suggestedshehadbetterdosoatonce，andthentherewouldbenofurthertroubleeitherwithrememberingorforgetting。Shecomplied，onconditionthatIwouldnotthinkofreading，orbotheringwiththebooksnow；forshewantedtoshowmethegardens，andtakeawalkintheparkwithme，beforeitbecametoohotforenjoyment；which，indeed，wasnearlythecasealready。
　　OfcourseIreadilyassented；andwetookourwalkaccordingly。
　　Aswewerestrollinginthepark，talkingofwhatmycompanionhadseenandheardduringhertravellingexperience，agentlemanonhorsebackrodeupandpassedus。Asheturned，inpassing，andstaredmefullintheface，Ihadagoodopportunityofseeingwhathewaslike。Hewastall，thin，andwasted，withaslightstoopintheshoulders，apaleface，butsomewhatblotchy，anddisagreeablyredabouttheeyelids，plainfeatures，andageneralappearanceoflanguorandflatness，relievedbyasinisterexpressioninthemouthandthedull，soullesseyes。
　　'Idetestthatman!'whisperedLadyAshby，withbitteremphasis，asheslowlytrottedby。
　　'Whoisit？'Iasked，unwillingtosupposethatsheshouldsospeakofherhusband。
　　'SirThomasAshby，'shereplied，withdrearycomposure。
　　'AnddoyouDETESThim，MissMurray？'saidI，forIwastoomuchshockedtorememberhernameatthemoment。
　　'Yes，Ido，MissGrey，anddespisehimtoo；andifyouknewhimyouwouldnotblameme。'
　　'Butyouknewwhathewasbeforeyoumarriedhim。'
　　'No；Ionlythoughtso:Ididnothalfknowhimreally。
　　Iknowyouwarnedmeagainstit，andIwishIhadlistenedtoyou:butit'stoolatetoregretthatnow。Andbesides，mammaoughttohaveknownbetterthaneitherofus，andsheneversaidanythingagainstit-quitethecontrary。AndthenIthoughtheadoredme，andwouldletmehavemyownway:hedidpretendtodosoatfirst，butnowhedoesnotcareabitaboutme。YetIshouldnotcareforthat:hemightdoashepleased，ifImightonlybefreetoamusemyselfandtostayinLondon，orhaveafewfriendsdownhere:
　　butHEWILLdoashepleases，andImustbeaprisonerandaslave。
　　ThemomenthesawIcouldenjoymyselfwithouthim，andthatothersknewmyvaluebetterthanhimself，theselfishwretchbegantoaccusemeofcoquetryandextravagance；andtoabuseHarryMeltham，whoseshoeshewasnotworthytoclean。Andthenhemustneedshavemedowninthecountry，toleadthelifeofanun，lestI
　　shoulddishonourhimorbringhimtoruin；asifhehadnotbeententimesworseeveryway，withhisbetting-book，andhisgaming-
　　table，andhisopera-girls，andhisLadyThisandMrs。That-yes，andhisbottlesofwine，andglassesofbrandy-and-watertoo!
　　Oh，IwouldgivetenthousandworldstobeMssMurrayagain!ItisTOO
　　badtofeellife，health，andbeautywastingaway，unfeltandunenjoyed，forsuchabruteasthat!'exclaimedshe，fairlyburstingintotearsinthebitternessofhervexation。
　　Ofcourse，Ipitiedherexceedingly；aswellforherfalseideaofhappinessanddisregardofduty，asforthewretchedpartnerwithwhomherfatewaslinked。IsaidwhatIcouldtocomforther，andofferedsuchcounselsasIthoughtshemostrequired:advisingher，first，bygentlereasoning，bykindness，example，andpersuasion，totrytoameliorateherhusband；andthen，whenshehaddoneallshecould，ifshestillfoundhimincorrigible，toendeavourtoabstractherselffromhim-towrapherselfupinherownintegrity，andtroubleherselfaslittleabouthimaspossible。
　　IexhortedhertoseekconsolationindoingherdutytoGodandman，toputhertrustinHeaven，andsolaceherselfwiththecareandnurtureofherlittledaughter；assuringhershewouldbeamplyrewardedbywitnessingitsprogressinstrengthandwisdom，andreceivingitsgenuineaffection。
　　'ButIcan'tdevotemyselfentirelytoachild，'saidshe；'itmaydie-whichisnotatallimprobable。'
　　'But，withcare，manyadelicateinfanthasbecomeastrongmanorwoman。'
　　'ButitmaygrowsointolerablylikeitsfatherthatIshallhateit。'
　　'Thatisnotlikely；itisalittlegirl，andstronglyresemblesitsmother。'
　　'Nomatter；Ishouldlikeitbetterifitwereaboy-onlythatitsfatherwillleaveitnoinheritancethathecanpossiblysquanderaway。WhatpleasurecanIhaveinseeingagirlgrowuptoeclipseme，andenjoythosepleasuresthatIamforeverdebarredfrom？ButsupposingIcouldbesogenerousastotakedelightinthis，stillitisONLYachild；andIcan'tcentreallmyhopesinachild:thatisonlyonedegreebetterthandevotingoneselftoadog。Andasforallthewisdomandgoodnessyouhavebeentryingtoinstilintome-thatisallveryrightandproper，Idaresay，andifIweresometwentyyearsolder，Imightfructifybyit:butpeoplemustenjoythemselveswhentheyareyoung；andifotherswon'tletthem-why，theymusthatethemforit!'
　　'Thebestwaytoenjoyyourselfistodowhatisrightandhatenobody。TheendofReligionisnottoteachushowtodie，buthowtolive；andtheearlieryoubecomewiseandgood，themoreofhappinessyousecure。Andnow，LadyAshby，Ihaveonemorepieceofadvicetoofferyou，whichis，thatyouwillnotmakeanenemyofyourmother-in-law。Don'tgetintothewayofholdingheratarms'length，andregardingherwithjealousdistrust。Ineversawher，butIhaveheardgoodaswellasevilrespectingher；andI
　　imaginethat，thoughcoldandhaughtyinhergeneraldemeanour，andevenexactinginherrequirements，shehasstrongaffectionsforthosewhocanreachthem；and，thoughsoblindlyattachedtoherson，sheisnotwithoutgoodprinciples，orincapableofhearingreason。Ifyouwouldbutconciliateheralittle，andadoptafriendly，openmanner-andevenconfideyourgrievancestoher-
　　realgrievances，suchasyouhavearighttocomplainof-itismyfirmbeliefthatshewould，intime，becomeyourfaithfulfriend，andacomfortandsupporttoyou，insteadoftheincubusyoudescribeher。'ButIfearmyadvicehadlittleeffectupontheunfortunateyounglady；and，findingIcouldrendermyselfsolittleserviceable，myresidenceatAshbyParkbecamedoublypainful。Butstill，Imuststayoutthatdayandthefollowingone，asIhadpromisedtodoso:though，resistingallentreatiesandinducementstoprolongmyvisitfurther，Iinsistedupondepartingthenextmorning；affirmingthatmymotherwouldbelonelywithoutme，andthatsheimpatientlyexpectedmyreturn。
　　Nevertheless，itwaswithaheavyheartthatIbadeadieutopoorLadyAshby，andleftherinherprincelyhome。Itwasnoslightadditionalproofofherunhappiness，thatsheshouldsoclingtotheconsolationofmypresence，andearnestlydesirethecompanyofonewhosegeneraltastesandideasweresolittlecongenialtoherown-whomshehadcompletelyforgotteninherhourofprosperity，andwhosepresencewouldberatheranuisancethanapleasure，ifshecouldbuthavehalfherheart'sdesire。
　　chapter24
　　CHAPTERXXIV-THESANDS
　　OURschoolwasnotsituatedintheheartofthetown:onenteringA-fromthenorth-westthereisarowofrespectable-lookinghouses，oneachsideofthebroad，whiteroad，withnarrowslipsofgarden-groundbeforethem，Venetianblindstothewindows，andaflightofstepsleadingtoeachtrim，brass-handleddoor。InoneofthelargestofthesehabitationsdweltmymotherandI，withsuchyoungladiesasourfriendsandthepublicchosetocommittoourcharge。Consequently，wewereaconsiderabledistancefromthesea，anddividedfromitbyalabyrinthofstreetsandhouses。
　　Buttheseawasmydelight；andIwouldoftengladlypiercethetowntoobtainthepleasureofawalkbesideit，whetherwiththepupils，oralonewithmymotherduringthevacations。Itwasdelightfultomeatalltimesandseasons，butespeciallyinthewildcommotionofaroughsea-breeze，andinthebrilliantfreshnessofasummermorning。
　　IawokeearlyonthethirdmorningaftermyreturnfromAshbyPark-thesunwasshiningthroughtheblind，andIthoughthowpleasantitwouldbetopassthroughthequiettownandtakeasolitaryrambleonthesandswhilehalftheworldwasinbed。Iwasnotlonginformingtheresolution，norslowtoactuponit。OfcourseIwouldnotdisturbmymother，soIstolenoiselesslydownstairs，andquietlyunfastenedthedoor。Iwasdressedandout，whenthechurchclockstruckaquartertosix。Therewasafeelingoffreshnessandvigourintheverystreets；andwhenIgotfreeofthetown，whenmyfootwasonthesandsandmyfacetowardsthebroad，brightbay，nolanguagecandescribetheeffectofthedeep，clearazureoftheskyandocean，thebrightmorningsunshineonthesemicircularbarrierofcraggycliffssurmountedbygreenswellinghills，andonthesmooth，widesands，andthelowrocksoutatsea-looking，withtheirclothingofweedsandmoss，likelittlegrass-grownislands-andaboveall，onthebrilliant，sparklingwaves。Andthen，theunspeakablepurity-andfreshnessoftheair!Therewasjustenoughheattoenhancethevalueofthebreeze，andjustenoughwindtokeepthewholeseainmotion，tomakethewavescomeboundingtotheshore，foamingandsparkling，asifwildwithglee。Nothingelsewasstirring-nolivingcreaturewasvisiblebesidesmyself。Myfootstepswerethefirsttopressthefirm，unbrokensands；-nothingbeforehadtrampledthemsincelastnight'sflowingtidehadobliteratedthedeepestmarksofyesterday，andleftthemfairandeven，exceptwherethesubsidingwaterhadleftbehinditthetracesofdimpledpoolsandlittlerunningstreams。
　　Refreshed，delighted，invigorated，Iwalkedalong，forgettingallmycares，feelingasifIhadwingstomyfeet，andcouldgoatleastfortymileswithoutfatigue，andexperiencingasenseofexhilarationtowhichIhadbeenanentirestrangersincethedaysofearlyyouth。Abouthalf-pastsix，however，thegroomsbegantocomedowntoairtheirmasters'horses-firstone，andthenanother，tillthereweresomedozenhorsesandfiveorsixriders:
　　butthatneednottroubleme，fortheywouldnotcomeasfarasthelowrockswhichIwasnowapproaching。WhenIhadreachedthese，andwalkedoverthemoist，slipperysea-weedattheriskofflounderingintooneofthenumerouspoolsofclear，saltwaterthatlaybetweenthem，toalittlemossypromontorywiththeseasplashingroundit，Ilookedbackagaintoseewhonextwasstirring。Still，therewereonlytheearlygroomswiththeirhorses，andonegentlemanwithalittledarkspeckofadogrunningbeforehim，andonewater-cartcomingoutofthetowntogetwaterforthebaths。Inanotherminuteortwo，thedistantbathingmachineswouldbegintomove，andthentheelderlygentlemenofregularhabitsandsoberquakerladieswouldbecomingtotaketheirsalutarymorningwalks。Buthoweverinterestingsuchascenemightbe，Icouldnotwaittowitnessit，forthesunandtheseasodazzledmyeyesinthatdirection，thatIcouldbutaffordoneglance；andthenIturnedagaintodelightmyselfwiththesightandthesoundofthesea，dashingagainstmypromontory-withnoprodigiousforce，fortheswellwasbrokenbythetangledsea-weedandtheunseenrocksbeneath；otherwiseIshouldsoonhavebeendelugedwithspray。Butthetidewascomingin；thewaterwasrising；thegulfsandlakeswerefilling；thestraitswerewidening:itwastimetoseeksomesaferfooting；soIwalked，skipped，andstumbledbacktothesmooth，widesands，andresolvedtoproceedtoacertainboldprojectioninthecliffs，andthenreturn。
　　Presently，Iheardasnufflingsoundbehindmeandthenadogcamefriskingandwrigglingtomyfeet。ItwasmyownSnap-thelittledark，wire-hairedterrier!WhenIspokehisname，heleaptupinmyfaceandyelledforjoy。Almostasmuchdelightedashimself，I
　　caughtthelittlecreatureinmyarms，andkissedhimrepeatedly。
　　Buthowcamehetobethere？Hecouldnothavedroppedfromthesky，orcomeallthatwayalone:itmustbeeitherhismaster，therat-catcher，orsomebodyelsethathadbroughthim；so，repressingmyextravagantcaresses，andendeavouringtorepresshislikewise，Ilookedround，andbeheld-Mr。Weston!
　　'Yourdogremembersyouwell，MissGrey，'saidhe，warmlygraspingthehandIofferedhimwithoutclearlyknowingwhatIwasabout。
　　'Youriseearly。'
　　'Notoftensoearlyasthis，'Ireplied，withamazingcomposure，consideringallthecircumstancesofthecase。
　　'Howfardoyoupurposetoextendyourwalk？'
　　'Iwasthinkingofreturning-itmustbealmosttime，Ithink。'
　　Heconsultedhiswatch-agoldonenow-andtoldmeitwasonlyfiveminutespastseven。
　　'But，doubtless，youhavehadalongenoughwalk，'saidhe，turningtowardsthetown，towhichInowproceededleisurelytoretracemysteps；andhewalkedbesideme。
　　'Inwhatpartofthetowndoyoulive？'askedhe。'Inevercoulddiscover。'
　　Nevercoulddiscover？Hadheendeavouredtodosothen？
　　Itoldhimtheplaceofourabode。Heaskedhowweprosperedinouraffairs。Itoldhimweweredoingverywell-thatwehadhadaconsiderableadditiontoourpupilsaftertheChristmasvacation，andexpectedastillfurtherincreaseatthecloseofthis。
　　'Youmustbeanaccomplishedinstructor，'heobserved。
　　'No，itismymother，'Ireplied；'shemanagesthingssowell，andissoactive，andclever，andkind。'
　　'Ishouldliketoknowyourmother。Willyouintroducemetohersometime，ifIcall？'
　　'Yes，willingly。'
　　'Andwillyouallowmetheprivilegeofanoldfriend，oflookinginuponyounowandthen？'
　　'Yes，if-Isupposeso。'
　　Thiswasaveryfoolishanswer，butthetruthwas，IconsideredthatIhadnorighttoinviteanyonetomymother'shousewithoutherknowledge；andifIhadsaid，'Yes，ifmymotherdoesnotobject，'itwouldappearasifbyhisquestionIunderstoodmorethanwasexpected；so，SUPPOSINGshewouldnot，Iadded，'Isupposeso:'butofcourseIshouldhavesaidsomethingmoresensibleandmorepolite，ifIhadhadmywitsaboutme。Wecontinuedourwalkforaminuteinsilence；which，however，wasshortlyrelievednosmallrelieftomebyMr。Westoncommentinguponthebrightnessofthemorningandthebeautyofthebay，andthenupontheadvantagesA-possessedovermanyotherfashionableplacesofresort。
　　'Youdon'taskwhatbringsmetoA-'saidhe。'Youcan'tsupposeI'mrichenoughtocomeformyownpleasure。'
　　'IheardyouhadleftHorton。'
　　'Youdidn'thear，then，thatIhadgotthelivingofF-？'
　　F-wasavillageabouttwomilesdistantfromA。
　　'No，'saidI；'welivesocompletelyoutoftheworld，evenhere，thatnewsseldomreachesmethroughanyquarter；exceptthroughthemediumofthe-GAZETTE。ButIhopeyoulikeyournewparish；
　　andthatImaycongratulateyouontheacquisition？'
　　'Iexpecttolikemyparishbetterayearortwohence，whenIhaveworkedcertainreformsIhavesetmyheartupon-or，atleast，progressedsomestepstowardssuchanachievement。Butyoumaycongratulatemenow；forIfinditveryagreeabletoHAVEaparishalltomyself，withnobodytointerferewithme-tothwartmyplansorcripplemyexertions:andbesides，Ihavearespectablehouseinaratherpleasantneighbourhood，andthreehundredpoundsayear；and，infact，Ihavenothingbutsolitudetocomplainof，andnothingbutacompaniontowishfor。'
　　Helookedatmeasheconcluded:andtheflashofhisdarkeyesseemedtosetmyfaceonfire；greatlytomyowndiscomfiture，fortoevinceconfusionatsuchajuncturewasintolerable。Imadeaneffort，therefore，toremedytheevil，anddisclaimallpersonalapplicationoftheremarkbyahasty，ill-expressedreply，totheeffectthat，ifhewaitedtillhewaswellknownintheneighbourhood，hemighthavenumerousopportunitiesforsupplyinghiswantamongtheresidentsofF-anditsvicinity，orthevisitorsofA-，ifherequiredsoampleachoice:notconsideringthecomplimentimpliedbysuchanassertion，tillhisanswermademeawareofit。
　　'Iamnotsopresumptuousastobelievethat，'saidhe，'thoughyoutellitme；butifitwereso，Iamratherparticularinmynotionsofacompanionforlife，andperhapsImightnotfindonetosuitmeamongtheladiesyoumention。'
　　'Ifyourequireperfection，youneverwill。'
　　'Idonot-Ihavenorighttorequireit，asbeingsofarfromperfectmyself。'
　　Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbyawater-cartlumberingpastus，forwewerenowcometothebusypartofthesands；and，forthenexteightortenminutes，betweencartsandhorses，andasses，andmen，therewaslittleroomforsocialintercourse，tillwehadturnedourbacksuponthesea，andbeguntoascendtheprecipitousroadleadingintothetown。Heremycompanionofferedmehisarm，whichIaccepted，thoughnotwiththeintentionofusingitasasupport。
　　'Youdon'toftencomeontothesands，Ithink，'saidhe，'forI
　　havewalkedtheremanytimes，bothmorningandevening，sinceI
　　came，andneverseenyoutillnow；andseveraltimes，inpassingthroughthetown，too，Ihavelookedaboutforyourschool-butI
　　didnotthinkofthe-Road；andonceortwiceImadeinquiries，butwithoutobtainingtherequisiteinformation。'
　　Whenwehadsurmountedtheacclivity，Iwasabouttowithdrawmyarmfromhis，butbyaslighttighteningoftheelbowwastacitlyinformedthatsuchwasnothiswill，andaccordinglydesisted。
　　Discoursingondifferentsubjects，weenteredthetown，andpassedthroughseveralstreets。Isawthathewasgoingoutofhiswaytoaccompanyme，notwithstandingthelongwalkthatwasyetbeforehim；and，fearingthathemightbeinconveniencinghimselffrommotivesofpoliteness，Iobserved-'IfearIamtakingyououtofyourway，Mr。Weston-IbelievetheroadtoF-liesquiteinanotherdirection。'
　　'I'llleaveyouattheendofthenextstreet，'saidhe。
　　'Andwhenwillyoucometoseemamma？'
　　'To-morrow-Godwilling。'
　　Theendofthenextstreetwasnearlytheconclusionofmyjourney。
　　Hestoppedthere，however，bidmegood-morning，andcalledSnap，whoseemedalittledoubtfulwhethertofollowhisoldmistressorhisnewmaster，buttrottedawayuponbeingsummonedbythelatter。
　　'Iwon'toffertorestorehimtoyou，MissGrey，'saidMr。Weston，smiling，'becauseIlikehim。'
　　'Oh，Idon'twanthim，'repliedI，'nowthathehasagoodmaster；
　　I'mquitesatisfied。'
　　'YoutakeitforgrantedthatIamagoodone，then？'
　　Themanandthedogdeparted，andIreturnedhome，fullofgratitudetoheavenforsomuchbliss，andprayingthatmyhopesmightnotagainbecrushed。
　　chapter25
　　CHAPTERXXV-CONCLUSION
　　'WELL，Agnes，youmustnottakesuchlongwalksagainbeforebreakfast，'saidmymother，observingthatIdrankanextracupofcoffeeandatenothing-pleadingtheheatoftheweather，andthefatigueofmylongwalkasanexcuse。Icertainlydidfeelfeverishandtiredtoo。
　　'Youalwaysdothingsbyextremes:now，ifyouhadtakenaSHORT
　　walkeverymorning，andwouldcontinuetodoso，itwoulddoyougood。'
　　'Well，mamma，Iwill。'
　　'Butthisisworsethanlyinginbedorbendingoveryourbooks:
　　youhavequiteputyourselfintoafever。'
　　'Iwon'tdoitagain，'saidI。
　　IwasrackingmybrainswiththinkinghowtotellheraboutMr。
　　Weston，forshemustknowhewascomingto-morrow。However，I
　　waitedtillthebreakfastthingswereremoved，andIwasmorecalmandcool；andthen，havingsatdowntomydrawing，Ibegan-'Imetanoldfriendonthesandsto-day，mamma。'
　　'Anoldfriend!Whocoulditbe？'
　　'Twooldfriends，indeed。Onewasadog；'andthenIremindedherofSnap，whosehistoryIhadrecountedbefore，andrelatedtheincidentofhissuddenappearanceandremarkablerecognition；'andtheother，'continuedI，'wasMr。Weston，thecurateofHorton。'
　　'Mr。Weston!Ineverheardofhimbefore。'
　　'Yes，youhave:I'vementionedhimseveraltimes，Ibelieve:
　　butyoudon'tremember。'
　　'I'veheardyouspeakofMr。Hatfield。'
　　'Mr。Hatfieldwastherector，andMr。Westonthecurate:IusedtomentionhimsometimesincontradistinctiontoMr。Hatfield，asbeingamoreefficientclergyman。However，hewasonthesandsthismorningwiththedog-hehadboughtit，Isuppose，fromtherat-catcher；andheknewmeaswellasitdid-probablythroughitsmeans:andIhadalittleconversationwithhim，inthecourseofwhich，asheaskedaboutourschool，Iwasledtosaysomethingaboutyou，andyourgoodmanagement；andhesaidheshouldliketoknowyou，andaskedifIwouldintroducehimtoyou，ifheshouldtakethelibertyofcallingto-morrow；soIsaidIwould。WasI
　　right？'
　　'Ofcourse。Whatkindofamanishe？'
　　'AveryRESPECTABLEman，Ithink:butyouwillseehimto-morrow。
　　HeisthenewvicarofF-，andashehasonlybeenthereafewweeks，Isupposehehasmadenofriendsyet，andwantsalittlesociety。'
　　Themorrowcame。WhatafeverofanxietyandexpectationIwasinfrombreakfasttillnoon-atwhichtimehemadehisappearance!
　　Havingintroducedhimtomymother，Itookmyworktothewindow，andsatdowntoawaittheresultoftheinterview。Theygotonextremelywelltogether-greatlytomysatisfaction，forIhadfeltveryanxiousaboutwhatmymotherwouldthinkofhim。Hedidnotstaylongthattime:butwhenherosetotakeleave，shesaidsheshouldbehappytoseehim，wheneverhemightfinditconvenienttocallagain；andwhenhewasgone，Iwasgratifiedbyhearinghersay，-'Well!Ithinkhe'saverysensibleman。
　　Butwhydidyousitbackthere，Agnes，'sheadded，'andtalksolittle？'
　　'Becauseyoutalkedsowell，mamma，Ithoughtyourequirednoassistancefromme:and，besides，hewasyourvisitor，notmine。'
　　Afterthat，heoftencalleduponus-severaltimesinthecourseofaweek。Hegenerallyaddressedmostofhisconversationtomymother:andnowonder，forshecouldconverse。Ialmostenviedtheunfettered，vigorousfluencyofherdiscourse，andthestrongsenseevincedbyeverythingshesaid-andyet，Ididnot；for，thoughIoccasionallyregrettedmyowndeficienciesforhissake，itgavemeverygreatpleasuretositandhearthetwobeingsI
　　lovedandhonouredaboveeveryoneelseintheworld，discoursingtogethersoamicably，sowisely，andsowell。Iwasnotalwayssilent，however；norwasIatallneglected。IwasquiteasmuchnoticedasIwouldwishtobe:therewasnolackofkindwordsandkinderlooks，noendofdelicateattentions，toofineandsubtletobegraspedbywords，andthereforeindescribable-butdeeplyfeltatheart。
　　Ceremonywasquicklydroppedbetweenus:Mr。Westoncameasanexpectedguest，welcomeatalltimes，andneverderangingtheeconomyofourhouseholdaffairs。Heevencalledme'Agnes:'thenamehadbeentimidlyspokenatfirst，but，findingitgavenooffenceinanyquarter，heseemedgreatlytopreferthatappellationto'MissGrey；'andsodidI。Howtediousandgloomywerethosedaysinwhichhedidnotcome!Andyetnotmiserable；
　　forIhadstilltheremembranceofthelastvisitandthehopeofthenexttocheerme。Butwhentwoorthreedayspassedwithoutmyseeinghim，Icertainlyfeltveryanxious-absurdly，unreasonablyso；for，ofcourse，hehadhisownbusinessandtheaffairsofhisparishtoattendto。AndIdreadedthecloseoftheholidays，whenMYbusinessalsowouldbegin，andIshouldbesometimesunabletoseehim，andsometimes-whenmymotherwasintheschoolroom-
　　obligedtobewithhimalone:apositionIdidnotatalldesire，inthehouse；thoughtomeethimoutofdoors，andwalkbesidehim，hadprovedbynomeansdisagreeable。
　　Oneevening，however，inthelastweekofthevacation，hearrived-unexpectedly:foraheavyandprotractedthunder-showerduringtheafternoonhadalmostdestroyedmyhopesofseeinghimthatday；
　　butnowthestormwasover，andthesunwasshiningbrightly。
　　'Abeautifulevening，Mrs。Grey!'saidhe，asheentered。'Agnes，Iwantyoutotakeawalkwithmeto-'henamedacertainpartofthecoast-aboldhillonthelandside，andtowardstheseaasteepprecipice，fromthesummitofwhichagloriousviewistobehad。'Therainhaslaidthedust，andcooledandclearedtheair，andtheprospectwillbemagnificent。Willyoucome？'
　　'CanIgo，mamma？'
　　'Yes；tobesure。'
　　Iwenttogetready，andwasdownagaininafewminutes；though，ofcourse，ItookalittlemorepainswithmyattirethanifIhadmerelybeengoingoutonsomeshoppingexpeditionalone。Thethunder-showerhadcertainlyhadamostbeneficialeffectupontheweather，andtheeveningwasmostdelightful。Mr。Westonwouldhavemetotakehisarm；hesaidlittleduringourpassagethroughthecrowdedstreets，butwalkedveryfast，andappearedgraveandabstracted。Iwonderedwhatwasthematter，andfeltanindefinitedreadthatsomethingunpleasantwasonhismind；andvaguesurmises，concerningwhatitmightbe，troubledmenotalittle，andmademegraveandsilentenough。Butthesefantasiesvanisheduponreachingthequietoutskirtsofthetown；forassoonaswecamewithinsightofthevenerableoldchurch，andthe-hill，withthedeepbluebeyondit，Ifoundmycompanionwascheerfulenough。
　　'I'mafraidI'vebeenwalkingtoofastforyou，Agnes，'saidhe:
　　'inmyimpatiencetoberidofthetown，Iforgottoconsultyourconvenience；butnowwe'llwalkasslowlyasyouplease。Isee，bythoselightcloudsinthewest，therewillbeabrilliantsunset，andweshallbeintimetowitnessitseffectuponthesea，atthemostmoderaterateofprogression。'
　　Whenwehadgotabouthalf-wayupthehill，wefellintosilenceagain；which，asusual，hewasthefirsttobreak。
　　'Myhouseisdesolateyet，MissGrey，'hesmilinglyobserved，'andIamacquaintednowwithalltheladiesinmyparish，andseveralinthistowntoo；andmanyothersIknowbysightandbyreport；
　　butnotoneofthemwillsuitmeforacompanion；infact，thereisonlyonepersonintheworldthatwill:andthatisyourself；
　　andIwanttoknowyourdecision？'
　　'Areyouinearnest，Mr。Weston？'
　　'Inearnest!HowcouldyouthinkIshouldjestonsuchasubject？'
　　Helaidhishandonmine，thatrestedonhisarm:hemusthavefeltittremble-butitwasnogreatmatternow。
　　'IhopeIhavenotbeentooprecipitate，'hesaid，inaserioustone。'Youmusthaveknownthatitwasnotmywaytoflatterandtalksoftnonsense，oreventospeaktheadmirationthatIfelt；
　　andthatasinglewordorglanceofminemeantmorethanthehoniedphrasesandferventprotestationsofmostothermen。'
　　Isaidsomethingaboutnotlikingtoleavemymother，anddoingnothingwithoutherconsent。
　　'IsettledeverythingwithMrs。Grey，whileyouwereputtingonyourbonnet，'repliedhe。'ShesaidImighthaveherconsent，ifI
　　couldobtainyours；andIaskedher，incaseIshouldbesohappy，tocomeandlivewithus-forIwassureyouwouldlikeitbetter。
　　Butsherefused，sayingshecouldnowaffordtoemployanassistant，andwouldcontinuetheschooltillshecouldpurchaseanannuitysufficienttomaintainherincomfortablelodgings；and，meantime，shewouldspendhervacationsalternatelywithusandyoursister，andshouldbequitecontentedifyouwerehappy。
　　AndsonowIhaveoverruledyourobjectionsonheraccount。Haveyouanyother？'
　　'No-none。'
　　'Youlovemethen？'saidbe，ferventlypressingmyhand。
　　'Yes。'
　　HereIpause。MyDiary，fromwhichIhavecompiledthesepages，goesbutlittlefurther。Icouldgoonforyears，butIwillcontentmyselfwithadding，thatIshallneverforgetthatglorioussummerevening，andalwaysrememberwithdelightthatsteephill，andtheedgeoftheprecipicewherewestoodtogether，watchingthesplendidsunsetmirroredintherestlessworldofwatersatourfeet-withheartsfilledwithgratitudetoheaven，andhappiness，andlove-almosttoofullforspeech。
　　Afewweeksafterthat，whenmymotherhadsuppliedherselfwithanassistant，IbecamethewifeofEdwardWeston；andneverhavefoundcausetorepentit，andamcertainthatInevershall。Wehavehadtrials，andweknowthatwemusthavethemagain；butwebearthemwelltogether，andendeavourtofortifyourselvesandeachotheragainstthefinalseparation-thatgreatestofallafflictionstothesurvivor。But，ifwekeepinmindthegloriousheavenbeyond，wherebothmaymeetagain，andsinandsorrowareunknown，surelythattoomaybeborne；and，meantime，weendeavourtolivetothegloryofHimwhohasscatteredsomanyblessingsinourpath。
　　Edward，byhisstrenuousexertions，hasworkedsurprisingreformsinhisparish，andisesteemedandlovedbyitsinhabitants-ashedeserves；forwhateverhisfaultsmaybeasamanandnooneisentirelywithout，Idefyanybodytoblamehimasapastor，ahusband，orafather。
　　Ourchildren，Edward，Agnes，andlittleMary，promisewell；theireducation，forthetimebeing，ischieflycommittedtome；andtheyshallwantnogoodthingthatamother'scarecangive。Ourmodestincomeisamplysufficientforourrequirements:andbypractisingtheeconomywelearntinhardertimes，andneverattemptingtoimitateourricherneighbours，wemanagenotonlytoenjoycomfortandcontentmentourselves，buttohaveeveryyearsomethingtolaybyforourchildren，andsomethingtogivetothosewhoneedit。
　　AndnowIthinkIhavesaidsufficient。