"ButIsupposehe'sreallygood，"shesaid，"Imean，allthosethingshetoldyouaboutwereonly——"
　　"Good!"heanswered，fidgeting；"Idon'treallyknowwhatthewordmeans。"
　　Hereyesclouded。"Dick，howcanyou？"theyseemedtosay。
　　Sheltonstrokedhersleeve。
　　"TellusaboutMr。Crocker，"shesaid，takingnoheedofhiscaress。
　　"Thelunatic!"hesaid。
　　"Lunatic!Why，inyourlettershewassplendid。"
　　"Soheis，"saidShelton，halfashamed；"he'snotabitmad，really——thatis，IonlywishIwerehalfasmad。"
　　"Who'sthatmad？"queriedMrs。Dennantfrombehindtheurn——"TomCrocker？Ah，yes!Iknewhismother；shewasaSpringer。"
　　"Didhedoitintheweek？"saidThea，appearinginthewindowwithakitten。
　　"Idon'tknow，"Sheltonwasobligedtoanswer。
　　Theashookbackherhair。
　　"Icallitawfullyslackofyounottohavefoundout，"shesaid。
　　Antoniafrowned。
　　"Youwereverysweettothatyoungforeigner，Dick，"shemurmuredwithasmileatShelton。"Iwishthatwecouldseehim。"
　　ButSheltonshookhishead。
　　"Itseemstome，"hemuttered，"thatIdidaboutaslittleforhimasIcould。"
　　Againherfacegrewthoughtful，asthoughhiswordshadchilledher。
　　"Idon'tseewhatmoreyoucouldhavedone，"sheanswered。
　　Adesiretogetclosetoher，halffear，halfache，asenseoffutilityandbafflement，aninnerburning，madehimfeelasthoughaflamewerelickingathisheart。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　ENGLISH
　　JustasSheltonwasstartingtowalkbacktoOxfordhemetMr。
　　Dennantcomingfromaride。Antonia'sfatherwasasparemanofmediumheight，withyellowishface，greymoustache，ironicaleyebrows，andsometinycrow's-feet。Inhisold，shortgreycoat，withalittleslitupthemiddleoftheback，hisdrabcordbreeches，ancientmahoganyleggings，andcarefullyblackedboats，hehadadry，threadbarequalitynotwithoutdistinction。
　　"Ah，Shelton!"hesaid，inhisquietlyfestivevoice；"gladtoseethepilgrimhere，atlast。You'renotoffalready？"and，layinghishandonShelton'sarm，heproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhimacrossthefields。
　　Thiswasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincetheengagement；andSheltonbegantonervehimselftoexpresssomesentiment，howeverbald，aboutit。Hesquaredhisshoulders，clearedhisthroat，andlookedaskanceatMr。Dennant。Thatgentlemanwaswalkingstiffly，hiscordbreechesfaintlysqueaking。Heswitchedayellow，jointedcaneagainsthisleggings，andaftereachblowlookedathislegssatirically。Hehimselfwasratherlikethatyellowcane-pale，andslim，andjointed，withfeaturesarchingjustalittle，likethearchingofitshandle。
　　"Theysayit'llbeabadyearforfruit，"Sheltonsaidatlast。
　　"Mydearfellow，youdon'tknowyourfarmer，I'mafraid。Weoughttohangsomefarmers——doaworldofgood。Dearsouls!I'vegotsomeperfectstrawberries。"
　　"Isuppose，"saidShelton，gladtopostponetheevilmoment，"inaclimatelikethisamanmustgrumble。"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso!Lookatuspoorslavesofland-owners；ifI
　　couldn'tabusethefarmersIshouldbewretched。Didyoueverseeanythingfinerthanthispasture？Andtheywantmetolowertheirrents!"
　　AndMr。Dennant'sglancesatiricallywavered，restedonShelton，andwhiskedbacktothegroundasthoughhehadseensomethingthatalarmedhim。Therewasapause。
　　"Nowforit!"thoughttheyoungerman。
　　Mr。Dennantkepthiseyesfixedonhisboots。
　　"Ifthey'dsaid，now，"heremarkedjocosely，"thatthefrosthadnippedthepartridges，there'dhavebeensomesenseinit；butwhatcanyouexpect？They'venoconsideration，dearsouls!"
　　Sheltontookabreath，and，withavertedeyes，hehurriedlybegan:
　　"It'sawfullyhard，sir，to——"
　　Mr。Dennantswitchedhiscaneagainsthisshin。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，"it'sawfullyhardtoputupwith，butwhatcanafellowdo？Onemusthavefarmers。Why，ifitwasn'tforthefarmers，there'dbestillahareortwoabouttheplace!"
　　Sheltonlaughedspasmodically；againheglancedaskanceathisfuturefather-in-law。Whatdidthewagglingofhisheadmean，thedeepeningofhiscrow's-feet，theoddcontractionofthemouth？AndhiseyecaughtMr。Dennant'seye；itsexpressionwasqueerabovethefine，drynoseoneofthesortthatreddensinawind。
　　"I'veneverhadmuchtodowithfarmers，"hesaidatlast。
　　"Haven'tyou？Luckyfellow!Themost——yes，quitethemosttryingportionofthehumanspecies——nexttodaughters。"
　　"Well，sir，youcanhardlyexpectme——"beganShelton。
　　"Idon't——oh，Idon't!D'youknow，Ireallybelievewe'reinforaducking。"
　　Alargeblackcloudhadcoveredupthesun，andsomedropswerespatteringonMr。Dennant'shardfelthat。
　　Sheltonwelcomedtheshower；itappearedtohimaninterventiononthepartofProvidence。Hewouldhavetosaysomething，butnotnow，later。
　　"I'llgoon，"hesaid；"Idon'tmindtherain。Butyou'dbettergetback，sir。"
　　"Dearme!I've'atenantinthiscottage，'saidMr。Dennantinhis，leisurely，drymanner"andabeggarheistopoach，too。Leastwecando'stoaskforalittleshelter；whatdoyouthink？"andsmilingsarcastically，asthoughdeprecatinghisintentiontokeepdry，herappedonthedoorofaprosperous-lookingcottage。
　　ItwasopenedbyagirlofAntonia'sageandheight。
　　"Ah，Phoebe!Yourfatherin？"
　　"No，"repliedthegirl，fluttering；"father'sout，Mr。Dennant。"
　　"Sosorry!Willyouletusbideabitoutoftherain？"
　　Thesweet-lookingPhoebedustedthemtwochairs，and，curtseying，leftthemintheparlour。
　　"Whataprettygirl!"saidShelton。
　　"Yes，she'saprettygirl；halftheyoungfellowsareafterher，butshewon'tleaveherfather。Oh，he'sacharmingrascalisthatfellow!"
　　ThisremarksuddenlybroughthometoSheltontheconvictionthathewasfurtherthaneverfromavoidingthenecessityforspeaking。Hewalkedovertothewindow。Therain。wascomingdownwithfury，thoughagoldenlinefardowntheskypromisedtheshower'squickend。"Forgoodness'sake，"hethought，"letmesaysomething，howeveridiotic，andgetitover!"Buthedidnotturn；akindofparalysishadseizedonhim。
　　"Tremendousheavyrain!"hesaidatlast；"comingdowninwaterspouts。"
　　Itwouldhavebeenjustaseasytosay:"Ibelieveyourdaughtertobethesweetestthingonearth；Iloveher，andI'mgoingtomakeherhappy!"Justaseasy，justaboutthesameamountofbreathrequired；buthecouldn'tsayit!Hewatchedtherainstreamandhissagainsttheleavesandchurnthedustontheparchedroadwithitsinsistenttorrent；andhenoticedwithprecisionallthedetailsoftheprocessgoingonoutsidehowtheraindropsdartedattheleaveslikespears，andhowtheleavesshookthemselvesfreeahundredtimesaminute，whilelittlerunnelsofwater，ice-clear，rolledovertheiredges，softandquick。Henoticed，too，themournfulheadofashelteringcowthatwaschewingatthehedge。
　　Mr。Dennanthadnotrepliedtohisremarkabouttherain。SodisconcertingwasthissilencethatSheltonturned。Hisfuturefather-in-law，uponhiswoodenchair，wasstaringathiswell-blackedboots，bendingforwardabovehispartedknees，andproddingatthecarpet；aglimpseathisfacedisturbedShelton'sresolution。Itwasnotforbidding，stern，discouraging——notintheleast；ithadmerelyforthemomentceasedtolooksatirical。ThiswassostartlingthatSheltonlosthischanceofspeaking。ThereseemedahearttoMr。
　　Dennant'sgravity；asthoughforoncehewerelookinggravebecausehefeltso。ButglancingupatShelton，hisdryjocosityreappearedatonce。
　　"Whatadayforducks!"hesaid；andagaintherewasunmistakablealarmabouttheeye。Wasitpossiblethathe，too，dreadedsomething？
　　"Ican'texpress——"beganSheltonhurriedly。
　　"Yes，it'sbeastlytogetwet，"saidMr。Dennant，andhesang——
　　Forwecanwrestleandfight，myboys，Andjumpoutanywhere。
　　"You'llbewithusforthatdinner-partynextweek，eh？Capital!
　　There'stheBishopofBlumenthalandoldSirJackBuckwell；Imustgetmywifetoputyoubetweenthem——"
　　Forit'smydelightofastarrynight——
　　"TheBishop'sagreatanti-divorceman，andoldBuckwell'sbeeninthecourtatleasttwice——'
　　Intheseasonoftheyear!
　　"Willyoupleasetotakesometea，gentlemen？"saidthevoiceofPhoebeinthedoorway。
　　"No，thankyou，Phoebe。Thatgirloughttogetmarried，"wentonMr。
　　Dennant，asPhoebeblushinglywithdrew。Aflushshowedqueerlyonhissallowcheeks。"Ashametokeephertiedlikethistoherfather'sapron-strings——selfishfellow，that!"Helookedupsharply，asifhehadmadeadangerousremark。
　　Thekeeperhewaswatchingus，Forhimwedidn'tcare!
　　SheltonsuddenlyfeltcertainthatAntonia'sfatherwasjustasanxioustosaysomethingexpressiveofhisfeelings，andasunableashimself。Andthiswascomforting。
　　"Youknow，sir——"hebegan。
　　ButMr。Dennant'seyebrowsrose，hiscrow's-feettwinkled；hispersonalityseemedtoshrinktogether。
　　"ByJove!"hesaid，"it'sstopped!Now'sourchance!Comealong，mydearfellow；delaysaredangerous!"andwithhisbanteringcourtesyheheldthedoorforSheltontopassout。"Ithinkwe'llparthere，"hesaid——"Ialmostthinkso。Goodlucktoyou!"
　　Heheldouthisdry，yellowhand。Sheltonseizedit，wrungithard，andmutteredtheword:
　　"Grateful!"
　　AgainMr。Dennant'seyebrowsquiveredasiftheyhadbeentweaked；hehadbeenfoundout，andhedislikedit。Thecolourinhisfacehaddiedaway；itwascalm，wrinkled，dead-lookingundertheflattened，narrowbrimofhisblackhat；hisgreymoustachedroopedthinly；thecrow's-feethardenedroundhiseyes；hisnostrilsweredistendedbythequeerestsmile。
　　"Gratitude!"hesaid；"almostavice，isn'tit？Good-night!"
　　Shelton'sfacequivered；heraisedhishat，and，turningasabruptlyashissenior，proceededonhisway。HehadbeenplayinginacomedythatcouldonlyhavebeenplayedinEngland。Hecouldaffordtosmilenowathispastdiscomfort，havingnolongerthesenseofdutyunfulfilled。Everythinghadbeensaidthatwasrightandpropertobesaid，inthewaythatwesuchthingsshouldsay。Noviolencehadbeendone；hecouldaffordtosmile——smileathimself，atMr。
　　Dennant，atto-morrow；smileatthesweetaromaoftheearth，theshy，unwillingsweetnessthatonlyrainbringsforth。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　THECOUNTRYHOUSE
　　TheluncheonhouratHolmOaks，was，asinmanywell-bredcountryhouses——outoftheshootingseason，beitunderstood——thesoulfulhour。Thefermentofthedailydoingswasthenatitsfullheight，andtheclamourofitsconversationontheweather，andthedogs，thehorses，neighbours，cricket，golf，wasmingledwithaliterarymurmur；fortheDennantsweresuperior，anditwasquiteusualtohearremarkslikethese"Haveyoureadthatcharmin'thingofPoser's？"or，"Yes，I'vegottheneweditionofoldBablington:
　　delightfullybound——solight。"AnditwasinJulythatHolmOaks，asagathering-placeoftheelect，wasatitsbest。ForinJulyithadbecomecustomarytowelcometheremanyofthosepoorsoulsfromLondonwhoarrivedexhaustedbytheseason，andthanwhomnoseamstressinatwo-pairbackcouldbetterhaveearnedaholiday。
　　TheDennantsthemselvesneverwenttoLondonfortheseason。Itwastheirgoodpleasurenotto。Aweekorfortnightofitsatisfiedthem。Theyhadaradicalweaknessforfreshair，andAntonia，evenafterherpresentationtwoseasonsback，hadinsistedonreturninghome，stigmatisingLondonballsas"stuffythings。"
　　WhenSheltonarrivedthestreamhadonlyjustbegun，buteverydaybroughtfresh，orratherjaded，peopletooccupytheold，dark，sweet-smellingbedrooms。Individually，helikedhisfellow-guests，buthefoundhimselfobservingthem。Heknewthat，ifamanjudgedpeoplesingly，almostallwerebetterthanhimself；onlywhenjudgedinbulkweretheyworthyofthesweepingcriticismshefeltinclinedtopassonthem。Heknewthisjustasheknewthattheconventions，havingbeeninventedtopreventmanfollowinghisnaturaldesires，weremerelythedisapprovingsumsofinnumerableindividualapprovals。
　　Itwasinthebulk；then，thathefoundhimselfobserving。Butwithhisamiabilityanddreadofnotorietyheremainedtoallappearanceawell-bred，docilecreature，andhekepthisjudgmentstohimself。
　　Inthematterofintellecthemadearoughdivisionoftheguests——
　　thosewhoacceptedthingswithoutamurmur，thosewhoacceptedthemwithcarpingjocularity；inthematterofmoralshefoundtheyallacceptedthingswithoutthesemblanceofakick。Toshowsignofprivatemoraljudgmentwastohavelostyoursoul，and，worse，tobeabitofanoutsider。Hegatheredthisbyintuitionratherthanfromconversation；forconversationnaturallytabooedsuchquestions，andwascarriedonintheloudandcheerfultonespeculiartopeopleofgoodbreeding。Sheltonhadneverbeenabletoacquirethistone，andhecouldnothelpfeelingthattheinabilitymadehimmoreorlessanobjectofsuspicion。Theatmospherestruckhimasitneverhadbefore，causinghimtofeeladoubtofhisgentility。Couldamansufferfrompassion，heart-searchings，ormisgivings，andremainagentleman？Itseemedimprobable。Oneofhisfellow-guests，amancalledEdgbaston，small-eyedandsemi-bald，withadarkmoustacheandadistinguishedairofmeanness，disconcertedhimonedaybyremarkingofanunknownperson，"Ahalf-bredlookin'chap；didn'tseemtoknowhismind。"Sheltonwasharassedbyahorriddoubt。
　　Everythingseemeddividedintoclasses，carefullydocketedandvalued。Forinstance，aBritonwasofmorevaluethanaman，andwivesthanwomen。Thosethingsorphasesoflifewithwhichpeoplehadnopersonalacquaintancewereregardedwithafaintamusementandacertaindisapproval。Theprinciplesoftheupperclass，infact，werestrictlyfollowed。
　　Hewasinthathypersenstiveandnervousstatefavourableforrecordingcurrentsforeigntoitself。Thingshehadneverbeforenoticednowhadprofoundeffectonhim，suchasthetoneinwhichmenspokeofwomen——notpreciselywithhostility，norexactlywithcontemptbest，perhaps，describedasculturedjeering；never，ofcourse，whenmenspokeoftheirownwives，mothers，sisters，orimmediatefriends，butmerelywhentheyspokeofanyotherwomen。Hereflecteduponthis，andcametotheconclusionthat，amongtheupperclasses，eachman'sownpropertywasholy，whileotherwomenwerecreatedtosupplyhimwithgossip，jests，andspice。Anotherthingthatstruckhimwasthewayinwhichthewarthengoingonwasmadeintoanaffairofclass。Intheirviewitwasabaddishbusiness，becausepoorhackBlankandPeterBlank-Blankhadlosttheirlives，andpoorTeddyBlankhadnowonearminsteadoftwo。Humanityingeneralwasomitted，butnottheupperclasses，nor，incidentally，thecountrywhichbelongedtothem。Fortheretheywere，allseatedinarow，witheyesfixedonthehorizonoftheirlawns。
　　Lateoneevening，billiardsandmusicbeingoverandtheladiesgone，Sheltonreturnedfromchangingtohissmoking-suit，anddroppedintooneofthegreatarm-chairsthateveninsummermadeasemicircleroundthefenderedhearth。Freshfromhisgood-nightpartingwithAntonia，hesatperhapstenminutesbeforehebegantotakeinallthefiguresintheirparti-colouredsmokingjackets，cross-legged，withglassesintheirhands，andcigarsbetweentheirteeth。
　　Themaninthenextchairrousedhimbyputtingdownhistumblerwithatap，andseatinghimselfuponthecushionedfender。Throughthemistofsmoke，withshouldershunched，elbowsandkneescrookedout，cigarprotruding，beak-ways，belowhisnose，andthecrimsoncollarofhissmokingjacketbuttonedcloseasplumageonhisbreast，helookedalittlelikeagorgeousbird。
　　"Theydoyouawfullywell，"hesaid。
　　AvoicefromthechaironShelton'srightreplied，"TheydoyoubetteratVerado's。"
　　"TheVeaud'Or'sthebestplace；theygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing!"drawledafatmanwithatinymouth。
　　Thesuavityofthispronouncementenfoldedallaswithablessing。
　　Andatonce，asifbymagic，intheold，oak-panelledroom，theworldfellnaturallyintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；andthatwheretheygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing。
　　"IfyouwantTurkishbaths，"saidatallyouthwithcleanredface，whohadcomeintotheroom，andstood，hismouthalittleopen，andlongfeetjuttingwithsweethelplessnessinfrontofhim，"youshouldgo，youknow，toBudaPesth；mostawfullyrippin'there。"
　　Sheltonsawanindescribableappreciationriseoneveryface，asthoughtheyhadbeenofferedtrufflesorsomethingequallydelicious。
　　"Ohno，Poodles，"saidthemanperchedonthefender。"AJohnnyI
　　knowtellsmethey'renothingtoSofia。"Hisfacewastransfiguredbythesubtlegloatingofamanenjoyingvicebyproxy。
　　"Ah!"drawledthesmall-mouthedman，"there'snothingfittoholdacandletoBaghda-ad。"
　　Onceagainhisutteranceenfoldedallaswithablessing，andonceagaintheworldfellintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；and——Baghdad。
　　Sheltonthoughttohimself:"Whydon'tIknowaplacethat'sbetterthanBaghdad？"
　　Hefeltsoinsignificant。Itseemedthatheknewnoneofthesedelightfulspots；thathewasofnousetoanyofhisfellow-men；
　　thoughprivatelyhewasconvincedthatallthesespeakerswereas。
　　ignorantashimself，andmerelyfounditwarmingtorecallsuchthingsastheyhadheard，withthatpeculiargloatinglook。Alas!
　　hisanecdoteswouldneverearnforhimthatprizeofpersonsinsociety，thelabelofa"goodchap"and"sportsman。"
　　"HaveyoueverbeeninBaghdad？"hefeeblyasked。
　　Thefatmandidnotanswer；hehadbegunananecdote，andinhisbroadexpanseoffacehistinymouthwrithedlikeacaterpillar。Theanecdotewashumorous。
　　WiththeexceptionofAntonia，Sheltonsawbutlittleoftheladies，for，followingthewell-knowncustomofthecountryhouse，menandwomenavoidedeachotherasmuchasmightbe。Theymetatmeals，andoccasionallyjoinedintennisandincroquet；otherwiseitseemed——
　　almostOrientally——agreedthattheywerebetterkeptapart。
　　Chancingonedaytoenterthewithdrawingroom，whilesearchingforAntonia，hefoundthathehadlightedonafemininediscussion；hewouldhavebeatenaretreat，ofcourse，butitseemedtooobviousthathewasmerelylookingforhisfiancee，so，sittingdown，helistened。
　　TheHonourableCharlottePenguin，stillknittingasilktie——thesixthsincethatshehadbeenknittingatHyeres——satonthelowwindow-seatclosetoahydrangea，thepetalsofwhoseroundflowersalmostkissedhersanguinecheek。Hereyeswerefixedwithlanguidaspirationontheladywhowasspeaking。Thiswasasquarewomanofmediumheight，withgreyhairbrushedfromherlowforehead，theexpressionofwhosefacewasbriskandrathercross。Shewasstandingwithabook，asifdeliveringasermon。Hadshebeenamanshemighthavebeendescribedasabrightyoungmanofbusiness；for，thoughgrey，shenevercouldbeold，noreverlosethepowerofformingquickdecisions。Herfeaturesandhereyeswerepromptandslightlyhard，tingedwithfaithfanaticalinthejusticeofherjudgments，andshehadthatfussysimplenessofdresswhichindicatestherighttomeddle。Notred，notwhite，neitheryellownorquiteblue，hercomplexionwassuffusedwithacertainmixtureofthesecolours，adaptedtotheclimate；andhersmilehadastrangesoursweetness，likenothingbuttheflavourofanappleontheturn。
　　"Idon'tcarewhattheytellyou，"shewassaying——notoffensively，thoughhervoiceseemedtoimplythatshehadnotimetowasteinpleasing——"inallmydealingswiththemI'vefounditbesttotreatthemquitelikechildren。"
　　Alady，behindtheTimes，smiled；hermouth——indeed，herwholehard，handsomeface——wasreminiscentofdappledrocking-horsesfoundintheSohoBazaar。Shecrossedherfeet，andsomerichandsilkstuffrustled。Herwholepersonalityseemedtocreakas，withoutlooking，sheansweredinharshtones:
　　"Ifindthepooraremostdelightfulpersons。"
　　SybilDennant，seatedonthesofa，withafeatherylaughshotabarkingterrierdogatShelton。
　　"Here'sDick，"shesaid。"Well，Dick，what'syouropinion？"
　　Sheltonlookedaroundhim，scared。Theelderladieswhohadspokenhadfixedtheireyesonhim，andintheirgazehereadhisutterinsignificance。
　　"Oh，thatyoungman!"theyseemedtosay。"Expectapracticalremarkfromhim？Now，come!"
　　"Opinion，"hestammered，"ofthepoor？Ihaven'tany。"
　　Thepersononherfeet，whosenamewasMrs。Mattock，directingherpeculiarsweet-soursmileatthedistinguishedladywiththeTimes，said:
　　"Perhapsyou'venothadexperienceoftheminLondon，LadyBonington？"
　　LadyBonington，inanswer，rustled。
　　"Oh，dotellusabouttheslums，Mrs。Mattock!"criedSybil。
　　"Slummingmustbesplendid!It'ssodeadlyhere——nothingbutflannelpetticoats。"
　　"Thepoor，mydear，"beganMrs。Mattock，"arenottheleastbitwhatyouthinkthem——"
　　"Oh，d'youknow，Ithinkthey'rerathernice!"brokeinAuntCharlotteclosetothehydrangea。
　　"Youthinkso？"saidMrs。Mattocksharply。"Ifindtheydonothingbutgrumble。"
　　"Theydon'tgrumbleatme:theyaredelightfulpersons"，andLadyBoningtongaveSheltonagrimsmile。
　　Hecouldnothelpthinkingthattogrumbleinthepresenceofthatrich，despoticpersonalitywouldrequireasuperhumancourage。
　　"They'rethemostungratefulpeopleintheworld，"saidMrs。Mattock。
　　"Why，then，"thoughtShelton，"doyougoamongstthem？"
　　Shecontinued，"Onemustdothemgood，one，mustdoone'sduty，butastogettingthanks——"
　　LadyBoningtonsardonicallysaid，"Poorthings!theyhavealottobear。"
　　"Thelittlechildren!"murmuredAuntCharlotte，withaflushingcheekandshiningeyes；"it'sratherpathetic。"
　　"Childrenindeed!"saidMrs。Mattock。"Itputsmeoutofallpatiencetoseethewaythattheyneglectthem。Peoplearesosentimentalaboutthepoor。"
　　LadyBoningtoncreakedagain。Hersplendidshoulderswerewedgedintoherchair；herfinedarkhair，gleamingwithsilver，sprangbackuponherbrow；arubybraceletglowedonthepowerfulwristthatheldthejournal；sherockedhercopper-slipperedfoot。Shedidnotappeartobetoosentimental。
　　"Iknowtheyoftenhaveaveryeasytime，"saidMrs。Mattock，asifsomeonehadinjuredherseverely。AndSheltonsaw，notwithoutpity，thatFatehadscoredherkindandsquashed-upfacewithwrinkles，whosetinyfurrowswereeloquentofgoodintentionsfrustratedbytheunpracticalanddiscontentedpoor。"Dowhatyouwill，theyareneversatisfied；theyonlyresentone'shelp，orelsetheytakethehelpandneverthankyouforit!"
　　"Oh!"murmuredAuntCharlotte，"that'sratherhard。"
　　Sheltonhadbeengrowing，moreuneasy。Hesaidabruptly:
　　"IshoulddothesameifIwerethey。"
　　Mrs。Mattock'sbrowneyesflewathim；LadyBoningtonspoketotheTimes；herrubybraceletandabanglejingled。
　　"Weoughttoputourselvesintheirplaces。"
　　Sheltoncouldnothelpasmile；LadyBoningtonintheplacesofthepoor!
　　"Oh!"exclaimedMrs。Mattock，"Iputmyselfentirelyintheirplace。
　　Iquiteunderstandtheirfeelings。Butingratitudeisarepulsivequality。"
　　"Theyseemunabletoputthemselvesinyourplace，"murmuredShelton；
　　andinafitofcouragehetooktheroominwithasweepingglance。
　　Yes，thatroomwaswonderfullyconsistent，withitsairofperfectsecond-handedness，asifeachpicture，andeachpieceoffurniture，eachbook，eachladypresent，hadbeenmadefrompatterns。Theywereallwidelydifferent，yetalllikeworksofartseeninsomeexhibitionshadthelookofbeingafterthedesignsofsomeoriginalspirit。Thewholeroomwaschaste，restrained，derived，practical，andcomfortable；neitherinvirtuenorinwork，neitherinmanner，speech，appearance，norintheory，coulditgiveitselfaway。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　THESTAINED-GLASSMAN
　　StilllookingforAntonia，Sheltonwentuptothemorning-room。TheaDennantandanothergirlwereseatedinthewindow，talking。Fromthelooktheygavehimhesawthathehadbetterneverhavebeenborn；hehastilywithdrew。Descendingtothehall，hecameonMr。
　　Dennantcrossingtohisstudy，withahandfulofofficial-lookingpapers。
　　"Ah，Shelton!"saidhe，"youlookalittlelost。Istheshrineinvisible？"
　　Sheltongrinned，said"Yes，"andwentonlooking。Hewasnotfortunate。Inthedining-roomsatMrs。Dennant，makingupherlistofbooks。
　　"Dogivemeyouropinion，Dick，"shesaid。"Everybody'sreadin'
　　thisthingofKatherineAsterick's；Ibelieveit'ssimplybecauseshe'sgotatitle。"
　　"Onemustreadabookforsomereasonorother，"answeredShelton。
　　"Well，"returnedMrs。Dennant，"Ihatedoin'thingsjustbecauseotherpeopledothem，andIsha'n'tgetit。"
　　"Good!"
　　Mrs。Dennantmarkedthecatalogue。
　　"Here'sLinseed'slast，ofcourse；thoughImustsayIdon'tcareforhim，butIsupposeweoughttohaveitinthehouse。Andthere'sQuality's'TheSplendidDiatribes':that'ssuretobegood，he'salwayssorefined。ButwhatamItodoaboutthisofArthurBaal's？
　　Theysaythathe'sacharlatan，buteverybodyreadshim，don'tyouknow"；andoverthecatalogueSheltoncaughtthegleamofhare-likeeyes。
　　Decisionhadvanishedfromherface，withitsarchednoseandslightlyslopingchin，asthoughsomeonehadsuddenlyappealedtohertotrustherinstincts。Itwasquitepathetic。Still，therewasalwaysthebook'scirculationtoformherjudgmentby。
　　"IthinkI'dbettermarkit，"shesaid，"don'tyou？Wereyoulookin'forAntonia？IfyoucomeacrossBunyaninthegarden，Dick，dosayIwanttoseehim；he'sgettin'tobeaperfectnuisance。I
　　canunderstandhisfeelin's，butreallyhe'scarryin'ittoofar。"
　　Primedwithhismessagetotheunder-gardener，Sheltonwent。Hetookadespairinglookintothebilliard-room。Antoniawasnotthere。
　　Instead，atallandfat-cheekedgentlemanwithaneatmoustache，calledMabbey，waspractisingthespot-stroke。HepausedasSheltonentered，and，poutinglikeababy，askedinasleepyvoice，"Playmeahundredup？"
　　Sheltonshookhishead，stammeredouthissorrow，andwasabouttogo。
　　ThegentlemancalledMabbey，plaintivelyfeelingtheplaceswherehismoustachesjoinedhispinkandglossycheeks，askedwithanairofsomesurprise，"What'syourgeneralgame，then？"
　　"Ireallydon'tknow，"saidShelton。
　　ThegentlemancalledMabbeychalkedhiscue，and，movinghisround，knock-kneedlegsintheirtighttrousers，tookuphispositionforthestroke。
　　"Whatpricethat？"hesaid，asheregainedtheperpendicular；andhiswell-fedeyesfollowedSheltonwithsleepyinquisition。"Curiousdarkhorse，Shelton，"theyseemedtosay。
　　Sheltonhurriedout，andwasabouttorundownthelowerlawn，whenhewasaccostedbyanotherpersonwalkinginthesunshine——aslight-
　　builtmaninaturned-downcollar，withathinandfairmoustache，andafaintbluishtintononesideofhishighforehead，causedbyanetworkofthinveins。Hisfacehadsomethingoftheyouthful，optimistic，stained-glasslookpeculiartotherefinedEnglishtype。
　　Hewalkedelastically，yetwithtrimprecision，asifhehadapleasanttasteinfurnitureandchurches，andheldtheSpectatorinhishand。
　　"Ah，Shelton!"hesaidinhigh-tunedtones，haltinghislegsinsuchaneasyattitudethatitwasimpossibletointerruptit:"cometotaketheair？"
　　Shelton'sownbrownface，nondescriptnose，andhisamiablebutdoggedchincontrastedstrangelywiththeclear-cutfeaturesofthestained-glassman。
　　"IhearfromHalidomethatyou'regoingtostandforParliament，"thelattersaid。
　　Shelton，recallingHalidome'sautocraticmannerofsettlingotherpeople'sbusiness，smiled。
　　"DoIlooklikeit？"heasked。
　　Theeyebrowsquiveredonthestained-glassman。Ithadneveroccurredtohim，perhaps，thattostandforParliamentamanmustlooklikeit；heexaminedSheltonwithsomecuriosity。
　　"Ah，well，"hesaid，"nowyoumentionit，perhapsnot。"Hiseyes，socarefullyironical，althoughtheydifferedfromtheeyesofMabbey，alsoseemedtoaskofSheltonwhatsortofadarkhorsehewas。
　　"You'restillintheDomesticOffice，then？"askedShelton。
　　Thestained-glassmanstoopedtosniffarosebush。"Yes，"hesaid；
　　"itsuitsmeverywell。Igetlotsoftimeformyartwork。"
　　"Thatmustbeveryinteresting，"saidShelton，whoseglancewasrovingforAntonia；"Inevermanagedtobeginahobby。"
　　"Neverhadahobby!"saidthestained-glassman，brushingbackhishairhewaswalkingwithnohat；"why，whatthedeuced'youdo？"
　　Sheltoncouldnotanswer；theideahadnevertroubledhim。
　　"Ireallydon'tknow，"hesaid，embarrassed；"there'salwayssomethinggoingon，asfarasIcansee。"
　　Thestained-glassmanplacedhishandswithinhispockets，andhisbrightglancesweptoverhiscompanion。
　　"Afellowmusthaveahobbytogivehimaninterestinlife，"hesaid。
　　"Aninterestinlife？"repeatedSheltongrimly；"lifeitselfisgoodenoughforme。"
　　"Oh!"repliedthestained-glassman，asthoughhedisapprovedofregardinglifeitselfasinteresting。
　　"That'sallverywell，butyouwantsomethingmorethanthat。Whydon'tyoutakeupwoodcarving？"
　　"Wood-carving？"
　　"ThemomentIgetfaggedwithofficepapersandthatsortofthingI
　　takeupmywood-carving；goodasagameofhockey。"
　　"Ihaven'ttheenthusiasm。"
　　Theeyebrowsofthestained-glassmantwitched；hetwistedhismoustache。
　　"You'llfindnothavingahobbydoesn'tpay，"hesaid；"you'llgetold，thenwhere'llyoube？"
　　Itcameasasurprisethatheshouldusethewords"itdoesn'tpay，"
　　forhehadakindofpartiallyenamelledlook，likethatmodernjewellerywhichreallyseemsunconsciousofitsmarketvalue。
　　"You'vegivenuptheBar？Don'tyougetawfullyboredhavingnothingtodo？"pursuedthestained-glassman，stoppingbeforeanancientsundial。
　　Sheltonfeltadelicacy，asamannaturallywould，inexplainingthatbeinginlovewasinitselfenoughtodo。Todonothingisunworthyofaman!Buthehadneverfeltasyetthewantofanyoccupation。
　　Hissilenceinnowaydisconcertedhisacquaintance。
　　"That'saniceoldarticleofvirtue，"hesaid，pointingwithhischin；and，walkingroundthesundial，hemadeitsacquaintancefromtheotherside。Itsgreyprofilecastathinandshorteningshadowontheturf；tonguesofmosswerelickingatitssides；thedaisiesclusteredthickarounditsbase；ithadacquiredalookofgrowingfromthesoil。"Ishouldliketogetholdofthat，"thestained-
　　glassmanremarked；"Idon'tknowwhenI'veseenabetterspecimen，"
　　andhewalkedrounditonceagain。
　　Hiseyebrowswerestillironicallyarched，butbelowthemhiseyeswerealmostcalculating，andbelowthem，again，hismouthhadopenedjustalittle。Apersonwithakeenereyewouldhavesaidhisfacelookedgreedy，andevenSheltonwassurprised，asthoughhehadreadintheSpectatoraconfessionofcommercialism。
　　"Youcouldn'tuprootathinglikethat，"hesaid；"itwouldloseallitscharm。"
　　Hiscompanionturnedimpatiently，andhiscountenancelookedwonderfullygenuine。
　　"Couldn'tI？"hesaid。"ByJove!Ithoughtso。1690!Thebestperiod。"Heranhisforgerroundthesundial'sedge。"Splendidline-cleanasthedaytheymadeit。Youdon'tseemtocaremuchaboutthatsortofthing"；andonceagain，asthoughaccustomedtotheindifferenceofVandals，hisfaceregaineditsmask。
　　Theystrolledontowardsthekitchengardens，Sheltonstillbusysearchingeverypatchofshade。Hewantedtosay"Can'tstop，"andhurryoff；buttherewasaboutthestained-glassmanasomethingthat，whilestingingShelton'sfeelings，madetheshowingofthemquiteimpossible。"Feelings!"thatpersonseemedtosay；"allverywell，butyouwantmorethanthat。Whynottakeupwood-carving？……Feelings!IwasborninEngland，andhavebeenatCambridge。"
　　"Areyoustayinglong？"heaskedShelton。"IgoontoHalidome'sto-morrow；supposeIsha'n'tseeyouthere？Good，chap，oldHalidome!Collectionofetchingsveryfine!"
　　"No；I'mstayingon，"saidShelton。
　　"Ah!"saidthestained-glassman，"charmingpeople，theDennants!"
　　Shelton，reddeningslowly，turnedhisheadaway；hepickedagooseberry，andmuttered，"Yes。"
　　"Theeldestgirlespecially；nononsenseabouther。Ithoughtshewasaparticularlynicegirl。"
　　SheltonheardthispraiseofAntoniawithanoddsensation；itgavehimthereverseofpleasure，asthoughthewordshadcastnewlightuponher。Hegruntedhastily，"Isupposeyouknowthatwe'reengaged？"
　　"Really!"saidthestained-glassman，andagainhisbright，clear，iron-committalglancesweptoverShelton——"really!Ididn'tknow。
　　Congratulateyou!"
　　Itwasasifhesaid:"You'reamanoftaste；Ishouldsayshewouldgowellinalmostanydrawing-room!"
　　"Thanks，"saidShelton；"thereshe'is。Ifyou'llexcuseme，Iwanttospeaktoher。"
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　PARADISE
　　Antonia，inasunnyangleoftheoldbrickwall，amidthepinksandpoppiesandcornflowers，washummingtoherself。Sheltonsawthestained-glassmanpassoutofsight，then，unobserved，hewatchedhersmellingattheflowers，caressingherfacewitheachinturn，castingawayspoiledblossoms，andallthetimehummingthatsofttune。
　　Intwomonths，orthree，allbarriersbetweenhimselfandthisinscrutableyoungEvewouldbreak；shewouldbeapartofhim，andheapartofher；hewouldknowallherthoughts，andsheallhis；
　　togethertheywouldbeasone，andallwouldthinkofthem，andtalkofthem，asone；andthiswouldcomeaboutbystandinghalfanhourtogetherinachurch，bythepassingofaring，andthesigningoftheirnames。
　　Thesunwasburnishingherhair——sheworenohatflushinghercheeks，sweeteningandmakingsensuousherlimbs；ithadwarmedherthroughandthrough，sothat，liketheflowersandbees，thesunlightandtheair，shewasallmotion，light，andcolour。
　　SheturnedandsawSheltonstandingthere。
　　"Oh，Dick!"shesaid:"Lendmeyourhand-kerchieftoputtheseflowersin，there'sagoodboy!"
　　Hercandideyes，blueastheflowersinherhands，wereclearandcoolasice，butinhersmilewasallthewarmprofusionofthatcorner；thesweetnesshadsoakedintoher，andwaswellingforthagain。Thesightofthosesun-warmedcheeks，andfingerstwiningroundtheflower-stalks，herpearlyteeth，andhairallfragrant，stolethereasonoutofShelton。Hestoodbeforeher，weakabouttheknees。
　　"Foundyouatlast!"hesaid。
　　Curvingbackherneck，shecriedout，"Catch!"andwithasweepofbothherhandsflungtheflowersintoShelton'sarms。
　　Undertherainofflowers，allwarmandodorous，hedroppeddownonhisknees，andputthemonebyonetogether，smellingatthepinks，tohidetheviolenceofhisfeelings。Antoniawentonpickingflowers，andeverytimeherhandwasfullshedroppedthemonhishat，hisshoulder，orhisarms，andwentonpluckingmore；shesmiled，andonherlipsalittledevildanced，thatseemedtoknowwhathewassuffering。AndSheltonfeltthatshedidknow。
　　"Areyoutired？"sheasked；"thereareheapsmorewanted。Thesearethebedroom-flowers——fourteenlots。Ican'tthinkhowpeoplecanlivewithoutflowers，canyou？"andcloseabovehisheadsheburiedherfaceinpinks。
　　Hekepthiseyesonthepluckedflowersbeforehimonthegrass，andforcedhimselftoanswer，"IthinkIcanholdout。"
　　"PooroldDick!"Shehadsteppedback。Thesunlittheclear-cutprofileofhercheek，andpoureditsgoldoverthebosomofherblouse。"PooroldDick!Awfullyhardluck，isn'tit？"Burdenedwithmignonette，shecamesocloseagainthatnowshetouchedhisshoulder，butSheltondidnotlook；breathless，withwildlybeatingheart，hewentonsortingouttheflowers。Theseedsofmignonetterainedonhisneck，andasshelettheblossomsfall，theirperfumefannedhisface。"Youneedn'tsortthemout!"shesaid。
　　Wassheenticinghim？Hestolealook；butshewasgoneagain，swayingandsniffingattheflowers。
　　"IsupposeI'monlyhinderingyou，"hegrowled；"I'dbettergo。"
　　Shelaughed。
　　"Iliketoseeyouonyourknees，youlooksofunny!"andasshespokesheflungaclovecarnationathim。"Doesn'titsmellgood？"
　　"ToogoodOh，Antonia!whyareyoudoingthis？"
　　"WhyamIdoingwhat？"
　　"Don'tyouknowwhatyouaredoing？"
　　"Why，pickingflowers!"andoncemoreshewasback，bendingandsniffingattheblossoms。
　　"That'senough。"