"Ohno，"shecalled；"it'snotnotnearly。
　　"Keeponputtingthemtogether，ifyouloveme。"
　　"YouknowIloveyou，"answeredShelton，inasmotheredvoice。
　　Antoniagazedathimacrosshershoulder；puzzledandinquiringwasherface。
　　"I'mnotabitlikeyou，"shesaid。"Whatwillyouhaveforyourroom？"
　　"Choose!"
　　"Cornflowersandclovepinks。Poppiesaretoofrivolous，andpinkstoo——"
　　"White，"saidShelton。
　　"Andmignonettetoohardand——"
　　"Sweet。Whycornflowers？"
　　Antoniastoodbeforehimwithherhandsagainsthersides；herfigurewassoslimandyoung，herfaceuncertainandsograve。
　　"Becausethey'redarkanddeep。"
　　"Andwhyclovepinks？"
　　Antoniadidnotanswer。
　　"Andwhyclovepinks？"
　　"Because，"shesaid，and，flushing，touchedabeethathadsettledonherskirt，"becauseofsomethinginyouIdon'tunderstand。"
　　"Ah!AndwhatflowersshalltgiveYOU？"
　　Sheputherhandsbehindher。
　　"Therearealltheotherflowersforme。"
　　SheltonsnatchedfromthemassinfrontofhimanIcelandpoppywithstraightstemandacurvedneck，whitepinks，andsprigsofhard，sweetmignonette，andhelditouttoher。
　　"There，"hesaid，"that'syou。"ButAntoniadidnotmove。
　　"Ohno，itisn't!"andbehindherbackherfingersslowlycrushedthepetalsofablood-redpoppy。Sheshookherhead，smilingabrilliantsmile。Theblossomsfell，heflunghisarmsaroundher，andkissedheronthelips。
　　Buthishandsdropped；notfearexactly，norexactlyshame，hadcometohim。Shehadnotresisted，buthehadkissedthesmileaway；hadkissedastrange，cold，frightenedlook，intohereyes。
　　"Shedidn'tmeantotemptme，then，"hethought，insurpriseandanger。"Whatdidshemean？"and，likeascoldeddog，hekepthistroubledwatchuponherface。
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　THERIDE
　　"Wherenow？"Antoniaasked，wheelingherchestnutmare，astheyturnedupHighStreet，OxfordCity。"Iwon'tgobackthesameway，Dick!"
　　"WecouldhaveagalloponPortMeadow，crosstheUpperRivertwice，andgethomethatway；butyou'llbetired。"
　　Antoniashookherhead。Aslanthercheekthebrimofastrawhatthrewacurveofshade，herearglowedtransparentinthesun。
　　Adifferencehadcomeintheirrelationssincethatkiss；outwardlyshewasthesamegoodcomrade，coolandquick。Butasbeforeachangeonefeelsthesubtledifferenceinthetemperofthewind，soSheltonwasaffectedbytheinnerchangeinher。Hehadmadeablotuponhercandour；hehadtriedtorubitoutagain，buttherewasleftamark，anditwasineffaceable。Antoniabelongedtothemostciviliseddivisionoftheracemostcivilisedinalltheworld，whosecreedis"Letusloveandhate，letusworkandmarry，butletusnevergiveourselvesaway；togiveourselvesawayistoleaveamark，andthatispastforgiveness。Letourlivesbelikeourfaces，freefromeverykindofwrinkle，eventhoseoflaughter；inthiswayalonecanwebereallycivilised。"
　　Hefeltthatshewasruffledbyavaguediscomfort。Thatheshouldgivehimselfawaywasnatural，perhaps，andonlymadeherwonder，butthatheshouldgiveherthefeelingthatshehadgivenherselfawaywasaverydifferentthing。
　　"DoyoumindifIjustaskattheBishop'sHeadforletters？"hesaid，astheypassedtheoldhotel。
　　Adirtyandthinenvelopewasbroughttohim，addressed"Mr。RichardShelton，Esq。，"inhandwritingthatwaspassionatelyclear，asthoughthewriterhadputhissoulintosecuringdeliveryoftheletter。Itwasdatedthreedaysback，and，astheyrodeaway，Sheltonreadasfollows:
　　IMPERIALPEACOCKHOTEL，FOLKESTONE。
　　MONCHERMONSIEURSHELTON，ThisisalreadythethirdtimeIhavetakenuppentowritetoyou，but，havingnothingbutmisfortunetorecount，Ihesitated，awaitingbetterdays。Indeed，IhavebeensoprofoundlydiscouragedthatifI
　　hadnotthoughtitmydutytoletyouknowofmyfortunesIknownotevennowifIshouldhavefoundthenecessaryspirit。'Leschosesvontdemalenmal'。FromwhatIheartherehasneverbeensobadaseasonhere。Nothinggoingon。Allthesame，Iamtormentedbyamoboflittlematterswhichbringmenotsufficienttosupportmylife。Iknownotwhattodo；onethingiscertain，innocaseshallIreturnhereanotheryear。Thepatronofthishotel，mygoodemployer，isoneofthoseinnumerablespecimenswhodonotforgeorstealbecausetheyhavenoneed，andiftheyhadwouldlackthecourage；whoobservethemarriagelawsbecausetheyhavebeenbroughtuptobelieveinthem，andknowthatbreakingthembringsriskandlossofreputation；whodonotgamblebecausetheydarenot；donotdrinkbecauseitdisagreeswiththem；gotochurchbecausetheirneighboursgo，andtoprocureanappetiteforthemid-daymeal；
　　commitnomurderbecause，nottransgressinginanyotherfashion，theyarenotobliged。Whatistheretorespectinpersonsofthissort？Yettheyarehighlyesteemed，andformthreequartersofSociety。Therulewiththesegoodgentlemenistoshuttheireyes，neverusetheirthinkingpowers，andclosethedooronallthedogsoflifeforfeartheyshouldgetbitten。
　　Sheltonpaused，consciousofAntonia'seyesfixedonhimwiththeinquiringlookthathehadcometodread。Inthatchillyquestioningsheseemedtosay:"Iamwaiting。Iampreparedtobetoldthings——
　　thatis，usefulthings——thingsthathelponetobelievewithouttheriskoftoomuchthinking。"
　　"It'sfromthatyoungforeigner，"hesaid；andwentonreadingtohimself。
　　Ihaveeyes，andhereIam；Ihaveanose'pour，flairerlehumbug'。
　　Iseethatamongstthevalueofthingsnothingistheequalof"freethought。"Everythingelsetheycantakefromme，'onnepentpasm'otercela'!Iseenofutureformehere，andcertainlyshouldhavedepartedlongagoifIhadhadthemoney，but，asIhavealreadytoldyou，allthatIcandobarelysufficestoprocureme'dequoivivre'。
　　'Jemesensecceuye'。DonotpaytoomuchattentiontomyJeremiads；
　　youknowwhatapessimistIam。'Jeneperdspascourage'。
　　Hopingthatyouarewell，andinthecordialpressingofyourhand，I
　　subscribemyself，YourverydevotedLOUISFERRAND。
　　Herodewiththeletteropeninhishand，frowningatthecuriousturmoilwhichFerrandexcitedinhisheart。Itwasasthoughthisforeignvagranttwangedwithinhimaneglectedstring，whichgaveforthmoansofamutiny。
　　"Whatdoeshesay？"Antoniaasked。
　　Shouldheshowittoher？Ifhemightnot，whatshouldhedowhentheyweremarried？
　　"Idon'tquiteknow，"hesaidatlast；"it'snotparticularlycheering。"'
　　"Whatishelike，Dick——Imean，tolookat？Likeagentleman，orwhat？"
　　Sheltonstifledadesiretolaugh。
　　"Helooksverywellinafrock-coat，"hereplied；"hisfatherwasawinemerchant。"
　　Antoniaflickedherwhipagainstherskirt。
　　"Ofcourse，"shemurmured，"Idon'twanttohearifthere'sanythingIoughtnot。"
　　ButinsteadofsoothingShelton，thesewordshadjusttheoppositeeffect。Hisconceptionoftheidealwifewasnotthatofonefromwhomthehalfoflifemustbeexcluded。
　　"It'sonly，"hestammeredagain，"thatit'snotcheerful。"
　　"Oh，allright!"shecried，and，touchingherhorse，flewoffinfront。"Ihatedismalthings。"
　　Sheltonbithislips。Itwasnothisfaultthathalftheworldwasdark。Heknewherwordswereloosedagainsthimself，and，asalwaysatasignofherdispleasure，wasafraid。Hegallopedafterheronthescorchedturf。
　　"Whatisit？"hesaid。"You'reangrywithme!"
　　"Ohno!"
　　"Darling，Ican'thelpitifthingsaren'tcheerful。Wehaveeyes，"
　　headded，quotingfromtheletter。
　　Antoniadidnotlookathim；buttouchedherhorseagain。
　　"Well，Idon'twanttoseethegloomyside，"shesaid，"andIcan'tseewhyYOUshould。It'swickedtobediscontented"；andshegallopedoff。
　　Itwasnothisfaultiftherewereathousanddifferentkindsofmen，athousanddifferentpointsofview，outsidethefenceofherexperience!"Whatbusiness，"hethought，digginginhisdummyspurs，"hasourclasstopatronise？We'retheonlypeoplewhohaven'tanideaofwhatlifereallymeans。"Chipsofdriedturfanddustcameflyingback，stinginghisface。Hegainedonher，drewalmostwithinreach，then，asthoughshehadbeenplayingwithhim，waslefthopelesslybehind。
　　Shestoopedunderthefarhedge，fanningherflushedfacewithdock-
　　leaves:
　　"Aha，Dick!Iknewyou'dnevercatchme"andshepattedthechestnutmare，whoturnedherblowingmuzzlewithcontemptuoushumourtowardsShelton'ssteed，whileherflanksheavedrapturously，graduallydarkeningwithsweat。
　　"We'dbettertakethemsteadily，"gruntedShelton，gettingoffandlooseninghisgirths，"ifwemeantogethomeatall。"
　　"Don'tbecross，Dick!"
　　"Weoughtn'ttohavegallopedthemlikethis；they'renotincondition。"We'dbettergohomethewaywecame。"
　　Antoniadroppedthereins，andstraightenedherbackhair。
　　"There'snofuninthat，"shesaid。"Outandbackagain；Ihateadog'swalk。"
　　"Verywell，"saidShelton；hewouldhaveherlongertohimself!
　　Theroadledupandupahill，andfromthetopavisionofSaxonialaydisclosedinwavesofwoodandpasture。Theirwaybrancheddownagatelessglade，andSheltonsidledclosertillhiskneetouchedthemare'soff-flank。
　　Antonia'sprofileconjuredupvisions。Shewasyouthitself；hereyessobrilliant，andsoinnocent，hercheekssoglowing，andherbrowunruffled；butinhersmileandinthesettingofherjawlurkedsomethingresoluteandmischievous。Sheltonputhishandouttothemare'smane。
　　"Whatmadeyoupromisetomarryme？"hesaid。
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Well，whatmadeyou？"
　　"I？"criedShelton。
　　Sheslippedherhandoverhishand。
　　"Oh，Dick!"shesaid。
　　"Iwant，"hestammered，"tobeeverythingtoyou。DoyouthinkI
　　shall？"
　　"Ofcourse!"
　　Ofcourse!Thewordsseemedverymuchorverylittle。
　　Shelookeddownattheriver，gleamingbelowthegladeinacurvingsilverline。"Dick，therearesuchalotofsplendidthingsthatwemightdo。"
　　Didshemean，amongstthosesplendidthings，thattheymightunderstandeachother；orweretheyfatedtopretendtoonly，intheoldtime-honouredway？
　　Theycrossedtheriverbyaferry，androdealongtimeinsilence，whilethetwilightslowlyfellbehindtheaspens。Andallthebeautyoftheevening，withitsrestlessleaves，itsgraveyoungmoon，andlightedcampionflowers，wasbutapartofher；thescents，thewitcheryandshadows，thequaintfieldnoises，theyokels'whistling，andthesplashofwater-fowl，eachseemedtohimenchanted。Theflightingbats，theformsofthedimhayricks，andsweet-brierperfume-shesummedthemallupinherself。Thefingermarkshaddeepenedunderneathhereyes，alanguorcameuponher；itmadeherthemoresweetandyouthful。Hershouldersseemedtobearonthemtheveryimageofourland——graveandaspiring，eageryetcontained——
　　beforetherecameuponthatlandthegrinofgreed，thefoldsofwealth，thesimperofcontent。Fair，unconscious，free!
　　Andhewassilent，withabeatingheart。
　　CHAPTERXXVI
　　THEBIRD'OFPASSAGE
　　Thatnight，aftertheride，whenSheltonwasabouttogotobed，hiseyesfellonFerrand'sletter，andwithasleepysenseofdutyhebegantoreaditthroughasecondtime。Inthedark，oak-panelledbedroom，hisfour-postbed，withbackofcrimsondamaskanditsdaintysheets，waslightedbythecandleglow；thecopperpitcherofhotwaterinthebasin，thesilverofhisbrushes，andthelineofhiswell-polishedbootsallshone，andShelton'sfacealonewasgloomy，staringattheyellowishpaperinhishand。
　　"Thepoorchapwantsmoney，ofcourse，"hethought。Butwhygoonforeverhelpingonewhohadnoclaimonhim，ahopelesscase，incurable——onewhomitwashisdutytoletsinkforthegoodofthecommunityatlarge？Ferrand'svagabondrefinementhadbeguiledhimintocharitythatshouldhavebeenbestowedonhospitals，oranycharitableworkbutforeignmissions。Togiveahelpinghand，abitofhimself，anodoffellowshiptoanyfellow-beingirrespectiveofaclaim，merelybecausehehappenedtobedown，wassentimentalnonsense!Thelinemustbedrawn!Butinthemutteringofthisconclusionheexperiencedatwingeofhonesty。"Humbug!Youdon'twanttopartwithyourmoney，that'sall!"
　　So，sittingdowninshirt-sleevesathiswritingtable，hepennedthefollowingonpaperstampedwiththeHolmOaksaddressandcrest:
　　MYDEARFERRAND，Iamsorryyouarehavingsuchabadspell。Youseemtobedeadoutofluck。Ihopebythetimeyougetthisthingswillhavechangedforthebetter。Ishouldverymuchliketoseeyouagainandhaveatalk，butshallbeawayforsometimelonger，anddoubtevenwhenI
　　getbackwhetherIshouldbeabletorundownandlookyouup。Keepme'aucourant'astoyourmovements。Iencloseacheque。
　　Yourssincerely，RICHARDSHELTON。
　　Beforehehadwrittenoutthecheque，amothflutteringroundthecandledistractedhisattention，andbythetimehehadcaughtandputitouthehadforgottenthatthechequewasnotenclosed。Theletter，removedwithhisclothesbeforehewasawake，waspostedinanemptystate。
　　Onemorningaweeklaterhewassittinginthesmoking-roominthecompanyofthegentlemancalledMabbey，whowastellinghimhowmanygrousehehaddeprivedoflifeonAugust12lastyear，andhowmanyheintendedtodepriveoflifeonAugust12thisyear，whenthedoorwasopened，andthebutlerentered，carryinghisheadasthoughitheldsomefatalsecret。
　　"Ayoungmanisaskingforyou，sir，"hesaidtoShelton，bendingdowndiscreetly；"Idon'tknowifyouwouldwishtoseehim，sir。"
　　"Ayoungman!"repeatedShelton；"whatsortofayoungman？"
　　"Ishouldsayasortofforeigner，sir，"apologeticallyrepliedthebutler。"He'swearingafrock-coat，buthelooksasifhehadbeenwalkingagooddeal。"
　　Sheltonrosewithhaste；thedescriptionsoundedtohimominous。
　　"Whereishe？"
　　"Iputhimintheyoungladies'littleroom，sir。"
　　"Allright，"saidShelton；"I'llcomeandseehim。Now，whatthedeuce!"hethought，runningdownthestairs。
　　Itwaswithaqueercomminglingofpleasureandvexationthatheenteredthelittlechambersacredtothebirds，beasts，racquets，golf-clubs，andgeneralyoungladies'litter。Ferrandwasstandingunderneaththecageofacanary，hishandsfoldedonhispinched-uphat，anervoussmileuponhislips。HewasdressedinShelton'soldfrock-coat，tightlybuttoned，andwouldhavecutastylishfigurebutfarhislookoftravel。Heworeapairofpince-nez，too，whichsomewhatveiledhiscynicalblueeyes，andclashedalittlewiththepaganlookofhim。Inthemidstofthestrangesurroundingshestillpreservedthatairofknowing，andbeingmasterof，hisfate，whichwashischiefattraction。
　　"I'mgladtoseeyou，"saidShelton，holdingouthishand。
　　"Forgivethisliberty，"beganFerrand，"butIthoughtitduetoyouafterallyou'vedoneformenottothrowupmyeffortstogetemploymentinEnglandwithoutlettingyouknowfirst。I'mentirelyattheendofmyresources。"
　　ThephrasestruckSheltonasonethathehadheardbefore。
　　ButIwrotetoyou，"hesaid；"didn'tyougetmyletter？"
　　Aflickerpassedacrossthevagrant'sface；hedrewtheletterfromhispocketandhelditout。
　　"Hereitis，monsieur。"
　　Sheltonstaredatit。
　　"Surely，"saidhe，"Isentacheque？"
　　Ferranddidnotsmile；therewasalookabouthimasthoughSheltonbyforgettingtoenclosethatchequehaddonehimarealinjury。
　　Sheltoncouldnotquitehideaglanceofdoubt。
　　"Ofcourse，"hesaid，"I——I——meanttoencloseacheque。"
　　Toosubtletosayanything，Ferrandcurledhislip。，"Iamcapableofmuch，butnotofthat，"heseemedtosay；andatonceSheltonfeltthemeannessofhisdoubt。
　　"Stupidofme，"hesaid。
　　"Ihadnointentionofintrudinghere，"saidFerrand；"Ihopedtoseeyouintheneighbourhood，butIarriveexhaustedwithfatigue。I'veeatennothingsinceyesterdayatnoon，andwalkedthirtymiles。"Heshruggedhisshoulders。"Yousee，Ihadnotimetolosebeforeassuringmyselfwhetheryouwerehereornot。"
　　"Ofcourse——"beganShelton，butagainhestopped。
　　"Ishouldverymuchlike，"theyoungforeignerwenton，"foroneofyourgoodlegislatorstofindhimselfinthesecountryvillageswithapennyinhispocket。Inothercountriesbakersareobligedtosellyouanequivalentofbreadforapenny；heretheywon'tsellyouasmuchasacrustundertwopence。Youdon'tencouragepoverty。"
　　"Whatisyourideanow？"askedShelton，tryingtogaintime。
　　"AsItoldyou，"repliedFerrand，"there'snothingtobedoneatFolkestone，thoughIshouldhavestayedthereifIhadhadthemoneytodefraycertainexpenses"；andagainheseemedtoreproachhispatronwiththeomissionofthatcheque。"Theysaythingswillcertainlybebetterattheendofthemonth。NowthatIknowEnglishwell，IthoughtperhapsIcouldprocureasituationforteachinglanguages。"
　　"Isee，"saidShelton。
　　Asafact，however，hewasfarfromseeing；heliterallydidnotknowwhattodo。ItseemedsobrutaltogiveFerrandmoneyandaskhimtoclearout；besides，hechancedtohavenoneinhispocket。
　　"ItneedsphilosophytosupportwhatI'vegonethroughthisweek，"
　　saidFerrand，shrugginghisshoulders。"OnWednesdaylast，whenI
　　receivedyourletter，Ihadjusteighteen-pence，andatonceImadearesolutiontocomeandseeyou；onthatsumI'vedonethejourney。
　　Mystrengthisnearlyatanend。"
　　Sheltonstrokedhischin。
　　"Well，"hehadjustbegun，"wemustthinkitover，"whenbyFerrand'sfacehesawthatsomeonehadcomein。Heturned，andsawAntoniainthedoorway。"Excuseme，"hestammered，and，goingtoAntonia，drewherfromtheroom。
　　Withasmileshesaidatonce:"It'stheyoungforeigner；I'mcertain。Oh，whatfun!"
　　"Yes，"answeredSheltonslowly；"he'scometoseemeaboutgettingsomesortoftutorshiporother。DoyouthinkyourmotherwouldmindifItookhimuptohaveawash？He'shadalongishwalk。Andmighthehavesomebreakfast？Hemustbehungry。"
　　"Ofcourse!I'lltellDobson。ShallIspeaktomother？Helooksnice，Dick。"
　　Hegaveheragrateful，furtivelook，andwentbacktohisguest；animpulsehadmadehimhidefromherthetrueconditionofaffairs。
　　Ferrandwasstandingwherehehadbeenlefthisfacestillclothedinmordantimpassivity。
　　"Comeuptomyroom!"saidShelton；andwhilehisguestwaswashing，brushing，andotherwiseembellishinghisperson，hestoodreflectingthatFerrandwasbynomeansunpresentable，andhefeltquitegratefultohim。
　　Hetookanopportunity，whentheyoungman'sbackwasturned，ofexamininghiscounterfoils。Therewasnorecord，naturally，ofachequedrawninFerrand'sfavour。Sheltonfeltmoremeanthanever。
　　AmessagecamefromMrs。Dennant；sohetookthetravellertothedining-roomandlefthimthere，whilehehimselfwenttotheladyofthehouse。HemetAntoniacomingdown。
　　"Howmanydaysdidyousayhewentwithoutfoodthattime——youknow？"
　　sheaskedinpassing。
　　"Four。"
　　"Hedoesn'tlookabitcommon，Dick。"
　　Sheltongazedatherdubiously。
　　"They'resurelynotgoingtomakeashowofhim!"hethought。
　　Mrs。Dennantwaswriting，inadark-bluedressstarredoverwithwhitespots，whosefinelawncollarwasthreadedwithblackvelvet。
　　"HaveyouseenthenewhybridAlgy'sbroughtmebackfromKidstone？
　　Isn'titcharmin'？"andshebentherfacetowardsthisperfectrose。
　　"Theysayunique；I'mawfullyinterestedtofindoutifthat'strue。
　　I'vetoldAlgyIreallymusthavesome。"
　　Sheltonthoughtoftheuniquehybridbreakfastingdownstairs；hewishedthatMrs。Dennantwouldshowinhimtheinterestshehadmanifestedintherose。Butthiswasabsurdofhim，heknew，forthepotentlawofhobbiescontrolledtheupperclasses，forcingthemtotakemoreinterestinbirds，androses，missionaries，orlimitedandhighly-boundeditionsofoldbooksthings，inaword，intreatingwhichyouknewexactlywhereyouwerethaninthemanifestationsofmerelifethatcamebeforetheireyes。
　　"Oh，Dick，aboutthatyoungFrenchman。Antoniasayshewantsatutorship；now，canyoureallyrecommendhim？There'sMrs。RobinsonattheGatewayswantssomeonetoteachherboyslanguages；and，ifhewerequitesatisfactory，it'sreallytimeToddleshadafewlessonsinFrench；hegoestoEtonnexthalf。"
　　Sheltonstaredattherose；hehadsuddenlyrealisedwhyitwasthatpeopletakemoreinterestinrosesthaninhumanbeings——onecoulddoitwithaquietheart。
　　"He'snotaFrenchman，youknow，"hesaidtogainalittletime。
　　"He'snotaGerman，Ihope，"Mrs。Dennantanswered，passingherforgersroundapetal，toimpressitsfashiononherbrain；"Idon'tlikeGermans。Isn'thetheoneyouwroteabout——comedownintheworld？Suchapitywithsoyoungafellow!Hisfatherwasamerchant，Ithinkyoutoldus。Antoniasayshe'squiterefinedtolookat。"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidShelton，feelingonsafeground；"he'srefinedenoughtolookat。"
　　Mrs。Dennanttooktheroseandputittohernose。
　　"Deliciousperfume!Thatwasaverytouchin'storyabouthisgoin'
　　withoutfoodinParis。OldMrs。Hopkinshasaroomtolet；Ishouldliketodoheragoodturn。I'mafraidthere'saholeintheceilin'，though。Orthere'stheroomhereintheleftwingontheground-floorwhereJohnthefootmanusedtosleep。It'squitenice；
　　perhapshecouldhavethat。"
　　"You'reawfullykind，"saidShelton，"but——"
　　"Ishouldliketodosomethingtorestorehisself-respect，"，wentonMrs。Dennant，"if，asyousay，he'scleverandallthat。Seein'alittlerefinedlifeagainmightmakeaworldofdifferencetohim。
　　It'ssosadwhenayoungmanlosesself-respect。"
　　Sheltonwasmuchstruckbythepracticalwayinwhichshelookedatthings。Restorehisself-respect!Itseemedquiteasplendidnotion!Hesmiled，andsaid，"You'retookind。Ithink——"
　　"Idon'tbelieveindoin'thingsbyhalves，"saidMrs。Dennant；"hedoesn'tdrink，Isuppose？"
　　"Oh，no，"saidShelton。"He'sratheratobaccomaniac，ofcourse。"
　　"Well，that'samercy!Youwouldn'tbelievethetroubleI'vehadwithdrink，especiallyovercooksandcoachmen。AndnowBunyan'stakentoit。"
　　"Oh，you'dhavenotroublewithFerrand，"returnedShelton；"youcouldn'ttellhimfromagentlemanasfarasmannersgo。"
　　Mrs。Dennantsmiledoneofherrathersweetandkindlysmiles。
　　"MydearDick，"shesaid，"there'snotmuchcomfortinthat。LookatpoorBobbySurcingle，lookatOliverSemplesandVictorMedallion；
　　youcouldn'thavebetterfamilies。Butifyou'resurehedoesn'tdrink!Algy'lllaugh，ofcourse；thatdoesn'tmatter——helaughsateverything。"
　　Sheltonfeltguilty；beingquiteunpreparedforsorapidanadoptionofhisclient。
　　"Ireallybelievethere'salotofgoodinhim，"hestammered；"but，ofcourse，Iknowverylittle，andfromwhathetellsmehe'shadaverycuriouslife。Ishouldn'tlike——"
　　"Wherewasheeducated？"inquiredMrs。Dennant。"TheyhavenopublicschoolsinFrance，soI'vebeentold；but，ofcourse，hecan'thelpthat，pooryoungfellow!Oh，and，Dick，there'sonething——hasherelations？Onehasalwaystobesocarefulaboutthat。It'sonethingtohelpayoungfellow，butquiteanothertohelphisfamilytoo。Oneseessomanycasesofthatwheremenmarrygirlswithoutmoney，don'tyouknow。"
　　"Hehastoldme，"answeredShelton，"hisonlyrelationsaresomecousins，andtheyarerich。"
　　Mrs。Dennanttookoutherhandkerchief，and，bendingabovetherose，removedatinyinsect。
　　"Thesegreen-flygetineverywhere，"shesaid。
　　"Verysadstory；can'ttheydoanythingforhim？"andshemaderesearchesintherose'sheart。
　　"He'squarrelledwiththem，Ibelieve，"saidShelton；"Ihaven'tlikedtopresshim，aboutthat。"
　　"No，ofcoursenot，"assentedMrs。Dennantabsently——shehadfoundanothergreen-fly"Ialwaysthinkit'spainfulwhenayoungmanseemssofriendless。"
　　Sheltonwassilent；hewasthinkingdeeply。Hehadneverbeforefeltsodistrustfuloftheyouthfulforeigner。
　　"Ithink，"hesaidatlast，"thebestthingwouldbeforyoutoseehimforyourself。"
　　"Verywell，"saidMrs。Dennant。"Ishouldbesogladifyouwouldtellhimtocomeup。ImustsayIdothinkthatwasamosttouchin'
　　storyaboutParis。Iwonderwhetherthislight'sstrongenoughnowformetophotographthisrose。"
　　Sheltonwithdrewandwentdown-stairs。Ferrandwasstillatbreakfast。Antoniastoodatthesideboardcarvingbeefforhim，andinthewindowsatTheawithherPersiankitten。
　　Bothgirlswerefollowingthetraveller'smovementswithinscrutableblueeyes。AshiverrandownShelton'sspine。Tospeaktruth，hecursedtheyoungman'scoming，asthoughitaffectedhisrelationswithAntonia。
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　SUBROSA
　　>Fromtheinterview，whichSheltonhadthemixeddelightofwatching，betweenFerrandandtheHonourableMrs。Dennant，certaindefiniteresultsaccrued，thechiefofwhichwasthepermissionaccordedtheyoungwanderertooccupytheroomwhichhadformerlybeentenantedbythefootmanJohn。SheltonwaslostinadmirationofFerrand'smannerinthisscene……Itssubtlecombinationofdeferenceanddignitywasalmostparalysing；paralysing，too，thesubterraneansmileuponhislips。
　　"Charmin'youngman，Dick，"saidMrs。Dennant，whenSheltonlingeredtosayoncemorethatheknewbutverylittleofhim；"IshallsendanoteroundtoMrs。Robinsonatonce。They'rerathercommon，youknow——theRobinsons。Ithinkthey'lltakeanyoneIrecommend。"
　　"I'msuretheywill，"saidShelton；"that'swhyIthinkyououghttoknow——"
　　ButMrs。Dennant'seyes，fervent，hare-like，werefixedonsomethingfaraway；turning，hesawtheroseinatallvaseonatallandspindlystool。Itseemedtonodtowardstheminthesunshine。Mrs。
　　Dennantdivedhernosetowardshercamera。
　　"Thelight'sperfectnow，"shesaid，inavoicemuffledbythecloth。
　　"Ifeelsurethatlivin'withdecentpeoplewilldowondersforhim。
　　Ofcourse，heunderstandsthathismealswillbeservedtohimapart。"
　　Shelton，doublyanxious，nowthathiseffortshadlodgedhisclientinaplaceoftrust，fell，backonhopingforthebest；hisinstincttoldhimthat，vagabondasFerrandwas，hehadacuriousself-
　　respect，thatwouldsavehimfromameaningratitude。
　　Infact，asMrs。Dennant，whowasbynomeansvoidofcommon-sense，foresaw，thearrangementworkedallright。FerrandenteredonhisdutiesasFrenchtutortothelittleRobinsons。IntheDennants'
　　householdhekepthimselftohisownroom，which，dayandnight，heperfumedwithtobacco，emergingatnoonintothegarden，or，ifwet，intothestudy，toteachyoungToddlesFrench。Afteratimeitbecamecustomaryforhimtolunchwiththehouse-party，partlythroughamistakeofToddles，whoseemedtothinkthatitwasnatural，andpartlythroughJohnNoble，oneofShelton'sfriends，whohadcometostay，anddiscoveredFerrandtobeamostawfullyinterestingpersonhewasalways，indeed，discoveringthemostawfullyinterestingpersons。Inhisgraveandtonelessvoice，brushinghishairfromoffhisbrow，hedescanteduponFerrandwithenthusiasm，towhichwasjoinedakindofshockedamusement，aswhoshouldsay，"Ofcourse，Iknowit'sveryodd，butreallyhe'ssuchanawfullyinterestingperson。"ForJohnNoblewasapolitician，belongingtooneofthosetwoPeculiarparties，which，thoroughlyinearnest，ofanhonestyabovesuspicion，andalwaysverybusy，areconstitutionallyaversetoanythingpeculiarforfearoffindingtheyhaveoversteppedthelimitofwhatispracticalinpolitics。Assuchheinspiredconfidence，notcaringforthingsunlesshesawsomeimmediatebenefittobehadfromthem，havingaperfectsenseofdecency，andasmallimagination。HediscussedallsortsofthingswithFerrand；ononeoccasionSheltonoverheardthemarguingonanarchism。
　　"NoEnglishmanapprovesofmurder，"Noblewassaying，inthegloomyvoicethatcontrastedwiththeoptimisticcastofhisfinehead，"butthemainprincipleisright。Equalisationofpropertyisboundtocome。Isympathisewiththen，notwiththeirmethods。"
　　"Forgiveme，"struckinFerrand；"doyouknowanyanarchists？"
　　"No，"returnedNoble；"Icertainlydonot。"
　　"Yousayyousympathisewiththem，butthefirsttimeitcomestoaction——"
　　"Well？"
　　"Oh，monsieur!onedoesn'tmakeanarchismwiththehead。"
　　Sheltonperceivedthathehadmeanttoadd，"butwiththeheart，thelungs，theliver。"Hedrewadeepermeaningfromthesaying，andseemedtosee，curlingwiththesmokefromFerrand'slips，thewords:
　　"Whatdoyou，anEnglishgentleman，ofexcellentposition，andalltheprejudicesofyourclass，knowaboutusoutcasts？Ifyouwanttounderstandusyoumustbeanoutcasttoo；wearenotplayingatthegame。"
　　Thistalktookplaceuponthelawn，attheendofoneofToddles'sFrenchlessons，andSheltonleftJohnNoblemaintainingtotheyouthfulforeigner，withstubbornlogic，thathe，JohnNoble，andtheanarchistshadmuch，incommon。Hewasreturningtothehouse，whensomeonecalledhisnamefromunderneaththeholmoak。There，sittingTurkishfashiononthegrass，apipebetweenhisteeth，hefoundamanwhohadarrivedthenightbefore，andimpressedhimbyhisfriendlytaciturnity。HisnamewasWhyddon，andhehadjustreturnedfromCentralAfrica；abrown-faced，large-jawedman，withsmallbutgoodandsteadyeyes，andstrong，sparefigure。
　　"Oh，Mr。Shelton!"hesaid，"IwonderedifyoucouldtellmewhattipsIoughttogivetheservantshere；aftertenyearsawayI'veforgottenallaboutthatsortofthing。"
　　Sheltonsatdownbesidehim；unconsciouslyassuming，too，across-
　　leggedattitude，whichcausedhimmuchdiscomfort。
　　"Iwaslistening，"saidhisnewacquaintance，"tothelittlechaplearninghisFrench。I'veforgottenmine。Onefeelsahopelessdufferknowingno，languages。"
　　"IsupposeyouspeakArabic？"saidShelton。
　　"Oh，Arabic，andadialectortwo；theydon'tcount。Thattutorhasacuriousface。"
　　"Youthinkso？"saidShelton，interested。"He'shadacuriouslife。"
　　Thetravellerspreadhishands，palmsdownwards，onthegrassandlookedatSheltonwith，asmile。
　　"Ishouldsayhewasarollingstone，"hesaid。"It'sodd，I'veseenwhitemeninCentralAfricawithagooddealofhislookaboutthem。
　　"Yourdiagnosisisagoodone，"answeredShelton。
　　"I'malwayssorryforthosefellows。There'sgenerallysomegoodinthem。Theyaretheirownenemies。Abadbusinesstobeunabletotakeprideinanythingonedoes!"Andtherewasalookofpityonhisface。
　　"That'sexactlyit，"saidShelton。"I'veoftentriedtoputitintowords。Isitincurable？"
　　"Ithinkso。"
　　"Canyoutellmewhy？"
　　Whyddonpondered。
　　"Iratherthink，"hesaidatlast，"itmustbebecausetheyhavetoostrongafacultyofcriticism。Youcan'tteachamantobeproudofhisownwork；thatliesinhisblood"；foldinghisarmsacrosshisbreast，heheavedasigh。Underthedarkfoliage，hiseyesonthesunlight，hewasthetypeofallthoseEnglishmenwhokeeptheirspiritsbrightandweartheirbodiesoutinthedarkplacesofhardwork。"Youcan'tthink，"hesaid，showinghisteethinasmile，"howdelightfulitistobeathome!Youlearntolovetheoldcountrywhenyou'reawayfromit。"
　　Sheltonoftenthought，afterwards；ofthisdiagnosisofthevagabond，forhewasalwaysstumblingoninstancesofthatpowerofsubtlecriticismwhichwastheyoungforeigner'sprimeclaimtobe"amostawfullyinteresting"andperhapsarathershockingperson。
　　Anoldschool-fellowofShelton'sandhiswifewerestayinginthehouse，whoofferedtotheeyethepictureofaperfectdomesticity。
　　Passionlessandsmiling，itwasimpossibletoimaginetheycouldeverhaveadifference。Shelton，whosebedroomwasnexttotheirs，couldheartheminthemorningstalkinginexactlythetonestheyusedatlunch，andlaughingthesamelaughs。Theirlifeseemedtoaccordthemperfectsatisfaction；theyweresuppliedwiththeirconvictionsbySocietyjustas，whenathome，theyweresuppliedwithalltheothernecessariesoflifebysomeco-operativestores。Theirfairlyhandsomefaces，withthefairlykindexpressions，quicklyandcarefullyregulatedbyasenseofcompromise，begantoworryhimsomuchthatwheninthesameroomhewouldevenreadtoavoidtheneedoflookingatthem。Andyettheywerekind——thatis，fairlykind——
　　andcleanandquietinthehouse，exceptwhentheylaughed，whichwasoften，andatthingswhichmadehimwanttohowlasadoghowlsatmusic。
　　"Mr。Shelton，"Ferrandsaidoneday，"I'mnotanamateurofmarriage——neverhadthechance，asyoumaywellsuppose；but，inanycase，youhavesomepeopleinthehousewhowouldmakememarktimebeforeIwentcommittingit。Theyseemtheidealyoungmarriedpeople——don'tquarrel，haveperfecthealth，agreewitheverybody，gotochurch，havechildren——butIshouldliketohearwhatisbeautifulintheirlife，"andhegrimaced。"ItseemstomesouglythatIcanonlygasp。Iwouldmuchrathertheyill-treatedeachother，justtoshowtheyhadthecornerofasoulbetweenthem。Ifthatismarriage，'Dieum'engarde!'"
　　ButSheltondidnotanswer；hewasthinkingdeeply。
　　ThesayingofJohnNoble's，"He'sreallyamostinterestingperson，"
　　grewmoreandmoreuponhisnerves；itseemedtodescribetheDennantattitudetowardsthisstrangerwithintheirgates。Theytreatedhimwithasortofwonderonthe"don'ttouch"system，likeanobjectinanexhibition。Therestoration，however，of，hisself-respectproceededwithsuccess。ForallthesemblanceofhavinggrowntoobigforShelton'sclothes，forallhisvividlyburntface，andthequickbutguardedplayofcynicismonhislips——hedidmuchcredittohispatrons。Hehadsubduedhisterrorofarazor，andlookedwellinasuitofShelton'sflannels。For，afterall，hehadonlybeeneightyearsexiledfrommiddle-classgentility，andhehadbeenawaiterhalfthattime。ButSheltonwishedhimatthedevil。Notforhismanners'sake——hewasnevertiredofwatchinghowsubtlythevagabondadaptedhisconducttotheconductofhishosts，whilekeepinguphiscriticaldetachment——butbecausethatcriticaldetachmentwasaconstantspurtohisownvision，compellinghimtoanalysethelifeintowhich，hehadbeenbornandwasabouttomarry。
　　Thisprocesswasdisturbing；andtofindoutwhenithadcommenced，hehadtogobacktohismeetingwithFerrandonthejourneyupfromDover。
　　Therewaskindnessinahospitalitywhichopenedtosostrangeabird；admittingthekindness，Sheltonfelltoanalysingit。Tohimself，topeopleofhisclass，theuseofkindnesswasaluxury，notsignificantofsacrifice，butproductiveofapleasantfeelingintheheart，suchasmassagewillsetupinthelegs。"Everybody'skind，"hethought；"thequestionis，Whatunderstandingisthere，whatrealsympathy？"Thisproblemgavehimfoodforthought。
　　Theprogress，whichMrs。Dennantnotunfrequentlyremarkedupon，inFerrand'sconquestofhisstrangeposition，seemedtoSheltonbutasignthathewasgettingwhathecouldoutofhissuddenvisittogreenpastures；underthesamecircumstances，Sheltonthoughtthathehimselfwoulddothesame。Hefeltthattheyoungforeignerwasmakingaconvenientbowtoproperty，buthehadmorerespectforthesarcasticsmileonthelipsofFerrand'sheart。