Wasitlastnight？HaveIbeenoutlong？What\'sthetime？“Shesprangforwardtocatchsightofaclock，asiftheexacttimehadsomeimportantbearingonhercase。
“Onlyhalf-pasteight！“sheexclaimed。“Thenhemaybetherestill。“
Sheleantoutofthewindowandtoldthecabmantodrivefaster。
“Butifhe\'snotthere，whatshallIdo？WherecouldIfindhim？Thestreetsaresocrowded。“
“Weshallfindhim，“Maryrepeated。
Maryhadnodoubtbutthatsomehoworothertheywouldfindhim。Butsupposetheydidfindhim？ShebegantothinkofRalphwithasortofstrangeness，inherefforttounderstandhowhecouldbecapableofsatisfyingthisextraordinarydesire。Oncemoreshethoughtherselfbacktoheroldviewofhimandcould，withaneffort，recallthehazewhichsurroundedhisfigure，andthesenseofconfused，heightenedexhilarationwhichlayallabouthisneighborhood，sothatformonthsatatimeshehadneverexactlyheardhisvoiceorseenhisface——orsoitnowseemedtoher。Thepainofherlossshotthroughher。
Nothingwouldevermakeup——notsuccess，orhappiness，oroblivion。
Butthispangwasimmediatelyfollowedbytheassurancethatnow，atanyrate，sheknewthetruth；andKatharine，shethought，stealingalookather，didnotknowthetruth；yes，Katharinewasimmenselytobepitied。
Thecab，whichhadbeencaughtinthetraffic，wasnowliberatedandspedondownSloaneStreet。MarywasconsciousofthetensionwithwhichKatharinemarkeditsprogress，asifhermindwerefixeduponapointinfrontofthem，andmarked，secondbysecond，theirapproachtoit。Shesaidnothing，andinsilenceMarybegantofixhermind，insympathyatfirst，andlaterinforgetfulnessofhercompanion，uponapointinfrontofthem。Sheimaginedapointdistantasalowstaruponthehorizonofthedark。Thereforhertoo，forthemboth，wasthegoalforwhichtheywerestriving，andtheendfortheardorsoftheirspiritswasthesame:butwhereitwas，orwhatitwas，orwhyshefeltconvincedthattheywereunitedinsearchofit，astheydroveswiftlydownthestreetsofLondonsidebyside，shecouldnothavesaid。
“Atlast，“Katharinebreathed，asthecabdrewupatthedoor。Shejumpedoutandscannedthepavementoneitherside。Mary，meanwhile，rangthebell。ThedooropenedasKatharineassuredherselfthatnooneofthepeoplewithinviewhadanylikenesstoRalph。Onseeingher，themaidsaidatonce:
“Mr。Denhamcalledagain，miss。Hehasbeenwaitingforyouforsometime。“
KatharinevanishedfromMary\'ssight。Thedoorshutbetweenthem，andMarywalkedslowlyandthoughtfullyupthestreetalone。
Katharineturnedatoncetothedining-room。Butwithherfingersuponthehandle，sheheldback。Perhapssherealizedthatthiswasamomentwhichwouldnevercomeagain。Perhaps，forasecond，itseemedtoherthatnorealitycouldequaltheimaginationshehadformed。Perhapsshewasrestrainedbysomevaguefearoranticipation，whichmadeherdreadanyexchangeorinterruption。Butifthesedoubtsandfearsorthissupremeblissrestrainedher，itwasonlyforamoment。Inanothersecondshehadturnedthehandleand，bitingherliptocontrolherself，sheopenedthedooruponRalphDenham。Anextraordinaryclearnessofsightseemedtopossessheronbeholdinghim。Solittle，sosingle，soseparatefromallelseheappeared，whohadbeenthecauseoftheseextremeagitationsandaspirations。Shecouldhavelaughedinhisface。But，gaininguponthisclearnessofsightagainstherwill，andtoherdislike，wasafloodofconfusion，ofrelief，ofcertainty，ofhumility，ofdesirenolongertostriveandtodiscriminate，yieldingtowhich，sheletherselfsinkwithinhisarmsandconfessedherlove。
CHAPTERXXXII
NobodyaskedKatharineanyquestionsnextday。Ifcross-examinedshemighthavesaidthatnobodyspoketoher。Sheworkedalittle，wrotealittle，orderedthedinner，andsat，forlongerthansheknew，withherheadonherhandpiercingwhateverlaybeforeher，whetheritwasaletteroradictionary，asifitwereafilmuponthedeepprospectsthatrevealedthemselvestoherkindlingandbroodingeyes。Sheroseonce，andgoingtothebookcase，tookoutherfather\'sGreekdictionaryandspreadthesacredpagesofsymbolsandfiguresbeforeher。Shesmoothedthesheetswithamixtureofaffectionateamusementandhope。Wouldothereyeslookonthemwithheroneday？Thethought，longintolerable，wasnowjustbearable。
Shewasquiteunawareoftheanxietywithwhichhermovementswerewatchedandherexpressionscanned。Cassandrawascarefulnottobecaughtlookingather，andtheirconversationwassoprosaicthatwereitnotforcertainjoltsandjerksbetweenthesentences，asifthemindwerekeptwithdifficultytotherails，Mrs。Milvainherselfcouldhavedetectednothingofasuspiciousnatureinwhatsheoverheard。
William，whenhecameinlatethatafternoonandfoundCassandraalone，hadaveryseriouspieceofnewstoimpart。HehadjustpassedKatharineinthestreetandshehadfailedtorecognizehim。
“Thatdoesn\'tmatterwithme，ofcourse，butsupposeithappenedwithsomebodyelse？Whatwouldtheythink？Theywouldsuspectsomethingmerelyfromherexpression。Shelooked——shelooked“——hehesitated——
“likesomeonewalkinginhersleep。“
ToCassandrathesignificantthingwasthatKatharinehadgoneoutwithouttellingher，andsheinterpretedthistomeanthatshehadgoneouttomeetRalphDenham。ButtohersurpriseWilliamdrewnocomfortfromthisprobability。
“Oncethrowconventionsaside，“hebegan，“oncedothethingsthatpeopledon\'tdo——“andthefactthatyouaregoingtomeetayoungmanisnolongerproofofanything，except，indeed，thatpeoplewilltalk。
Cassandrasaw，notwithoutapangofjealousy，thathewasextremelysolicitousthatpeopleshouldnottalkaboutKatharine，asifhisinterestinherwerestillproprietaryratherthanfriendly。AstheywerebothignorantofRalph\'svisitthenightbeforetheyhadnotthatreasontocomfortthemselveswiththethoughtthatmatterswerehasteningtoacrisis。TheseabsencesofKatharine\'s，moreover，leftthemexposedtointerruptionswhichalmostdestroyedtheirpleasureinbeingalonetogether。Therainyeveningmadeitimpossibletogoout；
and，indeed，accordingtoWilliam\'scode，itwasconsiderablymoredamningtobeseenoutofdoorsthansurprisedwithin。TheyweresomuchatthemercyofbellsanddoorsthattheycouldhardlytalkofMacaulaywithanyconviction，andWilliampreferredtodeferthesecondactofhistragedyuntilanotherday。
UnderthesecircumstancesCassandrashowedherselfatherbest。ShesympathizedwithWilliam\'sanxietiesanddidherutmosttosharethem；
butstill，tobealonetogether，toberunningriskstogether，tobepartnersinthewonderfulconspiracy，wastohersoenthrallingthatshewasalwaysforgettingdiscretion，breakingoutintoexclamationsandadmirationswhichfinallymadeWilliambelievethat，althoughdeplorableandupsetting，thesituationwasnotwithoutitssweetness。
Whenthedoordidopen，hestarted，butbravedtheforthcomingrevelation。ItwasnotMrs。Milvain，however，butKatharineherselfwhoentered，closelyfollowedbyRalphDenham。Withasetexpressionwhichshowedwhataneffortshewasmaking，Katharineencounteredtheireyes，andsaying，“We\'renotgoingtointerruptyou，“sheledDenhambehindthecurtainwhichhunginfrontoftheroomwiththerelics。Thisrefugewasnoneofherwilling，butconfrontedwithwetpavementsandonlysomebelatedmuseumorTubestationforshelter，shewasforced，forRalph\'ssake，tofacethediscomfortsofherownhouse。Underthestreetlampsshehadthoughthimlookingbothtiredandstrained。
Thusseparated，thetwocouplesremainedoccupiedforsometimewiththeirownaffairs。Onlythelowestmurmurspenetratedfromonesectionoftheroomtotheother。AtlengththemaidcameintobringamessagethatMr。Hilberywouldnotbehomefordinner。ItwastruethattherewasnoneedthatKatharineshouldbeinformed，butWilliambegantoinquireCassandra\'sopinioninsuchawayastoshowthat，withorwithoutreason，hewishedverymuchtospeaktoher。
FrommotivesofherownCassandradissuadedhim。
“Butdon\'tyouthinkit\'salittleunsociable？“hehazarded。“Whynotdosomethingamusing？——gototheplay，forinstance？WhynotaskKatharineandRalph，eh？“ThecouplingoftheirnamesinthismannercausedCassandra\'shearttoleapwithpleasure。
“Don\'tyouthinktheymustbe——？“shebegan，butWilliamhastilytookherup。
“Oh，Iknownothingaboutthat。Ionlythoughtwemightamuseourselves，asyouruncle\'sout。“
Heproceededonhisembassywithamixtureofexcitementandembarrassmentwhichcausedhimtoturnasidewithhishandonthecurtain，andtoexamineintentlyforseveralmomentstheportraitofalady，optimisticallysaidbyMrs。HilberytobeanearlyworkofSirJoshuaReynolds。Then，withsomeunnecessaryfumbling，hedrewasidethecurtain，andwithhiseyesfixedupontheground，repeatedhismessageandsuggestedthattheyshouldallspendtheeveningattheplay。Katharineacceptedthesuggestionwithsuchcordialitythatitwasstrangetofindherofnoclearmindastotheprecisespectacleshewishedtosee。SheleftthechoiceentirelytoRalphandWilliam，who，takingcounselfraternallyoveraneveningpaper，foundthemselvesinagreementastothemeritsofamusic-hall。Thisbeingarranged，everythingelsefollowedeasilyandenthusiastically。
Cassandrahadneverbeentoamusic-hall。KatharineinstructedherinthepeculiardelightsofanentertainmentwherePolarbearsfollowdirectlyuponladiesinfulleveningdress，andthestageisalternatelyagardenofmystery，amilliner\'sband-box，andafried-
fishshopintheMileEndRoad。Whatevertheexactnatureoftheprogramthatnight，itfulfilledthehighestpurposesofdramaticart，sofar，atleast，asfouroftheaudiencewereconcerned。
Nodoubttheactorsandtheauthorswouldhavebeensurprisedtolearninwhatshapetheireffortsreachedthoseparticulareyesandears；
buttheycouldnothavedeniedthattheeffectasawholewastremendous。Thehallresoundedwithbrassandstrings，alternatelyofenormouspompandmajesty，andthenofsweetestlamentation。Theredsandcreamsofthebackground，thelyresandharpsandurnsandskulls，theprotuberancesofplaster，thefringesofscarletplush，thesinkingandblazingofinnumerableelectriclights，couldscarcelyhavebeensurpassedfordecorativeeffectbyanycraftsmanoftheancientormodernworld。
Thentherewastheaudienceitself，bare-shouldered，tuftedandgarlandedinthestalls，decorousbutfestalinthebalconies，andfranklyfitfordaylightandstreetlifeinthegalleries。But，howevertheydifferedwhenlookedatseparately，theysharedthesamehuge，lovablenatureinthebulk，whichmurmuredandswayedandquiveredallthetimethedancingandjugglingandlove-makingwentoninfrontofit，slowlylaughedandreluctantlyleftofflaughing，andapplaudedwithahelter-skeltergenerositywhichsometimesbecameunanimousandoverwhelming。OnceWilliamsawKatharineleaningforwardandclappingherhandswithanabandonmentthatstartledhim。Herlaughrangoutwiththelaughteroftheaudience。
Forasecondhewaspuzzled，asifthislaughterdisclosedsomethingthathehadneversuspectedinher。ButthenCassandra\'sfacecaughthiseye，gazingwithastonishmentatthebuffoon，notlaughing，toodeeplyintentandsurprisedtolaughatwhatshesaw，andforsomemomentshewatchedherasifshewereachild。
Theperformancecametoanend，theillusiondyingoutfirsthereandthenthere，assomerosetoputontheircoats，othersstooduprighttosalute“GodSavetheKing，“themusiciansfoldedtheirmusicandencasedtheirinstruments，andthelightssankonebyoneuntilthehousewasempty，silent，andfullofgreatshadows。LookingbackoverhershoulderasshefollowedRalphthroughtheswingdoors，Cassandramarveledtoseehowthestagewasalreadyentirelywithoutromance。
But，shewondered，didtheyreallycoveralltheseatsinbrownhollandeverynight？
Thesuccessofthisentertainmentwassuchthatbeforetheyseparatedanotherexpeditionhadbeenplannedforthenextday。ThenextdaywasSaturday；thereforebothWilliamandRalphwerefreetodevotethewholeafternoontoanexpeditiontoGreenwich，whichCassandrahadneverseen，andKatharineconfusedwithDulwich。OnthisoccasionRalphwastheirguide。HebroughtthemwithoutaccidenttoGreenwich。
WhatexigenciesofstateorfantasiesofimaginationfirstgavebirthtotheclusterofpleasantplacesbywhichLondonissurroundedismatterofindifferencenowthattheyhaveadaptedthemselvessoadmirablytotheneedsofpeoplebetweentheagesoftwentyandthirtywithSaturdayafternoonstospend。Indeed，ifghostshaveanyinterestintheaffectionsofthosewhosucceedthemtheymustreaptheirrichestharvestswhenthefineweathercomesagainandthelovers，thesightseers，andtheholiday-makerspourthemselvesoutoftrainsandomnibusesintotheiroldpleasure-grounds。Itistruethattheygo，forthemostpart，unthankedbyname，althoughuponthisoccasionWilliamwasreadytogivesuchdiscriminatingpraiseasthedeadarchitectsandpaintersreceivedseldominthecourseoftheyear。
Theywerewalkingbytheriverbank，andKatharineandRalph，laggingalittlebehind，caughtfragmentsofhislecture。Katharinesmiledatthesoundofhisvoice；shelistenedasifshefounditalittleunfamiliar，intimatelythoughsheknewit；shetestedit。Thenoteofassuranceandhappinesswasnew。Williamwasveryhappy。Shelearnteveryhourwhatsourcesofhishappinessshehadneglected。Shehadneveraskedhimtoteachheranything；shehadneverconsentedtoreadMacaulay；shehadneverexpressedherbeliefthathisplaywassecondonlytotheworksofShakespeare。Shefolloweddreamilyintheirwake，smilinganddelightinginthesoundwhichconveyed，sheknew，therapturousandyetnotservileassentofCassandra。
Thenshemurmured，“HowcanCassandra——“butchangedhersentencetotheoppositeofwhatshemeanttosayandended，“howcouldsheherselfhavebeensoblind？“ButitwasunnecessarytofollowoutsuchriddleswhenthepresenceofRalphsuppliedherwithmoreinterestingproblems，whichsomehowbecameinvolvedwiththelittleboatcrossingtheriver，themajesticandcarewornCity，andthesteamershomecomingwiththeirtreasury，orstartinginsearchofit，sothatinfiniteleisurewouldbenecessaryfortheproperdisentanglementofonefromtheother。Hestopped，moreover，andbeganinquiringofanoldboatmanastothetidesandtheships。Inthustalkingheseemeddifferent，andevenlookeddifferent，shethought，againsttheriver，withthesteeplesandtowersforbackground。Hisstrangeness，hisromance，hispowertoleavehersideandtakepartintheaffairsofmen，thepossibilitythattheyshouldtogetherhireaboatandcrosstheriver，thespeedandwildnessofthisenterprisefilledhermindandinspiredherwithsuchrapture，halfofloveandhalfofadventure，thatWilliamandCassandrawerestartledfromtheirtalk，andCassandraexclaimed，“Shelooksasifshewereofferingupasacrifice！Verybeautiful，“sheaddedquickly，thoughsherepressed，indeferencetoWilliam，herownwonderthatthesightofRalphDenhamtalkingtoaboatmanonthebanksoftheThamescouldmoveanyonetosuchanattitudeofadoration。
Thatafternoon，whatwithteaandthecuriositiesoftheThamestunnelandtheunfamiliarityofthestreets，passedsoquicklythattheonlymethodofprolongingitwastoplananotherexpeditionforthefollowingday。HamptonCourtwasdecidedupon，inpreferencetoHampstead，forthoughCassandrahaddreamtasachildofthebrigandsofHampstead，shehadnowtransferredheraffectionscompletelyandforevertoWilliamIII。Accordingly，theyarrivedatHamptonCourtaboutlunch-timeonafineSundaymorning。Suchunitymarkedtheirexpressionsofadmirationforthered-brickbuildingthattheymighthavecometherefornootherpurposethantoassureeachotherthatthispalacewasthestateliestpalaceintheworld。TheywalkedupanddowntheTerrace，fourabreast，andfanciedthemselvestheownersoftheplace，andcalculatedtheamountofgoodtotheworldproducedindubitablybysuchatenancy。
“Theonlyhopeforus，“saidKatharine，“isthatWilliamshalldie，andCassandrashallbegivenroomsasthewidowofadistinguishedpoet。“
“Or——“Cassandrabegan，butcheckedherselffromthelibertyofenvisagingKatharineasthewidowofadistinguishedlawyer。Uponthis，thethirddayofjunketing，itwastiresometohavetorestrainoneselfevenfromsuchinnocentexcursionsoffancy。ShedarednotquestionWilliam；hewasinscrutable；heneverseemedeventofollowtheothercouplewithcuriositywhentheyseparated，astheyfrequentlydid，tonameaplant，orexamineafresco。Cassandrawasconstantlystudyingtheirbacks。ShenoticedhowsometimestheimpulsetomovecamefromKatharine，andsometimesfromRalph；how，sometimes，theywalkedslow，asifinprofoundintercourse，andsometimesfast，asifinpassionate。Whentheycametogetheragainnothingcouldbemoreunconcernedthantheirmanner。
“Wehavebeenwonderingwhethertheyevercatchafish……“or，“WemustleavetimetovisittheMaze。“Then，topuzzleherfurther，WilliamandRalphfilledinallintersticesofmeal-timesorrailwayjourneyswithperfectlygood-temperedarguments；ortheydiscussedpolitics，ortheytoldstories，ortheydidsumstogetheruponthebacksofoldenvelopestoprovesomething。ShesuspectedthatKatharinewasabsent-minded，butitwasimpossibletotell。ThereweremomentswhenshefeltsoyoungandinexperiencedthatshealmostwishedherselfbackwiththesilkwormsatStogdonHouse，andnotembarkeduponthisbewilderingintrigue。
Thesemoments，however，wereonlythenecessaryshadoworchillwhichprovedthesubstanceofherbliss，anddidnotdamagetheradiancewhichseemedtorestequallyuponthewholeparty。Thefreshairofspring，theskywashedofcloudsandalreadysheddingwarmthfromitsblue，seemedthereplyvouchsafedbynaturetothemoodofherchosenspirits。Thesechosenspiritsweretobefoundalsoamongthedeer，dumblybasking，andamongthefish，setstillinmid-stream，fortheyweremutesharersinabenignantstatenotneedinganyexpositionbythetongue。NowordsthatCassandracouldcomebyexpressedthestillness，thebrightness，theairofexpectancywhichlayupontheorderlybeautyofthegrasswalksandgravelpathsdownwhichtheywentwalkingfourabreastthatSundayafternoon。Silentlytheshadowsofthetreeslayacrossthebroadsunshine；silencewraptherheartinitsfolds。Thequiveringstillnessofthebutterflyonthehalf-openedflower，thesilentgrazingofthedeerinthesun，werethesightshereyeresteduponandreceivedastheimagesofherownnaturelaidopentohappinessandtremblinginitsecstasy。
Buttheafternoonworeon，anditbecametimetoleavethegardens。AstheydrovefromWaterlootoChelsea，Katharinebegantohavesomecompunctionaboutherfather，which，togetherwiththeopeningofofficesandtheneedofworkinginthemonMonday，madeitdifficulttoplananotherfestivalforthefollowingday。Mr。Hilberyhadtakentheirabsence，sofar，withpaternalbenevolence，buttheycouldnottrespassuponitindefinitely。Indeed，hadtheyknownit，hewasalreadysufferingfromtheirabsence，andlongingfortheirreturn。
Hehadnodislikeofsolitude，andSunday，inparticular，waspleasantlyadaptedforletter-writing，payingcalls，oravisittohisclub。Hewasleavingthehouseonsomesuchsuitableexpeditiontowardstea-timewhenhefoundhimselfstoppedonhisowndoorstepbyhissister，Mrs。Milvain。Sheshould，onhearingthatnoonewasathome，havewithdrawnsubmissively，butinsteadsheacceptedhishalf-heartedinvitationtocomein，andhefoundhimselfinthemelancholypositionofbeingforcedtoorderteaforherandsitinthedrawing-roomwhileshedrankit。Shespeedilymadeitplainthatshewasonlythusexactingbecauseshehadcomeonamatterofbusiness。Hewasbynomeansexhilaratedatthenews。
“Katharineisoutthisafternoon，“heremarked。“Whynotcomeroundlateranddiscussitwithher——withusboth，eh？“
“MydearTrevor，Ihaveparticularreasonsforwishingtotalktoyoualone……WhereisKatharine？“
“She\'soutwithheryoungman，naturally。Cassandraplaysthepartofchaperoneveryusefully。Acharmingyoungwomanthat——agreatfavoriteofmine。“Heturnedhisstonebetweenhisfingers，andconceiveddifferentmethodsofleadingCeliaawayfromherobsession，which，hesupposed，musthavereferencetothedomesticaffairsofCyrilasusual。
“WithCassandra，“Mrs。Milvainrepeatedsignificantly。“WithCassandra。“
“Yes，withCassandra，“Mr。Hilberyagreedurbanely，pleasedatthediversion。“IthinktheysaidtheyweregoingtoHamptonCourt，andI
ratherbelievetheyweretakingaprotegeofmine，RalphDenham，averycleverfellow，too，toamuseCassandra。Ithoughtthearrangementverysuitable。“Hewaspreparedtodwellatsomelengthuponthissafetopic，andtrustedthatKatharinewouldcomeinbeforehehaddonewithit。
“HamptonCourtalwaysseemstomeanidealspotforengagedcouples。
There\'stheMaze，there\'saniceplaceforhavingtea——Iforgetwhattheycallit——andthen，iftheyoungmanknowshisbusinesshecontrivestotakehisladyupontheriver。Fullofpossibilities——full。Cake，Celia？“Mr。Hilberycontinued。“Irespectmydinnertoomuch，butthatcan\'tpossiblyapplytoyou。You\'veneverobservedthatfeast，sofarasIcanremember。“
Herbrother\'saffabilitydidnotdeceiveMrs。Milvain；itslightlysaddenedher；shewellknewthecauseofit。Blindandinfatuatedasusual！
“WhoisthisMr。Denham？“sheasked。
“RalphDenham？“saidMr。Hilbery，inreliefthathermindhadtakenthisturn。“Averyinterestingyoungman。I\'veagreatbeliefinhim。
He\'sanauthorityuponourmediaevalinstitutions，andifheweren\'tforcedtoearnhislivinghewouldwriteabookthatverymuchwantswriting——“
“Heisnotwelloff，then？“Mrs。Milvaininterposed。
“Hasn\'tapenny，I\'mafraid，andafamilymoreorlessdependentonhim。“
“Amotherandsisters？——Hisfatherisdead？“
“Yes，hisfatherdiedsomeyearsago，“saidMr。Hilbery，whowaspreparedtodrawuponhisimagination，ifnecessary，tokeepMrs。
MilvainsuppliedwithfactsabouttheprivatehistoryofRalphDenhamsince，forsomeinscrutablereason，thesubjecttookherfancy。
“Hisfatherhasbeendeadsometime，andthisyoungmanhadtotakehisplace——“
“Alegalfamily？“Mrs。Milvaininquired。“IfancyI\'veseenthenamesomewhere。“
Mr。Hilberyshookhishead。“Ishouldbeinclinedtodoubtwhethertheywerealtogetherinthatwalkoflife，“heobserved。“IfancythatDenhamoncetoldmethathisfatherwasacornmerchant。Perhapshesaidastockbroker。Hecametogrief，anyhow，asstockbrokershaveawayofdoing。I\'veagreatrespectforDenham，“headded。Theremarksoundedtohisearsunfortunatelyconclusive，andhewasafraidthattherewasnothingmoretobesaidaboutDenham。Heexaminedthetipsofhisfingerscarefully。“Cassandra\'sgrownintoaverycharmingyoungwoman，“hestartedafresh。“Charmingtolookat，andcharmingtotalkto，thoughherhistoricalknowledgeisnotaltogetherprofound。
Anothercupoftea？“
Mrs。Milvainhadgivenhercupalittlepush，whichseemedtoindicatesomemomentarydispleasure。Butshedidnotwantanymoretea。
“ItisCassandrathatIhavecomeabout，“shebegan。“IamverysorrytosaythatCassandraisnotatallwhatyouthinkher，Trevor。ShehasimposeduponyourandMaggie\'sgoodness。Shehasbehavedinawaythatwouldhaveseemedincredible——inthishouseofallhouses——wereitnotforothercircumstancesthatarestillmoreincredible。“
Mr。Hilberylookedtakenaback，andwassilentforasecond。
“Itallsoundsveryblack，“heremarkedurbanely，continuinghisexaminationofhisfinger-nails。“ButIownIamcompletelyinthedark。“
Mrs。Milvainbecamerigid，andemittedhermessageinlittleshortsentencesofextremeintensity。
“WhohasCassandragoneoutwith？WilliamRodney。WhohasKatharinegoneoutwith？RalphDenham。Whyaretheyforevermeetingeachotherroundstreetcorners，andgoingtomusic-halls，andtakingcabslateatnight？WhywillKatharinenottellmethetruthwhenIquestionher？Iunderstandthereasonnow。Katharinehasentangledherselfwiththisunknownlawyer；shehasseenfittocondoneCassandra\'sconduct。“
Therewasanotherslightpause。
“Ah，well，Katharinewillnodoubthavesomeexplanationtogiveme，“
Mr。Hilberyrepliedimperturbably。“It\'salittletoocomplicatedformetotakeinallatonce，Iconfess——and，ifyouwon\'tthinkmerude，Celia，IthinkI\'llbegettingalongtowardsKnightsbridge。“
Mrs。Milvainroseatonce。
“ShehascondonedCassandra\'sconductandentangledherselfwithRalphDenham，“sherepeated。Shestoodveryerectwiththedauntlessairofonetestifyingtothetruthregardlessofconsequences。Sheknewfrompastdiscussionsthattheonlywaytocounterherbrother\'sindolenceandindifferencewastoshootherstatementsathiminacompressedformoncefinallyuponleavingtheroom。Havingspokenthus，sherestrainedherselffromaddinganotherword，andleftthehousewiththedignityofoneinspiredbyagreatideal。
ShehadcertainlyframedherremarksinsuchawayastopreventherbrotherfrompayinghiscallintheregionofKnightsbridge。HehadnofearsforKatharine，buttherewasasuspicionatthebackofhismindthatCassandramighthavebeen，innocentlyandignorantly，ledintosomefoolishsituationinoneoftheirunshepherdeddissipations。Hiswifewasanerraticjudgeoftheconventions；hehimselfwaslazy；andwithKatharineabsorbed，verynaturally——Hereherecalled，aswellashecould，theexactnatureofthecharge。“ShehascondonedCassandra\'sconductandentangledherselfwithRalphDenham。“FromwhichitappearedthatKatharinewasNOTabsorbed，orwhichofthemwasitthathadentangledherselfwithRalphDenham？FromthismazeofabsurdityMr。HilberysawnowayoutuntilKatharineherselfcametohishelp，sothatheappliedhimself，veryphilosophicallyonthewhole，toabook。
NosoonerhadheheardtheyoungpeoplecomeinandgoupstairsthanhesentamaidtotellMissKatharinethathewishedtospeaktoherinthestudy。Shewasslippingfurslooselyontothefloorinthedrawing-roominfrontofthefire。Theywereallgatheredround，reluctanttopart。ThemessagefromherfathersurprisedKatharine，andtheotherscaughtfromherlook，assheturnedtogo，avaguesenseofapprehension。
Mr。Hilberywasreassuredbythesightofher。Hecongratulatedhimself，hepridedhimself，uponpossessingadaughterwhohadasenseofresponsibilityandanunderstandingoflifeprofoundbeyondheryears。Moreover，shewaslookingto-dayunusual；hehadcometotakeherbeautyforgranted；nowheremembereditandwassurprisedbyit。
HethoughtinstinctivelythathehadinterruptedsomehappyhourofherswithRodney，andapologized。
“I\'msorrytobotheryou，mydear。Iheardyoucomein，andthoughtI\'dbettermakemyselfdisagreeableatonce——asitseems，unfortunately，thatfathersareexpectedtomakethemselvesdisagreeable。Now，yourAuntCeliahasbeentoseeme；yourAuntCeliahastakenitintoherheadapparentlythatyouandCassandrahavebeen——letussayalittlefoolish。Thisgoingabouttogether——thesepleasantlittleparties——there\'sbeensomekindofmisunderstanding。I
toldherIsawnoharminit，butIshouldjustliketohearfromyourself。HasCassandrabeenleftalittletoomuchinthecompanyofMr。Denham？“
Katharinedidnotreplyatonce，andMr。Hilberytappedthecoalencouraginglywiththepoker。Thenshesaid，withoutembarrassmentorapology:
“Idon\'tseewhyIshouldanswerAuntCelia\'squestions。I\'vetoldheralreadythatIwon\'t。“
Mr。Hilberywasrelievedandsecretlyamusedatthethoughtoftheinterview，althoughhecouldnotlicensesuchirreverenceoutwardly。
“Verygood。Thenyouauthorizemetotellherthatshe\'sbeenmistaken，andtherewasnothingbutalittlefuninit？You\'venodoubt，Katharine，inyourownmind？Cassandraisinourcharge，andI
don\'tintendthatpeopleshouldgossipabouther。Isuggestthatyoushouldbealittlemorecarefulinfuture。Invitemetoyournextentertainment。“
Shedidnotrespond，ashehadhoped，withanyaffectionateorhumorousreply。Shemeditated，ponderingsomethingorother，andhereflectedthatevenhisKatharinedidnotdifferfromotherwomeninthecapacitytoletthingsbe。Orhadshesomethingtosay？
“Haveyouaguiltyconscience？“heinquiredlightly。“Tellme，Katharine，“hesaidmoreseriously，struckbysomethingintheexpressionofhereyes。
“I\'vebeenmeaningtotellyouforsometime，“shesaid，“I\'mnotgoingtomarryWilliam。“
“You\'renotgoing——！“heexclaimed，droppingthepokerinhisimmensesurprise。“Why？When？Explainyourself，Katharine。“
“Oh，sometimeago——aweek，perhapsmore。“Katharinespokehurriedlyandindifferently，asifthemattercouldnolongerconcernanyone。
“ButmayIask——whyhaveInotbeentoldofthis——whatdoyoumeanbyit？“
“Wedon\'twishtobemarried——that\'sall。“
“ThisisWilliam\'swishaswellasyours？“
“Oh，yes。Weagreeperfectly。“
Mr。Hilberyhadseldomfeltmorecompletelyataloss。HethoughtthatKatharinewastreatingthematterwithcuriousunconcern；shescarcelyseemedawareofthegravityofwhatshewassaying；hedidnotunderstandthepositionatall。Buthisdesiretosmootheverythingovercomfortablycametohisrelief。Nodoubttherewassomequarrel，somewhimseyonthepartofWilliam，who，thoughagoodfellow，wasalittleexactingsometimes——somethingthatawomancouldputright。Butthoughheinclinedtotaketheeasiestviewofhisresponsibilities，hecaredtoomuchforthisdaughtertoletthingsbe。
“IconfessIfindgreatdifficultyinfollowingyou。IshouldliketohearWilliam\'ssideofthestory，“hesaidirritably。“Ithinkheoughttohavespokentomeinthefirstinstance。“
“Iwouldn\'tlethim，“saidKatharine。“Iknowitmustseemtoyouverystrange，“sheadded。“ButIassureyou，ifyou\'dwaitalittle——untilmothercomesback。“
ThisappealfordelaywasmuchtoMr。Hilbery\'sliking。Buthisconsciencewouldnotsufferit。Peopleweretalking。Hecouldnotendurethathisdaughter\'sconductshouldbeinanywayconsideredirregular。Hewonderedwhether，inthecircumstances，itwouldbebettertowiretohiswife，tosendforoneofhissisters，toforbidWilliamthehouse，topackCassandraoffhome——forhewasvaguelyconsciousofresponsibilitiesinherdirection，too。Hisforeheadwasbecomingmoreandmorewrinkledbythemultiplicityofhisanxieties，whichhewassorelytemptedtoaskKatharinetosolveforhim，whenthedooropenedandWilliamRodneyappeared。Thisnecessitatedacompletechange，notonlyofmanner，butofpositionalso。
“Here\'sWilliam，“Katharineexclaimed，inatoneofrelief。“I\'vetoldfatherwe\'renotengaged，“shesaidtohim。“I\'veexplainedthatI
preventedyoufromtellinghim。“
William\'smannerwasmarkedbytheutmostformality。HebowedveryslightlyinthedirectionofMr。Hilbery，andstooderect，holdingonelapelofhiscoat，andgazingintothecenterofthefire。HewaitedforMr。Hilberytospeak。
Mr。Hilberyalsoassumedanappearanceofformidabledignity。Hehadrisentohisfeet，andnowbentthetoppartofhisbodyslightlyforward。
“Ishouldlikeyouraccountofthisaffair，Rodney——ifKatharinenolongerpreventsyoufromspeaking。“
Williamwaitedtwosecondsatleast。
“Ourengagementisatanend，“hesaid，withtheutmoststiffness。
“Hasthisbeenarrivedatbyyourjointdesire？“
AfteraperceptiblepauseWilliambenthishead，andKatharinesaid，asifbyanafterthought:
“Oh，yes。“
Mr。Hilberyswayedtoandfro，andmovedhislipsasiftoutterremarkswhichremainedunspoken。
“Icanonlysuggestthatyoushouldpostponeanydecisionuntiltheeffectofthismisunderstandinghashadtimetowearoff。Youhavenowknowneachother——“hebegan。
“There\'sbeennomisunderstanding，“Katharineinterposed。“Nothingatall。“Shemovedafewpacesacrosstheroom，asifsheintendedtoleavethem。Herpreoccupiednaturalnesswasinstrangecontrasttoherfather\'spomposityandtoWilliam\'smilitaryrigidity。Hehadnotonceraisedhiseyes。Katharine\'sglance，ontheotherhand，rangedpastthetwogentlemen，alongthebooks，overthetables，towardsthedoor。
Shewaspayingtheleastpossibleattention，itseemed，towhatwashappening。Herfatherlookedatherwithasuddencloudingandtroublingofhisexpression。Somehowhisfaithinherstabilityandsensewasqueerlyshaken。Henolongerfeltthathecouldultimatelyentrustherwiththewholeconductofherownaffairsafterasuperficialshowofdirectingthem。Hefelt，forthefirsttimeinmanyyears，responsibleforher。
“Lookhere，wemustgettothebottomofthis，“hesaid，droppinghisformalmannerandaddressingRodneyasifKatharinewerenotpresent。
“You\'vehadsomedifferenceofopinion，eh？Takemywordforit，mostpeoplegothroughthissortofthingwhenthey\'reengaged。I\'veseenmoretroublecomefromlongengagementsthanfromanyotherformofhumanfolly。Takemyadviceandputthewholematteroutofyourminds——bothofyou。Iprescribeacompleteabstinencefromemotion。
Visitsomecheerfulseasideresort，Rodney。“
HewasstruckbyWilliam\'sappearance，whichseemedtohimtoindicateprofoundfeelingresolutelyheldincheck。Nodoubt，hereflected，Katharinehadbeenverytrying，unconsciouslytrying，andhaddrivenhimtotakeupapositionwhichwasnoneofhiswilling。Mr。HilberycertainlydidnotoverrateWilliam\'ssufferings。Nominutesinhislifehadhithertoextortedfromhimsuchintensityofanguish。Hewasnowfacingtheconsequencesofhisinsanity。HemustconfesshimselfentirelyandfundamentallyotherthanMr。Hilberythoughthim。
Everythingwasagainsthim。EventheSundayeveningandthefireandthetranquillibraryscenewereagainsthim。Mr。Hilbery\'sappealtohimasamanoftheworldwasterriblyagainsthim。HewasnolongeramanofanyworldthatMr。Hilberycaredtorecognize。Butsomepowercompelledhim，asithadcompelledhimtocomedownstairs，tomakehisstandhereandnow，aloneandunhelpedbyanyone，withoutprospectofreward。Hefumbledwithvariousphrases；andthenjerkedout:
“IloveCassandra。“
Mr。Hilbery\'sfaceturnedacuriousdullpurple。Helookedathisdaughter。Henoddedhishead，asiftoconveyhissilentcommandtohertoleavetheroom；buteithershedidnotnoticeitorpreferrednottoobey。
“Youhavetheimpudence——“Mr。Hilberybegan，inadull，lowvoicethathehimselfhadneverheardbefore，whentherewasascufflingandexclaiminginthehall，andCassandra，whoappearedtobeinsistingagainstsomedissuasiononthepartofanother，burstintotheroom。
“UncleTrevor，“sheexclaimed，“Iinsistupontellingyouthetruth！“
SheflungherselfbetweenRodneyandheruncle，asifshesoughttointercepttheirblows。Asherunclestoodperfectlystill，lookingverylargeandimposing，andasnobodyspoke，sheshrankbackalittle，andlookedfirstatKatharineandthenatRodney。“Youmustknowthetruth，“shesaid，alittlelamely。
“YouhavetheimpudencetotellmethisinKatharine\'spresence？“Mr。
Hilberycontinued，speakingwithcompletedisregardofCassandra\'sinterruption。
“Iamaware，quiteaware——“Rodney\'swords，whichwerebrokeninsense，spokenafterapause，andwithhiseyesupontheground，neverthelessexpressedanastonishingamountofresolution。“Iamquiteawarewhatyoumustthinkofme，“hebroughtout，lookingMr。
Hilberydirectlyintheeyesforthefirsttime。
“Icouldexpressmyviewsonthesubjectmorefullyifwewerealone，“
Mr。Hilberyreturned。
“Butyouforgetme，“saidKatharine。ShemovedalittletowardsRodney，andhermovementseemedtotestifymutelytoherrespectforhim，andheralliancewithhim。“IthinkWilliamhasbehavedperfectlyrightly，and，afterall，itisIwhoamconcerned——IandCassandra。“
Cassandra，too，gaveanindescribablyslightmovementwhichseemedtodrawthethreeofthemintoalliancetogether。Katharine\'stoneandglancemadeMr。Hilberyoncemorefeelcompletelyataloss，andinaddition，painfullyandangrilyobsolete；butinspiteofanawfulinnerhollownesshewasoutwardlycomposed。
“CassandraandRodneyhaveaperfectrighttosettletheirownaffairsaccordingtotheirownwishes；butIseenoreasonwhytheyshoulddosoeitherinmyroomorinmyhouse……Iwishtobequiteclearonthispoint，however；youarenolongerengagedtoRodney。“
Hepaused，andhispauseseemedtosignifythathewasextremelythankfulforhisdaughter\'sdeliverance。
CassandraturnedtoKatharine，whodrewherbreathasiftospeakandcheckedherself；Rodney，too，seemedtoawaitsomemovementonherpart；herfatherglancedatherasifhehalfanticipatedsomefurtherrevelation。Sheremainedperfectlysilent。Inthesilencetheyhearddistinctlystepsdescendingthestaircase，andKatharinewentstraighttothedoor。
“Wait，“Mr。Hilberycommanded。“Iwishtospeaktoyou——alone，“headded。
Shepaused，holdingthedoorajar。
“I\'llcomeback，“shesaid，andasshespokesheopenedthedoorandwentout。Theycouldhearherimmediatelyspeaktosomeoneoutside，thoughthewordswereinaudible。
Mr。Hilberywasleftconfrontingtheguiltycouple，whoremainedstandingasiftheydidnotaccepttheirdismissal，andthedisappearanceofKatharinehadbroughtsomechangeintothesituation。
So，inhissecretheart，Mr。Hilberyfeltthatithad，forhecouldnotexplainhisdaughter\'sbehaviortohisownsatisfaction。
“UncleTrevor，“Cassandraexclaimedimpulsively，“don\'tbeangry，please。Icouldn\'thelpit；Idobegyoutoforgiveme。“
Herunclestillrefusedtoacknowledgeheridentity，andstilltalkedoverherheadasifshedidnotexist。
“IsupposeyouhavecommunicatedwiththeOtways，“hesaidtoRodneygrimly。
“UncleTrevor，wewantedtotellyou，“Cassandrarepliedforhim。“Wewaited——“shelookedappealinglyatRodney，whoshookhisheadeversoslightly。
“Yes？Whatwereyouwaitingfor？“heruncleaskedsharply，lookingatheratlast。
Thewordsdiedonherlips。Itwasapparentthatshewasstrainingherearsasiftocatchsomesoundoutsidetheroomthatwouldcometoherhelp。Hereceivednoanswer。Helistened，too。
“Thisisamostunpleasantbusinessforallparties，“heconcluded，sinkingintohischairagain，hunchinghisshouldersandregardingtheflames。Heseemedtospeaktohimself，andRodneyandCassandralookedathiminsilence。
“Whydon\'tyousitdown？“hesaidsuddenly。Hespokegruffly，buttheforceofhisangerwasevidentlyspent，orsomepreoccupationhadturnedhismoodtootherregions。WhileCassandraacceptedhisinvitation，Rodneyremainedstanding。
“IthinkCassandracanexplainmattersbetterinmyabsence，“hesaid，andlefttheroom，Mr。Hilberygivinghisassentbyaslightnodofthehead。
Meanwhile，inthedining-roomnextdoor，DenhamandKatharinewereoncemoreseatedatthemahoganytable。Theyseemedtobecontinuingaconversationbrokenoffinthemiddle，asifeachrememberedtheprecisepointatwhichtheyhadbeeninterrupted，andwaseagertogoonasquicklyaspossible。Katharine，havinginterposedashortaccountoftheinterviewwithherfather，Denhammadenocomment，butsaid:
“Anyhow，there\'snoreasonwhyweshouldn\'tseeeachother。“
“Orstaytogether。It\'sonlymarriagethat\'soutofthequestion，“
Katharinereplied。
“ButifIfindmyselfcomingtowantyoumoreandmore？“
“Ifourlapsescomemoreandmoreoften？“
Hesighedimpatiently，andsaidnothingforamoment。
“Butatleast，“herenewed，“we\'veestablishedthefactthatmylapsesarestillinsomeoddwayconnectedwithyou；yourshavenothingtodowithme。Katharine，“headded，hisassumptionofreasonbrokenupbyhisagitation，“Iassureyouthatweareinlove——whatotherpeoplecalllove。Rememberthatnight。Wehadnodoubtswhateverthen。Wewereabsolutelyhappyforhalfanhour。Youhadnolapseuntilthedayafter；Ihadnolapseuntilyesterdaymorning。We\'vebeenhappyatintervalsalldayuntilI——wentoffmyhead，andyou，quitenaturally，werebored。“
“Ah，“sheexclaimed，asifthesubjectchafedher，“Ican\'tmakeyouunderstand。It\'snotboredom——I\'mneverbored。Reality——reality，“sheejaculated，tappingherfingeruponthetableasiftoemphasizeandperhapsexplainherisolatedutteranceofthisword。“Iceasetoberealtoyou。It\'sthefacesinastormagain——thevisioninahurricane。Wecometogetherforamomentandwepart。It\'smyfault，too。I\'masbadasyouare——worse，perhaps。“
Theyweretryingtoexplain，notforthefirsttime，astheirwearygesturesandfrequentinterruptionsshowed，whatintheircommonlanguagetheyhadchristenedtheir“lapses“；aconstantsourceofdistresstothem，inthepastfewdays，andtheimmediatereasonwhyRalphwasonhiswaytoleavethehousewhenKatharine，listeninganxiously，heardhimandpreventedhim。Whatwasthecauseoftheselapses？EitherbecauseKatharinelookedmorebeautiful，ormorestrange，becausesheworesomethingdifferent，orsaidsomethingunexpected，Ralph\'ssenseofherromancewelledupandovercamehimeitherintosilenceorintoinarticulateexpressions，whichKatharine，withunintentionalbutinvariableperversity，interruptedorcontradictedwithsomeseverityorassertionofprosaicfact。Thenthevisiondisappeared，andRalphexpressedvehementlyinhisturntheconvictionthatheonlylovedhershadowandcarednothingforherreality。Ifthelapsewasonhersideittooktheformofgradualdetachmentuntilshebecamecompletelyabsorbedinherownthoughts，whichcarriedherawaywithsuchintensitythatshesharplyresentedanyrecalltohercompanion\'sside。ItwasuselesstoassertthatthesetranceswerealwaysoriginatedbyRalphhimself，howeverlittleintheirlaterstagestheyhadtodowithhim。Thefactremainedthatshehadnoneedofhimandwasveryloathtoberemindedofhim。How，then，couldtheybeinlove？Thefragmentarynatureoftheirrelationshipwasbuttooapparent。
Thustheysatdepressedtosilenceatthedining-roomtable，obliviousofeverything，whileRodneypacedthedrawing-roomoverheadinsuchagitationandexaltationofmindashehadneverconceivedpossible，andCassandraremainedalonewithheruncle。Ralph，atlength，roseandwalkedgloomilytothewindow。Hepressedclosetothepane。
Outsideweretruthandfreedomandtheimmensityonlytobeapprehendedbythemindinloneliness，andnevercommunicatedtoanother。Whatworsesacrilegewastherethantoattempttoviolatewhatheperceivedbyseekingtoimpartit？SomemovementbehindhimmadehimreflectthatKatharinehadthepower，ifshechose，tobeinpersonwhathedreamedofherspirit。Heturnedsharplytoimploreherhelp，whenagainhewasstruckcoldbyherlookofdistance，herexpressionofintentnessuponsomefarobject。Asifconsciousofhislookuponhersheroseandcametohim，standingclosebyhisside，andlookingwithhimoutintotheduskyatmosphere。Theirphysicalclosenesswastohimabitterenoughcommentuponthedistancebetweentheirminds。Yetdistantasshewas，herpresencebyhissidetransformedtheworld。Hesawhimselfperformingwonderfuldeedsofcourage；savingthedrowning，rescuingtheforlorn。Impatientwiththisformofegotism，hecouldnotshakeofftheconvictionthatsomehowlifewaswonderful，romantic，amasterworthservingsolongasshestoodthere。Hehadnowishthatsheshouldspeak；hedidnotlookatherortouchher；shewasapparentlydeepinherownthoughtsandobliviousofhispresence。
Thedooropenedwithouttheirhearingthesound。Mr。Hilberylookedroundtheroom，andforamomentfailedtodiscoverthetwofiguresinthewindow。Hestartedwithdispleasurewhenhesawthem，andobservedthemkeenlybeforeheappearedabletomakeuphismindtosayanything。Hemadeamovementfinallythatwarnedthemofhispresence；
theyturnedinstantly。Withoutspeaking，hebeckonedtoKatharinetocometohim，and，keepinghiseyesfromtheregionoftheroomwhereDenhamstood，heshepherdedherinfrontofhimbacktothestudy。
WhenKatharinewasinsidetheroomheshutthestudydoorcarefullybehindhimasiftosecurehimselffromsomethingthathedisliked。
“Now，Katharine，“hesaid，takinguphisstandinfrontofthefire，“youwill，perhaps，havethekindnesstoexplain——“Sheremainedsilent。“Whatinferencesdoyouexpectmetodraw？“hesaidsharply……“YoutellmethatyouarenotengagedtoRodney；Iseeyouonwhatappeartobeextremelyintimatetermswithanother——withRalphDenham。WhatamItoconclude？Areyou，“headded，asshestillsaidnothing，“engagedtoRalphDenham？“
“No，“shereplied。
Hissenseofreliefwasgreat；hehadbeencertainthatheranswerwouldhaveconfirmedhissuspicions，butthatanxietybeingsetatrest，hewasthemoreconsciousofannoyancewithherforherbehavior。
“ThenallIcansayisthatyou\'veverystrangeideasoftheproperwaytobehave……Peoplehavedrawncertainconclusions，noramI
surprised……ThemoreIthinkofitthemoreinexplicableIfindit，“hewenton，hisangerrisingashespoke。“WhyamIleftinignoranceofwhatisgoingoninmyownhouse？WhyamIlefttohearoftheseeventsforthefirsttimefrommysister？Mostdisagreeable——
mostupsetting。HowI\'mtoexplaintoyourUncleFrancis——butIwashmyhandsofit。Cassandragoestomorrow。IforbidRodneythehouse。Asfortheotheryoungman，thesoonerhemakeshimselfscarcethebetter。Afterplacingthemostimplicittrustinyou，Katharine——“Hebrokeoff，disquietedbytheominoussilencewithwhichhiswordswerereceived，andlookedathisdaughterwiththecuriousdoubtastoherstateofmindwhichhehadfeltbefore，forthefirsttime，thisevening。Heperceivedoncemorethatshewasnotattendingtowhathesaid，butwaslistening，andforamomenthe，too，listenedforsoundsoutsidetheroom。HiscertaintythattherewassomeunderstandingbetweenDenhamandKatharinereturned，butwithamostunpleasantsuspicionthattherewassomethingillicitaboutit，asthewholepositionbetweentheyoungpeopleseemedtohimgravelyillicit。
“I\'llspeaktoDenham，“hesaid，ontheimpulseofhissuspicion，movingasiftogo。
“Ishallcomewithyou，“Katharinesaidinstantly，startingforward。
“Youwillstayhere，“saidherfather。
“Whatareyougoingtosaytohim？“sheasked。
“IsupposeImaysaywhatIlikeinmyownhouse？“hereturned。
“ThenIgo，too，“shereplied。
Atthesewords，whichseemedtoimplyadeterminationtogo——togoforever，Mr。Hilberyreturnedtohispositioninfrontofthefire，andbeganswayingslightlyfromsidetosidewithoutforthemomentmakinganyremark。
“Iunderstoodyoutosaythatyouwerenotengagedtohim，“hesaidatlength，fixinghiseyesuponhisdaughter。
“Wearenotengaged，“shesaid。
“Itshouldbeamatterofindifferencetoyou，then，whetherhecomeshereornot——IwillnothaveyoulisteningtootherthingswhenIamspeakingtoyou！“hebrokeoffangrily，perceivingaslightmovementonherparttooneside。“Answermefrankly，whatisyourrelationshipwiththisyoungman？“
“NothingthatIcanexplaintoathirdperson，“shesaidobstinately。
“Iwillhavenomoreoftheseequivocations，“hereplied。
“Irefusetoexplain，“shereturned，andasshesaiditthefrontdoorbangedto。“There！“sheexclaimed。“Heisgone！“Sheflashedsuchalookoffieryindignationatherfatherthathelosthisself-controlforamoment。
“ForGod\'ssake，Katharine，controlyourself！“hecried。
Shelookedforamomentlikeawildanimalcagedinacivilizeddwelling-place。Sheglancedoverthewallscoveredwithbooks，asifforasecondshehadforgottenthepositionofthedoor。Thenshemadeasiftogo，butherfatherlaidhishanduponhershoulder。Hecompelledhertositdown。
“Theseemotionshavebeenveryupsetting，naturally，“hesaid。Hismannerhadregainedallitssuavity，andhespokewithasoothingassumptionofpaternalauthority。“You\'vebeenplacedinaverydifficultposition，asIunderstandfromCassandra。Nowletuscometoterms；wewillleavetheseagitatingquestionsinpeaceforthepresent。Meanwhile，letustrytobehavelikecivilizedbeings。LetusreadSirWalterScott。Whatd\'yousayto\'TheAntiquary，\'eh？Or\'TheBrideofLammermoor\'？“
Hemadehisownchoice，andbeforehisdaughtercouldprotestormakeherescape，shefoundherselfbeingturnedbytheagencyofSirWalterScottintoacivilizedhumanbeing。
YetMr。Hilberyhadgravedoubts，asheread，whethertheprocesswasmorethanskin-deep。Civilizationhadbeenveryprofoundlyandunpleasantlyoverthrownthatevening；theextentoftheruinwasstillundetermined；hehadlosthistemper，aphysicaldisasternottobematchedforthespaceoftenyearsorso；andhisownconditionurgentlyrequiredsoothingandrenovatingatthehandsoftheclassics。Hishousewasinastateofrevolution；hehadavisionofunpleasantencountersonthestaircase；hismealswouldbepoisonedfordaystocome；wasliteratureitselfaspecificagainstsuchdisagreeables？Anoteofhollownesswasinhisvoiceasheread。
CHAPTERXXXIII
ConsideringthatMr。Hilberylivedinahousewhichwasaccuratelynumberedinorderwithitsfellows，andthathefilledupforms，paidrent，andhadsevenmoreyearsoftenancytorun，hehadanexcuseforlayingdownlawsfortheconductofthosewholivedinhishouse，andthisexcuse，thoughprofoundlyinadequate，hefoundusefulduringtheinterregnumofcivilizationwithwhichhenowfoundhimselffaced。Inobediencetothoselaws，Rodneydisappeared；Cassandrawasdispatchedtocatchtheeleven-thirtyonMondaymorning；Denhamwasseennomore；
sothatonlyKatharine，thelawfuloccupantoftheupperrooms，remained，andMr。Hilberythoughthimselfcompetenttoseethatshedidnothingfurthertocompromiseherself。Ashebadehergoodmorningnextdayhewasawarethatheknewnothingofwhatshewasthinking，but，ashereflectedwithsomebitterness，eventhiswasanadvanceupontheignoranceofthepreviousmornings。Hewenttohisstudy，wrote，toreup，andwroteagainalettertohiswife，askinghertocomebackonaccountofdomesticdifficultieswhichhespecifiedatfirst，butinalaterdraftmorediscreetlyleftunspecified。Evenifshestartedtheverymomentthatshegotit，hereflected，shewouldnotbehometillTuesdaynight，andhecountedlugubriouslythenumberofhoursthathewouldhavetospendinapositionofdetestableauthorityalonewithhisdaughter。
Whatwasshedoingnow，hewondered，asheaddressedtheenvelopetohiswife。Hecouldnotcontrolthetelephone。Hecouldnotplaythespy。Shemightbemakinganyarrangementsshechose。Yetthethoughtdidnotdisturbhimsomuchasthestrange，unpleasant，illicitatmosphereofthewholescenewiththeyoungpeoplethenightbefore。
Hissenseofdiscomfortwasalmostphysical。
Hadheknownit，Katharinewasfarenoughwithdrawn，bothphysicallyandspiritually，fromthetelephone。Shesatinherroomwiththedictionariesspreadingtheirwideleavesonthetablebeforeher，andallthepageswhichtheyhadconcealedforsomanyyearsarrangedinapile。Sheworkedwiththesteadyconcentrationthatisproducedbythesuccessfulefforttothinkdownsomeunwelcomethoughtbymeansofanotherthought。Havingabsorbedtheunwelcomethought，hermindwentonwithadditionalvigor，derivedfromthevictory；onasheetofpaperlinesoffiguresandsymbolsfrequentlyandfirmlywrittendownmarkedthedifferentstagesofitsprogress。Andyetitwasbroaddaylight；thereweresoundsofknockingandsweeping，whichprovedthatlivingpeoplewereatworkontheothersideofthedoor，andthedoor，whichcouldbethrownopeninasecond，washeronlyprotectionagainsttheworld。Butshehadsomehowrisentobemistressinherownkingdom，assuminghersovereigntyunconsciously。
Stepsapproachedherunheard。Itistruethattheywerestepsthatlingered，divagated，andmountedwiththedeliberationnaturaltoonepastsixtywhosearms，moreover，arefullofleavesandblossoms；buttheycameonsteadily，andsoonatapoflaurelboughsagainstthedoorarrestedKatharine\'spencilasittouchedthepage。Shedidnotmove，however，andsatblank-eyedasifwaitingfortheinterruptiontocease。Instead，thedooropened。Atfirst，sheattachednomeaningtothemovingmassofgreenwhichseemedtoentertheroomindependentlyofanyhumanagency。Thensherecognizedpartsofhermother\'sfaceandpersonbehindtheyellowflowersandsoftvelvetofthepalm-buds。
“FromShakespeare\'stomb！“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery，droppingtheentiremassuponthefloor，withagesturethatseemedtoindicateanactofdedication。Thensheflungherarmswideandembracedherdaughter。
“ThankGod，Katharine！“sheexclaimed。“ThankGod！“sherepeated。
“You\'vecomeback？“saidKatharine，veryvaguely，standinguptoreceivetheembrace。
Althoughsherecognizedhermother\'spresence，shewasveryfarfromtakingpartinthescene，andyetfeltittobeamazinglyappropriatethathermothershouldbethere，thankingGodemphaticallyforunknownblessings，andstrewingthefloorwithflowersandleavesfromShakespeare\'stomb。
“Nothingelsemattersintheworld！“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。“Namesaren\'teverything；it\'swhatwefeelthat\'severything。Ididn\'twantsilly，kind，interferingletters。Ididn\'twantyourfathertotellme。Iknewitfromthefirst。Iprayedthatitmightbeso。“
“Youknewit？“Katharinerepeatedhermother\'swordssoftlyandvaguely，lookingpasther。“Howdidyouknowit？“Shebegan，likeachild，tofingeratasselhangingfromhermother\'scloak。
“Thefirsteveningyoutoldme，Katharine。Oh，andthousandsoftimes——dinner-parties——talkingaboutbooks——thewayhecameintotheroom——
yourvoicewhenyouspokeofhim。“
Katharineseemedtoconsidereachoftheseproofsseparately。Thenshesaidgravely:
“I\'mnotgoingtomarryWilliam。Andthenthere\'sCassandra——“
“Yes，there\'sCassandra，“saidMrs。Hilbery。“IownIwasalittlegrudgingatfirst，but，afterall，sheplaysthepianosobeautifully。
Dotellme，Katharine，“sheaskedimpulsively，“wheredidyougothateveningsheplayedMozart，andyouthoughtIwasasleep？“
Katharinerecollectedwithdifficulty。
“ToMaryDatchet\'s，“sheremembered。
“Ah！“saidMrs。Hilbery，withaslightnoteofdisappointmentinhervoice。“Ihadmylittleromance——mylittlespeculation。“Shelookedatherdaughter。Katharinefalteredbeneaththatinnocentandpenetratinggaze；sheflushed，turnedaway，andthenlookedupwithverybrighteyes。
“I\'mnotinlovewithRalphDenham，“shesaid。
“Don\'tmarryunlessyou\'reinlove！“saidMrs。Hilberyveryquickly。
“But，“sheadded，glancingmomentarilyatherdaughter，“aren\'ttheredifferentways，Katharine——different——？“
“Wewanttomeetasoftenaswelike，buttobefree，“Katharinecontinued。
“Tomeethere，tomeetinhishouse，tomeetinthestreet。“Mrs。
Hilberyranoverthesephrasesasifsheweretryingchordsthatdidnotquitesatisfyherear。Itwasplainthatshehadhersourcesofinformation，and，indeed，herbagwasstuffedwithwhatshecalled“kindletters“fromthepenofhersister-in-law。
“Yes。Ortostayawayinthecountry，“Katharineconcluded。
Mrs。Hilberypaused，lookedunhappy，andsoughtinspirationfromthewindow。
“Whatacomforthewasinthatshop——howhetookmeandfoundtheruinsatonce——howSAFEIfeltwithhim——“
“Safe？Oh，no，he\'sfearfullyrash——he\'salwaystakingrisks。Hewantstothrowuphisprofessionandliveinalittlecottageandwritebooks，thoughhehasn\'tapennyofhisown，andthereareanynumberofsistersandbrothersdependentonhim。“
“Ah，hehasamother？“Mrs。Hilberyinquired。
“Yes。Ratherafine-lookingoldlady，withwhitehair。“Katharinebegantodescribehervisit，andsoonMrs。Hilberyelicitedthefactsthatnotonlywasthehouseofexcruciatingugliness，whichRalphborewithoutcomplaint，butthatitwasevidentthateveryonedependedonhim，andhehadaroomatthetopofthehouse，withawonderfulviewoverLondon，andarook。
“Awretchedoldbirdinacorner，withhalfitsfeathersout，“shesaid，withatendernessinhervoicethatseemedtocommiseratethesufferingsofhumanitywhilerestingassuredinthecapacityofRalphDenhamtoalleviatethem，sothatMrs。Hilberycouldnothelpexclaiming:
“But，Katharine，youAREinlove！“atwhichKatharineflushed，lookedstartled，asifshehadsaidsomethingthatsheoughtnottohavesaid，andshookherhead。
HastilyMrs。Hilberyaskedforfurtherdetailsofthisextraordinaryhouse，andinterposedafewspeculationsaboutthemeetingbetweenKeatsandColeridgeinalane，whichtidedoverthediscomfortofthemoment，anddrewKatharineontofurtherdescriptionsandindiscretions。Intruth，shefoundanextraordinarypleasureinbeingthusfreetotalktosomeonewhowasequallywiseandequallybenignant，themotherofherearliestchildhood，whosesilenceseemedtoanswerquestionsthatwereneverasked。Mrs。Hilberylistenedwithoutmakinganyremarkforaconsiderabletime。Sheseemedtodrawherconclusionsratherbylookingatherdaughterthanbylisteningtoher，and，ifcross-examined，shewouldprobablyhavegivenahighlyinaccurateversionofRalphDenham\'slife-historyexceptthathewaspenniless，fatherless，andlivedatHighgate——allofwhichwasmuchinhisfavor。ButbymeansofthesefurtiveglancesshehadassuredherselfthatKatharinewasinastatewhichgaveher，alternately，themostexquisitepleasureandthemostprofoundalarm。
Shecouldnothelpejaculatingatlast:
“It\'salldoneinfiveminutesataRegistryOfficenowadays，ifyouthinktheChurchservicealittleflorid——whichitis，thoughtherearenoblethingsinit。“
“Butwedon\'twanttobemarried，“Katharinerepliedemphatically，andadded，“Why，afterall，isn\'titperfectlypossibletolivetogetherwithoutbeingmarried？“
AgainMrs。Hilberylookeddiscomposed，and，inhertrouble，tookupthesheetswhichwerelyinguponthetable，andbeganturningthemoverthiswayandthat，andmutteringtoherselfassheglanced:
“AplusBminusCequals\'xyz\'。It\'ssodreadfullyugly，Katharine。
That\'swhatIfeel——sodreadfullyugly。“
Katharinetookthesheetsfromhermother\'shandandbeganshufflingthemabsent-mindedlytogether，forherfixedgazeseemedtoshowthatherthoughtswereintentuponsomeothermatter。
“Well，Idon\'tknowaboutugliness，“shesaidatlength。
“Buthedoesn\'taskitofyou？“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Notthatgraveyoungmanwiththesteadybrowneyes？“
“Hedoesn\'taskanything——weneitherofusaskanything。“
“IfIcouldhelpyou，Katharine，bythememoryofwhatIfelt——“
“Yes，tellmewhatyoufelt。“
Mrs。Hilbery，hereyesgrowingblank，peereddowntheenormouslylongcorridorofdaysatthefarendofwhichthelittlefiguresofherselfandherhusbandappearedfantasticallyattired，claspinghandsuponamoonlitbeach，withrosesswinginginthedusk。
“Wewereinalittleboatgoingouttoashipatnight，“shebegan。
“Thesunhadsetandthemoonwasrisingoverourheads。Therewerelovelysilverlightsuponthewavesandthreegreenlightsuponthesteamerinthemiddleofthebay。Yourfather\'sheadlookedsograndagainstthemast。Itwaslife，itwasdeath。Thegreatseawasroundus。Itwasthevoyageforeverandever。“
Theancientfairy-talefellroundlyandharmoniouslyuponKatharine\'sears。Yes，therewastheenormousspaceofthesea；therewerethethreegreenlightsuponthesteamer；thecloakedfiguresclimbedupondeck。Andso，voyagingoverthegreenandpurplewaters，pastthecliffsandthesandylagoonsandthroughpoolscrowdedwiththemastsofshipsandthesteeplesofchurches——heretheywere。Theriverseemedtohavebroughtthemanddepositedthemhereatthisprecisepoint。Shelookedadmiringlyathermother，thatancientvoyager。
“Whoknows，“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery，continuingherreveries，“whereweareboundfor，orwhy，orwhohassentus，orwhatweshallfind——whoknowsanything，exceptthatloveisourfaith——love——“shecrooned，andthesoftsoundbeatingthroughthedimwordswasheardbyherdaughterasthebreakingofwavessolemnlyinorderuponthevastshorethatshegazedupon。Shewouldhavebeencontentforhermothertorepeatthatwordalmostindefinitely——asoothingwordwhenutteredbyanother，arivetingtogetheroftheshatteredfragmentsoftheworld。ButMrs。Hilbery，insteadofrepeatingthewordlove，saidpleadingly:
“Andyouwon\'tthinkthoseuglythoughtsagain，willyou，Katharine？“
atwhichwordstheshipwhichKatharinehadbeenconsideringseemedtoputintoharborandhavedonewithitsseafaring。Yetshewasingreatneed，ifnotexactlyofsympathy，ofsomeformofadvice，or，atleast，oftheopportunityofsettingforthherproblemsbeforeathirdpersonsoastorenewtheminherowneyes。
“Butthen，“shesaid，ignoringthedifficultproblemofugliness，“youknewyouwereinlove；butwe\'redifferent。Itseems，“shecontinued，frowningalittleasshetriedtofixthedifficultfeeling，“asifsomethingcametoanendsuddenly——gaveout——faded——anillusion——asifwhenwethinkwe\'reinlovewemakeitup——weimaginewhatdoesn\'texist。That\'swhyit\'simpossiblethatweshouldevermarry。Alwaystobefindingtheotheranillusion，andgoingoffandforgettingaboutthem，nevertobecertainthatyoucared，orthathewasn\'tcaringforsomeonenotyouatall，thehorrorofchangingfromonestatetotheother，beinghappyonemomentandmiserablethenext——that\'sthereasonwhywecan\'tpossiblymarry。Atthesametime，“shecontinued，“wecan\'tlivewithouteachother，because——“Mrs。Hilberywaitedpatientlyforthesentencetobecompleted，butKatharinefellsilentandfingeredhersheetoffigures。