“I\'vegothim！”criedHugh。
“Letthemanalone，“growledaburlyfellowinthecrowd，withhisfistsclenchedinhistrowser-pockets。
“Letmehavealookathim，“saidFalconer，stoopingoverhim。“Ah！
Idon\'tknowhim。That\'saswellforhim。Lethimup，Sutherland。“
ThebystanderstookFalconerforadetective，anddidnotseeminclinedtointerfere，allexceptthecarmanbeforementioned。Hecameup，pushingthecrowdrightandleft。
“Letthemanalone，“saidhe，inaveryoffensivetone。
“Iassureyou，“saidFalconer，“he\'snotworthyourtrouble；for——“
“Noneo\'yourcursedjaw！”saidthefellow，inalouderanddeepergrowl，approachingFalconerwithathreateningmien。
“Well，Ican\'thelpit，“saidFalconer，asiftohimself。
“Sutherland，lookafterthecount。“
“ThatIwill，“saidHugh，confidently。
Falconerturnedonthecarman，whowasjustonthepointofclosingwithhim，preferringthatmodeoffighting；andsayingonly：“Defendyourself，“retreatedastep。Themanwasgoodathisfiststoo，and，havingfailedinhisfirstattempt，madethebestuseofthemhecould。ButhehadnochancewithFalconer，whosecoolnessequalledhisskill。
Meantime，theBohemianhadbeenwatchinghischance；andalthoughthecontestcertainlydidnotlastlongerthanoneminute，foundopportunity，inthemiddleofit，towrenchhimselffreefromHugh，triphimup，anddartoff。Thecrowdgavewaybeforehim。Hevanishedsosuddenlyandcompletely，thatitwasevidenthemusthavestudiedtheneighbourhoodfromtheretreatsideofthequestion。Withrat-likeinstinct，hehadconsultedtheholesandcornersinanticipationofthenecessityofapplyingtothem。Hughgotup，and，directed，orpossiblymisdirectedbythebystanders，spedawayinpursuit；buthecouldhearorseenothingofthefugitive。
Attheendoftheminute，thecarmanlayintheroad。
“Lookafterhim，somebody，“saidFalconer。
“Nofearofhim，sir；he\'susedtoit，“answeredoneofthebystanders，withtherespectwhichFalconer\'sprowessclaimed。
FalconerwalkedafterHugh，whosoonreturned，lookingexcessivelymortified，andfeelingverysmallindeed。
“Nevermind，Sutherland，“saidhe。“Thefellowisuptoatrickortwo；butweshallcatchhimyet。Ifithadn\'tbeenforthatbigfoolthere——buthe\'spunishedenough。“
“Butwhatcanwedonext？Hewillnotcomehereagain。“
“Verylikelynot。StillhemaynotgiveuphisattemptsuponMissCameron。Ialmostwonder，seeingsheissoimpressible，thatshecangivenoaccountofhiswhereabouts。ButIpresumeclairvoyancedependsonthepresenceofotherqualificationsaswell。Ishouldliketomesmerizehermyself，andseewhethershecouldnothelpusthen。“
“Well，whynot，ifyouhavethepower？”
“BecauseIhavemadeupmymindnottosuperinduceanyconditionofwhoselawsIamsoverypartiallyinformed。Besides，Iconsideritaconditionofdiseaseinwhich，asbysleeplessnessforinstance，thesensesofthesoul，ifyouwillallowtheexpression，are，foritspresentstate，renderedunnaturallyacute。Toinducesuchacondition，IdarenotexerciseapowerwhichitselfIdonotunderstand。“
CHAPTERXIX。
MARGARET。
Forthoughthatevervirtuouswasshe，Shewasincreasedinsuchexcellence，Ofthewesgood，ysetinhighbount？
Andsodiscreetandfairofeloquence，Sobenign，andsodigneofreverence，Andcouth？sothepoeple\'shertembrace，Thateachherloveththatlookethinherface。
CHAUCER——TheClerk\'sTale。
HughreturnedtoMrs。Elton\'s，and，inthedining-room，wroteanotetoEuphra，toexpresshisdisappointment，andshamethat，afterall，thecounthadfoiledhim；but，atthesametime，hisdeterminationnottoabandonthequest，tilltherewasnoroomforhopeleft。Hesentthisuptoher，andwaited，thinkingthatshemightbeonthesofa，andmightsendforhim。Alittlewearyfromthereactionoftheexcitementhehadjustgonethrough，hesatdowninthecornerfarthestfromthedoor。Thelargeroomwasdimlylightedbyoneuntrimmedlamp。
Hesatforsometime，thinkingthatEuphrawaswritinghimanote，orperhapspreparingherselftoseehiminherroom。Involuntarilyhelookedup，andasuddenpang，asatthevisionofthedisembodied，shotthroughhisheart。Adimformstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，gazingearnestlyathim。HesawthesamefacewhichhehadseenforamomentinthelibraryatArnstead——theglorifiedfaceofMargaretElginbrod，shimmeringfaintlyinthedulllight。
Instinctivelyhepressedhishandstogether，palmtopalm，asifhehadbeenabouttokneelbeforeMadonnaherself。Delight，mingledwithhope，andtemperedbyshame，flushedhisface。Ghostornone，shebroughtnofearwithher，onlyawe。
Shestoodstill。
“Margaret！”hesaid，withtremblingvoice。
“Mr。Sutherland！”sheresponded，sweetly。
“Areyouaghost，Margaret？”
Shesmiledasifshewereallspirit，and，advancingslowly，tookhisjoinedhandsinbothofhers。
“Forgiveme，Margaret，“sighedhe，asifwithhislastbreath，andburstintoanagonyoftears。
Shewaitedmotionless，tillhispassionshouldsubside，stillholdinghishands。Hefeltthatherhandsweresogood。
“Heisdead！”saidHugh，atlast，withalleffort，followedbyafreshoutburstofweeping。
“Yes，heisdead，“rejoinedMargaret，calmly。“YouwouldnotweepsoifyouhadseenhimdieasIdid——diewithasmilelikeasummersunset。Indeed，itwasthesunsettome；butthemoonhasbeenupforalongtimenow。“
Shesighedagentle，painlesssigh，andsmiledagainlikeasaint。
ShespokenearlyasScotchaseverintone，thoughthewordsandpronunciationwerealmostpureEnglish——Thislapseintosomuchoftheoldform，orrathergarment，ofspeech，constantlyrecurred，asoftenasherfeelingsweremoved，andespeciallywhenshetalkedtochildren。
“Forgiveme，“saidHugh，oncemore。
“Wearethesameasintheolddays，“answeredMargaret；andHughwassatisfied。
“Howdoyoucometobehere？”saidHugh，atlast，afterasilence。
“Iwilltellyouallaboutthatanothertime。NowImustgiveyouMissCameron\'smessage。Sheisverysorryshecannotseeyou，butsheisquiteunable。Indeed，sheisnotoutofbed。Butifyoucouldcallto-morrowmorning，shehopestobebetterandtobeabletoseeyou。Shesaysshecanneverthankyouenough。“
Thelampburnedyetfainter。Margaretwent，andproceededtotrimit。Thevirginsthatarosemusthavelookedverylovely，trimmingtheirlamps。Itisadeedveryfairandwomanly——thebestforawoman——tomakethelampburn。Thelightshoneupinherface，andthehandsremovingtheglobehandleditdelicately。Hesawthatthegoodhandswereverybeautifulhands；notsmall，butadmirablyshaped，andverypure。Asshereplacedtheglobe，——
“Thatman，“shesaid，“willnottroubleheranymore。“
“Ihopenot，“saidHugh；“butyouspeakconfidently：why？”
“Becauseshehasbehavedgloriously。Shehasfoughtandconqueredhimonhisownground；andsheisafree，beautiful，andgoodcreatureofGodforever。“
“Youdelightme，“rejoinedHugh“Anothertime，perhaps，youwillbeabletotellmeallaboutit。“
“Ihopeso。Ithinkshewillnotmindmytellingyou。“
Theybadeeachothergoodnight；andHughwentawaywithastrangefeeling，whichhehadneverexperiencedbefore。Tocomparegreatthingswithsmall，itwassomethinglikewhathehadoncefeltinadream，inwhich，digginginhisfather\'sgarden，hehadfoundaperfectmarblestatue，youngaslife，andyetoldasthehills。Tothinkofthegirlhehadfirstseeninthedrawing-roomatTurriepuffit，idealizingherselfintosuchacreatureasthat，sogrand，andyetsowomanly！solofty，andyetsolovely；sostrong，andyetsograceful！
Wouldthateverywomanbelievedintheidealofherself，andhopedforitasthewillofGod，notmerelyasthegoalofherownpurestambition！Butevenifthelowerdevelopmentofthehopewereallshepossessed，itwouldyetbewell；foritsinevitablefailurewouldsoondevelopethehigherandtriumphanthope。
Hethoughtabouthertillhefellasleep，anddreamedabouthertillhewoke。Notforamoment，however，didhefancyhewasinlovewithher：thefeelingwasdifferentfromanyhehadhithertorecognizedasembodyingthatpassion。Itwastherecognitionandconsequentadmirationofabeautywhicheveryonewhobehelditmustrecognizeandadmire；butmingled，inhiscase，witholdandpreciousmemories，doublydearnowintheincreasedearnestnessofhisnatureandaspirations，andwithadeeppersonalinterestfromthefactthat，howeverlittle，hehadyetcontributedaportionofthevitalfoodwherebythegraciouscreaturehadbecomewhatshewas。
Intheso-calledmorninghewenttoMrs。Elton\'s。Euphrawasexpectinghisvisit，andhewasshownupintoherroom，whereshewaslyingonacouchbythefire。Shereceivedhimwiththewarmthofgratitudeaddedtothatoffriendship。Herfacewaspaleandthin，buthereyeswerebrilliant。Shedidnotappearatfirstsighttobeveryill：butthedepthandrealityofhersicknessgrewuponhim。BehindhercouchstoodMargaret，likeaguardianangel。
Margaretcouldbeartheday，forshebelongedtoit；andthereforeshelookedmorebeautifulstillthanbythelamp-light。EuphraheldoutapalelittlehandtoHugh，andbeforeshewithdrewit，ledHugh\'stowardsMargaret。Theirhandsjoined。HowdifferenttoHughwasthetouchofthetwohands！Life，strength，persistencyintheone：languor，feebleness，andfadingintheother。
“Icanneverthankyouenough，“saidEuphra；“thereforeIwillnottry。Itisnobondagetoremainyourdebtor。“
“Thatwouldbethanksindeed，ifIhaddoneanything。“
“Ihavefoundoutanothermystery，“Euphraresumed，afterapause。
“Iamsorrytohearit，“answeredhe。“Ifeartherewillbenomysteriesleftby-and-by。“
“Nofearofthat，“sherejoined，“solongastheangelscomedowntomen。“AndsheturnedtowardsMargaretasshespoke。
Margaretsmiled。Inthecomplimentshefeltonlythekindness。
Hughlookedather。Sheturnedaway，andfoundsomethingtodoattheothersideoftheroom。
“Whatmystery，then，haveyoudestroyed？”
“Notdestroyedit；forthemysteryofcourageremains。IwasthewickedghostthatnightintheGhost\'sWalk，youknow——thewhiteone：thereisthegoodghost，thenun，theblackone。“
“Who？Margaret？”
“Yes，indeed。Shehasjustbeenconfessingittome。Ihadmytwoangels，asonewhosefatewasundetermined；myevilangelinthecount——mygoodangelinMargaret。LittledidIthinkthenthattheholypowerswerewatchingmeinher。Iknewtheevilone；Iknewnothingofthegood。Isupposeitissowithagreatmanypeople。“
Hughsatsilentinastonishment。Margaret，then，hadbeenatArnsteadwithMrs。Eltonallthetime。Itwasherselfhehadseeninthestudy。
“Didyoususpectme，Margaret？”resumedEuphra，turningtowardsherwhereshesatatthewindow。
“Notintheleast。Ionlyknewthatsomethingwaswrongaboutthehouse；thatsomebeingwasterrifyingtheservants，andpoorHarry；
andIresolvedtodomybesttomeetit，especiallyifitshouldbeanythingofaghostlykind。“
“Thenyoudobelieveinsuchappearances？”saidHugh。
“Ihavenevermetanythingofthesortyet。Idon\'tknow。“
“Andyouwerenotafraid？”
“Notmuch。Iamneverreallyafraidofanything。WhyshouldIbe？”
NojustificationoffearwassuggestedeitherbyHughorbyEuphra。
TheyfeltthedignityofnaturethatliftedMargaretabovetheregionoffear。
“Comeandseemeagainsoon，“saidEuphra，asHughrosetogo。
Hepromised。
NextdayhedinedbyinvitationwithMrs。EltonandHarry。Euphrawasunabletoseehim，butsentakindmessagebyMargaretashewastakinghisleave。HehadbeenfearingthatheshouldnotseeMargaret；andwhenshedidappearhewasthemoredelighted；buttheinterviewwasnecessarilyshort。
Hecalledthenextday，andsawneitherEuphranorMargaret。Shewasnobetter。Mrs。Eltonsaidthephysicianscoulddiscovernodefinitediseaseeitherofthelungsorofanyotherorgan。Yetlifeseemedsinking。Margaretthoughtthattheconflictwhichshehadpassedthrough，hadexhaustedhervitality；that，hadsheyielded，shemighthavelivedaslave；butthatnow，perhaps，shemustdieafreewoman。
HercontinuedillnessmadeHughstillmoreanxioustofindthering，forheknewitwouldpleasehermuch。Falconerwouldhaveappliedtothepolice，buthefearedthatthemanwouldvanishfromLondon，upontheleastsuspicionthathewaswatched。Theyheldmanyconsultationsonthesubject。
CHAPTERXX。
ANEWGUIDE。
DasDenkenistnureinTraumdesF黨lens，einerstorbenesF黨len，einblass-graues，schwachesLeben。
Thinkingisonlyadreamoffeeling；adeadfeeling；apale-grey，feeblelife。
NOVALIS——DieLehrlingezuSais。
Forwhere\'snocourage，there\'snoruthnormone。
FaerieQueene：vi。7，18。
Onemorning，assoonasshewaked，Euphrasaid：
“HaveIbeenstillallthenight，Margaret？”
“Quitestill。Whydoyouask？”
“BecauseIhavehadsuchastrangeandvividdream，thatIfeelasifImusthavebeentotheplace。Itwasafoolishquestion，though；because，ofcourse，youwouldnothaveletmego。“
“Ihopeitdidnottroubleyoumuch。“
“No，notmuch；forthoughIwaswiththecount，Ididnotseemtobethereinthebodyatall，onlysomehownearhim，andseeinghim。I
canrecalltheplaceperfectly。“
“Doyouthinkitreallywastheplacehewasinatthetime？”
“Ishouldnotwonder。ButnowIfeelsofree，sofarbeyondhimandallhispower，thatIdon\'tmindwhereorwhenIseehim。Hecannothurtmenow。“
“CouldyoudescribetheplacetoMr。Sutherland？Itmighthelphimtofindthecount。“
“That\'sagoodidea。Willyousendforhim？”
“Yes，certainly。MayItellhimforwhat？”
“Byallmeans。“
MargaretwrotetoHughatonce，andsentthenotebyhand。Hewasathomewhenitarrived。Hehurriedlyansweredit，andwenttofindFalconer。Tohisdelighthewasathome——notoutofbed，infact。
“Readthat。“
“Whoisitfrom？”
“MissCameron\'smaid。“
“Itdoesnotlooklikeamaid\'sproduction。“
“Itisthough。Willyoucomewithme？YouknowLondontenthousandtimesbetterthanIdo。Idon\'tthinkweoughttoloseachance。“
“Certainlynot。Iwillgowithyou。Butperhapsshewillnotseeme。“
“Oh！yes，shewill，whenIhavetoldheraboutyou。“
“Itwillberatheratrialtoseeastranger。“
“Amancannotbeastrangerwithyoutenminutes，ifheonlylooksatyou；——stilllessawoman。“
Falconerlookedpleased，andsmiled。
“Iamgladyouthinkso。Letusgo。“
Whentheyarrived，Margaretcametothem。HughtoldherthatFalconerwashisbestfriend，andonewhoknewLondonperhapsbetterthananyothermaninit。Margaretlookedathimfullinthefaceforamoment。Falconersmiledattheintensityofherstillgaze。
Margaretreturnedthesmile，andsaid：
“IwillaskMissCamerontoseeyet。“
“Thankyou，“wasallFalconer\'sreply；butthetonewasmorethanspeech。
Afteralittlewhile，theywereshownuptoEuphra\'sroom。Shehadwantedtositup，butMargaretwouldnotlether；soshewaslyingonhercouch。WhenFalconerwaspresentedtoher，hetookherhand，andhelditforamoment。Akindofindescribablebeambrokeoverhisface，asifhisspiritsmiledandthesmileshonethroughwithoutmovingoneofhisfeaturesasitpassed。Thetearsstoodinhiseyes。Tounderstandallthislook，onewouldneedtoknowhishistoryasIdo。Helaidherhandgentlyonherbosom，andsaid：
“Godblessyou！”
EuphrafeltthatGoddidblessherintheverywords。ShehadbeenlookingatFalconerallthetime。Itwasonlyfifteensecondsorso；buttheoutcomeofalifewascrowdedintoFalconer\'ssideofit；andtheconfidenceofEuphrarosetomeetthefaithfulnessofamanofGod——Whatwordsthoseare！——AmanofGod！HaveInotwrittenarevelation？Yes——tohimwhocanreadit——yes。
“Iknowenoughofyourstory，MissCameron，“hesaid，“tounderstandwithoutanyprefacewhatyouchoosetotellme。“
Euphrabeganatonce：
“IdreamedlastnightthatIfoundmyselfoutsidethestreetdoor。
IdidnotknowwhereIwasgoing；butmyfeetseemedtoknow。Theycarriedme，roundtwoorthreecorners，intoawide，longstreet，whichIthinkwasOxford-street。TheycarriedmeonintoLondon，farbeyondanyquarterIknew。AllIcantellfurtheris，thatI
turnedtotheleftbesideachurch，onthesteepleofwhichstoodwhatItookforawanderingghostjustlightedthere；——onlyIoughttotellyou，thatfrequentlyinmydreams——alwaysinmypeculiardreams——themorematerialandsolidandordinarythingsare，themorethinandghostlytheyappeartome。ThenIwentonandon，turningleftandrighttoomanytimesformetoremember，tillatlastIcametoalittle，old-fashionedcourt，withtwoorthreetreesinit。Ihadtogoupafewstepstoenterit。Iwasnotafraid，becauseIknewIwasdreaming，andthatmybodywasnotthere。Itisagreatrelieftofeelthatsometimes；foritisoftenverymuchintheway。Iopenedadoor，uponwhichthemoonshoneverybright，andwalkeduptwoflightsofstairsintoabackroom。
AndthereIfoundhim，doingsomethingatatablebycandlelight。
Hehadasheetofpaperbeforehim；butwhathewasdoingwithit，Icouldnotsee。Itriedhard；butitwasofnouse。Thedreamsuddenlyfaded，andIawoke，andfoundMargaret——ThenIknewIwassafe，“sheadded，withalovingglanceathermaid。
Falconerrose。
“Iknowtheplaceyoumeanperfectly，“hesaid。“Itistoopeculiartobemistaken。Lastnight，letmesee，howdidthemoonshine？——Yes。Ishallbeabletotelltheverydoor，Ithink，oralmost。“
“Howkindofyounottolaughatme！”
“ImightmakeafoolofmyselfifIlaughedatanyone。SoI
generallyavoidit。Wemayaswellgetthegoodoutofwhatwedonotunderstand——oratleasttryiftherebeanyinit。Willyoucome，Sutherland？”
Hughrose，andtookhisleavewithFalconer。
“Howpleasedsheseemedwithyou，Falconer！”saidhe，astheyleftthehouse。
“Yes，shetouchedme。“
“Won\'tyougoandseeheragain？”
“No；thereisnoneed，exceptshesendsforme。“
“Itwouldpleaseher——comforther，Iamsure。“
“ShehasgotoneofGod\'sangelsbesideher，Sutherland。Shedoesn\'twantme。“
“Whatdoyoumean？”
“Imeanthatmaidofhers。“
Apang——ofjealousy，wasit？——shotthroughHugh\'sheart。Howcouldhesee——whatrighthadhetoseeanythinginMargaret？
Hughmighthavekepthimselfatpeace，evenifhehadlovedMargaretasmuchasshedeserved，whichwouldhavebeenabouttentimesasmuchashedid。Isamannottorecognizeanangelwhenheseesher，andtocallherbyhername？HadHughseenintothecoreofthatgrandheart——whatformsatthere，andhow——hewouldhavebeenatpeace——wouldalmosthavefallendowntodothemanhomage。Hewassilent。
“Mydearfellow！”saidFalconer，asifhedivinedhisfeeling——forFalconer\'spowerovermenandwomencameallfromsympathywiththeirspirits，andnottheirnerves——“ifyouhaveanyholdofthatwoman，donotloseit；forassureasthere\'sasuninheaven，sheisoneofthewingedones。Don\'tIknowawomanwhenIseeher！”
Hesighedwithakindofinvoluntarysigh，whichyetdidnotseektohideitselffromHugh。
“Mydearboy，“headded，layingastressontheword，“——Iamnearlytwiceyourage——don\'tbejealousofme。“
“Mr。Falconer，“saidHughhumbly，“forgiveme。Thefeelingwasinvoluntary；andifyouhavedetectedinitmorethanIwasawareof，youareatleastaslikelytoberightasIam。ButyoucannotthinkmorehighlyofMargaretthanIdo。“
AndyetHughdidnotknowhalfthegoodofherthen，thatthereaderdoesnow。
“Well，wehadbetterpartnow，andmeetagainatnight。“
“WhattimeshallIcometoyou？”
“Oh！aboutnineIthinkwilldo。“
SoHughwenthome，andtriedtoturnhisthoughtstohisstory；butEuphra，Falconer，Funkelstein，andMargaretpersistedinsittingtohim，theoneaftertheother，insteadoftheheroesandheroinesofhistale。Hewascompelledtolayitaside，andbetakehimselftoastrollandapipe。
Ashewentdownstairs，hemetMissTalbot。
“You\'resoontiredofhome，Mr。Sutherland。Youhaven\'tbeeninabovehalfanhour，andyou\'reoutagainalready。“
“Why，yousee，MissTalbot，Iwantapipeverymuch。“
“Well，youain\'tgoingtothepublichousetosmokeit，areyou？”
“No，“answeredHughlaughing。“Butyouknow，MissTalbot，youmadeitpartoftheagreementthatIshouldn\'tsmokeindoors。SoI\'mgoingtosmokeinthestreet。“
“Now，thinkofbeingtakenthatway！”retortedMissTalbot，withaninjuredair。“Why，thatwasbeforeIknewanythingaboutyou。Goupstairsdirectly，andsmokeyourpipe；andwhentheroomcan\'tholdanymore，youcanopenthewindows。Yoursmokewon\'tdoanyharm，Mr。Sutherland。ButI\'mverysorryyouquarrelledwithMrs。
Appleditch。She\'sahardwoman，andoverfondofhermoneyandherdrawing-room；andforthoseboysofhers——theLordhavemercyonthem，forshehasnone！Butshe\'satrueChristianforallthat，anddoesapowerofgoodamongthepoorpeople。“
“Whatdoesshegivethem，MissTalbot？”
“Oh！——shegivesthem——hm-m——tractsandthings。Youknow，“sheadded，perceivingtheweaknessofherposition，“people\'ssoulsshouldcomefirst。AndpoorMrs。Appleditch——yousee——somefolksismadestickierthanothers，andtheirmoneystickstothem，somehow，thattheycan\'tpartwithit——poorwoman！”
TothisHughhadnoanswerathand；forthoughMissTalbot\'slogicwasmorethanquestionable，hercharitywasperfectlysound；andHughfeltthathehadnotbeenforbearingenoughwiththemotherofthefuturepastors。Sohewentbacktohisroom，lightedhispipe，andsmokedtillhefellasleepoverasmallvolumeofmorbidmoderndivinity，whichMissTalbothadlenthim。Idonotmentionthenameofthebook，lestsomeofmyacquaintanceshouldabuseme，andothersit，morethaneitherdeserves。Hugh，however，foundthebestrefugefromthediseasedself-consciousnesswhichitendeavouredtorouse，andwhichisakindofspiritualsomnambulism，inanhourofGod\'sgoodsleep，intoameansofwhichthebookwastemporarilyelevated。Whenhewokehefoundhimselfgreatlyrefreshedbytheinfluenceithadexerciseduponhim。
Itwasnowthehourforthedailypretenceofgoingtodine。Sohewentout。Butallhehadwassomebread，whichheateashewalkedabout。Loiteringhere，andtriflingthere，passingfiveminutesoveravolumeoneverybookstallinHolborn，andcomparingtheshapesofthemeerschaumsineverytobacconist\'swindow，timeambledgentlyalongwithhim；anditstruckninejustashefoundhimselfatFalconer\'sdoor。
“Youareready，then？”saidFalconer。
“Quite。“
“Willyoutakeanythingbeforeyougo？Ithinkwehadbetterhavesomesupperfirst。Itisearlyforourproject。“
ThiswasawelcomeproposaltoHugh。Coldmeatandalewereexcellentpreparativesforwhatmightberequiredofhim；foratendencytocollapseinacertainregion，calledbycourtesythechest，isnotfavourabletodeedsofvalour。Bythetimehehadspenttenminutesinthedischargeoftheagreeabledutysuggested，hefelthimselfreadyforanythingthatmightfalltohislot。
Thefriendssetouttogether；and，undertheguidanceofthetwoforemostbumpsuponFalconer\'sforehead，soonarrivedattheplacehejudgedtobethatindicatedbyEuphra。ItwasverydifferentfromtheplaceHughhadpicturedtohimself。Yetineverythingitcorrespondedtoherdescription。
“Arewenotgreatfools，Sutherland，tosetoutonsuchachase，withthedreamofasickgirlforouronlyguide？”
“Iamsureyoudon\'tthinkso，elseyouwouldnothavegone。“
“Ithinkwecanaffordthesmallrisktoourreputationinvolvedinthechaseofthissamewild-goose。Thereisenoughofstrangetestimonyaboutthingsofthesorttojustifyusinattendingtothehint。Besides，ifweneglectedit，itwouldbemortifyingtofindoutsomeday，perhapsahundredyearsafterthis，thatitwasatruehint。Itisaltogetherdifferentfromgivingourselvesuptothepursuitofsuchthings——Butthisoughttobethehouse，“headded，goinguptoonethathadarathermorerespectablelookthantherest。
Heknockedatthedoor。Anelderlywomanhalfopeneditandlookedatthemsuspiciously。
“Willyoutakemycardtotheforeigngentlemanwhoislodgingwithyou，andsayIamhappytowaituponhim？”saidFalconer。
Sheglancedathimagain，andturnedinwards，hesitatingwhethertoleavethedoorhalf-openornot。Falconerstoodsoclosetoit，however，thatshewasafraidtoshutitinhisface。
“Now，Sutherland，followme，“whisperedFalconer，assoonasthewomanhaddisappearedonthestair。
Hughfollowedbehindthemovingtowerofhisfriend，whostrodewithlong，noiselessstridestillhereachedthestair。Thathetookthreestepsatatime。Theywentuptwoflights，andreachedthetopjustasthewomanwaslayingherhandonthelockoftheback-roomdoor。Sheturnedandfacedthem。
“Speakoneword，“saidFalconer，inahissingwhisper，“and——“
Hecompletedthesentencebyanawfullythreateninggesture。Shedrewbackinterror，andyieldedherplaceatthedoor。
“Comein，“bawledsomeone，insecondanswertotheknockshehadalreadygiven。
“Itishe！”saidHugh，tremblingwithexcitement。
“Hush！”saidFalconer，andwentin。
Hughfollowed。Heknowthebackofthecountatonce。Hewasseatedatatable，apparentlywriting；but，goingnearer，theysawthathewasdrawing。AsinglecloserglanceshowedthemtheportraitofEuphragrowingunderhishand。Inordertointensifyhiswillandconcentrateituponher，hewasdrawingherportraitfrommemory。Butatthemomenttheycaughtsightofit，thewretch，awareofahostilepresence，sprangtohisfeet，andreachedthechimney-pieceatonebound，whencehecaughtupasword。
“Takecare，Falconer，“criedHugh；“thatweaponispoisoned。Heisnoevery-dayvillainyouhavetodealwith。“
Herememberedthecat。
FunkelsteinmadeasuddenlungeatHugh，hisfacepalewithhatredandanger。ButablowfromFalconer\'shugefist，travellingfasterthanthepointofhisweapon，stretchedhimonthefloor。SuchwasFalconer\'simpetus，thatithurledbothhimandthetableacrossthefallenvillain。Falconerwasupinamoment。NotsoFunkelstein。
TherewasplentyoftimeforHughtosecuretherapier，andforFalconertosecureitsowner，beforehecametohimself。
“Where\'smyring？”saidHugh，themomentheopenedhiseyes。
“Gentlemen，Iprotest，“beganFunkelstein，inavoiceuponwhichthecordthatboundhiswristshadanevidentinfluence。
“Nochaff！”saidFalconer。“We\'vegotallourfeathers。Handoverthetworings，orbethesecurityforthemyourself。“
“Whatwitnesshaveyouagainstme？”
“Thebestofwitnesses——MissCameron。“
“Andme，“addedHugh。
“Gentlemen，Iamverysorry。Iyieldedtotemptation。Imeanttorestorethediamondafterthejokehadbeenplayedout，butIwasforcedtopartwithit。“
“Thejokeisplayedout，yousee，“saidFalconer。“Soyouhadbetterproducetheotherbaubleyoustoleatthesametime。“
“Ihavenotgotit。“
“Come，come，that\'stoomuch。Nobodywouldgiveyoumorethanfiveshillingsforit。Andyouknewwhatitwasworthwhenyoutookit。
Sutherland，youstandoverhimwhileIsearchtheroom。Thisportraitmayaswellbeputoutofthewayfirst。“
Ashespoke，Falconertoretheportraitandthrewitintothefire。
Hethenturnedtoacupboardintheroom。WhetheritwasthatFunkelsteinfearedfurtherrevelations，Idonotknow，buthequailed。
“Ihavenotgotit，“herepeated，however。
“Youlie，“answeredFalconer。
“IwouldgiveityouifIcould。“
“Youshall。“
TheBohemianlookedcontemptibleenoughnow，despitethehandsomenessofhisfeatures。Itneededfreedom，andtheabsenceofanyurgency，toenablehimtopersonateagentleman。Giventhoseconditions，hesucceeded。Butassoonashewasdisturbed，theglossvanished，andthetruenaturecameout，thatofaruffianandasneak。HequitequiveredatthelookwithwhichFalconerturnedagaintothecupboard。
“Stop，“hecried；“hereitis。“
Andmutteringwhatsoundedlikecurses，hepulledoutofhisbosomthering，suspendedfromhisneck“Sutherland，“saidFalconer，takingthering，“securethatrapier，andbecarefulwithit。Wewillhaveitspointtested。
Meantime，“——hereheturnedagaintohisprisoner——“IgiveyouwarningthatthemomentIleavethishouse，IgotoScotlandYard——Doyouknowtheplace？Ithererecommendthepolicetolookafteryou，andtheywillmindwhatIsay。IfyouleaveLondon，amessagewillbesent，whereveryougo，thatyouhadbetterbewatched。Myadvicetoyouis，tostaywhereyouareaslongasyoucan。Ishallmeetyouagain。“
Theylefthimonthefloor，tothecareofhislandlady，whomtheyfoundoutsidetheroom，speechlesswithterror。
Assoonastheywereinthesquare，onwhichthemoonwasnowshining，asithadshoneinEuphra\'sdreamthenightbefore，FalconergavetheringtoHugh。
“Takeittoajeweller\'s，Sutherland，andgetitcleaned，beforeyougiveittoMissCameron。“
“Iwill，“answeredHugh，andadded，“Idon\'tknowhowtothankyou。“
“Thendon\'t，“saidFalconer，withasmile。
Whentheyreachedtheendofthestreet，heturned，andbadeHughgoodnight。
“Takecareofthatcowardlything。Itmaybeasyousay。“
Hughturnedtowardshome。Falconerdivedintoacourt，andwasoutofsightinamoment。
CHAPTERXXI。
THELASTGROAT。
ThouhastbeenAsone，insufferingall，thatsuffersnothing；
Amanthatfortune\'sbuffetsandrewardsHastta\'enwithequalthanks；andblessedarethoseWhosebloodandjudgmentaresowellcommingledThattheyarenotapipeforfortune\'sfingerTosoundwhatstopsheplease。
Hamlet。
Mostfriendsbefriendthemselveswithfriendship\'sshow。
SOUTHWELL。
HughtooktheringtoMrs。Elton\'s，andgaveitintoMargaret\'shand。ShebroughthimbackamessageofwarmestthanksfromEuphra。
Shehadaskedforwritingmaterialsatonce，andwasnowcommunicatingthegoodnewstoMr。Arnold，inMadeira。
“Ihaveneverseenherlooksohappy，“addedMargaret。“Shehopestobeabletoseeyouintheevening，ifyouwouldnotmindcallingagain。“
Hughdidcall，andsawher。Shereceivedhimmostkindly。Hewasdistressedtoseehowalteredshewas。Thefireofonelifeseemeddyingout——flowingawayandspendingfromhereyes，whichitilluminatedwithtoomuchlightasitpassedout。Butthefireofanotherlife，theimmortallife，whichliesinthoughtandfeeling，intruthandlovedivine，whichdeathcannottouch，becauseitisnotofhiskind，wasgrowingasfast。Hesatwithherforanhour，andthenwent。
Thischapterofhisownhistoryconcluded，Hughreturnedwithfreshenergytohisnovel，andworkedatitashisinventiongavehimscope。Therewasthemorenecessitythatheshouldmakeprogress，fromthefactthat，havingsenthismotherthegreaterpartofthesalaryhehadreceivedfromMr。Arnold，hewasnowreducedtohislastsovereign。Povertylooksratheruglywhenshecomessocloseasthis。Butshehadnotyetaccostedhim；andwithasovereigninhispocket，andlastweek\'srentpaid，abacheloriscertainlynotpoverty-stricken，atleastwhenheisasindependent，notonlyofotherpeople，butofhimself，asHughwas。Still，withoutmoremoneythanthatamanwalksinfetters，andisreadytoforgetthatthevariousrestraintsheisunderarenotincompatiblewithmosthonourablefreedom。SoHughworkedashardashecouldtofinishhisnovel，andsucceededwithinaweek。Thentherealanxietybegan。Hecarriedit，withmuchdoubtfulhope，tooneoftheprincipalpublishinghouses。Hadhebeenmoreselfishlywise，hewouldhaveputitintothehandsofFalconertonegotiateforhim。
Buthethoughthehadgivenhimquitetroubleenoughalready。Sohewentwithoutanintroductioneven。Themanuscriptwasreceivedpolitely，andattentionwaspromised。Butaweekpassed，andanother，andanother。Ahumansoulwasincommotionaboutthemeatthatperisheth——andthemanuscriptlayallthetimeunread，——forgotteninadrawer。
Atlengthhereachedhislastcoin。Hehadhadnomeatforseveraldays，exceptoncethathedinedatMrs。Elton\'s。Buthewouldnotborrowtillabsolutelycompelled，andsixpencewouldkeephimaliveanotherday。Inthemorninghehadsomebreakfast(forheknewhisbookswereworthenoughtopayallheowedMissTalbot)，andthenhewanderedout。Throughthestreetshepacedandpaced，lookinginatallthesilversmiths\'andprintsellers\'windows，andsolacinghispovertywithafavouriteamusementofhisinuneasycircumstances，anamusementcheapenoughforaScotchmanreducedtohislastsixpence——castle-building。Thisisnotaltogetherabademploymentwherehopehaslaidthefoundation；butitisratheraheartlessonewheretheimaginationhastodrawthegroundplanaswellastheelevations。Thelatter，however，wasnotquiteHugh\'sconditionyet——Hereturnedatnight，carefullyavoidingthecook-shopsandtheirkindredsnares，withasilvergroatinhispocketstill。Buthecrawledupstairsratherfeebly，itmustbeconfessed，forayouthwithlimbsmouldedinthefashionofhis。
Hefoundaletterwaitinghim，fromafriendofhismother，informinghimthatshewasdangerouslyill，andurginghimtosetoffimmediatelyforhome。Thiswasliketheblastoffierybreathfromthedragon\'smaw，whichoverthrewtheRed-crossknight——butintothewelloflife，whereallhiswoundswerehealed，and——and——well——boardandlodgingprovidedhimgratis。
Whenhehadreadtheletter，hefellonhisknees，andsaidtohisfatherinheaven：“WhatamItodo？”
Therewasnolakewithgoldenpiecesinitsbottom，whenceafishmightbringhimacoin。NorinallthewideLondonlaythereonehecouldclaimashis，butthegroatinhispocket。
HerosewiththesimpleresolutiontogoandtellFalconer。Hewent。Hewasnotathome。Emboldenedbynecessity，Hughlefthiscard，withthewordsonit：“Cometome；Ineedyou。“Hethenreturned，packedafewnecessaries，andsatdowntowait。ButhehadnotsatfiveminutesbeforeFalconerentered。
“What\'sthematter，Sutherland，mydearfellow？Youhaven\'tprickedyourselfwiththatskewer，haveyou？”
Hughhandedhimtheletterwithonehand；andwhenhehadreadit，heldoutthefourpennypieceintheotherhand，tobereadlikewise。
Falconerunderstoodatonce。
“Sutherland，“hesaid，inatoneofreproof，“itisashameofyoutoforgetthatmenarebrothers。ArenottwowhocomeoutoftheheartofGod，ascloselyrelatedasiftheyhadlaininthewombofonemother？Whydidyounottellme？Youhavesuffered——Iamsureyouhave。“
“Ihave——alittle，“Hughconfessed。“Iamgettingratherlowinfact。Ihaven\'thadquiteenoughtoeat。“
HesaidthistoexcusethetearswhichFalconer\'skindness——nothunger——compelledfromtheircells。
“But，“headded，“Iwouldhavecometoyouassoonasthefourpencewasgone；oratleast，ifIhadn\'tgotanotherbeforeIwasveryhungryagain。“
“Goodheavens！”exclaimedFalconer，halfangrily。Thenpullingouthiswatch，“Wehavetwohours，“saidhe，“beforeatrainstartsforthenorth。Cometomyplace。“
Hughroseandobeyed。Falconer\'sattendantsoonbroughtthemaplentifulsupperfromaneighbouringshop；afterwhichFalconergotoutoneofhisbottlesofport，wellknowntohismoreintimatefriends；andHughthoughtnomoreaboutmoneythanifhehadhadhispursefull。Ifithadnotbeenforanxietyabouthismother，hewouldhavebeenhappierthanhehadeverbeeninhislifebefore。
For，crossinginthenightthewavering，heavingmorassoftheworld，hadhenotsethisfootupononespotwhichdidnotshake；
thesummit，indeed，ofamightyPlutonicrock，thatwentdownwideningawaytotheverycentreoftheearth？Ashespedalongintherailwaythatnight，theprophecyofthousandsofyearscameback：“Amanshallbeahiding-placefromthewind，acovertfromthetempest，theshadowofagreatrockinawearyland。“Andhethoughtitwouldbeablessedtimeindeed，whenthiswasjustwhatamanwas。AndthenhethoughtoftheSonofMan，who，bybeingsuchfirst，wasenablingallhisfriendstobesuchtoo。OfhimFalconerhadalreadylearnedthis“truthintheinwardparts“；andhadfound，intheprocessoflearningit，thatthiswasthetruenaturewhichGodhadmadehisfromthefirst，nonewthingsuperinduceduponit。
Hehadhadbuttoclearawaytherubbishofworldliness，whichmoreorlessburiesthebestnaturesforatime，andsotofindhimself。
AfterHughhadeatenanddrunk，andthusoncemoreexperiencedthedivinitythatlayinfoodandwine，hewenttotakeleaveofhisfriendsatMrs。Elton\'s。Likemostinvalids，Euphrawasbetterintheevening：sherequestedtoseehim。Hefoundherinbed，andmuchwastedsincehesawherlast。Hecouldnotkeepthetearsfromfillinghiseyes，foralltheeventsofthatdayhadbroughtthemnearthesurface。
“Donotcry，dearfriend，“shesaidsweetly。“Thereisnoroomformehereanymore，andIamsentfor。“
Hughcouldnotreply。Shewenton：
“IhavewrittentoMr。Arnoldaboutthering，andallyoudidtogetit。DoyouknowheisgoingtomarryLadyEmily？”
StillHughcouldnotanswer。
Margaretstoodontheothersideofthebed，thegracefulembodimentofholyhealth，andinhissorrow，hecouldnothelpfeelingthebeautyofherpresence。HerlovelyhandsweretheservantsofEuphra，andherlight，firmfeetmovedonlyinministration。HefeltthatEuphrahadroomintheworldwhileMargaretwaitedonher。
Itisnothouse，andfire，andplentyofservants，andallthethingsthatmoneycanprocure，thatmakeahome——notfatherormotherorfriends；butoneheartwhichwillnotbewearyofhelping，willnotbeoffendedwiththepetulanceofsickness，northeministrationsneedfultoweakness：this“entireaffectionhatingnicerhands“willmakeahomeofacaveinarock，oragipsy\'stent。ThisEuphrahadinMargaret，andHughsawit。
“Itrustyouwillfindyourmotherbetter，Hugh“saidEuphra。
“Ifearnot，“answeredhe。
“Well，Margarethasbeenteachingme，andIthinkIhavelearnedit，thatdeathisnotatallsuchadreadfulthingasitlooks。Isaidtoher：\'Itiseasyforyou，Margaret，whoaresofarfromdeath\'sdoor。\'Butshetoldmethatshehadbeenallbutdeadonce，andthatyouhadsavedherlifealmostwithyourown。Oh，Hugh！sheissuchadear！”
Euphrasmiledwithtentimesthefascinationofanyofheroldsmiles；forthesoulofthesmilewaslove。
“Ishallneverseeyouagain，Idaresay，“shewenton。“Myheartthanksyou，fromitsverydepths，foryourgoodnesstome。IthasbeenathousandtimesmorethanIdeserve。“
Hughkissedinsilencethewastedhandheldouttohiminadieu，anddeparted。Andtheworlditselfwasasadwanderingstar。
Falconerhadcalledforhim。TheydrovetoMissTalbot\'s，whereHughgothis\'bagofneedments，\'andbadehislandladygood-byeforatime。Falconerthenaccompaniedhimtotherailway。
Havinglefthimforamoment，Falconerrejoinedhim，saying：“Ihaveyourticket；“andputhimintoafirst-classcarriage。
Hughremonstrated。Falconerreplied：
“Ifindthishulkofmineworthtakingcareof。Youwillbetwicethegoodtoyourmother，ifyoureachhertolerablyfresh。“
Hestoodbythecarriagedoortalkingtohim，tillthetrainstarted；walkedalongsidetillitwasfairlyinmotion；then，biddinghimgood-bye，leftinhishandalittlepacket，whichHugh，openingitbythelightofthelamp，foundtoconsistofafewsovereignsandafewshillingsfoldedupinatwenty-pound-note。
Ioughttotelloneotherlittlefact，however。Justbeforetheenginewhistled，FalconersaidtoHugh：
“Givemethatfourpennypiece，youbraveoldfellow！”
“Thereitis，“saidHugh。“Whatdoyouwantitfor？”
“Iamgoingtomakeawedding-presentofittoyourwife，whoevershemayhappentobe。Ihopeshewillbeworthyofit。“
Hughinstantlythoughtwithinhimself：
“WhatawifeMargaretwouldmaketoFalconer！”
Thethoughtwasfollowedbyapang，keenandclear。
Thosewhoareinthehabitofregardingtherealandtheidealasessentiallyandthereforeirreconcileablyopposed，willremarkthatIcannothavedrawntherepresentationofFalconerfaithfully。
Perhapsthedifficultytheywillexperienceinrecognizingitstruthfulness，mayspringfromthefactthattheythemselvesareun-idealenoughtobelongtothenotsmallclassofstrong-mindedfriendswhosechiefcare，inperformingthepartoftherockinthewearyland，is——nottoshelteryouimprudently。Theyareafraidofweakeningyourconstitutionbyit，especiallyifitisnotstrongtobeginwith；soiftheydojusttakeofftheedgeofthetempestwiththesharpcornersoftheirshelteringrockforamoment，thenext，theywillthrustyououtintotherain，togethardyandself-denying，bybeingwettotheskinandwellblownabout。
ThericheasilylearnthewisdomofSolomon，butareunaptscholarsofhimwhoisgreaterthanSolomon。Itis，ontheotherhand，soeasyforthepoortohelpeachother，thattheyhavelittlemeritinit：itisnovirtue——onlyabeauty。Butthereareafewrich，who，rivallingthepoorintheirownpeculiarexcellences，enterintothekingdomofheaveninspiteoftheirriches；andthenfindthatbymeansoftheirrichestheyaremaderulersovermanycities。Shetowhosememorythisbookisdedicated，is——Iwillnotsaywas——oneofthenoblestofsuch。
Therearetwowaysofaccountingforthedifficultywhichareadermayfindinbelievinginsuchacharacter：eitherthat，notbeingpoor，hehasneverneededsuchafriend；orthat，beingrich，hehasneverbeensuchafriend。
Orifitbethat，beingpoor，hehasneverfoundsuchafriend；hisdifficultyiseasytoremove：——Ihave。
CHAPTERXXII。
DEATH。
Thinkthen，mysoul，thatdeathisbutagroomWhichbringsatapertotheoutwardroom，Whencethouspy\'stfirstalittleglimmeringlight；
Andafterbringsitnearertothysight：
Forsuchapproachesdothheavenmakeindeath。
DR。DONNE。
Hughfoundhismotherevenworsethanhehadexpected；butsheralliedalittleafterhisarrival。
Intheevening，hewanderedoutinthebrightmoonlitsnow。
Howstrangeitwastoseealltheoldformswithhisheartsofullofnewthings！Thesamehillsroseabouthim，withallthelinesoftheirshapesunchangedinseeming。Yettheywerechangingassurelyashimself；nay，hecontinuedmorethesamethanthey；forinhimtheoldformswerefoldedupinthenew。IntheeyesofHimwhocreatestime，thereisnorest，butalivingsacredchange，ajourneyingtowardsrest。Healonerests；andhealone，invirtueofhisrest，createschange。
Hethoughtwithsadness，howallthehauntsofhischildhoodwouldpasstoothers，whowouldfeelnoloveorreverenceforthem；thatthehousewouldbethesame，butsoundingwithnewsteps，andringingwithnewlaughter。Alittlefurtherthought，however，soonsatisfiedhimthatplacesdieaswellastheirdwellers；that，byslowdegrees，theirformsarewipedout；thatthenewtastesobliteratetheoldfashions；andthaterelongtheveryshapeofthehouseandfarmwouldbelapped，asitwere，aboutthetombofhimwhohadbeenthesouloftheshape，andwouldvanishfromthefaceoftheearth。
Alltheoldthingsathomelookedsad。Thelookcamefromthis，that，thoughhecouldsympathizewiththemandtheirstory，theycouldnotsympathizewithhim，andhesuffusedthemwithhisownsadness。Hecouldfindnorefugeinthepast；hemustgoonintothefuture。
Hismotherlingeredforsometimewithoutanyevidentchange。Hesatbyherbedsidethemostoftheday。Allshewantedwastohavehimwithinreachofherfeeblevoice，thatshemight，whenshepleased，drawhimwithintouchofherfeeblehand。Onceshesaid：
“Myboy，Iamgoingtoyourfather。“
“Yes，mother，Ithinkyouare，“Hughreplied。“Howgladhewillbetoseeyou！”
“ButIshallleaveyoualone。“
“Mother，IloveGod。“
Themotherlookedathim，asonlyamothercanlook，smiledsweetly，closedhereyesaswiththeweightofhercontentment，fellasleepholdinghishand，andsleptforhours。
Meanwhile，inLondon，MargaretwaswatchingEuphra。Shewasdying，andMargaretwastheangeloflifewatchingoverher。
“Ishallgetridofmylamenessthere，Margaret，shallInot？”saidEuphra，oneday，halfplayfully。
“Yes，dear。“
“Itwillbedelightfultowalkagainwithoutpain。“
“Perhapsyouwillnotgetridofitallatonce，though。“
“Whydoyouthinkso？”askedEuphra，withsomeappearanceofuneasiness。
“Because，ifitistakenfromyoubeforeyouarequitewillingtohaveitaslongasGodpleases，byandbyyouwillnotbeabletorest，tillyouhaveaskedforitbackagain，thatyoumaybearitforhissake。“
“Iamwilling，Margaret，Iamwilling。Onlyonecan\'tlikeit，youknow。“
“Iknowthat，“answeredMargaret。
Shespokenomore，andMargaretheardherweepinggently。Halfanhourhadpassedaway，whenshelookedup，andsaid：
“Margaret，dear，Ibegintolikemylameness，Ithink。“
“Why，dear？”
“Why，justbecauseGodmadeit，andbademebearit。MayInotthinkitisamarkonmefromhishand？”
“Yes，Ithinkso。“
“Whydoyouthinkitcameonme？”
“TowalkbacktoHimwith，dear。“
“Yes，yes；Iseeitall。“
Untilnow，MargarethadnotknowntowhatadegreethelamenessofEuphrahadtroubledher。Thatherprettyancleshouldbedeformed，andherlightfootableonlytolimp，hadbeenasourceofrealdistresstoher，eveninthemidstoffardeeper。
Thedayspassedon，andeverydayshegrewweaker。Shedidnotsuffermuch，butnothingseemedtodohergood。Mrs。Eltonwaskindnessitself。Harrywasindreadfuldistress。Hehauntedherroom，creepinginwheneverhehadachance，andsittingincornersoutoftheway。Euphralikedtohavehimnearher。Sheseldomspoketohim，ortoanyonebutMargaret，forMargaretalonecouldhearwitheasewhatshesaid。Butnowandthenshewouldmotionhimtoherbedside，andsay——itwasalwaysthesame——
“Harry，dear，begood。“
“Iwill；indeedIwill，dearEuphra，“wasstillHarry\'sreply。
Once，expressingtoMargaretherregretthatsheshouldbesuchatroubletoher，shesaid：
“Youhavetodosomuchforme，thatIamashamed。“
“Doletmewashthefeetofoneofhisdisciples；“Margaretreplied，gentlyexpostulating；afterwhich，Euphranevergrumbledatherowndemandsuponher。
Again，oneday，shesaid：
“Iamnotrightatallto-day，Margaret。Godcan\'tloveme，Iamsohateful。“
“Don\'tmeasureGod\'smindbyyourown，Euphra。Itwouldbeapoorlovethatdependednotonitself，butonthefeelingsofthepersonloved。Acryingbabyturnsawayfromitsmother\'sbreast，butshedoesnotputitawaytillitstopscrying。Sheholdsitcloser。
Formypart，intheworstmoodIameverin，whenIdon\'tfeelI
loveGodatall，Ijustlookuptohislove。Isaytohim：\'Lookatme。SeewhatstateIamin。Helpme！”Ah！youwouldwonderhowthatmakespeace。Andthelovecomesofitself；sometimessostrong，itnearlybreaksmyheart。“
“ButthereisatextIdon\'tlike。“
“Takeanother，then。“
“Butitwillkeepcoming。“
“GiveitbacktoGod，andnevermindit。“
“Butwouldthatberight？”
“Oneday，whenIwasalittlegirl，sohigh，Icouldn\'teatmyporridge，andsatlookingatit。\'Eatyourporridge，\'saidmymother。\'Idon\'twantit，\'Ianswered。\'There\'snothingelseforyou，\'saidmymother——forshehadnotlearnedsomuchfrommyfatherthen，asshedidbeforehedied。\'Hoots！\'saidmyfather——Icannot，dearEuphra，makehiswordsintoEnglish。“
“No，no，don\'t，“saidEuphra；“Ishallunderstandthemperfectly。“
“\'Hoots！Janet，mywoman！\'saidmyfather。\'Giethebairnadisho\'
tay。Wadnayelikesometay，Maggy，mydoo？\'\'AywadI，\'saidI。
\'Theparritchisguideneuch，“saidmymother。\'Naedootaboottheparritch，woman；it\'sthebairn\'sstamack，it\'snotheparritch。\'
Mymothersaidnomore，butmademeacupofsuchnicetea；forwhenevershegavein，shegaveinquite。Idrankit；and，halffromanxietytopleasemymother，halffromrevivinghunger，attackedtheporridgenext，andateitup。\'Leukatthat！\'saidmyfather。
\'Janet，mywoman，gieabodytheguidthattheycantak\'，an\'
they\'llsunetak\'theguidthattheycanna。Ye\'rebetternoo，Maggy，mydoo？\'InevertoldhimthatIhadtakentheporridgetoosoonafterall，andhadtocreepintothewood，andbesick。Butitisallthesameforthestory。“
Euphralaughedafeeblebutdelightedlaugh，andappliedthestoryforherself。
Sothewinterdayspassedon。
“IwishIcouldlivetillthespring，“saidEuphra。“Ishouldliketoseeasnowdropandaprimroseagain。“
“Perhapsyouwill，dear；butyouaregoingintoabetterspring。I
couldalmostenvyyou，Euphra。“
“Butshallwehavespringthere？”
“Ithinkso。“
“Andspring-flowers？”
“Ithinkweshall——betterthanhere。“
“Buttheywillnotmeansomuch。“
“Thentheywon\'tbesogood。ButIshouldthinktheywouldmeaneversomuchmore，andbeeversomuchmorespring-like。Theywillbethespring-flowerstoallwintersinone，Ithink。“
Foldedintheloveofthiswoman，anointedforherdeathbyherwisdom，baptizedforthenewlifebyhersympathyanditstears，EuphradiedinthearmsofMargaret。
Margaretwept，fellonherknees，andgaveGodthanks。Mrs。Eltonwassodistressed，that，assoonasthefuneralwasover，shebrokeupherLondonhousehold，sendingsomeoftheservantshometothecountry，andtakingsometoherfavouritewateringplace，towhichHarryalsoaccompaniedher。
Shehopedthat，nowtheaffairoftheringwasclearedup，shemight，assoonasHughreturned，succeedinpersuadinghimtofollowthemtoDevonshire，andresumehistutorship。ThiswouldsatisfyheranxietyaboutHughandHarryboth。
Hugh\'smotherdiedtoo，andwasburied。Whenhereturnedfromthegravewhichnowheldbothfatherandmother，hefoundashortnotefromMargaret，tellinghimthatEuphrawasgone。Sorrowiseasiertobearwhenitcomesuponsorrow；buthecouldnothelpfeelingakeenadditionalpang，whenhelearnedthatshewasdeadwhomhehadlovedonce，andnowlovedbetter。Margaret\'snoteinformedhimlikewisethatEuphrahadleftawrittenrequest，thatherdiamondringshouldbegiventohimtowearforhersake。
Hepreparedtoleavethehomewhenceallthehomenesshadnowvanished，exceptwhatindeedlingeredinthepresenceofanoldnurse，whohadremainedfaithfultohismothertothelast。Thebodyitselfisoflittlevalueafterthespirit，thelove，isoutofit：sothehouseandalltheoldthingsarelittleenough，afterthelovedonesaregonewhokeptitaliveandmadeithome。
AllthatHughcoulddoforthisoldnursewastofurnishacottageforheroutofhismother\'sfurniture，givinghereverythingshelikedbest。Thenhegatheredthelittlehouseholdtreasures，thefewbooks，thefewportraitsandornaments，hisfather\'ssword，andhismother\'swedding-ring；destroyedwithsacredfireallwrittenpapers；soldtheremainderofthefurniture，whichhewouldgladlyhaveburnttoo，andsoproceededtotakehislastdeparturefromthehomeofhischildhood。
CHAPTERXXIII。
NATUREANDHERLADY。
DieFrauensindeinlieblichesGeheimniss，nurverh黮lt，nichtverschlossen——NOVALIS-MoralischeAnsichten。
Womenarealovelymystery——veiled，however，notshutup。
Hertwilightsweremoreclearthanourmid-day；
Shedreamtdevoutlierthanmostusedtopray。
DR。DONNE。
PerhapsthegreatestbenefitthatresultedtoHughfrombeingthusmadeapilgrimandastrangerintheearth，was，thatNatureherselfsawhim，andtookhimin，Hitherto，asIhavealreadysaid，Hugh\'sacquaintancewithNaturehadbeenchieflyasecond-handone——heknewfriendsofhers。Natureinpoetry——notintheformofThomsonianorCowperiandescriptions，goodastheyare，butcloselyinterwovenwithandexpositoryofhumanthoughtandfeeling——hadlongbeendeartohim。Inthisformhehadbelievedthatheknewhersowell，astobeabletoreproducethelineamentsofherbelovedface。Butnowsheherselfappearedtohim——thegrand，pure，tendermother，ancientinyears，yeteveryoung；appearedtohim，notinthemirrorofaman\'swords，butbendingoverhimfromthefathomlessbosomofthesky，fromtheoutspreadarmsoftheforest-trees，fromthesilentjudgmentoftheeverlastinghills。Shespoketohimfromthedepthsofair，fromthewindsthatharpupontheboughs，andtrumpetuponthegreatcaverns，andfromthestreamsthatsingastheygotobelostinrest。Shewouldhaveshoneuponhimoutoftheeyesofherinfants，theflowers，buttheyhadtheirfacesturnedtoherbreastnow，hidingfromthepaleblueeyesandthefreezingbreathofoldWinter，whowaslookingforthemwithhisfacebentclosetotheirrefuge。Andhefeltthatshehadapowertohealandtoinstruct；
yea，thatshewasapoweroflife，andcouldspeaktotheheartandconsciencemightywordsaboutGodandTruthandLove。
Forhedidnotforsakehisdeadhomeinhaste。Helingeredoverit，androamedaboutitsneighbourhood。Regardingallabouthimwithquiet，almostpassivespirit，hewasastonishedtofindhowhiseyesopenedtoseenatureinthemass。Before，hehadbeheldonlyportionsandbeauties。Whenorhowthechangepasseduponhimhecouldnottell。Buthenolongerlookedforaprettyeyebroworalovelyliponthefaceofnature：thesoulofnaturelookedoutuponhimfromtheharmonyofall，guidinghimunsoughttothediscoveryofathousandseparatedelights；whilefromtheexpandedvisionnewmeaningsflasheduponhimeveryday。HebeheldinthegreatAlltheexpressionofthethoughtsandfeelingsofthemakeroftheheavensandtheearthandtheseaandthefountainsofwater。Thepowersoftheworldtocome，thatis，theworldofunseentruthandidealreality，wereuponhiminthepresenceoftheworldthatnowis。
Forthefirsttimeinhislife，hefeltathomewithnature；andwhilehecouldmoanwiththewintrywind，henolongersighedinthewintrysunshine，thatforetold，likethefar-offflutterofaherald\'sbanner，theapproachofvictoriouslady-spring。
Withthesorrowandlonelinessoflosswithinhim，andNaturearoundhimseemingtosighforafullerexpressionofthethoughtthatthrobbedwithinher，itisnowonderthattheformofMargaret，thegatheringofthethousandformsofnatureintooneintensityandharmonyofloveliness，shouldriseagainupontheworldofhisimagination，tosetnomore。Fatherandmotherweregone。Margaretremainedbehind。Naturelayaroundhimlikeashiningdisk，thatneededavisiblecentreofintensestlight——ashieldofsilver，thatneededbutadiamondboss：Margaretalonecouldbethatcentre——thatdiamondlight-giver；forshealone，ofallthewomenheknew，seemedsotodrinkofthesun-raysofGod，astoradiatethemforth，forveryfulness，uponthecloudedworld。
Shehaddawnedonhimlikeasweetcrescentmoon，hangingfar-offinacoldandlowhorizon：now，liftinghiseyes，hesawthatsamemoonnearlyatthefull，andhighoverhead，yetleaningdowntowardshimthroughthedeepblueair，thatoverflowedwithhercalmtriumphoflight。Heknewthathelovedhernow。Heknewthateveryplacehewentthrough，caughtaglimmerofromancethemomenthethoughtofher；thateverymosttriflingeventthathappenedtohimself，lookedlikeapieceofastory-bookthemomenthethoughtoftellingittoher。Butthegrowthofthesefeelingshadbeengradual——soslowandgradual，thatwhenherecognizedthem，itseemedtohimasifhehadfeltthemfromthefirst。Thefactwas，thatassoonashebegantobecapableoflovingMargaret，hehadbeguntoloveher。Hehadneverbeenabletounderstandhertillhewasdrivenintothedesert。ButnowthatNaturerevealedherselftohimfullofLife，yea，oftheLifeofLife，namely，ofGodhimself，itwasnaturalthatheshouldhonourandlovethat\'ladyofherown\'；thatheshouldrecognizeMargaretasgreaterthanhimself，asnearertotheheartofNature——yea，ofGodthefatherofall。ShehadbeenonewithNaturefromchildhood，andwhenhebegantobeonewithnaturetoo，hemustbecomeonewithher。
Andnow，inabsence，hebegantostudythecharacterofherwhom，inpresence，hehadthoughtheknewperfectly。HesoonfoundthatitwasaManoa，agoldencityinalandofParadise——toogoodtobebelievedin，exceptbyhimwhowasblessedwiththebeholdingofit。
Heknewnowthatshehadalwaysunderstoodwhathewasonlyjustwakingtorecognize。Andhefeltthatthescholarhadbeenverypatientwiththestupidityofthemaster，andhaddrawnfromhislessonsanourishmentofwhichhehadknownnothinghimself。
Butdaredhethinkofmarryingher，acreatureinspiredwithapresenceoftheSpiritofGodwhichnonebutthesaintsenjoy，andthenceclothedwithagarmentofbeauty，whichherspiritwoveoutofitsownloveliness？Shewasabeingtoglorifyanymanmerelybygrantinghimherhabitualpresence：what，then，ifshegaveherlove！ShewouldbringwithherthepresenceofGodhimself，forshewalkedeverinhislight，andthatlightclungtoherandradiatedfromher。True，manyyoungmaidensmustbewalkinginthesunshineofGod，elsewhencethelightandlovelinessandbloom，thesmileandthelaughoftheiryouth？ButMargaretnotonlywalkedinthislight：sheknewitandwhenceitcame。Shelookeduptoitssource，anditilluminatedherface。
Thesilentgirlofolddays，whosecountenanceworethestillnessofanunsunnedpool，asshelistenedwithreverencetohislessons，hadblossomedintothecalm，statelywoman，beforewhosepresencehefeltrebukedheknewnotwhy，uponwhosefacelayslumberingthought，everreadytowakeintolifeandmotion。Daredheloveher？Daredhetellherthathelovedher？Daredhe，sopoor，soworthless，seekforhimselfsuchaworld\'streasure？——Hemighthaveknownthatworthdoesnotneedhonour；thatitslowlinessiscontentwithascribingit。
SomeofmyreadersmaybeinclinedtothinkthatIhide，forthesakeofmyhero——poorlittlehero，oneofGod\'schildren，learningtowalk——aninevitablestrugglebetweenhisloveandhispride；
inasmuchas，beingbutatutor，hemightbeexpectedtothinkthemoreofhisgoodfamily，andthepossibilityofhisonedaycomingtohonourwithoutthedrawbackofhavingdoneanythingtomeritit，atitlebeingalmostwithinhisgrasp；whileMargaretwasaploughman\'sdaughter，andalady\'smaid。But，althoughIknowmoreofHugh\'sfaultsthanIhavethoughtitatallnecessarytobringoutinmystory，Iprotestthat，hadhebeencapableofgivingthenameoflovetoafeelinginwhosepresencepridedaredtospeak，I
shouldhaveconsideredhimunworthyofmypoorpen。Inplainlanguage，IdoubtifIshouldhavecaredtowritehisstoryatall。
Hegatheredtogether，asIhavesaid，thefewmemorialsoftheoldshipgonedowninthequietoceanoftime；paidonevisitofsorrowfulgladnesstohisparent\'sgrave，overwhichheraisednofutilestone——leavingit，liketheformswithinit，inthehandsofholydecay；andtookhisroad——whither？ToMargaret\'shome——toseeoldJanet；andtogooncetothegraveofhissecondfather。ThenhewouldreturntothetoilandhungerandhopeofLondon。
WhatmadeHughgotoTurriepuffit？HislovetoMargaret？No。A
bettermotiveeventhanthat：——Repentance。BetterImeanforHughastotheindividualoccasion；notinitself；forloveisdeeperthanrepentance，seeingthatwithoutlovetherecanbenorepentance。Hehadrepentedbefore；butnowthathehauntedinsilencetheregionsofthepast，thewholeofhishistoryinconnectionwithDavidreturnedonhimclearandvivid，asifpassingonceagainbeforehiseyesandthroughhisheart；andherepentedmoredeeplystill。Perhapshewasnotquitesomuchtoblameashethoughthimself。Perhapsonlynowwasitpossiblefortheseedsoftruth，whichDavidhadsowninhisheart，toshowthemselvesabovethesoiloflower，yetministeringcares。Theyhadneededtolieawinterlongintheearth。Nowthekeenblastsandgridingfrostshaddonetheirwork，andtheybegantogrowinthetearfulprime。
Sorrowforlossbroughtinhertrainsorrowforwrong——asistermoresolemnstill，andwithadeeperblessinginthevoiceofherlovingfarewell——Itisagreatmistaketosupposethatsorrowisapartofrepentance。Itisfartoogoodagracetocomesoeasily。
Amanmayrepent，thatis，thinkbetterofit，andchangehisway，andbeverymuchofaPharisee——Idonotsayahypocrite——foralongtimeafter：itneedsasainttobesorrowful。Yetrepentanceisgenerallytheroadtothissorrow——Andnowthatinthegracioustimeofgrief，hiseyesightpurifiedbytears，heenteredoneafteranotherallthechambersofthepast，hehumblyrenewedoncemorehisfriendshipwiththenobledead，andwiththehomely，heartfulliving。Thegrey-headedmanwhowalkedwithGodlikeachild，andwithhisfellow-menlikeanelderbrotherwhowasalwaysforgettinghisbirthrightandservingtheyounger；thewomanwhobelievedwhereshecouldnotsee，andlovedwhereshecouldnotunderstand；andthemaidenwhowasstillandlustreless，becausesheeverabsorbedandseldomreflectedthelight——allcametohim，asiftocomforthimoncemoreinhisloneliness，whenhishearthadroomforthem，andneedofthemyetagain。Davidnowbecame，afterhisdeparture，yetmoreofafathertohimthanbefore，forthatspirit，whichisthetruesoulofallthisbodyofthings，hadbeguntorecalltohismindthewordsofDavid，andsoteachhimthethingsthatDavidknew，theeverlastingrealitiesofGod。Anditseemedtohimthewhile，thatheheardDavidhimselfuttering，inhishomely，kinglyvoice，whatevertruthreturnedtohimfromtheecho-caveofthepast。Evenwhenaquitenewthoughtarosewithinhim，itcametohiminthevoiceofDavid，oratleastwiththesolemnmusicofhistonesclingingaboutitasthemurmurabouttheriver\'scourse。
ExperiencehadnowbroughthimuptothepointwherehecouldbegintoprofitbyDavid\'scommunion；heneededthethingswhichDavidcouldteachhim；andDavidbeganforthwithtogivethemtohim。
Thatbirthofnatureinhissoul，whichenabledhimtounderstandandloveMargaret，helpedhimlikewisetocontemplatewithadmirationandawe，thetoweringpeaksofDavid\'shopes，trusts，andaspirations。Hehadtaughttheploughmanmathematics，butthatploughmanhadpossessedinhimselfalltheessentialelementsofthegrandeuroftheoldprophets，glorifiedbythefaithwhichtheSonofMandidnotfindintheearth，butleftbehindhimtogrowinit，andwhichhadgrowntoanoblegrowthofbeautyandstrengthinthispeasant，simpleandpatriarchalinthemidstofaself-conceitedage。And，oh！howgoodhehadbeentohim！Hehadbuiltahousethathemighttakehiminfromthecold，andmakelifepleasanttohim，asinthepresenceofGod。Hehadgivenhimhishearteverytimehegavehimhisgreatmanlyhand。Andthisman，thisfriend，thispresenceofChrist，Hughhadforsaken，neglected，allbutforgotten。Hecouldnotgo，and，liketheprodigal，falldownbeforehim，andsay，“Father，Ihavesinnedagainstheavenandthee，“forthatheavenhadtakenhimupoutofhissight。Hecouldonlyweepinstead，andbitterlyrepent。Yes；therewasonethingmorehecoulddo。Janetstilllived。Hewouldgotoher，andconfesshissin，andbegherforgiveness。Receivingit，hewouldbeatpeace。HeknewDavidforgavehim，whetherheconfessedornot；
andthat，ifhewerealive，Davidwouldseekhisconfessiononlyasthecastingawayoftheseparationfromhisheart，asthebanishmentoftheworldlyspirit，andasthenaturalsignbywhichhemightknowthatHughwasonewithhimyet。
JanetwasDavid\'srepresentativeonearth：hewouldgotoher。
Sohereturned，richandgreat；richinknowingthathewasthechildofHimtowhomallthegoldminesbelong；andgreatinthathumilitywhichalonerecognizesgreatness，andinthebeginningsofthatmeeknesswhichshallinherittheearth。Nomorewouldhestunthisspiritualgrowthbyself-satisfaction。Nomorewouldhelayaside，inthecellarsofhismind，poorwitheredbulbsofopinions，which，butfortheevilministrationsofthatself-satisfaction，seekingtopreservethembydryingandsalting，mighthavebeenalreadyburstingintoblossomsoftruth，ofinfiniteloveliness。
HeknewthatMargaretthoughtfartoowellofhim——honouredhimgreatlybeyondhisdeserts。Hewouldnotallowhertobeanylongerthusdeceived。Hewouldtellherwhatapoorcreaturehewas。Buthewouldsay，too，thathehopedonedaytobeworthyofherpraise，thathehopedtogrowtowhatshethoughthim。Ifheshouldfailinconvincingher，hewouldreceiveallthehonourshegavehimhumbly，aspaid，nottohim，buttowhatheoughttobe。Godgrantitmightbeastohisfutureself！
InthismoodhewenttoJanet。
CHAPTERXXIV。
THEFIR-WOODAGAIN。
ErstandvorderhimmlischenJungfrau。Dahoberdenleichten，gl鋘zendenSchleir，und——Rosenbl黷hchensankinseineArme——Novalis——DieLehrlingezuSais。
HestoodbeforetheheavenlyVirgin(Isis，theGoddessofNature)。
Thenliftedhethelight，shiningveil，and——Rosebud(hisoldlove)
sankintohisarms。
Sowomanly，sobenigne，andsomeek。
CHAUCER——Prol。toLeg。ofGoodWomen。
Itwaswithaminglingofstrangeemotions，thatHughapproachedthesceneofthosenotveryold，andyet，tohisfeeling，quiteearlymemories。Theduskwasbeginningtogather。Thehoar-frostlaythickontheground。Thepine-treesstoodupinthecold，looking，intheirgarmentofspikes，asifthefrosthadmadethem。Therimeonthegatewasunfriendly，andchilledhishand。Heturnedintothefootpath。HesaytheroomDavidhadbuiltforhim。Itsthatchwasonemassofmosses，whosecolourswerehiddennowinthecuckoo-fruitofthefrost。Alas！howDeathhadcasthisdeeperfrostoverall；forthemanwasgonefromthehearth！ButneitheroldWinternorskeletonDeathcanwithholdthefeetofthelittlechildSpring。Sheisstrongerthanboth。Loveshallconquerhate；
andGodwillovercomesin。
Hedrewnighttothedoor，trembling。Itseemedstrangetohimthathisnervesonly，andnothismind，shouldfeel——Inmomentsofunusualexcitement，itsometimeshappensthattheonlyconsciousnessastrongmanhasofemotion，liesinanunwontedphysicalvibration，theminditselfrefusingtobedisturbed。Itis，however，butaseeming：theemotionissodeep，thatconsciousnesscanlayholdofitsphysicalresultonly——Thecottagelookedthesameasever，onlythepeat-stackoutsidewassmaller。Intheshadowinessofthefirs，theglimmerofafirewasjustdiscernibleonthekitchenwindow。
Hetrembledsomuchthathecouldnotenter。Hewouldgointothefir-woodfirst，andseeMargaret\'stree，ashealwayscalleditinhisthoughtsanddreams。
Verypoorandstuntedandmeagrelookedthefir-treesofTurriepuffit，afterthebeechesandelmsofArnstead。Theeveningwindwhistledkeenandcoldthroughtheirdryneedles，andmadethemmoan，asifbecausetheywerefettered，andmustendurethewinterinhelplesspatience。Hereandthereamongstthem，rosetheTitansofthelittleforest——thehuge，old，contorted，wizard-like，yetbenevolentbeings——theScotchfirs。Towardsoneofthesehebenthisway。ItwastheoneunderwhichhehadseenMargaret，whenhemetherfirstinthewood，withherwholesoullostinthewavingofitswind-swung，sun-lightedtop，floatingaboutintheseaofairlikeagoldennestforsomesilverybirdofheaven。Tothinkthattheyounggirltowhomhehadgiventheprimrosehehadjustfound，thethenfirst-bornoftheSpring，shouldnowbethequeenofhisheart！Herchildishdreamoftheangelhauntingthewoodhadbeentrue，onlyshewastheangelherself。Hedrewneartheplace。Howwellheknewit！Heseatedhimself，coldasitwasintheFebruaryofScotland，atthefootoftheblessedtree。Hedidnotknowthatitwascold。
Whilehesatwithhiseyesfixedontheground，alightrustleinthefallenleavesmadehimraisethemsuddenly。Itwasallwinterandfallenleavesabouthim；butheliftedhiseyes，andinhissoulitwassummer：Margaretstoodbeforehim。Hewasnotintheleastsurprised。Forhowcanonewondertoseebeforehiseyes，theformofwhichhissoulisfull？——thereisnoshock。Shestoodalittlewayoff，looking——asifshewantedtobesurebeforeshemovedastep。Shewasdressedinagreywinseygown，closetoherthroatandwrists。Shehadneithershawlnorbonnet。Herfinehealthkeptherwarm，eveninawinterwoodatsun-down。Shelookedjustthesame；——athomeeverywhere；mostathomeinNature\'ssecretchamber。
Likethegeniusoftheplace，shemadethewinter-woodlookhomely。
WhatweretheoaksandbeechesofArnsteadnow？HomelinessandgloryareHeaven。
Shecamenearer。
“Margaret！”hemurmured，andwouldhaverisen。
“No，no；sitstill，“sherejoined，inapleadingtone。“Ithoughtitwastheangelinthepicture。NowIknowit。Sitstill，dearMr。
Sutherland，onemomentmore。“
Humbledbyhissenseofunworthiness，andalittledistressedthatshecouldsoquietlyrevealthedepthofherfeelingtowardshim，hesaid：
“Ah，Margaret！Iwishyouwouldnotpraiseonesolittledeservingit。“
“Praise？”sherepeated，withanaccentofwonder。“Ipraiseyou！
No，Mr。Sutherland；thatIamnotguiltyof。Nexttomyfather，youmademeknowandfeel。AndasIwalkedhere，Iwasthinkingoftheoldtimes，andoldertimesstill；andallatonceIsawtheverypictureoutoftheoldBible。“
Shecameclosetohimnow。Herose，trembling，butheldoutnohand，utterednogreeting。
“Margaret，dareIloveyou？”hefaltered。
Shelookedathimwithwide-openeyes。
“Me？”shesaid；andhereyesdidnotmovefromhis。Aslightrose-flushbloomedoutonhermotionlessface。
“Willyoubemywife？”hesaid，tremblingyetmore。
Shemadenoanswer，butlookedathimstill，withpartedlips，motionless。
“Iamverypoor，Margaret。Icouldnotmarrynow。“
Itwasastupidspeech，buthemadeit。
“Idon\'tcare，“sheanswered，withavoicelikethinking，“ifyounevermarryme。“
Hemisunderstoodher，andturnedcoldtotheveryheart。Hemisunderstoodherstillness。Herheartlaysodeep，thatittookalongtimeforitsfeelingstoreachandagitatethesurface。Hesaidnomore，butturnedawaywithasigh。
“Comehometomymother，“shesaid。
Heobeyedmechanically，andwalkedinsilencebyherside。Theyreachedthecottageandentered。Margaretsaid：“Hereheis，mother；“anddisappeared。
Janetwasseated——inherwidow\'smutch，withtheplainblackribbondownbothsides，androundtheback——inthearm-chairbythefire，ponderingonthepast，orgentlydreamingofhimthatwasgone。Sheturnedherhead。Sorrowhadbaptizedherfacewithanewgentleness。Thetenderexpressionwhichhadbeenbutoccasionalwhileherhusbandlived，wasalmostconstantnow。ShedidnotrecognizeHugh。Hesawit，anditaddedweighttohisdespair。Hewasleftoutside。
“Mother！”hesaid，involuntarily。
Shestartedtoherfeet，cried：“Mybairn！mybairn！”threwherarmsaroundhim，andlaidherheadonhisbosom。Hughsobbedasifhisheartwouldbreak。Janetwept，butherweepingwasquietasasummerrain。Heledhertoherchair，kneltbyherside，andhidinghisfaceinherlaplikeachild，falteredout，interruptedbyconvulsivesobs：
“Forgiveme；forgiveme。Idon\'tdeserveit，butforgiveme。“
“Hootawa！mybairn！mybonnyman！Dinnagreetthatgait。TheLordpreserve\'s！whatareyegreetin\'for？Arenayecomehametoyerain？DidnaDawvidayesay——\'Gietheladtime，woman。It\'suncochaip，fortheLord\'sayemakin\'t。Thebestthingsisayethemaistplentifu\'。Gietheladtime，mybonnywoman！\'——didnahesaythat？
Ay，heca\'dmehisbonnywoman，illasIdeserveditathishan\'。
An\'it\'snoformetosayaewordagenyou，MaisterSutherlan\'，ginyehadbeenahantlewaurnorayoungthochtlessladcudnaweelhelpbein\'。An\'nooye\'recomehame，an\'nothingcudglaiddenmyheartmair，\'cep\'，maybe，theMaisterhimsel\'wastosaytomyman：
\'Dawvid！comefurth。\'“
Hughcouldmakenoreply。HegotholdofMargaret\'screepie，whichstoodinitsusualplace，andsatdownuponit，attheoldwoman\'sfeet。Shegazedinhisfaceforawhile，andthen，puttingherarmroundhisneck，drewhisheadtoherbosom，andfondledhimasifhehadbeenherownfirst-born。
“Buteh！yerbonniefaceissharpan\'sma\'towhatitusedtobe，MaisterSutherlan\'。Idootyehaecomethroughaheapo\'trouble。“
“I\'lltellyouallaboutit，“saidHugh。
“Na，na；bidestillawee。Ikena\'abootitfraeMaggy。An\'guidpreserve\'s！ye\'recleanperishedwi\'cauld。Latmeup，mybairn。“
Janetrose，andmadeupthefire，whichsooncastajoyfulglowthroughouttheroom。Thepeat-fireinthelittlecottagewasagoodsymboloftheheartofitsmistress：itgavefarmoreheatthanlight。Andformypart，dearaslightis，Ilikeheatbetter。Shethenputonthekettle，——ortheboilerIthinkshecalledit——saying：
“I\'mjistgaein\'tomak\'yeacupo\'tay，Mr。Sutherlan\'。It\'sthehandiestthing，yeken。An\'Idootye\'remuckleinwanto\'
something。Wadyenotak\'adrappyooto\'thebottle，i\'themanetime？”
“No，thankyou，“saidHugh，wholongedtobealone，forhisheartwascoldasice；“Iwouldratherwaitforthetea；butIshouldbegladtohaveagoodwash，aftermyjourney。“
“Comeyerwa\'s，than，benthehoose。I\'lljistgangan\'getadrappyo\'hetwaterinadecanter。Bideyestillbythefire。“
Hughstood，andgazedintothepeat-fire。Buthesawnothinginit。
Alightsteppassedhimseveraltimes，buthedidnotheedit。Theloveliesteyeslookedearnestlytowardshimastheypassed，buthiswerenotliftedtomeettheirgaze。
“Noo，MaisterSutherlan\'，comethisway。“
Hughwasleftaloneatlength，intheroomwhereDavidhadslept，whereDavidhadusedtopray。Hefellonhisknees，androsecomfortedbythewillofGod。AfewthingsofMargaret\'swereabouttheroom。ThedresshehadseenherinatMrs。Elton\'s，washangingbythebed。Hekissedthefoldsofthegarment，andsaid：“God\'swillbedone。“HehadjustfinishedahastyablutionwhenJanetcalledhim。
“Comeawa\'，MaisterSutherlan\'；comebentoyerainchaumer，“saidshe，leadingthewaytotheroomshestillcalledthestudy。
Margaretwasthere。Theroomwasjustashehadleftit。Abrightfirewasonthehearth。Teawasonthetable，witheggs，andoatcakes，andflour-sconsinabundance；forJanethadthebestshecouldgetforMargaret，whowasonlyherguestforalittlewhile。
ButHughcouldnoteat。Janetlookeddistressed，andMargaretglancedathimuneasily。
“Doeatsomething，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMargaret。
Hughlookedatherinvoluntarily。Shedidnotunderstandhislook，anditalarmedher。Hiscountenancewaschanged。
“Whatisthematter，dear——Hugh？”shesaid，rising，andlayingherhandonhisshoulder。
“Hoots！lassie，“brokeinhermother；“areyemakin\'lovetillaman，agentleman，aforemyverraeen？”
“Hediditfirst，mother，“answeredMargaret，withasmile。
ApangofhopeshotthroughHugh\'sheart。
“Ow！that\'sthegaito\'t，is\'t？Thebairn\'sganedementit！Ye\'renoeftermerryin\'agentleman，Maggy？Na，na，lass！”
Sosaying，theoldlady，rathercrossly，andveryimprudently，lefttheroomtofilltheteapotinthekitchen。
“Doyourememberthis？”saidMargaret，——whofeltthatHughmusthavemisunderstoodsomethingorother，——takingfromherpocketalittlebook，andfromthebookawitheredflower。
Hughsawthatitwaslikeaprimrose，andhopedagainsthopethatitwastheonewhichhehadgiventoher，onthespringmorninginthefir-wood。Still，afeelingverydifferentfromhismighthavemadeherpreserveit。Hemustknowallaboutit。
“Whydidyoukeepthat？”hesaid。
“BecauseIlovedyou。“
“Lovedme？”
“Yes。Didn\'tyouknow？”
“Whydidyousay，then，thatyoudidn\'tcareif——if——？”
“Becauseloveisenough，Hugh——Thatwaswhy。“
THEEND。
