第11章

CHAPTERXXIX。 HUGH\'SAWAKING。 Butah！believeme，thereismorethanso，Thatworkssuchwondersinthemindsofmen； I，thathaveoftenproved，toowellitknow； Andwhosolistthelikeassaystoken，Shallfindbytrial，andconfessitthen，Thatbeautyisnot，asfondmenmisdeem，Anoutwardshowofthingsthatonlyseem！ Butye，fairdames，theworld\'sdearornaments，Andlivelyimagesofheaven\'slight，LetnotyourbeamswithsuchdisparagementsBedimmed，andyourbrightglorydarkenedquite； But，mindfulstillofyourfirstcountry\'ssight，Dostillpreserveyourfirstinformedgrace，Whoseshadowyetshinesinyourbeauteousface。 SPENSER——HymninHonourofBeauty。 WhenHughcametohimself，hewaslying，inthefirstgreyofthedawn，amidstthedewsandvapoursofthemorningwoods。Heroseandlookedaroundhim。TheGhost\'sWalklayinlongsilencebeforehim。 Hereandtherealittlebirdmovedandpeeped。Thegloryofanewdaywasclimbinguptheeasterncoastofheaven。Itwouldbeadayoflatesummer，crownedwithflame，andthrobbingwithripeninglife。Butforhimthespiritwasgoneoutoftheworld，anditwasnoughtbutamassofblind，heartlessforces。 Possibly，hadheoverheardtheconversation，themotionsonlyofwhichhehadoverseentheprecedingnight，hewould，althoughequallyperplexed，havethoughtmoregentlyofEuphra；but，inthemoodintowhicheventhenhemusthavebeenthrown，hisdeeperfeelingstowardshercouldhardlyhavebeendifferentfromwhattheywerenow。AlthoughhehadoftenfeltthatEuphrawasnotverygood，notasuspicionhadcrossedhismindastowhathewouldhavecalledthepurityofhernature。Likemanyyouths，evenofcharacterinferiortohisown，hehadtheloftiestnotionsoffemininegrace，andunspottednessinthoughtandfeeling，nottosayactionandaim。 Nowhefoundthathehadlovedawomanwhowouldcreepfromherchamber，atthecostofgreatsuffering，andalmostattheriskofherlife，tomeet，inthenightandthewoods，amannobetterthananassassin——probablyathief。Hadhebeenmoreversedinthewaysofwomen，orintheprobabilitiesofthings，hewouldhavejudgedthattheveryextravaganceoftheactiondemandedadeeperexplanationthanwhatseemedtolieonthesurface。Yet，althoughhejudgedEuphraveryhardlyuponthosegrounds，wouldhehavejudgedherdifferentlyhadheactuallyknownall？AboutthisIamlefttoconjecturealone。 ButtheeffectonHughwasdifferentfromwhattheordinaryreaderofhumannaturemightanticipate。Insteadofbeingtorninpiecesbystormsofjealousy，allthesummergrowthsofhislovewerechilledbyanabsolutefrostofdeath。AkindofannihilationsankupontheimageofEuphra。TherehadbeennosuchEuphra。Shehadbeenbutacreationofhisownbrain。Itwasnotsomuchthatheceasedtolove，asthatthebeingbeloved——notdied，but——ceasedtoexist。Thereweremomentsinwhichheseemedtoloveherstillwithawildoutcryofpassion；butthefrenzysoonvanishedintheselfishfeelingofhisownloss。Hislovewasnotahighone——notsuchasthine，myFalconer。Thinewasloveindeed；thoughitstaleistoogoodtotell，simplybecauseitistoogoodtobebelieved； andwedomenawrongsometimeswhenwetellthemmorethantheycanreceive。 Thought，Speculation，Suggestion，crowdeduponeachother，tillatlengthhismindsankpassive，andservedonlyasthelistsinwhichtheantagonistthoughtsfoughtaconfusedbattlewithoutheraldorumpire。 Butitisamazingtothinkhowsoonhebegantolookbackuponhisformerfascinationwithakindofwonderingunbelief。ThisbespokethestrengthofHugh\'sidealsense，aswellastheweaknessofhisactuallove。Hecouldhardlyevenrecallthefeelingswithwhich，onsomewell-rememberedoccasion，hehadregardedher，andwhichthenithadseemedimpossibleheshouldeverforget。Hadhediscoveredtheclovenfootofademonunderthosetrailinggarments——hecouldhardlyhaveceasedtolovehermoresuddenlyorentirely。Butthereisanachingthatisworsetobearthanpain。 ItrustmyreaderwillnotjudgeveryhardlyofHugh，becauseofthechangewhichhadthussuddenlypasseduponhisfeelings。Hefeltnowjustashehadfeltonwakinginthemorningandfindingthathehadbeeninlovewithadream-ladyallthenight：ithadbeenverydelightful，anditwassadthatitwasallgone，andcouldcomebacknomore。Butthewondertomeis，notthatsomeloveswillnotstandthetestofabsence，butthat，theirnaturebeingwhatitis，theyshouldoutlastoneweekoffamiliarintercourse。 Hemournedbitterlyoverthelossofthosefeelings，fortheyhadbeenprecioustohim。Butcouldhehelpit？Indeedhecouldnot； forhislovehadbeenfascination；andthefascinationhavingceased，thelovewasgone。 IbelievesomeofmyreaderswillnotneedthisapologyforHugh； butwillratheradmirethefacilitywithwhichheroseaboveamisplacedpassion，anddismisseditsobject。SodonotI。Itcameofhishavingneverloved。HadhereallylovedEuphra，herself，herownself，thelivingwomanwholookedathimoutofthoseeyes，outofthatface，suchpitywouldhaveblendedwiththeloveaswouldhavemadeitgreater，andpermittednoindignationtooverwhelmit。 Asitwas，hewasutterlypassiveandhelplessinthematter。Thefaultlayintheoriginalweaknessthatsubmittedtobesofascinated；thatgaveintoit，notwithstandingthevagueexpostulationsofhisbetternature，andtheconsciousnessthathewasneglectinghisdutytoHarry，inordertopleaseEuphraandenjoyhersociety。Hadhepersistedindoinghisduty，itwouldatleasthavekepthismindmorehealthy，lessenedtheabsorptionofhispassion，andgivenhimopportunitiesofreflection，andmomentsoftrueperceptionastowhathewasabout。Butnowthespellwasbrokenatonce，andthepoorgirlhadlostaworshipper。Thegoldenimagewiththefeetofclaymightariseinaprophet\'sdream，butitcouldneverabideinsuchalover\'s。Herglancewaspowerlessnow。 Alas，forthewitheringofsuchadream！Perhapsshedeservednothingelse；butourdeserts，whenwegetthem，aresadenoughsometimes。 Allthatdayhewalkedasinadreamofloss。AsforthepersonwhomhehadusedtocallEuphra，shewasremovedtoavastdistancefromhim。Anabsolutelyimpassablegulflaybetweenthem。 Shesentforhim。Hewenttoherfilledwithasenseofinsensibility。Shewasmuchworse，andsufferinggreatpain。Hughsawatoncethatsheknewthatallwasoverbetweenthem，andthathehadseenherpasshisdoor，orhadbeeninherroom，forhehadleftherdooralittleopen，andshehadleftitshut。Onepathetic，mostpitifulglanceofdeprecatingentreatyshefixeduponhim，asafterafewmomentsofspeechlesswaiting，heturnedtoleavetheroom——whichwouldhaveremaineddeathlessinhisheart，butthatheinterpretedittomean：“Don\'ttell；“sohegotridofitatoncebythegrantofitssupposedrequest。Shemadenoefforttodetainhim。Sheturnedherfaceaway，and，hard-hearted，heheardhersob，notasifherheartwouldbreak——thatislittle——butlikeanimmortalwomaninimmortalagony，andhedidnotturntocomforther。Perhapsitwasbetter——howcouldhecomforther？Somekindsofcomfort——theonlykindswhichpoormortalssometimeshavetogive——arelikethefoodonwhichthepatientandthediseaselivetogether；andsomegriefsaresoonestgotridofbylettingthemburnout。Allthefire-enginesincreationcanonlyprolongthetime，andincreasethesenseofburning。Thereisbutonecure：thefellow-feelingofthehumanGod，whichconvertstheagonyitselfintothecreativefireofahigherlife。 AsforVonFunkelstein，Hughcomfortedhimselfwiththeconvictionthattheyweredestinedtomeetagain。 Thedaywenton，asdayswillgo，unstayed，unhastenedbythehumansouls，throughwhichtheyglidesilentandawful。AftersuchlessonsashewasabletogetthroughwithHarry，——who，feelingthathistutordidnotwanthim，lefttheroomassoonastheywereover——hethrewhimselfonthecouch，andtriedtothink。Butthinkhecouldnot。Thoughtspassedthroughhim，buthedidnotthinkthem。Hewaspowerlessinregardtothem。Theycameandwentoftheirownwill：hecouldneithersaycomenorgo。Tiredatlengthofthecouch，hegotupandpacedabouttheroomforhours。Whenhecametohimselfalittle，hefoundthatthesunwasnearlysetting。 Throughthetopofabeech-treetallerthantherest，itsentagoldenlight，fullofthefloatingshadowsofleavesandbranches，uponthewallofhisroom。Buttherewasnobeautyforhiminthegoingdownofthesun；nogloryinthegoldenlight；nomessagefromdream-landintheflittingandblendingandparting，theconstantlydissolvingyeteverremainingplayofthelovelyandwonderfulshadow-leaves。Thesunsankbelowthebeech-top，andwashiddenbehindacloudofgreenleaves，thickasthewoodwasdeep。Agreylightinsteadofagoldenfilledtheroom。Thechangehadnointerestforhim。Thepainofalostpassiontormentedhim——theachingthatcameofthefallingtogetheroftheetherealwallsofhissoul，aboutthespacewheretherehadbeenandwheretherewasnolongeraworld。 Ayoungbirdflewagainstthewindow，andfluttereditswingstwoorthreetimes，vainlyseekingtoovercometheunseenobstaclewhichtheglasspresentedtoitsflight。Hughstartedandshuddered。 Thenfirstheknew，intheinfluenceofthesignsoftheapproachingdarkness，howmuchhisnerveshadsufferedfromthechangethathadpassed。HetookrefugewithHarry。Hispupilwasnowtobehisconsoler；whoinhisturnwouldfarehenceforththebetter，forthedecayofHugh\'spleasures。Thepoorboywasfilledwithdelightathavinghisbigbrotheralltohimselfagain；andworkedharderthanevertomakethebestofhisprivileges。ForHugh，itwaswonderfulhowsoonhispeaceofmindbegantoreturnafterhegavehimselftohisduty，andhowsoonthecloudsofdisappointmentdescendedbelowthefarhorizon，leavingtheairclearaboveandaround。PainfulthoughtsaboutEuphrawouldstillpresentthemselves；butinsteadofbecomingmoregentleandsorrowfulasthedayswenton，theygrewmoreandmoresevereandunjustandangry。Heevenentertaineddoubtswhethershedidnotknowallaboutthetheftofbothrings，fortoheronlyhadhediscoveredthesecretplaceintheolddesk。Ifshewascapableofwhathebelieved，whyshouldshenotbecapableofanythingelse？ Itseemedtohimmostsimpleandcredible。Animpurewomanmightjustaswellbeathieftoo——IamonlydescribingHugh\'sfeelings。 Butalongwiththesefeelingsandthoughts，ofmingledgoodandbad，cameonefeelingwhichheneededmorethanany——repentance。Seatedaloneuponafallentreeoneday，thefaceofpoorHarrycamebacktohim，ashesawitfirst，poringoverPolexanderinthelibrary； and，fullofthejoyoflifehimself，notwithstandinghispasttroubles，strongasasunrise，andhopefulasaPrometheus，thequiveringperplexityofthatsicklylittlefacesmotehimwithapang。“WhatmightInothavedonefortheboy！He，too，wasinthehandsoftheenchantress，and，insteadoffreeinghim，Ibecameherslavetoenchainhimfurther。“Yet，eveninthis，hedidEuphrainjustice；forhehadcometotheconclusionthatshehadlaidherplanswiththeintentionofkeepingtheboyadwarf，bygivinghimonlyfoodforbabes，andnotgoodfoodeither，withholdingfromhimeverystimulustomentaldigestionandconsequenthunger；andthatshehadobjectsofherownindoingso——oneperhaps，tokeepherselfnecessarytotheboyasshewastothefather，andsosecurethefuture。ButpoorEuphra\'sownnatureandtrueeducationhadbeensadlyneglected。AfineknowledgeofmusicandItalian，andthedevelopmentofasensuoussympathywithnature，couldhardlybecallededucation。Itwasnotcertainlysuchadevelopmentofherownnatureaswouldenablehertosympathisewiththenecessitiesofaboy\'snature。PerhapstheworstthatcouldjustlybesaidofherbehaviourtoHarrywas，that，withastronginclinationtodespotism，andsomefeelingofloneliness，shehadexercisedtheoneuponhiminordertoalleviatetheotherinherself。Uponhim，therefore，sheexpendedacertain，orratheranuncertainkindofaffection，which，ifitmighthavebeenmorefittinglyspentuponalapdog，andwasworthbutlittle，mightyethavebecomewortheverything，hadshebeenmoderatelygood。 HughdidnotseeEuphraagainformorethanafortnight。 CHAPTERXXX。 CHANGES。 Hey，andtheruegrowsbonnywi\'thyme！ Andthethymeitiswithered，andrueisinprime。 RefrainofanoldScotchsong，alteredbyBURNS。 Hehathwrongedme；indeedhehath；——ataword，hehath；——believeme；RobertShallow，Esquire，saithheiswronged。 MerryWivesofWindsor。 Atlength，oneevening，enteringthedrawing-roombeforedinner，HughfoundEuphratherealone。Hebowedwithembarrassment，andutteredsomecommonplacecongratulationonherrecovery。Sheansweredhimgentlyandcoldly。Herwholeairandappearanceweresignsofacutesuffering。Shedidnotmaketheslightestapproachtotheirformerfamiliarity，butshespokewithoutanyembarrassment，likeonewhohadgivenherselfup，andwas，therefore，indifferent。Hughcouldnothelpfeelingasifshekneweverythoughtthatwaspassinginhismind，and，havingwithdrawnherselffromhim，waswatchinghimwithacold，ghostlyinterest。 Shetookhisarmtogointothedining-room，andactuallyleaneduponit，as，indeed，shewascompelledtodo。Herunclewasdelightedtoseeheroncemore。Mrs。Eltonaddressedherwithkindness，andLadyEmilywithsweetcordiality。Sheherselfseemedtocarefornobodyandnothing。Assoonasdinnerwasover，shesentforhermaid，andwithdrewtoherownroom。ItwasagreatrelieftoHughtofeelthathewasnolongerindangerofencounteringhereyes。 Graduallysherecoveredstrength，thoughitwasagainsomedaysbeforesheappearedatthedinner-table。ThedistancebetweenHughandherseemedtoincreaseinsteadofdiminish，tillatlengthhescarcelydaredtoofferherthesmallestcivility，lestsheshoulddespisehimasahypocrite。Thefurthersheremovedherselffromhim，themorehefeltinclinedtorespecther。Bycommonconsenttheyavoided，asmuchasbefore，anybehaviourthatmightattractattention；thoughtheeffortwasofaverydifferentnaturenow。Itwaswretchedenough，nodoubt，forbothofthem。 ThetimedrewnearforLadyEmily\'sdeparture。 “Whatareyourplansforthewinter，Mrs。Elton？”saidMr。Arnold，oneday。 “IintendspendingthewinterinLondon，“sheanswered。 “ThenyouarenotgoingwithLadyEmilytoMadeira？” “No。Herfatherandoneofhersistersaregoingwithher。“ “Ihaveagreatmindtospendthewinterabroadmyself；butthedifficultyiswhattodowithHarry。“ “CouldyounotleavehimwithMr。Sutherland？” “No。Idonotchoosetodothat。“ “Thenlethimcometome。Ishallhaveallmylittleestablishmentup，andtherewillbeplentyofroomforHarry。“ “Averykindoffer。Imaypossiblyavailmyselfofit。“ “Ifearwecouldhardlyaccommodatehistutor，though。Butthatwillbeveryeasilyarranged。Hecouldsleepoutofthehouse，couldhenot？” “Giveyourselfnotroubleaboutthat。IwishHarrytohavemastersforthevariousbrancheshewillstudy。Itwillteachhimmoreofmenandtheworldgenerally，andpreventhisbeingtoomuchinfluencedbyonestyleofthinking。“ “ButMr。Sutherlandisaverygoodtutor。“ “Yes。Very。“ Tothistherecouldbenoreplybutaquestion；andMr。Arnold\'smannernotinvitingone，theconversationwasdropped。 Euphragraduallyresumedherdutiesinthehouse，asfarasgreatlamenesswouldpermit。ShecontinuedtoshowaquietanddignifiedreservetowardsHugh。Shemadenoattemptstofascinatehim，andneveravoidedhislookwhenitchancedtomeethers。Butalthoughtherewasnoreproachanymorethanfascinationinhereyes，Hugh\'salwaysfellbeforehers。ShewalkedsoftlylikeAhab，asif，nowthatHughknew，she，too，waseverconscious。 HerbehaviourtoMrs。EltonandLadyEmilywaslikewiseimproved，butapparentlyonlyfromanincreaseofindifference。Whenthetimecame，andtheydeparted，shedidnotevenappeartobemuchrelieved。 OncesheaskedHughtohelpherwithapassageofDante，butbetrayednomemoryofthepast。Hispleasedhastetoassisther，showedthatheatleast，iffancy-free，wasnotmemory-clear。Shethankedhimverygentlyandtruly，tookupherbooklikeaschool-girl，andlimpedaway。Hughwassmittentotheheart。“IfI couldbutdosomethingforher！”thoughthe；buttherewasnothingtobedone。Althoughshehaddeservedit，somehowherbehaviourmadehimfeelasifhehadwrongedherinceasingtoloveher。 Oneday，intheendofSeptember，Mr。ArnoldandHughwerealoneafterbreakfast。Mr。Arnoldspoke： “Mr。Sutherland，IhavealteredmyplanswithregardtoHarry。I wishhimtospendthewinterinLondon。“ Hughlistenedandwaited。Mr。Arnoldwenton，afteraslightpause： “ThereIwishhimtoreapsuchadvantagesasaretobegainedinthemetropolis。Hehasimprovedwonderfullyunderyourinstruction；andisnow，Ithink，tobebenefitedprincipallybyavarietyofteachers。Ithereforeintendthatheshallhavemastersforthedifferentbrancheswhichitisdesirableheshouldstudy。 ConsequentlyIshallbecompelledtodenyhimyourservices，valuableastheyhavehithertobeen。“ “Verywell，Mr。Arnold，“saidMr。Sutherland，withtheindifferenceofonewhofeelshimselfill-used。“WhenshallItakemyleaveofhim？” “Notbeforethemiddleofthenextmonth，attheearliest。ButI willwriteyouachequeforyoursalaryatonce。“ Sosaying，Mr。Arnoldlefttheroomforamoment，andreturning，handedHughachequeforayear\'ssalary。Hughglancedatit，andofferingitagaintoMr。Arnold，said： “No，Mr。Arnold；Icanclaimscarcelymorethanhalfayear\'ssalary。“ “Mr。Sutherland，yourengagementwasatsomuchayear；andifI preventyoufromfulfillingyourpartofit，Iamboundtofulfilmine。Indeed，youmightclaimfurtherprovision。“ “Youareverykind，Mr。Arnold。“ “Onlyjust，“rejoinedMr。Arnold，withconsciousdignity。“IamundergreatobligationtoyouforthewayinwhichyouhavedevotedyourselftoHarry。“ Hugh\'sconsciencegavehimapang。Isanythingmorepainfulthanundeservedpraise？ “Ihavehardlydonemydutybyhim，“saidhe。 “Icanonlysaythattheboyiswonderfullyalteredforthebetter，andIthankyou。Iamobligedtoyou：obligemebyputtingthechequeinyourpocket。“ Hughpersistednolongerinhisrefusal；andindeedithadbeenfarmoreafeelingofpridethanofjusticethatmadehimdeclineacceptingitatfirst。NorwasthereanygenerosityinMr。Arnold\'scheque；forHugh，asheadmitted，mighthaveclaimedboardandlodgingaswell。ButMr。Arnoldwasoneoftheordinarilyhonourable，who，withperfectcharactersforuprightness，alwayscontrivetoerronthesafesideofthepurse，andthedoubtfulsideofaseverelyinterpretedobligation。Suchpeople，insodoing，notunfrequentlysecureforthemselves，atthesametime，thereputationofgenerosity。 Hughcouldnotdoubtthathisdismissalwassomehoworotherconnectedwiththelossofthering；buthewouldnotstooptoinquireintothematter。Hehopedthattimewouldsetallright； and，infact，feltconsiderableindifferencetotheopinionofMr。 Arnold，orofanyoneinthehouse，exceptHarry。 Theboyburstintotearswheninformedofhisfather\'sdecisionwithregardtohiswinterstudies，andcouldonlybeconsoledbythehopewhichHughheldouttohim——certainlyuponaveryslightfoundation——thattheymightmeetsometimesinLondon。Forthelittletimethatremained，Hughdevotedhimselfunceasinglytohispupil；notmerelystudyingwithhim，butwalking，riding，readingstories，andgoingthroughallsortsofexercisesforthestrengtheningofhispersonandconstitution。ThebestresultsfollowedbothforHarryandhistutor。 CHAPTERXXXI。 EXPLANATIONS。 Ihavedonenothinggoodtowinbelief，Mylifehathbeensofaithless；allthecreaturesMadeforheaven\'shonours，havetheirends，andgoodones； Allbut……falsewomen……Whentheydie，liketalesIll-told，andunbelieved，theypassaway。 Iwillredeemoneminuteofmyage，Or，likeanotherNiobe，I\'llweepTillIamwater。 BEAUMONTANDFLETCHER——TheMaid\'sTragedy。 Thedayspassedquicklyby；andthelasteveningthatHughwastospendatArnsteadarrived。Hewanderedoutalone。HehadbeenwithHarryallday，andnowhewishedforafewmomentsofsolitude。Itwasalovelyautumnevening。Hewentintothewoodsbehindthehouse。Theleaveswerestillthickuponthetrees，butmostofthemhadchangedtogold，andbrown，andred；andthesweetfaintodoursofthosethathadfallen，andlaythickunderfoot，ascendedlikeavoicefromthegrave，saying：“Heredwellethsomesadness，butnodespair。“Ashestrolledaboutamongthem，thewholehistoryofhispastlifearosebeforehim。Thisoftenhappensbeforeanychangeinourhistory，andissuresttotakeplaceattheapproachofthegreatestchangeofall，whenweareabouttopassintotheunknown，whencewecame。 Inthismood，itwasnaturalthathissinsshouldrisebeforehim。 Theycameastheshadowsofhisbestpleasures。Fornow，inlookingback，hecouldfixonnoperiodofhishistory，aroundwhichtheaureole，whichglorifiesthesacredthingsofthepast，hadgatheredinsogoldenahue，asaroundthememoryoftheholycottage，thetempleinwhichabodeDavid，andJanet，andMargaret。 Allthestoryglidedpast，asthenecromanticWillcalledupthesleepingdeadinthemausoleumofthebrain。Andthatsolemn，kingly，graciousoldman，whohadbeentohimafather，hehadforgotten；thehomelytendernesswhich，fromfearofitsownforce，concealeditselfbehindahumorousroughnessofmanner，hehad——no，notdespised——butforgotten，too；andifthedimpearlylovelinessofthetrustful，gratefulmaidenhadnotbeenquiteforgotten，yetshetoohadbeenneglected，haddied，asitwere，andbeenburiedinthechurchyardofthepast，wherethegrassgrowslongoverthegraves，andthemosssoonbeginstofillupthechiselledrecords。 Hewasungrateful。Hedarednotallowtohimselfthathewasunloving；buthemustconfesshimselfungrateful。 Musingsorrowfullyandself-reproachfully，hecametotheGhost\'sAvenue。Upanddownitsaislehewalked，afitplaceforrememberingthepast，andthesinsofthepresent。Yieldinghimselftowhatthoughtsmightarise，thestrangesighthehadseenhereonthatmoonlitnight，oftwosilentwanderingfigures——orcoulditbethattheywereoneandthesame，suddenlychangedinhue？——returneduponhim。ThisvisionhadbeensospeedilyfollowedbythesecondandmorealarmingapparitionofLadyEuphrasia，thathehadhardlyhadtimetospeculateonwhattheformercouldhavebeen。Hewasmeditatinguponallthesestrangeevents，andremarkingtohimselfthat，sincehismidnightencounterwithLadyEuphrasia，thehousehadbeenasquietasachurch-yardatnoon，whenallsuddenly，hesawbeforehim，atsomelittledistance，adarkfigureapproachinghim。Hisheartseemedtoboundintohisthroatandchokehim，ashesaidtohimself：“Itisthenunagain！”ButthenextmomenthesawthatitwasEuphra。Idonotknowwhichhewouldhavepreferrednotmeetingalone，andinthedeepeningtwilight：Euphra，too，hadbecomelikeaghosttohim。Hisfirstimpulsewastoturnasideintothewood，butshehadseenhim，andwasevidentlygoingtoaddresshim。Hethereforeadvancedtomeether。Shespokefirst，approachinghimwithpainfulsteps。 “Ihavebeenlookingforyou，Mr。Sutherland。Iwantedverymuchtohavealittleconversationwithyoubeforeyougo。Willyouallowme？” Hughfeltlikeaculpritdirectly。Euphra\'smannerwasquitecollectedandkind；yetthroughitallaconsciousnessshoweditself，thattherelationwhichhadonceexistedbetweenthemhadpassedawayforever。Inhervoicetherewassomethinglikethetoneofwindblowingthrougharuin。 “Ishallbemosthappy，“saidhe。 Shesmiledsadly。Agreatchangehadpasseduponher。 “Iamgoingtobequiteopenwithyou，“shesaid。“Iamperfectlyaware，aswellasyouare，thattheboyishfancyyouhadformeisgone。Donotbeoffended。Youaremanlyenough，butyourloveformewasboyish。Mostfirstlovesarechildish，quiteirrespectiveofage。Idonotblameyouintheleast。“ ThisseemedtoHughratherastrangestyletoassume，ifallwastruethathisowneyeshadreported。Shewenton： “Normustyouthinkithascostmemuchtoloseit。“ Hughfelthurt，atwhichnoonewhounderstandswillbesurprised。 “ButIcannotaffordtoloseyou，theonlyfriendIhave，“sheadded。 Hughturnedtowardsherwithafacefullofmanhoodandtruth。 “Youshallnotloseme，Euphra，ifyouwillbehonesttoyourselfandtome。“ “Thankyou。Icantrustyou。Iwillbehonest。“ Atthatmoment，withouttherevivalofatraceofhisformerfeelings，Hughfeltnearertoherthanhehadeverfeltbefore。Nowthereseemedtobetruthbetweenthem，theonlymediumthroughwhichbeingscanunite。 “IfearIhavewrongedyoumuch，“shewenton。“Idonotmeansometimeago。“Hereshehesitated——“IfearIamthecauseofyourleavingArnstead。“ “You，Euphra？No。Youmustbemistaken。“ “Ithinknot。ButIamcompelledtomakeanunwillingdisclosureofasecret——asadsecretaboutmyself。Donothatemequite——Iamasomnambulist。“ Shehidherfaceinherhands，asifthenightwhichhadnowclosedaroundthemdidnothideherenough。Hughdidnotreply。Absorbedintheinterestwhichbothherselfandherconfessionarousedinhim，hecouldonlylisteneagerly。Shewenton，afteramoment\'spause： “IdidnotthinkatfirstthatIhadtakenthering。Ithoughtanotherhad。Butlastnight，andnottillthen，IdiscoveredthatI wastheculprit。“ “How？” “Thatrequiresexplanation。IhavenorecollectionoftheeventsofthepreviousnightwhenIhavebeenwalkinginmysleep。Indeed，theutterabsenceofasenseofdreamingalwaysmakesmesuspectthatIhavebeenwandering。ButsometimesIhaveavividdream，whichIknow，thoughIcangivenoproofofit，tobeareproductionofsomeprevioussomnambulicexperience。DonotaskmetorecallthehorrorsIdreamedlastnight。IamsureItookthering。“ “Thenyoudreamedwhatyoudidwithit？” “Yes，Igaveitto——“ Herehervoicesankandceased。Hughwouldnoturgeher。 “HaveyoumentionedthistoMr。Arnold？” “No。Idonotthinkitwoulddoanygood。ButIwill，ifyouwishit，“sheaddedsubmissively。 “Notatall。Justasyouthinkbest。“ “Icouldnottellhimeverything。Icannottellyoueverything。IfIdid，Mr。Arnoldwouldturnmeoutofthehouse。Iamaveryunhappygirl，Mr。Sutherland。“ >Fromthetoneofthesewords，HughcouldnotforamomentsupposethatEuphrahadanyremainingdesignoffascinationinthem。 “Perhapshemightwanttokeepyou，ifItoldhimall；butIdonotthink，afterthewayhehasbehavedtoyou，thatyoucouldstaywithhim，forhewouldneverapologize。Itisveryselfishofme；butindeedIhavenotthecouragetoconfesstohim。“ “Iassureyounothingcouldmakemeremainnow。ButwhatcanIdoforyou？” “Onlyletmedependuponyou，incaseIshouldneedyourhelp；or——“ HereEuphrastoppedsuddenly，andcaughtholdofHugh\'slefthand，whichhehadliftedtobrushaninsectfromhisface。 “Whereisyourring？”shesaid，inatoneofsuppressedanxiety。 “Gone，Euphra。Myfather\'sring！ItwaslyingbesideLadyEuphrasia\'s。“ Euphra\'sfacewasagainhiddeninherhands。Shesobbedandmoanedlikeoneindespair。Whenshegrewalittlecalmer，shesaid： “IamsureIdidnottakeyourring，dearHugh——Iamnotathief。I hadakindofrighttotheother，andhesaiditoughttohavebeenhis，forhisrealnamewasCountvonHalkar——thesamenameasLadyEuphrasia\'sbeforeshewasmarried。Hetookit，Iamsure。“ “Itwashethatknockedmedowninthedarkthatnightthen，Euphra。“ “Didhe？Oh！Ishallhavetotellyouall——Thatwretchhasaterriblepoweroverme。Ilovedhimonce。ButIrefusedtotaketheringfromyourdesk，becauseIknewitwouldgetyouintotrouble。Hethrewmeintoasomnambulicsleep，andsentmeforthering。ButIshouldhaverememberedifIhadtakenyours。Eveninmysleep，Idon\'tthinkhecouldhavemademedothat。YoumayknowIspeakthetruth，whenIamtellingmyowndisgrace。HepromisedtosetmefreeifIwouldgetthering；buthehasnotdoneit；andhewillnot。“ Sobsagaininterruptedher。 “Iwasafraidyourringwasgone。Idon\'tknowwhyIthoughtso，exceptthatyouhadn\'titon，whenyoucametoseeme。OrperhapsitwasbecauseIamsometimesforcedtothinkwhatthatwretchisthinking。Hemademegotohimthatnightyousawme，Hugh。ButI wassoill，Idon\'tthinkIshouldhavebeenable，butthatIcouldnotresttillIhadaskedhimaboutyourring。Hesaidheknewnothingaboutit。“ “Iamsurebehasit，“saidHugh。AndherelatedtoEuphrathestrugglehehadhadwithFunkelsteinanditsresult。Sheshuddered。 “Ihavebeenadeviltoyou，Hugh；Ihavebetrayedyoutohim。Youwillneverseeyourringagain。Here，takemine。Itisnotsogoodasyours，butforthesakeoftheoldwayyouthoughtofme，takeit。“ “No，no，Euphra；Mr。Arnoldwouldmissit。Besides，youknowitwouldnotbemyfather\'sring，anditwasnotforthevalueofthediamondIcaredmostaboutit。AndIamnotsurethatIshallnotfinditagain。IamgoinguptoLondon，whereIshallfallinwithhim，Ihope。“ “Butdotakecareofyourself。Hehasnoconscience。Godknows，I havehadlittle，buthehasnone。“ “Iknowhehasnone；butaconscienceisnotabadauxiliary，andthereIshallhavesomeadvantageofhim。ButwhatcouldhewantthatringofLadyEuphrasia\'sfor？” “Idon\'tknow。Henevertoldme。“ “Itwasnotworthmuch。“ “Nexttonothing。“ “Ishallbesurertofindthatthanmyown。AndIwillfindit，ifIcan，thatMr。ArnoldmaybelieveIwasnottoblame。“ “Do。Butbecareful。“ “Don\'tfear。Iwillbecareful。“ Sheheldoutherhand，asiftotakeleaveofhim，butwithdrewitagainwiththesuddencry： “WhatshallIdo？Ithoughthehadleftmetomyself，tillthatnightinthelibrary。“ Shehelddownherheadinsilence。Thenshesaid，slowly，inatoneofagony： “Iamaslave，bodyandsoul——Hugh！”sheadded，passionately，andlookingupinhisface，“doyouthinkthereisaGod？” Hereyesglimmeredwiththefaintreflexfromgatheredtears，thatsilentlyoverflowed。 AndnowHugh\'sownpovertystruckhimwithgriefandhumiliation。 HerewasasoulseekingGod，andhehadnorighttosaythattherewasaGod，forheknewnothingabouthim。Hehadbeentoldso；butwhatcouldthatfar-offwitnessdofortheneedofadesolateheart？ Shehadbeentoldsoamillionoftimes。Hecouldnotsaythatheknewit。Thatwaswhatshewantedandneeded。 Hewashonest，andsoreplied： “Idonotknow。Ihopeso。“ Hefeltthatshewasalreadybeyondhim；forshehadbeguntocryintothevague，seeminglyheartlessvoid，andsay： “IsthereaGodsomewheretohearmewhenIcry？” Andwithalltheteachinghehadhad，hehadnowordofcomforttogive。Yes，hehad：hehadknownDavidElginbrod。 Beforehehadshapedhisthought，shesaid： “Ithink，iftherewereaGod，hewouldhelpme；forIamnothingbutapoorslavenow。Ihavehardlyawillofmyown。“ Thesighsheheavedtoldofahopelessoppression。 “Thebestman，andthewisest，andthenoblestIeverknew，“saidHugh，“believedinGodwithhiswholeheartandsoulandstrengthandmind。Infact，hecaredfornothingbutGod；orrather，hecaredforeverythingbecauseitbelongedtoGod。Hewasneverafraidofanything，nevervexedatanything，nevertroubledaboutanything。 Hewasagoodman。“ HughwassurprisedatthelightwhichbrokeuponthecharacterofDavid，ashehelditbeforehismind\'seye，inordertodescribeittoEuphra。Heseemednevertohaveunderstoodhimbefore。 “Ah！IwishIknewhim。Iwouldgotothatman，andaskhimtosaveme。Wheredoeshelive？” “Alas！Idonotknowwhetherheisaliveordead——themoretomyshame。Buthelives，ifhelives，farawayinthenorthofScotland。“ Shepaused。 “No。Icouldnotgothere。Iwillwritetohim。“ Hughcouldnotdiscourageher，thoughhedoubtedwhetherarealcommunicationcouldbeestablishedbetweenthem。 “Iwillwritedownhisaddressforyou，whenIgoin，“saidhe。“Butwhatcanhesaveyoufrom？” “FromnoGod，“sheanswered，solemnly。“IfthereisnoGod，thenI amsurethatthereisadevil，andthathehasgotmeinhispower。“ Hugh。felthershudder，forshewasleaningonhisarm，shewasstillsolame。Shecontinued： “Oh！ifIhadaGod，hewouldrightme，Iknow。“ Hughcouldnotreply。Apausefollowed。 “Good-bye。Ifeelprettysureweshallmeetagain。Mypresentimentsaregenerallytrue，“saidEuphra，atlength。 Hughkissedherhandwithfarmorerealdevotionthanhehadeverkisseditwithbefore。 Shelefthim，andhastenedtothehouse\'withfeeblespeed。\'Hewassorryshewasgone。Hewalkedupanddownforsometime，meditatingonthestrangegirlandherstrangewords；till，hearingthedinnerbell，hetoomusthastenintodress。 Euphramethimatthedinner-tablewithoutanychangeofherlatemanner。Mr。Arnoldwishedhimgoodnightmorekindlythanusual。 Whenhewentuptohisroom，hefoundthatHarryhadalreadycriedhimselftosleep。 CHAPTERXXXII。 DEPARTURE。 Ifancydeemedfitguidetoleadmyway，AndasIdeemedIdidpursuehertrack； Witlosthisaim，andwillwasfancy\'sprey； Therebelwon，therulerwenttowrack。 Butnowsithfancydidwithfollyend，Wit，boughtwithloss——will，taughtbywit，willmend。 SOUTHWELL——David\'sPeccavi。 Afterdinner，Hughwanderedoverthewell-knownplaces，tobidthemgood-bye。Thenhewentuptohisroom，and，withthevanityofayoungauthor，tookhispoemsoutofthefatalolddesk；wrote：“Takethem，please，suchastheyare。Letmebeyourfriend；“inclosedthemwiththewriting，andaddressedthemtoEuphra。Bythetimehesawthemagain，theyweresomuchwastepaperinhiseyes。 Butwhatwerehisplansforthefuture？ Firstofall，hewouldgotoLondon。Therehewoulddomanythings。 HewouldtrytofindFunkelstein。Hewouldwrite。HewouldmakeacquaintancewithLondonlife；forhadhenotplentyofmoneyinhispocket？Andwhocouldlivemorethriftilythanhe？——DuringhislastsessionatAberdeen，hehadgivensomeprivatelessons，andsocontrivedtoekeouthissmallmeans。Thesewerewretchedlypaidfor，namely，notquiteattherateofsevenpence-halfpennyalesson！ butstillthatwassomething，wheremorecouldnotbehad——NowhewouldtrytodothesameinLondon，wherehewouldbemuchbetterpaid。Orperhapshemightgetasituationinaschoolforashorttime，ifheweredriventoultimatenecessity。Atallevents，hewouldseeLondon，andlookabouthimforalittlewhile，beforehesettledtoanythingdefinite。 Withthishopefulprospectbeforehim，henextmorningbadeadieutoArnstead。IwillnotdescribethepartingwithpoorHarry。Theboyseemedreadytobreakhisheart，andHughhimselfhadenoughtodotorefrainfromtears。Oneofthegroomsdrovehimtotherailwayinthedog-cart。Astheycamenearthestation，Hughgavehimhalf-a-crown。Enlivenedbythegift，themanbegantotalk。 “He\'sarumcustomer，thateregemmanwiththeforingname。ThecolourofhispussIcouldn\'tsweartonow。Neversawsixpenceo\' his\'n。Myopinionis，masterhadbetterlookarterhisspoons。Andformissus——well，it\'sapity！He\'sarumun，asIsay，anyhow。“ Themanherenoddedseveraltimes，halfcompassionately，halfimportantly。 Hughdidnotchoosetoinquirewhathemeant。Theyreachedthestation，andinafewminuteshewasshootingalongtowardsLondon，thatsocialvortex，whichdrawseverythingtowardsitscentraltumult。 Butthereisacentralreposebeyondthemotionsoftheworld；andthroughtheturmoilofLondon，Hughwasjourneyingtowardsthatwidestillness——thatsilenceofthesoul，whichisnotdesolate，butrichwithunutterableharmonies。 ENDOFTHESECONDBOOK。 BOOKIII。 LONDON。 Artthoupoor，yethastthougoldenslumbers？ Oh，sweetcontent！ Artthourich，yetisthymindperplexed？ Oh，punishment！ DostthoulaughtoseehowfoolsarevexedToaddtogoldennumbers，goldennumbers？ Oh，sweetcontent！ Workapace，apace，apace，apace； Honestlabourbearsalovelyface。 ProbablyTHOMASDEKKER——ComedyofPatientGrissell。 CHAPTERI。 LODGINGS。 Heighho！singheighho！untothegreenholly： Mostfriendshipisfeigning，mostlovingmerefolly： Then，heighho！theholly！ Thislifeismostjolly。 SonginAsYouLikeIt。 Hughfeltratherdrearyas，throughBermondsey，hedrewnightotheLondonBridgeStation。Fog，anddrizzle，andsmoke，andstenchcomposedtheatmosphere。Hegotoutinadriftofhumanatoms。 Leavinghisluggageattheoffice，hesetoutonfoottoexplore——infact，togoandlookforhisfuture，which，evenwhenhemetit，hewouldnotbeabletorecognisewithanycertainty。Thefirstforminwhichhewasinterestedtofinditembodied，wasthatoflodgings；butwhereeventolook，hedidnotknow。HehadbeeninLondonforafewdaysinthespringonhiswaytoArnstead，sohewasnotutterlyignorantoftheanatomyofthemonstercity；buthislittleknowledgecouldnotbeofmuchservicetohimnow。AndhowdifferentitwasfromtheLondonofspring，whichhadlingeredinhismemoryandimagination；when，transformedbythe“heavenlyalchemy“ofthepiercingsunbeamsthatslantedacrossthestreetsfromchimney-topstooppositebasements，thedustandsmokeshowedgreatinclinedplanesoflight，upwhosesteepslopesonelongedtoclimbtothefountainglorywhencetheyflowed！Nowthestreets，fromgarrettocellar，seemedlikehugekennelsofmuddy，moist，filthyair，downthroughwhichsettledtheheavierparticlesofsmokeandrainuponthemiserablehumanbeingswhocrawledbelowinthedeposit，likeshrimpsinthetide，orwhitebaitatthebottomofthemuddyThames。Hehadtowadethroughdeepthinmudevenonthepavements。Everybodylookeddepressed，andhurriedbywithacowedlook；asifconsciousthattherainandgeneralmiserywereaplaguedrawndownonthecitybyhisownindividualcrime。Nobodyseemedtocareforanybodyoranything。“Goodheavens！”thoughtHugh；“whataplacethismustbeforonewithoutmoney！”Itlookedlikeachaosofhumanmonads。Andyet，inreality，thewholemasswassoboundtogether，interwoven，andmatted，bythecrossingandinter-twistingthreadsofinterest，mutualhelp，andrelationshipofeverykind，thatHughsoonfoundhowharditwastogetwithinthemassatall，soastobeinanydegreepartakerofthebenefitsitsharedwithinitself。 Hedidnotwishtogetlodgingsintheoutskirts，forhethoughtthatwouldremovehimfromeverycentreofactionoremployment。 Buthesawnolodgingsanywhere。Growingtiredandhungry，hewentatlengthintoaneating-house，whichhethoughtlookedcheap；andproceededtodineuponacinder，whichhadbeenasteak。Hetriedtodeludehimselfintotheideathatitwasasteakstill，bywithdrawinghisattentionfromit，andfixingituponanewspapertwodaysold。Findingnothingofinterest，hedalliedwiththeadvertisements。Hesooncameuponacolumnfromwhichsinglegentlemenappearedtobeinrequestaslodgers。Lookingovertheseadvertisements，whichhadmoreinterestforhimatthemomentthanallhomeandforeignnews，battlesandmurdersincluded，hedrewamapfromhispocket，andbegantotrytofindoutsomeofthelocalitiesindicated。Mostofthemwereinortowardsthesuburbs。 Atlasthespiedoneinacertainsquare，which，afterlonganddiligentsearch，andwiththeassistanceofthegirlwhowaitedonhim，hefoundonhismap。ItwasintheneighbourhoodofHolborn，and，fromtheplaceitoccupiedinthemap，seemedcentralenoughforhisvaguepurposes。Aboveall，thetermsweresaidtobemoderate。Butnodescriptionofthecharacterofthelodgingswasgiven，elseHughwouldnothaveventuredtolookatthem。WhathewantedwassomethingofthesamesortashehadhadinAberdeen——asingleroom，oraroomandbed-room，forwhichheshouldhavetopayonlyafewshillingsaweek。 Refreshedbyhisdinner，wretchedasitwas，hesetoutagain。Tohisgreatjoy，therainwasover，andanafternoonsunwastrying，withsomeslightmeasureofsuccess，topiercethecloudsoftheLondonatmosphere：ithadalreadysucceededwiththecloudsoftheterrene。HesoonfoundhiswayintoHolborn，andthenceintothesquareinquestion。Itlookedtohimveryattractive；foritwasquietnessitself，andhadnothoroughfare，exceptacrossoneofitscorners。True，itwasinvadedbytheuniversalroar——forwhatplaceinLondonisnot？——butitcontributedlittleornothingofitsownmanufacturetothegeneralproductionofsoundinthemetropolis。 Thecentrewasoccupiedbygrassandtrees，inclosedwithinanironrailing。Alltheleaveswerewithered，andmanyhaddroppedalreadyonthepavementbelow。Inthemiddlestoodthestatueofaqueen，ofdaysgoneby。Thetideoffashionhadrolledawayfartothewest，andyieldedafreepassagetotheinroadsofcommerce，andofthegeneralstruggleforignobleexistence，uponthisoncefavouredislandinitsfluctuatingwaters。Oldwindows，flushwiththeexternalwalls，whencehadglancedfaireyestowhichfashionwasevendearerthanbeauty，nowdisplayedLodgingstoLetbetweenknittedcurtains，fromwhichallideaofdraperyhadbeenexpelledbyseverestarchingAmongstthesehesoonfoundthehousehesought，andshrunkfromitsimportantsizeandbrightequipments；but，summoningcourage，thoughtitbettertoringthebell。Awitheredoldlady，injustthesamestageofdecayasthesquare，andadornedafterthesamefashionasthehouse，cametothedoor，castadoubtfullookatHugh，andwhenhehadstatedhisobject，askedhim，inahard，keen，unmodulatedvoice，towalkin。Hefollowedher，andfoundhimselfinadining-room，whichtohim，judgingbyhispurse，andnotbywhathehadbeenusedtooflate，seemedsumptuous。Hesaidatonce： “Itisneedlessformetotroubleyoufurther。Iseeyourroomswillnotsuitme。“ Theoldladylookedannoyed。 “Willyouseethedrawing-roomapartments，then？”shesaid，crustily。 “No，thankyou。Itwouldbegivingyouquiteunnecessarytrouble。“ “Myapartmentshavealwaysgivensatisfaction，Iassureyou，sir。“ “Indeed，Ihavenoreasontodoubtit。IwishIcouldaffordtotakethem，“saidHugh，thinkingitbettertobeopenthantohurtherfeelings。“IamsureIshouldbeverycomfortable。Butapoor——“ Hedidnotknowwhattocallhimself。 “O-oh！”saidthelandlady。Then，afterapause——“Well？” interrogatively。 “Well，Iwasatutorlast，butIdon\'tknowwhatImaybenext。“ Shekeptlookingathim。Onceortwiceshelookedathimfromheadtofoot。 “Youarerespectable？” “Ihopeso，“saidHugh，laughing。 “Well！”——thistimenotinterrogatively。 “Howmanyroomswouldyoulike？” “Thefewerthebetter。Halfaone，iftherewerenobodyintheotherhalf。“ “Well！——andyouwouldn\'tgivemuchtrouble，Idaresay。“ “Onlyforcoalsandwatertowashanddrink。“ “Andyouwouldn\'tdineathome？” “No——noranywhereelse，“saidHugh；butthesecondandlargerclausewassottovoce。 “Andyouwouldn\'tsmokein-doors？” “No。“ “Andyouwouldwipeyourbootscleanbeforeyouwentup-stairs？” “Yes，certainly。“Hughwasbeginningtobeexceedinglyamused，buthekepthisgravitywonderfully。 “Haveyouanymoney？” “Yes；plentyforthemeantime。ButwhenIshallgetmore，Idon\'tknow，yousee。“ “Well，I\'vearoomatthetopofthehouse，whichI\'llmakecomfortableforyou；andyoumaystayaslongasyouliketobehaveyourself。“ “Butwhatistherent？” “Fourshillingsaweek——toyou。Wouldyouliketoseeit？” “Yes，ifyouplease。“ Sheconductedhimuptothethirdfloor，andshowedhimagood-sizedroom，ratherbare，butclean。 “Thiswilldodelightfully，“saidHugh。 “Iwillmakeitalittlemorecomfortableforyou，youknow。“ “Thankyouverymuch。ShallIpayyouamonthinadvance？” “No，no，“sheanswered，withagrimsmile。“Imightwanttogetridofyou，youknow。Itmustbeaweek\'swarning，nomore。“ “Verywell。Ihavenoobjection。Iwillgoandfetchmyluggage。 IsupposeImaycomeinatonce？” “Thesoonerthebetter，youngman，inaplacelikeLondon。ThesooneryoucomehomethebetterpleasedIshallbe。Therenow！” Sosaying，shewalkedsolemnlydown-stairsbeforehim，andlethimout。Hughhurriedawaytofetchhisluggage，delightedthathehadsosoonsucceededinfindingjustwhathewanted。Ashewent，hespeculatedonthenatureofhislandlady，tryingtoaccountforheroddroughmanner，andtherealkindnessofherrudewords。Hecametotheconclusionthatshewasnaturallykindtoprofusion，andthatthiskindnesshad，sometimeorother，perhapsrepeatedly，beentakenshamefuladvantageof；thatatlastshehadcometotheresolutiontodefendherselfbymeansofageneralmisanthropy，andsupposedthatshehadsucceeded，whenshehadgotnofurtherthantohavesooftenimitatedthetoneofherownbehaviourwhenatitscrossest，astohavemadeithabitualbyrepetition。 InallprobabilitysomeunknownsympathyhaddrawnhertoHugh。Shemighthavehadasonabouthisage，whohadrunawaythirtyyearsago。Orrather，forsheseemedanoldmaid，shehadbeenjiltedsometimebyayouthaboutthesamesizeasHugh；andthereforeshelovedhimthemomentshesawhim。Or，inshort，athousandthings。 Certainlyseldomhavelodgingsbeenletsooddlyorsocheaply。 Butsomeimpulseorotherofthewhimsicaloldhumanheart，whichwillhaveitsway，wassatisfiedtherein。 Whenhereturnedinacoupleofhours，withhisboxesonthetopofacab，thedoorwasopened，beforeheknocked，byatidymaid，who，withoutbeingtheleastlikehermistress，yetresembledherexcessively。Shehelpedhimtocarryhisboxesup-stairs；andwhenhereachedhisroom，hefoundafireburningcheerily，amuffindownbeforeit，atea-kettlesingingonthehob，andthetea-traysetuponanicewhiteclothonatablerightinfrontofthefire，withanold-fashionedhigh-backedeasy-chairbyitsside——theverychairtogotosleepinoveranovel。Theoldladysoonmadeherappearance，withtheteapotinonehand，andaplateofbutterintheother。 “Oh！thankyou，“saidHugh。“Thisiscomfortable！” Sheansweredonlybycompressingherlipstillhermouthvanishedaltogether，andnoddingherheadasmuchastosay：“Iknowitis。 Iintendeditshouldbe。“Shethenpouredwaterintotheteapot，setitdownbythefire，andvanished。 Hughsatdownintheeasy-chair，andresolvedtobecomfortable，atleasttillhehadhadhistea；afterwhichhewouldthinkwhathewastodonext。Aknockatthedoor——andhislandladyentered，laidapennynewspaperonthetable，andwentaway。Thiswasjustwhathewantedtocompletehiscomfort。Hetookitup，andreadwhileheconsumedhisbreadandbutter。Whenhehadhadenoughofteaandnewspaper，hesaidtohimself： “Now，whatamItodonext？” Itisahappythingforusthatthisisreallyallwehavetoconcernourselvesabout——whattodonext。Nomancandothesecondthing。Hecandothefirst。Ifheomitsit，thewheelsofthesocialJuggernautrolloverhim，andleavehimmoreorlesscrushedbehind。Ifhedoesit，hekeepsinfront，andfindsroomtodothenextagain；andsoheissuretoarriveatsomething，fortheonwardmarchwillcarryhimwithit。Thereisnosayingtowhatperfectionofsuccessamanmaycome，whobeginswithwhathecando，andusesthemeansathishand。Hemakesavortexofaction，howeverslight，towardswhichallthemeansinstantlybegintogravitate。Letamanbutlayholdofsomething——anything，andheisinthehighroadtosuccess——thoughitmaybeverylongbeforehecanwalkcomfortablyinit——Itistruethesuccessmaybemeasuredoutaccordingtoastandardverydifferentfromhis。 ButinHugh\'scase，thedifficultywastograspanything——tomakeabeginninganywhere。Heknewnobody；andtheglobeofsocietyseemedlikeamassofadamant，onwhichhecouldnotgaintheslightesthold，ormaketheslightestimpression。Whowouldintroducehimtopupils？Nobody。Hehadthetestimonialsofhisprofessors；butwhowouldasktoseethem？——Hiseyefellonthepaper。Hewouldadvertise。