HewasparticularlyfondofAnnieColborn，whosefatherwasamagistrateandagoldcommissioner，andapersonofverygreatimportance。WhetherornotKingBillywaswiseinhisgeneration，andoutoftheunwrittenScripturesofthesomberbushhadculledamaximinculcatingthewisdomofmakingfriendsofthesonsofMammon，I
cannotsay，buthewasalwaysgoodtoAnnie。Formyownpart，Idonotbelievethesimple-heartedoldkinghadanysuchnotioninsidehisthickantipodeanskull。Hewasgoodbecausehewasnotbad，whichistheverybestmoralityafterall，andagreatadvanceonmuchwehearof。And，besides，hewassometimeshungry，andMr。Colborn’sChinesecookwasveryhaughty，andnottobeapproachedexceptthroughanintermediary。AndwhosocapableofconciliatingWongasAnnie？Wongwouldmakehercakesevenwhenhispigtailhungdespondentlyfromhisachingheadafteranopiumdebauch，andhischeekswereshiningwithanythingbutgladness;forifyougetdrunkveryoftenonopiumyoushine。
OldBillywasmostlytobefoundwheretherewasachanceofadrink;
butifthefountainsweredriedup，orhehadbeeninsultedbysomedemocratic，revolutionary，king-hatingminerknockinghishighhatdownoverhiseyes，heusuallywentuptoMr。Colborn’splace，andsatonthefence，oronalogoutsidethegate。SohewasoftenverymelancholywhenAnniecameout。Onedayhishatwasvery，verybadlybulgedindeed。
\"Yourhatisverybadto-day，KingBilly，\"saidsix-year-oldAnnie，asshestoodinfrontofhimcritically，withherheadononeside。
Withoutknowingit，thechildhadcometolookuponthestateofthepoorking’shatasemblematicalofhisstateofmind。Whenitshutuplikeaclosedconcertinahisbarometerwaslow。
\"Yes，missy，\"saidtheking;\"whitemanknock’umovereyes，and\"——
witharubdownhisface——\"skin’umnose。\"
Sheinspectedhisnosecarefully——thoughfromacertaindistance，becauseherownnosewasverygood，bothinsideandout，andsheknewthekingnevergotwashedunlessitrainedwhenhewasverydrunk。Andthiswastheendofsummer。IthadnotrainedsinceNovember。
\"Thereisnotverymuchskinoff，\"saidAnnie。\"Youhadbetterwashit。\"
Thekingmadeawryfaceandchangedtheconversation。
\"Yougot’umhat，MissyAnnie？Onehatbaalbrokum，allasamewhitefellowhat。Badhat，KingBillybad;blackfellow，whitefellowlaugh。\"
Hepeeredintohishat，and，tryingtostraightenitout，puthisfistthroughtheside。PoorBillylookedasifhecouldcry。
\"Youstopaminute，\"saidAnnie，and，flyingindoors，shebroughtoutaverygoodhighhatindeed。\"Budgeree！\"thoughttheking，thatwasagoodhat。Hecouldgodownthestreetslikeakingindeed，abletoholduphisheadwithanyrichmaninBallarat。Hetriediton，andthoughitwasmuchtoobig，heknewitshone。Andthegloryofahatisinitsshiningasmuchasitsshape;evenablackfellowknowsthat。
Butthathatverynearlyledtoserioustrouble。Foronething，Mr。
Colbornmissedit;andneverthinkingAnniehadgivenitaway，whenhesawthekingsittingonthefencedecoratedwithit，hestoppedandinterviewedhim。
\"Wheredidyougetthathat，youoldthief？\"askedthemagistrate，withoutanypolitenesstohimwhoruledthelandbeforewhitemenbrokeintothecountry。Someinauthorityarepolitetothosetheydispossess;thePrussians，forinstance，tothemiserableKingBillyswhostrutabouttheempire。ButtheAnglo-Saxononlyrespectshimself，andeventhattoalimitedextent，innewconquests。
ThequestiontroubledKingBillygreatly。HedidnotknowthatMr。
ColbornwouldassoonhavethoughtofmurderingAnnieasofbullyingher;soheliedpromptly：\"Mebuy’um，MistahCobon！\"
Mr。Colborntookitoffofhishead，andsawthatitwashis，ashehadthought。WhathewouldhavesaidIdonotknow，forjustthenheheardavoicebehindhim：
\"Papa，itismyfault;IgaveittoKingBilly。\"
Colbornturnedroundandtookherup，lettingfallthehatashedidso。Billymadeajump，pickeditup，and，inhisagitation，brusheditcarefullythewrongway。
\"Mydear，ifyougaveittohimit’sallright。Butwhydidn’ttheoldfooltellme？\"
\"He’snotanoldfool，papa，andyoumustnotsayso。He’sagoodman，andIthinkhethoughtyouwouldbeangrywithme。Didn’tyou，KingBilly？\"Andtheking，withasmileofconsciousrectitude，admitteditwasso。
Mr。Colborngavehimsixpence;andhegaveAnnieagreatmanykisses，declaring，withuncommonthoughtlessness，thatwhatevershedidwasright，andthatshecouldgivethekingallhishouse，andAustraliatoboot。WhereonKingBillysmiledasmilethatwasportentous，andshowedhisteethtotheuttermostrecessesofhisamplemouth。Lookingdown，hesurveyedtherestofhisclothes，whichinpartsresembledthechild’sdefinitionofanetasalotofholestiedtogetherwithstring，and，lookingup，heinspectedMr。Colbornasifestimatingtheresourcesofhiswardrobe。Butbeingurgentlysmittenwiththenecessityofgettingridofhissixpence，heshambledoffintothetown。Othermattersmightwait;thatadmittedofnodelay。
ThemindofKingBillywasnotabigmind;itwouldnomorehavetakeninanabstractideathanhis/gunyah/wouldhaveaccommodatedagrandpiano。Hewasassimpleassunlight，andtoresolvehisintellectintosevencolourswouldwantthemostingeniousspectroscope。Buthecouldmakeaninferencefromapositivefact，and，havingmadeit，hedidnotallowmoreremotedeductionstotroublehislegitimateconclusion。
HeceasedtofearMr。Colborn，andbegantolookuponthemagistrate’spropertyasifitwereatleasthalfhisown。Sohegotverydrunkonthehospitalityofanewchumminerwhohadbeensuccessful，andpresently，presumingonhisnewpossessions，gotintoafightwithhisentertainerandadisrespectfulsubkingofhisownblacks，andwasreducedtoworseragsthanever。
Nextmorninghesatoutsidethemagistrate’shouse，onthelowestloghecouldfind，andwhenMr。Colborncameouthetackledhimwiththeairofasubjectkingdemandingredressofhissuzerain。
\"Well，Billy，whatisit？\"askedthesuzerain。
\"Youbelonggublement？\"saidBillytheking，withaquestion，animplieddoubt，andagreatcomplaintinhisvoice。Colbornlaughed。
\"Why，yes，Billy;Ibelongtothegovernment，Isuppose。\"
\"Then，\"saidBilly，\"whatyousaytowhitefellowmake’umblackfellowdrunk，knock’umallabout？Callyouthatgublement？\"Andheshowedhiskinglyrobe，whichhadoncebeenafrock-coat，withgreatdisgust。
However，hemetwithnofavour，andwastoldthatheshouldnotgetdrunk——thatitservedhimright;withwhichmagisterialdecisionColborngotonhishorseandrodeofftotheflat。
Thekingsatdownsadlyandconsideredthicklyinhisslowbrain。
Anniedidnotcomeout，andheknewbetterthantoaskforher，forMr。Colborn’sniece，whokepthouseforhim，wasbutnewlycomefromhome，andthoughtallblackfellowscongenitalmurderers，whichindeedtheyareinsomepartsofthenorth。SoBillysatandwaited，forhewantedanewcoat。Howcouldheberespectedinonewhosenaturaldivisionswereunnaturallyextendedtotheveryneck？Itwasobviouslynecessarytogetanewgarmentatonce，andthebestchanceofagoodonelayinlittleAnnie’skindness。Butinordertoobviatetheslightestchanceofhisgirlpatron’srefusing，hemustbringhersomeoffering。Hewentoffintothebushatthebackofthetown，and，comingtowherethreeorfourblackfellowswerecamped，hesatdownandtalkedwiththem。Inspiteoftheheat，awretchedoldgin，muffledupinheronegarment，araggedblanket，heldherhandsoverthefewburningstickswhichrepresentanAustraliannative’sideaofafire。PresentlyKingBillyrose，and，takingatomahawk，wentfartherintothebush。Helookedabout，andatlastcametoatree，whichheclimbednativefashion，firstdiscardinghisclothes。Whennearthefirstbigbrancheshecametoahole，and，puttinginhishand，heextractedalivelyyoungpossumbythetail。
NextmorninghewassittingontheColborns’fenceasusual。Athisfeetwasalittleboxwithtwoorthreeslatsnailedroughlyacrossit。Insidewasthepossum。KingBillywonderedwhatkindofacoathecouldget。Helikedafrock-coat;therewassomethingmajesticaboutit，somethingfineandample。Commonmorningcoatswouldnotdo;noonewouldinsultakingbyofferinghimtweed;evenlittleAnnieknewbetterthanthat，especiallyifhegaveheralivepossumhehadcaughthimself。AndwhenAnniedidcomeout，shewasintheseventhheavenofdelightwiththepossum，andreadytobestowanythingintheworldonKingBilly。
\"YougivepoorBillyonefellowcoat，missy，andhegodownalongstreetlikeaking。\"
Annieflewintothehouseandseizedthefirstgarmentshelaidherlittlehandson。Itwasherfather’sdress-coat。Sherolleditup，and，runningout，thrustitexcitedlyintotheking’sblackpaw。Ashewentoff，shecarriedthepossumindoors，andwasdeliriouslyhappyforhours。
KingBillyhurriedintothebushtillhecametoawater-hole，and，strippingoffhisrags，heheldupthecoat。Hisjawfell;therewasaremarkableexiguityaboutthecoatwhichwasinexplicable。Hehadneverobservedsuchinhislife。Heputiton，and，bendingoverthesurfaceofthestillpool，tookagoodlookatthegeneraleffect。Itwasnotbadfromsomepointsofview，butBillyhadhisdoubtsastowhetherhewouldbereceivedwiththerespectduetohistitleifhewentintoBallaratclothedthus。Hetriedtobuttonit，butdiscoveredthat，ifithadeverbeenintendedforbuttoning，hecouldnotgetittomeetacrosshischest。Hepickeduphisdiscardedfrock-coat，whichwasheldtogetherbythecollar;thenhefeltthestuffofwhichthedress-coatwasmade，andthematerialpleasedhim。\"Oh，why，\"askedBilly，\"haditnotbeenmadewithfronttails？\"Hesawatlastthatthiscoatandhishighhatalonewereinsufficientforcivilisation。
Forfulldressinacorroboreeitmightdo。Unconsciously，hewassowroughtuponbythepurposeforwhichthecoathadbeenbuiltthathedeterminedtoreserveitforpartiesintheseclusionofthebush，whereanymerrimentcouldberightlycheckedbyacrackfromhiswaddy。Heplanteditcarefullyinahollowlog，and，havinginsertedhimselfwithasmuchcareintohisdiscardedrags，hewonderedoffintothetown。Hegotveryintoxicatedthatnight，anddeterminedtohaveapartyallbyhimself。
Nowitmayseemveryannoying，andIconfessIfinditsomyself;but，havinggotsofar，Idon’tseemywaytotelltherest，evenifAnnieColborntoldmethestoryherself。Forafterherfather’sdeathshemarriedamanwhohadasmallsheep-stationandahotelnotfortymilesfromCarabobla，inNewSouthWales。IstayedthereacoupleofdayswhenIwasgoingnorthtotheMurrumbidgee。Butthoughshetoldme，Icannottellitagain，atleastnotinbold，badprint。Still，itwilloccurtomostthatamanofKingBilly’ssweetandinnocentdispositionmightverylikelycreateasensation，whenhisnaturaldiscretionwasdrownedinbadwhisky，ifheendedhissolitarycorroboreeinthemoonlightbygoinguptoColborn’shouseinordertodeliveraspeechofgratitudethroughtheFrenchwindows。
SoColbornandthekinghadacorroboreealltothemselvesintheopenspacebeforethehouse，whilethegoldcommissioner’sguestsroaredwithlaughtertofindoutwherethemissingdress-coatwas。NextdayKingBillyresumedthesplitfrock-coat。
THYHEART’SDESIRE
BY
NETTASYRETT
Thetentswerepitchedinthelittleplainsurroundedbyhills。Rightandlefttherewerestretchesoftender，vividgreenwheretheyoungcornwasspringing;fartherstill，oneitherhand，theplainwasyellowwithmustard-flower;butintheimmediateforegrounditwasbareandstony。Afewthornybushespushedtheirstragglingwaythroughthedrysoil，ineffectivelyasfarasthegraceofthelandscapewasconcerned，fortheymerelyservedtoemphasisethebarrenaridnessofthelandthatstretchedbeforethetents，slopinggraduallytothedistanthills。
Thehillswereuninterestingenoughinthemselves;theyhadnograndeurofoutline，nopicturesquenesseven，thoughatmorningandeveningthesun，likeagreatmagician，clothedthemwithbeautyatatouch。
Theyhadbeguntochange，tosoften，toblushroseredintheeveninglight，whenawomancametotheentranceofthelargestofthetentsandlookedtowardthem。Sheleanedagainstthesupportononesideofthecanvasflap，and，puttingbackherhead，restedthat，too，againstit，whilehereyeswanderedovertheplainandoverthedistanthills。
Shewasbareheaded，forthecoveringofthetentprojectedafewfeettoformanawningoverhead。Thegentlebreezewhichhadrisenwithsundownstirredthesoftbrowntendrilsofhaironhertemples，andflutteredherpinkcottongownalittle。Shestoodverystill，withherarmshangingandherhandsclaspedlooselyinfrontofher。Therewasaboutherwholeattitudeanairofstudiedquietwhichinsomevaguefashiontheslightclaspofherhandsaccentuated。Herface，withitstightly，almostrigidlyclosedlips，wouldhavebeenquiteinkeepingwiththeimpressionofconsciouscalmwhichherentirepresencesuggested，haditnotbeenthatwhensheraisedhereyesastrangecontradictiontothisideawasafforded。Theywerelargegrayeyes，unusuallybrightandratherstartlingineffect，fortheyseemedtheonlylivethingabouther。Gleamingfromherstill，setface，therewassomethingalmostalarmingintheirbrilliancy。Theysoftenedwithasuddenglowofpleasureastheyrestedonthetranslucentgreenofthewheat-fieldsunderthebroadgeneroussunlight，andthenwanderedtowherethepurevividyellowofthemustard-flowerspreadinwavestothebaseofthehills，nowmysticallyveiledinradiance。
Shestoodmotionless，watchingtheirmelting，elusivechangesfrompalpitatingrosetothetransparentpurpleofamethyst。Thestillnessofeveningwasbrokenbythemonotonous，notunmusicalcreakingofaPersianwheelatsomelittledistancetotheleftofthetent。Thewellstoodinalittlegroveoftrees;betweentheirbranchesshecouldsee，whensheturnedherhead，thecolouredsarisofthevillagewomen，wheretheystoodingroupschatteringastheydrewthewater，andthelittlenakedbrownbabiesthattoddledbesidethemorsprawledonthehardgroundbeneaththetrees。Fromthevillageofflat-roofedmudhousesunderthelowhillatthebackofthetents，otherwomenwerecrossingtheplaintowardthewell，theirterra-cottawater-jarspoisedeasilyontheirheads，castinglongshadowsonthesun-bakedgroundastheycame。
Presently，inthedistance，fromthedirectionofthesunlithillsoppositealittlegroupofmencameintosight。Faroff，themustard-
colouredjacketsandtheredturbansoftheorderliesmadevividsplashesofcolouronthedullplain。Astheycamenearer，thegunsslungacrosstheirshoulders，thecasesofmathematicalinstruments，thehammers，andotherheavybaggagetheycarriedforthesahib，becamevisible。Alittleinfront，atwalkingpacerodethesahibhimself，makingnotesashecameinabookheheldbeforehim。Thegirlatthetententrancewatchedtheadvanceofthelittlecompanyindifferently，itseemed;exceptforaslighttighteningofthemusclesabouthermouth，herfaceremainedunchanged。Whilehewasstillsomelittledistanceaway，themanwiththenotebookraisedhisheadandsmiledawkwardlyashesawherstandingthere。Awkwardness，perhaps，bestdescribesthewholeman。Hewasbadlyputtogether，loose-jointed，ungainly。Thefactthathewastallprofitedhimnothing，foritmerelyemphasisedtheextremeungracefulnessofhisfigure。Hislongpalefacewasmadepalerbytheshockofcoarse，tow-
colouredhair;hiseyes，even，lookedcolourless，thoughtheywerecertainlytheleastuninterestingfeatureofhisface，fortheywerenotdevoidofexpression。Hehadawayofslouchingwhenhemovedthatsingularlyintensifiedthegeneraluncouthnessofhisappearance。\"Areyouverytired？\"askedhiswife，gently，whenhehaddismountedclosetothetent。Thequestionwouldhavebeenanunnecessaryonehaditbeenputtoherinsteadoftoherhusband，forhervoicehadthatpeculiarflattonelesssoundforwhichextremewearinessisanswerable。
\"Well，no，mydear，notvery，\"hereplied，drawlingoutthewordswithanexasperatingairofdeliveringafinalverdict，afterdeepreflectiononthesubject。
Thegirlglancedoncemoreatthefadingcoloursonthehills。\"Comeinandrest，\"shesaid，movingasidealittletolethimpass。
Shestoodlingeringamomentafterhehadenteredthetent，asthoughunwillingtoleavetheouterair;andbeforesheturnedtofollowhimshedrewadeepbreath，andherhandwentforoneswiftsecondtoherthroatasthoughshefeltstifled。
Lateronthateveningshesatinhertent，sewingbythelightofthelampthatstoodonherlittletable。
Oppositetoher，herhusbandstretchedhisungainlylengthinadeck-
chair，andturnedoverapileofofficialnotes。Everynowandthenhereyeswanderedfromthegaysilksofthetable-covershewasembroideringtothecanvaswallswhichboundedthenarrowspaceintowhichtheirfewhouseholdgoodswerecrowded。Outsidetherewasadeephush。Thesilenceofthevastemptyplainseemedtoworkitswayslowly，steadilyintowardthelittlepatchoflightsetinitsmidst。
Thegirlfeltitineverynerve;itwasasthoughsomesoft-footed，noiseless，shapelesscreature，whosepresencesheonlydimlydivined，wasapproachingnearer——/nearer/。Theheavyouterstillnesswasinsomewaymademoreterrifyingbytherustleofthepapersherhusbandwasreading，bythecreakingofhischairashemoved，andbythelittlefidgetinggruntsandhalf-exclamationswhichfromtimetotimebrokefromhim。Hiswife’shandshookateveryunintelligiblemutterfromhim，andtheslighthabitualcontractionbetweenhereyesdeepened。
Allatonceshethrewherworkdownontothetable。\"Forheaven’ssake——/please/，John，/talk/！\"shecried。Hereyes，forthemoment’sspaceinwhichtheymetthestartledonesofherhusband，hadawild，huntedlook，butitwasgonealmostbeforehisslowbrainhadtimetonotethatithadbeenthere——andwasvaguelydisturbing。Shelaughedalittleunsteadily。
\"DidIstartleyou？I’msorry。I\"——shelaughedagain——\"IbelieveI’malittlenervous。Whenoneisalldayalone——\"Shepausedwithoutfinishingthesentence。Theman’sfacechangedsuddenly。Awaveoftendernesssweptoverit，andatthesametimeanexpressionofhalf-
incredulousdelightshoneinhispaleeyes。
\"Poorlittlegirl，areyoureallylonely？\"hesaid。Eventherealfeelinginhistonefailedtorobhisvoiceofitspeculiarlyirritatinggratingquality。Heroseawkwardly，andmovedtohiswife’sside。
Involuntarilysheshrankalittle，andthehandwhichhehadstretchedouttotouchherhairsanktohisside。Sherecoveredherselfimmediately，andturnedherfaceuptohis，thoughshedidnotraisehereyes;buthedidnotkissher。Instead，hestoodinanembarrassedfashionamomentbyherside，andthenwentbacktohisseat。
Therewassilenceagainforsometime。Themanlaybackinhischair，gazingathisbig，clumsyshoesasthoughhehopedforsomeinspirationfromthatquarter，whilehiswifeworkedwithnervoushaste。
\"Don’tletmekeepyoufromreading，John，\"shesaid，andhervoicehadregaineditsusualgentletone。
\"No，mydear;I’mjustthinkingofsomethingtosaytoyou，butI
don’tseem——\"
Shesmiledalittle。Inspiteofherself，herlipcurledfaintly。
\"Don’tworryaboutit;itwasstupidofmetoexpectit。Imean——\"sheadded，hastily，immediatelyrepentingthesarcasm。Sheglancedfurtivelyathim，buthisfacewasquiteunmoved;evidentlyhehadnotnoticedit，andshesmiledfaintlyagain。
\"OKathie，Iknewtherewas/something/I’dforgottentotellyou，mydear;there’samancomingdownhere。Idon’tknowwhether——\"
Shelookedupsharply。\"Amancoming/here/？Whatfor？\"sheinterrupted，breathlessly。
\"Senttohelpmeaboutthisoil-boringbusiness，mydear。\"
Hehadlightedhispipe，andwassmokingplacidly，takinglongwhiffsbetweenhiswords。
\"Well？\"impatientlyquestionedhiswife，fixingherbrighteyesonhisface。
\"Well——that’sall，mydear。\"
Shecheckedanexclamation。\"Butdon’tyouknowanythingabouthim——
hisname？wherehecomesfrom？whatheislike？\"Shewasleaningforwardagainstthetable，herneedle，withalongendofyellowsilkdrawnhalf-waythroughherwork，heldinherupraisedhand，herwholeattitudeoneofquiveringexcitementandexpectancy。
Themantookhispipefromhismouthdeliberately，withalookofslowwonder。
\"Why，Kathie，youseemquiteanxious。Ididn’tknowyou’dbesointerested，mydear。Well，\"——anotherlongpullathispipe，——\"hisname’sBrook——/Brookfield/，Ithink。\"Hepausedagain。\"Thispipedoesn’tdrawwellabit;there’ssomethingwrongwithit，Ishouldn’twonder，\"headded，takingitoutandexaminingthebowlasthoughstruckwiththebrillianceoftheidea。
Thewomanoppositeputdownherworkandclinchedherhandsunderthetable。
\"Goon，John，\"shesaid，presently，inatense，vibratingvoice;\"hisnameisBrookfield。Well，wheredoeshecomefrom？\"
\"Straightfromhome，mydear，Ibelieve。\"Hefumbledinhispocket，andaftersometimeextricatedapencil，withwhichhebegantopokethetobaccointhebowlinanineffectualaimlessfashion，becomingcompletelyengrossedintheoccupationapparently。Therewasanotherlongpause。Thewomanwentonworking，orfeigningtowork，forherhandsweretremblingagooddeal。
Aftersomemomentssheraisedherheadagain。\"John，willyoumindattendingtomeonemoment，andansweringthesequestionsasquicklyasyoucan？\"Theemphasisonthelastwordwassofaintastobealmostasimperceptibleasthetouchofexasperatedcontemptwhichshecouldnotabsolutelybanishfromhertone。
Herhusband，lookingup，metherclearbrightgaze，andreddenedlikeaschool-boy。
\"Whereabouts’/fromhome/’doeshecome？\"sheasked，inastudiedlygentlefashion。
\"Well，fromLondon，Ithink，\"hereplied，almostbrisklyforhim，thoughhestammeredandtrippedoverthewords。\"He’sauniversitychap;Iusedtohearhewasclever;Idon’tknowaboutthat，I’msure;
heusedtochaffme，Iremember，but——\"
\"Chaff/you/？Youhavemethimthen？\"
\"Yes，mydear，\"——hewasfastrelapsingintohisslowdrawlagain，——
\"thatis，Iwenttoschoolwithhim;butit’salongtimeago。
Brookfield——yes，thatmustbehisname。\"
Shewaitedamoment;then，\"Whenishecoming？\"sheinquired，abruptly。
\"Letmesee——to-day’s——\"
\"/Monday/;\"thewordcameswiftlybetweenhersetteeth。
\"Ah，yes——Monday;well，\"reflectively，\"/next/Monday，mydear。\"
Mrs。Draytonrose，andbegantopacesoftlythenarrowpassagebetweenthetableandthetentwall，herhandsclaspedlooselybehindher。
\"Howlonghaveyouknownthis？\"shesaid，stoppingabruptly。\"OJohn，you/needn’t/consider;it’squiteasimplequestion。To-day？
Yesterday？
Herfootmovedrestlesslyonthegroundasshewaited。
\"Ithinkitwasthedaybeforeyesterday，\"hereplied。
\"Thenwhy，inheaven’sname，didn’tyoutellmebefore？\"shebrokeout，fiercely。
\"Mydear，itslippedmymemory。IfI’dthoughtyouwouldbeinterested——\"
\"Interested！\"Shelaughedshortly。\"It/is/ratherinterestingtohearthataftersixmonthsofthis\"——shemadeaquickcomprehensivegesturewithherhand——\"onewillhavesomeonetospeakto——someone。ItisthehandofProvidence;itcomesjustintimetosavemefrom——\"Shecheckedherselfabruptly。
Hesatstaringupatherstupidly，withoutaword。
\"It’sallright，John，\"shesaid，withaquickchangeoftone，gatheringupherworkquietlyasshespoke。\"I’mnotmad——yet。You——
youmustgetusedtotheselittleoutbreaks，\"sheadded，afteramoment，smilingfaintly;\"and，todomejustice，Idon’t/often/
troubleyouwiththem，doI？I’mjustalittletired，orit’stheheator——something。No——don’ttouchme！\"shecried，shrinkingback;forhehadrisenslowlyandwascomingtowardher。
Shehadlostcommandoverhervoice，andtheshrillnoteofhorrorinitwasunmistakable。Themanheardit，andshrankinhisturn。
\"I’msosorry，John，\"shemurmured，raisinghergreatbrighteyestohisface。Theyhadnotlosttheirgoadedexpression，thoughtheywerefulloftears。\"I’mawfullysorry;butI’mjustnervousandstupid，andIcan’tbear/anyone/totouchmewhenI’mnervous。\"
\"Here’sBroomhurst，mydear！Imadeamistakeinhisnameafterall，I
find。Itoldyou/Brookfield/，Ibelieve，didn’tI？Well，itisn’tBrookfield，hesays;it’sBroomhurst。\"
Mrs。Draytonhadwalkedsomelittledistanceacrosstheplaintomeetandwelcometheexpectedguest。Shestoodquietlywaitingwhileherhusbandstammeredoverhisincoherentsentences，andthenputoutherhand。
\"Weareverygladtoseeyou，\"shesaid，withaquickglanceatthenew-comer’sfaceasshespoke。
Astheywalkedtogethertowardthetent，afterthefirstgreetings，shefelthiskeeneyesuponherbeforeheturnedtoherhusband。
\"I’mafraidMrs。Draytonfindstheclimatetrying？\"heasked。\"Perhapssheoughtnottohavecomesofarinthisheat？\"
\"Kathieisoftenpale。You/do/lookwhiteto-day，mydear，\"heobserved，turninganxiouslytowardhiswife。
\"DoI？\"shereplied。Theunsteadinessofhertonewashardlyappreciable，butitwasnotlostonBroomhurst’squickears。\"Oh，I
don’tthinkso。I/feel/verywell。\"
\"I’llcomeandseeifthey’vefixedyouupallright，\"saidDrayton，followinghiscompaniontowardthenewtentthathadbeenpitchedatsomelittledistancefromthelargeone。
\"Weshallseeyouatdinnerthen？\"Mrs。DraytonobservedinreplytoBroomhurst’ssmileastheyparted。
Sheenteredthetentslowly，and，movinguptothetablealreadylaidfordinner，begantorearrangethethingsuponitinapurposeless，mechanicalfashion。
Afteramomentshesankdownuponaseatoppositetheopenentrance，andputherhandtoherhead。
\"Whatisthematterwithme？\"shethought，wearily。\"AlltheweekI’vebeenlookingforwardtoseeingthisman——/any/man，/anyone/totakeofftheedgeofthis。\"Sheshuddered。Eveninthoughtshehesitatedtoanalysethefeelingthatpossessedher。\"Well，he’shere，andIthinkIfeel/worse/。\"Hereyestravelledtowardthehillsshehadbeenusedtowatchatthishour，andrestedonthemwithavague，unseeinggaze。
\"TiredKathie？Apennyforyourthoughts，mydear，\"saidherhusband，cominginpresentlytofindherstillsittingthere。
\"I’mthinkingwhatacuriousworldthisis，andwhatanironicalveinofhumourthegodswholookafteritmustpossess，\"shereplied，withamirthlesslaugh，risingasshespoke。
Johnlookedpuzzled。
\"FunnymyhavingknownBroomhurstbefore，youmean？\"hesaiddoubtfully。
\"IwasfishingdownatLynmouththistimelastyear，\"Broomhurstsaidatdinner。\"YouknowLynmouth，Mrs。Drayton？Doyouneverimagineyouhearthegurglingofthestream？Iamtantalisedalreadybythesoundofitrushingthroughthebeautifulgreengloomofthosewoods——
/aren’t/theylovely？And/I/haven’tbeeninthisburnt-upspotasmanyhoursasyou’vehadmonthsofit。\"
Shesmiledalittle。
\"Youmustlearntopossessyoursoulinpatience，\"shesaid，andglancedinconsequentlyfromBroomhursttoherhusband，andthendroppedhereyesandwassilentamoment。
Johnwasobviously，andalittleaudibly，enjoyinghisdinner。Hesatwithhischairpushedclosetothetable，andhiselbowsawkwardlyraised，swallowinghissoupingulps。Hegraspedhisspoontightlyinhisbonyhand，sothatitsswollenjointsstoodoutlargeranduglierthanever，hiswifethought。
HereyeswanderedtoBroomhurst’shands。Theywerewellshaped，and，thoughnotsmall，therewasalookofrefinementaboutthem;hehadawayoftouchingthingsdelicately，alittlelingeringly，shenoticed。
Therewasanairofdistinctionabouthisclear-cut，clean-shavenface，possiblyintensifiedbycontrastwithDrayton’sblurredfeatures;anditwas，perhaps，alsobycontrastwiththegraycuffsthatshowedbeneathJohn’sill-cutdrabsuitthatthelinenBroomhurstworeseemedtoherparticularlyspotless。
Broomhurst’sthoughts，forhispart，wereagooddealoccupiedwithhishostess。
Shewaspretty，hethought，orperhapsitwasthat，withthewide，drylonelyplainasasetting，herfragiledelicacyofappearancewasinvestedwithacertainflower-likecharm。
\"Thesilencehereseemsratherstrange，ratherappallingatfirst，whenoneisfreshfromatown，\"hepursued，afteramoment’spause;
\"butIsupposeyou’reusedtoit，eh，Drayton？Howdo/you/findlifehere，Mrs。Drayton？\"heasked，alittlecuriously，turningtoherashespoke。
Shehesitatedasecond。\"Oh，muchthesameasIshouldfinditanywhereelse，Iexpect，\"shereplied;\"afterall，onecarriesthepossibilitiesofahappylifeaboutwithone;don’tyouthinkso？TheGardenofEdenwouldn’tnecessarilymakemylifeanyhappier，orlesshappy，thanahowlingwildernesslikethis。Itdependsonone’sselfentirely。\"
\"GiventherightAdamandEve，thedesertblossomsliketherose，infact，\"Broomhurstanswered，lightly，withasmilingglanceinclusiveofhusbandandwife;\"youtwodon’tfeelasthoughyou’dbeendrivenoutofParadise，evidently。\"
Draytonraisedhiseyesfromhisplatewithasmileoftotalincomprehension。
\"Greatheavens！whatanAdamtoselect！\"thoughtBroomhurst，involuntarily，asMrs。Draytonroserathersuddenlyfromthetable。
\"I’llcomeandhelpwiththatpacking-case，\"Johnsaid，rising，inhisturn，lumberinglyfromhisplace;\"thenwecanhaveasmoke——eh！
Kathiedon’tmind，ifwesitneartheentrance。
Thetwomenwentouttogether，Broomhurstholdingthelantern，forthemoonhadnotyetrisen。Mrs。Draytonfollowedthemtothedoorway，and，pushingthelooped-uphangingfartheraside，steppedoutintothecooldarkness。
Herheartwasbeatingquickly，andtherewasagreatlumpinherthroatthatfrightenedherasthoughshewerechoking。
\"AndIamhis/wife/——I/belong/tohim！\"shecried，almostaloud。
Shepressedbothherhandstightlyagainstherbreast，andsetherteeth，fightingtokeepdowntherisingfloodthatthreatenedtosweepawayhercomposure。\"Oh，whatafoolIam！WhatanhystericalfoolofawomanIam！\"shewhisperedbelowherbreath。Shebegantowalkslowlyupanddownoutsidethetent，inthespaceilluminedbythelamplight，asthoughstrivingtomakeheroutwardlyquietmovementsreactupontheinwardtumult。Inalittlewhileshehadconquered;shequietlyenteredthetent，drewalowchairtotheentrance，andtookupabook，justasfootstepsbecameaudible。AmomentafterwardBroomhurstemergedfromthedarknessintothecircleoflightoutside，andMrs。Draytonraisedhereyesfromthepagesshewasturningtogreethimwithasmile。
\"Areyourthingsallright？\"
\"Oh，yes，moreorless，thankyou。Iwasalittleconcernedaboutacaseofbooks，butitisn’tmuchdamagedfortunately。PerhapsI’vesomeyouwouldcaretolookat？\"
\"Thebookswillbeagodsend，\"shereturned，withasuddenbrighteningoftheeyes;\"Iwasgetting/desperate/——forbooks。\"
\"Whatareyoureadingnow？\"heasked，glancingatthevolumethatlayinherlap。
\"It’saBrowning。Icarryitaboutagooddeal。IthinkIliketohaveitwithme，butIdon’tseemtoreaditmuch。\"
\"Areyouwaitingforasuitableoptimisticmoment？\"Broomhurstinquired，smiling。
\"Yes，nowthatyoumentionit，IthinkthatmustbewhyIamwaiting，\"
shereplied，slowly。
\"Anditdoesn’tcome——evenintheGardenofEden？Surelytheserpent，pessimism，hasn’tbeeninsolentenoughtodrawyouintoconversationwithhim？\"hesaid，lightly。
\"Therehasbeennoonetoconversewithatall——whenJohnisaway，I
mean。IthinkIshouldhavelikedalittlechatwiththeserpentimmenselybywayofachange，\"shereplied，inthesametone。
\"Ah，yes，\"Broomhurstsaid，withsuddenseriousness;\"itmustbeunbearablydullforyoualonehere，withDraytonawayallday。\"
Mrs。Drayton’shandshookalittleassheflutteredapageofheropenbook。
\"Ishouldthinkitquitenaturalyouwouldbeirritatedbeyondendurancetohearthatall’srightwiththeworld，forinstance，whenyouweresighingforthelongdaytopass，\"hecontinued。
\"Idon’tmindthedaysomuch;it’stheevenings。\"Sheabruptlycheckedtheswiftwords，andflushedpainfully。\"Imean——I’vegrownstupidlynervous，Ithink——evenwhenJohnishere。Oh，youhavenoideaoftheawful/silence/ofthisplaceatnight，\"sheadded，risinghurriedlyfromherlowseat，andmovingclosertothedoorway。\"Itissoclose，isn’tit？\"shesaid，almostapologetically。Therewassilenceforquiteaminute。
Broomhurst’squickeyesnotedthesilentmomentaryclinchingofthehandsthathungatherside，asshestoodleaningagainstthesupportattheentrance。
\"Buthowstupidofmetogiveyousuchabadimpressionofthecamp——
thefirstevening，too！\"Mrs。Draytonexclaimed，presently;andhercompanionmentallycommendedtheadmirablecomposureofhervoice。
\"Probablyyouwillnevernoticethatit/is/lonelyatall，\"shecontinued;\"Johnlikesithere。Heisimmenselyinterestedinhiswork，youknow。Ihope/you/aretoo。Ifyouareinteresteditisallquiteright。Ithinktheclimatetriesmealittle。Ineverusedtobestupid——andnervous。Ah，here’sJohn;he’sbeenroundtothekitchentent，Isuppose。\"
\"Beenlookingafterthatfellowcleanin’mygun，mydear，\"Johnexplained，shamblingtowardthedeck-chair。
LaterBroomhurststoodathisowntentdoor。Helookedupatthestar-
sownsky，andtheheavysilenceseemedtopressuponhimlikeanactual，physicalburden。
Hetookhiscigarfrombetweenhislipspresently，andlookedattheglowingendreflectivelybeforethrowingitaway。
\"Consideringthatshehasbeenalonewithhimhereforsixmonths，shehasherselfverywellinhand——/very/wellinhand，\"herepeated。
ItwasSundaymorning。JohnDraytonsatjustinsidethetent，presumablyenjoyinghispipebeforetheheatoftheday。Hiseyesfurtivelyfollowedhiswifeasshemovedaboutnearhim，sometimespassingclosetohischairinsearchofsomethingshehadmislaid。
Therewascolourinhercheeks;hereyes，thoughpreoccupied，werebright;therewasalightnessandbuoyancyinherstepwhichshesettoalittledancingairshewashummingunderherbreath。
Afteramomentortwothesongceased;shebegantomoveslowly，sedately;and，asifchilledbyarawbreathofair，thelightfadedfromhereyes，whichshepresentlyturnedtowardherhusband。
\"Whydoyoulookatme？\"sheasked，suddenly。
\"Idon’tknow，mydear，\"hebeganslowlyandlaboriously，aswashiswont。\"Iwasthinkin’howniceyoulooked——jestnow——muchbetter，youknow;butsomehow，\"——hewastakinglongwhiffsathispipe，asusual，betweeneachword，whileshestoodpatientlywaitingforhimtofinish，——\"somehow，youalterso，mydear——you’requitepaleagain，allofaminute。\"
Shestoodlisteningtohim，noticingagainstherwillthemorethansuspicionofcockneyaccentandthethickdrawlwithwhichthewordswereuttered。
Hiseyessoughtherfacepiteously。Shenoticedthattoo，andstoodbeforehimtornbyconflictingemotions，pityanddisguststrugglinginahand-to-handfightwithinher。
\"Mr。BroomhurstandIaregoingdownbythewelltosit;it’scoolerthere。Won’tyoucome？\"shesaidatlast，gently。
Hedidnotreplyforamoment;thenheturnedhisheadaside，sharplyforhim。
\"No，mydear，thankyou;I’mcomfortableenoughhere，\"hereturned，huskily。
Shestoodoverhim，hesitatingasecond;thenmovedabruptlytothetable，fromwhichshetookabook。
Hehadrisenfromhisseatbythetimesheturnedtogoout，andheinterceptedhertimorously。
\"Kathie，givemeakissbeforeyougo，\"hewhispered，hoarsely。\"I——I
don’toftenbotheryou。\"
Shedrewherbreathindeeplyasheputhisarmsclumsilyabouther;
butshestoodstill，andhekissedherontheforehead，andtouchedthelittlewavycurlsthatstrayedacrossitgentlywithhisbig，tremblingfingers。
Whenhereleasedher，shemovedatonceimpetuouslytotheopendoorway。Onthethresholdshehesitated，pausedamomentirresolutely，andthenturnedback。
\"ShallI——doesyourpipewantfilling，John？\"sheasked，softly。
\"No，thankyou，mydear。\"
\"Wouldyoulikemetostay，readtoyou，oranything？\"
Helookedupatherwistfully。\"N-no，thankyou;I’mnotmuchofareader，youknow，mydear——somehow。\"
Shehatedherselfforknowingthattherewouldbea\"mydear，\"
probablya\"somehow，\"inhisreply，anddespisedherselfforthesenseofirritatedimpatienceshefeltbyanticipation，evenbeforethewordswereuttered。
Therewasamoment’shesitatingsilence，brokenbythesoundofquick，firmfootstepswithout。Broomhurstpausedattheentrance，andlookedintothetent。
\"Aren’tyoucoming，Drayton？\"heasked，lookingfirstatDrayton’swifeandthenswiftlyputtinginhisnamewithascarcelyperceptiblepause。\"Toolazy？Butyou，Mrs。Drayton？\"
\"Yes，I’mcoming，\"shesaid。
Theyleftthetenttogether，andwalkedsomefewstepsinsilence。
Broomhurstshotaquickglanceathiscompanion’sface。
\"Anythingwrong？\"heasked，presently。
Thoughthewordswereordinaryenough，thevoiceinwhichtheywerespokenwasinsomesubtlefashionadifferentvoicefromthatinwhichhehadtalkedtohernearlytwomonthsago，thoughitwouldhaverequiredakeensenseofniceshadesinsoundtohavedetectedthechange。
Mrs。Drayton’ssenseofnicetiesinsoundwasparticularlykeen，butsheansweredquietly，\"Nothing，thankyou。\"
Theydidnotspeakagaintillthetreesroundthestonewellwerereached。
Broomhurstarrangedtheirseatscomfortablybesideit。
\"Arewegoingtoreadortalk？\"heasked，lookingupatherfromhislowerplace。
\"Well，wegenerallytalkmostwhenwearrangetoread;soshallweagreetotalkto-dayforachange，bywayofgettingsomereadingdone？\"sherejoined，smiling。\"/You/begin。\"
Broomhurstseemedinnohurrytoavailhimselfofthepermission;hewasapparentlyengrossedinwatchingtheflecksofsunshineonMrs。
Drayton’swhitedress。Thewhirringofinsects，andthecreakingofaPersianwheelsomewhereintheneighbourhood，filteredthroughthehotsilence。
Mrs。Draytonlaughedafterafewminutes;therewasatouchofembarrassmentinthesound。
\"Thenewplandoesn’tanswer。Supposeyouread，asusual，andletmeinterrupt，alsoasusual，afterthefirsttwolines。\"
Heopenedthebookobediently，butturnedthepagesatrandom。
Shewatchedhimforamoment，andthenbentalittleforwardtowardhim。
\"Itismyturnnow，\"shesaid，suddenly;\"isanythingwrong？\"
Heraisedhishead，andtheireyesmet。Therewasapause。\"Iwillbemorehonestthanyou，\"hereturned;\"yes，thereis。\"
\"What？\"
\"I’vehadorderstomoveon。\"
Shedrewback，andherlipswhitened，thoughshekeptthemsteady。
\"Whendoyougo？\"
\"OnWednesday。\"
Therewassilenceagain;themanstillkepthiseyesonherface。
Thewhirringoftheinsectsandthecreakingofthewheelhadsuddenlygrownsostrangelyloudandinsistentthatitwasinahalf-dazedfashionsheatlengthheardhername——\"/Kathleen！/\"
\"Kathleen！\"hewhisperedagain，hoarsely。
Shelookedhimfullintheface，andoncemoretheireyesmetinalong，gravegaze。
Theman’sfaceflushed，andhehalfrosefromhisseatwithanimpetuousmovement;butKathleenstoppedhimwithaglance。
\"Willyougoandfetchmywork？Ileftitinthetent，\"shesaid，speakingveryclearlyanddistinctly;\"andthenwillyougoonreading？Iwillfindtheplacewhileyouaregone。\"
Shetookthebookfromhishand，andheroseandstoodbeforeher。
Therewasamuteappealinhissilence，andsheraisedherheadslowly。
Herfacewaswhitetothelips，butshelookedathimunflinchingly;
andwithoutawordheturnedandlefther。
Mrs。DraytonwasrestinginthetentonTuesdayafternoon。Withthehelpofcushionsandsomelowchairs，shehadimprovisedacouch，onwhichshelayquietlywithhereyesclosed。Therewasatenseness，however，inherattitudewhichindicatedthatsleepwasfarfromher。
Herfeaturesseemedtohavesharpenedduringthelastfewdays，andtherewerehollowsinhercheeks。Shehadbeenveryillforalongtime，butallatonce，withasuddenmovement，sheturnedherheadandburiedherfaceinthecushionswithagroan。Slippingfromherplace，shefellonherkneesbesidethecouch，andputbothhandsbeforehermouthtoforcebackthecrythatshefeltstrugglingtoherlips。
Forsomemomentsthewildeffortshewasmakingforoutwardcalm，whichevenwhenshewasalonewasherfirstinstinct，strainedeverynerveandblottedoutsightandhearing，anditwasnottillthesoundwasverynearthatshewasconsciousoftheringofhorse’shoofsontheplain。
Sheraisedherheadsharply，withathrilloffear，stillkneeling，andlistened。
Therewasnomistake。Thehorsemanwasridinginhothaste，forthethudofthehoofsfollowedoneanotherswiftly。
AsMrs。Draytonlistenedherwhitefacegrewwhiter，andshebegantotremble。Puttingoutshakinghands，sheraisedherselfbythearmsofthefolding-chairandstoodupright。
Nearerandnearercamethethunderoftheapproachingsound，mingledwithstartledexclamationsandthenoiseoftramplingfeetfromthedirectionofthekitchentent。
Slowly，mechanicallyalmost，shedraggedherselftotheentrance，andstoodclingingtothecanvasthere。BythetimeshehadreacheditBroomhursthadflunghimselffromthesaddle，andhadthrownthereinstooneofthemen。
Mrs。Draytonstaredathimwithwide，brighteyesashehastenedtowardher。
\"Ithoughtyou——youarenot——\"shebegan，andthenherteethbegantochatter。\"Iamsocold！\"shesaid，inalittle，weakvoice。
Broomhursttookherhandandledheroverthethresholdbackintothetent。
\"Don’tbesofrightened，\"heimplored;\"Icametotellyoufirst。I
thoughtitwouldn’tfrightenyousomuchas——Your——Draytonis——veryill。Theyarebringinghim。I——\"
Hepaused。Shegazedathimamomentwithpartedlips;thenshebrokeintoahorrible，discordantlaugh，andstoodclingingtothebackofachair。
Broomhurststartedback。
\"DoyouunderstandwhatImean？\"hewhispered。\"Kathleen，forGod’ssake——/don’t/——heis/dead/。\"
Helookedoverhisshoulderashespoke，hershrilllaughterringinginhisears。Thewhiteglareanddazzleoftheplainstretchedbeforehim，framedbytheentrancetothetent;faroff，againstthehorizon，thereweremovingblackspecks，whichheknewtobethereturningservantswiththeirstillburden。
TheywerebringingJohnDraytonhome。
Oneafternoon，somemonthslater，BroomhurstclimbedthesteeplaneleadingtothecliffsofalittleEnglishvillagebythesea。Hehadalreadybeentotheinn，andhadbeenshownbytheproprietressthehousewhereMrs。Draytonlodged。
\"Theladywasout，butthegentlemanwouldlikelyfindherifhewenttothecliffs——downbythebay，orthereabouts，\"herlandladyexplained;and，obeyingherdirections，Broomhurstpresentlyemergedfromtheshadywoodlandpathontothehillsideoverhangingthesea。
Heglancedeagerlyroundhim，andthen，withasuddenquickeningoftheheart，walkedonoverthespringyheathertowhereshesat。Sheturnedwhentherustlinghisfootstepsmadethroughthebrackenwasnearenoughtoarrestherattention，andlookedupathimashecame。
Thensheroseslowlyandstoodwaitingforhim。Hecameuptoherwithoutaword，andseizedbothherhands，devouringherfacewithhiseyes。Somethinghesawthererepelledhim。Slowlyheletherhandsfall，stilllookingathersilently。\"Youarenotgladtoseeme，andIhavecountedthehours，\"hesaid，atlast，inadull，tonelessvoice。
Herlipsquivered。\"Don’tbeangrywithme——Ican’thelpit——I’mnotgladorsorryforanythingnow，\"sheanswered;andhervoicematchedhisforgrayness。
Theysatdowntogetheronalongflatstonehalfembeddedinawiryclumpofwhortleberries。Behindthemthelonelyhillsidesrose，brilliantwithyellowbrackenandthepurpleofheather。Beforethemstretchedthewidesea。Itwasasoft，grayday。Streaksofpalesunlighttrembledatmomentsfaroutonthewater。Thetidewasrisinginthelittlebayabovewhichtheysat，andBroomhurstwatchedthelazyfoam-edgedwavesslippingovertheuncoveredrockstowardtheshore，thenslidingbackasthoughforverywearinesstheydespairedofreachingit。Themuffled，pulsingsoundoftheseafilledthesilence。BroomhurstthoughtsuddenlyofhotEasternsunshine，ofthewhirofinsectwingsonthestillair，andthecreakingofawheelinthedistance。Heturnedandlookedathiscompanion。
\"Ihavecomethousandsofmilestoseeyou，\"hesaid;\"aren’tyougoingtospeaktomenowIamhere？\"
\"Whydidyoucome？Itoldyounottocome，\"sheanswered，falteringly。
\"I——\"shepaused。
\"AndIrepliedthatIshouldfollowyou——ifyouremember，\"heanswered，stillquietly。\"IcamebecauseIwouldnotlistentowhatyousaidthen，atthatawfultime。Youdidn’tknow/yourself/whatyousaid。Nowonder！Ihavegivenyousomemonths，andnowIhavecome。\"
Therewassilencebetweenthem。Broomhurstsawthatshewascrying;
hertearsfellfastontoherhands，thatwereclaspedinherlap。Herface，henoticed，wasthinanddrawn。
Verygentlyheputhisarmroundhershoulderanddrewhernearertohim。Shemadenoresistance;itseemedthatshedidnotnoticethemovement;andhisarmdroppedathisside。
\"YouaskedmewhyIhadcome。Youthinkitpossiblethatthreemonthscanchangeoneverythoroughly，then？\"hesaid，inacoldvoice。
\"Inotonlythinkitpossible;Ihaveprovedit，\"shereplied，wearily。
Heturnedroundandfacedher。
\"You/did/loveme，Kathleen！\"heasserted。\"Youneversaidsoinwords，butIknowit，\"headded，fiercely。
\"Yes，Idid。\"
\"And——youmeanthatyoudon’tnow？\"
Hervoicewasverytired。\"Yes;Ican’thelpit，\"sheanswered;\"ithasgone——utterly。\"
Thegrayseaslowlylappedtherocks。Overheadthesharpscreamofagullcutthroughthestillness。Itwasbrokenagain，amomentafterward，byashorthardlaughfromtheman。
\"Don’t！\"shewhispered，andlaidahandswiftlyonhisarm。\"Doyouthinkitisn’tworseforme？IwishtoGodI/did/loveyou！\"shecried，passionately。\"Perhapsitwouldmakemeforgetthat，toallintentsandpurposes，Iamamurderess。
Broomhurstmetherwide，despairingeyeswithanamazementwhichyieldedtosuddenpityingcomprehension。
\"Sothatisit，mydarling？Youareworryingabout/that/？Youwhowereasloyalas——\"
Shestoppedhimwithafranticgesture。
\"Don’t！/don’t！/\"shewailed。\"Ifyouonlyknew！Letmetrytotellyou——willyou？\"sheurged，pitifully。\"ItmaybebetterifItellsomeone——ifIdon’tkeepitalltomyself，andthink，and/think/。\"
Sheclaspedherhandstight，withtheoldgestureherememberedwhenshewasstrugglingforself-control，andwaitedamoment。
Presentlyshebegantospeakinalow，hurriedtone：\"Itbeganbeforeyoucame。IknownowwhatthefeelingwasthatIwasafraidtoacknowledgetomyself。Iusedtotryandsmotherit;Iusedtorepeatthingstomyselfallday——poems，stupidrhymes——/anything/tokeepmythoughtsquiteunderneath——butI——/hated/Johnbeforeyoucame！Wehadbeenmarriednearlyayearthen。Ineverlovedhim。Ofcourseyouaregoingtosay，’Whydidyoumarryhim？’\"Shelookeddrearilyovertheplacidsea。\"Why/did/Imarryhim？Idon’tknow;forthereasonthathundredsofignorant，inexperiencedgirlsmarry，Isuppose。Myhomewasn’tahappyone。Iwasmiserable，andoh——/restless/。Iwonderifmenknowwhatitfeelsliketoberestless？SometimesIthinktheycan’tevenguess。Johnwantedmeverybadly;nobodywantedmeathomeparticularly。Theredidn’tseemtobeanypointinmylife。Doyouunderstand？……Ofcourse，beingalonewithhiminthatlittlecampinthatsilentplain\"——sheshuddered——\"madethingsworse。Mynerveswentalltopieces。Everythinghesaid，hisvoice，hisaccent，hiswalk，thewayheate，irritatedmesothatIlongedtorushoutsometimesandshriek——andgo/mad/。Doesitsoundridiculoustoyoutobedrivenmadbysuchtrifles？IonlyknowIusedtogetupfromthetablesometimesandwalkupanddownoutside，withbothhandsovermymouthtokeepmyselfquiet。AndallthetimeI/hated/myself——howI
hatedmyself！Ineverhadawordfromhimthatwasn’tgentleandtender。IbelievehelovedthegroundIwalkedon。Oh，itis/awful/
tobelovedlikethatwhenyou——\"Shedrewinherbreathwithasob。
\"I——I——itmademesickforhimtocomenearme——totouchme。\"Shestoppedamoment。
Broomhurstgentlylaidhishandonherquiveringone。\"Poorlittlegirl！\"hemurmured。
\"Then/you/came，\"shesaid，\"andbeforelongIhadanotherfeelingtofightagainst。AtfirstIthoughtitcouldn’tbetruethatIlovedyou——itwoulddiedown。IthinkIwas/frightened/atthefeeling;I
didn’tknowithurtsotoloveanyone。\"
Broomhurststirredalittle。\"Goon，\"hesaid，tersely。
\"Butitdidn’tdie，\"shecontinued，inatremblingwhisper，\"andtheother/awful/feelinggrewstrongerandstronger——hatred;no，thatisnottheword——/loathing/for——for——John。Ifoughtagainstit。Yes，\"
shecried，feverishly，claspingandunclaspingherhands;\"HeavenknowsIfoughtitwithallmystrength，andreasonedwithmyself，and——oh，Idid/everything/，but——\"Herquick-fallingtearsmadespeechdifficult。
\"Kathleen！\"Broomhursturged，desperately，\"youcouldn’thelpit，youpoorchild。Yousayyourselfyoustruggledagainstyourfeelings。Youwerealwaysgentle;perhapshedidn’tknow。\"
\"Buthedid——he/did/，\"shewailed;\"itisjustthat。Ihurthimahundredtimesaday;heneversaidso，butIknewit;andyetI
/couldn’t/bekindtohim，——exceptinwords，——andheunderstood。Andafteryoucameitwasworseinoneway，forheknew——I/felt/heknew——thatIlovedyou。Hiseyesusedtofollowmelikeadog’s，andIwasstabbedwithremorse，andItriedtobegoodtohim，butIcouldn’t。\"
\"But——hedidn’tsuspect——hetrustedyou，\"beganBroomhurst。\"Hehadeveryreason。Nowomanwaseversoloyal，so——\"
\"Hush！\"shealmostscreamed。\"Loyal！itwastheleastIcoulddo——tostopyou，Imean——whenyou——Afterall，Iknewitwithoutyourtellingme。Ihaddeliberatelymarriedhimwithoutlovinghim。Itwasmyownfault。Ifeltit。EvenifIcouldn’tpreventhisknowingthatIhatedhim，Icouldprevent/that/。Itwasmypunishment。Ideserveditfor/daring/tomarrywithoutlove。ButIdidn’tspareJohnonepangafterall，\"sheadded，bitterly。\"HeknewwhatIfelttowardhim;Idon’tthinkhecaredaboutanythingelse。YousayImustn’treproachmyself？
WhenIwentbacktothetentthatmorning——whenyou——whenIstoppedyoufromsayingyoulovedme，hewassittingatthetablewithhisheadburiedinhishands;hewascrying——bitterly。Isawhim，——itisterribletoseeamancry，——andIstoleawaygently，buthesawme。I
wastorntopieces，butI/couldn’t/gotohim。Iknewhewouldkissme，andIshudderedtothinkofit。Itseemedmorethanevernottobebornethatheshoulddothat——whenIknew/you/lovedme。\"
\"Kathleen，\"criedherlover，again，\"don’tdwellonitallsoterribly——don’t——\"
\"HowcanIforget？\"sheanswered，despairingly。\"Andthen，\"——sheloweredhervoice，——\"oh，Ican’ttellyou——allthetime，atthebackofmymindsomewhere，therewasaburningwishthathemight/die/。I
usedtolieawakeatnight，and，dowhatIwouldtostifleit，thatthoughtusedto/scorch/me，Iwisheditsointensely。Doyoubelievethatbywillingonecanbringsuchthingstopass？\"sheasked，lookingatBroomhurstwithfeverishlybrighteyes。\"No？Well，Idon’tknow。I
triedtosmotherit，——I/really/tried，——butitwasthere，whateverotherthoughtsIheapedonthetop。Then，whenIheardthehorsegallopingacrosstheplainthatmorning，Ihadasickfearthatitwas/you/。Iknewsomethinghadhappened，andmyfirstthoughtwhenIsawyoualiveandwell，andknewitwas/John/，was/thatitwastoogoodtobetrue/。IbelieveIlaughedlikeamaniac，didn’tI？……Nottoblame？Why，ifithadn’tbeenformehewouldn’thavedied。Themensaytheysawhimsittingwithhisheaduncoveredintheburningsun，hisfaceburiedinhishands——justasIhadseenhimthedaybefore。
Hedidn’ttroubletobecareful;hewastoowretched。\"
Shepaused，andBroomhurstroseandbegantopacethelittlehillsidepathattheedgeofwhichtheywereseated。
Presentlyhecamebacktoher。
\"Kathleen，letmetakecareofyou，\"heimplored，stoopingtowardher。
\"Wehaveonlyourselvestoconsiderinthismatter。Willyoucometomeatonce？\"
Sheshookherheadsadly。
Broomhurstsethisteeth，andthelinesroundhismouthdeepened。Hethrewhimselfdownbesideherontheheather。
\"Dear，\"heurged，stillgently，thoughhisvoiceshowedhewascontrollinghimselfwithaneffort，\"youaremorbidaboutthis。Youhavebeenalonetoomuch;youareill。Letmetakecareofyou;I
/can/，Kathleen，——andIloveyou。Nothingbutmorbidfancymakesyouimagineyouareinanywayresponsiblefor——Drayton’sdeath。Youcan’tbringhimbacktolife，and——\"
\"No，\"shesighed，drearily，\"andifIcould，nothingwouldbealtered。
ThoughIammadwithself-reproach，Ifeel/that/——itwasallsoinevitable。Ifhewerealiveandwellbeforemethisinstant，myfeelingtowardhimwouldn’thavechanged。Ifhespoketomehewouldsay’mydear’——andIshould/loathe/him。Oh，Iknow！Itis/that/
thatmakesitsoawful。\"
\"Butifyouacknowledgeit，\"Broomhurststruckin，eagerly，\"willyouwreckbothofourlivesforthesakeofvainregrets？Kathleen，youneverwill。\"
Hewaitedbreathlesslyforheranswer。
\"Iwon’twreckbothourlivesbymarryingagainwithoutloveonmyside，\"shereplied，firmly。
\"Iwilltaketherisk，\"hesaid。\"You/have/lovedme;youwilllovemeagain。Youarecrushedanddazednowwithbroodingoverthis——thistrouble，but——\"
\"ButIwillnotallowyoutotaketherisk，\"Kathleenanswered。\"WhatsortofwomanshouldIbetobewillingagaintolivewithamanI
don’tlove？Ihavecometoknowthattherearethingsoneowesto/one’sself/。Self-respectisoneofthem。Idon’tknowhowithascometobeso，butallmyoldfeelingforyouhas/gone/。Itisasthoughithadburneditselfout。Iwillnotoffergrayashestoanyman。\"
Broomhurst，lookingupatherpale，setface，knewthatherwordswerefinal，andturnedhisownasidewithagroan。
\"Ah，\"criedKathleen，withalittlebreakinhervoice，\"/don’t！/Goaway，andbehappyandstrong，andallthatIlovedinyou。Iamsosorry——sosorrytohurtyou。I——\"hervoicefalteredmiserably;\"I——I
onlybringtroubletopeople。\"
Therewasalongpause。
\"Didyouneverthinkthatthereisaterribleveinofironyrunningthroughtheorderingofthisworld？\"shesaid，presently。\"Itisamistaketothinkourprayersarenotanswered——theyare。Induetimewegetourheart’sdesire——whenwehaveceasedtocareforit。\"
\"Ihaven’tyetgotmine，\"Broomhurstanswered，doggedly，\"andIshallneverceasetocareforit。\"
Shesmiledalittle，withinfinitesadness。
\"Listen，Kathleen，\"hesaid。Theyhadbothrisen，andhestoodbeforeher，lookingdownather。\"Iwillgonow，butinayear’stimeIshallcomeback。Iwillnotgiveyouup。Youshalllovemeyet。\"
\"Perhaps——Idon’tthinkso，\"sheanswered，wearily。
Broomhurstlookedathertremblinglipsamomentinsilence;thenhestoopedandkissedbothherhandsinstead。
\"Iwillwaittillyoutellmeyouloveme，\"hesaid。
Shestoodwatchinghimoutofsight。Hedidnotlookback，andsheturnedwithswimmingeyestothegrayseaandthetransientgleamsofsunlightthatsweptliketendersmilesacrossitsface。