Itwasaverylongapartment，fullfortyfeet；andwhileFannybustleddownit，MissMaitlandextendedaskinnyfinger，likeoneofMacbeth\'switches，anddirectedVizard\'seyetotherecedingfiguresopointedlythatheputuphisspyglassthebettertoseethephenomenon。
AsFannyskippedoutandclosedthedoor，MissMaitlandturnedtoVizard，withleanfingerstillpointingafterFanny，andutteredamonosyllable:
\"LAME!\"
Vizardburstoutlaughing。\"Lafourbe!\"saidhe。\"MissMaitland，acceptmycompliments；youpossessthekeytoasexnofellowcanunlock。And，nowIhavefoundaninterpreter，Ibegintobeinterestedinthislittlecomedy。Thefirstactisjustover。Therewillbehalfanhour\'swaittillthesimulatrixofinfirmitycomesrunningbackwiththepilgrimsoftheRhine。Arethey\'thepilgrimsoftheRhine\'or\'thepilgrimsofLove?\'Timewillshow。Playtorecommencewithaverbalencounter；youwillbeoneagainstthree；forallthat，Idon\'tenvythegreaternumber。\"
\"Threetoone?No。Surelyyouwillbeontherightsideforonce。
\"Well，yousee，Iamtheaudience。Wecan\'tbeall_dramatispersonae，_
andnospectator。Duringthewait，Iwonderwhethertheaudience，havingnothingbettertodo，maybepermittedtosmokeacigar。\"
\"Solongalucidintervalisirksome，ofcourse。Well，thebalconyisyoursmoking-room。Youwillseethemcoming；pleasetapatmydoorthemomentyoudo。\"
Halfanhourelapsed，anhour，andthepersonagesrequiredtocontinuethecomedydidnotreturn。
Vizard，havingnothingbettertodo，felltothinkingofInaKlosking，andthatwasnotgoodforhim。Solitudeand_ennui_fedhismania，andatlastittooktheformofaction。Herang，andordereduphismanHarris，aclose，discreetpersonage，anddirectedhimtogoovertoHomburg，andbringbackalltheinformationhecouldaboutthenewsinger；heraddressinHomburg，marriedorsingle，prudeorcoquette。Shouldinformationbewithheld，Harriswastofeetheporterattheopera-house，thewaiteratherhotel，andallthehumancommoditiesthatknewanythingabouther。
HavingdismissedHarris，helightedhisseventhcigar，andsaidtohimself，\"ItisallNedSeverne\'sfault。IwantedtoleaveforEnglandto-day。\"
Thedayhadbeenovercastforsometimeandnowafewbigdropsfell，bywayofwarning。Thenitturnedcool:thencamealightdrizzlingrain，and，inthemiddleofthis，FannyDoverappeared，almostflyinghome。
VizardwentandtappedatMissMaitland\'sdoor。Shecameout。
\"Here\'sMissDovercoming，butsheisalone。\"
ThenextmomentFannybouncedintotheroom，andstartedalittleatthepictureofthepairreadytoreceiveher。Shedidnotwaittobetakentotask，butproceededtoavertcensurebyvolubilityandself-praise。
\"Aunt，Iwentdowntotheriver，whereIleftthem，andlookedallalongit，andtheywerenotinsight。ThenIwenttothecathedral，becausethatseemedthenextlikeliestplace。Oh，Ihavehadsucharace!\"
\"Whydidyoucomebackbeforeyouhadfoundthem?\"
\"Aunt，itwasgoingtorain；anditisrainingnow，hard。\"
_\"She_doesnotmindthat。\"
\"Zoe?Oh，shehasgotnothingon!\"
\"Blessme!\"criedVizard。\"Godiva_rediviva。\"_
\"Now，Harrington，don\'t!Ofcourse，Imeannothingtospoil；onlyherpurplealpaca，andthatistwoyearsold。Butmybluesilk，Ican\'taffordtoruin_it。_Nobodywouldgivemeanother，_I_know。\"
\"Whataheartlessworld!\"saidVizarddryly。
\"Itispastajest，thewholething，\"objectedMissMaitland；\"and，nowwearetogether，pleasetellme，ifyoucan，eitherofyou，whoisthisman?Whatarehismeans?Iknow\'ThePeerage，\'\'TheBaronetage，\'and\'TheLandedGentry，\'butnotSeverne。Thatisariver，notafamily。\"
\"Oh，\"saidVizard，\"familynamestakenfromriversarenever_parvenues。_
Butwecan\'tallbedowninBurke。Nedisofagoodstock，theoldEnglishyeoman，thecountry\'spride。\"
\"Yeoman!\"saidtheMaitland，withsovereigncontempt。
Vizardresisted。\"IsthistheplacetosneeratanEnglishyeoman，whereyouseeanunprincelyprincelivingbyagambling-table?Whatsaystheoldstave?
\"\'AGermanprince，amarquisofFrance，Andalairdo\'theNorthCountrie；Ayeomano\'Kent，withhisyearlyrent，Wouldding\'emout，allthree。\"\'
\"Then，\"saidMisander，withagooddealofmalicious，intent，\"youarequitesureyouryeomanisnota——_pauper——_an_adventurer——\"_
\"Positive。\"
\"Anda_gambler。\"_
\"No；Iamnotatallsureofthat。Butnobodyisall-wise。Iamnot，forone。Heisafinefellow；asgoodasgold；astrueassteel。Alwayspolite，alwaysgenial；andneverspeaksillofanyofyoubehindyourbacks。\"
MissMaitlandbridledatthat。\"WhatIhavesaidisnotoutofdisliketotheyoungman。Iamwarningabrothertotakealittlemorecareofhissister，thatisall。However，afteryoursneer，IshallsaynomorebehindMr。Severne\'sback，buttohisface——thatis，ifweeverseehisfaceagain，orZoe\'seither。\"
\"Oh，aunt!\"saidFanny，reproachfully。\"Itisonlytherain。La!poorthings，theywillbewettotheskin。Justseehowitispouring!\"
\"Thatitis:andletmetellyouthereisnothingsodangerousasa_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_intherain。\"
\"Athunder-stormisworse，aunt，\"saidFanny，eagerly；\"becausethensheisfrightenedtodeath，andclingstohim——_ifheisnice。\"_
Havinggallopedintothisrevelation，throughspeakingfirstandthinkingafterward，Fannypulledupshortthemomentthewordswereout，andturnedred，andlookedaskant，underherpalelashesatVizard。Observingseveraltwinklesinhiseyes，shegotuphastilyandsaidshereallymustgoanddryhergown。
\"Yes，\"saidMissMaitland；\"comeintomyroom，dear。\"
Fannycomplied，withratheraruefulface，notdoubtingthatthepublic\"dear\"wastogetitratherhotinprivate。
Heruneasinesswasnotlessenedwhentheoldmaidsaidtoher，grimly，\"Now，sityoudownthere，andnevermindyourdress。\"
However，itcamerathermildly，afterall。\"Fanny，youarenotabadgirl，andyouhaveshownyouweresorry；soIamnotgoingtobehardonyou:onlyyoumustbeagoodgirlnow，andhelpmetoundothemischief，andthenIwillforgiveyou。\"
\"Aunt，\"saidFanny，piteously，\"Iamolderthansheis，andIknowIhavedoneratherwrong，andIwon\'tdoitanymore；butpray，pray，don\'taskmetobeunkindtoherto-day；itisbrooch-day。\"
MissMaitlandonlystaredatthisobscureannouncement:soFannyhadtoexplainthatZoeandshehadtiffed，andmadeitup，andZoehadgivenherabrooch。Hereuponshewentforit，andbothladiesforgotthetopictheywereon，andeveryother，toexaminethebrooch。
\"Aunt，\"saysFanny，handlingthebrooch，andeyeingit，\"youwereapoorgirl，likeme，beforegrandpapaleftyouthemoney，andyouknowitisjustaswelltohaveatiffnowandthenwitharichone，because，whenyoukissandmakeitup，youalwaysgetsomereconciliation-thingorother。\"
MissMaitlanddivedintothepastandnoddedapproval。
Thusencouraged，Fannyproceededtomoremodernrules。SheletMissMaitlandknowitwasalwaysunderstoodatherschoolthatontheseoccasionsoftiff，reconciliation，andpresent，thegirlwhoreceivedthepresentwastosideineverythingwiththegirlwhogaveit，forthatoneday。\"ThatistherealreasonIputonmytightboots——toearnmybrooch。
Isn\'titaduck?\"
_\"Are_theytight，then?\"
\"Awfully。See——newonto-day。\"
\"Butyoucouldshakeoffyourlamenessinamoment。\"
\"La，aunt，youknowonecanfight_with_thatsortofthing，orfight_against_it。Itislikecolds，andheadaches，andfevers，andallthat。
Youareinbed，tooilltoseeanybodyyoudon\'tmuchcarefor。Nightcomes，andthenyoujumpupanddress，andgotoaball，andleaveyourcoldandyourfeverbehindyou，becausetheballwon\'twaittillyouarewell，andtheboreswill。Sodon\'taskmetobeunkindtoZoe，brooch-day，\"saidFanny，skippingbacktoherfirstpositionwithsingularpertinacity。
\"Now，Fanny，\"saidMissMaitland，\"whowantsyoutobeunkindtoher?Butyoumustandshallpromisemenottolendheranymoredownrightencouragement，andtowatchthemanwell。\"
\"Ipromisethatfaithfully，\"saidFanny——anadroitconcession，sinceshehadbeenwatchinghimlikeacatamouseformanydays。
\"Thenyouareagoodgirl；and，torewardyou，IwilltellyouinconfidenceallthestrangestoriesIhavediscoveredtoday。\"
\"Oh，do，aunt!\"criedFanny；andnowhereyesbegantosparklewithcuriosity。
MissMaitlandthenbidherobservethatthebedroomwindowwasnotaFrenchcasement，butadouble-sashwindow——closedatpresentbecauseoftherain；butithadbeenwideopenatthetopallthetime。
\"Thosetwoweresmoking，andtalkingsecrets；and，child，\"saidtheoldlady，veryimpressively，\"ifyou——want——to——know——whatgentlemenreallyare，youmustbeoutofsight，andlistentothem，smoking。WhenIwasagirl，thegentlemencameoutintheirtruecolorsovertheirwine。Nowtheyareascloseaswax，drinking；andevenwhentheyaretipsytheykeeptheirsecrets。Butonceletthemgetbythemselvesandsmoke，theveryairissoonfilledwithscandaloussecretsnoneoftheladiesinthehouseeverdreamedof。Theirrealcharacters，theirtruehistories，andtheirgenuinesentiments，arelockeduplikethatgeniusin\'TheArabianNights，\'andcomeoutinsmokeashedid。\"Theoldladychuckledatherownwit，andtheyoungonelaughedtohumorher。\"Well，mydear，thosetwosmoked，andrevealedthemselves——theirrealselves；andIlistenedandheardeverywordonthetopofthosedrawers。\"
Fannylookedatthedrawers。Theywerehigh。
\"La，aunt!howeverdidyougetupthere?\"
\"Byachair。\"
\"Oh，fancyyouperchedupthere，listening，atyourage!\"
\"Youneednotkeepthrowingmyageinmyteeth。Iamnotsoveryold。
OnlyIdon\'tpaintandwhitenandwearfalsehair。Thereareplentyofcoquettesabout，eversomucholderthanIam。Ihaveagreatmindnottotellyou；andthenmuchyouwilleverknowabouteitherofthesemen!\"
\"Oh，aunt，don\'tbecruel!Iamdyingtohearit。\"
Asauntwasequallydyingtotellit，shepassedovertheskituponherage，thoughshedidnotforgetnorforgiveit；andrepeatedthewholeconversationofVizardandSevernewithrarefidelity；butasIabhorwhattheevangelistcalls\"battology，\"andShakespeare\"damnableiteration，\"Imustdrawupontheintelligenceofthereader(ifany)，andhemustbepleasedtoimaginethewholedialogueofthosetwounguardedsmokersrepeatedtoFanny，andinterrupted，commentedonateverysalientpoint，scrutinized，sifted，dissected，andtakentopiecesbytwokeenwomen，sharpbynature，andsharpernowbycollisionoftheirheads。Nocandor，notolerance，noallowanceforhumanweakness，bluntedthescalpelintheirdexteroushands。
Oh，Gossip!delightofordinarysouls，andmoredelightfulstillwhenyoufurnishfoodfordetraction!
ToFanny，inparticular，itwasexciting，ravishing，andthetimeflewbysounheededthatpresentlytherecameasharpknockandanimpatientvoicecried，\"Chatter!chatter!chatter!Howlongarewetobekeptwaitingfordinner，allofus?\"
CHAPTERVI。
ATtheverycommencementoftheconfabulation，sobarbarouslyinterruptedbeforeithadlastedtwohoursandahalf，theMisogynrangthebell，andaskedforRosa，Zoe\'smaid。
Shecame，andheorderedhertohaveupabasketofwood，andlightaroaringfireinhermistress\'sroom，andputoutgarmentstoair。HealsoinquiredthenumberofZoe\'sbedroom。Thegirlsaiditwas\"No。74。\"
TheMisogynwaitedhalfanhour，andthenvisited\"No。74。\"Hefoundthefireburneddowntoonelog，andsomethingsairingatthefire，asdomesticsairtheiremployers\'things，butnottheirown，youmaybesure。Therewasachemisecarefullyfoldedintothesmallestpossiblecompass，anddoubledoverahorseatagooddistancefromthecoldfire。
Therewereothergarmentsandsupplementaries，alltreatedinthesameway。
TheMisogynlooked，andremarkedasfollows，\"Idiots!ateverythingbuttakinginthemen。\"
Havingrelievedhisspleenwiththiscourteousandcomprehensiveobservation，hepiledloguponlogtillthefirewashalfupthechimney。
Thenhegotallthechairsandmadeasemi-circle，andspreadoutthevariousgarmentstothegenialheat；andsoclosethat，hadasparkflown，theywouldhavebeenwarmedwithavengeance，andthesuperiorityofthemaleintellectdemonstrated。Thisdone，heretired，withaguiltyair；forhedidnotwanttobecaughtmeddlinginsuchfrivolitiesbyMissDoverorMissMaitland。However，hewasquitesafe；thosesuperiorspiritswerewhollyoccupiedwiththeloftierthingsofthemind，especiallythecharactersoftheirneighbors。
Imustnowgoforthesetruantsthataregivingeverybodysomuchtrouble。
WhenFannyfelllameandsaidshewasverysorry，butshemustgohomeandchangeherboots，Zoewasforgoinghometoo。ButFanny，doubtinghersincerity，wasperemptory，andsaidtheyhadonlytostrollslowlyon，andthenturn；sheshouldmeetthemcomingback。Zoecoloredhigh，suspectingtheyhadseenthelastofthisingeniousyounglady。
\"Whatagoodgirl!\"criedSeverne。
\"Iamafraidsheisaverynaughtygirl，\"saidZoe，faintly；andthefirsteffectofFanny\'sretreatwastomakeheragreatdealmorereservedandlesssprightly。
Severneobserved，andunderstood，andsawhemustgivehertime。Hewassorespectful，aswellastender，that，bydegrees，shecameoutagain，andbeamedwithyouthandhappiness。
Theystrolledveryslowlybythefairriver，andtheprettylittlenothingstheysaidtoeachotherbegantobemerevehiclesforthosesofttonesandlooks，inwhichloveismade，farmorethanbythewordsthemselves。
Whentheystartedonthiswalk，SevernehadnodistinctnorseriousviewsonZoe。Buthehadbeenplayingwithfireforsometime，andsonowhegotwellburned。
Walkingslowlybyhisside，andconsciousofbeingwooed，whateverthewordsmightbe，Zoewaslovelierthanever。Thoseloweredlashes，thatmantlingcheek，thosesoft，tendermurmurs，toldhimhewasdear，andthrilledhisheart，thoughacoldonecomparedwithhers。
Hewasinlove；asmuchashecouldbe，andmorethanhehadeverbeenbefore。Heneverevenaskedhimselfwhetherpermanenthappinesswaslikelytospringfromthislove:hewasself-indulgent，reckless，andinlove。
Helookedather，wishedhecouldrecallhiswholelife，andsighed。
\"Whydoyousigh?\"saidshe，gently。
\"Idon\'tknow。Yes，Ido。BecauseIamnothappy。\"
\"Nothappy?\"saidshe。\"Yououghttobe；andIamsureyoudeservetobe。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthat。However，IthinkIshallbehappierinafewminutes，orelseveryunhappyindeed。Thatdependsonyou。\"
\"Onme，Mr。Severne?\"andsheblushedcrimson，andherbosombegantoheave。Hiswordsledhertoexpectadeclarationandaproposalofmarriage。
Hesawhermistake；andheremotionspokesoplainlyandsweetly，andtriedhimso，thatitcosthimagreateffortnottoclaspherinhisarms。Butthatwasnothiscueatpresent。Heloweredhiseyes，togivehertime，andsaid，sadly，\"Icannothelpseeingthat，somehow，thereissuspicionintheairaboutme。MissMaitlandputsquestions，anddropshints。MissDoverwatchesmelikealynx。EvenyougavemeahinttheotherdaythatInevertalktoyouaboutmyrelations，andmypastlife。\"
\"Praydonotconfoundmewithotherpeople，\"saidZoeproudly。\"IfIamcurious，itisbecauseIknowyoumusthavedonemanygoodthingsandcleverthings；butyouhavetoolittlevanity，ortoomuchpride，totellthemeventoonewho——esteemsyou，andcouldappreciate。\"
\"Iknowyouareasgenerousandnobleasmostpeoplearenarrow-minded，\"
saidSeverne，enthusiastically；\"andIhavedeterminedtotellyouallaboutmyself。\"
Zoe\'scheeksbeamedwithgratifiedprideandhereyessparkled。
\"Only，asIwouldnottellittoanybodybutyou，Imuststipulatethatyouwillreceiveitinsacredconfidence，andnotrepeatittoalivingsoul。\"
\"Noteventomybrother，wholovesyouso?\"
\"Noteventohim。\"
Thisalarmedtheinstinctivedelicacyandmodestyofatrulyvirginsoul。
\"Iamnotexperienced，\"saidshe。\"ButIfeelIoughtnottoyieldtocuriosityandhearfromyouanythingIamforbiddentotellmybrother。
YoumightaswellsayImustnottellmymother；fordearHarringtonisallthemotherIhave；andIamsureheisatruefriendtoyou\"(thislastalittlereproachfully)。
ButforSeverne\'shabitualself-command，hewouldhavetreatedthisdelicacyasridiculousprudery；buthewasequaltogreaterdifficulties。
\"Youareright，byinstinct，ineverything。Well，then，Ishalltellyou，andyoushallseeatoncewhetheritoughttoberepeated，ortoremainasacreddepositbetweenmeandtheonlycreatureIhavethecouragetotellitto。\"
Zoeloweredhereyes，andmarkedthesandwithherparasol。Shewasalittlepuzzlednow，andhalfconsciousthat，somehow，hewastyinghertosecrecywithsilkinsteadofrope；butsheneversuspectedthedeliberateartanddexteritywithwhichitwasdone。
Severnethenmadetherevelationwhichhehadbeenpreparingforadayortwopast；and，toavoideternalcommentsbytheauthor，Imustoncemorecallintheartfulaidoftheprinters。ThetruepartofMr。Severne\'srevelationisinitalics；thefalseinordinarytype。
_\"Whenmyfatherdied，IinheritedanestateinHuntingdonshire。ItwasnotsolargeasVizard\'s，butitwasclear。Notamortgagenorincumbranceonit。Ihadayoungerbrother；_afellowwithcharmingmanners，andveryaccomplished。Thesewerehisruin:hegotintohighsocietyinLondon；_buthighsocietyisnotalwaysgoodsociety。_Hebecameconnectedwithafastlot，someoftheyoungnobility。Ofcoursehecouldnotviewiththem。Hegotdeeplyindebt。Notbutwhattheywereindebttoo，everyoneofthem。HeusedtosendtomeformoneyoftenerthanIliked；butIneversuspectedtheratehewasgoingat。Iwasanxious，too，abouthim；butIsaidtomyselfhewasjustsowinghiswildoats，likeotherfellows。Well，itwenton，until——tohismisfortuneandmine——hegotentangledinsomedisgracefultransactions；thegeneralfeaturesareknowntoalltheworld。Idaresayyouhaveheardofoneortwoyoungnoblemenwhocommittedforgeriesontheirrelationsandfriendssomeyearsago。_Oneofthem，thesonofanearl，tookhissister\'swholefortuneoutofherbank，withasingleforgedcheck。Ibelievethesumtotalofhisforgerieswasoveronehundredthousandpounds。Hisfathercouldnotfindhalfthemoney。Anumberofthenobilityhadtocombinetorepurchasethedocuments；manyofthemwereinthehandsoftheJews；andIbelieveacompositionwaseffected，withthehelpofaverypowerfulbarrister，anM。P。Hewentoutofhislineonthisoccasion，andmediatedbetweentheparties。_WhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatmybrother，thesonofmyfatherandmymother，wasoneoftheseforgers——acriminal?\"
\"Mypoorfriend!\"criedZoe，claspingherinnocenthands。
\"Itwasathunder-clap。Ihadagreatmindtowashmyhandsofit，andlethimgotoprison。ButhowcouldI?Thestruggleendedinmydoingliketherest。Onlypoor，Ihadnonoblekinsmenwithlongpursestohelpme，andnosolicitor-generaltomediate_subrosa。_Thetotalamountwouldhaveswampedmyfamilyacres。Igotthemdowntosixtypercent，andthatonlycrippledmyestateforever。Asformybrother，hefellonhiskneestome。ButIcouldnotforgivehim。_Heleftthecountrywithahundredpounds_Igavehim。_HeisinCanada；andonlyknownthereasamostrespectablefarmer。_Hetalksofpayingmeback。ThatIshallbelievewhenIseeit。AllIknowforcertainisthathiscrimehasmortgagedmyestate，andleftmepoor——andsuspected。\"
WhileSevernerelatedthis，therepassedasomewhatnotablethingintheworldofmind。Theinventorofthishistorydidnotunderstandit；thehearerdid，andaccompanieditwithinnocentsympatheticsighs。Herimagination，morepowerfulandprecisethantheinventor\'s，picturedthehorrorofthehigh-mindedbrother，hisagony，hisshame，hisrespectforlawandhonesty，hispityforhisownfleshandblood，hisstruggle，andthefinaltriumphoffraternalaffection。Everylineofthefigmentwasalivetoher，andshe_realized_thetale。Severneonlyrepeatedit。
Atthelasttouchofhiscoldart，thewarm-heartedgirlcouldcontainnolonger。
\"Oh，poorMr。Severne!\"shecried；\"poorMr。Severne!\"Andthetearsrandownhercheeks。
Helookedatherfirstwithalittleastonishment——fancytakinghislittlenarrativetoheartlikethat——thenwithcompunction，andthenwithamomentaryhorrorathimself，andterrorattheimpassablegulffixedbetweenthem，byherraregoodnessandhisdepravity。
Thenforamomenthefelt，andfeltallmannerofthingsatonce。\"Oh，don\'tcry，\"heblurtedout，andbegantoblubberhimselfathavingmadehercryatall，andsounfairly。Itwashisluckyhour；thishystericaleffusion，undignifiedbyasinglegrainofactivecontrition，orevenpenitentresolve，toldinhisfavor。Theymingledtheirtears；andheartscannotholdaloofwhentearscometogether。Yes，theymingledtheirtears，andthecrocodiletearswerethemale\'s，ifyouplease，andthewoman\'stearswerepureholydrops，thatangelsmighthavegatheredandcarriedthemtoGodforpearlsofthehumansoul。
Aftertheyhadcriedtogetheroverthecoolfigment，Zoesaid:\"Idonotrepentmycuriositynow。Youdidwelltotellme。Oh，no，youwereright，andIwillnevertellanybody。Peoplearenarrow-minded。Theyshallnevercastyourbrother\'scrimeinyourteeth，noryourownlossesIesteemyoufor——oh，somuchmorethanever!Iwonderyoucouldtellme。\"
\"Youwouldnotwonderifyouknewhowsuperioryouaretoalltheworld:
hownoble，howgenerous，andhowI——\"
\"Oh，Mr。Severne，itisgoingtorain!Wemustgethomeasfastaseverwecan。\"
Theyturned，andZoe，withtruevirgincoyness，andelasticlimbs，madethecomingrainanexcuseforsuchswiftwalkingthatSevernecouldnotmaketenderlovetoher。Tobesure，ApolloranafterDaphne，withhislittleproposals；but，Itakeit，heranmute——tillhefoundhecouldn\'tcatchher。Indeed，itwasasmuchasSevernecoulddotokeepupwithher\"fairheelandtoe。\"ButIascribethistohernotwearinghighheelseversinceFannytoldhershewasjustalittletootall，andshewasnoviceenoughtobelieveher。
Shewouldnotstopforthedrizzle；butatlastitcamedownwithsuchavengeancethatshewaspersuadedtoleavethepathandrunforacattle-shedatsomedistance。HeresheandSevernewereimprisoned。
Luckilyforthem\"thekyehadnotcomehame，\"andtheshedwasempty。
Theygotintothefarthestcornerofit；foritwasallopentowardtheriver；andtherainpatteredontheroofasifitwouldbreakit。
Thusdriventogether，wasitwonderfulthatsoonherhandwasinhis，andthat，astheypurredtogether，andmurmuredsoftnothings，morethanonceshewassurprisedintoreturningthesoftpressurewhichhegaveitsooften?
Theplumpdeclarationshehadfledfrom，andnowseemeddeliciouslyresignedto，didnotactuallycome。Buthedidwhatshevaluedmore，heresumedhisconfidences:toldherhehadvices；wasfondofgambling。
Excuseditonthescoreofhislossbyhisbrother；saidhehopedsoontoheargoodnewsfromCanada；didn\'tdespair；washappynow，inspiteofall；hadbeenhappyeversincehehadmet_her。_Whatdeclarationwasneeded?Theunderstandingwascomplete。Neitherdoubtedtheother\'slove；
andZoewouldhavethoughtherselfafaithless，wickedgirl，if，afterthis，shehadgoneandacceptedanyotherman。
Butpresentlyshehadamisgiving，andlookedatherwatch。Yes，itwantedbutonehourtodinner。Now，herbrotherwasratheraTartaraboutpunctualityatdinner。Shefeltshewasalreadyindangerofcensureforherlong_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_withSeverne，thoughtherainwastheculprit。
Shecouldnotaffordtodraweveryeyeuponherbybeinglatefordinneralongwithhim。
ShetoldSevernetheymustgohomenow，rainornorain，andshewalkedresolutelyoutintotheweather。
Severnedidnotlikeitatall，buthewaswiseenoughtodeploreitonlyonheraccount；andindeedherlightalpacawassoondrenched，andbegantoclingtoher。Butthespiritedgirlonlylaughedathiscondolences，asshehurriedon。\"Why，itisonlywarmwater，\"saidshe；\"thisisnomorethanabathinthesummersea。Bathingisgettingwetthroughinblueflannel。Well，Iambathinginbluealpaca。\"
\"Butitwillruinyourdress。\"
\"Mydress!Why，itisasoldasthehills。WhenIgethomeI\'llgiveittoRosa，readywashed——ha-ha!\"
Therainpeltedandpoured，andlongbeforetheyreachedtheinn，Zoe\'sdresshadbecomeanexternalcuticle，analpacaskin。
Butinnocenceissometimesverybold。Shedidnotcareabit；and，totellthetruth，shehadlittleneedtocare。Beautysopositiveashersisindomitable。ThepettyaccidentsthataretheterrorsofhomelycharmsseemtoenhanceQueenBeauty。Disheveledhairadornsit:closeboundhairadornsit。Simplicityadornsit。Diamondsadornit。Everythingseemstoadornit，because，thetruthis，itadornseverything。AndsoZoe，drenchedwithrain，andherdressabathing-gown，wasonlyaGreekgoddesstintedblue，herbustandshouldersandhermoldedfigurecovered，yetrevealed。Whatwasshetoanartist\'seye?JusttheTownlyVenuswithhersculptor\'scunningdraperies，andJuno\'sgait。
\"EtveraincessapatuitDea。\"
WhenshegottothehotelsheheldupherfingertoSevernewithaprettyperemptoriness。Shehadshownhimsomuchtenderness，shefeltshehadarighttoorderhimnow:\"Imustbegofyou，\"saidshe，\"togostraighttoyourroomsanddressveryquickly，andpresentyourselftoHarringtonfiveminutesbeforedinneratleast。\"
\"Iwillobey，\"saidhe，obsequiously。
Thatpleasedher，andshekissedherhandtohimandscuddedtoherownroom。
Atsightoftheblazingfireandprovidentpreparations，shestarted，andsaid，aloud，\"Oh，howniceofthem!\"and，alldrippingasshewas，shestoodtherewithheryoungheartinadoubleglow。
Suchanatureashershastoolittleegotismandlow-bredvanitytoundervalueworthylove。TheinfiniteheartofaZoeVizardcanlovebutonewithpassion，yeteversomanymorewithwarmandtenderaffection。
ShegaveAuntMaitlandcreditforthisprovidentaffection。ItwasoutofthesprightlyFanny\'sline；andshesaidtoherself，\"Dearoldthing!
there，Ithoughtshewasbottlingupalectureforme，andallthetimeherrealanxietywaslestIshouldbewetthrough。\"ThereuponshesettledinhermindtobeginlovingAuntMaitlandfromthathour。Shedidnotringforhermaidtillshewasnearlydressed，and，whenRosacameandexclaimedattheconditionofhercast-offrobes，shelaughedandtoldheritwasnothing——theRhinewasniceandwarm——pretendingshehadbeeninit。Sheorderedhertodrythedress，andironit。
\"Why，la，miss；you\'llneverwearitagain，tobesure?\"saidRosa，demurely。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidtheyounglady，archly；\"butImeantotakegreatcareofit，\"andburstoutlaughinglikeapealofsilverbells，becauseshewasinhighspirits，andsawwhatRosawouldbeat。
Giveawaythegownshehadbeenwooedandwetthroughin——no，thankyou!
Suchgownsasthesebelandmarks，mymasters。
Vizard，unconsciousofherarrival，waswalkingupanddowntheroom，fidgetingmoreandmore，whenincameZoe，dressedhighinblacksilkandwhitelace，lookingeversocozy，andbloominglikearose。
\"What!\"saidhe；\"in，anddressed。\"Hetookherbytheshouldersandgaveheragreatkiss。\"Youyoungmonkey!\"saidhe，\"Iwasafraidyouwerewashedaway。\"
Zoesuggestedthatwouldonlyhavebeenawomanobliterated。
\"Thatistrue，\"saidhe，withanairofheartyconviction。\"Iforgotthat。\"
Hetheninquiredifshehadhadanicewalk。
\"Oh，beautiful!Imprisonedhalfthetimeinacow-shed，andthendrenched。ButI\'llhaveanicewalkwithyou，dear，upanddowntheroom。\"
\"Comeon，then。\"
Sosheputherrighthandonhisleftshoulder，andgavehimherlefthand，andtheywalkedupanddowntheroom，Zoebeamingwithhappinessandaffectionforeverybodyandwalkingatagracefulbend。
Severnecamein，dressedasperfectasthoughjusttakenoutofabandbox。Hesatdownatalittletable，andreadalittlejournalunobtrusively。Itwashiscuetodivesthislate_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_ofpublicimportance。
Thencamedinner，andtwoofthepartyabsent。Vizardheardtheirvoicesgoinglikemill-clacksatthissacredhour，andsummonedthemratherroughly，asstatedabove。HisbackwastoZoe，andsherubbedherhandsgaylytoSeverne，andsenthimaflyingwhisper:\"Oh，whatfun!Wearetheculprits，andtheyaretheonesscolded。\"
Dinnerwaitedtenminutes，andthenthedefaultersappeared。Nothingwassaid，butVizardlookedratherglum；andAuntMaitlandcastaviciouslookatSeverneandZoe:theyhadmadeaforcedmarch，andoutflankedher。Shesatdown，andbidedhertime，likeafowlerwaitingtilltheduckscomewithinshot。
Buttheconversationwascommonplace，inconsecutive，shifty，andvague，anditwastwohoursbeforeanythingcamewithinshot:allthistimenotasoulsuspectedtheambushedfowler。
Atlast，Vizard，havingthrownoutoneofhishintsthatthefairsexareimperfect，Fanny，beingundertheinfluenceofMissMaitland\'srevelations，venturedtosuggestthattheyhadnomorefaultsthanmen，and_certainly_werenotmoredeceitful。
\"Indeed?\"saidVizard。\"Not——more——_deceitful!_Doyouspeakfromexperience?\"
\"Oh，no，no，\"saidFanny，gettingratherfrightened。\"Ionlythinkso，somehow。\"
\"Well，butyoumusthaveareason。MayIrespectfullyinquirewhethermoremenhavejiltedyouthanyouhavejilted?\"
\'Youmayinquireasrespectfullyasyoulike；butIshan\'ttellyou。\"
\"Thatisright，MissDover，\"saidSeverne；\"don\'tyouputupwithhisnonsense。Heknowsnothingaboutit:womenareangels，comparedwithmen。
Thewonderis，howtheycanwastesomuchtruthandconstancyandbeautyuponthefoulsex。Tomymind，thereisonlyonethingwebeatyouin；wedostickbyeachotherratherbetterthanyoudo。Youaretruertous。Wearealittletruertoeachother。\"
\"Notalittle，\"suggestedVizard，dryly。
\"Formypart，\"saidZoe，blushingpinkatherboldnessinadvancinganopiniononsolargeamatter，\"Ithinkthesecomparisonsarerathernarrow-minded。Whathavewetodowithbadpeople，maleorfemale?Agoodmanisgood，andagoodwomanisgood。Still，Idothinkthatwomenhavegreaterheartstolove，andmen，perhaps，greaterheartsforfriendship:\"
then，blushingroseate，\"evenintheshorttimewehavebeenherewehaveseentwogentlemengiveuppleasureforself-denyingfriendship。LordUxmoorgaveusallupforasickfriend。Mr。Severnedidmore，perhaps；
forhelostthatdivinesinger。Youwillneverhearhernow，Mr。
Severne。\"
TheMaitlandgunwentoff:\"Asickfriend!Mr。Severne?Ha，ha，ha!Yousillygirl，hehasgotnosickfriend。Hewasatthegaming-table。Thatwashissickfriend。\"
Itwasaneffectivedischarge。Itwingedaduckortwo。Itkilled，asfollows:thetranquillity——thegoodhumor——andthecontentofthelittleparty。
Severnestarted，andstared，andlostcolor，andthencastatVizardavenomouslookneverseenonhisfacebefore；forhenaturallyconcludedthatVizardhadbetrayedhim。
Zoewasamazed，lookedinstantlyatSeverne，sawitwastrue，andturnedpaleathisevidentdiscomfiture。Herloverhadbeenguiltyofdeceit——meanandratherheartlessdeceit。
EvenFannywincedatthepointblankdenunciationofayoungman，whowashimselfpolitetoeverybody。Shewouldhavedoneitinaverydifferentway——insinuations，innuendo，etc。
\"Theyhavefoundyouout，oldfellow，\"saidVizard，merrily；\"butyouneednotlookasifyouhadrobbedachurch。Hangitall!afellowhasgotarighttogamble，ifhechooses。Anyway，hepaidforhiswhistle；
forhelostthreehundredpounds。\"
\"Threehundredpounds!\"criedtheterribleoldmaid。\"Whereeverdidhegetthemtolose?\"
Severnedivinedthathehadnothingtogainbyfictionhere；sohesaid，sullenly，\"IgotthemfromVizard；butIgavehimvalueforthem。\"
\"Youneednotpublishourprivatetransactions，Ned，\"saidVizard。\"MissMaitland，thisisreallynotinyourdepartment。\"
\"Oh，yes，itis，\"saidshe；\"andsoyou\'llfind。\"
Thispertinacitylookedlikedefiance。Vizardrosefromhischair，bowedironically，withtheairofamannotdisposedforahotargument。
\"Inthatcase——withpermission——I\'llwithdrawtomyverandaand，inthat[hestruckalight]peaceful——[herehetookasuck]shade——\"
\"YouwillmeditateonthecharmsofInaKlosking。\"
Vizardreceivedthispoisonedarrowinthesmalloftheback，ashewassaunteringout。Heturnedlikeashot，asifamanhadstruckhim，and，forasinglemoment，helookeddownrightterribleandwonderfullyunliketheeasy-goingHarringtonVizard。Buthesoonrecoveredhimself。\"What!
youlisten，doyou?\"saidhe；andturnedcontemptuouslyonhisheelwithoutanotherword。
Therewasanuneasy，chillingpause。MissMaitlandwouldhavegivensomethingtowithdrawherlastshot。Fannywasveryuncomfortableandfixedhereyesonthetable。Zoe，deeplyshockedatSeverne\'sdeceit，wasnowamazedandpuzzledaboutherbrother。\"InaKlosking!\"inquiredshe；
\"whoisthat?\"
\"AskMr。Severne，\"saidMissMaitland，sturdily。
NowMr。Severnewassittingsilent，butwithrestlesseyes，meditatinghowheshouldgetoverthatfigmentofhisaboutthesickfriend。
Zoeturnedroundonhim，fixedhergloriouseyesfulluponhisface，andsaid，ratherimperiously，\"Mr。Severne，whoisInaKlosking?\"
Mr。Severnelookedupblanklyinherface，andsaidnothing。
Shecoloredatnotbeinganswered，andrepeatedherquestion(allthistimeFanny\'seyeswerefixedontheyoungmanevenmorekeenlythanZoe\'s)，\"Who——andwhat——isInaKlosking?\"
\"Sheisapublicsinger。\"
\"Doyouknowher?\"
\"Yes；IheardhersingatVienna。\"
\"Yes，yes；butdoyouknowhertospeakto?\"
Heconsideredhalfamoment，andthensaidhehadnotthathonor。\"But，\"
saidhe，ratherhurriedly，\"somebodyorothertoldmeshehadcomeoutattheoperahereandmadeahit。\"
\"Whatin——Siebel?\"
\"Idon\'tknow。ButIsawlargebillsoutwithhername。Shemadeher_de\'but_inGounod\'s\'Faust。\'\"
\"Itis_my_Siebel!\"criedZoe，rapturously。\"Why，aunt，nowonderHarringtonadmiresher。Formypart，Iadoreher。\"
_\"You，_child!Thatisquiteadifferentmatter。\"
\"No，itisnot。Heislikeme；hehasonlyseenheronce，asIhave，andonthestage。\"
\"Fiddle-dee-dee。Itellyouheisinlovewithher，overheadandears。
Heiswonderfullyinflammableforawoman-hater。AskMr。Severne:heknows。\"
\"Mr。Severne，ismybrotherinlovewiththatlady?\"
Severne\'sturnhadcome；thatableyoungmansawhischance，anddidasgoodabitofactingaseverwasextemporizedevenbyanItalianmime。
\"MissVizard，\"saidhe，fixinghishazeleyesonherforthefirsttime，inawaythatmadeherfeelhispower，\"whatpassedinconfidencebetweentwofriendsoughttobesacred。Don\'t——you——thinkso?\"(Thegirlquivered，rememberingthesecrethehadconfessedtoher。)\"MissMaitlandhasdoneyourbrotherandmethehonortolistentooursecrets。Sheshallrepeatthem，ifshethinksitdelicate；butIshallnot，withoutVizard\'sconsent；and，morethanthat，theconversationseemstometobetakingtheturnofcastingblameandridiculeandIdon\'tknowwhatonthebest-hearted，kindest-hearted，truest-hearted，noblest，andmanliestmanIknow。Ideclinetotakeanyfurthershareinit。\"
Withtheselastwordsinhismouth，hestuckhishandsdefiantlyintohispocketsandstalkedoutintotheveranda，lookingeveryinchaman。
Zoefoldedherarmsandgazedafterhimwithundisguisedadmiration。Howwelleverythinghedidbecamehim；hisfiringup——his_brusquerie——_theverymovementsofhisbody，allsopiquant，charming，andunwomanly!Ashevanishedfromheradmiringeyes，sheturned，withflamingcheeks，onMissMaitland，andsaid，\"Well，aunt，youhavedriventhembothoutatthewindow；now，saysomethingprettytoFannyandme，anddriveusoutatthedoor。\"
MissMaitlandhungherhead；shesawshehadthemallagainstherbutFanny，andFannywasatrimmer。Shesaid，sorrowfully，\"No，Zoe。IfeelhowunattractiveIhavemadetheroom。Ihavedrivenawaythegodsofyouridolatry——theyareonlyidolsofclay；butthatyoucan\'tbelieve。I
willbanishnobodyelse，exceptacross-grained，butrespectableoldwoman，whoistooexperienced，andtoomuchsouredbyit，topleaseyoungpeoplewhenthingsaregoingwrong。\"
Withthisshetookherbed-candle，andretired。
Zoehadaninwardstruggle。AsMissMaitlandopenedherbedroomdoor，shecalledtoher:\"Aunt!oneword。Wasityouthatorderedthefireinmybedroom?\"
Now，ifshehadreceivedtheanswersheexpected，shemeanttosay，\"Thenpleaseletmeforgeteverythingelseyouhavesaidordoneto-day。\"ButMissMaitlandstaredalittle，andsaid，\"Fireinyourbedroom?no。\"
\"Oh!ThenIhavenothingtothankyouforthisday，\"saidZoe，withallthehardnessofyouth；though，asageneralrule，shehadnothershareofit。
Theoldladywincedvisibly，butshemadeacreditableanswer。\"Then，mydear，youshallhavemyprayersthisnight；anditdoesnotmattermuchwhetheryouthankmeforthemornot。\"
Asshedisappeared，Zoeflungherselfwearilyonacouch，andverysoonbegantocry。Fannyrantoherandnestledclosetoher，andthetwohadarocktogether，Zoecrying，andFannycoaxingandcomforting。
\"Ah!\"sighedZoe，\"thiswasthehappiestdayofmylife；andseehowitends。Quarreling；anddeceit!theoneIhate，theotherIdespise。No，neveragain，untilIhavesaidmyprayers，andamjustgoingtosleep，willIcry\'Ogiornofelice!\'asIdidthisafternoon，whentherainwaspouringonme，butmyheartwasallinaglow。\"
TheseprettylittlelamentationsofyouthwereinterruptedbyMr。Severneslippingawayfromhisfriend，totryandrecoverlostground。
HewascoollyreceivedbyZoe；thenhelookeddismayed，butaffectednottounderstand；thenZoepinchedFanny，whichmeant\"Idon\'tchoosetoputhimonhisdefense；butIamdyingtohearifhehasanythingtosay。\"
ThereuponFannyobeyedthatsignificantpinch，andsaid，\"Mr。Severne，mycousinisnotawomanoftheworld；sheisacountrygirl，withold-fashionedromanticnotionsthatamanshouldbeabovetellingfibs。I
haveknownherlongerthanyou，andIseeshecan\'tunderstandyourpassingoffthegambling-tableforasickfriend。\"
\"Why，Ineverdid，\"saidhe，asboldasbrass。
\"Mr。Severne!\"
\"MissDover，mysickfriendwasat\'TheGoldenStar。\'That\'sasmallhotelinadifferentdirectionfromtheKursaal。Iwastherefromseveno\'clocktillnine。Youaskthewaiter，ifyoudon\'tbelieveme。\"
Fannygiggledatthisinadvertentspeech；butZoe\'sfeelingsweretoodeeplyengagedtoshootfunflying。\"Fanny\"criedshe，eagerly，\"Iheardhimtellthecoachmantodrivehimtothatveryplace，\'TheGoldenStar。\'\"
\"Really?\"saidFanny，mystified。
\"IndeedIdid，dear。Iremember\'TheGoldenStar\'distinctly。
\"Ladies，Iwastheretillnineo\'clock。ThenIstartedforthetheater。
UnfortunatelythetheaterisattachedtotheKursaal。IthoughtIwouldjustlookinforafewminutes。Infact，Idon\'tthinkIwastherehalfanhour。ButMissMaitlandisquiterightinonething。Ilostmorethantwohundredpounds，allthroughplayingonafalsesystem。Ofcourse，I
knowIhadnobusinesstogothereatall，whenImighthavebeenbyyourside。\"
\"AndheardLaKlosking。\"
\"Itwasdevilishbadtaste，andyoumaywellbesurprisedandoffended。\"
\"No，no；notatthat，\"saidZoe。
\"Buthangitall，don\'tmakeafellowworsethanheis!WhyshouldI
inventasickfriend?IsupposeIhavearighttogototheKursaalifI
choose。Atanyrate，Imeantogoto-morrowafternoon，andwinapotofmoney。Hindermewhocan。\"
Zoebeamedwithpleasure。\"Thatspitefuloldwoman!Iamashamedofmyself。Ofcourseyou_have。_Itbecomesamantosay_jeveux；_anditbecomesawomantoyield。Forgiveourunworthydoubts。WewillallgototheKursaalto-morrow。\"
Thereconciliationwascomplete；and，toaddtoZoe\'shappiness，shemadealittlediscovery。Rosacameintoseeifshewantedanything。That，youmustknow，wasRosa\'swayofsaying，\"Itisverylate。_I_\'mtired；sothesooner_you_gotobed，thebetter。\"AndZoewasbynaturesoconsideratethatsheoftenwenttobedmoreforRosa\'sconveniencethanherowninclination。
Butthistimeshesaid，sharply，\"Yes，Ido。Iwanttoknowwhohadmyfirelightedformeinthemiddleofsummer。\"
\"Why，squire，tobesure，\"saidRosa。
\"What——_my_brother!\"
