Beatricewalkeduptoher，tookthethinlittlehandsinhers，andlookedherfixedlyintheeyes。
“Jane。”shesaid。“Jane，don’tyouknowme？”
“Yes，MissGranger。”shesaid，“Iknowthelesson;Iwillsayitpresently。”
Beatricetookherinherarms，andsatdownonthebed。Quieterandquietergrewthechildtillsuddenlyanawfulchangepassedoverherface。
“Sheisdying。”whisperedthedoctor。
“Holdmeclose，holdmeclose！“saidthechild，whosesensesreturnedbeforethelasteclipse。“Oh，MissGranger，Ishan’tgotohell，shallI？Iamafraidofhell。”
“No，love，no;youwillgotoheaven。”
Janelaystillawhile。Thenseeingthepalelipsmove，Beatriceputhereartothechild’smouth。
“Willyoucomewithme？”shemurmured;“Iamafraidtogoalone。”
AndBeatrice，hergreatgreyeyesfixedsteadilyontheclosingeyesbeneath，whisperedbacksothatnoothersoulcouldhearexceptthedyingchild:
“Yes，Iwillcomepresently。”ButJaneheardandunderstood。
“Promise。”saidthechild。
“Yes，Ipromise。”answeredBeatriceinthesameinaudiblewhisper。
“Sleep，dear，sleep;Iwilljoinyouverysoon。”
Andthechildlookedup，shivered，smiled——andslept。
Beatricegaveitbacktotheweepingparentsandwentherway。“Whatasplendidcreature。”saidthedoctortohimselfashelookedafterher。
“ShehaseyeslikeFate，andthefaceofMotherhoodIncarnate。Agreatwoman，ifeverIsawone，butdifferentfromotherwomen。”
MeanwhileBeatricemadeherwaytooldEdward’sboat-shed。Assheexpected，therewasnobodythere，andnobodyonthebeach。OldEdwardandhissonwereattea，withtherestofBryngelly。Theywouldcomebackafterdarkandlockuptheboat-house。
Shelookedatthesea。Therewerenowaves，butthebreezefreshenedeveryminute，andtherewasalongslowswelluponthewater。TherollerswouldberunningbeyondtheshelterofRumballPoint，fivemilesaway。
Thetidewashigh;itmountedtowithintenyardsoftheendoftheboat-house。Sheopenedthedoor，anddraggedouthercanoe，closingthedooragainafterher。Thecraftwaslight，andshewasstrongforawoman。Closetotheboat-houseoneofthetimberbreakwaters，whicharecommonatsea-sideplaces，randownintothewater。Shedraggedthecanoetoitsside，andthenpusheditdownthebeachtillitsbowwasafloat。Next，mountingonthebreakwater，shecaughtholdofthelittlechaininthebow，andwalkingalongthetimberbaulks，pulledwithallherforcetillthecanoewasquiteafloat。Onshewent，draggingitafterher，tillthewaveswashingoverthebreakwaterwettedhershoes。
Thenshebroughtthecanoequiteclose，and，watchingheropportunity，steppedintoit，nearlyfallingintothewaterasshedidso。Butsherecoveredherbalance，andsatdown。Inanotherminuteshewaspaddlingouttoseawithallherstrength。
Fortwentyminutesormoreshepaddledunceasingly。Thensherestedawhile，onlykeepingthecanoeheadontothesea，which，withoutbeingrough，wasrunningmoreandmorefreshly。There，somemilesaway，wasthedarkmassofRumballPoint。Shemustbeoffitbeforethenightclosedin。Therewouldbeseaenoughthere;nosuchcraftasherscouldliveinitforfiveminutes，andthetidewasontheturn。
Anythingsinkinginthosewaterswouldbecarriedfaraway，andnevercomebacktotheshoreofWales。
SheturnedherheadandlookedatBryngelly，andthelongfamiliarstretchofcliff。Howfairitseemed，bathedinthequietlightsofsummerafternoon。Oh！wasthereanyafternoonwherethechildhadgone，andwhereshewasfollowingfast？——orwasitallnight，black，eternalnight，unbrokenbythedramofdearrememberedthings？
ThereweretheDogRocks，whereshehadstoodonthatmistyautumnday，andseenthevisionofhercoffinedmother’sface。Surelyitwasapresageofherfate。TherebeyondwastheBellRock，whereinthatsamehourGeoffreyandshehadmet，andbehinditwastheAmphitheatre，wheretheyhadtoldtheirlove。Hark！whatwasthatsoundpealingfaintlyatintervalsacrossthedeep？Itwasthegreatship’sbellthat，stirredfromtimetotimebythewashofthehightide，solemnlytolledherpassingsoul。
Shepaddledon;thesoundofthatdeath-knellshookhernerves，andmadeherfeelfaintandweak。Oh，itwouldhavebeeneasierhadshebeenasshewasayearago，beforeshelearnedtolove，andhandinhandhadseenfaithandhopere-arisefromthedepthsofherstirredsoul。Thenbeingbutaheathen，shecouldhavemetherendwithallaheathen’sstrength，knowingwhatshelost，andbelieving，too，thatshewouldfindbutsleep。Andnowitwasotherwise，forinherheartshedidnotbelievethatshewasaboututterlytoperish。What，couldthebodyliveoninathousandforms，changedindeedbutindestructibleandimmortal，whilethespiritualpart，withallitshopesandlovesandfears，meltedintonothingness？Itcouldnotbe;
surelyonsomenewshoresheshouldonceagaingreetherlove。Andifitwasnot，howwouldtheymeetherinthatunderworld，comingself-
murdered，herlife-bloodonherhands？Wouldhermotherturnawayfromher？andthelittlebrother，whomshehadloved，wouldherejecther？
AndwhatVoiceofDoommightstrikeherintoeverlastinghopelessness？
But，bethesinwhatitmight，yetwouldshesinitforthesakeofGeoffrey;ay，evenifshemustreapaharvestofeternalwoe。Shebentherheadandprayed。“Oh，Power，thatartabove，fromwhomIcome，towhomIgo，havemercyonme！Oh，Spirit，ifindeedthynameisLove，weighmyloveinthybalance，andletitliftthescaleofsin。Oh，GodofSacrifice，benotwrothatmydeedofsacrificeandgivemepardon，givemelifeandpeace，thatinatimetocomeImaywinthesightofhimforwhomIdie。”
Asomewhatheathenishprayerindeed，andfartoofullofhumanpassionforoneabouttoleavethehumanshores。But，then——well，itwasBeatricewhoprayed——Beatrice，whocouldrealisenoheavenbeyondthelimitsofherpassion，whostillthoughtmoreofherlovethanofsavingherownsoulalive。Perhapsitfoundahome——perhaps，likeherwhoprayedit，itwaslostuponthepitilessdeep。
ThenBeatriceprayednomore。Shortwashertime。See，theresankthesuninglory;andtherethegreatrollerssweptalongpastthesullenheadland，wheretheundertowmetwindandtide。Shewouldthinknomoreofself;itwas，itseemedtoher，sosmall，thismendicantcallingontheUnseen，notforothers，butforself:aidforself，well-beingforself，salvationforself——thisdoingofgoodthatgoodmightcometoself。Shehadmadeherprayer，andifsheprayedagainitshouldbeforGeoffrey，thathemightprosperandbehappy——thathemightforgivethetroubleherlovehadbroughtintohislife。Thathemightforgethershecouldnotpray。Shehadprayedherprayerandsaidhersay，anditwasdonewith。LetherbejudgedasitseemedgoodtoThosewhojudge！Nowshewouldfixherthoughtsuponherlove，andbyitsstrengthwouldshetriumphoverthebitternessofdeath。
Hereyesflashedandherbreastheaved:furtherouttosea，furtheryet——shewouldmeetthoserollersaknotormorefromthepointoftheheadland，thatnorecordmightremain。
Wasitherwrongifshelovedhim？Shecouldnothelpit，andshewasproudtolovehim。Evennow，shewouldnotundothepast。WhatwerethelinesthatGeoffreyhadreadtoher。Theyhauntedhermindwithastrangepersistence——theytooktimetothebeatofherfallingpaddle，andwouldnotleaveher:
“Ofoncesownseed，whoknowethwhatthecropis？
Alas，mylove，Love’seyesareveryblind！
Whatwouldtheyhaveusdo？SunflowersandpoppiesStooptothewind——“[*]
[*]OliverMadoxBrown。
Yes，yes，Love’seyesareveryblind，butintheirblindnesstherewasmorelightthaninallotherearthlythings。Oh，shecouldnotliveforhim，andwithhim——itwasdeniedtoher——butshestillcoulddieforhim，herdarling，herdarling！
“Geoffrey，hearme——Idieforyou;acceptmysacrifice，andforgetmenot。”So！——sheisintherollers——howsolemntheyarewiththeirhoaryheadsoffoam，asonebyonetheymovedownuponher。
Thefirst！ittowershigh，butthecanoeridesitlikeacork。Look！
thedayisdyingonthedistantland，butstillhisgloryshinesacrossthesea。Presentlyallwillbefinished。Herethebreezeisstrong;ittearsthebonnetfromherhead，itunwindsthecoronetofbraidedlocks，andherbrighthairstreamsoutbehindher。Feelhowthespraystings，strikinglikeawhip。No，notthiswave，sheridesthatalso;shewilldieasshehaslived——fightingtothelast;andoncemore，neverfaltering，shesetsherfacetowardstherollersandconsignshersoultodoom。
Ah！thatstruckherfull。Oh，see！Geoffrey’sringhasslippedfromherwethand，fallingintothebottomoftheboat。Cansheregainit？
shewoulddiewiththatringuponherfinger——itishermarriage-ring，weddingherthroughdeathtoGeoffrey，uponthealtarofthesea。Shestoops！oh，whatashockofwateratherbreast！Whatwasit——whatwasit？——/Ofoncesownseed，whoknowethwhatthecropis？/Shemustsoonlearnnow！
“Geoffrey！hearme，Geoffrey！——Idie，Idieforyou！Iwillwaitforyouatthefoundationsofthesea，onthetopmostheightsofheaven，inthelowestdeepsofhell——whereverIamIwillalwayswaitforyou！“
Itsinks——ithassunk——sheisalonewithGod，andthecruelwaters。
Thesungoesout！Lookonthatgreatwhitewaveseethingthroughthedeepeninggloom;hearitrushingtowardsher，bigwithfate。
“Geoffrey，mydarling——Iwillwait——“
FarewelltoBeatrice！Thelightwentoutoftheskyanddarknessgatheredonthewelteringsea。FarewelltoBeatrice，andallherloveandallhersin。
CHAPTERXXIX
AWOMAN’SLASTWORD
Geoffreycamedowntobreakfastabouteleveno’clockonthemorningofthatdaythefirsthoursofwhichhehadspentatEustonStation。NotseeingEffie，heaskedLadyHonoriawhereshewas，andwasinformedthatAnne，theFrench/bonne/，saidthechildwasnotwellandthatshehadkeptherinbedtobreakfast。
“Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavenotbeenuptoseewhatisthematterwithher？”askedGeoffrey。
“No，notyet。”answeredhiswife。“Ihavehadthedressmakerherewithmynewdressfortheduchess’sballto-morrow;it’slovely，butI
thinkthatthereisalittletoomuchofthatcreamylaceaboutit。”
Withanexclamationofimpatience，Geoffreyroseandwentupstairs。HefoundEffietossingaboutinbed，herfaceflushed，hereyeswideopen，andherlittlehandsquitehot。
“Sendforthedoctoratonce。”hesaid。
Thedoctorcameandexaminedthechild，askingherifshehadwetherfeetlately。
“Yes，Idid，twodaysago。Iwetmyfeetinapuddleinthestreet。”
sheanswered。“ButAnnedidsaythattheywouldsoongetdry，ifI
heldthemtothefire，becausemyotherbootswasnotclean。Oh，myheaddoesache，daddie。”
“Ah。”saidthedoctor，andthencoveringthechildup，tookGeoffreyasideandtoldhimthathisdaughterhadamildattackofinflammationofthelungs。Therewasnocauseforanxiety，onlyshemustbelookedafterandguardedfromchills。
Geoffreyaskedifheshouldsendforatrainednurse。
“Oh，no。”saidthedoctor。“Idonotthinkitisnecessary，atanyrateatpresent。Iwilltellthenursewhattodo，anddoubtlessyourwifewillkeepaneyeonher。”
SoAnnewascalledup，andvowedthatshewouldguardthecherishedchildliketheappleofhereye。Indeed，no，thebootswerenotwet——
therewasalittle，averylittlemudonthem，thatwasall。
“Well，don’ttalksomuch，butseethatyouattendtoherproperly。”
saidGeoffrey，feelingratherdoubtful，forhedidnottrustAnne。
However，hethoughthewouldseehimselfthattherewasnoneglect。
Whensheheardwhatwasthematter，LadyHonoriawasmuchputout。
“Really。”shesaid，“childrenarethemostvexatiouscreaturesintheworld。Theideaofhergettinginflammationofthelungsinthisunprovokedfashion。TheendofitwillbethatIshallnotbeabletogototheduchess’sballto-morrownight，andshewassokindaboutit，shemadequiteapointofmycoming。BesidesIhaveboughtthatlovelynewdressonpurpose。Ishouldneverhavedreamedofgoingtosomuchexpenseforanythingelse。”
“Don’ttroubleyourself。”saidGeoffrey。“TheHousedoesnotsitto-morrow;Iwilllookafterher。UnlessEffiediesintheinterval，youwillcertainlybeabletogototheball。”
“Dies——whatnonsense！Thedoctorsaysthatitisaveryslightattack。
Whyshouldshedie？”
“IamsureIhopethatthereisnofearofanythingofthesort，Honoria。Onlyshemustbeproperlylookedafter。IdonottrustthiswomanAnne。Ihavehalfamindtogetinatrainednurseafterall。”
“Well，ifyoudo，shewillhavetosleepoutofthehouse，that’sall。
AmeliaLadyGarsingtoniscomingupto-night，andImusthavesomewheretoputhermaid，andthereisnoroomforanotherbedinEffie’sroom。”
“Oh，verywell，verywell。”saidGeoffrey，“Idaresaythatitwillbeallright，butifEffiegetsanyworse，youwillpleaseunderstandthatroommustbemade。”
ButEffiedidnotgetworse。Sheremainedmuchaboutthesame。
Geoffreysatathomealldayandemployedhimselfinreadingbriefs;
fortunatelyhehadnottogotocourt。Aboutsixo’clockhewentdowntotheHouse，andhavingdinedverysimplyandquietly，tookhisseatandlistenedtosomedrearytalk，whichwasbeingcarriedonforthebenefitofthereporters，abouttheadoptionoftheWelshlanguageinthelawcourtsofWales。
Suddenlyhebecameawareofamostextraordinarysenseofoppression。
Anindefinitedreadtookholdofhim，hisverysoulwasfilledwithterribleapprehensionsandalarm。Somethingdreadfulseemedtoknockattheportalsofhissense，ahorrorwhichhecouldnotgrasp。Hismindwasconfused，butlittlebylittleitgrewclearer，andhebegantounderstandthatadangerthreatenedBeatrice，thatshewasingreatperil。Hewassureofit。Heragoniseddyingcriesreachedhimwherehewas，thoughinnoformwhichhecouldunderstand;oncemoreherthoughtbeatonhisthought——oncemoreandforthelasttimeherspiritspoketohis。
Thensuddenlyacoldwindseemedtobreatheuponhisfaceandlifthishair，andeverythingwasgone。Hismindwasasithadbeen;againheheardthedrearyoratorandsawthemembersslippingawaytodinner。
Theconditionsthatdisturbedhimhadpassed，thingswereastheyhadbeen。Norwasthisstrange！Forthelinkwasbroken。Beatricewas/dead/。Shehadpassedintothedomainsofimpenetrablesilence。
Geoffreysatupwithagasp，andashedidsoaletterwasplacedinhishand。ItwasaddressedinBeatrice’shandwritingandboretheChesterpostmark。Achillfearseizedhim。Whatdiditcontain？Hehurriedwithitintoaprivateroomandopenedit。ItwasdatedfromBryngellyonthepreviousSundayandhadseveralinclosures。
“MydearestGeoffrey。”itbegan，“Ihaveneverbeforeaddressedyouthusonpaper，norshouldIdosonow，knowingtowhatriskssuchwrittenwordsmightputyou，wereitnotthatoccasionsmayariseasinthiscasewhichseemtojustifytherisk。Forwhenallthingsareendedbetweenamanandawomanwhoaretoeachotherwhatwehavebeen，thenitiswellthattheonewhogoesshouldspeakplainlybeforespeechbecomesimpossible，ifonlythattheonewhoisleftshouldnotmisunderstandthatwhichhasbeendone。
“Geoffrey，itisprobable——itisalmostcertain——thatbeforeyoureyesreadthesewordsIshallbewhereinthebodytheycanneverseememore。Iwritetoyoufromthebrinkofthegrave;whenyoureadit，itwillhaveclosedoverme。
“Geoffrey，Ishallbedead。
“IreceivedyourdearletteritisdestroyednowinwhichyouexpressedawishthatIshouldcomeawaywithyoutosomeothercountry，andIanswereditineightbriefwords。Idarednottrustmyselftowritemore，norhadIanytime。HowcouldyouthinkthatIshouldeveracceptsuchanofferformyownsake，whentodosowouldhavebeentoruinyou？ButfirstIwilltellyouallthathashappenedhere。”Herefollowedalongandexactdescriptionofthoseeventswithwhichwearealreadyacquainted，includingthedenunciationofBeatricebyhersister，thethreatsofOwenDaviesasregardsGeoffreyhimself，andthemeasureswhichshehadadoptedtogaintime。
“Further。”thelettercontinued，“Iincloseyouyourwife’slettertome。AndhereIwishtostatethatIhavenotonewordtosayagainstLadyHonoriaorherletter。Ithinkthatshewasperfectlyjustifiedinwritingasshedid，forafterall，dearGeoffrey，youareherhusband，andinlovingeachotherwehaveoffendedagainsther。Shetellsmetrulythatitismydutytomakeallfurthercommunicationsbetweenusimpossible。Thereisonlyonewaytodothis，andItakeit。
“AndnowIhavespokenenoughaboutmyself，nordoIwishtoenterintodetailsthatcouldonlygiveyoupain。Therewillbenoscandal，dear，andifanywordshouldberaisedagainstyouafterIamgone，IhaveprovidedananswerinthesecondletterwhichI
haveinclosed。Youcanprintitifnecessary;itwillbeasufficientreplytoanytalk。Nobodyafterreadingitcanbelievethatyouwereinanywayconnectedwiththeaccidentwhichwillhappen。Dear，onewordmore——stillaboutmyself，yousee！Donotblameyourselfinthismatter，foryouarenottoblame;ofmyownfreewillIdoit，becauseintheextremityofthecircumstancesI
thinkitbestthatoneshouldgoandtheotherbesaved，ratherthanthatbothshouldbeinvolvedinacommonruin。
“Dear，doyourememberhowinthatstrangevisionofmine，I
dreamedthatyoucameandtouchedmeonthebreastandshowedmelight？Soithascometopass，foryouhavegivenmelove——thatislight;andnowindeathIshallseekforwisdom。Andthisbeingfulfilled，shallnottherestbefulfilledinitsseason？ShallI
notsitinthosecloudyhallstillIseeyoucometoseekme，thewordofwisdomonyourlips？AndsinceIcannothaveyoutomyself，andbeallinalltoyou，whyIamgladtogo。Forhereontheworldisneitherrestnorhappiness;asinmydream，toooftendoes’Hopeseemtorendherstarryrobes。’
“Iamgladtogofromsuchaworld，inwhichbutonehappythinghasfoundme——theblessingofyourlove。Iamwornoutwiththewearinessandstruggle，andnowthatIhavelostyouIlongforrest。IdonotknowifIsininwhatIdo;ifso，mayIbeforgiven。Ifforgivenessisimpossible，sobeit！Youwillforgiveme，Geoffrey，andyouwillalwaysloveme，howeverwickedImaybe;evenif，atthelast，yougowhereIamnot，youwillrememberandlovetheerringwomantowhom，beingsolittle，youstillwereallinall。Wearenotmarried，Geoffrey，accordingtothecustomsoftheworld，buttwoshortdayshenceIshallcelebrateaservicethatisgreaterandmoresolemnthananyoftheearth。ForDeathwillbethePriestandthatoathwhichIshalltakewillbetoalleternity。Whocanprophesyofthatwhereofmanhasnosureknowledge？YetIdobelievethatinatimetocomeweshalllookagainintoeachother’seyes，andkisseachother’slips，andbeoneforevermore。Ifthisisso，itisworthwhiletohavelivedanddied;ifnot，then，Geoffrey，farewell！
“IfImayIwillalwaysbenearyou。Listentothenightwindandyoushallhearmyvoice;lookonthestars，youwillseemyeyes;
andmyloveshallbeastheairyoubreathe。Andwhenatlasttheendcomes，rememberme，forifIliveatallIshallbeaboutyouthen。WhathaveImoretosay？Somuch，mydear，thatwordscannotconveyit。Letitbeuntold;butwheneveryouhearorreadthatwhichisbeautifulortender，think’thisiswhatBeatricewouldhavesaidtomeandcouldnot！’
“Youwillbeagreatman，dear，theforemostoroneoftheforemostofyourage。Youhavealreadypromisedmetoperseveretothisend:Iwillnotaskyoutopromiseafresh。Donotbecontenttoaccepttheworldaswomenmust。Greatmendonotaccepttheworld;
theyreformit——andyouareoftheirnumber。Andwhenyouaregreat，Geoffrey，youwilluseyourpower，notforself-interest，buttolargeandworthyends;youwillalwaysstrivetohelpthepoor，tobreakdownoppressionfromthosewhohavetobarit，andtoadvancethehonourofyourcountry。YouwilldoallthisfromyourownheartandnotbecauseIaskitofyou，butrememberthatyourfamewillbemybestmonument——thoughnoneshalleverknowthegraveitcovers。
“Farewell，farewell，farewell！Oh，Geoffrey，mydarling，towhomI
haveneverbeenawife，towhomIammorethananywife——donotforgetmeinthelongyearswhicharetocome。Remembermewhenothersforsakeyou。Donotforgetmewhenothersflatteryouandtrytowinyourlove，fornonecanbetoyouwhatIhavebeen——
nonecaneverloveyoumorethanthatlostBeatricewhowritestheseheavywordsto-night，andwhowillpassawayblessingyouwithherlastbreath，toawaityou，ifshemay，inthelandtowhichyourfeetalsodrawdailyon。”
Thencameatear-stainedpostscriptinpencildatedfromPaddingtonStationonthatverymorning。
“IjourneyedtoLondontoseeyou，Geoffrey。Icouldnotdiewithoutlookingonyourfaceoncemore。IwasinthegalleryoftheHouseandheardyourgreatspeech。Yourfriendfoundmeaplace。AfterwardsItouchedyourcoatasyoupassedbythepillarofthegateway。ThenIranawaybecauseIsawyourfriendturnandlookatme。Ishallkissthisletter——justherebeforeIcloseit——kissittheretoo——itisourlastcoldembrace。BeforetheendI
shallputontheringyougaveme——onmyhand，Imean。Ihavealwayswornituponmybreast。WhenItouchedyouasyoupassedthroughthegatewayIthoughtthatIshouldhavebrokendownandcalledtoyou——butIfoundstrengthnottodoso。Myheartisbreakingandmyeyesareblindwithtears;Icanwritenomore;I
havenomoretosay。Nowonceagaingood-bye。/Aveatquevale/——
oh，mylove！——B。”
Thesecondletterwasadummy。Thatistosayitpurportedtobesuchanepistleasanyyoungladymighthavewrittentoagentlemanfriend。
Itbegan，“DearMr。Bingham。”andended，“Yourssincerely，BeatriceGranger。”wasfilledwithchit-chat，andexpressedhopesthathewouldbeabletocomedowntoBryngellyagainlaterinthesummer，whentheywouldgocanoeing。
Itwasobvious，thoughtBeatrice，thatifGeoffreywasaccusedbyOwenDaviesoranybodyelseofbeingconcernedwithhermysteriousend，theproductionofsuchafrankepistlewrittentwodayspreviouslywoulddemonstratetheabsurdityoftheidea。PoorBeatrice，shewasfullofprecautions！
LethimwhomayimaginetheeffectproduceduponGeoffreybythisheartrendingandastoundingepistle！CouldBeatricehaveseenhisfacewhenhehadfinishedreadingitshewouldneverhavecommittedsuicide。Inaminuteitbecamelikethatofanoldman。Asthewholetruthsankintohismind，suchanagonyofhorror，ofremorse，ofunavailingwoeandhopelessnesssweptacrosshissoul，thatforamomenthethoughthisvitalforcesmustgivewaybeneathit，andthatheshoulddie，asindeedinthisdarkhourhewouldhaverejoicedtodo。Oh，howpitifulitwas——howpitifulandhowawful！Tothinkofthislove，sopassionatelypure，wastedonhisownunworthiness。Tothinkofthisdivinewomangoingdowntolonelydeathforhim——astrongman;topicturehercrouchingbehindthatgatewaypillarandtouchinghimashepassed，whilehe，thethriceaccursedfool，knewnothingtilltoolate;toknowthathehadgonetoEustonandnottoPaddington;torememberthematchlessstrengthandbeautyofthelovewhichhehadlost，andthatfacewhichheshouldneverseeagain！
Surelyhisheartwouldbreak。Nomancouldbearit！
Andofthosecowardswhohoundedhertodeath，ifindeedshewasalreadydead！Oh，hewouldkillOwenDavies——yes，andElizabethtoo，wereitnotthatshewasawoman;andasforHonoriahehaddonewithher。Scandal，whatdidhecareforscandal？Ifhehadhiswillthereshouldbeascandalindeed，forhewouldbeatthisOwenDavies，thisreptile，whodidnothesitatetouseawoman’sterrorstoprosperthefulfillingofhislust——yes，andthendraghimtotheContinentandkillhimthere。Onlyvengeancewaslefttohim！
Stop，hemustnotgiveway——perhapsshewasnotdead——perhapsthathorriblepresageofevilwhichhadstruckhimlikeastormwasbutadream。Couldhetelegraph？No，itwastoolate;theofficeatBryngellywouldbeclosed——itwaspasteightnow。Buthecouldgo。
Therewasatrainleavingalittleafternine——heshouldbetherebyhalf-pastsixto-morrow。AndEffiewasill——well，surelytheycouldlookafterherfortwenty-fourhours;shewasinnodanger，andhemustgo——hecouldnotbearthistorturingsuspense。GreatGod！howhadshedonethedeed！
Geoffreysnatchedasheetofpaperandtriedtowrite。Hecouldnot，hishandshookso。Withagroanherose，andgoingtotherefreshmentroomswallowedtwoglassesofbrandyoneafteranother。Thespirittookeffectonhim;hecouldwritenow。Rapidlyhescribbledonasheetofpaper:
“IhavebeencalledawayuponimportantbusinessandshallprobablynotbebacktillThursdaymorning。SeethatEffieisproperlyattendedto。IfIamnotbackyoumustnotgototheduchess’sball——GeoffreyBingham。”
ThenheaddressedthelettertoLadyHonoriaanddispatchedacommissionairewithit。Thisdone，hecalledacabandbadethecabmandrivetoEustonasfastashishorsecouldgo。
CHAPTERXXX
AVEATQUEVALE
Thatfrightfuljourney——nonightmarewaseverhalfsoawful！Butitcametoanendatlast——therewastheBryngellyStation。Geoffreysprangfromthetrain，andgavehistickettotheporter，glancinginhisfaceashedidso。Surelyiftherehadbeenatragedythemanwouldknowofit，andshowsignsofhalf-joyousemotionasisthefashionofsuchpeoplewhensomethingawfulandmysterioushashappenedtosomebodyelse。Butheshowednosuchsymptoms，andaglimmerofhopefounditswayintoGeoffrey’stormentedbreast。
HeleftthestationandwalkedrapidlytowardstheVicarage。Thosewhoknowwhatapitchofhorrorsuspensecanreachmayimaginehisfeelingsashedidso。Butitwassoontobeputanendtonow。AshedrewneartheVicaragegatehemetthefatWelshservantgirlBettyrunningtowardshim。ThenhopeleftGeoffrey。
Thegirlrecognisedhim，andinherconfusiondidnotseemintheleastastonishedtoseehimwalkingthereataquartertosevenonasummermorning。Indeed，evenshevaguelyconnectedGeoffreywithBeatriceinhermind，forsheatoncesaidinherthickEnglish:
“Oh，sir，doyouknowwhereMissBeatriceis？”
“No。”heanswered，catchingatarailingforsupport。“Whydoyouask？
Ihavenotseenherforweeks。”
Thenthegirlplungedintoalongstory。Mr。GrangerandMissGrangerwereawayfromhome，andwouldnotbebackforanothertwohours。MissBeatricehadgoneoutyesterdayafternoon，andhadnotcomebacktotea。She，Betty，hadnotthoughtmuchofit，believingthatshehadstoppedtospendtheeveningsomewhere，and，beingverytired，hadgonetobedabouteight，leavingthedoorunlocked。Thismorning，whenshewoke，itwastofindthatMissBeatricehadnotsleptinthehousethatnight，andshecameouttoseeifshecouldfindher。
“Wherewasshegoingwhenshewentout？”Geoffreyasked。
Shedidnotknow，butshethoughtthatMissBeatricewasgoingoutinthecanoe。Leastwaysshehadputonhertennisshoes，whichshealwaysworewhenshewentoutboating。
Geoffreyunderstooditallnow。“Cometotheboat-house。”hesaid。
Theywentdowntothebeach，whereasyetnonewereaboutexceptafewworkingpeople。Neartheboat-houseGeoffreymetoldEdwardwalkingalongwithakeyinhishand。
“Lord，sir！“hesaid。“Youhere，sir！andinthattherequeerhat，too。Whatisit，sir？”
“DidMissBeatricegooutinhercanoeyesterdayevening，Edward？”
Geoffreyaskedhoarsely。
“No，sir;notasIknowon。Myboylockeduptheboat-houselastnight，andIsupposehelookedinitfirst。What！Youdon’tmeantosay——Stop;we’llsoonknow。Oh，Goad！thecanoe’sgone！“
Therewasasilence，anawfulsilence。OldEdwardbrokeit。
“She’sdrowned，sir——that’swhatsheis——drownedatlast;andshethefinestwomaninWales。Iknewedshewouldbeoneday，poordear！andshethebeautythatshewas;andallalongofthatdamnedunluckylittlecraft。Goadhelpher！She’sdrowned，Isay——“
Bettyburstoutintoloudweepingathiswords。
“Stopthatnoise，girl。”saidGeoffrey，turninghispalefacetowardsher。“GobacktotheVicarage，andifMr。GrangercomeshomebeforeI
getback，tellhimwhatwefear。Edward，sendsomementosearchtheshoretowardsCoed，andsomemoreinasailingboat。IwillwalktowardstheBellRock——youcanfollowme。”
Hestartedandswiftlytrampedalongthesands，searchingtheseawithhiseye。Onhewalkedsullenly，desperatelystrivingtohopeagainsthope。On，pasttheDogRocks，roundthelongcurveofbeachtillhecametotheAmphitheatre。Thetidewashighagain;hecouldbarelypasstheprojectingpoint。Hewasroundit，andhisheartstoodstill。
Forthere，bottomupwards，andgentlyswayingtoandfroasthespentwavesrockedit，wasBeatrice’scanoe。
Sadly，hopelessly，heavily，Geoffreywadedkneedeepintothewater，andcatchingthebowofthecanoe，draggeditashore。Therewas，orappearedtobe，nothinginit;ofcoursehecouldnotexpectanythingelse。Itsoccupanthadsunkandbeencarriedouttoseabytheebb，whereasthecanoehaddriftedbacktoshorewiththemorningtide。
Herearedituponitsendtoletthewaterdrainoutofit，andfromthehollowofthebowarchsomethingcamerollingdown，somethingbrightandheavy，followedbyabrownobject。Hastilyheloweredthecanoeagain，andpickedupthebrighttrinket。Itwashisownringcomebacktohim——theRomanringhehadgivenBeatrice，andwhichshetoldhiminthelettershewouldwearinherhourofdeath。Hetoucheditwithhislipsandplaceditbackuponhishand，thistokenfromthebeloveddead，vowingthatitshouldneverleavehishandinlife，andthatafterdeathitshouldbeburiedonhim。Andsoitwillbe，perhapstobedugupagainthousandsofyearshence，andoncemoretoplayapartintheromanceofunbornages。
/Aveatquevale/——thatwastheinscriptionrudelycutwithinitsround。Greetingandfarewell——herownlastwordstohim。Oh，Beatrice，Beatrice！toyoualso/aveatquevale/。Youcouldnothavesentafittermessage。Greetingandfarewell！Diditnotsumitall？Withinthecircleofthislittleringwaswrittheepitomeofhumanlife:
herewerethebeginningandtheendofLoveandHate，ofHopeandfear，ofJoyandSorrow。
Beatrice，hail！Beatrice，farewell！tillperchanceaSpiritrushingearthwardshallcry“/Greeting/。”inanothertongue，andDeath，descendingtohisownplace，shakingfromhiswingsthedewoftears，shallanswer“/FarewelltomeandNight，yeChildrenofEternalDay！/“
Andwhatwasthisotherrelic？Heliftedit——itwasBeatrice’stennisshoe，washedfromherfoot——Geoffreyknewit，foroncehehadtiedit。
ThenGeoffreybrokedown——itwastoomuch。Hethrewhimselfuponthegreatrockandsobbed——thatrockwherehehadsatwithherandHeavenhadopenedtotheirsight。Butmenarenotgiventosuchexhibitionsofemotion，andfortunatelyforhimtheparoxysmdidnotlast。Hecouldnothaveborneitforlong。
Heroseandwentagaintotheedgeofthesea。AtthismomentoldEdwardandhissonarrived。Geoffreypointedtotheboat，thenheldupthelittleshoe。
“Ah。”saidtheoldman，“asIthought。Goadhelpher！She’sgone;
she’llnevercomeashorenomore，shewon’t。She’stwentymilesawaybynow，sheis，breastup，withthegullsa-screamingoverher。It’sthattheredamnedcanoe，that’swhatitis。IwishtoGoadIhadbrokeituplongago。I’dratherhavebuiltheraboatfornothing，Iwould。
Damntheunluckycraft！“screamedtheoldmanatthetopofhisvoice，andturninghisheadtohidethetearsthatwerestreamingdownhisruggedface。“AndherthatInursedandpulledoutofthewatersonceallbutdead。Damnit，Isay！There，takethat，youSeaWitch，you！“
andhepickedupagreatboulderandcrasheditthroughthebottomofthecanoewithallhisstrength。“Youshan’tneverdrownnomore。Butithasbroughtyougoodluck，ithas，sir;you’llbeafortunitmanallyourlifenow。Ithasbroughtyouthe/DrownedOne’sshoe/。”
“Don’tbreakitanymore。”saidGeoffrey。“Sheusedtovalueit。Youhadbetterbringitalongbetweenyou——itmaybewanted。IamgoingtotheVicarage。”
Hewalkedback。Mr。GrangerandElizabethhadnotyetarrived，buttheywereexpectedeveryminute。Hewentintothesitting-room。ItwasfullofmemoriesandtokensofBeatrice。Therelayanovelwhichhehadgivenher，andtherewasyesterday’spaperthatshehadbroughtfromtown，the/Standard/，withhisspeechinit。
Geoffreycoveredhiseyeswithhishand，andthought。Noneknewthatshehadcommittedsuicideexcepthimself。Ifherevealeditthingsmightbesaidofher;hedidnotcarewhatwassaidofhim，buthewasjealousofherdeadname。Itmightbesaid，forinstance，thatthewholetalewastrue，andthatBeatricediedbecauseshecouldnolongerfacelifewithoutbeingputtoanopenshame。Yes，hehadbetterholdhistongueastohowandwhyshedied。Shewasdead——
nothingcouldbringherback。Buthowthenshouldheaccountforhispresencethere？Easilyenough。HewouldsayfranklythathecamebecauseBeatricehadwrittentohimofthechargesmadeagainstherandthethreatsagainsthimself——cametofindherdead。AndonthatpointhewouldstillhaveawordwithOwenDaviesandElizabeth。
ScarcelyhadhemadeuphismindwhenElizabethandherfatherentered。Clearlyfromtheirfacestheyhadasyetheardnothing。
Geoffreyrose，andElizabethcaughtsightofhimstandingwithglowingeyesandafacelikethatofDeathhimself。Sherecoiledinalarm。
“Whatbringsyouhere，Mr。Bingham？”shesaid，inherhardvoice。
“Cannotyouguess，MissGranger？”hesaidsternly。“AfewdaysbackyoumadecertainchargesagainstyoursisterandmyselfinthepresenceofyourfatherandMr。OwenDavies。Thesechargeshavebeencommunicatedtome，andIhavecometoanswerthemandtodemandsatisfactionforthem。”
Mr。Grangerfidgetednervouslyandlookedasthoughhewouldliketoescape，butElizabeth，withcharacteristiccourage，shutthedoorandfacedthestorm。
“Yes，Ididmakethosecharges，Mr。Bingham。”shesaid，“andtheyaretruecharges。Butstop，wehadbettersendforBeatricefirst。”
“Youmaysend，butyouwillnotfindher。”
“Whatdoyoumean？——whatdoyoumean？”askedherfatherapprehensively。
“Itmeansthathehashiddenheraway，Isuppose。”saidElizabethwithasneer。
“Imean，Mr。Granger，thatyourdaughterBeatriceis/dead/。”
Foroncestartledoutofherself-command，Elizabethgavealittlecry，whileherfatherstaggeredbackagainstthewall。
“Dead！dead！Whatdoyoumean？Howdidshedie？”heasked。
“ThatisknowntoGodandheralone。”answeredGeoffrey。“Shewentoutlasteveninginhercanoe。WhenIarrivedherethismorningshewasmissedforthefirsttime。Iwalkedalongthebeachandfoundthecanoeandthisinsideofit。”andheplacedthesoddenshoeuponthetable。
Therewasasilence。Inthemidstofit，OwenDaviesburstintotheroomwithwildeyesanddishevelledhair。
“Isittrue？”hecried，“tellme——itcannotbetruethatBeatriceisdrowned。ShecannothavebeentakenfrommejustwhenIwasgoingtomarryher。Saythatitisnottrue！“
AgreatfuryfilledGeoffrey’sheart。Hewalkeddowntheroomandshutthedoor，aredlightswimmingbeforehiseyes。ThenheturnedandgrippedOwenDavies’sshoulderlikeavice。
“Youaccursedblackguard——youunmanlycur！“hesaid;“youandthatwickedwoman。”andheshookhishandatElizabeth，“conspiredtogethertobringasluruponBeatrice。Youdidmore:youthreatenedtoattackme，totryandruinmeifshewouldnotgiveherselfuptoyou。Youloathsomehypocrite，youtorturedherandfrightenedher;nowIamheretofrighten/you/。Yousaidthatyouwouldmakethecountryringwithyourtales。Itellyouthis——areyoulisteningtome？Ifyoudaretomentionhernameinsuchasense，orifthatwomandares，Iwillbreakeveryboneinyourwretchedbody——byHeavenIwillkillyou！“
andhecastDaviesfromhim，andashedidso，struckhimheavilyacrossthefacewiththebackofhishand。
Themantooknonoticeeitherofhiswordsorofthedeadlyinsultoftheblow。
“Isittrue？”hescreamed，“isittruethatsheisdead？”
“Yes。”saidGeoffrey，followinghim，andbendinghistallsquareframeoverhim，forDavieshadfallenagainstthewall，“yes，itistrue——
sheisdead——andbeyondyourreachforever。PraytoGodthatyoumaynotonedaybecalledhermurderers，allofyou——youshamelesscowards。”
OwenDaviesgaveoneshrillcryandsankinahuddledheapupontheground。
“ThereisnoGod。”hemoaned;“Godpromisedhertome，tobemyown——
youhavekilledher;you——youseducedherfirstandthenyoukilledher。Ibelieveyoukilledher。Oh，Ishallgomad！“
“Madorsane。”saidGeoffrey，“saythosewordsoncemoreandIwillstampthelifeoutofyouwhereyouare。YousaythatGodpromisedhertoyou——promisedthatwomantoahoundlikeyou。Ah，becareful！“
OwenDaviesmadenoanswer。Crouchedthereuponthegroundherockedhimselftoandfro，andmoanedinthemadnessofhisbaulkeddesire。
“Thisman。”saidGeoffrey，turningtowardsandpointingtoElizabeth，whowasglaringathimlikeawildcatfromthecorneroftheroom，“saidthatthereisnoGod。IsaythatthereisaGod，andthatoneday，soonorlate，vengeancewillfindyouout——youmurderess，youwriterofanonymousletters;youwho，toadvanceyourownwickedendswhatevertheymaybe，werenotashamedtotrytodragyourinnocentsister’snameintothedirt。Ineverbelievedinahelltillnow，buttheremustbeahellforsuchasyou，ElizabethGranger。Goyourways;
liveoutyourtime;butliveeveryhourofitinterrorofthevengeancethatshallcomesosurelyasyoushalldie。
“Nowforyou，sir。”hewenton，addressingthetremblingfather。“Idonotblameyousomuch，becauseIbelievethatthisviperpoisonedyourmind。Youmighthavethoughtthatthetalewastrue。Itisnottrue;
itwasalie。Beatrice，whonowisdead，cameintomyroominhersleep，andwascarriedfromitasshecame。Andyou，herfather，allowedthisvillainandyourdaughtertouseherdistressagainsther;youallowedhimtomakealeverofit，withwhichtoforceherintoamarriagethatsheloathed。Yes，coverupyourface——youmaywelldoso。Doyourworst，oneandallofyou，butrememberthatthistimeyouhavetodealwithamanwhocanandwillstrikeback，notapoorfriendlessgirl。”
“BeforeHeaven，itwasnotmyfault，Mr。Bingham。”gaspedtheoldman。
“Iaminnocentofit。ThatJudas-womanElizabethbetrayedhersisterbecauseshewantedtomarryhimherself。”andhepointedtotheHeapuponthefloor。“ShethoughtthatitwouldprejudicehimagainstBeatrice，andhe——hebelievedthatshewasattachedtoyou，andtriedtoworkuponherattachment。”
“So。”saidGeoffrey，“nowwehaveitall。Andyou，sir，stoodbyandsawthisdone。Youstoodbythinkingthatyouwouldmakeaprofitofheragony。NowIwilltellyouwhatImeanttohidefromyou。Ididloveher。Idoloveher——asshelovedme。Ibelievethatbetweenyou，youdrovehertohergrave。Herbloodbeonyourheadsforeverandforever！“
“Oh，takemehome。”groanedtheHeapuponthefloor——“takemehome，Elizabeth！Idaren’tgoalone。Beatricewillhauntme。Mybraingoesroundandround。Takemeaway，Elizabeth，andstopwithme。Youarenotafraidofher，youareafraidofnothing。”
Elizabethsidleduptohim，keepingherfierceeyesonGeoffreyallthetime。Shewasutterlycowedandterrified，butshecouldstilllookfierce。ShetooktheHeapbythehandanddrewhimthencestillmoaningandquitecrazed。Sheledhimawaytohiscastleandhiswealth。Sixmonthsafterwardsshecameforthwithhimtomarryhim，half-wittedashewas。Ayearandeightmonthsafterwardsshecameoutagaintoburyhim，andfoundherselftherichestwidowinWales。
Theywentforth，leavingGeoffreyandMr。Grangeralone。Theoldmanrestedhisheaduponthetableandweptbitterly。
“Bemerciful。”hesaid，“donotsaysuchwordstome。Ilovedher，indeedIdid，butElizabethwastoomuchforme，andIamsopoor。Oh，ifyoulovedheralso，bemerciful！Idonotreproachyoubecauseyoulovedher，althoughyouhadnorighttoloveher。Ifyouhadnotlovedher，andmadeherloveyou，allthiswouldneverhavehappened。Whydoyousaysuchdreadfulthingstome，Mr。Bingham？”
“Ilovedher，sir。”answeredGeoffrey，humblyenoughnowthathisfuryhadpassed，“becausebeingwhatshewasallwholookedonhermustloveher。Thereisnowomanleftlikeherintheworld。ButwhoamI
thatIshouldblameyou？Godforgiveusall！IonlylivehenceforthinthehopethatImayonedayrejoinherwhereshehasgone。”
Therewasapause。
“Mr。Granger。”saidGeoffreypresently，“nevertroubleyourselfaboutmoney。Youwereherfather;anythingyouwantandwhatIhaveisyours。Letusshakehandsandsaygood-bye，andletusnevermeetagain。AsIsaid，Godforgiveusall！“
“Thankyou——thankyou。”saidtheoldman，lookingupthroughthewhitehairthatfellabouthiseyes。“Itisastrangeworldandweareallmiserablesinners。Ihopethereisabettersomewhere。I’mwell-nightiredofthis，especiallynowthatBeatricehasgone。Poorgirl，shewasagooddaughterandafinewoman。Good-bye。Good-bye！“
ThenGeoffreywent。
CHAPTERXXXI
THEDUCHESS’SBALL
GeoffreyreachedTownalittlebeforeeleveno’clockthatnight——ahauntedman——hauntedforlifebyavisionofthatfacestilllovelyindeath，floatingaloneuponthedeep，andcompanionedonlybythescreamingmews——orperchancenowsinkingorsunktoanunfathomablegrave。Wellmightsuchavisionhauntaman，themanwhomaloneofallmenthosecoldlipshadkissed，andforwhosedearsakethisdreadfulthingwasdone。
HetookacabdirectingthedrivertogotoBoltonStreetandtostopathisclubashepassed。Theremightbelettersforhimthere，hethought——somethingwhichwoulddistracthismindalittle。Asitchancedtherewasaletter，marked“private。”andatelegram;bothhadbeendeliveredthatevening，theportersaid，theformeraboutanhouragobyhand。
Idlyheopenedthetelegram——itwasfromhislawyers:“Yourcousin，thechildGeorgeBingham，is，aswehavejustheard，dead。Pleasecallonusearlyto-morrowmorning。”
Hestartedalittle，forthismeantagooddealtoGeoffrey。Itmeantabaronetcyandeightthousandayear，moreorless。HowdelightedHonoriawouldbe，hethoughtwithasadsmile;thelossofthatlargeincomehadalwaysbeenabitterpilltoher，andonewhichshehadmadehimswallowagainandagain。Well，thereitwas。Poorboy，hehadalwaysbeenailing——anoldman’schild！
Heputthetelegraminhispocketandgotintothehansomagain。Therewasalampinitandbyitslighthereadtheletter。ItwasfromthePrimeMinisterandranthus:
“MydearBingham，——IhavenotseenyousinceMondaytothankyouforthemagnificentspeechyoumadeonthatnight。Allowmetoaddmycongratulationstothoseofeverybodyelse。Asyouknow，theUnderSecretaryshipoftheHomeOfficeisvacant。OnbehalfofmycolleaguesandmyselfIwritetoaskifyouwillconsenttofillitforatime，forwedonotinanywayconsiderthatthepostisonecommensuratewithyourabilities。Itwill，however，servetogiveyoupracticalexperienceofadministration，andustheadvantageofyourgreattalentstoanevenlargerextentthanwenowenjoy。Forthefuture，itmustofcoursetakecareofitself;
but，asyouknow，Sir——’shealthisnotallthatcouldbedesired，andtheotherdayhetoldmethatitwasdoubtfulifhewouldbeabletocarryonthedutiesoftheAttorney-Generalshipforverymuchlonger。InviewofthiscontingencyIventuretosuggestthatyouwoulddowelltoapplyforsilkassoonaspossible。IhavespokentotheLordChancelloraboutit，andhesaysthattherewillbenodifficulty，asalthoughyouhaveonlybeeninactivepracticeforsoshortawhile，youhaveagoodmanyyears’standingasabarrister。OrifthisprospectdoesnotpleasedoubtlesssomeotheropeningtotheCabinetcanbefoundintime。Thefactis，thatwecannotinourowninterestoverlookyouforlong。”
Geoffreysmiledagainashefinishedthisletter。Whocouldhavebelievedayearagothathewouldhavebeento-dayinapositiontoreceivesuchanepistlefromthePrimeMinisterofEngland？Ah，herewastheluckoftheDrownedOne’sshoewithavengeance。Andwhatwasitallworthtohimnow？
Heputtheletterinhispocketwiththetelegramandlookedout。TheywereturningintoBoltonStreet。HowwaslittleEffie，hewondered？
Thechildseemedallthatwaslefthimtocarefor。Ifanythinghappenedtoher——bah，hewouldnotthinkofit！
Hewastherenow。“HowisMissEffie？”heaskedoftheservantwhoopenedthedoor。Atthatmomenthisattentionwasattractedbythedimformsoftwopeople，amanandawoman，whowerestandingnotfarfromtheareagate，themanwithhisarmroundthewoman’swaist。Suddenlythewomanappearedtocatchsightofthecabandretiredswiftlydownthearea。ItcrossedhismindthatherfigurewasverylikethatofAnne，theFrenchnurse。
“MissEffieisdoingnicely，sir，I’mtold。”answeredtheman。
Geoffreybreathedmorefreely。“Whereisherladyship？”heasked。“InEffie’sroom？”
“No，sir。”answeredtheman，“herladyshiphasgonetoaball。Sheleftthisnoteforyouincaseyoushouldcomein。”
Hetookthenotefromthehalltableandopenedit。
“DearGeoffrey。”itran，“EffieissomuchbetterthatIhavemadeupmymindtogototheduchess’sballafterall。ShewouldbesodisappointedifIdidnotcome，andmydressisquite/lovely/。
Hadyourmysteriousbusinessanythingtodowith/Bryngelly/？——
Yours，Honoria。”
“Shewouldgoontoaballfromhermother’sfuneral。”saidGeoffreytohimself，ashewalkeduptoEffie’sroom;“well，itishernatureandthere’sanendofit。”
HeknockedatthedoorofEffie’sroom。Therewasnoanswer，sohewalkedin。Theroomwaslitbutempty——no，notquite！Onthefloor，clothedonlyinherwhitenight-shirt，layhislittledaughter，toallappearancedead。
Withsomethinglikeanoathhesprangtoherandliftedher。Thefacewaspaleandthesmallhandswerecold，butthebreastwasstillhotandfevered，andtheheartbeat。Aglanceshowedhimwhathadhappened。Thechildbeingleftalone，andfeelingthirsty，hadgotoutofbedandgonetothewaterbottle——therewasthetumbleronthefloor。Thenweaknesshadovercomeherandshehadfainted——fainteduponthecoldfloorwiththeinflammationstillonher。
AtthatmomentAnneenteredtheroomsweetlymurmuring，“？avabien，chérie？”
“Helpmetoputthechildintobed。”saidGeoffreysternly。“Nowringthebell——ringitagain。
“Andnow，woman——go。Leavethishouseatonce，thisverynight。Doyouhearme？No，don’tstoptoargue。Lookhere！IfthatchilddiesIwillprosecuteyouformanslaughter;yes，Isawyouinthestreet。”andhetookasteptowardsher。ThenAnnefled，andherfacewasseennomoreinBoltonStreetorindeedinthiscountry。
“James。”saidGeoffreytotheservant，“sendthecookuphere——sheisasensiblewoman;anddoyoutakeahansomanddrivetothedoctor，andtellhimtocomehereatonce，andifyoucannotfindhimgoforanotherdoctor。ThengototheNurses’Home，nearSt。James’Station，andgetatrainednurse——tellthemonemustbehadfromsomewhereinstantly。”
“Yes，sir。AndshallIcallforherladyshipattheduchess’s，sir？”
“No。”heanswered，frowningheavily，“donotdisturbherladyship。Gonow。”
“Thatsettlesit。”saidGeoffrey，asthemanwent。“Whateverhappens，HonoriaandImustpart。Ihavedonewithher。”
Hehadindeed，thoughnotinthewayhemeant。ItwouldhavebeenwellforHonoriaifherhusband’scontempthadnotpreventedhimfromsummoningherfromherpleasure。
Thecookcameup，andbetweenthemtheybroughtthechildbacktolife。
Sheopenedhereyesandsmiled。“Isthatyou，daddy。”shewhispered，“ordoIdreams？”
“Yes，dear，itisI。”
“Wherehasyoubeen，daddy——toseeAuntieBeatrice？”
“Yes，love。”hesaid，withagasp。
“Oh，daddy，myheaddofeelfunny;butIdon’tmindnowyouiscomeback。Youwon’tgoawaynomore，willyou，daddy？”
“No，dear，nomore。”
Afterthatshebegantowanderalittle，andfinallydroppedintoatroubledsleep。
Withinhalfanhourboththedoctorandthenursearrived。TheformerlistenedtoGeoffrey’staleandexaminedthechild。
“Shemaypullthroughit。”hesaid，“shehasgotacapitalconstitution;butI’lltellyouwhatitis——ifshehadlainanotherfiveminutesinthatdraughttherewouldhavebeenanendofher。Youcameinthenickoftime。AndnowifIwereyouIshouldgotobed。
Youcandonogoodhere，andyoulookdreadfullyillyourself。”
ButGeoffreyshookhishead。Hesaidhewouldgodownstairsandsmokeapipe。Hedidnotwanttogotobedatpresent;hewastootired。
Meanwhiletheballwentmerrily。LadyHonorianeverenjoyedherselfmoreinherlife。Sherevelledintheluxuriousgaietyaroundherlikeabutterflyinthesunshine。Howgooditallwas——theflashofdiamonds，theodourofcostlyflowers，thehomageofwell-bredmen，theenvyofotherwomen。Oh！itwasadelightfulworldafterall——thatiswhenonedidnothavetoexistinaflatneartheEdgwareRoad。ButHeavenbepraised！thankstoGeoffrey’stalents，therewasanendofflatsandmisery。Afterall，hewasnotabadsortofhusband，thoughinmanywaysaperfectmysterytoher。AsforhislittleweaknessfortheWelshgirl，really，providedthattherewasnoscandal，shedidnotcaretwopenceaboutit。
“Yes，Iamsogladyouadmireit。Ithinkitisratheranicedress，butthenIalwayssaythatnobodyinLondoncanmakeadresslikeMadameJules。Oh，no，Geoffreydidnotchooseit;hethinksofotherthings。”
“Well，I’msureyououghttobeproudofhim，LadyHonoria。”saidthehandsomeGuardsmantowhomshewastalking;“theysayatmessthatheisoneofthecleverestmeninEngland。IonlywishIhadafiftiethpartofhisbrains。”
“Oh，pleasedonotbecomeclever，LordAtleigh;pleasedon’t，orI
shallreallygiveyouup。Clevernessisallverywell，butitisn’teverything，youknow。Yes，Iwilldanceifyoulike，butyoumustgoslowly;tobequitehonest，Iamafraidoftearingmylaceinthiscrush。Why，IdeclarethereisGarsington，mybrother，youknow。”andshepointedtoasmallred-hairedmanwhowaselbowinghiswaytowardsthem。“Iwonderwhathewants;itisnotatallinhislinetocometoballs。Youknowhim，don’tyou？heisalwaysracinghorses，likeyou。”
ButtheGuardsmanhadvanished。ForreasonsofhisownhedidnotwishtomeetGarsington。Perhapshetoohadbeenamemberofacertainclub。
“Oh，thereyouare，Honoria。”saidherbrother，“IthoughtthatI
shouldbesuretofindyousomewhereinthisbeastlysquash。Lookhere，Ihavesomethingtotellyou。”
“Goodnewsorbad？”saidLadyHonoria，playingwithherfan。“Ifitisbad，keepit，forIamenjoyingmyselfverymuch，andIdon’twantmyeveningspoilt。”
“Trustyouforthat，Honoria;butlookhere，it’sjollygood，aboutasgoodascanbeforthatprigofahusbandofyours。Whatdoyouthink？
thatbratofaboy，thesonofoldSirRobertBinghamandthecookorsomeone，youknow，is——“
“Notdead，notdead？”saidHonoriaindeepagitation。
“Deadasditch-water。”repliedhislordship。“Ihearditattheclub。
Therewasalawyerfellowtherediningwithsomebodythere，andtheygottalkingaboutBingham，whenthelawyersaid，’Oh，he’sSirGeoffreyBinghamnow。OldSirRobert’sheirisdead。Isawthetelegrammyself。’“
“Oh，thisisalmosttoogoodtobetrue。”saidHonoria。“Why，itmeanseightthousandayeartous。”
“Itoldyouitwasprettygood。”saidherbrother。“Yououghttostandmeacommissionoutoftheswag。Atanyrate，let’sgoanddrinktothenews。Comeon，itistimeforsupperandIamawfullydone。Imustscrewmyselfup。”
LadyHonoriatookhisarm。Astheywalkeddownthewideflower-hungstairtheymetaverygreatPersonindeed，comingup。
“Ah，LadyHonoria。”saidthegreatPerson，“Ihavesomethingtosaythatwillpleaseyou，Ithink。”andhebenttowardsher，andspokeverylow，then，withalittlebow，passedon。
“Whatistheoldboytalkingabout？”askedherbrother。
“Why，whatdoyouthink？Weareinluck’swayto-night。HesaysthattheyareofferingGeoffreytheUnderSecretaryshipoftheHomeOffice。”
“He’llbeabiggerprigthanevernow。”growledLordGarsington。“Yes，itisluckthough;letushopeitwon’tturn。”
Theysatdowntosupper，andLordGarsington，whohadalreadybeendining，helpedhimselfprettyfreelytochampagne。Beforethemwasasilvercandelabraandoneachofthecandleswasfixedalittlepaintedpapershade。Oneofthemgotwrong，andafootmantriedtoreachoverLordGarsington’sheadtoputitstraight。
“I’lldoit。”saidhe。
“No，no;lettheman。”saidLadyHonoria。“Look！itisgoingtocatchfire！“
“Nonsense。”heanswered，risingsolemnlyandreachinghisarmtowardstheshade。Ashetouchedit，itcaughtfire;indeed，bytouchingithecausedittocatchfire。Heseizedholdofit，andmadeanefforttoputitout，butitburnthisfingers。
“Cursethething！“hesaidaloud，andthrewitfromhim。Itfellflaminginhissister’sdressamongthethickestofthefilmylaces;
theycaught，andinstantlytwowreathingsnakesoffireshotupher。
Shesprangfromherseatandrushedscreamingdowntheroom，anawfulmassofflame！
IntenmoreminutesLadyHonoriahadleftthisworldanditspleasurestothosewhostilllivedtotastethem。
Anhourpassed。GeoffreystillsatbroodingheavilyoverhispipeinthestudyinBoltonStreetandwaitingforHonoria，whenaknockcametohisdoor。Theservantshadallgonetobed，allexceptthesicknurse。Heroseandopenedithimself。Alittlered-haired，pale-facedmanstaggeredin。
“Why，Garsington，isityou？Whatdoyouwantatthishour？”
“Screwyourselfup，Bingham，I’vesomethingtotellyou。”heansweredinathickvoice。
“Whatisit？anotherdisaster，Isuppose。Issomebodyelsedead？”
“Yes;somebodyis。Honoria’sdead。Burnttodeathattheball。”
“GreatGod！Honoriaburnttodeath。Ihadbettergo——“
“Iadviseyounot，Bingham。Iwouldn’tgotothehospitalifIwereyou。Screwyourselfup，andifyoucan，givemesomethingtodrink——
I’maboutdone——Imustscrewmyselfup。”
Andherewemayleavethismostfortunateandgiftedman。FarewelltoGeoffreyBingham。
ENVOL
Thus，then，didthesehumanatomsworkouttheirdestinies，theselittlegrainsofanimateddust，blownhitherandthitherbyabreathwhichcametheyknewnotwhence。
IftherebeanymaliciousPrincipleamongthePowersaroundusthatdeignstofindamusementinthefutilevagariesofman，wellmightitlaugh，andlaughagain，atthegreatresultsofallthisscheming，ofallthesedesires，lovesandhates;andiftherebeanypitifulPrinciple，wellmightitsighovertheinfinitepathosofhumanhelplessness。OwenDavieslostinhisownpassion;Geoffreycrownedwithprosperityandhauntedbyundyingsorrow;Honoriaperishingwretchedlyinherhourofsatisfiedambition;Beatricesacrificingherselfinloveandblindness，andtherebycastingoutherjoy。
Oh，ifshehadbeencontenttohumblytrustintheProvidenceaboveher;ifshehadbutleftthatdeedundaredforoneshortweek！
ButGeoffreystilllived，andthechildrecovered，afterhangingforawhilebetweenlifeanddeath，andwaslefttocomforthim。Mayshesurvivetobeahappywifeandmother，livingunderconditionsmorefavourabletoherwell-beingthanthosewhichtrampledoutthelifeofthatmistakenwoman，theill-starred，great-souledBeatrice，andbrokeherfather’sheart。
Say——whatarewe？Wearebutarrowswingedwithfearsandshotfromdarknessintodarkness;weareblindleadersoftheblind，aimlessbeatersofthiswintryair;losttravellersbymanystonypathsendinginoneend。Tellus，you，whohaveoutwornthecommontragedyandpassedthenarrowway，whatliesbeyonditsgate？Youaredumb，orwecannothearyouspeak。
ButBeatriceknowsto-day！
End