CHAPTERXXIII
ADAWNOFRAIN
ThatcrashoftheclosingdoordidnotawakeBeatriceonly;itawokebothElizabethandMr。Granger。Elizabethsatupinbedstraininghereyesthroughthegloomtoseewhathadhappened。TheyfellonBeatrice’sbed——surely——surely——
Elizabethslippedup，cat-likeshecreptacrosstheroomandfeltwithherhandatthebed。Beatricewasnotthere。Shesprangtotheblindanddrewit，lettinginsuchlightastherewas，andbyitsearchedtheroom。Shespoke:“Beatrice，whereareyou？”
Noanswer。
“Ah——h。”saidElizabethaloud;“Iunderstand。Atlast——atlast！“
Whatshouldseedo？Shouldshegoandcallherfatherandputthemtoanopenshame？No。Beatricemustcomebacksometime。Theknowledgewasenough;shewantedtheknowledgetouseifnecessary。Shedidnotwishtoruinhersisterunlessinself-defence，orrather，forthecauseofself-advancement。StilllessdidshewishtoinjureGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnogrudge。Soshepeepedalongthepassage，thenreturning，creptbacktoherbedlikeasnakeintoaholeandwatched。
Mr。Granger，hearingthecrash，thoughtthatthefrontdoorhadblownopen。Rising，helitacandleandwenttosee。
ButofallthisGeoffreyknewnothing，andBeatricenaturallylessthannothing。
Shelaysenselessinhisarms，herheadrestedonhisshoulder，herheavyhairstreameddownhissidealmosttohisknee。Heliftedher，touchedherontheforeheadwithhislipsandlaidheronthebed。
Whatwastobedone？Bringherbacktolife？No，hedarednot——nothere。Whileshelaythusherhelplessnessprotectedher;butifoncemoreshewasaliving，lovingwomanhereandso——oh，howshouldtheyescape？Hedarednottouchherorlooktowardsher——tillhehadmadeuphismind。Itwassoondone。Hereshemustnotbide，andsinceofherselfshecouldnotgo，whyhemusttakehernow，thismoment！
HoweverfarGeoffreyfellshortofvirtue’sstricterstandard，letthisalwaysberememberedinhisfavour。
Heopenedthedoor，andashedidso，thoughtthatheheardsomeonestirringinthehouse。Andsohedid;itwasMr。Grangerinthesitting-room。Hearingnomore，Geoffreyconcludedthatitwasthewind，andturning，gropedhiswaytothebedwhereBeatricelayasstillasdeath。Foronemomentahorriblefearstruckhimthatshemightbedead。Hehadheardofcasesofsomnambulistswho，onbeingstartledfromtheirunnaturalsleep，onlywoketodie。Itmightbesowithher。Hurriedlyheplacedhishanduponherbreast。Yes，herheartstirred——faintlyindeed，butstillitstirred。Shehadonlyswooned。
Thenhesethisteeth，andplacinghisarmsabouther，liftedherasthoughshewereababe。Beatricewasnoslipofagirl，butawell-
grownwomanoffullsize。Heneverfeltherweight;itseemednothingtohim。Stealthilyasonebentonmidnightmurder，hesteppedwithhertothedoorandthroughitintothepassage。Thensupportingherwithonearm，heclosedthedoorwithhislefthand。Stealthilyinthegloomhepassedalongthecorridor，hisbarefeetmakingnonoiseupontheboardedfloor，tillhereachedthebisectingpassageleadingfromthesitting-rooms。
Heglancedupitapprehensively，andwhathesawfrozethebloodinhisveins，fortherecomingdownit，noteightpacesfromhim，wasMr。
Granger，holdingacandleinhishand。Whatcouldbedone？Togetbacktohisroomwasimpossible——toreachthatofBeatricewasalsoimpossible。Withanefforthecollectedhisthoughts，andlikeaflashoflightitpassedintohismindthattheemptyroomwasnottwopacesfromhim。Astrideandhehadreachedit。Oh，wherewasthehandle？
andoh，iftheroomshouldbelocked！Byamercifulchanceitwasnot。
Hesteppedthroughthedoor，knockingBeatrice’sfeetagainsttheframeworkashedidso，closedit——toshutithehadnotime——andstoodgaspingbehindit。
Thegleamoflightdrewnearer。Mercifulpowers！hehadbeenseen——theoldmanwascomingin。Whatcouldhesay？Tellthetruth，thatwasall;butwhowouldbelievesuchastory？why，itwasonethatheshouldscarcelycaretoadvanceinacourtoflaw。Couldheexpectafathertobelieveit——afatherfindingamancrouchedlikeathiefbehindadooratthedeadofnightwithhislovelydaughtersenselessinhisarms？HehadalreadythoughtofgoingstraighttoMr。Granger，buthadabandonedtheideaashopeless。Whowouldbelievethistaleofsleep-walking？ForthefirsttimeinhislifeGeoffreyfeltterriblyafraid，bothforBeatriceandhimself;thehairroseonhishead，hisheartstoodstill，andacoldperspirationstartedontohisface。
“It’sveryodd。”heheardtheoldmanmuttertohimself;“IcouldalmostswearthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothatroom。Where’sthehandle？IfIbelievedinghosts——hullo！mycandlehasblownout！I
mustgoandhuntforamatch。Don’tquitelikegoingintherewithoutalight。”
Forthemomenttheyweresaved。Thefiercedraughtrushingthroughtheopencrackofthedoorfromtheill-fittingwindowhadextinguishedthecandle。
GeoffreywaitedafewsecondstoallowMr。Grangertoreachhisroom，andthenoncemorestartedonhisawfuljourney。Hepassedoutoftheroominsafety;happilyBeatriceshowednosignsofrecovery。Afewquickstepsandhewasatherowndoor。Andnowanewterrorseizedhim。WhatifElizabethwasalsowalkingthehouseorevenawake？HethoughtofputtingBeatricedownatthedoorandleavingherthere，butabandonedtheidea。Tobeginwith，herfathermightseeher，andthenhowcouldherpresencebeaccountedfor？orifhedidnot，shewouldcertainlysufferilleffectsfromthecold。No，hemustriskit，andatonce，thoughhewouldratherhavefacedabatteryofguns。Thedoorfortunatelywasajar。Geoffreyopeneditwithhisfoot，entered，andwithhisfootpushedittoagain。Suddenlyherememberedthathehadneverbeenintheroom，anddidnotknowwhichbedbelongedtoBeatrice。Hewalkedtothenearest;adeep-drawnbreathtoldhimthatitwasthewrongone。DrawingsomefaintconsolationfromthefactthatElizabethwasevidentlyasleep，hegropedhiswaytothesecondbedthroughthedeeptwilightoftheroom。Theclotheswerethrownback。HelaidBeatricedownandthrewthemoverher。Thenhefled。
AshereachedthedoorhesawMr。Granger’slightdisappearintohisownroomandheardhisdoorclose。Afterthatitseemedtohimthathetookbuttwostepsandwasinhisownplace。
Heburstoutlaughing;therewasasmuchhysteriainthelaughasamangiveswayto。Hisnerveswereshatteredbystruggle，loveandfear，andsoughtreliefinghastlymerriment。Somehowthewholesceneremindedhimofoneinacomicopera。Therewasaludicroussidetoit。Supposingthatthepoliticalopponents，whoalreadyhatedhimsobitterly，couldhaveseenhimslinkingfromdoortodooratmidnightwithanunconsciousladyinhisarms——whatwouldtheyhavesaid？
Heceasedlaughing;thefitpassed——indeeditwasnolaughingmatter。
Thenhethoughtofthefirstnightoftheirstrangecommunion，thatnightbeforehehadreturnedtoLondon。Theseedsowninthathourhadblossomedandbornefruitindeed。WhowouldhavedreameditpossiblethatheshouldthushavedrawnBeatricetohim？Well，heoughttohaveknown。Ifitwaspossiblethatthewordswhichfloatedthroughhermindcouldariseinhisastheyhaddoneuponthatnight，whatwasnotpossible？Andweretherenototherwords，writtenbythesamemaster-
hand，whichtoldofsuchthingsasthese:
“’Now——now，’thedoorisheard;
Hark，thestairs！andnear——
Nearer——andhere——
’Now’！andatcallthethird，Sheenterswithoutaword。
Likethedoorsofacasketshrine，Seeoneitherside，HertwoarmsdivideTilltheheartbetwixtmakessign，’Takeme，forIamthine。’
First，Iwillpray。DoThouThatownestthesoul，YetwiltgrantcontrolToanother，nordisallowForatime，restrainmenow！“
Didtheynotrunthus？Oh，heshouldhaveknown！Thishecouldplead，andthisonly——thatcontrolhadbeengrantedtohim。
ButhowwouldBeatricefare？Wouldshecometoherselfsafely？Hethoughtso，itwasonlyafaintingfit。Butwhenshedidrecover，whatwouldshedo？Nothingrash，heprayed。Andwhatcouldbetheendofitall？Whomightsay？Howfortunatethatthesisterhadbeensosoundasleep。SomehowhedidnottrustElizabeth——hefearedher。
WellmightGeoffreyfearher！Elizabeth’ssleepwasthatofaweasel。
Shetoowaslaughingatthisverymoment，laughing，notloudbutlong——thelaughofonewhowins。
Shehadseenhimenter，hisburdeninhisarms;sawhimcomewithittoherownbedside，andhadbreathedheavilytowarnhimofhismistake。ShehadwatchedhimputBeatriceonherbed，andheardhimsighandturnaway;nothinghadescapedher。Assoonashewasgone，shehadrisenandcreptuptoBeatrice，andfindingthatshewasonlyinafainthadlefthertorecover，knowinghertobeinnodanger。
Elizabethwasnotanervousperson。Thenshehadlistenedtillatlengthadeepsightoldherofthereturnofhersister’sconsciousness。Afterthistherewasapause，tillpresentlyBeatrice’slongsoftbreathsshowedthatshehadglidedfromswoontosleep。
Theslownightworeaway，andatlengththecolddawncreptthroughthewindow。Elizabethstillwatching，forshewasnotwillingtoloseasinglesceneofadramasoentrancinginitselfandsoimportanttoherinterests，sawhersistersuddenlysitupinbedandpressherhandstoherforehead，asthoughshewasstrivingtorecalladream。
ThenBeatricecoveredhereyeswithherhandsandgroanedheavily。
Nextshelookedatherwatch，rose，drankaglassofwater，anddressedherself，eventotheputtingonofanoldgreywaterproofwithahoodtoit，foritwaswetoutside。
“Sheisgoingtomeetherlover。”thoughtElizabeth。“IwishIcouldbetheretoseethattoo，butIhaveseenenough。”
Sheyawnedandappearedtowake。“What，Beatrice，goingoutalreadyinthispouringrain？”shesaid，withfeignedastonishment。
“Yes，IhavesleptbadlyandIwanttogetsomeair。”answeredBeatrice，startingandcolouring;“Isupposethatitwasthestorm。”
“Hastherebeenastorm？”saidElizabeth，yawningagain。“Iheardnothingofit——butthensomanythingshappenwhenoneisasleepofwhichoneknowsnothingatthetime。”sheaddedsleepily，likeonespeakingatrandom。“Mindthatyouarebacktosaygood-byetoMr。
Bingham;hegoesbytheearlytrain，youknow——butperhapsyouwillseehimoutwalking。”andappearingtowakeupthoroughly，sheraisedherselfinbedandgavehersisteronepiercinglook。
Beatricemadenoanswer;thatlooksentathrilloffearthroughher。
Oh;whathadhappened！Orwasitalladream？HadshedreamedthatshestoodfacetofacewithGeoffreyinhisroombeforeagreatdarknessstruckherandoverwhelmedher？Orwasitanawfultruth，andifatruth，howcameshehereagain？Shewenttothepantry，foundamorselofbreadandateit，forfaintnessstillpursuedher。Thenfeelingbetter，sheleftthehouseandsetherfacetowardsthebeach。
Itwasadrearymorning。Thegreatwindhadpassed;nowitonlyblewinlittlegustsheavywithdrivingrain。Theseawassullenandgreyandgrand。Itbeatinthunderontheshoreandflewoverthesunkenrocksincolumnsofleadenspray。Thewholeearthseemedonedesolation，andallitsgriefwascentredinthiswoman’sbrokenheart。
Geoffrey，too，wasup。Howhehadpassedtheremainderofthattragicnightweneednotinquire——nottoohappilywemaybesure。HeheardthefrontdoorclosebehindBeatrice，andfollowedoutintotherain。
Onthebeach，somehalfofamileaway，hefoundhergazingatthesea，agreatwhitegullwheelingaboutherhead。Nowordofgreetingpassedbetweenthem;theyonlygraspedeachother’shandsandlookedintoeachother’sholloweyes。
“Comeundertheshelterofthecliff。”hesaid，andshecame。Shestoodbeneaththecliff，herheadbowedlow，herfacehiddenbythehood，andspoke。
“Tellmewhathashappened。”shesaid;“Ihavedreamedsomething，aworsedreamthananythathavegonebefore——tellmeifitistrue。Donotspareme。”
AndGeoffreytoldherall。
Whenhehadfinishedshespokeagain。
“BywhatshallIswear。”shesaid，“thatIamnotthethingwhichyoumustthinkme？Geoffrey，IswearbymyloveforyouthatIaminnocent。IfIcame——oh，theshameofit！ifIcame——toyourroomlastnight，itwasmyfeetwhichledme，notmymindthatledmyfeet。I
wenttosleep，Iwaswornout，andthenIknewnomoretillIheardadreadfulsound，andsawyoubeforemeinablazeoflight，afterwhichtherewasdarkness。”
“Oh，Beatrice，donotbedistressed。”heanswered。“Isawthatyouwereasleep。Itisadreadfulthingwhichhashappened，butIdonotthinkthatwewereseen。”
“Idonotknow。”shesaid。“Elizabethlookedatmeverystrangelythismorning，andsheseeseverything。Geoffrey，formypart，Ineitherknownorcare。WhatIdocareforis，whatmust/you/thinkofme？Youmustbelieve，oh！——Icannotsayit。AndyetIaminnocent。Never，neverdidIdreamofthis。Tocometoyou——thus——oh，itisshameless！“
“Beatrice，donottalkso。ItellyouIknowit。Listen——Idrewyou。I
didnotmeanthatyoushouldcome。Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldcome，butitwasmydoing。Listentome，dear。”andhetoldherthatwhichwrittenwordscanillexpress。
Whenhehadfinished，shelookedup，withanotherface;thedeepshadowofhershamehadlefther。“Ibelieveyou，Geoffrey。”shesaid，“becauseIknowthatyouhavenotinventedthistoshieldme，forI
havefeltitalso。Seebyitwhatyouaretome。Youaremymasterandmyall。IcannotwithstandyouifIwould。Ihavelittlewillapartfromyoursifyouchoosetogainsaymine。Andnowpromisemethisuponyourword。Leavemeuninfluenced;donotdrawmetoyoutobeyourruin。Imakenopretence，Ihavelaidmylifeatyourfeet，butwhileIhaveanystrengthtostruggleagainstit，youshallnevertakeitupunlessyoucandosotoyourownhonour，andthatisnotpossible。Oh，mydear，wemighthavebeenveryhappytogether，happierthanmenandwomenoftenare，butitisdeniedtous。Wemustcarryourcross，wemustcrucifythefleshuponit;perhapsso——whocansay？——wemayglorifythespirit。Ioweyouagreatdeal。Ihavelearntmuchfromyou，Geoffrey。IhavelearnedtohopeagainforaHereafter。Nothingislefttomenow——butthat——thatandanhourhence——yourmemory。
“Oh，whyshouldIweep？Itisungrateful，whenIhaveyourlove，forwhichthismiseryisbutalittlepricetopay。Kissme，dear，andgo——andneverseememore。Youwillnotforgetme，Iknownowthatyouwill/never/forgetmeallyourlife。Afterwards——perhaps——whocantell？Ifnot，whythen——itwillindeedbebest——todie。”
*****
Itisnotwelltolingeroversuchasceneasthis。Afterall，too，itisnothing。Onlyanotherbrokenheartorso。Theworldbreakssomanythiswayandtheotherthatitcanhavelittlepleasureingloatingoversuchstalescenesofagony。
Besideswemustnotletoursympathiescarryusaway。GeoffreyandBeatricedeservedalltheygot;theyhadnobusinesstoputthemselvesintosuchaposition。Theyhaddefiedthecustomsoftheirworld，andtheworldavengeditselfuponthemandtheirpettypassions。Whathappenstothewormthattriestoburrowonthehighways？Grindingwheelsandcrushingfeet;theseareitsportion。BeatriceandGeoffreypointamoralandadornatale。Sofaraswecanseeandjudgetherewasnoneedforthemtohaveplungedintothatever-runningriverofhumanpain。Letthemstruggleanddrown，andletthosewhoareonthebanklearnwisdomfromthesight，andholdoutnohandtohelpthem。
Geoffreydrewaringfromhisfingerandgaveittohislove。Itwasacommonflat-sidedsilverringthathadbeentakenfromthegraveofaRomansoldier:onepeculiarityithad，however;onitsinnersurfacewereroughlycutthewords，“aveatquevale。”Greetingandfarewell！
Itwasafittinggifttopassbetweenpeopleintheirposition。
Beatrice，tremblingsorely，whisperedthatshewouldwearitonherheart，uponherhandshecouldnotputityetawhile——itmightberecognised。
Thenthricedidtheyembracethereuponthedesolateshore，once，asitwere，forpastjoy，onceforpresentpain，andonceforfuturehope，andparted。Therewasnotalkofaftermeetings——theyfeltthemtobeimpossible，atanyrateformanyyears。Howcouldtheymeetasindifferentfriends？Toomuchtheylovedforthat。Itwasafinalparting，thanwhichdeathhadbeenlessdreadful——forHopesitseverbythebedofdeath——andmiserycrushedthemtotheearth。
Helefther，andhappinesswentoutofhislifeasatnightfallthedaylightgoesoutoftheday。Well，atleasthehadhisworktogoto。
ButBeatrice，poorwoman，whathadshe？
Geoffreylefther。Whenhehadgonesomethirtypacesheturnedagainandgazedhislastuponher。Thereshestoodorratherleant，herhandrestingagainstthewetrock，lookingafterhimwithherwidegreyeyes。Eventhroughthedrizzlingrainhecouldseethegleamofherrichhair，themarkingofherlovelyface，andthecarmineofherlips。Shemotionedtohimtogoon。Hewent，andwhenhehadtraversedahundredpaceslookedroundoncemore。Shewasstillthere，butnowherfacewasablur，andagainthegreatwhitegullhoveredaboutherhead。
Thenthemistsweptupandhidher。
Ah，Beatrice，withallyourbrainsyoucouldneverlearnthosesimpleprinciplesnecessarytothehappinessofwoman;principlesinheritedthroughathousandgenerationsofsavageandsemi-civilizedancestresses。Toacceptthesituationandthemasterthatsituationbringswithit——thisisthegoldenruleofwell-being。Nottoputoutthehandofyouraffectionfurtherthanyoucandrawitback，thisisanother，atleastnotuntilyouarequitesurethatitsobjectiswellwithinyourgrasp。Ifbymisfortune，ortheangeroftheFates，youareendowedwiththosedeeperqualities，thoseextremecapacitiesofself-sacrificingaffection，suchasruinedyourhappiness，Beatrice，keeptheminstock;donotexposethemtotheworld。Theworlddoesnotbelieveinthem;theyareinconvenientandundesirable;theyareevenimmoral。Whattheworldwants，andveryrightly，inapersonofyourattractivenessisquietdomesticityofcharacter，nottheexhibitionofattributeswhichthoughtheymightqualifyyoufortherankofheroineinaGreekdrama，arenowadaysonlylikelytoqualifyyouforthereprobationofsociety。
What？youwouldratherkeepyourlove，yourreprehensiblelovewhichnevercanbesatisfied，andbearitsslingsandarrows，anddiehuggingashadowtoyourheart，strainingyoureyesintothedarknessofthatbeyondwhitheryoushallgo——murmuringwithyourpalelipsthat/there/youwillfindreasonandfulfilment？Whyitisfolly。
Whatgroundhaveyoutosupposethatyouwillfindanythingofthesort？Goandtaketheopinionofsomescientificpersonofeminenceuponthisinfatuationofyoursandthosevaguevisionsofglorythatshallbe。Hewillexplainitclearlyenough，willshowyouthatyourloveitselfisnothingbutanaturalpassion，acting，inyourcase，onasingularlysensitiveandetherealisedorganism。Befrankwithhim，tellhimofyoursecrethopes。Hewillsmiletenderly，andshowyouhowthosealsoareanemanationfromacravingheart，andtheinnatesuperstitionsofmankind。Indeedhewilllaughandillustratetheabsurdityofthewholethingbyafewpungentexamplesofwhatwouldhappeniftheseearthlyaffectionscouldbecarriedbeyondthegrave。
Takewhatyoucan/now/willbetheburdenofhissong，andforgoodness’sakedonotwasteyourprecioushoursindreamsofaToBe。
Beatrice，theworlddoesnotwantyourspirituality。Itisnotaspiritualworld;ithasnoclearideasuponthesubject——itpaysitsreligiouspremiumandworksoffitsaspirationsatitsweeklychurchgoing，andwouldthinkthepersonafoolwhoattemptedtocarrytheoriesofcelestialunionintoanearthlyruleoflife。ItcansympathisewithLadyHonoria;itcanhardlysympathisewith/you/。
Andyetyouwillstillchoosethisbetterpart:youwillstill“liveandlove，andlose。”
“Withblindingtearsandpassionatebeseeching，Andoutstretchedarmsthroughemptysilencereaching。”
Then，Beatrice，haveyourwill，sowyourseedoftears，andtakeyourchance。Youmayfindthatyouwererightandtheworldlingswrong，andyoumayreapaharvestbeyondthegraspoftheirpoorimaginations。
Andifyoufindthattheyarerightand/you/arewrong，whatwillitmattertoyouwhosleep？Forofthisatleastyouaresure。Ifthereisnofutureforsuchearthlyloveasyours，thenindeedthereisnoneforthechildrenofthisworldandalltheirtroubling。
CHAPTERXXIV
LADYHONORIATAKESTHEFIELD
GeoffreyhurriedtotheVicaragetofetchhisbaggageandsaygood-
bye。Hehadnotimeforbreakfast，andhewasgladofit，forhecouldnothaveeatenamorseltosavehislife。HefoundElizabethandherfatherinthesitting-room。
“Why，wherehaveyoubeenthiswetmorning，Mr。Bingham？”saidMr。
Granger。
“IhavebeenforawalkwithMissBeatrice;sheiscominghomebythevillage。”heanswered。“Idon’tmindrain，andIwantedtogetasmuchfreshairasIcouldbeforeIgobacktothemill。Thankyou——onlyacupoftea——IwillgetsomethingtoeatasIgo。”
“Howkindofhim。”reflectedMr。Granger;“nodoubthehasbeenspeakingtoBeatriceagainaboutOwenDavies。”
“Oh，bytheway。”headdedaloud，“didyouhappentohearanybodymovinginthehouselastnight，Mr。Bingham，justwhenthestormwasatitsheight？FirstofalladoorslammedsoviolentlythatIgotuptoseewhatitwas，andasIcamedownthepassageIcouldalmosthaveswornthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothespareroom。ButmycandlewentoutandbythetimethatIhadfoundalighttherewasnothingtobeseen。”
“Aclearcaseofghosts。”saidGeoffreyindifferently。Itwasindeeda“caseofghosts。”andtheywould，hereflected，haunthimformanyaday。
“Howveryodd。”putinElizabethvivaciously，herkeeneyesfixedintentlyonhisface。“DoyouknowIthoughtthatItwicesawthedoorofourroomopenandshutinthemostmysteriousfashion。IthinkthatBeatricemusthavesomethingtodowithit;sheissouncannyinherways。”
Geoffreynevermovedamuscle，hewastrainedtokeephiscountenance。
Onlyhewonderedhowmuchthiswomanknew。Shemustbesilencedsomehow。
“Excusemeforchangingthesubject。”hesaid，“butmytimeisshort，andIhavenonetosparetohuntthe’VicarageGhost。’Bytheway，there’sagoodtitleforsomebody。Mr。Granger，IbelievethatImayspeakofbusinessmattersbeforeMissElizabeth？”
“Certainly，Mr。Bingham。”saidtheclergyman;“Elizabethismyrighthand，andhasthebestbusinessheadinBryngelly。”
Geoffreythoughtthatthiswasveryevident，andwenton。“Ionlywanttosaythis。Ifyougetintoanyfurtherdifficultieswithyourrascallytithe-payers，mindandletmeknow。IshallalwaysbegladtohelpyouwhileIcan。AndnowImustbegoing。”
Hespokethusfortworeasons。First，naturallyenough，hemeanttomakeithisbusinesstoprotectBeatricefromthepressureofpoverty，andwellknewthatitwouldbeuselesstoofferherdirectassistance。
Secondly，hewishedtoshowElizabeththatitwouldnotbetotheadvantageofherfamilytoquarrelwithhim。Ifshe/had/seenaghost，perhapsthisfactwouldmakeherreticentonthesubject。Hedidnotknowthatshewasplayingamuchbiggergameforherownhand，agameofwhichthestakeswerethousandsayear，andthatshewasmoreovermadwithjealousyandwhat，insuchawoman，mustpassforlove。
Elizabethmadenocommentonhisoffer，andbeforeMr。Granger’sprofusethankswerenearlyfinished，Geoffreywasgone。
ThreeweekspassedatBryngelly，andElizabethstillheldherhand。
Beatrice，paleandspiritless，wentaboutherdutiesasusual。
Elizabethneverspoketoherinanysensethatcouldawakenhersuspicions，andtheghoststorywas，orappearedtobe，prettywellforgotten。ButatlastaneventoccurredthatcausedElizabethtotakethefield。OnedayshemetOwenDavieswalkingalongthebeachinthesemi-insanewaywhichhenowaffected。Hestopped，and，withoutfurtherado，plungedintoconversation。
“Ican’tbearitanylonger。”hesaidwildly，throwinguphisarms。“I
sawheryesterday，andshecutmeshortbeforeIcouldspeakaword。I
haveprayedforpatienceanditwillnotcome，onlyaVoiceseemedtosaytomethatImustwaittendaysmore，tenshortdays，andthenBeatrice，mybeautifulBeatrice，wouldbemywifeatlast。”
“Ifyougooninthisway，Mr。Davies。”saidElizabethsharply，herheartfilledwithjealousanger，“youwillsoonbeoffyourhead。Areyounotashamedofyourselfformakingsuchafussaboutagirl’sprettyface？Ifyouwanttogetmarried，marrysomebodyelse。”
“Marrysomebodyelse。”hesaiddreamily;“Idon’tknowanybodyelsewhomIcouldmarryexceptyou，andyouarenotBeatrice。”
“No。”answeredElizabethangrily，“IshouldhopethatIhavemoresense，andifyouwantedtomarrymeyouwouldhavetosetaboutitinadifferentwayfromthis。IamnotBeatrice，thankHeaven，butIamhersister，andIwarnyouthatIknowmoreaboutherthanyoudo。AsafriendIwarnyoutobecareful。SupposingthatBeatricewerenotworthyofyou，youwouldnotwishtomarryher，wouldyou？”
NowOwenDavieswasatheartsomewhatafraidofElizabeth，likemostotherpeoplewhohadtheprivilegeofheracquaintance。Also，apartfrommattersconnectedwithhisinsanepassion，hewasveryfairlyshrewd。HesuspectedElizabethofsomething，hedidnotknowofwhat。
“No，no，ofcoursenot。”hesaid。“OfcourseIwouldnotmarryherifshewasnotfittobemywife——butImustknowthatfirst，beforeI
talkofmarryinganybodyelse。Goodafternoon，MissElizabeth。Itwillsoonbesettlednow;itcannotgoonmuchlongernow。Myprayerswillbeanswered，Iknowtheywill。”
“Youarerightthere，OwenDavies。”thoughtElizabeth，asshelookedafterhimwithineffablebitterness，nottosaycontempt。“Yourprayersshallbeansweredinawaythatwillastonishyou。YoushallnotmarryBeatrice，andyoushallmarry/me/。Thefishhasbeenonthelinelongenough，nowImustbegintopullin。”
CuriouslyenoughitneverreallyoccurredtoElizabeththatBeatriceherselfmightprovetobethetrueobstacletothemarriagesheplottedtoprevent。SheknewthathersisterwasfondofGeoffreyBingham，but，whenitcametothepointthatshewouldabsolutelyallowheraffectiontointerferewithsogloriousasuccessinlife，sheneverbelievedforonemoment。OfcourseshethoughtitwaspossiblethatifBeatricecouldgetpossessionofGeoffreyshemightprefertodoso，butfailinghim，judgingfromherownlowandvulgarstandard，ElizabethwasconvincedthatshewouldtakeOwen。Itdidnotseempossiblethatwhatwassopreciousinherowneyesmightbevaluelessandevenhatefultothoseofhersister。Asforthatlittlemidnightincident，well，itwasonethingandmarriagewasanother。
Peopleforgetsucheventswhentheymarry;sometimeseventheymarryinordertoforgetthem。
Yes，shemuststrike，buthow？Elizabethhadfeelingslikeotherpeople。Shedidnotmindruininghersisterandrival，butshewouldverymuchpreferitshouldnotbeknownthatherswasthehandtocutherdown。Ofcourse，iftheworstcametotheworst，shemustdoit。
Meanwhile，mightnotasubstitutebefound——somebodyinwhomtheactwouldseemnotoneofvengeance，butofvirtue？Ah！shehadit:LadyHonoria！Whocouldbebetterforsuchapurposethanthecruellyinjuredwife？Butthenhowshouldshecommunicatethefactstoherladyshipwithoutinvolvingherself？Againshehituponadevicemuchfavouredbysuchpeople——“unvieuxtrucmaistoujoursbon“——thepristineoneofananonymousletter，whichhasthestartlingmeritofnotcommittinganybodytoanything。Ananonymousletter，toallappearancewrittenbyaservant:itwastheverything！MostlikelyitwouldresultinasearchinginquirybyLadyHonoria，inwhicheventElizabeth，ofcourseagainstherwill，wouldbeforcedtosaywhatsheknew;almostcertainlyitwouldresultinaquarrelbetweenhusbandandwife，whichmightinducetheformertoshowhishand，oreventotakesomeopenstepasregardsBeatrice。ShewassorryforGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnoillfeeling，butitcouldnotbehelped;hemustbesacrificed。
ThatveryeveningshewroteherletterandsentittobepostedbyanoldservantlivinginLondon。Itwasamaster-pieceinitsway，especiallyphonetically。Thispreciousepistle，whichwasmostexceedinglyillwritinalargecoarsehand，ranthus:
“MyLadi，——Myconsencedruvsmetoit，muchagainmywill。I’vetriedhard，myladi，nottospeek，firstacorseofmissB。asiheveknowedgoodandpeurandalsoforthesakesofyourevilusbandthatwulfinscheepscloathin。Butwhenithinkonyoumyladialorfullegelwifegudandvirtusandpeurandofthethingsasihevseenwhichisenuftobringablushtothefaceofastater，Iknowsitismyholydootytoriteyourladishippasfollers。YourladishippforgifmebutontheniteofwhittsundeylastMissB。Graingerwintaftermidniteintertheroomofyourbadusband——asIwastomishamthertose。Afterwardmorenoranhour，shecumoutainbeingcarred/inhisharmes/。Andifyourladishippdontbelievme，letyourladishippritetomisselizbeth，ashadthissamemisfortunetoseeasyourtrufrend，“TheRiter。”
InduecoursethischarmingcommunicationreachedLadyHonoria，bearingaLondonpost-mark。Shereadandre-readit，andsoonmastereditsmeaning。Then，afteranight’sthought，shetookthe“Riter’s“
adviceandwrotetoElizabeth，sendingheracopyoftheletterherown，vehementlyrepudiatingallbeliefinit，andaskingforareplythatshoulddissipatethisfoulslanderfromhermindforever。
Theanswercamebyreturn。Itwasshortandartful。
“DearLadyHonoriaBingham。”itran，“youmustforgivemeifI
declinetoanswerthequestionsinyourletter。Youwilleasilyunderstandthatbetweenadesiretopreserveasister’sreputationandanincapacitytobeappreciatedbyeveryChristiantospeakotherthanthetruth——itispossibleforapersontobeplacedinthemostcruelofpositions——apositionwhichIamsurewillcommandevenyoursympathy，thoughundersuchcircumstancesIhavelittlerighttoexpectanyfromawifebelievingherselftohavebeencruellywronged。Letmeaddthatnothingshortofthecompulsionofacourtoflawwillsufficetounsealmylipsastothedetailsofthecircumstanceswhichare，Itrust，misunderstoodalludedtointhemaliciousanonymousletterofwhichyouincloseacopy。”
Thatveryevening，astheFateswouldhaveit，LadyHonoriaandherhusbandhadaquarrel。Asusual，itwasaboutEffie，foronmostothersubjectstheypreservedanarmedneutrality。Itsdetailsneednotbeenteredinto，butatlastGeoffrey，whowasinasadlyirritableconditionofmind，fairlylosthistemper。
“Thefactis。”hesaid，“thatyouarenotfittolookafterthechild。
Youonlythinkofyourself，Honoria。”
Sheturnedonhimwithadangerouslookuponhercoldandhandsomeface。
“Becarefulwhatyousay，Geoffrey。ItisyouwhoarenotfittohavechargeofEffie。BecarefullestItakeherawayfromyoualtogether，asIcanifIlike。”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythatthreat？”heasked。
“Doyouwanttoknow？ThenIwilltellyou。Iunderstandenoughlawtobeawarethatawifecangetaseparationfromanunfaithfulhusband，andwhatismore，cantakeawayhischildren。”
“AgainIaskwhatyoumean。”saidGeoffrey，turningcoldwithanger。
“Imeanthis，Geoffrey。ThatWelshgirlisyourmistress。ShepassedthenightofWhit-Sundayinyourroom，andwascarriedfromitinyourarms。”
“Itisalie。”hesaid;“sheisnothingofthesort。Idonotknowwhogaveyouthisinformation，butitisaslanderouslie，andsomebodyshallsufferforit。”
“Nobodywillsufferforit，Geoffrey，becauseyouwillnotdaretostirthematterup——forthegirl’ssakeifnotforyourown。CanyoudenythatyouwereseencarryingherinyourarmsfromyourroomonWhit-Sundaynight？Canyoudenythatyouareinlovewithher？”
“AndsupposingthatIaminlovewithher，isittobewonderedat，seeinghowyoutreatmeandhavetreatedmeforyears？”heansweredfuriously。“Itisutterlyfalsetosaythatsheismymistress。”
“Youhavenotansweredmyquestion。”saidLadyHonoriawithasmileoftriumph。“Wereyouseencarryingthatwomaninyourarmsandfromyourroomatthedeadofnight？Ofcourseitmeantnothing，nothingatall。
Whowoulddaretoaspersethecharacterofthisperfect，lovely，andintellectualschoolmistress？Iamnotjealous，Geoffrey——“
“Ishouldthinknot，Honoria，seeinghowthingsare。”
“Iamnotjealous，Irepeat，butpleaseunderstandthatIwillnothavethisgoon，inyourowninterestsandmine。Why，whatafoolyoumustbe。Don’tyouknowthatamanwhohasrisen，asyouhave，hasahundredenemiesreadytospringonhimlikeapackofwolvesandtearhimtopieces？Whymanyevenofthosewhofawnuponyouandflatteryoutoyourface，hateyoubitterlyinsecret，becauseyouhavesucceededwheretheyhavefailed。Don’tyouknowalsothattherearepapershereinLondonwhichwouldgivehundredsofpoundsforthechanceofpublishingsuchascandalasthis，especiallyagainstapowerfulpoliticalopponent。Letitoncecomeoutthatthisobscuregirlisyourmistress——“
“Honoria，Itellyousheisnothingofthesort。ItistrueIcarriedherfrommyroominafaintingfit，butshecamethereinhersleep。”
LadyHonorialaughed。“Really，Geoffrey，Iwonderthatyouthinkitworthwhiletotellmesuchnonsense。Keepitforthedivorcecourt，ifeverwegetthere，andseewhatajurysaystoit。Lookhere;besensible。Iamnotamoralist，andIamnotgoingtoplaytheoutragedwifeunlessyouforcemetoit。Idonotmeantotakeanyfurthernoticeofthisinterestinglittletaleasagainstyou。Butifyougoonwithit，beware！Iwillnotbemadetolookafool。Ifyouaregoingtoberuinedyoucanberuinedbyyourself。Iwarnyoufrankly，thatatthefirstsignofit，Ishallputmyselfintherightbycommencingproceedingsagainstyou。Now，ofcourse，Iknowthis，thatintheeventofasmash，youwouldbegladenoughtoberidofmeinorderthatyoumightwelcomeyourdearBeatriceinmyplace。Buttherearetwothingstoremember:first，thatyoucouldnotmarryher，supposingyoutobeidiotenoughtowishtodoso，becauseIshouldonlygetajudicialseparation，andyouwouldstillhavetosupportme。Secondly，ifIgo，Effiegoeswithme，forIhavearighttoclaimheratlaw;andthatfact，mydearGeoffrey，makesmemistressofthesituation，becauseIdonotsupposethatyouwouldpartwithEffieevenforthesakeofMissBeatrice。AndnowIwillleaveyoutothinkitover。”
Andwithalittlenodshesailedoutoftheroom，completelyvictorious。Shewasindeed，reflectedGeoffrey，“mistressofthesituation。”Supposingthatshebroughtasuitagainsthimwherewouldhebe？Shemusthaveevidence，orshewouldnothaveknownthestory。
Thewholedramahadclearlybeenwitnessedbysomeone，probablyeitherbyElizabethortheservantgirl，andthatsomeonehadbetrayedittoHonoriaandpossiblytoothers。Thethoughtmadehimsick。Hewasamanoftheworld，andapracticallawyer，andthough，indeed，theywereinnocent，heknewthatunderthecircumstancesfewwouldbefoundtobelieveit。Attheverybesttheremustbeaterribleandshockingscandal，andBeatricewouldlosehergoodname。Heplacedhimselfinthepositionofcounselforthepetitionerinalikecase，andthoughthowhewouldcrushandcrumplesuchadefenceinhisaddresstothejury。Aprobabletaleforsooth！
Undoubtedly，too，Honoriawouldbeactingwiselyfromherpointofview。Publicsympathywouldbewithherthroughout。Heknewthat，asitwas，hewasbelievedgenerallytoowemuchofhissuccesstohishandsomeandhigh-bornwife。Nowitwouldbesaidthathehadusedherasaladderandthenthrownherover。Withallthis，however，hemightcope;hecouldevenbearwiththevulgarattacksofavulgarpress，andthegibesandjeersofhispoliticalandpersonalenemies，buttoloseEffiehecouldnotbear。Andifsuchacasewerebroughtagainsthimitwasalmostcertainthathewouldloseher，for，ifhewasworsted，custodyofthechildwouldbegiventotheinjuredwife。
ThentherewasBeatricetobeconsidered。ThesamemalicioustonguethathadrevealedthismattertoHonoriawouldprobablyrevealittotherestoftheworld，andevenifheescapedtheworstpenaltiesofoutragedmorality，theywouldcertainlybewreakeduponher。
Beatrice’sreputationwouldbeblasted，heremploymentlost，andherlifemadeaburdentoher。Yes，decidedly，Honoriahadthebestoftheposition;decidedly，also，shespokewordsofweightandcommonsense。
Whatwastobedone？Wastherenowayoutofit？AllthatnightasGeoffreysatintheHouse，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，andtoappearanceintentlylisteningtothelongharanguesoftheOpposition，thisquestionhauntedhim。Hearguedthesituationoutthiswayandthatway，tillatthelasthecametoaconclusion。Eitherhemustwaitforthescandaltoleakout，letBeatriceberuined，anddirecthiseffortstothesofteningofHonoria，andgenerallytoself-
preservation，orhemusttakethebullbythehorns，mustabandonhisgreatcareerandhiscountryandseekrefugeinanotherland，sayAmerica，takingBeatriceandEffiewithhim。Oncethechildwasoutofthejurisdiction，ofcoursenocourtcouldforceherfromhim。
Ofthetwocourses，eveninsofarashehimselfwasconcerned，whatbetweentheurgencyofthematterandtheunceasingpressureofhispassion，Geoffreyinclinedtothelatter。TherelationsbetweenhimselfandHonoriahadforyearsbeensostrained，sototallydifferentfromthosewhichshouldexistbetweenmanandwife，thattheygreatlymitigatedinhismindtheapparentiniquityofsuchastep。Norwouldhefeelmuchcompunctionatremovingthechildfromhermother，fortherewasnolovelostbetweenthetwo，andastimewentonheguessedshrewdlytherewouldbelessandless。Fortherest，hehadsomeseventeenthousandpoundsinhand;hewouldtakehalfandleaveHonoriahalf。Heknewthathecouldalwaysearnalivingwhereverhewent，andprobablymuchmorethanaliving，andofwhateverheearnedastrictmoietyshouldbepaidtoHonoria。Butfirstandaboveeverything，therewasBeatricetobeconsidered。Shemustbesaved，evenifheruinedhimselftosaveher。
LadyHonoria，itisscarcelynecessarytosay，hadlittleideathatshewasdrivingherhusbandtosuchdangerousanddeterminedcouncils。
ShewantedtofrightenGeoffrey，nottolosehimandallhemeanttoher;thiswasthelastthingthatshewouldwishtodo。ShedidnotgreatlycareabouttheBeatriceincident，buthershrewdcommonsensetoldherthatitmightwellbeusedasanenginetoruinthemall。
Thereforeshespokeasshedidspeak，thoughinrealitymatterswouldhavetobebadindeedbeforeshesoughttheaidofacourtoflaw，wheremanythingsconcerningherselfmightcometothelightofdaywhichshewouldprefertoleaveindarkness。
Nordidshestophere;shedeterminedtoattackGeoffrey’spositioninanotherway，namely，throughBeatriceherself。ForalongtimeHonoriahesitatedastothemethodofthisattack。Shehadsomeknowledgeoftheworldandofcharacter，andfromwhatsheknewofBeatriceshecametothesoundconclusionthatshewasnotawomantobethreatened，butratheronetobeappealedto。Soaftermuchthoughtshewrotetoherthus:——
“Astory，whichIstillhesitatetobelieve，hascometomebymeansofanonymousletters，astoyourconductwithmyhusband。I
donotwishtorepeatitnow，furtherthantosaythat，iftrue，itestablishescircumstanceswhichleavenodoubtastotheexistenceofrelationssointimatebetweenyouastoamounttoguilt。Itmaynotbetrueoritmay，inwhichlattereventIwishtosaythis:WithyourmoralityIhavenothingtodo;itisyouraffair。NordoIwishtopleadtoyouasaninjuredwifeortoreproachyou，fortherearethingstoowickedformerereproach。
ButIwillsaythis:ifthestoryistrue，Imustpresumethatyouhavesomeaffectionforthepartnerofyourshame。Iputmyselfoutofthequestion，andinthenameofthataffection，howeverguiltyitmaybe，Iaskyoutopushmattersnofurther。Todosowillbetobringitsobjecttoutterruin。/Ifyoucareforhim，severallconnectionwithhimutterlyandforever。/Otherwisehewilllivetocurseandhateyou。Shouldyouneglectthisadvice，andshouldthefactsthatIhaveheardbecomepublicproperty，I
warnyou，asIhavealreadywarnedhim，thatinself-preservationandforthesakeofself-respect，Ishallbeforcedtoappealtothelawformyremedy。Rememberthathiscareerisatstake，andthatinlosingitandmehewilllosealsohischild。Rememberthatifthiscomesaboutitwillbethrough/you/。Donotanswerthis，itwilldonogood，forIshallnaturallyputnofaithinyourprotestations，butifyouareinanywayormeasureguiltyofthisoffence，appealingtoyouasonewomantoanother，andforthesakeofthemanwhoisdeartoboth，Isaydoyourbesttoredeemtheevil，/bymakingallfurthercommunicationbetweenyourselfandhimanimpossibility/。H。B。”
Itwasacleverletter;LadyHonoriacouldnothavedevisedonemorepowerfultoworkonawomanlikeBeatrice。ThesamepostthattookittohertookanotherfromGeoffreyhimself。Itwaslong，thoughguarded，andneednotbequotedinitsentirety，butitputthewholepositionbeforeherinsomewhatveiledlanguage，andendedbysaying，“MarriageIcannotgiveyou，onlylife-longlove。Inothercircumstancestoofferthiswouldbeaninsult，butifthingsshouldbeasaIfear，itisworthyourconsideration。Idonotsaytoyou/come/，Isaycome/ifyouwish/。No，Beatrice，Iwillnotputthiscruelburdenofdecisionuponyou。Isay/come！/Idonotcommandyoutocome，becauseIpromisedtoleaveyouuninfluenced。ButIprayyoutodoso。Letusputanendtothiswretchedness，andcounttheworldwelllostasourpriceoflove。Come，dearestBeatrice——toleavemenomoretilldeath。Iputmylifeinyourhands;ifyoutakeitup，whatevertroubleyoumayhavetoface，youwillneverlosemyaffectionoresteem。Donotthinkofme，thinkofyourself。Youhavegivenmeyourloveasyouoncegavememylife。Iowesomethinginreturn;Icannotseeyoushamedandmakenoofferofreparation。
Indeed，sofarasIamconcerned，IshallthinkallIloseasnothingcomparedtowhatIgainingainingyou。Willyoucome？Ifso，wewillleavethiscountryandbeginafreshelsewhere。Afterall，itmatterslittle，andwillmatterlesswheneverythingissaidanddone。Mylifehasforyearsbeenbutasanunwholesomedream。Theonerealthing，theonehappythingthatIhavefoundinithasbeenourlove。Donotletusthrowitaway，Beatrice。”
Byreturnofposthereceivedthisanswerwritteninpencil。
“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”
Thatwasall。
CHAPTERXXV
ELIZABETHSHOWSHERTEETH
HardhadbeenBeatrice’shourssincethatgreymorningofseparation。
Shemustbearalltheinnerwretchednessofherlot;shemustconcealhergrief，mustsuffertheslingsandarrowsofElizabeth’ssharptongue，andstrivetokeepOwenDaviesatadistance。Indeed，asthedayswenton，thislasttaskgrewmoreandmoreportentous。Themanwasquiteunmanageable;hispassion，whichwashumiliatingandhatefultoBeatrice，becamethetalkoftheplace。Everybodyknewofit，exceptherfather，andevenhiseyesbegantobeopened。
Onenight——itwasthesameuponwhichGeoffreyandHonoriarespectivelyhadpostedtheirletterstoBeatrice——anybodylookingintothelittleroomatBryngellyCastle，whichserveditsownerforallpurposesexceptthatofsleeping，wouldhavewitnessedaverystrangesight。OwenDavieswaswalkingtoandfro——walkingrapidlywithwildeyesanddishevelledhair。Attheturnofeachlengthoftheapartmenthewouldhalt，andthrowinghisarmsintotheairejaculate:
“Oh，God，hearme，andgivememydesire！Oh，God，answerme！“
Fortwolonghoursthushewalkedandthuscriedaloud，tillatlengthhesankpantingandexhaustedintoachair。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，andappearedtolistenintently。
“TheVoice。”hesaidaloud;“theVoiceagain。Whatdoesitsay？
To-morrow，to-morrowImustspeak;andIshallwinher。”
Hesprangupwithashout，andoncemorebeganhiswildmarch。“Oh，Beatrice！“hesaid，“to-morrowyouwillpromisetomarryme;theVoicesaysso，andsoon，soon，perhapsinoneshortmonth，youwillbemyown——mineonly！GeoffreyBinghamshallnotcomebetweenusthen，forI
willwatchyoudayandnight。Youshallbemyvery，veryown——myownbeautifulBeatrice。”andhestretchedouthisarmsandclaspedattheemptyair——acrazyandunpleasantsighttosee。
Andsohewalkedandspoketillthedawnwasgreyintheeast。ThisoccurredontheFridaynight。ItwasonthefollowingmorningthatBeatrice，theunfortunateandinnocentobjectoftheseamorousinvocations，receivedthetwoletters。Shehadgonetothepost-officeonherwaytotheschool，onthechanceoftherebeinganotefromGeoffrey。Poorwoman，hislettersweretheonebrightthinginherlife。Frommotivesofprudencetheywerewrittenintheusualsemi-
formalstyle，butshewasquicktoreadbetweenthelines，and，moreover，theycamefromhisdearhand。
Therewasthelettersureenough，andanotherinawoman’swriting。
SherecognisedthehandasthatofLadyHonoria，whichshehadoftenseenonenvelopesdirectedtoGeoffrey，andathrilloffearshotthroughher。Shetooktheletters，andwalkingasquicklyasshecouldtotheschool，lockedherselfinherownlittleroom，foritwasnotyetnineo’clock，andlookedatthemwithagatheringterror。Whatwasinthem？WhydidLadyHonoriawritetoher？Whichshouldshereadfirst？InamomentBeatricehadmadeuphermind。Shewouldfacetheworstatonce。WithasetfacesheopenedLadyHonoria’sletter，unfoldedit，andread。Wealreadyknowitscontents。Ashermindgraspedthemherlipsgrewashywhite，andbythetimethatthehorriblethingwasdoneshewasnightofainting。
Anonymousletters！oh，whocouldhavedonethiscruelthing？
Elizabeth，itmustbeElizabeth，whosaweverything，andthusstabbedherintheback。Wasitpossiblethatherownsistercouldtreatherso？SheknewthatElizabethdislikedher;shecouldneverfathomthecause，stillsheknewthefact。Butifthiswereherdoing，thenshemusthateher，andmostbitterly;andwhathadshedonetoearnsuchhate？AndnowGeoffreywasindangeronheraccount，dangerofruin，andhowcouldshepreventit？Thiswasherfirstidea。Mostpeoplemighthaveturnedtotheirownpositionandbeencontenttoleavetheirlovertofighthisownbattle。ButBeatricethoughtlittleofherself。Hewasindanger，andhowcouldsheprotecthim？Whyhereintheletterwastheanswer！“Ifyoucareforhimseverallconnectionwithhimutterly，andforever。Otherwise，hewilllivetocurseandhateyou。”No，no！Geoffreywouldneverdothat。ButLadyHonoriawasquiteright;inhisinterest，forhissake，shemustseverallconnectionwithhim——severitutterlyandforever。Buthow——how？
Shethrusttheletterintoherdress——aviperwouldhavebeenamorewelcomeguest——andopenedGeoffrey’s。
Ittoldthesametale，butofferedadifferentsolution。Thetearsstartedtohereyesasshereadhisoffertotakehertohimforgoodandall，andgoawaywithhertobeginlifeafresh。ItseemedawonderfulthingtoBeatricethatheshouldbewillingtosacrificesomuchuponsuchaworthlessaltarasherlove——awonderfulandmostgenerousthing。Shepressedthesenselesspapertoherheart，thenkisseditagainandagain。Butsheneverthoughtofyieldingtothisgreattemptation，neverforonesecond。Heprayedhertocome，butthatshewouldnotdowhileherwillremained。What，/she/bringGeoffreytoruin？No，shehadratherstarveinthestreetsorperishbyslowtorture。Howcouldheeverthinkthatshewouldconsenttosuchascheme？Indeedsheneverwould;shehadbroughtenoughtroubleonhimalready。Butoh，sheblessedhimforthatletter。Howdeeplymustheloveherwhenhecouldoffertodothisforhersake！
Hark！thechildrenwerewaiting;shemustgoandteach。Theletter，Geoffrey’sdearletter，couldbeansweredintheafternoon。Soshethrustitinherbreastwiththeother，butclosertoherheart，andwent。
ThatafternoonasMr。Granger，inahappyframeofmind——forwerenothisdebtspaid，andhadhenotfoundamostconvenientwayofprovidingagainstfutureembarrassment？——wasengagedpeaceablyincontemplatinghisstockoverthegateofhislittlefarmbuildings，hewasmuchastonishedsuddenlytodiscoverOwenDaviesathiselbow。
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Davies？”hesaid;“howquietlyyoumusthavecome。”
“Yes。”answeredOwenabsently。“Thefactis，IhavefollowedyoubecauseIwanttospeaktoyoualone——quitealone。”
“Indeed，Mr。Davies——well，Iamatyourservice。Whatiswrong？Youdon’tlookverywell。”
“Oh，Iamquitewell，thankyou。Ineverwasbetter;andthere’snothingwrong，nothingatall。Everythingisgoingtobebrightnow，I
knowthatfullsurely。”
“Indeed。”saidMr。Granger，againlookingathimwithapuzzledair，“andwhatmayyouwanttoseemeabout？NotbutwhatIamalwaysatyourservice，asyouknow。”headdedapologetically。
“This。”heanswered，suddenlyseizingtheclergymanbythecoatinawaythatmadehimstart。
“What——mycoat，doyoumean？”
“Don’tbesofoolish，Mr。Granger。No，aboutBeatrice。”
“Oh。indeed，Mr。Davies。Nothingwrongattheschool，Ihope？Ithinkthatshedoesherdutiestothesatisfactionofthecommittee，thoughIadmitthatthearithmetic——“
“No！no，no！Itisnotabouttheschool。Idon’twishhertogototheschoolanymore。Iloveher，Mr。Granger，Iloveherdearly，andI
wanttomarryher。”
Theoldmanflushedwithpleasure。Wasitpossible？Didheheararight？OwenDavies，therichestmaninthatpartofWales，wantedtomarryhisdaughter，whohadnothingbutherbeauty。Itmustbetoogoodtobetrue！
“Iamindeedflattered。”hesaid。“Itismorethanshecouldexpect——
notbutwhatBeatriceisverygood-lookingandveryclever。”headdedhastily，fearinglesthewasdetractingfromhisdaughter’smarketvalue。
“Good-looking——clever;sheisanangel。”murmuredOwen。
“Oh，yes，ofcoursesheis。”saidherfather，“thatis，ifawoman——
yes，ofcourse——andwhatismore，Ithinkshe’sveryfondofyou。I
thinksheispiningforyou。I’vethoughsoforalongtime。”
“Isshe？”saidOwenanxiously。“ThenallIhavetosayisthatshetakesaverycuriouswayofshowingit。Shewon’tsayawordtome;
sheputsmeoffoneveryoccasion。Butitwillbeallrightnow——allrightnow。”
“Oh，there，there，Mr。Davies，maidswillbemaidsuntiltheyarewives。Weknowaboutallthat。”saidMr。Grangersententiously。
Hiswould-beson-in-lawlookedasthoughheknewverylittleaboutitindeed，althoughtheinferencewassufficientlyobvious。
“Mr。Granger。”hesaid，seizinghishand，“IwanttomakeBeatricemywife——Idoindeed。”
“Well，Ididnotsupposeotherwise，Mr。Davies。”
“IfyouhelpmeinthisIwilldowhateveryoulikeastomoneymattersandthatsortofthing，youknow。SheshallhaveasfineasettlementasanywomaninWales。Iknowthatgoesalongwaywithafather，andIshallraisenodifficulties。”
“Veryrightandproper，Iamsure。”saidMr。Granger，adoptingaloftiertoneashediscoveredtheadvantagesofhisposition。“ButofcourseonsuchmattersIshalltaketheadviceofalawyer。IdaresaythatMr。Binghamwouldadviseme。”headded，“asafriendofthefamily，youknow。Heisaverycleverlawyer，and，besides，hewouldn’tchargeanything。”
“Oh，no，notMr。Bingham。”answeredOwenanxiously。“Iwilldoanythingyoulike，orifyouwishtohavealawyerI’llpaythebillmyself。Butnevermindaboutthatnow。LetussettleitwithBeatricefirst。Comealongatonce。”
“Eh，buthadn’tyoubetterarrangethatpartofthebusinessprivately？”
“No，no。ShealwayssnubsmewhenItrytospeaktoheralone。Youhadbetterbethere，andMissElizabethtoo，ifshelikes。Iwon’tspeaktoheragainalone。IwillspeaktoherinthefaceofGodandman，asGoddirectedmetodo，andthenitwillbeallright——Iknowitwill。”
Mr。Grangerstaredathim。Hewasaclergymanofaverypracticalsort，anddidnotquiteseewhatthePowerabovehadtodowithOwenDavies’smatrimonialintentions。
“Ah，well。”hesaid，“Iseewhatyoumean;marriagesaremadeinheaven;yes，ofcourse。Well，ifyouwanttogetonwiththematter，I
daresaythatweshallfindBeatricein。”
SotheywalkedbacktotheVicarage，Mr。Grangerexultantandyetperplexed，foritstruckhimthattherewassomethingalittleoddabouttheproceeding，andOwenDaviesinsilenceormutteringoccasionallytohimself。
Inthesitting-roomtheyfoundElizabeth。
“WhereisBeatrice？”askedherfather。
“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered，andatthatmomentBeatrice，paleandtroubled，walkedintotheroom，likealambtotheslaughter。
“Ah，Beatrice。”saidherfather，“wewerejustaskingforyou。”
Sheglancedround，andwiththequickwitofahumananimal，instantlyperceivedthatsomenewdangerthreatenedher。
“Indeed。”shesaid，sinkingintoachairinanaccessoffeeblenessbornoffear。“Whatisit，father？”
Mr。GrangerlookedatOwenDaviesandthentookasteptowardsthedoor。Itstruckhimforciblythatthissceneshouldbeprivatetothetwopersonsprincipallyconcerned。
“Don’tgo。”saidOwenDaviesexcitedly，“don’tgo，eitherofyou;whatIhavetosayhadbetterbesaidbeforeyouboth。Ishouldliketosayitbeforethewholeworld;tocryitfromthemountaintops。”
Elizabethglaredathimfiercely——glaredfirstathimandthenattheinnocentBeatrice。Couldhebegoingtoproposetoher，then？Ah，whyhadshehesitated？Whyhadshenottoldhimthewholetruthbefore？
ButtheheartofBeatrice，whosatmomentarilyexpectingtobepubliclydenounced，greweverfainter。Thewatersofdesolationwereclosinginoverhersoul。
Mr。Grangersatdownfirmlyandworkedhimselfintotheseatofhischair，asthoughtosecureanadditionalfixednessoftenure。
Elizabethsetherteeth，andleanedherelbowonthetable，holdingherhandsoastoshadeherface。Beatricedroopeduponherseatlikeafadinglily，oraprisonerinthedock。Shewasoppositetothem，andOwenDavies，hisfacealightwithwildenthusiasm，stoodupandaddressedthemalllikethecounselfortheprosecution。
“Lastautumn。”hebegan，speakingtoMr。Granger，whomighthavebeenajudgeuncertainastothemeritsofthecase，“IaskedyourdaughterBeatricetomarryme。”
Beatricegaveasigh，andcollectedherscatteredenergies。Thestormhadburstatlast，andshemustfaceit。
“Iaskedhertomarryme，andshetoldmetowaitayear。IhavewaitedaslongasIcould，butIcouldnotwaitthewholeyear。Ihaveprayedagreatdeal，andIambiddentospeak。”
Elizabethmadeagestureofimpatience。Shewasapersonofstrongcommonsense，andthismixtureofreligionanderoticismdisgustedher。Shealsoknowthatthestormhadburst，andthat/she/mustfaceit。
“SoIcometotellyouthatIloveyourdaughterBeatrice，andwanttomakehermywife。Ihaveneverlovedanybodyelse，butIhavelovedherforyears;andIaskyourconsent。”
“Veryflattering，veryflattering，Iamsure，especiallyinthesehardtimes。”saidMr。Grangerapologetically，shakinghisthinhairdownoverhisforehead，andthenrumplingitupagain。“Butyousee，Mr。
Davies，youdon’twanttomarryme“hereBeatricesmiledfaintly——
“youwanttomarrymydaughter，soyouhadbetteraskherdirect——atleastIsupposeso。”
Elizabethmadeamovementasthoughtospeak，thenchangedhermindandlistened。
“Beatrice。”saidOwenDavies，“youhear。Iaskyoutomarryme。”
Therewasapause。Beatrice，whohadsatquitesilent，wasgatheringupherstrengthtoanswer。Elizabeth，watchingherfrombeneathherhand，thoughtthatshereaduponherfaceirresolution，softeningintoconsent。Whatshereallysawwasbutdoubtastothefittestandmostcertainmannerofrefusal。LikelightningitflashedintoElizabeth’smindthatshemuststrikenow，orholdherhandforever。IfonceBeatricespokethatfatal“yes。”herrevelationsmightbeofnoavail。
AndBeatricewouldspeakit;shewassureshewould。Itwasagoldenroadoutofhertroubles。
“Stop！“saidElizabethinashrill，hardvoice。“Stop！Imustspeak;
itismydutyasaChristian。Imusttellthetruth。Icannotallowanhonestmantobedeceived。”
Therewasanawfulpause。Beatricebrokeit。Nowshesawallthetruth，andknewwhatwasathand。Sheplacedherhanduponherhearttostillitsbeating。
“Oh，Elizabeth。”shesaid，“inourdeadmother’sname——“andshestopped。
“Yes。”answeredhersister，“inourdeadmother’sname，whichyouhavedishonoured，Iwilldoit。Listen，OwenDavies，andfather:Beatrice，whositsthere“——andshepointedatherwithherthinhand——“/Beatriceisascarletwoman！/“
“Ireallydon’tunderstand。”gaspedMr。Granger，whileOwenlookedroundwildly，andBeatricesunkherheaduponherbreast。
“ThenIwillexplain。”saidElizabeth，stillpointingathersister。
“SheisGeoffreyBingham’s/mistress/。OnthenightofWhit-Sundaylastsherosefrombedandwentintohisroomatoneinthemorning。I
sawherwithmyowneyes。Afterwardsshewasbroughtbacktoherbedinhisarms——Isawitwithmyowneyes，andIheardhimkissher。”
ThiswasapieceofembroideryonElizabeth’spart。“Sheishislover，andhasbeeninlovewithhimformonths。Itellyouthis，OwenDavies，because，thoughIcannotbeartobringdisgraceuponournameandtodefilemylipswithsuchatale，neithercanIbearthatyoushouldmarryagirl，believinghertobegood，whensheiswhatBeatriceis。”
“ThenIwishtoGodthatyouhadheldyourwickedtongue。”saidMr。
Grangerfiercely。
“No，father。Ihaveadutytoperform，andIwillperformitatanycost，andhowevermuchitpainsme。YouknowthatwhatIsayistrue。
YouheardthenoiseonthenightofWhit-Sunday，andgotuptoseewhatitwas。Yousawthewhitefigureinthepassage——itwasGeoffreyBinghamwithBeatriceinhisarms。Ah！wellmayshehangherhead。Letherdenyifitshecan。Letherdenythatsheloveshimtohershame，andthatshewasaloneinhisroomonthatnight。”
ThenBeatriceroseandspoke。Shewaspaleasdeathandmorebeautifulinhershameandherdespairthanevershehadbeenbefore;hergloriouseyesshone，andthereweredeepblacklinesbeneaththem。
“Myheartismyown。”shesaid，“andIwillmakenoanswertoyouaboutit。Thinkwhatyouwill。Fortherest，itisnottrue。IamnotwhatElizabethtellsyouthatIam。Iam/not/GeoffreyBingham’smistress。ItistruethatIwasinhisroomthatnight，anditistruethathecarriedmebacktomyown。ButitwasinmysleepthatIwentthere，notofmyownfreewill。Iawokethere，andfaintedwhenI
woke，andthenatonceheboremeback。”
Elizabethlaughedshrillandloud——itsoundedlikethecackleofafiend。
“Inhersleep。”shesaid;“oh，shewentthereinhersleep！“
“Yes，Elizabeth，inmysleep。Youdonotbelieveme，butitistrue。
Youdonotwishtobelieveme。Youwishtobringthesisterwhomyoushouldlove，whohasneveroffendedagainstyoubyactorword，toutterdisgraceandruin。InyourcowardlyspiteyouhavewrittenanonymousletterstoLadyHonoriaBingham，toprevailuponhertostriketheblowthatshoulddestroyherhusbandandmyself，andwhenyoufearthatthishasfailed，youcomeforwardandopenlyaccuseus。
YoudothisinthenameofChristianduty;inthenameofloveandcharity，youbelievetheworst，andseektoruinus。Shameonyou，Elizabeth！shameonyou！andmaythesamemeasurethatyouhavemetedouttomeneverbepaidbacktoyou。Wearenolongersisters。
Whateverhappens，Ihavedonewithyou。Goyourways。”
Elizabethshrankandquailedbeneathhersister’sscorn。Evenhervenomoushatredcouldnotbearupagainsttheflashofthoseroyaleyes，andthemajestyofthatoutragedinnocence。Shegaspedandbitherliptillthebloodstarted，butshesaidnothing。
ThenBeatriceturnedtoherfather，andspokeinanotherandapleadingvoice，stretchingoutherarmstowardshim。
“Oh，father。”shesaid，“atleasttellmethat/you/believeme。
ThoughyoumaythinkthatImightlovetoallextremes，surely，havingknownmesomanyyears，youcannotthinkthatIwouldlieevenformylove’ssake。”
Theoldmanlookedwildlyround，andshookhishead。