Andsothehappydaywouldpassandbed-timecome，andwithitunbiddendreams。
Geoffreythoughtnoillofallthis，asofcourseheoughttohavethought。Hewasnottheraveninglionoffiction——sorarely，ifever，tobemetwithinreallife——goingaboutseekingwhomhemightdevour。
HehadabsolutelynodesignsonBeatrice’saffections，anymorethanshehadonhis，andhehadforgottenthatfirstfellprescienceofeviltocome。Onceortwice，itistrue，qualmsofdoubtdidcrosshismindintheearlierdaysoftheirintimacy。Butheputthembyasabsurd。Hewasnobelieverinthetenderhelplessnessoffull-grownwomen，hisexperiencehavingbeenthattheyareamplycapable——and，forthemostpart，morethancapable——oflookingafterthemselves。ItseemedtohimathingridiculousthatsuchapersonasBeatrice，whowascompetenttoformopinionsandajudgmentuponalltheimportantquestionsoflife，shouldbetreatedasachild，andthatheshouldremovehimselffromBryngellylestheryoungaffectionsshouldbecomeentangled。Hefeltsurethattheywouldneverbeentrappedinanydirectionwhatsoeverwithoutherfullconsent。
Thenheceasedtothinkaboutthematteratall。Indeed，themereideaofsuchathinginvolvedasuppositionthatwouldonlyhavebeenacceptabletoaconceitedman——namely，thattherewasapossibilityofthisyounglady’sfallinginlovewithhim。Whatrighthadhetosupposeanythingofthesort？Itwasanimpertinence。Thattherewasanothersortofpossibility——namely，ofhisbecomingmoreattachedtoherthanwasaltogetherdesirable——did，however，occurtohimonceortwice。Butheshruggedhisshouldersandputitby。Afterall，itwashislookout，andhedidnotmuchcare。Itwoulddohernoharmattheworst。Butverysoonalltheseshadowyforebodingsofdawningtroublevanishedquite。Theywerelostinthebroad，sweetlightsoffriendship。By-and-by，whenfriendship’sdaywasdone，theymightariseagain，calledbyothernamesandwearingasternerface。
Itwasridiculous——ofcourseitwasridiculous;hewasnotgoingtofallinlovelikeaboyathistimeoflife;allhefeltwasgratitudeandinterest——allshefeltwasamusementinhissociety。Asfortheintimacy——feltratherthanexpressed——theintimacythatcouldalreadyalmostenabletheonetodivinetheother’sthought，thatcouldshapehermoodtohisandhistohers，thatcouldcausethesamethingofbeautytobeacommonjoy，anddiscoverunityofmindinopinionsthemostopposite——why，itwasonlynaturalbetweenpeoplewhohadtogetherpassedaperilterribletothinkof。Sotheytookthegoodsthegodsprovided，anddriftedsoftlyon——whithertheydidnotstoptoinquire。
Oneday，however，alittleincidenthappenedthatoughttohaveopenedtheeyesofboth。Theyhadarranged，orrathertherewasatacitunderstanding，thattheyshouldgoouttogetherintheafternoon。
GeoffreywastotakehisgunandBeatriceabook，butitchancedthat，justbeforedinner，asshewalkedbackfromthevillage，whereshehadgonetobuysomethreadtomendEffie’sclothes，BeatricecamefacetofacewithMr。Davies。ItwastheirfirstmeetingwithoutwitnessessincetheSundayofwhichtheeventshavebeendescribed，and，naturally，therefore，ratheranawkwardone。Owenstoppedshortsothatshecouldnotpasshimwithabow，andthenturnedandwalkedbesideher。Afteraremarkortwoabouttheweather，thespringsofconversationrandry。
“YourememberthatyouarecominguptotheCastlethisafternoon？”hesaid，atlength。
“TotheCastle！“sheanswered。“No，Ihaveheardnothingofit。”
“Didnotyoursistertellyoushemadeanengagementforherselfandyouaweekormoreago？Youaretobringthelittlegirl;shewantstoseetheviewfromthetopofthetower。”
ThenBeatriceremembered。Elizabethhadtoldher，andshehadthoughtitbesttoacceptthesituation。Thewholethinghadgoneoutofhermind。
“Oh，Ibegyourpardon！Idoremembernow，butIhavemadeanotherplan——howstupidofme！“
“Youhadforgotten。”hesaidinhisheavyvoice;“itiseasyforyoutoforgetwhatIhavebeenlookingforwardtoforawholeweek。Whatisyourplan——togooutwalkingwithMr。Bingham，Isuppose？”
“Yes。”answeredBeatrice，“togooutwithMr。Bingham。”
“Ah！yougooutwithMr。Binghameverydaynow。”
“AndwhatifIdo？”saidBeatricequickly;“surely，Mr。Davies，IhavearighttogooutwithwhomIlike？”
“Yes，ofcourse;buttheengagementtocometotheCastlewasmadefirst;areyounotgoingtokeepit？”
“OfcourseIamgoingtokeepit;IalwayskeepmyengagementswhenI
haveany。”
“Verywell，then;Ishallexpectyouatthreeo’clock。”
Beatricewentonhomeinacuriouslyirritatedconditionofmind。Shedidnot，naturally，wanttogototheCastle，andshedidwanttogooutwithGeoffrey。However，therewasnohelpforit。
WhenshecameintodinnershefoundthatGeoffreywasnotthere。Hehad，itseemed，gonetolunchwithDr。Chambers，whomhehadmetonthebeach。BeforehereturnedtheywereallthreestartingfortheCastle，BeatriceleavingamessagetothiseffectwithBetty。
Aboutaquarterofanhourafterwards，GeoffreycamebacktofetchhisgunandBeatrice，butBeatricewasgone，andallthathecouldextractfromBettywasthatshehadgonetoseeMr。Davies。
Hewasperfectlyfurious，thoughallthewhileheknewhowunreasonablewashisanger。Hehadbeenlookingforwardtotheexpedition，andthissuddenchangeofplanwastoomuchforhistemper。Offhestarted，however，topassathoroughlymiserableafternoon。HeseemedtomissBeatricemoreeachstepandgraduallytogrowmoreandmoreangryatwhathecalledher“rudeness。”OfcourseitneveroccurredtohimthatwhathewasreallyangryatwashergoingtoseeMr。Davies，orthat，intruth，hersocietyhadbecomesodelightfultohimthattobedeprivedofitevenforanafternoonwastobewretched。Totopeverything，heonlygotthreegoodshotsthatafternoon，andhemissedthemall，whichmadehimcrosserthanever。
AsforBeatrice，sheenjoyedherselfjustaslittleattheCastleasGeoffreydidonthebeach。OwenDaviestookthemthroughthegreatunusedroomsandshowedthemthepictures，butshehadseenthembefore，andthoughsomeofthemwereveryfine，didnotcaretolookatthemagain——atanyrate，notthatafternoon。ButElizabethgazedatthemwitheagereyesandmentallyappraisedtheirvalue，wonderingiftheywouldeverbehers。
“Whatisthispicture？”sheasked，pointingtoabeautifulportraitofaDutchBurgomasterbyRembrandt。
“That。”answeredDaviesheavily，forheknewnothingofpaintingandcaredless，“thatisaVelasquez，valuedforprobateat￡3，000——no。”
referringtothecatalogueandreading，“Ibegyourpardon，thenextistheVelasquez;thatisaRembrandtinthemaster’sbeststyle，showingallhiswonderfulmasteryoverlightandshade。Itwasvaluedforprobateat￡4，000guineas。”
“Fourthousandguineas！“saidElizabeth，“fancyhavingathingworthfourthousandguineashangingonawall！“
Andsotheywenton，ElizabethaskingquestionsandOwenansweringthembythehelpofthecatalogue，till，toBeatrice’srelief，theycameatlengthtotheendofthepictures。Thentheytooksometeainthelittlesittingroomofthemasterofallthismagnificence。Owen，tohergreatannoyance，satoppositetoBeatrice，staringatherwithallhiseyeswhileshedrankhertea，withEffiesittinginherlap，andElizabeth，observingit，bitherlipinjealousy。Shehadthoughtitwelltobringhersisterhere;itwouldnotdotoletMr。DaviesthinkshewaskeepingBeatriceoutofhisway，buthismuteidolworshipwastryingtoherfeelings。Afterteatheywenttothetopofthetower，andEffierejoicedexceedinglyintheview，whichwasverybeautiful。HereOwengotawordwithElizabeth。
“Yoursisterseemstobeputoutaboutsomething。”hesaid。
“Idaresay。”sheansweredcarelessly;“Beatricehasanuncertaintemper。IthinkshewantedtogooutshootingwithMr。Binghamthisafternoon。”
HadOwenbeenalessreligiouspersonhemighthavesworn;asitwas，heonlysaid，“Mr。Bingham——itisalwaysMr。Binghamfrommorningtonight！Whenishegoingaway？”
“Inanotherweek，Ibelieve。Beatricewillbesorry，Ithink;shemakesagreatcompanionofhim。AndnowIthinkthatwemustbegettinghome。”andshewent，leavingthispoisonedshafttorankleinhisbreast。
AftertheyhadreturnedtothevicarageandBeatricehadheardEffieherprayersandtuckedherupinhersmallwhitebed，shewentdowntothegatetobequietforalittlewhilebeforesupper。Geoffreyhadnotyetcomein。
Itwasalovelyautumnevening;theseaseemedtosleep，andthelittleclouds，fromwhichthesunsetfireshadpaled，laylikewreathsofsmokeupontheinfinitebluesky。WhyhadnotMr。Binghamcomeback，shewondered;hewouldscarcelyhavetimetodress。Supposingthatanaccidenthadhappenedtohim。Nonsense！whataccidentcouldhappen？Hewassobigandstrongheseemedtodefyaccidents;andyethaditnotbeenforhertherewouldbelittleenoughleftofhisstrengthto-day。Ah！shewasgladthatshehadlivedtobeabletosavehimfromdeath。Therehecame，loominglikeagiantintheeveningmist。
Therewasasmallhand-gatebesidethelargeoneonwhichsheleant。
Geoffreystalkedstraightuptoitasthoughhedidnotseeher;hesawherwellenough，buthewascrosswithher。
Sheallowedhimtopassthroughthegate，whichheshutslowly，perhapstogiveheranopportunityofspeaking，ifshewishedtodoso;thenthinkingthathedidnotseehershespokeinhersoft，musicalvoice。
“Didyouhavegoodsport，Mr。Bingham？”
“No。”heansweredshortly;“Isawverylittle，andImissedallI
saw。”
“Iamsosorry，exceptforthebirds。Ihatethebirdstobekilled。
Didyounotseemeinthiswhitedress？Isawyoufiftyyardsaway。”
“Yes，MissGranger。”heanswered，“Isawyou。”
“Andyouweregoingbywithoutspeakingtome;itwasveryrudeofyou——whatisthematter？”
“NotsorudeasitwasofyoutoarrangetowalkoutwithmeandthentogoandseeMr。Daviesinstead。”
“Icouldnothelpit，Mr。Bingham;itwasanoldengagement，whichI
hadforgotten。”
“Quiteso，ladiesgenerallyhaveanexcusefordoingwhattheywanttodo。”
“Itisnotanexcuse，Mr。Bingham。”Beatriceanswered，withdignity;
“thereisnoneedformetomakeexcusestoyouaboutmymovements。”
“Ofcoursenot，MissGranger;butitwouldbemorepolitetotellmewhenyouchangeyourmind——nexttime，youknow。However，IhavenodoubtthattheCastlehasattractionsforyou。”
Sheflashedonelookathimandturnedtogo，andasshedidsohisheartrelented;hegrewashamed。
“MissGranger，don’tgo;forgiveme。Idonotknowwhathasbecomeofmymanners，IspokeasIshouldnot。Thefactis，Iwasputoutatyournotcoming。Totellyouthehonesttruth，Imissedyoudreadfully。”
“Youmissedme。Thatisveryniceofyou;onelikestobemissed。But，ifyoumissedmeforoneafternoon，howwillyougetonaweekhencewhenyougoawayandmissmealtogether？”
Beatricespokeinabanteringtone，andlaughedasshespoke，butthelaughendedinsomethinglikeasigh。Helookedatherforamoment，lookedtillshedroppedhereyes。
“Heavenonlyknows！“heansweredsadly。
“Letusgoin。”saidBeatrice，inaconstrainedvoice;“howchilltheairhasturned。”
CHAPTERXV
ONLYGOOD-NIGHT
Fivemoredayspassed，alltooquickly，andoncemoreMondaycameround。Itwasthe22ndofOctober，andtheMichaelmasSittingsbeganonthe24th。Onthemorrow，Tuesday，GeoffreywastoreturntoLondon，theretomeetLadyHonoriaandgettoworkatChambers。Thatverymorning，indeed，abrief，thebiggesthehadyetreceived——itwasmarkedthirtyguineas——hadbeenforwardedtohimfromhischambers，withanotefromhisclerktotheeffectthatthecasewasexpectedtobeinthespecialjurylistonthefirstdayofthesittings，andthattheclerkhadmadeanappointmentforhimwiththesolicitorsfor5。15
ontheTuesday。Thebriefwassenttohimbyhisuncle’sfirm，andmarked，“WithyoutheAttorney-General，andMr。Candleton，Q。C……”thewell-knownleaderoftheProbateandDivorceCourtBar。NeverbeforehadGeoffreyfoundhimselfinsuchhonourablecompany，thatisonthebackofabrief，andnotalittlewasheelatedthereby。
Butwhenhecametolookintothecasehisjoyabatedsomewhat，foritwasoneofthemostperplexingthathehadeverknown。Thewillcontested，whichwasthatofaYorkshiremoney-lender，disposedofpropertytothevalueofover￡80，000，andwaspropoundedbyanieceofthetestatorwho，whenhedied，ifnotactuallyweakinhismind，wasinhisdotage，andsuperstitioustothevergeofinsanity。Theniecetowhomallthepropertywasleft——totheexclusionofthesonanddaughterofthedeceased，bothmarried，andlivingawayfromhome——stayedwiththetestatorandlookedafterhim。Shortlybeforehisdeath，however，heandthisniecehadviolentlyquarrelledonaccountofanintimacywhichthelatterhadformedwithamarriedmanofbadrepute，whowasadischargedlawyer’sclerk。Soserioushadbeenthequarrelthatonlythreedaysbeforehisdeaththetestatorhadsentforalawyerandformally，bymeansofacodicil，deprivedthenieceofasumof￡2，000whichhehadlefther，alltherestofhispropertybeingdividedbetweenhissonanddaughter。Threedaysafterwards，however，hedulyexecutedafreshwill，inthepresenceoftwoservants，bywhichheleftallhispropertytotheniece，totheentireexclusionofhisownchildren。Thiswill，thoughveryshort，wasinproperformandwaswrittenbynobodyknewwhom。Theservantsstatedthatthetestatorbeforesigningitwasperfectlyacquaintedwithitscontents，fortheniecehadmadehimrepeatthemintheirpresence。Theyalsodeclared，however，thatheseemedinaterriblefright，andsaidtwice，“It’sbehindme;it’sbehindme！“
Withinanhourofthesigningofthewillthetestatorwasfounddead，apparentlyfromtheeffectsoffear，buttheniecewasnotintheroomatthetimeofdeath。Theonlyotherremarkablecircumstanceinthecasewasthatthedisreputableloveroftheniecehadbeenseenhangingaboutthehouseatdusk，thetestatorhavingdiedatteno’clockatnight。Therewasalsoafurtherfact。Theson，onreceivingamessagefromtheniecethathisfatherwasseriouslyworse，hadhurriedwithextraordinaryspeedtothehouse，passingsomeoneorsomething——hecouldnottellwhat——thatseemedtoberunning，apparentlyfromthewindowofthesickman’sroom，whichwasonthegroundfloor，andbeneathwhichfootmarkswereafterwardsfound。Ofthesefootmarkstwocastshadbeentaken，ofwhichphotographswereforwardedwiththebrief。Theyhadbeenmadebynakedfeetofsmallsize，andineachcasethelittlejointofthethirdtoeoftherightfootseemedtobemissing。Butallattemptstofindthefeetthatmadethemhadhithertofailed。Thewillwascontestedbythenextofkin，forwhomGeoffreywasoneofthecounsel，upontheusualgroundsofundueinfluenceandfraud;butasitseemedatpresentwithsmallprospectofsuccess，for，thoughthecircumstancesweresuperstitiousenough，therewasnottheslightestevidenceofeither。Thiscuriouscase，ofwhichtheoutlinesareherewritten，isbrieflysetout，becauseitprovedtobethefoundationofGeoffrey’senormouspracticeandreputationattheBar。
Hereadthebriefthroughtwice，thoughtitoverwell，andcouldmakelittleofit。Itwasperfectlyobvioustohimthattherehadbeenfoulplaysomewhere，buthefoundhimselfquiteunabletoformaworkablehypothesis。Wasthepersonwhohadbeenseenrunningawayconcernedinthematter？——ifitwasaperson。Ifso，washetheauthorofthefootprints？Ofcoursetheex-lawyer’sclerkhadsomethingtodowithit，butwhat？InvaindidGeoffreycudgelhisbrains;everyideathatoccurredtohimbrokedownsomewhereorother。
“Weshalllosethis。”hesaidaloudindespair;“suspiciouscircumstancesarenotenoughtoupsetawill。”andthen，addressingBeatrice，whowassittingatthetable，working:
“Here，MissGranger，youhaveasmatteringoflaw，seeifyoucanmakeanythingofthis。”andhepushedtheheavybrieftowardsher。
Beatricetookitwithalaugh，andforthenextthree-quartersofanhourherfairbrowwaspuckeredupinawayquainttosee。Atlastshefinishedandshutthebriefup。“Letmelookatthephotographs。”shesaid。
Geoffreyhandedthemtoher。Sheverycarefullyexaminedfirstoneandthentheother，andasshedidsoalightofintelligencebrokeoutuponherface。
“Well，Portia，haveyougotit？”heasked。
“Ihavegotsomething。”sheanswered。“Idonotknowifitisright。
Don’tyousee，theoldmanwassuperstitious;theyfrightenedhimfirstofallbyaghostlyvoiceorsomesuchthingintosigningthewill，andthentodeathafterhehadsignedit。Thelawyer’sclerkpreparedthewill——hewouldknowhowtodoit。Thenhewassmuggledintotheroomunderthebed，orsomewhere，dressedupasaghostperhaps。Thesendingforthesonbytheniecewasablind。Thethingthatwasseenrunningawaywasaboy——thosefootprintsweremadebyaboy。IhaveseensomanythousandsonthesandsherethatIcouldsweartoit。Hewasattractedtothehousefromtheroad，whichwasquitenear，bycatchingsightofsomethingunusualthroughtheblind;
thebriefsaystherewerenocurtainsorshutters。Nowlookatthephotographsofthefootprints。SeeinNo。1，foundoutsidethewindow，thetoesarepresseddowndeeplyintothemud。Theownerofthefeetwasstandingontip-toetogetabetterview。ButinNo。2，whichwasfoundnearwherethesonthoughthesawapersonrunning，thetoesarespreadoutquitewide。Thatisthefootprintofsomeonewhowasinagreathurry。Nowitisnotprobablethataboyhadanythingtodowiththetestator’sdeath。Why，then，wastheboyrunningsohard？Iwilltellyou:becausehewasfrightenedatsomethinghehadseenthroughtheblind。Sofrightenedwashe，thathewillnotcomeforward，oranswertheadvertisementsandinquiries。Findaboyinthattownwhohasajointmissingonthethirdtoeoftherightfoot，andyouwillsoonknowallaboutit。”
“ByJove。”saidGeoffrey，“whatacriminallawyeryouwouldmake！I
believethatyouhavegotit。Buthowarewetofindthisboywiththemissingtoe-joint？Everypossibleinquiryhasalreadybeenmadeandfailed。Nobodyhasseensuchaboy，whosedeficiencywouldprobablybeknownbyhisparents，orschoolfellows。”
“Yes。”saidBeatrice，“ithasfailedbecausetheboyhastakentowearingshoes，whichindeedhewouldalwayshavetodoatschool。Hisparents，ifhehasany，wouldperhapsnotspeakofhisdisfigurement，andnooneelsemightknowofit，especiallyifhewereanew-comerintheneighbourhood。Itisquitepossiblethathetookoffhisbootsinordertocreepuptothewindow。AndnowIwilltellyouhowIshouldsettoworktofindhim。Ishouldhaveeverybathing-placeintheriverrunningthroughthetown——thereisariver——carefullywatchedbydetectives。Inthisweather“theautumnwasanunusuallywarmone
“boysofthatclassoftenpaddleandsometimesbathe。Iftheywatchcloseenough，theywillprobablyfindaboywithamissingtoejointamongthenumber。”
“Whatagoodidea。”saidGeoffrey。“Iwilltelegraphtothelawyersatonce。Icertainlybelievethatyouhavegottheclue。”
AndasitturnedoutafterwardsBeatricehadgotit;hersuppositionswererightinalmosteveryparticular。Theboy，whoprovedtobethesonofapedlarwhohadrecentlycomeintothetown，wasfoundwading，andbyaclevertrick，whichneednotbedetailed，frightenedintotellingthetruth，ashehadpreviouslyfrightenedhimselfintoholdinghistongue。Hehadeven，asBeatriceconjectured，takenoffhisbootstocreepuptothewindow，andasheranawayinhisfright，haddroppedthemintoaditchfullofwater。Theretheywerefound，andwentfartoconvincethejuryofthetruthofhisstory。ThusitwasthatBeatrice’squickwitlaidthefoundationsofGeoffrey’sgreatsuccess。
ThisparticularMondaywasafielddayattheVicarage。Joneshadprovedobdurate;nopoweronearthcouldinducehimtopaythe￡34
11s。4d。dueonaccountoftithe。ThereforeMr。Granger，fortifiedbyajudgmentdulyobtained，hadannouncedhisintentionofdistraininguponJones’shayandcattle。Joneshadrepliedwithinsolentdefiance。
Ifanybailiff，orauctioneer，orsuchpeoplecametosellhishayhewouldkillhim，orthem。
SosaidJones，andsummonedhissupporters，manyofwhomowedtithe，andnoneofwhomwishedtopayit，todobattleinhiscause。Forhispart，Mr。Grangerretainedanauctioneerofundoubtedcouragewhowastoarriveonthisveryafternoon，supportedbysixpolicemen，andcarryoutthesale。Beatricefeltnervousaboutthewholething，butElizabethwasverydetermined，andtheoldclergymanwasnowbombasticandnowdespondent。Theauctioneerarriveddulybytheoneo’clocktrain。Hewasatallable-bodiedman，notunlikeGeoffreyinappearance，indeedattwentyyardsdistanceitwouldhavebeendifficulttotellthemapart。Thesalewasfixedforhalf-pasttwo，andMr。Johnson——thatwastheauctioneer’sname——wenttotheinntogethisdinnerbeforeproceedingtobusiness。Hewasinformedofthehostiledemonstrationwhichawaitedhim，andthatanEnglishmemberofParliamenthadbeensentdownespeciallytoheadthemob，butbeingamanofmettlepooh-poohedthewholeaffair。
“Allbark，sir。”hesaidtoGeoffrey，“allbarkandnobite;I’mnotafraidofthesepeople。Why，iftheywon’tbidforthestuff，Iwillbuyitinmyself。”
“Allright。”saidGeoffrey，“butIadviseyoutolookout。Ifancythattheoldmanisaroughcustomer。”
ThenGeoffreywentbacktohisdinner。
Astheysatatthemeal，throughagapinthefirtreestheysawthatthegreatmajorityofthepopulationofBryngellywasstreaminguptowardsthesceneofthesale，sometoagitate，andsometoseethefun。
“Itisprettywelltimetobeoff。”saidGeoffrey。“Areyoucoming，Mr。Granger？”
“Well。”answeredtheoldgentleman，“Iwishedtodoso，butElizabeththinksthatIhadbetterkeepaway。Andafterall，youknow。”headdedairily，“perhapsitisaswellforaclergymannottomixhimselfuptoomuchinthesetemporalmatters。No，Iwanttogoandseeaboutsomepigsattheotherendoftheparish，andIthinkthatIshalltakethisopportunity。”
“Youarenotgoing，Mr。Bingham，areyou？”askedBeatriceinavoicewhichbetrayedheranxiety。
“Oh，yes。”heanswered，“ofcourseIam。Iwouldnotmissthechanceforworlds。Why，BeechamBonesisgoingtobethere，thememberofParliamentwhohasjustdonehisfourmonthsforincitingtooutrage。
Weareoldfriends;Iwasatschoolwithhim。Poorfellow，hewasmadeveninthosedays，andIwanttochaffhim。”
“Ithinkthatyouhadfarbetternotgo，Mr。Bingham。”saidBeatrice;
“theyareaveryroughset。”
“Everybodyisnotsocowardlyasyouare。”putinElizabeth。“Iamgoingatanyrate。”
“That’sright，MissElizabeth。”saidGeoffrey;“wewillprotecteachotherfromtherevolutionaryfuryofthemob。Come，itistimetostart。”
Andsotheywent，leavingBeatriceapreytomelancholyforebodings。
Shewaitedinthehouseforthebestpartofanhour，makingpretencetoplaywithEffie。Thenheranxietygotthebetterofher;sheputonherhatandstarted，leavingEffieinchargeoftheservantBetty。
BeatricewalkedquicklyalongtheclifftillshecameinsightofJones’sfarm。Fromwhereshestoodshecouldmakeoutagreatcrowdofmen，andeven，whenthewindturnedtowardsher，catchthenoiseofshouting。Presentlysheheardasoundlikethereportofagun，sawthecrowdbreakupinviolentconfusion，andthenclustertogetheragaininadensemass。
“Whatcoulditmean？”Beatricewondered。
Asthethoughtcrossedhermind，sheperceivedtwomenrunningtowardsherwithalltheirspeed，followedbyawoman。ThreeminutesmoreandshesawthatthewomanwasElizabeth。
Themenwerepassinghernow。
“Whatisit？”shecried。
“/Murder！/“theyansweredwithonevoice，andspedontowardsBryngelly。
AnothermomentandElizabethwasathand，horrorwrittenonherpaleface。
Beatriceclutchedather。“/Who/isit？”shecried。
“Mr。Bingham。”gaspedhersister。“Goandhelp;he’sshotdead！“Andshetoowasgone。
Beatrice’skneesloosened，hertongueclavetotheroofofhermouth;
thesolidearthspunroundandround。“Geoffreykilled！Geoffreykilled！“shecriedinherheart;butthoughherearsseemedtohearthesoundofthem，nowordscamefromherlips。“Oh，whatshouldshedo？Whereshouldshehideherselfinhergrief？”
Afewyardsfromthepathgrewastuntedtreewithalargeflatstoneatitsroot。ThitherBeatricestaggeredandsankuponthestone，whilestillthesolidearthspunroundandround。
Presentlyhermindclearedalittle，andakeenerpangofpainshotthroughhersoul。Shehadbeenstunnedatfirst，nowshefelt。
“Perhapsitwasnottrue;perhapsElizabethhadbeenmistakenorhadonlysaidittotormenther。”Sherose。Sheflungherselfuponherknees，therebythestone，andprayed，thisfirsttimeformanyyears——sheprayedwithallhersoul。“Oh，God，ifThouart，sparehimhislifeandmethisagony。”Inherdreadfulpangsofgriefherfaithwasthusre-born，and，asallhumanbeingsmustintheirhourofmortalagony，BeatricerealisedherdependenceontheUnseen。Sherose，andweakwithemotionsankbackontothestone。Thepeoplewerestreamingpasthernow，talkingexcitedly。Somebodycameuptoherandstoodoverher。
Oh，Heaven，itwasGeoffrey！
“Isityou？”shegasped。“Elizabethsaidthatyouweremurdered。”
“No，no。ItwasnotI;itisthatpoorfellowJohnson，theauctioneer。
Jonesshothim。Iwasstandingnexthim。IsupposeyoursisterthoughtthatIfell。Hewasnotunlikeme，poorfellow。”
Beatricelookedathim，wentred，wentwhite，thenburstintoafloodoftears。
Astrangepangseizeduponhisheart。Itthrilledthroughhim，shakinghimtothecore。Whywasthiswomansodeeplymoved？Coulditbe——？
Nonsense;hestifledthethoughtbeforeitwasborn。
“Don’tcry。”Geoffreysaid，“thepeoplewillseeyou，Beatrice“forthefirsttimehecalledherbyherchristianname;“praydonotcry。
Itdistressesme。Youareupset，andnowonder。ThatfellowBeechamBonesoughttobehanged，andItoldhimso。Itishiswork，thoughhenevermeantittogosofar。He’sfrightenedenoughnow，Icantellyou。”
Beatricecontrolledherselfwithaneffort。
“Whathappened。”hesaid，“Iwilltellyouaswewalkalong。No，don’tgouptothefarm。Heisnotapleasantsight，poorfellow。WhenIgotupthere，BeechamBoneswasspoutingawaytothemob——hislonghairflyingabouthisback——excitingthemtoresistlawsmadebybrutalthievinglandlords，andallthatkindofgibberish;tellingthemthattheywouldbesupportedbyagreatpartyinParliament，&c。，&c。Thepeople，however，tookitallgood-naturedlyenough。Theyhadabeautifuleffigyofyourfatherswingingonapole，withaplacardonhisbreast，onwhichwaswritten，’Therobberofthewidowandtheorphan，’andtheyweresingingWelshsongs。OnlyIsawJones，whowasmorethanhalfdrunk，cursingandswearinginWelshandEnglish。Whentheauctioneerbegantosell，JoneswentintothehouseandBoneswentwithhim。Afterenoughhadbeensoldtopaythedebt，andwhilethemobwasstilllaughingandshouting，suddenlythebackdoorofthehouseopenedandoutrushedJones，nowquitedrunk，aguninhishandandBoneshangingontohiscoat-tails。Iwastalkingtotheauctioneeratthemoment，andmybeliefisthatthebrutethoughtthatIwasJohnson。Atanyrate，beforeanythingcouldbedoneheliftedthegunandfired，atme，asIthink。Thecharge，however，passedmyheadandhitpoorJohnsonfullintheface，killinghimdead。Thatisallthestory。”
“Andquiteenough，too。”saidBeatricewithashudder。“Whattimeswelivein！Ifeelquitesick。”
Supperthatnightwasaverymelancholyaffair。OldMr。Grangerwasaltogetherthrownoffhisbalance;andevenElizabeth’sironnerveswereshaken。
“Itcouldnotbeworse，itcouldnotbeworse。”moanedtheoldman，risingfromthetableandwalkingupanddowntheroom。
“Nonsense，father。”saidElizabeththepractical。“Hemighthavebeenshotbeforehehadsoldthehay，andthenyouwouldnothavegotyourtithe。”
Geoffreycouldnothelpsmilingatthiswayoflookingatthings，fromwhich，however，Mr。Grangerseemedtodrawalittlecomfort。Fromconstantlythinkingaboutit，andthedailypressureofnecessity，moneyhadcometobemoretotheoldmanthananythingelseintheworld。
HardlywasthemealdonewhenthreereportersarrivedandtookdownGeoffrey’sstatementofwhathadoccurred，forpublicationinvariouspapers，whileBeatricewentawaytoseeaboutpackingEffie’sthings。
TheyweretostartbyatrainleavingforLondonathalf-pasteightonthefollowingmorning。WhenBeatricecamebackitwashalf-pastten，andinhisirritationofmindMr。Grangerinsisteduponeverybodygoingtobed。ElizabethshookhandswithGeoffrey，congratulatinghimonhisescapeasshedidso，andwentatonce;butBeatricelingeredalittle。Atlastshecameforwardandheldoutherhand。
“Good-night，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid。
“Good-night。Ihopethatthisisnotgood-byealso。”headdedwithsomeanxiety。
“Ofcoursenot。”brokeinMr。Granger。“Beatricewillgoandseeyouoff。Ican’t;Ihavetogoandmeetthecoronerabouttheinquest，andElizabethisalwaysbusyinthehouse。Luckilytheywon’twantyou;
thereweresomanywitnesses。”
“Thenitisonlygood-night。”saidBeatrice。
Shewenttoherroom。Elizabeth，whosharedit，wasalreadyasleep，orpretendingtobeasleep。ThenBeatriceundressedandgotintobed，butrestshecouldnot。Itwas“onlygood-night。”alastgood-night。Hewasgoingaway——backtohiswife，backtothegreatrushingworld，andtothelifeinwhichshehadnoshare。Verysoonhewouldforgether。
Otherinterestswouldarise，otherwomenwouldbecomehisfriends，andhewouldforgettheWelshgirlwhohadattractedhimforawhile，orrememberheronlyasthecompanionofaroughadventure。Whatdiditmean？Whywasherheartsosore？Whyhadshefeltasthoughsheshoulddiewhentheytoldherthathewasdead？
Thentheanswerroseinherbreast。Shelovedhim;itwasuselesstodenythetruth——shelovedhimbody，andheartandsoul，withallhermindandallherstrength。Shewashis，andhisalone——to-day，to-morrow，andforever。Hemightgofromhersight，shemightnever，neverseehimmore，butlovehimshealwaysmust。Andhewasmarried！
Well，itwashermisfortune;itcouldnotaffectthesolemntruth。
Whatshouldshedonow，howshouldsheendureherlifewhenhereyesnolongersawhiseyes，andherearsneverheardhisvoice？Shesawthefuturestretchitselfbeforeherasavision。Shesawherselfforgottenbythismanwhomsheloved，orfromtimetotimerememberedonlywithafaintregret。Shesawherselfgrowingslowlyold，herbeautyfadingyearlyfromherfaceandform，companionedonlybythelovethatgrowsnotold。Oh，itwasbitter，bitter！andyetshewouldnothaveitotherwise。Eveninherpainshefeltitbettertohavefoundthisdeepandruinousjoy，tohavewrestledwiththeAngelandbeenworsted，thannevertohavelookeduponhisface。Ifshecouldonlyknowthatwhatshegavewasgivenbackagain，thathelovedherasshelovedhim，shewouldbecontent。Shewasinnocent，shehadnevertriedtodrawhimtoher;shehadusednotouchorlook，nowoman’sartsorluressuchasherbeautyplacedathercommand。Therehadbeennowordspoken，scarcelyameaningglancehadpassedbetweenthem，nothingbutfrankandfreecompanionshipasofmanwithman。Sheknewhedidnotlovehiswifeandthathiswifedidnotlovehim——thisshecould/see/。Butshehadnevertriedtowinhimfromher，andthoughshesinnedinthought，thoughherheartwasguilty——oh，herhandswereclean！
Herrestlessnessovercameher。Shecouldnolongerlieinbed。
Elizabeth，watchingthroughherveilofsleep，sawBeatricerise，putonawrapper，and，goingtothewindow，throwitwide。Atfirstshethoughtofinterfering，forElizabethwasaprudentpersonanddidnotlikedraughts;buthersister’smovementsexcitedhercuriosity，andsherefrained。Beatricesatdownonthefootofherbed，andleaningherarmuponthewindow-silllookedoutuponthelovelyquietnight。
Howdarkthepinetreesmassedagainstthesky;howsoftwasthewhisperofthesea，andhowvasttheheaventhroughwhichthestarssailedon。
Whatwasit，then，thisloveofhers？Wasitmereearthlypassion？No，itwasmore。Itwassomethinggrander，purer，deeper，andquiteundying。Whencecameit，then？Ifshewas，asshehadthought，onlyachildofearth，whencecamethisdeepdesirewhichwasnotoftheearth？Hadshebeenwrong，hadsheasoul——somethingthatcouldlovewiththebodyandthroughthebodyandbeyondthebody——somethingofwhichthebodywithitsyearningswasbuttheenvelope，thehandorinstrument？Oh，nowitseemedtoBeatricethatthiswasso，andthatcalledintobeingbyherlovesheandhersoulstoodfacetofaceacknowledgingtheirunity。Onceshehadheldthatitwasphantasy:
thatsuchspiritualhopeswerebutexhalationsfromaheartunsatisfied;thatwhenloveescapesusontheearth，inourdespair，weswearitisimmortal，andthatweshallfinditintheheavens。NowBeatricebelievedthisnomore。Lovehadkissedherontheeyes，andathiskisshersleepingspiritwasawakened，andshesawavisionofthetruth。
Yes，shelovedhim，andmustalwayslovehim！Butshecouldneverknowonearththathewashers，andifshehadaspirittobefreedaftersomefewyears，wouldnothisspirithaveforgottenhersinthatfarhereafteroftheirmeeting？
Shedroppedherbrowuponherarmandsoftlysobbed。Whatwasthereleftforhertodoexcepttosob——tillherheartbroke？
Elizabeth，lyingwithwide-openears，heardthesobs。Elizabeth，peeringthroughthemoonlight，sawhersister’sformtrembleintheconvulsionofhersorrow，andsmiledasmileofmalice。
“Thethingisdone。”shethought;“shecriesbecausethemanisgoing。
Don’tcry，Beatrice，don’tcry！Wewillgetyourplaythingbackforyou。Oh，withsuchabaititwillbeeasy。Heisassweetonyouasyouonhim。”
Therewassomethingevil，somethingalmostdevilish，inthissceneoftheonewatchingwomanholdingacluetoandenjoyingthesecrettorturesoftheother，plottingthewhiletoturnthemtoherinnocentrival’sdestructionandherownadvantage。Elizabeth’sjealousywasindeedbitterasthegrave。
SuddenlyBeatriceceasedsobbing。Sheliftedherhead，andbyasuddenimpulsethrewoutthepassionofherheartwithallherconcentratedstrengthofmindtowardsthemansheloved，murmuringasshedidsosomepassionate，despairingwordswhichsheknew。
AtthismomentGeoffrey，sleepingsoundly，dreamedthathesawBeatriceseatedbyherwindowandlookingathimwitheyeswhichnoearthlyobstaclecouldblind。Shewasspeaking;herlipsmoved，butthoughhecouldhearnovoicethewordsshespokefloatedintohismind——
“BeagodandholdmeWithacharm！
BeamanandfoldmeWiththinearm。
Teachme，onlyteach，Love！
AsIoughtIwillspeakthyspeech，Love，Thinkthythought——
Meet，ifthourequireit，Bothdemands，LayingfleshandspiritInthyhands。
Thatshallbeto-morrowNotto-night:
ImustburysorrowOutofsight。
Mustalittleweep，Love，Foolishme！
Andsofallasleep，Love，Lovedbythee。”
Geoffreyheardtheminhisheart。Thentheyweregone，thevisionofBeatricewasgone，andsuddenlyheawoke。
Oh，whatwasthisfloodofinarticulate，passion-ladenthoughtthatbeatuponhisbraintellingofBeatrice？Waveafterwaveitcame，utterlyoverwhelminghim，liketheheavybreathofflowersstirredbyanightwind——likeamessagefromanotherworld。Itwasreal;itwasnodream，nofancy;shewaspresentwithhimthoughshewasnotthere;
herthoughtmingledwithhisthought，herbeingbeatuponhisown。Hisheartthrobbed，hislimbstrembled，hestrovetounderstandandcouldnot。Butinthemysteryofthatdreadcommunion，thepassionhehadtroddendownandrefusedacknowledgmenttooklifeandformwithinhim;
itgrewliketheIndian’smagictree，fromseedtoblade，frombladetobud，andfrombudtobloom。Inthatmomentitbecamecleartohim:
heknewhelovedher，andknowingwhatsuchalovemustmean，forhimifnotforher，Geoffreysankbackandgroaned。
AndBeatrice？Ofasuddensheceasedspeakingtoherself;shefeltherthoughtflungbacktoherweightedwithanother’sthought。Shehadbrokenthroughthebarriersofearth;thequickelectricmessageofherhearthadfoundapathtohimshelovedandcomebackanswered。
Butinwhattonguewasthatanswerwrit？Alas！shecouldnotreadit，anymorethanhecouldreadthemessage。Atfirstshedoubted;surelyitwasimagination。Thensheremembereditwasabsolutelyprovedthatpeopledyingcouldsendavisionofthemselvestoothersfaraway;andifthatcouldbe，whynotthis？No，itwastruth，asolemntruth;sheknewhefeltherthought，sheknewthathislifebeatuponherlife。
Oh，herewasmystery，andherewashope，forifthiscouldbe，andit/was/，whatmightnotbe？Ifherblindstrengthofhumanlovecouldsooversteptheboundariesofhumanpower，and，bythesheermightofitsvolition，mockthephysicalbarriersthathemmedherin，whathadshetofearfromdistance，fromseparation，ay，fromdeathitself？Shehadgraspedacluewhichmightoneday，beforetheseemingendorafter——
whatdiditmatter？——laystrangesecretsopentohergaze。Shehadheardawhisperinanunknowntonguethatcouldstillbelearned，answeringLife’sagonizingcrywithasongofglory。Ifonlyhelovedher，somedayallwouldbewell。Somedaythebarrierswouldfall。
Crumblingwiththeflesh，theywouldfallandsethernakedspiritfreetoseekitsotherself。Andthen，havingfoundherlove，whatmorewastheretoseek？WhatotheranswerdidshedesiretoalltheproblemsofherlifethanthisofUnityattainedatlast——UnityattainedinDeath！
Andifhedidnotloveher，howcouldheanswerher？Surelythatmessagecouldnotpassexceptalongthegoldenchordoflove，whichevermakesitssweetestmusicwhenPainstrikesitwithahandoffear。
Thetroubledglorypassed——itthrobbeditselfaway;thespiritualgustsofthoughtgrewcontinuallyfainter，till，liketheechoesofadyingharp，likethebreathofafallinggale，theyslowlysanktonothingness。ThenweariedwithanextremeofwildemotionBeatricesoughtherbedagainandpresentlywaslostinsleep。
WhenGeoffreywokeonthenextmorning，afteralittlereflection，hecametothedecisionthathehadexperiencedaverycuriousandmovingdream，consequentontheexcitingeventsofthepreviousday，oronthepainofhisimpendingdeparture。Herose，packedhisbag——
everythingelsewasready——andwentintobreakfast。Beatricedidnotappeartillitwashalfover。Shelookedverypale，andsaidthatshehadbeenpackingEffie’sthings。Geoffreynoticedthatshebarelytouchedhisfingerswhenherosetoshakehandswithher，andthatshestudiouslyavoidedhisglance。Thenhebegantowonderifshealsohadstrangelydreamed。
Nextcamethebustleofdeparture。EffiewasdespatchedintheflywiththeluggageandBetty，thefatWelshservant，tolookafterher。
BeatriceandGeoffreyweretowalktothestation。
“Timeforyoutobegoing，Mr。Bingham。”saidMr。Granger。“There，good-bye，good-bye！Godblessyou！Neverhadsuchcharminglodgersbefore。Hopeyouwillcomebackagain，I’msure。Bytheway，theyarecertaintosummonyouasawitnessatthetrialofthatvillainJones。”
“Good-bye，Mr。Granger。”Geoffreyanswered;“youmustcomeandseemeintown。Achangewilldoyougood。”
“Well，perhapsImay。Ihavenothadachangefortwenty-fiveyears。
Nevercouldaffordit。Aren’tyougoingtosaygood-byetoElizabeth？”
“Good-bye，MissGranger。”saidGeoffreypolitely。“Manythanksforallyourkindness。Ihopeweshallmeetagain。”
“Doyou？”answeredElizabeth;“sodoI。Iamsurethatweshallmeetagain，andIamsurethatIshallbegladtoseeyouwhenwedo，Mr。
Bingham。”sheaddeddarkly。
InanotherminutehehadlefttheVicarageand，withBeatriceathisside，waswalkingsmartlytowardsthestation。
“Thisisverymelancholy。”hesaid，afterafewmoments’silence。
“Goingawaygenerallyis。”sheanswered——“eitherforthosewhogoorthosewhostaybehind。”sheadded。
“Orforboth。”hesaid。
Thencameanotherpause;hebrokeit。
“MissBeatrice，mayIwritetoyou？”
“Certainly，ifyoulike。”
“Andwillyouanswermyletters？”
“Yes，Iwillanswerthem。”
“IfIhadmyway，then，youshouldspendagooddealofyourtimeinwriting。”hesaid。“Youdon’tknow。”headdedearnestly，“whatadelightithasbeentometolearntoknowyou。Ihavehadnogreaterpleasureinmylife。”
“Iamglad。”Beatriceansweredshortly。
“Bytheway。”Geoffreysaidpresently，“thereissomethingIwanttoaskyou。Youareasgoodasareferencebookforquotations，youknow。
Somelineshavebeenhauntingmeforthelasttwelvehours，andI
cannotrememberwheretheycomefrom。”
“Whatarethey？”sheasked，lookingup，andGeoffreysaw，orthoughthesaw，astrangefearshininginhereyes。
“Herearefourofthem。”heansweredunconcernedly;“wehavenotimeforlongquotations:
“’Thatshallbeto-morrow，Notto-night:
ImustburysorrowOutofsight。’“
Beatriceheard——heardtheverylineswhichhadbeenuponherlipsinthewildmidnightthathadgone。Herheartseemedtostop;shebecamewhiteasthedead，stumbled，andnearlyfell。Withasupremeeffortsherecoveredherself。
“Ithinkthatyoumustknowthelines，Mr。Bingham。”shesaidinalowvoice。“TheycomefromapoemofBrowning’s，called’AWoman’sLastWord。’“
Geoffreymadenoanswer;whatwashetosay？Forawhiletheywalkedoninsilence。Theyweregettingclosetothestationnow。Separation，perhapsforever，wasverynear。Anovermasteringdesiretoknowthetruthtookholdofhim。
“MissBeatrice。”hesaidagain，“youlookpale。Didyousleepwelllastnight？”
“No，Mr。Bingham。”
“Didyouhavecuriousdreams？”
“Yes，Idid。”sheanswered，lookingstraightbeforeher。
Heturnedashadepaler。Thenitwastrue！
“Beatrice。”hesaidinahalfwhisper，“whatdotheymean？”
“Asmuchasanythingelse，oraslittle。”sheanswered。
“Whatarepeopletodowhodreamsuchdreams？”hesaidagain，inthesameconstrainedvoice。
“Forgetthem。”shewhispered。
“Andiftheycomeback？”
“Forgetthemagain。”
“Andiftheywillnotbeforgotten？”
Sheturnedandlookedhimfullintheeyes。
“Dieofthem。”shesaid;“thentheywillbeforgotten，or——“
“Orwhat，Beatrice？”
“Hereisthestation。”saidBeatrice，“andBettyisquarrellingwiththeflyman。”
FiveminutesmoreandGeoffreywasgone。
CHAPTERXVI
THEFLATNEARTHEEDGWAREROAD
Geoffrey’sjourneytotownwasnotaltogetheracheerfulone。Tobeginwith，Effieweptcopiouslyatpartingwithherbeloved“auntie。”asshecalledBeatrice，andwouldnotbecomforted。TheprospectofrejoininghermotherandthevolubleAnnehadnocharmsforEffie。
Theyallthreegotonbestapart。Geoffreyhimselfhadalsomuchtothinkabout，andfoundlittlesatisfactioninthethinking。Hethrewhismindbackovertheeventsofthepastfewweeks。HerememberedhowhehadfirstseenBeatrice’sfacethroughthethickmistontheRedRocks，andhowherbeautyhadstruckhimasnobeautyeverhadbefore。
Thenhethoughtoftheadventureoftheirshipwreck，andofthedesperatecouragewithwhichshehadsavedhislife，almostatthecostofherown。Hethought，too，ofthatscenewhenonthefollowingdayhehadenteredtheroomwhereshewasasleep，whenthewanderingrayoflighthadwaveredfromherbreasttohisown，whenthatstrangepresentimentoftheultimateinterminglingoftheirliveshadflasheduponhim，andwhenshehadawakenedwithanunearthlygreetingonherlips。WhileEffieslowlysobbedherselftosilenceinthecorneroppositetohim，onebyone，herecalledeveryphaseandsceneoftheirever-growingintimacy，tillthereviewculminatedinhismysteriousexperienceofthepastnight，andthememoryofBeatrice’spartingwords。
OfallmenGeoffreywasamongthoseleastinclinedtoanysortofsuperstition;fromboyhoodhehadbeennotedforcommonsense，andasomewhatdisbelievingturnofmind。Buthehadintellect，andimaginationwhichissimplyintellectetherealised。Withoutthese，withhispeculiarmentalconstitution，hewould，forinstance，probablyhavebeenareligioussceptic;havingthem，hewasnothingofthesort。Sointhismatterofhisexperienceofthepreviousnight，andgenerallyofthestrangeandalmostunnaturalsympathyinwhichhefoundhimselfwiththislady，commonsenseandtheresultsofhisobservationandexperiencepointedtothewholethingbeingnonsense——
theresultof“propinquity，Sir，propinquity。”andaprettyface——andnothingmore。
Butherehisintellectandhisimaginationsteppedin，tellinghimplainlythatitwasnotnonsense，thathehadnotmerelymadeadonkeyofhimselfoveranhysterical，orpossiblyalove-sickgirl。Theytoldhimthatbecauseathingisamysteryitisnotnecessarilyafolly，thoughmysteriesareforthemostpartdealtinbyfools。Theysuggestedthattheremaybemanythingsandforcesaboveusandaroundus，invisibleasanelectriccurrent，intangibleaslight，yetexistentandcapableofmanifestationundercertainrareandfavourableconditions。
AndwasitnotpossiblethatsuchconditionsshoulduniteinawomanlikeBeatrice，whocombinedinherselfabeautyofbodywhichwasonlyoutpassedbythebeautyofhermind？Itwasnoanswertosaythatmostwomencouldneverinspiretheunearthlypassionwithwhichhehadbeenshakensometenhourspast，orthatmostmencouldneverbecomeawareoftheinspiration。Hasnothumanitypowersandperceptionsdeniedtothecattleofthefields，andmaytherenotbemenandwomenasfarremovedfromtheirfellowsinthisrespectasthesearefromthecattle？
Buttheweakpointofmysteriousoccurrencesisthattheyleadnowhere，anddonotmateriallyalterthefactsoflife。Onecannot，forinstance，pleadamysteryinacourtoflaw;so，droppingtheimaginativesideofthequestionasonebeyondhim，Geoffreycametoitspracticalaspect，onlytofinditequallythorny。
Oddasitmayseem，GeoffreydidnottothismomentknowtheexactpositionwhichheoccupiedinthemindofBeatrice，orthatsheoccupiedinhis。Hewasnotinlovewithher，atleastnotinawayinwhichhehadeverexperiencedtheinfluenceofthat，onthewhole，inconvenientanddisagreeablepassion。Atanyratehearguedfromthehypothesisthathewasnotinlovewithher。Thisherefusedtoadmitnowinthelightofday，thoughhehadadmitteditfullyinthewatchesofthenight。Itwouldnotdotoadmitit。Buthewasforcedtoacknowledgethatshehadcreptintohislifeandpossesseditsocompletelythatthenandformonthsafterwards，exceptindeepsleeporinhoursofseverementalstrain，notasinglehalfhourwouldpasswithoutbringingitsthoughtofBeatrice。Everythingthatwasbeautiful，orgrand，orelevating，remindedhimofher——andwhathighercomplimentcouldamistresshave？Ifhelistenedtogloriousmusic，thevoiceofBeatricespoketohimthroughthenotes;ifhewatchedthecloudsrollinginheavypompacrossabrokenskyhethoughtofBeatrice;ifsomechancepoemornovelmovedhim，whyBeatricewasinhismindtosharethepleasure。Allofwhichwasveryinteresting，andinsomewaysdelightful，butunderourcurrentsystemnototherwisethaninconvenienttoamarriedman。
AndnowBeatricewasgone，andhemustcomebacktohisdailytoil，sweetenedbyHonoria’sbittercomplaintsoftheirpoverty，andseehernomore。ThethoughtmadeGeoffrey’sheartachewithaphysicalpain，buthisreasontoldhimthatitwasbestso。Afterall，therewerenobonesbroken;therehadbeennolovescenes，nokiss，nowordsthatcannotberecalled;whatevertherewaslaybeneaththesurface，andwhileappearanceswerekeptupallwaswell。Nodoubtitwasanhypocrisy，butthenhypocrisyisoneofthegreatpillarsofcivilization，andhowdoesitmatterwhattheheartsayswhilethelipsaresilent？TheRecordingAngelcanalonereadhearts，andhemustoftenfindthemsingularlycontradictoryanduntrustworthywritings。
Dieofthem，dieofherdreams！No，Beatricewouldnotdieofthem，andcertainlyheshouldnot。Probablyintheendshewouldmarrythatpiousearthlylump，OwenDavies。Itwasnotpleasanttothinkof，itwasevendreadful，butreallyifsheweretoaskhimhisopinion，“asafriend。”heshouldtellheritwasthebestthingthatshecoulddo。
Ofcourseitwouldbehypocrisyagain，thelipswouldgivehisheartthelie;butwhentheheartrisesinrebellionagainsttheintelligenceitmustbesuppressed。Unfortunately，however，thoughasmallmember，itisverystrong。
TheyreachedLondonatlast，andashadbeenarranged，Anne，theFrench/bonne/，metthematthestationtotakeEffiehome。Geoffreynoticedthatshelookedsmarterandlesstohistastethanever。
However，sheembracedEffiewithanenthusiasmwhichthechildscarcelyrespondedto，andatthesametimecarriedonanocularflirtationwithaticketcollector。Althoughearlyintheyearforyellowfogs，Londonwasplungedinadensegloom。IthadbeenmistythatmorningatBryngelly，andbecomemoreandmoresoasthedayadvanced;but，thoughitwasnotyetfouro’clock，Londonwasdarkasnight。Luckily，however，itisnotfarfromPaddingtontotheflatneartheEdgwareRoad，whereGeoffreylived，sohavingpersonallyinstructedthecabman，heleftAnnetoconvoyEffieandtheluggage，andwentontotheTemplebyUndergroundRailwaywithaneasymind。
ShortlyafterGeoffreyreachedhischambersinPumpCourtthesolicitorarrivedashadbeenarranged，nothisuncle——whowas，helearned，veryunwell——butapartner。TohisdelighthethenfoundthatBeatrice’sghosttheorywasperfectlyaccurate;theboywiththemissingtoe-jointhadbeendiscoveredwhosawthewholehorribletragedythroughacrackintheblind;moreoverthetruthhadbeenwrungfromhimandhewouldbeproducedatthetrial——indeedaproofofhisevidencewasalreadyforthcoming。Alsosomespecimensoftheex-lawyer’sclerk’shandwritinghadbeenobtained，andweredeclaredbytwoexpertstobeidenticalwiththewritingonthewill。Onething，however，disturbedhim:neithertheAttorney-GeneralnorMr。
Candletonwasyetintown，sonoconferencewaspossiblethatevening。
However，bothwereexpectedthatnight——theAttorney-GeneralfromDevonshireandMr。CandletonfromtheContinent;sothecasebeingfirstonthelist，itwasarrangedthattheconferenceshouldtakeplaceatteno’clockonthefollowingmorning。
OnarrivinghomeGeoffreywasinformedthatLadyHonoriawasdressing，andhadleftamessagesayinghemustbequickanddolikewiseasagentlemanwascomingtodinner。Accordinglyhewenttohisownroom——
whichwasattheotherendoftheflat——andputonhisdressclothes。
Beforegoingtothedining-room，however，hesaidgood-nighttoEffie——whowasinbed，butnotasleep——andaskedherwhattimeshehadreachedhome。
“Attwentyminutespastfive，daddy。”Effiesaidpromptly。
“Twentyminutespastfive！Why，youdon’tmeantosaythatyouwereanhourcomingthatlittleway！Didyougetblockedinthefog？”
“No，daddy，but——“
“Butwhat，dear？”
“Annedidtellmenottosay！“
“ButItellyoutosay，dear——nevermindAnne！“
“Annestoppedandtalkedtotheticket-manforalong，longtime。”
“Oh，didshe？”hesaid。
AtthatmomenttheparlourmaidcametosaythatLadyHonoriaandthe“gentleman“werewaitingfordinner。GeoffreyaskedhercasuallywhattimeMissEffiehadreachedhome。
“Abouthalf-pastfive，sir。Annesaidthecabwasblockedinthefog。”
“Verywell。TellherladyshipthatIshallbedowninaminute。”
“Daddy。”saidthechild，“Ihaven’tsaidmyprayers。Motherdidnotcome，andAnnesaiditwasallnonsenseaboutprayers。Auntiedidalwayshearmemyprayers。”
“Yes，dear，andsowillI。There，kneeluponmylapandsaythem。”
Inthemiddleoftheprayers——whichEffiedidnotrememberaswellasshemighthavedone——theparlourmaidarrivedagain。
“Please，sir，herladyship——“
“TellherladyshipIamcoming，andthatifsheisinahurryshecangotodinner！Goon，love。”
Thenhekissedherandputhertobedagain。
“Daddy。”saidEffie，ashewasgoing，“shallIseeauntieBeatriceanymore？”
“Ihopeso，dear。”
“Andshallyouseeheranymore？Youwanttoseeher，don’tyou，daddy？Shedidloveyouverymuch！“
Geoffreycouldbearitnolonger。Thetruthisalwayssharperwhenitcomesfromthemouthofbabesandsucklings。Withahurriedgood-nighthefled。
Inthelittledrawing-roomhefoundLadyHonoria，verywelldressed，andalsoherfriend，whosenamewasMr。Dunstan。Geoffreyknewhimatonceforanexceedinglywealthymanofsmallbirth，andlessbreeding，butaburningandashininglightintheGarsingtonset。Mr。Dunstanwasanxioustoraisehimselfinsociety，andhethoughtthatnotwithstandingherpoverty，LadyHonoriamightbeusefultohiminthisrespect。Hencehispresencethereto-night。
“Howdoyoudo，Geoffrey？”saidhiswife，advancingtogreethimwithakissofpeace。“Youlookverywell。Butwhatanimmensetimeyouhavebeendressing。PoorMr。Dunstanisstarving。Letmesee。YouknowMr。Dunstan，Ithink。Dinner，Mary。”
Geoffreyapologisedforbeinglate，andshookhandspolitelywithMr。
Dunstan——SaintDunstanhewasgenerallycalledonaccountofhisratherclericalappearanceandinsarcasticallusiontohissomewhatshadyreputation。Thentheywentintodinner。
“Sorrythereisnoladyforyou，Geoffrey;butyoumusthavehadplentyofladies’societylately。Bytheway，howisMiss——MissGranger？Wouldyoubelieveit，Mr。Dunstan？thatshockinghusbandofminehasbeenpassingthelastmonthinthecompanyofoneoftheloveliestgirlsIeversaw，whoknowsLatinandlawandeverythingelseunderthesun。Shebeganbysavinghislife，theywereupsettogetheroutofacanoe，youknow。Isn’titromantic？”
SaintDunstanmadesomeappropriate——or，ratherinappropriate——remarktotheeffectthathehopedMr。Binghamhadmadethemostofsuchunrivalledopportunities，adding，withadeepsigh，thatnolovelyyoungladyhadeversavedhislifethathemightliveforher，&c。，&c。
HereGeoffreybrokeinwithoutmuchceremony。TohimitseemedadesecrationtolistenwhilethispersonwasmakinghisfeeblejokesaboutBeatrice。
“Well，dear。”hesaid，addressinghiswife，“andwhathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime？”
“Mourningforyou，Geoffrey，andenjoyingmyselfexceedinglyintheintervals。Wehavehadadelightfultime，havewenot，Mr。Dunstan？
Mr。DunstanhasalsobeenstayingattheHall，youknow。”
“Howcoulditbeotherwisewhenyouwerethere，LadyHonoria？”
answeredtheSaintinthatstrainofcomplimentaffectedbysuchmen，andwhich，totellthetruth，jarredonitsobject，whowasafterallalady。
“Youknow，Geoffrey。”shewenton，“theGarsingtonshavere-furnishedthelargehallandtheirdrawing-room。Itcosteighteenhundredpounds，buttheresultislovely。Thedrawing-roomisdoneinhand-
paintedwhitesatin，wallsandall，andthehallinoldoak。”
“Indeed！“heanswered，reflectingthewhilethatLordGarsingtonmightaswellhavepaidsomeofhisdebtsbeforehespenteighteenhundredpoundsonhisdrawing-roomfurniture。
ThentheSaintandLadyHonoriadriftedintoalongandanimatedconversationabouttheirfellowguests，whichGeoffreyscarcelytriedtofollow。Indeed，thedinnerwasadulloneforhim，andheaddedlittleornothingtothestockoftalk。
Whenhiswifelefttheroom，however，hehadtosaysomething，sotheyspokeofshooting。TheSainthadaredeemingfeature——hewassomewhatofasportsman，thoughapoorone，andhedescribedtoGeoffreyanewpairofhammerlessguns，whichhehadboughtforatriflingsumofahundredandfortyguineas，recommendingthepatterntohisnotice。
“Yes。”answeredGeoffrey，“Idaresaythattheyareverynice;but，yousee，theyarebeyondme。Apoormancannotaffordsomuchforapairofguns。”
“Oh，ifthatisall。”answeredhisguest，“Iwillsellyouthese;theyarealittlelonginthestockforme，andyoucanpaymewhenyoulike。Or，hangitall，Ihaveplentyofguns。I’llbegenerousandgivethemtoyou。IfIcannotaffordtobegenerous，Idon’tknowwhocan！“
“Thankyouverymuch，Mr。Dunstan。”answeredGeoffreycoldly，“butI
amnotinthehabitofacceptingsuchpresentsfrommy——acquaintances。