“Iamnotsentimental，“hebegan。
“Youcertainlyarenot，“shesaid。
“Youhaveaway，“hereplied，withashadeofreproofinhisvoice，“youhaveawayattimesoftreatingseriousthingswithalittlelessgravitythantheydeserve。Iamstillayoungman，butIhaveseenagooddealoflife，andIknowmyselfprettywell。Itisnecessarytotreatmatrimonyfromapracticalaswellasasentimentalpointofview。Therewouldn\'tbehalftheunhappinessanddivorcesifpeopletooktimetodothis，insteadofrushingoffandgettingmarriedimmediately。Andofcourseitisespeciallyimportantforamaninmypositiontostudyeveryaspectoftheproblembeforehetakesastep。“
BythistimeadeepandabsorbinginterestinanewaspectofMr。Crewe\'scharacterhadtakenpossessionofVictoria。
“Andyoubelievethat，bytakingthought，youcangetthekindofawifeyouwant？“sheasked。
“Certainly，“hereplied；“doesthatstrikeyouasstrange？“
“Alittle，“saidVictoria。“Suppose，“sheaddedgently，“supposethatthekindofwifeyou\'dwantwouldn\'twantyou？“
Mr。Crewelaughedagain。
“Thatisacontingencywhichastrongmandoesnottakeintoconsideration，“heanswered。“Strongmengetwhattheywant。Butuponmyword，Victoria，youhaveadeliciouswayofputtingthings。InyourpresenceIquiteforgettheproblemsandperplexitieswhichbesetme。
That，“hesaid，withdelicatemeaning，“thatisanotherqualityIshoulddesireinawoman。“
“Itisone，fortunately，thatisn\'tmarketable，“shesaid，“andit\'stheonlyqualityyou\'vementionedthat\'sworthanything。“
“Awoman\'svaluation，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Ifitmadeyouforgetyourownaffairs，itwouldbepriceless。“
“Lookhere，Victoria，“criedMr。Crewe，uncrossinghisknees，“joking\'sallverywell，butIhaven\'ttimeforitto-day。AndI\'minaseriousmood。I\'vetoldyouwhatIwant，andnowthatI\'vegottogoinafewminutes，I\'llcometothepoint。Idon\'tsupposeamancouldpayawomanahighercomplimentthantosaythathisproposalwastheresultofsomeyearsofthoughtandstudy。“
HereVictorialaughedoutright，butgrewseriousagainatonce。
“Unlessheproposedtoherthedayhemether。Thatwouldbearealcompliment。“
“Theman，“saidMr。Crewe，impatiently，“wouldbeafool。“
“Orelseapersonofextremediscernment，“saidVictoria。“Andloveislenientwithfools。Bytheway，Humphrey，ithasjustoccurredtomethatthere\'sonequalitywhichsomepeoplethinknecessaryinawife，whichyoudidn\'tmention。“
“What\'sthat？“
“Love，“saidVictoria。
“Love，ofcourse，“heagreed；“Itookthatforgranted。“
“Isupposedyoudid，“saidVictoria，meekly。
“Well，now，tocometothepoint——“hebeganagain。
Butsheinterruptedhimbyglancingatthewatchonhergown，andrising。
“What\'sthematter？“heasked，withsomeannoyance。
“Thefifteenminutesareup，“sheannounced。“Icannottaketheresponsibilityofdetainingyou。“
“Wewillputintantalizingasanotherattractivequality，“helaughed。
“Iabsolveyouofallresponsibility。Sitdown。“
“Ibelieveyoumentionedobedience，“sheanswered，andsatdownagainattheendofthebench，restingherchinonherglovedhand，andlookingathim。Bythistimeherglancesseemedtohavegainedavisiblydisturbingeffect。Hemovedalittlenearertoher，tookoffhishatwhichhehadhithertoneglectedtodo，andthrusthishandsabruptlyintohispockets——asmuchastosaythathewouldnotberesponsiblefortheirmovementsiftheywerelessfree。
“Hangitall，Victoria，“heexclaimed，“I\'mapracticalman，andItrytolookatthis，whichisoneoftheseriousthingsinlife，inapracticalway。“
“Oneoftheseriousthings，“sherepeated，asthoughtoherself。
“Yes，“hesaid，“certainly。“
“Imerelyaskedtobesureoftheweightyougaveit。Goon。“
“Inapracticalway，asIwassaying。LongagoIsuspectedthatyouhadmostofthosequalities。“
“I\'moverwhelmed，Humphrey，“shecried，withhereyesdancing。“But——doyouthinkIcouldcultivatetherest？“
“Oh，well，“saidMr。Crewe，Iputitthatwaybecausenowomanisperfect，andIdislikesuperlatives。“
“Ishouldthinksuperlativeswouldbeveryhardtolivewith，“shereflected。“But——dreadfulthought！——supposeIshouldlackanessential？“
“What——forinstance？“
“Love——forinstance。Butthenyoudidnotputitfirst。ItwasIwhomentionedit，andyouwhotookitforgranted。“
“Affectionseemstobeamoresensibletermforit，“hesaid。“Affectionisthelastingandsensiblething。Youmentionedapartnership，awordthatsingularlyfitsintomynotionofmarriage。Iwanttobehonestwithyou，andunderstatemyfeelingsonthatsubject。“
Victoria，whohadbeenregardinghimwithacuriouslookthatpuzzledhim，laughedagain。
“Ihavebeenhopingyouhaven\'texaggeratedthem，“shereplied。
“They\'restrongerthanyouthink，“hedeclared。“Ineverfeltthiswayinmylifebefore。WhatImeanttosaywas，thatIneverunderstoodrunningawaywithawoman。“
“Thatdoesnotsurpriseme，“saidVictoria。
“Ishouldn\'tknowwheretorunto，“heproclaimed。
“Perhapsthewomanwould，ifyougotacleverone。Atanyrate，itwouldn\'tmatter。Oneplaceisasgoodasanother。SomegotoNiagara，andsometoConeyIsland，andotherstoVenice。Personally，Ishouldhavenoparticularpreference。“
“Nopreference！“heexclaimed。
“IcouldbehappyinCentralPark，“shedeclared。
“Fortunately，“saidMr。Crewe，“youwillneverbecalledupontomakethetrial。“
Victoriawassilent。Herthoughts，forthemoment，hadflownelsewhere，butMr。Crewedidnotappeartonoticethis。Hefellbackintotheroundedhollowofthebench，anditoccurredtohimthathehadneverquiterealizedthatprofile。Andwhatanornamentshewouldbetohistable。
“Ithink，Humphrey，“shesaid，“thatweshouldbegoingback。“
“Onemoment，andI\'llhavefinished，“hecried。“I\'venodoubtyouarepreparedforwhatIamgoingtosay。Ihavepurposelyleduptoit，inorderthattheremightbenomisunderstanding。Inshort，Ihaveneverseenanotherwomanwithpersonalcharacteristicssowellsuitedformylife，andIwantyoutomarryme，Victoria。Icanofferyouthepositionofthewifeofamanwithapubliccareer——forwhichyouaresowellfitted。“
Victoriashookherheadslowly，andsmiledathim。
“Icouldn\'tfilltheposition，“shesaid。
“Perhaps，“hereplied，smilingbackather，“perhapsIamthebestjudgeofthat。“
“Andyouthought，“sheaskedslowly，“thatIwasthatkindofawoman？“
“Iknowittobeapracticalcertainty，“saidMr。Crewe。
“Practicalcertainties，“saidVictoria，“arenotalwaystruths。IfI
shouldsignacontract，whichIsuppose，asabusinessman，youwouldwant，toliveuptotheletterofyourspecifications，——eventhenIcouldnotdoit。Ishouldmakelifeatortureforyou，Humphrey。Yousee，I
amhonestwithyou，too——muchasyourofferdazzlesme。“Andsheshookherheadagain。
“That，“exclaimedMr。Crewe，impatiently，“issheernonsense。Iwantyou，andImeantohaveyou。“
TherecamealookintohereyeswhichMr。Crewedidnotsee，becauseherfacewasturnedfromhim。
“Icouldbehappy，“shesaid，“fordaysandweeksandyearsinabutonthesideofSawanec。Icouldbehappyinafarm-housewhereIhadtodoallthework。Iamnotthemodelhousewifewhichyourimaginationdepicts，Humphrey。IcouldliveintworoomsandeatatanItalianrestaurant——withtherightman。AndIamafraidthewrongonewouldwakeuponedayanddiscoverthatIhadgone。Iamsorrytodisillusionizeyou，butIdon\'tcareafigforballsandgarden-partiesandsalons。Itwouldbemuchmorefuntorunawayfromthemtothequeerplacesoftheearth——withtherightman。AndIshouldhavetopossessoneessentialtoputupwith——greatnessandwhatyoucallapubliccareer。“
“Andwhatisthatessential？“heasked。
“Love，“saidVictoria。Heheardthewordbutfaintly，forherfacewasstillturnedawayfromhim。“You\'veofferedmethethingsthatareattainablebytakingthought，byperseverance，bypertinacity，bytheoutwittingofyourfellow-men，bythestackingofcoins。AndIwant——theunattainable，thedivinegiftwhichisbestowed，whichcannotbeacquired。Ifitcouldbeacquired，Humphrey，“sheadded，lookingathim，“Iamsureyouwouldacquireit——ifyouthoughtitworthwhile。“
“Idon\'tunderstandyou，“hesaid，——andlookedit。
“No，“saidVictoria，“Iwasafraidyouwouldn\'t。Andmoreover，youneverwould。Thereisnouseinmytryingtomakemyselfanyclearer，andyou\'llhavetokeepyourappointment。Ihesitatetocontradictyou，butIamnotthekindofwomanyouwant。ThatisonereasonIcannotmarryyou。Andtheotheris，thatIdonotloveyou。“
“Youcan\'tbeinlovewithanyoneelse？“hecried。
“Thatdoesseemratherpreposterous，I\'lladmit，“sheanswered。“ButifI
were，itwouldn\'tmakeanydifference。“
“Youwon\'tmarryme？“hesaid，gettingtohisfeet。Therewasincredulityinhisvoice，andacertainamountofbewilderment。Thethingwasindeedincredible！
“No，“saidVictoria，“Iwon\'t。“
Andhehadonlytolookintoherfacetoseethatitwasso。Hithertonildesperandumhadbeenagoodworkingmotto，butsomethingtoldhimitwasuselessinthiscase。Hethrustonhishatandpulledouthiswatch。
“Well，“hesaid，“thatsettlesit。Imust——sayIcan\'tseeyourpointofview——butthatsettlesit。Imustsay，too，thatyourrefusalissomethingofashockafterwhatIhadbeenledtoexpectafterthepastfewyears。“
“Thepersonyouareinlovewithledyoutoexpectit，Humphrey，andthatpersonis——yourself。Youareinlovetemporarilywithyourownidealofme。“
“Andyourrefusalcomesatanunfortunatetuneforme，“hecontinued，notheedingherwords，“whenIhaveanaffaironmyhandsofsuchmagnitude，whichrequiresconcentratedthought。ButI\'mnotamantocry，andI\'llmakethebestofit。“
“IfIthoughtitweremorethanatemporarydisappointment，Ishouldbesorryforyou，“saidVictoria。“IrememberthatyoufeltsomethinglikethiswhenMr。Rutterwouldn\'tsellyouhisland。Theladyyoureallywant，“sheadded，pointingwithherparasolatthehouse，“isinthere，waitingforyou。“
Mr。Crewedidnotreplytothisprophecy，butfollowedVictoriaaroundthehousetothegrouponthelawn，wherehebadehishostessasomewhatpreoccupiedfarewell，andboweddistantlytotheguests。
“Hehassomuchonhismind，“saidMrs。Pomfret。“Andoh，Iquiteforgot——Humphrey！“shecried，callingafterhim，“Humphrey！“
“Yes，“hesaid，turningbeforehereachedhisautomobile。“Whatisit？“
“AliceandIaregoingtotheconvention，youknow，andImeanttotellyouthattherewouldbetenintheparty——butIdidn\'thaveachance。“
HereMrs。PomfretglancedatVictoria，whohadbeenjoinedatoncebythetallEnglishman。Canyougetticketsforten？“
Mr。Crewemadeamemorandum。
“Yes，“hesaid，I\'llgetthetickets——butIdon\'tseewhatyouwanttogofor。“
CHAPTERXXV
MOREADVENTURER
Victoriahadnot，ofcourse，confidedinBeatriceChillinghamwhathadoccurredinthegarden，althoughthatladyhadexhibitedtheliveliestinterest，andhadhadhersuspicions。AfterMr。Crewe\'sdepartureMr。
Rangely，thetallyoungEnglishman，hadrenewedhisattentionsassiduously，althoughduringtheintervalinthegardenhehadfoundMissChillinghamapersonofdiscernment。
“She\'snotgoingtomarrythatchap，isshe，MissChillingham？“hehadasked。
“No，“saidBeatrice；“youhavemywordforit，sheisn\'t。“
Asshewasleaving，Mrs。PomfrethadtakenVictoria\'shandanddrawnheraside，andlookedintoherfacewithameaningsmile。
“Mydear！“sheexclaimed，“heparticularlyaskedthatyoubeinvited。“
“Who？“saidVictoria。
“Humphrey。Hestipulatedthatyoushouldbehere。“
“ThenI\'mverymuchobligedtohim，“saidVictoria，“forI\'veenjoyedmyselfimmensely。IlikeyourEnglishmansomuch。“
“Doyou？“saidMrs。Pomfret，searchingVictoria\'sface，whileherownbrightened。“He\'sheirtooneofthereallygoodtitles，andhehasanincomeofhisown。Icouldn\'tputhimuphere，inthistinybox，becauseIhaveMrs。Fronde。Wearegoingtotakehimtotheconvention——andifyou\'dcaretogo，Victoria——？“
Victorialaughed。
“Itisn\'tasseriousasthat，“shesaid。“AndI\'mafraidIcan\'tgototheconvention——Ihavesomethingstodointheneighbourhood。“
Mrs。Pomfretlookedwise。
“He\'samostattractiveman，withthebestprospects。Itwouldbeasplendidmatchforyou，Victoria。“
“Mrs。Pomfret，“repliedVictoria，waveringbetweenamusementandadesiretobeserious，“Ihaven\'ttheslightestintentionofmakingwhatyoucalla\'match。\'“Andtherewasinherwordsaringoftruthnottobemistaken。
Mrs。Pomfretkissedher。
“Onenevercantellwhatmayhappen，“shesaid。“Thinkofhim，Victoria。
Andyourdearmother——perhapsyouwillknowsomedaywhattheresponsibilityisofseeingadaughterwellplacedinlife。“
Victoriacoloured，andwithdrewherhand。
“Ifearthattimeisalongwayoff，Mrs。Pomfret，“shereplied。
“IthinksomuchofVictoria，“Mrs。Pomfretdeclaredamomentlatertoherguest；“she\'slikemyowndaughter。Butattimesshe\'ssohopelesslyunconventional。Why，IbelieveRangely\'sactuallygoinghomewithher。“
“HeaskedhertodrophimattheInn，“saidMrs。Fronde。“He\'sheadoverheelsinlovealready。“
“ItwouldbesucharelieftodearRose，“sighedMrs。Pomfret。
“Ilikethegirl，“repliedMrs。Fronde，dryly。“Shehasindividuality，andknowsherownmind。Whoevershemarrieswillhavesomethingtohim。“
“Idevoutlyhopeso！“saidMrs。Pomfret。
ItwasquitetruethatMr。ArthurRangelyhadaskedVictoriatodrophimattheInn。Butwhentheyreachedithemadeanotherrequest。
“DoyoumindifIgoabitfarther，MissFlint？“hesuggested。“I\'dratherlikethewalkback。“
Victorialaughed。
“Docome，“shesaid。
Headmiredthecountry，buthelookedatVictoria，andaskedahundredexceedinglyfrankquestionsaboutLeith，aboutMrs。Pomfret，whomhehadmetathisuncle\'sseatinDevonshire，andaboutMr。Creweandtherailroadsinpolitics。ManyoftheseVictoriaparried，andshecamerapidlytotheconclusionthatMr。ArthurRangelywasamoreastutepersonthan——toacasualobserverhewouldseem。
Heshowednoinclinationtofixthelimitsofhiswalk，andmadenoprotestasshedroveunderthestonearchwayattheentranceofFairview。
Victoriawasamusedandinterested，andshedecidedthatshelikedMr。
Rangely。
“Willyoucomeupfortea？“sheasked。“I\'llsendyouhome。“
Heacceptedwithalacrity。Theyhadreachedthefirstturnwhentheirattentionwascaughtbythesightofabuggyaheadofthem，andfacingtowardsthem。Thehorse，withthereinshanginglooselyovertheshafts，hadstrayedtothesideofthedrivewayandwascontentedlyeatingtheshrubberythatlinedit。Insidethevehicle，hunchedupinthecorneroftheseat，wasamanwhopresentedanappearanceofhelplessnesswhichstruckthembothwithasoberingeffect。
“Isthefellowdrunk？“saidMr。Rangely。
Victoria\'sanswerwasalittlecrywhichstartledhim，anddrewhislooktoher。Shehadtouchedherhorsewiththewhip，andhereyeshadwidenedinrealalarm。
“It\'sHilaryVane！“sheexclaimed。“I——Iwonderwhatcanhavehappened！“
ShehandedthereinstoMr。Rangely，andsprangoutandflewtoHilary\'sside。
“Mr。Vane！“shecried。“What\'sthematter？Areyouill？“
Shehadneverseenhimlookso。Toherhehadalwaysbeenasoneonwhompitywouldbewasted，asonewholongagohadestablishedhiscreditwiththeuniversetohisownsatisfaction。Butnow，suddenly，intensepitywelledupwithinher，andeveninthatmomentshewonderedifitcouldbebecausehewasAusten\'sfather。Hishandswereathissides，hisheadwasfallenforwardalittle，andhisfacewaswhite。Buthiseyesfrightenedhermost；insteadoftheold，semi-defiantexpressionwhichsherememberedfromchildhood，theyhadinthemadumbsufferingthatwenttoherheart。Helookedather，triedtostraightenup，andfellbackagain。
“N——nothing\'sthematter，“hesaid，“nothing。Alittlespell。I\'llbeallrightinamoment。“
Victoriadidnotloseaninstant，butclimbedintothebuggyathissideandgatheredupthereins，anddrewthefallenlap-robeoverhisknees。
“I\'mgoingtotakeyoubacktoFairview，“shesaid。“Andwe\'lltelephoneforadoctor。“
Butshehadunderratedtheamountofwillleftinhim。Hedidnotmove，thoughindeedifhehadseizedthereinsfromherhands，hecouldhavegivenhernogreatereffectofsurprise。Lifecamebackintotheeyesatthesummons，anddominanceintothevoice，althoughhebreathedheavily。
“No，you\'renot，“hesaid；“no，you\'renot。I\'mgoingtoRipton——doyouunderstand？I\'llbeallrightinaminute，andI\'lltakethelines。“
Victoria，whenshegotoverherastonishmentatthis，reflectedquickly。
Sheglancedathim，andthelightofhisexpressionwasalreadyfading。
TherewassomereasonwhyhedidnotwishtogobacktoFairview，andcommonsensetoldherthatagitationwasnotgoodforhim；besides，theywouldhavetotelephonetoRiptonforaphysician，anditwasquickertodrivethere。Quickertodriveinherownrunabout，didshedaretotrytomovehimintoit。Shemadeuphermind。
“Pleasefollowonbehindwiththattrap，“shecalledouttoRangely；“I\'mgoingtoRipton。“
Henoddedunderstandingly，admiringly，andVictoriastartedHilary\'shorseoutofthebushestowardstheentranceway。Fromtimetotimeshelethereyesrestuponhimanxiously。
“Areyoucomfortable？“sheasked。
“Yes，“hesaid，“yes。I\'mallright。I\'llbeabletodriveinaminute。“
Buttheminutespassed，andhemadenoattempttotakethereins。
Victoriahaddrawnthewhalebonewhipfromitssocket，andwasurgingonthehorseasfastashumanitywouldpermit；andthewhileshewasawarethatHilary\'slookwasfixeduponher——infact，neverlefther。Onceortwice，inspiteofheranxietytogethimhome，Victoriablushedfaintly，asshewonderedwhathewasthinkingabout。
Andallthewhilesheaskedherselfwhatitwasthathadbroughthimtothiscondition。Victoriaknewsufficientoflifeandhadvisitedhospitalsenoughtounderstandthatmentalcausesweregenerallyresponsibleforsuchbreakdowns——Hilaryhadhadashock。Sherememberedhowinherchildhoodhehadbeentheobjectofherparticularanimosity；
howsheusedtoputouthertongueathim，andimitatehismanner，andhowhehadnevermadetheslightestattempttoconciliateher；mostpeopleofthissortaresensitivetotheinstinctsofchildren；butHilaryhadnotbeen。Sheremembered——howlongagoitseemednow！——thedayshehadgivenhim，indeviltry，theclippingaboutAustenshootingMr。Blodgett。
TheHilaryVanewhosatbesideherto-daywasnotthesameman。Itwasunaccountable，buthewasnot。NorcouldthischangedestimateofhimbeattributedtoherregardforAusten，forsherecalledadayonlyafewmonthssince——inJune——whenhehadcomeuptoFairviewandshewasstandingonthelawn，andshehadlookedathimwithoutrecognition；shehadnot，then，beenabletobringherselftobowtohim；toherchildhooddistastehadbeenaddedthedeeperresentmentofAusten\'swrongs。HerearlyinstinctsaboutHilaryhadbeenvindicated，forhehadtreatedhissonabominablyanddrivenAustenfromhismother\'shome。TomisunderstandandmaltreatAustenVane，ofallpeopleAusten，whoseconsiderationforhisfatherhadbeenwhatithad！CoulditbethatHilaryfeltremorse？CoulditbethathelovedAusteninsomepeculiarmannerallhisown？
Victoriaknewnow——sostrangely——thatthemanbesideherwascapableoflove，andshehadneverfeltthatwayaboutHilaryVane。Andhermindwasconfused，andherheartwastroubledandwrung。Insightflasheduponheroftheterriblelonelinessofalifesurroundedbyoutstretched，lovingarmstowhichonecouldnotfly；scenesfromafamousclassicshehadreadwithafavouriteteacheratschoolcametoher，andsheknewthatshewasthewitnessofaretribution，ofasufferingbeyondconceptionofasoulpreparedforsuffering，——notphysicalsuffering，butofthattorturewhichisthemeaningofhell。
However，therewasphysicalsuffering。Itcameandwent，andatsuchmomentsshesawthetracesofitinthetighteningofhislips，andlongedwithwomanlyintuitiontoalleviateit。Shehadnotspoken——
althoughshecouldhavecriedaloud；sheknewnotwhattosay。Andthensuddenlyshereachedoutandtouchedhishand。Norcouldshehaveaccountedfortheaction。
“Areyouinmuchpain？“sheasked。
Shefelthimtremble。
“No，“hesaid；“it\'sonlyaspell——I\'vehad\'embefore。I——Icandriveinafewminutes。“
“Anddoyouthink，“sheasked，“thatIwouldallowyoutogotherestofthewayalone？“
“IguessIoughttothankyouforcomin\'withme，“hesaid。
Victorialookedathimandsmiled。AnditwasanilluminatingsmileforheraswellasforHilary。Suddenly，bythatstrangepowerofsympathywhichtheunselfishpossess，sheunderstoodtheman，understoodAusten\'spatiencewithhimandaffectionforhim。Suddenlyshehadpiercedthehardlayersoftheoutershell，andhadheardtheimprisonedspiritcryingwithasmallpersistentvoice，——aspiritstifledformanyyearsandstarved——andyetitlivedandstruggledstill。
Yes，andthatspirititselfmusthavefeltherownreachingouttoit——
whocan，say？Andhowitmusthavestrivenagainforutterance“Itwasgoodofyoutocome，“hesaid。
“Itwasonlycommonhumanity，“sheanswered，touchingthehorse。
“Commonhumanity，“herepeated。“You\'dhavedoneitforanybodyalongtheroad，wouldyou？“
Atthisremark，socharacteristicofHilary，Victoria，hesitated。Sheunderstooditnow。Andyetshehesitatedtogivehimananswerthatwashypocritical。
“Ihaveknownyouallmylife，Mr。Vane，andyouareaveryoldfriendofmyfather\'s。“
“Old，“herepeated，“yes，that\'sit。I\'mreadyforthescrap-heap——
betterhaveletmelie，Victoria。“
Victoriastarted。Anewsurmisehadoccurredtoheruponwhichshedidnotliketodwell。
“Youhaveworkedtoohard，Mr。Vane——youneedarest。AndIhavebeentellingfatherthat，too。Youbothneedarest。“
Heshookhishead。
“I\'llnevergetit，“hesaid。“Stoppingworkwon\'tgiveittome。“
Sheponderedonthesewordsassheguidedthehorseoveracrossing。AndallthatAustenhadsaidtoher，allthatshehadbeenthinkingofforayearpast，helpedhertograsptheirmeaning。Butshewonderedstillmoreatthecommunionwhich，allatonce，hadbeenestablishedbetweenHilaryVaneandherself，andwhyhewassayingthesethingstoher。Itwasallsounrealandinexplicable。
“Icanimaginethatpeoplewhohaveworkedhardalltheirlivesmustfeelthatway，“sheanswered，thoughhervoicewasnotassteadyasshecouldhavewished。“You——youhavesomuchtolivefor。“
Hercolourrose。ShewasthinkingofAusten——andsheknewthatHilaryVaneknewthatshewasthinkingofAusten。Moreover，shehadsuddenlygraspedthefactthatthegentlebutpersistentlystronginfluenceoftheson\'scharacterhadbroughtaboutthechangeinthefather。HilaryVane\'slipsclosedagain，asinpain，andshedivinedthereason。
VictoriaknewthehouseinHanoverStreet，withitsclassicporch，withitscertainairofdistinctionandstability，andlongbeforeshehadknownitastheAustenresidencesherememberedwonderingwholivedinit。Thehousehadindividuality，andlookedatfromthefrontalmostperfectproportions；consciously——itbespokethegentilityofitsbuilders。NowshedrewupbeforeitandcalledtoMr。Rangely，whowasabreast，totiehishorseandringthebell。Hilarywasalreadyfeelingwithhisfootforthestepofthebuggy。
“I\'mallright，“heinsisted；“Icanmanagenow，“butVictoriaseizedhisarmwithafirm，detaininghand。
“Pleasewait，——Mr。Vane，“shepleaded。
Butthefeelingofshameathishelplessnesswasstrong。
“It\'sovernow。I——Icanwalk。I\'mmuchobligedtoyou，Victoria——muchobliged。“
FortunatelyHilary\'shorseshowednoinclinationtogoanyfarther——eventothestable。AndVictoriaheldontohisarm。Heceasedtoprotest，andMr。RangelyquicklytiedtheotherhorseandcametoVictoria\'said。
SupportedbytheyoungEnglishman，Hilaryclimbedthestonestepsandreachedtheporch，declaringallthewhilethatheneedednoassistance，andcouldwalkalone。Victoriarangthebell，andafteranintervalthedoorwasopenedbyEuphrasiaCotton。
Euphrasiastooduprightwithherhandontheknob，andhereyesflashedoverthegroupandrestedfixedlyonthedaughterofMr。Flint。
“Mr。Vanewasnotverywell，“Victoriaexplained，“andwecamehomewithhim。“
“I\'mallright，“saidHilary，oncemore，andtoproveithestepped——notverysteadily——acrossthethresholdintothehall，andsatdownonachairwhichhadhaditsplaceatthefootofthestairsfromtimeimmemorial。Euphrasiastoodstill。
“Ithink，“saidVictoria，“thatMr。Vanehadbetterseeadoctor。Haveyouatelephone？“
“No，wehaven\'t，“saidEuphrasia。
VictoriaturnedtoMr。Rangely，whohadbeenadeeplyinterestedspectatortothisscene。
“Alittlewaydownthestreet，ontheotherside，Dr。Tredwaylives。Youwillseehissign。“
“Andifheisn\'tin，gotothehospital。It\'sonlyafewdoorsfartheron。“
“I\'llwait，“saidVictoria，simply，whenhehadgone；“myfatherwillwishtoknowaboutMr。Vane。“
“Holdon，“saidHilary，“Ihaven\'tanyuseforadoctor——Iwon\'tseeone。
Iknowwhatthetroubleis，andI\'mallright。“
Victoriabecameaware——forthefirsttimethatHilaryVane\'shousekeeperhadnotmoved；thatEuphrasiaCottonwasstillstaringatherinamostdisconcertingmanner，andwaspayingnoattentionwhatevertoHilary。
“Comeinandsetdown，“shesaid；andseeingVictoriaglanceatHilary\'shorse，sheadded，“Oh，he\'llstandtheretilldoomsday。“
Victoria，thinkingthatthesituationwouldbelessawkward，acceptedtheinvitation，andEuphrasiashutthedoor。Thehall，owingtothefactthattheshuttersofthewindowsbythestairswerealwaysclosed，wasinsemidarkness。Victorialongedtoletinthelight，totakethisstrange，dried-uphousekeeperandshakeherintosomesemblanceofnaturalfeeling。AndthiswasAusten\'shome！Itwastothishouse，madegloomybythesepeople，thathehadreturnedeverynight！Infinitelydepressed，shefeltthatshemusttakesomeaction，orcryaloud。
“Mr。Vane，“shesaid，layingahanduponhisshoulder，“Ithinkyouought，atleast，toliedownforalittlewhile。Isn\'tthereasofain——
intheparlour？“sheaskedEuphrasia。
“Youcan\'tgethimtodoanything，“Euphrasiareplied，withdecision；
“he\'lldiesomedayforwantofalittlecommonsense。Ishouldn\'twonderifhewastookonsoon。“
“Oh！“criedVictoria。Shecouldthinkofnowordstoanswerthisremark。
“Itwouldn\'tsurpriseme，“Euphrasiacontinued。“Hefelldownthestairsherenotlongago，andwentrightonabouthisbusiness。He\'sneverpaidanyattentiontoanybody，andIguessit\'samitelatetoexpecthimtobeginnow。Won\'tyousetdown？“
Therewasanotherchairagainstthelowwainscoting，andVictoriadrewitoverbesideHilaryandsatdowninit。Hedidnotseemtonoticetheaction，andEuphrasiacontinuedtostand。Standingseemedtobethenaturalpostureofthisremarkablewoman，Victoriathought——apostureofvigilance，ofdefiance。AclockofoneoftheAustengrandfathersstoodobscurelyatthebackofthehall，andthemeasuredswingofitspendulumwasallthatbrokethesilence。ThiswasAusten\'shome。Itseemedimpossibleforhertorealizethathecouldbetheproductofthisenvironment——untilaportraitontheoppositewall，abovethestairs，cameoutofthegloomandcaughthereyeliketheglowoflight。Atfirst，becomingawareofitwithastart，shethoughtitalikenessofAustenhimself。Thenshesawthatthehairwaslonger，andmorewavythanhis，andfelldownalittleoverthevelvetcollarofacoatwithawidelapelandbrassbuttons，andthattheoriginalofthisportraithadwornastock。ThefacehadnotquitethestrengthofAusten\'s，shethought，butawondroussweetnessandintellectshonefromit，likeanexpressionshehadseenonhisface。Thechinrestedonthehand，anintellectualhand，——andtheportraitbroughttohermindthatofayoungEnglishstatesmanshehadseenintheNationalGalleryinLondon。
“That\'sChanningAusten，——hewasministertoSpain。“
Victoriastarted。ItwasEuphrasiawhowasspeaking，andunmistakablepridewasinhervoice。
FortunatelyforVictoria，whowouldnotintheleasthaveknownwhattoreply，stepswereheardontheporch，andEuphrasiaopenedthedoor。Mr。
Rangelyhadreturned。
“Here\'sthedoctor，MissFlint，“hesaid，“andI\'llwaitforyououtside。“
VictoriaroseasyoungDr。Tredwaycameforward。Theywereoldfriends，andthedoctor，itmayberecalled，hadbeenchieflyresponsibleforthepreservationofthelifeofMr。ZebulunMeader。
“Ihavesentforyou，Doctor，“shesaid，“againstinstructionsandonmyownresponsibility。Mr。Vaneisill，althoughherefusestoadmitit。“
Dr。TredwayhadarespectforVictoriaandheropinions，andheknewHilary。Heopenedthedooralittlewider，andlookedcriticallyatMr。
Vane。
“It\'snothingbutaspell，“Hilaryinsisted。“I\'vehad\'embefore。I
supposeit\'snaturalthattheyshouldscarethewomen-folkssome。“
“Whatkindofaspellwasit，Mr。Vane？“askedthedoctor。
“Itisn\'tworthtalkingabout，“saidHilary。“Youmightaswellpickupthatcaseofyoursandgohomeagain。I\'mgoingdowntothesquareinalittlewhile。“
“Yousee，“Euphrasiaputin，“he\'smadeuphismindtokillhimself。“
“Perhaps，“saidthedoctor，smilingalittle，“Mr。Vanewouldn\'tobjecttoMissFlinttellingmewhathappened。“
Victoriaglancedatthedoctorandhesitated。HersympathyforHilary，hernewunderstandingofhim，urgedheron——andyetneverinherlifehadshebeenmadetofeelsodistinctlyanintruder。Herewasthedoctor，withhiscase；herewasthisextraordinaryhousekeeper，apparentlyreadytoletHilarywalktothesquare，ifhewished，andtoshutthedoorontheirbacks；andherewasHilaryhimself，whothreatenedatanymomenttomakehiswordgoodanddepartfromtheirmidst。OnlythefactthatshewasconvincedthatHilarywasinrealdangermadeherrelate，inafewbriefwords，whathadoccurred，andwhenshehadfinishedMr。Vanemadenocommentwhatever。
Dr。TredwayturnedtoHilary。
“Iamgoingtotakeameanadvantageofyou，Mr。Vane，“hesaid，“andsithereawhileandtalktoyon。Wouldyouobjecttowaitingalittlewhile，MissFlint？Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，“headdedsignificantly，“andthismeetingwillsavemeatriptoFairview。“
“CertainlyI\'llwait，“shesaid。
“Youcancomealongwithme，“saidEuphrasia，“ifyou\'veanotionto。“
Victoriawasoftwomindswhethertoacceptthisinvitation。Shehadanintensedesiretogetoutside，butthiswascounter-balancedbyasuddencuriositytoseemoreofthisstrangewomanwholovedbutonepersonintheworld。TomGaylordhadtoldVictoriathat。ShefollowedEuphrasiatothebackofthehall。
“There\'stheparlour，“saidEuphrasia；“it\'sneverbe\'nusedsinceMrs。
Vanedied，——butthereitis。“
“Oh，“saidVictoria，withaglanceintotheshadowydepthsoftheroom，“pleasedon\'topenitforme。Can\'twego，“sheadded，withaninspiration，“can\'twegointo——thekitchen？“SheknewitwasEuphrasia\'splace。
“Well，“saidEuphrasia，“Ishouldn\'thavethoughtyou\'dcaremuchaboutkitchens。“Andsheledthewayonward；throughthelittlepassage，totheroomwhereshehadspentmostofherdays。Itwasfloodedwithlevel，yellowraysoflightthatseemedtobesearchingthecornersinvainfordust。Victoriapausedinthedoorway。
“I\'mafraidyoudomeaninjustice，“shesaid。“Ilikesomekitchens。“
“Youdon\'tlookasifyouknewmuchabout\'em，“wasEuphrasia\'sanswer。
WithVictoriaonceagaininthelight，Euphrasiascrutinizedherwithappallingfrankness，takingineverydetailofhercostumeandatlengthraisinghereyestothegirl\'sface。Victoriacoloured。Onhervisitsaboutthecountry-sideshehadmetwomenofEuphrasia\'stypebefore，andhadlongagoceasedtobedismayedbytheirmanner。ButherinstinctdetectedinEuphrasiaahostilityforwhichshecouldnotaccount。
Inthatsimplebutexquisitegownwhichsosubtlysuitedher，thecreationofwhichhadarousedtheartistinacelebratedParisiandressmaker，Victoriawas，indeed，astrangevisitantinthatkitchen。
Shetookaseatbythewindow，andaninvoluntaryexclamationofpleasureescapedherashereyesfelluponthelittle，old-fashionedflowergardenbeneathit。TheactandtheexclamationforthemomentdisarmedEuphrasia。
“TheywereSarahAusten\'s——Mrs。Vane\'s，“sheexplained，“justassheplantedthemtheyearshedied。I\'vealwayskept\'emjustso。“
“Mrs。Vanemusthavelovedflowers，“saidVictoria。
“Loved\'em！Theywereeverythingtoher——andthewildflowers，too。Sheusedtowanderoffandspendwholedaysinthecountry，andcomebackaftersunsetwithherarmsfull。“
“Itwasnaturesheloved，“saidVictoria，inalowvoice。
“Thatwasit——nature，“saidEuphrasia。“Shelovedallnature。Therewasn\'taliving，creepingthingthatwasn\'therfriend。I\'veseenbirdseatoutofherhandinthatwindowwhereyou\'resettin\'，andshe\'dsaytome，\'Phrasie，keepstill！They\'dloveyou，too，iftheyonlyknewyou，butthey\'reafraidyou\'llscrub\'emifyougetholdofthem，thewayyouusedtoscrubme。\'“
Victoriasmiled——butitwasasmilethathadtearsinit。EuphrasiaCottonwasstandingintheshaftofsunlightattheotherwindow，staringatthelittlegarden。
“Yes，sheusedtosayfunnythingslikethat，tomakeyoulaughwhenyouwereallreadytocry。Therewasn\'tmanyfolksunderstoodher。Shekneweverypathandhilltopwithinmilesofhere，andeverybrookandspring，andsheusedtotalkaboutthatmountainjustasifitwasalive。“
Victoriacaughtherbreath。
“Yes，“continuedEuphrasia，“themountainwasaliveforher。\'He\'sangryto-day，Phrasie。That\'sbecause，youlostyourtemperandscoldedHilary。\'It\'saqueerthing，buttherehavebeenhundredsoftimessincewhenheneededscoldin\'bad，andI\'velookedatthemountainandheldmytongue。ItwasjustasifIsawherwiththathalf-whimsical，half-
reproachfulexpressioninhereyes，holdingupherfingeratme。Andtherewereothermorningswhenshe\'dsay，\'Themountain\'slonesometoday，hewantsme。\'AndIvow，I\'dlookatthemountainanditwouldseemlonesome。Thatsoundslikenonsense，don\'tit？“Euphrasiademanded，withasuddensharpness。
“No，“saidVictoria，“itseemsveryrealtome。“
Thesimplicity，theveryringoftruth，andabovealltheabsolutelackofself-consciousnessinthegirl\'sanswersustainedthespell。
“She\'dgowhenthemountaincalledher，itdidn\'tmakeanydifferencewhetheritwasraining——rainneverappearedtodoheranyhurt。Nothin\'
naturaleverdidheranyhurt。Whenshewasalittlechildflittin\'
aboutlikeawildcreature，andshe\'dcomeindrenchedtotheskin，itwasallIcoulddotocatchherandchangeherclothes。She\'dlaughatme。\'We\'remeanttobewetonceinawhile，Phrasie，\'she\'dsay；\'that\'swhattherain\'sfor，towetus。Itwashessomeofthewickednessoutofus。\'Itwastheunnaturalthingsthathurther——theunkindwordsandmakin\'heractagainsthernature。\'Phrasie，\'shesaidonce，\'Ican\'tprayinthemeeting-housewithmyeyesshut——Ican\'t，Ican\'t。Iseemtoknowwhatthey\'reallwishingforwhentheypray，——formoreriches，andmorecomfort，andmoresecurity，andmoreimportance。AndGodissuchalongwayoff。Ican\'tfeelHim，andthepewhurtsmyback。\'Sheusedtoreadmesome，outofabookofpoetry，andoneverseIgotbyheart——I
guessherprayerswerelikethat。“
“Doyou——remembertheverse？“askedVictoria。
Euphrasiawenttoalittleshelfinthecornerofthekitchenandproducedabook，which，sheopenedandhandedtoVictoria。
“There\'stheverse！“shesaid；“readitaloud。Iguessyou\'rebetteratthatthanIam。“
AndVictoriaread:——
“HigherstillandhigherFromtheearththouspringestLikeacloudoffire；
Thebluedeepthouwingest，Andsingingstilldostsoar，andsoaringeversingest。“
Victorialetfallthevolumeonherlap。
“There\'sanotherverseinthatbooksheliked，“saidEuphrasia，“butitalwayswassadtome。“
Victoriatookthebook，andreadagain:——
“Wearywind，whowanderestLiketheworld\'srejectedguest，HastthoustillsomesecretnestOnthetreeorbillow？“
Euphrasialaidthevolumetenderlyontheshelf，andturnedandfacedVictoria。
“Shewasunhappylikethatbeforeshedied，“sheexclaimed，andadded，withaflingofherheadtowardsthefrontofthehouse，“hekilledher。“
“Oh，no！“criedVictoria，involuntarilyrisingtoherfeet。“Oh，no！
I\'msurehedidn\'tmeanto。Hedidn\'tunderstandher！“
“Hekilledher，“Euphrasiarepeated。“Whydidn\'theunderstandher？Shewasjustassimpleasachild，andjustastrusting，andjustasloving。
Hemadeherunhappy，andnowhe\'sdrivenhersonoutofherhouse，andmadehimunhappy。He\'sallofherIhaveleft，andIwon\'tseehimunhappy。“
Victoriasummonedhercourage。
“Don\'tyouthink，“sheaskedbravely，“thatMr。AustenVaneoughttobetoldthathisfatheris——inthiscondition？“
“No，“saidEuphrasia，determinedly。“Hilarywillhavetosendforhim。
Thistimeit\'llbeAusten\'svictory。“
“Buthasn\'thehad——avictory？“Victoriapersistedearnestly。“Isn\'tthis——victoryenough？“
“Whatdoyoumean？“Euphrasiacriedsharply。
“Imean，“sheanswered，inalowvoice，“ImeanthatMr。Vane\'ssonisresponsibleforhisconditionto-day。Oh——notconsciouslyso。Butthecauseofthistroubleismental——can\'tyouseeit？Thecauseofthistroubleisremorse。Can\'tyouseethatithaseatenintohissoul？Doyouwishagreatervictorythanthis，orasadderone？HilaryVanewillnotaskforhisson——becausehecannot。Hehasnomorepowertosendthatmessagethanamanshipwreckedonanisland。Hecanonlygivesignalsofdistress——thatsomemayheed。WouldShehavewaitedforsuchavictoryasyoudemand？AnddoesAustenVanedesireit？Don\'tyouthinkthathewouldcometohisfatherifheknew？Andhaveyouanyrighttokeepthenewsfromhim？Haveyouanyrighttodecidewhattheirvengeanceshallbe？“
Euphrasiahadstoodmuteasshelistenedtothesewordswhichshehadsolittleexpected，buthereyesflashedandherbreathcamequickly。Neverhadshebeensospokento！NeverhadanylivingsoulcomebetweenherandhercherishedobjectthebreakingoftheheartofHilaryVane！Nor，indeed，hadthatobjecteverbeensoplainlysetforthasVictoriahadsetitforth。AndthiswomanwhodaredtodothishadherselfbroughtunhappinesstoAusten。Euphrasiahadalmostforgottenthat，suchhadbeenthestrangeharmonyoftheircommunion。
“HaveyoutherighttotellAusten？“shedemanded。
“HaveI？“Victoriarepeated。Andthen，asthefullmeaningofthequestioncametoher；thecolourfloodedintoherface，andshewouldhavefled，ifshecould，budEuphrasia\'swordscameinatorrent。
“You\'vemadehimunhappy，aswellasHilary。Helovesyou——buthewouldn\'tspeakofittoyou。Oh，no，hedidn\'ttellmewhoitwas，butI
neverrestedtillIfoundout。Heneverwouldhavetoldmeaboutitatall，oranybodyelse，butthatIguessedit。Isawhewasunhappy，andI
calculateditwasn\'tHilaryalonemadehimso。Onenighthecameinhere，andIknewallatonce——somehow——therewasawomantoblame，andI
askedhim，andhecouldn\'tlietome。Hesaiditwasn\'tanybody\'sfaultbuthisown——hewouldn\'tsayanymorethanthat，exceptthathehadn\'tspokentoher。Ialwaysexpectedthetimewascomingwhentherewouldbe——awoman。AndIneverthoughtthewomanlivedthathe\'dlovewhowouldn\'tlovehim。Ican\'tseehowanywomancouldhelplovin\'him。
“AndthenIfoundoutitwasthatrailroad。ItcamebetweenSarahAustenandherhappiness，andnowit\'scomebetweenAustenandhis。Perhapsyoudon\'tlovehim！“criedEuphrasia。“Perhapsyou\'retoorichandhighandmighty。Perhapsyou\'rea-goingtomarrythatfineyoungmanwhocamewithyouinthebuggy。SinceIheardwhoyouwas，Ihaven\'thadahappyhour。Letmetellyouthere\'snobetterbloodinthelandthantheAustenblood。Iwon\'tmentiontheVanes。Ifyou\'veledhimon，ifyou\'vedeceivedhim，IhopeyoumaybeunhappyasSarahAustenwas——“
“Don\'t！“pleadedVictoria；“don\'t！Pleasedon\'t！“andsheseizedEuphrasiabythearms，asthoughseekingbyphysicalforcetostoptheintolerableflowofwords。“Oh，youdon\'tknowme；youcan\'tunderstandmeifyousaythat。Howcanyoubesocruel？“
Inanothermomentshehadgone，leavingEuphrasiastandinginthemiddleofthefloor，staringafterherthroughthedoorway。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEFOCUSOFWRATH
Victoria，afterleavingEuphrasia，madeherwayaroundthehousetowardsMr。Rangely，whowaswaitingintherunabout，heronedesireforthemomentbeingtoescape。Beforeshehadreachedthesidewalkunderthetrees，Dr。Tredwayhadinterruptedher。
“MissFlint，“hecalledout，“Iwantedtosayawordtoyoubeforeyouwent。“
“Yes，“shesaid，stoppingandturningtohim。
Hepausedamomentbeforespeaking，ashelookedintoherface。
“Idon\'twonderthishasupsetyoualittle，“hesaid；“areactionalwayscomesafterwards——evenwiththestrongestofus。“
“Iamallright，“shereplied，unconsciouslyrepeatingHilary\'swords。
“HowisMr。Vane？“
“Youhavedoneasplendidthing，“saidthedoctor，gravely。Andhecontinued，afteramoment:“ItisMr。VaneIwantedtospeaktoyouabout。Heisanintimatefriend，Ibelieve，ofyourfather\'s，aswellasMr。Flint\'sright-handmanin——inabusinesswayinthisState。Mr。Vanehimselfwillnotlistentoreason。Ihavetoldhimplainlythatifhedoesnotdropallbusinessatonce，thechancesaretentoonethathewillforfeithislifeveryshortly。Iunderstandthatthereisa——aconventiontobeheldatthecapitalthedayafterto-morrow，andthatitisMr。Vane\'sfirmintentiontoattendit。Itakethelibertyofsuggestingthatyoulaythesefactsbeforeyourfather，asMr。FlintprobablyhasmoreinfluencewithHilaryVanethananyotherman。
“However，“headded，seeingVictoriahesitate，“ifthereisanyreasonwhyyoushouldnotcaretospeaktoMr。Flint——“
“Oh，no，“saidVictoria；“I\'llspeaktohim，certainly。Iwasgoingtoaskyou——haveyouthoughtofMr。AustenVane？Hemightbeabletodosomething。“
“Ofcourse，“saidthedoctor，afteramoment，“itisanopensecretthatAustenandhisfatherhave——have，inshort，neveragreed。Theyarenotnowonspeakingterms。“
“Don\'tyouthink，“askedVictoria，summoninghercourage，“thatAustenVaneoughttobetold？“
“Yes，“thedoctorrepeateddecidedly，“Iamsureofit。EverybodywhoknowsAustenVaneasIdohasthegreatestadmirationforhim。YouprobablyrememberhiminthatMeadercase，——heisn\'tamanonewouldbelikelytoforget，——andIknowthatthisquarrelwithhisfatherisn\'tofAusten\'sseeking。“
“Oughtn\'thetobetold——atonce？“saidVictoria。
“Yes，“saidthedoctor；“timeisvaluable，andwecan\'tpredictwhatHilarywilldo。Atanyrate，Austenoughttoknow——butthetroubleis，he\'satJenney\'sfarm。ImethimonthewayouttherejustbeforeyourfriendtheEnglishmancaughtme。AndunfortunatelyIhaveacasewhichI
cannotneglect。ButIcansendwordtohim。“
“IknowwhereJenney\'sfarmis，“saidVictoria；“I\'lldrivehomethatway。“
“Well，“exclaimedDr。Tredway，heartily，“that\'sgoodofyou。SomebodywhoknowsHilary\'ssituationoughttoseehim，andIcanthinkofnobettermessengerthanyou。“
Andhehelpedherintotherunabout。
YoungMr。Rangelybeingagentleman，herefrainedfromaskingVictoriaquestionsonthedriveoutofRipton，andexpressedthegreatestwillingnesstoaccompanyheronthiserrandandtoseeherhomeafterwards。Hehadbeendeeplyimpressed，buthefeltinstinctivelythataftersuchaseriousoccurrence，thiswasnotthetimetocontinuetogivehintsofhisadmiration。HehadheardinEnglandthatmanyAmericanwomenwhomhewouldbelikelytomeetsociallyweresuperficialandpleasure-loving；andArthurRangelycameofafamilywhichhadlongbeencitedasavindicationofagovernmentbyaristocracy，——afamilywhichhadnevershirkedresponsibilities。ItisnottoomuchtosaythathehadpicturedVictoriaamonghisfuturetenantry；shehadappealedtohimfirstasawoman，buttheincidentoftheafternoonhadrevealedhertohim，asitwere，underfire。
Theyspokequietlyofplacestheybothhadvisited，ofpeoplewhomtheyknewincommon，untiltheycametothehills——theverythresholdofParadiseonthatSeptemberevening。ThosehillsneverfailedtomoveVictoria，andtheyweregarnishedthiseveninginnoearthlycolours，——
rose-lightedonthebillowywesternpastureslopesandpearlinthedeepcleftsofthestreams，andthelordlyformofSawanecshroudedinindigoagainstaflameoforange。Andorangefainted，bythesubtlestofcolourchanges，toazureinwhichswam，soconfidently，asilvereveningstar。
InsilencetheydrewupbeforeMr。Jenney\'sancestraltrees，andthroughthedeepeningshadowsbeneaththesethewindowsofthefarm-houseglowedwithwelcominglight。AtVictoria\'sbiddingMr。RangelyknockedtoaskforAustenVane，andAustenhimselfansweredthesummons。Heheldabookinhishand，andasRangelyspokeshesawAusten\'slookturnquicklytoher，andmetitthroughthegatheringgloombetweenthem。Inaninstanthewasatherside，lookingupquestioninglyintoherface，andthetelltalebloodleapedintohers。Whatmusthethinkofherforcomingagain？Shecouldnotspeakofhererrandtooquickly。
“Mr。Vane，Icametoleaveamessage。“
“Yes？“hesaid，andglancedatthebroad-shouldered，well-groomedfigureofMr。Rangely，whowasstandingatadiscreetdistance。
“Yourfatherhashadanattackofsomekind，——pleasedon\'tbealarmed，heseemstoberecoverednow，——andIthoughtandDr。Tredwaythoughtyououghttoknowaboutit。ThedoctorcouldnotleaveRipton，andIofferedtocomeandtellyou。“
“Anattack？“herepeated。
“Yes。“HilaryandsherelatedsimplyhowshehadfoundHilaryatFairview，andhowshehaddrivenhimhome。But，duringthewholeofherrecital，shecouldnotridherselfoftheapprehensionthathewasthinkingherinterferenceunwarranted，hercominganindelicaterepetitionoftheothervisit。Ashestoodtherelisteninginthegatheringdusk，shecouldnottellfromhisfacewhathethought。Hisexpression，whenserious，hadadetermined，combative，almostgrimnoteinit，whichcamefromahabithehadofclosinghisjawtightly；andhiseyeswereliketroubledskiesthroughwhichtheretrembledanoccasionalflashoflight。
Victoriahadneverfelthisforcesostronglyasnow，andneverhadheseemedmoredistant；attimes——shehadthought——shehadhadglimpsesofhissoul；to-nighthewasinscrutable，andneverhadsherealizedthepowerwhichshebadknownhemustpossessofmakinghimselfso。Andtoher？Herprideforbadeherrecallingatthatmomenttheconfidenceswhichhadpassedbetweenthemandwhichnowseemedtohavebeensoimpossible。Hewasseriousbecausehewaslisteningtoseriousnews——shetoldherself。Butitwasmorethanthis:hehadshuthimselfup，hewasimpenetrable。Shameseizedher；yes，andanger；andshameagainattheremembranceofhertalkwithEuphrasia——andangeroncemore。Couldhethinkthatshewouldmakeadvancestotempthishonour，andriskhisgoodopinionandherown？
Confidenceislikealute-string，givingforthsweetsoundsinitsperfection；therearenonesodiscordantaswhenitsnaps。
VictoriascarcelyheardAusten\'sacknowledgmentsofherkindness，soperfunctorydidtheyseem，sounlikethemanshehadknown；andherownprotestationsthatshehaddonenothingtomerithisthanksweretoherquiteasunreal。SheintroducedhimtotheEnglishman。
“Mr。Rangelyhasbeengoodenoughtocomewithme，“shesaid。
“I\'veneverseenanybodyactwithmorepresenceofmindthanMissFlint，“
Rangelydeclared，asheshookAusten\'shand。“Shedidjusttherightthing，withoutwastinganytimewhatever。“
“I\'msureofit，“saidAusten，cordiallyenough。ButtoVictoria\'skeenerear，othertoneswhichshehadheardatothertimeswerelacking。
Norcouldshe，cleverasshewas，seethepalpablereasonstandingbeforeher！
“Isay，“saidRangely，astheydroveaway，“hestrikesmeasaremarkablysoundchap，MissFlint。Thereissomethingunusualabouthim，somethingcleancut。“
“I\'veheardotherpeoplesayso，“Victoriareplied。Forthefirsttimesinceshehadknownhim，praiseofAustenwaspainfultoher。Whatwasthiscuriousattractionthatrousedtheinterestofallwhocameincontactwithhim？Thedoctorhadit，Mr。Redbrook，JabeJenney，——evenHamiltonTooting，sheremembered。Andheattractedwomenaswellasmen——
itmustbeso。Certainlyherowninterestinhim——amanbeyondtheradiusofhersphere——andtheirencountershadbeenstrangeenough！Andmustshegoonallherlifehearingpraisesofhim？Ofonethingshewassure——whowasnot？——thatAustenVanehadafuture。Hewasthetypeofmanwhichisinevitablyimpelledintoplacesoftrust。
Manlymen，asarule，donotunderstandwomen。Theyhumourthemblindly，seektocomfortthem——iftheyweep——withcaresses，laughwiththemiftheyhaveleisure，andrespecttheircuriousandunaccountablemoodsbykeepingoutoftheway。SuchahusbandwasArthurRangelydestinedtomake；amanwhohadseenanynumberofwomenandunderstoodnone，——aswondrousmechanisms。Hehadmerelyacquiredthefacultyofappraisal，althoughthisdoesnotmeanthathewasincapableoffallinginlove。
Mr。RangelycouldnotaccountforthesuddenaccessofgayetyinVictoria\'smannerastheydrovetoFairviewthroughthedarkness，nordidhetry。Hetookwhatthegodssenthim，andwasthankful。WhenhereachedFairviewhewasaskedtodinner，ashecouldnotpossiblygetbacktotheInnintime。Mr。FlinthadgonetoSumnerwiththeengineers，leavingorderstobemetattheEastTunbridgestationatten；
andMrs。Flint，stillconvalescent，haddinedinhersittingroom。
Victoriasatoppositeherguestinthebigdiningroom，andMr。Rangelypronouncedtheoccasiondecidedlyjolly。Hehad，heproclaimed，withtheexceptionofMr。Vane\'sdeplorableaccident，neverspentabetterdayinhislife。
Victoriawonderedatherownspirits，whichwerefeverish，asshelistenedtotransatlanticgossipaboutgirlsshehadknownwhohadmarriedMr。Rangely\'sfriends，andstoriesofWestminsterandSouthAfrica，andcertainexperiencesofMr。Rangely\'satotherplacesthanLeithontheAmericancontinent，whichhehadgrownsufficientlyconfidentialtorelate。Attimes，liftinghereyestohimashesatsmokingafterdinnerontheothersideofthelibraryfire，shealmostdoubtedhisexistence。Hehadcomeintoherlifeatoneo\'clockthatday——itseemedaneternitysince。Andasubconsciousvoice，heardbutnotheeded，toldherthatintheawakeningfromthiscuriousdreamhewouldbeassociatedinhermemorywithtragedy，justasatuneorabookoragameofcardsremindsoneofpainfulperiodsofone\'sexistence。
To-morrowthe——episodewouldbeanightmare；to-nightheronedesirewastoprolongit。
AndpoorMr。Rangelylittleimaginedtheparthewasplaying——aslittleashedeservedit。Reluctanttoleave，proprietyimpelledhimtoaskforatrapatten，anditwashalfpastbeforehefinallymadehisexitfromtheroomwithapromisetopayhisrespectssoon——verysoon。
Victoriastoodbeforethefirelisteningtothesoundofthewheelsgraduallygrowingfainter，andhermindrefusedtowork。HanoverStreet，Mr。Jenney\'sfarm-house，wereunrealitiestoo。Tenminuteslater——ifshehadmarkedtheinterval——camethesoundofwheelsagain，thistimegrowinglouder。Thensheheardavoiceinthehall，herfather\'svoice。
“Towers，whowasthat？“
“Ayounggentleman，sir，whodrovehomewithMissVictoria。Ididn\'tgethisname，sir。“
“HasMissVictoriaretired？“
“She\'sinthelibrary，sir。Herearesometelegrams，Mr。Flint。“
Victoriaheardherfathertearingopenthetelegramsandwalkingtowardsthelibrarywithslowstepsashereadthem。Shedidnotstirfromherplacebeforethefire。Shesawhimenterand，withacharacteristicmovementwhichhadbecomealmosthabitualoflate，crushthetelegramsinfrontofhimwithbothhands。
“Well，Victoria？“hesaid。
“Well，father？“
Itwascharacteristicofhim，too，thatheshouldmomentarilydroptheconversation，unraveltheballoftelegrams，readone，crushthemoncemore，——aprocessthatseemedtogivehimrelief。Heglancedathisdaughter——shehadnotmoved。WhateverMr。Flint\'soriginalcharactermayhavebeeninhislong-forgottenyouthonthewind-swepthillfarminTruro，hismethodsofattacklackeddirectnessnow；perhapsalongbusinessandpoliticalexperiencewereresponsibleforthistrait。
“Yourmotherdidn\'tcomedowntodinner，Isuppose。“
“No，“saidVictoria。
Simpsontellsmetheyoungbullgotlooseandcuthimselfbadly。Hesaysit\'sthefaultoftheEbenFitchyougotmetohire。“
“Idon\'tbelieveitwasEben\'sfault——Simpsondoesn\'tlikehim，“Victoriareplied。
“SimpsontellsmeFitchdrinks。“
“Letamangetabadname，“saidVictoria，“andSimpsonwilltakecarethathedoesn\'tloseit。“Theunexpectednecessityofdefendingoneofherprotegesarousedher。“I\'vemadeitapointtoseeEbeneverydayforthelastthreemonths，andhehasn\'ttouchedadrop。He\'soneofthebestworkerswehaveontheplace。“
“I\'vegottoomuchonmymindtoputupwiththatkindofthing，“saidMr。Flint，“andIwon\'tbeworriedhereontheplace。Icangetcapablementotendcattle，atleast。Ihavetoputupwithpoliticalrascalswhorobanddeceivemeassoonasmybackisturned，Ihavetoputupwithinefficiencyandsenility，butIwon\'thaveitathome。“
“Fitchwillbetransferredtothegardenerifyouthinkbest，“shesaid。