“Now，“shesaidsuddenly，withasortofdesperation，risingfromherchairandseemingtocommandRodneytofulfilhispart。Hedrewthecurtaininstantly，andshemadenoattempttostophim。Theireyesatoncesoughtthesamespotbeneaththelamp-post。
　　“He'snotthere！“sheexclaimed。
　　Noonewasthere。Williamthrewthewindowupandlookedout。Thewindrushedintotheroom，togetherwiththesoundofdistantwheels，footstepshurryingalongthepavement，andthecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver。
　　“Denham！“Williamcried。
　　“Ralph！“saidKatharine，butshespokescarcelylouderthanshemighthavespokentosomeoneinthesameroom。Withtheireyesfixedupontheoppositesideoftheroad，theydidnotnoticeafigureclosetotherailingwhichdividedthegardenfromthestreet。ButDenhamhadcrossedtheroadandwasstandingthere。Theywerestartledbyhisvoicecloseathand。
　　“Rodney！“
　　“Thereyouare！Comein，Denham。“Rodneywenttothefrontdoorandopenedit。“Hereheis，“hesaid，bringingRalphwithhimintothedining-roomwhereKatharinestood，withherbacktotheopenwindow。
　　Theireyesmetforasecond。Denhamlookedhalfdazedbythestronglight，and，buttonedinhisovercoat，withhishairruffledacrosshisforeheadbythewind，heseemedlikesomebodyrescuedfromanopenboatoutatsea。Williampromptlyshutthewindowanddrewthecurtains。Heactedwithacheerfuldecisionasifheweremasterofthesituation，andknewexactlywhathemeanttodo。
　　“You'rethefirsttohearthenews，Denham，“hesaid。“Katharineisn'tgoingtomarryme，afterall。“
　　“WhereshallIput——“Ralphbeganvaguely，holdingouthishatandglancingabouthim；hebalanceditcarefullyagainstasilverbowlthatstooduponthesideboard。Hethensathimselfdownratherheavilyattheheadoftheovaldinner-table。RodneystoodononesideofhimandKatharineontheother。Heappearedtobepresidingoversomemeetingfromwhichmostofthememberswereabsent。Meanwhile，hewaited，andhiseyesrestedupontheglowofthebeautifullypolishedmahoganytable。
　　“WilliamisengagedtoCassandra，“saidKatharinebriefly。
　　AtthatDenhamlookedupquicklyatRodney。Rodney'sexpressionchanged。Helosthisself-possession。Hesmiledalittlenervously，andthenhisattentionseemedtobecaughtbyafragmentofmelodyfromthefloorabove。Heseemedforamomenttoforgetthepresenceoftheothers。Heglancedtowardsthedoor。
　　“Icongratulateyou，“saidDenham。
　　“Yes，yes。We'reallmad——quiteoutofourminds，Denham，“hesaid。
　　“It'spartlyKatharine'sdoing——partlymine。“Helookedoddlyroundtheroomasifhewishedtomakesurethatthesceneinwhichheplayedaparthadsomerealexistence。“Quitemad，“herepeated。“EvenKatharine——“Hisgazeresteduponherfinally，asifshe，too，hadchangedfromhisoldviewofher。Hesmiledatherasiftoencourageher。“Katharineshallexplain，“hesaid，andgivingalittlenodtoDenham，helefttheroom。
　　Katharinesatdownatonce，andleantherchinuponherhands。SolongasRodneywasintheroomtheproceedingsoftheeveninghadseemedtobeinhischarge，andhadbeenmarkedbyacertainunreality。NowthatshewasalonewithRalphshefeltatoncethataconstrainthadbeentakenfromthemboth。Shefeltthattheywerealoneatthebottomofthehouse，whichrose，storyuponstory，uponthetopofthem。
　　“Whywereyouwaitingoutthere？“sheasked。
　　“Forthechanceofseeingyou，“hereplied。
　　“Youwouldhavewaitedallnightifithadn'tbeenforWilliam。It'swindytoo。Youmusthavebeencold。Whatcouldyousee？Nothingbutourwindows。“
　　“Itwasworthit。Iheardyoucallme。“
　　“Icalledyou？“Shehadcalledunconsciously。
　　“Theywereengagedthismorning，“shetoldhim，afterapause。
　　“You'reglad？“heasked。
　　Shebentherhead。“Yes，yes，“shesighed。“Butyoudon'tknowhowgoodheis——whathe'sdoneforme——“Ralphmadeasoundofunderstanding。“Youwaitedtherelastnighttoo？“sheasked。
　　“Yes。Icanwait，“Denhamreplied。
　　ThewordsseemedtofilltheroomwithanemotionwhichKatharineconnectedwiththesoundofdistantwheels，thefootstepshurryingalongthepavement，thecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver，thedarknessandthewind。Shesawtheuprightfigurestandingbeneaththelamp-post。
　　“Waitinginthedark，“shesaid，glancingatthewindow，asifhesawwhatshewasseeing。“Ah，butit'sdifferent——“Shebrokeoff。“I'mnotthepersonyouthinkme。Untilyourealizethatit'simpossible——“
　　Placingherelbowsonthetable，sheslidherrubyringupanddownherfingerabstractedly。Shefrownedattherowsofleather-boundbooksoppositeher。Ralphlookedkeenlyather。Verypale，butsternlyconcentrateduponhermeaning，beautifulbutsolittleawareofherselfastoseemremotefromhimalso，therewassomethingdistantandabstractaboutherwhichexaltedhimandchilledhimatthesametime。
　　“No，you'reright，“hesaid。“Idon'tknowyou。I'veneverknownyou。“
　　“Yetperhapsyouknowmebetterthananyoneelse，“shemused。
　　Somedetachedinstinctmadeherawarethatshewasgazingatabookwhichbelongedbyrightstosomeotherpartofthehouse。Shewalkedovertotheshelf，tookitdown，andreturnedtoherseat，placingthebookonthetablebetweenthem。Ralphopeneditandlookedattheportraitofamanwithavoluminouswhiteshirt-collar，whichformedthefrontispiece。
　　“IsayIdoknowyou，Katharine，“heaffirmed，shuttingthebook。
　　“It'sonlyformomentsthatIgomad。“
　　“Doyoucalltwowholenightsamoment？“
　　“Isweartoyouthatnow，atthisinstant，Iseeyoupreciselyasyouare。NoonehaseverknownyouasIknowyou……CouldyouhavetakendownthatbookjustnowifIhadn'tknownyou？“
　　“That'strue，“shereplied，“butyoucan'tthinkhowI'mdivided——howI'matmyeasewithyou，andhowI'mbewildered。Theunreality——thedark——thewaitingoutsideinthewind——yes，whenyoulookatme，notseeingme，andIdon'tseeyoueither……ButIdosee，“shewentonquickly，changingherpositionandfrowningagain，“heapsofthings，onlynotyou。“
　　“Tellmewhatyousee，“heurged。
　　Butshecouldnotreducehervisiontowords，sinceitwasnosingleshapecoloreduponthedark，butratherageneralexcitement，anatmosphere，which，whenshetriedtovisualizeit，tookformasawindscouringtheflanksofnorthernhillsandflashinglightuponcornfieldsandpools。
　　“Impossible，“shesighed，laughingattheridiculousnotionofputtinganypartofthisintowords。
　　“Try，Katharine，“Ralphurgedher。
　　“ButIcan't——I'mtalkingasortofnonsense——thesortofnonsenseonetalkstooneself。“Shewasdismayedbytheexpressionoflonginganddespairuponhisface。“IwasthinkingaboutamountainintheNorthofEngland，“sheattempted。“It'stoosilly——Iwon'tgoon。“
　　“Weweretheretogether？“hepressedher。
　　“No。Iwasalone。“Sheseemedtobedisappointingthedesireofachild。Hisfacefell。
　　“You'realwaysalonethere？“
　　“Ican'texplain。“Shecouldnotexplainthatshewasessentiallyalonethere。“It'snotamountainintheNorthofEngland。It'sanimagination——astoryonetellsoneself。Youhaveyourstoo？“
　　“You'rewithmeinmine。You'rethethingImakeup，yousee。“
　　“Oh，Isee，“shesighed。“That'swhyit'ssoimpossible。“Sheturneduponhimalmostfiercely。“Youmusttrytostopit，“shesaid。
　　“Iwon't，“herepliedroughly，“becauseI——“Hestopped。HerealizedthatthemomenthadcometoimpartthatnewsoftheutmostimportancewhichhehadtriedtoimparttoMaryDatchet，toRodneyupontheEmbankment，tothedrunkentrampupontheseat。HowshouldheofferittoKatharine？Helookedquicklyather。Hesawthatshewasonlyhalfattentivetohim；onlyasectionofherwasexposedtohim。Thesightrousedinhimsuchdesperationthathehadmuchadotocontrolhisimpulsetoriseandleavethehouse。Herhandlaylooselycurleduponthetable。Heseizeditandgraspeditfirmlyasiftomakesureofherexistenceandofhisown。“BecauseIloveyou，Katharine，“hesaid。
　　Someroundnessorwarmthessentialtothatstatementwasabsentfromhisvoice，andshehadmerelytoshakeherheadveryslightlyforhimtodropherhandandturnawayinshameathisownimpotence。Hethoughtthatshehaddetectedhiswishtoleaveher。Shehaddiscernedthebreakinhisresolution，theblanknessintheheartofhisvision。
　　Itwastruethathehadbeenhappieroutinthestreet，thinkingofher，thannowthathewasinthesameroomwithher。Helookedatherwithaguiltyexpressiononhisface。Butherlookexpressedneitherdisappointmentnorreproach。Herposewaseasy，andsheseemedtogiveeffecttoamoodofquietspeculationbythespinningofherrubyringuponthepolishedtable。Denhamforgothisdespairinwonderingwhatthoughtsnowoccupiedher。
　　“Youdon'tbelieveme？“hesaid。Histonewashumble，andmadehersmileathim。
　　“AsfarasIunderstandyou——butwhatshouldyouadvisemetodowiththisring？“sheasked，holdingitout。
　　“Ishouldadviseyoutoletmekeepitforyou，“hereplied，inthesametoneofhalf-humorousgravity。
　　“Afterwhatyou'vesaid，Icanhardlytrustyou——unlessyou'llunsaywhatyou'vesaid？“
　　“Verywell。I'mnotinlovewithyou。“
　　“ButIthinkyouAREinlovewithme……AsIamwithyou，“sheaddedcasuallyenough。“Atleast，“shesaidslippingherringbacktoitsoldposition，“whatotherworddescribesthestatewe'rein？“
　　Shelookedathimgravelyandinquiringly，asifinsearchofhelp。
　　“It'swhenI'mwithyouthatIdoubtit，notwhenI'malone，“hestated。
　　“SoIthought，“shereplied。
　　Inordertoexplaintoherhisstateofmind，Ralphrecountedhisexperiencewiththephotograph，theletter，andtheflowerpickedatKew。Shelistenedveryseriously。
　　“Andthenyouwentravingaboutthestreets，“shemused。“Well，it'sbadenough。Butmystateisworsethanyours，becauseithasn'tanythingtodowithfacts。It'sanhallucination，pureandsimple——anintoxication……Onecanbeinlovewithpurereason？“shehazarded。“Becauseifyou'reinlovewithavision，Ibelievethatthat'swhatI'minlovewith。“
　　ThisconclusionseemedfantasticandprofoundlyunsatisfactorytoRalph，butaftertheastonishingvariationsofhisownsentimentsduringthepasthalf-hourhecouldnotaccuseheroffancifulexaggeration。
　　“Rodneyseemstoknowhisownmindwellenough，“hesaidalmostbitterly。Themusic，whichhadceased，hadnowbegunagain，andthemelodyofMozartseemedtoexpresstheeasyandexquisiteloveofthetwoupstairs。
　　“Cassandraneverdoubtedforamoment。Butwe——“sheglancedathimasiftoascertainhisposition，“weseeeachotheronlynowandthen——“
　　“Likelightsinastorm——“
　　“Inthemidstofahurricane，“sheconcluded，asthewindowshookbeneaththepressureofthewind。Theylistenedtothesoundinsilence。
　　Herethedooropenedwithconsiderablehesitation，andMrs。Hilbery'sheadappeared，atfirstwithanairofcaution，buthavingmadesurethatshehadadmittedherselftothedining-roomandnottosomemoreunusualregion，shecamecompletelyinsideandseemedinnowaytakenabackbythesightshesaw。Sheseemed，asusual，boundonsomequestofherownwhichwasinterruptedpleasantlybutstrangelybyrunningintooneofthosequeer，unnecessaryceremoniesthatotherpeoplethoughtfittoindulgein。
　　“Pleasedon'tletmeinterruptyou，Mr——“shewasataloss，asusual，forthename，andKatharinethoughtthatshedidnotrecognizehim。“Ihopeyou'vefoundsomethingnicetoread，“sheadded，pointingtothebookuponthetable。“Byron——ah，Byron。I'veknownpeoplewhoknewLordByron，“shesaid。
　　Katharine，whohadriseninsomeconfusion，couldnothelpsmilingatthethoughtthathermotherfounditperfectlynaturalanddesirablethatherdaughtershouldbereadingByroninthedining-roomlateatnightalonewithastrangeyoungman。Sheblessedadispositionthatwassoconvenient，andfelttenderlytowardshermotherandhermother'seccentricities。ButRalphobservedthatalthoughMrs。Hilberyheldthebooksoclosetohereyesshewasnotreadingaword。
　　“Mydearmother，whyaren'tyouinbed？“Katharineexclaimed，changingastonishinglyinthespaceofaminutetoherusualconditionofauthoritativegoodsense。“Whyareyouwanderingabout？“
　　“I'msureIshouldlikeyourpoetrybetterthanIlikeLordByron's，“
　　saidMrs。Hilbery，addressingRalphDenham。
　　“Mr。Denhamdoesn'twritepoetry；hehaswrittenarticlesforfather，fortheReview，“Katharinesaid，asifpromptinghermemory。
　　“Ohdear！Howdull！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed，withasuddenlaughthatratherpuzzledherdaughter。
　　Ralphfoundthatshehadturneduponhimagazethatwasatonceveryvagueandverypenetrating。
　　“ButI'msureyoureadpoetryatnight。Ialwaysjudgebytheexpressionoftheeyes，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。“Thewindowsofthesoul，“sheaddedparenthetically。“Idon'tknowmuchaboutthelaw，“
　　shewenton，“thoughmanyofmyrelationswerelawyers。Someofthemlookedveryhandsome，too，intheirwigs。ButIthinkIdoknowalittleaboutpoetry，“sheadded。“Andallthethingsthataren'twrittendown，but——but——“Shewavedherhand，asiftoindicatethewealthofunwrittenpoetryallaboutthem。“Thenightandthestars，thedawncomingup，thebargesswimmingpast，thesunsetting……
　　Ahdear，“shesighed，“well，thesunsetisverylovelytoo。I
　　sometimesthinkthatpoetryisn'tsomuchwhatwewriteaswhatwefeel，Mr。Denham。“
　　Duringthisspeechofhermother'sKatharinehadturnedaway，andRalphfeltthatMrs。Hilberywastalkingtohimapart，withadesiretoascertainsomethingabouthimwhichsheveiledpurposelybythevaguenessofherwords。Hefeltcuriouslyencouragedandheartenedbythebeaminhereyeratherthanbyheractualwords。Fromthedistanceofherageandsexsheseemedtobewavingtohim，hailinghimasashipsinkingbeneaththehorizonmightwaveitsflagofgreetingtoanothersettingoutuponthesamevoyage。Hebenthishead，sayingnothing，butwithacuriouscertaintythatshehadreadananswertoherinquirythatsatisfiedher。Atanyrate，sherambledoffintoadescriptionoftheLawCourtswhichturnedtoadenunciationofEnglishjustice，which，accordingtoher，imprisonedpoormenwhocouldn'tpaytheirdebts。“Tellme，shallweeverdowithoutitall？“
　　sheasked，butatthispointKatharinegentlyinsistedthathermothershouldgotobed。Lookingbackfromhalf-wayupthestaircase，KatharineseemedtoseeDenham'seyeswatchinghersteadilyandintentlywithanexpressionthatshehadguessedinthemwhenhestoodlookingatthewindowsacrosstheroad。
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　ThetraywhichbroughtKatharine'scupofteathenextmorningbrought，also，anotefromhermother，announcingthatitwasherintentiontocatchanearlytraintoStratford-on-Avonthatveryday。
　　“Pleasefindoutthebestwayofgettingthere，“thenoteran，“andwiretodearSirJohnBurdetttoexpectme，withmylove。I'vebeendreamingallnightofyouandShakespeare，dearestKatharine。“
　　Thiswasnomomentaryimpulse。Mrs。HilberyhadbeendreamingofShakespeareanytimethesesixmonths，toyingwiththeideaofanexcursiontowhatsheconsideredtheheartofthecivilizedworld。TostandsixfeetaboveShakespeare'sbones，toseetheverystoneswornbyhisfeet，toreflectthattheoldestman'soldestmotherhadverylikelyseenShakespeare'sdaughter——suchthoughtsrousedanemotioninher，whichsheexpressedatunsuitablemoments，andwithapassionthatwouldnothavebeenunseemlyinapilgrimtoasacredshrine。Theonlystrangethingwasthatshewishedtogobyherself。But，naturallyenough，shewaswellprovidedwithfriendswholivedintheneighborhoodofShakespeare'stomb，andweredelightedtowelcomeher；
　　andsheleftlatertocatchhertraininthebestofspirits。Therewasamansellingvioletsinthestreet。Itwasafineday。ShewouldremembertosendMr。Hilberythefirstdaffodilshesaw。And，assheranbackintothehalltotellKatharine，shefelt，shehadalwaysfelt，thatShakespeare'scommandtoleavehisbonesundisturbedappliedonlytoodiouscuriosity-mongers——nottodearSirJohnandherself。LeavingherdaughtertocogitatethetheoryofAnneHathaway'ssonnets，andtheburiedmanuscriptsherereferredto，withtheimpliedmenacetothesafetyoftheheartofcivilizationitself，shebrisklyshutthedoorofhertaxi-cab，andwaswhirledoffuponthefirststageofherpilgrimage。
　　Thehousewasoddlydifferentwithouther。Katharinefoundthemaidsalreadyinpossessionofherroom，whichtheymeanttocleanthoroughlyduringherabsence。ToKatharineitseemedasiftheyhadbrushedawaysixtyyearsorsowiththefirstflickoftheirdampdusters。Itseemedtoherthattheworkshehadtriedtodointhatroomwasbeingsweptintoaveryinsignificantheapofdust。Thechinashepherdesseswerealreadyshiningfromabathofhotwater。Thewriting-tablemighthavebelongedtoaprofessionalmanofmethodicalhabits。
　　Gatheringtogetherafewpapersuponwhichshewasatwork，Katharineproceededtoherownroomwiththeintentionoflookingthroughthem，perhaps，inthecourseofthemorning。ButshewasmetonthestairsbyCassandra，whofollowedherup，butwithsuchintervalsbetweeneachstepthatKatharinebegantofeelherpurposedwindlingbeforetheyhadreachedthedoor。Cassandraleantoverthebanisters，andlookeddownuponthePersianrugthatlayonthefloorofthehall。
　　“Doesn'teverythinglookoddthismorning？“sheinquired。“Areyoureallygoingtospendthemorningwiththosedulloldletters，becauseifso——“
　　Thedulloldletters，whichwouldhaveturnedtheheadsofthemostsoberofcollectors，werelaiduponatable，and，afteramoment'spause，Cassandra，lookinggraveallofasudden，askedKatharinewheresheshouldfindthe“HistoryofEngland“byLordMacaulay。ItwasdownstairsinMr。Hilbery'sstudy。Thecousinsdescendedtogetherinsearchofit。Theydivergedintothedrawing-roomforthegoodreasonthatthedoorwasopen。TheportraitofRichardAlardyceattractedtheirattention。
　　“Iwonderwhathewaslike？“ItwasaquestionthatKatharinehadoftenaskedherselflately。
　　“Oh，afraudliketherestofthem——atleastHenrysaysso，“Cassandrareplied。“ThoughIdon'tbelieveeverythingHenrysays，“sheaddedalittledefensively。
　　DowntheywentintoMr。Hilbery'sstudy，wheretheybegantolookamonghisbooks。Sodesultorywasthisexaminationthatsomefifteenminutesfailedtodiscovertheworktheywereinsearchof。
　　“MustyoureadMacaulay'sHistory，Cassandra？“Katharineasked，withastretchofherarms。
　　“Imust，“Cassandrarepliedbriefly。
　　“Well，I'mgoingtoleaveyoutolookforitbyyourself。“
　　“Oh，no，Katharine。Pleasestayandhelpme。Yousee——yousee——ItoldWilliamI'dreadalittleeveryday。AndIwanttotellhimthatI'vebegunwhenhecomes。“
　　“WhendoesWilliamcome？“Katharineasked，turningtotheshelvesagain。
　　“Totea，ifthatsuitsyou？“
　　“Ifitsuitsmetobeout，Isupposeyoumean。“
　　“Oh，you'rehorrid……Whyshouldn'tyou——？“
　　“Yes？“
　　“Whyshouldn'tyoubehappytoo？“
　　“Iamquitehappy，“Katharinereplied。
　　“ImeanasIam。Katharine，“shesaidimpulsively，“dolet'sbemarriedonthesameday。“
　　“Tothesameman？“
　　“Oh，no，no。Butwhyshouldn'tyoumarry——someoneelse？“
　　“Here'syourMacaulay，“saidKatharine，turningroundwiththebookinherhand。“Ishouldsayyou'dbetterbegintoreadatonceifyoumeantobeeducatedbytea-time。“
　　“DamnLordMacaulay！“criedCassandra，slappingthebookuponthetable。“Wouldyourathernottalk？“
　　“We'vetalkedenoughalready，“Katharinerepliedevasively。
　　“IknowIshan'tbeabletosettletoMacaulay，“saidCassandra，lookingruefullyatthedullredcoveroftheprescribedvolume，which，however，possessedatalismanicproperty，sinceWilliamadmiredit。Hehadadvisedalittleseriousreadingforthemorninghours。
　　“HaveYOUreadMacaulay？“sheasked。
　　“No。Williamnevertriedtoeducateme。“AsshespokeshesawthelightfadefromCassandra'sface，asifshehadimpliedsomeother，moremysterious，relationship。Shewasstungwithcompunction。Shemarveledatherownrashnessinhavinginfluencedthelifeofanother，asshehadinfluencedCassandra'slife。
　　“Weweren'tserious，“shesaidquickly。
　　“ButI'mfearfullyserious，“saidCassandra，withalittleshudder，andherlookshowedthatshespokethetruth。SheturnedandglancedatKatharineasshehadneverglancedatherbefore。Therewasfearinherglance，whichdartedonherandthendroppedguiltily。Oh，Katharinehadeverything——beauty，mind，character。ShecouldnevercompetewithKatharine；shecouldneverbesafesolongasKatharinebroodedoverher，dominatingher，disposingofher。Shecalledhercold，unseeing，unscrupulous，buttheonlysignshegaveoutwardlywasacuriousone——shereachedoutherhandandgraspedthevolumeofhistory。AtthatmomentthebellofthetelephonerangandKatharinewenttoanswerit。Cassandra，releasedfromobservation，droppedherbookandclenchedherhands。Shesufferedmorefierytortureinthosefewminutesthanshehadsufferedinthewholeofherlife；shelearntmoreofhercapacitiesforfeeling。ButwhenKatharinereappearedshewascalm，andhadgainedalookofdignitythatwasnewtoher。
　　“Wasthathim？“sheasked。
　　“ItwasRalphDenham，“Katharinereplied。
　　“ImeantRalphDenham。“
　　“WhydidyoumeanRalphDenham？WhathasWilliamtoldyouaboutRalphDenham？“TheaccusationthatKatharinewascalm，callous，andindifferentwasnotpossibleinfaceofherpresentairofanimation。
　　ShegaveCassandranotimetoframeananswer。“Now，whenareyouandWilliamgoingtobemarried？“sheasked。
　　Cassandramadenoreplyforsomemoments。Itwas，indeed，averydifficultquestiontoanswer。Inconversationthenightbefore，WilliamhadindicatedtoCassandrathat，inhisbelief，KatharinewasbecomingengagedtoRalphDenhaminthedining-room。Cassandra，intherosylightofherowncircumstances，hadbeendisposedtothinkthatthemattermustbesettledalready。ButaletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningfromWilliam，whileardentinitsexpressionofaffection，hadconveyedtoherobliquelythathewouldprefertheannouncementoftheirengagementtocoincidewiththatofKatharine's。
　　ThisdocumentCassandranowproduced，andreadaloud，withconsiderableexcisionsandmuchhesitation。
　　“……athousandpities——ahem——Ifearweshallcauseagreatdealofnaturalannoyance。If，ontheotherhand，whatIhavereasontothinkwillhappen，shouldhappen——withinreasonabletime，andthepresentpositionisnotinanywayoffensivetoyou，delaywould，inmyopinion，serveallourinterestsbetterthanaprematureexplanation，whichisboundtocausemoresurprisethanisdesirable——“
　　“VerylikeWilliam，“Katharineexclaimed，havinggatheredthedriftoftheseremarkswithaspeedthat，byitself，disconcertedCassandra。
　　“Iquiteunderstandhisfeelings，“Cassandrareplied。“Iquiteagreewiththem。Ithinkitwouldbemuchbetter，ifyouintendtomarryMr。
　　Denham，thatweshouldwaitasWilliamsays。“
　　“But，then，ifIdon'tmarryhimformonths——or，perhaps，notatall？“
　　Cassandrawassilent。Theprospectappalledher。KatharinehadbeentelephoningtoRalphDenham；shelookedqueer，too；shemustbe，orabouttobecome，engagedtohim。ButifCassandracouldhaveoverheardtheconversationuponthetelephone，shewouldnothavefeltsocertainthatittendedinthatdirection。Itwastothiseffect:
　　“I'mRalphDenhamspeaking。I'minmyrightsensesnow。“
　　“Howlongdidyouwaitoutsidethehouse？“
　　“Iwenthomeandwroteyoualetter。Itoreitup。“
　　“Ishalltearupeverythingtoo。“
　　“Ishallcome。“
　　“Yes。Cometo-day。“
　　“Imustexplaintoyou——“
　　“Yes。Wemustexplain——“
　　Alongpausefollowed。Ralphbeganasentence，whichhecanceledwiththeword，“Nothing。“Suddenly，together，atthesamemoment，theysaidgood-bye。Andyet，ifthetelephonehadbeenmiraculouslyconnectedwithsomehigheratmospherepungentwiththescentofthymeandthesavorofsalt，Katharinecouldhardlyhavebreathedinakeenersenseofexhilaration。Sherandownstairsonthecrestofit。ShewasamazedtofindherselfalreadycommittedbyWilliamandCassandratomarrytheownerofthehaltingvoiceshehadjustheardonthetelephone。
　　Thetendencyofherspiritseemedtobeinanaltogetherdifferentdirection；andofadifferentnature。ShehadonlytolookatCassandratoseewhatthelovethatresultsinanengagementandmarriagemeans。Sheconsideredforamoment，andthensaid:“Ifyoudon'twanttotellpeopleyourselves，I'lldoitforyou。IknowWilliamhasfeelingsaboutthesemattersthatmakeitverydifficultforhimtodoanything。“
　　“Becausehe'sfearfullysensitiveaboutotherpeople'sfeelings，“saidCassandra。“TheideathathecouldupsetAuntMaggieorUncleTrevorwouldmakehimillforweeks。“
　　ThisinterpretationofwhatshewasusedtocallWilliam'sconventionalitywasnewtoKatharine。Andyetshefeltitnowtobethetrueone。
　　“Yes，you'reright，“shesaid。
　　“Andthenheworshipsbeauty。Hewantslifetobebeautifulineverypartofit。Haveyouevernoticedhowexquisitelyhefinisheseverything？Lookattheaddressonthatenvelope。Everyletterisperfect。“
　　Whetherthisappliedalsotothesentimentsexpressedintheletter，Katharinewasnotsosure；butwhenWilliam'ssolicitudewasspentuponCassandraitnotonlyfailedtoirritateher，asithaddonewhenshewastheobjectofit，butappeared，asCassandrasaid，thefruitofhisloveofbeauty。
　　“Yes，“shesaid，“helovesbeauty。“
　　“Ihopeweshallhaveagreatmanychildren，“saidCassandra。“Heloveschildren。“
　　ThisremarkmadeKatharinerealizethedepthsoftheirintimacybetterthananyotherwordscouldhavedone；shewasjealousforonemoment；
　　butthenextshewashumiliated。ShehadknownWilliamforyears，andshehadneveronceguessedthathelovedchildren。ShelookedatthequeerglowofexaltationinCassandra'seyes，throughwhichshewasbeholdingthetruespiritofahumanbeing，andwishedthatshewouldgoontalkingaboutWilliamforever。Cassandrawasnotunwillingtogratifyher。Shetalkedon。Themorningslippedaway。Katharinescarcelychangedherpositionontheedgeofherfather'swriting-table，andCassandraneveropenedthe“HistoryofEngland。“
　　AndyetitmustbeconfessedthattherewerevastlapsesintheattentionwhichKatharinebestoweduponhercousin。Theatmospherewaswonderfullycongenialforthoughtsofherown。ShelostherselfsometimesinsuchdeepreveriethatCassandra，pausing，couldlookatherformomentsunperceived。WhatcouldKatharinebethinkingabout，unlessitwereRalphDenham？Shewassatisfied，bycertainrandomreplies，thatKatharinehadwanderedalittlefromthesubjectofWilliam'sperfections。ButKatharinemadenosign。ShealwaysendedthesepausesbysayingsomethingsonaturalthatCassandrawasdeludedintogivingfreshexamplesofherabsorbingtheme。Thentheylunched，andtheonlysignthatKatharinegaveofabstractionwastoforgettohelpthepudding。Shelookedsolikehermother，asshesatthereobliviousofthetapioca，thatCassandrawasstartledintoexclaiming:
　　“HowlikeAuntMaggieyoulook！“
　　“Nonsense，“saidKatharine，withmoreirritationthantheremarkseemedtocallfor。
　　Intruth，nowthathermotherwasaway，Katharinedidfeellesssensiblethanusual，butasshearguedittoherself，therewasmuchlessneedforsense。Secretly，shewasalittleshakenbytheevidencewhichthemorninghadsuppliedofherimmensecapacityfor——whatcouldonecallit？——ramblingoveraninfinitevarietyofthoughtsthatweretoofoolishtobenamed。Shewas，forexample，walkingdownaroadinNorthumberlandintheAugustsunset；attheinnshelefthercompanion，whowasRalphDenham，andwastransported，notsomuchbyherownfeetasbysomeinvisiblemeans，tothetopofahighhill。
　　Herethescents，thesoundsamongthedryheather-roots，thegrass-bladespresseduponthepalmofherhand，wereallsoperceptiblethatshecouldexperienceeachoneseparately。Afterthishermindmadeexcursionsintothedarkoftheair，orsettleduponthesurfaceofthesea，whichcouldbediscoveredoverthere，orwithequalunreasonitreturnedtoitscouchofbrackenbeneaththestarsofmidnight，andvisitedthesnowvalleysofthemoon。Thesefancieswouldhavebeeninnowaystrange，sincethewallsofeverymindaredecoratedwithsomesuchtracery，butshefoundherselfsuddenlypursuingsuchthoughtswithanextremeardor，whichbecameadesiretochangeheractualconditionforsomethingmatchingtheconditionsofherdream。Thenshestarted；thensheawoketothefactthatCassandrawaslookingatherinamazement。
　　Cassandrawouldhavelikedtofeelcertainthat，whenKatharinemadenoreplyatalloronewideofthemark，shewasmakinguphermindtogetmarriedatonce，butitwasdifficult，ifthiswereso，toaccountforsomeremarksthatKatharineletfallaboutthefuture。Sherecurredseveraltimestothesummer，asifshemeanttospendthatseasoninsolitarywandering。SheseemedtohaveaplaninhermindwhichrequiredBradshawsandthenamesofinns。
　　Cassandrawasdrivenfinally，byherownunrest，toputonherclothesandwanderoutalongthestreetsofChelsea，onthepretencethatshemustbuysomething。But，inherignoranceoftheway，shebecamepanic-strickenatthethoughtofbeinglate，andnosoonerhadshefoundtheshopshewanted，thanshefledbackagaininordertobeathomewhenWilliamcame。Hecame，indeed，fiveminutesaftershehadsatdownbythetea-table，andshehadthehappinessofreceivinghimalone。Hisgreetingputherdoubtsofhisaffectionatrest，butthefirstquestionheaskedwas:
　　“HasKatharinespokentoyou？“
　　“Yes。Butshesaysshe'snotengaged。Shedoesn'tseemtothinkshe'severgoingtobeengaged。“
　　Williamfrowned，andlookedannoyed。
　　“Theytelephonedthismorning，andshebehavesveryoddly。Sheforgetstohelpthepudding，“Cassandraaddedbywayofcheeringhim。
　　“Mydearchild，afterwhatIsawandheardlastnight，it'snotaquestionofguessingorsuspecting。Eithershe'sengagedtohim——or——“
　　Helefthissentenceunfinished，foratthispointKatharineherselfappeared。Withhisrecollectionsofthescenethenightbefore，hewastooself-consciouseventolookather，anditwasnotuntilshetoldhimofhermother'svisittoStratford-on-Avonthatheraisedhiseyes。Itwasclearthathewasgreatlyrelieved。Helookedroundhimnow，asifhefeltathisease，andCassandraexclaimed:
　　“Don'tyouthinkeverythinglooksquitedifferent？“
　　“You'vemovedthesofa？“heasked。
　　“No。Nothing'sbeentouched，“saidKatharine。“Everything'sexactlythesame。“Butasshesaidthis，withadecisionwhichseemedtomakeitimplythatmorethanthesofawasunchanged，sheheldoutacupintowhichshehadforgottentopouranytea。Beingtoldofherforgetfulness，shefrownedwithannoyance，andsaidthatCassandrawasdemoralizingher。Theglanceshecastuponthem，andtheresolutewayinwhichsheplungedthemintospeech，madeWilliamandCassandrafeellikechildrenwhohadbeencaughtprying。Theyfollowedherobediently，makingconversation。Anyonecominginmighthavejudgedthemacquaintancesmet，perhaps，forthethirdtime。Ifthatwereso，onemusthaveconcludedthatthehostesssuddenlybethoughtherofanengagementpressingforfulfilment。FirstKatharinelookedatherwatch，andthensheaskedWilliamtotellhertherighttime。Whentoldthatitwastenminutestofivesheroseatonce，andsaid:
　　“ThenI'mafraidImustgo。“
　　Shelefttheroom，holdingherunfinishedbreadandbutterinherhand。WilliamglancedatCassandra。
　　“Well，sheISqueer！“Cassandraexclaimed。
　　Williamlookedperturbed。HeknewmoreofKatharinethanCassandradid，butevenhecouldnottell。InasecondKatharinewasbackagaindressedinoutdoorthings，stillholdingherbreadandbutterinherbarehand。
　　“IfI'mlate，don'twaitforme，“shesaid。“Ishallhavedined，“andsosaying，sheleftthem。
　　“Butshecan't——“Williamexclaimed，asthedoorshut，“notwithoutanyglovesandbreadandbutterinherhand！“Theyrantothewindow，andsawherwalkingrapidlyalongthestreettowardstheCity。Thenshevanished。
　　“ShemusthavegonetomeetMr。Denham，“Cassandraexclaimed。
　　“Goodnessknows！“Williaminterjected。
　　Theincidentimpressedthembothashavingsomethingqueerandominousaboutitoutofallproportiontoitssurfacestrangeness。
　　“It'sthesortofwayAuntMaggiebehaves，“saidCassandra，asifinexplanation。
　　Williamshookhishead，andpacedupanddowntheroomlookingextremelyperturbed。
　　“ThisiswhatI'vebeenforetelling，“heburstout。“Oncesettheordinaryconventionsaside——ThankHeavenMrs。Hilberyisaway。Butthere'sMr。Hilbery。Howarewetoexplainittohim？Ishallhavetoleaveyou。“
　　“ButUncleTrevorwon'tbebackforhours，William！“Cassandraimplored。
　　“Younevercantell。Hemaybeonhiswayalready。OrsupposeMrs。
　　Milvain——yourAuntCelia——orMrs。Cosham，oranyotherofyourauntsorunclesshouldbeshowninandfindusalonetogether。Youknowwhatthey'resayingaboutusalready。“
　　CassandrawasequallystrickenbythesightofWilliam'sagitation，andappalledbytheprospectofhisdesertion。
　　“Wemighthide，“sheexclaimedwildly，glancingatthecurtainwhichseparatedtheroomwiththerelics。
　　“Irefuseentirelytogetunderthetable，“saidWilliamsarcastically。
　　Shesawthathewaslosinghistemperwiththedifficultiesofthesituation。Herinstincttoldherthatanappealtohisaffection，atthismoment，wouldbeextremelyill-judged。Shecontrolledherself，satdown，pouredoutafreshcupoftea，andsippeditquietly。Thisnaturalaction，arguingcompleteself-mastery，andshowingherinoneofthosefeminineattitudeswhichWilliamfoundadorable，didmorethananyargumenttocomposehisagitation。Itappealedtohischivalry。Heacceptedacup。Nextsheaskedforasliceofcake。Bythetimethecakewaseatenandtheteadrunkthepersonalquestionhadlapsed，andtheywerediscussingpoetry。Insensiblytheyturnedfromthequestionofdramaticpoetryingeneral，totheparticularexamplewhichreposedinWilliam'spocket，andwhenthemaidcameintoclearawaythetea-things，Williamhadaskedpermissiontoreadashortpassagealoud，“unlessitboredher？“
　　Cassandrabentherheadinsilence，butsheshowedalittleofwhatshefeltinhereyes，andthusfortified，WilliamfeltconfidentthatitwouldtakemorethanMrs。Milvainherselftorouthimfromhisposition。Hereadaloud。
　　MeanwhileKatharinewalkedrapidlyalongthestreet。Ifcalledupontoexplainherimpulsiveactioninleavingthetea-table，shecouldhavetracedittonobettercausethanthatWilliamhadglancedatCassandra；CassandraatWilliam。Yet，becausetheyhadglanced，herpositionwasimpossible。IfoneforgottopouroutacupofteatheyrushedtotheconclusionthatshewasengagedtoRalphDenham。Sheknewthatinhalfanhourorsothedoorwouldopen，andRalphDenhamwouldappear。ShecouldnotsitthereandcontemplateseeinghimwithWilliam'sandCassandra'seyesuponthem，judgingtheirexactdegreeofintimacy，sothattheymightfixthewedding-day。ShepromptlydecidedthatshewouldmeetRalphoutofdoors；shestillhadtimetoreachLincoln'sInnFieldsbeforehelefthisoffice。Shehailedacab，andbadeittakehertoashopforsellingmapswhichsherememberedinGreatQueenStreet，sinceshehardlylikedtobesetdownathisdoor。Arrivedattheshop，sheboughtalargescalemapofNorfolk，andthusprovided，hurriedintoLincoln'sInnFields，andassuredherselfofthepositionofMessrs。HoperandGrateley'soffice。Thegreatgaschandelierswerealightintheofficewindows。
　　Sheconceivedthathesatatanenormoustableladenwithpapersbeneathoneoftheminthefrontroomwiththethreetallwindows。
　　Havingsettledhispositionthere，shebeganwalkingtoandfrouponthepavement。Nobodyofhisbuildappeared。Shescrutinizedeachmalefigureasitapproachedandpassedher。Eachmalefigurehad，nevertheless，alookofhim，due，perhaps，totheprofessionaldress，thequickstep，thekeenglancewhichtheycastuponherastheyhastenedhomeaftertheday'swork。Thesquareitself，withitsimmensehousesallsofullyoccupiedandsternofaspect，itsatmosphereofindustryandpower，asifeventhesparrowsandthechildrenwereearningtheirdailybread，asiftheskyitself，withitsgrayandscarletclouds，reflectedtheseriousintentionofthecitybeneathit，spokeofhim。Herewasthefitplacefortheirmeeting，shethought；herewasthefitplaceforhertowalkthinkingofhim。ShecouldnothelpcomparingitwiththedomesticstreetsofChelsea。Withthiscomparisoninhermind，sheextendedherrangealittle，andturnedintothemainroad。ThegreattorrentofvansandcartswassweepingdownKingsway；pedestrianswerestreamingintwocurrentsalongthepavements。Shestoodfascinatedatthecorner。Thedeeproarfilledherears；thechangingtumulthadtheinexpressiblefascinationofvariedlifepouringceaselesslywithapurposewhich，asshelooked，seemedtoher，somehow，thenormalpurposeforwhichlifewasframed；itscompleteindifferencetotheindividuals，whomitswallowedupandrolledonwards，filledherwithatleastatemporaryexaltation。Theblendofdaylightandoflamplightmadeheraninvisiblespectator，justasitgavethepeoplewhopassedherasemi-transparentquality，andleftthefacespaleivoryovalsinwhichtheeyesaloneweredark。Theytendedtheenormousrushofthecurrent——thegreatflow，thedeepstream，theunquenchabletide。Shestoodunobservedandabsorbed，gloryingopenlyintherapturethathadrunsubterraneouslyallday。Suddenlyshewasclutched，unwilling，fromtheoutside，bytherecollectionofherpurposeincomingthere。
　　ShehadcometofindRalphDenham。ShehastilyturnedbackintoLincoln'sInnFields，andlookedforherlandmark——thelightinthethreetallwindows。Shesoughtinvain。Thefacesofthehouseshadnowmergedinthegeneraldarkness，andshehaddifficultyindeterminingwhichshesought。Ralph'sthreewindowsgavebackontheirghostlyglasspanelsonlyareflectionofthegrayandgreenishsky。
　　Sherangthebell，peremptorily，underthepaintednameofthefirm。
　　Aftersomedelayshewasansweredbyacaretaker，whosepailandbrushofthemselvestoldherthattheworkingdaywasoverandtheworkersgone。Nobody，saveperhapsMr。Grateleyhimself，wasleft，sheassuredKatharine；everyoneelsehadbeengonethesetenminutes。
　　ThenewswokeKatharinecompletely。Anxietygaineduponher。ShehastenedbackintoKingsway，lookingatpeoplewhohadmiraculouslyregainedtheirsolidity。SheranasfarastheTubestation，overhaulingclerkafterclerk，solicitoraftersolicitor。NotoneofthemevenfaintlyresembledRalphDenham。Moreandmoreplainlydidsheseehim；andmoreandmoredidheseemtoherunlikeanyoneelse。
　　Atthedoorofthestationshepaused，andtriedtocollectherthoughts。Hehadgonetoherhouse。Bytakingacabshecouldbethereprobablyinadvanceofhim。Butshepicturedherselfopeningthedrawing-roomdoor，andWilliamandCassandralookingup，andRalph'sentranceamomentlater，andtheglances——theinsinuations。No；shecouldnotfaceit。Shewouldwritehimaletterandtakeitatoncetohishouse。Sheboughtpaperandpencilatthebookstall，andenteredanA。B。C。shop，where，byorderingacupofcoffee，shesecuredanemptytable，andbeganatvicetowrite:
　　“IcametomeetyouandIhavemissedyou。IcouldnotfaceWilliamandCassandra。Theywantus——“hereshepaused。“Theyinsistthatweareengaged，“shesubstituted，“andwecouldn'ttalkatall，orexplainanything。Iwant——“Herwantsweresovast，nowthatshewasincommunicationwithRalph，thatthepencilwasutterlyinadequatetoconductthemontothepaper；itseemedasifthewholetorrentofKingswayhadtorundownherpencil。Shegazedintentlyatanoticehangingonthegold-encrustedwallopposite。“……tosayallkindsofthings，“sheadded，writingeachwordwiththepainstakingofachild。But，whensheraisedhereyesagaintomeditatethenextsentence，shewasawareofawaitress，whoseexpressionintimatedthatitwasclosingtime，and，lookinground，Katharinesawherselfalmostthelastpersonleftintheshop。Shetookupherletter，paidherbill，andfoundherselfoncemoreinthestreet。ShewouldnowtakeacabtoHighgate。Butatthatmomentitflasheduponherthatshecouldnotremembertheaddress。Thischeckseemedtoletfallabarrieracrossaverypowerfulcurrentofdesire。Sheransackedhermemoryindesperation，huntingforthename，firstbyrememberingthelookofthehouse，andthenbytrying，inmemory，toretracethewordsshehadwrittenonce，atleast，uponanenvelope。Themoreshepressedthefartherthewordsreceded。WasthehouseanOrchardSomething，onthestreetaHill？Shegaveitup。Never，sinceshewasachild，hadshefeltanythinglikethisblanknessanddesolation。Thererushedinuponher，asifshewerewakingfromsomedream，alltheconsequencesofherinexplicableindolence。ShefiguredRalph'sfaceasheturnedfromherdoorwithoutawordofexplanation，receivinghisdismissalasablowfromherself，acallousintimationthatshedidnotwishtoseehim。Shefollowedhisdeparturefromherdoor；butitwasfarmoreeasytoseehimmarchingfarandfastinanydirectionforanylengthoftimethantoconceivethathewouldturnbacktoHighgate。PerhapshewouldtryoncemoretoseeherinCheyneWalk？Itwasproofoftheclearnesswithwhichshesawhim，thatshestartedforwardasthispossibilityoccurredtoher，andalmostraisedherhandtobeckontoacab。No；hewastooproudtocomeagain；herejectedthedesireandwalkedonandon，onandon——Ifonlyshecouldreadthenamesofthosevisionarystreetsdownwhichhepassed！Butherimaginationbetrayedheratthispoint，ormockedherwithasenseoftheirstrangeness，darkness，anddistance。Indeed，insteadofhelpingherselftoanydecision，sheonlyfilledhermindwiththevastextentofLondonandtheimpossibilityoffindinganysinglefigurethatwanderedoffthiswayandthatway，turnedtotherightandtotheleft，chosethatdingylittlebackstreetwherethechildrenwereplayingintheroad，andso——Sherousedherselfimpatiently。ShewalkedrapidlyalongHolborn。Soonsheturnedandwalkedasrapidlyintheotherdirection。
　　Thisindecisionwasnotmerelyodious，buthadsomethingthatalarmedheraboutit，asshehadbeenalarmedslightlyonceortwicealreadythatday；shefeltunabletocopewiththestrengthofherowndesires。Toapersoncontrolledbyhabit，therewashumiliationaswellasalarminthissuddenreleaseofwhatappearedtobeaverypowerfulaswellasanunreasonableforce。AnachinginthemusclesofherrighthandnowshowedherthatshewascrushingherglovesandthemapofNorfolkinagripsufficienttocrackamoresolidobject。Sherelaxedhergrasp；shelookedanxiouslyatthefacesofthepassers-bytoseewhethertheireyesrestedonherforamomentlongerthanwasnatural，orwithanycuriosity。Buthavingsmoothedouthergloves，anddonewhatshecouldtolookasusual，sheforgotspectators，andwasoncemoregivenuptoherdesperatedesiretofindRalphDenham。
　　Itwasadesirenow——wild，irrational，unexplained，resemblingsomethingfeltinchildhood。Oncemoresheblamedherselfbitterlyforhercarelessness。ButfindingherselfoppositetheTubestation，shepulledherselfupandtookcounselswiftly，asofold。ItflasheduponherthatshewouldgoatoncetoMaryDatchet，andaskhertogiveherRalph'saddress。Thedecisionwasarelief，notonlyingivingheragoal，butinprovidingherwitharationalexcuseforherownactions。
　　Itgaveheragoalcertainly，butthefactofhavingagoalledhertodwellexclusivelyuponherobsession；sothatwhensherangthebellofMary'sflat，shedidnotforamomentconsiderhowthisdemandwouldstrikeMary。ToherextremeannoyanceMarywasnotathome；acharwomanopenedthedoor。AllKatharinecoulddowastoaccepttheinvitationtowait。Shewaitedfor，perhaps，fifteenminutes，andspenttheminpacingfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherwithoutintermission。WhensheheardMary'skeyinthedoorshepausedinfrontofthefireplace，andMaryfoundherstandingupright，lookingatonceexpectantanddetermined，likeapersonwhohascomeonanerrandofsuchimportancethatitmustbebroachedwithoutpreface。
　　Maryexclaimedinsurprise。
　　“Yes，yes，“Katharinesaid，brushingtheseremarksaside，asiftheywereintheway。
　　“Haveyouhadtea？“
　　“Ohyes，“shesaid，thinkingthatshehadhadteahundredsofyearsago，somewhereorother。
　　Marypaused，tookoffhergloves，and，findingmatches，proceededtolightthefire。
　　Katharinecheckedherwithanimpatientmovement，andsaid:
　　“Don'tlightthefireforme……IwanttoknowRalphDenham'saddress。“
　　Shewasholdingapencilandpreparingtowriteontheenvelope。Shewaitedwithanimperiousexpression。
　　“TheAppleOrchard，MountAraratRoad，Highgate，“Marysaid，speakingslowlyandratherstrangely。
　　“Oh，Iremembernow！“Katharineexclaimed，withirritationatherownstupidity。“Isupposeitwouldn'ttaketwentyminutestodrivethere？“
　　Shegatheredupherpurseandglovesandseemedabouttogo。
　　“Butyouwon'tfindhim，“saidMary，pausingwithamatchinherhand。
　　Katharine，whohadalreadyturnedtowardsthedoor，stoppedandlookedather。
　　“Why？Whereishe？“sheasked。
　　“Hewon'thavelefthisoffice。“
　　“Buthehaslefttheoffice，“shereplied。“Theonlyquestioniswillhehavereachedhomeyet？HewenttoseemeatChelsea；Itriedtomeethimandmissedhim。Hewillhavefoundnomessagetoexplain。SoImustfindhim——assoonaspossible。“
　　Marytookinthesituationatherleisure。
　　“Butwhynottelephone？“shesaid。
　　Katharineimmediatelydroppedallthatshewasholding；herstrainedexpressionrelaxed，andexclaiming，“Ofcourse！Whydidn'tIthinkofthat！“sheseizedthetelephonereceiverandgavehernumber。Marylookedathersteadily，andthenlefttheroom。AtlengthKatharineheard，throughallthesuperimposedweightofLondon，themysterioussoundoffeetinherownhousemountingtothelittleroom，whereshecouldalmostseethepicturesandthebooks；shelistenedwithextremeintentnesstothepreparatoryvibrations，andthenestablishedheridentity。
　　“HasMr。Denhamcalled？“
　　“Yes，miss。“
　　“Didheaskforme？“
　　“Yes。Wesaidyouwereout，miss。“
　　“Didheleaveanymessage？“
　　“No。Hewentaway。Abouttwentyminutesago，miss。“
　　Katharinehungupthereceiver。ShewalkedthelengthoftheroominsuchacutedisappointmentthatshedidnotatfirstperceiveMary'sabsence。Thenshecalledinaharshandperemptorytone:
　　“Mary。“
　　Marywastakingoffheroutdoorthingsinthebedroom。SheheardKatharinecallher。“Yes，“shesaid，“Ishan'tbeamoment。“Butthemomentprolongeditself，asifforsomereasonMaryfoundsatisfactioninmakingherselfnotonlytidy，butseemlyandornamented。Astageinherlifehadbeenaccomplishedinthelastmonthswhichleftitstracesforeveruponherbearing。Youth，andthebloomofyouth，hadreceded，leavingthepurposeofherfacetoshowitselfinthehollowercheeks，thefirmerlips，theeyesnolongerspontaneouslyobservingatrandom，butnarroweduponanendwhichwasnotnearathand。Thiswomanwasnowaserviceablehumanbeing，mistressofherowndestiny，andthus，bysomecombinationofideas，fittobeadornedwiththedignityofsilverchainsandglowingbrooches。Shecameinatherleisureandasked:“Well，didyougetananswer？“
　　“HehasleftChelseaalready，“Katharinereplied。
　　“Still，hewon'tbehomeyet，“saidMary。
　　KatharinewasoncemoreirresistiblydrawntogazeuponanimaginarymapofLondon，tofollowthetwistsandturnsofunnamedstreets。
　　“I'llringuphishomeandaskwhetherhe'sback。“Marycrossedtothetelephoneand，afteraseriesofbriefremarks，announced:
　　“No。Hissistersayshehasn'tcomebackyet。“
　　“Ah！“Sheappliedhereartothetelephoneoncemore。“They'vehadamessage。Hewon'tbebacktodinner。“
　　“Thenwhatishegoingtodo？“
　　Verypale，andwithherlargeeyesfixednotsomuchuponMaryasuponvistasofunrespondingblankness，KatharineaddressedherselfalsonotsomuchtoMaryastotheunrelentingspiritwhichnowappearedtomockherfromeveryquarterofhersurvey。
　　AfterwaitingalittletimeMaryremarkedindifferently:
　　“Ireallydon'tknow。“Slacklylyingbackinherarmchair，shewatchedthelittleflamesbeginningtocreepamongthecoalsindifferently，asifthey，too，wereverydistantandindifferent。
　　Katharinelookedatherindignantlyandrose。
　　“Possiblyhemaycomehere，“Marycontinued，withoutalteringtheabstracttoneofhervoice。“Itwouldbeworthyourwhiletowaitifyouwanttoseehimto-night。“Shebentforwardandtouchedthewood，sothattheflamesslippedinbetweentheintersticesofthecoal。
　　Katharinereflected。“I'llwaithalfanhour，“shesaid。
　　Maryrose，wenttothetable，spreadoutherpapersunderthegreen-shadedlampand，withanactionthatwasbecomingahabit，twistedalockofhairroundandroundinherfingers。Onceshelookedunperceivedathervisitor，whonevermoved，whosatsostill，witheyessointent，thatyoucouldalmostfancythatshewaswatchingsomething，somefacethatneverlookedupather。Maryfoundherselfunabletogoonwriting。Sheturnedhereyesaway，butonlytobeawareofthepresenceofwhatKatharinelookedat。Therewereghostsintheroom，andone，strangelyandsadly，wastheghostofherself。
　　Theminuteswentby。
　　“Whatwouldbethetimenow？“saidKatharineatlast。Thehalf-hourwasnotquitespent。
　　“I'mgoingtogetdinnerready，“saidMary，risingfromhertable。
　　“ThenI'llgo，“saidKatharine。
　　“Whydon'tyoustay？Whereareyougoing？“
　　Katharinelookedroundtheroom，conveyingheruncertaintyinherglance。
　　“PerhapsImightfindhim，“shemused。
　　“Butwhyshoulditmatter？You'llseehimanotherday。“
　　Maryspoke，andintendedtospeak，cruellyenough。
　　“Iwaswrongtocomehere，“Katharinereplied。
　　Theireyesmetwithantagonism，andneitherflinched。
　　“Youhadaperfectrighttocomehere，“Maryanswered。
　　Aloudknockingatthedoorinterruptedthem。Marywenttoopenit，andreturningwithsomenoteorparcel，KatharinelookedawaysothatMarymightnotreadherdisappointment。
　　“Ofcourseyouhadarighttocome，“Maryrepeated，layingthenoteuponthetable。
　　“No，“saidKatharine。“Exceptthatwhenone'sdesperateonehasasortofright。Iamdesperate。HowdoIknowwhat'shappeningtohimnow？
　　Hemaydoanything。Hemaywanderaboutthestreetsallnight。
　　Anythingmayhappentohim。“
　　Shespokewithaself-abandonmentthatMaryhadneverseeninher。
　　“Youknowyouexaggerate；you'retalkingnonsense，“shesaidroughly。
　　“Mary，Imusttalk——Imusttellyou——“
　　“Youneedn'ttellmeanything，“Maryinterruptedher。“Can'tIseeformyself？“
　　“No，no，“Katharineexclaimed。“It'snotthat——“
　　Herlook，passingbeyondMary，beyondthevergeoftheroomandoutbeyondanywordsthatcameherway，wildlyandpassionately，convincedMarythatshe，atanyrate，couldnotfollowsuchaglancetoitsend。
　　Shewasbaffled；shetriedtothinkherselfbackagainintotheheightofherloveforRalph。Pressingherfingersuponhereyelids，shemurmured:
　　“YouforgetthatIlovedhimtoo。IthoughtIknewhim。IDIDknowhim。“
　　Andyet，whathadsheknown？Shecouldnotrememberitanymore。Shepressedhereyeballsuntiltheystruckstarsandsunsintoherdarkness。Sheconvincedherselfthatshewasstirringamongashes。Shedesisted。Shewasastonishedatherdiscovery。ShedidnotloveRalphanymore。Shelookedbackdazedintotheroom，andhereyesresteduponthetablewithitslamp-litpapers。Thesteadyradianceseemedforasecondtohaveitscounterpartwithinher；sheshuthereyes；
　　sheopenedthemandlookedatthelampagain；anotherloveburntintheplaceoftheoldone，orso，inamomentaryglanceofamazement，sheguessedbeforetherevelationwasoverandtheoldsurroundingsassertedthemselves。Sheleantinsilenceagainstthemantelpiece。
　　“Therearedifferentwaysofloving，“shemurmured，halftoherself，atlength。
　　Katharinemadenoreplyandseemedunawareofherwords。Sheseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。
　　“Perhapshe'swaitinginthestreetagainto-night，“sheexclaimed。
　　“I'llgonow。Imightfindhim。“
　　“It'sfarmorelikelythathe'llcomehere，“saidMary，andKatharine，afterconsideringforamoment，said:
　　“I'llwaitanotherhalf-hour。“
　　Shesankdownintoherchairagain，andtookupthesamepositionwhichMaryhadcomparedtothepositionofonewatchinganunseeingface。Shewatched，indeed，notaface，butaprocession，notofpeople，butoflifeitself:thegoodandbad；themeaning；thepast，thepresent，andthefuture。Allthisseemedapparenttoher，andshewasnotashamedofherextravagancesomuchasexaltedtooneofthepinnaclesofexistence，whereitbehovedtheworldtodoherhomage。
　　NoonebutsheherselfknewwhatitmeanttomissRalphDenhamonthatparticularnight；intothisinadequateeventcrowdedfeelingsthatthegreatcrisesoflifemighthavefailedtocallforth。Shehadmissedhim，andknewthebitternessofallfailure；shedesiredhim，andknewthetormentofallpassion。Itdidnotmatterwhattrivialaccidentsledtothisculmination。Nordidshecarehowextravagantsheappeared，norhowopenlysheshowedherfeelings。
　　WhenthedinnerwasreadyMarytoldhertocome，andshecamesubmissively，asifsheletMarydirecthermovementsforher。Theyateanddranktogetheralmostinsilence，andwhenMarytoldhertoeatmore，sheatemore；whenshewastoldtodrinkwine，shedrankit。
　　Nevertheless，beneaththissuperficialobedience，Maryknewthatshewasfollowingherownthoughtsunhindered。Shewasnotinattentivesomuchasremote；shelookedatoncesounseeingandsointentuponsomevisionofherownthatMarygraduallyfeltmorethanprotective——shebecameactuallyalarmedattheprospectofsomecollisionbetweenKatharineandtheforcesoftheoutsideworld。Directlytheyhaddone，Katharineannouncedherintentionofgoing。
　　“Butwhereareyougoingto？“Maryasked，desiringvaguelytohinderher。
　　“Oh，I'mgoinghome——no，toHighgateperhaps。“
　　Marysawthatitwouldbeuselesstotrytostopher。Allshecoulddowastoinsistuponcomingtoo，butshemetwithnoopposition；
　　Katharineseemedindifferenttoherpresence。InafewminutestheywerewalkingalongtheStrand。TheywalkedsorapidlythatMarywasdeludedintothebeliefthatKatharineknewwhereshewasgoing。Sheherselfwasnotattentive。Shewasgladofthemovementalonglamp-litstreetsintheopenair。Shewasfingering，painfullyandwithfear，yetwithstrangehope，too，thediscoverywhichshehadstumbleduponunexpectedlythatnight。Shewasfreeoncemoreatthecostofagift，thebest，perhaps，thatshecouldoffer，butshewas，thankHeaven，inlovenolonger。Shewastemptedtospendthefirstinstalmentofherfreedominsomedissipation；inthepitoftheColiseum，forexample，sincetheywerenowpassingthedoor。Whynotgoinandcelebrateherindependenceofthetyrannyoflove？Or，perhaps，thetopofanomnibusboundforsomeremoteplacesuchasCamberwell，orSidcup，ortheWelshHarpwouldsuitherbetter。Shenoticedthesenamespaintedonlittleboardsforthefirsttimeforweeks。Orshouldshereturntoherroom，andspendthenightworkingoutthedetailsofaveryenlightenedandingeniousscheme？Ofallpossibilitiesthisappealedtohermost，andbroughttomindthefire，thelamplight，thesteadyglowwhichhadseemedlitintheplacewhereamorepassionateflamehadonceburnt。
　　NowKatharinestopped，andMarywoketothefactthatinsteadofhavingagoalshehadevidentlynone。Shepausedattheedgeofthecrossing，andlookedthiswayandthat，andfinallymadeasifinthedirectionofHaverstockHill。
　　“Lookhere——whereareyougoing？“Marycried，catchingherbythehand。“Wemusttakethatcabandgohome。“ShehailedacabandinsistedthatKatharineshouldgetin，whileshedirectedthedrivertotakethemtoCheyneWalk。
　　Katharinesubmitted。“Verywell，“shesaid。“Wemayaswellgothereasanywhereelse。“
　　Agloomseemedtohavefallenonher。Shelaybackinhercorner，silentandapparentlyexhausted。Mary，inspiteofherownpreoccupation，wasstruckbyherpallorandherattitudeofdejection。
　　“I'msureweshallfindhim，“shesaidmoregentlythanshehadyetspoken。
　　“Itmaybetoolate，“Katharinereplied。Withoutunderstandingher，Marybegantopityherforwhatshewassuffering。
　　“Nonsense，“shesaid，takingherhandandrubbingit。“Ifwedon'tfindhimthereweshallfindhimsomewhereelse。“
　　“Butsupposehe'swalkingaboutthestreets——forhoursandhours？“
　　Sheleantforwardandlookedoutofthewindow。
　　“Hemayrefuseevertospeaktomeagain，“shesaidinalowvoice，almosttoherself。
　　TheexaggerationwassoimmensethatMarydidnotattempttocopewithit，savebykeepingholdofKatharine'swrist。ShehalfexpectedthatKatharinemightopenthedoorsuddenlyandjumpout。PerhapsKatharineperceivedthepurposewithwhichherhandwasheld。
　　“Don'tbefrightened，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh。“I'mnotgoingtojumpoutofthecab。Itwouldn'tdomuchgoodafterall。“
　　Uponthis，Maryostentatiouslywithdrewherhand。
　　“Ioughttohaveapologized，“Katharinecontinued，withaneffort，“forbringingyouintoallthisbusiness；Ihaven'ttoldyouhalf，either。I'mnolongerengagedtoWilliamRodney。HeistomarryCassandraOtway。It'sallarranged——allperfectlyright……Andafterhe'dwaitedinthestreetsforhoursandhours，Williammademebringhimin。Hewasstandingunderthelamp-postwatchingourwindows。Hewasperfectlywhitewhenhecameintotheroom。Williamleftusalone，andwesatandtalked。Itseemsagesandagesago，now。