"Oh!whatisthematternow?"saidshe。
　　"Thematteriswhatithasalwaysbeen，ifIcouldonlyhaveseenit。Youhavedeceivedme，anddisgracedyourself。Lookatthosebills。"
　　"Whatbills?Oh!"
　　"Youhavehadanallowanceforhousekeeping。"
　　"Itwasn'tenough。"
　　"Itwasplenty，ifyouhadkeptfaithwithme，andpaidreadymoney。Itwasenoughforthefirstfiveweeks。Iamhousekeepernow，andIshallallowmyselftwopoundsaweekless，andnotoweashillingeither。"
　　"Well，allIknowis，Icouldn'tdoit:nowomancould。"
　　"Then，youshouldhavecometome，andsaidso；andIwouldhaveshownyouhow。WasIinEgypt，orattheNorthPole，thatyoucouldnotfindme，totreatmelikeafriend?Youhaveruinedus:
　　thesedebtswillsweepawaythelastshillingofourlittlecapital；butitisn'tthat，oh，no!itisthemiserabledeceit。"
　　Rosa'seyecaughtthesumtotalofMadameCie'sbill，andsheturnedpale。"Oh，whatacheatthatwomanis!"
　　ButsheturnedpalerwhenChristophersaid，"Thatistheonehonestbill；forIgaveyouleave。Itisthesethatpartus:these!
　　these!Lookatthem，falseheart!There，goandpackupyourthings。Wecanliveherenolonger；weareruined。Imustsendyoubacktoyourfather。"
　　"Ithoughtyouwould，soonerorlater，"saidMrs。Staines，panting，trembling，butshowingalittlefight。"HetoldyouIwasn'tfittobeapoorman'swife。"
　　"Anhonestman'swife，youmean:thatiswhatyouarenotfitfor。
　　Youwillgohometoyourfather，andIshallgointosomehumblelodgingtoworkforyou。I'llcontrivetokeepyou，andfindyouahundredayeartospendindress——theonlythingyourheartcanreallylove。ButIwon'thaveanenemyhereinthedisguiseofafriend；andIwon'thaveawifeaboutmeImusttreatlikeaservant，andwatchlikeatraitor。"
　　Thewordswereharsh，buttheagonywithwhichtheywerespokendistinguishedthemfromvulgarvituperation。
　　TheyoverpoweredpoorRosa；shehadbeenailingalittlesometime，andfromremorseandterror，coupledwithothercauses，naturegaveway。Herlipsturnedwhite，shegaspedinarticulately，and，withalittlepiteousmoan，tottered，andswooneddeadaway。
　　Hewaswalkingwildlyabout，readytotearhishair，whenshetottered；hesawherjustintimetosaveher，andlaidhergentlyonthefloor，andkneeledoverher。
　　Awaywentangerandeveryotherfeelingbutloveandpityforthepoor，weakcreaturethat，withallherfaults，wassolovableandsoloved。
　　Heappliednoremediesatfirst:heknewtheywereuselessandunnecessary。Helaidherheadquitelow，andopeneddoorandwindow，andloosenedallherdress，sighingdeeplyallthetimeathercondition。
　　Whilehewasthusemployed，suddenlyastrangecrybrokefromhim:
　　acryofhorror，remorse，joy，tenderness，allcombined:acrycomparedwithwhichlanguageisinarticulate。Hisswiftandpracticaleyehadmadeadiscovery。
　　Hekneeledoverher，withhiseyesdilatingandhishandsclasped，apictureofloveandtenderremorse。
　　Shestirred。
　　Thenhemadehaste，andappliedhisremedies，andbroughtherslowlybacktolife；heliftedherup，andcarriedherinhisarmsquiteawayfromthebillsandthings，that，whenshecameto，shemightseenothingtoreviveherdistress。Hecarriedhertothedrawing-room，andkneeleddownandrockedherinhisarms，andpressedheragainandagaingentlytohisheart，andcriedoverher。"Omydove，mydove!thetendercreatureGodgavemetoloveandcherish，andhaveIuseditharshly?IfIhadonlyknown!ifI
　　hadonlyknown!"
　　Whilehewasthusbemoaningher，andblaminghimself，andcryingoverherliketherain，——he，whomshehadneverseenshedatearbeforeinallhistroubles，——shewascomingtoentirely，andherquickearscaughthiswords，andsheopenedherlovelyeyesonhim。
　　"Iforgiveyou，dear，"shesaidfeebly。"BUTIHOPEYOUWILLBEA
　　KINDERFATHERTHANAHUSBAND。"
　　Thesequietwords，spokenwithraregravityandsoftness，wentthroughthegreatheartlikeaknife。
　　Hegaveasortofshiver，butsaidnotaword。
　　ButthatnighthemadeasolemnvowtoGodthatnoharshwordfromhislipsshouldeveragainstrikeabeingsoweak，soloving，andsobeyondhiscomprehension。Whylookforcourageandcandorinacreaturesotimidandshy，shecouldnoteventellherhusbandTHAT
　　until，withhersubtlesense，shesawhehaddiscoveredit?
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　Tobeafather；tohaveanimageofhisdarlingRosa，andafruitoftheirlovetoliveandworkfor:thisgavethesoreheartaheavenlyglow，andelasticitytobear。Shouldthisdearobjectbeborntoaninheritanceofdebt，ofpoverty?Never。
　　Hebegantoactasifhewasevennowafather。HeentreatedRosanottotroubleorvexherself；hewouldlookintotheirfinances，andsetallstraight。
　　Hepaidallthebills，andputbyaquarter'srentandtaxes。Thenthereremainedofhislittlecapitaljusttenpounds。
　　Hewenttohisprinters，andhadathousandorder-checksprinted。
　　Theseformsranthus:——
　　"Dr。Staines，of13DearStreet，Mayfairblankfordate，ordersofblankherefortradesmanandgoodsordered，forcash。
　　Receivedsametimeblankfortradesman'sreceipt。Notice:Dr。
　　Stainesdisownsallordersnotprintedonthisform，andpaidforatdateoforder。"
　　Heexhibitedtheseforms，andwarnedallthetradespeople，beforeawitnesswhomhetookroundforthatpurpose。
　　HepaidoffPearmanonthespot。PearmanhadmetClara，dressedlikeapauper，hersoldierhavingemptiedherboxtotheverydregs，andhenowofferedtostay。Butitwastoolate。
　　StainestoldthecookMrs。Staineswasindelicatehealth，andmustnotbetroubledwithanything。Shemustcometohimforallorders。
　　"Yes，sir，"saidshe。Butshenosoonercomprehendedthechecksystemfullythanshegavewarning。Itputastoptoherwholesalepilfering。Rosa'scookshadmadefullyahundredpoundsoutofheramongstthemsinceshebegantokeepaccounts。
　　Underthemalehousekeepereveryarticlewasweighedondelivery，andthissoonrevealedthatthebutcherandthefishmongerhadhabituallydeliveredshortweightfromthefirst，besidesputtingdownthesamethingtwice。Thethingsweresentbackthatmoment，withaprintedform，statingthenatureandextentofthefraud。
　　Thewasherwoman，whohadbeenpilferingwholesalesolongasMrs。
　　Stainesandhersloppy-headedmaidscountedthelinen，andthenforgotit，wasbroughtupwitharun，bytriplicateforms，andbyStainescountingthethingsbeforetwowitnesses，andcompellingthewasherwomantocountthemaswell，andverifyordisputeonthespot。Thelaundressgavewarning——aplainconfessionthatstealinghadbeenpartofhertrade。
　　Hekeptthehousewellforthreepoundsaweek，exclusiveofcoals，candles，andwine。Hiswifehadhadfivepounds，andwhateversheaskedfordinner-parties，yetfounditnothalfenoughuponhermethod。
　　Hekeptnocoachman。Ifhevisitedapatient，amanintheyarddrovehimatashillingperhour。
　　Bythesemeans，andbyworkinglikeagalleyslave，hedraggedhisexpendituredownalmosttoalevelwithhisincome。
　　Rosawasquitecontentatfirst，andthoughtherselfluckytoescapereproachesonsucheasyterms。
　　Butbyandbysorigorousasystembegantogallher。OnedayshefanciedaBathbun；sentthenewmaidtothepastry-cook's。
　　Pastry-cookaskedtoseethedoctor'sorder。Maidcouldnotshowit，andcamebackbunless。
　　Rosacameintothestudytocomplaintoherhusband。
　　"ABathbun，"saidStaines。"Why，theyarecoloredwithannotto，tosaveanegg，andannottoisadulteratedwithchromatesthatarepoison。Adulterationuponadulteration。I'llmakeyouarealBathbun。"Offcoat，andintothekitchen，andmadeherthree，pure，butratherheavy。Hebroughtthemherinduecourse。Shedeclinedthemlanguidly。Shewasoffthenotion，astheysayinScotland。
　　"IfIcan'thaveathingwhenIwantit，Idon'tcareforitatall。"Suchwastheprincipleshelaiddownforhisfutureguidance。
　　Hesighed，andwentbacktohiswork；sheclearedtheplate。
　　Oneday，whensheaskedforthecarriage，hetoldherthetimewasnowcomeforhertoleaveoffcarriageexercise。Shemustwalkwithhimeveryday，instead。
　　"ButIdon'tlikewalking。"
　　"Iamsorryforthat。Butitisnecessarytoyou，andbyandbyyourlifemaydependonit。"
　　Quietly，butinexorably，hedraggedheroutwalkingeveryday。
　　Inoneofthesewalksshestoppedatashopwindow，andfellinlovewithsomebaby'sthings。"Oh!Imusthavethat，"saidshe。
　　"Imust。IshalldieifIdon't；you'llseenow。"
　　"Youshall，"saidhe，"whenIcanpayforit，"anddrewheraway。
　　Thetearsofdisappointmentstoodinhereyes，andhisheartyearnedoverher。Buthekepthishead。
　　Hechangedthedinnerhourtosix，andusedtogooutdirectlyafterwards。
　　Shebegantocomplainofhisleavingheralonelikethat。
　　"Well，butwaitabit，"saidhe；"supposeIammakingalittlemoneybyit，tobuyyousomethingyouhavesetyourhearton，poordarling!"
　　Inaveryfewdaysafterthis，hebroughtheralittleboxwithaslitinit。Heshookit，andmoneyrattled；thenheunlockedit，andpouredoutalittlepileofsilver。"There，"saidhe，"putonyourbonnet，andcomeandbuythosethings。"
　　Sheputonherbonnet，andonthewaysheaskedhowitcametobeallinsilver。
　　"Thatisapuzzler，"saidhe，"isn'tit?"
　　"Andhowdidyoumakeit，dear?bywriting?"
　　"No。"
　　"Byfeesfromthepoorpeople?"
　　"What，undersellmybrethren!Hangit，no!Mydear，Imadeithonestly，andsomedayIwilltellyouhowImadeit；atpresent，allIwilltellyouisthis:Isawmydarlinglongingforsomethingshehadarighttolongfor；Isawthetearsinhersweeteyes，and——oh，comealong，do。IamwretchedtillIseeyouwiththethingsinyourhand。"
　　Theywenttotheshop；andStainessatandwatchedRosabuyingbaby-clothes。Oh，itwasaprettysighttoseethismodestyoungcreature，littlemorethanachildherself，anticipatingmaternity，butblushingeverynowandthen，andlookingaskantatherlordandmaster。Howhisverybowelsyearnedoverher!
　　Andwhentheygothome，shespreadthethingsonatable，andtheysathandinhand，andlookedatthem，andsheleanedherheadonhisshoulder，andwentquietlytosleepthere。
　　Andyet，astimerolledon，shebecameirritableattimes，andimpatient，andwantedallmannerofthingsshecouldnothave，andmadehimunhappy。
　　Thenhewasoutfromsixo'clocktillone，andshetookitintoherheadtobejealous。Somanyhourstospendawayfromher!Nowthatshewantedallhiscomfort。
　　Presently，Ellen，thenewmaid，gotgossipingintheyard，andagroomtoldherhermasterhadasweetheartonthesly，hethought；
　　forhedrovethebroughamouteveryeveninghimself；"and，"saidtheman，"hewearsamustacheatnight。"
　　Ellenranin，brimfulofthis，andtoldthecook；thecooktoldthewasherwoman；thewasherwomantoldadozenfamilies，tillabouttwohundredpeopleknewit。
　　AtlastitcametoMrs。Stainesinaroundaboutway，attheverymomentwhenshewascomplainingtoLadyCicelyTreherneofherhardlot。Shehadbeentellinghershewasnothingmorethanalay-
　　figureinthehouse。
　　"Myhusbandishousekeepernow，andcook，andall，andmakesmedeliciousdishes，Icantellyou；SUCHcurries!Icouldn'tkeepthehousewithfivepoundsaweek，sonowhedoesitwiththree:
　　andInevergetthecarriage，becausewalkingisbestforme；andhetakesitouteverynighttomakemoney。Idon'tunderstandit。"
　　LadyCicelysuggestedthatperhapsDr。Stainesthoughtitbestforhertoberelievedofallworry，andsoundertookthehousekeeping。
　　"No，no，no，"saidRosa；"Iusedtopaythemallapartoftheirbills，andthenalittlemore，andsoIkeptgettingdeeper；andI
　　wasashamedtotellChristie，sothathecallsdeceit；andoh，hespoketomesocruellyonce!Buthewasverysorryafterwards，poordear!Whyaregirlsbroughtupsosilly?allpiano，andnosense；andwhyaremensillierstilltogoandmarrysuchsillythings?Awife!Iamnotsomuchasaservant。Oh，Iamfinelyhumiliated，and，"withasuddenheartynaiveteallherown，"itservesmejustright。"
　　WhileLadyCicelywaspuzzlingthisout，incamealetter。Rosaopenedit，readit，andgaveacrylikeawoundeddeer。
　　"Oh!"shecried，"Iamamiserablewoman。Whatwillbecomeofme?"
　　Theletterinformedherbluntlythatherhusbanddrovehisbroughamouteverynighttopursueacriminalamour。
　　WhileRosawaswringingherhandsinrealanguishofheart，LadyCicelyreadthelettercarefully。
　　"Idon'tbelievethis，"saidshequietly。
　　"Nottrue!Why，whowouldbesowickedastostabapoor，inoffensivewretchlikeme，ifitwasn'ttrue?"
　　"Thefirstuglywomanwould，inaminute。Don'tyouseethewitercan'ttellyouwherehegoes?Dwiveshisbwoughamout!Thatisallyourinfaumantknows。"
　　"Oh，mydearfriend，blessyou!WhathaveIbeencomplainingtoyouabout?Allislight，excepttolosehislove。WhatshallI
　　do?Iwillnevertellhim。IwillneveraffronthimbysayingI
　　suspectedhim。"
　　"Wosa，ifyoudothat，youwillalwayshaveaserpentgnawingyou。
　　No；youmustputtheletterquietlyintohishand，andsay，'Isthereanytruthinthat?'"
　　"Oh，Icouldnot。Ihaven'tthecourage。IfIdothat，Ishallknowbyhisfaceifthereisanytruthinit。"
　　"Well，andyoumustknowthetwuth。Youshallknowit。Iwanttoknowittoo；forifhedoesnotloveyoutwuly，Iwillnevaatwustmyselftoanythingsodeceitfulasaman。"
　　Rosaatlastconsentedtofollowthisadvice。
　　AfterdinnersheputtheletterintoChristopher'shand，andaskedhimquietlywasthereanytruthinthat:thenherhandstrembled，andhereyesdrankhim。
　　Christopherreadit，andfrowned；thenhelookedup，andsaid，"No，notaword。Whatscoundrelsthereareintheworld!Togoandtellyouthat，NOW!Why，youlittlegoose!haveyoubeensillyenoughtobelieveit?"
　　"No，"saidsheirresolutely。"ButDOyoudrivethebroughamouteverynight?"
　　"ExceptSunday。"
　　"Where?"
　　"Mydearwife，IneverlovedyouasIloveyounow；andifitwasnotforyou，Ishouldnotdrivethebroughamoutofnights。ThatisallIshalltellyouatpresent；butsomedayI'lltellyouallaboutit。"
　　Hetooksuchacalmhighhandwithheraboutit，thatshesubmittedtoleaveitthere；butfromthismomenttheserpentdoubtnibbledher。
　　Ithadonecuriouseffect，though。Sheleftoffcomplainingoftrifles。
　　NowithappenedonenightthatLadyCicelyTreherneandafriendwereataconcertinHanoverSquare。Theotherladyfeltratherfaint，andLadyCicelyofferedtotakeherhome。Thecarriageshadnotyetarrived，andMissMacnamarasaidtowalkafewstepswoulddohergood:asmartcabmansawthemfromadistanceanddroveup，andtouchinghishatsaid，"Cab，ladies?"
　　Itseemedaverysuperiorcab，andMissMacnamarasaid"Yes"
　　directly。
　　Thecabmanbustleddownandopenedthedoor；MissMacnamaragotinfirst，thenLadyCicely；hereyefellonthecabman'sface，whichwaslightedfullbyastreet-lamp，anditwasChristopherStaines!
　　Hestartedandwinced；butthewomanoftheworldnevermovedamuscle。
　　"Whereto?"saidStaines，avertinghishead。
　　Shetoldhimwhere，andwhentheygotout，said，"I'llsendityoubytheservant。"
　　Aflunkeysoonafterappearedwithhalf-a-crown，andtheamateurcoachmandroveaway。Hesaidtohimself，"Come，mymustacheisabetterdisguisethanIthought。"
　　Nextday，andthedayafter，heaskedRosa，withaffectedcarelessness，hadsheheardanythingofLadyCicely。
　　"No，dear；butIdaresayshewillcallthisafternoon:itisherday。"
　　Shedidcallatlast，andafterafewwordswithRosa，becamealittlerestless，andaskedifshemightconsultDr。Staines。
　　"Certainly，dear。Cometohisstudio。"
　　"No；mightIseehimhere?"
　　"Certainly。"Sherangthebell，andtoldtheservanttoaskDr。
　　Stainesifhewouldbekindenoughtostepintothedrawing-room。
　　Dr。Stainescamein，andbowedtoLadyCicely，andeyedheralittleuncomfortably。
　　Shebegan，however，inawaythatputhimquiteathisease。"YouremembertheadviceyougaveusaboutmylittlecousinTadcastah。"
　　"Perfectly:hislifeisveryprecarious；heisbilious，consumptive，and，ifnotwatched，willbeepileptical；andhehasafond，weakmother，whowilllethimkillhimself。"
　　"Exactly:andyouwecommendedaseavoyage，withamedicalattendanttowatchhisdiet，andcontwolhishabits。Well，shetookotheradvice，andtheyouthisworse；sonowsheisfwightened，andamonthagosheaskedmetopwoposetoyoutosailaboutwithTadcastah；andsheofferedmeathousandpoundsayear。
　　Iputonmystifflook，andsaid，'Countess，witheverydesiahtoobligeyou，Imustdeclinetocawwythatoffahtoamanofgenius，learning，andweputation，whohastheballathisfeetinLondon。'"
　　"Lordforgiveyou，LadyCicely。"
　　"LordblessherforstandingupformyChristie。"
　　LadyCicelycontinued:"Now，thisgoodlady，youmustknow，isnotexactlyoneofus:thelateearlmawwiedintocotton，orwool，orsomething。Soshesaid，'Nameyourpriceforhim。'Ishwuggedmyshoulders，smiledaffably，andasaffectedlyasyoulike，andchangedthesubject。Butsincethenthingshavehappened。Iamafwaiditismydutytomakeyouthejudgewhetheryouchoosetosailaboutwiththatlittlecub——Rosa，Icanbeataboutthebushnolonger。Isitafitthingthatamanofgenius，atwhosefeetweoughtalltobesittingwithreverence，shoulddriveacabinthepublicstreets?Yes，RosaStaines，yourhusbanddriveshisbroughamoutatnight，nottovisitanyotherlady，asthatanonymouswretchtoldyou，buttomakeafewmisewableshillingsforyou。"
　　"Oh，Christie!"
　　"Itisnouse，Dr。Staines；Imustandwilltellher。Mydear，hedroveMEthreenightsago。Hehadacabman'sbadgeonhispoorarm。IfyouknewwhatIsufferedinthosefiveminutes!Indeeditseemscrueltospeakofit——butIcouldnotkeepitfromRosa，andthereasonImustercouragetosayitbeforeyou，sir，itisbecauseIknowshehasotherfriendswhokeepyououtoftheirconsultations；and，afterall，itistheworldthatoughttoblush，andnotyou。"
　　Herladyship'skindlybosomheaved，andshewantedtocry；soshetookherhandkerchiefoutofherpocketwithouttheleasthurry，andpresseditdelicatelytohereyes，anddidcryquietly，butwithoutanydisguise，likeabravelady，whoneithercriednordidanythingelseshewasashamedtobeseenat。
　　AsforRosa，shesatsobbingroundChristopher'sneck，andkissedhimwithallhersoul。
　　"Dearme!"saidChristopher。"Youarebothverykind。But，beggingyourpardon，itismuchadoaboutnothing。"
　　LadyCicelytooknonoticeofthatobservation。"So，Rosadear，"
　　saidshe，"Ithinkyouarethepersontodecidewhetherhehadnotbettersailaboutwiththatlittlecub，than——oh!"
　　"Iwillsettlethat，"saidStaines。"Ihaveonebelovedcreaturetoprovidefor。Imayhaveanother。IMUSTmakemoney。Turningabroughamintoacab，whateveryoumaythink，isanhonestwayofmakingit，andIamnotthefirstdoctorwhohascoinedhisbroughamatnight。ButifthereisagooddealofmoneytobemadebysailingwithLordTadcaster，ofcourseIshouldpreferthattocab-driving，forIhavenevermadeabovetwelveshillingsanight。"
　　"Oh，astothat，sheshallgiveyoufifteenhundredayear。"
　　"ThenIjumpatit。"
　　"What!andleaveME?"
　　"Yes，love:leaveyou——foryourgood；andonlyforatime。LadyCicely，itisanobleoffer。MydarlingRosawillhaveeverycomfort——ay，everyluxury，tillIcomehome，andthenwewillstartafreshwithagoodbalance，andwithmoreexperiencethanwedidatfirst。"
　　LadyCicelygazedonhimwithwonder。Shesaid，"Oh!whatstoutheartsmenhave!No，no；don'tlethimgo。See；heisacting。
　　Hisgreatheartistornwithagony。Iwillhavenohandinpartingmanandwife——no，notforaday。"Andshehurriedawayinrareagitation。
　　Rosafellonherknees，andaskedChristopher'spardonforhavingbeenjealous；andthatdayshewasafloodofdivinetenderness。
　　Sherepaidhimrichlyfordrivingthecab。ButshewasunnaturallycoolaboutLadyCicely；andtheexquisitereasonsooncameout。
　　"Ohyes!Sheisverygood；verykind；butitisnotformenow!
　　No!youshallnotsailaboutwithhercubofacousin，andleavemeatsuchatime。"
　　Christophergroaned。
　　"Christie，youshallnotseethatladyagain。Shecameheretopartus。SHEISINLOVEWITHYOU。Iwasblindnottoseeitbefore。"
　　Nextday，asLadyCicelysataloneinthemorning-roomthinkingoverthisveryscene，afootmanbroughtinacardandanote。"Dr。
　　StainesbegsparticularlytoseeLadyCicelyTreherne。"
　　Thelady'spalecheekcolored；shestoodirresoluteasinglemoment。"IwillseeDr。Staines，"saidshe。
　　Dr。Stainescamein，lookingpaleandworn；hehadnotsleptawinksinceshesawhimlast。
　　Shelookedathimfull，anddivinedthisataglance。Shemotionedhimtoaseat，andsatdownherself，withherwhitehandpressingherforehead，andherheadturnedalittleawayfromhim。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　Hetoldherhehadcometothankherforhergreatkindness，andtoaccepttheoffer。
　　Shesighed。"Ihopeditwastodeclineit。Thinkofthemiseryofseparation，bothtoyouandher。"
　　"Itwillbemisery。Butwearenothappyasitis，andshecannotbearpoverty。Norisitfairsheshould，whenIcangivehereverycomfortbyjustplayingthemanforayearortwo。"HethentoldLadyCicelythereweremorereasonsthanhechosetomention:gohemust，andwould；andheimploredhernottolettheaffairdrop。
　　Inshort，hewassadbutresolved，andshefoundshemustgoonwithit，orbreakfaithwithhim。Shetookherdesk，andwrotealetterconcludingthebargainforhim。Shestipulatedforhalftheyear'sfeeinadvance。ShereadDr。Stainestheletter。
　　"YouAREafriend!"saidhe。"Ishouldneverhaveventuredonthat；itwillbeagodsendtomypoorRosa。YouwillbekindtoherwhenIamgone?"
　　"Iwill。"
　　"SowillUnclePhilip，Ithink。IwillseehimbeforeIgo，andshakehands。Hehasbeenagoodfriendtome；buthewastooharduponHER；andIcouldnotstandthat。"
　　Thenhethankedandblessedheragain，withthetearsinhiseyes，andlefthermoredisturbedandtearfulthanshehadeverbeensinceshegrewtowoman。"Ocruelpoverty!"shethought，"thatsuchamanshouldbetornfromhishome，andthankmefordoingit——
　　allforalittlemoney——andherearewepoorcommonplacecreaturesrollinginit。"
　　Staineshurriedhome，andtoldhiswife。Sheclungtohimconvulsively，andweptbitterly；butshemadenodirectattempttoshakehisresolution；shesaw，byhisironlook，thatshecouldonlyafflict，notturnhim。
　　NextdaycameLadyCicelytoseeher。LadyCicelywasveryuneasyinhermind，andwantedtoknowwhetherRosawasreconciledtotheseparation。
　　Rosareceivedherwithaforcedpolitenessandanicycoldnessthatpetrifiedher。Shecouldnotstaylonginfaceofsuchareception。Atparting，shesaid，sadly，"Youlookonmeasanenemy。"
　　"Whatelsecanyouexpect，whenyoupartmyhusbandandme?"saidRosa，withquietsternness。
　　"Imeantwell，"saidLadyCicelysorrowfully；"butIwishIhadneverinterfered。"
　　"SodoI，"andshebegantocry。
　　LadyCicelymadenoanswer。Shewentquietlyaway，hangingherheadsadly。
　　Rosawasunjust，butshewasnotrudenorvulgar；andLadyCicely'stemperwassowellgovernedthatitneverblindedherheart。Shewithdrew，butwithouttheleastideaofquarrellingwithherafflictedfriend，orabandoningher。Shewentquietlyhome，andwrotetoLady——，tosaythatsheshouldbegladtoreceiveDr。
　　Staines'sadvanceassoonasconvenient，sinceMrs。Staineswouldhavetomakefresharrangements，andthemoneymightbeuseful。
　　Themoneywasforthcomingdirectly。LadyCicelybroughtittoDearStreet，andhandedittoDr。Staines。Hiseyessparkledatthesightofit。
　　"GivemylovetoRosa，"saidshesoftly，andcuthervisitveryshort。
　　StainestookthemoneytoRosa，andsaid，"Seewhatourbestfriendhasbroughtus。Youshallhavefourhundred，andIhope，afterthebitterlessonsyouhavehad，youwillbeabletodowiththatforsomemonths。ThetwohundredIshallkeepasareservefundforyoutodrawon。"
　　"No，no!"saidRosa。"Ishallgoandlivewithmyfather，andneverspendapenny。OChristie，ifyouknewhowIhatemyselfforthefollythatispartingus!Oh，whydon'ttheyteachgirlssenseandmoney，insteadofmusicandtheglobes?"
　　ButChristopheropenedabankingaccountforher，andgaveheracheck-book，andentreatedhertopayeverythingbycheck，andrunnobillswhatever；andshepromised。HealsoadvertisedtheBijou，andputabillinthewindow:"Theleaseofthishouse，andthefurniture，tobesold。"
　　Rosacriedbitterlyatsightofit，thinkinghowhighinhopetheywere，whentheyhadtheirfirstdinnerthere，andalsowhenshewenttoherfirstsaletobuythefurniturecheap。
　　Andnoweverythingmovedwithterriblerapidity。TheAmphitritewastosailfromPlymouthinfivedays；and，meantime，therewassomuchtobedone，thatthedaysseemedtogallopaway。
　　Dr。Stainesforgotnothing。Hemadehiswillinduplicate，leavingalltohiswife；heleftonecopyatDoctors'Commonsandanotherwithhislawyer；inventoriedallhisfurnitureandeffectsinduplicate，too；wrotetoUnclePhilip，andthencalledonhimtoseekareconciliation。Unfortunately，Dr。PhilipwasinScotland。
　　AtlastthissadpairwentdowntoPlymouthtogether，theretomeetLordTadcasterandgoonboardH。M。S。Amphitrite，lyingoutatanchor，underordersfortheAustralianStation。
　　Theymetattheinn，asappointed；andsentwordoftheirarrivalonboardthefrigate，askingtoremainonshoretillthelastminute。
　　Dr。StainespresentedhispatienttoRosa；andafteralittlewhiledrewhimapartandquestionedhimprofessionally。Hethenaskedforaprivateroom。HereheandRosareallytookleave；forwhatcouldthepoorthingssaytoeachotheronacrowdedquay?Hebeggedherforgiveness，onhisknees，forhavingoncespokenharshlytoher，andshetoldhim，withpassionatesobs，hehadneverspokenharshlytoher；herfollyitwashadpartedthem。
　　Poorwretches!theyclungtogetherwithathousandvowsofloveandconstancy。Theyweretoprayforeachotheratthesamehours:tothinkofsomekindwordorlovingact，atotherstatedhours；andsotheytriedtofightwiththeirsufferingmindsagainstthecruelseparation；andifeithershoulddie，theotherwastoliveweddedtomemory，andneverlistentolovefromotherlips；butno!Godwaspitiful；Hewouldletthemmeetagainerelong，topartnomore。Theyrockedineachother'sarms；theycriedovereachother——itwaspitiful。