"Wecan'tallbegeniuses，butwecanalllookjolly。"
Sheltonhastenedtolookjolly。
"Itellthegovernor，whenhe'sglum，thatIshallputuptheshuttersandleavehim。What'sthegoodofmopin'andlookin'
miserable？AreyougoingtotheFour-in-HandMeet？We'remakingaparty。Suchfun；allthesmartpeople!"
Thesplendourofhershoulders，herfrizzyhairclearlynottwohoursoutofthebarber'shands，mighthavemadehimdoubtful；butthefrankshrewdnessinhereyes，andhercarefullyclippedtoneofvoice，wereguaranteesthatshewaspartoftheelementatthetablewhichwasreallyquiterespectable。Hehadneverrealisedbeforehow"smart"shewas，andwithaneffortabandonedhimselftoasortofgaietythatwouldhavekilledaFrenchman。
Andwhenshelefthim，hereflectedupontheexpressionofhereyeswhentheyrestedonaladyopposite，whowasatruebird-of-prey。
"Whatisit，"theirenvious，inquisitiveglancehadseemedtosay，"thatmakesyousoreally'smart'？"Andwhilestillseekingforthereason，henoticedhishostpointingoutthemeritsofhisporttothehawk-likeman，withadeferentialairquitepitifultosee，forthehawk-likemanwasclearlya"badhat。"Whatinthenameofgoodnessdidthesestaidbourgeoismeanbymakinguptovice？Wasitacravingtobethoughtdistinguished，adreadofbeingdull，ormerelyaneffectofoverfeeding？Againhelookedathishost，whohadnotyetenumeratedallthevirtuesofhisport，andagainfeltsorryforhim。
"Soyou'regoingtomarryAntoniaDennant？saidavoiceonhisright，withthateasycoarsenesswhichisamarkofcaste。"Prettygirl!They'veaniceplace，the，Dennants。D'yeknow，you'realuckyfeller!"
Thespeakerwasanoldbaronet，withsmalleyes，adusky，ruddyface，andpeculiarhail-fellow-well-metexpression，atoncemoroseandsly。
Hewasalwayshardup，butbeingamanofenterpriseknewallthebestpeople，aswellasalltheworst，sothathedinedouteverynight。
"You'realuckyfeller，"herepeated；"he'sgotsomedeucedgoodshootin'，Dennant!Theycometoohighforme，though；nevertouchedafeatherlasttimeIshotthere。She'saprettygirl。You'realuckyfeller!"
"Iknowthat，"saidSheltonhumbly。
"WishIwereinyourshoes。Whowasthatsittin'ontheothersideofyou？I'msodashedshort-sighted。Mrs。Carruther？Oh，ay!"Anexpressionwhich，ifhehadnotbeenabaronet，wouldhavebeenaleer，cameonhislips。
Sheltonfeltthathewasreferringtotheleafinhismentalpocket-
bookcoveredwiththeanecdotes，figures，andfactsaboutthatlady。
"Theoldogremeans，"thoughthe，"thatI'mluckybecausehisleafisblankaboutAntonia。"Buttheoldbaronethadturned，withhissmile，andhissardonic，well-bredair，tolistentoabitofscandalontheotherside。
ThetwomentoShelton'sleftweretalking。
"What!Youdon'tcollectanything？How'sthat？Everybodycollectssomething。Ishouldbelostwithoutmypictures。"
"No，Idon'tcollectanything。Givenitup；IwastooawfullyhadovermyWalkers。"
Sheltonhadexpectedamoreloftyreason；heappliedhimselftotheMadeirainhisglass。That，hadbeen"collected"byhishost，anditspricewasgoingup!Youcouldn'tgetiteveryday；worthtwoguineasabottle!Howprecioustheideathatotherpeoplecouldn'tgetit，madeitseem!Liquiddelight；thepricewasgoingup!Soontherewouldbenoneleft；immense!Absolutelynoone，then，coulddrinkit!
"WishIhadsomeofthis，"saidtheoldbaronet，"butIhavedrunkallmine。"
"Pooroldchap!"thoughtShelton；"afterall，he'snotabadoldboy。IwishIhadhispluck。Hislivermustbesplendid。"
Thedrawing-roomwasfullofpeopleplayingagameconcernedwithhorsesriddenbyjockeyswiththelatestseat。AndSheltonwascompelledtohelpincarryingonthissporttillearlyinthemorning。Atlastheleft，exhaustedbyhisanimation。
Hethoughtofthewedding；hethoughtoverhisdinnerandthewinethathehaddrunk。Hismoodofsatisfactionfizzledout。Thesepeoplewereincapableofbeingreal，eventhesmartest，eventhemostrespectable；theyseemedtoweightheirpleasuresinthescalesandtogetthemostthatcouldbegottenfortheirmoney。
Betweenthedark，safehousesstretchingformilesandmiles，histhoughtswereofAntonia；andashereachedhisroomshewasovertakenbythemomentwhenthetownisbornagain。Thefirstnewairhadstolendown；theskywasliving，butnotyetalight；thetreeswerequiveringfaintly；nolivingcreaturestirred，andnothingspokeexcepthisheart。Suddenlythecityseemedtobreathe，andSheltonsawthathewasnotalone；anunconsideredtriflewithinferiorbootswasasleepuponhisdoorstep。
CHAPTERX
ANALIEN
Theindividualonthedoorstephadfallenintoslumberoverhisownknees。Nogreaterairofprosperityclungabouthimthanisconveyedbyarustyovercoatandwispsofclothinplaceofsocks。Sheltonendeavouredtopassunseen，butthesleeperwoke。
"Ah，it'syou，monsieur!"hesaid"Ireceivedyourletterthisevening，andhavelostnotime。"Helookeddownathimselfandtittered，asthoughtosay，"ButwhatastateI'min!"
Theyoungforeigner'sconditionwasindeedmoredesperatethanontheoccasionoftheirfirstmeeting，andSheltoninvitedhimupstairs。
"Youcanwellunderstand，"stammeredFerrand，followinghishost，"thatIdidn'twanttomissyouthistime。Whenoneislikethis——"
andaspasmgrippedhisface。
"I'mverygladyoucame，"saidSheltondoubtfully。
Hisvisitor'sfacehadaweek'sgrowthofreddishbeard；thedeeptanofhischeeksgavehimarobustappearanceatvariancewiththefitof，tremblingwhichhadseizedonhimassoonashehadentered。
"Sitdown-sitdown，"saidShelton；"you'refeelingill!"
Ferrandsmiled。"It'snothing，"saidhe；"badnourishment。"
Sheltonlefthimseatedontheedgeofanarmchair，andbroughthiminsomewhisky。
"Clothes，"saidFerrand，whenhehaddrunk，"arewhatIwant。Thesearereallynotgoodenough。"
Thestatementwascorrect，andShelton，placingsomegarmentsinthebath-room，invitedhisvisitortomakehimselfathome。Whilethelatter，then，wasdoingthis，Sheltonenjoyedtheluxuriesofself-
denial，huntingupthingshedidnotwant，andlayingthemintwoportmanteaus。Thisdone，hewaitedforhisvisitor'sreturn。
Theyoungforeigneratlengthemerged，unshavedindeed，andinnocentofboots，buthavinginotherrespectsanairofgratifyingaffluence。
"Thisisalittledifferent，"hesaid。"Theboots，Ifear"——and，pullingdownhis，orratherShelton's，socksheexhibitedsoresthesizeofhalfacrown。"Onedoesn'tsowwithoutreapingsomeharvestoranother。Mystomachhasshrunk，"headdedsimply。"Toseethingsonemustsuffer。'Voyager，c'estplusfortquemoi'!"
Sheltonfailedtoperceivethatthiswasonewayofdisguisingthehumananimal'snaturaldislikeofwork——therewasatouchofpathos，asuggestionofGod-knows-what-might-have-been，aboutthisfellow。
"Ihaveeatenmyillusions，"saidtheyoungforeigner，smokingacigarette。"Whenyou'vestarvedafewtimes，youreyesareopened。
'Savoir，c'estmonmetier；maisremarquezceci，monsieur':It'snotalwaystheintellectualswhosucceed。"
"Whenyougetajob，"saidShelton，"youthrowitaway，Isuppose。"
"Youaccusemeofrestlessness？ShallIexplainwhatIthinkaboutthat？I'mrestlessbecauseofambition；Iwanttoreconqueranindependentposition。Iputallmysoulintomytrials，butassoonasIseethere'snofutureformeinthatline，Igiveitupandgoelsewhere。'Jeneveuxpasetreronddecuir，'breakingmybacktoeconomisesixpenceaday，andsaveenoughafterfortyyearstodragouttheremainsofanexhaustedexistence。That'snotinmycharacter。"Thisingeniousparaphraseofthewords"Isoongettiredofthings"hepronouncedwithanairoflettingSheltonintoaprecioussecret。
"Yes；itmustbehard，"agreedthelatter。
Ferrandshruggedhisshoulders。
"It'snotallbutter，"hereplied；"oneisobligedtodothingsthatarenottoodelicate。There'snothingIpridemyselfonbutfrankness。"
Likeagoodchemist，however，headministeredwhatSheltoncouldstandinajudiciousway。"Yes，yes，"heseemedtosay，"you'dlikemetothinkthatyouhaveaperfectknowledgeoflife:nomorality，noprejudices，noillusions；you'dlikemetothinkthatyoufeelyourselfonanequalitywithme，onehumananimaltalkingtoanother，withoutanybarriersofposition，money，clothes，ortherest——'cac'estunpeutropfort'!You'reasgoodanimitationasI'vecomeacrossinyourclass，notwithstandingyourunfortunateeducation，andI'mgratefultoyou，buttotellyoueverything，asitpassesthroughmymindwoulddamagemyprospects。Youcanhardlyexpectthat。"
InoneofShelton'soldfrock-coatshewasimpressive，withhisairofnatural，almostsensitiverefinement。Theroomlookedasifitwereaccustomedtohim，andmoreamazingstillwasthesenseoffamiliaritythatheinspired，as，thoughhewereapartofShelton'ssoul。Itcameasashocktorealisethatthisyoungforeignvagabondhadtakensuchaplacewithinhisthoughts。Theposeofhislimbsandhead，irregularbutnotungraceful；hisdisillusionedlips；theringsofsmokethatissuedfromthem——allsignifiedrebellion，andtheoverthrowoflawandorder。Histhin，lopsidednose，therapidglancesofhisgoggling，prominenteyes，weresubtletyitself；hestoodfordiscontentwiththeaccepted。
"HowdoIlivewhenIamonthetramp？"hesaid。"well，therearetheconsuls。Thesystemisnotdelicate，butwhenit'saquestionofstarving，muchispermissible；besides，thesegentlemenwerecreatedforthepurpose。There'sacoterieofGermanJewsinParislivingentirelyuponconsuls。"Hehesitatedforthefractionofasecond，andresumed:"Yes，monsieur；ifyouhavepapersthatfityou，youcantrysixorsevenconsulsinasingletown。Youmustknowalanguageortwo；butmostofthesegentlemenarenottoowellupinthetonguesofthecountrytheyrepresent。Obtainingmoneyunderfalsepretences？Well，itis。Butwhat'sthedifferenceatbottombetweenallthishonourablecrowdofdirectors，fashionablephysicians，employersoflabour，ferry-builders，militarymen，countrypriests，andconsulsthemselvesperhaps，whotakemoneyandgivenovalueforit，andpoordevilswhodothesameatfargreaterrisk？Necessitymakesthelaw。Ifthosegentlemenwereinmyposition，doyouthinkthattheywouldhesitate？"
Shelton'sfaceremainingdoubtful，Ferrandwentoninstantly:"You'reright；theywould，fromfear，notprinciple。Onemustbehardpressedbeforecommittingtheseindelicacies。Lookdeepenough，andyouwillseewhatindelicatethingsaredailydonebytherespectablefornothalfsogoodareasonasthewantofmeals。"
Sheltonalsotookacigarette——hisownincomewasderivedfrompropertyforwhichhegavenovalueinlabour。
"Icangiveyouaninstance，"saidFerrand，"ofwhatcanbedonebyresolution。OnedayinaGermantown，'etantdanslamisere'，I
decidedtotrytheFrenchconsul。Well，asyouknow，IamaFleming，butsomethinghadtobescrewedoutsomewhere。Herefusedtoseeme；
Isatdowntowait。Afterabouttwohoursavoicebellowed:'Hasn'tthebrutegone？'andmyconsulappears。'I'venothingforfellowslikeyou，'sayshe；'clearout!'
"'Monsieur，'Ianswered，'Iamskinandbone；Ireallymusthaveassistance。'
"'Clearout，'hesays，'orthepoliceshallthrowyouout!'
"Idon'tbudge。Anotherhourpasses，andbackhecomesagain。
"'Stillhere？'sayshe。'Fetchasergeant。'
"Thesergeantcomes。
"'Sergeant，'saystheconsul，'turnthiscreatureout。'
"'Sergeant，'Isay，'thishouseisFrance!'Naturally，Ihadcalculateduponthat。InGermanythey'renottoofondofthosewhoundertakethebusinessoftheFrench。
"'Heisright，'saysthesergeant；'Icandonothing。'
"'Yourefuse？'
"'Absolutely。'Andhewentaway。
"'Whatdoyouthinkyou'llgetbystaying？'saysmyconsul。
"'Ihavenothingtoeatordrink，andnowheretosleep，'saysI。
"'Whatwillyougofor？'
"'Tenmarks。'
"'Here，then，getout!'Icantellyou，monsieur，onemustn'thaveathinskinifonewantstoexploitconsuls。"
Hisyellowfingersslowlyrolledthestumpofhiscigarette，hisironicallipsflickered。Sheltonthoughtofhisownignoranceoflife。Hecouldnotrecollecteverhavinggonewithoutameal。
"Isuppose，"hesaidfeebly，"you'veoftenstarved。"For，havingalwaysbeensowellfed，theideaofstarvationwasattractive。
Ferrandsmiled。
"Fourdaysisthelongest，"saidhe。"Youwon'tbelievethatstory……ItwasinParis，andIhadlostmymoneyontherace-course。
Therewassomeduefromhomewhichdidn'tcome。FourdaysandnightsIlivedonwater。Myclotheswereexcellent，andIhadjewellery；
butInevereventhoughtofpawningthem。Isufferedmostfromthenotionthatpeoplemightguessmystate。Youdon'trecognisemenow？"
"Howoldwereyouthen？"saidShelton。
"Seventeen；it'scuriouswhatone'slikeatthatage。
ByaflashofinsightSheltonsawthewell-dressedboy，withsensitive，smoothface，alwaysonthemoveaboutthestreetsofParis，forfearthatpeopleshouldobservetheconditionofhisstomach。Thestorywasavaluablecommentary。Histhoughtswerebrusquelyinterrupted；lookinginFerrand'sface，hesawtohisdismaytearsrollingdownhischeeks。
"I'vesufferedtoomuch，"hestammered；"whatdoIcarenowwhatbecomesofme？"
Sheltonwasdisconcerted；hewished'tosaysomethingsympathetic，but，beinganEnglishman，couldonlyturnawayhiseyes。
"Yourturn'scoming，"hesaidatlast。
"Ah!whenyou'velivedmylife，"brokeouthisvisitor，"nothing'sanygood。Myheart'sinrags。Findmeanythingworthkeeping，inthismenagerie。"
Movedthoughhewas，Sheltonwriggledinhischair，apreytoracialinstinct，toaningrainedover-tenderness，perhaps，ofsoulthatforbadehimfromexposinghisemotions，andrecoiledfromtherevelationofotherpeople's。Hecouldstanditonthestage，hecouldstanditinabook，butinreallifehecouldnotstandit。
WhenFerrandhadgoneoffwithaportmanteauineachhand，hesatdownandtoldAntonia:……Thepoorchapbrokedownandsatcryinglikeachild；andinsteadofmakingmefeelsorry，itturnedmeintostone。ThemoresympatheticIwantedtobe，thegrufferIgrew。Isitfearofridicule，independence，orconsideration，forothersthatpreventsonefromshowingone'sfeelings？
HewentontotellherofFerrand'sstarvingfourdayssoonerthanfaceapawnbroker；and，readingtheletteroverbeforeaddressingit，thefacesofthethreeladiesroundtheirsnowyclotharosebeforehim——Antonia'sface，sofairandcalmandwind-fresh；hermother'sface，alittlecreasedbytimeandweather；themaidenaunt'ssomewhattoothin-andtheyseemedtoleanathim，alertanddecorous，andthewords"That'srathernice!"ranginhisears。Hewentouttoposttheletter，andbuyingafive-shillingorderenclosedittothelittlebarber，Carolan，asarewardfordeliveringhisnotetoFerrand。Heomittedtosendhisaddresswiththisdonation，butwhetherfromdelicacyorfromcautionhecouldnothavesaid。Beyonddoubt，however，onreceivingthroughFerrandthefollowingreply，hefeltashamedandpleased3，BLANKRow，WESTMINSTER。
>Fromeverywell-bornsoulhumanityisowing。Athousandthanks。I
receivedthismorningyourpostalorder；yourhearthenceforthformewillbeplacedbeyondallpraise。
J。CAROLAN。
CHAPTERXI
THEVISION
AfewdayslaterhereceivedaletterfromAntoniawhichfilledhimwithexcitement:……AuntCharlotteiseversomuchbetter，somotherthinkswecangohome-hurrah!ButshesaysthatyouandImustkeeptoourarrangementnottoseeeachothertillJuly。Therewillbesomethingfineinbeingsonearandhavingthestrengthtokeepapart……
AlltheEnglisharegone。Ifeelitsoemptyouthere；thesepeoplearesofunny-allforeignandshallow。Oh，Dick!howsplendidtohaveanidealtolookupto!WriteatoncetoBrewer'sHotelandtellmeyouthinkthesame……WearriveatCharingCrossonSundayathalf-pastseven，stayatBrewer'sforacoupleofnights，andgodownonTuesdaytoHolmOaks。
AlwaysyourANTONIA。
"To-morrow!"hethought；"she'scomingtomorrow!"and，leavinghisneglectedbreakfast，hestartedouttowalkoffhisemotion。Hissquareranintooneofthoseslumsthatstillrubshoulderswiththemostdistinguishedsituations，andinithecameuponalittlecrowdassembledroundadogfight。Oneofthedogswasbeingmauled，butthedaywasmuddy，andShelton，likeanywell-bredEnglishman，hadahorrorofmakinghimselfconspicuouseveninadecentcause；helookedforapoliceman。Onewasstandingby，toseefairplay，andSheltonmadeappealtohim。Theofficialsuggestedthatheshouldnothavebroughtoutafightingdog，andadvisedhimtothrowcoldwateroverthem。
"Itisn'tmydog，"saidShelton。
"ThenIshouldlet'embe，"remarkedthepolicemanwithevidentsurprise。
Sheltonappealedindefinitelytothelowerorders。Thelowerorders，however，wereafraidofbeingbitten。
"Iwouldn'tmeddlewiththattherejobifIwasyou，"saidone。
"Nastybreedo'dawgisthat。"
Hewasthereforeobligedtocastawayrespectability，spoilhistrousersandhisgloves，breakhisumbrella，drophishatinthemud，andseparatethedogs。Attheconclusionofthe"job，"thelowerorderssaidtohiminarathershamefacedspanner:
"Well，Ineverthoughtyou'dhavemanagedthat，sir"；but，likeallmenofinaction，Sheltonafteractionwasmoredangerous。
"D——nit!"hesaid，"onecan'tletadogbekilled"；andhemarchedoff，towingtheinjureddogwithhispocket-handkerchief，andlookingscornfullyatharmlesspassers-by。Havingsatisfiedforoncethesmoulderingfireswithinhim，hefeltentitledtoholdalowopinionofthesemeninthestreet。"Thebrutes，"hethought，"won'tstirafingertosaveapoordumbcreature，andasforpolicemen——"
But，growingcooler，hebegantoseethatpeopleweighteddownby"honesttoil"couldnotaffordtoteartheirtrousersorgetabittenhand，andthateventhepoliceman，thoughhehadlookedsolikeademi-god，wasabsolutelymadeoffleshandblood。Hetookthedoghome，and，sendingforavet。，hadhimsewnup。
HewasalreadytorturedbythedoubtwhetherornohemightventuretomeetAntoniaatthestation，and，aftersendinghisservantwiththedogtotheaddressmarkedonitscollar，heformedtheresolvetogoandseehismother，withsomevaguenotionthatshemighthelphimtodecide。ShelivedinKensington，and，crossingtheBromptonRoad，hewassoonamongstthatmazeofhousesintothefibreofwhosestructurearchitectshavewroughtthemotto:"Keepwhatyouhave——
wives，money，agoodaddress，andalltheblessingsofamoralstate!"
Sheltonponderedashepassedhouseafterhouseofsuchintenserespectabilitythatevendogswereknowntobarkatthem。Hisbloodwasstilltoohot；itisamazingwhatincidentswillpromotetheloftiestphilosophy。Hehadbeenreadinginhisfavouritereviewanarticleeulogisingthefreedomandexpansionwhichhadmadetheuppermiddleclasssofineabody；andwitheyeswanderingfromsidetosidehenoddedhisheadironically。"Expansionandfreedom，"ranhisthoughts:"Freedomandexpansion!"
Eachhouse-frontwascoldandformal，theshellofanownerwithfromthreetofivethousandpoundsayear，andeachonewasarmouredagainsttheopinionofitsneighboursbyasortofdaringregularity。
"Consciousofmyrectitude；andbythestrictobservanceofexactlywhatisnecessaryandnomore，Iamenabledtoholdmyheadupintheworld。Thepersonwholivesinmehasonlyfourthousandtwohundredandfifty-fivepoundseachyear，afterallowingfortheincometax。"
Suchseemedthelegendofthesehouses。
Sheltonpassedladiesinonesandtwosandthreesgoingoutshopping，ortoclassesofdrawing，cooking，ambulance。Hardlyanymenwereseen，andtheyweremostlypolicemen；butafewdisillusionedchildrenwerebeingwheeledtowardstheParkbyfresh-cheekednurses，accompaniedbyagreatarmyofhairyorofhairlessdogs。
Therewassomethingofherbrother'slargeliberalityaboutMrs。
Shelton，atinyladywithaffectionateeyes，warmcheeks，andchillyfeet；fondasacatofachairbythefire，andfullofthesympathythathasnoinsight。Shekissedhersonatoncewithrapture，and，asusual，begantotalkofhisengagement。Forthefirsttimeatremorofdoubtranthroughherson；hismother'sviewofitgratedonhimlikethesightofablue-pinkdress；itwastoorosy。Hersplendidoptimism，dampedhim；ithadtoolittletrafficwiththereasoningpowers。
"Whatright，"heaskedhimself，"hasshetobesocertain？Itseemstomeakindofblasphemy。"
"Thedear!"shecooed。"Andsheiscomingbackto-morrow？Hurrah!
howIlongtoseeher!"
"Butyouknow，mother，we'veagreednottomeetagainuntilJuly。"
Mrs。Sheltonrockedherfoot，and，holdingherheadononesidelikealittlebird，lookedathersonwithshiningeyes。
"DearoldDick!"shesaid，"howhappyyoumustbe!"
Halfacenturyofsympathywithweddingsofallsorts——good，bad，indifferent——beamedfromher。
"Isuppose，"saidSheltongloomily，"Ioughtnottogoandseeheratthestation。"
"Cheerup!"repliedthemother，andhersonfeltdreadfullydepressed。
That"Cheer-up!"——thepanaceawhichhadcarriedherblindandbrightthrougheveryevil——wasasvoidofmeaningtohimaswinewithoutaflavour。
"Andhowisyoursciatica？"heasked。
"Oh，prettybad，"returnedhismother；"Iexpectit'sallright，really。Cheerup!"Shestretchedherlittlefigure，cantingherheadstillmore。
"Wonderfulwoman!"Sheltonthought。Shehad，infact，likemanyofherfellow-countrymen，mislaidthedarkersideofthings，and，enjoyingthebenefitsoforthodoxywithaneasyconscience，hadkeptasyounginheartasanygirlofthirty。
SheltonleftherhouseasdoubtfulwhetherhemightmeetAntoniaaswhenheenteredit。Hespentarestlessafternoon。
Thenextday——thatofherarrival——wasaSunday。HehadmadeFerrandapromisetogowithhimtohearasermonintheslums，and，catchingatanydiversionwhichmightallayexcitement，hefulfilledit。Thepreacherinquestion——anamateur，soFerrandtoldhim——hadanoriginalmethodofdistributingthefundsthatheobtained。Tomalesheephegavenothing，touglyfemalesheepaverylittle，toprettyfemalesheeptherest。Ferrandhazardedaninference，buthewasaforeigner。TheEnglishmanpreferredtolookuponthepreacherasguidedbyapurelyabstractloveofbeauty。Hiseloquence，atanyrate，wasunquestionable，andSheltoncameoutfeelingsick。
Itwasnotyetseveno'clock，so，enteringanItalianrestauranttokillthehalf-hourbeforeAntonia'sarrival，heorderedabottleofwineforhiscompanion，acupofcoffeeforhimself，and，lightingacigarette，compressedhislips。Therewasastrange，sweetsinkinginhisheart。Hiscompanion，ignorantofthisemotion，drankhiswine，crumbledhisroll，andblewsmokethroughhisnostrils，glancingcausticallyattherowsoflittletables，thecheapmirrors，thehot，redvelvet，thechandeliers。Hisjuicylipsseemedtobemurmuring，"Ah!ifyouonlyknewofthedirtbehindthesefeathers!"
Sheltonwatchedhimwithdisgust。Thoughhisclotheswerenowsonice，hisnailswerenotquiteclean，andhisfingertipsseemedyellowtothebone。Ananaemicwaiterinashirtsomefourdaysold，withgrease-spotsonhisgarmentsandacrumplednapkinonhisarm，stoodleaninganelbowamongstdoubtfulfruits，andreadinganItalianjournal。Restinghistiredfeetinturn，helookedlikeoverworkpersonified，andwhenhemoved，eachlimbaccusedthesordidsmartnessofthewalls。Inthefarcornersataladyeating，and，mirroredopposite，herfeatheredhat，hershort，roundface，itscoatofpowder，anddarkeyes，gaveSheltonashiverofdisgust。Hiscompanion'sgazerestedlongandsubtlyonher。
"Excuseme，monsieur，"hesaidatlength。"IthinkIknowthatlady!"And，leavinghishost，hecrossedtheroom，bowed，accostedher，andsatdown。WithPharisaicdelicacy，Sheltonrefrainedfromlooking。ButpresentlyFerrandcameback；theladyroseandlefttherestaurant；shehadbeencrying。Theyoungforeignerwasflushed，hisfacecontorted；hedidnottouchhiswine。
"Iwasright，"hesaid；"sheisthewifeofanoldfriend。Iusedtoknowherwell。"
Hewassufferingfromemotion，butsomeonelessabsorbedthanSheltonmighthavenoticedakindofrelishinhisvoice，asthoughheweresavouringlife'sdishes，andgladtohavesomethingnew，andspicedwithtragicsauce，tosetbeforehispatron。
"Youcanfindherstorybythehundredinyourstreets，butnothinghinderstheseparagonsofvirtue"——henoddedatthestreamofcarriages——"fromturninguptheireyeswhentheyseeladiesofhersortpass。ShecametoLondon——justthreeyearsago。Afterayearoneofherlittleboystookfever——theshopwasavoided——herhusbandcaughtit，anddied。Thereshewas，leftwithtwochildrenandeverythinggonetopaythedebts。Shetriedtogetwork；noonehelpedher。Therewasnomoneytopayanyonetostaywiththechildren；alltheworkshecouldgetinthehousewasnotenoughtokeepthemalive。She'snotastrongwoman。Well，sheputthechildrenouttonurse，andwenttothestreets。Thefirstweekwasfrightful，butnowshe'susedtoit——onegetsusedtoanything。"
"Cannothingbedone？"askedShelton，startled。
"No，"returnedhiscompanion。"Iknowthatsort；iftheyoncetaketoitall'sover。Theygetusedtoluxury。Onedoesn'tpartwithluxury，aftertastingdestitution。Shetellsmeshedoesverynicely；thechildrenarehappy；she'sabletopaywellandseethemsometimes。Shewasagirlofgoodfamily，too，wholovedherhusband，andgaveupmuchforhim。Whatwouldyouhave？Threequartersofyourvirtuousladiesplacedinherpositionwoulddothesameiftheyhadthenecessarylooks。"
Itwasevidentthathefelttheshockofthisdiscovery，andSheltonunderstoodthatpersonalacquaintancemakesadifference，eveninavagabond。
"Thisisherbeat，"saidtheyoungforeigner，astheypassedtheilluminatedcrescent，wherenightlytheshadowsofhypocritesandwomenfall；andSheltonwentfromthesecommentsonChristianitytothestationofCharingCross。There，ashestoodwaitingintheshadow，hisheartwasinhismouth；anditstruckhimasoddthatheshouldhavecometothismeetingfreshfromavagabond'ssociety。
Presently，amongstthestreamoftravellers，hesawAntonia。Shewasclosetohermother，whowasparleyingwithafootman；behindthemwereamaidcarryingabandboxandaporterwiththetravelling-bags。
Antonia'sfigure，withitsthroatsettledinthecollarofhercape，slender，tall，severe，lookedimpatientandremoteamongstthebustle。Hereyes，shadowedbythejourney，glancedeagerlyabout，welcomingallshesaw；awispofhairwaslooseaboveherear，hercheeksglowedcoldandrosy。ShecaughtsightofShelton，andbendingherneck，stag-like，stoodlookingathim；abrilliantsmilepartedherlips，andSheltontrembled。Herewastheembodimentofallhehaddesiredforweeks。Hecouldnottellwhatwasbehindthatsmileofhers——passionateachingoronlysomeideal，somechasteandglacialintangibility。Itseemedtobeshiningpasthimintothegloomystation。Therewasnotremblinganduncertainty，norageofpossessioninthatbrilliantsmile；ithadthegleamoffixedness，likethesmilingofastar。Whatdiditmatter？Shewasthere，beautifulasayoungday，andsmilingathim；andshewashis，onlydividedfromhimbyaspaceoftime。Hetookastep；hereyesfellatonce，herfaceregainedaloofness；hesawher，encircledbymother，footman，maid，andporter，takeherseatanddriveaway。
Itwasover；shehadseenhim，shehadsmiled，butalongsidehisdelightlurkedanotherfeeling，and，byabitterfreak，notherfacecameupbeforehimbutthefaceofthatladyintherestaurant——
short，round，andpowdered，withblack-circledeyes。Whatrighthadwetoscornthem？Hadtheymothers，footmen，porters，maids？Heshivered，butthistimewithphysicaldisgust；thepowderedfacewithdark-fringedeyeshadvanished；thefair，remotefigureoftherailway-stationcamebackagain。
Hesatlongoverdinner，drinking，dreaming；hesatlongafter，smoking，dreaming，andwhenatlengthhedroveaway，wineanddreamsfumedinhisbrain。Thedanceoflamps，thecream-cheesemoon，theraysofcleanwetlightonhishorse'sharness，thejinglingofthecabbell，thewhirringwheels，thenightairandthebranches——itwasallsogood!Hethrewbackthehansomdoorstofeelthetouchofthewarmbreeze。Thecrowdsonthepavementgavehimstrangedelight；
theywerelikeshadows，insomegreatillusion，happyshadows，thronging，wheelingroundthesinglefigureofhisworld。
CHAPTERXII
ROTTENROW
Withaheadacheandasenseofrestlessness，hopefulandunhappy，SheltonmountedhishacknextmorningforagallopinthePark。
Intheskywasmingledallthelanguorandtheviolenceofthespring。Thetreesandflowersworeanawakenedlookinthegleamsoflightthatcamestealingdownfrombehindthepurpleoftheclouds。
Theairwasrain-washed，andthepassersbyseemedtowearanairoftranquilcarelessness，asifanxietywereparalysedbytheirresponsibilityofthefirmament。
Throngedbyriders，theRowwasallastir。
NeartoHydeParkCornerafigurebytherailscaughtShelton'seye。
Straightandthin，oneshoulderhumpedalittle，asifitsownerwerereflecting，clothedinafrock-coatandabrownfelthatpinchedupinlawlessfashion，thisfigurewassodetachedfromitssurroundingsthatitwouldhavebeennoticeableanywhere。ItbelongedtoFerrand，obviouslywaitingtillitwastimetobreakfastwithhispatron。
Sheltonfoundpleasureinthusobservinghimunseen，andsatquietlyonhishorse，hiddenbehindatree。
Itwasjustatthatspotwhereriders，unabletogetfurther，areforeverwheelingtheirhorsesforanotherturn；andthereFerrand，thebirdofpassage，withhisheadalittletooneside，watchedthemcantering，trotting，wheelingupanddown。
Threemenwalkingalongtherailsweresnatchingofftheirhatsbeforeahorsewomanatexactlythesameangleandwithpreciselythesameair，asthoughinthemodishperformanceofthisancientritetheyweresatisfyingsomeinstinctverydeartothem。
SheltonnotedthecurlofFerrand'slipashewatchedthissight。
"Manythanks，gentlemen，"itseemedtosay；"inthatcharminglittleactionyouhaveshownmeallyoursouls。"
Whatasingulargiftthefellowhadofdivestingthingsandpeopleoftheirgarments，oftearingawaytheirveilofshams，andtheirphylacteries!Sheltonturnedandcanteredon；histhoughtswerewithAntonia，andhedidnotwanttheglamourstrippedaway。
Hewasglancingatthesky，thateverymomentthreatenedtodischargeaviolentshowerofrain，whensuddenlyheheardhisnamecalledfrombehind，andwhoshouldrideuptohimoneithersidebutBillDennantand——Antoniaherself!
Theyhadbeengalloping；andshewasflushed——flushedaswhenshestoodontheoldtoweratHyeres，butwithajoyfulradiancedifferentfromthecalmandconqueringradianceofthatothermoment。
ToShelton'sdelighttheyfellintolinewithhim，andallthreewentgallopingalongthestripbetweenthetreesandrails。Thelookshegavehimseemedtosay，"Idon'tcareifitisforbidden!"butshedidnotspeak。Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffher。Howlovelyshelooked，withtheresolutecurveofherfigure，theglimpseofgoldunderherhat，thegloriouscolourinhercheeks，asifshehadbeenkissed。
"It'ssosplendidtobeathome!Let'sgofaster，faster!"shecriedout。
"Takeapull。Weshallgetrunin，"grumbledherbrother，withachuckle。
Theyreinedinroundthebendandjoggedmoresoberlydownonthefarside；stillnotawordfromhertoShelton，andSheltoninhisturnspokeonlytoBillDennant。Hewasafraidtospeaktoher，forheknewthathermindwasdwellingonthischanceforbiddenmeetinginawayquitedifferentfromhisown。
ApproachingHydeParkCorner，whereFerrandwasstillstandingagainsttherails，Shelton，whohadforgottenhisexistence，sufferedashockwhenhiseyesfellsuddenlyonthatimpassivefigure。Hewasabouttoraisehishand，whenhesawthattheyoungforeigner，notinghisinstinctivefeeling，hadatonceadaptedhimselftoit。Theypassedagainwithoutagreeting，unlessthatswiftinquisition；
followedbyunconsciousnessinFerrand'seyes，couldsobecalled。
ButthefeelingofidiotichappinessleftShelton；hegrewirritatedatthissilence。Ittantalisedhimmoreandmore，forBillDennanthadlaggedbehindtochattertoafriend；SheltonandAntoniawerealone，walkingtheirhorses，withoutaword，notevenlookingateachother。Atonemomenthethoughtofgallopingaheadandleavingher，thenofbreakingthevowofmutenesssheseemedtobeimposingonhim，andhekeptthinking:"Itoughttobeeitheronethingortheother。Ican'tstandthis。"Hercalmnesswasgettingonhisnerves；
sheseemedtohavedeterminedjusthowfarshemeanttogo，tohavefixedcold-bloodedlyalimit。InherhappyyoungbeautyandradiantcoolnessshesummedupthatsaneconsistentsomethingexistinginnineoutoftenofthepeopleSheltonknew。"Ican'tstanditlong，"
hethought，andallofasuddenspoke；butashedidsoshefrownedandcanteredon。Whenhecaughthershewassmiling，liftingherfacetocatchtheraindropswhichwerefallingfast。Shegavehimjustanod，andwavedherhandasasignforhimtogo；andwhenhewouldnot，shefrowned。HesawBillDennant，postingafterthem，and，seizedbyasenseoftheridiculous，liftedhishat，andgallopedoff。
Therainwascomingdownintorrentsnow，andeveryonewasscurryingforshelter。Helookedbackfromthebend，andcouldstillmakeoutAntoniaridingleisurely，herfaceupturned，andrevellingintheshower。Whyhadn'tsheeithercuthimaltogetherortakenthesweetsthegodshadsent？Itseemedwickedtohavewastedsuchachance，and，ploughingbacktoHydeParkCorner，heturnedhisheadtoseeifbyanychanceshehadrelented。
Hisirritationwassoongone，buthislongingstayed。Waseveranythingsobeautifulasshehadlookedwithherfaceturnedtotherain？Sheseemedtolovetherain。Itsuitedher——suitedhereversomuchbetterthanthesunshineoftheSouth。Yes，shewasveryEnglish!Puzzlingandfretting，hereachedhisrooms。Ferrandhadnotarrived，infactdidnotturnupthatday。Hisnon-appearanceaffordedSheltonanotherproofofthedelicacythatwenthandinhandwiththeyoungvagrant'scynicism。Intheafternoonhereceivedanote。