\"Ididn’taskher，Chris;Ididn’tthinkitthesquarething;itseemsthat’soutoffashion！\"
Christian’scheekswereburning。
\"IthinkalotwhileIliehere，\"Mr。Treffrywenton;\"nothingmuchelsetodo。WhatIaskmyselfisthis:Whatdoyouknowaboutwhat’sbestforyou？Whatdoyouknowoflife？Takeitorleaveit，life’snotallyouthink;it’sgiveandgetalltheway，afairstartiseverything。\"
Christianthought:’Willheneversee？’
Mr。Treffrywenton:
\"Igetbettereveryday，butIcan’tlastforever。It’snotpleasanttoliehereandknowthatwhenI’mgonethere’llbenoonetokeepahandonthecheckstring！\"
\"Don’ttalklikethat，dear！\"Christianmurmured。
\"It’snouseblinkingfacts，Chris。I’velivedalongtimeintheworld;I’veseenthingsprettywellastheyare;andnowthere’snotmuchleftformetothinkaboutbutyou。\"
\"But，Uncle，ifyoulovedhim，asIdo，youcouldn’ttellmetobeafraid！It’scowardlyandmeantobeafraid。Youmusthaveforgotten！\"
Mr。Treffryclosedhiseyes。
\"Yes，\"hesaid;\"I’mold。\"
ThefanhaddroppedintoChristian’slap;itrestedonherwhitefrocklikealargecrimsonleaf;hereyeswerefixedonit。
Mr。Treffrylookedather。\"Haveyouheardfromhim？\"heaskedwithsuddenintuition。
\"Lastnight，inthatroom，whenyouthoughtIwastalkingtoDominique——\"
Thepipefellfromhishand。
\"What！\"hestammered:\"Back？\"
Christian，withoutlookingup，said:
\"Yes，he’sback;hewantsme——Imustgotohim，Uncle。\"
Therewasalongsilence。
\"Youmustgotohim？\"herepeated。
Shelongedtoflingherselfdownathisknees，buthewassostill，thattomoveseemedimpossible;sheremainedsilent，withfoldedhands。
Mr。Treffryspoke:
\"You’llletmeknow——before——you——go。Goodnight！\"
Christianstoleoutintothepassage。Abeadcurtainrustledinthedraught;voicesreachedher。
\"Myhonourisinvolved，orIwouldgivethecaseup。\"
\"Heisverytrying，poorNicholas！Healwayshadthatpeculiarqualityofopposition;ithasbroughthimtogriefahundredtimes。
Thereisoppositioninourblood;myfamilyallhaveit。Myeldestbrotherdiedofit;withmypoorsister，whowasasgentleasalamb，ittooktheformofdoingtherightthinginthewrongplace。Itisamatteroftemperament，yousee。Youmusthavepatience。\"
\"Patience，\"repeatedDawney’svoice，\"isonething;patiencewherethereisresponsibilityisanother。I’venothadawinkofsleeptheselasttwonights。\"
Therewasafaint，shrillswishofsilk。
\"Ishesoveryill？\"
Christianheldherbreath。Theanswercameatlast。
\"Hashemadehiswill？Withthistroubleinthesideagain，Itellyouplainly，Mrs。Decie，there’slittleornochance。\"
Christianputherhandsuptoherears，andranoutintotheair。
Whatwassheabouttodo，then——toleavehimdying！
OnthefollowingdayHarzwassummonedtotheVilla。Mr。Treffryhadjustrisen，andwasgarbedinadressing—suit，oldandworn，whichhadacertainairofmagnificence。Hisseamedcheekswerenewlyshaved。
\"IhopeIseeyouwell，\"hesaidmajestically。
Thinkingofthedriveandtheirlastparting，Harzfeltsorryandashamed。SuddenlyChristiancameintotheroom;shestoodforamomentlookingathim;thensatdown。
\"Chris！\"saidMr。Treffryreproachfully。Sheshookherhead，anddidnotmove;mournfulandintent，hereyesseemedfullofsecretknowledge。
Mr。Treffryspoke:
\"I’venorighttoblameyou，Mr。Harz，andChristellsmeyoucametoseemefirst，whichiswhatIwouldhaveexpectedofyou;butyoushouldn’thavecomeback。\"
\"Icameback，sir，becauseIfoundIwasobliged。Imustspeakout。\"
\"Iasknothingbetter，\"Mr。Treffryreplied。
HarzlookedagainatChristian;butshemadenosign，sittingwithherchinrestingonherhands。
\"Ihavecomeforher，\"hesaid;\"Icanmakemyliving——enoughforbothofus。ButIcan’twait。\"
\"Why？\"
Harzmadenoanswer。
Mr。Treffryboomedoutagain:\"Why？Isn’tsheworthwaitingfor？
Isn’tsheworthservingfor？\"
\"Ican’texpectyoutounderstandme，\"thepaintersaid。\"Myartismylifetome。Doyousupposethatifitwasn’tIshouldeverhaveleftmyvillage;orgonethroughallthatI’vegonethrough，togetasfarevenasIam？Youtellmetowait。Ifmythoughtsandmywillaren’tfree，howcanIwork？Ishan’tbeworthmysalt。YoutellmetogobacktoEngland——knowingsheishere，amongstyouwhohateme，athousandmilesaway。Ishallknowthatthere’sadeathfightgoingoninherandoutsideheragainstme——youthinkthatI
cangoonworkingundertheseconditions。Othersmaybeable，Iamnot。That’stheplaintruth。IfIlovedherless——\"
Therewasasilence，thenMr。Treffrysaid:
\"Itisn’tfairtocomehereandaskwhatyou’reasking。Youdon’tknowwhat’sinthefutureforyou，youdon’tknowthatyoucankeepawife。Itisn’tpleasant，either，tothinkyoucan’tholdupyourheadinyourowncountry。\"
Harzturnedwhite。
\"Ah！youbringthatupagain！\"hebrokeout。\"SevenyearsagoIwasaboyandstarving;ifyouhadbeeninmyplaceyouwouldhavedonewhatIdid。Mycountryisasmuchtomeasyourcountryistoyou。
I’vebeenanexilesevenyears，IsupposeIshallalwaysbeI’vehadpunishmentenough;butifyouthinkIamarascal，I’llgoandgivemyselfup。\"Heturnedonhisheel。
\"Stop！Ibegyourpardon！Inevermeanttohurtyou。Itisn’teasyformetoeatmywords，\"Mr。Treffrysaidwistfully，\"letthatcountforsomething。\"Heheldouthishand。
Harzcamequicklybackandtookit。Christian’sgazewasneverforamomentwithdrawn;sheseemedtryingtostoreupthesightofhimwithinher。Thelightdartingthroughthehalf—closedshuttersgavehereyesastrange，brightintensity，andshoneinthefoldsofherwhitedresslikethesheenofbirds’wings。
Mr。Treffryglanceduneasilyabouthim。\"GodknowsIdon’twantanythingbutherhappiness，\"hesaid。\"Whatisittomeifyou’dmurderedyourmother？It’sherI’mthinkingof。\"
\"Howcanyoutellwhatishappinesstoher？Youhaveyourownideasofhappiness——nothers，notmine。Youcan’tdaretostopus，sir！\"
\"Dare？\"saidMr。Treffry。\"Herfathergaveherovertomewhenshewasamiteofalittlething;I’veknownherallherlife。I’ve——
I’velovedher——andyoucomeherewithyour’dare’！\"Hishanddraggedathisbeard，andshookasthoughpalsied。
AlookofterrorcameintoChristian’sface。
\"Allright，Chris！Idon’taskforquarter，andIdon’tgiveit！\"
Harzmadeagestureofdespair。
\"I’veactedsquarelybyyou，sir，\"Mr。Treffrywenton，\"Iaskthesameofyou。Iaskyoutowait，andcomelikeanhonestman，whenyoucansay，’Iseemyway——here’sthisandthatforher。’Whatmakesthisartyoutalkofdifferentfromanyothercallinlife？Itdoesn’talterfacts，orgiveyouwhatothermenhavenorighttoexpect。Itdoesn’tputgritintoyou，orkeepyourhandsclean，orprovethattwoandtwomakefive。\"
Harzansweredbitterly:
\"YouknowasmuchofartasIknowofmoney。Ifweliveathousandyearsweshallneverunderstandeachother。IamdoingwhatIfeelisbestforbothofus。\"
Mr。Treffrytookholdofthepainter’ssleeve。
\"Imakeyouanoffer，\"hesaid。\"Yourwordnottoseeorwritetoherforayear！Then，positionornot，moneyornomoney，ifshe’llhaveyou，I’llmakeitrightforyou。\"
\"Icouldnottakeyourmoney。\"
AkindofdespairseemedsuddenlytoseizeonMr。NicholasTreffry。
Herose，andstoodtoweringoverthem。
\"Allmylife——\"hesaid;butsomethingseemedtoclickdeepdowninhisthroat，andhesankbackinhisseat。
\"Go！\"whisperedChristian，\"go！\"ButMr。Treffryfoundhisvoiceagain:\"It’sforthechildtosay。Well，Chris！\"
Christiandidnotspeak。
ItwasHarzwhobrokethesilence。HepointedtoMr。Treffry。
\"YouknowIcan’ttellyoutocomewith——that，there。Whydidyousendforme？\"And，turning，hewentout。
Christiansankonherknees，buryingherfaceinherhands。Mr。
Treffrypressedhishandkerchiefwithastealthymovementtohismouth。Itwasdyedcrimsonwiththepriceofhisvictory。
XXVI
AtelegramhadsummonedHerrPaulfromVienna。Hehadstartedforthwith，leavingseveralunpaidaccountstoamorejoyfulopportunity，amongstthemachemist’sbill，forawonderfulquackmedicineofwhichhebroughtsixbottles。
HecamefromMr。Treffry’sroomwithtearsrollingdownhischeeks，saying:
\"PoorNicholas！PoorNicholas！Iln’apasdechance！\"
Itwasdifficulttofindanyonetolisten;thewomenwerescaredandsilent，waitingfortheordersthatwerenowandthenwhisperedthroughthedoor。HerrPaulcouldnotbearthissilence，andtalkedtohisservantforhalfanhour，tillFritzalsovanishedtofetchsomethingfromthetown。ThenindespairHerrPaulwenttohisroom。
Itwashardnottobeallowedtohelp——itwashardtowait！Whentheheartwassuffering，itwasfrightful！Heturnedand，lookingfurtivelyabouthim，lightedacigar。Yes，itcametoeveryone——atsometimeorother;andwhatwasit，thatdeaththeytalkedof？Wasitanyworsethanlife？Thatfrightfuljumblepeoplemadeforthemselves！PoorNicholas！Afterall，itwashethathadtheluck！
Hiseyesfilledwithtears，anddrawingapenknifefromhispocket，hebegantostabitintothestuffingofhischair。Scruff，whosatwatchingthechinkoflightunderthedoor，turnedhishead，blinkedathim，andbeganfeeblytappingwithaclaw。
Itwasintolerable，thisuncertainty——tobenear，andyetsofar，wasnotendurable！
HerrPaulsteppedacrosstheroom。Thedog，following，threwhisblack—markedmuzzleupwardswithagruffnoise，andwentbacktothedoor。Hismasterwasholdinginhishandabottleofchampagne。
PoorNicholas！Hehadchosenit。HerrPauldrainedaglass。
PoorNicholas！Theprinceoffellows，andofwhatusewasone？TheykepthimawayfromNicholas！
HerrPaul’seyesfellontheterrier。\"Ach！mydear，\"hesaid，\"youandI，wealonearekeptaway！\"
Hedrainedasecondglass。
Whatwasit？Thislife！Froth—likethat！Hetossedoffathirdglass。Forget！Ifonecouldnothelp，itwasbettertoforget！
Heputonhishat。Yes。Therewasnoroomforhimthere！Hewasnotwanted！
Hefinishedthebottle，andwentoutintothepassage。ScruffranandlaydownatMr。Treffry’sdoor。HerrPaullookedathim。\"Ach！\"
hesaid，tappinghischest，\"ungratefulhound！\"Andopeningthefrontdoorhewentoutontiptoe……
LatethatafternoonGretastolehatlessthroughthelilacbushes;shelookedtiredafterhernightjourney，andsatidlyonachairinthespeckledshadowofalime—tree。
’Itisnotlikehome，’shethought;’Iamunhappy。Eventhebirdsaresilent，butperhapsthatisbecauseitissohot。Ihaveneverbeensadlikethis——foritisnotfancythatIamsadthistime，asitissometimes。Itisinmyheartlikethesoundthewindmakesthroughawood，itfeelsquiteemptyinmyheart。Ifitisalwayslikethistobeunhappy，thenIamsorryforalltheunhappythingsintheworld;IamsorrierthanIeverwasbefore。’
Ashadowfellonthegrass，sheraisedhereyes，andsawDawney。
\"Dr。Edmund！\"shewhispered。
Dawneyturnedtoher;aheavyfurrowshowedbetweenhisbrows。Hiseyes，alwaysratherclosetogether，staredpainfully。
\"Dr。Edmund，\"Gretawhispered，\"isittrue？\"
Hetookherhand，andspreadhisownpalmoverit。
\"Perhaps，\"hesaid;\"perhapsnot。Wemusthope。\"
Gretalookedup，awed。
\"Theysayheisdying。\"
\"WehavesentforthebestmaninVienna。\"
Gretashookherhead。
\"Butyouareclever，Dr。Edmund;andyouareafraid。\"
\"Heisbrave，\"saidDawney;\"wemustallbebrave，youknow。Youtoo！\"
\"Brave？\"repeatedGreta;\"whatisittobebrave？Ifitisnottocryandmakeafuss——thatIcando。Butifitisnottobesadinhere，\"shetouchedherbreast，\"thatIcannotdo，anditshallnotbeanygoodformetotry。\"
\"Tobebraveistohope;don’tgiveuphope，dear。\"
\"No，\"saidGreta，tracingthepatternofthesunlightonherskirt。
\"ButIthinkthatwhenwehope，wearenotbrave，becauseweareexpectingsomethingforourselves。Chrissaysthathopeisprayer，andifitisprayer，thenallthetimewearehoping，weareaskingforsomething，anditisnotbravetoaskforthings。\"
AsmilecurvedDawney’smouth。
\"Goon，Philosopher！\"hesaid。\"Bebraveinyourownway，itwillbejustasgoodasanybodyelse’s。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodotobebrave，Dr。Edmund？\"
\"I？Fight！Ifonlywehadfiveyearsoffhislife！\"
Gretawatchedhimashewalkedaway。
\"Ishallneverbebrave，\"shemourned;\"Ishallalwaysbewantingtobehappy。\"And，kneelingdown，shebegantodisentangleafly，imprisonedinacobweb。Aplantofhemlockhadsprungupinthelonggrassbyherfeet。Gretathought，dismayed:’Thereareweeds！’
Itseemedbutanothersignofthedeathofjoy。
’Butit’sverybeautiful，’shethought，’theblossomsarelikestars。
Iamnotgoingtopullitup。Iwillleaveit;perhapsitwillspreadallthroughthegarden;andifitdoesIdonotcare，fornowthingsarenotliketheyusedtobeandIdonot，thinktheyevershallbeagain。’
XXVII
Thedayswentby;thoselong，hotdays，whentheheathazeswimsupabouttenoftheforenoon，and，asthesunsinkslevelwiththemountains，meltsintogoldenetherwhichsetstheworldquiveringwithsparkles。
Atthelightingofthestarsthosesparklesdie，vanishingonebyoneoffthehillsides;eveningcomesflyingdownthevalleys，andliferestsunderhercoolwings。Thenightfalls;andthehundredlittlevoicesofthenightarise。
Itwasneargrape—gathering，andintheheatthefightforNicholasTreffry’slifewenton，dayin，dayout，withgleamsofhopeandmomentsofdespair。Doctorscame，butafterthefirstherefusedtoseethem。
\"No，\"hesaidtoDawney——\"throwingawaymoney。IfIpullthroughitwon’tbebecauseofthem。\"
FordaystogetherhewouldallownoonebutDawney，Dominique，andthepaidnurseintheroom。
\"Icanstanditbetter，\"hesaidtoChristian，\"whenIdon’tseeanyofyou;keepaway，oldgirl，andletmegetonwithit！\"
Tohavebeenabletohelpwouldhaveeasedthetensionofhernerves，andtheachingofherheart。Athisownrequesttheyhadmovedhisbedintoacornersothathemightfacethewall。Therehewouldlieforhourstogether，notspeakingaword，excepttoaskfordrink。
SometimesChristiancreptinunnoticed，andsatwatching，withherarmstightlyfoldedacrossherbreast。Atnight，afterGretawasasleep，shewouldtossfromsidetoside，mutteringfeverishprayers。
Shespenthoursatherlittletableintheschoolroom，writingletterstoHarzthatwereneversent。Onceshewrotethesewords:\"I
amthemostwickedofallcreatures——Ihaveevenwishedthathemaydie！\"AfewminutesafterwardsMissNaylorfoundherwithherheadburiedonherarms。Christiansprangup;tearswerestreamingdownhercheeks。\"Don’ttouchme！\"shecried，andrushedaway。Later，shestoleintoheruncle’sroom，andsankdownonthefloorbesidethebed。Shesattheresilently，unnoticedalltheevening。Whennightcameshecouldhardlybepersuadedtoleavetheroom。
OnedayMr。TreffryexpressedawishtoseeHerrPaul;itwasalongwhilebeforethelattercouldsummoncouragetogoin。
\"There’safewdozenoftheGordonsherryatmyChambers，inLondon，Paul，\"Mr。Treffrysaid;\"I’dbegladtothinkyouhad’em。Andmyman，Dominique，I’vemadehimallrightinmywill，butkeepyoureyeonhim;he’sagoodsortforaforeigner，andnochicken，butsoonerorlater，thewomen’llgetholdofhim。That’sallIhadtosay。
SendChristome。\"
HerrPaulstoodbythebedsidespeechless。Suddenlyheblurtedout。
\"Ah！mydear！Courage！Weareallmortal。Youwillgetwell！\"Allthemorninghewalkedaboutquiteinconsolable。\"Itwasfrightfultoseehim，youknow，frightful！Anironmancouldnothaveborneit。\"
WhenChristiancametohim，Mr。Treffryraisedhimselfandlookedatheralongwhile。
Hiswistfulfacewaslikeanaccusation。Butthatveryafternoonthenewscamefromthesickroomthathewasbetter，havinghadnopainforseveralhours。
Everyonewentaboutwithsmileslurkingintheireyes，andreadytobreakforthataword。InthekitchenBarbiburstoutcrying，and，forgettingtotossthepan，spoiledaKaiser—Schmarnshewasmaking。
DominiquewasobserveddrainingaglassofChianti，andsolemnlycastingforththelastdropsinlibation。Anorderwasgivenforteatobetakenoutundertheacacias，whereitwasalwayscool;itwasfeltthatsomethinginthenatureofhighfestivalwasbeingheld。
EvenHerrPaulwaspresent;butChristiandidnotcome。Nobodyspokeofillness;tomentionitmightbreakthespell。
MissNaylor，whohadgoneintothehouse，cameback，saying:
\"Thereisastrangemanstandingovertherebythecornerofthehouse。\"
\"Really！\"askedMrs。Decie;\"whatdoeshewant？\"
MissNaylorreddened。\"Ididnotaskhim。I——don’t——know——whetherheisquiterespectable。Hiscoatisbuttonedveryclose，andhe——
doesn’tseem——tohavea——collar。\"
\"Goandseewhathewants，dearchild，\"Mrs。DeciesaidtoGreta。
\"Idon’tknow——Ireallydonotknow——\"beganMissNaylor;\"hehasvery——high——boots，\"butGretawasalreadyonherway，withhandsclaspedbehindher，anddemureeyestakinginthestranger’sfigure。
\"Please？\"shesaid，whenshewasclosetohim。
Thestrangertookhiscapoffwithajerk。
\"Thishousehasnobells，\"hesaidinanasalvoice;\"ithasatendencytodiscourageone。\"
\"Yes，\"saidGretagravely，\"thereisabell，butitdoesnotringnow，becausemyuncleissoill。\"
\"Iamverysorrytohearthat。Idon’tknowthepeoplehere，butI
amverysorrytohearthat。
Iwouldbegladtospeakafewwordstoyoursister，ifitisyoursisterthatIwant。\"
Andthestranger’sfacegrewveryred。
\"Isit，\"saidGreta，\"thatyouareafriendofHerrHarz？Ifyouareafriendofhis，youwillpleasecomeandhavesometea，andwhileyouarehavingteaIwilllookforChris。\"
Perspirationbedewedthestranger’sforehead。
\"Tea？Excuseme！Idon’tdrinktea。\"
\"Thereisalsocoffee，\"Gretasaid。
Thestranger’sprogresstowardsthearbourwassoslowthatGretaarrivedconsiderablybeforehim。
\"ItisafriendofHerrHarz，\"shewhispered;\"hewilldrinkcoffee。
IamgoingtofindChris。\"
\"Greta！\"gaspedMissNaylor。
Mrs。Decieputupherhand。
\"Ah！\"shesaid，\"ifitisso，wemustbeverynicetohimforChristian’ssake。\"
MissNaylor’sfacegrewsoft。—
\"Ah，yes！\"shesaid;\"ofcourse。\"
\"Bah！\"mutteredHerrPaul，\"thatrecommences。’
\"Paul！\"murmuredMrs。Decie，\"youlacktheelementsofwisdom。\"
HerrPaulglaredattheapproachingstranger。
Mrs。Deciehadrisen，andsmilinglyheldoutherhand。
\"Wearesogladtoknowyou;youareanartisttoo，perhaps？Itakeagreatinterestinart，andespeciallyinthatschoolwhichMr。Harzrepresents。\"
Thestrangersmiled。
\"Heisthegenuinearticle，ma’am，\"hesaid。\"Herepresentsnoschool，heisoneofthatkindwhosecorpsesmakeschools。\"
\"Ah！\"murmuredMrs。Decie，\"youareanAmerican。Thatissonice。
Dositdown！Myniecewillsoonbehere。\"
Gretacamerunningback。
\"Willyoucome，please？\"shesaid。\"Chrisisready。\"
Gulpingdownhiscoffee，thestrangerincludedthemallinasinglebow，andfollowedher。
\"Ach！\"saidHerrPaul，\"garcontreschic，celui—la！\"
Christianwasstandingbyherlittletable。Thestrangerbegan。
\"IamsendingMr。Harz’sthingstoEngland;therearesomepictureshere。Hewouldbegladtohavethem。\"
Afloodofcrimsonsweptoverherface。
\"IamsendingthemtoLondon，\"thestrangerrepeated;\"perhapsyoucouldgivethemtometo—day。\"
\"Theyareready;mysisterwillshowyou。\"
Hereyesseemedtodartintohissoul，andtrytodragsomethingfromit。Thewordsrushedfromherlips\"Isthereanymessageforme？\"
Thestrangerregardedhercuriously。
\"No，\"hestammered，\"no！Iguessnot。Heiswell……Iwish……\"Hestopped;herwhitefaceseemedtoflashscorn，despair，andentreatyonhimallatonce。Andturning，shelefthimstandingthere。
XXVII
WhenChristianwentthateveningtoheruncle’sroomhewassittingupinbed，andatoncebegantotalk。\"Chris，\"hesaid，\"Ican’tstandthisdyingbyinches。I’mgoingtotrywhatajourney’lldoforme。Iwanttogetbacktotheoldcountry。Thedoctor’spromised。There’sashotinthelockeryet！Ibelieveinthatyoungchap;he’sstucktomelikeaman……It’llbeyourbirthday，onTuesday，oldgirl，andyou’llbetwenty。Seventeenyearssinceyourfatherdied。You’vebeenalottome……Aparsoncameheretoday。
That’sabadsign。Thoughtithisduty！Verycivilofhim！
Iwouldn’tseehim，though。Ifthere’sanythinginwhattheytellyou，I’mnotgoingtosneakinatthistimeo’day。There’sonethingthat’sratherbadlyonmymind。ItookadvantageofMr。Harzwiththisdamnedpitifulnessofmine。You’vearighttolookatmeasI’veseenyousometimeswhenyouthoughtIwasasleep。IfI
hadn’tbeenillhe’dneverhaveleftyou。Idon’tblameyou，Chris——
notI！Youloveme？Iknowthat，mydear。Butone’salonewhenitcomestotherun—in。Don’tcry！Ourmindsaren’tSunday—schoolbooks;you’refindingitout，that’sall！\"Hesighedandturnedaway。