Thesecondwasquitedifferentfromthefirst——akindofintermittentwhistleitseemedprimarily：no，acreak，ametalliccreak，everandanon，likeaplough，orarustywheelbarrow，oratleastawheelofsomekind。Yes，itwas，awheel——thewater-wheelintheshrubberybytheoldmanor-house，whichthecoachmanhadsaidwoulddrivehimmad。
Shedeterminednottothinkanymoreofthesegloomythings；butnowthatshehadoncenoticedthesoundtherewasnosealingherearstoit。Shecouldnothelptimingitscreaks，andputtingonadreadexpectancyjustbeforetheendofeachhalf-minutethatbroughtthem。Toimaginetheinsideoftheengine-house，whencethesenoisesproceeded，wasnowanecessity。Nowindow，butcrevicesinthedoor，throughwhich，probably，themoonbeamsstreamedinthemostattenuatedandskeleton-likerays，strikingsharplyuponportionsofwetrustycranksandchains；aglisteningwheel，turningincessantly，labouringinthedarklikeacaptivestarvinginadungeon；andinsteadofafloorbelow，gurglingwater，whichonaccountofthedarknesscouldonlybeheard；waterwhichlabouredupdarkpipesalmosttowhereshelay。
Sheshivered。Nowshewasdeterminedtogotosleep；therecouldbenothingelselefttobeheardortoimagine——itwashorridthatherimaginationshouldbesorestless。Yetjustforaninstantbeforegoingtosleepshewouldthinkthis——supposeanothersoundSHOULD
come——justsupposeitshould！Beforethethoughthadwellpassedthroughherbrain，athirdsoundcame。
Thethirdwasaverysoftgurgleorrattle——ofastrangeandabnormalkind——yetasoundshehadheardbeforeatsomepastperiodofherlife——when，shecouldnotrecollect。Tomakeitthemoredisturbing，itseemedtobealmostclosetoher——eithercloseoutsidethewindow，closeunderthefloor，orcloseabovetheceiling。Theaccidentalfactofitscomingsoimmediatelyupontheheelsofhersupposition，toldsopowerfullyuponherexcitednervesthatshejumpedupinthebed。Thesameinstant，alittledoginsomeroomnear，havingprobablyheardthesamenoise，setupalowwhine。Thewatch-dogintheyard，hearingthemoanofhisassociate，begantohowlloudlyanddistinctly。Hismelancholynotesweretakenupdirectlyafterwardsbythedogsinthekennelalongwayoff，ineveryvarietyofwail。
Onelogicalthoughtalonewasabletoenterherflurriedbrain。Thelittledogthatbeganthewhiningmusthaveheardtheothertwosoundsevenbetterthanherself。Hehadtakennonoticeofthem，buthehadtakennoticeofthethird。Thethird，then，wasanunusualsound。
Itwasnotlikewater，itwasnotlikewind；itwasnotthenight-
jar，itwasnotaclock，norarat，norapersonsnoring。
Shecreptundertheclothes，andflungherarmstightlyroundMissAldclyffe，asifforprotection。Cythereaperceivedthatthelady'slatepeacefulwarmthhadgivenplacetoasweat。Atthemaiden'stouch，MissAldclyffeawokewithalowscream。
Sherememberedherpositioninstantly。'Osuchaterribledream！'
shecried，inahurriedwhisper，holdingtoCythereainherturn；
'andyourtouchwastheendofit。Itwasdreadful。Time，withhiswings，hour-glass，andscythe，comingnearerandnearertome——
grinningandmocking：thenheseizedme，tookapieceofmeonly……ButIcan'ttellyou。Ican'tbeartothinkofit。Howthosedogshowl！Peoplesayitmeansdeath。'
ThereturnofMissAldclyffetoconsciousnesswassufficienttodispelthewildfancieswhichthelonelinessofthenighthadwoveninCytherea'smind。Shedismissedthethirdnoiseassomethingwhichinalllikelihoodcouldeasilybeexplained，iftroubleweretakentoinquireintoit：largehouseshadallkindsofstrangesoundsfloatingaboutthem。ShewasashamedtotellMissAldclyffeherterrors。
Asilenceoffiveminutes。
'Areyouasleep？'saidMissAldclyffe。
'No，'saidCytherea，inalong-drawnwhisper。
'Howthosedogshowl，don'tthey？'
'Yes。Alittledoginthehousebeganit。'
'Ah，yes：thatwasTotsy。Hesleepsonthematoutsidemyfather'sbedroomdoor。Anervouscreature。'
Therewasasilentintervalofnearlyhalf-an-hour。Aclockonthelandingstruckthree。
'Areyouasleep，MissAldclyffe？'whisperedCytherea。
'No，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Howwretcheditisnottobeabletosleep，isn'tit？'
'Yes，'repliedCytherea，likeadocilechild。
Anotherhourpassed，andtheclockstruckfour。MissAldclyffewasstillawake。
'Cytherea，'shesaid，verysoftly。
Cythereamadenoanswer。Shewassleepingsoundly。
Thefirstglimmerofdawnwasnowvisible。MissAldclyffearose，putonherdressing-gown，andwentsoftlydownstairstoherownroom。
'IhavenottoldherwhoIamafterall，orfoundouttheparticularsofAmbrose'shistory，'shemurmured。'Butherbeinginlovealterseverything。'
3。HALF-PASTSEVENTOTENO'CLOCKA。M。
Cythereaawoke，quietinmindandrefreshed。AconclusiontoremainatKnapwaterwasalreadyinpossessionofher。
FindingMissAldclyffegone，shedressedherselfandsatdownatthewindowtowriteananswertoEdward'sletter，andanaccountofherarrivalatKnapwatertoOwen。Thedismalandheart-breakingpicturesthatMissAldclyffehadplacedbeforehertheprecedingevening，thelaterterrorsofthenight，werenowbutasshadowsofshadows，andshesmiledinderisionatherownexcitability。
ButwritingEdward'sletterwasthegreatconsoler，theeffectofeachworduponhimbeingenactedinherownfaceasshewroteit。
Shefelthowmuchshewouldliketosharehistrouble——howwellshecouldendurepovertywithhim——andwonderedwhathistroublewas。
Butallwouldbeexplainedatlast，sheknew。
AttheappointedtimeshewenttoMissAldclyffe'sroom，intending，withthecontradictorinesscommoninpeople，toperformwithpleasure，asaworkofsupererogation，whatasadutywassimplyintolerable。
MissAldclyffewasalreadyoutofbed。Thebrightpenetratinglightofmorningmadeavastdifferenceintheelderlady'sbehaviourtoherdependent；theday，whichhadrestoredCytherea'sjudgment，hadeffectedthesameforMissAldclyffe。Thoughpracticalreasonsforbadeherregrettingthatshehadsecuredsuchacompanionablecreaturetoread，talk，orplaytoherwheneverherwhimrequired，shewasinwardlyvexedattheextenttowhichshehadindulgedinthewomanlyluxuryofmakingconfidencesandgivingwaytoemotions。
Fewwouldhavesupposedthatthecalmladysittingaristocraticallyatthetoilettable，seemingscarcelyconsciousofCytherea'spresenceintheroom，evenwhengreetingher，wasthepassionatecreaturewhohadaskedforkissesafewhoursbefore。
Itisbothpainfulandsatisfactorytothinkhowoftentheseantithesesaretobeobservedintheindividualmostopentoourobservation——ourselves。Wepasstheeveningwithfaceslitupbysomeflaringilluminationorother：wegetupthenextmorning——thefieryjetshaveallgoneout，andnothingconfrontsusbutafewcrinkledpipesandsootywirework，hardlyevenrecallingtheoutlineoftheblazingpicturethatarrestedoureyesbeforebedtime。
Emotionswouldbehalfstarvediftherewerenocandle-light。
Probablynine-tenthsofthegushinglettersofindiscreetconfessionarewrittenafternineorteno'clockintheevening，andsentoffbeforedayreturnstoleerinvidiouslyuponthem。Fewthatremainopentocatchourglanceasweriseinthemorning，survivethefrigidcriticismofdressing-time。
Thesubjectsuppermostinthemindsofthetwowomenwhohadthuscooledfromtheirfires，werenotthevisionaryonesofthelaterhours，butthehardfactsoftheirearlierconversation。AfteraremarkthatCythereaneednotassistherindressingunlessshewishedto，MissAldclyffesaidabruptly——
'Icantellthatyoungman'sname。'ShelookedkeenlyatCytherea。
'ItisEdwardSpringrove，mytenant'sson。'
Theinundationofcolourupontheyoungerladyathearinganamewhichtoherwasaworld，handledasifitwereonlyanatom，toldMissAldclyffethatshehaddivinedthetruthatlast。
'Ah——itishe，isit？'shecontinued。'Well，Iwantedtoknowforpracticalreasons。HisexampleshowsthatIwasnotsofarwronginmyestimateofmenafterall，thoughIonlygeneralized，andhadnothoughtofhim。'Thiswasperfectlytrue。
'Whatdoyoumean？'saidCytherea，visiblyalarmed。
'Mean？Whythatalltheworldknowshimtobeengagedtobemarried，andthattheweddingissoontotakeplace。'Shemadetheremarkbluntlyandsuperciliously，asiftoobtainabsolutionatthehandsofherfamilypridefortheweakconfidencesofthenight。
ButeventhefrigidityofMissAldclyffe'smorningmoodwasovercomebythelookofsickandblankdespairwhichthecarelesslyutteredwordshadproduceduponCytherea'sface。Shesankbackintoachair，andburiedherfaceinherhands。
'Don'tbesofoolish，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Come，makethebestofit。IcannotupsetthefactIhavetoldyouof，unfortunately。ButIbelievethematchcanbebrokenoff。'
'Ono，no。'
'Nonsense。Ilikedhimmuchasayouth，andIlikehimnow。I'llhelpyoutocaptivateandchainhimdown。Ihavegotovermyabsurdfeelingoflastnightinnotwantingyouevertogoawayfromme——ofcourse，Icouldnotexpectsuchathingasthat。There，nowIhavesaidI'llhelpyou，andthat'senough。He'stiredofhisfirstchoicenowthathe'sbeenawayfromhomeforawhile。Thelovethatnoouterattackcanfrightenawayquailsbeforeitsidol'sownhomelyways；itisalwaysso……Come，finishwhatyouaredoingifyouaregoingto，anddon'tbealittlegooseaboutsuchatrumperyaffairasthat。'
'Who——isheengagedto？'Cythereainquiredbyamovementofherlipsbutnosoundofhervoice。ButMissAldclyffedidnotanswer。Itmatterednot，Cythereathought。Anotherwoman——thatwasenoughforher：curiositywasstunned。
Sheappliedherselftotheworkofdressing，scarcelyknowinghow。
MissAldclyffewenton：——
'Youweretooeasilywon。I'dhavemadehimoranybodyelsespeakoutbeforeheshouldhavekissedmyfaceforhispleasure。Butyouareoneofthoseprecipitantlyfondthingswhoareyearningtothrowawaytheirheartsuponthefirstworthlessfellowwhosaysgood-
morning。Inthefirstplace，youshouldn'thavelovedhimsoquickly：inthenext，ifyoumusthavelovedhimoff-hand，youshouldhaveconcealedit。Ittickledhisvanity：“ByJove，thatgirl'sinlovewithmealready！”hethought。'
Tohastenawayattheendofthetoilet，totellMrs。Morris——whostoodwaitinginalittleroompreparedforher，withteapouredout，bread-and-buttercutintodiaphanousslices，andeggsarranged——
thatshewantednobreakfast：thentoshutherselfaloneinherbedroom，washeronlythought。Shewasfollowedthitherbythewell-intentionedmatronwithacupofteaandonepieceofbread-
and-butteronatray，cheerfullyinsistingthatsheshouldeatit。
Tothosewhogrieve，innocentcheerfulnessseemsheartlesslevity。
'No，thankyou，Mrs。Morris，'shesaid，keepingthedoorclosed。
Despitetheincivilityoftheaction，Cythereacouldnotbeartoletapleasantpersonseeherfacethen。
Immediaterevocation——evenifrevocationwouldbemoreeffectivebypostponement——istheimpulseofyoungwoundednatures。Cythereawenttoherblotting-book，tookoutthelonglettersocarefullywritten，sofullofgushingremarksandtenderhints，andsealedupsoneatlywithalittlesealbearing'GoodFaith'asitsmotto，torethemissiveintofiftypieces，andthrewthemintothegrate。Itwasthenthebitterestofanguishestolookuponsomeofthewordsshehadsolovinglywritten，andseethemexistingonlyinmutilatedformswithoutmeaning——tofeelthathiseyewouldneverreadthem，nobodyeverknowhowardentlyshehadpennedthem。
Pityforone'sselfforbeingwastedismostlypresentinthesemoodsofabnegation。
Themeaningofallhisallusions，hisabruptnessintellingherofhislove，hisconstraintatfirst，thenhisdesperatemannerofspeaking，wasclear。Theymusthavebeenthelastflickeringsofaconsciencenotquitedeadtoallsenseofperfidiousnessandfickleness。NowhehadgonetoLondon：shewouldbedismissedfromhismemory，inthesamewayasMissAldclyffehadsaid。AndhereshewasinEdward'sownparish，remindedcontinuallyofhimbywhatshesawandheard。Thelandscape，yesterdaysomuchandsobrighttoher，wasnowbutasthebanquet-halldeserted——allgonebutherself。
MissAldclyffehadwormedhersecretoutofher，andwouldnowbecontinuallymockingherforhertrustingsimplicityinbelievinghim。Itwasaltogetherunbearable：shewouldnotstaythere。
ShewentdownstairsandfoundMissAldclyffehadgoneintothebreakfast-room，butthatCaptainAldclyffe，whoroselaterwithincreasinginfirmities，hadnotyetmadehisappearance。Cythereaentered。MissAldclyffewaslookingoutofthewindow，watchingatrailofwhitesmokealongthedistantlandscape——signifyingapassingtrain。AtCytherea'sentrysheturnedandlookedinquiry。
'Imusttellyounow，'beganCytherea，inatremulousvoice。
'Well，what？'MissAldclyffesaid。
'Iamnotgoingtostaywithyou。Imustgoaway——averylongway。
Iamverysorry，butindeedIcan'tremain！'
'Pooh——whatshallwehearnext？'MissAldclyffesurveyedCytherea'sfacewithleisurelycriticism。'YouarebreakingyourheartagainaboutthatworthlessyoungSpringrove。Iknewhowitwouldbe。ItisasHallamsaysofJuliet——whatlittlereasonyoumayhavepossessedoriginallyhasallbeenwhirledawaybythislove。I
shan'ttakethisnotice，mind。'
'Doletmego！'
MissAldclyffetookhernewpet'shand，andsaidwithseverity，'Astohinderingyou，ifyouaredeterminedtogo，ofcoursethat'sabsurd。Butyouarenotnowinastateofmindfitfordecidinguponanysuchproceeding，andIshallnotlistentowhatyouhavetosay。Now，Cythie，comewithme；we'llletthisvolcanoburstandspenditself，andafterthatwe'llseewhathadbetterbedone。'
ShetookCythereaintoherworkroom，openedadrawer，anddrewfortharolloflinen。
'ThisissomeembroideryIbeganoneday，andnowIshouldlikeitfinished。'
ShethenprecededthemaidenupstairstoCytherea'sownroom。
'There，'shesaid，'nowsitdownhere，goonwiththiswork，andrememberonething——thatyouarenottoleavetheroomonanypretextwhateverfortwohoursunlessIsendforyou——Iinsistkindly，dear。Whilstyoustitch——youaretostitch，recollect，andnotgomooningoutofthewindow——thinkoverthewholematter，andgetcooled；don'tletthefoolishlove-affairpreventyourthinkingasawomanoftheworld。Ifattheendofthattimeyoustillsayyoumustleaveme，youmay。Iwillhavenomoretosayinthematter。Come，sitdown，andpromisetositherethetimeIname。'
Toheartsinadespairingmood，compulsionseemsarelief；anddocilitywasatalltimesnaturaltoCytherea。Shepromised，andsatdown。MissAldclyffeshutthedooruponherandretreated。
Shesewed，stoppedtothink，shedatearortwo，recollectedthearticlesofthetreaty，andsewedagain；andatlengthfellintoareveriewhichtooknoaccountwhateverofthelapseoftime。
4。TENTOTWELVEO'CLOCKA。M。
Aquarterofanhourmighthavepassedwhenherthoughtsbecameattractedfromthepasttothepresentbyunwontedmovementsdownstairs。Sheopenedthedoorandlistened。
Therewerehurryingsalongpassages，openingandshuttingofdoors，tramplinginthestable-yard。Shewentacrossintoanotherbedroom，fromwhichaviewofthestable-yardcouldbeobtained，andarrivedtherejustintimetoseethefigureofthemanwhohaddrivenherfromthestationvanishingdownthecoach-roadonablackhorse——
gallopingatthetopoftheanimal'sspeed。
Anothermanwentoffinthedirectionofthevillage。
Whateverhadoccurred，itdidnotseemtobeherdutytoinquireormeddlewithit，strangeranddependentasshewas，unlessshewererequestedto，especiallyafterMissAldclyffe'sstrictchargetoher。Shesatdownagain，determinedtoletnoidlecuriosityinfluencehermovements。
Herwindowcommandedthefrontofthehouse；andthenextthingshesawwasaclergymanwalkupandenterthedoor。
Allwassilentagaintill，alongtimeafterthefirstmanhadleft，hereturnedagainonthesamehorse，nowmattedwithsweatandtrottingbehindacarriageinwhichsatanelderlygentlemandrivenbyaladinlivery。Thesecametothehouse，entered，andallwasagainthesameasbefore。
Thewholehousehold——master，mistress，andservants——appearedtohaveforgottentheveryexistenceofsuchabeingasCytherea。Shealmostwishedshehadnotvowedtohavenoidlecuriosity。
Half-an-hourlater，thecarriagedroveoffwiththeelderlygentleman，andtwoorthreemessengersleftthehouse，speedinginvariousdirections。Rusticsinsmock-frocksbegantohangabouttheroadoppositethehouse，orleanagainsttrees，lookingidlyatthewindowsandchimneys。
AtapcametoCytherea'sdoor。Sheopenedittoayoungmaid-
servant。
'MissAldclyffewishestoseeyou，ma'am。'Cythereahasteneddown。
MissAldclyffewasstandingonthehearthrug，herelbowonthemantel，herhandtohertemples，hereyesontheground；perfectlycalm，butverypale。
'Cytherea，'shesaidinawhisper，'comehere。'
Cythereawentclose。
'Somethingveryserioushastakenplace，'shesaidagain，andthenpaused，withatremulousmovementofhermouth。
'Yes，'saidCytherea。
'Myfather。Hewasfounddeadinhisbedthismorning。'
'Dead！'echoedtheyoungerwoman。Itseemedimpossiblethattheannouncementcouldbetrue；thatknowledgeofsogreatafactcouldbecontainedinastatementsosmall。
'Yes，dead，'murmuredMissAldclyffesolemnly。'Hediedalone，thoughwithinafewfeetofme。Theroomwesleptinisexactlyoverhisown。'
Cythereasaidhurriedly，'Dotheyknowatwhathour？'
'Thedoctorsaysitmusthavebeenbetweentwoandthreeo'clockthismorning。'
'ThenIheardhim！'
'Heardhim？'
'Heardhimdie！'
'Youheardhimdie？Whatdidyouhear？'
'AsoundIheardoncebeforeinmylife——atthedeathbedofmymother。Icouldnotidentifyit——thoughIrecognizedit。Thenthedoghowled：youremarkedit。IdidnotthinkitworthwhiletotellyouwhatIhadheardalittleearlier。'Shelookedagonized。
'Itwouldhavebeenuseless，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Allwasoverbythattime。'SheaddressedherselfasmuchasCythereawhenshecontinued，'IsitaProvidencewhosentyouhereatthisjuncturethatImightnotbeleftentirelyalone？'
TillthisinstantMissAldclyffehadforgottenthereasonofCytherea'sseclusioninherownroom。SohadCythereaherself。Thefactnowrecurredtobothinonemoment。
'Doyoustillwishtogo？'saidMissAldclyffeanxiously。
'Idon'twanttogonow，'Cythereahadremarkedsimultaneouslywiththeother'squestion。ShewasponderingonthestrangelikenesswhichMissAldclyffe'sbereavementboretoherown；ithadtheappearanceofbeingstillanothercalltohernottoforsakethiswomansolinkedtoherlife，forthesakeofanytrivialvexation。
MissAldclyffeheldheralmostasaloverwouldhaveheldher，andsaidmusingly——
'Wegetmoreandmoreintoonegroove。Inowamleftfatherlessandmotherlessasyouwere。'Othertieslaybehindinherthoughts，butshedidnotmentionthem。
'Youlovedyourfather，Cytherea，andweptforhim？'
'Yes，Idid。Poorpapa！'
'Iwasalwaysatvariancewithmine，andcan'tweepforhimnow！
Butyoumuststayherealways，andmakeabetterwomanofme。'
Thecompactwasthussealed，andCytherea，inspiteofthefailureofheradvertisements，wasinstalledasaveritableCompanion。And，oncemoreinthehistoryofhumanendeavour，apositionwhichitwasimpossibletoreachbyanydirectattempt，wascometobytheseeker'sswervingfromthepath，andregardingtheoriginalobjectasoneofsecondaryimportance。
VII。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENDAYS
1。AUGUSTTHESEVENTEENTH
Thetimeofdaywasfouro'clockintheafternoon。Theplacewasthelady'sstudyorboudoir，KnapwaterHouse。ThepersonwasMissAldclyffesittingtherealone，clothedindeepmourning。
ThefuneraloftheoldCaptainhadtakenplace，andhiswillhadbeenread。Itwasveryconcise，andhadbeenexecutedaboutfiveyearsprevioustohisdeath。Itwasattestedbyhissolicitors，Messrs。NyttletonandTayling，ofLincoln'sInnFields。Thewholeofhisestate，realandpersonal，wasbequeathedtohisdaughterCytherea，forhersoleandabsoluteuse，subjectonlytothepaymentofalegacytotherector，theirrelative，andafewsmallamountstotheservants。
MissAldclyffehadnotchosentheeasiestchairofherboudoirtositin，orevenachairofordinarycomfort，butanuncomfortable，high，narrow-backed，oakframedandseatedchair，whichwasallowedtoremainintheroomonlyonthegroundofbeingacompanioninartisticquaintnesstoanoldcofferbesideit，andwasneverusedexcepttostandintoreachforabookfromthehighestrowofshelves。Butshehadsaterectinthischairformorethananhour，forthereasonthatshewasutterlyunconsciousofwhatheractionsandbodilyfeelingswere。Thechairhadstoodnearestherpathonenteringtheroom，andshehadgonetoitinadream。
Shesatintheattitudewhichdenotesunflagging，intense，concentratedthought——asifshewerecastinbronze。Herfeetweretogether，herbodybentalittleforward，andquiteunsupportedbythebackofthechair；herhandsonherknees，hereyesfixedintentlyonthecornerofafootstool。
Atlastshemovedandtappedherfingersuponthetableatherside。
Herpent-upideashadfinallyfoundsomechanneltoadvancein。
Motionsbecamemoreandmorefrequentasshelabouredtocarryfurtherandfurthertheproblemwhichoccupiedherbrain。Shesatbackanddrewalongbreath：shesatsidewaysandleantherforeheaduponherhand。Laterstillshearose，walkedupanddowntheroom——atfirstabstractedly，withherfeaturesasfirmlysetasever；butbydegreesherbrowrelaxed，herfootstepsbecamelighterandmoreleisurely；herheadrodegracefullyandwasnolongerbowed。Sheplumedherselflikeaswanafterexertion。
'Yes，'shesaidaloud。'TogetHIMherewithoutlettinghimknowthatIhaveanyotherobjectthanthatofgettingausefulman——
that'sthedifficulty——andthatIthinkIcanmaster。'
Sherangforthenewmaid，aplacidwomanoffortywithafewgreyhairs。
'AskMissGrayeifshecancometome。'
Cythereawasnotfaroff，andcamein。
'Doyouknowanythingaboutarchitectsandsurveyors？'saidMissAldclyffeabruptly。
'Knowanything？'repliedCytherea，poisingherselfonhertoetoconsiderthecompassofthequestion。
'Yes——knowanything，'saidMissAldclyffe。
'Owenisanarchitectandsurveyor'sdraughtsman，'themaidensaid，andthoughtofsomebodyelsewhowaslikewise。
'Yes！that'swhyIaskedyou。Whatarethedifferentkindsofworkcomprisedinanarchitect'spractice？Theylayoutestates，andsuperintendthevariousworksdoneuponthem，Ishouldthink，amongotherthings？'
'Thoseare，moreproperly，alandorbuildingsteward'sduties——atleastIhavealwaysimaginedso。Countryarchitectsincludethosethingsintheirpractice；cityarchitectsdon't。'
'Iknowthat，child。Butasteward'sisanindefinitefastandlooseprofession，itseemstome。Shouldn'tyouthinkthatamanwhohadbeenbroughtupasanarchitectwoulddoforasteward？'
Cythereahaddoubtswhetheranarchitectpurewoulddo。
Thechiefpleasureconnectedwithaskinganopinionliesinnotadoptingit。MissAldclyffereplieddecisively——
'Nonsense；ofcoursehewould。YourbrotherOwenmakesplansforcountrybuildings——suchascottages，stables，homesteads，andsoon？'
'Yes；hedoes。'
'Andsuperintendsthebuildingofthem？'
'Yes；hewillsoon。'
'Andhesurveysland？'
'Oyes。'
'Andheknowsabouthedgesandditches——howwidetheyoughttobe，boundaries，levelling，plantingtreestokeepawaythewinds，measuringtimber，housesforninety-nineyears，andsuchthings？'
'Ihaveneverheardhimsaythat；butIthinkMr。Gradfielddoesthosethings。Owen，Iamafraid，isinexperiencedasyet。'
'Yes；yourbrotherisnotoldenoughforsuchapostyet，ofcourse。
Andthentherearerent-days，theauditandwindingupoftradesmen'saccounts。Iamafraid，Cytherea，youdon'tknowmuchmoreaboutthematterthanIdomyself……Iamgoingoutjustnow，'shecontinued。'Ishallnotwantyoutowalkwithmeto-day。
Runawaytilldinner-time。'
MissAldclyffewentoutofdoors，anddownthestepstothelawn：
thenturningtotheleft，throughashrubbery，sheopenedawicketandpassedintoaneglectedandleafycarriage-drive，leadingdownthehill。Thisshefollowedtillshereachedthepointofitsgreatestdepression，whichwasalsothelowestgroundinthewholegrove。
Thetreeshereweresointerlaced，andhungtheirbranchessoneartheground，thatawholesummer'sdaywasscarcelylongenoughtochangetheairpervadingthespotfromitsnormalstateofcoolnesstoevenatemporarywarmth。Theunvaryingfreshnesswashelpedbythenearnessofthegroundtothelevelofthesprings，andbythepresenceofadeep，sluggishstreamcloseby，equallywellshadedbybushesandahighwall。Followingtheroad，whichnowranalongatthemarginofthestream，shecametoanopeninginthewall，ontheothersideofthewater，revealingalargerectangularnookfromwhichthestreamproceeded，coveredwithfroth，andaccompaniedbyadullroar。Twomoresteps，andshewasoppositethenook，infullviewofthecascadeformingitsfurtherboundary。Overthetopcouldbeseenthebrightouterskyintheformofacrescent，causedbythecurveofabridgeacrosstherapids，andthetreesabove。
Beautifulaswasthesceneshedidnotlookinthatdirection。Thesamestanding-groundaffordedanotherprospect，straightinthefront，lesssombrethanthewaterontherightorthetreesallaround。Theavenueandgrovewhichflankeditabruptlyterminatedafewyardsahead，wherethegroundbegantorise，andontheremoteedgeofthegreenswardthuslaidopen，stoodallthatremainedoftheoriginalmanor-house，towhichthedarkmargin-lineofthetreesintheavenueformedanadequateandwell-fittingframe。ItwasthepicturethuspresentedthatwasnowinterestingMissAldclyffe——notartisticallyorhistorically，butpractically——asregardeditsfitnessforadaptationtomodernrequirements。
Infront，detachedfromeverythingelse，rosethemostancientportionofthestructure——anoldarchedgateway，flankedbythebasesoftwosmalltowers，andnearlycoveredwithcreepers，whichhadclamberedovertheeavesofthesinkingroof，andupthegabletothecrestoftheAldclyffefamilyperchedontheapex。Behindthis，atadistanceoftenortwentyyards，cametheonlyportionofthemainbuildingthatstillexisted——anElizabethanfragment，consistingofasmuchascouldbecontainedunderthreegablesandacrossroofbehind。Againstthewallcouldbeseenraggedlinesindicatingtheformofotherdestroyedgableswhichhadoncejoineditthere。Themullionedandtransomedwindows，containingfiveorsixlights，weremostlybrickeduptotheextentoftwoorthree，andtheremainingportionfittedwithcottagewindow-framescarelesslyinserted，tosuitthepurposetowhichtheoldplacewasnowapplied，itbeingpartitionedoutintosmallroomsdownstairstoformcottagesfortwolabourersandtheirfamilies；theupperportionwasarrangedasastorehousefordiverskindsofrootsandfruit。
Theownerofthepicturesquespot，afterhersurveyfromthispoint，wentuptothewallsandwalkedintotheoldcourt，wherethepaving-stoneswerepushedsidewaysandupwardsbythethrustofthegrassesbetweenthem。Twoorthreelittlechildren，withtheirfingersintheirmouths，cameouttolookather，andthenranintotelltheirmothersinloudtonesofsecrecythatMissAldclyffewascoming。MissAldclyffe，however，didnotcomein。Sheconcludedhersurveyoftheexteriorbymakingacompletecircuitofthebuilding；thenturnedintoanookashortdistanceoffwhereroundandsquaretimber，asaw-pit，planks，grindstones，heapsofbuildingstoneandbrick，explainedthatthespotwasthecentreofoperationsforthebuildingworkdoneontheestate。
Shepaused，andlookedaround。Amanwhohadseenherfromthewindowoftheworkshopsbehind，cameoutandrespectfullyliftedhishattoher。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadbeenseenwalkingoutsidethehousesinceherfather'sdeath。
'Strooden，couldtheOldHousebemadeadecentresidenceof，withoutmuchtrouble？'sheinquired。
Themechanicconsidered，andspokeaseachconsiderationcompleteditself。
'Youdon'tforget，ma'am，thattwo-thirdsoftheplaceisalreadypulleddown，orgonetoruin？'
'Yes；Iknow。'
'Andthatwhat'sleftmayalmostaswellbe，ma'am。'
'Whymayit？'
''Twassocutupinsidewhentheymadeitintocottages，thatthewholecarcaseisfullofcracks。'
'Stillbypullingdowntheinsertedpartitions，andaddingalittleoutside，itcouldbemadetoanswerthepurposeofanordinarysixoreight-roomedhouse？'
'Yes，ma'am。'
'Aboutwhatwoulditcost？'wasthequestionwhichhadinvariablycomenextineverycommunicationofthiskindtowhichthesuperintendingworkmanhadbeenapartyduringhiswholeexperience。
Tohissurprise，MissAldclyffedidnotputit。Themanthoughtherobjectinalteringanoldhousemusthavebeenanunusuallyabsorbingonenottopromptwhatwassoinstinctiveinownersashardlytorequireanypromptingatall。
'Thankyou：that'ssufficient，Strooden，'shesaid。'Youwillunderstandthatitisnotunlikelysomealterationmaybemadehereinashorttime，withreferencetothemanagementoftheaffairs。'
Stroodensaid'Yes，'inacomplexvoice，andlookeduneasy。
'DuringthelifeofCaptainAldclyffe，withyouastheforemanofworks，andhehimselfashisownsteward，everythingworkedwell。
Butnowitmaybenecessarytohaveasteward，whosemanagementwillencroachfurtheruponthingswhichhavehithertobeenleftinyourhandsthandidyourlatemaster's。WhatImeanis，thathewilldirectlyandindetailsuperintendall。'
'Then——Ishallnotbewanted，ma'am？'hefaltered。
'Oyes；ifyouliketostayonasforemanintheyardandworkshopsonly。Ishouldbesorrytoloseyou。However，youhadbetterconsider。Iwillsendforyouinafewdays。'
Leavinghimtosuspense，andalltheillsthatcameinitstrain——
distractedapplicationtohisduties，andanundefinednumberofsleeplessnightsanduntasteddinners，MissAldclyffelookedatherwatchandreturnedtotheHouse。Shewasabouttokeepanappointmentwithhersolicitor，Mr。Nyttleton，whohadbeentoBudmouth，andwascomingtoKnapwateronhiswaybacktoLondon。
2。AUGUSTTHETWENTIETH
OntheSaturdaysubsequenttoMr。Nyttleton'svisittoKnapwaterHouse，thesubjoinedadvertisementappearedintheFieldandtheBuildernewspapers：——
'LANDSTEWARD。
'AgentlemanofintegrityandprofessionalskillisrequiredimmediatelyfortheMANAGEMENTofanESTATE，containingabout1000
acres，uponwhichagriculturalimprovementsandtheerectionofbuildingsarecontemplated。Hemustbeamanofsuperioreducation，unmarried，andnotmorethanthirtyyearsofage。Considerablepreferencewillbeshownforonewhopossessesanartisticaswellasapracticalknowledgeofplanningandlayingout。Theremunerationwillconsistofasalaryof22Opounds，withtheoldmanor-houseasaresidence——AddressMessrs。NyttletonandTayling，solicitors，Lincoln'sInnFields。'
AcopyofeachpaperwassenttoMissAldclyffeonthedayofpublication。ThesameeveningshetoldCythereathatshewasadvertisingforasteward，whowouldliveattheoldmanor-house，showingherthepaperscontainingtheannouncement。
Whatwasthedriftofthatremark？thoughtthemaiden；orwasitmerelymadetoherinconfidentialintercourse，asotherarrangementsweretoldherdaily。Yetitseemedtohavemoremeaningthancommon。Sherememberedtheconversationaboutarchitectsandsurveyors，andherbrotherOwen。MissAldclyffeknewthathissituationwasprecarious，thathewaswelleducatedandpractical，andwasapplyinghimselfheartandsoultothedetailsoftheprofessionandallconnectedwithit。MissAldclyffemightbereadytotakehimifhecouldcompetesuccessfullywithotherswhowouldreply。Shehazardedaquestion：
'WoulditbedesirableforOwentoanswerit？'
'Notatall，'saidMissAldclyffeperemptorily。
AflatanswerofthiskindhadceasedtoalarmCytherea。MissAldclyffe'sbluntmoodwasnotherworst。Cythereathoughtofanotherman，whosename，inspiteofresolves，tears，renunciationsandinjuredpride，lingeredinherearslikeanoldfamiliarstrain。
Thatmanwasqualifiedforastewardshipunderaking。
'WoulditbeofanyuseifEdwardSpringroveweretoanswerit？'shesaid，resolutelyenunciatingthename。
'Nonewhatever，'repliedMissAldclyffe，againinthesamedecidedtone。
'Youareveryunkindtospeakinthatway。'
'Nowdon'tpoutlikeagoosie，asyouare。Idon'twantmenlikeeitherofthem，for，ofcourse，Imustlooktothegoodoftheestateratherthantothatofanyindividual。ThemanIwantmusthavebeenmorespeciallyeducated。IhavetoldyouthatwearegoingtoLondonnextweek；itismostlyonthisaccount。'
CythereafoundthatshehadmistakenthedriftofMissAldclyffe'speculiarexplicitnessonthesubjectofadvertising，andwrotetotellherbrotherthatifhesawthenoticeitwouldbeuselesstoreply。
3。AUGUSTTHETWENTY-FIFTH
Fivedaysaftertheabove-mentioneddialoguetookplacetheywenttoLondon，and，withscarcelyaminute'spause，tothesolicitors'
officesinLincoln'sInnFields。
Theyalightedoppositeoneofthecharacteristicentrancesabouttheplace——agatewhichwasnever，andcouldneverbe，closed，flankedbylamp-standardscarryingnolamp。Rustwastheonlyactiveagenttobeseenthereatthistimeofthedayandyear。Thepalingsalongthefrontwererustedawayattheirbasetothethinnessofwires，andthesuccessivecoatsofpaint，withwhichtheywereoverlaidinbygonedays，hadbeencompletelyunderminedbythesameinsidiouscanker，whichliftedoffthepaintinflakes，leavingtherawsurfaceoftheirononpalings，standards，andgatehinges，ofastaringblood-red。
Butonceinsidetherailingsthepicturechanged。Thecourtandofficeswereacompletecontrasttothegrandruinoftheoutworkwhichenclosedthem。Well-paintedrespectabilityextendedover，within，andaroundthedoorstep；andinthecarefullysweptyardnotaparticleofdustwasvisible。
Mr。Nyttleton，whohadjustcomeupfromMargate，wherehewasstayingwithhisfamily，wasstandingatthetopofhisownstaircaseasthepairascended。Hepolitelytooktheminside。
'Isthereacomfortableroominwhichthisyoungladycansitduringourinterview？'saidMissAldclyffe。
ItwasratherafavouritehabitofherstomakemuchofCythereawhentheywereout，andsnubherforitafterwardswhentheygothome。
'Certainly——Mr。Tayling's。'Cythereawasshownintoaninnerroom。
Socialdefinitionsareallmaderelatively：anabsolutedatumisonlyimagined。ThesmallgentryaboutKnapwaterseemedunpractisedtoMissAldclyffe，MissAldclyffeherselfseemedunpractisedtoMr。
Nyttleton'sexperiencedoldeyes。
'Nowthen，'theladysaid，whenshewasalonewiththelawyer；'whatistheresultofouradvertisement？'
Itwaslatesummer；theestate-agency，building，engineering，andsurveyingworldsweredull。Therewereforty-fiverepliestotheadvertisement。
Mr。NyttletonspreadthemonebyonebeforeMissAldclyffe。'Youwillprobablyliketoreadsomeofthemyourself，madam？'hesaid。
'Yes，certainly，'saidshe。
'Iwillnottroubleyouwiththosewhicharefrompersonsmanifestlyunfitatfirstsight，'hecontinued；andbeganselectingfromtheheaptwosandthreeswhichhehadmarked，collectingothersintohishand。
'Themanwewantliesamongthese，ifmyjudgmentdoesn'tdeceiveme，andfromthemitwouldbeadvisabletoselectacertainnumbertobecommunicatedwith。'
'Ishouldliketoseeeveryone——onlyjusttoglancethemover——
exactlyastheycame，'shesaidsuasively。
Helookedasifhethoughtthisawasteofhistime，butdismissinghissentimentunfoldedeachsinglyandlaiditbeforeher。Ashelaidthemout，itstruckhimthatshestudiedthemquiteasrapidlyashecouldspreadthem。Heslylyglancedupfromtheoutercornerofhiseyetohers，andnoticedthatallshedidwaslookatthenameatthebottomoftheletter，andthenputtheenclosureasidewithoutfurtherceremony。Hethoughtthisanoddwayofinquiringintothemeritsofforty-fivemenwhoatconsiderabletroublegaveindetailreasonswhytheybelievedthemselveswellqualifiedforacertainpost。Shecametothefinalone，andputitdownwiththerest。
Thentheladysaidthatinheropinionitwouldbebesttogetasmanyrepliesastheypossiblycouldbeforeselecting——'togiveusawiderchoice。Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Nyttleton？'
Itseemedtohim，hesaid，thatagreaternumberthanthosetheyalreadyhadwouldscarcelybenecessary，andiftheywaitedformore，therewouldbethisdisadvantageattendingit，thatsomeofthosetheynowcouldcommandwouldpossiblynotbeavailable。
'Nevermind，wewillrunthatrisk，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Lettheadvertisementbeinsertedoncemore，andthenwewillcertainlysettlethematter。'
Mr。Nyttletonbowed，andseemedtothinkMissAldclyffe，forasinglewoman，andonewhotillsoveryrecentlyhadneverconcernedherselfwithbusinessofanykind，averymeddlesomeclient。Butshewasrich，andhandsomestill。'She'sanewbroominestate-
managementasyet，'hethought。'Shewillsoongettiredofthis，'
andhepartedfromherwithoutasentimentwhichcouldmarhishabitualblandness。
Thetwoladiesthenproceededwestward。DismissingthecabinWaterlooPlace，theywentalongPallMallonfoot，whereinplaceoftheusualwell-dressedclubbists——rubicundwithalcohol——weretobeseen，inlinenpinafores，flocksofhouse-painterspallidfromwhitelead。WhentheyhadreachedtheGreenPark，Cythereaproposedthattheyshouldsitdownawhileundertheyoungelmsatthebrowofthehill。Thistheydid——thegrowlofPiccadillyontheirlefthand——
themonasticseclusionofthePalaceontheirright：beforethem，theclocktoweroftheHousesofParliament，standingforthwithametalliclustreagainstalividLambethsky。
MissAldclyffestillcarriedinherhandacopyofthenewspaper，andwhileCythereahadbeeninterestingherselfinthepicturearound，glancedagainattheadvertisement。
Sheheavedaslightsigh，andbegantofolditupagain。Intheactionhereyecaughtsightoftwoconsecutiveadvertisementsonthecover，onerelatingtosomelectureonArt，andaddressedtomembersoftheInstituteofArchitects。Theotheremanatedfromthesamesource，butwasaddressedtothepublic，andstatedthattheexhibitionofdrawingsattheInstitute'sroomswouldcloseattheendofthatweek。
Hereyelightedup。ShesentCythereabacktothehotelinacab，thenturnedroundbyPiccadillyintoBondStreet，andproceededtotheroomsoftheInstitute。Thesecretarywassittinginthelobby。
Aftermakingherpayment，andlookingatafewofthedrawingsonthewalls，inthecompanyofthreegentlemen，theonlyothervisitorstotheexhibition，sheturnedbackandaskedifshemightbeallowedtoseealistofthemembers。Shewasalittleconnectedwiththearchitecturalworld，shesaid，withasmile，andwasinterestedinsomeofthenames。
'Hereitis，madam，'hereplied，politelyhandingherapamphletcontainingthenames。
MissAldclyffeturnedtheleavestillshecametotheletterM。Thenameshehopedtofindtherewasthere，withtheaddressappended，aswasthecasewithalltherest。
TheaddresswasatsomechambersinastreetnotfarfromCharingCross。'Chambers，'asaresidence，hadalwaysbeenassumedbytheladytoimplytheconditionofabachelor。Shemurmuredtwowords，'Therestill。'
Anotherrequesthadyettobemade，butitwasofamorenoticeablekindthanthefirst，andmightcompromisethesecrecywithwhichshewishedtoactthroughoutthisepisode。Herobjectwastogetoneoftheenvelopeslyingonthesecretary'stable，stampedwiththedieoftheInstitute；andinordertogetitshewasabouttoaskifshemightwriteanote。
Butthesecretary'sbackchancedtobeturned，andhenowwenttowardsoneofthemenattheotherendoftheroom，whohadcalledhimtoasksomequestionrelatingtoanetchingonthewall。Quickasthought，MissAldclyffestoodbeforethetable，slippedherhandbehindher，tookoneoftheenvelopesandputitinherpocket。
Shesaunteredroundtheroomsfortwoorthreeminuteslonger，thenwithdrewandreturnedtoherhotel。
HereshecuttheKnapwateradvertisementfromthepaper，putitintotheenvelopeshehadstolen，embossedwiththesociety'sstamp，anddirecteditinaroundclerklyhandtotheaddressshehadseeninthelistofmembers'namessubmittedtoher：——
AENEASMANSTON，ESQ。，WYKEHAMCHAMBERS，SPRINGGARDENS。
Thisendedherfirstday'sworkinLondon。
4。FROMAUGUSTTHETWENTY-SIXTHTOSEPTEMBERTHEFIRST
ThetwoCythereascontinuedattheWestminsterHotel，MissAldclyffeinforminghercompanionthatbusinesswoulddetaintheminLondonanotherweek。Thedayspassedasslowlyandquietlyasdayscanpassinacityatthattimeoftheyear，theshutteredwindowsaboutthesquaresandterracesconfrontingtheireyeslikethewhiteandsightlessorbsofblindmen。OnThursdayMr。Nyttletoncalled，bringingthewholenumberofrepliestotheadvertisement。Cythereawaspresentattheinterview，byMissAldclyffe'srequest——eitherfromwhimordesign。
Tenadditionallettersweretheresultofthesecondweek'sinsertion，makingfifty-fiveinall。MissAldclyffelookedthemoverasbefore。Onewassigned——
AENEASMANSTON，133，TURNGATESTREET，LIVERPOOL。
'Now，then，Mr。Nyttleton，willyoumakeaselection，andIwilladdoneortwo，'MissAldclyffesaid。
Mr。Nyttletonscannedthewholeheapofletters，testimonials，andreferences，sortingthemintotwoheaps。Manston'smissive，afteramereglance，wasthrownamongstthesummarilyrejectedones。
MissAldclyfferead，orpretendedtoreadafterthelawyer。Whenhehadfinished，fivelayinthegrouphehadselected。'Wouldyouliketoaddtothenumber？'hesaid，turningtothelady。
'No，'shesaidcarelessly。'Well，twoorthreeadditionalonesrathertookmyfancy，'sheadded，searchingforsomeinthelargercollection。
Shedrewoutthree。OnewasManston's。
'Theseeight，then，shallbecommunicatedwith，'saidthelawyer，takinguptheeightlettersandplacingthembythemselves。
Theystoodup。'IfImyself，MissAldclyffe，wereonlyconcernedpersonally，'hesaid，inanoff-handway，andholdingupalettersingly，'Ishouldchoosethismanunhesitatingly。Hewriteshonestly，isnotafraidtonamewhathedoesnotconsiderhimselfwellacquaintedwith——ararethingtofindinanswerstoadvertisements；heiswellrecommended，andpossessessomequalitiesrarelyfoundincombination。Oddlyenough，heisnotreallyasteward。Hewasbredafarmer，studiedbuildingaffairs，servedonanestateforsometime，thenwentwithanarchitect，andisnowwellqualifiedasarchitect，estateagent，andsurveyor。Thatmanissuretohaveafineheadforamanorlikeyours。'Hetappedtheletterashespoke。'Yes，Ishouldchoosehimwithouthesitation——
speakingpersonally。'
'AndIthink，'shesaidartificially，'Ishouldchoosethisoneasamatterofmerepersonalwhim，which，ofcourse，can'tbegivenwaytowhenpracticalquestionshavetobeconsidered。'
Cytherea，afterlookingoutofthewindow，andthenatthenewspapers，hadbecomeinterestedintheproceedingsbetweenthecleverMissAldclyffeandthekeenoldlawyer，whichremindedherofagameatcards。Shelookedinquiringlyatthetwoletters——oneinMissAldclyffe'shand，theotherinMr。Nyttleton's。
'Whatisthenameofyourman？'saidMissAldclyffe。
'Hisname——'saidthelawyer，lookingdownthepage；'whatishisname？——itisEdwardSpringrove。'
MissAldclyffeglancedtowardsCytherea，whowasgettingredandpalebyturns。ShelookedimploringlyatMissAldclyffe。
'Thenameofmyman，'saidMissAldclyffe，lookingatherletterinturn；'is，Ithink——yes——AEneasManston。'
5。SEPTEMBERTHETHIRD
Thenextmorningbutonewasappointedfortheinterviews，whichweretobeatthelawyer'soffices。Mr。NyttletonandMr。Taylingwerebothintownfortheday，andthecandidateswereadmittedonebyoneintoaprivateroom。InthewindowrecesswasseatedMissAldclyffe，wearingherveildown。
Thelawyerhad，inhisletterstotheselectednumber，timedeachcandidateatanintervaloftenorfifteenminutesfromthoseprecedingandfollowing。Theywereshowninastheyarrived，andhadshortconversationswithMr。Nyttleton——terse，andtothepoint。
MissAldclyffeneithermovednorspokeduringthisproceeding；itmighthavebeensupposedthatshewasquiteunmindfulofit，haditnotbeenforwhatwasrevealedbyakeenpenetrationoftheveilcoveringhercountenance——theraysfromtwobrightblackeyes，directedtowardsthelawyerandhisinterlocutor。
Springrovecamefifth；Manstonseventh。Whentheexaminationofallwasended，andthelastmanhadretired，Nyttleton，againasattheformertime，blandlyaskedhisclientwhichoftheeightshepersonallypreferred。'Istillthinkthefifthwespoketo，Springrove，themanwhoseletterIpounceduponatfirst，tobebyfarthebestqualified，inshort，mostsuitablegenerally。'
'IamsorrytosaythatIdifferfromyou；Ileantomyfirstnotionstill——thatMr——Mr。Manstonismostdesirableintoneandbearing，andevenspecifically；Ithinkhewouldsuitmebestinthelong-
run。'
Mr。Nyttletonlookedoutofthewindowatthewhitenedwallofthecourt。
'Ofcourse，madam，youropinionmaybeperfectlysoundandreliable；
asortofinstinct，Iknow，oftenleadsladiesbyashortcuttoconclusionstruerthanthosecometobymenafterlaboriousround-
aboutcalculations，basedonlongexperience。ImustsayI
shouldn'trecommendhim。'
'Why，pray？'
'Well，letuslookfirstathisletterofanswertotheadvertisement。Hedidn'treplytillthelastinsertion；that'sonething。Hisletterisboldandfrankintone，soboldandfrankthatthesecondthoughtafterreadingitisthatnothonesty，butunscrupulousnessofconsciencedictatedit。Itiswritteninanindifferentmood，asifhefeltthathewashumbuggingusinhisstatementthathewastherightmanforsuchanoffice，thathetriedhardtogetitonlyasamatterofformwhichrequiredthatheshouldneglectnoopportunitythatcameinhisway。'
'Youmayberight，Mr。Nyttleton，butIdon'tquiteseethegroundsofyourreasoning。'
'Hehasbeen，asyouperceive，almostentirelyusedtotheofficedutiesofacityarchitect，theexperiencewedon'twant。Youwantamanwhoseacquaintancewithrurallandedpropertiesismorepracticalandcloser——somebodywho，ifhehasnotfilledexactlysuchanofficebefore，haslivedacountrylife，knowstheinsandoutsofcountrytenancies，building，farming，andsoon。'
'He'sbyfarthemostintellectuallookingofthemall。'
'Yes；hemaybe——youropinion，MissAldclyffe，isworthmorethanmineinthatmatter。Andmorethanyousay，heisamanofparts——
hisbrainpowerwouldsoonenablehimtomasterdetailsandfithimforthepost，Idon'tmuchdoubtthat。Buttospeakclearly'herehiswordsstartedoffatajog-trot'Iwouldn'truntheriskofplacingthemanagementofanestateofmineinhishandsonanyaccountwhatever。There，that'sflatandplain，madam。'
'But，definitely，'shesaid，withashowofimpatience，'whatisyourreason？'
'Heisavoluptuarywithactivity；whichisaverybadformofman——
asbadasitisrare。'
'Oh。Thankyouforyourexplicitstatement，Mr。Nyttleton，'saidMissAldclyffe，startingalittleandflushingwithdispleasure。
Mr。Nyttletonnoddedslightly，asasortofneutralmotion，simplysignifyingareceiptoftheinformation，goodorbad。
'AndIreallythinkitishardlyworthwhiletotroubleyoufurtherinthis，'continuedthelady。'He'squitegoodenoughforalittleinsignificantplacelikemineatKnapwater；andIknowthatIcouldnotgetonwithoneoftheothersforasinglemonth。We'lltryhim。'
'Certainly，MissAldclyffe，'saidthelawyer。AndMr。Manstonwaswrittento，totheeffectthathewasthesuccessfulcompetitor。
'Didyouseehowunmistakablyhertemperwasgettingthebetterofher，thatminuteyouwereintheroom？'saidNyttletontoTayling，whentheirclienthadleftthehouse。Nyttletonwasamanwhosurveyedeverybody'scharacterinasunlessandshadowlessnorthernlight。Aculpableslyness，whichmarkedhimasaboy，hadbeenmouldedbyTime，theImprover，intohonourablecircumspection。
Wefrequentlyfindthatthequalitywhich，conjoinedwiththesimplicityofthechild，isvice，isvirtuewhenitpervadestheknowledgeoftheman。
'Shewasasnearasdamn-ittoboilingoverwhenIaddedupherman，'continuedNyttleton。'Hishandsomefaceishisqualificationinhereyes。Theyhavemetbefore；Isawthat。'
'Hedidn'tseemconsciousofit，'saidthejunior。
'Hedidn't。Thatwasratherpuzzlingtome。Butstill，ifeverawoman'sfacespokeoutplainlythatshewasinlovewithaman，hersdidthatshewaswithhim。Pooroldmaid，she'salmostoldenoughtobehismother。IfthatManston'saschemerhe'llmarryher，assureasIamNyttleton。Let'shopehe'shonest，however。'
'Idon'tthinkshe'sinlovewithhim，'saidTayling。Hehadseenbutlittleofthepair，andyethecouldnotreconcilewhathehadnoticedinMissAldclyffe'sbehaviourwiththeideathatitwasthebearingofawomantowardsherlover。
'Well，yourexperienceofthefieryphenomenonismorerecentthanmine，'rejoinedNyttletoncarelessly。'Andyoumayrememberthenatureofitbest。'
VIII。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENDAYS
1。FROMTHETHIRDTOTHENINETEENTHOFSEPTEMBER
MissAldclyffe'stendernesstowardsCytherea，betweenthehoursofherirascibility，increasedtillitbecamenolessthandotingfondness。LikeNatureinthetropics，withherhurricanesandthesubsequentluxuriantvegetationeffacingtheirravages，MissAldclyffecompensatedforheroutburstsbyexcessofgenerosityafterwards。Sheseemedtobecompletelywonoutofherselfbyclosecontactwithayoungwomanwhosemodestywasabsolutelyunimpaired，andwhoseartlessnesswasasperfectaswascompatiblewiththecomplexitynecessarytoproducetheduecharmofwomanhood。
Cytherea，onherpart，perceivedwithhonestsatisfactionthatherinfluenceforgoodoverMissAldclyffewasconsiderable。Ideasandhabitspeculiartotheyounger，whichtheelderladyhadoriginallyimitatedasamerewhim，shegrewincourseoftimetotakeapositivedelightin。Amongotherswereeveningandmorningprayers，dreamingoverout-doorscenes，learningaversefromsomepoemwhilstdressing。
Yettrytoforcehersympathiesasmuchasshewould，Cythereacouldfeelnomorethanthankfulforthis，evenifshealwaysfeltasmuchasthankful。Themysteriouscloudhangingoverthepastlifeofhercompanion，ofwhichtheuncertainlightalreadythrownuponitonlyseemedtorenderstilldarkertheunpenetratedremainder，nourishedinherafeelingwhichwasscarcelytooslighttobecalleddread。
Shewouldhaveinfinitelypreferredtobetreateddistantly，asthemeredependent，bysuchachangeablenature——likeafountain，alwaysherself，yetalwaysanother。Thatacrimeofanydeepdyehadeverbeenperpetratedorparticipatedinbyhernamesake，shewouldnotbelieve；buttherecklessadventuringofthelady'syouthseemedconnectedwithdeedsofdarknessratherthanoflight。
SometimesMissAldclyffeappearedtobeonthepointofmakingsomeabsorbingconfidence，butreflectioninvariablyrestrainedher。
Cythereahopedthatsuchaconfidencewouldcomewithtime，andthatshemightthusbeameansofsoothingamindwhichhadobviouslyknownextremesuffering。
ButMissAldclyffe'sreticenceconcerningherpastwasnotimitatedbyCytherea。Thoughsheneverdisclosedtheonefactofherknowledgethatthelove-suitbetweenMissAldclyffeandherfatherterminatedabnormally，themaiden'snaturalingenuousnessonsubjectsnotsetdownforspecialguardhadenabledMissAldclyffetowormfromher，fragmentbyfragment，everydetailofherfather'shistory。CythereasawhowdeeplyMissAldclyffesympathized——anditcompensatedher，tosomeextent，forthehastyresentmentsofothertimes。
Thusuncertainlyshelivedon。ItwasperceivedbytheservantsoftheHousethatsomesecretbondofconnectionexistedbetweenMissAldclyffeandhercompanion。Buttheywerewomanandwoman，notwomanandman，thefactswereetherealandrefined，andsotheycouldnotbeworkedupintoatakingstory。Whether，asoldcriticsdisputed，asupernaturalmachinerybenecessarytoanepicorno，anungodlymachineryisdecidedlynecessarytoascandal。
AnotherletterhadcometoherfromEdward——veryshort，butfullofentreaty，askingwhyshewouldnotwritejustoneline——justonelineofcoldfriendshipatleast？Shethenallowedherselftothink，littlebylittle，whethershehadnotperhapsbeentooharshwithhim；andatlastwonderedifhewerereallymuchtoblameforbeingengagedtoanotherwoman。'Ah，Brain，thereisoneinmestrongerthanyou！'shesaid。Theyoungmaidnowcontinuallypulledouthisletter，readitandre-readit，almostcryingwithpitythewhile，tothinkwhatwretchedsuspensehemustbeenduringathersilence，tillherheartchidherforhercruelty。Shefeltthatshemustsendhimaline——onelittleline——justaweelinetokeephimalive，poorthing；sighinglikeDonnaClara——
'Ah，werehenowbeforeme，Inspiteofinjuredpride，IfearmyeyeswouldpardonBeforemytonguecouldchide。'
2。SEPTEMBERTHETWENTIETH。THREETOFOURP。M。
ItwasthethirdweekinSeptember，aboutfiveweeksafterCytherea'sarrival，whenMissAldclyfferequestedheronedaytogothroughthevillageofCarrifordandassistherselfincollectingthesubscriptionsmadebysomeoftheinhabitantsoftheparishtoareligioussocietyshepatronized。MissAldclyffeformedoneofwhatwascalledaLadies'Association，eachmemberofwhichcollectedtributarystreamsofshillingsfromherinferiors，toaddtoherownpoundattheend。
MissAldclyffetookparticularinterestinCytherea'sappearancethatafternoon，andtheobjectofherattentionwas，indeed，gratifyingtolookat。Thesightofthelithegirl，setoffbyanairydress，coquettishjacket，flexiblehat，arayofstarlightineacheyeandawarofliliesandrosesineachcheek，wasapalpablepleasuretothemistressofthemansion，yetapleasurewhichappearedtopartakelessofthenatureofaffectionatesatisfactionthanofmentalgratification。
EightnameswereprintedinthereportasbelongingtoMissAldclyffe'slist，withtheamountofsubscription-moneyattachedtoeach。
'Iwillcollectthefirstfour，whilstyoudothesamewiththelastfour，'saidMissAldclyffe。
ThenamesoftwotradespeoplestoodfirstinCytherea'sshare：thencameaMissHinton：lastofallintheprintedlistwasMr。
Springrovetheelder。Underneathhisnamewaspencilled，inMissAldclyffe'shandwriting，'Mr。Manston。'
Manstonhadarrivedontheestate，inthecapacityofsteward，threeorfourdayspreviously，andoccupiedtheoldmanor-house，whichhadbeenalteredandrepairedforhisreception。
'CallonMr。Manston，'saidtheladyimpressively，lookingatthenamewrittenunderCytherea'sportionofthelist。
'Buthedoesnotsubscribeyet？'
'Iknowit；butcallandleavehimareport。Don'tforgetit。'
'Sayyouwouldbepleasedifhewouldsubscribe？'
'Yes——sayIshouldbepleasedifhewould，'repeatedMissAldclyffe，smiling。'Good-bye。Don'thurryinyourwalk。Ifyoucan'tgeteasilythroughyourtaskto-dayputoffsomeofittillto-morrow。'
Eachthenstartedonherrounds：Cythereagoinginthefirstplacetotheoldmanor-house。Mr。Manstonwasnotindoors，whichwasarelieftoher。Shecalledthenonthetwogentleman-farmers'wives，whosoontransactedtheirbusinesswithher，frigidlyindifferenttoherpersonality。Apersonwhosociallyisnothingisthoughtlessofbypeoplewhoarenotmuchthanbythosewhoareagreatdeal。
ShethenturnedtowardsPeakhillCottage，theresidenceofMissHinton，wholivedtherehappilyenough，withanelderlyservantandahouse-dogascompanions。Herfather，andlastremainingparent，hadretiredthitherfouryearsbeforethistime，afterhavingfilledthepostofeditortotheCasterbridgeChronicleforeighteenortwentyyears。Therehediedsoonafter，andthoughcomparativelyapoorman，helefthisdaughtersufficientlywellprovidedforasamodestfundholderandclaimantofsundrysmallsumsindividendstomaintainherselfasmistressatPeakhill。
AtCytherea'sknockaninnerdoorwasheardtoopenandclose，andfootstepscrossedthepassagehesitatingly。ThenextminuteCythereastoodfacetofacewiththeladyherself。
AdelaideHintonwasaboutnine-and-twentyyearsofage。Herhairwasplentiful，likeCytherea'sown；herteethequalledCytherea'sinregularityandwhiteness。Butshewasmuchpaler，andhadfeaturestootransparenttobeinplaceamonghouseholdsurroundings。HermouthexpressedlovelessforciblythanCytherea's，and，asanaturalresultofhergreatermaturity，hertreadwaslesselastic，andshewasmoreself-possessed。
Shehadbeenagirlofthatkindwhichmotherspraiseasnotforward，bywayofcontrast，whendisparagingthosewarmeroneswithwhomlovingisanendandnotameans。Menofforty，too，saidofher，'agoodsensiblewifeforanyman，ifshecarestomarry，'thecaringtomarrybeingthrowninasthevaguesthypothesis，becauseshewassopractical。Yetitwouldbesingularif，insuchcases，theimportantsubjectofmarriageshouldbeexcludedfrommanipulationbyhandsthatarereadyforpracticalperformanceineverydomesticconcernbesides。