“Now，“shesaidsuddenly，withasortofdesperation，risingfromherchairandseemingtocommandRodneytofulfilhispart。Hedrewthecurtaininstantly，andshemadenoattempttostophim。Theireyesatoncesoughtthesamespotbeneaththelamp-post。
“He\'snotthere！“sheexclaimed。
Noonewasthere。Williamthrewthewindowupandlookedout。Thewindrushedintotheroom，togetherwiththesoundofdistantwheels，footstepshurryingalongthepavement，andthecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver。
“Denham！“Williamcried。
“Ralph！“saidKatharine，butshespokescarcelylouderthanshemighthavespokentosomeoneinthesameroom。Withtheireyesfixedupontheoppositesideoftheroad，theydidnotnoticeafigureclosetotherailingwhichdividedthegardenfromthestreet。ButDenhamhadcrossedtheroadandwasstandingthere。Theywerestartledbyhisvoicecloseathand。
“Rodney！“
“Thereyouare！Comein，Denham。“Rodneywenttothefrontdoorandopenedit。“Hereheis，“hesaid，bringingRalphwithhimintothedining-roomwhereKatharinestood，withherbacktotheopenwindow。
Theireyesmetforasecond。Denhamlookedhalfdazedbythestronglight，and，buttonedinhisovercoat，withhishairruffledacrosshisforeheadbythewind，heseemedlikesomebodyrescuedfromanopenboatoutatsea。Williampromptlyshutthewindowanddrewthecurtains。Heactedwithacheerfuldecisionasifheweremasterofthesituation，andknewexactlywhathemeanttodo。
“You\'rethefirsttohearthenews，Denham，“hesaid。“Katharineisn\'tgoingtomarryme，afterall。“
“WhereshallIput——“Ralphbeganvaguely，holdingouthishatandglancingabouthim；hebalanceditcarefullyagainstasilverbowlthatstooduponthesideboard。Hethensathimselfdownratherheavilyattheheadoftheovaldinner-table。RodneystoodononesideofhimandKatharineontheother。Heappearedtobepresidingoversomemeetingfromwhichmostofthememberswereabsent。Meanwhile，hewaited，andhiseyesrestedupontheglowofthebeautifullypolishedmahoganytable。
“WilliamisengagedtoCassandra，“saidKatharinebriefly。
AtthatDenhamlookedupquicklyatRodney。Rodney\'sexpressionchanged。Helosthisself-possession。Hesmiledalittlenervously，andthenhisattentionseemedtobecaughtbyafragmentofmelodyfromthefloorabove。Heseemedforamomenttoforgetthepresenceoftheothers。Heglancedtowardsthedoor。
“Icongratulateyou，“saidDenham。
“Yes，yes。We\'reallmad——quiteoutofourminds，Denham，“hesaid。
“It\'spartlyKatharine\'sdoing——partlymine。“Helookedoddlyroundtheroomasifhewishedtomakesurethatthesceneinwhichheplayedaparthadsomerealexistence。“Quitemad，“herepeated。“EvenKatharine——“Hisgazeresteduponherfinally，asifshe，too，hadchangedfromhisoldviewofher。Hesmiledatherasiftoencourageher。“Katharineshallexplain，“hesaid，andgivingalittlenodtoDenham，helefttheroom。
Katharinesatdownatonce，andleantherchinuponherhands。SolongasRodneywasintheroomtheproceedingsoftheeveninghadseemedtobeinhischarge，andhadbeenmarkedbyacertainunreality。NowthatshewasalonewithRalphshefeltatoncethataconstrainthadbeentakenfromthemboth。Shefeltthattheywerealoneatthebottomofthehouse，whichrose，storyuponstory，uponthetopofthem。
“Whywereyouwaitingoutthere？“sheasked。
“Forthechanceofseeingyou，“hereplied。
“Youwouldhavewaitedallnightifithadn\'tbeenforWilliam。It\'swindytoo。Youmusthavebeencold。Whatcouldyousee？Nothingbutourwindows。“
“Itwasworthit。Iheardyoucallme。“
“Icalledyou？“Shehadcalledunconsciously。
“Theywereengagedthismorning，“shetoldhim，afterapause。
“You\'reglad？“heasked。
Shebentherhead。“Yes，yes，“shesighed。“Butyoudon\'tknowhowgoodheis——whathe\'sdoneforme——“Ralphmadeasoundofunderstanding。“Youwaitedtherelastnighttoo？“sheasked。
“Yes。Icanwait，“Denhamreplied。
ThewordsseemedtofilltheroomwithanemotionwhichKatharineconnectedwiththesoundofdistantwheels，thefootstepshurryingalongthepavement，thecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver，thedarknessandthewind。Shesawtheuprightfigurestandingbeneaththelamp-post。
“Waitinginthedark，“shesaid，glancingatthewindow，asifhesawwhatshewasseeing。“Ah，butit\'sdifferent——“Shebrokeoff。“I\'mnotthepersonyouthinkme。Untilyourealizethatit\'simpossible——“
Placingherelbowsonthetable，sheslidherrubyringupanddownherfingerabstractedly。Shefrownedattherowsofleather-boundbooksoppositeher。Ralphlookedkeenlyather。Verypale，butsternlyconcentrateduponhermeaning，beautifulbutsolittleawareofherselfastoseemremotefromhimalso，therewassomethingdistantandabstractaboutherwhichexaltedhimandchilledhimatthesametime。
“No，you\'reright，“hesaid。“Idon\'tknowyou。I\'veneverknownyou。“
“Yetperhapsyouknowmebetterthananyoneelse，“shemused。
Somedetachedinstinctmadeherawarethatshewasgazingatabookwhichbelongedbyrightstosomeotherpartofthehouse。Shewalkedovertotheshelf，tookitdown，andreturnedtoherseat，placingthebookonthetablebetweenthem。Ralphopeneditandlookedattheportraitofamanwithavoluminouswhiteshirt-collar，whichformedthefrontispiece。
“IsayIdoknowyou，Katharine，“heaffirmed，shuttingthebook。
“It\'sonlyformomentsthatIgomad。“
“Doyoucalltwowholenightsamoment？“
“Isweartoyouthatnow，atthisinstant，Iseeyoupreciselyasyouare。NoonehaseverknownyouasIknowyou……CouldyouhavetakendownthatbookjustnowifIhadn\'tknownyou？“
“That\'strue，“shereplied，“butyoucan\'tthinkhowI\'mdivided——howI\'matmyeasewithyou，andhowI\'mbewildered。Theunreality——thedark——thewaitingoutsideinthewind——yes，whenyoulookatme，notseeingme，andIdon\'tseeyoueither……ButIdosee，“shewentonquickly，changingherpositionandfrowningagain，“heapsofthings，onlynotyou。“
“Tellmewhatyousee，“heurged。
Butshecouldnotreducehervisiontowords，sinceitwasnosingleshapecoloreduponthedark，butratherageneralexcitement，anatmosphere，which，whenshetriedtovisualizeit，tookformasawindscouringtheflanksofnorthernhillsandflashinglightuponcornfieldsandpools。
“Impossible，“shesighed，laughingattheridiculousnotionofputtinganypartofthisintowords。
“Try，Katharine，“Ralphurgedher。
“ButIcan\'t——I\'mtalkingasortofnonsense——thesortofnonsenseonetalkstooneself。“Shewasdismayedbytheexpressionoflonginganddespairuponhisface。“IwasthinkingaboutamountainintheNorthofEngland，“sheattempted。“It\'stoosilly——Iwon\'tgoon。“
“Weweretheretogether？“hepressedher。
“No。Iwasalone。“Sheseemedtobedisappointingthedesireofachild。Hisfacefell。
“You\'realwaysalonethere？“
“Ican\'texplain。“Shecouldnotexplainthatshewasessentiallyalonethere。“It\'snotamountainintheNorthofEngland。It\'sanimagination——astoryonetellsoneself。Youhaveyourstoo？“
“You\'rewithmeinmine。You\'rethethingImakeup，yousee。“
“Oh，Isee，“shesighed。“That\'swhyit\'ssoimpossible。“Sheturneduponhimalmostfiercely。“Youmusttrytostopit，“shesaid。
“Iwon\'t，“herepliedroughly，“becauseI——“Hestopped。HerealizedthatthemomenthadcometoimpartthatnewsoftheutmostimportancewhichhehadtriedtoimparttoMaryDatchet，toRodneyupontheEmbankment，tothedrunkentrampupontheseat。HowshouldheofferittoKatharine？Helookedquicklyather。Hesawthatshewasonlyhalfattentivetohim；onlyasectionofherwasexposedtohim。Thesightrousedinhimsuchdesperationthathehadmuchadotocontrolhisimpulsetoriseandleavethehouse。Herhandlaylooselycurleduponthetable。Heseizeditandgraspeditfirmlyasiftomakesureofherexistenceandofhisown。“BecauseIloveyou，Katharine，“hesaid。
Someroundnessorwarmthessentialtothatstatementwasabsentfromhisvoice，andshehadmerelytoshakeherheadveryslightlyforhimtodropherhandandturnawayinshameathisownimpotence。Hethoughtthatshehaddetectedhiswishtoleaveher。Shehaddiscernedthebreakinhisresolution，theblanknessintheheartofhisvision。
Itwastruethathehadbeenhappieroutinthestreet，thinkingofher，thannowthathewasinthesameroomwithher。Helookedatherwithaguiltyexpressiononhisface。Butherlookexpressedneitherdisappointmentnorreproach。Herposewaseasy，andsheseemedtogiveeffecttoamoodofquietspeculationbythespinningofherrubyringuponthepolishedtable。Denhamforgothisdespairinwonderingwhatthoughtsnowoccupiedher。
“Youdon\'tbelieveme？“hesaid。Histonewashumble，andmadehersmileathim。
“AsfarasIunderstandyou——butwhatshouldyouadvisemetodowiththisring？“sheasked，holdingitout。
“Ishouldadviseyoutoletmekeepitforyou，“hereplied，inthesametoneofhalf-humorousgravity。
“Afterwhatyou\'vesaid，Icanhardlytrustyou——unlessyou\'llunsaywhatyou\'vesaid？“
“Verywell。I\'mnotinlovewithyou。“
“ButIthinkyouAREinlovewithme……AsIamwithyou，“sheaddedcasuallyenough。“Atleast，“shesaidslippingherringbacktoitsoldposition，“whatotherworddescribesthestatewe\'rein？“
Shelookedathimgravelyandinquiringly，asifinsearchofhelp。
“It\'swhenI\'mwithyouthatIdoubtit，notwhenI\'malone，“hestated。
“SoIthought，“shereplied。
Inordertoexplaintoherhisstateofmind，Ralphrecountedhisexperiencewiththephotograph，theletter，andtheflowerpickedatKew。Shelistenedveryseriously。
“Andthenyouwentravingaboutthestreets，“shemused。“Well，it\'sbadenough。Butmystateisworsethanyours，becauseithasn\'tanythingtodowithfacts。It\'sanhallucination，pureandsimple——anintoxication……Onecanbeinlovewithpurereason？“shehazarded。“Becauseifyou\'reinlovewithavision，Ibelievethatthat\'swhatI\'minlovewith。“
ThisconclusionseemedfantasticandprofoundlyunsatisfactorytoRalph，butaftertheastonishingvariationsofhisownsentimentsduringthepasthalf-hourhecouldnotaccuseheroffancifulexaggeration。
“Rodneyseemstoknowhisownmindwellenough，“hesaidalmostbitterly。Themusic，whichhadceased，hadnowbegunagain，andthemelodyofMozartseemedtoexpresstheeasyandexquisiteloveofthetwoupstairs。
“Cassandraneverdoubtedforamoment。Butwe——“sheglancedathimasiftoascertainhisposition，“weseeeachotheronlynowandthen——“
“Likelightsinastorm——“
“Inthemidstofahurricane，“sheconcluded，asthewindowshookbeneaththepressureofthewind。Theylistenedtothesoundinsilence。
Herethedooropenedwithconsiderablehesitation，andMrs。Hilbery\'sheadappeared，atfirstwithanairofcaution，buthavingmadesurethatshehadadmittedherselftothedining-roomandnottosomemoreunusualregion，shecamecompletelyinsideandseemedinnowaytakenabackbythesightshesaw。Sheseemed，asusual，boundonsomequestofherownwhichwasinterruptedpleasantlybutstrangelybyrunningintooneofthosequeer，unnecessaryceremoniesthatotherpeoplethoughtfittoindulgein。
“Pleasedon\'tletmeinterruptyou，Mr——“shewasataloss，asusual，forthename，andKatharinethoughtthatshedidnotrecognizehim。“Ihopeyou\'vefoundsomethingnicetoread，“sheadded，pointingtothebookuponthetable。“Byron——ah，Byron。I\'veknownpeoplewhoknewLordByron，“shesaid。
Katharine，whohadriseninsomeconfusion，couldnothelpsmilingatthethoughtthathermotherfounditperfectlynaturalanddesirablethatherdaughtershouldbereadingByroninthedining-roomlateatnightalonewithastrangeyoungman。Sheblessedadispositionthatwassoconvenient，andfelttenderlytowardshermotherandhermother\'seccentricities。ButRalphobservedthatalthoughMrs。Hilberyheldthebooksoclosetohereyesshewasnotreadingaword。
“Mydearmother，whyaren\'tyouinbed？“Katharineexclaimed，changingastonishinglyinthespaceofaminutetoherusualconditionofauthoritativegoodsense。“Whyareyouwanderingabout？“
“I\'msureIshouldlikeyourpoetrybetterthanIlikeLordByron\'s，“
saidMrs。Hilbery，addressingRalphDenham。
“Mr。Denhamdoesn\'twritepoetry；hehaswrittenarticlesforfather，fortheReview，“Katharinesaid，asifpromptinghermemory。
“Ohdear！Howdull！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed，withasuddenlaughthatratherpuzzledherdaughter。
Ralphfoundthatshehadturneduponhimagazethatwasatonceveryvagueandverypenetrating。
“ButI\'msureyoureadpoetryatnight。Ialwaysjudgebytheexpressionoftheeyes，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。“Thewindowsofthesoul，“sheaddedparenthetically。“Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthelaw，“
shewenton，“thoughmanyofmyrelationswerelawyers。Someofthemlookedveryhandsome，too，intheirwigs。ButIthinkIdoknowalittleaboutpoetry，“sheadded。“Andallthethingsthataren\'twrittendown，but——but——“Shewavedherhand，asiftoindicatethewealthofunwrittenpoetryallaboutthem。“Thenightandthestars，thedawncomingup，thebargesswimmingpast，thesunsetting……
Ahdear，“shesighed，“well，thesunsetisverylovelytoo。I
sometimesthinkthatpoetryisn\'tsomuchwhatwewriteaswhatwefeel，Mr。Denham。“
Duringthisspeechofhermother\'sKatharinehadturnedaway，andRalphfeltthatMrs。Hilberywastalkingtohimapart，withadesiretoascertainsomethingabouthimwhichsheveiledpurposelybythevaguenessofherwords。Hefeltcuriouslyencouragedandheartenedbythebeaminhereyeratherthanbyheractualwords。Fromthedistanceofherageandsexsheseemedtobewavingtohim，hailinghimasashipsinkingbeneaththehorizonmightwaveitsflagofgreetingtoanothersettingoutuponthesamevoyage。Hebenthishead，sayingnothing，butwithacuriouscertaintythatshehadreadananswertoherinquirythatsatisfiedher。Atanyrate，sherambledoffintoadescriptionoftheLawCourtswhichturnedtoadenunciationofEnglishjustice，which，accordingtoher，imprisonedpoormenwhocouldn\'tpaytheirdebts。“Tellme，shallweeverdowithoutitall？“
sheasked，butatthispointKatharinegentlyinsistedthathermothershouldgotobed。Lookingbackfromhalf-wayupthestaircase，KatharineseemedtoseeDenham\'seyeswatchinghersteadilyandintentlywithanexpressionthatshehadguessedinthemwhenhestoodlookingatthewindowsacrosstheroad。
CHAPTERXXXI
ThetraywhichbroughtKatharine\'scupofteathenextmorningbrought，also，anotefromhermother，announcingthatitwasherintentiontocatchanearlytraintoStratford-on-Avonthatveryday。
“Pleasefindoutthebestwayofgettingthere，“thenoteran，“andwiretodearSirJohnBurdetttoexpectme，withmylove。I\'vebeendreamingallnightofyouandShakespeare，dearestKatharine。“
Thiswasnomomentaryimpulse。Mrs。HilberyhadbeendreamingofShakespeareanytimethesesixmonths，toyingwiththeideaofanexcursiontowhatsheconsideredtheheartofthecivilizedworld。TostandsixfeetaboveShakespeare\'sbones，toseetheverystoneswornbyhisfeet，toreflectthattheoldestman\'soldestmotherhadverylikelyseenShakespeare\'sdaughter——suchthoughtsrousedanemotioninher，whichsheexpressedatunsuitablemoments，andwithapassionthatwouldnothavebeenunseemlyinapilgrimtoasacredshrine。Theonlystrangethingwasthatshewishedtogobyherself。But，naturallyenough，shewaswellprovidedwithfriendswholivedintheneighborhoodofShakespeare\'stomb，andweredelightedtowelcomeher；
andsheleftlatertocatchhertraininthebestofspirits。Therewasamansellingvioletsinthestreet。Itwasafineday。ShewouldremembertosendMr。Hilberythefirstdaffodilshesaw。And，assheranbackintothehalltotellKatharine，shefelt，shehadalwaysfelt，thatShakespeare\'scommandtoleavehisbonesundisturbedappliedonlytoodiouscuriosity-mongers——nottodearSirJohnandherself。LeavingherdaughtertocogitatethetheoryofAnneHathaway\'ssonnets，andtheburiedmanuscriptsherereferredto，withtheimpliedmenacetothesafetyoftheheartofcivilizationitself，shebrisklyshutthedoorofhertaxi-cab，andwaswhirledoffuponthefirststageofherpilgrimage。
Thehousewasoddlydifferentwithouther。Katharinefoundthemaidsalreadyinpossessionofherroom，whichtheymeanttocleanthoroughlyduringherabsence。ToKatharineitseemedasiftheyhadbrushedawaysixtyyearsorsowiththefirstflickoftheirdampdusters。Itseemedtoherthattheworkshehadtriedtodointhatroomwasbeingsweptintoaveryinsignificantheapofdust。Thechinashepherdesseswerealreadyshiningfromabathofhotwater。Thewriting-tablemighthavebelongedtoaprofessionalmanofmethodicalhabits。
Gatheringtogetherafewpapersuponwhichshewasatwork，Katharineproceededtoherownroomwiththeintentionoflookingthroughthem，perhaps，inthecourseofthemorning。ButshewasmetonthestairsbyCassandra，whofollowedherup，butwithsuchintervalsbetweeneachstepthatKatharinebegantofeelherpurposedwindlingbeforetheyhadreachedthedoor。Cassandraleantoverthebanisters，andlookeddownuponthePersianrugthatlayonthefloorofthehall。
“Doesn\'teverythinglookoddthismorning？“sheinquired。“Areyoureallygoingtospendthemorningwiththosedulloldletters，becauseifso——“
Thedulloldletters，whichwouldhaveturnedtheheadsofthemostsoberofcollectors，werelaiduponatable，and，afteramoment\'spause，Cassandra，lookinggraveallofasudden，askedKatharinewheresheshouldfindthe“HistoryofEngland“byLordMacaulay。ItwasdownstairsinMr。Hilbery\'sstudy。Thecousinsdescendedtogetherinsearchofit。Theydivergedintothedrawing-roomforthegoodreasonthatthedoorwasopen。TheportraitofRichardAlardyceattractedtheirattention。
“Iwonderwhathewaslike？“ItwasaquestionthatKatharinehadoftenaskedherselflately。
“Oh，afraudliketherestofthem——atleastHenrysaysso，“Cassandrareplied。“ThoughIdon\'tbelieveeverythingHenrysays，“sheaddedalittledefensively。
DowntheywentintoMr。Hilbery\'sstudy，wheretheybegantolookamonghisbooks。Sodesultorywasthisexaminationthatsomefifteenminutesfailedtodiscovertheworktheywereinsearchof。
“MustyoureadMacaulay\'sHistory，Cassandra？“Katharineasked，withastretchofherarms。
“Imust，“Cassandrarepliedbriefly。
“Well，I\'mgoingtoleaveyoutolookforitbyyourself。“
“Oh，no，Katharine。Pleasestayandhelpme。Yousee——yousee——ItoldWilliamI\'dreadalittleeveryday。AndIwanttotellhimthatI\'vebegunwhenhecomes。“
“WhendoesWilliamcome？“Katharineasked，turningtotheshelvesagain。
“Totea，ifthatsuitsyou？“
“Ifitsuitsmetobeout，Isupposeyoumean。“
“Oh，you\'rehorrid……Whyshouldn\'tyou——？“
“Yes？“
“Whyshouldn\'tyoubehappytoo？“
“Iamquitehappy，“Katharinereplied。
“ImeanasIam。Katharine，“shesaidimpulsively，“dolet\'sbemarriedonthesameday。“
“Tothesameman？“
“Oh，no，no。Butwhyshouldn\'tyoumarry——someoneelse？“
“Here\'syourMacaulay，“saidKatharine，turningroundwiththebookinherhand。“Ishouldsayyou\'dbetterbegintoreadatonceifyoumeantobeeducatedbytea-time。“
“DamnLordMacaulay！“criedCassandra，slappingthebookuponthetable。“Wouldyourathernottalk？“
“We\'vetalkedenoughalready，“Katharinerepliedevasively。
“IknowIshan\'tbeabletosettletoMacaulay，“saidCassandra，lookingruefullyatthedullredcoveroftheprescribedvolume，which，however，possessedatalismanicproperty，sinceWilliamadmiredit。Hehadadvisedalittleseriousreadingforthemorninghours。
“HaveYOUreadMacaulay？“sheasked。
“No。Williamnevertriedtoeducateme。“AsshespokeshesawthelightfadefromCassandra\'sface，asifshehadimpliedsomeother，moremysterious，relationship。Shewasstungwithcompunction。Shemarveledatherownrashnessinhavinginfluencedthelifeofanother，asshehadinfluencedCassandra\'slife。
“Weweren\'tserious，“shesaidquickly。
“ButI\'mfearfullyserious，“saidCassandra，withalittleshudder，andherlookshowedthatshespokethetruth。SheturnedandglancedatKatharineasshehadneverglancedatherbefore。Therewasfearinherglance，whichdartedonherandthendroppedguiltily。Oh，Katharinehadeverything——beauty，mind，character。ShecouldnevercompetewithKatharine；shecouldneverbesafesolongasKatharinebroodedoverher，dominatingher，disposingofher。Shecalledhercold，unseeing，unscrupulous，buttheonlysignshegaveoutwardlywasacuriousone——shereachedoutherhandandgraspedthevolumeofhistory。AtthatmomentthebellofthetelephonerangandKatharinewenttoanswerit。Cassandra，releasedfromobservation，droppedherbookandclenchedherhands。Shesufferedmorefierytortureinthosefewminutesthanshehadsufferedinthewholeofherlife；shelearntmoreofhercapacitiesforfeeling。ButwhenKatharinereappearedshewascalm，andhadgainedalookofdignitythatwasnewtoher。
“Wasthathim？“sheasked。
“ItwasRalphDenham，“Katharinereplied。
“ImeantRalphDenham。“
“WhydidyoumeanRalphDenham？WhathasWilliamtoldyouaboutRalphDenham？“TheaccusationthatKatharinewascalm，callous，andindifferentwasnotpossibleinfaceofherpresentairofanimation。
ShegaveCassandranotimetoframeananswer。“Now，whenareyouandWilliamgoingtobemarried？“sheasked。
Cassandramadenoreplyforsomemoments。Itwas，indeed，averydifficultquestiontoanswer。Inconversationthenightbefore，WilliamhadindicatedtoCassandrathat，inhisbelief，KatharinewasbecomingengagedtoRalphDenhaminthedining-room。Cassandra，intherosylightofherowncircumstances，hadbeendisposedtothinkthatthemattermustbesettledalready。ButaletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningfromWilliam，whileardentinitsexpressionofaffection，hadconveyedtoherobliquelythathewouldprefertheannouncementoftheirengagementtocoincidewiththatofKatharine\'s。
ThisdocumentCassandranowproduced，andreadaloud，withconsiderableexcisionsandmuchhesitation。
“……athousandpities——ahem——Ifearweshallcauseagreatdealofnaturalannoyance。If，ontheotherhand，whatIhavereasontothinkwillhappen，shouldhappen——withinreasonabletime，andthepresentpositionisnotinanywayoffensivetoyou，delaywould，inmyopinion，serveallourinterestsbetterthanaprematureexplanation，whichisboundtocausemoresurprisethanisdesirable——“
“VerylikeWilliam，“Katharineexclaimed，havinggatheredthedriftoftheseremarkswithaspeedthat，byitself，disconcertedCassandra。
“Iquiteunderstandhisfeelings，“Cassandrareplied。“Iquiteagreewiththem。Ithinkitwouldbemuchbetter，ifyouintendtomarryMr。
Denham，thatweshouldwaitasWilliamsays。“
“But，then，ifIdon\'tmarryhimformonths——or，perhaps，notatall？“
Cassandrawassilent。Theprospectappalledher。KatharinehadbeentelephoningtoRalphDenham；shelookedqueer，too；shemustbe，orabouttobecome，engagedtohim。ButifCassandracouldhaveoverheardtheconversationuponthetelephone，shewouldnothavefeltsocertainthatittendedinthatdirection。Itwastothiseffect:
“I\'mRalphDenhamspeaking。I\'minmyrightsensesnow。“
“Howlongdidyouwaitoutsidethehouse？“
“Iwenthomeandwroteyoualetter。Itoreitup。“
“Ishalltearupeverythingtoo。“
“Ishallcome。“
“Yes。Cometo-day。“
“Imustexplaintoyou——“
“Yes。Wemustexplain——“
Alongpausefollowed。Ralphbeganasentence，whichhecanceledwiththeword，“Nothing。“Suddenly，together，atthesamemoment，theysaidgood-bye。Andyet，ifthetelephonehadbeenmiraculouslyconnectedwithsomehigheratmospherepungentwiththescentofthymeandthesavorofsalt，Katharinecouldhardlyhavebreathedinakeenersenseofexhilaration。Sherandownstairsonthecrestofit。ShewasamazedtofindherselfalreadycommittedbyWilliamandCassandratomarrytheownerofthehaltingvoiceshehadjustheardonthetelephone。
Thetendencyofherspiritseemedtobeinanaltogetherdifferentdirection；andofadifferentnature。ShehadonlytolookatCassandratoseewhatthelovethatresultsinanengagementandmarriagemeans。Sheconsideredforamoment，andthensaid:“Ifyoudon\'twanttotellpeopleyourselves，I\'lldoitforyou。IknowWilliamhasfeelingsaboutthesemattersthatmakeitverydifficultforhimtodoanything。“
“Becausehe\'sfearfullysensitiveaboutotherpeople\'sfeelings，“saidCassandra。“TheideathathecouldupsetAuntMaggieorUncleTrevorwouldmakehimillforweeks。“
ThisinterpretationofwhatshewasusedtocallWilliam\'sconventionalitywasnewtoKatharine。Andyetshefeltitnowtobethetrueone。
“Yes，you\'reright，“shesaid。
“Andthenheworshipsbeauty。Hewantslifetobebeautifulineverypartofit。Haveyouevernoticedhowexquisitelyhefinisheseverything？Lookattheaddressonthatenvelope。Everyletterisperfect。“
Whetherthisappliedalsotothesentimentsexpressedintheletter，Katharinewasnotsosure；butwhenWilliam\'ssolicitudewasspentuponCassandraitnotonlyfailedtoirritateher，asithaddonewhenshewastheobjectofit，butappeared，asCassandrasaid，thefruitofhisloveofbeauty。
“Yes，“shesaid，“helovesbeauty。“
“Ihopeweshallhaveagreatmanychildren，“saidCassandra。“Heloveschildren。“
ThisremarkmadeKatharinerealizethedepthsoftheirintimacybetterthananyotherwordscouldhavedone；shewasjealousforonemoment；
butthenextshewashumiliated。ShehadknownWilliamforyears，andshehadneveronceguessedthathelovedchildren。ShelookedatthequeerglowofexaltationinCassandra\'seyes，throughwhichshewasbeholdingthetruespiritofahumanbeing，andwishedthatshewouldgoontalkingaboutWilliamforever。Cassandrawasnotunwillingtogratifyher。Shetalkedon。Themorningslippedaway。Katharinescarcelychangedherpositionontheedgeofherfather\'swriting-table，andCassandraneveropenedthe“HistoryofEngland。“
AndyetitmustbeconfessedthattherewerevastlapsesintheattentionwhichKatharinebestoweduponhercousin。Theatmospherewaswonderfullycongenialforthoughtsofherown。ShelostherselfsometimesinsuchdeepreveriethatCassandra，pausing，couldlookatherformomentsunperceived。WhatcouldKatharinebethinkingabout，unlessitwereRalphDenham？Shewassatisfied，bycertainrandomreplies，thatKatharinehadwanderedalittlefromthesubjectofWilliam\'sperfections。ButKatharinemadenosign。ShealwaysendedthesepausesbysayingsomethingsonaturalthatCassandrawasdeludedintogivingfreshexamplesofherabsorbingtheme。Thentheylunched，andtheonlysignthatKatharinegaveofabstractionwastoforgettohelpthepudding。Shelookedsolikehermother，asshesatthereobliviousofthetapioca，thatCassandrawasstartledintoexclaiming:
“HowlikeAuntMaggieyoulook！“
“Nonsense，“saidKatharine，withmoreirritationthantheremarkseemedtocallfor。
Intruth，nowthathermotherwasaway，Katharinedidfeellesssensiblethanusual，butasshearguedittoherself，therewasmuchlessneedforsense。Secretly，shewasalittleshakenbytheevidencewhichthemorninghadsuppliedofherimmensecapacityfor——whatcouldonecallit？——ramblingoveraninfinitevarietyofthoughtsthatweretoofoolishtobenamed。Shewas，forexample，walkingdownaroadinNorthumberlandintheAugustsunset；attheinnshelefthercompanion，whowasRalphDenham，andwastransported，notsomuchbyherownfeetasbysomeinvisiblemeans，tothetopofahighhill。
Herethescents，thesoundsamongthedryheather-roots，thegrass-bladespresseduponthepalmofherhand，wereallsoperceptiblethatshecouldexperienceeachoneseparately。Afterthishermindmadeexcursionsintothedarkoftheair，orsettleduponthesurfaceofthesea，whichcouldbediscoveredoverthere，orwithequalunreasonitreturnedtoitscouchofbrackenbeneaththestarsofmidnight，andvisitedthesnowvalleysofthemoon。Thesefancieswouldhavebeeninnowaystrange，sincethewallsofeverymindaredecoratedwithsomesuchtracery，butshefoundherselfsuddenlypursuingsuchthoughtswithanextremeardor，whichbecameadesiretochangeheractualconditionforsomethingmatchingtheconditionsofherdream。Thenshestarted；thensheawoketothefactthatCassandrawaslookingatherinamazement。
Cassandrawouldhavelikedtofeelcertainthat，whenKatharinemadenoreplyatalloronewideofthemark，shewasmakinguphermindtogetmarriedatonce，butitwasdifficult，ifthiswereso，toaccountforsomeremarksthatKatharineletfallaboutthefuture。Sherecurredseveraltimestothesummer，asifshemeanttospendthatseasoninsolitarywandering。SheseemedtohaveaplaninhermindwhichrequiredBradshawsandthenamesofinns。
Cassandrawasdrivenfinally，byherownunrest，toputonherclothesandwanderoutalongthestreetsofChelsea，onthepretencethatshemustbuysomething。But，inherignoranceoftheway，shebecamepanic-strickenatthethoughtofbeinglate，andnosoonerhadshefoundtheshopshewanted，thanshefledbackagaininordertobeathomewhenWilliamcame。Hecame，indeed，fiveminutesaftershehadsatdownbythetea-table，andshehadthehappinessofreceivinghimalone。Hisgreetingputherdoubtsofhisaffectionatrest，butthefirstquestionheaskedwas:
“HasKatharinespokentoyou？“
“Yes。Butshesaysshe\'snotengaged。Shedoesn\'tseemtothinkshe\'severgoingtobeengaged。“
Williamfrowned，andlookedannoyed。
“Theytelephonedthismorning，andshebehavesveryoddly。Sheforgetstohelpthepudding，“Cassandraaddedbywayofcheeringhim。
“Mydearchild，afterwhatIsawandheardlastnight，it\'snotaquestionofguessingorsuspecting。Eithershe\'sengagedtohim——or——“
Helefthissentenceunfinished，foratthispointKatharineherselfappeared。Withhisrecollectionsofthescenethenightbefore，hewastooself-consciouseventolookather，anditwasnotuntilshetoldhimofhermother\'svisittoStratford-on-Avonthatheraisedhiseyes。Itwasclearthathewasgreatlyrelieved。Helookedroundhimnow，asifhefeltathisease，andCassandraexclaimed:
“Don\'tyouthinkeverythinglooksquitedifferent？“
“You\'vemovedthesofa？“heasked。
“No。Nothing\'sbeentouched，“saidKatharine。“Everything\'sexactlythesame。“Butasshesaidthis，withadecisionwhichseemedtomakeitimplythatmorethanthesofawasunchanged，sheheldoutacupintowhichshehadforgottentopouranytea。Beingtoldofherforgetfulness，shefrownedwithannoyance，andsaidthatCassandrawasdemoralizingher。Theglanceshecastuponthem，andtheresolutewayinwhichsheplungedthemintospeech，madeWilliamandCassandrafeellikechildrenwhohadbeencaughtprying。Theyfollowedherobediently，makingconversation。Anyonecominginmighthavejudgedthemacquaintancesmet，perhaps，forthethirdtime。Ifthatwereso，onemusthaveconcludedthatthehostesssuddenlybethoughtherofanengagementpressingforfulfilment。FirstKatharinelookedatherwatch，andthensheaskedWilliamtotellhertherighttime。Whentoldthatitwastenminutestofivesheroseatonce，andsaid:
“ThenI\'mafraidImustgo。“
Shelefttheroom，holdingherunfinishedbreadandbutterinherhand。WilliamglancedatCassandra。
“Well，sheISqueer！“Cassandraexclaimed。
Williamlookedperturbed。HeknewmoreofKatharinethanCassandradid，butevenhecouldnottell。InasecondKatharinewasbackagaindressedinoutdoorthings，stillholdingherbreadandbutterinherbarehand。
“IfI\'mlate，don\'twaitforme，“shesaid。“Ishallhavedined，“andsosaying，sheleftthem。
“Butshecan\'t——“Williamexclaimed，asthedoorshut，“notwithoutanyglovesandbreadandbutterinherhand！“Theyrantothewindow，andsawherwalkingrapidlyalongthestreettowardstheCity。Thenshevanished。
“ShemusthavegonetomeetMr。Denham，“Cassandraexclaimed。
“Goodnessknows！“Williaminterjected。
Theincidentimpressedthembothashavingsomethingqueerandominousaboutitoutofallproportiontoitssurfacestrangeness。
“It\'sthesortofwayAuntMaggiebehaves，“saidCassandra，asifinexplanation。
Williamshookhishead，andpacedupanddowntheroomlookingextremelyperturbed。
“ThisiswhatI\'vebeenforetelling，“heburstout。“Oncesettheordinaryconventionsaside——ThankHeavenMrs。Hilberyisaway。Butthere\'sMr。Hilbery。Howarewetoexplainittohim？Ishallhavetoleaveyou。“
“ButUncleTrevorwon\'tbebackforhours，William！“Cassandraimplored。
“Younevercantell。Hemaybeonhiswayalready。OrsupposeMrs。
Milvain——yourAuntCelia——orMrs。Cosham，oranyotherofyourauntsorunclesshouldbeshowninandfindusalonetogether。Youknowwhatthey\'resayingaboutusalready。“
CassandrawasequallystrickenbythesightofWilliam\'sagitation，andappalledbytheprospectofhisdesertion。
“Wemighthide，“sheexclaimedwildly，glancingatthecurtainwhichseparatedtheroomwiththerelics。
“Irefuseentirelytogetunderthetable，“saidWilliamsarcastically。
Shesawthathewaslosinghistemperwiththedifficultiesofthesituation。Herinstincttoldherthatanappealtohisaffection，atthismoment，wouldbeextremelyill-judged。Shecontrolledherself，satdown，pouredoutafreshcupoftea，andsippeditquietly。Thisnaturalaction，arguingcompleteself-mastery，andshowingherinoneofthosefeminineattitudeswhichWilliamfoundadorable，didmorethananyargumenttocomposehisagitation。Itappealedtohischivalry。Heacceptedacup。Nextsheaskedforasliceofcake。Bythetimethecakewaseatenandtheteadrunkthepersonalquestionhadlapsed，andtheywerediscussingpoetry。Insensiblytheyturnedfromthequestionofdramaticpoetryingeneral，totheparticularexamplewhichreposedinWilliam\'spocket，andwhenthemaidcameintoclearawaythetea-things，Williamhadaskedpermissiontoreadashortpassagealoud，“unlessitboredher？“
Cassandrabentherheadinsilence，butsheshowedalittleofwhatshefeltinhereyes，andthusfortified，WilliamfeltconfidentthatitwouldtakemorethanMrs。Milvainherselftorouthimfromhisposition。Hereadaloud。
MeanwhileKatharinewalkedrapidlyalongthestreet。Ifcalledupontoexplainherimpulsiveactioninleavingthetea-table，shecouldhavetracedittonobettercausethanthatWilliamhadglancedatCassandra；CassandraatWilliam。Yet，becausetheyhadglanced，herpositionwasimpossible。IfoneforgottopouroutacupofteatheyrushedtotheconclusionthatshewasengagedtoRalphDenham。Sheknewthatinhalfanhourorsothedoorwouldopen，andRalphDenhamwouldappear。ShecouldnotsitthereandcontemplateseeinghimwithWilliam\'sandCassandra\'seyesuponthem，judgingtheirexactdegreeofintimacy，sothattheymightfixthewedding-day。ShepromptlydecidedthatshewouldmeetRalphoutofdoors；shestillhadtimetoreachLincoln\'sInnFieldsbeforehelefthisoffice。Shehailedacab，andbadeittakehertoashopforsellingmapswhichsherememberedinGreatQueenStreet，sinceshehardlylikedtobesetdownathisdoor。Arrivedattheshop，sheboughtalargescalemapofNorfolk，andthusprovided，hurriedintoLincoln\'sInnFields，andassuredherselfofthepositionofMessrs。HoperandGrateley\'soffice。Thegreatgaschandelierswerealightintheofficewindows。
Sheconceivedthathesatatanenormoustableladenwithpapersbeneathoneoftheminthefrontroomwiththethreetallwindows。
Havingsettledhispositionthere，shebeganwalkingtoandfrouponthepavement。Nobodyofhisbuildappeared。Shescrutinizedeachmalefigureasitapproachedandpassedher。Eachmalefigurehad，nevertheless，alookofhim，due，perhaps，totheprofessionaldress，thequickstep，thekeenglancewhichtheycastuponherastheyhastenedhomeaftertheday\'swork。Thesquareitself，withitsimmensehousesallsofullyoccupiedandsternofaspect，itsatmosphereofindustryandpower，asifeventhesparrowsandthechildrenwereearningtheirdailybread，asiftheskyitself，withitsgrayandscarletclouds，reflectedtheseriousintentionofthecitybeneathit，spokeofhim。Herewasthefitplacefortheirmeeting，shethought；herewasthefitplaceforhertowalkthinkingofhim。ShecouldnothelpcomparingitwiththedomesticstreetsofChelsea。Withthiscomparisoninhermind，sheextendedherrangealittle，andturnedintothemainroad。ThegreattorrentofvansandcartswassweepingdownKingsway；pedestrianswerestreamingintwocurrentsalongthepavements。Shestoodfascinatedatthecorner。Thedeeproarfilledherears；thechangingtumulthadtheinexpressiblefascinationofvariedlifepouringceaselesslywithapurposewhich，asshelooked，seemedtoher，somehow，thenormalpurposeforwhichlifewasframed；itscompleteindifferencetotheindividuals，whomitswallowedupandrolledonwards，filledherwithatleastatemporaryexaltation。Theblendofdaylightandoflamplightmadeheraninvisiblespectator，justasitgavethepeoplewhopassedherasemi-transparentquality，andleftthefacespaleivoryovalsinwhichtheeyesaloneweredark。Theytendedtheenormousrushofthecurrent——thegreatflow，thedeepstream，theunquenchabletide。Shestoodunobservedandabsorbed，gloryingopenlyintherapturethathadrunsubterraneouslyallday。Suddenlyshewasclutched，unwilling，fromtheoutside，bytherecollectionofherpurposeincomingthere。
ShehadcometofindRalphDenham。ShehastilyturnedbackintoLincoln\'sInnFields，andlookedforherlandmark——thelightinthethreetallwindows。Shesoughtinvain。Thefacesofthehouseshadnowmergedinthegeneraldarkness，andshehaddifficultyindeterminingwhichshesought。Ralph\'sthreewindowsgavebackontheirghostlyglasspanelsonlyareflectionofthegrayandgreenishsky。
Sherangthebell，peremptorily，underthepaintednameofthefirm。
Aftersomedelayshewasansweredbyacaretaker，whosepailandbrushofthemselvestoldherthattheworkingdaywasoverandtheworkersgone。Nobody，saveperhapsMr。Grateleyhimself，wasleft，sheassuredKatharine；everyoneelsehadbeengonethesetenminutes。
ThenewswokeKatharinecompletely。Anxietygaineduponher。ShehastenedbackintoKingsway，lookingatpeoplewhohadmiraculouslyregainedtheirsolidity。SheranasfarastheTubestation，overhaulingclerkafterclerk，solicitoraftersolicitor。NotoneofthemevenfaintlyresembledRalphDenham。Moreandmoreplainlydidsheseehim；andmoreandmoredidheseemtoherunlikeanyoneelse。
Atthedoorofthestationshepaused，andtriedtocollectherthoughts。Hehadgonetoherhouse。Bytakingacabshecouldbethereprobablyinadvanceofhim。Butshepicturedherselfopeningthedrawing-roomdoor，andWilliamandCassandralookingup，andRalph\'sentranceamomentlater，andtheglances——theinsinuations。No；shecouldnotfaceit。Shewouldwritehimaletterandtakeitatoncetohishouse。Sheboughtpaperandpencilatthebookstall，andenteredanA。B。C。shop，where，byorderingacupofcoffee，shesecuredanemptytable，andbeganatvicetowrite:
“IcametomeetyouandIhavemissedyou。IcouldnotfaceWilliamandCassandra。Theywantus——“hereshepaused。“Theyinsistthatweareengaged，“shesubstituted，“andwecouldn\'ttalkatall，orexplainanything。Iwant——“Herwantsweresovast，nowthatshewasincommunicationwithRalph，thatthepencilwasutterlyinadequatetoconductthemontothepaper；itseemedasifthewholetorrentofKingswayhadtorundownherpencil。Shegazedintentlyatanoticehangingonthegold-encrustedwallopposite。“……tosayallkindsofthings，“sheadded，writingeachwordwiththepainstakingofachild。But，whensheraisedhereyesagaintomeditatethenextsentence，shewasawareofawaitress，whoseexpressionintimatedthatitwasclosingtime，and，lookinground，Katharinesawherselfalmostthelastpersonleftintheshop。Shetookupherletter，paidherbill，andfoundherselfoncemoreinthestreet。ShewouldnowtakeacabtoHighgate。Butatthatmomentitflasheduponherthatshecouldnotremembertheaddress。Thischeckseemedtoletfallabarrieracrossaverypowerfulcurrentofdesire。Sheransackedhermemoryindesperation，huntingforthename，firstbyrememberingthelookofthehouse，andthenbytrying，inmemory，toretracethewordsshehadwrittenonce，atleast，uponanenvelope。Themoreshepressedthefartherthewordsreceded。WasthehouseanOrchardSomething，onthestreetaHill？Shegaveitup。Never，sinceshewasachild，hadshefeltanythinglikethisblanknessanddesolation。Thererushedinuponher，asifshewerewakingfromsomedream，alltheconsequencesofherinexplicableindolence。ShefiguredRalph\'sfaceasheturnedfromherdoorwithoutawordofexplanation，receivinghisdismissalasablowfromherself，acallousintimationthatshedidnotwishtoseehim。Shefollowedhisdeparturefromherdoor；butitwasfarmoreeasytoseehimmarchingfarandfastinanydirectionforanylengthoftimethantoconceivethathewouldturnbacktoHighgate。PerhapshewouldtryoncemoretoseeherinCheyneWalk？Itwasproofoftheclearnesswithwhichshesawhim，thatshestartedforwardasthispossibilityoccurredtoher，andalmostraisedherhandtobeckontoacab。No；hewastooproudtocomeagain；herejectedthedesireandwalkedonandon，onandon——Ifonlyshecouldreadthenamesofthosevisionarystreetsdownwhichhepassed！Butherimaginationbetrayedheratthispoint，ormockedherwithasenseoftheirstrangeness，darkness，anddistance。Indeed，insteadofhelpingherselftoanydecision，sheonlyfilledhermindwiththevastextentofLondonandtheimpossibilityoffindinganysinglefigurethatwanderedoffthiswayandthatway，turnedtotherightandtotheleft，chosethatdingylittlebackstreetwherethechildrenwereplayingintheroad，andso——Sherousedherselfimpatiently。ShewalkedrapidlyalongHolborn。Soonsheturnedandwalkedasrapidlyintheotherdirection。
Thisindecisionwasnotmerelyodious，buthadsomethingthatalarmedheraboutit，asshehadbeenalarmedslightlyonceortwicealreadythatday；shefeltunabletocopewiththestrengthofherowndesires。Toapersoncontrolledbyhabit，therewashumiliationaswellasalarminthissuddenreleaseofwhatappearedtobeaverypowerfulaswellasanunreasonableforce。AnachinginthemusclesofherrighthandnowshowedherthatshewascrushingherglovesandthemapofNorfolkinagripsufficienttocrackamoresolidobject。Sherelaxedhergrasp；shelookedanxiouslyatthefacesofthepassers-bytoseewhethertheireyesrestedonherforamomentlongerthanwasnatural，orwithanycuriosity。Buthavingsmoothedouthergloves，anddonewhatshecouldtolookasusual，sheforgotspectators，andwasoncemoregivenuptoherdesperatedesiretofindRalphDenham。
Itwasadesirenow——wild，irrational，unexplained，resemblingsomethingfeltinchildhood。Oncemoresheblamedherselfbitterlyforhercarelessness。ButfindingherselfoppositetheTubestation，shepulledherselfupandtookcounselswiftly，asofold。ItflasheduponherthatshewouldgoatoncetoMaryDatchet，andaskhertogiveherRalph\'saddress。Thedecisionwasarelief，notonlyingivingheragoal，butinprovidingherwitharationalexcuseforherownactions。
Itgaveheragoalcertainly，butthefactofhavingagoalledhertodwellexclusivelyuponherobsession；sothatwhensherangthebellofMary\'sflat，shedidnotforamomentconsiderhowthisdemandwouldstrikeMary。ToherextremeannoyanceMarywasnotathome；acharwomanopenedthedoor。AllKatharinecoulddowastoaccepttheinvitationtowait。Shewaitedfor，perhaps，fifteenminutes，andspenttheminpacingfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherwithoutintermission。WhensheheardMary\'skeyinthedoorshepausedinfrontofthefireplace，andMaryfoundherstandingupright，lookingatonceexpectantanddetermined，likeapersonwhohascomeonanerrandofsuchimportancethatitmustbebroachedwithoutpreface。
Maryexclaimedinsurprise。
“Yes，yes，“Katharinesaid，brushingtheseremarksaside，asiftheywereintheway。
“Haveyouhadtea？“
“Ohyes，“shesaid，thinkingthatshehadhadteahundredsofyearsago，somewhereorother。
Marypaused，tookoffhergloves，and，findingmatches，proceededtolightthefire。
Katharinecheckedherwithanimpatientmovement，andsaid:
“Don\'tlightthefireforme……IwanttoknowRalphDenham\'saddress。“
Shewasholdingapencilandpreparingtowriteontheenvelope。Shewaitedwithanimperiousexpression。
“TheAppleOrchard，MountAraratRoad，Highgate，“Marysaid，speakingslowlyandratherstrangely。
“Oh，Iremembernow！“Katharineexclaimed，withirritationatherownstupidity。“Isupposeitwouldn\'ttaketwentyminutestodrivethere？“
Shegatheredupherpurseandglovesandseemedabouttogo。
“Butyouwon\'tfindhim，“saidMary，pausingwithamatchinherhand。
Katharine，whohadalreadyturnedtowardsthedoor，stoppedandlookedather。
“Why？Whereishe？“sheasked。
“Hewon\'thavelefthisoffice。“
“Buthehaslefttheoffice，“shereplied。“Theonlyquestioniswillhehavereachedhomeyet？HewenttoseemeatChelsea；Itriedtomeethimandmissedhim。Hewillhavefoundnomessagetoexplain。SoImustfindhim——assoonaspossible。“
Marytookinthesituationatherleisure。
“Butwhynottelephone？“shesaid。
Katharineimmediatelydroppedallthatshewasholding；herstrainedexpressionrelaxed，andexclaiming，“Ofcourse！Whydidn\'tIthinkofthat！“sheseizedthetelephonereceiverandgavehernumber。Marylookedathersteadily，andthenlefttheroom。AtlengthKatharineheard，throughallthesuperimposedweightofLondon，themysterioussoundoffeetinherownhousemountingtothelittleroom，whereshecouldalmostseethepicturesandthebooks；shelistenedwithextremeintentnesstothepreparatoryvibrations，andthenestablishedheridentity。
“HasMr。Denhamcalled？“
“Yes，miss。“
“Didheaskforme？“
“Yes。Wesaidyouwereout，miss。“
“Didheleaveanymessage？“
“No。Hewentaway。Abouttwentyminutesago，miss。“
Katharinehungupthereceiver。ShewalkedthelengthoftheroominsuchacutedisappointmentthatshedidnotatfirstperceiveMary\'sabsence。Thenshecalledinaharshandperemptorytone:
“Mary。“
Marywastakingoffheroutdoorthingsinthebedroom。SheheardKatharinecallher。“Yes，“shesaid，“Ishan\'tbeamoment。“Butthemomentprolongeditself，asifforsomereasonMaryfoundsatisfactioninmakingherselfnotonlytidy，butseemlyandornamented。Astageinherlifehadbeenaccomplishedinthelastmonthswhichleftitstracesforeveruponherbearing。Youth，andthebloomofyouth，hadreceded，leavingthepurposeofherfacetoshowitselfinthehollowercheeks，thefirmerlips，theeyesnolongerspontaneouslyobservingatrandom，butnarroweduponanendwhichwasnotnearathand。Thiswomanwasnowaserviceablehumanbeing，mistressofherowndestiny，andthus，bysomecombinationofideas，fittobeadornedwiththedignityofsilverchainsandglowingbrooches。Shecameinatherleisureandasked:“Well，didyougetananswer？“
“HehasleftChelseaalready，“Katharinereplied。
“Still，hewon\'tbehomeyet，“saidMary。
KatharinewasoncemoreirresistiblydrawntogazeuponanimaginarymapofLondon，tofollowthetwistsandturnsofunnamedstreets。
“I\'llringuphishomeandaskwhetherhe\'sback。“Marycrossedtothetelephoneand，afteraseriesofbriefremarks，announced:
“No。Hissistersayshehasn\'tcomebackyet。“
“Ah！“Sheappliedhereartothetelephoneoncemore。“They\'vehadamessage。Hewon\'tbebacktodinner。“
“Thenwhatishegoingtodo？“
Verypale，andwithherlargeeyesfixednotsomuchuponMaryasuponvistasofunrespondingblankness，KatharineaddressedherselfalsonotsomuchtoMaryastotheunrelentingspiritwhichnowappearedtomockherfromeveryquarterofhersurvey。
AfterwaitingalittletimeMaryremarkedindifferently:
“Ireallydon\'tknow。“Slacklylyingbackinherarmchair，shewatchedthelittleflamesbeginningtocreepamongthecoalsindifferently，asifthey，too，wereverydistantandindifferent。
Katharinelookedatherindignantlyandrose。
“Possiblyhemaycomehere，“Marycontinued，withoutalteringtheabstracttoneofhervoice。“Itwouldbeworthyourwhiletowaitifyouwanttoseehimto-night。“Shebentforwardandtouchedthewood，sothattheflamesslippedinbetweentheintersticesofthecoal。
Katharinereflected。“I\'llwaithalfanhour，“shesaid。
Maryrose，wenttothetable，spreadoutherpapersunderthegreen-shadedlampand，withanactionthatwasbecomingahabit，twistedalockofhairroundandroundinherfingers。Onceshelookedunperceivedathervisitor，whonevermoved，whosatsostill，witheyessointent，thatyoucouldalmostfancythatshewaswatchingsomething，somefacethatneverlookedupather。Maryfoundherselfunabletogoonwriting。Sheturnedhereyesaway，butonlytobeawareofthepresenceofwhatKatharinelookedat。Therewereghostsintheroom，andone，strangelyandsadly，wastheghostofherself。
Theminuteswentby。
“Whatwouldbethetimenow？“saidKatharineatlast。Thehalf-hourwasnotquitespent。
“I\'mgoingtogetdinnerready，“saidMary，risingfromhertable。
“ThenI\'llgo，“saidKatharine。
“Whydon\'tyoustay？Whereareyougoing？“
Katharinelookedroundtheroom，conveyingheruncertaintyinherglance。
“PerhapsImightfindhim，“shemused。
“Butwhyshoulditmatter？You\'llseehimanotherday。“
Maryspoke，andintendedtospeak，cruellyenough。
“Iwaswrongtocomehere，“Katharinereplied。
Theireyesmetwithantagonism，andneitherflinched。
“Youhadaperfectrighttocomehere，“Maryanswered。
Aloudknockingatthedoorinterruptedthem。Marywenttoopenit，andreturningwithsomenoteorparcel，KatharinelookedawaysothatMarymightnotreadherdisappointment。
“Ofcourseyouhadarighttocome，“Maryrepeated，layingthenoteuponthetable。
“No，“saidKatharine。“Exceptthatwhenone\'sdesperateonehasasortofright。Iamdesperate。HowdoIknowwhat\'shappeningtohimnow？
Hemaydoanything。Hemaywanderaboutthestreetsallnight。
Anythingmayhappentohim。“
Shespokewithaself-abandonmentthatMaryhadneverseeninher。
“Youknowyouexaggerate；you\'retalkingnonsense，“shesaidroughly。
“Mary，Imusttalk——Imusttellyou——“
“Youneedn\'ttellmeanything，“Maryinterruptedher。“Can\'tIseeformyself？“
“No，no，“Katharineexclaimed。“It\'snotthat——“
Herlook，passingbeyondMary，beyondthevergeoftheroomandoutbeyondanywordsthatcameherway，wildlyandpassionately，convincedMarythatshe，atanyrate，couldnotfollowsuchaglancetoitsend。
Shewasbaffled；shetriedtothinkherselfbackagainintotheheightofherloveforRalph。Pressingherfingersuponhereyelids，shemurmured:
“YouforgetthatIlovedhimtoo。IthoughtIknewhim。IDIDknowhim。“
Andyet，whathadsheknown？Shecouldnotrememberitanymore。Shepressedhereyeballsuntiltheystruckstarsandsunsintoherdarkness。Sheconvincedherselfthatshewasstirringamongashes。Shedesisted。Shewasastonishedatherdiscovery。ShedidnotloveRalphanymore。Shelookedbackdazedintotheroom，andhereyesresteduponthetablewithitslamp-litpapers。Thesteadyradianceseemedforasecondtohaveitscounterpartwithinher；sheshuthereyes；
sheopenedthemandlookedatthelampagain；anotherloveburntintheplaceoftheoldone，orso，inamomentaryglanceofamazement，sheguessedbeforetherevelationwasoverandtheoldsurroundingsassertedthemselves。Sheleantinsilenceagainstthemantelpiece。
“Therearedifferentwaysofloving，“shemurmured，halftoherself，atlength。
Katharinemadenoreplyandseemedunawareofherwords。Sheseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。
“Perhapshe\'swaitinginthestreetagainto-night，“sheexclaimed。
“I\'llgonow。Imightfindhim。“
“It\'sfarmorelikelythathe\'llcomehere，“saidMary，andKatharine，afterconsideringforamoment，said:
“I\'llwaitanotherhalf-hour。“
Shesankdownintoherchairagain，andtookupthesamepositionwhichMaryhadcomparedtothepositionofonewatchinganunseeingface。Shewatched，indeed，notaface，butaprocession，notofpeople，butoflifeitself:thegoodandbad；themeaning；thepast，thepresent，andthefuture。Allthisseemedapparenttoher，andshewasnotashamedofherextravagancesomuchasexaltedtooneofthepinnaclesofexistence，whereitbehovedtheworldtodoherhomage。
NoonebutsheherselfknewwhatitmeanttomissRalphDenhamonthatparticularnight；intothisinadequateeventcrowdedfeelingsthatthegreatcrisesoflifemighthavefailedtocallforth。Shehadmissedhim，andknewthebitternessofallfailure；shedesiredhim，andknewthetormentofallpassion。Itdidnotmatterwhattrivialaccidentsledtothisculmination。Nordidshecarehowextravagantsheappeared，norhowopenlysheshowedherfeelings。
WhenthedinnerwasreadyMarytoldhertocome，andshecamesubmissively，asifsheletMarydirecthermovementsforher。Theyateanddranktogetheralmostinsilence，andwhenMarytoldhertoeatmore，sheatemore；whenshewastoldtodrinkwine，shedrankit。
Nevertheless，beneaththissuperficialobedience，Maryknewthatshewasfollowingherownthoughtsunhindered。Shewasnotinattentivesomuchasremote；shelookedatoncesounseeingandsointentuponsomevisionofherownthatMarygraduallyfeltmorethanprotective——shebecameactuallyalarmedattheprospectofsomecollisionbetweenKatharineandtheforcesoftheoutsideworld。Directlytheyhaddone，Katharineannouncedherintentionofgoing。
“Butwhereareyougoingto？“Maryasked，desiringvaguelytohinderher。
“Oh，I\'mgoinghome——no，toHighgateperhaps。“
Marysawthatitwouldbeuselesstotrytostopher。Allshecoulddowastoinsistuponcomingtoo，butshemetwithnoopposition；
Katharineseemedindifferenttoherpresence。InafewminutestheywerewalkingalongtheStrand。TheywalkedsorapidlythatMarywasdeludedintothebeliefthatKatharineknewwhereshewasgoing。Sheherselfwasnotattentive。Shewasgladofthemovementalonglamp-litstreetsintheopenair。Shewasfingering，painfullyandwithfear，yetwithstrangehope，too，thediscoverywhichshehadstumbleduponunexpectedlythatnight。Shewasfreeoncemoreatthecostofagift，thebest，perhaps，thatshecouldoffer，butshewas，thankHeaven，inlovenolonger。Shewastemptedtospendthefirstinstalmentofherfreedominsomedissipation；inthepitoftheColiseum，forexample，sincetheywerenowpassingthedoor。Whynotgoinandcelebrateherindependenceofthetyrannyoflove？Or，perhaps，thetopofanomnibusboundforsomeremoteplacesuchasCamberwell，orSidcup，ortheWelshHarpwouldsuitherbetter。Shenoticedthesenamespaintedonlittleboardsforthefirsttimeforweeks。Orshouldshereturntoherroom，andspendthenightworkingoutthedetailsofaveryenlightenedandingeniousscheme？Ofallpossibilitiesthisappealedtohermost，andbroughttomindthefire，thelamplight，thesteadyglowwhichhadseemedlitintheplacewhereamorepassionateflamehadonceburnt。
NowKatharinestopped，andMarywoketothefactthatinsteadofhavingagoalshehadevidentlynone。Shepausedattheedgeofthecrossing，andlookedthiswayandthat，andfinallymadeasifinthedirectionofHaverstockHill。
“Lookhere——whereareyougoing？“Marycried，catchingherbythehand。“Wemusttakethatcabandgohome。“ShehailedacabandinsistedthatKatharineshouldgetin，whileshedirectedthedrivertotakethemtoCheyneWalk。
Katharinesubmitted。“Verywell，“shesaid。“Wemayaswellgothereasanywhereelse。“
Agloomseemedtohavefallenonher。Shelaybackinhercorner，silentandapparentlyexhausted。Mary，inspiteofherownpreoccupation，wasstruckbyherpallorandherattitudeofdejection。
“I\'msureweshallfindhim，“shesaidmoregentlythanshehadyetspoken。
“Itmaybetoolate，“Katharinereplied。Withoutunderstandingher，Marybegantopityherforwhatshewassuffering。
“Nonsense，“shesaid，takingherhandandrubbingit。“Ifwedon\'tfindhimthereweshallfindhimsomewhereelse。“
“Butsupposehe\'swalkingaboutthestreets——forhoursandhours？“
Sheleantforwardandlookedoutofthewindow。
“Hemayrefuseevertospeaktomeagain，“shesaidinalowvoice，almosttoherself。
TheexaggerationwassoimmensethatMarydidnotattempttocopewithit，savebykeepingholdofKatharine\'swrist。ShehalfexpectedthatKatharinemightopenthedoorsuddenlyandjumpout。PerhapsKatharineperceivedthepurposewithwhichherhandwasheld。
“Don\'tbefrightened，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh。“I\'mnotgoingtojumpoutofthecab。Itwouldn\'tdomuchgoodafterall。“
Uponthis，Maryostentatiouslywithdrewherhand。
“Ioughttohaveapologized，“Katharinecontinued，withaneffort，“forbringingyouintoallthisbusiness；Ihaven\'ttoldyouhalf，either。I\'mnolongerengagedtoWilliamRodney。HeistomarryCassandraOtway。It\'sallarranged——allperfectlyright……Andafterhe\'dwaitedinthestreetsforhoursandhours，Williammademebringhimin。Hewasstandingunderthelamp-postwatchingourwindows。Hewasperfectlywhitewhenhecameintotheroom。Williamleftusalone，andwesatandtalked。Itseemsagesandagesago，now。