Asilencefollowed，duringwhichMr。andMrs。Waggelookedattheirfeet，andGyplookedatthedog。”Ah！——hereyouare！”ItwasWinton，whohadcomeupfrombehindtheshelter，andstood，witheyebrowsslightlyraised。Gypcouldnothelpasmile。Herfather’sweathered，narrowface，half-veiledeyes，thinnose，littlecrisp，greymoustachethatdidnothidehisfirmlips，hislean，erectfigure，theverywayhestood，histhin，dry，clippedvoiceweretheabsoluteantithesisofMr。Wagge’sthickset，stoutlyplantedform，thick-skinned，thick-featuredface，thick，ratherhoarseyetoilyvoice。ItwasasifProvidencehadarrangedademonstrationoftheextremesofsocialtype。Andshesaid:”Mr。andMrs。Wagge——myfather。”
　　Wintonraisedhishat。Gypremainedseated，thedogDuckiebeingstillonherfeet。”’Appytomeetyou，sir。Ihopeyouhavebenefitfromthewaters。
　　They’resupposedtobemostpowerful，Ibelieve。””Thankyou——notmoredeadlythanmost。Areyoudrinkingthem？”
　　Mr。Waggesmiled。”Nao！”hesaid，”welivehere。””Indeed！Doyoufindanythingtodo？””Well，asafact，I’vecomehereforrest。ButItakeaTurkishbathonceafortnight——finditrefreshing；keepstheporesoftheskinacting。”
　　Mrs。Waggeaddedgently:”Itseemstosuitmyhusbandwonderfully。”
　　Wintonmurmured:”Yes。Isthisyourdog？Bitofaphilosopher，isn’the？”
　　Mrs。Waggeanswered:”Oh，he’sanaughtydog，aren’tyou，Duckie？”
　　ThedogDuckie，feelinghimselfthecynosureofeveryeye，roseandstoodpantingintoGyp’sface。Shetooktheoccasiontogetup。”Wemustgo，I’mafraid。Good-bye。It’sbeenverynicetomeetyouagain。WhenyouseeDaisy，willyoupleasegivehermylove？”
　　Mrs。Waggeunexpectedlytookahandkerchieffromherreticule。Mr。
　　Waggeclearedhisthroatheavily。GypwasconsciousofthedogDuckiewaddlingafterthem，andofMrs。Waggecalling，”Duckie，Duckie！”frombehindherhandkerchief。
　　Wintonsaidsoftly:”Sothosetwogotthatprettyfilly！Well，shedidn’tshowmuchquality，whenyoucometothinkofit。She’sstillwithourfriend，accordingtoyouraunt。”
　　Gypnodded。”Yes；andIdohopeshe’shappy。””HEisn’t，apparently。Serveshimright。”
　　Gypshookherhead。”Ohno，Dad！””Well，oneoughtn’ttowishanymanworsethanhe’slikelytoget。
　　ButwhenIseepeopledaringtolookdowntheirnosesatyou——byJove！Iget——””Darling，whatdoesthatmatter？”
　　Wintonansweredtestily:”Itmattersverymuchtome——theimpudenceofit！”Hismouthrelaxedinagrimlittlesmile:”Ah，well——there’snotmuchtochoosebetweenussofarascondemningourneighboursgoes。
　　’CharityStakes——alsoran，CharlesClareWinton，theChurch，andMrs。Grundy。’”
　　TheyopenedouttoeachothermoreinthosefewdaysatTunbridgeWellsthantheyhadforyears。Whethertheprocessofbathingsoftenedhiscrust，ortheairthatMr。Waggefound”abit——er——tooirony，asyoumightsay，”haduponWintontheoppositeeffect，hecertainlyrelaxedthatfirstdutyofman，theconcealmentofhisspirit，anddisclosedhisactivitiesasheneverhadbefore——howsuchandsuchapersonhadbeensetonhisfeet，soandsosentouttoCanada，thisman’swifehelpedoverherconfinement，thatman’sdaughterstartedagainafteraslip。AndGyp’schild-worshipofhimbloomedanew。
　　Onthelastafternoonoftheirstay，shestrolledoutwithhimthroughoneofthelongwoodsthatstretchedawaybehindtheirhotel。Excitedbythecomingendofherself-inflictedpenance，movedbythebeautyamongthosesunlittrees，shefounditdifficulttotalk。ButWinton，abouttoloseher，wasquiteloquacious。Startingfromthesinisterchangeintheracing-world——
　　soplutocraticnow，withtheAmericanseat，theincreaseofbookmakingowners，andothertragicoccurrences——helaunchedforthintoajeremiadontheconditionofthingsingeneral。Parliament，hethought，especiallynowthatmemberswerepaid，hadlostitsself-respect；thetownshadeatenupthecountry；huntingwasthreatened；thepowerandvulgarityofthepresswereappalling；
　　womenhadlosttheirheads；andeverybodyseemedafraidofhavingany”breeding。”BythetimelittleGypwasGyp’sage，theywouldallbeunderthethumbofWatchCommittees，liveinGardenCities，andhavetoaccountforeveryhalf-crowntheyspent，andeveryhalf-houroftheirtime；thehorse，too，wouldbeanextinctanimal，broughtoutonceayearatthelord-mayor’sshow。Hehoped——thedeuce——hemightnotbealivetoseeit。Andsuddenlyheadded:”Whatdoyouthinkhappensafterdeath，Gyp？”
　　Theyweresittingononeofthosebenchesthatcropupsuddenlyintheheartofnature。Allaroundthembriarsandbrackenwerejustontheturn；andthehumofflies，thevaguestirofleavesandlifeformedbutasinglesound。Gyp，gazingintothewood，answered:”Nothing，Dad。Ithinkwejustgoback。””Ah——Myidea，too！”
　　Neitherofthemhadeverknownwhattheotherthoughtaboutitbefore！
　　Gypmurmured:”Lavieestvaine——
　　Unpeud’amour，Unpeudehaine，Etpuisbonjour！”
　　NotquiteagruntorquitealaughemergedfromthedepthsofWinton，and，lookingupatthesky，hesaid:”Andwhattheycall’God，’afterall，whatisit？Justtheverybestyoucangetoutofyourself——nothingmore，sofarasIcansee。Dashit，youcan’timagineanythingmorethanyoucanimagine。Onewouldliketodieintheopen，though，likeWhyte-
　　Melville。Butthere’sonethingthat’salwayspuzzledme，Gyp。
　　Allone’slifeone’striedtohaveasingleheart。Deathcomes，andoutyougo！Thenwhydidonelove，ifthere’stobenomeetingafter？””Yes；exceptforthat，whowouldcare？Butdoesthewantingtomeetmakeitanymorelikely，Dad？Theworldcouldn’tgoonwithoutlove；perhapslovingsomebodyorsomethingwithallyourheartisallinitself。”
　　Wintonstared；theremarkwasalittledeep。”Ye-es，”hesaidatlast。”Ioftenthinkthereligiousjohnniesaresavingtheirmoneytoputonahorsethat’llneverrunafterall。IrememberthoseYogichapsinIndia。Theretheysat，andthisjollyworldmightrotroundthemforalltheycared——theythoughttheyweregoingtobeallrightthemselves，inKingdomCome。Butsupposeitdoesn’tcome？”
　　Gypmurmuredwithalittlesmile:”Perhapstheyweretryingtoloveeverythingatonce。””Rumwayofshowingit。And，hangit，therearesuchalotofthingsonecan’tlove！Lookatthat！”Hepointedupwards。
　　Againstthegreyboleofabeech-treehungaboard，onwhichwerethefreshlypaintedwords:
　　PRIVATE
　　TRESPASSERSWILLBEPROSECUTED”Thatboardisstuckupalloverthislifeandthenext。Well，WE
　　won’tgivethemthechancetowarnusoff，Gyp。”
　　Slippingherhandthroughhisarm，shepressedcloseuptohim。”No，Dad；youandIwillgooffwiththewindandthesun，andthetreesandthewaters，likeProcrisinmypicture。”
　　VI
　　Thecuriousandcomplicatednatureofmaninmattersoftheheartisnotsufficientlyconcededbywomen，professors，clergymen，judges，andothercriticsofhisconduct。Andnaturallyso，sincetheyallhavevestedinterestsinhissimplicity。Evenjournalistsareintheconspiracytomakehimoutlesswaywardthanheis，anddiptheirpensinepithets，ifhisheartdivergesinchorell。
　　BryanSummerhaywasneithermorecuriousnormorecomplicatedthanthoseofhisownsexwhowouldcondemnhimforgettingintothemidnightexpressfromEdinburghwithtwodistinctemotionsinhisheart——aregretfulachingforthegirl，hiscousin，whomhewasleavingbehind，andarapturousanticipationofthewomanwhomhewasgoingtorejoin。Howwasitpossiblethathecouldfeelbothatonce？”Againstalltherules，”womenandothermoralistswouldsay。Well，thefactis，aman’sheartknowsnorules。Andhefounditperfectlyeasy，lyinginhisbunk，todwellonmemoriesofDianahandinghimtea，orglancingupathim，whileheturnedtheleavesofhersongs，withthatenticingmockeryinhereyesandaboutherlips；andyetthenextmomenttobesweptfromheadtoheelbythelongingtofeelGyp’sarmsaroundhim，tohearhervoice，lookinhereyes，andpresshislipsonhers。If，insteadofbeingonhiswaytorejoinamistress，hehadbeengoinghometoawife，hewouldnothavefeltaparticlemoreofspiritualsatisfaction，perhapsnotsomuch。Hewasreturningtothefeelingsandcompanionshipthatheknewwerethemostdeeplysatisfyingspirituallyandbodilyhewouldeverhave。Andyethecouldachealittleforthatred-hairedgirl，andthiswithoutanydifficulty。Howdisconcerting！But，then，truthis。
　　Fromthatqueerseesawingofhisfeelings，hefellasleep，dreamedofallthingsunderthesunasmenonlycaninatrain，wasawakenedbythehollowsilenceinsomestation，sleptagainforhours，itseemed，andwokestillatthesamestation，fellintoasoundsleepatlastthatendedatWillesdeninbroaddaylight。
　　Dressinghurriedly，hefoundhehadbutoneemotionnow，onelonging——togettoGyp。Sittingbackinhiscab，handsdeep-thrustintothepocketsofhisulster，hesmiled，enjoyingeventhesmellofthemistyLondonmorning。Wherewouldshebe——inthehallofthehotelwaiting，orupstairsstill？
　　Notinthehall！Andaskingforherroom，hemadehiswaytoitsdoor。
　　Shewasstandinginthefarcornermotionless，deadlypale，quiveringfromheadtofoot；andwhenheflunghisarmsroundher，shegavealongsigh，closinghereyes。Withhislipsonhers，hecouldfeelheralmostfainting；andhetoohadnoconsciousnessofanythingbutthatlongkiss。
　　Nextday，theywentabroadtoalittleplacenotfarfromFecamp，inthatNormandycountrysidewhereallthingsarelarge——thepeople，thebeasts，theunhedgedfields，thecourtyardsofthefarmsguardedsosquarelybytalltrees，theskies，thesea，eventheblackberrieslarge。AndGypwashappy。Buttwicetherecameletters，inthattoo-well-rememberedhandwriting，whichboreaScottishpostmark。Aphantomincreasesindarkness，solidifieswhenseeninmist。Jealousyisrootednotinreason，butinthenaturethatfeelsit——inhernaturethatloveddesperately，feltproudly。Andjealousyflourishesonscepticism。Evenifpridewouldhaveletherask，whatgood？Shewouldnothavebelievedtheanswers。Ofcoursehewouldsay——ifonlyoutofpity——thatheneverlethisthoughtsrestonanotherwoman。But，afterall，itwasonlyaphantom。Thereweremanyhoursinthosethreeweekswhenshefelthereallylovedher，andso——washappy。
　　TheywentbacktotheRedHouseattheendofthefirstweekinOctober。LittleGyp，homefromthesea，wasnowanalmostaccomplishedhorsewoman。UnderthetutelageofoldPettance，shehadbeenridingsteadilyroundandroundthoseroughfieldsbythelinhaywhichtheycalled”thewild，”herfirmbrownlegsastrideofthemouse-colouredpony，herlittlebrownface，withexcited，darkeyes，veryerect，herauburncropofshortcurlsfloppingupanddownonherlittlestraightback。Shewantedtobeableto”gooutriding”withGrandyandMumandBaryn。Andthefirstdayswerespentbythemallmoreorlessinfulfillinghernewdesires。Thentermbegan，andGypsatdownagaintothelongsharingofSummerhaywithhisotherlife。
　　VII
　　OneafternoonatthebeginningofNovember，theoldScotchterrier，Ossian，layonthepathinthepalesunshine。Hehadlainthereallthemorningsincehismasterwentupbytheearlytrain。
　　Nearlysixteenyearsold，hewasdeafnowanddisillusioned，andeverytimethatSummerhaylefthim，hiseyesseemedtosay:”Youwillleavemeoncetoooften！”Theblandishmentsoftheothernicepeopleaboutthehousewerebecomingtohimdailylessandlessasubstituteforthatwhichhefelthehadnotmuchtimelefttoenjoy；norcouldheanylongerbearastrangerwithinthegate。
　　Fromherwindow，Gypsawhimgetupandstandwithhisbackridged，growlingatthepostman，and，fearingfortheman’scalves，shehastenedout。
　　Amongtheletterswasoneinthatdreadedhandwritingmarked”Immediate，”andforwardedfromhischambers。Shetookitup，andputittohernose。Ascent——ofwhat？Toofainttosay。Herthumbnailssoughttheedgeoftheflaponeitherside。Shelaidtheletterdown。Anyotherletter，butnotthat——shewantedtoopenittoomuch。Readdressingit，shetookitouttoputwiththeotherletters。Andinstantlythethoughtwentthroughher:’Whatapity！IfIreadit，andtherewasnothing！’Allherrestless，jealousmisgivingsofmonthspastwouldthenbesetatrest！Shestood，uncertain，withtheletterinherhand。Ah——butifthereWEREsomething！Shewouldloseatonestrokeherfaithinhim，andherfaithinherself——notonlyhislovebutherownself-respect。
　　Shedroppedtheletteronthetable。Couldshenottakeituptohimherself？Bythethreeo’clockslowtrain，shecouldgettohimsoonafterfive。Shelookedatherwatch。Shewouldjusthavetimetowalkdown。Andsheranupstairs。LittleGypwassittingonthetopstair——herfavouriteseat——lookingatapicture-book。”I’mgoinguptoLondon，darling。TellBettyImaybebackto-
　　night，orperhapsImaynot。Givemeagoodkiss。”
　　LittleGypgavethegoodkiss，andsaid:”Letmeseeyouputyourhaton，Mum。”
　　WhileGypwasputtingonhatandfurs，shethought:”Ishan’ttakeabag；IcanalwaysmakeshiftatBuryStreetif——”Shedidnotfinishthethought，butthebloodcameupinhercheeks。”TakecareofOssy，darling！”Sherandown，caughtuptheletter，andhastenedawaytothestation。Inthetrain，hercheeksstillburned。MightnotthisfirstvisittohischambersbelikeheroldfirstvisittothelittlehouseinChelsea？Shetooktheletterout。Howshehatedthatlarge，scrawlywritingforallthethoughtsandfearsithadgivenherthesepastmonths！Ifthatgirlknewhowmuchanxietyandsufferingshehadcaused，wouldshestopwriting，stopseeinghim？AndGyptriedtoconjureupherface，thatfaceseenonlyforaminute，andthesoundofthatclipped，clearvoicebutonceheard——thefaceandvoiceofoneaccustomedtohaveherownway。No！Itwouldonlymakehergoonallthemore。Fairgame，againstawomanwithnoclaim——butthatoflove。Thankheavenshehadnottakenhimawayfromanywoman——
　　unless——thatgirlperhapsthoughtshehad！Ah！Why，inalltheseyears，hadshenevergottoknowhissecrets，sothatshemightfightagainstwhatthreatenedher？Butwouldshehavefought？Tofightforlovewasdegrading，horrible！Andyet——ifonedidnot？
　　Shegotupandstoodatthewindowofheremptycarriage。Therewastheriver——andthere——yes，theverybackwaterwherehehadbeggedhertocometohimforgood。Itlookedsodifferent，bareandshorn，underthelightgreysky；thewillowswereallpolled，thereedscutdown。Andalinefromoneofhisfavouritesonnetscameintohermind:”Bareruinedchoirswherelatethesweetbirdssang。”
　　Ah，well！Timeenoughtofacethingswhentheycame。Shewouldonlythinkofseeinghim！Andsheputtheletterbacktoburnwhatholeitlikedinthepocketofherfurcoat。
　　Thetrainwaslate；itwaspastfive，alreadygrowingdark，whenshereachedPaddingtonandtookacabtotheTemple。Strangetobegoingthereforthefirsttime——noteventoknowexactlywhereHarcourtBuildingswere。AtTempleLane，shestoppedthecabandwalkeddownthatnarrow，ill-lighted，busychannelintotheheartoftheGreatLaw。”Upthosestonesteps，miss；alongtherailin’，seconddoorway。”
　　Gypcametotheseconddoorwayandinthedoubtfullightscrutinizedthenames。”Summerhay——secondfloor。”Shebegantoclimbthestairs。Herheartbeatfast。Whatwouldhesay？Howgreether？Wasitnotabsurd，dangerous，tohavecome？Hewouldbehavingaconsultationperhaps。Therewouldbeaclerkorsomeonetobeard，andwhatnamecouldshegive？Onthefirstfloorshepaused，tookoutablankcard，andpencilledonit:”CanIseeyouaminute？——G。”
　　Then，takingalongbreathtoquietherheart，shewentonup。
　　Therewasthename，andtherethedoor。Sherang——noonecame；
　　listened——couldhearnosound。Alllookedsomassiveandbleakanddim——theironrailings，stonestairs，barewalls，oakdoor。Sherangagain。Whatshouldshedo？Leavetheletter？Notseehimafterall——herlittleromanceallcometonaught——justachillyvisittoBuryStreet，whereperhapstherewouldbenoonebutMrs。
　　Markey，forherfather，sheknew，wasatMildenham，hunting，andwouldnotbeuptillSunday！Andshethought:’I’llleavetheletter，gobacktotheStrand，havesometea，andtryagain。’
　　Shetookouttheletter，withasortofprayerpusheditthroughtheslitofthedoor，hearditfallintoitswirecage；thenslowlydescendedthestairstotheouterpassageintoTempleLane。Itwasthrongedwithmenandboys，attheendoftheday’swork。ButwhenshehadnearlyreachedtheStrand，awoman’sfigurecaughthereye。
　　Shewaswalkingwithamanonthefarside；theirfaceswereturnedtowardeachother。Gypheardtheirvoices，and，faint，dizzy，stoodlookingbackafterthem。Theypassedunderalamp；thelightglintedonthewoman’shair，onatrickofSummerhay’s，theliftofoneshoulder，whenhewasdenyingsomething；sheheardhisvoice，high-pitched。Shewatchedthemcross，mountthestonestepsshehadjustcomedown，passalongtherailedstonepassage，enterthedoorway，disappear。Andsuchhorrorseizedonherthatshecouldhardlywalkaway。”Ohno！Ohno！Ohno！”Soitwentinhermind——akindofmoaning，likethatofacold，rainywindthroughdrippingtrees。
　　Whatdiditmean？Oh，whatdiditmean？Inthismiserabletumult，theonlythoughtthatdidnotcometoherwasthatofgoingbacktohischambers。Shehurriedaway。Itwasawondershewasnotrunover，forshehadnonotionwhatshewasdoing，wheregoing，andcrossedthestreetswithouttheleastattentiontotraffic。ShecametoTrafalgarSquare，andstoodleaningagainstitsparapetinfrontoftheNationalGallery。Hereshehadherfirstcoherentthought:Sothatwaswhyhischambershadbeenempty！Noclerk——
　　noone！Thattheymightbealone。Alone，whereshehaddreamedofbeingalonewithhim！Andonlythatmorninghehadkissedherandsaid，”Good-bye，treasure！”Adreadfullittlelaughgotcaughtinherthroat，confusedwithasob。Why——whyhadsheaheart？Downthere，againsttheplinthofoneofthelions，ayoungmanleaned，withhisarmsroundagirl，pressinghertohim。Gypturnedawayfromthesightandresumedhermiserablewandering。ShewentupBuryStreet。Nolight；notanysignoflife！Itdidnotmatter；
　　shecouldnothavegonein，couldnotstaystill，mustwalk！Sheputupherveiltogetmoreair，feelingchoked。
　　ThetreesoftheGreenPark，underwhichshewaspassingnow，hadstillafewleaves，andtheygleamedinthelamplightcopper-
　　colouredasthatgirl’shair。Allsortsoftorturingvisionscametoher。Thoseemptychambers！Shehadseenonelittleminuteoftheirintimacy。Ahundredkissesmighthavepassedbetweenthem——athousandwordsoflove！Andhewouldlietoher。Alreadyhehadactedalie！Shehadnotdeservedthat。Andthissenseoftheinjusticedoneherwasthefirstreliefshefelt——thisdefiniteemotionofamindcloudedbysheermisery。Shehadnotdeservedthatheshouldconcealthingsfromher。Shehadnothadonethoughtorlookforanymanbuthimsincethatnightdownbythesea，whenhecametoheracrossthegardeninthemoonlight——notonethought——andneverwould！Poorreliefenough！ShewasinHydeParknow，wanderingalongapathwaywhichcutdiagonallyacrossthegrass。Andwithmoreresolution，morepurpose，shebegansearchinghermemoryforsigns，proofsofWHENhehadchangedtoher。Shecouldnotfindthem。Hehadnotchangedinhiswaystoher；notatall。Couldoneactlove，then？Actpassion，or——horriblethought！——whenhekissedhernowadays，washethinkingofthatgirl？
　　Sheheardtherustlingofleavesbehind。Ayouthwasfollowingheralongthepath，someraveningyouth，whoseungovernedbreathinghadakindofpathosinit。Heaven！Whatirony！Shewastoomiserabletocare，hardlyevenknewwhen，inthemainpathagain，shewasfreefromhispursuit。Love！Whyhaditsuchpossessionofher，thatalittlething——yes，alittlething——onlythesightofhimwithanother，shouldmakehersufferso？Shecameoutontheothersideofthepark。Whatshouldshedo？Crawlhome，creepintoherhole，andlietherestricken！AtPaddingtonshefoundatrainjuststartingandgotin。Therewereotherpeopleinthecarriage，businessmenfromthecity，lawyers，fromthat——placewhereshehadbeen。Andshewasgladoftheircompany，gladofthecrackleofeveningpapersandstolidfacesgivingherlooksofstolidinterestfrombehindthem，gladtohavetokeephermaskon，afraidoftheviolenceofheremotion。Butonebyonetheygotout，totheircarsortheirconstitutionals，andshewasleftalonetogazeatdarknessandthedesertedriverjustvisibleinthelightofamoonsmotheredbehindthesou’westerlysky。Andforonewildmomentshethought:’ShallIopenthedoorandstepout——onestep——peace！’
　　Shehurriedawayfromthestation。Itwasraining，andshedrewupherveiltofeelitsfreshnessonherhotface。Therewasjustlightenoughforhertoseethepathwaythroughthebeechclump。
　　Thewindintherewassighing，soughing，drivingthedarkboughs，tearingofftheleaves，littleblackwetshapesthatcamewhirlingatherface。ThewildmelancholyinthatswayingwoodwastoomuchforGyp；sheran，thrustingherfeetthroughthedeeprustlingdriftsofleavesnotyetquitedrenched。Theyclungallwetroundherthinstockings，andtherainywindbeatherforehead。Attheedge，shepausedforbreath，leaningagainsttheboleofabeech，peeringback，wherethewildwhirlingwindwasmoaningandtearingofftheleaves。Then，bendingherheadtotherain，shewentonintheopen，tryingtoprepareherselftoshownothingwhenshereachedhome。
　　Shegotinandupstairstoherroom，withoutbeingseen。Ifshehadpossessedanysedativedrugshewouldhavetakenit。Anythingtosecureoblivionfromthisachingmisery！Huddlingbeforethefreshlylightedfire，shelistenedtothewinddrivingthroughthepoplars；andoncemoretherecamebacktoherthewordsofthatsongsungbytheScottishgirlatFiorsen’sconcert:”Andmyheartreftofitsownsun，Deepliesindeath-torporcoldandgrey。”
　　Presentlyshecreptintobed，andatlastfellasleep。
　　Shewokenextmorningwiththejoyfulthought:’It’sSaturday；
　　he’llbedownsoonafterlunch！’Andthensheremembered。Ah，no！
　　Itwastoomuch！Atthepangofthatremembrance，itwasasifadevilenteredintoher——adevilofstubbornpride，whichgrewblackerwitheveryhourofthatmorning。Afterlunch，thatshemightnotbeinwhenhecame，sheorderedhermare，androdeuponthedownsalone。Therainhadceased，butthewindstillblewstrongfromthesou’west，andtheskywastornanddriveninswathesofwhiteandgreytonorth，south，east，andwest，andpuffsofwhatlookedlikesmokescurriedacrossthecloudbanksandtheglacier-blueriftsbetween。Themarehadnotbeenoutthedaybefore，andonthespringyturfstretchedherselfinthatthoroughbredgallopwhichbearsariderup，asitwere，onair，tillnothingbutthethudofhoofs，thegrassflyingby，thebeatingofthewindinherfacebetrayedtoGypthatshewasmoving。Forfulltwomilestheywentwithoutapull，onlystoppedatlastbythefinishofthelevel。Fromthere，onecouldseefar——
　　awayovertoWittenhamClumpsacrosstheValley，andtothehighwoodsabovetheriverintheeast——away，inthesouthandwest，underthatstrange，tornsky，toawholeautumnland，ofwhitishgrass，barefields，woodsofgreyandgoldandbrown，fastbeingpillaged。Butallthatsweepofwind，andsky，freshnessofrain，anddistantcolourcouldnotdriveoutofGyp’sheartthehopelessachingandthedevilbegottenofit。
　　VIII
　　Therearemenwho，howeverwell-off——eitherinmoneyorlove——mustgamble。Theiraffectionsmaybedeeplyrooted，buttheycannotrepulsefatewhenittantalizesthemwitharisk。
　　Summerhay，wholovedGyp，wasnottiredofhereitherphysicallyormentally，andevenfeltsurehewouldnevertire，hadyetdalliedformonthswiththisriskwhichyesterdayhadcometoahead。Andnow，takinghisseatinthetraintoreturntoher，hefeltunquiet；andsinceheresenteddisquietude，hetrieddefiantlytothinkofotherthings，buthewasveryunsuccessful。Lookingback，itwasdifficultforhimtotellwhenthesnappingofhisdefenceshadbegun。Apreferenceshownbyoneaccustomedtoexactpreferenceissoinsidious。Thegirl，hiscousin，washerselfagambler。HedidnotrespectherasherespectedGyp；shedidnottouchhimasGyptouchedhim，wasnot——no，nothalf——sodeeplyattractive；butshehad——confoundher！thepowerofturninghisheadatmoments，aqueerburning，skin-deepfascination，and，aboveall，thatmostdangerousqualityinawoman——thelureofanimperiousvitality。Inlovewithlife，shemadehimfeelthathewaslettingthingsslipby。Andsincetodrinkdeepoflifewashisnature，too——whatchancehadheofescape？Far-offcousinhoodisadangerousrelationship。Itsfamiliarityisnotgreatenoughtobreedcontempt，butsufficienttoremovethoseouterdefencestointimacy，theconquestofwhich，inothercircumstances，demandstheconsciouseffortwhichwarnspeoplewhithertheyaregoing。
　　Summerhayhadnotrealizedtheextentofthedanger，buthehadknownthatitexisted，especiallysinceScotland。Itwouldbeinteresting——asthehistorianssay——tospeculateonwhathewouldhavedone，ifhecouldhaveforetoldwhatwouldhappen。Buthehadcertainlynotforetoldthecrisisofyesterdayevening。Hehadreceivedatelegramfromheratlunch-time，suggestingthefulfilmentofajestingpromise，madeinScotland，thatsheshouldhaveteawithhimandseehischambers——asmallandharmlessmatter。Only，whyhadhedismissedhisclerksoearly？Thatistheworstofgamblers——theywillputapolishontheriskstheyrun。Hehadnotreckoned，perhaps，thatshewouldlooksopretty，lyingbackinhisbigOxfordchair，withfursthrownopensothatherwhitethroatshowed，herhairgleaming，asmilecomingandgoingonherlips；herwhitehand，withpolishednails，holdingthatcigarette；herbrowneyes，sounlikeGyp’s，fixedonhim；herslimfootwithhighinstepthrustforwardintransparentstocking。
　　Notreckonedthat，whenhebenttotakehercup，shewouldputoutherhands，drawhisheaddown，pressherlipstohis，andsay:”Nowyouknow！”Hisheadhadgoneround，stillwentround，thinkingofit！Thatwasall。Alittlematter——exceptthat，inanhour，hewouldbemeetingtheeyesofonehelovedmuchmore。Andyet——thepoisonwasinhisblood；akisssocutshort——bywhat——whatcounterimpulse？——leavinghimgazingatherwithoutasound，inhalingthatscentofhers——somethinglikeapinewood’sscent，onlysweeter，whileshegathereduphergloves，fastenedherfurs，asifithadbeenhe，notshe，whohadsnatchedthatkiss。Butherhandhadpressedhisarmagainstherastheywentdownthestairs。AndgettingintohercabattheTempleStation，shehadlookedbackathimwithalittlehalf-mockingsmileofchallengeandcomradeshipandpromise。Thelinkwouldbehardtobreak——evenifhewantedto。Andyetnothingwouldcomeofit！Heavens，no！Hehadneverthought！Marriage！Impossible！Anythingelse——evenmoreimpossible！Whenhegotbacktohischambers，hehadfoundintheboxtheletter，whichhertelegramhadrepeated，readdressedbyGypfromtheRedHouse。Andafaintuneasinessatitshavinggonedowntherepassedthroughhim。Hespentarestlesseveningattheclub，playingcardsandlosing；satuplateinhischambersoveracase；
　　hadahardmorning’swork，andonlynowthathewasnearingGyp，realizedhowutterlyhehadlostthestraightforwardsimplicityofthings。
　　Whenhereachedthehouseandfoundthatshehadgoneoutridingalone，hisuneasinessincreased。Whyhadshenotwaitedasusualforhimtoridewithher？Andhepacedupanddownthegarden，wherethewindwasmelancholyintheboughsofthewalnut-treethathadlostallitsleaves。LittleGypwasoutforherwalk，andonlypooroldOssykepthimcompany。Hadshenotexpectedhimbytheusualtrain？Hewouldgoandtrytofindout。Hechangedandwenttothestables。OldPettancewassittingonacorn-bin，examininganagedRuff’sGuide，whichcontainedrecordsofhislong-pastglory，scoredunderbyapencil:”JuneStakes:Agility。E。
　　Pettance3rd。””TidportSellingH’Cap:Dorothea，E。Pettance，o。””SalisburyCup:AlsoranPlumPudding，E。Pettance，”withothertriumphs。Hegotup，saying:”Good-afternoon，sir；windyafternoon，sir。Themistress’asbeengoneoutovertwohours，sir。Shewouldn’ttakemewith’er。””Hurryup，then，andsaddleHotspur。””Yes，sir；verygood，sir。”
　　Overtwohours！Hewentupontothedowns，bythewaytheygenerallycamehome，andforanhourherode，keepingasharplookoutforanysignofher。Nouse；andheturnedhome，hotanduneasy。Onthehalltablewereherriding-whipandgloves。Hisheartcleared，andheranupstairs。Shewasdoingherhairandturnedherheadsharplyasheentered。Hurryingacrosstheroomhehadtheabsurdfeelingthatshewasstandingatbay。Shedrewback，bentherfaceawayfromhim，andsaid:”No！Don’tpretend！Anything’sbetterthanpretence！”
　　Hehadneverseenherlookorspeaklikethat——herfacesohard，hereyessostabbing！Andherecoileddumbfounded。”What’sthematter，Gyp？””Nothing。Only——don’tpretend！”And，turningtotheglass，shewentontwistingandcoilingupherhair。
　　Shelookedlovely，flushedfromherrideinthewind，andhehadalongingtoseizeherinhisarms。Butherfacestoppedhim。Withfearandasortofanger，hesaid:”Youmightexplain，Ithink。”
　　Anevillittlesmilecrossedherface。”YOUcandothat。Iaminthedark。””Idon’tintheleastunderstandwhatyoumean。””Don’tyou？”Therewassomethingdeadlyinherutterdisregardofhim，whileherfingersmovedswiftlyaboutherdark，shininghair——
　　somethingsoappallinglysuddeninthishostilitythatSummerhayfeltapeculiarsensationinhishead，asifhemustknockitagainstsomething。Hesatdownonthesideofthebed。Wasitthatletter？Buthow？Ithadnotbeenopened。Hesaid:”Whatonearthhashappened，Gyp，sinceIwentupyesterday？Speakout，anddon’tkeepmelikethis！”
　　Sheturnedandlookedathim。”Don’tpretendthatyou’reupsetbecauseyoucan’tkissme！Don’tbefalse，Bryan！Youknowit’sbeenpretenceformonths。”
　　Summerhay’svoicegrewhigh。”Ithinkyou’vegonemad。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。””Oh，yes，youdo。Didyougetaletteryesterdaymarked’Immediate’？”
　　Ah！SoitWASthat！Tomeetthedefinite，hehardened，andsaidstubbornly:”Yes；fromDianaLeyton。Doyouobject？””No；only，howdoyouthinkitgotbacktoyoufromheresoquickly？”
　　Hesaiddully:”Idon’tknow。Bypost，Isuppose。””No；Iputitinyourletter-boxmyself——athalf-pastfive。”
　　Summerhay’smindwastrainedtoquickness，andthefullsignificanceofthosewordscamehometohimatonce。Hestaredatherfixedly。”Isupposeyousawus，then。””Yes。”
　　Hegotup，madeahelplessmovement，andsaid:”Oh，Gyp，don’t！Don’tbesohard！Iswearby——”
　　Gypgavealittlelaugh，turnedherback，andwentoncoilingatherhair。AndagainthathorridfeelingthathemustknockhisheadagainstsomethingroseinSummerhay。Hesaidhelplessly:”Ionlygavehertea。Whynot？She’smycousin。It’snothing！
　　Whyshouldyouthinktheworstofme？Sheaskedtoseemychambers。Whynot？Icouldn’trefuse。””YourEMPTYchambers？Don’t，Bryan——it’spitiful！Ican’tbeartohearyou。”
　　Atthatlashofthewhip，Summerhayturnedandsaid:”Itpleasesyoutothinktheworst，then？”
　　Gypstoppedthemovementofherfingersandlookedroundathim。”I’vealwaystoldyouyouwereperfectlyfree。DoyouthinkI
　　haven’tfeltitgoingonformonths？Therecomesamomentwhenpriderevolts——that’sall。Don’tlietome，PLEASE！””Iamnotinthehabitoflying。”Butstillhedidnotgo。Thatawfulfeelingofencirclement，ofanetroundhim，throughwhichhecouldnotbreak——anetwhichhedimlyperceivedeveninhisresentmenttohavebeenspunbyhimself，bythatcursedintimacy，keptfromheralltonopurpose——besethimmorecloselyeveryminute。Couldhenotmakeherseethetruth，thatitwasonlyherheREALLYloved？Andhesaid:”Gyp，Isweartoyouthere’snothingbutonekiss，andthatwasnot——”
　　Ashudderwentthroughherfromheadtofoot；shecriedout:”Oh，pleasegoaway！”
　　Hewentuptoher，puthishandsonhershoulders，andsaid:”It’sonlyyouIreallylove。Iswearit！Whydon’tyoubelieveme？Youmustbelieveme。Youcan’tbesowickedasnotto。It’sfoolish——foolish！Thinkofourlife——thinkofourlove——thinkofall——”Herfacewasfrozen；heloosenedhisgraspofher，andmuttered:”Oh，yourprideisawful！””Yes，it’sallI’vegot。LuckyforyouIhaveit。Youcangotoherwhenyoulike。””Gotoher！It’sabsurd——Icouldn’t——Ifyouwish，I’llneverseeheragain。”
　　Sheturnedawaytotheglass。”Oh，don’t！WhatIStheuse？”
　　Nothingisharderforonewhomlifehasalwaysspoiledthantofindhisbestanddeepestfeelingsdisbelievedin。Atthatmoment，Summerhaymeantabsolutelywhathesaid。Thegirlwasnothingtohim！Ifshewaspursuinghim，howcouldhehelpit？AndhecouldnotmakeGypbelieveit！Howawful！Howtrulyterrible！Howunjustandunreasonableofher！Andwhy？Whathadhedonethatsheshouldbesounbelieving——shouldthinkhimsuchashallowscoundrel？Couldhehelpthegirl’skissinghim？Helpherbeingfondofhim？Helphavingaman’snature？Unreasonable，unjust，ungenerous！Andgivingherafuriouslook，hewentout。
　　Hewentdowntohisstudy，flunghimselfonthesofaandturnedhisfacetothewall。Devilish！Buthehadnotbeentherefiveminutesbeforehisangerseemedchildishandevaporatedintothechillofdeadlyandinsistentfear。Hewasperceivinghimselfupagainstmuchmorethanamereincident，upagainsthernature——itsprideandscepticism——yes——andtheverydepthandsinglenessofherlove。Whileshewantednothingbuthim，hewantedandtooksomuchelse。Heperceivedthisbutdimly，aspartofthatfeelingthathecouldnotbreakthrough，oftheirritablelongingtoputhisheaddownandbutthiswayout，nomatterwhattheobstacles。Whatwascoming？Howlongwasthisstateofthingstolast？Hegotupandbegantopacetheroom，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，hisheadthrownback；andeverynowandthenheshookthathead，tryingtofreeitfromthisfeelingofbeingheldinchancery。AndthenDiana！Hehadsaidhewouldnotseeheragain。Butwasthatpossible？Afterthatkiss——afterthatlastlookbackathim！How？
　　Whatcouldhesay——do？Howbreaksosuddenly？Then，atmemoryofGyp’sface，heshivered。Ah，howwretcheditallwas！Theremustbesomewayout——someway！Surelysomewayout！Forwhenfirst，inthewoodoflife，fatalityhalts，turnsherdimdarkformamongthetrees，showsherpalecheekandthoseblackeyesofhers，showswithawfulswiftnessherstrangereality——menwouldbefoolsindeedwhoadmittedthattheysawher！
　　IX
　　Gypstayedinherroomdoinglittlethings——asawomanwillwhensheisparticularlywretched——sewingpaleribbonsintohergarments，polishingherrings。Andthedevilthathadenteredintoherwhenshewokethatmorning，havinghadhisfling，slunkaway，leavingtheoldbewilderedmisery。Shehadstabbedherloverwithwordsandlooks，feltpleasureinstabbing，andnowwasbitterlysad。Whatuse——whatsatisfaction？Howbyvengefulprickingscurethedeepwound，dispersethecankerinherlife？Howhealherselfbyhurtinghimwhomshelovedso？Ifhecameupagainnowandmadebutasign，shewouldthrowherselfintohisarms。Buthourspassed，andhedidnotcome，andshedidnotgodown——tootrulymiserable。Itgrewdark，butshedidnotdrawthecurtains；thesightofthewindymoonlitgardenandtheleavesdrivingacrossbroughtamelancholydistraction。LittleGypcameinandprattled。
　　Therewasatreeblowndown，andshehadclimbedonit；theyhadpickeduptwobasketsofacorns，andthepigshadbeensogreedy；
　　andshehadbeenblownaway，sothatBettyhadhadtorunafterher。AndBarynwaswalkinginthestudy；hewassobusyhehadonlygivenheronekiss。
　　Whenshewasgone，Gypopenedthewindowandletthewindfullintoherface。Ifonlyitwouldblowoutofherheartthissickeningsensethatallwasover，nomatterhowhemightpretendtoloveheroutofpity！Inanaturelikehers，sodoubtingandself-
　　distrustful，confidence，onceshakentotheroots，couldneverberestored。Aproudnaturethatwentalllengthsinlovecouldneverbecontentwithahalf-love。Shehadbeenborntoodoubting，proud，andjealous，yetmadetolovetooutterly。She——whohadbeenafraidoflove，andwhenitcamehadfoughttillitsweptheraway；who，sincethen，hadlivedforloveandnothingelse，whogaveall，andwantedall——knewforcertainandforeverthatshecouldnothaveall。
　　Itwas”nothing”hehadsaid！Nothing！Thatformonthshehadbeenthinkingatleastalittleofanotherwomanbesidesherself。
　　Shebelievedwhathehadtoldher，thattherehadbeennomorethanakiss——butwasitnothingthattheyhadreachedthatkiss？Thisgirl——thiscousin——whoheldallthecards，hadeverythingonherside——theworld，familyinfluence，securityoflife；yes，andmore，soterriblymuchmore——aman’slongingfortheyoungandunawakened。Thisgirlhecouldmarry！Itwasthisthoughtwhichhauntedher。Ameremomentaryoutbreakofman’snaturalwildnessshecouldforgiveandforget——oh，yes！Itwasthefeelingthatitwasagirl，hisowncousin，besieginghim，dragginghimaway，thatwassodreadful。Ah，howhorribleitwas——howhorrible！How，indecentpride，keephimfromher，fetterhim？
　　Sheheardhimcomeuptohisdressing-room，andwhilehewasstillthere，stoleoutanddown。Lifemustgoon，theservantsbehoodwinked，andsoforth。Shewenttothepianoandplayed，turningthedaggerinherheart，orhopingforlornlythatmusicmightworksomemiracle。Hecameinpresentlyandstoodbythefire，silent。
　　Dinner，withthetalkneedfultoblindingthehousehold——forwhatismorerevoltingthangivingawaythesufferingsoftheheart？——
　　wasalmostunendurableanddirectlyitwasover，theywent，hetohisstudy，shebacktothepiano。Thereshesat，readytostrikethenotesifanyonecamein；andtearsfellonthehandsthatrestedinherlap。Withallhersoulshelongedtogoandclasphiminherarmsandcry:”Idon’tcare——Idon’tcare！Dowhatyoulike——gotoher——ifonlyyou’lllovemealittle！”Andyettolove——aLITTLE！Wasitpossible？Nottoher！
　　Insheermiseryshewentupstairsandtobed。Sheheardhimcomeupandgointohisdressing-room——and，atlast，inthefirelightsawhimkneelingbyher。”Gyp！”
　　Sheraisedherselfandthrewherarmsroundhim。Suchanembraceadrowningwomanmighthavegiven。Prideandallwereabandonedinanefforttofeelhimcloseoncemore，torecovertheirrecoverablepast。Foralongtimeshelistenedtohispleading，explanations，justifications，hisprotestationsofundyinglove——strangetoherandpainful，yetsoboyishandpathetic。Shesoothedhim，claspinghisheadtoherbreast，gazingoutattheflickeringfire。Inthathour，sherosetoaheightaboveherself。Whathappenedtoherownheartdidnotmattersolongashewashappy，andhadallthathewantedwithherandawayfromher——ifneedbe，alwaysawayfromher。
　　But，whenhehadgonetosleep，aterribletimebegan；forinthesmallhours，whenthingsareattheirworst，shecouldnotkeepbackherweeping，thoughshesmothereditintothepillow。Itwokehim，andallbeganagain；theburdenofhercry:”It’sgone！”theburdenofhis:”It’sNOT——can’tyouseeitisn’t？”Till，atlast，thatawfulfeelingthathemustknockhisheadagainstthewallmadehimleapupandtrampupanddownlikeabeastinacage——thecageoftheimpossible。For，asinallhumantragedies，bothwererightaccordingtotheirnatures。Shegavehimallherself，wantedallinreturn，andcouldnothaveit。Hewantedher，therestbesides，andnocomplaining，andcouldnothaveit。Hedidnotadmitimpossibility；shedid。
　　Atlastcameanotherofthosepityinglullstillhewenttosleepinherarms。Longshelayawake，staringatthedarkness，admittingdespair，tryingtofindhowtobearit，notsucceeding。
　　Impossibletocuthisotherlifeawayfromhim——impossiblethat，whilehelivedit，thisgirlshouldnotbetugginghimawayfromher。Impossibletowatchandquestionhim。Impossibletolivedumbandblind，acceptingthecrumbsleftover，showingnothing。
　　Wouldithavebeenbetteriftheyhadbeenmarried？Butthenitmighthavebeenthesame——reversed；perhapsworse！Therootsweresomuchdeeperthanthat。Hewasnotsingle-heartedandshewas。
　　Inspiteofallthathesaid，sheknewhedidn’treallywanttogiveupthatgirl。Howcouldhe？Evenifthegirlwouldlethimgo！Andslowlythereformedwithinheragruesomelittleplantotesthim。Then，eversogentlywithdrawingherarms，sheturnedoverandslept，exhausted。
　　Nextmorning，remorselesslycarryingoutthatplan，sheforcedherselftosmileandtalkasifnothinghadhappened，watchingthereliefinhisface，hisobviousdelightatthechange，withafearfulachinginherheart。Shewaitedtillhewasreadytogodown，andthen，stillsmiling，said:”Forgetallaboutyesterday，darling。Promisemeyouwon’tletitmakeanydifference。Youmustkeepupyourfriendship；youmustn’tloseanything。Ishan’tmind；Ishallbequitehappy。”Hekneltdownandleanedhisforeheadagainstherwaist。And，strokinghishair，sherepeated:”Ishallonlybehappyifyoutakeeverythingthatcomesyourway。Ishan’tmindabit。”Andshewatchedhisfacethathadlostitstrouble。”Doyoureallymeanthat？””Yes；really！””Thenyoudoseethatit’snothing，neverhasbeenanything——
　　comparedwithyou——never！”
　　Hehadacceptedhercrucifixion。Ablackwavesurgedintoherheart。”Itwouldbesodifficultandawkwardforyoutogiveupthatintimacy。Itwouldhurtyourcousinso。”
　　Shesawthereliefdeepeninhisfaceandsuddenlylaughed。Hegotupfromhiskneesandstaredather。”Oh，Gyp，forGod’ssakedon’tbeginagain！”
　　Butshewentonlaughing；then，withasob，turnedawayandburiedherfaceinherhands。Toallhisprayersandkissessheanswerednothing，andbreakingawayfromhim，sherushedtowardthedoor。A
　　wildthoughtpossessedher。Whygoon？Ifsheweredead，itwouldbeallrightforhim，quiet——peaceful，quiet——forthemall！Buthehadthrownhimselfintheway。”Gyp，forheaven’ssake！I’llgiveherup——ofcourseI’llgiveherup。Do——do——bereasonable！Idon’tcareafinger-snapforhercomparedwithyou！”
　　Andpresentlytherecameanotherofthoselullsthatbothwerebeginningtoknowweremerepausesofexhaustion。Theywerepricelessallthesame，fortheheartcannotgoonfeelingatthatrate。
　　ItwasSundaymorning，thechurch-bellsringing，nowind，alullinthesou’westerlygale——oneofthosecalmsthatfallinthenightandlast，asarule，twelveorfifteenhours，andthegardenallstrewnwithleavesofeveryhue，fromgreenspottedwithyellowtodeepcopper。
　　Summerhaywasafraid；hekeptwithherallthemorning，makingallsortsoflittlethingstodoinhercompany。Buthegraduallylosthisfear，sheseemedsocalmnow，andhiswasanaturethatboretroublebadly，everimpatienttoshakeitoff。Andthen，afterlunch，thespirit-stormbeatupagain，withaswiftnessthatshowedoncemorehowdeceptivewerethoselulls，howfearfullydeepandlastingthewound。Hehadsimplyaskedherwhetherheshouldtrytomatchsomethingforherwhenhewentup，to-morrow。Shewassilentamoment，thenanswered:”Oh，no，thanks；you’llhaveotherthingstodo；peopletosee！”
　　Thetoneofhervoice，theexpressiononherfaceshowedhim，withafreshforceofrevelation，whatparalysishadfallenonhislife。
　　Ifhecouldnotreconvinceherofhislove，hewouldbeinperpetualfear——thathemightcomebackandfindhergone，fearthatshemightevendosomethingterribletoherself。Helookedatherwithasortofhorror，and，withoutaword，wentoutoftheroom。Thefeelingthathemusthithisheadagainstsomethingwasonhimoncemore，andoncemorehesoughttogetridofitbytrampingupanddown。GreatGod！Suchalittlething，suchfearfulconsequences！Allherbalance，hersanityalmost，destroyed。Waswhathehaddonesoverydreadful？HecouldnothelpDianalovinghim！
　　Inthenight，Gyphadsaid:”Youarecruel。DoyouthinkthereisanymanintheworldthatIwouldn’thatethesightofifIknewthattoseehimgaveyouamoment’spain？”Itwastrue——hefeltitwastrue。Butonecouldn’thateagirlsimplybecauseshelovedyou；atleasthecouldn’t——noteventosaveGyppain。Thatwasnotreasonable，notpossible。ButdidthatdifferencebetweenamanandawomannecessarilymeanthatGyplovedhimsomuchmorethanhelovedher？Couldshenotseethingsinproportion？Seethatamanmightwant，didwant，otherfriendships，evenpassingmomentsofpassion，andyetcouldloveherjustthesame？Shethoughthimcruel，calledhimcruel——whatfor？Becausehehadkissedagirlwhohadkissedhim；becausehelikedtalkingtoher，and——yes，mightevenlosehisheadwithher。Butcruel！Hewasnot！Gypwouldalwaysbefirstwithhim。HemustMAKEhersee——buthow？
　　Giveupeverything？Giveup——Diana？Truthissofunny——itwillouteveninaman’sthoughts！Well，andhecould！Hisfeelingwasnotdeep——thatwasGod’struth！Butitwouldbedifficult，awkward，brutaltogiveherupcompletely！Itcouldbedone，though，soonerthanthatGypshouldthinkhimcrueltoher。Itcouldbe——shouldbedone！
　　Only，woulditbeanyuse？Wouldshebelieve？Wouldshenotalwaysnowbesuspectinghimwhenhewasawayfromher，whateverhedid？Musthethensitdownhereininactivity？Andagustofangerwithherswepthim。Whyshouldshetreathimasifhewereutterlyunreliable？Or——washe？Hestoodstill。WhenDianahadputherarmsroundhisneck，hecouldnomorehaveresistedansweringherkissthanhecouldnowflythroughthewindowandoverthosepoplartrees。Buthewasnotablackguard，notcruel，notaliar！Howcouldhehavehelpeditall？Theonlywaywouldhavebeennevertohaveansweredthegirl’sfirstletter，nearlyayearago。Howcouldheforesee？And，sincethen，allsogradual，andnothing，really，oralmostnothing。Againthesurgeofangerswelledhisheart。ShemusthavereadtheletterwhichhadbeenunderthatcursedbustofoldVoltaireallthosemonthsago。Thepoisonhadbeenworkingeversince！Andinsuddenfuryatthatmiserablemischance，hedrovehisfistintothebronzeface。Thebustfellover，andSummerhaylookedstupidlyathisbruisedhand。
　　Asillythingtodo！Butithadquenchedhisanger。HeonlysawGyp’sfacenow——sopitifullyunhappy。Poordarling！Whatcouldhedo？Ifonlyshewouldbelieve！Andagainhehadthesickeningconvictionthatwhateverhedidwouldbeofnoavail。Hecouldnevergetback，wasonlyatthebeginning，ofatroublethathadnoend。And，likearatinacage，hismindtriedtorushoutofthisentanglementnowatoneend，nowattheother。Ah，well！Whybruiseyourheadagainstwalls？Ifitwashopeless——letitgo！
　　And，shrugginghisshoulders，hewentouttothestables，andtoldoldPettancetosaddleHotspur。Whilehestoodtherewaiting，hethought:’ShallIaskhertocome？’Buthecouldnotstandanotherboutofmisery——musthaverest！Andmounting，herodeuptowardsthedowns。
　　Hotspur，thesixteen-handbrownhorse，withnotaspeckofwhite，thatGyphadriddenhuntingthedayshefirstsawSummerhay，wasnineyearsoldnow。Hismaster’stwofaultsasahorseman——ahabitofthrusting，andnottoolighthands——hadencouragedhisratherhardmouth，andsomethinghadhappenedinthestablesto-daytoputhimintoaqueertemper；orperhapshefelt——ashorseswill——thedisturbanceragingwithinhisrider。Atanyrate，hegaveanexhibitionofhisworstqualities，andSummerhayderivedperversepleasurefromthatwaywardness。Herodeagoodhourupthere；
　　then，hot，withachingarms——forthebrutewaspullinglikethedevil！——hemadehiswaybacktowardhomeandenteredwhatlittleGypcalled”thewild，”thosetworoughsedgyfieldswiththelinhayinthecornerwheretheyjoined。Therewasagapinthehedge-
　　growthofthebankbetweenthem，andatthisheputHotspuratspeed。Thehorsewentoverlikeabird；andforthefirsttimesinceDiana’skissSummerhayfeltamoment’sjoy。Heturnedhimroundandsenthimatitagain，andagainHotspurcleareditbeautifully。Buttheanimal’sbloodwasupnow。Summerhaycouldhardlyholdhim。Muttering:”Oh，youBRUTE，don’tpull！”hejaggedthehorse’smouth。TheredartedintohismindGyp’sword:”Cruel！”
　　And，viciously，inoneofthosequeernerve-crisesthatbesetusall，hestruckthepullinghorse。
　　Theywerecanteringtowardthecornerwherethefieldsjoined，andsuddenlyhewasawarethathecouldnomoreholdthebeastthanifasteam-enginehadbeenunderhim。StraightatthelinhayHotspurdashed，andSummerhaythought:”MyGod！He’llkillhimself！”
　　Straightattheoldstonelinhay，coveredbythegreativybush。
　　Rightatit——intoit！Summerhayduckedhishead。Notlowenough——
　　theivyconcealedabeam！Asickeningcrash！Tornbackwardoutofthesaddle，hefellonhisbackinapoolofleavesandmud。Andthehorse，slitheringroundthelinhaywalls，checkedinhisownlength，unhurt，snorting，frightened，cameout，turninghiswildeyesonhismaster，whoneverstirred，thentrottedbackintothefield，throwinguphishead。
　　X
　　When，atherwords，Summerhaywentoutoftheroom，Gyp’sheartsank。Allthemorningshehadtriedsohardtokeepbackherdespairingjealousy，andnowatthefirstreminderhadbrokendownagain。Itwasbeyondherstrength！Tolivedayafterdayknowingthathe，upinLondon，waseitherseeingthatgirlorpainfullyabstainingfromseeingher！Andthen，whenhereturned，tobetohimjustwhatshehadbeen，toshownothing——woulditeverbepossible？Hardesttobearwaswhatseemedtoherthefalsityofhiswords，maintainingthathestillreallylovedher。Ifhedid，howcouldhehesitateonesecond？Wouldnottheverythoughtofthegirlbeabhorrenttohim？Hewouldhaveshownthat，notmerelysaiditamongotherwildthings。Wordswerenousewhentheycontradictedaction。She，wholovedwitheverybitofher，couldnotgraspthatamancanreallyloveandwantonewomanandyet，atthesametime，beattractedbyanother。
　　Thatsuddenfearfulimpulseofthemorningtomakeawaywithherselfandenditforthembothrecurredsovaguelythatithardlycountedinherstruggles；theconflictcentrednowroundthequestionwhetherlifewouldbelessutterlymiserableifshewithdrewfromhimandwentbacktoMildenham。Lifewithouthim？
　　Thatwasimpossible！Lifewithhim？Justasimpossible，itseemed！Therecomesapointofmentalanguishwhenthealternativesbetweenwhichoneswings，equallyhopeless，becomeeachsomonstrousthattheminddoesnotreallyworkatall，butrusheshelplesslyfromonetotheother，nolongertryingtodecide，waitingonfate。SoinGypthatSundayafternoon，doinglittlethingsallthetime——mendingaholeinoneofhisgloves，brushingandapplyingointmenttooldOssy，sortingbillsandletters。
　　Atfiveo’clock，knowinglittleGypmustsoonbebackfromherwalk，andfeelingunabletotakepartingaiety，shewentupandputonherhat。Sheturnedfromcontemplationofherfacewithdisgust。Sinceitwasnolongertheonlyfaceforhim，whatwastheuseofbeauty？Sheslippedoutbythesidegateandwentdowntowardtheriver。Thelullwasover；thesouth-westwindhadbegunsighingthroughthetreesagain，andgorgeouscloudswerepiledupfromthehorizonintothepaleblue。Shestoodbytheriverwatchingitsgreystream，edgedbyascumoftorn-offtwigsandfloatingleaves，watchedthewindshiveringthroughthespoiledplume-branchesofthewillows。And，standingthere，shehadasuddenlongingforherfather；healonecouldhelpher——justalittle——byhisquietness，andhislove，byhismerepresence。
　　Sheturnedawayandwentupthelaneagain，avoidingtheinnandtheriversidehouses，walkingslowly，herheaddown。Andathoughtcame，herfirsthopefulthought。Couldtheynottravel——goroundtheworld？Wouldhegiveuphisworkforthat——thatchancetobreakthespell？Daredsheproposeit？Butwouldeventhatbeanythingmorethanaputting-off？Ifshewasnotenoughforhimnow，wouldshenotbestillless，ifhisworkwerecutaway？
　　Still，itwasagleam，agleamintheblackness。Shecameinatthefarendofthefieldstheycalled”thewild。”Arose-leafhuetingedthewhitecloud-banks，whichtoweredawaytotheeastbeyondtheriver；andpeepingoverthatmountain-topwasthemoon，fleecyandunsubstantialintheflax-bluesky。Itwasoneofnature’smomentsofwildcolour。Theoak-treesabovethehedgerowshadnotlosttheirleaves，andinthedarting，rain-washedlightfromthesettingsun，hadasheenofoldgoldwithheartofivy-green；thehail-strippedbeechesflamedwithcopper；therussettuftsoftheash-treesglowed。AndpastGyp，asingleleafblownoff，wentsoaring，turningoverandover，goingupontherisingwind，up——
　　up，higher——higherintothesky，tillitwaslost——away。
　　Therainhaddrenchedthelonggrass，andsheturnedback。Atthegatebesidethelinhay，ahorsewasstanding。Itwhinnied。
　　Hotspur，saddled，bridled，withnorider！Why？Where——then？
　　Hastilysheundidthelatch，ranthrough，andsawSummerhaylyinginthemud——onhisback，witheyeswide-open，hisforeheadandhairallblood。Someleaveshaddroppedonhim。God！OGod！Hiseyeshadnosight，hislipsnobreath；hisheartdidnotbeat；theleaveshaddroppedevenonhisface——inthebloodonhispoorhead。
　　Gypraisedhim——stiffened，coldasice！Shegaveonecry，andfell，embracinghisdead，stiffenedbodywithallherstrength，kissinghislips，hiseyes，hisbrokenforehead；clasping，warminghim，tryingtopasslifeintohim；till，atlast，she，too，laystill，herlipsonhiscoldlips，herbodyonhiscoldbodyinthemudandthefallenleaves，whilethewindcreptandrustledintheivy，andwentoverwiththescentofrain。Closeby，thehorse，uneasy，puthisheaddownandsniffedather，then，backingaway，neighed，andbrokeintoawildgalloproundthefield……
　　OldPettance，waitingforSummerhay’sreturntostable-upforthenight，heardthatdistantneighandwenttothegardengate，screwinguphislittleeyesagainstthesunset。Hecouldseealoosehorsegallopingdowntherein”thewild，”wherenohorseshouldbe，andthinking:”Therenow；thatartfuldevil’sbrokeawayfromtheguv’nor！NowI’ll’avetoketch’im！’hewentback，gotsomeoats，andsetforthatthebestgaitofhisstiff-jointedfeet。Theoldhorsemancharacteristicallydidnotthinkofaccidents。Theguv’norhadgotoff，nodoubt，tounhitchthatheavygate——theoneyouhadtolift。That’orse——hewasamasterpieceofmischief！Hisdifferencewiththeanimalstillrankledinamindthatdidnoteasilyforgive。
　　Halfanhourlater，heenteredthelightedkitchenshakingandgasping，tearsrollingdownhisfurrowedcheeksintothecornersofhisgargoyle’smouth，andpantedout:”O，myGord！Fetchthefarmer——fetchan’urdle！OmyGord！
　　Betty，youandcook——Ican’tget’eroffhim。Shedon’tspeak。I
　　felther——allcold。Comeon，yousluts——quick！OmyGord！Thepoorguv’nor！That’orsemust’a’gallopedintothelinhayandkilledhim。I’vesee’dthemarksonthedevil’sshoulderwhereherubbeditscrapin’roundthewall。Comeon——comeon！Fetchan’urdleorshe’lldiethereonhiminthemud。Putthechildtobedandgetthedoctor，andsendawiretoLondon，tothemajor，tocomesharp。Oh，blarstyouall——keepyour’eads！What’sthegoodo’howlin’andblubberin’！”
　　Inthewhisperingcornerofthosefields，lightfromalanternandthemoonfellontheoldstonelinhay，ontheivyandthebrokengate，onthemud，thegoldenleaves，andthetwoquietbodiesclaspedtogether。Gyp’sconsciousnesshadflown；thereseemednodifferencebetweenthem。Andpresently，overtherushygrass，aprocessionmovedbackinthewindandthemoonlight——twohurdles，twomencarryingone，twowomenandamantheother，and，behind，oldPettanceandthehorse。