’What，won’tit，then？’hesaid。
’Isupposeso，’sheanswered。’Ifitistobe，itis。’
’Wellsaid——verywellsaid，mydear。’
’Andifitisn’ttobeitisn’t。’
’What？Who’sbeenputtingthatintoyourhead？Yourgrumpygranny，Isuppose。However，howisshe？Margery，Ihavebeenthinkingto—
day——infact，Iwasthinkingityesterdayandalltheweek——thatreallywemightsettleourlittlebusinessthissummer。’
’Thissummer？’sherepeated，withsomedismay。’Butthepartnership？
Rememberitwasnottobetillafterthatwascompleted。’
’ThereIhaveyou!’saidhe，takingthelibertytopathershoulder，andthefurtherlibertyofadvancinghishandbehindittotheother。
’Thepartnershipissettled。’Tis\"VineandHayward，lime—burners，\"
now，and\"RichardVine\"nolonger。Yes，CousinRichardhassettleditso，foratimeatleast，and’tistobepaintedonthecartsthisweek——blueletters——yallerground。I’llbossoneof’em，anddriveenroundtoyourdoorassoonasthepaintisdry，toshow’eehowitlooks？’
’Oh，Iamsureyouneedn’ttakethattrouble，Jim；Icanseeitquitewellenoughinmymind，’repliedtheyounggirl——notwithoutaflittingaccentofsuperiority。
’Hullo，’saidJim，takingherbytheshoulders，andlookingatherhard。’Whatdewthatbitofincivilitymean？Now，Margery，let’ssitdownhere，andhavethiscleared。’Herappedwithhisstickupontherailofalittlebridgetheywerecrossing，andseatedhimselffirmly，leavingaplaceforher。
’ButIwanttogethome—along，’dearJim，shecoaxed。
’Fidgets。Sitdown，there’sadear。Iwantastraightforwardanswer，ifyouplease。Inwhatmonth，andonwhatdayofthemonth，willyoumarryme？’
’O，Jim，’shesaid，sittinggingerlyontheedge，’that’stooplain—
spokenforyouyet。BeforeIlookatitinthatbusinesslightI
shouldhaveto——to——’
’Butyourfatherhassettleditlongago，andyousaiditshouldbeassoonasIbecameapartner。So，dear，youmustnotmindaplainmanwantingaplainanswer。Come，nameyourtime。’
Shedidnotreplyatonce。Whatthoughtswerepassingthroughherbrainduringtheinterval？Notimagesraisedbyhiswords，butwhirlingfiguresofmenandwomeninredandwhiteandblue，reflectedfromaglassyfloor，inmovementstimedbythethrillingbeatsoftheDrumPolka。Atlastshesaidslowly，’Jim，youdon’tknowtheworld，andwhatawoman’swantscanbe。’
’ButIcanmakeyoucomfortable。Iaminlodgingsasyet，butIcanhaveahousefortheasking；andastofurniture，youshallchooseofthebestforyourself——theverybest。’
’Thebest!Farareyoufromknowingwhatthatis!’saidthelittlewoman。’Therebeornamentssuchasyouneverdreamof；work—tablesthatwouldsetyouinamaze；silvercandlesticks，teaandcoffeepotsthatwoulddazzleyoureyes；tea—cups，andsaucers，gildedalloverwithguinea—gold；heavyvelvetcurtains，goldclocks，pictures，andlooking—glassesbeyondyourverydreams。Sodon’tsayIshallhavethebest。’
’H’m!’saidJimgloomily；andfellintoreflection。’Wheredidyougetthosehighnotionsfrom，Margery？’hepresentlyinquired。’I’llswearyouhadn’tgot’emaweekago。’Shedidnotanswer，andheadded，’YEWdon’texpecttohavesuchthings，Ihope；deservethemasyoumay？’
’IwasnotexactlyspeakingofwhatIwanted，’shesaidseverely。’I
said，thingsawomanCOULDwant。AndsinceyouwishtoknowwhatI
CANwanttoquitesatisfyme，IassureyouIcanwantthose!’
’Youareapink—and—whiteconundrum，Margery，’hesaid；’andIgiveyouupforto—night。AnybodywouldthinkthedevilhadshowedyouallthekingdomsoftheworldsinceIsawyoulast!’
Shereddened。’Perhapshehas!’shemurmured；thenarose，hefollowingher；andtheysoonreachedMargery’shome，approachingitfromthelowerormeadowside——theoppositetothatofthegardentop，whereshehadmettheBaron。
’You’llcomein，won’tyou，Jim？’shesaid，withmoreceremonythanheartiness。
’No——Ithinknotto—night，’heanswered。’I’llconsiderwhatyou’vesaid。’
’Youareverygood，Jim，’shereturnedlightly。’Good—bye。’
CHAPTERVII
Jimthoughtfullyretracedhissteps。Hewasavillagecharacter，andhehadavillager’ssimplicity：thatis，thesimplicitywhichcomesfromthelackofacomplicatedexperience。Butsimplebynaturehecertainlywasnot。AmongtherankandfileofrusticshewasquiteaTalleyrand，orratherhadbeenone，tillhelostagooddealofhisself—commandbyfallinginlove。
Now，however，thatthecharmingobjectofhisdistractionwasoutofsighthecoulddeliberate，andmeasure，andweighthingswithsomeapproachtokeenness。Thesubstanceofhisquerieswas，WhatchangehadcomeoverMargery——whencethesenewnotions？
Ponderashewouldhecouldevolvenoanswersaveone，which，eminentlyunsatisfactoryasitwas，hefeltitwouldbeunreasonablenottoaccept：thatshewassimplyskittishandambitiousbynature，andwouldnotbehuntedintomatrimonytillhehadprovidedawell—
adornedhome。
Jimretrodthemilestothekiln，andlookedtothefires。Thekilnstoodinapeculiar，interesting，evenimpressivespot。Itwasattheendofashortravineinalimestoneformation，andallaroundwasanopenhillydown。ThenearesthousewasthatofJim’scousinandpartner，whichstoodontheoutskirtsofthedownbesidetheturnpike—road。Fromthishousealittlelanewoundbetweenthesteepescarpmentsoftheravinetillitreachedthekiln，whichfaceddowntheminiaturevalley，commandingitasafortmightcommandadefile。
Theideaofafortinthisassociationowedlittletoimagination。
Foronthenibbledgreensteepabovethekilnstoodabye—gone，worn—
outspecimenofsuchanerection，huge，impressive，anddifficulttoscaleevennowinitsdecay。ItwasaBritishcastleorentrenchment，withtripleringsofdefence，risingrollbehindroll，theiroutlinescuttingsharplyagainstthesky，andJim’skilnnearlyunderminingtheirbase。Whenthelime—kilnflaredupinthenight，whichitoftendid，itsfireslitupthefrontoftheserampartstoagreatmajesty。Theywereoldfriendsofhis，andwhilekeepinguptheheatthroughthelongdarkness，asitwassometimeshisdutytodo，hewouldimaginethedancinglightsandshadesaboutthestupendousearthworktobetheformsofthosegiantswho（hesupposed）hadheapeditup。Oftenheclambereduponit，andwalkedaboutthesummit，thinkingouttheproblemsconnectedwithhisbusiness，hispartner，hisfuture，hisMargery。
Itwaswhathedidthisevening，continuingthemeditationontheyounggirl’smannerthathehadbegunupontheroad，andstill，asthen，findingnocluetothechange。
Whilethusengagedheobservedamancominguptheravinetothekiln。Businessmessageswerealmostinvariablyleftatthehousebelow，andJimwatchedthemanwiththeinterestexcitedbyabeliefthathehadcomeonapersonalmatter。OnnearerapproachJimrecognizedhimasthegardeneratMountLodgesomemilesaway。Ifthismeantbusiness，theBaron（ofwhosearrivalJimhadvaguelyheard）wasanewandunexpectedcustomer。
Itmeantnothingelse，apparently。Theman’serrandwassimplytoinformJimthattheBaronrequiredaloadoflimeforthegarden。
’YoumighthavesavedyourselftroublebyleavingwordatMr。
Vine’s，’saidJim。
’Iwastoseeyoupersonally，’saidthegardener，’andtosaythattheBaronwouldliketoinquireofyouaboutthedifferentqualitiesoflimeproperforsuchpurposes。’
’Couldn’tyoutellhimyourself？’saidJim。
’HesaidIwastotellyouthat，’repliedthegardener；’anditwasn’tformetointerfere。’
NomotiveotherthantheostensibleonecouldpossiblybeconjecturedbyJimHaywardatthistime；andthenextmorninghestartedwithgreatpleasure，inhisbestbusinesssuitofclothes。Byeleveno’clockheandhishorseandcarthadarrivedontheBaron’spremises，andthelimewasdepositedwheredirected；anexceptionalspot，justwithinviewofthewindowsofthesouthfront。
BaronvonXanten，paleandmelancholy，wassaunteringinthesunontheslopebetweenthehouseandtheall—the—year—round。HelookedacrosstowhereJimandthegardenerwerestanding，andtheidentityofHaywardbeingestablishedbywhathebrought，theBaroncamedown，andthegardenerwithdrew。
TheBaron’sfirstinquirieswere，asJimhadbeenledtosupposetheywouldbe，ontheexterminatingeffectsoflimeuponslugsandsnailsinitsdifferentconditionsofslakedandunslaked，groundandinthelump。HeappearedtobemuchinterestedbyJim’sexplanations，andeyedtheyoungmancloselywheneverhehadanopportunity。
’AndIhopetradeisprosperouswithyouthisyear，’saidtheBaron。
’Very，mynoblelord，’repliedJim，who，inhisuncertaintyonthepropermethodofaddress，wiselyconcludedthatitwasbettertoerrbygivingtoomuchhonourthanbygivingtoolittle。’Inshort，tradeislookingsowellthatI’vebecomeapartnerinthefirm。’
’Indeed；Iamgladtohearit。Sonowyouaresettledinlife。’
’Well，mylord；Iamhardlysettled，evennow。ForI’vegottofinishit——Imean，togetmarried。’
’That’saneasymatter，comparedwiththepartnership。’
’Nowamanmightthinkso，mybaron，’saidJim，gettingmoreconfidential。’Buttherealtruthis，’tisthehardestpartofallforme。’
’Yoursuitprospers，Ihope？’
’Itdon’t，’saidJim。’Itdon’tatalljustatpresent。Inshort，I
can’tforthelifeo’methinkwhat’scomeovertheyoungwomanlately。’Andhefellintodeepreflection。
ThoughJimdidnotobserveit，theBaron’sbrowbecameshadowedwithself—reproachasheheardthosesimplewords，andhiseyeshadalookofpity。’Indeed——sincewhen？’heasked。
’Sinceyesterday，mynoblelord。’Jimspokemeditatively。Hewasresolvinguponaboldstroke。Whynotmakeaconfidantofthiskindgentleman，insteadoftheparson，ashehadintended？Thethoughtwasnosoonerconceivedthanactedon。’Mylord，’heresumed，’I
haveheardthatyouareanoblemanofgreatscopeandtalent，whohasseenmorestrangecountriesandcharactersthanIhaveeverheardof，andknowtheinsidesofmenwell。ThereforeIwouldfainputaquestiontoyournoblelordship，ifImaysotroubleyou，andhavingnobodyelseintheworldwhocouldinformmesotrewly。’
’AnyadviceIcangiveisatyourservice，Hayward。Whatdoyouwishtoknow？’
’Itisthis，mybaron。WhatcanIdotobringdownayoungwoman’sambitionthat’sgottosuchatoweringheightthere’snoreachingitorcompassingit：howgethertobepleasedwithmeandmystationassheusedtobewhenIfirstknewher？’
’Truly，that’sahardquestion，myman。Whatdoessheaspireto？’
’She’sgotacrazeforfinefurniture。’
’Howlonghasshehadit？’
’Onlyjustnow。’
TheBaronseemedstillmoretoexperienceregret。
’Whatfurnituredoesshespeciallycovet？’heasked。
’Silvercandlesticks，work—tables，looking—glasses，goldtea—things，silvertea—pots，goldclocks，curtains，pictures，andIdon’tknowwhatall——thingsIshallnevergetifIlivetobeahundred——notsomuchthatIcouldn’traisethemoneytobuy’em，asthattoputittootheruses，orsaveitforarainyday。’
’Youthinkthepossessionofthosearticleswouldmakeherhappy？’
’Ireallythinktheymight，mylord。’
’Good。Openyourpocket—bookandwriteasItellyou。’
Jiminsomeastonishmentdidascommanded，andelevatinghispocket—
bookagainstthegarden—wall，thoroughlymoistenedhispencil，andwroteattheBaron’sdictation：
’Pairofsilvercandlesticks：inlaidwork—tableandwork—box：onelargemirror：twosmallditto：onegiltchinateaandcoffeeservice：onesilvertea—pot，coffee—pot，sugar—basin，jug，anddozenspoons：Frenchclock：pairofcurtains：sixlargepictures。’
’Now，’saidtheBaron，’tearoutthatleafandgiveittome。Keepaclosetongueaboutthis；gohome，anddon’tbesurprisedatanythingthatmaycometoyourdoor。’
’But，mynoblelord，youdon’tmeanthatyourlordshipisgoingtogive——’
’NevermindwhatIamgoingtodo。Onlykeepyourowncounsel。I
perceivethat，thoughaplaincountryman，youarebynomeansdeficientintactandunderstanding。Ifsendingthesethingstoyougivesmepleasure，whyshouldyouobject？Thefactis，Hayward，I
occasionallytakeaninterestinpeople，andliketodoalittleforthem。Itakeaninterestinyou。Nowgohome，andaweekhenceinviteMarg——theyoungwomanandherfather，toteawithyou。Therestisinyourownhands。’
AquestionoftenputtoJiminaftertimeswaswhyithadnotoccurredtohimatoncethattheBaron’sliberalconductmusthavebeendictatedbysomethingmorepersonalthansuddenspontaneousgenerositytohim，astranger。TowhichJimalwaysansweredthat，admittingtheexistenceofsuchgenerosity，therehadappearednothingremarkableintheBaronselectinghimselfasitsobject。TheBaronhadtoldhimthathetookaninterestinhim；andself—esteem，evenwiththemostmodest，isusuallysufficienttoover—rideanylittledifficultythatmightoccurtoanoutsiderinaccountingforapreference。Hemoreoverconsideredthatforeignnoblemen，richandeccentric，mighthavehabitsofactingwhichwerequiteatvariancewiththoseoftheirEnglishcompeers。
Sohedroveoffhomewardwithalighterheartthanhehadknownforseveraldays。Tohaveaforeigngentlemantakeafancytohim——whatatriumphtoaplainsortoffellow，whohadscarcelyexpectedtheBarontolookinhisface。ItwouldbeafinestorytotellMargerywhentheBarongavehimlibertytospeakout。
Jimlodgedatthehouseofhiscousinandpartner，RichardVine，awidoweroffiftyoddyears。Havingfailedinthedevelopmentofahouseholdofdirectdescendantsthistradesmanhadbeengladtolethischamberstohismuchyoungerrelative，whenthelatterenteredonthebusinessoflimemanufacture；andtheirintimacyhadledtoapartnership。Jimlivedupstairs；hispartnerliveddown，andthefurnitureofalltheroomswassoplainandoldfashionedastoexcitethespecialdislikeofMissMargeryTucker，andeventoprejudiceheragainstJimfortoleratingit。Notonlywerethechairsandtablesqueer，but，withdueregardtotheprinciplethataman’ssurroundingsshouldbeartheimpressofthatman’slifeandoccupation，thechiefornamentsofthedwellingwereacuriouscollectionofcalcinations，thathadbeendiscoveredfromtimetotimeinthelime—kiln——misshapeningotsofstrangesubstance，someofthemlikePompeianremains。
Theheadofthefirmwasaquiet—living，narrow—minded，thoughfriendly，manoffifty；andhetookaseriousinterestinJim’slove—
suit，frequentlyinquiringhowitprogressed，andassuringJimthatifhechosetomarryhemighthavealltheupperflooratalowrent，he，Mr。Vine，contentinghimselfentirelywiththegroundlevel。IthadbeensoconvenientfordiscussingbusinessmatterstohaveJiminthesamehouse，thathedidnotwishanychangetobemadeinconsequenceofachangeinJim’sdomesticestate。Margeryknewofthiswish，andofJim’sconcurrentfeeling；anddidnotliketheideaatall。
Aboutfourdaysaftertheyoungman’sinterviewwiththeBaron，theredrewupinfrontofJim’shouseatnoonawaggonladenwithcasesandpackages，largeandsmall。Theywerealladdressedto’Mr。Hayward，’
andtheyhadcomefromthelargestfurnishingware—housesinthatpartofEngland。
Three—quartersofanhourwereoccupiedingettingthecasestoJim’srooms。ThewaryJimdidnotshowtheamazementhefeltathispatron’smunificence；andpresentlytheseniorpartnercameintothepassage，andwonderedwhatwaslumberingupstairs。
’Oh——it’sonlysomethingsofmine，’saidJimcoolly。
’Bearinguponthecomingevent——eh？’saidhispartner。
’Exactly，’repliedJim。
Mr。Vine，withsomeastonishmentatthenumberofcases，shortlyafterwentawaytothekiln；whereuponJimshuthimselfintohisrooms，andtherehemighthavebeenheardrippingupandopeningboxeswithacautioushand，afterwardsappearingoutsidethedoorwiththemempty，andcarryingthemofftotheouthouse。
Atriumphantlooklituphisfacewhen，alittlelaterintheafternoon，hesentintothevaletothedairy，andinvitedMargeryandherfathertohishousetosupper。
Shewasnotunsociablethatday，and，herfatherexpressingahardandfastacceptanceoftheinvitation，sheperforceagreedtogowithhim。Meanwhileathome，Jimmadehimselfasmysteriouslybusyasbeforeinthoseroomsofhis，andwhenhispartnerreturnedhetoowasaskedtojoininthesupper。
AtduskHaywardwenttothedoor，wherehestoodtillheheardthevoicesofhisguestsfromthedirectionofthelowgrounds，nowcoveredwiththeirfrequentfleeceoffog。Thevoicesgrewmoredistinct，andthenonthewhitesurfaceofthefogthereappearedtwotrunklessheads，fromwhichbodiesandahorseandcartgraduallyextendedastheapproachingpairrosetowardsthehouse。
WhentheyhadenteredJimpressedMargery’shandandconductedheruptohisrooms，herfatherwaitingbelowtosayafewwordstotheseniorlime—burner。
’Blessme，’saidJimtoher，onenteringthesitting—room；’Iquiteforgottogetalightbeforehand；butI’llhaveoneinajiffy。’
Margerystoodinthemiddleofthedarkroom，whileJimstruckamatch；andthentheyounggirl’seyeswereconsciousofaburstoflight，andtheriseintobeingofapairofhandsomesilvercandlestickscontainingtwocandlesthatJimwasintheactoflighting。
’Why——where——youhavecandlestickslikethat？’saidMargery。Hereyesflewroundtheroomasthegrowingcandle—flamesshowedotherarticles。’Picturestoo——andlovelychina——whyIknewnothingofthis，Ideclare。’
’Yes——afewthingsthatcametomebyaccident，’saidJiminquiettones。
’Andagreatgoldclockunderaglass，andacupidswingingforapendulum；andOwhatalovelywork—table——woodsofeverycolour——andawork—boxtomatch。MayIlookinsidethatwork—box，Jim？——whoseisit？’
’Oyes；lookatit，ofcourse。Itisapoorenoughthing，but’tismine；anditwillbelongtothewomanImarry，whoevershemaybe，aswellasalltheotherthingshere。’
’Andthecurtainsandthelooking—glasses：whyIdeclareIcanseemyselfinahundredplaces。’
’Thattea—set，’saidJim，placidlypointingtoagorgeouschinaserviceandalargesilvertea—potonthesidetable，’Idon’tuseatpresent，beingabachelor—man；but，saysItomyself，\"whoeverI
marrywillwantsomesuchthingsforgivingherparties；orIcansellem\"——butIhaven’ttookstepsfor’tyet——’
’Sell’em——no，Ishouldthinknot，’saidMargerywithearnestreproach。’Why，Ihopeyouwouldn’tbesofoolish!Why，thisisexactlythekindofthingIwasthinkingofwhenItoldyouofthethingswomencouldwant——ofcoursenotmeaningmyselfparticularly。
Ihadnoideathatyouhadsuchvaluable——’
Margerywasunabletospeakcoherently，somuchwassheamazedatthewealthofJim’spossessions。
Atthismomentherfatherandthelime—burnercameupstairs；andtoappearwomanlyandpropertoMr。Vine，Margeryrepressedtheremainderofhersurprise。
Asforthetwoelderlyworthies，itwasnottilltheyenteredtheroomandsatdownthattheirslowereyesdiscernedanythingbrilliantintheappointments。Thenoneofthemstoleaglanceatsomearticle，andtheotheratanother；buteachbeingunwillingtoexpresshiswonderinthepresenceofhisneighbours，theyreceivedtheobjectsbeforethemwithquiteanaccustomedair；thelime—burnerinwardlytryingtoconjecturewhatallthismeant，andthedairymanmusingthatifJim’sbusinessallowedhimtoaccumulateatthisrate，thesoonerMargerybecamehiswifethebetter。Margeryretreatedtothework—table，work—box，andtea—service，whichsheexaminedwithhushedexclamations。
Anentertainmentthussurprisinglybeguncouldnotfailtoprogresswell。WheneverMargery’scrustyoldfatherfelttheneedofacivilsentence，theflashofJim’sfancyarticlesinspiredhimtoone；
whilethelime—burner，havingreasonedawayhisfirstominousthoughtthatallthishadcomeoutofthefirm，alsofeltproudandblithe。
Jimaccompaniedhisdairyfriendspartofthewayhomebeforetheymounted。Herfather，findingthatJimwantedtospeaktoherprivately，andthatsheexhibitedsomeelusiveness，turnedtoMargeryandsaid；’Come，come，mylady；nomoreofthisnonsense。Youjuststepbehindwiththatyoungman，andIandthecartwillwaitforyou。’
Margery，alittlescaredatherfather’speremptoriness，obeyed。ItwasplainthatJimhadwontheoldmanbythatnight’sstroke，ifhehadnotwonher。
’Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay，Jim，’shebegan，lessardentlynow，forshewasnolongerunderthenovelinfluenceoftheshiningsilverandglass。’Well，asyoudesireit，andasmyfatherdesiresit，andasIsupposeitwillbethebestcourseforme，Iwillfixtheday——notthisevening，butassoonasIcanthinkitover。’
CHAPTERVIII
Notwithstandingapressofbusiness，JimwentanddidhisdutyinthankingtheBaron。Thelattersawhiminhisfishing—tackleroom，anapartmentlitteredwitheveryappliancethatavotaryoftherodcouldrequire。
’Andwhenisthewedding—daytobe，Hayward？’theBaronasked，afterJimhadtoldhimthatmattersweresettled。
’Itisnotquitecertainyet，mynoblelord，’saidJimcheerfully。
’ButIhope’twillnotbelongafterthetimewhenGodA’mightychristensthelittleapples。’
’Andwhenisthat？’
’St。Swithin’s——themiddleofJuly。’Tistobesometimeinthatmonth，shetellsme。’
WhenJimwasgonetheBaronseemedmeditative。Hewentout，ascendedthemount，andenteredtheweather—screen，wherehelookedattheseats，asthoughre—enactinginhisfancythesceneofthatmemorablemorningoffog。Heturnedhiseyestotheangleoftheshelter，roundwhichMargeryhadsuddenlyappearedlikeavision，anditwasplainthathewouldnothavemindedherappearingtherethen。Thejuncturehadindeedbeensuchanimpressiveandcriticalonethatshemusthaveseemedratheraheavenlymessengerthanapassingmilkmaid，moreespeciallytoamanliketheBaron，who，despitethemysteryofhisoriginandlife，revealedhimselftobeamelancholy，emotionalcharacter——theJacquesofthisforestandstream。
Behindthemountthegroundroseyethigher，ascendingtoaplantationwhichshelteredthehouse。TheBaronstrolleduphere，andbenthisgazeoverthedistance。ThevalleyoftheExelaybeforehim，withitsshiningriver，thebrooksthatfedit，andthetricklingspringsthatfedthebrooks。ThesituationofMargery’shousewasvisible，thoughnotthehouseitself；andtheBarongazedthatwayforaninfinitelylongtime，till，rememberinghimself，hemovedon。
InsteadofreturningtothehousehewentalongtheridgetillhearrivedatthevergeofChillingtonWood，andinthesamedesultorymannerroamedunderthetrees，notpausingtillhehadcometoThree—
Walks—End，andthehollowelmhardby。Hepeepedinattherift。Inthesoftdrylayeroftouch—woodthatflooredthehollowMargery’strackswerestillvisible，asshehadmadethemtherewhendressingfortheball。
’LittleMargery!’murmuredtheBaron。
Inamomenthethoughtbetterofthismood，andturnedtogohome。
Butbehold，aformstoodbehindhim——thatofthegirlwhosenamehadbeenonhislips。
Shewasinutterconfusion。’I——I——didnotknowyouwerehere，sir!’
shebegan。’Iwasoutforalittlewalk。’Shecouldgetnofurther；
hereyesfilledwithtears。Thatspiceofwilfulness，evenhardness，whichcharacterizedherinJim’scompany，magicallydisappearedinthepresenceoftheBaron。
’Nevermind，nevermind，’saidhe，maskingunderaseveremannerwhateverhefelt。’Themeetingisawkward，andoughtnottohaveoccurred，especiallyifasIsuppose，youareshortlytobemarriedtoJamesHayward。Butitcannotbehelpednow。YouhadnoideaI
washere，ofcourse。NeitherhadIofseeingyou。Rememberyoucannotbetoocareful，’continuedtheBaron，inthesamegravetone；
’andIstronglyrequestyouasafriendtodoyourutmosttoavoidmeetingslikethis。WhenyousawmebeforeIturned，whydidyounotgoaway？’
’Ididnotseeyou，sir。Ididnotthinkofseeingyou。Iwaswalkingthisway，andIonlylookedintoseethetree。’
’Thatshowsyouhavebeenthinkingofthingsyoushouldnotthinkof，’returnedtheBaron。’Goodmorning。’
Margerycouldanswernothing。Abrowbeatenglance，almostofmisery，wasallshegavehim。Hetookaslowstepawayfromher；thenturnedsuddenlybackand，stooping，impulsivelykissedhercheek，takingherasmuchbysurpriseaseverawomanwastakeninherlife。
Immediatelyafterhewentoffwithaflushedfaceandrapidstrides，whichhedidnotchecktillhewaswithinhisownboundaries。
Thehaymakingseasonnowsetinvigorously，andtheweir—hatcheswerealldrawninthemeadstodrainoffthewater。Thestreamsranthemselvesdry，andtherewasnolongeranydifficultyinwalkingaboutamongthem。TheBaroncouldverywellwitnessfromtheelevationsabouthishousetheactivitywhichfollowedthesepreliminaries。Thewhiteshirt—sleevesofthemowersglistenedinthesun，thescythesflashed，voicesechoed，snatchesofsongfloatedabout，andtherewereglimpsesofredwaggon—wheels，purplegowns，andmany—colouredhandkerchiefs。
TheBaronhadbeentoldthatthehaymakingwastobefollowedbythewedding，andhadhegonedownthevaletothedairyhewouldhavehadevidencetothateffect。DairymanTucker’shousewasinawhirlpoolofbustle，andamongotherdifficultieswasthatofturningthecheese—roomintoagenteelapartmentforthetimebeing，andhidingtheawkwardnessofhavingtopassthroughthemilk—housetogettotheparlourdoor。ThesehouseholdcontrivancesappearedtointerestMargerymuchmorethanthegreatquestionofdressingfortheceremonyandtheceremonyitself。Inallrelatingtothatsheshowedanindescribablebackwardness，whichlateronwaswellremembered。
’Ifitwereonlysomebodyelse，andIwasoneofthebridesmaids，I
reallythinkIshouldlikeitbetter!’shemurmuredoneafternoon。
’Awaywiththee——that’sonlyyourshyness!’saidoneofthemilkmaids。
ItissaidthataboutthistimetheBaronseemedtofeeltheeffectsofsolitudestrongly。Solituderevivesthesimpleinstinctsofprimitiveman，andlonelycountrynooksaffordrichsoilforwaywardemotions。Moreover，idlenesswatersthoseunconsideredimpulseswhichashortseasonofturmoilwouldstampout。ItisdifficulttospeakwithanyexactnessofthebearingofsuchconditionsonthemindoftheBaron——amanofwhomsolittlewasevertrulyknown——butthereisnodoubtthathismindranmuchonMargeryasanindividual，withoutreferencetoherrankorquality，ortothequestionwhethershewouldmarryJimHaywardthatsummer。Shewasthesinglelovelyhumanthingwithinhispresenthorizon，forhelivedinabsoluteseclusion；andherimageundulyaffectedhim。
But，leavingconjecture，letmestatewhathappened。
OneSaturdayevening，twoorthreeweeksafterhisaccidentalmeetingwithherinthewood，hewrotethenotefollowing：—
DEARMARGERY，—
Youmustnotsupposethat，becauseIspokesomewhatseverelytoyouatourchanceencounterbythehollowtree，Ihaveanyfeelingagainstyou。Farfromit。Now，asever，Ihavethemostgratefulsenseofyourconsideratekindnesstomeonamomentousoccasionwhichshallbenameless。
YousolemnlypromisedtocomeandseemewheneverIshouldsendforyou。Canyoucallforfiveminutesassoonaspossible，anddispersethoseplaguygloomsfromwhichIamsounfortunateastosuffer？IfyourefuseIwillnotanswerfortheconsequences。
Ishallbeinthesummershelterofthemountto—morrowmorningathalf—pastten。IfyoucomeIshallbegrateful。Ihavealsosomethingforyou。Yours，X。
Inkeepingwiththetenorofthisepistlethedesponding，self—
oppressedBaronascendedthemountonSundaymorningandsatdown。
Therewasnothingheretosignifyexactlythehour，butbeforethechurchbellshadbegunheheardsomebodyapproachingattheback。
Thelightfootstepmovedtimidly，firsttoonerecess，andthentoanother；thentothethird，wherehesatintheshade。PoorMargerystoodbeforehim。
Shelookedwornandweary，andherlittleshoesandtheskirtsofherdresswerecoveredwithdust。Theweatherwassultry，thesunbeingalreadyhighandpowerful，andrainhadnotfallenforweeks。TheBaron，whowalkedlittle，hadthoughtnothingoftheeffectsofthisheatanddroughtininducingfatigue。AdistancewhichhadbeenbutareasonableexerciseonafoggymorningwasadragforMargerynow。
Shewasoutofbreath；andanxiety，evenunhappinesswaswrittenonhereverywhere。
Herosetohisfeet，andtookherhand。Hewasvexedwithhimselfatsightofher。’Mydearlittlegirl!’hesaid。’Youaretired——youshouldnothavecome。’
’Yousentforme，sir；andIwasafraidyouwereill；andmypromisetoyouwassacred。’
Hebentoverher，lookinguponherdowncastface，andstillholdingherhand；thenhedroppedit，andtookapaceortwobackwards。
’Itwasawhim，nothingmore，’hesaid，sadly。’Iwantedtoseemylittlefriend，toexpressgoodwishes——andtopresentherwiththis。’
Heheldforwardasmallmoroccocase，andshowedherhowtoopenit，disclosingaprettylocket，setwithpearls。’Itisintendedasaweddingpresent，’hecontinued。’TobereturnedtomeagainifyoudonotmarryJimthissummer——itistobethissummer，Ithink？’
’Itwas，sir，’shesaidwithagitation。’Butitissonolonger。
And，therefore，Icannottakethis。’
’Whatdoyousay？’
’Itwastohavebeento—day；butnowitcannotbe。’
’Theweddingto—day——Sunday？’hecried。
’WefixedSundaynottohindermuchtimeatthisbusyseasonoftheyear，’repliedshe。
’Andhaveyou，then，putitoff——surelynot？’
’Yousentforme，andIhavecome，’sheansweredhumbly，likeanobedientfamiliarintheemployofsomegreatenchanter。Indeed，theBaron’spoweroverthisinnocentgirlwascuriouslylikeenchantment，ormesmericinfluence。Itwassomasterfulthatthesexualelementwasalmosteliminated。ItwasthatofProsperooverthegentleAriel。Andyetitwasprobablyonlythatofthecosmopoliteovertherecluse，oftheexperiencedmanoverthesimplemaid。
’Youhavecome——onyourwedding—day!——OMargery，thisisamistake。
Ofcourse，youshouldnothaveobeyedme，since，thoughIthoughtyourweddingwouldbesoon，Ididnotknowitwasto—day。’
’Ipromisedyou，sir；andIwouldratherkeepmypromisetoyouthanbemarriedtoJim。’
’Thatmustnotbe——thefeelingiswrong!’hemurmured，lookingatthedistanthills。’Thereseemstobeafateinallthis；Igetoutofthefrying—panintothefire。Whatarecompensetoyouforyourgoodness!Thefactis，Iwasoutofhealthandoutofspirits，soI—
—butnomoreofthat。Nowinstantlytorepairthistremendousblunderthatwehavemade——that’sthequestion。’
Afterapause，hewentonhurriedly，’Walkdownthehill；getintotheroad。BythattimeIshallbetherewithaphaeton。Wemaygetbackintime。Whattimeisitnow？Ifnot，nodoubttheweddingcanbeto—morrow；soallwillcomerightagain。Don’tcry，mydeargirl。
Keepthelocket，ofcourse——you’llmarryJim。’
CHAPTERIX
Hehasteneddowntowardsthestables，andshewentonasdirected。
Itseemedasifhemusthaveputinthehorsehimself，soquicklydidhereappearwiththephaetonontheopenroad。Margerysilentlytookherseat，andtheBaronseemedcuttothequickwithself—reproachashenoticedthelistlessindifferencewithwhichsheacted。TherewasnodoubtthatinherheartshehadpreferredobeyingtheapparentlyimportantmandatethatmorningtobecomingJim’swife；buttherewasnolessdoubtthathadtheBaronleftheraloneshewouldquietlyhavegonetothealtar。
Hedrovealongfuriously，inacloudofdust。TherewasmuchtocontemplateinthatpeacefulSundaymorning——thewindlesstreesandfields，theshakingsunlight，thepauseinhumanstir。Yetneitherofthemheeded，andthustheydrewneartothedairy。Hisfirstexpressedintentionhadbeentogoindoorswithher，butthisheabandonedasimpoliticinthehighestdegree。
’Youmaybesoonenough，’hesaid，springingdown，andhelpinghertofollow。’Tellthetruth：sayyouweresentfortoreceiveaweddingpresent——thatitwasamistakeonmypart——amistakeonyours；andI
thinkthey’llforgive……And，Margery，mylastrequesttoyouisthis：thatifIsendforyouagain，youdonotcome。Promisesolemnly，mydeargirl，thatanysuchrequestshallbeunheeded。’
Herlipsmoved，butthepromisewasnotarticulated。’O，sir，I
cannotpromiseit!’shesaidatlast。
’Butyoumust；yoursalvationmaydependonit!’heinsistedalmoststernly。’Youdon’tknowwhatIam。’
’Then，sir，Ipromise，’shereplied。’Nowleavemetomyself，please，andI’llgoindoorsandmanagematters。’
Heturnedthehorseanddroveaway，butonlyforalittledistance。
Outofsighthepulledreinsuddenly。’Onlytogobackandproposeittoher，andshe’dcome!’hemurmured。
Hestoodupinthephaeton，andbythismeanshecouldseeoverthehedge。Margerystillsatlistlesslyinthesameplace；therewasnotalovelierflowerinthefield。’No，’hesaid；’no，no——never!’Hereseatedhimself，andthewheelsspedlightlybackoverthesoftdusttoMountLodge。
MeanwhileMargeryhadnotmoved。IftheBaroncoulddissimulateonthesideofseverityshecoulddissimulateonthesideofcalm。Hedidnotknowwhathadbeenveiledbythequietpromisetomanagemattersindoors。Risingatlengthshefirstturnedawayfromthehouse；and，by—and—by，havingapparentlyforgottentillthenthatshecarrieditinherhand，sheopenedthecase，andlookedatthelocket。Thisseemedtogivehercourage。Sheturned，setherfacetowardsthedairyingoodearnest，andthoughherheartfalteredwhenthegatescameinsight，shekeptonanddrewnearthedoor。
Onthethresholdshestoodlistening。Thehousewassilent。
Decorationswerevisibleinthepassage，andalsothecarefullysweptandsandedpathtothegate，whichshewastohavetroddenasabride；butthesparrowshoppedoveritasifitwereabandoned；andallappearedtohavebeencheckedatitsclimacteric，likeaclockstoppedonthestrike。Tillthismomentofconfrontingthesuspendedanimationofthesceneshehadnotrealizedthefullshockoftheconvulsionwhichherdisappearancemusthavecaused。Itisquitecertain——apartfromherownrepeatedassurancestothateffectinlateryears——thatinhasteningoffthatmorningtohersuddenengagement，Margeryhadnotcountedthecostofsuchanenterprise；
whileadimnotionthatshemightgetbackagainintimefortheceremony，ifthemessagemeantnothingserious，shouldalsobementionedinherfavour。But，uponthewhole，shehadobeyedthecallwithanunreasoningobedienceworthyofadiscipleinprimitivetimes。AconvictionthattheBaron’slifemightdependuponherpresence——forshehadbythistimedivinedthetragicaleventshehadinterruptedonthefoggymorning——tookfromherallwilltojudgeandconsidercalmly。Thesimpleaffairsofherandhersseemednothingbesidethepossibilityofharmtohim。
Awell—knownstepmovedonthesandedfloorwithin，andshewentforward。Thatshesawherfather’sfacebeforeher，justwithinthedoor，canhardlybesaid：itwasratherReproachandRageinahumanmask。
’What!yehavedaredtocomebackalive，hussy，tolookupontheduperyyouhavepractisedonhonestpeople!You’vemortifiedusall；
Idon’twanttosee’ee；Idon’twanttohear’ee；Idon’twanttoknowanything!’Hewalkedupanddowntheroom，unabletocommandhimself。’Nothingbutbeingdeadcouldhaveexcused’eefornotmeetingandmarryingthatmanthismorning；andyetyouhavethebrazenimpudencetostandthereaswellasever!Whatbeyouherefor？’
’I’vecomebacktomarryJim，ifhewantsmeto，’shesaidfaintly。
’Andifnot——perhapssomuchthebetter。Iwassentforthismorningearly。Ithought——。’Shehalted。Tosaythatshehadthoughtaman’sdeathmighthappenbyhisownhandifshedidnotgotohim，wouldneverdo。’Iwasobligedtogo，’shesaid。’Ihadgivenmyword。’
’Whydidn’tyoutellusthen，sothattheweddingcouldbeputoff，withoutmakingfoolso’us？’
’BecauseIwasafraidyouwouldn’tletmego，andIhadmadeupmymindtogo。’
’Togowhere？’
Shewassilent；tillshesaid，’IwilltellJimall，andwhyitwas；
andifhe’sanyfriendofminehe’llexcuseme。’
’NotJim——he’snosuchfool。Jimhadputallreadyforyou，Jimhadcalledatyourhouse，a—dressedupinhisnewweddingclothes，anda—
smilinglikethesun；Jimhadtoldtheparson，hadgottheringersintow，andtheclerkawaiting；andthen——youwasGONE!ThenJimturnedaspaleasrendlewood，andbustedout，\"Ifshedon’tmarrymeto—
day，\"’asaid，\"shedon’tmarrymeatall!No；letherlookelsewhereforahusband。FortewyearsI’veputupwithherhaughtytricksandhertakings，\"’asaid。\"I’vedroudgedandI’vetraipsed，I’veboughtandI’vesold，allwi’aneyetoher；I’vesufferedhorseflesh，\"hesays——yes，themwashisnoblewords——\"butI’llsufferitnolonger。Sheshallgo!\"\"Jim，\"saysI，\"youbeaman。Ifshe’salive，Icommend’ee；ifshe’sdead，pitymyoldage。\"\"Sheisn’tdead，\"sayshe；\"forI’vejustheardshewasseenwalkingoffacrossthefieldsthismorning，lookingallofascornfultriumph。\"
Heturnedroundandwent，andtheresto’theneighbourswent；andherebeIlefttothereproacho’t。’
’Hewastoohasty，’murmuredMargery。’Fornowhe’ssaidthisI
can’tmarryhimto—morrow，asImightha’done；andperhapssomuchthebetter。’
’Youcanbesocalmaboutit，canye？Bemyarrangementsnothing，then，thatyoushouldbreak’emup，andsayoffhandwhatwasn’tdoneto—daymightha’beendoneto—morrow，andsuchflick—flack？Outo’
mysight!Iwon’thearanymore。Iwon’tspeakto’eeanymore。’
’I’llgoaway，andthenyou’llbesorry!’
’Verywell，go。Sorry——notI。’
Heturnedandstampedhiswayintothecheese—room。Margerywentupstairs。Shetoowasexcitednow，andinsteadoffortifyingherselfinherbedroomtillherfather’sragehadblownover，asshehadoftendoneonlesseroccasions，shepackedupabundleofarticles，creptdownagain，andwentoutofthehouse。Shehadaplaceofrefugeinthesecasesofnecessity，andherfatherknewit，andwaslessalarmedatseeingherdepartthanhemightotherwisehavebeen。
ThisplacewasRook’sGate，thehouseofhergrandmother，whoalwaystookMargery’spartwhenthatyoungwomanwasparticularlyinthewrong。
Thedeviouswayshepursued，toavoidthevicinityofMountLodge，wastedious，andshewasalreadyweary。Butthecottagewasarestfulplacetoarriveat，forshewasherownmistressthere——hergrandmothernevercomingdownstairs——andEdy，thewomanwholivedwithandattendedher，beingacipherexceptinmuscleandvoice。
Theapproachwasbyastraightopenroad，borderedbythinlanktrees，allslopingawayfromthesouth—westwind—quarter，andthesceneboreastrangeresemblancetocertainbitsofDutchlandscapewhichhavebeenimprintedontheworld’seyebyHobbemaandhisschool。
Havingexplainedtohergrannythattheweddingwasputoff；andthatshehadcometostay，oneofMargery’sfirstactswascarefullytopackupthelocketandcase，herweddingpresentfromtheBaron。Theconditionsofthegiftwereunfulfilled，andshewishedittogobackinstantly。Perhaps，intheintricaciesofherbosom，therelurkedagreatersatisfactionwiththereasonforreturningthepresentthanshewouldhavefeltjustthenwithareasonforkeepingit。
Tosendthearticlewasdifficult。Intheeveningshewrappedherselfup，searchedandfoundagauzeveilthathadbeenusedbyhergrandmotherinpastyearsforhivingswarmsofbees，buriedherfaceinit，andsalliedforthwithapalpitatinghearttillshedrewnearthetabernacleofherdemi—godtheBaron。Sheventuredonlytotheback—door，whereshehandedintheparceladdressedtohim，andquicklycameaway。
NowitseemsthatduringthedaytheBaronhadbeenunabletolearntheresultofhisattempttoreturnMargeryintimefortheeventhehadinterrupted。Wishing，forobviousreasons，toavoiddirectinquirybymessenger，andbeingtoounwelltogofarhimself，hecouldlearnnoparticulars。Hewassittinginthoughtafteralonelydinnerwhentheparcelintimatingfailureasbroughtin。Thefootman，whosecuriosityhadbeenexcitedbythemodeofitsarrival，peepedthroughthekeyholeafterclosingthedoor，tolearnwhatthepacketmeant。DirectlytheBaronhadopenedithethrustouthisfeetvehementlyfromhischair，andbegancursinghisruinousconductinbringingaboutsuchadisaster，forthereturnofthelocketdenotednotonlynoweddingthatday，butnoneto—morrow，oratanytime。
’Ihavedonethatinnocentwomanagreatwrong!’hemurmured。
’Deprivedherof，perhaps，heronlyopportunityofbecomingmistressofahappyhome!’
CHAPTERX
Aconsiderableperiodofinactionfollowedamongallconcerned。
NothingtendedtodissipatetheobscuritywhichveiledthelifeoftheBaron。Thepositionheoccupiedinthemindsofthecountry—folkaroundwasonewhichcombinedthemysteriousnessofalegendarycharacterwiththeunobtrusivedeedsofamoderngentleman。TothisdaywhoevertakesthetroubletogodowntoSilverthorninLowerWessexandmakeinquirieswillfindexistingtherealmostasuperstitiousfeelingforthemoodymelancholystrangerwhoresidedintheLodgesomefortyyearsago。
Whencehecame，whitherhewasgoing，werealikeunknown。ItwassaidthathismotherhadbeenanEnglishladyofnoblefamilywhohadmarriedaforeignernotunheardofincircleswheremenpileup’thecankeredheapsofstrange—achievedgold’——thathehadbeenbornandeducatedinEngland，takenabroad，andsoon。Butthefactsofalifeinsuchcasesareoflittleaccountbesidetheaspectofalife；
andhence，thoughdoubtlesstheyearsofhisexistencecontainedtheirshareoftriteandhomelycircumstance，thecurtainwhichmaskedallthiswasneverliftedtogratifysuchatheatreofspectatorsasthoseatSilverthorn。Thereinlayhischarm。Hislifewasavignette，ofwhichthecentralstrokesonlyweredrawnwithanydistinctness，theenvironmentshadingawaytoablank。
Hemighthavebeensaidtoresemblethatsolitarybirdtheheron。
Thestill，lonelystreamwashisfrequenthaunt：onitsbankshewouldstandforhourswithhisrod，lookingintothewater，beholdingthetawnyinhabitantswiththeeyeofaphilosopher，andseemingtosay，’Biteordon’tbite——it’sallthesametome。’Hewasoftenmistakenforaghostbychildren；andforapollardwillowbymen，when，ontheirwayhomeinthedusk，theysawhimmotionlessbysomerushybank，unobservantofthedeclineofday。
WhydidhecometofishnearSilverthorn？Thatwasneverexplained。
Asfaraswasknownhehadnorelativesnear；thefishingtherewasnotexceptionallygood；thesocietythereaboutwasdecidedlymeagre。
Thathehadcommittedsomefollyorhastyact，thathehadbeenwrongfullyaccusedofsomecrime，thusrenderinghisseclusionfromtheworlddesirableforawhile，squaredverywellwithhisfrequentmelancholy。Butsuchashewastherehelived，wellsuppliedwithfishing—tackle，andtenantofafurnishedhouse，justsuitedtotherequirementsofsuchaneccentricbeingashe。
Margery’sfather，havingprivatelyascertainedthatshewaslivingwithhergrandmother，andgettingintonoharm，refrainedfromcommunicatingwithher，inthehopeofseeinghercontriteathisdoor。Ithad，ofcourse，becomeknownaboutSilverthornthatatthelastmomentMargeryrefusedtowedHayward，byabsentingherselffromthehouse。Jimwaspitied，yetnotpitiedmuch，foritwassaidthatheoughtnottohavebeensoeagerforawomanwhohadshownnoanxietyforhim。
AndwherewasJimhimself？Itmustnotbesupposedthatthattacticianhadallthiswhilewithdrawnfrommortaleyetotearhishairinsilentindignationanddespair。Hehad，intruth，merelyretiredupthelonesomedefilebetweenthedownstohissmoulderingkiln，andtheancientrampartsaboveit；andthere，afterhisfirsthoursofnaturaldiscomposure，hequietlywaitedforoverturesfromthepossiblyrepentantMargery。Butnooverturesarrived，andthenhemeditatedanewontheabsorbingproblemofherskittishness，andhowtosetaboutanothercampaignforherconquest，notwithstandinghislatedisastrousfailure。Whyhadhefailed？Towhatwasherstrangeconductowing？Thatwasthethingwhichpuzzledhim。
Hehadmadenoadvanceinsolvingtheriddlewhen，onemorning，astrangerappearedonthedownabovehim，lookingasifhehadlosthisway。Themanhadagooddealofblackhairbelowhisfelthat，andcarriedunderhisarmacasecontainingamusicalinstrument。
DescendingtowhereJimstood，heaskediftherewerenotashortcutacrossthatwaytoTivworthy，whereafetewastobeheld。
’Well，yes，thereis，’saidJim。’But’tisanenormousdistancefor’ee。’
’Oh，yes，’repliedthemusician。’Iwishtointerceptthecarrieronthehighway。’
ThenearestwaywaspreciselyinthedirectionofRook’sGate，whereMargery，asJimknew，wasstaying。Havingsometimetospare，Jimwasstronglyimpelledtomakeakindacttothelostmusicianapretextfortakingobservationsinthatneighbourhood，andtellinghisacquaintancethathewasgoingthesameway，hestartedwithoutfurtherado。
Theyskirtedthelonglengthofmeads，andinduetimearrivedatthebackofRook’sGate，wherethepathjoinedthehighroad。Ahedgedividedthepublicwayfromthecottagegarden。Jimdrewupatthispointandsaid，’Yourroadisstraighton：Iturnbackhere。’
Butthemusicianwasstandingfixed，asifingreatperplexity。
Thrustinghishandintohisforestofblackhair，hemurmured，’Surelyitisthesame——surely!’
Jim，followingthedirectionofhisneighbour’seyes，foundthemtobefixedonafiguretillthatmomenthiddenfromhimself——MargeryTucker——whowascrossingthegardentoanoppositegatewithalittlecheeseinherarms，herheadthrownback，andherfacequiteexposed。
’Whatofher？’saidJim。
’TwomonthsagoIformedoneofthebandattheYeomanryBallgivenbyLordToneboroughinthenextcounty。Isawthatyoungladydancingthepolkathereinrobesofgauzeandlace。NowIseehercarryacheese!’
’Never!’saidJimincredulously。
’ButIdonotmistake。Isayitisso!’
Jimridiculedtheidea；thebandsmanprotested，andwasabouttolosehistemper，whenJimgaveinwiththegood—natureofapersonwhocanaffordtodespiseopinions；andthemusicianwenthisway。
AshedwindledoutofsightJimbegantothinkmorecarefullyoverwhathehadsaid。Theyoungman’sthoughtsgrewquitetoanexcitement，fortherecameintohismindtheBaron’sextraordinarykindnessinregardtofurniture，hithertoaccountedforbytheassumptionthatthenoblemanhadtakenafancytohim。Coulditbe，amongalltheamazingthingsoflife，thattheBaronwasatthebottomofthismischief；andthathehadamusedhimselfbytakingMargerytoaball？
DoubtsandsuspicionswhichdistractsomeloverstoimbecilityonlyservedtobringoutJim’sgreatqualities。Wherehetrustedhewasthemosttrustingfellowintheworld；wherehedoubtedhecouldbeguiltyoftheslyeststrategy。Oncesuspicious，hebecameoneofthosesubtle，watchfulcharacterswho，withoutintegrity，makegoodthieves；withalittle，goodjobbers；withalittlemore，gooddiplomatists。Jimwashonest，andheconsideredwhattodo。
Retracinghissteps，hepeepedagain。Shehadgonein；butshewouldsoonreappear，foritcouldbeseenthatshewascarryinglittlenewcheesesonebyonetoaspring—cartandhorsetetheredoutsidethegate——hergrandmother，thoughnotaregulardairywoman，stillmanagingafewcowsbymeansofamanandmaid。WiththelightnessofacatJimcreptroundtothegate，tookapieceofchalkfromhispocket，andwroteupontheboarding’TheBaron。’ThenheretreatedtotheothersideofthegardenwherehehadjustwatchedMargery。
Induetimesheemergedwithanotherlittlecheese，cameontothegarden—door，andglanceduponthechalkedwordswhichconfrontedher。
Shestarted；thecheeserolledfromherarmstotheground，andbrokeintopieceslikeapudding。
Shelookedfearfullyround，herfaceburninglikesunset，and，seeingnobody，stoopedtopickuptheflaccidlumps。Jim，withapaleface，departedasinvisiblyashehadcome。Hehadprovedthebandsman’staletobetrue。Onhiswaybackheformedaresolution。Itwastobeardthelioninhisden——tocallontheBaron。
MeanwhileMargeryhadrecoveredherequanimity，andgatheredupthebrokencheese。Butshecouldbynomeansaccountforthehandwriting。Jimwasjustthesortoffellowtoplayhersuchatrickatordinarytimes，butsheimaginedhimtobefartooincensedagainsthertodoitnow；andshesuddenlywonderedifitwereanysortofsignalfromtheBaronhimself。
Ofhimshehadlatelyheardnothing。IfevermonotonypervadedalifeitpervadedhersatRook’sGate；andshehadbeguntodespairofanyhappychange。Butitispreciselywhenthesocialatmosphereseemsstagnantthatgreateventsarebrewing。Margery’squietwasbrokenfirst，aswehaveseen，byaslightstart，onlysufficienttomakeherdropacheese；andthenbyamoreseriousmatter。
Shewasinsidethesamegardenonedaywhensheheardtwowatermentalkingwithout。TheconversationwastotheeffectthatthestrangegentlemanwhohadtakenMountLodgefortheseasonwasseriouslyill。
’Howill？’criedMargerythroughthehedge，whichscreenedherfromrecognition。
’Badabed，’saidoneofthewatermen。
’Inflammationofthelungs，’saidtheother。
’Gotwet，fishing，’thefirstchimedin。
Margerycouldgathernomore。AnidealadmirationratherthananypositivepassionexistedinherbreastfortheBaron：shehadoflateseentoolittleofhimtoallowanyincipientviewsofhimasalovertogrowtoformidabledimensions。Itwasanextremelyromanticfeeling，delicateasanaroma，capableofquickeningtoanactiveprinciple，ordyingto’apainlesssympathy，’asthecasemightbe。
Thisnewsofhisillness，coupledwiththemysteriouschalkingonthegate，troubledher，andrevivedhisimagemuch。Shetooktowalkingupanddownthegarden—paths，lookingintotheheartsofflowers，andnotthinkingwhattheywere。Hislastrequesthadbeenthatshewasnottogotohimifbeshouldsendforher；andnowsheaskedherself，wasthenameonthegateahinttoenablehertogowithoutinfringingtheletterofherpromise？ThusunexpectedlyhadJim’smanoeuvreoperated。
Tendayspassed。AllshecouldhearoftheBaronwerethesamewords，’Badabed，’tilloneafternoon，afteragallopofthephysiciantotheLodge，thetidingsspreadlikelightningthattheBaronwasdying。
Margerydistressedherselfwiththequestionwhethershemightbepermittedtovisithimandsayherprayersathisbedside；butshefearedtoventure；andthuseight—and—fortyhoursslippedaway，andtheBaronstilllived。Despitehershynessandaweofhimshehadalmostmadeuphermindtocallwhen，justatduskonthatOctoberevening，somebodycametothedoorandaskedforher。
Shecouldseethemessenger’sheadagainstthelownewmoon。Hewasaman—servant。Hesaidhehadbeenallthewaytoherfather’s，andhadbeensentthencetoherhere。Hesimplybroughtanote，and，deliveringitintoherhands，wentaway。
DEARMARGERYTUCKER（ranthenote）——TheysayIamnotlikelytolive，soIwanttoseeyou。Behereateighto’clockthisevening。Comequitealonetotheside—door，andtapfourtimessoftly。Mytrustymanwilladmityou。Theoccasionisanimportantone。Prepareyourselfforasolemnceremony，whichIwishtohaveperformedwhileitliesinmypower。
VONXANTEN。
CHAPTERXI
Margery’sfaceflushedup，andherneckandarmsglowedinsympathy。
Thequicknessofyouthfulimagination，andtheassumptivenessofwoman’sreason，sentherstraightasanarrowthisthought：’Hewantstomarryme!’
Shehadheardofsimilarstrangeproceedings，inwhichtheorange—
flowerandthesadcypresswereintertwined。Peoplesometimeswishedontheirdeath—beds，frommotivesofesteem，toformalegaltiewhichtheyhadnotcaredtoestablishasadomesticoneduringtheiractivelife。
ForafewminutesMargerycouldhardlybecalledexcited；shewasexcitementitself。Betweensurpriseandmodestysheblushedandtrembledbyturns。Shebecamegrave，satdowninthesolitaryroom，andlookedintothefire。Atseveno’clocksheroseresolved，andwentquitetranquillyupstairs，whereshespeedilybegantodress。
Inmakingthishastytoiletnine—tenthsofhercareweregiventoherhands。Thesummerhadleftthemslightlybrown，andsheheldthemupandlookedatthemwithsomemisgiving，thefourthfingerofherlefthandmoreespecially。Hotwashingsandcoldwashings，certainproductsfrombeeandflowerknownonlytocountrygirls，everythingshecouldthinkof，wereuseduponthoselittlesunburnthands，tillshepersuadedherselfthattheywerereallyaswhiteascouldbewishedbyahusbandwithahundredtitles。Herdressingcompleted，sheleftwordwithEdythatshewasgoingforalongwalk，andsetoutinthedirectionofMountLodge。
Shenolongertrippedlikeagirl，butwalkedlikeawoman。Whilecrossingtheparkshemurmured’BaronessvonXanten’inapronunciationofherown。Thesoundofthattitlecausedhersuchagitationthatshewasobligedtopause，withherhanduponherheart。
Thehousewassocloselyneighbouredbyshrubberiesonthreeofitssidesthatitwasnottillshehadgonenearlyrounditthatshefoundthelittledoor。Theresolutionshehadbeenanhourinformingfailedherwhenshestoodattheportal。Whilepausingforcouragetotap，acarriagedroveuptothefrontentrancealittlewayoff，andpeepingroundthecornershesawalightaclergyman，andagentlemaninwhomMargeryfanciedthatsherecognizedawell—knownsolicitorfromtheneighbouringtown。Shehadnolongeranydoubtofthenatureoftheceremonyproposed。’ItissuddenbutImustobeyhim!’shemurmured：andtappedfourtimes。
Thedoorwasopenedsoquicklythattheservantmusthavebeenstandingimmediatelyinside。Shethoughthimthemanwhohaddriventhemtotheball——thesilentmanwhocouldbetrusted。Withoutawordheconductedherupthebackstaircase，andthroughadooratthetop，intoawidecorridor。Shewasaskedtowaitinalittledressing—room，wheretherewasafire，andanoldmetal—framedlooking—glassoverthemantel—piece，inwhichshecaughtsightofherself。Aredspotburntineachofhercheeks；therestofherfacewaspale；andhereyeswerelikediamondsofthefirstwater。
Beforeshehadbeenseatedmanyminutesthemancamebacknoiselessly，andshefollowedhimtoadoorcoveredbyaredandblackcurtain，whichhelifted，andusheredherintoalargechamber。
Ascreenedlightstoodonatablebeforeher，andonherleftthehangingsofatalldarkfour—postbedsteadobstructedherviewofthecentreoftheroom。Everythinghereseemedofsuchamagnificenttypetohereyesthatshefeltconfused，diminishedtohalfherheight，halfherstrength，halfherprettiness。Themanwhohadconductedherretiredatonce，andsomeonecamesoftlyroundtheangleofthebed—curtains。Heheldouthishandkindly——ratherpatronisingly：itwasthesolicitorwhomsheknewbysight。Thisgentlemanledherforward，asifshehadbeenalambratherthanawoman，tilltheoccupantofthebedwasrevealed。
TheBaron’seyeswereclosed，andherentryhadbeensonoiselessthathedidnotopenthem。Thepallorofhisfacenearlymatchedthewhitebed—linen，andhisdarkhairandheavyblackmoustachewerelikedashesofinkonacleanpage。Nearhimsattheparsonandanothergentleman，whomsheafterwardslearnttobeaLondonphysician；andontheparsonwhisperingafewwordstheBaronopenedhiseyes。Assoonashesawherhesmiledfaintly，andheldouthishand。
Margerywouldhaveweptforhim，ifshehadnotbeentoooverawedandpalpitatingtodoanything。Shequiteforgotwhatshehadcomefor，shookhandswithhimmechanically，andcouldhardlyreturnananswertohisweak’DearMargery，youseehowIam——howareyou？’
Inpreparingformarriageshehadnotcalculatedonsuchasceneasthis。HeraffectionfortheBaronhadtoomuchofthevagueinittoaffordhertrustfulnessnow。Shewishedshehadnotcome。OnasignfromtheBaronthelawyerbroughtherachair，andtheoppressivesilencewasbrokenbytheBaron’swords。
’Iampulleddowntodeath’sdoor，Margery，’hesaid；’andIsupposeIsoonshallpassthrough……Mypeacehasbeenmuchdisturbedinthisillness，forjustbeforeitattackedmeIreceived——thatpresentyoureturned，fromwhich，andinotherways，Ilearntthatyouhadlostyourchanceofmarriage……NowitwasIwhodidtheharm，andyoucanimaginehowthenewshasaffectedme。Ithasworriedmealltheillnessthrough，andIcannotdismissmyerrorfrommymind……
IwanttorightthewrongIhavedoneyoubeforeIdie。Margery，youhavealwaysobeyedme，and，strangeastherequestmaybe，willyouobeymenow？’
Shewhispered’Yes。’
’Well，then，’saidtheBaron，’thesethreegentlemenarehereforaspecialpurpose：onehelpsthebody——he’scalledaphysician；
anotherhelpsthesoul——he’saparson；theotherhelpstheunderstanding——he’salawyer。Theyareherepartlyonmyaccount，andpartlyonyours。’
Thespeakerthenmadeasigntothelawyer，whowentoutofthedoor。
Hecamebackalmostinstantly，butnotalone。Behindhim，dressedupinhisbestclothes，withaflowerinhisbuttonholeandabridegroom’sair，walked——Jim。
CHAPTERXII
Margerycouldhardlyrepressascream。Asforflushingandblushing，shehadturnedhotandturnedpalesomanytimesalreadyduringtheevening，thattherewasreallynownothingofthatsortleftforhertodo；andsheremainedincomplexionmuchasbefore。O，themockeryofit!Thatsecretdream——thatsweetword’Baroness!’——whichhadsustainedherallthewayalong。InsteadofaBarontherestoodJim，white—waistcoated，demure，everyhairinplace，and，ifshemistooknot，evenadeedysparkinhiseye。
Jim’ssurprisingpresenceonthescenemaybebrieflyaccountedfor。
HisresolvetoseekanexplanationwiththeBaronatallriskshadprovedunexpectedlyeasy：theinterviewhadatoncebeengranted，andthen，seeingthecrisisatwhichmattersstood，theBaronhadgenerouslyrevealedtoJimthewholeofhisindebtednesstoandknowledgeofMargery。ThetruthoftheBaron’sstatement，theinnocentnatureasyetoftheacquaintanceship，hissorrowfortherupturehehadproduced，wassoevidentthat，farfromhavinganyfurtherdoubtsofhispatron，Jimfranklyaskedhisadviceonthenextsteptobepursued。AtthisstagetheBaronfellill，and，desiringmuchtoseethetwoyoungpeopleunitedbeforehisdeath，hehadsentanewHayward，andproposedtheplanwhichtheyweretonowabouttoattempt——amarriageatthebedsideofthesickmanbyspeciallicence。TheinfluenceatLambethofsomefriendsoftheBaron’s，andthecharitablebequestsofhislatemothertoseveraldeservingChurchfunds，weregenerallysupposedtobeamongthereasonswhytheapplicationforthelicencewasnotrefused。
This，however，isofsmallconsequence。TheBaronprobablyknew，inproposingthismethodofcelebratingthemarriage，thathisenormouspoweroverherwouldoutweighanysentimentalobstacleswhichshemightsetup——inwardobjectionsthat，withouthispresenceandfirmness，mightprovetoomuchforheracquiescence。Doubtlessheforesaw，too，theadvantageofgettingherintothehousebeforemakingtheindividualityofherhusbandcleartohermind。
Now，theBaron’sconjectureswererightastotheevent，butwrongastothemotives。Margerywasaperfectlittledissembleronsomeoccasions，andoneofthemwaswhenshewishedtohideanysuddenmortificationthatmightbringherintoridicule。Shehadnosoonerrecoveredfromherfirstfitofdiscomfiturethanpridebadehersufferanythingratherthanrevealherabsurddisappointment。Hencethesceneprogressedasfollows：
’Comehere，Hayward，’saidtheinvalid。Haywardcamenear。TheBaron，holdingherhandinoneofhisown，andherlover’sintheother，continued，’Willyou，inspiteofyourrecentvexationwithher，marryhernowifshedoesnotrefuse？’
’Iwill，sir，’saidJimpromptly。
’AndMargery，whatdoyousay？Itismerelyasettingofthingsright。Youhavealreadypromisedthisyoungmantobehiswife，andshould，ofcourse，performyourpromise。Youdon’tdislikeJim？’
’O，no，sir，’shesaid，inalow，dryvoice。
’IlikehimbetterthanIcantellyou，’saidtheBaron。’Heisanhonourableman，andwillmakeyouagoodhusband。Youmustrememberthatmarriageisalifecontract，inwhichgeneralcompatibilityoftemperandworldlypositionisofmoreimportancethanfleetingpassion，whichneverlongsurvives。Now，willyou，atmyearnestrequest，andbeforeIgototheSouthofEuropetodie，agreetomakethisgoodmanhappy？Ihaveexpressedyourviewsonthesubject，haven’tI，Hayward？’
’ToaT，sir，’saidJimemphatically；withamotionofraisinghishattohisinfluentialally，tillherememberedhehadnohaton。
’And，thoughIcouldhardlyexpectMargerytogieinformyasking，I
feelssheoughttogieinforyours。’
’Andyouaccepthim，mylittlefriend？’
’Yes，sir，’shemurmured，’ifhe’llagreetoathingortwo。’
’Doubtlesshewill——whatarethey？’
’ThatIshallnotbemadetolivewithhimtillIaminthemindforit；andthatmyhavinghimshallbekeptunknownforthepresent。’
’Well，whatdoyouthinkofit，Hayward？’
’AnythingthatyouorshemaywishI’lldo，mynoblelord，’saidJim。
’Well，herrequestisnotunreasonable，seeingthattheproceedingsare，onmyaccount，alittlehurried。Sowe’llproceed。Youratherexpectedthis，frommyallusiontoaceremonyinmynote，didyounot，Margery？’
’Yes，sir，’saidshe，withaneffort。
’Good；Ithoughtso；youlookedsolittlesurprised。’
Wenowleavethesceneinthebedroomforaspotnotmanyyardsoff。
WhenthecarriageseenbyMargeryatthedoorwasdrivinguptoMountLodgeitarrestedtheattention，notonlyoftheyounggirl，butofamanwhohadforsometimebeenmovingslowlyabouttheoppositelawn，engagedinsomeoperationwhilehesmokedashortpipe。Ashortobservationofhisdoingswouldhaveshownthathewasshelteringsomedelicateplantsfromanexpectedfrost，andthathewasthegardener。Whenthelightatthedoorfellupontheenteringformsofparsonandlawyer——theformerastranger，thelatterknowntohim——
thegardenerwalkedthoughtfullyroundthehouse。Reachingthesmallside—entrancehewasfurthersurprisedtoseeitnoiselesslyopentoayoungwoman，inwhosemomentarilyilluminedfeatureshediscernedthoseofMargeryTucker。
Altogethertherewassomethingcuriousinthis。Themanreturnedtothelawnfront，andperfunctorilywentonputtingsheltersovercertainplants，thoughhisthoughtswereplainlyotherwiseengaged。
Onthegrasshisfootstepswerenoiseless，andthenightmoreoverbeingstill，hecouldpresentlyhearamurmuringfromthebedroomwindowoverhishead。
Thegardenertookfromatreealadderthathehadusedinnailingthatday，setitunderthewindow，andascendedhalf—way，hoodwinkinghisconsciencebyseizinganailortwowithhishandandtestingtheirtwig—supportingpowers。Hesoonheardenoughtosatisfyhim。
Thewordsofachurch—serviceinthestrangeparson’svoicewereaudibleinsnatchesthroughtheblind：theywerewordsheknewtobepartofthesolemnizationofmatrimony，suchas’weddedwife，’
’richerforpoorer，’andsoon；thelessfamiliarpartsbeingamoreorlessconfusedsound。
Satisfiedthataweddingwasinprogressthere，thegardenerdidnotforamomentdreamthatoneofthecontractingpartiescouldbeotherthanthesickBaron。Hedescendedtheladderandagainwalkedroundthehouse，waitingonlytillhesawMargeryemergefromthesamelittledoor；when，fearingthathemightbediscovered，hewithdrewinthedirectionofhisowncottage。
Thisbuildingstoodatthelowercornerofthegarden，andassoonasthegardenerenteredhewasaccostedbyahandsomewomaninawidow’scap，whocalledhimfather，andsaidthatsupperhadbeenreadyforalongtime。Theysatdown，butduringthemealthegardenerwassoabstractedandsilentthathisdaughterputherheadwinninglytoonesideandsaid，’Whatisit，fatherdear？’
’Ah——whatisit!’criedthegardener。’Somethingthatmakesverylittledifferencetome，butmaybeofgreataccounttoyou，ifyouplayyourcardswell。THERE’SBEENAWEDDINGATTHELODGETO—NIGHT!’
Herelatedtoher，withacautiontosecrecy，allthathehadheardandseen。
’Wearefolkthathavegottogettheirliving，’hesaid，’andsuchonesmustn’ttelltalesabouttheirbetters，——Lordforgivethemockeryoftheword!——butthere’ssomethingtobemadeofit。She’sanicemaid；so，Harriet，doyoutakethefirstchanceyougetforhonouringher，beforeothersknowwhathashappened。Sincethisisdonesoprivatelyitwillbekeptprivateforsometime——tillafterhisdeath，noquestion；——whenIexpectshe’lltakethishouseforherself；andblazeoutasawidow—ladytenthousandpoundstrong。
Youbeingawidow，shemaymakeyouhercompany—keeper；andsoyou’llhaveahomebyalittlecontriving。’
Whilethisconversationprogressedatthegardener’sMargerywasonherwayoutoftheBaron’shouse。Shewas，indeed，married。But，asweknow，shewasnotmarriedtotheBaron。Theceremonyoversheseemedbutlittlediscomposed，andexpressedawishtoreturnaloneasshehadcome。Tothis，ofcourse，noobjectioncouldbeofferedunderthetermsoftheagreement，andwishingJimafrigidgood—bye，andtheBaronaveryquietfarewell，shewentoutbythedoorwhichhadadmittedher。Oncesafeandaloneinthedarknessoftheparksheburstintotears，whichdroppeduponthegrassasshepassedalong。IntheBaron’sroomshehadseemedscaredandhelpless；nowherreasonandemotionsreturned。Thefurthershegotawayfromtheglamourofthatroom，andtheinfluenceofitsoccupant，themoreshebecameofopinionthatshehadactedfoolishly。Shehaddisobedientlyleftherfather’shouse，toobeyhimhere。Shehadpleasedeverybodybutherself。
However，thinkingwasnowtoolate。Howshegotintohergrandmother’shouseshehardlyknew；butwithoutasupper，andwithoutconfrontingeitherherrelativeorEdy，shewenttobed。
CHAPTERXIII
Ongoingoutintothegardennextmorning，withastrangesenseofbeinganotherpersonthanherself，shebeheldJimleaningmutelyoverthegate。
Henodded。’Goodmorning，Margery，’hesaidcivilly。
’Goodmorning，’saidMargeryinthesametone。
’Ibegyourpardon，’hecontinued。’Butwhichwaywasyougoingthismorning？’
’Iamnotgoinganywherejustnow，thankyou。ButIshallgotomyfather’sby—and—bywithEdy。’Shewentonwithasigh，’Ihavedonewhathehasallalongwished，thatis，marriedyou；andthere’snolongerreasonforenmityatweenhimandme。’
’Trew——trew。Well，asIamgoingthesameway，Icangiveyoualiftinthetrap，forthedistanceislong。’
’Nothankyou——Iamusedtowalking，’shesaid。
Theyremainedinsilence，thegatebetweenthem，tillJim’sconvictionswouldapparentlyallowhimtoholdhispeacenolonger。
’Thisisabadjob!’hemurmured。
’Itis，’shesaid，asonewhosethoughtshaveonlytooreadilybeenidentified。’HowIcametoagreetoitismorethanIcantell!’
Andtearsbeganrollingdownhercheeks。
’Theblameismoreminethanyours，Isuppose，’hereturned。’I
oughttohavesaidNo，andnotbackedupthegentlemanincarryingoutthisscheme。’Twashisownnotionentirely，asperhapsyouknow。
Ishouldneverhavethoughtofsuchaplan；buthesaidyou’dbewilling，andthatitwouldbeallright；andIwastooreadytobelievehim。’
’Thethingis，howtoremedyit，’saidshebitterly。’Ibelieve，ofcourse，inyourpromisetokeepthisprivate，andnottotroublemebycalling。’
’Certainly，’saidJim。’Idon’twanttotroubleyou。Asforthat，why，mydearMrs。Hayward——’
’Don’tMrs。Haywardme!’saidMargerysharply。’Iwon’tbeMrs。
Hayward!’
Jimpaused。’Well，youareshebylaw，andthatwasallImeant，’hesaidmildly。