Dr。RhodaGaleneverreflectedmuchinthestreets；theyweretoherafieldofminuteobservation；but，whenshegothomeshesatdownandthoughtoverwhatshehadbeensayinganddoing，andpuzzledoverthecharacterofthemanwhohadrelievedherhungerandelicitedherautobiography。Shepassedhiminreview；settledinhermindthathewasastrongcharacter；amanlyman，whodidnotwastewords；wonderedalittleatthewayhehadmadeherdowhateverhepleased；blushedalittleatthethoughtofhavingbeensocommunicative；yetadmiredthemanforhavingdrawnheroutso；andwonderedwhethersheshouldseehimagain。Shehopedsheshould。Butshedidnotfeelsure。
Shesathalfanhourthus——withonekneeraisedalittle，andherhandsinterlaced——byafire-placewithaburned-outcoalinit；andby-and-byshefelthungryagain。Butshehadnofood，andnomoney。
Shelookedhardatherring，andprofitedalittlebycontactwiththesturdygoodsenseofVizard。
Shesaidtoherself，\"Menunderstandoneanother。Ibelievefatherwouldbeangrywithmefornot。\"
Thenshelookedtenderlyandwistfullyatthering，andkissedit，andmurmured，\"Notto-night。\"Youseeshehopedshemighthavealetterinthemorning，andsorespiteherring。
Thenshemadelightofit，andsaidtoherself，\"Nomatter；\'quidort，dine。\'\"
Butasitwasearlyforbed，andshecouldnotbelongidle，sippingnoknowledge，shetookupthelastgoodGermanworkthatshehadboughtwhenshehadmoney，andproceededtoread。Shehadnocandle，butshehadalucifer-matchortwo，andanoldnewspaper。Withthisshemadelongspills，andlightedone，andreadtwopagesbythatpapertorch，andlightedanotherbeforeitwasout，andthenanother，andsooninsuccession，fightingforknowledgeagainstpoverty，asshehadfoughtforitagainstperfidy。
Whileshewasthusabsorbed，acarriagedrewupatthedoor。Shetooknonoticeofthat；butpresentlytherewasarustlingofsilkonthestairs，andtwovoices，andthenatapatthedoor。\"Comein，\"saidshe；andZoeenteredjustasthelastspillburnedout。
RhodaGaleroseinadarkroom；butagas-lightoverthewayjustshowedherfigure。\"MissGale?\"saidZoe，timidly。
\"IamMissGale，\"saidRhoda，quietly，butfirmly。
\"IamMissVizard——thegentleman\'ssisterthatyoumetinLeicesterSquareto-day；\"andshetookacautioussteptowardher。
Rhoda\'scheeksburned。
\"MissVizard，\"shesaid，\"excusemyreceivingyouso；butyoumayhaveheardIamverypoor。Mylastcandleisgone。Butperhapsthelandladywouldlendmeone。Idon\'tknow。Sheisverydisobliging，andverycruel。\"
\"Thensheshallnothavethehonoroflendingyouacandle，\"saidZoe，withoneofhergushes。\"Now，totellthetruth，\"saidshe，alteringtothecheerful，\"I\'mratherglad。Iwouldrathertalktoyouinthedarkforalittle，justatfirst。MayI?\"BythistimeshehadgraduallycreptuptoRhoda。
\"Iamafraidyou_must，\"_saidRhoda。\"ButatleastIcanofferyouaseat。\"
Zoesatdown，andtherewasanawkwardsilence。
\"Oh，dear，\"saidZoe；\"Idon\'tknowhowtobegin。Iwishyouwouldgivemeyourhand，asIcan\'tseeyourface。\"
\"Withallmyheart:there。\"
(Almostinawhisper)\"Hehastoldme。\"
Rhodaputtheotherhandtoherface，thoughitwassodark。
\"Oh，MissGale，how_could_you?Onlythink!Supposeyouhadkilledyourself，ormadeyourselfveryill。Yourmotherwouldhavecomedirectlyandfoundyouso；andonlythinkhowunhappyyouwouldhavemadeher。\"
\"CanIhaveforgottenmymother?\"askedRhodaofherself，butaloud。
\"Notwillfully，Iamsure。Butyouknowgeniusesarenotalwayswiseintheselittlethings。Theywantsomegoodhumdrumsoultoadvisetheminthecommonaffairsoflife。Thatwantissuppliedyounow；for_I_amhere——ha-ha!\"
\"YouarenomorecommonplacethanIam；muchlessnow，I\'llbebound。\"
\"Wewillputthattothetest，\"saidZoe，adroitlyenough。_\"My_viewofallthisis——thathereisayoungladyinwantofmoney_foratime，_aseverybodyisnowandthen，andthatthesensiblecourseistoborrowsometillyourmothercomesoverwithherapronfulofdollars。Now，Ihavetwentypoundstolend，and，ifyouaresomightysensibleasyousay，youwon\'trefusetoborrowit。\"
\"Oh，MissVizard，youareverygood；butIamafraidandashamedtoborrow。Ineverdidsuchathing。\"
\"Timeyoubegan，then。_I_have——often。Butitisnousearguing。You_must——_oryouwillgetpoormefinelyscolded。Perhapshewasonhisgoodbehaviorwithyou，beingastranger；butathometheyexpecttobeobeyed。Hewillbesuretosayitwasmystupidity，andthat_he_wouldhavemadeyoudirectly。\"
\"Dotell!\"criedRhoda，surprisedintoanidiom；\"asifI\'dhavetakenmoneyfrom_him!\"_
\"Why，ofcoursenot；butbetween_us_itisnothingatall。There:\"andsheputthemoneyintoRhoda\'shand，andthenheldbothhandandmoneyrathertightlyimprisonedinherlargerpalm，andbegantochatter，soastoleavetheothernoopening。\"Oh，blesseddarkness!howeasyitmakesthings!doesitnot?Iamgladtherewasnocandle；weshouldhavebeenfencingandblushingeversolong，andmadesuchafussaboutnothing——and——\"
ThisprattlewasinterruptedbyRhodaGaleputtingherrightwristroundZoe\'sneck，andlayingherforeheadonhershoulderwithalittlesob。Sothentheybothdistilledtheinevitabledew-drops。
ButasRhodawasnotmuchgiventhatway，shestartedup，andsaid，\"Darkness?No；Imustseethefacethathascomeheretohelpme，andnothumiliateme。ThatisthefirstuseI\'llmakeofthemoney。Iamafraidyouareratherplain，oryoucouldn\'tbesogoodasallthis。\"
\"No，\"saidZoe。\"I\'mnotreckonedplain；onlyasblackasacoal。\"
\"Allthemoretomytaste，\"saidRhoda，andflewoutoftheroom，andnearlystumbledoverafigureseatedonastepofthestaircase。\"Whoareyou?\"saidshe，sharply。
\"MynameisSeverne。\"
\"Andwhatareyoudoingthere?\"
\"WaitingforMissVizard。\"
\"Comein，then。\"
\"Shetoldmenot。\"
\"ThenItellyou_to。_Theidea!MissVizard!\"
\"Yes!\"
\"PleasehaveMr。Severnein。Hereheissitting——likeGrief——onthesteps。Iwillsoonbeback。\"
Sheflewtothelandlady。\"Mrs。Grip，Iwantacandle。\"
\"Well，theshopsareopen，\"saidthewoman，rudely。
\"Oh，Ihavenotime。Hereisasovereign。Pleasegivemetwocandlesdirectly，candlesticksandall。\"
Thewoman\'smannerchangeddirectly。
\"Youshallhavethemthismoment，miss，andmyowncandlesticks，whichtheyareplated。\"
Shebroughtthem，andadvisedheronlytolightone。\"Theydon\'tcarrywell，miss，\"saidshe。\"Theyarewax——orsummat。\"
\"Thentheyaresummat，\"saidMissGale，afterasingleglanceattheircomposition。
\"I\'llmakeyouanicehotsupper，miss，inhalfanhour，\"saidthewoman，maternally，asifsheweregoingto_give_ither。
\"No，thankyou。Bringmeatwo-pennyloaf，andascuttleofcoals。\"
\"La，miss，nomorethanthat——outofasov\'?\"
\"Yes——THECHANGE。\"
HavingshownMrs。GripherfatherwasaYankee，shedartedupstairs，withhercandles。Zoecametomeether，andliterallydazzledher。
Rhodastaredatherwithamazementandgrowingrapture。\"Oh，youbeauty!\"
shecried，anddrankherinfromheadtofoot。
\"Well，\"saidshe，drawingalongbreath，\"Nature，youhaveturnedouta_com-_pletearticlethistime，Ireckon。\"Then，asSevernelaughedmerrilyatthis，sheturnedhercandleandhereyesfullonhimverybriskly。Shelookedathimforamoment，withagratifiedeyeathiscomeliness；thenshestarted。\"Oh!\"shecried。
Hereceivedtheinspectionmerrily，tillsheutteredthatejaculation，thenhestartedalittle，andstaredather。
\"Wehavemetbefore，\"saidshe，almosttenderly。
\"Havewe?\"saidhe，puttingonamystifiedair。
Shefixedhim，andlookedhimthroughandthrough。
\"You——don\'t——remember——me?\"askedshe。Then，aftergivinghimplentyoftimetoanswer，\"Well，then，Imustbemistaken；\"andherwordsseemedtofreezethemselvesandherastheyfell。
Sheturnedherbackonhim，andsaidtoZoe，withagooddealofsweetnessandweight，\"Ihavelivedtoseegoodnessandbeautyunited。I
willneverdespairofhumannature。\"
ThiswastoopointblankforZoe；sheblushedcrimson，andsaidarchly，\"I
thinkitistimeformetorun。Oh，butIforgot；hereismycard。Weareallatthathotel。IfIamsoveryattractive，youwillcomeandseeme——weleavetownverysoon——willyou?\"
\"Iwill，\"saidRhoda。
\"Andsinceyoutookmeforanoldacquaintance，Ihopeyouwilltreatmeasone，\"saidSeverne，withconsummategraceandassurance。
\"Iwill，_sir，\"_saidshe，icily，andwithamarvelouscurlofthelipthatdidnotescapehim。
Shelightedthemdownthestairs，gazedafterZoe，andignoredSevernealtogether。
CHAPTERXV。
GOINGhomeinthecarriage，Zoewassilent，butSevernetalkednineteentothedozen。Hadhisobjectbeentohinderhiscompanion\'smindfromdwellingtoolongononething，hecouldnothaverattledthediceofsmalltalkmoreindustriously。Hiswordswouldfillpages；histopicswere，thatMissGalewasanextraordinarywoman，buttoomasculineforhistaste，andhadmadeherowntroublessettingupdoctress，whenhertruelinewasgoverness——forboys。Hewasalsoglibandsatiricaluponthatfavoritebutt，afriend。
\"Whobuta_soi-disant_woman-haterwouldpickupastrangeviragoandsendhissistertoherwithtwentypounds?I\'lltellyouwhatitis，MissVizard——\"
HereMissVizard，whohadsatdeadsilentunderaflowofwords，whichismerelyindicatedabove，laidherhandonhisarmtostopthefluxforamoment，andsaid，quietly，_\"Do_youknowher?tellme。\"
\"Knowher!HowshouldI?\"
\"Ithoughtyoumighthavemether——abroad。\"
\"Well，itispossible，ofcourse，butveryunlikely。IfIdid，Ineverspoketoher，orIshouldhaverememberedher。_Don\'tyouthinkso?\"_
\"Sheseemedverypositive；andIthinksheisanaccurateperson。Sheseemedquitesurprisedandmortifiedwhenyousaid\'No。\'\"
\"Well，youknow，ofcourseitisamortifyingthingwhenaladyclaimsagentleman\'sacquaintance，andthegentlemandoesn\'tadmitit。ButwhatcouldIdo?Icouldn\'ttellalieaboutit——couldI?\"
\"Ofcoursenot。\"
\"Iwasoffmyguard，andrudish；butyouwerenot。Whattact!whatdelicacy!whathighbreedingandangelicbenevolence!Andsoclever，too!\"
\"Oh，fie!youlistened!\"
\"Youleftthedoorajar，andIcouldnotbeartoloseawordthatdroppedfromthoselipssonearme。Yes，Ilistened，andgotsuchalessonasonlyanoble，gentleladycouldgive。Ishallneverforgetyourwomanlyart，andthewayyoucontrivedtomakethebenefactionsoundnothing。\'Weareallofusatlowwaterinturns，andforatime，especiallyme，ZoeVizard；sohere\'satriflingloan。\'Aloan!you\'llneverseeashillingofitagain!Nomatter。Whatdoangelswantofmoney?\"
\"Oh，pray，\"saidZoe，\"youmakemeblush!\"
\"ThenIwishtherewasmorelighttoseeit——yes，anangel。DoyouthinkIcan\'tseeyouhavedoneallthisforaladyyoudonotreallyapprove?
Fancy——ashedoctor!\"
\"Mydearfriend，\"saidZoe，withalittlejuvenilepomposity，\"oneoughtnottojudgeone\'sintellectualsuperiorshastily，andthisladyisours\"——then，glidingbacktoherself，\"anditismynaturetoapprovewhatthoseIloveapprove——whenitisnotdownrightwrong，youknow。\"
\"Oh，ofcourseitisnotwrong；butisitwise?\"
Zoedidnotanswer:thequestionpuzzledher。
\"Come，\"saidhe，\"I\'llbefrank，andspeakoutintime。Idon\'tthinkyouknowyourbrotherHarrington。Heisveryinflammable。\"
\"Inflammable!What!Harrington?Well，yes；forI\'veseensmokeissuefromhismouth——ha!ha!\"
\"Ha!ha!I\'llpassthatoffformine，somedaywhenyouarenotby。But，seriously，yourbrotheristheverymantomakeafoolofhimselfwithacertainkindofwoman。Hedespisesthewholesex——intheory，andheisveryharduponordinarywomen，anddoesnotappreciatetheirgoodqualities。But，whenhemeetsaremarkablewoman，hecatchesfireliketow。HefellinlovewithMademoiselleKlosking。\"
\"Oh，notinlove!\"
\"Ibegyourpardon。Now，thisisbetweenyouandme——hewasinlovewithher，madlyinlove。Hewasonlysavedbyourcomingaway。Ifthosetwohadmetandmadeacquaintance，hewouldhavebeenathermercy。Idon\'tsayanyharmwouldhavecomeofit；butIdosaythatwouldhavedependedonthewoman，andnotontheman。\"
Zoelookedveryserious，andsaidnothing。Butherlongsilenceshowedhimhiswordshadtold。
\"Andnow，\"saidhe，afterajudiciouspause，\"hereisanotherremarkablewoman；thelastintheworldIshouldfancy，orVizardeither，perhaps，ifhemetherinsociety。Butthewholethingoccursinthewaytocatchhim。Hefindsaladyfaintingwithhunger；hefeedsher；andthatsoftenshishearttoher。Thenshetellshimtheoldstory——victimoftheworld\'sinjustice——andheisdeeplyinterestedinher。Shecanseethat；sheisaskeenasarazor。Ifthosetwomeetafewmoretimes，hewillbeathermercy；andthenwon\'tshethrowphysictothedogs，andjumpatahusbandsixfeethigh，andtwelvethousandacres!Idon\'tstudywomenwithamicroscope，asourwoman-haterdoes，butInoticeafewthingsaboutthem；andoneis，thattheireccentricitiesallgivewayatthefirstofferofmarriage。Ibelievetheyareonlyadoptedindesperation，togetmarried。Whatbeautifulwomanisevereccentric?catchher!shecangetahusbandwithout。ThatdoctresswillprescribeHarringtonawedding-ring；
and，ifheswallowsit，itwillbeherlastprescription。Shewillsendoutforthefamilydoctorafterthat，likeotherwives。\"
\"Youalarmme，\"saidZoe。\"Praydonotmakemeunjust。Thisisaladywithafinemind，and，notadesigningwoman。\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tsayshehaslaidanyplans；butthesethingsarealwaysextemporizedthemomentthechancecomes。Youcancountbeforehandontheinstinctofeverywomanwhoiscleverandneedy，andonVizard\'speculiarweaknessforwomenoutofthecommon。Heisharduponthewholesex；butheisnomatchforindividuals。Heownedasmuchhimselftomeoneday。
Youarenotangrywithme!\"
\"No，no。Angrywith_you?\"_
\"ItisyouIthinkofinallthis。Heisafinefellow，andyouareproudofhim。Iwouldn\'thavehimmarrytomortifyyou。Formyself，whilethesisterhonorsmewithherregard，Ireallydon\'tmuchcarewhohasthebrotherandtheacres。Ihavethebestofthebargain。\"
Zoedisputedthis——inordertomakehimsayitseveraltimes。
Hedid，andproveditintermsthatmadehercheeksredwithmodestyandgratifiedpride；andbythetimetheyhadgothome，hehadflatteredeverythingbutpride，love，andhappinessoutofherheart，poorgirl。
TheworldisliketheLaw，fullofimpliedcontracts:wegiveandtake，withoutopenlyagreeingto。SubtleSevernecountedonthis，andwasnotdisappointed。Zoerewardedhimforhispraises，andherhappiness，byfallingintohisviewsaboutRhodaGale。Onlyshediditinherownlady-likeway，andnotplump。
ShecameuptoHarringtonandkissedhim，andsaid，\"Thankyou，dear，forsendingmeonagooderrand。Ifoundherinaverymeanapartment，withoutfireorcandle。\"
\"Ithoughtasmuch，\"saidVizard。
\"Didshetakethemoney?\"
\"Yes——asaloan。\"
\"Makeanydifficulties?\"
\"Alittle，dear。\"
Severneputinhisword。\"Now，ifyouwanttoknowallthetactanddelicacywithwhichitwasdone，youmustcometome；forMissVizardisnotgoingtogiveyouanyideaofit。\"
\"Bequiet，sir，orIshallbeveryangry。Ilentherthemoney，dear，andhertroublesareatanend；forhermotherwillcertainlyjoinherbeforeshehasspentyourtwentypounds。Oh!andshehadnotpartedwithherring；thatisacomfort，isitnot?\"
\"Youareagood-heartedgirl，Zoe，\"saidVizard，approvingly；then，recoveringhimself，\"Butdon\'tyoubeblindedbysentiment。Shedeservesagoodhidingfornotpartingwithherring。Whereisthesenseofstarving，withthirtypoundsonyourfinger?\"
Zoesmiled，andsaidhiswordswereharderthanhisdeeds。
\"Becausehedoesn\'tmeanawordhesays，\"putinFannyDover，uneasyatthelongcessationofhertongue，forallconversationwithDonCigarhadprovedimpracticable。
\"Areyoutherestill，myLadyDisdain?\"saidVizard。\"Ithoughtyouweregonetobed。\"
\"Youmightwellthinkthat。Ihadnothingtokeepmeup。\"
SaidZoe，rathersmartly，\"Oh，yes，youhad——Curiosity；\"then，turningtoherbrother，\"Inshort，youmakeyourmindquiteeasy。Youhavelentyourmoney，orgivenit，toaworthyperson，butalittlewrong-headed。
However\"——withatelegraphicglanceatSeverne——\"sheisveryaccomplished；alinguist:sheneedneverbeinwant；andshewillsoonhavehermothertohelpherandadviseher。PerhapsMrs。Galehasanincome；ifnot，MissGale，withherabilities，willeasilyfindaplaceinsomehouseofbusiness，orelsetaketoteaching。IfIwasthem，I
wouldsetupaschool。\"
Unanimityisrareinthisworld；butZoe\'sgoodsensecarriedeveryvote。
Herprompter，Severne，noddedapproval。Fannysaid，\"Why，ofcourse；\"andVizard，whoitwasfearedmightproverefractory，assentedevenmorewarmlythantheothers。\"Yes，\"saidhe，\"thatwillbetheendofit。Yourelievemeofaweight。Really，whenshetoldmethatfableoflearningmaltreated，honorableambitionpunished，justicebaffledbytrickery，andvirtuevilified，anddidnotcryliketherestofyou，exceptatherfatherdyinginNewYorkthedayshewonherdiplomaatMontpelier，I
forgavethepoorgirlherpetticoats；indeed，Ilostsightofthem。Sheseemedtomeaverybravelittlefellow，damnablyillused，andIsaid，\'Thisisnottobeborne。Hereisafight，andjusticedownunderdirtyfeet。\'What，ho!\"(roaringatthetopofhisvoice)。
_ZoeandFanny_(screaming，andpinchingNedSevernerightandleft)。
\"Ah!ah!\"
\"Vizardtotherescue!\"
\"But，withtheevening，coolreflectioncame。Asister，youthful，butsuddenlysagacious(withagleamofsuspicion)，verysuddenlyhasstilledthewavesofromance，andthelipsofbeautyhaveutteredcommonsense。
Shalltheyutteritinvain?Never!Itmaybeyearsbeforetheydoitagain。Wemustnotslightrarephenomena。Zoe_locutaest——_Eccentricitymustbesuppressed。Doctresses，warnedbyalittlestarvation，musttaketheworldasitis，andteachlittlegirlsandboyslanguages，andphysicthemwitharithmeticandtheglobes:thesebedrugsthatdonotkill；
theyonlymakelifeaburden。Idon\'tthinkwehavelaidoutourtwentypoundsbadly，Zoe，andthereisanendofit。Theincidentisemptied，astheFrenchsay，and(lightingbed-candles)theladiesretirewiththehonorsofwar。Zoehasutteredgoodsense，andMissDoverhasdonethenextbestthing；shehassaidverylittle——\"
MissDovershotincontemptuously，\"Ihadnocompanion——\"——
\"Forwantofafooltospeakhermindto。\"
CHAPTERXVI。
INGENIOUSMr。SevernehavingdonehisbesttodetachthepoordoctressfromVizardandhisfamily，inwhichthereaderprobablydiscernshistruemotive，nowbenthismindonslippingbacktoHomburgandlookingafterhismoney。Notthathelikedthejob。Togetholdofit，heknewhemustcondenserascality；hemustplaythepenitent，thelover，andthescoundreloveragain，allinthreedays。
Now，thoughhisegotismwasbrutal，hewashumaninthis，thathehadplentyofgoodnatureskin-deep，andsuperficialsensibilities，whichmadehimshrinkalittlefromthishot-pressedrascalityandbarbarity。
Ontheotherhand，hewasurgedbypoverty，and，laughableasitmayappear，byjealousy。Hehadobservedthatthebestofwomen，iftheyarenotonlyabandonedbyhimtheylove，butalsoflatteredandadoredbyscores，willsometimesyieldtothejointattacksofdesolation，pique，vanity，etc。
Inthisstateoffluctuationhemadeuphismindsofarasthis:hewouldmanagesoastobeabletogo。
Eventhisdemandedcaution。Sohebeganbythrowingout，inaseemingcarelessway，thatheoughttogodownintoHuntingdonshire。
\"Ofcourseyouought，\"saidVizard。
Noobjectionwastaken，andtheyratherthoughthewouldgonextday。Butthatwasnothisgame。ItwouldneverdotogowhiletheywereinLondon。
Sohekeptpostponing，andsayinghewouldnottearhimselfaway；andatlast，thedaybeforetheyweretogodowntoBarfordshire，heaffectedtoyieldtoaremonstranceofVizard，andsaidhewouldseethemoff，andthenrundowntoHuntingdonshire，lookintohisaffairs，andcrossthecountrytoBarfordshire。
\"YoumighttakeHomburgontheway，\"saidFanny，outoffun——_her_
fun——notreallymeaningit。
SevernecastapiteouslookatZoe。\"Forshame，Fanny!\"saidshe。\"AndwhyputHomburgintohishead?\"
\"WhenIhadforgottentherewassuchaplace，\"saidMr。Severne，takinghiscuedexterouslyfromZoe，andfeigninginnocentamazement。Zoecoloredwithpleasure。Thiswasatbreakfast。Atafternoonteasomethinghappened。Theladieswereupstairspacking，anoperationonwhichtheycanbestowasmanyhoursasthethingneedsminutes。Oneservantbroughtinthetea；anothercameinsoonafterwithacard，andsaiditwasforMissVizard；buthebroughtittoHarrington。Hereadit:
\"MISSRHODAGALE，M。D。\"
\"SendituptoMissVizard，\"saidhe。Themanwasgoingout:hestoppedhim，andsaid，\"Youcanshowtheladyinhere，allthesame。\"
RhodaGalewasusheredin。Shehadanewgownandbonnet，notshowy，butverynice。Shecoloredfaintlyatsightofthetwogentlemen；butVizardsoonputheratherease。Heshookhandswithher，andsaid，\"Sitdown，MissGale；mysisterwillsoonbehere。Ihavesentyourcarduptoher。\"
\"ShallItellher?\"saidSeverne，withthemannerofoneeagertobeagreeabletothevisitor。
\"Ifyouplease，sir，\"saidMissGale。
Severnewentoutzealously，darteduptoZoe\'sroom，knocked，andsaid，\"Praycomedown:hereisthatdoctress。\"
Meantime，JackwasgivingGillthecard，andGillwasgivingitMarytogivetothelady。ItgottoZoe\'sroominaquarterofanhour。
\"Anynewsfrommamma?\"askedVizard，inhisbluntway。
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Goodnews?\"
\"No。MymotherwritesmethatImustnotexpecther。Shehastofightwithadishonestexecutor。Oh，money，money!\"
AtthatmomentZoeenteredtheroom，butSevernepacedthelanding。HedidnotcaretofaceMissGale；andeveninthatshortintervaloftimehehadpersuadedZoetoprotectherbrotheragainstthisformidableyounglady，andshortentheinterviewifshecould。
SoZoeenteredtheroombristlingwithdefenseofherbrother。Atsightofher，MissGalerose，andherfeaturesliterallyshonewithpleasure。
ThiswasratherdisarmingtoonesoamiableasZoe，andshewassurprisedintosmilingsweetlyinreturn；butstillherquick，defensiveeyedrankMissGaleonthespot，andsaw，withalarm，theimprovementinherappearance。Shewasveryhealthy，asindeedshedeservedtobe；forshewassingularlytemperate，dranknothingbutwaterandweakteawithoutsugar，andnevereatnordrankexceptathonestmeals。Heryouthandpureconstitutionhadshakenoffallthatpallor，andthepleasureofseeingZoelentheralovelycolor。Zoemicroscopedherinonemoment:notonebeautifulfeatureinherwholeface；eyesfullofintellect，butnotintheleastlove-darting；nose，anaquilinesteadilyreversed；mouth，vastlyexpressive，butlarge；teeth，evenandwhite，butivory，notpearl；chin，ordinary；headsymmetrical，andsetonwithgrace。Imayadd，tocompletethepicture，thatshehadawayofturningthishead，clean，swift，andbirdlike，withoutturningherbody。Thatfamiliaractionofherswasfine——sofulloffireandintelligence。
Zoesettledinonemomentthatshewasdownrightplain，butmightprobablybethatmysteriousandincomprehensibleanddangerouscreature，\"agentleman\'sbeauty，\"which，towomen，meansnobeautyatall，butawitch-likecreature，thatgoesandhitsfoul，andeclipsesrealbeauty——dolls，towit——bysomemysteriousmagic。
\"Praysitdown，\"saidZoe，formally。Rhodasatdown，andhesitatedamoment。Shefeltafrost。
Vizardhelpedher，\"MissGalehasheardfromhermother。\"
\"Yes，MissVizard，\"saidRhoda，timidly；\"andverybadnews。Shecannotcomeatpresent；andIamsodistressedatwhatIhavedoneinborrowingthatmoneyofyou；andsee，Ihavespentnearlythreepoundsofitindress；butIhavebroughttherestback。\"
Zoelookedatherbrother，perplexed。
\"Stuffandnonsense!\"saidVizard。\"Youwillnottakeit，Zoe。\"
\"Oh，yes；ifyouplease，do，\"saidRhodastilltoZoe。\"WhenIborrowedit，IfeltsureIcouldrepayit；butitisnotsonow。Mymothersaysitmaybemonthsbeforeshecancome，andsheforbidsmepositivelytogotoher。Oh!butforthat，I\'dputonboy\'sclothes，andgoasacommonsailortogettoher。\"
Vizardfidgetedonhischair。
\"IsupposeImustn\'tgoinapassion，\"saidhe，dryly。
\"Whocares?\"saidMissGale，turningherheadsharplyonhiminthewayI
havetriedtodescribe。
\"Icare，\"saidVizard。\"Ifindwrathinterferewithmydigestion。Pleasegoon，andtelluswhatyourmothersays。ShehasmorecommonsensethansomebodyelseIwon\'tname——politenessforbids。\"
\"Well，whodoubtsthat?\"saidthelady，withfrankgoodhumor。\"Ofcourseshehasmoresensethananyofus。Well，mymothersays——oh，MissVizard!\"
\"No，shedoesn\'tnow。SheneverheardthenameofVizard。\"
MissGalewasinnohumorforfeeblejokes。SheturnedhalfangrilyawayfromhimtoZoe。\"ShesaysIhavebeenwelleducated，andknowlanguages；
andwearebothunderacloud，andIhadbettergiveupallthoughtofmedicine，andtaketoteaching。\"
\"Well，MissGale，\"saidZoe，\"ifyouask_me，_ImustsayIthinkitisgoodadvice。Withallyourgifts，howcanyoufighttheworld?Weareallinterestedinyouhere；anditisacuriousthing，butdoyouknowweagreedtheotherdayyouwouldhavetogiveupmedicine，andfallintosomeoccupationinwhichtherearemanyladiesalreadytokeepyouincountenance。Teachingwasmentioned，Ithink；wasitnot，Harrington?\"
RhodaGalesigheddeeply。
\"Iamnotsurprised，\"saidshe。\"Mostwomenoftheworldthinkwithyou。
Butoh，MissVizard，pleasetakeintoaccountallthatIhavedoneandsufferedformedicine!Isallthattogofor_nothing?_Thinkwhatabitterthingitmustbetodo，andthentoundo；tolaborandstudy，andthenknockitalldown——tocutasliceoutofone\'slife，outoftheveryheartofit——andthrowitcleanaway。Iknowitishardforyoutoenterintothefeelingsofanyonewholovesscience，andistoldtodesertit。
Butsupposeyouhadloveda_man_youwereproudof——lovedhimforfiveyears——andthentheycametoyouandsaid，\'Therearedifficultiesintheway；heisasworthyasever，andhewillneverdesert_you；_butyoumustgive_him_up，andtryandgetatasteforhumanrubbish:itwillonlybefiveyearsofwastedlife，wastedyouth，wastedseed-time，wastedaffection，andthenalongvegetablelifeofunavailingregrets。\'Ilovescienceasotherwomenlovemen。IfIamtogiveupscience，whynotdie?
ThenIshallnotfeelmyloss；andIknowhowtodiewithoutpain。Oh，theworldiscruel!Ah!Iamtoounfortunate!Everybodyelseisrewardedforpatience，prudence，temperance，industry，andalifewithhighandalmostholyaims；butIampunished，afflicted，crushedundertheinjusticeoftheday。Donotmakemeanurse-maid。I_won\'t_beagoverness；andImustnotdie，becausethatwouldgrievemymother。Havepityonme!havepity!\"
Shetrembledallover，andstretchedoutherhandstoZoewithtrulytouchingsupplication。
Zoeforgotherpart，orlostthepowertoplayitwell。Sheturnedherheadawayandwouldnotassent；buttwolargetearsrolledoutofherbeautifuleyes。MissGale，whohadrisenintheardorofherappeal，sawthat，anditsetheroff。Sheleanedherbrowagainstthemantel-piece，notlikeawoman，butabraveboy，thatdoesnotwanttobeseencrying，andshefalteredout，\"InFranceIamalearnedphysician；andheretobeahouse-maid!ForIwon\'tliveonborrowedmoney。Iamveryunfortunate。\"
Severne，whohadlostpatience，cameswiftlyin，andfoundtheminthisposition，andVizardwalkingimpatientlyabouttheroominastateofemotionwhichhewaspleasedtocallanger。
Zoe，inatearfulvoice，said，\"Iamunabletoadviseyou。Itisveryhardthatanyonesodeservingshouldbedegraded。\"
Vizardburstout，\"Itishardertheworldshouldbesofullofconventionalsneaks；andthatIwasnearmakingoneofthem。Thelastthingweeverthinkof，inthispaltryworld，isjustice，anditoughttobethefirst。Well，foronceI\'vegotthepowertobejust，andjustI\'llbe，byGod!Come，leaveoffsniveling，youtwo，andtakealessoninjustice——fromabeginner:convertsarealwaysthehottest，youknow。MissGale，youshallnotbedrivenoutofscience，andyourlifeandlaborwasted。YoushalldoctorBarfordshire，andteachitEnglish，too，ifanywomancan。Thisistheprogramme。Ifarmtwohundredacres——_vicariously，_ofcourse。NobodyinEnglandhasbrainstodoanything_himself。_Thatweaknessisconfinedtoyourlatefather\'scountry，andtheysufferforitbyoutfighting，outlying，outmaneuvering，outbullying，andoutwittinguswheneverweencounterthem。Well，thefarmhouseislarge。Thebailiffhasnochildren。Thereisawingfurnished，andnotoccupied。Youshalllivethere，withtherightofcuttingvegetables，roastingchickens，suckingeggs，andridingacoupleofhorsesofftheirlegs。\"
\"ButwhatamItodoforallthat?\"
\"Oh，onlytheworkoftwomen。Youmustkeepmyhouseinperfecthealth。
Theservantshaveatrickofeatingtilltheyburst。Youwillhavetosewthemupagain。Thereareonlysevenhundredpeopleinthevillage。Youmustcurethemall；and，ifyoudo，Ipromiseyoutheirlastingingratitude。Outsidethevillage，youmustmakethempay——_ifyoucan。_
Wewillfindyoupatientsofeverydegree。Butwhetheryouwillevergetanyfeesoutofthem，thisdeponentsayethnot。However，Icananswerforthe_ladies_ofourcounty，thattheywillallcheatyou——iftheycan。\"
MissGale\'scolorcameandwent，andhereyessparkled。\"Oh，howgoodyouare!Isthereahospital?\"
\"Countyhospital，andinfirmary，withinthreemiles。Finecountryfordisease。Intoxicationprevalent，leadingtoabountifulreturnofaccidents。Ipromiseyouwounds，bruises，andputrefyingsores，andeverythingtomakeyoucomfortable。\"
\"Oh，don\'tlaughatme。IamsoafraidIshall——no，IhopeIshallnotdisgraceyou。And，then，itisagainstthelaw；butIdon\'tmindthat。\"
\"Ofcoursenot。Whatisthelawtoladieswithelevatedviews?By-the-by，whatisthepenalty——sixmonths?\"
\"Oh，no。Twentypounds。Oh，dear!anothertwentypounds!\"
\"Makeyourmindeasy。Unjustlawsareadeadletteronasoilsoprimitiveasours。IshalltalktoUxmoorandafewmore，andnomagistratewilleversummonsyou，norjuryconvictyou，inBarfordshire。
YouwillbeassafethereasinUpperCanada。Nowthen——attend。WeleaveforBarfordshireto-morrow。Youwillgodownonthefirstofnextmonth。
Bythattimeallwillbeready:startforTaddington，eleveno\'clock。YouwillbemetattheTaddingtonStation，andtakentoyourfarmhouse。Youwillfindafiretendaysold，and，foronceinyourlife，younglady，youwillfindanairedbed；becausemymanHarriswillbehouse-maid，andnotletoneofyourhomicidalsexsetfootinthecrib。\"
MissGalelookedfromVizardtohissister，likeapersoninadream。Shewasglowingwithhappiness；butitdidnotspoilher。Shesaid，humblyandtimidly，\"IhopeImayproveworthy。\"
\"Thatis_your_business，\"saidVizard，withsupremeindifference；\"mineistobejust。Haveacupoftea?\"
\"Oh，no，thankyou；anditwillbeapartofmydutytoobjecttoafternoontea。ButIamafraidnoneofyouwillmindme。\"
Afterafewmorewords，inwhichSeverne，seeingVizardwasinoneofhisironmoods，andimmovableashimofRhodes，affectednowtobeapartisanofthenewarrangement，MissGalerosetoretire。Severneranbeforehertothedoor，andopenedit，astoaqueen。Shebowedformallytohimasshewentout。Whenshewasontheothersidethedoor，sheturnedherheadinhersharp，fieryway，andpointedwithherfingertotheemeraldringonhislittlefinger，averyfineone。\"Changedhands，\"saidshe:
\"itwasonthethirdfingerofyourlefthandwhenwemetlast；\"andshepasseddownthestairswithafacehalfturnedtohim，andacruelsmile。
Severnestoodfixed，lookingafterher；coldcreptamonghisbones:hewasrousedbyavoiceabovehimsaying，veryinquisitively，\"Whatdoesshesay?\"Helookedup，anditwasFannyDoverleaningoverthebalustersofthenextlanding。Shehadevidentlyseenall，andheardsome。Severnehadnomeansofknowinghowmuch。Hisheartbeatrapidly。Yethetoldher，boldly，thatthedoctresshadadmiredhisemeraldring:asiftogivegreaterforcetothisexplanation，hetookitoff，andshowedither，veryamicably。Hecalculatedthatshecouldhardly，atthatdistance，haveheardeverysyllable，and，atthesametime，hewassureshehadseenMissGalepointatthering。
\"Hum!\"saidFanny；andthatwasallshesaid。
Severnewenttohisownroomtothink。Hewasalmostdizzy。HedreadedthisRhodaGale。Shewasincomprehensible，andheldaswordoverhishead。Tonguesgofastinthecountry。AttheideaofthiskeengirlandZoeVizardsittingunderatreefortwohours，withnothingtodobuttalk，hisbloodrancold。SurelyMissGalemusthatehim。Shewouldnotalwayssparehim。Foroncehecouldnotseehiswayclear。Shouldhetellherhalfthetruth，andthrowhimselfonhermercy?Shouldhemakelovetoher?Orwhatshouldhedo?Onethinghesawclearenough:hemustnotquitthefield。Soonerorlater，allwoulddependonhispresence，histact，andhisreadywit。
Hefeltlikeamanwhocouldnotswim，andwadesindeepeningwater。HemustsendsomebodytoHomburg，orabandonallthoughtofhismoney。Whyabandonit?WhynotreturntoInaKlosking?Hisjudgment，alarmedattheaccumulatingdifficulties，begantointrudeitsvoice。Whatwasheturninghisbackon?Awoman，lovely，loving，andcelebrated，whowasverylikelypiningforhim，andwouldshare，notonlyherwinningsatplaywithhim，butthelargeincomeshewouldmakebyhertalent。Whatwashefollowing?Awomandivinelylovelyandgood，butwhomhecouldnotpossess，or，ifhedid，couldnotholdherlong，andwhoselovemustendinhorror。
