"Well，"saidVizard，"youmustadmititishardheshouldlosehisownmoney。AndyetIownIammostanxioustogethimawayfromthisplace。
　　Indeed，Ihaveaproject；Iwanthimtorusticateafewmonthsatourplace，whileIsetmylawyertolookintohisaffairsandseeifhisestatecannotbecleared。I'llbeboundthefarmsareunderlet。WhatdoestheAdmirableCrichtonknowaboutsuchtrifles?"
　　FannylookedatZoe，whosecolorwasrisinghighatallthis。"Well!"
　　saidshe，"whenyougentlemenfallinlove_witheachother，_youcertainlyarefaithfulcreatures。"
　　"Becausewecancountonfidelityinreturn，"saidVizard。Hethoughtalittle，andsaid，"Well，astotheotherthing——youleaveittome。Letusunderstandoneanother。Nothingwesawatthegambling-tableistobementionedbyus。"
　　"No。"
　　"CrichtonistobetakentoEnglandforhisgood。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"AndIamtobegratefultoyouforyourco-operationinthis。"
　　"Youcan，ifyoulike。"
　　"Andyouwillsecureanagreeablecompanionfortherestofthetour，eh?——mydiplomaticcousinandmysilentsister。"
　　"Yes；butitistoobadofyoutoseethroughapoorgirl，andherlittlegame，likethat。Iownheisacharmingcompanion。"
　　Fanny'scunningeyestwinkled，andZoeblushedcrimsontoseehernoblebrothermanipulatedbythisartfulminxandthenflatteredforhisperspicacity。
　　Fromthatmomentarevulsiontookplaceinhermind，andpridefoughtfuriouslywithlove——foratime。
　　ThiswassoonmadeapparenttoFannyDover。Whentheyretired，Zoelookedverygloomy；soFannyasked，rathersharply，"Well，whatisthematternow?Didn'tIdoitcleverly?"
　　"Yes，yes，toocleverly。Oh，Fanny，Ibegintorevoltagainstmyself。"
　　"Thisisnice!"saidFanny。"Goon，dear。ItisjustwhatIoughttohaveexpected。Youwerethere。Youhadonlytointerfere。Youdidn't。Andnowyouarediscontented。"
　　"Notwithyou。Spareme。Youarenottoblame，andIamveryunhappy。I
　　amlosingmyself-respect。Oh，ifthisgoeson，Ishallhatehim!"
　　"Yes，dear——forfiveminutes，andthenlovehimdouble。Come，don'tdeceiveyourself，anddon'ttormentyourself。Allyourtrouble，weshallleaveitbehindusto-morrow，andeveryhourwilltakeusfurtherfromit。"
　　Withthispracticalviewofmatters，shekissedZoeandhurriedtobed。
　　ButZoescarcelyclosedhereyesallnight。
　　Severnedidnotreachthehoteltillpasteleveno'clock，andwentstraighttohisownroom。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　ASHMEADaccompaniedMademoiselleKloskingtoherapartment。Itwaslighted，andtheclothlaidforsupperunderthechandelier，asnow-whiteHamburgdamask。Ashmeadtookthewinningsoutofhispocket，andproudlypiledthegoldandcrumplednotesinoneprodigiousmassuponthelinen，thatshonelikesatin，andmadethegoldlookdoublyinviting。Thenhedrewbackandgloatedonit。TheKlosking，too，stoodandeyedthepileofwealthwithamazementandacertainreverence。"Letmecountit，"saidAshmead。Hedidso，anditcametofourthousandninehundredandeighty-onepounds，Englishmoney。"Andtothink，"saidhe，"ifyouhadtakenmyadviceyouwouldnothaveapennyofthis!"
　　"I'lltakeyouradvicenow，"saidshe。"Iwillnevergambleagain。"
　　"Well，takemyadvice，andlockuptheswagbeforeacreatureseesit。
　　Homburgisfullofthieves。"
　　Shecomplied，andtookawaythemoneyinanapkin。
　　Ashmeadcalledafterhertoknowmightheordersupper。
　　"Ifyouwillbesokind。"
　　Ashmeadrejoicedatthisunguardedpermission，andorderedasupperthatmadeKarlstare。
　　TheKloskingreturnedinabouthalfanhour，cladinacrisp_peignoir。_
　　Ashmeadconfrontedher。"Ihaveorderedabottleofchampagne，"saidhe。
　　Heranswersurprisedhim。"Youhavedonewell。Wemustnowbegintoprovethetruthoftheoldproverb，'Cequivientdelaflutes'envaautambour。'"
　　AtsupperMr。Ashmeadwasthechiefdrinker，and，byanaturalconsequence，thechiefspeaker:heheldoutbrilliantprospects；hefavoredtheKloskingwithadiscourseonadvertising。Notalentavailedwithoutit；largeposters，pictures，window-cards，etc。；butashertalentwassuperlative，hemustnowendeavortokeepupwithitbyinventioninhisline——thepuffcircumstantial，thepuffpoetic，thepuffanecdotal，thepuffcontroversial，alltendingtoblowthefameoftheKloskingineveryeye，andringitineveryear。"Youtakemyadvice，"
　　saidhe，"anddevotethismoney，everypennyofit，toPublicity。Don'tyoutouchasingleshinerforanythingthatdoesnotreturnahundredpercent。Publicitydoes，whenthearticleisprime。"
　　"Youforget，"saidshe，"thismoneydoesnotallbelongtome。Anothercanclaimhalf；thegentlemanwithwhomweareinpartnership。"
　　Ashmeadlookedliterallyblue。"Nonsense!"saidhe，roughly。"Hecanonlyclaimhisfiftypounds。"
　　"Nay，myfriend。Itooktwoequalsums:onewashis，onemine。"
　　"Thathasnothingtodowithit。Hetoldmetobetforhim。Ididn't；andIshalltakehimbackhisfiftypoundsandsayso。Iknowwheretofindhim。"
　　"Where?"
　　"Thatismybusiness。Don'tyougomadnow，andbreakmyheart。"
　　"Well，myfriend，wewilltalkofittomorrowmorning。Itcertainlyisnotveryclear；andperhaps，afterIhaveprayedandslept，Imayseemoreplainlywhatisright。"
　　Ashmeadobservedshewaspale，andaskedher，withconcern，ifshewasill。
　　"No，notill，"saidshe，"butwornout。Myfriend，Iknewnotatthetimehowgreatwasmyexcitement；butnowIamconsciousthatthisafternoonI
　　havelivedaweek。Myverykneesgivewayunderme。"
　　Uponthisadmission，Ashmeadhurriedhertobed。
　　Shesleptsoundlyforsomehours；but，havingonceawakened，shefellintoahalf-sleeplessstate，andwasfullofdreamsandfancies。Thesepreyedonherso，thatsheroseanddispatchedaservanttoAshmead，withalineinpencilbegginghimtotakeanearlybreakfastwithher，atnineo'clock。
　　Assoonaseverhecameshebeganuponthetopicoflastnight。Shehadthoughtitover，andsaid，frankly，shewasnotwithouthopesthegentleman，ifhewasreallyagentleman，mightbecontentedwithsomethinglessthanhalf。Butshereallydidnotseehowshecouldrefusehimsomeshareofherwinnings，shouldhedemandit。"Thinkofit，"saidshe。"Thepoormanloses——fourhundredpounds，Ithinkyousaid。Thenhesays，'Betyouforme，'andgoesaway，trustingtoyourhonor。Hisluckchangesinmyhands。Ishetoloseallwhenheloses，andwinnothingwhenhewins，merelybecauseIamsofortunateastowinmuch?However，weshallhearwhat_he_says。Yougavehimyouraddress。"
　　"IsaidIwasat'TheGoldenStar，'"growledAshmead，inatonethatplainlyshowedhewasvexedwithhimselfforbeingsocommunicative。
　　"Thenhewillpayusavisitassoonashehears:soIneedgivemyselfnofurthertrouble。"
　　"Whyshouldyou?Waittillhecomes，"saidcraftyAshmead。
　　InaKloskingcolored。Shefeltherfriendwastemptingher，andfeltshewasnotquitebeyondthepoweroftemptation。
　　"Whatwashelike?"saidshe，toturntheconversation。
　　"ThehandsomestyoungfellowIeversaw。"
　　"Young，ofcourse?"
　　"Yes，quiteaboy。Atleast，helookedaboy。Tobesure，histalkwasnotlikeaboy's；veryprecocious，Ishouldsay。"
　　"Whatapity，tobegingamblingsoyoung!"
　　"Oh，heisallright。Ifheloseseveryfarthingofhisown，hewillmarrymoney。Anywomanwouldhavehim。Youneversawsuchacurleddarling。"
　　"Darkorfair?"
　　"Fair。Pink-and-white，likeagirl；ahandlikealady。"
　　"Indeed。Fineeyes?"
　　"Splendid!"
　　"Whatcolor?"
　　"Idon'tknow。Lordblessyou，amandoesnotexamineanotherman'seyes，likeyouladies。However，nowIthinkofit，therewasonecuriousthingIshouldknowhimbyanywhere。"
　　"Andwhatwasthat?"
　　"Well，yousee，hishairwasbrown；butjustabovetheforeheadhehadgotonelockthatwaslikeyourown——golditself。"
　　Whilehesaidthis，theKlosking'sfaceunderwentthemostrapidandstrikingchanges，andatlastshesatlookingathimwildly。
　　Itwassometimebeforehenoticedher，andthenhewasquitealarmedatherstrangeexpression。"Whatisthematter?"saidhe。"Areyouill?"
　　"No，no，no。Onlyalittle——astonished。Suchathingasthatisveryrare。"
　　"Thatitis。Ineversawacasebefore。"
　　"Notone，inallyourlife?"askedshe，eagerly。
　　"Well，no；notthatIremember。"
　　"Excusemeaminute，"saidInaKlosking，andwenthurriedlyfromtheroom。
　　Ashmeadthoughthermannerverystrange，butconcludedshewasalittleunhingedbyyesterday'sexcitement。Moreover，therefacedhimanomeletofenormoussize，andsavory。Hethoughtthisworthytodivideaman'sattentionevenwiththegreatcreature'stantrums。Hedevotedhimselftoit，anditoccupiedhimsoagreeablythathedidnotobservetheconductofMademoiselleKloskingonherreturn。Sheplacedthreephotographssoftlyonthetable，notveryfarfromhim，andthenresumedherseat；
　　buthereyeneverlefthim:andshegavemonosyllabicandalmostimpatientrepliestoeverythinghemumbledwithhismouthfullofomelet。
　　Whenhehaddonehisomelet，henoticedthephotographs。Theywereallcolored。Hetookoneup。Itwasanelderlywoman，sweet，venerable，andfair-haired。HelookedatIna，andatthephotograph，andsaid，"Thisisyourmother。"
　　"Itis。"
　　"Itisangelic——asmightbeexpected。"
　　Hetookupanother。
　　"Thisisyourbrother，Isuppose。Stop。Haloo!——whatisthis?Aremyeyesmakingafoolofme?"
　　Heheldoutthephotographatarm'slength，andstaredfromittoher。
　　"Why，madam，"saidhe，inanawestruckvoice，"thisisthegentleman——theplayer——I'dsweartohim。"
　　Inastartedfromherseatwhilehespoke。"Ah!"shecried，"Ithoughtso——myEdward!"andsatdown，tremblingviolently。
　　Ashmeadrantoher，andsprinkledwaterinherface，forsheseemedreadytofaint:butshemurmured，"No，no!"andsoonthecolorrushedintoherface，andsheclaspedherhandstogether，andcried，"Ihavefoundhim!"
　　andsoonthestormofvaryingemotionsendedintearsthatgaveherrelief。
　　Itwasalongtimebeforeshespoke；butwhenshedid，herspiritandhernaturalstrengthofcharactertooktheupperhand。
　　"Whereishe?"saidshe，firmly。
　　"Hetoldmehewasatthe'Russie。'"
　　"Wewillgothereatonce。Whenisthenexttrain?"
　　Ashmeadlookedathiswatch。"Intenminutes。Wecanhardlydoit。"
　　"Yes，wecan。Orderacarriagethisinstant。Iwillbereadyinoneminute。"
　　Theycaughtthetrain，andstarted。
　　Astheyglidedalong，Ashmeadbeggedhernottoacttoohurriedly，andexposeherselftoinsult。
　　"Whowilldareinsultme?"
　　"Nobody，Ihope。Still，Icannotbearyoutogointoastrangehotelhuntingthisman。Itismonstrous；butIamafraidyouwillnotbewelcome。Somethinghasjustoccurredtome；thereasonheranoffsosuddenlywas，hesawyoucoming。Therewasamirroropposite。Ah，weneednothavefearedhewouldcomebackforhiswinnings。Idiot——villain!"
　　"Youstabmetotheheart，"saidIna。"Heranawayatsightofme?Ah，Jesu，pityme!WhathaveIdonetohim?"
　　HonestAshmeadhadmuchadonottoblubberatthispatientcryofanguish，thoughthewomanherselfshednotearjustthen。Buthisjudgmentwasundimmedbypassion，andhegaveherthebenefit。"Takemyadvice，"saidhe，"andworkitthisway。ComeinaclosecarriagetothesidestreetthatisnearesttheRussie。I'llgointothehotelandaskforhimbyhisname——whatishisname?"
　　"Mr。EdwardSeverne。"
　　"AndsaythatIwasafraidtostakehismoney，butafriendofmine，thatisaboldplayer，undertookit，andhadagreatrunofluck。'Thereismoneyowingyou，'saysI，'andmyfriendhasbroughtit。'Thenheissuretocome。Youwillhaveyourveildown，I'llopenthecarriage-door，andtellhimtojumpin，and，whenyouhavegothimyoumustmakehimhearreason。I'llgiveyouagoodchance——I'llshutthecarriage-door。"
　　Inasmiledathisingenuity——herfirstsmilethatday。"Youareindeedafriend，"saidshe。"Hefearsreproaches，but，whenhefindsheiswelcome，hewillstaywithme；andheshallhavemoneytoplaywith，andamusehimselfhowhelikes。Ikepttootightareinonhim，poorfellow!
　　Mygoodmothertaughtmeprudence。"
　　"Yes，but，"saidAshmead，"youmustpromisemeonething:nottolethimknowhowmuchmoneyyouhavewon，andnottogo，likeagoose，andgivehimalotatonce。Itneverpaystopartwithpowerinthiswickedworld。
　　Yougivehimtwentypoundsadaytoplaywithwheneverheiscleanedout。
　　Thenthemoneywilllastyourtime，andhewillneverleaveyou。"
　　"Oh，howcold-heartedandwiseyouare!"saidshe。"Butsuchahumiliatingpositionfor_him!"_
　　"Don'tyoubesilly。Youwon'tkeephimanyotherway。"
　　"IwillbeaswiseasIcan，"sighedIna。"Ihavehadabitterlesson。
　　Onlybringhimtome，andthen，whoknows?Iamachange:mylovemayrevivehis，andnoneofthesepitiableprecautionsmaybeneeded。Theywouldlowerusboth。"
　　Ashmeadgroanedaloud。"Isee，"saidhe。"He'llsooncleanyouout。Ah，well!hecan'trobyouofyourvoice，andhecan'trobyouofyourAshmead。"
　　TheysoonreachedFrankfort。Ashmeadputherintoacarriageasagreed，andwenttotheRussie。
　　Inasat，withherveildown，inthecarriage，andwaitedAshmead'sreturnwithSeverne。Hewasalongtimecoming。Shebegantodoubt，andthentofear，andwonderwhyhewassolong。
　　Atlasthecameinsight。
　　Hewasalone。
　　Ashedrewnearershesawhisfacewasthoroughlydowncast。
　　"Mydearfriend，"hefaltered，"youareoutofluckto-day。"
　　"Hewillnotcomewithyou?"
　　"Oh，hewouldcomefastenough，ifhewasthere；butheisgone。"
　　"Gone!ToHomburg?"
　　"No。Unfortunately，heisgonetoEngland。Wentoff，bythefasttrain，anhourago。"
　　Inafellbackinsilence，justasifshehadbeenstruckintheface。
　　"HeistravelingwithanEnglishfamily，andtheyhavegonestraighthome。Herearetheirnames。Ilookedinthevisitors'book，andtalkedtotheservant，andall。Mr。Vizard，MissVizard——"
　　"Vizard?"
　　"Yes——MissMaitland，MissDover。See，Iwrotethemalldown。"
　　"Oh，Iamunfortunate!WhywasIeverborn?"
　　"Don'tsaythat，don'tsaythat。Itisannoying:butweshallbeabletotracehimnow；and，besides，Iseeotherwaysofgettingholdofhim。"
　　Inabrokeinuponhistalk。"Takemetothenearestchurch，"shecried。
　　"Man'swordsarevain。Ah，Jesu，letmecrytothee!"
　　Hetookhertothenearestchurch。Shewentin，andprayedforfulltwohours。Shecameout，paleandlistless，andAshmeadgotherhomehowhecould。Herverybodyseemedallcrushedandlimp。Ashmeadlefther，sadathearthimself。
　　SolongasshewasinsightAshmeadcouldthinkonlyofhermisery:butthemomentshewasoutofsight，herememberedthetheater。ShewasannouncedforRosinathatverynight。Hesawtroubleofallsortsbeforehim。Herantothetheater，ingreatalarm，andtoldthemanagershehadbeentakenveryill。Hemustchangethebill。
　　"Impossible!"wasthereply。"Ifshecan'tsing，Iclose。"
　　Ashmeadwentbackto"TheStar。"
　　Inawasinherbedroom。
　　Hesentinaline，"Canyousingtonight?Ifnothesayshemustclose。"
　　Thereplycamebackinratheratremblinghand。"Isuffertoomuchbyfalsehoodtobreakfaithmyself。Ishallpraytillnight:andthenI
　　shallsing。IfIdieonthestage，allthebetterforme。"
　　Wasnotthisagreatsoul?
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　THATsamemorningourEnglishpartysnatchedahastybreakfastintravelingattire。Severnewasnotthere；butsentwordtoVizardheshouldbethereintime。
　　Thisfilledthecup。Zoe'swoundedpridehadbeenrisinghigherandhigherallthenight，andshecamedownratherpale，frombrokenrest，andsternlyresolved。ShehadafewseriouswordswithFanny，andsketchedheroutalittlemapofconduct，whichshowedthatshehadthoughtthematterwellover。
　　Butherplanbidfairtobederanged:Severnewasnotatthestation:
　　thencameachange。Zoewasrestless，andcastanxiousglances。
　　Butatthesecondbellhedartedintothecarriage，asifhehadjustdispatchedsomewonderfulbusinesstogetthereintime。Whilethetrainwasstarting，hebusiedhimselfinarranginghisthings；but，oncestarted，heputonhissunnylookandpreparedtobe，asusual，thelifeandsouloftheparty。
　　But，foronce，hemetafrost。Zoewaswrappedinimpenetrable_hauteur，_
　　andFannyinpoliteindifference。Neverwaslossoffavormoreablymarkedwithouttheleastill-breeding，andnogoodhandlegiventoseekanexplanation。
　　Nodoubtastraightforwardman，withjusticeonhisside，wouldhaveaskedthemplumplywhetherhehadbeensounfortunateastooffend，andhow；andthiswaswhatZoesecretlywished，howevershemightseemtorepelit。ButSevernewastoocraftyforthat。Hehadlearnedtheartofwaiting。
　　Afterafeweffortsatconversationandsmoothrebuffs，heputonasurprised，mortified，andsorrowfulair，andawaitedtheattack，whichhefeltwouldcomesoonorlate。
　　Thisskillfulinertiabaffledthefair，inaman；inawoman，theymighthaveexpectedit；and，afterafewhours，Zoe'spatiencebegantowearout。
　　Thetrainstoppedfortwentyminutes，and，evenwhiletheyweresnatchingalittlerefreshment，thedarklocksandtheblondecameveryclosetogether；andZoe，exasperatedbyherownwoundedprideandthesullentorporofherlover，gaveFannyfreshinstructions，whichnobodywasbetterqualifiedtocarryoutthanthatyounglady，asnobodywasbetterabletobafflefemalestrategythanthegentleman。
　　Thistime，however，theladieshadcertainadvantages，tobalancehissubtletyandhishabitofstatinganything，trueorfalse，thatsuitedhisimmediatepurpose。
　　Theyopenedverycat-like。Fannyaffectedtobeoutgrowingherill-humor，andvolunteeredacivilwordortwotoSeverne。ThereuponZoeturnedsharplyawayfromFanny，asifshedisapprovedherconduct，andtookabook。Thiswasprettysly，anddone，Isuppose，toremoveallideaofconcertbetweenthefairassailants；whereasitwasasecretsignalfortheconcerttocomeintooperation，itbeingFanny'sparttoplayuponSeverne，andZoe'stowatch，fromhercorner，everylineamentofhisfaceunderfire。
　　"By-the-way，Mr。Severne，"saidFanny，aproposofachurchonahilltheywereadmiring，"didyougetyourwinnings?"
　　"Mywinnings!Youaresarcastical。"
　　"AmI?ReallyIdidnotintendtobe。"
　　"No，no；forgiveme；butthatdidseemalittlecruel。MissDover，Iwasaheavyloser。"
　　"Notwhilewewerethere。Theladyandgentlemanwhoplayedwithyourmoneywon，oh，suchadeal!"
　　"Thedeviltheydid!"
　　"Yes。Didyounotstaybehind，lastnight，togetit?WeneversawyouattheRussie。"
　　"Iwasveryill。"
　　"Bleedingatthenose?"
　　"No。Thatalwaysrelievesmewhenitcomes。Iamsubjecttofaintingfits:onceIlayinsensiblesolongtheyweregoingtoburyme。Now，dopraytellmewhatmakesyoufancyanybodywonalotwithmymoney。"
　　"Well，Iwill。Youknowyouleftfiftypoundsforafriendtobetwith。"
　　Severnestared；butwastooeagerforinformationtoquestionherhowsheknewthis。"Yes，Idid，"saidhe。
　　"Andyoureallydon'tknowwhatfollowed?"
　　"Goodheavens!howcanI?"
　　"Well，then，asyouranout——tofaint，MademoiselleKloskingcamein，justasshedidattheopera，youknow，thetimebefore，whenyouranout——tobleed。Sheslippedintoyourchair，theverymomentyouleftit；
　　andyourfriendwiththeflamingneck-tietoldheryouhadsethimtobetwithyourmoney。By-the-by，Mr。Severne，howonearthdoyouandMademoiselleKlosking，whohavebothsomuchtasteindress，cometohaveamutualfriend，vulgarityinperson，withavelveteencoatandanimpossibleneck-tie?"
　　"Whatareyoutalkingabout，MissDover?IdojustknowMademoiselleKlosking；ImetherinsocietyinVienna，twoyearsago:butthatcadI
　　commissionedtobetformeIneversawbeforeinmylife。Youarekeepingmeontenter-hooks。Mymoney——mymoney——mymoney!Ifyouhaveaheartinyourbosom，tellmewhatbecameofmymoney。"
　　Hewasviolent，forthefirsttimesincetheyhadknownhim，andhiseyesflashedfire。
　　"Well，"saidFanny，beginningtobepuzzledandratherfrightened，"thisman，whoyou_say_wasanewacquaintance——"
　　"WhomI_say?_DoyoumeantotellmeIamaliar?"Hefumbledeagerlyinhisbreast-pocket，andproducedacard。"There，"saidhe，"thisisthecardhegaveme，'Mr。JosephAshmead。'Now，maythistraindashoverthenextviaduct，andtakeyouandMissVizardtoheaven，andmetohell，ifIeversawMr。JosephAshmead'sfacebefore。THEMONEY!——THEMONEY!"
　　Heutteredthisfuriously，and，itisacuriousfact；butZoeturnedred，andFannypale。ItwasreallyinquiteacowedvoiceMissDoverwentontosay，"La!don'tflyoutlikethat。Well，then，themanrefusedtobetwithyourmoney；sothenMademoiselleKloskingsaidshewould；andsheplayed——oh，howshedidplay!Shedoubled，anddoubled，anddoubled，hundredsuponhundreds。Shemadeamountainofgoldandapyramidofbank-notes；andsheneverstoppedtillshebrokethebank——there!"
　　"Withmymoney?"gaspedSeverne。
　　"Yes；withyourmoney。Yourfriendwiththeloudtiepocketedit；Ibegyourpardon，notyourfriend——onlyhers。Harringtonsaysheisher_cherami。"_
　　"Themoneyismine!"heshrieked。"Idon'tcarewhoplayedwithit，itismine。AndthefellowhadtheimpudencetosendmebackmyfiftypoundstotheRussie。"
　　"What!yougavehimyouraddress?"thiswithaninvoluntaryglanceofsurpriseatZoe。
　　"Ofcourse。DoyouthinkIleaveamanfiftypoundstoplaywith，anddon'tgivehimmyaddress?Hehaswonthousandswithmymoney，andsentmebackmyfifty，forablind，thethief!"
　　"Well，reallyitistoobad，"saidFanny。"But，there——I'mafraidyoumustmakethebestofit。Ofcourse，theirsendingbackyourfiftypoundsshowstheymeantokeeptheirwinnings。"
　　"Youtalklikeawoman，"saidhe；then，grindinghisteeth，andstretchingoutalongmusculararm，hesaid，"I'lltaketheblackguardbythethroatandtearitoutofhim，thoughItearhislifeoutalongwithit。"
　　AllthistimeZoehadbeenlookingathimwithconcern，andevenwithadmiration。Heseemedmorebeautifulthanever，toher，undertheinfluenceofpassion，andmoreofaman。
　　"Mr。Severne，"saidshe，"becalm。Fannyhasmisledyou，withoutintendingit。Shedidnothearallthatpassedbetweenthosetwo；Idid。
　　Thevelveteenandneck-tiemanrefusedtobetwithyourmoney。ItwasMademoiselleKloskingwhobet，andwithherownmoney。Shetooktwenty-fivepoundsofherown，andtwenty-fivepoundsofyours，andwontwoorthreehundredinafewmoments。Surely，asagentleman，youcannotaskaladytodomorethanrepayyouyourtwenty-fivepounds。"
　　SevernewasalittlecowedbyZoe'sinterference。Hestoodhisground；
　　butsullenly，insteadofviolently。
　　"MissVizard，ifIwereweakenoughtotrustaladywithmymoneyatagamblingtable，Ishouldexpectfoulplay；forIneverknewaladyyetwhowouldnotcheat_atcards，_ifshecould。Itrustedmymoneytoatradesmantobetwith。Ifhetakesafemalepartner，thatisnobusinessofmine；heisresponsibleallthesame，andI'llhavemymoney。"
　　Hejumpedupattheword，andlookedoutatthewindow；heevenfumbledwiththedoor，andtriedtoopenit。
　　"Youhadbetterjumpout，"saidFanny。
　　"Andthentheywouldkeepmymoneyforgood。No；"saidhe，"I'llwaitfortheneareststation。"Hesunkbackintohisseat，lookingunutterablethings。
　　Fannylookedratherruefulatfirst；thenshesaid，spitefully，"Youmustbeverysureofyourinfluencewithyouroldsweetheart。Youforgetshehasgotanothernow——atradesman，too。Hewillsticktothemoney，andmakehersticktoit。Theirsendingthefiftypoundsshowsthat。"
　　Zoe'seyeswereonhimwithmicroscopicpower，and，withallhisself-command，shesawhimwinceandchangecolor，andgiveothersignsthatthisshafthadtoldinmanyways。
　　Heshuthiscountenancethenextmoment；butithadopened，andZoewasonfirewithjealousyandsuspicion。
　　FluctuatingFannyregrettedtheturnthingshadtaken。Shedidnotwanttoloseapleasantmalecompanion，andshefeltsureZoewouldbeunhappy，andcrosstoher，ifhewent。"Surely，Mr。Severne，"shesaid，"youwillnotdesertusandgobackforsosmallachance。Why，weareahundredandfiftymilesfromHomburg，andallthenearertodearoldEngland。There，there——wemustbekindertoyou，andmakeyouforgetthismisfortune。"
　　Thusspokethetrimmer。Thereplytookherbysurprise。
　　"AndwhosefaultisitthatIamobligedtogetoutahundredandfiftymilesfromHomburg?Youknewallthis。Youcouldhavegotmeadelayofafewhourstogoandgetmydue。YouknowIamapoorman。Withallyourcleverness，youdon'tknowwhatmademepoor，oryouwouldfeelsomeremorse，perhaps；butyouknowIampoorwhenmostIcouldwishIwererich。Youhaveheardthatoldwomanthereflingmypovertyinmyteeth；
　　yetyoucouldkeepthisfromme——justtoassistacheatandplayuponthefeelingsofafriend。Now，whatgoodhasthatdoneyou，toinflictmiseryonmeinsport，onamanwhonevergaveyouamoment'spainifhecouldhelpit?"
　　Fannylookedruefullythiswayandthat，herfacebegantowork，andshelaiddownherarms，ifaladycanbesaidtodothatwholaysdownastrongweaponandtakesupastronger；inotherwords，sheburstoutcrying，andsaidnomore。Yousee，shewaspoorherself。
　　Severnetooknonoticeofher；hewasaccustomedtomakewomencry。Hethrusthisheadoutofthewindowinhopesofseeingastationnear，andhiswholebeingwasrestlessasifhewouldliketojumpout。
　　Whilehewasinthisconditionofmindandbody，thehandhehadoncekissedsotenderly，andshockedMissMaitland，passedanenvelopeoverhisshoulder，withtwolineswrittenonitinpencil:
　　"IfyouGOBACKTOHOMBURG，obligeMEBYREMAININGthere。"
　　Thisdemandsanexplanation；butitshallbebrief。
　　Fanny'sshrewdhint，thatthemoneycouldonlybeobtainedfromMdlle。
　　Klosking，hadpiercedZoethroughandthrough。Hermindgraspedallthathadhappened，allthatimpended，and，wiselydecliningtotryandaccountfor，orreconcile，allthejarringdetails，shesettled，withawoman'sbroadinstinct，that，somehoworother，hisgoingbacktoHomburgmeantgoingbacktoMademoiselleKlosking。Whetherthatladywouldbuyhimornot，shedidnotknow。Butgoingbacktohermeantgoingajourneytoseearival，withconsequencesillimitable。
　　Shehadcourage；shehadpride；shehadjealousy。Sheresolvedtoloseherlover，orhavehimalltoherself。Sharehimshewouldnot，norevenendurethetortureofthedoubt。
　　Shetookanenvelopeoutofhersatchel，andwiththepencilattachedtoherchatelainewrotethefatalwords，"IfyougobacktoHomburg，obligemebyremainingthere。"
　　Atthismomentshewasnotgoadedbypiqueoranypettyfeeling。Indeed，hisreproachtoFannyhadtouchedheralittle，anditwaswiththetearinhereyeshecametotheresolution，andhandedhimthatline，whichtoldhimsheknewhervalue，and，costwhatitmight，wouldpartwithanymanforeverratherthansharehimwiththeKloskingoranyotherwoman。
　　Severnetooktheline，eyedit，realizedit，fellbackfromthewindow，anddroppedintohisseat。ThisgaveZoeaconsolingsenseofpower。Shehadseenherloverragingandrestless，andwantingtojumpout，yetnowbeheldhimliterallyfelledwithawordfromherhand。
　　Heleanedhisheadinhishandinasortofbroken-down，collapsed，doggedwaythatmovedherpity，thoughhardlyherrespect。
　　By-and-byitstruckherasaverygravethingthathedidnotreplybyword，norevenbylook。Hecoulddecidewithaglance，andwhydidhehesitate?WashereallybalancingheragainstMademoiselleKloskingweightedwithashareofhiswinnings?
　　Thisdoubtwaswormwoodtoherprideandself-respect；buthiscrushedattitudeallayedinsomedegreethemereirritationhisdoubtcaused。
　　Theminutespassedandthemiles:stillthatbrokenfiguresatbeforeher，withhisfacehiddenbyhiswhitehand。
　　Zoe'scouragebegantofalter。Misgivingsseizedher。Shehadmadethatamatteroflovewhich，afterall，toaman，mightbeamerematterofbusiness。Hewaspoor，too，andshehadthrustherjealousybetweenhimandmoney。Hemighthavehispridetoo，andrebelagainstheraffront。
　　Asforhisthoughts，underthatcrushedexterior，whichheputonforablind，theyweresodeliberateandcalculatingthatIshallnotmixthemonthispagewiththatpureandgenerouscreature's。Anothertimewilldotorevealhissordidarithmetic。AsforZoe，shesettleddownintowishing，withallherheart，shehadnotsubmittedherloversoimperiouslytoatest，theseverityofwhichshenowsawshehadunderrated。
　　Presentlythespeedofthetrainbegantoslacken——alltoosoon。Shenowdreadedtolearnherfate。Wasshe，orwasshenot，worthafewthousandpoundsreadymoney?
　　Asignal-postwaspast，provingthattheywereabouttoenterastation。
　　Yetanother。Nowthewheelswerehardlyturning。Nowtheplatformwasvisible。Yethenevermovedhiswhite，delicate，womanishfingersfromhisforehead，butremainedstillabsorbed，andlookedundecided。
　　Atlastthemotionentirelyceased。Then，assheturnedherheadtoglean，ifpossible，thenameoftheplace，hestoleafurtiveglanceather。Shewaspallid，agitated。Heresolveduponhiscourse。
　　Assoonasthetrainstopped，heopenedthedoorandjumpedout，withoutawordtoZoe，orevenalook。
　　Zoeturnedpaleasdeath。"Ihavelosthim，"saidshe。
　　"No，no，"criedFanny。"See，hehasnottakenhiscaneandumbrella。"
　　_"They_willnotkeephimfromflyingtohismoneyandher，"moanedZoe。
　　"Didyounotsee?Heneveroncelookedatme。Hecouldnot。Iamsickatheart。"
　　ThissetFannyfluttering。"There，letmeouttospeaktohim。"
　　"Sitquiet，"saidZoe，sternly。
　　"No；no。Ifyoulovehim——"
　　"Idolovehim——passionately。And_therefore_I'lldieratherthansharehimwithanyone。"
　　"Butitisdreadfultobefixedhere，andnotallowedtomovehandorfoot。"
　　"Itisthelotofwomen。Letmefeelthehandofafriend，thatisall；
　　forIamsickatheart。"
　　Fannygaveherherhand，andallthesympathyhershallownaturehadtobestow。
　　Zoesatmotionless，grippingherfriend'shandalmostconvulsively，astatueoffemalefortitude。
　　Thissuspensecouldnotlastlong。Theofficialsorderedthetravelerstothecarriages；doorswereopenedandslammed；theenginegaveasnort，andonlyatthatmomentdidMr。EdwardSevernetearthedooropenandboltintothecarriage。
　　Oh，itwaspitiable，butlovely，toseethebloodrushintoZoe'sface，andthefireintohereye，andthesweetmouthexpandinasmileofjoyandtriumph!
　　Shesatamoment，almostparalyzedwithpleasure，andthencasthereyesdown，lesttheirfireshouldproclaimherfeelingstooplainly。