Thesignsofhislikingweremanifestenough;butitwashardtoguesshowmuchtheymeant，becausehismannerwassodifferentfromanythingNorthDormerhadevershownher。Hewasatoncesimplerandmoredeferentialthananyoneshehadknown;andsometimesitwasjustwhenhewassimplestthatshemostfeltthedistancebetweenthem。Educationandopportunityhaddividedthembyawidththatnoeffortofherscouldbridge，andevenwhenhisyouthandhisadmirationbroughthimnearest，somechanceword，someunconsciousallusion，seemedtothrustherbackacrossthegulf。
NeverhadityawnedsowideaswhenshefleduptoherroomcarryingwithhertheechoofMr。Royall’stale。
HerfirstconfusedthoughtwastheprayerthatshemightneverseeyoungHarneyagain。Itwastoobittertopicturehimasthedetachedimpartiallistenertosuchastory。\"Iwishhe’dgoaway：I
wishhe’dgotomorrow，andnevercomeback！\"shemoanedtoherpillow;andfarintothenightshelaythere，inthedisordereddressshehadforgottentotakeoff，herwholesoulatossingmiseryonwhichherhopesanddreamsspunaboutlikedrowningstraws。
Ofallthistumultonlyavagueheart—sorenesswasleftwhensheopenedhereyesthenextmorning。Herfirstthoughtwasoftheweather，forHarneyhadaskedhertotakehimtothebrownhouseunderPorcupine，andthenaroundbyHamblin;andasthetripwasalongonetheyweretostartatnine。Thesunrosewithoutacloud，andearlierthanusualshewasinthekitchen，makingcheesesandwiches，decantingbuttermilkintoabottle，wrappingupslicesofapplepie，andaccusingVerenaofhavinggivenawayabasketsheneeded，whichhadalwayshungonahookinthepassage。Whenshecameoutintotheporch，inherpinkcalico，whichhadrunalittleinthewashing，butwasstillbrightenoughtosetoffherdarktints，shehadsuchatriumphantsenseofbeingapartofthesunlightandthemorningthatthelasttraceofhermiseryvanished。Whatdiditmatterwhereshecamefrom，orwhosechildshewas，whenlovewasdancinginherveins，anddowntheroadshesawyoungHarneycomingtowardher？
Mr。Royallwasintheporchtoo。Hehadsaidnothingatbreakfast，butwhenshecameoutinherpinkdress，thebasketinherhand，helookedatherwithsurprise。
\"Whereyougoingto？\"heasked。
\"Why——Mr。Harney’sstartingearlierthanusualtoday，\"
sheanswered。
\"Mr。Harney，Mr。Harney？Ain’tMr。Harneylearnedhowtodriveahorseyet？\"
Shemadenoanswer，andhesattiltedbackinhischair，drummingontherailoftheporch。Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokenoftheyoungmaninthattone，andCharityfeltafaintchillofapprehension。
Afteramomenthestoodupandwalkedawaytowardthebitofgroundbehindthehouse，wherethehiredmanwashoeing。
Theairwascoolandclear，withtheautumnalsparklethatanorthwindbringstothehillsinearlysummer，andthenighthadbeensostillthatthedewhungoneverything，notasalingeringmoisture，butinseparatebeadsthatglitteredlikediamondsonthefernsandgrasses。ItwasalongdrivetothefootofPorcupine：firstacrossthevalley，withbluehillsboundingtheopenslopes;thendownintothebeech—
woods，followingthecourseoftheCreston，abrownbrookleapingovervelvetledges;thenoutagainontothefarm—landsaboutCrestonLake，andgraduallyuptheridgesoftheEagleRange。Atlasttheyreachedtheyokeofthehills，andbeforethemopenedanothervalley，greenandwild，andbeyonditmoreblueheightseddyingawaytotheskylikethewavesofarecedingtide。
Harneytiedthehorsetoatree—stump，andtheyunpackedtheirbasketunderanagedwalnutwithariventrunkoutofwhichbumblebeesdarted。Thesunhadgrownhot，andbehindthemwasthenoondaymurmuroftheforest。Summerinsectsdancedontheair，andaflockofwhitebutterfliesfannedthemobiletipsofthecrimsonfireweed。Inthevalleybelownotahousewasvisible;itseemedasifCharityRoyallandyoungHarneyweretheonlylivingbeingsinthegreathollowofearthandsky。
Charity’sspiritsflaggedanddisquietingthoughtsstolebackonher。YoungHarneyhadgrownsilent，andashelaybesideher，hisarmsunderhishead，hiseyesonthenetworkofleavesabovehim，shewonderedifheweremusingonwhatMr。Royallhadtoldhim，andifithadreallydebasedherinhisthoughts。Shewishedhehadnotaskedhertotakehimthatdaytothebrownhouse;shedidnotwanthimtoseethepeopleshecamefromwhilethestoryofherbirthwasfreshinhismind。MorethanonceshehadbeenonthepointofsuggestingthattheyshouldfollowtheridgeanddrivestraighttoHamblin，wheretherewasalittledesertedhousehewantedtosee;butshynessandprideheldherback。\"He’dbetterknowwhatkindoffolksIbelongto，\"shesaidtoherself，withasomewhatforceddefiance;forinrealityitwasshamethatkepthersilent。
Suddenlysheliftedherhandandpointedtothesky。
\"There’sastormcomingup。\"
Hefollowedherglanceandsmiled。\"Isitthatscrapofcloudamongthepinesthatfrightensyou？\"
\"It’sovertheMountain;andacloudovertheMountainalwaysmeanstrouble。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tbelievehalfthebadthingsyouallsayoftheMountain！Butanyhow，we’llgetdowntothebrownhousebeforetheraincomes。\"
Hewasnotfarwrong，foronlyafewisolateddropshadfallenwhentheyturnedintotheroadundertheshaggyflankofPorcupine，andcameuponthebrownhouse。Itstoodalonebesideaswampborderedwithalderthicketsandtallbulrushes。Notanotherdwellingwasinsight，anditwashardtoguesswhatmotivecouldhaveactuatedtheearlysettlerwhohadmadehishomeinsounfriendlyaspot。
Charityhadpickedupenoughofhercompanion’seruditiontounderstandwhathadattractedhimtothehouse。Shenoticedthefan—shapedtraceryofthebrokenlightabovethedoor，theflutingsofthepaintlesspilastersatthecorners，andtheroundwindowsetinthegable;andsheknewthat，forreasonsthatstillescapedher，thesewerethingstobeadmiredandrecorded。Still，theyhadseenotherhousesfarmore\"typical\"（thewordwasHarney’s）;andashethrewthereinsonthehorse’sneckhesaidwithaslightshiverofrepugnance：\"Wewon’tstaylong。\"
Againsttherestlessaldersturningtheirwhiteliningtothestormthehouselookedsingularlydesolate。
Thepaintwasalmostgonefromtheclap—boards，thewindow—paneswerebrokenandpatchedwithrags，andthegardenwasapoisonoustangleofnettles，burdocksandtallswamp—weedsoverwhichbigblue—bottleshummed。
Atthesoundofwheelsachildwithatow—headandpaleeyeslikeLiffHyatt’speeredoverthefenceandthenslippedawaybehindanout—house。HarneyjumpeddownandhelpedCharityout;andashedidsotherainbrokeonthem。Itcameslant—wise，onafuriousgale，layingshrubsandyoungtreesflat，tearingofftheirleaveslikeanautumnstorm，turningtheroadintoariver，andmakinghissingpoolsofeveryhollow。Thunderrolledincessantlythroughtheroaroftherain，andastrangeglitteroflightranalongthegroundundertheincreasingblackness。
\"Luckywe’rehereafterall，\"Harneylaughed。Hefastenedthehorseunderahalf—rooflessshed，andwrappingCharityinhiscoatranwithhertothehouse。
Theboyhadnotreappeared，andastherewasnoresponsetotheirknocksHarneyturnedthedoor—handleandtheywentin。
Therewerethreepeopleinthekitchentowhichthedooradmittedthem。Anoldwomanwithahandkerchiefoverherheadwassittingbythewindow。Sheheldasickly—lookingkittenonherknees，andwheneveritjumpeddownandtriedtolimpawayshestoopedandlifteditbackwithoutanychangeofheraged，unnoticingface。Anotherwoman，theunkemptcreaturethatCharityhadoncenoticedindrivingby，stoodleaningagainstthewindow—frameandstaredatthem;andnearthestoveanunshavedmaninatatteredshirtsatonabarrelasleep。
Theplacewasbareandmiserableandtheairheavywiththesmellofdirtandstaletobacco。Charity’sheartsank。OldderidedtalesoftheMountainpeoplecamebacktoher，andthewoman’sstarewassodisconcerting，andthefaceofthesleepingmansosoddenandbestial，thatherdisgustwastingedwithavaguedread。Shewasnotafraidforherself;sheknewtheHyattswouldnotbelikelytotroubleher;butshewasnotsurehowtheywouldtreata\"cityfellow。\"
LuciusHarneywouldcertainlyhavelaughedatherfears。Heglancedabouttheroom，utteredageneral\"Howareyou？\"towhichnooneresponded，andthenaskedtheyoungerwomaniftheymighttakesheltertillthestormwasover。
SheturnedhereyesawayfromhimandlookedatCharity。
\"You’rethegirlfromRoyall’s，ain’tyou？\"
ThecolourroseinCharity’sface。\"I’mCharityRoyall，\"shesaid，asifassertingherrighttothenameintheveryplacewhereitmighthavebeenmostopentoquestion。
Thewomandidnotseemtonotice。\"Youkinstay，\"shemerelysaid;thensheturnedawayandstoopedoveradishinwhichshewasstirringsomething。
HarneyandCharitysatdownonabenchmadeofaboardrestingontwostarchboxes。Theyfacedadoorhangingonabrokenhinge，andthroughthecracktheysawtheeyesofthetow—headedboyandofapalelittlegirlwithascaracrosshercheek。Charitysmiled，andsignedtothechildrentocomein;butassoonastheysawtheywerediscoveredtheyslippedawayonbarefeet。Itoccurredtoherthattheywereafraidofrousingthesleepingman;andprobablythewomansharedtheirfear，forshemovedaboutasnoiselesslyandavoidedgoingnearthestove。
Theraincontinuedtobeatagainstthehouse，andinoneortwoplacesitsentastreamthroughthepatchedpanesandranintopoolsonthefloor。
Everynowandthenthekittenmewedandstruggleddown，andtheoldwomanstoopedandcaughtit，holdingittightinherbonyhands;andonceortwicethemanonthebarrelhalfwoke，changedhispositionanddozedagain，hisheadfallingforwardonhishairybreast。Astheminutespassed，andtherainstillstreamedagainstthewindows，aloathingoftheplaceandthepeoplecameoverCharity。Thesightoftheweak—mindedoldwoman，ofthecowedchildren，andtheraggedmansleepingoffhisliquor，madethesettingofherownlifeseemavisionofpeaceandplenty。ShethoughtofthekitchenatMr。Royall’s，withitsscrubbedflooranddresserfullofchina，andthepeculiarsmellofyeastandcoffeeandsoft—soapthatshehadalwayshated，butthatnowseemedtheverysymbolofhouseholdorder。ShesawMr。Royall’sroom，withthehigh—backedhorsehairchair，thefadedragcarpet，therowofbooksonashelf，theengravingof\"TheSurrenderofBurgoyne\"overthestove，andthematwithabrownandwhitespanielonamoss—greenborder。AndthenhermindtravelledtoMissHatchard’shouse，whereallwasfreshness，purityandfragrance，andcomparedtowhichtheredhousehadalwaysseemedsopoorandplain。
\"ThisiswhereIbelong——thisiswhereIbelong，\"shekeptrepeatingtoherself;butthewordshadnomeaningforher。Everyinstinctandhabitmadeherastrangeramongthesepoorswamp—peoplelivinglikeverminintheirlair。WithallhersoulshewishedshehadnotyieldedtoHarney’scuriosity，andbroughthimthere。
Therainhaddrenchedher，andshebegantoshiverunderthethinfoldsofherdress。Theyoungerwomanmusthavenoticedit，forshewentoutoftheroomandcamebackwithabrokentea—cupwhichsheofferedtoCharity。Itwashalffullofwhiskey，andCharityshookherhead;butHarneytookthecupandputhislipstoit。WhenhehadsetitdownCharitysawhimfeelinhispocketanddrawoutadollar;hehesitatedamoment，andthenputitback，andsheguessedthathedidnotwishhertoseehimofferingmoneytopeopleshehadspokenofasbeingherkin。
Thesleepingmanstirred，liftedhisheadandopenedhiseyes。TheyrestedvacantlyforamomentonCharityandHarney，andthenclosedagain，andhisheaddrooped;butalookofanxietycameintothewoman’sface。SheglancedoutofthewindowandthencameuptoHarney。\"Iguessyoubettergoalongnow，\"shesaid。Theyoungmanunderstoodandgottohisfeet。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaid，holdingouthishand。Sheseemednottonoticethegesture，andturnedawayastheyopenedthedoor。
Therainwasstillcomingdown，buttheyhardlynoticedit：thepureairwaslikebalmintheirfaces。Thecloudswererisingandbreaking，andbetweentheiredgesthelightstreameddownfromremotebluehollows。
Harneyuntiedthehorse，andtheydroveoffthroughthediminishingrain，whichwasalreadybeadedwithsunlight。
ForawhileCharitywassilent，andhercompaniondidnotspeak。Shelookedtimidlyathisprofile：itwasgraverthanusual，asthoughhetoowereoppressedbywhattheyhadseen。Thenshebrokeoutabruptly：
\"ThosepeoplebacktherearethekindoffolksIcomefrom。Theymaybemyrelations，forallIknow。\"Shedidnotwanthimtothinkthatsheregrettedhavingtoldhimherstory。
\"Poorcreatures，\"herejoined。\"Iwonderwhytheycamedowntothatfever—hole。\"
Shelaughedironically。\"Tobetterthemselves！It’sworseupontheMountain。BashHyattmarriedthedaughterofthefarmerthatusedtoownthebrownhouse。Thatwashimbythestove，Isuppose。\"
Harneyseemedtofindnothingtosayandshewenton：
\"Isawyoutakeoutadollartogivetothatpoorwoman。Whydidyouputitback？\"
Hereddened，andleanedforwardtoflickaswamp—flyfromthehorse’sneck。\"Iwasn’tsure————\"
\"Wasitbecauseyouknewtheyweremyfolks，andthoughtI’dbeashamedtoseeyougivethemmoney？\"
Heturnedtoherwitheyesfullofreproach。\"Oh，Charity————\"Itwasthefirsttimehehadevercalledherbyhername。Hermiserywelledover。
\"Iain’t——Iain’tashamed。They’remypeople，andI
ain’tashamedofthem，\"shesobbed。
\"Mydear……\"hemurmured，puttinghisarmabouther;
andsheleanedagainsthimandweptoutherpain。
ItwastoolatetogoaroundtoHamblin，andallthestarswereoutinaclearskywhentheyreachedtheNorthDormervalleyanddroveuptotheredhouse。
VII
SINCEherreinstatementinMissHatchard’sfavourCharityhadnotdaredtocurtailbyamomentherhoursofattendanceatthelibrary。Sheevenmadeapointofarrivingbeforethetime，andshowedalaudableindignationwhentheyoungestTargattgirl，whohadbeenengagedtohelpinthecleaningandrearrangingofthebooks，cametrailinginlateandneglectedhertasktopeerthroughthewindowattheSollasboy。
Nevertheless，\"librarydays\"seemedmorethaneverirksometoCharityafterhervividhoursofliberty;
andshewouldhavefoundithardtosetagoodexampletohersubordinateifLuciusHarneyhadnotbeencommissioned，beforeMissHatchard’sdeparture，toexaminewiththelocalcarpenterthebestmeansofventilatingthe\"Memorial。\"
Hewascarefultoprosecutethisinquiryonthedayswhenthelibrarywasopentothepublic;andCharitywasthereforesureofspendingpartoftheafternooninhiscompany。TheTargattgirl’spresence，andtheriskofbeinginterruptedbysomepasser—bysuddenlysmittenwithathirstforletters，restrictedtheirintercoursetotheexchangeofcommonplaces;buttherewasafascinationtoCharityinthecontrastbetweenthesepubliccivilitiesandtheirsecretintimacy。
Thedayaftertheirdrivetothebrownhousewas\"libraryday，\"andshesatatherdeskworkingattherevisedcatalogue，whiletheTargattgirl，oneeyeonthewindow，chantedoutthetitlesofapileofbooks。
Charity’sthoughtswerefaraway，inthedismalhousebytheswamp，andunderthetwilightskyduringthelongdrivehome，whenLuciusHarneyhadconsoledherwithendearingwords。Thatday，forthefirsttimesincehehadbeenboardingwiththem，hehadfailedtoappearasusualatthemiddaymeal。Nomessagehadcometoexplainhisabsence，andMr。Royall，whowasmorethanusuallytaciturn，hadbetrayednosurprise，andmadenocomment。Initselfthisindifferencewasnotparticularlysignificant，forMr。Royall，incommonwithmostofhisfellow—citizens，hadawayofacceptingeventspassively，asifhehadlongsincecometotheconclusionthatnoonewholivedinNorthDormercouldhopetomodifythem。ButtoCharity，inthereactionfromhermoodofpassionateexaltation，therewassomethingdisquietinginhissilence。ItwasalmostasifLuciusHarneyhadneverhadapartintheirlives：Mr。Royall’simperturbableindifferenceseemedtorelegatehimtothedomainofunreality。
Asshesatatwork，shetriedtoshakeoffherdisappointmentatHarney’snon—appearing。Sometriflingincidenthadprobablykepthimfromjoiningthematmidday;butshewassurehemustbeeagertoseeheragain，andthathewouldnotwanttowaittilltheymetatsupper，betweenMr。RoyallandVerena。Shewaswonderingwhathisfirstwordswouldbe，andtryingtodeviseawayofgettingridoftheTargattgirlbeforehecame，whensheheardstepsoutside，andhewalkedupthepathwithMr。Miles。
TheclergymanfromHepburnseldomcametoNorthDormerexceptwhenhedroveovertoofficiateattheoldwhitechurchwhich，byanunusualchance，happenedtobelongtotheEpiscopalcommunion。Hewasabriskaffableman，eagertomakethemostofthefactthatalittlenucleusof\"church—people\"hadsurvivedinthesectarianwilderness，andresolvedtounderminetheinfluenceoftheginger—bread—colouredBaptistchapelattheotherendofthevillage;buthewaskeptbusybyparochialworkatHepburn，wheretherewerepaper—millsandsaloons，anditwasnotoftenthathecouldsparetimeforNorthDormer。
Charity，whowenttothewhitechurch（likeallthebestpeopleinNorthDormer），admiredMr。Miles，andhadeven，duringthememorabletriptoNettleton，imaginedherselfmarriedtoamanwhohadsuchastraightnoseandsuchabeautifulwayofspeaking，andwholivedinabrown—stonerectorycoveredwithVirginiacreeper。Ithadbeenashocktodiscoverthattheprivilegewasalreadyenjoyedbyaladywithcrimpedhairandalargebaby;butthearrivalofLuciusHarneyhadlongsincebanishedMr。MilesfromCharity’sdreams，andashewalkedupthepathatHarney’ssideshesawhimashereallywas：afatmiddle—agedmanwithabaldnessshowingunderhisclericalhat，andspectaclesonhisGreciannose。ShewonderedwhathadcalledhimtoNorthDormeronaweekday，andfeltalittlehurtthatHarneyshouldhavebroughthimtothelibrary。
ItpresentlyappearedthathispresencetherewasduetoMissHatchard。HehadbeenspendingafewdaysatSpringfield，tofillafriend’spulpit，andhadbeenconsultedbyMissHatchardastoyoungHarney’splanforventilatingthe\"Memorial。\"TolayhandsontheHatchardarkwasagravematter，andMissHatchard，alwaysfullofscruplesaboutherscruples（itwasHarney’sphrase），wishedtohaveMr。Miles’sopinionbeforedeciding。
\"Icouldn’t，\"Mr。Milesexplained，\"quitemakeoutfromyourcousinwhatchangesyouwantedtomake，andastheothertrusteesdidnotunderstandeitherIthoughtI
hadbetterdriveoverandtakealook——thoughI’msure，\"headded，turninghisfriendlyspectaclesontheyoungman，\"thatnoonecouldbemorecompetent——butofcoursethisspothasitspeculiarsanctity！\"
\"Ihopealittlefreshairwon’tdesecrateit，\"Harneylaughinglyrejoined;andtheywalkedtotheotherendofthelibrarywhilehesetforthhisideatotheRector。
Mr。Mileshadgreetedthetwogirlswithhisusualfriendliness，butCharitysawthathewasoccupiedwithotherthings，andshepresentlybecameaware，bythescrapsofconversationdriftingovertoher，thathewasstillunderthecharmofhisvisittoSpringfield，whichappearedtohavebeenfullofagreeableincidents。
\"Ah，theCoopersons……yes，youknowthem，ofcourse，\"
sheheard。\"That’safineoldhouse！AndNedCoopersonhascollectedsomereallyremarkableimpressionistpictures……\"ThenameshecitedwereunknowntoCharity。\"Yes;yes;theSchaeferquartetteplayedatLyricHallonSaturdayevening;andonMondayIhadtheprivilegeofhearingthemagainattheTowers。
Beautifullydone……BachandBeethoven……alawn—partyfirst……IsawMissBalchseveraltimes，bytheway……lookingextremelyhandsome……\"
CharitydroppedherpencilandforgottolistentotheTargattgirl’ssing—song。WhyhadMr。MilessuddenlybroughtupAnnabelBalch’sname？
\"Oh，really？\"sheheardHarneyrejoin;and，raisinghisstick，hepursued：\"Yousee，myplanistomovetheseshelvesaway，andopenaroundwindowinthiswall，ontheaxisoftheoneunderthepediment。\"
\"Isupposeshe’llbecomingupherelatertostaywithMissHatchard？\"Mr。Mileswenton，followingonhistrainofthought;then，spinningaboutandtiltinghisheadback：\"Yes，yes，Isee——Iunderstand：thatwillgiveadraughtwithoutmateriallyalteringthelookofthings。Icanseenoobjection。\"
Thediscussionwentonforsomeminutes，andgraduallythetwomenmovedbacktowardthedesk。Mr。MilesstoppedagainandlookedthoughtfullyatCharity。
\"Aren’tyoualittlepale，mydear？Notoverworking？
Mr。HarneytellsmeyouandMamiearegivingthelibraryathoroughoverhauling。\"Hewasalwayscarefultorememberhisparishioners’Christiannames，andattherightmomenthebenthisbenignantspectaclesontheTargattgirl。
ThenheturnedtoCharity。\"Don’ttakethingshard，mydear;don’ttakethingshard。ComedownandseeMrs。
MilesandmesomedayatHepburn，\"hesaid，pressingherhandandwavingafarewelltoMamieTargatt。Hewentoutofthelibrary，andHarneyfollowedhim。
CharitythoughtshedetectedalookofconstraintinHarney’seyes。Shefanciedhedidnotwanttobealonewithher;andwithasuddenpangshewonderedifherepentedthetenderthingshehadsaidtoherthenightbefore。Hiswordshadbeenmorefraternalthanlover—
like;butshehadlosttheirexactsenseinthecaressingwarmthofhisvoice。HehadmadeherfeelthatthefactofherbeingawaiffromtheMountainwasonlyanotherreasonforholdinghercloseandsoothingherwithconsolatorymurmurs;andwhenthedrivewasover，andshegotoutofthebuggy，tired，cold，andachingwithemotion，shesteppedasifthegroundwereasunlitwaveandshethesprayonitscrest。
Why，then，hadhismannersuddenlychanged，andwhydidheleavethelibrarywithMr。Miles？HerrestlessimaginationfastenedonthenameofAnnabelBalch：fromthemomentithadbeenmentionedshefanciedthatHarney’sexpressionhadaltered。AnnabelBalchatagarden—partyatSpringfield，looking\"extremelyhandsome\"……perhapsMr。MileshadseenherthereattheverymomentwhenCharityandHarneyweresittingintheHyatts’hovel，betweenadrunkardandahalf—wittedoldwoman！Charitydidnotknowexactlywhatagarden—partywas，butherglimpseoftheflower—edgedlawnsofNettletonhelpedhertovisualizethescene，andenviousrecollectionsofthe\"oldthings\"whichMissBalchavowedly\"woreout\"whenshecametoNorthDormermadeitonlytooeasytopictureherinhersplendour。
Charityunderstoodwhatassociationsthenamemusthavecalledup，andfelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainsttheunseeninfluencesinHarney’slife。
Whenshecamedownfromherroomforsupperhewasnotthere;andwhileshewaitedintheporchsherecalledthetoneinwhichMr。Royallhadcommentedthedaybeforeontheirearlystart。Mr。Royallsatatherside，hischairtiltedback，hisbroadblackbootswithside—elasticsrestingagainstthelowerbaroftherailings。Hisrumpledgreyhairstoodupabovehisforeheadlikethecrestofanangrybird，andtheleather—brownofhisveinedcheekswasblotchedwithred。Charityknewthatthoseredspotswerethesignsofacomingexplosion。
Suddenlyhesaid：\"Where’ssupper？HasVerenaMarshslippedupagainonhersoda—biscuits？\"
Charitythrewastartledglanceathim。\"Ipresumeshe’swaitingforMr。Harney。\"
\"Mr。Harney，isshe？She’dbetterdishup，then。Heain’tcoming。\"Hestoodup，walkedtothedoor，andcalledout，inthepitchnecessarytopenetratetheoldwoman’stympanum：\"Getalongwiththesupper，Verena。\"
Charitywastremblingwithapprehension。Somethinghadhappened——shewassureofitnow——andMr。Royallknewwhatitwas。Butnotfortheworldwouldshehavegratifiedhimbyshowingheranxiety。Shetookherusualplace，andheseatedhimselfopposite，andpouredoutastrongcupofteabeforepassingherthetea—pot。
Verenabroughtsomescrambledeggs，andhepiledhisplatewiththem。\"Ain’tyougoingtotakeany？\"heasked。Charityrousedherselfandbegantoeat。
ThetonewithwhichMr。Royallhadsaid\"He’snotcoming\"seemedtoherfullofanominoussatisfaction。
ShesawthathehadsuddenlybeguntohateLuciusHarney，andguessedherselftobethecauseofthischangeoffeeling。Butshehadnomeansoffindingoutwhethersomeactofhostilityonhisparthadmadetheyoungmanstayaway，orwhetherhesimplywishedtoavoidseeingheragainaftertheirdrivebackfromthebrownhouse。Sheatehersupperwithastudiedshowofindifference，butsheknewthatMr。Royallwaswatchingherandthatheragitationdidnotescapehim。
Aftersuppershewentuptoherroom。SheheardMr。
Royallcrossthepassage，andpresentlythesoundsbelowherwindowshowedthathehadreturnedtotheporch。Sheseatedherselfonherbedandbegantostruggleagainstthedesiretogodownandaskhimwhathadhappened。\"I’dratherdiethandoit，\"shemutteredtoherself。Withawordhecouldhaverelievedheruncertainty：butneverwouldshegratifyhimbysayingit。
Sheroseandleanedoutofthewindow。Thetwilighthaddeepenedintonight，andshewatchedthefrailcurveoftheyoungmoondroppingtotheedgeofthehills。Throughthedarknessshesawoneortwofiguresmovingdowntheroad;buttheeveningwastoocoldforloitering，andpresentlythestrollersdisappeared。
Lampswerebeginningtoshowhereandthereinthewindows。AbaroflightbroughtoutthewhitenessofaclumpofliliesintheHawes’syard：andfartherdownthestreetCarrickFry’sRochesterlampcastitsboldilluminationontherusticflower—tubinthemiddleofhisgrass—plot。
Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoleaninthewindow。
Butafeverofunrestconsumedher，andfinallyshewentdownstairs，tookherhatfromitshook，andswungoutofthehouse。Mr。Royallsatintheporch，Verenabesidehim，heroldhandscrossedonherpatchedskirt。
AsCharitywentdownthestepsMr。Royallcalledafterher：\"Whereyougoing？\"Shecouldeasilyhaveanswered：\"ToOrma’s，\"or\"DowntotheTargatts’\";andeitheranswermighthavebeentrue，forshehadnopurpose。Butshesweptoninsilence，determinednottorecognizehisrighttoquestionher。
Atthegateshepausedandlookedupanddowntheroad。
Thedarknessdrewher，andshethoughtofclimbingthehillandplungingintothedepthsofthelarch—woodabovethepasture。Thensheglancedirresolutelyalongthestreet，andasshedidsoagleamappearedthroughthesprucesatMissHatchard’sgate。LuciusHarneywasthere，then——hehadnotgonedowntoHepburnwithMr。
Miles，asshehadatfirstimagined。Butwherehadhetakenhiseveningmeal，andwhathadcausedhimtostayawayfromMr。Royall’s？Thelightwaspositiveproofofhispresence，forMissHatchard’sservantswereawayonaholiday，andherfarmer’swifecameonlyinthemornings，tomaketheyoungman’sbedandpreparehiscoffee。Besidethatlamphewasdoubtlesssittingatthismoment。ToknowthetruthCharityhadonlytowalkhalfthelengthofthevillage，andknockatthelightedwindow。Shehesitatedaminuteortwolonger，andthenturnedtowardMissHatchard’s。
Shewalkedquickly，straininghereyestodetectanyonewhomightbecomingalongthestreet;andbeforereachingtheFrys’shecrossedovertoavoidthelightfromtheirwindow。Whenevershewasunhappyshefeltherselfatbayagainstapitilessworld，andakindofanimalsecretivenesspossessedher。Butthestreetwasempty，andshepassedunnoticedthroughthegateandupthepathtothehouse。Itswhitefrontglimmeredindistinctlythroughthetrees，showingonlyoneoblongoflightonthelowerfloor。ShehadsupposedthatthelampwasinMissHatchard’ssitting—room;butshenowsawthatitshonethroughawindowatthefarthercornerofthehouse。Shedidnotknowtheroomtowhichthiswindowbelonged，andshepausedunderthetrees，checkedbyasenseofstrangeness。Thenshemovedon，treadingsoftlyontheshortgrass，andkeepingsoclosetothehousethatwhoeverwasintheroom，evenifrousedbyherapproach，wouldnotbeabletoseeher。
Thewindowopenedonanarrowverandahwithatrellisedarch。Sheleanedclosetothetrellis，andpartingthespraysofclematisthatcovereditlookedintoacorneroftheroom。Shesawthefootofamahoganybed，anengravingonthewall，awash—standonwhichatowelhadbeentossed，andoneendofthegreen—coveredtablewhichheldthelamp。Halfofthelampshadeprojectedintoherfieldofvision，andjustunderittwosmoothsunburnthands，oneholdingapencilandtheotheraruler，weremovingtoandfrooveradrawing—
board。
Herheartjumpedandthenstoodstill。Hewasthere，afewfeetaway;andwhilehersoulwastossingonseasofwoehehadbeenquietlysittingathisdrawing—
board。Thesightofthosetwohands，movingwiththeirusualskillandprecision，wokeheroutofherdream。
Hereyeswereopenedtothedisproportionbetweenwhatshehadfeltandthecauseofheragitation;andshewasturningawayfromthewindowwhenonehandabruptlypushedasidethedrawing—boardandtheotherflungdownthepencil。
CharityhadoftennoticedHarney’slovingcareofhisdrawings，andtheneatnessandmethodwithwhichhecarriedonandconcludedeachtask。Theimpatientsweepingasideofthedrawing—boardseemedtorevealanewmood。Thegesturesuggestedsuddendiscouragement，ordistasteforhisworkandshewonderedifhetoowereagitatedbysecretperplexities。Herimpulseofflightwaschecked;shesteppedupontheverandahandlookedintotheroom。
Harneyhadputhiselbowsonthetableandwasrestinghischinonhislockedhands。Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，andunbuttonedthelowcollarofhisflannelshirt;shesawthevigorouslinesofhisyoungthroat，andtherootofthemuscleswheretheyjoinedthechest。Hesatstaringstraightaheadofhim，alookofwearinessandself—disgustonhisface：
itwasalmostasifhehadbeengazingatadistortedreflectionofhisownfeatures。ForamomentCharitylookedathimwithakindofterror，asifhehadbeenastrangerunderfamiliarlineaments;thensheglancedpasthimandsawontheflooranopenportmanteauhalffullofclothes。Sheunderstoodthathewaspreparingtoleave，andthathehadprobablydecidedtogowithoutseeingher。Shesawthatthedecision，fromwhatevercauseitwastaken，haddisturbedhimdeeply;
andsheimmediatelyconcludedthathischangeofplanwasduetosomesurreptitiousinterferenceofMr。
Royall’s。Allheroldresentmentsandrebellionsflamedup，confusedlymingledwiththeyearningrousedbyHarney’snearness。Onlyafewhoursearliershehadfeltsecureinhiscomprehendingpity;nowshewasflungbackonherself，doublyaloneafterthatmomentofcommunion。
Harneywasstillunawareofherpresence。Hesatwithoutmoving，moodilystaringbeforehimatthesamespotinthewall—paper。Hehadnotevenhadtheenergytofinishhispacking，andhisclothesandpaperslayonthefloorabouttheportmanteau。Presentlyheunlockedhisclaspedhandsandstoodup;andCharity，drawingbackhastily，sankdownonthestepoftheverandah。Thenightwassodarkthattherewasnotmuchchanceofhisseeingherunlessheopenedthewindowandbeforethatshewouldhavetimetoslipawayandbelostintheshadowofthetrees。Hestoodforaminuteortwolookingaroundtheroomwiththesameexpressionofself—disgust，asifhehatedhimselfandeverythingabouthim;thenhesatdownagainatthetable，drewafewmorestrokes，andthrewhispencilaside。Finallyhewalkedacrossthefloor，kickingtheportmanteauoutofhisway，andlaydownonthebed，foldinghisarmsunderhishead，andstaringupmoroselyattheceiling。Justso，Charityhadseenhimathersideonthegrassorthepine—needles，hiseyesfixedonthesky，andpleasureflashingoverhisfaceliketheflickersofsunthebranchesshedonit。
Butnowthefacewassochangedthatshehardlyknewit;andgriefathisgriefgatheredinherthroat，rosetohereyesandranover。
Shecontinuedtocrouchonthesteps，holdingherbreathandstiffeningherselfintocompleteimmobility。
Onemotionofherhand，onetaponthepane，andshecouldpicturethesuddenchangeinhisface。Ineverypulseofherrigidbodyshewasawareofthewelcomehiseyesandlipswouldgiveher;butsomethingkeptherfrommoving。Itwasnotthefearofanysanction，humanorheavenly;shehadneverinherlifebeenafraid。Itwassimplythatshehadsuddenlyunderstoodwhatwouldhappenifshewentin。Itwasthethingthatdidhappenbetweenyoungmenandgirls，andthatNorthDormerignoredinpublicandsnickeredoveronthesly。ItwaswhatMissHatchardwasstillignorantof，buteverygirlofCharity’sclassknewaboutbeforesheleftschool。ItwaswhathadhappenedtoAllyHawes’ssisterJulia，andhadendedinhergoingtoNettleton，andinpeople’snevermentioninghername。
Itdidnot，ofcourse，alwaysendsosensationally;
nor，perhaps，onthewhole，sountragically。CharityhadalwayssuspectedthattheshunnedJulia’sfatemighthaveitscompensations。Therewereothers，worseendingsthatthevillageknewof，mean，miserable，unconfessed;otherlivesthatwentondrearily，withoutvisiblechange，inthesamecrampedsettingofhypocrisy。Butthesewerenotthereasonsthatheldherback。Sincethedaybefore，shehadknownexactlywhatshewouldfeelifHarneyshouldtakeherinhisarms：themeltingofpalmintopalmandmouthonmouth，andthelongflameburningherfromheadtofoot。Butmixedwiththisfeelingwasanother：thewonderingprideinhislikingforher，thestartledsoftnessthathissympathyhadputintoherheart。Sometimes，whenheryouthflushedupinher，shehadimaginedyieldinglikeothergirlstofurtivecaressesinthetwilight;
butshecouldnotsocheapenherselftoHarney。Shedidnotknowwhyhewasgoing;butsincehewasgoingshefeltshemustdonothingtodefacetheimageofherthathecarriedaway。Ifhewantedherhemustseekher：hemustnotbesurprisedintotakingherasgirlslikeJuliaHawesweretaken……
Nosoundcamefromthesleepingvillage，andinthedeepdarknessofthegardensheheardnowandthenasecretrustleofbranches，asthoughsomenight—birdbrushedthem。Onceafootfallpassedthegate，andsheshrankbackintohercorner;butthestepsdiedawayandleftaprofounderquiet。HereyeswerestillonHarney’stormentedface：shefeltshecouldnotmovetillhemoved。Butshewasbeginningtogrownumbfromherconstrainedposition，andattimesherthoughtsweresoindistinctthatsheseemedtobeheldthereonlybyavagueweightofweariness。
Alongtimepassedinthisstrangevigil。Harneystilllayonthebed，motionlessandwithfixedeyes，asthoughfollowinghisvisiontoitsbitterend。Atlasthestirredandchangedhisattitudeslightly，andCharity’sheartbegantotremble。Butheonlyflungouthisarmsandsankbackintohisformerposition。
Withadeepsighhetossedthehairfromhisforehead;
thenhiswholebodyrelaxed，hisheadturnedsidewaysonthepillow，andshesawthathehadfallenasleep。
Thesweetexpressioncamebacktohislips，andthehaggardnessfadedfromhisface，leavingitasfreshasaboy’s。
Sheroseandcreptaway。
VIII
SHEhadlostthesenseoftime，anddidnotknowhowlateitwastillshecameoutintothestreetandsawthatallthewindowsweredarkbetweenMissHatchard’sandtheRoyallhouse。
AsshepassedfromundertheblackpalloftheNorwaysprucesshefanciedshesawtwofiguresintheshadeabouttheduck—pond。Shedrewbackandwatched;butnothingmoved，andshehadstaredsolongintothelamp—litroomthatthedarknessconfusedher，andshethoughtshemusthavebeenmistaken。
Shewalkedon，wonderingwhetherMr。Royallwasstillintheporch。Inherexaltedmoodshedidnotgreatlycarewhetherhewaswaitingforherornot：sheseemedtobefloatinghighoverlife，onagreatcloudofmiserybeneathwhichevery—dayrealitieshaddwindledtomerespecksinspace。Buttheporchwasempty，Mr。
Royall’shathungonitspeginthepassage，andthekitchenlamphadbeenlefttolighthertobed。Shetookitandwentup。
Themorninghoursofthenextdaydraggedbywithoutincident。Charityhadimaginedthat，insomewayorother，shewouldlearnwhetherHarneyhadalreadyleft;butVerena’sdeafnesspreventedherbeingasourceofnews，andnoonecametothehousewhocouldbringenlightenment。
Mr。Royallwentoutearly，anddidnotreturntillVerenahadsetthetableforthemiddaymeal。Whenhecameinhewentstraighttothekitchenandshoutedtotheoldwoman：\"Readyfordinner————\"thenheturnedintothedining—room，whereCharitywasalreadyseated。
Harney’splatewasinitsusualplace，butMr。Royallofferednoexplanationofhisabsence，andCharityaskednone。Thefeverishexaltationofthenightbeforehaddropped，andshesaidtoherselfthathehadgoneaway，indifferently，almostcallously，andthatnowherlifewouldlapseagainintothenarrowrutoutofwhichhehadliftedit。Foramomentshewasinclinedtosneeratherselffornothavingusedtheartsthatmighthavekepthim。
Shesatattabletillthemealwasover，lestMr。
Royallshouldremarkonherleaving;butwhenhestoodupsherosealso，withoutwaitingtohelpVerena。
Shehadherfootonthestairswhenhecalledtohertocomeback。
\"I’vegotaheadache。I’mgoinguptoliedown。\"
\"Iwantyoushouldcomeinherefirst;I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou。\"
Shewassurefromhistonethatinamomentshewouldlearnwhateverynerveinherachedtoknow;butassheturnedbackshemadealasteffortofindifference。
Mr。Royallstoodinthemiddleoftheoffice，histhickeyebrowsbeetling，hislowerjawtremblingalittle。
Atfirstshethoughthehadbeendrinking;thenshesawthathewassober，butstirredbyadeepandsternemotiontotallyunlikehisusualtransientangers。Andsuddenlysheunderstoodthat，untilthen，shehadneverreallynoticedhimorthoughtabouthim。Exceptontheoccasionofhisoneoffensehehadbeentohermerelythepersonwhoisalwaysthere，theunquestionedcentralfactoflife，asinevitablebutasuninterestingasNorthDormeritself，oranyoftheotherconditionsfatehadlaidonher。Eventhenshehadregardedhimonlyinrelationtoherself，andhadneverspeculatedastohisownfeelings，beyondinstinctivelyconcludingthathewouldnottroubleheragaininthesameway。Butnowshebegantowonderwhathewasreallylike。
Hehadgraspedthebackofhischairwithbothhands，andstoodlookinghardather。Atlengthhesaid：
\"Charity，foroncelet’syouandmetalktogetherlikefriends。\"
Instantlyshefeltthatsomethinghadhappened，andthatheheldherinhishand。
\"WhereisMr。Harney？Whyhasn’thecomeback？Haveyousenthimaway？\"shebrokeout，withoutknowingwhatshewassaying。
ThechangeinMr。Royallfrightenedher。Allthebloodseemedtoleavehisveinsandagainsthisswarthypallorthedeeplinesinhisfacelookedblack。
\"Didn’thehavetimetoanswersomeofthosequestionslastnight？Youwaswithhimlongenough！\"hesaid。
Charitystoodspeechless。Thetauntwassounrelatedtowhathadbeenhappeninginhersoulthatshehardlyunderstoodit。Buttheinstinctofself—defenseawokeinher。
\"WhosaysIwaswithhimlastnight？\"
\"Thewholeplaceissayingitbynow。\"
\"Thenitwasyouthatputthelieintotheirmouths。——Oh，howI’vealwayshatedyou！\"shecried。
Shehadexpectedaretortinkind，anditstartledhertohearherexclamationsoundingonthroughsilence。