IV
　　AfterthatSundaycall，GypsatinthewindowatBuryStreetclosetoabowlofheliotropeonthewindow-sill。Shewasthinkingoverapassageoftheirconversation。”Mrs。Fiorsen，tellmeaboutyourself。””Why？Whatdoyouwanttoknow？””Yourmarriage？””Imadeafearfulmistake——againstmyfather’swish。Ihaven’tseenmyhusbandformonths；IshallneverseehimagainifIcanhelpit。Isthatenough？””Andyoulovehim？””No。””Itmustbelikehavingyourheadinchancery。Can’tyougetitout？””No。””Why？””Divorce-court！Ugh！Icouldn’t！””Yes，Iknow——it’shellish！”
　　Washe，whogrippedherhandsohardandsaidthat，reallythesamenonchalantyoungmanwhohadleanedoutofthecarriagewindow，gurglingwithlaughter？Andwhathadmadethedifference？Sheburiedherfaceintheheliotrope，whoseperfumeseemedthememoryofhisvisit；then，goingtothepiano，begantoplay。SheplayedDebussy，McDowell，Ravel；thechordsofmodernmusicsuitedherfeelingsjustthen。Andshewasstillplayingwhenherfathercamein。Duringtheselastninemonthsofhisdaughter’ssociety，hehadregainedadistinctmeasureofyouthfulness，anextratwistinhislittlemoustache，anextratouchofdandyisminhisclothes，andtheglossofhisshorthair。Gypstoppedplayingatonce，andshutthepiano。”Mr。Summerhay’sbeenhere，Dad。Hewassorrytomissyou。”
　　TherewasanappreciablepausebeforeWintonanswered:”Mydear，Idoubtit。”
　　AndtherepassedthroughGypthethoughtthatshecouldneveragainbefriendswithamanwithoutgivingthatpause。Then，consciousthatherfatherwasgazingather，sheturnedandsaid:”Well，wasitniceinthePark？””Thirtyyearsagotheywereallnobsandsnobs；nowGodhimselfdoesn’tknowwhattheyare！””Butweren’ttheflowersnice？””Ah——andthetrees，andthebirds——but，byJove，thehumansdotheirbesttodressthebalance！””Whatamisanthropeyou’regetting！””I’dliketorunastudfortwo-leggers；theywantproperbreeding。
　　WhatsortofafellowisyoungSummerhay？Notabadface。”
　　Sheansweredimpassively:”Yes；it’ssoalive。”
　　Inspiteofhisself-control，shecouldalwaysreadherfather’sthoughtsquickerthanhecouldreadhers，andknewthathewasstrugglingbetweenthewishthatsheshouldhaveagoodtimeandthedesiretoconveysomekindofwarning。Hesaid，withasigh:”Whatdoesayoungman’sfancyturntoinsummer，Gyp？”
　　Womenwhohavesubtleinstinctsandsomeexperienceareabletoimposetheirownrestraintonthosewho，attheliftingofahand，wouldbecometheirlovers。Fromthatafternoonon，Gypknewthatawordfromherwouldchangeeverything；butshewasfarfromspeakingit。Andyet，exceptatweek-ends，whenshewentbacktoherbabyatMildenham，shesawSummerhaymostdays——intheRow，attheopera，oratBuryStreet。ShehadahabitofgoingtoSt。
　　James’sParkinthelateafternoonandsittingtherebythewater。
　　Wasitbychancethathepassedonedayonhiswayhomefromchambers，andthat，afterthis，theysattheretogetherconstantly？
　　Whymakeherfatheruneasy——whentherewasnothingtobeuneasyabout——bylettinghimcometoooftentoBuryStreet？Itwassopleasant，too，outthere，talkingcalmlyofmanythings，whileinfrontofthemthesmallraggedchildrenfishedandputthefishesintoclearglassbottles，toeat，orwatchonrainydays，asisthecustomofmanwiththeminorworksofGod。
　　So，innature，whentheseasonsareabouttochange，thedayspass，tranquil，waitingforthewindthatbringsinthenew。Andwasitnotnaturaltositunderthetrees，bytheflowersandthewater，thepigeonsandtheducks，thatwonderfulJuly？ForallwaspeacefulinGyp’smind，except，nowandthen，whenasortofremorsepossessedher，asortofterror，andasortoftroublingsweetness。
　　V
　　Summerhaydidnotwearhisheartonhissleeve，andwhen，ontheclosing-dayofterm，helefthischamberstowalktothatlastmeeting，hisfacewasmuchasusualunderhisgreytophat。But，intruth，hehadcometoaprettypass。Hehadhisowncodeofwhatwasbefittingtoagentleman。Itwasperhapsatrifle”oldGeorgian，”butitincludeddoingnothingtodistressawoman。Alltheseweekshehadkepthimselfinhand；buttodosohadcosthimmorethanhelikedtoreflecton。TheonlywitnessofhisstruggleswashisoldScotchterrier，whosedreamshehaddisturbednightafternight，trampingupanddownthelongback-to-frontsitting-roomofhislittlehouse。Sheknew——mustknow——whathewasfeeling。Ifshewantedhislove，shehadbuttoraiseherfinger；
　　andshehadnotraisedit。Whenhetouchedher，whenherdressdisengageditsperfumeorhiseyestracedtheslow，softmovementofherbreathing，hisheadwouldgoround，andtokeepcalmandfriendlyhadbeentorture。
　　Whilehecouldseeheralmosteveryday，thiscontrolhadbeenjustpossible；butnowthathewasabouttoloseher——forweeks——hisheartfeltsickwithinhim。Hehadbeenhardputtoitbeforetheworld。Amanpassionatelyinlovecravessolitude，inwhichtoalternatebetweenfierceexerciseandthattrance-likestillnesswhenaloversimplyachesorisbusyconjuringherfaceupoutofdarknessorthesunlight。Hehadmanagedtodohiswork，hadbeengratefulforhavingittodo；buttohisfriendshehadnotgivenattentionenoughtopreventthemsaying:”What’supwitholdBryan？”Alwaysratherelusiveinhismovements，hewasnowtooelusivealtogetherforthosewhohadbeenaccustomedtolunch，dine，dance，andsportwithhim。Andyetheshunnedhisowncompany——goingwhereverstrangefaces，life，anythingdistractedhimalittle，withoutdemandingrealattention。Itmustbeconfessedthathehadcomeunwillinglytodiscoveryofthedepthofhispassion，awarethatitmeantgivinguptoomuch。Buttherearewomenwhoinspirefeelingsodirectandsimplethatreasondoesnotcomeintoplay；andhehadneveraskedhimselfwhetherGypwasworthloving，whethershehadthisorthatquality，suchorsuchvirtue。Hewantedherexactlyasshewas；anddidnotweighherinanysortofbalance。Itispossibleformentolovepassionately，yetknowthattheirpassionisbutdesire，possibleformentoloveforsheerspiritualworth，feelingthatthelovedonelacksthisorthatcharm。
　　Summerhay’slovehadnosuchdividedconsciousness。Aboutherpast，too，hedismissedspeculation。Herememberedhavingheardinthehunting-fieldthatshewasWinton’snaturaldaughter；eventhenithadmadehimlongtopunchtheheadofthatcovertsidescandal-
　　monger。Themoretheremightbeagainstthedesirabilityoflovingher，themorehewouldloveher；evenherwretchedmarriageonlyaffectedhiminsofarasitaffectedherhappiness。Itdidnotmatter——nothingmatteredexcepttoseeherandbewithherasmuchasshewouldlethim。Andnowshewasgoingtotheseaforamonth，andhehimself——curseit！——wasdueinPerthshiretoshootgrouse。Amonth！
　　Hewalkedslowlyalongtheriver。Daredhespeak？Attimes，herfacewaslikeachild’swhenitexpectssomeharshorfrighteningword。Onecouldnothurther——impossible！But，attimes，hehadalmostthoughtshewouldlikehimtospeak。Onceortwicehehadcaughtaslowsoftglance——gonethemomenthehadsightofit。
　　Hewasbeforehistime，and，leaningontheriverparapet，watchedthetiderundown。Thesunshoneonthewater，brighteningitsyellowishswirl，andlittleblackeddies——thesamewaterthathadflowedalongunderthewillowspastEynsham，pastOxford，underthechurchatClifton，pastMoulsford，pastSonning。Andhethought:
　　’MyGod！Tohavehertomyselfonedayontheriver——onewholelongday！’Whyhadhebeensopusillanimousallthistime？Hepassedhishandoverhisface。Broadfacesdonoteasilygrowthin，buthisfeltthintohim，andthisgavehimakindofmorbidsatisfaction。Ifsheknewhowhewaslonging，howhesuffered！Heturnedaway，towardWhitehall。Twomenheknewstoppedtobandyajest。Oneofthemwasjustmarried。They，too，wereofftoScotlandforthetwelfth。Pah！Howstaleandflatseemedthatwhichtillthenhadbeentheacmeofthewholeyeartohim！Ah，butifhehadbeengoingtoScotlandWITHHER！HedrewhisbreathinwithasighthatnearlyremovedtheHomeOffice。
　　ObliviousofthegorgeoussentriesattheHorseGuards，obliviousofallbeauty，hepassedirresolutealongthewater，makingfortheirusualseat；already，infancy，hewassittingthere，proddingatthegravel，anervoustwitteringinhisheart，andthateternalquestion:DareIspeak？askingitselfwithinhim。Andsuddenlyhesawthatshewasbeforehim，sittingtherealready。Hisheartgaveajump。Nomorecraning——heWOULDspeak！
　　Shewaswearingamaize-colouredmuslintowhichthesunlightgaveasortoftransparency，andsat，leaningback，herkneescrossed，onehandrestingontheknobofherfurledsunshade，herfacehalfhiddenbyhershadyhat。Summerhayclenchedhisteeth，andwentstraightuptoher。”Gyp！No，Iwon’tcallyouanythingelse。Thiscan’tgoon！Youknowitcan’t。YouknowIworshipyou！Ifyoucan’tloveme，I’vegottobreakaway。Allday，allnight，Ithinkanddreamofnothingbutyou。Gyp，doyouwantmetogo？”
　　Supposeshesaid:”Yes，go！”Shemadealittlemovement，asifinprotest，andwithoutlookingathim，answeredverylow:”OfcourseIdon’twantyoutogo。HowcouldI？”
　　Summerhaygasped。”ThenyouDOloveme？”
　　Sheturnedherfaceaway。”Wait，please。Waitalittlelonger。WhenwecomebackI’lltellyou:Ipromise！””Solong？””Amonth。Isthatlong？Please！It’snoteasyforme。”Shesmiledfaintly，liftedhereyestohimjustforasecond。”Pleasenotanymorenow。”
　　Thateveningathisclub，throughthebluishsmokeofcigaretteaftercigarette，hesawherfaceasshehadlifteditforthatonesecond；andnowhewasinheaven，nowinhell。
　　VI
　　TheverandahedbungalowontheSouthCoast，builtandinhabitedbyanartistfriendofAuntRosamund’s，hadagardenofwhichthechieffeaturewasonepine-treewhichhadstrayedinadvanceofthewoodbehind。Thelittlehousestoodinsolitude，justabovealowbankofcliffwhencethebeachsankinsandyridges。Theverandahandthickpinewoodgaveampleshade，andthebeachallthesunandseaairneedfultotanlittleGyp，afat，tumblingsoul，ashermotherhadbeenatthesameage，incurablyfondandfearlessofdogsoranykindofbeast，andspeakingwordsalreadythatrequiredaglossary。
　　Atnight，Gyp，lookingfromherbedroomthroughtheflatbranchesofthepine，wouldgetafeelingofbeingtheonlycreatureintheworld。Thecrinkled，silverysea，thatlonelypine-tree，thecoldmoon，theskydarkcorn-flowerblue，thehissandsuckingrustleofthesurfoverthebeachpebbles，eventhesalt，chillair，seemedlonely。Byday，too——inthehazyheatwhenthecloudsmerged，scarcedrifting，intotheblue，andthecoarsesea-grasstuftshardlyquivered，andsea-birdspassedcloseabovethewaterwithchuckleandcry——italloftenseemedpartofadream。Shebathed，andgrewastannedasherlittledaughter，aregularGypsy，inherbroadhatandlinenfrocks；andyetshehardlyseemedtobelivingdownhereatall，forshewasneverfreeofthememoryofthatlastmeetingwithSummerhay。Whyhadhespokenandputanendtotheirquietfriendship，andlefthertosuchheart-searchingsallbyherself？Butshedidnotwanthiswordsunsaid。Only，howtoknowwhethertorecoilandfly，ortopassbeyondthedreadoflettingherselfgo，ofplungingdeepintotheunknowndepthsoflove——ofthatpassion，whosenatureforthefirsttimeshehadtremulouslyfelt，watching”Pagliacci”——andhadeversincebeenfeelingandtremblingat！Mustitreallybeneckornothing？Didshecareenoughtobreakthroughallbarriers，flingherselfintomidstream？
　　Whentheycouldseeeachothereveryday，itwassoeasytoliveforthenextmeeting——notthinkofwhatwascomingafter。Butnow，withallelsecutaway，therewasonlythefuturetothinkabout——
　　hersandhis。Butneedshetroubleabouthis？Wouldhenotjustloveheraslongasheliked？
　　Thenshethoughtofherfather——stillfaithfultoamemory——andfeltashamed。Somemenlovedon——yes——evenbeyonddeath！But，sometimes，shewouldthink:’AmIacandle-flameagain？Ishejustgoingtoburnhimself？WhatrealgoodcanIbetohim——I，withoutfreedom，andwithmybaby，whowillgrowup？’Yetallthesethoughtswere，inaway，unreal。Thestrugglewasinherself，sodeepthatshecouldhardlyunderstandit；asmightbeanefforttosubduetheinstinctivedreadofaprecipice。Andshewouldfeelakindofresentmentagainstallthehappyliferoundherthesesummerdays——thesea-birds，thesunlight，andthewaves；thewhitesailsfarout；thecalmsun-steepedpine-trees；herbaby，tumblingandsmilingandsoftlytwittering；andBettyandtheotherservants——allthislifethatseemedsosimpleanduntortured。
　　Totheoneposteachdayshelookedforwardterribly。Andyethisletters，whichbeganlikehers:”Mydearfriend，”mighthavebeenreadbyanyone——almost。Shespentalongtimeoverheranswers。
　　Shewasnotsleepingwell；and，lyingawake，shecouldseehisfaceverydistinctbeforeherclosedeyes——itsteasing，lazysmile，itssuddenintentgravity。Onceshehadadreamofhim，rushingpastherdownintothesea。Shecalled，but，withoutturninghishead，heswamoutfurther，further，tillshelostsightofhim，andwokeupsuddenlywithapaininherheart。”Ifyoucan’tloveme，I’vegottobreakaway！”Hisface，hisflung-backheadremindedhertoosharplyofthosewords。Nowthathewasawayfromher，wouldhenotfeelthatitwasbesttobreak，andforgether？Upthere，hewouldmeetgirlsuntouchedbylife——notlikeherself。Hehadeverythingbeforehim；couldhepossiblygoonwantingonewhohadnothingbeforeher？Someblue-eyedgirlwithauburnhair——thattypesosuperiortoherown——wouldsweep，perhapshadalreadyswepthim，awayfromher！Whatthen？Noworsethanitusedtobe？Ah，somuchworsethatshedarednotthinkofit！
　　Then，forfivedays，nolettercame。And，witheachblankmorning，theacheinhergrew——asharp，definiteacheoflongingandjealousy，utterlyunlikethemerefeelingofoutragedpridewhenshehadsurprisedFiorsenandDaphneWinginthemusic-room——ahundredyearsago，itseemed。WhenonthefifthdaythepostmanleftnothingbutabillforlittleGyp’sshoes，andanotefromAuntRosamundatHarrogate，whereshehadgonewithWintonfortheannualcure，Gyp’sheartsanktothedepths。Wasthistheend？
　　And，withablind，numbfeeling，shewanderedoutintothewood，wherethefallofthepine-needles，seasonafterseason，hadmadeofthegroundonesoft，dark，dust-colouredbed，onwhichthesunlighttracedthepatternofthepineboughs，andantsrummagedabouttheirgreatheapeddwellings。
　　Gypwentalongtillshecouldseenoouterworldforthegrey-browntree-stemsstreakedwithgum-resin；and，throwingherselfdownonherface，dugherelbowsdeepintothepinedust。Tears，sorarewithher，forcedtheirwayup，andtrickledslowlytothehandswhereonherchinrested。Nogood——crying！Cryingonlymadeherill；cryingwasnorelief。Sheturnedoveronherbackandlaymotionless，thesunbeamswarmonhercheeks。Silenthere，evenatnoon！Thesoughofthecalmseacouldnotreachsofar；theflieswerefew；nobirdsang。Thetallbarepinestemsroseupallroundlikecolumnsinatempleroofedwiththedarkboughsandsky。
　　Cloud-fleecesdriftedslowlyovertheblue。Thereshouldbepeace——
　　butinherhearttherewasnone！
　　Aduskyshapecamepaddingthroughthetreesalittlewayoff，another——twodonkeysloosefromsomewhere，whostoodlickingeachother’snecksandnoses。Thosetwohumblebeasts，sofriendly，madeherfeelashamed。Whyshouldshebesorryforherself，shewhohadeverythinginlifeshewanted——exceptlove——theloveshehadthoughtshewouldneverwant？Ah，butshewanteditnow，wanteditatlastwithallherbeing！
　　Withashudder，shesprangup；theantshadgottoher，andshehadtopickthemoffherneckanddress。Shewanderedbacktowardsthebeach。Ifhehadtrulyfoundsomeonetofillhisthoughts，anddriveherout，allthebetterforhim；shewouldnever，bywordorsign，showhimthatshemissed，andwantedhim——never！Shewouldsoonerdie！
　　Shecameoutintothesunshine。Thetidewaslow；andthewetforeshoregleamedwithopaltints；therewerewanderingtracksonthesea，asofgreatserpentswindingtheirwaybeneaththesurface；andawaytothewestthearchwayed，tawnyrockthatcutoffthelineofcoastwaslikeadream-shape。Allwasdreamy。
　　And，suddenlyherheartbeganbeatingtosuffocationandthecolourfloodedupinhercheeks。Ontheedgeofthelowcliffbank，bythesideofthepath，Summerhaywassitting！
　　Hegotupandcametowardher。Puttingherhandsuptoherglowingface，shesaid:”Yes；it’sme。Didyoueverseesuchagipsifiedobject？I
　　thoughtyouwerestillinScotland。How’sdearOssy？”Thenherself-possessionfailed，andshelookeddown。”It’snogood，Gyp。Imustknow。”
　　ItseemedtoGypthatherhearthadgivenupbeating；shesaidquietly:”Let’ssitdownaminute”；andmovedunderthecliffbankwheretheycouldnotbeseenfromthehouse。There，drawingthecoarsegrassbladesthroughherfingers，shesaid，withashiver:”Ididn’ttrytomakeyou，didI？Inevertried。””No；never。””It’swrong。””Whocares？NoonecouldcarewholovesasIdo。Oh，Gyp，can’tyouloveme？IknowI’mnothingmuch。”Howquaintandboyish！”Butit’selevenweeksto-daysincewemetinthetrain。Idon’tthinkI’vehadoneminute’slet-upsince。””Haveyoutried？””WhyshouldI，whenIloveyou？”
　　Gypsighed；relief，delight，pain——shedidnotknow。”Thenwhatistobedone？Lookoverthere——thatbitofblueinthegrassismybabydaughter。There’sher——andmyfather——and——””Andwhat？””I’mafraid——afraidoflove，Bryan！”
　　Atthatfirstuseofhisname，Summerhayturnedpaleandseizedherhand。”Afraid——how——afraid？”
　　Gypsaidverylow:”Imightlovetoomuch。Don’tsayanymorenow。No；don’t！Let’sgoinandhavelunch。”Andshegotup。
　　Hestayedtilltea-time，andnotawordmoreoflovedidhespeak。
　　Butwhenhewasgone，shesatunderthepine-treewithlittleGyponherlap。Love！Ifhermotherhadcheckedlove，sheherselfwouldneverhavebeenborn。Themidgeswerebitingbeforeshewentin。AfterwatchingBettygivelittleGypherbath，shecrossedthepassagetoherbedroomandleanedoutofthewindow。Couldithavebeento-dayshehadlainonthegroundwithtearsofdespairrunningdownontoherhands？Awaytotheleftofthepine-tree，themoonhadfloatedup，soft，barelyvisibleinthepalingsky。A
　　newworld，anenchantedgarden！Andbetweenherandit——whatwasthere？
　　Thateveningshesatwithabookonherlap，notreading；andinherwentonthestrangerevolutionwhichcomesinthesoulsofallwomenwhoarenothalf-menwhenfirsttheylove——thesinkingof’I’
　　into’Thou，’thepassionate，spiritualsubjection，theintense，unconsciousgiving-upofwill，inpreparationforcompleterunion。
　　Shesleptwithoutdreaming，awokeheavyandoppressed。Toolanguidtobathe，shesatlistlessonthebeachwithlittleGypallthemorning。Hadsheenergyorspirittomeethimintheafternoonbytherockarchway，asshehadpromised？Forthefirsttimesinceshewasasmallandnaughtychild，sheavoidedtheeyesofBetty。
　　Onecouldnotbeafraidofthatstout，devotedsoul，butonecouldfeelthatsheknewtoomuch。Whenthetimecame，afterearlytea，shestartedout；forifshedidnotgo，hewouldcome，andshedidnotwanttheservantstoseehimtwodaysrunning。
　　ThislastdayofAugustwaswarmandstill，andhadakindofbeneficence——thecornallgatheredin，theapplesmellowing，robinssingingalready，afewslumberous，softclouds，apalebluesky，asmilingsea。Shewentinland，acrossthestream，andtookafootpathbacktotheshore。Nopinesgrewonthatside，wherethesoilwasricher——ofaruddybrown。Thesecondcropsofcloverwerealreadyhigh；inthemhumblebeeswerehardatwork；and，above，thewhite-throatedswallowsdippedandsoared。Gypgatheredabunchofchicoryflowers。Shewascloseabovetheshorebeforeshesawhimstandingintherockarchway，lookingforheracrossthebeach。
　　Afterthehumofthebeesandflies，itwasveryquiethere——onlythefaintesthissoftinywaves。Hehadnotyetheardhercoming，andthethoughtflashedthroughher:’IfItakeanotherstep，itisforever！Shestoodtherescarcelybreathing，thechicoryflowersheldbeforeherlips。Thensheheardhimsigh，and，movingquicklyforward，said:”HereIam。”
　　Heturnedround，seizedherhand，and，withoutaword，theypassedthroughthearchway。Theywalkedonthehardsand，sidebyside，tillhesaid:”Let’sgoupintothefields。”
　　Theyscrambledupthelowcliffandwentalongthegrassytoptoagateintoastubblefield。Hehelditopenforher，but，asshepassed，caughtherinhisarmsandkissedherlipsasifhewouldneverstop。Toher，whohadbeenkissedathousandtimes，itwasthefirstkiss。Deadlypale，shefellbackfromhimagainstthegate；then，herlipsstillquivering，hereyesverydark，shelookedathimdistraughtwithpassion，drunkonthatkiss。And，suddenlyturningroundtothegate，shelaidherarmsonthetopbarandburiedherfaceonthem。Asobcameupinherthroatthatseemedtotearhertobits，andshecriedasifherheartwouldbreak。Histimiddespairingtouches，hisvoiceclosetoherear:”Gyp，Gyp！Mydarling！Mylove！Oh，don’t，Gyp！”werenotoftheleastavail；shecouldnotstop。Thatkisshadbrokendownsomethinginhersoul，sweptawayherlifeuptothatmoment，donesomethingterribleandwonderful。Atlast，shestruggledout:”I’msorry——sosorry！Don’t——don’tlookatme！Goawayalittle，andI’ll——I’llbeallright。”
　　Heobeyedwithoutaword，and，passingthroughthegate，satdownontheedgeofthecliffwithhisbacktoher，lookingoutoverthesea。
　　Grippingthewoodoftheoldgreygatetillithurtherhands，Gypgazedatthechicoryflowersandpoppiesthathadgrownupagaininthestubblefield，atthebutterflieschasinginthesunlightoverthehedgetowardthecrinklyfoamedgingthequietseatilltheywerebutflutteringwhitespecksintheblue。
　　Butwhenshehadrubbedhercheeksandsmoothedherface，shewasnonearertofeelingthatshecouldtrustherself。Whathadhappenedinherwastooviolent，toosweet，tooterrifying。Andgoinguptohimshesaid:”Letmegohomenowbymyself。Please，letmego，dear。
　　To-morrow！”
　　Summerhaylookedup。”Whateveryouwish，Gyp——always！”
　　Hepressedherhandagainsthischeek，thenletitgo，and，foldinghisarmstight，resumedhismeaninglessstareatthesea。Gypturnedaway。Shecrossedbacktotheothersideofthestream，butdidnotgoinforalongtime，sittinginthepinewoodtilltheeveninggatheredandthestarscreptoutinaskyofthatmauve-
　　bluewhichthepsychicsayisthesoul-garmentcolourofthegood。
　　Latethatnight，whenshehadfinishedbrushingherhair，sheopenedherwindowandsteppedoutontotheverandah。Howwarm！
　　Howstill！Notasoundfromthesleepinghouse——notabreathofwind！Herface，framedinherhair，herhands，andallherbody，feltasifonfire。Themoonbehindthepine-treebrancheswasfillingeverycrannyofherbrainwithwakefulness。Thesoftshiverofthewellnighsurflessseaonarisingtide，rose，fell，rose，fell。Thesandcliffshonelikeabankofsnow。Andallwasinhabited，asamoonlitnightiswonttobe，byamagicalPresence。
　　Abigmothwentpastherface，soclosethatshefelttheflutterofitswings。Alittlenightbeastsomewherewasscruttlinginbushesorthesand。Suddenly，acrossthewangrasstheshadowofthepine-trunkmoved。Itmoved——eversolittle——moved！And，petrified——Gypstared。There，joinedtothetrunk，Summerhaywasstanding，hisfacejustvisibleagainstthestem，themoonlightononecheek，ahandshadinghiseyes。Hemovedthathand，helditoutinsupplication。Forlong——howlong——Gypdidnotstir，lookingstraightatthatbeseechingfigure。Then，withafeelingshehadneverknown，shesawhimcoming。Hecameuptotheverandahandstoodlookingupather。Shecouldseealltheworkingsofhisface——passion，reverence，aboveallamazement；andsheheardhisawedwhisper:”Isityou，Gyp？Reallyyou？Youlooksoyoung——soyoung！”
　　VII
　　Fromthemomentofsurrender，Gyppassedstraightintoastatethemoreenchantedbecauseshehadneverbelievedinit，hadneverthoughtthatshecouldloveasshenowloved。Daysandnightswentbyinasortofdream，andwhenSummerhaywasnotwithher，shewassimplywaitingwithasmileonherlipsforthenexthourofmeeting。Justasshehadneverfeltitpossibletoadmittheworldintothesecretsofhermarriedlife，so，nowshedidnotconsidertheworldatall。Onlythethoughtofherfatherweighedonherconscience。Hewasbackintown。Andshefeltthatshemusttellhim。WhenSummerhayheardthisheonlysaid:”Allright，Gyp，whateveryouthinkbest。”
　　Andtwodaysbeforehermonthatthebungalowwasup，shewent，leavingBettyandlittleGyptofollowonthelastday。Winton，paleandsomewhatlanguid，asmenarewhentheyhavebeencured，foundherwhenhecameinfromtheclub。Shehadputoneveningdress，andabovethepallorofhershoulders，hersunwarmedfaceandthroathadalmostthecolourofanectarine。Hehadneverseenherlooklikethat，neverseenhereyessofulloflight。Andheutteredaquietgruntofsatisfaction。Itwasasifaflower，whichhehadlastseenincloseandelegantshape，hadbloomedinfullperfection。Shedidnotmeethisgazequitesteadilyandallthateveningkeptputtingherconfessionoffandoff。Itwasnoteasy——farfromeasy。Atlast，whenhewassmokinghis”go-to-bed”
　　cigarette，shetookacushionandsankdownonitbesidehischair，leaningagainsthisknee，whereherfacewashiddenfromhim，asonthatdayafterherfirstball，whenshehadlistenedtoHIS
　　confession。Andshebegan:”Dad，doyouremembermysayingoncethatIdidn’tunderstandwhatyouandmymotherfeltforeachother？”Wintondidnotspeak；
　　misgivinghadtakenpossessionofhim。Gypwenton:”Iknownowhowonewouldratherdiethangivesomeoneup。”
　　Wintondrewhisbreathinsharply:”Who？Summerhay？””Yes；IusedtothinkIshouldneverbeinlove，butyouknewbetter。”
　　Better！
　　Indisconsolatesilence，hethoughtrapidly:’What’stobedone？
　　WhatcanIdo？Getheradivorce？’
　　Perhapsbecauseoftheringinhervoice，orthesheerseriousnessoftheposition，hedidnotfeelresentmentaswhenhelosthertoFiorsen。Love！Apassionsuchashadovertakenhermotherandhimself！Andthisyoungman？Adecentfellow，agoodrider——
　　comprehensible！Ah，ifthecoursehadonlybeenclear！Heputhishandonhershoulderandsaid:”Well，Gyp，wemustgoforthedivorce，then，afterall。”
　　Sheshookherhead。”It’stoolate。LetHIMdivorceme，ifheonlywill！”
　　Wintonneededallhisself-controlatthatmoment。Toolate？
　　Already！Suddenrecollectionthathehadnottherighttosayawordalonekepthimsilent。Gypwenton:”Ilovehim，witheverybitofme。Idon’tcarewhatcomes——
　　whetherit’sopenorsecret。Idon’tcarewhatanybodythinks。”
　　Shehadturnedroundnow，andifWintonhaddoubtofherfeeling，helostit。ThiswasaGyphehadneverseen！Aglowing，soft，quick-breathingcreature，withjustthatlithewatchfullookofthemothercatorlionesswhosewhelpsarethreatened。Thereflashedthroughhimarecollectionofhow，asachild，withfaceverytense，shewouldrideatfencesthatweretoobig。Atlasthesaid:”I’msorryyoudidn’ttellmesooner。””Icouldn’t。Ididn’tknow。Oh，Dad，I’malwayshurtingyou！
　　Forgiveme！”
　　Shewaspressinghishandtohercheekthatfeltburninghot。Andhethought:”Forgive！OfcourseIforgive。That’snotthepoint；
　　thepointis——”
　　Andavisionofhislovedonetalkedabout，besmirched，bandiedfrommouthtomouth，orelse——forherwhattherehadbeenforhim，ahole-and-cornerlife，anundergroundexistenceofstealthymeetingskeptdark，aboveallfromherownlittledaughter。Ah，notthat！Andyet——wasnoteventhatbetterthantheother，whichrevoltedtothesoulhisfastidiousprideinher，rousedinadvancehisfuryagainsttonguesthatwouldwag，andeyesthatwouldwinkorbeupliftedinrighteousness？Summerhay’sworldwasmoreorlesshisworld；scandal，which——likeallparasiticgrowths——
　　flourishesinenclosedspaces，wouldhaveeverychance。And，atonce，hisbrainbegantosearch，steelyandquick，forsomewayout；andtheexpressionaswhenafoxbrokecovert，cameonhisface。”Nobodyknows，Gyp？””No；nobody。”
　　Thatwassomething！Withanirritationthatrosefromhisverysoul，hemuttered:”Ican’tstanditthatyoushouldsuffer，andthatfellowFiorsengoscot-free。CanyougiveupseeingSummerhaywhilewegetyouadivorce？Wemightdoit，ifnooneknows。Ithinkyouoweittome，Gyp。”
　　Gypgotupandstoodbythewindowalongtimewithoutanswering。
　　Wintonwatchedherface。Atlastshesaid:”Icouldn’t。Wemightstopseeingeachother；itisn’tthat。It’swhatIshouldfeel。Ishouldn’trespectmyselfafter；Ishouldfeelsomean。Oh，Dad，don’tyousee？Hereallylovedmeinhisway。Andtopretend！Tomakeoutacaseformyself，tellaboutDaphneWing，abouthisdrinking，andbaby；pretendthatIwantedhimtoloveme，whenIgottohateitanddidn’tcarereallywhetherhewasfaithfulornot——andknowingallthewhilethatI’vebeeneverythingtosomeoneelse！Icouldn’t。I’dmuchratherlethimknow，andaskhimtodivorceme。”
　　Wintonreplied:”Andsupposehewon’t？””Thenmymindwouldbeclear，anyway；andwewouldtakewhatwecould。””AndlittleGyp？”
　　Staringbeforeherasiftryingtoseeintothefuture，shesaidslowly:”Someday，she’llunderstand，asIdo。Orperhapsitwillbealloverbeforesheknows。Doeshappinesseverlast？”
　　And，goinguptohim，shebentover，kissedhisforehead，andwentout。Thewarmthfromherlips，andthescentofherremainedwithWintonlikeasensationwaftedfromthepast。
　　Wastherethennothingtobedone——nothing？Menofhisstampdonot，asageneralthing，seeverydeepevenintothosewhoarenearesttothem；butto-nighthesawhisdaughter’snaturemorefullyperhapsthaneverbefore。Nousetoimportunehertoactagainstherinstincts——notabitofuse！Andyet——howtositandwatchitall——watchhisownpassionwithitsecstasyanditsheart-
　　burningsre-enactedwithher——perhapsformanyyears？Andtheoldvulgarsayingpassedthroughhismind:”What’sbredinthebonewillcomeoutinthemeat。”Nowshehadgiven，shewouldgivewithbothhands——beyondmeasure——beyond！——ashehimself，ashermotherhadgiven！Ah，well，shewasbetteroffthanhisownlovedonehadbeen。Onemustnotgoaheadoftrouble，orcryoverspilledmilk！
　　VIII
　　Gyphadawakefulnight。Thequestionsheherselfhadraised，oftellingFiorsen，keptherthoughtsinturmoil。Washelikelytodivorceherifshedid？Hiscontemptforwhathecalled’thesebourgeoismorals，’hisinstability，theveryunpleasantness，andoffencetohisvanity——allthiswouldpreventhim。No；hewouldnotdivorceher，shewassure，unlessbyanychancehewantedlegalfreedom，andthatwasquiteunlikely。Whatthenwouldbegained？
　　Easeforherconscience？Buthadsheanyrighttoeaseherconscienceifitbroughtharmtoherlover？Andwasitnotridiculoustothinkofconscienceinregardtoonewho，withinayearofmarriage，hadtakentohimselfamistress，andnotevensparedthehomepaidforandsupportedbyhiswife？No；ifshetoldFiorsen，itwouldonlybetosalveherpride，woundedbydoingwhatshedidnotavow。Besides，wherewashe？Attheotherendoftheworldforallsheknew。
　　Shecamedowntobreakfast，darkundertheeyesandnowhitadvancedtowarddecision。Neitherofthemmentionedtheirlastnight’stalk，andGypwentbacktoherroomtobusyherselfwithdress，afterthoseweeksaway。Itwaspastnoonwhen，atamuffledknock，shefoundMarkeyoutsideherdoor。”Mr。Fiorsen，m’m。”
　　Gypbeckonedhimin，andclosedthedoor。”Inthehall，m’m——slippedinwhenIansweredthebell；shortofshoving，Icouldn’tkeephimout。”
　　Gypstoodfullhalfaminutebeforeshesaid:”Ismyfatherin？””No，m’m；themajor’sgonetothefencin’-club。””Whatdidyousay？””SaidIwouldsee。SofarasIwasaware，nobodywasin。ShallI
　　haveatrytoshifthim，m’m？”
　　WithafaintsmileGypshookherhead。”Saynoonecanseehim。”
　　Markey’swoodcockeyes，undertheirthin，dark，twistingbrows，fastenedonherdolefully；heopenedthedoortogo。Fiorsenwasstandingthere，and，withaquickmovement，camein。ShesawMarkeyraisehisarmsasiftocatchhimroundthewaist，andsaidquietly:”Markey——waitoutside，please。”
　　Whenthedoorwasshut，sheretreatedagainstherdressing-tableandstoodgazingatherhusband，whileherheartthrobbedasifitwouldleapthroughitscoverings。
　　Hehadgrownashortbeard，hischeeksseemedalittlefatter，andhiseyessurelymoregreen；otherwise，helookedmuchassherememberedhim。Andthefirstthoughtthatpassedthroughherwas:
　　’WhydidIeverpityhim？He’llneverfretordrinkhimselftodeath——he’sgotenoughvitalityfortwentymen。’
　　Hisface，whichhadwornafixed，nervoussmile，grewsuddenlygraveasherown，andhiseyesrovedroundtheroomintheoldhalf-fierce，half-furtiveway。”Well，Gyp，”hesaid，andhisvoiceshookalittle:”Atlast！
　　Won’tyoukissme？”
　　ThequestionseemedtoGypidiotic；andsuddenlyshefeltquitecool。”Ifyouwanttospeaktomyfather，youmustcomelater；he’sout。”
　　Fiorsengaveoneofhisfierceshrugs。”Isitlikely？Look，Gyp！IreturnedfromRussiayesterday。I
　　wasagreatsuccess，madealotofmoneyoutthere。Comebacktome！Iwillbegood——Iswearit！NowIhaveseenyouagain，I
　　can’tbewithoutyou。Ah，Gyp，comebacktome！AndseehowgoodIwillbe。Iwilltakeyouabroad，youandthebambina。WewillgotoRome——anywhereyoulike——livehowyoulike。Onlycomebacktome！”
　　Gypansweredstonily:”Youaretalkingnonsense。””Gyp，IsweartoyouIhavenotseenawoman——notonefittoputbesideyou。Oh，Gyp，begoodtomeoncemore。ThistimeIwillnotfail。Tryme！Tryme，myGyp！”
　　Onlyatthismomentofhispleading，whosetragictonesseemedtoherbothfalseandchildish，didGyprealizethestrengthofthenewfeelinginherheart。Andthemorethatfeelingthrobbedwithinher，theharderherfaceandhervoicegrew。Shesaid:”Ifthatisallyoucametosay——pleasego。Iwillnevercomebacktoyou。Onceforall，understand，PLEASE。”
　　Thesilenceinwhichhereceivedherwords，andhisexpression，impressedherfarmorethanhisappeal；withoneofhisstealthymovementshecamequiteclose，and，puttinghisfaceforwardtillitalmosttouchedher，said:”Youaremywife。Iwantyouback。Imusthaveyouback。Ifyoudonotcome，Iwillkilleitheryouormyself。”
　　Andsuddenlyshefelthisarmsknottedbehindherback，crushinghertohim。Shestilledascream；then，veryswiftly，tookaresolve，and，rigidinhisarms，said:”Letgo；youhurtme。Sitdownquietly。Iwilltellyousomething。”
　　Thetoneofhervoicemadehimloosenhisgraspandcranebacktoseeherface。Gypdetachedhisarmsfromhercompletely，satdownonanoldoakchest，andmotionedhimtothewindow-seat。Herheartthumpedpitifully；coldwavesofalmostphysicalsicknesspassedthroughandthroughher。Shehadsmeltbrandyinhisbreathwhenhewasclosetoher。Itwaslikebeinginthecageofawildbeast；itwaslikebeingwithamadman！Theremembranceofhimwithhisfingersstretchedoutlikeclawsaboveherbabywassovividatthatmomentthatshecouldscarcelyseehimashewas，sittingtherequietly，waitingforwhatshewasgoingtosay。Andfixinghereyesonhim，shesaidsoftly:”Yousayyouloveme，Gustav。Itriedtoloveyou，too，butI
　　nevercould——neverfromthefirst。Itriedveryhard。Surelyyoucarewhatawomanfeels，evenifshehappenstobeyourwife。”
　　Shecouldseehisfacequiver；andshewenton:”WhenIfoundIcouldn’tloveyou，IfeltIhadnorightoveryou。
　　Ididn’tstandonmyrights。DidI？”
　　Againhisfacequivered，andagainshehurriedon:”Butyouwouldn’texpectmetogoallthroughmylifewithouteverfeelinglove——youwho’vefeltitsomanytimes？”Then，claspingherhandstight，withasortofwonderatherself，shemurmured:”I
　　AMinlove。I’vegivenmyself。”
　　Hemadeaqueer，whiningsound，coveringhisface。Andthebeggar’stag:”’Aveafeelin’’eart，gentleman——’aveafeelin’
　　’eart！”passedidioticallythroughGyp’smind。Wouldhegetupandstrangleher？Shouldshedashtothedoor——escape？Foralong，miserablemoment，shewatchedhimswayingonthewindow-seat，withhisfacecovered。Then，withoutlookingather，hecrammedaclenchedhandupagainsthismouth，andrushedout。
　　Throughtheopendoor，GyphadaglimpseofMarkey’smotionlessfigure，comingtolifeasFiorsenpassed。Shedrewalongbreath，lockedthedoor，andlaydownonherbed。Herheartbeatdreadfully。Foramoment，somethinghadcheckedhisjealousrage。
　　Butifonthisshockhebegantodrink，whatmightnothappen？Hehadsaidsomethingwild。Andsheshuddered。Butwhatrighthadhetofeeljealousyandrageagainsther？Whatright？Shegotupandwenttotheglass，trembling，mechanicallytidyingherhair。
　　Miraculousthatshehadcomethroughunscathed！
　　HerthoughtsflewtoSummerhay。Theyweretomeetatthreeo’clockbytheseatinSt。James’sPark。Butallwasdifferent，now；
　　difficultanddangerous！Shemustwait，takecounselwithherfather。Andyetifshedidnotkeepthattryst，howanxioushewouldbe——thinkingthatallsortsofthingshadhappenedtoher；
　　thinkingperhaps——oh，foolish！——thatshehadforgotten，orevenrepentedofherlove。Whatwouldsheherselfthink，ifheweretofailherattheirfirsttrystafterthosedaysofbliss？Certainlythathehadchangedhismind，seenshewasnotworthit，seenthatawomanwhocouldgiveherselfsosoon，soeasily，wasonetowhomhecouldnotsacrificehislife。
　　Inthiscrueluncertainty，shespentthenexttwohours，tillitwasnearlythree。Ifshedidnotgoout，hewouldcomeontoBuryStreet，andthatwouldbestillmoredangerous。SheputonherhatandwalkedswiftlytowardsSt。James’sPalace。Oncesurethatshewasnotbeingfollowed，hercouragerose，andshepassedrapidlydowntowardthewater。Shewastenminuteslate，andseeinghimthere，walkingupanddown，turninghisheadeveryfewsecondssoasnottolosesightofthebench，shefeltalmostlightheadedfromjoy。Whentheyhadgreetedwiththatpatheticcasualnessofloverswhichdeceivessofew，theywalkedontogetherpastBuckinghamPalace，upintotheGreenPark，beneaththetrees。Duringthisprogress，shetoldhimaboutherfather；butonlywhentheywereseatedinthatcomparativerefuge，andhishandwasholdinghersundercoverofthesunshadethatlayacrossherknee，didshespeakofFiorsen。
　　Hetightenedhisgraspofherhand；then，suddenlydroppingit，said:”Didhetouchyou，Gyp？”
　　Gypheardthatquestionwithashock。Touchher！Yes！Butwhatdiditmatter？
　　Hemadealittleshudderingsound；and，wondering，mournful，shelookedathim。Hishandsandteethwereclenched。Shesaidsoftly:”Bryan！Don’t！Iwouldn’tlethimkissme。”
　　Heseemedtohavetoforcehiseyestolookather。”It’sallright，”hesaid，and，staringbeforehim，bithisnails。
　　Gypsatmotionless，cuttotheheart。Shewassoiled，andspoiledforhim！Ofcourse！Andyetasenseofinjusticeburnedinher。
　　Herhearthadneverbeentouched；itwashisutterly。Butthatwasnotenoughforaman——hewantedanuntouchedbody，too。Thatshecouldnotgive；heshouldhavethoughtofthatsooner，insteadofonlynow。And，miserably，she，too，staredbeforeher，andherfacehardened。
　　Alittleboycameandstoodstillinfrontofthem，regardingherwithround，unmovingeyes。Shewasconsciousofasliceofbreadandjaminhishand，andthathismouthandcheeksweresmearedwithred。Awomancalledout:”Jacky！Comeon，now！”andhewashauledaway，stilllookingback，andholdingouthisbreadandjamasthoughofferingherabite。ShefeltSummerhay’sarmslippingroundher。”It’sover，darling。Neveragain——Ipromiseyou！”
　　Ah，hemightpromise——mightevenkeepthatpromise。Buthewouldsuffer，alwayssuffer，thinkingofthatother。Andshesaid:”YoucanonlyhavemeasIam，Bryan。Ican’tmakemyselfnewforyou；IwishIcould——oh，IwishIcould！””Ioughttohavecutmytongueoutfirst！Don’tthinkofit！Comehometomeandhavetea——there’snoonethere。Ah，do，Gyp——come！”
　　Hetookherhandsandpulledherup。AndallelseleftGypbutthejoyofbeingclosetohim，goingtohappiness。
　　IX
　　Fiorsen，passingMarkeylikeablindman，madehiswayoutintothestreet，buthadnotgoneahundredyardsbeforehewashurryingback。Hehadlefthishat。Theservant，stillstandingthere，handedhimthatwide-brimmedobjectandclosedthedoorinhisface。Oncemorehemovedaway，goingtowardsPiccadilly。IfithadnotbeenfortheexpressiononGyp’sface，whatmighthenothavedone？And，mixedwithsickeningjealousy，hefeltasortofrelief，asifhehadbeensavedfromsomethinghorrible。Soshehadneverlovedhim！Neveratall？Impossible！Impossiblethatawomanonwhomhehadlavishedsuchpassionshouldneverhavefeltpassionforhim——neverany！Innumerableimagesofherpassedbeforehim——surrendering，alwayssurrendering。Itcouldnotallhavebeenpretence！Hewasnotacommonman——sheherselfhadsaidso；hehadcharm——or，otherwomenthoughtso！Shehadlied；shemusthavelied，toexcuseherself！
　　Hewentintoacafeandaskedforafinechampagne。Theybroughthimacarafe，withthemeasuresmarked。Hesattherealongtime。
　　Whenherose，hehaddrunknine，andhefeltbetter，withakindofferocitythatwaspleasantinhisveinsandakindofnobilitythatwaspleasantinhissoul。Letherlove，andbehappywithherlover！Butlethimgethisfingersonthatfellow’sthroat！Letherbehappy，ifshecouldkeepherloverfromhim！Andsuddenly，hestoppedinhistracks，forthereonasandwich-boardjustinfrontofhimwerethewords:”DaphneWing。Pantheon。DaphneWing。
　　PlasticDanseuse。PoetryofMotion。To-dayatthreeo’clock。
　　Pantheon。DaphneWing。”
　　Ah，SHEhadlovedhim——littleDaphne！Itwaspastthree。Goingin，hetookhisplaceinthestalls，closetothestage，andstaredbeforehim，withasortofbitteramusement。Thiswasironyindeed！Ah——andhereshecame！APierrette——inshort，diaphanousmuslin，herfacewhitenedtomatchit；aPierrettewhostoodslowlyspinningonhertoes，witharmsraisedandhandsjoinedinanarchaboveherglisteninghair。
　　Idioticpose！Idiotic！Buttherewastheoldexpressiononherface，limpid，dovelike。AndthatsomethingofthedivineaboutherdancingsmoteFiorsenthroughallthesheerimbecilityofherposturings。Acrossandacrosssheflitted，pirouetting，caughtupatintervalsbyaPierrotinblacktightswithafaceaswhitenedasherown，heldupsidedown，orrightendupwithonekneebentsideways，andthetoeofafootpressedagainsttheankleoftheother，andarmsarchedaboveher。Then，withPierrot’shandsgraspingherwaist，shewouldstandupononetoeandslowlytwiddle，liftingherotherlegtowardtheroof，whilethetremblingofherformmanifestedcunninglytoallhowharditwas；then，offthetoe，shecaperedouttothewings，andcaperedback，wearingonherfacethatdivine，lost，dovelikelook，whileherperfectlegsgleamedwhiteuptotheverythigh-joint。Yes；onthestageshewasadorable！Andraisinghishandshigh，Fiorsenclappedandcalledout:”Brava！”Hemarkedthesuddenroundnessofhereyes，atinystart——nomore。Shehadseenhim。’Ah！Somedon’tforgetme！’hethought。
　　Andnowshecameonforherseconddance，assistedthistimeonlybyherownimagereflectedinalittleweedypoolaboutthemiddleofthestage。FromtheprogrammeFiorsenread，”Ophelia’slastdance，”andagainhegrinned。Inaclingingsea-greengown，cuthereandtheretoshowherinevitablelegs，withmargueritesandcorn-flowersinherunboundhair，shecircledherownreflection，languid，pale，desolate；thenslowlygainingtheabandonneedfultoafulldisplay，dancedwithfrenzytill，inagleamoflimelight，shesankintotheapparentwaterandfloatedamongpaperwater-
　　liliesonherback。Lovelyshelookedthere，withhereyesstillopen，herlipsparted，herhairtrailingbehind。AndagainFiorsenraisedhishandshightoclap，andagaincalledout:’Brava！’Butthecurtainfell，andOpheliadidnotreappear。Wasitthesightofhim，orwasshepreservingtheillusionthatshewasdrowned？
　　That”arty”touchwouldbejustlikeher。
　　Avertinghiseyesfromtwocomediansincalico，beatingeachotheraboutthebody，herosewithanaudible”Pish！”andmadehiswayout。Hestoppedinthestreettoscribbleonhiscard，”Willyouseeme？——G。F。”andtookitroundtothestage-door。Theanswercameback:”MissWingwillseeyoumaminute，sir。”
　　Andleaningagainstthedistemperedwallofthedraughtycorridor，aqueersmileonhisface，Fiorsenwonderedwhythedevilhewasthere，andwhatthedevilshewouldsay。
　　Whenhewasadmitted，shewasstandingwithherhaton，whileher”dresser”buttonedherpatent-leathershoes。Holdingoutherhandabovethewoman’sback，shesaid:”Oh，Mr。Fiorsen，howdoyoudo？”
　　Fiorsentookthelittlemoisthand；andhiseyespassedoverher，avoidingadirectmeetingwithhereyes。Hereceivedanimpressionofsomethingharder，moreself-possessed，thanheremembered。Herfacewasthesame，yetnotthesame；onlyherperfect，supplelittlebodywasasithadbeen。Thedresserrose，murmured:”Good-
　　afternoon，miss，”andwent。
　　DaphneWingsmiledfaintly。”Ihaven’tseenyouforalongtime，haveI？””No；I’vebeenabroad。Youdanceasbeautifullyasever。””Oh，yes；ithasn’thurtmydancing。”
　　Withaneffort，helookedherintheface。Wasthisreallythesamegirlwhohadclungtohim，cloyedhimwithherkisses，hertears，herappealsforlove——justalittlelove？Ah，butshewasmoredesirable，muchmoredesirablethanhehadremembered！Andhesaid:”Givemeakiss，littleDaphne！”
　　DaphneWingdidnotstir；herwhiteteethrestedonherlowerlip；
　　shesaid:”Oh，no，thankyou！HowisMrs。Fiorsen？”
　　Fiorsenturnedabruptly。”Thereisnone。””Oh，hasshedivorcedyou？””No。Stoptalkingofher；stoptalking，Isay！”
　　DaphneWing，stillmotionlessinthecentreofherlittlecrowdeddressing-roomsaid，inamatter-of-factvoice:”Youarepolite，aren’tyou？It’sfunny；Ican’ttellwhetherI’mgladtoseeyou。Ihadabadtime，youknow；andMrs。Fiorsenwasanangel。Whydoyoucometoseemenow？”
　　Exactly！Whyhadhecome？Thethoughtflashedthroughhim:
　　’She’llhelpmetoforget。’Andhesaid:”Iwasagreatbrutetoyou，Daphne。Icametomakeup，ifIcan。””Oh，no；youcan’tmakeup——thankyou！”Ashudderranthroughher，andshebegandrawingonhergloves。”Youtaughtmealot，youknow。Ioughttobequitegrateful。Oh，you’vegrownalittlebeard！D’youthinkthatimprovesyou？ItmakesyoulookratherlikeMephistopheles，Ithink。”
　　Fiorsenstaredfixedlyatthatperfectlyshapedface，whereafaint，underdonepinkmingledwiththefairnessoftheskin。Wasshemockinghim？Impossible！Shelookedtoomatteroffact。”Wheredoyoulivenow？”hesaid。”I’monmyown，inastudio。Youcancomeandseeit，ifyoulike。””Withpleasure。””Only，you’dbetterunderstand。I’vehadenoughoflove。”
　　Fiorsengrinned。”Evenforanother？”hesaid。
　　DaphneWingansweredcalmly:”Iwishyouwouldtreatmelikealady。”
　　Fiorsenbithislip，andbowed。”MayIhavethepleasureofgivingyousometea？””Yes，thankyou；I’mveryhungry。Idon’teatlunchonmatinee-
　　days；Ifinditbetternot。DoyoulikemyOpheliadance？””It’sartificial。””Yes，itISartificial——it’sdonewithmirrorsandwirenetting，youknow。ButdoIgiveyoutheillusionofbeingmad？”Fiorsennodded。”I’msoglad。Shallwego？Idowantmytea。”
　　Sheturnedround，scrutinizedherselfintheglass，touchedherhatwithbothhands，revealing，forasecond，allthepoisedbeautyofherfigure，tookalittlebagfromthebackofachair，andsaid:”Ithink，ifyoudon’tmindgoingon，it’slessconspicuous。I’llmeetyouatRuffel’s——theyhavelovelythingsthere。Aurevoir。”
　　Inastateofbewilderment，irritation，andqueermeekness，FiorsenpasseddownCoventryStreet，andenteringtheemptyRuffel’s，tookatablenearthewindow。Therehesatstaringbeforehim，forthesuddenvisionofGypsittingonthatoakenchest，atthefootofherbed，hadblottedthegirlcleanout。Theattendantcomingtotakehisorder，gazedathispale，furiousface，andsaidmechanically:”WhatcanIgetyou，please？”
　　Lookingup，FiorsensawDaphneWingoutside，gazingatthecakesinthewindow。Shecamein。”Oh，hereyouare！Ishouldlikeicedcoffeeandwalnutcake，andsomeofthosemarzipansweets——oh，andsomewhippedcreamwithmycake。Doyoumind？”And，sittingdown，shefixedhereyesonhisfaceandasked:”Wherehaveyoubeenabroad？””Stockholm，Budapest，Moscow，otherplaces。””Howperfect！DoyouthinkIshouldmakeasuccessinBudapestorMoscow？””Youmight；youareEnglishenough。””Oh！DoyouthinkI’mveryEnglish？””Utterly。Yourkindof——”Butevenhewasnotquitecapableoffinishingthatsentence——”yourkindofvulgaritycouldnotbeproducedanywhereelse。”DaphneWingfinisheditforhim:”Mykindofbeauty？”
　　Fiorsengrinnedandnodded。”Oh，Ithinkthat’sthenicestthingyoueversaidtome！Only，ofcourse，IshouldliketothinkI’mmoreoftheGreektype——pagan，youknow。”
　　Shefellsilent，castinghereyesdown。Herprofileatthatmoment，againstthelight，wasverypureandsoftinline。Andhesaid:”Isupposeyouhateme，littleDaphne？Yououghttohateme。”
　　DaphneWinglookedup；herround，blue-greyeyespassedoverhimmuchastheyhadbeenpassingoverthemarzipan。”No；Idon’thateyou——now。Ofcourse，ifIhadanyloveleftforyou，Ishould。Oh，isn’tthatIrish？Butonecanthinkanybodyarotterwithouthatingthem，can’tone？”
　　Fiorsenbithislips。”Soyouthinkmea’rotter’？”
　　DaphneWing’seyesgrewrounder。”Butaren’tyou？Youcouldn’tbeanythingelse——couldyou？——withthesortofthingsyoudid。””Andyetyoudon’tmindhavingteawithme？”
　　DaphneWing，whohadbeguntoeatanddrink，saidwithhermouthfull:”Yousee，I’mindependentnow，andIknowlife。Thatmakesyouharmless。”
　　Fiorsenstretchedouthishandandseizedhersjustwhereherlittlewarmpulsewasbeatingverysteadily。Shelookedatit，changedherforkover，andwentoneatingwiththeotherhand。
　　Fiorsendrewhishandawayasifhehadbeenstung。”Ah，youHAVEchanged——thatiscertain！””Yes；youwouldn’texpectanythingelse，wouldyou？Yousee，onedoesn’tgothroughthatfornothing。IthinkIwasadreadfullittlefool——”Shestopped，withherspoononitswaytohermouth——”andyet——””Iloveyoustill，littleDaphne。”
　　Sheslowlyturnedherheadtowardhim，andafaintsighescapedher。”OnceIwouldhavegivenalottohearthat。”
　　Andturningherheadawayagain，shepickedalargewalnutoutofhercakeandputitinhermouth。”Areyoucomingtoseemystudio？I’vegotitratherniceandnew。
　　I’mmakingtwenty-fiveaweek；mynextengagement，I’mgoingtogetthirty。IshouldlikeMrs。Fiorsentoknow——Oh，Iforgot；youdon’tlikemetospeakofher！Whynot？Iwishyou’dtellme！”
　　Gazing，astheattendanthad，athisfuriousface，shewenton:”I
　　don’tknowhowitis，butI’mnotabitafraidofyounow。Iusedtobe。Oh，howisCountRosek？Isheaspaleasever？Aren’tyougoingtohaveanythingmore？You’vehadhardlyanything。D’youknowwhatIshouldlike——achocolateeclairandaraspberryice-
　　creamsodawithasliceoftangerineinit。”
　　Whenshehadslowlysuckedupthatbeverage，proddingthesliceoftangerinewithherstraws，theywentoutandtookacab。Onthatjourneytoherstudio，Fiorsentriedtopossesshimselfofherhand，but，foldingherarmsacrossherchest，shesaidquietly:”It’sverybadmannerstotakeadvantageofcabs。”And，withdrawingsullenlyintohiscorner，hewatchedheraskance。Wassheplayingwithhim？Orhadshereallyceasedtocarethesnapofafinger？Itseemedincredible。Thecab，whichhadbeenthreadingthemazeoftheSohostreets，stopped。DaphneWingalighted，proceededdownanarrowpassagetoagreendoorontheright，and，openingitwithalatch-key，pausedtosay:”Ilikeit’sbeinginalittlesordidstreet——ittakesawayallamateurishness。Itwasn’tastudio，ofcourse；itwasthebackpartofapaper-maker’s。Anyspaceconqueredforartissomething，isn’tit？”Sheledthewayupafewgreen-carpetedstairs，intoalargeroomwithaskylight，whosewallswerecoveredinJapanesesilkthecolourofyellowazaleas。Hereshestoodforaminutewithoutspeaking，asthoughlostinthebeautyofherhome:then，pointingtothewalls，shesaid:”Ittookmeages，Ididitallmyself。AndlookatmylittleJapanesetrees；aren’ttheydickies？”Sixlittledarkabortionsoftreeswerearrangedscrupulouslyonaloftywindow-sill，whencetheskylightsloped。Sheaddedsuddenly:”IthinkCountRosekwouldlikethisroom。There’ssomethingbizarreaboutit，isn’tthere？
　　Iwantedtosurroundmyselfwiththat，youknow——togetthebizarrenoteintomywork。It’ssoimportantnowadays。ButthroughthereI’vegotabedroomandabathroomandalittlekitchenwitheverythingtohand，allquitedomestic；andhotwateralwayson。
　　MypeopleareSOfunnyaboutthisroom。Theycomesometimes，andstandabout。Buttheycan’tgetusedtotheneighbourhood；ofcourseitISsordid，butIthinkanartistoughttobesuperiortothat。”
　　Suddenlytouched，Fiorsenansweredgently:”Yes，littleDaphne。”
　　Shelookedathim，andanothertinysighescapedher。”Whydidyoutreatmelikeyoudid？”shesaid。”It’ssuchapity，becausenowIcan’tfeelanythingatall。”Andturning，shesuddenlypassedthebackofherhandacrosshereyes。Reallymovedbythat，Fiorsenwenttowardsher，butshehadturnedroundagain，andputtingoutherhandtokeephimoff，stoodshakingherhead，withhalfatearglisteningonhereyelashes。”Pleasesitdownonthedivan，”shesaid。”Willyousmoke？TheseareRussians。”Andshetookawhiteboxofpink-colouredcigarettesfromalittlegoldenbirchwoodtable。”IhaveeverythingRussianandJapanesesofarasIcan；Ithinktheyhelpmorethananythingwithatmosphere。I’vegotabalalaika；youcan’tplayonit，canyou？Whatapity！IfonlyIhadaviolin！
　　ISHOULDhavelikedtohearyouplayagain。”Sheclaspedherhands:”DoyourememberwhenIdancedtoyoubeforethefire？”
　　Fiorsenrememberedonlytoowell。Thepinkcigarettetrembledinhisfingers，andhesaidratherhoarsely:”Dancetomenow，Daphne！”
　　Sheshookherhead。”Idon’ttrustyouayard。Nobodywould——wouldthey？”
　　Fiorsenstartedup。”Thenwhydidyouaskmehere？Whatareyouplayingat，youlittle——”Atsightofherround，unmovingeyes，hestopped。Shesaidcalmly:”Ithoughtyou’dliketoseethatI’dmasteredmyfate——that’sall。
　　But，ofcourse，ifyoudon’t，youneedn’tstop。”
　　Fiorsensankbackonthedivan。Aconvictionthateverythingshesaidwasliteralhadbegunslowlytosinkintohim。Andtakingalongpullatthatpinkcigarettehepuffedthesmokeoutwithalaugh。”Whatareyoulaughingat？””Iwasthinking，littleDaphne，thatyouareasgreatanegoistasI。””Iwanttobe。It’stheonlything，isn’tit？”
　　Fiorsenlaughedagain。”Youneedn’tworry。Youalwayswere。”
　　ShehadseatedherselfonanIndianstoolcoveredwithabitofTurkishembroidery，and，joiningherhandsonherlap，answeredgravely:”No；IthinkIwasn’t，whileIlovedyou。Butitdidn’tpay，didit？”
　　Fiorsenstaredather。”Ithasmadeawomanofyou，Daphne。Yourfaceisdifferent。Yourmouthisprettierformykisses——orthewantofthem。Allover，youareprettier。”PinkcameupinDaphneWing’scheeks。And，encouragedbythatflush，hewentonwarmly:”Ifyoulovedmenow，Ishouldnottireofyou。Oh，youcanbelieveme！I——”
　　Sheshookherhead。”Wewon’ttalkaboutlove，willwe？DidyouhaveabigtriumphinMoscowandSt。Petersburg？Itmustbewonderfultohavereallygreattriumphs！”
　　Fiorsenansweredgloomily:”Triumphs？Imadealotofmoney。”
　　DaphneWingpurred:”Oh，Iexpectyou’reveryhappy。”
　　Didshemeantobeironic？”I’mmiserable。”
　　Hegotupandwenttowardsher。Shelookedupinhisface。”I’msorryifyou’remiserable。Iknowwhatitfeelslike。””Youcanhelpmenottobe。LittleDaphne，youcanhelpmetoforget。”Hehadstopped，andputhishandsonhershoulders。
　　WithoutmovingDaphneWinganswered:”Isupposeit’sMrs。Fiorsenyouwanttoforget，isn’tit？””Asifsheweredead。Ah，letitallbeasitwas，Daphne！Youhavegrownup；youareawoman，anartist，andyou——”
　　DaphneWinghadturnedherheadtowardthestairs。”Thatwasthebell，”shesaid。”Supposeit’smypeople？It’sjusttheirtime！Oh，isn’tthatawkward？”
　　Fiorsendroppedhisgraspofherandrecoiledagainstthewall。
　　TherewithhisheadtouchingoneofthelittleJapanesetrees，hestoodbitinghisfingers。Shewasalreadymovingtowardthedoor。”Mymother’sgotakey，andit’snogoodputtingyouanywhere，becauseshealwayshasagoodlookround。Butperhapsitisn’tthem。Besides，I’mnotafraidnow；itmakesawonderfuldifferencebeingonone’sown。”