Thefollowingchapterswerewrittenatatimewhenthecrazeforindiscriminatechurch-restorationhadjustreachedtheremotestnooksofwesternEngland，wherethewildandtragicfeaturesofthecoasthadlongcombinedinperfectharmonywiththecrudeGothicArtoftheecclesiasticalbuildingsscatteredalongit，throwingintoextraordinarydiscordallarchitecturalattemptsatnewnessthere。Torestorethegreycarcasesofamediaevalismwhosespirithadfled，seemedanotlessincongruousactthantosetaboutrenovatingtheadjoiningcragsthemselves。
Henceithappenedthatanimaginaryhistoryofthreehumanhearts，whoseemotionswerenotwithoutcorrespondencewiththesematerialcircumstances，foundintheordinaryincidentsofsuchchurch-
renovationsafittingframeforitspresentation。
Theshoreandcountryabout'CastleBoterel'isnowgettingwellknown，andwillbereadilyrecognized。Thespotis，Imayadd，thefurthestwestwardofallthoseconvenientcornerswhereinI
haveventuredtoerectmytheatrefortheseimperfectlittledramasofcountrylifeandpassions；anditliesnearto，ornogreatwaybeyond，thevagueborderoftheWessexkingdomonthatside，which，likethewesteringvergeofmodernAmericansettlements，wasprogressiveanduncertain。
This，however，isoflittleimportance。Theplaceispre-
eminentlyforonepersonatleasttheregionofdreamandmystery。Theghostlybirds，thepall-likesea，thefrothywind，theeternalsoliloquyofthewaters，thebloomofdarkpurplecast，thatseemstoexhalefromtheshorewardprecipices，inthemselveslendtothesceneanatmospherelikethetwilightofanightvision。
Oneenormoussea-bordcliffinparticularfiguresinthenarrative；andforsomeforgottenreasonorotherthiscliffwasdescribedinthestoryasbeingwithoutaname。Accuracywouldrequirethestatementtobethataremarkablecliffwhichresemblesinmanypointsthecliffofthedescriptionbearsanamethatnoeventhasmadefamous。
T。H。
March1899
THEPERSONS
ELFRIDESWANCOURTayoungLadyCHRISTOPHERSWANCOURTaClergymanSTEPHENSMITHanArchitectHENRYKNIGHTaReviewerandEssayistCHARLOTTETROYTONarichWidowGERTRUDEJETHWAYapoorWidowSPENSERHUGOLUXELLIANaPeerLADYLUXELLIANhisWifeMARYANDKATEtwolittleGirlsWILLIAMWORMadazedFactotumJOHNSMITHaMaster-masonJANESMITHhisWifeMARTINCANNISTERaSextonUNITYaMaid-servantOtherservants，masons，labourers，grooms，nondescripts，etc。，etc。
THESCENE
MostlyontheoutskirtsofLowerWessex。
ChapterI
'Afairvestal，thronedinthewest'
ElfrideSwancourtwasagirlwhoseemotionslayverynearthesurface。Theirnaturemoreprecisely，andasmodifiedbythecreepinghoursoftime，wasknownonlytothosewhowatchedthecircumstancesofherhistory。
Personally，shewasthecombinationofveryinterestingparticulars，whoserarity，however，layinthecombinationitselfratherthanintheindividualelementscombined。Asamatteroffact，youdidnotseetheformandsubstanceofherfeatureswhenconversingwithher；andthischarmingpowerofpreventingamaterialstudyofherlineamentsbyaninterlocutor，originatednotinthecloakingeffectofawell-formedmannerforhermannerwaschildishandscarcelyformed，butintheattractivecrudenessoftheremarksthemselves。Shehadlivedallherlifeinretirement——themonstrarigigitoofidlemenhadnotflatteredher，andattheageofnineteenortwentyshewasnofurtheroninsocialconsciousnessthananurbanyoungladyoffifteen。
Onepointinher，however，youdidnotice:thatwashereyes。Inthemwasseenasublimationofallofher；itwasnotnecessarytolookfurther:thereshelived。
Theseeyeswereblue；blueasautumndistance——blueastheblueweseebetweentheretreatingmouldingsofhillsandwoodyslopesonasunnySeptembermorning。Amistyandshadyblue，thathadnobeginningorsurface，andwaslookedINTOratherthanAT。
Astoherpresence，itwasnotpowerful；itwasweak。Somewomencanmaketheirpersonalitypervadetheatmosphereofawholebanquetinghall；Elfride'swasnomorepervasivethanthatofakitten。
ElfridehadasherownthethoughtfulnesswhichappearsinthefaceoftheMadonnadellaSedia，withoutitsrapture:thewarmthandspiritofthetypeofwoman'sfeaturemostcommontothebeauties——mortalandimmortal——ofRubens，withouttheirinsistentfleshiness。ThecharacteristicexpressionofthefemalefacesofCorreggio——thatoftheyearninghumanthoughtsthatlietoodeepfortears——washerssometimes，butseldomunderordinaryconditions。
ThepointinElfrideSwancourt'slifeatwhichadeepercurrentmaybesaidtohavepermanentlysetin，wasonewinterafternoonwhenshefoundherselfstanding，inthecharacterofhostess，facetofacewithamanshehadneverseenbefore——moreover，lookingathimwithaMiranda-likecuriosityandinterestthatshehadneveryetbestowedonamortal。
Onthisparticulardayherfather，thevicarofaparishonthesea-sweptoutskirtsofLowerWessex，andawidower，wassufferingfromanattackofgout。AfterfinishingherhouseholdsupervisionsElfridebecamerestless，andseveraltimeslefttheroom，ascendedthestaircase，andknockedatherfather'schamber-
door。
'Comein!'wasalwaysansweredinaheartyout-of-doorvoicefromtheinside。
'Papa，'shesaidononeoccasiontothefine，red-faced，handsomemanofforty，who，puffingandfizzinglikeaburstingbottle，layonthebedwrappedinadressing-gown，andeverynowandthenenunciating，inspiteofhimself，aboutoneletterofsomewordorwordsthatwerealmostoaths；'papa，willyounotcomedownstairsthisevening？'Shespokedistinctly:hewasratherdeaf。
'Afraidnot——eh-hh!——verymuchafraidIshallnot，Elfride。
Piph-ph-ph!Ican'tbearevenahandkerchiefuponthisdeucedtoeofmine，muchlessastockingorslipper——piph-ph-ph!There'tisagain!No，Ishan'tgetuptillto-morrow。'
'ThenIhopethisLondonmanwon'tcome；forIdon'tknowwhatI
shoulddo，papa。'
'Well，itwouldbeawkward，certainly。'
'Ishouldhardlythinkhewouldcometo-day。'
'Why？'
'Becausethewindblowsso。'
'Wind!Whatideasyouhave，Elfride!Whoeverheardofwindstoppingamanfromdoinghisbusiness？Theideaofthistoeofminecomingonsosuddenly!……Ifheshouldcome，youmustsendhimuptome，Isuppose，andthengivehimsomefoodandputhimtobedinsomeway。Dearme，whatanuisanceallthisis!'
'Musthehavedinner？'
'Tooheavyforatiredmanattheendofatediousjourney。'
'Tea，then？'
'Notsubstantialenough。'
'Hightea，then？Thereiscoldfowl，rabbit-pie，somepasties，andthingsofthatkind。'
'Yes，hightea。'
'MustIpourouthistea，papa？'
'Ofcourse；youarethemistressofthehouse。'
'What!sitthereallthetimewithastranger，justasifIknewhim，andnotanybodytointroduceus？'
'Nonsense，child，aboutintroducing；youknowbetterthanthat。A
practicalprofessionalman，tiredandhungry，whohasbeentravellingeversincedaylightthismorning，willhardlybeinclinedtotalkandaircourtesiesto-night。Hewantsfoodandshelter，andyoumustseethathehasit，simplybecauseIamsuddenlylaidupandcannot。Thereisnothingsodreadfulinthat，Ihope？Yougetallkindsofstuffintoyourheadfromreadingsomanyofthosenovels。'
'Ohno；thereisnothingdreadfulinitwhenitbecomesplainlyacaseofnecessitylikethis。But，yousee，youarealwaystherewhenpeoplecometodinner，evenifweknowthem；andthisissomestrangeLondonmanoftheworld，whowillthinkitodd，perhaps。'
'Verywell；lethim。'
'IsheMr。Hewby'spartner？'
'Ishouldscarcelythinkso:hemaybe。'
'Howoldishe，Iwonder？'
'ThatIcannottell。YouwillfindthecopyofmylettertoMr。
Hewby，andhisanswer，uponthetableinthestudy。Youmayreadthem，andthenyou'llknowasmuchasIdoaboutourvisitor。'
'Ihavereadthem。'
'Well，what'stheuseofaskingquestions，then？TheycontainallIknow。Ugh-h-h!……Odplagueyou，youyoungscamp!don'tputanythingthere!Ican'tbeartheweightofafly。'
'Oh，Iamsorry，papa。Iforgot；Ithoughtyoumightbecold，'
shesaid，hastilyremovingtherugshehadthrownuponthefeetofthesufferer；andwaitingtillshesawthatconsciousnessofheroffencehadpassedfromhisface，shewithdrewfromtheroom，andretiredagaindownstairs。
ChapterII
'Twasontheeveningofawinter'sday。'
Whentwoorthreeadditionalhourshadmergedthesameafternooninevening，somemovingoutlinesmighthavebeenobservedagainsttheskyonthesummitofawildlonehillinthatdistrict。Theycircumscribedtwomen，havingatpresenttheaspectofsilhouettes，sittinginadog-cartandpushingalongintheteethofthewind。Scarcelyasolitaryhouseormanhadbeenvisiblealongthewholedrearydistanceofopencountrytheyweretraversing；andnowthatnighthadbeguntofall，thefainttwilight，whichstillgaveanideaofthelandscapetotheirobservation，wasenlivenedbythequietappearanceoftheplanetJupiter，momentarilygleaminginintenserbrilliancyinfrontofthem，andbySiriussheddinghisraysinrivalryfromhispositionovertheirshoulders。
Theonlylightsapparentonearthweresomespotsofdullred，glowinghereandthereuponthedistanthills，which，asthedriverofthevehiclegratuitouslyremarkedtothehirer，weresmoulderingfiresfortheconsumptionofpeatandgorse-roots，wherethecommonwasbeingbrokenupforagriculturalpurposes。Thewindprevailedwithbutlittleabatementfromitsdaytimeboisterousness，threeorfoursmallclouds，delicateandpale，creepingalongundertheskysouthwardtotheChannel。
Fourteenofthesixteenmilesinterveningbetweentherailwayterminusandtheendoftheirjourneyhadbeengoneover，whentheybegantopassalongthebrinkofavalleysomemilesinextent，whereinthewintryskeletonsofamoreluxuriantvegetationthanhadhithertosurroundedthemproclaimedanincreasedrichnessofsoil，whichshowedsignsoffarmorecarefulenclosureandmanagementthanhadanyslopestheyhadyetpassed。
Alittlefarther，andanopeningintheelmsstretchingupfromthisfertilevalleyrevealedamansion。
'That'sEndelstowHouse，LordLuxellian's，'saidthedriver。
'EndelstowHouse，LordLuxellian's，'repeatedtheothermechanically。Hethenturnedhimselfsideways，andkeenlyscrutinizedthealmostinvisiblehousewithaninterestwhichtheindistinctpictureitselfseemedfarfromadequatetocreate。
'Yes，that'sLordLuxellian's，'hesaidyetagainafterawhile，ashestilllookedinthesamedirection。
'What，bewegoingthere？'
'No；EndelstowVicarage，asIhavetoldyou。'
'Ithoughtyoum'thavealteredyourmind，sir，asyehavestaredthatwayatnothingsolong。'
'Ohno；Iaminterestedinthehouse，that'sall。'
'Mostpeoplebe，asthesayingis。'
'NotinthesensethatIam。'
'Oh!……Well，hisfamilyisnobetterthanmyown，'ab'lieve。'
'Howisthat？'
'Hedgersandditchersbyrights。Butonceinancienttimesoneof'em，whenhewasatwork，changedclotheswithKingCharlestheSecond，andsavedtheking'slife。KingCharlescameuptohimlikeacommonman，andsaidoff-hand，"Maninthesmock-frock，mynameisCharlestheSecond，andthat'sthetruthon't。Willyoulendmeyourclothes？""Idon'tmindifIdo，"saidHedgerLuxellian；andtheychangedthereandthen。"Nowmindye，"KingCharlestheSecondsaid，likeacommonman，asherodeaway，"ifeverIcometothecrown，youcometocourt，knockatthedoor，andsayoutbold，'IsKingCharlestheSecondathome？'Tellyourname，andtheyshallletyouin，andyoushallbemadealord。”
Now，thatwasveryniceofMasterCharley？'
'Veryniceindeed。'
'Well，asthestoryis，thekingcametothethrone；andsomeyearsafterthat，awaywentHedgerLuxellian，knockedattheking'sdoor，andaskedifKingCharlestheSecondwasin。"No，heisn't，"theysaid。"Then，isCharlestheThird？"saidHedgerLuxellian。"Yes，"saidayoungfellerstandingbylikeacommonman，onlyhehadacrownon，"mynameisCharlestheThird。”And——'
'Ireallyfancythatmustbeamistake。Idon'trecollectanythinginEnglishhistoryaboutCharlestheThird，'saidtheotherinatoneofmildremonstrance。
'Oh，that'srighthistoryenough，only'twasn'tprented；hewasratheraqueer-temperedman，ifyouremember。'
'Verywell；goon。'
'And，byhookorbycrook，HedgerLuxellianwasmadealord，andeverythingwentonwelltillsometimeafter，whenhegotintoamostterriblerowwithKingCharlestheFourth'Ican'tstandCharlestheFourth。Uponmyword，that'stoomuch。'
'Why？TherewasaGeorgetheFourth，wasn'tthere？'
'Certainly。'
'Well，CharlesesbeascommonasGeorges。HoweverI'llsaynomoreaboutit……Ah，well!'tisthefunniestworldeverIlivedin——uponmylife'tis。Ah，thatsuchshouldbe!'
Theduskhadthickenedintodarknesswhiletheythusconversed，andtheoutlineandsurfaceofthemansiongraduallydisappeared。
Thewindows，whichhadbeforebeenasblackblotsonalighterexpanseofwall，becameilluminated，andweretransfiguredtosquaresoflightonthegeneraldarkbodyofthenightlandscapeasitabsorbedtheoutlinesoftheedificeintoitsgloomymonochrome。
Notanotherwordwasspokenforsometime，andtheyclimbedahill，thenanotherhillpiledonthesummitofthefirst。Anadditionalmileofplateaufollowed，fromwhichcouldbediscernedtwolight-housesonthecoasttheywerenearing，reposingonthehorizonwithacalmlustreofbenignity。Anotheroasiswasreached；alittledelllaylikeanestattheirfeet，towardswhichthedriverpulledthehorseatasharpangle，anddescendedasteepslopewhichdivedunderthetreeslikearabbit'sburrow。
Theysanklowerandlower。
'EndelstowVicarageisinsidehere，'continuedthemanwiththereins。'ThispartabouthereisWestEndelstow；LordLuxellian'sisEastEndelstow，andhasachurchtoitself。Pa'sonSwancourtisthepa'sonofboth，andbobsbackwardandforward。Ah，well!
'tisafunnyworld。'Ab'lievetherewasonceaquarrywherethishousestands。Themanwhobuiltitinpasttimescrapedalltheglebeforearthtoputroundthevicarage，andlaidoutalittleparadiseofflowersandtreesinthesoilhehadgottogetherinthisway，whilstthefieldshescrapedhavebeengoodfornothingeversince。'
'Howlonghasthepresentincumbentbeenhere？'
'Maybeaboutayear，orayearandhalf:'tisn'ttwoyears；fortheydon'tscandalizehimyet；and，asarule，aparishbeginstoscandalizethepa'sonattheendoftwoyearsamong'emfamiliar。
Buthe'saveryniceparty。Ay，Pa'sonSwancourtknowsmeprettywellfromoftendrivingover；andIknowPa'sonSwancourt。'
Theyemergedfromthebower，sweptroundinacurve，andthechimneysandgablesofthevicaragebecamedarklyvisible。Notalightshowedanywhere。Theyalighted；themanfelthiswayintotheporch，andrangthebell。
Attheendofthreeorfourminutes，spentinpatientwaitingwithouthearinganysoundsofaresponse，thestrangeradvancedandrepeatedthecallinamoredecidedmanner。Hethenfanciedheheardfootstepsinthehall，andsundrymovementsofthedoor-
knob，butnobodyappeared。
'Perhapstheybeantathome，'sighedthedriver。'AndIpromisedmyselfabitofsupperinPa'sonSwancourt'skitchen。Sichlovelymate-pizeandfiggedkeakes，andcider，anddropso'cordialthattheydokeephere!'
'Allright，naibours!Beyerichmenorbeyepoormen，thatyemustneedscometotheworld'sendatthistimeo'night？'
exclaimedavoiceatthisinstant；and，turningtheirheads，theysawaricketyindividualshamblingroundfromthebackdoorwithahornlanterndanglingfromhishand。
'Timeo'night，'ab'lieve!andtheclockonlygonesevenof'em。
Showalight，andletusin，WilliamWorm。'
'Oh，thatyou，RobertLickpan？'
'Nobodyelse，WilliamWorm。'
'Andisthevisitingmana-come？'
'Yes，'saidthestranger。'IsMr。Swancourtathome？'
'That'ais，sir。Andwouldyemindcomingroundbythebackway？
Thefrontdoorisgotstuckwi'thewet，ashewilldosometimes；
andtheTurkcan'topenen。IknowIamonlyapoorwamblingmanthat'illneverpaytheLordformymaking，sir；butIcanshowthewayin，sir。'
Thenewarrivalfollowedhisguidethroughalittledoorinawall，andthenpromenadedasculleryandakitchen，alongwhichhepassedwitheyesrigidlyfixedinadvance，aninbredhorrorofpryingforbiddinghimtogazearoundapartmentsthatformedthebacksideofthehouseholdtapestry。Enteringthehall，hewasabouttobeshowntohisroom，whenfromtheinnerlobbyofthefrontentrance，whithershehadgonetolearnthecauseofthedelay，sailedforththeformofElfride。Herstartofamazementatthesightofthevisitorcomingforthfromunderthestairsprovedthatshehadnotbeenexpectingthissurprisingflankmovement，whichhadbeenoriginatedentirelybytheingenuityofWilliamWorm。
Sheappearedintheprettiestofallfeminineguises，thatistosay，indemi-toilette，withplentyofloosecurlyhairtumblingdownabouthershoulders。Anexpressionofuneasinesspervadedhercountenance；andaltogethershescarcelyappearedwomanenoughforthesituation。Thevisitorremovedhishat，andthefirstwordswerespoken；Elfrideprelusivelylookingwithadealofinterest，notunmixedwithsurprise，atthepersontowardswhomshewastodothedutiesofhospitality。
'IamMr。Smith，'saidthestrangerinamusicalvoice。
'IamMissSwancourt，'saidElfride。
Herconstraintwasover。Thegreatcontrastbetweentherealityshebeheldbeforeher，andthedark，taciturn，sharp，elderlymanofbusinesswhohadlurkedinherimagination——amanwithclothessmellingofcitysmoke，skinsallowfromwantofsun，andtalkflavouredwithepigram——wassucharelieftoherthatElfridesmiled，almostlaughed，inthenew-comer'sface。
StephenSmith，whohashithertobeenhiddenfromusbythedarkness，wasatthistimeofhislifebutayouthinappearance，andbarelyamaninyears。Judgingfromhislook，Londonwasthelastplaceintheworldthatonewouldhaveimaginedtobethesceneofhisactivities:
suchafacesurelycouldnotbenourishedamidsmokeandmudandfoganddust；suchanopencountenancecouldneverevenhaveseenanythingof'theweariness，thefever，andthefret'ofBabylontheSecond。
HiscomplexionwasasfineasElfride'sown；thepinkofhischeeksasdelicate。HismouthasperfectasCupid'sbowinform，andascherry-redincolourashers。Brightcurlyhair；brightsparklingblue-grayeyes；aboy'sblushandmanner；neitherwhiskernormoustache，unlessalittlelight-brownfuronhisupperlipdeservedthelattertitle:thiscomposedtheLondonprofessionalman，theprospectofwhoseadventhadsotroubledElfride。
ElfridehastenedtosayshewassorrytotellhimthatMr。
Swancourtwasnotabletoreceivehimthatevening，andgavethereasonwhy。Mr。Smithreplied，inavoiceboyishbynatureandmanlybyart，thathewasverysorrytohearthisnews；butthatasfarashisreceptionwasconcerned，itdidnotmatterintheleast。
Stephenwasshownuptohisroom。InhisabsenceElfridestealthilyglidedintoherfather's。
'He'scome，papa。Suchayoungmanforabusinessman!'
'Oh，indeed!'
'Hisfaceis——well——PRETTY；justlikemine。'
'H'm!whatnext？'
'Nothing；that'sallIknowofhimyet。Itisrathernice，isitnot？'
'Well，weshallseethatwhenweknowhimbetter。Godownandgivethepoorfellowsomethingtoeatanddrink，forHeaven'ssake。Andwhenhehasdoneeating，sayIshouldliketohaveafewwordswithhim，ifhedoesn'tmindcominguphere。'
Theyoungladyglideddownstairsagain，andwhilstsheawaitsyoungSmith'sentry，thelettersreferringtohisvisithadbetterbegiven。
1——MR。SWANCOURTTOMR。HEWBY。
'ENDELSTOWVICARAGE，Feb。18，18。
'SIR，——Wearethinkingofrestoringthetowerandaisleofthechurchinthisparish；andLordLuxellian，thepatronoftheliving，hasmentionedyournameasthatofatrustworthyarchitectwhomitwouldbedesirabletoasktosuperintendthework。
'Iamexceedinglyignorantofthenecessarypreliminarysteps。
Probably，however，thefirstisthatshouldyoube，asLordLuxelliansaysyouare，disposedtoassistusyourselforsomememberofyourstaffcomeandseethebuilding，andreportthereuponforthesatisfactionofparishionersandothers。
'Thespotisaveryremoteone:wehavenorailwaywithinfourteenmiles；andthenearestplaceforputtingupat——calledatown，thoughmerelyalargevillage——isCastleBoterel，twomilesfurtheron；sothatitwouldbemostconvenientforyoutostayatthevicarage——whichIamgladtoplaceatyourdisposal——insteadofpushingontothehotelatCastleBoterel，andcomingbackagaininthemorning。
'Anydayofthenextweekthatyouliketonameforthevisitwillfindusquitereadytoreceiveyou——Yoursverytruly，CHRISTOPHER
SWANCOURT。
2——MR。HEWBYTOMR。SWANCOURT。
"PERCYPLACE，CHARINGCROSS，Feb。20，18。
'DEARSIR，——Agreeablytoyourrequestofthe18thinstant，Ihavearrangedtosurveyandmakedrawingsoftheaisleandtowerofyourparishchurch，andofthedilapidationswhichhavebeensufferedtoaccruethereto，withaviewtoitsrestoration。
'Myassistant，Mr。StephenSmith，willleaveLondonbytheearlytrainto-morrowmorningforthepurpose。Manythanksforyourproposaltoaccommodatehim。Hewilltakeadvantageofyouroffer，andwillprobablyreachyourhouseatsomehouroftheevening。Youmayputeveryconfidenceinhim，andmayrelyuponhisdiscernmentinthematterofchurcharchitecture。
'Trustingthattheplansfortherestoration，whichIshallpreparefromthedetailsofhissurvey，willprovesatisfactorytoyourselfandLordLuxellian，Iam，dearsir，yoursfaithfully，WALTERHEWBY。'
ChapterIII
'Melodiousbirdssingmadrigals'
ThatfirstrepastinEndelstowVicaragewasaveryagreeableonetoyoungStephenSmith。Thetablewasspread，asElfridehadsuggestedtoherfather，withthematerialsfortheheterogeneousmealcalledhightea——aclassofrefectionwelcometoallwhenawayfrommenandtowns，andparticularlyattractivetoyouthfulpalates。Thetablewasprettilydeckedwithwinterflowersandleaves，amidwhichtheeyewasgreetedbychops，chicken，pie，&c。，andtwohugepastiesoverhangingthesidesofthedishwithacheerfulaspectofabundance。
Attheend，towardsthefireplace，appearedthetea-service，ofold-fashionedWorcesterporcelain，andbehindthisarosetheslightformofElfride，attemptingtoaddmatronlydignitytothemovementofpouringouttea，andtohaveaweightyandconcernedlookinmattersofmarmalade，honey，andclottedcream。Havingmadeherownmealbeforehearrived，shefoundtoherembarrassmentthattherewasnothingleftforhertodobuttalkwhennotassistinghim。Sheaskedhimifhewouldexcuseherfinishingalettershehadbeenwritingataside-table，and，aftersittingdowntoit，tingledwithasenseofbeinggrosslyrude。However，seeingthathenoticednothingpersonallywronginher，andthathetoowasembarrassedwhensheattentivelywatchedhiscuptorefillit，Elfridebecamebetteratease；
andwhenfurthermoreheaccidentallykickedthelegofthetable，andthennearlyupsethistea-cup，justasschoolboysdid，shefeltherselfmistressofthesituation，andcouldtalkverywell。Inafewminutesingenuousnessandacommontermofyearsobliteratedallrecollectionthattheywerestrangersjustmet。Stephenbegantowaxeloquentonextremelyslightexperiencesconnectedwithhisprofessionalpursuits；andshe，havingnoexperiencestofallbackupon，recountedwithmuchanimationstoriesthathadbeenrelatedtoherbyherfather，whichwouldhaveastonishedhimhadheheardwithwhatfidelityofactionandtonetheywererendered。Uponthewhole，averyinterestingpictureofSweet-and-TwentywasonviewthateveninginMr。Swancourt'shouse。
UltimatelyStephenhadtogoupstairsandtalkloudtothevicar，receivingfromhimbetweenhispuffsagreatmanyapologiesforcallinghimsounceremoniouslytoastranger'sbedroom。'But，'
continuedMr。Swancourt，'IfeltthatIwantedtosayafewwordstoyoubeforethemorning，onthebusinessofyourvisit。One'spatiencegetsexhaustedbystayingaprisonerinbedalldaythroughasuddenfreakofone'senemy——newtome，though——forI
haveknownverylittleofgoutasyet。However，he'sgonetomyothertoeinaverymildmanner，andIexpecthe'llslinkoffaltogetherbythemorning。Ihopeyouhavebeenwellattendedtodownstairs？'
'Perfectly。Andthoughitisunfortunate，andIamsorrytoseeyoulaidup，Ibegyouwillnottaketheslightestnoticeofmybeinginthehousethewhile。'
'Iwillnot。ButIshallbedownto-morrow。Mydaughterisanexcellentdoctor。Adoseortwoofhermildmixtureswillfetchmeroundquickerthanallthedrugstuffintheworld。Well，nowaboutthechurchbusiness。Takeaseat，do。Wecan'taffordtostanduponceremonyinthesepartsasyousee，andforthisreason，thatacivilizedhumanbeingseldomstayslongwithus；
andsowecannotwastetimeinapproachinghim，orhewillbegonebeforewehavehadthepleasureofcloseacquaintance。Thistowerofoursis，asyouwillnotice，entirelygonebeyondthepossibilityofrestoration；butthechurchitselfiswellenough。
Youshouldseesomeofthechurchesinthiscounty。Floorsrotten:ivyliningthewalls。'
'Dearme!'
'Oh，that'snothing。Thecongregationofaneighbourofmine，wheneverastormofraincomesonduringservice，opentheirumbrellasandholdthemuptillthedrippingceasesfromtheroof。
Now，ifyouwillkindlybringmethosepapersandlettersyouseelyingonthetable，Iwillshowyouhowfarwehavegot。'
Stephencrossedtheroomtofetchthem，andthevicarseemedtonoticemoreparticularlytheslimfigureofhisvisitor。
'Isupposeyouarequitecompetent？'hesaid。
'Quite，'saidtheyoungman，colouringslightly。
'Youareveryyoung，Ifancy——Ishouldsayyouarenotmorethannineteen？'
Iamnearlytwenty-one。'
'Exactlyhalfmyage；Iamforty-two。'
'Bytheway，'saidMr。Swancourt，aftersomeconversation，'yousaidyourwholenamewasStephenFitzmaurice，andthatyourgrandfathercameoriginallyfromCaxbury。SinceIhavebeenspeaking，ithasoccurredtomethatIknowsomethingofyou。Youbelongtoawell-knownancientcountyfamily——notordinarySmithsintheleast。'
'Idon'tthinkwehaveanyoftheirbloodinourveins。'
'Nonsense!youmust。Handmethe"LandedGentry。”Now，letmesee。There，StephenFitzmauriceSmith——heliesinSt。Mary'sChurch，doesn'the？Well，outofthatfamilySprangtheLeaseworthySmiths，andcollaterallycameGeneralSirStephenFitzmauriceSmithofCaxbury——'
'Yes；Ihaveseenhismonumentthere，'shoutedStephen。'Butthereisnoconnectionbetweenhisfamilyandmine:therecannotbe。'
'Thereisnone，possibly，toyourknowledge。Butlookatthis，mydearsir，'saidthevicar，strikinghisfistuponthebedpostforemphasis。'Hereareyou，StephenFitzmauriceSmith，livinginLondon，butspringingfromCaxbury。HereinthisbookisagenealogicaltreeoftheStephenFitzmauriceSmithsofCaxburyManor。Youmaybeonlyafamilyofprofessionalmennow——Iamnotinquisitive:Idon'taskquestionsofthatkind；itisnotinmetodoso——butitisasplainasthenoseinyourfacethatthere'syourorigin!And，Mr。Smith，Icongratulateyouuponyourblood；
blueblood，sir；and，uponmylife，averydesirablecolour，astheworldgoes。'
'Iwishyoucouldcongratulatemeuponsomemoretangiblequality，'saidtheyoungerman，sadlynolessthanmodestly。
'Nonsense!thatwillcomewithtime。Youareyoung:allyourlifeisbeforeyou。Nowlook——seehowfarbackinthemistsofantiquitymyownfamilyofSwancourthavearoot。Here，yousee，'
hecontinued，turningtothepage，'isGeoffrey，theoneamongmyancestorswholostabaronybecausehewouldcuthisjoke。Ah，it'sthesortofus!Butthestoryistoolongtotellnow。Ay，I'mapoorman——apoorgentleman，infact:thoseIwouldbefriendswith，won'tbefriendswithme；thosewhoarewillingtobefriendswithme，Iamabovebeingfriendswith。Beyonddiningwithaneighbouringincumbentortwo。andanoccasionalchat——
sometimesdinner——withLordLuxellian，aconnectionofmine，Iaminabsolutesolitude——absolute。'
'Youhaveyourstudies，yourbooks，andyour——daughter。'
'Ohyes，yes；andIdon'tcomplainofpoverty。Cantocoramlatrone。Well，Mr。Smith，don'tletmedetainyouanylongerinasickroom。Ha!thatremindsmeofastoryIonceheardinmyyoungerdays。'Herethevicarbeganaseriesofsmallprivatelaughs，andStephenlookedinquiry。'Oh，no，no!itistoobad——
toobadtotell!'continuedMr。Swancourtinundertonesofgrimmirth。'Well，godownstairs；mydaughtermustdothebestshecanwithyouthisevening。Askhertosingtoyou——sheplaysandsingsverynicely。Good-night；IfeelasifIhadknownyouforfiveorsixyears。I'llringforsomebodytoshowyoudown。'
'Nevermind，'saidStephen，'Icanfindtheway。'Andhewentdownstairs，thinkingofthedelightfulfreedomofmannerintheremotercountiesincomparisonwiththereserveofLondon。
'Iforgottotellyouthatmyfatherwasratherdeaf，'saidElfrideanxiously，whenStephenenteredthelittledrawing-room。
'Nevermind；Iknowallaboutit，andwearegreatfriends，'themanofbusinessrepliedenthusiastically。'And，MissSwancourt，willyoukindlysingtome？'
ToMissSwancourtthisrequestseemed，whatinfactitwas，exceptionallypoint-blank；thoughsheguessedthatherfatherhadsomehandinframingit，knowing，rathertohercost，ofhisunceremoniouswayofutilizingherforthebenefitofdullsojourners。Atthesametime，asMr。Smith'smannerwastoofranktoprovokecriticism，andhisagetoolittletoinspirefear，shewasready——nottosaypleased——toaccede。Selectingfromthecanterburysomeoldfamilyditties，thatinyearsgonebyhadbeenplayedandsungbyhermother，Elfridesatdowntothepianoforte，andbegan，"Twasontheeveningofawinter'sday，'inaprettycontraltovoice。
'Doyoulikethatoldthing，Mr。Smith？'shesaidattheend。
'Yes，Idomuch，'saidStephen——wordshewouldhaveuttered，andsincerely，toanythingonearth，fromgleetorequiem，thatshemighthavechosen。
'YoushallhavealittleonebyDeLeyre，thatwasgivenmebyayoungFrenchladywhowasstayingatEndelstowHouse:
'"Jel'aiplante，jel'aivunaitre，Cebeaurosieroulesoiseaux，"&c。；
andthenIshallwanttogiveyoumyownfavouritefortheverylast，Shelley's"Whenthelampisshattered，"assettomusicbymypoormother。IsomuchlikesingingtoanybodywhoREALLY