"Iwonder，"musedtheProfessor，"ifanyoneinthevillage——"Thelittleservingmaidflitteringamongthegooseberrybushes——shewaspretendingtobegatheringgoose—berries——caughttheProfessor’seye.
　　"Wewillconsultmychatelaine，Mrs.Muldoon，"suggestedtheProfessor."Ithinkweshallbeabletomanage."
　　TheProfessortenderedMalvinahisarm.WithherotherhandshegathereduptheskirtsoftheCommander’scoat.
　　"Ithink，"saidtheProfessorwithasuddeninspirationastheypassedthroughthegarden，"IthinkIshallexplaintoMrs.Muldoonthatyouhavejustcomestraightfromafancy—dressball."
　　TheyfoundMrs.Muldooninthekitchen.AlessconvincingstorythanthatbywhichtheProfessorsoughttoaccounttoMrs.MuldoonforthehowandthewhyofMalvinaitwouldbeimpossibletoimagine.Mrs.Muldoonoutofsheerkindnessappearstohavecuthimshort.
　　"I’llnotbeaskingyeanyquestions，"saidMrs.Muldoon，"sothere’llbenoneedforyetoimperilyourimmortalsoul.Ifye’lljustgiveathoughttoyourownappearanceandleavethecolleentomeandDrusilla，we’llmakehermaybeabitdacent.
　　ThereferencetohisownappearancedisconcertedtheProfessor.Hehadnotanticipated，whenhasteningintohisdressinggownandslippersandnotbotheringabouthissocks，thathewasonhiswaytomeetthechieflady—in—waitingofQueenHarbundia.Demandingthatshavingwatershouldbeimmediatelysentuptohim，heappearstohaveretiredintothebathroom.
　　ItwaswhilehewasshavingthatMrs.Muldoon，knockingatthedoor，demandedtospeaktohim.FromhertonetheProfessorcametotheconclusionthatthehousewasonfire.Heopenedthedoor，andMrs.
　　Muldoon，seeinghewasrespectable，slippedinandcloseditbehindher.
　　"Wheredidyefindher？Howdidshegethere？"demandedMrs.
　　Muldoon.NeverbeforehadtheProfessorseenMrs.Muldoonotherthanaplacid，good—humouredbody.Shewastremblingfromheadtofoot.
　　"Itoldyou，"explainedtheProfessor."YoungArthur——"
　　"I’mnotaskingyewhatyetoldme，"interruptedMrs.Muldoon."I’maskingyeforthetruth，ifyeknowit."
　　TheProfessorputachairforMrs.Muldoon，andMrs.Muldoondroppeddownuponit.
　　"What’sthematter？"questionedtheProfessor."What’shappened？"
　　Mrs.Muldoonglancedroundher，andhervoicewasanhystericalwhisper.
　　"It’snomortalwomanye’vebroughtintothehouse，"saidMrs.
　　Muldoon."It’safairy."
　　WhetheruptothatmomenttheProfessorhadreallybelievedMalvina’sstory，orwhetherlurkingatthebackofhismindtherehadallalongbeenaninnateconvictionthatthethingwasabsurd，theProfessorhimselfisnowunabletosay.TothefrontoftheProfessorlayOxford——politicaleconomy，thehighercriticism，theriseandprogressofrationalism.Behindhim，fadingawayintothedimhorizonofhumanity，layanunmappedlandwhereforfortyyearshehadlovedtowander;aspirit—hauntedlandofburiedmysteries，lostpathways，leadinguntohiddengatesofknowledge.
　　AndnowuponthetremblingbalancedescendedMrs.Muldoonplump.
　　"Howdoyouknow？"demandedtheProfessor.
　　"Shure，don’tIknowthemark？"repliedMrs.Muldoonalmostcontemptuously."Wasn’tmyownsister’schildstolenawaytheverydayofitsbirthandinitsplace——"
　　Thelittleservingmaidtappedatthedoor.
　　Mademoisellewas"finished."Whatwastobedonewithher？
　　"Don’taskme，"protestedMrs.Muldoon，stillinaterrifiedwhisper."Icouldn’tdoit.Notifallthesaintsweretogodownupontheirkneesandpraytome."
　　Common—senseargumentwouldnothaveprevailedwithMrs.Muldoon.
　　TheProfessorfeltthat;addedtowhichhehadnotanyhandy.Hedirected，throughthedoor，that"Mademoiselle"shouldbeshownintothedining—room，andlistenedtillDrusilla’sfootstepshaddiedaway.
　　"HaveyoueverheardoftheWhiteLadies？"whisperedtheProfessortoMrs.Muldoon.
　　Therewasnotmuchinthefairyline，onetakesit，thatMrs.
　　Muldoonhadnotheardofandbelieved.WastheProfessorsure？
　　TheProfessorgaveMrs.Muldoonhiswordofhonourasagentleman.
　　The"WhiteLadies，"asMrs.Muldoonwasofcourseaware，belongedtothe"goodpeople."Providednobodyoffendedhertherewasnothingtofear.
　　"Shure，itwon’tbemeselfthat’llcrossher，"saidMrs.Muldoon.
　　"Shewon’tbestayingverylong，"addedtheProfessor."Wewilljustbenicetoher."
　　"She’sgotakindface，"admittedMrs.Muldoon，"andapleasantwaywithher."Thegoodbody’sspiritswereperceptiblyrising.Thefavourofa"WhiteLady"mightbeworthcultivating.
　　"Wemustmakeafriendofher，"urgedtheProfessor，seizinghisopportunity.
　　"Andmind，"whisperedtheProfessorasheopenedthedoorforMrs.
　　Muldoontoslipout，"notaword.Shedoesn’twantitknown."
　　OneisconvincedthatMrs.Muldoonleftthebathroomresolvedthat，sofarasshecouldhelpit，nobreathofsuspicionthatMalvinawasotherthanwhatinDrusilla’sholidayfrockshewouldappeartobeshouldescapeintothevillage.Itwasquiteapleasantlittlefrockofasummerycharacter，withshortsleevesandlooseabouttheneck，andfittedMalvina，ineverysense，muchbetterthanthemostelaborateconfectionwouldhavedone.Thebootswerenotsosuccessful.Malvinasolvedtheproblembyleavingthembehindher，togetherwiththestockings，whenevershewentout.Thatsheknewthiswaswrongisprovedbythefactthatinvariablyshetriedtohidethem.Theywouldbefoundinthemostunlikelyplaces;hiddenbehindbooksintheProfessor’sstudy，crammedintoemptyteacanistersinMrs.Muldoon’sstoreroom.Mrs.Muldoonwasnottobepersuadedeventoabstractthem.ThecanisterwithitscontentswouldbeplacedinsilenceupontheProfessor’stable.Malvinaonreturningwouldbeconfrontedbyapairofstern，unsympatheticboots.Thecornersofthefairymouthwoulddroopinlinessuggestiveofpenitenceandcontrition.
　　HadtheProfessorbeenfirmshewouldhaveyielded.ButfromtheblackaccusingbootstheProfessorcouldnotkeephiseyesfromwanderingtotheguiltywhitefeet，andatonceinhisheartbecoming"counselforthedefence."MustgetapairofsandalsnexttimehewenttoOxford.Anyhow，somethingmoredaintythanthosegrim，uncompromisingboots.
　　Besides，itwasnotoftenthatMalvinaventuredbeyondtheorchard.
　　Atleastnotduringthedaytime——perhapsoneoughttosaynotduringthatpartofthedaytimewhenthevillagewasastir.ForMalvinaappearstohavebeenanearlyriser.Somewhereaboutthemiddleofthenight，asanyChristianbodywouldhavetimedit，Mrs.
　　Muldoon——wakingandsleepingduringthisperiodinastateofhighnervoustension——wouldhearthesoundofasoftlyopeneddoor;
　　peepingfromaraisedcorneroftheblind，wouldcatchaglimpseofflutteringgarmentsthatseemedtomeltintothedawn;wouldhearcomingfainterandfainterfromtheuplandsanunknownsong，minglingwiththeansweringvoicesofthebirds.
　　ItwasontheuplandsbetweendawnandsunrisethatMalvinamadetheacquaintanceoftheArlingtontwins.
　　Theyought，ofcourse，tohavebeeninbed——allthreeofthem，forthematterofthat.TheexcuseforthetwinswastheirUncleGeorge.HehadbeentellingthemallabouttheUffingtonspectreandWaylandSmith’scave，andhadgiventhem"Puck"asabirthdaypresent.Theywerealwaysgiventheirbirthdaypresentsbetweenthem，becauseotherwisetheydidnotcareforthem.Theyhadretiredtotheirrespectivebedroomsatteno’clockandtakenitinturnstolieawake.AtthefirststreakofdawnVictoria，whohadbeenwatchingbyherwindow，wokeVictor，asarranged.Victorwasforgivingitupandgoingtosleepagain，butVictoriaremindinghimofthe"oath，"theydressedthemselvesquitesimply，andletthemselvesdownbytheivy.
　　TheycameacrossMalvinaclosetothetailoftheWhiteHorse.Theyknewshewasafairythemomenttheysawher.Buttheywerenotfrightened——atleastnotverymuch.ItwasVictorwhospokefirst.
　　Takingoffhishatandgoingdownononeknee，hewishedMalvinagoodmorningandhopedshewasquitewell.Malvina，whoseemedpleasedtoseethem，madeanswer，andhereitwasthatVictoriatookchargeoftheaffair.TheArlingtontwinsuntiltheywereninehadsharedaFrenchnursebetweenthem;andthenVictor，goingtoschool，hadgraduallyforgotten;whileVictoria，remainingathome，hadcontinuedherconversationswith"madame."
　　"Oh！"saidVictoria."ThenyoumustbeaFrenchfairy."
　　NowtheProfessorhadimpresseduponMalvinathatforreasonsneedlesstobeexplained——anyhow，heneverhadexplainedthem——shewasnottomentionthatshewasafairy.Buthehadnottoldhertodenyit.Indeedhowcouldshe？Themostthatcouldbeexpectedfromherwasthatsheshouldmaintainsilenceonthepoint.SoinanswertoVictoriasheexplainedthathernamewasMalvina，andthatshehadflownacrossfromBrittanyincompanywith"SirArthur，"
　　addingthatshehadoftenheardofEnglandandhadwishedtoseeit.
　　"Howdoyoulikeit？"demandedVictoria.
　　Malvinaconfessedherselfcharmedwithit.Nowherehadsheevermetsomanybirds.Malvinaraisedherhandandtheyallthreestoodinsilence，listening.Theskywasablazeandtheairseemedfilledwiththeirmusic.Thetwinsweresurethatthereweremillionsofthem.Theymusthavecomefrommilesandmilesandmiles，tosingtoMalvina.
　　Alsothepeople.Theyweresogoodandkindandround.Malvinaforthepresentwasstayingwith——acceptingtheprotection，washowsheputit，ofthewiseandlearnedChristopher.The"habitation"couldbeseenfromwheretheystood，itschimneyspeepingfromamongthetrees.Thetwinsexchangedameaningglance.HadtheynotallalongsuspectedtheProfessor！Hisblackskullcap，andhisbighookednose，andtheyellow—leaved，worm—eatenbooks——ofmagic：alldoubtswerenowremoved——thatforhourshewouldsitporingoverthroughowlishgold—rimmedspectacles！
　　Victor’sFrenchwascomingbacktohim.HewasanxioustoknowifMalvinahadevermetSirLauncelot——"totalkto."
　　AlittlecloudgathereduponMalvina’sface.Yes，shehadknownthemall：KingUthurandIgraineandSirUlfiasoftheIsles.
　　Talkedwiththem，walkedwiththeminthefairlandsofFrance.（ItoughttohavebeenEngland，butMalvinashookherhead.Maybetheyhadtravelled.）ItwasshewhohadsavedSirTristramfromthewilesofMorganleFay."Thoughthat，ofcourse，"explainedMalvina，"wasneverknown."
　　Thetwinswerecuriouswhyitshouldhavebeen"ofcourse，"butdidnotliketointerruptagain.Therewereothersbeforeandafter.
　　MostofthemthetwinshadneverheardofuntiltheycametoCharlemagne，beyondwhichMalvina’sreminiscencesappearedtofade.
　　Theyhadallofthembeenverycourteoustoher，andsomeofthemindeedquitecharming.But
　　OnegatherstheyhadneverbeentoMalvinamorethanmereacquaintances，suchasonepassesthetimewithwhilewaiting——andlonging.
　　"ButyoulikedSirLauncelot，"urgedVictor.HewaswishfulthatMalvinashouldadmireSirLauncelot，feelinghowmuchtherewasincommonbetweenthatearlylamentedknightandhimself.ThatlittleaffairwithSirBedivere.Itwasjusthowhewouldhavebehavedhimself.
　　Ah！yes，admittedMalvina.Shehad"liked"him.Hewasalwaysso——
　　so"excellent."
　　"Buthewasnot——noneofthemweremyownpeople，myowndearcompanions."Thelittlecloudhadsettleddownagain.
　　ItwasBrunowhorecalledthethreeofthemtotheperiodofcontemporaryhistory.
　　Polleythecowman’sfirstdutyinthemorningwastoletBrunolooseforarun.Hearrivedpantingandbreathless，andevidentlyoffendedatnothavingbeenincludedintheescapade.Hecouldhavegiventhembothawayquiteeasilyifhehadnotbeenthemostforgivingofblack—and—tancollies.Asitwas，hehadbeenworryinghimselfcrazyforthelasthalf—hour，feelingsuretheyhadforgottenthetime."Don’tyouknowit’snearlysixo’clock？ThatinlessthanhalfanhourJanewillbeknockingatyourdoorswithglassesofhotmilk，andwillprobablydropthemandscreamwhenshefindsyourbedsemptyandthewindowwideopen."Thatiswhathehadintendedshouldbehisfirstwords，butonscentingMalvinatheywentfromhimentirely.Hegaveheronelookandfloppeddownflat，wrigglingtowardsher，whiningandwagginghistailatthesametime.Malvinaacknowledgedhishomagebylaughingandpattinghisheadwithherfoot，andthatsenthimintotheseventhheavenofdelight.Theyallfourdescendedthehilltogetherandpartedattheorchardgate.ThetwinsexpressedapolitebutquitesincerehopethattheywouldhavethepleasureofseeingMalvinaagain;butMalvina，seizedmaybewithsuddendoubtsastowhethershehadbehavedwithdiscretion，appearstohaverepliedevasively.Tenminuteslatershewaslyingasleep，thegoldenheadpillowedontheroundwhitearm;asMrs.Muldoononherwaydowntothekitchensawforherself.Andthetwins，fortunateenoughtofindasidedooropen，slippedintothehouseunnoticedandscrambledbackintotheirbeds.
　　ItwasquarterpastninewhenMrs.Arlingtoncameinherselfandwokethemup.Shewasshort—temperedwiththembothandhadevidentlybeencrying.Theyhadtheirbreakfastinthekitchen.
　　Duringlunchhardlyawordwasspoken.Andtherewasnopudding.
　　Mr.Arlington，astout，floridgentleman，hadnotimeforpudding.
　　Therestmightsitandenjoyitattheirleisure，butnotsoMr.
　　Arlington.Somebodyhadtoseetothings——thatis，iftheywerenottobeallowedtogotorackandruin.Ifotherpeoplecouldnotbereliedupontodotheirduty，sothateverythinginsidethehouseandoutofitwasthrownupononepairofshoulders，thenitfollowedasanaturalconsequencethatthatpairofshoulderscouldnotsparethenecessarytimetoproperlyfinishitsmeals.ThisitwasthatwasattherootofthedecayofEnglishfarming.Whenfarmers’wives，tosaynothingofsonsanddaughtersoldenoughonemightimaginetobeanxioustodosomethinginrepaymentforthemoneyandcarelavisheduponthem，hadallputtheirshoulderstothewheel，thenEnglishfarminghadprospered.When，ontheotherhand，otherpeopleshirkedtheirfairshareoflabourandresponsibility，leavingtoonepairofhands
　　ItwastheeldestArlingtongirl’squiteaudibleremarkthatpacouldhaveeatentwohelpingsofpuddingwhilehehadbeentalking，thatcausedMr.Arlingtontolosethethreadofhisdiscourse.Toputitquitebluntly，whatMr.Arlingtonmeanttosaywasthis：Hehadneverwantedtobeafarmer——atleastnotinthebeginning.
　　Othermeninhisposition，havingacquiredcompetencybyyearsofself—sacrificinglabour，wouldhaveretiredtoawell—earnedleisure.Havingyieldedtopersuasionandtakenonthejob，hewasgoingtoseeitthrough;andeverybodyelsewasgoingtodotheirshareortherewouldbetrouble.
　　Mr.Arlington，swallowingtheremainsofhisglassinasinglegulp，spoiltadignifiedexitbyviolentlyhiccoughing，andMrs.Arlingtonrangthebellfuriouslyfortheparlourmaidtoclearaway.Thepuddingpasseduntouchedfrombeforetheveryeyesofthetwins.Itwasablack—currantpuddingwithbrownsugar.
　　ThatnightMrs.Arlingtonappearstohaveconfidedinthetwins，partlyforherownreliefandpartlyfortheirmoralbenefit.IfMrs.Arlingtonhadenjoyedtheblessingindisguiseofalessindulgentmother，allmighthavebeenwell.BynatureMrs.
　　Arlingtonhadbeenendowedwithanactiveandenergetictemperament.
　　"MissCan’t—sit—still—a—minute，"hernursehadalwayscalledher.
　　Unfortunatelyithadbeenallowedtosinkintodisuse;wasnowinallprobabilitybeyondhopeofrecovery.Theirfatherwasquiteright.WhentheyhadlivedinBayswaterandthebusinesswasinMincingLaneitdidnotmatter.Nowitwasdifferent.Afarmer’swifeoughttobeupatsix;sheoughttoseethateverybodyelsewasupatsix;servantslookedafter，keptuptothemark;childrenencouragedbytheirmother’sexample.Organisation.Thatwaswhatwaswanted.Thedaymappedout;toeveryhouritsappointedtask.
　　Then，insteadofthemorningbeinggonebeforeyoucouldturnyourselfround，andconfusionmadeworseconfoundedbyyourleavingoffwhatyouweredoingandtryingtodosixthingsatoncethatyoucouldn’trememberwhetheryouhaddoneorwhetheryouhadn’t
　　HereMrs.Arlingtonappearstohavedissolvedintotears.Generallyspeaking，shewasaplacid，smiling，mostamiablelady，quitedelightfultohaveaboutthehouseprovidedallyoudemandedofherwerepleasantlooksandasunnydisposition.Thetwinsappeartohavejoinedtheirtearstohers.Tuckedinandlefttothemselves，oneimaginestheproblembeingdiscussedwithgraveseriousness，muchwhisperedconversation，thensleptupon，themorningbringingwithitideas.Theresultbeingthatthenextevening，betweenhighteaandsupper，Mrs.Muldoon，answeringherselftheknockatthedoor，foundtwinfiguresstandinghandinhandontheProfessor’sstep.
　　Theyaskedherif"theFairy"wasin.
　　V.HOWITWASTOLDTOMRS.MARIGOLD.
　　Therewasnoneedoftheproverbialfeather.Mrs.Muldoonmadeagrabatthesettlebutmissedit.Shecaughtatachair，butthatgaveway.Itwasthefloorthatfinallystoppedher.
　　"We’resosorry，"apologisedVictor."Wethoughtyouknew.WeoughttohavesaidMademoiselleMalvina."
　　Mrs.Muldoonregainedherfeet，andwithoutansweringwalkedstraightintothestudy.
　　"Theywanttoknow，"saidMrs.Muldoon，"iftheFairy’sin."TheProfessor，withhisbacktothewindow，wasreading.Thelightintheroomwassomewhatfaint.
　　"Whowantstoknow？"demandedtheProfessor.
　　"ThetwinsfromtheManorHouse，"explainedMrs.Muldoon.
　　"Butwhat？——butwho？"begantheProfessor.
　　"ShallIsay’notathome’？"suggestedMrs.Muldoon."Orhadn’tyoubetterseethemyourself."
　　"Showthemin，"directedtheProfessor.
　　Theycamein，lookingalittlescaredandstillholdingoneanotherbythehand.TheywishedtheProfessorgoodevening，andwhenherosetheybackedawayfromhim.TheProfessorshookhandswiththem，buttheydidnotletgo，sothatVictoriagavehimherrighthandandVictorhisleft，andthenattheProfessor’sinvitationtheysatthemselvesdownontheextremeedgeofthesofa.
　　"Ihopewedonotdisturbyou，"saidVictor."WewantedtoseeMademoiselleMalvina."
　　"WhydoyouwanttoseeMademoiselleMalvina？"inquiredtheProfessor.
　　"Itissomethingveryprivate，"saidVictor.
　　"Wewantedtoaskheragreatfavour，"saidVictoria.
　　"I’msorry，"saidtheProfessor，"butsheisn’tin.Atleast，I
　　don’tthinkso."（TheProfessorneverwasquitesure."Sheslipsinandoutmakingnomorenoisethanawind—drivenroseleaf，"wasMrs.Muldoon’sexplanation.）"Hadn’tyoubettertellme？Leavemetoputittoher."
　　Theylookedatoneanother.ItwouldneverdotooffendthewiseandlearnedChristopher.Besides，amagician，itistobeassumed，hasmorewaysthanoneoflearningwhatpeoplearethinking.
　　"Itisaboutmamma，"explainedVictoria."WewonderedifMalvinawouldmindchangingher."
　　TheProfessorhadbeenreadingupMalvina.Itflashedacrosshimthatthishadalwaysbeenherspeciality：Changingpeople.HowhadtheArlingtontwinsdiscoveredit？Andwhydidtheywanttheirmotherchanged？Andwhatdidtheywantherchangedinto？Itwasshockingwhenyoucometothinkofit！TheProfessorbecamesuddenlysostern，thatifthetwinscouldhaveseenhisexpression——which，owingtothefadinglight，theycouldn’t——theywouldhavebeentoofrightenedtoanswer.
　　"Whydoyouwantyourmotherchanged？"demandedtheProfessor.Evenasitwashisvoicealarmedthem.
　　"It’sforherowngood，"falteredVictoria.
　　"Ofcoursewedon’tmeanintoanything，"explainedVictor.
　　"Onlyherinside，"addedVictoria.
　　"WethoughtthatMalvinamightbeabletoimproveher，"completedVictor.
　　Itwasstillverydisgraceful.Whatwerewecomingtowhenchildrenwentaboutclamouringfortheirmotherstobe"improved"！Theatmospherewaschargedwithindignation.Thetwinsfeltit.
　　"Shewantstobe，"persistedVictoria."Shewantstobeenergeticandtogetupearlyinthemorninganddothings."
　　"Yousee，"addedVictor，"shewasneverproperlybroughtup."
　　TheProfessormaintainsstoutlythathisonlyintentionwasajoke.
　　Itwasnotevenasifanythingobjectionablehadbeensuggested.
　　TheProfessorhimselfhadonoccasionsbeenmadetheconfidantofboth.
　　"Bestwomanthateverlived，ifonlyonecouldgraftalittleenergyuponher.Nosenseoftime.Tooeasy—going.Noideaofkeepingpeopleuptothemark."SoMr.Arlington，overthenutsandwine.
　　"It’spurelaziness.Oh，yes，itis.MyfriendssayI’mso’restful’;butthat’stheproperexplanationofit——bornlaziness.
　　AndyetItry.Youhavenoidea，ProfessorLittlecherry，howmuchI
　　try."SoMrs.Arlington，laughingly，whileadmiringtheProfessor’sroses.
　　Besides，howabsurdtobelievethatMalvinacouldpossiblychangeanybody！Wayback，whenthehumanbrainwasyetinprocessofevolution，suchthingsmayhavebeenpossible.Hypnoticsuggestion，mesmericinfluence，dormantbraincellsquickenedintoactivitybymagneticvibration.Allthathadbeenlost.ThesewerethedaysofGeorgetheFifth，notofKingHeremon.WhattheProfessorwasreallyafterwas：HowwouldMalvinareceivetheproposal？Ofcourseshewouldtrytogetoutofit.Adearlittlething.Butcouldanysaneman，professorofmathematics
　　Malvinawasstandingbesidehim.Noonehadremarkedherentrance.
　　TheeyesofthetwinshadbeenglueduponthewiseandlearnedChristopher.TheProfessor，whenhewasthinking，neversawanything.Still，itwasratherstartling.
　　"WeshouldneverchangewhatthegoodGodhasoncefashioned，"saidMalvina.Shespokeverygravely.Thechildishnessseemedtohavefallenfromher.
　　"Youdidn’talwaysthinkso，"saidtheProfessor.ItnettledtheProfessorthatallideaofthisbeingagoodjokehaddepartedwiththesoundofMalvina’svoice.Shehadthatwaywithher.
　　Shemadealittlegesture.ItconveyedtotheProfessorthathisremarkhadnotbeenaltogetheringoodtaste.
　　"Ispeakasonewhohaslearned，"saidMalvina.
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidtheProfessor."Ioughtnottohavesaidthat."
　　MalvinaacceptedtheProfessor’sapologywithabow.
　　"Butthisissomethingverydifferent，"continuedtheProfessor.
　　QuiteanotherinteresthadtakenholdoftheProfessor.ItwaseasyenoughtosummonDameCommonsensetoone’saidwhenMalvinawasnotpresent.Beforethosestrangeeyesthegoodladyhadahabitofsneakingaway.Suppose——ofcoursetheideawasridiculous，butsuppose——somethingdidhappen！Asapsychologicalexperimentwasnotonejustified？Whatwasthebeginningofallsciencebutappliedcuriosity？Malvinamightbeable——andwilling——toexplainhowitwasdone.Thatis，ifanythingdidhappen，which，ofcourse，itwouldn’t，andsomuchthebetter.Thisthinghadgottobeended.
　　"Itwouldbeusingagiftnotforone’sownpurposes，buttohelpothers，"urgedtheProfessor.
　　"Yousee，"urgedVictor，"mammareallywantstobechanged."
　　"Andpapawantsittoo，"urgedVictoria.
　　"Itseemstome，ifImaysoexpressit，"addedtheProfessor，"thatreallyitwouldbeinthenatureofmakingamendsfor——well，for—
　　—forouryouthfulfollies，"concludedtheProfessoralittlenervously.
　　Malvina’seyeswerefixedontheProfessor.Inthedimlightofthelow—ceilingedroom，thoseeyesseemedallofherthatwasvisible.
　　"Youwishit？"saidMalvina.
　　Itwasnotatallfair，astheProfessortoldhimselfafterwards，herlayingtheresponsibilityonhim.IfshereallywastheoriginalMalvina，lady—in—waitingtoQueenHarbundia，thenshewasquiteoldenoughtohavedecidedforherself.FromtheProfessor’scalculationsshemustnowbeaboutthreethousandeighthundred.
　　TheProfessorhimselfwasnotyetsixty;incomparisonamerebabe！
　　ButMalvina’seyeswerecompelling.
　　"Well，itcan’tdoanyharm，"saidtheProfessor.AndMalvinaseemstohaveacceptedthatasherauthority.
　　"LethercometotheCrossStonesatsundown，"directedMalvina.
　　TheProfessorsawthetwinstothedoor.ForsomereasontheProfessorcouldnothaveexplained，theyallthreewalkedoutontiptoe.OldMr.Brent，thepostman，waspassing，andthetwinsranafterhimandeachtookahand.MalvinawasstillstandingwheretheProfessorhadlefther.Itwasveryabsurd，buttheProfessorfeltfrightened.Hewentintothekitchen，whereitwaslightandcheerful，andstartedMrs.MuldoononHomeRule.WhenhereturnedtotheparlourMalvinawasgone.
　　Thetwinsdidnottalkthatnight，anddecidednextmorningnottosayaword，butjusttoasktheirmothertocomeforaneveningwalkwiththem.Thefearwasthatshemightdemandreasons.But，quiteoddly，sheconsentedwithoutquestion.ItseemedtothetwinsthatitwasMrs.Arlingtonherselfwhotookthepathwayleadingpastthecave，andwhentheyreachedtheCrossStonesshesatdownandapparentlyhadforgottentheirexistence.Theystoleawaywithouthernoticingthem，butdidnotquiteknowwhattodowiththemselves.Theyranforhalfamiletilltheycametothewood;
　　theretheyremainedawhile，carefulnottoventurewithin;andthentheycreptback.Theyfoundtheirmothersittingjustastheyhadlefther.Theythoughtshewasasleep，buthereyeswerewideopen.
　　Theyweretremendouslyrelieved，thoughwhattheyhadfearedtheyneverknew.Theysatdown，oneoneachsideofher，andeachtookahand，butinspiteofhereyesbeingopen，itwasquiteatimebeforesheseemedconsciousoftheirreturn.Sheroseandslowlylookedabouther，andasshedidsothechurchclockstrucknine.
　　Shecouldnotatfirstbelieveitwassolate.Convincedbylookingatherwatch——therewasjustlightenoughforhertoseeit——shebecameallatoncemoreangrythanthetwinshadeverknownher，andforthefirsttimeintheirlivestheybothexperiencedthesensationofhavingtheirearsboxed.Nineo’clockwasthepropertimeforsupperandtheywerehalfanhourfromhome，anditwasalltheirfault.Itdidnottakethemhalfanhour.Ittookthemtwentyminutes，Mrs.Arlingtonstridingaheadandthetwinspantingbreathlessbehindher.Mr.Arlingtonhadnotyetreturned.Hecameinfiveminutesafterwards，andMrs.Arlingtontoldhimwhatshethoughtofhim.Itwastheshortestsupperwithinthetwins’
　　recollection.Theyfoundthemselvesinbedtenminutesinadvanceoftherecord.Theycouldheartheirmother’svoicefromthekitchen.Ajugofmilkhadbeenoverlookedandhadgonesour.ShehadgivenJaneaweek’snoticebeforetheclockstruckten.
　　ItwasfromMr.ArlingtonthattheProfessorheardthenews.Mr.
　　Arlingtoncouldnotstopaninstant，dinnerbeingattwelvesharpanditwantingbuttenminutesto;butseemstohaveyieldedtotemptation.ThebreakfasthourattheManorFarmwasnowsixa.m.，hadbeensosinceThursday;thewholefamilyfullydressedandMrs.
　　Arlingtonpresiding.IftheProfessordidnotbelieveithecouldcomeroundanymorningandseeforhimself.TheProfessorappearstohavetakenMr.Arlington’swordforit.Bysix—thirtyeverybodyattheirjobandMrs.Arlingtonathers，consistingchieflyofseeingtoitfortherestofthedaythateverybodywas.Lightsoutattenandeverybodyinbed;mostofthemonlytoogladtobethere.
　　"Quiteright;keepsusalluptothemark，"wasMr.Arlington’sopinion（thiswasonSaturday）.Justwhatwaswanted.Notperhapsforapermanency;and，ofcourse，thereweredrawbacks.Thestrenuouslife——seeingtoitthateverybodyelseleadsthestrenuouslife;itdoesnotgowithunmixedamiability.Particularlyinthebeginning.New—bornzeal：mustexpectittooutrundiscretion.
　　Doesnotdotodiscourageit.Modificationstobesuggestedlater.
　　Takenallround，Mr.Arlington’sviewwasthatthethingmustberegardedalmostastheanswertoaprayer.Mr.Arlington’seyesontheirwaytohigherlevels，appeartohavebeenarrestedbythechurchclock.ItdecidedMr.Arlingtontoresumehishomewardwaywithoutfurtherlossoftime.AtthebendofthelanetheProfessor，lookingback，observedthatMr.Arlingtonhadbrokenintoatrot.
　　ThisseemstohavebeentheendoftheProfessor，regardedasasaneandintelligentmemberofmodernsociety.Hehadnotbeensureatthetime，butitwasnowrevealedtohimthatwhenhehadurgedMalvinatotestherstrength，sotoexpressit，ontheunfortunateMrs.Arlington，itwaswiththeconvictionthattheresultwouldrestorehimtohismentalequilibrium.ThatMalvinawithawaveofherwand——orwhateverthehocus—pocusmayhavebeen——wouldbeabletotransformthehithertoincorrigiblyindolentandeasy—goingMrs.
　　ArlingtonintoasortoffeminineLloydGeorge，hadnotreallyenteredintohiscalculations.
　　Forgettinghislunch，hemusthavewanderedaimlesslyabout，notreturninghomeuntillateintheafternoon.Duringdinnerheappearstohavebeenratherrestlessandnervous——"jumpy，"accordingtotheevidenceofthelittleservingmaid.Oncehesprangoutofhischairasifshotwhenthelittleservingmaidaccidentallyletfallatable—spoon;andtwiceheupsetthesalt.Itwasatmealtimethat，asarule，theProfessorfoundhisattitudetowardsMalvinamostsceptical.Afairywhocouldputawayquitearespectablecutfromthejoint，followedbytwohelpingsofpie，doestakeabitofbelievingin.To—nighttheProfessorfoundnodifficulty.TheWhiteLadieshadneverbeenaversetoacceptingmortalhospitality.
　　Theremustalwayshavebeenacertainadaptability.Malvina，sincethatfatefulnightofherbanishment，had，onesupposes，passedthroughvariedexperiences.Forpresentpurposesshehadassumedtheformofajeunefilleofthetwentiethcentury（annoDomini）.
　　AnappreciationofMrs.Muldoon’sexcellentcooking，togetherwithaglassoflightsoundclaret，wouldnaturallygowithit.
　　OnetakesitthathecouldnotforamomentgetMrs.Arlingtonoutofhismind.Morethanonce，stealingacovertglanceacrossthetable，itseemedtohimthatMalvinawasregardinghimwithamockingsmile.Someimpishspirititmusthavebeenthathadpromptedhim.ForthousandsofyearsMalvinahadled——atalleventssofaraswasknown——areformedandblamelessexistence;hadsubduedandputbehindherthatfatalpassionofhersforchange：inotherpeople.Whatmadnesstohaverevivedit！AndnoQueenHarbundiahandynowtokeepherincheck.TheProfessorhadadistinctsensation，whilepeelingapear，thathewasbeingturnedintoaguinea—pig——acuriousfeelingofshrinkingaboutthelegs.Sovividwastheimpression，thatinvoluntarilytheProfessorjumpedoffhischairandrantolookathimselfinthemirroroverthesideboard.
　　Hewasnotfullyrelievedeventhen.Itmayhavebeenthemirror.
　　Itwasveryold;oneofthosethingswithlittlegiltballsallroundit;anditlookedtotheProfessorasifhisnosewasgrowingstraightoutofhisface.Malvina，trustinghehadnotbeentakensuddenlyill，askediftherewasanythingshecoulddoforhim.Heseemstohaveearnestlybeggedhernottothinkofit.
　　TheProfessorhadtaughtMalvinacribbage，andusuallyofaneveningtheyplayedahandortwo.Butto—nighttheProfessorwasnotinthemood，andMalvinahadcontentedherselfwithabook.Shewasparticularlyfondoftheoldchroniclers.TheProfessorhadanentireshelfofthem，manyintheoriginalFrench.Makingbelievetobereadinghimself，heheardMalvinabreakintoacheerfullaugh，andwentandlookedoverhershoulder.Shewasreadingthehistoryofherownencounterwiththeproprietoroftinmines，anelderlygentlemandislikinglatehours，whomshehadturnedintoanightingale.ItoccurredtotheProfessorthatpriortotheArlingtoncasetherecallingofthisincidentwouldhavebroughttohershameandremorse.Nowsheseemedtothinkitfunny.
　　"Asillytrick，"commentedtheProfessor.Hespokequiteheatedly.
　　"Noonehasanyrighttogoaboutchangingpeople.Muddlingupthingstheydon’tunderstand.Norightwhatever."
　　Malvinalookedup.Shegavealittlesigh.
　　"Notforone’sownpleasureorrevenge，"shemadeanswer.Hertonewasfilledwithmeekness.Ithadatouchofself—reproach."Thatisverywrong，ofcourse.Butchangingthemfortheirowngood——atleast，notchanging，improving."
　　"Littlehypocrite！"mutteredtheProfessortohimself."She’sgotbackatasteforheroldtricks，andLordknowsnowwhereshe’llstop."
　　TheProfessorspenttherestoftheeveningamonghisindexesinsearchofthelatestinformationregardingQueenHarbundia.
　　MeanwhiletheArlingtonaffairhadgotaboutthevillage.Thetwinsinallprobabilityhadbeenunabletokeeptheirsecret.Jane，thedismissed，hadlookedintogiveMrs.MuldoonherversionofThursdaynight’ssceneintheArlingtonkitchen，andMrs.Muldoon，withasenseofthingsimpending，mayunconsciouslyhavedroppedhints.
　　TheMarigoldsmettheArlingtonsonSunday，aftermorningservice，andheardallaboutit.Thatistosay，theymetMr.Arlingtonandtheotherchildren;Mrs.Arlington，withthetwoeldergirls，havingalreadyattendedearlycommunionatseven.Mrs.Marigoldwasapretty，fluffy，engaginglittlewoman，tenyearsyoungerthanherhusband.Shecouldnothavebeenaltogetherafool，orshewouldnothaveknownit.Marigold，risingpolitician，ought，ofcourse，tohavemarriedawomanabletohelphim;butseemstohavefalleninlovewithherafewmilesoutofBrussels，overaconventwall.
　　Mr.Arlingtonwasnotaregularchurch—goer，butfeltonthisoccasionthatheowedittohisMaker.Hewasstillinlovewithhisnewwife.Butnotblindly.Lateronaguidinghandmightbenecessary.Butfirstletthenewseedgetfirmlyrooted.
　　Marigold’sengagementsnecessitatedhisreturningtotownonSundayafternoon，andMrs.Marigoldwalkedpartofthewaywithhimtothestation.OnherwaybackacrossthefieldsshepickeduptheArlingtontwins.Later，sheseemstohavecalledinatthecottageandspokentoMrs.MuldoonaboutJane，who，shehadheard，wasinwantofaplace.AlittlebeforesunsetshewasseenbytheDoctorclimbingthepathtotheWarren.Malvinathateveningwasmissingfordinner.Whenshereturnedsheseemedpleasedwithherself.
　　VI.ANDHOWITWASFINISHEDTOOSOON.
　　Somedayslater——itmayhavebeenthenextweek;theexactdateappearstohavegotmislaid——Marigold，M.P.，lookedinontheProfessor.TheytalkedaboutTariffReform，andthenMarigoldgotupandmadesureforhimselfthatthedoorwastightclosed.
　　"Youknowmywife，"hesaid."We’vebeenmarriedsixyears，andthere’sneverbeenacloudbetweenusexceptone.Ofcourse，she’snotbrainy.Thatis，atleast"
　　TheProfessorjumpedoutofhischair.
　　"Ifyoutakemyadvice，"hesaid，"you’llleaveheralone."Hespokewithpassionandconviction.
　　Marigoldlookedup.
　　"It’sjustwhatIwishtogoodnessIhaddone，"heanswered."I
　　blamemyselfentirely."
　　"Solongasweseeourownmistakes，"saidtheProfessor，"thereishopeforusall.Yougostraighthome，youngman，andtellheryou’vechangedyourmind.Tellheryoudon’twantherwithbrains.
　　Tellheryoulikeherbestwithout.Yougetthatintoherheadbeforeanythingelsehappens."
　　"I’vetriedto，"saidMarigold."Shesaysit’stoolate.Thatthelighthascometoherandshecan’thelpit."
　　ItwastheProfessor’sturntostare.HehadnotheardanythingofSunday’stransactions.HehadbeenhopingagainsthopethattheArlingtonaffairwouldremainalockedsecretbetweenhimselfandthetwins，andhaddonehisbesttothinkabouteverythingelse.
　　"She’sjoinedtheFabianSociety，"continuedMarigoldgloomily.
　　"They’veputherinthenursery.AndtheW.S.P.U.IfitgetsaboutbeforethenextelectionI’llhavetolookoutforanotherconstituency——that’sall."
　　"Howdidyouhearabouther？"askedtheProfessor.
　　"Ididn’thearabouther，"answeredMarigold."IfIhadImightn’thavegoneuptotown.Youthinkitright，"headded，"to——toencouragesuchpeople？"
　　"Who’sencouragingher？"demandedtheprofessor."Iffoolsdidn’tgoaboutthinkingtheycouldimproveeveryotherfoolbutthemselves，thissortofthingwouldn’thappen.Arlingtonhadanamiable，sweet—temperedwife，andinsteadofthankingGodandkeepingquietaboutit，heworriesheroutofherlifebecausesheisnotthemanagingwoman.Well，nowhe’sgotthemanagingwoman.
　　ImethimonWednesdaywithabumponhisforeheadasbigasanegg.
　　Sayshefelloverthemat.Itcan’tbedone.Youcan’thaveapersonchangedjustasfarasyouwantthemchangedandtherestop.
　　Youlet’emaloneoryouchangethemaltogether，andthentheydon’tknowthemselveswhatthey’regoingtoturnout.Asensiblemaninyourpositionwouldhavebeenonlytoothankfulforawifewhodidn’tpokehernoseintohisaffairs，andwithwhomhecouldgetawayfromhisconfoundedpolitics.You’vebeenhintingtoheraboutonceamonth，Iexpect，whatatragedyitwasthatyouhadn’tmarriedawomanwithbrains.Well，nowshe’sfoundherbrainsandisusingthem.Whyshouldn’tshebelongtotheFabianSocietyandtheW.S.P.U？Showsindependenceofcharacter.Bestthingforyoutodoistojointhemyourself.Thenyou’llbeabletoworktogether."
　　"I’msorry，"saidMarigoldrising."Ididn’tknowyouagreedwithher."
　　"WhosaidIagreedwithher？"snappedtheProfessor."I’minaveryawkwardposition."
　　"Isuppose，"saidMarigold——hewashesitatingwiththedoorinhishand——"itwouldn’tbeofanyusemyseeinghermyself？"
　　"Ibelieve，"saidtheProfessor，"thatsheisfondoftheneighbourhoodoftheCrossStonestowardssundown.Youcanchooseforyourself，butifIwereyouIshouldthinktwiceaboutit."
　　"Iwaswondering，"saidMarigold，"whether，ifIputittoherasapersonalfavour，shemightnotbewillingtoseeEdithagainandpersuadeherthatshewasonlyjoking？"
　　AlightbegantobreakupontheProfessor.
　　"Whatdoyouthinkhashappened？"heasked.
　　"Well，"explainedMarigold，"Itakeitthatyouryoungforeignfriendhasmetmywifeandtalkedpoliticstoher，andthatwhathashappenedistheresult.Shemustbeayoungpersonofextraordinaryability;butitwouldbeonlylosingoneconvert，andIcouldmakeituptoherin——inotherways."Hespokewithunconsciouspathos.
　　ItrathertouchedtheProfessor.
　　"Itmightmean，"saidtheProfessor——"thatis，assumingthatitcanbedoneatall——Mrs.Marigold’sreturningtoherformerselfentirely，takingnofurtherinterestinpoliticswhatever."
　　"Ishouldbesoverygrateful，"answeredMarigold.
　　TheProfessorhadmislaidhisspectacles，butthinkstherewasatearinMarigold’seye.
　　"I’lldowhatIcan，"saidtheProfessor."Ofcourse，youmustn’tcountonit.Itmaybeeasiertostartawomanthinkingthantostopher，evenfora——"TheProfessorcheckedhimselfjustintime.
　　"I’lltalktoher，"hesaid;andMarigoldgrippedhishandanddeparted.
　　Itwasabouttimehedid.ThefullextentofMalvina’sactivitiesduringthosefewmidsummerweeks，tillthereturnofFlightCommanderRaffleton，willneverperhapsbefullyrevealed.
　　AccordingtotheDoctor，thewholebusinesshasbeengrosslyexaggerated.Therearethosewhotalkasifhalfthevillagehadbeentakentopieces，alteredandimprovedandsentbackhomeagaininamentalstateunrecognisablebytheirownmothers.CertainitisthatDawson，R.A.，generallydescribedbyeverybodyexcepthiswifeas"alovablelittleman，"andwhoseonlyfaultwasanincurablehabitofpunning，bothinseason——ifsuchaperiodtherebe——andmoreoftenout，suddenlyonemorningsmashedaDutchinterior，fifteeninchesbynine，overtheastonishedheadofMrs.
　　Dawson.Itclungroundherneck，recallingbiblicalpicturesoftheheadofJohntheBaptist，andtheframe—workhadtobesawnthroughbeforeshecouldgetitoff.AstothestoryabouthishavingbeencaughtbyMrs.Dawson’sauntkissingthehousemaidbehindthewaterbutt，that，astheDoctoradmits，isabitofbadluckthatmighthavehappenedtoanyone.ButwhethertherewasreallyanyevidenceconnectinghimwithDollyCalthorpe’sunaccountablemissingofthelasttrainhome，isofcourse，amoreseriousmatter.Mrs.
　　Dawson，ahandsome，high—spiritedwomanherself，mayhavefoundDawson，asoriginallyfashioned，tryingtothenerves;thougheventhenthequestionarises：Whyhavemarriedhim？Butthereisadifference，asMrs.Dawsonhaspointedout，betweenahusbandwhohasn’tenoughofthenaturalmaninhimandahusbandwhohasadealtoomuch.Itisdifficulttoregulatethesematters.
　　Altogether，andtakinganoutsideestimate，theDoctor’sopinionisthattheremayhavebeenhalfadozen，who，withMalvina’sassistance，succeededinhypnotisingthemselvesintotemporaryinsanity.WhenMalvina，alittledisappointed，butyieldingquitesweetlyherownjudgmenttothatofthewiseandlearnedChristopher，consentedto"restore"them，theexplanationwasthat，havingspenttheirburstofill—acquiredenergy，theyfellbackatthefirstsuggestiontotheirformerselves.
　　Mrs.ArlingtondoesnotagreewiththeDoctor.Shehadbeentryingtoreformherselfforquitealongtimeandhadmiserablyfailed.
　　Therewassomethingaboutthem——itmightalmostbedescribedasanaroma——thatpromptedherthateveningtotakethetwinsintoherconfidence;asortofintuitionthatinsomewaytheycouldhelpher.Itremainedwithherallthenextday;andwhenthetwinsreturnedintheevening，incompanywiththepostman，sheknewinstinctivelythattheyhadbeenaboutherbusiness.ItwasthissameintuitivedesirethatdrewhertotheDowns.SheisconfidentshewouldhavetakenthatwalktotheCrossStonesevenifthetwinshadnotproposedit.Indeed，accordingtoherownaccount，shewasnotawarethatthetwinshadaccompaniedher.Therewassomethingaboutthestones;asenseasofapresence.Sheknewwhenshereachedthemthatshehadarrivedattheappointedplace;andwhenthereappearedtoher——comingfromwhereshecouldnottell——adiminutivefigurethatseemedinsomemysteriouswayasifitwereclothedmerelyinthefadinglight，sheremembereddistinctlythatshewasneithersurprisednoralarmed.ThediminutiveladysatdownbesideherandtookMrs.Arlington’shandsinbothherown.Shespokeinastrangelanguage，butMrs.Arlingtonatthetimeunderstoodit，thoughnowthemeaningofithadpassedfromher.
　　Mrs.Arlingtonfeltasifherbodywerebeingtakenawayfromher.
　　Shehadasenseoffalling，afeelingthatshemustmakesomedesperateefforttoriseagain.Thestrangelittleladywashelpingher，assistinghertomakethissupremeeffort.Itwasasifageswerepassing.Shewaswrestlingwithunknownpowers.Suddenlysheseemedtoslipfromthem.Thelittleladywasholdingherup.
　　Claspingeachother，theyroseandroseandrose.Mrs.Arlingtonhadafirmconvictionthatshemustalwaysbestrugglingupward，ortheywouldovertakeheranddragherdownagain.Whensheawokethelittleladyhadgone，butthatfeelingremainedwithher;thatpassionateacceptanceofceaselessstruggle，activity，contention，asnowtheendandaimofherexistence.Atfirstshedidnotrecollectwhereshewas.Astrangecolourlesslightwasaroundher，andastrangesingingasofmyriadsofbirds.Andthentheclockstrucknineandlifecamebacktoherwitharush.Butwithitstillthatconvictionthatshemustseizeholdofherselfandeverybodyelseandgetthingsdone.Itsimmediateexpression，asalreadyhasbeenmentioned，wasexperiencedbythetwins.
　　When，afteratalkwiththeProfessor，aidedandabettedbyMr.
　　ArlingtonandtheeldestArlingtongirl，sheconsentedtopaythatsecondvisittothestones，itwaswithverydifferentsensationsthatsheclimbedthegrass—grownpath.Thelittleladyhadmetherasbefore，butthecuriousdeepeyeslookedsadly，andMrs.
　　Arlingtonhadtheimpression，generallyspeaking，thatshewasabouttoassistatherownfuneral.Againthelittleladytookherbythehands，andagainsheexperiencedthatterroroffalling.Butinsteadofendingwithcontestandeffortsheseemedtopassintoasleep，andwhensheopenedhereyesshewasagainalone.Feelingalittlechillyandunreasonablytired，shewalkedslowlyhome，andnotbeinghungry，retiredsupperlesstobed.Quiteunabletoexplainwhy，sheseemstohavecriedherselftosleep.
　　Onesupposesthatsomethingofasimilarnaturemayhaveoccurredtotheothers——withtheexceptionofMrs.Marigold.ItwasthecaseofMrs.Marigoldthat，astheDoctorgrudginglyadmits，wentfartoweakenhishypothesis.Mrs.Marigold，havingemerged，wasspreadingherself，muchtoherownsatisfaction.Shehaddiscardedherweddingringasarelicofbarbarism——ofthedayswhenwomenweremeregoodsandchattels，andhadmadeherfirstspeechatameetinginfavourofmarriagereform.Subterfuge，inhercase，hadtoberesortedto.Malvinahadtearfullyconsented，andMarigold，M.P.，wastobringMrs.MarigoldtotheCrossStonesthatsameeveningandthereleaveher，explainingtoherthatMalvinahadexpressedawishtoseeheragain——"justforachat."
　　AllmighthaveendedwellifonlyCommanderRaffletonhadnotappearedframedintheparlourdoorjustasMalvinawasstarting.
　　HisCousinChristopherhadwrittentotheCommander.Indeed，aftertheArlingtonaffair，quitepressingly，andonceortwicehadthoughtheheardthesoundofFlightCommanderRaffleton’spropeller，butoneachoccasionhadbeendisappointed."AffairsofState，"CousinChristopherhadexplainedtoMalvina，who，familiaronetakesitwiththecallsuponknightsandwarriorsthroughalltheages，hadapproved.
　　Hestoodtherewithhishelmetinhishand.
　　"OnlyarrivedthisafternoonfromFrance，"heexplained."Haven’tamomenttospare."
　　ButhehadjusttimetogostraighttoMalvina.Helaughedashetookherinhisarmsandkissedherfulluponthelips.
　　Whenlasthehadkissedher——ithadbeenintheorchard;theProfessorhadbeenwitnesstoit——Malvinahadremainedquitepassive，onlythatcuriouslittlesmileaboutherlips.Butnowanoddthinghappened.Aquiveringseemedtopassthroughallherbody，sothatitswayedandtrembled.TheProfessorfearedshewasgoingtofall;and，maybetosaveherself，sheputupherarmsaboutCommanderRaffleton’sneck，andwithastrangelowcry——itsoundedtotheProfessorlikethecryonesometimeshearsatnightfromsomelittledyingcreatureofthewoods——sheclungtohimsobbing.
　　ItmusthavebeenawhilelaterwhenthechimingoftheclockrecalledtotheProfessortheappointmentwithMrs.Marigold.
　　"Youwillonlyjusthavetime，"hesaid，gentlyseekingtoreleaseher."I’llpromisetokeephimtillyoucomeback."AndasMalvinadidnotseemtounderstand，heremindedher.
　　Butstillshemadenomovement，saveforalittlegestureofthehandsasifshewereseekingtolayholdofsomethingunseen.Andthenshedroppedherarmsandlookedfromoneofthemtotheother.
　　TheProfessordidnotthinkofitatthetime，butrememberedafterwards;thatstrangealoofnessofhers，asifshewerelookingatyoufromanotherworld.Onenolongerfeltit.
　　"Iamsosorry，"shesaid."Itistoolate.Iamonlyawoman."
　　AndMrs.Marigoldisstillthinking.
　　THEPROLOGUE.
　　AndherefollowsthePrologue.Itought，ofcourse，tohavebeenwrittenfirst，butnobodyknewofituntilquitetheendentirely.