She'sanextraordinarypictureofwomankind——veryextraordinary。'
'Inwhatwaybesides？'
'You'llknowsoonenough，miss。Shehashadsevenlady's-maidsthislasttwelvemonth。Iassureyou'tisonebody'sworktofetch'emfromthestationandtake'embackagain。TheLordmustbeaneglectfulpartyatheart，orhe'dneverpermitsuchoverbearengoingson！'
'Doesshedismissthemdirectlytheycome！'
'Notatall——sheneverdismissesthem——theygotheirselves。Yesee'tislikethis。She'sgotaveryquicktemper；shefleesinapassionwiththemfornothingatall；nextmornentheycomeupandsaytheyaregoing；she'ssorryforitandwishesthey'dstay，butshe'sasproudasalucifer，andherpridewon'tlethersay，“Stay，“andawaytheygo。'Tislikethisinfact。Ifyousaytoheraboutanybody，“Ah，poorthing！”shesays，“Pooh！indeed！”Ifyousay，“Pooh，indeed！”“Ah，poorthing！”shesaysdirectly。Shehangsthechiefbaker，asmidbe，andrestoresthechiefbutler，asmidbe，thoughthedevilbutPharaohherselfcanseethedifferencebetween'em。'
Cythereawassilent。Shefearedshemightbeagainaburdentoherbrother。
'However，youstandaverygoodchance，'themanwenton，'forI
thinkshelikesyoumorethancommon。Ihaveneverknownhersendthepony-carriagetomeetonebefore；'tisalwaysthetrap，butthistimeshesaid，inaveryparticularladyliketone，“Roobert，gaowwiththepony-kerriage。“……There，'tistrue，ponyandcarriagetooaregettenrathershabbynow，'headded，lookingrounduponthevehicleasiftokeepCytherea'spridewithinreasonablelimits。
''Tistobehopedyou'llpleaseindressenherto-night。'
'Whyto-night？'
'There'sadinner-partyofseventeen；'tisherfather'sbirthday，andshe'sveryparticularaboutherlooksatsuchtimes。Nowsee；
thisisthehouse。Livelieruphere，isn'tit，miss？'
Theywerenowonrisingground，andhadjustemergedfromaclumpoftrees。Stillalittlehigherthanwheretheystoodwassituatedthemansion，calledKnapwaterHouse，theofficesgraduallylosingthemselvesamongthetreesbehind。
2。EVENING
Thehousewasregularlyandsubstantiallybuiltofcleangreyfreestonethroughout，inthatplainerfashionofGreekclassicismwhichprevailedatthelatterendofthelastcentury，whenthecopyistscalleddesignershadgrownwearyoffantasticvariationsintheRomanorders。Themainblockapproximatedtoasquareonthegroundplan，havingaprojectioninthecentreofeachside，surmountedbyapediment。Fromeachangleoftheinferiorsideranalineofbuildingslowerthantherest，turninginwardsagainattheirfurtherend，andformingwithinthemaspaciousopencourt，withinwhichresoundedanechoofastonishingclearness。Theseerectionswereintheirturnbackedbyivy-coveredice-houses，laundries，andstables，thewholemassofsubsidiarybuildingsbeinghalfburiedbeneathclose-setshrubsandtrees。
Therewasopeningsufficientthroughthefoliageontherighthandtoenableheronnearerapproachtoformanideaofthearrangementoftheremoterorlawnfrontalso。Thenaturalfeaturesandcontourofthisquarterofthesitehadevidentlydictatedthepositionofthehouseprimarily，andwereoftheordinary，anduponthewhole，mostsatisfactorykind，namely，abroad，gracefulsloperunningfromtheterracebeneaththewallstothemarginofaplacidlakelyingbelow，uponthesurfaceofwhichadozenswansandagreenpuntfloatedatleisure。Anirregularwoodedislandstoodinthemidstofthelake；beyondthisandthefurthermarginofthewaterwereplantationsandgreenswardofvariedoutlines，thetreesheightening，byhalfveiling，thesoftnessoftheexquisitelandscapestretchingbehind。
Theglimpsesshehadobtainedofthisportionwerenowcheckedbytheangleofthebuilding。Inaminuteortwotheyreachedthesidedoor，atwhichCythereaalighted。Shewaswelcomedbyanelderlywomanoflengthysmilesandgeneralpleasantness，whoannouncedherselftobeMrs。Morris，thehousekeeper。
'Mrs。Graye，Ibelieve？'shesaid。
'Iamnot——Oyes，yes，weareallmistresses，'saidCytherea，smiling，butforcedly。Thetitleaccordedherseemeddisagreeablylikethefirstslightscarofabrand，andshethoughtofOwen'sprophecy。
Mrs。MorrisledherintoacomfortableparlourcalledTheRoom。
Hereteawasmadeready，andCythereasatdown，looking，wheneveroccasionallowed，atMrs。Morriswithgreatinterestandcuriosity，todiscover，ifpossible，somethinginherwhichshouldgiveacluetothesecretofherknowledgeofherself，andtherecommendationbaseduponit。Butnothingwastobelearnt，atanyratejustthen。
Mrs。Morriswasperpetuallygettingup，feelinginherpockets，goingtocupboards，leavingtheroomtwoorthreeminutes，andtrottingbackagain。
'You'llexcuseme，Mrs。Graye，'shesaid，'but'tistheoldgentleman'sbirthday，andtheyalwayshavealotofpeopletodinneronthatday，thoughhe'sgettingupinyearsnow。However，noneofthemaresleepers——shegenerallykeepsthehouseprettyclearoflodgersbeingaladywithnointimatefriends，thoughmanyacquaintances，which，thoughitgivesuslesstodo，makesitallthedullerfortheyoungermaidsinthehouse。'Mrs。Morristhenproceededtogiveinfragmentaryspeechesanoutlineoftheconstitutionandgovernmentoftheestate。
'Now，areyousureyouhavequitedonetea？Notabitordropmore？
Why，you'veeatennothing，I'msure……Well，now，itisratherinconvenientthattheothermaidisnotheretoshowyouthewaysofthehousealittle，butsheleftlastSaturday，andMissAldclyffehasbeenmakingshiftwithpooroldclumsymeforamaidallyesterdayandthismorning。Sheisnotcomeinyet。Iexpectshewillaskforyou，Mrs。Graye，thefirstthing……Iwasgoingtosaythatifyouhavereallydonetea，Iwilltakeyouupstairs，andshowyouthroughthewardrobes——MissAldclyffe'sthingsarenotlaidoutforto-nightyet。'
SheprecededCythereaupstairs，pointedoutherownroom，andthentookherintoMissAldclyffe'sdressing-room，onthefirst-floor；
where，afterexplainingthewhereaboutsofvariousarticlesofapparel，thehousekeeperlefther，tellingherthatshehadanhouryetuponherhandsbeforedressing-time。Cytherealaidoutuponthebedinthenextroomallthatshehadbeentoldwouldberequiredthatevening，andthenwentagaintothelittleroomwhichhadbeenappropriatedtoherself。
Hereshesatdownbytheopenwindow，leantoutuponthesilllikeanotherBlessedDamozel，andlistlesslylookeddownuponthebrilliantpatternofcoloursformedbytheflower-bedsonthelawn——
nowrichlycrowdedwithlatesummerblossom。Butthevivacityofspiritwhichhadhithertoenlivenedher，wasfastebbingunderthepressureofprosaicrealities，andthewarmscarletofthegeraniums，glowingmostconspicuously，andminglingwiththevividcoldredandgreenoftheverbenas，therichdepthofthedahlia，andtheripemellownessofthecalceolaria，backedbythepalehueofaflockofmeeksheepfeedingintheopenpark，closetotheothersideofthefence，were，toagreatextent，lostuponhereyes。Shewasthinkingthatnothingseemedworthwhile；thatitwaspossibleshemightdieinaworkhouse；andwhatdiditmatter？Thepetty，vulgardetailsofservitudethatshehadjustpassedthrough，herdependenceuponthewhimsofastrangewoman，thenecessityofquenchingallindividualityofcharacterinherself，andrelinquishingherownpeculiartastestohelponthewheelofthisalienestablishment，madehersickandsad，andshealmostlongedtopursuesomefree，out-of-doorsemployment，sleepundertreesorahut，andknownoenemybutwinterandcoldweather，likeshepherdsandcowkeepers，andbirdsandanimals——ay，likethesheepshesawthereunderherwindow。Shelookedsympathizinglyatthemforseveralminutes，imaginingtheirenjoymentoftherichgrass。
'Yes——likethosesheep，'shesaidaloud；andherfacereddenedwithsurpriseatadiscoveryshemadethatveryinstant。
Theflockconsistedofsomeninetyorahundredyoungstockewes：
thesurfaceoftheirfleecewasasroundedandevenasacushion，andwhiteasmilk。Nowshehadjustobservedthatontheleftbuttockofeveryoneofthemweremarkedindistinctredletterstheinitials'E。S。'
'E。S。'couldbringtoCytherea'smindonlyonethought；butthatimmediatelyandforever——thenameofherlover，EdwardSpringrove。
'O，ifitshouldbe——！'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyaresolve。
MissAldclyffe'scarriageatthesamemomentmadeitsappearanceinthedrive；butMissAldclyffewasnotherobjectnow。Itwastoascertaintowhomthesheepbelonged，andtosethersurmiseatrestonewayortheother。SheflewdownstairstoMrs。Morris。
'Whosesheeparethoseinthepark，Mrs。Morris？'
'FarmerSpringrove's。'
'WhatFarmerSpringroveisthat？'shesaidquickly。
'Why，surelyyouknow？Yourfriend，FarmerSpringrove，thecider-
maker，andwhokeepstheThreeTrantersInn；whorecommendedyoutomewhenhecameintoseemetheotherday？'
Cytherea'smother-witsuddenlywarnedherinthemidstofherexcitementthatitwasnecessarynottobetraythesecretofherlove。'Oyes，'shesaid，'ofcourse。'Herthoughtshadrunasfollowsinthatshortinterval：——
'FarmerSpringroveisEdward'sfather，andhisnameisEdwardtoo。
'EdwardknewIwasgoingtoadvertiseforasituationofsomekind。
'HewatchedtheTimes，andsawit，myaddressbeingattached。
'Hethoughtitwouldbeexcellentformetobeherethatwemightmeetwheneverhecamehome。
'HetoldhisfatherthatImightberecommendedasalady's-maid；
andheknewmybrotherandmyself。
'HisfathertoldMrs。Morris；Mrs。MorristoldMissAldclyffe。'
Thewholechainofincidentsthatdrewhertherewasplain，andtherewasnosuchthingaschanceinthematter。ItwasallEdward'sdoing。
Thesoundofabellwasheard。Cythereadidnotheedit，andstillcontinuedinherreverie。
'That'sMissAldclyffe'sbell，'saidMrs。Morris。
'Isupposeitis，'saidtheyoungwomanplacidly。
'Well，itmeansthatyoumustgouptoher，'thematroncontinued，inatoneofsurprise。
Cythereafeltaburningheatcomeoverher，mingledwithasuddenirritationatMrs。Morris'shint。Butthegoodsensewhichhadrecognizedsternnecessityprevailedoverrebelliousindependence；
theflushpassed，andshesaidhastily——
'Yes，yes；ofcourse，Imustgotoherwhenshepullsthebell——
whetherIwanttoorno。'
However，inspiteofthispainfulreminderofhernewpositioninlife，Cytherealefttheapartmentinamoodfardifferentfromthegloomysadnessoftenminutesprevious。Theplacefeltlikehometohernow；shedidnotmindthepettinessofheroccupation，becauseEdwardevidentlydidnotmindit；andthiswasEdward'sownspot。
ShefoundtimeonherwaytoMissAldclyffe'sdressing-roomtohurriedlyglideoutbyasidedoor，andlookforamomentattheunconscioussheepbearingthefriendlyinitials。Shewentuptothemtotrytotouchoneoftheflock，andfeltvexedthattheyallstaredscepticallyatherkindadvances，andthenranpell-melldownthehill。Then，fearinganyoneshoulddiscoverherchildishmovements，sheslippedindoorsagain，andascendedthestaircase，catchingglimpses，asshepassed，ofsilver-buttonedfootmen，whoflashedaboutthepassageslikelightning。
MissAldclyffe'sdressing-roomwasanapartmentwhich，onacasualsurvey，conveyedanimpressionthatitwasavailableforalmostanypurposesavetheadornmentofthefeminineperson。Initshoursofperfectordernothingpertainingtothetoiletwasvisible；eventheinevitablemirrorswiththeiraccessorieswerearrangedinaroomyrecessnotnoticeablefromthedoor，lightedbyawindowofitsown，calledthedressing-window。
Thewashing-standfiguredasavastoakchest，carvedwithgrotesqueRenaissanceornament。Thedressingtablewasinappearancesomethingbetweenahighaltarandacabinetpiano，thesurfacebeingrichlyworkedinthesamestyleofsemi-classicdecoration，buttheextraordinaryoutlinehavingbeenarrivedatbyaningeniousjoineranddecoratorfromtheneighbouringtown，aftermonthsofpainfultoilincuttingandfitting，underMissAldclyffe'simmediateeye；thematerialsbeingtheremainsoftwoorthreeoldcabinetstheladyhadfoundinthelumber-room。Abouttwo-thirdsofthefloorwascarpeted，theremainingportionbeinglaidwithparquetryoflightanddarkwoods。
MissAldclyffewasstandingatthelargerwindow，awayfromthedressing-niche。Shebowed，andsaidpleasantly，'Iamgladyouhavecome。Weshallgetoncapitally，Idaresay。'
Herbonnetwasoff。Cythereadidnotthinkhersohandsomeasontheearlierday；thequeenlinessofherbeautywasharderandlesswarm。ButaworsediscoverythanthiswasthatMissAldclyffe，withtheusualobliviousnessofrichpeopletotheirdependents'
specialities，seemedtohavequiteforgottenCytherea'sinexperience，andmechanicallydeliveredupherbodytoherhandmaidwithoutathoughtofdetails，andwithamildyawn。
Everythingwentwellatfirst。Thedresswasremoved，stockingsandblackbootsweretakenoff，andsilkstockingsandwhiteshoeswereputon。MissAldclyffethenretiredtobatheherhandsandface，andCythereadrewbreath。Ifshecouldgetthroughthisfirstevening，allwouldberight。Shefeltthatitwasunfortunatethatsuchacrucialtestforherpowersasabirthdaydinnershouldhavebeenappliedonthethresholdofherarrival；butsettoagain。
MissAldclyffewasnowarrayedinawhitedressing-gown，anddroppedlanguidlyintoaneasy-chair，pushedupbeforetheglass。TheinstinctsofhersexandherownpracticetoldCythereathenextmovement。SheletMissAldclyffe'shairfallabouthershoulders，andbegantoarrangeit。Itprovedtobeallreal；asatisfaction。
MissAldclyffewasmusinglylookingonthefloor，andtheoperationwentonforsomeminutesinsilence。Atlengthherthoughtsseemedtoturntothepresent，andsheliftedhereyestotheglass。
'Why，whatonearthareyoudoingwithmyhead？'sheexclaimed，withwidelyopenedeyes。AtthewordsshefeltthebackofCytherea'slittlehandtrembleagainstherneck。
'Perhapsyoupreferitdonetheotherfashion，madam？'saidthemaiden。
'No，no；that'sthefashionrightenough，butyoumustmakemoreshowofmyhairthanthat，orIshallhavetobuysome，whichGodforbid！'
'ItishowIdomyown，'saidCythereanaively，andwithasweetnessoftonethatwouldhavepleasedthemostacrimoniousunderfavourablecircumstances；buttyrannywasintheascendantwithMissAldclyffeatthismoment，andshewasassuredofpalatablefoodforhervicebyhavingfeltthetremblingofCytherea'shand。
'Yours，indeed！YOURhair！Come，goon。'ConsideringthatCythereapossessedatleastfivetimesasmuchofthatvaluableauxiliarytowoman'sbeautyastheladybeforeher，therewasatthesametimesomeexcuseforMissAldclyffe'soutburst。Sherememberedherself，however，andsaidmorequietly，'Nowthen，Graye——By-the-
bye，whatdotheycallyoudownstairs？'
'Mrs。Graye，'saidthehandmaid。
'Thentellthemnottodoanysuchabsurdthing——notbutthatitisquiteaccordingtousage；butyouaretooyoungyet。'
ThisdialoguetidedCythereasafelyonwardthroughthehairdressingtilltheflowersanddiamondsweretobeplaceduponthelady'sbrow。Cythereabeganarrangingthemtastefully，andtotheverybestofherjudgment。
'Thatwon'tdo，'saidMissAldclyffeharshly。
'Why？'
'Ilooktooyoung——anolddresseddoll。'
'Willthat，madam？'
'No，Ilookafright——aperfectfright！'
'Thisway，perhaps？'
'Heavens！Don'tworrymeso。'Sheshutherlipslikeatrap。
Havingonceworkedherselfuptothebeliefthatherhead-dresswastobeafailurethatevening，noclevernessofCytherea'sinarrangingitcouldpleaseher。Shecontinuedinasmoulderingpassionduringtheremainderoftheperformance，keepingherlipsfirmlyclosed，andthemusclesofherbodyrigid。Finally，snatchinguphergloves，andtakingherhandkerchiefandfaninherhand，shesilentlysailedoutoftheroom，withoutbetrayingtheleastconsciousnessofanotherwoman'spresencebehindher。
Cytherea'sfearsthatattheundressingthissuppressedangerwouldfindavent，keptheronthornsthroughouttheevening。Shetriedtoread；shecouldnot。Shetriedtosew；shecouldnot。Shetriedtomuse；shecouldnotdothatconnectedly。'Ifthisisthebeginning，whatwilltheendbe！'shesaidinawhisper，andfeltmanymisgivingsastothepolicyofbeingoverhastyinestablishinganindependenceattheexpenseofcongruitywithacherishedpast。
3。MIDNIGHT
Theclockstrucktwelve。TheAldclyffestatedinnerwasover。Thecompanyhadallgone，andMissAldclyffe'sbellrangloudlyandjerkingly。
Cythereastartedtoherfeetatthesound，whichbrokeinuponafitfulsleepthathadovertakenher。Shehadbeensittingdrearilyinherchairwaitingminuteafterminuteforthesignal，herbraininthatstateofintentnesswhichtakescognizanceofthepassageofTimeasarealmotion——motionwithoutmatter——theinstantsthrobbingpastinthecompanyofafeverishpulse。Shehastenedtotheroom，tofindtheladysittingbeforethedressingshrine，illuminatedonbothsides，andlookingsoqueenlyinherattitudeofabsoluterepose，thattheyoungerwomanfelttheawfullestsenseofresponsibilityatherVandalisminhavingundertakentodemolishsoimposingapile。
Thelady'sjewelledornamentsweretakenoffinsilence——somebyherownlistlesshands，somebyCytherea's。Thenfollowedtheouterstratumofclothing。Thedressbeingremoved，Cythereatookitinherhandandwentwithitintothebedroomadjoining，intendingtohangitinthewardrobe。Butonsecondthoughts，inorderthatshemightnotkeepMissAldclyffewaitingamomentlongerthannecessary，sheflungitdownonthefirstresting-placethatcametohand，whichhappenedtobethebed，andre-enteredthedressing-roomwiththenoiselessfootfallofakitten。Shepausedinthemiddleoftheroom。
Shewasunnoticed，andhersuddenreturnhadplainlynotbeenexpected。DuringtheshorttimeofCytherea'sabsence，MissAldclyffehadpulledoffakindofchemisetteofBrusselsnet，drawnhighabovethethroat，whichshehadwornwithhereveningdressasasemi-opaquecoveringtohershoulders，andinitsplacehadputhernight-gownroundher。Herrighthandwasliftedtoherneck，asifengagedinfasteninghernight-gown。
ButonasecondglanceMissAldclyffe'sproceedingwasclearertoCytherea。Shewasnotfasteninghernight-gown；ithadbeencarelesslythrownroundher，andMissAldclyffewasreallyoccupiedinholdinguptohereyessomesmallobjectthatshewaskeenlyscrutinizing。AndnowonsuddenlydiscoveringthepresenceofCythereaatthebackoftheapartment，insteadofnaturallycontinuingorconcludingherinspection，shedesistedhurriedly；thetinysnapofaspringwasheard，herhandwasremoved，andshebeganadjustingherrobes。
Modestymighthavedirectedherhastyactionofenwrappinghershoulders，butitwasscarcelylikely，consideringMissAldclyffe'stemperament，thatshehadallherlifebeenusedtoamaid，Cytherea'syouth，andtheelderlady'smarkedtreatmentofherasifshewereamerechildorplaything。Thematterwastooslighttoreasonabout，andyetuponthewholeitseemedthatMissAldclyffemusthaveapracticalreasonforconcealingherneck。
WithatimidsenseofbeinganintruderCythereawasabouttostepbackandoutoftheroom；butatthesamemomentMissAldclyffeturned，sawtheimpulse，andtoldhercompaniontostay，lookingintohereyesasifshehadhalfanintentiontoexplainsomething。
Cythereafeltcertainitwasthelittlemysteryofherlatemovements。Theotherwithdrewhereyes；Cythereawenttofetchthedressing-gown，andwheeledroundagaintobringituptoMissAldclyffe，whohadnowpartlyremovedhernight-dresstoputitontheproperway，andstillsatwithherbacktowardsCytherea。
Herneckwasagainquiteopenanduncovered，andthoughhiddenfromthedirectlineofCytherea'svision，shesawitreflectedintheglass——thefairwhitesurface，andtheinimitablecombinationofcurvesbetweenthroatandbosomwhichartistsadore，beingbrightlylitupbythelightburningoneitherside。
Andthelady'spriorproceedingswerenowexplainedinthesimplestmanner。Inthemidstofherbreast，likeanislandinaseaofpearl，reclinedanexquisitelittlegoldlocket，embellishedwitharabesqueworkofblue，red，andwhiteenamel。ThatwasundoubtedlywhatMissAldclyffehadbeencontemplating；and，moreover，nothavingbeenputoffwithherotherornaments，itwastoberetainedduringthenight——aslightdeparturefromthecustomofladieswhichMissAldclyffehadatfirstnotcaredtoexhibittohernewassistant，thoughnow，onfurtherthought，sheseemedtohavebecomeindifferentonthematter。
'Mydressing-gown，'shesaid，quietlyfasteninghernight-dressasshespoke。
Cythereacameforwardwithit。MissAldclyffedidnotturnherhead，butlookedinquiringlyathermaidintheglass。
'YousawwhatIwearonmyneck，Isuppose？'shesaidtoCytherea'sreflectedface。
'Yes，madam，Idid，'saidCythereatoMissAldclyffe'sreflectedface。
MissAldclyffeagainlookedatCytherea'sreflectionasifshewereonthepointofexplaining。Againshecheckedherresolve，andsaidlightly——
'FewofmymaidsdiscoverthatIwearitalways。Igenerallykeepitasecret——notthatitmattersmuch。ButIwascarelesswithyou，andseemedtowanttotellyou。Youwinmetomakeconfidencesthat……'
Sheceased，tookCytherea'shandinherown，liftedthelocketwiththeother，touchedthespringanddisclosedaminiature。
'Itisahandsomeface，isitnot？'shewhisperedmournfully，andeventimidly。
'Itis。'
ButthesighthadgonethroughCytherealikeanelectricshock，andtherewasaninstantaneousawakeningofperceptioninher，sothrillinginitspresenceastobewell-nighinsupportable。Thefaceintheminiaturewasthefaceofherownfather——youngerandfresherthanshehadeverknownhim——butherfather！
Wasthisthewomanofhiswildandunquenchableearlylove？Andwasthisthewomanwhohadfiguredinthegate-man'sstoryasansweringthenameofCythereabeforeherjudgmentwasawake？Surelyitwas。
Andifso，herewasthetangibleoutcropofaromanticandhiddenstratumofthepasthithertoseenonlyinherimagination；butasfarasherscopeallowed，clearlydefinedthereinbyreasonofitsstrangeness。
MissAldclyffe'seyesandthoughtsweresointentupontheminiaturethatshehadnotbeenconsciousofCytherea'sstartofsurprise。
Shewentonspeakinginalowandabstractedtone。
'Yes，Ilosthim。'Sheinterruptedherwordsbyashortmeditation，andwentonagain。'Ilosthimbyexcessofhonestyasregardedmypast。Butitwasbestthatitshouldbeso……Iwasledtothinkrathermorethanusualofthecircumstancesto-nightbecauseofyourname。Itispronouncedthesameway，thoughdifferentlyspelt。'
TheonlymeansbywhichCytherea'ssurnamecouldhavebeenspelttoMissAldclyffemusthavebeenbyMrs。MorrisorFarmerSpringrove。
ShefanciedFarmerSpringrovewouldhavespeltitproperlyifEdwardwashisinformant，whichmadeMissAldclyffe'sremarkobscure。
Womenmakeconfidencesandthenregretthem。TheimpulsiverushoffeelingwhichhadledMissAldclyffetoindulgeinthisrevelation，triflingasitwas，diedoutimmediatelyherwordswerebeyondrecall；andtheturmoil，occasionedinherbydwellinguponthatchapterofherlife，foundventinanotherkindofemotion——theresultofatrivialaccident。
Cytherea，afterlettingdownMissAldclyffe'shair，adoptedsomeplanwithittowhichtheladyhadnotbeenaccustomed。Arapidrevulsiontoirritationensued。Themaiden'smeretouchseemedtodischargethepent-upregretoftheladyasifshehadbeenajarofelectricity。
'Howstrangelyyoutreatmyhair！'sheexclaimed。
Asilence。
'IhavetoldyouwhatInevertellmymaidsasarule；ofcourseNOTHINGthatIsayinthisroomistobementionedoutsideit。'Shespokecrosslynolessthanemphatically。
'Itshallnotbe，madam，'saidCytherea，agitatedandvexedthatthewomanofherromanticwonderingsshouldbesodisagreeabletoher。
'WhyonearthdidItellyouofmypast？'shewenton。
Cythereamadenoanswer。
Thelady'svexationwithherself，andtheaccidentwhichhadledtothedisclosureswelledlittlebylittletillitknewnobounds。Butwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthoughCythereahadshownamostwinningresponsiveness，quarrelMissAldclyffemust。SherecurredtothesubjectofCytherea'swantofexpertness，likeabitterreviewer，whofindingthesentimentsofapoetunimpeachable，quarrelswithhisrhymes。
'Never，neverbeforedidIservemyselfsuchatrickasthisinengagingamaid！'Shewaitedforanexpostulation：nonecame。
MissAldclyffetriedagain。
'Theideaofmytakingagirlwithoutaskinghermorethanthreequestions，orhavingasinglereference，allbecauseofhergoodl——
，theshapeofherfaceandbody！ItWASafool'strick。There，I
amservedright，quiteright——bybeingdeceivedinsuchaway。'
'Ididn'tdeceiveyou，'saidCytherea。Thespeechwasanunfortunateone，andwasthevery'fueltomaintainitsfires'thattheother'spetulancedesired。
'Youdid，'shesaidhotly。
'ItoldyouIcouldn'tpromisetobeacquaintedwitheverydetailofroutinejustatfirst。'
'Willyoucontradictmeinthisway！Youaretellinguntruths，I
say。'
Cytherea'slipquivered。'Iwouldanswertheremarkif——if——'
'Ifwhat？'
'Ifitwerealady's！'
'Yougirlofimpudence——whatdoyousay？Leavetheroomthisinstant，Itellyou。'
'AndItellyouthatapersonwhospeakstoaladyasyoudotome，isnoladyherself！'
'Toalady？Alady's-maidspeaksinthisway。Theidea！'
'Don't“lady's-maid“me：nobodyismymistressIwon'thaveit！'
'GoodHeavens！'
'Iwouldn'thavecome——no——Iwouldn't！ifIhadknown！'
'What？'
'Thatyouweresuchanill-tempered，unjustwoman！'
'PossestbeyondtheMuse'spainting，'MissAldclyffeexclaimed——
'AWoman，amI！I'llteachyouifIamaWoman！'andliftedherhandasifshewouldhavelikedtostrikehercompanion。Thisstungthemaidenintoabsolutedefiance。
'Idareyoutotouchme！'shecried。'Strikemeifyoudare，madam！
Iamnotafraidofyou——whatdoyoumeanbysuchanactionasthat？'
MissAldclyffewasdisconcertedatthisunexpectedshowofspirit，andashamedofherunladylikeimpulsenowitwasputintowords。
Shesankbackinthechair。'Iwasnotgoingtostrikeyou——gotoyourroom——Ibegyoutogotoyourroom！'sherepeatedinahuskywhisper。
Cytherea，redandpanting，tookuphercandlestickandadvancedtothetabletogetalight。Asshestoodclosetothemtheraysfromthecandlesstrucksharplyonherface。Sheusuallyboreamuchstrongerlikenesstohermotherthantoherfather，butnow，lookingwithagrave，reckless，andangeredexpressionofcountenanceatthekindlingwickasshehelditslantingintotheotherflame，herfather'sfeaturesweredistinctinher。ItwasthefirsttimeMissAldclyffehadseenherinapassionatemood，andwearingthatexpressionwhichwasinvariablyitsconcomitant。ItwasMissAldclyffe'sturntostartnow；andtheremarkshemadewasaninstanceofthatsuddenchangeoftonefromhigh-flowninvectivetothepettinessofcuriositywhichsooftenmakeswomen'squarrelsridiculous。EvenMissAldclyffe'sdignityhadnotsufficientpowertopostponetheabsorbingdesireshenowfelttosettlethestrangesuspicionthathadenteredherhead。
'Youspellyournamethecommonway，G，R，E，Y，don'tyou？'shesaid，withassumedindifference。
'No，'saidCytherea，poisedonthesideofherfoot，andstilllookingintotheflame。
'Yes，surely？Thenamewasspeltthatwayonyourboxes：Ilookedandsawitmyself。'
TheenigmaofMissAldclyffe'smistakewassolved。'O，wasit？'
saidCytherea。'Ah，IrememberMrs。Jackson，thelodging-housekeeperatBudmouth，labelledthem。WespellournameG，R，A，Y，E。'
'Whatwasyourfather'strade？'
Cythereathoughtitwouldbeuselesstoattempttoconcealfactsanylonger。'Hiswasnotatrade，'shesaid。'Hewasanarchitect。'
'Theideaofyourbeinganarchitect'sdaughter！'
'There'snothingtooffend，youinthat，Ihope？'
'Ono。'
'Whydidyousay“theidea“？'
'Leavethatalone。DidheevervisitinGowerStreet，Bloomsbury，oneChristmas，manyyearsago？——butyouwouldnotknowthat。'
'IhaveheardhimsaythatMr。Huntway，acuratesomewhereinthatpartofLondon，andwhodiedthere，wasanoldcollegefriendofhis。'
'WhatisyourChristianname？'
'Cytherea。'
'No！Andisitreally？AndyouknewthatfaceIshowedyou？Yes，Iseeyoudid。'MissAldclyffestopped，andclosedherlipsimpassibly。Shewasalittleagitated。
'Doyouwantmeanylonger？'saidCytherea，standingcandleinhandandlookingquietlyinMissAldclyffe'sface。
'Well——no：nolonger，'saidtheotherlingeringly。
'Withyourpermission，Iwillleavethehousetomorrowmorning，madam。'
'Ah。'MissAldclyffehadnonotionofwhatshewassaying。
'AndIknowyouwillbesogoodasnottointrudeuponmeduringtheshortremainderofmystay？'
SayingthisCytherealefttheroombeforehercompanionhadanswered。MissAldclyffe，then，hadrecognizedheratlast，andhadbeencuriousabouthernamefromthebeginning。
Theothermembersofthehouseholdhadretiredtorest。AsCythereawentalongthepassageleadingtoherroomherskirtsrustledagainstthepartition。Adooronherleftopened，andMrs。Morrislookedout。
'Iwaitedoutofbedtillyoucameup，'shesaid，'itbeingyourfirstnight，incaseyoushouldbeatalossforanything。HowhaveyougotonwithMissAldclyffe？'
'Prettywell——thoughnotsowellasIcouldhavewished。'
'Hasshebeenscolding？'
'Alittle。'
'She'saveryoddlady——'tisallonewayortheotherwithher。
She'snotbadatheart，butunbearableinclosequarters。Thoseofuswhodon'thavemuchtodowithherpersonally，stayonforyearsandyears。'
'HasMissAldclyffe'sfamilyalwaysbeenrich？'saidCytherea。
'Ono。Theproperty，withthename，camefromhermother'suncle。
HerfamilyisabranchoftheoldAldclyffefamilyonthematernalside。HermothermarriedaBradleigh——amerenobodyatthattime——
andwasonthataccountcutbyherrelations。Butverysingularlytheotherbranchofthefamilydiedoutonebyone——threeofthem，andMissAldclyffe'sgreat-unclethenleftallhisproperty，includingthisestate，toCaptainBradleighandhiswife——MissAldclyffe'sfatherandmother——onconditionthattheytooktheoldfamilynameaswell。There'sallaboutitinthe“LandedGentry。“
'Tisathingveryoftendone。'
'O，Isee。Thankyou。Well，nowIamgoing。Good-night。'
VI。THEEVENTSOFTWELVEHOURS
1。AUGUSTTHENINTH。ONETOTWOO'CLOCKA。M。
Cythereaenteredherbedroom，andflungherselfonthe，bed，bewilderedbyawhirlofthought。Onlyonesubjectwasclearinhermind，anditwasthat，inspiteoffamilydiscoveries，thatdaywastobethefirstandlastofherexperienceasalady's-maid。
Starvationitselfshouldnotcompelhertoholdsuchahumiliatingpostforanotherinstant。'Ah，'shethought，withasigh，atthemartyrdomofherlastlittlefragmentofself-conceit，'OwenknowseverythingbetterthanI。'
Shejumpedupandbeganmakingreadyforherdepartureinthemorning，thetearsstreamingdownwhenshegrievedandwonderedwhatpracticalmatteronearthshecouldturnherhandtonext。Allthesepreparationscompleted，shebegantoundress，hermindunconsciouslydriftingawaytothecontemplationofherlatesurprises。Tolookintheglassforaninstantatthereflectionofherownmagnificentresourcesinfaceandbosom，andtomarktheirattractivenessunadorned，wasperhapsbutthenaturalactionofayoungwomanwhohadsolatelybeenchiddenwhilstpassingthroughtheharassingexperienceofdecoratinganolderbeautyofMissAldclyffe'stemper。
Butshedirectlycheckedherweaknessbysympathizingreflectionsonthehiddentroubleswhichmusthavethrongedthepastyearsofthesolitarylady，tokeepher，thoughsorichandcourted，inamoodsorepellentandgloomyasthatinwhichCythereafoundher；andthentheyounggirlmarvelledagainandagain，asshehadmarvelledbefore，atthestrangeconfluenceofcircumstanceswhichhadbroughtherselfintocontactwiththeonewomanintheworldwhosehistorywassoromanticallyintertwinedwithherown。Shealmostbegantowishshewerenotobligedtogoawayandleavethelonelybeingtolonelinessstill。
Inbedandinthedark，MissAldclyffehauntedhermindmorepersistentlythanever。Insteadofsleeping，shecalledupstaringvisionsofthepossiblepastofthisqueenlylady，hermother'srival。Upthelongvistaofbygoneyearsshesaw，behindall，theyounggirl'sflirtation，littleormuch，withthecousin，thatseemedtohavebeennippedinthebud，ortohaveterminatedhastilyinsomeway。ThenthesecretmeetingsbetweenMissAldclyffeandtheotherwomanatthelittleinnatHammersmithandotherplaces：
thecommonplacenamesheadopted：herswoonatsomepainfulnews，andtheveryslightknowledgetheelderfemalehadofherpartnerinmystery。Then，morethanayearafterwards，theacquaintanceshipofherownfatherwiththishisfirstlove；theawakeningofthepassion，hisactsofdevotion，theunreasoningheatofhisrapture，hertacitacceptanceofit，andyetheruneasinessunderthedelight。Thenhisdeclarationamidtheevergreens：theutterchangeproducedinhermannerthereby，seeminglytheresultofarigiddetermination：andthetotalconcealmentofherreasonbyherselfandherparents，whateveritwas。Thenthelady'scoursedroppedintodarkness，andnothingmorewasvisibletillshewasdiscoveredhereatKnapwater，nearlyfiftyyearsold，stillunmarriedandstillbeautiful，butlonely，embittered，andhaughty。
Cythereaimaginedthatherfather'simagewasstillwarmlycherishedinMissAldclyffe'sheart，andwasthankfulthatsheherselfhadnotbeenbetrayedintoannouncingthatsheknewmanyparticularsofthispageofherfather'shistory，andthechiefone，thelady'sunaccountablerenunciationofhim。Itwouldhavemadeherbearingtowardsthemistressofthemansionmoreawkward，andwouldhavebeennobenefittoeither。
Thusconjuringupthepast，andtheorizingonthepresent，shelayrestless，changingherposturefromonesidetotheotherandbackagain。Finally，whencourtingsleepwithallherart，sheheardaclockstriketwo。Aminutelater，andshefanciedshecoulddistinguishasoftrustleinthepassageoutsideherroom。
Toburyherheadinthesheetswasherfirstimpulse；thentouncoverit，raiseherselfonherelbow，andstretchhereyeswideopeninthedarkness；herlipsbeingpartedwiththeintentnessofherlistening。Whateverthenoisewas，ithadceasedforthetime。
Itbeganagainandcameclosetoherdoor，lightlytouchingthepanels。Thentherewasanotherstillness；Cythereamadeamovementwhichcausedafaintrustlingofthebed-clothes。
Beforeshehadtimetothinkanotherthoughtalighttapwasgiven。
Cythereabreathed：thepersonoutsidewasevidentlybentuponfindingherawake，andtherustleshehadmadehadencouragedthehope。Themaiden'sphysicalconditionshiftedfromonepoletoitsopposite。Thecoldsweatofterrorforsookher，andmodestytookthealarm。Shebecamehotandred；herdoorwasnotlocked。
Adistinctwoman'swhispercametoherthroughthekeyhole：
'Cytherea！'
OnlyonebeinginthehouseknewherChristianname，andthatwasMissAldclyffe。Cythereasteppedoutofbed，wenttothedoor，andwhisperedback，'Yes？'
'Letmecomein，darling。'
Theyoungwomanpausedinaconflictbetweenjudgmentandemotion。
Itwasnowmistressandmaidnolonger；womanandwomanonly。Yes；
shemustlethercomein，poorthing。
Shegotalightinaninstant，openedthedoor，andraisinghereyesandthecandle，sawMissAldclyffestandingoutsideinherdressing-
gown。
'Nowyouseethatitisreallymyself；putoutthelight，'saidthevisitor。'Iwanttostayherewithyou，Cythie。Icametoaskyoutocomedownintomybed，butitissnuggerhere。Butrememberthatyouaremistressinthisroom，andthatIhavenobusinesshere，andthatyoumaysendmeawayifyouchoose。ShallIgo？'
'Ono；youshan'tindeedifyoudon'twantto，'saidCythiegenerously。
TheinstanttheywereinbedMissAldclyffefreedherselffromthelastremnantofrestraint。Sheflungherarmsroundtheyounggirl，andpressedhergentlytoherheart。
'Nowkissme，'shesaid。
Cytherea，uponthewhole，wasratherdiscomposedatthischangeoftreatment；and，discomposedorno，herpassionswerenotsoimpetuousasMissAldclyffe's。Shecouldnotbringhersoultoherlipsforamoment，tryhowshewould。
'Come，kissme，'repeatedMissAldclyffe。
Cythereagaveheraverysmallone，assoftintouchandinsoundastheburstingofabubble。
'Moreearnestlythanthat——come。'
Shegaveanother，alittlebutnotmuchmoreexpressively。
'Idon'tdeserveamorefeelingone，Isuppose，'saidMissAldclyffe，withanemphasisofsadbitternessinhertone。'Iamanill-temperedwoman，youthink；halfoutofmymind。Well，perhapsI
am；butIhavehadgriefmorethanyoucanthinkordreamof。ButI
can'thelplovingyou——yournameisthesameasmine——isn'titstrange？'
Cythereawasinclinedtosayno，butremainedsilent。
'Now，don'tyouthinkImustloveyou？'continuedtheother。
'Yes，'saidCythereaabsently。ShewasstillthinkingwhetherdutytoOwenandherfather，whichaskedforsilenceonherknowledgeofherfather'sunfortunatelove，ordutytothewomanembracingher，whichseemedtoaskforconfidence，oughttopredominate。Herewasasolution。ShewouldwaittillMissAldclyffereferredtoheracquaintanceshipandattachmenttoCytherea'sfatherinpasttimes：
thenshewouldtellherallsheknew：thatwouldbehonour。
'Whycan'tyoukissmeasIcankissyou？Whycan'tyou！'SheimpresseduponCytherea'slipsawarmmotherlysalute，givenasifintheoutburstofstrongfeeling，longchecked，andyearningforsomethingtoloveandbelovedbyinreturn。
'Doyouthinkbadlyofmeformybehaviourthisevening，child？I
don'tknowwhyIamsofoolishastospeaktoyouinthisway。Iamaveryfool，Ibelieve。Yes。Howoldareyou？'
'Eighteen。'
'Eighteen！……Well，whydon'tyouaskmehowoldIam？'
'BecauseIdon'twanttoknow。'
'Nevermindifyoudon't。Iamforty-six；anditgivesmegreaterpleasuretotellyouthisthanitdoestoyoutolisten。Ihavenottoldmyagetrulyforthelasttwentyyearstillnow。'
'Whyhaven'tyou？'
'Ihavemetdeceitbydeceit，tillIamwearyofit——weary，weary——
andIlongtobewhatIshallneverbeagain——artlessandinnocent，likeyou。ButIsupposethatyou，too，will，provetobenotworthathought，aseverynewfrienddoesonmoreintimateknowledge。
Come，whydon'tyoutalktome，child？Haveyousaidyourprayers？'
'Yes——no！Iforgotthemto-night。'
'Isupposeyousaythemeverynightasarule？'
'Yes。'
'Whydoyoudothat？'
'BecauseIhavealwaysdoneso，anditwouldseemstrangeifIwerenotto。Doyou？'
'I？Awickedoldsinnerlikeme！No，Ineverdo。Ihavethoughtallsuchmattershumbugforyears——thoughtsosolongthatIshouldbegladtothinkotherwisefromveryweariness；andyet，suchisthecodeofthepoliteworld，thatIsubscriberegularlytoMissionarySocietiesandothersofthesort……Well，sayyourprayers，dear——youwon'tomitthemnowyourecollectit。Ishouldliketohearyouverymuch。Willyou？'
'Itseemshardly——'
'Itwouldseemsolikeoldtimestome——whenIwasyoung，andnearer——farnearerHeaventhanIamnow。Do，sweetone，'
Cythereawasembarrassed，andherembarrassmentarosefromthefollowingconjunctureofaffairs。SinceshehadlovedEdwardSpringrove，shehadlinkedhisnamewithherbrotherOwen'sinhernightlysupplicationstotheAlmighty。Shewishedtokeepherloveforhimasecret，and，aboveall，asecretfromawomanlikeMissAldclyffe；yetherconscienceandthehonestyofherlovewouldnotforaninstantallowhertothinkofomittinghisdearname，andsoendangertheefficacyofallherpreviousprayersforhissuccessbyanunworthyshamenow：itwouldbewickedofher，shethought，andagrievouswrongtohim。Underanyworldlycircumstancesshemighthavethoughtthepositionjustifiedalittlefinesse，andhaveskippedhimforonce；butprayerwastoosolemnathingforsuchtrifling。
'Iwouldrathernotsaythem，'shemurmuredfirst。Itstruckherthenthatthisdecliningaltogetherwasthesamecowardiceinanotherdress，andwasdeliveringherpoorEdwardovertoSatanjustasunceremoniouslyasbefore。'Yes；Iwillsaymyprayers，andyoushallhearme，'sheaddedfirmly。
Sheturnedherfacetothepillowandrepeatedinlowsofttonesthesimplewordsshehadusedfromchildhoodonsuchoccasions。Owen'snamewasmentionedwithoutfaltering，butintheothercase，maidenlyshynesswastoostrongevenforreligion，andthatwhensupportedbyexcellentintentions。AtthenameofEdwardshestammered，andhervoicesanktothefaintestwhisperinspiteofher。
'Thankyou，dearest，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Ihaveprayedtoo，I
verilybelieve。Youareagoodgirl，Ithink。'Thentheexpectedquestioncame。
'“BlessOwen，“andwhom，didyousay？'
Therewasnohelpforitnow，andoutitcame。'OwenandEdward，'
saidCytherea。
'WhoareOwenandEdward？'
'Owenismybrother，madam，'falteredthemaid。
'Ah，Iremember。WhoisEdward？'
Asilence。
'Yourbrother，too？'continuedMissAldclyffe。
'No。'
MissAldclyffereflectedamoment。'Don'tyouwanttotellmewhoEdwardis？'shesaidatlast，inatoneofmeaning。
'Idon'tmindtelling；only……'
'Youwouldrathernot，Isuppose？'
'Yes。'
MissAldclyffeshiftedherground。'Wereyoueverinlove？'sheinquiredsuddenly。
Cythereawassurprisedtohearhowquicklythevoicehadalteredfromtendernesstoharshness，vexation，anddisappointment。
'Yes——IthinkIwas——once，'shemurmured。
'Aha！Andwereyoueverkissedbyaman？'
Apause。
'Well，wereyou？'saidMissAldclyffe，rathersharply。
'Don'tpressmetotell——Ican't——indeed，Iwon't，madam！'
MissAldclyfferemovedherarmsfromCytherea'sneck。''Tisnowwithyouasitisalwayswithallgirls，'shesaid，injealousandgloomyaccents。'Youarenot，afterall，theinnocentItookyoufor。No，no。'Shethenchangedhertonewithfitfulrapidity。
'Cytherea，trytolovememorethanyoulovehim——do。Iloveyoumoresincerelythananymancan。Do，Cythie：don'tletanymanstandbetweenus。O，Ican'tbearthat！'SheclaspedCytherea'sneckagain。
'ImustlovehimnowIhavebegun，'repliedtheother。
'Must——yes——must，'saidtheelderladyreproachfully。'Yes，womenareallalike。IthoughtIhadatlastfoundanartlesswomanwhohadnotbeensulliedbyaman'slips，andwhohadnotpractisedorbeenpractiseduponbytheartswhichruinallthetruthandsweetnessandgoodnessinus。Findagirl，ifyoucan，whosemouthandearshavenotbeenmadearegularhighwayofbysomemanoranother！Leavetheadmittedlynotoriousspots——thedrawing-roomsofsociety——andlookinthevillages——leavethevillagesandsearchintheschools——andyoucanhardlyfindagirlwhosehearthasnotbeenHAD——isnotanoldthinghalfwornoutbysomeHeoranother！Ifmenonlyknewthestalenessofthefreshestofus！thatninetimesoutoftenthe“firstlove“theythinktheyarewinningfromawomanisbutthehulkofanoldwreckedaffection，fittedwithnewsailsandre-used。OCytherea，canitbethatyou，too，areliketherest？'
'No，no，no，'urgedCytherea，awedbythestormshehadraisedintheimpetuouswoman'smind。'Heonlykissedmeonce——twiceImean。'
'Hemighthavedoneitathousandtimesifhehadcaredto，there'snodoubtaboutthat，whoeverhislordshipis。YouareasbadasI——
weareallalike；andI——anoldfool——havebeensippingatyourmouthasifitwerehoney，becauseIfanciednowastingloverknewthespot。Butaminuteago，andyouseemedtomelikeafreshspringmeadow——nowyouseemadustyhighway。'
'Ono，no！'Cythereawasnotweakenoughtoshedtearsexceptonextraordinaryoccasions，butshewasfaintobeginsobbingnow。ShewishedMissAldclyffewouldgotoherownroom，andleaveherandhertreasureddreamsalone。Thisvehementimperiousaffectionwasinonesensesoothing，butyetitwasnotofthekindthatCytherea'sinstinctsdesired。Thoughitwasgenerous，itseemedsomewhattoorankandcapriciousforendurance。
'Well，'saidtheladyincontinuation，'whoishe？'
Hercompanionwasdesperatelydeterminednottotellhisname：shetoomuchfearedatauntwhenMissAldclyffe'sfierymoodagainruledhertongue。
'Won'tyoutellme？nottellmeafteralltheaffectionIhaveshown？'
'Iwill，perhaps，anotherday。'
'DidyouwearahatandwhitefeatherinBudmouthfortheweekortwoprevioustoyourcominghere？'
'Yes。'
'ThenIhaveseenyouandyourloveratadistance！Herowedyouroundthebaywithyourbrother。'
'Yes。'
'Andwithoutyourbrother——fie！There，there，don'tletthatlittleheartbeatitselftodeath：throb，throb：itshakesthebed，yousillything。Ididn'tmeanthattherewasanyharmingoingalonewithhim。IonlysawyoufromtheEsplanade，incommonwiththerestofthepeople。IoftenrundowntoBudmouth。Hewasaverygoodfigure：nowwhowashe？'
'I——Iwon'ttell，madam——Icannotindeed！'
'Won'ttell——verywell，don't。Youareveryfoolishtotreasureuphisnameandimageasyoudo。Why，hehashadlovesbeforeyou，trusthimforthat，whoeverheis，andyouarebutatemporarylinkinalongchainofotherslikeyou：whoonlyhaveyourlittledayastheyhavehadtheirs。'
''Tisn'ttrue！'tisn'ttrue！'tisn'ttrue！'criedCythereainanagonyoftorture。'Hehasneverlovedanybodyelse，Iknow——Iamsurehehasn't。'
MissAldclyffewasasjealousasanymancouldhavebeen。Shecontinued——
'Heseesabeautifulfaceandthinkshewillneverforgetit，butinafewweeksthefeelingpassesoff，andhewondershowhecouldhavecaredforanybodysoabsurdlymuch。'
'No，no，hedoesn't——Whatdoeshedowhenhehasthoughtthat——Come，tellme——tellme！'
'Youareashotasfire，andthethrobbingofyourheartmakesmenervous。Ican'ttellyouifyougetinthatflusteredstate。'
'Do，dotell——O，itmakesmesomiserable！buttell——cometellme！'
'Ah——thetablesareturnednow，dear！'shecontinued，inatonewhichmingledpitywithderision——
'“Love'spassionsshallrocktheeAsthestormrockstheravensonhigh，BrightreasonwillmocktheeLikethesunfromawintrysky。“
'Whatdoeshedonext？——Why，thisiswhathedoesnext：ruminateonwhathehasheardofwomen'sromanticimpulses，andhoweasilymentorturethemwhentheyhavegivenwaytothosefeelings，andhaveresignedeverythingfortheirhero。Itmaybethatthoughhelovesyouheartilynow——thatis，asheartilyasamancan——andyoulovehiminreturn，yourlovesmaybeimpracticableandhopeless，andyoumaybeseparatedforever。You，astheweary，wearyyearspassbywillfadeandfade——brighteyesWILLfade——andyouwillperhapsthendieearly——truetohimtoyourlatestbreath，andbelievinghimtobetruetothelatestbreathalso；whilsthe，insomegayandbusyspotfarawayfromyourlastquietnook，willhavemarriedsomedashinglady，andnotpurelyobliviousofyou，willlonghaveceasedtoregretyou——willchataboutyou，asyouwereinlongpastyears——
willsay，“Ah，littleCythereausedtotieherhairlikethat——poorinnocenttrustingthing；itwasapleasantuselessidledream——thatdreamofmineforthemaidwiththebrighteyesandsimple，sillyheart；butIwasafoolishladatthattime。“ThenhewilltellthetaleofallyourlittleWillsandWont'sandparticularways，andashespeaks，turntohiswifewithaplacidsmile。'
'Itisnottrue！Hecan't，hec-can'tbes-socruel——andyouarecrueltome——youare，youare！'Shewasatlastdriventodesperation：hernaturalcommonsenseandshrewdnesshadseenallthroughthepiecehowimaginaryheremotionswere——shefeltherselftobeweakandfoolishinpermittingthemtorise；buteventhenshecouldnotcontrolthem：beagonizedshemust。Shewasonlyeighteen，andthelongday'slabour，herweariness，herexcitement，hadcompletelyunnervedher，andwornherout：shewasbenthitherandthitherbythistyrannicalworkinguponherimagination，asayoungrushinthewind。Sheweptbitterly。'AndnowthinkhowmuchIlikeyou，'resumedMissAldclyffe，whenCythereagrewcalmer。'I
shallneverforgetyouforanybodyelse，asmendo——never。Iwillbeexactlyasamothertoyou。Nowwillyoupromisetolivewithmealways，andalwaysbetakencareof，andneverdeserted？'
'Icannot。Iwillnotbeanybody'smaidforanotherdayonanyconsideration。'
'No，no，no。Youshan'tbealady's-maid。Youshallbemycompanion。Iwillgetanothermaid。'
Companion——thatwasanewidea。Cythereacouldnotresisttheevidentlyheartfeltdesireofthestrange-temperedwomanforherpresence。Butshecouldnottrusttothemoment'simpulse。
'Iwillstay，Ithink。Butdonotaskforafinalanswerto-night。'
'Nevermindnow，then。Putyourhairroundyourmamma'sneck，andgivemeonegoodlongkiss，andIwon'ttalkanymoreinthatwayaboutyourlover。Afterall，someyoungmenarenotsofickleasothers；butevenifhe'stheficklest，thereisconsolation。Theloveofaninconstantmanistentimesmoreardentthanthatofafaithfulman——thatis，whileitlasts。'
Cythereadidasshewastold，toescapethepunishmentoffurthertalk；flungthetwiningtressesofherlong，richhairoverMissAldclyffe'sshouldersasdirected，andthetwoceasedconversing，makingthemselvesupforsleep。MissAldclyffeseemedtogiveherselfovertoaluxurioussenseofcontentandquiet，asifthemaidenathersideaffordedheraprotectionagainstdangerswhichhadmenacedherforyears；shewassoonsleepingcalmly。
2。TWOTOFIVEA。M。
WithCythereaitwasotherwise。Unusedtotheplaceandcircumstances，shecontinuedwakeful，illatease，andmentallydistressed。Shewithdrewherselffromhercompanion'sembrace，turnedtotheotherside，andendeavouredtorelieveherbusybrainbylookingatthewindow-blind，andnoticingthelightoftherisingmoon——nowinherlastquarter——creeprounduponit：itwasthelightofanoldwaningmoonwhichhadbutafewdayslongertolive。
Thesightledhertothinkagainofwhathadhappenedundertheraysofthesamemonth'smoon，alittlebeforeitsfull，theecstaticeveningscenewithEdward：thekiss，andtheshortnessofthosehappymoments——maidenimaginationbringingabouttheapotheosisofastatusquowhichhadhadseveralunpleasantnessesinitsearthlyreality。
Butsoundswereintheascendantthatnight。Herearsbecameawareofastrangeandgloomymurmur。
Sherecognizedit：itwasthegushingofthewaterfall，faintandlow，broughtfromitssourcetotheunwonteddistanceoftheHousebyafaintbreezewhichmadeitdistinctandrecognizablebyreasonoftheutterabsenceofalldisturbingsounds。Thegroom'smelancholyrepresentationlenttothesoundamoredismaleffectthanitwouldhavehadofitsownnature。Shebegantofancywhatthewaterfallmustbelikeatthathour，underthetreesintheghostlymoonlight。Blackatthehead，andoverthesurfaceofthedeepcoldholeintowhichitfell；whiteandfrothyatthefall；
blackandwhite，likeapallanditsborder；sadeverywhere。
Shewasinthemoodforsoundsofeverykindnow，andstrainedherearstocatchthefaintest，inwaywardenmitytoherquietofmind。
Anothersooncame。