Sylviadidnotunderstandhowatotallydifferentcharacterfromhersmightimmediatelyforgivetheangershecouldnotforget;andbecauseHesterhadbeensomeekatthetime，Sylvia，whoknewhowpassingandtransitorywasherownanger，thoughtthatallwasforgotten;whileHesterbelievedthatthewords，whichsheherselfcouldnothaveutteredexceptunderdeepprovocation，meantmuchmorethantheydid，andadmiredandwonderedatSylviaforhavingsoentirelyconqueredherangeragainsther。Again，thetwodifferentwomenweredivergentlyaffectedbytheextremefondnesswhichBellhadshowntowardsHestereversinceSylvia\'swedding—day。
Sylvia，whohadalwaysreceivedmorelovefromothersthansheknewwhattodowith，hadthemostentirefaithinherownsupremacyinhermother\'sheart，thoughattimesHesterwoulddocertainthingsmoretothepooroldwoman\'ssatisfaction。Hester，whohadcravedfortheaffectionwhichhadbeenwithheldfromher，andhadfromthatonecircumstancebecomedistrustfulofherownpowerofinspiringregard，whilesheexaggeratedthedelightofbeingbeloved，fearedlestSylviashouldbecomejealousofhermother\'sopendisplayofgreatattachmentandoccasionalpreferenceforHester。
ButsuchathoughtneverenteredSylvia\'smind。Shewasmorethankfulthansheknewhowtoexpresstowardsanyonewhomadehermotherhappy;ashasbeenalreadysaid，thecontributingtoBellRobson\'spleasuresearnedPhilipmoreofhiswife\'ssmilesthananythingelse。AndSylviathrewherwholeheartintothewordsandcaressesshelavishedonHesterwheneverpoorMrsRobsonspokeofthegoodnessandkindnessofthelatter。Hesterattributedmorevirtuetothesesweetwordsanddeedsofgratitudethantheydeserved;
theydidnotimplyinSylviaanyvictoryovereviltemptation，astheywouldhavedoneinHester。ItseemedtobeSylvia\'sfatetocaptivatemorepeoplethanshecaredtolikebackagain。SheturnedtheheadsofJohnandJeremiahFoster，whocouldhardlycongratulatePhilipenoughonhischoiceofawife。TheyhadbeenpreparedtobecriticalononewhohadinterferedwiththeirfavouriteprojectofamarriagebetweenPhilipandHester;and，thoughfullofcompassionforthecrueltyofDanielRobson\'sfate，theyweretoocompletelymenofbusinessnottohavesomeapprehensionthattheconnectionofPhilipHepburnwiththedaughterofamanwhowashanged，mightinjuretheshopoverwhichbothhisandtheirnameappeared。Butallthepossibleproprietiesdemandedthattheyshouldpayattentiontothebrideoftheirformershopmanandpresentsuccessor;andtheveryfirstvisitorswhomSylviahadreceivedafterhermarriagehadbeenJohnandJeremiahFoster，intheirSabbath—dayclothes。Theyfoundherintheparlour（sofamiliartobothofthem！）clear—starchinghermother\'scaps，whichhadtobegotupinsomeparticularfashionthatSylviawasafraidofdictatingtoPhoebe。Shewasalittledisturbedathervisitorsdiscoveringheratthisemployment;
butshewasonherownground，andthatgaveherself—possession;andshewelcomedthetwooldmensosweetlyandmodestly，andlookedsoprettyandfeminine，and，besides，sonotableinherhandiwork，thatsheconqueredalltheirprejudicesatoneblow;andtheirfirstthoughtonleavingtheshopwashowtodoherhonour，byinvitinghertoasupperpartyatJeremiahFoster\'shouse。Sylviawasdismayedwhenshewasbiddentothisweddingfeast，andPhiliphadtouseallhisauthority，thoughtenderly，tomakeherconsenttogoatall。ShehadbeentomerrycountrypartiesliketheCorneys\'，andtobrighthay—makingrompsintheopenair;butnevertoasetstatelypartyatafriend\'shouse。Shewouldfainhavemadeattendanceonhermotheranexcuse;butPhilipknewhemustnotlistentoanysuchplea，andappliedtoHesterinthedilemma，askinghertoremainwithMrsRobsonwhileheandSylviawentoutvisiting;andHesterhadwillingly，nay，eagerlyconsented——itwasmuchmoretohertastethangoingout。SoPhilipandSylviasetout，arm—in—arm，downBridgeStreet，acrossthebridge，andthenclamberedupthehill。Onthewayhegaveherthedirectionssheaskedforaboutherbehaviourasbrideandmosthonouredguest;andaltogethersucceeded，againsthisintentionandwill，infrighteninghersocompletelyastothegrandeurandimportanceoftheoccasion，andthenecessityofrememberingcertainsetrules，andmakingcertainsetspeechesandattendingtothemwhentherighttimecame，that，ifanyonesonaturallygracefulcouldhavebeenawkward，Sylviawouldhavebeensothatnight。Asitwas，shesate，paleandweary—looking，ontheveryedgeofherchair;
sheutteredtheformalwordswhichPhiliphadtoldherwereappropriatetotheoccasion，andsheheartilywishedherselfsafeathomeandinbed。
Yetsheleftbutoneunanimousimpressiononthecompanywhenshewentaway，namely，thatshewastheprettiestandbest—behavedwomantheyhadeverseen，andthatPhilipHepburnhaddonewellinchoosingher，felon\'sdaughterthoughshemightbe。BoththehostshadfollowedherintothelobbytohelpPhilipincloakingher，andputtingonherpattens。Theywerefullofold—fashionedcomplimentsandgood—wishesonespeechoftheirscameuptohermemoryinfutureyears:——\'Now，SylviaHepburn，\'saidJeremiah，\'I\'veknownthyhusbandlong，andIdon\'tsaybutwhatthouhastdonewellinchoosinghim;butifheeverneglectsorill—usesthee，cometome，andI\'llgivehimasoundlectureonhisconduct。Mind，I\'mthyfriendfromthisdayforrards，andreadytotakethypartagainsthim！\'Philipsmiledasifthedaywouldnevercomewhenheshouldneglectorill—usehisdarling;Sylviasmiledalittle，withoutmuchattendingto，orcaringfor，thewordsthatweredetainingher，tiredasshewas;JohnandJeremiahchuckledoverthejoke;butthewordscameupagaininafterdays，aswordsidlyspokensometimesdo。Beforetheendofthatfirstyear，Philiphadlearnttobejealousofhiswife\'snewloveforHester。Tothelatter，SylviagavethefreeconfidenceonmanythingswhichPhilipfanciedshewithheldfromhim。Asuspicioncrossedhismind，fromtimetotime，thatSylviamightspeakofherformerlovertoHester。Itwouldbenotunnatural，hethought，ifshedidso，believinghimtobedead;buttheideairritatedhim。Hewasentirelymistaken，however;Sylvia，withallherapparentfrankness，keptherdeepsorrowstoherself。Shenevermentionedherfather\'sname，thoughhewascontinuallypresenttohermind。NordidshespeakofKinraidtohumanbeing，though，forhissake，hervoicesoftenedwhen，bychance，shespoketoapassingsailor;andforhissakehereyeslingeredonsuchmenlongerthanonothers，tryingtodiscoverinthemsomethingoftheoldfamiliargait;andpartlyforhisdeadsake，andpartlybecauseofthefreedomoftheoutlookandthefreshnessoftheair，shewasgladoccasionallytoescapefromthecomfortableimprisonmentofher\'parlour，\'andtheclosestreetsaroundthemarketplace，andtomountthecliffsandsitontheturf，gazingabroadoverthewidestillexpanseoftheopensea;for，atthatheight，evenbreakingwavesonlylookedlikebrokenlinesofwhitefoamonthebluewateryplain。Shedidnotwantanycompanionontheserambles，whichhadsomewhatofthedelightofstolenpleasures;foralltheotherrespectablematronsandtown—dwellerswhomsheknewwerecontenttohavealwaysabusinessobjectfortheirwalk，orelsetostopathomeintheirownhouseholds;
andSylviawasratherashamedofherownyearningsforsolitudeandopenair，andthesightandsoundofthemother—likesea。Sheusedtotakeoffherhat，andsitthere，herhandsclaspingherknees，thesaltairliftingherbrightcurls，gazingatthedistanthorizonoverthesea，inasaddreaminessofthought;ifshehadbeenaskedonwhatshemeditated，shecouldnothavetoldyou。But，by—and—by，thetimecamewhenshewasaprisonerinthehouse;aprisonerinherroom，lyinginbedwithalittlebabybyherside——herchild，Philip\'schild。Hispride，hisdelightknewnobounds;thiswasanewfasttiebetweenthem;thiswouldreconcilehertothekindoflifethat，withallitsrespectabilityandcomfort，wassodifferentfromwhatshehadlivedbefore，andwhichPhiliphadoftenperceivedthatshefelttobedullandrestraining。Healreadybegantotraceinthelittlegirl，onlyafewdaysold，thelovelycurvesthatheknewsowellbyheartinthemother\'sface。Sylvia，too，pale，still，andweak，wasveryhappy;yes，reallyhappyforthefirsttimesinceherirrevocablemarriage。Foritsirrevocablenesshadweighedmuchuponherwithasenseofdullhopelessness;shefeltallPhilip\'skindness，shewasgratefultohimforhistenderregardtowardshermother，shewaslearningtolovehimaswellastolikeandrespecthim。Shedidnotknowwhatelseshecouldhavedonebutmarrysotrueafriend，andsheandhermothersofriendless;but，atthesametime，itwaslikeleadonhermorningspiritswhensheawokeandrememberedthatthedecisionwasmade，thedeadwasdone，thechoicetakenwhichcomestomostpeoplebutonceintheirlives。Nowthelittlebabycameinuponthisstateofmindlikearayofsunlightintoagloomyroom。Evenhermotherwasrejoicedandproud;evenwithhercrazedbrainandbrokenheart，thesightofsweet，peacefulinfancybroughtlighttoher。
Alltheoldwaysofholdingababy，ofhushingittosleep，oftenderlyguardingitslittlelimbsfrominjury，cameback，likethehabitsofheryouth，toBell;andshewasneversohappyorsoeasyinhermind，orsosensibleandconnectedinherideas，aswhenshehadSylvia\'sbabyinherarms。Itwasaprettysighttosee，howeverfamiliartoallofussuchthingsmaybe——thepale，wornoldwoman，inherquaint，old—fashionedcountrydress，holdingthelittleinfantonherknees，lookingatitsopen，unspeculativeeyes，andtalkingthelittlelanguagetoitasthoughitcouldunderstand;
thefatheronhisknees，keptprisonerbyasmall，smallfingercurledroundhisstrongandsinewyone，andgazingatthetinycreaturewithwonderingidolatry;theyoungmother，fair，pale，andsmiling，proppeduponpillowsinorderthatshe，too，mightseethewonderfulbabe;itwasastonishinghowthedoctorcouldcomeandgowithoutbeingdrawnintotheadmiringvortex，andlookatthisbabyjustasifbabiescameintotheworldeveryday。\'Philip，\'saidSylvia，onenight，ashesateasstillasamouseinherroom，imagininghertobeasleep。Hewasbyherbedsideinamoment。\'I\'vebeenthinkingwhatshe\'stobecalled。Isabella，aftermother;andwhatwereyo\'rmother\'sname？\'\'Margaret，\'saidhe。\'MargaretIsabella;IsabellaMargaret。Mother\'scalledBell。ShemightbecalledBella。\'\'Icouldha\'wishedhertobecalledafterthee。\'Shemadealittleimpatientmovement。\'Nay;Sylvia\'snotaluckyname。Bestbecalledafterthymotherandmine。
AndIwantfortoaskHestertobegodmother。\'\'Anythingthoulikes，sweetheart。ShallwecallherRose，afterHesterRose？\'\'No，no！\'saidSylvia;\'shemunbecalledaftermymother，orthine，orboth。IshouldlikehertobecalledBella，aftermother，becauseshe\'ssofondofbaby。\'\'Anythingtopleasethee，darling。\'\'Don\'tsaythatasifitdidn\'tsignify;there\'sadealinhavingaprettyname，\'saidSylvia，alittleannoyed。\'Iha\'allayshatedbeingcalledSylvia。Itwereafterfather\'smother，SylviaSteele。\'\'Iniverthoughtanynameina\'theworldsosweetandprettyasSylvia，\'
saidPhilip，fondly;butshewastoomuchabsorbedinherownthoughtstonoticeeitherhismannerorhiswords。\'There，yo\'llnotmindifitisBella，becauseyo\'seemymotherisalivetobepleasedbyitsbeingnamedafterher，andHestermaybegodmother，andI\'llha\'t\'dove—colouredsilkasyo\'gavemeaforeweweremarriedmadeupintoacloakforittogotochurchin。\'\'Igotitforthee，\'saidPhilip，alittledisappointed。\'It\'llbetoogoodforthebaby。\'\'Eh！butI\'msocareless，Ishouldbespillingsomethingonit？ButifthougotitformeIcannotfindi\'myheartfort\'wearitonbaby，andI\'llhaveitmadeintoachristeninggownformysel\'。ButI\'llniverfeelatmyeaseinit，forfearofspoilingit。\'Well！an\'ifthoudoesspoilit，love，I\'llgettheeanother。Imakeaccountofrichesonlyforthee;thatImaybeabletogettheewhativerthou\'safancyfor，foreitherthysel\'，orthymother。\'Sheliftedherpalefacefromherpillow，andputupherlipstokisshimforthesewords。PerhapsonthatdayPhilipreachedthezenithofhislife\'shappiness。
chapter31CHAPTERXXXIEVILOMENSThefirststepinPhilip\'sdeclensionhappenedinthisway。Sylviahadmaderapidprogressinherrecovery;butnowsheseemedatastationarypointofweakness;wakefulnightssucceedingtolanguiddays。Occasionallyshecaughtalittlesleepintheafternoons，butsheusuallyawokestartledandfeverish。OneafternoonPhiliphadstolenupstairstolookatherandhischild;
buttheeffortshemadeatcarefulnoiselessnessmadethedoorcreakonitshingesasheopened。it。Thewomanemployedtonurseherhadtakenthebabyintoanotherroomthatnosoundmightrouseherfromherslumber;
andPhilipwouldprobablyhavebeenwarnedagainstenteringthechamberwherehiswifelaysleepinghadhebeenperceivedbythenurse。Asitwas，heopenedthedoor，madeanoise，andSylviastartedup，herfacealloneflush，hereyeswildanduncertain;shelookedaboutherasifshedidnotknowwhereshewas;pushedthehairoffherhotforehead;allwhichactionsPhilipsaw，dismayedandregretful。Buthekeptstill，hopingthatshewouldliedownandcomposeherself。Insteadshestretchedoutherarmsimploringly，andsaid，inavoicefullofyearningandtears，——\'Oh！Charley！cometome——cometome！\'andthenasshemorefullybecameawareoftheplacewhereshewas，heractualsituation，shesankbackandfeeblybegantocry。Philip\'sheartboiledwithinhim;anyman\'swouldunderthecircumstances，buthehadthesenseofguiltyconcealmenttoaggravatetheintensityofhisfeelings。Herweakcryafteranotherman，too，irritatedhim，partlythroughhisanxiouslove，whichmadehimwisetoknowhowmuchphysicalharmshewasdoingherself。Atthismomenthestirred，orunintentionallymadesomesound:shestartedupafresh，andcalledout，——\'Oh，who\'stheere？Do，forGod\'ssake，tellmewhoyo\'are！\'\'It\'sme，\'saidPhilip，comingforwards，strivingtokeepdownthemiserablecomplicationofloveandjealousy，andremorseandanger，thatmadehisheartbeatsowildly，andalmosttookhimoutofhimself。Indeed，hemusthavebeenquitebesidehimselfforthetime，orhecouldneverhavegoneontouttertheunwise，cruelwordshedid。Butshespokefirst，inadistressedandplaintivetoneofvoice。\'Oh，Philip，I\'vebeenasleep，andyetIthinkIwasawake！AndIsawCharleyKinraidasplainasiverIseetheenow，andhewasn\'tdrownedatall。
I\'msurehe\'salivesomewheere;heweresoclearandlife—like。Oh！whatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？\'Shewrungherhandsinfeverishdistress。Urgedbypassionatefeelingsofvariouskinds，andalsobyhisdesiretoquenchtheagitationwhichwasdoingherharm，Philipspoke，hardlyknowingwhathesaid。\'Kinraid\'sdead，Itellyo\'，Sylvie！Andwhatkindofawomanareyo\'togodreamingofanothermani\'thisway，andtakingonsoabouthim;whenyo\'reaweddedwife，withachildasyo\'vebornetoanotherman？\'Inamomenthecouldhavebittenouthistongue。Shelookedathimwiththemutereproachwhichsomeofussee（Godhelpus！）intheeyesofthedead，astheycomebeforeoursadmemoriesinthenight—season;lookedathimwithsuchasolemn，searchinglook，neversayingawordofreplyordefence。Thenshelaydown，motionlessandsilent。Hehadbeeninstantlystungwithremorseforhisspeech;thewordswerenotbeyondhislipswhenanagonyhadenteredhisheart;buthersteady，dilatedeyeshadkepthimdumbandmotionlessasifbyaspell。Nowherushedtothebedonwhichshelay，andhalfknelt，halfthrewhimselfuponit，imploringhertoforgivehim;regardlessforthetimeofanyevilconsequencestoher，itseemedasifhemusthaveherpardon——herrelenting——atanyprice，eveniftheybothdiedintheactofreconciliation。Butshelayspeechless，and，asfarasshecouldbe，motionless，thebedtremblingunderherwiththequiveringshecouldnotstill。Philip\'swildtonescaughtthenurse\'sears，andsheenteredfullofthedignifiedindignationofwisdom。\'Areyo\'forkillingyo\'rwife，measter？\'sheasked。\'She\'snoanesostrongasshecanbearflytin\'andscoldin\'，norwillshebeformanyaweektocome。Godownwi\'ye，andleaveheri\'peaceifyo\'reamanascanbecalledaman！\'HerangerwasrisingasshecaughtsightofSylvia\'savertedface。Itwasflushedcrimson，hereyesfullofintenseemotionofsomekind，herlipscompressed;butaninvoluntarytwitchingovermasteringherresolutestillnessfromtimetotime。Philip，whodidnotseetheavertedface，norunderstandtherealdangerinwhichhewasplacinghiswife，feltasthoughhemusthaveoneword，oneresponsivetouchofthehandwhichlaypassiveinhis，whichwasnotevendrawnawayfromthekisseswithwhichhecoveredit，anymorethanifithadbeenanimpassivestone。Thenursehadfairlytotakehimbytheshoulders，andturnhimoutoftheroom。Inhalfanhourthedoctorhadtobesummoned。Ofcourse，thenursegavehimherversionoftheeventsoftheafternoon，withmuchanimusagainstPhilip;andthedoctorthoughtithisdutytohavesomeveryseriousconversationwithhim。\'Idoassureyou，MrHepburn，that，inthestateyourwifehasbeeninforsomedays，itwaslittlelessthanmadnessonyourparttospeaktoheraboutanythingthatcouldgiverisetostrongemotion。\'\'Itwasmadness，sir！\'repliedPhilip，inalow，miserabletoneofvoice。
Thedoctor\'sheartwastouched，inspiteofthenurse\'saccusationsagainstthescoldinghusband。Yetthedangerwasnowtooseriousforhimtomincematters。\'ImusttellyouthatIcannotanswerforherlife，unlessthegreatestprecautionsaretakenonyourpart，andunlessthemeasuresIshallusehavetheeffectIwishforinthenexttwenty—fourhours。Sheisonthevergeofabrainfever。Anyallusiontothesubjectwhichhasbeenthefinalcauseofthestateinwhichshenowismustbemostcautiouslyavoided，eventoachancewordwhichmaybringittohermemory。Andsoon;butPhilipseemedtohearonlythis:thenhemightnotexpresscontrition，orsueforpardon，hemustgoonunforgiventhroughallthisstressofanxiety;andevenifsherecoveredthedoctorwarnedhimoftheundesirablenessofrecurringtowhathadpassed！Heavymiserabletimesofenduranceandwaitinghavetobepassedthroughbyallduringthecourseoftheirlives;andPhiliphadhadhisshareofsuchseasons，whentheheart，andthewill，andthespeech，andthelimbs，mustbebounddownwithstrongresolutiontopatience。Formanydays，nay，forweeks，hewasforbiddentoseeSylvia，astheverysoundofhisfootstepbroughtonarecurrenceofthefeverandconvulsivemovement。Yetsheseemed，fromquestionsshefeeblyaskedthenurse，tohaveforgottenallthathadhappenedonthedayofherattackfromthetimewhenshedroppedofftosleep。Buthowmuchsherememberedofafteroccurrencesnoonecouldascertain。Shewasquietenoughwhen，atlength，Philipwasallowedtoseeher。Buthewashalfjealousofhischild，whenhewatchedhowshecouldsmileatit，whilesheneverchangedamuscleofherfaceatallhecoulddoorsay。Andofapiecewiththisextremequietudeandreservewasherbehaviourtohimwhenatlengthshehadfullyrecovered，andwasabletogoaboutthehouseagain。Philipthoughtmanyatimeofthewordsshehadusedlongbefore——beforetheirmarriage。Ominouswordstheywere。\'It\'snotinmetoforgive;Isometimesthinkit\'snotinmetoforget。\'Philipwastendereventohumilityinhisconducttowardsher。Butnothingstirredherfromherfortressofreserve。Andheknewshewassodifferent;
heknewhowloving，nay，passionate，washernature——vehement，demonstrative——oh！
howcouldhestirheroncemoreintoexpression，evenifthefirstshoworspeechshemadewasofanger？Thenhetriedbeingangrywithherhimself;
hewassometimesunjusttoherconsciouslyand。ofapurpose，inordertoprovokeherintodefendingherself，andappealingagainsthisunkindness。
Heonlyseemedtodriveherloveawaystillmore。Ifanyonehadknownallthatwaspassinginthathousehold，whileyetthestoryofitwasnotended，nor，indeed，cometoitscrisis，theirheartswouldhavebeensorryforthemanwholingeredlongatthedooroftheroominwhichhiswifesatecooingandtalkingtoherbaby，andsometimeslaughingbacktoit，orwhowassoothingthequerulousnessoffailingagewitheverypossiblepatienceoflove;sorryforthepoorlistenerwhowashungeringfortheprofusionoftendernessthusscatteredonthesenselessair，yetonlybystealthcaughttheechoesofwhatoughttohavebeenhis。Itwassodifficulttocomplain，too;impossible，infact。Everythingthatawifecoulddofromdutyshedid;buttheloveseemedtohavefled，and，insuchcases，noreproachesorcomplaintscanavailtobringitback。
Soreasonoutsiders，andareconvincedoftheresultbeforetheexperimentismade。ButPhilipcouldnotreason，orcouldnotyieldtoreason;andsohecomplainedandreproached。Shedidnotmuchanswerhim;buthethoughtthathereyesexpressedtheoldwords，—\'It\'snotinmetoforgive;Isometimesthink。it\'snotinmetoforget。\'However，itisanoldstory，anascertainedfact，that，eveninthemosttenderandstablemasculinenatures，atthesupremestseasonoftheirlives，thereisroomforotherthoughtsandpassionsthansuchasareconnectedwithlove。Evenwiththemostdomesticandaffectionatemen，theiremotionsseemtobekeptinacelldistinctandawayfromtheiractuallives。Philiphadotherthoughtsandotheroccupationsthanthoseconnectedwithhiswifeduringallthistime。Anuncleofhismother\'s，aCumberland\'statesman，\'ofwhoseexistencehewasbarelyconscious，diedaboutthistime，leavingtohisunknowngreat—nephewfourorfivehundredpounds，whichputhimatonceinadifferentpositionwithregardtohisbusiness。Henceforwardhisambitionwasroused，——suchhumbleambitionasbefittedashopkeeperinacountrytownsixtyorseventyyearsago。Toberespectedbythemenaroundhimhadalwaysbeenanobjectwithhim，andwas，perhaps，becomingmoresothanevernow，asasortofrefugefromhisdeep，sorrowfulmortificationinotherdirections。Hewasgreatlypleasedatbeingmadeasidesman;and，inpreparationforthefurtherhonourofbeingchurchwarden，hewentregularlytwiceadaytochurchonSundays。Therewasenoughreligiousfeelinginhimtomakehimdisguisetheworldlyreasonforsuchconductfromhimself。Hebelievedthat。hewentbecausehethoughtitrighttoattendpublicworshipintheparishchurchwheneveritwasofferedup;butitmaybequestionedofhim，asofmanyothers，howfarhewouldhavebeenasregularinattendanceinaplacewherehewasnotknown。Withthis，however，wehavenothingtodo。Thefactwasthathewentregularlytochurch，andhewishedhiswifetoaccompanyhimtothepew，newlypainted，withhisnameonthedoor，wherehesateinfullsightoftheclergymanandcongregation。Sylviahadneverbeeninthehabitofsuchregularchurch—going，andshefeltitasahardship，andslippedoutofthedutyasoftenasevershecould。Inherunmarrieddays，sheandherparentshadgoneannuallytothemother—churchoftheparishinwhichHaytersbankwassituated:ontheMondaysucceedingtheSundaynextaftertheRomishSaint\'sDay，towhomthechurchwasdedicated，therewasagreatfeastorwakeheld，and，ontheSunday，alltheparishionerscametochurchfromfarandnear。Frequently，too，inthecourseoftheyear，SylviawouldaccompanyoneorotherofherparentstoScarbyMoorsideafternoonservice，——whenthehaywasgotin，andthecornnotreadyforcutting，orthecowsweredryandtherewasnoafternoonmilking。Manyclergymenwerelanguidinthosedays，anddidnottoocuriouslyinquireintothereasonswhichgavethemsuchsmallcongregationsincountryparishes。Nowshewasmarried，thisweeklychurch—goingwhichPhilipseemedtoexpectfromher，becameatieandasmallhardship，whichconnecteditselfwithherlifeofrespectabilityandprosperity。\'Acrustofbreadandliberty\'
wasmuchmoreaccordanttoSylvia\'snaturethanplentyofcreaturecomfortsandmanyrestraints。AnotherwishofPhilip\'s，againstwhichshesaidnoword，butconstantlyrebelledinthoughtanddeed，washisdesirethattheservanthehadengagedduringthetimeofherillnesstotakechargeofthebaby，shouldalwayscarryitwheneveritwastakenoutforawalk。
Sylviaoftenfelt，nowshewasstrong，asifshewouldfarratherhavebeenwithouttheresponsibilityofhavingthisnursemaid，ofwhomshewas，inreality，ratherafraid。Thegoodsideofitwasthatitsetheratlibertytoattendtohermotherattimeswhenshewouldhavebeenotherwiseoccupiedwithherbaby;butBellrequiredverylittlefromanyone:shewaseasilypleased，unexacting，andmethodicaleveninherdotage;preservingthequiet，undemonstrativehabitsofherearlierlifenowthatthefacultyofreason，whichhadbeenatthebasisoftheformationofsuchhabits，wasgone。Shetookgreatdelightinwatchingthebaby，andwaspleasedtohaveitinhercareforashorttime;butshedozedsomuchthatitpreventedherhavinganystrongwishonthesubject。SoSylviacontrivedtogetherbabyasmuchaspossibletoherself，inspiteofthenursemaid;and，aboveall，shewouldcarryitout，softlycradledinherarms，warmpillowedonherbreast，andbearittothefreedomandsolitudeofthesea—shoreonthewestsideofthetown，wherethecliffswerenotsohigh，andtherewasagoodspaceofsandandshingleatalllowtides。Oncehere，shewasashappyassheeverexpectedtobeinthisworld。Thefreshsea—breezerestoredsomethingofthecolourofformerdaystohercheeks，theoldbuoyancytoherspirits;hereshemighttalkherheart—fulloflovingnonsensetoherbaby;hereitwasallherown;nofathertoshareinit，nonursemaidtodisputethewisdomofanythingshedidwithit。
Shesangtoit，shetossedit;itcrowedanditlaughedbackagain，tillbothwereweary;andthenshewouldsitdownonabrokenpieceofrock，andfailtogazingontheadvancingwavescatchingthesunlightontheircrests，advancing，receding，foreverandforever，astheyhaddoneallherlifelong——astheydidwhenshehadwalkedwiththemthatoncebythesideofKinraid;thosecruelwavesthat，forgetfulofthehappylovers\'
talkbythesideoftheirwaters，hadcarriedoneaway，anddrownedhimdeeptillhewasdead。Everytimeshesatedowntolookatthesea，thisprocessofthoughtwasgonethroughuptothispoint;thenextstepwould，sheknew，bringhertothequestionshedarednot，mustnotask。Hewasdead;hemustbedead;forwasshenotPhilip\'swife？ThencameuptherecollectionofPhilip\'sspeech，neverforgotten，onlyburiedoutofsight:
\'Whatkindofawomanareyo\'togoondreamingofanotherman，andyo\'
aweddedwife？\'Sheusedtoshudderasifcoldsteelhadbeenplungedintoherwarm，livingbodyassherememberedthesewords;cruelwords，harmlesslyprovoked。Theyweretoomuchassociatedwithphysicalpainstobedweltupon;onlytheirmemorywasalwaysthere。Shepaidforthesehappyrambleswithherbabybythedepressionwhichawaitedheronherre—entranceintothedark，confinedhousethatwasherhome;itsveryfulnessofcomfortwasanoppression。Then，whenherhusbandsawherpaleandfatigued，hewasannoyed，andsometimesupbraidedherfordoingwhatwassounnecessaryastoloadherselfwithherchild。Sheknewfullwellitwasnotthatthatcausedherweariness。By—and—by，whenheinquiredanddiscoveredthatallthesewalksweretakeninonedirection，outtowardsthesea，hegrewjealousofherlovefortheinanimateocean。WasitconnectedinhermindwiththethoughtofKinraid？Whydidshesoperseveringly，inwindorcold，goouttothesea—shore;thewesternside，too，where，ifshewentbutfarenough，shewouldcomeuponthemouthoftheHaytersbankgully，thepointatwhichshehadlastseenKinraid？SuchfancieshauntedPhilip\'smindforhoursaftershehadacknowledgedthedirectionofherwalks。Butheneversaidawordthatcoulddistinctlytellherhedislikedhergoingtothesea，otherwiseshewouldhaveobeyedhiminthis，asineverythingelse;forabsoluteobediencetoherhusbandseemedtobeherruleoflifeatthisperiod——obediencetohimwhowouldsogladlyhaveobeyedhersmallestwishhadshebutexpressedit！SheneverknewthatPhiliphadanypainfulassociationwiththeparticularpointonthesea—shorethatsheinstinctivelyavoided，bothfromaconsciousnessofwifelyduty，andalsobecausethesightofitbroughtupsomuchsharppain。Philipusedtowonderifthedreamthatprecededherillnesswasthesuggestivecausethatdrewhersooftentotheshore。Herillnessconsequentuponthatdreamhadfilledhismind，sothatformanymonthshehimselfhadhadnohauntingvisionofKinraidtodisturbhisslumbers。ButnowtheolddreamofKinraid\'sactualpresencebyPhilip\'sbedsidebegantoreturnwithfearfulvividness。Nightafternightitrecurred;eachtimewithsomenewtouchofreality，andcloseapproach;tillitwasasifthefatethatovertakesallmenwerethen，eventhen，knockingathisdoor。InhisbusinessPhilipprospered。Menpraisedhimbecausehedidwelltohimself。Hehadtheperseverance，thecapabilityforhead—workandcalculation，thesteadinessandgeneralforethoughtwhichmighthavemadehimagreatmerchantifhehadlivedinalargecity。Withoutanyeffortofhisown，almost，too，withoutCoulson\'sbeingawareofit，Philipwasnowinthepositionofsuperiorpartner;theonetosuggestandarrange，whileCoulsononlycarriedouttheplansthatemanatedfromPhilip。Thewholeworkoflifewassuitedtotheman:hedidnotaspiretoanydifferentposition，onlytothefulldevelopmentofthecapabilitiesofthatwhichhealreadyheld。Hehadoriginatedseveralfreshschemeswithregardtothetrafficoftheshop;andhisoldmasters，withalltheirloveoftriedways，anddistrustofeverythingnew，hadbeencandidenoughtoconfessthattheirsuccessors\'planshadresultedinsuccess。\'Theirsuccessors。\'Philipwascontentwithhavingthepowerwhentheexerciseofitwasrequired，andnevernamedhisownimportantshareinthenewimprovements。Possibly，ifhehad，Coulson\'svanitymighthavetakenthealarm，andhemightnothavebeensoacquiescentforthefuture。Asitwas，heforgothisownsubordinateshare，andalwaysusedtheimperial\'we，\'\'wethought，\'\'itstruckus，\'
&c。
chapter32CHAPTERXXXIIRESCUEDFROMTHEWAVESMeanwhileHestercameandwentasusual;insoquietandmethodicalaway，withsoevenandundisturbedatemper，thatshewasalmostforgottenwheneverythingwentwellintheshoporhousehold。Shewasastar，thebrightnessofwhichwasonlyrecognizedintimesofdarkness。SheherselfwasalmostsurprisedatherownincreasingregardforSylvia。ShehadnotthoughtsheshouldeverbeabletolovethewomanwhohadbeensuchalaggardinacknowledgingPhilip\'smerits;andfromallshehadeverheardofSylviabeforeshecametoknowher，fromtheangrywordswithwhichSylviahadreceivedherwhenshehadfirstgonetoHaytersbankFarm，Hesterhadintendedtoremainonfriendlyterms，buttoavoidintimacy。ButherkindnesstoBellRobsonhadwonboththemother\'sanddaughter\'shearts;andinspiteofherself，certainlyagainstherownmother\'sadvice，shehadbecomethefamiliarfriendandwelcomeguestofthehousehold。NowtheverychangeinSylvia\'swholemannerandways，whichgrievedandvexedPhilip，madehiswifethemoreattractivetoHester。BroughtupamongQuakers，althoughnotoneherself，sheadmiredandrespectedthestaidnessandoutwardpeacefulnesscommonamongsttheyoungwomenofthatsect。Sylvia，whomshehadexpectedtofindvolatile，talkative，vain，andwilful，wasquietandstill，asifshehadbeenbornaFriend:sheseemedtohavenowillofherown;sheservedhermotherandchildforlove;sheobeyedherhusbandinallthings，andneverappearedtopineaftergaietyorpleasure。
AndyetattimesHesterthought，orratheraflashcameacrosshermind，asifallthingswerenotasrightastheyseemed。Philiplookedolder，morecare—worn;nay，evenHesterwasobligedtoallowtoherselfthatshehadheardhimspeaktohiswifeinsharp，aggrievedtones。InnocentHester！
shecouldnotunderstandhowtheveryqualitiesshesoadmiredinSylviawerejustwhatweresoforeigntohernaturethatthehusband，whohadknownherfromachild，feltwhatanunnaturalrestraintshewasputtinguponherself，andwouldhavehailedpetulantwordsorwilfulactionswithanunspeakablethankfulnessforrelief。Oneday——itwasinthespringof1798——HesterwasengagedtostaytoteawiththeHepburns，inorderthatafterthatearlymealshemightsettoagaininhelpingPhilipandCoulsontopackawaythewinterclothsandflannels，forwhichtherewasnolongeranyuse。Thetea—timewashalf—pastfour;aboutfouro\'clockaheavyAprilshowercameon，thehailpatteringagainstthewindow—panessoastoawakenMrsRobsonfromherafternoon\'snap。Shecamedownthecorkscrewstairs，andfoundPhoebeintheparlourarrangingthetea—things。PhoebeandMrsRobsonwerebetterfriendsthanPhoebeandheryoungmistress;
andsotheybegantotalkalittletogetherinacomfortable，familiarway。OnceortwicePhiliplookedin，asifhewouldbegladtoseethetea—tableinreadiness;andthenPhoebewouldputonaspurtofbusybustle，whichceasedalmostassoonashisbackwasturned，soeagerwasshetoobtainMrsRobson\'ssympathyinsomelittledisputethathadoccurredbetweenherandthenursemaid。Thelatterhadmisappropriatedsomehotwater，preparedandrequiredbyPhoebe，tothewashingofthebaby\'sclothes;itwasalongstory，andwouldhavetiredthepatienceofanyoneinfullpossessionoftheirsenses;butthedetailswerejustwithinpoorBell\'scomprehension，andshewaslisteningwiththegreatestsympathy。Boththewomenwereunawareofthelapseoftime;butitwasofconsequencetoPhilip，astheextralabourwasnottobebegununtilaftertea，andthedaylighthourswereprecious。AtaquartertofiveHesterandhecamein，andthenPhoebebegantohurry。
HesterwentuptositbyBellandtalktoher。PhilipspoketoPhoebeinthefamiliarwordsofcountry—folk。Indeed，untilhismarriage，PhoebehadalwayscalledhimbyhisChristianname，andhadfounditverydifficulttochangeitinto\'master。\'\'Where\'sSylvie？\'saidhe。\'Goneoutwi\'t\'babby，\'repliedPhoebe。\'Whycan\'tNancycarryitout？\'askedPhilip。Itwastouchingontheoldgrievance:hewastired，andhespokewithsharpannoyance。Phoebemighteasilyhavetoldhimtherealstateofthecase;
Nancywasbusyatherwashing，whichwouldhavebeenreasonenough。Butthenursemaidhadvexedher，andshedidnotlikePhilip\'ssharpness，sosheonlysaid，——\'It\'snoaneo\'mybusiness;it\'syo\'t\'lookafteryo\'rownwifeandchild;