Thesignsofhislikingweremanifestenough;butitwashardtoguesshowmuchtheymeant，becausehismannerwassodifferentfromanythingNorthDormerhadevershownher。Hewasatoncesimplerandmoredeferentialthananyoneshehadknown;andsometimesitwasjustwhenhewassimplestthatshemostfeltthedistancebetweenthem。Educationandopportunityhaddividedthembyawidththatnoeffortofherscouldbridge，andevenwhenhisyouthandhisadmirationbroughthimnearest，somechanceword，someunconsciousallusion，seemedtothrustherbackacrossthegulf。
　　NeverhadityawnedsowideaswhenshefleduptoherroomcarryingwithhertheechoofMr。Royall’stale。
　　HerfirstconfusedthoughtwastheprayerthatshemightneverseeyoungHarneyagain。Itwastoobittertopicturehimasthedetachedimpartiallistenertosuchastory。"Iwishhe’dgoaway：I
　　wishhe’dgotomorrow，andnevercomeback！"shemoanedtoherpillow;andfarintothenightshelaythere，inthedisordereddressshehadforgottentotakeoff，herwholesoulatossingmiseryonwhichherhopesanddreamsspunaboutlikedrowningstraws。
　　Ofallthistumultonlyavagueheart—sorenesswasleftwhensheopenedhereyesthenextmorning。Herfirstthoughtwasoftheweather，forHarneyhadaskedhertotakehimtothebrownhouseunderPorcupine，andthenaroundbyHamblin;andasthetripwasalongonetheyweretostartatnine。Thesunrosewithoutacloud，andearlierthanusualshewasinthekitchen，makingcheesesandwiches，decantingbuttermilkintoabottle，wrappingupslicesofapplepie，andaccusingVerenaofhavinggivenawayabasketsheneeded，whichhadalwayshungonahookinthepassage。Whenshecameoutintotheporch，inherpinkcalico，whichhadrunalittleinthewashing，butwasstillbrightenoughtosetoffherdarktints，shehadsuchatriumphantsenseofbeingapartofthesunlightandthemorningthatthelasttraceofhermiseryvanished。Whatdiditmatterwhereshecamefrom，orwhosechildshewas，whenlovewasdancinginherveins，anddowntheroadshesawyoungHarneycomingtowardher？
　　Mr。Royallwasintheporchtoo。Hehadsaidnothingatbreakfast，butwhenshecameoutinherpinkdress，thebasketinherhand，helookedatherwithsurprise。
　　"Whereyougoingto？"heasked。
　　"Why——Mr。Harney’sstartingearlierthanusualtoday，"
　　sheanswered。
　　"Mr。Harney，Mr。Harney？Ain’tMr。Harneylearnedhowtodriveahorseyet？"
　　Shemadenoanswer，andhesattiltedbackinhischair，drummingontherailoftheporch。Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokenoftheyoungmaninthattone，andCharityfeltafaintchillofapprehension。
　　Afteramomenthestoodupandwalkedawaytowardthebitofgroundbehindthehouse，wherethehiredmanwashoeing。
　　Theairwascoolandclear，withtheautumnalsparklethatanorthwindbringstothehillsinearlysummer，andthenighthadbeensostillthatthedewhungoneverything，notasalingeringmoisture，butinseparatebeadsthatglitteredlikediamondsonthefernsandgrasses。ItwasalongdrivetothefootofPorcupine：firstacrossthevalley，withbluehillsboundingtheopenslopes;thendownintothebeech—
　　woods，followingthecourseoftheCreston，abrownbrookleapingovervelvetledges;thenoutagainontothefarm—landsaboutCrestonLake，andgraduallyuptheridgesoftheEagleRange。Atlasttheyreachedtheyokeofthehills，andbeforethemopenedanothervalley，greenandwild，andbeyonditmoreblueheightseddyingawaytotheskylikethewavesofarecedingtide。
　　Harneytiedthehorsetoatree—stump，andtheyunpackedtheirbasketunderanagedwalnutwithariventrunkoutofwhichbumblebeesdarted。Thesunhadgrownhot，andbehindthemwasthenoondaymurmuroftheforest。Summerinsectsdancedontheair，andaflockofwhitebutterfliesfannedthemobiletipsofthecrimsonfireweed。Inthevalleybelownotahousewasvisible;itseemedasifCharityRoyallandyoungHarneyweretheonlylivingbeingsinthegreathollowofearthandsky。
　　Charity’sspiritsflaggedanddisquietingthoughtsstolebackonher。YoungHarneyhadgrownsilent，andashelaybesideher，hisarmsunderhishead，hiseyesonthenetworkofleavesabovehim，shewonderedifheweremusingonwhatMr。Royallhadtoldhim，andifithadreallydebasedherinhisthoughts。Shewishedhehadnotaskedhertotakehimthatdaytothebrownhouse;shedidnotwanthimtoseethepeopleshecamefromwhilethestoryofherbirthwasfreshinhismind。MorethanonceshehadbeenonthepointofsuggestingthattheyshouldfollowtheridgeanddrivestraighttoHamblin，wheretherewasalittledesertedhousehewantedtosee;butshynessandprideheldherback。"He’dbetterknowwhatkindoffolksIbelongto，"shesaidtoherself，withasomewhatforceddefiance;forinrealityitwasshamethatkepthersilent。
　　Suddenlysheliftedherhandandpointedtothesky。
　　"There’sastormcomingup。"
　　Hefollowedherglanceandsmiled。"Isitthatscrapofcloudamongthepinesthatfrightensyou？"
　　"It’sovertheMountain;andacloudovertheMountainalwaysmeanstrouble。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tbelievehalfthebadthingsyouallsayoftheMountain！Butanyhow，we’llgetdowntothebrownhousebeforetheraincomes。"
　　Hewasnotfarwrong，foronlyafewisolateddropshadfallenwhentheyturnedintotheroadundertheshaggyflankofPorcupine，andcameuponthebrownhouse。Itstoodalonebesideaswampborderedwithalderthicketsandtallbulrushes。Notanotherdwellingwasinsight，anditwashardtoguesswhatmotivecouldhaveactuatedtheearlysettlerwhohadmadehishomeinsounfriendlyaspot。
　　Charityhadpickedupenoughofhercompanion’seruditiontounderstandwhathadattractedhimtothehouse。Shenoticedthefan—shapedtraceryofthebrokenlightabovethedoor，theflutingsofthepaintlesspilastersatthecorners，andtheroundwindowsetinthegable;andsheknewthat，forreasonsthatstillescapedher，thesewerethingstobeadmiredandrecorded。Still，theyhadseenotherhousesfarmore"typical"（thewordwasHarney’s）;andashethrewthereinsonthehorse’sneckhesaidwithaslightshiverofrepugnance："Wewon’tstaylong。"
　　Againsttherestlessaldersturningtheirwhiteliningtothestormthehouselookedsingularlydesolate。
　　Thepaintwasalmostgonefromtheclap—boards，thewindow—paneswerebrokenandpatchedwithrags，andthegardenwasapoisonoustangleofnettles，burdocksandtallswamp—weedsoverwhichbigblue—bottleshummed。
　　Atthesoundofwheelsachildwithatow—headandpaleeyeslikeLiffHyatt’speeredoverthefenceandthenslippedawaybehindanout—house。HarneyjumpeddownandhelpedCharityout;andashedidsotherainbrokeonthem。Itcameslant—wise，onafuriousgale，layingshrubsandyoungtreesflat，tearingofftheirleaveslikeanautumnstorm，turningtheroadintoariver，andmakinghissingpoolsofeveryhollow。Thunderrolledincessantlythroughtheroaroftherain，andastrangeglitteroflightranalongthegroundundertheincreasingblackness。
　　"Luckywe’rehereafterall，"Harneylaughed。Hefastenedthehorseunderahalf—rooflessshed，andwrappingCharityinhiscoatranwithhertothehouse。
　　Theboyhadnotreappeared，andastherewasnoresponsetotheirknocksHarneyturnedthedoor—handleandtheywentin。
　　Therewerethreepeopleinthekitchentowhichthedooradmittedthem。Anoldwomanwithahandkerchiefoverherheadwassittingbythewindow。Sheheldasickly—lookingkittenonherknees，andwheneveritjumpeddownandtriedtolimpawayshestoopedandlifteditbackwithoutanychangeofheraged，unnoticingface。Anotherwoman，theunkemptcreaturethatCharityhadoncenoticedindrivingby，stoodleaningagainstthewindow—frameandstaredatthem;andnearthestoveanunshavedmaninatatteredshirtsatonabarrelasleep。
　　Theplacewasbareandmiserableandtheairheavywiththesmellofdirtandstaletobacco。Charity’sheartsank。OldderidedtalesoftheMountainpeoplecamebacktoher，andthewoman’sstarewassodisconcerting，andthefaceofthesleepingmansosoddenandbestial，thatherdisgustwastingedwithavaguedread。Shewasnotafraidforherself;sheknewtheHyattswouldnotbelikelytotroubleher;butshewasnotsurehowtheywouldtreata"cityfellow。"
　　LuciusHarneywouldcertainlyhavelaughedatherfears。Heglancedabouttheroom，utteredageneral"Howareyou？"towhichnooneresponded，andthenaskedtheyoungerwomaniftheymighttakesheltertillthestormwasover。
　　SheturnedhereyesawayfromhimandlookedatCharity。
　　"You’rethegirlfromRoyall’s，ain’tyou？"
　　ThecolourroseinCharity’sface。"I’mCharityRoyall，"shesaid，asifassertingherrighttothenameintheveryplacewhereitmighthavebeenmostopentoquestion。
　　Thewomandidnotseemtonotice。"Youkinstay，"shemerelysaid;thensheturnedawayandstoopedoveradishinwhichshewasstirringsomething。
　　HarneyandCharitysatdownonabenchmadeofaboardrestingontwostarchboxes。Theyfacedadoorhangingonabrokenhinge，andthroughthecracktheysawtheeyesofthetow—headedboyandofapalelittlegirlwithascaracrosshercheek。Charitysmiled，andsignedtothechildrentocomein;butassoonastheysawtheywerediscoveredtheyslippedawayonbarefeet。Itoccurredtoherthattheywereafraidofrousingthesleepingman;andprobablythewomansharedtheirfear，forshemovedaboutasnoiselesslyandavoidedgoingnearthestove。
　　Theraincontinuedtobeatagainstthehouse，andinoneortwoplacesitsentastreamthroughthepatchedpanesandranintopoolsonthefloor。
　　Everynowandthenthekittenmewedandstruggleddown，andtheoldwomanstoopedandcaughtit，holdingittightinherbonyhands;andonceortwicethemanonthebarrelhalfwoke，changedhispositionanddozedagain，hisheadfallingforwardonhishairybreast。Astheminutespassed，andtherainstillstreamedagainstthewindows，aloathingoftheplaceandthepeoplecameoverCharity。Thesightoftheweak—mindedoldwoman，ofthecowedchildren，andtheraggedmansleepingoffhisliquor，madethesettingofherownlifeseemavisionofpeaceandplenty。ShethoughtofthekitchenatMr。Royall’s，withitsscrubbedflooranddresserfullofchina，andthepeculiarsmellofyeastandcoffeeandsoft—soapthatshehadalwayshated，butthatnowseemedtheverysymbolofhouseholdorder。ShesawMr。Royall’sroom，withthehigh—backedhorsehairchair，thefadedragcarpet，therowofbooksonashelf，theengravingof"TheSurrenderofBurgoyne"overthestove，andthematwithabrownandwhitespanielonamoss—greenborder。AndthenhermindtravelledtoMissHatchard’shouse，whereallwasfreshness，purityandfragrance，andcomparedtowhichtheredhousehadalwaysseemedsopoorandplain。
　　"ThisiswhereIbelong——thisiswhereIbelong，"shekeptrepeatingtoherself;butthewordshadnomeaningforher。Everyinstinctandhabitmadeherastrangeramongthesepoorswamp—peoplelivinglikeverminintheirlair。WithallhersoulshewishedshehadnotyieldedtoHarney’scuriosity，andbroughthimthere。
　　Therainhaddrenchedher，andshebegantoshiverunderthethinfoldsofherdress。Theyoungerwomanmusthavenoticedit，forshewentoutoftheroomandcamebackwithabrokentea—cupwhichsheofferedtoCharity。Itwashalffullofwhiskey，andCharityshookherhead;butHarneytookthecupandputhislipstoit。WhenhehadsetitdownCharitysawhimfeelinhispocketanddrawoutadollar;hehesitatedamoment，andthenputitback，andsheguessedthathedidnotwishhertoseehimofferingmoneytopeopleshehadspokenofasbeingherkin。
　　Thesleepingmanstirred，liftedhisheadandopenedhiseyes。TheyrestedvacantlyforamomentonCharityandHarney，andthenclosedagain，andhisheaddrooped;butalookofanxietycameintothewoman’sface。SheglancedoutofthewindowandthencameuptoHarney。"Iguessyoubettergoalongnow，"shesaid。Theyoungmanunderstoodandgottohisfeet。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，holdingouthishand。Sheseemednottonoticethegesture，andturnedawayastheyopenedthedoor。
　　Therainwasstillcomingdown，buttheyhardlynoticedit：thepureairwaslikebalmintheirfaces。Thecloudswererisingandbreaking，andbetweentheiredgesthelightstreameddownfromremotebluehollows。
　　Harneyuntiedthehorse，andtheydroveoffthroughthediminishingrain，whichwasalreadybeadedwithsunlight。
　　ForawhileCharitywassilent，andhercompaniondidnotspeak。Shelookedtimidlyathisprofile：itwasgraverthanusual，asthoughhetoowereoppressedbywhattheyhadseen。Thenshebrokeoutabruptly：
　　"ThosepeoplebacktherearethekindoffolksIcomefrom。Theymaybemyrelations，forallIknow。"Shedidnotwanthimtothinkthatsheregrettedhavingtoldhimherstory。
　　"Poorcreatures，"herejoined。"Iwonderwhytheycamedowntothatfever—hole。"
　　Shelaughedironically。"Tobetterthemselves！It’sworseupontheMountain。BashHyattmarriedthedaughterofthefarmerthatusedtoownthebrownhouse。Thatwashimbythestove，Isuppose。"
　　Harneyseemedtofindnothingtosayandshewenton：
　　"Isawyoutakeoutadollartogivetothatpoorwoman。Whydidyouputitback？"
　　Hereddened，andleanedforwardtoflickaswamp—flyfromthehorse’sneck。"Iwasn’tsure————"
　　"Wasitbecauseyouknewtheyweremyfolks，andthoughtI’dbeashamedtoseeyougivethemmoney？"
　　Heturnedtoherwitheyesfullofreproach。"Oh，Charity————"Itwasthefirsttimehehadevercalledherbyhername。Hermiserywelledover。
　　"Iain’t——Iain’tashamed。They’remypeople，andI
　　ain’tashamedofthem，"shesobbed。
　　"Mydear……"hemurmured，puttinghisarmabouther;
　　andsheleanedagainsthimandweptoutherpain。
　　ItwastoolatetogoaroundtoHamblin，andallthestarswereoutinaclearskywhentheyreachedtheNorthDormervalleyanddroveuptotheredhouse。
　　VII
　　SINCEherreinstatementinMissHatchard’sfavourCharityhadnotdaredtocurtailbyamomentherhoursofattendanceatthelibrary。Sheevenmadeapointofarrivingbeforethetime，andshowedalaudableindignationwhentheyoungestTargattgirl，whohadbeenengagedtohelpinthecleaningandrearrangingofthebooks，cametrailinginlateandneglectedhertasktopeerthroughthewindowattheSollasboy。
　　Nevertheless，"librarydays"seemedmorethaneverirksometoCharityafterhervividhoursofliberty;
　　andshewouldhavefoundithardtosetagoodexampletohersubordinateifLuciusHarneyhadnotbeencommissioned，beforeMissHatchard’sdeparture，toexaminewiththelocalcarpenterthebestmeansofventilatingthe"Memorial。"
　　Hewascarefultoprosecutethisinquiryonthedayswhenthelibrarywasopentothepublic;andCharitywasthereforesureofspendingpartoftheafternooninhiscompany。TheTargattgirl’spresence，andtheriskofbeinginterruptedbysomepasser—bysuddenlysmittenwithathirstforletters，restrictedtheirintercoursetotheexchangeofcommonplaces;buttherewasafascinationtoCharityinthecontrastbetweenthesepubliccivilitiesandtheirsecretintimacy。
　　Thedayaftertheirdrivetothebrownhousewas"libraryday，"andshesatatherdeskworkingattherevisedcatalogue，whiletheTargattgirl，oneeyeonthewindow，chantedoutthetitlesofapileofbooks。
　　Charity’sthoughtswerefaraway，inthedismalhousebytheswamp，andunderthetwilightskyduringthelongdrivehome，whenLuciusHarneyhadconsoledherwithendearingwords。Thatday，forthefirsttimesincehehadbeenboardingwiththem，hehadfailedtoappearasusualatthemiddaymeal。Nomessagehadcometoexplainhisabsence，andMr。Royall，whowasmorethanusuallytaciturn，hadbetrayednosurprise，andmadenocomment。Initselfthisindifferencewasnotparticularlysignificant，forMr。Royall，incommonwithmostofhisfellow—citizens，hadawayofacceptingeventspassively，asifhehadlongsincecometotheconclusionthatnoonewholivedinNorthDormercouldhopetomodifythem。ButtoCharity，inthereactionfromhermoodofpassionateexaltation，therewassomethingdisquietinginhissilence。ItwasalmostasifLuciusHarneyhadneverhadapartintheirlives：Mr。Royall’simperturbableindifferenceseemedtorelegatehimtothedomainofunreality。
　　Asshesatatwork，shetriedtoshakeoffherdisappointmentatHarney’snon—appearing。Sometriflingincidenthadprobablykepthimfromjoiningthematmidday;butshewassurehemustbeeagertoseeheragain，andthathewouldnotwanttowaittilltheymetatsupper，betweenMr。RoyallandVerena。Shewaswonderingwhathisfirstwordswouldbe，andtryingtodeviseawayofgettingridoftheTargattgirlbeforehecame，whensheheardstepsoutside，andhewalkedupthepathwithMr。Miles。
　　TheclergymanfromHepburnseldomcametoNorthDormerexceptwhenhedroveovertoofficiateattheoldwhitechurchwhich，byanunusualchance，happenedtobelongtotheEpiscopalcommunion。Hewasabriskaffableman，eagertomakethemostofthefactthatalittlenucleusof"church—people"hadsurvivedinthesectarianwilderness，andresolvedtounderminetheinfluenceoftheginger—bread—colouredBaptistchapelattheotherendofthevillage;buthewaskeptbusybyparochialworkatHepburn，wheretherewerepaper—millsandsaloons，anditwasnotoftenthathecouldsparetimeforNorthDormer。
　　Charity，whowenttothewhitechurch（likeallthebestpeopleinNorthDormer），admiredMr。Miles，andhadeven，duringthememorabletriptoNettleton，imaginedherselfmarriedtoamanwhohadsuchastraightnoseandsuchabeautifulwayofspeaking，andwholivedinabrown—stonerectorycoveredwithVirginiacreeper。Ithadbeenashocktodiscoverthattheprivilegewasalreadyenjoyedbyaladywithcrimpedhairandalargebaby;butthearrivalofLuciusHarneyhadlongsincebanishedMr。MilesfromCharity’sdreams，andashewalkedupthepathatHarney’ssideshesawhimashereallywas：afatmiddle—agedmanwithabaldnessshowingunderhisclericalhat，andspectaclesonhisGreciannose。ShewonderedwhathadcalledhimtoNorthDormeronaweekday，andfeltalittlehurtthatHarneyshouldhavebroughthimtothelibrary。
　　ItpresentlyappearedthathispresencetherewasduetoMissHatchard。HehadbeenspendingafewdaysatSpringfield，tofillafriend’spulpit，andhadbeenconsultedbyMissHatchardastoyoungHarney’splanforventilatingthe"Memorial。"TolayhandsontheHatchardarkwasagravematter，andMissHatchard，alwaysfullofscruplesaboutherscruples（itwasHarney’sphrase），wishedtohaveMr。Miles’sopinionbeforedeciding。
　　"Icouldn’t，"Mr。Milesexplained，"quitemakeoutfromyourcousinwhatchangesyouwantedtomake，andastheothertrusteesdidnotunderstandeitherIthoughtI
　　hadbetterdriveoverandtakealook——thoughI’msure，"headded，turninghisfriendlyspectaclesontheyoungman，"thatnoonecouldbemorecompetent——butofcoursethisspothasitspeculiarsanctity！"
　　"Ihopealittlefreshairwon’tdesecrateit，"Harneylaughinglyrejoined;andtheywalkedtotheotherendofthelibrarywhilehesetforthhisideatotheRector。
　　Mr。Mileshadgreetedthetwogirlswithhisusualfriendliness，butCharitysawthathewasoccupiedwithotherthings，andshepresentlybecameaware，bythescrapsofconversationdriftingovertoher，thathewasstillunderthecharmofhisvisittoSpringfield，whichappearedtohavebeenfullofagreeableincidents。
　　"Ah，theCoopersons……yes，youknowthem，ofcourse，"
　　sheheard。"That’safineoldhouse！AndNedCoopersonhascollectedsomereallyremarkableimpressionistpictures……"ThenameshecitedwereunknowntoCharity。"Yes;yes;theSchaeferquartetteplayedatLyricHallonSaturdayevening;andonMondayIhadtheprivilegeofhearingthemagainattheTowers。
　　Beautifullydone……BachandBeethoven……alawn—partyfirst……IsawMissBalchseveraltimes，bytheway……lookingextremelyhandsome……"
　　CharitydroppedherpencilandforgottolistentotheTargattgirl’ssing—song。WhyhadMr。MilessuddenlybroughtupAnnabelBalch’sname？
　　"Oh，really？"sheheardHarneyrejoin;and，raisinghisstick，hepursued："Yousee，myplanistomovetheseshelvesaway，andopenaroundwindowinthiswall，ontheaxisoftheoneunderthepediment。"
　　"Isupposeshe’llbecomingupherelatertostaywithMissHatchard？"Mr。Mileswenton，followingonhistrainofthought;then，spinningaboutandtiltinghisheadback："Yes，yes，Isee——Iunderstand：thatwillgiveadraughtwithoutmateriallyalteringthelookofthings。Icanseenoobjection。"
　　Thediscussionwentonforsomeminutes，andgraduallythetwomenmovedbacktowardthedesk。Mr。MilesstoppedagainandlookedthoughtfullyatCharity。
　　"Aren’tyoualittlepale，mydear？Notoverworking？
　　Mr。HarneytellsmeyouandMamiearegivingthelibraryathoroughoverhauling。"Hewasalwayscarefultorememberhisparishioners’Christiannames，andattherightmomenthebenthisbenignantspectaclesontheTargattgirl。
　　ThenheturnedtoCharity。"Don’ttakethingshard，mydear;don’ttakethingshard。ComedownandseeMrs。
　　MilesandmesomedayatHepburn，"hesaid，pressingherhandandwavingafarewelltoMamieTargatt。Hewentoutofthelibrary，andHarneyfollowedhim。
　　CharitythoughtshedetectedalookofconstraintinHarney’seyes。Shefanciedhedidnotwanttobealonewithher;andwithasuddenpangshewonderedifherepentedthetenderthingshehadsaidtoherthenightbefore。Hiswordshadbeenmorefraternalthanlover—
　　like;butshehadlosttheirexactsenseinthecaressingwarmthofhisvoice。HehadmadeherfeelthatthefactofherbeingawaiffromtheMountainwasonlyanotherreasonforholdinghercloseandsoothingherwithconsolatorymurmurs;andwhenthedrivewasover，andshegotoutofthebuggy，tired，cold，andachingwithemotion，shesteppedasifthegroundwereasunlitwaveandshethesprayonitscrest。
　　Why，then，hadhismannersuddenlychanged，andwhydidheleavethelibrarywithMr。Miles？HerrestlessimaginationfastenedonthenameofAnnabelBalch：fromthemomentithadbeenmentionedshefanciedthatHarney’sexpressionhadaltered。AnnabelBalchatagarden—partyatSpringfield，looking"extremelyhandsome"……perhapsMr。MileshadseenherthereattheverymomentwhenCharityandHarneyweresittingintheHyatts’hovel，betweenadrunkardandahalf—wittedoldwoman！Charitydidnotknowexactlywhatagarden—partywas，butherglimpseoftheflower—edgedlawnsofNettletonhelpedhertovisualizethescene，andenviousrecollectionsofthe"oldthings"whichMissBalchavowedly"woreout"whenshecametoNorthDormermadeitonlytooeasytopictureherinhersplendour。
　　Charityunderstoodwhatassociationsthenamemusthavecalledup，andfelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainsttheunseeninfluencesinHarney’slife。
　　Whenshecamedownfromherroomforsupperhewasnotthere;andwhileshewaitedintheporchsherecalledthetoneinwhichMr。Royallhadcommentedthedaybeforeontheirearlystart。Mr。Royallsatatherside，hischairtiltedback，hisbroadblackbootswithside—elasticsrestingagainstthelowerbaroftherailings。Hisrumpledgreyhairstoodupabovehisforeheadlikethecrestofanangrybird，andtheleather—brownofhisveinedcheekswasblotchedwithred。Charityknewthatthoseredspotswerethesignsofacomingexplosion。
　　Suddenlyhesaid："Where’ssupper？HasVerenaMarshslippedupagainonhersoda—biscuits？"
　　Charitythrewastartledglanceathim。"Ipresumeshe’swaitingforMr。Harney。"
　　"Mr。Harney，isshe？She’dbetterdishup，then。Heain’tcoming。"Hestoodup，walkedtothedoor，andcalledout，inthepitchnecessarytopenetratetheoldwoman’stympanum："Getalongwiththesupper，Verena。"
　　Charitywastremblingwithapprehension。Somethinghadhappened——shewassureofitnow——andMr。Royallknewwhatitwas。Butnotfortheworldwouldshehavegratifiedhimbyshowingheranxiety。Shetookherusualplace，andheseatedhimselfopposite，andpouredoutastrongcupofteabeforepassingherthetea—pot。
　　Verenabroughtsomescrambledeggs，andhepiledhisplatewiththem。"Ain’tyougoingtotakeany？"heasked。Charityrousedherselfandbegantoeat。
　　ThetonewithwhichMr。Royallhadsaid"He’snotcoming"seemedtoherfullofanominoussatisfaction。
　　ShesawthathehadsuddenlybeguntohateLuciusHarney，andguessedherselftobethecauseofthischangeoffeeling。Butshehadnomeansoffindingoutwhethersomeactofhostilityonhisparthadmadetheyoungmanstayaway，orwhetherhesimplywishedtoavoidseeingheragainaftertheirdrivebackfromthebrownhouse。Sheatehersupperwithastudiedshowofindifference，butsheknewthatMr。Royallwaswatchingherandthatheragitationdidnotescapehim。
　　Aftersuppershewentuptoherroom。SheheardMr。
　　Royallcrossthepassage，andpresentlythesoundsbelowherwindowshowedthathehadreturnedtotheporch。Sheseatedherselfonherbedandbegantostruggleagainstthedesiretogodownandaskhimwhathadhappened。"I’dratherdiethandoit，"shemutteredtoherself。Withawordhecouldhaverelievedheruncertainty：butneverwouldshegratifyhimbysayingit。
　　Sheroseandleanedoutofthewindow。Thetwilighthaddeepenedintonight，andshewatchedthefrailcurveoftheyoungmoondroppingtotheedgeofthehills。Throughthedarknessshesawoneortwofiguresmovingdowntheroad;buttheeveningwastoocoldforloitering，andpresentlythestrollersdisappeared。
　　Lampswerebeginningtoshowhereandthereinthewindows。AbaroflightbroughtoutthewhitenessofaclumpofliliesintheHawes’syard：andfartherdownthestreetCarrickFry’sRochesterlampcastitsboldilluminationontherusticflower—tubinthemiddleofhisgrass—plot。
　　Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoleaninthewindow。
　　Butafeverofunrestconsumedher，andfinallyshewentdownstairs，tookherhatfromitshook，andswungoutofthehouse。Mr。Royallsatintheporch，Verenabesidehim，heroldhandscrossedonherpatchedskirt。
　　AsCharitywentdownthestepsMr。Royallcalledafterher："Whereyougoing？"Shecouldeasilyhaveanswered："ToOrma’s，"or"DowntotheTargatts’";andeitheranswermighthavebeentrue，forshehadnopurpose。Butshesweptoninsilence，determinednottorecognizehisrighttoquestionher。
　　Atthegateshepausedandlookedupanddowntheroad。
　　Thedarknessdrewher，andshethoughtofclimbingthehillandplungingintothedepthsofthelarch—woodabovethepasture。Thensheglancedirresolutelyalongthestreet，andasshedidsoagleamappearedthroughthesprucesatMissHatchard’sgate。LuciusHarneywasthere，then——hehadnotgonedowntoHepburnwithMr。
　　Miles，asshehadatfirstimagined。Butwherehadhetakenhiseveningmeal，andwhathadcausedhimtostayawayfromMr。Royall’s？Thelightwaspositiveproofofhispresence，forMissHatchard’sservantswereawayonaholiday，andherfarmer’swifecameonlyinthemornings，tomaketheyoungman’sbedandpreparehiscoffee。Besidethatlamphewasdoubtlesssittingatthismoment。ToknowthetruthCharityhadonlytowalkhalfthelengthofthevillage，andknockatthelightedwindow。Shehesitatedaminuteortwolonger，andthenturnedtowardMissHatchard’s。
　　Shewalkedquickly，straininghereyestodetectanyonewhomightbecomingalongthestreet;andbeforereachingtheFrys’shecrossedovertoavoidthelightfromtheirwindow。Whenevershewasunhappyshefeltherselfatbayagainstapitilessworld，andakindofanimalsecretivenesspossessedher。Butthestreetwasempty，andshepassedunnoticedthroughthegateandupthepathtothehouse。Itswhitefrontglimmeredindistinctlythroughthetrees，showingonlyoneoblongoflightonthelowerfloor。ShehadsupposedthatthelampwasinMissHatchard’ssitting—room;butshenowsawthatitshonethroughawindowatthefarthercornerofthehouse。Shedidnotknowtheroomtowhichthiswindowbelonged，andshepausedunderthetrees，checkedbyasenseofstrangeness。Thenshemovedon，treadingsoftlyontheshortgrass，andkeepingsoclosetothehousethatwhoeverwasintheroom，evenifrousedbyherapproach，wouldnotbeabletoseeher。
　　Thewindowopenedonanarrowverandahwithatrellisedarch。Sheleanedclosetothetrellis，andpartingthespraysofclematisthatcovereditlookedintoacorneroftheroom。Shesawthefootofamahoganybed，anengravingonthewall，awash—standonwhichatowelhadbeentossed，andoneendofthegreen—coveredtablewhichheldthelamp。Halfofthelampshadeprojectedintoherfieldofvision，andjustunderittwosmoothsunburnthands，oneholdingapencilandtheotheraruler，weremovingtoandfrooveradrawing—
　　board。
　　Herheartjumpedandthenstoodstill。Hewasthere，afewfeetaway;andwhilehersoulwastossingonseasofwoehehadbeenquietlysittingathisdrawing—
　　board。Thesightofthosetwohands，movingwiththeirusualskillandprecision，wokeheroutofherdream。
　　Hereyeswereopenedtothedisproportionbetweenwhatshehadfeltandthecauseofheragitation;andshewasturningawayfromthewindowwhenonehandabruptlypushedasidethedrawing—boardandtheotherflungdownthepencil。
　　CharityhadoftennoticedHarney’slovingcareofhisdrawings，andtheneatnessandmethodwithwhichhecarriedonandconcludedeachtask。Theimpatientsweepingasideofthedrawing—boardseemedtorevealanewmood。Thegesturesuggestedsuddendiscouragement，ordistasteforhisworkandshewonderedifhetoowereagitatedbysecretperplexities。Herimpulseofflightwaschecked;shesteppedupontheverandahandlookedintotheroom。
　　Harneyhadputhiselbowsonthetableandwasrestinghischinonhislockedhands。Hehadtakenoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，andunbuttonedthelowcollarofhisflannelshirt;shesawthevigorouslinesofhisyoungthroat，andtherootofthemuscleswheretheyjoinedthechest。Hesatstaringstraightaheadofhim，alookofwearinessandself—disgustonhisface：
　　itwasalmostasifhehadbeengazingatadistortedreflectionofhisownfeatures。ForamomentCharitylookedathimwithakindofterror，asifhehadbeenastrangerunderfamiliarlineaments;thensheglancedpasthimandsawontheflooranopenportmanteauhalffullofclothes。Sheunderstoodthathewaspreparingtoleave，andthathehadprobablydecidedtogowithoutseeingher。Shesawthatthedecision，fromwhatevercauseitwastaken，haddisturbedhimdeeply;
　　andsheimmediatelyconcludedthathischangeofplanwasduetosomesurreptitiousinterferenceofMr。
　　Royall’s。Allheroldresentmentsandrebellionsflamedup，confusedlymingledwiththeyearningrousedbyHarney’snearness。Onlyafewhoursearliershehadfeltsecureinhiscomprehendingpity;nowshewasflungbackonherself，doublyaloneafterthatmomentofcommunion。
　　Harneywasstillunawareofherpresence。Hesatwithoutmoving，moodilystaringbeforehimatthesamespotinthewall—paper。Hehadnotevenhadtheenergytofinishhispacking，andhisclothesandpaperslayonthefloorabouttheportmanteau。Presentlyheunlockedhisclaspedhandsandstoodup;andCharity，drawingbackhastily，sankdownonthestepoftheverandah。Thenightwassodarkthattherewasnotmuchchanceofhisseeingherunlessheopenedthewindowandbeforethatshewouldhavetimetoslipawayandbelostintheshadowofthetrees。Hestoodforaminuteortwolookingaroundtheroomwiththesameexpressionofself—disgust，asifhehatedhimselfandeverythingabouthim;thenhesatdownagainatthetable，drewafewmorestrokes，andthrewhispencilaside。Finallyhewalkedacrossthefloor，kickingtheportmanteauoutofhisway，andlaydownonthebed，foldinghisarmsunderhishead，andstaringupmoroselyattheceiling。Justso，Charityhadseenhimathersideonthegrassorthepine—needles，hiseyesfixedonthesky，andpleasureflashingoverhisfaceliketheflickersofsunthebranchesshedonit。
　　Butnowthefacewassochangedthatshehardlyknewit;andgriefathisgriefgatheredinherthroat，rosetohereyesandranover。
　　Shecontinuedtocrouchonthesteps，holdingherbreathandstiffeningherselfintocompleteimmobility。
　　Onemotionofherhand，onetaponthepane，andshecouldpicturethesuddenchangeinhisface。Ineverypulseofherrigidbodyshewasawareofthewelcomehiseyesandlipswouldgiveher;butsomethingkeptherfrommoving。Itwasnotthefearofanysanction，humanorheavenly;shehadneverinherlifebeenafraid。Itwassimplythatshehadsuddenlyunderstoodwhatwouldhappenifshewentin。Itwasthethingthatdidhappenbetweenyoungmenandgirls，andthatNorthDormerignoredinpublicandsnickeredoveronthesly。ItwaswhatMissHatchardwasstillignorantof，buteverygirlofCharity’sclassknewaboutbeforesheleftschool。ItwaswhathadhappenedtoAllyHawes’ssisterJulia，andhadendedinhergoingtoNettleton，andinpeople’snevermentioninghername。
　　Itdidnot，ofcourse，alwaysendsosensationally;
　　nor，perhaps，onthewhole，sountragically。CharityhadalwayssuspectedthattheshunnedJulia’sfatemighthaveitscompensations。Therewereothers，worseendingsthatthevillageknewof，mean，miserable，unconfessed;otherlivesthatwentondrearily，withoutvisiblechange，inthesamecrampedsettingofhypocrisy。Butthesewerenotthereasonsthatheldherback。Sincethedaybefore，shehadknownexactlywhatshewouldfeelifHarneyshouldtakeherinhisarms：themeltingofpalmintopalmandmouthonmouth，andthelongflameburningherfromheadtofoot。Butmixedwiththisfeelingwasanother：thewonderingprideinhislikingforher，thestartledsoftnessthathissympathyhadputintoherheart。Sometimes，whenheryouthflushedupinher，shehadimaginedyieldinglikeothergirlstofurtivecaressesinthetwilight;
　　butshecouldnotsocheapenherselftoHarney。Shedidnotknowwhyhewasgoing;butsincehewasgoingshefeltshemustdonothingtodefacetheimageofherthathecarriedaway。Ifhewantedherhemustseekher：hemustnotbesurprisedintotakingherasgirlslikeJuliaHawesweretaken……
　　Nosoundcamefromthesleepingvillage，andinthedeepdarknessofthegardensheheardnowandthenasecretrustleofbranches，asthoughsomenight—birdbrushedthem。Onceafootfallpassedthegate，andsheshrankbackintohercorner;butthestepsdiedawayandleftaprofounderquiet。HereyeswerestillonHarney’stormentedface：shefeltshecouldnotmovetillhemoved。Butshewasbeginningtogrownumbfromherconstrainedposition，andattimesherthoughtsweresoindistinctthatsheseemedtobeheldthereonlybyavagueweightofweariness。
　　Alongtimepassedinthisstrangevigil。Harneystilllayonthebed，motionlessandwithfixedeyes，asthoughfollowinghisvisiontoitsbitterend。Atlasthestirredandchangedhisattitudeslightly，andCharity’sheartbegantotremble。Butheonlyflungouthisarmsandsankbackintohisformerposition。
　　Withadeepsighhetossedthehairfromhisforehead;
　　thenhiswholebodyrelaxed，hisheadturnedsidewaysonthepillow，andshesawthathehadfallenasleep。
　　Thesweetexpressioncamebacktohislips，andthehaggardnessfadedfromhisface，leavingitasfreshasaboy’s。
　　Sheroseandcreptaway。
　　VIII
　　SHEhadlostthesenseoftime，anddidnotknowhowlateitwastillshecameoutintothestreetandsawthatallthewindowsweredarkbetweenMissHatchard’sandtheRoyallhouse。
　　AsshepassedfromundertheblackpalloftheNorwaysprucesshefanciedshesawtwofiguresintheshadeabouttheduck—pond。Shedrewbackandwatched;butnothingmoved，andshehadstaredsolongintothelamp—litroomthatthedarknessconfusedher，andshethoughtshemusthavebeenmistaken。
　　Shewalkedon，wonderingwhetherMr。Royallwasstillintheporch。Inherexaltedmoodshedidnotgreatlycarewhetherhewaswaitingforherornot：sheseemedtobefloatinghighoverlife，onagreatcloudofmiserybeneathwhichevery—dayrealitieshaddwindledtomerespecksinspace。Buttheporchwasempty，Mr。
　　Royall’shathungonitspeginthepassage，andthekitchenlamphadbeenlefttolighthertobed。Shetookitandwentup。
　　Themorninghoursofthenextdaydraggedbywithoutincident。Charityhadimaginedthat，insomewayorother，shewouldlearnwhetherHarneyhadalreadyleft;butVerena’sdeafnesspreventedherbeingasourceofnews，andnoonecametothehousewhocouldbringenlightenment。
　　Mr。Royallwentoutearly，anddidnotreturntillVerenahadsetthetableforthemiddaymeal。Whenhecameinhewentstraighttothekitchenandshoutedtotheoldwoman："Readyfordinner————"thenheturnedintothedining—room，whereCharitywasalreadyseated。
　　Harney’splatewasinitsusualplace，butMr。Royallofferednoexplanationofhisabsence，andCharityaskednone。Thefeverishexaltationofthenightbeforehaddropped，andshesaidtoherselfthathehadgoneaway，indifferently，almostcallously，andthatnowherlifewouldlapseagainintothenarrowrutoutofwhichhehadliftedit。Foramomentshewasinclinedtosneeratherselffornothavingusedtheartsthatmighthavekepthim。
　　Shesatattabletillthemealwasover，lestMr。
　　Royallshouldremarkonherleaving;butwhenhestoodupsherosealso，withoutwaitingtohelpVerena。
　　Shehadherfootonthestairswhenhecalledtohertocomeback。
　　"I’vegotaheadache。I’mgoinguptoliedown。"
　　"Iwantyoushouldcomeinherefirst;I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou。"
　　Shewassurefromhistonethatinamomentshewouldlearnwhateverynerveinherachedtoknow;butassheturnedbackshemadealasteffortofindifference。
　　Mr。Royallstoodinthemiddleoftheoffice，histhickeyebrowsbeetling，hislowerjawtremblingalittle。
　　Atfirstshethoughthehadbeendrinking;thenshesawthathewassober，butstirredbyadeepandsternemotiontotallyunlikehisusualtransientangers。Andsuddenlysheunderstoodthat，untilthen，shehadneverreallynoticedhimorthoughtabouthim。Exceptontheoccasionofhisoneoffensehehadbeentohermerelythepersonwhoisalwaysthere，theunquestionedcentralfactoflife，asinevitablebutasuninterestingasNorthDormeritself，oranyoftheotherconditionsfatehadlaidonher。Eventhenshehadregardedhimonlyinrelationtoherself，andhadneverspeculatedastohisownfeelings，beyondinstinctivelyconcludingthathewouldnottroubleheragaininthesameway。Butnowshebegantowonderwhathewasreallylike。
　　Hehadgraspedthebackofhischairwithbothhands，andstoodlookinghardather。Atlengthhesaid：
　　"Charity，foroncelet’syouandmetalktogetherlikefriends。"
　　Instantlyshefeltthatsomethinghadhappened，andthatheheldherinhishand。
　　"WhereisMr。Harney？Whyhasn’thecomeback？Haveyousenthimaway？"shebrokeout，withoutknowingwhatshewassaying。
　　ThechangeinMr。Royallfrightenedher。Allthebloodseemedtoleavehisveinsandagainsthisswarthypallorthedeeplinesinhisfacelookedblack。
　　"Didn’thehavetimetoanswersomeofthosequestionslastnight？Youwaswithhimlongenough！"hesaid。
　　Charitystoodspeechless。Thetauntwassounrelatedtowhathadbeenhappeninginhersoulthatshehardlyunderstoodit。Buttheinstinctofself—defenseawokeinher。
　　"WhosaysIwaswithhimlastnight？"
　　"Thewholeplaceissayingitbynow。"
　　"Thenitwasyouthatputthelieintotheirmouths。——Oh，howI’vealwayshatedyou！"shecried。
　　Shehadexpectedaretortinkind，anditstartledhertohearherexclamationsoundingonthroughsilence。