MyconductorledmeupstairsintoapassagewhichtookusbacktothebedchamberinwhichIhadsleptduringthepastnight；andopeningthedoornexttoit，beggedmetolookin。
`Ihavemymaster’sorderstoshowyouyourownsitting-room，sir，’saidtheman，`andtoinquireifyouapproveofthesituationandthelight。’
Imusthavebeenhardtoplease，indeed，ifIhadnotapprovedoftheroom，andofeverythingaboutit。Thebow-windowlookedoutonthesamelovelyviewwhichIhadadmired，inthemorning，frommybedroom。Thefurniturewastheperfectionofluxuryandbeauty；thetableinthecentrewasbrightwithgailyboundbooks，elegantconveniencesforwriting，andbeautifulflowers；thesecondtable，nearthewindow，wascoveredwithallthenecessarymaterialsformountingwater-colourdrawings，andhadalittleeaselattachedtoit，whichIcouldexpandorfoldupatwill；thewallswerehungwithgailytintedchintz；andthefloorwasspreadwithIndianmattinginmaize-colourandred。Itwastheprettiestandmostluxuriouslittlesitting-roomIhadeverseen；andIadmireditwiththewarmestenthusiasm。
Thesolemnservantwasfartoohighlytrainedtobetraytheslightestsatisfaction。Hebowedwithicydeferencewhenmytermsofeulogywereallexhausted，andsilentlyopenedthedoorformetogooutintothepassageagain。
Weturnedacorner，andenteredalongsecondpassage，ascendedashortflightofstairsattheend，crossedasmallcircularupperhall，andstoppedinfrontofadoorcoveredwithdarkbaize。Theservantopenedthisdoor，andledmeonafewyardstoasecond；openedthatalso，anddisclosedtwocurtainsofpalesea-greensilkhangingbeforeus；raisedoneofthemnoiselessly；softlyutteredthewords，`MrHartright，’andleftme。
Ifoundmyselfinalarge，loftyroom，withamagnificentcarvedceiling，andwithacarpetoverthefloor，sothickandsoftthatitfeltlikepilesofvelvetundermyfeet。Onesideoftheroomwasoccupiedbyalongbookcaseofsomerareinlaidwoodthatwasquitenewtome。Itwasnotmorethansixfeethigh，andthetopwasadornedwithstatuettesinmarble，rangedatregulardistancesonefromtheother。Ontheoppositesidestoodtwoantiquecabinets；andbetweenthem，andabovethem，hungapictureoftheVirginandChild，protectedbyglass，andbearingRaphael’snameonthegilttabletatthebottomoftheframe。Onmyrighthandandonmyleft，asIstoodinsidethedoor，werechiffoniersandlittlestandsinbuhlandmarquetterie，loadedwithfiguresinDresdenchina，withrarevases，ivoryornaments，andtoysandcuriositiesthatsparkledatallpointswithgold，silver，andpreciousstones。Atthelowerendoftheroom，oppositetome，thewindowswereconcealedandthesunlightwastemperedbylargeblindsofthesamepalesea-greencolourasthecurtainsoverthedoor。Thelightthusproducedwasdeliciouslysoft，mysterious，andsubdued；itfellequallyuponalltheobjectsintheroom；ithelpedtointensifythedeepsilence，andtheairofprofoundseclusionthatpossessedtheplace；anditsurrounded，withanappropriatehaloofrepose，thesolitaryfigureofthemasterofthehouse，leaningback，listlesslycomposed，inalargeeasy-chair，withareading-easelfastenedononeofitsarms，andalittletableontheother。
Ifaman’spersonalappearance，whenheisoutofhisdressing-room，andwhenhehaspassedforty，canbeacceptedasasafeguidetohistimeoflife——whichismorethandoubtful——MrFairlie’sage，whenIsawhim，mighthavebeenreasonablycomputedatoverfiftyandundersixtyyears。Hisbeardlessfacewasthin，worn，andtransparentlypale，butnotwrinkled；hisnosewashighandhooked；hiseyeswereofadimgreyishblue，large，prominent，andratherredroundtherimsoftheeyelids；hishairwasscanty，softtolookat，andofthatlightsandycolourwhichisthelasttodiscloseitsownchangestowardsgrey。Hewasdressedinadarkfrock-coat，ofsomesubstancemuchthinnerthancloth，andinwaistcoatandtrousersofspotlesswhite。Hisfeetwereeffeminatelysmall，andwerecladinbuff-colouredsilkstockings，andlittlewomanishbronze-leatherslippers。Tworingsadornedhiswhitedelicatehands，thevalueofwhichevenmyinexperiencedobservationdetectedtobeallbutpriceless。Uponthewhole，hehadafrail，languidly-fretful，over-refinedlook——somethingsingularlyandunpleasantlydelicateinitsassociationwithaman，and，atthesametime，somethingwhichcouldbynopossibilityhavelookednaturalandappropriateifithadbeentransferredtothepersonalappearanceofawoman。Mymorning’sexperienceofMissHalcombehadpredisposedmetobepleasedwitheverybodyinthehouse；butmysympathiesshutthemselvesupresolutelyatthefirstsightofMrFairlie。
Onapproachingnearertohim，IdiscoveredthathewasnotsoentirelywithoutoccupationasIhadatfirstsupposed。Placedamidtheotherrareandbeautifulobjectsonalargeroundtablenearhim，wasadwarfcabinetinebonyandsilver，containingcoinsofallshapesandsizes，setoutinlittledrawerslinedwithdarkpurplevelvet。Oneofthesedrawerslayonthesmalltableattachedtohischair；andnearitweresometinyjeweller’sbrushes，awash-leather`stump，’andalittlebottleofliquid，allwaitingtobeusedinvariouswaysfortheremovalofanyaccidentalimpuritieswhichmightbediscoveredonthecoins。Hisfrailwhitefingerswerelistlesslytoyingwithsomethingwhichlooked，tomyuninstructedeyes，likeadirtypewtermedalwithraggededges，whenIadvancedwithinarespectfuldistanceofhischair，andstoppedtomakemybow。
`SogladtopossessyouatLimmeridge，MrHartright，’hesaidinaquerulous，croakingvoice，whichcombined，inanythingbutanagreeablemanner，adiscordantlyhightonewithadrowsilylanguidutterance。`Praysitdown。Anddon’ttroubleyourselftomovethechair，please。Inthewretchedstateofmynerves，movementofanykindisexquisitelypainfultome。Haveyouseenyourstudio？Willitdo？’
`Ihavejustcomefromseeingtheroom，MrFairlie；andIassureyou——’
Hestoppedmeinthemiddleofthesentence，byclosinghiseyes，andholdinguponeofhiswhitehandsimploringly。Ipausedinastonishment；andthecroakingvoicehonouredmewiththisexplanation——
`Prayexcuseme。Butcouldyoucontrivetospeakinalowerkey？Inthewretchedstateofmynerves，loudsoundofanykindisindescribabletorturetome。Youwillpardonaninvalid？Ionlysaytoyouwhatthelamentablestateofmyhealthobligesmetosaytoeverybody。Yes。Andyoureallyliketheroom？’
`Icouldwishfornothingprettierandnothingmorecomfortable，’Ianswered，droppingmyvoice，andbeginningtodiscoveralreadythatMrFairlie’sselfishaffectationandMrFairlie’swretchednervesmeantoneandthesamething。
`Soglad。Youwillfindyourpositionhere，MrHartright，properlyrecognised。ThereisnoneofthehorridEnglishbarbarityoffeelingaboutthesocialpositionofanartistinthishouse。Somuchofmyearlylifehasbeenpassedabroad，thatIhavequitecastmyinsularskininthatrespect。IwishIcouldsaythesameofthegentry——detestableword，butIsupposeImustuseit——ofthegentryintheneighbourhood。TheyaresadGothsinArt，MrHartright。People，Idoassureyou，whowouldhaveopenedtheireyesinastonishment，iftheyhadseenCharlesthefifthpickupTitian’sbrushforhim。Doyoumindputtingthistrayofcoinsbackinthecabinet，andgivingmethenextonetoit？Inthewretchedstateofmynerves，exertionofanykindisunspeakablydisagreeabletome。Yes。Thankyou。’
Asapracticalcommentaryontheliberalsocialtheorywhichhehadjustfavouredmebyillustrating，MrFairlie’scoolrequestratheramusedme。Iputbackonedrawerandgavehimtheother，withallpossiblepoliteness。Hebegantriflingwiththenewsetofcoinsandthelittlebrushesimmediately；languidlylookingatthemandadmiringthemallthetimehewasspeakingtome。
`Athousandthanksandathousandexcuses。Doyoulikecoins？Yes。SogladwehaveanothertasteincommonbesidesourtasteforArt。Now，aboutthepecuniaryarrangementsbetweenus——dotellme——aretheysatisfactory？’
`Mostsatisfactory，MrFairlie。’
`Soglad。And——whatnext？Ah！Iremember。Yes。Inreferencetotheconsiderationwhichyouaregoodenoughtoacceptforgivingmethebenefitofyouraccomplishmentsinart，mystewardwillwaitonyouattheendofthefistweek，toascertainyourwishes。And——whatnext？Curious，isitnot？Ihadagreatdealmoretosay:andIappeartohavequiteforgottenit。Doyoumindtouchingthebell？Inthatcorner。Yes。Thankyou。’
Irang；andanewservantnoiselesslymadehisappearance——aforeigner，withasetsmileandperfectlybrushedhair——avaleteveryinchofhim。
`Louis，’saidMrFairlie，dreamilydustingthetipsofhisfingerswithoneofthetinybrushesforthecoins，`Imadesomeentriesinmytablettesthismorning。Findmytablettes。Athousandpardons，MrHartright，I’mafraidIboreyou。’
Ashewearilyclosedhiseyesagain，beforeIcouldanswer，andashedidmostassuredlyboreme，Isatsilent，andlookedupattheMadonnaandChildbyRaphael。Inthemeantime，thevaletlefttheroom，andreturnedshortlywithalittleivorybook。MrFairlie，afterfirstrelievinghimselfbyagentlesigh，letthebookdropopenwithonehand，andheldupthetinybrushwiththeother，asasigntotheservanttowaitforfurtherorders。
`Yes。rustso！’saidMrFairlie，consultingthetablettes。`Louis，takedownthatportfolio。’Hepointed，ashespoke，toseveralportfoliosplacednearthewindow，onmahoganystands。`No。Nottheonewiththegreenback——thatcontainsmyRembrandtetchings，MrHartright。Doyoulikeetchings？Yes？Sogladwehaveanothertasteincommon。Theportfoliowiththeredback，Louis。Don’tdropit！YouhavenoideaofthetorturesIshouldsuffer，MrHartright，ifLouisdroppedthatportfolio，Isitsafeonthechair？Doyouthinkitsafe，MrHartright？Yes？Soglad。Willyouobligemebylookingatthedrawings，ifyoureallythinktheyarequitesafe。Louis，goaway。Whatanassyouare。Don’tyouseemeholdingthetablettes？DoyousupposeIwanttoholdthem？Thenwhynotrelievemeofthetabletteswithoutbeingtold？Athousandpardons，MrHartright；servantsaresuchasses，aretheynot？Dotellme——whatdoyouthinkofthedrawings？Theyhavecomefromasaleinashockingstate——Ithoughttheysmeltofhorriddealers’andbrokers’fingerswhenIlookedatthemlast。Canyouundertakethem？’
AlthoughmynerveswerenotdelicateenoughtodetecttheodourofplebeianfingerswhichhadoffendedMrFairlie’snostrils，mytastewassufficientlyeducatedtoenablemetoappreciatethevalueofthedrawings，whileIturnedthemover。Theywere，forthemostpart，reallyfinespecimensofEnglishwater-colourart；andtheyhaddeservedmuchbettertreatmentatthehandsoftheirformerpossessorthantheyappearedtohavereceived。
`Thedrawings，’Ianswered，`requirecarefulstrainingandmounting；and，inmyopinion，theyarewellworth——’
`Ibegyourpardon，’interposedMrFairlie。`Doyoumindmyclosingmyeyeswhileyouspeak？Eventhislightistoomuchforthem。Yes？’
`lwasabouttosaythatthedrawingsarewellworthallthetimeandtrouble——’
MrFairliesuddenlyopenedhiseyesagain，androlledthemwithanexpressionofhelplessalarminthedirectionofthewindow。
`Ientreatyoutoexcuseme，MrHartright，’hesaidinafeebleflutter。`ButsurelyIhearsomehorridchildreninthegarden——myprivategarden——below？’
`Ican’tsay，MrFairlie。Iheardnothingmyself。’
`Obligeme——youhavebeensoverygoodinhumouringmypoornerves——obligemebyliftingupacorneroftheblind。Don’tletthesuninonme，MrHartright！Haveyougottheblindup？Yes？Thenwillyoubesoverykindastolookintothegardenandmakequitesure？’
Icompliedwiththisnewrequest。Thegardenwascarefullywalledin，allround。Notahumancreature，largeorsmall，appearedinanypartofthesacredseclusion。IreportedthatgratifyingfacttoMrFairlie。
`Athousandthanks。Myfancy，Isuppose。Therearenochildren，thankHeaven，inthehouse；buttheservants(personsbornwithoutnerves)willencouragethechildrenfromthevillage。Suchbrats——oh，dearme，suchbrats！ShallIconfessit，MrHartright？——Isadlywantareformintheconstructionofchildren。Nature’sonlyideaseemstobetomakethemmachinesfortheproductionofincessantnoise。SurelyourdelightfulRaffaello’sconceptionisinfinitelypreferable？’
HepointedtothepictureoftheMadonna，theupperpartofwhichrepresentedtheconventionalcherubsofItalianArt，celestiallyProvidedwithsittingaccommodationfortheirchins，onballoonsofbuff-colouredcloud。
`Quiteamodelfamily！’saidMrFairlie，leeringatthecherubs。`Suchniceroundfaces，andsuchnicesoftwings，and——nothingelse。Nodirtylittlelegstorunabouton，andnonoisylittlelungstoscreamwith。Howimmeasurablysuperiortotheexistingconstruction！Iwillclosemyeyesagain，ifyouwillallowme。Andyoureallycanmanagethedrawings？Soglad。Isthereanythingelsetosettle？ifthereis，IthinkIhaveforgottenit。ShallweringforLouisagain？’
Being，bythistime，quiteasanxious，onmyside，asMrFairlieevidentlywasonhis，tobringtheinterviewtoaspeedyconclusion，IthoughtIwouldtrytorenderthesummoningoftheservantunnecessary，byofferingtherequisitesuggestiononmyownresponsibility。
`Theonlypoint，MrFairlie，thatremainstobediscussed，’Isaid，`refers，Ithink，totheinstructioninsketchingwhichIamengagedtocommunicatetothetwoyoungladies。’
`Ah！justso，’saidMrFairlie。`IwishIfeltstrongenoughtogointothatpartofthearrangement——butIdon’t。Theladieswhoprofitbyyourkindservices，MrHartright，mustsettle，anddecide，andsoon，forthemselves。Mynieceisfondofyourcharmingart。Sheknowsjustenoughaboutittobeconsciousofherownsaddefects。Pleasetakepainswithher。Yes。Isthereanythingelse？No。Wequiteunderstandeachother——don’twe？Ihavenorighttodetainyouanylongerfromyourdelightfulpursuit——haveI？Sopleasanttohavesettledeverything——suchasensiblerelieftohavedonebusiness。DoyoumindringingforLouistocarrytheportfoliotoyourownroom？’
`Iwillcarryittheremyself，MrFairlie，ifyouwillallowme。’
`Willyoureally？Areyoustrongenough？HownicetobesostrongIAreyousureyouwon’tdropit？SogladtopossessyouatLimmeridge，MrHartright。IamsuchasuffererthatIhardlydarehopetoenjoymuchofyoursociety。Wouldyoumindtakinggreatpainsnottoletthedoorsbang，andnottodroptheportfolio？Thankyou。Gentlywiththecurtains，please——theslightestnoisefromthemgoesthroughmelikeaknife。Yes。Goodmorning！’
Whenthesea-greencurtainswereclosed，andwhenthetwobaizedoorswereshutbehindme，Istoppedforamomentinthelittlecircularhallbeyond，anddrewalong，luxuriousbreathofrelief。Itwaslikecomingtothesurfaceofthewaterafterdeepdiving，tofindmyselfoncemoreontheoutsideofMrFairlie’sroom。
AssoonasIwascomfortablyestablishedforthemorninginmyprettylittlestudio，thefirstresolutionatwhichIarrivedwastoturnmystepsnomoreinthedirectionoftheapartmentsoccupiedbythemasterofthehouse，exceptintheveryimprobableeventofhishonouringmewithaspecialinvitationtopayhimanothervisit。HavingsettledthissatisfactoryplanoffutureconductinreferencetoMrFairlie，Isoonrecoveredtheserenityoftemperofwhichmyemployer’shaughtyfamiliarityandimpudentpolitenesshad，forthemoment，deprivedme。Theremaininghoursofthemorningpassedawaypleasantlyenough，inlookingoverthedrawings，arrangingtheminsets，trimmingtheirraggededges，andaccomplishingtheothernecessarypreparationsinanticipationofthebusinessofmountingthem。Iought，perhaps，tohavemademoreprogressthanthis；but，astheluncheon-timedrewnear，Igrewrestlessandunsettled，andfeltunabletofixmyattentiononwork，eventhoughthatworkwasonlyofthehumblemanualkind。
Attwoo’clockIdescendedagaintothebreakfast-room，alittleanxiously。Expectationsofsomeinterestwereconnectedwithmyapproachingreappearanceinthatpartofthehouse。MyintroductiontoMissFairliewasnowcloseathand；and，ifMissHalcombe’ssearchthroughhermother’slettershadproducedtheresultwhichsheanticipated，thetimehadcomeforclearingupthemysteryofthewomaninwhite。
WhenIenteredtheroom，IfoundMissHalcombeandanelderlyladyseatedattheluncheon-table。
Theelderlylady，whenIwaspresentedtoher，provedtobeMissFairlie’sformergoverness，MrsVesey，whohadbeenbrieflydescribedtomebymylivelycompanionatthebreakfast-table，aspossessedof`allthecardinalvirtues，andcountingfornothing。’IcandolittlemorethanoffermyhumbletestimonytothetruthfulnessofMissHalcombe’ssketchoftheoldlady’scharacter。MrsVeseylookedthepersonificationofhumancomposureandfemaleamiability。Acalmenjoymentofacalmexistencebeamedindrowsysmilesonherplump，placidface。Someofusrushthroughlife，andsomeofussaunterthroughlife。MrsVeseysatthroughlife。Satinthehouse，earlyandlate；satinthegarden；satinunexpectedwindow-seatsinpassages；sat(onacamp-stool)whenherfriendstriedtotakeheroutwalking；satbeforeshelookedatanything，beforeshetalkedofanything，beforesheansweredYes，orNo，tothecommonestquestion——alwayswiththesameserenesmileonherlips，thesamevacantly-attentiveturnofthehead，thesamesnugly-comfortablepositionofherhandsandarms，undereverypossiblechangeofdomesticcircumstances。Amild，acompliant，anunutterablytranquilandharmlessoldlady，whoneverbyanychancesuggestedtheideathatshehadbeenactuallyalivesincethehourofherbirth。Naturehassomuchtodointhisworld，andisengagedingeneratingsuchavastvarietyofco-existentproductions，thatshemustsurelybenowandthentooflurriedandconfusedtodistinguishbetweenthedifferentprocessesthatsheiscarryingonatthesametime。Startingfromthispointofview，itwillalwaysremainmyprivatepersuasionthatNaturewasabsorbedinmakingcabbageswhenMrsVeseywasborn，andthatthegoodladysufferedtheconsequencesofavegetablepreoccupationinthemindoftheMotherofusall。
`Now，MrsVesey，’saidMissHalcombe，lookingbrighter，sharper，andreadierthanever，bycontrastwiththeundemonstrativeoldladyatherside，`whatwillyouhave？Acutlet？’
MrsVeseycrossedherdimpledhandsontheedgeofthetable，smiledplacidly，andsaid，`Yes。dear。’
`WhatisthatoppositeMrHartright？Boiledchicken，isitnot？Ithoughtyoulikedboiledchickenbetterthancutlet，MrsVesey？’
MrsVeseytookherdimpledhandsofftheedgeofthetableandcrossedthemonherlapinstead；noddedcontemplativelyattheboiledchicken，andsaid，`Yes，dear。’
`Well，butwhichwillyouhave，today？ShallMrHartrightgiveyousomechicken？orshallIgiveyousomecutlet？’
MrsVeseyputoneofherdimpledhandsbackagainontheedgeofthetable；hesitateddrowsily，andsaid，`Whichyouplease，dear。’
`Mercyonme！it’saquestionforyourtaste，mygoodlady，notformine。Supposeyouhavealittleofboth？andsupposeyoubeginwiththechicken，becauseMrHartrightlooksdevouredbyanxietytocarveforyou。’
MrsVeseyputtheotherdimpledhandbackontheedgeofthetable；brighteneddimlyonemoment；wentoutagainthenext；bowedobediently，andsaid，`Ifyouplease，sir。’
Surelyamild，acompliant，anunutterablytranquilandharmlessoldlady！Butenough，perhaps，forthepresent，ofMrsVesey。
Allthistime，therewerenosignsofMissFairlie。Wefinishedourluncheon；andstillsheneverappeared。MissHalcombe，whosequickeyenothingescaped，noticedthelooksthatIcast，fromtimetotime，inthedirectionofthedoor。
`Iunderstandyou，MrHartright，’shesaid；`youarewonderingwhathasbecomeofyourotherpupil。Shehasbeendownstairs，andhasgotoverherheadache；buthasnotsufficientlyrecoveredherappetitetojoinusatlunch。Ifyouwillputyourselfundermycharge，IthinkIcanundertaketofindhersomewhereinthegarden。’
Shetookupaparasollyingonachairnearher，andledthewayout，byalongwindowatthebottomoftheroom，whichopenedontothelawn。ItisalmostunnecessarytosaythatweleftMrsVeseystillseatedatthetable，withherdimpledhandsstillcrossedontheedgeofit；apparentlysettledinthatpositionfortherestoftheafternoon。
Aswecrossedthelawn，MissHalcombelookedatmesignificantly，andshookherhead。
`Thatmysteriousadventureofyours，’shesaid，`stillremainsinvolvedinitsownappropriatemidnightdarkness。Ihavebeenallthemorninglookingovermymother’sletters，andIhavemadenodiscoveriesyet。However，don’tdespair，MrHartright。Thisisamatterofcuriosity；andyouhavegotawomanforyourally。Undersuchconditionssuccessiscertain，soonerorlater。Thelettersarenotexhausted。Ihavethreepacketsstillleft，andyoumayconfidentlyrelyonmyspendingthewholeeveningoverthem。’
Here，then，wasoneofmyanticipationsofthemorningstillunfulfilled。Ibegantowonder，next，whethermyintroductiontoMissFairliewoulddisappointtheexpectationsthatIhadbeenformingofhersincebreakfast-time。
`AndhowdidyougetonwithMrFairlie？’inquiredMissHalcombe，asweleftthelawnandturnedintoashrubbery。`Washeparticularlynervousthismorning？Nevermindconsideringaboutyouranswer，MrHartright。Themerefactofyourbeingobligedtoconsiderisenoughforme。Iseeinyourfacethathewasparticularlynervous；and，asIamamiablyunwillingtothrowyouintothesamecondition，Iasknomore。’
Weturnedoffintoawindingpathwhileshewasspeaking，andapproachedaprettysummer-house，builtofwood，intheformofaminiatureSwisschalet。Theoneroomofthesummerhouse，asweascendedthestepsofthedoor，wasoccupiedbyayounglady。Shewasstandingneararustictable，lookingoutattheinlandviewofmoorandhillpresentedbyagapinthetrees，andabsentlyturningovertheleavesofalittlesketch-bookthatlayatherside。ThiswasMissFairlie。
HowcanIdescribeher？HowcanIseparateherfrommyownsensations，andfromallthathashappenedinthelatertime？HowcanIseeheragainasshelookedwhenmyeyesfirstrestedonher——assheshouldlook，now，totheeyesthatareabouttoseeherinthesepages？
Thewater-colourdrawingthatImadeofLauraFairlie，atanafterperiod，intheplaceandattitudeinwhichIfirstsawher，liesonmydeskwhileIwrite。Ilookatit，andtheredawnsuponmebrightly，fromthedarkgreenish-brownbackgroundofthesummer-house，alight，youthfulfigure，clothedinasimplemuslindress，thepatternofitformedbybroadalternatestripesofdelicateblueandwhite。Ascarfofthesamematerialsitscrisplyandcloselyroundhershoulders，andalittlestrawhatofthenaturalcolour，plainlyandsparinglytrimmedwithribbontomatchthegown，coversherhead，andthrowsitssoftpearlyshadowovertheupperpartofherface。Herhairisofsofaintandpaleabrown——notflaxen，andyetalmostaslight；notgolden，andyetalmostasglossy——thatitnearlymelts，hereandthere，intotheshadowofthehat。Itisplainlypartedanddrawnbackoverherears，andthelineofitripplesnaturallyasitcrossesherforehead。Theeyebrowsareratherdarkerthanthehair；andtheeyesareofthatsoft，limpid，turquoiseblue，sooftensungbythepoets，soseldomseeninreallife。Lovelyeyesincolour，lovelyeyesinform——largeandtenderandquietlythoughtful——butbeautifulaboveallthingsinthecleartruthfulnessoflookthatdwellsintheirinmostdepths，andshinesthroughalltheirchangesofexpressionwiththelightofapurerandabetterworld。Thecharm——mostgentlyandyetmostdistinctlyexpressed——whichtheyshedoverthewholeface，socoversandtransformsitslittlenaturalhumanblemisheselsewhere，thatitisdifficulttoestimatetherelativemeritsanddefectsoftheotherfeatures。Itishardtoseethatthelowerpartofthefaceistoodelicatelyrefinedawaytowardsthechintobeinfullandfairproportionwiththeupperpart；thatthenose，inescapingtheaquilinebend(alwayshardandcruelinawoman，nomatterhowabstractedlyperfectitmaybe)，haserredalittleintheotherextreme，andhasmissedtheidealstraightnessofline；andthatthesweet，sensitivelipsaresubjecttoaslightnervouscontraction，whenshesmiles，whichdrawsthemupwardalittleatonecorner，towardsthecheek。Itmightbepossibletonotetheseblemishesinanotherwoman’sface，butitisnoteasytodwellontheminhers，sosubtlyaretheyconnectedwithallthatisindividualandcharacteristicinherexpression，andsocloselydoestheexpressiondependforitsfullplayandlife，ineveryotherfeature，onthemovingimpulseoftheeyes。
Doesmypoorportraitofher，myfond，patientlabouroflongandhappydays，showmethesethings？Ah，howfewofthemareinthedimmechanicaldrawing，andhowmanyinthemindwithwhichIregardit！Afair，delicategirl，inaprettylightdress，triflingwiththeleavesofasketch-book，whileshelooksupfromitwithtruthful，innocentblueeyes——thatisallthedrawingcansay；all，perhaps，thateventhedeeperreachofthoughtandpencansayintheirlanguage，either。Thewomanwhofirstgiveslife，light，andformtoourshadowyconceptionsofbeauty，fillsavoidinourspiritualnaturethathasremainedunknowntoustillsheappeared。Sympathiesthatlietoodeepforwords，toodeepalmostforthoughts，aretouched，atsuchtimes，byothercharmsthanthosewhichthesensesfeelandwhichtheresourcesofexpressioncanrealise。Themysterywhichunderliesthebeautyofwomenisneverraisedabovethereachofallexpressionuntilithasclaimedkindredwiththedeepermysteryinourownsouls。Then，andthenonly，hasitpassedbeyondthenarrowregiononwhichlightfalls，inthisworld，fromthepencilandthepen。
Thinkofherasyouthoughtofthefirstwomanwhoquickenedthepulseswithinyouthattherestofhersexhadnoarttostir。Letthekind，candidblueeyesmeetyours，astheymetmine，withtheonematchlesslookwhichwebothremembersowell。Lethervoicespeakthemusicthatyouoncelovedbest，attunedassweetlytoyourearastomine。Letherfootstep，asshecomesandgoes，inthesepages，belikethatotherfootsteptowhoseairyfallyourownheartoncebeattime。Takeherasthevisionarynurslingofyourownfancy；andshewillgrowuponyou，allthemoreclearly，asthelivingwomanwhodwellsinmine。
Amongthesensationsthatcrowdedonme，whenmyeyesfirstlookeduponher——familiarsensationswhichweallknow，whichspringtolifeinmostofourhearts，dieagaininsomany，andrenewtheirbrightexistenceinsofew——therewasonethattroubledandperplexedme:onethatseemedstrangelyinconsistentandunaccountablyoutofplaceinMissFairlie’spresence。
Minglingwiththevividimpressionproducedbythecharmofherfairfaceandhead，hersweetexpression，andherwinningsimplicityofmanner，wasanotherimpression，which，inashadowyway，suggestedtometheideaofsomethingwanting。Atonetimeitseemedlikesomethingwantinginher:atanother，likesomethingwantinginmyself，whichhinderedmefromunderstandingherasIought。Theimpressionwasalwaysstrongestinthemostcontradictorymanner，whenshelookedatme；or，inotherwords，whenIwasmostconsciousoftheharmonyandcharmofherface，andyet，atthesametime，mosttroubledbythesenseofanincompletenesswhichitwasimpossibletodiscover。Somethingwanting，somethingwanting——andwhereitwas，andwhatitwas，Icouldnotsay。
Theeffectofthiscuriouscapriceoffancy(asIthoughtitthen)wasnotofanaturetosetmeatmyease，duringafirstinterviewwithMissFairlie。Thefewkindwordsofwelcomewhichshespokefoundmehardlyself-possessedenoughtothankherinthecustomaryphrasesofreply。Observingmyhesitation，andnodoubtattributingit，naturallyenough，tosomemomentaryshynessonmypart，MissHalcombetookthebusinessoftalking，aseasilyandreadilyasusual，intoherownhands。
`Lookthere，MrHartright，’shesaid，pointingtothesketchbookonthetable，andtothelittledelicatewanderinghandthatwasstilltriflingwithit。`Surelyyouwillacknowledgethatyourmodelpupilisfoundatlast？Themomentshehearsthatyouareinthehouse，sheseizesherinestimablesketch-book，looksuniversalNaturestraightintheface，andlongstobegin！’
MissFairlielaughedwithareadygood-humour，whichbrokeoutasbrightlyasifithadbeenpartofthesunshineaboveus，overherlovelyface。
`Imustnottakecredittomyselfwherenocreditisdue，’shesaid，herclear，truthfulblueeyeslookingalternatelyatMissHalcombeandatme。`FondasIamofdrawing，IamsoconsciousofmyownignorancethatIammoreafraidthananxioustobegin。NowIknowyouarehere，MrHartright，Ifindmyselflookingovermysketches，asIusedtolookovermylessonswhenIwasalittlegirl，andwhenIwassadlyafraidthatIshouldturnoutnotfittobeheard。’
Shemadetheconfessionveryprettilyandsimply，and，withquaint，childishearnestness，drewthesketch-hookawayclosetoherownsideofthetable。MissHalcombecuttheknotofthelittleembarrassmentforthwith，inherresolute，downrightway。
`Good，bad，orindifferent，’shesaid，`thepupil’ssketchesmustpassthroughthefieryordealofthemaster’sjudgment——andthere’sanendtoit。Supposewetakethemwithusinthecarriage，Laura，andletMrHartrightseethem，forthefirsttime，undercircumstancesofperpetualjoltingandinterruption？Ifwecanonlyconfusehimallthroughthedrive，betweenNatureasitis，whenhelooksupattheview，andNatureasitisnot，whenhelooksdownagainatoursketch-books，weshalldrivehimintothelastdesperaterefugeofpayinguscompliments，andshallslipthroughhisprofessionalfingerswithourpetfeathersofvanityallunruffled。’
`IhopeMrHartrightwillpaymenocompliments，’saidMissFairlie，asweallleftthesummer-house。
`MayIventuretoinquirewhyyouexpressthathope？’Iasked。
`BecauseIshallbelieveallthatyousaytome，’sheansweredsimply。
Inthosefewwordssheunconsciouslygavemethekeytoherwholecharacter:tothatgeneroustrustinotherswhich，inhernature，grewinnocentlyoutofthesenseofherowntruth。Ionlyknewitintuitivelythen。Iknowitbyexperiencenow。
WemerelywaitedtorousegoodMrsVeseyfromtheplacewhichshestilloccupiedatthedesertedluncheon-table，beforeweenteredtheopencarriageforourpromiseddrive。TheoldladyandMissHalcombeoccupiedthebackseat，andMissFairlieandIsattogetherinfront，withthesketch-bookopenbetweenus，fairlyexhibitedatlasttomyprofessionaleyes。Allseriouscriticismonthedrawings，evenifIhadbeendisposedtovolunteerit，wasrenderedimpossiblebyMissHalcombe’slivelyresolutiontoseenothingbuttheridiculoussideoftheFineArts，aspractisedbyherself，hersister，andladiesingeneral。IcanremembertheconversationthatpassedfarmoreeasilythanthesketchesthatImechanicallylookedover。Thatpartofthetalk，especially，inwhichMissFairlietookanyshare，isstillasvividlyimpressedonmymemoryasifIhadhearditonlyafewhoursago。
Yes！letmeacknowledgethatonthefirstdayIletthecharmofherpresenceluremefromtherecollectionofmyselfandmyposition。Themosttriflingofthequestionsthatsheputtome，onthesubjectofusingherpencilandmixinghercolours；theslightestalterationsofexpressioninthelovelyeyesthatlookedintominewithsuchanearnestdesiretolearnallthatIcouldteach，andtodiscoverallthatIcouldshow，attractedmoreofmyattentionthanthefinestviewwepassedthrough，orthegrandestchangesoflightandshade，astheyflowedintoeachotheroverthewavingmoorlandandthelevelbeach。Atanytime，andunderanycircumstancesofhumaninterest，isitnotstrangetoseehowlittlerealholdtheobjectsofthenaturalworldamidwhichwelivecangainonourheartsandminds？WegotoNatureforcomfortintrouble，andsympathyinjoy，onlyinbooks。Admirationofthosebeautiesoftheinanimateworld，whichmodernpoetrysolargelyandsoeloquentlydescribes，isnot，eveninthebestofus，oneoftheoriginalinstinctsofournature。Aschildren，wenoneofuspossessit。Nouninstructedmanorwomanpossessesit。Thosewhoselivesaremostexclusivelypassedamidtheever-changingwondersofseaandlandarealsothosewhoaremostuniversallyinsensibletoeveryaspectofNaturenotdirectlyassociatedwiththehumaninterestoftheircalling。Ourcapacityofappreciatingthebeautiesoftheearthweliveonis，intruth，oneofthecivilisedaccomplishmentswhichwealllearnasanArt；and，more，thatverycapacityisrarelypractisedbyanyofusexceptwhenourmindsaremostindolentandmostunoccupied。HowmuchsharehavetheattractionsofNatureeverhadinthepleasurableorpainfulinterestsandemotionsofourselvesorourfriends？Whatspacedotheyeveroccupyinthethousandlittlenarrativesofpersonalexperiencewhichpasseverydaybywordofmouthfromoneofustotheother？Allthatourmindscancompass，allthatourheartscanlearn，canbeaccomplishedwithequalcertainty，equalprofit，andequalsatisfactiontoourselves，inthepoorestasintherichestprospectthatthefaceoftheearthcanshow。Thereissurelyareasonforthiswantofinbornsympathybetweenthecreatureandthecreationaroundit，areasonwhichmayperhapsbefoundinthewidely-differingdestiniesofmanandhisearthlysphere。Thegrandestmountainprospectthattheeyecanrangeoverisappointedtoannihilation。Thesmallesthumaninterestthatthepureheartcanfeelisappointedtoimmortality。
Wehadbeenoutnearlythreehours，whenthecarriageagainpassedthroughthegatesofLimmeridgeHouse。
OnourwaybackIhadlettheladiessettleforthemselvesthefirstpointofviewwhichtheyweretosketch，undermyinstructions，ontheafternoonofthenextday。Whentheywithdrewtodressfordinner，andwhenIwasaloneagaininmylittlesitting-room，myspiritsseemedtoleavemeonasudden。Ifeltillateaseanddissatisfiedwithmyself，Ihardlyknewwhy。PerhapsIwasnowconsciousforthefirsttimeofhavingenjoyedourdrivetoomuchinthecharacterofaguest，andtoolittleinthecharacterofadrawing-master。Perhapsthatstrangesenseofsomethingwanting，eitherinMissFairlieorinmyself，whichhadperplexedmewhenIwasfirstintroducedtoher，hauntedmestill。Anyhow，itwasarelieftomyspiritswhenthedinner-hourcalledmeoutofmysolitude，andtookmebacktothesocietyoftheladiesofthehouse。
Iwasstruck，onenteringthedrawing-room，bythecuriouscontrast，ratherinmaterialthanincolour，ofthedresseswhichtheynowwore。WhileMrsVeseyandMissHalcombewererichlyclad(eachinthemannermostbecomingtoherage)，thefirstinsilver-grey，andthesecondinthatdelicateprimrose-yellowcolourwhichmatchessowellwithadarkcomplexionandblackhair，MissFairliewasunpretendinglyandalmostpoorlydressedinplainwhitemuslin。Itwasspotlesslypure:itwasbeautifullyputon；butstillitwasthesortofdresswhichthewifeordaughterofapoormannighthaveworn，anditmadeher，sofarasexternalswent，looklessaffluentincircumstancesthanherowngoverness。Atalaterperiod，whenIlearnttoknowmoreofMissFairlie’scharacter，Idiscoveredthatthiscuriouscontrast，onthewrongside，wasduetohernaturaldelicacyoffeelingandnaturalintensityofaversiontotheslightestpersonaldisplayofherownwealth。NeitherMrsVeseynorMissHalcombecouldeverinducehertolettheadvantageindressdesertthetwoladieswhowerepoor，toleantothesideoftheoneladywhowasrich。
Whenthedinnerwasoverwereturnedtogethertothedrawing-room。AlthoughMrFairlie(emulatingthemagnificentcondescensionofthemonarchwhohadpickedupTitian’sbrushforhim)hadinstructedhisbutlertoconsultmywishesinrelationtothewinethatImightpreferafterdinner，Iwasresoluteenoughtoresistthetemptationofsittinginsolitarygrandeuramongbottlesofmyownchoosing，andsensibleenoughtoasktheladies’permissiontoleavethetablewiththemhabitually，onthecivilisedforeignplan，duringtheperiodofmyresidenceatLimmeridgeHouse。
Thedrawing-room，towhichwehadnowwithdrawnfortherestoftheevening，wasontheground-floor，andwasofthesameshapeandsizeasthebreakfast-room。Largeglassdoorsatthelowerendopenedontoaterrace，beautifullyornamentedalongitswholelengthwithaprofusionofflowers。Thesoft，hazytwilightwasjustshadingleafandblossomalikeintoharmonywithitsownsoberhuesasweenteredtheroom，andthesweeteveningscentoftheflowersmetuswithitsfragrantwelcomethroughtheopenglassdoors。GoodMrsVesey(alwaysthefirstofthepartytositdown)tookpossessionofanarmchairinacorner，anddozedoffcomfortablytosleep。AtmyrequestMissFairlieplacedherselfatthepiano。AsIfollowedhertoaseatneartheinstrument，IsawMissHalcomberetireintoarecessofoneofthesidewindows，toproceedwiththesearchthroughhermother’slettersbythelastquietraysoftheeveninglight。
Howvividlythatpeacefulhome-pictureofthedrawing-roomcomesbacktomewhileIwrite！fromtheplacewhereIsatIcouldseeMissHalcombe’sgracefulfigure，halfofitinsoftlight，halfinmysteriousshadow，bendingintentlyoverthelettersinherlap；while，nearertome，thefairprofileoftheplayeratthepianowasjustdelicatelydefinedagainstthefaintlydeepeningbackgroundoftheinnerwalloftheroom。Outside，ontheterrace，theclusteringflowersandlonggrassesandcreeperswavedsogentlyinthelighteveningair，thatthesoundoftheirrustlingneverreachedus。Theskywaswithoutacloud，andthedawningmysteryofmoonlightbegantotremblealreadyintheregionoftheeasternheaven。Thesenseofpeaceandseclusionsoothedallthoughtandfeelingintoarapt，unearthlyrepose；andthebalmyquiet，thatdeepenedeverwiththedeepeninglight，seemedtohoveroveruswithagentlerinfluencestill，whentherestoleuponitfromthepianotheheavenlytendernessofthemusicofMozart。Itwasaneveningofsightsandsoundsnevertoforget。
Weallsatsilentintheplaceswehadchosen——MrsVeseystillsleeping，MissFairliestillplaying，MissHalcombestillreading——tillthelightfailedus。Bythistimethemoonhadstolenroundtotheterrace，andsoft，mysteriousraysoflightwereslantingalreadyacrossthelowerendoftheroom。Thechangefromthetwilightobscuritywassobeautifulthatwebanishedthelamps，bycommonconsent，whentheservantbroughtthemin，andkeptthelargeroomunlighted，exceptbytheglimmerofthetwocandlesatthepiano。
Forhalfanhourmorethemusicstillwenton。AfterthatthebeautyofthemoonlightviewontheterracetemptedMissFairlieouttolookatit，andIfollowedher。WhenthecandlesatthepianohadbeenlightedMissHalcombehadchangedherplace，soastocontinueherexaminationofthelettersbytheirassistance。Welefther，onalowchair，atonesideoftheinstrument，soabsorbedoverherreadingthatshedidnotseemtonoticewhenwemoved。
Wehadbeenoutontheterracetogether，justinfrontoftheglassdoors，hardlysolongasfiveminutes，Ishouldthink；andMissFairliewas，bymyadvice，justtyingherwhitehandkerchiefoverherheadasaprecautionagainstthenightair——whenIheardMissHalcombe’svoice——low，eager，andalteredfromitsnaturallivelytone——pronouncemyname。
`MrHartright，’shesaid，`willyoucomehereforaminute？Iwanttospeaktoyou。’
Ienteredtheroomagainimmediately。Thepianostoodabouthalfwaydownalongtheinnerwall。OnthesideoftheinstrumentfarthestfromtheterraceMissHalcombewassittingwiththelettersscatteredonherlap，andwithoneinherhandselectedfromthem，andheldclosetothecandle。Onthesidenearesttotheterracetherestoodalowottoman，onwhichItookmyplace。InthispositionIwasnotfarfromtheglassdoors，andIcouldseeMissFairlieplainly，asshepassedandrepassedtheopeningontotheterrace，walkingslowlyfromendtoendofitinthefullradianceofthemoon。
`IwantyoutolistenwhileIreadtheconcludingpassagesinthisletter，’saidMissHalcombe。`TellmeifyouthinktheythrowanylightuponyourstrangeadventureontheroadtoLondon。Theletterisaddressedbymymothertohersecondhusband，MrFairlie，andthedatereferstoaperiodofbetweenelevenandtwelveyearssince。AtthattimeMrandMrsFairlie，andmyhalf-sisterLaura，hadbeenlivingforyearsinthishouse；andIwasawayfromthemcompletingmyeducationataschoolinParis。’
Shelookedandspokeearnestly，and，asIthought，alittleuneasilyaswell。Atthemomentwhensheraisedthelettertothecandlebeforebeginningtoreadit，MissFairliepassedusontheterrace，lookedinforamoment，andseeingthatwewereengaged，slowlywalkedon。
MissHalcombebegantoreadasfollows:——
```Youwillbetired，mydearPhilip，ofhearingperpetuallyaboutmyschoolandmyscholars。Laytheblame，pray，onthedulluniformityoflifeatLimmeridge，andnotonme。Besides，thistimeIhavesomethingreallyinterestingtotellyouaboutanewscholar。
```YouknowoldMrsKempeatthevillageshop。Well，afteryearsofailing，thedoctorhasatlastgivenherup，andsheisdyingslowlydaybyday。Heronlylivingrelation，asister，arrivedlastweektotakecareofher。ThissistercomesallthewayfromHampshire——hernameisMrsCatherick。FourdaysagoMrsCatherickcameheretoseeme，andbroughtheronlychildwithher，asweetlittlegirlaboutayearolderthanourdarlingLaura——’’’
Asthelastsentencefellfromthereader’slips，MissFairliepassedusontheterraceoncemore。Shewassoftlysingingtoherselfoneofthemelodieswhichshehadbeenplayingearlierintheevening。MissHalcombewaitedtillshehadpassedoutofsightagain，andthenwentonwiththeletter——
```MrsCatherickisadecent，well-behaved，respectablewoman；middle-aged，andwiththeremainsofhavingbeenmoderately，onlymoderately，nice-looking。Thereissomethinginhermannerandinherappearance，however，whichIcan’tmakeout。Sheisreservedaboutherselftothepointofdownrightsecrecy，andthereisalookinherface——Ican’tdescribeit——whichsuggeststomethatshehassomethingonhermind。Sheisaltogetherwhatyouwouldcallawalkingmystery。HererrandatLimmeridgeHouse，however，wassimpleenough。WhensheleftHampshiretonursehersister，MrsKempe，throughherlastillness，shehadbeenobligedtobringherdaughterwithher，throughhavingnooneathometotakecareofthelittlegirl。MrsKempemaydieinaweek’stime，ormaylingeronformonths；andMrsCatherick’sobjectwastoaskmetoletherdaughter，Anne，havethebenefitofattendingmyschool，subjecttotheconditionofherbeingremovedfromittogohomeagainwithhermother，afterMrsKempe’sdeath。Iconsentedatonce，andwhenLauraandIwentoutforourwalk，wetookthelittlegirl(whoisjustelevenyearsold)totheschoolthatveryday。’’’
OncemoreMissFairlie’sfigure，brightandsoftinitssnowymuslindress——herfaceprettilyframedbythewhitefoldsofthehandkerchiefwhichshehadtiedunderherchin——passedbyusinthemoonlight。OncemoreMissHalcombewaitedtillshewasoutofsight，andthenwenton——
```Ihavetakenaviolentfancy。Philip，tomynewscholar，forareasonwhichImeantokeeptillthelastforthesakeofsurprisingyou。Hermotherhavingtoldmeaslittleaboutthechildasshetoldmeofherself，Iwaslefttodiscover(whichIdidonthefirstdaywhenwetriedheratlessons)thatthepoorlittlething’sintellectisnotdevelopedasitoughttobeatherage。SeeingthisIhadheruptothehousethenextday，andprivatelyarrangedwiththedoctortocomeandwatchherandquestionher，andtellmewhathethought。Hisopinionisthatshewillgrowoutofit。Ruthesayshercarefulbringing-upatschoolisamatterofgreatimportancejustnow，becauseherunusualslownessinacquiringideasimpliesanunusualtenacityinkeepingthem，whentheyareoncereceivedintohermind。Now，mylove，youmustnotimagine，inyouroff-handway，thatIhavebeenattachingmyselftoanidiot。ThispoorlittleAnneCatherickisasweet，affectionate，gratefulgirl，andsaysthequaintest，prettiestthings(asyoushalljudgebyaninstance)，inthemostoddlysudden，surprised，half-frightenedway。Althoughsheisdressedveryneatly，herclothesshowasadwantoftasteincolourandpattern。SoIarranged，yesterday，thatsomeofourdarlingLaura’soldwhitefrocksandwhitehatsshouldbealteredforAnneCatherick，explainingtoherthatlittlegirlsofhercomplexionlookedneaterandbetterallinwhitethaninanythingelse。Shehesitatedandseemedpuzzledforaminute，thenflushedup，andappearedtounderstand。Herlittlehandclaspedminesuddenly。Shekissedit，Philip，andsaid(oh，soearnestly！)，`IwillalwayswearwhiteaslongasIlive。Itwillhelpmetorememberyou，ma’am，andtothinkthatIampleasingyoustill，whenIgoawayandseeyounomore。’Thisisonlyonespecimenofthequaintthingsshesayssoprettily。Poorlittlesoul！Sheshallhaveastockofwhitefrocks，madewithgooddeeptucks，toletoutforherasshegrows——’’’
MissHalcombepaused，andlookedatmeacrossthepiano。
`Didtheforlornwomanwhomyoumetinthehigh-roadseemyoung？’sheasked。`Youngenoughtobetwo-orthree-and-twenty？’
`Yes，MissHalcombe，asyoungasthat。’
`Andshewasstrangelydressed，fromheadtofoot，allinwhite？’
`Allinwhite。’
WhiletheanswerwaspassingmylipsMissFairlieglidedintoviewontheterraceforthethirdtime。Insteadofproceedingonherwalk，shestopped，withherhackturnedtowardsus，and，leaningonthebalustradeoftheterrace，lookeddownintothegardenbeyond。Myeyesfixeduponthewhitegleamofhermuslingownandhead-dressinthemoonlight，andasensation，forwhichIcanfindnoname——asensationthatquickenedmypulse，andraisedaflutteringatmyheart——begantostealoverme。
`Allinwhite？’MissHalcomberepeated。`Themostimportantsentencesintheletter，MrHartright，arethoseattheend，whichIwillreadtoyouimmediately。ButIcan’thelpdwellingalittleuponthecoincidenceofthewhitecostumeofthewomanyoumet，andthewhitefrockswhichproducedthatstrangeanswerfrommymother’slittlescholar。Thedoctormayhavebeenwrongwhenhediscoveredthechild’sdefectsofintellect，andpredictedthatshewould`growoutofthem。’Shemayneverhavegrownoutofthem，andtheoldgratefulfancyaboutdressinginwhite，whichwasaseriousfeelingtothegirl，maybeaseriousfeelingtothewomanstill。’
Isaidafewwordsinanswer——Ihardlyknowwhat。AllmyattentionwasconcentratedonthewhitegleamofMissFairlie’smuslindress。
`Listentothelastsentencesoftheletter，’saidMissHalcombe。`Ithinktheywillsurpriseyou。’
Assheraisedthelettertothelightofthecandle，MissFairlieturnedfromthebalustrade，lookeddoubtfullyupanddowntheterrace，advancedasteptowardstheglassdoors，andthenstopped，facingus。
MeanwhileMissHalcombereadmethelastsentencestowhichshehadreferred——
```Andnow，mylove，seeingthatIamattheendofmypaper，nowfortherealreason，thesurprisingreason，formyfondnessforlittleAnneCatherick。MydearPhilip，althoughsheisnothalfsopretty，sheis，nevertheless，byoneofthoseextraordinarycapricesofaccidentalresemblancewhichonesometimessees，thelivinglikeness，inherhair，hercomplexion，thecolourofhereyes，andtheshapeofherface——’’’
IstartedupfromtheottomanbeforeMissHalcombecouldpronouncethenextwords。Athrillofthesamefeelingwhichranthroughmewhenthetouchwaslaiduponmyshoulderonthelonelyhigh-roadchilledmeagain。
TherestoodMissFairlie，awhitefigure，aloneinthemoonlight；inherattitude，intheturnofherhead，inhercomplexion，intheshapeofherface，thelivingimage，atthatdistanceandunderthosecircumstances，ofthewomaninwhite！Thedoubtwhichhadtroubledmymindforhoursandhourspastflashedintoconvictioninaninstant。That`somethingwanting’wasmyownrecognitionoftheominouslikenessbetweenthefugitivefromtheasylumandmypupilatLimmeridgeHouse。
`Youseeit！’saidMissHalcombe。Shedroppedtheuselessletter，andhereyesflashedastheymetmine。`Youseeitnow，asmymothersawitelevenyearssince！’
`Iseeit——moreunwillinglythanIcansay。Toassociatethatforlorn，friendless，lostwoman，evenbyanaccidentallikenessonly，withMissFairlie，seemslikecastingashadowonthefutureofthebrightcreaturewhostandslookingatusnow。Letmelosetheimpressionagainassoonaspossible。Callherin，outofthedrearymoonlight——praycallherin！’
`MrHartright，yousurpriseme。Whateverwomenmaybe，Ithoughtthatmen，inthenineteenthcentury，wereabovesuperstition。’
`Praycallherin！’
`Hush，hush！Sheiscomingofherownaccord。Saynothinginherpresence。Letthisdiscoveryofthelikenessbekeptasecretbetweenyouandme。Comein，Laura，comein，andwakeMrsVeseywiththepiano。MrHartrightispetitioningforsomemoremusic，andhewantsit，thistime，ofthelightestandliveliestkind。’
SoendedmyeventfulfirstdayatLimmeridgeHouse。
MissHalcombeandIkeptoursecret。Afterthediscoveryofthelikenessnofreshlightseemeddestinedtobreakoverthemysteryofthewomaninwhite。AtthefirstsafeopportunityMissHalcombecautiouslyledherhalf-sistertospeakoftheirmother，ofoldtimes，andofAnneCatherick。MissFairlie’srecollectionsofthelittlescholaratLimmeridgewere，however，onlyofthemostvagueandgeneralkind。Sherememberedthelikenessbetweenherselfandhermother’sfavouritepupil，assomethingwhichhadbeensupposedtoexistinpasttimes；butshedidnotrefertothegiftofthewhitedresses，ortothesingularformofwordsinwhichthechildhadartlesslyexpressedhergratitudeforthem。SherememberedthatAnnehadremainedatLimmeridgeforafewmonthsonly，andhadthenleftittogobacktoherhomeinHampshire；butshecouldnotsaywhetherthemotheranddaughterhadeverreturned，orhadeverbeenheardofafterwards。Nofurthersearch，onMissHalcombe’spart，throughthefewlettersofMrsFairlie’swritingwhichshehadleftunread，assistedinclearinguptheuncertaintiesstilllefttoperplexus。WehadidentifiedtheunhappywomanwhomIhadmetinthenight-timewithAnneCatherick——wehadmadesomeadvance，atleast，towardsconnectingtheprobablydefectiveconditionofthepoorcreature’sintellectwiththepeculiarityofherbeingdressedallinwhite，andwiththecontinuance，inhermatureryears，ofherchildishgratitudetowardsMrsFairlie——andthere，sofarasweknewatthattime，ourdiscoverieshadended。
Thedayspassedon，theweekspassedon，andthetrackofthegoldenautumnwounditsbrightwayvisiblythroughthegreensummerofthetrees。Peaceful，fast-flowing，happytime！mystoryglidesbyyounowasswiftlyasyouonceglidedbyme。Ofallthetreasuresofenjoymentthatyoupouredsofreelyintomyheart，howmuchisleftmethathaspurposeandvalueenoughtobewrittenonthispage？Nothingbutthesaddestofallconfessionsthatamancanmake——theconfessionofhisownfolly。
Thesecretwhichthatconfessiondisclosesshouldbetoldwithlittleeffort，forithasindirectlyescapedmealready。Thepoorweakwords，whichhavefailedtodescribeMissFairlie，havesucceededinbetrayingthesensationssheawakenedinme。Itissowithusall。Ourwordsaregiantswhentheydousaninjury，anddwarfswhentheydousaservice。
Ilovedher。
Ah！howwellIknowallthesadnessandallthemockerythatiscontainedinthosethreewords。Icansighovermymournfulconfessionwiththetenderestwomanwhoreadsitandpitiesme。Icanlaughatitasbitterlyasthehardestmanwhotossesitfromhimincontempt。Ilovedher！Feelforme，ordespiseme，Iconfessitwiththesameimmovableresolutiontoownthetruth。
Wastherenoexcuseforme？Therewassomeexcusetobefound，surely，intheconditionsunderwhichmytermofhiredservicewaspassedatLimmeridgeHouse。
Mymorninghourssucceededeachothercalmlyinthequietandseclusionofmyownroom。Ihadjustworkenoughtodo，inmountingmyemployer’sdrawings，tokeepmyhandsandeyespleasurablyemployed，whilemymindwasleftfreetoenjoythedangerousluxuryofitsownunbridledthoughts。Aperiloussolitude，foritlastedlongenoughtoenervate，notlongenoughtofortifyme。Aperiloussolitude，foritwasfollowedbyafternoonsandeveningsspent，dayafterdayandweekafterweek，aloneinthesocietyoftwowomen，oneofwhompossessedalltheaccomplishmentsofgrace，wit，andhigh-breeding，theotherallthecharmsofbeauty，gentleness，andsimpletruth，thatcanpurifyandsubduetheheartofman。Notadaypassed，inthatdangerousintimacyofteacherandpupil，inwhichmyhandwasnotclosetoMissFairlie’s；mycheek，aswebenttogetheroverhersketch-book，almosttouchinghers。Themoreattentivelyshewatchedeverymovementofmybrush，themorecloselyIwasbreathingtheperfumeofherhair，andthewarmfragranceofherbreath。Itwaspartofmyservicetoliveintheverylightofhereyes——atonetimetobebendingoverher，soclosetoherbosomastotrembleatthethoughtoftouchingit；atanother，tofeelherbendingoverme，bendingsoclosetoseewhatIwasabout，thathervoicesanklowwhenshespoketome，andherribbonsbrushedmycheekinthewindbeforeshecoulddrawthemback。
Theeveningswhichfollowedthesketchingexcursionsoftheafternoonvaried，ratherthanchecked，theseinnocent，theseinevitablefamiliarities。Mynaturalfondnessforthemusicwhichsheplayedwithsuchtenderfeeling，suchdelicatewomanlytaste，andhernaturalenjoymentofgivingmeback，bythepracticeofherart，thepleasurewhichIhadofferedtoherbythepracticeofmine，onlywoveanothertiewhichdrewuscloserandclosertooneanother。Theaccidentsofconversation；thesimplehabitswhichregulatedevensuchalittlethingasthepositionofourplacesattable；theplayofMissHalcombe’sever-readyraillery，alwaysdirectedagainstmyanxietyasteacher，whileitsparkledoverherenthusiasmaspupil；theharmlessexpressionofpoorMrsVesey’sdrowsyapproval，whichconnectedMissFairlieandmeastwomodelyoungpeoplewhoneverdisturbedher——everyoneofthesetrifles，andmanymore，combinedtofoldustogetherinthesamedomesticatmosphere，andtoleadusbothinsensiblytothesamehopelessend。
Ishouldhaverememberedmyposition，andhaveputmyselfsecretlyonmyguard。Ididso，butnottillitwastoolate。Allthediscretion，alltheexperience，whichhadavailedmewithotherwomen，andsecuredmeagainstothertemptations，failedmewithher。Ithadbeenmyprofession，foryearspast，tobeinthisclosecontactwithyounggirlsofallages，andofallordersofbeauty。Ihadacceptedthepositionaspartofmycallinginlife；Ihadtrainedmyselftoleaveallthesympathiesnaturaltomyageinmyemployer’souterhall，ascoollyasIleftmyumbrellatherebeforeIwentupstairs。Ihadlongsincelearnttounderstand，composedlyandasamatterofcourse，thatmysituationinlifewasconsideredaguaranteeagainstanyofmyfemalepupilsfeelingmorethanthemostordinaryinterestinme，andthatIwasadmittedamongbeautifulandcaptivatingwomenmuchasaharmlessdomesticanimalisadmittedamongthem。ThisguardianexperienceIhadgainedearly；thisguardianexperiencehadsternlyandstrictlyguidedmestraightalongmyownpoornarrowpath，withoutoncelettingmestrayaside，totherighthandortotheleft。AndnowIandmytrustytalismanwerepartedforthefirsttime。Yes，myhardly-earnedself-controlwasascompletelylosttomeasifIhadneverpossessedit；losttome，asitislosteverydaytoothermen，inothercriticalsituations，wherewomenareconcerned。Iknow，now，thatIshouldhavequestionedmyselffromthefirst。Ishouldhaveaskedwhyanyroominthehousewasbetterthanhometomewhensheenteredit，andbarrenasadesertwhenshewentoutagain——whyIalwaysnoticedandrememberedthelittlechangesinherdressthatIhadnoticedandrememberedinnootherwoman’sbefore——whyIsawher，heardher，andtouchedher(whenweshookhandsatnightandmorning)asIhadneverseen，heard，andtouchedanyotherwomaninmylife？Ishouldhavelookedintomyownheart，andfoundthisnewgrowthspringingupthere，andpluckeditoutwhileitwasyoung。Whywasthiseasiest，simplestworkofself-culturealwaystoomuchforme？Theexplanationhasbeenwrittenalreadyinthethreewordsthatweremanyenough，andplainenough，formyconfession。Ilovedher。
Thedayspassed，theweekspassed；itwasapproachingthethirdmonthofmystayinCumberland。Thedeliciousmonotonyoflifeinourcalmseclusionflowedonwithme，likeasmoothstreamwithaswimmerwhoglidesdownthecurrent。Allmemoryofthepast，allthoughtofthefuture，allsenseofthefalsenessandhopelessnessofmyownposition，layhushedwithinmeintodeceitfulrest。LulledbytheSyren-songthatmyownheartsungtome，witheyesshuttoallsight，andearsclosedtoallsoundofdanger，Idriftednearerandnearertothefatalrocks。Thewarningthatarousedmeatlast，andstartledmeintosudden，self-accusingconsciousnessofmyownweakness，wastheplainest，thetruest，thekindestofallwarnings，foritcamesilentlyfromher。
Wehadpartedonenightasusual。Nowordhadfallenfrommylips，atthattimeoratanytimebeforeit，thatcouldbetrayme，orstartleherintosuddenknowledgeofthetruth。Butwhenwemetagaininthemorning，achangehadcomeoverher——achangethattoldmeall。
Ishrankthen——Ishrinkstill——frominvadingtheinnermostsanctuaryofherheart，andlayingitopentoothers，asIhavelaidopenmyown。Letitbeenoughtosaythatthetimewhenshefirstsurprisedmysecretwas，Ifirmlybelieve，thetimewhenshefirstsurprisedherown，andthetime，also，whenshechangedtowardsmeintheintervalofonenight。Hernature，tootruthfultodeceiveothers，wastoonobletodeceiveitself。WhenthedoubtthatIhadhushedasleepfirstlaiditswearyweightonherheart，thetruefaceownedall，andsaid，initsownfrank，simplelanguage——Iamsorryforhim；Iamsorryformyself。
Itsaidthis，andmore，whichIcouldnottheninterpret。Iunderstoodbuttoowellthechangeinhermanner，togreaterkindnessandquickerreadinessininterpretingallmywishes，beforeothers——toconstraintandsadness，andnervousanxietytoabsorbherselfinthefirstoccupationshecouldseizeon，wheneverwehappenedtobelefttogetheralone。Iunderstoodwhythesweetsensitivelipssmiledsorarelyandsorestrainedlynow，andwhytheclearblueeyeslookedatme，sometimeswiththepityofanangel，sometimeswiththeinnocentperplexityofachild。Butthechangemeantmorethanthis。Therewasacoldnessinherhand，therewasanunnaturalimmobilityinherface，therewasinallhermovementsthemuteexpressionofconstantfearandclingingself-reproach。ThesensationsthatIcouldtracetoherselfandtome，theunacknowledgedsensationsthatwewerefeelingincommon，werenotthese。Therewerecertainelementsofthechangeinherthatwerestillsecretlydrawingustogether，andothersthatwere，assecretly，beginningtodriveusapart。
Inmydoubtandperplexity，inmyvaguesuspicionofsomethinghiddenwhichIwaslefttofindbymyownunaidedefforts，IexaminedMissHalcombe’slooksandmannerforenlightenment。Livinginsuchintimacyasours，noseriousalterationcouldtakeplaceinanyoneofuswhichdidnotsympatheticallyaffecttheothers。ThechangeinMissFairliewasreflectedinherhalf-sister。AlthoughnotawordescapedMissHalcombewhichhintedatanalteredstateoffeelingtowardsmyself，herpenetratingeyeshadcontractedanewhabitofalwayswatchingme。Sometimesthelookwaslikesuppressedanger，sometimeslikesuppresseddread，sometimeslikeneither——likenothing，inshort，whichIcouldunderstand。Aweekelapsed，leavingusallthreestillinthispositionofsecretconstrainttowardsoneanother。Mysituation，aggravatedbythesenseofmyownmiserableweaknessandforgetfulnessofmyself，nowtoolateawakenedinme，wasbecomingintolerable。IfeltthatImustcastofftheoppressionunderwhichIwasliving，atonceandforever——yethowtoactforthe-best，orwhattosayfirst，wasmorethanIcouldtell。
fromthispositionofhelplessnessandhumiliationIwasrescuedbyMissHalcombe。Herlipstoldmethebitter，thenecessary，theunexpectedtruth；herheartykindnesssustainedmeundertheshockofhearingit；hersenseandcourageturnedtoitsrightuseaneventwhichthreatenedtheworstthatcouldhappen，tomeandtoothers，inLimmeridgeHouse。
IX
ItwasonaThursdayintheweek，andnearlyattheendofthethirdmonthofmysojourninCumberland。
Inthemorning，whenIwentdownintothebreakfast-roomattheusualhour，MissHalcombe，forthefirsttimesinceIhadknownher，wasabsentfromhercustomaryplaceatthetable。
MissFairliewasoutonthelawn。Shebowedtome，butdidnotcomein。Notawordhaddroppedfrommylips，orfromhers，thatcouldunsettleeitherofus——andyetthesameunacknowledgedsenseofembarrassmentmadeusshrinkalikefrommeetingoneanotheralone。Shewaitedonthelawn，andIwaitedinthebreakfast-room，tillMrsVeseyorMissHalcombecamein。HowquicklyIshouldhavejoinedher:howreadilyweshouldhaveshakenhands，andglidedintoourcustomarytalk，onlyafortnightago。
InafewminutesMissHalcombeentered。Shehadapreoccupiedlook，andshemadeherapologiesforbeinglateratherabsently。
`Ihavebeendetained，’shesaid。`byaconsultationwithMrFairlieonadomesticmatterwhichhewishedtospeaktomeabout。’
MissFairliecameinfromthegarden，andtheusualmorninggreetingpassedbetweenus。Herhandstruckcoldertominethanever。Shedidnotlookatme，andshewasverypale。EvenMrsVeseynoticedwhensheenteredtheroomamomentafter。
`Isupposeitisthechangeinthewind，’saidtheoldlady。`Thewinteriscoming——ah，mylove，thewinteriscomingsoon！’
Inherheartandinmineithadcomealready！
Ourmorningmeal——oncesofullofpleasantgood-humoureddiscussionoftheplansfortheday——wasshortandsilent。MissFairlieseemedtofeeltheoppressionofthelongpausesintheconversation，andlookedappealinglytohersistertofillthemup。MissHalcombe，afteronceortwicehesitatingandcheckingherself，inamostuncharacteristicmanner，spokeatlast。
`Ihaveseenyourunclethismorning，Laura，’shesaid。`Hethinksthepurpleroomistheonethatoughttobegotready，andheconfirmswhatItoldyou。Mondayistheday——notTuesday。’
WhilethesewordswerebeingspokenMissFairlielookeddownatthetablebeneathher。Herfingersmovednervouslyamongthecrumbsthatwerescatteredonthecloth。Thepalenessonhercheeksspreadtoherlips，andthelipsthemselvestrembledvisibly。Iwasnottheonlypersonpresentwhonoticedthis。MissHalcombesawit，too，andatoncesetustheexampleofrisingfromtable。
MrsVeseyandMissFairlielefttheroomtogether。Thekindsorrowfulblueeyeslookedatme，foramoment，withtheprescientsadnessofacomingandalongfarewell。Ifelttheansweringpanginmyownheart——thepangthattoldmeImustlosehersoon，andloveherthemoreunchangeablyfortheloss。
Iturnedtowardsthegardenwhenthedoorhadclosedonher。MissHalcombewasstandingwithherhatinherhand，andhershawloverherarm，bythelargewindowthatledouttothelawn，andwaslookingatmeattentively。
`Haveyouanyleisuretimetospare，’sheasked，`beforeyoubegintoworkinyourownroom？’
`Certainly，MissHalcombe。Ihavealwaystimeatyourservice。’
`Iwanttosayawordtoyouinprivate，MrHartright。Getyourhatandcomeoutintothegarden。Wearenotlikelytobedisturbedthereatthishourinthemorning。’
Aswesteppedoutontothelawn，oneoftheunder-gardeners——amerelad——passedusonhiswaytothehouse，withaletterinhishand。MissHalcombestoppedhim。
`Isthatletterforme？’sheasked。
`Nay，miss；it’sjustsaidtobeforMissFairlie，’answeredthelad，holdingouttheletterashespoke。
MissHalcombetookitfromhimandlookedattheaddress。
`Astrangehandwriting，’shesaidtoherself。`WhocanLaura’scorrespondentbe？Wheredidyougetthis？’shecontinued，addressingthegardener，
`Well，miss，’saidthelad，`ljustgotitfromawoman。’
`Whatwoman？’
`Awomanwellstrickeninage。’
`Oh，anoldwoman。Anyoneyouknew？’
`Icannatak’itonmysel’tosaythatshewasotherthanastrangertome。’
`Whichwaydidshego？’
`Thatgate，’saidtheunder-gardener，turningwithgreatdeliberationtowardsthesouth，andembracingthewholeofthatpartofEnglandwithonecomprehensivesweepofhisarm。
`Curious，’saidMissHalcombe；`Isupposeitmustbeabegging-letter。There，’sheadded，handingtheletterbacktothelad，`takeittothehouse，andgiveittooneoftheservants。Andnow，MrHartright，ifyouhavenoobjection，letuswalkthisway。’
Sheledmeacrossthelawn，alongthesamepathbywhichIhadfollowedheronthedayaftermyarrivalatLimmeridge。Atthelittlesummer-house，inwhichLauraFairlieandIhadfirstseeneachother，shestopped，andbrokethesilencewhichshehadsteadilymaintainedwhilewewerewalkingtogether。
`WhatIhavetosaytoyouIcansayhere。’
Withthosewordssheenteredthesummer-house，tookoneofthechairsatthelittleroundtableinside，andsignedtometotaketheother。Isuspectedwhatwascomingwhenshespoketomeinthebreakfast-room；Ifeltcertainofitnow。
`MrHartright，’shesaid，`Iamgoingtobeginbymakingafrankavowaltoyou。Iamgoingtosay——withoutphrase-making，whichIdetest，orpayingcompliments，whichIheartilydespise——thatIhavecome，inthecourseofyourresidencewithus，tofeelastrongfriendlyregardforyou。Iwaspredisposedinyourfavourwhenyoufirsttoldmeofyourconducttowardsthatunhappywomanwhomyoumetundersuchremarkablecircumstances。Yourmanagementoftheaffairmightnothavebeenprudent，butitshowedtheself-control，thedelicacy，andthecompassionofamanwhowasnaturallyagentleman。Itmademeexpectgoodthingsfromyou，andyouhavenotdisappointedmyexpectations。’
Shepaused——butheldupherhandatthesametime，asasignthatsheawaitednoanswerfrommebeforesheproceeded。WhenIenteredthesummer-house，nothoughtwasinmeofthewomaninwhite。Butnow，MissHalcombe’sownwordshadputthememoryofmyadventurebackinmymind。Itremainedtherethroughouttheinterview——remained，andnotwithoutaresult。
`Asyourfriend，’sheproceeded，`Iamgoingtotellyou，atonce，inmyownplain，blunt，downrightlanguage，thatIhavediscoveredyoursecret——withouthelporhint，mind，fromanyoneelse。MrHartright，youhavethoughtlesslyallowedyourselftoformanattachment——aseriousanddevotedattachment，Iamafraid——tomysisterLaura。Idon’tputyoutothepainofconfessingitinsomanywords，becauseIseeandknowthatyouaretoohonesttodenyit。Idon’tevenblameyou——Ipityyouforopeningyourhearttoahopelessaffection。Youhavenotattemptedtotakeanyunderhandadvantage——youhavenotspokentomysisterinsecret。Youareguiltyofweaknessandwantofattentiontoyourownbestinterests，butofnothingworse。Ifyouhadacted，inanysinglerespect，lessdelicatelyandlessmodestly，Ishouldhavetoldyoutoleavethehouse，withoutaninstant’snotice，oraninstant’sconsultationofanybody。Asitis，Iblamethemisfortuneofyouryearsandyourposition——Idon’tblameyou。Shakehands——Ihavegivenyoupain；Iamgoingtogiveyoumore，butthereisnohelpforit——shakehandswithyourfriend，MarianHalcombe，first。’
Thesuddenkindness——thewarm，high-minded，fearlesssympathywhichmetmeonsuchmercyequalterms，whichappealedwithsuchdelicateandgenerousabruptnessstraighttomyheart，myhonour，andmycourage，overcamemeinaninstant。Itriedtolookatherwhenshetookmyhand，butmyeyesweredim。Itriedtothankher，butmyvoicefailedme。
`Listentome，’shesaid，consideratelyavoidingallnoticeofmylossofself-control。`Listentome，andletusgetitoveratonce。ItisarealtruerelieftomethatIamnotobliged，inwhatIhavenowtosay，toenterintothequestion——thehardandcruelquestionasIthinkit——ofsocialinequalities。Circumstanceswhichwilltryyoutothequick，sparemetheungraciousnecessityofpainingamanwhohaslivedinfriendlyintimacyunderthesameroofwithmyselfbyanyhumiliatingreferencetomattersofrankandstation。YoumustleaveLimmeridgeHouse，MrHartright，beforemoreharmisdone。Itismydutytosaythattoyou；anditwouldbeequallymydutytosayit，underpreciselythesameseriousnecessity，ifyouweretherepresentativeoftheoldestandwealthiestfamilyinEngland。Youmustleaveus，notbecauseyouareateacherofdrawing——’
Shewaitedamoment，turnedherfacefullonme，andreachingacrossthetable，laidherhandfirmlyonmyarm。
`Notbecauseyouareateacherofdrawing，’sherepeated，`butbecauseLauraFairlieisengagedtobemarried。’
Thelastwordwentlikeabullettomyheart。Myarmlostallsensationofthehandthatgraspedit。Inevermovedandneverspoke。Thesharpautumnbreezethatscatteredthedeadleavesatourfeetcameascoldtome，onasudden，asifmyownmadhopesweredeadleavestoo，whirledawaybythewindliketherest。Hopes！Betrothed，ornotbetrothed，shewasequallyfarfromme。Wouldothermenhaverememberedthatinmyplace？NotiftheyhadlovedherasIdid。
Thepangpassed，andnothingbutthedullnumbingpainofitremained。IfeltMissHalcombe’shandagain，tighteningitsholdonmyarm——Iraisedmyheadandlookedather。Herlargeblackeyeswererootedonme，watchingthewhitechangeonmyface，whichIfelt，andwhichshesaw。
`Crushit！’shesaid。`Here，whereyoufirstsawher，crushit！Don’tshrinkunderitlikeawoman。Tearitout；trampleitunderfootlikeaman！’
Thesuppressedvehemencewithwhichshespoke，thestrengthwhichherwill——concentratedinthelookshefixedonme，andintheholdonmyarmthatshehadnotyetrelinquished——communicatedtomine，steadiedme。Webothwaitedforaminuteinsilence。AttheendofthattimeIhadjustifiedhergenerousfaithinmymanhood——Ihad，outwardlyatleast，recoveredmyself-control。
`Areyouyourselfagain？’
`Enoughmyself，MissHalcombe，toaskyourpardonandhers。Enoughtobeguidedbyyouradvice，andtoprovemygratitudeinthatway，ifIcanproveitinnoother。’
`Youhaveproveditalready，’sheanswered，`bythosewords。MrHartright，concealmentisatanendbetweenus。Icannotaffecttohidefromyouwhatmysisterhasunconsciouslyshowntome。Youmustleaveusforhersake，aswellasforyourown。Yourpresencehere，yournecessaryintimacywithus，harmlessasithasbeen，Godknows，inallotherrespects，hasunsteadiedherandmadeherwretched。I，wholoveherbetterthanmyownlife——I，whohavelearnttobelieveinthatpure，noble，innocentnatureasIbelieveinmyreligion——knowbuttoowellthesecretmiseryofself-reproachthatshehasbeensufferingsincethefirstshadowofafeelingdisloyaltohermarriageengagemententeredherheartinspiteofher。Idon’tsay——itwouldbeuselesstoattempttosayitafterwhathashappened——thatherengagementhaseverhadastrongholdonheraffections。Itisanengagementofhonour，notoflove；herfathersanctioneditonhisdeathbed，twoyearssince；sheherselfneitherwelcomeditnorshrankfromit——shewascontenttomakeit。Tillyoucamehereshewasinthepositionofhundredsofotherwomen，whomarrymenwithoutbeinggreatlyattractedtothemorgreatlyrepelledbythem，andwholearntolovethem(whentheydon’tlearntohate！)aftermarriage，insteadofbefore。Ihopemoreearnestlythanwordscansay——andyoushouldhavetheself-sacrificingcouragetohopetoo——thatthenewthoughtsandfeelingswhichhavedisturbedtheoldcalmnessandtheoldcontenthavenottakenroottoodeeplytobeeverremoved。Yourabsence(ifIhadlessbeliefinyourhonour，andyourcourage，andyoursense，IshouldnottrusttothemasIamtrustingnow)——yourabsencewillhelpmyefforts，andtimewillhelpusallthree。Itissomethingtoknowthatmyfirstconfidenceinyouwasnotallmisplaced。Itissomethingtoknowthatyouwillnotbelesshonest，lessmanly，lessconsideratetowardsthepupilwhoserelationtoyourselfyouhavehadthemisfortunetoforget，thantowardsthestrangerandtheoutcastwhoseappealtoyouwasnotmadeinvain。’
Againthechancereferencetothewomaninwhite！WastherenopossibilityofspeakingofMissFairlieandofmewithoutraisingthememoryofAnneCatherick，andsettingherbetweenuslikeafatalitythatitwashopelesstoavoid？
`TellmewhatapologyIcanmaketoMrFairlieforbreakingmyengagement，’Isaid。`Tellmewhentogoafterthatapologyisaccepted。Ipromiseimplicitobediencetoyouandtoyouradvice。
`Timeiseverywayofimportance，’sheanswered。`YouheardmereferthismorningtoMondaynext，andtothenecessityofsettingthepurpleroominorder。ThevisitorwhomweexpectonMonday——’
Icouldnotwaitforhertobemoreexplicit。KnowingwhatIknewnow，thememoryofMissFairlie’slookandmanneratthebreakfast-tabletoldmethattheexpectedvisitoratLimmeridgeHousewasherfuturehusband。Itriedtoforceitback；butsomethingrosewithinmeatthatmomentstrongerthanmyownwill，andIinterruptedMissHalcombe。
`Letmegotoday，’Isaidbitterly。`Thesoonerthebetter。’
`No，nottoday，’shereplied。`TheonlyreasonyoucanassigntoMrFairlieforyourdeparture，beforetheendofyourengagement，mustbethatanunforeseennecessitycompelsyoutoaskhispermissiontoreturnatoncetoLondon。Youmustwaittilltomorrowtotellhimthat，atthetimewhenthepostcomesin，becausehewillthenunderstandthesuddenchangeinyourplans，byassociatingitwiththearrivalofaletterfromLondon。Itismiserableandsickeningtodescendtodeceit，evenofthemostharmlesskind——butIknowMrFairlie，andifyouonceexcitehissuspicionsthatyouaretriflingwithhim，hewillrefusetoreleaseyou。SpeaktohimonFridaymorning:occupyyourselfafterwards(forthesakeofyourowninterestswithyouremployer)inleavingyourunfinishedworkinaslittleconfusionaspossible，andquitthisplaceonSaturday。Itwillbetimeenoughthen，MrHartright，foryou，andforallofus。’
BeforeIcouldassureherthatshemightdependonmyactinginthestrictestaccordancewithherwishes，wewerebothstartledbyadvancingfootstepsintheshrubbery。Someonewascomingfromthehousetoseekforus！Ifeltthebloodrushintomycheeksandthenleavethemagain。Couldthethirdpersonwhowasfastapproachingus，atsuchatimeandundersuchcircumstances，beMissFairlie？
Itwasarelief——sosadly，sohopelesslywasmypositiontowardsherchangedalready——itwasabsolutelyarelieftome，whenthepersonwhohaddisturbedusappearedattheentranceofthesummer-house，andprovedtobeonlyMissFairlie’smaid。
`CouldIspeaktoyouforamoment，miss？’saidthegirl，inratheraflurried，unsettledmanner。
MissHalcombedescendedthestepsintotheshrubbery，andwalkedasideafewpaceswiththemaid。
Leftbymyself，mymindreverted，withasenseofforlornwretchednesswhichitisnotinanywordsthatIcanfindtodescribe，tomyapproachingreturntothesolitudeandthedespairofmylonelyLondonhome。Thoughtsofmykindoldmother，andofmysister，whohadrejoicedwithhersoinnocentlyovermyprospectsinCumberland——thoughtswhoselongbanishmentfrommyheartitwasnowmyshameandmyreproachtorealizeforthefirsttime——camebacktomewiththelovingmournfulnessofold，neglectedfriends。Mymotherandmysister，whatwouldtheyfeelwhenIreturnedtothemfrommybrokenengagement，withtheconfessionofmymiserablesecret——theywhohadpartedfrommesohopefullyonthatlasthappynightintheHampsteadcottage！
AnneCatherickagain！EventhememoryofthefarewellevenIngwithmymotherandmysistercouldnotreturntomenowunconnectedwiththatothermemoryofthemoonlightwalkbacktoLondon。Whatdiditmean？WerethatwomanandItomeetoncemore？Itwaspossible，attheleast。DidsheknowthatIlivedinLondon？Yes；Ihadtoldherso，eitherbeforeorafterthatstrangequestionofhers，whenshehadaskedmesodistrustfullyifIknewmanymenoftherankofBaronet。Eitherbeforeorafter——mymindwasnotcalmenough，then，torememberwhich。
AfewminuteselapsedbeforeMissHalcombedismissedthemaidandcamebacktome。She，too，lookedflurriedandunsettlednow。
`Wehavearrangedallthatisnecessary，MrHartright，’shesaid。`Wehaveunderstoodeachother，asfriendsshould，andwemaygobackatoncetothehouse。Totellyouthetruth，IamuneasyaboutLaura。Shehassenttosayshewantstoseemedirectly，andthemaidreportsthathermistressisapparentlyverymuchagitatedbyaletterthatshehasreceivedthismorning——thesameletter，nodoubt，whichIsentontothehousebeforewecamehere。’
Weretracedourstepstogetherhastilyalongtheshrubberypath。AlthoughMissHalcombehadendedallthatshethoughtitnecessarytosayonherside，IhadnotendedallthatIwantedtosayonmine。FromthemomentwhenIhaddiscoveredthattheexpectedvisitoratLimmeridgewasMissFairlie’sfuturehusband，Ihadfeltabittercuriosity，aburningenviouseagerness，toknowwhohewas。Itwaspossiblethatafutureopportunityofputtingthequestionmightnoteasilyoffer，soIriskedaskingitonourwaybacktothehouse。
`Nowthatyouarekindenoughtotellmewehaveunderstoodeachother，MissHalcombe，’Isaid，`nowthatyouaresureofmygratitudeforyourforbearanceandmyobediencetoyourwishes，mayIventuretoaskwho’——(Ihesitated——Ihadforcedmyselftothinkofhim，butitwasharderstilltospeakofhim，asherpromisedhusband)——`whothegentlemanengagedtoMissFairlieis？’
Hermindwasevidentlyoccupiedwiththemessageshehadreceivedfromhersister。Sheansweredinahasty，absentway——
`AgentlemanoflargepropertyinHampshire。’
Hampshire！AnneCatherick’snativeplace。Again，andyetagain，thewomaninwhite。Therewasafatalityinit。
`Andhisname？’Isaid，asquietlyandindifferentlyasIcould。
`SirPercivalGlyde。’
Sir——SirPercival！AnneCatherick’squestion——thatsuspiciousquestionaboutthemenoftherankofBaronetwhomImighthappentoknow——hadhardlybeendismissedfrommymindbyMissHalcombe’sreturntomeinthesummer-house，beforeitwasrecalledagainbyherownanswer。Istoppedsuddenly，andlookedather。
`SirPercivalGlyde，’sherepeated，imaginingthatIhadnotheardherformerreply。
`Knight，orBaronet？’Iasked，withanagitationthatIcouldhidenolonger。
Shepausedforamoment，andthenanswered，rathercoldly——
`Baronet，ofcourse。’
