7。AQUARTER-PASTEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Thereisanattitude——approximativelycalledpensive——inwhichthesoulofahumanbeing，andespeciallyofawoman，dominatesoutwardlyandexpressesitspresencesostrongly，thattheintangibleessenceseemsmoreapparentthanthebodyitself。ThiswasCytherea'sexpressionnow。WhatolddaysandsunnyevesatBudmouthBaywasshepicturing？Herreveriehadcausedhernottonoticehisknock。
　　'Cytherea！'hesaidsoftly。
　　Sheletdropherhand，andturnedherhead，evidentlythinkingthathervisitorcouldbenootherthanManston，yetpuzzledatthevoice。
　　TherewasnoprefaceonSpringrove'stongue；heforgothisposition——
　　hers——thathehadcometoaskquietlyifManstonhadotherproofsofbeingawidower——everything——andjumpedtoaconclusion。
　　'Youarenothiswife，Cytherea——comeaway，hehasawifeliving！'
　　hecriedinanagitatedwhisper。'Owenwillbeheredirectly。'
　　Shestartedup，recognizedthetidingsfirst，thebearerofthemafterwards。'Nothiswife？O，whatisit——what——whoisliving？'
　　Sheawokebydegrees。'WhatmustIdo？Edward，itisyou！Whydidyoucome？WhereisOwen？'
　　'WhathasManstonshownyouinproofofthedeathofhisotherwife？
　　Tellmequick。'
　　'Nothing——wehaveneverspokenofthesubject。WhereismybrotherOwen？Iwanthim，Iwanthim！'
　　'Heiscomingby-and-by。Cometothestationtomeethim——do，'
　　imploredSpringrove。'IfMr。Manstoncomes，hewillkeepyoufromme：Iamnobody，'headdedbitterly，feelingthereproachherwordshadfaintlyshadowedforth。
　　'Mr。Manstonisonlygoneouttopostaletterhehasjustwritten，'
　　shesaid，andwithoutbeingdistinctlycognizantoftheaction，shewildlylookedforherbonnetandcloak，andbeganputtingthemon，butintheactoffasteningthemutteredaspasmodiccry。
　　'No，I'llnotgooutwithyou，'shesaid，flingingthearticlesdownagain。Runningtothedoorsheflittedalongthepassage，anddownstairs。
　　'Givemeaprivateroom——quiteprivate，'shesaidbreathlesslytosomeonebelow。
　　'Numbertwelveisasingleroom，madam，andunoccupied，'saidsometongueinastonishment。
　　Withoutwaitingforanypersontoshowherintoit，Cythereahurriedupstairsagain，brushedthroughthecorridor，enteredtheroomspecified，andclosedthedoor。Edwardheardhersobout——
　　'NobodybutOwenshallspeaktome——nobody！'
　　'Hewillbeheredirectly，'saidSpringrove，closeagainstthepanel，andthenwenttowardsthestairs。Hehadseenher；itwasenough。
　　Hedescended，steppedintothestreet，andhastenedtomeetOwenattherailway-station。
　　Asforthepoormaidenwhohadreceivedthenews，sheknewnotwhattothink。ShelistenedtilltheechoofEdward'sfootstepshaddiedaway，thenbowedherfaceuponthebed。Hersuddenimpulsehadbeentoescapefromsight。Herwearinessaftertheunwontedstrain，mentalandbodily，whichhadbeenputuponherbythescenesshehadpassedthroughduringthelongday，renderedhermuchmoretimidandshakenbyherpositionthanshewouldnaturallyhavebeen。Shethoughtandthoughtofthatsinglefactwhichhadbeentoldher——
　　thatthefirstMrs。Manstonwasstillliving——tillherbrainseemedreadytoburstitsconfinementwithexcessofthrobbing。Itwasonlynaturalthatsheshould，bydegrees，beunabletoseparatethediscovery，whichwasmatteroffact，fromthesuspicionoftreacheryonherhusband'spart，whichwasonlymatterofinference。Andthustherearoseinherapersonalfearofhim。
　　'Supposeheshouldcomeinnowandseizeme！'Thisatfirstmerefrenziedsuppositiongrewbydegreestoadefinitehorrorofhispresence，andespeciallyofhisintensegaze。Thussheraisedherselftoaheatofexcitement，whichwasnonethelessrealforbeingventedinnocryofanykind。No；shecouldnotmeetManston'seyealone，shewouldonlyseehiminherbrother'scompany。
　　Almostdeliriouswiththisidea，sheranandlockedthedoortopreventallpossibilityofherintentionsbeingnullified，oralookorwordbeingflungatherbyanybodywhilstsheknewnotwhatshewas。
　　8。HALF-PASTEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
　　ThenCythereafeltherwayamidthedarknessoftheroomtillshecametotheheadofthebed，whereshesearchedforthebell-ropeandgaveitapull。Hersummonswasspeedilyansweredbythelandladyherself，whosecuriositytoknowthemeaningofthesestrangeproceedingsknewnobounds。Thelandladyattemptedtoturnthehandleofthedoor。Cythereakeptthedoorlocked。'PleasetellMr。ManstonwhenhecomesthatIamill，'shesaidfromtheinside，'andthatIcannotseehim。'
　　'CertainlyIwill，madam，'saidthelandlady。'Won'tyouhaveafire？'
　　'No，thankyou。'
　　'Noralight？'
　　'Idon'twantone，thankyou。'
　　'Noranything？'
　　'Nothing。'
　　Thelandladywithdrew，thinkinghervisitorhalfinsane。
　　Manstoncameinaboutfiveminuteslater，andwentatonceuptothesitting-room，fullyexpectingtofindhiswifethere。Helookedround，rang，andwastoldthewordsCythereahadsaid，thatshewastooilltobeseen。
　　'Sheisinnumbertwelveroom，'addedthemaid。
　　Manstonwasalarmed，andknockedatthedoor。'Cytherea！'
　　'Iamunwell，Icannotseeyou，'shesaid。
　　'Areyouseriouslyill，dearest？Surelynot。'
　　'No，notseriously。'
　　'Letmecomein；Iwillgetadoctor。'
　　'No，hecan'tseemeeither。'
　　'Shewon'topenthedoor，sir，nottonobodyatall！'saidthechambermaid，withwonder-waitingeyes。
　　'Holdyourtongue，andbeoff！'saidManstonwithasnap。
　　Themaidvanished。
　　'Come，Cytherea，thisisfoolish——indeeditis——notopeningthedoor……Icannotcomprehendwhatcanbethematterwithyou。
　　Norcanadoctoreither，unlessheseesyou。'
　　Hervoicehadtrembledmoreandmoreateachanswershegave，butnothingcouldinducehertocomeoutandconfronthim。Hatingscenes，Manstonwentbacktothesitting-room，greatlyirritatedandperplexed。
　　AndthereCythereafromtheadjoiningroomcouldhearhimpacingupanddown。Shethought，'Supposeheinsistsuponseeingme——heprobablymay——andwillburstopenthedoor！'Thisnotionincreased，andshesankintoacornerinahalf-somnolentstate，butwithearsalivetotheslightestsound。ReasoncouldnotoverthrowthedeliriousfancythatoutsideherdoorstoodManstonandallthepeopleinthehotel，waitingtolaughhertoscorn。
　　9。HALF-PASTEIGHTTOELEVENP。M。
　　Inthemeantime，Springrovewaspacingupanddownthearrivalplatformoftherailway-station。Half-pasteighto'clock——thetimeatwhichOwen'strainwasdue——hadcome，andpassed，butnotrainappeared。
　　'Whenwilltheeight-thirtytrainbein？'heaskedofamanwhowassweepingthemudfromthesteps。
　　'Sheisnotexpectedyetthishour。'
　　'Howisthat？'
　　'Christmas-time，yousee，'tisalwaysso。Peoplearerunningabouttoseetheirfriends。ThetrainshavebeenlikeiteversinceChristmasEve，andwillbeforanotherweekyet。'
　　Edwardagainwentonwalkingandwaitingunderthedraughtyroof。
　　Hefounditutterlyimpossibletoleavethespot。HismindwassointentupontheimportanceofmeetingwithOwen，andinforminghimofCytherea'swhereabouts，thathecouldnotbutfancyOwenmightleavethestationunobservedifheturnedhisback，andbecomelosttohiminthestreetsofthetown。
　　Thehourexpired。Teno'clockstruck。'Whenwillthetrainbein？'
　　saidEdwardtothetelegraphclerk。
　　'Infive-and-thirtyminutes。She'snowatL。Theyhaveextrapassengers，andtherailsarebadto-day。'
　　Atlast，ataquartertoeleven，thetraincamein。
　　ThefirsttoalightfromitwasOwen，lookingpaleandcold。Hecasuallyglancedrounduponthenearlydesertedplatform，andwashurryingtotheoutlet，whenhiseyesfelluponEdward。Atsightofhisfriendhewasquitebewildered，andcouldnotspeak。
　　'HereIam，Mr。Graye，'saidEdwardcheerfully。'IhaveseenCytherea，andshehasbeenwaitingforyouthesetwoorthreehours。'
　　OwentookEdward'shand，pressedit，andlookedathiminsilence。
　　Suchwastheconcentrationofhismind，thatnottillmanyminutesafterdidhethinkofinquiringhowSpringrovehadcontrivedtobetherebeforehim。
　　10。ELEVENO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Ontheirarrivalatthedoorofthehotel，itwasarrangedbetweenSpringroveandGrayethatthelatteronlyshouldenter，Edwardwaitingoutside。Owenhadrememberedcontinuallywhathisfriendhadfrequentlyoverlooked，thattherewasyetapossibilityofhissisterbeingManston'swife，andtherecollectiontaughthimtoavoidanyrashnessinhisproceedingswhichmightleadtobitternesshereafter。
　　Enteringtheroom，hefoundManstonsittinginthechairwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyCythereaonEdward'svisit，threehoursearlier。
　　BeforeOwenhadspoken，Manstonarose，andsteppingpasthimclosedthedoor。Hisfaceappearedharassed——muchmoretroubledthantheslightcircumstancewhichhadasyetcometohisknowledgeseemedtoaccountfor。
　　ManstoncouldformnoreasonforOwen'spresence，butintuitivelylinkeditwithCytherea'sseclusion。'Altogetherthisismostunseemly，'hesaid，'whateveritmaymean。'
　　'Don'tthinkthereismeantanythingunfriendlybymycominghere，'
　　saidOwenearnestly；'butlistentothis，andthinkifIcoulddootherwisethancome。'
　　HetookfromhispockettheconfessionofChinneytheporter，ashastilywrittenoutbythevicar，andreaditaloud。TheaspectsofManston'sfacewhilsthelistenedtotheopeningwordswerestrange，dark，andmysteriousenoughtohavejustifiedsuspicionsthatnodeceitcouldbetoocomplicatedforthepossessorofsuchimpulses，hadtherenotoverriddenthemall，asthereadingwenton，anewandirrepressibleexpression——oneunmistakablyhonest。Itwasthatofunqualifiedamazementinthesteward'smindatthenewsheheard。
　　Owenlookedupandsawit。Thesightonlyconfirmedhiminthebeliefhehadheldthroughout，inantagonismtoEdward'ssuspicions。
　　TherecouldnolongerbeashadowofdoubtthatifthefirstMrs。
　　Manstonlived，herhusbandwasignorantofthefact。Whathecouldhavefearedbyhisghastlylookatfirst，andnowhaveceasedtofear，itwasquitefutiletoconjecture。
　　'NowIdonotforamomentdoubtyourcompleteignoranceofthewholematter；youcannotsupposeforaninstantthatIdo，'saidOwenwhenhehadfinishedreading。'ButisitnotbestforboththatCythereashouldcomebackwithmetillthematterisclearedup？Infact，underthecircumstances，noothercourseisleftopentomethantorequestit。'
　　WhateverManston'soriginalfeelingshadbeen，allinhimnowgavewaytoirritation，andirritationtorage。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtillhehadmasteredit；thensaidinordinarytones——
　　'Certainly，Iknownomorethanyouandothersknow——itwasagratuitousunpleasantnessinyoutosayyoudidnotdoubtme。Whyshouldyou，oranybody，havedoubtedme？'
　　'Well，whereismysister？'saidOwen。
　　'Lockedinthenextroom。'
　　HisownanswerremindedManstonthatCythereamust，bysomeinscrutablemeans，havehadaninklingoftheevent。
　　OwenhadgonetothedoorofCytherea'sroom。
　　'Cytherea，darling——'tisOwen，'hesaid，outsidethedoor。A
　　rustlingofclothes，softfootsteps，andavoicesayingfromtheinside，'Isitreallyyou，Owen，——isitreally？'
　　'Itis。'
　　'O，willyoutakecareofme？'
　　'Always。'
　　Sheunlockedthedoor，andretreatedagain。Manstoncameforwardfromtheotherroomwithacandleinhishand，asOwenpushedopenthedoor。
　　Herfrightenedeyeswereunnaturallylarge，andshonelikestarsinthedarknessofthebackground，asthelightfelluponthem。SheleaptuptoOweninonebound，hersmalltaperfingersextendedliketheleavesofalupine。Thensheclaspedhercoldandtremblinghandsroundhisneckandshivered。
　　ThesightofheragainkindledallManston'spassionsintoactivity。
　　'Sheshallnotgowithyou，'hesaidfirmly，andsteppingapaceortwocloser，'unlessyouprovethatsheisnotmywife；andyoucan'tdoit！'
　　'Thisisproof，'saidOwen，holdingupthepaper。
　　'Noproofatall，'saidManstonhotly。''Tisnotadeath-bedconfession，andthosearetheonlythingsofthekindheldasgoodevidence。'
　　'Sendforalawyer，'Owenreturned，'andlethimtellusthepropercoursetoadopt。'
　　'Nevermindthelaw——letmegowithOwen！'criedCytherea，stillholdingontohim。'Youwillletmegowithhim，won'tyou，sir？'
　　shesaid，turningappealinglytoManston。
　　'We'llhaveitallrightandsquare，'saidManston，withmorequietness。'Ihavenoobjectiontoyourbrothersendingforalawyer，ifhewantsto。'
　　Itwasgettingonfortwelveo'clock，buttheproprietorofthehotelhadnotyetgonetobedonaccountofthemysteryonthefirstfloor，whichwasanoccurrenceunusualinthequietfamilylodging。
　　Owenlookedoverthebanisters，andsawhimstandinginthehall。
　　ItstruckGrayethatthewisestcoursewouldbetotakethelandlordtoacertainextentintotheirconfidence，appealtohishonourasagentleman，andsoon，inordertoacquiretheinformationhewanted，andalsotopreventtheepisodeoftheeveningfrombecomingapublicpieceofnews。Hecalledthelandlorduptowheretheystood，andtoldhimthemainfactsofthestory。
　　Thelandlordwasfortunatelyaquiet，prejudicedman，andameditativesmoker。
　　'Iknowtheverymanyouwanttosee——theveryman，'hesaid，lookingatthegeneralfeaturesofthecandle-flame。'Sharpasaneedle，andnotover-rich。Timmswillputyouallstraightinnotime——trustTimmsforthat。'
　　'He'sinbedbythistimeforcertain，'saidOwen。
　　'Nevermindthat——Timmsknowsme，Iknowhim。He'llobligemeasapersonalfavour。Waithereabit。Perhaps，too，he'supatsomepartyoranother——he'sanice，jovialfellow，sharpasaneedle，too；mindyou，sharpasaneedle，too。'
　　Hewentdownstairs，putonhisovercoat，andleftthehouse，thethreepersonsmostconcernedenteringtheroom，andstandingmotionless，awkward，andsilentinthemidstofit。Cythereapicturedtoherselfthelongwearyminutesshewouldhavetostandthere，whilstasleepymancouldbepreparedforconsultation，tilltheconstraintbetweenthemseemedunendurabletoher——shecouldneverlastoutthetime。OwenwasannoyedthatManstonhadnotquietlyarrangedwithhimatonce；ManstonatOwen'shomelinessofideainproposingtosendforanattorney，asifhewouldbeatouchstoneofinfallibleproof。
　　Reflectionwascutshortbytheapproachoffootsteps，andinafewmomentstheproprietorofthehotelentered，introducinghisfriend。
　　'Mr。Timmshasnotbeeninbed，'hesaid；'hehadjustreturnedfromdiningwithafewfriends，sothere'snotroublegiven。TosavetimeIexplainedthematteraswecamealong。'
　　ItoccurredtoOwenandManstonboththattheymightgetamistyexpositionofthelawfromMr。Timmsatthatmomentofconcludingdinnerwithafewfriends。
　　'AsfarasIcansee，'saidthelawyer，yawning，andturninghisvisioninwardbymainforce，'itisquiteamatterforprivatearrangementbetweentheparties，whoeverthepartiesare——atleastatpresent。Ispeakmoreasafatherthanasalawyer，itistrue，but，lettheyoungladystaywithherfather，orguardian，safeoutofshame'sway，untilthemysteryissifted，whateverthemysteryis。Shouldtheevidenceprovetobefalse，ortrumpedupbyanybodytogetherawayfromyou，herhusband，youmaysuethemforthedamagesaccruingfromthedelay。'
　　'Yes，yes，'saidManston，whohadcompletelyrecoveredhisself-
　　possessionandcommon-sense；'letitallbesettledbyherself。'
　　TurningtoCythereahewhisperedsosoftlythatOwendidnothearthewords——
　　'Doyouwishtogobackwithyourbrother，dearest，andleavemeheremiserable，andlonely，orwillyoustaywithme，yourownhusband。'
　　'I'llgobackwithOwen。'
　　'Verywell。'Herelinquishedhiscoaxingtone，andwentonsternly：
　　'Andrememberthis，Cytherea，Iamasinnocentofdeceptioninthisthingasyouareyourself。Doyoubelieveme？'
　　'Ido，'shesaid。
　　'Ihadnoshadowofsuspicionthatmyfirstwifelived。Idon'tthinkshedoesevennow。Doyoubelieveme？'
　　'Ibelieveyou，'shesaid。
　　'Andnow，good-evening，'hecontinued，openingthedoorandpolitelyintimatingtothethreemenstandingbythattherewasnofurthernecessityfortheirremaininginhisroom。'InthreedaysIshallclaimher。'
　　Thelawyerandthehotel-keeperretiredfirst。Owen，gatheringupasmuchofhissister'sclothingaslayabouttheroom，tookheruponhisarm，andfollowedthem。Edward，towhomsheowedeverything，whohadbeenleftstandinginthestreetlikeadogwithoutahome，wasutterlyforgotten。Owenpaidthelandlordandthelawyerforthetroublehehadoccasionedthem，lookedtothepacking，andwenttothedoor。
　　Afly，whichsomewhatunaccountablywasseenlingeringinfrontofthehouse，wascalledup，andCytherea'sluggageputuponit。
　　'Doyouknowofanyhotelnearthestationthatisopenfornightarrivals？'Oweninquiredofthedriver。
　　'Aplacehasbeenbespokeforyou，sir，attheWhiteUnicorn——andthegentlemanwishedmetogiveyouthis。'
　　'BespokenbySpringrove，whoorderedthefly，ofcourse，'saidOwentohimself。Bythelightofthestreet-lamphereadtheselines，hurriedlytracedinpencil：——
　　'Ihavegonehomebythemail-train。ItisbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldbeoutoftheway。TellCythereathatIapologizeforhavingcausedhersuchunnecessarypain，asitseemsIdid——butitcannotbehelpednow。E。S。'
　　Owenhandedhissisterintothevehicle，andtoldtheflymantodriveon。
　　'PoorSpringrove——Ithinkwehaveservedhimratherbadly，'hesaidtoCytherea，repeatingthewordsofthenotetoher。
　　Athrillofpleasurepassedthroughherbosomasshelistenedtothem。Theywerethegenuinereproachofalovertohismistress；
　　thetriflingcoldnessofheranswertohimwouldhavebeennoticedbynomanwhowasonlyafriend。But，inentertainingthatsweetthought，shehadforgottenherself，andherpositionfortheinstant。
　　WasshestillManston'swife——thatwastheterriblesupposition，andherfutureseemedstillapossiblemiserytoher。For，onaccountofthelatejarringaccident，alifewithManstonwhichwouldotherwisehavebeenonlyasadness，mustbecomeaburdenofunutterablesorrow。
　　Thenshethoughtofthemisrepresentationandscandalthatwouldensueifshewerenowife。Onecauseforthankfulnessaccompaniedthereflection；Edwardknewthetruth。
　　Theysoonreachedthequietoldinn，whichhadbeenselectedforthembytheforethoughtofthemanwholovedherwell。Heretheyinstalledthemselvesforthenight，arrangingtogotoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextday。
　　AtthishourEdwardSpringrovewasfastapproachinghisnativecountyonthewheelsofthenight-mail。
　　XIV。THEEVENTSOFFIVEWEEKS
　　1。FROMTHESIXTHTOTHETHIRTEENTHOFJANUARY
　　Manstonhadevidentlyresolvedtodonothinginahurry。
　　Thismuchwasplain，thathisearnestdesireandintentionwastoraiseinCytherea'sbosomnofeelingsofpermanentaversiontohim。
　　TheinstantafterthefirstburstofdisappointmenthadescapedhiminthehotelatSouthampton，hehadseenhowfarbetteritwouldbetoloseherpresenceforaweekthanherrespectforever。
　　'Sheshallbemine；Iwillclaimtheyoungthingyet，'heinsisted。
　　Andthenheseemedtoreasonovermethodsforcompassingthatobject，which，toallthosewhowereinanydegreeacquaintedwiththerecentevent，appearedtheleastlikelyofpossiblecontingencies。
　　HereturnedtoKnapwaterlatethenextday，andwaspreparingtocallonMissAldclyffe，whentheconclusionforceditselfuponhimthatnothingwouldbegainedbysuchastep。No；everyactionofhisshouldbedoneopenly——evenreligiously。Atleast，hecalledontherector，andstatedthistobehisresolve。
　　'Certainly，'saidMr。Raunham，'itisbesttoproceedcandidlyandfairly，orunduesuspicionmayfallonyou。Youshould，inmyopinion，takeactivestepsatonce。'
　　'Iwilldotheutmostthatliesinmypowertoclearupthemystery，andsilencethehubbubofgossipthathasbeensetgoingaboutme。
　　ButwhatcanIdo？Theysaythatthemanwhocomesfirstinthechainofinquiryisnottobefound——Imeantheporter。'
　　'Iamsorrytosaythatheisnot。WhenIreturnedfromthestationlastnight，afterseeingOwenGrayeoff，Iwentagaintothecottagewherehehasbeenlodging，togetmoreintelligence，asIthought。
　　Hewasnotthere。Hehadgoneoutatdusk，sayinghewouldbebacksoon。Buthehasnotcomebackyet。'
　　'Iratherdoubtifweshallseehimagain。'
　　'HadIknownofthis，IwouldhavedonewhatinmyflurryIdidnotthinkofdoing——setawatchuponhim。Butwhynotadvertiseforyourmissingwifeasapreliminary，consultingyoursolicitorinthemeantime？'
　　'Advertise。I'llthinkaboutit，'saidManston，lingeringonthewordashepronouncedit。'Yes，thatseemsarightthing——quitearightthing。'
　　Hewenthomeandremainedmoodilyindoorsallthenextdayandthenext——fornearlyaweek，inshort。Then，oneeveningatdusk，hewentoutwithanuncertainairastothedirectionofhiswalk，whichresulted，however，inleadinghimagaintotherectory。
　　HesawMr。Raunham。'Haveyoudoneanythingyet？'therectorinquired。
　　'No——Ihavenot，'saidManstonabsently。'ButIamgoingtosetaboutit。'Hehesitated，asifashamedofsomeweaknesshewasabouttobetray。'MyobjectincallingwastoaskifyouhadheardanytidingsfromBudmouthofmy——Cytherea。Youusedtospeakofherasoneyouwereinterestedin。'
　　Therewas，atanyrate，realsadnessinManston'stonenow，andtherectorpausedtoweighhiswordserehereplied。
　　'Ihavenothearddirectlyfromher，'hesaidgently。'Butherbrotherhascommunicatedwithsomepeopleintheparish——'
　　'TheSpringroves，Isuppose，'saidManstongloomily。
　　'Yes；andtheytellmethatsheisveryill，andIamsorrytosay，likelytobeforsomedays。'
　　'Surely，surely，Imustgoandseeher！'Manstoncried。
　　'Iwouldadviseyounottogo，'saidRaunham。'Butdothisinstead——
　　beasquickasyoucaninmakingamovementtowardsascertainingthetruthasregardstheexistenceofyourwife。Yousee，Mr。
　　Manston，anout-stepplacelikethisisnotlikeacity，andthereisnobodytobusyhimselfforthegoodofthecommunity；whilstpoorCythereaandherbrotheraresociallytoodependenttobeabletomakemuchstirinthematter，whichisagreaterreasonstillwhyyoushouldbedisinterestedlyprompt。'
　　Thestewardmurmuredanassent。Stilltherewasthesameindecision！——nottheindecisionofweakness——theindecisionofconsciousperplexity。
　　OnManston'sreturnfromthisinterviewattherectory，hepassedthedooroftheRisingSunInn。Findinghehadnolightforhiscigar，anditbeingthree-quartersofamiletohisresidenceinthepark，heenteredthetaverntogetone。NobodywasintheouterportionofthefrontroomwhereManstonstood，butaspaceroundthefirewasscreenedofffromtheremainder，andinsidethehighoaksettle，formingapartofthescreen，heheardvoicesconversing。
　　Thespeakershadnotnoticedhisfootsteps，andcontinuedtheirdiscourse。
　　Oneofthetwoherecognizedasawell-knownnight-poacher，themanwhohadmethimwithtidingsofhiswife'sdeathontheeveningoftheconflagration。Theotherseemedtobeastrangerfollowingthesamemodeoflife。Theconversationwascarriedonintheemphaticandconfidentialtoneofmenwhoareslightlyintoxicated，itssubjectbeinganunaccountableexperiencethatoneofthemhadhadonthenightofthefire。
　　Whatthestewardheardwasenough，andmorethanenough，toleadhimtoforgetortorenouncehismotiveinentering。Theeffectuponhimwasstrangeandstrong。Hisfirstobjectseemedtobetoescapefromthehouseagainwithoutbeingseenorheard。
　　Havingaccomplishedthis，hewentinattheparkgate，andstrodeoffunderthetreestotheOldHouse。Theresittingdownbythefire，andburyinghimselfinreflection，heallowedtheminutestopassbyunheeded。Firstthecandleburntdowninitssocketandstunk：hedidnotnoticeit。Thenthefirewentout：hedidnotseeit。Hisfeetgrewcold；stillhethoughton。
　　Itmayberemarkedthatalady，ayearandaquarterbeforethistime，had，underthesameconditions——anunrestrictedmentalabsorption——shownnearlythesamepeculiaritiesasthismanevincednow。TheladywasMissAldclyffe。
　　Itwashalf-pasttwelvewhenManstonmoved，asifhehadcometoadetermination。
　　ThefirstthinghedidthenextmorningwastocallatKnapwaterHouse；wherehefoundthatMissAldclyffewasnotwellenoughtoseehim。ShehadbeenailingfromslightinternalhaemorrhageeversincetheconfessionoftheporterChinney。Apparentlynotmuchaggrievedatthedenial，heshortlyafterwardswenttotherailway-
　　stationandtookhisdepartureforLondon，leavingaletterforMissAldclyffe，statingthereasonofhisjourneythither——torecovertracesofhismissingwife。
　　Duringtheremainderoftheweekparagraphsappearedinthelocalandothernewspapers，drawingattentiontothefactsofthissingularcase。Thewriters，withscarcelyanexception，dweltforciblyuponafeaturewhichhadatfirstescapedtheobservationofthevillagers，includingMr。Raunham——thatiftheannouncementofthemanChinneyweretrue，itseemedextremelyprobablethatMrs。
　　Manstonleftherwatchandkeysbehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape；andthatthereforeshewouldnotnowletherselfbediscovered，unlessastrongpressurewereputuponher。Thewritersaddedthatthepolicewereonthetrackoftheporter，whoverypossiblyhadabscondedinthefearthathisreticencewascriminal，andthatMr。Manston，thehusband，was，withpraiseworthyenergy，makingeveryefforttoclearthewholematterup。
　　2。FROMTHEEIGHTEENTHTOTHEENDOFJANUARY
　　Fivedaysfromthetimeofhisdeparture，ManstonreturnedfromLondonandLiverpool，lookingveryfatiguedandthoughtful。Heexplainedtotherectorandotherofhisacquaintancethatalltheinquirieshehadmadeathiswife'soldlodgingsandhisownhadbeentotallybarrenofresults。
　　Butheseemedinclinedtopushtheaffairtoaclearconclusionnowthathehadcommenced。Afterthelapseofanotherdayortwoheproceededtofulfilhispromisetotherector，andadvertisedforthemissingwomaninthreeoftheLondonpapers。Theadvertisementwasacarefullyconsideredandevenattractiveeffusion，calculatedtowintheheart，oratleasttheunderstanding，ofanywomanwhohadasparkofherownnatureleftinher。
　　Therewasnoanswer。
　　Threedayslaterherepeatedtheexperiment；withthesameresultasbefore。
　　'Icannottryanyfurther，'saidManstonspeciouslytotherector，hissoleauditorthroughouttheproceedings。'Mr。Raunham，I'lltellyouthetruthplainly：Idon'tloveher；IdoloveCytherea，andthewholeofthisbusinessofsearchingfortheotherwomangoesaltogetheragainstme。IhopetoGodIshallneverseeheragain。'
　　'Butyouwilldoyourdutyatleast？'saidMr。Raunham。
　　'Ihavedoneit，'saidManston。'Ifeveramanonthefaceofthisearthhasdonehisdutytowardsanabsentwife，Ihavetowardsher——
　　livingordead——atleast，'headded，correctinghimself，'sinceI
　　havelivedatKnapwater。Ineglectedherbeforethattime——Iownthat，asIhaveowneditbefore。'
　　'Ishould，ifIwereyou，adoptothermeanstogettidingsofherifadvertisingfails，inspiteofmyfeelings，'saidtherectoremphatically。'Butatanyrate，tryadvertisingoncemore。There'sasatisfactioninhavingmadeanyattemptthreeseveraltimes。'
　　WhenManstonhadleftthestudy，therectorstoodlookingatthefireforaconsiderablelengthoftime，lostinprofoundreflection。
　　Hewenttohisprivatediary，andaftermanypauses，whichhevariedonlybydippinghispen，lettingitdry，wipingitonhissleeve，andthendippingitagain，hetookthefollowingnoteofevents：——
　　'January25——Mr。Manstonhasjustseenmeforthethirdtimeonthesubjectofhislostwife。Therehavebeenthesepeculiaritiesattendingthethreeinterviews：——
　　'Thefirst。Myvisitor，whilstexpressingbywordshisgreatanxietytodoeverythingforherrecovery，showedplainlybyhisbearingthathewasconvincedheshouldneverseeheragain。
　　'Thesecond。Hehadleftofffeigninganxietytodorightlybyhisfirstwife，andhonestlyaskedafterCytherea'swelfare。
　　'Thethirdandmostremarkable。Heseemedtohavelostallconsistency。WhilstexpressinghisloveforCythereawhichcertainlyisstrongandevincingtheusualindifferencetothefirstMrs。Manston'sfate，hewasunabletoconcealtheintensityofhiseagernessformetoadvisehimtoADVERTISEAGAINforher。'
　　Aweekafterthesecond，thethirdadvertisementwasinserted。A
　　paragraphwasattached，whichstatedthatthiswouldbethelasttimetheannouncementwouldappear。
　　3。THEFIRSTOFFEBRUARY
　　Atthis，theeleventhhour，thepostmanbroughtaletterforManston，directedinawoman'shand。
　　Abachelorfriendofthesteward's，Mr。Dicksonbyname，whowassomewhatofachatterer——plenusrimarum——andwhoboastedofanendlessstringofacquaintances，hadcomeoverfromCasterbridgetheprecedingdaybyinvitation——aninvitationwhichhadbeenapleasantsurprisetoDicksonhimself，insomuchthatManston，asarule，votedhimaborealmosttohisface。Hehadstayedoverthenight，andwassittingatbreakfastwithhishostwhentheimportantmissivearrived。
　　Manstondidnotattempttoconcealthesubjectoftheletter，orthenameofthewriter。Firstglancingthepagesthrough，hereadaloudasfollows：——
　　'“MYHUSBAND，——Iimploreyourforgiveness。
　　'“DuringthelastthirteenmonthsIhaverepeatedtomyselfahundredtimesthatyoushouldneverdiscoverwhatIvoluntarilytellyounow，namely，thatIamaliveandinperfecthealth。
　　'“Ihaveseenallyouradvertisements。Nothingbutyourpersistencehaswonmeround。Surely，Ithought，heMUSTlovemestill。Whyelseshouldhetrytowinbackawomanwho，faithfuluntodeathasshewillbe，can，inasocialsense，aidhimtowardsacquiringnothing？——ratherthereverse，indeed。
　　'“Youyourselfstatemyownmind——thattheonlygroundsuponwhichwecanmeetandlivetogether，withareasonablehopeofhappiness，mustbeamutualconsenttoburyinoblivionallpastdifferences。
　　Iheartilyandwillinglyforgeteverything——andforgiveeverything。
　　Youwilldothesame，asyouractionsshow。
　　'“Therewillbeplentyofopportunityformetoexplainthefewfactsrelatingtomyescapeonthenightofthefire。Iwillonlygivetheheadsinthishurriednote。Iwasgrievedatyournotcomingtofetchme，moregrievedatyourabsencefromthestation，mostofallbyyourabsencefromhome。OnmyjourneytotheinnI
　　writhedunderapassionatesenseofwrongdoneme。WhenIhadbeenshowntomyroomIwaitedandhopedforyoutillthelandlordhadgoneupstairstobed。Istillfoundthatyoudidnotcome，andthenIfinallymadeupmymindtoleave。Ihadhalfundressed，butIputonmythingsagain，forgettingmywatchandIsupposedroppingmykeys，thoughIamnotsurewhereinmyhurry，andslippedoutofthehouse。The——“'
　　'Well，that'sarumstory，'saidMr。Dickson，interrupting。
　　'What'sarumstory？'saidManstonhastily，andflushingintheface。
　　'Forgettingherwatchanddroppingherkeysinherhurry。'
　　'Idon'tseeanythingparticularlywonderfulinit。Anywomanmightdosuchathing。'
　　'Anywomanmightifescapingfromfireorshipwreck，oranysuchimmediatedanger。Butitseemsincomprehensibletomethatanywomaninhersenses，whoquietlydecidestoleaveahouse，shouldbesoforgetful。'
　　'Allthatisrequiredtoreconcileyourseemingwithherfactsistoassumethatshewasnotinhersenses，forthat'swhatshedidplainly，orhowcouldthethingshavebeenfoundthere？Besides，she'struthfulenough。'Hespokeeagerlyandperemptorily。
　　'Yes，yes，Iknowthat。Imerelymeantthatitseemedratherodd。'
　　'Oyes。'Manstonreadon：——
　　'“——andslippedoutofthehouse。Therubbish-heapwasburningupbrightly，butthethoughtthatthehousewasindangerdidnotstrikeme；Ididnotconsiderthatitmightbethatched。
　　'“Iidledinthelanebehindthewoodtillthelastdown-trainhadcomein，notbeinginamoodtofacestrangers。WhilstIwastherethefirebrokeout，andthisperplexedmestillmore。However，I
　　wasstilldeterminednottostayintheplace。Iwenttotherailway-station，whichwasnowquiet，andinquiredofthesolitarymanondutythereconcerningthetrains。ItwasnottillIhadleftthemanthatIsawtheeffectthefiremighthaveonmyhistory。I
　　consideredalso，thoughnotinanydetailedmanner，thattheevent，byattractingtheattentionofthevillagetomyformerabode，mightsetpeopleonmytrackshouldtheydoubtmydeath，andasuddendreadofhavingtogobackagaintoKnapwater——aplacewhichhadseemedinimicaltomefromfirsttolast——promptedmetorunbackandbribetheportertosecrecy。IthenwalkedontoAnglebury，lingeringabouttheoutskirtsofthetowntillthemorningtraincamein，whenIproceededbyittoLondon，andthentooktheselodgings，whereIhavebeensupportingmyselfeversincebyneedlework，endeavouringtosaveenoughmoneytopaymypassagehometoAmerica，butmakingmelancholyprogressinmyattempt。However，allthatischanged——canIbeotherwisethanhappyatit？Ofcoursenot。Iamhappy。TellmewhatIamtodo，andbelievemestilltobeyourfaithfulwife，EUNICE。
　　'“Mynamehereisasbefore
　　'“MRS。RONDLEY，andmyaddress，79ADDINGTONSTREET，LAMBETH。'“
　　Thenameandaddresswerewrittenonaseparateslipofpaper。
　　'Soit'stobeallrightatlastthen，'saidManston'sfriend。'Butafterallthere'sanotherwomaninthecase。Youdon'tseemverysorryforthelittlethingwhoisputtosuchdistressbythisturnofaffairs？Iwonderyoucanlethergosocoolly。'Thespeakerwaslookingoutbetweenthemullionsofthewindow——noticingthatsomeofthelightswereglazedinlozenges，someinsquares——ashesaidthewords，otherwisehewouldhaveseenthepassionateexpressionofagonizedhopelessnessthatflittedacrossthesteward'scountenancewhentheremarkwasmade。Hedidnotseeit，andManstonansweredafterashortinterval。Thewayinwhichhespokeoftheyounggirlwhohadbelievedherselfhiswife，whom，afewshortdaysago，hehadopenlyidolized，andwhom，inhissecretheart，heidolizedstill，asfarassuchaformoflovewascompatiblewithhisnature，showedthatfrompolicyorotherwise，hemeanttoactuptotherequirementsofthepositionintowhichfateappeareddeterminedtodrivehim。
　　'That'sneitherherenorthere，'hesaid；'itisapointofhonourtodoasIamdoing，andthere'sanendofit。'
　　'Yes。OnlyIthoughtyouusednottocareovermuchaboutyourfirstbargain。'
　　'Icertainlydidnotatonetime。Oneisapttofeelratherwearyofwiveswhentheyaresodevilishcivilunderallaspects，assheusedtobe。Butanythingforachange——Abigailislost，butMichalisrecovered。Youwouldhardlybelieveit，butsheseemsinfancytobequiteanotherbride——infact，almostasifshehadreallyrisenfromthedead，insteadofhavingonlydonesovirtually。'
　　'Youlettheyoungpinkoneknowthattheotherhascomeoriscoming？'
　　'Cuibono？'Thestewardmeditatedcritically，showingaportionofhisintenselywideandregularteethwithintherubylips。
　　'Icannotsayanythingtoherthatwilldoanygood，'heresumed。
　　'Itwouldbeawkward——eitherseeingorcommunicatingwithheragain。
　　Thebestplantoadoptwillbetoletmatterstaketheircourse——
　　she'llfinditalloutsoonenough。'
　　Manstonfoundhimselfaloneafewminuteslater。Heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andmurmured，'Omylostone！OmyCytherea！Thatitshouldcometothisishardforme！'Tisnowalldarkness——“alandofdarknessasdarknessitself；andoftheshadowofdeathwithoutanyorder，andwherethelightisasdarkness。“'
　　Yes，theartificialbearingwhichthisextraordinarymanhadadoptedbeforestrangerseversincehehadoverheardtheconversationattheinn，lefthimnow，andhemournedforCythereaaloud。
　　4。THETWELFTHOFFEBRUARY
　　KnapwaterParkisthepicture——ateleveno'clockonamuddy，quiet，hazy，butbrightmorning——amorningwithoutanybluesky，andwithoutanyshadows，theearthbeingenlivenedandlitupratherbythespiritofaninvisiblesunthanbyitsbodilypresence。
　　ThelocalHunthadmetfortheday'ssportontheopenspaceofgroundimmediatelyinfrontofthesteward'sresidence——calledinthelistofappointments，'OldHouse，Knapwater'——themeetbeinghereonceeveryseason，forthepleasureofMissAldclyffeandherfriends。
　　Leaningoutfromoneofthefirst-floorwindows，andsurveyingwiththekeenestinterestthelivelypictureofpinkandblackcoats，rich-colouredhorses，andsparklingbitsandspurs，wasthereturnedandlong-lostwoman，Mrs。Manston。
　　Theeyesofthoseformingthebrilliantgroupwereoccasionallyturnedtowardsher，showingplainlythatheradventureswerethesubjectofconversationequallywithormorethanthechancesofthecomingday。Shedidnotflushbeneaththeirscrutiny；onthecontrary，sheseemedrathertoenjoyit，hereyesbeingkindledwithalightofcontentedexultation，subduedtosquarewiththecircumstancesofhermatronlyposition。
　　Shewas，atthedistancefromwhichtheysurveyedher，anattractivewoman——comelyasthetentsofKedar。ButtoacloseobserveritwaspalpableenoughthatGoddidnotdoallthepicture。AppearingatleastsevenyearsolderthanCytherea，shewasprobablyherseniorbydoublethenumber，theartificialmeansemployedtoheightenthenaturalgoodappearanceofherfacebeingverycleverlyapplied。
　　Herformwasfullandround，itsvoluptuousmaturitystandingoutinstrongcontrasttothememoryofCytherea'slissomgirlishness。
　　Itseemstobeanalmostuniversalrulethatawomanwhooncehascourted，orwhoeventuallywillcourt，thesocietyofmenontermsdangeroustoherhonourcannotrefrainfromflingingthemeaningglancewheneverthemomentarrivesinwhichtheglanceisstronglyaskedfor，evenifherlifeandwholefuturedependeduponthatmoment'sabstinence。
　　Hadacautious，uxorioushusbandseeninhiswife'scountenancewhatmightnowhavebeenseeninthisdark-eyedwoman'sasshecaughtastrayglanceofflirtationfromoneorotherofthered-coatedgallantsoutside，hewouldhavepassedmanydaysinanagonyofrestlessjealousyanddoubt。ButManstonwasnotsuchahusband，andhewas，moreover，calmlyattendingtohisbusinessattheotherendofthemanor。
　　Thestewardhadfetchedhomehiswifeinthemostmatter-of-factwayafewdaysearlier，walkingroundthevillagewithhertheverynextmorning——atonceputtinganend，bythissimplesolution，toalltheriddlinginquiriesandsurmisesthatwererankinthevillageanditsneighbourhood。SomemensaidthatthiswomanwasasfarinferiortoCythereaasearthtoheaven；others，olderandsager，thoughtManstonbetteroffwithsuchawifethanhewouldhavebeenwithoneofCytherea'syouthfulimpulses，andinexperienceinhouseholdmanagement。Allfelttheircuriositydyingoutofthem。
　　ItwasthesameinCarrifordasinotherpartsoftheworld——
　　immediatelycircumstantialevidencebecameexchangedfordirect，theloungersincourtyawned，gaveafinalsurvey，andturnedawaytoasubjectwhichwouldaffordmorescopeforspeculation。
　　XV。THEEVENTSOFTHREEWEEKS
　　1。FROMTHETWELFTHOFFEBRUARYTOTHESECONDOFMARCH
　　OwenGraye'srecoveryfromtheillnessthathadincapacitatedhimforsolongatimewas，professionally，thedawnofabrighterprospectforhimineverydirection，thoughthechangewasatfirstverygradual，andhismovementsandeffortswerelittlemorethanmechanical。Withthelengtheningofthedays，andtherevivalofbuildingoperationsfortheforthcomingseason，hesawhimself，forthefirsttime，onaroadwhich，pursuedwithcare，wouldprobablyleadtoacomfortableincomeatsomefutureday。Buthewasstillverylowdownthehillasyet。
　　ThefirstundertakingentrustedtohiminthenewyearbeganaboutamonthafterhisreturnfromSouthampton。Mr。Gradfieldhadcomebacktohiminthewakeofhisrestoredhealth，andofferedhimthesuperintendence，asclerkofworks，ofachurchwhichwastobenearlyrebuiltatthevillageofTolchurch，fifteenorsixteenmilesfromBudmouth，andabouthalfthatdistancefromCarriford。
　　'Iamnowbeingpaidattherateofahundredandfiftypoundsayear，'hesaidtohissisterinaburstofthankfulness，'andyoushallnever，Cytherea，beatanytyrannouslady'sbeckandcallagainaslongasIlive。Neverpineorthinkaboutwhathashappened，dear；it'snodisgracetoyou。Cheerup；you'llbesomebody'shappywifeyet。'
　　HedidnotsayEdwardSpringrove's，for，greatlytohisdisappointment，areporthadreachedhisearsthatthefriendtowhomCythereaowedsomuchhadbeenabouttopackuphisthingsandsailforAustralia。However，thiswasbeforetheuncertaintyconcerningMrs。Manston'sexistencehadbeendispersedbyherreturn，aphenomenonthatalteredthecloudyrelationshipinwhichCythereahadlatelybeenstandingtowardsheroldlover，tooneofdistinctness；whichresultwouldhavebeendelightfulbutforcircumstancesabouttobementioned。
　　Cythereawasstillpalefromherrecentillness，andstillgreatlydejected。UntilthenewsofMrs。Manston'sreturnhadreachedthem，shehadkeptherselfcloselyshutupduringtheday-time，neverventuringforthexceptatnight。Sleepingandwakingshehadbeeninperpetualdreadlestsheshouldstillbeclaimedbyamanwhom，onlyafewweeksearlier，shehadregardedinthelightofafuturehusbandwithquietassent，notunmixedwithcheerfulness。
　　Buttheremovaloftheuneasinessinthisdirection——byMrs。
　　Manston'sarrival，andherownconsequentfreedom——hadbeentheimpositionofpaininanother。UtterlyfictitiousdetailsofthefindingofCythereaandManstonhadbeeninventedandcirculated，unavoidablyreachingherearsinthecourseoftime。Thusthefreedombroughtnohappiness，anditseemedwell-nighimpossiblethatshecouldeveragainshowherselfthesparklingcreaturesheoncehadbeen——
　　'Apttoenticeadeity。'
　　Onthisaccount，andforthefirsttimeinhislife，Owenmadeapointofconcealingfromhertherealstateofhisfeelingswithregardtotheunhappytransaction。Hewrithedinsecretunderthehumiliationtowhichtheyhadbeensubjected，tilltheresentmentitgaveriseto，andforwhichtherewasnovent，wassometimesbeyondendurance；itinducedamoodthatdidseriousdamagetothematerialandploddingperseverancenecessaryifhewouldsecurepermanentlythecomfortsofahomeforthem。
　　TheygaveuptheirlodgingsatBudmouth，andwenttoTolchurchassoonastheworkcommenced。
　　Heretheyweredomiciledinonehalfofanoldfarmhouse，standingnotfarfromtheivy-coveredchurchtowerwhichwasallthatwastoremainoftheoriginalstructure。Thelongsteeproofofthispicturesquedwellingslopednearlydowntotheground，theoldtilesthatcovereditbeingovergrownwithricholive-huedmoss。Newredtilesintwosandthreeshadbeenusedforpatchingtheholeswroughtbydecay，lightingupthewholeharmonioussurfacewithdotsofbrilliantscarlet。
　　Thechiefinternalfeaturesofthissnugabodewereawidefireplace，enormouscupboards，abrownsettle，andseveralsketchesonthewoodmantel，doneinoutlinewiththepointofahotpoker——
　　thesubjectsmainlyconsistingofoldmenwalkingpainfullyerect，withacurly-taileddogbehind。
　　AfteraweekortwoofresidenceinTolchurch，andramblesamidthequaintscenerycircumscribingit，atranquillitybegantospreaditselfthroughthemindofthemaiden，whichGrayehopedwouldbeaprefacetohercompleterestoration。Shefeltreadyandwillingtolivethewholeremainderofherdaysintheretirementoftheirpresentquarters：shebegantosingaboutthehouseinlowtremuloussnatches——
　　'“——Isaid，ifthere'speacetobefoundintheworld，Aheartthatishumblemayhopeforithere。“'
　　2。THETHIRDOFMARCH
　　Herconvalescencehadarrivedatthispointonacertaineveningtowardstheendofthewinter，whenOwenhadcomeinfromthebuildinghardby，andwaschanginghismuddybootsforslippers，previouslytosittingdowntotoastandtea。
　　Aprolongedthoughquietknockingcametothedoor。
　　Theonlypersonwhoeverknockedattheirdoorinthatwaywasthenewvicar，theprimemoverinthechurch-building。ButhewasthateveningdiningwiththeSquire。
　　Cythereawasuneasyatthesound——shedidnotknowwhy，unlessitwasbecausehernerveswereweakenedbythesicknessshehadundergone。Insteadofopeningthedoorsheranoutoftheroom，andupstairs。
　　'Whatnonsense，Cytherea！'saidherbrother，goingtothedoor。
　　EdwardSpringrovestoodinthegreylightoutside。
　　'Capital——notgonetoAustralia，andnotgoing，ofcourse！'criedOwen。'What'stheuseofgoingtosuchaplaceasthat？——Ineverbelievedthatyouwould。'
　　'IamgoingbacktoLondonagainto-morrow，'saidSpringrove，'andI
　　calledtosayawordbeforegoing。Whereis……？'
　　'Shehasjustrunupstairs。Comein——nevermindscrapingyourshoes——weareregularcottagersnow；stonefloor，yawningchimney-
　　corner，andall，yousee。'
　　'Mrs。Manstoncame，'saidEdwardawkwardly，whenhehadsatdowninthechimney-cornerbypreference。
　　'Yes。'AtmentionofoneofhisskeletonsOwenlosthisblithenessatonce，andfellintoareverie。
　　'Thehistoryofherescapeisverysimple。'
　　'Very。'
　　'YouknowIalwayshadwondered，whenmyfatherwastellinganyofthecircumstancesofthefiretome，howitcouldbethatawomancouldsleepsosoundlyastobeunawareofherhorridpositiontillitwastoolateeventogiveshoutorsoundofanykind。'
　　'Well，Ithinkthatwouldhavebeenpossible，consideringherlongwearisomejourney。Peoplehaveoftenbeensuffocatedintheirbedsbeforetheyawoke。Butitwashardlylikelyabodywouldbecompletelyburnttoashesasthiswasassumedtobe，thoughnobodyseemedtoseeitatthetime。Andhowpositivethesurgeonwastoo，aboutthosebitsofbone！Whyheshouldhavebeenso，nobodycantell。Icannothelpsayingthatifithaseverbeenpossibletofindpurestupidityincarnate，itwasinthatjuryofCarriford。
　　Thereexistedinthemassthestupidityoftwelveandnotthepenetrationofone。'
　　'Isshequitewell？'saidSpringrove。
　　'Who？——O，mysister，Cytherea。Thankyou，nearlywell，now。I'llcallher。'
　　'Waitoneminute。Ihaveawordtosaytoyou。'
　　Owensatdownagain。
　　'Youknow，withoutmysayingit，thatIloveCythereaasdearlyasever……Ithinkshelovesmetoo，——doesshereally？'
　　TherewasinOwenenoughofthatworldlypolicyonthesubjectofmatchmakingwhichnaturallyresidesinthebreastsofparentsandguardians，togivehimacertaincautioninreplying，and，youngerashewasbyfiveyearsthanEdward，ithadanoddeffect。
　　'Well，shemaypossiblyloveyoustill，'hesaid，asifratherindoubtastothetruthofhiswords。
　　Springrove'scountenanceinstantlysaddened；hehadexpectedasimple'Yes，'attheveryleast。Hecontinuedinatoneofgreaterdepression——
　　'Supposingshedoesloveme，woulditbefairtoyouandtoherifI
　　madeheranofferofmarriage，withthesedrearyconditionsattached——thatwelivedforafewyearsonthenarrowestsystem，tillagreatdebt，whichallhonouranddutyrequiremetopayoff，shallbepaid？Myfather，byreasonofthemisfortunethatbefellhim，isunderagreatobligationtoMissAldclyffe。Heisgettingold，andlosinghisenergies。Iamattemptingtoworkfreeoftheburden。Thismakesmyprospectsgloomyenoughatpresent。
　　'Butconsideragain，'hewenton。'Cythereahasbeenleftinanamelessandunsatisfactory，thoughinnocentstate，bythisunfortunate，andnowvoid，marriagewithManston。Amarriagewithme，thoughunderthe——materially——untowardconditionsIhavementioned，wouldmakeushappy；itwouldgiveheralocusstandi。
　　IfshewishedtobeoutofthesoundofhermisfortuneswewouldgotoanotherpartofEngland——emigrate——doanything。'
　　'I'llcallCytherea，'saidOwen。'Itisamatterwhichshealonecansettle。'Hedidnotspeakwarmly。HispridecouldnotendurethepitywhichEdward'svisitanderrandtacitlyimplied。Yet，intheotheraffair，hisheartwentwithEdward；hewasonthesamebeatforpayingoffolddebtshimself。
　　'Cythie，Mr。Springroveishere，'hesaid，atthefootofthestaircase。
　　Hissisterdescendedthecreakingoldstepswithafalteringtread，andstoodinthefirelightfromthehearth。SheextendedherhandtoSpringrove，welcominghimbyameremotionofthelip，hereyesaverted——ahabitwhichhadengendereditselfinhersincethebeginningofherillnessanddefamation。Owenopenedthedoorandwentout——leavingtheloversalone。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethememorablenightatSouthampton。
　　'Iwillgetalight，'shesaid，withalittleembarrassment。
　　'No——don't，please，Cytherea，'saidEdwardsoftly，'Comeandsitdownwithme。'
　　'Oyes。IoughttohaveaskedYOUto，'shereturnedtimidly。
　　'Everybodysitsinthechimney-cornerinthisparish。Yousitonthatside。I'llsithere。'
　　Tworecesses——oneontheright，oneonthelefthand——werecutintheinsideofthefireplace，andheretheysatdownfacingeachother，onbenchesfittedtotherecesses，thefireglowingonthehearthbetweentheirfeet。Itsruddylightshoneontheunderslopesoftheirfaces，andspreadoutovertheflooroftheroomwiththelowhorizontalityofthesettingsun，givingtoeverygrainofsandandtumourinthepavingalongshadowtowardsthedoor。
　　Edwardlookedathispalelovethroughthethinazuretwinesofsmokethatwentuplikeringletsbetweenthem，andinvestedher，asseenthroughitsmedium，withtheshadowyappearanceofaphantom。
　　Nothingissopotentforcoaxingbackthelosteyesofawomanasadiscreetsilenceinthemanwhohassolostthem——andthusthepatientEdwardcoaxedhers。Afterlingeringonthehearthforhalfaminute，waitinginvainforanotherwordfromhim，theywereliftedintohisface。
　　Hewasreadyprimedtoreceivethem。'Cytherea，willyoumarryme？'
　　hesaid。
　　Hecouldnotwaitinhisoriginalpositiontilltheanswercame。
　　Steppingacrossthefrontofthefiretoherownsideofthechimneycorner，hereclinedatherfeet，andsearchedforherhand。Shecontinuedinsilenceawhile。
　　'Edward，Icanneverbeanybody'swife，'shethensaidsadly，andwithfirmness。
　　'Thinkofitineverylight，'hepleaded；'thelightoflove，first。
　　Then，whenyouhavedonethat，seehowwiseastepitwouldbe。I
　　canonlyofferyoupovertyasyet，butIwant——Idosolongtosecureyoufromtheintrusionofthatunpleasantpast，whichwilloftenandalwaysbethrustbeforeyouaslongasyoulivetheshrinkingsolitarylifeyoudonow——alifewhichpuritychooses，itmaybe；buttotheoutsideworlditappearsliketheenforcedlonelinessofneglectandscorn——andtonguesarebusyinventingareasonforitwhichdoesnotexist。'
　　'Iknowallaboutit，'shesaidhastily；'andthosearethegroundsofmyrefusal。YouandOwenknowthewholetruth——thetwoIlovebestonearth——andIamcontent。Butthescandalwillbecontinuallyrepeated，andIcannevergiveanyonetheopportunityofsayingtoyou——that——yourwife……'Sheutterlybrokedownandwept。
　　'Don't，myowndarling！'heentreated。'Don't，Cytherea！'
　　'Pleasetoleaveme——wewillbefriends，Edward——butdon'tpressme——
　　mymindismadeup——Icannot——Iwillnotmarryyouoranymanunderthepresentambiguouscircumstances——neverwillI——Ihavesaidit：
　　never！'
　　Theywerebothsilent。Helistlesslyregardedtheilluminatedblacknessoverhead，wherelongflakesofsootfloatedfromthesidesandbarsofthechimney-throatliketatteredbannersinancientaisles；whilstthroughthesquareopeninginthemidstoneortwobrightstarslookeddownuponthemfromthegreyMarchsky。Thesightseemedtocheerhim。
　　'Atanyrateyouwillloveme？'hemurmuredtoher。
　　'Yes——always——foreverandforever！'