\"Thensupposeyouimitateme，andtellmewhyyoucametomeetme?\"
Thisquestioncamefromherwithsuddencelerity，likelightningoutofacloud，andshebenthereyesonhimwiththatprodigiouskeennessshecouldthrowintothosesteelgrayorbs，whenhermindputonitsfullpowerofobservation。
Severnecoloredalittle，andhesitated。
\"Comenow，\"saidthiskeenwitch，\"don\'twaittomakeupareason。Tellthetruthforonce——quick!——quick!——whydid_you_cometomeet_me?\"_
\"Ididn\'tcometobebullied，\"repliedsuppleSeverne，affectingsullenness。
\"Youdidn\'t!\"criedtheother，actingvastsurprise。\"Thenwhat_did_youcomefor?\"
\"Idon\'tknow；andIwishIhadn\'tcome。\"
\"ThatIbelieve。\"Rhodashotthisinlikeanarrow。
\"But，\"continuedSeverne，\"ifIhadn\'t，nobodywould；foritisVizard\'sjusticingday，andtheladiesaretootakenupwithalordtocomeandmeetsuchvulgartriflesasgeniusandlearningandsci——\"
\"Come，come!\"saidRhoda，contemptuously；\"youcareaslittleaboutscienceandlearningandgeniusasIpossessthem。Youwon\'ttellme?
Well，Ishallfindyouout。\"Then，afterapause，\"Whoisthislord?\"
\"LordUxmoor。\"
\"Whatkindofalordishe?\"
\"Averybushylord。\"
\"Bushy?——oh，beardedlikethepard!Nowtellme，\"saidshe，\"ishecuttingyououtwithMissVizard?\"
\"Youshalljudgeforyourself。Pleasesparemeonthatonetopic——ifyoueversparedanybodyinyourlife。\"
\"Oh，dearme!\"saidRhoda，coolly。\"I\'mnotsoverycruel。I\'monlyalittlevindictiveandcat-like。Ifpeopleoffendme，Iliketoplaywiththemabit，andamusemyself，andthenkillthem——killthem——killthem；
thatisall。\"
Thisprettylittlerevelationofcharacterwasaccompaniedwithacruelsmilethatshowedalongrowofdazzlingwhiteteeth。Theyseemedcapableofkillinganythingfromaliaruptoahickory-nut。
Severnelookedatherandgaveashudder。\"ThenHeavenforbidyoushouldeverbemyenemy!\"saidhe，sadly，\"forIamunhappyenoughalready。\"
Havingdeliveredthisdisarmingspeech，hecollapsed，andseemedtobeoverpoweredwithdespondency。MissGaleshowednosignsofmelting。Sheleanedbackandeyedhimwithsteadyandcomposedcuriosity，asazoologiststudyinganewspecimenandallitslittlemovements。
TheydroveuptotheHalldoor，andMissGalewasconductedtothedrawing-room，whereshefoundLordUxmoorandthetwoyoungladies。Zoeshookhandswithher。Fannyputalimppawintohers，whichmadeitselfequallylimpdirectly，soFanny\'sdroppedout。LordUxmoorwaspresentedtoher，athisownrequest。Soonafterthisluncheonwasannounced。
Vizardjoinedthem，welcomedRhodagenially，andtoldthepartyhehadorderedthebreak，andUxmoorwoulddrivethemtothefarmroundbyHillstokeandtheCommon。\"Andso，\"saidhe，\"byshowingMissGaleourmostpicturesquespotatonce，wemayperhapsblindhertothehorrorsofhersituation——foratime。\"
Thebreakwasdrivenroundinduecourse，withUxmoor\'steamharnessedtoit。Itwasfollowedbyadog-cartcrammedwithgrooms，UxmoorianandVizardian。Thebreakwaspaddedandcushioned，andheldeightorninepeopleverycomfortably……Itwas，indeed，asortofpicnicvan，usedonlyinveryfineweather。Itrolledonbeautifulsprings。ItspresentcontentswereMissGaleandherluggageandtwohampersfullofgoodthingsforher；Vizard，Severne，andMissDover。ZoesatontheboxbesideLordUxmoor。Theydrovethroughthevillage，andMr。SevernewassoobligingastopointoutitsbeautiestoMissGale。Shetooklittlenoticeofhiscomments，exceptbyastiffnodeverynowandthen，buteyedeachhouseandpremiseswithgreatkeenness。
Atlastshestoppedhisfluencybyinquiringwhetherhehadbeenintothemall；andwhenhesaidhehadnot，shetookadvantageofthatadmissiontoinformhimthatintwodays\'timesheshouldbeabletotellhimagreatdealmorethanhewaslikelytotellher，uponhismethodofinspectingvillages。
\"Thatisright，\"saidVizard；\"snubhim:hegetssnubbedtoolittlehere。
Howdarehepeppersciencewithhissmall-talk?Butitisourfault——weadmirehisvolubility。\"
\"Oh，\"saidFanny，withaglanceofdefianceatMissGale，\"ifwearetotalknothingbutscience，it_will_beawearyworld。\"
Afterthevillagetherewasalong，gradualascentofaboutamile，andthentheyenteredanewcountry。Itwasaseriesofwoodsandclearings，somegrass，somearable。Hugeoaks，flungtheirarmsoveraroadlinedoneithersidebyshortturf，close-croppedbythegypsies\'cattle。Somebandorotherofthemwasalwaysencampedbytheroad-side，andnevertwobandsatonce。Andbetweenthesegianttrees，notoneofwhichwaseverfelled，yousawhereandthereaglade，greenasanemerald；orayellowstubble，glowinginthesun。Afteraboutamileofthis，stillmounting，butgradually，theyemergeduponaspacioustable-land——along，broad，open，grassplateau，studdedwithcottages。InthislakeofgrassUxmoordrewupatawordfromZoe，toshowMissGalethescene。Thecottageswerewhiteassnow，andthatchedasatIslip；butinsteadofvegetable-gardenstheyallhadorchards。Thetreeswereappleandcherry:
ofthelatternotlessthanathousandinthatsmallhamlet。Itwasliterallyalawn，aquarterofamilelongandabouttwohundredyardsbroad，borderedwithwhitecottagesandorchards。Thecherries，redandblack，gleamedlikecountlesseyesamongthecoolleaves。Therewasalittlechurchonthelawnthatlookedlikeapigeon-house。Acowortwograzedpeacefully。Pigs，bigandlittle，crossedthelawn，gruntingandsqueakingsatisfaction，anddivedintotheadjacentwoodsafteracorns，andhereandthereatrufflethevillagersknewnotthevalueof。Therewasapondortwointhelawn；onehadawoodenplankfixedonuprights，thatwentinsomeway。Awomanwasoutontheboard，bare-armed，dippingherbucketinforwater。Inanotherpondanoldknowinghorsestoodgravelycoolinghisheelsuptothefetlocks。These，withshirts，maleandfemale，dryingonaline，andwhiteheadedchildrenrollinginthedust，andadonkeybrayinghisheartoutforreasonsknownonlytohimself，ifknownatall，weretheprincipaldetailsofthesylvanhamlet；butonageneralsurveythereweregrandbeauties。Thevillageanditsturflayinthesemicircularsweepofanunbrokenforest；butatthesidesoftheleafybasingladeshadbeencutfordrawingtimber，stackingbark，etc。，andwhatMiltoncallssohappily\"thecheckeredshade\"wasseeninallitsbeauty；forthehotsunstruggledinateveryaperture，andsplashedtheleavesandthepathwithfieryflashesandstreaks，andtopazbrooches，allintensifiedinfireandbeautybythecooladjacentshadows。
Lookingback，theviewwasquiteopeninmostplaces。Thewoodedlanesandstripstheyhadpassedwerelittlemoreinsovastapanoramathantheblackstripesonabackgammonboard。Thesitewassohighthattheeyesweptoverall，andrestedonabroadvalleybeyond，withapatchworkpatternofvariegatedfieldsandthecurlingsteamofenginesflyingacrossallEngland；thensweptbyavastinclineuptoahorizonoffaintgreenhills，thefamouspasturesoftheUnitedKingdom。Sothatitwasadeepbasinoffoliageinfront；butyouhadonlytoturnyourbody，andtherewasaforty-mileview，withallthesweetvarietiesofcolorthatgemourfieldsandmeadows，astheybaskintheafternoonsunofthatgoldentimewhensummermeltsintoautumn，andmellowswithoutachill。
\"Oh，\"criedMissGale，\"don\'tanybodyspeak，please!Itistoobeautiful!\"
Theyrespectedanenthusiasmsorareinthisyounglady，andlethercontemplatethesceneatherease。
\"Ireckon，\"saidshe，dogmatically，andnoddingthatwiselittlehead，\"thatthisisOldEngland——theEnglandmyancestorsleftinsearchofliberty，andthat\'saplantthatranksbeforecherry-trees，Iratherthink。No，Icouldn\'thavegone；I\'dhavestayedandkilledahundredtyrants。ButIwouldn\'thavechoppedtheirheadsoff\"(toVizard，veryconfidentially)；\"I\'dhavepoisoned\'em。\"
\"Don\'t，MissGale!\"saidFanny；\"youmakemybloodruncold。\"
AsitwasquiteindifferenttoMissGalewhethershemadeMissDover\'sbloodruncoldornot，shepaidnoattention，butproceededwithherreflections。\"Theonlythingthatspoilsitisthesmokeofthoseengines，remindingonethatintwohoursyouorI，orthatpastoraloldhermitthereinasmock-frock，andapipe——andoh，whatbadtobacco!——canbewrenchedoutofthisparadise，andshriekedandrattledoffandflungintothatwildernessofbrickcalledLondon，wheretheheartsareashardasthepavement——exceptthosethathavestrayedtherefromBarfordshire。\"
Thewitchchangedfaceandtoneandeverythinglikelightning，andthrewthislastinwithasuddengraceandsweetnessthatcontrastedstrangelywithherusualsharpness。
Zoeheard，andturnedroundtolookdownonherwithasmileassweetashoney。\"Ihardlythinkthatisadrawback，\"saidshe，amicably。\"Doesnotbeingabletoleaveaplacemakeitsweeter?forthenwearefreeinit，youknow。ButImustownthere_is_adrawback——theboys\'faces，MissGale，they_are_sopasty。\"
\"Indeed!\"saysRhoda，prickingupherears。
\"Formnofalsehopesofanepidemic。Thisisnotaninfirmaryinawood，MissGale，\"saidVizard。\"Mysisterisagreatcolorist，andpitchesherexpectationstoohigh。Idaresaytheirfacesarenotmorepastythanusual；butthisisashowplace，andlookslikeagarden；soZoewantstheboystobepoppiesandpansies，andthegirlsrosesandlilies。
Which——they——are——not。\"
\"AllIknowis，\"saidZoe，resolutely，\"thatinIslipthechildren\'sfacesarerosy，butheretheyarepasty——dreadfullypasty。\"
\"Well，youhavegotaboxofcolors。Wewillcomeupsomedayandtintalltheputty-facedboys。\"ItwastoMissDoverthecompanyowedthissuggestion。
\"No，\"saidRhoda。\"Theirfacesaremybusiness；I\'llsoonfixthem。Shedidn\'tsayputty-faced；shesaidpasty。\"
\"Gratefultoyouforthedistinction，MissGale，\"saidZoe。
MissGaleproceededtoinsistthatboysarenotpasty-facedwithoutacause，anditistobesoughtlowerdown。\"Ah!\"criedshe，suddenly，\"isthatacherrythatIseebeforeme?No，amillion。Theystealthemandeatthembythethousand，andthat\'swhy。Tellthetruth，now，everybody——theyeatthestones。\"
MissVizardsaidshedidnotknow，butthoughtthemcapable。
\"Childrenknownothing，\"saidVizard。\"Pleaseaddressallfuturescientificinquiriestoan\'oldinhabitant。\'MissGale，thecountryaboundsincuriosities；but，amongthosecuriosities，evenScience，withhersearchingeye，hasneveryetdiscoveredanunswallowedcherrystoneinHillstokevillage。\"
\"What!notonthetrees?\"
\"Sheistoomuchforme。Driveon，coachman，anddrownherrepliesintheclatterofhoofs。RoundbytheStag，Zoe。IamuneasytillIhavelockedFairScienceup。Iownitisameanwayofgettingridofatroublesomedisputant。\"
\"NowIthinkitisquitefair，\"saidFanny。\"Sheshutsyouup，andsoyoulockherup。\"
\"\'Tiswell，\"saidVizard，dolefully。\"NowIamNo。3——Iwhousedtoretortandkeepgirlsintheirplaces——withdifficulty。HereisNedSeverne，too，reducedtosilence。Why，where\'syourtongue?MissGale，youwouldhardlybelieveit，thisisourchatterbox。Wehavebeendaysanddays，andcouldnotgetinawordedgewiseforhim。Butnowallhecandoistogazeonyouwithcaninedevotion，anddevourthehoney——I
begpardon，thelime-juice——ofyourlips。Iwarnyouofonething，though；thereissuchathingasathreateningsilence。Heisevidentlybookingeverywordyouutter；andhewilldeliveritallforhisownbehindyourbacksomefineday。\"
Withthissortofbanterandsmalltalk，notworthdelugingthereaderdeadwith，theypassedawaythetimetilltheyreachedthefarm。
\"Youstayhere，\"saidVizard——\"allbutZoe。TomandGeorge，getthethingsout。\"Thegroomshadalreadyjumpedoutofthedog-cart，andtwowereatthehorses\'heads。Thestep-ladderwasplacedforZoe，andVizardaskedhertogoinandseetheroomswereallright，whilehetookMissGaletothestables。Hedidso，andshowedheraspiritedGallowayandasteadyoldhorse，andtoldhershecouldrideoneanddrivetheotheralloverthecountry。
Shethankedhim，butsaidherattentionwouldbeoccupiedbythetwovillagesfirst，andsheshouldmakehimareportinforty-eighthours。
\"Asyouplease，\"saidhe。\"Youareterriblyinearnest。\"
\"WhatshouldIbeworthifIwasnot?\'
\"Well，comeandseeyourshell；andyoumusttellmeifwehaveforgottenanythingessentialtoyourcomfort。\"
Shefollowedhim，andheledhertoawingofthefarmhousecomparativelynew，andquitesuperiortotherest。Hereweretwogoodsunnyrooms，withwindowslookingsouthandwest，andtheywerebothpaperedwithawhitewateredpattern，andaprettyFrenchborderofflowersattheupperpart，tolookgayandcheerful。
Zoewasinthebedroom，arrangingthingswithaprettyairofhospitality。Itwascheerilyfittedup，andafireofbeechlogsblazing。
\"Howgoodyouare!\"saidRhoda，lookingwistfullyather。ButZoecheckedallcommentsbyaskinghertolookatthesitting-roomandseeifitwoulddo。RhodawouldratherhavestayedwithZoe；butshecomplied，andfoundanotherbright，cheerfulroom，andVizardstandinginthemiddleofit。Therewasanotherbeechfireblazing，thoughitwashotweather。Herewasaroundtable，withalargepotfullofflowers，geraniumsandmuskflowersoutside，withthesungildingtheirgreenleavesmostamiably，andeverythingunpretending，butbrightandcomfortable；wellpaddedsofa，luxuriousarmchair，stand-upreadingdesk，andaverylargeknee-holetable；afinemirrorfromtheceilingtothedado；abook-casewithchoicebooks，andonapembroketablenearthewallwereseveralperiodicals。Rhoda，afteracursorysurveyoftheroom，flewtothebooks。\"Oh!\"saidshe，\"whatgoodbooks!allstandardworks；andseveralonmedicine；and，Ideclare，thelastnumbersofthe_Lancet_andthe_MedicalGazette，_andtheverybestFrenchandGermanperiodicals!Oh，whathaveIdone?andwhatcanIeverdo?\"
\"What!Are_you_goingtogushliketherest——andaboutnothing?\"saidVizard。\"ThenI\'moff。Comealong，Zoe；\"andhehurriedhissisteraway。
Shecameattheword；butassoonastheywereoutofthehouse，askedhimwhatwasthematter。
\"Ithoughtshewasgoingtogush。ButIdaresayitwasafalsealarm。\"
\"Andwhyshouldn\'tshegush，whenyouhavebeensokind?\"
\"Pooh——nonsense!Ihavenotbeenkindtoher，anddon\'tmeantobekindtoher，ortoanywoman；besides，shemustnotbeallowedtogush；sheistheparishvirago——importedfromvastdistancesassuch——andforhertoplaythewomanwouldbeanabominablebreachoffaith。Wehavegotourgusher，likewiseourflirt；anditwasunderstoodfromthefirstthatthiswastobeanew_dramatispersona_——wasnottobearepetitionofyouor_la_Dover，but——ahem——thethirdGrace，avirago:solidifiedvinegar。\"
RhodaGalefeltveryhappy。Shewasyoung，healthy，ambitious，andsanguine。Shedivinedthat，somehow，herturningpointhadcome；andwhenshecontrastedherconditionamonthago，andthehardnessoftheworld，withthecomfortandkindnessthatnowsurroundedher，andthemagnanimitywhichfled，nottobethankedforthem，shefeltforonceinawayhumbleaswellasgrateful，andsaidtoherself，\"ItisnottomyselfnoranymeritofmineIowesuchachangeasallthisis。\"Whatsomecallreligion，andotherssuperstition，overpoweredher，andshekneeleddownandheldcommunionwiththatgreatSpiritwhich，asshebelieved，pervadesthematerialuniverse，andprobablyarisesfromit，asharmonyfromthewellstrungharp。Theoryoftheday，orPlatoredivivus——whichisit?
\"Ogreatcreativeelement，andstreamoftendenciesintheuniverse，wherebyallthingsstruggletowardperfection，deigntobetherecipientofthatgratitudewhichfillsme，andcannotbesilent；andsincegratitudeisrightinall，andmostofallinmeatthismoment，forgivemeif，intheweaknessofmyintellect，Ifallintotheolderrorofaddressingyouasanindividual。Itisbuttheweaknessoftheheart；wearepersons，andsowecryoutforapersonalGodtobegratefulto。Prayreceiveitso——if，indeed，thesewordsofminehaveanyaccesstoyourinfinitelysuperiornature。Andifitistruethatyouinfluencethemindofman，andarebyanyactofpositivevolitionthecauseofthesebenefitsInowprofitby，thenprayinfluencemymindinturn，andmakemeamoreworthyrecipientofallthesefavors；aboveall，inspiremetokeepfaithfullytomyownsphere，whichisonearth；tobegoodandkindandtoleranttomyfellowcreatures，perverseastheyaresometimes，andnotcontentmyselfwithsayinggoodwordstoyou，towhoseinformationI
canaddnothing，noryettoyourhappiness，byanywordsofmine。Letnohollowsentimentofreligionkeepmelongpratingonmyknees，whenlifeissoshort，and\"(jumpingsuddenlyup)\"mydutiescanonlybedischargedafoot。\"
Refreshedbythisaspiration，thelikeofwhichIhavenotyethearddeliveredinchurches——buttherisinggenerationwillperhapsbemorefortunateinthatrespect——shewentintothekitchen，orderedtea，breadandbutter，andoneeggfordinneratseveno\'clock，andwalkedinstantlybacktoHillstoketoinspectthevillage，accordingtoherideasofinspection。
Nextmorningdowncomesthebailiff\'sheadmaninhislightcart，andanoteisdeliveredtoVizardatthebreakfasttable。Hereadsittohimself，thenproclaimssilence，andreadsitaloud:
\"DEARSIR——Aswecrossedyourhalltoluncheon，therewasthedoorofasmallroomhalfopen，andIsawalargemahoganycasestandingonamarbletablewithoneleg，butthreeclawsgilt。Isaw\'Micro\'printedonthecase。SoIhopeitisamicroscope，andafineone。Toenableyoutofindit，ifyoudon\'tknow，theroomhadcrimsoncurtains，andispaperedingreenflock。Thatistheworstofallthepoisonouspapers，becausethetextureisloose，andthepoisonousstuffeasilydetached，andalwaysflyingabouttheroom。Ihopeyoudonotsitinit，norMissVizard，becausesittinginthatroomiscourtingdeath。Pleaselendmethemicroscope，ifitisone，andI\'llsoonshowyouwhytheboysareputtyfaced。Ihaveinspectedthem，andfindMissDover\'sepithetmoreexactthanMissVizard\'s，whichissingular。Iwilltakegreatcareofit。
Yoursrespectfully，\"RHODAGALE。\"
VizardorderedaservanttodeliverthemicroscopetoMissGale\'smessengerwithhiscompliments。Fannywonderedwhatshewantedwithit。
\"Nottoinspectourlittlecharacters，itistobehoped，\"saidVizard。
\"Whynotpayheravisit，youladies?thenshewilltellyou，perhaps。\"
TheladiesinstantlyworethatblandlookofinertbutrockyresistanceI
havealreadynotedasacharacteristicof\"ourgirls。\"Vizardsaw，andsaid，\"Tryandpersuadethem，Uxmoor。\"
\"IcanonlyofferMissVizardmyescort，\"saidLordUxmoor。
\"AndIofferbothladiesmine，\"saidNedSeverne，ratherloudandwithalittlesneer，tomarkhissuperiorbreeding。Thegentlemanwassoextremelypoliteingeneralthattherewasnomistakinghishostileintentionsnow。Theinevitablewarhadbegun，andthefirstshotwasfired。Ofcoursethewonderwasithadnotcomelongbefore；andperhapsIoughttohavedrawnmoreattentiontothedelicacyandtactofZoeVizard，whichhadaverteditforatime。Tobesure，shehadbeenaidedbythesizeofthehouseanditshabits。Theladieshadtheirownsittingrooms；FannykeptclosetoZoebyspecialorders；andnobodycouldgetachance_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_withZoeunlessshechose。Bythismeans，hernativedignityandwatchfultact，byherfrankcourtesytoUxmoor，andbythemanylittlequietwaysshetooktoshowSevernehersentimentsremainedunchanged，shehadmanagedtokeepthepeace，andavertthatopencompetitionforherfavorwhichwouldhavetickledthevanityofaFannyDover，butshockedtherefinedmodestyofaZoeVizard。
Butnaturewillhaveherwaysoonorlate，anditisthenatureofmalestofightforthefemale。
AtSeverne\'sshotUxmoordrewupalittlehaughtily，butdidnotfeelsureanythingwasintended。Hewaslittleaccustomedtorubs。Zoe，ontheotherhand，turnedalittlepale——justalittle，forshewassorry，butnotsurprised；sosheprovedequaltotheoccasion。Shesmiledandmadelightofit。\"Ofcourseweare_all_going，\"saidshe。
\"Exceptone，\"saidVizard，dryly。
\"Thatistoobad，\"saidFanny。\"Herehedrivesusalltovisithisblue-stocking，buthetakesgoodcarenottogohimself。\"
\"Perhapshepreferstovisitheralone，\"suggestedSeverne。Zoelookedalarmed。
\"Thatis_so，\"_saidVizard。\"Observe，Iamlearningherveryphrases。
Whenyoucomeback，tellmeeverywordshesays；prayletnothingbelostthatfallsfrommyvirago。\"
Thepartystartedafterluncheon；andSeverne，truetohisnewpolicy，whippedtoZoe\'ssidebeforeUxmoor，andengagedheratonceinconversation。
Uxmoorbithislip，andfelltoFanny。Fannysawatoncewhatwasgoingon，andmadeherselfveryagreeabletoUxmoor。Hewaspoliteandalittlegratified，butcastuneasyglancesattheotherpair。
MeantimeSevernewasimprovinghisopportunity。\"SorrytodisturbLordUxmoor\'smonopoly，\"saidhe，sarcastically，\"butIcouldnotbearitanylonger。\"
\"Idonotobjecttothechange，\"saidZoe，smilingmaternallyonhim；
\"butyouwillbegoodenoughtoimitatemeinonething——youwillalwaysbepolitetoLordUxmoor。\"
\"Hemakesitratherhard。\"
\"Itisonlyforatime；andwemustlearntobecapableofself-denial。I
assureyouIhaveexercisedquiteasmuchasIaskofyou。Edward，heisagentlemanofgreatworth，universallyrespected，andmybrotherhasaparticularwishtobefriendswithhim。Sopraybepatient；beconsiderate。Havealittlefaithinonewho——\"
Shedidnotendthesentence。
\"Well，Iwill，\"saidhe。\"Butpleasethinkofmealittle。Iambeginningtofeelquitethrustaside，anddegradedinmyowneyesforputtingupwithit。\"
\"Forshame，totalkso，\"saidZoe；butthetearscameintohereyes。
Themasterofartssaw，andsaidnomore。Hehadtheartofnotoverdoing:heleftthearrowtorankle。Hewalkedbyhersideinasilenceforeversolong。Then，suddenly，asifbyamightyeffortofunselfishlove，wentoffintodelightfuldiscourse。Hecooedandwooedandflatteredandfascinated；andbythetimetheyreachedthefarmhaddrivenUxmooroutofherhead。
MissGalewasout。Thefarmer\'swifesaidshehadgoneintothetown——meaningHillstoke——whichwas，strictlyspeaking，ahamletortributaryvillage。Hillstokechurchwasonlytwelveyearsold，andthetithesoftheplacewenttotheparsonofIslip。
WhenZoeturnedtogo，Uxmoorseizedtheopportunity，anddrewupbesideher，likeasoldierfallingintotheranks。Zoefelthot；butasSevernetooknoopennotice，shecouldnothelpsmilingatthebehaviorofthefellows；andUxmoorgothischance。
SeverneturnedtoFannywithawickedsneer。\"Verywell，mylord，\"saidhe；\"butIhaveputaspokeinyourwheel。\"
\"AsifIdidnotsee，youclevercreature!\"saidFanny，admiringly。
\"Ah，MissDover，Ineedtobeascleverasyou!SeewhatIhaveagainstme:arichlord，withthebushiestbeard。\"
\"Neveryoumind，\"saidFanny。\"Goodwineneedsnobush，ha!ha!Youarelovely，andhaveawheedlingtongue，andyouweretherefirst。Begood，now——andyoucanflirtwithmetofillupthetime。Ihatenotbeingflirtedatall。Itisstagnation。\"
\"Yes，butitisnotsoeasytoflirtwithyoujustalittle。Youaresocharming。\"Thereuponheproceededtoflatterher，andwonderhowhehadescapedapassionateattachmenttosobrilliantacreature。\"Whatsavedme，\"saidhe，oracularly，\"is，thatInevercouldlovetwoatonce；andZoeseizedmyloveatsight。Sheleftmenothingtolayatyourfeetbutmyadmiration，thetenderestfriendshipmancanfeelforwoman，andmylifelonggratitudeforfightingmybattle。Oh，MissDover，Imustbequiteseriousamoment。Whatotherladybutyouwouldbesogenerousastobefriendapoormanwithanotherlady，whenthere\'swealthandtitleontheotherside?\"
Fannyblushedandsoftened，butturneditoff。\"There——noheroics，please，\"saidshe。\"Youareadearlittlefellow；anddon\'tgoandbejealous，forheshan\'thaveher。Hewouldneveraskmetohishouse，youknow。NowIthinkyouwouldperhaps——whoknows?Tellme，fascinatingmonster，areyougoingtobeungrateful?\"
\"Nottoyou。Myhomewouldalwaysbeyours；andyouknowit。\"Andhecaughtherhandandkisseditinanungovernabletransport，thestringsofwhichbepulledhimself。Hetookcaretobequickaboutit，though，andnotletZoeorUxmoorsee，whowerewalkingonbeforeandbehavingsedately。
InHillstokelived，onapensionfromVizard，oldMrs。Greenaway，rheumaticaboutthelowerjoints，soshewentoncrutches；butshewentfast，beingvigorous，andsodidhertongue。AtHillstokeshewasDameGreenaway，beingarelicofthatgenerationwhichappliedtheworddametoeverywife，highandlow；butatIslipshewas\"Sally，\"becauseshehadstartedunderthattitle，fifty-fiveyearsago，ashouse-maidatVizardCourt；and，bythetenacityoforaltradition，retainediteversince，inspiteoftwohusbandsshehadweddedandburiedwithequalcomposure。
Herfeetwerestillspringy，herarmsstrongasiron，andhercrutchesactive。Atsightofourpartyshecameoutwithamazingwoodenstrides，agogforgossip，andmetthematthegate。Shemanagedtoindicateacourtesy，andsaid，\"Goodday，miss；yoursarvant，allthecompany。Lord，howniceyoubedressed，allonye，to——be——sure!Well，miss，haveyeheerdthenews?\"
\"No，Sally。Whatisit?\"
\"What!haantyeheerdabouttheyoung\'omanatthefarm?\"
\"Ohyes；wecametoseeher。\"
\"No，didyenow?Well，shewasherenothalfanhouragone。Bythesametoaken，Ididputheraquestion，andsheansweredmethenandthere。\"
\"AndmayIaskwhatthequestionwas?\"
\"Andwelcome，miss。Isaid，saysI，\'Young\'oman，wherebeyoucomefrom?\'sosaysshe，\'Old\'oman，Ibecomefromforinparts。\'\'Ithoughtasmuch，\'saysI。\'Andwhatbe\'ecome_for?\'_\'Tosojournhere，\'saysshe，whichshemeanttobideatime。\'Andwhatdo\'ecounttodowhilsthereyoube?\'saysI。Saysshe，\'AsmuchgoodaseverIcando，andaslittleharm。\'\'Thatisnoanswer，\'saysI。Shesaiditwoulddoforthepresent；\'andgooddaytoyou，ma\'am，\'saysshe。\'Yoursarvant，miss，\'
saysI；andshewasofflikeaflash。ButIcalledmygrandsonBill，andItoldhimhemustfollowher，gowhereshewould，andletusknowwhatshewasuptodowninIslip。ThenIwentroundtheneighbors，andonetoldmeonetale，andanotheranother。Butitallcomestoone——wehavegottenABUSYBODY；that\'sthenameIgivesher。Shedon\'tgiveintothat，yeknow；sheisaLatiner，andspeaksaccording。ShegaveMasterGilesherowndescription。Saysshe，\'I\'msuspector-generalofthisheredistrick。\'SothenGileshewasskearedabit——hehavegotanacreoflandofhisown，youknow——andheupandaskedherdidshecomeunderthetaxes，orwassheafreshimposition；\'forweareburdenedenougha\'ready，nooffensetoyou，miss，\'saysJoshGiles。\'Don\'tyoubeskeared，oldman，\'saysshe，\'Ishan\'tcost_you_none；yourbetterspaysforI。\'SosaysGiles，\'Oh，ifyoufallsonsquire，Idon\'tvallythat；
squire\'sbackisbroadenoughtobeartheload，butI\'mapoorman。\'
That\'showa\'goeson，yeknow。Povertyisalwaysinhismouth，buttheoldchaphavegotahatfulofmoneyhidawayinthethatchorsome\'re，onlyhehaan\'tagotthehearttospendit。\"
\"Tellusmoreabouttheyounglady，\"askedUxmoor。
\"Whatyounglady?Oh，_her。_Sheisnotayounglady——leastwayssheisnotdressedlikeone，butlikeaplain，decentbody。Shewasallofapiece——blueserge!Blessyourheart，thepeddlersbringitroundhereatelevenpencehalf-pennytheyard，andagoodbreadthtoo；andplainboots，notheeledlikeyour\'n，miss，noryour\'n，ma\'am；andafelthatlikeaboy。You\'dsaytheparishhaddressedherfortenshillings，andgotapotofbeerouton\'t。\"
\"Well，nevermindthat，\"saidZoe；\"Imusttellyousheisaveryworthyyounglady，andmybrotherhasarespectforher。Dress?Why，Sally，youknowitisnotthewisestthatspendmostondress。Youmighttelluswhatshe_does。\"_
DameGreenawaysnatchedthewordoutofhermouth。\"Well，then，miss，whatshehavedone，shehavesuspectedeverything。Shehavesuspectedtheponds；shehavesuspectedthehouses；shehavesuspectedthefolk；shemustknowwhattheyeatanddrinkandwearnexttheirveryskin，andwhattheydoliedownon。Shehavebeenattheveryboysandforebade\'emtoswallowthecherrystones，poorthings；butoldMrs。Nash——whichherboyslivesoncherriesatthistimeo\'year，andtobesuretheyareagodsendtokeepthechildrenhereaboutfromstarving——well，DameNashtoldhertheAlmightyknewbest；hehadput\'emtogetheronthetree，sowhynotintheboys\'insides；andthatwascommonsensetomymind。Butla!shewouldn\'theedit。Shesaid，\'Thenyou\'deatthepeachstonesbythatrule，andthefishbonesandall。\'Saysshe，quiteresolutelike，\'I
forbid\'emtoswallowthestones；\'andsaysshe，\'Yemawntgainsayme，noneonye，forIbethenewdoctor。\'Sothenitallcomeout。Sheisn\'tsuspector-general；sheisawenchturneddoctor，whichitisagainstreason。Shan\'tdoctor_me_forone；butthatthereoldGiles，hesaysheisagreeable，ifsobeshewooldoctorhimcheap——cussedoldfool!——asifanydoctoringwascheapthatkillsabodyanddoan\'tcure\'em。Dearheart，Iforgottotellyeabouttheponds。Well，youknowtherebenowellshere。Wemakesourteaoutoftheponds，andcapitalgoodteatodrink，farbeforewellwater，forImindthatonedayabouttwentyyearsagonesomeinterferingbodydidcartabarrelupfromIslip；andifwewantswaterwithoutentea，why，wecangetplentyon\'t，andnonetoomuchmaltandhops，at\'TheBlackHorse。\'Sothishereyoung\'omanshesuspectsthepoorpondsandcastsahevil-eyeonthem，andsheborrowstwomugsofGiles，andcarriesthewaterhometosuspectitcloser。Thatisallshehavedoneatpresent，but，yesee，shehaan\'tbeenheresoverylong。Youmarkmywords，miss，thatyoung\'omanwillturnHillstokevillagetopsy-turvyorevershegoesbacktoLondontown。\"
\"Nonsense，Sally，\"saidZoe；\"howcananybodydothatwhilemybrotherandIarealive?\"ShethenslippedhalfacrownintoSally\'shand，andledthewaytoIslip。
OntheroadherconversationwithOxmoortookaturnsuggestiveofthisinterview。Iforgetwhichbeganit；buttheydifferedalittleinopinion，UxmooradmiringMissGale\'szealandactivity，andZoefearingthatshewouldprovearashreformer，perhapsarecklessinnovator。
\"Andreally，\"saidshe，\"whydisturbthings?for，gowhereIwill，IseenosuchParadiseasthesetwovillages。\"
\"Theyareindeedlovely，\"saidUxmoor；\"butmyownvillageisverypretty。YetonnearerinspectionIhavefoundsomanydefects，especiallyintheinternalarrangementsofthecottages，thatIamalwaysgladtohearofaneweyehavingcometobearonanyvillage。\"
\"Iknowyouareverygood，\"saidZoe，\"andwishallthepoorpeopleaboutyoutobeashealthyandashappyaspossible。\"
\"Ireallydo，\"said，warmly。\"Ioftenthinkofthestrangeinequalityinthelotofmen。Livinginthecountry，IseearoundmehundredsofmenwhoarebynatureasworthyasIam，orthereabouts。Yettheymusttoilandlabor，andindeedfight，forbarefoodandclothing，alltheirlives，andworseoffatthecloseoftheirlonglabor。Thatiswhatgrievesmetotheheart。AllthistimeIrevelinplentyandluxuries——notforgettingtheluxuryofluxuries，thedelightofgivingtothosewhoneedanddeserve。WhathaveIdoneforallthis?Ihavebeenbornoftherightparents。Mymerit，then，istheaccidentofanaccident。ButhavingdonenothingmeritoriousbeforeIwasborn，surelyIoughttobeginafterward。Ithinkamanborntowealthoughttodoubthismoraltitletoit，andoughttosettoworktoproveit——oughttosethimselftorepairtheinjusticeoffortunebywhichheprofits。Yes，suchamanshouldbeasortofhumansunshine，anddiffuseblessingsallroundhim。Thepoormanthatencountershimoughttoblesstheaccident。Butthere，Iamnoteloquent。YouknowhowmuchmoreImeanthanIcansay。\"
\"IndeedIdo，\"saidZoe，\"andIhonoryou。\"
\"Ah，MissVizard，\"saidUxmoor，\"thatismorethanIcaneverdeserve。\"
\"Youarepraisingmeatyourownexpense，\"saidZoe。\"Well，then，\"saidshe，sweetly，\"pleaseacceptmysympathy。Itissoraretofindagentlemanofyouragethinkingsolittleofhimselfandsomuchofpoorpeople。YetthatisaDivinecommand。Butsomehowweforgetourreligionoutofchurch——mostofus。IamsureIdo，forone。\"
Thisconversationbroughtthemtothevillage，andtheretheymetVizard，andZoerepeatedoldSally\'sdiscoursetohimwordforword。Heshookhisheadsolemnly，andsaidhesharedhermisgivings。\"WehavecaughtaTartar。\"
OnarrivingatVizardCourt，theyfoundMissGalehadcalledandlefttwocards。
OpenrivalryhavingnowcommencedbetweenUxmoorandSeverne，hislordshipwasadroitenoughtocontrivethatthedragshouldbeinrequestnextday。
ThenSevernegotFannytoconveyanotetoZoe，imploringhertoopenherbedroomwindowandsaygood-nighttohimthelast。\"For，\"saidhe，\"I
havenocoachandfour，andIamveryunhappy。\"
ThisandhisstayingsullenlyathomespoiledZoe\'sride，andshewascooltoUxmoor，andspoiledhisdrive。
AtnightZoepeepedthroughthecurtainandsawSevernestandinginthemoonlight。Shedrankhiminforsometimeinsilence，thensoftlyopenedherwindowandlookedout。Hetookastepnearer。
Shesaid，verysoftlyandtenderly，\"Youareverynaughty，andveryfoolish。Gotobed_di-_rectly。\"Andsheclosedherwindowwithavaliantslam；thensatdownandsighed。
Samegamenextday。Uxmoordriving，Zoewonderfullypolite，butchill，becausehewasseparatingherandSeverne。Atnight，Severneonthewetgrass，andZoeremonstratingseverely，butnotsincerely，andclosingthewindowperemptorilyshewouldhavelikedtokeepopenhalfthenight。
Ithasoftenbeenremarkedthatgreatthingsariseoutofsmallthings，andsometimes，wheninfullmotion，dependonsmallthings。Historyoffersbrilliantexamplesuponitslargestage。Fictionhasimitatedhistoryin_unverred\'eau_andothercompositions。Totheseexamples，realorfeigned，Iamnowabouttoaddone；andthecuriousreadermay，ifhethinksitworthwhile，notethevariousramificationsathomeandabroadofaseeminglytrivialincident。
Theywereallseatedatluncheon，whenaservantcameinwithasalver，andsaid，\"Agentlemantoseeyou，sir。\"Hepresentedhissalverwithacarduponit。Severneclutchedthecard，andjumpedup，reddening。
\"Showhiminhere，\"saidthehospitableVizard。
\"No，no，\"criedSeverne，rathernervously；\"itismylawyeronalittleprivatebusiness。\"
Vizardtoldtheservanttoshowthevisitorintothelibrary，andtakeintheMadeiraandsomebiscuits。
\"Itisaboutalease，\"saidNedSeverne，andwentoutratherhurriedly。
\"La!\"saidFanny，\"whatacuriousname——Poikilus。AndwhatdoesS。I。
mean，Iwonder?\"
\"Thisisenigmaticaldiscourse，\"saidVizard，dryly。\"Pleaseexplain。\"
\"Why，thecardhadPoikilusonit。\"
\"Youareveryinquisitive，\"saidZoe，coloring。
\"Nomorethanmyneighbors。Butthemanputhissalverrightbetweenournoses，andhowcouldIhelpseeingPoikilusinlargeletters，andS。I。
inlittleonesupinthecorner?\"
SaidVizard，\"Thefemaleeyeisnaturallyswift。Shecouldn\'thelpseeingallthatin_halfaminuteoftime；_forNedSevernesnatchedupthecardwithvastexpedition。\"
\"Isawthattoo，\"saidFanny，defiantly。
Uxmoorputinhisword。\"Poikilus!Thatisanameoneseesinthepapers。\"
\"Ofcourseyoudo。Heisoneofthehumbugsoftheday。Pretendstofindthingsout；advertisesmysteriousdisappearances；offersamagnificentreward——withperfectsafety，becausehehasinventedthelostgirl\'sfeaturesanddress，andherdisappearanceintothebargain；andIholdwiththeschoolmenthatshewhodoesnotexistcannotdisappear。
Poikilus，apuffingdetective。S。I。，SecretInquiry。_I_spellEnquirywithanE——butPoikilusisamanoftheday。WhatthedeucecanNedSevernewantofhim?IsupposeIoughtnottoobject。IhaveestablishedafemaledetectiveatHillstoke。SoNedsetsoneupatIslip。Ishallmakemyownsecretarrangements。IfPoikilussettleshere，hewillbedrawnthroughthehorse-pondbysmall-mindedrusticsonceaweek。\"
Whilehewasgoingonlikethis，Zoefeltuncomfortable，andalmostirritatedbyhisvolubility，anditwasarelieftoherwhenSevernereturned。Hehadconfidedamostdelicatecasetothedetective，givenhimwritteninstructions，andstipulatedforhisleavingthehousewithoutawordtoanyone，and，indeed，seenhimoff——allinsevenminutes。Yethereturnedtoourpartycoolasacucumber，tothrowdustineverybody\'seyes。
\"Imustapologizeforthisintrusion，\"hesaidtoVizard；\"butmylawyerwantedtoconsultmeabouttheleaseofoneofmyfarms，and，findinghimselfintheneighborhood，hecalledinsteadofwriting。\"
\"Yourlawyer，eh?\"saidVizard，slyly。\"Whatisyourlawyer\'sname?\"
\"Jackson，\"saidNed，withoutamoment\'shesitation。
Fannygiggledinherowndespite。
Insteadofstoppinghere，Severnemustgoon；itwashisunluckyday。
\"Notquiteagentleman，youknow，orIwouldhaveinflictedhissocietyonyou。\"
\"Notquite——eh?\"saidHarrington，sodrylythatFannyDoverburstintoafitofuncontrollablelaughter。
ButZoeturnedhotandcoldtoseehimblunderingthus，andtellinglieuponlie。
Severnesawtherewassomethingwrong，andburiedhisnoseinpigeonpie。
Hedevoureditwithanexcellentappetite，whileeveryeyerestedonhim；
Zoe\'swithshameandmisery，Uxmoor\'swithopencontempt，Vizard\'swithgoodhumoredsatire。
ThesituationbecameintolerabletoZoeVizard。Indignantanddeeplyshockedherself，shestillcouldnotbeartoseehimthebuttofothers\'
ridiculeandcontempt。Sherosehaughtilyandmarchedtothedoor。Heraisedhisheadforamomentasshewentout。Sheturned，andtheireyesmet。Shegavehimsuchaglanceofpityanddisdainassuspendedthemeatuponhisfork，andfrozehimintocomprehendingthatsomethingveryseriousindeedhadhappened。
HeresolvedtolearnfromFannywhatitwas，andactaccordingly。ButZoe\'smaidcameinandwhisperedFanny。Shewentout，andneitheroftheyoungladieswasseentilldinner-time。ItwasconveyedtoUxmoorthattherewouldbenoexcursionofanykindthisafternoon；andthereforehetookhishat，andwentofftopayavisit。HecalledonRhodaGale。Shewasathome。Heintendedmerelytoofferherhisrespects，andtosidewithhergenerallyagainstthesefoolishrustics；butshewaspleasedwithhimforcoming，andmadeherselfsoagreeablethathespentthewholeafternooncomparingnoteswithheruponvillagelife，andtheameliorationitwascapableof。Eachcouldgivetheothervaluableideas；
andhesaidhehopedshewouldvisithispartofthecountryerelong；
shewouldfindmanydefects，butalsoagreatdesiretoamendthem。
Thisflatteredher，naturally；andshebegantotakeaninterestinhim。
Thatinterestsoontooktheformofcuriosity。ShemustknowwhetherhewasseriouslycourtingZoeVizardornot。Thenaturalreserveofawell-bredmanwithstoodthisatfirst；butthatarmorcouldnotresistfortwomortalhourssuchadaughterofEveasthis，withherinsidiousquestions，herartfulstatements，hercat-likeretreatsandcat-likereturns。Shelearned——thoughhedidnotseehowfarhehadcommittedhimself——thatheadmiredZoeVizardandwouldmarryherto-morrowifshewouldhavehim；hishesitationtoaskher，becausehehadarival，whosepowerhecouldnotexactlymeasure；butaformidableandpermittedrival。
Theypartedalmostfriends；andRhodasettledquietlyinhermindheshouldhaveZoeVizard，sincehewassofondofher。
HereagainitwasSeverne\'sunluckyday，andUxmoor\'slucky。Tocarrythissamedaytoaclose，SevernetriedmorethanoncetogetnearZoeandaskifhehadoffendedher，andinwhat。Butnoopportunityoccurred。
Sothenhesatandgazedather，andlookedunhappy。Shesaw，andwasnotunmoved，butwouldnotdomorethanglanceathim。Heresignedhimselftowaittillnight。
Nightcame。Hewentonthegrass。TherewasalightinZoe\'sroom。Itwaseleveno\'clock。Hewaited，shivering，tilltwelve。Thenthelightwasputout；butnowindowopened。Therewasamoon；andherwindowsglaredblackonhim，darkandbrightastheeyesshenowavertedfromhim。Hewasindisgrace。
ThepresentincidentIhaverecordeddidnotendhere；andImustnowfollowPoikilusonhismissiontoHomburg；andifthereaderhasasenseofjustice，methinkshewillnotcomplainofthejourney，forseehowlongIhaveneglectedthenoblestfigureinthisstory，andthemosttobepitied。Todesertherlongerwouldbetoounjust，andderangeentirelythebalanceofthiscomplicatedstory。
CHAPTERXVIII。
ACRUELmentalstroke，likeaheavyblowuponthebody，sometimesbenumbsandsickensatfirst，butdoesnottorture；yetthatistofollow。
ItwassowithInaKlosking。ThedayshejustmissedEdwardSeverne，andheseemedtomeltawayfromherverygraspintothewideworldagain，shecoulddragherselftothetheaterandsingangelically，withadullandachingheart。Butnextdayherheartenteredonsharpersuffering。Shewasirritated，exasperated；chainedtothetheater，toHomburg，yetwildtofollowSevernetoEnglandwithoutdelay。ShetoldAshmeadshemustandwouldgo。Heopposeditstoutly，andgavegoodreasons。Shecouldnotbreakfaithwiththemanagement。Englandwasalargeplace。Theyhad，asyet，noclewbutaname。Bywaiting，theclewwouldcome。ThesurecoursewastogivepublicityinEnglandtoherwinnings，andsodrawSevernetoher。Butforonceshewastooexcitedtolistentoreason。Shewastempest-tossed。\"Iwillgo——Iwillgo，\"sherepeated，asshewalkedtheroomwildly，andflungherarmsaloftwithrecklessabandon，andyetwithaterriblemajesty，aninstinctivegrace，andallthepoetryofagreatsoulwrongedanddrivenwild。
SheoverpoweredAshmeadanddrovehimtothedirector。Hewentmostunwillingly；butoncethere，wastruetoher，andbeggedofftheengagementeagerly。Thedirectorrefusedthisplump。ThenAshmead，stilltruetohiscommission，offeredhim(mostreluctantly)aconsiderablesumdowntoannulthecontract，andbackedthiswithaquiethintthatshewouldcertainlyfallillifrefused。Thedirectorknewbyexperiencewhatthismeant，andhoweasilytheseladiescancommandthehumanbodytodeath\'sdoor_prorenata，_andhowreadilyadoctor\'scertificatecanbehadtosayorswearthatthegreatcreaturecannotsingoractwithoutperiltolife，thoughreallyboththeseartsaregrandmedicines，andfarlesslikelytoinjurethe_bonafide_sickthanarethecertifyingdoctor\'sdraughtsanddrugs。Thedirectorknewallthis；buthewasfuriousatthedisappointmentthreatenedhim。\"No，\"saidhe；\"thisisalwaystheway；apoordevilofamanagerisnevertohaveasuccess。Itistreacherous，itisungrateful:I\'llclose。Youtellherifsheisdeterminedtocutallourthroatsandkickherowngoodfortunedown，shecan；but，by——，I\'llmakehersmartforit!Mind，now；sheclosesthetheaterandpaystheexpenses，ifsheplaysmefalse。\"
\"Butifsheisill?\"
\"Letherdieandbe——，andthenI\'llbelieveher。SheisthehealthiestwomaninGermany。I\'llgoandtakestepstohaveherarrestedifsheofferstoleavethetown。\"
Ashmeadreportedthemanager\'sthreats，andtheKloskingreceivedthemasalionessthebarkingofacur。Shedrewherselfswiftlyup，andhergreateyegleamedimperialdisdainatallhismenacesbutone。
\"Hewillnotreallyclosethetheater，\"saidshe，loftily；butuneasinesslurkedinhermanner。
\"Hewill，\"saidAshmead。\"Heisdesperate:andyouknowit_is_hardtogoonlosingandlosing，andthenthemomentluckturnstobedoneoutofit，inspiteofawrittenbargain。I\'vebeenamanagermyself。\"
\"Somanypoorpeople!\"saidIna，withasigh；andherdefiantheadsunkalittle。
\"Oh，bother_them!\"_saidAshmead，craftily。\"Let\'emstarve。\"
\"Godforbid!\"saidIna。Thenshesighedagain，andherqueenlyheadsunklower。Thenshefalteredout，\"Ihavethewilltobreakfaithandruinpoorpeople，butIhavenotthecourage。\"
Thenatearortwobegantotrickle，carryingwiththemalltheegotisticalresolutionInaKloskingpossessedatthattime。Perhapsweshallseeherharden:nothingstandsstill。
Thistimethepoorconquered。
ButeverynowandthenformanydaystherewerereturnsoftormentandagitationandwilddesiretoescapetoEngland。
Ashmeadmadeheadagainstthesewithhissimplearts。Foronething，heshowedheradozenparagraphsinMS。hewassendingtoasmanyEnglishweeklypapers，describingherheavygainsatthetable。\"Withthesestones，\"saidhe，\"Ikilltwobirds:extendyourfame，andenticeyouridolbacktoyou。\"Hereagrowl，whichIsuspectwasaninarticulatecurse。Joseph，fi!
ThepenofJosephonsuchoccasionswaslikehispredecessor\'scoat，polychromatic。TheKloskingreadhim，andwondered。\"Alas!\"saidshe，\"withwhatversatileskilldoyoudescantonasinglecircumstancenotverycreditable。\"
\"Creditable!\"saidAshmead；\"itwasverynaughty，butitisverynice。\"
Andthecreatureactuallywinked，forgetting，ofcourse，whomhewaswinkingat，andwastinghisvulgarityonthedesertair；fortheKlosking\'seyemightjustmanagetoblink——atthemeridiansun，orsoforth；butitneverwinkedonceinallitslife。
Oneoftheparagraphsranthus，withaheadinginsmallcapitals:
\"APRIMADONNAATTHEGAMBLINGTABLE。
\"MademoiselleKlosking，thegreatcontralto，whosesuccesshasbeenalreadyrecordedinallthejournals，strolled，ononeofheroffnights，intotheKursaalatHomburg，andsatdownto_trenteetquarante。_Hermelodiousvoicewassoonheardbettingheavily，withthemostengagingsweetnessofmanner；anddoublingseventimesuponthered，shebrokethebank，andretiredwithacharmingcourtesyandeightthousandpoundsingoldandnotes。\"
Anotherdealtwiththematterthus:
\"ROUGEETNOIR。
\"ThelatestcoupatHomburghasbeenmadebyacantatricewhosepraisesallGermanyarenowringing。MademoiselleKlosking，successorandrivalofAlboni，wenttotheKursaal，_pourpasserletemps；_andshepasseditsowellthatinhalfanhourthebankwasbroken，andtherewasapileofnotesandgoldbeforeLaKloskingamountingtotenthousandpoundsandmore。Theladywavedtheseovertoheragent，Mr。JosephAshmead，withahandwhich，_parparenthe\'se，_isbelievedtobethewhitestinEurope，andretiredgracefully。\"
Onperusingthis，LaKloskingheld_two_whitehandsuptoheaveninamazementattheskillandgoodtastewhichhaddraggedthisfeatureintotheincident。
\"ADRAMATICSITUATION。
\"Acircumstancehaslatelyoccurredherewhichwillinfalliblybeseizedonbythenovelistsinsearchofanincident。MademoiselleKlosking，thenewcontralto，whosetriumphantprogressthroughEuropewillprobablybethenexteventinmusic，walkedintotheKursaaltheothernight，brokethebank，andwalkedoutagainwithtwelvethousandpounds，andthatcharmingcomposurewhichissaidtodistinguishherinprivatelife。
