\"YoureallylikemysweetLena？\"shesaid。\"Iamsoglad。Whatwereyoutalkingabout，withher？Shemadeyouexertallyourpowersofconversation，andsheseemedtobedeeplyinterested。\"
Moreover-acting！Anothermistake！AndIcouldseethroughit！WithnoEnglishsubjectwhichwecoulddiscussincommon，LadyLena’sreadytactalludedtomypastlife。Mrs。RoylakehadtoldherthatIwaseducatedataGermanUniversity。Shehadheardvaguelyofstudentswithlonghair，whoworeHessianboots，andfoughtduels;andsheappealedtomyexperiencetotellhersomethingmore。Ididmybesttointeresther，withveryindifferentsuccess，andwasundeservedlyrewardedbyapatientattention，whichpresentedtheunselfishrefinementsofcourtesyundertheirmostperfectform。
Butletmedomystep-motherjustice。Shecontrivedtobendmetoherwill，beforesheleftthesmoking-room——IamsureIdon’tknowhow。
\"Youhaveentertainedthecharmingdaughtersatdinner，\"sheremindedme;
\"andtheleastyoucando，afterthat，istopayyourrespectstotheirnoblefather。Inyourposition，mydearboy，youcannotneglectourEnglishcustomswithoutproducingtheworstpossibleimpression。\"
Intwowords，Ifoundmyselfpledged，underpretenceofvisitingmylord，toimprovemyacquaintancewithLadyLenaonthenextday。
\"Andpraybecareful，\"Mrs。Roylakeproceeded，stillbravingtheatmosphereofthesmoking-room，\"nottolooksurprisedifyoufindLordUppercliff’shousepresentingratherapoorappearancejustnow。\"
Iwasdyingforanothercigar，andIentirelymisunderstoodthewordsofwarningwhichhadjustbeenaddressedtome。Itriedtobringourinterviewtoaclosebymakingagenerousproposal。
\"Doeshewantmoney？\"Iasked。\"I’lllendhimsomewiththegreatestpleasure。\"
Mrs。Roylake’shorrorexpresseditselfinalittlethinwiryscream。
\"Oh，Gerard，whatpeopleyoumusthavelivedamong！Whatshockingignoranceofmylord’senormousfortune！Heandhisfamilyhaveonlyjustreturnedtotheircountryseat，afteralongabsence——parliamentyouknow，andforeignbaths，andsoon——andtheirEnglishestablishmentisnotyetcomplete。Idon’tknowwhatmistakeyoumaynotmakenext。DolistentowhatIwanttosaytoyou。\"
Listening，Imustacknowledge，withanabsentmind，myattentionwassuddenlyseizedbyMrs。Roylake——withouttheslightestconsciousefforttowardsthatend，onthepartoftheladyherself。
Thefirstwordsthatstartledme，inherflowofspeech，werethese：
\"AndImustnotforgettotellyouofpoorLordUppercliff’smisfortune。
Hehadafall，sometimesince，andbrokehisleg。AsIthink，hewassounwiseastoletaplausibleyoungsurgeonsetthebrokenbone。Anyway，theendofitisthatmylordslightlylimpswhenhewalks;andprayrememberthathehatestoseeitnoticed。LadyRacheldoesn’tagreewithmeinattributingherfather’slamenesstohissurgeon’swantofexperience。Betweenourselves，themanseemstohaveinterestedher。Veryhandsome，veryclever，veryagreeable，andthemannersofagentleman。
Whenhismedicalservicescametoanend，hewasquiteanacquisitionattheirpartiesinLondon——withonedrawback：hemysteriouslydisappeared，andhasneverbeenheardofsince。AskLadyLenaaboutit。Shewillgiveyouallthedetails，withouthereldersister’sbiasinfavourofthehandsomeyoungman。Whataprettycomplimentyouarepayingme！YoureallylookasifIhadinterestedyou。\"
KnowingwhatIknew，Iwasunquestionablyinterested。
AlthoughtherecentreturnofLordUppercliffandhisdaughtertotheircountryhomehad，asyet，allowednoopportunityofameeting，outofdoors，betweenthedeafLodgerandthefriendswhomhehadlostsightof——nodoubtatthetimeofhisseriousillness——still，theinevitablediscoverymighthappenonanyday。Whatresultwouldfollow？AndwhatwouldbetheeffectonLadyRachel，whenshemetwiththefascinatingyoungsurgeon，anddiscoveredtheterriblechangeinhim？
CHAPTERX
WARNED！
Wewerealoneintheglade，bythesideofthespring。Atthatearlyhourtherewerenointerruptionstodread;butCristelwasillatease。Sheseemedtobeeagertogetbacktothecottageassoonaspossible。
\"Fathertellsme，\"shebeganabruptly，\"hesawyouattheboathouse。Anditseemedtohim，thatyouwerebehavingyourselflikeafriendtothatterribleman。\"
Iremindedherofmyhavingexpressedthefearthatwehadbeenneedlesslyhardonhim;and，Iaddedthathehadwrittenaletterwhichconfirmedmeinthatopinion。Shelooked，notonlydisappointed，butevenalarmed。
\"Ihadhoped，\"shesaidsadly，\"thatfatherwasmistaken。\"
\"Solittlemistaken，\"Iassuredher，\"thatIamgoingtodrinkteawiththemanwhoseemstofrightenyou。IhopehewillaskyoutomeetSherecoiledfromthebareideaofaninvitation。
\"WillyouhearwhatIwanttotellyou？\"shesaidearnestly。\"YoumayalteryouropinionifyouknowwhatIhavebeenfoolishenoughtodo，whenyousawmegototheothersideofthecottage。\"
\"DearCristel，IknowwhatIowetoyourkindinterestinmeonthatoccasion！\"BeforeIcouldsayawordofapologyforhavingwrongedherbymysuspicions，sheinsistedonanexplanationofwhatIhadjustsaid。
\"Didhementionitinhisletter？\"sheasked。
IownedthatIhadobtainedmyinformationinthisway。AndIdeclaredthathehadexpressedhisadmirationofher，andhisbeliefinher，intermswhichmadeitasubjectofregrettomenottobeabletoshowwhathehadwritten。
Cristelforgotherfearofourbeinginterrupted。Herdismayexpresseditselfinacrythatrangthroughthewood。
\"Youevenbelieveinhisletter？\"sheexclaimed。\"Mr。Gerard！HiswritinginthatwaytoYouaboutMeisaproofthathelies;andI’llmakeyouseeit。Ifyouwereanybodyelsebutyourself，Iwouldleaveyoutoyourfate。Yes，yourfate，\"shepassionatelyrepeated。\"Oh，forgiveme，sir！
I’mbehavingdisrespectfully;Ibegyourpardon。No，no;letmegoon。
WhenIspoketohiminyourbestinterests（asIdidmosttrulybelieve）
IneversuspectedwhatmischiefIhaddone，tillIlookedinhisface。
Then，Isawhowhehatedyou，andhowvilelyhewasthinkinginsecretofme——\"
Puredelusion！HowcouldIallowittogoon？Iinterruptedher。
\"Mydear，youhavequitemistakenhim。AsIhavealreadysaid，hesincerelyrespectsyou——andheownsthathemisjudgedmewhenheandI
firstmet。\"
\"What！Is_that_inhislettertoo？It’sworseeventhanIfeared。Again，andagain，andagain，Isayit\"——shestampedonthegroundinthefervorofherconviction——\"hehatesyouwiththehatredthatneverforgivesandneverforgets。Youthinkhimagoodman。DoyousupposeIwouldhavebeggedandprayedofmyfathertosendhimaway，withouthavingreasonsthatjustifiedme？Mr。Gerard，youforcemetotellyouwhatmyunluckyvisitdidputintohishead。Yes，hedoesbelieve——believesfirmly——thatyouhaveforgottenwhatisduetoyourrank;thatIhavebeenwickedenoughtoforgetittoo;andthatyouaregoingtotakemeawayfromhim。
Saywhathemay，andwritewhathemay，heisdeceivingyouforhisownwickedends。Ifyougotodrinkteawithhim，Godonlyknowswhatcauseyoumayhavetoregretit。Forgivemeforbeingsoviolent，sir;Ihavedonenow。Youhavemademeverywretched，butyouaretoogoodandkindtomeanit。Good-bye。\"
Itookherhand，Ipressedittenderly;Iwastouched，deeplytouched。
No！letmewritehonestly。Hereyesbetrayedher，hervoicebetrayedher，whileshesaidherpartingwords。WhatIsaw，whatIheard，wasnolongerwithinthelimitsofdoubt。Thesweetgirl’sinterestinmywelfarewasnotthemerelyfriendlyinterestwhichsheherselfbelievedittobe。AndIsaidjustnowthatIwas\"touched。\"Cant！Lies！IlovedhermoredearlythanIhadeverlovedheryet。Thereisthetruth——strippedofpoorprudery，andthemeanfearofbeingcalledVain！
WhatImighthavesaidtoher，iftheopportunityhadoffereditself，maybeeasilyimagined。BeforeIcouldopenmylips，amanappearedonthepathwhichledfromthemilltothespring——themanwhomCristelhadsecretlysuspectedofadesigntofollowher。
Ifeltherhandtremblinginmyhand，andgaveitalittleencouragingsqueeze。\"Letusjudgehim，\"Isuggested，\"bywhathesaysanddoes，onfindingustogether。\"
Withoutanattemptatconcealmentonhispart，headvancedtowardsusbriskly，smilingandwavinghishand。
\"What，Mr。Roylake，youhavealreadyfoundoutthevirtuesofyourwonderfulspring，andyouaredrinkingthewaterbeforebreakfast！IhaveoftendoneitmyselfwhenIwasnottoolazytogetup。Andthischarminggirl，\"hewenton，turningtoCristel，\"hasshebeentryingthevirtuesofthespringbyyouradvice？Shewon’tlistentome，orIshouldhaverecommendeditlongsince。Seemesettheexample。\"
Hetookasilvermugfromhispocket，anddescendedthefewstepsthatledtothespring。Allowingforthedreadfuldeafmonotonyinhisvoice，nomancouldhavebeenmoreinnocentlyjoyousandagreeable。Whilehewastakinghismorningdraught，IappealedtoCristel’sbettersense。
\"Isthisthehypocrite，whoisdeceivingmeforhisownwickedends？\"I
asked。\"Doeshelooklikethejealousmonsterwhoisplottingmydestruction，andwhowillsucceedifIamfoolenoughtoaccepthisinvitation？\"
Poordear，shewasasobstinateasever！\"ThinkoverwhatIhavesaidtoyou——think，foryourownsake，\"washeronlyreply。
\"Andalittlefor_your_sake？\"Iventuredtoadd。
Sheranawayfromme，takingthepathwhichwouldleadherhomeagain。
ThedeafmanandIwerelefttogether。Helookedafterheruntilshewasoutofsight。Thenheproducedhisbookofblankleaves。But，insteadofhandingittomeasusual，hebegantowriteinithimself。
\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，\"heexplained。
Itwasonlypossible，whilethebookwasinhispossession，toremindhimthatIcouldhear，andthathecouldspeak，byusingthelanguageofsigns。Itouchedmylips，andpointedtohim;Itouchedmyear，andpointedtomyself。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，understandingmewithhiscustomaryquickness;\"butI
wantyoutorememberaswellastohear。WhenIhavefilledthisleaf，I
shallbegyoutokeepitaboutyou，andtorefertoitfromtimetotime。\"
Hewroteonsteadily，untilhehadfilledbothsidesoftheslipofpaper。
\"Quitealittleletter，\"hesaid。\"Prayreadit。\"
ThisiswhatIread：
\"YoumusthaveseenforyourselfthatIwasincapableofinsultingyouandMissCristelbyanoutbreakofjealousy，whenIfoundyoutogetherjustnow。Onlyrememberthatweallhaveourweaknesses，andthatitismyhardlottobeinastateofcontestwiththeinheritedevilwhichisthecalamityofmylife。Withyourencouragement，Imayresisttemptationinthefuture，andkeepthebetterpartofmeinauthorityovermythoughtsandactions。But，beonyourguard，andadviseMissCristeltobeonherguard，againstfalseappearances。Asweallknow，theylieliketruth。Considerme。Pityme。Iasknomore。\"
Straightforwardandmanlyandmodest——IappealtoanyunprejudicedmindwhetherIshouldnothavecommittedameanaction，ifIhadplacedanevilconstructiononthis？
\"AmIunderstood？\"heasked。
Isignedtohimtogivemehisbook，andrelievedhimofanxietyinthesewords：
\"IfIhadfailedtounderstandyou，Ishouldhavefeltashamedofmyself。
MayIshowwhatyouhavewrittentoCristel？\"
Hesmiled，moresweetlyandpleasantlythanIhadseenhimsmileyet。
\"Ifyouwishit，\"heanswered。\"Ileaveitentirelytoyou。Thankyou——andgoodmorning。\"
Havingadvancedafewstepsonhiswaytothecottage，hepaused，andremindedmeofthetea-drinking：\"Don’tforgetto-morrowevening，atseveno’clock。\"
CHAPTERXI
WARNEDAGAIN！
ThebreakfasthourhadnotyetarrivedwhenIgothome。Iwentintothegardentorefreshmyeyes——alittlewearyofthesolemnuniformityofcolorinFordwitchWood——bylookingattheflowers。
Reachingtheterrace，inthefirstplace，Iheardbelowmeaman’svoice，speakingintonesofangryauthority，andusinglanguagewhichexpressedanintentionofturningsomebodyoutofthegarden。Iatoncedescendedthestepswhichledtotheflower-beds。Themaninauthorityprovedtobeoneofmygardeners;andthemanthreatenedwithinstantexpulsionwastheoddly-dressedservantofthefriendwhomIhadjustleft。
Thepoorfellow’suglyfacepresentedapictureofshameandcontrition，themomentIshowedmyself。Hepiteouslyentreatedmetolookoverit，andtoforgivehim。
\"Waitalittle，\"Isaid。\"LetmeseeifIhaveanythingtoforgive。\"I
turnedtothegardener。\"Whatisyourcomplaintofthisman？\"
\"He’satrespasseronyourgrounds，sir。And，hisimpudence，tosaytheleastofit，issuchasInevermetwithbefore。\"
\"Whatharmhashedone？\"
\"Harm，sir？\"
\"Yes——harm。Hashebeenpickingtheflowers？\"
Thegardenerlookedroundhim，longingtorefermetothenecessaryevidence，andfailingtodiscoveritanywhere。Thewretchedtrespassertookheartofgrace，andsaidawordinhisowndefence。
\"Nobodyeverknewmetomisbehavemyselfinagentleman’sgarden，\"hesaid;\"Iown，sir，tohavingtakenapeepattheflowers，overthewall。\"
\"Andtheytemptedyoutolookalittlecloseratthem？\"
\"That’sthetruth，sir。\"
\"Soyouarefondofflowers？\"
\"Yes，sir。Ioncefailedinbusinessasanurseryman——butIdon’tblametheflowers。\"
Thedelightfulsimplicityofthiswaslostonthegardener。Iheardthebrutemuttertohimself：\"Gammon！\"ForonceIassertedmyauthorityovermyservant。
\"Understandthis，\"Isaidtohim：\"Idon’tconfinetheenjoymentofmygardentomyselfandmyfriends。Anywell-behavedpersonsarewelcometocomehereandlookattheflowers。Rememberthat。Nowyoumaygo。\"
Havingissuedtheseinstructions，Inextaddressedmyselftomyfriendintheshabbyshootingjacket;tellinghimtoroamwhereverheliked，andtostayaslongashepleased。Insteadofthankingmeandusinghisliberty，hehesitated，andlookedthoroughlyillatease。
\"What’sthematternow？\"Iasked。
\"I’mafraidyoudon’tknow，sir，whoitisyouaresokindto。I’vebeensomethingelseinmytime，besidesanurseryman。\"
\"Whathaveyoubeen？\"
\"Aprize-fighter。\"
Ifheexpectedmetoexhibitindignationorcontempt，hewasdisappointed。Myignorancetreatedhimascivillyasever。
\"Whatisaprize-fighter？\"Iinquired。
Theunfortunatepugilistlookedatmeinspeechlessbewilderment。ItoldhimthatIhadbeenbroughtupamongforeigners，andthatIhadneverevenseenanEnglishnewspaperforthelasttenyears。Thisexplanationseemedtoencouragethemanoffewwords：itsethimtalkingfreelyatlast。Hedeliveredatreatiseontheartofprizefighting，andhedidsomethingelsewhichIfoundmoreamusing——hetoldmehisname。Tomysmallsenseofhumorhisname，sotospeak，completedthisdelightfullyoddman：itwasGloody。Astothelistofhismisfortunes，theendlesslengthofitbecamesounendurablydroll，thatwebothindulgedinunfeelingfitsoflaughteroverthesorrowsofGloody。Thefirstluckyaccidentofthepoorfellow’slifehadbeen，literally，thediscoveryofhimbyhispresentmaster。
Thiseventinterestedme。IsaidIshouldliketohearhowithadhappened。
Gloodymodestlydescribedhimselfas\"oneofthestarvinglot，sir，thatlooksoutforsmallerrands。Igotmyfirstdinnerforthreedays，bycarryingagentleman’sportmanteauforhim。Andhe，ifyouplease，wasafterwardsmymaster。Helivedalone。Blessyou，hewasasdeafthenasheisnow。Hesaystome，’Ifyoubawlinmyears，I’llknockyoudown。’
Ithoughttomyself，youwouldn’tsaythat，master，ifyouknewhowIwasemployedtwentyyearsago。Hetookmeintohisservice，sir，becauseI
wasugly。’I’msohandsomemyself;’hesays，’Iwantacontrastofsomethinguglyaboutme。’Youmayhavenoticedthathe’sabitterone——andbitterlyenoughhesometimesbehavedtome。Butthere’sagoodsidetohim。Hegivesmehisoldclothes，andsometimeshespeaksalmostaskindlytomeasyoudo。Butforhim，IbelieveIshouldhaveperishedofstarvation——\"
Hesuddenlycheckedhimself。Whetherhewasafraidofwearyingme，orwhethersomepainfulrecollectionhadoccurredtohim，itwasofcourseimpossibletosay。
Theuglyface，towhichheowedhisfirstpoorlittlemorselofprosperity，becameovercloudedbycareanddoubt。BurstingintoexpressionsofgratitudewhichIhadcertainlynotdeserved——expressions，soevidentlysincere，thattheyborewitnesstoconstantill-usagesufferedinthecourseofhishardlife——heleftmewithaheadlonghasteofmovement，drivenawayasIfanciedbyanunquietmind。
Iwatchedhimretreatingalongthepath，andsawhimstopabruptly，stillwithhisbacktome。Hisdeepstrongvoicetravelledfartherthanhesupposed。Iheardhimsaytohimself：\"WhataninfernalrascalIam！\"Hewaitedalittle，andturnedmywayagain。Slowlyandreluctantly，hecamebacktome。AsheapproachedIsawtheman，whohadlivedbythepublicexhibitionofhiscourage，lookingatmewithfearplainlyvisibleinthechangeofhiscolor，andtheexpressionofhisface。
\"Anythingwrong？\"Iinquired。
\"Nothingwrong，sir。MightIbesoboldastoask——\"
Wewaitedalittle;Igavehimtimetocollecthisthoughts。Perhapsthesilenceconfusedhim。Anyhow，Iwasobligedtohelphimtogeton。
\"Whatdoyouwishtoaskofme？\"Isaid。
\"Iwishedtospeak，sir——\"
Hestoppedagain。
\"Aboutwhat？\"Iasked。
\"Aboutto-morrowevening。\"
\"Well？\"
Heburstoutwithit，atlast。\"Areyoucomingtodrinkteawithmymaster？\"
\"Ofcourse，Iamcoming！Mr。Gloody，doyouknowthatyourathersurpriseme？\"
\"Ihopenooffence，sir。\"
\"Nonsense！Itseemsodd，mygoodfellow，thatyourmastershouldn’thavetoldyouIwascomingtodrinkteawithhim。Isn’tityourbusinesstogetthethingsready？\"
Heshiftedfromonefoottoanother，andlookedasifhewishedhimselfoutofmyway。Atalatertimeofmylife，Ihaveobservedthatthesearesignsbywhichanhonestmanisapttoconfessthathehastold，orisgoingtotell，alie。Asitwas，Ionlynoticedthatheansweredconfusedly。
\"Ican’tquitesay，Mr。Roylake，thatmymasterdidn’tmentionthethingtome。\"
\"Butyoufailedtounderstandhim——isthatit？\"
\"Well，sir，ifIwanttoaskhimanythingIhavetowriteit。I’mslowatwriting，andbadatwriting，andheisn’talwayspatient。However，asyouremindedmejustnow，Ihavegottogetthethingsready。Tocutitshort，perhapsImightsaythatIdidn’tquiteexpectthetea-partywouldcomeoff。\"
\"Whyshouldn’titcomeoff？\"
\"Well，sir，youmighthavesomeotherengagement。\"
Wasthisahint？oronlyanexcuse？Ineithercaseitwashightime，ifhestillrefusedtospeakout，thatIshouldsethimtheexample。
\"Youhavegivenmesomecuriousinformation，\"Isaid，\"onthesubjectoffightingwiththefists;andyouhavemademeunderstandthedifferencebetween’fairhitting’and’foulhitting’。Areyouhittingfairnow？VerylikelyIammistaken——butyouseemtometobetryingtopreventmyacceptingyourmaster’sinvitation。\"
Hepulledoffhishatinahurry。
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir;Iwon’tdetainyouanylonger。Ifyouwillallowme，I’lltakemyleave。\"
\"Don’tgo，Mr。Gloody，withouttellingmewhetherIamrightorwrong。Istherereallysomeobjectiontomycomingtoteatomorrow？\"
\"Quiteamistake，sir，\"hesaid，stillinahurry。\"I’veledyouwrongwithoutmeaningit——beinganignorantman，andnotknowinghowtoexpressmyself。Don’tthinkmeungrateful，Mr。Roylake！Afteryourkindnesstome，I’dgothroughfireandwaterforyou——Iwould！\"
Hissunkeneyesmoistened，hisbigvoicefaltered。Ilethimleaveme，inmercytothestrongfeelingwhichIhadinnocentlyroused。ButIshookhandswithhimfirst。Yieldingtooneofmyheadlongimpulses？Yes。Anddoingaveryindiscreetthing？Waitalittle——andweshallsee。
CHAPTERXII
WARNEDFORTHELASTTIME！
Myloyaltytowardstheafflictedman，whosefriendlyadvancesIhadseengoodreasontoreturn，wasinnosenseshaken。Hisundeservedmisfortunes，hismanlyappealtomeatthespring，hishopelessattachmenttothebeautifulgirlwhoseaversiontowardshimIhadunhappilyencouraged，allpleadedwithmeinhisfavour。Ihadacceptedhisinvitation;andIhadnootherengagementtoclaimme：itwouldhavebeenanactofmeannessamountingtoaconfessionoffear，ifIhadsentanexcuse。Still，whileCristel’sentreatiesandCristel’sinfluencehadfailedtoshakeme，Gloody’sstrangelanguageandGloody’sincomprehensibleconducthadtroubledmymind。Ifeltvaguelyuneasy;
irritatedbymyowndepressionofspirits。IfIhadbeenaphilosopher，I
shouldhaverecognizedthesymptomsofaverycommonattackofaverywidely-spreadmoralmalady。Themeanestofallhumaninfirmitiesisalsothemostuniversal;andthenameofitisSelf-esteem。
Itisperhapsonlyrighttoaddthatmypatiencehadbeentriedbytheprogressofdomesticevents，whichaffectedLadyLenaandmyself——viewedasvictims。
Calling，withmystepmother，atLordUppercliff’shouselaterintheday，IperceivedthatLadyRachelandMrs。Roylakefound（ormade）anopportunityoftalkingtogetherconfidentiallyinacorner;and，onceortwice，IcaughtthemlookingatLadyLenaandatme。EvenLordUppercliff（perhapsnotyettakenintotheirconfidence）noticedtheproceedingsofthetwoladies，andseemedtobeatalosstounderstandthem。
WhenMrs。RoylakeandIweretogetheragain，onourwayhome，IwaspreparedtohearthepraiseofLadyLena，followedbyadelicateexaminationintothestateofmyheart。Neitheroftheseanticipationswasrealized。Oncemore，mycleverstepmotherhadpuzzledme。
Mrs。Roylaketalkedasfluentlyasever;exhaustingonecommon-placesubjectafteranother，withouttheslightestallusiontomylord’sdaughter，tomymatrimonialprospects，ortomyvisitsatthemill。Iwassecretlyannoyed，feelingthatmystepmother’ssingularindifferencetodomesticinterestsofparamountimportance，atothertimes，musthavesomeobjectinview，entirelybeyondthereachofmypenetration。IfI
haddaredtocommitsuchanactofrudeness，Ishouldhavejumpedoutofthecarriage，andhavetoldMrs。RoylakethatImeanttowalkhome。
ThedaywasSunday。Iloiteredaboutthegarden，listeningtothedistantchurch-bellringingfortheafternoonservice。WithoutanycausethatI
knewoftoaccountforit，IwassorestlessthatnothingIcoulddoattractedmeorquietedme。
Returningtothehouse，Itriedtooccupymyselfwithmycollectionofinsects，sadlyneglectedoflate。Useless！Myownmothsfailedtointerestme。
Iwentbacktothegarden。Passingtheopenwindowofoneofthelowerroomswhichlookedoutontheterrace，IsawMrs。Roylakereadingabookinsad-coloredbinding。Shewasyawningoveritfearfully，whenshediscoveredthatIwaslookingather。Equaltoanyemergency，thisremarkablewomaninstantlyhandedtomeasecondandsimilarvolume。\"Themostprecioussermons，Gerard，thathavebeenwritteninourtime。\"I
lookedatthebook;Iopenedthebook;Irecoveredmypresenceofmind，andhandeditback。Ifafemalehumbugwasononesideofthewindow，amalehumbugwasontheother。\"Pleasekeepitformetilltheevening，\"I
said;\"Iamgoingforawalk。\"
WhichwaydidIturnmysteps？
Menwillwonderwhatpossessedme——womenwillthinkitaproceedingthatdidmecredit——Itookthefamiliarroadwhichledtothegloomywoodandtheguiltyriver。ThelonginginmetoseeCristelagain，wasmorethanI
couldresist。NotbecauseIwasinlovewithher;onlybecauseIhadleftherindistress。
Beyondthespring，andwithinashortdistanceoftheriver，Isawaladyadvancingtowardsmeonthepathwhichledfromthemill。
Brisk，smiling，trippingalonglikeayounggirl，beholdthemock-republican，knowninourneighborhoodasLadyRachel！Sheheldoutbothhandstome。Butforherpetticoats，IshouldhavethoughtIhadmetwithajollyyoungman。
\"Ihavebeenwanderinginyourgloriouswood，Mr。Roylake。AnythingtoescapetherespectableclassesonSunday，patronizingpietyonthewaytoafternoonchurch。Imustpositivelymakeasketchofthecottagebythemill——Imean，ofcourse，thepicturesquesideofit。ThatfinegirlofToller’swasstandingatthedoor。Sheisreallyhandsomerthanever。Areyougoingtoseeher，youwickedman？Whichdoyouadmire——thatgypsycomplexion，orLena’slovelyskin？Both，Ihavenodoubt，atyourage。
Good-bye。\"
Whenwehadlefteachother，IthoughtoftheabsentCaptainintheNavywhowasLadyRachel’shusband。Hewasaperfectstranger——butIputmyselfinhisplace，andfeltthatItooshouldhavegonetosea。
OldTollerwasaloneinhiskitchen，evidentlyannoyedandangry。
\"Weareallatsixesandsevens，Mr。Gerard。I’vehadanotherrowwiththatdeaf-devil——mynewnameforhim，andIthinkit’sratherclever。Heswears，sir，thathewon’tgoattheendofhisweek’snotice。Says，ifI
thinkI’mlikelytogetridofhimbeforehehasmarriedCristy，I’mmistaken。Threatens，ifanymanattemptstotakeheraway，he’llshoother，andshoottheman，andshoothimself。Aha！oldasIam，ifhebelieveshe’sgoingtohaveitallhisownway，he’smistaken。I’llbeevenwithhim。Youmarkmywords：I’llbeevenwithhim。\"
ThatoldToller——themostexasperatingofmen，judgedbyaquicktemper——hadirritatedmyfriendintospeakingrashlywasplainenough。
Nevertheless，Ifeltsomeanxiety（jealousanxiety，Iamafraid）aboutCristel。Afterlookingroundthekitchenagain，Iaskedwhereshewas。
\"Sittingforlorninherbedroom，crying，\"herfathertoldme。\"Iwentoutforawalkbytheriver，andIsatdown，and（beingSunday）Ifellasleep。WhenIwoke，andgothomeagainjustnow，thatwashowIfoundher。Idon’tliketohearmygirlcrying;she’sasgoodasgoldandbetter。No，sir;ourdeaf-devilisnottoblameforthis。HehasgivenCristynoreasontocomplainofhim。Shesayssoherself——andshenevertoldalieyet。\"
\"But，Mr。Toller，\"Iobjected，\"somethingmusthavehappenedtodistressher。Hasshenottoldyouwhatitis？\"
\"Notshe！Obstinateaboutit。Leavesmetoguess。It’scleartomymind，Mr。Gerard，thatsomebodyhasgotatherinmyabsence，andsaidsomethingtoupsether。Youwillaskmewhothepersonis。Ican’tsayI
havefoundthatoutyet。\"
\"Butyoumeantotry？\"
\"Yes;Imeantotry。\"
Heansweredmewithlittleoftheenergywhichgenerallydistinguishedhim。Perhapshewasfatigued，orperhapshehadsomethingelsetothinkof。Iofferedasuggestion。
\"Whenweareinwantofhelp，\"Isaid，\"wesometimesfindit，nearerthanwehadventuredtoexpect——atourowndoors。\"
Theancientmillerroseatthathintlikeafishatafly。
\"Gloody！\"hecried。
\"Findhimatonce，Mr。Toller。\"
Hehobbledtothedoor——andlookedroundatme。\"I’vegotburdensonmymind，\"heexplained，\"orIshouldhavethoughtofittoo。\"Havingdonejusticetohisownabilities，hebustledout。Inlessthanaminute，hewasbackagaininastateofbreathlesstriumph。\"Gloodyhasseentheperson，\"heannounced;\"and（whatdoyouthink，sir？）it’sawoman！\"
IbeckonedtoGloody，waitingmodestlyatthedoor，tocomein，andtellmewhathehaddiscovered。
\"Isawheroutside，sir——rappingatthedoorhere，withherparasol。\"
Thatwastheservant’sreport。
Herparasol？NotbeingacquaintedwiththedevelopmentofdressamongfemaleservantsinEngland，Iaskedifshewasalady。Thereseemedtobenodoubtofitintheman’smind。Shewasalso，asGloodysupposed，apersonwhomhehadneverseenbefore。
\"Howisityouarenotsureofthat？\"Isaid。
\"Well，sir，shewaswaitingtobeletin;andIwasbehindher，comingoutofthewood。\"
\"Wholetherin？\"
\"MissCristel。\"Hisfacebrightenedwithanexpressionofinterestwhenhementionedthemiller’sdaughter。Hewentonwithhisstorywithoutwantingquestionstohelphim。\"MissCristellookedlikeapersonsurprisedatseeingastranger——what_I_shouldcallafreeandeasystranger。Shewalkedin，sir，asiftheplacebelongedtoher。\"
Iamnotsuspiciousbynature，asIhopeandbelieve。ButIbegantoberemindedofLadyRachelalready。
\"Didyounoticethelady’sdress？\"Iasked。
Awomanwhohadseenherwouldhavebeenabletodescribeeverymorselofherdressfromheadtofoot。Themanhadonlyobservedherhat;andallhecouldsaywasthathethoughtit\"asmartishone。\"
\"Anyparticularcolor？\"Iwenton。
\"NotthatIknowof。Darkgreen，Ithink。\"
\"Anyornamentinit？\"
\"Yes！Apurplefeather。\"
ThehatIhadseenontheheadofthathatefulwomanwasnowsufficientlydescribed——foraman。SlyoldToller，leavingGloodyunnoticed，andkeepinghiseyeonme，sawthesignsofconvictioninmyface，andsaidwithhiscustomaryaudacity：\"Whoisshe？\"
Ifollowed，atmyhumbledistance，theexampleofSirWalterScott，wheninquisitivepeopleaskedhimifhewastheauthoroftheWaverleyNovels。
InplainEnglish，Ideniedallknowledgeofthestrangerwearingthegreenhat。But，IwasnaturallydesirousofdiscoveringnextwhatLadyRachelhadsaid;andIaskedtospeakwithCristel。Herfar-seeingfathermightormightnothaveperceivedachanceoflisteningtoourconversation。Heledmetothedoorofhisdaughter’sroom;andstoodcloseby，whenIknockedsoftly，andbeggedthatshewouldcomeout。
Thetoneofthepoorgirl’svoice——answering，\"Forgiveme，sir;Ican’tdoit\"——convictedtheshe-socialist（asIthought）ofmercilessconductofsomesort。Assumingthisconclusiontobetherightone，Idetermined，thenandthere，thatLadyRachelshouldnotpassthedoorsofTrimleyDeenagain。Ifherbosom-friendresentedthatwiseactofseveritybyleavingthehouse，Ishouldsubmitwithresignation，andshouldrememberthecircumstancewithpleasure。
\"Iamafraidyouareill，Cristel？\"wasallIcouldfindtosay，underthedoubledisadvantageofspeakingthroughadoor，andhavingafatherlisteningatmyside。
\"Ohno，Mr。Gerard，notill。Alittlelowinmymind，that’sall。Idon’tmeantoberude，sir——praybekindertomethanever！prayletmebe！\"
IsaidIwouldreturnonthenextday;andlefttheroomwithasoreheart。
OldTollerhighlyapprovedofmyconduct。Herubbedhisfleshlesshands，andwhispered：\"You’llgetitoutofCristyto-morrow，andI’llhelpyou。\"
IfoundGloodywaitingformeoutsidethecottage。HewasanxiousaboutMissCristel;hisonlyexcuse，hetoldme，beingthefearthatshemightbeill。Havingsethimatease，inthatparticular，Isaid：\"YouseemtobeinterestedinMissCristel。\"
Hisanswerraisedhimastephigherinmyestimation。
\"HowcanIhelpit，sir？\"
Anoddman，withapersonalappearancethatmightexciteaprejudiceagainsthim，insomeminds。Ifailedtoseeitmyselfinthatlight。Itstruckme，asIwalkedhome，thatCristelmighthavemademanyaworsefriendthantheretiredprize-fighter。
AchangeinmymannerwasofcourseremarkedbyMrs。Roylake’sreadyobservation。ItoldherthatIhadbeenannoyed，andofferednootherexplanation。Wonderfultorelate，sheshowednocuriosityandnosurprise。Morewonderfulstill，ateveryfairopportunitythatoffered，shekeptoutofmyway。
Mynextday’sengagementbeingforseveno’clockintheevening，IputMrs。Roylake’sself-controltoanewtest。Withprefatoryexcuses，I
informedherthatIshouldnotbeabletodineathomeasusual。
Impossibleasitwasthatshecouldhavebeenpreparedtohearthis，herpresenceofmindwasequaltotheoccasion。Ileftthehouse，followedbymystepmother’sbestwishesforapleasantevening。
HopingtospeakwithCristelalone，Ihadarrangedtoreachthecottagebeforeseveno’clock。
Ontheriver-marginofthewood，Iwasconfrontedbyawildgleamofbeautyinthefamiliarview，forwhichpreviousexperiencehadnotpreparedme。AmIwronginbelievingthatallscenery，nomatterhowmagnificentorhowhomelyitmaybe，derivesasplendornotitsownfromfavouringconditionsoflightandshade？Ourgloomytreesandourrepellentriverpresentedanaspectsuperblytransfigured，undertheshadowsofthetoweringclouds，thefantasticwreathsofthemist，andtheluridreddeningofthesunasitstoopedtoitssetting。Lovelyinterfusionsofsoberedcolorrested，faded，returnedagain，ontheupperleavesofthefoliageastheylightlymoved。Themist，rollingcapriciouslyoverthewaters，revealedthegrandlydeliberatecourseoftheflowingcurrent，whileitdimmedtheturbidearthyyellowthatdiscoloredanddegradedthestreamunderthefullglareofday。Whilemyeyesfollowedthesuccessivetransformationsoftheview，asthehouradvanced，tenderandsolemninfluencesbreathedtheirbalmovermymind。
Days，happydaysthatwerepast，revived。Again，Iwalkedhandinhandwithmymother，amongthescenesthatwereroundme，andlearntfromhertobegratefulforthebeautyoftheearth，withaheartthatfeltit。Weweretracingourwayalongourfavoritewoodlandpath;andwefoundacompanionoftenderyears，hidingfromus。Sheshowedherself;blushing，hesitating，offeringanosegayofwildflowers。Mymotherwhisperedtome——Ithankedthelittlemill-girl，andgaveherakiss。DidIfeelthechild’sbreath，inmyday-dream，stillflutteringonmycheek？WasI
consciousofhertouch？Istarted，trembled，returnedreluctantlytomypresentself。Avisiblehandtouchedmyarm。AsIturnedsuddenly，alivingbreathplayedonmyface。Thechildhadfadedintoavanishingshade：theperfectedwomanwhohadgrownfromherhadstolenonmeunawares，andwasaskingmetopardonher。\"Mr。Gerard，youwerelostinyourthoughts;Ispoke，andyouneverheardme。\"
Ilookedatherinsilence。
WasthisthedearCristelsowellknowntome？Orwasitamockeryofherthathadtakenherplace？
\"IhopeIhavenotoffendedyou？\"shesaid。
\"Youhavesurprisedme，\"Ianswered。\"Somethingmusthavehappened，sinceIsawyoulast。Whatisit？\"
\"Nothing。\"
Iadvancedastep，anddrewherclosertome。Adarkflushdiscoloredherface。Anoverpoweringbrilliancyflashedfromhereyes;therewasanhystericaldefianceinhermanner。\"Areyouexcited？areyouangry？areyoutryingtostartlemebyactingapart？\"Iurgedthosequestionsonher，oneafteranother;andIwasloudlyandconfidentlyanswered。
\"IdaresayIamexcited，Mr。Gerard，bythehonorthathasbeendoneme。
Youaregoingtokeepyourengagement，ofcourse？Well，yourfriend，yourfavoritefriend，hasinvitedmetomeetyou。No！that’snotquitetrue。I
invitedmyself——thedeafgentlemansubmitted。\"
\"Whydidyouinviteyourself？\"
\"Becauseatea-partyisnotcompletewithoutawoman。\"
Hermannerwasasstrangelyalteredasherlooks。Thatshewasbesideherselfforthemoment，Iclearlysaw。Thatshehadansweredmeunreservedly，itwasimpossibletobelieve。Ibegantofeelangry，whenI
oughttohavemadeallowancesforher。
\"IsthisLadyRachel’sdoing？\"Isaid。
\"WhatdoyouknowofLadyRachel，sir？\"
\"Iknowthatshehasvisitedyou，andspokentoyou。\"
\"Doyouknowwhatshehassaid？\"
\"Icanguess。\"
\"Mr。Gerard，don’tabusethatgoodandkindlady。Shedeservesyourgratitudeaswellasmine。\"
Hermannerhadbecomequieter;herfacewasmorecomposed;herexpressionalmostrecovereditsnaturalcharmwhileshespokeofLadyRachel。Iwasstupefied。
\"Try，sir，toforgetitandforgiveit，\"sheresumedgently，\"ifIhavemisbehavedmyself。Idon’trightlyknowwhatIamsayingordoing。\"
Ipointedtothenewsideofthecottage，behindus。
\"Isthecausethere？\"Iasked。
\"No！noindeed！Ihavenotseenhim;Ihavenotheardfromhim。Hisservantoftenbringsmemessages。Notonemessageto-day。\"
\"HaveyouseenGloodyto-day？\"
\"Oh，yes！There’sonething，ifImaymakesobold，Ishouldliketoknow。Mr。Gloodyisasgoodtomeasgoodcanbe;weseeeachothercontinually，livinginthesameplace。Butyouaredifferent;andhetellsmehimselfhehasonlyseenyoutwice。Whathaveyoudone，Mr。
Gerard，tomakehimlikeyousowell，inthatshorttime？\"
Itoldherthathehadbeenfoundinmygarden，lookingattheflowers。
\"Ashehaddonenoharm，\"Isaid，\"Iwouldn’tallowtheservanttoturnhimout;andIwalkedroundtheflower-bedswithhim。Littleenoughtodeservesuchgratitudeasthepoorfellowexpressed——andfelt，Idon’tdoubtit。\"
Ihadintendedtosaynomorethanthis。ButtheremembranceofGloody’smysteriousprevarication，andoftheuneasinesswhichIhadundoubtedlyfeltwhenIthoughtofitafterwards，ledme（Icannotpretendtosayhow）intoassociatingCristel’sagitationwithsomethingwhichthismanmighthavesaidtoher。Iwasonthepointofputtingthequestion，whensheheldupherhand，andsaid，\"Hush！\"
Thewindwasblowingtowardsusfromtheriver-sidevillage，towhichI
havealreadyalluded。IamnotsurewhetherIhavementionedthatthenameoftheplacewasKylam。Itwassituatedbehindapromontoryoftheriver-bank，clothedthicklywithtrees，andwasnotvisiblefromthemill。Inthepresentdirectionofthewind，wecouldhearthestrikingofthechurchclock。Cristelcountedthestrokes。
\"Seven，\"shesaid。\"Areyoudeterminedtokeepyourengagement？\"
Shehadrepeated——inanunsteadyvoice，andwithasuddenchangeinhercolortopaleness——thestrangequestionputtomebyGloody。InhiscaseIhadfailedtotracethemotive。Itriedtodiscoveritnow。
\"TellmewhyIoughttobreakmyengagement，\"Isaid。
\"RememberwhatItoldyouatthespring，\"sheanswered。\"Youaredeceivedbyafalsefriendwholiestoyouandhatesyou。\"
Themanshewasspeakingofturnedthecornerofthenewcottage。Hewavedhishandgaily，andapproachedusalongtheroad。
\"Go！\"shesaid。\"Yourguardianangelhasforgottenyou。It’stoolatenow。\"
Insteadoflettingmeprecedeher，asIhadanticipated，sheranonbeforeme——madeasigntothedeafman，asshepassedhim，nottostopher——anddisappearedthroughtheopendoorofherfather’ssideofthecottage。
Iwaslefttodecideformyself。WhatshouldIhavedone，ifIhadbeentwentyyearsolder？
Saythatmymoralcouragewouldhaverisensuperiortothepoorestofallfears，thefearofappearingtobeafraid，andthatIshouldhavemademyexcusestomyhostoftheevening——howwouldmymoralcouragehaveansweredhim，ifhehadaskedforanexplanation？Uselesstospeculateonit！HadIpossessedthewisdomofmiddlelife，hisbookofleaveswouldnothavetoldhim，inmyownhandwriting，thatIbelievedinhisbetternature，andacceptedhisfriendlyletterinthespiritinwhichhehadwrittenExplainitwhocan——IknewthatIwasgoingtodrinkteawithhim，andyetIwasunwillingtoadvanceafewsteps，andmeethimontheroad！
\"Ifindanewbondofunionbetweenus，\"hesaid，ashejoinedme。\"Webothfeel_that。_\"Hepointedtothegrandlydarkeningview。\"Thetwomenwhocouldhavepaintedthemysteryofthosegrowingshadowsandfadinglights，lieinthegravesofRembrandtandTurner。Shallwegototea？\"
Onourwaytohisroomwestoppedatthemiller’sdoor。
\"Will_you_inquire，\"hesaid，\"ifMissCristelisready？\"
Iwentin。OldTollerwasinthekitchen，smokinghispipewithoutappearingtoenjoyit。
\"What’scometomygirl？\"heasked，themomenthesawme。\"Yesterdayshewasinherroom，crying。To-dayshe’sinherroom，praying。\"
ThewarningswhichIhadneglectedroseinjudgmentagainstme。Iwassilent;Iwasawed。BeforeIrecoveredmyself，Cristelenteredthekitchen。Herfatherwhispered，\"Lookather！\"
Oftheexcitementwhichhaddisturbed——Ihadalmostsaid，profaned——herbeautifulface，notavestigeremained。Pale，composed，resolute，shesaid，\"Iamready，\"andledthewayout。
Themanwhomshehatedofferedhisarm。Shetookit！
CHAPTERXIII
THECLARETJUG
IperceivedbutonechangeintheLodger’smiserableroom，sinceIhadseenitlast。
Asecondtablewassetagainstoneofthewalls。Ourboilingwaterfortheteawaskeptthere，inasilverkettleheatedbyaspirit-lamp。I
nextobservedadelicatelittlechinavasewhichheldthetea，andafinely-designedglassclaretjug，withasilvercover。Othermen，possessingthatbeautifulobject，wouldhavethoughtitworthyofthepurestBordeauxwinewhichtheartsofmodernadulterationpermitustodrink。Thismanhadfilledtheclaretjugwithwater。
\"Allmyvaluableproperty，ostentatiouslyexposedtoview，\"hesaid，inhisbitterlyfacetiousmanner。\"Mylandlord’spropertymatchesitonthebigtable。\"
Thebigtablepresentedacoarseearthenwareteapot;cupsandsaucerswithpieceschippedoutofthem;acrackedmilkjug;atumblerwhichservedasasugarbasin;andanoldvegetabledish，honoredbyholdingdelicateFrenchsweet-meatsforthefirsttimesinceithadlefttheshop。
Mydeaffriend，inboisterouslygoodspirits，pointedbackwardsandforwardsbetweenthepreciousandtheworthlessobjectsonthetwotables，asifhesawaprospectthatdelightedhim。
\"Idon’tbelievethemanlives，\"hesaid，\"whoenjoysContrastasI
do。——Whatdoyouwantnow？\"
ThisquestionwasaddressedtoGloody，whohadjustenteredtheroom。Hetouchedtheearthenwareteapot。Hismasteranswered：\"Letitalone。\"
\"Imaketheteaatothertimes，\"themanpersisted，lookingatme。
\"Whatdoeshesay？Writeitdownforme，Mr。Roylake。Ibegyouwillwriteitdown。\"
Therewasangerinhiseyesashemadethatrequest。Itookhisbook，andwrotethewords——harmlesswords，surely？Hereadthem，andturnedsavagelytohisunfortunateservant。
\"Inthedayswhenyouwerearuffianintheprize-ring，didtheothermen’sfistsbeatallthebrainsoutofyourhead？DoyouthinkyoucanmaketeathatisfitforMr。Roylaketodrink？\"
Hepointedtoanopendoor，communicatingwithanotherbedroom。Gloody’seyesrestedsteadilyonCristel：shefailedtonoticehim，beingoccupiedatthemomentinreplacingthepinofabroochwhichhadslippedoutofherdress。Themanwithdrewintothesecondbedroom，andsoftlyclosedthedoor。
Ourhostrecoveredhisgoodhumor。Hetookawoodenstool，andseatedhimselfbyCristel。
\"Borrowedfurniture，\"hesaid，\"aswellasborrowedtea-things。WhatadebtofobligationIowetoyourexcellentfather。Howquietyouare，deargirl。Doyouregrethavingfollowedtheimpulsewhichmadeyoukindlyoffertodrinkteawithus？\"Hesuddenlyturnedtome。\"Anotherproof，Mr。Roylake，ofthesisterlyinterestthatshefeelsinyou;shecan’thearofyourcomingtomyroom，withoutwantingtobewithyou。Ah，youpossessthemysteriousattractionswhichfascinatethesex。Oneofthesedays，_some_womanwillloveyouasnevermanwaslovedyet。\"HeaddressedhimselfagaintoCristel。\"Stilloutofspirits？Idaresayyouaretiredofwaitingforyourtea。No？Youhavehadteaalready？It’sGloody’sfault;heoughttohavetoldmethatseveno’clockwastoolateforyou。Thepoordevildeservedthatyoushouldtakenonoticeofhimwhenhelookedatyoujustnow。Areyouoneofthefewwomenwhodislikeanuglyman？Womeningeneral，Icantellyou，preferuglymen。A
handsomemanmatchesthemontheirownground，andtheydon’tlikethat。
’Wearesofondofouruglyhusbands;theysetusofftosuchadvantage。’
Oh，Idon’treportwhattheysay;Ispeakthelanguageinwhichtheythink。——Mr。Roylake，doesitstrikeyouthattheCurisasadcynic？
By-the-by，doyoucallme’theCur’（asIsuggested）whenyouspeakofmetootherpeople——toMissCristel，forinstance？Mycharmingyoungfriends，youbothlookshocked;youbothshakeyourheads。PerhapsIaminoneofmytoleranthumorsto-day;IseenothingdisgracefulinbeingaCur。Heisadogwhorepresentsdifferentbreeds。Verywell，theEnglishareapeoplewhorepresentdifferentbreeds：Saxons，Normans，Danes。Theconsequence，inonecase，isagreatnation。Theconsequence，intheothercase，isthecleverestmemberofthewholedogfamily——asyoumayfindoutforyourselfifyouwillonlyteachhim。Ha——howIamrunningon。Mygueststrytoslipinawordortwo，andcan’tfindtheiropportunity。Enjoyment，MissCristel。Excitement，Mr。Roylake。Formorethanayearpast，Ihavenotluxuriatedinthepleasuresofsociety。I
feelthesocialglow;Ilovethehumanfamily;Inever，never，neverwassuchagoodmanasIamnow。Letvileslangexpressmyemotions：isn’titjolly？\"
CristelandIstoppedhim，atthesamemoment。Weinstinctivelyliftedourhandstoourears。
Inhisdeliriumofhighspirits，hehadburstthroughtheinvariablemonotonyofhisarticulation。Withouttheslightestgradationofsound，hisvoicebrokesuddenlyintoascreech，prolongedinitsowndiscorduntilitbecameperfectlyunendurabletohear。Theeffectthathehadproduceduponuswasnotlostonhim。Hisheadsankonhisbreast;horridshudderingsshookhimwithoutmercy;hesaidtohimselfnottous：
\"IhadforgottenIwasdeaf。\"
Therewasawholeworldofmiseryinthosesimplewords。Cristelkeptherplace，unmoved。Irose，andputmyhandkindlyonhisshoulder。ItwasthebestwayIcoulddeviseofassuringhimofmysympathy。
Helookedupatme，insilence。
Hisbookofleaveswasonthetable;hedidoncemore，whathehadalreadydoneatthespring。Insteadofusingthebookasusual，hewroteinithimself，andthenhandedittome。
\"Letmespareyournervesarepetitionofmydeafdiscord。Sight，smell，touch，taste——Iwouldgivethemalltobeabletohear。Inremindingmeofthatvainaspiration，myinfirmityrevengesitself：mydeafnessisnotaccustomedtobeforgotten。Well！Icanbesilentlyuseful;Icanmakethetea。\"
Herose，and，takingtheteapotwithhim，wenttothetablethathadbeenplacedagainstthewall。Inthatposition，hisbackwasturnedtowardsus。
Atthesametime，Ifelthisbookgentlytakenoutofmyhand。Cristelhadbeenreading，whileIread，overmyshoulder。Shewroteonthenextblankleaf：\"ShallImakethetea？\"
\"Now，\"shesaidtome，\"noticewhathappens。\"
Followinghim，shetouchedhisarm，andpresentedherrequest。Heshookhisheadintokenofrefusal。Shecamebacktoherplacebyme。
\"Youexpectedthat？\"Isaid。
\"Yes。\"
\"Whydidyouaskmetonoticehisrefusal？\"
\"BecauseImaywanttoremindyouthathewouldn’tletmemakethetea。\"
\"Mysteries，mydear？\"
\"Yes：mysteries。\"
\"Nottobementionedmoreparticularly？\"
\"Iwillmentiononeofthemmoreparticularly。Aftertheteahasbeenmade，youmaypossiblyfeelmetouchyourkneeunderthetable。\"
Iwasfoolenoughtosmileatthis，andwiseenoughafterwardstoseeinherfacethatIhadmadeamistake。
\"Whatisyourtouchintendedtomean？\"Iasked。
\"Itmeans，’Wait，’shesaid。\"
Mysenseofhumorwas，bythistime，completelyheldincheck。Thatsomesurprisewasinstoreforme，andthatCristelwasresolvednottotakemeintoherconfidence，wereconclusionsatwhichInaturallyarrived。I
felt，andsurelynotwithoutgoodcause，alittleannoyed。TheLodgercamebacktouswiththeteamade。Asheputtheteapotonthetable，heapologizedtoCristel。
\"Don’tthinkmerude，inrefusingyourkindoffer。IfthereisonethingIknowIcandobetterthananybodyelse，thatthingismakingtea。Doyoutakesugarandmilk，Mr。Roylake？\"
Imadetheaffirmativesign。Hepouredoutthetea。Whenhehadfilledtwocups，thesupplywasexhausted。CristelandInoticedthis。Hesawit，andatoncegratifiedourcuriosity。
\"Itisarule，\"hesaid，\"withmastersintheartofmakingtea，thatoneinfusionoughtnevertobeusedtwice。Ifwewantanymore，wewillmakemore;andifyoufeelinclinedtojoinus，MissCristel，wewillfillthethirdcup。\"
Whatwasthereinthis（Iwondered）tomakeherturnpale？Andwhy，afterwhathehadjustsaid，didIseehereyeswillinglyrestonhim，forthefirsttimeinmyexperience？Entirelyatalosstounderstandher，I
resignedlystirredmytea。Onthepointoftastingitnext，feltherhandonmyknee，underthetable。
BewilderedasIwas，Iobeyedmyinstructions，andwentonstirringmytea。Ourhostsmiled。
\"Yoursugartakesalongtimetomelt，\"hesaid——anddrankhistea。Asheemptiedthecup，thetouchwastakenoffme。Ifollowedhisexample。
Inspiteofhisboasting，theteawastheworstIevertasted。Ishouldhavethrownitoutofthewindow，iftheyhadofferedussuchnastystuffatTrimleyDeen。WhenIsetdownmycup，heaskedfacetiouslyifIwishedhimtobrewanymore。Mynegativeanswerwasamasterpieceofstrongexpression，inthelanguageofsigns。
InsteadofsendingforGloodytoclearthetable，hemovedawaytheobjectsnearhim，soastoleaveanemptyspaceathisdisposal。
\"Ioughtperhapstohavehesitated，beforeIaskedyoutospendtheeveningwithme，\"hesaid，speakingwithagentlenessandamiabilityofmanner，stronglyincontrastwithhisbehavioruptothistime。\"Itismymisfortune，asyoubothwellknow，tobeacheckonconversation。Idaresayyouhaveaskedyourselves：Howishegoingtoamuseus，aftertea？Ifyouwillallowme，Iproposetoamuseyoubyexhibitingthedexterityofmyfingersandthumbs。BeforeIwasdeaf，Ishouldhavepreferredthepianoforthispurpose。Asitis，aninferioraccomplishmentmustservemyturn。\"
Heopenedacupboardinthewall，closebythesecondtable，andreturnedwithapackofcards。
Cristelimitatedtheactionofdealingcardsforagame。\"No，\"hesaid，\"thatisnottheamusementwhichIhaveinview。Allowmetopresentmyselfinanewcharacter。IamnolongertheLodger，andnolongertheCur。Mynewnameismorehonorablestill——IamtheConjurer。\"
Heshuffledthepackbypouringitbackwardsandforwardsfromonehandtotheother，inacascadeofcards。Thewonderfuleasewithwhichhediditpreparedmeforsomethingworthseeing。Cristel’sadmirationofhisdexterityexpresseditselfbyaprolongedclappingofhands，andastrangeuneasylaugh。Ashisexcitementsubsided，heragitationbrokeout。Isawtheflushagainonherface，andthefierybrightnessinhereyes。Once，whenhisattentionwasengaged，shestolealookatthedoorbywhichGloodyhadlefttheroom。Didthisindicateanotherofthemysterieswhich，byherownconfession，shehadinpreparationforme？Mylateexperiencehadnotinclinedmefavorablytowardsmysteries。I
devotedmywholeattentiontotheConjurer。
WhetherhechosetheeasiestexamplesofskillinsleightofhandismorethanIknow。IcanonlysaythatIneverwasmorecompletelymystifiedbyanyprofessoroflegerdemainonthepublicplatform。Aftertheperformanceofeachtrick，heaskedleaveto\"timehimselfbylookingathiswatch;beinganxioustodiscoverifhehadlosthiscustomaryquicknessofexecutionthroughrecentneglectofthenecessarypractice。
OfCristel’sconduct，whilehewasamusingus，IcanonlysaythatitjustifiedMrs。Roylake’sspitefuldescriptionofherasaboldgirl。Themorecleverlythetrickswereperformed，themoretheyseemedtoannoyandprovokeher。
\"Ihatebeingpuzzled！\"shesaid，addressingherselfofcoursetome。
\"Yes，yes;hisfingersarequickerthanmyeyes——Ihaveheardthatexplanationbefore。Whenhehasdoneoneofhistricks，Iwanttoknowhowhedoesit。Conjurersarepeoplewhoaskriddles，and，whenonecan’tguessthem，refusetosaywhattheansweris。It’sasbadascallingmeafool，tosupposethatIlikebeingdeceived。Ah，\"shecried，withashockinginsolenceoflookandmanner，\"ifourfriendcouldonlyhearwhatIamsaying！\"
Hehadpausedwhileshewasspeaking，observingherattentively。\"Yourfacedoesn’tencourageme，\"hesaid，withapatienceandcourtesyofmannerwhichitwasimpossiblenottoadmire。\"Iamcominggraduallytomygreatesttriumph;andIthinkIcansurpriseandpleaseyou。\"
Hetimedhislasttrick，andreturnedtothetableplacedagainstthewall。
\"Excusemeforamoment，\"heresumed;\"Iamsufferingasusual，afterdrinkingtea。Isodelightinitthatthetemptationto-nightwasmorethanIcouldresist。Teadisagreeswithmyweakstomach。Italwaysproducesthirst。\"
\"Whatnonsensehetalks！\"Cristelexclaimed。\"Allmerefancy！Heremindsmeoftheoldsongcalled’TheNervousMan。’Doyouknowit，Mr。
Roylake？\"
Inspiteofmyeffortstopreventher，sheburstoutwiththefirstverseofastupidcomicsong。Sparedbyhisdeafnessfromthisinflictionofvulgarity，ourhostfilledatumblerfromthewaterintheclaretjug，anddrankit。
Ashesetthetumblerdown，wewerestartledbyanaccidentinthenextroom。Thefloorwassuddenlyshakenbythesoundofaheavyfall。Thefallwasfollowedbyagroanwhichinstantlybroughtmetomyfeet。
Althoughhisinfirmitymadehimunconsciousofthegroan，myfriendfeltthevibrationofthefloor，andsawmestartupfrommychair。HelookedevenmorealarmedthanIwas，judgingbytheghastlychangethatIsawinhiscolor;andhereachedthedoorofthesecondroomassoonasIdid。
ItisneedlesstosaythatIallowedhimtoenterfirst。
Onthepointoffollowinghim，Ifeltmyselfroughlypulledback。WhenI
turnedround，andsawCristel，Ididreallyandtrulybelievethatshewasmad。Thefuriousimpatienceinhereyes，thefrenziedstrengthofhergrasponmyarm，wouldhaveledmostothermentoformthesameconclusion。
\"Come！\"shecried。\"No！notaword。Thereisn’tamomenttolose。\"Shedraggedmeacrosstheroomtothetableonwhichtheclaretjugstood。
Shefilledthetumblerfromit，as_he_hadfilledthetumbler。Thematerialofwhichthejughadbeenmadewassosolid（crystal，notglassasIhadsupposed）thatthefillingofthetwotumblersemptiedit。
Cristelheldthewaterouttome，gaspingforbreath，tremblingasifshesawsomefrightfulreptilebeforeherinsteadofmyself。
\"Drinkit，\"shesaid，\"ifyouvalueyourlife！\"
Ishouldofcoursehavefounditperfectlyeasytoobeyher，strangeasherlanguagewas，ifIhadbeeninfullpossessionofmyself。Betweendistressandalarm，mymind（Isuppose）hadlostitsbalance。Withorwithoutacause，Ihesitated。
Shecrossedtheroom，andthrewopenthewindowwhichlookedoutontheriver。
\"Youshan’tdiealone，\"shesaid。\"Ifyoudon’tdrinkit，I’llthrowmyselfout！\"
Idrankfromthetumblertothelastdrop。
Itwasnotwater。
IthadatastewhichIcancomparetonodrink，andtonomedicine，knowntome。Ithoughtoftheotherstrangetastepeculiartothetea。Atlast，thetremendoustruthforceditselfonmymind。Themaninwhommyboyishgenerosityhadsofaithfullybelievedhadattemptedmylife。
Cristeltookthetumblerfromme。Mypoorangelclaspedherfreearmroundmyneck，andpressedherlips，inanecstasyofjoy，onmycheek。
Thenextinstant，sheseizedtheclaretjug，anddasheditintopiecesonthefloor。\"Getthejugfromhiswashhand-stand，\"shesaid。WhenIgaveittoher，shepouredsomeofthewateruponthebrokenfragmentsofcrystalscatteredonthefloor。Ihadputthejugbackinitsplace，andwasreturningtoCristel，whenthepoisonershowedhimself，enteringfromtheservant’sroom。
\"Don’tbealarmed，\"hesaid。\"Gloody’snameoughttobeGlutton。Anattackofgiddiness，thoroughlywelldeserved。Ihaverelievedhim。Youremember，Mr。Roylake，thatIwasonceasurgeon——\"
Thebrokenclaretjugcaughthiseye。
Wehaveallreadofmenwhowerepetrifiedbyterror。Ofthefewpersonswhohavereallywitnessedthatspectacle，Iamone。Theutterstillnessofhimwasreallyterribletosee。Cristelwroteinhisbookanexcuse，nodoubtpreparedbeforehand：\"Thatfallinthenextroomfrightenedme，andIfeltfaint。Iwenttogetsomewaterfromthejugyoudrankoutof，anditslippedfrommyhand。\"
Sheplacedthosewordsunderhiseyes——shemightjustaswellhaveshownthemtothedog。Adeadman，erectonhisfeet——sohelookedtooureyes。
Sohestilllooked，whenItookCristel’sarm，andledheroutofthatdreadfulpresence。
\"Takemeintotheair！\"shewhispered。
Aburstoftearsrelievedher，aftertheunutterablesuspensethatshehadsobravelyendured。Whenshewasinsomedegreecomposedagain，wewalkedgentlyupanddownforaminuteortwointhecoolnightair。
\"Don’tspeaktome，\"shesaid，aswestoppedbeforeherfather’sdoor。\"I
amnotfitforityet;Iknowwhatyoufeel。\"Ipressedhertomyheart，andlettheembracespeakforme。Sheyieldedtoit，faintlysighing。
\"To-morrow？\"Iwhispered。Shebentherhead，andleftme。
Walkinghomethroughthewood，Ibecameaware，littlebylittle，thatmythoughtswerenotunderthecustomarycontrol。Overandoveragain，I
triedtoreviewtheeventsofthatterribleevening，andfailed。
Fragmentsofothermemoriespresentedthemselves——andthendesertedme。
Nonsense，absolutenonsense，founditswayintomymindnext，androseinidioticwordstomylips。Igrewtoolazyeventotalktomyself。I
strayedfromthepath。Themossyearthbegantoriseandsinkundermyfeet，likethewatersinaground-swellatsea。Istoodstill，inastateofidiot-wonder。Thegroundsuddenlyroserightuptomyface。Iremembernomore。
Myfirstconsciousexerciseofmysenses，whenIrevived，cametomebywayofmyears。Leadenweightsseemedtoclosemyeyes，tofettermymovements，tosilencemytongue，toparalyzemytouch。ButIheardawailingvoice，speakingclosetome，soclosethatitmighthavebeenmyownvoice：Idistinguishedthewords;Iknewthetones。
\"Oh，mymaster，mylord，whoamIthatIshouldlive——andyoudie！andyoudie！\"
Wasitherwarmyoungbreaththatquickenedmewithitsvigorouslife？I
onlyknowthattherevivalofmysenseoftouchdidcertainlyspringfromthecontactofherlips，pressedtomineintherecklessabandonmentofgriefwithouthope。Hercryofjoy，whenmyfirstsightoldherthatI
wasstillalivingcreature，ranthroughmelikeanelectricshock。I
openedmyeyes;Iheldoutmyhand;Itriedtohelpherwhensheraisedmyhead，andsetmeagainstthetreeunderwhichIhadbeenstretchedhelpless。WithaneffortIcouldcallherbyhername。Eventhatexhaustedme。MymindwassoweakthatIshouldhavebelievedher，ifshehaddeclaredherselftobeaspiritseeninadream，keepingwatchovermeinthewood。
WiserthanIwas，shesnatchedupmyhat，ranonbeforeme，andwaslostinthedarkness。
Aninterval，anunendurableinterval，passed。Shereturned，havingfilledmyhatfromthespring。Butfortheexquisitecoolnessofthewaterfallingonmyface，tricklingdownmythroat，Ishouldhavelostmysensesagain。Inafewminutesmore，Icouldtakethatdearhand，andholdittomeasifIwasholdingtomylife。Wecouldonlyseeeachotherobscurely，andinthatverycircumstance（asweconfessedtoeachotherafterwards）wefoundtheneedfulcomposurebeforewecouldspeak。
