TherewasnolatedinneratSomervilleVilla。Indeed，ladies，lefttothemselves，seldomdinelate。Natureisstronginthem，andtheyarehungriestwhenthesunishigh。Atseveno'clockZoeVizardwasseatedatherdesktryingtowritetoLordUxmoor。Shesighed，shemoaned，shebegan，anddroppedthepenandhidherface。Shebecamealmostwild；andinthatstatesheatlastdashedoffwhatfollows:
　　"DEARLORDUXMOOR——Forpity'ssake，forgivethemadwordsIsaidtoyoutoday。Itisimpossible。Icandonomorethanadmireandesteemyou。Myheartisgonefrommeforever。Prayforgiveme，thoughIdonotdeserveit；andneverseemenorlookatmeagain。Iaskpardonformyvacillation。Ithasbeendisgraceful；butithasended，andIwasunderagreaterror，whichIcannotexplaintoyou，whenIledyoutobelieveI
　　hadahearttogiveyou。Myeyesareopened。Ourpathslieasunder。Pray，prayforgiveme，ifitispossible。Iwillneverforgivemyself，norceasetoblessandrevereyou，whomIhaveusedsoill。
　　ZOEVIZARD。"
　　ThatdayUxmoordinedalonewithhismother，forawonder，andhetoldherhowMissVizardhadcomeround；hetoldheralsoaboutthebull，butsovilelythatshehardlycomprehendedhehadbeeninanydanger:theseencountersarerarelydescribedtothelife，exceptbyuswhoavoidthem——exceptonpaper。
　　LadyUxmoorwasmuchpleased。Shewasaproud，politiclady，andthiswasajudiciousunionoftwopowerfulhousesinthecounty，andonethatwouldalmostcommandtheelections。But，aboveall，sheknewherson'sheartwasinthematch，andshegavehimamother'ssympathy。
　　Assheretired，shekissedhimandsaid，"Whenyouarequitesureoftheprize，tellme，andIwillcalluponher。"
　　Beingalone，LordUxmoorlightedacigarandsmokeditinmeasurelesscontent。Theservantbroughthimanoteonasalver。Ithadcomebyhand。
　　Uxmooropeneditandreadeverywordstraightthrough，downto"ZoeVizard；"readit，andsatpetrified。
　　Hereaditagain。Hefeltasortofsicknesscomeoverhim。Heswallowedatumblerofport，awineherarelytouched；buthefeltworsenowthanafterthebullfight。Thisdone，heroseandstalkedlikeawoundedlionintothedrawing-room，whichwasonthesamefloor，andlaidtheletterbeforehismother。
　　"Youareawomantoo，"saidhe，alittlehelplessly。"Tellme——whatonearthdoesthismean?"
　　Thedowagerreaditslowlyandkeenly，andsaid，"Itmeans——anotherman。"
　　"Ah!"saidUxmoor，withasortofsnarl。
　　"Haveyouseenanyoneabouther?"
　　"No；notlately。AtVizardCourttherewas。Butthatisallovernow，I
　　conclude。ItwasaMr。Severne，anadventurer，afellowthatwascaughtoutinaliebeforeusall。VizardtellsmealadycameandclaimedhimbeforeMissVizard，andheranaway。"
　　"Anunworthyattachment，inshort?"
　　"Veryunworthy，ifitwasanattachmentatall。"
　　"WasheatVizardCourtwhenshedeclinedyourhand?"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didheremain，afteryouwent?"
　　"Isupposeso。Yes，hemusthave。"
　　"Thenthewholethingisclear:thatmanhascomeforwardagainunexpectedly，orwritten，andshedismissesyou。Mydarling，thereisbutonethingforyoutodo。Leaveher，andthankherfortellingyouintime。Alesshonorablefoolwouldhavehiddenit，andthenwemighthavehadaCountessofUxmoorintheDivorceCourtsomedayorother。
　　"Ihadbettergoabroad，"saidUxmoor，withagroan。"Thiscountryispoisonedforme。"
　　"Go，byallmeans。LetJannewaypackupyourthingsto-morrow。"
　　"Ishouldliketokillthatfellowfirst。"
　　"Youwillnotevenwasteathoughtonhim，ifyouaremyson。"
　　"Youareright，mother。WhatamItosaytoher?"
　　"Notaword。"
　　"What，notanswerherletter?Itishumbleenough，Iamsure——poorsoul!
　　Mother，Iamwretched，butIamnotbitter，andmyrivalwillrevengeme。"
　　"Uxmoor，yourgoingabroadistheonlyanswersheshallhave。Thewisestman，inthesematters，whoeverlivedhasleftaruleofconducttoeverywell-bornman——arulewhich，believeme，iswisdomitself:
　　"Lebruitestpourlefat，laplainteestpourlesot；L'honnetehommetrompe'；s'e'loigne，etneditmot。"
　　Youwillmakeatour，andnotsayawordtoMissVizard，good，bad，norindifferent。Iinsistuponthat。"
　　"Verywell。Thankyou，dearmother；youguideme，anddon'tletmemakeafoolofmyself，forIamterriblycutup。YouwillbetheonlyCountessofUxmoorinmyday。"
　　Thenhekneltatherfeet，andshekissedhisheadandcriedoverhim；
　　buthertearsonlymadethisproudladystronger。
　　Nextdayhestartedonhistravels。
　　Now，butforZoe，hewouldonnoaccounthaveleftEnglandjustthen；forhewasjustgoingtobuildmodelcottagesinhisownvillage，upondesignsofhisown，eachwithalittleplot，andapublicwarehouseorgranary，withdivisionsfortheirpotatoesandapples，etc。However，heturnedthisoverinhismindwhile。hewaspacking；heplacedcertainplansandpapersinhisdispatchbox，andtookhistickettoTaddington，insteadofgoingatoncetoLondon。FromTaddingtonhedroveovertoHillstokeandaskedforMissGale。TheytoldhimshewasfixedatVizardCourt。Thatvexedhim:hedidnotwanttomeetVizard。HethoughtitthepartofaJerrySneaktogoandhowltoabrotheragainsthissister。YetifVizardquestionedhim，howcouldheconcealtherewassomethingwrong?
　　However，hewentdowntoVizardCourt；butsaidtotheservantwhoopenedthedoor，"Iamratherinahurry，sir:doyouthinkyoucouldprocuremeafewminuteswithMissGale?YouneednottroubleMr。Vizard。"
　　"Yes，mylaud。Certainly，mylaud。Pleasestepinthemorning-room，mylaud。Mr。Vizardisout。"
　　Thatwasfortunate，andMissGalecamedowntohimdirectly。
　　FannytookthatopportunitytochatterandtellMademoiselleKloskingallaboutLordUxmoorandhispassionforZoe。"Andhewillhaveher，too，"
　　saidshe，boldly。
　　LordUxmoortoldMissGalehehadcalleduponbusiness。Hewasobligedtoleavehomeforatime，andwishedtoplacehisprojectsunderthecareofapersonwhocouldreallysympathizewiththem，andmakeadditionstothem，ifnecessary。"Men，"saidhe，"arealwaysmakingoversightsinmattersofdomesticcomfort:besides，youarefullofideas。Iwantyoutobeviceroywithfullpower，andactjustasyouwouldifthevillagebelongedtoyou。"
　　Rhodacoloredhighatthecompliment。
　　"Wells，cows，granary，realeducation——whatyoulike"saidhe。"Iknowyourmind。Beginabolishingthelowerordersintheonlywaytheycanbegotridof——byraisingthemincomfort，cleanliness，decency，andknowledge。ThenIshallnotbemissed。I'mgoingabroad。"
　　"Goingabroad?"
　　"Yes。Herearemyplans:alterthemforthebetterifyoucan。Alltheworktobedonebythevillagers。Weeklywages。Webuymaterials。Theywillbemorereconciledtoimproveddwellingswhentheybuildthemthemselves。Herearetheaddressesofthepeoplewhowillfurnishmoney。
　　Itwillentailtraveling；butmypeoplewillalwaysmeetyouatthestation，ifyoutelegraphfromTaddington。Youaccept?Athousandthanks。
　　IamafraidImustbeoff。"
　　Shewentintothehallwithhim，halfbewildered，andonlyatthedoorfoundtimetoaskafterZoeVizard。
　　"Alittlebetter，Ithink，thanwhenshecame。"
　　"Doessheknowyouaregoingabroad?"
　　"No；Idon'tthinkshedoes，yet。Itwassettledallinahurry。"
　　Heescapedfurtherquestioningbyhurryingaway。
　　MissGalewasstilllookingafterhim，whenInaKloskingcamedown，dressedforawalk，andleaninglightlyonMissDover'sarm。ThiswasbypreviousconsentofMissGale。
　　"Well，dear，"saidFanny，"whatdidhesaytoyou?"
　　"Somethingthathassurprisedandpuzzledmeverymuch。"Shethenrelatedthewholeconversation，withherusualprecision。
　　InaKloskingobservedquietlytoFannythatthisdidnotlooklikesuccessfulwooing。
　　"Idon'tknowthat，"saidFanny，stoutly。"Oh，MissGale，didyounotaskhimabouther?"
　　"CertainlyIdid；andhesaidshewasbetterthanwhenshefirstcame。"
　　"There!"saidFanny，triumphantly。
　　MissGalegaveheralittlepinch，andshedroppedthesubject。
　　Vizardreturned，andfoundMademoiselleKloskingwalkingonhisgravel。
　　Heofferedherhisarm，andwasahappyman，paradingherveryslowly，andsupportinghersteps，andpurringhiscongratulationsintoherear。
　　"SupposeIweretoinviteyoutodinner，whatwouldyousay?"
　　"IthinkIshouldsay，'To-morrow。'"
　　"Andaverygoodanswer，too。To-morrowshallbea_fete。"_
　　"Youspoilme?"
　　"Thatisimpossible。"
　　Itwasstrangetoseethemtogether；hesohappy，shesoapathetic，yetgracious。
　　Nextmorningcameabitofhumannature——aletterfromZoetoFanny，almostentirelyoccupiedwithpraisesofLordUxmoor。ShetoldthebullstorybetterthanIhave——ifpossible——and，inshort，madeUxmooraheroofromance。
　　Fannycarriedthisintriumphtotheotherladies，andreaditout。
　　"There!"saidshe。"Didn'tItellyou?"
　　Rhodareadtheletter，andownedherselfpuzzled。"Iamnot，then，"saidFanny:"theyareengaged——overthebull；likeEuropaandIforgotwho——andsoheisnotafraidtogoabroadnow。Thatisjustlikethemen。
　　Theycooldirectlythechaseisover。"
　　NowthetruthwasthatZoewastryingtosootheherconsciencewithelegantpraisesofthemanshehaddismissed，andfeltguilty。
　　InaKloskingsaidlittle。Shewaspuzzledtooatfirst。SheaskedtoseeZoe'shandwriting。Theletterwashandedtoher。Shestudiedthecharacters。"Itisagoodhand，"shesaid；"nothingmeanthere。"Andshegaveitback。
　　But，withaglance，shehadreadtheaddress，andlearnedthattheposttownwasBagley。
　　Allthatday，atintervals，shebroughtherpowerfulunderstandingtobearontheparadox；andthoughshehadnotthefactsandtheclewIhavegiventhereader，shecamenearthetruthinanessentialmatter。ShesatisfiedherselfthatLordUxmoorwasnotengagedtoZoeVizard。
　　Clearly，ifso，hewouldnotleaveEnglandformonths。Sheresolvedtoknowmore；andjustbeforedinnershewrotealinetoAshmead，andrequestedhimtocallonherimmediately。
　　ThatdayshedinedwithVizardandtheladies。ShesatatVizard'srighthand，andhetoldherhowproud，andhappyhewastoseeherthere。
　　Sheblushedfaintly，butmadenoreply。
　　Sheretiredsoonafterdinner。
　　AllnextdaysheexpectedAshmead。
　　Hedidnotcome。
　　ShedinedwithVizardnextday，andretiredtothedrawing-room。Thepianowasopened，andsheplayedoneortwoexquisitethings，andafterwardtriedhervoice，butonlyinscales，andsomewhattimidly，forMissGalewarnedhershemightloseitorspoilitifshestrainedthevocalchordwhileherwholesystemwasweak。
　　NextdayAshmeadcamewithapologies。
　　Hehadspentadayinthecathedraltownonbusiness。Hedidnottellherhowhehadspentthatday，goingaboutpuffingherasthegreatestsingerofsacredmusicintheworld，andpavingthewaytoherengagementatthenextfestival。Yetthesingle-heartedJosephhadreallyraisedthatcommercialsuperstructureuponthesentimentsshehadutteredonhisfirstvisittoVizardCourt。
　　Inanowheldaprivateconferencewithhim。"Ithink，"saidshe，"Ihaveheardyousayyouwereonceanactor。"
　　"Iwas，madam，andaverygoodone，too。"
　　_"Celavasansdire。_Ineverknewonethatwasnot。Atallevents，youcandisguiseyourself。"
　　"Anything，madam，fromGrandfatherWhiteheadtoaboyinapinafore。
　　Famousformymake-ups。"
　　"Iwishyoutowatchacertainhouse，andnotberecognizedbyapersonwhoknowsyou。"
　　"Well，madam，nothingis_infradig，_ifdoneforyou；nothingisdistastefulifdoneforyou。"
　　"Thankyou，myfriend。Ihavethoughtitwelltoputmyinstructionsonpaper。"
　　"Ay，thatisthebestway。"
　　Shehandedhimtheinstructions。Hereadthem，andhiseyessparkled。
　　"Ah，thisisacommissionIundertakewithpleasure，andI'llexecuteitwithzeal。"
　　Helefther，soonafter，tocarryouttheseinstructions，andthatveryeveninghewasinthewardrobeofthelittletheater，rummagingoutasuitablecostume，andalsoincloseconferencewiththewigmaker。
　　NextdayVizardhadhismother'ssablestakenoutandaired，anddroveMademoiselleKloskingintoTaddingtoninanopencarriage。Fannytoldhertheywerehismother'ssables，andnonetocomparewiththeminthecountry。
　　Onreturning，shetriedhervoicetotheharmoniuminherownantechamber，andfounditwasgainingstrength——likeherself。
　　MeantimeZoeVizardmetSeverneinthegarden，andtoldhimshehadwrittentoLordUxmoor，andhewouldnevervisitheragain。Butshedidnotmakelightofthesacrificethistime。Shehadsacrificedherownself-respectaswellasUxmoor's，andshewassullenandtearful。
　　Hehadtobeverywaryandpatient，orshewouldhavepartedwithhimtoo，andfledfrombothofthemtoherbrother。
　　Uxmoor'swoundedpridewouldhavebeensoothedcouldhehavebeenpresentatthefirstinterviewofthispair。HewouldhaveseenSevernetreatedwithahauteurandasortofsavagenesshehimselfwassafefrom，safeinherunshakenesteem。
　　Buttheworldismadeforthosewhocankeeptheirtemper，especiallythefemalepartoftheworld。
　　Sad，kind，andloving，butneverirritable，Severnesmootheddownandsoothedandcomfortedthewoundedgirl；and，seeinghertwoorthreetimesaday——forshewascompletelymistressofhertime——gothercompletelyintohispoweragain。
　　Uxmoordidnotreply。
　　Shehadmadeherselection。Lovebeckonedforward。Itwasuselesstolookback。
　　Lovewasomnipotent。Theybothbegantorecovertheirgoodlooksasifbymagic；andasSeverne'spassion，thoughwicked，wasearnest，nopoorbirdwasevermorecompletelyentangledbybird-limethanZoewascaughtbyEdwardSeverne。
　　TheirusualplaceofmeetingwastheshrubberyattachedtoSomervilleVilla。Thetrees，beingyoung，madealltheclosershade，andthegravel-walkmeandered，andshutthemoutfromview。
　　Severneusedtoenterthisshrubberybyalittlegateleadingfromthemeadow，andwaitunderthetreestillZoecametohim。Vizard'sadvertisementsalarmedhim，andheusedtoseethecoastclearbeforeheenteredtheshrubbery，andalsobeforeheleftit。Hewassoparticularinthisthat，observingonedayanoldmandodderingaboutwithabasket，hewouldnotgointillhehadtakenalookathim。Hefounditwasanancientwhite-hairedvillagergatheringmushrooms。Theoldfellowwassostiff，andhishandsotrembling，thatittookhimaboutaminutetogatherasinglefungus。
　　Togiveareasonforcominguptohim，Severnesaid，"Howoldareyou，oldman?"
　　"Ibeninety，measter，nextMartinmas-day。"
　　"Onlyninety?"saidourAdonis，contemptuously；"youlookahundredandninety。"
　　Hewouldhavebeenlesscontemptuoushadheknownthatthemushroomswerealltoad-stools，andthevillagecentenairewasMr。JosephAshmead，resuminghisoriginalarts，andplayingGrandfatherWhiteheadonthegreengrass。
　　CHAPTERXXV。
　　MADEMOISELLEKLOSKINGtoldVizardthetimedrewnearwhenshemustleavehishospitablehouse。
　　"Sayamonthhence，"saidhe。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Ofcourseyouwillnotstaytogratifyme，"saidhe，halfsadly，halfbitterly。"Butyouwillhavetostayaweekortwolonger_parordonnancedume'decin。"_
　　"Myphysicianisreconciledtomygoing。Wemustallbowtonecessity。"
　　Thiswassaidtoofirmlytoadmitareply。"Theoldhousewillseemverydarkagainwheneveryoudogo，"saidVizard，plaintively。
　　"Itwillsoonbebrightenedbyherwhoisitstrueandlastinglight，"
　　wasthesteadyreply。
　　Adayortwopassedwithnothingtorecord，exceptthatVizardhungaboutInaKlosking，andbecame，ifpossible，moreenamoredofherandmoreunwillingtopartwithher。
　　Mr。Ashmeadarrivedoneafternoonaboutthreeo'clock，andwasmorethananhourwithher。Theyconversedveryearnestly，andwhenhewent，MissGalefoundheragitated。
　　"Thiswillnotdo，"saidshe。
　　"Itwillpass，myfriend，"saidIna。"Iwillsleep。"
　　Shelaidherselfdownandsleptthreehoursbeforedinner。
　　Shearoserefreshed，anddinedwiththelittleparty；andonretiringtothedrawing-room，sheinvitedVizardtojointhemathisconvenience。Hemadeithisconvenienceintenminutes。
　　Thensheopenedthepiano，playedanintroduction，andelectrifiedthemallbysingingtheleadingsonginSiebel。Shedidnotsingitsopowerfullyasinthetheater；shewouldnothavedonethatevenifshecould:butstillshesungitout，andnobly。Itseemedamiracletohearsuchsinginginaroom。
　　Vizardwasinraptures。
　　Theycooledsuddenlywhensheremindedhimwhathehadsaid，thatshemuststaytillshecouldsingSiebel'ssong。"Ikeeptotheletterofthecontract，"saidshe。"Myfriends，thisismylastnightatVizardCourt。"
　　"Pleasetryandshakethatresolution，"saidVizard，gravely，toMesdemoisellesDoverandGale。
　　"Theycannot，"saidIna。"Itismydestiny。Andyet，"saidshe，afterapause，"Iwouldnothaveyouremembermebythatflimsything。Letmesingyouasongyourmotherloved；letmeberememberedinthishouse，asasinger，bythat。"
　　ThenshesungHandel'ssong:
　　"WhatthoughItraceeachherbandflowerThatdecksthemorningdew?DidInotownJehovah'spower，HowvainwereallIknew。"
　　Shesungitwithamazingpurity，volume，grandeur，andpower；thelustersrangandshook，theheartswerethrilled，andtheverysoulsofthehearersravished。Sheherselfturnedalittlepaleinsingingit，andthetearsstoodinhereyes。
　　Thesonganditsinterpretationweresofarabovewhatpassesformusicthattheyallfeltcomplimentswouldbeanimpertinence。Theireyesandtheirlongdrawnbreathpaidthetruehomagetothatgreatmasterrightlyinterpreted——averyrareoccurrence。
　　"Ah!"saidshe；"thatwasthehandcouldbrandishGoliath'sspear。"
　　"Andthisishowyoureconcileustolosingyou，"saidVizard。"Youmightstay，atleast，tillyouhadgonethroughmypoormother'scollection。"
　　"Ah!IwishIcould。ButIcannot。Imustnot。MyFateforbidsit。"
　　"'Fate'and'destiny，'"saidVizard，"stuffandnonsense。Wemakeourowndestiny。Mineistobeeternallydisappointed，andhappinesssnatchedoutofmyhands。"
　　Hehadnosoonermadethisprettyspeechthanhewasashamedofit，andstalkedoutoftheroom，nottosayanymoreunwisethings。
　　ThisburstofspleenalarmedFannyDover。"There，"saidshe，"nowyoucannotgo。Heisveryangry。"
　　InaKloskingsaidshewassorryforthat；buthewastoojustamantobeangrywithherlong:thedaywouldcomewhenhewouldapproveherconduct。Herlipquiveredalittleasshesaidthis，andthewaterstoodinhereyes:andthiswasrememberedandunderstood，longafter，bothbyMissDoverandRhodaGale。
　　"WhendoesyourRoyalHighnessproposetostart?"inquiredRhodaGale，veryobsequiously，andjustalittlebitterly。
　　"To-morrowathalf-pastnineo'clock，dearfriend，"saidIna。
　　"Thenyouwillnotgowithoutme。YouwillgetthebetterofMr。Vizard，becauseheisonlyaman；butIamawoman，andhaveawillaswellasyou。Ifyoumakeajourneyto-morrow，Igowithyou。Denyme，andyoushan'tgoatall。"Hereyesflasheddefiance。
　　Inamovedonestep，tookRhoda'slittledefianthead，andkissedhercheek。"Sweetphysicianandkindfriend，ofcourseyoushallgowithme，ifyouwill，andbeagreatblessingtome。"
　　ThisreconciledMissGaletotheproceedings。Shepackedupacarpet-bag，andwasupearly，makingprovisionsofeverysortforherpatient'sjourney:airpillows，softwarmcoverings，medicaments，stimulants，etc。，inalittlebagslungacrosshershoulders。Thusfurnished，andequippedinauniformsuitofgrayclothandwideawakehat，shecutaverysprightlyandcommandingfigure，butmorelikeDianathanHebe。
　　TheKloskingcamedown，apaleJuno，intravelingcostume；andaquarterofanhourbeforethetimeapair-horseflywasatthedoorandMr。
　　Ashmeadinthehall。
　　Theladieswerebothready。
　　ButVizardhadnotappeared。
　　Thiscausedanuneasydiscussion。
　　"Hemustbeveryangry，"saidFanny，inahalfwhisper。
　　"Icannotgowhileheis，"sighedLaKlosking。"Thereisalimiteventomycourage。"
　　"Mr。Harris，"saidRhoda，"wouldyoumindtellingMr。Vizard?"
　　"Well，miss，"saidHarris，softly，"Ididstepinandtellhim。Whichhetoldmetogotothedevil，miss——ahobservationIneverknewhimtomakebefore。"
　　Thiswasnotencouraging。YettheKloskingquietlyinquiredwherehewas。
　　"Inthere，ma'am，"saidHarris。"Inhisstudy。"
　　MademoiselleKlosking，placedbetweentwoalternatives，decidedwithherusualresolution。Shewalkedimmediatelytothedoorandtappedatit；
　　then，scarcelywaitingforaninstant，openeditandwalkedinwithseemingfirmness，thoughherheartwasbeatingratherhigh。
　　Thepeopleoutsidelookedatoneanother。"Iwonderwhetherhewilltell_her_togotothedevil，"saidFanny，whowasgettingtiredofbeinggood。
　　"Nouse，"saidMissGale；"shedoesn'tknowtheroad。"
　　WhenLaKloskingenteredthestudy，Vizardwasseated，disconsolate，withtwopicturesbeforehim。Hisfacewasfullofpain，andLaKlosking'sheartsmoteher。Shemovedtowardhim，hangingherhead，andsaid，withinimitablesweetnessandtenderness，"Hereisaculpritcometotryandappeaseyou。"
　　Therecameatimethathecouldhardlythinkofthesewordsandherpenitent，submissivemannerwithdryeyes。Butjustthenhisblackdoghadbittenhim，andhesaid，sullenly，"Oh，nevermindme。Itwasalwaysso。Yoursexhavealwaysmademesmartfor——Ifflyingfrommyhousebeforeyouarehalfrecoveredgivesyouhalfthepleasureitgivesmepainandmortification，saynomoreaboutit。"
　　"Ah!whysayitgivesmepleasure?myfriend，youcannotreallythinkso。"
　　"Idon'tknowwhattothink。Youladiesareallriddles。"
　　"ThenImusttakeyouintomyconfidence，and，withsomereluctance，I
　　own，letyouknowwhyIleavethisdear，kindroofto-day。"
　　Vizard'sgenerositytookthealarm。"No，"said，"Iwillnotextortyourreasons。Itisashameofme。Yourbarewilloughttobelawinthishouse；andwhatreasonscouldreconcilemetolosingyousosuddenly?Youarethejoyofoureyes，thedelightofourears，theidolofallourhearts。Youwillleaveus，andtherewillbedarknessandgloom，insteadofsunshineandsong。Well，go；butyoucannotsoftentheblowwithreasons。"
　　MademoiselleKloskingflushed，andherbosomheaved；forthiswasastrongman，greatlymoved。Withinstinctivetact，shesawthebestwaytobringhimtohissenseswastogivehimagoodopeningtoretreat。
　　"Ah，monsieur，"saidshe，"youare_tropgrandseigneur。_Youentertainapoorwoundedsingerinachamberfewprincescanequal。Youplaceeverythingatherdisposal；suchaphysicianandnurseasnoqueencancommand；achoirtosingtoher；royalsablestokeepthewindfromher，andladiestowaitonher。Andwhenyouhavebroughtherbacktolife，yousaytoyourself，Sheisawoman；shewillnotbethoroughlycontentunlessyoutellhersheisadorable。So，outofpoliteness，youdescendtothelanguageofgallantry。Thiswasnotneeded。Idispensewiththatkindofcomfort。Ileaveyourhousebecauseitismyduty，andleaveityourgratefulservantandtruefriendtomylasthour。"
　　Shehadopenedthedoor，andVizardcouldnowescape。Hisobstinacyandhisheartwouldnotlethim。
　　"Donotfencewithme，"saidhe。"Leavethattoothers。Itisbeneathyou。Ifyouhadbeencontenttostay，Iwouldhavebeencontenttoshowmyheartbyhalves。Butwhenyouoffertoleaveme，youdrawfrommeanavowalIcannolongerrestrain，andyoumustandshalllistentoit。
　　WhenIsawyouonthestageatHomburg，Iadmiredyouandlovedyouthatverynight。ButIknewfromexperiencehowseldominwomenoutwardgracesgowiththevirtuesofthesoul。Idistrustedmyjudgment。IfearedyouandIfledyou。Butourdestinybroughtyouhere，andwhenIheldyou，paleandwounded，inmyveryarms，myheartseemedtogooutofmybosom。"
　　"Oh，nomore!nomore，pray!"criedMademoiselleKlosking。
　　Butthecurrentoflovewasnottobestemmed。"SincethatterriblehourIhavebeeninheaven，watchingyourgradualandsurerecovery；butyouhaverecoveredonlytoabandonme，andyourhurrytoleavemedrivesmetodesperation。No，Icannotpartwithyou。Youmustnotleaveme，eitherthisdayoranyday。Givemeyourhand，andstayhereforever，andbethequeenofmyheartandofmyhouse。"
　　ForsometimeLaKloskinghadlostherusualcomposure。Herbosomheavedtumultuously，andherhandstrembled。Butatthisdistinctproposalthewholewomanchanged。Shedrewherselfup，withherpalecheekflushingandhereyesglittering。
　　"What，sir?"saidshe。"Haveyoureadmesoill?DoyounotknowIwouldratherbethemeanestdrudgethatgoesonherkneesandscrubsyourfloors，thanbequeenofyourhouse，asyoucallit?Ah，Jesu，areallmenalike，then；thathewhomIhavesorevered，whosemother'ssongsI
　　havesungtohim，makesmeaproposaldishonorabletomeandtohimself?"
　　"Dishonorable!"criedVizard。"Why，whatcananymanoffertoanywomanmorehonorablethanIofferyou?Iofferyoumyheartandmyhand，andI
　　say，donotgo，mydarling。Stayhereforever，andbemyqueen，mygoddess，mywife!"
　　"YOURWIFE?"Shestaredwildlyathim。"Yourwife?AmIdreaming，orareyou?"
　　"Neither。DoyouthinkIcanbecontentwithlessthanthat?Ina，Iadoreyou。"
　　Sheputherhandtoherhead。"Iknownotwhoistoblameforthis，"saidshe，andshetrembledvisibly。
　　"I'lltaketheblame，"saidhe，gayly。
　　SaidIna，verygravely。"You，whodomethehonortooffermeyourname，haveyouaskedyourselfseriouslywhathasbeenthenatureofmyrelationwithEdwardSeverne?"
　　"No!"criedVizard，violently；"andIdonotmeanto。Iseeyoudespisehimnow；andIhavemyeyesandmysensestoguidemeinchoosingawife。
　　Ichooseyou——ifyouwillhaveme。"
　　Shelistened，thenturnedhermoisteyesfulluponhim，andsaidtohim，"Thisisthegreatesthonoreverbefellme。Icannottakeit。"
　　"Nottakeit?"
　　"No；butthatismymisfortune。Donotbemortified。Youhavenorivalinmyesteem。WhatshallIsay，myfriend?——atleastImaycallyouthat。IfIexplainnow，Ishallweepmuch，andlosemystrength。WhatshallIdo?
　　Ithink——yes，thatwillbebest——_youshallgowithmeto-day。"_
　　"Totheendoftheworld!"
　　"Somethingtellsmeyouwillknowall，andforgiveme。"
　　"ShallItakemybag?"
　　"Youmighttakeaneveningdressandsomelinen。"
　　"Verywell。Iwon'tkeepyouamoment，"saidhe，andwentupstairswithgreatalacrity。
　　Shewentintothehall，withhereyesbentontheground，andwasimmediatelypinnedbyRhodaGale，whosepiercingeye，andinquisitivefingeronherpulse，soondiscoveredthatshehadgonethroughatryingscene。"Thisisabadbeginningofanimprudentjourney，"saidshe:"I
　　haveagreatmindtocountermandthecarriage。"
　　"No，no，"saidIna；"Iwillsleepintherailwayandrecovermyself。"
　　Theladiesnowgotintothecarriage；Ashmeadinsistedongoinguponthebox；andVizardsoonappeared，andtookhisseatoppositeMissGaleandMademoiselleKlosking。Thelatterwhisperedherdoctress:"Itwouldbewiseofmenottospeakmuchatpresent。"LaGalecommunicatedthistoVizard，andtheydrovealongindeadsilence。Buttheywerenaturallycurioustoknowwheretheyweregoing；sotheyheldsomecommunicationwiththeireyes。TheyverysoonfoundtheyweregoingtoTaddingtonStation。
　　Thencameadoubt——weretheygoingupordown?
　　Thatwassoonresolved。
　　Mr。Ashmeadhadhiredasalooncarriageforthem，withcouchesandconveniences。
　　Theyenteredit；andMademoiselleKloskingsaidtoMissGale，"ItisnecessarythatIshouldsleep。"
　　"Youshall，"saidMissGale。
　　Whileshewasarrangingthepillowsandthings，LaKloskingsaidtoVizard，"Weartistslearntosleepwhenwehaveworktodo。WithoutitI
　　shouldnotbestrongenoughthisday。"Shesaidthisinahalf-apologetictone，asoneanxiousnottogivehimanyshadowofoffense。