"Iamgoingmyrounds:youcancomewithme，ifIamsoattractive。"
　　Hesaidheshouldbeproud，andsheputonherhatinthirtyseconds。
　　Theywalkedtogetherinsilence。Hefeltasifhewerepromenadingatigercat，thatmightstopanymomenttofalluponhim。
　　Shewalkedhimintoacottage:therewasalittledeadwoodburningonthatportionofthebrickfloorcalledthehearth。Apaleoldmansatclosetothefire，inawoodenarmchair。Shefelthispulse，andwrotehimaprescription。
　　"ToMr。Vizard'shousekeeper，VizardCourt:
　　"Pleasegivethebearertwopoundsofgoodroastbeeformutton，notsalted，andonepintportwine，"RHODAGALE，M。D。"
　　"Here，Jenny，"shesaidtoasharplittlegirl，theman'sgrandniece，"takethisdowntoVizardCourt，andifthehousekeeperobjects，gotothefront-dooranddemandinmynametoseethesquireorMissVizard，andgive_them_thepaper。Don'tyougiveitupwithoutthemeat。Takethisbasketonyourarm。"
　　Thenshewalkedoutofthecottage，andSevernefollowedher:heventuredtosaythatwasanovelprescription。
　　Sheexplained。"Physiciansareobligedtosendtherichtothechemist，orelsethefoolswouldthinktheywereslighted。Butweneednotbesonicewiththepoor；wecanprescribetodothemgood。Whenyouinflictedyourcompanyonme，Iwassketchingoutatreatise，tobeentitled，'CureofDisordersbyEsculents。'Thatoldmanisnearlyexsanguis。Thereisnotadrugincreationthatcoulddohimanatomofgood。Nourishingfoodmay。Ifnot，why，heisbookedforthelongjourney。Well，hehashadhisinnings。Heisfourscore。Doyouthink_you_willeverseefourscore——youandyourvices?"
　　"Oh，no。ButIthink_you_will；andIhopeso；foryougoaboutdoinggood。"
　　"Andsomepeopleonecouldnamegoaboutdoingmischief?"
　　Severnemadenoreply。
　　Soonaftertheydiscoveredalittlegroup，principallywomenandchildren。Thesewereinspectingsomethingontheground，andchatteringexcitedly。Thewordsofdireimport，"Shehavepossessedhimwithadevil，"strucktheirear。ButsoontheycaughtsightofMissGale，andweredeadsilent。Shesaid，"Whatisthematter?Oh，Isee，thevermifugehasacted。"
　　Itwasso:aputty-facedboyhadbeenunabletoeathisbreakfast；hadsufferedmalaiseforhoursafterward，andatlasthadbeenseizedwithasortofdryretching，andhadrestoredtotheworldtheysoadornanumberofamphibia，whichnowwriggledinaheap，andnodoubtbitterlyregrettedtherecklessimpatiencewithwhichtheyhadfledfromanunpleasantmedicinetoacold-heartedworld。
　　"Well，goodpeople，"saidMissGale，whatareyoumakingafussabout?
　　Aretheybetterintheboyoroutofhim?"
　　Thewomencouldnotfindtheircandoratamoment'snotice，butoldGilesrepliedheartily，"Why，hout!betteranemptyhousethanabadtenant。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidhalfadozenvoicesatonce。Theycouldresistcommonsenseinitsliquidform，butnotwhensolidifiedintoaproverb。
　　"Catchmetheboy，"saidMissGale，severely。
　　Habitualculpabilitydestroysself-confidence；sotheboysuspectedhimselfofcrime，andinstantlytooktoflight。Hiscompanionslovedhunting；sothreeswifterboysfollowedhimwithacheerfulyell，securedhim，andbroughthimupforsentence。
　　"Don'tbefrightened，Jacob，"saidthedoctress。"Ionlywanttoknowwhetheryoufeelbetterorworse。"
　　Hismotherputinherword:"Hewaseversobadallthemorning。"
　　"Holdyourjaw，"saidoldGiles，"andlettheboytellhisowntale。"
　　"Well，then，"saidJacob，"Iwasmortalbad，butnowdoIfeellikeafeather；wuston'tis，Ibesoblessedhungrynow。Dall'difIcouldn'teatthedevil——stuffedwiththunderandlightning。"
　　"I'llprescribeaccordingly，"saidMissGale，andwroteinpencilanorderonabeefsteakpietheyhadsentherfromtheCourt。
　　Theboy'scompanionsputtheirheadstogetheroverthisorder，andofferedtheirservicestoescorthim。
　　"No，thankyou，"saidthedoctress。"Hewillgoalone，youyoungmonkeys。
　　Yourturnwillcome。"
　　Thensheproceededonherrounds，withMr。Severneatherheels，untilitwaspastoneo'clock。
　　Thensheturnedroundandfacedhim。"Wewillparthere，"saidshe，"andIwillexplainmyconducttoyou，asyouseeminthedark。Ihavebeenco-operatingwithMissVizardallthistime。IreckonshesentyououtofthewaytogiveLordUxmoorhisopportunity，soIhavedetainedyou。
　　Whileyouhavebeenstudyingmedicine，hehasbeenpoppingthequestion，ofcourse。Good-by，Mr。Villain。"
　　Herwordswentthroughthemanlikecoldsteel。Itwasonewomanreadinganother。Heturnedverywhite，andputhishandtohisheart。Butherecoveredhimself，andsaid，"Ifsheprefersanothertome，Imustsubmit。Itisnotmyabsenceforafewhoursthatwillmakethedifference。YoucannotmakemeregretthehoursIhavepassedinyourcompany。Good-by，"andheseemedtoleaveherveryreluctantly。
　　"Oneword，"saidshe，softeningalittle。"I'mnotproofagainstyourcharm。UnlessIseeZoeVizardindanger，youhavenothingtofearfromme。ButIlove_her，_youunderstand。"
　　Hereturnedtoherdirectly，andsaid，inmostearnest，supplicatingtones，"Butwillyoueverforgiveme?"
　　"Iwilltry。"
　　Andsotheyparted。
　　Hewenthomeatagreatrate；forMissGale'sinsinuationshadraisedsomefearinhisbreast。
　　MeantimethisiswhathadreallypassedbetweenZoeandLordUxmoor。
　　Vizardwenttohisstudy，andFannyretiredatasignalfromZoe。Sherose，butdidnotgo；shewalkedslowlytowardthewindow；Uxmoorjoinedher:forhesawhewastohavehisanswerfromhermouth。
　　Herbosomheavedalittle，andhercheeksflushed。"LordUxmoor，"shesaid，"youhavedonemethegreatesthonoranymancanpayawoman，andfromyouitisindeedanhonor。IcouldnotwritesuchananswerasI
　　couldwish；and，besides，IwishtospareyouallthemortificationI
　　can。"
　　"Ah!"saidUxmoor，piteously。
　　"Youareworthyofanylady'slove；butIhaveonlymyesteemtogiveyou，andthatwasgivenlongago。"
　　Uxmoor，whohadbeengraduallyturningverywhite，faltered，"Ihadmyfears。Good-by。"
　　Shegavehimherhand。Heputitrespectfullytohislips:thenturnedandlefther，sickatheart，buttoobravetoletitbeseen。Hepreferredheresteemtoherpity。
　　Bythismeanshegotboth。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyeswithoutdisguise。Butheonlyturnedatthedoortosay，inaprettyfirmvoice，"Godblessyou!"
　　Inlessthananhourhedrovehisteamfromthedoor，sittingheartbrokenanddesolate，butfirmandunflinchingasarock。
　　Sothen，onhisreturnfromHillstoke，SevernefoundthemallatluncheonexceptUxmoor。HedetailedhisvisittoMissGale，and，whilehetalked，observed。Zoewasbeamingwithloveandkindness。Hefeltsureshehadnotdeceivedhim。Helearned，bymerelylistening，thatLordUxmoorwasgone，andheexultedinwardly。
　　Afterluncheon，Elysium。Hewalkedwiththetwogirls，andFannylaggedbehind；andZoeprovedherselfnocoquette。Acoquettewouldhavebeenalittlecrossandshownhimshehadmadeasacrifice。NotsoZoeVizard。
　　Shenevertoldhim，norevenFanny，shehadrefusedLordUxmoor。Sheesteemedthegreatsacrificeshehadmadeforhimasalittleone，andsolovedhimalittlemorethathehadcostheranearl'scoronetandalargefortune。
　　ThepartyresumedtheirhabitsthatUxmoorhadinterrupted，andnowarningvoicewasraised。
　　TheboringcommencedatHillstoke，andDoctressGalehoveredoverthework。Thevariousstrataandtheirfossildepositswereanendlessstudy，andkepthermicroscopeemployed。Withthis，andhertreatiseon"CurebyEsculents"shewassoemployedthatshedidnotvisittheCourtforsomedays:thencameaninvitationfromLordUxmoortostayaweekwithhim，andinspecthisvillage。Sheacceptedit，anddroveherselfinthebailiff'sgig，allalone。Shefoundherhostattendingtohisduties，butdejected；sothenshesuspected，andturnedtheconversationtoZoeVizard，andsoonsatisfiedherselfhehadnohopesinthatquarter。Yethespokeofherwithundisguisedandtenderadmiration。Thenshesaidtoherself，"Thisisaman，andheshallhaveher。"
　　ShesatdownandwrotealettertoVizard，tellinghimallsheknew，andwhatshethought，viz。，thatanotherwoman，andarespectableone，hadaclaimonMr。Severne，whichoughttobecloselyinquiredinto，and_thelady'sversionheard。_"Thinkofit，"saidshe。"Hedisownedthewomanwhohadsavedhislife，hewassoafraidIshouldtellMissVizardunderwhatcircumstancesIfirstsawhim。"
　　Shefoldedandaddressedtheletter。
　　Buthavingrelievedhermindinsomedegreebythis，sheaskedherselfwhetheritwouldnotbekindertoallpartiestotryandsaveZoewithoutanexposure。ProbablySevernebenefitedbyhisgraceandhisdisarmingqualities；forherultimateresolutionwastogivehimachance，offerhimanalternative:hemusteitherquietlyretire，orbeopenlyexposed。
　　Sothensheputtheletterinherdesk，madeouthervisit，ofwhichnofurtherparticularscanbegivenatpresent，returnedhome，andwalkeddowntotheCourtnextmorningtohaveitoutwithEdwardSeverne。
　　But，unfortunately，fromtheverydaysheofferedhimtermsupatHillstoke，thetidebegantoruninSeverne'sfavorwithgreatrapidity。
　　Alettercamefromthedetective。Severnereceiveditatbreakfast，andlaiditbeforeZoe，whichhadafavorableeffectonhermindtobegin。
　　Poikilusreportedthatthemoneywasingoodhands。Hehadseenthelady。
　　Shemadenosecretofthething——thesumwas4，900pounds，andshesaidhalfbelongedtoherandhalftoagentleman。Shedidnotknowhim，butheragent，Ashmead，did。Poikilusaddedthathehadaskedherwouldshehonorthatgentleman'sdraft?Shehadrepliedsheshouldbeafraidtodothat；butMr。Ashmeadshouldhandittohimondemand。Poikilussummedupthattheladywasevidentlyrespectable，andthewholethingsquare。
　　Severnepostedthislettertohiscousin，undercover，toshowhimhewasreallygoingtoclearhisestate，butbeggedhimtoreturnitimmediatelyandlendhim50pounds。Theaccommodatingcousinsenthim50pounds，toaidhiminwooinghisheiress。Heboughtherahoopring，apologizedforitssmallvalue，andexpressedhisregretthatallhecouldofferherwasonassmallascale，excepthislove。
　　Sheblushed，andsmiledonhim，likeheavenopening。"Smallandgreat，I
　　takethem，"saidshe；andherlovelyheadrestedonhisshoulder。
　　Theywereengaged。
　　Fromthathourhecouldcommanda_te'te-'a-te'te_withherwheneverhechose，andhisinfernalpassionbegantosuggestallmannerofwild，wickedandunreasonablehopes。
　　Meantimetherewasnostopping。HesoonfoundhemustspeakseriouslytoVizard。Hewentintohisstudyandbegantoopenthesubject。Vizardstoppedhim。"Fetchtheotherculprit，"saidhe；andwhenZoecame，blushing，hesaid，"NowIamgoingtomakeshorterworkofthisthanyouhavedone。Zoehastenthousandpounds。Whathaveyougot?"
　　"Onlyasmallestate，wortheightthousandpounds，thatIhopetoclearofallincumbrances，ifIcangetmymoney。"
　　"Fondofeachother?Well，don'tstrikemedeadwithyoureyes。Ihavewatchedyou，andIownaprettierpairofturtledovesIneversaw。Well，youhavegotloveandIhavegotmoney。I'lltakecareofyouboth。Butyoumustlivewithme。Ipromisenevertomarry。"
　　ThisbroughtZoeroundhisneck，withtearsandkissesofpureaffection。
　　Hereturnedthem，andpartedherhairpaternally。
　　"Thisisabeautifulworld，isn'tit?"saidhe，withmoretendernessthancynicismthistime。
　　"Ah，thatitis!"criedZoe，earnestly。"ButIcan'thaveyousayyouwillneverbeashappyasIam。Therearetrueheartsinthisheavenlyworld；forIhavefoundone。"
　　"Ihavenot，anddon'tmeantotryagain。Iamgoinginforthepaternalnow。Youtwoaremychildren。Ihaveatalismantokeepmefrommarrying。
　　I'llshowityou。"Hedrewaphotographfromhisdrawer，setroundwithgoldandpearls。Heshoweditthemsuddenly。Theybothstarted。AfinephotographofInaKlosking。Shewasdressedasplainlyasatthegambling-table，butwithoutabonnet，andonlyoneroseinherhair。Hernobleforeheadwasshown，andherface，amodelofintelligence，womanliness，andserenedignity。
　　Hegazedatit，andtheyathimandit。
　　Hekissedit。"HereismyFate，"saidhe。"Nowmarktheingenuityofaparent。IkeepoutofmyFate'sway。ButIusehertokeepoffanyotherlittleFatesthatmaybeabout。NootherhumbugcanevercatchmewhileI
　　havesuchanoblehumbugasthistocontemplate。Ah!andheresheisasSiebel。Whatagoddess!Justlookather。Adorable!There，thisshallstanduponmytable，andtheothershallbehunginmybedroom。Then，mydearZoe，youwillbesafefromastepmother。ForIamyourfathernow。
　　Pleaseunderstandthat。"
　　ThisbroughtpoorZoeroundhisneckagainwithsuchaneffusionthatatlasthehandedhertoSeverne，andheledherfromtheroom，quiteovercome，and，toavoidallconversationaboutwhathadjustpassed，gaveherovertoFanny，whileheretiredtocomposehimself。
　　Bydinner-timehewasashappyasaprinceagainandrelievedofallcompunction。
　　HeheardafterwardfromFannythatZoeandshehaddiscussedtheincidentandVizard'sinfatuation，FannybeingspeciallywrothatVizard'sabuseofpearls；butshetoldhimshehadadvisedZoenottomentionthatlady'sname，butletherdieout。
　　And，inpointoffact，Zoedidavoidthesubject。
　　Therecameaneventfulday。Vizardgotaletter，atbreakfast，fromhisbankers，thatmadehimstare，andthenknithisbrows。ItwasaboutEdwardSeverne'sacceptances。Hesaidnothing，butorderedhishorseandrodeintoTaddington。
　　Thedaywaskeenbutsunny，and，seeinghimafootsoearly，Zoesaidsheshouldlikeadrivebeforeluncheon。ShewouldshowSeverneandFannysomeruinsonPagnellHill。Theycouldleavethetrapatthevillageinnandwalkupthehill。Fannybeggedoff，andSevernewasveryglad。TheprospectofalongwalkupahillwithZoe，andthenadayspentinutterseclusionwithher，firedhisimaginationandmadehisheartbeat。Herewasoneoftheopportunitieshehadlongsighedforofmakingpassionatelovetoinnocenceandinexperience。
　　Zoeherselfwaseagerforthedrive，andcamedown，followedbyRosawithsomewraps，andwaitedinthemorning-roomforthedog-cart。Itwasbehindtimeforonce，becausethecarefulcoachmanhadinsistedontheaxlebeingoiled。Atlastthesoundofwheelswasheard。Acarriagedrewupatthedoor。
　　"TellMr。Severne，"saidZoe。"Heisinthedining-room，Ithink。"
　　Butitwasnotthedog-cart。
　　Avigilantfootmancamehastilyoutandopenedthehalldoor。Aladywasonthesteps，andspoketohim，but，inspeaking，shecaughtsightofZoeinthehall。Sheinstantlyslippedpassthemanandstoodwithinthegreatdoor。
　　"MissVizard?"saidshe。
　　Zoetookasteptowardherandsaid，withastonishment，"MademoiselleKlosking!"
　　Theladieslookedateachother，andZoesawsomethingstrangewascoming；fortheKloskingwasverypale，yetfirm，andfixedhereyesuponherasiftherewasnothingelseinsight。
　　"Youhaveavisitor——Mr。Severne?"
　　"Yes，"saidZoe，drawingup。
　　"CanIspeakwithhim?"
　　"Hewillanswerforhimself。EDWARD!"
　　AthercallSevernecameouthastilybehindInaKlosking。
　　Sheturned，andtheyfacedeachother。
　　"Ah!"shecried；andinspiteofall，therewasmoreofjoythananyotherpassionintheexclamation。
　　Notsohe。Heutteredascreamofdismay，andstaggered，whiteasaghost，butstillglaredatInaKlosking。
　　Zoe'svoicefellonhimlikeaclapofthunder:"What!——Edward!——Mr。
　　Severne!——Hasthisladystillanyright——"
　　"No，nonewhatever!"hecried；"itisallpastandgone。"
　　"Whatispast?"saidInaKlosking，grandly。"Areyououtofyoursenses?"
　　Thenshewasclosetohiminamoment，byonegrandmovement，andtookhimbybothlapelsofhiscoat，andheldhimfirmly。"Speakbeforethislady，"shecried。"Have——I——no——rights——overyou?"andhervoicewasmajestic，andherDanisheyesgleamedlightning。
　　Thewretch'skneesgavewayamomentandheshookinherhands。Then，suddenly，heturnedwild。"Fiend!youhaveruinedme!"heyelled；andthen，withhisnaturalstrength，whichwasgreat，andthesuperhumanpowerofmadexcitement，hewhirledherrightroundandflungherfromhim，anddashedoutofthedoor，utteringcriesofrageanddespair。
　　Theunfortunatelady，thustakenbysurprise，fellheavily，and，bycruelillluck，struckhertemple，infalling，againstthesharpcornerofamarbletable。Itgashedherforeheadfearfully，andshelaysenseless，withthebloodspurtinginjetsfromherwhitetemple。
　　Zoescreamedviolently，andthehallandthehallstaircaseseemedtofillbymagic。
　　Intheterrorandconfusion，HarringtonVizardstrodeintothehall，fromTaddington。"Whatisthematter?"hecried。"Awomankilled?"
　　Someonecriedoutshehadfallen。
　　"Water，fools——asponge——don'tstandgaping!"andheflunghimselfonhisknees，andraisedthewoman'sheadfromthefloor。Oneeagerlookintoherwhiteface——onewildcry——"GreatGod!itis——"Hehadrecognizedher。
　　CHAPTERXX。
　　ITwaspiteoustoseeandhear。Thebloodwouldnotstop；itspurtednolonger，butitflowedalarmingly。VizardsentHarrisoffinhisownflyforadoctor，tosavetime。Hecalledforice。Hecriedoutinagonytohisservants，"Cannoneofyouthinkofanything?There——thathat。Here，youwomen；tearmethenapoffwithyourfingers。MyGod!whatistobedone?She'llbleedtodeath!"Andheheldhertohisbreast，andalmostmoanedwithpityoverher，ashepressedthecoldspongetoherwound——invain；forstilltheredbloodwouldflow。
　　Wheelsgroundthegravel。Servantsflewtothedoor，crying，"Thedoctor!
　　thedoctor!"
　　Asifhecouldhavebeenfetchedinfiveminutesfromthreemilesoff。
　　Yetitwasadoctor。HarrishadmetMissGalewalkingquietlydownfromHillstoke。Hehadtoldherinafewhurriedwords，andbroughtherasfastasthehorsescouldgo。
　　Sheglidedinswiftly，keen，butself-possessed，andtookitallindirectly。
　　Vizardsawher，andcried，"Ah!Help!——sheisbleedingtodeath!"
　　"Sheshallnot，"saidRhoda。Thentoonefootman，"Bringafootstool，_you；"_toanother，_"You_bringmeacork；"toVizard，_"You_holdhertowardmeso。Nowspongethewound。"
　　Thisdone，shepinchedthelipsofthewoundtogetherwithherneat，strongfingers。"SeewhatIdo，"shesaidtoVizard。"Youwillhavetodoit，whileI——Ah，thestool!Nowlayherheadonthat；theotherside，man。Now，sir，compressthewoundasIdid，vigorously。Holdthecork，_you，_tillIwantit。"
　　Shetookoutofherpocketsomeadhesiveplaster，andflakesofsomestrongstyptic，andapieceofelastic。"Now，"saidshetoVizard，"givemealittleopeninginthemiddletoplasterthesestripsacrossthewound。"Hedidso。Theninamomentshepassedtheelasticunderthesufferer'shead，drewitoverwiththestypticbetweenherfingerandthumb，andcrack!thestypticwastightonthecompressedwound。Sheforcedinmorestyptic，increasingthepressure，thenshewhippedoutasortofsurgicalhousewife，andwithsomecuttinginstrumentreducedthecork，thencutitconvex，andfasteneditonthestypticbyanotherelastic。Therewasnoflutter，yetitwasalldoneinfiftyseconds。
　　"There，"saidshe，"shewillbleednomore，tospeakof。Nowseatherupright。Why!Ihaveseenherbefore。Thisis——sir，youcansendthemenaway。"'
　　"Yes；and，Harris，packupMr。Severne'sthings，andbringthemdownherethismoment。"
　　Themaleservantsretired，thewomenheldaloof。FannyDovercameforward，paleandtrembling，andhelpedtoplaceInaKloskinginthehallporter'schair。Shewasinsensiblestill，butmoanedfaintly。
　　Hermoanswereechoed:alleyesturned。ItwasZoe，seatedapart，allbowedandbroken——ghastlypale，andglaringstraightbeforeher。
　　"Poorgirl!"saidVizard。"Weforgother。Itisherheartthatbleeds。
　　Whereisthescoundrel，thatImaykillhim?"andherushedoutatthedoortolookforhim。Theman'slifewouldnothavebeenworthmuchifSquireVizardcouldhavefoundhimthen。
　　Buthesooncamebacktohiswretchedhome，andeyedthedismalscene，andthehavoconemanhadmade——themarblefloorallstainedwithblood——InaKloskingsupportedinachair，white，andfaintlymoaning——Zoestillcrushedandglaringatvacancy，andFannysobbingroundherwithpityandterror；forsheknewtheremustbeworsetocomethanthiswildstupor。
　　"Takehertoherroom，Fannydear，"saidVizard，inahurried，falteringvoice，"anddon'tleaveher。Rosa，helpMissDover。Donotleaveheralone，nightnorday。"ThentoMissGale，"Shewilllive?Tellmeshewilllive。"
　　"Ihopeso，"saidRhodaGale。"Oh，theblowwillnotkillher，noryetthelossofblood。ButIfeartherewillbedistressofmindaddedtothebodilyshock。Andsuchanobleface!Myownheartbleedsforher。Oh，sir，donotsendherawaytostrangers!Letmetakeheruptothefarm。
　　Itisnursingshewillneed，andtact，whenshecomestoherself。"
　　"Sendhereawaytostrangers!"criedVizard。"Never!No。Noteventothefarm。Hereshereceivedherwound；hereallthatyouandIcandoshallbedonetosaveher。Ah，here'sHarris，withthevillain'sthings。Getthelady'sboxesout，andputMr。Severne'sintothefly。Givethemantwoguineas，andlethimleavethematthe'Swan，'inTaddington。"
　　Hethenbeckoneddownthewomen，andhadInaKloskingcarriedupstairstotheveryroomSevernehadoccupied。
　　Hethenconvenedtheservants，andplacedthemformallyunderMissGale'sorders，andonefemaleservanthavingmadearemark，heturnedheroutofthehouse，neckandcrop，directlywithhermonth'swages。Theothershadtohelpherpack，onlyhalfanhourbeingallowedforherexit。
　　Thehouseseemedallchanged。CouldthisbeVizardCourt?Deadgloom——hurriedwhispers——andeverybodywalkingsoftly，andscared——noneknowingwhatmightbethenextcalamity。
　　Vizardfeltsickatheartandhelpless。Hehaddoneallhecould，andwasreducedtothatconditionwomenbearfarbetterthanmen——hemustwait，andhope，andfear。Hewalkedupanddownthecarpetedlanding，rackedwithanxiety。
　　AtlasttherecameasinglescreamofagonyfromInaKlosking'sroom。
　　Itmadethestrongmanquake。
　　Hetappedsoftlyatthedoor。
　　Rhodaopenedit。
　　"Whatisit?"hefaltered。
　　Shereplied，gravely，"Onlywhatmustbe。Sheisbeginningtorealizewhathasbefallenher。Don'tcomehere。Youcandonogood。IwillrundowntoyouwheneverIdare。Givemeanursetohelp，thisfirstnight。"
　　Hewentdownandsentintothevillageforawomanwhoboreagreatnamefornursing。Thenhewanderedaboutdisconsolate。
　　Theleadenhourspassed。Hewenttodress，anddiscoveredInaKlosking'sblooduponhisclothes。Itshockedhimfirst，andthenitmeltedhim:hefeltaninexpressibletendernessatsightofit。Thebloodthathadflowedinherveinsseemedsacredtohim。Hefoldedthatsuit，andtieditupinasilkhandkerchief，andlockeditaway。
　　Induecoursehesatdowntodinner——weareallsuchcreaturesofhabit。
　　Therewaseverythingasusual，exceptthefamiliarfaces。Therewastheglitteringplateonthepolishedsideboard，thepyramidofflowerssurroundedwithfruits。Therewereevenchairsatthetable，fortheservantsdidnotknowhewastobequitealone。Buthewas。Onedelicatedishafteranotherwasbroughthim，andsentawayuntasted。SoonafterdinnerRhodaGalecamedownandtoldhimherpatientwasinaprecariouscondition，andshefearedfeveranddelirium。Shebeggedhimtosendoneservantuptothefarmforcertainmedicamentsshehadthere，andanothertothechemistatTaddington。Theseweredispatchedonswifthorses，andbothwerebackinhalfanhour。
　　By-and-byFannyDovercamedowntohim，withredeyes，andbroughthimZoe'slove。"But，"saidshe，"don'taskhertocomedown。Sheisashamedtolookanybodyintheface，poorgirl。"
　　"Why?whathas_she_done?"
　　"Oh，Harrington，shehasmadenosecretofheraffection；andnow，atsightofthatwoman，hehasabandonedher。"
　　"TellherIlovehermorethanIeverdid，andrespecthermore。Whereisherpride?"
　　"Pride!sheisfullofit；anditwillhelpher——by-and-by。Butshehasabittertimetogothroughfirst。Youdon'tknowhowsheloveshim。"
　　"What!lovehimstill，afterwhathehasdone?"
　　"Yes!Sheinterpretsitthiswayandthat。Shecannotbeartobelieveanotherwomanhasanyrealrighttoseparatethem。"
　　"Separatethem!Thescoundrelknocked_her_downforlovinghimstill，andfledfromthemboth。Waseverguiltmoreclear?Ifshedoubtsthatheisavillain，tellherfrommeheisaforger，andhasgivenmebillswithfalsenamesonthem。Thebankersgavemenoticeto-day，andIwascominghometoorderhimoutofthehousewhenthismiserablebusinesshappened。"
　　"Aforger!isitpossible?"saidFanny。"Butitisnousemytellingherthatsortofthing。Ifhehadcommittedmurder，andwastruetoher，shewouldclingtohim。Sheneverknewtillnowhowshelovedhim，norI
　　neither。SheputhiminCoventryfortellingalie；butshewasfarmoreunhappyallthetimethanhewas。Thereisnothingtodobuttobekindtoher，andletherhideherface。Don'thurryher。"
　　"NotI。Godhelpher!Ifshehasawish，itshallbegratified。Iampowerless。Sheisyoung。Surelytimewillcureherofavillain，nowheisdetected。"
　　Fannysaidshehopedso。
　　Thetruthis，ZoehadnotopenedherhearttoFanny。Sheclungtoher，andwrithedinherarms；butshespokelittle，andonebrokensentencecontradictedtheother。Butmentalagony，likebodily，findsitsvent，notinspeech，thebrain'sgreatinterpreter，butininarticulatecries，andmoans，andsighs，thatproveusanimalseveninthethroesofmind。
　　Zoewasinthatcruelstageofsuffering。
　　Sopassedthatmiserableday。
　　CHAPTERXXI。
　　INAKLOSKINGrecoveredhersensesthatevening，andaskedMissGalewhereshewas。MissGaletoldhershewasinthehouseofafriend。
　　"Whatfriend?"
　　"That，"saidMissGale，"Iwilltellyouby-and-by。Youareingoodhands，andIamyourphysician。"
　　"Ihaveheardyourvoicebefore，"saidIna，"butIknownotwhere；anditissodark!Whyisitsodark?"
　　"Becausetoomuchlightisnotgoodforyou。Youhavemetwithanaccident。"
　　"Whataccident，madam?"
　　"Youfellandhurtyourpoorforehead。See，Ihavebandagedit，andnowyoumustletmewetthebandage——tokeepyourbrowcool。"
　　"Thankyou，madam，"saidIna，inherownsweetbutqueenlyway。"Youareverygoodtome。IwishIcouldseeyourfacemoreclearly。Iknowyourvoice。"Then，afterasilence，duringwhichMissGaleeyedherwithanxiety，shesaid，likeonegropingherwaytothetruth，"I——fell——and——hurt——myforehead?——_Ah!"_
　　ThenitwassheutteredthecrythatmadeVizardquakeatthedoor，andshookforamomentevenRhoda'snerves，though，asarule，theywereironinasituationofthiskind。
　　IthadallcomebacktoInaKlosking。
　　Afterthatpiteouscrysheneversaidaword。Shedidnothingbutthink，andputherhandtoherhead。
　　Andsoonaftermidnightshebegantotalkincoherently。
　　Thephysiciancouldonlyproceedbyphysicalmeans。Sheattackedthecomingfeveratonce，withtheremediesoftheday，andalsowithaninfusionofmonk's-hood。Thatpoison，promptlyadministered，didnotdeceiveher。Sheobtainedaslightperspiration，whichwassomuchgainedinthebattle。
　　Inthemorningshegotthepatientshiftedintoanotherbed，andshesleptalittleafterthat。Butsoonshewasawake，restless，andraving:
　　stillhercharacterpervadedherdelirium。Noviolence。Nothinganysoreinjuredwomanneedbeashamedtohavesaid:onlyitwasalldisconnected。
　　Onemomentshewasspeakingtotheleaderoftheorchestra，atanothertoMr。Ashmead，atanother，withdivinetenderness，toherstillfaithfulSeverne。Andthoughnothurried，asusualinthesecases，itwasalmostincessantandpitiabletohear，eachobservationwassowiseandgood；
　　yet，allbeingdisconnected，thehearercouldnotbutfeelthatanoblemindlaybeforehim，overthrownandbrokenintofragmentslikesomeAtticcolumn。
　　Inthemiddleofthisthehandlewassoftlyturned，andZoeVizardcamein，paleandsomber。
　　LongbeforethisshehadsaidtoFannyseveraltimes，"Ioughttogoandseeher；"andFannyhadsaid，"Ofcourseyouought。"
　　Sonowshecame。Shefoldedherarmsandstoodatthefootofthebed，andlookedatherunhappyrival，unhappyaspossibleherself。
　　Whatcontraryfeelingsfoughtinthatyoungbreast!Pityandhatred。Shemusthatetherivalwhohadcomebetweenherandhimsheloved；shemustpitythewomanwholaythere，pale，wounded，andlittlelikelytorecover。
　　And，withallthis，agreatdesiretoknowwhetherthissuffererhadanyrighttocomeandseizeEdwardSevernebythearm，andsodrawdowncalamityonboththewomenwholovedhim。
　　Shelookedandlistened，andRhodaGalethoughtitharduponherpatient。
　　Butitwasnotinhumannaturethegirlshoulddootherwise；soRhodasaidnothing。
　　WhatfellfromIna'slipswasnotofakindtomakeZoemoreherfriend。
　　Hermindseemednowlikeabirdtiedbyalongsilkenthread。Itmadelargeexcursions，butconstantlycamebacktoherlove。Sometimesthatlovewashappy，sometimesunhappy。Oftenshesaid"Edward!"intheexquisitetoneofalovingwoman；andwhenevershedid，Zoereceiveditwithasortofshiver，asifadagger，fineasaneedle，hadpassedthroughherwholebody。
　　Atlast，aftertellingsometenorthathehadsungFnaturalinsteadofF
　　sharp，andpraisedsomebody'srenderingofasongin"IlFlautoMagico，"
　　andtoldAshmeadtomakenomoreengagementsforheratpresent，forshewasgoingtoVizardCourt，thepoorsoulpausedaminute，andutteredadeepmoan。
　　_"Struckdownbytheveryhandthatwasvowedtoprotectme!"_saidshe。
　　Thenwassilentagain。Thenbegantocry，andsob，andwringherhands。
　　Zoeputherhandtoherheartandmovedfeeblytowardthedoor。However，shestoppedamomenttosay，"Iamnousehere。Youwouldsoonhavemeravinginthenextbed。IwillsendFanny。"Thenshedrewherselfup。
　　"MissGale，everybodyhereisatyourcommand。Praysparenothingyoucanthinkoftosave——_mybrother'sguest。"_
　　Therecameoutthebitterdrop。
　　Whenshehadsaidthat，shestalkedfromtheroomlikesomeredIndianbearingamortalarrowinhim，buttooproudtoshowit。
　　Butwhenshegottoherownroomsheflungherselfonhersofa，andwrithedandsobbedinagony。
　　FannyDovercameinandfoundherso，andflewtoher。
　　Butsheorderedheroutquitewildly。"No，no；goto_her，_likealltherest，andleavepoorZoeallalone。She_is_alone。"
　　ThenFannyclungtoher，andtriedhardtocomforther。
　　Thisyoungladynowbecameveryzealousandactive。Shedividedhertimebetweenthetwosufferers，andwasindefatigableintheirservice。WhenshewasnotsupportingZoe，shewasalwaysatMissGale'selbowofferingherservices。"Doletmehelpyou，"shesaid。"Doprayletmehelp。Wearepoorathome，andthereisnothingIcannotdo。I'mworthanythreeservants。"
　　Shealwayshelpedshiftthepatientintoafreshbed，andthatwasdoneveryoften。Shewouldruntothecookorthebutlerforanythingthatwaswantedinahurry。Sheflunggentilityandhumbugtothewinds。Thenshedressedintenminutes，andwentanddinedwithVizard，andmadeexcusesforZoe'sabsence，tokeepeverythingsmooth；andfinallysheinsistedonsittingupwithInaKloskingtillthreeinthemorning，andmadeMissGalegotobedintheroom。"Paidnurses!"saidshe；"theyarenouseexcepttosnoreanddrinkthepatient'swine。YouandIwillwatchhereverymomentofthenight；andifI'meveratalosswhattodo，Iwillcallyou。"
　　MissGalestaredatheronce，andthenacceptedthisnewphaseofhercharacter。
　　Thefeverwashotwhileitlasted；butitwassoencounteredwithtonics，andportwine，andstrongbeefsoupnotyourrubbishybeeftea，thatinforty-eighthoursitbegantoabate。InarecognizedRhodaGaleastheladywhohadsavedSeverne'slifeatMontpellier，andweptlongandsilentlyuponherneck。Induecourse，Zoe，hearingtherewasagreatchange，cameinagaintolookather。Shestoodandeyedher。SoonInaKloskingcaughtsightofher，andstaredather。
　　"Youhere!"saidshe。"Ah!youareMissVizard。Iaminyourhouse。I
　　willgetupandleaveit；"andshemadeafeebleattempttorise，butfellback，andthetearswelledoutofhereyesatherhelplessness。
　　Zoewasindignant，butforthemomentmoreshockedthananythingelse。
　　Shemovedawayalittle，anddidnotknowwhattosay。
　　"Letmelookatyou，"saidthepatient。"Ah!youarebeautiful。WhenI
　　sawyouatthetheater，youfascinatedme。Howmuchmoreaman?Iwillresistnomore。Youaretoobeautifultoberesisted。Takehim，andletmedie。"
　　"Idohernogood，"saidZoe，halfsullenly，halftrembling。
　　"Indeedyoudonot，"saidRhoda，bluntly，andalmostbitterly。Shewasallnurse。
　　"I'llcomeherenomore，"saidZoe，sadlybutsternly，andlefttheroom。
　　ThenInaturnedtoMissGaleandsaid，patiently，"IhopeIwasnotrudetothatlady——whohasbrokenmyheart。"
　　FannyandRhodatookeachahandandtoldhershecouldnotberudetoanybody。
　　"Myfriends，"saidIna，lookingpiteouslytoeachinturn，"itisherhouse，youknow，andsheisverygoodtomenow——afterbreakingmyheart。"
　　ThenFannyshowedadealoftact。_"Her_house!"saidshe。"Itisnomorehersthanmine。Why，thishousebelongstoagentleman，andheismadaftermusic。Heknowsyouverywell，thoughyoudon'tknowhim，andhethinksyouthefirstsingerinEurope。"
　　"Youflatterme，"saidIna，sadly。
　　"Well，hethinksso；andheisreckonedaverygoodjudge。Ah!nowI
　　thinkofit，Iwillshowyousomething，andthenyouwillbelieveme。"
　　Sheranofftothelibrary，snatchedupIna'spicturesetroundwithpearls，andcamepantinginwithit。"There，"saidshe；"nowyoulookatthat!"andsheputitbeforehereyes。"Now，whoisthat，ifyouplease?"
　　"Oh!ItisInaKloskingthatwas。Pleasebringmeaglass。"
　　Thetwoladieslookedateachother。MissGalemadeanegativesignal，andFannysaid，"By-and-by。Thiswilldoinstead，foritisaslikeastwopeas。Nowaskyourselfhowthiscomestobeinthehouse，andsetinpearls。Why，theyareworththreehundredpounds。Iassureyouthatthemasterofthishouseis_fanaticoperlamusica；_heardyousingSiebelatHomburg——ravedaboutyou——wantedtocallonyou。Wehadtodraghimawayfromtheplace；andhedeclaresyouarethefirstsingerintheworld；andyoucannotdoubthissincerity，for_herearethepearls。"_
　　InaKlosking'spalecheekcolored，andthensheopenedhertwoarmswide，andputthemroundFanny'sneckandkissedher:herinnocentvanitywasgratified，andhergraciousnaturesuggestedgratitudetoherwhohadbroughtherthecompliment，insteadoftheusualungratefulbumptiousnesspraiseelicitsfromvanity。
　　ThenMissGaleputinherword——"Whenyoumetwiththisunfortunateaccident，Iwasfortakingyouuptomyhouse。Itisthreemilesoff；buthewouldnothearofit。Hesaid，'No；hereshegotherwound，andhereshemustbecured。'"
　　"So，"saidFanny，"praysetyourmindatease。MycousinHarringtonisaverygoodsoul，butratherarbitrary。Ifyouwanttoleavethisplace，youmustgetthoroughlywellandstrong，forhewillneverletyougotillyouare。"
　　Betweenthesetwoladies，cleverandcooperating，Inasmiled，andseemedrelieved；butshewastooweaktoconverseanymorejustthen。
　　SomehoursafterwardshebeckonedFannytoher，andsaid，"Themasterofthehouse——whatishisname?"
　　"HarringtonVizard。"
　　"What!——_her_father?"
　　"La，no；onlyherhalf-brother。"
　　"IfheissokindtomebecauseIsing，whycomeshenottoseeme?_She_
　　hascome。"
　　Fannysmiled。"ItisplainyouarenotanEnglishwoman，thoughyouspeakitsobeautifully。AnEnglishgentlemandoesnotintrudeintoalady'sroom。"
　　"Itishisroom。"
　　"Hewouldsaythat，whileyouoccupyit，itisyours，andnothis。"
　　"Heawaitsmyinvitation，then。"
　　"Idaresayhewouldcomeifyouweretoinvitehim，butcertainlynotwithout。"
　　"Iwishtoseehimwhohasbeensokindtome，andsolovesmusic；butnotto-day——Ifeelunable。"
　　Thenextdaysheaskedforaglass，andwasdistressedatherappearance。
　　Shebeggedforacap。
　　"Whatkindofacap?"askedFanny。
　　"Onelikethat，"saidshe，pointingtoaportraitonthewall。Itwasofaladyinaplainbrownsilkdressandalittlewhiteshawl，andaneatcapwithanarrowlaceborderallroundherface。
　　Thisparticularcapwasoutofdatefullsixtyyears；butthehousehadastoreroomofrelics，andFanny，withVizard'shelp，soonrummagedoutacapofthesort，withanarrowfrillallround。
　　Herhairwassmoothed，awhitesilkbandpassedoverthenowclosedwound，andthecapfittedonher。Shelookedpale，butangelic。
　　FannywentdowntoVizard，andinvitedhimtocomeandseeMademoiselleKlosking——byherdesire。"But，"sheadded，"MissGaleisveryanxiouslestyoushouldgettalkingofSeverne。Shesaysthefeverandlossofbloodhaveweakenedherterribly；andifwebringthefeveronagain，shecannotanswerforherlife。"
　　"Hasshespokenofhimtoyou?"
　　"Notonce。"
　　"Thenwhyshouldshetome?"
　　"Becauseyouareaman，andshemaythinktogetthe_truth_outofyou:
　　sheknows_we_shallonlysaywhatisforthebest。Sheisverydeep，andwedon'tknowhermindyet。"
　　Vizardsaidhewouldbeasguardedashecould；butiftheysawhimgoingwrong，theymustsendhimaway。
　　"Oh，MissGalewilldothat，youmaybesure，"saidFanny。
　　Thusprepared，VizardfollowedFannyupthestairstothesick-room。
　　Eitherthereissuchathingasloveatfirstsight，oritissomethingmorethanfirstsight，whenanobservantmangazesatawomanforanhourinablazeoflight，anddrinksinherlooks，herwalk，hervoice，andalltheoutwardsignsofabeautifulsoul；forthestoutcynic'sheartbeatatenteringthatroomasithadnotbeatforyears。Tobesure，hehadnotonlyseenheronthestageinallherglory，buthadheldher，paleandbleeding，tohismanlybreast，andhisheartwarmedtoherallthemore，and，indeed，fairlymeltedwithtenderness。
　　Fannywentinandannouncedhim。Hefollowedsoftly，andlookedather。
　　Wealthcanmakeevenasick-roompretty。TheKloskinglayonsnowypillowswhoseglossydamaskwasedgedwithlace；anduponherformwasaneider-downquiltcoveredwithviolet-coloredsatin，andherfacewassetinthatsweetcapwhichhidherwound，andmadehereloquentfacelessghastly。
　　Sheturnedtolookathim，andhegazedatherinawaythatspokevolumes。
　　"Aseat，"saidshe，softly。
　　Fannywasforputtingoneclosetoher。"No，"saidMissGale，"lowerdown；thensheneednottoturnherhead。"
　　Sohesatdownnearerherfeet。
　　"Mygoodhost，"saidshe，inhermellowvoice，thatretaineditsquality，butnotitspower，"Idesiretothankyouforyourgoodnesstoapoorsinger，struckdown——bythehandthatwasboundtoprotecther。"
　　Vizardfalteredoutthattherewasnothingtothankhimfor。Hewasproudtohaveherunderhisroof，thoughdeeplygrievedatthecause。
　　Shelookedathim，andhertwonurseslookedatherandateachother，asmuchastosay，"Sheisgoingupondangerousground。"
　　Theywereright。Butshehadnotthecourage，or，perhaps，asmostwomenarealittlecat-likeinthis，thattheygoawayonceortwicefromthesubjectnearesttheirheartbeforetheyturnandpounceonit，shemustspeakofotherthingsfirst。Saidshe，"ButifIwasunfortunateinthat，Iwasfortunateinthis，thatIfellintogoodhands。Theseladiesaresisterstome，"andshegaveMissGaleherhand，andkissedtheotherhandtoFanny，thoughshecouldscarcelyliftit；"andIhaveahostwholovesmusic，andoverratesmypoorability。"Then，afterapause，"Whathaveyouheardmesing?"
　　"Siebel。"
　　"OnlySiebel!why，thatisapoorlittlething。"