"Naturally。Especiallyateachnewplace。Onlyconceive:oneisalwaysanxiousonthestage；anditisonethingtocomebeforeapublicallstrangers，andnearlyallpoorjudges；itisanothertosee，allreadyforyourfirstnote，anoblefacebrightwithintelligenceandadmiration——thefaceofafriend。OftenthatonefaceistheonlyoneI
　　allowmyselftosee。Ithidesthewholepublic。"
　　"Thendon'tyoubesillyandsenditaway。I'lltellyoutheonefaultofyourcharacter:youthinktoomuchofotherpeople，andtoolittleofyourself。Now，thatiscontrarytotheschemeofnature。Wearesentintotheworldtotakecareofnumberone。"
　　"What!"saidIna；"arewetobeallself-indulgence?Istheretobenoprinciple，nowomanlyprudence，foresight，discretion?No；Ifeelthesacrifice:butnopowershallhindermefrommakingit。Ifyoucannotpersuadehim，I'lldolikeothersingers。Iwillbeill，andquitthecompany。"
　　"Don'tdothat，"saidRhoda。"Nowyouhaveputonyourironlook，itisnousearguing——Iknowthattomycost。There——Iwilltalktohim。Onlydon'thurryme；letmetakemyopportunity。"
　　Thisbeingunderstood，Inawouldnotpartwithherforthepresent，buttookhertothetheater。Shedismissedherdresser，atRhoda'srequest，andRhodafilledthatoffice。Sotheycouldtalkfreely。
　　Rhodahadneverbeenbehindthescenesofatheaterbefore，andshewentpryingabout，ignoringthemusic，forshewasalmostearless。Presently，whomshouldsheencounterbutEdwardSeverne。Shestartedandlookedathimlikeabasilisk。Heremovedhishatanddrewbackastepwithagreatairofrespectandhumility。ShewasshockedandindignantwithInaforlettinghimbeabouther。Shefollowedheroffthestageintoherdressingroom，andtookhertotask。"IhaveseenMr。Severnehere。"
　　"Hecomeseverynight。"
　　"Andyouallowhim?"
　　"Itisthemanager。"
　　"Buthewouldnotadmithim，ifyouobjected。"
　　"Iamafraidtodothat。"
　　"Why?"
　　"Weshouldhavean_esclandre。_Ifindhehashadsomuchconsiderationformeastotellnooneourrelation；andashehasneverspokentome，IdothemostprudentthingIcan，andtakenonotice。Shouldheattempttointrudehimselfonme，thenitwillbetimetohavehimstoppedinthehall，andIshalldoit_cou'tequecou'te。_Ah，mydearfriend，mineisadifficultandtryingposition。"
　　Afteraverylongwait，Inawentdownandsungherprincipalsong，withtheusualbravasandthundersofapplause。Shewascalledontwice，andassheretired，Severnesteppedforward，and，withalow，obsequiousbow，handedherabeautifulbouquet。Shetookitwithastatelycourtesy，butneverlookednorsmiled。
　　Rhodasawthatandwondered。Shethoughttoherself，"Thatiscarryingpolitenessalongway。Tobesure，sheishalfaforeigner。"
　　Havingdonehisnightlyhomage，Severneleftthetheater，andsoonafterwardtheperformanceconcluded，andInatookherfriendhome。
　　Ashmeadwasinthehalltoshowhispatronesstohercarriage——adutyheneverfailedin。Rhodashookhandswithhim，andhesaid，"Delightedtoseeyouhere，miss。Youwillbeagreatcomforttoher。"
　　Thetwofriendscommunedtilltwoo'clockinthemorning:butthelimitsofmytaleforbidmetorepeatwhatpassed。
　　SufficeittosaythatRhodawasfairlypuzzledbythesituation；but，havingagreatregardforVizard，sawclearlyenoughthatheoughttobesentbacktoIslip。Shethoughtthatperhapstheverysightofherwouldwoundhispride，and，findinghismaniadiscoveredbyathirdperson，hewouldgoofhisownaccord:soshecalledonhim。
　　Mylordreceivedherwithfriendlycomposure，andallhistalkwasaboutIslip。HedidnotcondescendtoexplainhispresenceatCarlisle。Heknewthat_quis'excuses'accuse，_andlefthertoremonstrate。Shehadhardlycourageforthat，andhopeditmightbeunnecessary。
　　ShetoldInawhatshehaddone。Buthervisitwasfutile:atnighttherewasVizardinhisbox。
　　NextdaythecompanyopenedinManchester。Vizardwasinhisboxthere——Severneinfront，tillIna'sprincipalsong。Thenhecameroundandpresentedhisbouquet。ButthistimehecameuptoRhodaGale，andaskedherwhetherapenitentmanmightpayhisrespectstoherinthemorning。
　　Shesaidshebelievedtherewereveryfewpenitentsintheworld。
　　"Iknowone，"saidhe。
　　"Well，Idon't，then，"saidthevirago。"But_you_cancome，ifyouarenotafraid。"
　　OfcourseInaKloskingknewofthisappointmenttwominutesafteritwasmade。Shemerelysaid，"Donotlethimtalkyouover。"
　　"Heisnotsolikelytotalkmeoverasyou，"saidRhoda。
　　"Youaremistaken，"wasIna'sreply。"Iamtheonepersonhewillneverdeceiveagain。"
　　RhodaGalereceivedhisvisit:hedidnotbeataboutthebush，norfenceatall。Hedeclaredatoncewhathecamefor。Hesaid，"Atthefirstsightofyou，whomIhavebeensoungratefulto，Icouldnotspeak；butnowIthrowmyselfonyourforgiveness。Ithinkyoumusthaveseenthatmyingratitudehasneversatlightonme。"
　　"Ihaveseenthatyouwereterriblyafraidofme，"saidshe。
　　"IdaresayIwas。ButIamnotafraidofyounow；andhere，onmyknees，Iimploreyoutoforgivemybaseness，myingratitude。Oh，MissGale，youdon'tknowwhatitistobemadlyinlove；onehasnoprinciple，norightfeeling，againstarealpassion:andIwasmadlyinlovewithher。ItwasthroughfearoflosingherIdisownedmyphysician，mybenefactress，whohadsavedmylife。Miserablewretch!ItwasthroughfearoflosingherthatIbehavedlikearuffiantomyangelwife，andwouldhavecommittedbigamy，andbeenafelon。Whatwasallthisbutmadness?You，whoaresowise，willyounotforgivemeacrimethatdownrightinsanitywasthecauseof?"
　　"Humph!ifIunderstandright，youwishmetoforgiveyouforlookinginmyface，andsayingtothewomanwhohadsavedyourlife，'Idon'tknowyou?'"
　　"Yes——ifyoucan。No:nowyouputitinplainwords，Iseeitisnottobeforgiven。"
　　"Youaremistaken。Itwaslikeastabtomyheart，andIcriedbitterlyoverit。"
　　"ThenIdeservetobehanged；thatisall。"
　　"But，onconsideration，IbelieveitisasmuchyournaturetobewickedasitismyangelIna'stobegood。SoIforgiveyouthatonething，youcharmingvillain。"Sheheldoutherhandtohiminproofofhergoodfaith。
　　Hethrewhimselfonhiskneesdirectly，andkissedandmumbledherhand，andbedeweditwithhystericaltears。
　　"Oh，don'tdothat，"saidshe；"orI'mboundtogiveyouagoodkick。I
　　hateshemen。"
　　"Givemeamoment，"saidhe，"andIwillbeamanagain。"
　　Hesatwithhisfaceinhishands，gulpingalittle。
　　"Come，"saidshe，cockingherheadlikeakeenjackdaw；"nowletushavetherealobjectofyourvisit。"
　　"No，no，"saidhe，inadvertently——"anothertimewilldoforthat。Iamcontentwithyourforgiveness。NowIcanwait。"
　　"Whatfor?"
　　"Canyouask?Doyouconsiderthisahappystateofthings?"
　　"Certainlynot。Butitcan'tbehelped:andwehavetothankyouforit。"
　　"Itcouldbehelpedintime。Ifyouwouldpersuadehertotakethefirststep。"
　　"Whatstep?"
　　"Nottodisownherhusband。Tolethimatleastbeherfriend——herpenitent，humblefriend。Wearemanandwife。IfIweretosaysopublicly，shewouldadmitit。InthisrespectatleastIhavebeengenerous:willshenotbegeneroustoo?Whatharmcoulditdoherifwelivedunderthesameroof，andItookhertothetheater，andfetchedherhome，anddidlittlefriendlyofficesforher?"
　　"Andsogotthethinedgeofthewedgein，eh?Mr。Severne，Ideclineallinterferenceinamattersodelicate，andinfavorofapersonwhowoulduseherasillasever，ifheoncesucceededinrecoveringheraffections。"
　　Sothenshedismissedhimperemptorily。
　　But，truetoVizard'sinterest，shecalledonhimagain，and，afterafewpreliminaries，lethimknowthatSevernewaseverynightbehindthescenes。
　　Aspasmcrossedhisface。"Iamquiteawareofthat，"saidhe。"Butheisneveradmittedintoherhouse。"
　　"Howdoyouknow?"
　　"Heisunderconstantsurveillance。"
　　"Spies?"
　　"No。Thief-takers。AllfromScotlandYard。"
　　"Andlovebringsmendowntothis。Whatisitfor?"
　　"WhenIamsureofyourco-operation，Iwillletyouknowmyhopes。"
　　"Hedoubtsmyfriendship，"saidRhodasorrowfully。
　　"No；onlyyourdiscretion。"
　　"Iwillbediscreet。"
　　"Well，then，soonerorlater，heissuretoformsomeimproperconnectionorother；andthenIhopeyouwillaidmeinpersuadinghertodivorcehim。"
　　"Thatisnotsoeasyinthiscountry。ItisnotlikeourWesternStates，where，thesayingis，theygiveyoufiveminutesatarailwaystationfordi——vorce。"
　　"YouforgetsheisaGermanProtestantandthemarriagewasinthatcountry。Itwillbeeasyenough。"
　　"Verywell；dismissitfromyourmind。Shewillnevercomebeforethepublicinthatway。NothingyounorIcouldurgewouldinduceher。"
　　Vizardreplied，doggedly，"Iwillneverdespair，solongasshekeepshimoutofherhouse。"
　　RhodatoldInaKloskingthis，andsaid，"Nowitisinyourownhands。Youhaveonlytoletyourcharmingvillainintoyourhouse，andMr。VizardwillreturntoIslip。"
　　InaKloskingburiedherfaceinherhands，andthought。
　　Atnight，Vizardinhisbox，asusual。Severnebehindthesceneswithhisbouquet。Butthisnighthestayedfortheballet，toseeaFrenchdanseusewhohadjoinedthem。Hewasacquaintedwithherbefore，andhadasprightlyconversationwithher。Inotherwords，herenewedanoldflirtation。
　　Thenextoperanightallwentasusual。Vizardinthebox，lookingsadderthanusual。Rhoda'sgoodsensehadnotbeenentirelywasted。Severne，withhisbouquet，andhisgravehumility，untiltheplayended，andLaKloskingpassedoutintothehall。HerbackwashardlyturnedwhenMademoiselleLafontaine，dressedfortheballet，inamostspicycostume，danceduptoheroldfriend，andslappedhisfaceverysoftlywitharose，thensprungawayandstoodonherdefense。
　　"I'llhavethatrose，"criedSeverne。
　　"Nenni。"
　　"Andakissintothebargain。"
　　"Jamais。"
　　"C'estcequenousverrons。"
　　Hechasedher。Sheutteredafeigned"Ah!"anddartedaway。Hefollowedher；shecrossedthesceneattheback，whereitwasdark，boundedoveranopentrap，whichshesawjustintime，butSeverne，notseeingit，becauseshewasbetweenhimandit，fellthroughit，and，strikingthemazarine，fellintothecellar，fifteenfeetbelowthestage。
　　Thescreamsofthedancerssoonbroughtacrowdroundthetrap，andreachedMademoiselleKloskingjustasshewasgoingouttohercarriage。
　　"There!"shecried。"Anotheraccident!"andshecameback，makingsureitwassomepoorcarpentercometogrief，asusual。Onsuchoccasionsherpursewasalwaysready。
　　TheybroughtSeverneupsensible，butmoaning，andbleedingatthetemple，andlookingallstreakyabouttheface。
　　Theyweregoingtotakehimtotheinfirmary；butMademoiselleKlosking，withafaceofangelicpity，said，"No；hebleeds，hebleeds。Hemustgotomyhouse。"
　　Theystaredalittle；butittakesagooddealtoastonishpeopleinatheater。
　　Severnewascarriedout，hisheadhastilybandaged，andhewasliftedintoLaKlosking'scarriage。Oneofthepeopleofthetheaterwasdirectedtogoonthebox，andLaKloskingandAshmeadsupportedhim，andhewastakentoherlodgings。Shedirectedhimtobelaidonacouch，andaphysiciansentfor，MissGalenothavingyetreturnedfromLiverpool，whithershehadgonetoattendalecture。
　　Ashmeadwentforthephysician。ButalmostatthedoorhemetMissGaleandMr。Vizard。
　　"Miss，"saidhe，"youarewanted。Therehasbeenanaccident。Mr。Severnehasfallenthroughatrap，andintothecellar。"
　　"Nobonesbroken?"
　　"Nothe:hehasonlybrokenhishead；andthatwillcostherabrokenheart。"
　　"Whereishe?"
　　"WhereIhopednevertoseehimagain。
　　"What!inherhouse?"saidRhodaand，hurriedoffatonce。
　　"Mr。Ashmead，"saidVizard，"awordwithyou。"
　　"Byallmeans，sir，"saidAshmead，"aswegoforthedoctor。Dr。Menteithhasagreatname。Helivesclosebyyourhotel，sir。
　　Astheywent，Vizardaskedhimwhathemeantbysayingthisaccidentwouldcostherabrokenheart。
　　"Why，sir，"saidAshmead，"heisonhisgoodbehaviortogetback；hasbeenformonthsbeggingandprayingjusttobeletliveunderthesameroof。Shehasalwaysrefused。Butsomefellowshavesuchluck。Idon'tsayhefelldownatraponpurpose；buthehasdoneit，andnobrokenbones，butplentyofblood。Thatistheverythingtoovercomeawoman'sfeelings；andsheisnotproofagainstpity。Hewillhaveheragain。Why，sheishisnursenow；andseehowthatwillwork。Wehaveaweek'smorebusinesshere；and，bybadluck，adeadfortnight，allalongofDublinfallingthroughunexpectedly。HeisasartfulasOldNick；hewillspinoutthatbrokenheadofhisandmakeitlastallthethreeweeks；andshewillnursehim，andhewillbeweak，andgrateful，andcry，andbegherpardonsixtimesaday，andsheisonlyawoman，afterall:andtheyaremanandwife，whenallisdone:theroadisbeaten。Theywillrunuponitagain，tillhistimeisuptoplaytherogueasbadasever。"
　　"Youtortureme，"saidVizard。
　　"IamafraidIdo，sir。ButIfeelitmyduty。Mr。Vizard，youareanoblegentleman，andIamonlywhatyousee；butthehumblestfolkwillhavetheirlikesanddislikes，andIhaveagreatrespectforyou，sir。I
　　can'ttellyouthemixtureofthingsIfeelwhenIseeyouinthesameboxeverynight。Ofcourse，Iamheragent，andthehousewouldnotbecompletewithoutyou；butasamanIamsorry。Especiallynowthatshehaslethimintoherhouse。Takeahumblefriend'sadvice，sir，andcutit。Don'tyoucomebetweenanywomanandherhusband，especiallyapubliclady。Shewillneverbemoretoyouthansheis。Sheisagoodwoman，andhemustkeepgainingground。Hehasgotthepull。Rouseallyourpride，sir，andyourmanhood，andyouhavegotplentyofboth，andcutit；don'tlookrightnorleft，butcutit——andforgivemypresumption。"
　　Vizardwasgreatlymoved。"Givemeyourhand，"hesaid；"youareaworthyman。I'llactonyouradvice，andneverforgetwhatIoweyou。Sticktomelikealeech，andseemeoffbythenexttrain，forIamgoingtotearmyheartoutofmybosom。"
　　Luckilytherewasatraininhalfanhour，andAshmeadsawhimoff；thenwenttosupper。HedidnotreturntoIna'slodgings。HedidnotwanttoseeSevernenursed。Helikedthefellow，too；buthesawthroughhimclean；andheworshipedInaKlosking。
　　CHAPTERXXX。
　　AToneo'clocknextday，AshmeadreceivedanotefromMademoiselleKlosking，saying，"ArrangewithMr。X——toclosemytourwithManchester。Paythefortnight，ifrequired。"Shewaswiththecompanyatamonth'snoticeoneitherside，youmustunderstand。
　　Insteadofgoingtothemanager，hewentatonce，inutterdismay，toMademoiselleKlosking，andtherelearnedinsubstancewhatImustnowbrieflyrelate。
　　MissGalefoundEdwardSevernedepositedonasofa。Inawasonherkneesbyhisside，sponginghisbleedingtemple，withlooksofgentlepity。
　　Strangetosay，thewoundwasinthesameplaceashiswife's，butmorecontused，andnolargeveinwasdivided。MissGalesoonstanchedthat。
　　Sheaskedhimwherehispainwas。Hesaiditwasinhisheadandhisback；andhecastahaggard，anxiouslookonher。
　　"Takemyarm，"saidshe。"Now，standup。"
　　Hetried，butcouldnot，andsaidhislegswerebenumbed。MissGalelookedgrave。
　　"Layhimonmybed，"saidLaKlosking。"Thatisbetterthanthesehardcouches。"
　　"Youareright，"saidMissGale。"Ringfortheservants。Hemustbemovedgently。"
　　Hewascarriedin，andsetupontheedgeofthebed，andhiscoatandwaistcoattakenoff。Thenhewaslaidgentlydownonthebed，andcoveredwithadownquilt。
　　DoctressGalethenrequestedInatoleavetheroom，whileshequestionedthepatient。
　　Inaretired。InamomentortwoMissGalecameouttohersoftly。
　　Atsightofherface，LaKloskingsaid，"Oh，dear；itismoreseriousthanwethought。"
　　"Veryserious。
　　"PoorEdward!"
　　"Collectallyourcourage，forIcannotlie，eithertopatientorfriend。"
　　"Andyouareright，"saidLaKlosking，trembling。"Iseeheisindanger。"
　　"Worsethanthat。Wherethere'sdangerthereishope。Herethereisnone。
　　HEISADEADMAN!"
　　"Oh，no!no!"
　　"Hehasbrokenhisback，andnothingcansavehim。Hislowerlimbshavealreadylostsensation。Deathwillcreepovertherest。Donotdisturbyourmindwithidlehopes。YouhavetwothingstothankGodfor——thatyoutookhimintoyourownhouse，andthathewilldieeasily。Indeed，werehetosuffer，Ishouldstupefyhimatonce，fornothingcan_hurt_him。"
　　InaKloskingturnedfaintandherkneesgavewayunderher。Rhodaministeredtoher；andwhileshewassoemployed，Dr。Menteithwasannounced。Hewasshownintothepatient，andtheaccidentdescribedtohim。Hequestionedthepatient，andexaminedhimalone。
　　Hethencameout，andsaidhewoulddrawaprescription。Hedidso。
　　"Doctor，"saidLaKlosking，"tellmethetruth。ItcannotbeworsethanI
　　fear。"
　　"Madam，"saidthedoctor，"medicinecandonothingforhim。Thespinalcordisdivided。Givehimanythinghefancies，andmyprescriptionifhesufferspain，nototherwise。ShallIsendyouanurse?"
　　"No，"saidMademoiselleKlosking，_"we_willnursehimnightandday。"
　　Heretired，andthefriendsenteredontheirsadduties。
　　WhenSevernesawthembothbyhisbedside，withearnestlooksofpity，hesaid，"Donotworryyourselves。I'mbookedforthelongjourney。Ah，well，IshalldiewhereIoughttohavelived，andmighthave，ifIhadnotbeenafool。"
　　Inaweptbitterly。
　　Theynursedhimnightandday。Hesufferedlittle，andwhenhedid，MissGalestupefiedthepainatonce；for，asshetrulysaid，"Nothingcanhurthim。"Vitalitygraduallyretiredtohishead，andlingeredthereawholeday。But，tohislastmoment，theartofpleasingneverabandonedhim。Insteadofworryingforthisorthateverymoment，heshowedinthisdesperateconditionsingularpatienceandwell-bredfortitude。Hecheckedhiswife'stears；assuredheritwasallforthebest，andthathewasreconciledtotheinevitable。"IhavehadahappiertimethanIdeserve，"
　　saidhe，"andnowIhaveapainlessdeath，nursedbytwosweetwomen。MyonlyregretisthatIshallnotbeabletorepayyourdevotion，Ina，norbecomeworthyofyourfriendship，MissGale。"
　　Hediedwithoutfear，itbeinghisconvictionthatheshouldreturnafterdeathtothepreciseconditioninwhichhewasbeforebirth；andwhentheybeggedhimtoseeaclergyman，hesaid，"Praydonotgiveyourselvesorhimthattrouble。Icanmeltbackintotheuniversewithouthisassistance。"
　　Heevendiedcontent；forthispolishedBohemianhadoftenforeseenthat，ifhelivedlong，heshoulddiemiserably。
　　Butthemainfeatureofhisendwashisextraordinarypoliteness。HepaidMissGalecomplimentsjustasifhewereathiseaseonasofa:andscarceanhourbeforehisdeceasehesaid，faintly，"Ideclare——Ihavebeensobusy——dying——IhaveforgottentosendmykindregardstogoodMr。
　　Ashmead。PraytellhimIdidnotforgethiskindnesstome。"
　　Hejustceasedtolive，soquietwashisdeath，andasmilerestedonhisdeadfeatures，andtheywereasbeautifulasever。
　　Soendedafair，perniciouscreature，endowedtoorichlywiththeartofpleasing，andquitedevoidofprinciple。Fewbadmenknewrightsowell，andwentsowrong。Inaburiedherfaceforhoursonhisbed，andkissedhiscoldfeaturesandhand。Shehadtoldhimbeforehediedshewouldrecallallherresolutions，ifhewouldlive。Buthewasgone。Deathburiesaman'smanyfaults，andhisfewvirtuesriseagain。Shemournedhimsincerely，andwouldnotbecomforted；shepurchasedaburyingplaceforever，andlaidhiminit；thenshetookherachingheartfaraway，andwaslosttothepublicandtoallherEnglishfriends。
　　ThefaithfulRhodaaccompaniedherhalfwaytoLondon；thenreturnedtoherowndutiesinBarfordshire。
　　CHAPTERXXXI。
　　IMUSTnowretrogradealittletorelatesomethingrathercurious，andI
　　hopenotuninteresting。
　　ZoeVizardhadbeenforsometimeactingonMrs。Gale'sadvice；building，planningforthegoodofthepoor，andgoingoutofherselfmoreandmore。ShecomparednotesconstantlywithMissGale，andconceivedafriendshipforher。Ithadbeenalongtimecoming，becauseatfirstshedislikedMissGale'smannersverymuch。Butthatladyhadnursedhertenderly，andnowadvisedher，andZoe，whocouldnotdoanythingbyhalves，becamedevotedtoher。
　　Asshewarmedtohergoodwork，shegavesignsofclearerjudgment。ShenevermentionedSeverne；butshenolongerabsolutelyavoidedInaKlosking'sname；andonedayshespokeofherasahigh-principledwoman；forwhichtheGalekissedheronthespot。
　　Onenamesheoftenuttered，andalwayswithregretandself-reproach——LordUxmoor's。Ithinkthat，nowshewasherselfbuildingandplanningforthepermanentimprovementofthepoor，shefeltthetieofakindredsentiment。Uxmoorwasherpredecessorinthisgoodwork，too；andwouldhavebeenherassociate，ifshehadnotbeensoblind。
　　Thisthoughtstruckdeepinher。HermindranmoreandmoreonUxmoor，hismanliness，hiscourageinherdefense，andhisgentlemanlyfortitudeandbraveryinleavingher，withoutaword，atherrequest。Runningoverallthese，sheoftenblushedwithshame，andhereyesfilledwithsorrowatthinkingofhowshehadtreatedhim；andlosthimforeverbynotdeservinghim。
　　Sheevenmadeobliqueandtimidinquiries，butcouldlearnnothingofhim，exceptthathesentperiodicalremittancestoMissGale，formanaginghisimprovements。These，however，cameinthroughacountryagentfromatownagent，andleftnoclew。
　　Butonefineday，withnowarningexcepttohisownpeople，LordUxmoorcamehome；andthenextdayrodetoHillstoketotalkmattersoverwithMissGale。Hewasfortunateenoughtofindherathome。Hethankedherforthezealandenthusiasmshehadshown，andtheprogresshisworkshadmadeunderhersupervision。
　　HewasgoingawaywithoutevenmentioningtheVizardfamily。
　　ButthecraftyGaledetainedhim。"GoingtoVizardCourt?"saidshe。
　　"No，"saidhe，verydryly。
　　"Ah，Iunderstand；butperhapsyouwouldnotmindgoingwithmeasfarasIslip。ThereissomethingthereIwishyoutosee。"
　　"Humph?Isitanythingveryparticular?Because——"
　　"Itis。Threecottagesrising，withlittleflowergardensinfront。
　　Squareplotsbehind，andarrangementsforbreedingcalves，withotheringeniousnovelties。Anewheadcomeintoourbusiness，mylord。"
　　"YouhaveconvertedVizard?Ithoughtyouwould。Heisasatiricalfellow，buthewilllistentoreason。"
　　"No，itisnotMr。Vizard；indeed，itisnoconvertofmine。Itisanindependententhusiast。ButIreallybelieveyourworkathomehadsomehandinfiringherenthusiasm。"
　　"Alady!DoIknowher?"
　　"Youmay。IsupposeyouknoweverybodyinBarfordshire。Willyoucome?
　　Do!"
　　"OfcourseIwillcome，MissGale。Pleasetelloneofyourpeopletowalkmyhorsedownafterus。"
　　Shehadherhatoninamoment，andwalkedhimdowntoIslip。
　　Hertonguewasnotidleontheroad。"Youdon'taskafterthepeople，"
　　saidshe。"There'spoorMissVizard。Shehadasadillness。Wewerealmostafraidweshouldloseher。"
　　"Heavenforbid!"saidUxmoor，startledbythissuddennews。
　　"MademoiselleKloskinggotquitewell；andoh!whatdoyouthink?Mr。
　　Severneturnedouttobeherhusband。"
　　"Whatisthat?"shoutedUxmoor，andstoppeddeadshort。"Mr。Severneamarriedman!"
　　"Yes；andMademoiselleKloskingamarriedwoman。"
　　"Youamazeme。Why，thatMr。SevernewaspayinghisattentionstoMissVizard。"
　　"SoIusedtofancy，"saidRhodacarelessly。"Butyouseeitcameouthewasmarried，andsoofcourseshepackedhimoffwithafleainhisear。"
　　"Didshe?Whenwasthat?"
　　"Letmesee，itwasthe17thofOctober。"
　　"Why，thatwastheverydayIleftEngland。"
　　"Howodd!Whydidyounotstayanotherweek?Gentlemenaresoimpatient。
　　Nevermind，thatisanoldstorynow。Hereweare；thosearethecottages。Theworkmenareatdinner。Tentoonetheenthusiastisthere:
　　thisishertime。Youstayhere。I'llgoandsee。"
　　Shewentoffontiptoe，andpeepedandpriedhereandthere，likeayoungwitch。Presentlyshetookafewstepstowardhim，withherfingermysteriouslytoherlips，andbeckonedhim。Heenteredintothepantomime——sheseemedsoearnestinit——andcametohersoftly。
　　"Dojusttakeapeepinatthatopeningforadoor，"saidshe，"thenyou'llseeher；herbackisturned。Sheislovely；only，youknow，shehasbeenill，andIdon'tthinksheisveryhappy。"
　　Uxmoorthoughtthispeepingatenthusiastsratheranoddproceeding，butMissGalehadprimedhiscuriosity，andhefeltnaturallyproudofafemalepupil。Hesteppeduplightly，lookedinatthedoor，and，tohisamazement，sawZoeVizardsittingonacarpenter'sbench，withherlovelyheadinthesun'srays。Hestarted，thengazed，thendevouredherwithhiseyes。
　　What!wasthishispupil?
　　Howgentleandsadsheseemed!Allhisstoicismmeltedatthesightofher。Shesatinasweet，pensiveattitude，paleanddrooping，but，tohisfancy，lovelierthanever。Shegavealittlesigh。Hisheartyearned。Shetookoutaletter，readitslowly，andsaid，softlyandslowly，"Poorfellow!"Hethoughtherecognizedhisownhandwriting，andcouldstandnomore。Herushed，in，andwasgoingtospeaktoher；butshescreamed，andnoconjurerevermadeacarddisappearquickerthanshedidthatletter，assheboundedawaylikeadeer，andstood，blushingscarlet，andpalpitatingallover。
　　Uxmoorwasashamedofhis_brusquerie。_"WhatabruteIamtofrightenyoulikethis!"saidhe。"Prayforgiveme；butthesightofyou，afterallthesewearymonths——andyousaid'Poorfellow!'"
　　"DidI?"saidZoe，faintly，lookingscared。
　　"Yes，sweetZoe，andyouwerereadingaletter。"
　　Noreply。
　　"Ithoughtthepoorfellowmightbemyself。NotthatIamtobepitied，ifyouthinkofmestill。"
　　"Ido，then——veryoften。Oh，LordUxmoor，Iwanttogodownonmykneestoyou。"
　　"Thatisodd，now；foritisexactlywhatIshouldliketodotoyou。"
　　"Whatfor?ItisIwhohavebehavedsoill。"
　　"Nevermindthat；Iloveyou。"
　　"Butyoumustn't。Youmustlovesomeworthyperson。"
　　"Oh，youleavethattome。Ihavenootherintention。ButmayIjustseewhoseletteryouwerereading?"
　　"Oh，praydon'taskme。"
　　"Iinsistonknowing。"
　　"Iwillnottellyou。Thereitis。"Shegaveittohimwithaguiltyair，andhidherface。
　　"DearZoe，supposeIweretorepeattheofferImadehere?"
　　"Iadviseyounot，"saidshe，allinaflurry。
　　"Why?"
　　"Because。Because——Imightsay'Yes。'"
　　"Well，thenI'lltakemychanceoncemore。Zoe，willyoutryandloveme?"
　　"Try?IbelieveIdoloveyou，ornearly。Ithinkofyouveryoften。"
　　"Thenyouwilldosomethingtomakemehappy。"
　　"Anything；everything。"
　　"Willyoumarryme?"
　　"Yes，thatIwill，"saidZoe，almostimpetuously；"andthen，"withagrandlookofconsciousbeauty，"Ican_make_youforgiveme。"
　　Uxmoor，onthis，caughtherinhisarms，andkissedherwithsuchfirethatsheutteredalittlestifledcryofalarm；butitwassoonfollowedbyasighofcomplacency，andshesunk，resistless，onhismanlybreast。
　　So，aftertwosieges，hecarriedthatfaircitadelbyassault。
　　Thenletnotthemanlyheartdespair，nortakeamerebraceof"Noes"
　　fromanywoman。Nothingshortofthreenegativesisserious。
　　Theywalkedoutinarm-in-armandveryclosetoeachother；andhelefther，solemnlyengaged。
　　Leavingthispairtothedelightsofcourtship，andgrowingaffectiononZoe'sside——forawarmattachmentofthenoblestkinddidgrow，bydegrees，outofherpenitence，andesteem，anddesiretorepairherfault——Imustnowtakeuptheotherthreadofthisnarrative，andapologizeforhavinginvertedtheorderofevents；foritwas，inreality，severaldaysafterthishappyscenethatMademoiselleKloskingsentforMissGale。
　　CHAPTERXXXII。
　　VIZARD，then，withAshmead，returnedhomeindespair；andZoe，nowhappyinherownmind，wasalltendernessandsisterlyconsolation。Theyopenedtheirheartstoeachother，andsheshowedherwishtorepaythedebtsheowedhim。Howfarshemighthavesucceeded，intime，willneverbeknown。
　　Forhehadhardlybeenhomeaweek，whenMissGalereturned，allinblack，andtoldhimSevernewasdeadandburied。
　　Hewasstartled，andevenshocked，rememberingoldtimes；butitwasnotinhumannatureheshouldbesorry。Nottobeindecorouslygladatsoopportuneanexitwasallthatcouldbeexpectedfromhim。
　　Whenshehadgivenhimthedetails，hisfirstquestionwas，"Howdidshebearit?"
　　"Sheisterriblycutup——morethanonewouldthinkpossible；forshewasiceandmarbletohimbeforehewashurttodeath。"
　　"Whereisshe?"
　　"GonetoLondon。Shewillwritetome，Isuppose——poordear。Butonemustgivehertime。"
　　FromthathourVizardwasinastateofexcitement，hopingtohearfromInaKlosking，orabouther；butunwilling，fromdelicacy，tohurrymatters。
　　Atlasthebecameimpatient，andwrotetoAshmead，whoseaddresshehad，andsaid，frankly，hehadadelicacyinintrudingonMademoiselleKlosking，inhergrief。Yethisownfeelingswouldnotallowhimtoseemtoneglecther。WouldMr。Ashmead，then，tellhimwhereshewas，asshehadnotwrittentoanyoneinBarfordshire——noteventohertriedfriend，MissGale。
　　Hereceivedananswerbyreturnofpost。
　　"DEARSIR——IamgrievedtotellyouthatMademoiselleKloskinghasretiredfrompubliclife。Shewrotetome，threeweeksago，fromDover，requestingmetoaccept，asatokenofheresteem，thesurplusmoneyI
　　holdinhandforher——Ialwaysdrewhersalary——andbiddingmefarewell。
　　Thesumincludedherprofitsbypsalmody，minusherexpenses，andwassolargeitcouldneverhavebeenintendedasamererecognitionofmyhumbleservices；andIthinkIhaveseldomfeltsodown-heartedasonreceivingthisprincelydonation。Ithasenabledmetotakebetteroffices，anditmaybethefoundationofalittlefortune；butIfeelthatIhavelostthetrulygreatladywhohasmadeamanofme。Sir，therelishisgoneformyoccupation:IcanneverbesohappyasIwasinworkingtheinterestsofthatgreatgenius，whosevoicemadeourleadingsopranisoundlikewhistles，andwhohonoredmewithherfriendship。Sir，shewasnotlikeotherleadingladies。Sheneverbragged，neverspokeillofanyone；and_you_cantestifytohervirtueandherdiscretion。
　　"IamtrulysorrytolearnfromyouthatshehaswrittentonooneinBarfordshire。Isaw，byherlettertome，shehadleftthestage；butherdroppingyoualllooksasifshehadlefttheworld。Idohopeshehasnotbeensomadastogointooneofthosecursedconvents。
　　"Mr。Vizard，IwillnowwritetofriendsinalltheContinentaltownswherethereisgoodmusic。Shewillnotbeabletokeepawayfromthatlong。Iwillalsosendphotographs；andhopewemayhearsomething。Ifnot，perhapsa_judiciousadvertisement_mightremindherthatsheisinflictingpainuponpersonstowhomsheisdear。Iam，sir，yourobligedandgratefulservant，JOSEPHASHMEAD。"
　　Herewasablow。IreallybelieveVizardfeltthismoredeeplythanallhisotherdisappointments。
　　Hebroodedoveritforadayortwo；andthen，ashethoughtMissGaleaveryill-usedperson，thoughnot，ofcourse，soill-usedashimself，hetookherAshmead'sletter。
　　"Thisisnice!"saidshe。"There——Imustgiveuplovingwomen。Besides，theythrowmeoverthemomentamancomes，ifithappenstobetherightone。"
　　"Unnaturalcreatures!"saidVizard。
　　"Ungrateful，atallevents。"
　　"Doyouthinkshehasgoneintoaconvent?"
　　"Notshe。Inthefirstplace，sheisaProtestant；and，inthesecond，sheisnotafool。"
　　"Iwilladvertise。"
　　"Theidea!"
　　"DoyouthinkIamgoingtositdownwithmyhandsbeforeme，andloseherforever?"
　　"No，indeed；Idon'tthinkyouarethatsortofamanatall，ha!ha!"
　　"Oh，MissGale，pityme。Tellmehowtofindher。ThatFannyDoversayswomenareonlyenigmastomen；theyunderstandoneanother。"
　　"What，"saidRhoda，turningswiftlyonhim；"doesthatlittlechitpretendtoreadmynobleIna?"
　　"Ifshecannot，perhapsyoucan。Youaresoshrewd。Dotellme，whatdoesitallmean?"
　　"Itmeansnothingatall，Idaresay；onlyawoman'simpulse。Theyaresuchgeeseattimes，everyoneofthem。"
　　"Oh，ifIdidbutknowwhatcountrysheisin，Iwouldransackit。"
　　"Hum!——countriesarebiggishplaces。"
　　"Idon'tcare。"
　　"Whatwillyougivemetotellyouwheresheisatthismoment?"
　　"AllIhaveintheworld。"
　　"Thatissufficient。Well，then，firstassignmeyourestates；thenfetchmeanordnancemapofcreation，andIwillputmyfingeronher。"
　　"Youlittlemockingfiend，you!"
　　"Iamnot。I'matall，beneficentangel；andI'lltellyouwheresheis——fornothing。Keepyourland:whowantsit?——itisonlyabother。"
　　"Forpity'ssake，don'ttriflewithme。"
　　"Ineverwill，whereyourheartisinterested。SheisatZutzig。"
　　"Ah，yougoodgirl!Shehaswrittentoyou。"
　　"Notaline，themonster!AndI'llserveherout。I'llteachhertoplayhide-and-seekwithGale，M。D。!"
　　"Zutzig!"saidVizard；"howcanyouknow?"
　　"Whatdoesthatmatter?Well，yes——Iwillrevealthementalprocess。
　　Firstofall，shehasgonetohermother。"
　　"Howdoyouknowthat?"