Mrs。Roylake——inanexquisitemorningdress;withhersmileinperfectorder——informedmethatshewasdyingwithcuriosity。Shehadheard，fromtheservants，thatIhadnotreturnedtothehouseuntilpastteno’clockonthepreviousnight;andshewasabsolutelybewilderedbythediscovery。WhatcouldherdearGerardhavebeendoing，outinthedarkbyhimself，forallthattime？
　　"Forsomepartofthetime，"Ianswered，"IwascatchingmothsinFordwitchWood。"
　　"Whatanextraordinaryoccupationforayoungman！Well？Andwhatdidyoudoafterthat？"
　　"Iwalkedonthroughthewood，andrenewedmyoldassociationswiththeriverandthemill。"
　　Mrs。Roylake’sfascinatingsmiledisappearedwhenImentionedthemill。
　　Shesuddenlybecameacoldlady——Imightevensayastifflady。
　　"Ican’tcongratulateyouonthefirstvisityouhavepaidinourneighborhood，"shesaid。"Ofcoursethatboldgirlcontrivedtoattractyournotice？"
　　IrepliedthatIhadmetwiththe"boldgirl"purelybyaccident，onhersideaswellasonmine;andthenIstartedanewtopic。"Wasitapleasantdinner-partylastnight？"Iasked——asifthesubjectreallyinterestedme。IhadnotbeenquitefourandtwentyhoursinEnglandyet，andIwasbecomingahumbugalready。
　　Mystepmotherwashercharmingselfagainthemomentmyquestionhadpassedmylips。Society——provideditwasnotsocietyatthemill——wasalwaysattractiveasatopicofconversation。"Yourabsencewastheonlydrawback，"sheanswered。"Ihaveaskedthetwoladies（mylordhasanengagement）todinehereto-day，withoutceremony。Theyaremostanxioustomeetyou。MydearGerard！youlooksurprised。Surelyyouknowwhotheladiesare？"
　　Iwasobligedtoacknowledgemyignorance。
　　Mrs。Roylakewasshocked。"Atanyrate，"sheresumed，"youhaveheardoftheirfather，LordUppercliff？"
　　Imadeanothershamefulconfession。EitherIhadforgottenLordUppercliff，duringmylongabsenceabroad，orIhadneverheardofhim。
　　Mrs。Roylakewasdisgusted。"Andthisisaforeigneducation！"sheexclaimed。"ThankHeaven，youhavereturnedtoyourowncountry！Wewilldriveoutafterluncheon，andpayaroundofvisits。"Whenthisprospectwasplacedbeforeme，Irememberedhavingreadinbooksofsensitivepersonsreceivingimpressionswhichmadetheirbloodruncold;Inowfoundmyselfoneofthosepersons，forthefirsttimeinmylife。"Inthemeanwhile，"Mrs。Roylakecontinued，"Imusttellyou——excusemeforlaughing;itseemssoveryabsurdthatyoushouldnotknowwhoLordUppercliff’sdaughtersare——ImusttellyouthatLadyRachelistheeldest。SheismarriedtotheHonorableCaptainMillbay，oftheNavy，nowawayinhisship。Apersonofextraordinarystrengthofmind（Idon’tmeantheCaptain;ImeanLadyRachel）;Iadmireherintellect，butherpoliticalandsocialopinionsImustalwaysviewwithregret。Heryoungersister，LadyLena——notmarried，Gerard;rememberthat！——issimplythemostcharminggirlinEngland。Ifyoudon’tfallinlovewithher，youwillbetheonlyyoungmaninthecountywhohasresistedLadyLena。PoorSirGeorge——sherefusedhimlastweek;youreally_must_haveheardofSirGeorge;ourmemberofparliament;conservativeofcourse;quitebroken-heartedaboutLadyLena;goneawaytoAmericatoshootbears。Youseemtoberestless。Whatareyoufidgetingabout？Ah，Iknow！Youwanttosmokeafterbreakfast。Well，Iwon’tbeinyourway。Gooutontheterrace;yourpoorfatheralwaystookhiscigarontheterrace。Theysaysmokingleadstomeditation;IleaveyoutomeditateonLadyLena。Don’tforget——luncheonatoneo’clock，andthecarriageattwo。"
　　Shesmiled，andkissedherhand，andflutteredoutoftheroom。Charming;
　　perfectlycharming。AndyetIwasungratefulenoughtowishmyselfbackinGermanyagain。
　　Ilitmycigar，butnotontheterrace。Leavingthehouse，ItookthewayoncemorethatledtoFordwitchWood。WhatwouldMrs。Roylakehavesaid，ifshehaddiscoveredthatIwasgoingbacktothemill？Therewasnootheralternative。Theportfoliowasatrustconfidedtome;thesoonerI
　　returnedittothewriteroftheconfession——thesoonerItoldhimplainlytheconclusionatwhichIhadarrived——themoreateasemymindwouldbe。
　　Thesluggishriverlookedmuddierthanever，thenewcottagelookeduglierthanever，exposedtothesearchingordealofsunlight。Iknockedatthedoorontheancientsideofthebuilding。
　　Cristel’sfather——shallIconfessIhadhopedthatitmightbeCristelherself？——letmein。Inby-gonedays，Idimlyrememberedhimasoldandsmallandwithered。Advancingyearshadwastedhimaway，intheinterval，untilhiswhitemiller’sclotheshungabouthiminemptyfolds。Hisfleshlessfacewouldhavelookedlikethefaceofamummy，butfortherestlessbrightnessofhislittlewatchfulblackeyes。Hestaredatmeinmomentaryperplexity，and，suddenlyrecoveringhimself，askedmetowalkin。
　　"Areyoutheyoungmaster，sir？Ah，yes，yes;Ithoughtso。MygirlCristysaidshesawtheyoungmasterlastnight。Thankyoukindly，sir;
　　I’mprettywell，consideringhowI’vefallenawayinmyflesh。Ihavegotafineappetite，butsomehoworother，mymealsdon’tshowonme。Youwillexcusemyreceivingyouinthekitchen，sir;it’sthebestroomwehave。DidCristytellyouhowbadlyweareoffhereforrepairs？Youbeingourlandlord，welooktoyoutohelpus。Wearefallingtopieces，asitwere，onthisoldsideofthehouse。There’sfirstdrains————"
　　Heproceededtoreckonuptherepairs，countingwithhisfleshlessthumbonhisskinnyfingers，whenhewasinterruptedbyacurioussuccessionofsoundswhichbeganwithwhining，andendedwithscratchingatthecottagedoor。
　　Inaminuteafter，thedoorwasopenedfromwithout。Abrowndog，ofthecompanionableretrieverbreed，raninandfawneduponoldToller。Cristelfollowed（fromthekitchengarden），withabasketofvegetablesonherarm。Unliketheriverandthecottage，shegainedbybeingrevealedinthebrilliantsunlight。Inowsaw，intheirfullbeauty，thelusterofherbrowneyes，thewarmrosinessofherdarkcomplexion，thedelightfulvivacityofexpressionwhichwasthecrowningcharmofherface。Shepausedconfusedlyinthedoorway，andtriedtoresistmewhenIinsistedonrelievingherofthebasket。
　　"Mr。Gerard，"sheprotested，"youaretreatingmeasifIwasayounglady。Whatwouldtheysayatthegreathouse，iftheyknewyouhaddonethat？"
　　Myanswerwouldnodoubthaveassumedtheformofafoolishcompliment，ifherfatherhadnotsparedherthatinfliction。Hereturnedtotheall-importantquestion，thequestionofrepairs。
　　"Yousee，sir，it’snousespeakingtothebailiff。Savingyourpresence，he’samiserwithhismaster’smoney。Hesays，’Allright，’andhedoesnothing。There’sfirst，asItoldyoujustnow，thetrulydreadfulstateofthedrains————"
　　Itriedtostophimbypromisingtospeaktothebailiffmyself。Onhearingthisgoodnews，Mr。Toller’sgratitudebecameungovernable：hewasmoreeagerthanever，andmoreeloquentthanever，inreturningtotherepairs。
　　"Andthen，sir，there’stheoven。Theydocallbreadthestaffoflife。
　　It’saburntstaffatonetime，andaclammystaffatanother，inourdomesticexperience。Satisfyyourself，sir;dopleasecrossthekitchenandlookwithyourowneyesatthestate，thescandalousstate，oftheoven。"
　　Hisdaughterinterfered，andstoppedhimatthecriticalmomentwhenhewasactuallyofferinghisarmtoconductmeinstateacrossthekitchen。
　　Cristelhadjustputherprettybrownhandoverhismouth，andsaid，"Oh，father，dopraybequiet！"whenwewereallthreedisturbedbyanotherinterruption。
　　Aseconddoorcommunicating，asIconcludedfromitsposition，withthenewcottage，wassuddenlyopened。Intheinstantbeforethepersonbehinditappeared，thedoglookedthatway——startedup。frightened——andtookrefugeunderthetable。Atthenextmoment，thedeafLodgerwalkedintotheroom。Itwashebeyondalldoubtwhohadfrightenedthedog，forewarnedbyinstinctofhisappearance。
　　WhatIhadreadofhiswritingdisposedme，nowthatIsawthemanbydaylight，tofindsomethingdevilishintheexpressionofhisface。No！
　　strongasitwas，myprejudicefailedtomakeanydiscoveriesthatpresentedhimatadisadvantage。Hispersonalattractionstriumphedintheclearsearchinglight。Inowperceivedthathiseyeswereofthatdeeplydarkblue，whichiscommonlyandfalselydescribedasresemblingthecoloroftheviolet。Tomythinking，theyweresoentirelybeautifulthattheyhadnorighttobeinaman’sface。Imighthavefeltthesameobjectiontothepaledelicacyofhiscomplexion，tothesoftprofusionofhisreddish-brownhair，tohisfinelyshapedsensitivelips，butfortwomarkedpeculiaritiesinhimwhichwouldhaveshownmetobewrong——thatistosay：theexpressionofpowerabouthishead，andthesignsofmasculineresolutionpresentedbyhismouthandchin。
　　Onenteringtheroom，thefirstperson，andtheonlyperson，whoattractedhisattentionwasCristel。
　　Hebowed，smiled，possessedhimselfabruptlyofherhand，andkissedit。
　　Shetriedtowithdrawitfromhisgrasp，andmetwithanobstinateresistance。Hisgallantryaddressedherinsweetwords;andhisvoicedestroyedtheircharmbythedrearymonotonyofthetoneinwhichhespoke。"Onthislovelyday，Cristel，Naturepleadsforme。Yourheartfeelsthesunshineandsoftenstowardsthepoordeafmanwhoworshipsyou。Ah，mydear，it’suselesstosayNo。Myafflictionismyhappiness，whenyousaycruelthingstome。Iliveinmyfool’sparadise;Idon’thearyou。"Hetriedtodrawhernearertohim。"Come，myangel;letmekissyou。"
　　Shemadeasecondattempttoreleaseherself;andthistime，shewrenchedherhandoutofhisgraspwithastrengthforwhichhewasnotprepared。
　　Thatfiercestangerwhichturnsthefacepale，wastheangerthathadpossessionofCristelasshetookrefugewithherfather。"Youaskedmetobearwiththatman，"shesaid，"becausehepaidyouagoodrent。I
　　tellyouthis，father;mypatienceiscomingtoanend。Eitherhemustgo，orImustgo。Makeupyourmindtochoosebetweenyourmoneyandme。"
　　OldTollerastonishedme。Heseemedtohavecaughttheinfectionofhisdaughter’sanger。PlacedbetweenCristelandhismoney，hereallyactedasifhepreferredCristel。Hehobbleduptohislodger，andshookhisinfirmfists，andscreamedatthehighestpitchofhisoldcrackedvoice：
　　"Letherbe，orIwon’thaveyouherenolonger！Youdeafadder，letherbe！"
　　Thesensitivenervesofthedeafmanshrankasthoseshrilltonespiercedthem。"Ifyouwanttospeaktome，writeit！"hesaid，withrageandsufferingineverylineofhisface。Hetorefromhispockethislittlebook，filledwithblankleaves，andthrewitatToller’shead。"Write，"
　　herepeated。"Ifyoumurdermewithyourscreechingagain，lookoutforyourskinnythroat——I’llthrottleyou。"
　　Cristelpickedupthebook。Shewasgratefullysensibleofherfather’sinterference。"Heshallknowwhatyousaidtohim，"shepromisedtheoldman。"I’llwriteitmyself。"
　　Shetookthepencilfromitssheathintheleatherbindingofthebook。
　　Controllinghimself，theloverwhomshehatedadvancedtowardsherwithapersuasivesmile。
　　"Haveyouforgivenme？"heasked。"Haveyoubeenspeakingkindlyofme？I
　　thinkIseeitinyourface。Therearesomedeafpeoplewhocantellwhatissaidbylookingatthespeaker’slips。Iamtoostupid，ortooimpatient，ortoowickedtobeabletodothat。Writeitforme，dear，andmakemehappyfortheday。"
　　Cristelwasnotattendingtohim，shewasspeakingtome。"Ihope，sir，youdon’tthinkthatfatherandIaretoblameforwhathashappenedthismorning，"shesaid。Helookedwhereshewaslooking——anddiscovered，forthefirsttime，thatIwasintheroom。
　　Hehadalludedtohiswickednessamomentsince。Whenhisfaceturnedmyway，Ithoughtitborewitnesstohisknowledgeofhisowncharacter。
　　"Whydidn’tyoucometomysideofthehouse？"hesaidtome。"WhatamI
　　tounderstand，sir，byseeingyouhere？"
　　Cristeldroppedhisbookonthetable，andhurriedtomeinbreathlesssurprise。"Hespeaksasifheknewyou！"shecried。"Whatdoesitmean？"
　　"OnlythatImethimlastnight，"Iexplained，"afterleavingyou。"
　　"Didyouknowhimbeforethat？"
　　"No。Hewasaperfectstrangertome。"
　　Hepickeduphisbookfromthetable，andtookhispenciloutofCristel’shand，whilewewerespeaking。"Iwantmyanswer，"hesaid，handingmethebookandthepencil。Igavehimhisanswer。
　　"Youfindmehere，becauseIdon’twishtoreturntoyoursideofthehouse。"
　　"Isthattheimpression，"heasked，"producedbywhatIallowedyoutoread？"
　　Irepliedbyasignintheaffirmative。HeinquirednextifIhadbroughthisportfoliowithme。Iputitatonceintohishand。
　　Insomewayunknowntome，Ihadapparentlyrousedhissuspicions。Heopenedtheportfolio，andcountedthelooseleavesofwritinginitcarefully。Whilehewasabsorbedinthisoccupation，oldToller’seccentricityassumedanewform。Hislittlerestlessblackeyesfollowedthemovementsofhislodger’sfingers，astheyturnedoverleafafterleafofthemanuscript，withsucheagercuriosityandinterestthatI
　　lookedathiminsurprise。Findingthathehadattractedmynotice，heshowednosignsofembarrassment——heseizedtheopportunityofaskingforinformation。
　　"Didmygentlemantrustyou，sir，withallthatwriting？"hebegan。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didhewantyoutoreadit？"
　　"Hedid。"
　　"What’sitallabout，sir？"
　　Confrontedbythiscoolinquiry，IinformedMr。Tollerthatthedemandsofcuriosityhadtheirlimits，andthathehadreachedthem。Onthisground，Ideclinedtoansweranymorequestions。Mr。Tollerwentonwithhisquestionsimmediately。
　　"Doyounotice，sir，thatheseemstosetadealofstorebyhiswritings？Perhapsyoucansaywhatthevalueofthemmaybe？"
　　Ishookmyhead。"Itwon’tdo，Mr。Toller！"
　　Hetriedagain——Ideclareitpositively，hetriedagain。"You’llexcuseme，sir？I’veneverseenhisportfoliobefore。AmIrightifIthinkyouknowwherehekeepsit？"
　　"Spareyourbreath，Mr。Toller。Oncemore，itwon’tdo！"
　　Cristeljoinedus，amazedathispertinacity。"Whyareyousoanxious，father，toknowaboutthatportfolio？"sheasked。
　　Herfatherseemedtohavereasonsofhisownforfollowingmyexampleanddecliningtoanswerquestions。Morepolite，however，thanIhadbeen，helefthisresolutiontobeinferred。Hisdaughterwasansweredbyafewgeneralremarks，settingforththeadvantagetothelandlordofhavingalodgerwhohadlostoneofsenses。
　　"Youseethere’ssomethingconvenient，mydear，inthecircumstanceofthatnice-lookinggentlemanovertherebeingdeaf。Wecantalkabouthimbeforehisface，justascomfortablyasifitwasbehindhisback。Isn’tthatso，Mr。Gerard？Don’tyouseeityourself，Cristy？Forinstance，I
　　sayitwithoutfearinhispresence：’tistheactofafooltobefumblingoverwritings，whenthere’snothinginthemthat’snotwellknowntohimselfalready——unlessindeedtheyareworthmoney，whichI
　　don’tdoubtisnosecretto_you，_Mr。Gerard？Eh？Ibegyourpardon，sir，didyouspeak？No？Ibegyourpardonagain。Yes，yes，Cristy，I’mnoticinghim;he’sdonewithhiswritings。SupposeIoffertoputthemawayforhim？Youcanseeinhisfacehefindsthetaleofthemcorrect。
　　He’scomingthisway。What’shegoingtodonext？"
　　Hewasgoingtoestablishaclaimonmygratitude，byrelievingmeofGilesToller。
　　"IhavesomethingtosaytoMr。Roylake，"heannounced，withahaughtylookathislandlord。"Mind！Idon’tforgetyourscreamingatmejustnow，andIintendtoknowwhatyoumeantbyit。Thatwilldo。Getoutoftheway。"
　　Theoldfellowreceivedhisdismissalwithalowbow，andleftthekitchenwithalookattheLodgerwhichrevealed（unlessIwasentirelymistaken）aslysenseoftriumph。Whatdiditmean？
　　Thedeafmanaddressedmewithacoldanddistantmanner。"Wemustunderstandeachother，"hesaid。"Willyoufollowmetomysideofthecottage？"Ishookmyhead。"Verywell，"heresumed;"wewillhaveitout，here。WhenItrustedyouwithmyconfessionlastnight，Ileftyoutodecide（afterreadingit）whetheryouwouldmakeanenemyofmeornot。
　　Yourememberthat？"Inoddedmyhead。"ThenInowaskyou，Mr。Roylake：
　　Whicharewe——enemiesorfriends？"
　　Itookthepencil，andwrotemyreply：
　　"Neitherenemiesnorfriends。Wearestrangersfromthistimeforth。"
　　Someinternalstruggleproducedachangeinhisface——visibleforonemoment，hiddenfrommeinamomentmore。"Ithinkyouwillregretthedecisionatwhichyouhavearrived。"Hesaidthat，andsalutedmewithhisgrandlygraciousbow。Asheturnedaway，heperceivedCristelattheotherendoftheroom，andeagerlyjoinedher。
　　"TheonlyhappymomentsIhavearemymomentspassedinyourpresence，"
　　hesaid。"Ishalltroubleyounomoreforto-day。Givemealittlecomforttotakebackwithmetomysolitude。Ididn’tnoticethattherewereotherpersonspresentwhenIaskedleavetokissyou。MayIhopethatyouforgiveme？"
　　Heheldouthishand;itwasnottaken。Hewaitedalittle，inthevainhopethatshewouldrelent：sheturnedawayfromhim。
　　Aspasmofpaindistortedhishandsomeface。Heopenedthedoorthatledtohissideofthecottage——paused——andlookedbackatCristel。Shetooknonoticeofhim。Ashemovedagaintothedoorandleftus，thehystericalpassioninhimforceditswayoutward——heburstintotears。
　　Thedogsprangupfromhisrefugeunderthetable，andshookhimselfjoyfully。Cristelbreathedagainfreely，andjoinedmeatmyendoftheroom。ShallImakeanotheracknowledgmentofweakness？Ibegantofearthatwemightallofus（evenincludingthedog！）havebeenalittlehardonthepoordeafwretchwhohadgoneawayinsuchbitterdistress。I
　　communicatedthisviewofthemattertoCristel。ShefailedtoseeitasIdid。
　　Thedoglaidhisheadonherlap，askingtobecaressed。Shepattedhimwhilesheansweredme。
　　"Iagreewiththisoldfriend，Mr。Gerard。Wewerebothofusfrightened，ontheveryfirstday，whenthepersonyouarepityingcametolodgewithus。Ihavegottohatehim，sincethattime——perhapstodespisehim。Butthedoghasneverchanged;hefeelsandknowsthereissomethingdreadfulinthatman。Oneofthesedays，poorPontomayturnouttoberight。——MayIaskyousomething，sir？"
　　"Ofcourse！"
　　"Youwon’tthinkIampresumingonyourkindness？"
　　"Yououghttoknowmebetterthanthat，Cristel！"
　　"Thetruthis，sir，IhavebeenalittlestartledbywhatIsawinourlodger’sface，whenheaskedifyouwerehisenemyorhisfriend。Iknowheisthoughttobehandsome——but，Mr。Gerard，thosebeautifuleyesofhissometimestelltales;andIhaveseenhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorthatturnedhimintoanuglyman。Willyoutellmewhatyouwrotewhenyouansweredhim？"
　　IrepeatedwhatIhadwritten，wordforword。Itfailedtosatisfyher。
　　"Heisveryvain，"shesaid，"andyoumayhavewoundedhisvanitybytreatinghimlikeastranger，afterhehadgivenyouhiswritingstoread，andinvitedyoutohisroom。ButIthoughtIsawsomethingmuchworsethanmortificationinhisface。ShallIbetakingaliberty，ifI
　　askhowitwasyougotacquaintedwithhimlastnight？"
　　Shewasevidentlyinearnest。IsawthatImustanswerherwithoutreserve;andIwasalittleafraidofbeingmyselfopentoasuspicionofvanity，ifImentionedthedistrustwhichIhadinnocentlyexcitedinthemindofmynewacquaintance。InthisstateofembarrassmentItookayoungman’swayoutofthedifficulty，andspokelightlyofaseriousthing。
　　"IbecameacquaintedwithyourdeafLodger，Cristel，underridiculouscircumstances。Hesawustalkinglastnight，anddidmethehonortobejealousofme。"
　　Ihadexpectedtoseeherblush。Tomysurprisesheturnedpale，andvehementlyremonstrated。
　　"Don’tlaugh，sir！There’snothingtobeamusedatinwhatyouhavejusttoldme。Youdidn’tgointohisroomlastnight？Oh，whatmadeyoudothat！"
　　Idescribedhissuccessfulappealtomycompassion——notverywillingly，foritmademelook（asIthought）likeaweakperson。Littlebylittle，sheextractedfrommetherest：howheobjectedtofindayoungman，especiallyinmysocialposition，talkingtoCristel;howheinsistedonmyrespectinghisclaims，andengagingnottoseeheragain;how，whenI
　　refusedtodothis，hegavemehisconfessiontoread，sothatImightfindoutwhataformidablemanIwassettingatdefiance;howIhadnotbeenintheleastalarmed，andhadtreatedhim（asCristelhadjustheard）onthefootingofaperfectstranger。
　　"There’sthewholestory，"Iconcluded。"Likeasceneinaplay，isn’tit？"
　　SheprotestedoncemoreagainstthelighttonethatIpersistedinassuming。
　　"Itellyouagain，sir，thisisnolaughingmatter。Youhaverousedhisjealousy。Youhadbetterhaverousedthefuryofawildbeast。Knowingwhatyouknowofhim，whydidyoustayhere，whenhecamein？And，oh，whydidIhumiliatehiminyourpresence？Leaveus，Mr。Gerard——pray，prayleaveus，anddon’tcomenearthisplaceagaintillfatherhasgotridofhim。"
　　DidshethinkIwastobesoeasilyfrightenedasthat？Mysenseofmyownimportancewasupinarmsatthebaresuspicionofit！
　　"Mydearchild，"Isaidgrandly，"doyoureallysupposeIamafraidofthatpoorwretch？AmItogiveupthepleasureofseeingyou，becauseamadfellowissimpleenoughtothinkyouwillmarryhim？Absurd，Cristel——absurd！"
　　Thepoorgirlwrungherhandsindespair。
　　"Oh，sir，don’tdistressmebytalkinginthatway！Dopleaserememberwhoyouare，andwhoIam。IfIwasthemiserablemeansofyourcomingtoanyharm——Ican’tbeareventospeakofit！Praydon’tthinkmebold;I
　　don’tknowhowtoexpressmyself。Yououghtnevertohavecomehere;yououghttogo;you_must_go！"
　　Drivenbystrongimpulse，sherantotheplaceinwhichIhadleftmyhat，andbroughtittome，andopenedthedoorwithalookofentreatywhichitwasimpossibletoresist。Itwouldhavebeenanactofdownrightcrueltytopersistinopposingher。"Iwouldn’tdistressyou，Cristel，forthewholeworld，"Isaid——andlefthertoconcludethatIhadfelttheinfluenceofherentreatiesintherightway。Shetriedtothankme;
　　thetearsroseinhereyes——shesignedtometoleaveher，poorsoul，asifshefeltashamedofherself。Iwasshocked;Iwasgrieved;Iwasmorethaneversecretlyresolvedtogobacktoher。Whenwesaidgood-bye——I
　　havebeentoldthatIdidwrong;Imeantnoharm——Ikissedher。
　　Havingtraversedtheshortdistancebetweenthecottageandthewood，I
　　rememberedthatIhadleftmywalking-stickbehindme，andreturnedtogetit。
　　Cristelwasleavingthekitchen;IsawheratthedoorwhichcommunicatedwiththeLodger’ssideofthecottage。Herbackwasturnedtowardsme;
　　astonishmentheldmesilent。Sheopenedthedoor，passedthroughit，andcloseditbehindher。
　　Goingtothatman，aftershehadrepelledhisadvances，inmypresence！
　　Goingtotheenemyagainstwhomshehadwarnedme，afterIhadfirstbeenpersuadedtoleaveher！Angrythoughtsthese——andsurelythoughtsunworthyofme？IfithadbeenthecaseofanothermanIshouldhavesaidhewasjealous。Jealousofthemiller’sdaughter——inmyposition？Absurd！
　　contemptible！ButIwasstillinsuchaviletemperthatIdeterminedtoletCristelknowshehadbeendiscovered。Takingoneofmyvisitingcards，Iwroteonit："Icamebackformystick，andsawyougotohim。"
　　AfterIhadpinnedthisspitefullittlemessagetothedoor，sothatshemightseeitwhenshereturned，Isufferedadisappointment。IwasnothalfsowellsatisfiedwithmyselfasIhadanticipated。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEBESTSOCIETY
　　Leavingthecottageforthesecondtime，Iwasmetatthedoorbyafatmanofsolemnappearancedressedinblack，whorespectfullytouchedhishat。Myangryhumoracknowledgedtheharmlessstranger’ssalutebyarudeinquiry："Whatthedevildoyouwant？"Insteadofresentingthisuncivillanguage，heindirectlyreprovedmebybecomingmorerespectfulthanever。
　　"Mymistressdesiresmetotellyou，sir，thatluncheoniswaiting。"I
　　wasinthepresenceofathoroughbredEnglishservant——andIhadfailedtodiscoverituntilhespokeofhismistress！Ihadalso，bykeepingluncheonwaiting，treatedanEnglishinstitutionwithcontempt。And，worseeventhanthis，asamisfortunewhichpersonallyaffectedme，mystepmotherevidentlyknewthatIhadpaidanothervisittothemill。
　　Ihurriedalongthewoodlandpath，followedbythefatdomesticinblack。
　　Notusedapparentlytoforcehislegsintorapidmotion，hearticulatedwiththegreatestdifficultyinansweringmynextquestion："Howdidyouknowwheretofindme？"
　　"Mrs。Roylakeorderedinquiriestobemade，sir。Theheadgardener——"
　　Therehissmallreservesofbreathfailedhim。
　　"Theheadgardenersawme？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"When？"
　　"Hoursago，sir——whenyouwentintoToller’scottage。"
　　Itroubledmyfatfriendwithnomorequestions。
　　Returningtothehouse，andmakingpoliteapologies，IdiscoveredonemoreamongMrs。Roylake’smanyaccomplishments。Shepossessedtwosmiles——asugarysmile（withwhichIwasalreadyacquainted），andanacidsmilewhichsheapparentlyreservedforspecialoccasions。ItmadeitsappearancewhenIledhertotheluncheontable。
　　"Don’tletmedetainyou，"mystepmotherbegan。
　　"Won’tyougivemesomeluncheon？"Iinquired。
　　"Dearme！hav’n’tyoulunchedalready？"
　　"WhereshouldIlunch，mydearlady？"Ithoughtthiswouldinducethesugarysmiletoshowitself。Iwaswrong。
　　"Where？"Mrs。Roylakerepeated。"Withyourfriendsatthemillofcourse。
　　Veryinhospitablenottoofferyoulunch。Whenarewetohaveflourcheaper？"
　　Ibegantogetsulky。AllIsaidwas："Idon’tknow。"
　　"Curious！"Mrs。Roylakeobserved。"Younotonlydon’tgetluncheonamongyourfriends：youdon’tevengetinformation。Toknowamiller，andnottoknowthepriceofflour，isignorancepresentedinoneofitsmostpitiableaspects。AndhowisMissTollerlooking？Perfectlycharming？"
　　Iwasangrybythistime。"Youhaveexactlydescribedher，"Isaid。Mrs。
　　Roylakebegantogetangry，onherside。
　　"Surelyalittlecoarseandvulgar？"shesuggested，revertingtopoorCristel。
　　"Wouldyouliketojudgeforyourself？"Iasked。"Ishallbehappy，Mrs。
　　Roylake，totakeyoutothemill。"
　　Mystepmother’sknowledgeoftheworldimpliedconsiderableacquaintance——howobtainedIdonotpretendtoknow——withthecharactersofmen。Discoveringthatshewasindangerofoversteppingthelimitsofmypatience，shedrewbackwithaskillwhichperformedtheretrogrademovementwithoutpermittingittobetrayitself。
　　"Wehavecarriedourlittlejoke，mydearGerard，farenough，"shesaid。
　　"IfancyyourresidenceinGermanyhasratherbluntedyournativeEnglishsenseofhumor。Youdon’tsuppose，Ihopeandtrust，thatIamsoinsensibletoourrelativepositionsastothinkofinterferinginyourchoiceoffriendsorassociates。Ifyouarenotawareofitalready，letmeremindyouthatthishouseisnowyours;notmine。Ilivehere——gladlylivehere，mydearboy——byyourindulgence;fortified（Iamsure）byyourregardforyourexcellentfather’swishesasexpressedinhiswill——"
　　Istoppedherthere。ShehadgotthebetterofmewithadexteritywhichIseenow，butwhichIwasnotcleverenoughtoappreciateattime。Inaburstofgenerosity，IentreatedhertoconsiderTrimleyDeenasherhouse，andnevertomentionsuchashockingsubjectasmyauthorityagain。
　　Afterthis，needIsaythatthemostamiableofwomentookmeoutinhercarriage，andintroducedmetosomeofthebestsocietyinEngland？
　　IfIcouldonlyrememberallthenewfriendstowhomImademybow，aswellastheconversationinwhichweindulged，Imightwriteafewpageshere，interestinginahighdegreetopersonswithwell-balancedminds。
　　Unhappily，sofarasmyownimpressionswereconcerned，thebestsocietyprovedtobealwaysthesamesociety。Everyhousethatweenteredwasinthesamebeautifulorder;everymistressofthehousewasdressedinthebesttaste;everymasterofthehousehadthesamesensibleremarkstomakeonconservativeprospectsatthecomingelection;everyyounggentlemanwantedtoknowhowmygamepreserveshadbeenlookedafterinmyabsence;everyyoungladysaid："Howniceitmusthavebeen，Mr。
　　Roylake，tofindyourselfagainatTrimleyDeen。"HasanybodyeversufferedasIsuffered，duringthatroundofvisits，underthedesiretoyawnandtheefforttosuppressit？Isthereanysympatheticsoulwhocanunderstandme，whenIsaythatIwouldhavegivenahundredpoundsforagag，andfortheprivilegeofusingittostopmystepmother’spleasantchatinthecarriage，followingonourfriends’pleasantchatinthedrawing-room？Finally，whenwegothome，andwhenMrs。Roylakekindlypromisedmeanotherroundofvisits，andmorecharmingpeopleintheneighborhoodtosee，willanygoodChristianforgiveme，ifIownthatI
　　tookadvantageofbeingalonetodamntheneighborhood，andtofeelrelievedbyit？
　　NowthatIwasnolongerobligedtolistentopolitestrangers，mythoughtsrevertedtoCristel，andtothesuspicionsthatshehadrousedinme。
　　Recoveringitsinfluence，intheintervalthathadpassed，mybetternaturesharplyreproachedme。IhadpresumedtoblameCristel，withnothingtojustifymebutmyownpervertedviewofhermotives。HowdidI
　　knowthatshehadnotopenedthatdoor，andgonetothatsideofthecottage，withaperfectlyharmlessobjectinview？Iwasreallyanxious，ifIcouldfindtherightwaytodoit，tomakeamendsforanactofinjusticeofwhichIfeltashamed。IfIamaskedwhyIwasaseagertosetmyselfrightwithamiller’sdaughter，asifshehadbeenayoungladyinthehigherranksoflife，Icanonlyreplythatnosuchviewofourrelativepositionsasthiseveroccurredtome。Astrangestateofmind，nodoubt。Whatwastherightexplanationofit？
　　Therightexplanationpresenteditselfatalatertime，whentroubleshadquickenedmyintellect，andwhenIcouldestimatethepowerfulinfluenceofcircumstancesatitstruevalue。
　　IhadreturnedtoEngland，tofillaprominentplaceinmyownlittleworld，withoutrelationswhomIloved，withoutfriendswhosesocietyI
　　couldenjoy。Hopeful，ardent，eagerfortheenjoymentoflife，IhadbroughtwithmetomyowncountrythesocialhabitsandthefreerangeofthoughtofaforeignUniversity;and，asamatterofcourse，Ifailedtofeelanysympathywiththesociety——newtome——inwhichmylothadbeencast。Besetbythesedisadvantages，Ihadmetwithagirl，possessedofremarkablepersonalattractions，andassociatedwithmyearliestremembrancesofmyownhappylifeandofmymother’skindness——agirl，atoncesimpleandspirited;unspoiltbytheworldandtheworld’sways，andplacedinapositionofperilduetothepowerofherownbeauty，whichaddedtotheinterestthatshenaturallyinspired。Estimatingthesecircumstancesattheirtruevalue，didastateofmindwhichrenderedmeinsensibletothedistinctionsthatseparatetheclassesinEngland，standinanyneedofexplanation？AsIthought——andthinkstill——itexplaineditself。
　　MystepmotherandIpartedonthegardenterrace，whichranalongthepleasantsouthernsideofthehouse。
　　ThehabitsthatIhadcontracted，amongmystudentfriendsinGermany，madetobaccoandbeernecessaryaccompanimentstotheprocessofthinking。Ihadnearlyexhaustedmycigar，myjug，andmythoughts，whenIsawtwomenapproachingmefromtheendoftheterrace。
　　Astheycamenearer，Irecognizedinoneofthemenmyfatdomesticinblack。Hestoppedthepersonwhowasaccompanyinghimandcameontomebyhimself。
　　"Willyouseethatman，sir，waitingbehindme？"
　　"Whoishe？"
　　"Idon’tknow，sir。Hesayshehasgotalettertogiveyou，andhemustputitinyourownhands。Ithinkmyselfhe’sabeggar。He’sexcessivelyinsolent——heinsistsonseeingyou。ShallItellhimtogo？"
　　TheservantevidentlyexpectedmetosayYes。Hewasdisappointed;mycuriositywasroused;IsaidIwouldseetheinsolentstranger。
　　Asheapproachedme，themancertainlydidnotlooklikeabeggar。Poorhemightbe，judgingbyhisdress。Theupperpartofhimwasclothedinanoldshootingjacketofvelveteen;hislegspresentedapairoftrousers，onceblack，nowturningbrownwithage。Bothgarmentsweretoolongforhim，andbothwerekeptscrupulouslyclean。Hewasashortman，thicklyandstronglymade。Impenetrablecomposureappearedonhisuglyface。Hiseyesweresunkdeepinhishead;hisnosehadevidentlybeenbrokenandnotsuccessfullymended;hisgreyhair，whenhetookoffhishatonaddressingme，wascutshort，andshowedhislowforeheadandhisbullneck。AnEnglishmanofthelastgenerationwould，asIhavesincebeeninformed，havesethimdownasaretiredprize-fighter。Thankstomyignoranceofthepugilisticgloriesofmynativecountry，Iwastotallyatalosswhattomakeofhim。
　　"HaveIthehonorofspeakingtoMr。Roylake？"heasked。Hisquietsteadymannerprepossessedmeinhisfavour;itshowednoservilereverencefortheaccidentofbirth，ontheonehand，andnoinsolentassertionofindependence，ontheother。WhenIhadtoldhimthatmynamewasRoylake，hesearchedoneofthelargepocketsofhisshootingjacket，producedaletter，andsilentlyofferedittome。
　　BeforeItooktheletter——seeingthathewasastranger，andthathementionednonameknowntome——Ithoughtitdesirabletomakesomeinquiry。
　　"Isitaletterofyourownwriting？"Iasked。
　　"No，sir。"
　　"Whosendsyouwithit？"
　　Hewasapparentlyamanoffewwords。"Mymaster，"wastheguardedanswerthatthisoddservantreturned。
　　IbecameasinquisitiveasoldTollerhimself。
　　"Whoisyourmaster？"Iwenton。
　　Thereplystaggeredme。Speakingasquietlyandrespectfullyasever，hesaid："Ican’ttellyou，sir。"
　　"Doyoumeanthatyouareforbiddentotellme？"
　　"No，sir。"
　　"Thenwhatdoyoumean？"
　　"ImeanthatIdon’tknowmymaster’sname。"
　　Iinstantlytooktheletterfromhim，andlookedattheaddress。Foronceinaway，IhadjumpedataconclusionandIhadprovedtoberight。Thehandwritingontheletter，andthehandwritingoftheconfessionwhichI
　　hadreadovernight，wereoneandthesame。
　　"Areyoutowaitforananswer？"Iasked，asIopenedtheenvelope。
　　"Iamtowait，sir，ifyoutellmetodoso。"
　　Theletterwasalongone。Afterrunningmyeyeoverthefirstsentences，Isurprisedmyselfbyactingdiscreetly。"Youneedn’twait，"Isaid;"I
　　willsendareply。"Themanoffewwordsraisedhisshabbyhat，turnedaboutinsilence，andleftme。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEDEAFLODGER
　　Theletterwassuperscribed："PrivateandConfidential。"Itwaswritteninthesewords：
　　"Sir，——YouwilldomegrievouswrongifyousupposethatIamtryingtoforcemyselfonyouracquaintance。Myobjectinwritingistopreventyou（ifIcan）frommisinterpretingmylanguageandmyconduct，ontheonlytwooccasionswhenwehappentohavemet。
　　"Iamconsciousthatyoumusthavethoughtmerudeandungrateful——perhapsevenalittlemad——whenIreturnedyourkindnesslastnight，inhonoringmewithavisit，byusinglanguagewhichhasjustifiedyouintreatingmeasastranger。
　　"Fortunatelyformyself，Igaveyoumyautobiographytoread。Afterwhatyounowknowofme，Imayhopethatyoursenseofjusticewillmakesomeallowanceforaman，tried（Ihadalmostwritten，cursed）bysuchsufferingasmine。
　　"Thereareotherdeafpersons，asIhaveheard，whosetmeagoodexample。
　　"Theyfeeltheconsolationsofreligion。Theirsweettempersfindreliefevenunderthelossofthemostpreciousofallthesenses。Theymixwithsociety;submittingtotheirdreadfulisolation，andpreservingunimpairedsympathywiththeirhappierfellow-creatureswhocanhear。I
　　amnotoneofthosepersons。WithsorrowIsayit——Ineverhavesubmitted，Inevercansubmit，tomyhardfate。
　　"Letmenotomittoaskyourindulgenceformybehavior，whenwemetatthecottagethismorning。
　　"WhatunfavorableimpressionImayhaveproducedonyou，Idarenotinquire。SolittlecapableamIofconcealingthevilefeelingswhichsometimesgetthebetterofme，thatMissCristel（observethatImentionherwithrespect）appearstohavefeltpositivealarm，onyouraccount，whenshelookedatme。
　　"Imaytellyou，inconfidence，thatthischarmingpersoncametomysideofthecottage，assoonasyouhadtakenyourdeparture，tointercedewithmeinyourfavour。’IfyourwickedmindisplanningtodoeviltoMr。Roylake，’shewroteinmybook，’eitheryouwillpromisemetogiveitup，orIwillneverallowyoutoseemeagain;Iwillevenleavehomesecretly，tobeoutofyourway。’Inthatstronglanguagesheexpressed——howshallIrefertoit？——shallIsaythesisterlyinterestthatshefeltinyourwelfare？"
　　Ilaiddowntheletterforamoment。IfIhadnotalreadyreproachedmyselfforhavingmisjudgedCristel——andifIhadnot，inthatway，donehersomelittlejusticeinmyownbetterthoughts——Ishouldneverhaverecoveredmyself-respectafterreadingthedeafman’sletter。Thegoodgirl！Thedeargoodgirl！Yes：thatwashowIthoughtofher，underthewindowsofmystepmother’sboudoir——whileMrs。Roylake，forallIknewtothecontrary，mightbelookingdownatme，andwhenLadyLena，thenobleandbeautiful，wascomingtodinner！
　　Theletterconcludedasfollows：
　　"Toreturntomyself。IgaveMissCristelthepromiseonwhichshehadinsisted;andthen，naturallyenough，Iinquiredintohermotiveforinterferinginyourfavour。
　　"Shefranklyadmittedthatshewasinterestedinyou。First：ingratefulremembranceofoldtimes，whenyouandyourmotherhadbeenalwaysgoodtoher。Secondly：becauseshehadfoundyouaskindandasfriendlyasever，nowthatyouwereamanandhadbecomethegreatestlandownerinthecounty。TherewastheexplanationIhadaskedfor，atmyservice。
　　And，onthat，sheleftme。
　　"DidIbelieveherwhenIwasmeditatingonourinterview，aloneinmyroom？OrdidIsuspectyouofhavingrobbedmeoftheonlyconsolationthatmakesmylifeendurable？
　　"Nosuchunworthysuspicionasthiswasadmittedtomymind。Withallmyheart，Ibelieveher。Andwithperfectsincerity，ItrustYou。
　　"Ifyourknowledgeofmehasfailedtoconvinceyouthatthereisanysuchthingasabettersidetomynature，youwillnodoubtconcludethatthisletterisatrickofminetothrowyouoffyourguard;andyouwillcontinuetodistrustmeasobstinatelyasever。Inthatcase，Iwillmerelyremindyouthatmyletterisprivateandconfidential，andIwillnotaskyoutosendmeareply。
　　"Iremain，Sir，yoursasyoumayreceiveme，"THEDEAFLODGER
　　Iwonderwhatanotherman，inmyposition，wouldhavedonewhenhehadreadthisletter？Wouldhehaveseeninitnothingtojustifysomerespectandsomekindlyfeelingtowardsthewriter？Couldhehavereconciledittohisconsciencetoleavetheafflictedmanwhohadtrustedhimwithoutawordofreply？
　　Formypart（donotforgetwhatayoungmanIwasinthosedays），Imadeupmymindtoreplyinthefriendliestmanner——thatistosay，inperson。
　　Afterconsultingmywatch，IsatisfiedmyselfthatIcouldgotothemill，andgetbackagain，beforethehourfixedforourlatedinner——supperweshouldhavecalleditinGermany。Forthesecondtimethatday，andwithoutanyhesitation，ItooktheroadthatledtoFordwitchWood。
　　Crossingtheglade，Iencounteredastoutyoungwoman，fillingacanwithwaterfromthespring。Shecurtseyedonseeingme。Iaskedifshebelongedtothevillage。
　　ThereplyinformedmethatIhadtakenanotherofmyservantsforastranger。Thestoutnymphofthespringwasmykitchen-maid;andshewasfetchingthewaterwhichwedrankatthehouse;"andthere’snowater，sir，like_yours_forallthecountryround。"Furnishedwiththesestoresofinformation，Iwentmyway，andthekitchen-maidwenthers。Shespoke，ofcourse，ofhavingseenhernewmaster，onreturningtotheservants’
　　hall。Inthismanner，asIafterwardsheard，thediscoveryofmeatthespring，andmydeparturebythepaththatledtothemill，reachedMrs。
　　Roylake’sears——themediumofinformationbeingthelady’sownmaid。Sofar，FordwitchWoodseemedtobeaplacetoavoid，intheinterestsofmydomestictranquillity。
　　Arrivingatthecottage，IfoundtheLodgerstandingbytheopenwindowatwhichIhadfirstseenhim。
　　Butonthisoccasion，hispersonalappearancehadundergoneasingularprocessoftransformation。Thelowerpartofhisface，fromhisnostrilstohischin，washiddenbyawhitehandkerchieftiedroundit。Hehadremovedthestopperfromastrangelyshapedbottle，andwasabsorbedinwatchingsomeinterestingconditioninaduskyliquidthatitcontained。
　　Toattracthisattentionbyspeakingwasofcourseoutofthequestion;I
　　couldonlywaituntilhehappenedtolookmyway。
　　Mypatiencewasnotseverelytried：hesoonreplacedthestopperinthebottle，and，lookingupfromit，sawme。Withhisfreehand，hequicklyremovedthehandkerchief，andspoke。
　　"Letmeaskyoutowaitintheboat-house，"hesaid;"Iwillcometoyoudirectly。"Hepointedroundthecornerofthenewcottage;indicatingofcoursethesideofitthatwasfarthestfromtheoldbuilding。
　　Followinghisdirections，Ifirstpassedthedoorthatheusedinleavingorreturningtohisroom，andthengainedthebankoftheriver。Onmyrighthandrosethemillbuilding，withitsbigwaterwheel——and，aboveit，alittlehigherupthestream，Irecognizedtheboat-house;builtoutinthewateronpiles，andapproachedbyawoodenpier。
　　Nostructureofthiselaborateandexpensivesortwouldhavebeensetupbymyfather，forthemiller’sconvenience。Theboat-househadbeenbuilt，manyyearssince，byarichretiredtradesmanwithamaniaforaquaticpursuits。Ouruglyriverhadnotansweredhisexpectations，andourneighborhoodhadabstainedfromreturninghisvisits。Whenheleftus，withhiswherriesandcanoesandoutriggers，themillertookpossessionoftheabandonedboat-house。"It’sthesortoffixturethatdon’tpaynohow，"oldTollerremarked。"Supposeyouremoveit——there’sawasteofmoney。Supposeyouknockittopieces——isitwortharichgentleman’swhiletosellacartloadoffirewood？"Neitherofthesealternativeshavingbeenadopted，andnobodywantinganemptyboat-house，theclumsymillboat，hithertotiedtoastake，andexposedtotheworstthattheweathercoulddotoinjureit，wasnowsnuglyshelteredunderaroof，withemptylockers（onceoccupiedbyaquaticluxuries）gapingoneithersideofit。
　　Iwaslookingoutontheriver，andthinkingofallthathadhappenedsincemyfirstmeetingwithCristelbymoonlight，whenthevoiceofthedeafmanmadeitselfdiscordantlyheard，behindme。
　　"Letmeapologizeforreceivingyouhere，"hesaid;"andletmetroubleyouwithonemoreofmyconfessions。Likeotherunfortunatedeafpeople，Isufferfromnervousirritability。Sometimes，werestlesslychangeourplacesofabode。Andsometimes，asinmycase，wetakerefugeinvarietyofoccupation。YouremembertheidealnarrativesofcrimewhichIwassofondofwritingatonetime？"
　　Igavetheaffirmativeanswer，intheusualway。
　　"Well，"hewenton，"myliteraryinventionshaveceasedtointerestme。I
　　havelatterlyresumedthechemicalstudies，associatedwiththathappytimeinmylifewhenIwasenteringonthemedicalprofession。Unluckilyforyou，Ihavebeentryinganexperimentto-day，whichmakessuchanabominablesmellinmyroomthatIdarenotaskyoutoenterit。Thefumesarenotonlydisagreeable，butinsomedegreedangerous。Yousawmeatthewindow，perhaps，withmynoseandmouthprotectedbeforeIopenedthebottle？"
　　Irepeatedtheaffirmativesign。Heproducedhislittlebookofblankleaves，andopeneditreadyforuse。
　　"MayIhope，"hesaid，"thatyourvisitisintendedasafavorablereplytomyletter？"
　　Itookthepencil，andansweredhimintheseterms：
　　"YourletterhassatisfiedmethatIwasmistakenintreatingyoulikeastranger。Ihavecomeheretoexpressmyregretathavingfailedtodoyoujustice。PraybeassuredthatIbelieveinyourbetternature，andthatIacceptyourletterinthespiritinwhichyouhavewrittenit。"
　　Hereadmyreply，andsuddenlylookedatme。
　　NeverhadIseenhisbeautifuleyessobrightlysoft，soirresistiblytender，astheyappearednow。Heheldouthishandtome。Itisoneofmysmallmeritstobe（inthepopularphrase）asgoodasmyword。Itookhishand;wellknowingthattheactioncommittedmetoacceptinghisfriendship。
　　Inrelatingtheeventswhichformthisnarrative，Ilookbackatthechain，asIaddtoitlinkbylink——sometimeswithsurprise，sometimeswithinterest，andsometimeswiththediscoverythatIhaveomittedacircumstancewhichitisnecessarytoreplace。ButIsearchmymemoryinvain，whileIdwellonthelinesthatIhavejustwritten，forarecollectionofsomeattendanteventwhichmighthavewarnedmeoftheperiltowardswhichIwasadvancingblindfold。Myremembrancepresentsusasstandingtogetherwithclaspedhands;butnothingintheslightestdegreeominousisassociatedwiththepicture。Therewasnosinisterchillcommunicatedfromhishandtomine;noshockingaccidenthappenedclosebyusintheriver;notevenapassingcloudobscuredthesunlight，shininginitsgayestgloryoverourheads。
　　Afterhavingshakenhands，neitherhenorIhadapparentlyanythingmoretosay。Alittleembarrassed，Iturnedtotheboat-housewindow，andlookedout。Triflingastheactionwas，mycompanionnoticedit。
　　"Doyoulikethatmuddyriver？"heasked。
　　Itookthepencilagain："OldassociationsmakeeventheuglyLokeinterestingtome。"
　　Hesighedashereadthosewords。"Iwish，Mr。Roylake，Icouldsaythesame。Yourinterestingriverfrightensme。"
　　Itwasneedlesstoaskforthepencilagain。Mypuzzledfacebeggedforanexplanation。
　　"Whenyouwereinmyroom，"hesaid，"youmayhavenoticedasecondwindowwhichlooksoutonTheLoke。Ihavegotintoabadhabitofsittingbythatwindowonmoonlightnights。Iwatchtheflowofthestream，anditseemstoassociateitselfwiththeflowofmythoughts。
　　Nothingremarkable，sofar——whileIamawake。But，later，whenIgettosleep，dreamscometome。Allofthem，sir，withoutexceptionconnectCristelwiththeriver。Lookatthestealthycurrentthatmakesnosound。
　　Inmylastnight’ssleep，itmadeitselfheard;itwasflowinginmyearswithawater-musicofitsown。Nolongermydeafears;Iheard，inmydream，aswellasyoucanhear。Yes;thesamewater-music，singingoverandoveragainthesamehorridsong："Fool，fool，noCristelforyou;bidhergood-bye，bidhergood-bye。"Isawherfloatingawayfrommeonthosehideouswaters。ThecruelcurrentheldmebackwhenItriedtofollowher。Istruggledandscreamedandshiveredandcried。Iwokeupwithastartthatshookmetopieces，andcursedyourinterestingriver。Don’twritetomeaboutitagain。Don’tlookatitagain。Whydidyoubringupthesubject？Ibegyourpardon;Ihadnorighttosaythat。Letmebepolite;letmebehospitable。Ibegtoinviteyoutocomeandseeme，whenmyroomispurifiedfromitspestilentsmell。Icanonlyofferyouacupoftea。Oh，thatriver，thatriver，whatdevilsetmetalkingaboutit？I’mnotmad，Mr。Roylake;onlywretched。WhenmayIexpectyou？
　　Chooseyourowneveningnextweek。"
　　Whocouldhelppityinghim？Comparedwithmysoundsweetdreamlesssleep，whatdreadfulnightswerehis！
　　Iacceptedhisinvitationasamatterofcourse。Whenwehadcompletedourarrangements，itwastimeformetothinkofreturningtoTrimleyDeen。Movingtowardsthedoor，Iaccidentallydirectedhisattentiontothepierbywhichtheboat-housewasapproached。
　　HisfaceinstantlyremindedmeofCristel’sdescriptionofhim，whenhewasstronglyandevillymoved。Itoosaw"hisbeautifulevestelltales，andhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorwhichturnedhimintoanuglyman。"Heseizedmyarm，andpointedtothepier，attheendofitwhichjoinedtheriver-bank。"Prayacceptmyexcuses;Ican’tanswerformytemperifthatwretchcomesnearme。"Withthisapologyhehurriedaway;
　　andslyGilesToller，havingpatientlywaiteduntilthecoastwasclear，accostedmewithhisbestbow，andsaid："Beautifulweather，isn’tit，sir？"
　　Ihadnoremarkstomakeontheweather;butIwasinterestedindiscoveringwhathadhappenedatthecottage。
　　"Youhavemortallyoffendedthegentlemanwhohasjustleftme，"Isaid。
　　"Whathaveyoudone？"
　　Mr。Tollerhadpurposesofhisowntoserve，andkeptthosepurposes（asusual）exclusivelyinview：_he_presenteddeafearstomenow！
　　"Idon’tthinkIeverremembersuchwonderfulweather，sir，inmytime;
　　andI’manoldfellow，asIneedn’ttellyou。Beingatthemilljustnow，Isawyouintheboat-house，andcametopaymyrespects。Wouldyoubesogoodastolookatthisslipofpaper，Mr。Gerard？Ifyouwillkindlyaskwhatitis，youwillinamannerhelpme。"
　　Iknewbuttoowellwhatitwas。"Therepairsagain！"Isaidresignedly。
　　"Handitover，youobstinateoldman。"
　　Mr。Tollerwassotickledbymydiscovery，andbythecheeringprospectconsequentonseeinghislistofrepairssafeinmypocket，thathelaugheduntilIreallythoughthewouldshakehisleanlittlebodytopieces。Bywayofbringinghismerrimenttoanend，Iassumedalookofseverity，andinsistedonknowinghowhehadoffendedtheLodger。Myvenerabletenant，tremblingforhisrepairs，driftedintoaquestionofpersonalexperience，andseemedtoanticipatethatitmightimprovemytemper。
　　"Whenyouhaveawomanaboutthehouse，Mr。Gerard，youmayhavenoticedthatshe’saneverlastingexpensetoyou——especiallywhenshe’sayoungone。Isn’tthatso？"
　　Iinquiredifheappliedthisremarktohisdaughter。
　　"That’sit，sir;I’mtalkingofCristy。Whenherback’sup，thereisn’therequalinEnglandforstronglanguage。Mygentlemanhasmisbehavedhimselfinsomeway（sinceyouwerewithusthismorning，sir）;how，I
　　don’tquiteunderstand。AllIcantellyouis，I’vegivenhimnoticetoquit。Aclearlossofmoneytomeeveryweek，andCristy’sresponsibleforit。Yes，sir！I’vebeenworkeduptoitbymygirl。IfCristy’smotherhadaskedmetogetridofapayinglodger，Ishouldhavetoldhertogoto————wewon’tsaywhere，sir;you’llknowwherewhenyou’remarriedyourself。TheupshotofitisthatIhaveoffendedmygentleman，forthesakeofmygirl：whichlastisaluxuryIcan’tafford，unlessI
　　lettheroomsagain。Ifyouhearofatenant，saywhatagoodlandlordI
　　am，andwhatsweetprettyroomsI’vegottolet。"
　　Iledthewaytothebankoftheriver，beforeMr。Tollercouldmakeanymorerequests。
　　Wepassedthesideoftheoldcottage。Thedoorwasopen;andIsawCristelemployedinthekitchen。
　　MywatchtoldmethatIhadstilltwoorthreeminutestospare;andmyguiltyremembranceofthemessagethatIhadpinnedtothedoorsuggestedanimmediateexpressionofregret。IapproachedCristelwithapetitionforpardononmylips。Shelookeddistrustfullyatthedoorofcommunicationwiththenewcottage，asifsheexpectedtoseeitopenedfromtheotherside。
　　"Notnow！"shesaid——andwentonsadlywithherhouseholdwork。
　　"MayIseeyouto-morrow？"Iasked。
　　"Ithadbetternotbehere，sir，"wastheonlyreplyshemade。
　　Iofferedtomeetheratanyotherplacewhichshemightappoint。Cristelpersistedinleavingittome;shespokeabsently，asifshewasthinkingallthetimeofsomethingelse。Icouldproposenobetterplace，atthemoment，thanthespringinFordwitchWood。Sheconsentedtomeetmethere，onthenextday，ifseveno’clockinthemorningwouldnotbetooearlyforme。MyGermanhabitshadaccustomedmetoearlyrising。Sheheardmetellherthis——andlookedagainattheLodger’sdoor——andabruptlywishedmegoodevening。
　　Herpolitefatherwasshockedatthisunceremoniousmethodofdismissingthegreatman，whohadonlytosaythewordandstoptherepairs。"Whereareyourmanners，Cristy？"heaskedindignantly。Beforehecouldsayanotherword，Iwasoutofthecottage。
　　AsIpassedthespringonmywayhome，Ithoughtofmytwoappointments。
　　Onthatevening，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthelord。Onthenextmorning，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthemiller。LadyLenaatdinner;
　　Cristelbeforebreakfast。IfMrs。Roylakefoundout_that_socialcontrast，whatwouldshesay？Iwasamerryyoungfool;Iburstoutlaughing。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　MRSROYLAKE’SGAME：FIRSTMOVE
　　ThedinneratTrimleyDeenhasleftinmymemorylittlethatIcandistinctlyrecall。Onlyafaintly-markedvisionofLadyLenarewardsmefordoingmybesttorememberher。Atallslimgracefulperson，dressedinwhitewithasimplicitywhichistheperfectionofart，presentstomyadmirationgentleblueeyes，apalecomplexiondelicatelytouchedwithcolor，awell-carriedheadcrownedbylovelylightbrownhair。Sofar，timehelpstherevivingpasttocometolifeagain——andpermitsnothingmore。IcannotsaythatInowrememberthevoiceoncesomusicalinmyears，orthatIamabletorepeattheeasyunaffectedtalkwhichonceinterestedme，orthatIseeagain（inmythoughts）theperfectcharmofmannerwhichdelightedeverybody，notforgettingmyself。Myunworthyself，Imightsay;forIwastheonlyyoungman，honoredbyanintroductiontoLadyLena，whostoppedatadmiration，andnevermadeuseofopportunitytoapproachlove。
　　Ontheotherhand，IdistinctlyrecollectwhatmystepmotherandIsaidtoeachotherwhenourguestshadwishedusgood-night。
　　IfIamaskedtoaccountforthis，IcanonlyreplythattheconspiracytoleadmeintoproposingmarriagetoLadyLenafirstshoweditselfontheoccasiontowhichIhavereferred。Inhereagernesstoreachherends，Mrs。Roylakefailedtohandlethefineweaponsofdeceptionascleverlyasusual。EvenI，withmysmallexperienceofworldlywomen，discoveredtheobjectthatshehadinview。
　　Ihadretiredtotheseclusionofthesmoking-room，andwasalreadyencircledbythecloudswhichfloatontheheavenoftobacco，whenI
　　heardarustlingofsilkoutside，andsawthesmileofMrs。Roylakebeginningtocaptivatemethroughtheopendoor。
　　"Ifyouthrowawayyourcigar，"criedthisamiableperson，"youwilldrivemeoutoftheroom。DearGerard，Ilikeyoursmoke。"
　　Myfatmaninblack，cominginatthemomenttobringmesomesodawater，lookedathismistresswithanexpressionofamazementandhorror，whichtoldmethathenowsawMrs。Roylakeinthesmoking-roomforthefirsttime。Iinvolvedmyselfinnewclouds。IfIsuffocatedmystepmother，herownpoliteequivocationwouldjustifytheact。Shesettledherselfoppositetomeinanarmchair。Theagoniesthatshemusthavesuffered，inpreventingherfacefromexpressingemotionsofdisgust，Idarenotattempttoimagine，evenatthisdistanceoftime。
　　"Now，Gerard，letustalkaboutthetwoladies。Whatdoyouthinkofmyfriend，LadyRachel？"
　　"Idon’tlikeyourfriend，LadyRachel。"
　　"Youastonishme。Why？"
　　"Ithinkshe’safalsewoman。"
　　"Heavens，whatathingtosayofalady——andthatladymyfriend！Herpoliticsmayveryreasonablyhavesurprisedyou。Butsurelyhervigorousintellectoughttohavechallengedyouradmiration;youcan’tdenythat？"
　　Iwasnotcleverenoughtobeabletodenyit。ButIwasboldenoughtosaythatLadyRachelseemedtometobeawomanwhotalkedforthesakeofproducingeffect。Sheexpressedopinions，asIventuredtodeclare，which（inherposition）Ididnotbelieveshecouldhonestlyentertain。
　　Mrs。Roylakeenteredavigorousprotest。SheassuredmethatIwascompletelymistaken。"LadyRachel，"shesaid，"isthemostperfectlycandidpersoninthewholecircleofmyacquaintance。"
　　Withthebestintentionsonmypart，thiswasmorethanIcouldpatientlyendure。
　　"Isn’tshethedaughterofanobleman？"Iasked。"Doesn’tsheoweherrankandhersplendor，andtherespectthatpeopleshowtoher，tothefortunatecircumstanceofherbirth？Andyetshetalksasifshewasaredrepublican。YouyourselfheardhersaythatshewasathoroughRadical，andhopedshemightlivetoseetheHouseofLordsabolished。
　　Oh，Iheardher！Andwhatismore，Ilistenedsoattentivelytosuchsentimentsasthese，fromaladywithatitle，thatIcanrepeat，wordforword，whatshesaidnext。"Wehav’n’tdeservedourowntitles;wehav’n’tearnedourownincomes;andwelegislateforthecountry，withouthavingbeentrustedbythecountry。Inshort，weareasetofimpostors，andthetimeiscomingwhenweshallbefoundout。"Doyoubelieveshereallymeantthat？Allasfalseasfalsecanbe——that’swhatIsayofit。"
　　ThereIstopped，privatelyadmiringmyowneloquence。
　　Quiteamistakeonmypart;myeloquencehaddonejustwhatMrs。Roylakewishedmetodo。ShewantedanopportunityofdroppingLadyRachel，andtakingupLadyLena，withaproduciblereasonwhichforbadetheimputationofapersonalmotiveonherpart。Ihadfurnishedherwiththereason。Thusfar，Icannotdenyit，mystepmotherwasequaltoherself。
　　"Really，Gerard，youaresoviolentinyouropinionsthatIamsorryI
　　spokeofLadyRachel。ShallIfindyouequallyprejudiced，andequallysevere，ifIchangethesubjecttodearLadyLena？Oh，don’tsayyouthinkSheisfalse，too！"
　　HereMrs。Roylakemadeherfirstmistake。Sheover-actedherpart;and，whenitwastoolate，shearrived，Isuspect，atthatconclusionherself。
　　"Ifyouhav’n’tseenthatIsincerelyadmireLadyLena，"Isaid，assmartlyasIcould，"thesooneryoudisfigureyourselfwithapairofspectacles，mydearlady，thebetter。Sheisverypretty，perfectlyunaffected，and，ifImaypresumetojudge，delightfullywell-bredandwell-dressed。"
　　Mystepmother’sfaceactuallybrightenedwithpleasure。Reflectingonitnow，Iamstronglydisposedtothinkthatshehadnotallowedherfeelingstoexpressthemselvessounreservedly，sincethetimewhenshewasagirl。Afterall，Mrs。Roylakewaspayingherstep-sonacomplimentintryingtoentraphimintoasplendidmarriage。Itwasmydutytothinkkindlyofmyambitiousrelative。Ididmyduty。