“Wehavetohavefaithinourvision，“Mrs。Hilberyresumed，glancingatthefigures，whichdistressedhervaguely，andhadsomeconnectioninhermindwiththehouseholdaccounts，“otherwise，asyousay——“Shecastalightningglanceintothedepthsofdisillusionmentwhichwere，perhaps，notaltogetherunknowntoher。
　　“Believeme，Katharine，it'sthesameforeveryone——forme，too——foryourfather，“shesaidearnestly，andsighed。Theylookedtogetherintotheabyssand，astheelderofthetwo，sherecoveredherselffirstandasked:
　　“ButwhereisRalph？Whyisn'theheretoseeme？“
　　Katharine'sexpressionchangedinstantly。
　　“Becausehe'snotallowedtocomehere，“sherepliedbitterly。
　　Mrs。Hilberybrushedthisaside。
　　“Wouldtherebetimetosendforhimbeforeluncheon？“sheasked。
　　Katharinelookedatherasif，indeed，sheweresomemagician。Oncemoreshefeltthatinsteadofbeingagrownwoman，usedtoadviseandcommand，shewasonlyafootortworaisedabovethelonggrassandthelittleflowersandentirelydependentuponthefigureofindefinitesizewhoseheadwentupintothesky，whosehandwasinhers，forguidance。
　　“I'mnothappywithouthim，“shesaidsimply。
　　Mrs。Hilberynoddedherheadinamannerwhichindicatedcompleteunderstanding，andtheimmediateconceptionofcertainplansforthefuture。Shesweptupherflowers，breathedintheirsweetness，and，hummingalittlesongaboutamiller'sdaughter，lefttheroom。
　　ThecaseuponwhichRalphDenhamwasengagedthatafternoonwasnotapparentlyreceivinghisfullattention，andyettheaffairsofthelateJohnLeakeofDublinweresufficientlyconfusedtoneedallthecarethatasolicitorcouldbestowuponthem，ifthewidowLeakeandthefiveLeakechildrenoftenderageweretoreceiveanypittanceatall。ButtheappealtoRalph'shumanityhadlittlechanceofbeingheardto-day；hewasnolongeramodelofconcentration。Thepartitionsocarefullyerectedbetweenthedifferentsectionsofhislifehadbeenbrokendown，withtheresultthatthoughhiseyeswerefixeduponthelastWillandTestament，hesawthroughthepageacertaindrawing-roominCheyneWalk。
　　Hetriedeverydevicethathadprovedeffectiveinthepastforkeepingupthepartitionsofthemind，untilhecoulddecentlygohome；butalittletohisalarmhefoundhimselfassailedsopersistently，asiffromoutside，byKatharine，thathelaunchedforthdesperatelyintoanimaginaryinterviewwithher。Sheobliteratedabookcasefulloflawreports，andthecornersandlinesoftheroomunderwentacurioussofteningofoutlinelikethatwhichsometimesmakesaroomunfamiliaratthemomentofwakingfromsleep。Bydegrees，apulseorstressbegantobeatatregularintervalsinhismind，heapinghisthoughtsintowavestowhichwordsfittedthemselves，andwithoutmuchconsciousnessofwhathewasdoing，hebegantowriteonasheetofdraftpaperwhathadtheappearanceofapoemlackingseveralwordsineachline。Notmanylineshadbeensetdown，however，beforehethrewawayhispenasviolentlyasifthatwereresponsibleforhismisdeeds，andtorethepaperintomanyseparatepieces。ThiswasasignthatKatharinehadassertedherselfandputtohimaremarkthatcouldnotbemetpoetically。Herremarkwasentirelydestructiveofpoetry，sinceitwastotheeffectthatpoetryhadnothingwhatevertodowithher；allherfriendsspenttheirlivesinmakingupphrases，shesaid；allhisfeelingwasanillusion，andnextmoment，asiftotaunthimwithhisimpotence，shehadsunkintooneofthosedreamystateswhichtooknoaccountwhateverofhisexistence。RalphwasrousedbyhispassionateattemptstoattractherattentiontothefactthathewasstandinginthemiddleofhislittleprivateroominLincoln'sInnFieldsataconsiderabledistancefromChelsea。Thephysicaldistanceincreasedhisdesperation。Hebeganpacingincirclesuntiltheprocesssickenedhim，andthentookasheetofpaperforthecompositionofaletterwhich，hevowedbeforehebeganit，shouldbesentthatsameevening。
　　Itwasadifficultmattertoputintowords；poetrywouldhavedoneitbetterjustice，buthemustabstainfrompoetry。Inaninfinitenumberofhalf-obliteratedscratcheshetriedtoconveytoherthepossibilitythatalthoughhumanbeingsarewoefullyill-adaptedforcommunication，still，suchcommunionisthebestweknow；moreover，theymakeitpossibleforeachtohaveaccesstoanotherworldindependentofpersonalaffairs，aworldoflaw，ofphilosophy，ormorestrangelyaworldsuchashehadhadaglimpseoftheothereveningwhentogethertheyseemedtobesharingsomething，creatingsomething，anideal——avisionflungoutinadvanceofouractualcircumstances。Ifthisgoldenrimwerequenched，iflifewerenolongercircledbyanillusionbutwasitanillusionafterall？，thenitwouldbetoodismalanaffairtocarrytoanend；sohewrotewithasuddenspurtofconvictionwhichmadeclearwayforaspaceandleftatleastonesentencestandingwhole。Makingeveryallowanceforotherdesires，onthewholethisconclusionappearedtohimtojustifytheirrelationship。Buttheconclusionwasmystical；itplungedhimintothought。Thedifficultywithwhicheventhisamountwaswritten，theinadequacyofthewords，andtheneedofwritingunderthemandoverthemotherswhich，afterall，didnobetter，ledhimtoleaveoffbeforehewasatailsatisfiedwithhisproduction，andunabletoresisttheconvictionthatsuchramblingwouldneverbefitforKatharine'seye。Hefelthimselfmorecutofffromherthanever。Inidleness，andbecausehecoulddonothingfurtherwithwords，hebegantodrawlittlefiguresintheblankspaces，headsmeanttoresembleherhead，blotsfringedwithflamesmeanttorepresent——perhapstheentireuniverse。Fromthisoccupationhewasrousedbythemessagethataladywishedtospeaktohim。Hehadscarcelytimetorunhishandsthroughhishairinordertolookasmuchlikeasolicitoraspossible，andtocramhispapersintohispocket，alreadyovercomewithshamethatanothereyeshouldbeholdthem，whenherealizedthathispreparationswereneedless。TheladywasMrs。Hilbery。
　　“Ihopeyou'renotdisposingofsomebody'sfortuneinahurry，“sheremarked，gazingatthedocumentsonhistable，“orcuttingoffanentailatoneblow，becauseIwanttoaskyoutodomeafavor。AndAndersonwon'tkeephishorsewaiting。Andersonisaperfecttyrant，buthedrovemydearfathertotheAbbeythedaytheyburiedhim。I
　　madeboldtocometoyou，Mr。Denham，notexactlyinsearchoflegalassistancethoughIdon'tknowwhoI'drathercometo，ifIwereintrouble，butinordertoaskyourhelpinsettlingsometiresomelittledomesticaffairsthathaveariseninmyabsence。I'vebeentoStratford-on-AvonImusttellyouallaboutthatoneofthesedays，andthereIgotaletterfrommysister-in-law，adearkindgoosewholikesinterferingwithotherpeople'schildrenbecauseshe'sgotnoneofherown。We'redreadfullyafraidthatshe'sgoingtolosethesightofoneofhereyes，andIalwaysfeelthatourphysicalailmentsaresoapttoturnintomentalailments。IthinkMatthewArnoldsayssomethingofthesamekindaboutLordByron。Butthat'sneitherherenorthere。“
　　Theeffectoftheseparentheses，whethertheywereintroducedforthatpurposeorrepresentedanaturalinstinctonMrs。Hilbery'sparttoembellishthebarenessofherdiscourse，gaveRalphtimetoperceivethatshepossessedallthefactsoftheirsituationandwascome，somehow，inthecapacityofambassador。
　　“Ididn'tcomeheretotalkaboutLordByron，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued，withalittlelaugh，“thoughIknowthatbothyouandKatharine，unlikeotheryoungpeopleofyourgeneration，stillfindhimworthreading。“Shepaused。“I'msogladyou'vemadeKatharinereadpoetry，Mr。Denham！“sheexclaimed，“andfeelpoetry，andlookpoetry！Shecan'ttalkityet，butshewill——oh，shewill！“
　　Ralph，whosehandwasgraspedandwhosetonguealmostrefusedtoarticulate，somehowcontrivedtosaythatthereweremomentswhenhefelthopeless，utterlyhopeless，thoughhegavenoreasonforthisstatementonhispart。
　　“Butyoucareforher？“Mrs。Hilberyinquired。
　　“GoodGod！“heexclaimed，withavehemencewhichadmittedofnoquestion。
　　“It'stheChurchofEnglandserviceyoubothobjectto？“Mrs。Hilberyinquiredinnocently。
　　“Idon'tcareadamnwhatserviceitis，“Ralphreplied。
　　“YouwouldmarryherinWestminsterAbbeyiftheworstcametotheworst？“Mrs。Hilberyinquired。
　　“IwouldmarryherinSt。Paul'sCathedral，“Ralphreplied。Hisdoubtsuponthispoint，whichwerealwaysrousedbyKatharine'spresence，hadvanishedcompletely，andhisstrongestwishintheworldwastobewithherimmediately，sinceeverysecondhewasawayfromherheimaginedherslippingfartherandfartherfromhimintooneofthosestatesofmindinwhichhewasunrepresented。Hewishedtodominateher，topossessher。
　　“ThankGod！“exclaimedMrs。Hilbery。ShethankedHimforavarietyofblessings:fortheconvictionwithwhichtheyoungmanspoke；andnotleastfortheprospectthatonherdaughter'swedding-daythenoblecadences，thestatelyperiods，theancienteloquenceofthemarriageservicewouldresoundovertheheadsofadistinguishedcongregationgatheredtogetherneartheveryspotwhereherfatherlayquiescentwiththeotherpoetsofEngland。Thetearsfilledhereyes；butsherememberedsimultaneouslythathercarriagewaswaiting，andwithdimeyesshewalkedtothedoor。Denhamfollowedherdownstairs。
　　Itwasastrangedrive。ForDenhamitwaswithoutexceptionthemostunpleasanthehadevertaken。HisonlywishwastogoasstraightlyandquicklyaspossibletoCheyneWalk；butitsoonappearedthatMrs。
　　Hilberyeitherignoredorthoughtfittobafflethisdesirebyinterposingvariouserrandsofherown。Shestoppedthecarriageatpost-offices，andcoffee-shops，andshopsofinscrutabledignitywheretheagedattendantshadtobegreetedasoldfriends；and，catchingsightofthedomeofSt。Paul'sabovetheirregularspiresofLudgateHill，shepulledthecordimpulsively，andgavedirectionsthatAndersonshoulddrivethemthere。ButAndersonhadreasonsofhisownfordiscouragingafternoonworship，andkepthishorse'snoseobstinatelytowardsthewest。Aftersomeminutes，Mrs。Hilberyrealizedthesituation，andaccepteditgood-humoredly，apologizingtoRalphforhisdisappointment。
　　“Nevermind，“shesaid，“we'llgotoSt。Paul'sanotherday，anditmayturnout，thoughIcan'tpromisethatitWILL，thathe'lltakeuspastWestminsterAbbey，whichwouldbeevenbetter。“
　　Ralphwasscarcelyawareofwhatshewentontosay。Hermindandbodybothseemedtohavefloatedintoanotherregionofquick-sailingcloudsrapidlypassingacrosseachotherandenvelopingeverythinginavaporousindistinctness。Meanwhileheremainedconsciousofhisownconcentrateddesire，hisimpotencetobringaboutanythinghewished，andhisincreasingagonyofimpatience。
　　SuddenlyMrs。HilberypulledthecordwithsuchdecisionthatevenAndersonhadtolistentotheorderwhichsheleantoutofthewindowtogivehim。ThecarriagepulledupabruptlyinthemiddleofWhitehallbeforealargebuildingdedicatedtooneofourGovernmentoffices。InasecondMrs。Hilberywasmountingthesteps，andRalphwasleftintooacuteanirritationbythisfurtherdelayeventospeculatewhaterrandtookhernowtotheBoardofEducation。Hewasabouttojumpfromthecarriageandtakeacab，whenMrs。Hilberyreappearedtalkinggeniallytoafigurewhoremainedhiddenbehindher。
　　“There'splentyofroomforusall，“shewassaying。“Plentyofroom。
　　WecouldfindspaceforFOURofyou，William，“sheadded，openingthedoor，andRalphfoundthatRodneyhadnowjoinedtheircompany。Thetwomenglancedateachother。Ifdistress，shame，discomfortinitsmostacuteformwereevervisibleuponahumanface，Ralphcouldreadthemallexpressedbeyondtheeloquenceofwordsuponthefaceofhisunfortunatecompanion。ButMrs。Hilberywaseithercompletelyunseeingordeterminedtoappearso。Shewentontalking；shetalked，itseemedtoboththeyoungmen，tosomeoneoutside，upintheair。ShetalkedaboutShakespeare，sheapostrophizedthehumanrace，sheproclaimedthevirtuesofdivinepoetry，shebegantoreciteverseswhichbrokedowninthemiddle。Thegreatadvantageofherdiscoursewasthatitwasself-supporting。ItnourisheditselfuntilCheyneWalkwasreacheduponhalfadozengruntsandmurmurs。
　　“Now，“shesaid，alightingbrisklyatherdoor，“hereweare！“
　　Therewassomethingairyandironicalinhervoiceandexpressionassheturneduponthedoorstepandlookedatthem，whichfilledbothRodneyandDenhamwiththesamemisgivingsathavingtrustedtheirfortunestosuchanambassador；andRodneyactuallyhesitateduponthethresholdandmurmuredtoDenham:
　　“Yougoin，Denham。I……“Hewasturningtail，butthedooropeningandthefamiliarlookofthehouseassertingitscharm，heboltedinonthewakeoftheothers，andthedoorshutuponhisescape。Mrs。
　　Hilberyledthewayupstairs。Shetookthemtothedrawing-room。Thefireburntasusual，thelittletableswerelaidwithchinaandsilver。Therewasnobodythere。
　　“Ah，“shesaid，“Katharine'snothere。Shemustbeupstairsinherroom。Youhavesomethingtosaytoher，Iknow，Mr。Denham。Youcanfindyourway？“shevaguelyindicatedtheceilingwithagestureofherhand。Shehadbecomesuddenlyseriousandcomposed，mistressinherownhouse。ThegesturewithwhichshedismissedhimhadadignitythatRalphneverforgot。Sheseemedtomakehimfreewithawaveofherhandtoallthatshepossessed。Helefttheroom。
　　TheHilberys'housewastall，possessingmanystoriesandpassageswithcloseddoors，all，oncehehadpassedthedrawing-roomfloor，unknowntoRalph。Hemountedashighashecouldandknockedatthefirstdoorhecameto。
　　“MayIcomein？“heasked。
　　Avoicefromwithinanswered“Yes。“
　　Hewasconsciousofalargewindow，fulloflight，ofabaretable，andofalonglooking-glass。Katharinehadrisen，andwasstandingwithsomewhitepapersinherhand，whichslowlyflutteredtothegroundasshesawhervisitor。Theexplanationwasashortone。Thesoundswereinarticulate；noonecouldhaveunderstoodthemeaningsavethemselves。Asiftheforcesoftheworldwereallatworktotearthemasundertheysat，claspinghands，nearenoughtobetakenevenbythemaliciouseyeofTimehimselfforaunitedcouple，anindivisibleunit。
　　“Don'tmove，don'tgo，“shebeggedofhim，whenhestoopedtogatherthepapersshehadletfall。Buthetooktheminhishandsand，givingherbyasuddenimpulsehisownunfinisheddissertation，withitsmysticalconclusion，theyreadeachother'scompositionsinsilence。
　　Katharinereadhissheetstoanend；Ralphfollowedherfiguresasfarashismathematicswouldlethim。Theycametotheendoftheirtasksataboutthesamemoment，andsatforatimeinsilence。
　　“ThosewerethepapersyouleftontheseatatKew，“saidRalphatlength。“YoufoldedthemsoquicklythatIcouldn'tseewhattheywere。“
　　Sheblushedverydeeply；butasshedidnotmoveorattempttohideherfaceshehadtheappearanceofsomeonedisarmedofalldefences，orRalphlikenedhertoawildbirdjustsettlingwithwingstremblingtofoldthemselveswithinreachofhishand。Themomentofexposurehadbeenexquisitelypainful——thelightshedstartlinglyvivid。Shehadnowtogetusedtothefactthatsomeonesharedherloneliness。
　　Thebewildermentwashalfshameandhalfthepreludetoprofoundrejoicing。Norwassheunconsciousthatonthesurfacethewholethingmustappearoftheutmostabsurdity。ShelookedtoseewhetherRalphsmiled，butfoundhisgazefixedonherwithsuchgravitythatsheturnedtothebeliefthatshehadcommittednosacrilegebutenrichedherself，perhapsimmeasurably，perhapseternally。Shehardlydaredsteepherselfintheinfinitebliss。Buthisglanceseemedtoaskforsomeassuranceuponanotherpointofvitalinteresttohim。Itbeseechedhermutelytotellhimwhetherwhatshehadreaduponhisconfusedsheethadanymeaningortruthtoher。Shebentherheadoncemoretothepaperssheheld。
　　“Ilikeyourlittledotwiththeflamesroundit，“shesaidmeditatively。
　　Ralphnearlytorethepagefromherhandinshameanddespairwhenhesawheractuallycontemplatingtheidioticsymbolofhismostconfusedandemotionalmoments。
　　Hewasconvincedthatitcouldmeannothingtoanother，althoughsomehowtohimitconveyednotonlyKatharineherselfbutallthosestatesofmindwhichhadclusteredroundhersincehefirstsawherpouringoutteaonaSundayafternoon。Itrepresentedbyitscircumferenceofsmudgessurroundingacentralblotallthatencirclingglowwhichforhimsurrounded，inexplicably，somanyoftheobjectsoflife，softeningtheirsharpoutline，sothathecouldseecertainstreets，books，andsituationswearingahaloalmostperceptibletothephysicaleye。Didshesmile？Didsheputthepaperdownwearily，condemningitnotonlyforitsinadequacybutforitsfalsity？Wasshegoingtoprotestoncemorethatheonlylovedthevisionofher？Butitdidnotoccurtoherthatthisdiagramhadanythingtodowithher。Shesaidsimply，andinthesametoneofreflection:
　　“Yes，theworldlookssomethinglikethattometoo。“
　　Hereceivedherassurancewithprofoundjoy。Quietlyandsteadilythereroseupbehindthewholeaspectoflifethatsoftedgeoffirewhichgaveitsredtinttotheatmosphereandcrowdedthescenewithshadowssodeepanddarkthatonecouldfancypushingfartherintotheirdensityandstillfarther，exploringindefinitely。Whethertherewasanycorrespondencebetweenthetwoprospectsnowopeningbeforethemtheysharedthesamesenseoftheimpendingfuture，vast，mysterious，infinitelystoredwithundevelopedshapeswhicheachwouldunwrapfortheothertobehold；butforthepresenttheprospectofthefuturewasenoughtofillthemwithsilentadoration。Atanyrate，theirfurtherattemptstocommunicatearticulatelywereinterruptedbyaknockonthedoor，andtheentranceofamaidwho，withaduesenseofmystery，announcedthataladywishedtoseeMissHilbery，butrefusedtoallowhernametobegiven。
　　WhenKatharinerose，withaprofoundsigh，toresumeherduties，Ralphwentwithher，andneitherofthemformulatedanyguess，ontheirwaydownstairs，astowhothisanonymousladymightprovetobe。Perhapsthefantasticnotionthatshewasalittleblackhunchbackprovidedwithasteelknife，whichshewouldplungeintoKatharine'sheart，appearedtoRalphmoreprobablethananother，andhepushedfirstintothedining-roomtoaverttheblow。Thenheexclaimed“Cassandra！“withsuchheartinessatthesightofCassandraOtwaystandingbythedining-roomtablethatsheputherfingertoherlipsandbeggedhimtobequiet。
　　“NobodymustknowI'mhere，“sheexplainedinasepulchralwhisper。“I
　　missedmytrain。IhavebeenwanderingaboutLondonallday。Icanbearitnolonger。Katharine，whatamItodo？“
　　Katharinepushedforwardachair；Ralphhastilyfoundwineandpoureditoutforher。Ifnotactuallyfainting，shewasverynearit。
　　“William'supstairs，“saidRalph，assoonassheappearedtoberecovered。“I'llgoandaskhimtocomedowntoyou。“Hisownhappinesshadgivenhimaconfidencethateveryoneelsewasboundtobehappytoo。ButCassandrahadheruncle'scommandsandangertoovividlyinhermindtodareanysuchdefiance。Shebecameagitatedandsaidthatshemustleavethehouseatonce。Shewasnotinaconditiontogo，hadtheyknownwheretosendher。Katharine'scommonsense，whichhadbeeninabeyanceforthepastweekortwo，stillfailedher，andshecouldonlyask，“Butwhere'syourluggage？“inthevaguebeliefthattotakelodgingsdependedentirelyuponasufficiencyofluggage。Cassandra'sreply，“I'velostmyluggage，“innowayhelpedhertoaconclusion。
　　“You'velostyourluggage，“sherepeated。HereyesresteduponRalph，withanexpressionwhichseemedbetterfittedtoaccompanyaprofoundthanksgivingforhisexistenceorsomevowofeternaldevotionthanaquestionaboutluggage。Cassandraperceivedthelook，andsawthatitwasreturned；hereyesfilledwithtears。Shefalteredinwhatshewassaying。ShebeganbravelyagaintodiscussthequestionoflodgingwhenKatharine，whoseemedtohavecommunicatedsilentlywithRalph，andobtainedhispermission，tookherrubyringfromherfingerandgivingittoCassandra，said:“Ibelieveitwillfityouwithoutanyalteration。“
　　ThesewordswouldnothavebeenenoughtoconvinceCassandraofwhatsheverymuchwishedtobelievehadnotRalphtakenthebarehandinhisanddemanded:
　　“Whydon'tyoutellusyou'reglad？“Cassandrawassogladthatthetearsrandownhercheeks。ThecertaintyofKatharine'sengagementnotonlyrelievedherofathousandvaguefearsandself-reproaches，butentirelyquenchedthatspiritofcriticismwhichhadlatelyimpairedherbeliefinKatharine。Heroldfaithcamebacktoher。Sheseemedtobeholdherwiththatcuriousintensitywhichshehadlost；asabeingwhowalksjustbeyondoursphere，sothatlifeintheirpresenceisaheightenedprocess，illuminatingnotonlyourselvesbutaconsiderablestretchofthesurroundingworld。Nextmomentshecontrastedherownlotwiththeirsandgavebackthering。
　　“Iwon'ttakethatunlessWilliamgivesitmehimself，“shesaid。
　　“Keepitforme，Katharine。“
　　“Iassureyoueverything'sperfectlyallright，“saidRalph。“LetmetellWilliam——“
　　Hewasabout，inspiteofCassandra'sprotest，toreachthedoor，whenMrs。Hilbery，eitherwarnedbytheparlor-maidorconsciouswithherusualprescienceoftheneedforherintervention，openedthedoorandsmilinglysurveyedthem。
　　“MydearCassandra！“sheexclaimed。“Howdelightfultoseeyoubackagain！Whatacoincidence！“sheobserved，inageneralway。“Williamisupstairs。Thekettleboilsover。Where'sKatharine，Isay？Igotolook，andIfindCassandra！“Sheseemedtohaveprovedsomethingtoherownsatisfaction，althoughnobodyfeltcertainwhatthingpreciselyitwas。
　　“IfindCassandra，“sherepeated。
　　“Shemissedhertrain，“Katharineinterposed，seeingthatCassandrawasunabletospeak。
　　“Life，“beganMrs。Hilbery，drawinginspirationfromtheportraitsonthewallapparently，“consistsinmissingtrainsandinfinding——“Butshepulledherselfupandremarkedthatthekettlemusthaveboiledcompletelyovereverything。
　　ToKatharine'sagitatedminditappearedthatthiskettlewasanenormouskettle，capableofdelugingthehouseinitsincessantshowersofsteam，theenragedrepresentativeofallthosehouseholddutieswhichshehadneglected。Sheranhastilyuptothedrawing-room，andtherestfollowedher，forMrs。HilberyputherarmroundCassandraanddrewherupstairs。TheyfoundRodneyobservingthekettlewithuneasinessbutwithsuchabsenceofmindthatKatharine'scatastrophewasinafairwaytobefulfilled。Inputtingthematterstraightnogreetingswereexchanged，butRodneyandCassandrachoseseatsasfarapartaspossible，andsatdownwithanairofpeoplemakingaverytemporarylodgment。EitherMrs。Hilberywasimpervioustotheirdiscomfort，orchosetoignoreit，orthoughtithightimethatthesubjectwaschanged，forshedidnothingbuttalkaboutShakespeare'stomb。
　　“Somuchearthandsomuchwaterandthatsublimespiritbroodingoveritall，“shemused，andwentontosingherstrange，half-earthlysongofdawnsandsunsets，ofgreatpoets，andtheunchangedspiritofnoblelovingwhichtheyhadtaught，sothatnothingchanges，andoneageislinkedwithanother，andnoonedies，andweallmeetinspirit，untilsheappearedobliviousofanyoneintheroom。Butsuddenlyherremarksseemedtocontracttheenormouslywidecircleinwhichtheyweresoaringandtoalight，airilyandtemporarily，uponmattersofmoreimmediatemoment。
　　“KatharineandRalph，“shesaid，asiftotrythesound。“WilliamandCassandra。“
　　“Ifeelmyselfinanentirelyfalseposition，“saidWilliamdesperately，thrustinghimselfintothisbreachinherreflections。
　　“I'venorighttobesittinghere。Mr。Hilberytoldmeyesterdaytoleavethehouse。I'dnointentionofcomingbackagain。Ishallnow——“
　　“Ifeelthesametoo，“Cassandrainterrupted。“AfterwhatUncleTrevorsaidtomelastnight——“
　　“Ihaveputyouintoamostodiousposition，“Rodneywenton，risingfromhisseat，inwhichmovementhewasimitatedsimultaneouslybyCassandra。“UntilIhaveyourfather'sconsentIhavenorighttospeaktoyou——letaloneinthishouse，wheremyconduct“——helookedatKatharine，stammered，andfellsilent——“wheremyconducthasbeenreprehensibleandinexcusableintheextreme，“heforcedhimselftocontinue。“Ihaveexplainedeverythingtoyourmother。SheissogenerousastotryandmakemebelievethatIhavedonenoharm——youhaveconvincedherthatmybehavior，selfishandweakasitwas——selfishandweak——“herepeated，likeaspeakerwhohaslosthisnotes。
　　TwoemotionsseemedtobestrugglinginKatharine；onethedesiretolaughattheridiculousspectacleofWilliammakingheraformalspeechacrossthetea-table，theotheradesiretoweepatthesightofsomethingchildlikeandhonestinhimwhichtouchedherinexpressibly。Toeveryone'ssurprisesherose，stretchedoutherhand，andsaid:
　　“You'venothingtoreproachyourselfwith——you'vebeenalways——“butherehervoicediedaway，andthetearsforcedthemselvesintohereyes，andrandownhercheeks，whileWilliam，equallymoved，seizedherhandandpressedittohislips。Nooneperceivedthatthedrawing-roomdoorhadopeneditselfsufficientlytoadmitatleasthalfthepersonofMr。Hilbery，orsawhimgazeatthesceneroundthetea-tablewithanexpressionoftheutmostdisgustandexpostulation。
　　Hewithdrewunseen。Hepausedoutsideonthelandingtryingtorecoverhisself-controlandtodecidewhatcoursehemightwithmostdignitypursue。Itwasobvioustohimthathiswifehadentirelyconfusedthemeaningofhisinstructions。Shehadplungedthemallintothemostodiousconfusion。Hewaitedamoment，andthen，withmuchpreliminaryrattlingofthehandle，openedthedoorasecondtime。Theyhadallregainedtheirplaces；someincidentofanabsurdnaturehadnowsetthemlaughingandlookingunderthetable，sothathisentrancepassedmomentarilyunperceived。Katharine，withflushedcheeks，raisedherheadandsaid:
　　“Well，that'smylastattemptatthedramatic。“
　　“It'sastonishingwhatadistancetheyroll，“saidRalph，stoopingtoturnupthecornerofthehearthrug。
　　“Don'ttrouble——don'tbother。Weshallfindit——“Mrs。Hilberybegan，andthensawherhusbandandexclaimed:“Oh，Trevor，we'relookingforCassandra'sengagement-ring！“
　　Mr。Hilberylookedinstinctivelyatthecarpet。Remarkablyenough，theringhadrolledtotheverypointwherehestood。Hesawtherubiestouchingthetipofhisboot。Suchistheforceofhabitthathecouldnotrefrainfromstooping，withanabsurdlittlethrillofpleasureatbeingtheonetofindwhatotherswerelookingfor，and，pickingtheringup，hepresentedit，withabowthatwascourtlyintheextreme，toCassandra。Whetherthemakingofabowreleasedautomaticallyfeelingsofcomplaisanceandurbanity，Mr。Hilberyfoundhisresentmentcompletelywashedawayduringthesecondinwhichhebentandstraightenedhimself。Cassandradaredtoofferhercheekandreceivedhisembrace。HenoddedwithsomedegreeofstiffnesstoRodneyandDenham，whohadbothrisenuponseeinghim，andnowaltogethersatdown。Mrs。Hilberyseemedtohavebeenwaitingfortheentranceofherhusband，andforthisprecisemomentinordertoputtohimaquestionwhich，fromtheardorwithwhichsheannouncedit，hadevidentlybeenpressingforutteranceforsometimepast。
　　“Oh，Trevor，pleasetellme，whatwasthedateofthefirstperformanceof'Hamlet'？“
　　InordertoanswerherMr。HilberyhadtohaverecoursetotheexactscholarshipofWilliamRodney，andbeforehehadgivenhisexcellentauthoritiesforbelievingashebelieved，RodneyfelthimselfadmittedoncemoretothesocietyofthecivilizedandsanctionedbytheauthorityofnolessapersonthanShakespearehimself。Thepowerofliterature，whichhadtemporarilydesertedMr。Hilbery，nowcamebacktohim，pouringovertherawuglinessofhumanaffairsitssoothingbalm，andprovidingaformintowhichsuchpassionsashehadfeltsopainfullythenightbeforecouldbemoldedsothattheyfellroundlyfromthetongueinshapelyphrases，hurtingnobody。HewassufficientlysureofhiscommandoflanguageatlengthtolookatKatharineandagainatDenham。AllthistalkaboutShakespearehadactedasasoporific，orratherasanincantationuponKatharine。Sheleanedbackinherchairattheheadofthetea-table，perfectlysilent，lookingvaguelypastthemall，receivingthemostgeneralizedideasofhumanheadsagainstpictures，againstyellow-tintedwalls，againstcurtainsofdeepcrimsonvelvet。Denham，towhomheturnednext，sharedherimmobilityunderhisgaze。Butbeneathhisrestraintandcalmitwaspossibletodetectaresolution，awill，setnowwithunalterabletenacity，whichmadesuchturnsofspeechasMr。Hilberyhadatcommandappearoddlyirrelevant。Atanyrate，hesaidnothing。
　　Herespectedtheyoungman；hewasaveryableyoungman；hewaslikelytogethisownway。Hecould，hethought，lookingathisstillandverydignifiedhead，understandKatharine'spreference，and，ashethoughtthis，hewassurprisedbyapangofacutejealousy。ShemighthavemarriedRodneywithoutcausinghimatwinge。Thismansheloved。
　　Orwhatwasthestateofaffairsbetweenthem？Anextraordinaryconfusionofemotionwasbeginningtogetthebetterofhim，whenMrs。
　　Hilbery，whohadbeenconsciousofasuddenpauseintheconversation，andhadlookedwistfullyatherdaughteronceortwice，remarked:
　　“Don'tstayifyouwanttogo，Katharine。There'sthelittleroomoverthere。PerhapsyouandRalph——“
　　“We'reengaged，“saidKatharine，wakingwithastart，andlookingstraightatherfather。Hewastakenabackbythedirectnessofthestatement；heexclaimedasifanunexpectedblowhadstruckhim。Hadhelovedhertoseehersweptawaybythistorrent，tohavehertakenfromhimbythisuncontrollableforce，tostandbyhelpless，ignored？
　　Oh，howhelovedher！Howhelovedher！HenoddedverycurtlytoDenham。
　　“Igatheredsomethingofthekindlastnight，“hesaid。“Ihopeyou'lldeserveher。“Butheneverlookedathisdaughter，andstrodeoutoftheroom，leavinginthemindsofthewomenasense，halfofawe，halfofamusement，attheextravagant，inconsiderate，uncivilizedmale，outragedsomehowandgonebellowingtohislairwitharoarwhichstillsometimesreverberatesinthemostpolishedofdrawing-rooms。
　　ThenKatharine，lookingattheshutdoor，lookeddownagain，tohidehertears。
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　Thelampswerelit；theirlusterreflecteditselfinthepolishedwood；goodwinewaspassedroundthedinner-table；beforethemealwasfaradvancedcivilizationhadtriumphed，andMr。Hilberypresidedoverafeastwhichcametowearmoreandmoresurelyanaspect，cheerful，dignified，promisingwellforthefuture。TojudgefromtheexpressioninKatharine'seyesitpromisedsomething——buthecheckedtheapproachsentimentality。Hepouredoutwine；hebadeDenhamhelphimself。
　　TheywentupstairsandhesawKatharineandDenhamabstractthemselvesdirectlyCassandrahadaskedwhethershemightnotplayhimsomething——someMozart？someBeethoven？Shesatdowntothepiano；thedoorclosedsoftlybehindthem。Hiseyesrestedonthecloseddoorforsomesecondsunwaveringly，but，bydegrees，thelookofexpectationdiedoutofthem，and，withasigh，helistenedtothemusic。
　　KatharineandRalphwereagreedwithscarcelyawordofdiscussionastowhattheywishedtodo，andinamomentshejoinedhiminthehalldressedforwalking。Thenightwasstillandmoonlit，fitforwalking，thoughanynightwouldhaveseemedsotothem，desiringmorethananythingmovement，freedomfromscrutiny，silence，andtheopenair。
　　“Atlast！“shebreathed，asthefrontdoorshut。Shetoldhimhowshehadwaited，fidgeted，thoughthewasnevercoming，listenedforthesoundofdoors，halfexpectedtoseehimagainunderthelamp-post，lookingatthehouse。Theyturnedandlookedattheserenefrontwithitsgold-rimmedwindows，tohimtheshrineofsomuchadoration。Inspiteofherlaughandthelittlepressureofmockeryonhisarm，hewouldnotresignhisbelief，butwithherhandrestingthere，hervoicequickenedandmysteriouslymovinginhisears，hehadnottime——
　　theyhadnotthesameinclination——otherobjectsdrewhisattention。
　　Howtheycametofindthemselveswalkingdownastreetwithmanylamps，cornersradiantwithlight，andasteadysuccessionofmotor-
　　omnibusesplyingbothwaysalongit，theycouldneitherofthemtell；
　　noraccountfortheimpulsewhichledthemsuddenlytoselectoneofthesewayfarersandmounttotheveryfrontseat。Aftercurvingthroughstreetsofcomparativedarkness，sonarrowthatshadowsontheblindswerepressedwithinafewfeetoftheirfaces，theycametooneofthosegreatknotsofactivitywherethelights，havingdrawnclosetogether，thinoutagainandtaketheirseparateways。Theywereborneonuntiltheysawthespiresofthecitychurchespaleandflatagainstthesky。
　　“Areyoucold？“heasked，astheystoppedbyTempleBar。
　　“Yes，Iamrather，“shereplied，becomingconsciousthatthesplendidraceoflightsdrawnpasthereyesbythesuperbcurvingandswervingofthemonsteronwhichshesatwasatanend。Theyhadfollowedsomesuchcourseintheirthoughtstoo；theyhadbeenborneon，victorsintheforefrontofsometriumphalcar，spectatorsofapageantenactedforthem，mastersoflife。Butstandingonthepavementalone，thisexaltationleftthem；theyweregladtobealonetogether。Ralphstoodstillforamomenttolighthispipebeneathalamp。
　　Shelookedathisfaceisolatedinthelittlecircleoflight。
　　“Oh，thatcottage，“shesaid。“Wemusttakeitandgothere。“
　　“Andleaveallthis？“heinquired。
　　“Asyoulike，“shereplied。Shethought，lookingattheskyaboveChanceryLane，howtheroofwasthesameeverywhere；howshewasnowsecureofallthatthisloftyblueanditssteadfastlightsmeanttoher；reality，wasit，figures，love，truth？
　　“I'vesomethingonmymind，“saidRalphabruptly。“ImeanI'vebeenthinkingofMaryDatchet。We'reverynearherroomsnow。Wouldyoumindifwewentthere？“
　　Shehadturnedbeforesheansweredhim。Shehadnowishtoseeanyoneto-night；itseemedtoherthattheimmenseriddlewasanswered；theproblemhadbeensolved；sheheldinherhandsforonebriefmomenttheglobewhichwespendourlivesintryingtoshape，round，whole，andentirefromtheconfusionofchaos。ToseeMarywastoriskthedestructionofthisglobe。
　　“Didyoutreatherbadly？“sheaskedrathermechanically，walkingon。
　　“Icoulddefendmyself，“hesaid，almostdefiantly。“Butwhat'stheuse，ifonefeelsathing？Iwon'tbewithheraminute，“hesaid。
　　“I'lljusttellher——“
　　“Ofcourse，youmusttellher，“saidKatharine，andnowfeltanxiousforhimtodowhatappearedtobenecessaryifhe，too，weretoholdhisglobeforamomentround，whole，andentire。
　　“Iwish——Iwish——“shesighed，formelancholycameoverherandobscuredatleastasectionofherclearvision。Theglobeswambeforeherasifobscuredbytears。
　　“Iregretnothing，“saidRalphfirmly。Sheleanttowardshimalmostasifshecouldthusseewhathesaw。Shethoughthowobscurehestillwastoher，saveonlythatmoreandmoreconstantlyheappearedtoherafireburningthroughitssmoke，asourceoflife。
　　“Goon，“shesaid。“Youregretnothing——“
　　“Nothing——nothing，“herepeated。
　　“Whatafire！“shethoughttoherself。Shethoughtofhimblazingsplendidlyinthenight，yetsoobscurethattoholdhisarm，assheheldit，wasonlytotouchtheopaquesubstancesurroundingtheflamethatroaredupwards。
　　“Whynothing？“sheaskedhurriedly，inorderthathemightsaymoreandsomakemoresplendid，morered，moredarklyintertwinedwithsmokethisflamerushingupwards。
　　“Whatareyouthinkingof，Katharine？“heaskedsuspiciously，noticinghertoneofdreaminessandtheinaptwords。
　　“Iwasthinkingofyou——yes，Iswearit。Alwaysofyou，butyoutakesuchstrangeshapesinmymind。You'vedestroyedmyloneliness。AmI
　　totellyouhowIseeyou？No，tellme——tellmefromthebeginning。“
　　Beginningwithspasmodicwords，hewentontospeakmoreandmorefluently，moreandmorepassionately，feelingherleaningtowardshim，listeningwithwonderlikeachild，withgratitudelikeawoman。Sheinterruptedhimgravelynowandthen。
　　“Butitwasfoolishtostandoutsideandlookatthewindows。SupposeWilliamhadn'tseenyou。Wouldyouhavegonetobed？“
　　HecappedherreproofwithwondermentthatawomanofheragecouldhavestoodinKingswaylookingatthetrafficuntilsheforgot。
　　“ButitwasthenIfirstknewIlovedyou！“sheexclaimed。
　　“Tellmefromthebeginning，“hebeggedher。
　　“No，I'mapersonwhocan'ttellthings，“shepleaded。“Ishallsaysomethingridiculous——somethingaboutflames——fires。No，Ican'ttellyou。“
　　Buthepersuadedherintoabrokenstatement，beautifultohim，chargedwithextremeexcitementasshespokeofthedarkredfire，andthesmoketwinedroundit，makinghimfeelthathehadsteppedoverthethresholdintothefaintlylitvastnessofanothermind，stirringwithshapes，solarge，sodim，unveilingthemselvesonlyinflashes，andmovingawayagainintothedarkness，engulfedbyit。TheyhadwalkedbythistimetothestreetinwhichMarylived，andbeingengrossedbywhattheysaidandpartlysaw，passedherstaircasewithoutlookingup。Atthistimeofnighttherewasnotrafficandscarcelyanyfoot-passengers，sothattheycouldpaceslowlywithoutinterruption，arm-in-arm，raisingtheirhandsnowandthentodrawsomethinguponthevastbluecurtainofthesky。
　　Theybroughtthemselvesbythesemeans，actingonamoodofprofoundhappiness，toastateofclear-sightednesswheretheliftingofafingerhadeffect，andonewordspokemorethanasentence。Theylapsedgentlyintosilence，travelingthedarkpathsofthoughtsidebysidetowardssomethingdiscernedinthedistancewhichgraduallypossessedthemboth。Theywerevictors，mastersoflife，butatthesametimeabsorbedintheflame，givingtheirlifetoincreaseitsbrightness，totestifytotheirfaith。Thustheyhadwalked，perhaps，twiceorthreetimesupanddownMaryDatchet'sstreetbeforetherecurrenceofalightburningbehindathin，yellowblindcausedthemtostopwithoutexactlyknowingwhytheydidso。Itburneditselfintotheirminds。
　　“ThatisthelightinMary'sroom，“saidRalph。“Shemustbeathome。“
　　Hepointedacrossthestreet。Katharine'seyesrestedtheretoo。
　　“Isshealone，workingatthistimeofnight？Whatissheworkingat？“
　　shewondered。“Whyshouldweinterrupther？“sheaskedpassionately。
　　“Whathavewegottogiveher？She'shappytoo，“sheadded。“Shehasherwork。“Hervoiceshookslightly，andthelightswamlikeanoceanofgoldbehindhertears。
　　“Youdon'twantmetogotoher？“Ralphasked。
　　“Go，ifyoulike；tellherwhatyoulike，“shereplied。
　　Hecrossedtheroadimmediately，andwentupthestepsintoMary'shouse。Katharinestoodwherehelefther，lookingatthewindowandexpectingsoontoseeashadowmoveacrossit；butshesawnothing；
　　theblindsconveyednothing；thelightwasnotmoved。Itsignaledtoheracrossthedarkstreet；itwasasignoftriumphshiningthereforever，nottobeextinguishedthissideofthegrave。Shebrandishedherhappinessasifinsalute；shedippeditasifinreverence。“Howtheyburn！“shethought，andallthedarknessofLondonseemedsetwithfires，roaringupwards；buthereyescamebacktoMary'swindowandrestedtheresatisfied。Shehadwaitedsometimebeforeafiguredetacheditselffromthedoorwayandcameacrosstheroad，slowlyandreluctantly，towhereshestood。
　　“Ididn'tgoin——Icouldn'tbringmyself，“hebrokeoff。HehadstoodoutsideMary'sdoorunabletobringhimselftoknock；ifshehadcomeoutshewouldhavefoundhimthere，thetearsrunningdownhischeeks，unabletospeak。
　　Theystoodforsomemoments，lookingattheilluminatedblinds，anexpressiontothembothofsomethingimpersonalandsereneinthespiritofthewomanwithin，workingoutherplansfarintothenight——
　　herplansforthegoodofaworldthatnoneofthemwereevertoknow。
　　Thentheirmindsjumpedonandotherlittlefigurescamebyinprocession，headed，inRalph'sview，bythefigureofSallySeal。
　　“DoyourememberSallySeal？“heasked。Katharinebentherhead。
　　“YourmotherandMary？“hewenton。“RodneyandCassandra？OldJoanupatHighgate？“Hestoppedinhisenumeration，notfindingitpossibletolinkthemtogetherinanywaythatshouldexplainthequeercombinationwhichhecouldperceiveinthem，ashethoughtofthem。
　　Theyappearedtohimtobemorethanindividuals；tobemadeupofmanydifferentthingsincohesion；hehadavisionofanorderlyworld。
　　“It'sallsoeasy——it'sallsosimple，“Katherinequoted，rememberingsomewordsofSallySeal's，andwishingRalphtounderstandthatshefollowedthetrackofhisthought。Shefelthimtryingtopiecetogetherinalaboriousandelementaryfashionfragmentsofbelief，unsolderedandseparate，lackingtheunityofphrasesfashionedbytheoldbelievers。Togethertheygropedinthisdifficultregion，wheretheunfinished，theunfulfilled，theunwritten，theunreturned，cametogetherintheirghostlywayandworethesemblanceofthecompleteandthesatisfactory。Thefutureemergedmoresplendidthaneverfromthisconstructionofthepresent。Booksweretobewritten，andsincebooksmustbewritteninrooms，androomsmusthavehangings，andoutsidethewindowstheremustbeland，andanhorizontothatland，andtreesperhaps，andahill，theysketchedahabitationforthemselvesupontheoutlineofgreatofficesintheStrandandcontinuedtomakeanaccountofthefutureupontheomnibuswhichtookthemtowardsChelsea；andstill，forbothofthem，itswammiraculouslyinthegoldenlightofalargesteadylamp。
　　Asthenightwasfaradvancedtheyhadthewholeoftheseatsonthetopoftheomnibustochoosefrom，andtheroads，saveforanoccasionalcouple，wearingevenatmidnight，anairofshelteringtheirwordsfromthepublic，weredeserted。Nolongerdidtheshadowofamansingtotheshadowofapiano。Afewlightsinbedroomwindowsburntbutwereextinguishedonebyoneastheomnibuspassedthem。
　　Theydismountedandwalkeddowntotheriver。Shefelthisarmstiffenbeneathherhand，andknewbythistokenthattheyhadenteredtheenchantedregion。Shemightspeaktohim，butwiththatstrangetremorinhisvoice，thoseeyesblindlyadoring，whomdidheanswer？Whatwomandidhesee？Andwherewasshewalking，andwhowashercompanion？Moments，fragments，asecondofvision，andthentheflyingwaters，thewindsdissipatinganddissolving；then，too，therecollectionfromchaos，thereturnofsecurity，theearthfirm，superbandbrilliantinthesun。Fromtheheartofhisdarknesshespokehisthanksgiving；fromaregionasfar，ashidden，sheansweredhim。OnaJunenightthenightingalessing，theyanswereachotheracrosstheplain；theyareheardunderthewindowamongthetreesinthegarden。Pausing，theylookeddownintotheriverwhichboreitsdarktideofwaters，endlesslymoving，beneaththem。Theyturnedandfoundthemselvesoppositethehouse。Quietlytheysurveyedthefriendlyplace，burningitslampseitherinexpectationofthemorbecauseRodneywasstilltheretalkingtoCassandra。Katharinepushedthedoorhalfopenandstooduponthethreshold。Thelightlayinsoftgoldengrainsuponthedeepobscurityofthehushedandsleepinghousehold。Foramomenttheywaited，andthenloosedtheirhands。
　　“Goodnight，“hebreathed。“Goodnight，“shemurmuredbacktohim。
　　End