachnewplace。Onlyconceive:oneisalwaysanxiousonthestage；anditisonethingtocomebeforeapublicallstrangers，andnearlyallpoorjudges；itisanothertosee，allreadyforyourfirstnote，anoblefacebrightwithintelligenceandadmiration——thefaceofafriend。OftenthatonefaceistheonlyoneI
allowmyselftosee。Ithidesthewholepublic。\"
\"Thendon\'tyoubesillyandsenditaway。I\'lltellyoutheonefaultofyourcharacter:youthinktoomuchofotherpeople，andtoolittleofyourself。Now，thatiscontrarytotheschemeofnature。Wearesentintotheworldtotakecareofnumberone。\"
\"What!\"saidIna；\"arewetobeallself-indulgence?Istheretobenoprinciple，nowomanlyprudence，foresight，discretion?No；Ifeelthesacrifice:butnopowershallhindermefrommakingit。Ifyoucannotpersuadehim，I\'lldolikeothersingers。Iwillbeill，andquitthecompany。\"
\"Don\'tdothat，\"saidRhoda。\"Nowyouhaveputonyourironlook，itisnousearguing——Iknowthattomycost。There——Iwilltalktohim。Onlydon\'thurryme；letmetakemyopportunity。\"
Thisbeingunderstood，Inawouldnotpartwithherforthepresent，buttookhertothetheater。Shedismissedherdresser，atRhoda\'srequest，andRhodafilledthatoffice。Sotheycouldtalkfreely。
Rhodahadneverbeenbehindthescenesofatheaterbefore，andshewentpryingabout，ignoringthemusic，forshewasalmostearless。Presently，whomshouldsheencounterbutEdwardSeverne。Shestartedandlookedathimlikeabasilisk。Heremovedhishatanddrewbackastepwithagreatairofrespectandhumility。ShewasshockedandindignantwithInaforlettinghimbeabouther。Shefollowedheroffthestageintoherdressingroom，andtookhertotask。\"IhaveseenMr。Severnehere。\"
\"Hecomeseverynight。\"
\"Andyouallowhim?\"
\"Itisthemanager。\"
\"Buthewouldnotadmithim，ifyouobjected。\"
\"Iamafraidtodothat。\"
\"Why?\"
\"Weshouldhavean_esclandre。_Ifindhehashadsomuchconsiderationformeastotellnooneourrelation；andashehasneverspokentome，IdothemostprudentthingIcan，andtakenonotice。Shouldheattempttointrudehimselfonme，thenitwillbetimetohavehimstoppedinthehall，andIshalldoit_cou\'tequecou\'te。_Ah，mydearfriend，mineisadifficultandtryingposition。\"
Afteraverylongwait，Inawentdownandsungherprincipalsong，withtheusualbravasandthundersofapplause。Shewascalledontwice，andassheretired，Severnesteppedforward，and，withalow，obsequiousbow，handedherabeautifulbouquet。Shetookitwithastatelycourtesy，butneverlookednorsmiled。
Rhodasawthatandwondered。Shethoughttoherself，\"Thatiscarryingpolitenessalongway。Tobesure，sheishalfaforeigner。\"
Havingdonehisnightlyhomage，Severneleftthetheater，andsoonafterwardtheperformanceconcluded，andInatookherfriendhome。
Ashmeadwasinthehalltoshowhispatronesstohercarriage——adutyheneverfailedin。Rhodashookhandswithhim，andhesaid，\"Delightedtoseeyouhere，miss。Youwillbeagreatcomforttoher。\"
Thetwofriendscommunedtilltwoo\'clockinthemorning:butthelimitsofmytaleforbidmetorepeatwhatpassed。
SufficeittosaythatRhodawasfairlypuzzledbythesituation；but，havingagreatregardforVizard，sawclearlyenoughthatheoughttobesentbacktoIslip。Shethoughtthatperhapstheverysightofherwouldwoundhispride，and，findinghismaniadiscoveredbyathirdperson，hewouldgoofhisownaccord:soshecalledonhim。
Mylordreceivedherwithfriendlycomposure，andallhistalkwasaboutIslip。HedidnotcondescendtoexplainhispresenceatCarlisle。Heknewthat_quis\'excuses\'accuse，_andlefthertoremonstrate。Shehadhardlycourageforthat，andhopeditmightbeunnecessary。
ShetoldInawhatshehaddone。Buthervisitwasfutile:atnighttherewasVizardinhisbox。
NextdaythecompanyopenedinManchester。Vizardwasinhisboxthere——Severneinfront，tillIna\'sprincipalsong。Thenhecameroundandpresentedhisbouquet。ButthistimehecameuptoRhodaGale，andaskedherwhetherapenitentmanmightpayhisrespectstoherinthemorning。
Shesaidshebelievedtherewereveryfewpenitentsintheworld。
\"Iknowone，\"saidhe。
\"Well，Idon\'t，then，\"saidthevirago。\"But_you_cancome，ifyouarenotafraid。\"
OfcourseInaKloskingknewofthisappointmenttwominutesafteritwasmade。Shemerelysaid，\"Donotlethimtalkyouover。\"
\"Heisnotsolikelytotalkmeoverasyou，\"saidRhoda。
\"Youaremistaken，\"wasIna\'sreply。\"Iamtheonepersonhewillneverdeceiveagain。\"
RhodaGalereceivedhisvisit:hedidnotbeataboutthebush，norfenceatall。Hedeclaredatoncewhathecamefor。Hesaid，\"Atthefirstsightofyou，whomIhavebeensoungratefulto，Icouldnotspeak；butnowIthrowmyselfonyourforgiveness。Ithinkyoumusthaveseenthatmyingratitudehasneversatlightonme。\"
\"Ihaveseenthatyouwereterriblyafraidofme，\"saidshe。
\"IdaresayIwas。ButIamnotafraidofyounow；andhere，onmyknees，Iimploreyoutoforgivemybaseness，myingratitude。Oh，MissGale，youdon\'tknowwhatitistobemadlyinlove；onehasnoprinciple，norightfeeling，againstarealpassion:andIwasmadlyinlovewithher。ItwasthroughfearoflosingherIdisownedmyphysician，mybenefactress，whohadsavedmylife。Miserablewretch!ItwasthroughfearoflosingherthatIbehavedlikearuffiantomyangelwife，andwouldhavecommittedbigamy，andbeenafelon。Whatwasallthisbutmadness?You，whoaresowise，willyounotforgivemeacrimethatdownrightinsanitywasthecauseof?\"
\"Humph!ifIunderstandright，youwishmetoforgiveyouforlookinginmyface，andsayingtothewomanwhohadsavedyourlife，\'Idon\'tknowyou?\'\"
\"Yes——ifyoucan。No:nowyouputitinplainwords，Iseeitisnottobeforgiven。\"
\"Youaremistaken。Itwaslikeastabtomyheart，andIcriedbitterlyoverit。\"
\"ThenIdeservetobehanged；thatisall。\"
\"But，onconsideration，IbelieveitisasmuchyournaturetobewickedasitismyangelIna\'stobegood。SoIforgiveyouthatonething，youcharmingvillain。\"Sheheldoutherhandtohiminproofofhergoodfaith。
Hethrewhimselfonhiskneesdirectly，andkissedandmumbledherhand，andbedeweditwithhystericaltears。
\"Oh，don\'tdothat，\"saidshe；\"orI\'mboundtogiveyouagoodkick。I
hateshemen。\"
\"Givemeamoment，\"saidhe，\"andIwillbeamanagain。\"
Hesatwithhisfaceinhishands，gulpingalittle。
\"Come，\"saidshe，cockingherheadlikeakeenjackdaw；\"nowletushavetherealobjectofyourvisit。\"
\"No，no，\"saidhe，inadvertently——\"anothertimewilldoforthat。Iamcontentwithyourforgiveness。NowIcanwait。\"
\"Whatfor?\"
\"Canyouask?Doyouconsiderthisahappystateofthings?\"
\"Certainlynot。Butitcan\'tbehelped:andwehavetothankyouforit。\"
\"Itcouldbehelpedintime。Ifyouwouldpersuadehertotakethefirststep。\"
\"Whatstep?\"
\"Nottodisownherhusband。Tolethimatleastbeherfriend——herpenitent，humblefriend。Wearemanandwife。IfIweretosaysopublicly，shewouldadmitit。InthisrespectatleastIhavebeengenerous:willshenotbegeneroustoo?Whatharmcoulditdoherifwelivedunderthesameroof，andItookhertothetheater，andfetchedherhome，anddidlittlefriendlyofficesforher?\"
\"Andsogotthethinedgeofthewedgein，eh?Mr。Severne，Ideclineallinterferenceinamattersodelicate，andinfavorofapersonwhowoulduseherasillasever，ifheoncesucceededinrecoveringheraffections。\"
Sothenshedismissedhimperemptorily。
But，truetoVizard\'sinterest，shecalledonhimagain，and，afterafewpreliminaries，lethimknowthatSevernewaseverynightbehindthescenes。
Aspasmcrossedhisface。\"Iamquiteawareofthat，\"saidhe。\"Butheisneveradmittedintoherhouse。\"
\"Howdoyouknow?\"
\"Heisunderconstantsurveillance。\"
\"Spies?\"
\"No。Thief-takers。AllfromScotlandYard。\"
\"Andlovebringsmendowntothis。Whatisitfor?\"
\"WhenIamsureofyourco-operation，Iwillletyouknowmyhopes。\"
\"Hedoubtsmyfriendship，\"saidRhodasorrowfully。
\"No；onlyyourdiscretion。\"
\"Iwillbediscreet。\"
\"Well，then，soonerorlater，heissuretoformsomeimproperconnectionorother；andthenIhopeyouwillaidmeinpersuadinghertodivorcehim。\"
\"Thatisnotsoeasyinthiscountry。ItisnotlikeourWesternStates，where，thesayingis，theygiveyoufiveminutesatarailwaystationfordi——vorce。\"
\"YouforgetsheisaGermanProtestantandthemarriagewasinthatcountry。Itwillbeeasyenough。\"
\"Verywell；dismissitfromyourmind。Shewillnevercomebeforethepublicinthatway。NothingyounorIcouldurgewouldinduceher。\"
Vizardreplied，doggedly，\"Iwillneverdespair，solongasshekeepshimoutofherhouse。\"
RhodatoldInaKloskingthis，andsaid，\"Nowitisinyourownhands。Youhaveonlytoletyourcharmingvillainintoyourhouse，andMr。VizardwillreturntoIslip。\"
InaKloskingburiedherfaceinherhands，andthought。
Atnight，Vizardinhisbox，asusual。Severnebehindthesceneswithhisbouquet。Butthisnighthestayedfortheballet，toseeaFrenchdanseusewhohadjoinedthem。Hewasacquaintedwithherbefore，andhadasprightlyconversationwithher。Inotherwords，herenewedanoldflirtation。
Thenextoperanightallwentasusual。Vizardinthebox，lookingsadderthanusual。Rhoda\'sgoodsensehadnotbeenentirelywasted。Severne，withhisbouquet，andhisgravehumility，untiltheplayended，andLaKloskingpassedoutintothehall。HerbackwashardlyturnedwhenMademoiselleLafontaine，dressedfortheballet，inamostspicycostume，danceduptoheroldfriend，andslappedhisfaceverysoftlywitharose，thensprungawayandstoodonherdefense。
\"I\'llhavethatrose，\"criedSeverne。
\"Nenni。\"
\"Andakissintothebargain。\"
\"Jamais。\"
\"C\'estcequenousverrons。\"
Hechasedher。Sheutteredafeigned\"Ah!\"anddartedaway。Hefollowedher；shecrossedthesceneattheback，whereitwasdark，boundedoveranopentrap，whichshesawjustintime，butSeverne，notseeingit，becauseshewasbetweenhimandit，fellthroughit，and，strikingthemazarine，fellintothecellar，fifteenfeetbelowthestage。
Thescreamsofthedancerssoonbroughtacrowdroundthetrap，andreachedMademoiselleKloskingjustasshewasgoingouttohercarriage。
\"There!\"shecried。\"Anotheraccident!\"andshecameback，makingsureitwassomepoorcarpentercometogrief，asusual。Onsuchoccasionsherpursewasalwaysready。
TheybroughtSeverneupsensible，butmoaning，andbleedingatthetemple，andlookingallstreakyabouttheface。
Theyweregoingtotakehimtotheinfirmary；butMademoiselleKlosking，withafaceofangelicpity，said，\"No；hebleeds，hebleeds。Hemustgotomyhouse。\"
Theystaredalittle；butittakesagooddealtoastonishpeopleinatheater。
Severnewascarriedout，hisheadhastilybandaged，andhewasliftedintoLaKlosking\'scarriage。Oneofthepeopleofthetheaterwasdirectedtogoonthebox，andLaKloskingandAshmeadsupportedhim，andhewastakentoherlodgings。Shedirectedhimtobelaidonacouch，andaphysiciansentfor，MissGalenothavingyetreturnedfromLiverpool，whithershehadgonetoattendalecture。
Ashmeadwentforthephysician。ButalmostatthedoorhemetMissGaleandMr。Vizard。
\"Miss，\"saidhe，\"youarewanted。Therehasbeenanaccident。Mr。Severnehasfallenthroughatrap，andintothecellar。\"
\"Nobonesbroken?\"
\"Nothe:hehasonlybrokenhishead；andthatwillcostherabrokenheart。\"
\"Whereishe?\"
\"WhereIhopednevertoseehimagain。
\"What!inherhouse?\"saidRhodaand，hurriedoffatonce。
\"Mr。Ashmead，\"saidVizard，\"awordwithyou。\"
\"Byallmeans，sir，\"saidAshmead，\"aswegoforthedoctor。Dr。Menteithhasagreatname。Helivesclosebyyourhotel，sir。
Astheywent，Vizardaskedhimwhathemeantbysayingthisaccidentwouldcostherabrokenheart。
\"Why，sir，\"saidAshmead，\"heisonhisgoodbehaviortogetback；hasbeenformonthsbeggingandprayingjusttobeletliveunderthesameroof。Shehasalwaysrefused。Butsomefellowshavesuchluck。Idon\'tsayhefelldownatraponpurpose；buthehasdoneit，andnobrokenbones，butplentyofblood。Thatistheverythingtoovercomeawoman\'sfeelings；andsheisnotproofagainstpity。Hewillhaveheragain。Why，sheishisnursenow；andseehowthatwillwork。Wehaveaweek\'smorebusinesshere；and，bybadluck，adeadfortnight，allalongofDublinfallingthroughunexpectedly。HeisasartfulasOldNick；hewillspinoutthatbrokenheadofhisandmakeitlastallthethreeweeks；andshewillnursehim，andhewillbeweak，andgrateful，andcry，andbegherpardonsixtimesaday，andsheisonlyawoman，afterall:andtheyaremanandwife，whenallisdone:theroadisbeaten。Theywillrunuponitagain，tillhistimeisuptoplaytherogueasbadasever。\"
\"Youtortureme，\"saidVizard。
\"IamafraidIdo，sir。ButIfeelitmyduty。Mr。Vizard，youareanoblegentleman，andIamonlywhatyousee；butthehumblestfolkwillhavetheirlikesanddislikes，andIhaveagreatrespectforyou，sir。I
can\'ttellyouthemixtureofthingsIfeelwhenIseeyouinthesameboxeverynight。Ofcourse，Iamheragent，andthehousewouldnotbecompletewithoutyou；butasamanIamsorry。Especiallynowthatshehaslethimintoherhouse。Takeahumblefriend\'sadvice，sir，andcutit。Don\'tyoucomebetweenanywomanandherhusband，especiallyapubliclady。Shewillneverbemoretoyouthansheis。Sheisagoodwoman，andhemustkeepgainingground。Hehasgotthepull。Rouseallyourpride，sir，andyourmanhood，andyouhavegotplentyofboth，andcutit；don\'tlookrightnorleft，butcutit——andforgivemypresumption。\"
Vizardwasgreatlymoved。\"Givemeyourhand，\"hesaid；\"youareaworthyman。I\'llactonyouradvice，andneverforgetwhatIoweyou。Sticktomelikealeech，andseemeoffbythenexttrain，forIamgoingtotearmyheartoutofmybosom。\"
Luckilytherewasatraininhalfanhour，andAshmeadsawhimoff；thenwenttosupper。HedidnotreturntoIna\'slodgings。HedidnotwanttoseeSevernenursed。Helikedthefellow，too；buthesawthroughhimclean；andheworshipedInaKlosking。
CHAPTERXXX。
AToneo\'clocknextday，AshmeadreceivedanotefromMademoiselleKlosking，saying，\"ArrangewithMr。X——toclosemytourwithManchester。Paythefortnight，ifrequired。\"Shewaswiththecompanyatamonth\'snoticeoneitherside，youmustunderstand。
Insteadofgoingtothemanager，hewentatonce，inutterdismay，toMademoiselleKlosking，andtherelearnedinsubstancewhatImustnowbrieflyrelate。
MissGalefoundEdwardSevernedepositedonasofa。Inawasonherkneesbyhisside，sponginghisbleedingtemple，withlooksofgentlepity。
Strangetosay，thewoundwasinthesameplaceashiswife\'s，butmorecontused，andnolargeveinwasdivided。MissGalesoonstanchedthat。
Sheaskedhimwherehispainwas。Hesaiditwasinhisheadandhisback；andhecastahaggard，anxiouslookonher。
\"Takemyarm，\"saidshe。\"Now，standup。\"
Hetried，butcouldnot，andsaidhislegswerebenumbed。MissGalelookedgrave。
\"Layhimonmybed，\"saidLaKlosking。\"Thatisbetterthanthesehardcouches。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidMissGale。\"Ringfortheservants。Hemustbemovedgently。\"
Hewascarriedin，andsetupontheedgeofthebed，andhiscoatandwaistcoattakenoff。Thenhewaslaidgentlydownonthebed，andcoveredwithadownquilt。
DoctressGalethenrequestedInatoleavetheroom，whileshequestionedthepatient。
Inaretired。InamomentortwoMissGalecameouttohersoftly。
Atsightofherface，LaKloskingsaid，\"Oh，dear；itismoreseriousthanwethought。\"
\"Veryserious。
\"PoorEdward!\"
\"Collectallyourcourage，forIcannotlie，eithertopatientorfriend。\"
\"Andyouareright，\"saidLaKlosking，trembling。\"Iseeheisindanger。\"
\"Worsethanthat。Wherethere\'sdangerthereishope。Herethereisnone。
HEISADEADMAN!\"
\"Oh，no!no!\"
\"Hehasbrokenhisback，andnothingcansavehim。Hislowerlimbshavealreadylostsensation。Deathwillcreepovertherest。Donotdisturbyourmindwithidlehopes。YouhavetwothingstothankGodfor——thatyoutookhimintoyourownhouse，andthathewilldieeasily。Indeed，werehetosuffer，Ishouldstupefyhimatonce，fornothingcan_hurt_him。\"
InaKloskingturnedfaintandherkneesgavewayunderher。Rhodaministeredtoher；andwhileshewassoemployed，Dr。Menteithwasannounced。Hewasshownintothepatient，andtheaccidentdescribedtohim。Hequestionedthepatient，andexaminedhimalone。
Hethencameout，andsaidhewoulddrawaprescription。Hedidso。
\"Doctor，\"saidLaKlosking，\"tellmethetruth。ItcannotbeworsethanI
fear。\"
\"Madam，\"saidthedoctor，\"medicinecandonothingforhim。Thespinalcordisdivided。Givehimanythinghefancies，andmyprescriptionifhesufferspain，nototherwise。ShallIsendyouanurse?\"
\"No，\"saidMademoiselleKlosking，_\"we_willnursehimnightandday。\"
Heretired，andthefriendsenteredontheirsadduties。
WhenSevernesawthembothbyhisbedside，withearnestlooksofpity，hesaid，\"Donotworryyourselves。I\'mbookedforthelongjourney。Ah，well，IshalldiewhereIoughttohavelived，andmighthave，ifIhadnotbeenafool。\"
Inaweptbitterly。
Theynursedhimnightandday。Hesufferedlittle，andwhenhedid，MissGalestupefiedthepainatonce；for，asshetrulysaid，\"Nothingcanhurthim。\"Vitalitygraduallyretiredtohishead，andlingeredthereawholeday。But，tohislastmoment，theartofpleasingneverabandonedhim。Insteadofworryingforthisorthateverymoment，heshowedinthisdesperateconditionsingularpatienceandwell-bredfortitude。Hecheckedhiswife\'stears；assuredheritwasallforthebest，andthathewasreconciledtotheinevitable。\"IhavehadahappiertimethanIdeserve，\"
saidhe，\"andnowIhaveapainlessdeath，nursedbytwosweetwomen。MyonlyregretisthatIshallnotbeabletorepayyourdevotion，Ina，norbecomeworthyofyourfriendship，MissGale。\"
Hediedwithoutfear，itbeinghisconvictionthatheshouldreturnafterdeathtothepreciseconditioninwhichhewasbeforebirth；andwhentheybeggedhimtoseeaclergyman，hesaid，\"Praydonotgiveyourselvesorhimthattrouble。Icanmeltbackintotheuniversewithouthisassistance。\"
Heevendiedcontent；forthispolishedBohemianhadoftenforeseenthat，ifhelivedlong，heshoulddiemiserably。
Butthemainfeatureofhisendwashisextraordinarypoliteness。HepaidMissGalecomplimentsjustasifhewereathiseaseonasofa:andscarceanhourbeforehisdeceasehesaid，faintly，\"Ideclare——Ihavebeensobusy——dying——IhaveforgottentosendmykindregardstogoodMr。
Ashmead。PraytellhimIdidnotforgethiskindnesstome。\"
Hejustceasedtolive，soquietwashisdeath，andasmilerestedonhisdeadfeatures，andtheywereasbeautifulasever。
Soendedafair，perniciouscreature，endowedtoorichlywiththeartofpleasing，andquitedevoidofprinciple。Fewbadmenknewrightsowell，andwentsowrong。Inaburiedherfaceforhoursonhisbed，andkissedhiscoldfeaturesandhand。Shehadtoldhimbeforehediedshewouldrecallallherresolutions，ifhewouldlive。Buthewasgone。Deathburiesaman\'smanyfaults，andhisfewvirtuesriseagain。Shemournedhimsincerely，andwouldnotbecomforted；shepurchasedaburyingplaceforever，andlaidhiminit；thenshetookherachingheartfaraway，andwaslosttothepublicandtoallherEnglishfriends。
ThefaithfulRhodaaccompaniedherhalfwaytoLondon；thenreturnedtoherowndutiesinBarfordshire。
CHAPTERXXXI。
IMUSTnowretrogradealittletorelatesomethingrathercurious，andI
hopenotuninteresting。
ZoeVizardhadbeenforsometimeactingonMrs。Gale\'sadvice；building，planningforthegoodofthepoor，andgoingoutofherselfmoreandmore。ShecomparednotesconstantlywithMissGale，andconceivedafriendshipforher。Ithadbeenalongtimecoming，becauseatfirstshedislikedMissGale\'smannersverymuch。Butthatladyhadnursedhertenderly，andnowadvisedher，andZoe，whocouldnotdoanythingbyhalves，becamedevotedtoher。
Asshewarmedtohergoodwork，shegavesignsofclearerjudgment。ShenevermentionedSeverne；butshenolongerabsolutelyavoidedInaKlosking\'sname；andonedayshespokeofherasahigh-principledwoman；forwhichtheGalekissedheronthespot。
Onenamesheoftenuttered，andalwayswithregretandself-reproach——LordUxmoor\'s。Ithinkthat，nowshewasherselfbuildingandplanningforthepermanentimprovementofthepoor，shefeltthetieofakindredsentiment。Uxmoorwasherpredecessorinthisgoodwork，too；andwouldhavebeenherassociate，ifshehadnotbeensoblind。
Thisthoughtstruckdeepinher。HermindranmoreandmoreonUxmoor，hismanliness，hiscourageinherdefense，andhisgentlemanlyfortitudeandbraveryinleavingher，withoutaword，atherrequest。Runningoverallthese，sheoftenblushedwithshame，andhereyesfilledwithsorrowatthinkingofhowshehadtreatedhim；andlosthimforeverbynotdeservinghim。
Sheevenmadeobliqueandtimidinquiries，butcouldlearnnothingofhim，exceptthathesentperiodicalremittancestoMissGale，formanaginghisimprovements。These，however，cameinthroughacountryagentfromatownagent，andleftnoclew。
Butonefineday，withnowarningexcepttohisownpeople，LordUxmoorcamehome；andthenextdayrodetoHillstoketotalkmattersoverwithMissGale。Hewasfortunateenoughtofindherathome。Hethankedherforthezealandenthusiasmshehadshown，andtheprogresshisworkshadmadeunderhersupervision。
HewasgoingawaywithoutevenmentioningtheVizardfamily。
ButthecraftyGaledetainedhim。\"GoingtoVizardCourt?\"saidshe。
\"No，\"saidhe，verydryly。
\"Ah，Iunderstand；butperhapsyouwouldnotmindgoingwithmeasfarasIslip。ThereissomethingthereIwishyoutosee。\"
\"Humph?Isitanythingveryparticular?Because——\"
\"Itis。Threecottagesrising，withlittleflowergardensinfront。
Squareplotsbehind，andarrangementsforbreedingcalves，withotheringeniousnovelties。Anewheadcomeintoourbusiness，mylord。\"
\"YouhaveconvertedVizard?Ithoughtyouwould。Heisasatiricalfellow，buthewilllistentoreason。\"
\"No，itisnotMr。Vizard；indeed，itisnoconvertofmine。Itisanindependententhusiast。ButIreallybelieveyourworkathomehadsomehandinfiringherenthusiasm。\"
\"Alady!DoIknowher?\"
\"Youmay。IsupposeyouknoweverybodyinBarfordshire。Willyoucome?
Do!\"
\"OfcourseIwillcome，MissGale。Pleasetelloneofyourpeopletowalkmyhorsedownafterus。\"
Shehadherhatoninamoment，andwalkedhimdowntoIslip。
Hertonguewasnotidleontheroad。\"Youdon\'taskafterthepeople，\"
saidshe。\"There\'spoorMissVizard。Shehadasadillness。Wewerealmostafraidweshouldloseher。\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"saidUxmoor，startledbythissuddennews。
\"MademoiselleKloskinggotquitewell；andoh!whatdoyouthink?Mr。
Severneturnedouttobeherhusband。\"
\"Whatisthat?\"shoutedUxmoor，andstoppeddeadshort。\"Mr。Severneamarriedman!\"
\"Yes；andMademoiselleKloskingamarriedwoman。\"
\"Youamazeme。Why，thatMr。SevernewaspayinghisattentionstoMissVizard。\"
\"SoIusedtofancy，\"saidRhodacarelessly。\"Butyouseeitcameouthewasmarried，andsoofcourseshepackedhimoffwithafleainhisear。\"
\"Didshe?Whenwasthat?\"
\"Letmesee，itwasthe17thofOctober。\"
\"Why，thatwastheverydayIleftEngland。\"
\"Howodd!Whydidyounotstayanotherweek?Gentlemenaresoimpatient。
Nevermind，thatisanoldstorynow。Hereweare；thosearethecottages。Theworkmenareatdinner。Tentoonetheenthusiastisthere:
thisishertime。Youstayhere。I\'llgoandsee。\"
Shewentoffontiptoe，andpeepedandpriedhereandthere，likeayoungwitch。Presentlyshetookafewstepstowardhim，withherfingermysteriouslytoherlips，andbeckonedhim。Heenteredintothepantomime——sheseemedsoearnestinit——andcametohersoftly。
\"Dojusttakeapeepinatthatopeningforadoor，\"saidshe，\"thenyou\'llseeher；herbackisturned。Sheislovely；only，youknow，shehasbeenill，andIdon\'tthinksheisveryhappy。\"
Uxmoorthoughtthispeepingatenthusiastsratheranoddproceeding，butMissGalehadprimedhiscuriosity，andhefeltnaturallyproudofafemalepupil。Hesteppeduplightly，lookedinatthedoor，and，tohisamazement，sawZoeVizardsittingonacarpenter\'sbench，withherlovelyheadinthesun\'srays。Hestarted，thengazed，thendevouredherwithhiseyes。
What!wasthishispupil?
Howgentleandsadsheseemed!Allhisstoicismmeltedatthesightofher。Shesatinasweet，pensiveattitude，paleanddrooping，but，tohisfancy，lovelierthanever。Shegavealittlesigh。Hisheartyearned。Shetookoutaletter，readitslowly，andsaid，softlyandslowly，\"Poorfellow!\"Hethoughtherecognizedhisownhandwriting，andcouldstandnomore。Herushed，in，andwasgoingtospeaktoher；butshescreamed，andnoconjurerevermadeacarddisappearquickerthanshedidthatletter，assheboundedawaylikeadeer，andstood，blushingscarlet，andpalpitatingallover。
Uxmoorwasashamedofhis_brusquerie。_\"WhatabruteIamtofrightenyoulikethis!\"saidhe。\"Prayforgiveme；butthesightofyou，afterallthesewearymonths——andyousaid\'Poorfellow!\'\"
\"DidI?\"saidZoe，faintly，lookingscared。
\"Yes，sweetZoe，andyouwerereadingaletter。\"
Noreply。
\"Ithoughtthepoorfellowmightbemyself。NotthatIamtobepitied，ifyouthinkofmestill。\"
\"Ido，then——veryoften。Oh，LordUxmoor，Iwanttogodownonmykneestoyou。\"
\"Thatisodd，now；foritisexactlywhatIshouldliketodotoyou。\"
\"Whatfor?ItisIwhohavebehavedsoill。\"
\"Nevermindthat；Iloveyou。\"
\"Butyoumustn\'t。Youmustlovesomeworthyperson。\"
\"Oh，youleavethattome。Ihavenootherintention。ButmayIjustseewhoseletteryouwerereading?\"
\"Oh，praydon\'taskme。\"
\"Iinsistonknowing。\"
\"Iwillnottellyou。Thereitis。\"Shegaveittohimwithaguiltyair，andhidherface。
\"DearZoe，supposeIweretorepeattheofferImadehere?\"
\"Iadviseyounot，\"saidshe，allinaflurry。
\"Why?\"
\"Because。Because——Imightsay\'Yes。\'\"
\"Well，thenI\'lltakemychanceoncemore。Zoe，willyoutryandloveme?\"
\"Try?IbelieveIdoloveyou，ornearly。Ithinkofyouveryoften。\"
\"Thenyouwilldosomethingtomakemehappy。\"
\"Anything；everything。\"
\"Willyoumarryme?\"
\"Yes，thatIwill，\"saidZoe，almostimpetuously；\"andthen，\"withagrandlookofconsciousbeauty，\"Ican_make_youforgiveme。\"
Uxmoor，onthis，caughtherinhisarms，andkissedherwithsuchfirethatsheutteredalittlestifledcryofalarm；butitwassoonfollowedbyasighofcomplacency，andshesunk，resistless，onhismanlybreast。
So，aftertwosieges，hecarriedthatfaircitadelbyassault。
Thenletnotthemanlyheartdespair，nortakeamerebraceof\"Noes\"
fromanywoman。Nothingshortofthreenegativesisserious。
Theywalkedoutinarm-in-armandveryclosetoeachother；andhelefther，solemnlyengaged。
Leavingthispairtothedelightsofcourtship，andgrowingaffectiononZoe\'sside——forawarmattachmentofthenoblestkinddidgrow，bydegrees，outofherpenitence，andesteem，anddesiretorepairherfault——Imustnowtakeuptheotherthreadofthisnarrative，andapologizeforhavinginvertedtheorderofevents；foritwas，inreality，severaldaysafterthishappyscenethatMademoiselleKloskingsentforMissGale。
CHAPTERXXXII。
VIZARD，then，withAshmead，returnedhomeindespair；andZoe，nowhappyinherownmind，wasalltendernessandsisterlyconsolation。Theyopenedtheirheartstoeachother，andsheshowedherwishtorepaythedebtsheowedhim。Howfarshemighthavesucceeded，intime，willneverbeknown。
Forhehadhardlybeenhomeaweek，whenMissGalereturned，allinblack，andtoldhimSevernewasdeadandburied。
Hewasstartled，andevenshocked，rememberingoldtimes；butitwasnotinhumannatureheshouldbesorry。Nottobeindecorouslygladatsoopportuneanexitwasallthatcouldbeexpectedfromhim。
Whenshehadgivenhimthedetails，hisfirstquestionwas，\"Howdidshebearit?\"
\"Sheisterriblycutup——morethanonewouldthinkpossible；forshewasiceandmarbletohimbeforehewashurttodeath。\"
\"Whereisshe?\"
\"GonetoLondon。Shewillwritetome，Isuppose——poordear。Butonemustgivehertime。\"
FromthathourVizardwasinastateofexcitement，hopingtohearfromInaKlosking，orabouther；butunwilling，fromdelicacy，tohurrymatters。
Atlasthebecameimpatient，andwrotetoAshmead，whoseaddresshehad，andsaid，frankly，hehadadelicacyinintrudingonMademoiselleKlosking，inhergrief。Yethisownfeelingswouldnotallowhimtoseemtoneglecther。WouldMr。Ashmead，then，tellhimwhereshewas，asshehadnotwrittentoanyoneinBarfordshire——noteventohertriedfriend，MissGale。
Hereceivedananswerbyreturnofpost。
\"DEARSIR——IamgrievedtotellyouthatMademoiselleKloskinghasretiredfrompubliclife。Shewrotetome，threeweeksago，fromDover，requestingmetoaccept，asatokenofheresteem，thesurplusmoneyI
holdinhandforher——Ialwaysdrewhersalary——andbiddingmefarewell。
Thesumincludedherprofitsbypsalmody，minusherexpenses，andwassolargeitcouldneverhavebeenintendedasamererecognitionofmyhumbleservices；andIthinkIhaveseldomfeltsodown-heartedasonreceivingthisprincelydonation。Ithasenabledmetotakebetteroffices，anditmaybethefoundationofalittlefortune；butIfeelthatIhavelostthetrulygreatladywhohasmadeamanofme。Sir，therelishisgoneformyoccupation:IcanneverbesohappyasIwasinworkingtheinterestsofthatgreatgenius，whosevoicemadeourleadingsopranisoundlikewhistles，andwhohonoredmewithherfriendship。Sir，shewasnotlikeotherleadingladies。Sheneverbragged，neverspokeillofanyone；and_you_cantestifytohervirtueandherdiscretion。
\"IamtrulysorrytolearnfromyouthatshehaswrittentonooneinBarfordshire。Isaw，byherlettertome，shehadleftthestage；butherdroppingyoualllooksasifshehadlefttheworld。Idohopeshehasnotbeensomadastogointooneofthosecursedconvents。
\"Mr。Vizard，IwillnowwritetofriendsinalltheContinentaltownswherethereisgoodmusic。Shewillnotbeabletokeepawayfromthatlong。Iwillalsosendphotographs；andhopewemayhearsomething。Ifnot，perhapsa_judiciousadvertisement_mightremindherthatsheisinflictingpainuponpersonstowhomsheisdear。Iam，sir，yourobligedandgratefulservant，JOSEPHASHMEAD。\"
Herewasablow。IreallybelieveVizardfeltthismoredeeplythanallhisotherdisappointments。
Hebroodedoveritforadayortwo；andthen，ashethoughtMissGaleaveryill-usedperson，thoughnot，ofcourse，soill-usedashimself，hetookherAshmead\'sletter。
\"Thisisnice!\"saidshe。\"There——Imustgiveuplovingwomen。Besides，theythrowmeoverthemomentamancomes，ifithappenstobetherightone。\"
\"Unnaturalcreatures!\"saidVizard。
\"Ungrateful，atallevents。\"
\"Doyouthinkshehasgoneintoaconvent?\"
\"Notshe。Inthefirstplace，sheisaProtestant；and，inthesecond，sheisnotafool。\"
\"Iwilladvertise。\"
\"Theidea!\"
\"DoyouthinkIamgoingtositdownwithmyhandsbeforeme，andloseherforever?\"
\"No，indeed；Idon\'tthinkyouarethatsortofamanatall，ha!ha!\"
\"Oh，MissGale，pityme。Tellmehowtofindher。ThatFannyDoversayswomenareonlyenigmastomen；theyunderstandoneanother。\"
\"What，\"saidRhoda，turningswiftlyonhim；\"doesthatlittlechitpretendtoreadmynobleIna?\"
\"Ifshecannot，perhapsyoucan。Youaresoshrewd。Dotellme，whatdoesitallmean?\"
\"Itmeansnothingatall，Idaresay；onlyawoman\'simpulse。Theyaresuchgeeseattimes，everyoneofthem。\"
\"Oh，ifIdidbutknowwhatcountrysheisin，Iwouldransackit。\"
\"Hum!——countriesarebiggishplaces。\"
\"Idon\'tcare。\"
\"Whatwillyougivemetotellyouwheresheisatthismoment?\"
\"AllIhaveintheworld。\"
\"Thatissufficient。Well，then，firstassignmeyourestates；thenfetchmeanordnancemapofcreation，andIwillputmyfingeronher。\"
\"Youlittlemockingfiend，you!\"
\"Iamnot。I\'matall，beneficentangel；andI\'lltellyouwheresheis——fornothing。Keepyourland:whowantsit?——itisonlyabother。\"
\"Forpity\'ssake，don\'ttriflewithme。\"
\"Ineverwill，whereyourheartisinterested。SheisatZutzig。\"
\"Ah，yougoodgirl!Shehaswrittentoyou。\"
\"Notaline，themonster!AndI\'llserveherout。I\'llteachhertoplayhide-and-seekwithGale，M。D。!\"
\"Zutzig!\"saidVizard；\"howcanyouknow?\"
\"Whatdoesthatmatter?Well，yes——Iwillrevealthementalprocess。
Firstofall，shehasgonetohermother。\"
\"Howdoyouknowthat?\"