Theoldman\'seyessweptthehorizon，thenheturnedtogoin，withoutmakinganotherobservation。Alllightseemedextinguishedinhimagain。WhenEdwardwentinhefoundhisfatherwiththebureauopen，unfoldingtheleaseswithashakinghand，foldingthemupagainwithoutreadingthem，thenputtingthemintheirnicheonlytoremovethemagain。
Adelaidewasintheroom。ShesaidthoughtfullytoEdward，asshewatchedthefarmer——
\'Ihopeitwon\'tkillpooruncle，Edward。Whatshouldwedoifanythingweretohappentohim？HeistheonlynearrelativeyouandIhaveintheworld。\'Itwasperfectlytrue，andsomehowEdwardfeltmoreboundupwithherafterthatremark。
Shecontinued：\'Andhewasonlysayingsohopefullythedaybeforethefire，thathewouldn\'tfortheworldletanyoneelsegivemeawaytoyouwhenwearemarried。\'
ForthefirsttimeaconscientiousdoubtaroseinEdward\'smindastothejusticeofthecoursehewaspursuinginresolvingtorefusethealternativeofferedbyMissAldclyffe。Coulditbeselfishnessaswellasindependence？Howmuchhehadthoughtofhisownheart，howlittlehehadthoughtofhisfather\'speaceofmind！
Theoldmandidnotspeakagaintillsupper-time，whenhebeganaskinghissonanendlessnumberofhypotheticalquestionsonwhatmightinduceMissAldclyffetolistentokinderterms；speakingofhernownotasanunfairwoman，butasaLachesisorFatewhosecourseitbehovednobodytocondemn。InhisearnestnessheonceturnedhiseyesonEdward\'sface：theirexpressionwaswoful：thepupilsweredilatedandstrangeinaspect。
\'Ifshewillonlyagreetothat！\'hereiteratedforthehundredthtime，increasingthesadnessofhislisteners。
Anaristocraticknockingcametothedoor，andJaneenteredwithaletter，addressed——
\'MR。EDWARDSPRINGROVE，Junior。\'
\'CharlesfromKnapwaterHousebroughtit，\'shesaid。
\'MissAldclyffe\'swriting，\'saidMr。Springrove，beforeEdwardhadrecognizedithimself。\'Now\'tisallright；she\'sgoingtomakeanoffer；shedoesn\'twantthehousesthere，notshe；theyaregoingtomakethatthewayintothepark。\'
Edwardopenedthesealandglancedattheinside。Hesaid，withasupremeeffortofself-command——
\'ItisonlydirectedbyMissAldclyffe，andreferstonothingconnectedwiththefire。Iwonderathertakingthetroubletosenditto-night。\'
Hisfatherlookedabsentlyathimandturnedawayagain。Shortlyafterwardstheyretiredforthenight。AloneinhisbedroomEdwardopenedandreadwhathehadnotdaredtorefertointheirpresence。
TheenvelopecontainedanotherenvelopeinCytherea\'shandwriting，addressedto\'——Manston，Esq。，OldManorHouse。\'Insidethiswasthenoteshehadwrittentothestewardafterherdetentioninhishousebythethunderstorm——
\'KNAPWATERHOUSE，September20th。
\'IfindIcannotmeetyouatseveno\'clockbythewaterfallasI
promised。TheemotionIfeltmademeforgetfulofrealities。
\'C。GRAYE。\'
MissAldclyffehadnotwrittenaline，and，bytheunvaryingruleobservablewhenwordsarenotanabsolutenecessity，hersilenceseemedtentimesasconvincingasanyexpressionofopinioncouldhavebeen。
Hethen，stepbystep，recalledalltheconversationonthesubjectofCytherea\'sfeelingsthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandMissAldclyffeintheafternoon，andbyaconfusionofthought，naturalenoughunderthetryingexperience，concludedthatbecausetheladywastruthfulinherportraitureofeffects，shemustnecessarilyberightinherassumptionofcauses。Thatis，hewasconvincedthatCytherea——thehitherto-believedfaithfulCytherea——had，atanyrate，lookedwithsomethingmorethanindifferenceupontheextremelyhandsomefaceandformofManston。
Didheblameher，asguiltyoftheimproprietyofallowingherselftolovethenewcomerinthefaceofhisnotbeingfreetoreturnherlove？No；neverforamomentdidhedoubtthatallhadoccurredinherold，innocent，impulsiveway；thatherheartwasgonebeforesheknewit——beforesheknewanything，beyondhisexistence，ofthemantowhomithadflown。Perhapstheverynoteenclosedtohimwastheresultoffirstreflection。Manstonhewouldunhesitatinglyhavecalledascoundrel，butforonestrikinglyredeemingfact。Ithadbeenpatenttothewholeparish，andhadcometoEdward\'sownknowledgebythatindirectchannel，thatManston，asamarriedman，conscientiouslyavoidedCythereaafterthosefirstfewdaysofhisarrivalduringwhichherirresistiblybeautifulandfatalglanceshadresteduponhim——hisuponher。
Takingfromhiscoatacreasedandpocket-wornenvelopecontainingCytherea\'slettertohimself，Springroveopeneditandreaditthrough。Hewasupbraidedtherein，andhewasdismissed。ItborethedateofthelettersenttoManston，andbycontainingwithinitthephrase，\'AllthedaylongIhavebeenthinking，\'affordedjustifiablegroundforassumingthatitwaswrittensubsequentlytotheotherandinEdward\'ssightfarsweeteronetothesteward。
Butthoughheaccusedheroffickleness，hewouldnotdoubtthegenuineness，initskind，ofherpartialityforhimatBudmouth。Itwasashortandshallowfeeling——notperfectlove：
\'LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds。\'
Butitwasnotflirtation；afeelinghadbeenborninherandhaddied。Itwouldbewellforhispeaceofmindifhisloveforhercouldflitawaysosoftly，andleavesofewtracesbehind。
MissAldclyffehadshownherselfdesperatelyconcernedinthewholematterbythealacritywithwhichshehadobtainedtheletterfromManston，andherlabourstoinducehimselftomarryhiscousin。
Takeninconnectionwithherapparentinterestin，ifnotlovefor，Cytherea，hereagerness，too，couldonlybeaccountedforonthegroundthatCythereaindeedlovedthesteward。
5。DECEMBERTHEFOURTH
Edwardpassedthenighthescarcelyknewhow，tossingfeverishlyfromsidetoside，thebloodthrobbinginhistemples，andsinginginhisears。
Beforethedaybegantobreakhedressedhimself。Ongoingoutuponthelandinghefoundhisfather\'sbedroomdooralreadyopen。Edwardconcludedthattheoldmanhadrisensoftly，aswashiswont，andgoneoutintothefieldstostartthelabourers。Butneitheroftheouterdoorswasunfastened。Heenteredthefrontroom，andfounditempty。Thenanimatedbyanewidea，hewentroundtothelittlebackparlour，inwhichthefewwreckssavedfromthefireweredeposited，andlookedinatthedoor。Here，nearthewindow，theshuttersofwhichhadbeenopenedhalfway，hesawhisfatherleaningonthebureau，hiselbowsrestingontheflap，hisbodynearlydoubled，hishandsclaspinghisforehead。Besidehimwereghostly-lookingsquarefoldsofparchment——theleasesofthehousesdestroyed。
HisfatherlookedupwhenEdwardentered，andwearilyspoketotheyoungmanashisfacecameintothefaintlight。
\'Edward，whydidyougetupsoearly？\'
\'Iwasuneasy，andcouldnotsleep。\'
Thefarmerturnedagaintotheleasesonthebureau，andseemedtobecomelostinreflection。Inaminuteortwo，withoutliftinghiseyes，hesaid——
\'Thisismorethanwecanbear，Ted——morethanwecanbear！Ted，thiswillkillme。Notthelossonly——thesenseofmyneglectabouttheinsuranceandeverything。BorrowIneverwill。\'Tisallmiserynow。Godhelpus——allmiserynow！\'
Edwarddidnotanswer，continuingtolookfixedlyatthedrearydaylightoutside。
\'Ted，\'thefarmerwenton，\'thisupsetofbe-enburntouto\'homemakesmeverynervousanddoubtfulabouteverything。There\'sthistroublesmebesides——ourlivenherewithyourcousin，andfillenupherhouse。Itmustbeveryawkwardforher。Butshesaysshedoesn\'tmind。Haveyousaidanythingtoherlatelyaboutwhenyouaregoingtomarryher？\'
\'Nothingatalllately。\'
\'Well，perhapsyoumayaswell，nowwearesomixedintogether。
Youknow，notimehaseverbeenmentionedtoheratall，firstorlast，andIthinkitrightthatnow，sinceshehaswaitedsopatientlyandsolong——youarealmostcalledupontosayyouareready。Itwouldsimplifymattersverymuch，ifyouweretowalkuptochurchwi\'heroneofthesemornings，getthethingdone，andgoonlivenhereasweare。Ifyoudon\'tImustgetahouseallthesooner。Itwouldlightenmymind，too，aboutthetwolittlefreeholdsoverthehill——notamorsela-piece，dividedastheywerebetweenhermotherandme，butatidybittiedtogetheragain。Justthinkaboutit，willye，Ted？\'
Hestoppedfromexhaustionproducedbytheintenseconcentrationofhisminduponthewearysubject，andlookedanxiouslyathisson。
\'Yes，Iwill，\'saidEdward。
\'ButIamgoingtoseeheroftheGreatHousethismorning，\'thefarmerwenton，histhoughtsrevertingtotheoldsubject。\'Imustknowtherightsofthematter，thewhenandthewhere。Idon\'tlikeseeingher，butI\'drathertalktoherthanthesteward。Iwonderwhatshe\'llsaytome。\'
Theyoungermanknewexactlywhatshewouldsay。Ifhisfatheraskedherwhathewastodo，andwhen，shewouldsimplyreferhimtoManston：hercharacterwasnotthatofawomanwhoshrankfromapropositionshehadoncelaiddown。Ifhisfatherweretosaytoherthathissonhadatlastresolvedtomarryhiscousinwithintheyear，andhadgivenherapromisetothateffect，shewouldsay，\'Mr。Springrove，thehousesareburnt：we\'llletthemgo：troublenomoreaboutthem。\'
Hismindwasalreadymadeup。Hesaidcalmly，\'Father，whenyouaretalkingtoMissAldclyffe，mentiontoherthatIhaveaskedAdelaideifsheiswillingtomarrymenextChristmas。SheisinterestedinmyunionwithAdelaide，andthenewswillbewelcometoher。\'
\'Andyetshecanbeironwithreferencetomeandherproperty，\'thefarmermurmured。\'Verywell，Ted，I\'lltellher。\'
6。DECEMBERTHEFIFTH
Ofthemanycontradictoryparticularsconstitutingawoman\'sheart，twohadshowntheirvigorouscontrastinCytherea\'sbosomjustatthistime。
Itwasadarkmorning，themorningafteroldMr。Springrove\'svisittoMissAldclyffe，whichhadterminatedasEdwardhadintended。
Havingrisenanhourearlierthanwasusualwithher，Cythereasatatthewindowofanelegantlittlesitting-roomonthegroundfloor，whichhadbeenappropriatedtoherbythekindnessorwhimofMissAldclyffe，thatshemightnotbedrivenintothatlady\'spresenceagainstherwill。Sheleantwithherfaceonherhand，lookingoutintothegloomygreyair。Ayellowglimmerfromtheflappingflameofthenewly-litfireflutteredononesideofherfaceandnecklikeabutterflyabouttosettlethere，contrastingwarmlywiththeothersideofthesamefairface，whichreceivedfromthewindowthefaintcoldmorninglight，soweakthathershadowfromthefirehadadistinctoutlineonthewindow-shutterinspiteofit。Theretheshadowdancedlikeademon，blueandgrim。
ThecontradictionalludedtowasthatinspiteofthedecisivemoodwhichtwomonthsearlierintheyearhadcausedhertowriteaperemptoryandfinallettertoEdward，shewasnowhopingforsomeanswerotherthantheonlypossibleoneamanwho，assheheld，didnotloveherwildly，couldsendtosuchacommunication。Foraloverwhodidlovewildly，shehadleftonelittleloopholeinherotherwisestraightforwardepistle。Whysheexpectedtheletteronsomemorningofthisparticularweekwas，thathearingofhisreturntoCarriford，shefondlyassumedthathemeanttoaskforaninterviewbeforeheleft。Henceitwas，too，thatforthelastfewdays，shehadnotbeenabletokeepinbedlaterthanthetimeofthepostman\'sarrival。
Theclockpointedtohalf-pastseven。Shesawthepostmanemergefrombeneaththebareboughsoftheparktrees，comethroughthewicket，divethroughtheshrubbery，reappearonthelawn，stalkacrossitwithoutreferencetopaths——ascountrypostmendo——andcometotheporch。Sheheardhimflingthebagdownontheseat，andturnawaytowardsthevillage，withouthinderinghimselfforasinglepace。
Thenthebutleropenedthedoor，tookupthebag，broughtitin，andcarrieditupthestaircasetoplaceitontheslabbyMissAldclyffe\'sdressing-roomdoor。Thewholeproceedinghadbeendepictedbysounds。
Shehadapresentimentthatherletterwasinthebagatlast。Shethoughtthenindiminishingpulsationsofconfidence，\'Heaskstoseeme！Perhapsheaskstoseeme：Ihopeheaskstoseeme。\'
Aquartertoeight：MissAldclyffe\'sbell——ratherearlierthanusual。\'Shemusthaveheardthepost-bagbrought，\'saidthemaiden，as，tiredofthechillyprospectoutside，sheturnedtothefire，anddrewimaginativepicturesofherfuturetherein。
Atapcametothedoor，andthelady\'s-maidentered。
\'MissAldclyffeisawake，\'shesaid；\'andsheaskedifyouweremovingyet，miss。\'
\'I\'llrunuptoher，\'saidCytherea，andflittedoffwiththeutteranceofthewords。\'Veryfortunatethis，\'shethought；\'I
shallseewhatisinthebagthismorningallthesooner。\'
Shetookitupfromthesidetable，wentintoMissAldclyffe\'sbedroom，pulleduptheblinds，andlookedroundupontheladyinbed，calculatingtheminutesthatmustelapsebeforeshelookedatherletters。
\'Well，darling，howareyou？Iamgladyouhavecomeintoseeme，\'
saidMissAldclyffe。\'Youcanunlockthebagthismorning，child，ifyoulike，\'shecontinued，yawningfactitiously。
\'Strange！\'Cythereathought；\'itseemsasifsheknewtherewaslikelytobealetterforme。\'
FromherbedMissAldclyffewatchedthegirl\'sfaceasshetremblinglyopenedthepost-bagandfoundthereanenvelopeaddressedtoherinEdward\'shandwriting；onehehadwrittenthedaybefore，afterthedecisionhehadcometoonanimpartial，andonthataccounttorturing，surveyofhisown，hisfather\'s，hiscousinAdelaide\'s，andwhathebelievedtobeCytherea\'s，position。
Thehaughtymistress\'ssoulsickenedremorsefullywithinherwhenshesawsuddenlyappearuponthespeakingcountenanceoftheyoungladybeforeherawandesolatelookofagony。
Themaster-sentencesofEdward\'sletterwerethese：\'Youspeaktruly。Thatwenevermeetagainisthewisestandonlypropercourse。ThatIregretthepastasmuchasyoudoyourself，itishardlynecessaryformetosay。\'
XII。THEEVENTSOFTENMONTHS
1。DECEMBERTOAPRIL
Weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，thetimehadflownby。
Christmashadpassed；drearywinterwithdarkeveningshadgivenplacetomoredrearywinterwithlightevenings。Thawshadendedinrain，raininwind，windindust。Showerydayshadcome——theperiodofpinkdawnsandwhitesunsets；withthethirdweekinAprilthecuckoohadappeared，withthefourth，thenightingale。
EdwardSpringrovewasinLondon，attendingtothedutiesofhisnewoffice，andithadbecomeknownthroughouttheneighbourhoodofCarrifordthattheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissAdelaideHintonwouldterminateinmarriageattheendoftheyear。
TheonlyoccasiononwhichherloveroftheidledeliciousdaysatBudmouthwatering-placehadbeenseenbyCythereaafterthetimeofthedecisivecorrespondence，wasonceinchurch，whenhesatinfrontofher，andbesideMissHinton。
Therencounterwasquiteanaccident。SpringrovehadcomethereinthefullbeliefthatCythereawasawayfromhomewithMissAldclyffe；andhecontinuedignorantofherpresencethroughouttheservice。
Itisatsuchmomentsasthese，whenasensitivenaturewrithesundertheconceptionthatitsmostcherishedemotionshavebeentreatedwithcontumely，thatthesphere-descendedMaid，Music，friendofPleasureatothertimes，becomesapositiveenemy——
racking，bewildering，unrelenting。ThecongregationsangthefirstPsalmandcametotheverse——
\'Likesomefairtreewhich，fedbystreams，Withtimelyfruitdothbend，Hestillshallflourish，andsuccessAllhisdesignsattend。\'
Cytherea\'slipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundescapeher；butcouldshehelpsingingthewordsinthedepthsofherbeing，althoughthemantowhomsheappliedthemsatatherrival\'sside？
Perhapsthemoralcompensationforallawoman\'spettyclevernessunderthrivingconditionsistherealnobilitythatliesinherextremefoolishnessattheseothertimes；hersheerinabilitytobesimplyjust，herexerciseofanillogicalpowerentirelydeniedtomeningeneral——thepowernotonlyofkissing，butofdelightingtokisstherodbyapunctiliousobservanceoftheself-immolatingdoctrinesintheSermonontheMount。
AsforEdward——alittlelikeothermenofhistemperament，towhom，itissomewhathumiliatingtothink，theaberrancyofagivenloveisinitselfarecommendation——hissentiment，ashelookedoverhiscousin\'sbook，wasofalowerrank，HoratianratherthanPsalmodic——
\'O，whathastthouofher，ofherWhoseeverylookdidloveinspire；
Whoseeverybreathingfannedmyfire，Andstolemefrommyselfaway！\'
Then，withoutlettinghimseeher，Cythereasliptoutofchurchearly，andwenthome，thetonesoftheorganstilllingeringinherearsasshetriedbravelytokillajealousthoughtthatwouldneverthelesslive：\'Mynatureisonecapableofmore，farmore，intensefeelingthanhers！Shecan\'tappreciateallthesidesofhim——sheneverwill！Heismoretangibletomeevennow，asathought，thanhispresenceitselfistoher！\'Shewaslessnoblethen。
Butshecontinuallyrepressedhermiseryandbitternessofhearttilltheefforttodososhowedsignsoflessening。Atlengthsheeventriedtohopethatherlostloverandherrivalwouldloveoneanotherverydearly。
Thesceneandthesentimentdroppedintothepast。Meanwhile，Manstoncontinuedvisiblybeforeher。He，thoughquietandsubduedinhisbearingforalongtimeafterthecalamityofNovember，hadnotsimulatedagriefthathedidnotfeel。Atfirsthislossseemedsotoabsorbhim——thoughasastartlingchangeratherthanasaheavysorrow——thathepaidCythereanoattentionwhatever。Hisconductwasuniformlykindandrespectful，butlittlemore。Then，asthedateofthecatastrophegrewremoter，hebegantowearadifferentaspecttowardsher。Healwayscontrivedtoobliteratebyhismannerallrecollectiononhersidethatshewascomparativelymoredependentthanhimself——makingmuchofherwomanhood，nothingofhersituation。Prompttoaidherwheneveroccasionoffered，andfullofdelightfulpetitssoinsatalltimes，hewasnotofficious。
Inthiswayheirresistiblywonforhimselfapositionasherfriend，andthemoreeasilyinthatheallowednotthefaintestsymptomoftheoldlovetobeapparent。
MattersstoodthusinthemiddleofthespringwhenthenextmoveonhisbehalfwasmadebyMissAldclyffe。
2。THETHIRDOFMAY
SheledCythereatoasummer-housecalledtheFane，builtintheprivategroundsaboutthemansionintheformofaGreciantemple；
itoverlookedthelake，theislandonit，thetrees，andtheirundisturbedreflectioninthesmoothstillwater。Heretheoldandyoungmaidhalted；heretheystood，sidebyside，mentallyimbibingthescene。
ThemonthwasMay——thetime，morning。Cuckoos，thrushes，blackbirds，andsparrowsgaveforthaperfectconfusionofsongandtwitter。Theroadwasspottedwhitewiththefallenleavesofapple-blossoms，andthesparklinggreydewstilllingeredonthegrassandflowers。Twoswansfloatedintoviewinfrontofthewomen，andthencrossedthewatertowardsthem。
\'Theyseemtocometouswithoutanywilloftheirown——quiteinvoluntarily——don\'tthey？\'saidCytherea，lookingatthebirds\'
gracefuladvance。
\'Yes，butifyoulooknarrowlyyoucanseetheirhipsjustbeneaththewater，workingwiththegreatestenergy。\'
\'I\'drathernotseethat，itspoilstheideaofproudindifferencetodirectionwhichweassociatewithaswan。\'
\'Itdoes；we\'llhave“involuntarily。“Ah，nowthisremindsmeofsomething。\'
\'Ofwhat？\'
\'Ofahumanbeingwhoinvoluntarilycomestowardsyourself。\'
CytherealookedintoMissAldclyffe\'sface；hereyesgrewroundascircles，andlinesofwondermentcamevisiblyuponhercountenance。
ShehadnotonceregardedManstonasaloversincehiswife\'ssuddenappearanceandsubsequentdeath。Thedeathofawife，andsuchadeath，wasanoverwhelmingmatterinherideasofthings。
\'Isitamanorwoman？\'shesaid，quiteinnocently。
\'Mr。Manston，\'saidMissAldclyffequietly。
\'Mr。ManstonattractedbymeNOW？\'saidCytherea，standingatgaze。
\'Didn\'tyouknowit？\'
\'CertainlyIdidnot。Why，hispoorwifehasonlybeendeadsixmonths。\'
\'Ofcourseheknowsthat。Butlovingisnotdonebymonths，ormethod，orrule，ornobodywouldeverhaveinventedsuchaphraseas“fallinginlove。“Hedoesnotwanthislovetobeobservedjustyet，ontheveryaccountyoumention；butconcealitashemayfromhimselfandus，itexistsdefinitely——andveryintensely，Iassureyou。\'
\'Isupposethen，thatifhecan\'thelpit，itisnoharmofhim，\'
saidCythereanaively，andbeginningtoponder。
\'Ofcourseitisn\'t——youknowthatwellenough。Shewasagreatburdenandtroubletohim。Thismaybecomeagreatgoodtoyouboth。\'
Arushoffeelingatrememberingthatthesamewoman，beforeManston\'sarrival，hadjustasfranklyadvocatedEdward\'sclaims，checkedCytherea\'sutteranceforawhile。
\'There，don\'tlookatmelikethat，forHeaven\'ssake！\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Youcouldalmostkillapersonbytheforceofreproachyoucanputintothoseeyesofyours，Iverilybelieve。\'
Edwardonceintheyounglady\'sthoughts，therewasnogettingridofhim。Shewantedtobealone。
\'Doyouwantmehere？\'shesaid。
\'Nowthere，there；youwanttobeoff，andhaveagoodcry，\'saidMissAldclyffe，takingherhand。\'Butyoumustn\'t，mydear。
There\'snothinginthepastforyoutoregret。CompareMr。
Manston\'shonourableconducttowardshiswifeandyourself，withSpringrovetowardshisbetrothedandyourself，andthenseewhichappearsthemoreworthyofyourthoughts。\'
3。FROMTHEFOURTHOFMAYTOTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNE
ThenextstageinManston\'sadvancestowardsherhandwasaclearlydefinedcourtship。Shewassadlyperplexed，andsomecontrivancewasnecessaryonhispartinordertomeetwithher。Butitisnexttoimpossibleforanappreciativewomantohaveapositiverepugnancetowardsanunusuallyhandsomeandgiftedman，eventhoughshemaynotbeinclinedtolovehim。HenceCythereawasnotsoalarmedatthesightofhimastorenderameetingandconversationwithhermorethanamatterofdifficulty。
Comingandgoingfromchurchwashisgrandopportunity。Manstonwasveryreligiousnow。Itiscommonlysaidthatnomanwaseverconvertedbyargument，butthereisasingleonewhichwillmakeanyLaodiceaninEngland，lethimbeoncelove-sick，wearprayer-booksandbecomeazealousEpiscopalian——theargumentthathissweetheartcanbeseenfromhispew。
Manstonintroducedintohismethodasystemofbewitchingflattery，everywherepervasive，yet，too，sotransitoryandintangible，that，asinthecaseofthepoetWordsworthandtheWanderingVoice，thoughshefeltitpresent，shecouldneverfindit。Asafoiltoheightenitseffect，heoccasionallyspokephilosophicallyoftheevanescenceoffemalebeauty——theworthlessnessofmereappearance。
\'Handsomeisthathandsomedoes\'heconsideredaproverbwhichshouldbewrittenonthelooking-glassofeverywomanintheland。
\'Yourform，yourmotions，yourhearthavewonme，\'hesaid，inatoneofplayfulsadness。\'Theyarebeautiful。ButIseethesethings，anditcomesintomymindthattheyaredoomed，theyareglidingtonothingasIlook。Pooreyes，poormouth，poorface，poormaiden！“Wherewillhergloriesbeintwentyyears？”Isay。
“Wherewillallofherbeinahundred？”ThenIthinkitiscruelthatyoushouldbloomaday，andfadeforeverandever。ItseemshardandsadthatyouwilldieasordinarilyasI，andbeburied；befoodforrootsandworms，beforgottenandcometoearth，andgrowupamerebladeofchurchyard-grassandanivyleaf。Then，MissGraye，whenIseeyouareaLovelyNothing，Ipityyou，andtheloveIfeelthenisbetterandsounder，largerandmorelastingthanthatIfeltatthebeginning。\'Againanardentflashofhishandsomeeyes。
Itwasbythisroutethatheventuredonanindirectdeclarationandofferofhishand。
Sheimpliedinthesameindirectmannerthatshedidnotlovehimenoughtoacceptit。
Anactualrefusalwasmorethanhehadexpected。Cursinghimselfforwhathecalledhisegregiousfollyinmakinghimselftheslaveofamerelady\'sattendant，andforhavinggiventheparish，shouldtheyknowofherrefusal，achanceofsneeringathim——certainlyagroundforthinkinglessofhisstandingthanbefore——hewenthometotheOldHouse，andwalkedindecisivelyupanddownhisback-yard。
Turningaside，heleanthisarmsupontheedgeoftherain-water-
buttstandinginthecorner，andlookedintoit。ThereflectionfromthesmoothstagnantsurfacetingedhisfacewiththegreenishshadesofCorreggio\'snudes。Stavesofsunlightslanteddownthroughthestillpool，lightingitupwithwonderfuldistinctness。
Hundredsofthousandsofminutelivingcreaturessportedandtumbledinitsdepthwitheverycontortionthatgaietycouldsuggest；
perfectlyhappy，thoughconsistingonlyofahead，oratail，oratmostaheadandatail，andalldoomedtodiewithinthetwenty-fourhours。
\'Damnmyposition！Whyshouldn\'tIbehappythroughmylittledaytoo？Lettheparishsneeratmyrepulses，letit。I\'llgether，ifImoveheavenandearthtodoit！\'
Indeed，theinexperiencedCythereahad，towardsEdwardinthefirstplace，andManstonafterwards，unconsciouslyadoptedbearingsthatwouldhavebeentheverytacticsofaprofessionalfisherofmenwhowishedtohavethemeachsuccessivelydanglingatherheels。Forifanyruleatallcanbelaiddowninamatterwhich，formencollectively，isnotoriouslybeyondregulation，itisthattosnubapettedman，andtopetasnubbedman，isthewaytowininsuitsofbothkinds。ManstonwithSpringrove\'sencouragementwouldhavebecomeindifferent。EdwardwithManston\'srepulseswouldhavesheeredoffattheoutset，ashedidafterwards。HersupremeindifferenceaddedfueltoManston\'sardour——itcompletelydisarmedhispride。TheinvulnerableNobodyseemedgreatertohimthanasusceptiblePrincess。
4。FROMTHETWENTY-FIRSTOFJUNETOTHEENDOFJULY
Cythereahadinthemeantimereceivedthefollowingletterfromherbrother。Itwasthefirstdefinitenotificationoftheenlargementofthatcloudnobiggerthanaman\'shandwhichhadfornearlyatwelvemonthhungbeforetheminthedistance，andwhichwassoontogiveacolourtotheirwholeskyfromhorizontohorizon。
\'BUDMOUTHREGIS，Saturday。
\'DARLINGSIS，——Ihavedelayedtellingyouforalongtimeofalittlematterwhich，thoughnotonetobeseriouslyalarmedabout，issufficientlyvexing，anditwouldbeunfairinmetokeepitfromyouanylonger。ItisthatforsometimepastIhaveagainbeendistressedbythatlamenesswhichIfirstdistinctlyfeltwhenwewenttoLulsteadCove，andagainwhenIleftKnapwaterthatmorningearly。Itisanunusualpaininmyleftleg，betweenthekneeandtheankle。Ihadjustfoundfreshsymptomsofitwhenyouwerehereforthathalf-houraboutamonthago——whenyousaidinfunthatI
begantomovelikeanoldman。Ihadagoodmindtotellyouthen，butfancyingitwouldgooffinafewdays，Ithoughtitwasnotworthwhile。Sincethattimeithasincreased，butIamstillabletoworkintheoffice，sittingonthestool。MygreatfearisthatMr。G。willhavesomeout-doormeasuringworkformetodosoon，andthatIshallbeobligedtodeclineit。However，wewillhopeforthebest。Howitcame，whatwasitsorigin，orwhatittendsto，I
cannotthink。Youshallhearagaininadayortwo，ifitisnobetter——Yourlovingbrother，OWEN。\'
Thissheanswered，beggingtoknowtheworst，whichshecouldbear，butsuspenseandanxietynever。Intwodayscameanotherletterfromhim，ofwhichthesubjoinedparagraphisaportion：——
\'Ihadquitedecidedtoletyouknowtheworst，andtoassureyouthatitwastheworst，beforeyouwrotetoaskit。AndagainIgiveyoumywordthatIwillconcealnothing——sothattherewillbenoexcusewhateverforyourwearingyourselfoutwithfearsthatIamworsethanIsay。Thismorningthen，forthefirsttime，Ihavebeenobligedtostayawayfromtheoffice。Don\'tbefrightenedatthis，dearCytherea。Restisallthatiswanted，andbynursingmyselfnowforaweek，Imayavoidanillnessofsixmonths。\'
Afteravisitfromherhewroteagain：——
\'Dr。Chestmanhasseenme。Hesaidthattheailmentwassomesortofrheumatism，andIamnowundergoingpropertreatmentforitscure。Mylegandfoothavebeenplacedinhotbran，linimentshavebeenapplied，andalsoseverefrictionwithapad。HesaysIshallbeasrightaseverinaveryshorttime。DirectlyIamIshallrunupbythetraintoseeyou。Don\'ttroubletocometomeifMissAldclyffegrumblesagainaboutyourbeingaway，forIamgoingoncapitally……Youshallhearagainattheendoftheweek。\'
Atthetimementionedcamethefollowing：——
\'Iamsorrytotellyou，becauseIknowitwillbesodishearteningaftermylastletter，thatIamnotsowellasIwasthen，andthattherehasbeenasortofhitchintheproceedings。AfterIhadbeentreatedforrheumatismafewdayslongerinwhichtreatmenttheyprickedtheplacewithalongneedleseveraltimes，IsawthatDr。
Chestmanwasindoubtaboutsomething，andIrequestedthathewouldcallinabrotherprofessionalmantoseemeaswell。Theyconsultedtogetherandthentoldmethatrheumatismwasnotthediseaseafterall，buterysipelas。Theythenbegantreatingitdifferently，asbecameadifferentmatter。Blisters，flour，andstarch，seemtobetheorderofthedaynow——medicine，ofcourse，besides。
\'Mr。Gradfieldhasbeenintoinquireaboutme。Hesayshehasbeenobligedtogetadesignerinmyplace，whichgrievesmeverymuch，though，ofcourse，itcouldnotbeavoided。\'
Amonthpassedaway；throughoutthisperiod，Cythereavisitedhimasoftenasthelimitedtimeathercommandwouldallow，andworeascheerfulacountenanceasthewomanlydeterminationtodonothingwhichmightdepresshimcouldenablehertowear。Anotherletterfromhimthentoldhertheseadditionalfacts：——
\'Thedoctorsfindtheyareagainonthewrongtack。Theycannotmakeoutwhatthediseaseis。OCytherea！howIwishtheyknew！
Thissuspenseiswearingmeout。CouldnotMissAldclyffespareyouforaday？Docometome。Wewilltalkaboutthebestcoursethen。
Iamsorrytocomplain，butIamwornout。“
CythereawenttoMissAldclyffe，andtoldherofthemelancholyturnherbrother\'sillnesshadtaken。MissAldclyffeatoncesaidthatCythereamightgo，andofferedtodoanythingtoassistherwhichlayinherpower。Cytherea\'seyesbeamedgratitudeassheturnedtoleavetheroom，andhastentothestation。
\'O，Cytherea，\'saidMissAldclyffe，callingherback；\'justoneword。HasMr。Manstonspokentoyoulately？\'
\'Yes，\'saidCytherea，blushingtimorously。
\'Heproposed？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Andyourefusedhim？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Tut，tut！Nowlistentomyadvice，\'saidMissAldclyffeemphatically，\'andaccepthimbeforehechangeshismind。Thechancewhichheoffersyouofsettlinginlifeisonethatmaypossibly，probably，notoccuragain。Hispositionisgoodandsecure，andthelifeofhiswifewouldbeahappyone。Youmaynotbesurethatyoulovehimmadly；butsupposeyouarenotsure？Myfatherusedtosaytomeasachildwhenhewasteachingmewhist，“Whenindoubtwinthetrick！”Thatadviceistentimesasvaluabletoawomanonthesubjectofmatrimony。Inrefusingamanthereisalwaystheriskthatyoumaynevergetanotheroffer。\'
\'Whydidn\'tyouwinthetrickwhenyouwereagirl？\'saidCytherea。
\'Come，myladyPert；I\'mnotthetext，\'saidMissAldclyffe，herfaceglowinglikefire。
Cytherealaughedstealthily。
\'Iwasabouttosay，\'resumedMissAldclyffeseverely，\'thathereisMr。Manstonwaitingwiththetenderestsolicitudeforyou，andyouoverlookingit，asifitwerealtogetherbeneathyou。ThinkhowyoumightbenefityoursickbrotherifyouwereMrs。Manston。YouwillpleasemeVERYMUCHbygivinghimsomeencouragement。Youunderstandme，Cythiedear？\'
Cythereawassilent。
\'And，\'saidMissAldclyffe，stillmoreemphatically，\'onyourpromisingthatyouwillaccepthimsometimethisyear，Iwilltakeespecialcareofyourbrother。Youarelistening，Cytherea？\'
\'Yes，\'shewhispered，leavingtheroom。
ShewenttoBudmouth，passedthedaywithherbrother，andreturnedtoKnapwaterwretchedandfullofforeboding。Owenhadlookedstartlinglythinandpale——thinnerandpalerthanevershehadseenhimbefore。Thebrotherandsisterhadthatdaydecidedthatnotwithstandingthedrainupontheirslenderresources，anothersurgeonshouldseehim。Timewaseverything。
Owentoldhertheresultinhisnextletter：——
\'Thethreepractitionersbetweenthemhaveatlasthitthenailonthehead，Ihope。Theyprobedtheplace，anddiscoveredthatthesecretlayinthebone。Iunderwentanoperationforitsremovalthreedaysagoaftertakingchloroform……ThankGoditisover。
ThoughIamsoweak，myspiritsareratherbetter。IwonderwhenI
shallbeatworkagain？Iaskedthesurgeonshowlongitwouldbefirst。Isaidamonth？Theyshooktheirheads。Ayear？Isaid。
Notsolong，theysaid。Sixmonths？Iinquired。Theywouldnot，orcouldnot，tellme。Butnevermind。
\'Rundown，whenyouhavehalfadaytospare，forthehoursdragonsodrearily。OCytherea，youcan\'tthinkhowdrearily！\'
Shewent。ImmediatelyonherdepartureMissAldclyffesentanotetotheOldHouse，toManston。Onthemaiden\'sreturn，tiredandsickatheartasusual，shefoundManstonatthestationawaitingher。HeaskedpolitelyifhemightaccompanyhertoKnapwater。Shetacitlyacquiesced。Duringtheirwalkheinquiredtheparticularsofherbrother\'sillness，andwithanirresistibledesiretopourouthertroubletosomeone，shetoldhimofthelengthoftimewhichmustelapsebeforehecouldbestrongagain，andofthelackofcomfortinlodgings。
Manstonwassilentawhile。Thenhesaidimpetuously：\'MissGraye，Iwillnotmincematters——Iloveyou——youknowit。Stratagemtheysayisfairinlove，andIamcompelledtoadoptitnow。Forgiveme，forIcannothelpit。Consenttobemywifeatanytimethatmaysuityou——anyremotedayyoumaynamewillsatisfyme——andyoushallfindhimwellprovidedfor。\'
Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshetrulydreadedthehandsomemanathersidewhopleadedthusselfishly，andshrankfromthehotvoluptuousnatureofhispassionforher，which，disguiseitashemightunderaquietandpolishedexterior，attimesradiatedforthwithascorchingwhiteheat。Sheperceivedhowanimalwasthelovewhichbargained。
\'Idonotloveyou，Mr。Manston，\'sherepliedcoldly。
5。FROMTHEFIRSTTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST
Thelongsunnydaysofthelatersummer-timebroughtonlythesamedrearyaccountsfromBudmouth，andsawCythereapayingthesamesadvisits。
Shegrewperceptiblyweaker，inbodyandmind。Manstonstillpersistedinhissuit，butwithmoreofhisformerindirectness，nowthathesawhowunexpectedlywellshestoodanopenattack。HiswasthesystemofDaresattheSiciliangames——
\'He，likeacaptainwhobeleaguersroundSomestrong-builtcastleonarisingground，Viewsalltheapproacheswithobservingeyes，Thisandthatotherpartagainhetries，Andmoreonindustrythanforcerelies。\'
MissAldclyffemadeitappearmoreclearlythaneverthataidtoOwenfromherselfdependedentirelyuponCytherea\'sacceptanceofhersteward。Hemmedinanddistressed，Cytherea\'sanswerstohisimportunitiesgrewlessuniform；theywerefirm，orwavering，asOwen\'smaladyfluctuated。Hadaregisterofherpitifuloscillationsbeenkept，itwouldhaverivalledinpathosthediarywhereinDeQuinceytabulateshiscombatwithOpium——perhapsasnoticeableaninstanceasanyinwhichathrillingdramaticpowerhasbeengiventomerenumerals。Thusshewearilyandmonotonouslylivedthroughthemonth，listeningonSundaystothewellknownroundofchaptersnarratingthehistoryofElijahandElishainfamineanddrought；onweek-daystobuzzingfliesinhotsunnyrooms。\'Solike，soverylike，wasdaytoday。\'Extremelassitudeseemedallthattheworldcouldshowher。
Herstatewasinthiswise，whenoneafternoon，havingbeenwithherbrother，shemetthesurgeon，andbeggedhimtotelltheactualtruthconcerningOwen\'scondition。
Thereplywasthathefearedthatthefirstoperationhadnotbeenthorough；thatalthoughthewoundhadhealed，anotherattemptmightstillbenecessary，unlessnaturewerelefttoeffectherowncure。
Butthetimesuchaself-healingproceedingwouldoccupymightberuinous。
\'Howlongwoulditbe？\'shesaid。
\'Itisimpossibletosay。Ayearortwo，moreorless。\'
\'Andsupposehesubmittedtoanotherartificialextraction？\'
\'Thenhemightbewellinfourorsixmonths。\'
Nowtheremainderofhisandherpossessions，togetherwithasumhehadborrowed，wouldnotprovidehimwithnecessarycomfortsforhalfthattime。Tocombatthemisfortune，thereweretwocoursesopen——
herbecomingbetrothedtoManston，orthesendingOwentotheCountyHospital。
Thusterrified，drivenintoacorner，pantingandflutteringaboutforsomeloopholeofescape，yetstillshrinkingfromtheideaofbeingManston\'swife，thepoorlittlebirdendeavouredtofindoutfromMissAldclyffewhetheritwaslikelyOwenwouldbewelltreatedinthehospital。
\'CountyHospital！\'saidMissAldclyffe；\'why，itisonlyanothernameforslaughter-house——insurgicalcasesatanyrate。Certainlyifanythingaboutyourbodyissnaptintwotheydojoinyoutogetherinafashion，but\'tissoaskewandugly，thatyoumayaswellbeapartagain。\'Thensheterrifiedtheinquiringandanxiousmaidenbyrelatinghorridstoriesofhowthelegsandarmsofpoorpeoplewerecutoffatamoment\'snotice，especiallyincaseswheretherestorativetreatmentwaslikelytobelongandtedious。
\'YouknowhowwillingIamtohelpyou，Cytherea，\'sheaddedreproachfully。\'Youknowit。Whyareyousoobstinatethen？Whydoyouselfishlybartheclear，honourable，andonlysisterlypathwhichleadsoutofthisdifficulty？Icannot，onmyconscience，countenanceyou；no，Icannot。\'
Manstononcemorerepeatedhisoffer；andoncemoresherefused，butthistimeweakly，andwithsignsofaninternalstruggle。Manston\'seyesparkled；hesawforthehundredthtimeinhislife，thatperseverance，ifonlysystematic，wasirresistiblebywomankind。
6。THETWENTY-SEVENTHOFAUGUST
OngoingtoBudmouththreedayslater，shefoundtohersurprisethatthestewardhadbeenthere，hadintroducedhimself，andhadseenherbrother。Afewdelicacieshadbeenbroughthimalsobythesamehand。OwenspokeinwarmtermsofManstonandhisfreeandunceremoniouscall，ashecouldnothaverefrainedfromdoingofanyperson，ofanykind，whosepresencehadservedtohelpawaythetedioushoursofalongday，andwhohad，moreover，shownthatsortofconsiderationforhimwhichtheaccompanyingbasketimplied——
antecedentconsideration，sotellinguponallinvalids——andwhichhesoseldomexperiencedexceptfromthehandsofhissister。
Howshouldheperceive，amidthistithe-payingofmint，andanise，andcummin，theweightiermatterswhichwereleftundone？
AgainthestewardmetheratCarrifordRoadStationonherreturnjourney。Insteadofbeingfrigidasattheformermeetingatthesameplace，shewasembarrassedbyastrifeofthought，andmurmuredbrokenlyherthanksforwhathehaddone。Thesamerequestthathemightseeherhomewasmade。
HehadperceivedhiserrorinmakinghiskindnesstoOwenaconditionalkindness，andhadhastenedtoeffaceallrecollectionofit。\'ThoughIletmyofferonherbrother\'s——myfriend\'s——behalf，seemdependentonmylady\'sgraciousnesstome，\'hewhisperedwooinglyinthecourseoftheirwalk，\'Icouldnotconscientiouslyadheretomystatement；itwassaidwithalltheimpulsiveselfishnessoflove。Whetheryouchoosetohaveme，orwhetheryoudon\'t，Iloveyoutoodevotedlytobeanythingbutkindtoyourbrother……MissGraye，Cytherea，Iwilldoanything，\'hecontinuedearnestly，\'togiveyoupleasure——indeedIwill。\'
Shesawontheonehandherpoorandmuch-lovedOwenrecoveringfromhisillnessandtroublesbythedisinterestedkindnessofthemanbesideher，ontheothershedrewhimdying，whollybyreasonofherself-enforcedpoverty。Tomarrythismanwasobviouslythecourseofcommonsense，torefusehimwasimpolitictemerity。Therewasreasoninthis。Buttherewasmorebehindthanahundredreasons——awoman\'sgratitudeandherimpulsetobekind。
Thewaveringofhermindwasvisibleinhertell-taleface。Henoticedit，andcaughtattheopportunity。
Theywerestandingbytheruinousfoundationsofanoldmillinthemidstofameadow。Betweengreyandhalf-overgrownstonework——theonlysignsofmasonryremaining——thewatergurgleddownfromtheoldmillpondtoalowerlevel，underthecloakofrankbroadleaves——thesensuousnaturesofthevegetableworld。Ontherighthandthesun，restingonthehorizon-line，streamedacrossthegroundfrombelowcopper-colouredandlilacclouds，stretchedoutinflatsbeneathaskyofpalesoftgreen。Alldarkobjectsontheearththatlaytowardsthesunwereoverspreadbyapurplehaze，againstwhichaswarmofwailinggnatsshoneforthluminously，risingupwardandfloatingawaylikesparksoffire。
Thestillnessoppressedandreducedhertomerepassivity。Theonlywishthehumidityoftheplaceleftinherwastostandmotionless。
Thehelplessflatnessofthelandscapegaveher，asitgivesallsuchtemperaments，asenseofbareequalitywith，andnosuperiorityto，asingleentityunderthesky。
Hecamesoclosethattheirclothestouched。\'Willyoutrytoloveme？Dotrytoloveme！\'hesaid，inawhisper，takingherhand。Hehadnevertakenitbefore。Shecouldfeelhishandtremblingexceedinglyasitheldhersinitsclasp。
Consideringhiskindnesstoherbrother，hisloveforherself，andEdward\'sfickleness，oughtshetoforbidhimtodothis？Howtrulypitifulitwastofeelhishandtrembleso——allforher！Shouldshewithdrawherhand？Shewouldthinkwhethershewould。Thinking，andhesitating，shelookedasfarastheautumnalhazeonthemarshygroundwouldallowhertoseedistinctly。Therewasthefragmentofahedge——allthatremainedofa\'wetoldgarden\'——standinginthemiddleofthemead，withoutadefinitebeginningorending，purposelessandvalueless。Itwasovergrown，andchokedwithmandrakes，andshecouldalmostfancysheheardtheirshrieks……
Shouldshewithdrawherhand？No，shecouldnotwithdrawitnow；itwastoolate，theactwouldnotimplyrefusal。Shefeltasoneinaboatwithoutoars，driftingwithclosedeyesdownariver——sheknewnotwhither。
Hegaveherhandagentlepressure，andrelinquishedit。
Thenitseemedasifhewerecomingtothepointagain。No，hewasnotgoingtourgehissuitthatevening。Anotherrespite。
7。THEEARLYPARTOFSEPTEMBER
Saturdaycame，andshewentonsometrivialerrandtothevillagepost-office。Itwasalittlegreycottagewithaluxuriantjasmineencirclingthedoorway，andbeforegoinginCythereapausedtoadmirethispleasingfeatureoftheexterior。Hearingasteponthegravelbehindthecornerofthehouse，sheresignedthejasmineandentered。Nobodywasintheroom。ShecouldhearMrs。Leat，thewidowwhoactedaspostmistress，walkingaboutoverherhead。
CythereawasgoingtothefootofthestairstocallMrs。Leat，butbeforeshehadaccomplishedherobject，anotherformstoodatthehalf-opendoor。Manstoncamein。
\'Bothonthesameerrand，\'hesaidgracefully。
\'Iwillcallher，\'saidCytherea，movinginhastetothefootofthestairs。
\'Onemoment。\'Heglidedtoherside。\'Don\'tcallherforamoment，\'herepeated。
Butshehadsaid，\'Mrs。Leat！\'
HeseizedCytherea\'shand，kissedittenderly，andcarefullyreplaceditbyherside。
Shehadthatmorningdeterminedtocheckhisfurtheradvances，untilshehadthoroughlyconsideredherposition。Theremonstrancewasnowonhertongue，butasaccidentwouldhaveit，beforethewordcouldbespokenMrs。Leatwassteppingfromthelaststairtothefloor，andnoremonstrancecame。
Withthesubtletywhichcharacterizedhiminallhisdealingswithher，hequicklyconcludedhisownerrand，badeheragood-bye，inthetonesofwhichlovewassogarnishedwithpurepolitenessthatitonlyshoweditspresencetoherself，andleftthehouse——puttingitoutofherpowertorefusehimhercompanionshiphomeward，ortoobjecttohislateactionofkissingherhand。
TheFridayofthenextweekbroughtanotherletterfromherbrother。
Inthisheinformedherthat，inabsolutegrieflestheshoulddistressherunnecessarily，hehadsometimeearlierborrowedafewpounds。Aweekago，hesaid，hiscreditorbecameimportunate，butthatonthedayonwhichhewrote，thecreditorhadtoldhimtherewasnohurryforasettlement，that\'hisSISTER\'SSUITORhadguaranteedthesum。\'\'IsheMr。Manston？tellme，Cytherea，\'saidOwen。
Healsomentionedthatawheeledchairhadbeenanonymouslyhiredforhisespecialuse，thoughasyethewashardlyfarenoughadvancedtowardsconvalescencetoavailhimselfoftheluxury。\'IsthisMr。Manston\'sdoing？\'heinquired。
Shecoulddallywithherperplexity，evadeit，trusttotimeforguidance，nolonger。Thematterhadcometoacrisis：shemustonceandforallchoosebetweenthedictatesofherunderstandingandthoseofherheart。Shelonged，tillhersoulseemednightobursting，forherlostmother\'sreturntoearth，butforoneminute，thatshemighthavetendercounseltoguideherthroughthis，hergreatdifficulty。
Asforherheart，shehalffanciedthatitwasnotEdward\'stoquitetheextentthatitoncehadbeen；shethoughthimcruelinconductinghimselftowardsherashedidatBudmouth，cruelafterwardsinmakingsolightofher。Sheknewhehadstifledhisloveforher——wasutterlylosttoher。Butforallthatshecouldnothelpindulginginawoman\'spleasureofrecreatingdefunctagonies，andlaceratingherselfwiththemnowandthen。
\'IfIwererich，\'shethought，\'Iwouldgivewaytotheluxuryofbeingmorbidlyfaithfultohimforeverwithouthisknowledge。\'
Butsheconsidered；inthefirstplaceshewasahomelessdependent；
andwhatdidpracticalwisdomtellhertodoundersuchdesperatecircumstances？Toprovideherselfwithsomeplaceofrefugefrompoverty，andwithmeanstoaidherbrotherOwen。ThiswastobeMr。
Manston\'swife。
Shedidnotlovehim。
Butwhatwaslovewithoutahome？Misery。Whatwasahomewithoutlove？Alas，notmuch；butstillakindofhome。
\'Yes，\'shethought，\'IamurgedbymycommonsensetomarryMr。
Manston。\'
Didanythingnoblerinhersaysotoo？
WiththedeathtoherofEdwardherheart\'soccupationwasgone。
Wasitnecessaryorevenrightforhertotenditandtakecareofitassheusedtointheoldtime，whenitwasstillacapableminister？
Byaslightsacrificehereshecouldgivehappinesstoatleasttwoheartswhoseemotionalactivitieswerestillunwounded。Shewoulddogoodtotwomenwhoseliveswerefarmoreimportantthanhers。
\'Yes，\'shesaidagain，\'evenChristianityurgesmetomarryMr。
Manston。\'
DirectlyCythereahadpersuadedherselfthatakindofheroicself-
abnegationhadtodowiththematter，shebecamemuchmorecontentintheconsiderationofit。Awilfulindifferencetothefuturewaswhatreallyprevailedinher，illandwornout，asshewas，bytheperpetualharassmentsofhersadfortune，andsheregardedthisindifference，asgushingnatureswilldoundersuchcircumstances，asgenuineresignationanddevotedness。
Manstonmetheragainthefollowingday：indeed，therewasnoescapinghimnow。Attheendofashortconversationbetweenthem，whichtookplaceinthehollowoftheparkbythewaterfall，obscuredontheoutersidebythelowhangingbranchesofthelimes，shetacitlyassentedtohisassumptionofaprivilegegreaterthananythathadprecededit。Hestoopedandkissedherbrow。
BeforegoingtobedshewrotetoOwenexplainingthewholematter。
Itwastoolateintheeveningforthepostman\'svisit，andsheplacedtheletteronthemantelpiecetosenditthenextday。
ThemorningSundaybroughtahurriedpostscripttoOwen\'sletterofthedaybefore：——
\'September9，1865。
\'DEARCYTHEREA——IhavereceivedafrankandfriendlyletterfromMr。
Manstonexplainingthepositioninwhichhestandsnow，andalsothatinwhichhehopestostandtowardsyou。Can\'tyoulovehim？
Whynot？Try，forheisagood，andnotonlythat，butaculturedman。Thinkofthewearyandlaboriousfuturethatawaitsyouifyoucontinueforlifeinyourpresentposition，anddoyouseeanywayofescapefromitexceptbymarriage？Idon\'t。Don\'tgoagainstyourheart，Cytherea，butbewise——Everaffectionatelyyours，OWEN。\'
ShethoughtthatprobablyhehadrepliedtoMr。Manstoninthesamefavouringmood。Shehadaconvictionthatthatdaywouldsettleherdoom。Yet\'Sotrueafoolislove，\'
thatevennowshenourishedahalf-hopethatsomethingwouldhappenatthelastmomenttothwartherdeliberately-formedintentions，andfavourtheoldemotionshewasusingallherstrengthtothrustdown。
8。THETENTHOFSEPTEMBER
TheSundaywasthethirteenthafterTrinity，andtheafternoonserviceatCarrifordwasnearlyover。ThepeopleweresingingtheEveningHymn。
ManstonwasatchurchasusualinhisaccustomedplacetwoseatsforwardfromthelargesquarepewoccupiedbyMissAldclyffeandCytherea。
Theordinarysadnessofanautumnalevening-serviceseemed，inCytherea\'seyes，tobedoubledonthisparticularoccasion。Shelookedatallthepeopleastheystoodandsang，wavingbackwardsandforwardslikeaforestofpinesswayedbyagentlebreeze；thenatthevillagechildrensingingtoo，theirheadsinclinedtooneside，theireyeslistlesslytracingsomecrackintheoldwalls，orfollowingthemovementofadistantboughorbirdwithfeaturespetrifiedalmosttopainfulness。ThenshelookedatManston；hewasalreadyregardingherwithsomepurposeinhisglance。
\'Itiscomingthisevening，\'shesaidinhermind。Aminutelater，attheendofthehymn，whenthecongregationbegantomoveout，Manstoncamedowntheaisle。Hewasoppositetheendofherseatasshesteppedfromit，theremainderoftheirprogresstothedoorbeingincontactwitheachother。MissAldclyffehadlingeredbehind。
\'Don\'tlet\'shurry，\'hesaid，whenCythereawasabouttoentertheprivatepathtotheHouseasusual。\'WouldyoumindturningdownthiswayforaminutetillMissAldclyffehaspassed？\'
Shecouldnotverywellrefusenow。Theyturnedintoasecludedpathontheirleft，leadingroundthroughathicketoflaurelstotheothergateofthechurch-yard，walkingveryslowly。Bythetimethefurthergatewasreached，thechurchwasclosed。Theymetthesextonwiththekeysinhishand。
\'Wearegoinginsideforaminute，\'saidManstontohim，takingthekeysunceremoniously。\'Iwillbringthemtoyouwhenwereturn。\'
Thesextonnoddedhisassent，andCythereaandManstonwalkedintotheporch，andupthenave。
Theydidnotspeakawordduringtheirprogress，orinanywayinterferewiththestillnessandsilencethatprevailedeverywherearoundthem。Everythingintheplacewastheembodimentofdecay：
thefadingredglarefromthesettingsun，whichcameinatthewestwindow，emphasizingtheendofthedayandallitscheerfuldoings，themildewedwalls，theunevenpaving-stones，thewormypews，thesenseofrecentoccupation，andthedankairofdeathwhichhadgatheredwiththeevening，wouldhavemadegravealightermoodthanCytherea\'swasthen。
\'Whatsensationsdoestheplaceimpressyouwith？\'shesaidatlast，verysadly。
\'Ifeelimperativelycalledupontobehonest，fromverydespairofachievinganythingbystratageminaworldwherethematerialsaresuchasthese。\'He，too，spokeinadepressedvoice，purposelyorotherwise。
\'IfeelasifIwerealmostashamedtobeseenwalkingsuchaworld，\'shemurmured；\'that\'stheeffectithasuponme；butitdoesnotinducemetobehonestparticularly。\'
Hetookherhandinbothhis，andlookeddownuponthelidsofhereyes。
\'Ipityyousometimes，\'hesaidmoreemphatically。
\'Iampitiable，perhaps；soaremanypeople。Whydoyoupityme？\'
\'Ithinkthatyoumakeyourselfneedlesslysad。\'
\'Notneedlessly。\'
\'Yes，needlessly。Whyshouldyoubeseparatedfromyourbrothersomuch，whenyoumighthavehimtostaywithyoutillheiswell？\'
\'Thatcan\'tbe，\'shesaid，turningaway。
Hewenton，\'IthinktherealandonlygoodthingthatcanbedoneforhimistogethimawayfromBudmouthawhile；andIhavebeenwonderingwhetheritcouldnotbemanagedforhimtocometomyhousetoliveforafewweeks。Onlyaquarterofamilefromyou。
Howpleasantitwouldbe！\'
\'Itwould。\'
Hemovedhimselfroundimmediatelytothefrontofher，andheldherhandmorefirmly，ashecontinued，\'Cytherea，whydoyousay“Itwould，“soentirelyinthetoneofabstractsupposition？Iwanthimthere：Iwanthimtobemybrother，too。Thenmakehimso，andbemywife！Icannotlivewithoutyou。OCytherea。mydarling，mylove，comeandbemywife！\'
Hisfacebentcloserandclosertohers，andthelastwordssanktoawhisperasweakastheemotioninspiringitwasstrong。
Shesaidfirmlyanddistinctly，\'Yes，Iwill。\'
\'Nextmonth？\'hesaidontheinstant，beforetakingbreath。
\'No；notnextmonth。\'
\'Thenext？\'
\'No。\'
\'December？ChristmasDay，say？\'
\'Idon\'tmind。\'
\'O，youdarling！\'Hewasabouttoimprintakissuponherpale，coldmouth，butshehastilycovereditwithherhand。
\'Don\'tkissme——atleastwherewearenow！\'shewhisperedimploringly。
\'Why？\'
\'WearetoonearGod。\'
Hegaveasuddenstart，andhisfaceflushed。Shehadspokensoemphaticallythatthewords\'NearGod\'echoedbackagainthroughthehollowbuildingfromthefarendofthechancel。
\'Whatathingtosay！\'heexclaimed；\'surelyapurekissisnotinappropriatetotheplace！\'
\'No，\'shereplied，withaswellingheart；\'Idon\'tknowwhyIburstoutso——Ican\'ttellwhathascomeoverme！Willyouforgiveme？\'
\'HowshallIsay“Yes“withoutjudgingyou？HowshallIsay“No“
withoutlosingthepleasureofsaying“Yes？”\'Hewashimselfagain。
\'Idon\'tknow，\'sheabsentlymurmured。
\'I\'llsay“Yes，“\'heanswereddaintily。\'Itissweetertofancyweareforgiven，thantothinkwehavenotsinned；andyoushallhavethesweetnesswithouttheneed。\'
Shedidnotreply，andtheymovedaway。Thechurchwasnearlydarknow，andmelancholyintheextreme。Shestoodbesidehimwhilehelockedthedoor，thentookthearmhegaveher，andwoundherwayoutofthechurchyardwithhim。Thentheywalkedtothehousetogether，butthegreatmatterhavingbeensetatrest，shepersistedintalkingonlyonindifferentsubjects。
\'ChristmasDay，then，\'hesaid，astheywerepartingattheendoftheshrubbery。
\'ImeantOldChristmasDay，\'shesaidevasively。
\'H\'m，peopledonotusuallyattachthatmeaningtothewords。\'
\'No；butIshouldlikeitbestifitcouldnotbetillthen？\'Itseemedtobestillherinstincttodelaythemarriagetotheutmost。
\'Verywell，love，\'hesaidgently。\'\'Tisafortnightlongerstill；
butnevermind。OldChristmasDay。\'
9。THEELEVENTHOFSEPTEMBER
\'There。ItwillbeonaFriday！\'
Shesatuponalittlefootstoolgazingintentlyintothefire。Itwastheafternoonofthedayfollowingthatofthesteward\'ssuccessfulsolicitationofherhand。
\'IwonderifitwouldbeproperinmetorunacrosstheparkandtellhimitisaFriday？\'shesaidtoherself，risingtoherfeet，lookingatherhatlyingnear，andthenoutofthewindowtowardstheOldHouse。Properornot，shefeltthatshemustatallhazardsremovethedisagreeable，though，assheherselfowned，unfoundedimpressionthecoincidencehadoccasioned。Sheleftthehousedirectly，andwenttosearchforhim。
Manstonwasinthetimber-yard，lookingatthesawyersastheyworked。Cythereacameuptohimhesitatingly。Tillwithinadistanceofafewyardsshehadhurriedforwardwithalacrity——nowthatthepracticalexpressionofhisfacebecamevisibleshewishedalmostshehadneversoughthimonsuchanerrand；inhisbusiness-
moodhewasperhapsverystern。
\'ItwillbeonaFriday，\'shesaidconfusedly，andwithoutanypreface。
\'Comethisway！\'saidManston，inthetoneheusedforworkmen，notbeingabletoalterataninstant\'snotice。Hegaveherhisarmandledherbackintotheavenue，bywhichtimehewasloveragain。\'OnaFriday，willit，dearest？YoudonotmindFridays，surely？
That\'snonsense。\'
\'Notseriouslymindthem，exactly——butifitcouldbeanyotherday？\'
\'Well，letussayOldChristmasEve，then。ShallitbeOldChristmasEve？\'
\'Yes，OldChristmasEve。\'
\'Yourwordissolemn，andirrevocablenow？\'
\'Certainly，Ihavesolemnlypledgedmyword；IshouldnothavepromisedtomarryyouifIhadnotmeantit。Don\'tthinkIshould。\'
Shespokethewordswithadignifiedimpressiveness。
\'Youmustnotbevexedatmyremark，dearest。Canyouthinktheworseofanardentman，Cytherea，forshowingsomeanxietyinlove？\'
\'No，no。\'Shecouldnotsaymore。Shewasalwaysillateasewhenhespokeofhimselfasapieceofhumannatureinthatanalyticalway，andwantedtobeoutofhispresence。Thetimeofday，andtheproximityofthehouse，affordedherameansofescape。\'ImustbewithMissAldclyffenow——willyouexcusemyhastycomingandgoing？\'
shesaidprettily。Beforehehadrepliedshehadpartedfromhim。
\'Cytherea，wasitMr。ManstonIsawyouscuddingawayfromintheavenuejustnow？\'saidMissAldclyffe，whenCythereajoinedher。
\'Yes。\'
\'“Yes。“Come，whydon\'tyousaymorethanthat？Ihatethosetaciturn“Yesses“ofyours。Itellyoueverything，andyetyouareascloseaswaxwithme。\'
\'IpartedfromhimbecauseIwantedtocomein。\'
\'Whatanovelandimportantannouncement！Well，isthedayfixed？\'
\'Yes。\'
MissAldclyffe\'sfacekindledintointenseinterestatonce。\'Isitindeed？Whenisittobe？\'
\'OnOldChristmasEve。\'
\'OldChristmasEve。\'MissAldclyffedrewCytherearoundtoherfront，andtookahandineachofherown。\'Andthenyouwillbeabride！\'shesaidslowly，lookingwithcriticalthoughtfulnessuponthemaiden\'sdelicatelyroundedcheeks。
Thenormalareaofthecolouruponeachofthemdecreasedperceptiblyafterthatslowandemphaticutterancebytheelderlady。
MissAldclyffecontinuedimpressively，\'Youdidnotsay“OldChristmasEve“asafianceeshouldhavesaidthewords：andyoudon\'treceivemyremarkwiththewarmexcitementthatforeshadowsabrightfuture……Howmanyweeksaretheretothetime？\'
\'Ihavenotreckonedthem。\'
\'Not？Fancyagirlnotcountingtheweeks！IfindImusttaketheleadinthismatter——youaresochildish，orfrightened，orstupid，orsomething，aboutit，Bringmemydiary，andwewillcountthematonce。\'
Cythereasilentlyfetchedthebook。
MissAldclyffeopenedthediaryatthepagecontainingthealmanac，andcountedsixteenweeks，whichbroughthertothethirty-firstofDecember——aSunday。Cythereastoodby，lookingonasifshehadnoappetiteforthescene。
\'Sixteentothethirty-first。Thenletmesee，MondaywillbethefirstofJanuary，Tuesdaythesecond，Wednesdaythird，Thursdayfourth，Fridayfifth——youhavechosenaFriday，asIdeclare！\'
\'AThursday，surely？\'saidCytherea。
\'No：OldChristmasDaycomesonaSaturday。\'
Theperturbedlittlebrainhadreckonedwrong。\'Well，itmustbeaFriday，\'shemurmuredinareverie。
\'No：haveitaltered，ofcourse，\'saidMissAldclyffecheerfully。
\'There\'snothingbadinFriday，butsuchacreatureasyouwillbethinkingaboutitsbeingunlucky——infact，Iwouldn\'tchooseaFridaymyselftobemarriedon，sincealltheotherdaysareequallyavailable。\'
\'Ishallnothaveitaltered，\'saidCythereafirmly；\'ithasbeenalteredoncealready：Ishallletitbe。\'