“Andthat\'sQueenieColquhoun，“shewenton，turningthepages，“whotookhercoffinoutwithhertoJamaica，packedwithlovelyshawlsandbonnets，becauseyoucouldn\'tgetcoffinsinJamaica，andshehadahorrorofdyingthereasshedid，andbeingdevouredbythewhiteants。Andthere\'sSabine，theloveliestofthemall；ah！itwaslikeastarrisingwhenshecameintotheroom。Andthat\'sMiriam，inhercoachman\'scloak，withallthelittlecapeson，andsheworegreattop-bootsunderneath。Youyoungpeoplemaysayyou\'reunconventional，butyou\'renothingcomparedwithher。“
Turningthepage，shecameuponthepictureofaverymasculine，handsomelady，whoseheadthephotographerhadadornedwithanimperialcrown。
“Ah，youwretch！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed，“whatawickedolddespotyouwere，inyourday！Howweallboweddownbeforeyou！\'Maggie，\'sheusedtosay，\'ifithadn\'tbeenforme，wherewouldyoubenow？\'Anditwastrue；shebroughtthemtogether，youknow。Shesaidtomyfather，\'Marryher，\'andhedid；andshesaidtopoorlittleClara，\'Falldownandworshiphim，\'andshedid；butshegotupagain，ofcourse。Whatelsecouldoneexpect？Shewasamerechild——eighteen——
andhalfdeadwithfright，too。Butthatoldtyrantneverrepented。
Sheusedtosaythatshehadgiventhemthreeperfectmonths，andnoonehadarighttomore；andIsometimesthink，Katharine，that\'strue，youknow。It\'smorethanmostofushave，onlywehavetopretend，whichwasathingneitherofthemcouldeverdo。Ifancy，“
Mrs。Hilberymused，“thattherewasakindofsincerityinthosedaysbetweenmenandwomenwhich，withallyouroutspokenness，youhaven\'tgot。“
Katharineagaintriedtointerrupt。ButMrs。Hilberyhadbeengatheringimpetusfromherrecollections，andwasnowinhighspirits。
“Theymusthavebeengoodfriendsatheart，“sheresumed，“becausesheusedtosinghissongs。Ah，howdiditgo？“andMrs。Hilbery，whohadaverysweetvoice，trolledoutafamouslyricofherfather\'swhichhadbeensettoanabsurdlyandcharminglysentimentalairbysomeearlyVictoriancomposer。
“It\'sthevitalityofthem！“sheconcluded，strikingherfistagainstthetable。“That\'swhatwehaven\'tgot！We\'revirtuous，we\'reearnest，wegotomeetings，wepaythepoortheirwages，butwedon\'tliveastheylived。Asoftenasnot，myfatherwasn\'tinbedthreenightsoutoftheseven，butalwaysfreshaspaintinthemorning。Ihearhimnow，comesingingupthestairstothenursery，andtossingtheloafforbreakfastonhissword-stick，andthenoffwewentforaday\'spleasuring——Richmond，HamptonCourt，theSurreyHills。Whyshouldn\'twego，Katharine？It\'sgoingtobeafineday。“
Atthismoment，justasMrs。Hilberywasexaminingtheweatherfromthewindow，therewasaknockatthedoor。Aslight，elderlyladycamein，andwassalutedbyKatharine，withveryevidentdismay，as“AuntCelia！“ShewasdismayedbecausesheguessedwhyAuntCeliahadcome。
ItwascertainlyinordertodiscussthecaseofCyrilandthewomanwhowasnothiswife，andowingtoherprocrastinationMrs。Hilberywasquiteunprepared。Whocouldbemoreunprepared？Hereshewas，suggestingthatallthreeofthemshouldgoonajaunttoBlackfriarstoinspectthesiteofShakespeare\'stheater，fortheweatherwashardlysettledenoughforthecountry。
TothisproposalMrs。Milvainlistenedwithapatientsmile，whichindicatedthatformanyyearsshehadacceptedsucheccentricitiesinhersister-in-lawwithblandphilosophy。Katharinetookupherpositionatsomedistance，standingwithherfootonthefender，asthoughbysodoingshecouldgetabetterviewofthematter。But，inspiteofheraunt\'spresence，howunrealthewholequestionofCyrilandhismoralityappeared！Thedifficulty，itnowseemed，wasnottobreakthenewsgentlytoMrs。Hilbery，buttomakeherunderstandit。
Howwasonetolassohermind，andtetherittothisminute，unimportantspot？Amatter-of-factstatementseemedbest。
“IthinkAuntCeliahascometotalkaboutCyril，mother，“shesaidratherbrutally。“AuntCeliahasdiscoveredthatCyrilismarried。Hehasawifeandchildren。“
“No，heisNOTmarried，“Mrs。Milvaininterposed，inlowtones，addressingherselftoMrs。Hilbery。“Hehastwochildren，andanotherontheway。“
Mrs。Hilberylookedfromonetotheotherinbewilderment。
“Wethoughtitbettertowaituntilitwasprovedbeforewetoldyou，“
Katharineadded。
“ButImetCyrilonlyafortnightagoattheNationalGallery！“Mrs。
Hilberyexclaimed。“Idon\'tbelieveawordofit，“andshetossedherheadwithasmileonherlipsatMrs。Milvain，asthoughshecouldquiteunderstandhermistake，whichwasaverynaturalmistake，inthecaseofachildlesswoman，whosehusbandwassomethingverydullintheBoardofTrade。
“Ididn\'tWISHtobelieveit，Maggie，“saidMrs。Milvain。“ForalongtimeICOULDN\'Tbelieveit。ButnowI\'veseen，andIHAVEtobelieveit。“
“Katharine，“Mrs。Hilberydemanded，“doesyourfatherknowofthis？“
Katharinenodded。
“Cyrilmarried！“Mrs。Hilberyrepeated。“Andnevertellingusaword，thoughwe\'vehadhiminourhousesincehewasachild——nobleWilliam\'sson！Ican\'tbelievemyears！“
Feelingthattheburdenofproofwaslaiduponher，Mrs。Milvainnowproceededwithherstory。Shewaselderlyandfragile，butherchildlessnessseemedalwaystoimposethesepainfuldutiesonher，andtoreverethefamily，andtokeepitinrepair，hadnowbecomethechiefobjectofherlife。Shetoldherstoryinalow，spasmodic，andsomewhatbrokenvoice。
“Ihavesuspectedforsometimethathewasnothappy。Therewerenewlinesonhisface。SoIwenttohisrooms，whenIknewhewasengagedatthepoormen\'scollege。Helecturesthere——Romanlaw，youknow，oritmaybeGreek。ThelandladysaidMr。Alardyceonlysleptthereaboutonceafortnightnow。Helookedsoill，shesaid。Shehadseenhimwithayoungperson。Isuspectedsomethingdirectly。Iwenttohisroom，andtherewasanenvelopeonthemantelpiece，andaletterwithanaddressinSetonStreet，offtheKenningtonRoad。“
Mrs。Hilberyfidgetedratherrestlessly，andhummedfragmentsofhertune，asiftointerrupt。
“IwenttoSetonStreet，“AuntCeliacontinuedfirmly。“Averylowplace——lodging-houses，youknow，withcanariesinthewindow。Numbersevenjustlikealltheothers。Irang，Iknocked；noonecame。Iwentdownthearea。IamcertainIsawsomeoneinside——children——acradle。
Butnoreply——noreply。“Shesighed，andlookedstraightinfrontofherwithaglazedexpressioninherhalf-veiledblueeyes。
“Istoodinthestreet，“sheresumed，“incaseIcouldcatchasightofoneofthem。Itseemedaverylongtime。Therewereroughmensinginginthepublic-houseroundthecorner。Atlastthedooropened，andsomeone——itmusthavebeenthewomanherself——camerightpastme。
Therewasonlythepillar-boxbetweenus。“
“Andwhatdidshelooklike？“Mrs。Hilberydemanded。
“Onecouldseehowthepoorboyhadbeendeluded，“wasallthatMrs。
Milvainvouchsafedbywayofdescription。
“Poorthing！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。
“PoorCyril！“Mrs。Milvainsaid，layingaslightemphasisuponCyril。
“Butthey\'vegotnothingtoliveupon，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。“Ifhe\'dcometouslikeaman，“shewenton，“andsaid，\'I\'vebeenafool，\'onewouldhavepitiedhim；onewouldhavetriedtohelphim。
There\'snothingsodisgracefulafterall——Buthe\'sbeengoingaboutalltheseyears，pretending，lettingonetakeitforgranted，thathewassingle。Andthepoordesertedlittlewife——“
“SheisNOThiswife，“AuntCeliainterrupted。
“I\'veneverheardanythingsodetestable！“Mrs。Hilberywoundup，strikingherfistonthearmofherchair。Assherealizedthefactsshebecamethoroughlydisgusted，although，perhaps，shewasmorehurtbytheconcealmentofthesinthanbythesinitself。Shelookedsplendidlyrousedandindignant；andKatharinefeltanimmensereliefandprideinhermother。Itwasplainthatherindignationwasverygenuine，andthathermindwasasperfectlyfocuseduponthefactsasanyonecouldwish——moreso，byalongway，thanAuntCelia\'smind，whichseemedtobetimidlycircling，withamorbidpleasure，intheseunpleasantshades。Sheandhermothertogetherwouldtakethesituationinhand，visitCyril，andseethewholethingthrough。
“WemustrealizeCyril\'spointofviewfirst，“shesaid，speakingdirectlytohermother，asiftoacontemporary，butbeforethewordswereoutofhermouth，therewasmoreconfusionoutside，andCousinCaroline，Mrs。Hilbery\'smaidencousin，enteredtheroom。AlthoughshewasbybirthanAlardyce，andAuntCeliaaHilbery，thecomplexitiesofthefamilyrelationshipweresuchthateachwasatoncefirstandsecondcousintotheother，andthusauntandcousintotheculpritCyril，sothathismisbehaviorwasalmostasmuchCousinCaroline\'saffairasAuntCelia\'s。CousinCarolinewasaladyofveryimposingheightandcircumference，butinspiteofhersizeandherhandsometrappings，therewassomethingexposedandunshelteredinherexpression，asifformanysummersherthinredskinandhookednoseandreduplicationofchins，somuchresemblingtheprofileofacockatoo，hadbeenbaredtotheweather；shewas，indeed，asinglelady；butshehad，itwasthehabittosay，“madealifeforherself，“
andwasthusentitledtobeheardwithrespect。
“Thisunhappybusiness，“shebegan，outofbreathasshewas。“IfthetrainhadnotgoneoutofthestationjustasIarrived，Ishouldhavebeenwithyoubefore。Celiahasdoubtlesstoldyou。Youwillagreewithme，Maggie。Hemustbemadetomarryheratonceforthesakeofthechildren——“
“Butdoesherefusetomarryher？“Mrs。Hilberyinquired，withareturnofherbewilderment。
“Hehaswrittenanabsurdpervertedletter，allquotations，“CousinCarolinepuffed。“Hethinkshe\'sdoingaveryfinething，whereweonlyseethefollyofit……Thegirl\'severybitasinfatuatedasheis——forwhichIblamehim。“
“Sheentangledhim，“AuntCeliaintervened，withaverycurioussmoothnessofintonation，whichseemedtoconveyavisionofthreadsweavingandinterweavingaclose，whitemeshroundtheirvictim。
“It\'snousegoingintotherightsandwrongsoftheaffairnow，Celia，“saidCousinCarolinewithsomeacerbity，forshebelievedherselftheonlypracticaloneofthefamily，andregrettedthat，owingtotheslownessofthekitchenclock，Mrs。MilvainhadalreadyconfusedpoordearMaggiewithherownincompleteversionofthefacts。“Themischief\'sdone，andveryuglymischieftoo。Arewetoallowthethirdchildtobebornoutofwedlock？Iamsorrytohavetosaythesethingsbeforeyou，Katharine。Hewillbearyourname，Maggie——yourfather\'sname，remember。“
“Butletushopeitwillbeagirl，“saidMrs。Hilbery。
Katharine，whohadbeenlookingathermotherconstantly，whilethechatteroftonguesheldsway，perceivedthatthelookofstraightforwardindignationhadalreadyvanished；hermotherwasevidentlycastingaboutinhermindforsomemethodofescape，orbrightspot，orsuddenilluminationwhichshouldshowtothesatisfactionofeverybodythatallhadhappened，miraculouslybutincontestably，forthebest。
“It\'sdetestable——quitedetestable！“sherepeated，butintonesofnogreatassurance；andthenherfacelitupwithasmilewhich，tentativeatfirst，soonbecamealmostassured。“Nowadays，peopledon\'tthinksobadlyofthesethingsastheyusedtodo，“shebegan。
“Itwillbehorriblyuncomfortableforthemsometimes，butiftheyarebrave，cleverchildren，astheywillbe，Idaresayit\'llmakeremarkablepeopleofthemintheend。RobertBrowningusedtosaythateverygreatmanhasJewishbloodinhim，andwemusttrytolookatitinthatlight。And，afterall，Cyrilhasactedonprinciple。Onemaydisagreewithhisprinciple，but，atleast，onecanrespectit——liketheFrenchRevolution，orCromwellcuttingtheKing\'sheadoff。Someofthemostterriblethingsinhistoryhavebeendoneonprinciple，“
sheconcluded。
“I\'mafraidItakeaverydifferentviewofprinciple，“CousinCarolineremarkedtartly。
“Principle！“AuntCeliarepeated，withanairofdeprecatingsuchawordinsuchaconnection。“Iwillgoto-morrowandseehim，“sheadded。
“Butwhyshouldyoutakethesedisagreeablethingsuponyourself，Celia？“Mrs。Hilberyinterposed，andCousinCarolinethereuponprotestedwithsomefurtherplaninvolvingsacrificeofherself。
Growingwearyofitall，Katharineturnedtothewindow，andstoodamongthefoldsofthecurtain，pressingclosetothewindow-pane，andgazingdisconsolatelyattherivermuchintheattitudeofachilddepressedbythemeaninglesstalkofitselders。Shewasmuchdisappointedinhermother——andinherselftoo。Thelittletugwhichshegavetotheblind，lettingitflyuptothetopwithasnap，signifiedherannoyance。Shewasveryangry，andyetimpotenttogiveexpressiontoheranger，orknowwithwhomshewasangry。Howtheytalkedandmoralizedandmadeupstoriestosuittheirownversionofthebecoming，andsecretlypraisedtheirowndevotionandtact！No；
theyhadtheirdwellinginamist，shedecided；hundredsofmilesaway——awayfromwhat？“PerhapsitwouldbebetterifImarriedWilliam，“
shethoughtsuddenly，andthethoughtappearedtoloomthroughthemistlikesolidground。Shestoodthere，thinkingofherowndestiny，andtheelderladiestalkedon，untiltheyhadtalkedthemselvesintoadecisiontoasktheyoungwomantoluncheon，andtellher，veryfriendlily，howsuchbehaviorappearedtowomenlikethemselves，whoknewtheworld。AndthenMrs。Hilberywasstruckbyabetteridea。
CHAPTERX
Messrs。GrateleyandHooper，thesolicitorsinwhosefirmRalphDenhamwasclerk，hadtheirofficeinLincoln\'sInnFields，andthereRalphDenhamappearedeverymorningverypunctuallyatteno\'clock。Hispunctuality，togetherwithotherqualities，markedhimoutamongtheclerksforsuccess，andindeeditwouldhavebeensafetowagerthatintenyears\'timeorsoonewouldfindhimattheheadofhisprofession，haditnotbeenforapeculiaritywhichsometimesseemedtomakeeverythingabouthimuncertainandperilous。HissisterJoanhadalreadybeendisturbedbyhisloveofgamblingwithhissavings。
Scrutinizinghimconstantlywiththeeyeofaffection，shehadbecomeawareofacuriousperversityinhistemperamentwhichcausedhermuchanxiety，andwouldhavecausedherstillmoreifshehadnotrecognizedthegermsofitinherownnature。ShecouldfancyRalphsuddenlysacrificinghisentirecareerforsomefantasticimagination；
somecauseorideaorevensoherfancyranforsomewomanseenfromarailwaytrain，hangingupclothesinabackyard。Whenhehadfoundthisbeautyorthiscause，noforce，sheknew，wouldavailtorestrainhimfrompursuitofit。ShesuspectedtheEastalso，andalwaysfidgetedherselfwhenshesawhimwithabookofIndiantravelsinhishand，asthoughheweresuckingcontagionfromthepage。Ontheotherhand，nocommonloveaffair，hadtherebeensuchathing，wouldhavecausedheramoment\'suneasinesswhereRalphwasconcerned。Hewasdestinedinherfancyforsomethingsplendidinthewayofsuccessorfailure，sheknewnotwhich。
Andyetnobodycouldhaveworkedharderordonebetterinalltherecognizedstagesofayoungman\'slifethanRalphhaddone，andJoanhadtogathermaterialsforherfearsfromtriflesinherbrother\'sbehaviorwhichwouldhaveescapedanyothereye。Itwasnaturalthatsheshouldbeanxious。Lifehadbeensoarduousforallofthemfromthestartthatshecouldnothelpdreadinganysuddenrelaxationofhisgraspuponwhatheheld，though，assheknewfrominspectionofherownlife，suchsuddenimpulsetoletgoandmakeawayfromthedisciplineandthedrudgerywassometimesalmostirresistible。ButwithRalph，ifhebrokeaway，sheknewthatitwouldbeonlytoputhimselfunderharsherconstraint；shefiguredhimtoilingthroughsandydesertsunderatropicalsuntofindthesourceofsomeriverorthehauntofsomefly；shefiguredhimlivingbythelaborofhishandsinsomecityslum，thevictimofoneofthoseterribletheoriesofrightandwrongwhichwerecurrentatthetime；shefiguredhimprisonerforlifeinthehouseofawomanwhohadseducedhimbyhermisfortunes。Halfproudly，andwhollyanxiously，sheframedsuchthoughts，astheysat，lateatnight，talkingtogetheroverthegas-stoveinRalph\'sbedroom。
ItislikelythatRalphwouldnothaverecognizedhisowndreamofafutureintheforecastswhichdisturbedhissister\'speaceofmind。
Certainly，ifanyoneofthemhadbeenputbeforehimhewouldhaverejecteditwithalaugh，asthesortoflifethatheldnoattractionsforhim。Hecouldnothavesaidhowitwasthathehadputtheseabsurdnotionsintohissister\'shead。Indeed，hepridedhimselfuponbeingwellbrokenintoalifeofhardwork，aboutwhichhehadnosortofillusions。Hisvisionofhisownfuture，unlikemanysuchforecasts，couldhavebeenmadepublicatanymomentwithoutablush；
heattributedtohimselfastrongbrain，andconferredonhimselfaseatintheHouseofCommonsattheageoffifty，amoderatefortune，and，withluck，anunimportantofficeinaLiberalGovernment。Therewasnothingextravagantinaforecastofthatkind，andcertainlynothingdishonorable。Nevertheless，ashissisterguessed，itneededallRalph\'sstrengthofwill，togetherwiththepressureofcircumstances，tokeephisfeetmovinginthepathwhichledthatway。
Itneeded，inparticular，aconstantrepetitionofaphrasetotheeffectthathesharedthecommonfate，founditbestofall，andwishedfornoother；andbyrepeatingsuchphrasesheacquiredpunctualityandhabitsofwork，andcouldveryplausiblydemonstratethattobeaclerkinasolicitor\'sofficewasthebestofallpossiblelives，andthatotherambitionswerevain。
But，likeallbeliefsnotgenuinelyheld，thisonedependedverymuchupontheamountofacceptanceitreceivedfromotherpeople，andinprivate，whenthepressureofpublicopinionwasremoved，Ralphlethimselfswingveryrapidlyawayfromhisactualcircumstancesuponstrangevoyageswhich，indeed，hewouldhavebeenashamedtodescribe。
Inthesedreams，ofcourse，hefiguredinnobleandromanticparts，butself-glorificationwasnottheonlymotiveofthem。Theygaveoutlettosomespiritwhichfoundnoworktodoinreallife，for，withthepessimismwhichhislotforceduponhim，Ralphhadmadeuphismindthattherewasnouseforwhat，contemptuouslyenough，hecalleddreams，intheworldwhichweinhabit。Itsometimesseemedtohimthatthisspiritwasthemostvaluablepossessionhehad；hethoughtthatbymeansofithecouldsetfloweringwastetractsoftheearth，curemanyills，orraiseupbeautywherenonenowexisted；itwas，too，afierceandpotentspiritwhichwoulddevourthedustybooksandparchmentsontheofficewallwithonelickofitstongue，andleavehiminaminutestandinginnakedness，ifhegavewaytoit。
Hisendeavor，formanyyears，hadbeentocontrolthespirit，andattheageoftwenty-ninehethoughthecouldpridehimselfuponaliferigidlydividedintothehoursofworkandthoseofdreams；thetwolivedsidebysidewithoutharmingeachother。Asamatteroffact，thiseffortatdisciplinehadbeenhelpedbytheinterestsofadifficultprofession，buttheoldconclusiontowhichRalphhadcomewhenheleftcollegestillheldswayinhismind，andtingedhisviewswiththemelancholybeliefthatlifeformostpeoplecompelstheexerciseofthelowergiftsandwastesthepreciousones，untilitforcesustoagreethatthereislittlevirtue，aswellaslittleprofit，inwhatonceseemedtousthenoblestpartofourinheritance。
Denhamwasnotaltogetherpopulareitherinhisofficeoramonghisfamily。Hewastoopositive，atthisstageofhiscareer，astowhatwasrightandwhatwrong，tooproudofhisself-control，and，asisnaturalinthecaseofpersonsnotaltogetherhappyorwellsuitedintheirconditions，tooapttoprovethefollyofcontentment，ifhefoundanyonewhoconfessedtothatweakness。Intheofficehisratherostentatiousefficiencyannoyedthosewhotooktheirownworkmorelightly，and，iftheyforetoldhisadvancement，itwasnotaltogethersympathetically。Indeed，heappearedtoberatherahardandself-
sufficientyoungman，withaqueertemper，andmannersthatwereuncompromisinglyabrupt，whowasconsumedwithadesiretogetonintheworld，whichwasnatural，thesecriticsthought，inamanofnomeans，butnotengaging。
Theyoungmenintheofficehadaperfectrighttotheseopinions，becauseDenhamshowednoparticulardesirefortheirfriendship。Helikedthemwellenough，butshutthemupinthatcompartmentoflifewhichwasdevotedtowork。Hitherto，indeed，hehadfoundlittledifficultyinarranginghislifeasmethodicallyashearrangedhisexpenditure，butaboutthistimehebegantoencounterexperienceswhichwerenotsoeasytoclassify。MaryDatchethadbegunthisconfusiontwoyearsagobyburstingintolaughteratsomeremarkofhis，almostthefirsttimetheymet。Shecouldnotexplainwhyitwas。
Shethoughthimquiteastonishinglyodd。WhenheknewherwellenoughtotellherhowhespentMondayandWednesdayandSaturday，shewasstillmoreamused；shelaughedtillhelaughed，too，withoutknowingwhy。ItseemedtoherveryoddthatheshouldknowasmuchaboutbreedingbulldogsasanymaninEngland；thathehadacollectionofwildflowersfoundnearLondon；andhisweeklyvisittooldMissTrotteratEaling，whowasanauthorityuponthescienceofHeraldry，neverfailedtoexciteherlaughter。Shewantedtoknoweverything，eventhekindofcakewhichtheoldladysuppliedontheseoccasions；
andtheirsummerexcursionstochurchesintheneighborhoodofLondonforthepurposeoftakingrubbingsofthebrassesbecamemostimportantfestivals，fromtheinterestshetookinthem。Insixmonthssheknewmoreabouthisoddfriendsandhobbiesthanhisownbrothersandsistersknew，afterlivingwithhimallhislife；andRalphfoundthisverypleasant，thoughdisordering，forhisownviewofhimselfhadalwaysbeenprofoundlyserious。
CertainlyitwasverypleasanttobewithMaryDatchetandtobecome，directlythedoorwasshut，quiteadifferentsortofperson，eccentricandlovable，withscarcelyanylikenesstotheselfmostpeopleknew。Hebecamelessserious，andratherlessdictatorialathome，forhewasapttohearMarylaughingathim，andtellinghim，asshewasfondofdoing，thatheknewnothingatallaboutanything。Shemadehim，also，takeaninterestinpublicquestions，forwhichshehadanaturalliking；andwasinprocessofturninghimfromTorytoRadical，afteracourseofpublicmeetings，whichbeganbyboringhimacutely，andendedbyexcitinghimevenmorethantheyexcitedher。
Buthewasreserved；whenideasstartedupinhismind，hedividedthemautomaticallyintothosehecoulddiscusswithMary，andthosehemustkeepforhimself。Sheknewthisanditinterestedher，forshewasaccustomedtofindyoungmenveryreadytotalkaboutthemselves，andhadcometolistentothemasonelistenstochildren，withoutanythoughtofherself。ButwithRalph，shehadverylittleofthismaternalfeeling，and，inconsequence，amuchkeenersenseofherownindividuality。
LateoneafternoonRalphsteppedalongtheStrandtoaninterviewwithalawyeruponbusiness。Theafternoonlightwasalmostover，andalreadystreamsofgreenishandyellowishartificiallightwerebeingpouredintoanatmospherewhich，incountrylanes，wouldnowhavebeensoftwiththesmokeofwoodfires；andonbothsidesoftheroadtheshopwindowswerefullofsparklingchainsandhighlypolishedleathercases，whichstooduponshelvesmadeofthickplate-glass。NoneofthesedifferentobjectswasseenseparatelybyDenham，butfromallofthemhedrewanimpressionofstirandcheerfulness。ThusitcameaboutthathesawKatharineHilberycomingtowardshim，andlookedstraightather，asifshewereonlyanillustrationoftheargumentthatwasgoingforwardinhismind。Inthisspirithenoticedtherathersetexpressioninhereyes，andtheslight，half-consciousmovementofherlips，which，togetherwithherheightandthedistinctionofherdress，madeherlookasifthescurryingcrowdimpededher，andherdirectionweredifferentfromtheirs。Henoticedthiscalmly；butsuddenly，ashepassedher，hishandsandkneesbegantotremble，andhisheartbeatpainfully。Shedidnotseehim，andwentonrepeatingtoherselfsomelineswhichhadstucktohermemory:
“It\'slifethatmatters，nothingbutlife——theprocessofdiscovering——theeverlastingandperpetualprocess，notthediscoveryitselfatall。“Thusoccupied，shedidnotseeDenham，andhehadnotthecouragetostopher。ButimmediatelythewholesceneintheStrandworethatcuriouslookoforderandpurposewhichisimpartedtothemostheterogeneousthingswhenmusicsounds；andsopleasantwasthisimpressionthathewasverygladthathehadnotstoppedher，afterall。Itgrewslowlyfainter，butlasteduntilhestoodoutsidethebarrister\'schambers。
Whenhisinterviewwiththebarristerwasover，itwastoolatetogobacktotheoffice。HissightofKatharinehadputhimqueerlyoutoftuneforadomesticevening。Whereshouldhego？TowalkthroughthestreetsofLondonuntilhecametoKatharine\'shouse，tolookupatthewindowsandfancyherwithin，seemedtohimpossibleforamoment；
andthenherejectedtheplanalmostwithablushas，withacuriousdivisionofconsciousness，oneplucksaflowersentimentallyandthrowsitaway，withablush，whenitisactuallypicked。No，hewouldgoandseeMaryDatchet。Bythistimeshewouldbebackfromherwork。
ToseeRalphappearunexpectedlyinherroomthrewMaryforasecondoffherbalance。Shehadbeencleaningknivesinherlittlescullery，andwhenshehadlethiminshewentbackagain，andturnedonthecold-watertaptoitsfullestvolume，andthenturneditoffagain。
“Now，“shethoughttoherself，asshescrewedittight，“I\'mnotgoingtoletthesesillyideascomeintomyhead……Don\'tyouthinkMr。
Asquithdeservestobehanged？“shecalledbackintothesitting-room，andwhenshejoinedhim，dryingherhands，shebegantotellhimaboutthelatestevasiononthepartoftheGovernmentwithrespecttotheWomen\'sSuffrageBill。Ralphdidnotwanttotalkaboutpolitics，buthecouldnothelprespectingMaryfortakingsuchaninterestinpublicquestions。Helookedatherassheleantforward，pokingthefire，andexpressingherselfveryclearlyinphraseswhichboredistantlythetaintoftheplatform，andhethought，“HowabsurdMarywouldthinkmeifsheknewthatIalmostmadeupmymindtowalkallthewaytoChelseainordertolookatKatharine\'swindows。Shewouldn\'tunderstandit，butIlikeherverymuchassheis。“
Forsometimetheydiscussedwhatthewomenhadbetterdo；andasRalphbecamegenuinelyinterestedinthequestion，Maryunconsciouslyletherattentionwander，andagreatdesirecameoverhertotalktoRalphaboutherownfeelings；or，atanyrate，aboutsomethingpersonal，sothatshemightseewhathefeltforher；butsheresistedthiswish。Butshecouldnotpreventhimfromfeelingherlackofinterestinwhathewassaying，andgraduallytheybothbecamesilent。
OnethoughtafteranothercameupinRalph\'smind，buttheywereall，insomeway，connectedwithKatharine，orwithvaguefeelingsofromanceandadventuresuchassheinspired。ButhecouldnottalktoMaryaboutsuchthoughts；andhepitiedherforknowingnothingofwhathewasfeeling。“Here，“hethought，“iswherewedifferfromwomen；theyhavenosenseofromance。“
“Well，Mary，“hesaidatlength，“whydon\'tyousaysomethingamusing？“
Histonewascertainlyprovoking，but，asageneralrule，Marywasnoteasilyprovoked。Thisevening，however，sherepliedrathersharply:
“BecauseI\'vegotnothingamusingtosay，Isuppose。“
Ralphthoughtforamoment，andthenremarked:
“Youworktoohard。Idon\'tmeanyourhealth，“headded，asshelaughedscornfully，“Imeanthatyouseemtometobegettingwrappedupinyourwork。“
“Andisthatabadthing？“sheasked，shadinghereyeswithherhand。
“Ithinkitis，“hereturnedabruptly。
“Butonlyaweekagoyouweresayingtheopposite。“Hertonewasdefiant，butshebecamecuriouslydepressed。Ralphdidnotperceiveit，andtookthisopportunityoflecturingher，andexpressinghislatestviewsupontheproperconductoflife。Shelistened，buthermainimpressionwasthathehadbeenmeetingsomeonewhohadinfluencedhim。Hewastellingherthatsheoughttoreadmore，andtoseethattherewereotherpointsofviewasdeservingofattentionasherown。Naturally，havinglastseenhimashelefttheofficeincompanywithKatharine，sheattributedthechangetoher；itwaslikelythatKatharine，onleavingthescenewhichshehadsoclearlydespised，hadpronouncedsomesuchcriticism，orsuggesteditbyherownattitude。ButsheknewthatRalphwouldneveradmitthathehadbeeninfluencedbyanybody。
“Youdon\'treadenough，Mary，“hewassaying。“Yououghttoreadmorepoetry。“
ItwastruethatMary\'sreadinghadbeenratherlimitedtosuchworksassheneededtoknowforthesakeofexaminations；andhertimeforreadinginLondonwasverylittle。Forsomereason，noonelikestobetoldthattheydonotreadenoughpoetry，butherresentmentwasonlyvisibleinthewayshechangedthepositionofherhands，andinthefixedlookinhereyes。Andthenshethoughttoherself，“I\'mbehavingexactlyasIsaidIwouldn\'tbehave，“whereuponsherelaxedallhermusclesandsaid，inherreasonableway:
“TellmewhatIoughttoread，then。“
RalphhadunconsciouslybeenirritatedbyMary，andhenowdeliveredhimselfofafewnamesofgreatpoetswhichwerethetextforadiscourseupontheimperfectionofMary\'scharacterandwayoflife。
“Youlivewithyourinferiors，“hesaid，warmingunreasonably，asheknew，tohistext。“Andyougetintoagroovebecause，onthewhole，it\'sratherapleasantgroove。Andyoutendtoforgetwhatyou\'retherefor。You\'vethefemininehabitofmakingmuchofdetails。Youdon\'tseewhenthingsmatterandwhentheydon\'t。Andthat\'swhat\'stheruinofalltheseorganizations。That\'swhytheSuffragistshaveneverdoneanythingalltheseyears。What\'sthepointofdrawing-roommeetingsandbazaars？Youwanttohaveideas，Mary；getholdofsomethingbig；nevermindmakingmistakes，butdon\'tniggle。Whydon\'tyouthrowitallupforayear，andtravel？——seesomethingoftheworld。Don\'tbecontenttolivewithhalfadozenpeopleinabackwaterallyourlife。Butyouwon\'t，“heconcluded。
“I\'verathercometothatwayofthinkingmyself——aboutmyself，I
mean，“saidMary，surprisinghimbyheracquiescence。“Ishouldliketogosomewherefaraway。“
Foramomenttheywerebothsilent。Ralphthensaid:
“Butlookhere，Mary，youhaven\'tbeentakingthisseriously，haveyou？“Hisirritationwasspent，andthedepression，whichshecouldnotkeepoutofhervoice，madehimfeelsuddenlywithremorsethathehadbeenhurtingher。
“Youwon\'tgoaway，willyou？“heasked。Andasshesaidnothing，headded，“Ohno，don\'tgoaway。“
“Idon\'tknowexactlywhatImeantodo，“shereplied。Shehoveredonthevergeofsomediscussionofherplans，butshereceivednoencouragement。Hefellintooneofhisqueersilences，whichseemedtoMary，inspiteofallherprecautions，tohavereferencetowhatshealsocouldnotpreventherselffromthinkingabout——theirfeelingforeachotherandtheirrelationship。Shefeltthatthetwolinesofthoughtboredtheirwayinlong，paralleltunnelswhichcameverycloseindeed，butneverranintoeachother。
Whenhehadgone，andheleftherwithoutbreakinghissilencemorethanwasneededtowishhergoodnight，shesatonforatime，reviewingwhathehadsaid。Ifloveisadevastatingfirewhichmeltsthewholebeingintoonemountaintorrent，MarywasnomoreinlovewithDenhamthanshewasinlovewithherpokerorhertongs。Butprobablytheseextremepassionsareveryrare，andthestateofmindthusdepictedbelongstotheverylaststagesoflove，whenthepowertoresisthasbeeneatenaway，weekbyweekordaybyday。Likemostintelligentpeople，Marywassomethingofanegoist，totheextent，thatis，ofattachinggreatimportancetowhatshefelt，andshewasbynatureenoughofamoralisttoliketomakecertain，fromtimetotime，thatherfeelingswerecreditabletoher。WhenRalphlefthershethoughtoverherstateofmind，andcametotheconclusionthatitwouldbeagoodthingtolearnalanguage——sayItalianorGerman。Shethenwenttoadrawer，whichshehadtounlock，andtookfromitcertaindeeplyscoredmanuscriptpages。Shereadthemthrough，lookingupfromherreadingeverynowandthenandthinkingveryintentlyforafewsecondsaboutRalph。Shedidherbesttoverifyallthequalitiesinhimwhichgaverisetoemotionsinher；andpersuadedherselfthatsheaccountedreasonablyforthemall。Thenshelookedbackagainathermanuscript，anddecidedthattowritegrammaticalEnglishproseisthehardestthingintheworld。ButshethoughtaboutherselfagreatdealmorethanshethoughtaboutgrammaticalEnglishproseoraboutRalphDenham，anditmaythereforebedisputedwhethershewasinlove，or，ifso，towhichbranchofthefamilyherpassionbelonged。
CHAPTERXI
It\'slifethatmatters，nothingbutlife——theprocessofdiscovering，theeverlastingandperpetualprocess，“saidKatharine，asshepassedunderthearchway，andsointothewidespaceofKing\'sBenchWalk，“notthediscoveryitselfatall。“ShespokethelastwordslookingupatRodney\'swindows，whichwereasemilucentredcolor，inherhonor，assheknew。Hehadaskedhertoteawithhim。Butshewasinamoodwhenitisalmostphysicallydisagreeabletointerruptthestrideofone\'sthought，andshewalkedupanddowntwoorthreetimesunderthetreesbeforeapproachinghisstaircase。Shelikedgettingholdofsomebookwhichneitherherfatherormotherhadread，andkeepingittoherself，andgnawingitscontentsinprivacy，andponderingthemeaningwithoutsharingherthoughtswithanyone，orhavingtodecidewhetherthebookwasagoodoneorabadone。ThiseveningshehadtwistedthewordsofDostoevskytosuithermood——afatalisticmood——
toproclaimthattheprocessofdiscoverywaslife，andthat，presumably，thenatureofone\'sgoalmatterednotatall。Shesatdownforamomentupononeoftheseats；feltherselfcarriedalongintheswirlofmanythings；decided，inhersuddenway，thatitwastimetoheaveallthisthinkingoverboard，androse，leavingafishmonger\'sbasketontheseatbehindher。TwominuteslaterherrapsoundedwithauthorityuponRodney\'sdoor。
“Well，William，“shesaid，“I\'mafraidI\'mlate。“
Itwastrue，buthewassogladtoseeherthatheforgothisannoyance。Hehadbeenoccupiedforoveranhourinmakingthingsreadyforher，andhenowhadhisrewardinseeingherlookrightandleft，assheslippedhercloakfromhershoulders，withevidentsatisfaction，althoughshesaidnothing。Hehadseenthatthefireburntwell；jam-potswereonthetable，tincoversshoneinthefender，andtheshabbycomfortoftheroomwasextreme。Hewasdressedinhisoldcrimsondressing-gown，whichwasfadedirregularly，andhadbrightnewpatchesonit，likethepalergrasswhichonefindsonliftingastone。Hemadethetea，andKatharinedrewoffhergloves，andcrossedherlegswithagesturethatwasrathermasculineinitsease。Nordidtheytalkmuchuntiltheyweresmokingcigarettesoverthefire，havingplacedtheirteacupsuponthefloorbetweenthem。
Theyhadnotmetsincetheyhadexchangedlettersabouttheirrelationship。Katharine\'sanswertohisprotestationhadbeenshortandsensible。Halfasheetofnotepapercontainedthewholeofit，forshemerelyhadtosaythatshewasnotinlovewithhim，andsocouldnotmarryhim，buttheirfriendshipwouldcontinue，shehoped，unchanged。Shehadaddedapostscriptinwhichshestated，“Ilikeyoursonnetverymuch。“
SofarasWilliamwasconcerned，thisappearanceofeasewasassumed。
Threetimesthatafternoonhehaddressedhimselfinatail-coat，andthreetimeshehaddiscardeditforanolddressing-gown；threetimeshehadplacedhispearltie-pininposition，andthreetimeshehadremoveditagain，thelittlelooking-glassinhisroombeingthewitnessofthesechangesofmind。Thequestionwas，whichwouldKatharinepreferonthisparticularafternooninDecember？Hereadhernoteoncemore，andthepostscriptaboutthesonnetsettledthematter。Evidentlysheadmiredmostthepoetinhim；andasthis，onthewhole，agreedwithhisownopinion，hedecidedtoerr，ifanything，onthesideofshabbiness。Hisdemeanorwasalsoregulatedwithpremeditation；hespokelittle，andonlyonimpersonalmatters；
hewishedhertorealizethatinvisitinghimforthefirsttimealoneshewasdoingnothingremarkable，although，infact，thatwasapointaboutwhichhewasnotatallsure。
CertainlyKatharineseemedquiteunmovedbyanydisturbingthoughts；
andifhehadbeencompletelymasterofhimself，hemight，indeed，havecomplainedthatshewasatrifleabsent-minded。Theease，thefamiliarityofthesituationalonewithRodney，amongteacupsandcandles，hadmoreeffectuponherthanwasapparent。Sheaskedtolookathisbooks，andthenathispictures。ItwaswhilesheheldphotographfromtheGreekinherhandsthatsheexclaimed，impulsively，ifincongruously:
“Myoysters！Ihadabasket，“sheexplained，“andI\'veleftitsomewhere。UncleDudleydineswithusto-night。WhatintheworldhaveIdonewiththem？“
Sheroseandbegantowanderabouttheroom。Williamrosealso，andstoodinfrontofthefire，muttering，“Oysters，oysters——yourbasketofoysters！“butthoughhelookedvaguelyhereandthere，asiftheoystersmightbeonthetopofthebookshelf，hiseyesreturnedalwaystoKatharine。Shedrewthecurtainandlookedoutamongthescantyleavesoftheplane-trees。
“Ihadthem，“shecalculated，“intheStrand；Isatonaseat。Well，nevermind，“sheconcluded，turningbackintotheroomabruptly，“I
daresaysomeoldcreatureisenjoyingthembythistime。“
“Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouneverforgotanything，“Williamremarked，astheysettleddownagain。
“That\'spartofthemythaboutme，Iknow，“Katharinereplied。
“AndIwonder，“Williamproceeded，withsomecaution，“whatthetruthaboutyouis？ButIknowthissortofthingdoesn\'tinterestyou，“headdedhastily，withatouchofpeevishness。
“No；itdoesn\'tinterestmeverymuch，“sherepliedcandidly。
“Whatshallwetalkaboutthen？“heasked。
Shelookedratherwhimsicallyroundthewallsoftheroom。
“Howeverwestart，weendbytalkingaboutthesamething——aboutpoetry，Imean。Iwonderifyourealize，William，thatI\'veneverreadevenShakespeare？It\'sratherwonderfulhowI\'vekeptitupalltheseyears。“
“You\'vekeptitupfortenyearsverybeautifully，asfarasI\'mconcerned，“hesaid。
“Tenyears？Solongasthat？“
“AndIdon\'tthinkit\'salwaysboredyou，“headded。
Shelookedintothefiresilently。ShecouldnotdenythatthesurfaceofherfeelingwasabsolutelyunruffledbyanythinginWilliam\'scharacter；onthecontrary，shefeltcertainthatshecoulddealwithwhateverturnedup。Hegaveherpeace，inwhichshecouldthinkofthingsthatwerefarremovedfromwhattheytalkedabout。Evennow，whenhesatwithinayardofher，howeasilyhermindrangedhitherandthither！Suddenlyapicturepresenteditselfbeforeher，withoutanyeffortonherpartaspictureswill，ofherselfintheseveryrooms；shehadcomeinfromalecture，andsheheldapileofbooksinherhand，scientificbooks，andbooksaboutmathematicsandastronomywhichshehadmastered。Sheputthemdownonthetableoverthere。Itwasapicturepluckedfromherlifetwoorthreeyearshence，whenshewasmarriedtoWilliam；buthereshecheckedherselfabruptly。
ShecouldnotentirelyforgetWilliam\'spresence，because，inspiteofhiseffortstocontrolhimself，hisnervousnesswasapparent。Onsuchoccasionshiseyesprotrudedmorethanever，andhisfacehadmorethanevertheappearanceofbeingcoveredwithathincracklingskin，throughwhicheveryflushofhisvolatilebloodshoweditselfinstantly。Bythistimehehadshapedsomanysentencesandrejectedthem，feltsomanyimpulsesandsubduedthem，thathewasauniformscarlet。
“Youmaysayyoudon\'treadbooks，“heremarked，“but，allthesame，youknowaboutthem。Besides，whowantsyoutobelearned？Leavethattothepoordevilswho\'vegotnothingbettertodo。You——you——ahem！——“
“Well，then，whydon\'tyoureadmesomethingbeforeIgo？“saidKatharine，lookingatherwatch。
“Katharine，you\'veonlyjustcome！Letmeseenow，whathaveIgottoshowyou？“Herose，andstirredaboutthepapersonhistable，asifindoubt；hethenpickedupamanuscript，andafterspreadingitsmoothlyuponhisknee，helookedupatKatharinesuspiciously。Hecaughthersmiling。
“Ibelieveyouonlyaskmetoreadoutofkindness，“heburstout。
“Let\'sfindsomethingelsetotalkabout。Whohaveyoubeenseeing？“
“Idon\'tgenerallyaskthingsoutofkindness，“Katharineobserved；
“however，ifyoudon\'twanttoread，youneedn\'t。“
Williamgaveaqueersnortofexasperation，andopenedhismanuscriptoncemore，thoughhekepthiseyesuponherfaceashedidso。Nofacecouldhavebeengraverormorejudicial。
“Onecantrustyou，certainly，tosayunpleasantthings，“hesaid，smoothingoutthepage，clearinghisthroat，andreadinghalfastanzatohimself。“Ahem！ThePrincessislostinthewood，andshehearsthesoundofahorn。Thiswouldallbeveryprettyonthestage，butI
can\'tgettheeffecthere。Anyhow，Sylvanoenters，accompaniedbytherestofthegentlemenofGratian\'scourt。Ibeginwherehesoliloquizes。“Hejerkedhisheadandbegantoread。
AlthoughKatharinehadjustdisclaimedanyknowledgeofliterature，shelistenedattentively。Atleast，shelistenedtothefirsttwenty-
fivelinesattentively，andthenshefrowned。HerattentionwasonlyarousedagainwhenRodneyraisedhisfinger——asign，sheknew，thatthemeterwasabouttochange。
Histheorywasthateverymoodhasitsmeter。Hismasteryofmeterswasverygreat；and，ifthebeautyofadramadependeduponthevarietyofmeasuresinwhichthepersonagesspeak，Rodney\'splaysmusthavechallengedtheworksofShakespeare。Katharine\'signoranceofShakespearedidnotpreventherfromfeelingfairlycertainthatplaysshouldnotproduceasenseofchillstuporintheaudience，suchasovercameherasthelinesflowedon，sometimeslongandsometimesshort，butalwaysdeliveredwiththesameliltofvoice，whichseemedtonaileachlinefirmlyontothesamespotinthehearer\'sbrain。
Still，shereflected，thesesortsofskillarealmostexclusivelymasculine；womenneitherpracticethemnorknowhowtovaluethem；andone\'shusband\'sproficiencyinthisdirectionmightlegitimatelyincreaseone\'srespectforhim，sincemystificationisnobadbasisforrespect。NoonecoulddoubtthatWilliamwasascholar。ThereadingendedwiththefinishoftheAct；Katharinehadpreparedalittlespeech。
“Thatseemstomeextremelywellwritten，William；although，ofcourse，Idon\'tknowenoughtocriticizeindetail。“
“Butit\'stheskillthatstrikesyou——nottheemotion？“
“Inafragmentlikethat，ofcourse，theskillstrikesonemost。“
“Butperhaps——haveyoutimetolistentoonemoreshortpiece？thescenebetweenthelovers？There\'ssomerealfeelinginthat，Ithink。
Denhamagreesthatit\'sthebestthingI\'vedone。“
“You\'vereadittoRalphDenham？“Katharineinquired，withsurprise。
“He\'sabetterjudgethanIam。Whatdidhesay？“
“MydearKatharine，“Rodneyexclaimed，“Idon\'taskyouforcriticism，asIshouldaskascholar。IdaresaythereareonlyfivemeninEnglandwhoseopinionofmyworkmattersastrawtome。ButItrustyouwherefeelingisconcerned。IhadyouinmymindoftenwhenIwaswritingthosescenes。Ikeptaskingmyself，\'NowisthisthesortofthingKatharinewouldlike？\'IalwaysthinkofyouwhenI\'mwriting，Katharine，evenwhenit\'sthesortofthingyouwouldn\'tknowabout。
AndI\'drather——yes，IreallybelieveI\'drather——youthoughtwellofmywritingthananyoneintheworld。“
ThiswassogenuineatributetohistrustinherthatKatharinewastouched。
“Youthinktoomuchofmealtogether，William，“shesaid，forgettingthatshehadnotmeanttospeakinthisway。
“No，Katharine，Idon\'t，“hereplied，replacinghismanuscriptinthedrawer。“Itdoesmegoodtothinkofyou。“
Soquietananswer，followedasitwasbynoexpressionoflove，butmerelybythestatementthatifshemustgohewouldtakehertotheStrand，andwould，ifshecouldwaitamoment，changehisdressing-
gownforacoat，movedhertothewarmestfeelingofaffectionforhimthatshehadyetexperienced。Whilehechangedinthenextroom，shestoodbythebookcase，takingdownbooksandopeningthem，butreadingnothingontheirpages。
ShefeltcertainthatshewouldmarryRodney。Howcouldoneavoidit？
Howcouldonefindfaultwithit？Hereshesighed，and，puttingthethoughtofmarriageaway，fellintoadreamstate，inwhichshebecameanotherperson，andthewholeworldseemedchanged。Beingafrequentvisitortothatworld，shecouldfindherwaythereunhesitatingly。Ifshehadtriedtoanalyzeherimpressions，shewouldhavesaidthattheredwelttherealitiesoftheappearanceswhichfigureinourworld；sodirect，powerful，andunimpededwerehersensationsthere，comparedwiththosecalledforthinactuallife。Theredweltthethingsonemighthavefelt，hadtherebeencause；theperfecthappinessofwhichherewetastethefragment；thebeautyseenhereinflyingglimpsesonly。Nodoubtmuchofthefurnitureofthisworldwasdrawndirectlyfromthepast，andevenfromtheEnglandoftheElizabethanage。Howevertheembellishmentofthisimaginaryworldmightchange，twoqualitieswereconstantinit。Itwasaplacewherefeelingswereliberatedfromtheconstraintwhichtherealworldputsuponthem；andtheprocessofawakenmentwasalwaysmarkedbyresignationandakindofstoicalacceptanceoffacts。Shemetnoacquaintancethere，asDenhamdid，miraculouslytransfigured；sheplayednoheroicpart。Buttherecertainlyshelovedsomemagnanimoushero，andastheyswepttogetheramongtheleaf-hungtreesofanunknownworld，theysharedthefeelingswhichcamefreshandfastasthewavesontheshore。Butthesandsofherliberationwererunningfast；eventhroughtheforestbranchescamesoundsofRodneymovingthingsonhisdressing-table；andKatharinewokeherselffromthisexcursionbyshuttingthecoverofthebookshewasholding，andreplacingitinthebookshelf。
“William，“shesaid，speakingratherfaintlyatfirst，likeonesendingavoicefromsleeptoreachtheliving。“William，“sherepeatedfirmly，“ifyoustillwantmetomarryyou，Iwill。“
Perhapsitwasthatnomancouldexpecttohavethemostmomentousquestionofhislifesettledinavoicesolevel，sotoneless，sodevoidofjoyorenergy。AtanyrateWilliammadenoanswer。Shewaitedstoically。Amomentlaterhesteppedbrisklyfromhisdressing-room，andobservedthatifshewantedtobuymoreoystershethoughtheknewwheretheycouldfindafishmonger\'sshopstillopen。
Shebreatheddeeplyasighofrelief。
ExtractfromalettersentafewdayslaterbyMrs。Hilberytohersister-in-law，Mrs。Milvain:
“……Howstupidofmetoforgetthenameinmytelegram。Suchanice，rich，Englishname，too，and，inaddition，hehasallthegracesofintellect；hehasreadliterallyEVERYTHING。ItellKatharine，I
shallalwaysputhimonmyrightsideatdinner，soastohavehimbymewhenpeoplebegintalkingaboutcharactersinShakespeare。Theywon\'tberich，butthey\'llbevery，veryhappy。Iwassittinginmyroomlateonenight，feelingthatnothingnicewouldeverhappentomeagain，whenIheardKatharineoutsideinthepassage，andIthoughttomyself，\'ShallIcallherin？\'andthenIthoughtinthathopeless，drearywayonedoesthink，withthefiregoingoutandone\'sbirthdayjustover，\'WhyshouldIlaymytroublesonHER？\'Butmylittleself-
controlhaditsreward，fornextmomentshetappedatthedoorandcamein，andsatontherug，andthoughweneitherofussaidanything，IfeltsohappyallofasecondthatIcouldn\'thelpcrying，\'Oh，Katharine，whenyoucometomyage，howIhopeyou\'llhaveadaughter，too！\'YouknowhowsilentKatharineis。Shewassosilent，forsuchalongtime，thatinmyfoolish，nervousstateIdreadedsomething，Idon\'tquiteknowwhat。Andthenshetoldmehow，afterall，shehadmadeuphermind。Shehadwritten。Sheexpectedhimto-morrow。AtfirstIwasn\'tgladatall。Ididn\'twanthertomarryanyone；butwhenshesaid，\'Itwillmakenodifference。Ishallalwayscareforyouandfathermost，\'thenIsawhowselfishIwas，andItoldhershemustgivehimeverything，everything，everything！I
toldherIshouldbethankfultocomesecond。Butwhy，wheneverything\'sturnedoutjustasonealwayshopeditwouldturnout，whythencanonedonothingbutcry，nothingbutfeeladesolateoldwomanwhoselife\'sbeenafailure，andnowisnearlyover，andageissocruel？ButKatharinesaidtome，\'Iamhappy。I\'mveryhappy。\'AndthenIthought，thoughitallseemedsodesperatelydismalatthetime，Katharinehadsaidshewashappy，andIshouldhaveason，anditwouldallturnoutsomuchmorewonderfullythanIcouldpossiblyimagine，forthoughthesermonsdon\'tsayso，Idobelievetheworldismeantforustobehappyin。Shetoldmethattheywouldlivequitenearus，andseeuseveryday；andshewouldgoonwiththeLife，andweshouldfinishitaswehadmeantto。And，afterall，itwouldbefarmorehorridifshedidn\'tmarry——orsupposeshemarriedsomeonewecouldn\'tendure？Supposeshehadfalleninlovewithsomeonewhowasmarriedalready？
“Andthoughoneneverthinksanyonegoodenoughforthepeopleone\'sfondof，hehasthekindest，truestinstincts，I\'msure，andthoughheseemsnervousandhismannerisnotcommanding，Ionlythinkthesethingsbecauseit\'sKatharine。AndnowI\'vewrittenthis，itcomesovermethat，ofcourse，allthetime，Katharinehaswhathehasn\'t。
Shedoescommand，sheisn\'tnervous；itcomesnaturallytohertoruleandcontrol。It\'stimethatsheshouldgiveallthistosomeonewhowillneedherwhenwearen\'tthere，saveinourspirits，forwhateverpeoplesay，I\'msureIshallcomebacktothiswonderfulworldwhereone\'sbeensohappyandsomiserable，where，evennow，IseemtoseemyselfstretchingoutmyhandsforanotherpresentfromthegreatFairyTreewhoseboughsarestillhungwithenchantingtoys，thoughtheyarerarernow，perhaps，andbetweenthebranchesoneseesnolongerthebluesky，butthestarsandthetopsofthemountains。
“Onedoesn\'tknowanymore，doesone？Onehasn\'tanyadvicetogiveone\'schildren。Onecanonlyhopethattheywillhavethesamevisionandthesamepowertobelieve，withoutwhichlifewouldbesomeaningless。ThatiswhatIaskforKatharineandherhusband。“
CHAPTERXII
IsMr。Hilberyathome，orMrs。Hilbery？“Denhamasked，oftheparlor-
maidinChelsea，aweeklater。
“No，sir。ButMissHilberyisathome，“thegirlanswered。
Ralphhadanticipatedmanyanswers，butnotthisone，andnowitwasunexpectedlymadeplaintohimthatitwasthechanceofseeingKatharinethathadbroughthimallthewaytoChelseaonpretenceofseeingherfather。
Hemadesomeshowofconsideringthematter，andwastakenupstairstothedrawing-room。Asuponthatfirstoccasion，someweeksago，thedoorclosedasifitwereathousanddoorssoftlyexcludingtheworld；
andoncemoreRalphreceivedanimpressionofaroomfullofdeepshadows，firelight，unwaveringsilvercandleflames，andemptyspacestobecrossedbeforereachingtheroundtableinthemiddleoftheroom，withitsfrailburdenofsilvertraysandchinateacups。ButthistimeKatharinewastherebyherself；thevolumeinherhandshowedthatsheexpectednovisitors。
Ralphsaidsomethingabouthopingtofindherfather。
“Myfatherisout，“shereplied。“Butifyoucanwait，Iexpecthimsoon。“
Itmighthavebeenduemerelytopoliteness，butRalphfeltthatshereceivedhimalmostwithcordiality。Perhapsshewasboredbydrinkingteaandreadingabookallalone；atanyrate，shetossedthebookontoasofawithagestureofrelief。
“Isthatoneofthemodernswhomyoudespise？“heasked，smilingatthecarelessnessofhergesture。
“Yes，“shereplied。“Ithinkevenyouwoulddespisehim。“
“EvenI？“herepeated。“WhyevenI？“
“Yousaidyoulikedmodernthings；IsaidIhatedthem。“
Thiswasnotaveryaccuratereportoftheirconversationamongtherelics，perhaps，butRalphwasflatteredtothinkthatsherememberedanythingaboutit。
“OrdidIconfessthatIhatedallbooks？“shewenton，seeinghimlookupwithanairofinquiry。“Iforget——“
“Doyouhateallbooks？“heasked。
“ItwouldbeabsurdtosaythatIhateallbookswhenI\'veonlyreadten，perhaps；but——\'Hereshepulledherselfupshort。
“Well？“
“Yes，Idohatebooks，“shecontinued。“Whydoyouwanttobeforevertalkingaboutyourfeelings？That\'swhatIcan\'tmakeout。Andpoetry\'sallaboutfeelings——novelsareallaboutfeelings。“
Shecutacakevigorouslyintoslices，andprovidingatraywithbreadandbutterforMrs。Hilbery，whowasinherroomwithacold，sherosetogoupstairs。
Ralphheldthedooropenforher，andthenstoodwithclaspedhandsinthemiddleoftheroom。Hiseyeswerebright，and，indeed，hescarcelyknewwhethertheybehelddreamsorrealities。Alldownthestreetandonthedoorstep，andwhilehemountedthestairs，hisdreamofKatharinepossessedhim；onthethresholdoftheroomhehaddismissedit，inordertopreventtoopainfulacollisionbetweenwhathedreamtofherandwhatshewas。Andinfiveminutesshehadfilledtheshelloftheolddreamwiththefleshoflife；lookedwithfireoutofphantomeyes。Heglancedabouthimwithbewildermentatfindinghimselfamongherchairsandtables；theyweresolid，forhegraspedthebackofthechairinwhichKatharinehadsat；andyettheywereunreal；theatmospherewasthatofadream。Hesummonedallthefacultiesofhisspirittoseizewhattheminuteshadtogivehim；andfromthedepthsofhismindthereroseuncheckedajoyfulrecognitionofthetruththathumannaturesurpasses，initsbeauty，allthatourwildestdreamsbringushintsof。
Katharinecameintotheroomamomentlater。Hestoodwatchinghercometowardshim，andthoughthermorebeautifulandstrangethanhisdreamofher；fortherealKatharinecouldspeakthewordswhichseemedtocrowdbehindtheforeheadandinthedepthsoftheeyes，andthecommonestsentencewouldbeflashedonbythisimmortallight。Andsheoverflowedtheedgesofthedream；heremarkedthathersoftnesswaslikethatofsomevastsnowyowl；sheworearubyonherfinger。
“Mymotherwantsmetotellyou，“shesaid，“thatshehopesyouhavebegunyourpoem。Shesayseveryoneoughttowritepoetry……Allmyrelationswritepoetry，“shewenton。“Ican\'tbeartothinkofitsometimes——because，ofcourse，it\'snoneofitanygood。Butthenoneneedn\'treadit——“
“Youdon\'tencouragemetowriteapoem，“saidRalph。
“Butyou\'renotapoet，too，areyou？“sheinquired，turninguponhimwithalaugh。
“ShouldItellyouifIwere？“
“Yes。BecauseIthinkyouspeakthetruth，“shesaid，searchinghimforproofofthisapparently，witheyesnowalmostimpersonallydirect。Itwouldbeeasy，Ralphthought，toworshiponesofarremoved，andyetofsostraightanature；easytosubmitrecklesslytoher，withoutthoughtoffuturepain。
“Areyouapoet？“shedemanded。Hefeltthatherquestionhadanunexplainedweightofmeaningbehindit，asifshesoughtananswertoaquestionthatshedidnotask。
“No。Ihaven\'twrittenanypoetryforyears，“hereplied。“Butallthesame，Idon\'tagreewithyou。Ithinkit\'stheonlythingworthdoing。“
“Whydoyousaythat？“sheasked，almostwithimpatience，tappingherspoontwoorthreetimesagainstthesideofhercup。
“Why？“Ralphlaidhandsonthefirstwordsthatcametomind。
“Because，Isuppose，itkeepsanidealalivewhichmightdieotherwise。“
Acuriouschangecameoverherface，asiftheflameofhermindweresubdued；andshelookedathimironicallyandwiththeexpressionwhichhehadcalledsadbefore，forwantofabetternameforit。
“Idon\'tknowthatthere\'smuchsenseinhavingideals，“shesaid。
“Butyouhavethem，“herepliedenergetically。“Whydowecallthemideals？It\'sastupidword。Dreams，Imean——“
Shefollowedhiswordswithpartedlips，asthoughtoanswereagerlywhenhehaddone；butashesaid，“Dreams，Imean，“thedoorofthedrawing-roomswungopen，andsoremainedforaperceptibleinstant。
Theybothheldthemselvessilent，herlipsstillparted。
Faroff，theyheardtherustleofskirts。Thentheowneroftheskirtsappearedinthedoorway，whichshealmostfilled，nearlyconcealingthefigureofaverymuchsmallerladywhoaccompaniedher。
“Myaunts！“Katharinemurmured，underherbreath。Hertonehadahintoftragedyinit，butnoless，Ralphthought，thanthesituationrequired。SheaddressedthelargerladyasAuntMillicent；thesmallerwasAuntCelia，Mrs。Milvain，whohadlatelyundertakenthetaskofmarryingCyriltohiswife。Bothladies，butMrs。CoshamAuntMillicentinparticular，hadthatlookofheightened，smoothed，incarnadinedexistencewhichispropertoelderlyladiespayingcallsinLondonaboutfiveo\'clockintheafternoon。PortraitsbyRomney，seenthroughglass，havesomethingoftheirpink，mellowlook，theirbloomingsoftness，asofapricotshanginguponaredwallintheafternoonsun。Mrs。Coshamwassoappareledwithhangingmuffs，chains，andswingingdraperiesthatitwasimpossibletodetecttheshapeofahumanbeinginthemassofbrownandblackwhichfilledthearm-chair。Mrs。Milvainwasamuchslighterfigure；butthesamedoubtastothepreciselinesofhercontourfilledRalph，asheregardedthem，withdismalforeboding。Whatremarkofhiswouldeverreachthesefabulousandfantasticcharacters？——fortherewassomethingfantasticallyunrealinthecuriousswayingsandnoddingsofMrs。
Cosham，asifherequipmentincludedalargewirespring。Hervoicehadahigh-pitched，cooingnote，whichprolongedwordsandcutthemshortuntiltheEnglishlanguageseemednolongerfitforcommonpurposes。Inamomentofnervousness，soRalphthought，Katharinehadturnedoninnumerableelectriclights。ButMrs。Coshamhadgainedimpetusperhapsherswayingmovementshadthatendinviewforsustainedspeech；andshenowaddressedRalphdeliberatelyandelaborately。
“IcomefromWoking，Mr。Popham。Youmaywellaskme，whyWoking？andtothatIanswer，forperhapsthehundredthtime，becauseofthesunsets。Wewentthereforthesunsets，butthatwasfive-and-twentyyearsago。Wherearethesunsetsnow？Alas！ThereisnosunsetnownearerthantheSouthCoast。“Herrichandromanticnoteswereaccompaniedbyawaveofalongwhitehand，which，whenwaved，gaveoffaflashofdiamonds，rubies，andemeralds。Ralphwonderedwhethershemoreresembledanelephant，withajeweledhead-dress，orasuperbcockatoo，balancedinsecurelyuponitsperch，andpeckingcapriciouslyatalumpofsugar。
“Wherearethesunsetsnow？“sherepeated。“Doyoufindsunsetsnow，Mr。Popham？“
“IliveatHighgate，“hereplied。
“AtHighgate？Yes，Highgatehasitscharms；yourUncleJohnlivedatHighgate，“shejerkedinthedirectionofKatharine。Shesankherheaduponherbreast，asifforamoment\'smeditation，whichpast，shelookedupandobserved:“IdaresaythereareveryprettylanesinHighgate。Icanrecollectwalkingwithyourmother，Katharine，throughlanesblossomingwithwildhawthorn。Butwhereisthehawthornnow？
YourememberthatexquisitedescriptioninDeQuincey，Mr。Popham？——
butIforget，you，inyourgeneration，withallyouractivityandenlightenment，atwhichIcanonlymarvel“——hereshedisplayedbothherbeautifulwhitehands——“donotreadDeQuincey。YouhaveyourBelloc，yourChesterton，yourBernardShaw——whyshouldyoureadDeQuincey？“
“ButIdoreadDeQuincey，“Ralphprotested，“morethanBellocandChesterton，anyhow。“
“Indeed！“exclaimedMrs。Cosham，withagestureofsurpriseandreliefmingled。“Youare，then，a\'raraavis\'inyourgeneration。IamdelightedtomeetanyonewhoreadsDeQuincey。“
Hereshehollowedherhandintoascreen，and，leaningtowardsKatharine，inquired，inaveryaudiblewhisper，“DoesyourfriendWRITE？“
“Mr。Denham，“saidKatharine，withmorethanherusualclearnessandfirmness，“writesfortheReview。Heisalawyer。“
“Theclean-shavenlips，showingtheexpressionofthemouth！I
recognizethematonce。Ialwaysfeelathomewithlawyers，Mr。
Denham——“
“Theyusedtocomeaboutsomuchintheolddays，“Mrs。Milvaininterposed，thefrail，silverynotesofhervoicefallingwiththesweettoneofanoldbell。
“YousayyouliveatHighgate，“shecontinued。“IwonderwhetheryouhappentoknowifthereisanoldhousecalledTempestLodgestillinexistence——anoldwhitehouseinagarden？“
Ralphshookhishead，andshesighed。
“Ah，no；itmusthavebeenpulleddownbythistime，withalltheotheroldhouses。Thereweresuchprettylanesinthosedays。ThatwashowyourunclemetyourAuntEmily，youknow，“sheaddressedKatharine。“Theywalkedhomethroughthelanes。“
“AsprigofMayinherbonnet，“Mrs。Coshamejaculated，reminiscently。
“AndnextSundayhehadvioletsinhisbuttonhole。Andthatwashowweguessed。“
Katharinelaughed。ShelookedatRalph。Hiseyesweremeditative，andshewonderedwhathefoundinthisoldgossiptomakehimpondersocontentedly。Shefelt，shehardlyknewwhy，acuriouspityforhim。
“UncleJohn——yes，\'poorJohn，\'youalwayscalledhim。Whywasthat？“
sheasked，tomakethemgoontalking，which，indeed，theyneededlittleinvitationtodo。
“Thatwaswhathisfather，oldSirRichard，alwayscalledhim。PoorJohn，orthefoolofthefamily，“Mrs。Milvainhastenedtoinformthem。“Theotherboysweresobrilliant，andhecouldneverpasshisexaminations，sotheysenthimtoIndia——alongvoyageinthosedays，poorfellow。Youhadyourownroom，youknow，andyoudiditup。Buthewillgethisknighthoodandapension，Ibelieve，“shesaid，turningtoRalph，“onlyitisnotEngland。“
“No，“Mrs。Coshamconfirmedher，“itisnotEngland。InthosedayswethoughtanIndianJudgeshipaboutequaltoacounty-courtjudgeshipathome。HisHonor——aprettytitle，butstill，notatthetopofthetree。However，“shesighed，“ifyouhaveawifeandsevenchildren，andpeoplenowadaysveryquicklyforgetyourfather\'sname——well，youhavetotakewhatyoucanget，“sheconcluded。
“AndIfancy，“Mrs。Milvainresumed，loweringhervoiceratherconfidentially，“thatJohnwouldhavedonemoreifithadn\'tbeenforhiswife，yourAuntEmily。Shewasaverygoodwoman，devotedtohim，ofcourse，butshewasnotambitiousforhim，andifawifeisn\'tambitiousforherhusband，especiallyinaprofessionlikethelaw，clientssoongettoknowofit。Inouryoungdays，Mr。Denham，weusedtosaythatweknewwhichofourfriendswouldbecomejudges，bylookingatthegirlstheymarried。Andsoitwas，andso，Ifancy，italwayswillbe。Idon\'tthink，“sheadded，summingupthesescatteredremarks，“thatanymanisreallyhappyunlesshesucceedsinhisprofession。“
Mrs。Coshamapprovedofthissentimentwithmoreponderoussagacityfromhersideofthetea-table，inthefirstplacebyswayingherhead，andinthesecondbyremarking:
“No，menarenotthesameaswomen。IfancyAlfredTennysonspokethetruthaboutthatasaboutmanyotherthings。HowIwishhe\'dlivedtowrite\'ThePrince\'——asequelto\'ThePrincess\'！IconfessI\'malmosttiredofPrincesses。Wewantsomeonetoshowuswhatagoodmancanbe。WehaveLauraandBeatrice，AntigoneandCordelia，butwehavenoheroicman。Howdoyou，asapoet，accountforthat，Mr。Denham？“
“I\'mnotapoet，“saidRalphgood-humoredly。“I\'monlyasolicitor。“
“Butyouwrite，too？“Mrs。Coshamdemanded，afraidlestsheshouldbebalkedofherpricelessdiscovery，ayoungmantrulydevotedtoliterature。
“Inmysparetime，“Denhamreassuredher。