Suchisafair，thoughloose，descriptionofhercondition。
Theslightfillipgiventoherspiritsbythejourneydidheramorselofgood，butitdiedaway。HavingtonurseAuntMaitlanddidheralittlegoodatfirst。Butshesoonrelapsedintoherself，andbecameso_distraite_thatAuntMaitland，whowasallself，beinganinvalid，begantospeaksharplytoher。
OntheseconddayofhervisittoSomervilleVilla，asshesatbroodingatthefootofheraunt\'sbed，suddenlysheheardhorses\'feet，andthenaringatthehall-door。Herheartleaped。Perhapshehadcometoexplainall。HemightnotchoosetogotoVizardCourt。Whatifhehadbeenwatchingasanxiouslyasherself，andhadseizedthefirstopportunity!
Inamomentherpalecheekrivaledcarmine。
Thegirlbroughtupacard——
\"LORDUXMOOR。\"
Thecolordiedawaydirectly。\"SayIamverysorry，butatthismomentI
cannotleavemyaunt。\"
Thegirlstaredwithamazement，andtookdownthemessage。
Uxmoorrodeaway。
Zoefeltamoment\'spleasure。No，ifshecouldnotseetherightman，shewouldnotseethewrong。That，atleast，wasinherpower。
Nevertheless，inthecourseoftheday，rememberingUxmoor\'sworth，andthepainshehadalreadygivenhim，shewasalmostsorryshehadindulgedherselfathisexpense。
Superfluouscontrition!Hecamenextday，asamatterofcourse。Shelikedhimnonethebetterforcoming，butshewentdownstairstohim。
Hecametowardher，butstartedbackandutteredanexclamation。\"Youarenotwell，\"hesaid，intonesoftendernessanddismay。
\"Notvery，\"shefaltered；forhisopenmanlyconcerntouchedher。
\"Andyouhavecomeheretonursethisoldlady?Indeed，MissVizard，youneednursingyourself。YouknowitissometimesinceIhadthepleasureofseeingyou，andthechangeisalarming。MayIsendyouDr。Atkins，mymother\'sphysician?\"
\"Iammuchobligedtoyou。No。\"
\"Oh，Iforgot。Youhaveaphysicianofyourownsex。Whyisshenotlookingafteryou?\"
\"MissGaleisbetteremployed。SheisatVizardCourtinattendanceonafarmorebrilliantperson——MademoiselleKlosking，aprofessionalsinger。
Perhapsyouknowher?\"
\"IsawheratHomburg。\"
\"Well，shemetwithanaccidentinourhall——aseriousone；andHarringtontookherin，andhasplacedallhisresources——hisladyphysicianandall——atherservice:heissofondof_Music。\"_
Acertainsatiricalbitternesspeeredthroughthesewords，buthonestUxmoordidnotnoticeit。Hesaid，\"ThenIwishyouwouldletmebeyourdoctor——forwantofabetter。\"
\"Andyouthink_you_cancureme?\"saidZoe，satirically。
\"Itdoesseempresumptuous。But，atleast，Icoulddoyoualittlegoodifyoucouldbegottotrymyhumbleprescription。\"
\"Whatisit?\"askedZoe，listlessly。
\"ItismymarePhillis。Sheisthedelightofeveryladywhomountsher。
Sheisthorough-bred，lively，swift，gentle，docile，amiable，perfect。
Rideheronthesedownsanhourortwoveryday。I\'llsendheroverto-morrow。MayI?\"
\"Ifyoulike。Rosa_would_packupmyriding-habit。\"
\"Rosawasaprophetess。\"
NextdaycamePhillis，saddled。andledbyagroomonhorseback，andUxmoorsoonfollowedonanoldhunter。HeliftedZoetohersaddle，andawaytheyrode，thegroomfollowingatarespectfuldistance。
Whentheygotonthedownstheyhadadelightfulcanter；butZoe，inherfeveredstateofmind，wasnotcontentwiththat。Shekeptincreasingthepace，tilltheoldhuntercouldnolongerlivewiththeyoungfilly；andshegallopedawayfromLordUxmoor，andmadehimridiculousintheeyesofhisgroom。
Thetruthis，shewantedtogetawayfromhim。
Hedrewtherein，andstoodstock-still。Shemadeacircuitofamile，andcameuptohimwithheightenedcolorandflashingeyes，lookingbeautiful。
\"Well?\"saidshe。\"Don\'tyoulikegalloping?\"
\"Yes，butIdon\'tlikecruelty。\"
\"Cruelty?\"
\"Lookatthemare\'stailhowitisquivering，andherflankspanting!Andnowonder。YouhavebeenovertwicetheDerbycourseataracingpace。
MissVizard，ahorseisnotasteamengine。\"
\"I\'llneverrideheragain，\"saidZoe。\"Ididnotcomeheretobescolded。Iwillgohome。\"
Theywalkedslowlyhomeinsilence。Uxmoorhardlyknewwhattosaytoher；butatlasthemurmured，apologetically，\"Nevermindthepoormare，ifyouarebetterforgallopingher。\"
Shewaitedamomentbeforeshespoke，andthenshesaid，\"Well，yes；Iambetter。I\'mbetterformyride，andbetterformyscolding。Good-by。\"
(Meaningforever。)
\"Good-by，\"saidhe，inthesametone。Onlyhesentthemarenextday，andfollowedheronayoungthorough-bred。
\"What!\"saidZoe；\"amItohaveanothertrial?\"
\"Andanotherafterthat。\"
Sothistimeshewouldonlycanterveryslowly，andkeptstoppingeverynowandthentoinquire，satirically，ifthatwoulddistressthemare。
ButUxmoorwastoogood-humoredtoquarrelfornothing。Heonlylaughed，andsaid，\"Youarenottheonlyladywhotakesahorseforamachine。\"
Theseridesdidherbodilyhealthsomepermanentgood；buttheireffectonhermindwasfleeting。Shewasinfairspiritswhenshewasactuallyboundingthroughtheair，butshecollapsedafterward。
Atfirst，whensheusedtothinkthatSevernenevercamenearher，andUxmoorwassoconstant，shealmosthatedUxmoor——solittledoesthewrongmanprofitbydoingtherightthingforawoman。Iadmitthat，thoughnotadeadlywoman-hatermyself。
Butby-and-byshewasimpartiallybitteragainstthemboth；thewrongmanfordoingtherightthing，andtherightmanfornotdoingit。
Asthedaysrolledby，andSevernedidnotappear，herindignationandwoundedpridebegantomountaboveherlove。Abeautifulwomancountsuponpursuit，andthinksamanlessthanmanifhedoesnotloveherwellenoughtofindher，thoughhidinthecavesofoceanorthelabyrinthsofBermondsey。
Shesaidtoherself，\"Thenhehasnoexplanationtooffer。Anotherwomanhasfrightenedhimawayfromme。Ihavewastedmyaffectionsonacoward。\"Herbosomboiledwithlove，andcontempt，andwoundedpride；andhermindwastossedtoandfrolikealeafinastorm。Shebegan，byforceofwill，togiveUxmoorsomeencouragement；only，afteritshewrithedandwept。
Atlast，findingherselfdriventoandfrolikealeaf，shetoldMissMaitlandall，andsoughtcounselofher。Shemusthavesomethingtoleanon。
Theoldladywasbetterbythistime，andspokekindlytoher。ShesaidMr。Severnewascharming，andshewasnotboundtogivehimupbecauseanotherladyhadpastclaimsonhim。ButitappearedtoherthatMr。
Severnehimselfhaddesertedher。Hehadnotwrittentoher。Probablyheknewsomethingthathadnotyettranspired，andhadsteeledhimselftotheseparationforgoodreasons。Itwasadecisionshemustaccept。Letherthenconsiderhowforlornistheconditionofmostdesertedwomencomparedwithhers。Herewasadevotedlover，whomsheesteemed，andwhocouldofferherahighpositionandanhonestlove。Ifshehadamother，thatmotherwouldalmostforcehertoengageherselfatoncetoLordUxmoor。Havingnomother，thebestthingshecoulddowouldbetoforceherself——tosaysomeirrevocablewords，andneverlookback。Itwasthelotofhersexnottomarrythefirstlove，andtobeallthehappierintheendforthatdisappointment，thoughatthetimeitalwaysseemedeternal。
Allthis，spokeninavoiceofsingularkindnessbyonewhousedtobesosharp，madeZoe\'stearsflowgentlyandsomewhatcooledherragingheart。
Shebegannowtosubmit，andonlycryatintervals，andletherselfdrift；andUxmoorvisitedhereveryday，andshefounditimpossiblenottoesteemandregardhim。Nevertheless，oneafternoon，justabouthistime，shewasseizedwithsuchanaversiontohiscourtship，andsucharevoltagainsttheslopesheseemedglidingdown，thatsheflungonherbonnetandshawl，anddartedoutofthehousetoescapehim。Shesaidtotheservant，\"Iamgoneforawalk，ifanybodycalls。\"
Uxmoordidcall，and，receivingthismessage，hebithislip，sentthehorsehomeandwalkeduptothewindmill，onthechanceofseeingheranywhere。Hehadalreadyobservedshewasneverlonginonemood；andashewasalwaysinthesamemind，hethoughtperhapshemightbetolerablywelcome，ifhecouldmeetherunexpected。
MeantimeZoewalkedveryfasttogetawayfromthehouseassoonaspossible，andshemadearoundofnearlyfivemiles，walkingthroughtwovillages，andonherreturnlostherway。However，ashepherdshowedherabridle-roadwhich，hetoldher，wouldsoontakehertoSomervilleVilla，through\"thesmallpastures；\"and，accordingly，shecameintoasuccessionofmeadowsnotverylarge。Theywereallfencedandgated；butthegateswereonlyshut，notlocked。Thiswasfortunate；fortheywerenewfive-barredgates，andaladydoesnotlikegettingoverthese，eveninsolitude。Herclothesarenotadapted。
Thereweresheepinsomeofthese，cowsinothers，andthepastureswonderfullygreenandrich，beingalwayswellmanured，andfeddownbycattle。
Zoe\'sloveofcolorwassoothedbytheseemeraldfields，dottedwithwhitesheepandredcows。
Inthelastfield，beforethelanethatledtothevillage，asinglebeastwasgrazing。Zoetooknonoticeofhim，andwalkedon；buthetookwonderfulnoticeofher，andstared，thengaveadisagreeablesnort。HetookoffenseatherIndianshawl，and，afterpawingthegroundanderectinghistail，hecamestraightatheratatearingtrot，andhistailoutbehindhim。
Zoesaw，andscreamedviolently，andranforthegateahead，which，ofcourse，wasafewyardsfurtherfromherthanthegatebehind。Sheranforherlife；butthebull，whenhesawthat，brokeintoagallopdirectly，andcameupfastwithher。Shecouldnotescape。
Atthatmomentamanvaultedcleanoverthegate，toreapitchforkoutofaheapofdungthatluckilystoodinthecorner，andboldlyconfrontedtheragingbulljustintime；foratthatmomentZoelostheart，andcrouched，screaming，inthesideditch，withherhandsbeforehereyes。
Thenew-comer，rashashisconductseemed，wascountry-bredandknewwhathewasabout:hedroveoneoftheprongscleanthroughthegreatcartilageofthebull\'smouth，andwasknockeddownlikeanine-pin，withthebrokenstaffofthepitch-forkinhishand；andthebullrearedintheairwithagony，thepronghavinggonecleanthroughhisupperlipintwoplaces，andfasteneditself，asonefastensapin，inthatleatherybutsensitiveorgan。
NowUxmoorwasauniversityathlete；hewasnosoonerdownthanup。So，whenthebullcamedownfromhisrearing，andturnedtomassacrehisassailant，hewasbehindhim，andseizinghistail，twistedit，anddeliveredathunderingblowonhisbackbone，andfolloweditupbyashowerofthemonhisribs。\"Runtothegate，Zoe!\"heroared。Whack!
whack!whack!——\"Runtothegate，Itellyou!\"——whack!——whack!——whack!——whack!——whack!
Thusordered，ZoeVizard，whowouldnothavemovedofherself，beinginacollapseoffear，scuddedtothegate，gotontherightsideofit，andlookedover，withtwoeyeslikesaucers。Shesawasightincredibletoher。Insteadoflettingthebullalone，nowshewassafe，Uxmoorwasstickingtohimlikeaferret。Thebullran，tossinghisnosewithpainandbellowing:Uxmoordraggedbythetailandcompelledtofollowinpreposterous，giantstrides，barelytouchingthegroundwiththepointofhistoe，poundedthecreature\'sribswithsuchblowsasZoehadneverdreamedpossible。Theysoundedlikeflailonwoodenfloor，andeachblowwasaccompaniedwithaloudjubilantshout。Presently，beingafive\'splayer，andambidexter，heshiftedhishand，andthetremendouswhacksresoundedonthebull\'sleftside。Thebull，thusbelabored，andresoundinglikethebigdrum，madeacircuitofthefield，butfounditalltoohot:heknewhiswaytoacertainquietfarmyard；hebolted，andcamebangatZoeoncemore，withfuriouseyesandgore-distillingnostrils。
Butthistimeshewasontherightsideofthegate。
Yetshedrewbackindismayasthebulldrewnear:andshewasright；
for，inhisagonyandamazement，theunwieldybutsinewybruteleapedthefive-barredgate，andcleareditallbutthetoprail；thatheburstthrough，asifithadbeenpaper，anddraggedUxmoorafterhim，andpulledhimdown，andtorehimsomeyardsalongthehardroadonhisback，andbumpedhisheadagainstastone，andsogotridofhim:thenpoundedawaydownthelane，snorting，andbellowing，andbleeding；theprongstillstuckthroughhisnostrilslikeapin。
ZoerantoUxmoorwithlooksofalarmandtenderconcern，andliftedhisheadtohertenderbosom；forhisclothesweretorn，andhischeeksandhandsbleeding。Buthesoonshookoffhisconfusion，androsewithoutassistance。
\"Haveyougotoveryourfright?\"saidhe；\"thatisthequestion。\"
\"Ohyes!yes!ItisonlyyouIamalarmedfor。ItismuchbetterIshouldbekilledthanyou。\"
\"Killed!Ineverhadbetterfuninmylife。Itwasglorious。Istucktohim，andhit——there，IhavenothadanythingIcouldhitashardasI
wantedto，sinceIusedtofightwithmycousinJackatEton。Oh，MissVizard，itwasawhirlofElysium!ButIamsorryyouwerefrightened。
Letmetakeyouhome。\"
\"Oh，yes，butnotthatway；thatisthewaythemonsterwent!\"quiveredZoe。
\"Oh，hehashadenoughofus。\"
\"ButIhavehadtoomuchofhim。Takemesomeotherroad——ahundredmilesround。HowItremble!\"
\"Soyoudo。Takemyarm——No，puttingthetipsofyourfingersonitisnouse；takeitreally——youwantsupport。Becourageous，now——weareverynearhome。\"
Zoetrembled，andcriedalittle，toconcludetheincident，butwalkedbravelyhomeonUxmoor\'sarm。
InthehallatSomervilleVillashesawhimchangecolor，andinsistedonhistakingsomeportwine。
\"Ishallbeveryglad，\"saidhe。
Adecanterwasbrought。Hefilledalargetumbleranddrankitofflikewater。
ThiswasthefirstintimationhegaveZoethathewasinpain，andhisnerveshardtried；nordidsheindeedarriveatthatconclusionuntilhehadlefther。
Ofcourse，shecarriedallthistoAuntMaitland。Thatladywasquitemovedbytheadventure。Shesatupinbed，andlistenedwithexcitementandadmiration。ShedescantedonLordUxmoor\'scourageandchivalry，andcongratulatedZoethatsuchapearlofmanhoodhadfallenatherfeet。
\"Why，child，\"saidshe，\"surely，afterthis，youwillnothesitatebetweenthisgentlemanandabeggarlyadventurer，whohasnothing，noteventhecourageofaman。Turnyourbackonallsuchrubbish，andbethequeenofthecounty。I\'dbecontenttodieto-morrowifIcouldseeyouCountessofUxmoor。\"
\"Youshalllive，andseeit，dearaunt，\"saidZoe，kissingher。
\"Well，\"saidMissMaitland，\"ifanythingcancureme，thatwill。Andreally，\"saidshe，\"Ifeelbettereversincethatbravefellowbegantobringyoutoyoursenses。\"
Admirationandgratitudebeingnowaddedtoesteem，ZoereceivedLordUxmoornextdaywithacertaintimidityandhalftendernessshehadnevershownbefore；and，ashewasbynaturearapidwooer，hesawhischance，andstayedmuchlongerthanusual，andatlasthazardedahopethathemightbeallowedtotryandwinherheart。
Thereuponshebegantofence，andsaythatlovewasallfolly。Hehadheresteemandhergratitude，anditwouldbebetterforbothofthemtoconfinetheirsentimentswithinthoserationalbounds。
\"ThatIcannotdo，\"saidUxmoor；\"soImustaskyourleavetobeambitious。Letmetryandconqueryouraffection。\"
\"Asyouconqueredthebull?\"
\"Yes；onlynotsorudely，norsoquickly，I\'llbebound。\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknowwhyIshouldobject。Iesteemyoumorethananybodyintheworld。Youaremybeauidealofaman。Ifyoucan_make_meloveyou，allthebetterforme。Only，Iamafraidyoucannot。\"
\"MayItry?\"
\"Yes，\"saidZoe，bushingcarnation。
\"MayIcomeeveryday?\"
\"Twiceaday，ifyoulike。\"
\"IthinkIshallsucceed——intime。\"
\"Ihopeyoumay。\"
Thenhekissedherhanddevotedly——thefirsttimeinhislife——andwentawayonwings。
ZoeflewuptoherauntMaitland，flushedandagitated。\"Aunt，Iamasgoodasengagedtohim。Ihavesaidsuchunguardedthings。I\'msure_he_
willunderstanditthatIconsenttoreceivehisaddressesasmylover。
NotthatIreallysaidso。\"
\"Ihope，\"saidAuntMaitland，\"thatyouhavecommittedyourselfsomehoworother，andcannotgoback。\"
\"IthinkIhave。Yes；itisallover。Icannotgobacknow。\"
Thensheburstoutcrying。Thenshewasnearchoking，andhadtosmellheraunt\'ssalts，whilestillthetearsranfast。
MissMaitlandreceivedthiswithperfectcomposure。Shelookedonthemasthelasttearsofregretgiventoafoolishattachmentatthemomentofcondemningitforever。Shewasold，andhadseenthesefinaltearsshedbymorethanonelovingwomanjustbeforeenteringonherdayofsunshine。
AndnowZoemustbealone，andventherswellingheart。Shetiedahandkerchiefroundherheadanddartedintothegarden。Shewentroundandrounditwithfleetfootandbeatingpulses。
Thesunbegantodecline，andacoldwindtowarnherin。Shecame，forthelasttime，toacertainturnofthegravelwalk，wheretherewasalittleirongateleadingintothewoodedwalkfromthemeadows。
Atthatgateshefoundaman。Shestartedback，andleanedagainstthenearesttree，withherhandsbehindher。
ItwasEdwardSeverne——allinblack，andpaleasdeath；butnotpalerthanherownfaceturnedinamoment。
Indeed，theylookedateachotherliketwoghosts。
CHAPTERXXIV。
ZOEwasthefirsttospeak，orrathertogasp。\"Whydoyoucomehere?\"
\"Because_you_arehere。\"
\"AndhowdareyoucomewhereIam?——nowyourfalsehoodisfoundoutandflungintomyveryface!\"
\"Ihaveneverbeenfalsetoyou。AtthismomentIsufferformyfidelity。\"
_\"You_suffer?Iamgladofit。How?\"
\"Inmanyways:buttheyarealllight，comparedwithmyfearoflosingyourlove。\"
\"Iwilllistentonoidlewords，\"saidZoesternly。\"Aladyclaimedyoubeforemyface；whydidyounotstandfirmlikeaman，andsay，\'Youhavenoclaimonmenow；Ihavearighttoloveanother，andIdo?\'Whydidyoufly?——becauseyouwereguilty。\"
\"No，\"saidhe，doggedly。\"Surprisedandconfounded，butnotguilty。Fool!
idiot!thatIwas。Ilostmyheadentirely。Yes，itishopeless。You_must_despiseme。Youhavearighttodespiseme。\"
\"Don\'ttellme，\"saidZoe:\"youneverloseyourhead。Youarealwaysself-possessedandartful。WouldtoHeavenIhadneverseenyou!\"Shewasviolent。
Hegavehertime。\"Zoe，\"saidhe，afterawhile，\"ifIhadnotlostmyhead，shouldIhaveill-treatedaladyandnearlykilledher?\"
\"Ah!\"saidZoe，sharply，\"thatiswhatyouhavebeensufferingfrom——remorse。Andwellyoumay。Yououghttogobacktoher，andaskherpardononyourknees。Indeed，itisallyouhavelefttodonow。\"
\"IknowIought。\"
\"Thendowhatyouought。Good-by。\"
\"Icannot。Ihateher。\"
\"What，becauseyouhavebrokenherheart，andnearlykilledher?\"
\"No；butbecauseshehascomebetweenmeandtheonlywomanIeverreallyloved，orevercan。\"
\"Shewouldnothavedonethatifyouhadnotgivenhertheright。Iseehernow；shelookedjustice，andyoulookedguilt。Wordsareidle，whenI
canseeherfacebeforemestill。Nowomancouldlooklikethatwhowasinthewrong。Butyou——guiltmadeyouacoward:youwerefalsetoherandfalsetome；andsoyouranawayfromusboth。Youwouldhavetalkedeitherofusover，alone；butweweretogether:soyouranaway。Youhavefoundmealonenow，soyouarebraveagain；butitistoolate。Iamundeceived。IdeclinetorobMademoiselleKloskingofherlover；sogood-by。\"
Andthistimeshewasreallygoing，buthestoppedher。\"Atleastdon\'tgowithafalsehoodonyourlips，\"saidhe，coldly。
\"Afalsehood!——Me!\"
\"Yes，itisafalsehood。HowcanyoupretendIleftthatladyforyou，whenyouknowmyconnectionwithherhadentirelyceasedtenmonthsbeforeIeversawyourface?\"
ThisstaggeredZoeamoment；sodidtheheatandsenseofinjusticehethrewintohisvoice。
\"Iforgotthat，\"saidshe，naively。Then，recoveringherself，\"Youmayhavepartedwithher；butitdoesnotfollowthatsheconsented。Ficklemendesertconstantwomen。Itisdoneeveryday。\"
\"Youaremistakenagain，\"saidhe。\"WhenIfirstsawyou，IhadceasedtothinkofMademoiselleKlosking；butitwasnotsowhenIfirstlefther。
Ididnotdeserther。Itoremyselffromher。Ihadagreataffectionforher。\"
\"Youdaretotellmethat。Well，atallevents，itisthetruth。Whydidyouleaveher，then?\"
\"Outofself-respect。Iwaspoor，shewasrichandadmired。Mensentherbouquetsandbracelets，andflatteredherbehindthescenes，andIwasloweredinmyowneyes:soIlefther。Iwasunhappyforatime；butI
hadmypridetosupportme，andthewoundwashealedlongbeforeIknewwhatitwastolove，reallytolove。\"
TherewasnothingherethatZoecouldcontradict。Shekeptsilence，andwasmystified。
Thensheattackedhimonanotherquarter。\"Haveyouwrittentohersinceyoubehavedlikearuffiantoher?\"
\"No。AndIneverwill，comewhatmay。Itiswickedofme；butIhateher。
Iamcompelledtoesteemher。ButIhateher。\"
Zoecouldquiteunderstandthat；butinspiteofthatshesaid，\"Ofcourseyoudo。Menalwayshatethosetheyhaveusedill。Whydidyounotwriteto_me?_Hadamindtobeimpartial，Isuppose?\"
\"Ihadreasontobelieveitwouldhavebeenintercepted。\"
\"Forshame!Vizardisincapableofsuchathing。\"
\"Ah，youdon\'tknowhowheischanged。Helooksonmeasamaddog。
Consider，Zoe:do，pray，taketherealkeytoitall。HeisinlovewithMademoiselleKlosking，madlyinlovewithher:andIhavebeensounfortunateastoinjureher——nearlytokillher。Idaresayhethinksitisonyouraccounthehatesme；butmendeceivethemselves。Itisfor_her_hehatesme\"
\"Oh!\"
\"Ay。Thinkforamoment，andyouwillseeitis。_You_arenotinhisconfidence。Iamsurehehasnevertold_you_thatheorderedhiskeeperstoshootmedownifIcameaboutthehouseatnight。\"
\"Ohno，no!\"criedZoe。
\"Doyouknowhehasraisedthecountryagainstme，andhaswarrantsoutagainstmeforforgery，becauseIwastakeninbyaroguewhogavemebillswithshamnamesonthem，andIgotVizardtocashthem?AssoonaswefoundouthowIhadbeentricked，myuncleandIofferedatoncetopayhimbackhismoney。Butno!hepreferstokeepthebillsasaweapon。\"
Zoebegantobepuzzledalittle。Butshesaid，\"Youhavebeenalongtimediscoveringallthesegrievances。Whyhaveyouheldnocommunicationallthistime?\"
\"Becauseyouwereinaccessible。DoesnotyourownhearttellyouthatI
havebeenalltheseweekstryingtocommunicate，andunable?Why，Icamethreetimesunderyourwindowatnight，andyounever，neverwouldlookout。\"
\"Ididlookouteversooften。\"
\"IfIhadbeenyou，Ishouldhavelookedtenthousandtimes。IonlyleftoffcomingwhenIheardthekeeperswereorderedtoshootmedown。NotthatIshouldhavecaredmuch，forIamdesperate。ButIhadjustsenseenoughlefttoseethat，ifmydeadbodyhadbeenbroughtbleedingintoyourhallsomenight，noneofyouwouldeverhavebeenhappyagain。Youreyeswouldhavebeenopened，allofyou。Well，Zoe，youleftVizardCourt；thatIlearned:butitwasonlythismorningIcouldfindoutwhereyouweregone:andyouseeIamhere——withapriceuponmyhead。
PleasereadVizard\'sadvertisements。\"
Shetookthemandreadthem。Ahotflushmountedtohercheek。
\"Yousee，\"saidhe，\"IamtobeimprisonedifIsetmyfootinBarfordshire。Well，itwillbefalseimprisonment，andMademoiselleKlosking\'sloverwillsmartforit。Atallevents，Ishalltakenoordersbutfromyou。Youhavebeendeceivedbyappearances。IshalldoallIcantoundeceiveyou，andifIcannot，therewillbenoneedtoimprisonmeforadeceitofwhichIwasthevictim，nortoshootmelikeadogforloving_you。_Iwilltakemybrokenheartquietlyaway，andleaveBarfordshire，andEngland，andtheworld，foraughtIcare。\"
Thenhecried:andthatmadehercrydirectly。
\"Ah!\"shesighed，\"weareunfortunate。Appearancesaresodeceitful。I
seeIhavejudgedtoohastily，andlistenedtoolittletomyownheart，thatalwaysmadeexcuses。Butitistoolatenow。\"
\"Whytoolate?\"
\"Itis。\"
\"Butwhy?\"
\"Italllookedsougly，andyouweresilent。Weareunfortunate。Mybrotherwouldneverletusmarry；and，besides——Oh，whydidyounotcomebefore?\"
\"Imightaswellsay，Whydidyounotlookoutofyourwindow?Youcouldhavedoneitwithoutriskingyourlife，asIdid。Orwhydidyounotadvertise。Youmighthaveinvitedanexplanationfrom\'E。S。，\'undercovertoso-and-so。\"
\"Ladiesneverthinkofsuchthings。Youknowthatverywell。\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tcomplain；butIdosaythatthosewholoveshouldnotbereadytoreproach；theyshouldputagenerousconstruction。Youmighthaveknown，andyououghttohaveknown，thatIwasstrugglingtofindyou，andtornwithanguishatmyimpotence。\"
\"No，no。Iamsoyoungandinexperienced，andallmyfriendsagainstyou。
Itistheywhohavepartedus。\"
\"Howcantheypartus，ifyoulovemestillasIloveyou?\"
\"BecauseforthelastfortnightIhavenotlovedyou，buthatedyou，anddoubtedyou，andthoughtmyonlychanceofhappinesswastoimitateyourindifference:andwhileIwasthinkingso，anotherpersonhascomeforward；onewhomIhavealwaysesteemed:andnow，inmypityanddespair，Ihavegivenhimhopes。\"Shehidherburningfaceinherhands。
\"Isee；youarefalsetome，andthereforeyouhavesuspectedmeofbeingfalsetoyou。\"
Atthatsheraisedherheadhighdirectly。\"Edward，youareunjust。Lookinmyface，andyoumayseewhatIhavesufferedbeforeIcouldbringmyselftocondemnyou。\"
\"What!yourpaleness，thatdarkrimunderyourlovelyeyes——amIthecause?\"
\"Indeedyouare。ButIforgiveyou。Youaresadlypaleandworntoo。Oh，howunfortunateweare!\"
\"Donotcry，dearest，\"saidhe。\"Donotdespair。Becalm，andletmeknowtheworst。Iwillnotreproachyou，thoughyouhavereproachedme。Iloveyouasnowomancanlove。Come，tellme。\"
\"Thenthetruthis，LordUxmoorhasrenewedhisattentiontome。\"
\"Ah!\"
\"Hehasbeenhereeveryday。\"
Severnegroaned。
\"AuntMaitlandwasonhisside，andspokesokindlytome，andhesavedmylifefromafuriousbull。Heisbrave，noble，good，andhelovesme。I
havecommittedmyself。Icannotdrawbackwithhonor。\"
\"Butfrommeyoucan，becauseIampoorandhated，andhavenotitle。Ifyouarecommittedtohim，youareengagedtome。\"
\"Iam；sonowIcangoneitherway。IfIhadpoison，Iwouldtakeitthismoment，andendall。\"
\"ForGod\'ssake，don\'ttalkso。Iamsureyouexaggerate。Youcannot，inthosefewdays，havepledgedyourfaithtoanother。Letmeseeyourfinger。Ah!there\'smyringonitstill:blessyou，myowndarlingZoe——blessyou；\"andhecoveredherhandwithkisses，andbedeweditwithhisever-readytears。
Thegirlbegantomelt，andallpowertooozeoutofher，mindandbody。
Shesigheddeeplyandsaid，\"WhatcanIdo——Idon\'tsaywithhonorandcredit，butwithdecency。What_can_Ido?\"
\"Tellme，first，whatyouhavesaidtohimthatyouconsidersocompromising。\"
Zoe，withmanysighs，replied:\"Ibelieve——Isaid——Iwasunhappy。AndsoIwas。AndIowned——thatIadmired——andesteemedhim。AndsoIdo。Andthenofcoursehewantedmore，andIcouldnotgivemore；andheaskedmighthetryandmakemelovehim；and——Isaid——IamafraidIsaid——hemight，ifhecould。\"
\"Andaveryproperanswer，too。\"
\"Ah!butIsaidhemightcomeeveryday。Itisidletodeceiveourselves:
Ihaveencouragedhisaddresses。Icandonothingnowwithcreditbutdie，orgointoaconvent。\"
\"Whendidyousaythis?\"
\"Thisveryday。\"
\"Thenhehasneveractedonit。\"
\"No，buthewill。Hewillbeheretomorrowforcertain。\"
\"Thenyourcourseisplain。Youmustchooseto-nightbetweenhimandme。
Youmustdismisshimbyletter，ormeuponthisspot。Ihavenotmuchfortunetoofferyou，andnocoronet；butIloveyou，andyouhaveseenmerejectalovelyandaccomplishedwoman，whomIesteemasmuchasyoudothislord。Rejecthim?Why，youhaveseenmeflingherawayfrommelikeadogsoonerthanleaveyouinamoment\'sdoubtofmylove:ifyoucannotwriteacivilnotedeclininganearlforme，yourloveinnotworthyofmine，andIwillbegonewithmylove。IwillnottakeittoMademoiselleKlosking，thoughIesteemherasyoudothislord；but，atallevents，Iwilltakeitawayfromyou，andleaveyoumycurseinstead，forafalse，ficklegirlthatcouldnotwaitonelittlemonth，butmustfall，withherengagedringonherfinger，intoanotherman\'sarms。Oh，Zoe!Zoe!whocouldhavebelievedthisofyou?\"
\"Don\'treproach_me。_Iwon\'tbearit，\"shecried，wildly。
\"Ihopenottohavetoreproachyou，\"saidhe，firmly；\"Icannotconceiveyourhesitating。\"
\"Iamwornout。Lovehasbeentoogreatatorment。Oh，ifIcouldfindpeace!\"
Againhertearsflowed。
Heputonasympathizingair。\"Youshallhavepeace。Dismiss_him_asI
tellyou，andhewilltroubleyounomore；shakehandswithme，andsayyouprefer_him，_andIwilltroubleyounomore。Butwithtwolovers，peaceisoutofthequestion，andsoisself-respect。IknowIcouldnotvacillatebetweenyouandMademoiselleKloskingoranyotherwoman。\"
\"Ah，Edward，ifIdothis，yououghttolovemeverydearly。\"
\"Ishall。Betterthanever——ifpossible。\"
\"Andnevermakemejealousagain。\"
\"Inevershall，dearest。Ourtroublesareover。\"
\"Edward，Ihavebeenveryunhappy。Icouldnotbearthesedoubtsagain。\"
\"Youshallneverbeunhappyagain。\"
\"Imustdowhatyourequire，Isuppose。Thatishowitalwaysends。Ohdear!ohdear!\"
\"Zoe，itmustbedone。Youknowitmust。\"
\"IwarnyouIshalldoitaskindlyasIcan。\"
\"Ofcourseyouwill。Yououghtto。\"
\"Imustgoinnow。Ifeelverycold。\"
\"Howsoonto-morrowwillyoumeetmehere?\"
\"Whenyouplease，\"saidshe，languidly。
\"Atteno\'clock?\"
\"Yes。\"
Thentherewasatenderparting，andZoewentslowlyin。Shewenttoherownroom，justtothinkitalloveralone。Shecaughtsightofherfaceintheglass。Hercheekshadregainedcolor，andhereyeswerebrightasstars。Shestoppedandlookedatherself。\"Therenow，\"saidshe，\"andI
seemtomyselftoliveagain。IwasmadtothinkIcouldeverloveanymanbuthim。Heismydarling，myidol。\"
