“Inhisroomandinhisarms。”hesaid。“Isawit，itseems。You，too，whohaveneverbeenknowntowalkinyoursleepfromachild;andyouwillnotsaythatyoudonotlovehim——thescoundrel。ItiswickedofElizabeth——jealousybitterasthegrave。Itiswickedofhertotellthetale;butasitistold，howcanIsaythatIdonotbelieveit？”
ThenBeatrice，hercupbeingfull，oncemoredroppedherhead，andturnedtogo。
“Stop。”saidOwenDaviesinahoarsevoice，andspeakingforthefirsttime。“Hearwhat/I/havetosay。”
Sheliftedhereyes。“Withyou，Mr。Davies，Ihavenothingtodo;Iamnotanswerabletoyou。Goandhelpyouraccomplice。”andshepointedtoElizabeth，“tocrythisscandaloverthewholeworld。”
“Stop。”hesaidagain。“Iwillspeak。Ibelievethatitistrue。I
believethatyouareGeoffreyBingham’smistress，cursehim！butIdonotcare。Iamstillwillingtomarryyou。”
Elizabethgasped。Wasthistobetheendofherscheming？Wouldtheblindpassionofthismadmanprevailoverherrevelations，andBeatricestillbecomehisrichandhonouredwife，whileshewasleftpooranddisgraced？Oh，itwasmonstrous！Oh，shehadneverdreamedofthis！“
“Noble，noble！“murmuredMr。Granger;“noble！Godblessyou！“
Sothepositionwasnotaltogetherbeyondrecovery。Hiserringdaughtermightstillbesplendidlymarried;hemightstilllookforwardtopeaceandwealthinhisoldage。
OnlyBeatricesmiledfaintly。
“Ithankyou。”shesaid。“Iammuchhonoured，butIcouldneverhavemarriedyoubecauseIdonotloveyou。YoumustunderstandmeverylittleifyouthinkthatIshouldbethemorereadytodosoonaccountofthedangerinwhichIstand。”andsheceased。
“Listen，Beatrice。”Owenwenton，anevillightshiningonhisheavyface，whileElizabethsatastounded，scarcelyabletobelieveherears。“Iwantyou，andImeantomarryyou;youaremoretomethanalltheworld。Icangiveyoueverything，andyouhadbetteryieldtome，andyoushallhearnomoreofthis。Butifyouwon’t，thenthisiswhatIwilldo。Iwillberevengeduponyou——terriblyrevenged。”
Beatriceshookherheadandsmiledagain，asthoughtobidhimdohisworst。
“Andlook，Beatrice。”hewenton，waxingalmosteloquentinhisjealousdespair，“Ihaveanotherargumenttourgeonyou。Iwillnotonlyberevengedonyou，Iwillberevengeduponyourlover——onthisGeoffreyBingham。”
“/Oh！/“saidBeatricesharply，likeoneinpain。Hehadfoundthewaytomovehernow，andwiththecunningofsemi-madnesshedrovethepointhome。
“Yes，youmaystart——Iwill。ItellyouthatIwillneverresttillI
haveruinedhim，andIamrichandcandoit。Ihaveahundredthousandpounds，thatIwillspendondoingit。Ihavenothingtofear，exceptanactionforlibel。Oh，Iamnotafool，thoughyouthinkIam，Iknow。Well，Icanpayforadozenactions。TherearepapersinLondonthatwillbegladtopublishallthis——yes，thewholestory——withplansandpicturestoo。Justthink，Beatrice，whatitwillbewhenallEngland——yes，andalltheworld——isgloatingoveryourshame，andhalf-a-dozenprintsareusingthethingforpartypurposes，clamouringforthedisgraceofthemanwhoruinedyou，andwhomyouwillruin。Hehasafinecareer;itshallbeutterlydestroyed。ByGod！Iwillhunthimtohisgrave，unlessyoupromisetomarryme，Beatrice。Dothat，andnotawordofthisshallbesaid。Nowanswer。”
Mr。Grangersankbackinhischair;thissavageplayofhumanpassionswasaltogetherbeyondhisexperience——itoverwhelmedhim。AsforElizabeth，shebitherthinfingers，andglaredfromonetotheother。
“Hereckonswithoutme。”shethought。“Hereckonswithoutme——Iwillmarryhimyet。”
ButBeatriceleantforamomentagainstthewallandshuthereyestothink。Oh，shesawitall——thegreatposterswithhernameandGeoffrey’sonthem，theshamelesspicturesofherinhisarms，thesickeningdetails，thelettersoftheoutragedmatrons，the“Mothersoften。”andthemoral-mindedcolonels——all，all！SheheardtheprurientscreamofeverymaleElizabethinEngland;theallusionsintheHouse——thejeers，thebitterattacksofenemiesandrivals。ThenLadyHonoriawouldbeginhersuit，anditwouldallbedraggedupafresh，andGeoffrey’sfaultwouldbeoneverylip，tillhewas/ruined/。Forherselfshedidnotcare;butcouldshebringthisononewhoseonlycrimewasthatshehadlearnedtolovehim？No，no;butneithercouldshemarrythishatefulman。Andyetwhatescapewasthere？Sheflungherselfuponherwoman’swit，anditdidnotfailher。Inafewsecondsshehadthoughtitalloutandmadeuphermind。
“HowcanIansweryouatamoment’snotice，Mr。Davies？”shesaid。“I
musthavetimetothinkitover。Tothreatensuchrevengeuponmeisnotmanly，butIknowthatyouloveme，andthereforeIexcuseit。
Still，Imusthavetime。Iamconfused。”
“What，anotheryear？No，no。”hesaid。“Youmustanswer。”
“Idonotaskayearoramonth。Ionlyaskforoneweek。Ifyouwillnotgivemethat，thenIwilldefyyou，andyoumaydoyourworst。I
cannotanswernow。”
Thiswasaboldstroke，butittold。Mr。Davieshesitated。
“Givethegirlaweek。”saidherfathertohim。“Sheisnotherself。”
“Verywell;oneweek，nomore。”saidhe。
“Ihaveanotherstipulationtomake。”saidBeatrice，“Youarealltosweartomethatforthatweeknowordofthiswillpassyourmouths;
thatforthatweekIshallnotbeannoyedorinterferedwith，orspokentoonthesubject，notbyoneofyou。IfattheendofitI
stillrefusetoacceptyourterms，youcandoyourworst，buttillthenyoumustholdyourhand。”
OwenDavieshesitated;hewassuspicious。
“Remember。”Beatricewenton，raisinghervoice，“Iamadesperatewoman。Imayturnatbay，anddosomethingwhichyoudonotexpect，andthatwillbeverylittletotheadvantageofanyofyou。Doyouswear？”
“Yes。”saidOwenDavies。
ThenBeatricelookedatElizabeth，andElizabethlookedather。Shesawthatthematterhadtakenanewform。Shesawwhatherjealousfollyhadhithertohiddenfromher——thatBeatricedidnotmeantomarryOwenDavies，thatshewasmerelygainingtimetoexecutesomepurposeofherown。WhatthismightbeElizabethcaredlittlesothatitdidnotutterlyextinguishchancesthatatthemomentseemedfaintenough。Shedidnotwanttopushmattersagainsthersister，orherloverGeoffrey，beyondtheboundaryofherowninterests。Beatriceshouldhaveherweek，andbefreefromallinterferencesofarasshewasconcerned。Sherealisednowthatitwastoolatehowgreathadbeenhererror。Oh，ifonlyshehadsoughtBeatrice’sconfidenceatfirst！Butithadseemedtoherimpossiblethatshewouldreallythrowawaysuchanopportunityinlife。
“CertainlyIpromise，Beatrice。”shesaidmildly。“Idonotswear，for’swearnotatall，’youknow。IonlydidwhatIthoughtmydutyinwarningMr。Davies。Ifhechoosestogoonwiththematter，itisnoaffairofmine。Ihadnowishtohurtyou，orMr。Bingham。Iactedsolelyfrommyreligiousconvictions。”
“Oh，stoptalkingreligion，Elizabeth，andpractiseitalittlemore！“
saidherfather，foronceinhislifestirredoutofhisfeebleselfishness。“Wehaveallundertakentokeepourmouthssealedforthisweek。”
ThenBeatricelefttheroom，andafterherwentOwenDavieswithoutanotherword。
“Elizabeth。”saidherfather，rising，“youareawickedwoman！Whatdidyoudothisfor？”
“Doyouwanttoknow，father？”shesaidcoolly;“thenIwilltellyou。
BecauseImeantomarryOwenDaviesmyself。Wemustalllookafterourselvesinthisworld，youknow;andthatisamaximwhichyouneverforget，forone。Imeantomarryhim;andthoughIseemtohavefailed，marryhimIwill，yet！Andnowyouknowallaboutit;andifyouarenotafool，youwillholdyourtongueandletmebe！“andshewentalso，leavinghimalone。
Mr。Grangerhelduphishandsinastonishment。Hewasaselfish，money-seekingoldman，buthefeltthathedidnotdeservetohavesuchadaughterasthis。
CHAPTERXXVI
WHATBEATRICESWORE
Beatricewenttoherroom，buttheatmosphereoftheplaceseemedtostifleher。Herbrainwasreeling，shemustgooutintotheair——awayfromhertormentors。ShehadnotyetansweredGeoffrey’sletter，anditmustbeansweredbythispost，fortherewasnoneonSunday。Itwashalf-pastfour——thepostwentoutatfive;ifshewasgoingtowrite，sheshoulddosoatonce，butshecouldnotdosohere。Besides，shemustfindtimeforthought。Ah，shehadit;shewouldtakehercanoeandpaddleacrossthebaytothelittletownofCoedandwriteherletterthere。ThepostdidnotleaveCoedtillhalf-pastsix。Sheputonherhatandjacket，andtakingastamp，asheetofpaper，andanenvelopewithher，slippedquietlyfromthehousedowntooldEdward’sboat-housewherethecanoewaskept。OldEdwardwasnottherehimself，buthissonwas，aboyoffourteen，andbyhishelpBeatricewassoonsafelylaunched。Theseaglitteredlikeglass，andturningsouthwards，presentlyshewaspaddlingroundtheshoreoftheislandonwhichtheCastlestoodtowardstheopenbay。
Asshepaddledhermindcleared，andshewasabletoconsidertheposition。Itwasbadenough。Shesawnolight，darknesshemmedherin。
Butatleastshehadaweekbeforeher，andmeanwhilewhatshouldshewritetoGeoffrey？
Then，asshethought，agreattemptationassailedBeatrice，andforthefirsttimeherresolutionwavered。WhyshouldshenotacceptGeoffrey’sofferandgoawaywithhim——farawayfromallthismisery？
Gladlywouldshegiveherlifetospendoneshortyearathisdearside。Shehadbuttosaytheword，andhewouldtakehertohim，andinamonthfromnowtheywouldbetogetherinsomeforeignland，countingtheworldwelllost，ashehadsaid。DoubtlessintimeLadyHonoriawouldgetadivorce，andtheymightbemarried。Adaymightevencomewhenallthiswouldseemlikeaforgottennightofstormandfear;when，surroundedbythechildrenoftheirlove，theywouldwendpeaceably，happily，throughtheeveningoftheirdaystowardsabournerobbedofhalfitsterrorsbythefactthattheywouldcrossithand-
in-hand。
Oh，thatwouldbewellforher;butwoulditbewellforhim？Whenthefirstmonthsofpassionhadpassedby，wouldhenotbegintothinkofallthathehadthrownawayforthesakeofawoman’slove？Wouldnottheburstofshameandobloquywhichwouldfollowhimtotheremotestcornersoftheearthwearawayhisaffection，tillatlast，asLadyHonoriasaid，helearnedtocurseandhateher。Andifitdidnot——ifhestilllovedherthroughitall——as，beingwhathewas，hewellmightdo——couldshebetheonetobringthisruinonhim？Oh，itwouldhavebeenmorekindtolethimdrownonthatnightofthestorm，whenfatefirstbroughtthemtogethertotheirundoing。
No，no;onceandforall，onceandforever，shewould/not/doit。
Cruelaswasherstrait，heavyaswasherburden，notonefeather’sweightofitshouldhecarry，ifbyanymeansinherpoorpowershecouldholditfromhisback。Shewouldnoteventellhimofwhathadhappened——atanyrate，notnow。Itwoulddistresshim;hemighttakesomedesperatestep;itwasalmostcertainthathewoulddoso。Heranswermustbeveryshort。
ShewasquiteclosetoCoednow，andthewaterlaycalmasapond。Socalmwasitthatshedrewthesheetofpaperandtheenvelopefromherpocket，andleaningforward，restedthemonthearchedcoveringofthecanoe，andpencilledthosewordswhichwehavealreadyread。
“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”
Thusshewrote。Thenshepaddledtotheshore。Afishermanstandingonthebeachcaughthercanoeandpulleditup。Leavingitinhischarge，shewentintothequaintlittletown，directedandpostedherletter，andboughtsomewool。Itwasanexcuseforhavingbeenthereshouldanyoneaskquestions。Afterthatshereturnedtohercanoe。Thefishermanwasstandingbyit。Sheofferedhimsixpenceforhistrouble，buthewouldnottakeit。
“No，miss。”hesaid，“thankingyoukindly——butwedon’toftengetapeepatsuchsweetlooks。It’sworthsixpencetoseeyou，itis。But，miss，ifImaymakesoboldastosayso，itisn’tsafeforyoutocruiseaboutinthatcraft，anywaysnotalone。”
Beatricethankedhimandblushedalittle。Vaguelyitoccurredtoherthatshemusthavemorethanacommonshareofbeauty，whenaroughmancouldbesoimpressedwithit。Thatwaswhatmenlovedwomenfor，theirbeauty，asOwenDavieslovedanddesiredherforthissamecauseandthisonly。
PerhapsitwasthesamewithGeoffrey——no，shedidnotbelieveit。Helovedherforotherthingsbesidesherlooks。Onlyifshehadnotbeenbeautiful，perhapshewouldnothavebeguntoloveher，soshewasthankfulforhereyesandhair，andform。
Couldfollyandinfatuationgofurther？Thiswomaninthedarkesthourofherbottomlessandunhorizoneddespair，withconsciencegnawingatherheart，withpresentmiserypressingonherbreast，andshametocomehangingoverherlikeathundercloud，couldyetfeelthankfulthatshehadwonthisbarrenlove，thespringofallherwoe。Orwasherfollydeepwisdomindisguise？——istheresomethingdivineinapassionthatcansooverrideanddefytheworstagoniesoflife？
Shewasatseaagainnow，andeveningwasfallingonthewaterssoftlyasadream。Well，theletterwasposted。Woulditbethelast，shewondered？Itseemedasthoughshemustwritenomoreletters。Andwhatwastobedone？Shewould/not/marryOwenDavies——neverwouldshedoit。Shecouldnotsoshamelesslyviolateherfeelings，forBeatricewasawomantowhomdeathwouldbepreferabletodishonour，howeverlegal。No，forherownsakeshewouldnotbesoiledwiththatdisgrace。Didshedothis，shewouldholdherselfthevilestofthevile。AndstilllesswouldshedoitforGeoffrey’ssake。Herinstincttoldherwhathewouldfeelatsuchathing，thoughhemightneversayaword。Surelyhewouldloatheanddespiseher。No，thatideawasdonewith——utterlydonewith。
Thenwhatremainedtoher？ShewouldnotflywithGeoffrey，sincetodosowouldbetoruinhim。ShewouldnotmarryOwen，andnottodosowouldstillbetoruinGeoffrey。Shewasnofool，shewasinnocentinact，butsheknewthatherinnocencewouldindeedbehardtoprove——
evenherownfatherdidnotbelieveinit，andhersisterwouldopenlyaccusehertotheworld。Whatthenshouldshedo？Shouldshehideherselfinsomeremotehalf-civilisedplace，orinLondon？Itwasimpossible;shehadnomoney，andnomeansofgettingany。Besides，theywouldhuntherout，bothOwenDaviesandGeoffreywouldtrackhertothefurthestlimitsoftheearth。AndwouldnottheformerthinkthatGeoffreyhadspiritedheraway，andatonceputhisthreatsintoexecution？Obviouslyhewould。Therewasnohopeinthatdirection。
Someotherplanmustbefoundorherloverwouldstillberuined。
SoarguedBeatrice，stillthinkingnotofherself，butofGeoffrey，ofthatbelovedonewhowasmoretoherthanalltheworld，more，athousandtimes，thanherownsafetyorwell-being。Perhapssheoverratedthematter。OwenDavies，LadyHonoria，andevenElizabethmighthavedonealltheythreatened;thefirstofthem，perhapsthefirsttwoofthem，certainlywouldhavedoneso。ButstillGeoffreymighthaveescapeddestruction。Publicopinion，orthesounderpartofit，issensiblyenoughhardtomoveinsuchamatter，especiallywhenthepersonsaidtohavebeenwrongedisheartandsoulonthesideofhimwhoissaidtohavewrongedher。
Moreovertheremighthavebeenwaysoutofit，ofwhichsheknewnothing。Butsurroundedasshewasbythreateningpowers——byLadyHonoriathreateningactionsintheCourtsononeside，byOwenDaviesthreateningexposureonanother，byElizabethreadyandwillingtogivethemostdamningevidenceonthethird，toBeatricetheworstconsequencesseemedanabsolutelynecessarysequence。Thentherewasherownconsciencearrayedagainsther。Thisparticularchargewasalie，butitwasnotaliethatshelovedGeoffrey，andtoherthetwothingsseemedverymuchthesamething。Herswasnotamindtodrawfinedistinctionsinsuchmatters。/Seposuitutculpabilem/:she“placedherselfasguilty。”astheoldCourtrollsputitinmiserableLatin，andthissenseofguiltdisarmedher。Shedidnotrealisetheenormousdifferencerecognisedbythewholecivilisedworldbetweenthoughtandact，betweendisposingmindandinculpatingdeed。Beatricelookedatthequestionmorefromthescripturalpointofview，rememberingthatintheBiblesuchfinedivisionsareexpresslystatedtobedistinctionswithoutadifference。
HadshegonetoGeoffreyandtoldhimherwholestoryitisprobablethathewouldhavedefiedtheconspiracy，faceditout，andpossiblycomeoffvictorious。But，withthatdeadlyreticenceofwhichwomenalonearecapable，thisshedidnotandwouldnotdo。Sweetlovingwomanthatshewas，shewouldnotburdenhimwithhersorrows，shewouldbearthemalone——littlereckoningthattherebyshewaslayingupafar，farheavierloadforhimtocarrythroughallhisdays。
SoBeatriceacceptedthestatementsoftheplaintiff’sattorneyforgospeltruth，andfromthatfalsestandpointshedrewherauguries。
Oh，shewasweary！Howlovelywasthefallingnight，seehowitbroodedontheseas！andhowclearwerethewaters——thereafishpassedbyherpaddle——andtherethefirststartsprangintothesky！
IfonlyGeoffreywereheretoseeitwithher。Geoffrey！shehadlosthim;shewasaloneintheworldnow——alonewiththeseaandthestars。
Well，theywerebetterthanmen——betterthanallmenexceptone。
Theirswasadivinecompanionship，anditsoothedher。Ah，howhatefulhadbeenElizabeth’sface，morehatefuleventhanthehalf-crazedcunningofOwenDavies，whenshestretchedherhandtowardsherandcalledher“ascarletwoman。”ItwassolikeElizabeth，thismixingupofBibletermswithheraccusation。Andafterallperhapsitwastrue——
Whatwasit，“Thoughthysinsbeasscarlet，yetshalltheybewhiteassnow。”Butthatwasonlyifonerepented。Shedidnotrepent，notintheleast。Conscience，itistrue，reproachedherwithabreachoftemporalandhumanlaw，butherheartcriedthatsuchloveasshehadgivenwasimmortalanddivine，andthereforesetbeyondthelittleboundsoftimeandman。Atanyrate，shelovedGeoffreyandwasproudandgladtolovehim。Thecircumstanceswereunfortunate，butshedidnotmaketheworldoritssocialarrangementsanymorethanshehadmadeherself，andshecouldnothelpthat。Thefactremained，rightorwrong——shelovedhim，lovedhim！
Howclearwerethewaters！Whatwasthatwilddreamwhichshehaddreamtaboutherselfsittingatthebottomofthesea，andwaitingforhim——tillatlasthecame。Sittingatthebottomofthesea——whydiditstrikehersostrangely——whatunfamiliarthoughtdiditwakeninhermind？Well，andwhynot？Itwouldbepleasantthere，betteratanyratethanontheearth。Butthingscannotbeendedso;oneisburdenedwiththeflesh，andonemustwearittillitfails。Whymustshewearit？Wasnotthesealargeenoughtohideherbones？Looknow，shehadbuttoslipovertheedgeofthecanoe，slipwithoutastruggleintothosemightyarms，andinafewshortminutesitwouldallbedoneandgone！
Shegaspedasthethoughtstruckhome。/Here/wastheanswertoherquestionings，thesameanswerthatisgiventoeveryhumantroubling，toallearthlyhopesandfearsandstrivings。Onestrokeofthatblackknifeandeverythingwouldbelostorfound。WoulditbesogreatathingtogiveherlifeforGeoffrey？——whyshehadwellnighdoneasmuchwhenshehadknownhimbutanhour，andnowthathewasallinall，oh，woulditbesogreatathing？Ifshedied——diedsecretly，swiftly，surely——Geoffreywouldbesaved;theywouldnottroublehimthen，therewouldbenoonetotroubleabout:OwenDaviescouldnotmarryherthen，Geoffreycouldnotruinhimselfoverher，Elizabethcouldpursuehernofurther。ItwouldbewelltodothisthingforGeoffrey，andhewouldalwaysloveher，andbeyondthatblackcurtaintheremightbesomethingbetter。
Theysaidthatitwassin。Yes，itmightbesintoactthusforoneselfalone。Buttodoitforanother——howofthat！WasnottheSaviourwhomtheypreachedaManofSacrifice？WoulditbeasininhertodieforGeoffrey，tosacrificeherselfthatGeoffreymightgofree？
Oh，itwouldbenogreatmerit。Herlifewasnotsoeasythatsheshouldfearthispureembrace。Itwouldbebetter，farbetter，thantomarryOwenDavies，thantodesecratetheirloveandteachGeoffreytodespiseher。Andhowelsecouldshewardthistroublefromhimexceptbyherdeath，orbyamarriagethatinhereyeswasmoredreadfulthananydeath？
Shecouldnotdoityet。Shecouldnotdieuntilshehadoncemoreseenhisface，eventhoughhedidnotseehers。No，notto-nightwouldsheseekthisswiftsolution。Shehadwordstosay——orwordstowrite——beforetheend。Alreadytheyrushedinuponhermind！
Butifnobetterplanpresenteditselfshewoulddoit，shewassurethatshewould。Itwasasin——well，letitbeasin;whatdidshecareifshesinnedforGeoffrey？Hewouldnotthinktheworseofherforit。Andshehadhope，yes，Geoffreyhadtaughthertohope。IftherewasaHell，whyitwashere。AndyetnotallaHell，forinitshehadfoundherlove！
Itgrewdark;shecouldhearthewhisperofthewavesuponBryngellybeach。Itgrewdark;thenightwasclosinground。Shepaddledtowithinafewfathomsoftheshore，andcalledinherclearvoice。
“Ay，ay，miss。”answeredoldEdwardfromthebeach。“Comeinonthenextwave。”
Shecameinaccordinglyandhercanoewascaughtanddraggedhighanddry。
“What，MissBeatrice。”saidtheoldmanshakinghisheadandgrumbling，“atitagain！Outallaloneinthatthing。”andhegavethecanoeacontemptuouskick，“andinthedark，too。Youwantahusbandtolookafteryou，youdo。You’llneverresttillyou’redrowned。”
“No，Edward。”sheansweredwithalittlelaugh。“Idon’tsupposethatIshall。Thereisnopeaceforthewickedaboveseas，youknow。Nowdonotscold。Thecanoeisassafeaschurchinthisweatherandinthebay。”
“Oh，yes，it’ssafeenoughinthecalmandthebay。”heanswered，“butsupposingitshouldcomeontoblowandsupposingyoushoulddriftbeyondtheshelterofRumballPointthere，andgettherollersdownonyou——whyyouwouldbedrownedinfiveminutes。It’swicked，miss，that’swhatitis。”
Beatricelaughedagainandwent。
“She’safunnyonesheis。”saidtheoldmanscratchinghisheadashelookedafterher，“ofallthewomanfolkaseverIknowedsheistherummest。Isometimesthinksshewantstogetdrowned。DashmeifI
haven’thalfamindtostaveaholeinthebottomofthattheredamnedcanoe，andfinishit。”
Beatricereachedhomealittlebeforesuppertime。HerfirstactwastocallBettytheservantandwithherassistancetoshiftherbedandthingsintothespareroom。WithElizabethshewouldhavenothingmoretodo。Theyhadslepttogethersincetheywerechildren，nowshehaddonewithher。Thenshewentintosupper，andsatthroughitlikeastatue，speakingnoword。HerfatherandElizabethkeptupastrainedconversation，buttheydidnotspeaktoher，norshetothem。
Elizabethdidnotevenaskwhereshehadbeen，nortakeanynoticeofherchangeofroom。
Onething，however，Beatricelearnt。HerfatherwasgoingontheMondaytoHerefordbyanearlytraintoattendameetingofclergymencollectedtodiscussthetithequestion。HewastoreturnbythelasttrainontheTuesdaynight，thatis，aboutmidnight。BeatricenowdiscoveredthatElizabethproposedtoaccompanyhim。Evidentlyshewishedtoseeaslittleaspossibleofhersisterduringthisweekoftruce——possiblyshewasalittleafraidofher。EvenElizabethmighthaveaconscience。
SosheshouldbeleftalonefromMondaymorningtillTuesdaynight。
Onecandoagooddealinfortyhours。
AftersupperBeatriceroseandlefttheroom，withoutaword，andtheyweregladwhenshewent。Shefrightenedthemwithhersetfaceandgreatcalmeyes。Butneitherspoketotheotheronthesubject。Theyhadenteredintoaconspiracyofsilence。
Beatricelockedherdoorandthensatatthewindowlostinthought。
Whenoncetheideaofsuicidehasenteredtheminditisapttogrowwithstartlingrapidity。Shereviewedthewholeposition;shewentoveralltheargumentsandsearchedthemoralhorizonforsomefeasibleavenueofescape。ButshecouldfindnonethatwouldsaveGeoffrey，exceptthis。Yes，shewoulddoit，asmanyanotherwretchedwomanhaddonebeforeher，notfromcowardiceindeed，forhadshealonebeenconcernedshewouldhavefacedthethingout，fightingtothebitterend——butforthisreasononly，itwouldcutoffthedangerswhichthreatenedGeoffreyattheirveryrootandsource。Ofcoursetheremustbenoscandal;itmustneverbeknownthatshehadkilledherself，orshemightdefeatherownobject，forthestorywouldberakedup。Butshewellknewhowtoavoidsuchapossibility;inherextremityBeatricegrewcunningasafox。Yes，andtheremightbeaninquestatwhichawkwardquestionswouldbeasked。But，asshewellknewalso，beforeaninquestcanbeheldtheremustbesomethingtoholditon，andthatsomethingwouldnotbethere。
AndsointheuttersilenceofthenightandinthelonelinessofherchamberdidBeatricededicateherselftosacrificeuponthealtarofherimmeasurablelove。ShewouldfacethelastagoniesofdeathwhenthebloomofheryouthfulstrengthandbeautywasbutopeningasaroseinJune。Shewoulddomore，shewouldbravethethreatenedvengeanceofthemostHigh，comingbeforeHimaselfmurderess，andwithbutonepleaforpity——thatshelovedsowell:/quiamultumamavit/。Yes，shewoulddoallthis，wouldleavethewarmworldinthedawningsummerofherdays，andalonegooutintothedark——alonewouldfacethosevisionswhichmightcome——thoseShapesofterror，andthoseThingsoffear，thatperchancemaywaitforsinfulhumankind。
Aloneshewouldgo——oh，handinhandwithhimithadbeeneasy，butthismustnotbe。Thedoorofutterdarknesswouldswingtobehindher，andwhocouldsayifintimetocomeitshouldopentoGeoffrey’sfollowingfeet，orifhemighteverfindthepaththatshehadtrod。
Itmustbedone，itshouldbedone！Beatricerosefromherseatwithbrighteyesandquick-comingbreath，andsworebeforeGod，ifGodtherewere，thatshewoulddoit，trustingtoHimforpardonandforpity，orfailingthese——forsleep。
Yes，butfirstshemustoncemorelookuponGeoffrey’sdearface——andthenfarewell！
Pityher！poormistakenwoman，makingofherwillaProvidence，rushingtodoom。Pityher，butdonotblameherovermuch，orifyoudo，thenblameJudithandJephtha’sdaughterandCharlotteCorday，andallthegloriouswomenwhofromtimetotimehaverisenonthissordidworldofself，andgiventhemselvesasanofferinguponthealtarsoftheirlove，theirreligion，theirhonourortheircountry！
Itwasfinished。Nowletherrestwhileshecould，seeingwhatwastocome。Withasighforallthatwas，andallthatmighthavebeen，Beatricelaydownandsoonsleptsweetlyasachild。
CHAPTERXXVII
THEHOUSEOFCOMMONS
NextdaywasSunday。Beatricedidnotgotochurch。Foronething，shefearedtoseeOwenDaviesthere。ButshetookherSundayschoolclassasusual，andlongdidthechildrenrememberhowkindandpatientshewaswiththemthatday，andhowbeautifullyshetoldthemthestoryoftheJewishgirloflongago，whowentforthtodieforthesakeofherfather’soath。
Nearlyalltherestofthedayandeveningshespentinwritingthatwhichweshallreadintime——onlyinthelateafternoonshewentoutforalittlewhileinhercanoe。AnotherthingBeatricedidalso:shecalledatthelodgingofherassistant，theheadschoolteacher，andtoldheritwaspossiblethatshewouldnotbeinherplaceontheTuesdayMondaywas，asitchanced，aholiday。Ifanybodyinquiredastoherabsence，perhapsshewouldkindlytellthemthatMissGrangerhadanappointmenttokeep，andhadtakenamorning’sholidayinordertodoso。Sheshould，however，bebackthatafternoon。Theteacherassentedwithoutsuspicion，remarkingthatifBeatricecouldnottakeamorning’sholiday，shewassureshedidnotknowwhocould。
Nextmorningtheybreakfastedveryearly，becauseMr。GrangerandElizabethhadtocatchthetrain。Beatricesatthroughthemealinsilence，hercalmeyeslookingstraightbeforeher，andtheothers，gazingonthem，andatthelovelyinscrutableface，feltanindefinablefearcreepintotheirhearts。Whatdidthiswomanmeantodo？Thatwasthequestiontheyaskedofthemselves，thoughnotofeachother。Thatshemeanttodosomethingtheyweresure，fortherewaspurposewrittenoneverylineofhercoldface。
Suddenly，astheysatthinking，andmakingpretencetoeat，athoughtflashedlikeanarrowintoBeatrice’sheart，andpiercedit。Thiswasthelastmealthattheycouldevertaketogether，thiswasthelasttimethatshecouldeverseeherfather’sandhersister’sfaces。Forhersister，well，itmightpass——fortherearesomethingswhichevenawomanlikeBeatricecanneverquiteforgive——butshelovedherfather。Shelovedhisveryfaults，evenhissimpleavariceandself-
seekinghadbecomeendearedtoherbylongandwonderingcontemplation。Besides，hewasherfather;hegaveherthelifeshewasabouttocastaway。Andsheshouldneverseehimmore。Notonthataccountdidshehesitateinherpurpose，whichwasnowsetinhermind，likeBryngellyCastleonitsrock，butatthethoughttearsrushedunbiddentohereyes。
Justthenbreakfastcametoanend，andElizabethhurriedfromtheroomtofetchherbonnet。
“Father。”saidBeatrice，“ifyoucanbeforeyougo，IshouldliketohearyousaythatyoudonotbelievethatItoldyouwhatwasfalse——
aboutthatstory。”
“Eh，eh！“answeredtheoldmannervously，“Ithoughtthatwehadagreedtosaynothingaboutthematteratpresent。”
“Yes，butIshouldliketohearyousayit，father。ItcutsmethatyoushouldthinkthatIwouldlietoyou，forinmylifeIhaveneverwilfullytoldyouwhatwasnottrue;“andsheclaspedherhandsabouthisarms，andlookedintohisface。
Hegazedatherdoubtfully。Wasitpossibleafterallshewasspeakingthetruth？No;itwasnotpossible。
“Ican’t，Beatrice。”hesaid——“notthatIblameyouovermuchfortryingtodefendyourself;acorneredratwillshowfight。”
“Mayyouneverregretthosewords。”shesaid;“andnowgood-bye。”andshekissedhimontheforehead。
AtthismomentElizabethentered，sayingthatitwastimetostart，andhedidnotreturnthekiss。
“Good-bye，Elizabeth。”saidBeatrice，stretchingoutherhand。ButElizabethaffectednottoseeit，andinanothermomenttheyweregone。Shefollowedthemtothegateandwatchedthemtilltheyvanisheddowntheroad。Thenshereturned，herheartstrainedalmosttobursting。Butsheweptnotear。
ThusdidBeatricebidalastfarewelltoherfatherandhersister。
“Elizabeth。”saidMr。Granger，astheydrewneartothestation，“IamnoteasyinmythoughtsaboutBeatrice。Therewassuchastrangelookinhereyes;it——inshort，itfrightensme。IhavehalfamindtogiveupHereford，andgoback。”andhestoppedupontheroad，hesitating。
“Asyoulike。”saidElizabethwithasneer，“butIshouldthinkthatBeatriceisbigenoughandbadenoughtolookafterherself。”
“BeforetheGodwhomadeus。”saidtheoldmanfuriously，andstrikingthegroundwithhisstick，“shemaybebad，butsheisnotsobadasyouwhobetrayedher。IfBeatriceisaMagdalene，youareawomanJudas;andIbelievethatyouhateher，andwouldbegladtoseeherdead。”
Elizabethmadenoanswer。Theywerenearingthestation，forherfatherhadstartedonagain，andtherewerepeopleabout。Butshelookedathim，andheneverforgotthelook。Itwasquiteenoughtochillhimintosilence，nordidhealludetothematteranymore。
Whentheyweregone，Beatricesetaboutherownpreparations。HerwildpurposewastotraveltoLondon，andcatchaglimpseofGeoffrey’sfaceintheHouseofCommons，ifpossible，andthenreturn。Sheputonherbonnetandbestdress;thelatterwasveryplainlymadeofsimplegreycloth，butonheritlookedwellenough，andinthebreastofitshethrusttheletterwhichshehadwrittenonthepreviousday。A
smallhand-bag，withsomesandwichesandabrushandcombinit，andacloak，madeupthetotalofherbaggage。
Thetrain，whichdidnotstopatBryngelly，leftCoedatten，andCoedwasanhourandahalf’swalk。Shemustbestarting。Ofcourse，shewouldhavetobeabsentforthenight，andshewassorelypuzzledhowtoaccountforherabsencetoBetty，theservantgirl;theothersbeinggonetherewasnoneedtodosotoanybodyelse。Butherefortunebefriendedher。Whileshewasthinkingthematterover，whoshouldcomeinbutBettyherself，crying。Shehadjustheard，shesaid，thatherlittlesister，wholivedwiththeirmotheratavillageabouttenmilesaway，hadbeenknockeddownbyacartandbadlyhurt。
Mightshegohomeforthenight？Shecouldcomebackonthemorrow，andMissBeatricecouldgetsomebodyintosleepifshewaslonesome。
Beatricesympathised，demurred，andconsented，andBettystartedatonce。Assoonasshewasgone，Beatricelockedupthehouse，putthekeyinherpocket，andstartedonherfivemiles’tramp。Nobodysawherleavethehouse，andshepassedbyapathatthebackofthevillage，sothatnobodysawherontheroad。ReachingCoedStationquiteunobserved，andjustbeforethetrainwasdue，sheletdownherveil，andtookathird-classtickettoLondon。Thisshewasobligedtodo，forherstockofmoneywasverysmall;itamounted，altogether，tothirty-sixshillings，ofwhichthefaretoLondonandbackwouldcosthertwenty-eightandfourpence。
Inanotherminuteshehadenteredanemptycarriage，andthetrainhadsteamedaway。
ShereachedPaddingtonabouteightthatnight，andgoingtotherefreshmentroom，dinedonsometeaandbreadandbutter。Thenshewashedherhands，brushedherhair，andstarted。
BeatricehadneverbeeninLondonbefore，andassoonassheleftthestationtherushandroarofthehugecitytookholdofher，andconfusedher。HerideawastowalktotheHousesofParliamentatWestminster。Shewould，shethought，besuretoseeGeoffreythere，becauseshehadboughtadailypaperinwhichshehadreadthathewastobeoneofthespeakersinagreatdebateontheIrishQuestion，whichwastobebroughttoaclosethatnight。ShehadbeentoldbyafriendlyportertofollowPraedStreettillshereachedtheEdgwareRoad，thentowalkontotheMarbleArch，andaskagain。Beatricefollowedthefirstpartofthisprogramme——thatis，shewalkedasfarastheEdgwareRoad。Thenitwasthatconfusionseizedherandshestoodhesitating。Atthisjuncture，acoarsebruteofamancameupandmadesomeremarktoher。ItwasimpossibleforawomanlikeBeatricetowalkaloneinthestreetsofLondonatnight，withoutrunningtheriskofsuchattentions。Sheturnedfromhim，andasshedidso，heardhimsaysomethingaboutherbeautytoafellowArcadian。
Closetowhereshewasstoodtwohansomcabs。ShewenttothefirstandaskedthedriverforhowmuchhewouldtakehertotheHouseofCommons。
“Twobob，miss。”heanswered。
Beatriceshookherhead，andturnedtogoagain。Shewasafraidtospendsomuchoncabs，forshemustgetbacktoBryngelly。
“I’lltakeyerforeighteenpence，miss。”calledouttheotherdriver。
Thisoffershewasabouttoacceptwhenthefirstmaninterposed。
“Youleavemyfarealone，willyer？Tellyerwhat，miss，I’magentleman，Iam，andI’lltakeyerforabob。”
Shesmiledandenteredthecab。Thencameawhirlofgreatgas-litthoroughfares，andinaquarterofanhourtheypulledupattheentrancetotheHouse。Beatricepaidthecabmanhisshilling，thankedhim，andentered，onlyoncemoretofindherselfconfusedwithavisionofwhitestatues，marblefloors，higharchingroofs，andhurryingpeople。Anautomaticpolicemanaskedherwhatshewanted。
BeatriceansweredthatshewishedtogetintotheHouse。
“Passthisway，then，miss——passthisway。”saidtheautomaticofficerinavoiceofbrass。Shepassed，andpassed，andfinallyfoundherselfinalobby，amongacrowdofpeopleofallsorts——seedypoliticaltouts，Irishpriestsandhurryingpress-men。Atonesideofthelobbyweremorepolicemenandmessengers，whowerecontinuallytakingcardsintotheHouse，thenreturningandcallingoutnames。Insensiblyshedriftedtowardsthesepolicemen。
“Ladies’Gallery，miss？”saidavoice;“yourorder，please，thoughI
thinkit’sfull。”
Herewasafreshcomplication。Beatricehadnoorder。Shehadnoideathatonewasnecessary。
“Ihaven’tgotanorder。”shesaidfaintly。“IdidnotknowthatI
musthaveone。CanInotgetinwithout？”
“Mostcertainly/not/，miss。”answeredthevoice，whileitsowner，suspectingdynamite，surveyedherwithacoldofficialeye。“Nowmakeway，makeway，please。”
Beatrice’sgreyeyesfilledwithtears，assheturnedtogoinbitternessofheart。Soallherlabourwasinvain，andthatwhichwouldbedonemustbedonewithoutthemutefarewellshesought。Well，whensorrowwassomuch，whatmatteredalittlemore？Sheturnedtogo，butnotunobserved。AcertainratheryouthfulMemberofParliament，withaneyeforbeautyindistress，hadbeenstandingclosetoher，talkingtoaconstituent。Theconstituenthaddepartedtowhereverconstituentsgo——andmanyrepresentatives，ifasked，wouldcheerfullypointoutalocalitysuitabletothegenus，atleastintheirjudgment——andthememberhadoverheardtheconversationandseenBeatrice’seyesfillwithtears。“Whatalovelywoman！“hehadsaidtohimself，andthendidwhatheshouldhavedone，namely，liftedhishatandinquiredif，asamemberoftheHouse，hecouldbeofanyservicetoher。Beatricelistened，andexplainedthatshewasparticularlyanxioustogetintotheLadies’Gallery。
“IthinkthatIcanhelpyou，then。”hesaid。“Asithappensalady，forwhomIgotanorder，hastelegraphedtosaythatshecannotcome。
Willyoufollowme？MightIaskyoutogivemeyourname？”
“Mrs。Everston。”answeredBeatrice，takingthefirstthatcameintoherhead。Thememberlookedalittledisappointed。Hehadvaguelyhopedthatthislovelycreaturewasunappropriated。Surelyhermarriagecouldnotbesatisfactory，orshewouldnotlooksosad。
Thencamemorestairsandpassages，andformalities，tillpresentlyBeatricefoundherselfinakindofbird-cage，crowdedtosuffocationwitheverysortoflady。
“I’mafraid——Iamverymuchafraid——“beganhernew-foundfriend，surveyingthemasswithdismay。
Butatthatmoment，astoutladyinfrontfeelingfaintwiththeheat，wasforcedtoleavetheGallery，andalmostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，Beatricewasinstalledinherplace。Herfriendhadbowedandvanished，andshewaslefttoallpurposesalone，forsheneverheededthoseabouther，thoughsomeofthemlookedatherhardenough，wonderingatherformandbeauty，andwhoshemightbe。
ShecasthereyedownoverthecrowdedHouse，andsawavisionofhats，collars，andlegs，andheardatumultofsounds:thesharpvoiceofaspeakerwhowasrapidlylosinghistemper，theplauditsoftheGovernmentbenches，theinterruptionsfromtheOpposition——yes，evenyells，andhoots，andnoises，thatremindedherremotelyofthecrowingofcocks。Possiblyhadshethoughtofit，Beatricewouldnothavebeengreatlyimpressedwiththedignityofanassembly，atthedoorsofwhichsomanyofitsmembersseemedtoleavetheirmanners，withtheirovercoatsandsticks;itmightevenhavesuggestedtheideaofabeargardentohermind。Butshesimplydidnotthinkaboutit。
ShesearchedtheHousekeenlyenough，butitwastofindoneface，andoneonly——Ah！therehewas。
AndnowtheHouseofCommonsmightvanishintothebottomlessabyss，andtakewithittheHouseofLords，andwhatremainedoftheBritishConstitution，andshewouldnevermissthem。For，atthebestoftimes，Beatrice——incommonwithmostofhersex——inallgratitudebeitsaid，was/not/anardentpolitician。
ThereGeoffreysat，hisarmsfolded——thehatpushedslightlyfromhisforehead，sothatshecouldseehisface。Therewasherownbeloved，whomshehadcomesofartosee，andwhomto-morrowshewoulddaresomuchtosave。Howsadhelooked——hedidnotseemtobepayingmuchattentiontowhatwasgoingon。Sheknewwellenoughthathewasthinkingofher;shecouldfeelitinherheadasshehadoftenfeltitbefore。Butshedarednotlethermindgoouttohiminanswer，for，ifonceshedidso，sheknewalsothathewoulddiscoverher。Soshesat，andfedhereyesuponhisface，takingherfarewellofit，whileroundher，andbeneathher，thehumoftheHousewenton，aseverpresentandasunnoticedasthehumofbeesuponasummernoon。
Presentlythegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoher，satdowninthenextseattoGeoffrey，andbegantowhispertohim，ashedidsoglancingonceortwicetowardsthegratingbehindwhichshewas。Sheguessedthathewastellinghimthestoryoftheladywhowassounaccountablyanxioustohearthedebate，andhowprettyshewas。ButitdidnotseemtointerestGeoffreymuch，andBeatricewasfeminineenoughtonoticeit，andtobegladofit。Inhergentlejealousy，shedidnotliketothinkofGeoffreyasbeinginterestedinaccountsofmysteriousladies，howeverpretty。
Atlengthaspeakerrose——sheunderstoodfromthemurmurofthosearoundherthathewasoneoftheleadersoftheOpposition，andcommencedapowerfulandbitterspeech。ShenoticedthatGeoffreyrousedhimselfatthispoint，andbegantolistenwithattention。
“Look。”saidoneoftheladiesnearher，“Mr。Binghamistakingnotes。
Heisgoingtospeaknext——hespeakswonderfully，youknow。TheysaythatheisasgoodasanybodyintheHouse，exceptGladstone，andLordRandolph。”
“Oh！“answeredanotherlady。“LadyHonoriaisnothere，isshe？I
don’tseeher。”
“No。”repliedthefirst;“sheisadearcreature，andsohandsometoo——justthewifeforarisingman——butIdon’tthinkthatshetakesmuchinterestinpolitics。Arenotherdinnerscharming？”
Atthismoment，avolleyofapplausefromtheOppositionbenchesdrownedthemurmuredconversation。
Thisspeakerspokeforaboutthree-quartersofanhour，andthenatlastGeoffreystoodup。Oneortwoothermembersroseatthesametime，butultimatelytheygaveway。
Hebeganslowly——andsomewhattamely，asitseemedtoBeatrice，whoseheartwasinhermouth——butwhenhehadbeenspeakingforaboutfiveminutes，hewarmedup。AndthenbeganoneofthemostremarkableoratoricaldisplaysofthatParliament。Geoffreyhadspokenwellbefore，andwouldspeakwellagain，butperhapsheneverspokesowellashediduponthatnight。FornearlyanhourandahalfheheldtheHouseinchains，eventhehootsandinterruptionsdiedawaytowardstheendofhisoration。Hispowerfulpresenceseemedtotowerintheplace，likethatofagiantamongpigmies，andhisdark，handsomeface，litwiththefiresofeloquence，shonelikealamp。Heleanedforwardwithaslightstoopofhisbroadshoulders，andaddressedhimself，nominallytotheSpeaker，butreallytotheOpposition。Hetooktheirfactsonebyone，andwithconvincinglogicshowedthattheywerenofacts;amidahissofangerhepulverisedtheirargumentsanddemonstratedtheirmotives。Thensuddenlyhedroppedthemaltogether，andaddressinghimselftotheHouseatlarge，andthecountrybeyondtheHouse，hestruckanothernote，andbrokeoutintothatstormofpatrioticeloquencewhichconfirmedhisgrowingreputation，bothinParliamentandintheconstituencies。
Beatriceshuthereyesandlistenedtothedeep，richvoiceasitrosefromheighttoheightandpowertopower，tillthewholeplaceseemedfullofit，andeverycontendingsoundwashushed。
Suddenly，afteraninvocationthatwouldhavebeenpassionatehaditnotbeensorestrainedandstrong，hestopped。Sheopenedhereyesandlooked。Geoffreywasseatedasbefore，withhishaton。Hehadbeenspeakingforanhourandahalf，andyet，toher，itseemedbutafewminutessinceherose。Thenbrokeoutavolleyofcheers，inthemidstofwhichaleaderoftheOppositionrosetoreply，notintheverybestoftempers，forGeoffrey’sspeechhadhitthemhard。
Hebegan，however，bycomplimentingthehonourablememberonhisspeech，“asfineaspeechashehadlistenedtoformanyyears，though，unfortunately，madefromamistakenstandpointandthewrongsideoftheHouse。”ThenhetwittedtheGovernmentwithnothavingsecuredtheservicesofamansoinfinitelyablerthanthemajorityoftheir“items。”andexcitedagooddealofamusementbystating，withsomesarcastichumour，that，shoulditeverbehislottooccupythefrontTreasurybench，heshouldcertainlymakeacertainproposaltothehonourablemember。Afterthisgood-naturedbadinage，hedriftedoffintotheconsiderationofthequestionunderdiscussion，andBeatricepaidnofurtherattentiontohim，butoccupiedherselfinwatchingGeoffreydropbackintothesameapparentstateofcoldindifference，fromwhichthenecessityofactionhadarousedhim。
Presentlythegentlemanwhohadfoundhertheseatcameupandspoketoher，askingherhowshewasgettingon。VerysoonhebegantospeakofGeoffrey’sspeech，sayingthatitwasoneofthemostbrilliantofthesession，ifnotthemostbrilliant。
“ThenMr。Binghamisarisingman，Isuppose？”Beatricesaid。
“Rising？Ishouldthinkso。”heanswered。“TheywillgethimintotheGovernmentonthefirstopportunityafterthis;he’stoogoodtoneglect。VeryfewmencancometotheforelikeMr。Bingham。Wecallhimthecomet，andifonlyhedoesnotmakeamessofhischancesbydoingsomethingfoolish，thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldnotbeAttorney-Generalinafewyears。”
“Whyshouldhedoanythingfoolish？”sheasked。
“Oh，fornoreasononearth，thatIknowof;only，asIdaresayyouhavenoticed，menofthissortareveryapttodoridiculousthings，throwuptheircareer，getintoapublicscandal，runawaywithsomebodyorsomething。NotthatthereshouldbeanyfearofsuchathingwhereMr。Binghamisconcerned，forhehasacharmingwife，andtheysaythatsheisagreathelptohim。Why，thereisthedivisionbell。Good-bye，Mrs。Everston，Iwillcomebacktoseeyouout。”
“Good-bye。”Beatriceanswered，“andincaseIshouldmissyou，Iwishtosaysomething——tothankyouforyourkindnessinhelpingmetogetinhereto-night。Youhavedonemeagreatservice，averygreatservice，andIammostgratefultoyou。”
“Itisnothing——nothing。”heanswered。“Ithasbeenapleasuretohelpyou。If。”headdedwithsomeconfusion，“youwouldallowmetocallsomeday，thepleasurewillbeallthegreater。IwillbringMr。
Binghamwithme，ifyouwouldliketoknowhim——thatis，ifIcan。”
Beatriceshookherhead。“Icannot。”sheanswered，smilingsadly。“I
amgoingonalongjourneyto-morrow，andIshallnotreturnhere。
Good-bye。”
Inanothersecondhewasgone，morepiquedandinterestedaboutthisfairunknownthanhehadbeenaboutanywomanforyears。Whocouldshebe？andwhywasshesoanxioustohearthedebate？Therewasamysteryinitsomewhere，andhedeterminedtosolveitifhecould。
Meanwhilethedivisiontookplace，andpresentlythemembersflockedback，andamidstringingMinisterialcheers，andcounterOppositioncheers，thevictoryoftheGovernmentwasannounced。Thencametheusualformalities，andthemembersbegantomeltaway。BeatricesawtheleaderoftheHouseandseveralmembersoftheGovernmentgouptoGeoffrey，shakehishand，andcongratulatehim。Then，withonelonglook，sheturnedandwent，leavinghiminthemomentofhistriumph，thatseemedtointeresthimsolittle，butwhichmadeBeatricemoreproudatheartthanifshehadbeendeclaredempressoftheworld。
Oh，itwaswelltoloveamanlikethat，amanborntotoweroverhisfellowmen——andwelltodieforhim！Couldshelethermiserableexistenceinterferewithsuchalifeashisshouldbe？Never，never！
Thereshouldbeno“publicscandal“onheraccount。
Shedrewherveiloverherface，andinquiredthewayfromtheHouse。
Presentlyshewasoutside。Byoneofthegateways，andintheshadowofitspillars，shestopped，watchingthemembersoftheHousestreampasther。Manyofthemweretalkingtogether，andonceortwiceshecaughtthesoundofGeoffrey’sname，coupledwithsuchwordsas“splendidspeech。”andothertermsofadmiration。
“Moveon，moveon。”saidapolicemantoher。Liftingherveil，Beatriceturnedandlookedathim，andmutteringsomethinghemovedonhimself，leavingherinpeace。PresentlyshesawGeoffreyandthegentlemanwhohadbeensokindtoherwalkingalongtogether。Theycamethroughthegateway;thelappetofhiscoatbrushedherarm，andheneversawher。Closershecrouchedagainstthepillar，hidingherselfinitsshadow。WithinsixfeetofherGeoffreystoppedandlitacigar。Thelightofthematchflareduponhisface，thatdark，strongfaceshelovedsowell。Howtiredhelooked。Agreatlongingtookpossessionofhertostepforwardandspeaktohim，butsherestrainedherselfalmostbyforce。
Herfriendwasspeakingtohim，andabouther。
“Suchalovelywoman。”hewassaying，“withtheclearestandmostbeautifulgreyeyesthatIeversaw。Butshehasgonelikeadream。I
can’tfindheranywhere。Itisamostmysteriousbusiness。”
“Youarefallinginlove，Tom。”answeredGeoffreyabsently，ashethrewawaythematchandwalkedon。“Don’tdothat;itisanunhappythingtodo。”andhesighed。
Hewasgoing！Oh，heaven！shewouldnever，neverseehimmore！AcoldhorrorseizeduponBeatrice，herbloodseemedtostagnate。Shetrembledsomuchthatshecouldscarcelystand。Leaningforward，shelookedafterhim，withsuchafaceofwoethateventhepoliceman，whohadrepentedhimofhisforbearance，andwasreturningtosendheraway，stoodastonished。Thetwomenhadgoneabouttenyards，whensomethinginducedBeatrice’sfriendtolookback。Hiseyefelluponthewhite，agony-strickenface，nowinthefullglareofthegaslamp。
Beatricesawhimturn，andunderstoodherdanger。“Oh，good-bye，Geoffrey！“shemurmured，forasecondallowingherhearttogoforthtowardshim。Thenrealisingwhatshehaddone，shedroppedherveil，andwentswiftly。Thegentlemancalled“Tom“——sheneverlearnthisname——stoodforamomentdumbfounded，andatthatinstantGeoffreystaggered，asthoughhehadbeenstruckbyashot，turnedquitewhite，andhalted。
“Why。”saidhiscompanion，“thereisthatladyagain;wemusthavepassedquiteclosetoher。Shewaslookingafterus，Isawherfaceinthegaslight——andIneverwanttoseesuchanother。”
Geoffreyseizedhimbythearm。“Whereisshe？”heasked，“andwhatwasshelike？”
“Shewasthereasecondago。”hesaid，pointingtothepillar，“butI’velosthernow——Ifancyshewenttowardstherailwaystation，butI
couldnotsee。Stop，isthatshe？”andhepointedtoatallpersonwalkingtowardstheAbbey。
Quicklytheymovedtointercepther，buttheresultwasnotsatisfactory，andtheyretreatedhastilyfromtheobjectoftheirattentions。
MeanwhileBeatricefoundherselfoppositetheentrancetotheWestminsterBridgeStation。Ahansomwasstandingthere;shegotintoitandtoldthemantodrivetoPaddington。
Beforethepairhadretracedtheirstepsshewasgone。“Shehasvanishedagain。”said“Tom。”andwentontogiveadescriptionofhertoGeoffrey。Ofherdresshehadunfortunatelytakenlittlenote。ItmightbeoneofBeatrice’s，oritmightnot。ItseemedalmostinconceivabletoGeoffreythatsheshouldbemasqueradingaboutLondon，underthenameofMrs。Everston。Andyet——andyet——hecouldhavesworn——butitwasfolly！
Suddenlyhebadehisfriendgood-night，andtookahansom。“Themysterythickens。”saidtheastonished“Tom。”ashewatchedhimdriveaway。“Iwouldgiveahundredpoundstofindoutwhatitallmeans。
Oh！thatwoman’sface——ithauntsme。ItlookedlikethefaceofanangelbiddingfarewelltoHeaven。”
Butheneverdidfindoutanymoreaboutit，thoughthedespairingeyesofBeatrice，asshebadehermutefarewell，stillsometimeshaunthissleep。
Geoffreyreflectedrapidly。Thethingwasridiculous，andyetitwaspossible。Beyondthatbrieflineinanswertohisletter，hehadheardnothingfromBeatrice。Indeedhewaswaitingtohearfromherbeforetakinganyfurtherstep。ButevensupposingshewereinLondon，wherewashetolookforher？Heknewthatshehadnomoney，hecouldnotstaytherelong。ItoccurredtohimtherewasatrainleavingEustonforWalesaboutfourinthemorning。Itwasjustpossiblethatshemightbeintown，andreturningbythistrain。HetoldthecabmantodrivetoEustonStation，andonarrival，closelyquestionedasleepyporter，butwithoutsatisfactoryresults。
Thenhesearchedthestation;therewerenotracesofBeatrice。Hedidmore;hesatdown，wearyashewas，andwaitedforanhourandahalf，tillitwastimeforthetraintostart。Therewerebutthreepassengers，andnoneofthemintheleastresembledBeatrice。
“Itisverystrange。”Geoffreysaidtohimself，ashewalkedaway。“I
couldhaveswornthatIfeltherpresencejustforonesecond。Itmusthavebeennonsense。Thisiswhatcomesofoccultinfluences，andthatkindofthing。Theoccultisanuisance。”
IfhehadonlygonetoPaddington！
CHAPTERXXVIII
IWILLWAITFORYOU
BeatricedrovebacktoPaddington，andasshedrove，thoughherfacedidnotchangefromitsmarblecastofwoethegreattearsrolleddownit，onebyone。
Theyreachedthedeserted-lookingstation，andshepaidthemanoutofherfewremainingshillings——seeingthatshewasastranger，heinsisteduponreceivinghalf-a-crown。Then，disregardingtheastonishedstareofanightporter，shefoundherwaytothewaitingroom，andsatdown。Firstshetooktheletterfromherbreast，andaddedsomelinestoitinpencil，butshedidnotpostityet;sheknewthatifshedidsoitwouldreachitsdestinationtoosoon。Thenshelaidherheadbackagainstthewall，andutterlyoutworn，droppedtosleep——herlastsleepuponthisearth，beforethelongestsleepofall。
AndthusBeatricewaitedandsleptatPaddington，whileherloverwaitedandwatchedatEuston。
Atfiveshewoke，andtheheavycloudofsorrow，past，present，andtocome，rushedinuponherheart。Takingherbag，shemadeherselfastidyasshecould。Thenshesteppedoutsidethestationintothedesertedstreet，andfindingaspacebetweenthehouses，watchedthesunriseoverthewakingworld。Itwasherlastsunrise，Beatriceremembered。
Shecamebackfilledwithsuchthoughtsasmightwellstriketheheartofawomanabouttodothethingshehaddecreed。Therefreshmentbarwasopennow，andshewenttoit，andboughtacupofcoffeeandsomebreadandbutter。Thenshetookherticket，nottoBryngellyortoCoed，buttothestationonthissideofBryngelly，andthreemilesfromit。Shewouldrunlessriskofbeingnoticedthere。Thetrainwasshuntedup;shetookherseatinit。Justasitwasstarting，anearlynewspaperboycamealong，yawning。Beatriceboughtacopyofthe/Standard/，outoftheoneandthreepencethatwasleftofhermoney，andopeneditatthesheetcontainingtheleadingarticles。Thefirstonebegan，“Themostpowerful，closelyreasoned，andeloquentspeechmadelastnightbyMr。Bingham，theMemberforPillham，will，wefeelcertain，produceasgreataneffectonthecountryasitdidintheHouseofCommons。Wewelcomeit，notonlyonaccountofitsvalueasacontributiontothepolemicsoftheIrishQuestion，butasapositiveproofofwhathasalreadybeensuspected，thattheUnionistpartyhasinMr。Binghamayoungstatesmanofaveryhighorderindeed，andonewhomremarkableandrapidsuccessattheBarhasnothampered，asistoooftenthecase，inthelargerandlesstechnicalfieldofpolitics。”
Andsoon。Beatriceputthepaperdownwithasmileoftriumph。
Geoffrey’ssuccesswassplendidandunquestioned。Nothingcouldstophimnow。Duringallthelongjourneyshepleasedherimaginationbyconjuringuppictureafterpictureofthatgreatfutureofhis，inwhichshewouldhavenoshare。Andyethewouldnotforgether;shewassureofthis。Hershadowwouldgowithhimfromyeartoyear，eventotheend，andattimeshemightthinkhowproudshewouldhavebeencouldshebepresenttorecordhistriumphs。Alas！shedidnotrememberthatwhenallislostwhichcanmakelifebeautiful，whenthesunhasset，andthespiritgoneoutoftheday，thepoorgarishlightsofourlittlevictoriescanbutillatoneforthegloriesthathavebeen。Happinessandcontentarefrailplantswhichcanonlyflourishunderfairconditionsifatall。Certainlytheywillnotthrivebeneaththegloomandshadowofapall，andwhentheheartisdeadnotriumphs，howeversplendid，andnorewards，howevergreat，cancompensateforanutterandirredeemableloss。Sheneverguessed，poorgirl，thattimeupontime，inthedecadestobe，Geoffreywouldgladlyhavelaidhishonoursdowninpaymentforoneyearofherdearandunforgottenpresence。Shewastoounselfish;shedidnotthinkthatamancouldthusprizeawoman’slove，andtookitforanaxiomthattosucceedinlifewashisonerealobject——athingtowhichsodivineagiftasshehadgivenGeoffreyisasnothing。ItwasthereforethisJuggernautofherlover’scareerthatBeatricewouldcastdownherlife，littleknowingthattherebyshemustturntheworldlyandtemporalsuccess，whichhealreadyheldsocheap，tobitternessandashes。
AtChesterBeatricegotoutofthetrainandpostedherlettertoGeoffrey。Shewouldnotdosotillthenbecauseitmighthavereachedhimtoosoon——beforeallwasfinished！NowitwouldbedeliveredtohimintheHouseaftereverythinghadbeenaccomplishedinitsorder。
Shelookedattheletter;itwas，shethought，thelasttokenthatcouldeverpassbetweenthemonthisearth。Onceshepressedittoherheart，onceshetoucheditwithherlips，andthenputitfromherbeyondrecall。Itwasdone;therewasnogoingbacknow。Andevenasshestoodthepostmancameup，whistling，andopeningtheboxcarelesslysweptitscontentsintohiscanvasbag。Couldhehaveknownwhatlayamongthemhewouldhavewhistlednomorethatday。
Beatricecontinuedherjourney，andbythreeo’clockarrivedsafelyatthelittlestationnexttoBryngelly。TherewasafairatCoedthatday，andmanypeopleofthepeasantclassgotinhere。Amidsttheconfusionshegaveuphertickettoasmallboy，whowaslookingtheotherwayatthetime，andescapedwithoutbeingnoticedbyasoul。
Indeed，thingshappenedsothatnobodyintheneighbourhoodofBryngellyeverknewthatBeatricehadbeentoLondonandbackuponthosedreadfuldays。
Beatricewalkedalongthecliff，andinanhourwasatthedooroftheVicarage，fromwhichsheseemedtohavebeenawayforyears。Sheunlockeditandentered。Intheletter-boxwasapost-cardfromherfatherstatingthatheandElizabethhadchangedtheirplansandwouldnotbebacktillthetrainwhicharrivedathalf-pasteightonthefollowingmorning。Somuchthebetter，shethought。Thenshedisarrangedtheclothesuponherbedtomakeitseemasthoughithadbeensleptit，litthekitchenfire，andputthekettleontoboil，andassoonasitwasreadyshetooksomefood。Shewantedallhernerve，andthatcouldnotbekeptupwithoutfood。
ShortlyafterthisthegirlBettyreturned，andwentaboutherdutiesinthehousequiteunconsciousthatBeatricehadbeenawayfromitforthewholenight。Hersisterwasmuchbetter，shesaid，inanswertoBeatrice’sinquiries。
Whenshehadeatenwhatshecould——itwasnotmuch——Beatricewenttoherroom，undressedherself，bathed，andputonclean，freshthings。
Thensheunboundherlovelyhair，anddiditupinacoronetuponherhead。Itwasafashionthatshedidnotoftenadopt，becauseittooktoomuchtime，butonthisday，ofalldays，shehadastrangefancytolookherbest。AlsoherhairhadbeendonelikethisontheafternoonwhenGeoffreyfirstmether。NextsheputonthegreydressoncemorewhichshehadwornonherjourneytoLondon，andtakingthesilverRomanringthatGeoffreyhadgivenherfromthestringbywhichsheworeitaboutherneck，placeditonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。
Allthisbeingdone，Beatricevisitedthekitchenandorderedthesupper。Shewentfurtherinherinnocentcunning。Bettyaskedherwhatshewouldlikeforbreakfastonthefollowingmorning，andshetoldhertocooksomebacon，andtobecarefulhowshecutit，asshedidnotlikethickbacon。Then，afteronelonglastlookattheVicarage，shestartedforthelodgingoftheheadteacheroftheschool，and，havingfoundher，inquiredastotheday’swork。
Further，Beatricetoldherassistantthatshehaddeterminedtoalterthecourseofcertainlessonsintheschool。TheWednesdayarithmeticclasshadhithertobeentakenbeforethegrammarclass。Onthemorrowshehaddeterminedtochangethis;shewouldtakethegrammarclassattenandthearithmeticclassateleven，andgaveherreasonsforsodoing。Theteacherassented，andBeatriceshookhandswithherandbadehergood-night。Shewouldhavewishedtosayhowmuchshefeltindebtedtoherforherhelpintheschool，butdidnotliketodoso，fearinglest，inthelightofpendingevents，theremarkmightbeviewedwithsuspicion。
PoorBeatrice，theseweretheonlyliessheevertold！
Shelefttheteacher’slodgings，andwasabouttogodowntothebeachandsittheretillitwastime，whenshewasmetbythefatherofthecrazedchild，JaneLlewellyn。
“Oh，MissBeatrice。”hesaid，“Ihavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere。
Weareinsadtrouble，miss。PoorJaneisinaravingfit，andtalkingabouthellandthat，andthedoctorsaysshe’sdying。Canyoucome，miss，andseeifyoucandoanythingtoquiether？It’samatteroflifeanddeath，thedoctorsays，miss。”
Beatricesmiledsadly;mattersoflifeanddeathwereintheair。“I
willcome。”shesaid，“butIshallnotbeabletostaylong。”
Howcouldshebetterspendherlasthour？
Sheaccompaniedthemantohiscottage。Thechild，dressedonlyinanight-shirt，wasravingfuriously，andevidentlyinthelaststageofexhaustion，norcouldthedoctororhermotherdoanythingtoquiether。
“Don’tyousee。”shescreamed，pointingtothewall，“there’stheDevilwaitingforme？And，oh，there’sthemouthofhellwheretheministersaidIshouldgo！Oh，holdme，holdme，holdme！“