CHAPTERXXIII
　　ADAWNOFRAIN
　　ThatcrashoftheclosingdoordidnotawakeBeatriceonly;itawokebothElizabethandMr。Granger。Elizabethsatupinbedstraininghereyesthroughthegloomtoseewhathadhappened。TheyfellonBeatrice’sbed——surely——surely——
　　Elizabethslippedup，cat-likeshecreptacrosstheroomandfeltwithherhandatthebed。Beatricewasnotthere。Shesprangtotheblindanddrewit，lettinginsuchlightastherewas，andbyitsearchedtheroom。Shespoke:“Beatrice，whereareyou？”
　　Noanswer。
　　“Ah——h。”saidElizabethaloud;“Iunderstand。Atlast——atlast！“
　　Whatshouldseedo？Shouldshegoandcallherfatherandputthemtoanopenshame？No。Beatricemustcomebacksometime。Theknowledgewasenough;shewantedtheknowledgetouseifnecessary。Shedidnotwishtoruinhersisterunlessinself-defence，orrather，forthecauseofself-advancement。StilllessdidshewishtoinjureGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnogrudge。Soshepeepedalongthepassage，thenreturning，creptbacktoherbedlikeasnakeintoaholeandwatched。
　　Mr。Granger，hearingthecrash，thoughtthatthefrontdoorhadblownopen。Rising，helitacandleandwenttosee。
　　ButofallthisGeoffreyknewnothing，andBeatricenaturallylessthannothing。
　　Shelaysenselessinhisarms，herheadrestedonhisshoulder，herheavyhairstreameddownhissidealmosttohisknee。Heliftedher，touchedherontheforeheadwithhislipsandlaidheronthebed。
　　Whatwastobedone？Bringherbacktolife？No，hedarednot——nothere。Whileshelaythusherhelplessnessprotectedher;butifoncemoreshewasaliving，lovingwomanhereandso——oh，howshouldtheyescape？Hedarednottouchherorlooktowardsher——tillhehadmadeuphismind。Itwassoondone。Hereshemustnotbide，andsinceofherselfshecouldnotgo，whyhemusttakehernow，thismoment！
　　HoweverfarGeoffreyfellshortofvirtue’sstricterstandard，letthisalwaysberememberedinhisfavour。
　　Heopenedthedoor，andashedidso，thoughtthatheheardsomeonestirringinthehouse。Andsohedid;itwasMr。Grangerinthesitting-room。Hearingnomore，Geoffreyconcludedthatitwasthewind，andturning，gropedhiswaytothebedwhereBeatricelayasstillasdeath。Foronemomentahorriblefearstruckhimthatshemightbedead。Hehadheardofcasesofsomnambulistswho，onbeingstartledfromtheirunnaturalsleep，onlywoketodie。Itmightbesowithher。Hurriedlyheplacedhishanduponherbreast。Yes，herheartstirred——faintlyindeed，butstillitstirred。Shehadonlyswooned。
　　Thenhesethisteeth，andplacinghisarmsabouther，liftedherasthoughshewereababe。Beatricewasnoslipofagirl，butawell-
　　grownwomanoffullsize。Heneverfeltherweight;itseemednothingtohim。Stealthilyasonebentonmidnightmurder，hesteppedwithhertothedoorandthroughitintothepassage。Thensupportingherwithonearm，heclosedthedoorwithhislefthand。Stealthilyinthegloomhepassedalongthecorridor，hisbarefeetmakingnonoiseupontheboardedfloor，tillhereachedthebisectingpassageleadingfromthesitting-rooms。
　　Heglancedupitapprehensively，andwhathesawfrozethebloodinhisveins，fortherecomingdownit，noteightpacesfromhim，wasMr。
　　Granger，holdingacandleinhishand。Whatcouldbedone？Togetbacktohisroomwasimpossible——toreachthatofBeatricewasalsoimpossible。Withanefforthecollectedhisthoughts，andlikeaflashoflightitpassedintohismindthattheemptyroomwasnottwopacesfromhim。Astrideandhehadreachedit。Oh，wherewasthehandle？
　　andoh，iftheroomshouldbelocked！Byamercifulchanceitwasnot。
　　Hesteppedthroughthedoor，knockingBeatrice’sfeetagainsttheframeworkashedidso，closedit——toshutithehadnotime——andstoodgaspingbehindit。
　　Thegleamoflightdrewnearer。Mercifulpowers！hehadbeenseen——theoldmanwascomingin。Whatcouldhesay？Tellthetruth，thatwasall;butwhowouldbelievesuchastory？why，itwasonethatheshouldscarcelycaretoadvanceinacourtoflaw。Couldheexpectafathertobelieveit——afatherfindingamancrouchedlikeathiefbehindadooratthedeadofnightwithhislovelydaughtersenselessinhisarms？HehadalreadythoughtofgoingstraighttoMr。Granger，buthadabandonedtheideaashopeless。Whowouldbelievethistaleofsleep-walking？ForthefirsttimeinhislifeGeoffreyfeltterriblyafraid，bothforBeatriceandhimself;thehairroseonhishead，hisheartstoodstill，andacoldperspirationstartedontohisface。
　　“It’sveryodd。”heheardtheoldmanmuttertohimself;“IcouldalmostswearthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothatroom。Where’sthehandle？IfIbelievedinghosts——hullo！mycandlehasblownout！I
　　mustgoandhuntforamatch。Don’tquitelikegoingintherewithoutalight。”
　　Forthemomenttheyweresaved。Thefiercedraughtrushingthroughtheopencrackofthedoorfromtheill-fittingwindowhadextinguishedthecandle。
　　GeoffreywaitedafewsecondstoallowMr。Grangertoreachhisroom，andthenoncemorestartedonhisawfuljourney。Hepassedoutoftheroominsafety;happilyBeatriceshowednosignsofrecovery。Afewquickstepsandhewasatherowndoor。Andnowanewterrorseizedhim。WhatifElizabethwasalsowalkingthehouseorevenawake？HethoughtofputtingBeatricedownatthedoorandleavingherthere，butabandonedtheidea。Tobeginwith，herfathermightseeher，andthenhowcouldherpresencebeaccountedfor？orifhedidnot，shewouldcertainlysufferilleffectsfromthecold。No，hemustriskit，andatonce，thoughhewouldratherhavefacedabatteryofguns。Thedoorfortunatelywasajar。Geoffreyopeneditwithhisfoot，entered，andwithhisfootpushedittoagain。Suddenlyherememberedthathehadneverbeenintheroom，anddidnotknowwhichbedbelongedtoBeatrice。Hewalkedtothenearest;adeep-drawnbreathtoldhimthatitwasthewrongone。DrawingsomefaintconsolationfromthefactthatElizabethwasevidentlyasleep，hegropedhiswaytothesecondbedthroughthedeeptwilightoftheroom。Theclotheswerethrownback。HelaidBeatricedownandthrewthemoverher。Thenhefled。
　　AshereachedthedoorhesawMr。Granger’slightdisappearintohisownroomandheardhisdoorclose。Afterthatitseemedtohimthathetookbuttwostepsandwasinhisownplace。
　　Heburstoutlaughing;therewasasmuchhysteriainthelaughasamangiveswayto。Hisnerveswereshatteredbystruggle，loveandfear，andsoughtreliefinghastlymerriment。Somehowthewholesceneremindedhimofoneinacomicopera。Therewasaludicroussidetoit。Supposingthatthepoliticalopponents，whoalreadyhatedhimsobitterly，couldhaveseenhimslinkingfromdoortodooratmidnightwithanunconsciousladyinhisarms——whatwouldtheyhavesaid？
　　Heceasedlaughing;thefitpassed——indeeditwasnolaughingmatter。
　　Thenhethoughtofthefirstnightoftheirstrangecommunion，thatnightbeforehehadreturnedtoLondon。Theseedsowninthathourhadblossomedandbornefruitindeed。WhowouldhavedreameditpossiblethatheshouldthushavedrawnBeatricetohim？Well，heoughttohaveknown。Ifitwaspossiblethatthewordswhichfloatedthroughhermindcouldariseinhisastheyhaddoneuponthatnight，whatwasnotpossible？Andweretherenototherwords，writtenbythesamemaster-
　　hand，whichtoldofsuchthingsasthese:
　　“’Now——now，’thedoorisheard;
　　Hark，thestairs！andnear——
　　Nearer——andhere——
　　’Now’！andatcallthethird，Sheenterswithoutaword。
　　Likethedoorsofacasketshrine，Seeoneitherside，HertwoarmsdivideTilltheheartbetwixtmakessign，’Takeme，forIamthine。’
　　First，Iwillpray。DoThouThatownestthesoul，YetwiltgrantcontrolToanother，nordisallowForatime，restrainmenow！“
　　Didtheynotrunthus？Oh，heshouldhaveknown！Thishecouldplead，andthisonly——thatcontrolhadbeengrantedtohim。
　　ButhowwouldBeatricefare？Wouldshecometoherselfsafely？Hethoughtso，itwasonlyafaintingfit。Butwhenshedidrecover，whatwouldshedo？Nothingrash，heprayed。Andwhatcouldbetheendofitall？Whomightsay？Howfortunatethatthesisterhadbeensosoundasleep。SomehowhedidnottrustElizabeth——hefearedher。
　　WellmightGeoffreyfearher！Elizabeth’ssleepwasthatofaweasel。
　　Shetoowaslaughingatthisverymoment，laughing，notloudbutlong——thelaughofonewhowins。
　　Shehadseenhimenter，hisburdeninhisarms;sawhimcomewithittoherownbedside，andhadbreathedheavilytowarnhimofhismistake。ShehadwatchedhimputBeatriceonherbed，andheardhimsighandturnaway;nothinghadescapedher。Assoonashewasgone，shehadrisenandcreptuptoBeatrice，andfindingthatshewasonlyinafainthadlefthertorecover，knowinghertobeinnodanger。
　　Elizabethwasnotanervousperson。Thenshehadlistenedtillatlengthadeepsightoldherofthereturnofhersister’sconsciousness。Afterthistherewasapause，tillpresentlyBeatrice’slongsoftbreathsshowedthatshehadglidedfromswoontosleep。
　　Theslownightworeaway，andatlengththecolddawncreptthroughthewindow。Elizabethstillwatching，forshewasnotwillingtoloseasinglesceneofadramasoentrancinginitselfandsoimportanttoherinterests，sawhersistersuddenlysitupinbedandpressherhandstoherforehead，asthoughshewasstrivingtorecalladream。
　　ThenBeatricecoveredhereyeswithherhandsandgroanedheavily。
　　Nextshelookedatherwatch，rose，drankaglassofwater，anddressedherself，eventotheputtingonofanoldgreywaterproofwithahoodtoit，foritwaswetoutside。
　　“Sheisgoingtomeetherlover。”thoughtElizabeth。“IwishIcouldbetheretoseethattoo，butIhaveseenenough。”
　　Sheyawnedandappearedtowake。“What，Beatrice，goingoutalreadyinthispouringrain？”shesaid，withfeignedastonishment。
　　“Yes，IhavesleptbadlyandIwanttogetsomeair。”answeredBeatrice，startingandcolouring;“Isupposethatitwasthestorm。”
　　“Hastherebeenastorm？”saidElizabeth，yawningagain。“Iheardnothingofit——butthensomanythingshappenwhenoneisasleepofwhichoneknowsnothingatthetime。”sheaddedsleepily，likeonespeakingatrandom。“Mindthatyouarebacktosaygood-byetoMr。
　　Bingham;hegoesbytheearlytrain，youknow——butperhapsyouwillseehimoutwalking。”andappearingtowakeupthoroughly，sheraisedherselfinbedandgavehersisteronepiercinglook。
　　Beatricemadenoanswer;thatlooksentathrilloffearthroughher。
　　Oh;whathadhappened！Orwasitalladream？HadshedreamedthatshestoodfacetofacewithGeoffreyinhisroombeforeagreatdarknessstruckherandoverwhelmedher？Orwasitanawfultruth，andifatruth，howcameshehereagain？Shewenttothepantry，foundamorselofbreadandateit，forfaintnessstillpursuedher。Thenfeelingbetter，sheleftthehouseandsetherfacetowardsthebeach。
　　Itwasadrearymorning。Thegreatwindhadpassed;nowitonlyblewinlittlegustsheavywithdrivingrain。Theseawassullenandgreyandgrand。Itbeatinthunderontheshoreandflewoverthesunkenrocksincolumnsofleadenspray。Thewholeearthseemedonedesolation，andallitsgriefwascentredinthiswoman’sbrokenheart。
　　Geoffrey，too，wasup。Howhehadpassedtheremainderofthattragicnightweneednotinquire——nottoohappilywemaybesure。HeheardthefrontdoorclosebehindBeatrice，andfollowedoutintotherain。
　　Onthebeach，somehalfofamileaway，hefoundhergazingatthesea，agreatwhitegullwheelingaboutherhead。Nowordofgreetingpassedbetweenthem;theyonlygraspedeachother’shandsandlookedintoeachother’sholloweyes。
　　“Comeundertheshelterofthecliff。”hesaid，andshecame。Shestoodbeneaththecliff，herheadbowedlow，herfacehiddenbythehood，andspoke。
　　“Tellmewhathashappened。”shesaid;“Ihavedreamedsomething，aworsedreamthananythathavegonebefore——tellmeifitistrue。Donotspareme。”
　　AndGeoffreytoldherall。
　　Whenhehadfinishedshespokeagain。
　　“BywhatshallIswear。”shesaid，“thatIamnotthethingwhichyoumustthinkme？Geoffrey，IswearbymyloveforyouthatIaminnocent。IfIcame——oh，theshameofit！ifIcame——toyourroomlastnight，itwasmyfeetwhichledme，notmymindthatledmyfeet。I
　　wenttosleep，Iwaswornout，andthenIknewnomoretillIheardadreadfulsound，andsawyoubeforemeinablazeoflight，afterwhichtherewasdarkness。”
　　“Oh，Beatrice，donotbedistressed。”heanswered。“Isawthatyouwereasleep。Itisadreadfulthingwhichhashappened，butIdonotthinkthatwewereseen。”
　　“Idonotknow。”shesaid。“Elizabethlookedatmeverystrangelythismorning，andsheseeseverything。Geoffrey，formypart，Ineitherknownorcare。WhatIdocareforis，whatmust/you/thinkofme？Youmustbelieve，oh！——Icannotsayit。AndyetIaminnocent。Never，neverdidIdreamofthis。Tocometoyou——thus——oh，itisshameless！“
　　“Beatrice，donottalkso。ItellyouIknowit。Listen——Idrewyou。I
　　didnotmeanthatyoushouldcome。Ididnotthinkthatyouwouldcome，butitwasmydoing。Listentome，dear。”andhetoldherthatwhichwrittenwordscanillexpress。
　　Whenhehadfinished，shelookedup，withanotherface;thedeepshadowofhershamehadlefther。“Ibelieveyou，Geoffrey。”shesaid，“becauseIknowthatyouhavenotinventedthistoshieldme，forI
　　havefeltitalso。Seebyitwhatyouaretome。Youaremymasterandmyall。IcannotwithstandyouifIwould。Ihavelittlewillapartfromyoursifyouchoosetogainsaymine。Andnowpromisemethisuponyourword。Leavemeuninfluenced;donotdrawmetoyoutobeyourruin。Imakenopretence，Ihavelaidmylifeatyourfeet，butwhileIhaveanystrengthtostruggleagainstit，youshallnevertakeitupunlessyoucandosotoyourownhonour，andthatisnotpossible。Oh，mydear，wemighthavebeenveryhappytogether，happierthanmenandwomenoftenare，butitisdeniedtous。Wemustcarryourcross，wemustcrucifythefleshuponit;perhapsso——whocansay？——wemayglorifythespirit。Ioweyouagreatdeal。Ihavelearntmuchfromyou，Geoffrey。IhavelearnedtohopeagainforaHereafter。Nothingislefttomenow——butthat——thatandanhourhence——yourmemory。
　　“Oh，whyshouldIweep？Itisungrateful，whenIhaveyourlove，forwhichthismiseryisbutalittlepricetopay。Kissme，dear，andgo——andneverseememore。Youwillnotforgetme，Iknownowthatyouwill/never/forgetmeallyourlife。Afterwards——perhaps——whocantell？Ifnot，whythen——itwillindeedbebest——todie。”
　　*****
　　Itisnotwelltolingeroversuchasceneasthis。Afterall，too，itisnothing。Onlyanotherbrokenheartorso。Theworldbreakssomanythiswayandtheotherthatitcanhavelittlepleasureingloatingoversuchstalescenesofagony。
　　Besideswemustnotletoursympathiescarryusaway。GeoffreyandBeatricedeservedalltheygot;theyhadnobusinesstoputthemselvesintosuchaposition。Theyhaddefiedthecustomsoftheirworld，andtheworldavengeditselfuponthemandtheirpettypassions。Whathappenstothewormthattriestoburrowonthehighways？Grindingwheelsandcrushingfeet;theseareitsportion。BeatriceandGeoffreypointamoralandadornatale。Sofaraswecanseeandjudgetherewasnoneedforthemtohaveplungedintothatever-runningriverofhumanpain。Letthemstruggleanddrown，andletthosewhoareonthebanklearnwisdomfromthesight，andholdoutnohandtohelpthem。
　　Geoffreydrewaringfromhisfingerandgaveittohislove。Itwasacommonflat-sidedsilverringthathadbeentakenfromthegraveofaRomansoldier:onepeculiarityithad，however;onitsinnersurfacewereroughlycutthewords，“aveatquevale。”Greetingandfarewell！
　　Itwasafittinggifttopassbetweenpeopleintheirposition。
　　Beatrice，tremblingsorely，whisperedthatshewouldwearitonherheart，uponherhandshecouldnotputityetawhile——itmightberecognised。
　　Thenthricedidtheyembracethereuponthedesolateshore，once，asitwere，forpastjoy，onceforpresentpain，andonceforfuturehope，andparted。Therewasnotalkofaftermeetings——theyfeltthemtobeimpossible，atanyrateformanyyears。Howcouldtheymeetasindifferentfriends？Toomuchtheylovedforthat。Itwasafinalparting，thanwhichdeathhadbeenlessdreadful——forHopesitseverbythebedofdeath——andmiserycrushedthemtotheearth。
　　Helefther，andhappinesswentoutofhislifeasatnightfallthedaylightgoesoutoftheday。Well，atleasthehadhisworktogoto。
　　ButBeatrice，poorwoman，whathadshe？
　　Geoffreylefther。Whenhehadgonesomethirtypacesheturnedagainandgazedhislastuponher。Thereshestoodorratherleant，herhandrestingagainstthewetrock，lookingafterhimwithherwidegreyeyes。Eventhroughthedrizzlingrainhecouldseethegleamofherrichhair，themarkingofherlovelyface，andthecarmineofherlips。Shemotionedtohimtogoon。Hewent，andwhenhehadtraversedahundredpaceslookedroundoncemore。Shewasstillthere，butnowherfacewasablur，andagainthegreatwhitegullhoveredaboutherhead。
　　Thenthemistsweptupandhidher。
　　Ah，Beatrice，withallyourbrainsyoucouldneverlearnthosesimpleprinciplesnecessarytothehappinessofwoman;principlesinheritedthroughathousandgenerationsofsavageandsemi-civilizedancestresses。Toacceptthesituationandthemasterthatsituationbringswithit——thisisthegoldenruleofwell-being。Nottoputoutthehandofyouraffectionfurtherthanyoucandrawitback，thisisanother，atleastnotuntilyouarequitesurethatitsobjectiswellwithinyourgrasp。Ifbymisfortune，ortheangeroftheFates，youareendowedwiththosedeeperqualities，thoseextremecapacitiesofself-sacrificingaffection，suchasruinedyourhappiness，Beatrice，keeptheminstock;donotexposethemtotheworld。Theworlddoesnotbelieveinthem;theyareinconvenientandundesirable;theyareevenimmoral。Whattheworldwants，andveryrightly，inapersonofyourattractivenessisquietdomesticityofcharacter，nottheexhibitionofattributeswhichthoughtheymightqualifyyoufortherankofheroineinaGreekdrama，arenowadaysonlylikelytoqualifyyouforthereprobationofsociety。
　　What？youwouldratherkeepyourlove，yourreprehensiblelovewhichnevercanbesatisfied，andbearitsslingsandarrows，anddiehuggingashadowtoyourheart，strainingyoureyesintothedarknessofthatbeyondwhitheryoushallgo——murmuringwithyourpalelipsthat/there/youwillfindreasonandfulfilment？Whyitisfolly。
　　Whatgroundhaveyoutosupposethatyouwillfindanythingofthesort？Goandtaketheopinionofsomescientificpersonofeminenceuponthisinfatuationofyoursandthosevaguevisionsofglorythatshallbe。Hewillexplainitclearlyenough，willshowyouthatyourloveitselfisnothingbutanaturalpassion，acting，inyourcase，onasingularlysensitiveandetherealisedorganism。Befrankwithhim，tellhimofyoursecrethopes。Hewillsmiletenderly，andshowyouhowthosealsoareanemanationfromacravingheart，andtheinnatesuperstitionsofmankind。Indeedhewilllaughandillustratetheabsurdityofthewholethingbyafewpungentexamplesofwhatwouldhappeniftheseearthlyaffectionscouldbecarriedbeyondthegrave。
　　Takewhatyoucan/now/willbetheburdenofhissong，andforgoodness’sakedonotwasteyourprecioushoursindreamsofaToBe。
　　Beatrice，theworlddoesnotwantyourspirituality。Itisnotaspiritualworld;ithasnoclearideasuponthesubject——itpaysitsreligiouspremiumandworksoffitsaspirationsatitsweeklychurchgoing，andwouldthinkthepersonafoolwhoattemptedtocarrytheoriesofcelestialunionintoanearthlyruleoflife。ItcansympathisewithLadyHonoria;itcanhardlysympathisewith/you/。
　　Andyetyouwillstillchoosethisbetterpart:youwillstill“liveandlove，andlose。”
　　“Withblindingtearsandpassionatebeseeching，Andoutstretchedarmsthroughemptysilencereaching。”
　　Then，Beatrice，haveyourwill，sowyourseedoftears，andtakeyourchance。Youmayfindthatyouwererightandtheworldlingswrong，andyoumayreapaharvestbeyondthegraspoftheirpoorimaginations。
　　Andifyoufindthattheyarerightand/you/arewrong，whatwillitmattertoyouwhosleep？Forofthisatleastyouaresure。Ifthereisnofutureforsuchearthlyloveasyours，thenindeedthereisnoneforthechildrenofthisworldandalltheirtroubling。
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　LADYHONORIATAKESTHEFIELD
　　GeoffreyhurriedtotheVicaragetofetchhisbaggageandsaygood-
　　bye。Hehadnotimeforbreakfast，andhewasgladofit，forhecouldnothaveeatenamorseltosavehislife。HefoundElizabethandherfatherinthesitting-room。
　　“Why，wherehaveyoubeenthiswetmorning，Mr。Bingham？”saidMr。
　　Granger。
　　“IhavebeenforawalkwithMissBeatrice;sheiscominghomebythevillage。”heanswered。“Idon’tmindrain，andIwantedtogetasmuchfreshairasIcouldbeforeIgobacktothemill。Thankyou——onlyacupoftea——IwillgetsomethingtoeatasIgo。”
　　“Howkindofhim。”reflectedMr。Granger;“nodoubthehasbeenspeakingtoBeatriceagainaboutOwenDavies。”
　　“Oh，bytheway。”headdedaloud，“didyouhappentohearanybodymovinginthehouselastnight，Mr。Bingham，justwhenthestormwasatitsheight？FirstofalladoorslammedsoviolentlythatIgotuptoseewhatitwas，andasIcamedownthepassageIcouldalmosthaveswornthatIsawsomethingwhitegointothespareroom。ButmycandlewentoutandbythetimethatIhadfoundalighttherewasnothingtobeseen。”
　　“Aclearcaseofghosts。”saidGeoffreyindifferently。Itwasindeeda“caseofghosts。”andtheywould，hereflected，haunthimformanyaday。
　　“Howveryodd。”putinElizabethvivaciously，herkeeneyesfixedintentlyonhisface。“DoyouknowIthoughtthatItwicesawthedoorofourroomopenandshutinthemostmysteriousfashion。IthinkthatBeatricemusthavesomethingtodowithit;sheissouncannyinherways。”
　　Geoffreynevermovedamuscle，hewastrainedtokeephiscountenance。
　　Onlyhewonderedhowmuchthiswomanknew。Shemustbesilencedsomehow。
　　“Excusemeforchangingthesubject。”hesaid，“butmytimeisshort，andIhavenonetosparetohuntthe’VicarageGhost。’Bytheway，there’sagoodtitleforsomebody。Mr。Granger，IbelievethatImayspeakofbusinessmattersbeforeMissElizabeth？”
　　“Certainly，Mr。Bingham。”saidtheclergyman;“Elizabethismyrighthand，andhasthebestbusinessheadinBryngelly。”
　　Geoffreythoughtthatthiswasveryevident，andwenton。“Ionlywanttosaythis。Ifyougetintoanyfurtherdifficultieswithyourrascallytithe-payers，mindandletmeknow。IshallalwaysbegladtohelpyouwhileIcan。AndnowImustbegoing。”
　　Hespokethusfortworeasons。First，naturallyenough，hemeanttomakeithisbusinesstoprotectBeatricefromthepressureofpoverty，andwellknewthatitwouldbeuselesstoofferherdirectassistance。
　　Secondly，hewishedtoshowElizabeththatitwouldnotbetotheadvantageofherfamilytoquarrelwithhim。Ifshe/had/seenaghost，perhapsthisfactwouldmakeherreticentonthesubject。Hedidnotknowthatshewasplayingamuchbiggergameforherownhand，agameofwhichthestakeswerethousandsayear，andthatshewasmoreovermadwithjealousyandwhat，insuchawoman，mustpassforlove。
　　Elizabethmadenocommentonhisoffer，andbeforeMr。Granger’sprofusethankswerenearlyfinished，Geoffreywasgone。
　　ThreeweekspassedatBryngelly，andElizabethstillheldherhand。
　　Beatrice，paleandspiritless，wentaboutherdutiesasusual。
　　Elizabethneverspoketoherinanysensethatcouldawakenhersuspicions，andtheghoststorywas，orappearedtobe，prettywellforgotten。ButatlastaneventoccurredthatcausedElizabethtotakethefield。OnedayshemetOwenDavieswalkingalongthebeachinthesemi-insanewaywhichhenowaffected。Hestopped，and，withoutfurtherado，plungedintoconversation。
　　“Ican’tbearitanylonger。”hesaidwildly，throwinguphisarms。“I
　　sawheryesterday，andshecutmeshortbeforeIcouldspeakaword。I
　　haveprayedforpatienceanditwillnotcome，onlyaVoiceseemedtosaytomethatImustwaittendaysmore，tenshortdays，andthenBeatrice，mybeautifulBeatrice，wouldbemywifeatlast。”
　　“Ifyougooninthisway，Mr。Davies。”saidElizabethsharply，herheartfilledwithjealousanger，“youwillsoonbeoffyourhead。Areyounotashamedofyourselfformakingsuchafussaboutagirl’sprettyface？Ifyouwanttogetmarried，marrysomebodyelse。”
　　“Marrysomebodyelse。”hesaiddreamily;“Idon’tknowanybodyelsewhomIcouldmarryexceptyou，andyouarenotBeatrice。”
　　“No。”answeredElizabethangrily，“IshouldhopethatIhavemoresense，andifyouwantedtomarrymeyouwouldhavetosetaboutitinadifferentwayfromthis。IamnotBeatrice，thankHeaven，butIamhersister，andIwarnyouthatIknowmoreaboutherthanyoudo。AsafriendIwarnyoutobecareful。SupposingthatBeatricewerenotworthyofyou，youwouldnotwishtomarryher，wouldyou？”
　　NowOwenDavieswasatheartsomewhatafraidofElizabeth，likemostotherpeoplewhohadtheprivilegeofheracquaintance。Also，apartfrommattersconnectedwithhisinsanepassion，hewasveryfairlyshrewd。HesuspectedElizabethofsomething，hedidnotknowofwhat。
　　“No，no，ofcoursenot。”hesaid。“OfcourseIwouldnotmarryherifshewasnotfittobemywife——butImustknowthatfirst，beforeI
　　talkofmarryinganybodyelse。Goodafternoon，MissElizabeth。Itwillsoonbesettlednow;itcannotgoonmuchlongernow。Myprayerswillbeanswered，Iknowtheywill。”
　　“Youarerightthere，OwenDavies。”thoughtElizabeth，asshelookedafterhimwithineffablebitterness，nottosaycontempt。“Yourprayersshallbeansweredinawaythatwillastonishyou。YoushallnotmarryBeatrice，andyoushallmarry/me/。Thefishhasbeenonthelinelongenough，nowImustbegintopullin。”
　　CuriouslyenoughitneverreallyoccurredtoElizabeththatBeatriceherselfmightprovetobethetrueobstacletothemarriagesheplottedtoprevent。SheknewthathersisterwasfondofGeoffreyBingham，but，whenitcametothepointthatshewouldabsolutelyallowheraffectiontointerferewithsogloriousasuccessinlife，sheneverbelievedforonemoment。OfcourseshethoughtitwaspossiblethatifBeatricecouldgetpossessionofGeoffreyshemightprefertodoso，butfailinghim，judgingfromherownlowandvulgarstandard，ElizabethwasconvincedthatshewouldtakeOwen。Itdidnotseempossiblethatwhatwassopreciousinherowneyesmightbevaluelessandevenhatefultothoseofhersister。Asforthatlittlemidnightincident，well，itwasonethingandmarriagewasanother。
　　Peopleforgetsucheventswhentheymarry;sometimeseventheymarryinordertoforgetthem。
　　Yes，shemuststrike，buthow？Elizabethhadfeelingslikeotherpeople。Shedidnotmindruininghersisterandrival，butshewouldverymuchpreferitshouldnotbeknownthatherswasthehandtocutherdown。Ofcourse，iftheworstcametotheworst，shemustdoit。
　　Meanwhile，mightnotasubstitutebefound——somebodyinwhomtheactwouldseemnotoneofvengeance，butofvirtue？Ah！shehadit:LadyHonoria！Whocouldbebetterforsuchapurposethanthecruellyinjuredwife？Butthenhowshouldshecommunicatethefactstoherladyshipwithoutinvolvingherself？Againshehituponadevicemuchfavouredbysuchpeople——“unvieuxtrucmaistoujoursbon“——thepristineoneofananonymousletter，whichhasthestartlingmeritofnotcommittinganybodytoanything。Ananonymousletter，toallappearancewrittenbyaservant:itwastheverything！MostlikelyitwouldresultinasearchinginquirybyLadyHonoria，inwhicheventElizabeth，ofcourseagainstherwill，wouldbeforcedtosaywhatsheknew;almostcertainlyitwouldresultinaquarrelbetweenhusbandandwife，whichmightinducetheformertoshowhishand，oreventotakesomeopenstepasregardsBeatrice。ShewassorryforGeoffrey，againstwhomshehadnoillfeeling，butitcouldnotbehelped;hemustbesacrificed。
　　ThatveryeveningshewroteherletterandsentittobepostedbyanoldservantlivinginLondon。Itwasamaster-pieceinitsway，especiallyphonetically。Thispreciousepistle，whichwasmostexceedinglyillwritinalargecoarsehand，ranthus:
　　“MyLadi，——Myconsencedruvsmetoit，muchagainmywill。I’vetriedhard，myladi，nottospeek，firstacorseofmissB。asiheveknowedgoodandpeurandalsoforthesakesofyourevilusbandthatwulfinscheepscloathin。Butwhenithinkonyoumyladialorfullegelwifegudandvirtusandpeurandofthethingsasihevseenwhichisenuftobringablushtothefaceofastater，Iknowsitismyholydootytoriteyourladishippasfollers。YourladishippforgifmebutontheniteofwhittsundeylastMissB。Graingerwintaftermidniteintertheroomofyourbadusband——asIwastomishamthertose。Afterwardmorenoranhour，shecumoutainbeingcarred/inhisharmes/。Andifyourladishippdontbelievme，letyourladishippritetomisselizbeth，ashadthissamemisfortunetoseeasyourtrufrend，“TheRiter。”
　　InduecoursethischarmingcommunicationreachedLadyHonoria，bearingaLondonpost-mark。Shereadandre-readit，andsoonmastereditsmeaning。Then，afteranight’sthought，shetookthe“Riter’s“
　　adviceandwrotetoElizabeth，sendingheracopyoftheletterherown，vehementlyrepudiatingallbeliefinit，andaskingforareplythatshoulddissipatethisfoulslanderfromhermindforever。
　　Theanswercamebyreturn。Itwasshortandartful。
　　“DearLadyHonoriaBingham。”itran，“youmustforgivemeifI
　　declinetoanswerthequestionsinyourletter。Youwilleasilyunderstandthatbetweenadesiretopreserveasister’sreputationandanincapacitytobeappreciatedbyeveryChristiantospeakotherthanthetruth——itispossibleforapersontobeplacedinthemostcruelofpositions——apositionwhichIamsurewillcommandevenyoursympathy，thoughundersuchcircumstancesIhavelittlerighttoexpectanyfromawifebelievingherselftohavebeencruellywronged。Letmeaddthatnothingshortofthecompulsionofacourtoflawwillsufficetounsealmylipsastothedetailsofthecircumstanceswhichare，Itrust，misunderstoodalludedtointhemaliciousanonymousletterofwhichyouincloseacopy。”
　　Thatveryevening，astheFateswouldhaveit，LadyHonoriaandherhusbandhadaquarrel。Asusual，itwasaboutEffie，foronmostothersubjectstheypreservedanarmedneutrality。Itsdetailsneednotbeenteredinto，butatlastGeoffrey，whowasinasadlyirritableconditionofmind，fairlylosthistemper。
　　“Thefactis。”hesaid，“thatyouarenotfittolookafterthechild。
　　Youonlythinkofyourself，Honoria。”
　　Sheturnedonhimwithadangerouslookuponhercoldandhandsomeface。
　　“Becarefulwhatyousay，Geoffrey。ItisyouwhoarenotfittohavechargeofEffie。BecarefullestItakeherawayfromyoualtogether，asIcanifIlike。”
　　“Whatdoyoumeanbythatthreat？”heasked。
　　“Doyouwanttoknow？ThenIwilltellyou。Iunderstandenoughlawtobeawarethatawifecangetaseparationfromanunfaithfulhusband，andwhatismore，cantakeawayhischildren。”
　　“AgainIaskwhatyoumean。”saidGeoffrey，turningcoldwithanger。
　　“Imeanthis，Geoffrey。ThatWelshgirlisyourmistress。ShepassedthenightofWhit-Sundayinyourroom，andwascarriedfromitinyourarms。”
　　“Itisalie。”hesaid;“sheisnothingofthesort。Idonotknowwhogaveyouthisinformation，butitisaslanderouslie，andsomebodyshallsufferforit。”
　　“Nobodywillsufferforit，Geoffrey，becauseyouwillnotdaretostirthematterup——forthegirl’ssakeifnotforyourown。CanyoudenythatyouwereseencarryingherinyourarmsfromyourroomonWhit-Sundaynight？Canyoudenythatyouareinlovewithher？”
　　“AndsupposingthatIaminlovewithher，isittobewonderedat，seeinghowyoutreatmeandhavetreatedmeforyears？”heansweredfuriously。“Itisutterlyfalsetosaythatsheismymistress。”
　　“Youhavenotansweredmyquestion。”saidLadyHonoriawithasmileoftriumph。“Wereyouseencarryingthatwomaninyourarmsandfromyourroomatthedeadofnight？Ofcourseitmeantnothing，nothingatall。
　　Whowoulddaretoaspersethecharacterofthisperfect，lovely，andintellectualschoolmistress？Iamnotjealous，Geoffrey——“
　　“Ishouldthinknot，Honoria，seeinghowthingsare。”
　　“Iamnotjealous，Irepeat，butpleaseunderstandthatIwillnothavethisgoon，inyourowninterestsandmine。Why，whatafoolyoumustbe。Don’tyouknowthatamanwhohasrisen，asyouhave，hasahundredenemiesreadytospringonhimlikeapackofwolvesandtearhimtopieces？Whymanyevenofthosewhofawnuponyouandflatteryoutoyourface，hateyoubitterlyinsecret，becauseyouhavesucceededwheretheyhavefailed。Don’tyouknowalsothattherearepapershereinLondonwhichwouldgivehundredsofpoundsforthechanceofpublishingsuchascandalasthis，especiallyagainstapowerfulpoliticalopponent。Letitoncecomeoutthatthisobscuregirlisyourmistress——“
　　“Honoria，Itellyousheisnothingofthesort。ItistrueIcarriedherfrommyroominafaintingfit，butshecamethereinhersleep。”
　　LadyHonorialaughed。“Really，Geoffrey，Iwonderthatyouthinkitworthwhiletotellmesuchnonsense。Keepitforthedivorcecourt，ifeverwegetthere，andseewhatajurysaystoit。Lookhere;besensible。Iamnotamoralist，andIamnotgoingtoplaytheoutragedwifeunlessyouforcemetoit。Idonotmeantotakeanyfurthernoticeofthisinterestinglittletaleasagainstyou。Butifyougoonwithit，beware！Iwillnotbemadetolookafool。Ifyouaregoingtoberuinedyoucanberuinedbyyourself。Iwarnyoufrankly，thatatthefirstsignofit，Ishallputmyselfintherightbycommencingproceedingsagainstyou。Now，ofcourse，Iknowthis，thatintheeventofasmash，youwouldbegladenoughtoberidofmeinorderthatyoumightwelcomeyourdearBeatriceinmyplace。Buttherearetwothingstoremember:first，thatyoucouldnotmarryher，supposingyoutobeidiotenoughtowishtodoso，becauseIshouldonlygetajudicialseparation，andyouwouldstillhavetosupportme。Secondly，ifIgo，Effiegoeswithme，forIhavearighttoclaimheratlaw;andthatfact，mydearGeoffrey，makesmemistressofthesituation，becauseIdonotsupposethatyouwouldpartwithEffieevenforthesakeofMissBeatrice。AndnowIwillleaveyoutothinkitover。”
　　Andwithalittlenodshesailedoutoftheroom，completelyvictorious。Shewasindeed，reflectedGeoffrey，“mistressofthesituation。”Supposingthatshebroughtasuitagainsthimwherewouldhebe？Shemusthaveevidence，orshewouldnothaveknownthestory。
　　Thewholedramahadclearlybeenwitnessedbysomeone，probablyeitherbyElizabethortheservantgirl，andthatsomeonehadbetrayedittoHonoriaandpossiblytoothers。Thethoughtmadehimsick。Hewasamanoftheworld，andapracticallawyer，andthough，indeed，theywereinnocent，heknewthatunderthecircumstancesfewwouldbefoundtobelieveit。Attheverybesttheremustbeaterribleandshockingscandal，andBeatricewouldlosehergoodname。Heplacedhimselfinthepositionofcounselforthepetitionerinalikecase，andthoughthowhewouldcrushandcrumplesuchadefenceinhisaddresstothejury。Aprobabletaleforsooth！
　　Undoubtedly，too，Honoriawouldbeactingwiselyfromherpointofview。Publicsympathywouldbewithherthroughout。Heknewthat，asitwas，hewasbelievedgenerallytoowemuchofhissuccesstohishandsomeandhigh-bornwife。Nowitwouldbesaidthathehadusedherasaladderandthenthrownherover。Withallthis，however，hemightcope;hecouldevenbearwiththevulgarattacksofavulgarpress，andthegibesandjeersofhispoliticalandpersonalenemies，buttoloseEffiehecouldnotbear。Andifsuchacasewerebroughtagainsthimitwasalmostcertainthathewouldloseher，for，ifhewasworsted，custodyofthechildwouldbegiventotheinjuredwife。
　　ThentherewasBeatricetobeconsidered。ThesamemalicioustonguethathadrevealedthismattertoHonoriawouldprobablyrevealittotherestoftheworld，andevenifheescapedtheworstpenaltiesofoutragedmorality，theywouldcertainlybewreakeduponher。
　　Beatrice’sreputationwouldbeblasted，heremploymentlost，andherlifemadeaburdentoher。Yes，decidedly，Honoriahadthebestoftheposition;decidedly，also，shespokewordsofweightandcommonsense。
　　Whatwastobedone？Wastherenowayoutofit？AllthatnightasGeoffreysatintheHouse，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，andtoappearanceintentlylisteningtothelongharanguesoftheOpposition，thisquestionhauntedhim。Hearguedthesituationoutthiswayandthatway，tillatthelasthecametoaconclusion。Eitherhemustwaitforthescandaltoleakout，letBeatriceberuined，anddirecthiseffortstothesofteningofHonoria，andgenerallytoself-
　　preservation，orhemusttakethebullbythehorns，mustabandonhisgreatcareerandhiscountryandseekrefugeinanotherland，sayAmerica，takingBeatriceandEffiewithhim。Oncethechildwasoutofthejurisdiction，ofcoursenocourtcouldforceherfromhim。
　　Ofthetwocourses，eveninsofarashehimselfwasconcerned，whatbetweentheurgencyofthematterandtheunceasingpressureofhispassion，Geoffreyinclinedtothelatter。TherelationsbetweenhimselfandHonoriahadforyearsbeensostrained，sototallydifferentfromthosewhichshouldexistbetweenmanandwife，thattheygreatlymitigatedinhismindtheapparentiniquityofsuchastep。Norwouldhefeelmuchcompunctionatremovingthechildfromhermother，fortherewasnolovelostbetweenthetwo，andastimewentonheguessedshrewdlytherewouldbelessandless。Fortherest，hehadsomeseventeenthousandpoundsinhand;hewouldtakehalfandleaveHonoriahalf。Heknewthathecouldalwaysearnalivingwhereverhewent，andprobablymuchmorethanaliving，andofwhateverheearnedastrictmoietyshouldbepaidtoHonoria。Butfirstandaboveeverything，therewasBeatricetobeconsidered。Shemustbesaved，evenifheruinedhimselftosaveher。
　　LadyHonoria，itisscarcelynecessarytosay，hadlittleideathatshewasdrivingherhusbandtosuchdangerousanddeterminedcouncils。
　　ShewantedtofrightenGeoffrey，nottolosehimandallhemeanttoher;thiswasthelastthingthatshewouldwishtodo。ShedidnotgreatlycareabouttheBeatriceincident，buthershrewdcommonsensetoldherthatitmightwellbeusedasanenginetoruinthemall。
　　Thereforeshespokeasshedidspeak，thoughinrealitymatterswouldhavetobebadindeedbeforeshesoughttheaidofacourtoflaw，wheremanythingsconcerningherselfmightcometothelightofdaywhichshewouldprefertoleaveindarkness。
　　Nordidshestophere;shedeterminedtoattackGeoffrey’spositioninanotherway，namely，throughBeatriceherself。ForalongtimeHonoriahesitatedastothemethodofthisattack。Shehadsomeknowledgeoftheworldandofcharacter，andfromwhatsheknewofBeatriceshecametothesoundconclusionthatshewasnotawomantobethreatened，butratheronetobeappealedto。Soaftermuchthoughtshewrotetoherthus:——
　　“Astory，whichIstillhesitatetobelieve，hascometomebymeansofanonymousletters，astoyourconductwithmyhusband。I
　　donotwishtorepeatitnow，furtherthantosaythat，iftrue，itestablishescircumstanceswhichleavenodoubtastotheexistenceofrelationssointimatebetweenyouastoamounttoguilt。Itmaynotbetrueoritmay，inwhichlattereventIwishtosaythis:WithyourmoralityIhavenothingtodo;itisyouraffair。NordoIwishtopleadtoyouasaninjuredwifeortoreproachyou，fortherearethingstoowickedformerereproach。
　　ButIwillsaythis:ifthestoryistrue，Imustpresumethatyouhavesomeaffectionforthepartnerofyourshame。Iputmyselfoutofthequestion，andinthenameofthataffection，howeverguiltyitmaybe，Iaskyoutopushmattersnofurther。Todosowillbetobringitsobjecttoutterruin。/Ifyoucareforhim，severallconnectionwithhimutterlyandforever。/Otherwisehewilllivetocurseandhateyou。Shouldyouneglectthisadvice，andshouldthefactsthatIhaveheardbecomepublicproperty，I
　　warnyou，asIhavealreadywarnedhim，thatinself-preservationandforthesakeofself-respect，Ishallbeforcedtoappealtothelawformyremedy。Rememberthathiscareerisatstake，andthatinlosingitandmehewilllosealsohischild。Rememberthatifthiscomesaboutitwillbethrough/you/。Donotanswerthis，itwilldonogood，forIshallnaturallyputnofaithinyourprotestations，butifyouareinanywayormeasureguiltyofthisoffence，appealingtoyouasonewomantoanother，andforthesakeofthemanwhoisdeartoboth，Isaydoyourbesttoredeemtheevil，/bymakingallfurthercommunicationbetweenyourselfandhimanimpossibility/。H。B。”
　　Itwasacleverletter;LadyHonoriacouldnothavedevisedonemorepowerfultoworkonawomanlikeBeatrice。ThesamepostthattookittohertookanotherfromGeoffreyhimself。Itwaslong，thoughguarded，andneednotbequotedinitsentirety，butitputthewholepositionbeforeherinsomewhatveiledlanguage，andendedbysaying，“MarriageIcannotgiveyou，onlylife-longlove。Inothercircumstancestoofferthiswouldbeaninsult，butifthingsshouldbeasaIfear，itisworthyourconsideration。Idonotsaytoyou/come/，Isaycome/ifyouwish/。No，Beatrice，Iwillnotputthiscruelburdenofdecisionuponyou。Isay/come！/Idonotcommandyoutocome，becauseIpromisedtoleaveyouuninfluenced。ButIprayyoutodoso。Letusputanendtothiswretchedness，andcounttheworldwelllostasourpriceoflove。Come，dearestBeatrice——toleavemenomoretilldeath。Iputmylifeinyourhands;ifyoutakeitup，whatevertroubleyoumayhavetoface，youwillneverlosemyaffectionoresteem。Donotthinkofme，thinkofyourself。Youhavegivenmeyourloveasyouoncegavememylife。Iowesomethinginreturn;Icannotseeyoushamedandmakenoofferofreparation。
　　Indeed，sofarasIamconcerned，IshallthinkallIloseasnothingcomparedtowhatIgainingainingyou。Willyoucome？Ifso，wewillleavethiscountryandbeginafreshelsewhere。Afterall，itmatterslittle，andwillmatterlesswheneverythingissaidanddone。Mylifehasforyearsbeenbutasanunwholesomedream。Theonerealthing，theonehappythingthatIhavefoundinithasbeenourlove。Donotletusthrowitaway，Beatrice。”
　　Byreturnofposthereceivedthisanswerwritteninpencil。
　　“No，dearGeoffrey。Thingsmusttaketheircourse——B。”
　　Thatwasall。
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　ELIZABETHSHOWSHERTEETH
　　HardhadbeenBeatrice’shourssincethatgreymorningofseparation。
　　Shemustbearalltheinnerwretchednessofherlot;shemustconcealhergrief，mustsuffertheslingsandarrowsofElizabeth’ssharptongue，andstrivetokeepOwenDaviesatadistance。Indeed，asthedayswenton，thislasttaskgrewmoreandmoreportentous。Themanwasquiteunmanageable;hispassion，whichwashumiliatingandhatefultoBeatrice，becamethetalkoftheplace。Everybodyknewofit，exceptherfather，andevenhiseyesbegantobeopened。
　　Onenight——itwasthesameuponwhichGeoffreyandHonoriarespectivelyhadpostedtheirletterstoBeatrice——anybodylookingintothelittleroomatBryngellyCastle，whichserveditsownerforallpurposesexceptthatofsleeping，wouldhavewitnessedaverystrangesight。OwenDavieswaswalkingtoandfro——walkingrapidlywithwildeyesanddishevelledhair。Attheturnofeachlengthoftheapartmenthewouldhalt，andthrowinghisarmsintotheairejaculate:
　　“Oh，God，hearme，andgivememydesire！Oh，God，answerme！“
　　Fortwolonghoursthushewalkedandthuscriedaloud，tillatlengthhesankpantingandexhaustedintoachair。Suddenlyheraisedhishead，andappearedtolistenintently。
　　“TheVoice。”hesaidaloud;“theVoiceagain。Whatdoesitsay？
　　To-morrow，to-morrowImustspeak;andIshallwinher。”
　　Hesprangupwithashout，andoncemorebeganhiswildmarch。“Oh，Beatrice！“hesaid，“to-morrowyouwillpromisetomarryme;theVoicesaysso，andsoon，soon，perhapsinoneshortmonth，youwillbemyown——mineonly！GeoffreyBinghamshallnotcomebetweenusthen，forI
　　willwatchyoudayandnight。Youshallbemyvery，veryown——myownbeautifulBeatrice。”andhestretchedouthisarmsandclaspedattheemptyair——acrazyandunpleasantsighttosee。
　　Andsohewalkedandspoketillthedawnwasgreyintheeast。ThisoccurredontheFridaynight。ItwasonthefollowingmorningthatBeatrice，theunfortunateandinnocentobjectoftheseamorousinvocations，receivedthetwoletters。Shehadgonetothepost-officeonherwaytotheschool，onthechanceoftherebeinganotefromGeoffrey。Poorwoman，hislettersweretheonebrightthinginherlife。Frommotivesofprudencetheywerewrittenintheusualsemi-
　　formalstyle，butshewasquicktoreadbetweenthelines，and，moreover，theycamefromhisdearhand。
　　Therewasthelettersureenough，andanotherinawoman’swriting。
　　SherecognisedthehandasthatofLadyHonoria，whichshehadoftenseenonenvelopesdirectedtoGeoffrey，andathrilloffearshotthroughher。Shetooktheletters，andwalkingasquicklyasshecouldtotheschool，lockedherselfinherownlittleroom，foritwasnotyetnineo’clock，andlookedatthemwithagatheringterror。Whatwasinthem？WhydidLadyHonoriawritetoher？Whichshouldshereadfirst？InamomentBeatricehadmadeuphermind。Shewouldfacetheworstatonce。WithasetfacesheopenedLadyHonoria’sletter，unfoldedit，andread。Wealreadyknowitscontents。Ashermindgraspedthemherlipsgrewashywhite，andbythetimethatthehorriblethingwasdoneshewasnightofainting。
　　Anonymousletters！oh，whocouldhavedonethiscruelthing？
　　Elizabeth，itmustbeElizabeth，whosaweverything，andthusstabbedherintheback。Wasitpossiblethatherownsistercouldtreatherso？SheknewthatElizabethdislikedher;shecouldneverfathomthecause，stillsheknewthefact。Butifthiswereherdoing，thenshemusthateher，andmostbitterly;andwhathadshedonetoearnsuchhate？AndnowGeoffreywasindangeronheraccount，dangerofruin，andhowcouldshepreventit？Thiswasherfirstidea。Mostpeoplemighthaveturnedtotheirownpositionandbeencontenttoleavetheirlovertofighthisownbattle。ButBeatricethoughtlittleofherself。Hewasindanger，andhowcouldsheprotecthim？Whyhereintheletterwastheanswer！“Ifyoucareforhimseverallconnectionwithhimutterly，andforever。Otherwise，hewilllivetocurseandhateyou。”No，no！Geoffreywouldneverdothat。ButLadyHonoriawasquiteright;inhisinterest，forhissake，shemustseverallconnectionwithhim——severitutterlyandforever。Buthow——how？
　　Shethrusttheletterintoherdress——aviperwouldhavebeenamorewelcomeguest——andopenedGeoffrey’s。
　　Ittoldthesametale，butofferedadifferentsolution。Thetearsstartedtohereyesasshereadhisoffertotakehertohimforgoodandall，andgoawaywithhertobeginlifeafresh。ItseemedawonderfulthingtoBeatricethatheshouldbewillingtosacrificesomuchuponsuchaworthlessaltarasherlove——awonderfulandmostgenerousthing。Shepressedthesenselesspapertoherheart，thenkisseditagainandagain。Butsheneverthoughtofyieldingtothisgreattemptation，neverforonesecond。Heprayedhertocome，butthatshewouldnotdowhileherwillremained。What，/she/bringGeoffreytoruin？No，shehadratherstarveinthestreetsorperishbyslowtorture。Howcouldheeverthinkthatshewouldconsenttosuchascheme？Indeedsheneverwould;shehadbroughtenoughtroubleonhimalready。Butoh，sheblessedhimforthatletter。Howdeeplymustheloveherwhenhecouldoffertodothisforhersake！
　　Hark！thechildrenwerewaiting;shemustgoandteach。Theletter，Geoffrey’sdearletter，couldbeansweredintheafternoon。Soshethrustitinherbreastwiththeother，butclosertoherheart，andwent。
　　ThatafternoonasMr。Granger，inahappyframeofmind——forwerenothisdebtspaid，andhadhenotfoundamostconvenientwayofprovidingagainstfutureembarrassment？——wasengagedpeaceablyincontemplatinghisstockoverthegateofhislittlefarmbuildings，hewasmuchastonishedsuddenlytodiscoverOwenDaviesathiselbow。
　　“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Davies？”hesaid;“howquietlyyoumusthavecome。”
　　“Yes。”answeredOwenabsently。“Thefactis，IhavefollowedyoubecauseIwanttospeaktoyoualone——quitealone。”
　　“Indeed，Mr。Davies——well，Iamatyourservice。Whatiswrong？Youdon’tlookverywell。”
　　“Oh，Iamquitewell，thankyou。Ineverwasbetter;andthere’snothingwrong，nothingatall。Everythingisgoingtobebrightnow，I
　　knowthatfullsurely。”
　　“Indeed。”saidMr。Granger，againlookingathimwithapuzzledair，“andwhatmayyouwanttoseemeabout？NotbutwhatIamalwaysatyourservice，asyouknow。”headdedapologetically。
　　“This。”heanswered，suddenlyseizingtheclergymanbythecoatinawaythatmadehimstart。
　　“What——mycoat，doyoumean？”
　　“Don’tbesofoolish，Mr。Granger。No，aboutBeatrice。”
　　“Oh。indeed，Mr。Davies。Nothingwrongattheschool，Ihope？Ithinkthatshedoesherdutiestothesatisfactionofthecommittee，thoughIadmitthatthearithmetic——“
　　“No！no，no！Itisnotabouttheschool。Idon’twishhertogototheschoolanymore。Iloveher，Mr。Granger，Iloveherdearly，andI
　　wanttomarryher。”
　　Theoldmanflushedwithpleasure。Wasitpossible？Didheheararight？OwenDavies，therichestmaninthatpartofWales，wantedtomarryhisdaughter，whohadnothingbutherbeauty。Itmustbetoogoodtobetrue！
　　“Iamindeedflattered。”hesaid。“Itismorethanshecouldexpect——
　　notbutwhatBeatriceisverygood-lookingandveryclever。”headdedhastily，fearinglesthewasdetractingfromhisdaughter’smarketvalue。
　　“Good-looking——clever;sheisanangel。”murmuredOwen。
　　“Oh，yes，ofcoursesheis。”saidherfather，“thatis，ifawoman——
　　yes，ofcourse——andwhatismore，Ithinkshe’sveryfondofyou。I
　　thinksheispiningforyou。I’vethoughsoforalongtime。”
　　“Isshe？”saidOwenanxiously。“ThenallIhavetosayisthatshetakesaverycuriouswayofshowingit。Shewon’tsayawordtome;
　　sheputsmeoffoneveryoccasion。Butitwillbeallrightnow——allrightnow。”
　　“Oh，there，there，Mr。Davies，maidswillbemaidsuntiltheyarewives。Weknowaboutallthat。”saidMr。Grangersententiously。
　　Hiswould-beson-in-lawlookedasthoughheknewverylittleaboutitindeed，althoughtheinferencewassufficientlyobvious。
　　“Mr。Granger。”hesaid，seizinghishand，“IwanttomakeBeatricemywife——Idoindeed。”
　　“Well，Ididnotsupposeotherwise，Mr。Davies。”
　　“IfyouhelpmeinthisIwilldowhateveryoulikeastomoneymattersandthatsortofthing，youknow。SheshallhaveasfineasettlementasanywomaninWales。Iknowthatgoesalongwaywithafather，andIshallraisenodifficulties。”
　　“Veryrightandproper，Iamsure。”saidMr。Granger，adoptingaloftiertoneashediscoveredtheadvantagesofhisposition。“ButofcourseonsuchmattersIshalltaketheadviceofalawyer。IdaresaythatMr。Binghamwouldadviseme。”headded，“asafriendofthefamily，youknow。Heisaverycleverlawyer，and，besides，hewouldn’tchargeanything。”
　　“Oh，no，notMr。Bingham。”answeredOwenanxiously。“Iwilldoanythingyoulike，orifyouwishtohavealawyerI’llpaythebillmyself。Butnevermindaboutthatnow。LetussettleitwithBeatricefirst。Comealongatonce。”
　　“Eh，buthadn’tyoubetterarrangethatpartofthebusinessprivately？”
　　“No，no。ShealwayssnubsmewhenItrytospeaktoheralone。Youhadbetterbethere，andMissElizabethtoo，ifshelikes。Iwon’tspeaktoheragainalone。IwillspeaktoherinthefaceofGodandman，asGoddirectedmetodo，andthenitwillbeallright——Iknowitwill。”
　　Mr。Grangerstaredathim。Hewasaclergymanofaverypracticalsort，anddidnotquiteseewhatthePowerabovehadtodowithOwenDavies’smatrimonialintentions。
　　“Ah，well。”hesaid，“Iseewhatyoumean;marriagesaremadeinheaven;yes，ofcourse。Well，ifyouwanttogetonwiththematter，I
　　daresaythatweshallfindBeatricein。”
　　SotheywalkedbacktotheVicarage，Mr。Grangerexultantandyetperplexed，foritstruckhimthattherewassomethingalittleoddabouttheproceeding，andOwenDaviesinsilenceormutteringoccasionallytohimself。
　　Inthesitting-roomtheyfoundElizabeth。
　　“WhereisBeatrice？”askedherfather。
　　“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered，andatthatmomentBeatrice，paleandtroubled，walkedintotheroom，likealambtotheslaughter。
　　“Ah，Beatrice。”saidherfather，“wewerejustaskingforyou。”
　　Sheglancedround，andwiththequickwitofahumananimal，instantlyperceivedthatsomenewdangerthreatenedher。
　　“Indeed。”shesaid，sinkingintoachairinanaccessoffeeblenessbornoffear。“Whatisit，father？”
　　Mr。GrangerlookedatOwenDaviesandthentookasteptowardsthedoor。Itstruckhimforciblythatthissceneshouldbeprivatetothetwopersonsprincipallyconcerned。
　　“Don’tgo。”saidOwenDaviesexcitedly，“don’tgo，eitherofyou;whatIhavetosayhadbetterbesaidbeforeyouboth。Ishouldliketosayitbeforethewholeworld;tocryitfromthemountaintops。”
　　Elizabethglaredathimfiercely——glaredfirstathimandthenattheinnocentBeatrice。Couldhebegoingtoproposetoher，then？Ah，whyhadshehesitated？Whyhadshenottoldhimthewholetruthbefore？
　　ButtheheartofBeatrice，whosatmomentarilyexpectingtobepubliclydenounced，greweverfainter。Thewatersofdesolationwereclosinginoverhersoul。
　　Mr。Grangersatdownfirmlyandworkedhimselfintotheseatofhischair，asthoughtosecureanadditionalfixednessoftenure。
　　Elizabethsetherteeth，andleanedherelbowonthetable，holdingherhandsoastoshadeherface。Beatricedroopeduponherseatlikeafadinglily，oraprisonerinthedock。Shewasoppositetothem，andOwenDavies，hisfacealightwithwildenthusiasm，stoodupandaddressedthemalllikethecounselfortheprosecution。
　　“Lastautumn。”hebegan，speakingtoMr。Granger，whomighthavebeenajudgeuncertainastothemeritsofthecase，“IaskedyourdaughterBeatricetomarryme。”
　　Beatricegaveasigh，andcollectedherscatteredenergies。Thestormhadburstatlast，andshemustfaceit。
　　“Iaskedhertomarryme，andshetoldmetowaitayear。IhavewaitedaslongasIcould，butIcouldnotwaitthewholeyear。Ihaveprayedagreatdeal，andIambiddentospeak。”
　　Elizabethmadeagestureofimpatience。Shewasapersonofstrongcommonsense，andthismixtureofreligionanderoticismdisgustedher。Shealsoknowthatthestormhadburst，andthat/she/mustfaceit。
　　“SoIcometotellyouthatIloveyourdaughterBeatrice，andwanttomakehermywife。Ihaveneverlovedanybodyelse，butIhavelovedherforyears;andIaskyourconsent。”
　　“Veryflattering，veryflattering，Iamsure，especiallyinthesehardtimes。”saidMr。Grangerapologetically，shakinghisthinhairdownoverhisforehead，andthenrumplingitupagain。“Butyousee，Mr。
　　Davies，youdon’twanttomarryme“hereBeatricesmiledfaintly——
　　“youwanttomarrymydaughter，soyouhadbetteraskherdirect——atleastIsupposeso。”
　　Elizabethmadeamovementasthoughtospeak，thenchangedhermindandlistened。
　　“Beatrice。”saidOwenDavies，“youhear。Iaskyoutomarryme。”
　　Therewasapause。Beatrice，whohadsatquitesilent，wasgatheringupherstrengthtoanswer。Elizabeth，watchingherfrombeneathherhand，thoughtthatshereaduponherfaceirresolution，softeningintoconsent。Whatshereallysawwasbutdoubtastothefittestandmostcertainmannerofrefusal。LikelightningitflashedintoElizabeth’smindthatshemuststrikenow，orholdherhandforever。IfonceBeatricespokethatfatal“yes。”herrevelationsmightbeofnoavail。
　　AndBeatricewouldspeakit;shewassureshewould。Itwasagoldenroadoutofhertroubles。
　　“Stop！“saidElizabethinashrill，hardvoice。“Stop！Imustspeak;
　　itismydutyasaChristian。Imusttellthetruth。Icannotallowanhonestmantobedeceived。”
　　Therewasanawfulpause。Beatricebrokeit。Nowshesawallthetruth，andknewwhatwasathand。Sheplacedherhanduponherhearttostillitsbeating。
　　“Oh，Elizabeth。”shesaid，“inourdeadmother’sname——“andshestopped。
　　“Yes。”answeredhersister，“inourdeadmother’sname，whichyouhavedishonoured，Iwilldoit。Listen，OwenDavies，andfather:Beatrice，whositsthere“——andshepointedatherwithherthinhand——“/Beatriceisascarletwoman！/“
　　“Ireallydon’tunderstand。”gaspedMr。Granger，whileOwenlookedroundwildly，andBeatricesunkherheaduponherbreast。
　　“ThenIwillexplain。”saidElizabeth，stillpointingathersister。
　　“SheisGeoffreyBingham’s/mistress/。OnthenightofWhit-Sundaylastsherosefrombedandwentintohisroomatoneinthemorning。I
　　sawherwithmyowneyes。Afterwardsshewasbroughtbacktoherbedinhisarms——Isawitwithmyowneyes，andIheardhimkissher。”
　　ThiswasapieceofembroideryonElizabeth’spart。“Sheishislover，andhasbeeninlovewithhimformonths。Itellyouthis，OwenDavies，because，thoughIcannotbeartobringdisgraceuponournameandtodefilemylipswithsuchatale，neithercanIbearthatyoushouldmarryagirl，believinghertobegood，whensheiswhatBeatriceis。”
　　“ThenIwishtoGodthatyouhadheldyourwickedtongue。”saidMr。
　　Grangerfiercely。
　　“No，father。Ihaveadutytoperform，andIwillperformitatanycost，andhowevermuchitpainsme。YouknowthatwhatIsayistrue。
　　YouheardthenoiseonthenightofWhit-Sunday，andgotuptoseewhatitwas。Yousawthewhitefigureinthepassage——itwasGeoffreyBinghamwithBeatriceinhisarms。Ah！wellmayshehangherhead。Letherdenyifitshecan。Letherdenythatsheloveshimtohershame，andthatshewasaloneinhisroomonthatnight。”
　　ThenBeatriceroseandspoke。Shewaspaleasdeathandmorebeautifulinhershameandherdespairthanevershehadbeenbefore;hergloriouseyesshone，andthereweredeepblacklinesbeneaththem。
　　“Myheartismyown。”shesaid，“andIwillmakenoanswertoyouaboutit。Thinkwhatyouwill。Fortherest，itisnottrue。IamnotwhatElizabethtellsyouthatIam。Iam/not/GeoffreyBingham’smistress。ItistruethatIwasinhisroomthatnight，anditistruethathecarriedmebacktomyown。ButitwasinmysleepthatIwentthere，notofmyownfreewill。Iawokethere，andfaintedwhenI
　　woke，andthenatonceheboremeback。”
　　Elizabethlaughedshrillandloud——itsoundedlikethecackleofafiend。
　　“Inhersleep。”shesaid;“oh，shewentthereinhersleep！“
　　“Yes，Elizabeth，inmysleep。Youdonotbelieveme，butitistrue。
　　Youdonotwishtobelieveme。Youwishtobringthesisterwhomyoushouldlove，whohasneveroffendedagainstyoubyactorword，toutterdisgraceandruin。InyourcowardlyspiteyouhavewrittenanonymousletterstoLadyHonoriaBingham，toprevailuponhertostriketheblowthatshoulddestroyherhusbandandmyself，andwhenyoufearthatthishasfailed，youcomeforwardandopenlyaccuseus。
　　YoudothisinthenameofChristianduty;inthenameofloveandcharity，youbelievetheworst，andseektoruinus。Shameonyou，Elizabeth！shameonyou！andmaythesamemeasurethatyouhavemetedouttomeneverbepaidbacktoyou。Wearenolongersisters。
　　Whateverhappens，Ihavedonewithyou。Goyourways。”
　　Elizabethshrankandquailedbeneathhersister’sscorn。Evenhervenomoushatredcouldnotbearupagainsttheflashofthoseroyaleyes，andthemajestyofthatoutragedinnocence。Shegaspedandbitherliptillthebloodstarted，butshesaidnothing。
　　ThenBeatriceturnedtoherfather，andspokeinanotherandapleadingvoice，stretchingoutherarmstowardshim。
　　“Oh，father。”shesaid，“atleasttellmethat/you/believeme。
　　ThoughyoumaythinkthatImightlovetoallextremes，surely，havingknownmesomanyyears，youcannotthinkthatIwouldlieevenformylove’ssake。”
　　Theoldmanlookedwildlyround，andshookhishead。