XVII
WhenthecabdebouchedagainintoSt。James’Street，Wintongavetheorder:”Quickasyoucan！”Onecouldthinkbettergoingfast！
Alittleredhadcomeintohisbrowncheeks；hiseyesundertheirhalf-drawnlidshadakeenerlight；hislipsweretightlyclosed；
helookedashedidwhenafoxwasbreakingcover。Gypcoulddonowrong，or，ifshecould，hewouldstandbyherinitasamatterofcourse。Buthewasgoingtotakenorisks——makenofrontalattack。
Timeforthatlater，ifnecessary。Hehadbetternervesthanmostpeople，andthatkindofsteelydeterminationandresourcewhichmakesmanyEnglishmenofhisclassformidableinsmalloperations。
Hekepthiscabatthedoor，rang，andaskedforGyp，withakindofpleasureinhisruse。”She’snotinyet，sir。Mr。Fiorsen’sin。””Ah！Andbaby？””Yes，sir。””I’llcomeinandseeher。Inthegarden？””Yes，sir。””Dogsthere，too？””Yes，sir。Andwillyouhavetea，please，sir？””No，thanks。”Howtoeffectthiswithdrawalwithoutcausinggossip，andyetavoidsuspicionofcollusionwithGyp？Andheadded:”UnlessMrs。Fiorsencomesin。”
Passingoutintothegarden，hebecameawarethatFiorsenwasatthedining-roomwindowwatchinghim，anddecidedtomakenosignthatheknewthis。Thebabywasunderthetreesatthefarend，andthedogscamerushingthencewithafurywhichlastedtilltheycamewithinscentofhim。Wintonwentleisurelyuptotheperambulator，and，salutingBetty，lookeddownathisgrandchild。
Shelayunderanawningofmuslin，forfearofflies，andwasawake。Hersolemn，largebrowneyes，alreadylikeGyp’s，regardedhimwithgravity。Cluckingtoheronceortwice，asisthecustom，hemovedsoastofacethehouse。Inthisposition，hehadBettywithherbacktoit。Andhesaidquietly:”I’mherewithamessagefromyourmistress，Betty。Keepyourhead；don’tlookround，butlistentome。She’satBuryStreetandgoingtostaythere；shewantsyouandbabyandthedogs。”Thestoutwoman’seyesgrewroundandhermouthopened。Wintonputhishandontheperambulator。”Steady，now！Gooutasusualwiththisthing。It’saboutyourtime；andwaitformeattheturningtoRegent’sPark。I’llcomeoninmycabandpickyouallup。Don’tgetflurried；don’ttakeanything；doexactlyasyouusuallywould。
Understand？”
Itisnotinthenatureofstoutwomenwithbabiesintheirchargetoreceivesuchanorderwithoutquestion。Hercolour，andtheheavingofthatbillowybosommadeWintonaddquickly:”Now，Betty，pullyourselftogether；Gypwantsyou。I’lltellyouallaboutitinthecab。”
Thepoorwoman，stillheavingvaguely，couldonlystammer:”Yes，sir。Poorlittlething！Whataboutitsnight-things？AndMissGyp’s？”
Consciousofthatfigurestillatthewindow，Wintonmadesomepasseswithhisfingersatthebaby，andsaid:”Nevermindthem。Assoonasyouseemeatthedrawing-roomwindow，getreadyandgo。Eyesfront，Betty；don’tlookround；
I’llcoveryourretreat！Don’tfailGypnow。Pullyourselftogether。”
WithasighthatcouldhavebeenheardinKensington，Bettymurmured:”Verywell，sir；ohdear！”andbegantoadjustthestringsofherbonnet。Withnods，asifhehadbeentherecipientofsomesageremarksaboutthebaby，Wintonsaluted，andbeganhismarchagaintowardsthehouse。Hecarefullykepthiseyestothissideandtothat，asifexaminingtheflowers，butnotedallthesamethatFiorsenhadrecededfromthewindow。Rapidthoughttoldhimthatthefellowwouldcomebacktheretoseeifheweregone，andheplacedhimselfbeforearose-bush，where，atthatreappearance，hecouldmakeasignofrecognition。Sureenough，hecame；andWintonquietlyraisinghishandtothesalutepassedonthroughthedrawing-roomwindow。Hewentquicklyintothehall，listenedasecond，andopenedthedining-roomdoor。Fiorsenwaspacingupanddown，paleandrestless。HecametoastandstillandstaredhaggardlyatWinton，whosaid:”Howareyou？Gypnotin？””No。”
Somethinginthesoundofthat”No”touchedWintonwithavague——averyvague——compunction。TobeleftbyGyp！Thenhishearthardenedagain。Thefellowwasarotter——hewassureofit，hadalwaysbeensure。”Babylookswell，”hesaid。
Fiorsenturnedandbegantopaceupanddownagain。”WhereisGyp？Iwanthertocomein。Iwanther。”
Wintontookouthiswatch。”It’snotlate。”Andsuddenlyhefeltagreataversionfortheparthewasplaying。Togetthebaby；tomakeGypsafe——yes！But，somehow，notthispretencethatheknewnothingaboutit。Heturnedonhisheelandwalkedout。Itimperilledeverything；buthecouldn’thelpit。Hecouldnotstayandgoonprevaricatinglikethis。Hadthatwomangotclear？Hewentbackintothedrawing-room。Theretheywere——justpassingthesideofthehouse。
Fiveminutes，andtheywouldbedownattheturning。Hestoodatthewindow，waiting。Ifonlythatfellowdidnotcomein！Throughthepartitionwallhecouldhearhimstilltrampingupanddownthedining-room。Whatalongtimeaminutewas！Threehadgonewhenheheardthedining-roomdooropened，andFiorsencrossingthehalltothefrontdoor。Whatwasheafter，standingthereasiflistening？Andsuddenlyheheardhimsigh。Itwasjustsuchasoundasmanytimes，inthelong-pastdays，hadescapedhimself，waiting，listeningforfootsteps，inparchedandsickeninganxiety。
Didthisfellowthenreallylove——almostashehadloved？Andinrevoltatspyingonhimlikethis，headvancedandsaid:”Well，Iwon’twaitanylonger。”
Fiorsenstarted；hehadevidentlysupposedhimselfalone。AndWintonthought:’ByJove！hedoeslookbad！’”Good-bye！”hesaid；butthewords:”GivemylovetoGyp，”perishedontheirwayuptohislips。”Good-bye！”Fiorsenechoed。AndWintonwentoutunderthetrellis，consciousofthatforlornfigurestillstandingatthehalf-openeddoor。Bettywasnowhereinsight；shemusthavereachedtheturning。Hismissionhadsucceeded，buthefeltnoelation。Roundthecorner，hepickeduphisconvoy，and，withtheperambulatorhoistedontothetaxi，journeyedonatspeed。Hehadsaidhewouldexplaininthecab，buttheonlyremarkhemadewas:”You’llallgodowntoMildenhamto-morrow。”
AndBetty，whohadfearedhimeversincetheirencountersomanyyearsago，eyedhisprofile，withoutdaringtoaskquestions。
Beforehereachedhome，Wintonstoppedatapost-office，andsentthistelegram:”Gypandthebabyarewithmeletterfollows——WINTON。”
Itsalvedaconscienceonwhichthatfellow’sfigureinthedoorwayweighed；besides，itwasnecessary，lestFiorsenshouldgotothepolice。TherestmustwaittillhehadtalkedwithGyp。
Therewasmuchtodo，anditwaslatebeforetheydined，andnottillMarkeyhadwithdrawncouldtheybegintheirtalk。
ClosetotheopenwindowswhereMarkeyhadplacedtwohydrangeaplants——justboughtonhisownresponsibility，intokenofsilentsatisfaction——Gypbegan。Shekeptnothingback，recountingthewholemiserablefiascoofhermarriage。WhenshecametoDaphneWingandherdiscoveryinthemusic-room，shecouldseetheglowingendofherfather’scigarmoveconvulsively。ThatinsulttohisadoredoneseemedtoWintonsoinconceivablethat，foramoment，hestoppedherrecitalbygettinguptopacetheroom。Inherownhouse——herownhouse！And——afterthat，shehadgoneonwithhim！
Hecamebacktohischairanddidnotinterruptagain，buthisstillnessalmostfrightenedher。
Comingtotheincidentsofthedayitself，shehesitated。Mustshetellhim，too，ofRosek——wasitwise，ornecessary？Theall-or-
nothingcandourthatwaspartofhernatureprevailed，andshewentstraighton，and，saveforthefeverishjerkingofhiseveningshoe，Wintonmadenosign。Whenshehadfinished，hegotupandslowlyextinguishedtheendofhiscigaragainstthewindow-sill；
thenlookingatherlyingbackinherchairasifexhausted，hesaid:”ByGod！”andturnedhisfaceawaytothewindow。
Atthathourbeforethetheatresrose，alullbroodedintheLondonstreets；inthisquietnarrowone，thetown’shumwasonlybrokenbytheclackofahalf-drunkenwomanbickeringathermanastheylurchedalongforhome，andthestrainsofastreetmusician’sfiddle，tryingtomakeupforablankday。ThesoundvaguelyirritatedWinton，remindinghimofthosetwodamnableforeignersbywhomshehadbeensotreated。Tohavethematthepointofaswordorpistol——toteachthemalesson！Heheardhersay:”Dad，Ishouldliketopayhisdebts。ThenthingswouldbeastheywerewhenImarriedhim。”
Heemittedanexasperatedsound。Hedidnotbelieveinheapingcoalsoffire。”Iwanttomakesure，too，thatthegirlisallrighttillshe’soverhertrouble。PerhapsIcouldusesomeofthat——thatothermoney，ifmineisalltiedup？”
Itwassheeranger，notdisapprovalofherimpulse，thatmadehimhesitate；moneyandrevengewouldneverbeassociatedinhismind。
Gypwenton:”IwanttofeelasifI’dneverlethimmarryme。Perhapshisdebtsareallpartofthat——whoknows？Please！”
Wintonlookedather。Howlike——whenshesaidthat”Please！”Howlike——herfiguresunkbackintheoldchair，andthefaceliftedinshadow！Asortofexultationcametohim。Hehadgotherback——
hadgotherback！
XVIII
Fiorsen’sbedroomwas——asthemaidwouldremark——”aproperpigsty”——
untilhewasoutofitanditcouldberenovatedeachday。Hehadatalentfordisorder，sothattheroomlookedasifthreemeninsteadofonehadgonetobedinit。Clothesandshoes，brushes，water，tumblers，breakfast-tray，newspapers，Frenchnovels，andcigarette-ends——nonewereeverwheretheyshouldhavebeen；andthestalefumesfromthemanycigaretteshesmokedbeforegettingupincommodedanyonewhosedutyitwastotakehimteaandshaving-
water。When，onthatfirstrealsummerday，themaidhadbroughtRosekuptohim，hehadbeenlyingalongtimeonhisback，dreamilywatchingthesmokefromhiscigaretteandfourflieswaltzinginthesunlightthatfilteredthroughthegreensun-
blinds。Thishour，beforeherose，washiscreativemoment，whenhecouldbestseetheformofmusicandfeelinspirationforitsrendering。Oflate，hehadbeenstaleandwretched，allthatsideofhimdull；butthismorninghefeltagainthedeliciousstiroffancy，thatvibrating，half-dreamystatewhenemotionseemssoeasilytofindshapeandthemindpiercesthroughtonewexpression。Hearingthemaid’sknock，andhermurmured:”CountRosektoseeyou，sir，”hethought:’Whatthedevildoeshewant？’
Alargernature，driftingwithoutcontrol，incontactwithasmallerone，whoknowshisownmindexactly，willinstinctivelybeirritable，thoughhemayfailtograspwhathisfriendisafter。
Andpushingthecigarette-boxtowardRosek，heturnedawayhishead。Itwouldbemoneyhehadcomeabout，or——thatgirl！Thatgirl——hewishedshewasdead！Soft，clingingcreature！Ababy！
God！Whatafoolhehadbeen——ah，whatafool！Suchabsurdity！
Unheardof！FirstGyp——thenher！Hehadtriedtoshakethegirloff。Aswelltrytoshakeoffaburr！Howsheclung！Hehadbeenpatient——oh，yes——patientandkind，buthowgoonwhenonewastired——tiredofher——andwantingonlyGyp，onlyhisownwife？Thatwasafunnything！Andnow，when，foranhourortwo，hehadshakenfreeofworry，hadbeenfeelinghappy——yes，happy——thisfellowmustcome，andstandtherewithhisfaceofasphinx！Andhesaidpettishly:”Well，Paul！sitdown。Whattroubleshaveyoubrought？”
Roseklitacigarettebutdidnotsitdown。HestruckevenFiorsenbyhisunsmilingpallor。”YouhadbetterlookoutforMr。Wagge，Gustav；hecametomeyesterday。Hehasnomusicinhissoul。”
Fiorsensatup。”SatantakeMr。Wagge！Whatcanhedo？””Iamnotalawyer，butIimaginehecanbeunpleasant——thegirlisyoung。”
Fiorsenglaredathim，andsaid:”Whydidyouthrowmethatcursedgirl？”
Rosekanswered，alittletoosteadily:”Ididnot，myfriend。””What！Youdid。Whatwasyourgame？Youneverdoanythingwithoutagame。Youknowyoudid。Come；whatwasyourgame？””Youlikepleasure，Ibelieve。”
Fiorsensaidviolently:”Lookhere:Ihavedonewithyourfriendship——youarenofriendtome。Ihaveneverreallyknownyou，andIshouldnotwishto。Itisfinished。Leavemeinpeace。”
Roseksmiled。”Mydear，thatisallverywell，butfriendshipsarenotfinishedlikethat。Moreover，youowemeathousandpounds。””Well，Iwillpayit。”Rosek’seyebrowsmounted。”Iwill。Gypwilllendittome。””Oh！IsGypsofondofyouasthat？Ithoughtsheonlylovedhermusic-lessons。”
Crouchingforwardwithhiskneesdrawnup，Fiorsenhissedout:”Don’ttalkofGyp！Getoutofthis！Iwillpayyouyourthousandpounds。”
Rosek，stillsmiling，answered:”Gustav，don’tbeafool！Withaviolintoyourshoulder，youareaman。Without——youareachild。Liequiet，myfriend，andthinkofMr。Wagge。Butyouhadbettercomeandtalkitoverwithme。
Good-byeforthemoment。Calmyourself。”And，flippingtheashoffhiscigaretteontothetraybyFiorsen’selbow，henoddedandwent。
Fiorsen，whohadleapedoutofbed，puthishandtohishead。Thecursedfellow！Cursedbeeveryoneofthem——thefatherandthegirl，Rosekandalltheothersharks！Hewentoutontothelanding。Thehousewasquitestillbelow。Rosekhadgone——goodriddance！Hecalled，”Gyp！”Noanswer。Hewentintoherroom。
Itssuperlativedaintinessstruckhisfancy。Ascentofcyclamen！
Helookedoutintothegarden。Therewasthebabyattheend，andthatfatwoman。NoGyp！Neverinwhenshewaswanted。Wagge！Heshivered；and，goingbackintohisbedroom，tookabrandy-bottlefromalockedcupboardanddranksome。Itsteadiedhim；helockedupthecupboardagain，anddressed。
Goingouttothemusic-room，hestoppedunderthetreestomakepasseswithhisfingersatthebaby。Sometimeshefeltthatitwasanadorablelittlecreature，withitsbig，darkeyessolikeGyp’s。
Sometimesitexcitedhisdisgust——adiscolouredbrat。Thismorning，whilelookingatit，hethoughtsuddenlyoftheotherthatwascoming——andgrimaced。CatchingBetty’sstareofhorrifiedamazementatthefacehewasmakingatherdarling，heburstintoalaughandturnedawayintothemusic-room。
Whilehewaskeyinguphisviolin，Gyp’sconductinneverhavingcomethereforsolongstruckhimasbitterlyunjust。Thegirl——
whocaredaboutthewretchedgirl？Asifshemadeanyrealdifference！Itwasallsomuchdeeperthanthat。Gyphadneverlovedhim，nevergivenhimwhathewanted，neverquenchedhisthirstofher！Thatwastheheartofit。Nootherwomanhehadeverhadtodowithhadbeenlikethat——kepthisthirstunquenched。
No；hehadalwaystiredofthembeforetheytiredofhim。Shegavehimnothingreally——nothing！Hadshenoheartordidshegiveitelsewhere？WhatwasthatPaulhadsaidabouthermusic-lessons？
Andsuddenlyitstruckhimthatheknewnothing，absolutelynothing，ofwhereshewentorwhatshedid。Shenevertoldhimanything。Music-lessons？Everyday，nearly，shewentout，wasawayforhours。Thethoughtthatshemightgotothearmsofanothermanmadehimputdownhisviolinwithafeelingofactualsickness。Whynot？ThatdeepandfearfulwhippingofthesexualinstinctwhichmakestheacheofjealousysotrulyterriblewasatitsfullinsuchanatureasFiorsen’s。Hedrewalongbreathandshuddered。Theremembranceofherfastidiouspride，hercandour，aboveallherpassivitycutinacrosshisfear。No，notGyp！
Hewenttoalittletablewhereonstoodatantalus，tumblers，andasyphon，andpouringoutsomebrandy，drank。Itsteadiedhim。Andhebegantopractise。HetookapassagefromBrahms’violinconcertoandbegantoplayitoverandover。Suddenly，hefoundhewasrepeatingthesameflawseachtime；hewasnotattending。Thefingeringofthatthingwasghastly！Music-lessons！Whydidshetakethem？Wasteoftimeandmoney——shewouldneverbeanythingbutanamateur！Ugh！Unconsciously，hehadstoppedplaying。Hadshegonethereto-day？Itwaspastlunch-time。Perhapsshehadcomein。
Heputdownhisviolinandwentbacktothehouse。Nosignofher！
Themaidcametoaskifhewouldlunch。No！Wasthemistresstobein？Shehadnotsaid。Hewentintothedining-room，ateabiscuit，anddrankabrandyandsoda。Itsteadiedhim。Lightingacigarette，hecamebacktothedrawing-roomandsatdownatGyp’sbureau。Howtidy！Onthelittlecalendar，apencil-crosswassetagainstto-day——Wednesday，anotheragainstFriday。Whatfor？
Music-lessons！Hereachedtoapigeon-hole，andtookoutheraddress-book。”H——Harmost，305A，MaryleboneRoad，”andagainstitthewordsinpencil，”3P。M。”
Threeo’clock。Sothatwasherhour！HiseyesrestedidlyonalittleoldcolouredprintofaBacchante，withflowinggreenscarf，shakingatambourineatanakedCupid，whowithababybowandarrowinhishands，wasgazingupather。Heturneditover；onthebackwaswritteninapointed，scrigglyhand，”Tomylittlefriend——E。H。”Fiorsendrewsmokedeepdownintohislungs，expelleditslowly，andwenttothepiano。Heopeneditandbegantoplay，staringvacantlybeforehim，thecigaretteburnednearlytohislips。Hewenton，scarcelyknowingwhatheplayed。Atlasthestopped，andsatdejected。Agreatartist？Often，nowadays，hedidnotcareifhenevertouchedaviolinagain。Tiredofstandingupbeforeaseaofdullfaces，seeingtheblockheadsknocktheirsillyhandsoneagainsttheother！Sickofthesamenessofitall！
Besides——besides，werehispowersbeginningtofail？Whatwashappeningtohimoflate？
Hegotup，wentintothedining-room，anddranksomebrandy。Gypcouldnotbearhisdrinking。Well，sheshouldn’tbeoutsomuch——
takingmusic-lessons。Music-lessons！Nearlythreeo’clock。Ifhewentforonceandsawwhatshereallydid——Went，andofferedherhisescorthome！Anattention。Itmightpleaseher。Better，anyway，thanwaitinghereuntilshechosetocomeinwithherfaceallclosedup。Hedrankalittlemorebrandy——eversolittle——tookhishatandwent。Notfartowalk，butthesunwashot，andhereachedthehousefeelingratherdizzy。Amaid-servantopenedthedoortohim。”IamMr。Fiorsen。Mrs。Fiorsenhere？””Yes，sir；willyouwait？”
Whydidshelookathimlikethat？Uglygirl！Howhatefuluglypeoplewere！Whenshewasgone，hereopenedthedoorofthewaiting-room，andlistened。
Chopin！ThepolonaiseinAflat。Good！CouldthatbeGyp？Verygood！Hemovedout，downthepassage，drawnonbyherplaying，andsoftlyturnedthehandle。Themusicstopped。Hewentin。
WhenWintonhadlefthim，anhourandahalflaterthatafternoon，Fiorsencontinuedtostandatthefrontdoor，swayinghisbodytoandfro。Thebrandy-nurturedburstofjealousywhichhadmadehiminsulthiswifeandoldMonsieurHarmosthaddiedsuddenlywhenGypturnedonhiminthestreetandspokeinthaticyvoice；sincethenhehadfeltfear，increasingeveryminute。Wouldsheforgive？Toonewhoalwaysactedontheimpulseofthemoment，sothatherarelyknewafterwardexactlywhathehaddone，orwhomhurt，Gyp’sself-controlhadeverbeenmysteriousandalittlefrightening。
Wherehadshegone？Whydidshenotcomein？Anxietyislikeaballthatrollsdown-hill，gatheringmomentum。Supposeshedidnotcomeback！Butshemust——therewasthebaby——theirbaby！
Forthefirsttime，thethoughtofitgavehimunalloyedsatisfaction。Heleftthedoor，and，afterdrinkingaglasstosteadyhim，flunghimselfdownonthesofainthedrawing-room。
Andwhilehelaythere，thebrandywarmwithinhim，hethought:’I
willturnoveranewleaf；giveupdrink，giveupeverything，sendthebabyintothecountry，takeGyptoParis，Berlin，Vienna，Rome——
anywhereoutofthisEngland，anywhere，awayfromthatfatherofhersandallthesestiff，dullfolk！Shewilllikethat——shelovestravelling！’Yes，theywouldbehappy！Deliciousnights——
deliciousdays——airthatdidnotweighyoudownandmakeyoufeelthatyoumustdrink——realinspiration——realmusic！Theacridwood-
smokescentofParisstreets，theglisteningcleannessoftheThiergarten，aserenadingsonginaFlorencebackstreet，firefliesinthesummerduskatSorrento——hehadintoxicatingmemoriesofthemall！Slowlythewarmthofthebrandydiedaway，and，despitetheheat，hefeltchillandshuddery。Heshuthiseyes，thinkingtosleeptillshecamein。Butverysoonheopenedthem，because——
athingusualwithhimoflate——hesawsuchuglythings——faces，vivid，changingashelooked，growinguglyanduglier，becomingallholes——holes——horribleholes——Corruption——matted，twisted，darkhuman-tree-rootsoffaces！Horrible！Heopenedhiseyes，forwhenhedidthat，theyalwayswent。Itwasverysilent。Nosoundfromabove。Nosoundofthedogs。Hewouldgoupandseethebaby。
Whilehewascrossingthehall，therecamearing。Heopenedthedoorhimself。Atelegram！Hetoretheenvelope。”Gypandthebabyarewithmeletterfollows——WINTON。”
Hegaveashortlaugh，shutthedoorintheboy’sface，andranup-
stairs；why——heavenknew！Therewasnobodytherenow！Nobody！
Diditmeanthatshehadreallylefthim——wasnotcomingback？HestoppedbythesideofGyp’sbed，andflinginghimselfforward，layacrossit，buryinghisface。Andhesobbed，asmenwill，unmannedbydrink。Hadhelosther？Nevertoseehereyesclosingandpresshislipsagainstthem！Nevertosoakhissensesinherloveliness！Heleapedup，withthetearsstillwetonhisface。
Losther？Absurd！Thatcalm，prim，devilishEnglishman，herfather——hewastoblame——hehadworkeditall——stealingthebaby！
Hewentdown-stairsanddranksomebrandy。Itsteadiedhimalittle。Whatshouldhedo？”Letterfollows。”Drink，andwait？
GotoBuryStreet？No。Drink！Enjoyhimself！
Helaughed，and，catchinguphishat，wentout，walkingfuriouslyatfirst，thenslowerandslower，forhisheadbegantowhirl，and，takingacab，wasdriventoarestaurantinSoho。Hehadeatennothingbutabiscuitsincehisbreakfast，alwaysasmallmatter，andorderedsoupandaflaskoftheirbestChianti——solidshecouldnotface。Morethantwohourshesat，whiteandsilent，perspirationonhisforehead，nowandthengrinningandflourishinghisfingers，totheamusementandsometimesthealarmofthosesittingnear。Butforbeingknownthere，hewouldhavebeenregardedwithsuspicion。Abouthalf-pastnine，therebeingnomorewine，hegotup，putapieceofgoldonthetable，andwentoutwithoutwaitingforhischange。
Inthestreets，thelampswerelighted，butdaylightwasnotquitegone。Hewalkedunsteadily，towardPiccadilly。Agirlofthetownpassedandlookedupathim。Staringhard，hehookedhisarminherswithoutaword；itsteadiedhim，andtheywalkedonthustogether。Suddenlyhesaid:”Well，girl，areyouhappy？”Thegirlstoppedandtriedtodisengageherarm；aratherfrightenedlookhadcomeintoherdark-
eyedpowderedface。Fiorsenlaughed，andhelditfirm。”Whentheunhappymeet，theywalktogether。Comeon！Youarejustalittlelikemywife。Willyouhaveadrink？”
Thegirlshookherhead，and，withasuddenmovement，slippedherarmoutofthismadman’sanddivedawaylikeaswallowthroughthepavementtraffic。Fiorsenstoodstillandlaughedwithhisheadthrownback。Thesecondtimeto-day。SHEhadslippedfromhisgrasp。Passerslookedathim，amazed。Theuglydevils！Andwithagrimace，heturnedoutofPiccadilly，pastSt。James’sChurch，makingforBuryStreet。Theywouldn’tlethimin，ofcourse——notthey！Buthewouldlookatthewindows；theyhadflower-boxes——
flower-boxes！And，suddenly，hegroanedaloud——hehadthoughtofGyp’sfigurebusyamongtheflowersathome。Missingtherightturning，hecameinatthebottomofthestreet。Afiddlerinthegutterwasscrapingawayonanoldviolin。Fiorsenstoppedtolisten。Poordevil！”Pagliacci！”Goinguptotheman——dark，lame，veryshabby，hetookoutsomesilver，andputhisotherhandontheman’sshoulder。”Brother，”hesaid，”lendmeyourfiddle。Here’smoneyforyou。
Come；lendittome。Iamagreatviolinist。””Vraiment，monsieur！””Ah！Vraiment！Voyons！Donnez——uninstant——vousverrez。”
Thefiddler，doubtingbuthypnotized，handedhimthefiddle；hisdarkfacechangedwhenhesawthisstrangerflingituptohisshoulderandthewaysofhisfingerswithbowandstrings。Fiorsenhadbeguntowalkupthestreet，hiseyessearchingfortheflower-
boxes。Hesawthem，stopped，andbeganplaying”Chefaro？”Heplayeditwonderfullyonthatpoorfiddle；andthefiddler，whohadfollowedathiselbow，stoodwatchinghim，uneasy，envious，butalittleentranced。Sapristi！Thistall，palemonsieurwiththestrangefaceandtheeyesthatlookeddrunkandthehollowchest，playedlikeanangel！Ah，butitwasnotsoeasyasallthattomakemoneyinthestreetsofthissacredtown！Youmightplaylikefortyangelsandnotacopper！Hehadbegunanothertune——likelittlepluckingsatyourheart——tresjoli——toutafaitecoeurant！
Ah，thereitwas——amonsieurasusualclosingthewindow，drawingthecurtains！Alwayssamething！Theviolinandthebowwerethrustbackintohishands；andthetallstrangemonsieurwasoffasifdevilswereafterhim——notbadlydrunk，thatone！Andnotasouthrowndown！Withanuneasyfeelingthathehadbeeninvolvedinsomethingthathedidnotunderstand，thelame，darkfiddlerlimpedhiswayroundthenearestcorner，andfortwostreetsatleastdidnotstop。Then，countingthesilverFiorsenhadputintohishandandcarefullyexamininghisfiddle，heusedtheword，”Bigre！”andstartedforhome。
XIX
Gyphardlysleptatall。Threetimesshegotup，and，stealingtothedoor，lookedinathersleepingbaby，whosefaceinitsnewbedshecouldjustseebythenight-light’sglow。Theafternoonhadshakenhernerves。NorwasBetty’smethodofbreathingwhileasleepconducivetotheslumberofanythingbutbabies。Itwassohot，too，andthesoundoftheviolinstillinherears。BythatlittleairofPoise，shehadknownforcertainitwasFiorsen；andherfather’sabruptdrawingofthecurtainshadclinchedthatcertainty。Ifshehadgonetothewindowandseenhim，shewouldnothavebeenhalfsodeeplydisturbedasshewasbythatechoofanoldemotion。Thelinkwhichyesterdayshethoughtbrokenforgoodwasreforgedinsomemysteriousway。Thesobbingofthatoldfiddlehadbeenhiswayofsaying，”Forgiveme；forgive！”Toleavehimwouldhavebeensomucheasierifshehadreallyhatedhim；butshedidnot。Howeverdifficultitmaybetolivewithanartist，tohatehimisquiteasdifficult。Anartistissoflexible——onlytherigidcanbehated。Shehatedthethingshedid，andhimwhenhewasdoingthem；butafterwardagaincouldhatehimnomorethanshecouldlovehim，andthatwas——notatall。Resolutionandasenseofthepracticalbegantocomebackwithdaylight。Whenthingswerehopeless，itwasfarbettertorecognizeitandhardenone’sheart。
Winton，whosenighthadbeenalmostassleepless——toplaylikeabeggarinthestreet，underhiswindows，hadseemedtohimthelimit！——announcedatbreakfastthathemustseehislawyer，makearrangementsforthepaymentofFiorsen’sdebts，andfindoutwhatcouldbedonetosecureGypagainstpersecution。Somedeedwasprobablynecessary；hewasvagueonallsuchmatters。Inthemeantime，neitherGypnorthebabymustgoout。GypspentthemorningwritingandrewritingtoMonsieurHarmost，tryingtoexpressherchagrin，butnotsayingthatshehadleftFiorsen。
HerfathercamebackfromWestminsterquietandangry。HehadwithdifficultybeenmadetounderstandthatthebabywasFiorsen’sproperty，sothat，ifthefellowclaimedit，legallytheywouldbeunabletoresist。Thepointopenedtheoldwound，forcedhimtorememberthathisowndaughterhadoncebelongedtoanother——
father。Hehadtoldthelawyerinameasuredvoicethathewouldseethefellowdamnedfirst，andhaddirectedadeedofseparationtobeprepared，whichshouldprovideforthecompletepaymentofFiorsen’sexistingdebtsonconditionthatheleftGypandthebabyinpeace。AftertellingGypthis，hetookanopportunityofgoingtotheextemporenurseryandstandingbythebaby’scradle。Untilthen，thelittlecreaturehadonlybeenofinterestaspartofGyp；
nowithadforhimanexistenceofitsown——thistiny，dark-eyedcreature，lyingthere，watchinghimsogravely，clutchinghisfinger。Suddenlythebabysmiled——notabeautifulsmile，butitmadeonWintonanindelibleimpression。
Wishingfirsttosettlethismatterofthedeed，heputoffgoingdowntoMildenham；but”nottrustingthosetwoscoundrelsayard”——
forheneverfailedtobracketRosekandFiorsen——heinsistedthatthebabyshouldnotgooutwithouttwoattendants，andthatGypshouldnotgooutalone。HecarriedprecautiontothepointofaccompanyinghertoMonsieurHarmost’sontheFridayafternoon，andexpressedawishtogoinandshakehandswiththeoldfellow。Itwasaqueermeeting。Thosetwohadasgreatdifficultyinfindinganythingtosayasthoughtheyweredenizensofdifferentplanets。
Andindeed，thereAREtwoplanetsonthisearth！When，afteraminuteorsoofthefriendliestembarrassment，hehadretiredtowaitforher，Gypsatdowntoherlesson。
MonsieurHarmostsaidquietly:”Yourletterwasverykind，mylittlefriend——andyourfatherisverykind。But，afterall，itwasacomplimentyourhusbandpaidme。”HissmilesmoteGyp；itseemedtosumupsomanyresignations。”Soyoustayagainwithyourfather！”And，lookingatherveryhardwithhismelancholybrowneyes，”Whenwillyoufindyourfate，Iwonder？””Never！”
MonsieurHarmost’seyebrowsrose。”Ah，”hesaid，”youthink！No，thatisimpossible！”Hewalkedtwiceveryquicklyupanddowntheroom；thenspinningroundonhisheel，saidsharply:”Well，wemustnotwasteyourfather’stime。
Towork。”
Winton’ssimplecommentinthecabonthewayhomewas:”Niceoldchap！”
AtBuryStreet，theyfoundGyp’sagitatedparlour-maid。Goingtodothemusic-roomthatmorning，shehad”foundthemastersittingonthesofa，holdinghishead，andgroaningawful。He’snotbeenathome，ma’am，sinceyou——youwentonyourvisit，soIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Iranforcookandwegothimuptobed，andnotknowingwhereyou’dbe，ma’am，ItelephonedtoCountRosek，andhecame——IhopeIdidn’tdowrong——andhesentmedowntoseeyou。
Thedoctorsayshisbrain’sonthetouchandgo，andhekeepsaskin’foryou，ma’am。SoIdidn’tknowwhattodo。”
Gyp，paletothelips，said:”Waithereaminute，Ellen，”andwentintothedining-room。Wintonfollowed。Sheturnedtohimatonce，andsaid:”Oh，Dad，whatamItodo？Hisbrain！ItwouldbetooawfultofeelI’dbroughtthatabout。”
Wintongrunted。Gypwenton:”Imustgoandsee。Ifit’sreallythat，Icouldn’tbearit。I’mafraidImustgo，Dad。”
Wintonnodded。”Well，I’llcometoo，”hesaid。”Thegirlcangobackinthecabandsaywe’reontheway。”
Takingapartinglookatherbaby，Gypthoughtbitterly:’Myfate？
THISismyfate，andnogettingoutofit！’Onthejourney，sheandWintonwerequitesilent——butsheheldhishandtight。WhilethecookwastakinguptoRosekthenewsoftheirarrival，Gypstoodlookingoutathergarden。Twodaysandsixhoursonlysinceshehadstoodthereaboveherpansies；since，atthisveryspot，Rosekhadkissedherthroat！SlippingherhandthroughWinton’sarm，shesaid:”Dad，pleasedon’tmakeanythingofthatkiss。Hecouldn’thelphimself，Isuppose。Whatdoesitmatter，too？”
AmomentlaterRosekentered。Beforeshecouldspeak，Wintonwassaying:”Thankyouforlettingusknow，sir。Butnowthatmydaughterishere，therewillbenofurtherneedforyourkindservices。Good-
day！”
Atthecruelcurtnessofthosewords，Gypgavethetinieststartforward。ShehadseenthemgothroughRosek’sarmourasaswordthroughbrownpaper。Herecoveredhimselfwithasicklysmile，bowed，andwentout。Wintonfollowed——preciselyasifhedidnottrusthimwiththehatsinthehall。Whentheouterdoorwasshut，hesaid:”Idon’tthinkhe’lltroubleyouagain。”
Gyp’sgratitudewasqualifiedbyaqueercompassion。Afterall，hisoffencehadonlybeenthatoflovingher。
Fiorsenhadbeentakentoherroom，whichwaslargerandcoolerthanhisown；andthemaidwasstandingbythesideofthebedwithascaredface。Gypsignedtohertogo。Heopenedhiseyespresently:”Gyp！Oh！Gyp！Isityou？Thedevilish，awfulthingsIsee——
don’tgoawayagain！Oh，Gyp！”Withasobheraisedhimselfandrestedhisforeheadagainsther。AndGypfelt——asonthefirstnighthecamehomedrunk——amergingofallotheremotionsinthedesiretoprotectandheal。”It’sallright，allright，”shemurmured。”I’mgoingtostay。
Don’tworryaboutanything。Keepquitequiet，andyou’llsoonbewell。”
Inaquarterofanhour，hewasasleep。Hiswastedlookwenttoherheart，andthatexpressionofterrorwhichhadbeencomingandgoinguntilhefellasleep！Anythingtodowiththebrainwassohorrible！Onlytooclearthatshemuststay——thathisrecoverydependedonher。Shewasstillsittingthere，motionless，whenthedoctorcame，and，seeinghimasleep，beckonedherout。Helookedakindlyman，withtwowaistcoats，thetoponeunbuttoned；andwhilehetalked，hewinkedatGypinvoluntarily，and，witheachwink，Gypfeltthatherippedtheveiloffonemoredomesticsecret。Sleepwastheticket——theveryticketforhim！Hadsomethingonhismind——yes！And——er——alittlegivento——brandy？Ah！allthatmuststop！Stomachaswellasnervesaffected。Seeingthings——nastythings——suresign。Perhapsnotaverycarefullifebeforemarriage。Andmarried——howlong？HiskindlyappreciativeeyessweptGypfromtoptotoe。Yearandahalf！Quiteso！Hardworkerathisviolin，too？Nodoubt！Musiciansalwaysalittleinclinedtobeimmoderate——toomuchsenseofbeauty——burnthecandleatbothends！Shemustseetothat。Shehadbeenaway，hadshenot——stayingwithherfather？Yes。But——noonelikeawifefornursing。Astotreatment？Well！Onewouldshoveinadashofwhathewouldprescribe，nightandmorning。Perfectquiet。Nostimulant。Alittlecupofstrongcoffeewithoutmilk，ifheseemedlow。Keephiminbedatpresent。Noworry；noexcitement。
Youngmanstill。Plentyofvitality。Astoherself，noundueanxiety。To-morrowtheywouldseewhetheranightnursewouldbenecessary。Aboveall，noviolinforamonth，noalcohol——ineverywaythestrictestmoderation！Andwithalastandfriendliestwink，leaningheavilyonthatword”moderation，”hetookoutastylographicpen，scratchedonaleafofhisnote-book，shookGyp’shand，smiledwhimsically，buttonedhisupperwaistcoat，anddeparted。
Gypwentbacktoherseatbythebed。Irony！Shewhoseonlydesirewastobeletgofree，wasmainlyresponsibleforhisbreakdown！Butforher，therewouldbenothingonhismind，forhewouldnotbemarried！Broodingmorbidly，sheaskedherself——hisdrinking，debts，eventhegirl——hadshecausedthem，too？Andwhenshetriedtofreehimandherself——thiswastheresult！Wastheresomethingfatalaboutherthatmustdestroythemenshehadtodowith？Shehadmadeherfatherunhappy，MonsieurHarmost——Rosek，andherhusband！Evenbeforeshemarried，howmanyhadtriedforherlove，andgoneawayunhappy！And，gettingup，shewenttoamirrorandlookedatherselflongandsadly。
XX
Threedaysafterherabortiveattempttobreakaway，Gyp，withmuchheart-searching，wrotetoDaphneWing，tellingherofFiorsen’sillness，andmentioningacottagenearMildenham，where——ifshelikedtogo——shewouldbequitecomfortableandsafefromallcuriosity，andfinallybeggingtobeallowedtomakegoodthelossesfromanybrokendance-contracts。
Nextmorning，shefoundMr。Waggewithatall，crape-bandedhatinhisblack-glovedhands，standingintheverycentreofherdrawing-
room。Hewasstaringintothegarden，asifhehadbeenvouchsafedavisionofthatwarmnightwhenthemoonlightsheditsghostlyglamouronthesunflowers，andhisdaughterhaddancedoutthere。
Shehadaperfectviewofhisthickredneckinitsturndowncollar，crossedbyablackbowoverashinywhiteshirt。And，holdingoutherhand，shesaid:”Howdoyoudo，Mr。Wagge？Itwaskindofyoutocome。”
Mr。Waggeturned。Hispugfaceworeadowncastexpression。”IhopeIseeyouwell，ma’am。Prettyplaceyou’ave’ere。I’mfondofflowersmyself。They’vealwaysbeenmy’obby。””They’reagreatcomfortinLondon，aren’tthey？””Ye-es；Ishouldthinkyoumightgrowthedahliahere。”Andhavingthusobeyedtheobscureinstinctsofsavoirfaire，satisfiedsomeobscurerdesiretoflatter，hewenton:”Mygirlshowedmeyourletter。Ididn’tliketowrite；insuchadelicatematterI’dratherbeviveyvocey。Verykind，inyourposition；I’msureI
appreciateit。IalwaystrytodotheChristianthingmyself。
Fleshpasses；youneverknowwhenyoumayhavetotakeyourturn。
IsaidtomygirlI’dcomeandseeyou。””I’mveryglad。Ihopedperhapsyouwould。”
Mr。Waggeclearedhisthroat，andwenton，inahoarservoice:”Idon’twanttosayanythingharshaboutacertainpartyinyourpresence，especiallyasIreadhe’sindisposed，butreallyIhardlyknowhowtobearthesituation。Ican’tbringmyselftothinkofmoneyinrelationtothatmatter；allthesame，it’saseriouslosstomydaughter，veryseriousloss。I’vegotmyfamilypridetothinkof。Mydaughter’sname，well——it’smyown；and，thoughIsayit，I’mrespected——aregularattendant——IthinkItoldyou。
Sometimes，Iassureyou，IfeelIcan’tcontrolmyself，andit’sonlythat——andyou，ifImaysayso，thatkeepsmeincheck。”
Duringthisspeech，hisblack-glovedhandswereclenchingandunclenching，andheshiftedhisbroad，shiningboots。Gypgazedatthem，notdaringtolookupathiseyesthusturningandturningfromChristianitytoshekels，fromhishonourtotheworld，fromhisangertoherself。Andshesaid:”PleaseletmedowhatIask，Mr。Wagge。IshouldbesounhappyifImightn’tdothatlittlesomething。”
Mr。Waggeblewhisnose。”It’sadelicatematter，”hesaid。”Idon’tknowwheremydutylays。Idon’t，reelly。”
Gyplookedupthen。”ThegreatthingistosaveDaisysuffering，isn’tit？”
Mr。Wagge’sfaceworeforamomentanexpressionofaffront，asiffromthethought:’Sufferin’！Youmustleavethattoherfather！’
Thenitwavered；thecurious，furtivewarmthoftheattractedmalecameforamomentintohislittleeyes；heavertedthem，andcoughed。Gypsaidsoftly:”Topleaseme。”
Mr。Wagge’sreadjustedglancestoppedinconfusionatherwaist。
Heanswered，inavoicethathestrovetomakebland:”Ifyouputitinthatway，Idon’treellyknow’owtorefuse；butitmustbequitebetweenyouandme——Ican’twithdrawmyattitude。”
Gypmurmured:”No，ofcourse。Thankyousomuch；andyou’llletmeknowabouteverythinglater。Imustn’ttakeupyourtimenow。”Andsheheldoutherhand。
Mr。Waggetookitinalingeringmanner。”Well，IHAVEanappointment，”hesaid；”agentlemanatCampdenHill。Hestartsattwelve。I’mneverlate。GOOD-morning。”
Whenshehadwatchedhissquare，blackfigurepassthroughtheoutergate，busilyrebuttoningthoseshiningblackgloves，shewentupstairsandwashedherfaceandhands。
Forseveraldays，Fiorsenwavered；buthiscollapsehadcomejustintime，andwitheveryhourthedangerlessened。Attheendofafortnightofaperfectlywhitelife，thereremainednothingtodointhewordsofthedoctorbut”toavoidallrecurrenceofthepredisposingcauses，andshoveinseaair！”Gyphadlockedupallbrandy——andviolins；shecouldcontrolhimsolongashewastamedbyhisownweakness。Butshepassedsomeverybitterhoursbeforeshesentforherbaby，Betty，andthedogs，anddefinitelytookuplifeinherlittlehouseagain。Hisdebtshadbeenpaid，includingthethousandpoundstoRosek，andthelossesofDaphneWing。Thegirlhadgonedowntothatcottagewherenoonehadeverheardofher，topasshertimeinlonelygriefandterror，withtheaidofablackdressandagoldbandonherthirdfinger。
AugustandthefirsthalfofSeptemberwerespentnearBude。
Fiorsen’spassionforthesea，apassionGypcouldshare，kepthimsingularlymoderateandfreefromrestiveness。Hehadbeenthoroughlyfrightened，andsuchterrorisnoteasilyforgotten。
Theystayedinafarmhouse，wherehewasathisbestwiththesimplefolk，andhisbestcouldbecharming。Hewasalwaystryingtogethis”mermaid，”ashetooktocallingGyp，awayfromthebaby，gettingherawaytohimself，alongthegrassycliffsandamongtherocksandyellowsandsofthatfreecoast。Hisdelightwastofindeverydaysomenewnookwheretheycouldbathe，anddrythemselvesbysittinginthesun。Andverylikeamermaidshewas，onaseaweedyrock，withherfeetclosetogetherinalittlepool，herfingerscombingherdrownedhair，andthesunsilveringherwetbody。Ifshehadlovedhim，itwouldhavebeenperfect。Butthough，closetonaturelikethis——therearementowhomtownsarepoison——hewassomuchmoreeasytobear，eventolike，herheartneveropenedtohim，neverflutteredathisvoice，orbeatmorequicklyunderhiskisses。Onecannotregulatethesethings。Thewarmthinhereyeswhentheylookedatherbaby，andthecoolnesswhentheylookedathim，wassuchthatnotevenaman，andheanegoist，couldhelpseeing；andsecretlyhebegantohatethattinyrival，andshebegantonoticethathedid。
Assoonastheweatherbroke，hegrewrestless，cravinghisviolin，andtheywentbacktotown，inrobusthealth——allthree。Duringthoseweeks，Gyphadneverbeenfreeofthefeelingthatitwasjustalull，offorcesheldupinsuspense，andthemomenttheywerebackintheirhouse，thisfeelinggathereddensityanddarkness，asraingathersintheskyafterafinespell。ShehadoftenthoughtofDaphneWing，andhadwrittentwice，gettinginreturnonenaiveandpatheticanswer:
’DEARMRS。FIORSEN，’Oh，itiskindofyoutowrite，becauseIknowwhatyoumustbefeelingaboutme；anditwassokindofyoutoletmecomehere。I
trynottothinkaboutthings，butofcourseIcan’thelpit；andI
don’tseemtocarewhathappensnow。Motheriscomingdownherelateron。SometimesIlieawakeallnight，listeningtothewind。
Don’tyouthinkthewindisthemostmelancholythingintheworld？
IwonderifIshalldie？IhopeIshall。Oh，Ido，really！Good-
bye，dearMrs。Fiorsen。Ishallneverforgivemyselfaboutyou。
’Yourgrateful，’DAPHNEWING。’
ThegirlhadneveroncebeenmentionedbetweenherandFiorsensincethenightwhenhesatbyherbed，beggingforgiveness；shedidnotknowwhetherheevergavethelittledancerandhertroubleathought，orevenknewwhathadbecomeofher。Butnowthatthetimewasgettingnear，Gypfeltmoreandmoreeverydayasifshemustgodownandseeher。Shewrotetoherfather，who，afteradoseofHarrogatewithAuntRosamund，wasbackatMildenham。
Wintonansweredthatthenursewasthere，andthatthereseemedtobeawoman，presumablythemother，stayingwithher，butthathehadnotofcoursemadedirectinquiry。CouldnotGypcomedown？
Hewasalone，andcubbinghadbegun。Itwaslikehimtoveilhislongingsundersuchdrystatements。Butthethoughtofgivinghimpleasure，andofagallopwithhoundsfortifiedintenselyherfeelingthatsheoughttogo。Nowthatbabywassowell，andFiorsenstillnotdrinking，shemightsurelysnatchthislittleholidayandsatisfyherconscienceaboutthegirl。SincethereturnfromCornwall，shehadplayedforhiminthemusic-roomjustasofold，andshechosethefinishofamorningpracticetosay:”Gustav，IwanttogotoMildenhamthisafternoonforaweek。
Father’slonely。”
Hewasputtingawayhisviolin，butshesawhisneckgrowred。”Tohim？No。Hewillstealyouashestolethebaby。Lethimhavethebabyifhelikes。Notyou。No。”
Gyp，whowasstandingbythepiano，keptsilenceatthisunexpectedoutburst，butrevoltblazedupinher。Sheneveraskedhimanything；heshouldnotrefusethis。Hecameupbehindandputhisarmsroundher。”MyGyp，Iwantyouhere——Iamlonely，too。Don’tgoaway。”
Shetriedtoforcehisarmsapart，butcouldnot，andherangergrew。Shesaidcoldly:”There’sanotherreasonwhyImustgo。””No，no！Nogoodreason——totakeyoufromme。””Thereis！ThegirlwhoisjustgoingtohaveyourchildisstayingnearMildenham，andIwanttoseehowsheis。”
Heletgoofherthen，andrecoilingagainstthedivan，satdown。
AndGypthought:’I’msorry。Ididn’tmeanto——butitserveshimright。’
Hemuttered，inadullvoice:”Oh，Ihopedshewasdead。””Yes！Forallyoucare，shemightbe。I’mgoing，butyouneedn’tbeafraidthatIshan’tcomeback。Ishallbebackto-dayweek；I
promise。”
Helookedatherfixedly。”Yes。Youdon’tbreakyourpromises；youwillnotbreakit。”But，suddenly，hesaidagain:”Gyp，don’tgo！””Imust。”
Hegotupandcaughtherinhisarms。”Sayyouloveme，then！”
Butshecouldnot。Itwasonethingtoputupwithembraces，quiteanothertopretendthat。Whenatlasthewasgone，shesatsmoothingherhair，staringbeforeherwithhardeyes，thinking:”Here——whereIsawhimwiththatgirl！Whatanimalsmenare！”
Latethatafternoon，shereachedMildenham。Wintonmetheratthestation。Andonthedriveup，theypassedthecottagewhereDaphneWingwasstaying。Itstoodinfrontofasmallcoppice，acreepered，plain-fronted，littlebrickhouse，withagardenstillfullofsunflowers，tenantedbytheoldjockey，Pettance，hiswidoweddaughter，andherthreesmallchildren。”Thattalkativeoldscoundrel，”asWintonalwayscalledhim，wasstillemployedintheMildenhamstables，andhisdaughterwaslaundresstotheestablishment。GyphadsecuredforDaphneWingthesamefree，independent，economicagentwhohadwatchedoverherownevent；thesameolddoctor，too，wastobethepresidingdeity。Therewerenosignsoflifeaboutthecottage，andshewouldnotstop，tooeagertobeathomeagain，toseetheoldrooms，andsmelltheoldsavourofthehouse，togettoheroldmare，andfeelitsnosenuzzlingherforsugar。Itwassogoodtobebackoncemore，feelingstrongandwellandabletoride。ThesmileoftheinscrutableMarkeyatthefrontdoorwasajoytoher，eventhedarknessofthehall，whereagleamoflastsunlightfellacrosstheskinofWinton’sfirsttiger，onwhichshehadsooftensunkdowndeadtiredafterhunting。Ah，itwasnicetobeathome！
Inhermare’sbox，oldPettancewasputtingalasttouchtocleanliness。Hisshaven，skin-tight，wickedoldface，smileddeeply。Hesaidinhoneyedtones:”Goodevenin’，miss；beautifulevenin’，ma’am！”Andhislittleburningbrowneyes，justtouchedbyage，regardedherlovingly。”Well，Pettance，howareyou？Andhow’sAnnie，andhowarethechildren？Andhow’sthisolddarling？””Wonderful，miss；artfulasakitten。Carryyoulikeabirdto-
morrow，ifyou’regoin’out。””Howareherlegs？”
AndwhileGyppassedherhanddownthoseironlegs，theoldmareexaminedherdownthebackofherneck。”They’aven’tfillednotoncesinceshecomein——shewasoutallJulyandAugust；butI’vekept’erwellatitsince，in’opesyoumightbecomin’。””Theyfeelsplendid。”And，stillbendingdown，Gypasked:”Andhowisyourlodger——theyoungladyIsentyou？””Well，ma’am，she’sveryyoung，andtheseveryyoungladiestheygetabitexcited，youknow，atsuchtimes；Ishouldsayshe’veneverbeen——”Withobviousdifficultyhecheckedthewords，”toan’orsebefore！””Well，youmustexpectit。Andhermother，she’sadreadfulfunnyone，miss。Shedoesneedleme！Oh，sheputsmybackupproperly！Noclass，ofcourse——that’swhereitis。Butthis’erenurse——well，youknow，miss，shewon’t’avenononsense；
sothereweare。And，ofcourse，you’reboundto’ave’ighsteria，abit——losin’her’usbandasyoungasthat。”
Gypcouldfeelhiswickedoldsmileevenbeforesheraisedherself。
Butwhatdiditmatterifhedidguess？Sheknewhewouldkeepastablesecret。”Oh，we’ve’adsomeprettyflirts——upandcryin’，dearme！I
sleepsinthenextroom——oh，yes，atnight-time——whenyou’reawidderatthatage，youcan’texpectnothin’else。IrememberwhenIwasridin’inIrelandforCaptainO’Neill，therewasayoungwoman——”
Gypthought:’Imustn’tlethimgetoff——orIshallbelatefordinner，’andshesaid:”Oh，Pettance，whoboughttheyoungbrownhorse？””Mr。BrynSummer’ay，ma’am，overatWidrington，foran’unter，and’ackintown，miss。””Summerhay？Ah！”Withatouchofthewhiptohermemory，Gyprecalledtheyoungmanwiththecleareyesandteasingsmile，onthechestnutmare，theboldyoungmanwhoremindedherofsomebody，andsheadded:”That’llbeagoodhomeforhim，Ishouldthink。””Oh，yes，miss；good’ome——nicegentleman，too。Hecomeoverheretoseeit，andaskedafteryou。Itold’imyouwasamarriedladynow，miss。’Ah，’hesaid；’sherodebeautiful！’Andherememberedthe’orsewell。Themajor，hewasn’t’erejustthen，soIlethimtrytheyoungun；hepopped’imoverafenceortwo，andwhenhecomebackhesays，’Well，I’mgoin’tohave’im。’Speaksverypleasant，an’don’twastenotime——’orsewasawaybeforetheendoftheweek。Carry’imwell；’e’sastrongrider，too，andagoodpluckedone，butbad’ands，Ishouldsay。””Yes，Pettance；Imustgoinnow。WillyoutellAnnieIshallberoundto-morrow，toseeher？””Verygood，miss。’OundsmeetsatFillyCross，seven-thirty。
You’llbegoin’out？””Rather。Good-night。”
Flyingbackacrosstheyard，Gypthought:”’Sherodebeautiful！’
Howjolly！I’mgladhe’sgotmyhorse。”