Presentlythepreacher，havingdealtsufficientlyinterrifyinggeneralities，wentontopracticalillustrations，for，afterthemannerofhisclass，hewasdeliveringanextemporaryoration。“Lookatthatchild。”hesaid，pointingtothelittlegirl;“shelooksinnocent，doesshenot？butifshedoesnotfindsalvation，mybrethren，Itellyouthatsheisdamned。Ifshediesto-night，nothavingfoundsalvation，shewillgoto/Hell/。Herdelicatelittlebodywillbetormentedforeverandever——“
　　Heretheunfortunatechildfellforwardwithashriek。
　　“Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。”saidBeatricealoud。
　　Shehadbeenlisteningtoallthisill-judgedrantwithgrowingindignation，andnow，inherexcitement，entirelyforgotthatshewasinaplaceofworship。Thensheranforwardtothechild，whohadswooned。Poorlittleunfortunate，sheneverrecoveredtheshock。Whenshecametoherself，itwasfoundthatherfinelystrungmindhadgivenway，andshelapsedintoaconditionofimbecility。Butherimbecilitywasnotalwayspassive。Occasionallyfitsofpassionateterrorwouldseizeuponher。Shewouldcryoutthatthefiendswerecomingtodragherdowntotorment，anddashherselfagainstthewall，infearhideoustobehold。Thenitwasfoundthattherewasbutonewaytocalmher:itwastosendforBeatrice。Beatricewouldcomeandtakethepoorthinhandsinhersandgazewithhercalmdeepeyesuponthewastedhorror-strickenfacetillthechildgrewquietagainand，shivering，sobbedherselftosleepuponherbreast。
　　Andsoitwaswithallthechildren;herpoweroverthemwasalmostabsolute。Theylovedher，andshelovedthemall。
　　Andnowtheschoolingwasalmostdonefortheday。ItwasBeatrice’scustomtomakethechildrensingsomesimplesongbeforetheybrokeup。Shestoodinfrontofthemandgavethetimewhiletheysung，andaprettysightitwastoseeherdoit。Onthisparticularafternoon，justasthefirstversewasfinished，thedooroftheroomopened，andOwenDaviesentered，bearingsomebooksunderhisarm。Beatriceglancedroundandsawhim，then，withaquickstampofherfoot，wentongivingthetime。
　　Thechildrensunglustily，andinfrontofthemstoodBeatrice，dressedinsimplewhite，hergracefulformswayingasshemarkedthemusic’stime。NearerandnearerdrewOwenDavies，tillatlengthhestoodquiteclose，hislipsslightlyapart，hiseyesfixeduponherliketheeyesofonewhodreams，andhisslowheavyfacefaintlylitwiththeglowofstrongemotion。
　　Thesongended，thechildrenatawordfromtheirmistressfiledpasther，headedbythepupilteachers，andthenwithashout，seizingtheircaps，ranforththiswayandthat，welcomingthefreeair。Whentheywereallgone，andnottillthen，Beatriceturnedsuddenlyround。
　　“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Davies？”shesaid。
　　Hestartedvisibly。“Ididnotknowthatyouhadseenme。”heanswered。
　　“Oh，yes，Isawyou，Mr。Davies，onlyIcouldnotstopthesongtosayhowdoyoudo。Bytheway，Ihavetothankyouforcomingtoinquireafterme。”
　　“Notatall，MissBeatrice，notatall;itwasamostdreadfulaccident。IcannottellyouhowthankfulIam——Ican’t，indeed。”
　　“Itisverygoodofyoutotakesomuchinterestinme。”saidBeatrice。
　　“Notatall，MissBeatrice，notatall。Who——whocouldhelptakinginterestinyou？Ihavebroughtyousomebooks——theLifeofDarwin——itisintwovolumes。IthinkthatIhaveheardyousaythatDarwininterestsyou？”
　　“Yes，thankyouverymuch。Haveyoureadit？”
　　“No，butIhavecutit。Darwindoesn’tinterestme，youknow。Ithinkthathewasarathermisguidedperson。MayIcarrythebookshomeforyou？”
　　“Thankyou，butIamnotgoingstraighthome;IamgoingtooldEdward’sshedtoseemycanoe。”
　　Asamatteroffactthiswastrue，buttheideawasonlythatmomentborninhermind。Beatricehadbeengoinghome，asshewantedtoseethatallthingsweredulypreparedforGeoffreyandhislittledaughter。ButtoreachtheVicarageshemustpassalongthecliff，wheretherewerefewpeople，andthisshedidnotwishtodo。Tobefrank，shefearedlestMr。Daviesshouldtaketheopportunitytomakethatofferofhishandandheartwhichhungoverherlikeanightmare。
　　NowthewaytoEdward’sshedlaythroughthevillageanddownthecliff，andsheknewthathewouldneverproposeinthevillage。
　　Itwasveryfoolishofher，nodoubt，thustoseektopostponetheevilday，butthestrongest-mindedwomenhavetheirweakpoints，andthiswasoneofBeatrice’s。Shehatedtheideaofthisscene。Sheknewthatwhenitdidcometherewouldbeascene。Notthatherresolutiontorefusethemanhadeverfaltered。Butitwouldbepainful，andintheenditmustreachtheearsofherfatherandElizabeththatshehadactuallyrejectedMr。OwenDavies，andthenwhatwouldherlifebeworth？Shehadneversuspectedit，ithadneverenteredintohermindtosuspect，that，thoughherfathermightbevexedenough，nothingonthisearthwouldmoredelighttheheartofElizabeth。
　　Presently，havingfetchedherhat，Beatrice，accompaniedbyheradmirer，bearingtheLifeofDarwinunderhisarm，startedtowalkdowntothebeach。Theywentinsilence，Beatricejustalittleahead。
　　Sheventuredsomeremarkabouttheweather，butOwenDaviesmadenoreply;hewasthinking，hewantedtosaysomething，buthedidnotknowhowtosayit。Theywereattheheadofthecliffnow，andifhewishedtospeakhemustdosoquickly。
　　“MissBeatrice。”hesaidinasomewhatconstrainedvoice。
　　“Yes，Mr。Davies——oh，lookatthatseagull;itnearlyknockedmyhatoff。”
　　Buthewasnottobeputoffwiththeseagull。“MissBeatrice。”hesaidagain，“areyougoingoutwalkingnextSundayafternoon？”
　　“HowcanItell，Mr。Davies？Itmayrain。”
　　“Butifitdoesnotrain——pleasetellme。YougenerallydowalkonthebeachonSunday。MissBeatrice，Iwanttospeaktoyou。Ihopeyouwillallowme，Idoindeed。”
　　Thensuddenlyshecametoadecision。Thiskindofthingwasunendurable;itwouldbebettertogetitover。TurningroundsosuddenlythatOwenstarted，shesaid:
　　“Ifyouwishtospeaktome，Mr。Davies，IshallbeintheAmphitheatreoppositetheRedRocks，atfouro’clockonSundayafternoon，butIhadmuchratherthatyoudidnotcome。Icansaynomore。”
　　“Ishallcome。”heanswereddoggedly，andtheywentdownthestepstotheboat-shed。
　　“Oh，look，daddy。”saidEffie，“herecomestheladywhowasdrowndedwithyouandagentleman。”andtoBeatrice’sgreatreliefthechildranforwardandmetthem。
　　“Ah！“thoughtGeoffreytohimself，“thatisthemanHonoriasaidshewasengagedto。Well，Idon’tthinkverymuchofhertaste。”
　　Inanotherminutetheyhadarrived。GeoffreyshookhandswithBeatrice，andwasintroducedtoOwenDavies，whomurmuredsomethinginreply，andpromptlytookhisdeparture。
　　Theyexaminedthecanoetogether，andthenwalkedslowlyuptotheVicarage，BeatriceholdingEffiebythehand。Oppositethereeftheyhaltedforaminute。
　　“ThereistheTableRockonwhichwewerethrown，Mr。Bingham。”saidBeatrice，“andhereiswheretheycarriedusashore。Theseadoesnotlookasthoughitwoulddrownanyoneto-night，doesit？See！“——andshethrewastoneintoit——“theripplesrunasevenlyastheydoonapond。”
　　ShespokeidlyandGeoffreyansweredheridly，fortheywerenotthinkingoftheirwords。Ratherweretheythinkingofthestrangechancethathadbroughtthemtogetherinanhourofdeadlyperilandnowleftthemtogetherinanhourofpeace。Perhaps，too，theywerewonderingtowhatendthishadcomeabout。For，agnostics，atheistsorbelievers，arewenot，mostofus，fatalistsatheart？
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THEWRITINGONTHESAND
　　GeoffreyfoundhimselfverycomfortableattheVicarage，andasforEffie，shepositivelyrevelledinit。Beatricelookedafterher，takinghertobedatnightandhelpinghertodressinthemorning，andBeatricewasagreatimprovementuponAnne。WhenGeoffreybecameawareofthisheremonstrated，sayingthathehadneverexpectedhertoactasnursetothechild，butsherepliedthatitwasapleasuretohertodoso，whichwasthetruth。Inotherways，too，theplacewasallthathedesired。HedidnotlikeElizabeth，butthenhedidnotseeverymuchofher，andtheoldfarmerclergymanwasamusinginhisway，withhisendlesstalkoftithesandcrops，andtheiniquitiesoftherebelliousJones，onwhomhewasgoingtodistrain。
　　ForthefirstdayortwoGeoffreyhadnomoreconversationswithBeatrice。Mostofthetimeshewasawayattheschool，andontheSaturdayafternoon，whenshewasfree，hewentouttotheRedRockscurlewshooting。Atfirsthethoughtofaskinghertocometoo，butthenitoccurredtohimthatshemightwishtogooutwithMr。Davies，towhomhestillsupposedshewasengaged。Itwasnoaffairofhis，yethewasgladwhenhecamebacktofindthatshehadbeenoutwithEffie，andnotwithMr。Davies。
　　OnSundaymorningtheyallwenttochurch，includingBeatrice。Itwasabarelittlechurch，andthecongregationwassmall。Mr。Grangerwentthroughtheservicewithaboutasmuchlivelinessasahorsedrivingamachine。Hegrounditout，prayers，psalms，litany，lessons，allinthesamedepressingway，tillGeoffreyfeltinclinedtogotosleep，andthentooktowatchingBeatrice’ssweetfaceinstead。Hewonderedwhatmadeherlooksosad。Herswasalwaysasadfacewheninrepose，thatheknew，butto-dayitwasparticularlyso，andwhatwasmore，shelookedworriedaswellassad。OnceortwicehesawherglanceatMr。Davies，whowassittingopposite，thesolitaryoccupantofanenormouspew，andhethoughtthattherewasapprehensioninherlook。
　　ButMr。Daviesdidnotreturntheglance。Tojudgefromhisappearancenothingwastroublinghismind。
　　Indeed，Geoffreystudyinghiminthesamewaythatheinstinctivelystudiedeverybodywhomhemet，thoughtthathehadneverbeforeseenamanwholookedquitesoox-likeandabsolutelycomfortable。Andyetheneverwasmorecompletelyatfault。Themanseemedstolidandcoldindeed，butitwasthecoldnessofavolcano。Hisheartwasa-fire。
　　Allthehumanforcesinhim，alltheenergiesofhissturdylife，hadconcentratedthemselvesinasinglepassionforthewomanwhowassonearandyetsofarfromhim。Hehadneverdrawnuponthestore，hadneverfritteredhisheartaway。Thiswoman，strangeandunusualasitmayseem，wasabsolutelythefirstwhoseglanceorvoicehadeverstirredhisblood。Hispassionforherhadgrownslowly;foryearsithadbeengrowing，eversincethegrey-eyedgirlonthebrinkofwomanhoodhadconductedhimtohiscastlehome。Itwasnofancy，nolightdesiretopasswiththeyearwhichbroughtit。Owenhadlittleimagination，thatsoilfromwhichlovesspringwiththerankswiftnessofatropicbloomtofadeatthefirstchillbreathofchange。Hispassionwasanunalterablefact。ItwasrootedlikeanoakonourstiffEnglishsoil，itsfibreswrappedhisheartandshothisbeingthrough，andifsostrongagaleshouldrisethatitmustfall，thenhetoowouldbeoverthrown。
　　ForyearsnowhehadthoughtoflittleelsethanBeatrice。Towinherhewouldhavegivenallhiswealth，ay，thriceover，ifthatwerepossible。Towinher，toknowherhisbyrightandhisalone，ah，thatwouldbeheaven！Hisbloodquiveredandhismindgrewdimwhenhethoughtofit。Whatwoulditbetoseeherstandingbyhimasshestoodnow，andknowthatshewashiswife！Thereisnoformofpassionmoreterriblethanthis。Itsveryearthinessmakesitawful。
　　Theservicewenton。AtlastMr。Grangermountedthepulpitandbegantoreadhissermon，ofwhichthetextwas，“Butthegreatestoftheseischarity。”Geoffreynoticedthathebungledoversomeofthewords，thensuddenlyrememberedBeatricehadtoldhimthatshehadwrittenthesermon，andwasallattention。Hewasnotdisappointed。
　　NotwithstandingMr。Granger’sinfamousreading，andhishabitofdroppinghisvoiceattheendofasentence，insteadofraisingit，thebeautyofthethoughtsanddictionwasveryevident。ItwasindeedadiscoursethatmightequallywellhavebeendeliveredinaMahomedanoraBuddhistplaceofworship;therewasnothingdistinctivelyChristianaboutit，itmerelyappealedtothegoodinhumannature。
　　Butofthisneitherthepreachernorhisaudienceseemedtobeaware，indeed，fewofthelatterwerelisteningatall。Thesermonwasshortandendedwithapassageofrealpowerandbeauty——orratheritdidnotend，for，closingtheMS。sheets，Mr。Grangerfollowedonwithafewimprompturemarksofhisown。
　　“Andnow，brethren。”hesaid，“Ihavebeenpreachingtoyouaboutcharity，butIwishtoaddoneremark，Charitybeginsathome。Thereisaboutahundredpoundsoftitheowingtome，andsomeofithasbeenowingfortwoyearsandmore。IfthattitheisnotpaidIshallhavetoputdistraintonsomeofyou，andIthoughtthatIhadbettertakethisopportunitytotellyouso。”
　　ThenhegavetheBenediction。
　　Thecontrastbetweenthisbusiness-likespeech，andthebeautifulperiodswhichhadgonebefore，wassoridiculousthatGeoffreyverynearlyburstoutlaughing，andBeatricesmiled。Sodidtherestofthecongregation，exceptingoneortwowhoowedtithe，andOwenDavies，whowasthinkingofotherthings。
　　Astheywentthroughthechurchyard，Geoffreynoticedsomething。
　　BeatricewasafewpacesaheadholdingEffie’shand。PresentlyMr。
　　Daviespassedhim，apparentlywithoutseeinghim，andgreetedBeatrice，whobowedslightlyinacknowledgment。Hewalkedalittlewaywithoutspeaking，thenGeoffrey，justastheyreachedthechurchgate，heardhimsay，“Atfourthisafternoon，then。”Againshebowedherhead，andheturnedandwent。AsforGeoffrey，hewonderedwhatitallmeant:wassheengagedtohim，orwasshenot？
　　Dinnerwasasomewhatsilentmeal。Mr。Grangerwasthinkingabouthistithe，alsoaboutasickcow。Elizabeth’sthoughtspursuedsomedarkanddeviouscourseoftheirown，notanaltogetheragreeableonetojudgefromherface。Beatricelookedpaleandworried;evenEffie’ssalliesdidnotdomorethanmakehersmile。AsforGeoffreyhimself，hewasengagedinwonderinginanidlesortofwaywhatwasgoingtohappenatfouro’clock。
　　“Youisallverydull。”saidEffieatlast，withacharmingdisregardofgrammar。
　　“PeopleoughttobedullonSunday，Effie。”answeredBeatrice，withaneffort。“Atleast，Isupposeso。”sheadded。
　　Elizabeth，whowasaggressivelyreligious，frownedatthisremark。Sheknewhersisterdidnotmeanit。
　　“Whatareyougoingtodothisafternoon，Beatrice？”sheaskedsuddenly。ShehadseenOwenDaviesgoupandspeaktohersister，andthoughshehadnotbeennearenoughtocatchthewords，scentedanassignationfromafar。
　　Beatricecolouredslightly，afactthatescapedneitherhersisternorGeoffrey。
　　“IamgoingtoseeJaneLlewellyn。”sheanswered。JaneLlewellynwasthecrazylittlegirlwhosetalehasbeentold。UptothatmomentBeatricehadnoideaofgoingtoseeher，butsheknewthatElizabethwouldnotfollowherthere，becausethechildcouldnotendureElizabeth。
　　“Oh，Ithoughtthatperhapsyouweregoingoutwalking。”
　　“Imaywalkafterwards。”answeredBeatriceshortly。
　　“Sothereisanassignation。”thoughtElizabeth，andacoldgleamofintelligencepassedacrossherface。
　　Shortlyafterdinner，Beatriceputonherbonnetandwentout。Tenminutespassed，andElizabethdidthesame。ThenMr。Grangerannouncedthathewasgoinguptothefarmtherewasnoservicetillsixtoseeaboutthesickcow，andaskedGeoffreyifhewouldliketoaccompanyhim。Hesaidthathemightaswell，ifEffiecouldcome，and，havinglithispipe，theystarted。
　　MeanwhileBeatricewenttoseethecrazychild。Shewasnotviolentto-day，andscarcelyknewher。Beforeshehadbeeninthehousetenminutes，thesituationdevelopeditself。
　　Thecottagestoodabouttwo-thirdsofthewaydownastragglingstreet，whichwasquiteempty，forBryngellysleptafterdinneronSunday。AtthetopofthisstreetappearedElizabeth，aBibleinherhand，asthoughondistrictvisitingintent。Shelookeddownthestreet，andseeingnobody，wentforalittlewalk，then，returning，oncemorelookeddownthestreet。Thistimeshewasrewarded。ThedooroftheLlewellyns’cottageopened，andBeatriceappeared。InstantlyElizabethwithdrewtosuchapositionthatshecouldseewithoutbeingseen，and，standingasthoughirresolute，awaitedevents。Beatriceturnedandtooktheroadthatledtothebeach。
　　ThenElizabeth’sirresolutiondisappeared。Shealsoturnedandtooktheroadtothecliff，walkingveryfast。PassingbehindtheVicarage，shegainedapointwherethebeachnarrowedtoawidthofnotmorethanfiftyyards，andsatdown。Presentlyshesawamancomingalongthesandbeneathher，walkingquickly。ItwasOwenDavies。Shewaitedandwatched。Sevenoreightminutespassed，andawomaninawhitedresspassed。ItwasBeatrice，walkingslowly。
　　“Ah！“saidElizabeth，settingherteeth，“asIthought。”Rising，shepursuedherpathalongthecliff，keepingthreeorfourhundredyardsahead，whichshecouldeasilydobytakingshortcuts。Itwasalongwalk，andElizabeth，whowasnotfondofwalking，gotverytiredofit。Butshewasawomanwithapurpose，andassuch，hardtobeat。Soshekeptonsteadilyfornearlyanhour，till，atlength，shecametothespotknownastheAmphitheatre。ThisAmphitheatre，situatedalmostoppositetheRedRocks，wasahalf-ringofcliff，thesidesofwhichraninasemicirclealmostdowntothewater’sedge，thatis，athightide。Inthecentreofthesegmentthusformedwasalargeflatstone，soplacedthatanybodyincertainpositionsonthecliffabovecouldcommandaviewofit，thoughitwasscreenedbytheprojectingwallsofrockfromobservationfromthebeach。Elizabethclamberedalittlewaydowntheslopingsideofthecliffandlooked;onthestone，hisbacktowardsher，satOwenDavies。Slippingfromstratumtostratumofthebrokencliff，Elizabethdrewslowlynearer，tillatlengthshewaswithinfiftypacesoftheseatedman。Here，ensconcingherselfbehindacleftrock，shealsosatdown;itwasnotsafetogocloser;butincasesheshouldbyanychancebeobservedfromabove，sheopenedtheBibleonherknee，asthoughshehadsoughtthisquietspottostudyitspages。
　　Threeorfourminutespassed，andBeatriceappearedroundtheprojectingangleoftheAmphitheatre，andwalkedslowlyacrossthelevelsand。OwenDaviesroseandstretchedouthishandtowelcomeher，butshedidnottakeit，sheonlybowed，andthenseatedherselfuponthelargeflatstone。Owenalsoseatedhimselfonit，butsomethreeorfourfeetaway。Elizabeththrustherwhitefaceforwardtillitwasalmostlevelwiththelipsofthecleftrockandstrainedherearstolisten。Alas！shecouldnothearasingleword。
　　“Youaskedmetocomehere，Mr。Davies。”saidBeatrice，breakingthepainfulsilence。“Ihavecome。”
　　“Yes。”heanswered;“IaskedyoutocomebecauseIwantedtospeaktoyou。”
　　“Yes？”saidBeatrice，lookingupfromheroccupationofdigginglittleholesinthesandwiththepointofherparasol。Herfacewascalmenough，butherheartbeatfastbeneathherbreast。
　　“Iwanttoaskyou。”hesaid，speakingslowlyandthickly，“ifyouwillbemywife？”
　　Beatriceopenedherlipstospeak，then，seeingthathehadonlypausedbecausehisinwardemotioncheckedhiswords，shutthemagain，andwentondigginglittleholes。Shewishedtorelyonthewholecase，asalawyerwouldsay。
　　“Iwanttoaskyou。”herepeated，“tobemywife。Ihavewishedtodosoforsomeyears，butIhaveneverbeenabletobringmyselftoit。
　　Itisagreatsteptotake，andmyhappinessdependsonit。Donotanswermeyet。”hewenton，hiswordsgatheringforceashespoke。
　　“ListentowhatIhavetotellyou。Ihavebeenalonelymanallmylife。AtseaIwaslonely，andsinceIhavecomeintothisfortuneI
　　havebeenlonelierstill。IneverlovedanybodyoranythingtillI
　　begantoloveyou。AndthenIlovedyoumoreandmoreandmore;tillnowIhaveonlyonethoughtinallmylife，andthatthoughtisofyou。WhileIamawakeIthinkofyou，andwhenIamasleepIdreamofyou。Listen，Beatrice，listen！——Ihaveneverlovedanyotherwoman，I
　　havescarcelyspokentoone——onlyyou，Beatrice。Icangiveyouagreatdeal;andeverythingIhaveshallbeyours，onlyIshouldbejealousofyou——yes，veryjealous！“
　　Heresheglancedathisface。Itwasoutwardlycalmbutwhiteasdeath，andintheblueeyes，generallysoplacid，shoneafirethatbycontrastlookedalmostunholy。
　　“Ithinkthatyouhavesaidenough，Mr。Davies。”Beatriceanswered。“I
　　amverymuchobligedtoyou。Iammuchhonoured，forinsomewaysIamnotyourequal，butIdonotloveyou，andIcannotmarryyou，andI
　　thinkitbesttotellyousoplainly，onceandforall。”andunconsciouslyshewentondiggingtheholes。
　　“Oh，donotsaythat。”heanswered，almostinamoan。“ForGod’ssakedon’tsaythat！Itwillkillmetoloseyou。IthinkIshouldgomad。
　　Marrymeandyouwilllearntoloveme。”
　　Beatriceglancedathimagain，andapangofpitypiercedherheart。
　　Shedidnotknowitwassobadacaseasthis。Itstruckhertoothatshewasdoingafoolishthing，fromaworldlypointofview。Themanlovedherandwasveryeligible。Heonlyaskedofherwhatmostwomenarewillingenoughtogiveundercircumstancessofavourabletotheirwell-being——herself。Butsheneverlikedhim，hehadalwaysrepelledher，andshewasnotawomantomarryamanwhomshedidnotlike。
　　Also，duringthelastweekthisdislikeandrepulsionhadhardenedandstrengthened。Vaguely，ashepleadedwithher，Beatricewonderedwhy，andasshedidsohereyefelluponthepatternshewasautomaticallyprickinginthesand。Ithadtakentheformofletters，andtheletterswereGEOFFRE——Greatheaven！Couldthatbetheanswer？
　　Sheflushedcrimsonwithshameatthethought，andpassedherfootacrossthetell-taleletters，asshebelieved，obliteratingthem。
　　Owensawthesofteningofhereyesandsawtheblush，andmisinterpretedthem。Thinkingthatshewasrelenting，byinstinct，ratherthanfromanyteachingofexperience，heattemptedtotakeherhand。Withaturnofthearm，soquickthatevenElizabethwatchingwithallhereyessawnothingofthemovement，Beatricetwistedherselffree。
　　“Don’ttouchme。”shesaidsharply，“youhavenorighttotouchme。I
　　haveansweredyou，Mr。Davies。”
　　Owenwithdrewhishandabashed，andforamomentsatstill，hischinrestingonhisbreast，averypictureofdespair。Nothingindeedcouldbreakthestolidcalmofhisfeatures，buttheviolenceofhisemotionwasevidentinthequickshiveringofhislimbsandhisshortdeepbreaths。
　　“Canyougivemenohope？”hesaidatlastinaslowheavyvoice。“ForGod’ssakethinkbeforeyouanswer——youdon’tknowwhatitmeanstome。Itisnothingtoyou——youcannotfeel。Ifeel，andyourwordscutlikeaknife。IknowthatIamheavyandstupid，butIfeelasthoughyouhadkilledme。Youareheartless，quiteheartless。”
　　AgainBeatricesoftenedalittle。Shewastouchedandflattered。Whereisthewomanwhowouldnothavebeen？
　　“WhatcanIsaytoyou，Mr。Davies？”sheansweredinakindervoice。
　　“Icannotmarryyou。HowIcanImarryyouwhenIdonotloveyou？”
　　“Plentyofwomenmarrymenwhomtheydonotlove。”
　　“Thentheyarebadwomen。”answeredBeatricewithenergy。
　　“Theworlddoesnotthinkso。”hesaidagain;“theworldcallsthosewomenbadwholovewheretheycannotmarry，andtheworldisalwaysright。Marriagesanctifieseverything。”
　　Beatricelaughedbitterly。“Doyouthinkso？”shesaid。“Idonot。I
　　thinkthatmarriagewithoutloveisthemostunholyofourinstitutions，andthatissayingagooddeal。SupposingIshouldsayyestoyou，supposingthatImarriedyou，notlovingyou，whatwoulditbefor？Foryourmoneyandyourposition，andtobecalledamarriedwoman，andwhatdoyousupposeIshouldthinkofmyselfinmyheartthen？No，no，Imaybebad，butIhavenotfallensolowasthat。Findanotherwife，Mr。Davies;theworldiswideandthereareplentyofwomeninitwhowillloveyouforyourownsake，orwhoatanyratewillnotbesoparticular。Forgetme，andleavemetogomyownway——itisnotyourway。”
　　“Leaveyoutogoyourownway。”heansweredalmostwithpassion——“thatis，leaveyoutosomeotherman。Oh！Icannotbeartothinkofit。I
　　amjealousofeverymanwhocomesnearyou。Doyouknowhowbeautifulyouare？Youaretoobeautiful——everymanmustloveyouasIdo。Oh，ifyoutookanybodyelseIthinkthatIshouldkillhim。”
　　“Donotspeaklikethat，Mr。Davies，orIshallgo。”
　　Hestoppedatonce。“Don’tgo。”hesaidimploringly。“Listen。Yousaidthatyouwouldnotmarrymebecauseyoudidnotloveme。Supposingthatyoulearnedtoloveme，sayinayear’stime，Beatrice，wouldyoumarrymethen？”
　　“IwouldmarryanymanwhomIloved。”sheanswered。
　　“Thenifyoulearntolovemeyouwillmarryme？”
　　“Oh，thisisridiculous。”shesaid。“Itisnotprobable，itishardlypossible，thatsuchathingshouldhappen。Ifithadbeengoingtohappenitwouldhavehappenedbefore。”
　　“Itmightcomeabout。”heanswered;“yourheartmightsoftentowardsme。Oh，sayyestothis。Itisasmallrequest，itcostsyounothing，anditgivesmehope，withoutwhichIcannotlive。SaythatImayaskyouoncemore，andthatthenifyoulovemeyouwillmarryme。”
　　Beatricethoughtforamoment。Suchapromisecoulddohernoharm，andinthecourseofsixmonthsorayearhemightgetusedtotheideaoflivingwithouther。Alsoitwouldpreventascene。Itwasweakofher，butshedreadedtheideaofherhavingrefusedOwenDaviescomingtoherfather’sears。
　　“Ifyouwishit，Mr。Davies。”shesaid，“sobeit。OnlyIaskyoutounderstandthis，Iaminnowaytiedtoyou。Igiveyounohopethatmyanswer，shouldyourenewthisofferayearhenceoratanyothertime，willdifferfromthatIgiveyouto-day。Idonotthinkthereistheslightestprobabilityofsuchathing。Also，itmustbeunderstoodthatyouarenottospeaktomyfatheraboutthismatter，ortotroublemeinanyway。Doyouconsent？”
　　“Yes。”heanswered，“Iconsent。Youhavemeatyourmercy。”
　　“Verywell。Andnow，Mr。Davies，good-bye。No，donotwalkbackwithme。Ihadrathergobymyself。ButIwanttosaythis:Iamverysorryforwhathashappened。Ihavenotwishedittohappen。Ihaveneverencouragedit，andmyhandsarecleanofit。ButIamsorry，sorrybeyondmeasure，andIrepeatwhatIsaidbefore——seekoutsomeotherwomanandmarryher。”
　　“Thatisthecruellestthingofallthecruelthingswhichyouhavesaid。”heanswered。
　　“Ididnotmeanittobecruel，Mr。Davies，butIsupposethatthetruthoftenis。Andnowgood-bye。”andBeatricestretchedoutherhand。
　　Hetouchedit，andsheturnedandwent。ButOwendidnotgo。Hesatupontherock，hisheadbowedinmisery。Hehadstakedallhishopesuponthiswoman。Shewastheonedesirablethingtohim，theonestarinhissomewhatleadensky，andnowthatstarwaseclipsed。Herwordswereunequivocal，theygavebutlittlehope。Beatricewasscarcelyawomantoturnroundinsixmonthsorayear。Onthecontrary，therewasafixityaboutherwhichfrightenedhim。Whatcouldbethecauseofit？Howcameitthatsheshouldbesoreadytorejecthim，andallhehadtoofferher？Afterall，shewasagirlinasmallposition。
　　Shecouldnotbelookingforwardtoabettermatch。Norwouldtheprospectmoveheronewayoranother。Theremustbeareasonforit。
　　Perhapshehadarival，surelythatmustbethecause。Someenemyhaddonethisthing。Butwho？
　　Atthismomentawoman’sshadowfellathwarthim。
　　“Oh，haveyoucomeback？”hecried，springingtohisfeet。
　　“IfyoumeanBeatrice。”answeredavoice——itwasElizabeth’s——“shewentdowntothebeachtenminutesago。Ihappenedtobeonthecliff，andIsawher。”
　　“Oh，Ibegyourpardon，MissGranger。”hesaidfaintly。“Ididnotseewhoitwas。”
　　Elizabethsatdownupontherockwherehersisterhadsat，and，seeingthelittleholesinthebreach，beganindolentlytoclearthemofthesandwhichBeatricehadsweptoverthemwithherfoot。Thiswasnodifficultmatter，fortheholesweredeeplydug，anditwaseasytotracetheirposition。Presentlytheywerenearlyallclear——thatis，theletterswerelegible。
　　“YouhavehadatalkwithBeatrice，Mr。Davies？”
　　“Yes。”heansweredapathetically。
　　Elizabethpaused。Thenshetookherbullbythehorns。
　　“AreyougoingtomarryBeatrice，Mr。Davies？”sheasked。
　　“Idon’tknow。”heansweredslowlyandwithoutsurprise。Itseemednaturaltohimthathisowncentralthoughtshouldbepresentinhermind。“Iloveherdearly，andwanttomarryher。”
　　“Sherefusedyou，then？”
　　“Yes。”
　　Elizabethbreathedmorefreely。
　　“ButIcanaskheragain。”
　　Elizabethfrowned。Whatcouldthismean？Itwasnotanabsoluterefusal。Beatricewasplayingsomegameofherown。
　　“Whydidsheputyouoffso，Mr。Davies？Donotthinkmeinquisitive。
　　IonlyaskbecauseImaybeabletohelpyou。”
　　“Iknow;youareverykind。HelpmeandIshallalwaysbegratefultoyou。Idonotknow——Ialmostthinkthattheremustbesomebodyelse，onlyIdon’tknowwhoitcanbe。”
　　“Ah！“saidElizabeth，whohadbeengazingintentlyatthelittleholesinthebeachwhichshehadnowclearedofthesand。“Ofcoursethatispossible。Sheisacuriousgirl，Beatriceis。Whatarethoseletters，Mr。Davies？”
　　Helookedatthemidly。“SomethingyoursisterwaswritingwhileI
　　talkedtoher。Irememberseeingherdoit。”
　　“GEOFFRE——why，itmustbemeantforGeoffrey。Yes，ofcourseitispossiblethatthereissomebodyelse，Mr。Davies。Geoffrey！——howcurious！“
　　“Whyisitcurious，MissGranger？WhoisGeoffrey？”
　　ElizabethlaughedadisagreeablelittlelaughthatsomehowattractedOwen’sattentionmorethanherwords。
　　“HowshouldIknow？ItmustbesomefriendofBeatrice’s，andoneofwhomsheisthinkingagreatdeal，orshewouldnotwritehisnameunconsciously。TheonlyGeoffreythatIknowisMr。GeoffreyBingham，thebarrister，whoisstayingattheVicarage，andwhoselifeBeatricesaved。”Shepausedtowatchhercompanion’sface，andsawanewideacreepacrossitsstolidity。“Butofcourse。”shewenton，“itcannotbeMr。Binghamthatshewasthinkingof，becauseyouseeheismarried。”
　　“Married？”hesaid，“yes，buthe’samanforallthat，andaveryhandsomeone。”
　　“Yes，Ishouldcallhimhandsome——afineman。”Elizabethansweredcritically;“but，asBeatricesaidtheotherday，thegreatcharmabouthimishistalkandpowerofmind。Heisaveryremarkableman，andtheworldwillhearofhimbeforehehasdone。But，however，allthisisneitherherenorthere。Beatriceisacuriouswoman，andhasstrangeideas，butIamsurethatshewouldnevercarryonwithamarriedman。”
　　“Buthemightcarryonwithher，MissElizabeth。”
　　Shelaughed。“DoyoureallythinkthatamanlikeMr。Binghamwouldtrytoflirtwithgirlswithoutencouragement？Menlikethatareasproudaswomen，andprouder;theladymustalwaysbeastepahead。Butwhatisthegoodoftalkingaboutsuchathing？Itisallnonsense。
　　BeatricemusthavebeenthinkingofsomeotherGeoffrey——oritwasanaccidentofsomething。Why，Mr。Davies，ifyouforonemomentreallybelievedthatdearBeatricecouldbeguiltyofsuchashamelessthingastocarryonaflirtationwithamarriedman，wouldyouhaveaskedhertomarryyou？Wouldyoustillthinkofaskingsuchawomanasshemustbetobecomeyourwife？”
　　“Idon’tknow;Isupposenot。”hesaiddoubtfully。
　　“Yousupposenot。Iknowyoubetterthanyouknowyourself。Youwouldrathernevermarryatallthantakesuchawomanasshewouldbeprovedtobe。Butitisnogoodtalkingsuchstuff。Ifyouhavearivalyoumaybesureitissomeunmarriedman。”
　　Owenreflectedinhisheartthatonthewholehewouldratheritwasamarriedone，sinceamarriedman，atanyrate，couldnotlegallytakepossessionofBeatrice。ButElizabeth’srigidmoralityalarmedhim，andhedidnotsayso。
　　“DoyouknowIfeelalittleupset，MissElizabeth。”heanswered。“I
　　thinkIwillbegoing。Bytheway，Ipromisedtosaynothingofthistoyourfather。Ihopethatyouwillnotdoso，either。”
　　“Mostcertainlynot。”saidElizabeth，andindeeditwouldbethelastthingshewouldwishtodo。“Well，good-bye，Mr。Davies。Donotbedownhearted;itwillallcomerightintheend。Youwillalwayshavemetohelpyou，remember。”
　　“Thankyou，thankyou。”hesaidearnestly，andwent。
　　Elizabethwatchedhimroundthewallofrockwithacoldanduglysmilesetuponherface。
　　“Youfool。”shethought，“youfool！Totell/me/thatyou’loveherdearlyandwanttomarryher;’youwanttogetthatsweetfaceofhers，doyou？Younevershall;I’dspoilitfirst！DearBeatrice，sheisnotcapableofcarryingonaloveaffairwithamarriedman——oh，certainlynot！Why，she’sinlovewithhimalready，andheismorethanhalfinlovewithher。Ifshehadn’tbeen，wouldshehaveputOwenoff？Notshe。Givethemtime，andweshallsee。Theywillruineachother——they/must/ruineachother;itwon’tbechild’splaywhentwopeoplelikethatfallinlove。Theywillnotstopatsighs，thereistoomuchhumannatureaboutthem。Itwasagoodideatogethimintothehouse。AndtoseehergoonwiththatchildEffie，justasthoughshewasitsmother——itmakesmelaugh。Ah，Beatrice，withallyourwitsyouareasillywoman！Andoneday，mydeargirl，IshallhavethepleasureofexposingyoutoOwen;theidolwillbeunveiled，andtherewillbeanendofyourchanceswithhim，forhecan’tmarryyouafterthat。Thenmyturnwillcome。Itisaquestionoftime——onlyaquestionoftime！“
　　SobroodedElizabethinherheart，maddedwithmaliciousenvyandpassionatejealousy。Shelovedthisman，OwenDavies，asmuchasshecouldloveanybody;attheleast，shedearlylovedthewealthandstationofwhichhewasthevisiblecentre，andshehatedthesisterwhomhedesired。Ifshecouldonlydiscreditthatsisterandshowhertobeguiltyofwoman’sworstcrime，misplaced，unlegalisedaffection，surely，shethought，Owenwouldrejecther。
　　Shewaswrong。ShedidnotknowhowentirelyhedesiredtomakeBeatricehiswife，orrealisehowforgivingamancanbewhohassuchanendtogain。Itisofthewomenwhoalreadywearythemandoftheirinfidelitythatmenaresoreadytomakeexamples，notofthosewhodonotbelongtothem，andwhomtheylongfornightandday。Tothesetheycanbeverymerciful。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　GEOFFREYLECTURES
　　MeanwhileBeatricewaswalkinghomewardswithanuneasymind。Thetroublewasuponher。Shehad，itistrue，succeededinpostponingitalittle，butsheknewverywellthatitwasonlyapostponement。OwenDavieswasnotamantobeeasilyshakenoff。Shealmostwishednowthatshehadcrushedtheideaonceandforall。Butthenhewouldhavegonetoherfather，andtheremusthavebeenascene，andshewasweakenoughtoshrinkfromthat，especiallywhileMr。Binghamwasinthehouse。Shecouldwellimaginethedismay，nottosaythefury，ofhermoney-lovingoldfatherifheweretohearthatshehadrefused——
　　actuallyrefused——OwenDaviesofBryngellyCastle，andallhiswealth。
　　ThentherewasElizabethtobereckonedwith。Elizabethwouldassuredlymakeherlifeaburdentoher。Beatricelittleguessedthatnothingwouldsuithersister’sbookbetter。Oh，ifonlyshecouldshakethedustofBryngellyoffherfeet！Butthat，too，wasimpossible。Shewasquitewithoutmoney。Shemight，itwastrue，succeedingettinganotherplaceasmistresstoaschoolinsomedistantpartofEngland，wereitnotforaninsurmountableobstacle。
　　Hereshereceivedasalaryofseventy-fivepoundsayear;ofthisshekeptfifteenpounds，outofwhichslendersumshecontrivedtodressherself;therestshegavetoherfather。Now，asshewellknew，hecouldnotkeephisheadabovewaterwithoutthisassistance，which，smallasitwas，madeallthedifferencetotheirhouseholdbetweenpovertyandactualwant。Ifshewentaway，supposingeventhatshefoundanequallywell-paidpost，shewouldrequireeveryfarthingofthemoneytosupportherself，therewouldbenothinglefttosendhome。Itwasapitiableposition;herewasshe，whohadjustrefusedamanworththousandsayear，quiteunabletogetoutofthewayofhisimportunityforthewantofseventy-fivepounds，paidquarterly。Well，theonlythingtodowastofaceitoutandtakeherchance。Ononepointshewas，however，quiteclear;shewould/not/marryOwenDavies。Shemightbeafoolforherpains，butshewouldnotdoit。
　　Sherespectedherselftoomuchtomarryamanshedidnotlove;amanwhomshepositivelydisliked。“No，never！“sheexclaimedaloud，stampingherfootupontheshingle。
　　“Neverwhat？”saidavoice，withintwoyardsofher。
　　Shestartedviolently，andlookedround。There，hisbackrestingagainstarock，apipeinhismouth，anopenletteronhisknee，andhishatdrawndownalmostoverhiseyes，satGeoffrey。HehadleftEffietogohomewithMr。Granger，andclimbingdownaslopingplaceinthecliff，hadstrolledalongthebeach。Theletteronhiskneewasonefromhiswife。Itwasshort，andtherewasnothingparticularinit。Effie’snamewasnotevenmentioned。Itwastoseeifhehadnotoverlookeditthathewasreadingthenotethroughagain。No，itmerelyrelatedtoLadyHonoria’ssafearrival，gavealistofthepeoplestayingattheHall——afastlot，Geoffreynoticed，acertainMr。Dunstan，whomheparticularlydisliked，amongthem——andthenumberofbraceofpartridgeswhichhadbeenkilledonthepreviousday。ThencameanassurancethatHonoriawasenjoyingherselfimmensely，andthatthenewFrenchcookwas“simplyperfect;“theletterending“withlove。”
　　“Neverwhat，MissGranger？”hesaidagain，ashelazilyfoldedupthesheet。
　　“Nevermind，ofcourse。”sheanswered，recoveringherself。“Howyoustartledme，Mr。Bingham！Ihadnoideatherewasanybodyonthebeach。”
　　“Itisquitefree，isitnot？”heanswered，gettingup。“Ithoughtyouweregoingtotramplemeintothepebbles。It’salmostalarmingwhenoneisthinkingaboutaSundaynaptoseeayoungladystridingalong，thensuddenlystop，stampherfoot，andsay，’No，never！’LuckilyI
　　knewthatyouwereaboutorIshouldreallyhavebeenfrightened。”
　　“HowdidyouknowthatIwasabout？”Beatriceaskedalittledefiantly。Itwasnobusinessofhistoobservehermovements。
　　“Intwoways。Look！“hesaid，pointingtoapatchofwhitesand。
　　“That，Ithink，isyourfootprint。”
　　“Well，whatofit？”saidBeatrice，withalittlelaugh。
　　“Nothinginparticular，exceptthatitisyourfootprint。”heanswered。“ThenIhappenedtomeetoldEdward，whowasloafingalong，andheinformedmethatyouandMr。Davieshadgoneupthebeach;
　　thereishisfootprint——Mr。Davies’s，Imean——butyoudon’tseemtohavebeenverysociable，becausehereisyoursrightinthemiddleofit。ThereforeyoumusthavebeenwalkinginIndianfile，andalittlewaybackinparallellines，withquitethirtyyardsbetweenyou。”
　　“Whydoyoutakethetroubletoobservethingssoclosely？”sheaskedinahalfamusedandhalfangrytone。
　　“Idon’tknow——ahabitofthelegalmind，Isuppose。Onemightmakequitearomanceoutofthosefootprintsonthesand，andthelittlesubsequentevents。Butyouhavenotheardallmythrillingtale。OldEdwardalsoinformedmethathesawyoursister，MissElizabeth，goingalongthecliffalmostlevelwithyou，fromwhichheconcludedthatyouhadarguedastotheshortestwaytotheRedRocksandwereputtingthemattertotheproof。”
　　“Elizabeth。”saidBeatrice，turningashadepaler;“whatcanshehavebeendoing，Iwonder。”
　　“Takingexercise，probably，likeyourself。Well，Iseatmyselfwithmypipeintheshadowofthatrock，whensuddenlyIseeMr。DaviescomingalongtowardsBryngellyasthoughhewerewalkingforawager，hishatfixeduponthebackofhishead。Literallyhewalkedovermylegsandneversawme。Thenyoufollowandejaculate，’No，never！’——andthatistheendofmystory。HaveIyourpermissiontowalkwithyou，orshallIinterferewiththedevelopmentoftheplot？”
　　“Thereisnoplot，andasyousaidjustnowthebeachisfree。”
　　Beatriceansweredpetulantly。
　　Theywalkedonafewyardsandthenhespokeinanothertone——themeaningoftheassignationhehadoverheardinthechurchyardgrewcleartohimnow。
　　“IbelievethatIhavetocongratulateyou，MissGranger。”hesaid，“andIdosoveryheartily。Itisnoteverybodywhoissofortunateasto——“
　　Beatricestopped，andhalfturningfacedhim。
　　“What/do/youmean，Mr。Bingham？”shesaid。“Idonotunderstandyourdarksayings。”
　　“Mean！oh，nothingparticular，exceptthatIwishedtocongratulateyouonyourengagement。”
　　“Myengagement！whatengagement？”
　　“Itseemsthatthereissomemistake。”hesaid，andstruggleashemighttosuppressithistonewasoneofrelief。“IunderstoodthatyouhadbecomeengagedtobemarriedtoMr。OwenDavies。IfIamwrongIamsureIapologise。”
　　“Youarequitewrong，Mr。Bingham;Idon’tknowwhoputsuchanotionintoyourhead，butthereisnotruthinit。”
　　“Thenallowmetocongratulateyouontherebeingnotruthinit。Youseethatisthebeautyofnineaffairsmatrimonialoutoften——therearetwoormoresidesofthem。Iftheycomeofftheamiableanddisinterestedobservercanlookatthebrightside——asinthiscase，lotsofmoney，romanticcastlebythesea，gentlemanofunexceptionalantecedents，&c。，&c，&c。If，ontheotherhand，theydon’t，causecanstillbefoundforthankfulness——ladymightdobetterafterall，castlebythesearatherdraughtyandcoldinspring，gentlemenmostestimablebutperhapsalittledull，andsoon，yousee。”
　　TherewasanoteofmockeryabouthistalkwhichirritatedBeatriceexceedingly。ItwasnotlikeMr。Binghamtospeakso。Itwasnoteventhewaythatagentlemanoutofhisteensshouldspeaktoaladyonsuchasubject。Heknewthisaswellasshedidandwassecretlyashamedofhimself。Butthetruthmustout:thoughGeoffreydidnotadmititeventohimselfhewasbitterlyandprofoundlyjealous，andjealouspeoplehavenomanners。Beatricecouldnot，however，beexpectedtoknowthis，andnaturallygrewangry。
　　“Idonotquiteunderstandwhatyouaretalkingabout，Mr。Bingham。”
　　shesaid，puttingonhermostdignifiedair，andBeatricecouldlookratheralarming。“Youhavepickedupapieceofunfoundedgossipandnowyoutakeadvantageofittolaughatme，andtosayrudethingsofMr。Davies。Itisnotkind。”
　　“Oh，no;itwasthefootsteps，MissGranger，/and/thegossip，/and/
　　theappointmentyoumadeinthechurchyard，thatIunwillinglyoverheard，notthegossipalonewhichledmeintomymistake。OfcourseIhavenowtoapologise。”
　　AgainBeatricestampedherfoot。Shesawthathewasstillmockingher，andfeltthathedidnotbelieveher。
　　“There。”hewenton，stungintounkindnessbyhisbitingbutunacknowledgedjealousy，forshewasright——onreflectionhedidnotquitebelievewhatshesaidastohernotbeingengaged。“HowunfortunateIam——Ihavesaidsomethingtomakeyouangryagain。WhydidyounotwalkwithMr。Davies？Ishouldthenhaveremainedguiltlessofoffence，andyouwouldhavehadamoreagreeablecompanion。Youwanttoquarrelwithme;whatshallwequarrelabout？
　　Therearemanythingsonwhichwearediametricallyopposed;letusstartone。”
　　Itwastoomuch，forthoughhiswordswerenothingthetoneinwhichhespokegavethemasting。Beatrice，alreadydisturbedinmindbythescenethroughwhichshehadpassed，herbreastalreadythrobbingwithavaguetroubleofwhichshedidnotknowthemeaning，foronceinherlifelostcontrolofherselfandgrewhysterical。Hergreyeyesfilledwithtears，thecornersofhersweetmouthdropped，andshelookedverymuchasthoughsheweregoingtoburstoutweeping。
　　“Itismostunkindofyou。”shesaid，withahalfsob。“IfyouknewhowmuchIhavetoputupwith，youwouldnotspeaktomelikethat。I
　　knowthatyoudonotbelieveme;verywell，Iwilltellyouthetruth。
　　Yes，thoughIhavenobusinesstodoit，andyouhavenoright——noneatall——tomakemedoit，Iwilltellyouthetruth，becauseIcannotbearthatyoushouldnotbelieveme。Mr。DaviesdidwantmetomarryhimandIrefusedhim。Iputhimoffforawhile;IdidthisbecauseI
　　knewthatifIdidnothewouldgotomyfather。Itwascowardly，butmyfatherwouldmakemylifewretched——“andagainshegaveahalf-
　　chokedsob。
　　Muchhasbeensaidandwrittenabouttheeffectproduceduponmenbythesightofaladyin，orontheborderlineoftears，andthereisnodoubtthatthiseffectisconsiderable。Manbeinginhisrightmindisdeeplymovedbysuchaspectacle，alsoheisfrightenedbecausehedreadsascene。Nowmostpeoplewouldratherwalktenmilesintheirdressshoesthanhavetodealwithayoungladyinhysterics，howevermodified。Puttingthepeculiarcircumstancesofthecaseaside，Geoffreywasnoexceptiontothisrule。ItwasallverywelltocrossspearswithBeatrice，whohadquiteanequalwit，andwasverycapableofretaliation，buttoseehersurrenderatdiscretionwasaltogetheranotherthing。Indeedhefeltmuchashamedofhimself。
　　“Pleasedon’t——don’t——beputout。”hesaid。Hedidnotliketousetheword“cry。”“Iwasonlylaughingatyou，butIoughtnottohavespokenasIdid。Ididnotwishtoforceyourconfidence，indeedIdidnot。Ineverthoughtofsuchathing。Iamsosorry。”
　　Hisremorsewasevidentlygenuine，andBeatricefeltsomewhatappeased。Perhapsitdidnotaltogethergrievehertolearnthatshecouldmakehimfeelsorry。
　　“Youdidnotforcemyconfidence。”shesaiddefiantly，quiteforgettingthatamomentbeforeshehadreproachedhimformakingherspeak。“ItoldyoubecauseIdidnotchoosethatyoushouldthinkI
　　wasnotspeakingthetruth——andnowletuschangethesubject。”Sheimposednoreserveonhimastowhatshehadrevealed;sheknewthattherewasnonecessitytodoso。Thesecretwouldbebetweenthem——
　　anotherdangerouslink。
　　Beatricerecoveredhercomposureandtheywalkedslowlyon。
　　“Tellme，Mr。Bingham。”shesaidpresently，“howcanawomanearnherliving——Imeanagirllikemyselfwithoutanyspecialqualifications？
　　Someofthemgeton。”
　　“Well。”heanswered，“thatdependsuponthegirl。Whatsortofalivingdoyoumean？Youareearningalivingnow，ofakind。”
　　“Yes，butsometimes，ifonlyIcouldmanageit，IthinkthatIshouldliketogetawayfromhere，andtakeanotherline，somethingbigger。I
　　donotsupposethatIevershall，butIliketothinkofitsometimes。”
　　“Ionlyknowoftwothingswhichawomancanturnto。”hesaid，“thestageandliterature。Ofcourse。”headdedhastily，“thefirstisoutofthequestioninyourcase。”
　　“Andsoistheother，Iamafraid。”sheansweredshakingherhead，“thatisifbyliteratureyoumeanimaginativewriting，andIsupposethatistheonlywaytogetintonotice。AsItoldyouIlostmyimagination——well，tobefrank，whenIlostmyfaith。AtonetimeI
　　usedtohaveplenty，asIusedtohaveplentyoffaith，buttheonewentwiththeother，Idonotunderstandwhy。”
　　“Don’tyou？IthinkIdo。Amindwithoutreligioussentimentislikeastarwithoutatmosphere，brighterthanotherstarsbutnotsosofttosee。Religion，poetry，music，imagination，andevensomeofthemoreexaltedformsofpassion，flourishinthesamesoil，andare，I
　　sometimesthink，differentmanifestationsofthesamething。Doyouknowitisridiculoustohearyoutalkofhavinglostyourfaith，becauseIdon’tbelieveit。Attheworstithasgonetosleep，andwillwakeupagainoneday。Possiblyyoumaynotacceptsomeparticularformoffaith，butItellyoufranklythattorejectallreligionsimplybecauseyoucannotunderstandit，isnothingbutaformofatrociousspiritualvanity。Yourmindistoobigforyou，MissGranger:ithasrunawaywithyou，butyouknowitistiedbyastring——itcannotgofar。Andnowperhapsyouwillbeangryagain。”
　　“No，indeed，whyshouldIbeangry？Idaresaythatyouarequiteright，andIonlyhopethatImaybeabletobelieveagain。IwilltellyouhowIlostbelief。IhadalittlebrotherwhomIlovedmorethananythingelseintheworld，indeedaftermymotherdiedhewastheonlythingIreallyhadtolove，forIthinkthatmyfathercaresmoreforElizabeththanhedoesforme，sheissomuchthebetteratbusinessmatters，andElizabethandIneverquitegoton。Idaresaythatthefaultismine，butthefactremains——wearesistersbutwearenotintimate。Well，mybrotherfellillofafever，andforalongtimehelaybetweenlifeanddeath，andIprayedforhimasIneverprayedforanybodyoranythingbefore——yes，IprayedthatImightdieinsteadofhim。Thenhepassedthroughthecrisisandgotbetter，andIthankedGod，thinkingthatmyprayershadbeenanswered;oh，howhappyIwasforthosetendays！Andthenthishappened:——Mybrothergotachill，arelapsefollowed，andinthreedayshewasdead。Thelastwordsthathespoketomewere，’Oh，don’tletmedie，Bee！’——heusedtocallmeBee——’Pleasedon’tletmedie，dearBee！’Buthedied，diedinmyarms，andwhenitwasoverIrosefromhissidefeelingasthoughmyheartwasdeadalso。Iprayednomoreafterthat。Itseemedtomeasthoughmyprayershadbeenmockedat，asthoughhehadbeengivenbacktomeforalittlewhileinorderthattheblowmightbemorecrushingwhenitfell。”
　　“Don’tyouthinkthatyouwerealittlefoolishintakingsuchaview？”saidGeoffrey。“Haveyounotbeenamused，sometimes，toreadabouttheearlyChristians？——howtheleadwouldnotboilthemartyr，orthelionwouldnoteathim，ortherainfromablueskyputoutthefire，andhowthepagankingatoncewasconvertedandacceptedagreatmanydifficultdoctrineswithoutfurtherdelay。TheAthanasianCreedwasnotnecessarilytruebecausethefirewouldnotlightortheswordwouldnotcut，nor，excuseme，wereallyouroldbeliefswrongbecauseyourprayerwasunanswered。Itisanancientstory，thatwecannottellwhethertheansweringofourpetitionswillbegoodorillforus。OfcourseIdonotknowanythingaboutsuchthings，butitseemstomerashtosupposethatProvidenceisgoingtoaltertheworkingofitseternallawsmerelytosuitthepassingwishesofindividuals——wishes，too，thatinmanycaseswouldbringunforeseensorrowsiffulfilled。BesidesIdaresaythatthepoorchildishappierdeadthanhewouldhavebeenhadhelived。Itisnotanaltogetherpleasantworldformostofus。”
　　“Yes，Mr。Bingham，Iknow，andIdaresaythatIshouldhavegotovertheshockintime，onlyafterthatIbegantoread。Ireadthehistoriesofthereligionsandcomparedthem，andIreadtheworksofthosewriterswhohaverisenuptoattackthem。Ifound，orIthoughtthatIfound，thesamespringsofsuperstitioninthemall——
　　superstitionsarisingfromelementarynaturalcauses，andhandedonwithvariationsfromracetorace，andtimetotime。InsomeIfoundthesamestory，onlywithaslightlyalteredface，andIlearned，moreover，thateachfaithdeniedtheother，andclaimedtruthforitselfalone。
　　“Afterthat，too，IwenttothecollegeandthereIfellinwithalady，oneofthemistresses，whowasthecleverestwomanthatIeverknew，andinherwayagoodwoman，butonewhobelievedthatreligionwasthecurseoftheworld，andwhospentallhersparetimeinattackingitinsomeformorother。Poorthing，sheisdeadnow。Andso，yousee，whatbetweenthesecausesandthecontinualspectacleofhumanmiserywhichtomymindnegativestheideaofamercifulandwatchingPower，atlastitcametopassthattheonlyaltarleftinmytempleisanaltartothe’UnknownGod。’“
　　Geoffrey，likemostmenwhohavehadtothinkonthesematters，didnotcaretotalkaboutthemmuch，especiallytowomen。Foronething，hewasconsciousofatendencytospeechlessreverentthanhisthought。ButhehadnotenteredBeatrice’schurchofDarkness，indeedhehadturnedhisbackonitforever，though，likemostpeople，hehadatdifferentperiodsofhispastlifetarriedanhourinitsporch。Soheventuredonanobjection。
　　“Iamnotheologian。”hesaid，“andIamnotfondofdiscussiononsuchmatters。ButtherearejustoneortwothingsIshouldliketosay。Itisnoargument，tomymindatleast，topointtotheexistenceofevilandunhappinessamongmenasaproofoftheabsenceofasuperiorMercy;forwhatarementhatsuchthingsshouldnotbewiththem？Man，too，mustownsomemaster。Ifhehasdoubtslethimlookupatthemarshallingofthestarryheaven，andtheywillvanish。”
　　“No。”saidBeatrice，“Ifearnot。Kantsaidso，butbeforethatMolièrehadputtheargumentinthemouthofafool。Thestarryheavensnomoreproveanythingthandoestherunningoftheraindropsdownthewindow-pane。Itisnotaquestionofsizeandquantity。”
　　“Imightaccepttheillustration。”answeredGeoffrey;“oneexampleoflawisasgoodasanotherformypurpose。IseeinitalltheworkingofalivingWill，butofcoursethatisonlymywayoflookingatit，notyours。”
　　“No;Iamafraid。”saidBeatrice，“allthisreasoningdrawnfrommaterialthingsdoesnottouchme。ThatishowthePagansmade/their/
　　religions，anditishowPaleystrivestoprovehis。TheyarguedfromtheOuttotheIn，fromthematerialtothespiritual。Itcannotbe;
　　ifChristianityistrueitmuststanduponspiritualfeetandspeakwithaspiritualvoice，tobeheard，notinthethunderstorm，butonlyintheheartsofmen。TheexistenceofCreativeForcedoesnotdemonstratetheexistenceofaRedeemer;ifanything，ittendstonegativeit，forthepowerthatcreatesisalsothepowerwhichdestroys。Whatdoestouchme，however，isthethoughtofthemultitudeoftheDead。/That/iswhatwecarefor，notforanEternalForce，evercreatinganddestroying。Thinkofthemall——allthesoulsofunheard-ofraces，almostanimal，whopassedawaysolongago。Canoursenduremorethantheirs，anddoyouthinkthatthespiritofanEthiopianwhodiedinthetimeofMosesisanywherenow？”
　　“Therewasroomforthemallonearth。”answeredGeoffrey。“Theuniverseiswide。Itdoesnotdismayme。Therearemysteriesinournature，thenaturewethinkweknow——shalltherebenoneinthatwhichweknownot？Worldsdie，toliveagainwhen，aftermillionsofages，theconditionsbecomeoncemorefavourabletolife，andwhyshouldnotaman？Wearecreaturesoftheworld，wereflectitseverylightandshadow，werejoiceinitsrejoicing，itseveryfeaturehasatinyparallelinus。Whyshouldnotourfatebeasitsfate，anditsfateissofarasweknoweternal。Itmaychangefromgastochaos，fromchaostoactivelife，fromactivelifetoseemingdeath。Thenitmayoncemorepassintoitselements，andfromthoseelementsbackagaintoconcretebeing，andsoonforever，alwayschanging，butalwaysthesame。Somuchfornature’sallegory。Itisnotaperfectanalogy，forManisathingapartfromallthingselse;itmaybeonlyahintoratype，butitissomething。
　　“Nowtocometothequestionofourreligion。IconfessIdrawquiteadifferentconclusionfromyourfacts。Yousaythatyoutracethesamesuperstitionsinallreligions，andthatthesamespiritualmythsareinsomeshapepresentinalmostall。Well，doesnotthissuggestthatthesamegreat/truth/underliesthemall，takingfromtimetotimetheshapewhichisbestsuitedtothespiritualdevelopmentofthoseprofessingeach。Everygreatnewreligionisbetterthanthelast。YoucannotcompareOsirianismwithBuddhism，orBuddhismwithChristianity，orMahomedanismwiththeArabianidolworship。Taketheoldillustration——takeacutcrystalandholditinthesun，andyouwillseemanydifferentcolouredrayscomefromitsfacets。Theylookdifferent，buttheyareallbornofthesamegreatlight;theyareallthesamelight。Mayitnotbesowithreligion？Letyouraltarbetothe’UnknownGod，’ifyoulike——forwhocangiveanunalteringlikenesstothePoweraboveus？——butdonotknockyouraltardown。
　　“Dependuponit，MissGranger，allindicationstothecontrarynotwithstanding，thereisawatchingProvidencewithoutthewillofwhichwecannotlive，andifwedeliberatelyrejectthatProvidence，settingupourintelligenceinitsplace，sorrowwillcomeofit，evenhere;foritiswiserthanwe。Iwishthatyouwouldtryandlookatthequestionfromanotherpointofview——fromahigherpointofview。
　　Ithinkyouwillfindthatitwillbearagreatdealofexamination，andthatyouwillcometotheconclusionthatthedictumofthewise-
　　acrewhosaysthereisnothingbecausehecanseenothing，isnotnecessarilyatrueone。There，thatisallIhavetosay，andIwishthatIcouldsayitbetter。”
　　“Thankyou。”saidBeatrice，“Iwill。Whyhereweareathome;ImustgoandputEffietobed。”
　　AndhereitmaybestatedthatGeoffrey’sadvicewasnotaltogetherthrownaway。Beatricedidtrylookingatthequestionagain，andifFaithdidnotaltogethercomebacktoheratleastHopedid，and“thegreatestofthese，whichisCharity。”hadneverdesertedher。Hopecameslowlyback，notbyargumentprobably，butratherbyexample。IntheseaofDoubtshesawanotherbuoyedup，ifitwerebutonbrokenpiecesoftheship。Thisencouragedher。Geoffreybelieved，andshe——
　　believedinGeoffrey。Indeed，isnotthisthesecretofwoman’sphilosophy——even，tosomeextent，ofthatofsuchawomanasBeatrice？
　　“LetthefaithorunfaithofThis，That，ortheotherRabbianswerforme。”shesays——itisherlastargument。ShebelievesinThis，orThat，orsomeotherphilosopher:thatishercreed。AndGeoffreywasthepersoninwhomBeatricebegantobelieve，allthemorewhollybecauseshehadneverbelievedinanyonebefore。Whateverelseshewastolose，thisatleastshewonwhenshesavedhislife。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　DRIFTING
　　OnthedayfollowingtheirreligiousdiscussionanaccidenthappenedwhichresultedinGeoffreyandBeatricebeingmorethaneverthrowninthecompanyofeachother。Duringthepreviousweektwocasesofscarlatinahadbeenreportedamongtheschoolchildren，andnowitwasfoundthatthecomplainthadspreadsomuchthatitwasnecessarytoclosetheschool。Thismeant，ofcourse，thatBeatricehadallhertimeuponherhands。AndsohadGeoffrey。Itwashiscustomtobathebeforebreakfast，afterwhichhehadnothingtodofortherestoftheday。BeatricewithlittleEffiealsobathedbeforebreakfastfromtheladies’bathing-place，aquarterofamileoff，andsometimeshewouldmeetherasshereturned，glowingwithhealthandbeautylikeVenusnewrisenfromtheCypriansea，herhalf-driedhairhanginginheavymassesdownherback。ThenafterbreakfasttheywouldtakeEffiedowntothebeach，andher“auntie。”asthechildlearnedtocallBeatrice，wouldteachherlessonsandpoetrytillshewastired，andranawaytopaddleintheseaorlookforprawnsamongtherocks。
　　Meanwhilethechild’sfatherandBeatricewouldtalk——notaboutreligion，theyspokenomoreonthatsubject，noraboutOwenDavies，butofeverythingelseonearth。Beatricewasamerrywomanwhenshewashappy，andtheyneverlackedsubjectsofconversation，fortheirmindswereverymuchintune。Inbook-learningBeatricehadtheadvantageofGeoffrey，forshehadnotonlyreadenormously，shealsorememberedwhatshereadandcouldapplyit。Hercriticalfaculty，too，wasverykeen。He，ontheotherhand，hadmoreknowledgeoftheworld，andinhisrichdayshadtravelledagooddeal，andsoitcametopassthateachcouldalwaysfindsomethingtotelltheother。Neverforonesecondweretheydull，notevenwhentheysatforanhourorsoinsilence，foritwasthesilenceofcompletecompanionship。
　　Sothelongmorningwouldwearawayalltooquickly，andtheywouldgointodinner，tobegreetedwithacoldsmilebyElizabethandheartilyenoughbytheoldgentleman，whoneverthoughtofanythingoutofhisowncircleofaffairs。Afterdinneritwasthesamestory。
　　Eithertheywentwalkingtolookforfernsandflowers，orperhapsGeoffreytookhisgunandhidbehindtherocksforcurlew，sendingBeatrice，whoknewthecoastbyheart，amileroundormoretosomeheadlandinordertoputthemonthewing。Thenshewouldcomeback，springingtowardshimfromrocktorock，andcrouchdownbeneathaneighbouringseaweed-coveredboulder，andtheywouldtalktogetherinwhispers，orperhapstheywouldnottalkatall，forfearlesttheyshouldfrightentheflightingbirds。AndGeoffreywouldfirstsearchtheheavensforcurleworduck，and，seeingnone，wouldlethiseyesfalluponthepurebeautyofBeatrice’sface，showingsoclearlyagainstthetendersky，andwonderwhatshewasthinkingabout;till，suddenlyfeelinghisgaze，shewouldturnwithasmileassweetasthefirstrosyblushofdawnuponthewaters，andaskhimwhat/he/wasthinkingabout。Andhewouldlaughandanswer“You。”whereonshewouldsmileagainandperhapsblushalittle，feelinggladatheart，sheknewnotwhy。
　　Thencametea-timeandthequiet，whentheysatattheopenwindow，andGeoffreysmokedandlistenedtothesoftsurgingoftheseaandtheharmoniouswhisperofthenightairinthepines。InthecornerMr。Grangersleptinhisarmchair，orperhapshehadgonetobedaltogether，forhelikedtogotobedathalf-pasteight，astheoldHerefordshirefarmer，hisfather，haddonebeforehim;andatthefarendoftheroomsatElizabeth，doingheraccountsbythelightofasolitarycandle，or，iftheyfailedher，readingsomebookofadevotionalandinspiredcharacter。Butovertheedgeofthebook，orfromthepageofcrabbedaccounts，hereyeswouldglancecontinuallytowardsthehandsomepairinthewindow-place，andshewouldsmileasshesawthatitwentwell。Onlytheyneversawtheglancesornotedthesmile。WhenGeoffreylookedthatway，whichwasnotoften，forElizabeth——oldElizabeth，ashealwayscalledhertohimself——didnotattracthim，allhesawwashersharpbutcapable-lookingformbendingoverherwork，andthelightofthecandlegleamingonherstraw-
　　colouredhairandfallingingleamingwhitepatchesonherhardknuckles。