Mrs。Roylake——inanexquisitemorningdress;withhersmileinperfectorder——informedmethatshewasdyingwithcuriosity。Shehadheard，fromtheservants，thatIhadnotreturnedtothehouseuntilpastteno’clockonthepreviousnight;andshewasabsolutelybewilderedbythediscovery。WhatcouldherdearGerardhavebeendoing，outinthedarkbyhimself，forallthattime？
\"Forsomepartofthetime，\"Ianswered，\"IwascatchingmothsinFordwitchWood。\"
\"Whatanextraordinaryoccupationforayoungman！Well？Andwhatdidyoudoafterthat？\"
\"Iwalkedonthroughthewood，andrenewedmyoldassociationswiththeriverandthemill。\"
Mrs。Roylake’sfascinatingsmiledisappearedwhenImentionedthemill。
Shesuddenlybecameacoldlady——Imightevensayastifflady。
\"Ican’tcongratulateyouonthefirstvisityouhavepaidinourneighborhood，\"shesaid。\"Ofcoursethatboldgirlcontrivedtoattractyournotice？\"
IrepliedthatIhadmetwiththe\"boldgirl\"purelybyaccident，onhersideaswellasonmine;andthenIstartedanewtopic。\"Wasitapleasantdinner-partylastnight？\"Iasked——asifthesubjectreallyinterestedme。IhadnotbeenquitefourandtwentyhoursinEnglandyet，andIwasbecomingahumbugalready。
Mystepmotherwashercharmingselfagainthemomentmyquestionhadpassedmylips。Society——provideditwasnotsocietyatthemill——wasalwaysattractiveasatopicofconversation。\"Yourabsencewastheonlydrawback，\"sheanswered。\"Ihaveaskedthetwoladies（mylordhasanengagement）todinehereto-day，withoutceremony。Theyaremostanxioustomeetyou。MydearGerard！youlooksurprised。Surelyyouknowwhotheladiesare？\"
Iwasobligedtoacknowledgemyignorance。
Mrs。Roylakewasshocked。\"Atanyrate，\"sheresumed，\"youhaveheardoftheirfather，LordUppercliff？\"
Imadeanothershamefulconfession。EitherIhadforgottenLordUppercliff，duringmylongabsenceabroad，orIhadneverheardofhim。
Mrs。Roylakewasdisgusted。\"Andthisisaforeigneducation！\"sheexclaimed。\"ThankHeaven，youhavereturnedtoyourowncountry！Wewilldriveoutafterluncheon，andpayaroundofvisits。\"Whenthisprospectwasplacedbeforeme，Irememberedhavingreadinbooksofsensitivepersonsreceivingimpressionswhichmadetheirbloodruncold;Inowfoundmyselfoneofthosepersons，forthefirsttimeinmylife。\"Inthemeanwhile，\"Mrs。Roylakecontinued，\"Imusttellyou——excusemeforlaughing;itseemssoveryabsurdthatyoushouldnotknowwhoLordUppercliff’sdaughtersare——ImusttellyouthatLadyRachelistheeldest。SheismarriedtotheHonorableCaptainMillbay，oftheNavy，nowawayinhisship。Apersonofextraordinarystrengthofmind（Idon’tmeantheCaptain;ImeanLadyRachel）;Iadmireherintellect，butherpoliticalandsocialopinionsImustalwaysviewwithregret。Heryoungersister，LadyLena——notmarried，Gerard;rememberthat！——issimplythemostcharminggirlinEngland。Ifyoudon’tfallinlovewithher，youwillbetheonlyyoungmaninthecountywhohasresistedLadyLena。PoorSirGeorge——sherefusedhimlastweek;youreally_must_haveheardofSirGeorge;ourmemberofparliament;conservativeofcourse;quitebroken-heartedaboutLadyLena;goneawaytoAmericatoshootbears。Youseemtoberestless。Whatareyoufidgetingabout？Ah，Iknow！Youwanttosmokeafterbreakfast。Well，Iwon’tbeinyourway。Gooutontheterrace;yourpoorfatheralwaystookhiscigarontheterrace。Theysaysmokingleadstomeditation;IleaveyoutomeditateonLadyLena。Don’tforget——luncheonatoneo’clock，andthecarriageattwo。\"
Shesmiled，andkissedherhand，andflutteredoutoftheroom。Charming;
perfectlycharming。AndyetIwasungratefulenoughtowishmyselfbackinGermanyagain。
Ilitmycigar，butnotontheterrace。Leavingthehouse，ItookthewayoncemorethatledtoFordwitchWood。WhatwouldMrs。Roylakehavesaid，ifshehaddiscoveredthatIwasgoingbacktothemill？Therewasnootheralternative。Theportfoliowasatrustconfidedtome;thesoonerI
returnedittothewriteroftheconfession——thesoonerItoldhimplainlytheconclusionatwhichIhadarrived——themoreateasemymindwouldbe。
Thesluggishriverlookedmuddierthanever，thenewcottagelookeduglierthanever，exposedtothesearchingordealofsunlight。Iknockedatthedoorontheancientsideofthebuilding。
Cristel’sfather——shallIconfessIhadhopedthatitmightbeCristelherself？——letmein。Inby-gonedays，Idimlyrememberedhimasoldandsmallandwithered。Advancingyearshadwastedhimaway，intheinterval，untilhiswhitemiller’sclotheshungabouthiminemptyfolds。Hisfleshlessfacewouldhavelookedlikethefaceofamummy，butfortherestlessbrightnessofhislittlewatchfulblackeyes。Hestaredatmeinmomentaryperplexity，and，suddenlyrecoveringhimself，askedmetowalkin。
\"Areyoutheyoungmaster，sir？Ah，yes，yes;Ithoughtso。MygirlCristysaidshesawtheyoungmasterlastnight。Thankyoukindly，sir;
I’mprettywell，consideringhowI’vefallenawayinmyflesh。Ihavegotafineappetite，butsomehoworother，mymealsdon’tshowonme。Youwillexcusemyreceivingyouinthekitchen，sir;it’sthebestroomwehave。DidCristytellyouhowbadlyweareoffhereforrepairs？Youbeingourlandlord，welooktoyoutohelpus。Wearefallingtopieces，asitwere，onthisoldsideofthehouse。There’sfirstdrains————\"
Heproceededtoreckonuptherepairs，countingwithhisfleshlessthumbonhisskinnyfingers，whenhewasinterruptedbyacurioussuccessionofsoundswhichbeganwithwhining，andendedwithscratchingatthecottagedoor。
Inaminuteafter，thedoorwasopenedfromwithout。Abrowndog，ofthecompanionableretrieverbreed，raninandfawneduponoldToller。Cristelfollowed（fromthekitchengarden），withabasketofvegetablesonherarm。Unliketheriverandthecottage，shegainedbybeingrevealedinthebrilliantsunlight。Inowsaw，intheirfullbeauty，thelusterofherbrowneyes，thewarmrosinessofherdarkcomplexion，thedelightfulvivacityofexpressionwhichwasthecrowningcharmofherface。Shepausedconfusedlyinthedoorway，andtriedtoresistmewhenIinsistedonrelievingherofthebasket。
\"Mr。Gerard，\"sheprotested，\"youaretreatingmeasifIwasayounglady。Whatwouldtheysayatthegreathouse，iftheyknewyouhaddonethat？\"
Myanswerwouldnodoubthaveassumedtheformofafoolishcompliment，ifherfatherhadnotsparedherthatinfliction。Hereturnedtotheall-importantquestion，thequestionofrepairs。
\"Yousee，sir，it’snousespeakingtothebailiff。Savingyourpresence，he’samiserwithhismaster’smoney。Hesays，’Allright，’andhedoesnothing。There’sfirst，asItoldyoujustnow，thetrulydreadfulstateofthedrains————\"
Itriedtostophimbypromisingtospeaktothebailiffmyself。Onhearingthisgoodnews，Mr。Toller’sgratitudebecameungovernable：hewasmoreeagerthanever，andmoreeloquentthanever，inreturningtotherepairs。
\"Andthen，sir，there’stheoven。Theydocallbreadthestaffoflife。
It’saburntstaffatonetime，andaclammystaffatanother，inourdomesticexperience。Satisfyyourself，sir;dopleasecrossthekitchenandlookwithyourowneyesatthestate，thescandalousstate，oftheoven。\"
Hisdaughterinterfered，andstoppedhimatthecriticalmomentwhenhewasactuallyofferinghisarmtoconductmeinstateacrossthekitchen。
Cristelhadjustputherprettybrownhandoverhismouth，andsaid，\"Oh，father，dopraybequiet！\"whenwewereallthreedisturbedbyanotherinterruption。
Aseconddoorcommunicating，asIconcludedfromitsposition，withthenewcottage，wassuddenlyopened。Intheinstantbeforethepersonbehinditappeared，thedoglookedthatway——startedup。frightened——andtookrefugeunderthetable。Atthenextmoment，thedeafLodgerwalkedintotheroom。Itwashebeyondalldoubtwhohadfrightenedthedog，forewarnedbyinstinctofhisappearance。
WhatIhadreadofhiswritingdisposedme，nowthatIsawthemanbydaylight，tofindsomethingdevilishintheexpressionofhisface。No！
strongasitwas，myprejudicefailedtomakeanydiscoveriesthatpresentedhimatadisadvantage。Hispersonalattractionstriumphedintheclearsearchinglight。Inowperceivedthathiseyeswereofthatdeeplydarkblue，whichiscommonlyandfalselydescribedasresemblingthecoloroftheviolet。Tomythinking，theyweresoentirelybeautifulthattheyhadnorighttobeinaman’sface。Imighthavefeltthesameobjectiontothepaledelicacyofhiscomplexion，tothesoftprofusionofhisreddish-brownhair，tohisfinelyshapedsensitivelips，butfortwomarkedpeculiaritiesinhimwhichwouldhaveshownmetobewrong——thatistosay：theexpressionofpowerabouthishead，andthesignsofmasculineresolutionpresentedbyhismouthandchin。
Onenteringtheroom，thefirstperson，andtheonlyperson，whoattractedhisattentionwasCristel。
Hebowed，smiled，possessedhimselfabruptlyofherhand，andkissedit。
Shetriedtowithdrawitfromhisgrasp，andmetwithanobstinateresistance。Hisgallantryaddressedherinsweetwords;andhisvoicedestroyedtheircharmbythedrearymonotonyofthetoneinwhichhespoke。\"Onthislovelyday，Cristel，Naturepleadsforme。Yourheartfeelsthesunshineandsoftenstowardsthepoordeafmanwhoworshipsyou。Ah，mydear，it’suselesstosayNo。Myafflictionismyhappiness，whenyousaycruelthingstome。Iliveinmyfool’sparadise;Idon’thearyou。\"Hetriedtodrawhernearertohim。\"Come，myangel;letmekissyou。\"
Shemadeasecondattempttoreleaseherself;andthistime，shewrenchedherhandoutofhisgraspwithastrengthforwhichhewasnotprepared。
Thatfiercestangerwhichturnsthefacepale，wastheangerthathadpossessionofCristelasshetookrefugewithherfather。\"Youaskedmetobearwiththatman，\"shesaid，\"becausehepaidyouagoodrent。I
tellyouthis，father;mypatienceiscomingtoanend。Eitherhemustgo，orImustgo。Makeupyourmindtochoosebetweenyourmoneyandme。\"
OldTollerastonishedme。Heseemedtohavecaughttheinfectionofhisdaughter’sanger。PlacedbetweenCristelandhismoney，hereallyactedasifhepreferredCristel。Hehobbleduptohislodger，andshookhisinfirmfists，andscreamedatthehighestpitchofhisoldcrackedvoice：
\"Letherbe，orIwon’thaveyouherenolonger！Youdeafadder，letherbe！\"
Thesensitivenervesofthedeafmanshrankasthoseshrilltonespiercedthem。\"Ifyouwanttospeaktome，writeit！\"hesaid，withrageandsufferingineverylineofhisface。Hetorefromhispockethislittlebook，filledwithblankleaves，andthrewitatToller’shead。\"Write，\"
herepeated。\"Ifyoumurdermewithyourscreechingagain，lookoutforyourskinnythroat——I’llthrottleyou。\"
Cristelpickedupthebook。Shewasgratefullysensibleofherfather’sinterference。\"Heshallknowwhatyousaidtohim，\"shepromisedtheoldman。\"I’llwriteitmyself。\"
Shetookthepencilfromitssheathintheleatherbindingofthebook。
Controllinghimself，theloverwhomshehatedadvancedtowardsherwithapersuasivesmile。
\"Haveyouforgivenme？\"heasked。\"Haveyoubeenspeakingkindlyofme？I
thinkIseeitinyourface。Therearesomedeafpeoplewhocantellwhatissaidbylookingatthespeaker’slips。Iamtoostupid，ortooimpatient，ortoowickedtobeabletodothat。Writeitforme，dear，andmakemehappyfortheday。\"
Cristelwasnotattendingtohim，shewasspeakingtome。\"Ihope，sir，youdon’tthinkthatfatherandIaretoblameforwhathashappenedthismorning，\"shesaid。Helookedwhereshewaslooking——anddiscovered，forthefirsttime，thatIwasintheroom。
Hehadalludedtohiswickednessamomentsince。Whenhisfaceturnedmyway，Ithoughtitborewitnesstohisknowledgeofhisowncharacter。
\"Whydidn’tyoucometomysideofthehouse？\"hesaidtome。\"WhatamI
tounderstand，sir，byseeingyouhere？\"
Cristeldroppedhisbookonthetable，andhurriedtomeinbreathlesssurprise。\"Hespeaksasifheknewyou！\"shecried。\"Whatdoesitmean？\"
\"OnlythatImethimlastnight，\"Iexplained，\"afterleavingyou。\"
\"Didyouknowhimbeforethat？\"
\"No。Hewasaperfectstrangertome。\"
Hepickeduphisbookfromthetable，andtookhispenciloutofCristel’shand，whilewewerespeaking。\"Iwantmyanswer，\"hesaid，handingmethebookandthepencil。Igavehimhisanswer。
\"Youfindmehere，becauseIdon’twishtoreturntoyoursideofthehouse。\"
\"Isthattheimpression，\"heasked，\"producedbywhatIallowedyoutoread？\"
Irepliedbyasignintheaffirmative。HeinquirednextifIhadbroughthisportfoliowithme。Iputitatonceintohishand。
Insomewayunknowntome，Ihadapparentlyrousedhissuspicions。Heopenedtheportfolio，andcountedthelooseleavesofwritinginitcarefully。Whilehewasabsorbedinthisoccupation，oldToller’seccentricityassumedanewform。Hislittlerestlessblackeyesfollowedthemovementsofhislodger’sfingers，astheyturnedoverleafafterleafofthemanuscript，withsucheagercuriosityandinterestthatI
lookedathiminsurprise。Findingthathehadattractedmynotice，heshowednosignsofembarrassment——heseizedtheopportunityofaskingforinformation。
\"Didmygentlemantrustyou，sir，withallthatwriting？\"hebegan。
\"Yes。\"
\"Didhewantyoutoreadit？\"
\"Hedid。\"
\"What’sitallabout，sir？\"
Confrontedbythiscoolinquiry，IinformedMr。Tollerthatthedemandsofcuriosityhadtheirlimits，andthathehadreachedthem。Onthisground，Ideclinedtoansweranymorequestions。Mr。Tollerwentonwithhisquestionsimmediately。
\"Doyounotice，sir，thatheseemstosetadealofstorebyhiswritings？Perhapsyoucansaywhatthevalueofthemmaybe？\"
Ishookmyhead。\"Itwon’tdo，Mr。Toller！\"
Hetriedagain——Ideclareitpositively，hetriedagain。\"You’llexcuseme，sir？I’veneverseenhisportfoliobefore。AmIrightifIthinkyouknowwherehekeepsit？\"
\"Spareyourbreath，Mr。Toller。Oncemore，itwon’tdo！\"
Cristeljoinedus，amazedathispertinacity。\"Whyareyousoanxious，father，toknowaboutthatportfolio？\"sheasked。
Herfatherseemedtohavereasonsofhisownforfollowingmyexampleanddecliningtoanswerquestions。Morepolite，however，thanIhadbeen，helefthisresolutiontobeinferred。Hisdaughterwasansweredbyafewgeneralremarks，settingforththeadvantagetothelandlordofhavingalodgerwhohadlostoneofsenses。
\"Youseethere’ssomethingconvenient，mydear，inthecircumstanceofthatnice-lookinggentlemanovertherebeingdeaf。Wecantalkabouthimbeforehisface，justascomfortablyasifitwasbehindhisback。Isn’tthatso，Mr。Gerard？Don’tyouseeityourself，Cristy？Forinstance，I
sayitwithoutfearinhispresence：’tistheactofafooltobefumblingoverwritings，whenthere’snothinginthemthat’snotwellknowntohimselfalready——unlessindeedtheyareworthmoney，whichI
don’tdoubtisnosecretto_you，_Mr。Gerard？Eh？Ibegyourpardon，sir，didyouspeak？No？Ibegyourpardonagain。Yes，yes，Cristy，I’mnoticinghim;he’sdonewithhiswritings。SupposeIoffertoputthemawayforhim？Youcanseeinhisfacehefindsthetaleofthemcorrect。
He’scomingthisway。What’shegoingtodonext？\"
Hewasgoingtoestablishaclaimonmygratitude，byrelievingmeofGilesToller。
\"IhavesomethingtosaytoMr。Roylake，\"heannounced，withahaughtylookathislandlord。\"Mind！Idon’tforgetyourscreamingatmejustnow，andIintendtoknowwhatyoumeantbyit。Thatwilldo。Getoutoftheway。\"
Theoldfellowreceivedhisdismissalwithalowbow，andleftthekitchenwithalookattheLodgerwhichrevealed（unlessIwasentirelymistaken）aslysenseoftriumph。Whatdiditmean？
Thedeafmanaddressedmewithacoldanddistantmanner。\"Wemustunderstandeachother，\"hesaid。\"Willyoufollowmetomysideofthecottage？\"Ishookmyhead。\"Verywell，\"heresumed;\"wewillhaveitout，here。WhenItrustedyouwithmyconfessionlastnight，Ileftyoutodecide（afterreadingit）whetheryouwouldmakeanenemyofmeornot。
Yourememberthat？\"Inoddedmyhead。\"ThenInowaskyou，Mr。Roylake：
Whicharewe——enemiesorfriends？\"
Itookthepencil，andwrotemyreply：
\"Neitherenemiesnorfriends。Wearestrangersfromthistimeforth。\"
Someinternalstruggleproducedachangeinhisface——visibleforonemoment，hiddenfrommeinamomentmore。\"Ithinkyouwillregretthedecisionatwhichyouhavearrived。\"Hesaidthat，andsalutedmewithhisgrandlygraciousbow。Asheturnedaway，heperceivedCristelattheotherendoftheroom，andeagerlyjoinedher。
\"TheonlyhappymomentsIhavearemymomentspassedinyourpresence，\"
hesaid。\"Ishalltroubleyounomoreforto-day。Givemealittlecomforttotakebackwithmetomysolitude。Ididn’tnoticethattherewereotherpersonspresentwhenIaskedleavetokissyou。MayIhopethatyouforgiveme？\"
Heheldouthishand;itwasnottaken。Hewaitedalittle，inthevainhopethatshewouldrelent：sheturnedawayfromhim。
Aspasmofpaindistortedhishandsomeface。Heopenedthedoorthatledtohissideofthecottage——paused——andlookedbackatCristel。Shetooknonoticeofhim。Ashemovedagaintothedoorandleftus，thehystericalpassioninhimforceditswayoutward——heburstintotears。
Thedogsprangupfromhisrefugeunderthetable，andshookhimselfjoyfully。Cristelbreathedagainfreely，andjoinedmeatmyendoftheroom。ShallImakeanotheracknowledgmentofweakness？Ibegantofearthatwemightallofus（evenincludingthedog！）havebeenalittlehardonthepoordeafwretchwhohadgoneawayinsuchbitterdistress。I
communicatedthisviewofthemattertoCristel。ShefailedtoseeitasIdid。
Thedoglaidhisheadonherlap，askingtobecaressed。Shepattedhimwhilesheansweredme。
\"Iagreewiththisoldfriend，Mr。Gerard。Wewerebothofusfrightened，ontheveryfirstday，whenthepersonyouarepityingcametolodgewithus。Ihavegottohatehim，sincethattime——perhapstodespisehim。Butthedoghasneverchanged;hefeelsandknowsthereissomethingdreadfulinthatman。Oneofthesedays，poorPontomayturnouttoberight。——MayIaskyousomething，sir？\"
\"Ofcourse！\"
\"Youwon’tthinkIampresumingonyourkindness？\"
\"Yououghttoknowmebetterthanthat，Cristel！\"
\"Thetruthis，sir，IhavebeenalittlestartledbywhatIsawinourlodger’sface，whenheaskedifyouwerehisenemyorhisfriend。Iknowheisthoughttobehandsome——but，Mr。Gerard，thosebeautifuleyesofhissometimestelltales;andIhaveseenhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorthatturnedhimintoanuglyman。Willyoutellmewhatyouwrotewhenyouansweredhim？\"
IrepeatedwhatIhadwritten，wordforword。Itfailedtosatisfyher。
\"Heisveryvain，\"shesaid，\"andyoumayhavewoundedhisvanitybytreatinghimlikeastranger，afterhehadgivenyouhiswritingstoread，andinvitedyoutohisroom。ButIthoughtIsawsomethingmuchworsethanmortificationinhisface。ShallIbetakingaliberty，ifI
askhowitwasyougotacquaintedwithhimlastnight？\"
Shewasevidentlyinearnest。IsawthatImustanswerherwithoutreserve;andIwasalittleafraidofbeingmyselfopentoasuspicionofvanity，ifImentionedthedistrustwhichIhadinnocentlyexcitedinthemindofmynewacquaintance。InthisstateofembarrassmentItookayoungman’swayoutofthedifficulty，andspokelightlyofaseriousthing。
\"IbecameacquaintedwithyourdeafLodger，Cristel，underridiculouscircumstances。Hesawustalkinglastnight，anddidmethehonortobejealousofme。\"
Ihadexpectedtoseeherblush。Tomysurprisesheturnedpale，andvehementlyremonstrated。
\"Don’tlaugh，sir！There’snothingtobeamusedatinwhatyouhavejusttoldme。Youdidn’tgointohisroomlastnight？Oh，whatmadeyoudothat！\"
Idescribedhissuccessfulappealtomycompassion——notverywillingly，foritmademelook（asIthought）likeaweakperson。Littlebylittle，sheextractedfrommetherest：howheobjectedtofindayoungman，especiallyinmysocialposition，talkingtoCristel;howheinsistedonmyrespectinghisclaims，andengagingnottoseeheragain;how，whenI
refusedtodothis，hegavemehisconfessiontoread，sothatImightfindoutwhataformidablemanIwassettingatdefiance;howIhadnotbeenintheleastalarmed，andhadtreatedhim（asCristelhadjustheard）onthefootingofaperfectstranger。
\"There’sthewholestory，\"Iconcluded。\"Likeasceneinaplay，isn’tit？\"
SheprotestedoncemoreagainstthelighttonethatIpersistedinassuming。
\"Itellyouagain，sir，thisisnolaughingmatter。Youhaverousedhisjealousy。Youhadbetterhaverousedthefuryofawildbeast。Knowingwhatyouknowofhim，whydidyoustayhere，whenhecamein？And，oh，whydidIhumiliatehiminyourpresence？Leaveus，Mr。Gerard——pray，prayleaveus，anddon’tcomenearthisplaceagaintillfatherhasgotridofhim。\"
DidshethinkIwastobesoeasilyfrightenedasthat？Mysenseofmyownimportancewasupinarmsatthebaresuspicionofit！
\"Mydearchild，\"Isaidgrandly，\"doyoureallysupposeIamafraidofthatpoorwretch？AmItogiveupthepleasureofseeingyou，becauseamadfellowissimpleenoughtothinkyouwillmarryhim？Absurd，Cristel——absurd！\"
Thepoorgirlwrungherhandsindespair。
\"Oh，sir，don’tdistressmebytalkinginthatway！Dopleaserememberwhoyouare，andwhoIam。IfIwasthemiserablemeansofyourcomingtoanyharm——Ican’tbeareventospeakofit！Praydon’tthinkmebold;I
don’tknowhowtoexpressmyself。Yououghtnevertohavecomehere;yououghttogo;you_must_go！\"
Drivenbystrongimpulse，sherantotheplaceinwhichIhadleftmyhat，andbroughtittome，andopenedthedoorwithalookofentreatywhichitwasimpossibletoresist。Itwouldhavebeenanactofdownrightcrueltytopersistinopposingher。\"Iwouldn’tdistressyou，Cristel，forthewholeworld，\"Isaid——andlefthertoconcludethatIhadfelttheinfluenceofherentreatiesintherightway。Shetriedtothankme;
thetearsroseinhereyes——shesignedtometoleaveher，poorsoul，asifshefeltashamedofherself。Iwasshocked;Iwasgrieved;Iwasmorethaneversecretlyresolvedtogobacktoher。Whenwesaidgood-bye——I
havebeentoldthatIdidwrong;Imeantnoharm——Ikissedher。
Havingtraversedtheshortdistancebetweenthecottageandthewood，I
rememberedthatIhadleftmywalking-stickbehindme，andreturnedtogetit。
Cristelwasleavingthekitchen;IsawheratthedoorwhichcommunicatedwiththeLodger’ssideofthecottage。Herbackwasturnedtowardsme;
astonishmentheldmesilent。Sheopenedthedoor，passedthroughit，andcloseditbehindher。
Goingtothatman，aftershehadrepelledhisadvances，inmypresence！
Goingtotheenemyagainstwhomshehadwarnedme，afterIhadfirstbeenpersuadedtoleaveher！Angrythoughtsthese——andsurelythoughtsunworthyofme？IfithadbeenthecaseofanothermanIshouldhavesaidhewasjealous。Jealousofthemiller’sdaughter——inmyposition？Absurd！
contemptible！ButIwasstillinsuchaviletemperthatIdeterminedtoletCristelknowshehadbeendiscovered。Takingoneofmyvisitingcards，Iwroteonit：\"Icamebackformystick，andsawyougotohim。\"
AfterIhadpinnedthisspitefullittlemessagetothedoor，sothatshemightseeitwhenshereturned，Isufferedadisappointment。IwasnothalfsowellsatisfiedwithmyselfasIhadanticipated。
CHAPTERVII
THEBESTSOCIETY
Leavingthecottageforthesecondtime，Iwasmetatthedoorbyafatmanofsolemnappearancedressedinblack，whorespectfullytouchedhishat。Myangryhumoracknowledgedtheharmlessstranger’ssalutebyarudeinquiry：\"Whatthedevildoyouwant？\"Insteadofresentingthisuncivillanguage，heindirectlyreprovedmebybecomingmorerespectfulthanever。
\"Mymistressdesiresmetotellyou，sir，thatluncheoniswaiting。\"I
wasinthepresenceofathoroughbredEnglishservant——andIhadfailedtodiscoverituntilhespokeofhismistress！Ihadalso，bykeepingluncheonwaiting，treatedanEnglishinstitutionwithcontempt。And，worseeventhanthis，asamisfortunewhichpersonallyaffectedme，mystepmotherevidentlyknewthatIhadpaidanothervisittothemill。
Ihurriedalongthewoodlandpath，followedbythefatdomesticinblack。
Notusedapparentlytoforcehislegsintorapidmotion，hearticulatedwiththegreatestdifficultyinansweringmynextquestion：\"Howdidyouknowwheretofindme？\"
\"Mrs。Roylakeorderedinquiriestobemade，sir。Theheadgardener——\"
Therehissmallreservesofbreathfailedhim。
\"Theheadgardenersawme？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"When？\"
\"Hoursago，sir——whenyouwentintoToller’scottage。\"
Itroubledmyfatfriendwithnomorequestions。
Returningtothehouse，andmakingpoliteapologies，IdiscoveredonemoreamongMrs。Roylake’smanyaccomplishments。Shepossessedtwosmiles——asugarysmile（withwhichIwasalreadyacquainted），andanacidsmilewhichsheapparentlyreservedforspecialoccasions。ItmadeitsappearancewhenIledhertotheluncheontable。
\"Don’tletmedetainyou，\"mystepmotherbegan。
\"Won’tyougivemesomeluncheon？\"Iinquired。
\"Dearme！hav’n’tyoulunchedalready？\"
\"WhereshouldIlunch，mydearlady？\"Ithoughtthiswouldinducethesugarysmiletoshowitself。Iwaswrong。
\"Where？\"Mrs。Roylakerepeated。\"Withyourfriendsatthemillofcourse。
Veryinhospitablenottoofferyoulunch。Whenarewetohaveflourcheaper？\"
Ibegantogetsulky。AllIsaidwas：\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"Curious！\"Mrs。Roylakeobserved。\"Younotonlydon’tgetluncheonamongyourfriends：youdon’tevengetinformation。Toknowamiller，andnottoknowthepriceofflour，isignorancepresentedinoneofitsmostpitiableaspects。AndhowisMissTollerlooking？Perfectlycharming？\"
Iwasangrybythistime。\"Youhaveexactlydescribedher，\"Isaid。Mrs。
Roylakebegantogetangry，onherside。
\"Surelyalittlecoarseandvulgar？\"shesuggested，revertingtopoorCristel。
\"Wouldyouliketojudgeforyourself？\"Iasked。\"Ishallbehappy，Mrs。
Roylake，totakeyoutothemill。\"
Mystepmother’sknowledgeoftheworldimpliedconsiderableacquaintance——howobtainedIdonotpretendtoknow——withthecharactersofmen。Discoveringthatshewasindangerofoversteppingthelimitsofmypatience，shedrewbackwithaskillwhichperformedtheretrogrademovementwithoutpermittingittobetrayitself。
\"Wehavecarriedourlittlejoke，mydearGerard，farenough，\"shesaid。
\"IfancyyourresidenceinGermanyhasratherbluntedyournativeEnglishsenseofhumor。Youdon’tsuppose，Ihopeandtrust，thatIamsoinsensibletoourrelativepositionsastothinkofinterferinginyourchoiceoffriendsorassociates。Ifyouarenotawareofitalready，letmeremindyouthatthishouseisnowyours;notmine。Ilivehere——gladlylivehere，mydearboy——byyourindulgence;fortified（Iamsure）byyourregardforyourexcellentfather’swishesasexpressedinhiswill——\"
Istoppedherthere。ShehadgotthebetterofmewithadexteritywhichIseenow，butwhichIwasnotcleverenoughtoappreciateattime。Inaburstofgenerosity，IentreatedhertoconsiderTrimleyDeenasherhouse，andnevertomentionsuchashockingsubjectasmyauthorityagain。
Afterthis，needIsaythatthemostamiableofwomentookmeoutinhercarriage，andintroducedmetosomeofthebestsocietyinEngland？
IfIcouldonlyrememberallthenewfriendstowhomImademybow，aswellastheconversationinwhichweindulged，Imightwriteafewpageshere，interestinginahighdegreetopersonswithwell-balancedminds。
Unhappily，sofarasmyownimpressionswereconcerned，thebestsocietyprovedtobealwaysthesamesociety。Everyhousethatweenteredwasinthesamebeautifulorder;everymistressofthehousewasdressedinthebesttaste;everymasterofthehousehadthesamesensibleremarkstomakeonconservativeprospectsatthecomingelection;everyyounggentlemanwantedtoknowhowmygamepreserveshadbeenlookedafterinmyabsence;everyyoungladysaid：\"Howniceitmusthavebeen，Mr。
Roylake，tofindyourselfagainatTrimleyDeen。\"HasanybodyeversufferedasIsuffered，duringthatroundofvisits，underthedesiretoyawnandtheefforttosuppressit？Isthereanysympatheticsoulwhocanunderstandme，whenIsaythatIwouldhavegivenahundredpoundsforagag，andfortheprivilegeofusingittostopmystepmother’spleasantchatinthecarriage，followingonourfriends’pleasantchatinthedrawing-room？Finally，whenwegothome，andwhenMrs。Roylakekindlypromisedmeanotherroundofvisits，andmorecharmingpeopleintheneighborhoodtosee，willanygoodChristianforgiveme，ifIownthatI
tookadvantageofbeingalonetodamntheneighborhood，andtofeelrelievedbyit？
NowthatIwasnolongerobligedtolistentopolitestrangers，mythoughtsrevertedtoCristel，andtothesuspicionsthatshehadrousedinme。
Recoveringitsinfluence，intheintervalthathadpassed，mybetternaturesharplyreproachedme。IhadpresumedtoblameCristel，withnothingtojustifymebutmyownpervertedviewofhermotives。HowdidI
knowthatshehadnotopenedthatdoor，andgonetothatsideofthecottage，withaperfectlyharmlessobjectinview？Iwasreallyanxious，ifIcouldfindtherightwaytodoit，tomakeamendsforanactofinjusticeofwhichIfeltashamed。IfIamaskedwhyIwasaseagertosetmyselfrightwithamiller’sdaughter，asifshehadbeenayoungladyinthehigherranksoflife，Icanonlyreplythatnosuchviewofourrelativepositionsasthiseveroccurredtome。Astrangestateofmind，nodoubt。Whatwastherightexplanationofit？
Therightexplanationpresenteditselfatalatertime，whentroubleshadquickenedmyintellect，andwhenIcouldestimatethepowerfulinfluenceofcircumstancesatitstruevalue。
IhadreturnedtoEngland，tofillaprominentplaceinmyownlittleworld，withoutrelationswhomIloved，withoutfriendswhosesocietyI
couldenjoy。Hopeful，ardent，eagerfortheenjoymentoflife，IhadbroughtwithmetomyowncountrythesocialhabitsandthefreerangeofthoughtofaforeignUniversity;and，asamatterofcourse，Ifailedtofeelanysympathywiththesociety——newtome——inwhichmylothadbeencast。Besetbythesedisadvantages，Ihadmetwithagirl，possessedofremarkablepersonalattractions，andassociatedwithmyearliestremembrancesofmyownhappylifeandofmymother’skindness——agirl，atoncesimpleandspirited;unspoiltbytheworldandtheworld’sways，andplacedinapositionofperilduetothepowerofherownbeauty，whichaddedtotheinterestthatshenaturallyinspired。Estimatingthesecircumstancesattheirtruevalue，didastateofmindwhichrenderedmeinsensibletothedistinctionsthatseparatetheclassesinEngland，standinanyneedofexplanation？AsIthought——andthinkstill——itexplaineditself。
MystepmotherandIpartedonthegardenterrace，whichranalongthepleasantsouthernsideofthehouse。
ThehabitsthatIhadcontracted，amongmystudentfriendsinGermany，madetobaccoandbeernecessaryaccompanimentstotheprocessofthinking。Ihadnearlyexhaustedmycigar，myjug，andmythoughts，whenIsawtwomenapproachingmefromtheendoftheterrace。
Astheycamenearer，Irecognizedinoneofthemenmyfatdomesticinblack。Hestoppedthepersonwhowasaccompanyinghimandcameontomebyhimself。
\"Willyouseethatman，sir，waitingbehindme？\"
\"Whoishe？\"
\"Idon’tknow，sir。Hesayshehasgotalettertogiveyou，andhemustputitinyourownhands。Ithinkmyselfhe’sabeggar。He’sexcessivelyinsolent——heinsistsonseeingyou。ShallItellhimtogo？\"
TheservantevidentlyexpectedmetosayYes。Hewasdisappointed;mycuriositywasroused;IsaidIwouldseetheinsolentstranger。
Asheapproachedme，themancertainlydidnotlooklikeabeggar。Poorhemightbe，judgingbyhisdress。Theupperpartofhimwasclothedinanoldshootingjacketofvelveteen;hislegspresentedapairoftrousers，onceblack，nowturningbrownwithage。Bothgarmentsweretoolongforhim，andbothwerekeptscrupulouslyclean。Hewasashortman，thicklyandstronglymade。Impenetrablecomposureappearedonhisuglyface。Hiseyesweresunkdeepinhishead;hisnosehadevidentlybeenbrokenandnotsuccessfullymended;hisgreyhair，whenhetookoffhishatonaddressingme，wascutshort，andshowedhislowforeheadandhisbullneck。AnEnglishmanofthelastgenerationwould，asIhavesincebeeninformed，havesethimdownasaretiredprize-fighter。Thankstomyignoranceofthepugilisticgloriesofmynativecountry，Iwastotallyatalosswhattomakeofhim。
\"HaveIthehonorofspeakingtoMr。Roylake？\"heasked。Hisquietsteadymannerprepossessedmeinhisfavour;itshowednoservilereverencefortheaccidentofbirth，ontheonehand，andnoinsolentassertionofindependence，ontheother。WhenIhadtoldhimthatmynamewasRoylake，hesearchedoneofthelargepocketsofhisshootingjacket，producedaletter，andsilentlyofferedittome。
BeforeItooktheletter——seeingthathewasastranger，andthathementionednonameknowntome——Ithoughtitdesirabletomakesomeinquiry。
\"Isitaletterofyourownwriting？\"Iasked。
\"No，sir。\"
\"Whosendsyouwithit？\"
Hewasapparentlyamanoffewwords。\"Mymaster，\"wastheguardedanswerthatthisoddservantreturned。
IbecameasinquisitiveasoldTollerhimself。
\"Whoisyourmaster？\"Iwenton。
Thereplystaggeredme。Speakingasquietlyandrespectfullyasever，hesaid：\"Ican’ttellyou，sir。\"
\"Doyoumeanthatyouareforbiddentotellme？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Thenwhatdoyoumean？\"
\"ImeanthatIdon’tknowmymaster’sname。\"
Iinstantlytooktheletterfromhim，andlookedattheaddress。Foronceinaway，IhadjumpedataconclusionandIhadprovedtoberight。Thehandwritingontheletter，andthehandwritingoftheconfessionwhichI
hadreadovernight，wereoneandthesame。
\"Areyoutowaitforananswer？\"Iasked，asIopenedtheenvelope。
\"Iamtowait，sir，ifyoutellmetodoso。\"
Theletterwasalongone。Afterrunningmyeyeoverthefirstsentences，Isurprisedmyselfbyactingdiscreetly。\"Youneedn’twait，\"Isaid;\"I
willsendareply。\"Themanoffewwordsraisedhisshabbyhat，turnedaboutinsilence，andleftme。
CHAPTERVIII
THEDEAFLODGER
Theletterwassuperscribed：\"PrivateandConfidential。\"Itwaswritteninthesewords：
\"Sir，——YouwilldomegrievouswrongifyousupposethatIamtryingtoforcemyselfonyouracquaintance。Myobjectinwritingistopreventyou（ifIcan）frommisinterpretingmylanguageandmyconduct，ontheonlytwooccasionswhenwehappentohavemet。
\"Iamconsciousthatyoumusthavethoughtmerudeandungrateful——perhapsevenalittlemad——whenIreturnedyourkindnesslastnight，inhonoringmewithavisit，byusinglanguagewhichhasjustifiedyouintreatingmeasastranger。
\"Fortunatelyformyself，Igaveyoumyautobiographytoread。Afterwhatyounowknowofme，Imayhopethatyoursenseofjusticewillmakesomeallowanceforaman，tried（Ihadalmostwritten，cursed）bysuchsufferingasmine。
\"Thereareotherdeafpersons，asIhaveheard，whosetmeagoodexample。
\"Theyfeeltheconsolationsofreligion。Theirsweettempersfindreliefevenunderthelossofthemostpreciousofallthesenses。Theymixwithsociety;submittingtotheirdreadfulisolation，andpreservingunimpairedsympathywiththeirhappierfellow-creatureswhocanhear。I
amnotoneofthosepersons。WithsorrowIsayit——Ineverhavesubmitted，Inevercansubmit，tomyhardfate。
\"Letmenotomittoaskyourindulgenceformybehavior，whenwemetatthecottagethismorning。
\"WhatunfavorableimpressionImayhaveproducedonyou，Idarenotinquire。SolittlecapableamIofconcealingthevilefeelingswhichsometimesgetthebetterofme，thatMissCristel（observethatImentionherwithrespect）appearstohavefeltpositivealarm，onyouraccount，whenshelookedatme。
\"Imaytellyou，inconfidence，thatthischarmingpersoncametomysideofthecottage，assoonasyouhadtakenyourdeparture，tointercedewithmeinyourfavour。’IfyourwickedmindisplanningtodoeviltoMr。Roylake，’shewroteinmybook，’eitheryouwillpromisemetogiveitup，orIwillneverallowyoutoseemeagain;Iwillevenleavehomesecretly，tobeoutofyourway。’Inthatstronglanguagesheexpressed——howshallIrefertoit？——shallIsaythesisterlyinterestthatshefeltinyourwelfare？\"
Ilaiddowntheletterforamoment。IfIhadnotalreadyreproachedmyselfforhavingmisjudgedCristel——andifIhadnot，inthatway，donehersomelittlejusticeinmyownbetterthoughts——Ishouldneverhaverecoveredmyself-respectafterreadingthedeafman’sletter。Thegoodgirl！Thedeargoodgirl！Yes：thatwashowIthoughtofher，underthewindowsofmystepmother’sboudoir——whileMrs。Roylake，forallIknewtothecontrary，mightbelookingdownatme，andwhenLadyLena，thenobleandbeautiful，wascomingtodinner！
Theletterconcludedasfollows：
\"Toreturntomyself。IgaveMissCristelthepromiseonwhichshehadinsisted;andthen，naturallyenough，Iinquiredintohermotiveforinterferinginyourfavour。
\"Shefranklyadmittedthatshewasinterestedinyou。First：ingratefulremembranceofoldtimes，whenyouandyourmotherhadbeenalwaysgoodtoher。Secondly：becauseshehadfoundyouaskindandasfriendlyasever，nowthatyouwereamanandhadbecomethegreatestlandownerinthecounty。TherewastheexplanationIhadaskedfor，atmyservice。
And，onthat，sheleftme。
\"DidIbelieveherwhenIwasmeditatingonourinterview，aloneinmyroom？OrdidIsuspectyouofhavingrobbedmeoftheonlyconsolationthatmakesmylifeendurable？
\"Nosuchunworthysuspicionasthiswasadmittedtomymind。Withallmyheart，Ibelieveher。Andwithperfectsincerity，ItrustYou。
\"Ifyourknowledgeofmehasfailedtoconvinceyouthatthereisanysuchthingasabettersidetomynature，youwillnodoubtconcludethatthisletterisatrickofminetothrowyouoffyourguard;andyouwillcontinuetodistrustmeasobstinatelyasever。Inthatcase，Iwillmerelyremindyouthatmyletterisprivateandconfidential，andIwillnotaskyoutosendmeareply。
\"Iremain，Sir，yoursasyoumayreceiveme，\"THEDEAFLODGER
Iwonderwhatanotherman，inmyposition，wouldhavedonewhenhehadreadthisletter？Wouldhehaveseeninitnothingtojustifysomerespectandsomekindlyfeelingtowardsthewriter？Couldhehavereconciledittohisconsciencetoleavetheafflictedmanwhohadtrustedhimwithoutawordofreply？
Formypart（donotforgetwhatayoungmanIwasinthosedays），Imadeupmymindtoreplyinthefriendliestmanner——thatistosay，inperson。
Afterconsultingmywatch，IsatisfiedmyselfthatIcouldgotothemill，andgetbackagain，beforethehourfixedforourlatedinner——supperweshouldhavecalleditinGermany。Forthesecondtimethatday，andwithoutanyhesitation，ItooktheroadthatledtoFordwitchWood。
Crossingtheglade，Iencounteredastoutyoungwoman，fillingacanwithwaterfromthespring。Shecurtseyedonseeingme。Iaskedifshebelongedtothevillage。
ThereplyinformedmethatIhadtakenanotherofmyservantsforastranger。Thestoutnymphofthespringwasmykitchen-maid;andshewasfetchingthewaterwhichwedrankatthehouse;\"andthere’snowater，sir，like_yours_forallthecountryround。\"Furnishedwiththesestoresofinformation，Iwentmyway，andthekitchen-maidwenthers。Shespoke，ofcourse，ofhavingseenhernewmaster，onreturningtotheservants’
hall。Inthismanner，asIafterwardsheard，thediscoveryofmeatthespring，andmydeparturebythepaththatledtothemill，reachedMrs。
Roylake’sears——themediumofinformationbeingthelady’sownmaid。Sofar，FordwitchWoodseemedtobeaplacetoavoid，intheinterestsofmydomestictranquillity。
Arrivingatthecottage，IfoundtheLodgerstandingbytheopenwindowatwhichIhadfirstseenhim。
Butonthisoccasion，hispersonalappearancehadundergoneasingularprocessoftransformation。Thelowerpartofhisface，fromhisnostrilstohischin，washiddenbyawhitehandkerchieftiedroundit。Hehadremovedthestopperfromastrangelyshapedbottle，andwasabsorbedinwatchingsomeinterestingconditioninaduskyliquidthatitcontained。
Toattracthisattentionbyspeakingwasofcourseoutofthequestion;I
couldonlywaituntilhehappenedtolookmyway。
Mypatiencewasnotseverelytried：hesoonreplacedthestopperinthebottle，and，lookingupfromit，sawme。Withhisfreehand，hequicklyremovedthehandkerchief，andspoke。
\"Letmeaskyoutowaitintheboat-house，\"hesaid;\"Iwillcometoyoudirectly。\"Hepointedroundthecornerofthenewcottage;indicatingofcoursethesideofitthatwasfarthestfromtheoldbuilding。
Followinghisdirections，Ifirstpassedthedoorthatheusedinleavingorreturningtohisroom，andthengainedthebankoftheriver。Onmyrighthandrosethemillbuilding，withitsbigwaterwheel——and，aboveit，alittlehigherupthestream，Irecognizedtheboat-house;builtoutinthewateronpiles，andapproachedbyawoodenpier。
Nostructureofthiselaborateandexpensivesortwouldhavebeensetupbymyfather，forthemiller’sconvenience。Theboat-househadbeenbuilt，manyyearssince，byarichretiredtradesmanwithamaniaforaquaticpursuits。Ouruglyriverhadnotansweredhisexpectations，andourneighborhoodhadabstainedfromreturninghisvisits。Whenheleftus，withhiswherriesandcanoesandoutriggers，themillertookpossessionoftheabandonedboat-house。\"It’sthesortoffixturethatdon’tpaynohow，\"oldTollerremarked。\"Supposeyouremoveit——there’sawasteofmoney。Supposeyouknockittopieces——isitwortharichgentleman’swhiletosellacartloadoffirewood？\"Neitherofthesealternativeshavingbeenadopted，andnobodywantinganemptyboat-house，theclumsymillboat，hithertotiedtoastake，andexposedtotheworstthattheweathercoulddotoinjureit，wasnowsnuglyshelteredunderaroof，withemptylockers（onceoccupiedbyaquaticluxuries）gapingoneithersideofit。
Iwaslookingoutontheriver，andthinkingofallthathadhappenedsincemyfirstmeetingwithCristelbymoonlight，whenthevoiceofthedeafmanmadeitselfdiscordantlyheard，behindme。
\"Letmeapologizeforreceivingyouhere，\"hesaid;\"andletmetroubleyouwithonemoreofmyconfessions。Likeotherunfortunatedeafpeople，Isufferfromnervousirritability。Sometimes，werestlesslychangeourplacesofabode。Andsometimes，asinmycase，wetakerefugeinvarietyofoccupation。YouremembertheidealnarrativesofcrimewhichIwassofondofwritingatonetime？\"
Igavetheaffirmativeanswer，intheusualway。
\"Well，\"hewenton，\"myliteraryinventionshaveceasedtointerestme。I
havelatterlyresumedthechemicalstudies，associatedwiththathappytimeinmylifewhenIwasenteringonthemedicalprofession。Unluckilyforyou，Ihavebeentryinganexperimentto-day，whichmakessuchanabominablesmellinmyroomthatIdarenotaskyoutoenterit。Thefumesarenotonlydisagreeable，butinsomedegreedangerous。Yousawmeatthewindow，perhaps，withmynoseandmouthprotectedbeforeIopenedthebottle？\"
Irepeatedtheaffirmativesign。Heproducedhislittlebookofblankleaves，andopeneditreadyforuse。
\"MayIhope，\"hesaid，\"thatyourvisitisintendedasafavorablereplytomyletter？\"
Itookthepencil，andansweredhimintheseterms：
\"YourletterhassatisfiedmethatIwasmistakenintreatingyoulikeastranger。Ihavecomeheretoexpressmyregretathavingfailedtodoyoujustice。PraybeassuredthatIbelieveinyourbetternature，andthatIacceptyourletterinthespiritinwhichyouhavewrittenit。\"
Hereadmyreply，andsuddenlylookedatme。
NeverhadIseenhisbeautifuleyessobrightlysoft，soirresistiblytender，astheyappearednow。Heheldouthishandtome。Itisoneofmysmallmeritstobe（inthepopularphrase）asgoodasmyword。Itookhishand;wellknowingthattheactioncommittedmetoacceptinghisfriendship。
Inrelatingtheeventswhichformthisnarrative，Ilookbackatthechain，asIaddtoitlinkbylink——sometimeswithsurprise，sometimeswithinterest，andsometimeswiththediscoverythatIhaveomittedacircumstancewhichitisnecessarytoreplace。ButIsearchmymemoryinvain，whileIdwellonthelinesthatIhavejustwritten，forarecollectionofsomeattendanteventwhichmighthavewarnedmeoftheperiltowardswhichIwasadvancingblindfold。Myremembrancepresentsusasstandingtogetherwithclaspedhands;butnothingintheslightestdegreeominousisassociatedwiththepicture。Therewasnosinisterchillcommunicatedfromhishandtomine;noshockingaccidenthappenedclosebyusintheriver;notevenapassingcloudobscuredthesunlight，shininginitsgayestgloryoverourheads。
Afterhavingshakenhands，neitherhenorIhadapparentlyanythingmoretosay。Alittleembarrassed，Iturnedtotheboat-housewindow，andlookedout。Triflingastheactionwas，mycompanionnoticedit。
\"Doyoulikethatmuddyriver？\"heasked。
Itookthepencilagain：\"OldassociationsmakeeventheuglyLokeinterestingtome。\"
Hesighedashereadthosewords。\"Iwish，Mr。Roylake，Icouldsaythesame。Yourinterestingriverfrightensme。\"
Itwasneedlesstoaskforthepencilagain。Mypuzzledfacebeggedforanexplanation。
\"Whenyouwereinmyroom，\"hesaid，\"youmayhavenoticedasecondwindowwhichlooksoutonTheLoke。Ihavegotintoabadhabitofsittingbythatwindowonmoonlightnights。Iwatchtheflowofthestream，anditseemstoassociateitselfwiththeflowofmythoughts。
Nothingremarkable，sofar——whileIamawake。But，later，whenIgettosleep，dreamscometome。Allofthem，sir，withoutexceptionconnectCristelwiththeriver。Lookatthestealthycurrentthatmakesnosound。
Inmylastnight’ssleep，itmadeitselfheard;itwasflowinginmyearswithawater-musicofitsown。Nolongermydeafears;Iheard，inmydream，aswellasyoucanhear。Yes;thesamewater-music，singingoverandoveragainthesamehorridsong：\"Fool，fool，noCristelforyou;bidhergood-bye，bidhergood-bye。\"Isawherfloatingawayfrommeonthosehideouswaters。ThecruelcurrentheldmebackwhenItriedtofollowher。Istruggledandscreamedandshiveredandcried。Iwokeupwithastartthatshookmetopieces，andcursedyourinterestingriver。Don’twritetomeaboutitagain。Don’tlookatitagain。Whydidyoubringupthesubject？Ibegyourpardon;Ihadnorighttosaythat。Letmebepolite;letmebehospitable。Ibegtoinviteyoutocomeandseeme，whenmyroomispurifiedfromitspestilentsmell。Icanonlyofferyouacupoftea。Oh，thatriver，thatriver，whatdevilsetmetalkingaboutit？I’mnotmad，Mr。Roylake;onlywretched。WhenmayIexpectyou？
Chooseyourowneveningnextweek。\"
Whocouldhelppityinghim？Comparedwithmysoundsweetdreamlesssleep，whatdreadfulnightswerehis！
Iacceptedhisinvitationasamatterofcourse。Whenwehadcompletedourarrangements，itwastimeformetothinkofreturningtoTrimleyDeen。Movingtowardsthedoor，Iaccidentallydirectedhisattentiontothepierbywhichtheboat-housewasapproached。
HisfaceinstantlyremindedmeofCristel’sdescriptionofhim，whenhewasstronglyandevillymoved。Itoosaw\"hisbeautifulevestelltales，andhisprettycomplexionchangetoacolorwhichturnedhimintoanuglyman。\"Heseizedmyarm，andpointedtothepier，attheendofitwhichjoinedtheriver-bank。\"Prayacceptmyexcuses;Ican’tanswerformytemperifthatwretchcomesnearme。\"Withthisapologyhehurriedaway;
andslyGilesToller，havingpatientlywaiteduntilthecoastwasclear，accostedmewithhisbestbow，andsaid：\"Beautifulweather，isn’tit，sir？\"
Ihadnoremarkstomakeontheweather;butIwasinterestedindiscoveringwhathadhappenedatthecottage。
\"Youhavemortallyoffendedthegentlemanwhohasjustleftme，\"Isaid。
\"Whathaveyoudone？\"
Mr。Tollerhadpurposesofhisowntoserve，andkeptthosepurposes（asusual）exclusivelyinview：_he_presenteddeafearstomenow！
\"Idon’tthinkIeverremembersuchwonderfulweather，sir，inmytime;
andI’manoldfellow，asIneedn’ttellyou。Beingatthemilljustnow，Isawyouintheboat-house，andcametopaymyrespects。Wouldyoubesogoodastolookatthisslipofpaper，Mr。Gerard？Ifyouwillkindlyaskwhatitis，youwillinamannerhelpme。\"
Iknewbuttoowellwhatitwas。\"Therepairsagain！\"Isaidresignedly。
\"Handitover，youobstinateoldman。\"
Mr。Tollerwassotickledbymydiscovery，andbythecheeringprospectconsequentonseeinghislistofrepairssafeinmypocket，thathelaugheduntilIreallythoughthewouldshakehisleanlittlebodytopieces。Bywayofbringinghismerrimenttoanend，Iassumedalookofseverity，andinsistedonknowinghowhehadoffendedtheLodger。Myvenerabletenant，tremblingforhisrepairs，driftedintoaquestionofpersonalexperience，andseemedtoanticipatethatitmightimprovemytemper。
\"Whenyouhaveawomanaboutthehouse，Mr。Gerard，youmayhavenoticedthatshe’saneverlastingexpensetoyou——especiallywhenshe’sayoungone。Isn’tthatso？\"
Iinquiredifheappliedthisremarktohisdaughter。
\"That’sit，sir;I’mtalkingofCristy。Whenherback’sup，thereisn’therequalinEnglandforstronglanguage。Mygentlemanhasmisbehavedhimselfinsomeway（sinceyouwerewithusthismorning，sir）;how，I
don’tquiteunderstand。AllIcantellyouis，I’vegivenhimnoticetoquit。Aclearlossofmoneytomeeveryweek，andCristy’sresponsibleforit。Yes，sir！I’vebeenworkeduptoitbymygirl。IfCristy’smotherhadaskedmetogetridofapayinglodger，Ishouldhavetoldhertogoto————wewon’tsaywhere，sir;you’llknowwherewhenyou’remarriedyourself。TheupshotofitisthatIhaveoffendedmygentleman，forthesakeofmygirl：whichlastisaluxuryIcan’tafford，unlessI
lettheroomsagain。Ifyouhearofatenant，saywhatagoodlandlordI
am，andwhatsweetprettyroomsI’vegottolet。\"
Iledthewaytothebankoftheriver，beforeMr。Tollercouldmakeanymorerequests。
Wepassedthesideoftheoldcottage。Thedoorwasopen;andIsawCristelemployedinthekitchen。
MywatchtoldmethatIhadstilltwoorthreeminutestospare;andmyguiltyremembranceofthemessagethatIhadpinnedtothedoorsuggestedanimmediateexpressionofregret。IapproachedCristelwithapetitionforpardononmylips。Shelookeddistrustfullyatthedoorofcommunicationwiththenewcottage，asifsheexpectedtoseeitopenedfromtheotherside。
\"Notnow！\"shesaid——andwentonsadlywithherhouseholdwork。
\"MayIseeyouto-morrow？\"Iasked。
\"Ithadbetternotbehere，sir，\"wastheonlyreplyshemade。
Iofferedtomeetheratanyotherplacewhichshemightappoint。Cristelpersistedinleavingittome;shespokeabsently，asifshewasthinkingallthetimeofsomethingelse。Icouldproposenobetterplace，atthemoment，thanthespringinFordwitchWood。Sheconsentedtomeetmethere，onthenextday，ifseveno’clockinthemorningwouldnotbetooearlyforme。MyGermanhabitshadaccustomedmetoearlyrising。Sheheardmetellherthis——andlookedagainattheLodger’sdoor——andabruptlywishedmegoodevening。
Herpolitefatherwasshockedatthisunceremoniousmethodofdismissingthegreatman，whohadonlytosaythewordandstoptherepairs。\"Whereareyourmanners，Cristy？\"heaskedindignantly。Beforehecouldsayanotherword，Iwasoutofthecottage。
AsIpassedthespringonmywayhome，Ithoughtofmytwoappointments。
Onthatevening，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthelord。Onthenextmorning，mymeetingwiththedaughterofthemiller。LadyLenaatdinner;
Cristelbeforebreakfast。IfMrs。Roylakefoundout_that_socialcontrast，whatwouldshesay？Iwasamerryyoungfool;Iburstoutlaughing。
CHAPTERIX
MRSROYLAKE’SGAME：FIRSTMOVE
ThedinneratTrimleyDeenhasleftinmymemorylittlethatIcandistinctlyrecall。Onlyafaintly-markedvisionofLadyLenarewardsmefordoingmybesttorememberher。Atallslimgracefulperson，dressedinwhitewithasimplicitywhichistheperfectionofart，presentstomyadmirationgentleblueeyes，apalecomplexiondelicatelytouchedwithcolor，awell-carriedheadcrownedbylovelylightbrownhair。Sofar，timehelpstherevivingpasttocometolifeagain——andpermitsnothingmore。IcannotsaythatInowrememberthevoiceoncesomusicalinmyears，orthatIamabletorepeattheeasyunaffectedtalkwhichonceinterestedme，orthatIseeagain（inmythoughts）theperfectcharmofmannerwhichdelightedeverybody，notforgettingmyself。Myunworthyself，Imightsay;forIwastheonlyyoungman，honoredbyanintroductiontoLadyLena，whostoppedatadmiration，andnevermadeuseofopportunitytoapproachlove。
Ontheotherhand，IdistinctlyrecollectwhatmystepmotherandIsaidtoeachotherwhenourguestshadwishedusgood-night。
IfIamaskedtoaccountforthis，IcanonlyreplythattheconspiracytoleadmeintoproposingmarriagetoLadyLenafirstshoweditselfontheoccasiontowhichIhavereferred。Inhereagernesstoreachherends，Mrs。Roylakefailedtohandlethefineweaponsofdeceptionascleverlyasusual。EvenI，withmysmallexperienceofworldlywomen，discoveredtheobjectthatshehadinview。
Ihadretiredtotheseclusionofthesmoking-room，andwasalreadyencircledbythecloudswhichfloatontheheavenoftobacco，whenI
heardarustlingofsilkoutside，andsawthesmileofMrs。Roylakebeginningtocaptivatemethroughtheopendoor。
\"Ifyouthrowawayyourcigar，\"criedthisamiableperson，\"youwilldrivemeoutoftheroom。DearGerard，Ilikeyoursmoke。\"
Myfatmaninblack，cominginatthemomenttobringmesomesodawater，lookedathismistresswithanexpressionofamazementandhorror，whichtoldmethathenowsawMrs。Roylakeinthesmoking-roomforthefirsttime。Iinvolvedmyselfinnewclouds。IfIsuffocatedmystepmother，herownpoliteequivocationwouldjustifytheact。Shesettledherselfoppositetomeinanarmchair。Theagoniesthatshemusthavesuffered，inpreventingherfacefromexpressingemotionsofdisgust，Idarenotattempttoimagine，evenatthisdistanceoftime。
\"Now，Gerard，letustalkaboutthetwoladies。Whatdoyouthinkofmyfriend，LadyRachel？\"
\"Idon’tlikeyourfriend，LadyRachel。\"
\"Youastonishme。Why？\"
\"Ithinkshe’safalsewoman。\"
\"Heavens，whatathingtosayofalady——andthatladymyfriend！Herpoliticsmayveryreasonablyhavesurprisedyou。Butsurelyhervigorousintellectoughttohavechallengedyouradmiration;youcan’tdenythat？\"
Iwasnotcleverenoughtobeabletodenyit。ButIwasboldenoughtosaythatLadyRachelseemedtometobeawomanwhotalkedforthesakeofproducingeffect。Sheexpressedopinions，asIventuredtodeclare，which（inherposition）Ididnotbelieveshecouldhonestlyentertain。
Mrs。Roylakeenteredavigorousprotest。SheassuredmethatIwascompletelymistaken。\"LadyRachel，\"shesaid，\"isthemostperfectlycandidpersoninthewholecircleofmyacquaintance。\"
Withthebestintentionsonmypart，thiswasmorethanIcouldpatientlyendure。
\"Isn’tshethedaughterofanobleman？\"Iasked。\"Doesn’tsheoweherrankandhersplendor，andtherespectthatpeopleshowtoher，tothefortunatecircumstanceofherbirth？Andyetshetalksasifshewasaredrepublican。YouyourselfheardhersaythatshewasathoroughRadical，andhopedshemightlivetoseetheHouseofLordsabolished。
Oh，Iheardher！Andwhatismore，Ilistenedsoattentivelytosuchsentimentsasthese，fromaladywithatitle，thatIcanrepeat，wordforword，whatshesaidnext。\"Wehav’n’tdeservedourowntitles;wehav’n’tearnedourownincomes;andwelegislateforthecountry，withouthavingbeentrustedbythecountry。Inshort，weareasetofimpostors，andthetimeiscomingwhenweshallbefoundout。\"Doyoubelieveshereallymeantthat？Allasfalseasfalsecanbe——that’swhatIsayofit。\"
ThereIstopped，privatelyadmiringmyowneloquence。
Quiteamistakeonmypart;myeloquencehaddonejustwhatMrs。Roylakewishedmetodo。ShewantedanopportunityofdroppingLadyRachel，andtakingupLadyLena，withaproduciblereasonwhichforbadetheimputationofapersonalmotiveonherpart。Ihadfurnishedherwiththereason。Thusfar，Icannotdenyit，mystepmotherwasequaltoherself。
\"Really，Gerard，youaresoviolentinyouropinionsthatIamsorryI
spokeofLadyRachel。ShallIfindyouequallyprejudiced，andequallysevere，ifIchangethesubjecttodearLadyLena？Oh，don’tsayyouthinkSheisfalse，too！\"
HereMrs。Roylakemadeherfirstmistake。Sheover-actedherpart;and，whenitwastoolate，shearrived，Isuspect，atthatconclusionherself。
\"Ifyouhav’n’tseenthatIsincerelyadmireLadyLena，\"Isaid，assmartlyasIcould，\"thesooneryoudisfigureyourselfwithapairofspectacles，mydearlady，thebetter。Sheisverypretty，perfectlyunaffected，and，ifImaypresumetojudge，delightfullywell-bredandwell-dressed。\"
Mystepmother’sfaceactuallybrightenedwithpleasure。Reflectingonitnow，Iamstronglydisposedtothinkthatshehadnotallowedherfeelingstoexpressthemselvessounreservedly，sincethetimewhenshewasagirl。Afterall，Mrs。Roylakewaspayingherstep-sonacomplimentintryingtoentraphimintoasplendidmarriage。Itwasmydutytothinkkindlyofmyambitiousrelative。Ididmyduty。
