Notwithstandingthismomentofgloom，however，hewasinanexaltedstateallday，andatdinnerkeptlookingathisbrotherandTraquairenigmatically。’Whatdotheyknowoflife？’hethought;’theymightbehereayearandgetnofarther。’Hemadejokes，andpinnedthemenutothewaiter’scoat—tails。"Ilikethisplace，"hesaid，"I
　　shallspendthreeweekshere。"James，whoselipswereonthepointoftakinginaplum，lookedathimuneasily。
　　IV
　　OnthedayofthedinnerSwithinsufferedagooddeal。HereflectedgloomilyonBoleskey’sclothes。Hehadfixedanearlyhour——therewouldbefewerpeopletoseethem。Whenthetimeapproachedheattiredhimselfwithacertainneatsplendour，andthoughhisarmwasstillsore，leftoffthesling……
　　NearlythreehoursafterwardshelefttheGoldeneAlpbetweenhisguests。Itwassunset，andalongtheriverbankthehousesstoodout，unsoftenedbythedusk;thestreetswerefullofpeoplehurryinghome。Swithinhadahazyvisionofemptybottles，ofthegroundbeforehisfeet，andtheaccessibilityofalltheworld。Dimrecollectionsofthegoodthingshehadsaid，ofhisbrotherandTraquairseatedinthebackgroundeatingordinarymealswithinquiring，acidvisages，causedperpetualsmilestobreakoutonhisface，andhesteeredhimselfstubbornly，toprovethathewasabettermanthaneither’ofhisguests。Heknew，vaguely，thathewasgoingsomewherewithanobject;Rozsi’sfacekeptdancingbeforehim，likeapromise。OnceortwicehegaveKastelizaglassystare。
　　TowardsBoleskey，ontheotherhand，hefeltquitewarm，andrecalledwithadmirationthewayhehadsethisglassdownempty，timeaftertime。’Iliketoseehimtakehisliquor，’hethought;’thefellow’sagentleman，afterall。’Boleskeystrodeon，savagelyinattentivetoeverything;andKastelizhadbecomemorelikeacatthanever。Itwasnearlydarkwhentheyreachedanarrowstreetclosetothecathedral。Theystoppedatadoorheldopenbyanoldwoman。Thechangefromthefreshairtoaheatedcorridor，thenoiseofthedoorclosedbehindhim，theoldwoman’sanxiousglances，soberedSwithin。
　　"Itellher，"saidBoleskey，"thatIreplyforyouasformyson。"
　　Swithinwasangry。Whatbusinesshadthismantoreplyforhim！
　　Theypassedintoalargeroom，crowdedwithmenallwomen;Swithinnoticedthattheyalllookedfithim。Hestaredattheminturn——
　　theyseemedofallclasses，someinblackcoatsorsilkdresses，othersintheclothesofwork—people;oneman，acobbler，stillworehisleatherapron，asifhehadrushedtherestraightfromhiswork。
　　LayinghishandonSwithin’sarm，Boleskeyevidentlybeganexplainingwhohewas;handswereextended，peoplebeyondreachbowedtohim。
　　Swithinacknowledgedthegreetingswithastiffmotionofhishead;
　　thenseeingotherpeopledroppingintoseats，he，too，satdown。
　　Someonewhisperedhisname——MargitandRozsiwerejustbehindhim。
　　"Welcome！"saidMargit;butSwithinwaslookingatRozsi。Herfacewassoaliveandquivering！’What’stheexcitementallabout？’hethought。’Howprettyshelooks！’Sheblushed，drewinherhandswithaquicktensemovement，andgazedagainbeyondhimintotheroom。’Whatisit？’thoughtSwithin;hehadalongingtoleanbackandkissherlips。Hetriedangrilytoseewhatshewasseeinginthosefacesturnedalloneway。
　　Boleskeyrosetospeak。Noonemoved;notasoundcouldbeheardbutthetoneofhisdeepvoice。Onandonhewent，fierceandsolemn，andwiththeriseofhisvoice，allthosefaces—fairorswarthy——
　　seemedtobeglowingwithoneandthesamefeeling。Swithinfeltthewhiteheatinthosefaces——itwasnotdecent！Inthatwholespeechheonlyunderstoodtheoneword——"Magyar"whichcameagainandagain。
　　Healmostdozedoffatlast。Thetwangofaczymbalwokehim。
　　’What？’hethought，’moreofthatinfernalmusic！’Margit，leaningoverhim，whispered:"Listen！Racoczy！Itisforbidden！"SwithinsawthatRozsiwasnolongerinherseat;itwasshewhowasstrikingthoseforbiddennotes。Helookedround——everywherethesameunmovingfaces，thesameentrancement，andfiercestillness。Themusicsoundedmuffled，asifit，too，wereburstingitsheartinsilence。
　　Swithinfeltwithinhimatouchofpanic。Wasthisadenoftigers？
　　Thewaythesepeoplelistened，theferocityoftheirstillness，wasfrightful……！Hegrippedhischairandbrokeintoaperspiration;
　　wastherenochancetogetaway？’Whenitstops，’hethought，’there’llbearush！’Buttherewasonlyagreatersilence。Itflashedacrosshimthatanyhostilepersoncominginthenwouldbetorntopieces。Awomansobbed。Thewholethingwasbeyondwordsunpleasant。Herose，andedgedhiswayfurtivelytowardsthedoorway。Therewasacryof"Police！"Thewholecrowdcamepressingafterhim。Swithinwouldsoonhavebeenout，butalittlebehindhecaughtsightofRozsisweptoffherfeet。Herfrightenedeyesangeredhim。’Shedoesn’tdeserveit，’hethoughtsulkily;’lettingallthisloose！’andforcedhiswaybacktoher。Sheclungtohim，andafeverwentstealingthroughhisveins;hebuttedforwardatthecrowd，holdinghertight。Whentheywereoutsidehelethergo。
　　"Iwasafraid，"shesaid。
　　"Afraid！"mutteredSwithin;"Ishouldthinkso。"Nolongertouchingher，hefelthisgrievancerevive。
　　"Butyouaresostrong，"shemurmured。
　　"Thisisnoplaceforyou，"growledSwithin，"I’mgoingtoseeyouhome。"
　　"Oh！"criedRozsi;"butpapaand——Margit！"
　　"That’stheirlook—out！"andhehurriedheraway。
　　Sheslidherhandunderhisarm;thesoftcurvesofherformbrushedhimgently，eachtouchonlyaugmentedhisill—humour。Heburnedwithaperverserage，asifallthepassionsinhimweresimmeringandreadytoboilover;itwasasifapoisonweretryingtoworkitswayoutofhim，throughthelayersofhisstolidflesh。Hemaintainedadoggedsilence;Rozsi，too，saidnothing，butwhentheyreachedthedoor，shedrewherhandaway。
　　"Youareangry！"shesaid。
　　"Angry，"mutteredSwithin;"no！Howd’youmakethatout？"Hehadatorturingdesiretokissher。
　　"Yes，youareangry，"sherepeated;"IwaithereforpapaandMargit。"
　　Swithinalsowaited，wedgedagainstthewall。Onceortwice，forhissightwassharp，hesawherstealalookathim，abeseechinglook，andhardenedhisheartwithakindofpleasure。AfterfiveminutesBoleskey，Margit，andKastelizappeared。SeeingRozsitheybrokeintoexclamationsofrelief，andKasteliz，withaglanceatSwithin，puthislipstoherhand。Rozsi’slooksaid，"Wouldn’tyouliketodothat？"Swithinturnedshortonhisheel，andwalkedaway。
　　V
　　Allnighthehardlyslept，sufferingfromfever，forthefirsttimeinhislife。Oncehejumpedoutofbed，lightedacandle，andgoingtotheglass，scrutinisedhimselflongandanxiously。Afterthishefellasleep，buthadfrightfuldreams。Hisfirstthoughtwhenhewokewas，’Myliver’soutoforder！’and，thrustinghisheadintocoldwater，hedressedhastilyandwentout。Hesoonleftthehousebehind。Dewcoveredeverything;blackbirdswhistledinthebushes;
　　theairwasfreshandsweet。Hehadnotbeenupsoearlysincehewasaboy。Whywashewalkingthroughadampwoodatthishourofthemorning？Somethingintolerableandunfamiliarmusthavesenthimout。Nofellowinhissenseswoulddosuchathing！Hecametoadeadstop，andbeganunsteadilytowalkback。Regainingthehotel，hewenttobedagain，anddreamedthatinsomewildcountryhewaslivinginaroomfullofinsects，whereahousemaid——Rozsi——holdingabroom，lookedathimwithmournfuleyes。Thereseemedanunexplainedneedforimmediatedeparture;hebeggedhertoforwardhisthings;
　　andshakethemoutcarefullybeforesheputthemintothetrunk。Heunderstoodthatthechargeforsendingwouldbetwenty—twoshillings，thoughtitagreatdeal，andhadthehorrorsofindecision。"No，"hemuttered，"pack，andtakethemmyself。"Thehousemaidturnedsuddenlyintoaleancreature;andheawokewithasorefeelinginhisheart。
　　Hiseyefellonhiswetboots。Thewholethingwasscaring，andjumpingup，hebegantothrowhisclothesintohistrunks。Itwastwelveo’clockbeforehewentdown，andfoundhisbrotherandTraquairstillatthetablearranginganitinerary;hesurprisedthembysayingthathetoowascoming;andwithoutfurtherexplanationsettoworktoeat。Jameshadheardthatthereweresalt—minesintheneighbourhood——hisproposalwastostart，andhaltanhourorsoontheroadfortheirinspection;hesaid:"Everybody’llaskyouifyou’veseenthesalt—mines:Ishouldn’tliketosayIhadn’tseenthesalt—mines。What’sthegood，they’dsay，ofyourgoingthereifyouhaven’tseenthesalt—mines？"Hewondered，too，iftheyneedfeethesecondwaiter——anidlechap！
　　Adiscussionfollowed;butSwithinateonglumly，consciousthathismindwassetonlargeraffairs。SuddenlyonthefarsideofthestreetRozsiandhersisterpassed，withlittlebasketsontheirarms。Hestartedup，andatthatmomentRozsilookedround——herfacewastheincarnationofenticement，thechintilted，thelowerlipthrustalittleforward，herroundneckcurvingbackoverhershoulder。Swithinmuttered，"Makeyourownarrangements——leavemeout！"andhurriedfromtheroom，leavingJamesbesidehimselfwithinterestandalarm。
　　Whenhereachedthestreet，however，thegirlshaddisappeared。Hehailedacarriage。"Drive！"hecalledtotheman，withaflourishofhisstick，andassoonasthewheelshadbeguntoclatteronthestonesheleanedback，lookingsharplytorightandleft。Hesoonhadtogiveupthoughtoffindingthem，butmadethecoachmanturnroundandroundagain。Alldayhedroveabout，farintothecountry，andkepturgingthedrivertousegreaterspeed。Hewasinastrangestateofhurryandelation。Finally，hedinedatalittlecountryinn;andthisgavethemeasureofhisdisturbance——thedinnerwasatrocious。
　　ReturninglateintheeveninghefoundanotewrittenbyTraquair。
　　"Areyouinyoursenses，man？"itasked;"wehavenomoretimetowasteidlingabouthere。Ifyouwanttorejoinus，comeontoDanielli’sHotel，Venice。"Swithinchuckledwhenhereadit，andfeelingfrightfullytired，wenttobedandsleptlikealog。
　　VI
　　ThreeweekslaterhewasstillinSalzburg，nolongerattheGoldeneAlp，butinroomsoverashopneartheBoleskeys’。Hehadspentasmallfortuneinthepurchaseofflowers。Margitwouldcroonoverthem，butRozsi，withasober"Manytanks！"asiftheywereherright，wouldlooklongatherselfintheglass，andpinoneintoherhair。Swithinceasedtowonder;heceasedtowonderatanythingtheydid。OneeveninghefoundBoleskeydeepinconversationwithapale，dishevelled—lookingperson。
　　"OurfriendMr。Forsyte——CountD……，"saidBoleskey。
　　Swithinexperiencedafaint，unavoidableemotion;butlookingattheCount’strousers，hethought:’Doesn’tlookmuchlikeone！’Andwithanironicbowtothesilentgirls，heturned，andtookhishat。Butwhenhehadreachedthebottomofthedarkstairsheheardfootsteps。
　　Rozsicamerunningdown，lookedoutatthedoor，andputherhandsuptoherbreastasifdisappointed;suddenlywithaquickglanceroundshesawhim。Swithincaughtherarm。Sheslippedaway，andherfaceseemedtobubblewithdefianceorlaughter;sheranupthreesteps，stopped，lookedathimacrosshershoulder，andfledonupthestairs。Swithinwentoutbewilderedandannoyed。
　　’Whatwasshegoingtosaytome？’hekeptthinking。Duringthesethreeweekshehadaskedhimselfallsortsofquestions:whetherhewerebeingmadeafoolof;whethershewereinlovewithhim;whathewasdoingthere，andsometimesatnight，withallhiscandlesburningasifhewantedlight，thebreezeblowingonhimthroughthewindow，hiscigar，half—smoked，inhishand，hesat，anhourormore，staringatthewall。’Enoughofthis！’hethoughteverymorning。Twicehepackedfully——onceheorderedhistravellingcarriage，butcountermandeditthefollowingday。Whatdefinitelyhehoped，intended，resolved，hecouldnothavesaid。HewasalwaysthinkingofRozsi，hecouldnotreadtheriddleinherface——sheheldhiminavice，notwithstandingthateverythingaboutherthreatenedtheveryfetishesofhisexistence。AndBoleskey！Wheneverhelookedathimhethought，’Ifhewereonlyclean？’andmechanicallyfingeredhisownwell—tiedcravatte。Totalkwiththefellow，too，waslikebeingforcedtolookatthingswhichhadnoplaceinthelightofday。
　　Freedom，equality，self—sacrifice！
　　’Whycan’thesettledownatsomebusiness，’hethought，’insteadofallthistalk？’Boleskey’ssuddendiffidences，self—depreciation，fitsofdespair，irritatedhim。"Morbidbeggar！"hewouldmutter;
　　"thankGodIhaven’tathinskin。"Andproudtoo！Extraordinary！
　　Animpecuniousfellowlikethat！Oneevening，moreover，Boleskeyhadreturnedhomedrunk。Swithinhadhustledhimawayintohisbedroom，helpedhimtoundress，andstayeduntilhewasasleep。’Toomuchofagoodthing！’hethought，’beforehisowndaughters，too！’Itwasafterthisthatheorderedhistravellingcarriage。Theotheroccasiononwhichhepackedwasoneevening，whennotonlyBoleskey，butRozsiherselfhadpickedchickenboneswithherfingers。
　　OfteninthemorningshewouldgototheMirabellGardentosmokehiscigar;there，instolidcontemplationofthestatues——rowsofhalf—
　　heroicmencarryingoffhalf—distressfulfemales——hewouldspendanhourpleasantly，hishattiltedtokeepthesunoffhisnose。ThedayafterRozsihadfledfromhimonthestairs，hecamethereasusual。Itwasamorningofblueskyandsunlightglowingontheoldprimgarden，onitsyew—trees，andserio—comicstatues，andwallscoveredwithapricotsandplums。WhenSwithinapproachedhisusualseat，whoshouldbesittingtherebutRozsi"Good—morning，"hestammered;"youknewthiswasmyseatthen？"
　　Rozsilookedattheground。"Yes，"sheanswered。
　　Swithinfeltbewildered。"Doyouknow，"hesaid，"youtreatmeveryfunnily？"
　　TohissurpriseRozsiputherlittlesofthanddownandtouchedhis;
　　then，withoutaword，sprangupandrushedaway。Ittookhimaminutetorecover。Therewerepeoplepresent;hedidnotliketorun，butovertookheronthebridge，andslippedherhandbeneathhisarm。
　　"Youshouldn’thavedonethat，"hesaid;"youshouldn’thaverunawayfromme，youknow。"
　　Rozsilaughed。Swithinwithdrewhisarm;adesiretoshakeherseizedhim。Hewalkedsomewaybeforehesaid，"Willyouhavethegoodnesstotellmewhatyoucametothatseatfor？"
　　Rozsiflashedalookathim。"To—morrowisthefete，"sheanswered。
　　Swithinmuttered，"Isthatall？"
　　"Ifyoudonottakeus，wecannotgo。"
　　"SupposeIrefuse，"hesaidsullenly，"thereareplentyofothers。"
　　Rozsibentherhead，scurryingalong。"No，"shemurmured，"ifyoudonotgo——Idonotwish。"
　　Swithindrewherhandbackwithinhisarm。Howroundandsoftitwas！Hetriedtoseeherface。Whenshewasnearlyhomehesaidgoodbye，notwishing，forsomedarkreason，tobeseenwithher。Hewatchedtillshehaddisappeared;thenslowlyretracedhisstepstotheMirabellGarden。Whenhecametowhereshehadbeensitting，heslowlylightedhiscigar，andforalongtimeafteritwassmokedoutremainedthereinthesilentpresenceofthestatues。
　　VII
　　Acrowdofpeoplewanderedroundthebooths，andSwithinfoundhimselfobligedtogivethegirlshisarms。’LikealittleCockneyclerk！’hethought。Hisindignationpassedunnoticed;theytalked，theylaughed，eachsightandsoundinallthehurly—burlyseemedtogostraightintotheirhearts。Heeyedthemironically——theireagervoices，andlittlecoosofsympathyseemedtohimvulgar。InthethickofthecrowdheslippedhisarmoutofMargit’s，but，justashethoughtthathewasfree，theunwelcomehandslidupagain。Hetriedagain，butagainMargitreappeared，serene，andfullofpleasanthumour;andhisfailurethistimeappearedtohiminacomiclight。ButwhenRozsileanedacrosshim，theglowofherroundcheek，hercurvinglip，theinscrutablegreygleamofhereyes，sentathrilloflongingthroughhim。Hewasobligedtostandbywhiletheyparleyedwithagipsy，whosemattedlocksandskinnyhandsinspiredhimwithanotunwarranteddisgust。"Folly！"hemuttered，asRozsiheldoutherpalm。Theoldwomanmumbled，andshotamalignantlookathim。Rozsidrewbackherhand，andcrossedherself。’Folly！’Swithinthoughtagain;andseizingthegirls’
　　arms，hehurriedthemaway。
　　"Whatdidtheoldhagsay？"heasked。
　　Rozsishookherhead。
　　"Youdon’tmeanthatyoubelieve？"
　　Hereyeswerefulloftears。"Thegipsiesarewise，"shemurmured。
　　"Come，whatdidshetellyou？"
　　ThistimeRozsilookedhurriedlyround，andslippedawayintothecrowd。Afterahunttheyfoundher，andSwithin，whowasscared，growled:"Youshouldn’tdosuchthings——it’snotrespectable。"
　　Onhigherground，inthecentreofaclearspace，amilitarybandwasplaying。FortheprivilegeofenteringthischarmedcircleSwithinpaidthreekronen，choosingnaturallythebestseats。Heorderedwine，too，watchingRozsioutofthecornerofhiseyeashepoureditout。Theprotectingtendernessofyesterdaywasalllostinthismedley。Itwaseverymanforhimself，afterall！Thecolourhaddeepenedagaininhercheeks，shelaughed，poutingherlips。
　　Suddenlysheputherglassaside。"Thankyou，verymuch，"shesaid，"itisenough！"
　　Margit，whoseprettymouthwasallsmiles，cried，"LieberGott！isitnotgood—life？"ItwasnotaquestionSwithincouldundertaketoanswer。Thebandbegantoplayawaltz。"Nowtheywilldance。
　　LieberGott！andarethelightsnotwonderful？"Lampswereflickeringbeneaththetreeslikeaswarmoffireflies。Therewasahumasfromagiganticbeehive。Passers—byliftedtheirfaces，thenvanishedintothecrowd;Rozsistoodgazingatthemspellbound，asiftheirverygoingandcomingwereadelight。
　　Thespacewassoonfullofwhirlingcouples。Rozsi’sheadbegantobeattime。"OMargit！"shewhispered。
　　Swithin’sfacehadassumedasolemn，uneasyexpression。Amanraisinghishat，offeredhisarmtoMargit。SheglancedbackacrosshershouldertoreassureSwithin。"Itisafriend，"shesaid。
　　SwithinlookedatRozsi——hereyeswerebright，herlipstremulous。
　　Heslippedhishandalongthetableandtouchedherfingers。Thensheflashedalookathim——appeal，reproach，tenderness，allwereexpressedinit。Wassheexpectinghimtodance？Didshewanttomixwiththerift—raffthere;wishhimtomakeanexhibitionofhimselfinthishurly—burly？Avoicesaid，"Good—evening！"BeforethemstoodKasteliz，inadarkcoattightlybuttonedatthewaist。
　　"Youarenotdancing，RozsiKozsanony？"（MissRozsi）。"Letme，then，havethepleasure。"Heheldouthisarm。Swithinstaredinfrontofhim。Intheveryactofgoingshegavehimalookthatsaidasplainaswords:"Willyounot？"Butforanswerheturnedhiseyesaway，andwhenhelookedagainshewasgone。Hepaidthescoreandmadehiswayintothecrowd。Butashewentshedancedbyclosetohim，allflushedandpanting。Shehungbackasiftostophim，andhecaughttheglisteningoftears。Thenhelostsightofheragain。Tobedesertedthefirstminutehewasalonewithher，andforthatjackanapeswiththesmallheadandthevolcanicglances！Itwastoomuch！AndsuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatshewasalonewithKasteliz——aloneatnight，andfarfromhome。’Well，’hethought，’whatdoIcare？’andshoulderedhiswayonthroughthecrowd。Itservedhimrightformixingwithsuchpeoplehere。Heleftthefair，butthefurtherhewent，themorehenursedhisrage，themoreheinousseemedheroffence，thesharpergrewhisjealousy。"A
　　beggarlybaron！"washisthought。
　　Afigurecamealongside——itwasBoleskey。OnelookshowedSwithinhiscondition。Drunkagain！Thiswasthelaststraw！
　　UnfortunatelyBoleskeyhadrecognisedhim。Heseemedviolentlyexcited。"Where——wherearemydaughters？"hebegan。
　　Swithinbrushedpast，butBoleskeycaughthisarm。"Listen——
　　brother！"hesaid;"newsofmycountry！Afterto—morrow……"
　　"Keepittoyourself！"growledSwithin，wrenchinghisarmfree。Hewentstraighttohislodgings，and，lyingonthehardsofaofhisunlightedsitting—room，gavehimselfuptobitterthoughts。Butinspiteofallhisanger，Rozsi’ssupply—movingfigure，withitspoutinglips，androguishappealingeyes，stillhauntedhim。
　　VIII
　　Nextmorningtherewasnotacarriagetobehad，andSwithinwascompelledtoputoffhisdeparturetillthemorrow。Thedaywasgreyandmisty;hewanderedaboutwiththestrained，inquiringlookofalostdoginhiseyes。
　　Lateintheafternoonhewentbacktohislodgings。Inacornerofthesitting—roomstoodRozsi。Thethrilloftriumph，thesenseofappeasement，theemotion，thatseizedonhim，creptthroughtohislipsinafaintsmile。Rozsimadenosound，herfacewashiddenbyherhands。AndthissilenceofhersweighedonSwithin。Shewasforcinghimtobreakit。Whatwasbehindherhands？Hisownfacewasvisible！Whydidn’tshespeak？Whywasshehere？Alone？Thatwasnotrightsurely。
　　SuddenlyRozsidroppedherhands;herflushedfacewasquivering——itseemedasthoughaword，asign，even，mightbringaburstoftears。
　　Hewalkedovertothewindow。’Imustgivehertime！’hethought;
　　thenseizedbyunreasoningterroratthissilence，spunround，andcaughtherbythearms。Rozsiheldbackfromhim，swayedforwardandburiedherfaceonhisbreast……
　　HalfanhourlaterSwithinwaspacingupanddownhisroom。Thescentofroseleaveshadnotyetdiedaway。Aglovelayonthefloor;hepickeditup，andforalongtimestoodweighingitinhishand。Allsortsofconfusedthoughtsandfeelingshauntedhim。Itwasthepurestandleastselfishmomentofhislife，thismomentaftershehadyielded。Butthatpuregratitudeatherfiery，simpleabnegationdidnotlast;itwasfollowedbyapettysenseoftriumph，andbyuneasiness。Hewasstillweighingthelittlegloveinhishand，whenhehadanothervisitor。ItwasKasteliz。
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou？"Swithinaskedironically。
　　TheHungarianseemedsufferingfromexcitement。WhyhadSwithinlefthischargesthenightbefore？Whatexcusehadhetomake？Whatsortofconductdidhecallthis？
　　Swithin，verylikeabull—dogatthatmoment，answered:Whatbusinesswasitofhis？
　　Thebusinessofagentleman！WhatrighthadtheEnglishmantopursueayounggirl？
　　"Pursue？"saidSwithin;"you’vebeenspying，then？"
　　"Spying——I——Kasteliz——MaurusJohann——aninsult！"
　　"Insult！"sneeredSwithin;d’youmeantotellmeyouweren’tinthestreetjustnow？"
　　Kastelizansweredwithahiss，"IfyoudonotleavethecityIwillmakeyou，withmysword——doyouunderstand？"
　　"AndifyoudonotleavemyroomIwillthrowyououtofthewindow！"
　　ForsomeminutesKastelizspokeinpureHungarianwhileSwithinwaited，withaforcedsmileandafixedlookinhiseye。HedidnotunderstandHungarian。
　　"Ifyouarestillinthecityto—morrowevening，"saidKastelizatlastinEnglish，"Iwillspityouinthestreet。"
　　Swithinturnedtothewindowandwatchedhisvisitor’sretiringbackwithaqueermixtureofamusement，stubbornness，andanxiety。
　　’Well，’hethought，’Isupposehe’llrunmethrough！’Thethoughtwasunpleasant;anditkeptrecurring，butitonlyservedtohardenhisdetermination。HisheadwasbusywithplansforseeingRozsi;
　　hisbloodonfirewiththekissesshehadgivenhim。
　　IX
　　Swithinwaslongindecidingtogoforthnextday。HehadmadeuphismindnottogotoRozsitillfiveo’clock。’Mustn’tmakemyselftoocheap，’hethought。Itwasalittlepastthathourwhenheatlastsalliedout，andwithabeatingheartwalkedtowardsBoleskey’s。
　　Helookedupatthewindow，morethanhalfexpectingtoseeRozsithere;butshewasnot，andhenoticedwithfaintsurprisethatthewindowwasnotopen;theplants，too，outside，lookedsingularlyarid。Heknocked。Noonecame。Hebeatafiercetatto。Atlastthedoorwasopenedbyamanwithareddishbeard，andoneofthosesardonicfacesonlytobeseenonshoemakersofTeutonicorigin。
　　"Whatdoyouwant，makingallthisnoise？"heaskedinGerman。
　　Swithinpointedupthestairs。Themangrinned，andshookhishead。
　　"Iwanttogoup，"saidSwithin。
　　Thecobblershruggedhisshoulders，andSwithinrushedupstairs。Theroomswereempty。Thefurnitureremained，butallsignsoflifeweregone。Oneofhisownbouquets，faded，stoodinaglass;theashesofafirewerebarelycold;littlescrapsofpaperstrewedthehearth;
　　alreadytheroomsmeltmusty。Hewentintothebedrooms，andwithafeelingofstupefactionstoodstaringatthegirls’beds，sidebysideagainstthewall。Abitofribboncaughthiseye;hepickeditupandputitinhispocket——itwasapieceofevidencethatshehadonceexisted。Bythemirrorsomepinsweredroppedabout;alittlepowderhadbeenspilled。Helookedathisowndisquietfaceandthought，’I’vebeencheated！’
　　Theshoemaker’svoicearousedhim。"TausendTeufel！EilenSie，nur！
　　ZeitisGeld！Kannnich’Langerwarten！"Slowlyhedescended。
　　"Wherehavetheygone？"askedSwithinpainfully。"ApoundforeveryEnglishwordyouspeak。Apound！"andhemadeanOwithhisfingers。
　　Thecornersoftheshoemaker’slipscurled。"Geld！Mf！EilenSie，nur！"
　　ButinSwithinasullenangerhadbeguntoburn。"Ifyoudon’ttellme，"hesaid，"it’llbetheworseforyou。"
　　"SindeinkomischerKerl！"remarkedtheshoemaker。"HieristmeineFrau！"
　　Abattered—lookingwomancamehurryingdownthepassage，callingoutinGerman，"Don’tlethimgo！"
　　Withasnarlingsoundtheshoemakerturnedhisback，andshambledoff。
　　ThewomanfurtivelythrustaletterintoSwithin’shand，andfurtivelywaited。
　　TheletterwasfromRozsi。
　　"Forgiveme"——itran——"thatIleaveyouanddonotsaygoodbye。To—
　　dayourfatherhadthecallfromourdearFather—townsolongawaited。Intwohoursweareready。IpraytotheVirgintokeepyoueversafe，andthatyoudonotquiteforgetme。——Yourunforgettinggoodfriend，ROZSI
　　WhenSwithinreadithisfirstsensationwasthatofamansinkinginabog;thenhisobstinacystiffened。’Iwon’tbedone，’hethought。
　　Takingoutasovereignhetriedtomakethewomancomprehendthatshecouldearnit，bytellinghimwheretheyhadgone。Hegotherfinallytowritethewordsoutinhispocket—book，gaveherthesovereign，andhurriedtotheGoldeneAlp，wheretherewasawaiterwhospokeEnglish。Thetranslationgivenhimwasthis:
　　"Atthreeo’clocktheystartinacarriageontheroadtoLinz——theyhavebadhorses——theHerralsoridesawhitehorse。"
　　SwithinatoncehailedacarriageandstartedatfullgallopontheroadtoLinz。OutsidetheMirabellGardenhecaughtsightofKastelizandgrinnedathim。’I’vesoldhimanyway，’hethought;
　　’foralltheirtalk，they’renogood，theseforeigners！’
　　Hisspiritsrose，butsoonfellagain。Whatchancehadheofcatchingthem？Theyhadthreehours’start！Still，theroadswereheavyfromtherainofthelasttwonights——theyhadluggageandbadhorses;hisownweregood，hisdriverbribed——hemightovertakethembyteno’clock！Butdidhewantto？Whatafoolhehadbeennottobringhisluggage;hewouldthenhavehadarespectableposition。
　　Whatabrutehewouldlookwithoutachangeofshirt，oranythingtoshavewith！Hesawhimselfwithhorror，allbristly，andinsoiledlinen。Peoplewouldthinkhimmad。’I’vegivenmyselfaway，’
　　flashedacrosshim，’whatthedevilcanIsaytothem？’andhestaredsullenlyatthedriver’sback。HereadRozsi’sletteragain;ithadascentofher。Andinthegrowingdarkness，joltedbytheswingingofthecarriage，hesufferedtorturesfromhisprudence，torturesfromhispassion。