\'What!andgetyouintotrouble？\'
\'Ideserveit。\'
\'No，indeed，Iwon\'t，\'saidUnity。\'Itisnotsuchamightymatter，MissElfride。Isaystomyself，master\'stakingahollerday，andbecausehe\'snotbeenkindlatelytoMissElfride，she——\'
\'Isimitatinghim。Well，doasyoulike。Andwillyounowbringmesomeluncheon？\'
Aftersatisfyinganappetitewhichthefreshmarineairhadgivenherinitsvictoryoveranagitatedmind，sheputonherhatandwenttothegardenandsummer-house。Shesatdown，andleantwithherheadinacorner。Hereshefellasleep。
Half-awake，shehurriedlylookedatthetime。Shehadbeentherethreehours。Atthesamemomentsheheardtheoutergateswingtogether，andwheelssweeproundtheentrance；somepriornoisefromthesamesourcehavingprobablybeenthecauseofherawaking。Nextherfather\'svoicewasheardcallingtoWorm。
Elfridepassedalongawalktowardsthehousebehindabeltofshrubs。Sheheardatongueholdingconversewithherfather，whichwasnotthatofeitheroftheservants。Herfatherandthestrangerwerelaughingtogether。Thentherewasarustlingofsilk，andMr。Swancourtandhiscompanion，orcompanions，toallseemingenteredthedoorofthehouse，fornothingmoreofthemwasaudible。Elfridehadturnedbacktomeditateonwhatfriendsthesecouldbe，whensheheardfootsteps，andherfatherexclaimingbehindher:
\'OElfride，hereyouare!Ihopeyougotonwell？\'
Elfride\'sheartsmoteher，andshedidnotspeak。
\'Comebacktothesummer-houseaminute，\'continuedMr。Swancourt；
\'IhavetotellyouofthatIpromisedto。\'
Theyenteredthesummer-house，andstoodleaningovertheknottywoodworkofthebalustrade。
\'Now，\'saidherfatherradiantly，\'guesswhatIhavetosay。\'Heseemedtoberegardinghisownexistencesointently，thathetooknointerestinnorevensawthecomplexionofhers。
\'Icannot，papa，\'shesaidsadly。
\'Try，dear。\'
\'Iwouldrathernot，indeed。\'
\'Youaretired。Youlookworn。Theridewastoomuchforyou。
Well，thisiswhatIwentawayfor。Iwenttobemarried!\'
\'Married!\'shefaltered，andcouldhardlycheckaninvoluntary\'SodidI。\'Amomentafterandherresolvetoconfessperishedlikeabubble。
\'Yes；towhomdoyouthink？Mrs。Troyton，thenewowneroftheestateoverthehedge，andoftheoldmanor-house。ItwasonlyfinallysettledbetweenuswhenIwenttoStratleighafewdaysago。\'Heloweredhisvoicetoaslytoneofmerriment。\'Now，astoyourstepmother，you\'llfindsheisnotmuchtolookat，thoughagooddealtolistento。Sheistwentyyearsolderthanmyself，foronething。\'
\'YouforgetthatIknowher。Shecalledhereonce，afterwehadbeen，andfoundherawayfromhome。\'
\'Ofcourse，ofcourse。Well，whateverherlooksare，she\'sasexcellentawomanaseverbreathed。Shehashadlatelyleftherasabsolutepropertythreethousandfivehundredayear，besidesthedeviseofthisestate——and，bytheway，alargelegacycametoherinsatisfactionofdower，asitiscalled。\'
\'Threethousandfivehundredayear!\'
\'Andalarge——well，afair-sized——mansionintown，andapedigreeaslongasmywalking-stick；thoughthatbearsevidenceofbeingratheraraked-upaffair——donesincethefamilygotrich——peopledothosethingsnowastheybuildruinsonmaidenestatesandcastantiquesatBirmingham。\'
Elfridemerelylistenedandsaidnothing。
Hecontinuedmorequietlyandimpressively。\'Yes，Elfride，sheiswealthyincomparisonwithus，thoughwithfewconnections。
However，shewillintroduceyoutotheworldalittle。WearegoingtoexchangeherhouseinBakerStreetforoneatKensington，foryoursake。Everybodyisgoingtherenow，shesays。AtEastersweshallflytotownfortheusualthreemonths——Ishallhaveacurateofcoursebythattime。Elfride，Iampastlove，youknow，andIhonestlyconfessthatImarriedherforyoursake。
Whyawomanofherstandingshouldhavethrownherselfawayuponme，Godknows。ButIsupposeherageandplainnessweretoopronouncedforatownman。Withyourgoodlooks，ifyounowplayyourcardswell，youmaymarryanybody。Ofcourse，alittlecontrivancewillbenecessary；butthere\'snothingtostandbetweenyouandahusbandwithatitle，thatIcansee。LadyLuxellianwasonlyasquire\'sdaughter。Now，don\'tyouseehowfoolishtheoldfancywas？Butcome，sheisindoorswaitingtoseeyou。Itisasgoodasaplay，too，\'continuedthevicar，astheywalkedtowardsthehouse。\'Icourtedherthroughtheprivethedgeyonder:notentirely，youknow，butweusedtowalkthereofanevening——nearlyeveryeveningatlast。ButIneedn\'ttellyoudetailsnow；everythingwasterriblymatter-of-fact，Iassureyou。
Atlast，thatdayIsawheratStratleigh，wedeterminedtosettleitoff-hand。\'
\'Andyouneversaidawordtome，\'repliedElfride，notreproachfullyeitherintoneorthought。Indeed，herfeelingwastheveryreverseofreproachful。Shefeltrelievedandeventhankful。Whereconfidencehadnotbeengiven，howcouldconfidencebeexpected？
Herfathermistookherdispassionatenessforaveilofpolitenessoverasenseofill-usage。\'Iamnotaltogethertoblame，\'hesaid。\'Thereweretwoorthreereasonsforsecrecy。Onewastherecentdeathofherrelativethetestator，thoughthatdidnotapplytoyou。Butremember，Elfride，\'hecontinuedinastiffertone，\'youhadmixedyourselfupsofoolishlywiththoselowpeople，theSmiths——anditwasjust，too，whenMrs。Troytonandmyselfwerebeginningtounderstandeachother——thatIresolvedtosaynothingeventoyou。HowdidIknowhowfaryouhadgonewiththemandtheirson？Youmighthavemadeapointoftakingteawiththemeveryday，forallthatIknew。\'
Elfrideswallowedherfeelingsasshebestcould，andlanguidlythoughflatlyaskedaquestion。
\'DidyoukissMrs。Troytononthelawnaboutthreeweeksago？ThateveningIcameintothestudyandfoundyouhadjusthadcandlesin？\'
Mr。Swancourtlookedratherredandabashed，asmiddle-agedloversareapttodowhencaughtinthetricksofyoungerones。
\'Well，yes；IthinkIdid，\'hestammered；\'justtopleaseher，youknow。\'Andthenrecoveringhimselfhelaughedheartily。
\'AndwasthiswhatyourHoratianquotationreferredto？\'
\'Itwas，Elfride。\'
Theysteppedintothedrawing-roomfromtheverandah。AtthatmomentMrs。Swancourtcamedownstairs，andenteredthesameroombythedoor。
\'Here，Charlotte，ismylittleElfride，\'saidMr。Swancourt，withtheincreasedaffectionoftoneoftenadoptedtowardsrelationswhennewlyproduced。
PoorElfride，notknowingwhattodo，didnothingatall；butstoodreceptiveofallthatcametoherbysight，hearing，andtouch。
Mrs。Swancourtmovedforward，tookherstep-daughter\'shand，thenkissedher。
\'Ah，darling!\'sheexclaimedgood-humouredly，\'youdidn\'tthinkwhenyoushowedastrangeoldwomanovertheconservatoryamonthortwoago，andexplainedtheflowerstohersoprettily，thatshewouldsosoonbehereinnewcolours。Nordidshe，Iamsure。\'
ThenewmotherhadbeentruthfullyenoughdescribedbyMr。
Swancourt。Shewasnotphysicallyattractive。Shewasdark——verydark——incomplexion，portlyinfigure，andwithaplentifulresiduumofhairintheproportionofhalfadozenwhiteonestohalfadozenblackones，thoughthelatterwereblackindeed。Nofurtherobserved，shewasnotawomantolike。Buttherewasmoretosee。Tothemostsuperficialcriticitwasapparentthatshemadenoattempttodisguiseherage。Shelookedsixtyatthefirstglance，andcloseacquaintanceshipneverprovedherolder。
Anotherandstillmorewinningtraitwasoneattachingtothecornersofhermouth。Beforeshemadearemarktheseoftentwitchedgently:notbackwardsandforwards，theindexofnervousness；notdownuponthejaw，thesignofdetermination；butpalpablyupwards，inpreciselythecurveadoptedtorepresentmirthinthebroadcaricaturesofschoolboys。Onlythiselementinherfacewasexpressiveofanythingwithinthewoman，butitwasunmistakable。Itexpressedhumoursubjectiveaswellasobjective——whichcouldsurveythepeculiaritiesofselfinaswhimsicalalightasthoseofotherpeople。
ThisisnotallofMrs。Swancourt。ShehadheldouttoElfridehandswhosefingerswereliterallystiffwithrings，signisauroquerigentes，likeHelen\'srobe。Theserowsofringswerenotworninvanityapparently。Theyweremostlyantiqueanddull，thoughafewwerethereverse。
RIGHTHAND。
1st。Plainlysetovalonyx，representingadevil\'shead。2nd。
Greenjasperintaglio，withredveins。3rd。Entirelygold，bearingfigureofahideousgriffin。4th。Asea-greenmonsterdiamond，withsmalldiamondsroundit。5th。Antiquecornelianintaglioofdancingfigureofasatyr。6th。Anangularbandchasedwithdragons\'heads。7th。Afacettedcarbuncleaccompaniedbytenlittletwinklingemeralds；&c。&c。
LEFTHAND。
1st。Areddish-yellowtoadstone。2nd。Aheavyringenamelledincolours，andbearingajacynth。3rd。Anamethystinesapphire。
4th。Apolishedruby，surroundedbydiamonds。5th。Theengravedringofanabbess。6th。Agloomyintaglio；&c。&c。
BeyondthisratherquaintarrayofstoneandmetalMrs。Swancourtworenoornamentwhatever。
ElfridehadbeenfavourablyimpressedwithMrs。Troytonattheirmeetingabouttwomonthsearlier；buttobepleasedwithawomanasamomentaryacquaintancewasdifferentfrombeingtakenwithherasastepmother。However，thesuspensionoffeelingwasbutforamoment。Elfridedecidedtolikeherstill。
Mrs。Swancourtwasawomanoftheworldastoknowledge，thereverseastoaction，ashermarriagesuggested。Elfrideandtheladyweresooninextricablyinvolvedinconversation，andMr。
Swancourtleftthemtothemselves。
\'Andwhatdoyoufindtodowithyourselfhere？\'Mrs。Swancourtsaid，afterafewremarksaboutthewedding。\'Youride，Iknow。\'
\'Yes，Iride。Butnotmuch，becausepapadoesn\'tlikemygoingalone。\'
\'Youmusthavesomebodytolookafteryou。\'
\'AndIread，andwritealittle。\'
\'Youshouldwriteanovel。Theregularresourceofpeoplewhodon\'tgoenoughintotheworldtoliveanovelistowriteone。\'
\'Ihavedoneit，\'saidElfride，lookingdubiouslyatMrs。
Swancourt，asifindoubtwhethershewouldmeetwithridiculethere。
\'That\'sright。Now，then，whatisitabout，dear？\'
\'About——well，itisaromanceoftheMiddleAges。\'
\'Knowingnothingofthepresentage，whicheverybodyknowsabout，forsafetyyouchoseanageknownneithertoyounorotherpeople。
That\'sit，eh？No，no；Idon\'tmeanit，dear。\'
\'Well，IhavehadsomeopportunitiesofstudyingmediaevalartandmannersinthelibraryandprivatemuseumatEndelstowHouse，andIthoughtIshouldliketotrymyhanduponafiction。Iknowthetimeforthesetalesispast；butIwasinterestedinit，verymuchinterested。\'
\'Whenisittoappear？\'
\'Oh，never，Isuppose。\'
\'Nonsense，mydeargirl。Publishit，byallmeans。Allladiesdothatsortofthingnow；notforprofit，youknow，butasaguaranteeofmentalrespectabilitytotheirfuturehusbands。\'
\'Anexcellentideaofusladies。\'
\'ThoughIamafraiditratherresemblesthemelancholyruseofthrowingloavesovercastle-wallsatbesiegers，andsuggestsdesperationratherthanplentyinside。\'
\'Didyouevertryit？\'
\'No；Iwastoofargoneevenforthat。\'
\'Papasaysnopublisherwilltakemybook。\'
\'Thatremainstobeproved。I\'llgivemyword，mydear，thatbythistimenextyearitshallbeprinted。\'
\'Willyou，indeed？\'saidElfride，partiallybrighteningwithpleasure，thoughshewassadenoughinherdepths。\'Ithoughtbrainsweretheindispensable，eveniftheonly，qualificationforadmissiontotherepublicofletters。Amerecommonplacecreaturelikemewillsoonbeturnedoutagain。\'
\'Ohno；onceyouarethereyou\'llbelikeadropofwaterinapieceofrock-crystal——yourmediumwilldignifyyourcommonness。\'
\'Itwillbeagreatsatisfaction，\'Elfridemurmured，andthoughtofStephen，andwishedshecouldmakeagreatfortunebywritingromances，andmarryhimandlivehappily。
\'Andthenwe\'llgotoLondon，andthentoParis，\'saidMrs。
Swancourt。\'Ihavebeentalkingtoyourfatheraboutit。Butwehavefirsttomoveintothemanor-house，andwethinkofstayingatTorquaywhilstthatisgoingon。Meanwhile，insteadofgoingonahoneymoonscamperbyourselves，wehavecomehometofetchyou，andgoalltogethertoBathfortwoorthreeweeks。\'
Elfrideassentedpleasantly，evengladly；butshesawthat，bythismarriage，herfatherandherselfhadceasedforevertobethecloserelationstheyhadbeenuptoafewweeksago。ItwasimpossiblenowtotellhimthetaleofherwildelopementwithStephenSmith。
Hewasstillsnuglyhousedinherheart。HisabsencehadregainedforhimmuchofthataureolaofsaintshipwhichhadbeennearlyabstractedduringherreproachfulmoodonthatmiserablejourneyfromLondon。Raptureisoftencooledbycontactwithitscause，especiallyifunderawkwardconditions。AndthatlastexperiencewithStephenhaddoneanythingbutmakehimshineinhereyes。
Hisverykindnessinlettingherreturnwashisoffence。Elfridehadhersex\'sloveofsheerforceinaman，howeverill-directed；
andatthatcriticaljunctureinLondonStephen\'sonlychanceofretainingtheascendancyoverherthathisfaceandnothispartshadacquiredforhim，wouldhavebeenbydoingwhat，foronething，hewastooyouthfultoundertake——thatwas，draggingherbythewristtotherailsofsomealtar，andperemptorilymarryingher。Decisiveactionisseenbyappreciativemindstobefrequentlyobjectless，andsometimesfatal；butdecision，howeversuicidal，hasmorecharmforawomanthanthemostunequivocalFabiansuccess。
However，someoftheunpleasantaccessoriesofthatoccasionwerenowoutofsightagain，andStephenhadresumednotafewofhisfancycolours。
ChapterXIII
\'Hesetinordermanyproverbs。\'
ItisLondoninOctober——twomonthsfurtheroninthestory。
Bede\'sInnhasthispeculiarity，thatitfaces，receivesfrom，anddischargesintoabustlingthoroughfarespeakingonlyofwealthandrespectability，whilstitsposternabutsonascrowdedandpoverty-strickenanetworkofalleysasaretobefoundanywhereinthemetropolis。Themoralconsequencesare，first，thatthosewhooccupychambersintheInnmayseeagreatdealofshirtlesshumanity\'shabitsandenjoymentswithoutdoingmorethanlookdownfromabackwindow；andsecondtheymayhearwholesomethoughunpleasantsocialremindersthroughthemediumofaharshvoice，anunequalfootstep，theechoofabloworafall，whichoriginatesinthepersonofsomedrunkardorwife-beater，ashecrossesandinterfereswiththequietofthesquare。CharactersofthiskindfrequentlypassthroughtheInnfromalittlefoxholeofanalleyattheback，buttheyneverloiterthere。
ItishardlynecessarytostatethatallthesightsandmovementspropertotheInnaremostorderly。OnthefineOctobereveningonwhichwefollowStephenSmithtothisplace，aplacidporterissittingonastoolunderasycamore-treeinthemidst，withalittlecaneinhishand。Wenoticethethickcoatofsootuponthebranches，hangingunderneaththeminflakes，asinachimney。
Theblacknessoftheseboughsdoesnotatpresentimprovethetree——nearlyforsakenbyitsleavesasitis——butinthespringtheirgreenfreshbeautyismadedoublybeautifulbythecontrast。
Withintherailingsisaflower-gardenofrespectabledahliasandchrysanthemums，whereamanissweepingtheleavesfromthegrass。
Stephenselectsadoorway，andascendsanoldthoughwidewoodenstaircase，withmouldedbalustersandhandrail，whichinacountrymanor-housewouldbeconsideredanoteworthyspecimenofRenaissanceworkmanship。Hereachesadooronthefirstfloor，overwhichispainted，inblackletters，\'Mr。HenryKnight\'——
\'Barrister-at-law\'beingunderstoodbutnotexpressed。Thewallisthick，andthereisadooratitsouterandinnerface。Theouteronehappenstobeajar:Stephengoestotheother，andtaps。
\'Comein!\'fromdistantpenetralia。
Firstwasasmallanteroom，dividedfromtheinnerapartmentbyawainscotedarchwaytwoorthreeyardswide。Acrossthisarchwayhungapairofdark-greencurtains，makingamysteryofallwithinthearchexceptthespasmodicscratchingofaquillpen。Herewasgroupedachaoticassemblageofarticles——mainlyoldframedprintsandpaintings——leaningedgewiseagainstthewall，likeroofingslatesinabuilder\'syard。Allthebooksvisibleherewerefoliostoobigtobestolen——somelyingonaheavyoaktableinonecorner，someontheflooramongthepictures，thewholeintermingledwitholdcoats，hats，umbrellas，andwalking-sticks。
Stephenpushedasidethecurtain，andbeforehimsatamanwritingawayasifhislifedependeduponit——whichitdid。
Amanofthirtyinaspeckledcoat，withdarkbrownhair，curlybeard，andcrispmoustache:thelatterrunningintothebeardoneachsideofthemouth，and，asusual，hidingtherealexpressionofthatorganunderachronicaspectofimpassivity。
\'Ah，mydearfellow，Iknew\'twasyou，\'saidKnight，lookingupwithasmile，andholdingouthishand。
Knight\'smouthandeyescametoviewnow。Bothfeaturesweregood，andhadthepeculiarityofappearingyoungerandfresherthanthebrowandfacetheybelongedto，whichweregettingsickliedo\'erbytheunmistakablepalecast。Themouthhadnotquiterelinquishedrotundityofcurveforthefirmangularitiesofmiddlelife；andtheeyes，thoughkeen，permeatedratherthanpenetrated:whattheyhadlostoftheirboy-timebrightnessbyadozenyearsofhardreadinglendingaquietnesstotheirgazewhichsuitedthemwell。
Aladywouldhavesaidtherewasasmelloftobaccointheroom:amanthattherewasnot。
Knightdidnotrise。Helookedatatimepieceonthemantelshelf，thenturnedagaintohisletters，pointingtoachair。
\'Well，Iamgladyouhavecome。Ionlyreturnedtotownyesterday；now，don\'tspeak，Stephen，fortenminutes；Ihavejustthattimetothelatepost。Attheeleventhminute，I\'myourman。\'
Stephensatdownasifthiskindofreceptionwasbynomeansnew，andawaywentKnight\'spen，beatingupanddownlikeashipinastorm。
Cicerocalledthelibrarythesoulofthehouse；herethehousewasallsoul。Portionsofthefloor，andhalfthewall-space，weretakenupbybook-shelvesordinaryandextraordinary；theremainingparts，togetherwithbrackets，side-tables，&c。，beingoccupiedbycasts，statuettes，medallions，andplaquesofvariousdescriptions，pickedupbytheownerinhiswanderingsthroughFranceandItaly。
Onestreamonlyofeveningsunlightcameintotheroomfromawindowquiteinthecorner，overlookingacourt。Anaquariumstoodinthewindow。Itwasadullparallelopipedonenoughforlivingcreaturesatmosthoursoftheday；butforafewminutesintheevening，asnow，anerrant，kindlyraylightedupandwarmedthelittleworldtherein，whenthemany-colouredzoophytesopenedandputforththeirarms，theweedsacquiredarichtransparency，theshellsgleamedofamoregoldenyellow，andthetimidcommunityexpressedgladnessmoreplainlythaninwords。
WithintheprescribedtenminutesKnightflungdownhispen，rangfortheboytotaketheletterstothepost，andattheclosingofthedoorexclaimed，\'There；thankGod，that\'sdone。Now，Stephen，pullyourchairround，andtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingallthistime。HaveyoukeptupyourGreek？\'
\'No。\'
\'How\'sthat？\'
\'Ihaven\'tenoughsparetime。\'
\'That\'snonsense。\'
\'Well，Ihavedoneagreatmanythings，ifnotthat。AndIhavedoneoneextraordinarything。\'
KnightturnedfulluponStephen。\'Ah-ha!Now，then，letmelookintoyourface，puttwoandtwotogether，andmakeashrewdguess。\'
Stephenchangedtoareddercolour。
\'Why，Smith，\'saidKnight，afterholdinghimrigidlybytheshoulders，andkeenlyscrutinisinghiscountenanceforaminuteinsilence，\'youhavefalleninlove。\'
\'Well——thefactis——\'
\'Now，outwithit。\'ButseeingthatStephenlookedratherdistressed，hechangedtoakindlytone。\'NowSmith，mylad，youknowmewellenoughbythistime，oryououghtto；andyouknowverywellthatifyouchoosetogivemeadetailedaccountofthephenomenonwithinyou，Ishalllisten；ifyoudon\'t，Iamthelastmanintheworldtocaretohearit。\'
\'I\'lltellthismuch:IHAVEfalleninlove，andIwanttobeMARRIED。\'
KnightlookedominousasthispassedStephen\'slips。
\'Don\'tjudgemebeforeyouhaveheardmore，\'criedStephenanxiously，seeingthechangeinhisfriend\'scountenance。
\'Idon\'tjudge。Doesyourmotherknowaboutit？\'
\'Nothingdefinite。\'
\'Father？\'
\'No。ButI\'lltellyou。Theyoungperson——\'
\'Come，that\'sdreadfullyungallant。ButperhapsIunderstandtheframeofmindalittle，sogoon。Yoursweetheart——\'
\'SheisratherhigherintheworldthanIam。\'
\'Asitshouldbe。\'
\'Andherfatherwon\'thearofit，asInowstand。\'
\'Notanuncommoncase。\'
\'AndnowcomeswhatIwantyouradviceupon。Somethinghashappenedatherhousewhichmakesitoutofthequestionforustoaskherfatheragainnow。Sowearekeepingsilent。InthemeantimeanarchitectinIndiahasjustwrittentoMr。HewbytoaskwhetherhecanfindforhimayoungassistantwillingtogoovertoBombaytopreparedrawingsforworkformerlydonebytheengineers。Thesalaryheoffersis350rupeesamonth，orabout35Pounds。Hewbyhasmentionedittome，andIhavebeentoDr。
Wray，whosaysIshallacclimatisewithoutmuchillness。Now，wouldyougo？\'
\'Youmeantosay，becauseitisapossibleroadtotheyounglady。\'
\'Yes；IwasthinkingIcouldgooverandmakealittlemoney，andthencomebackandaskforher。Ihavetheoptionofpractisingformyselfafterayear。\'
\'Wouldshebestaunch？\'
\'Ohyes!Forever——totheendofherlife!\'
\'Howdoyouknow？\'
\'Why，howdopeopleknow？Ofcourse，shewill。\'
Knightleantbackinhischair。\'Now，thoughIknowherthoroughlyassheexistsinyourheart，Stephen，Idon\'tknowherintheflesh。AllIwanttoaskis，isthisideaofgoingtoIndiabasedentirelyuponabeliefinherfidelity？\'
\'Yes；Ishouldnotgoifitwerenotforher。\'
\'Well，Stephen，youhaveputmeinratheranawkwardposition。IfIgivemytruesentiments，Ishallhurtyourfeelings；ifIdon\'t，Ishallhurtmyownjudgment。Andremember，Idon\'tknowmuchaboutwomen。\'
\'Butyouhavehadattachments，althoughyoutellmeverylittleaboutthem。\'
\'AndIonlyhopeyou\'llcontinuetoprospertillItellyoumore。\'
Stephenwincedatthisrap。\'Ihaveneverformedadeepattachment，\'continuedKnight。\'Ineverhavefoundawomanworthit。NorhaveIbeenonceengagedtobemarried。\'
\'Youwriteasifyouhadbeenengagedahundredtimes，ifImaybeallowedtosayso，\'saidStepheninaninjuredtone。
\'Yes，thatmaybe。But，mydearStephen，itisonlythosewhohalfknowathingthatwriteaboutit。Thosewhoknowitthoroughlydon\'ttakethetrouble。AllIknowaboutwomen，ormeneither，isamassofgeneralities。Iplodalong，andoccasionallyliftmyeyesandskimthewelteringsurfaceofmankindlyingbetweenmeandthehorizon，asacrowmight；nomore。\'
Knightstoppedasifhehadfallenintoatrainofthought，andStephenlookedwithaffectionateaweatamasterwhosemind，hebelieved，couldswallowupatonemealallthathisownheadcontained。
Therewasaffectivesympathy，butnogreatintellectualfellowship，betweenKnightandStephenSmith。Knighthadseenhisyoungfriendwhenthelatterwasacherry-cheekedhappyboy，hadbeeninterestedinhim，hadkepthiseyeuponhim，andgenerouslyhelpedtheladtobooks，tillthemereconnectionofpatronagegrewtoacquaintance，andthatripenedtofriendship。Andso，thoughSmithwasnotatallthemanKnightwouldhavedeliberatelychosenasafriend——orevenforoneofagroupofadozenfriends——
hesomehowwashisfriend。Circumstance，asusual，diditall。
Howmanyofuscansayofourmostintimatealterego，leavingalonefriendsoftheoutercircle，thatheisthemanweshouldhavechosen，asembodyingthenetresultafteraddingupallthepointsinhumannaturethatwelove，andprincipleswehold，andsubtractingallthatwehate？Themanisreallysomebodywegottoknowbymerephysicaljuxtapositionlongmaintained，andwastakenintoourconfidence，andevenheart，asamakeshift。
\'Andwhatdoyouthinkofher？\'Stephenventuredtosay，afterasilence。
\'Takinghermeritsontrustfromyou，\'saidKnight，\'aswedothoseoftheRomanpoetsofwhomweknownothingbutthattheylived，Istillthinkshewillnotsticktoyouthrough，say，threeyearsofabsenceinIndia。\'
\'Butshewill!\'criedStephendesperately。\'Sheisagirlalldelicacyandhonour。Andnowomanofthatkind，whohascommittedherselfsointoaman\'shandsasshehasintomine，couldpossiblymarryanother。\'
\'Howhasshecommittedherself？\'askedKnightcunously。
Stephendidnotanswer。Knighthadlookedonhislovesoscepticallythatitwouldnotdotosayallthathehadintendedtosaybyanymeans。
\'Well，don\'ttell，\'saidKnight。\'Butyouarebeggingthequestion，whichis，Isuppose，inevitableinlove。\'
\'AndI\'lltellyouanotherthing，\'theyoungermanpleaded。\'Yourememberwhatyousaidtomeonceaboutwomenreceivingakiss。
Don\'tyou？Why，thatinsteadofourbeingcharmedbythefascinationoftheirbearingatsuchatime，weshouldimmediatelydoubtthemiftheirconfusionhasanyGRACEinit——thatawkwardbunglingwasthetruecharmoftheoccasion，implyingthatwearethefirstwhohasplayedsuchapartwiththem。\'
\'Itistrue，quite，\'saidKnightmusingly。
Itoftenhappenedthatthedisciplethusrememberedthelessonsofthemasterlongafterthemasterhimselfhadforgottenthem。
\'Well，thatwaslikeher!\'criedStephentriumphantly。\'Shewasinsuchaflurrythatshedidn\'tknowwhatshewasdoing。\'
\'Splendid，splendid!\'saidKnightsoothingly。\'SothatallIhavetosayis，thatifyouseeagoodopeninginBombaythere\'snoreasonwhyyoushouldnotgowithouttroublingtodrawfinedistinctionsastoreasons。Nomanfullyrealizeswhatopinionsheactsupon，orwhathisactionsmean。\'
\'Yes；IgotoBombay。I\'llwriteanotehere，ifyoudon\'tmind。\'
\'Sleepoverit——itisthebestplan——andwriteto-morrow。
Meantime，gotheretothatwindowandsitdown，andlookatmyHumanityShow。Iamgoingtodineoutthisevening，andhavetodresshereoutofmyportmanteau。IbringupmythingslikethistosavethetroubleofgoingdowntomyplaceatRichmondandbackagain。\'
Knightthenwenttothemiddleoftheroomandflungopenhisportmanteau，andStephendrewnearthewindow。Thestreakofsunlighthadcreptupward，edgedaway，andvanished；thezoophytesslept:aduskygloompervadedtheroom。Andnowanothervolumeoflightshoneoverthewindow。
\'There!\'saidKnight，\'whereisthereinEnglandaspectacletoequalthat？IsitthereandwatchthemeverynightbeforeIgohome。Softlyopenthesash。\'
Beneaththemwasanalleyrunninguptothewall，andthenceturningsidewaysandpassingunderanarch，sothatKnight\'sbackwindowwasimmediatelyovertheangle，andcommandedaviewofthealleylengthwise。Crowds——mostlyofwomen——weresurging，bustling，andpacingupanddown。Gaslightsglaredfrombutchers\'
stalls，illuminatingthelumpsoffleshtosplotchesoforangeandvermilion，likethewildcolouringofTurner\'slaterpictures，whilstthepurlandbabbleoftonguesofeverypitchandmoodwastothishumanwild-woodwhattherippleofabrookistothenaturalforest。
Nearlytenminutespassed。ThenKnightalsocametothewindow。
\'Well，now，IcallacabandvanishdownthestreetinthedirectionofBerkeleySquare，\'hesaid，buttoninghiswaistcoatandkickinghismorningsuitintoacorner。Stephenrosetoleave。
\'Whataheapofliterature!\'remarkedtheyoungman，takingafinallongingsurveyroundtheroom，asiftoabidethereforeverwouldbethegreatpleasureofhislife，yetfeelingthathehadalmostoutstayedhiswelcome-while。Hiseyesresteduponanarm-
chairpiledfullofnewspapers，magazines，andbrightnewvolumesingreenandred。
\'Yes，\'saidKnight，alsolookingatthemandbreathingasighofweariness；\'somethingmustbedonewithseveralofthemsoon，I
suppose。Stephen，youneedn\'thurryawayforafewminutes，youknow，ifyouwanttostay；Iamnotquiteready。OverhaulthosevolumeswhilstIputonmycoat，andI\'llwalkalittlewaywithyou。\'
Stephensatdownbesidethearm-chairandbegantotumblethebooksabout。Amongtheresthefoundanoveletteinonevolume，THECOURTOFKELLYONCASTLE。ByErnestField。
\'Areyougoingtoreviewthis？\'inquiredStephenwithapparentunconcern，andholdingupElfride\'seffusion。
\'Which？Oh，that!Imay——thoughIdon\'tdomuchlightreviewingnow。Butitisreviewable。\'
\'Howdoyoumean？\'
Knightneverlikedtobeaskedwhathemeant。\'Mean!Imeanthatthemajorityofbookspublishedareneithergoodenoughnorbadenoughtoprovokecriticism，andthatthatbookdoesprovokeit。\'
\'Byitsgoodnessoritsbadness？\'StephensaidwithsomeanxietyonpoorlittleElfride\'sscore。
\'Itsbadness。Itseemstobewrittenbysomegirlinherteens。\'
Stephensaidnotanotherword。HedidnotcaretospeakplainlyofElfrideafterthatunfortunatesliphistonguehadmadeinrespectofherhavingcommittedherself；and，apartfromthat，Knight\'ssevere——almostdoggedandself-willed——honestyincriticizingwasunassailablebythehumblewishofayouthfulfriendlikeStephen。
Knightwasnowready。Turningoffthegas，andslammingtogetherthedoor，theywentdownstairsandintothestreet。
ChapterXIV
\'Wefrolicwhile\'tisMay。\'
Ithasnowtoberealizedthatnearlythree-quartersofayearhavepassedaway。Inplaceoftheautumnalscenerywhichformedasettingtothepreviousenactments，wehavetheculminatingbloomsofsummerintheyearfollowing。
StephenisinIndia，slavingawayatanofficeinBombay；
occasionallygoingupthecountryonprofessionalerrands，andwonderingwhypeoplewhohadbeentherelongerthanhecomplainedsomuchoftheeffectoftheclimateupontheirconstitutions。
NeverhadayoungmanafinerstartthanseemednowtopresentitselftoStephen。ItwasjustinthatexceptionalheydayofprosperitywhichshoneoverBombaysomefewyearsago，thathearrivedonthescene。Buildingandengineeringpartookofthegeneralimpetus。Speculationmovedwithanacceleratedvelocityeverysuccessiveday，theonlydisagreeablecontingencyconnectedwithitbeingthepossibilityofacollapse。
Elfridehadnevertoldherfatherofthefour-and-twenty-hours\'
escapadewithStephen，norhadit，toherknowledge，cometohisearsbyanyotherroute。Itwasasecrettroubleandgrieftothegirlforashorttime，andStephen\'sdeparturewasanotheringredientinhersorrow。ButElfridepossessedspecialfacilitiesforgettingridoftroubleafteradecentinterval。
Whilstaslownaturewasimbibingamisfortunelittlebylittle，shehadswallowedthewholeagonyofitatadraughtandwasbrighteningagain。Shecouldsloughoffasadnessandreplaceitbyahopeaseasilyasalizardrenewsadiseasedlimb。
Andtwosuchexcellentdistractionshadpresentedthemselves。Onewasbringingouttheromanceandlookingfornoticesinthepapers，which，thoughtheyhadbeensignificantlyshortsofar，hadservedtodivertherthoughts。TheotherwasmigratingfromthevicaragetothemorecommodiousoldhouseofMrs。Swancourt\'s，overlookingthesamevalley。Mr。Swancourtatfirstdislikedtheideaofbeingtransplantedtofemininesoil，buttheobviousadvantagesofsuchanaccessionofdignityreconciledhimtothechange。Sotherewasaradical\'move；\'thetwoladiesstayingatTorquayashadbeenarranged，thevicargoingtoandfro。
Mrs。SwancourtconsiderablyenlargedElfride\'sideasinanaristocraticdirection，andshebegantoforgiveherfatherforhispoliticmarriage。Certainly，inaworldlysense，ahandsomefaceatthree-and-fortyhadneverservedamaninbetterstead。
ThenewhouseatKensingtonwasready，andtheywereallintown。
TheHydeParkshrubshadbeentransplantedasusual，thechairsrankedinline，thegrassedgingstrimmed，theroadsmadetolookasiftheyweresufferingfromaheavythunderstorm；carriageshadbeencalledforbytheeaseful，horsesbythebrisk，andtheDriveandRowwereagainthegrooveofgaietyforanhour。Wegazeuponthespectacle，atsixo\'clockonthismidsummerafternoon，inamelon-frameatmosphereandbeneathavioletsky。TheSwancourtequipageformedoneinthestream。
Mrs。Swancourtwasatalkeroftalkoftheincisivekind，whichherlowmusicalvoice——theonlybeautifulpointintheoldwoman——
preventedfrombeingwearisome。
\'Now，\'shesaidtoElfride，who，likeAEneasatCarthage，wasfullofadmirationforthebrilliantscene，\'youwillfindthatourcompanionlessstatewillgiveus，asitdoeseverybody，anextraordinarypowerinreadingthefeaturesofourfellow-
creatureshere。Ialwaysamalistenerinsuchplacesasthese——
nottothenarrativestoldbymyneighbours\'tongues，butbytheirfaces——theadvantageofwhichis，thatwhetherIaminRow，Boulevard，Rialto，orPrado，theyallspeakthesamelanguage。I
mayhaveacquiredsomeskillinthispracticethroughhavingbeenanuglylonelywomanforsomanyyears，withnobodytogivemeinformation；athingyouwillnotconsiderstrangewhentheparallelcaseisborneinmind，——howtrulypeoplewhohavenoclockswilltellthetimeofday。\'
\'Ay，thattheywill，\'saidMr。Swancourtcorroboratively。\'IhaveknownlabouringmenatEndelstowandotherfarmswhohadframedcompletesystemsofobservationforthatpurpose。Bymeansofshadows，winds，clouds，themovementsofsheepandoxen，thesingingofbirds，thecrowingofcocks，andahundredothersightsandsoundswhichpeoplewithwatchesintheirpocketsneverknowtheexistenceof，theyareabletopronouncewithintenminutesofthehouralmostatanyrequiredinstant。ThatremindsmeofanoldstorywhichI\'mafraidistoobad——toobadtorepeat。\'Herethevicarshookhisheadandlaughedinwardly。
\'Tellit——do!\'saidtheladies。
\'Imustn\'tquitetellit。\'
\'That\'sabsurd，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。
\'Itwasonlyaboutamanwho，bythesamecarefulsystemofobservation，wasknowntodeceivepersonsformorethantwoyearsintothebeliefthathekeptabarometerbystealth，soexactlydidheforetellallchangesintheweatherbythebrayingofhisassandthetemperofhiswife。\'
Elfridelaughed。
\'Exactly，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。\'Andinjustthewaythatthoselearntthesignsofnature，Ihavelearntthelanguageofherillegitimatesister——artificiality；andthefibbingofeyes，thecontemptofnose-tips，theindignationofbackhair，thelaughterofclothes，thecynicismoffootsteps，andthevariousemotionslyinginwalking-sticktwirls，hat-liftings，theelevationofparasols，thecarriageofumbrellas，becomeasABCtome。
\'Justlookatthatdaughter\'ssisterclassofmammainthecarriageacrossthere，\'shecontinuedtoElfride，pointingwithmerelyaturnofhereye。\'Theabsorbingself-consciousnessofherpositionthatisshownbyhercountenanceismosthumiliatingtoaloverofone\'scountry。Youwouldhardlybelieve，wouldyou，thatmembersofaFashionableWorld，whoseprofessedzeroisfarabovethehighestdegreeofthehumble，couldbesoignorantoftheelementaryinstinctsofreticence。\'
\'How？\'
\'Why，tobearontheirfaces，asplainlyasonaphylactery，theinscription，\"Do，pray，lookatthecoronetonmypanels。”\'
\'Really，Charlotte，\'saidthevicar，\'youseeasmuchinfacesasMr。PuffsawinLordBurleigh\'snod。\'
Elfridecouldnotbutadmirethebeautyofherfellowcountrywomen，especiallysinceherselfandherownfewacquaintanceshadalwaysbeenslightlysunburntormarkedonthebackofthehandsbyabramble-scratchatthistimeoftheyear。
\'Andwhatlovelyflowersandleavestheywearintheirbonnets!\'
sheexclaimed。
\'Ohyes，\'returnedMrs。Swancourt。\'Someofthemareevenmorestrikingincolourthananyrealones。Lookatthatbeautifulrosewornbytheladyinsidetherails。Elegantvine-tendrilsintroduceduponthestemasanimprovementuponprickles，andallgrowingsonaturallyjustoverherear——Isaygrowingadvisedly，forthepinkofthepetalsandthepinkofherhandsomecheeksareequallyfromNature\'shandtotheeyesofthemostcasualobserver。\'
\'Butpraisethemalittle，theydodeserveit!\'saidgenerousElfride。
\'Well，Ido。SeehowtheDuchessof——wavestoandfroinherseat，utilizingtheswayofherlandaubylookingaroundonlywhenherheadisswungforward，withapassivepridewhichforbidsaresistancetotheforceofcircumstance。Lookattheprettypoutonthemouthsofthatfamilythere，retainingnotracesofbeingarrangedbeforehand，sowellisitdone。Lookatthedemurecloseofthelittlefistsholdingtheparasols；thetinyalertthumb，stickinguperectagainsttheivorystemasknowingascanbe，thesatinoftheparasolinvariablymatchingthecomplexionofthefacebeneathit，yetseeminglybyanaccident，whichmakesthethingsoattractive。There\'stheredbooklyingontheoppositeseat，bespeakingthevastnumbersoftheiracquaintance。AndI
particularlyadmiretheaspectofthatabundantlydaughteredwomanontheotherside——Imeanherlookofunconsciousnessthatthegirlsarestaredatbythewalkers，andaboveallthelookofthegirlsthemselves——losingtheirgazeinthedepthsofhandsomemen\'seyeswithoutappearingtonoticewhethertheyareobservingmasculineeyesortheleavesofthetrees。There\'spraiseforyou。ButIamonlyjesting，child——youknowthat。\'
\'Piph-ph-ph——howwarmitis，tobesure!\'saidMr。Swancourt，asifhismindwerealongdistancefromallhesaw。\'IdeclarethatmywatchissohotthatIcanscarcelybeartotouchittoseewhatthetimeis，andalltheworldsmellsliketheinsideofahat。\'
\'Howthemenstareatyou，Elfride!\'saidtheelderlady。\'Youwillkillmequite，Iamafraid。\'
\'Killyou？\'
\'Asadiamondkillsanopalinthesamesetting。\'
\'Ihavenoticedseveralladiesandgentlemenlookingatme，\'saidElfrideartlessly，showingherpleasureatbeingobserved。
\'Mydear，youmustn\'tsay\"gentlemen\"nowadays，\'herstepmotheransweredinthetonesofarchconcernthatsowellbecameherugliness。\'Wehavehandedover\"gentlemen\"tothelowermiddleclass，wherethewordisstilltobeheardattradesmen\'sballsandprovincialtea-parties，Ibelieve。Itisdonewithhere。\'
