"Ididn’taskher，Chris;Ididn’tthinkitthesquarething;itseemsthat’soutoffashion！"
　　Christian’scheekswereburning。
　　"IthinkalotwhileIliehere，"Mr。Treffrywenton;"nothingmuchelsetodo。WhatIaskmyselfisthis:Whatdoyouknowaboutwhat’sbestforyou？Whatdoyouknowoflife？Takeitorleaveit，life’snotallyouthink;it’sgiveandgetalltheway，afairstartiseverything。"
　　Christianthought:’Willheneversee？’
　　Mr。Treffrywenton:
　　"Igetbettereveryday，butIcan’tlastforever。It’snotpleasanttoliehereandknowthatwhenI’mgonethere’llbenoonetokeepahandonthecheckstring！"
　　"Don’ttalklikethat，dear！"Christianmurmured。
　　"It’snouseblinkingfacts，Chris。I’velivedalongtimeintheworld;I’veseenthingsprettywellastheyare;andnowthere’snotmuchleftformetothinkaboutbutyou。"
　　"But，Uncle，ifyoulovedhim，asIdo，youcouldn’ttellmetobeafraid！It’scowardlyandmeantobeafraid。Youmusthaveforgotten！"
　　Mr。Treffryclosedhiseyes。
　　"Yes，"hesaid;"I’mold。"
　　ThefanhaddroppedintoChristian’slap;itrestedonherwhitefrocklikealargecrimsonleaf;hereyeswerefixedonit。
　　Mr。Treffrylookedather。"Haveyouheardfromhim？"heaskedwithsuddenintuition。
　　"Lastnight，inthatroom，whenyouthoughtIwastalkingtoDominique——"
　　Thepipefellfromhishand。
　　"What！"hestammered:"Back？"
　　Christian，withoutlookingup，said:
　　"Yes，he’sback;hewantsme——Imustgotohim，Uncle。"
　　Therewasalongsilence。
　　"Youmustgotohim？"herepeated。
　　Shelongedtoflingherselfdownathisknees，buthewassostill，thattomoveseemedimpossible;sheremainedsilent，withfoldedhands。
　　Mr。Treffryspoke:
　　"You’llletmeknow——before——you——go。Goodnight！"
　　Christianstoleoutintothepassage。Abeadcurtainrustledinthedraught;voicesreachedher。
　　"Myhonourisinvolved，orIwouldgivethecaseup。"
　　"Heisverytrying，poorNicholas！Healwayshadthatpeculiarqualityofopposition;ithasbroughthimtogriefahundredtimes。
　　Thereisoppositioninourblood;myfamilyallhaveit。Myeldestbrotherdiedofit;withmypoorsister，whowasasgentleasalamb，ittooktheformofdoingtherightthinginthewrongplace。Itisamatteroftemperament，yousee。Youmusthavepatience。"
　　"Patience，"repeatedDawney’svoice，"isonething;patiencewherethereisresponsibilityisanother。I’venothadawinkofsleeptheselasttwonights。"
　　Therewasafaint，shrillswishofsilk。
　　"Ishesoveryill？"
　　Christianheldherbreath。Theanswercameatlast。
　　"Hashemadehiswill？Withthistroubleinthesideagain，Itellyouplainly，Mrs。Decie，there’slittleornochance。"
　　Christianputherhandsuptoherears，andranoutintotheair。
　　Whatwassheabouttodo，then——toleavehimdying！
　　OnthefollowingdayHarzwassummonedtotheVilla。Mr。Treffryhadjustrisen，andwasgarbedinadressing—suit，oldandworn，whichhadacertainairofmagnificence。Hisseamedcheekswerenewlyshaved。
　　"IhopeIseeyouwell，"hesaidmajestically。
　　Thinkingofthedriveandtheirlastparting，Harzfeltsorryandashamed。SuddenlyChristiancameintotheroom;shestoodforamomentlookingathim;thensatdown。
　　"Chris！"saidMr。Treffryreproachfully。Sheshookherhead，anddidnotmove;mournfulandintent，hereyesseemedfullofsecretknowledge。
　　Mr。Treffryspoke:
　　"I’venorighttoblameyou，Mr。Harz，andChristellsmeyoucametoseemefirst，whichiswhatIwouldhaveexpectedofyou;butyoushouldn’thavecomeback。"
　　"Icameback，sir，becauseIfoundIwasobliged。Imustspeakout。"
　　"Iasknothingbetter，"Mr。Treffryreplied。
　　HarzlookedagainatChristian;butshemadenosign，sittingwithherchinrestingonherhands。
　　"Ihavecomeforher，"hesaid;"Icanmakemyliving——enoughforbothofus。ButIcan’twait。"
　　"Why？"
　　Harzmadenoanswer。
　　Mr。Treffryboomedoutagain:"Why？Isn’tsheworthwaitingfor？
　　Isn’tsheworthservingfor？"
　　"Ican’texpectyoutounderstandme，"thepaintersaid。"Myartismylifetome。Doyousupposethatifitwasn’tIshouldeverhaveleftmyvillage;orgonethroughallthatI’vegonethrough，togetasfarevenasIam？Youtellmetowait。Ifmythoughtsandmywillaren’tfree，howcanIwork？Ishan’tbeworthmysalt。YoutellmetogobacktoEngland——knowingsheishere，amongstyouwhohateme，athousandmilesaway。Ishallknowthatthere’sadeathfightgoingoninherandoutsideheragainstme——youthinkthatI
　　cangoonworkingundertheseconditions。Othersmaybeable，Iamnot。That’stheplaintruth。IfIlovedherless——"
　　Therewasasilence，thenMr。Treffrysaid:
　　"Itisn’tfairtocomehereandaskwhatyou’reasking。Youdon’tknowwhat’sinthefutureforyou，youdon’tknowthatyoucankeepawife。Itisn’tpleasant，either，tothinkyoucan’tholdupyourheadinyourowncountry。"
　　Harzturnedwhite。
　　"Ah！youbringthatupagain！"hebrokeout。"SevenyearsagoIwasaboyandstarving;ifyouhadbeeninmyplaceyouwouldhavedonewhatIdid。Mycountryisasmuchtomeasyourcountryistoyou。
　　I’vebeenanexilesevenyears，IsupposeIshallalwaysbeI’vehadpunishmentenough;butifyouthinkIamarascal，I’llgoandgivemyselfup。"Heturnedonhisheel。
　　"Stop！Ibegyourpardon！Inevermeanttohurtyou。Itisn’teasyformetoeatmywords，"Mr。Treffrysaidwistfully，"letthatcountforsomething。"Heheldouthishand。
　　Harzcamequicklybackandtookit。Christian’sgazewasneverforamomentwithdrawn;sheseemedtryingtostoreupthesightofhimwithinher。Thelightdartingthroughthehalf—closedshuttersgavehereyesastrange，brightintensity，andshoneinthefoldsofherwhitedresslikethesheenofbirds’wings。
　　Mr。Treffryglanceduneasilyabouthim。"GodknowsIdon’twantanythingbutherhappiness，"hesaid。"Whatisittomeifyou’dmurderedyourmother？It’sherI’mthinkingof。"
　　"Howcanyoutellwhatishappinesstoher？Youhaveyourownideasofhappiness——nothers，notmine。Youcan’tdaretostopus，sir！"
　　"Dare？"saidMr。Treffry。"Herfathergaveherovertomewhenshewasamiteofalittlething;I’veknownherallherlife。I’ve——
　　I’velovedher——andyoucomeherewithyour’dare’！"Hishanddraggedathisbeard，andshookasthoughpalsied。
　　AlookofterrorcameintoChristian’sface。
　　"Allright，Chris！Idon’taskforquarter，andIdon’tgiveit！"
　　Harzmadeagestureofdespair。
　　"I’veactedsquarelybyyou，sir，"Mr。Treffrywenton，"Iaskthesameofyou。Iaskyoutowait，andcomelikeanhonestman，whenyoucansay，’Iseemyway——here’sthisandthatforher。’Whatmakesthisartyoutalkofdifferentfromanyothercallinlife？Itdoesn’talterfacts，orgiveyouwhatothermenhavenorighttoexpect。Itdoesn’tputgritintoyou，orkeepyourhandsclean，orprovethattwoandtwomakefive。"
　　Harzansweredbitterly:
　　"YouknowasmuchofartasIknowofmoney。Ifweliveathousandyearsweshallneverunderstandeachother。IamdoingwhatIfeelisbestforbothofus。"
　　Mr。Treffrytookholdofthepainter’ssleeve。
　　"Imakeyouanoffer，"hesaid。"Yourwordnottoseeorwritetoherforayear！Then，positionornot，moneyornomoney，ifshe’llhaveyou，I’llmakeitrightforyou。"
　　"Icouldnottakeyourmoney。"
　　AkindofdespairseemedsuddenlytoseizeonMr。NicholasTreffry。
　　Herose，andstoodtoweringoverthem。
　　"Allmylife——"hesaid;butsomethingseemedtoclickdeepdowninhisthroat，andhesankbackinhisseat。
　　"Go！"whisperedChristian，"go！"ButMr。Treffryfoundhisvoiceagain:"It’sforthechildtosay。Well，Chris！"
　　Christiandidnotspeak。
　　ItwasHarzwhobrokethesilence。HepointedtoMr。Treffry。
　　"YouknowIcan’ttellyoutocomewith——that，there。Whydidyousendforme？"And，turning，hewentout。
　　Christiansankonherknees，buryingherfaceinherhands。Mr。
　　Treffrypressedhishandkerchiefwithastealthymovementtohismouth。Itwasdyedcrimsonwiththepriceofhisvictory。
　　XXVI
　　AtelegramhadsummonedHerrPaulfromVienna。Hehadstartedforthwith，leavingseveralunpaidaccountstoamorejoyfulopportunity，amongstthemachemist’sbill，forawonderfulquackmedicineofwhichhebroughtsixbottles。
　　HecamefromMr。Treffry’sroomwithtearsrollingdownhischeeks，saying:
　　"PoorNicholas！PoorNicholas！Iln’apasdechance！"
　　Itwasdifficulttofindanyonetolisten;thewomenwerescaredandsilent，waitingfortheordersthatwerenowandthenwhisperedthroughthedoor。HerrPaulcouldnotbearthissilence，andtalkedtohisservantforhalfanhour，tillFritzalsovanishedtofetchsomethingfromthetown。ThenindespairHerrPaulwenttohisroom。
　　Itwashardnottobeallowedtohelp——itwashardtowait！Whentheheartwassuffering，itwasfrightful！Heturnedand，lookingfurtivelyabouthim，lightedacigar。Yes，itcametoeveryone——atsometimeorother;andwhatwasit，thatdeaththeytalkedof？Wasitanyworsethanlife？Thatfrightfuljumblepeoplemadeforthemselves！PoorNicholas！Afterall，itwashethathadtheluck！
　　Hiseyesfilledwithtears，anddrawingapenknifefromhispocket，hebegantostabitintothestuffingofhischair。Scruff，whosatwatchingthechinkoflightunderthedoor，turnedhishead，blinkedathim，andbeganfeeblytappingwithaclaw。
　　Itwasintolerable，thisuncertainty——tobenear，andyetsofar，wasnotendurable！
　　HerrPaulsteppedacrosstheroom。Thedog，following，threwhisblack—markedmuzzleupwardswithagruffnoise，andwentbacktothedoor。Hismasterwasholdinginhishandabottleofchampagne。
　　PoorNicholas！Hehadchosenit。HerrPauldrainedaglass。
　　PoorNicholas！Theprinceoffellows，andofwhatusewasone？TheykepthimawayfromNicholas！
　　HerrPaul’seyesfellontheterrier。"Ach！mydear，"hesaid，"youandI，wealonearekeptaway！"
　　Hedrainedasecondglass。
　　Whatwasit？Thislife！Froth—likethat！Hetossedoffathirdglass。Forget！Ifonecouldnothelp，itwasbettertoforget！
　　Heputonhishat。Yes。Therewasnoroomforhimthere！Hewasnotwanted！
　　Hefinishedthebottle，andwentoutintothepassage。ScruffranandlaydownatMr。Treffry’sdoor。HerrPaullookedathim。"Ach！"
　　hesaid，tappinghischest，"ungratefulhound！"Andopeningthefrontdoorhewentoutontiptoe……
　　LatethatafternoonGretastolehatlessthroughthelilacbushes;shelookedtiredafterhernightjourney，andsatidlyonachairinthespeckledshadowofalime—tree。
　　’Itisnotlikehome，’shethought;’Iamunhappy。Eventhebirdsaresilent，butperhapsthatisbecauseitissohot。Ihaveneverbeensadlikethis——foritisnotfancythatIamsadthistime，asitissometimes。Itisinmyheartlikethesoundthewindmakesthroughawood，itfeelsquiteemptyinmyheart。Ifitisalwayslikethistobeunhappy，thenIamsorryforalltheunhappythingsintheworld;IamsorrierthanIeverwasbefore。’
　　Ashadowfellonthegrass，sheraisedhereyes，andsawDawney。
　　"Dr。Edmund！"shewhispered。
　　Dawneyturnedtoher;aheavyfurrowshowedbetweenhisbrows。Hiseyes，alwaysratherclosetogether，staredpainfully。
　　"Dr。Edmund，"Gretawhispered，"isittrue？"
　　Hetookherhand，andspreadhisownpalmoverit。
　　"Perhaps，"hesaid;"perhapsnot。Wemusthope。"
　　Gretalookedup，awed。
　　"Theysayheisdying。"
　　"WehavesentforthebestmaninVienna。"
　　Gretashookherhead。
　　"Butyouareclever，Dr。Edmund;andyouareafraid。"
　　"Heisbrave，"saidDawney;"wemustallbebrave，youknow。Youtoo！"
　　"Brave？"repeatedGreta;"whatisittobebrave？Ifitisnottocryandmakeafuss——thatIcando。Butifitisnottobesadinhere，"shetouchedherbreast，"thatIcannotdo，anditshallnotbeanygoodformetotry。"
　　"Tobebraveistohope;don’tgiveuphope，dear。"
　　"No，"saidGreta，tracingthepatternofthesunlightonherskirt。
　　"ButIthinkthatwhenwehope，wearenotbrave，becauseweareexpectingsomethingforourselves。Chrissaysthathopeisprayer，andifitisprayer，thenallthetimewearehoping，weareaskingforsomething，anditisnotbravetoaskforthings。"
　　AsmilecurvedDawney’smouth。
　　"Goon，Philosopher！"hesaid。"Bebraveinyourownway，itwillbejustasgoodasanybodyelse’s。"
　　"Whatareyougoingtodotobebrave，Dr。Edmund？"
　　"I？Fight！Ifonlywehadfiveyearsoffhislife！"
　　Gretawatchedhimashewalkedaway。
　　"Ishallneverbebrave，"shemourned;"Ishallalwaysbewantingtobehappy。"And，kneelingdown，shebegantodisentangleafly，imprisonedinacobweb。Aplantofhemlockhadsprungupinthelonggrassbyherfeet。Gretathought，dismayed:’Thereareweeds！’
　　Itseemedbutanothersignofthedeathofjoy。
　　’Butit’sverybeautiful，’shethought，’theblossomsarelikestars。
　　Iamnotgoingtopullitup。Iwillleaveit;perhapsitwillspreadallthroughthegarden;andifitdoesIdonotcare，fornowthingsarenotliketheyusedtobeandIdonot，thinktheyevershallbeagain。’
　　XXVII
　　Thedayswentby;thoselong，hotdays，whentheheathazeswimsupabouttenoftheforenoon，and，asthesunsinkslevelwiththemountains，meltsintogoldenetherwhichsetstheworldquiveringwithsparkles。
　　Atthelightingofthestarsthosesparklesdie，vanishingonebyoneoffthehillsides;eveningcomesflyingdownthevalleys，andliferestsunderhercoolwings。Thenightfalls;andthehundredlittlevoicesofthenightarise。
　　Itwasneargrape—gathering，andintheheatthefightforNicholasTreffry’slifewenton，dayin，dayout，withgleamsofhopeandmomentsofdespair。Doctorscame，butafterthefirstherefusedtoseethem。
　　"No，"hesaidtoDawney——"throwingawaymoney。IfIpullthroughitwon’tbebecauseofthem。"
　　FordaystogetherhewouldallownoonebutDawney，Dominique，andthepaidnurseintheroom。
　　"Icanstanditbetter，"hesaidtoChristian，"whenIdon’tseeanyofyou;keepaway，oldgirl，andletmegetonwithit！"
　　Tohavebeenabletohelpwouldhaveeasedthetensionofhernerves，andtheachingofherheart。Athisownrequesttheyhadmovedhisbedintoacornersothathemightfacethewall。Therehewouldlieforhourstogether，notspeakingaword，excepttoaskfordrink。
　　SometimesChristiancreptinunnoticed，andsatwatching，withherarmstightlyfoldedacrossherbreast。Atnight，afterGretawasasleep，shewouldtossfromsidetoside，mutteringfeverishprayers。
　　Shespenthoursatherlittletableintheschoolroom，writingletterstoHarzthatwereneversent。Onceshewrotethesewords:"I
　　amthemostwickedofallcreatures——Ihaveevenwishedthathemaydie！"AfewminutesafterwardsMissNaylorfoundherwithherheadburiedonherarms。Christiansprangup;tearswerestreamingdownhercheeks。"Don’ttouchme！"shecried，andrushedaway。Later，shestoleintoheruncle’sroom，andsankdownonthefloorbesidethebed。Shesattheresilently，unnoticedalltheevening。Whennightcameshecouldhardlybepersuadedtoleavetheroom。
　　OnedayMr。TreffryexpressedawishtoseeHerrPaul;itwasalongwhilebeforethelattercouldsummoncouragetogoin。
　　"There’safewdozenoftheGordonsherryatmyChambers，inLondon，Paul，"Mr。Treffrysaid;"I’dbegladtothinkyouhad’em。Andmyman，Dominique，I’vemadehimallrightinmywill，butkeepyoureyeonhim;he’sagoodsortforaforeigner，andnochicken，butsoonerorlater，thewomen’llgetholdofhim。That’sallIhadtosay。
　　SendChristome。"
　　HerrPaulstoodbythebedsidespeechless。Suddenlyheblurtedout。
　　"Ah！mydear！Courage！Weareallmortal。Youwillgetwell！"Allthemorninghewalkedaboutquiteinconsolable。"Itwasfrightfultoseehim，youknow，frightful！Anironmancouldnothaveborneit。"
　　WhenChristiancametohim，Mr。Treffryraisedhimselfandlookedatheralongwhile。
　　Hiswistfulfacewaslikeanaccusation。Butthatveryafternoonthenewscamefromthesickroomthathewasbetter，havinghadnopainforseveralhours。
　　Everyonewentaboutwithsmileslurkingintheireyes，andreadytobreakforthataword。InthekitchenBarbiburstoutcrying，and，forgettingtotossthepan，spoiledaKaiser—Schmarnshewasmaking。
　　DominiquewasobserveddrainingaglassofChianti，andsolemnlycastingforththelastdropsinlibation。Anorderwasgivenforteatobetakenoutundertheacacias，whereitwasalwayscool;itwasfeltthatsomethinginthenatureofhighfestivalwasbeingheld。
　　EvenHerrPaulwaspresent;butChristiandidnotcome。Nobodyspokeofillness;tomentionitmightbreakthespell。
　　MissNaylor，whohadgoneintothehouse，cameback，saying:
　　"Thereisastrangemanstandingovertherebythecornerofthehouse。"
　　"Really！"askedMrs。Decie;"whatdoeshewant？"
　　MissNaylorreddened。"Ididnotaskhim。I——don’t——know——whetherheisquiterespectable。Hiscoatisbuttonedveryclose，andhe——
　　doesn’tseem——tohavea——collar。"
　　"Goandseewhathewants，dearchild，"Mrs。DeciesaidtoGreta。
　　"Idon’tknow——Ireallydonotknow——"beganMissNaylor;"hehasvery——high——boots，"butGretawasalreadyonherway，withhandsclaspedbehindher，anddemureeyestakinginthestranger’sfigure。
　　"Please？"shesaid，whenshewasclosetohim。
　　Thestrangertookhiscapoffwithajerk。
　　"Thishousehasnobells，"hesaidinanasalvoice;"ithasatendencytodiscourageone。"
　　"Yes，"saidGretagravely，"thereisabell，butitdoesnotringnow，becausemyuncleissoill。"
　　"Iamverysorrytohearthat。Idon’tknowthepeoplehere，butI
　　amverysorrytohearthat。
　　Iwouldbegladtospeakafewwordstoyoursister，ifitisyoursisterthatIwant。"
　　Andthestranger’sfacegrewveryred。
　　"Isit，"saidGreta，"thatyouareafriendofHerrHarz？Ifyouareafriendofhis，youwillpleasecomeandhavesometea，andwhileyouarehavingteaIwilllookforChris。"
　　Perspirationbedewedthestranger’sforehead。
　　"Tea？Excuseme！Idon’tdrinktea。"
　　"Thereisalsocoffee，"Gretasaid。
　　Thestranger’sprogresstowardsthearbourwassoslowthatGretaarrivedconsiderablybeforehim。
　　"ItisafriendofHerrHarz，"shewhispered;"hewilldrinkcoffee。
　　IamgoingtofindChris。"
　　"Greta！"gaspedMissNaylor。
　　Mrs。Decieputupherhand。
　　"Ah！"shesaid，"ifitisso，wemustbeverynicetohimforChristian’ssake。"
　　MissNaylor’sfacegrewsoft。—
　　"Ah，yes！"shesaid;"ofcourse。"
　　"Bah！"mutteredHerrPaul，"thatrecommences。’
　　"Paul！"murmuredMrs。Decie，"youlacktheelementsofwisdom。"
　　HerrPaulglaredattheapproachingstranger。
　　Mrs。Deciehadrisen，andsmilinglyheldoutherhand。
　　"Wearesogladtoknowyou;youareanartisttoo，perhaps？Itakeagreatinterestinart，andespeciallyinthatschoolwhichMr。Harzrepresents。"
　　Thestrangersmiled。
　　"Heisthegenuinearticle，ma’am，"hesaid。"Herepresentsnoschool，heisoneofthatkindwhosecorpsesmakeschools。"
　　"Ah！"murmuredMrs。Decie，"youareanAmerican。Thatissonice。
　　Dositdown！Myniecewillsoonbehere。"
　　Gretacamerunningback。
　　"Willyoucome，please？"shesaid。"Chrisisready。"
　　Gulpingdownhiscoffee，thestrangerincludedthemallinasinglebow，andfollowedher。
　　"Ach！"saidHerrPaul，"garcontreschic，celui—la！"
　　Christianwasstandingbyherlittletable。Thestrangerbegan。
　　"IamsendingMr。Harz’sthingstoEngland;therearesomepictureshere。Hewouldbegladtohavethem。"
　　Afloodofcrimsonsweptoverherface。
　　"IamsendingthemtoLondon，"thestrangerrepeated;"perhapsyoucouldgivethemtometo—day。"
　　"Theyareready;mysisterwillshowyou。"
　　Hereyesseemedtodartintohissoul，andtrytodragsomethingfromit。Thewordsrushedfromherlips"Isthereanymessageforme？"
　　Thestrangerregardedhercuriously。
　　"No，"hestammered，"no！Iguessnot。Heiswell……Iwish……"Hestopped;herwhitefaceseemedtoflashscorn，despair，andentreatyonhimallatonce。Andturning，shelefthimstandingthere。
　　XXVII
　　WhenChristianwentthateveningtoheruncle’sroomhewassittingupinbed，andatoncebegantotalk。"Chris，"hesaid，"Ican’tstandthisdyingbyinches。I’mgoingtotrywhatajourney’lldoforme。Iwanttogetbacktotheoldcountry。Thedoctor’spromised。There’sashotinthelockeryet！Ibelieveinthatyoungchap;he’sstucktomelikeaman……It’llbeyourbirthday，onTuesday，oldgirl，andyou’llbetwenty。Seventeenyearssinceyourfatherdied。You’vebeenalottome……Aparsoncameheretoday。
　　That’sabadsign。Thoughtithisduty！Verycivilofhim！
　　Iwouldn’tseehim，though。Ifthere’sanythinginwhattheytellyou，I’mnotgoingtosneakinatthistimeo’day。There’sonethingthat’sratherbadlyonmymind。ItookadvantageofMr。Harzwiththisdamnedpitifulnessofmine。You’vearighttolookatmeasI’veseenyousometimeswhenyouthoughtIwasasleep。IfI
　　hadn’tbeenillhe’dneverhaveleftyou。Idon’tblameyou，Chris——
　　notI！Youloveme？Iknowthat，mydear。Butone’salonewhenitcomestotherun—in。Don’tcry！Ourmindsaren’tSunday—schoolbooks;you’refindingitout，that’sall！"Hesighedandturnedaway。