“AndnowImustbeoffuptomybitofafarm;theoldsowisduetolitter，andIwanttoseehowsheisgettingon。PleaseGodshe’llhavethirteenagainanddowell。I’llordertheflytobehereatfive，thoughIshallbebackbeforethen——thatis，ItoldElizabethtodoso。Shehasgoneouttodosomevisitingforme，andtoseeifshecan’tgetintwopoundsfiveoftithethathasbeendueforthreemonths。Ifanybodycangetitit’sElizabeth。Well，good-bye;ifyouaredullandwanttotalktoBeatrice，sheisupandinthere。I
daresayyouwillsuitoneanother。She’saveryqueergirl，Beatrice，quitebeyondmewithherideas，anditwasafunnythingherholdingyousotight，butIsupposeProvidencearrangedthat。Good-byeforthepresent，Mr。Bingham。”andthiscuriousspecimenofaclergymanvanished，leavingGeoffreyquitebreathless。
Itwashalf-pasttwoo’clock，andthedoctorhadtoldhimthathecouldseeMissGrangeratthree。Hewishedthatitwasthree，forhewastiredofhisownthoughtsandcompany，andnaturallyanxioustorenewhisacquaintancewiththestrangegirlwhohadbegunbyimpressinghimsodeeplyandendedbysavinghislife。Therewascompletequietinthehouse;Betty，themaid-of-all-work，wasemployedinthekitchen，boththedoctorshadgone，andElizabethandherfatherwereout。To-daytherewasnowind，ithadblownitselfawayduringthenight，andthesightofthesunbeamsstreamingthroughthewindowsmadeGeoffreylongtobeintheopenair。Hehadnobookathandtoread，andwheneverhetriedtothinkhismindflewbacktothathatefulmatrimonialquarrel。
Itwashardonhim，Geoffreythought，thatheshouldbecalledupontoenduresuchscenes。Hecouldnolongerdisguisethetruthfromhimself——hehadburiedhishappinessonhiswedding-day。Lookingbackacrosstheyears，hewellrememberedhowdifferentalifehehadimaginedforhimself。Inthosedayshewastiredofknockingaboutandofyouthfulescapades;eventhatkindofsocialsuccesswhichmustattendayoungmanwhowashandsome，clever，agoodfellow，andblessedwithlargeexpectations，had，attheageofsix-and-twenty，entirelylostitsattractiveness。Thereforehehadturnednodeafeartohisuncle，SirRobertBingham，whowasthengoingonforseventy，whenhesuggestedthatitmightbewellofGeoffreysettleddown，andintroducedhimtoLadyHonoria。
LadyHonoriawaseighteenthen，andabeautyoftheratherthinbutstatuesquetype，whichattractsmenuptofiveorsixandtwentyandthenfrequentlybores，ifitdoesnotrepelthem。Moreover，shewascleverandwellread，andpretendedtobeintellectuallyandpoeticallyinclined，asladiesnotspeciallyfavouredbyApollosometimesdo——beforetheymarry。Coldshealwayswas;nobodyeverheardofLadyHonoriastretchingtheboundsofpropriety;butGeoffreyputthisdowntoasweetandbecomingmodesty，whichwouldvanishorbetransmutedinitsseason。Alsosheaffectedacharminginnocenceofallvulgarbusinessmatters，whichbothdeceivedandenchantedhim。
Neverbutoncedidshealludetowaysandmeansbeforemarriage，andthenitwastosaythatshewasgladthattheyshouldbesopoortilldearSirRobertdiedhehadpromisedtoallowthemfifteenhundredayear，andtheyhadsevenmorebetweenthem，asthiswouldenablethemtoseesomuchmoreofeachother。
Atlastcamethehappyday，andthiswhitevirginsoulpassedintoGeoffrey’skeeping。Foraweekorsothingswentfairlywell，andthendisenchantmentbegan。Helearnedbyslowbutsuredegreesthathiswifewasvain，selfishandextravagant，and，worstofall，thatshecaredverylittleabouthim。Thefirstshockwaswhenheaccidentallydiscovered，fourorfivedaysaftermarriage，thatHonoriawasintimatelyacquaintedwitheverydetailofSirRobertBingham’sproperty，and，youngasshewas，hadalreadyformedaschemetomakeitmoreproductiveaftertheoldman’sdeath。
TheywenttoliveinLondon，andtherehefoundthatLadyHonoria，althoughbyfartoocoldandprudentawomantodoanythingthatcouldbringabreathofscandaluponhername，wasasfondofadmirationasshewasheartless。ItseemedtoGeoffreythathecouldneverbefreefromthecollectionofyoungmenwhohungaboutherskirts。Someofthemwereverygoodfellowswhomhelikedexceedingly;still，onthewholehewouldhavepreferredtoremainunmarriedandassociatewiththemattheclub。Alsothecontinualroundofsocietyandgoingoutbroughtheavierexpensesonhimthathecouldwellsupport。Andthus，littlebylittle，poorGeoffrey’sdreamofmatrimonialblissfadedintothinair。But，fortunatelyforhimself，hepossessedacertainshareoflogicandsweetreasonableness。Intimehelearnttoseethatthefaultwasnotaltogetherwithhiswife，whowasbynomeansabadsortofwomaninherdegree。Butherdegreedifferedfromhisdegree。
Shehadmarriedforfreedomandwealthandtogainalargerscopewhereintoexercisethosetasteswhichinheriteddispositionandeducationhadgiventoher，asshebelievedthathehadmarriedherbecauseshewasthedaughterofapeer。
LadyHonoria，likemanyanotherwomanofherstamp，wastheoverbred，orsometimestheunderbred，productofatoocivilizedageandclass。
Thoseprimitivepassionsandvirtuesonwhichherhusbandhadreliedtomakethehappinessoftheirmarriedlifesimplydidnotexistforher。Thepassionshadbeenbredandeducatedoutofher;formanygenerationstheyhavebeenfoundinconvenientanddisquietingattributesinwoman。Asfortheoldvirtues，suchasloveofchildrenandtheordinaryroundofdomesticduty，theysimplyboredher。Onthewhole，thoughsharpoftongue，sherarelylosthertemper，forhervices，likehervirtues，wereofasomewhatnegativeorder;butthefurywhichseizedherwhenshelearnedforcertainthatshewastobecomeamotherwasathingthatherunfortunatehusbandneverforgotandneverwishedtoseeagain。Atlengththechildwasborn，afactforwhichGeoffrey，atleast，wasverythankful。
“Takeitaway。Idonotwanttoseeit！“saidLadyHonoriatothescandalisednursewhenthelittlecreaturewasbroughttoher，wrappedinitslongrobes。
“Giveittome，nurse——Ido。”saidherhusband。
FromthatmomentGeoffreygaveallthepent-upaffectionofhisbruisedsoultothislittledaughter，andastheyearswentontheygrewverydeartoeachother。Butanactive-minded，strong-hearted，able-bodiedmancannottakeababeasthesolecompanionofhisexistence。ProbablyGeoffreywouldhavefoundthisoutintime，andmighthavedriftedintosomemodeoflifemoreorlessundesirable，hadnotanaccidentoccurredtopreventit。Inhisdotage，Geoffrey’solduncleSirRobertBinghamfellavictimtothewilesofanadventuressandmarriedher。Thenhepromptlydied，andeightmonthsafterwardsaposthumoussonwasborn。
ToGeoffreythismeantruin。Hisallowancestoppedandhisexpectationsvanishedatonefellswoop。Hepulledhimselftogether，however，asabrave-heartedmandoesundersuchashock，andgoingtohiswifeheexplainedtoherthathemustnowworkforhisliving，begginghertobreakdownthebarrierthatwasbetweenthemandgivehimhersympathyandhelp。Shemethimwithtearsandreproaches。Theonethingthattouchedherkeenly，theonethingwhichshefearedandhatedwaspoverty，andallthatpovertymeanstowomenofherrankandnature。Buttherewasnohelpforit;thecharminghouseinBoltonSteethadtobegivenup，andpurgatorymustbefaced，inaflat，neartheEdgwareRoad。LadyHonoriawasmiserable，indeedhaditnotbeenthatfortunatelyforherselfshepossessedplentyofrelationsmoreorlessgrand，whomshemightcontinuallyvisitforweeksandevenformonthsatastretch，shecouldscarcelyhaveenduredheralteredlife。
ButstrangelyenoughGeoffreysoonfoundthathewashappierthanhehadbeensincehismarriage。Tobeginwith，hesettoworklikeaman，andworkisagreatsourceofhappinesstoallvigorous-mindedfolk。
Itisnot，intruth，aparticularlycheerfuloccupationtopassendlessdaysinhangingaboutlaw-courtsamongstacrowdofunbriefedJuniors，andmanynightsinreadingupthelawonehasforgottenandthreadingthemanyintricaciesoftheJudicatureAct。Butithappenedthathisfather，ayoungerbrotherofSirRobert’s，hadbeenasolicitor，andthoughhewasdead，andalldirectinterestwiththefirmwassevered，yetanotheruncleremainedinit，andthepartnersdidnotforgetGeoffreyinhisdifficulties。
Theysenthimwhatworktheycouldwithoutoffendingtheirstandingcounsel，andhediditwell。Thenbydegreeshebuiltupquitealargegeneralpracticeofthekindknownasdeviling。Nowtherearefewthingsmoreunsatisfactorythandoinganotherman’sworkfornothing，buteverycasefoughtmeansknowledgegained，andwhatismoreitisadvertisement。Soitcametopassthatwithinlessthantwoyearsfromthedateofhismoneymisfortunes，GeoffreyBingham’sdarkhandsomefaceandsquarestrongformbecameverywellknownintheCourts。
“Whatisthatman’sname？”saidonewell-knownQ。C。toanotherstillmorewellknown，astheysatwaitingfortheirchopsintheBarGrillRoom，andsawGeoffrey，hiswigpushedbackfromhisforehead，stridingthroughthedoorwayonthelastdayofthesittingwhichprecededthecommencementofthishistory。
“Bingham。”answeredtheother。“He’sonlybeguntopractiselately，buthe’llbeatthetopofthetreebeforehehasdone。Hemarriedverywell，youknow，oldGarsington’sdaughter，acharmingwoman，andhandsometoo。”
“Helookslikeit。”gruntedthefirst，andasamatteroffactsuchwasthegeneralopinion。
For，asBeatricehadsaid，GeoffreyBinghamwasamanwhohadsuccesswrittenonhisforehead。Itwouldhavebeenalmostimpossibleforhimtofailinwhateverheundertook。
CHAPTERIX
WHATBEATRICEDREAMED
Geoffreylayuponhisback，watchingthestillpatchofsunshineandlisteningtothetickingoftheclock，ashepassedalltheseandmanyothereventsinsolemnreview，tilltheseriesculminatedinhisvividrecollectionofthesceneofthatverymorning。
“Iamsickofit。”hesaidatlastaloud，“sickandtired。Shemakesmylifewretched。Ifitwasn’tforEffieuponmywordI’d……ByJove，itisthreeo’clock;IwillgoandseeMissGranger。She’sawoman，notafemaleghostatanyrate，thoughsheisafreethinker——
which。”headdedasheslowlystruggledoffthecouch，“isaveryfoolishthingtobe。”
Veryshakily，forhewassadlyknockedabout，Geoffreyhobbleddownthelongnarrowroomandthroughthedoor，whichwasajar。Theoppositedoorwasalsosethalfopen。Heknockedsoftly，andgettingnoanswerpusheditwideandlookedin，thinkingthathehad，perhaps，madesomemistakeastotheroom。Onasofaplacedabouttwo-thirdsdownitslength，layBeatriceasleep。Shewaswrappedinakindofdressing-gownofsomesimplebluestuff，andallaboutherbreastandshouldersstreamedherlovelycurlinghair。Hersweetfacewastowardshim，itspallorrelievedonlybythelongshadowofthedarklashesandthebentbowofthelips。Onewhitewristandhandhungdownalmosttothefloor，andbeneaththespreadcurtainofthesunlithairherbosomheavedsoftlyinhersleep。Shelookedsowondrouslybeautifulinherrestthathestoppedalmostawed，andgazed，andgazedagain，feelingasthoughapresentsenseandpowerwerestillinghishearttosilence。Itisdangeroustolookuponsuchquietloveliness，andverydangeroustofeelthatpressureattheheart。A
trulywisemanfeelingitwouldhavefled，knowingthatseedssowninsuchsilencesmaylivetobloomuponabitterday，andshedtheirfruitintothewatersofdesolation。ButGeoffreywasnotwise——whowouldhavebeen？Hestillstoodandgazedtillthesightstampeditselfsodeeplyonthetabletsofhisheartthatthroughalltheyearstocomenoheatsofpassion，nofrostsofdoubt，andnosenseoflosscouldeverdullitsmemory。
Thesilentsunshoneon，thesilentwomanslept，andinsilencethewatchergazed。Andashelookedagreatfear，aprescienceofevilthatshouldcome，enteredintoGeoffreyandtookpossessionofhim。A
cloudwithoutcrossedtherayofsunlightandturnedit。Itwavered，foraseconditrestedonhisbreast，flashedbacktohers，thenwentout;andasitflashedanddied，heseemedtoknowthathenceforth，forlifetilldeath，ay！andbeyond，hisfateandthatsleepingwoman’swereonefate。Itwasbutamomentaryknowledge;thefearshookhim，andwasgonealmostbeforeheunderstooditsfoolishness。
Butithadbeenwithhim，andinafterdaysherememberedit。
JustthenBeatricewoke，openinghergreyeyes。Theirdreamyglancefelluponhim，lookingthroughhimandbeyondhim，ratherthanathim。
Thensheraisedherselfalittleandstretchingoutbothherarmstowardshim，spokealoud。
“Sohaveyouhavecomebacktomeatlast。”shesaid。“IknewthatyouwouldcomeandIhavewaited。”
Hemadenoanswer，hedidnotknowwhattosay;indeedhebegantothinkthathealsomustbedreaming。ForalittlewhileBeatricestilllookedathiminthesameabsentmanner，thensuddenlystartedup，theredbloodstreamingtoherbrow。
“Why，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid，“isitreallyyou？WhatwasitthatI
said？Oh，prayforgiveme，whateveritwas。Ihavebeenasleepdreamingsuchacuriousdream，andtalkinginmysleep。”
“Donotalarmyourself，MissGranger。”heanswered，recoveringhimselfwithajerk;“youdidnotsayanythingdreadful，onlythatyouweregladtoseeme。Whatwereyoudreamingabout？”
Beatricelookedathimdoubtfully;perhapshiswordsdidnotringquitetrue。
“IthinkthatIhadbettertellyouasIhavesaidsomuch。”sheanswered。“Besides，itwasaverycuriousdream，andifIbelievedindreamsitwouldratherfrightenme，onlyfortunatelyIdonot。SitdownandIwilltellittoyoubeforeIforgetit。Itisnotverylong。”
Hetookthechairtowhichshepointed，andshebegan，speakinginthevoiceofoneyetladenwiththememoriesofsleep。
“IdreamedthatIstoodinspace。Fartomyrightwasagreatglobeoflight，andtomyleftwasanotherglobe，andIknewthattheglobeswerenamedLifeandDeath。Fromtheglobeontherighttotheglobeontheleft，andbackagain，agoldenshuttle，inwhichtwoflamingeyeswereset，wasshotcontinually，andIknewalsothatthiswastheshuttleofDestiny，weavingthewebofFate。Presentlytheshuttleflew，leavingbehinditalongsilverthread，andtheeyesintheshuttleweresuchasyoureyes。Againtheshuttlespedthroughspace，andthistimeitseyeswerelikemyeyes，andthethreaditleftbehinditwastwistedfromawoman’shair。HalfwaybetweentheglobesofLifeandDeathmythreadwasbroken，buttheshuttleflewonandvanished。Foramomentthethreadhunginair，thenawindroseandblewit，sothatitfloatedawaylikeaspider’sweb，tillitstruckuponyoursilverthreadoflifeandbegantotwistroundandroundit。
Asittwisteditgrewlargerandheavier，tillatlastitwasthickasagreattressofhair，andthesilverlinebentbeneaththeweightsothatIsawitsoonmustbreak。ThenwhileIwonderedwhatwouldhappen，awhitehandholdingaknifeslidslowlydownthesilverline，andwiththeknifeseveredthewrappingsofwoman’shair，whichfellandfloatedslowlyaway，likealittlecloudtouchedwithsunlight，tilltheywerelostindarkness。Butthethreadofsilverthatwasyourlineoflife，sprangupquiveringandmakingasoundlikesighs，tillatlastitsigheditselftosilence。
“ThenIseemedtosleep，andwhenIwokeIwasfloatinguponsuchamistyseaaswesawlastnight。Ihadlostallsightofland，andI
couldnotrememberwhatthestarswerelike，norhowIhadbeentaughttosteer，norunderstandwhereImustgo。Icalledtothesea，andaskeditofthestars，andtheseaansweredmethus:
“’Hopehasrentherraiment，andthestarsareset。’
“Icalledagain，andaskedofthelandwhereIshouldgo，andthelanddidnotanswer，buttheseaansweredmeasecondtime:
“’Childofthemist，wanderinthemist，andindarknessseekforlight。’
“ThenIweptbecauseHopehadrentherstarrygarmentandindarknessImustseekforlight。AndwhileIstillwept，/you/roseoutoftheseaandsatbeforemeintheboat。Ihadneverseenyoubefore，andstillIfeltthatIhadknownyoualways。Youdidnotspeak，andIdidnotspeak，butyoulookedintomyheartandsawitstrouble。ThenI
lookedintoyourheart，andreadwhatwaswritten。Andthiswaswritten:
“’WomanwhomIknewbeforethePastbegan，andwhomIshallknowwhentheFutureisended，whydoyouweep？’
“Andmyheartanswered，’IweepbecauseIamlostuponthewatersoftheearth，becauseHopehasrentherstarryrobes，andineverlastingdarknessImustseekforlightthatisnot。’Thenyourheartsaid，’/I/willshowyoulight，’andbendingforwardyoutouchedmeonthebreast。
“Andsuddenlyanagonyshookmeliketheagoniesofbirthanddeath，andtheskywasfullofgreat-wingedangelswhorolledupthemistasacloth，anddrewtheveilsfromtheeyesofNight，andthere，herfeetupontheglobe，andherstar-setheadpiercingthefirmamentofheaven，stoodHopebreathingpeaceandbeauty。Shelookednorthandsouthandeastandwest，thenshelookedupwardsthroughthearchingvaultsofheaven，andwherevershesethereyes，brightwithholytears，thedarknessshrivelledandsorrowceased，andfromcorruptionarosetheIncorruptible。Igazedandworshipped，andasIdidso，againtheseaspokeunquestioned:
“’Indarknessthouhastfoundlight，inDeathseekforwisdom。’
“ThenoncemoreHoperentherstarryrobes，andtheangelsdrewdownaveilovertheeyesofNight，andtheseaswallowedme，andIsanktillIreachedthedeepfoundationsofmortaldeath。AndthereintheHallsofDeathIsatforagesuponages，tillatlastIsawyoucome，andonyourlipswasthewordofwisdomthatmakesallthingsclear，butwhatitwasIcannotremember。ThenIstretchedoutmyhandtogreetyou，andwoke，andthatisallmydream。”
Beatriceceased，hergreyeyessetwide，asthoughtheystillstrovetotracetheirspiritualvisionupontheairofearth，herbreastheaving，andherlipsapart。
“Greatheaven！“hesaid，“whatanimaginationyoumusthavetodreamsuchadreamasthat。”
“Imagination。”sheanswered，returningtohernaturalmanner。“Ihavenone，Mr。Bingham。Iusedtohave，butIlostitwhenIlost——
everythingelse。Canyouinterpretmydream？Ofcourseyoucannot;itisnothingbutnonsense——suchstuffasdreamsaremadeof，thatisall。”
“Itmaybenonsense，Idaresayitis，butitisbeautifulnonsense。”
heanswered。“Iwishladieshadmoreofsuchstufftogivetheworld。”
“Ah，well，dreamsmaybewiserthanwakings，andnonsensethanlearnedtalk，forallweknow。Butthere’sanendofit。IdonotknowwhyI
repeatedittoyou。IamsorrythatIdidrepeatit，butitseemedsorealitshookmeoutofmyself。Thisiswhatcomesofbreakinginupontheroutineoflifebybeingthreepartsdrowned。Onefindsqueerthingsatthebottomofthesea，youknow。BythewayIhopethatyouarerecovering。Idonotthinkthatyouwillcaretogocanoeingagainwithme，Mr。Bingham。”
Therewasanopeningforacomplimenthere，butGeoffreyfeltthatitwouldbetoomuchinearnestifspoken，soheresistedthetemptation。
“What，MissGranger。”hesaid，“shouldamansaytoaladywhobutlastnightsavedhislife，attherisk，indeedalmostatthecost，ofherown？”
“Itwasnothing。”sheanswered，colouring;“Iclungtoyou，thatwasall，morebyinstinctthanfromanymotive。IthinkIhadavagueideathatyoumightfloatandsupportme。”
“MissGranger，theoccasionistooseriousforpolitefibs。Iknowhowyousavedmylife。Idonotknowhowtothankyouforit。”
“Thendon’tthankmeatall，Mr。Bingham。Whyshouldyouthankme？I
onlydidwhatIwasboundtodo。Iwouldfarratherdiethandesertacompanionindistress，ofanysort;weallmustdie，butitwouldbedreadfultodieashamed。Youknowwhattheysay，thatifyousaveapersonfromdrowningyouwilldothemaninjuryafterwards。Thatishowtheyputithere;insomepartsthesayingistheotherwayabout，butIamnotlikelyevertodoyouaninjury，soitdoesnotmakemeunhappy。Itwasanawfulexperience:youweresenseless，soyoucannotknowhowstrangeitfeltlyingupontheslipperyrock，andseeingthosegreatwhitewavesrushuponusthroughthegloom，withnothingbutthenightabove，andtheseaaround，anddeathbetweenthetwo。I
havebeenlonelyformanyyears，butIdonotthinkthatIeverquiteunderstoodwhatlonelinessreallymeantbefore。Yousee。”sheaddedbywayofanafterthought，“Ithoughtthatyouweredead，andthereisnotmuchcompanyinacorpse。”
“Well。”hesaid，“onethingis，itwouldhavebeenlonelierifwehadgone。”
“Doyouthinkso？”sheanswered，lookingathiminquiringly。“Idon’tquiteseehowyoumakethatout。Ifyoubelieveinwhatwehavebeentaught，asIthinkyoudo，whereveritwasyoufoundyourselftherewouldbeplentyofcompany，andif，likeme，youdonotbelieveinanything，why，then，youwouldhaveslept，andsleepasksfornothing。”
“Didyoubelieveinnothingwhenyoulayupontherockwaitingtobedrowned，MissGranger？”
“Nothing！“sheanswered;“onlyweakpeoplefindrevelationintheextremitiesoffear。Ifrevelationcomesatall，surelyitmustbebornintheheartandnotinthesenses。Ibelievedinnothing，andI
dreadednothing，excepttheagonyofdeath。WhyshouldIbeafraid？
SupposingthatIammistaken，andthereissomethingbeyond，isitmyfaultthatIcannotbelieve？WhathaveIdonethatIshouldbeafraid？
IhaveneverharmedanybodythatIknowof，andifIcouldbelieveI
would。IwishIhaddied。”shewenton，passionately;“itwouldbeallovernow。Iamtiredoftheworld，tiredofworkandhelplessness，andallthelittleworrieswhichwearoneout。Iamnotwantedhere，I
havenothingtolivefor，andIwishthatIhaddied！“
“Somedayyouwillthinkdifferently，MissGranger。Therearemanythingsthatawomanlikeyourselfcanlivefor——attheleast，thereisyourwork。”
Shelaugheddrearily。“Mywork！Ifyouonlyknewwhatitislikeyouwouldnottalktomeaboutit。EverydayIrollmystoneupthehill，andeverynightitseemstorolldownagain。Butyouhavenevertaughtinavillageschool。Howcanyouknow？Iworkallday，andintheeveningperhapsIhavetomendthetablecloths，or——whatdoyouthink？——
writemyfather’ssermons。Itsoundscurious，doesitnot，thatI
shouldwritesermons？ButIdo。IwrotetheoneheisgoingtopreachnextSunday。Itmakesverylittledifferencetohimwhatitissolongashecanreadit，and，ofcourse，Ineversayanythingwhichcanoffendanybody，andIdonotthinkthattheylistenmuch。VeryfewpeoplegotochurchinBryngelly。”
“Don’tyouevergetanytimetoyourself，then？”
“Oh，yes，sometimesIdo，andthenIgooutinmycanoe，orread，andamalmosthappy。Afterall，Mr。Bingham，itisverywrongandungratefulofmetospeaklikethis。Ihavemoreadvantagesthannine-
tenthsoftheworld，andIoughttomakethebestofthem。Idon’tknowwhyIhavebeenspeakingasIhave，andtoyou，whomIneversawtillyesterday。Ineverdiditbeforetoanylivingsoul，Iassureyou。Itisjustlikethestoryofthemanwhocameherelastyearwiththediviningrod。Thereisacottagedownonthecliff——itbelongstoMr。Davies，wholivesintheCastle。Well，theyhavenodrinkingwaternear，andthenewtenantmadeagreatfussaboutit。SoMr。Davieshiredmen，andtheyduganddugandspentnoendofmoney，butcouldnotcometowater。Atlastthetenantfetchedanoldmanfromsomeparishalongwayoff，whosaidthathecouldfindspringswithadiviningrod。Hewasacuriousoldmanwithacrutch，andhecamewithhisrod，andhobbledabouttillatlasttherodtwitchedjustatthetenant’sbackdoor——atleastthedivinersaiditdid。Atanyrate，theydugthere，andintenminutesstruckaspringofwater，whichbubbledupsostronglythatitrushedintothehouseandfloodedit。
Andwhatdoyouthink？Afterall，thewaterwasbrackish。Youarethemanwiththediviningrod，Mr。Bingham，andyouhavemademetalkagreatdealtoomuch，and，afterall，youseeitisnotnicetalk。Youmustthinkmeaverydisagreeableandwickedyoungwoman，andI
daresayIam。Butsomehowitisarelieftoopenone’smind。Idohope，Mr。Bingham，thatyouwillsee——inshort，thatyouwillnotmisunderstandme。”
“MissGranger。”heanswered，“thereisbetweenusthatwhichwillalwaysentitleustomutualrespectandconfidence——thelinkoflifeanddeath。Haditnotbeenforyou，Ishouldnotsitheretolistentoyourconfidenceto-day。Youmaytellmethatamerenaturalimpulsepromptedyoutodowhatyoudid。Iknowbetter。Itwasyourwillthattriumphedoveryournaturalimpulsetowardsself-preservation。Well，I
willsaynomoreaboutit，exceptthis:Ifeveramanwasboundtoawomanbytiesofgratitudeandrespect，Iamboundtoyou。YouneednotfearthatIshalltakeadvantageoformisinterpretyourconfidence。”Hereheroseandstoodbeforeher，hisdarkhandsomefacebowedinproudhumility。“MissGranger，IlookuponitasanhonourdonetomebyonewhomhenceforthImustreverenceamongallwomen。
Thelifeyougavebacktome，andtheintelligencewhichdirectsit，areindutyboundtoyou，andIshallnotforgetthedebt。”
Beatricelistenedtohiswords，spokeninthatdeepandearnestvoice，whichinafteryearsbecamesofamiliartoHerMajesty’sjudgesandtoParliament——listenedwithanewsenseofpleasurerisinginherheart。
Shewasthisman’sequal;whathecoulddare，shecoulddare;wherehecouldclimb，shecouldfollow——ay，andifneedbe，showthepath，andshefeltthatheacknowledgedit。Inhissightshewassomethingmorethanahandsomegirltobeadmiredanddeferredtoforherbeauty’ssake。Hehadplacedheronanotherlevel——one，perhaps，thatfewwomenwouldhavewishedtooccupy。ButBeatricewasthankfultohim。Itwasthefirsttasteofsupremacythatshehadeverknown。
ItissomethingtostirtheproudheartofsuchawomanasBeatrice，inthatmomentwhenforthefirsttimeshefeelsherselfaconqueror，victorious，notthroughthevulgaradvantageofhersex，notbythesubmissionofman’scoarsersense，butratherbytheoverbalancingweightofmind。
“Doyouknow。”shesaid，suddenlylookingup，“youmakemeveryproud。”andshestretchedoutherhandtohim。
Hetookit，and，bending，toucheditwithhislips。Therewasnopossibilityofmisinterpretingtheaction，andthoughshecolouredalittle——for，tillthen，nomanhadevenkissedthetipofherfinger——
shedidnotmisinterpretit。Itwasanactofhomage，andthatwasall。
Andsotheysealedthecompactoftheirperfectfriendshipforeverandaday。
Thencameamoment’ssilence。ItwasGeoffreywhobrokeit。
“MissGranger。”hesaid，“willyouallowmetopreachyoualecture，averyshortone？”
“Goon。”shesaid。
“Verywell。Donotblamemeifyoudon’tlikeit，anddonotsetmedownasaprig，thoughIamgoingtotellyouyourfaultsasIreadtheminyourownwords。Youareproudandambitious，andthecrampedlinesinwhichyouareforcedtoliveseemtostrangleyou。Youhavesuffered，andhavenotlearnedthelessonofsuffering——humility。YouhavesetyourselfupagainstFate，andFatesweepsyoualonglikesprayuponthegale，yetyougounwilling。Inyourimpatienceyouhaveflowntolearningforrefuge，andithascompletedyouroverthrow，forithasinducedyoutorejectasnon-existentallthatyoucannotunderstand。Becauseyourfinitemindcannotsearchinfinity，becausenoanswerhascometoallyourprayers，becauseyouseemiseryandcannotreaditspurpose，becauseyousufferandhavenotfoundrest，youhavesaidthereisnaughtbutchance，andbecomeanatheist，asmanyhavedonebeforeyou。Isitnottrue？”
“Goon。”sheanswered，bowingherheadtoherbreastsothatthelongripplinghairalmosthidherface。
“Itseemsalittleodd。”Geoffreysaidwithashortlaugh，“thatI，withallmyimperfectionsheapeduponme，shouldpresumetopreachtoyou——butyouwillknowbesthownearorhowfarIamfromthetruth。
SoIwanttosaysomething。Ihavelivedforthirty-fiveyears，andseenagooddealandtriedtolearnfromit，andIknowthis。Inthelongrun，unlessweofourownactputawaytheopportunity，theworldgivesusourdue，whichgenerallyisnotmuch。Somuchforthingstemporal。Ifyouarefittorule，intimeyouwillrule;ifyoudonot，thenbecontentandacknowledgeyourownincapacity。Andasforthingsspiritual，Iamsureofthis——thoughofcourseonedoesnotliketotalkmuchofthesematters——ifyouonlyseekforthemlongenoughinsomeshapeyouwillfindthem，thoughtheshapemaynotbethatwhichisgenerallyrecognisedbyanyparticularreligion。Buttobuildawalldeliberatelybetweenoneselfandtheunseen，andthencomplainthatthewayisbarred，issimplychildish。”
“Andwhatifone’swallisbuilt，Mr。Bingham？”
“Mostofushavedonesomethinginthatlineatdifferenttimes。”heanswered，“andfoundawayroundit。”
“Andifitstretchesfromhorizontohorizon，andishigherthantheclouds，whatthen？”
“Thenyoumustfindwingsandflyoverit。”
“Andwherecananyearthlywomanfindthosespiritualwings？”sheasked，andthensankherheadstilldeeperonherbreasttocoverherconfusion。Forsherememberedthatshehadheardofwanderersintheduskygrovesofhumanpassion，yes，evenM？nadwanderers，whohadsuddenlycomefacetofacewiththeirownsoul;andthatthecruelpathsofearthlylovemayyetleadthefeetwhichtreadthemtotheivorygatesofheaven。
Andrememberingthesebeautifulmyths，thoughshehadnoexperienceoflove，andknewlittleofitsways，Beatricegrewsuddenlysilent。NordidGeoffreygiveherananswer，thoughheneedscarcelyhavefearedtodoso。
Forweretheynotdiscussingapurelyabstractquestion？
CHAPTERX
LADYHONORIAMAKESARRANGEMENTS
Inanothermomentsomebodyenteredtheroom;itwasElizabeth。Shehadreturnedfromhertithecollectingexpedition——withthetithe。Thedoorofthesitting-roomwasstillajar，andGeoffreyhadhisbacktowardsit。SoithappenedthatnobodyheardElizabeth’srathercat-
likestep，andforsomesecondsshestoodinthedoorwaywithoutbeingperceived。Shestoodquitestill，takinginthewholesceneataglance。Shenoticedthathersisterheldherheaddown，sothatherhairshadowedher，andguessedthatshedidsoforsomereason——
probablybecauseshedidnotwishherfacetobeseen。Orwasittoshowoffherlovelyhair？Shenoticedalsothehalfshy，halfamused，andaltogetherinterestedexpressionuponGeoffrey’scountenance——shecouldseethatinthelittlegilt-edgedlooking-glasswhichhungoverthefire-place，nordidsheoverlookthegeneralairofembarrassmentthatpervadedthemboth。
Whenshecamein，ElizabethhadbeenthinkingofOwenDavies，andofwhatmighthavehappenedhadsheneverseenthetideoflifeflowbackintohersister’sveins。Shehaddreamedofitallnightandhadthoughtofitallday;evenintheexcitementofextractingthebacktithefromtherecalcitrantandrathercoarse-mindedWelshfarmer，withstrongviewsonthesubjectoftithe，ithadnotbeenentirelyforgotten。ThefarmerwasatenantofOwenDavies，andwhenhecalledhera“parsoninpetticoats，andwus。”andwenton，indelicatereferencetoherpowersofextractingcash，tolikenhertoa“two-
leggedcorkscrewonlyscrewier。”sheperhapsnotunnaturallyreflected，thatifever——/pace/Beatrice——certainthingsshouldcomeabout，shewouldrememberthatfarmer。ForElizabethwasblessedwithaverylongmemory，assomepeoplehadlearnttotheircost，andgenerally，soonerorlater，shepaidherdebtsinfull，notforgettingtheoverdueinterest。
Andnow，asshestoodinthedoorwayunseenandnotedthesematters，somethingoccurredtoherinconnectionwiththisdominatingidea，which，likeideasingeneral，hadmanysideissues。Atanyratealookofquickintelligenceshoneforamomentinherlighteyes，likeasicklysunbeamonafaintDecembermist;thenshemovedforward，andwhenshewasclosebehindGeoffrey，spokesuddenly。
“Whatareyouboththinkingabout？”shesaidinherclearthinvoice;
“youseemtohaveexhaustedyourconversation。”
Geoffreymadeanexclamationandfairlyjumpedfromhischair，afeatwhichinhisbruisedconditionreallyhurthimverymuch。Beatricetoostartedviolently;sherecoveredherselfalmostinstantly，however。
“Howquietlyyoumove，Elizabeth。”shesaid。
“Notmorequietlythanyousit，Beatrice。Ihavebeenwonderingwhenanybodywasgoingtosayanything，orifyouwerebothasleep。”
ForherpartBeatricespeculatedhowlonghersisterhadbeenintheroom。Theirconversationhadbeeninnocentenough，butitwasnotonethatshewouldwishElizabethtohaveoverheard。AndsomehowElizabethhadaknackofoverhearingthings。
“Yousee，MissGranger。”saidGeoffreycomingtotherescue，“bothourbrainsarestillratherwaterlogged，andthatdoesnottendtoaflowofideas。”
“Quiteso。”saidElizabeth。“MydearBeatrice，whydon’tyoutieupyourhair？YoulooklikeacrazyJane。Notbutwhatyouhaveverynicehair。”sheaddedcritically。“Doyouadmiregoodhair，Mr。Bingham。”
“OfcourseIdo。”heansweredgallantly，“butitisnotcommon。”
OnlyBeatricebitherlipwithvexation。“Ihadalmostforgottenaboutmyhair。”shesaid;“Imustapologiseforappearinginsuchastate。I
wouldhavedoneitupafterdinneronlyIwastoostiff，andwhileI
waswaitingforBetty，Iwenttosleep。”
“Ithinkthereisabitofribboninthatdrawer。Isawyouputitthereyesterday。”answeredthepreciseElizabeth。“Yes，hereitis。Ifyoulike，andMr。Binghamwillexcuseit，Icantieitbackforyou。”
andwithoutwaitingforananswershepassedbehindBeatrice，andgatheringupthedensemassesofhersister’slocks，tiedthemroundinsuchfashionthattheycouldnotfallforward，thoughtheystillrolleddownherback。
JustthenMr。Grangercamebackfromhisvisittothefarm。Hewasinhighgoodhumour。Thepighadevensurpassedherformerefforts，andincreasedinasurprisingmanner，tothenumberoffifteenindeed。
Elizabeththereonproducedthetwopoundsoddshillingswhichshehad“corkscrewed“outoftherecalcitrantdissentingfarmer，andthesightaddedtoMr。Granger’ssatisfaction。
“Wouldyoubelieveit，Mr。Bingham。”hesaid，“inthismiserablypaidparishIhavenearlyahundredpoundsowingtome，ahundredpoundsintithe。ThereisoldJoneswholivesouttowardstheBellRock，heowesthreeyears’tithe——thirty-fourpoundselevenandfourpence。Hecanpayandhewon’tpay——sayshe’saBaptistandisnotgoingtopayparson’sdues——thoughforthematterofthatheisnothingbutanoldbeertubofaheathen。”
“Whydon’tyouproceedagainsthim，then，Mr。Granger？”
“Proceed，Ihaveproceeded。I’vegotjudgment，andImeantoissueexecutioninafewdays。Iwon’tstanditanylonger。”hewenton，workinghimselfupandshakinghisheadashespoketillhisthinwhitehairfellabouthiseyes。“Iwillhavethelawofhimandtheotherstoo。Youarealawyerandyoucanhelpme。Itellyouthere’saspiritabroadwhichjustcomestojust——nomanisn’ttopayhislawfuldebts，exceptofcoursetheparsonandthesquire。Theymustpayorgotothecourt。Butthereislawleft，andI’llhaveit，beforetheyplaytheIrishgameonushere。”Andhebroughtdownhisfistwithabanguponthetable。
Geoffreylistenedwithsomeamusement。Sothiswastheweakoldman’ssorepoint——money。Hewasclearlyverystrongaboutthat——asstrongasLadyHonoriaindeed，butwithmoreexcuse。Elizabethalsolistenedwithevidentapproval，butBeatricelookedpained。
“Don’tgetangry，father。”shesaid;“perhapshewillpayafterall。
Itisbadtotakethelawifyoucanmanageanyotherway——itbreedssomuchillblood。”
“Nonsense，Beatrice。”saidhersistersharply。“Fatherisquiteright。
There’sonlyonewaytodealwiththem，andthatistoseizetheirgoods。Ibelieveyouaresocialistaboutproperty，asyouareabouteverythingelse。Youwanttopulleverythingdown，fromtheQueentothelawsofmarriage，allforthegoodofhumanity，andItellyouthatyourideaswillbeyourruin。Defycustomanditwillcrushyou。
Youarerunningyourheadagainstabrickwall，andonedayyouwillfindwhichistheharder。”
Beatriceflushed，butansweredhersister’sattack，whichwasallthesharperbecauseithadacertainspiceoftruthinit。
“Ineverexpressedanysuchviews，Elizabeth，soIdonotseewhyyoushouldattributethemtome。Ionlysaidthatlegalproceedingsbreedbadbloodinaparish，andthatistrue。”
“Ididnotsayyouexpressedthem。”wentonthevigorousElizabeth;
“youlookthem——theyoozeoutofyourwordslikewaterfromapeatbog。Everybodyknowsyouarearadicalandafreethinkerandeverythingelsethatisbadandmad，andcontrarytothatstateoflifeinwhichithaspleasedGodtocallyou。Theendofitwillbethatyouwilllosethemistresshipoftheschool——andIthinkitisveryhardonfatherandmethatyoushouldbringdisgraceonuswithyourstrangewaysandimmoralviews，andnowyoucanmakewhatyoulikeofit。”
“IwishthatallradicalswerelikeMissBeatrice。”saidGeoffrey，whowasfeelingexceedinglyuncomfortable，withafeebleattemptatpolitejocosity。Butnobodyseemedtohearhim。Elizabeth，whowasnowfairlyinarage，afaintflushuponherpalecheeks，herlighteyesallashine，andherthinfingersclasped，stoodfrontingherbeautifulsister，andbreathingspiteateverypore。ButitwaseasyforGeoffreywhowaswatchinghertoseethatitwasnothersister’sviewsshewasattacking;itwashersister。Itwasthatsoftstronglovelinessandthegloryofthatface;itwasthedeepgentlemind，erringfromitsverygreatness，andthebrightintellectwhichlititlikealamp;itwasthelearningandthepowerthat，givethemplay，wouldsetaworldaflame，aseasilyastheydidtheheartoftheslow-
wittedhermitsquire，whomElizabethcoveted——thesewerethethingsthatElizabethhated，andbitterlyassailed。
Accustomedtoobserve，Geoffreysawthisinstantly，andthenglancedatthefather。Theoldmanwasfrightened;clearlyhewasafraidofElizabeth，anddreadedascene。Hestoodfidgetinghisfeetabout，andtryingtofindsomethingtosay，asheglancedapprehensivelyathiselderdaughter，throughhisthinhanginghair。
Lastly，GeoffreylookedatBeatrice，whowasindeedwellworthlookingat。Herfacewasquitepaleandthecleargreyeyesshoneoutbeneaththeirdarklashes。Shehadrisen，drawingherselftoherfullheight，whichherexquisiteproportionsseemedtoincrease，andwaslookingathersister。Presentlyshesaidonewordandoneonly，butitwasenough。
“/Elizabeth。/“
Hersisteropenedherlipstospeakagain，buthesitated，andchangedhermind。TherewassomethinginBeatrice’smannerthatcheckedher。
“Well。”shesaidatlength，“youshouldnotirritatemeso，Beatrice。”
Beatricemadenoreply。SheonlyturnedtowardsGeoffrey，andwithagracefullittlebow，said:
“Mr。Bingham，Iamsurethatyouwillforgivethisscene。Thefactis，weallsleptbadlylastnight，andithasnotimprovedourtempers。”
Therewasapause，ofwhichMr。Grangertookahurriedandratherundignifiedadvantage。
“Um，ah。”hesaid。“Bytheway，Beatrice，whatwasitIwantedtosay？
Ah，Iknow——haveyouwritten，Imeanwrittenout，thatsermonfornextSunday？Mydaughter。”headded，addressingGeoffreyinexplanation——
“um，copiesmysermonsforme。Shewritesaverygoodhand——“
RememberingBeatrice’sconfidenceastohersermonmanufacturingfunctions，Geoffreyfeltamusedatherfather’s/na？ve/wayofdescribingthem，andBeatricealsosmiledfaintlyassheansweredthatthesermonwasready。Justthentherollofwheelswasheardwithout，andtheonlyflythatBryngellycouldboastpulledupinfrontofthedoor。
“Hereistheflycomeforyou，Mr。Bingham。”saidMr。Granger——“andasIlive，herladyshipwithit。Elizabeth，seeifthereisn’tsometeaready。”andtheoldgentleman，whohadallthetraditionalloveofthelowermiddle-classEnglishmanforatitle，trottedofftowelcome“herladyship。”
PresentlyLadyHonoriaenteredtheroom，asweet，ifratherasetsmileuponherhandsomeface，andwithagracefulmien，thatbecamehertallfigureexceedinglywell。FortodoLadyHonoriajustice，shewasoneofthemostladylikewomeninthecountry，andsofarasherpersonalappearancewent，averyperfecttypeoftheclasstowhichshebelonged。
Geoffreylookedather，sayingtohimselfthatshehadclearlyrecoveredhertemper，andthathewasthankfulforit。Thiswasnotwonderful，foritisobservablethatthemorearistocraticalady’smannersare，themoredisagreeablesheisapttobewhensheiscrossed。
“Well，Geoffreydear。”shesaid，“youseeIhavecometofetchyou。I
wasdeterminedthatyoushouldnotgetyourselfdrownedasecondtimeonyourwayhome。Howareyounow？——butIneednotask，youlookquitewellagain。”
“Itisverykindofyou，Honoria。”saidherhusbandsimply，butitwasdoubtfulifsheheardhim，foratthemomentshewasengagedinsearchingoutthesoulofBeatrice，withoneofthemostpenetratingandcomprehensiveglancesthatyoungladyhadeverenjoyedthehonourofreceiving。Therewasnothingrudeaboutthelook，itwastooquick，butBeatricefeltthatquickasitmightbeitembracedheraltogether。Norwasshewrong。
“Thereisnodoubtaboutit。”LadyHonoriathoughttoherself，“sheislovely——lovelyeverywhere。Itwascleverofhertoleaveherhairdown;itshowstheshapeofherheadsowell，andsheistallenoughtostandit。Thatbluewrappersuitshertoo。Veryfewwomencouldshowsuchafigureashers——likeaGreekstatue。Idon’tlikeher;sheisdifferentfrommostofus;justthesortofgirlmengowildaboutandwomenhate。”
Allthispassedthroughhermindinaflash。ForamomentLadyHonoria’sblueeyesmetBeatrice’sgreyones，andsheknewthatBeatricelikedhernobetterthanshedidBeatrice。Thoseeyeswereatrifletoohonest，and，likethedeepclearwatertheyresembled，apttothrowupshadowsofthepassingthoughtsabove。
“Falseandcoldandheartless。”thoughtBeatrice。“Iwonderhowamanlikethatcouldmarryher;andhowmuchhelovesher。”
Thusthetwowomentookeachother’smeasureataglance，eachfindingtheotherwantingbyherstandard。Nordidtheyeverchangethathastilyformedjudgment。
Itwasalldoneinafewseconds——inthathesitatingmomentbeforethewordswesummonansweronourlips。Thenext，LadyHonoriawassweepingtowardsherwithoutstretchedhand，andhermostgracioussmile。
“MissGranger。”shesaid，“IoweyouadebtInevercanrepay——mydearhusband’slife。Ihaveheardallabouthowyousavedhim;itisthemostwonderfulthing——GraceDarlingbornagain。Ican’tthinkhowyoucoulddoit。IwishIwerehalfasbraveandstrong。”
“Pleasedon’t，LadyHonoria。”saidBeatrice。“Iamsotiredofbeingthankedfordoingnothing，exceptwhatitwasmydutytodo。IfIhadletMr。BinghamgowhileIhadthestrengthtoholdontohimIshouldhavefeltlikeamurderessto-day。Ibegyoutosaynomoreaboutit。”
“Onedoesnotoftenfindsuchmodestyunitedtosomuchcourage，and，ifyouwillallowmetosayit，somuchbeauty。”answeredLadyHonoriagraciously。“Well，Iwilldoasyouwish，butIwarnyouyourfamewillfindyouout。Iheartheyhaveanaccountofthewholeadventureinto-day’spapers，headed，’AWelshHeroine。’“
“Howdidyouhearthat，Honoria？”askedherhusband。
“Oh，IhadatelegramfromGarsington，andhementionsit。”sheansweredcarelessly。
“TelegramfromGarsington！Hencethesesmiles。”thoughthe。“Isupposethatsheisgoingto-morrow。”
“Ihavesomeothernewsforyou，MissGranger。”wentonLadyHonoria。
“Yourcanoehasbeenwashedashore，verylittleinjured。Theoldboatman——Edward，Ithinktheycallhim——hasfoundit;andyourguninittoo，Geoffrey。Ithadstuckundertheseatorsomewhere。ButI
fancythatyoumustbothhavehadenoughcanoeingforthepresent。”
“Idon’tknow，LadyHonoria。”answeredBeatrice。“Onedoesnotoftengetsuchweatheraslastnight’s，andcanoeingisverypleasant。Everysweethasitssalt，youknow;or，inotherwords，onemayalwaysbeupset。”
Atthatmoment，Betty，theawkwardWelshservinglass，withafore-armaboutasshapelyasthehindlegofanelephant，andamostunpleasinghabitofsnortingaudiblyasshemoved，shuffledinwiththetea-tray。
InherwakecametheslimElizabeth，towhomLadyHonoriawasintroduced。
Afterthis，conversationflaggedforawhile，tillLadyHonoria，feelingthatthingsweregettingalittledull，settheballrollingagain。
“Whataprettyviewyouhaveoftheseafromthesewindows。”shesaidinherwell-trainedandmonotonouslymodulatedvoice。“Iamsogladtohaveseenit，for，youknow，Iamgoingawayto-morrow。”
Beatricelookedupquickly。
“Myhusbandisnotgoing。”shewenton，asthoughinanswertoanunspokenquestion。“Iamplayingthepartoftheundutifulwifeandrunningawayfromhim，forexactlythreeweeks。Itisverywickedofme，isn’tit？butIhaveanengagementthatImustkeep。Itismosttiresome。”
Geoffrey，sippinghistea，smiledgrimlybehindtheshelterofhiscup。“Shedoesituncommonlywell。”hethoughttohimself。
“Doesyourlittlegirlgowithyou，LadyHonoria？”askedElizabeth。
“Well，no，Ithinknot。Ican’tbearpartingwithher——youknowhowharditiswhenonehasonlyonechild。ButIthinkshewouldbesoboredwhereIamgoingtostay，fortherearenootherchildrenthere;
andbesides，shepositivelyadoresthesea。SoIshallhavetoleavehertoherfather’stendermercies，poordear。”
“IhopeEffiewillsurviveit，Iamsure。”saidGeoffreylaughing。
“IsupposethatyourhusbandisgoingtostayonatMrs。Jones’s。”
saidtheclergyman。
“Really，Idon’tknow。What/are/yougoingtodo，Geoffrey？Mrs。
Jones’sroomsareratherexpensiveforpeopleinourimpoverishedcondition。Besides，IamsurethatshecannotlookafterEffie。Justthink，shehaseightchildrenofherown，poorolddear。AndImusttakeAnnewithme;sheisEffie’sFrenchnurse，youknow，aperfecttreasure。Iamgoingtostayinabighouse，andmyexperienceofthosebighousesis，thatonenevergetswaitedonatallunlessonetakesamaid。Yousee，whatiseverybody’sbusinessisnobody’sbusiness。I’msureIdon’tknowhowyouwillgetonwiththechild，Geoffrey;shetakessuchalotoflookingafter。”
“Oh，don’ttroubleaboutthat，Honoria。”heanswered。“IdaresaythatEffieandIwillmanagesomehow。”
HereoneofthosepeculiargleamsofintelligencewhichmarkedtheadventofanewideapassedacrossElizabeth’sface。Shewassittingnextherfather，andbending，whisperedtohim。Beatricesawitandmadeamotionasthoughtointerpose，butbeforeshecoulddosoMr。
Grangerspoke。
“Lookhere，Mr。Bingham。”hesaid，“ifyouwanttomove，wouldyoulikearoomhere？Termsstrictlymoderate，butcan’taffordtoputyouupfornothingyouknow，andlivingroughandready。You’dhavetotakeusasyoufindus;butthereisadressing-roomnexttomyroom，whereyourlittlegirlcouldsleep，andmydaughterswouldlookafterherbetweenthem，andbegladofthejob。”
AgainBeatriceopenedherlipsasthoughtospeak，butclosedthemwithoutspeaking。Thusdoouropportunitiespassbeforewerealisethattheyareathand。
InstinctivelyGeoffreyhadglancedtowardsBeatrice。Hedidnotknowifthisideawasagreeabletoher。Heknewthatherworkwashard，andhedidnotwishtoputextratroubleuponher，forheguessedthattheburdenoflookingafterEffiewouldultimatelyfalluponhershoulders。Butherfacetoldhimnothing:itwasquitepassiveandapparentlyindifferent。
“Youareverykind，Mr。Granger。”hesaid，hesitating。“Idon’twanttogoawayfromBryngellyjustatpresent，anditwouldbeagoodplaninsomeways，thatisifthetroubletoyourdaughterswouldnotbetoomuch。”
“Iamsurethatitisanexcellentplan。”brokeinLadyHonoria，whofearedlestdifficultiesshouldariseastoherappropriationofAnne’sservices;“howluckythatIhappenedtomentionit。TherewillbenotroubleaboutourgivinguptheroomsatMrs。Jones’s，becauseI
knowshehasanotherapplicationforthem。”
“Verywell。”saidGeoffrey，notlikingtoraiseobjectionstoaschemethuspubliclyadvocated，althoughhewouldhavepreferredtotaketimetoconsider。SomethingwarnedhimthatBryngellyVicaragewouldproveafatefulabodeforhim。ThenElizabethroseandaskedLadyHonoriaifshewouldliketoseetheroomsherhusbandandEffiewouldoccupy。
Shesaidsheshouldbedelightedandwentoff，followedbyMr。Grangerfussingintherear。
“Don’tyouthinkthatyouwillbealittledullhere，Mr。Bingham？”
saidBeatrice。
“Onthecontrary。”heanswered。“WhyshouldIbedull？IcannotbesodullasIshouldbebymyself。”
Beatricehesitated，andthenspokeagain。“Weareacuriousfamily，Mr。Bingham;youmayhaveseenasmuchthisafternoon。Hadyounotbetterthinkitover？”
“Ifyoumeanthatyoudonotwantmetocome，Iwon’t。”hesaidratherbluntly，andnextsecondfeltthathehadmadeamistake。
“I！“Beatriceanswered，openinghereyes。“Ihavenowishesinthematter。Thefactisthatwearepoor，andletlodgings——thatiswhatitcomesto。Ifyouthinktheywillsuityou，youarequiterighttotakethem。”
Geoffreycoloured。Hewasamanwhocouldnotbeartolayhimselfopentothesmallestrebufffromawoman，andhehadbroughtthisonhimself。Beatricesawitandrelented。
“Ofcourse，Mr。Bingham，sofarasIamconcerned，Ishallbethegainerifyoudocome。IdonotmeetsomanypeoplewithwhomIcaretoassociate，andfromwhomIcanlearn，thatIwishtothrowachanceaway。”
“Ithinkyoumisunderstandmealittle。”hesaid;“IonlymeantthatperhapsyouwouldnotwishtobebotheredwithEffie，MissGranger。”
Shelaughed。“Why，Ilovechildren。ItwillbeagreatpleasuretometolookafterhersofarasIhavetime。”
Justthentheothersreturned，andtheirconversationcametoanend。
“It’squitedelightful，Geoffrey——suchfunnyold-fashionedrooms。I
reallyenvyyou。”IftherewasonethingintheworldthatLadyHonoriahated，itwasanold-fashionedroom。“Well，andnowwemustbegoing。Oh！youpoorcreature，Iforgotthatyouweresoknockedabout。IamsureMr。Grangerwillgiveyouhisarm。”
Mr。Grangerambledforward，andGeoffreyhavingmadehisadieus，andborrowedaclericalhatMr。Granger’sconcessiontocustom，forinmostotherrespectshedressedlikeanordinaryfarmer，wassafelyconveyedtothefly。
AndsoendedGeoffrey’sfirstdayatBryngellyVicarage。
CHAPTERXI
BEATRICEMAKESANAPPOINTMENT
LadyHonorialeanedbackinthecab，andsighedasighofsatisfaction。
“Thatisacapitalidea。”shesaid。“Iwaswonderingwhatarrangementsyoucouldmakeforthenextthreeweeks。ItisridiculoustopaythreeguineasaweekforroomsjustforyouandEffie。Theoldgentlemanonlywantsthatforboardandlodgingtogether，forIaskedhim。”
“Idaresayitwilldo。”saidGeoffrey。“Whenarewetoshift？”
“To-morrow，intimefordinner，orrathersupper:thesebarbarianseatsupper，youknow。Igobythemorningtrain，yousee，soastoreachGarsingtonbytea-time。Idaresayyouwillfinditratherdull，butyoulikebeingdull。Theoldclergymanisalowstampofman，andabore，andasfortheeldestdaughter，Elizabeth，she’stooawful——sheremindsmeofarat。ButBeatriceishandsomeenough，thoughIthinkherhorridtoo。You’llhavetoconsoleyourselfwithher，andI
daresayyouwillsuiteachother。”
“Whydoyouthinkherhorrid，Honoria？”
“Oh，Idon’tknow;sheiscleverandodd，andIhateoddwomen。Whycan’ttheybelikeotherpeople？Thinkofherbeingstrongenoughtosaveyourlifelikethattoo。ShemusthavethemuscleofanAmazon——
it’sdownrightunwomanly。Butthereisnodoubtaboutherbeauty。SheisasnearlyperfectasanygirlIeversaw，thoughtooindependentlooking。Ifonlyonehadadaughterlikethat，howonemightmarryher。Iwouldnotlookatanythingundertwentythousandayear。SheistoogoodforthatlumberingWelshsquireshe’sengagedtoo——themanwholivesintheCastle——thoughtheysaythatheisfairlyrich。”
“Engaged。”saidGeoffrey，“howdoyouknowthatsheisengaged？”
“Oh，Idon’tknowitatall，butIsupposesheis。Ifsheisn’t，shesoonwillbe，foragirlinthatpositionisnotlikelytothrowsuchachanceaway。Atanyrate，he’sheadoverearsinlovewithher。I
sawthatlastnight。Hewashangingaboutforhoursintherain，outsidethedoor，withafacelikeaghost，tillheknewwhethershewasdeadoralive，andhehasbeentheretwicetoinquirethismorning。Mr。Grangertoldme。Butsheistoogoodforhimfromabusinesspointofview。Shemightmarryanybody，ifonlyshewereputinthewayofit。”
Somehow，Geoffrey’slivelyinterestinBeatricesensiblydeclinedonthereceiptofthisintelligence。Ofcourseitwasnothingtohim;
indeedhewasgladtohearthatshewasinthewayofsuchacomfortablesettlement，butitisunfortunatelyafactthatonecannotbequiteasmuchinterestedinayoungandlovelyladywhoisthepotentialpropertyofa“lumberingWelshsquire。”asinonewhobelongstoherself。
TheoldAdamstillsurvivesinmostmen，howeverright-thinkingtheymaybe，andthisisoneofitsmethodsofself-assertion。
“Well。”hesaid，“Iamgladtohearsheisinsuchagoodway;shedeservesit。IthinktheWelshsquireisinluck;MissGrangerisaremarkablewoman。”
“Tooremarkablebyhalf。”saidLadyHonoriadrily。“Hereweare，andthereisEffie，skippingaboutlikeawildthingasusual。Ithinkthatchildisdemented。”
Onthefollowingmorning——itwasFriday——LadyHonoria，accompaniedbyAnne，departedintheverybestoftempers。Forthenextthreeweeks，atanyrate，shewouldbefreefromthegallingassociationsofstraightenedmeans——freetoenjoytheluxuryandrefinedcomforttowhichshehadbeenaccustomed，andforwhichhersoulyearnedwithafiercelongingthatwouldbeincomprehensibletofolkofasimplermind。EverybodyhashisorheridealHeaven，ifonlyonecouldfathomit。Somewouldchooseasublimatedintellectualleisure，madehappybythebestliteratureofalltheplanets;someamodelstatewiththemselvesaspresidents，inwhichthroughtheirbeneficentefforts
thelatestradicalnotionscouldactuallybepersuadedtoworktoeverybody’ssatisfaction;othersahappyhuntingground，wherethegameenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid;andsoon，/adinfinitum/。
LadyHonoriawasevenmoremodest。Giveherawellappointedtownandcountryhouse，afewpowderedfootmen，plentyofcarriages，andotherneedfulthings，includingofcoursethe/entrée/totheuppercelestialten，andshewouldasknomorefromagetoage。Letushopethatshewillgetitoneday。Itwouldhurtnobody，andsheissuretofindplentyofpeopleofherownwayofthinking——thatis，ifthisworldsuppliestherawmaterial。
SheembracedEffiewithenthusiasm，andherhusbandwithachastenedwarmth，andwent，apiousprayeronherlipsthatshemightneveragainseteyesuponBryngelly。
ItwillnotbenecessaryforustofollowLadyHonoriainhertravels。
ThatafternoonEffieandherfatherhadgreatfun。Theypackedup。
Geoffrey，whowasrapidlyrecoveringfromhisstiffness，pushedthethingsintotheportmanteausandEffiejumpedonthem。Thosewhichwouldnotgointheybundledlooseintothefly，tillthatvehiclelookedlikeanoldclothesship。Then，astherewasnoroomleftfortheminside，theywalkeddowntotheVicaragebythebeach，adistanceofaboutthree-quartersofamile，stoppingontheirwaytoadmirethebeautifulcastle，inonecornerofwhichOwenDavieslivedandmoved。
“Oh，daddy。”saidthechild，“Iwishyouwouldbuyahouselikethatforyouandmetolivein。Whydon’tyou，daddy？”
“Haven’tgotthemoney，dear。”heanswered。
“Willyoueverhavethemoney，daddy？”
“Idon’tknow，dear，perhapsoneday——whenIamtoooldtoenjoyit。”
headdedtohimself。
“Itwouldtakeagreatmanypenniestobuyahouselikethat，wouldn’tit，daddy？”saidEffiesagely。
“Yes，dear，morethanyoucouldcount。”heanswered，andtheconversationdropped。
Presentlytheycametoaboat-shed，placedoppositethevillageandclosetohigh-watermark。Hereaman，itwasoldEdward，wasengagedinmendingacanoe。Geoffreyglancedatitandsawthatitwastheidenticalcanoeoutofwhichhehadsonearlybeendrowned。
“Look，Effie。”saidhe，“thatistheboatoutofwhichIwasupset。”
Effieopenedherwideeyes，andstaredatthefrailcraft。
“Itisahorridboat。”shesaid;“Idon’twanttolookatit。”
“You’requiteright，littlemiss。”saidoldEdward，touchinghiscap。
“Itain’tsafe，andsomebodywillbedrownedoutofitoneofthesedays。Iwishithadgonetothebottom，Ido;butMissBeatrice，sheisthatfoolhardythereain’tnodoingnothingwithher。”
“Ifancythatshehaslearntalesson。”saidGeoffrey。
“Maybe，maybe。”grumbledtheoldman，“butwomenfolkarehardtoteach;theyneverlearnnothingtillit’stoolate，theydon’t，andthenwhenthey’vebeenanddoneitthey’resorry，butwhat’sthegoodo’that？”
Meanwhileanotherconversationwasinprogressnotmorethanaquarterofamileaway。OnthebrowofthecliffstoodthevillageofBryngelly，andatthebackofthevillagewasaschool，aplainwhite-
washedbuilding，roofedwithstone，which，thoughamplysufficientandsuitabletothewantsoftheplace，waslittleshortofanabominationintheeyesofHerMajesty’sschoolinspectors，whofromtimetotimedescendeduponBryngellyforpurposesofexaminationandfault-
finding。Theyyearnedtoseeastatelyred-brickedifice，withallthelatestimprovements，erectedattheexpenseoftherate-payers，butasyettheyyearnedinvain。Theschoolwassupportedbyvoluntarycontributions，andthankstoBeatrice’senergyandgoodteaching，thedreadedBoard，withitsfadsandextravagance，hadnotyetclutchedit。
Beatricehadreturnedtoherdutiesthatafternoon，foranight’srestbroughtbackitsvigourtoherstrongyoungframe。Shehadbeengreetedwithenthusiasmbythechildren，wholovedher，aswelltheymight，forshewasverygentleandsweetwiththem，thoughfewdaredtodisobeyher。Besides，herbeautyimpressedthem，thoughtheydidnotknowit。Beautyofacertainsorthasperhapsmoreeffectonchildrenthanonanyotherclass，heedlessandselfishastheyoftenseemtobe。Theyfeelitspower;itisanoutwardexpressionofthethoughtsanddreamsthatbudintheirunknowinghearts，andissomehowmixedupwiththeirideasofGodandHeaven。ThustherewasinBryngellyalittlegirloften，averycleverandhighlyexcitablechild，JaneLlewellynbyname，bornofparentsofstrictCalvinisticviews。Asitchanced，somemonthsbeforetheopeningofthisstory，atubthumper，ofhighrenownandconsiderablerudeoratoricalforce，visitedtheplace，andtreatedhishearerstoalivelydiscourseonthehorrorsofHell。
Intheveryfrontrow，hereyeswidewithfear，satthispoorlittlechildbetweenherparents，wholistenedtotheMinisterwithmuchsatisfaction，andalittlewaybacksatBeatrice，whohadcomeoutofcuriosity。