Presentlythepreacher，havingdealtsufficientlyinterrifyinggeneralities，wentontopracticalillustrations，for，afterthemannerofhisclass，hewasdeliveringanextemporaryoration。“Lookatthatchild。”hesaid，pointingtothelittlegirl;“shelooksinnocent，doesshenot？butifshedoesnotfindsalvation，mybrethren，Itellyouthatsheisdamned。Ifshediesto-night，nothavingfoundsalvation，shewillgoto/Hell/。Herdelicatelittlebodywillbetormentedforeverandever——“
Heretheunfortunatechildfellforwardwithashriek。
“Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。”saidBeatricealoud。
Shehadbeenlisteningtoallthisill-judgedrantwithgrowingindignation，andnow，inherexcitement，entirelyforgotthatshewasinaplaceofworship。Thensheranforwardtothechild，whohadswooned。Poorlittleunfortunate，sheneverrecoveredtheshock。Whenshecametoherself，itwasfoundthatherfinelystrungmindhadgivenway，andshelapsedintoaconditionofimbecility。Butherimbecilitywasnotalwayspassive。Occasionallyfitsofpassionateterrorwouldseizeuponher。Shewouldcryoutthatthefiendswerecomingtodragherdowntotorment，anddashherselfagainstthewall，infearhideoustobehold。Thenitwasfoundthattherewasbutonewaytocalmher:itwastosendforBeatrice。Beatricewouldcomeandtakethepoorthinhandsinhersandgazewithhercalmdeepeyesuponthewastedhorror-strickenfacetillthechildgrewquietagainand，shivering，sobbedherselftosleepuponherbreast。
Andsoitwaswithallthechildren;herpoweroverthemwasalmostabsolute。Theylovedher，andshelovedthemall。
Andnowtheschoolingwasalmostdonefortheday。ItwasBeatrice’scustomtomakethechildrensingsomesimplesongbeforetheybrokeup。Shestoodinfrontofthemandgavethetimewhiletheysung，andaprettysightitwastoseeherdoit。Onthisparticularafternoon，justasthefirstversewasfinished，thedooroftheroomopened，andOwenDaviesentered，bearingsomebooksunderhisarm。Beatriceglancedroundandsawhim，then，withaquickstampofherfoot，wentongivingthetime。
Thechildrensunglustily，andinfrontofthemstoodBeatrice，dressedinsimplewhite，hergracefulformswayingasshemarkedthemusic’stime。NearerandnearerdrewOwenDavies，tillatlengthhestoodquiteclose，hislipsslightlyapart，hiseyesfixeduponherliketheeyesofonewhodreams，andhisslowheavyfacefaintlylitwiththeglowofstrongemotion。
Thesongended，thechildrenatawordfromtheirmistressfiledpasther，headedbythepupilteachers，andthenwithashout，seizingtheircaps，ranforththiswayandthat，welcomingthefreeair。Whentheywereallgone，andnottillthen，Beatriceturnedsuddenlyround。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Davies？”shesaid。
Hestartedvisibly。“Ididnotknowthatyouhadseenme。”heanswered。
“Oh，yes，Isawyou，Mr。Davies，onlyIcouldnotstopthesongtosayhowdoyoudo。Bytheway，Ihavetothankyouforcomingtoinquireafterme。”
“Notatall，MissBeatrice，notatall;itwasamostdreadfulaccident。IcannottellyouhowthankfulIam——Ican’t，indeed。”
“Itisverygoodofyoutotakesomuchinterestinme。”saidBeatrice。
“Notatall，MissBeatrice，notatall。Who——whocouldhelptakinginterestinyou？Ihavebroughtyousomebooks——theLifeofDarwin——itisintwovolumes。IthinkthatIhaveheardyousaythatDarwininterestsyou？”
“Yes，thankyouverymuch。Haveyoureadit？”
“No，butIhavecutit。Darwindoesn’tinterestme，youknow。Ithinkthathewasarathermisguidedperson。MayIcarrythebookshomeforyou？”
“Thankyou，butIamnotgoingstraighthome;IamgoingtooldEdward’sshedtoseemycanoe。”
Asamatteroffactthiswastrue，buttheideawasonlythatmomentborninhermind。Beatricehadbeengoinghome，asshewantedtoseethatallthingsweredulypreparedforGeoffreyandhislittledaughter。ButtoreachtheVicarageshemustpassalongthecliff，wheretherewerefewpeople，andthisshedidnotwishtodo。Tobefrank，shefearedlestMr。Daviesshouldtaketheopportunitytomakethatofferofhishandandheartwhichhungoverherlikeanightmare。
NowthewaytoEdward’sshedlaythroughthevillageanddownthecliff，andsheknewthathewouldneverproposeinthevillage。
Itwasveryfoolishofher，nodoubt，thustoseektopostponetheevilday，butthestrongest-mindedwomenhavetheirweakpoints，andthiswasoneofBeatrice’s。Shehatedtheideaofthisscene。Sheknewthatwhenitdidcometherewouldbeascene。Notthatherresolutiontorefusethemanhadeverfaltered。Butitwouldbepainful，andintheenditmustreachtheearsofherfatherandElizabeththatshehadactuallyrejectedMr。OwenDavies，andthenwhatwouldherlifebeworth？Shehadneversuspectedit，ithadneverenteredintohermindtosuspect，that，thoughherfathermightbevexedenough，nothingonthisearthwouldmoredelighttheheartofElizabeth。
Presently，havingfetchedherhat，Beatrice，accompaniedbyheradmirer，bearingtheLifeofDarwinunderhisarm，startedtowalkdowntothebeach。Theywentinsilence，Beatricejustalittleahead。
Sheventuredsomeremarkabouttheweather，butOwenDaviesmadenoreply;hewasthinking，hewantedtosaysomething，buthedidnotknowhowtosayit。Theywereattheheadofthecliffnow，andifhewishedtospeakhemustdosoquickly。
“MissBeatrice。”hesaidinasomewhatconstrainedvoice。
“Yes，Mr。Davies——oh，lookatthatseagull;itnearlyknockedmyhatoff。”
Buthewasnottobeputoffwiththeseagull。“MissBeatrice。”hesaidagain，“areyougoingoutwalkingnextSundayafternoon？”
“HowcanItell，Mr。Davies？Itmayrain。”
“Butifitdoesnotrain——pleasetellme。YougenerallydowalkonthebeachonSunday。MissBeatrice，Iwanttospeaktoyou。Ihopeyouwillallowme，Idoindeed。”
Thensuddenlyshecametoadecision。Thiskindofthingwasunendurable;itwouldbebettertogetitover。TurningroundsosuddenlythatOwenstarted，shesaid:
“Ifyouwishtospeaktome，Mr。Davies，IshallbeintheAmphitheatreoppositetheRedRocks，atfouro’clockonSundayafternoon，butIhadmuchratherthatyoudidnotcome。Icansaynomore。”
“Ishallcome。”heanswereddoggedly，andtheywentdownthestepstotheboat-shed。
“Oh，look，daddy。”saidEffie，“herecomestheladywhowasdrowndedwithyouandagentleman。”andtoBeatrice’sgreatreliefthechildranforwardandmetthem。
“Ah！“thoughtGeoffreytohimself，“thatisthemanHonoriasaidshewasengagedto。Well，Idon’tthinkverymuchofhertaste。”
Inanotherminutetheyhadarrived。GeoffreyshookhandswithBeatrice，andwasintroducedtoOwenDavies，whomurmuredsomethinginreply，andpromptlytookhisdeparture。
Theyexaminedthecanoetogether，andthenwalkedslowlyuptotheVicarage，BeatriceholdingEffiebythehand。Oppositethereeftheyhaltedforaminute。
“ThereistheTableRockonwhichwewerethrown，Mr。Bingham。”saidBeatrice，“andhereiswheretheycarriedusashore。Theseadoesnotlookasthoughitwoulddrownanyoneto-night，doesit？See！“——andshethrewastoneintoit——“theripplesrunasevenlyastheydoonapond。”
ShespokeidlyandGeoffreyansweredheridly，fortheywerenotthinkingoftheirwords。Ratherweretheythinkingofthestrangechancethathadbroughtthemtogetherinanhourofdeadlyperilandnowleftthemtogetherinanhourofpeace。Perhaps，too，theywerewonderingtowhatendthishadcomeabout。For，agnostics，atheistsorbelievers，arewenot，mostofus，fatalistsatheart？
CHAPTERXII
THEWRITINGONTHESAND
GeoffreyfoundhimselfverycomfortableattheVicarage，andasforEffie，shepositivelyrevelledinit。Beatricelookedafterher，takinghertobedatnightandhelpinghertodressinthemorning，andBeatricewasagreatimprovementuponAnne。WhenGeoffreybecameawareofthisheremonstrated，sayingthathehadneverexpectedhertoactasnursetothechild，butsherepliedthatitwasapleasuretohertodoso，whichwasthetruth。Inotherways，too，theplacewasallthathedesired。HedidnotlikeElizabeth，butthenhedidnotseeverymuchofher，andtheoldfarmerclergymanwasamusinginhisway，withhisendlesstalkoftithesandcrops，andtheiniquitiesoftherebelliousJones，onwhomhewasgoingtodistrain。
ForthefirstdayortwoGeoffreyhadnomoreconversationswithBeatrice。Mostofthetimeshewasawayattheschool，andontheSaturdayafternoon，whenshewasfree，hewentouttotheRedRockscurlewshooting。Atfirsthethoughtofaskinghertocometoo，butthenitoccurredtohimthatshemightwishtogooutwithMr。Davies，towhomhestillsupposedshewasengaged。Itwasnoaffairofhis，yethewasgladwhenhecamebacktofindthatshehadbeenoutwithEffie，andnotwithMr。Davies。
OnSundaymorningtheyallwenttochurch，includingBeatrice。Itwasabarelittlechurch，andthecongregationwassmall。Mr。Grangerwentthroughtheservicewithaboutasmuchlivelinessasahorsedrivingamachine。Hegrounditout，prayers，psalms，litany，lessons，allinthesamedepressingway，tillGeoffreyfeltinclinedtogotosleep，andthentooktowatchingBeatrice’ssweetfaceinstead。Hewonderedwhatmadeherlooksosad。Herswasalwaysasadfacewheninrepose，thatheknew，butto-dayitwasparticularlyso，andwhatwasmore，shelookedworriedaswellassad。OnceortwicehesawherglanceatMr。Davies，whowassittingopposite，thesolitaryoccupantofanenormouspew，andhethoughtthattherewasapprehensioninherlook。
ButMr。Daviesdidnotreturntheglance。Tojudgefromhisappearancenothingwastroublinghismind。
Indeed，Geoffreystudyinghiminthesamewaythatheinstinctivelystudiedeverybodywhomhemet，thoughtthathehadneverbeforeseenamanwholookedquitesoox-likeandabsolutelycomfortable。Andyetheneverwasmorecompletelyatfault。Themanseemedstolidandcoldindeed，butitwasthecoldnessofavolcano。Hisheartwasa-fire。
Allthehumanforcesinhim，alltheenergiesofhissturdylife，hadconcentratedthemselvesinasinglepassionforthewomanwhowassonearandyetsofarfromhim。Hehadneverdrawnuponthestore，hadneverfritteredhisheartaway。Thiswoman，strangeandunusualasitmayseem，wasabsolutelythefirstwhoseglanceorvoicehadeverstirredhisblood。Hispassionforherhadgrownslowly;foryearsithadbeengrowing，eversincethegrey-eyedgirlonthebrinkofwomanhoodhadconductedhimtohiscastlehome。Itwasnofancy，nolightdesiretopasswiththeyearwhichbroughtit。Owenhadlittleimagination，thatsoilfromwhichlovesspringwiththerankswiftnessofatropicbloomtofadeatthefirstchillbreathofchange。Hispassionwasanunalterablefact。ItwasrootedlikeanoakonourstiffEnglishsoil，itsfibreswrappedhisheartandshothisbeingthrough，andifsostrongagaleshouldrisethatitmustfall，thenhetoowouldbeoverthrown。
ForyearsnowhehadthoughtoflittleelsethanBeatrice。Towinherhewouldhavegivenallhiswealth，ay，thriceover，ifthatwerepossible。Towinher，toknowherhisbyrightandhisalone，ah，thatwouldbeheaven！Hisbloodquiveredandhismindgrewdimwhenhethoughtofit。Whatwoulditbetoseeherstandingbyhimasshestoodnow，andknowthatshewashiswife！Thereisnoformofpassionmoreterriblethanthis。Itsveryearthinessmakesitawful。
Theservicewenton。AtlastMr。Grangermountedthepulpitandbegantoreadhissermon，ofwhichthetextwas，“Butthegreatestoftheseischarity。”Geoffreynoticedthathebungledoversomeofthewords，thensuddenlyrememberedBeatricehadtoldhimthatshehadwrittenthesermon，andwasallattention。Hewasnotdisappointed。
NotwithstandingMr。Granger’sinfamousreading，andhishabitofdroppinghisvoiceattheendofasentence，insteadofraisingit，thebeautyofthethoughtsanddictionwasveryevident。ItwasindeedadiscoursethatmightequallywellhavebeendeliveredinaMahomedanoraBuddhistplaceofworship;therewasnothingdistinctivelyChristianaboutit，itmerelyappealedtothegoodinhumannature。
Butofthisneitherthepreachernorhisaudienceseemedtobeaware，indeed，fewofthelatterwerelisteningatall。Thesermonwasshortandendedwithapassageofrealpowerandbeauty——orratheritdidnotend，for，closingtheMS。sheets，Mr。Grangerfollowedonwithafewimprompturemarksofhisown。
“Andnow，brethren。”hesaid，“Ihavebeenpreachingtoyouaboutcharity，butIwishtoaddoneremark，Charitybeginsathome。Thereisaboutahundredpoundsoftitheowingtome，andsomeofithasbeenowingfortwoyearsandmore。IfthattitheisnotpaidIshallhavetoputdistraintonsomeofyou，andIthoughtthatIhadbettertakethisopportunitytotellyouso。”
ThenhegavetheBenediction。
Thecontrastbetweenthisbusiness-likespeech，andthebeautifulperiodswhichhadgonebefore，wassoridiculousthatGeoffreyverynearlyburstoutlaughing，andBeatricesmiled。Sodidtherestofthecongregation，exceptingoneortwowhoowedtithe，andOwenDavies，whowasthinkingofotherthings。
Astheywentthroughthechurchyard，Geoffreynoticedsomething。
BeatricewasafewpacesaheadholdingEffie’shand。PresentlyMr。
Daviespassedhim，apparentlywithoutseeinghim，andgreetedBeatrice，whobowedslightlyinacknowledgment。Hewalkedalittlewaywithoutspeaking，thenGeoffrey，justastheyreachedthechurchgate，heardhimsay，“Atfourthisafternoon，then。”Againshebowedherhead，andheturnedandwent。AsforGeoffrey，hewonderedwhatitallmeant:wassheengagedtohim，orwasshenot？
Dinnerwasasomewhatsilentmeal。Mr。Grangerwasthinkingabouthistithe，alsoaboutasickcow。Elizabeth’sthoughtspursuedsomedarkanddeviouscourseoftheirown，notanaltogetheragreeableonetojudgefromherface。Beatricelookedpaleandworried;evenEffie’ssalliesdidnotdomorethanmakehersmile。AsforGeoffreyhimself，hewasengagedinwonderinginanidlesortofwaywhatwasgoingtohappenatfouro’clock。
“Youisallverydull。”saidEffieatlast，withacharmingdisregardofgrammar。
“PeopleoughttobedullonSunday，Effie。”answeredBeatrice，withaneffort。“Atleast，Isupposeso。”sheadded。
Elizabeth，whowasaggressivelyreligious，frownedatthisremark。Sheknewhersisterdidnotmeanit。
“Whatareyougoingtodothisafternoon，Beatrice？”sheaskedsuddenly。ShehadseenOwenDaviesgoupandspeaktohersister，andthoughshehadnotbeennearenoughtocatchthewords，scentedanassignationfromafar。
Beatricecolouredslightly，afactthatescapedneitherhersisternorGeoffrey。
“IamgoingtoseeJaneLlewellyn。”sheanswered。JaneLlewellynwasthecrazylittlegirlwhosetalehasbeentold。UptothatmomentBeatricehadnoideaofgoingtoseeher，butsheknewthatElizabethwouldnotfollowherthere，becausethechildcouldnotendureElizabeth。
“Oh，Ithoughtthatperhapsyouweregoingoutwalking。”
“Imaywalkafterwards。”answeredBeatriceshortly。
“Sothereisanassignation。”thoughtElizabeth，andacoldgleamofintelligencepassedacrossherface。
Shortlyafterdinner，Beatriceputonherbonnetandwentout。Tenminutespassed，andElizabethdidthesame。ThenMr。Grangerannouncedthathewasgoinguptothefarmtherewasnoservicetillsixtoseeaboutthesickcow，andaskedGeoffreyifhewouldliketoaccompanyhim。Hesaidthathemightaswell，ifEffiecouldcome，and，havinglithispipe，theystarted。
MeanwhileBeatricewenttoseethecrazychild。Shewasnotviolentto-day，andscarcelyknewher。Beforeshehadbeeninthehousetenminutes，thesituationdevelopeditself。
Thecottagestoodabouttwo-thirdsofthewaydownastragglingstreet，whichwasquiteempty，forBryngellysleptafterdinneronSunday。AtthetopofthisstreetappearedElizabeth，aBibleinherhand，asthoughondistrictvisitingintent。Shelookeddownthestreet，andseeingnobody，wentforalittlewalk，then，returning，oncemorelookeddownthestreet。Thistimeshewasrewarded。ThedooroftheLlewellyns’cottageopened，andBeatriceappeared。InstantlyElizabethwithdrewtosuchapositionthatshecouldseewithoutbeingseen，and，standingasthoughirresolute，awaitedevents。Beatriceturnedandtooktheroadthatledtothebeach。
ThenElizabeth’sirresolutiondisappeared。Shealsoturnedandtooktheroadtothecliff，walkingveryfast。PassingbehindtheVicarage，shegainedapointwherethebeachnarrowedtoawidthofnotmorethanfiftyyards，andsatdown。Presentlyshesawamancomingalongthesandbeneathher，walkingquickly。ItwasOwenDavies。Shewaitedandwatched。Sevenoreightminutespassed，andawomaninawhitedresspassed。ItwasBeatrice，walkingslowly。
“Ah！“saidElizabeth，settingherteeth，“asIthought。”Rising，shepursuedherpathalongthecliff，keepingthreeorfourhundredyardsahead，whichshecouldeasilydobytakingshortcuts。Itwasalongwalk，andElizabeth，whowasnotfondofwalking，gotverytiredofit。Butshewasawomanwithapurpose，andassuch，hardtobeat。Soshekeptonsteadilyfornearlyanhour，till，atlength，shecametothespotknownastheAmphitheatre。ThisAmphitheatre，situatedalmostoppositetheRedRocks，wasahalf-ringofcliff，thesidesofwhichraninasemicirclealmostdowntothewater’sedge，thatis，athightide。Inthecentreofthesegmentthusformedwasalargeflatstone，soplacedthatanybodyincertainpositionsonthecliffabovecouldcommandaviewofit，thoughitwasscreenedbytheprojectingwallsofrockfromobservationfromthebeach。Elizabethclamberedalittlewaydowntheslopingsideofthecliffandlooked;onthestone，hisbacktowardsher，satOwenDavies。Slippingfromstratumtostratumofthebrokencliff，Elizabethdrewslowlynearer，tillatlengthshewaswithinfiftypacesoftheseatedman。Here，ensconcingherselfbehindacleftrock，shealsosatdown;itwasnotsafetogocloser;butincasesheshouldbyanychancebeobservedfromabove，sheopenedtheBibleonherknee，asthoughshehadsoughtthisquietspottostudyitspages。
Threeorfourminutespassed，andBeatriceappearedroundtheprojectingangleoftheAmphitheatre，andwalkedslowlyacrossthelevelsand。OwenDaviesroseandstretchedouthishandtowelcomeher，butshedidnottakeit，sheonlybowed，andthenseatedherselfuponthelargeflatstone。Owenalsoseatedhimselfonit，butsomethreeorfourfeetaway。Elizabeththrustherwhitefaceforwardtillitwasalmostlevelwiththelipsofthecleftrockandstrainedherearstolisten。Alas！shecouldnothearasingleword。
“Youaskedmetocomehere，Mr。Davies。”saidBeatrice，breakingthepainfulsilence。“Ihavecome。”
“Yes。”heanswered;“IaskedyoutocomebecauseIwantedtospeaktoyou。”
“Yes？”saidBeatrice，lookingupfromheroccupationofdigginglittleholesinthesandwiththepointofherparasol。Herfacewascalmenough，butherheartbeatfastbeneathherbreast。
“Iwanttoaskyou。”hesaid，speakingslowlyandthickly，“ifyouwillbemywife？”
Beatriceopenedherlipstospeak，then，seeingthathehadonlypausedbecausehisinwardemotioncheckedhiswords，shutthemagain，andwentondigginglittleholes。Shewishedtorelyonthewholecase，asalawyerwouldsay。
“Iwanttoaskyou。”herepeated，“tobemywife。Ihavewishedtodosoforsomeyears，butIhaveneverbeenabletobringmyselftoit。
Itisagreatsteptotake，andmyhappinessdependsonit。Donotanswermeyet。”hewenton，hiswordsgatheringforceashespoke。
“ListentowhatIhavetotellyou。Ihavebeenalonelymanallmylife。AtseaIwaslonely，andsinceIhavecomeintothisfortuneI
havebeenlonelierstill。IneverlovedanybodyoranythingtillI
begantoloveyou。AndthenIlovedyoumoreandmoreandmore;tillnowIhaveonlyonethoughtinallmylife，andthatthoughtisofyou。WhileIamawakeIthinkofyou，andwhenIamasleepIdreamofyou。Listen，Beatrice，listen！——Ihaveneverlovedanyotherwoman，I
havescarcelyspokentoone——onlyyou，Beatrice。Icangiveyouagreatdeal;andeverythingIhaveshallbeyours，onlyIshouldbejealousofyou——yes，veryjealous！“
Heresheglancedathisface。Itwasoutwardlycalmbutwhiteasdeath，andintheblueeyes，generallysoplacid，shoneafirethatbycontrastlookedalmostunholy。
“Ithinkthatyouhavesaidenough，Mr。Davies。”Beatriceanswered。“I
amverymuchobligedtoyou。Iammuchhonoured，forinsomewaysIamnotyourequal，butIdonotloveyou，andIcannotmarryyou，andI
thinkitbesttotellyousoplainly，onceandforall。”andunconsciouslyshewentondiggingtheholes。
“Oh，donotsaythat。”heanswered，almostinamoan。“ForGod’ssakedon’tsaythat！Itwillkillmetoloseyou。IthinkIshouldgomad。
Marrymeandyouwilllearntoloveme。”
Beatriceglancedathimagain，andapangofpitypiercedherheart。
Shedidnotknowitwassobadacaseasthis。Itstruckhertoothatshewasdoingafoolishthing，fromaworldlypointofview。Themanlovedherandwasveryeligible。Heonlyaskedofherwhatmostwomenarewillingenoughtogiveundercircumstancessofavourabletotheirwell-being——herself。Butsheneverlikedhim，hehadalwaysrepelledher，andshewasnotawomantomarryamanwhomshedidnotlike。
Also，duringthelastweekthisdislikeandrepulsionhadhardenedandstrengthened。Vaguely，ashepleadedwithher，Beatricewonderedwhy，andasshedidsohereyefelluponthepatternshewasautomaticallyprickinginthesand。Ithadtakentheformofletters，andtheletterswereGEOFFRE——Greatheaven！Couldthatbetheanswer？
Sheflushedcrimsonwithshameatthethought，andpassedherfootacrossthetell-taleletters，asshebelieved，obliteratingthem。
Owensawthesofteningofhereyesandsawtheblush，andmisinterpretedthem。Thinkingthatshewasrelenting，byinstinct，ratherthanfromanyteachingofexperience，heattemptedtotakeherhand。Withaturnofthearm，soquickthatevenElizabethwatchingwithallhereyessawnothingofthemovement，Beatricetwistedherselffree。
“Don’ttouchme。”shesaidsharply，“youhavenorighttotouchme。I
haveansweredyou，Mr。Davies。”
Owenwithdrewhishandabashed，andforamomentsatstill，hischinrestingonhisbreast，averypictureofdespair。Nothingindeedcouldbreakthestolidcalmofhisfeatures，buttheviolenceofhisemotionwasevidentinthequickshiveringofhislimbsandhisshortdeepbreaths。
“Canyougivemenohope？”hesaidatlastinaslowheavyvoice。“ForGod’ssakethinkbeforeyouanswer——youdon’tknowwhatitmeanstome。Itisnothingtoyou——youcannotfeel。Ifeel，andyourwordscutlikeaknife。IknowthatIamheavyandstupid，butIfeelasthoughyouhadkilledme。Youareheartless，quiteheartless。”
AgainBeatricesoftenedalittle。Shewastouchedandflattered。Whereisthewomanwhowouldnothavebeen？
“WhatcanIsaytoyou，Mr。Davies？”sheansweredinakindervoice。
“Icannotmarryyou。HowIcanImarryyouwhenIdonotloveyou？”
“Plentyofwomenmarrymenwhomtheydonotlove。”
“Thentheyarebadwomen。”answeredBeatricewithenergy。
“Theworlddoesnotthinkso。”hesaidagain;“theworldcallsthosewomenbadwholovewheretheycannotmarry，andtheworldisalwaysright。Marriagesanctifieseverything。”
Beatricelaughedbitterly。“Doyouthinkso？”shesaid。“Idonot。I
thinkthatmarriagewithoutloveisthemostunholyofourinstitutions，andthatissayingagooddeal。SupposingIshouldsayyestoyou，supposingthatImarriedyou，notlovingyou，whatwoulditbefor？Foryourmoneyandyourposition，andtobecalledamarriedwoman，andwhatdoyousupposeIshouldthinkofmyselfinmyheartthen？No，no，Imaybebad，butIhavenotfallensolowasthat。Findanotherwife，Mr。Davies;theworldiswideandthereareplentyofwomeninitwhowillloveyouforyourownsake，orwhoatanyratewillnotbesoparticular。Forgetme，andleavemetogomyownway——itisnotyourway。”
“Leaveyoutogoyourownway。”heansweredalmostwithpassion——“thatis，leaveyoutosomeotherman。Oh！Icannotbeartothinkofit。I
amjealousofeverymanwhocomesnearyou。Doyouknowhowbeautifulyouare？Youaretoobeautiful——everymanmustloveyouasIdo。Oh，ifyoutookanybodyelseIthinkthatIshouldkillhim。”
“Donotspeaklikethat，Mr。Davies，orIshallgo。”
Hestoppedatonce。“Don’tgo。”hesaidimploringly。“Listen。Yousaidthatyouwouldnotmarrymebecauseyoudidnotloveme。Supposingthatyoulearnedtoloveme，sayinayear’stime，Beatrice，wouldyoumarrymethen？”
“IwouldmarryanymanwhomIloved。”sheanswered。
“Thenifyoulearntolovemeyouwillmarryme？”
“Oh，thisisridiculous。”shesaid。“Itisnotprobable，itishardlypossible，thatsuchathingshouldhappen。Ifithadbeengoingtohappenitwouldhavehappenedbefore。”
“Itmightcomeabout。”heanswered;“yourheartmightsoftentowardsme。Oh，sayyestothis。Itisasmallrequest，itcostsyounothing，anditgivesmehope，withoutwhichIcannotlive。SaythatImayaskyouoncemore，andthatthenifyoulovemeyouwillmarryme。”
Beatricethoughtforamoment。Suchapromisecoulddohernoharm，andinthecourseofsixmonthsorayearhemightgetusedtotheideaoflivingwithouther。Alsoitwouldpreventascene。Itwasweakofher，butshedreadedtheideaofherhavingrefusedOwenDaviescomingtoherfather’sears。
“Ifyouwishit，Mr。Davies。”shesaid，“sobeit。OnlyIaskyoutounderstandthis，Iaminnowaytiedtoyou。Igiveyounohopethatmyanswer，shouldyourenewthisofferayearhenceoratanyothertime，willdifferfromthatIgiveyouto-day。Idonotthinkthereistheslightestprobabilityofsuchathing。Also，itmustbeunderstoodthatyouarenottospeaktomyfatheraboutthismatter，ortotroublemeinanyway。Doyouconsent？”
“Yes。”heanswered，“Iconsent。Youhavemeatyourmercy。”
“Verywell。Andnow，Mr。Davies，good-bye。No，donotwalkbackwithme。Ihadrathergobymyself。ButIwanttosaythis:Iamverysorryforwhathashappened。Ihavenotwishedittohappen。Ihaveneverencouragedit，andmyhandsarecleanofit。ButIamsorry，sorrybeyondmeasure，andIrepeatwhatIsaidbefore——seekoutsomeotherwomanandmarryher。”
“Thatisthecruellestthingofallthecruelthingswhichyouhavesaid。”heanswered。
“Ididnotmeanittobecruel，Mr。Davies，butIsupposethatthetruthoftenis。Andnowgood-bye。”andBeatricestretchedoutherhand。
Hetouchedit，andsheturnedandwent。ButOwendidnotgo。Hesatupontherock，hisheadbowedinmisery。Hehadstakedallhishopesuponthiswoman。Shewastheonedesirablethingtohim，theonestarinhissomewhatleadensky，andnowthatstarwaseclipsed。Herwordswereunequivocal，theygavebutlittlehope。Beatricewasscarcelyawomantoturnroundinsixmonthsorayear。Onthecontrary，therewasafixityaboutherwhichfrightenedhim。Whatcouldbethecauseofit？Howcameitthatsheshouldbesoreadytorejecthim，andallhehadtoofferher？Afterall，shewasagirlinasmallposition。
Shecouldnotbelookingforwardtoabettermatch。Norwouldtheprospectmoveheronewayoranother。Theremustbeareasonforit。
Perhapshehadarival，surelythatmustbethecause。Someenemyhaddonethisthing。Butwho？
Atthismomentawoman’sshadowfellathwarthim。
“Oh，haveyoucomeback？”hecried，springingtohisfeet。
“IfyoumeanBeatrice。”answeredavoice——itwasElizabeth’s——“shewentdowntothebeachtenminutesago。Ihappenedtobeonthecliff，andIsawher。”
“Oh，Ibegyourpardon，MissGranger。”hesaidfaintly。“Ididnotseewhoitwas。”
Elizabethsatdownupontherockwherehersisterhadsat，and，seeingthelittleholesinthebreach，beganindolentlytoclearthemofthesandwhichBeatricehadsweptoverthemwithherfoot。Thiswasnodifficultmatter，fortheholesweredeeplydug，anditwaseasytotracetheirposition。Presentlytheywerenearlyallclear——thatis，theletterswerelegible。
“YouhavehadatalkwithBeatrice，Mr。Davies？”
“Yes。”heansweredapathetically。
Elizabethpaused。Thenshetookherbullbythehorns。
“AreyougoingtomarryBeatrice，Mr。Davies？”sheasked。
“Idon’tknow。”heansweredslowlyandwithoutsurprise。Itseemednaturaltohimthathisowncentralthoughtshouldbepresentinhermind。“Iloveherdearly，andwanttomarryher。”
“Sherefusedyou，then？”
“Yes。”
Elizabethbreathedmorefreely。
“ButIcanaskheragain。”
Elizabethfrowned。Whatcouldthismean？Itwasnotanabsoluterefusal。Beatricewasplayingsomegameofherown。
“Whydidsheputyouoffso，Mr。Davies？Donotthinkmeinquisitive。
IonlyaskbecauseImaybeabletohelpyou。”
“Iknow;youareverykind。HelpmeandIshallalwaysbegratefultoyou。Idonotknow——Ialmostthinkthattheremustbesomebodyelse，onlyIdon’tknowwhoitcanbe。”
“Ah！“saidElizabeth，whohadbeengazingintentlyatthelittleholesinthebeachwhichshehadnowclearedofthesand。“Ofcoursethatispossible。Sheisacuriousgirl，Beatriceis。Whatarethoseletters，Mr。Davies？”
Helookedatthemidly。“SomethingyoursisterwaswritingwhileI
talkedtoher。Irememberseeingherdoit。”
“GEOFFRE——why，itmustbemeantforGeoffrey。Yes，ofcourseitispossiblethatthereissomebodyelse，Mr。Davies。Geoffrey！——howcurious！“
“Whyisitcurious，MissGranger？WhoisGeoffrey？”
ElizabethlaughedadisagreeablelittlelaughthatsomehowattractedOwen’sattentionmorethanherwords。
“HowshouldIknow？ItmustbesomefriendofBeatrice’s，andoneofwhomsheisthinkingagreatdeal，orshewouldnotwritehisnameunconsciously。TheonlyGeoffreythatIknowisMr。GeoffreyBingham，thebarrister，whoisstayingattheVicarage，andwhoselifeBeatricesaved。”Shepausedtowatchhercompanion’sface，andsawanewideacreepacrossitsstolidity。“Butofcourse。”shewenton，“itcannotbeMr。Binghamthatshewasthinkingof，becauseyouseeheismarried。”
“Married？”hesaid，“yes，buthe’samanforallthat，andaveryhandsomeone。”
“Yes，Ishouldcallhimhandsome——afineman。”Elizabethansweredcritically;“but，asBeatricesaidtheotherday，thegreatcharmabouthimishistalkandpowerofmind。Heisaveryremarkableman，andtheworldwillhearofhimbeforehehasdone。But，however，allthisisneitherherenorthere。Beatriceisacuriouswoman，andhasstrangeideas，butIamsurethatshewouldnevercarryonwithamarriedman。”
“Buthemightcarryonwithher，MissElizabeth。”
Shelaughed。“DoyoureallythinkthatamanlikeMr。Binghamwouldtrytoflirtwithgirlswithoutencouragement？Menlikethatareasproudaswomen，andprouder;theladymustalwaysbeastepahead。Butwhatisthegoodoftalkingaboutsuchathing？Itisallnonsense。
BeatricemusthavebeenthinkingofsomeotherGeoffrey——oritwasanaccidentofsomething。Why，Mr。Davies，ifyouforonemomentreallybelievedthatdearBeatricecouldbeguiltyofsuchashamelessthingastocarryonaflirtationwithamarriedman，wouldyouhaveaskedhertomarryyou？Wouldyoustillthinkofaskingsuchawomanasshemustbetobecomeyourwife？”
“Idon’tknow;Isupposenot。”hesaiddoubtfully。
“Yousupposenot。Iknowyoubetterthanyouknowyourself。Youwouldrathernevermarryatallthantakesuchawomanasshewouldbeprovedtobe。Butitisnogoodtalkingsuchstuff。Ifyouhavearivalyoumaybesureitissomeunmarriedman。”
Owenreflectedinhisheartthatonthewholehewouldratheritwasamarriedone，sinceamarriedman，atanyrate，couldnotlegallytakepossessionofBeatrice。ButElizabeth’srigidmoralityalarmedhim，andhedidnotsayso。
“DoyouknowIfeelalittleupset，MissElizabeth。”heanswered。“I
thinkIwillbegoing。Bytheway，Ipromisedtosaynothingofthistoyourfather。Ihopethatyouwillnotdoso，either。”
“Mostcertainlynot。”saidElizabeth，andindeeditwouldbethelastthingshewouldwishtodo。“Well，good-bye，Mr。Davies。Donotbedownhearted;itwillallcomerightintheend。Youwillalwayshavemetohelpyou，remember。”
“Thankyou，thankyou。”hesaidearnestly，andwent。
Elizabethwatchedhimroundthewallofrockwithacoldanduglysmilesetuponherface。
“Youfool。”shethought，“youfool！Totell/me/thatyou’loveherdearlyandwanttomarryher;’youwanttogetthatsweetfaceofhers，doyou？Younevershall;I’dspoilitfirst！DearBeatrice，sheisnotcapableofcarryingonaloveaffairwithamarriedman——oh，certainlynot！Why，she’sinlovewithhimalready，andheismorethanhalfinlovewithher。Ifshehadn’tbeen，wouldshehaveputOwenoff？Notshe。Givethemtime，andweshallsee。Theywillruineachother——they/must/ruineachother;itwon’tbechild’splaywhentwopeoplelikethatfallinlove。Theywillnotstopatsighs，thereistoomuchhumannatureaboutthem。Itwasagoodideatogethimintothehouse。AndtoseehergoonwiththatchildEffie，justasthoughshewasitsmother——itmakesmelaugh。Ah，Beatrice，withallyourwitsyouareasillywoman！Andoneday，mydeargirl，IshallhavethepleasureofexposingyoutoOwen;theidolwillbeunveiled，andtherewillbeanendofyourchanceswithhim，forhecan’tmarryyouafterthat。Thenmyturnwillcome。Itisaquestionoftime——onlyaquestionoftime！“
SobroodedElizabethinherheart，maddedwithmaliciousenvyandpassionatejealousy。Shelovedthisman，OwenDavies，asmuchasshecouldloveanybody;attheleast，shedearlylovedthewealthandstationofwhichhewasthevisiblecentre，andshehatedthesisterwhomhedesired。Ifshecouldonlydiscreditthatsisterandshowhertobeguiltyofwoman’sworstcrime，misplaced，unlegalisedaffection，surely，shethought，Owenwouldrejecther。
Shewaswrong。ShedidnotknowhowentirelyhedesiredtomakeBeatricehiswife，orrealisehowforgivingamancanbewhohassuchanendtogain。Itisofthewomenwhoalreadywearythemandoftheirinfidelitythatmenaresoreadytomakeexamples，notofthosewhodonotbelongtothem，andwhomtheylongfornightandday。Tothesetheycanbeverymerciful。
CHAPTERXIII
GEOFFREYLECTURES
MeanwhileBeatricewaswalkinghomewardswithanuneasymind。Thetroublewasuponher。Shehad，itistrue，succeededinpostponingitalittle，butsheknewverywellthatitwasonlyapostponement。OwenDavieswasnotamantobeeasilyshakenoff。Shealmostwishednowthatshehadcrushedtheideaonceandforall。Butthenhewouldhavegonetoherfather，andtheremusthavebeenascene，andshewasweakenoughtoshrinkfromthat，especiallywhileMr。Binghamwasinthehouse。Shecouldwellimaginethedismay，nottosaythefury，ofhermoney-lovingoldfatherifheweretohearthatshehadrefused——
actuallyrefused——OwenDaviesofBryngellyCastle，andallhiswealth。
ThentherewasElizabethtobereckonedwith。Elizabethwouldassuredlymakeherlifeaburdentoher。Beatricelittleguessedthatnothingwouldsuithersister’sbookbetter。Oh，ifonlyshecouldshakethedustofBryngellyoffherfeet！Butthat，too，wasimpossible。Shewasquitewithoutmoney。Shemight，itwastrue，succeedingettinganotherplaceasmistresstoaschoolinsomedistantpartofEngland，wereitnotforaninsurmountableobstacle。
Hereshereceivedasalaryofseventy-fivepoundsayear;ofthisshekeptfifteenpounds，outofwhichslendersumshecontrivedtodressherself;therestshegavetoherfather。Now，asshewellknew，hecouldnotkeephisheadabovewaterwithoutthisassistance，which，smallasitwas，madeallthedifferencetotheirhouseholdbetweenpovertyandactualwant。Ifshewentaway，supposingeventhatshefoundanequallywell-paidpost，shewouldrequireeveryfarthingofthemoneytosupportherself，therewouldbenothinglefttosendhome。Itwasapitiableposition;herewasshe，whohadjustrefusedamanworththousandsayear，quiteunabletogetoutofthewayofhisimportunityforthewantofseventy-fivepounds，paidquarterly。Well，theonlythingtodowastofaceitoutandtakeherchance。Ononepointshewas，however，quiteclear;shewould/not/marryOwenDavies。Shemightbeafoolforherpains，butshewouldnotdoit。
Sherespectedherselftoomuchtomarryamanshedidnotlove;amanwhomshepositivelydisliked。“No，never！“sheexclaimedaloud，stampingherfootupontheshingle。
“Neverwhat？”saidavoice，withintwoyardsofher。
Shestartedviolently，andlookedround。There，hisbackrestingagainstarock，apipeinhismouth，anopenletteronhisknee，andhishatdrawndownalmostoverhiseyes，satGeoffrey。HehadleftEffietogohomewithMr。Granger，andclimbingdownaslopingplaceinthecliff，hadstrolledalongthebeach。Theletteronhiskneewasonefromhiswife。Itwasshort，andtherewasnothingparticularinit。Effie’snamewasnotevenmentioned。Itwastoseeifhehadnotoverlookeditthathewasreadingthenotethroughagain。No，itmerelyrelatedtoLadyHonoria’ssafearrival，gavealistofthepeoplestayingattheHall——afastlot，Geoffreynoticed，acertainMr。Dunstan，whomheparticularlydisliked，amongthem——andthenumberofbraceofpartridgeswhichhadbeenkilledonthepreviousday。ThencameanassurancethatHonoriawasenjoyingherselfimmensely，andthatthenewFrenchcookwas“simplyperfect;“theletterending“withlove。”
“Neverwhat，MissGranger？”hesaidagain，ashelazilyfoldedupthesheet。
“Nevermind，ofcourse。”sheanswered，recoveringherself。“Howyoustartledme，Mr。Bingham！Ihadnoideatherewasanybodyonthebeach。”
“Itisquitefree，isitnot？”heanswered，gettingup。“Ithoughtyouweregoingtotramplemeintothepebbles。It’salmostalarmingwhenoneisthinkingaboutaSundaynaptoseeayoungladystridingalong，thensuddenlystop，stampherfoot，andsay，’No，never！’LuckilyI
knewthatyouwereaboutorIshouldreallyhavebeenfrightened。”
“HowdidyouknowthatIwasabout？”Beatriceaskedalittledefiantly。Itwasnobusinessofhistoobservehermovements。
“Intwoways。Look！“hesaid，pointingtoapatchofwhitesand。
“That，Ithink，isyourfootprint。”
“Well，whatofit？”saidBeatrice，withalittlelaugh。
“Nothinginparticular，exceptthatitisyourfootprint。”heanswered。“ThenIhappenedtomeetoldEdward，whowasloafingalong，andheinformedmethatyouandMr。Davieshadgoneupthebeach;
thereishisfootprint——Mr。Davies’s，Imean——butyoudon’tseemtohavebeenverysociable，becausehereisyoursrightinthemiddleofit。ThereforeyoumusthavebeenwalkinginIndianfile，andalittlewaybackinparallellines，withquitethirtyyardsbetweenyou。”
“Whydoyoutakethetroubletoobservethingssoclosely？”sheaskedinahalfamusedandhalfangrytone。
“Idon’tknow——ahabitofthelegalmind，Isuppose。Onemightmakequitearomanceoutofthosefootprintsonthesand，andthelittlesubsequentevents。Butyouhavenotheardallmythrillingtale。OldEdwardalsoinformedmethathesawyoursister，MissElizabeth，goingalongthecliffalmostlevelwithyou，fromwhichheconcludedthatyouhadarguedastotheshortestwaytotheRedRocksandwereputtingthemattertotheproof。”
“Elizabeth。”saidBeatrice，turningashadepaler;“whatcanshehavebeendoing，Iwonder。”
“Takingexercise，probably，likeyourself。Well，Iseatmyselfwithmypipeintheshadowofthatrock，whensuddenlyIseeMr。DaviescomingalongtowardsBryngellyasthoughhewerewalkingforawager，hishatfixeduponthebackofhishead。Literallyhewalkedovermylegsandneversawme。Thenyoufollowandejaculate，’No，never！’——andthatistheendofmystory。HaveIyourpermissiontowalkwithyou，orshallIinterferewiththedevelopmentoftheplot？”
“Thereisnoplot，andasyousaidjustnowthebeachisfree。”
Beatriceansweredpetulantly。
Theywalkedonafewyardsandthenhespokeinanothertone——themeaningoftheassignationhehadoverheardinthechurchyardgrewcleartohimnow。
“IbelievethatIhavetocongratulateyou，MissGranger。”hesaid，“andIdosoveryheartily。Itisnoteverybodywhoissofortunateasto——“
Beatricestopped，andhalfturningfacedhim。
“What/do/youmean，Mr。Bingham？”shesaid。“Idonotunderstandyourdarksayings。”
“Mean！oh，nothingparticular，exceptthatIwishedtocongratulateyouonyourengagement。”
“Myengagement！whatengagement？”
“Itseemsthatthereissomemistake。”hesaid，andstruggleashemighttosuppressithistonewasoneofrelief。“IunderstoodthatyouhadbecomeengagedtobemarriedtoMr。OwenDavies。IfIamwrongIamsureIapologise。”
“Youarequitewrong，Mr。Bingham;Idon’tknowwhoputsuchanotionintoyourhead，butthereisnotruthinit。”
“Thenallowmetocongratulateyouontherebeingnotruthinit。Youseethatisthebeautyofnineaffairsmatrimonialoutoften——therearetwoormoresidesofthem。Iftheycomeofftheamiableanddisinterestedobservercanlookatthebrightside——asinthiscase，lotsofmoney，romanticcastlebythesea，gentlemanofunexceptionalantecedents，&c。，&c，&c。If，ontheotherhand，theydon’t，causecanstillbefoundforthankfulness——ladymightdobetterafterall，castlebythesearatherdraughtyandcoldinspring，gentlemenmostestimablebutperhapsalittledull，andsoon，yousee。”
TherewasanoteofmockeryabouthistalkwhichirritatedBeatriceexceedingly。ItwasnotlikeMr。Binghamtospeakso。Itwasnoteventhewaythatagentlemanoutofhisteensshouldspeaktoaladyonsuchasubject。Heknewthisaswellasshedidandwassecretlyashamedofhimself。Butthetruthmustout:thoughGeoffreydidnotadmititeventohimselfhewasbitterlyandprofoundlyjealous，andjealouspeoplehavenomanners。Beatricecouldnot，however，beexpectedtoknowthis，andnaturallygrewangry。
“Idonotquiteunderstandwhatyouaretalkingabout，Mr。Bingham。”
shesaid，puttingonhermostdignifiedair，andBeatricecouldlookratheralarming。“Youhavepickedupapieceofunfoundedgossipandnowyoutakeadvantageofittolaughatme，andtosayrudethingsofMr。Davies。Itisnotkind。”
“Oh，no;itwasthefootsteps，MissGranger，/and/thegossip，/and/
theappointmentyoumadeinthechurchyard，thatIunwillinglyoverheard，notthegossipalonewhichledmeintomymistake。OfcourseIhavenowtoapologise。”
AgainBeatricestampedherfoot。Shesawthathewasstillmockingher，andfeltthathedidnotbelieveher。
“There。”hewenton，stungintounkindnessbyhisbitingbutunacknowledgedjealousy，forshewasright——onreflectionhedidnotquitebelievewhatshesaidastohernotbeingengaged。“HowunfortunateIam——Ihavesaidsomethingtomakeyouangryagain。WhydidyounotwalkwithMr。Davies？Ishouldthenhaveremainedguiltlessofoffence，andyouwouldhavehadamoreagreeablecompanion。Youwanttoquarrelwithme;whatshallwequarrelabout？
Therearemanythingsonwhichwearediametricallyopposed;letusstartone。”
Itwastoomuch，forthoughhiswordswerenothingthetoneinwhichhespokegavethemasting。Beatrice，alreadydisturbedinmindbythescenethroughwhichshehadpassed，herbreastalreadythrobbingwithavaguetroubleofwhichshedidnotknowthemeaning，foronceinherlifelostcontrolofherselfandgrewhysterical。Hergreyeyesfilledwithtears，thecornersofhersweetmouthdropped，andshelookedverymuchasthoughsheweregoingtoburstoutweeping。
“Itismostunkindofyou。”shesaid，withahalfsob。“IfyouknewhowmuchIhavetoputupwith，youwouldnotspeaktomelikethat。I
knowthatyoudonotbelieveme;verywell，Iwilltellyouthetruth。
Yes，thoughIhavenobusinesstodoit，andyouhavenoright——noneatall——tomakemedoit，Iwilltellyouthetruth，becauseIcannotbearthatyoushouldnotbelieveme。Mr。DaviesdidwantmetomarryhimandIrefusedhim。Iputhimoffforawhile;IdidthisbecauseI
knewthatifIdidnothewouldgotomyfather。Itwascowardly，butmyfatherwouldmakemylifewretched——“andagainshegaveahalf-
chokedsob。
Muchhasbeensaidandwrittenabouttheeffectproduceduponmenbythesightofaladyin，orontheborderlineoftears，andthereisnodoubtthatthiseffectisconsiderable。Manbeinginhisrightmindisdeeplymovedbysuchaspectacle，alsoheisfrightenedbecausehedreadsascene。Nowmostpeoplewouldratherwalktenmilesintheirdressshoesthanhavetodealwithayoungladyinhysterics，howevermodified。Puttingthepeculiarcircumstancesofthecaseaside，Geoffreywasnoexceptiontothisrule。ItwasallverywelltocrossspearswithBeatrice，whohadquiteanequalwit，andwasverycapableofretaliation，buttoseehersurrenderatdiscretionwasaltogetheranotherthing。Indeedhefeltmuchashamedofhimself。
“Pleasedon’t——don’t——beputout。”hesaid。Hedidnotliketousetheword“cry。”“Iwasonlylaughingatyou，butIoughtnottohavespokenasIdid。Ididnotwishtoforceyourconfidence，indeedIdidnot。Ineverthoughtofsuchathing。Iamsosorry。”
Hisremorsewasevidentlygenuine，andBeatricefeltsomewhatappeased。Perhapsitdidnotaltogethergrievehertolearnthatshecouldmakehimfeelsorry。
“Youdidnotforcemyconfidence。”shesaiddefiantly，quiteforgettingthatamomentbeforeshehadreproachedhimformakingherspeak。“ItoldyoubecauseIdidnotchoosethatyoushouldthinkI
wasnotspeakingthetruth——andnowletuschangethesubject。”Sheimposednoreserveonhimastowhatshehadrevealed;sheknewthattherewasnonecessitytodoso。Thesecretwouldbebetweenthem——
anotherdangerouslink。
Beatricerecoveredhercomposureandtheywalkedslowlyon。
“Tellme，Mr。Bingham。”shesaidpresently，“howcanawomanearnherliving——Imeanagirllikemyselfwithoutanyspecialqualifications？
Someofthemgeton。”
“Well。”heanswered，“thatdependsuponthegirl。Whatsortofalivingdoyoumean？Youareearningalivingnow，ofakind。”
“Yes，butsometimes，ifonlyIcouldmanageit，IthinkthatIshouldliketogetawayfromhere，andtakeanotherline，somethingbigger。I
donotsupposethatIevershall，butIliketothinkofitsometimes。”
“Ionlyknowoftwothingswhichawomancanturnto。”hesaid，“thestageandliterature。Ofcourse。”headdedhastily，“thefirstisoutofthequestioninyourcase。”
“Andsoistheother，Iamafraid。”sheansweredshakingherhead，“thatisifbyliteratureyoumeanimaginativewriting，andIsupposethatistheonlywaytogetintonotice。AsItoldyouIlostmyimagination——well，tobefrank，whenIlostmyfaith。AtonetimeI
usedtohaveplenty，asIusedtohaveplentyoffaith，buttheonewentwiththeother，Idonotunderstandwhy。”
“Don’tyou？IthinkIdo。Amindwithoutreligioussentimentislikeastarwithoutatmosphere，brighterthanotherstarsbutnotsosofttosee。Religion，poetry，music，imagination，andevensomeofthemoreexaltedformsofpassion，flourishinthesamesoil，andare，I
sometimesthink，differentmanifestationsofthesamething。Doyouknowitisridiculoustohearyoutalkofhavinglostyourfaith，becauseIdon’tbelieveit。Attheworstithasgonetosleep，andwillwakeupagainoneday。Possiblyyoumaynotacceptsomeparticularformoffaith，butItellyoufranklythattorejectallreligionsimplybecauseyoucannotunderstandit，isnothingbutaformofatrociousspiritualvanity。Yourmindistoobigforyou，MissGranger:ithasrunawaywithyou，butyouknowitistiedbyastring——itcannotgofar。Andnowperhapsyouwillbeangryagain。”
“No，indeed，whyshouldIbeangry？Idaresaythatyouarequiteright，andIonlyhopethatImaybeabletobelieveagain。IwilltellyouhowIlostbelief。IhadalittlebrotherwhomIlovedmorethananythingelseintheworld，indeedaftermymotherdiedhewastheonlythingIreallyhadtolove，forIthinkthatmyfathercaresmoreforElizabeththanhedoesforme，sheissomuchthebetteratbusinessmatters，andElizabethandIneverquitegoton。Idaresaythatthefaultismine，butthefactremains——wearesistersbutwearenotintimate。Well，mybrotherfellillofafever，andforalongtimehelaybetweenlifeanddeath，andIprayedforhimasIneverprayedforanybodyoranythingbefore——yes，IprayedthatImightdieinsteadofhim。Thenhepassedthroughthecrisisandgotbetter，andIthankedGod，thinkingthatmyprayershadbeenanswered;oh，howhappyIwasforthosetendays！Andthenthishappened:——Mybrothergotachill，arelapsefollowed，andinthreedayshewasdead。Thelastwordsthathespoketomewere，’Oh，don’tletmedie，Bee！’——heusedtocallmeBee——’Pleasedon’tletmedie，dearBee！’Buthedied，diedinmyarms，andwhenitwasoverIrosefromhissidefeelingasthoughmyheartwasdeadalso。Iprayednomoreafterthat。Itseemedtomeasthoughmyprayershadbeenmockedat，asthoughhehadbeengivenbacktomeforalittlewhileinorderthattheblowmightbemorecrushingwhenitfell。”
“Don’tyouthinkthatyouwerealittlefoolishintakingsuchaview？”saidGeoffrey。“Haveyounotbeenamused，sometimes，toreadabouttheearlyChristians？——howtheleadwouldnotboilthemartyr，orthelionwouldnoteathim，ortherainfromablueskyputoutthefire，andhowthepagankingatoncewasconvertedandacceptedagreatmanydifficultdoctrineswithoutfurtherdelay。TheAthanasianCreedwasnotnecessarilytruebecausethefirewouldnotlightortheswordwouldnotcut，nor，excuseme，wereallyouroldbeliefswrongbecauseyourprayerwasunanswered。Itisanancientstory，thatwecannottellwhethertheansweringofourpetitionswillbegoodorillforus。OfcourseIdonotknowanythingaboutsuchthings，butitseemstomerashtosupposethatProvidenceisgoingtoaltertheworkingofitseternallawsmerelytosuitthepassingwishesofindividuals——wishes，too，thatinmanycaseswouldbringunforeseensorrowsiffulfilled。BesidesIdaresaythatthepoorchildishappierdeadthanhewouldhavebeenhadhelived。Itisnotanaltogetherpleasantworldformostofus。”
“Yes，Mr。Bingham，Iknow，andIdaresaythatIshouldhavegotovertheshockintime，onlyafterthatIbegantoread。Ireadthehistoriesofthereligionsandcomparedthem，andIreadtheworksofthosewriterswhohaverisenuptoattackthem。Ifound，orIthoughtthatIfound，thesamespringsofsuperstitioninthemall——
superstitionsarisingfromelementarynaturalcauses，andhandedonwithvariationsfromracetorace，andtimetotime。InsomeIfoundthesamestory，onlywithaslightlyalteredface，andIlearned，moreover，thateachfaithdeniedtheother，andclaimedtruthforitselfalone。
“Afterthat，too，IwenttothecollegeandthereIfellinwithalady，oneofthemistresses，whowasthecleverestwomanthatIeverknew，andinherwayagoodwoman，butonewhobelievedthatreligionwasthecurseoftheworld，andwhospentallhersparetimeinattackingitinsomeformorother。Poorthing，sheisdeadnow。Andso，yousee，whatbetweenthesecausesandthecontinualspectacleofhumanmiserywhichtomymindnegativestheideaofamercifulandwatchingPower，atlastitcametopassthattheonlyaltarleftinmytempleisanaltartothe’UnknownGod。’“
Geoffrey，likemostmenwhohavehadtothinkonthesematters，didnotcaretotalkaboutthemmuch，especiallytowomen。Foronething，hewasconsciousofatendencytospeechlessreverentthanhisthought。ButhehadnotenteredBeatrice’schurchofDarkness，indeedhehadturnedhisbackonitforever，though，likemostpeople，hehadatdifferentperiodsofhispastlifetarriedanhourinitsporch。Soheventuredonanobjection。
“Iamnotheologian。”hesaid，“andIamnotfondofdiscussiononsuchmatters。ButtherearejustoneortwothingsIshouldliketosay。Itisnoargument，tomymindatleast，topointtotheexistenceofevilandunhappinessamongmenasaproofoftheabsenceofasuperiorMercy;forwhatarementhatsuchthingsshouldnotbewiththem？Man，too，mustownsomemaster。Ifhehasdoubtslethimlookupatthemarshallingofthestarryheaven，andtheywillvanish。”
“No。”saidBeatrice，“Ifearnot。Kantsaidso，butbeforethatMolièrehadputtheargumentinthemouthofafool。Thestarryheavensnomoreproveanythingthandoestherunningoftheraindropsdownthewindow-pane。Itisnotaquestionofsizeandquantity。”
“Imightaccepttheillustration。”answeredGeoffrey;“oneexampleoflawisasgoodasanotherformypurpose。IseeinitalltheworkingofalivingWill，butofcoursethatisonlymywayoflookingatit，notyours。”
“No;Iamafraid。”saidBeatrice，“allthisreasoningdrawnfrommaterialthingsdoesnottouchme。ThatishowthePagansmade/their/
religions，anditishowPaleystrivestoprovehis。TheyarguedfromtheOuttotheIn，fromthematerialtothespiritual。Itcannotbe;
ifChristianityistrueitmuststanduponspiritualfeetandspeakwithaspiritualvoice，tobeheard，notinthethunderstorm，butonlyintheheartsofmen。TheexistenceofCreativeForcedoesnotdemonstratetheexistenceofaRedeemer;ifanything，ittendstonegativeit，forthepowerthatcreatesisalsothepowerwhichdestroys。Whatdoestouchme，however，isthethoughtofthemultitudeoftheDead。/That/iswhatwecarefor，notforanEternalForce，evercreatinganddestroying。Thinkofthemall——allthesoulsofunheard-ofraces，almostanimal，whopassedawaysolongago。Canoursenduremorethantheirs，anddoyouthinkthatthespiritofanEthiopianwhodiedinthetimeofMosesisanywherenow？”
“Therewasroomforthemallonearth。”answeredGeoffrey。“Theuniverseiswide。Itdoesnotdismayme。Therearemysteriesinournature，thenaturewethinkweknow——shalltherebenoneinthatwhichweknownot？Worldsdie，toliveagainwhen，aftermillionsofages，theconditionsbecomeoncemorefavourabletolife，andwhyshouldnotaman？Wearecreaturesoftheworld，wereflectitseverylightandshadow，werejoiceinitsrejoicing，itseveryfeaturehasatinyparallelinus。Whyshouldnotourfatebeasitsfate，anditsfateissofarasweknoweternal。Itmaychangefromgastochaos，fromchaostoactivelife，fromactivelifetoseemingdeath。Thenitmayoncemorepassintoitselements，andfromthoseelementsbackagaintoconcretebeing，andsoonforever，alwayschanging，butalwaysthesame。Somuchfornature’sallegory。Itisnotaperfectanalogy，forManisathingapartfromallthingselse;itmaybeonlyahintoratype，butitissomething。
“Nowtocometothequestionofourreligion。IconfessIdrawquiteadifferentconclusionfromyourfacts。Yousaythatyoutracethesamesuperstitionsinallreligions，andthatthesamespiritualmythsareinsomeshapepresentinalmostall。Well，doesnotthissuggestthatthesamegreat/truth/underliesthemall，takingfromtimetotimetheshapewhichisbestsuitedtothespiritualdevelopmentofthoseprofessingeach。Everygreatnewreligionisbetterthanthelast。YoucannotcompareOsirianismwithBuddhism，orBuddhismwithChristianity，orMahomedanismwiththeArabianidolworship。Taketheoldillustration——takeacutcrystalandholditinthesun，andyouwillseemanydifferentcolouredrayscomefromitsfacets。Theylookdifferent，buttheyareallbornofthesamegreatlight;theyareallthesamelight。Mayitnotbesowithreligion？Letyouraltarbetothe’UnknownGod，’ifyoulike——forwhocangiveanunalteringlikenesstothePoweraboveus？——butdonotknockyouraltardown。
“Dependuponit，MissGranger，allindicationstothecontrarynotwithstanding，thereisawatchingProvidencewithoutthewillofwhichwecannotlive，andifwedeliberatelyrejectthatProvidence，settingupourintelligenceinitsplace，sorrowwillcomeofit，evenhere;foritiswiserthanwe。Iwishthatyouwouldtryandlookatthequestionfromanotherpointofview——fromahigherpointofview。
Ithinkyouwillfindthatitwillbearagreatdealofexamination，andthatyouwillcometotheconclusionthatthedictumofthewise-
acrewhosaysthereisnothingbecausehecanseenothing，isnotnecessarilyatrueone。There，thatisallIhavetosay，andIwishthatIcouldsayitbetter。”
“Thankyou。”saidBeatrice，“Iwill。Whyhereweareathome;ImustgoandputEffietobed。”
AndhereitmaybestatedthatGeoffrey’sadvicewasnotaltogetherthrownaway。Beatricedidtrylookingatthequestionagain，andifFaithdidnotaltogethercomebacktoheratleastHopedid，and“thegreatestofthese，whichisCharity。”hadneverdesertedher。Hopecameslowlyback，notbyargumentprobably，butratherbyexample。IntheseaofDoubtshesawanotherbuoyedup，ifitwerebutonbrokenpiecesoftheship。Thisencouragedher。Geoffreybelieved，andshe——
believedinGeoffrey。Indeed，isnotthisthesecretofwoman’sphilosophy——even，tosomeextent，ofthatofsuchawomanasBeatrice？
“LetthefaithorunfaithofThis，That，ortheotherRabbianswerforme。”shesays——itisherlastargument。ShebelievesinThis，orThat，orsomeotherphilosopher:thatishercreed。AndGeoffreywasthepersoninwhomBeatricebegantobelieve，allthemorewhollybecauseshehadneverbelievedinanyonebefore。Whateverelseshewastolose，thisatleastshewonwhenshesavedhislife。
CHAPTERXIV
DRIFTING
OnthedayfollowingtheirreligiousdiscussionanaccidenthappenedwhichresultedinGeoffreyandBeatricebeingmorethaneverthrowninthecompanyofeachother。Duringthepreviousweektwocasesofscarlatinahadbeenreportedamongtheschoolchildren，andnowitwasfoundthatthecomplainthadspreadsomuchthatitwasnecessarytoclosetheschool。Thismeant，ofcourse，thatBeatricehadallhertimeuponherhands。AndsohadGeoffrey。Itwashiscustomtobathebeforebreakfast，afterwhichhehadnothingtodofortherestoftheday。BeatricewithlittleEffiealsobathedbeforebreakfastfromtheladies’bathing-place，aquarterofamileoff，andsometimeshewouldmeetherasshereturned，glowingwithhealthandbeautylikeVenusnewrisenfromtheCypriansea，herhalf-driedhairhanginginheavymassesdownherback。ThenafterbreakfasttheywouldtakeEffiedowntothebeach，andher“auntie。”asthechildlearnedtocallBeatrice，wouldteachherlessonsandpoetrytillshewastired，andranawaytopaddleintheseaorlookforprawnsamongtherocks。
Meanwhilethechild’sfatherandBeatricewouldtalk——notaboutreligion，theyspokenomoreonthatsubject，noraboutOwenDavies，butofeverythingelseonearth。Beatricewasamerrywomanwhenshewashappy，andtheyneverlackedsubjectsofconversation，fortheirmindswereverymuchintune。Inbook-learningBeatricehadtheadvantageofGeoffrey，forshehadnotonlyreadenormously，shealsorememberedwhatshereadandcouldapplyit。Hercriticalfaculty，too，wasverykeen。He，ontheotherhand，hadmoreknowledgeoftheworld，andinhisrichdayshadtravelledagooddeal，andsoitcametopassthateachcouldalwaysfindsomethingtotelltheother。Neverforonesecondweretheydull，notevenwhentheysatforanhourorsoinsilence，foritwasthesilenceofcompletecompanionship。
Sothelongmorningwouldwearawayalltooquickly，andtheywouldgointodinner，tobegreetedwithacoldsmilebyElizabethandheartilyenoughbytheoldgentleman，whoneverthoughtofanythingoutofhisowncircleofaffairs。Afterdinneritwasthesamestory。
Eithertheywentwalkingtolookforfernsandflowers，orperhapsGeoffreytookhisgunandhidbehindtherocksforcurlew，sendingBeatrice，whoknewthecoastbyheart，amileroundormoretosomeheadlandinordertoputthemonthewing。Thenshewouldcomeback，springingtowardshimfromrocktorock，andcrouchdownbeneathaneighbouringseaweed-coveredboulder，andtheywouldtalktogetherinwhispers，orperhapstheywouldnottalkatall，forfearlesttheyshouldfrightentheflightingbirds。AndGeoffreywouldfirstsearchtheheavensforcurleworduck，and，seeingnone，wouldlethiseyesfalluponthepurebeautyofBeatrice’sface，showingsoclearlyagainstthetendersky，andwonderwhatshewasthinkingabout;till，suddenlyfeelinghisgaze，shewouldturnwithasmileassweetasthefirstrosyblushofdawnuponthewaters，andaskhimwhat/he/wasthinkingabout。Andhewouldlaughandanswer“You。”whereonshewouldsmileagainandperhapsblushalittle，feelinggladatheart，sheknewnotwhy。
Thencametea-timeandthequiet，whentheysatattheopenwindow，andGeoffreysmokedandlistenedtothesoftsurgingoftheseaandtheharmoniouswhisperofthenightairinthepines。InthecornerMr。Grangersleptinhisarmchair，orperhapshehadgonetobedaltogether，forhelikedtogotobedathalf-pasteight，astheoldHerefordshirefarmer，hisfather，haddonebeforehim;andatthefarendoftheroomsatElizabeth，doingheraccountsbythelightofasolitarycandle，or，iftheyfailedher，readingsomebookofadevotionalandinspiredcharacter。Butovertheedgeofthebook，orfromthepageofcrabbedaccounts，hereyeswouldglancecontinuallytowardsthehandsomepairinthewindow-place，andshewouldsmileasshesawthatitwentwell。Onlytheyneversawtheglancesornotedthesmile。WhenGeoffreylookedthatway，whichwasnotoften，forElizabeth——oldElizabeth，ashealwayscalledhertohimself——didnotattracthim，allhesawwashersharpbutcapable-lookingformbendingoverherwork，andthelightofthecandlegleamingonherstraw-
colouredhairandfallingingleamingwhitepatchesonherhardknuckles。