Itwasnotlongbeforetheinevitablechangecameinthespiritofthesituation；moreandmorewasSheltonconsciousofaquaintuneasinessintheverybreathingofthehousehold。
　　"Curiousfellowyou'vegotholdofthere，Shelton，"Mr。Dennantsaidtohimduringagameofcroquet；"he'llneverdoanygoodforhimself，I'mafraid。"
　　"InonesenseI'mafraidnot，"admittedShelton。
　　"Doyouknowhisstory？Iwillbetyousixpence"——andMr。Dennantpausedtoswinghismalletwithaproperaccuracy"thathe'sbeeninprison。"
　　"Prison!"ejaculatedShelton。
　　"Ithink，"saidMr。Dennant，withbentkneescarefullymeasuringhisnextshot，"thatyououghttomakeinquiries——ah!missedit!
　　Awkwardthesehoops!Onemustdrawthelinesomewhere。"
　　"Inevercoulddraw，"returnedShelton，nettledanduneasy；"butI
　　understand——I'llgivehimahinttogo。"
　　"Don't，"saidMr。Dennant，movingafterhissecondball，whichSheltonhadsmittentothefartherend，"beoffended，mydearShelton，andbynomeansgivehimahint；heinterestsmeverymuch——
　　averyclever，quietyoungfellow。"
　　ThatthiswasnothisprivateviewSheltoninferredbystudyingMr。
　　Dennant'smannerinthepresenceofthevagabond。Underlyingthewell-bredbanterofthetranquilvoice，theguardedquizzicalityofhispalebrownface，itcouldbeseenthatAlgernonCuffeDennant，Esq。，J。P。，accustomedtolaughatotherpeople，suspectedthathewasbeinglaughedat。Whatmorenaturalthanthatheshouldgropeabouttoseehowthiscouldbe？AvagrantalienwasmakinghimselffeltbyanEnglishJusticeofthePeace——nosmalltribute，this，toFerrand'spersonality。Thelatterwouldsitsilentthroughameal，andyetmakehiseffect。He，theobjectoftheirkindness，education，patronage，inspiredtheirfear。Therewasnolongeranydoubt；itwasnotofFerrandthattheywereafraid，butofwhattheydidnotunderstandinhim；ofhorridsubtletiesmeanderinginthebrainunderthatstraight，wet-lookinghair；ofsomethingbizarrepoppingfromthecurvinglipsbelowthatthin，lopsidednose。
　　ButtoSheltoninthis，asinallelse，Antoniawaswhatmattered。
　　Atfirst，anxioustoshowherloverthatshetrustedhim，sheseemednevertiredofdoingthingsforhisyoungprotege，asthoughshetoohadsetherheartonhissalvation；but，watchinghereyeswhentheyrestedonthevagabond，SheltonwasperpetuallyremindedofhersayingonthefirstdayofhisvisittoHolmOaks，"Isupposehe'sreallygood——Imeanallthesethingsyoutoldmeaboutwereonly……"
　　Curiosityneverleftherglance，nordidthatstoryofhisfourdays'
　　starvingleavehermind；asentimentalpicturesquenessclungaboutthatincidentmorevaluablebyfarthanthismerehumanbeingwithwhomshehadsostrangelycomeincontact。ShewatchedFerrand，andSheltonwatchedher。Ifhehadbeentoldthathewaswatchingher，hewouldhavedenieditingoodfaith；buthewasboundtowatchher，tofindoutwithwhateyessheviewedthisvisitorwhoembodiedalltherebelliousunder-sideoflife，allthatwasabsentinherself。
　　"Dick，"shesaidtohimoneday，"younevertalktomeofMonsieurFerrand。"
　　"Doyouwanttotalkofhim？"
　　"Don'tyouthinkthathe'simproved？"
　　"He'sfatter。"
　　Antonialookedgrave。
　　"No，butreally？"
　　"Idon'tknow，"saidShelton；"Ican'tjudgehim。"
　　Antoniaturnedherfaceaway，andsomethinginherattitudealarmedhim。
　　"Hewasonceasortofgentleman，"shesaid；"whyshouldn'thebecomeoneagain？"
　　Sittingonthelowwallofthekitchen-garden，herheadwasframedbygoldenplums。Thesunlaybarredbehindthefoliageoftheholmoak，butalittlepatchfilteringthroughagaphadrestedintheplum-
　　tree'sheart。Itcrownedthegirl。Herraiment，thedarkleaves，theredwall，thegoldenplums，werewovenbythepassingglowtoablockofpagancolour。Andherfaceaboveit，chaste，serene，waslikethescentlesssummerevening。Abirdamongstthecurrantbusheskeptalittlechantvibrating；andalltheplum-tree'sshapeandcolourseemedalive。
　　"Perhapshedoesn'twanttobeagentleman，"saidShelton。
　　Antoniaswungherfoot。
　　"Howcanhehelpwantingto？"
　　"Hemayhaveadifferentphilosophyoflife。"
　　Antoniawasslowtoanswer。
　　"Iknownothingaboutphilosophiesoflife，"shesaidatlast。
　　Sheltonansweredcoldly，"Notwopeoplehavethesame。"
　　Withthefallingsun-glowthecharmpassedoffthetree。Chilledandharder，yetlessdeep，itwasnomoreablockofwovencolour，warmandimpassive，likeasoutherngoddess；itwasnowanortherntree，withagreylightthroughitsleaves。
　　"Idon'tunderstandyouintheleast，"shesaid；"everyonewishestobegood。"
　　"Andsafe？"askedSheltongently。
　　Antoniastared。
　　"Suppose，"hesaid——"Idon'tpretendtoknow，Ionlysuppose——whatFerrandreallycaresforisdoingthingsdifferentlyfromotherpeople？Ifyouweretoloadhimwithacharacterandgivehimmoneyonconditionthatheactedasweallact，doyouthinkhewouldacceptit？"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Whyaren'tcatsdogs；orpagansChristians？"
　　Antoniasliddownfromthewall。
　　"Youdon'tseemtothinkthere'sanyuseintrying，"shesaid，andturnedaway。
　　Sheltonmadeamovementasifhewouldgoafterher，andthenstoodstill，watchingherfigureslowlypass，herheadoutlinedabovethewall，herhandsturnedbackacrosshernarrowhips。Shehaltedatthebend，lookedback，then，withanimpatientgesture，disappeared。
　　Antoniawasslippingfromhim!
　　Amoment'svisionfromwithouthimselfwouldhaveshownhimthatitwashewhomovedandshewhowasstandingstill，likethefigureofonewatchingthepassageofastreamwithclear，direct，andsulleneyes。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　THERIVER
　　OnedaytowardstheendofAugustSheltontookAntoniaontheriver——
　　theriverthat，likesoftmusic，soothestheland；theriverofthereedsandpoplars，thesilverswan-sails，sunandmoon，woods，andthewhiteslumbrousclouds；wherecuckoos，andthewind，thepigeons，andtheweirsarealwayssinging；andintheflashofnakedbodies，theplayofwaterlilyleaves，queergoblinstumps，andthetwilightfacesofthetwistedtree-roots，Panlivesoncemore。
　　ThereachwhichSheltonchosewasinnocentoflaunches，champagnebottlesandloudlaughter；itwasuncivilised，andseldomtroubledbythesehumanisinginfluences。Hepaddledslowly，silentandabsorbed，watchingAntonia。Anunaccustomedlanguorclungabouther；hereyeshadshadows，asthoughshehadnotslept；colourglowedsoftlyinhercheeks，herfrockseemedallalightwithgoldenradiance。ShemadeSheltonpullintothereeds，andpluckedtworoundedliliessailinglikeshipsagainstslow-movingwater。
　　"Pullintotheshade，please，"shesaid；it'stoohotouthere。"
　　Thebrimofherlinenhatkeptthesunfromherface，butherheadwasdroopinglikeaflower'sheadatnoon。
　　Sheltonsawthattheheatwasreallyharmingher，astoohotadaywilldimtheicyfreshnessofanorthernplant。Hedippedhissculls，theripplesstartedoutandswamingravediminuendotilltheytouchedthebanks。
　　Heshottheboatintoacleft，andcaughtthebranchesofanoverhangingtree。Theskiffrested，balancingwithmutinousvibration，likealivingthing。
　　"IshouldhatetoliveinLondon，"saidAntoniasuddenly；"theslumsmustbesoawful。Whatapity，whenthereareplaceslikethis!Butit'snogoodthinking。"
　　"No，"answeredSheltonslowly!"Isupposeitisnogood。"
　　"TherearesomebadcottagesatthelowerendofCrossEaton。IwentthemonedaywithMissTruecote。Thepeoplewon'thelpthemselves。
　　It'ssodiscouragingtohelppeoplewhowon'thelpthemselves。"
　　Shewasleaningherelbowsonherknees，and，withherchinrestingonherhands，gazedupatShelton。Allaroundthemhungatentofsoft，thickleaves，and，below，thewaterwasdeep-dyedwithgreenrefraction。Willowboughs，swayingabovetheboat，caressedAntonia'sarmsandshoulders；herfaceandhairalonewerefree。
　　"Sodiscouraging，"shesaidagain。
　　Asilencefell……Antoniaseemedthinkingdeeply。
　　"Doubtsdon'thelpyou，"shesaidsuddenly；"howcanyougetanygoodfromdoubts？Thethingistowinvictories。"
　　"Victories？"saidShelton。"I'dratherunderstandthanconquer!"
　　Hehadrisentohisfeet，andgraspedstuntedbranch，cantingtheboattowardsthebank。
　　"Howcanyouletthingsslidelikethat，Dick？It'slikeFerrand。"
　　"Haveyousuchabadopinionofhim，then？"askedShelton。Hefeltonthevergeofsome，discovery。
　　Sheburiedherchindeeperinherhands。
　　"Ilikedhimatfirst，"shesaid；"Ithoughtthathewasdifferent。
　　Ithoughthecouldn'treallybe——"
　　"Reallybewhat？"
　　Antoniadidnotanswer。
　　"Idon'tknow，"shesaidatlast。"Ican'texplain。Ithought——"
　　Sheltonstillstood，holdingtothebranch，andtheoscillationoftheboatfreedaninfinityoftinyripples。
　　"Youthought——what？"hesaid。
　　Heoughttohaveseenherfacegrowyounger，morechildish，eventimid。Shesaidinavoicesmooth，round，andyoung:
　　"Youknow，Dick，Idothinkweoughttotry。IknowIdon'ttryhalfhardenough。Itdoesn'tdoanygoodtothink；whenyouthink，everythingseemssomixed，asiftherewerenothingtolayholdof。
　　Idosohatetofeellikethat。Itisn'tasifwedidn'tknowwhat'sright。SometimesIthink，andthink，andit'sallnogood，onlyawasteoftime，andyoufeelattheendasifyouhadbeendoingwrong。"
　　Sheltonfrowned。
　　"Whathasn'tbeenthroughfire'snogood，"hesaid；and，lettinggothebranch，satdown。Freedfromrestraint，theboatedgedouttowardsthecurrent。"ButwhataboutFerrand？"
　　"Ilayawakelastnightwonderingwhatmakesyoulikehimso。He'ssobitter；hemakesmefeelunhappy。Heneverseemscontentwithanything。Andhedespises"——herfacehardened——"Imean，hehatesusall!"
　　"SoshouldIifIwerehe，"saidShelton。
　　Theboatwasdriftingon，andgleamsofsunlightchasedacrosstheirfaces。Antoniaspokeagain。
　　"Heseemstobealwayslookingatdarkthings，orelseheseemsasif——asifhecould——enjoyhimselftoomuch。Ithought——Ithoughtatfirst，"shestammered，"thatwecoulddohimgood。"
　　"Dohimgood!Ha，ha!"
　　Astartledratwentswimmingforitslifeagainstthestream；andSheltonsawthathehaddoneadreadfulthing:hehadletAntoniawithajerkintoasecretnothithertoadmittedevenbyhimself——thesecretthathereyeswerenothiseyes，herwayofseeingthingsnothisnoreverwouldbe。Hequicklymuffleduphislaughter。Antoniahaddroppedhergaze；herfaceregaineditslanguor，butthebosomofherdresswasheaving。Sheltonwatchedher，rackinghisbrainstofindexcusesforthatfatallaugh；nonecouldhefind。Itwasalittlepieceoftruth。Hepaddledslowlyon，closetothebank，inthelongsilenceoftheriver。
　　Thebreezehaddiedaway，notafishwasrising；saveforthelostmusicofthelarksnobirdswerepiping；alone，asinglepigeonatbriefintervalscooedfromtheneighbouringwood。
　　Theydidnotstaymuchlongerintheboat。
　　Onthehomewardjourneyinthepony-cart，roundingacorneroftheroad，theycameonFerrandinhispince-nez，holdingacigarettebetweenhisfingersandtalkingtoatramp，whowassquattingonthebank。Theyoungforeignerrecognisedthem，andatonceremovedhishat。
　　"Thereheis，"saidShelton，returningthesalute。
　　Antoniabowed。
　　"Oh!"she，cried，whentheywereoutofhearing，"Iwishhe'dgo。
　　Ican'tbeartoseehim；it'slikelookingatthedark。"
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　ONTHEWING
　　Thatnight，havinggoneuptohisroom，Sheltonfilledhispipeforhisunpleasantduty。HehadresolvedtohinttoFerrandthathehadbettergo。Hewasstilldebatingwhethertowriteorgohimselftotheyoungforeigner，whentherecameaknockandFerrandhimselfappeared。
　　"Ishouldbesorry，"hesaid，breakinganawkwardsilence，"ifyouweretothinkmeungrateful，butIseenofutureformehere。Itwouldbebetterformetogo。Ishouldneverbecontenttopassmylifeinteachinglanguages'cen'estgueredansmoncaractre'。"
　　Assoonaswhathehadbeencudgellinghisbrainstofindawayofsayinghadthusbeensaidforhim，Sheltonexperiencedasenseofdisapproval。
　　"Whatdoyouexpecttogetthat'sbetter？"hesaid，avoidingFerrand'seyes。
　　"Thankstoyourkindness，"repliedthelatter，"Ifindmyselfrestored。IfeelthatIoughttomakesomegoodeffortstodominatemysocialposition。"
　　"Ishouldthinkitwellover，ifIwereyou!"saidShelton。
　　"Ihave，anditseemstomethatI'mwastingmytime。Foramanwithanycouragelanguagesarenocareer；and，thoughI'vemanydefects，Istillhavecourage。"
　　Sheltonlethispipegoout，sopatheticseemedtohimthisyoungman'sfaithinhiscareer；itwasnopretendedfaith，butneitherwasit，hefelt，histruemotivefordeparture。"He'stired，"hethought；"that'sit。Tiredofoneplace。"AndhavingtheinstinctivesensethatnothingwouldkeepFerrand，heredoubledhisadvice。
　　"Ishouldhavethought，"hesaid，"thatyouwouldhavedonebettertohaveheldonhereandsavedalittlebeforegoingofftoGodknowswhat。"
　　"Tosave，"saidFerrand，"isimpossibleforme，but，thankstoyouandyourgoodfriends，I'veenoughtomakefronttofirstnecessities。I'mincorrespondencewithafriend；it'sofgreatimportanceformetoreachParisbeforealltheworldreturns。I'veachancetoget，apostinoneoftheWestAfricancompanies。Onemakesfortunesoutthere——ifonesurvives，and，asyouknow，Idon'tsettoomuchstorebylife。"
　　"Wehaveaproverb，"saidShelton，"'Abirdinthehandisworthtwobirdsinthebush!'"
　　"That，"returnedFerrand，"likeallproverbs，isjusthalftrue。
　　Thisisanaffairoftemperament。It'snotinmycharactertodandleonewhenIseetwowaitingtobecaught；'voyager，apprendre，c'estplusfortquemoi'。"Hepaused；then，withanervousgoggleoftheeyesandanironicsmilehesaid:"Besides，'monchermonsieur'，itisbetterthatIgo。Ihaveneverbeenonetohugillusions，andIseeprettyclearlythatmypresenceishardlyacceptableinthishouse。"
　　"Whatmakesyousaythat？"asked，Shelton，feelingthatthemurderwasnowout。"
　　"Mydearsir，alltheworldhasnotyourunderstandingandyourlackofprejudice，and，thoughyourfriendshavebeenextremelykindtome，Iaminafalseposition；Icausethemembarrassment，whichisnotextraordinarywhenyoureflectwhatIhavebeen，andthattheyknowmyhistory。"
　　"Notthroughme，"saidSheltonquickly，"forIdon'tknowitmyself。"
　　"It'senough，"thevagrantsaid，"thattheyfeelI'mnotabirdoftheirfeather。Theycannotchange，neithercanI。IhaveneverwantedtoremainwhereI'mnotwelcome。"
　　Sheltonturnedtothewindow，andstaredintothedarkness；hewouldneverquiteunderstandthisvagabond，sodelicate，socynical，andhewonderedifFerrandhadbeenswallowingdownthewords，"Why，evenyouwon'tbesorrytoseemyback!"
　　"Well，"hesaidatlast，"ifyoumustgo，youmust。Whendoyoustart？"
　　"I'vearrangedwithamantocarrymythingstotheearlytrain。I
　　thinkitbetternottosaygood-bye。I'vewrittenaletterinstead；
　　hereitis。Ileftitopenforyoutoreadifyoushouldwish，"
　　"Then，"saidShelton，withacuriousminglingofrelief，regret，good-will，"Isha'n'tseeyouagain？"
　　Ferrandgavehishandastealthyrub，andhelditout。
　　"Ishallneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforme，"hesaid。
　　"Mindyouwrite，"saidShelton。
　　"Yes，yes"——the，vagrant'sfacewasoddlytwisted——"youdon'tknowwhatadifferenceitmakestohaveacorrespondent；itgivesonecourage。Ihopetoremainalongtimeincorrespondencewithyou。"
　　"Idaresayyoudo，"thoughtSheltongrimly，withacertainqueeremotion。
　　"YouwilldomethejusticetorememberthatIhaveneveraskedyouforanything，"saidFerrand。"Thankyouathousandtimes。
　　Good-bye!"
　　Heagainwrunghispatron'shandinhisdampgrasp，and，goingout，leftSheltonwithanoddsensationinhisthroat。"YouwilldomethejusticetorememberthatIhaveneveraskedyouforanything。"
　　Thephraseseemedstrange，andhismindflewbackoverallthisqueeracquaintanceship。Itwasafact:fromthebeginningtotheendtheyouthhadneverreallyaskedforanything。Sheltonsatdownonhisbed，andbegantoreadtheletterinhishand。ItwasinFrench。
　　DEARMADAMEitran，Itwillbeinsupportabletome，afteryourkindness，ifyoutakemeforungrateful。Unfortunately，acrisishasarrivedwhichplungesmeintothenecessityofleavingyourhospitality。Inalllives，asyouarewellaware，thereariseoccasionsthatonecannotgovern，andI
　　knowthatyouwillpardonmethatIenterintonoexplanationonaneventwhichgivesmegreatchagrin，and，aboveall，rendersmesubjecttoanimputationofingratitude，which，believeme，dearMadame，bynomeansliesinmycharacter。Iknowwellenoughthatitisabreachofpolitenesstoleaveyouwithoutinpersonconveyingtheexpressionofmyprofoundreconnaissance，butifyouconsiderhowharditisformetobecompelledtoabandonallthatissodistinguishedindomesticlife，youwillforgivemyweakness。Peoplelikeme，whohavegonethroughexistencewiththeireyesopen，haveremarkedthatthosewhoareendowedwithricheshavearighttolookdownonsuchasarenotbywealthandbreedingfittedtooccupythesameposition。Ishallneverdisputearightsonaturalandsalutary，seeingthatwithoutthisdistinction，thissuperiority，whichmakesofthewell-bornandthewell-bredaraceapart，therestoftheworldwouldhavenostandardbywhichtoruletheirlives，noanchortothrowintothedepthsofthatvastseaoffortuneandofmisfortuneonwhichweothersdrivebeforethewind。Itisbecauseofthis，dearMadame，thatIregardmyselfsodoublyfortunatetohavebeenableforafewminutesinthisbitterpilgrimagecalledlife，tositbeneaththetreeofsafety。Tohavebeenable，ifonlyforanhour，tositandsetthepilgrimspass，thepilgrimswiththeblisteredfeetandraggedclothes，andwhoyet，dearMadame，guardwithintheirheartsacertainjoyinlife，illegaljoy，likethedesertairwhichtravellerswilltellyoufillsmenaswithwinetobeablethustositanhour，andwithasmiletowatchthempass，lameandblind，inalltheragsoftheirdeservedmisfortunes，canyounotconceive，dearMadame，howthatmustbeforsuchasIacomfort？Whateveronemaysay，itissweet，fromapositionofsecurity，towatchthesufferingsofothers；itgivesoneagoodsensationintheheart。
　　Inwritingthis，IrecollectthatImyselfoncehadthechanceofpassingallmylifeinthisenviablesafety，andasyoumaysuppose，dearMadame，IcursemyselfthatIshouldeverhavehadthecouragetostepbeyondtheboundariesofthisfinetranquilstate。Yet，too，therehavebeentimeswhenIhaveaskedmyself:"Dowereallydifferfromthewealthy——weothers，birdsofthefields，whohaveourownphilosophy，grownfromthepainsofneedingbread——wewhoseethatthehumanheartisnotalwaysanaffairoffigures，orofthosegoodmaximsthatonefindsincopy-books——dowereallydiffer？"ItiswithshamethatIconfesstohaveaskedmyselfaquestionsoheretical。Butnow，whenforthesefourweeksIhavehadthefortuneofthisrestbeneathyourroof，IseehowwrongIwastoentertainsuchdoubts。Itisagreathappinesstohavedecidedonceforallthispoint，foritisnotinmycharactertopassthroughlifeuncertain——mistaken，perhaps——onpsychologicalmatterssuchasthese。
　　No，Madame；resthappilyassuredthatthereisagreatdifference，whichinthefuturewillbesacredforme。For，believeme，Madame，itwouldbecalamityforhighSocietyifbychancethereshouldariseamongstthemanyunderstandingofallthatsideoflifewhich——vastastheplainsandbitterasthesea，blackastheashesofacorpse，andyetmorefreethananywingsofbirdswhoflyaway——issojustlybeyondthegraspoftheirphilosophy。Yes，believeme，dearMadame，thereisnodangerintheworldsomuchtobeavoidedbyallthemembersofthatcircle，mostillustrious，mostrespectable，calledhighSociety。
　　>FromwhatIhavesaidyoumayimaginehowharditisformetotakemyflight。Ishallalwayskeepforyouthemostdistinguishedsentiments。Withtheexpressionofmyfullregardforyouandyourgoodfamily，andofagratitudeassincereasitisbadlyworded，Believeme，dearMadame，YourdevotedLOUISFERRAND。
　　Shelton'sfirstimpulsewastoteartheletterup，butthishereflectedhehadnorighttodo。Remembering，too，thatMrs。
　　Dennant'sFrenchwasorthodox，hefeltsureshewouldneverunderstandtheyoungforeigner'ssubtleinnuendoes。Heclosedtheenvelopeandwenttobed，hauntedstillbyFerrand'spartinglook。
　　Itwaswithnosmallfeelingofembarrassment，however，that，havingsentthelettertoitsdestinationbyanearlyfootman，hemadehisappearanceatthebreakfast-table。BehindtheAustriancoffee-urn，filledwithFrenchcoffee，Mrs。Dennant，whohadplacedfoureggsinaGermanegg-boiler，said"Good-morning，"withakindlysmile。
　　"Dick，anegg？"sheaskedhim，holdingupafifth。
　　"No，thankyou，"repliedShelton，greetingthetableandfittingdown。
　　Hewasalittlelate；thebuzzofconversationrosehilariouslyaround。
　　"Mydear，"continuedMr。Dennant，whowastalkingtohisyoungestdaughter，"you'llhavenochancewhatever——nottheleastlittlebitofchance。"
　　"Father，whatnonsense!Youknowweshallbeatyourheadsoff!"
　　"Beforeit'stoolate，then，Iwilleatamuffin。Shelton，passthemuffins!"Butinmakingthisrequest，Mr。Dennantavoidedlookinginhisface。
　　Antonia，too，seemedtokeephereyesawayfromhim。ShewastalkingtoaConnoisseuronArtofsupernaturalappearances，andseemedinthehighestspirits。Sheltonrose，and，goingtothesideboard，helpedhimselftogrouse。
　　"WhowastheyoungmanIsawyesterdayonthelawn？"heheardtheConnoisseurremark。"Struckmeashavingan——er——quiteintelligentphysiog。"
　　Hisownintelligentphysiog，raisedataslightslantsothathemightlookthebetterthroughhisnose-nippers，wastheverypatternofapproval。"It'scurioushowone'salwaysmeetingwithintelligence；"itseemedtosay。Mrs。Dennantpausedintheactofaddingcream，andSheltonscrutinisedherface；itwashare-like，andsuperiorasever。Thankgoodnessshehadsmeltnorat!Hefeltstrangelydisappointed。
　　"YoumeanMonsieurFerrand，teachin'ToddlesFrench？Dobson，theProfessor'scup。"
　　"IhopeIshallseehimagain，"cooedtheConnoisseur；"hewasquiteinterestingonthesubjectofyoungGermanworkingmen。Itseemstheytrampfromplacetoplacetolearntheirtrades。Whatnationalitywashe，mayIask？"
　　Mr。Dennant，ofwhomheaskedthisquestion，liftedhisbrows，andsaid，"AskShelton。"
　　"HalfDutch，halfFrench。"
　　"Veryinterestingbreed；IhopeIshallseehimagain。"
　　"Well，youwon't，"saidTheasuddenly；"he'sgone。"
　　Sheltonsawthattheirgoodbreedingalonepreventedallfromadding，"Andthankgoodness，too!"
　　"Gone？Dearme，it'svery——"
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Dennant，"verysudden。"
　　"Now，Algie，"murmuredMrs。Dennant，"it'squiteacharmin'letter。
　　Musthavetakenthepooryoungmananhourtowrite。"
　　"Oh，mother!"criedAntonia。
　　AndSheltonfelthisfacegocrimson。HehadsuddenlyrememberedthatherFrenchwasbetterthanhermother's。
　　"Heseemstohavehadasingularexperience，"saidtheConnoisseur。
　　"Yes，"echoedMr。Dennant；"he'shadsomesingularexperience。Ifyouwanttoknowthedetails，askfriendShelton；it'squiteromantic。Inthemeantime，mydear；anothercup？"
　　TheConnoisseur，neverquitedevoidofabsent-mindedmalice，spurredhiscuriositytoafurthereffort；and，turninghiswell-defendedeyesonShelton，murmured，"Well，Mr。Shelton，youarethehistorian，itseems。"
　　"Thereisnohistory，"saidShelton，withoutlookingup。
　　"Ah，that'sverydull，"remarkedtheConnoisseur。
　　"MydearDick，"saidMrs。Dennant，"thatwasreallyamosttouchin'
　　storyabouthisgoin'withoutfoodinParis。"
　　SheltonshotanotherlookatAntonia；herfacewasfrigid。"Ihateyourd——dsuperiority!"hethought，staringattheConnoisseur。
　　"There'snothing，"saidthatgentleman，"moreenthrallingthanstarvation。Come，MrShelton。"
　　"Ican'ttellstories，"saidShelton；"nevercould。"
　　HecarednotastrawforFerrand，hiscoming，going，orhishistory；
　　for，lookingatAntonia，hisheartwasheavy。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THELADYFROMBEYOND
　　Themorningwassultry，brooding，steamy。Antoniawasathermusic，andfromtheroomwhereSheltontriedtofixattentiononabookhecouldhearherpractisingherscaleswithacoldfurythatcastanaddedgloomuponhisspirit。Hedidnotseeheruntillunch，andthensheagainsatnexttheConnoisseur。Hercheekswerepale，buttherewassomethingfeverishinherchattertoherneighbour；shestillrefusedtolookatShelton。Hefeltverymiserable。Afterlunch，whenmostofthemhadleftthetable，therestfelltodiscussingcountryneighbours。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidMrs。Dennant，"therearetheFoliots；butnobodycallsonthem。"
　　"Ah!"saidtheConnoisseur，"theFoliots——theFoliots——thepeople——
　　er——who——quiteso!"
　　"It'sreallydistressin'；shelookssosweetridin'about。Manypeoplewithworsestoriesgetcalledon，"continuedMrs。Dennant，withthatlargefranknessofintrusionupondoubtfulsubjectswhichmaybemadebycertainpeopleinacertainway，"but，afterall，onecouldn'taskthemtomeetanybody。"
　　"No，"theConnoisseurassented。"IusedtoknowFoliot。Thousandpities。Theysayshewasaveryprettywoman。"
　　"Oh，notpretty!"saidMrs。Dennant!"moreinterestinthanpretty，I
　　shouldsay。"
　　Shelton，whoknewtheladyslightly，noticedthattheyspokeofherasinthepast。HedidnotlooktowardsAntonia；for，thoughalittletroubledatherpresencewhilesuchasubjectwasdiscussed，hehatedhisconvictionthatherface，wasasunruffledasthoughtheFoliotshadbeenaseparatespecies。Therewas，infact，acuriosityabouthereyes，afaintimpatienceonherlips；shewasrollinglittlecrumbsofbread。Suddenlyyawning，shemutteredsomeremark，androse。Sheltonstoppedheratthedoor。
　　"Whereareyougoing？"
　　"Forawalk。"
　　"Mayn'tIcome？"。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"I'mgoingtotakeToddles。"
　　Sheltonheldthedooropen，andwentbacktothetable。
　　"Yes，"theConnoisseursaid，sippingathissherry，"I'mafraidit'salloverwithyoungFoliot。"
　　"Suchapity!"murmuredMrs。Dennant，andherkindlyfacelookedquitedisturbed。"I'veknownhimeversincehewasaboy。Ofcourse，Ithinkhemadeagreatmistaketobringherdownhere。Notevenbein'abletogetmarriedmakesitdoublyawkward。Oh，Ithinkhemadeagreatmistake!"
　　"Ah!"saidtheConnoisseur，"butd'yousupposethatmakesmuchdifference？EvenifWhat's——his-namegaveheradivorce，Idon'tthink，don'tyouknow，that——"
　　"Oh，itdoes!Somanypeoplewouldbeinclinedtolookoveritintime。Butasitisit'shopeless，quite。Soveryawkwardforpeople，too，meetin'themabout。TheTelfordsandtheButterwicks——
　　bytheway，they'recomin'heretodineto-night——livenearthem，don'tyouknow。"
　　"Didyouevermeetherbefore-er-beforetheflood？"theConnoisseurinquired；andhislipspartingandunexpectedlyrevealingteethgavehimashadowyresemblancetoagoat。
　　"Yes；IdidmeetheronceattheBranksomes'。Ithoughtherquiteacharmin'person。"
　　"Poorfellow!"saidtheConnoisseur；"theytellmehewasgoingtotakethehounds。"
　　"Andtherearehisdelightfulcoverts，too。Algieoftenusedtoshootthere，andnowtheysayhejusthashisbrotherdowntoshootwithhim。It'sreallyquitetoomelancholy!Didyouknowhim，Dick？"
　　"Foliot？"repliedSheltonabsently。"No；Inevermethim:I'veseenheronceortwiceatAscot。"
　　ThroughthewindowhecouldseeAntoniainherscarletTam-o'-
　　shanter，swingingherstick，andhegotupfeigningunconcern。JustthenToddlescameboundingupagainsthissister。Theywentoffarminarm。Shehadseenhimatthewindow，yetshegavenofriendlyglance；Sheltonfeltmoremiserablethanever。Hesteppedoutuponthedrive。Therewasalurid，gloomycanopyabove；theelm-treesdroopedtheirheavyblackishgreen，thewontedrustleoftheaspen-
　　treewasgone，eventherooksweresilent。Astoreofforcelayheavyontheheartofnature。Hestartedpacingslowlyupanddown，hisprideforbiddinghimtofollowher，andpresentlysatdownonanoldstoneseatthatfacedtheroad。Hestayedalongtimestaringattheelms，askinghimselfwhathehaddoneandwhatheoughttodo。
　　Andsomehowhewasfrightened。Asenseoflonelinesswasonhim，soreal，sopainful，thatheshiveredintheswelteringheat。Hewasthere，perhaps，anhour，alone，andsawnobodypassalongtheroad。
　　Thencamethesoundofhorse'shoofs，andatthesametimeheheardamotor-carapproachingfromtheoppositedirection。Theridermadeappearancefirst，ridingagreyhorsewithanArab'shighsetheadandtail。Shewasholdinghimwithdifficulty，forthewhirroftheapproachingcargreweverymomentlouder。Sheltonrose；thecarflashedby。Hesawthehorsestaggerinthegate-way，crushingitsriderupagainstthegatepost。
　　Heran，butbeforehereachedthegatetheladywasonfoot，holdingtheplunginghorse'sbridle。
　　"Areyouhurt？"criedSheltonbreathlessly，andhe，too，grabbedthebridle。"Thosebeastlycars!"
　　"Idon'tknow，"shesaid。"Pleasedon't；hewon'tletstrangerstouchhim。"
　　Sheltonletgo，andwatchedhercoaxthehorse。Shewasrathertall，dressedinagreyhabit，withagreyRussiancapuponherhead，andhesuddenlyrecognisedtheMrs。Foliotwhomtheyhadbeentalkingofatlunch。
　　"He'llbequietnow，"shesaid，"ifyouwouldn'tmindholdinghimaminute。"
　　Shegavethereinstohim，andleanedagainstthegate。Shewasverypale。
　　"Idohopehehasn'thurtyou，"Sheltonsaid。Hewasquiteclosetoher，wellabletoseeherface——acuriousfacewithhighcheek-bonesandaflatfishmoulding，enigmatic，yetstrangelypassionateforallitslistlesspallor。Hersmiling，tightenedlipswerepallid；
　　pallid，too，hergreyanddeep-seteyeswithgreenishtints；aboveall，paletheashymassofhaircoiledunderhergreycap。
　　"Th-thanks!"shesaid；"Ishallbeallrightdirectly。I'msorrytohavemadeafuss。"
　　Shebitherlipsandsmiled。
　　"I'msureyou'rehurt；doletmegofor——"stammeredShelton。
　　"Icaneasilygethelp。"
　　"Help!"shesaid，withastonylittlelaugh；"oh，no，thanks!"
　　Sheleftthegate，andcrossedtheroadtowhereheheldthehorse。
　　Shelton，toconcealembarrassment，lookedatthehorse'slegs，andnoticedthatthegreywasrestingoneofthem。Heranhishanddown。
　　"I'mafraid，"hesaid，"yourhorsehasknockedhisoffknee；it'sswelling。"
　　Shesmiledagain。
　　"Thenwe'rebothcripples。"
　　"He'llbelamewhenhegetscold。Wouldn'tyouliketoputhiminthestablehere？I'msureyououghttodrivehome。"
　　"No，thanks；ifI'mabletoridehimhecancarryme。Givemeahandup。"
　　Hervoicesoundedasthoughsomethinghadoffendedher。Risingfrominspectionofthehorse'sleg，SheltonsawAntoniaandToddlesstandingby。Theyhadcomethroughawicketgateleadingfromthefields。
　　Thelatterranuptohimatonce。
　　"Wesawit，"hewhispered——"jollysmash-up。Can'tIhelp？"
　　"Holdhisbridle，"answeredShelton，andhelookedfromoneladytotheother。
　　Therearemomentswhentheexpressionofafacefixesitselfwithpainfulclearness；toSheltonthiswassuchamoment。Thosetwofacesclosetogether，undertheircoveringsofscarletandofgrey，showedacontrastalmostcruellyvivid。Antoniawasflushed，hereyeshadgrowndeepblue；herlookofstartleddoubthadpassedandleftaquestioninherface。
　　"Wouldyouliketocomeinandwait？Wecouldsendyouhome，inthebrougham，"shesaid。
　　TheladycalledMrs。Foliotstood，onearmacrossthecrupperofhersaddle，bitingherlipsandsmilingstillherenigmaticsmile，anditwasherfacethatstayedmostvividlyonShelton'smind，itsashyhail，itspallor，andfixed，scornfuleyes。
　　"Oh，no，thanks!You'reverykind。"
　　OutofAntonia'sfacethetimid，doubtingfriendlinesshadfled，andwasreplacedbyenmity。Withalong，coldlookatbothofthemsheturnedaway。Mrs。Foliotgavealittlelaugh，andraisedherfootforShelton'shelp。Heheardahissofpainasheswungherup，butwhenhelookedathershesmiled。
　　"Anyway，"hesaidimpatiently，"letmecomeandseeyoudon'tbreakdown。
　　Sheshookherhead。"It'sonlytwomiles。I'mnotmadeofsugar。"
　　"ThenIshallsimplyhavetofollow。"
　　Sheshruggedhershoulders，fixingherresoluteeyesonhim。
　　"Wouldthatboyliketocome？"sheasked。
　　Toddlesleftthehorse'shead。
　　"ByJove!"hecried。"Wouldn'tIjust!"
　　"Then，"shesaid，"Ithinkthatwillbebest。You'vebeensokind。"
　　Shebowed，smiledinscrutablyoncemore，touchedtheArabwithherwhip，andstarted，Toddlestrottingatherside。
　　SheltonwasleftwithAntoniaunderneaththeelms。Asuddenpuffoftepidairblewintheirfaces，likeawarningmessagefromtheheavy，purpleheatclouds；lowrumblingthundertravelledslowlyfromafar。
　　"We'regoingtohaveastorm，"hesaid。
　　Antonianodded。Shewaspalenow，andherfacestillworeitscoldlookofoffence。
　　"I'vegotaheadache，"shesaid，"Ishallgoinandliedown。"
　　Sheltontriedtospeak，butsomethingkepthimsilent——submissiontowhatwascoming，likethemutesubmissionofthefieldsandbirdstothemenaceofthestorm。
　　Hewatchedhergo，andwentbacktohisseat。Andthesilenceseemedtogrow；theflowersceasedtoexudetheirfragrance，numbedbytheweightyair。Allthelonghousebehindhimseemedasleep，deserted。
　　Nonoisecameforth，nolaughter，theechoofnomusic，theringingofnobell；theheathadwrappeditroundwithdrowsiness。Andthesilenceaddedtothesolitudewithinhim。Whatanunluckychance，thatwoman'saccident!DesignedbyProvidencetoputAntoniafurtherfromhimthanbefore!Whywasnottheworldcomposedoftheimmaculatealone？Hestartedpacingupanddown，torturedbyadreadfulheartache。
　　"Imustgetridofthis，"hethought。"I'llgoforagoodtramp，andchancethestorm。"
　　LeavingthedriveheranonToddles，returninginthehighestspirits。
　　"Isawherhome，"hecrowed。"Isay，whataripper，isn'tshe？
　　She'llbeaslameasatreeto-morrow；sowillthegee。Jollyhot!"
　　ThismeetingshowedSheltonthathehadbeenanhouronthestoneseat；hehadthoughtitsometenminutes，andthediscoveryalarmedhim。Itseemedtobringtheimportofhismiserablefearrighthometohim。Hestartedwithaswingingstride，keepinghiseyesfixedontheroad，theperspirationstreamingdownhisface。
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　THESTORM