Butnatureisnotsounfairtohonestmenastogivewisdomtothecunning。RarelydoesreasonprevailagainstpassioninsuchamindasSeverne's。Itended，asmighthavebeenexpected，inhisgoingdowntoVizardCourtwithZoe。
　　AnexpresstrainsoonwhirledthemdowntoTaddington，inBarfordshire。
　　TherewasHarris，withthreeservants，waitingforthem，onewithalightcartfortheirluggage，andtwowithanopencarriageandtwospankingbays，whosecoatsshonelikesatin。Theservants，liveried，andtop-booted，andbuckskin-gloved，andspruceasifjustoutofabandbox，wereallsmartnessandrespectfulzeal。Theygottheluggageoutinatrice，withHarris'sassistance。Mr。Harristhendroveawaylikethewindinhisdog-cart；thetravelingpartyweresooninthebarouche。Itglidedaway，andtheyrolledoneasyspringsattherateoftwelvemilesanhourtilltheycametothelodge-gate。Itwasopenedattheirapproach，andtheydrovefullhalfamileoverabroadgravelpath，withrichgrassoneachside，andgrandoldpatriarchs，oakandbeech，standinghereandthere，anddappleddeer，grazingorlying，inmottledgroups，tilltheycametoanobleavenueofloftylime-trees，withstemsofraresizeandsmoothness，andtoweringpilesonpilesoftranslucentleaves，thatglowedinthesunlikeflakesofgold。
　　Attheendofthisavenuewasseenanoldmansion，builtofthatbeautifulcleanredbrick——whichseemstohavediedout——andwhite-stonefacingsandmullions，withgablesandorielwindowsbythedozen；butbetweentheavenueandthehousewasalargeovalplotofturf，withabroadgravelroadrunningroundit；andattachedtothehouse，butthrownalittleback，werethestables，whichformedthreesidesofagood-sizedquadrangle，withanenormousclockinthecenter。Thelawn，kitchen-garden，ice-houses，pineries，greenhouses，revealedthemselvesonlyinpeepsasthecarriagesweptroundthespaciousplotanddrewupatthehalldoor。
　　Noringingofbellsnorknocking。Evenasthecoachmantightenedhisreins，thegreathalldoorwasswungopen，andtwofootmenappeared。
　　Harrisbroughtuparear-guard，andreceivedthepartyinduestate。
　　Adoublestaircase，abouttenfeetbroad，roseoutofthehall，andupthisMr。HarrisconductedSeverne，theonlystranger，intoabedroomwithagreatorielwindowlookingwest。
　　"Thisisyourroom，sir，"saidhe。"ShallIunpackyourthingswhentheycome?"
　　Severneassented，andthatperfectmajor-domoinformedhimthatluncheonwasready，andretiredcat-like，andclosedthedoorsosoftlynosoundwasheard。
　　Mr。Severnelookedabouthim，andadmittedtohimselfthat，withallhisexperiencesoflife，thiswashisfirstbedroom。Itwasofgreatsize，tobegin。Theorielwindowwastwentyfeetwide，andhadhalfadozencasements，eachwithrose-coloredblinds，thoughsomeofthemneedednoblinds，forgreencreepers，withflowerslikeclustersofgrapes，curledroundthemullions，andthesunshonemellowedthroughtheirleaves。
　　Enormouscurtainsofpurplecloth，withcoldborders，hungateachsideinmightyfolds，tobedrawnatnight-timewhentheeyeshouldneedreposefromfeastinguponcolor。
　　Therewerethreebrassbedsteadsinarow，onlyfourfeetbroad，withspring-beds，hairmattressesafootthick，andsnowysheetsforcoverlets，insteadofcounter-panes；sothat，ifyouwerehot，feverish，orsleeplessinonebed，youmighttryanother，ortwo。
　　Thickcarpetsandrugs，satin-woodwardrobes，prodigiouswash-handstands，withchinabacksfourfeethigh。Towel-horses，nearlyasbigasadonkey，withshorttowels，longtowels，thicktowels，thintowels，bathingsheets，etc。；bathsofeveryshape；andcansofeverysize；alargeknee-holetable；paperandenvelopesofeverysize。Inshort，aroomtosleepin，studyin，livein，andstickfastin，nightandday。
　　Butwhatisthis?AGothicarch，curtainedwithvioletmerino。Hedrawsthecurtain。Itisanante-room。Onehalfofitisabathroom，screened，andpavedwithencaustictilesthatrunupthewalls，soyoumaysplashtoyourheart'scontent。Therestisastudio，andcontainsachoicelittlelibraryofwell-boundbooksinglasscases，apiano-forte，andaharmonium。Severnetriedthem；theywerebothinperfecttune。Twoclocks，oneineachroom，werealsoinperfecttime。Thereathewondered。
　　Butthetruthis，itwasahousewhereinprecisionreigned:atunerandaclockmakervisitedbycontracteverymonth。
　　This，andtwomoreguest-chambers，andthegreatdining-hall，werebuiltunderthePlantagenets，whenalllargelandownersentertainedkingsandprinceswiththeirretinues。AstothatpartofthehousewhichwasbuiltundertheTudors，therearehundredsofcountryhousesasimportant，onlyMr。Severnehadnotbeeninsidethem，andwashardlyawaretowhatperfectionrationalluxuryisbroughtinthehousesofourlargelandedgentry。Hesatdowninanantiquechairofenormoussize；thebackwenthigherthanhishead，theseatranoutasfarashisankle，whenseated；
　　therewasroominitfortwo，anditwasstuffed——yegods，howitwasstuffed!Thesides，theback，andtheseatwereallhairmattresses，afootthickatleast。Herenestledoursybarite；withthesunshiningthroughleaves，andsplashinghisbeautifulheadwithgoldentintsandtransparentshadows，andfeltinthetempleofcomfort，andincapableofleavingitalive。
　　Hewentdowntoluncheon。Itwasdistinguishablefromdinnerinthis，thattheyallgotupafterit，andZoesaid，"Comewithme，children。"
　　FannyandSeverneroseattheword。Vizardsaidhefeltexcludedfromthatinvitation，havingcuthiswise-teeth；sohewouldlightacigarinstead；andhedid。Zoetooktheothertwointothekitchengarden——fouracres，surroundedwithahighwall，oforange-redbrick，fulloflittleholeswherethenailshadbeen。Zoe，beingnowathome，andqueen，woreanewandprettydeportment。Shewashalfmaternal，andledherfriendandloveraboutliketwokids。Shetookthemtothisandthatfruittree，setthemtoeat，andlookedon，superior。Bywayofclimax，sheledthemtothesouthwall，crimsonwithtenthousandpeachesandnectarines；shesteppedovertheborder，tooksuperbpeachesandnectarinesfromthetrees，andgavethemwithherownhandtoFannyandSeverne。Theheadgardenerglaredindismayatthefairspoliator。Zoeobservedhim，andlaughed。"PoorLucas，"saidshe；"hewouldlikethemalltohangonthetreetilltheyfelloffwithawaspinside。Eatasmanyaseveryoucan，youngpeople；Lucasisamusing。"
　　"Ineverhadpeachesenoughoffthetreebefore，"saidFanny。
　　"NomorehaveI，"saidSeverne。"ThismustbetheElysianfields，andI
　　shallspoilmydinner。"
　　"Whocares?"saidFanny，recklessly。"Dinnercomeseveryday，andalwaysattheonlytimewhenonehasnoappetite。Butthiseatingofpeaches——
　　Oh，whatabeauty!"
　　"Children，"saidZoe，gravely，"Iadviseyounottoeataboveadozen。Donotenteronafatalcourse，whichinonebriefyearwillreduceyoutoahaplesscondition。There——Iwasletlooseamongthematsixteen，andeversincetheypall。ButIdoliketoseeyoueatthem，andyoureyessparkle。"
　　"Thatistoobadofyou，"saidFanny，drivingherwhiteteethdeepintoapeach。"Theidea!Now，Mr。Severne，domyeyessparkle?"
　　"Likediamonds。Butthatprovesnothing:itistheirnormalcondition。"
　　"There，makehimacourtesy，"saidZoe，"andcomealong。"
　　Shetookthemintothevillage。Itwasoneoftheoldsort；littledetachedhouseswithlittlegardensinfront，inallofwhichwereafewhumbleflowers，andoftenadarkroseofsurpassingbeauty。Behindeachcottagewasalargegarden，withvariousvegetables，andsometimesafewsquareyardsofwheat。Therewasonelittlerowofnewbrickhousesstandingtogether；theirnumberfive，theirnameNewtown。Thistownoffivehouseswastiled；thedetachedhouseswerethatched，andthewallsplasteredandwhitewashedlikesnow。Suchwhitewashseemsnevertobemadeintowns，ortoloseitswhitenessinaday。Thisbroadsurfaceofvividwhitewasabackground，againstwhichtheclingingroses，theclustering，creepinghoneysuckles，andthedeepyoungivywithitstendergreenandpolishedleaves，shonelovely；woodsmokemounted，thinandsilvery，fromacottageortwo，thatwerecooking，andembroideredtheair，notfouledit。Thelittlewindowshaddiamondpanes，asintheMiddleAges，andeverycottagedoorwasopen，suggestinghospitalityanddearthofthieves。Therewasalsothatoldessential，avillagegreen——abroadstripofsacredturf，thatwaseverybody'sbycustom，thoughinstrictlawVizard's。Hereavillagecowandadonkeywentaboutgrazingtheedges，fortheturfingeneralwassmoothasalawn。Bythesideofthegreenwasthevillageale-house。Afterthegreenothercottages；twoofthem"Quiteovercanopiedwithlushwoodbine，Withsweetmusk-rosesandwitheglantine。"
　　OneofthesewascalledMarks'scottage，andtheotherAllen's。Therusticchurchstoodinthemiddleofahillnearlyhalfamilefromthevillage。Theystrolleduptoit。Ithadatowerbuiltofflint，andcladontwosideswithivythreefeetdeep，andthebodyofthechurchwasassnowyasthecottages，andonthesouthsideadozenswallowsandmartinshadlodgedtheirmortarnestsundertheeaves；theylooked，againstthewhite，likeruggedgraystonebosses。Swallowsandmartinsinnumerablewheeled，swiftasarrows，roundthetower，chirping，andinandoutofthechurchthroughanopenwindow，andaddedtheirmusicandtheirmotiontothebeautyoftheplace。
　　Returningfromthechurchtothevillage，MissDoverlaggedbehind，andthenSeverneinfusedintohisvoicethosetendertones，whichgiveamoroussignificancetothepoorestprose。
　　"WhatanArcadia!"saidhe。
　　"Youwouldnotliketobebanishedtoit，"saidZoe，demurely。
　　"Thatdepends，"saidhe，significantly。Insteadofmeetinghimhalfwayanddemandinganexplanation，ZoeturnedcoyandfelltowonderingwhatFannywasabout。
　　"Oh，don'tcompelhertojoinus，"saidSeverne。"Sheismeditating。"
　　"Onwhat?Sheisnotmuchgiventhatway。"
　　"Onherpastsins；andpreparingnewones。"
　　"Forshame!Sheisnoworsethanweare。DoyoureallyadmireIslip?"
　　"IndeedIdo，ifthisisIslip?"
　　"Itisthen；andthiscottagewiththecluster-rosetreealloverthewallsisMarks'scottage。WeareratherproudofMarks'scottage，"saidshe，timidly。
　　"Itisabower，"saidhe，warmly。
　　ThisencouragedZoe，andshesaid，"Istherenotawonderfulcharmincottages?IoftenthinkIshouldliketoliveinMarks's。Haveyoueverhadthatfeeling?"
　　"Never。ButIhaveitnow。Ishouldliketoliveinit——withyou。"
　　Zoeblushedlikearose，butturneditoff。"YouwouldsoonwishyourselfbackagainatVizardCourt，"saidshe。"Fanny——Fanny!"andshestoodstill。
　　Fannycameup。"Well，whatisthematternow?"saidshe，withpert，yetthoroughlyapathetic，indifference。
　　"Thematteris——extravagances。HereisamanoftheworldpretendinghewouldliketoendhisdaysinMarks'scottage。"
　　"Stopabit。ItwastobewithsomebodyIloved。Andwouldn'tyou，MissDover?"
　　"Ohdear，no。Weshouldbesuretoquarrel，coopedupinsuchamiteofaplace。No；givemeVizardCourt，andplentyofmoney，andthemanofmyheart。"
　　"Youhavenotgotone，I'mafraid，"saidZoe，"oryouwouldnotputhimlast。"
　　"Whynot?whenheisofthelastimportance，"saidFanny，flippantly，andturnedthelaughherway。
　　Theystrolledthroughthevillagetogether，butinthegroundsofVizardCourtFannyfairlygavethemtheslip。Severnesawhischance，andsaid，tenderly，"Didyouhearwhatshesaidaboutalargehousebeingbestforlovers?"
　　"Yes，Iheardher，"saidZoe，defensively；"butverylikelyshedidnotmeanit。Thatyounglady'swordsareair。Shewillsayonethingonedayandanotherthenext。"
　　"Idon'tknow。Thereisonethingeveryyounglady'smindismadeupabout，andthatis，whetheritistobeloveormoney。"
　　"Shewasforboth，ifIremember，"saidZoe，stillcoldly。
　　"Becausesheisnotinlove。"
　　"Well，Ireallybelievesheisnot——foronce。"
　　"There，yousee。Sheisinanunnaturalcondition。"
　　"Forher，very。"
　　"Sosheisnojudge。No；IshouldpreferMarks'scottage。Thesmallerthebetter；becausethenthewomanIlovecouldnoteverbefarfromme。"
　　Heloweredhisvoice，anddrovetheinsidiouswordsintohertenderbosom。Shebegantotrembleandheave，anddefendherselffeebly。
　　"WhathaveItodowiththat?Youmustn't。"
　　"HowcanIhelpit?YouknowthewomanIlove——Iadore——andwouldnotthesmallestcottageinEnglandbeapalaceifIwasblessedwithhersweetloveandherdivinecompany?Oh，Zoe，Zoe!"
　　Thenshediddefendherself，afterafashion:"Iwon'tlistentosuch——Edward!"Havingutteredhisnamewithdivinetenderness，sheputherhandstoherblushingface，andfledfromhim。AttheheadofthestairssheencounteredFanny，lookingsatirical。Shereprimandedher。
　　"Fanny，"saidshe，"youreallymustnotdo_that"_——[pause]——"outofourowngrounds。Kissme，darling。Iamahappygirl。"AndshecurledroundFanny，andpantedonhershoulder。
　　MissArtful，knownuntomenasFannyDover，hadalreadytracedoutinherownmindalineofconduct，whichtheabovereprimand，minustheabovekisses，takenattheirjointalgebraicalvalue，didnotdisturb。Thefactis，Fannyhatedhome；andlikedVizardCourtaboveallplaces。Butshewasdueathome，andhangingontothepalaceofcomfortbyathread。Anydayhermother，outofnaturalaffectionandgood-breeding，mightwriteforher；andunlessoneofherhostsinterfered，sheshouldhavetogo。
　　ButHarringtonwentfornothinginthis，unfortunately。Hishospitalitywasunobtrusive，butinfinite。ItcametohimfromthePlantagenetsthroughalonglineofgentlemenwhoshoneinvices；butinhospitalitywasunknowntothewholechain，andeveryhumanlinkinit。HemightverylikelyforgettoinviteFannyDoverunlessreminded；but，whenshewasthere，shewaswelcometostayforeverifshechose。Itwasallonetohim。Heneverbotheredhimselftoamusehisguests，andsotheyneverboredhim。Heneverletthem。Hemadethemathome；puthispeopleandhishorsesattheirservice；andpreservedhiseventenor。So，then，thequestionofFanny'sstaylaywithZoe；andZoewoulddooneoftwothings:shewouldeithersay，withwell-bredhypocrisy，sheoughtnottokeepFannyanylongerfromhermother——andsogetridofher；orwouldinterpose，andgivesomereasonorother。Whatthatreasonwouldbe，Fannyhadnopreciseidea。Shewassureitwouldnotbethetrueone；butthereherinsightintofuturityandfemalesceased。Now，ZoewasthoroughlyfascinatedbySeverne，andFannysawit；andyetZoewastoohigh-bredagirltoparadethevillageandtheneighborhoodwithhimalone——andsoplacardherattachment——beforetheywereengaged，andtheengagementsanctionedbytheheadofthehouse。ThisconsiderationenabledMissArtfultomakeherselfnecessarytoZoe。Accordingly，sheshowed，ontheveryfirstafternoon，thatshewaspreparedtoplaytheconvenientfriend，andhelpZoetocombinecourtshipwithpropriety。
　　Thisplanonceconceived，sheadheredtoitwithpertinacityandskill。
　　Sherodeandwalkedwiththem，andinpublicputherselfratherforward，andassertedtheleader；butsoonerorlater，atapropertimeandplace，shelaggedbehind，orcanteredahead，andmanipulatedthewooingwithtactanddexterity。
　　TheconsequencewasthatZoewroteofherownaccordtoMrs。Dover，askingleavetodetainFanny，becauseherbrotherhadinvitedacollegefriend，anditwasratherawkwardforherwithoutFanny，therebeingnootherladyinthehouseatpresent。
　　SheshowedthistoFanny，whosaid，earnestly，"Aslongaseveryoulike，dear。Mammawillnotmissmeabit。Makeyourmindeasy。"
　　Vizard，knowinghissister，andentirelydeceivedinSeverne，exercisednovigilance；for，todoZoejustice，nonewasnecessary，ifSevernehadbeenthemanheseemed。
　　Therewasnomotherinthehousetotrembleforherdaughter，tobejealous，towatch，toquestion，todemandaclearexplanation——inshort，toguardheryoungasonlythemothersofcreationdo。
　　TheElysiandaysrolledon。Zoewasinheaven，andSeverneinafool'sparadise，enjoyingeverything，hopingeverything，forgettingeverything，andfearingnothing。Hehadcometothis，withallhiscunning；hewasintoxicatedandblindedwithpassion。
　　NowitwasthattheideaofmarryingZoefirstenteredhishead。Buthewasnotmadenoughforthat。Herepelleditwithterror，rage，anddespair。Hepassedanhourortwoofagonyinhisownroom，andcamedown，lookingpaleandexhausted。But，indeed，thelittleDumas，thoughhedoesnotpassforamoralist，saystrulyandwell，"Lesamoursille'gitimesportenttoujoursdesfruitsamers；"andNedSeverne'sturnwascometosufferafewofthepangshehadinflictedgaylyonmorethanonewomanandherlover。
　　OnemorningatbreakfastVizardmadetwoannouncements。"Here'snews，"
　　saidhe；"Dr。Galewritestopostponehervisit。Sheisill，poorgirl!"
　　"Oh，dear!whatisthematter?"inquiredZoe，alwayskind-hearted。
　　"Gastritis——soshesays。"
　　"Whatisthat?"inquiredFanny。
　　Mr。Severne，whowasmuchpleasedatthisopportuneillness，couldnotrestrainhishumor，andsaiditwasadisorderproducedbythefumesofgas。
　　Zoe，accustomedtobelievethisgentleman'slies，andnotgivingherselftimetothink，saidtherewasagreatescapeinthepassagethenightshewentthere。
　　Thentherewasalaughathersimplicity。Shejoinedinit，butshookherfingeratMasterSeverne。
　　VizardtheninformedZoethatLordUxmoorhadbeenstayingsometimeatBasildonHall，aboutninemilesoff；sohehadaskedhimtocomeoverforaweek，andhehadaccepted。"Hewillbeheretodinner，"saidVizard。Hethenrangthebell，andsentforHarris，andorderedhimtopreparethebluechamberforLordUxmoor，andseethethingsairedhimself。Harrishavingretired，cat-like，Vizardexplained，"MywomankindshallnotkillUxmoor。Heisagoodfellow，andhismania——wehaveallgotamania，myyoungfriends——isarespectableone。Hewantstoimprovetheconditionofthepoor——againsttheirwill。"
　　"Hisfriend!thatwassoill。Ihopehehasnotlosthim，"saidZoe。
　　"Hehasn'tlosthiminthisletter，MissGush，"saidVizard。"Butyoucanaskhimwhenhecomes。"
　　"OfcourseIshallaskhim，"saidZoe。
　　Halfanhourbeforedinnertherewasagratingofwheelsonthegravel。
　　Severnelookedoutofhisbedroomwindow，andsawUxmoordriveup。Darkbluecoach；silverharness，glitteringinthesun；fourchestnuts，glossyasvelvet；twoneatgroomsasquickaslightning。Hewasdowninamoment，andhistrapsinthehall，andthegroomsdrovethetraproundtothestables。
　　Theywereallinthedrawing-roomwhenLordUxmoorappeared；greetedZoewithrespectfulwarmth，Vizardwitheasyfriendship，SeverneandMissDoverwithwell-bredcivility。HetookZoeout，andsatatherrighthandatdinner。
　　Asthenewguest，hehadthefirstclaimonherattentionandtheyhadatopicready——hissickfriend。Hetoldherallabouthim，andhishappyrecovery，withsimplewarmth。Zoewasinterestedandsympathetic；Fannylistened，andgaveSeverneshortanswers。Severnefeltdethroned。
　　Hewasrathermortified，andalittleuneasy，buttoobravetoshowit。
　　Hebidedhistime。Inthedrawing-roomLordUxmoorsingledoutZoe，andcourtedheropenlywithrespectfuladmiration。SevernedrewFannyapart，andexertedhimselftoamuseher。Zoebegantocastuneasyglances。
　　SevernemadecommoncausewithFanny。"Wehavenochanceagainstalord，oralady，youandI，MissDover。"
　　"Ihaven't，"saidshe；"butyouneednotcomplain。Shewishesshewerehere。"
　　"SodoI。Willyouhelpme?"
　　"No，Ishallnot。Youcanmakelovetome。Iamtiredofneverbeingmadeloveto。"
　　"Well，"saidthisingenuousyouth，"youcertainlydonotgetyourdesertsinthishouse。EvenIamsoblindedbymypassionforZoe，thatIforgetshedoesnotmonopolizeallthebeautyandgraceandwitinthehouse。"
　　"Goon，"saidFanny。"Icanbearagooddealofit——aftersuchafast。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtyoucanbearagooddeal。Youareoneofthosethatinspirefeelings，butdon'tsharethem。Givemeachance；letmesingyouasong。"
　　"Alovesong?"
　　"Ofcourse。"
　　"Canyousingitaswellasyoucantalkit?"
　　"Withalittleencouragement。Ifyouwouldkindlystandattheendofthepiano，andletmeseeyourbeautifuleyesfixedonme。"
　　"Withdisdain?"
　　"No，no。"
　　"Withjustsuspicion?"
　　"No；withunmeritedpity。"Andhebegantoopenthepiano。
　　"What!doyouaccompanyyourself?"
　　"Yes，afterafashion；bythatmeansIdon'tgetrunover。"
　　ThenthisaccomplishedpersonfixedhiseyesonFannyDover，andsungheranItalianlovesongintheartificialpassionatestyleofthatnation；
　　andtheEnglishgirlreceiveditpointblankwithcomplacentcomposure。
　　ButZoestartedandthrilledatthefirstnote，andcreptuptothepianoasifdrawnbyanirresistiblecord。Shegazedonthesingerwithamazementandadmiration。Hisvoicewasalowtenor，round，andsweetashoney。Itwasarealvoice，amusicalinstrument。
　　"Moretunablethanlarktoshepherd'searWhenwheatisgreen，whenhawthornbudsappear。"
　　AndtheKloskinghadcuredhimofthefatalwhinewhichstainstheamateur，maleorfemale，andhadtaughthimclimax，sothathearticulatedandsungwithperfectpurity，andrangouthisfinalnotesinsteadofslurringthem。Inshort，inplainpassageshewasareflection，onasmallscale，ofthatgreatsinger。Heknewthishimself，andhadkeptclearofsong:itwassofullofreminiscenceandstings。
　　Butnowjealousydrovehimtoit。
　　ItwasVizard'sruletoleavetheroomwheneverZoeorFannyopenedthepiano。Sointheeveningthatinstrumentoftorturewasalwaysmute。
　　Buthearingamalevoice，thesquire，whodotedongoodmusic，asheabhorredbad，strolledinuponthechance；andhestaredatthesinger。
　　Whenthesongended，therewasalittleclamorofladies'voicescallinghimtoaccountforconcealinghistalentfromthem。
　　"IwasafraidofVizard，"saidhe；"hehatesbadmusic。"
　　"Noneofyourtricks，"saidthesquire；"yoursisnotbadmusic；youspeakyourwordsarticulately，andeveneloquently。Youraccompanimentisalittlequeer，especiallyinthebass；butyoufindoutyourmistakes，andslipoutofthemHeavenknowshow。Zoe，youaretame，butaccurate。
　　Correcthisaccompanimentssomeday——whenI'moutofhearing。Practicedrivesmemad。Giveusanother。"
　　Severnelaughedgood-humoredly。"Thusencouraged，whocouldresist?"saidhe。"Itissodelightfultosinginashowerbathofcriticism。"
　　HesungasprightlyFrenchsong，withprodigiousspiritanddash。
　　Theyallapplauded，andVizardsaid，"Iseehowitis。Wewerenotgoodenough。Hewouldnotcomeoutforus。Hewantedthepublic。Uxmoor，youarethepublic。Itistoyouweowethisprettywarbler。Haveyouanyfavoritesong，Public?Saytheword，andheshallsingityou。"
　　Severneturnedratherredatthat，andwasabouttoriseslowly，whenUxmoor，whowasinstinctivelyagentleman，thoughnotacourtier，said，"Idon'tpresumetochooseMr。Severne'ssongs；butifwearenottiringhim，IownIshouldliketohearanEnglishsong；forIamnomusician，andthewordsareeverythingwithme。"
　　Severneassenteddryly，andmadehimashrewdreturnforhiscourtesy。
　　Zoehadabraveroseinherblackhair。Hegaveheronerapidglanceofsignificance，andsungaScotchsong，almostasfinelyasitcouldbesunginaroom:
　　"Myloveislikethered，redroseThat'snewlysprunginJune；MyloveislikeamelodyThat'ssweetlyplayedintune。"
　　Thedogdidnotslurtheshortnotesandhowluponthelongones，asdidalittlefatJewfromLondon，withasweetvoiceandnobrains，whomI
　　lastheardhowlitintheTheaterRoyal，Edinburgh。No；heretainedthepurerhythmofthecomposition，and，aboveall，sungitwiththegentleearnestnessandunquaveringemotionofaBriton。
　　ItstruckZoe'sheartpointblank。Shedrewback，blushingliketheroseinherhairandinthesong，andhidingherhappinessfromallbutthekeenFanny。EverybodybutZoeapplaudedthesong。Shespokeonlywithhercheeksandeyes。
　　Severnerosefromthepiano。Hewasaskedtosinganother，butdeclinedlaughingly。Indeed，soonafterwardheglidedoutoftheroomandwasseennomorethatnight。
　　Consequentlyhebecamethetopicofconversation；andthethree，whothoughttheyknewhim，viedinhispraises。
　　Inthemorninganexpeditionwasplanned，andUxmoorprofferedhis"four-in-hand。"Itwasaccepted。Allyoungladiesliketositbehindfourspankingtrotters；andfewobjecttobedrivenbyaviscountwithagloriousbeardandlargeestates。
　　ZoesatbyUxmoor。SevernesatbehindthemwithFanny，aspectatorofhisopenadmiration。Hecouldnotdefendhimselfsowellaslastnight，andhefelthumiliatedbytheposition。
　　Itwasreneweddayafterday。Zoeoftencastaglanceback，anddrewhimintotheconversation；yet，onthewhole，Uxmoorthrusthimasidebyhisadvantagesandhisresolutewooing。
　　Thesamethingatdinner。Itwasonlyatnighthecouldbenumberone。HetunedZoe'sguitar；andonenightwhentherewasaparty，hewalkedabouttheroomwiththis，and，puttinghisleftlegout，serenadedoneladyafteranother。Barfordshirewasamazedanddelightedathim，butUxmoorcourtedZoeasifhedidnotexist。HebegantofeelthathewasthemantoamusewomeninBarfordshire，butUxmoorthemantomarrythem。Hebegantosulk。Zoe'squickeyessawandpitied。Shewaspuzzledwhattodo。LordUxmoorgavehernoexcuseforthrowingcoldwateronhim，becausehisadorationwasimplied，notexpressed；andhefollowedherupsoclosely，shecouldhardlygetawordwithSeverne。Whenshedid，therewasconsolationineverytone；andshetookcaretoletdropthatLordUxmoorwasgoinginadayortwo。Sohewas，buthealteredhismind，andaskedleavetostay。
　　Severnelookedgloomyatthis，andhebecamedejected。Hewasmiserable，andshowedit，toseewhatZoewoulddo。WhatshedidwastogetratherboredbyUxmoor，andglancefromFannytoSeverne。IbelieveZoeonlymeant，"Dopraysaythingstocomforthim；"butFannyreadthesegentleglances_'ala_Dover。ShegotholdofSeverneoneday，andsaid，"Whatisthematterwithyou?"
　　"Ofcourseyoucan'tdivine，"saidhe，sarcastically。
　　"Ohyes，Ican；anditisyourownfault。"
　　"Myfault!Thatisagoodjoke。DidIinvitethismanwithallhisadvantages?ThatwasVizard'sdoing，whocallshimselfmyfriend。"
　　"Ifitwasnotthisone，itwouldbesomeother。CanyouhopetokeepZoeVizardfrombeingcourted?Why，sheisthebeautyofthecounty!andherbrothernotmarried。Itisnouseyourmakinglovebyhalvestoher。Shewillgotosomemanwhoisinearnest。"
　　"AndamInotinearnest?"
　　"Notsomuchasheis。Youhaveknownherfourmonths，andneveronceaskedhertomarryyou。"
　　"SoIamtobepunishedformyself-denial。"
　　"Self-denial!Nonsense。Menhavenoself-denial。Itisyourcowardice。"
　　"Don'tbecruel。Youknowitismypoverty。"
　　"Yourpovertyofspirit。Yougaveupmoneyforher，andthatisasgoodasifyouhaditstill，andbetter。IfyouloveZoe，scrapeupanincomesomehow，andsaytheword。Why，Harringtonisbewitchedwithyou，andheisrollinginmoney。Iwouldn'tloseherbycowardice，ifIwereyou。
　　Uxmoorwilloffermarriagebeforehegoes。Heisstayingonforthat。
　　Now，takemywordforit，whenonemanoffersmarriage，andtheotherdoesnot，thereisalwaysagoodchanceofthegirlsayingthisoneisinearnest，andtheotherisnot。Wedon'texpectself-denialinaman；wedon'tbelieveinit。Weseeyouseizinguponeverythingelseyoucarefor；and，ifyoudon'tseizeonus，itwoundsourvanity，thestrongestpassionwehave。Consider，Uxmoorhastitle，wealth，everythingtobestowwiththewedding-ring。Ifheoffersallthat，andyoudon'tofferallyouhave，howmuchmoregeneroushelookstoherthanyoudo!"
　　"Inshort，youthinkshewilldoubtmyaffection，ifIdon'taskhertosharemypoverty。"
　　"Ifyoudon't，andarichmanaskshertosharehisall，I'msureshewill。AndsoshouldI。Wordsareonlywords。"
　　"Youtortureme。I'dratherdiethanloseher。"
　　"Thenliveandwinher。I'vetoldyoutheway。"
　　"Iwillscrapeanincometogether，andaskher。"
　　"Uponyourhonor?"
　　"Uponmysoul。"
　　"Then，inmyopinion，youwillhaveherinspiteofLordUxmoor。"
　　Hotfromthis，EdwardSevernesatdownandwroteamovinglettertoacertaincousinofhisinHuntingdonshire。
　　"MYDEARCOUSIN——Ihaveoftenheardyousayyouwereunderobligationstomyfather，andhadaregardforme。Indeed，youhaveshownthelatterbylettingtheinterestonmymortgagerunoutmanyyearsandnotforeclosing。Havingnootherfriend，Inowwritetoyou，andthrowmyselfonyourpity。Ihaveformedadeepattachmenttoayoungladyofinfinitebeautyandvirtue。Sheisabovemeineverything，especiallyinfortune。
　　Yetshedeignstoloveme。Ican'taskherhandasapauper；andbymyownfolly，nowdeeplyrepented，Iamlittlemore。Now，alldependsonyou——myhappiness，myrespectability。Soonerorlater，Ishallbeabletorepayyouall。ForGod'ssakecometotheassistanceofyouraffectionatecousin，EDWARDSEVERNE。"
　　"Thebrother，amanofimmenseestates，isanoldfriend，andwarmlyattachedtome。IfIcouldonly，throughyourtemporaryassistanceorconnivance，presentmyestateasclear，allwouldbewell，andIcouldrepayyouafterward。"
　　Tothisletterhereceivedanimmediatereply:
　　"DEAREDWARD——Ithoughtyouhadforgottenmyveryexistence。Yes，Iowemuchtoyourfather，andhavealwayssaidso，andactedaccordingly。
　　Whileyouhavebeenwanderingabroad，desertingusall，Ihaveimprovedyourestate。Ihaveboughtalltheothermortgages，andoflatetherenthaspaidtheinterest，withinafewpounds。Inowmakeyouanoffer。Givemealongleaseofthetwofarmsatthreehundredpoundsayear——theywillsoonbevacant——andtwothousandpoundsoutofhand，andIwillcancelallthemortgages，andgiveyouareceiptforthem，aspaidinfull。Thiswillbelikepayingyouseveralthousandpoundsforabeneficiallease。ThetwothousandpoundsImustinsiston，injusticetomyownfamily。
　　"Youraffectionatecousin，"GEORGESEVERNE。"
　　ThismunificentoffersurprisedanddelightedSeverne，and，indeed，noothermanbutCousinGeorge，whohadaheartofgold，andwasgratefultoNed'sfather，andalsolovedthescamphimself，aseverybodydid，wouldhavemadesuchanoffer。
　　Ouradventurerwrote，andclosedwithit，andgushedgratitude。Thenheaskedhimselfhowtogetthemoney。HadhebeenmarriedtoZoe，ornotthinkingofher，hewouldhavegoneatoncetoVizard，forthesecuritywasample。Butinhispresentdelicatesituationthiswouldnotdo。No；
　　hemustbeabletocomeandsay，"Myestateissmall，butitisclear。
　　Hereisareceiptforsixthousandpounds'worthofmortgagesIhavepaidoff。Iampoorinlandbutrichinexperience，regrets，andlove。Bemyfriend，andtrustmewithZoe。"
　　Heturnedandtwisteditinhismind，andresolvedonaboldcourse。HewouldgotoHomburg，andgetthatsumbyhookorbycrookoutofInaKlosking'swinnings。HetookFannyintohisconfidence；onlyhesubstitutedLondonforHomburg。
　　"Andoh，MissDover，"saidhe，"donotletmesufferbygoingawayandleavingarivalbehind。"
　　"Sufferbyit!"saidshe。"No，Imeantorewardyoufortakingmyadvice。
　　Don'tyousayawordto_her。_Itwillcomebetterfromme。I'llletherknowwhatyouaregonefor；andsheisjustthegirltobeuponhonor，andeversomuchcoolertoLordUxmoorbecauseyouareunhappy，buthavegoneawaytrustingher。"
　　Andhisartfulallykeptherword。ShewentintoZoe'sroombeforedinnertohaveitoutwithher。
　　IntheeveningSevernetoldVizardhemustgouptoLondonforadayortwo。
　　"Allright，"saidVizard。"Tellsomeofthemtoorderthedog-cartforyourtrain。"
　　ButZoetookoccasiontoaskhimforhowlong，andmurmured，"Rememberhowweshallmissyou，"withsuchalookthathewasinElysiumthatevening。
　　ButatnighthepackedhisbagforHomburg，andthatchilledhim。Helayslumberingallnight，butnotsleeping，andwakingwithstartsandasenseofhorror。
　　Atbreakfast，afterreadinghisletters，Vizardaskedhimwhattrainhewouldgoby。
　　Hesaid，theoneo'clock。
　　"Allright，"saidVizard。Thenherangthebell，countermandedthedog-cart，andorderedthebarouche。
　　"Abaroucheforme!"saidSeverne。"Why，Iamnotgoingtotaketheladiestothestation。"
　　"No；itistobringonehere。ShecomesdownfromLondonfiveminutesbeforeyoutaketheuptrain。"
　　Therewasageneralexclamation:Whowasit?AuntMaitland?
　　"No，"saidVizard，tossinganotetoZoe——"itisDoctressGale。"
　　Severne'scountenancefell。
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　EDWARDSEVERNE，masterofarts，dreadedRhodaGale，M。D。Hehaddeluded，invariousdegrees，severalladiesthatwerenofools；butherewasonewhostaggeredandpuzzledhim。Brightandkeenassteel，quickandspirited，yetcontrolledbyjudgmentandalwaysmistressofherself，sheseemedtohimanewspecies。Theworstofitwas，hefelthimselfinthepowerofthisnewwoman，and，indeed，hesawnolimittothemischiefshemightpossiblydohimifsheandZoecomparednotes。Hehadthoughtthematterover，andrealizedthismorethanhedidwheninLondon。Hencethegoodyouth'sdelightatherillness，noticedinaformerchapter。
　　Hewasverythoughtfulallbreakfasttime，andassoonasitwasoverdrewVizardapart，andsaidhewouldpostponehisvisittoLondonuntilhehadcommunicatedwithhismanofbusiness。Hewouldgotothestationandtelegraphhim，andbythatmeanswoulddothecivilandmeetMissGale。Vizardstaredathim。
　　"Youmeetmyvirago?Why，Ithoughtyoudisapprovedherentirely。"
　　"No，no；onlytheideaofafemaledoctor，nottheladyherself。Besides，itisarulewithme，mydearfellow，nevertoletmyselfdisapprovemyfriends'friends。"
　　"Thatisabrightidea，andyouareagoodfellow，"saidVizard。"Goandmeetthepest，byallmeans，andbringherheretoluncheon。Afterluncheonwewilldriveheruptothefarmandensconceher。"
　　EdwardSevernehadthisadvantageovermostimpostors，thathewasmasculineorfeminineasoccasionrequired。Forinstance，hecouldbehystericalorboldtoservetheturn。Anotherexample——hewatchedfaceslikeawoman，andyethecouldlookyouinthefacelikeaman，especiallywhenhewaslying。Inthepresentconjunctureacraftywomanwouldhavebristledwithalltheartsofself-defense，butstayedathomeandkeptclosetoZoe。Notsoourmasterofarts；hewentmanfullytomeetRhodaGale，andsosecurea_te'te-'a-te'te，_andlearn，ifpossible，whatshemeanttodo，andwhethershecouldbecannilypropitiated。Hereachedthestationbeforeher，andwiredaveryintelligentpersonwho，heknew，conducteddelicateinquiries，andhadbeenverysuccessfulinadivorcecase，publictwoyearsbefore。Evenashedispatchedthismessagetherewasawhistlingandaringing，andthesoundofacomingtrain，andNedSevernerantomeetRhodaGalewithaheartpalpitatingalittle，andafacebeaminggreatlytoorder。Helookedforherinthefirst-classcarriages，butshewasinthesecond，andsawhim。Hedidnotseehertillshesteppedoutontheplatform。
　　Thenhemadetowardher。Hetookoffhishat，andsaid，withrespectfulzeal，"Ifyouwilltellmewhatluggageyouhave，thegroomshallgetitout。"
　　MissGale'seyeswanderedoverhimloftily。"Ihaveonlyaboxandabag，sir，bothmarked'R。G。'"
　　"Joe，"saidhe——forhehadalreadymadefriendswithalltheservants，andwontheirhearts——"boxandbagmarked'R。G。'MissGale，youhadbettertakeyourseatinthecarriage。"
　　MissGalegavealittlesuperciliousnod，andheshowedherobsequiouslyintothecarriage。Shelaidherheadback，andcontemplatedvacancyaheadinamanneranythingbutencouragingtothisnewadmirerFatehadsenther。Heturnedaway，alittlediscomfited，andwhentheluggagewasbroughtup，hehadthebagplacedinside，andtheboxinasortofboot，andthenjumpedinandseatedhimselfinside。"Home，"saidhetothecoachman，andofftheywent。Whenhecameinshestartedwithwell-feignedsurprise，andstaredathim。
　　"Oh，"saidshe，"Ihavemetyoubefore。Why，itisMr。Severne。Excusemetakingyouforoneoftheservants。Somepeoplehaveshortmemories，youknow。"
　　Thisdeliberateaffrontwasdulyfelt，butparriedwithamaster-hand。
　　"Why，I_am_oneoftheservants，"saidhe；"onlyIamnotVizard's。I'myours。"
　　"In-deed!"
　　"Ifyouwillletme。"
　　"Iamtoopoortohavefineservants。"
　　"Saytoohaughty。Youarenottoopoor，forIshan'tcostyouanythingbutagraciouswordnowandthen。"
　　"UnfortunatelyIdon'tdealingraciouswords，onlytrueones。"
　　"Iseethat。"