CHAPTERVIII。
NEST-BUILDING。
Ifyouwillhaveatreebearmorefruitthanithathusedtodo，itisnotanythingyoucandototheboughs，butitisthestirringoftheearth，andputtingnewmouldabouttheroots，thatmustworkit。
LORDBACON\'SAdvancementofLearning，b。ii。
InashorttimeHarry\'shealthwassomuchimproved，andconsequentlythestrengthandactivityofhismindsomuchincreased，thatHughbegantogivehimmoreexactmentaloperationstoperform。ButasifhehadbeenareaderofLordBacon，whichasyethewasnot，andhadlearnedfromhimthat“wonderistheseedofknowledge，“hecame，byakindofsympatheticinstinct，tothesameconclusionpractically，inthecaseofHarry。Hetriedtowakeaquestioninhim，byshowinghimsomethingthatwouldrousehisinterest。Thereplytothisquestionmightbethewholerudimentsofascience。
Thingsthemselvesshouldleadtothescienceofthem。Ifthingsarenotinterestinginthemselves，howcananyamountofknowledgeaboutthembe？Tobesure，thereissuchathingasapurelyorabstractlyintellectualinterest——thepleasureofthemereoperationoftheintellectuponthesignsofthings；butthismustspringfromahighlyexercisedintellectualcondition，andisnottobeexpectedbeforethepleasuresofintellectualmotionhavebeenexperiencedthroughtheemploymentofitsmeansforotherends。Whetherthisisahigherconditionornot，isopentomuchdisquisition。
OnedayHughwaspurposelyengagedintakingthealtitudeofthehighestturretofthehouse，withanoldquadranthehadfoundinthelibrary，whenHarrycameup。
“Whatareyoudoing，bigbrother？”saidhe；fornowthathewasquiteathomewithHugh，therewasawonderfulmixtureoffamiliarityandrespectinhim，thatwasquitebewitching。
“Findingouthowhighyourhouseis，littlebrother，“answeredHugh。
“Howcanyoudoitwiththatthing？Willitmeasuretheheightofotherthingsbesidesthehouse？”
“Yes，theheightofamountain，oranythingyoulike。“
“Doshowmehow。“
Hughshowedhimasmuchofitashecould。
“ButIdon\'tunderstandit。“
“Oh！thatisquiteanotherthing。Todothat，youmustlearnagreatmanythings——Euclidtobeginwith。“
ThatveryafternoonHarrybeganEuclid，andsoonfoundquiteenoughofinterestontheroadtothequadrant，topreventhimfromfeelinganytediousnessinitslength。
OfanafternoonHughhadtakentoreadingShaksperetoHarry。
Euphrawasalwaysalistener。OnoneoccasionHarrysaid：
“Iamsosorry，Mr。Sutherland，butIdon\'tunderstandthehalfofit。SometimeswhenEuphraandyouarelaughing，——andsometimeswhenEuphraiscrying，“addedhe，lookingatherslyly，“Ican\'tunderstandwhatitisallabout。AmIsoverystupid，Mr。
Sutherland？”Andhealmostcriedhimself。
“Notabitofit，Harry，myboy；onlyyoumustlearnagreatmanyotherthingsfirst。“
“HowcanIlearnthem？Iamwillingtolearnanything。Idon\'tfindittiremenowasitused。“
“TherearemanythingsnecessarytounderstandShaksperethatI
cannotteachyou，andthatsomepeopleneverlearn。Mostofthemwillcomeofthemselves。Butofonethingyoumaybesure，Harry，thatifyoulearnanything，whateveritbe，youaresofarnearertounderstandingShakspere。“
Thesameafternoon，whenHarryhadwakedfromhissiesta，uponwhichHughstillinsisted，theywentoutforawalkinthefields。Thesunwashalfwaydownthesky，butveryhotandsultry。
“Iwishwehadourcaveofstrawtocreepintonow，“saidHarry。“I
feltexactlylikethelittlefield-mouseyoureadtomeaboutinBurns\'spoems，whenwewentinthatmorning，andfounditalltornup，andhalfofitcarriedaway。Wehavenoplacetogotonowforapeculiarownplace；andtheconsequenceis，youhavenottoldmeanystoriesabouttheRomansforawholeweek。“
“Well，Harry，isthereanywayofmakinganother？”
“There\'snomorestrawlyingaboutthatIknowof，“answeredHarry；
“anditwon\'tdotopulltheinsideoutofarick，Iamafraid。“
“Butdon\'tyouthinkitwouldbepleasanttohaveachangenow；andaswehavelivedunderground，orsayinthesnowliketheNorthpeople，trylivingintheair，likesomeoftheSouthpeople？”
“Delightful！”criedHarry——“Aballoon？”
“No，notquitethat。Don\'tyouthinkanestwoulddo？”
“Upinatree？”
“Yes。“
Harrydartedoffforarun，astheonlymeansofexpressinghisdelight。Whenhecameback，hesaid：
“Whenshallwebegin，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Wewillgoandlookforaplaceatonce；butIamnotquitesurewhenweshallbeginyet。Ishallfindoutto-night，though。“
Theyleftthefields，andwentintothewoodsintheneighbourhoodofthehouse，attheback。Herethetreeshadgrowntoagreatsize，someofthembeingveryoldindeed。Theysoonfixeduponagrotesqueoldoakasapropertreeinwhichtobuildtheirnest；andHarry，who，aswellasHugh，hadagooddealofconstructivenessinhisnature，wassodelighted，thattheheatseemedtohavenomoreinfluenceuponhim；andHugh，fearfulofthereaction，wascompelledtorestrainhisgambols。
Pursuingtheirwaythroughthedarkwarpofthewood，withitsgoldenweftofcrossingsunbeams，HughbegantotellHarrythestoryofthekillingofC鎠arbyBrutusandtherest，fillinguptheaccountwithportionsfromShakspere。Fortunately，hewasabletogivetheorationsofBrutusandAntonyinfull。Harrywasinecstasyovertheeloquenceofthetwomen。
“Well，whatlanguagedoyouthinktheyspoke，Harry？”saidHugh。
“Why，“saidHarry，hesitating，“Isuppose——“then，asifasuddenlightbrokeuponhim——“Latinofcourse。Howstrange！”
“Whystrange？”
“Thatsuchmenshouldtalksuchadry，unpleasantlanguage。“
“Iallowitisadifficultlanguage，Harry；andveryponderousandmechanical；butnotnecessarilydryorunpleasant。TheRomans，youknow，wereparticularlyfondoflawineverything；andsotheymadeagreatmanylawsfortheirlanguage；orrather，itgrewso，becausetheywereofthatsort。Itwasliketheirswordsandarmourgenerally，notverygraceful，butverystrong；——liketheirarchitecturetoo，Harry。Nobodycaneverunderstandwhatapeopleis，withoutknowingitslanguage。Itisnotonlythatwefindallthesestoriesaboutthemintheirlanguage，butthelanguageitselfismorelikethemthananythingelsecanbe。Besides，Harry，I
don\'tbelieveyouknowanythingaboutLatinyet。“
“Iknowallthedeclensionsandconjugations。“
“Butdon\'tyouthinkitmusthavebeenaverydifferentthingtohearitspoken？”
“Yes，tobesure——andbysuchmen。Buthowevercouldtheyspeakit？”
“TheyspokeitjustasyoudoEnglish。Itwasasnaturaltothem。
Butyoucannotsayyouknowanythingaboutit，tillyoureadwhattheywroteinit；tillyourearsdelightinthesoundoftheirpoetry；——“
“Poetry？”
“Yes；andbeautifulletters；andwiselessons；andhistoriesandplays。“
“Oh！Ishouldlikeyoutoteachme。Willitbeashardtolearnalwaysasitisnow？”
“Certainlynot。Iamsureyouwilllikeit。“
“Whenwillyoubeginme？”
“To-morrow。Andifyougetonprettywell，wewillbeginournest，too，intheafternoon。“
“Oh，howkindyouare！Iwilltryveryhard。“
“Iamsureyouwill，Harry。“
Nextmorning，accordingly，Hughdidbeginhim，afterafashionofhisown；namely，bygivinghimashortsimplestorytoread，findingoutallthewordswithhiminthedictionary，andtellinghimwhattheterminationsofthewordssignified；forhefoundthathehadalreadyforgottenaverygreatdealofwhat，accordingtoEuphra，hehadbeenthoroughlytaught。Noonecanrememberwhatisentirelyuninterestingtohim。
HughwasaspreciseaboutthegrammarofalanguageasanyScotchProfessorofHumanity，oldProsodynotexcepted；buthethoughtittimeenoughtobegintothat，whensomeinterestinthewordsthemselvesshouldhavebeenawakenedinthemindofhispupil。Hehatedslovenlinessasmuchasanyone；butthequestionwas，howbesttoarriveatthoroughnessintheend，withoutlosingthehigherobjectsofstudy；andnothow，atallrisks，tocommenceteachingthelessonofthoroughnessatonce，andsowasteontheshapeofapin-headtheintellectwhich，properlydirected，mightarriveatthefarmoreminuteaccuraciesofasteam-engine。ThefaultofEuphrainteachingHarry，hadbeenthat，withacertainkindoftyrannicalaccuracy，shehaddeterminedtohavethethingdone——notmerelydecentlyandinorder，butprudishlyandpedantically；sothatshedeprivedprogressofthepleasurewhichoughtnaturallytoattendit。Shespoiledthewalktothedistantoutlook，bystoppingateverystep，notmerelytopickflowers，buttobotaniseontheweeds，andtocalculatethedistanceadvanced。Itisquitetruethatweoughttolearntodothingsirrespectiveofthereward；butplentyofopportunitieswillbegivenintheprogressoflife，andinmuchhigherkindsofaction，toexerciseoursenseofdutyinsevereloneliness。Wehavenorighttoturnintellectualexercisesintopureoperationsofconscience：theseoughttoinvolveessentialduty；althoughnodoubtthereisplentyofroomforminglingdutywiththose；while，ontheotherhand，thehighestactofsufferingself-denialisnotwithoutitsaccompanyingreward。Neitheristhereanyexerciseofthehigherintellectualpowersinlearningthemeregrammarofalanguage，necessaryasitisforameans。Andlanguagehavingbeenmadebeforegrammar，alanguagemustbeinsomemeasureunderstood，beforeitsgrammarcanbecomeintelligible。
Harry\'sweak(thoughtrueandkeen)lifecouldnotforceitswayintoanychannel。Hiswasanatureessentiallydependentonsympathy。Itcouldflowintotruththroughanotherlovingmind：
lefttoitself，itcouldnotfindtheway，andsankinthedrysandofennuiandself-imposedobligations。Euphrawasutterlyincapableofunderstandinghim；andtheboyhadbeendyingforlackofsympathy，thoughneitherhenoranyoneabouthimhadsuspectedthefact。
Therewasastrangedisproportionbetweenhisknowledgeandhiscapacity。Hewasable，whenhisattentionwasdirected，hisgazefixed，andhiswholenaturesupportedbyHugh，toseedeepintomanythings，andhisremarkswereoftenstrikinglyoriginal；buthewasoneofthemostignorantboys，forhisyears，thatHughhadevercomeacross。Alongandsevereillness，whenhewasjustpassingintoboyhood，hadthrownhimbackfarintohischildhood；andhewasonlynowbeginningtoshowthathehadanythingoftheboy-lifeinhim。Hencearosethatunequaldevelopmentwhichhasbeensufficientlyevidentinthestory。
Intheafternoon，theywenttothewood，andfoundthetreetheyhadchosenfortheirnest。ToHarry\'sintenseadmiration，Hugh，ashesaid，wentupthetreelikeasquirrel，onlyhewastoobigforabeareven。Justonelayeroffoliageabovethelowestbranches，hecametoaplacewherehethoughttherewasasuitablefoundationforthenest。FromthegroundHarrycouldscarcelyseehim，as，withanaxewhichhehadborrowedforthepurpose(fortherewasacarpenter\'swork-shoponthepremises)，hecutawayseveralsmallbranchesfromthreeoftheprincipalones；andsohadthesethreeasrafters，readydressedandplaced，forthefoundationofthenest。
Havingmadesomemeasurements，hedescended；andrepairingwithHarrytothework-shop，procuredsomeboardingandsometools，whichHarryassistedincarryingtothetree。Ascendingagain，anddrawinguphismaterials，bythehelpofHarry，withapieceofstring，Hughinaverylittlewhilehadalevelfloor，fourfeetsquare，intheheartoftheoaktree，quiteinvisiblefrombelow——buriedinacloudofgreenleaves。Forgreatersafety，hefastenedropesashandrailsallarounditfromonebranchtoanother。Andnownothingremainedbuttoconstructabenchtositon，andsuchastairasHarrycouldeasilyclimb。Theboywasquiterestlesswithanxietytogetupandseethenest；andkeptcallingoutconstantlytoknowifhemightnotcomeupyet。AtlengthHughallowedhimtotry；butthepoorboywasnothalfstrongenoughtoclimbthetreewithouthelp。SoHughdescended，andwithhisaidHarrywassoonstandingonthenew-builtplatform。
“Ifeeljustlikeaneagle，“hecried；butherehisvoicefaltered，andhewassilent。
“Whatisthematter，Harry？”saidhistutor。
“Oh，nothing，“repliedhe；“onlyIdidn\'texactlyknowwhereaboutsweweretillIgotuphere。“
“Whereaboutsarewe，then？”
“ClosetotheendoftheGhost\'sWalk。“
“Butyoudon\'tmindthatnow，surely，Harry？”
“No，sir；thatis，notsomuchasIused。“
“ShallItakeallthisdownagain，andbuildournestsomewhereelse？”
“Oh，no，ifyoudon\'tthinkitmatters。Itwouldbeagreatpity，afteryouhavetakensomuchtroublewithit。Besides，Ishallneverbeherewithoutyou；andIdonotthinkIshouldbeafraidoftheghostherself，ifyouwerewithme。“
YetHarryshudderedinvoluntarilyatthethoughtofhisowndaringspeech。
“Verywell，Harry，myboy；wewillfinishithere。Now，ifyoustandthere，Iwillfastenaplankacrossherebetweenthesetwostumps——no，thatwon\'tdoexactly。Imustputapieceontothisone，toraiseittoalevelwiththeother——thenweshallhaveaseatinafewminutes。“
Hammerandnailswerebusyagain；andinafewminutestheysatdowntoenjoythe“softpiplingcold“whichswungalltheleavesaboutlikelittletrap-doorsthatopenedintotheInfinite。Harrywashighlycontented。Hedrewadeepbreathofsatisfactionas，lookingaboveandbeneathandallabouthim，hesawthattheywerefoldedinanalmostimpenetrablenetoffoliage，throughwhichnothingcouldstealintotheirsanctuary，save“thecharteredlibertine，theair，“
andafewstraybeamsofthesettingsun，filteringthroughthemultitudinousleaves，fromwhichtheycaughtagreentintastheypassed。
“Fancyyourselfafish，“saidHugh，“inthedepthofacavernofseaweed，whichfloatsaboutintheslowswingingmotionoftheheavywaters。“
“Whatafunnynotion！”
“Notsoabsurdasyoumaythink，Harry；forjustassomefishescrawlaboutonthebottomofthesea，sodowemenatthebottomofanoceanofair；which，ifitbeathinnerone，iscertainlyadeeperone。“
“Thenthebirdsaretheswimmingfishes，aretheynot？”
“Yes，tobesure。“
“AndyouandIaretwomermen——doingwhat？Waitingformothermermaidtogiveusourdinner。Iamgettinghungry。Butitwillbealongtimebeforeamermaidgetsuphere，Iamafraid。“
“Thatremindsme，“saidHugh，“thatImustbuildastairforyou，MasterHarry；foryouarenotmermanenoughtogetupwithastrokeofyourscalytail。Soheregoes。YoucansittheretillIfetchyou。“
Nailingalittlerudebrackethereandthereonthestemofthetree，justwhereHarrycouldavailhimselfofhand-holdaswell，Hughhadsoonfinishedastrangelyirregularstaircase，whichittookHarrytwoorthreetimestrying，tolearnquiteoff。
CHAPTERIX。
GEOGRAPHYPOINT。
Iwillfetchyouatooth-pickernowfromthefarthestinchofAsia；
bringyouthelengthofPresterJohn\'sfoot；fetchyouahairoffthegreatCham\'sbeard；doyouanyembassagetothePigmies。
MuchAdoaboutNothing。
Thenextday，afterdinner，Mr。Arnoldsaidtothetutor：
“Well，Mr。Sutherland，howdoesHarrygetonwithhisgeography？”
Mr。Arnold，beitunderstood，hadaweaknessforgeography。
“Wehavenotdoneanythingatthatyet，Mr。Arnold。“
“Notdoneanythingatgeography！Andtheboygettingquiterobustnow！Iamastonished，Mr。Sutherland。Why，whenhewasamerechild，hecouldrepeatallthecountiesofEngland。“
“Perhapsthatmaybethereasonforthedecideddistasteheshowsforitnow，Mr。Arnold。ButIwillbegintoteachhimatonce，ifyoudesireit。“
“Idodesireit，Mr。Sutherland。Athoroughgeographicalknowledgeisessentialtotheeducationofagentleman。Askmeanyquestionyouplease，Mr。Sutherland，onthemapoftheworld，oranyofitsdivisions。“
Hughaskedafewquestions，whichMr。Arnoldansweredatonce。
“Pooh！pooh！”saidhe，“thisismerechild\'splay。Letmeaskyousome，Mr。Sutherland。“
HisveryfirstquestionposedHugh，whoseknowledgeinthissciencewasnotbyanymeansminute。
“IfearIamnogentleman，“saidhe，laughing；“butIcanatleastlearnaswellasteach。Weshallbeginto-morrow。“
“Whatbookshaveyou？”
“Oh！nobooks，ifyouplease，justyet。IfyouaresatisfiedwithHarry\'sprogresssofar，letmehavemyownwayinthistoo。“
“Butgeographydoesnotseemyourstrongpoint。“
“No；butImaybeabletoteachitallthebetterfromfeelingthedifficultiesofalearnermyself。“
“Well，youshallhaveafairtrial。“
NextmorningHughandHarrywentoutforawalktothetopofahillintheneighbourhood。Whentheyreachedit，Hughtookasmallcompassfromhispocket，andsetitontheground，contemplatingitandthehorizonalternately。
“Whatareyoudoing，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Iamtryingtofindtheexactlinethatwouldgothroughmyhome，“
saidhe。
“Isthatfunnylittlethingabletotellyou？”
“Yes；thisalongwithotherthings。Isn\'titcurious，Harry，tohaveinmypocketalittlethingwithakindofspiritinit，thatunderstandsthespiritthatisinthebigworld，andalwayspointstoitsNorthPole？”
“Explainittome。“
“Itisnearlyasmuchamysterytomeastoyou。“
“WhereistheNorthPole？”
“Look，thelittlethingpointstoit。“
“ButIwillturnitaway。Oh！itwon\'tgo。Itgoesbackandback，dowhatIwill。“
“Yes，itwill，ifyouturnitawayalldaylong。Look，Harry，ifyouweretogostraightoninthisdirection，youwouldcometoaLaplander，harnessinghisbroad-hornedreindeertohissledge。He\'satitnow，Idaresay。Ifyouweretogointhislineexactly，youwouldgothroughthesmokeandfireofaburningmountaininalandofice。Ifyouweretogothisway，straighton，youwouldfindyourselfinthemiddleofaforestwithalionglaringatyourfeet，foritisdarknighttherenow，andsohot！Andoverthere，straighton，thereissuchalovelysunset。Thetopofasnowymountainisallpinkwithlight，thoughthesunisdown——oh！suchcoloursallabout，likefairyland！Andthere，thereisadesertofsand，andacameldying，andallhiscompanionsjustdisappearingonthehorizon。Andthere，thereisanawfulsea，withoutaboattobeseenonit，darkanddismal，withhugerocksallaboutit，andwastebordersofsand——sodreadful！”
“Howdoyouknowallthis，Mr。Sutherland？Youhaveneverwalkedalongthoselines，Iknow，foryoucouldn\'t。“
“Geographyhastaughtme。“
“No，Mr。Sutherland！”saidHarry，incredulously。
“Well，shallwetravelalongthisline，justacrossthatcrownoftreesonthehill？”
“Yes，doletus。“
“Then，“saidHugh，drawingatelescopefromhispocket，“thishillishenceforthGeographyPoint，andalltheworldliesroundaboutit。Doyouknowweareintheverymiddleoftheearth？”
“Arewe，indeed？”
“Yes。Don\'tyouknowanypointyouliketochooseonaballisthemiddleofit？”
“Oh！yes——ofcourse。“
“Verywell。Whatliesatthebottomofthehilldownthere？”
“Arnstead，tobesure。“
“Andwhatbeyondthere？”
“Idon\'tknow。“
“Lookthroughhere。“
“Oh！thatmustbethevillagewerodetoyesterday——Iforgetthenameofit。“
Hughtoldhimthename；andthenmadehimlookwiththetelescopeallalongtherecedinglinetothetreesontheoppositehill。Justashecaughtthem，avoicebesidethemsaid：
“Whatareyouabout，Harry？”
Hughfeltaglowofpleasureasthevoicefellonhisear。
ItwasEuphra\'s。
“Oh！”repliedHarry，“Mr。Sutherlandisteachingmegeographywithatelescope。It\'ssuchfun！”
“He\'sawonderfultutor，thatofyours，Harry！”
“Yes，isn\'thejust？But，“Harrywenton，turningtoHugh，“whatarewetodonow？Wecan\'tgetfartherforthathill。“
“Ah！wemustapplytoyourpapanow，tolendussomeofhisbeautifulmaps。Theywillteachuswhatliesbeyondthathill。Andthenwecanreadinsomeofhisbooksabouttheplaces；andsogoonandon，tillwereachthebeautiful，wide，restlesssea；overwhichwemustsailinspiteofwindandtide——straightonandon，tillwecometolandagain。Butwemustmakeagreatmanysuchjourneysbeforewereallyknowwhatsortofaplacewearelivingin；andweshallhaveeversomanythingstolearnthatwillsurpriseus。“
“Oh！itwillbenice！”criedHarry。
Afteralittlemoregeographicaltalk，theyputuptheirinstruments，andbegantodescendthehill。HarrywasinnoneedofHugh\'sbacknow，butEuphrawasinneedofhishand。Infact，shespelledforitssupport。
“Howawkwardofme！Iamstumblingovertheheathershamefully！”
Shewas，infact，stumblingoverherowndress，whichshewouldnotholdup。Hughofferedhishand；andhersmalloneseemedquitecontenttobeswallowedupinhislargeone。
“Whydoyouneverletmeputyouonyourhorse？”saidHugh。“Youalwaysmanagetopreventmesomehoworother。Thelasttime，Ijustturnedmyhead，and，behold！whenIlooked，youweregatheringyourreins。“
“Itisonlyatrickofindependence，Hugh——Mr。Sutherland——Ibegyourpardon。“
IcanmakenoexcuseforEuphra，forshehadpositivelyneverheardhimcalledHugh：therewasnoonetodoso。But，thesliphadnot，therefore，thelesseffect；foritsoundedasifshehadbeensayinghisnameoverandoveragaintoherself。
“Ibegyourpardon，“repeatedEuphra，hastily；for，asHughdidnotreply，shefearedherarrowhadswervedfromitsmark。
“Forasweetfault，Euphra——Ibegyourpardon——MissCameron。“
“Youpunishmewithforgiveness，“returnedshe，withoneofhersweetestlooks。
Hughcouldnothelppressingthelittlehand。
Wasthepressurereturned？Soslight，soairywasthetouch，thatitmighthavebeenonlythethrobofhisownpulses，allconsciouslyvitalaboutthewonderfulwoman-handthatrestedinhis。Ifhehadclaimedit，shemighteasilyhavedeniedit，soetherealanduncertainwasit。Yethebelievedinit。Heneverdreamedthatshewasexercisingherskilluponhim。Whatcouldbeherobjectinbewitchingapoortutor？Ah！whatindeed？
Meantimethismuchiscertain，thatshewasdrawingHughcloserandclosertoherside；thatasoothingdreamofdelighthadbeguntostealoverhisspirit，soontomakeittossinfeverousunrest——asthefirsteffectsofsomepoisonsarelikeadawnoftenfoldstrength。Themountainwindblewfromhertohim，sometimessweepinghergarmentsabouthim，andbathinghimintheirfaintsweetodours——odourswhichsomehowseemedtobelongtoherwhomtheyhadonlylastvisited；sometimes，sokindlystrongdiditblow，compellingher，oratleastgivingherexcuseenough，toleavehishandandclingcloselytohisarm。Afreshspringbegantoburstfromtheverybosomofwhathadseemedbeforeaperfectsummer。A
springtosummer！Whatwouldthefollowingsummerbe？Ah！andwhattheautumn？Andwhatthewinter？Forifthesummerbetenfoldsummer，thenmustthewinterbetenfoldwinter。
Butthoughknowledgeisgoodforman，foreknowledgeisnotsogood。
And，thoughLovebegood，atempestofitinthebrainwillnotripenthefruitslikeasoftsteadywind，orwafttheshipshometotheirdesiredhaven。
Perhaps，whatenslavedHughmost，wasthefeelingthatthedamselstoopedtohim，withoutknowingthatshestooped。Sheseemedtohimineverywayabovehim。Sheknewsomanythingsofwhichhewasignorant；couldsaysuchlovelythings；could，hedidnotdoubt，writelovelyverses；couldsinglikeanangel；(thoughScotchsongsarenotofessentiallyangelicstrain，norItaliansongseither，ingeneral；andtheywereallthatshecoulddo)；wasmistressofagreatrichwonderfulhouse，withahistory；and，morethanall，was，orappearedtohimtobe——abeautifulwoman。Itwastruethathisfamilywasasgoodashers；buthehaddisownedhisfamily——sohispridedeclared；andthesamepridemadehimdespisehispresentposition，andlookuponatutor\'semploymentas——as——well，asotherpeoplelookuponit；asarathercontemptibleoneinfact，especiallyforayoung，powerful，six-footfellow。
TheinfluenceofEuphrasiawasnotofthebestuponhimfromthefirst；forithadgreatlyincreasedthisfeelingabouthisoccupation。ItcouldnotaffecthisfeelingstowardsHarry；sotheboydidnotsufferasyet。Butitsethimuponaveryunprofitablekindofcastle-building：hewouldbeasoldierlikehisfather；hewouldleaveArnstead，torevisititwithaswordbyhisside，andaSirbeforehisname。SirHughSutherlandwouldbesomebodyevenintheeyesofthemasterofArnstead。Yes，asix-footfellow，thoughhemaybesensibleinthemain，isnot，therefore，freefromsmallvanities，especiallyifhebeinlove。ButhowleaveEuphra？
AgainIoutrunmystory。
CHAPTERX。
ITALIAN。
Permesivanellacitt？dolente。
DANTE
Throughmethougoestintothecityofgrief。
Ofnecessity，withsomanyshaftsopenedintothemountainofknowledge，afargreateramountoftimemustbedevotedbyHarryandhistutortotheworkingofthemine，thantheyhadgivenhitherto。
Thismadeaconsiderablealterationintheintercourseoftheyouthandthelady；for，althoughEuphrawasoftenpresentduringschool-hours，itmustbesaidforHughthat，duringthosehours，hepaidalmostallhisattentiontoHarry；somuchofit，indeed，thatperhapstherewasnotenoughlefttopleasethelady。Butshedidnotsayso。Shesatbesidetheminsilence，occupiedwithherwork，andsavingupherglancesforuse。Nowandthenshewouldread；
takinganopportunitysometimes，butnotoften，whenafittingpauseoccurred，toaskhimtoexplainsomepassageaboutwhichshewasindoubt。Itmustbeconcededthatsuchpassageswerewellchosenforthepurpose；forshewastoowisetodoherownintellectdiscreditbyfeigningadifficultywhereshesawnone；intellectbeingtheonlygiftinothersforwhichshewasconsciousofanyreverence。
By-and-byshebegantodiscontinuethesevisitstotheschoolroom。
Perhapsshefoundthemdull。Perhaps——butweshallsee。
Onemorning，inthecourseoftheirstudy——Euphranotpresent——Hughhadoccasiontogofromhisownroom，where，forthemostpart，theycarriedonthesevererportionoftheirlabours，downtothelibraryforabook，toenlightenthemuponsomepointonwhichtheywereindoubt。Ashewaspassinganopendoor，Euphra\'svoicecalledhim。
Heentered，andfoundhimselfinherprivatesitting-room。Hehadnotknownbeforewhereitwas。
“Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Sutherland，forcallingyou，butIamatthismomentinadifficulty。IcannotmanagethislineintheInferno。Dohelpme。“
Shemovedthebooktowardshim，ashenowstoodbyherside，sheremainingseatedathertable。Tohismortification，hewascompelledtoconfesshisutterignoranceofthelanguage。
“Oh！Iamdisappointed，“saidEuphra。
“NotsomuchasIam，“repliedHugh。“ButcouldyousparemeoneortwoofyourItalianbooks？”
“Withpleasure，“sheanswered，risingandgoingtoherbookshelves。
“Iwantonlyagrammar，adictionary，andaNewTestament。“
“Theretheyare，“shesaid，takingthemdownoneaftertheother，andbringingthemtohim。“Idaresayyouwillsoongetupwithpoorstupidme。“
“Ishalldomybesttogetwithinhearingofyourvoice，atleast，inwhichItalianmustbelovely。“
Noreply，butasuddendroopofthehead。
“But，“continuedHugh，“uponsecondthoughts，lestIshouldbecompelledtoremaindumb，orelseannoyyourdelicateearwithdiscordantsounds，justgivemeonelessoninthepronunciation。
Letmehearyoureadalittlefirst。“
“Withallmyheart。“
Euphrabegan，andreaddelightfully；forshewasanexcellentItalianscholar。ItwasnecessarythatHughshouldlookoverthebook。Thiswasdifficultwhileheremainedstanding，asshedidnotoffertoliftitfromthetable。Gradually，therefore，andhardlyknowinghow，hesettledintoachairbyherside。Half-an-hourwentbylikeaminute，ashelistenedtothesilverytonesofhervoice，breakingintoabell-likesounduponthedoubleconsonantsofthatsweetlady-tongue。Thenitwashisturntoreadandbecorrected，andreadagainandbeagaincorrected。Anotherhalf-hourglidedaway，andyetanother。Butitmustbeconfessedhemadegooduseofthetime——ifonlyithadbeenhisowntouse；forattheendofithecouldpronounceItalianverytolerably——wellenough，atleast，tokeephimfromfixingerrorsinhispronunciation，whilestudyingthelanguagealone。Suddenlyhecametohimself，andlookedupasfromadream。Hadshebeenbewitchinghim？HewasinEuphra\'sroom——alonewithher。Andthedoorwasshut——howorwhen？And——helookedathiswatch——poorlittleHarryhadbeenwaitinghisreturnfromthelibrary，forthelasthourandahalf。Hewasconscience-stricken。Hegatheredupthebookshastily，thankedEuphrainthesamehurriedmanner，andlefttheroomwithconsiderabledisquietude，closingthedoorverygently，almostguiltily，behindhim。
IamafraidEuphrahadbeenperfectlyawarethatheknewnothingaboutItalian。Didsheseeherowneyesshineinthemirrorbeforeher，asheclosedthedoor？Wassheinlovewithhim，then？
WhenHughreturnedwiththeItalianbooks，insteadoftheencyclop鎑iahehadgonetoseek，hefoundHarrysittingwherehehadlefthim，withhisarmsandheadonthetable，fastasleep。
“Poorboy！”saidHughtohimself；buthecouldnothelpfeelinggladhewasasleep。Hestoleoutoftheroomagain，passedthefataldoorwithalongingpain，foundthevolumeofhisquestinthelibrary，and，returningwithit，satdownbesideHarry。Therehesattillheawoke。
Whenhedidawakeatlast，itwasalmosttimeforluncheon。Theshame-facedboywasexceedinglypenitentforwhatwasnofault，whileHughcouldnotrelievehimbyconfessinghis。Hecouldonlysay：
“Itwasmyfault，Harrydear。Istayedawaytoolong。Youweresonicelyasleep，Iwouldnotwakeyou。Youwillnotneedasiesta，thatisall。“
Hewasashamedofhimself，asheutteredthefalsewordstothetrue-heartedchild。Butthis，alas！wasnottheendofitall。
Desirousoflearningthelanguage，butfarmoredesirousofcommendinghimselftoEuphra，Hughbeganindownrightearnest。Thatveryevening，hefeltthathehadalittleholdofthelanguage。
Harrywaslefttohisownresources。Norwasthereanyharminthisinitself：Hughhadarighttopartofeverydayforhisownuses。Butthen，hehadbeenwithHarryalmosteveryevening，oragreatpartofit，andtheboymissedhimmuch；forhewasnotyetself-dependent。HewouldhavegonetoEuphrasia，butsomehowshehappenedtobeengagedthatevening。Sohetookrefugeinthelibrary，where，inthedesolationofhisspirit，Polexanderbegan，almostimmediately，toexerciseitsolddrearyfascinationuponhim。
AlthoughhehadnotopenedthebooksinceHughhadrequestedhimtoputitaway，yethehadnotgivenuptheintentionoffinishingitsomeday；andnowhetookitdown，andopeneditlistlessly，withtheintentionofdoingsomethingtowardsthegradualredeemingofthepledgehehadgiventohimself。Buthefounditmoreirksomethanever。Stillhereadon；tillatlengthhecoulddiscovernomeaningatallinthesentences。Thenhebegantodoubtwhetherhehadreadthewords。Hefixedhisattentionbymainforceoneveryindividualword；buteventhenhebegantodoubtwhetherhecouldsayhehadreadthewords，forhemighthavemissedseeingsomeoftheletterscomposingeachword。Hegrewsonervousandmiserableoverit，almostcountingeveryletter，thatatlastheburstintotears，andthrewthebookdown。
Hisintellect，whichinitselfwasexcellent，wasquiteoftheparasiticorder，requiringtowinditselfaboutastrongerintellect，tokeepitselfintheregionoffreshairandpossiblegrowth。Lefttoitself，itsweakstemcouldnotraiseitabovetheground：itwouldgrowandmassupontheearth，tillitdecayedandcorrupted，forlackofroom，light，andair。But，ofcourse，therewasnodangerinthemeantime。Thiswasbutthepassingsadnessofanoccasionalloneliness。
HecrepttoHugh\'sroom，andreceivedaninvitationtoenter，inanswertohisgentleknock；butHughwassoabsorbedinhisnewstudy，thathehardlytookanynoticeofhim，andHarryfounditalmostasdrearyhereasinthestudy。Hewouldhavegoneout，butadrizzlingrainwasfalling；andheshrankintohimselfatthethoughtoftheGhost\'sWalk。Thedinner-bellwasawelcomesummons。
Hugh，inspiritedbythereactionfromcloseattention，bythepresenceofEuphra，andbythedesiretomakehimselfgenerallyagreeable，whichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofhavingdonewrong，talkedalmostbrilliantly，delightingEuphra，overcomingHarrywithreverentastonishment，andeveninterestingslowMr。Arnold。WiththelatterHughhadbeengraduallybecomingafavourite；partlybecausehehaddiscoveredinhimwhatheconsideredhigh-mindedsentiments；for，howeverstupidandconventionalMr。Arnoldmightbe，hehadafoundationofsterlingworthinessofcharacter。
Euphra，insteadofshowinganyjealousyofthisgrowingfriendliness，favoureditineverywayinherpower，andnowandthenalludedtoitinherconversationswithHugh，asaffordinghergreatsatisfaction。
“Iamsogladhelikesyou！”shewouldsay。
“Whyshouldshebeglad？”thoughtHugh。
Thisgentleclaimofakindofpropertyinhim，addedconsiderablytothestrengthoftheattractionthatdrewhimtowardsher，astowardsthecentreofhisspiritualgravitation；ifindeedthatcouldbecalledspiritualwhichhadsolittleoftheelementofmoralorspiritualadmiration，orevenapproval，mingledwithit。
HeneverfeltthatEuphrawasgood。Heonlyfeltthatshedrewhimwithavagueforceoffemininesovereignty——acharmwhichhecouldnomoreresistorexplain，thantheironcouldtheattractionoftheloadstone。Neithercouldhehavesaid，hadhereallyconsideredthematter，thatshewasbeautiful——onlythatsheoften，veryoften，lookedbeautiful。Isuspectifshehadbeenratherugly，itwouldhavebeenallthesameforHugh。
HepursuedhisItalianstudieswithasinglenessofaimandeffortthatcarriedhimonrapidly。HeaskednoassistancefromEuphra，andsaidnothingtoherabouthisprogress。Buthewassoabsorbedinit，thatitdrewhimstillfurtherfromhispupil。Ofcoursehewentoutwithhim，walkingorridingeverydaythattheweatherwouldpermit；andhehadregularschoolhourswithhimwithindoors。
Butduringthelatter，whileHarrywasdoingsomethingonhisslate，orwriting，orlearningsomelesson(whichkindofworkhappenedoftenernowthanhecouldhaveapprovedof)，hewouldtakeuphisItalian；and，notwithstandingHarry\'squiethintsthathehadfinishedwhathadbeensethim，remainburiedinitforalongtime。
Whenhewokeatlasttothenecessityoftakingsomenoticeoftheboy，hewouldonlyappointhimsomethingelsetooccupyhimagain，soastoleavehimselffreetofollowhisnewbent。Nowandthenhewouldbecomeawareofhisblameableneglect，andmakeafeeblestruggletorectifywhatseemedtobegrowingintoahabit——andoneoftheworstforatutor；buthegraduallysankbackintothemire，formireitwas，comfortinghimselfwiththeresolutionthatassoonashewasabletoreadItalianwithoutabsolutelyspellinghisway，hewouldletEuphraseewhatprogresshehadmade，andthenreturnwithrenewedenergytoHarry\'seducation，keepinguphisownnewaccomplishmentbymoremoderateexercisetherein。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thatalongcourseoftimepassedinthisway。
Attheendofafortnight，hethoughthemightventuretorequestEuphratoshowhimthepassagewhichhadperplexedher。Thistimeheknewwhereshewas——inherownroom；forhismindhadbeguntohauntherwhereabouts。Heknockedatherdoor，heardthesilvery，thrilling，happysound，“Comein；“andenteredtrembling。
“WouldyoushowmethepassageinDantethatperplexedyoutheotherday？”
Euphralookedalittlesurprised；butgotthebookandpointeditoutatonce。
Hughglancedatit。Hissuperioracquaintancewiththegeneralformsoflanguageenabledhim，afterfindingtwowordsinEuphra\'slargerdictionary，toexplainit，toherimmediatesatisfaction。
“Youastonishme，“saidEuphra。
“Latingivesmeanadvantage，yousee，“saidHughmodestly。
“Itseemstobeverywonderful，nevertheless。“
TheseweresweetsoundstoHugh\'sear。Hehadgainedhisend。Andshehers。
“Well，“shesaid，“Ihavejustcomeuponanotherpassagethatperplexesmenotalittle。Willyoutryyourpowersuponthatforme？”
Sosaying，sheproceededtofindit。
“Itisschool-time，“saidHugh“IfearImustnotwaitnow。“
“Pooh！pooh！Don\'tmakeapedagogueofyourself。Youknowyouareheremoreasaguardian——bigbrother，youknow——tothedearchild。
Bytheway，Iamratherafraidyouareworkinghimalittlemorethanhisconstitutionwillstand。“
“Doyouthinkso？”returnedHughquitewillingtobeconvinced。“I
shouldbeverysorry。“
“Thisisthepassage，“saidEuphra。
Hughsatdownoncemoreatthetablebesideher。Hefoundthismorselconsiderablytougherthanthelast。Butatlengthhesucceededinpullingittopiecesandreconstructingitinasimplerformforthelady。Shewasfullofthanksandadmiration。
Naturallyenough，theywentontothenextline，andthenextstanza，andthenextandthenext；till——shallIbebelieved？——theyhadreadawholecantoofthepoem。EuphraknewmorewordsbyagreatmanythanHugh；sothat，whatwithherknowledgeofthewords，andhisinsightintotheconstruction，theymaderareprogress。
“Whatabeautifulpassageitis！”saidEuphra。
“Itisindeed，“respondedHugh；“Ineverreadanythingmorebeautiful。“
“IwonderifitwouldbepossibletoturnthatintoEnglish。I
shouldliketotry。“
“Youmeanverse，ofcourse？”
“Tobesure。“
“Letustry，then。IwillbringyouminewhenIhavefinishedit。
Ifearitwilltakesometime，though，todoitwell。Shallitbeinblankverse，orwhat？”
“Oh！don\'tyouthinkwehadbetterkeeptheTerzaRimaoftheoriginal？”
“Asyouplease。Itwilladdmuchtothedifficulty。“
“Recreantknight！willyoushrinkfromfollowingwhereyourladyleads？”
“Never！sohelpme，mygoodpen！”answeredHugh，andtookhisdeparture，withburningcheeksandatremblingattheheart。Alas！
themorningwasgone。Harrywasnotinhisstudy：hesoughtandfoundhiminthelibrary，apparentlyburiedinPolexander。
“Iamsogladyouarecome，“saidHarry；“Iamsotired。“
“Whydoyoureadthatstupidbook，then？”
“Oh！youknow，Itoldyou。“
“Tut！tut！nonsense！Putitaway，“saidHugh，hisdissatisfactionwithhimselfmakinghimcrosswithHarry，whofelt，inconsequence，tentimesmoredesolatethanbefore。Hecouldnotunderstandthechange。
Ifitwentillbeforewiththehoursdevotedtocommonlabour，itwentworsenow。Hughseizedeverygapoftime，andwideneditsmarginsshamefully，inordertoworkathistranslation。HefounditverydifficulttorendertheItalianinclassicalandpoeticEnglish。Thethreerhymingwords，andthemodeinwhichthestanzasareloopedtogether，addedgreatlytothedifficulty。Blankversehewouldhavefoundquiteeasycomparedtothis。Buthewouldnotblench。Thethoughtofherpraise，andoftheyetbetterfavourhemightgain，spurredhimon；andHarrywasthesacrifice。Buthewouldmakeitalluptohim，whenthiswasonceover。Indeed，hewould。
ThushebakedcakesofclaytochokethebarkingofCerberianconscience。Butitwouldgrowlnotwithstanding。
Theboy\'sspiritwassinking；butHughdidnotorwouldnotseeit。
Hisstepgrewlesselastic。Hebecamemorelistless，morelikehisformerself——saunteringaboutwithhishandsinhispockets。AndHugh，ofcourse，foundhimselfcaringlessabouthim；forthethoughtofhim，rousingasitdidthesenseofhisownneglect，hadbecometroublesome。SometimesheevenpassedpoorHarrywithoutspeakingtohim。
Gradually，however，hegrewstillfurtherintothefavourofMr。
Arnold，untilheseemedtohaveevenacquiredsomeinfluencewithhim。Mr。Arnoldwouldgooutridingwiththemhimselfsometimes，andexpressgreatsatisfaction，notonlywiththewayHarrysathispony，forwhichheaccordedHughthecreditduetohim，butwiththewayinwhichHughmanagedhisownhorseaswell。Mr。Arnoldwasagoodhorseman，andhispraisewasespeciallygratefultoHugh，becauseEuphrawasalwaysnear，andalwaysheardit。Ifear，however，thathisprogressinthegoodgracesofMr。Arnold，was，inaconsiderabledegree，theresultofthegreateranxietytoplease，whichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofnotdeservingapprobation。
Pleasingwasaneasysubstituteforwell-doing。Notacceptabletohimself，hehadthegreaterdesiretobeacceptabletoothers；andsoreflecttheside-beamsofafalseapprobationonhimself——whoneededtruelightandwouldbeill-providedforwithanysubstitute。
Foramanwhoisreceivedasamillionairecanhardlyhelpfeelinglikeoneattimes，evenifheknowshehasoverdrawnhisbanker\'saccount。ThenecessitytoHugh\'snatureoffeelingright，drovehimtothisfalsemodeofproducingthefalseimpression。Ifoneonlywantstofeelvirtuous，thereareseveralroyalroadstothatend。
But，fortunately，theenditselfwouldbeunsatisfactoryifgained；
whilenotoneoftheseroadsdoesmorethanpretendtoleadeventothatlandofdelusion。
ThereactioninHugh\'smindwassometimestorturingenough。ButhehadnotstrengthtoresistEuphra，andsoreform。
Wellorilldone，atlengthhistranslationwasfinished。SowasEuphra\'s。Theyexchangedpapersforaprivatereadingfirst；andarrangedtomeetafterwards，inordertocomparecriticisms。
CHAPTERXI。
THEFIRSTMIDNIGHT。
Well，ifanythingbedamned，Itwillbetwelveo\'clockatnight；thattwelveWillneverscape。
CYRILTOURNEUR——TheRevenger\'sTragedy。
LettersarrivedatArnsteadgenerallywhilethefamilywasseatedatbreakfast。Onemorning，thepost-baghavingbeenbroughtin，Mr。
Arnoldopenedithimself，accordingtohisunvaryingcustom；andfound，amongstotherletters，oneinanold-fashionedfemalehand，which，afterreadingit，hepassedtoEuphra。
“YourememberMrs。Elton，Euphra？”
“Quitewell，uncle——adearoldlady！”
Buttheexpressionwhichpassedacrossherface，ratherbeliedherwords，andseemedtoHughtomean：“Ihopesheisnotgoingtoboreusagain。“
Shetookcare，however，toshownosignwithregardtothecontentsoftheletter；but，layingitbesideheronthetable，waitedtohearheruncle\'smindfirst。
“Poor，deargirl！”saidheatlast。“Youmusttrytomakeherascomfortableasyoucan。Thereisconsumptioninthefamily，yousee，“headded，withameditativesigh。
“OfcourseIwill，uncle。Poorgirl！Ihopethereisnotmuchamissthough，afterall。“
But，asshespoke，anirrepressibleflashofdislike，ordispleasureofsomesort，brokefromhereyes，andvanished。NoonebuthimselfseemedtoHughtohaveobservedit；buthewaslearnedinthelady\'seyes，andtheirweather-signs。Mr。Arnoldrosefromthetableandlefttheroom，apparentlytowriteananswertotheletter。Assoonashewasgone，EuphragavethelettertoHugh。Hereadasfollows：——
“MYDEARMR。ARNOLD，“Willyouextendthehospitalityofyourbeautifulhousetomeandmyyoungfriend，whohasthehonourofbeingyourrelative，LadyEmilyLake？Forsometimeherhealthhasseemedtobefailing，andsheisorderedtospendthewinterabroad，atPau，orsomewhereinthesouthofFrance。Itisconsideredhighlydesirablethatinthemeantimesheshouldhaveasmuchchangeaspossible；anditoccurredtome，rememberingthecharmingmonthIpassedatyourseat，andrecallingthefactthatLadyEmilyiscousinonlyonceremovedtoyourlatemostlovelywife，thattherewouldbenoimproprietyinwritingtoaskyouwhetheryoucould，withoutinconvenience，receiveusasyourguestsforashorttime。Isayus；forthedeargirlhastakensuchafancytounworthyoldme，thatshealmostrefusestosetoutwithoutme。Nottobecumbersomeeithertoourfriendsorourselves，weshallbringonlyourtwomaids，andasteadyoldman-servant，whohasbeeninmyfamilyformanyyears——Itrustyouwillnothesitatetorefusemyrequest，shouldIhappentohavemadeitatanunsuitableseason；assured，asyoumustbe，thatwecannotattributetherefusaltoanylackofhospitalityorfriendlinessonyourpart。Atallevents，Itrustyouwillexcusewhatseems——nowI
havecommittedittopaper——agreatliberty，Ihopenotpresumption，onmine。Iam，mydearMr。Arnold，“Yoursmostsincerely，“HANNAHELTON。“
Hughrefoldedtheletter，andlaiditdownwithoutremark。Harryhadlefttheroom。
“Isn\'titabore？”saidEuphra。
Hughansweredonlybyalook。Apausefollowed。
“WhoisMrs。Elton？”hesaidatlast。
“Oh，agood-heartedcreatureenough。Frightfullyprosy。“
“Butthatisawell-writtenletter？”
“Oh，yes。Sheisfamedforherletter-writing；and，Ibelieve，practiseseverymorningonaslate。Itistheonlythingthatredeemsherfromabsolutestupidity。“
Euphra，withhertaperfore-finger，tappedthetable-clothimpatiently，andshiftedbackinherchair，asifstrugglingwithaninwardannoyance。
“AndwhatsortofpersonisLadyEmily？”askedHugh。
“Ihaveneverseenher。Someblue-eyedmilk-maidwithatitle，I
suppose。Andinaconsumption，too！Ipresumethedeargirlisasreligiousastheoldone——Goodheavens！whatshallwedo？”sheburstoutatlength；and，risingfromherchair，shepacedabouttheroomhurriedly，butallthetimewithaglidingkindoffootfall，thatwouldhaveshakennonebutthecraziestfloor。
“DearEuphra！”Hughventuredtosay，“nevermind。Letustrytomakethebestofit。“
Shestoppedinherwalk，turnedtowardshim，smiledasifashamedanddelightedatthesamemoment，andslidoutoftheroom。HadEuphrabeenthesameallthrough，shecouldhardlyhavesmiledsowithoutbeinginlovewithHugh。
Thatmorninghesoughtheragaininherroom。TheytalkedovertheirversionsofDante。Hugh\'swascertainlythebest，forhewasmorepractisedinsuchthingsthanEuphra。Heshowedhermanyfaults，whichsheatonceperceivedtobefaults，andsoroseinhisestimation。Butatthesametimetherewereindividuallinesandpassagesofhers，whichheconsiderednotmerelybetterthanthecorrespondinglinesandpassages，butbetterthananypartofhisversion。Thishewasdelightedtosay；andsheseemedasdelightedthatheshouldthinkso。Agreatpartofthemorningwasspentthus。
“Icannotstaylonger，“saidHugh。
“Letusreadforanhour，then，afterwecomeupstairsto-night。“
“WithmorepleasurethanIdaretosay。“
“Butyoumeanwhatyoudosay？”
“Youcandoubtitnomorethanmyself。“
YethedidnotlikeEuphra\'smakingtheproposal。Nomoredidheliketheflippant，almostcruelwayinwhichshereferredtoLadyEmily\'sillness。Butheputitdowntoannoyanceandhaste——gotoveritsomehow——anyhow；andbegantofeelthatifshewereadevilhecouldnothelplovingher，andwouldnothelpitifhecould。
Thehopeofmeetingheralonethatnight，gavehimspiritandenergywithHarry；andthepoorboywasmorecheeryandactivethanhehadbeenforsometime。Hethoughthisbigbrotherwasgoingtolovehimagainasatthefirst。Hugh\'streatmentofhispupilmightstillhaveseemedkindfromanother，butHarryfeltitagreatchangeinhim。
Inthecourseoftheday，Euphratookanopportunityofwhisperingtohim：
“Notinmyroom——inthelibrary。“Ipresumeshethoughtitwouldbemoreprudent，inthecaseofanyinterruption。
Afterdinnerthatevening，HughdidnotgotothedrawingroomwithMr。Arnold，butoutintothewoodsaboutthehouse。Itwasearlyinthetwilight；fornowthesunsetlate。ThemonthwasJune；andtheevenarich，dreamful，rosyeven——thesleepofagorgeousday。“Itislikethesoulofagraciouswoman，“thoughtHugh，charmedintoalucidintervalofpassionbythelovelinessofthenaturearoundhim。Strangetotell，atthatmoment，insteadofthehushedgloomofthelibrary，towardswhichhewashopingandleaninginhissoul，therearosebeforehimthebare，stern，leaflesspine-wood——forwhocancallitsfoliageleaves？——withthechillywindofanorthernspringmorningblowingthroughitwithawailingnoiseofwaters；
andbeneathaweirdfir-tree，lofty，gaunt，andhuge，withbaregoblinarms，contortedsweepily，inastrangeminglingofthesublimeandthegrotesque——beneaththisfir-tree，Margaretsittingononeofitstwistedroots，theveryimageofpeace，withafacethatseemedstilledbytheexpectedapproachofasacredandunknowngladness；afacethatwouldblossomthemoregloriouslybecauseitsjoydelayeditscoming。Andaboveit，thetreeshonea“still，“
almost“awfulred，“inthelevellightofthemorning。
Thevisioncameandpassed，forhedidnotinviteitsstay：itrebukedhimtothedeepestsoul。Hestrayedintroubledpleasure，restlessanddissatisfied。Woodsoftherichestgrowthwerearoundhim；heapsonheapsofleavesfloatingabovehimlikeclouds，atracklesswildernessofairygreen，whereinonemightwishtodwellforever，lookingdownintothevaultsandaislesofthelong-rangingbolesbeneath。Butnopeacecouldrestonhisface；
only，atbest，afalsemask，putontohidethetroubleoftheunrestingheart。HadhebeendoinghisdutytoHarry，hisloveforEuphra，howeverunworthyshemightbe，wouldnothavetroubledhimthus。
Hecameuponanavenue。Atthefurtherendtheboughsoftheoldtrees，bareofleavesbeneath，metinaperfectpointedarch，acrosswhichwerebarredthelingeringcoloursofthesunset，transformingthewholeintoarichwindowfullofstainedglassandcomplextracery，closingupaGothicaisleinatempleofeverlastingworship。Akindofholycalmfelluponhimasheregardedthedim，dyingcolours；andthespiritofthenight，asomethingthatisneithersilencenorsound，andyetislikeboth，sankintohissoul，andmadeamomentofsummertwilightthere。Hewalkedalongtheavenueforsomedistance；andthen，leavingit，passedonthroughthewoods——SuddenlyitflasheduponhimthathehadcrossedtheGhost\'sWalk。Aslightbutcoldshudderpassedthroughtheregionofhisheart。Thenhelaughedathimself，and，asitwereindespiteofhisowntremor，turned，andcrossedyetagainthepathoftheghost。
Aspiritualepicureinhispleasures，hewouldnotspoiltheeffectofthecomingmeeting，byseeingEuphrainthedrawingroomfirst：hewenttohisownstudy，whereheremainedtillthehourhadnearlyarrived。Hetriedtowritesomeverses。Buthefoundthat，althoughthelovelyformofitsownNaiadlayonthebrinkoftheWellofSong，itswaterswouldnotflow：duringthesiroccoofpassion，itsspringswithdrawintothecoolcavesoftheLifebeneath。Atlengthherose，toomuchpreoccupiedtomindhiswantofsuccess；and，goingdownthebackstair，reachedthelibrary。
Thereheseatedhimself，andtriedtoreadbythelightofhischamber-candle。Butitwasscarcelyevenanattempt，foreverymomenthewaslookinguptothedoorbywhichheexpectedhertoenter。
Suddenlyanincreaseoflightwarnedhimthatshewasintheroom。
Howshehadenteredhecouldnottell。Onehandcarriedhercandle，thelightofwhichfellonherpaleface，withitshaloofblackness——herhair，whichlookedlikeawellofdarkness，thatthreatenedtobreakfromitsbondsandoverfloodtheroomwithasecondnight，darkenoughtoblotoutthatwhichwasnowlookingin，treefulanddeep，attheuncurtainedwindows。Theotherhandwasbusytryingtoincarcerateastraytresswhichhadescapedfromitsnet，andmadeheroliveshoulderslookwhitebesideit。
“Letitalone，“saidHugh，“letitbebeautiful。“
Butshegentlyrepelledthehandheraisedtohers，and，thoughshewasforcedtoputdownhercandlefirst，persistedinconfiningtherefractorytress；thenseatedherselfatthetable，andtakingfromherpocketthemanuscriptwhichHughhadbeencriticisinginthemorning，unfoldedit，andshowedhimallthepassageshehadobjectedto，neatlycorrectedoraltered。Itwaswonderfullydoneforthetimeshehadhad。Hewentoveritallwithheragain，seatedclosetoher，theirfacesalmostmeetingastheyfollowedthelines。Theyhadjustfinishedit，andwereabouttocommencereadingfromtheoriginal，whenHugh，whomissedasheetofEuphra\'stranslation，stoopedunderthetabletolookforit。Afewmomentswerespentinthesearch，beforehediscoveredthatEuphra\'sfootwasuponit。Hebeggedhertomovealittle，butreceivednoreplyeitherbywordoract。Lookingupinsomealarm，hesawthatshewaseitherasleeporinafaint。Byanimpulseinexplicabletohimselfatthetime，hewentatoncetothewindows，anddrewdownthegreenblinds。Whenheturnedtowardsheragain，shewasrevivingorawaking，hecouldnottellwhich。
“Howstupidofmetogotosleep！”shesaid。“Letusgoonwithourreading。“
Theyhadreadforabouthalfanhour，whenthreetapsupononeofthewindows，slight，butpeculiar，andasifgivenwiththepointofafinger，suddenlystartledthem。Hughturnedatoncetowardsthewindows；but，ofcourse，hecouldseenothing，havingjustloweredtheblinds。HeturnedagaintowardsEuphra。Shehadastrangewildlook；herlipswereslightlyparted，andhernostrilswide；herfacewasrigid，andglimmeringpaleasdeathfromthecloudofherblackhair。
“Whatwasit？”saidHugh，affectedbyherfearwiththehorroroftheunknown。Butshemadenoanswer，andcontinuedstaringtowardsoneofthewindows。Heroseandwasabouttoadvancetoit，whenshecaughthimbythehandwithagraspofwhichherswouldhavebeenincapableexceptundertheinfluenceofterror。Atthatmomentaclockintheroombegantostrike。Itwasaslowclock，andwentondeliberately，strikingone……two……three……tillithadstrucktwelve。Everystrokewasablowfromthehammeroffear，andhisheartwasthebell。Hecouldnotbreathefordreadsolongastheawfulclockwasstriking。Whenithadended，theylookedateachotheragain，andHughbreathedonce。
“Euphra！”hesighed。
Butshemadenoanswer；sheturnedhereyesagaintooneofthewindows。Theywerebothstanding。Hesoughttodrawhertohim，butsheyieldednomorethanamarblestatue。
“IcrossedtheGhost\'sWalkto-night，“saidhe，inahardwhisper，scarcelyknowingthatheutteredit，tillheheardhisownwords。
Theyseemedtofalluponhisearasifspokenbysomeoneoutsidetheroom。Shelookedathimoncemore，andkeptlookingwithafixedstare。Graduallyherfacebecamelessrigid，andhereyeslesswild。Shecouldmoveatlast。
“Come，come，“shesaid，inahurriedwhisper。“Letusgo——no，no，notthatway；“——asHughwouldhaveledhertowardstheprivatestair——“letusgothefrontway，bytheoakstaircase。“
Theywentuptogether。Whentheyreachedthedoorofherroom，shesaid，“Goodnight，“withoutevenlookingathim，andpassedin。
Hughwenton，inastateofutterbewilderment，tohisownapartment；shutthedoorandlockedit——athinghehadneverdonebefore；lightedboththecandlesonhistable；andthenwalkedupanddowntheroom，trying，likeoneawarethatheisdreaming，tocometohisrealself。
“Pshaw！”hesaidatlast。“Itwasonlyalittlebird，oralargemoth。Howodditisthatdarknesscanmakeafoolofone！Iamashamedofmyself。IwishIhadgoneoutatthewindow，ifonlytoshowEuphraIwasnotafraid，thoughofcoursetherewasnothingtobeseen。“
Ashesaidthisinhismind，——hecouldnothavespokenitaloud，forfearofhearinghisownvoiceinthesolitude，——hewenttooneofthewindowsofhissitting-room，whichwasnearlyoverthelibrary，andlookedintothewood——Coulditbe？——Yes——Hedidseesomethingwhite，glidingthroughthewood，awayinthedirectionoftheGhost\'sWalk。Itvanished；andhesawitnomore。
