CHAPTERXXIV。
　　Therecameareaction，andPhoebewasprostratedwithgriefandalarm。HerbrotherneverdoubtednowthatReginaldhadruntoCapeTownforalark。ButPhoebe，thoughshethoughtsotoo，couldnotbesure；andsothedoubleagonyofbereavementanddesertiontorturedherbyturns，andalmosttogether。Forthefirsttimethesemanyyears，shewassocrushedshecouldnotgoaboutherbusiness，butlayonalittlesofainherownroom，andhadtheblindsdown，forherheadachedsoshecouldnotbearthelight。
　　SheconceivedabitterresentmentagainstStaines；andtoldDicknevertolethimintohersight，ifhedidnotwanttobeherdeath。
　　InvainDickmadeexcusesforhim:shewouldhearnone。Foronceshewasasunreasonableasanyotherlivingwoman:shecouldseenothingbutthatshehadbeenhappy，afteryearsofmisery，andshouldbehappynowifthismanhadneverenteredherhouse。"Ah，Collie!"shecried，"youwerewiserthanIwas。Youasgoodastoldmehewouldmakemesmartforlodgingandcuringhim。AndI
　　wasSOhappy!"
　　DalecommunicatedthisasdelicatelyashecouldtoStaines。
　　Christopherwasdeeplygrievedandwounded。Hethoughtitunjust，butheknewitwasnatural:hesaid，humbly，"Ifeelguiltymyself，Mr。Dale；andyet，unlessIhadpossessedomniscience，whatcouldI
　　do?Ithoughtofherinall——poorthing!poorthing!"
　　Thetearswereinhiseyes，andDickDalewentawayscratchinghisheadandthinkingitover。Themorehethought，thelesshewasinclinedtocondemnhim。
　　Staineshimselfwasmuchtroubledinmind，andlivedonthorns。HewantedtobeofftoEngland；grudgedeveryday，everyhour，hespentinAfrica。ButMrs。Falconwashisbenefactress；hehadbeen，formonthsandmonths，garneringupaheapofgratitudetowardsher。Hehadnotthehearttoleaveherbadfriends，andinmisery。HekepthopingFalconwouldreturn，orwrite。
　　Twodaysafterhisreturn，hewasseated，disconsolate，gluinggarnetsandcarbunclesontoabroadtaperingbitoflambskin，whenUcatellacametohimandsaid，"Mydoctorchildsick?"
　　"No，notsick:butmiserable。"Andheexplainedtoher，aswellashecould，whathadpassed。"But，"saidhe，"Iwouldnotmindthelossofthediamondsnow，ifIwasonlysurehewasalive。Ithinkmostofpoor，poorMrs。Falcon。"
　　WhileUcatellaponderedthis，butwithoneeyeofdemurecuriosityonthecoronethewasmaking，hetoldheritwasforher——hehadnotforgotheratthemines。
　　"Thesestones，"saidhe，"arenotvaluedthere；butseehowglorioustheyare!"
　　Inafewminuteshehadfinishedthecoronet，andgaveither。Sheutteredachuckleofdelight，andwithinstinctiveart，boundit，inaturnofherhand，aboutherbrow；andthenStaineshimselfwasstruckdumbwithamazement。Thecarbunclesgatheredfromthosemineslooklikerubies，sofulloffirearethey，andofenormoussize。Thechaplethadtwelvegreatcarbunclesinthecentre，andwentoffbygradationsintosmallergarnetsbythethousand。Theyflashedtheirblood-redflamesintheAfricansun，andtheheadofUcatella，grandbefore，becametheheadoftheSphinx，encircledwithacoronetoffire。ShebestowedalookofrapturousgratitudeonStaines，andthenglidedaway，likethestatelyJuno，toadmireherselfinthenearestglasslikeanyothercoquette，black，brown，yellow，copper，orwhite。
　　Thatveryday，towardssunset，sheburstuponStainesquitesuddenly，withhercoronetgleamingonhermagnificenthead，andhereyeslikecoalsoffire，andunderhermagnificentarm，hardasarock，aboykickingandstrugglinginvain。Shewasfuriouslyexcited，and，forthefirsttime，showedsignsofthesavageinthewhitesofhereyes，whichseemedtoturnthegloriouspupilsintosemicircles。SheclutchedStainesbytheshoulderwithherlefthand，andsweptalongwiththepair，likedarkFate，oraspotentjusticesweepsawayapairofculprits，andcarriedthemtothelittlewindow，andcried"Open——open!"
　　DickDalewasatdinner；Phoebelyingdown。Dickgotup，rathercrossly，andthrewopenthewindow。"Whatisupnow?"saidhecrossly:hewasliketwoorthreemoreEnglishmen——hatedtobebotheredatdinner-time。
　　"Dar，"screamedUcatella，settingdownTim，butholdinghimtightbytheshoulder；"nowyoutellwhatyouseethatnight，youlillyKafirtrash；ifyounottell，IkillyouDEAD；"andsheshowedthewhitesofhereyes，likeawildbeast。
　　Tim，thoroughlyalarmed，quiveredoutthathehadseenlillymasterrideuptothegateonebrightnight，andlookin，andTimthoughthewasgoingin:buthechangedhismind，andgallopedawaythatway；andthemonkeypointedsouth。
　　"Andwhycouldn'tyoutellusthisbefore?"questionedDick。
　　"Meminddesheep，"saidTimapologetically。"Menotminddelillymaster:jackalsnoteathim。"
　　"Younomoresensedanasheepyourself，"saidUcatellaloftily。
　　"No，no:Godblessyouboth，"criedpoorPhoebe:"nowIknowtheworst:"andagreatburstoftearsrelievedhersufferingheart。
　　Dickwentoutsoftly。Whenhegotoutsidethedoor，hedrewthemallapart，andsaid，"Yuke，youAREagood-heartedgirl。I'llneverforgetthiswhileIlive；and，Tim，there'sashillingforthee；butdon'tyougoandspenditinCapesmoke；thatispoisontowhites，anddestructiontoblacks。"
　　"No，master，"saidTim。"Ishallbuymuchbread，andmakemytomachtiff；"then，withaglanceofreproachatthedomesticcaterer，Ucatella，"Ialmostneverhavemytomachtiff。"
　　Dicklefthissisteraloneanhourortwo，tohavehercryout。
　　Whenhewentbacktohertherewasachange:thebravewomannolongerlayprostrate。Shewentaboutherbusiness；onlyshewasalwayseithercryingordrowninghertears。
　　HebroughtDr。Stainesin。Phoebeinstantlyturnedherbackonhimwithashuddertherewasnomistaking。
　　"Ihadbettergo，"saidStaines。"Mrs。Falconwillneverforgiveme。"
　　"Shewillhavetoquarrelwithmeelse，"saidDicksteadily。"Sityoudown，doctor。HonestfolklikeyouandmeandPhoebewasn'tmadetoquarrelforwantoflookingathingallround。Mysistershehasn'tlookeditallround，andIhave。Come，Pheeb，'tisnouseyourblindingyourself。Howwasthepoordoctortoknowyourhusbandisablackguard?"
　　"Heisnotablackguard。Howdareyousaythattomyface?"
　　"Heisablackguard，andalwayswas。Andnowheisathieftoboot。Hehasstolenthosediamonds；youknowthatverywell。"
　　"Gently，Mr。Dale；youforget:theyareasmuchhisasmine。"
　　"Well，andifhalfasheepismine，andItakethewholeandsellhim，andkeepthemoney，whatisthatbutstealing?Why，Iwonderatyou，Pheeb。Youwasalwayshonestyourself，andyetyouseethedoctorrobbedbyyourman，andthatdoesnottroubleyou。Whathashedonetodeserveit?Hehasbeenagoodfriendtous。Hehasputusontheroad。Wedidlittlemorethankeepthepotboilingbeforehecame——well，yes，westoredgrain；butwhoseadvicehasturnedthatgraintogold，Imightsay?Well，what'shisoffence?
　　Hetrustedthediamondstoyourman，andsenthimtoyou。Ishethefirsthonestmanthathastrustedarogue?Howwashetoknow?
　　Likelyhejudgedthehusbandbythewife。Answermeonething，Pheeb。Ifhemakesawaywithfifteenhundredpoundsthatishis，orpartlyyours——forhehaseatenyourbreadeversinceIknewhim——
　　andfifteenhundredmorethatisthedoctor's，whereshallwefindfifteenhundredpounds，allinamoment，topaythedoctorbackhisown?"
　　"Myhonestfriend，"saidStaines，"youaretormentingyourselfwithshadows。Idon'tbelieveMr。Falconwillwrongmeofashilling；
　　and，ifhedoes，Ishallquietlyrepaymyselfoutofthebigdiamond。Yes，mydearfriends，Ididnotthrowawayyourhorse，noryourrifle，noryourmoney:Igavethemall，andthelion'sskin——Igavethemall——forthis。"
　　Andhelaidthebigdiamondonthetable。
　　Itwasasbigasawalnut，andofthepurestwater。
　　DickDaleglancedatitstupidly。Phoebeturnedherbackonit，withacryofhorror，andthencameslowlyroundbydegrees；andhereyeswerefascinatedbytheroyalgem。
　　"Yes，"saidStainessadly，"Ihadtostripmyselfofalltobuyit，and，whenIhadgotit，howproudIwas，andhowhappyIthoughtweshouldallbeoverit，foritishalfyours，halfmine。Yes，Mr。
　　Dale，thereliessixthousandpoundsthatbelongtoMrs。Falcon。"
　　"Sixthousandpounds!"criedDick。
　　"I'msureofit。Andso，ifyoursuspicionsarecorrect，andpoorFalconshouldyieldtoasuddentemptation，andspendallthatmoney，Ishalljustcoollydeductitfromyourshareofthiswonderfulstone:somakeyourmindeasy。Butno；ifFalconisreallysowickedastodeserthishappyhome，andsomadastospendthousandsinamonthortwo，letusgoandsavehim。"
　　"Thatismybusiness，"saidPhoebe。"Iamgoinginthemail-cartto-morrow。"
　　"Well，youwon'tgoalone，"saidDick。
　　"Mrs。Falcon，"saidStainesimploringly，"letmegowithyou。"
　　"Thankyou，sir。Mybrothercantakecareofme。"
　　"Me!Youhadbetternottakeme。IfIcatchholdofhim，by——
　　I'llbreakhisneck，orhisback，orhisleg，orsomething；he'llneverrunawayfromyouagain，ifIlayhandsonhim，"repliedDick。
　　"I'llgoalone。Youarebothagainstme。"
　　"No，Mrs。Falcon；Iamnot，"saidStaines。"Myheartbleedsforyou。"
　　"Don'tyoudemeanyourself，prayingher，"saidDick。"It'sapublicconveyance:youhavenoneedtoaskHERleave。"
　　"Thatistrue:Ican'thinderfolkfromgoingtoCapeTownthesameday，"saidPhoebesullenly。
　　"IfImightpresumetoadvise，IwouldtakelittleTommy。"
　　"What!allthatroad?Doyouwantmetolosemychild，aswellasmyman?"
　　"OMrs。Falcon!"
　　"Don'tspeaktoher，doctor，togetyournosesnappedoff。Givehertime。She'llcometohersensesbeforeshedies。"
　　NextdayMrs。FalconandStainesstartedforCapeTown。Stainespaidhereveryattention，whenopportunityoffered。Butshewassullenandgloomy，andheldnoconversewithhim。
　　Helandedherataninn，andthentoldherhewouldgoatoncetothejeweller's。Heaskedherpiteouslywouldshelendhimapoundortwotoprosecutehisresearches。Shetookoutherpurse，withoutaword，andlenthimtwopounds。
　　Hebegantoscourthetown:thejewellershevisitedcouldtellhimnothing。Atlasthecametoashop，andtherehefoundMrs。Falconmakingherinquiriesindependently。Shesaidcoldly，"Youhadbettercomewithme，andgetyourmoneyandthings。"
　　Shetookhimtothebank——ithappenedtobetheoneshedidbusinesswith——andsaid，"ThisisDr。Christie，comeforhismoneyandjewels。"
　　Therewassomedemuratthis；butthecashierrecognizedhim，andPhoebemakingherselfresponsible，themoneyandjewelswerehandedover。
　　StaineswhisperedPhoebe，"Areyousurethejewelsaremine?"
　　"Theywerefoundonyou，sir。"
　　Stainestookthem，lookingconfused。Hedidnotknowwhattothink。Whentheygotintothestreetagain，hetoldheritwasverykindofhertothinkofhisinterestatall。
　　Noanswer:shewasnotgoingtomakefriendswithhimoversuchatrifleasthat。
　　Bydegrees，however，Christopher'szealonherbehalfbroketheice；andbesides，asthesearchprovedunavailing，sheneededsympathy；andhegaveither，anddidnotabuseherhusbandasDickDaledid。
　　Oneday，inthestreet，afteralongthought，shesaidtohim，"Didn'tyousay，sir，yougavehimaletterforme?"
　　"Igavehimtwoletters；oneofthemwastoyou。"
　　"Couldyourememberwhatyousaidinit?"
　　"Perfectly。Ibeggedyou，ifyoushouldgotoEngland，tobreakthetruthtomywife。Sheisveryexcitable；andsuddenjoyhaskillederenow。Igaveyouparticularinstructions。"
　　"Andyouwereverywise。ButwhatevercouldmakeyouthinkIwouldgotoEngland?"
　　"Hetoldmeyouonlywantedanexcuse。"
　　"Oh!!"
　　"Whenhetoldmethat，Icaughtatit，ofcourse。ItwasalltheworldtometogetmyRosatoldbysuchakind，good，sensiblefriendasyou；and，Mrs。Falcon，Ihadnoscrupleabouttroublingyou，becauseIknewthestoneswouldsellforatleastathousandpoundsmoreinEnglandthanhere，andthatwouldpayyourexpenses。"
　　"Isee，sir；Isee。'Twasverynatural:youloveyourwife。"
　　"Betterthanmylife。"
　　"AndhetoldyouIonlywantedanexcusetogotoEngland?"
　　"Hedid，indeed。Itwasnottrue?"
　　"Itwasanythingbuttrue。IhadsufferedsoinEngland；Ihadbeensohappyhere:toohappytolast。Ah!well，itisallover。
　　Letusthinkofthematterinhand。Surethatwasnottheonlyletteryougavemyhusband?Didn'tyouwritetoHER?"
　　"OfcourseIdid；butthatwasenclosedtoyou，andnottobegiventoheruntilyouhadbrokenthejoyfulnewstoher。Yes，Mrs。
　　Falcon，Iwroteandtoldhereverything:mylossatsea；howIwassaved，after，byyourkindness。Ourjourneys，fromCapeTown，andthentothediggings；mysuddengoodfortune，myhopes，myjoy——
　　OmypoorRosa!andnowIsupposeshewillnevergetit。Itistoocruelofhim。Ishallgohomebythenextsteamer。ICAN'Tstayhereanylonger，foryouoranybody。Oh，andIenclosedmyrubyringthatshegaveme，forIthoughtshemightnotbelieveyouwithoutthat。"
　　"Letmethink，"saidPhoebe，turningashypale。"Formercy'ssake，letmethink!
　　"Hehasreadboththoseletters，sir。
　　"Shewillneverseehers:anymorethanIshallseemine。"
　　Shepausedagain，thinkingharderandharder。
　　"Wemusttaketwoplacesinthenextmailsteamer。Imustlookaftermyhusband，ANDYOUAFTERYOURWIFE。"
　　CHAPTERXXV。
　　Mrs。Falcon'sbitterfeelingagainstDr。Stainesdidnotsubside；
　　itmerelywentoutofsightalittle。Theywerethrowntogetherbypotentcircumstances，andinamannerconnectedbymutualobligations；soanopenruptureseemedtoounnatural。StillPhoebewasawoman，and，blindedbyherloveforherhusband，couldnotforgivetheinnocentcauseoftheirpresentunhappyseparation；
　　thoughthefaultlayentirelywithFalcon。
　　Stainestookheronboardthesteamer，andpaidhereveryattention。Shewasalsociviltohim；butitwasacoldandconstrainedcivility。
　　Aboutahundredmilesfromlandthesteamerstopped，andthepassengerssoonlearnedtherewassomethingwrongwithhermachinery。Infact，afterdueconsultation，thecaptaindecidedtoputback。
　　ThisirritatedanddistressedMrs。Falconsothatthecaptain，desiroustoobligeher，hailedafastschooner，thattackedacrossherbows，andgaveMrs。Falcontheoptionofgoingbackwithhim，orgoingonintheschooner，withwhoseskipperhewasacquainted。
　　Stainesadvisedheronnoaccounttotrusttosails，whenshecouldhavesteamwithonlyadelayoffourorfivedays；butshesaid，"Anythingsoonerthangoback。Ican't，Ican'tonsuchanerrand。"
　　Accordinglyshewasputonboardtheschooner，andStaines，aftersomehesitation，feltboundtoaccompanyher。
　　Itprovedasaderror。Contrarywindsassailedthemtheverynextday，andwithsuchseveritythattheyhadrepeatedlytolieto。
　　Ononeoftheseoccasions，withashipreelingunderthemlikearestivehorse，andthewavesrunningmountainshigh，poorPhoebe'sterrorsovermasteredbothherhostilityandherreserve。"Doctor，"
　　saidshe，"Ibelieve'tisGod'swillweshallneverseeEngland。I
　　musttryanddiemorelikeaChristianthanIhavelived，forgivingallwhohavewrongedme，andyou，thathavebeenmygoodfriendandmyworstenemy，butyoudidnotmeanit。Sir，whathasturnedmeagainstyouso——yourwifewasmyhusband'ssweetheartbeforehemarriedme。"
　　"Mywifeyourhusband's——youaredreaming。"
　　"Nay，sir，onceshecametomyshop，andIsawdirectlyIwasnothingtohim，andheowneditalltome；hehadcourtedher，andshejiltedhim；sohesaid。Whyshouldhetellmealieaboutthat?I'dlaymylife'tistrue。Andnowyouhavesenthimtoheryourownself；and，atsightofher，Ishallbenothingagain。
　　Well，whenthisshipgoesdown，theycanmarry，andIhopehewillbehappy，happierthanIcanmakehim，thattriedmybest，Godknows。"
　　ThisconversationsurprisedStainesnotalittle。However，hesaid，withgreatwarmth，itwasfalse。Hiswifehaddancedandflirtedwithsomeyounggentlemanatonetime，whentherewasabriefmisunderstandingbetweenhimandher，butsweetheartshehadneverhad，excepthim。Hecourtedherfreshfromschool。"Now，mygoodsoul，"saidhe，"makeyourmindeasy；theshipisagoodone，andwellhandled，andinnodangerwhatever，andmywifeisinnodangerfromyourhusband。Sinceyouandyourbrothertellmethatheisavillain，Iamboundtobelieveyou。Butmywifeisanangel。Inourmiserablehourofparting，shevowednottomarryagain，shouldIbetakenfromher。Marryagain!whatamItalkingof?Why，ifhevisitsheratall，itwillbetoletherknowIamalive，andgivehermyletter。Doyoumeantotellmeshewilllistentovowsoflovefromhim，whenherwholeheartisinraptureforme?Suchnonsense!"
　　Thisburstofhisdidnotaffronther，anddidnotcomforther。
　　Atlastthewindabated；andafterawearisomecalm，alightbreezecame，andtheschoonercrepthomeward。
　　Phoeberestrainedherselfforseveraldays；butatlastshecamebacktothesubject；thistimeitwasinanapologetictoneatstarting。"Iknowyouthinkmeafoolishwoman，"shesaid；"butmypoorReginaldcouldneverresistaprettyface；andsheissolovely；andyoushouldhaveseenhowheturnedwhenshecameintomyplace。Oh，sir，therehasbeenmorebetweenthemthanyouknowof；andwhenIthinkthathewillhavebeeninEnglandsomanymonthsbeforewegetthere，oh，doctor，sometimesIfeelasI
　　shouldgomad；myheaditislikeafurnace，andsee，mybrowisallwrinkledagain。"
　　ThenStainestriedtocomforther；assuredhershewastormentingherselfidly；herhusbandwouldperhapshavespentsomeofthediamondmoneyonhisamusement；butwhatifhehad?heshoulddeductitoutofthebigdiamond，whichwasalsotheirjointproperty，andthelosswouldhardlybefelt。"Astomywife，madam，Ihavebutoneanxiety；lestheshouldgoblurtingitoutthatIamalive，andalmostkillherwithjoy。"
　　"Hewillnotdothat，sir。Heisnofool。"
　　"Iamgladofit；forthereisnothingelsetofear。"
　　"Man，Itellyouthereiseverythingtofear。Youdon'tknowhimasIdo；norhispoweroverwomen。"
　　"Mrs。Falcon，areyoubentonaffrontingme?"
　　"No，sir；Heavenforbid!"
　　"Thenpleasetoclosethissubjectforever。InthreeweeksweshallbeinEngland。"
　　"Ay；buthehasbeentheresixmonths。"
　　Hebowedstifflytoher，wenttohiscabin，andavoidedthepoorfoolishwomanasmuchashecouldwithoutseemingtoounkind。
　　CHAPTERXXVI。
　　Mrs。Stainesmadeoneortwomovements——tostopLordTadcaster——
　　withherhand，thatexpressivefeaturewithwhich，atsuchtimes，asensitivewomancandoallbutspeak。
　　Whenatlasthepausedforherreply，shesaid，"Memarryagain!
　　Oh!forshame!"
　　"Mrs。Staines——Rosa——youwillmarryagain，someday。"
　　"Never。Metakeanotherhusband，aftersuchamanasIhavelost!
　　Ishouldbeamonster。Oh，LordTadcaster，youhavebeensokindtome；sosympathizing。YoumademebelieveyoulovedmyChristopher，too；andnowyouhavespoiledall。Itistoocruel。"
　　"Oh!Mrs。Staines，doyouthinkmecapableoffeigning——don'tyouseemyloveforyouhastakenyoubysurprise?ButhowcouldI
　　visityou——lookonyou——hearyou——minglemyregretswithyours；
　　yourswerethedeepest，ofcourse；butminewerehonest。"
　　"Ibelieveit。"Andshegavehimherhand。Heheldit，andkissedit，andcriedoverit，astheyoungwill，andimploredher，onhisknees，nottocondemnherselftolife-longwidowhood，andhimtodespair。
　　Thenshecried，too；butshewasfirm；andbydegreesshemadehimseethatherheartwasinaccessible。
　　Thenatlasthesubmittedwithtearfuleyes，butavaliantheart。
　　Sheofferedfriendshiptimidly。
　　Buthewastoomuchofamantofallintothattrap。"No，"hesaid:"Icouldnot，Icouldnot。Loveornothing。"
　　"Youareright，"saidshe，pityingly。"Forgiveme。Inmyselfishnessandmyusualfolly，Ididnotseethiscomingon，orI
　　wouldhavesparedyouthismortification。"
　　"Nevermindthat，"gulpedthelittleearl。"IshallalwaysbeproudIknewyou，andproudIlovedyou，andofferedyoumyhand。"
　　Thenthemagnanimouslittlefellowblessedher，andlefther，anddiscontinuedhisvisits。
　　Mr。Lusignanfoundhercrying，andgotthetruthoutofher。Hewasindespair。Heremonstratedkindly，butfirmly。Truthcompelsmetosaythatshepolitelyignoredhim。Heobservedthatphenomenon，andsaid，"Verywellthen，IshalltelegraphforUnclePhilip。"
　　"Do，"saidtherebel。"Heisalwayswelcome。"
　　Philip，telegraphed，camedownthatevening；likewisehislittleblackbag。Hefoundtheminthedrawing-room:papawiththePallMallGazette，Rosaseated，sewing，atalamp。ShemadelittleChristie'sclothesherself，——fancythat!
　　Havingascertainedthatthelittleboywaswell，Philip，adroitlyhidingthathehadcomedowntornwithanxietyonthathead，inquiredwithashowofcontemptuousindifference，whosecatwasdead。
　　"Nobody's，"saidLusignancrossly。ThenheturnedandpointedtheGazetteathisoffspring。"Doyouseethatyoungladystitchingtheresodemurely?"
　　Philipcarefullywipedandthenputonhisspectacles。
　　"Iseeher，"saidhe。"Shedoeslookalittletooinnocent。Noneofthemarereallysoinnocentasallthat。Hasshebeenswearingatthenurse，andboxingherears?"
　　"Worsethanthat。ShehasbeenandrefusedtheEarlofTadcaster。"
　　"Refusedhim——what!hasthatlittlemonkeyhadtheaudacity?"
　　"Thecondescension，youmean。Yes。"
　　"Andshehasrefusedhim?"
　　"Andtwentythousandayear。"
　　"Whatimmorality!"
　　"Worse。Whatabsurdity!"
　　"Howisittobeaccountedfor?Isittheoldstory?'Icouldneverlovehim。'No；that'sinadequate；fortheyallloveatitleandtwentythousandayear。"
　　Rosasewedonallthistimeindemureandabsolutesilence。
　　"Sheignoresus，"saidPhilip。"Itisintolerable。Shedoesnotappreciateourpolitenessintalkingather。Letusarraignherbeforeoursacredtribunal，andhaveherintocourt。Now，mistress，theSenateofVeniceisassembled，andyoumustbepleasedtotelluswhyyourefusedatitleandtwentythousandayear，withasmallbutsymmetricalearltackedon。"
　　Rosalaiddownherwork，andsaidquietly，"Uncle，almostthelastwordsthatpassedbetweenmeandmyChristopher，wepromisedeachothersolemnlynevertomarryagaintilldeathshoulduspart。YouknowhowdeepmysorrowhasbeenthatIcanfindsofewwishesofmylostChristophertoobey。Well，to-dayIhavehadanopportunityatlast。Ihaveobeyedmyownlostone；ithascostmeatearortwo；but，forallthat，ithasgivenmeonelittlegleamofhappiness。Ah，foolishwoman，thatobeystoolate!"
　　Andwiththisthetearsbegantorun。
　　Allthisseemedalittletoohigh-flowntoMr。Lusignan。"There，"
　　saidhe，"seeonwhatastrawhermindturns。So，butforthat，youwouldhavedonetherightthing，andmarriedtheearl?"
　　"IdaresayIshould——atthetime——tostophiscrying。"
　　Andwiththislistlessremarkshequietlytookuphersewingagain。
　　ThesagaciousPhiliplookedathergravely。Hethoughttohimselfhowpiteousitwastoseesoyoungandlovelyacreature，thathadgivenupallhopeofhappinessforherself。Thesebeinghisrealthoughts，heexpressedhimselfasfollows:"Wehadbetterdropthissubject，sir。Thisyoungladywilltakeuspotent，grave，andreverendseignorsoutofourdepth，ifwedon'tmind。"
　　Butthemomenthegotheralonehekissedherpaternally，andsaid，"Rosa，itisnotlostonme，yourfidelitytothedead。Asyearsrollon，andyourdeepwoundfirstcloses，thenskins，thenheals——"
　　"Ah，letmediefirst——"
　　"Timeandnaturewillabsolveyoufromthatvow；butblessyouforthinkingthiscanneverbe。Rosa，yourfollyofthisdayhasmadeyoumyheir；soneverletmoneytemptyou，foryouhaveenough，andwillhavemorethanenoughwhenIgo。"
　　Hewasasgoodashisword；alteredhiswillnextday，andmadeRosahisresiduarylegatee。Whenhehaddonethis，foreseeingnofreshoccasionforhisservices，hepreparedforalongvisittoItaly。Hewaspackinguphisthingstogothere，whenhereceivedalinefromLadyCicelyTreherne，askinghimtocallonherprofessionally。Asthelady'sservantbroughtit，hesentbackalinetosayhenolongerpractisedmedicine，butwouldcallonherasafriendinanhour'stime。
　　Hefoundherreclining，thepictureoflassitude。"Howgoodofyoutocome，"shedrawled。
　　"What'sthematter?"saidhebrusquely。
　　"Iwishtocawnsultyouaboutmyself。Ithinkifanybodycanbrightenmeup，itisyou。Ifeelsuchalanguaw——suchawantofspirit；andIgetpalaa，andthatisnotdesiwable。"
　　Heexaminedhertongueandthewhiteofhereye，andtoldher，inhisbluntway，sheateanddranktoomuch。
　　"Excuseme，sir，"saidshestiffly。
　　"Imeantoooften。Now，let'ssee。Cupofteainbed，ofamorning?"
　　"Yaas。"
　　"Dinnerattwo?"
　　"Wecallitluncheon。"
　　"Areyouaventriloquist?"
　　"No。"
　　"Thenitisonlyyourlipscallitluncheon。Yourpoorstomach，coulditspeak，wouldcallitdinner。Afternoontea?"
　　"Yaas。"
　　"Atseven-thirtyanotherdinner。Teaafterthat。Yourafflictedstomachgetsnorest。Youeatpastry?"
　　"Iconfessit。"
　　"Andsugarinadozenforms?"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Well，sugarispoisontoyourtemperament。NowI'llsetyouup，ifyoucanobey。Giveupyourmorningdram。"
　　"Whatdwam?"
　　"Teainbed，beforeeating。Can'tyouseethatisadram?Animalfoodtwiceaday。Nowinebutalittleclaretandwater；nopastry，nosweets，andplaybattledorewithoneofyourmalesubjects。"
　　"Battledaw!won'taladydoforthat?"
　　"No:youwouldgettalking，andnotplayadsudorem。"
　　"Adsudawem!whatisthat?"
　　"Inearnest。"
　　"Andwillsudawemandthewestputmeinbetterspiwits，andgivemeatinge?"
　　"Itwillincarnadinethelily，andmakeyouthehappiestyoungladyinEngland，asyouarethebest。"
　　"IshouldliketobemuchhappierthanIamgood，ifwecouldmanageitamongus。"
　　"WewillmanageitAMONGus；forifthedietallowedshouldnotmakeyouboisterouslygay，Ihavearemedybehind，suitedtoyourtemperament。Iamold-fashioned，andbelieveinthetemperaments。"
　　"Andwhatisthatwemedy?"
　　"Trydiet，andhardexercise，first。"
　　"Oh，yes；butletmeknowthatwemedy。"
　　"Iwarnyouitiswhatwecallinmedicineanheroicone。"
　　"Nevermind。Iamdespewate。"
　　"Well，then，theheroicremedy——tobeusedonlyasadesperateresort，mind——youmustmarryanIrishman。"
　　Thistookthelady'sbreathaway。
　　"Mawwyaniceman?"
　　"Aniceman；no。Thatmeansafool。Marryscientifically——aprecautioneternallyneglected。MarryaHiberniangentleman，abeingasmercurialasyouarelymphatic。"
　　"Mercurial!——lymphatic!"——
　　"Oh，hardwordsbreaknobones，ma'am。"