TherewasnolatedinneratSomervilleVilla。Indeed，ladies，lefttothemselves，seldomdinelate。Natureisstronginthem，andtheyarehungriestwhenthesunishigh。Atseveno\'clockZoeVizardwasseatedatherdesktryingtowritetoLordUxmoor。Shesighed，shemoaned，shebegan，anddroppedthepenandhidherface。Shebecamealmostwild；andinthatstatesheatlastdashedoffwhatfollows:
\"DEARLORDUXMOOR——Forpity\'ssake，forgivethemadwordsIsaidtoyoutoday。Itisimpossible。Icandonomorethanadmireandesteemyou。Myheartisgonefrommeforever。Prayforgiveme，thoughIdonotdeserveit；andneverseemenorlookatmeagain。Iaskpardonformyvacillation。Ithasbeendisgraceful；butithasended，andIwasunderagreaterror，whichIcannotexplaintoyou，whenIledyoutobelieveI
hadahearttogiveyou。Myeyesareopened。Ourpathslieasunder。Pray，prayforgiveme，ifitispossible。Iwillneverforgivemyself，norceasetoblessandrevereyou，whomIhaveusedsoill。
ZOEVIZARD。\"
ThatdayUxmoordinedalonewithhismother，forawonder，andhetoldherhowMissVizardhadcomeround；hetoldheralsoaboutthebull，butsovilelythatshehardlycomprehendedhehadbeeninanydanger:theseencountersarerarelydescribedtothelife，exceptbyuswhoavoidthem——exceptonpaper。
LadyUxmoorwasmuchpleased。Shewasaproud，politiclady，andthiswasajudiciousunionoftwopowerfulhousesinthecounty，andonethatwouldalmostcommandtheelections。But，aboveall，sheknewherson\'sheartwasinthematch，andshegavehimamother\'ssympathy。
Assheretired，shekissedhimandsaid，\"Whenyouarequitesureoftheprize，tellme，andIwillcalluponher。\"
Beingalone，LordUxmoorlightedacigarandsmokeditinmeasurelesscontent。Theservantbroughthimanoteonasalver。Ithadcomebyhand。
Uxmooropeneditandreadeverywordstraightthrough，downto\"ZoeVizard；\"readit，andsatpetrified。
Hereaditagain。Hefeltasortofsicknesscomeoverhim。Heswallowedatumblerofport，awineherarelytouched；buthefeltworsenowthanafterthebullfight。Thisdone，heroseandstalkedlikeawoundedlionintothedrawing-room，whichwasonthesamefloor，andlaidtheletterbeforehismother。
\"Youareawomantoo，\"saidhe，alittlehelplessly。\"Tellme——whatonearthdoesthismean?\"
Thedowagerreaditslowlyandkeenly，andsaid，\"Itmeans——anotherman。\"
\"Ah!\"saidUxmoor，withasortofsnarl。
\"Haveyouseenanyoneabouther?\"
\"No；notlately。AtVizardCourttherewas。Butthatisallovernow，I
conclude。ItwasaMr。Severne，anadventurer，afellowthatwascaughtoutinaliebeforeusall。VizardtellsmealadycameandclaimedhimbeforeMissVizard，andheranaway。\"
\"Anunworthyattachment，inshort?\"
\"Veryunworthy，ifitwasanattachmentatall。\"
\"WasheatVizardCourtwhenshedeclinedyourhand?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Didheremain，afteryouwent?\"
\"Isupposeso。Yes，hemusthave。\"
\"Thenthewholethingisclear:thatmanhascomeforwardagainunexpectedly，orwritten，andshedismissesyou。Mydarling，thereisbutonethingforyoutodo。Leaveher，andthankherfortellingyouintime。Alesshonorablefoolwouldhavehiddenit，andthenwemighthavehadaCountessofUxmoorintheDivorceCourtsomedayorother。
\"Ihadbettergoabroad，\"saidUxmoor，withagroan。\"Thiscountryispoisonedforme。\"
\"Go，byallmeans。LetJannewaypackupyourthingsto-morrow。\"
\"Ishouldliketokillthatfellowfirst。\"
\"Youwillnotevenwasteathoughtonhim，ifyouaremyson。\"
\"Youareright，mother。WhatamItosaytoher?\"
\"Notaword。\"
\"What，notanswerherletter?Itishumbleenough，Iamsure——poorsoul!
Mother，Iamwretched，butIamnotbitter，andmyrivalwillrevengeme。\"
\"Uxmoor，yourgoingabroadistheonlyanswersheshallhave。Thewisestman，inthesematters，whoeverlivedhasleftaruleofconducttoeverywell-bornman——arulewhich，believeme，iswisdomitself:
\"Lebruitestpourlefat，laplainteestpourlesot；L\'honnetehommetrompe\'；s\'e\'loigne，etneditmot。\"
Youwillmakeatour，andnotsayawordtoMissVizard，good，bad，norindifferent。Iinsistuponthat。\"
\"Verywell。Thankyou，dearmother；youguideme，anddon\'tletmemakeafoolofmyself，forIamterriblycutup。YouwillbetheonlyCountessofUxmoorinmyday。\"
Thenhekneltatherfeet，andshekissedhisheadandcriedoverhim；
buthertearsonlymadethisproudladystronger。
Nextdayhestartedonhistravels。
Now，butforZoe，hewouldonnoaccounthaveleftEnglandjustthen；forhewasjustgoingtobuildmodelcottagesinhisownvillage，upondesignsofhisown，eachwithalittleplot，andapublicwarehouseorgranary，withdivisionsfortheirpotatoesandapples，etc。However，heturnedthisoverinhismindwhile。hewaspacking；heplacedcertainplansandpapersinhisdispatchbox，andtookhistickettoTaddington，insteadofgoingatoncetoLondon。FromTaddingtonhedroveovertoHillstokeandaskedforMissGale。TheytoldhimshewasfixedatVizardCourt。Thatvexedhim:hedidnotwanttomeetVizard。HethoughtitthepartofaJerrySneaktogoandhowltoabrotheragainsthissister。YetifVizardquestionedhim，howcouldheconcealtherewassomethingwrong?
However，hewentdowntoVizardCourt；butsaidtotheservantwhoopenedthedoor，\"Iamratherinahurry，sir:doyouthinkyoucouldprocuremeafewminuteswithMissGale?YouneednottroubleMr。Vizard。\"
\"Yes，mylaud。Certainly，mylaud。Pleasestepinthemorning-room，mylaud。Mr。Vizardisout。\"
Thatwasfortunate，andMissGalecamedowntohimdirectly。
FannytookthatopportunitytochatterandtellMademoiselleKloskingallaboutLordUxmoorandhispassionforZoe。\"Andhewillhaveher，too，\"
saidshe，boldly。
LordUxmoortoldMissGalehehadcalleduponbusiness。Hewasobligedtoleavehomeforatime，andwishedtoplacehisprojectsunderthecareofapersonwhocouldreallysympathizewiththem，andmakeadditionstothem，ifnecessary。\"Men，\"saidhe，\"arealwaysmakingoversightsinmattersofdomesticcomfort:besides，youarefullofideas。Iwantyoutobeviceroywithfullpower，andactjustasyouwouldifthevillagebelongedtoyou。\"
Rhodacoloredhighatthecompliment。
\"Wells，cows，granary，realeducation——whatyoulike\"saidhe。\"Iknowyourmind。Beginabolishingthelowerordersintheonlywaytheycanbegotridof——byraisingthemincomfort，cleanliness，decency，andknowledge。ThenIshallnotbemissed。I\'mgoingabroad。\"
\"Goingabroad?\"
\"Yes。Herearemyplans:alterthemforthebetterifyoucan。Alltheworktobedonebythevillagers。Weeklywages。Webuymaterials。Theywillbemorereconciledtoimproveddwellingswhentheybuildthemthemselves。Herearetheaddressesofthepeoplewhowillfurnishmoney。
Itwillentailtraveling；butmypeoplewillalwaysmeetyouatthestation，ifyoutelegraphfromTaddington。Youaccept?Athousandthanks。
IamafraidImustbeoff。\"
Shewentintothehallwithhim，halfbewildered，andonlyatthedoorfoundtimetoaskafterZoeVizard。
\"Alittlebetter，Ithink，thanwhenshecame。\"
\"Doessheknowyouaregoingabroad?\"
\"No；Idon\'tthinkshedoes，yet。Itwassettledallinahurry。\"
Heescapedfurtherquestioningbyhurryingaway。
MissGalewasstilllookingafterhim，whenInaKloskingcamedown，dressedforawalk，andleaninglightlyonMissDover\'sarm。ThiswasbypreviousconsentofMissGale。
\"Well，dear，\"saidFanny，\"whatdidhesaytoyou?\"
\"Somethingthathassurprisedandpuzzledmeverymuch。\"Shethenrelatedthewholeconversation，withherusualprecision。
InaKloskingobservedquietlytoFannythatthisdidnotlooklikesuccessfulwooing。
\"Idon\'tknowthat，\"saidFanny，stoutly。\"Oh，MissGale，didyounotaskhimabouther?\"
\"CertainlyIdid；andhesaidshewasbetterthanwhenshefirstcame。\"
\"There!\"saidFanny，triumphantly。
MissGalegaveheralittlepinch，andshedroppedthesubject。
Vizardreturned，andfoundMademoiselleKloskingwalkingonhisgravel。
Heofferedherhisarm，andwasahappyman，paradingherveryslowly，andsupportinghersteps，andpurringhiscongratulationsintoherear。
\"SupposeIweretoinviteyoutodinner，whatwouldyousay?\"
\"IthinkIshouldsay，\'To-morrow。\'\"
\"Andaverygoodanswer，too。To-morrowshallbea_fete。\"_
\"Youspoilme?\"
\"Thatisimpossible。\"
Itwasstrangetoseethemtogether；hesohappy，shesoapathetic，yetgracious。
Nextmorningcameabitofhumannature——aletterfromZoetoFanny，almostentirelyoccupiedwithpraisesofLordUxmoor。ShetoldthebullstorybetterthanIhave——ifpossible——and，inshort，madeUxmooraheroofromance。
Fannycarriedthisintriumphtotheotherladies，andreaditout。
\"There!\"saidshe。\"Didn\'tItellyou?\"
Rhodareadtheletter，andownedherselfpuzzled。\"Iamnot，then，\"saidFanny:\"theyareengaged——overthebull；likeEuropaandIforgotwho——andsoheisnotafraidtogoabroadnow。Thatisjustlikethemen。
Theycooldirectlythechaseisover。\"
NowthetruthwasthatZoewastryingtosootheherconsciencewithelegantpraisesofthemanshehaddismissed，andfeltguilty。
InaKloskingsaidlittle。Shewaspuzzledtooatfirst。SheaskedtoseeZoe\'shandwriting。Theletterwashandedtoher。Shestudiedthecharacters。\"Itisagoodhand，\"shesaid；\"nothingmeanthere。\"Andshegaveitback。
But，withaglance，shehadreadtheaddress，andlearnedthattheposttownwasBagley。
Allthatday，atintervals，shebroughtherpowerfulunderstandingtobearontheparadox；andthoughshehadnotthefactsandtheclewIhavegiventhereader，shecamenearthetruthinanessentialmatter。ShesatisfiedherselfthatLordUxmoorwasnotengagedtoZoeVizard。
Clearly，ifso，hewouldnotleaveEnglandformonths。Sheresolvedtoknowmore；andjustbeforedinnershewrotealinetoAshmead，andrequestedhimtocallonherimmediately。
ThatdayshedinedwithVizardandtheladies。ShesatatVizard\'srighthand，andhetoldherhowproud，andhappyhewastoseeherthere。
Sheblushedfaintly，butmadenoreply。
Sheretiredsoonafterdinner。
AllnextdaysheexpectedAshmead。
Hedidnotcome。
ShedinedwithVizardnextday，andretiredtothedrawing-room。Thepianowasopened，andsheplayedoneortwoexquisitethings，andafterwardtriedhervoice，butonlyinscales，andsomewhattimidly，forMissGalewarnedhershemightloseitorspoilitifshestrainedthevocalchordwhileherwholesystemwasweak。
NextdayAshmeadcamewithapologies。
Hehadspentadayinthecathedraltownonbusiness。Hedidnottellherhowhehadspentthatday，goingaboutpuffingherasthegreatestsingerofsacredmusicintheworld，andpavingthewaytoherengagementatthenextfestival。Yetthesingle-heartedJosephhadreallyraisedthatcommercialsuperstructureuponthesentimentsshehadutteredonhisfirstvisittoVizardCourt。
Inanowheldaprivateconferencewithhim。\"Ithink，\"saidshe，\"Ihaveheardyousayyouwereonceanactor。\"
\"Iwas，madam，andaverygoodone，too。\"
_\"Celavasansdire。_Ineverknewonethatwasnot。Atallevents，youcandisguiseyourself。\"
\"Anything，madam，fromGrandfatherWhiteheadtoaboyinapinafore。
Famousformymake-ups。\"
\"Iwishyoutowatchacertainhouse，andnotberecognizedbyapersonwhoknowsyou。\"
\"Well，madam，nothingis_infradig，_ifdoneforyou；nothingisdistastefulifdoneforyou。\"
\"Thankyou，myfriend。Ihavethoughtitwelltoputmyinstructionsonpaper。\"
\"Ay，thatisthebestway。\"
Shehandedhimtheinstructions。Hereadthem，andhiseyessparkled。
\"Ah，thisisacommissionIundertakewithpleasure，andI\'llexecuteitwithzeal。\"
Helefther，soonafter，tocarryouttheseinstructions，andthatveryeveninghewasinthewardrobeofthelittletheater，rummagingoutasuitablecostume，andalsoincloseconferencewiththewigmaker。
NextdayVizardhadhismother\'ssablestakenoutandaired，anddroveMademoiselleKloskingintoTaddingtoninanopencarriage。Fannytoldhertheywerehismother\'ssables，andnonetocomparewiththeminthecountry。
Onreturning，shetriedhervoicetotheharmoniuminherownantechamber，andfounditwasgainingstrength——likeherself。
MeantimeZoeVizardmetSeverneinthegarden，andtoldhimshehadwrittentoLordUxmoor，andhewouldnevervisitheragain。Butshedidnotmakelightofthesacrificethistime。Shehadsacrificedherownself-respectaswellasUxmoor\'s，andshewassullenandtearful。
Hehadtobeverywaryandpatient，orshewouldhavepartedwithhimtoo，andfledfrombothofthemtoherbrother。
Uxmoor\'swoundedpridewouldhavebeensoothedcouldhehavebeenpresentatthefirstinterviewofthispair。HewouldhaveseenSevernetreatedwithahauteurandasortofsavagenesshehimselfwassafefrom，safeinherunshakenesteem。
Buttheworldismadeforthosewhocankeeptheirtemper，especiallythefemalepartoftheworld。
Sad，kind，andloving，butneverirritable，Severnesmootheddownandsoothedandcomfortedthewoundedgirl；and，seeinghertwoorthreetimesaday——forshewascompletelymistressofhertime——gothercompletelyintohispoweragain。
Uxmoordidnotreply。
Shehadmadeherselection。Lovebeckonedforward。Itwasuselesstolookback。
Lovewasomnipotent。Theybothbegantorecovertheirgoodlooksasifbymagic；andasSeverne\'spassion，thoughwicked，wasearnest，nopoorbirdwasevermorecompletelyentangledbybird-limethanZoewascaughtbyEdwardSeverne。
TheirusualplaceofmeetingwastheshrubberyattachedtoSomervilleVilla。Thetrees，beingyoung，madealltheclosershade，andthegravel-walkmeandered，andshutthemoutfromview。
Severneusedtoenterthisshrubberybyalittlegateleadingfromthemeadow，andwaitunderthetreestillZoecametohim。Vizard\'sadvertisementsalarmedhim，andheusedtoseethecoastclearbeforeheenteredtheshrubbery，andalsobeforeheleftit。Hewassoparticularinthisthat，observingonedayanoldmandodderingaboutwithabasket，hewouldnotgointillhehadtakenalookathim。Hefounditwasanancientwhite-hairedvillagergatheringmushrooms。Theoldfellowwassostiff，andhishandsotrembling，thatittookhimaboutaminutetogatherasinglefungus。
Togiveareasonforcominguptohim，Severnesaid，\"Howoldareyou，oldman?\"
\"Ibeninety，measter，nextMartinmas-day。\"
\"Onlyninety?\"saidourAdonis，contemptuously；\"youlookahundredandninety。\"
Hewouldhavebeenlesscontemptuoushadheknownthatthemushroomswerealltoad-stools，andthevillagecentenairewasMr。JosephAshmead，resuminghisoriginalarts，andplayingGrandfatherWhiteheadonthegreengrass。
CHAPTERXXV。
MADEMOISELLEKLOSKINGtoldVizardthetimedrewnearwhenshemustleavehishospitablehouse。
\"Sayamonthhence，\"saidhe。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Ofcourseyouwillnotstaytogratifyme，\"saidhe，halfsadly，halfbitterly。\"Butyouwillhavetostayaweekortwolonger_parordonnancedume\'decin。\"_
\"Myphysicianisreconciledtomygoing。Wemustallbowtonecessity。\"
Thiswassaidtoofirmlytoadmitareply。\"Theoldhousewillseemverydarkagainwheneveryoudogo，\"saidVizard，plaintively。
\"Itwillsoonbebrightenedbyherwhoisitstrueandlastinglight，\"
wasthesteadyreply。
Adayortwopassedwithnothingtorecord，exceptthatVizardhungaboutInaKlosking，andbecame，ifpossible，moreenamoredofherandmoreunwillingtopartwithher。
Mr。Ashmeadarrivedoneafternoonaboutthreeo\'clock，andwasmorethananhourwithher。Theyconversedveryearnestly，andwhenhewent，MissGalefoundheragitated。
\"Thiswillnotdo，\"saidshe。
\"Itwillpass，myfriend，\"saidIna。\"Iwillsleep。\"
Shelaidherselfdownandsleptthreehoursbeforedinner。
Shearoserefreshed，anddinedwiththelittleparty；andonretiringtothedrawing-room，sheinvitedVizardtojointhemathisconvenience。Hemadeithisconvenienceintenminutes。
Thensheopenedthepiano，playedanintroduction，andelectrifiedthemallbysingingtheleadingsonginSiebel。Shedidnotsingitsopowerfullyasinthetheater；shewouldnothavedonethatevenifshecould:butstillshesungitout，andnobly。Itseemedamiracletohearsuchsinginginaroom。
Vizardwasinraptures。
Theycooledsuddenlywhensheremindedhimwhathehadsaid，thatshemuststaytillshecouldsingSiebel\'ssong。\"Ikeeptotheletterofthecontract，\"saidshe。\"Myfriends，thisismylastnightatVizardCourt。\"
\"Pleasetryandshakethatresolution，\"saidVizard，gravely，toMesdemoisellesDoverandGale。
\"Theycannot，\"saidIna。\"Itismydestiny。Andyet，\"saidshe，afterapause，\"Iwouldnothaveyouremembermebythatflimsything。Letmesingyouasongyourmotherloved；letmeberememberedinthishouse，asasinger，bythat。\"
ThenshesungHandel\'ssong:
\"WhatthoughItraceeachherbandflowerThatdecksthemorningdew?DidInotownJehovah\'spower，HowvainwereallIknew。\"
Shesungitwithamazingpurity，volume，grandeur，andpower；thelustersrangandshook，theheartswerethrilled，andtheverysoulsofthehearersravished。Sheherselfturnedalittlepaleinsingingit，andthetearsstoodinhereyes。
Thesonganditsinterpretationweresofarabovewhatpassesformusicthattheyallfeltcomplimentswouldbeanimpertinence。Theireyesandtheirlongdrawnbreathpaidthetruehomagetothatgreatmasterrightlyinterpreted——averyrareoccurrence。
\"Ah!\"saidshe；\"thatwasthehandcouldbrandishGoliath\'sspear。\"
\"Andthisishowyoureconcileustolosingyou，\"saidVizard。\"Youmightstay，atleast，tillyouhadgonethroughmypoormother\'scollection。\"
\"Ah!IwishIcould。ButIcannot。Imustnot。MyFateforbidsit。\"
\"\'Fate\'and\'destiny，\'\"saidVizard，\"stuffandnonsense。Wemakeourowndestiny。Mineistobeeternallydisappointed，andhappinesssnatchedoutofmyhands。\"
Hehadnosoonermadethisprettyspeechthanhewasashamedofit，andstalkedoutoftheroom，nottosayanymoreunwisethings。
ThisburstofspleenalarmedFannyDover。\"There，\"saidshe，\"nowyoucannotgo。Heisveryangry。\"
InaKloskingsaidshewassorryforthat；buthewastoojustamantobeangrywithherlong:thedaywouldcomewhenhewouldapproveherconduct。Herlipquiveredalittleasshesaidthis，andthewaterstoodinhereyes:andthiswasrememberedandunderstood，longafter，bothbyMissDoverandRhodaGale。
\"WhendoesyourRoyalHighnessproposetostart?\"inquiredRhodaGale，veryobsequiously，andjustalittlebitterly。
\"To-morrowathalf-pastnineo\'clock，dearfriend，\"saidIna。
\"Thenyouwillnotgowithoutme。YouwillgetthebetterofMr。Vizard，becauseheisonlyaman；butIamawoman，andhaveawillaswellasyou。Ifyoumakeajourneyto-morrow，Igowithyou。Denyme，andyoushan\'tgoatall。\"Hereyesflasheddefiance。
Inamovedonestep，tookRhoda\'slittledefianthead，andkissedhercheek。\"Sweetphysicianandkindfriend，ofcourseyoushallgowithme，ifyouwill，andbeagreatblessingtome。\"
ThisreconciledMissGaletotheproceedings。Shepackedupacarpet-bag，andwasupearly，makingprovisionsofeverysortforherpatient\'sjourney:airpillows，softwarmcoverings，medicaments，stimulants，etc。，inalittlebagslungacrosshershoulders。Thusfurnished，andequippedinauniformsuitofgrayclothandwideawakehat，shecutaverysprightlyandcommandingfigure，butmorelikeDianathanHebe。
TheKloskingcamedown，apaleJuno，intravelingcostume；andaquarterofanhourbeforethetimeapair-horseflywasatthedoorandMr。
Ashmeadinthehall。
Theladieswerebothready。
ButVizardhadnotappeared。
Thiscausedanuneasydiscussion。
\"Hemustbeveryangry，\"saidFanny，inahalfwhisper。
\"Icannotgowhileheis，\"sighedLaKlosking。\"Thereisalimiteventomycourage。\"
\"Mr。Harris，\"saidRhoda，\"wouldyoumindtellingMr。Vizard?\"
\"Well，miss，\"saidHarris，softly，\"Ididstepinandtellhim。Whichhetoldmetogotothedevil，miss——ahobservationIneverknewhimtomakebefore。\"
Thiswasnotencouraging。YettheKloskingquietlyinquiredwherehewas。
\"Inthere，ma\'am，\"saidHarris。\"Inhisstudy。\"
MademoiselleKlosking，placedbetweentwoalternatives，decidedwithherusualresolution。Shewalkedimmediatelytothedoorandtappedatit；
then，scarcelywaitingforaninstant，openeditandwalkedinwithseemingfirmness，thoughherheartwasbeatingratherhigh。
Thepeopleoutsidelookedatoneanother。\"Iwonderwhetherhewilltell_her_togotothedevil，\"saidFanny，whowasgettingtiredofbeinggood。
\"Nouse，\"saidMissGale；\"shedoesn\'tknowtheroad。\"
WhenLaKloskingenteredthestudy，Vizardwasseated，disconsolate，withtwopicturesbeforehim。Hisfacewasfullofpain，andLaKlosking\'sheartsmoteher。Shemovedtowardhim，hangingherhead，andsaid，withinimitablesweetnessandtenderness，\"Hereisaculpritcometotryandappeaseyou。\"
Therecameatimethathecouldhardlythinkofthesewordsandherpenitent，submissivemannerwithdryeyes。Butjustthenhisblackdoghadbittenhim，andhesaid，sullenly，\"Oh，nevermindme。Itwasalwaysso。Yoursexhavealwaysmademesmartfor——Ifflyingfrommyhousebeforeyouarehalfrecoveredgivesyouhalfthepleasureitgivesmepainandmortification，saynomoreaboutit。\"
\"Ah!whysayitgivesmepleasure?myfriend，youcannotreallythinkso。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhattothink。Youladiesareallriddles。\"
\"ThenImusttakeyouintomyconfidence，and，withsomereluctance，I
own，letyouknowwhyIleavethisdear，kindroofto-day。\"
Vizard\'sgenerositytookthealarm。\"No，\"said，\"Iwillnotextortyourreasons。Itisashameofme。Yourbarewilloughttobelawinthishouse；andwhatreasonscouldreconcilemetolosingyousosuddenly?Youarethejoyofoureyes，thedelightofourears，theidolofallourhearts。Youwillleaveus，andtherewillbedarknessandgloom，insteadofsunshineandsong。Well，go；butyoucannotsoftentheblowwithreasons。\"
MademoiselleKloskingflushed，andherbosomheaved；forthiswasastrongman，greatlymoved。Withinstinctivetact，shesawthebestwaytobringhimtohissenseswastogivehimagoodopeningtoretreat。
\"Ah，monsieur，\"saidshe，\"youare_tropgrandseigneur。_Youentertainapoorwoundedsingerinachamberfewprincescanequal。Youplaceeverythingatherdisposal；suchaphysicianandnurseasnoqueencancommand；achoirtosingtoher；royalsablestokeepthewindfromher，andladiestowaitonher。Andwhenyouhavebroughtherbacktolife，yousaytoyourself，Sheisawoman；shewillnotbethoroughlycontentunlessyoutellhersheisadorable。So，outofpoliteness，youdescendtothelanguageofgallantry。Thiswasnotneeded。Idispensewiththatkindofcomfort。Ileaveyourhousebecauseitismyduty，andleaveityourgratefulservantandtruefriendtomylasthour。\"
Shehadopenedthedoor，andVizardcouldnowescape。Hisobstinacyandhisheartwouldnotlethim。
\"Donotfencewithme，\"saidhe。\"Leavethattoothers。Itisbeneathyou。Ifyouhadbeencontenttostay，Iwouldhavebeencontenttoshowmyheartbyhalves。Butwhenyouoffertoleaveme，youdrawfrommeanavowalIcannolongerrestrain，andyoumustandshalllistentoit。
WhenIsawyouonthestageatHomburg，Iadmiredyouandlovedyouthatverynight。ButIknewfromexperiencehowseldominwomenoutwardgracesgowiththevirtuesofthesoul。Idistrustedmyjudgment。IfearedyouandIfledyou。Butourdestinybroughtyouhere，andwhenIheldyou，paleandwounded，inmyveryarms，myheartseemedtogooutofmybosom。\"
\"Oh，nomore!nomore，pray!\"criedMademoiselleKlosking。
Butthecurrentoflovewasnottobestemmed。\"SincethatterriblehourIhavebeeninheaven，watchingyourgradualandsurerecovery；butyouhaverecoveredonlytoabandonme，andyourhurrytoleavemedrivesmetodesperation。No，Icannotpartwithyou。Youmustnotleaveme，eitherthisdayoranyday。Givemeyourhand，andstayhereforever，andbethequeenofmyheartandofmyhouse。\"
ForsometimeLaKloskinghadlostherusualcomposure。Herbosomheavedtumultuously，andherhandstrembled。Butatthisdistinctproposalthewholewomanchanged。Shedrewherselfup，withherpalecheekflushingandhereyesglittering。
\"What，sir?\"saidshe。\"Haveyoureadmesoill?DoyounotknowIwouldratherbethemeanestdrudgethatgoesonherkneesandscrubsyourfloors，thanbequeenofyourhouse，asyoucallit?Ah，Jesu，areallmenalike，then；thathewhomIhavesorevered，whosemother\'ssongsI
havesungtohim，makesmeaproposaldishonorabletomeandtohimself?\"
\"Dishonorable!\"criedVizard。\"Why，whatcananymanoffertoanywomanmorehonorablethanIofferyou?Iofferyoumyheartandmyhand，andI
say，donotgo，mydarling。Stayhereforever，andbemyqueen，mygoddess，mywife!\"
\"YOURWIFE?\"Shestaredwildlyathim。\"Yourwife?AmIdreaming，orareyou?\"
\"Neither。DoyouthinkIcanbecontentwithlessthanthat?Ina，Iadoreyou。\"
Sheputherhandtoherhead。\"Iknownotwhoistoblameforthis，\"saidshe，andshetrembledvisibly。
\"I\'lltaketheblame，\"saidhe，gayly。
SaidIna，verygravely。\"You，whodomethehonortooffermeyourname，haveyouaskedyourselfseriouslywhathasbeenthenatureofmyrelationwithEdwardSeverne?\"
\"No!\"criedVizard，violently；\"andIdonotmeanto。Iseeyoudespisehimnow；andIhavemyeyesandmysensestoguidemeinchoosingawife。
Ichooseyou——ifyouwillhaveme。\"
Shelistened，thenturnedhermoisteyesfulluponhim，andsaidtohim，\"Thisisthegreatesthonoreverbefellme。Icannottakeit。\"
\"Nottakeit?\"
\"No；butthatismymisfortune。Donotbemortified。Youhavenorivalinmyesteem。WhatshallIsay，myfriend?——atleastImaycallyouthat。IfIexplainnow，Ishallweepmuch，andlosemystrength。WhatshallIdo?
Ithink——yes，thatwillbebest——_youshallgowithmeto-day。\"_
\"Totheendoftheworld!\"
\"Somethingtellsmeyouwillknowall，andforgiveme。\"
\"ShallItakemybag?\"
\"Youmighttakeaneveningdressandsomelinen。\"
\"Verywell。Iwon\'tkeepyouamoment，\"saidhe，andwentupstairswithgreatalacrity。
Shewentintothehall，withhereyesbentontheground，andwasimmediatelypinnedbyRhodaGale，whosepiercingeye，andinquisitivefingeronherpulse，soondiscoveredthatshehadgonethroughatryingscene。\"Thisisabadbeginningofanimprudentjourney，\"saidshe:\"I
haveagreatmindtocountermandthecarriage。\"
\"No，no，\"saidIna；\"Iwillsleepintherailwayandrecovermyself。\"
Theladiesnowgotintothecarriage；Ashmeadinsistedongoinguponthebox；andVizardsoonappeared，andtookhisseatoppositeMissGaleandMademoiselleKlosking。Thelatterwhisperedherdoctress:\"Itwouldbewiseofmenottospeakmuchatpresent。\"LaGalecommunicatedthistoVizard，andtheydrovealongindeadsilence。Buttheywerenaturallycurioustoknowwheretheyweregoing；sotheyheldsomecommunicationwiththeireyes。TheyverysoonfoundtheyweregoingtoTaddingtonStation。
Thencameadoubt——weretheygoingupordown?
Thatwassoonresolved。
Mr。Ashmeadhadhiredasalooncarriageforthem，withcouchesandconveniences。
Theyenteredit；andMademoiselleKloskingsaidtoMissGale，\"ItisnecessarythatIshouldsleep。\"
\"Youshall，\"saidMissGale。
Whileshewasarrangingthepillowsandthings，LaKloskingsaidtoVizard，\"Weartistslearntosleepwhenwehaveworktodo。WithoutitI
shouldnotbestrongenoughthisday。\"Shesaidthisinahalf-apologetictone，asoneanxiousnottogivehimanyshadowofoffense。
