THEPURSUIT
XX
AndnowtotellofMr。Hoopdriver，risingwiththesun，vigilant，active，wonderful，thepracticablehalfofthelead—framedwindowstuckopen，earsalert，aneyeflickeringincessantlyinthecornerpanes，inobliqueglancesattheAngelfront。Mrs。Wardorwantedhimtohavehisbreakfastdownstairsinherkitchen，butthatwouldhavemeantabandoningthewatch，andheheldoutstrongly。Thebicycle，cap—a—pie，occupied，underprotest，astrategicpositionintheshop。Hewasexpectantbysixinthemorning。Byninehorriblefearsoppressedhimthathisquesthadescapedhim，andhehadtoreconnoitretheAngelyardinordertosatisfyhimself。Therehefoundtheostler（Howarethemightyfalleninthesedecadentdays！）brushingdownthebicyclesofthechase，andhereturnedrelievedtoMrs。Wardor’spremises。Andabouttentheyemerged，androdequietlyuptheNorthStreet。Hewatchedthemuntiltheyturnedthecornerofthepostoffice，andthenoutintotheroadandupaftertheminfinestyle！Theywentbytheengine—housewheretheoldstocksandthewhippingpostsare，andontotheChichesterroad，andhefollowedgallantly。Sothisgreatchasebegan。
Theydidnotlookround，andhekeptthemjustwithinsight，gettingdownifhechancedtodrawcloselyuponthemroundacorner。Byridingvigorouslyhekeptquiteconvenientlynearthem，fortheymadebutlittlehurry。Hegrewhotindeed，andhiskneeswerealittlestifftobeginwith，butthatwasall。Therewaslittledangeroflosingthem，forathinchalkydustlayupontheroad，andthetrackofhertirewasmilledlikeashilling，andhiswasachequeredribbonalongtheway。SotheyrodebyCobden’smonumentandthroughtheprettiestofvillages，untilatlastthedownsrosesteeplyahead。Theretheystoppedawhileattheonlyinnintheplace，andMr。Hoopdrivertookupapositionwhichcommandedtheinndoor，andmoppedhisfaceandthirstedandsmokedaRedHerringcigarette。Theyremainedintheinnforsometime。Anumberofchubbyinnocentsreturninghomefromschool，stoppedandformedalineinfrontofhim，andwatchedhimquietlybutfirmlyforthespaceoftenminutesorso。\"Goaway，\"saidhe，andtheyonlyseemedquietlyinterested。Heaskedthemalltheirnamesthen，andtheyansweredindistinctmurmurs。
Hegaveitupatlastandbecamepassiveonhisgate，andsoatlengththeytiredofhim。
ThecoupleunderobservationoccupiedtheinnsolongthatMr。
Hoopdriveratthethoughtoftheirpossibleemploymenthungeredaswellasthirsted。Clearly，theywerelunching。Itwasacloudlessday，andthesunatthemeridianbeatdownuponthetopofMr。Hoopdriver’shead，ashowerbathofsunshine，ahugejetofhotlight。Itmadehisheadswim。Atlasttheyemerged，andtheothermaninbrownlookedbackandsawhim。Theyrodeontothefootofthedown，anddismountingbegantopushtediouslyupthatlongnearlyverticalascentofblindingwhiteroad，Mr。
Hoopdriverhesitated。Itmighttakethemtwentyminutestomountthat。Beyondwasemptydownlandperhapsformiles。Hedecidedtoreturntotheinnandsnatchahastymeal。
Attheinntheygavehimbiscuitsandcheeseandamisleadingpewtermeasureofsturdyale，pleasantunderthepalate，coolinthethroat，butleadeninthelegs，ofahotafternoon。Hefeltamanofsubstanceasheemergedintheblindingsunshine，butevenbythefootofthedownthesunwasinsistingagainthathisskullwastoosmallforhisbrains。Thehillhadgonesteeper，thechalkyroadblazedlikeamagnesiumlight，andhisfrontwheelbegananapparentlyincurablesqueaking。HefeltasamanfromMarswouldfeelifheweresuddenlytransferredtothisplanet，aboutthreetimesasheavyashewaswonttofeel。Thetwolittleblackfigureshadvanishedovertheforeheadofthehill。\"Thetracks’llbeallright，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
Thatwasacomfortingreflection。Itnotonlyjustifiedaslowprogressupthehill，butatthecrestasprawlontheturfbesidetheroad，tocontemplatetheWealdfromthesouth。Inamatteroftwodayshehadcrossedthatspaciousvalley，withitsfrozensurgeofgreenhills，itslittlevillagesandtownshipshereandthere，itscopsesandcornfields，itspondsandstreamslikejeweleryofdiamondsandsilverglitteringinthesun。TheNorthDownswerehidden，farawaybeyondtheWealdenHeights。
DownbelowwasthelittlevillageofCocking，andhalf—wayupthehill，amileperhapstotheright，hungaflockofsheepgrazingtogether。Overheadananxiouspeewitcircledagainsttheblue，andeverynowandthenemitteditsfeeblecry。Upheretheheatwastemperedbyapleasantbreeze。Mr。Hoopdriverwaspossessedbyunreasonablecontentment;helithimselfacigaretteandloungedmorecomfortably。SurelytheSussexaleismadeofthewatersofLethe，ofpoppiesandpleasantdreams。Drowsinesscoiledinsidiouslyabouthim。
Heawokewithaguiltystart，tofindhimselfsprawlingproneontheturfwithhiscapoveroneeye。Hesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andrealisedthathehadslept。Hisheadwasstillatrifleheavy。Andthechase？Hejumpedtohisfeetandstoopedtopick。
uphisoverturnedmachine。Hewhippedouthiswatchandsawthatitwaspasttwoo’clock。\"Lordloveus，fancythat！——Butthetracks’llbeallright，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，wheelinghismachinebacktothechalkyroad。\"ImustscorchtillIovertakethem。\"
Hemountedandrodeasrapidlyastheheatandalingeringlassitudepermitted。Nowandthenhehadtodismounttoexaminethesurfacewheretheroadforked。Heenjoyedthatrather。
\"Trackin’，\"hesaidaloud，anddecidedintheprivacyofhisownmindthathehadawonderfulinstinctfor’spoor。’SohecamepastGoodwoodstationandLavant，andapproachedChichestertowardsfouro’clock。Andthencameaterriblething。Inplacestheroadbecamehard，inplaceswerethecrowdedindentationsofarecentflockofsheep，andatlastinthethroatofthetowncobblesandthestonystreetsbranchingeast，west，north，andsouth，atastonecrossundertheshadowofthecathedralthetracksvanished。\"OCricky！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，dismountingindismayandstandingagape。\"Droppedanything？\"saidaninhabitantatthekerb。\"Yes，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，\"I’velostthespoor，\"
andwalkeduponhisway，leavingtheinhabitantmarvellingwhatpartofabicycleaspoormightbe。Mr。Hoopdriver，abandoningtracking，beganaskingpeopleiftheyhadseenaYoungLadyinGreyonabicycle。Sixcasualpeoplehadn’t，andhebegantofeeltheinquirywasconspicuous，anddesisted。Butwhatwastobedone？
Hoopdriverwashot，tired，andhungry，andfullofthefirstgnawingsofamonstrousremorse。Hedecidedtogethimselfsometeaandmeat，andintheRoyalGeorgehemeditatedoverthebusinessinamelancholyframeenough。Theyhadpassedoutofhisworld——vanished，andallhiswonderfuldreamsofsomevague，crucialinterferencecollapsedlikeacastleofcards。Whatafoolhehadbeennottosticktothemlikealeech！Hemighthavethought！Butthere！——whatWASthegoodofthatsortofthingnow？
Hethoughtofhertears，ofherhelplessness，ofthebearingoftheothermaninbrown，andhiswrathanddisappointmentsurgedhigher。\"WhatCANIdo？\"saidMr。Hoopdriveraloud，bringinghisfistdownbesidetheteapot。
WhatwouldSherlockHolmeshavedone？Perhaps，afterall，theremightbesuchthingsascluesintheworld，albeittheageofmiracleswaspast。Buttolookforaclueinthisintricatenetworkofcobbledstreets，toexamineeverymuddyinterstice！
Therewasachancebylookingaboutandinquiryatthevariousinns。Uponthathebegan。Butofcoursetheymighthaveriddenstraightthroughandscarcelyasoulhavemarkedthem。Andthencameapositivelybrilliantidea。\"’OwmanywaysarethereoutofChichester？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。ItwasreallyequaltoSherlockHolmes——that。\"Ifthey’vemadetracks，Ishallfindthosetracks。
Ifnot——they’reinthetown。\"HewastheninEastStreet，andhestartedatoncetomakethecircuitoftheplace，discoveringincidentallythatChichesterisawalledcity。Inpassing，hemadeinquiriesattheBlackSwan，theCrown，andtheRedLionHotel。Atsixo’clockintheevening，hewaswalkingdowncast，intent，asonewhohaddroppedmoney，alongtheroadtowardsBognor，kickingupthedustwithhisshoesandfrettingwithdisappointedpugnacity。Athwarted，crestfallenHoopdriveritwas，asyoumaywellimagine。Andthensuddenlytherejumpeduponhisattention——abroadlineribbedlikeashilling，andclosebesideitonechequered，thateverandagainsplitintotwo。
\"Found！\"saidMr。Hoopdriverandswungroundonhisheelatonce，andbacktotheRoyalGeorge，helterskelter，forthebicycletheyweremindingforhim。Theostlerthoughthewasconfoundedlyimperious，consideringhismachine。
ATBOGNOR
XXI
Thatseductivegentleman，Bechamel，hadbeenworkinguptoacrisis。Hehadstarteduponthiselopementinaveinoffineromance，immenselyproudofhiswickedness，andreallyasmuchinloveasanartificialoversoulcanbe，withJessie。ButeithershewastheprofoundestofcoquettesorshehadnottheslightestelementofPassion（withalargeP）inhercomposition。Itwarredwithallhisideasofhimselfandthefemininemindtothinkthatundertheirflatteringcircumstancesshereallycouldbesovitallydeficient。Hefoundherpersistentcoolness，hermoreorlessevidentcontemptforhimself，exasperatinginthehighestdegree。Heputittohimselfthatshewasenoughtoprovokeasaint，andtriedtothinkthatwaspiquantandenjoyable，buttheblistersonhisvanityassertedthemselves。Thefactis，hewas，underthisstandingirritation，gettingdowntothenaturalmaninhimselfforonce，andthenaturalmaninhimself，inspiteofOxfordandthejuniorReviewers’Club，wasaPalaeolithiccreatureofsimpletastesandviolentmethods。\"I’llbelevelwithyouyet，\"ranlikeaploughthroughthesoilofhisthoughts。
Thentherewasthisinfernaldetective。BechamelhadtoldhiswifehewasgoingtoDavostoseeCarter。Tothathehadfanciedshewasreconciled，buthowshewouldtakethisexploitwasentirelyproblematical。Shewasawomanofpeculiarmoralviews，andshemeasuredmaritalinfidelitylargelybyitsproximitytoherself。Outofhersight，andmoreparticularlyoutofthesightoftheotherwomenofherset，viceoftherecogniseddescriptionwas，perhaps，permissibletothosecontemptibleweaklings，men，butthiswasEvilontheHighRoads。Shewasboundtomakeafuss，andthesefussesinvariablytookthefinalformofatightnessofmoneyforBechamel。Albeit，andhefeltitwasheroicofhimtoresolveso，itwasworthdoingifitwastobedone。HisimaginationworkedonakindofmatronlyValkyrie，andthenoiseofpursuitandvengeancewasintheair。Theidyllstillhadthefrontofthestage。Thataccurseddetective，itseemed，hadbeenthrownoffthescent，andthat，atanyrate，gaveanight’srespite。Butthingsmustbebroughttoanissueforthwith。
Byeighto’clockintheevening，inalittledining—roomintheVicunaHotel，Bognor，thecrisishadcome，andJessie，flushedandangryinthefaceandwithherheartsinking，facedhimagainforherlastst，rugglewithhim。Hehadtrickedherthistime，effectually，andluckhadbeenonhisside。ShewasbookedasMrs。Beaumont。Saveforherrefusaltoentertheirroom，andhereccentricityofeatingwithunwashedhands，shehadsofarkeptuptheappearancesofthingsbeforethewaiter。Butthedinnerwasgrimenough。Nowinturnsheappealedtohisbetternatureandmadeextravagantstatementsofherplanstofoolhim。
Hewaswhiteandviciousbythistime，andhisangerquiveredthroughhisposeofbrilliantwickedness。
\"Iwillgotothestation，\"shesaid。\"Iwillgoback——\"
\"Thelasttrainforanywhereleavesat7。42。\"
\"Iwillappealtothepolice——\"
\"Youdon’tknowthem。\"
\"Iwilltellthesehotelpeople。\"
\"Theywillturnyououtofdoors。You’reinsuchathoroughlyfalsepositionnow。Theydon’tunderstandunconventionality，downhere。\"
Shestampedherfoot。\"IfIwanderaboutthestreetsallnight——\"
shesaid。
\"Youwhohaveneverbeenoutaloneafterdusk？Doyouknowwhatthestreetsofacharminglittleholidayresortarelike——\"
\"Idon’tcare，\"shesaid。\"Icangototheclergymanhere。\"
\"He’sacharmingman。Unmarried。Andmenarereallymorealikethanyouthink。Andanyhow——\"
\"Well？\"
\"HowCANyouexplainthelasttwonightstoanyonenow？Themischiefisdone，Jessie。\"
\"YouCUR，\"shesaid，andsuddenlyputherhandtoherbreast。Hethoughtshemeanttofaint，butshestood，withthecolourgonefromherface。
\"No，\"hesaid。\"Iloveyou。\"
\"Love！\"saidshe。
\"Yes——love。\"
\"Therearewaysyet，\"shesaid，afterapause。
\"Notforyou。Youaretoofulloflifeandhopeyetfor，whatisit？——notthedarkarchnortheblackflowingriver。Don’tyouthinkofit。You’llonlyshirkitwhenthemomentcomes，andturnitallintocomedy。\"
Sheturnedroundabruptlyfromhimandstoodlookingoutacrosstheparadeattheshiningseaoverwhichtheafterglowofdayfledbeforetherisingmoon。Hemaintainedhisattitude。Theblindswerestillup，forshehadtoldthewaiternottodrawthem。Therewassilenceforsomemoments。
Atlasthespokeinaspersuasiveavoiceashecouldsummon。
\"Takeitsensibly，Jessie。Whyshouldwe，whohavesomuchincommon，quarrelintomelodrama？IswearIloveyou。Youareallthatisbrightanddesirabletome。Iamstrongerthanyou，older;mantoyourwoman。TofindYOUtoo——conventional！\"
Shelookedathimoverhershoulder，andhenoticedwithatwingeofdelighthowherlittlechincameoutbeneaththecurveofhercheek。
\"MAN！\"shesaid。\"MantoMYwoman！DoMENlie？WouldaMANusehisfiveandthirtyyears’experiencetooutwitagirlofseventeen？Mantomywomanindeed！Thatsurelyisthelastinsult！\"
\"Yourreparteeisadmirable，Jessie。Ishouldsaytheydo，though——allthatandmorealsowhentheirheartsweresetonsuchagirlasyourself。ForGod’ssakedropthisshrewishness！Whyshouldyoubeso——difficulttome？HereamIwithMYreputation，MYcareer，atyourfeet。Lookhere，Jessie——onmyhonour，Iwillmarryyou——\"
\"Godforbid，\"shesaid，sopromptlythatsheneverlearnthehadawife，eventhen。Itoccurredtohimthenforthefirsttime，intheflashofherretort，thatshedidnotknowhewasmarried。
\"’Tisonlyapre—nuptialsettlement，\"hesaid，followingthathint。
Hepaused。
\"Youmustbesensible。Thething’syourowndoing。Comeoutonthebeachnowthebeachhereissplendid，andthemoonwillsoonbehigh。\"
\"_I_WON’T\"shesaid，stampingherfoot。
\"Well，well——\"
\"Oh！leavemealone。Letmethink——\"
\"Think，\"hesaid，\"ifyouwantto。It’syourcryalways。Butyoucan’tsaveyourselfbythinking，mydeargirl。Youcan’tsaveyourselfinanywaynow。Ifsavingitis——thisparsimony——\"
\"Oh，go——go。\"
\"Verywell。Iwillgo。Iwillgoandsmokeacigar。Andthinkofyou，dear……ButdoyouthinkIshoulddoallthisifIdidnotcare？\"
\"Go，\"shewhispered，withoutglancinground。Shecontinuedtostareoutofthewindow。Hestoodlookingatherforamoment，withastrangelightinhiseyes。Hemadeasteptowardsher。\"I
HAVEyou，\"，hesaid。\"Youaremine。Netted——caught。Butmine。\"Hewouldhavegoneuptoherandlaidhishanduponher，buthedidnotdaretodothatyet。\"Ihaveyouinmyhand，\"hesaid，\"inmypower。Doyouhear——POWER！\"
Sheremainedimpassive。Hestaredatherforhalfaminute，andthen，withasuperbgesturethatwaslostuponher，wenttothedoor。SurelytheinstinctiveabasementofhersexbeforeStrengthwasuponhisside。Hetoldhimselfthathisbattlewaswon。Sheheardthehandlemoveandthecatchclickasthedoorclosedbehindhim。
XXII
AndnowwithoutinthetwilightbeholdMr。Hoopdriver，hischeekshot，hiseyebright！Hisbrainisinatumult。Thenervous，obsequiousHoopdriver，towhomIintroducedyousomedayssince，hasundergoneawonderfulchange。Eversincehelostthat’spoor’
inChichester，hehasbeentormentedbythemosthorriblevisionsoftheshamefulinsultsthatmaybehappening。Thestrangenessofnewsurroundingshasbeenworkingtostripoffthehabitualservilefromhim。Herewasmoonlightrisingoverthememoryofaredsunset，darkshadowsandglowingorangelamps，beautysomewheremysteriouslyraptawayfromhim，tangiblewronginabrownsuitandanunpleasantface，floutinghim。Mr。Hoopdriverforthetime，wasintheworldofRomanceandKnight—errantry，divinelyforgetfulofhissocialpositionorhers;forgetting，too，forthetimeanyofthewretchedtimiditiesthathadtiedhimlongsincebehindthecounterinhisproperplace。Hewasangryandadventurous。Itwasallabouthim，thisvividdramahehadfalleninto，anditwaseludinghim。Hewasfartoogrimlyinearnesttopickupthatlostthreadandmakeaplayofitnow。
Themanwasliving。Hedidnotposewhenhealightedatthecofeetaverneven，norwhenhemadehishastymeal。
AsBechamelcrossedfromtheVicunatowardstheesplanade，Hoopdriver，disappointedandexasperated，camehurryingroundthecornerfromtheTemperanceHotel。AtthesightofBechamel，hisheartjumped，andthetensionofhisangrysuspenseexplodedinto，ratherthangaveplaceto，anexcitedactivityofmind。
TheywereattheVicuna，andshewastherenowalone。Itwastheoccasionhesought。ButhewouldgiveChancenochanceagainsthim。Hewentbackroundthecorner，satdownontheseat，andwatchedBechamelrecedeintothedimnessuptheesplanade，beforehegotupandwalkedintothehotelentrance。\"Aladycyclistingrey，\"heaskedfor，andfollowedboldlyonthewaiter’sheels。
Thedoorofthedining—roomwasopeningbeforehefeltaqualm。
Andthensuddenlyhewasnearlymindedtoturnandrunforit，andhisfeaturesseemedtohimtobeconvulsed。
Sheturnedwithastart，andlookedathimwithsomethingbetweenterrorandhopeinhereyes。
\"CanI——haveafewwords——withyou，alone？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，controllinghisbreathwithdifficulty。Shehesitated，andthenmotionedthewaitertowithdraw。
Mr。Hoopdriverwatchedthedoorshut。Hehadintendedtostepoutintothemiddleoftheroom，foldhisarmsandsay，\"Youareintrouble。IamaFriend。Trustme。\"Insteadofwhichhestoodpantingandthenspokewithsuddenfamiliarity，hastily，guiltily：\"Lookhere。Idon’tknowwhatthejuiceisup，butI
thinkthere’ssomethingwrong。Excusemyintruding——ifitisn’tso。I’lldoanythingyouliketohelpyououtofthescrape——ifyou’reinone。That’smymeaning，Ibelieve。WhatcanIdo？I
woulddoanythingtohelpyou。\"
Herbrowpuckered，asshewatchedhimmake，withinfiniteemotion，thisremarkablespeech。\"YOU！\"shesaid。Shewastumultuouslyweighingpossibilitiesinhermind，andhehadscarcelyceasedwhenshehadmadeherresolve。
Shesteppedapaceforward。\"Youareagentleman，\"shesaid。
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"CanItrustyou？\"
Shedidnotwaitforhisassurance。\"Imustleavethishotelatonce。Comehere。\"
Shetookhisarmandledhimtothewindow。
\"Youcanjustseethegate。Itisstillopen。Throughthatareourbicycles。Godown，getthemout，andIwillcomedowntoyou。
Dareyou？
\"Getyourbicycleoutintheroad？\"
\"Both。Minealoneisnogood。Atonce。Dareyou？\"
\"Whichway？\"
\"Gooutbythefrontdoorandround。Iwillfollowinoneminute。\"
\"Right！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，andwent。
Hehadtogetthosebicycles。HadhebeentoldtogooutandkillBechamelhewouldhavedoneit。HisheadwasaMaeIstromnow。Hewalkedoutofthehotel，alongthefront，andintothebig，blackshadowedcoachyard。Helookedround。Therewerenobicyclesvisible。Thenamanemergedfromthedark，ashortmaninashort，black，shinyjacket。Hoopdriverwascaught。Hemadenoattempttoturnandrunforit。\"I’vebeengivingyourmachinesawipeover，sir，\"saidtheman，recognisingthesuit，andtouchinghiscap。Hoopdriver’sintelligencenowwasasoaringeagle;heswoopedonthesituationatonce。\"That’sright，\"hesaid，andadded，beforethepausebecamemarked，\"Whereismine？Iwanttolookatthechain。\"
Themanledhimintoanopenshed，andwentfumblingforalantern。Hoopdrivermovedthelady’smachineoutofhiswaytothedoor，andthenlaidhandsontheman’smachineandwheeleditoutoftheshedintotheyard。Thegatestoodopenandbeyondwasthepaleroadandaclumpoftreesblackinthetwilight。Hestoopedandexaminedthechainwithtremblingfingers。Howwasittobedone？Somethingbehindthegateseemedtoflutter。Themanmustbegotridofanyhow。
\"Isay，\"saidHoopdriver，withaninspiration，\"canyougetmeascrewdriver？\"
Themansimplywalkedacrosstheshed，openedandshutabox，andcameuptothekneelingHoopdriverwithascrewdriverinhishand。Hoopdriverfelthimselfalostman。Hetookthescrewdriverwithatepid\"Thanks，\"andincontinentlyhadanotherinspiration。
\"Isay，\"hesaidagain。
\"Well？\"
\"Thisismilestoobig。\"
Themanlitthelantern，broughtituptoHoopdriverandputitdownontheground。\"Wantasmallerscrewdriver？\"hesaid。
HoopdriverhadhishandkerchiefoutandsneezedapromptATICHEW。
Itistheorthodoxthingwhenyouwishtoavoidrecognition。\"Assmallasyouhave，\"hesaid，outofhispockethandkerchief。
\"Iain’tgotnonesmallerthanthat，\"saidtheostler。
\"Won’tdo，really，\"saidHoopdriver，stillwallowinginhishandkerchief。
\"I’llseewottheygotinthe’ouse，ifyoulike，sir，\"saidtheman。\"Ifyouwould，\"saidHoopdriver。Andastheman’sheavilynailedbootswentclatteringdowntheyard，Hoopdriverstoodup，tookanoiselesssteptothelady’smachine，laidtremblinghandsonitshandleandsaddle，andpreparedforarush。
Thescullerydooropenedmomentarilyandsentabeamofwarm，yellowlightuptheroad，shutagainbehindtheman，andforthwithHoopdriverrushedthemachinestowardsthegate。Adarkgreyformcameflutteringtomeethim。\"Givemethis，\"shesaid，\"andbringyours。\"
Hepassedthethingtoher，touchedherhandinthedarkness，ranback，seizedBechamel’smachine，andfollowed。
Theyellowlightofthescullerydoorsuddenlyflasheduponthecobblesagain。Itwastoolatenowtodoanythingbutescape。Heheardtheostlershoutbehindhim，andcameintotheroad。Shewasupanddimalready。Hegotintothesaddlewithoutablunder。
Inamomenttheostlerwasinthegatewaywithafull—throated\"HI！sir！Thatain’tallowed;\"andHoopdriverwasovertakingtheYoungLadyinGrey。Forsomemomentstheearthseemedalivewithshoutsof，\"Stop’em！\"andtheshadowswithambuscadesofpolice。
Theroadsweptround，andtheywereridingoutofsightofthehotel，andbehinddarkhedges，sidebyside。
Shewasweepingwithexcitementasheovertookher。\"Brave，\"shesaid，\"brave！\"andheceasedtofeellikeahuntedthief。Helookedoverhisshoulderandabouthim，andsawthattheywerealreadyoutofBognor——fortheVicunastandsattheverywesternmostextremityoftheseafront——andridingonafairwideroad。
XXIII
Theostler（beingafool）rushedviolentlydowntheroadvociferatingafterthem。ThenhereturnedpantingtotheVicunaHotel，andfindingagroupofmenoutsidetheentrance，whowantedtoknowwhatwasUP，stoppedtogivethemthecreamoftheadventure。Thatgavethefugitivesfiveminutes。Thenpushingbreathlesslyintothebar，hehadtomakeitcleartothebarmaidwhatthematterwas，andthe’gov’nor’beingout，theyspentsomemoreprecioustimewondering’what——EVER’wastobedone！inwhichthetwocustomersreturningfromoutsidejoinedwithanimation。Therewerealsomoralremarksandotherirrelevantcontributions。Therewereconflictingideasoftellingthepoliceandpursuingtheflyingcoupleonahorse。Thatmadetenminutes。
ThenStephen，thewaiter，whohadshownHoopdriverup，camedownandlitwonderfullightsandstartedquiteafreshdiscussionbythesimplequestion\"WHICH？\"Thatturnedtenminutesintoaquarterofanhour。Andinthemidstofthisdiscussion，makingasuddenandawestrickensilence，appearedBechamelinthehallbeyondthebar，walkedwitharesoluteairtothefootofthestaircase，andpassedoutofsight。Youconceivethebackwardpitchofthatexceptionallyshapedcranium？Incredulouseyesstaredintooneanother’sinthebar，ashispaces，muffledbythestaircarpet，wentuptothelanding，turned，reachedthepassageandwalkedintothedining—roomoverhead。
\"Itwasn’tthatoneatall，miss，\"saidtheostler，\"I’dSWEAR\"
\"Well，that’sMr。Beaumont，\"saidthebarmaid，\"——anyhow。\"
Theirconversationhungcomatoseintheair，switchedupbyBechamel。Theylistenedtogether。Hisfeetstopped。Turned。Wentoutofthediningroom。Downthepassagetothebedroom。Stoppedagain。
\"Poorchap！\"saidthebarmaid。\"She’sawickedwoman！\"
\"Sssh！\"saidStephen。
AfterapauseBechamelwentbacktothedining—room。Theyheardachaircreakunderhim。Interludeofconversationaleyebrows。
\"I’mgoingup，\"saidStephen，\"tobreakthemelancholynewstohim。\"
Bechamellookedupfromaweek—oldnewspaperas，withoutknocking，Stephenentered。Bechamel’sfacesuggestedadifferentexpectation。\"Begpardon，sir，\"saidStephen，withadiplomaticcough。
\"Well？\"saidBechamel，wonderingsuddenlyifJessiehadkeptsomeofherthreats。Ifso，hewasinforanexplanation。Buthehaditready。Shewasamonomaniac。\"Leavemealonewithher，\"hewouldsay;\"Iknowhowtocalmher。\"
\"Mrs。Beaumont，\"saidStephen。
\"WELL？\"
\"Hasgone。\"
Herosewithafinesurprise。\"Gone！\"hesaidwithahalflaugh。
\"Gone，sir。Onherbicycle。\"
\"Onherbicycle！Why？\"
\"Shewent，sir，withAnotherGentleman。\"
ThistimeBechamelwasreallystartled。\"An——otherGentlemen！
WHO？\"
\"Anothergentlemaninbrown，sir。Wentintotheyard，sir，gotoutthetwobicycles，sir，andwentoff，sir——abouttwentyminutesago。\"
Bechamelstoodwithhiseyesroundandhisknuckleonhiships。
Stephen，watchinghimwithimmenseenjoyment，speculatedwhetherthisabandonedhusbandwouldweeporcurse，orrushoffatonceinfuriouspursuit。Butasyetheseemedmerelystunned。
\"Brownclothes？\"hesaid。\"Andfairish？\"
\"Alittlelikeyourself，sir——inthedark。Theostler，sir，JimDuke——\"
Bechamellaughedawry。Then，withinfinitefervour，hesaid——Butletusputinblankcartridge——hesaid，\"——————！\"
\"Imighthavethought！\"
Heflunghimselfintothearmchair。
\"Damnher，\"saidBechamel，foralltheworldlikeacommonman。
\"I’llchuckthisinfernalbusiness！They’vegone，eigh？\"
\"Yessir。\"
Well，let’emGO，\"saidBechamel，makingamemorablesaying。\"Let’emGO。Whocares？AndIwishhimluck。AndbringmesomeBourbonasfastasyoucan，there’sagoodchap。I’lltakethat，andthenI’llhaveanotherlookroundBognorbeforeIturnin。\"
Stephenwastoosurprisedtosayanythingbut\"Bourbon，sir？\"
\"Goon，\"saidBechamel。\"Damnyou！\"
Stephen’ssympathieschangedatonce。\"Yessir，\"hemurmured，fumblingforthedoorhandle，andlefttheroom，marvelling。
Bechamel，havinginthiswaysatisfiedhissenseofappearances，andcomportedhimselfasaPaganshould，sosoonasthewaiter’sfootstepshadpassed，ventedthecreamofhisfeelingsinastreamofblasphemousindecency。WhetherhiswifeorHER
stepmotherhadsentthedetective，SHEhadevidentlygoneoffwithhim，andthatlittlebusinesswasover。Andhewashere，strandedandsold，anass，andasitwere，thesonofmanygenerationsofasses。Andhisonlyrayofhopewasthatitseemedmoreprobable，afterall，thatthegirlhadescapedthroughherstepmother。Inwhichcasethebusinessmightbehushedupyet，andtheevilhourofexplanationwithhiswifeindefinitelypostponed。Thenabruptlytheimageofthatlithefigureingreyknickerbockerswentfriskingacrosshismindagain，andherevertedtohisblasphemies。Hestartedupinagustyfrenzywithavagueideaofpursuit，andincontinentlysatdownagainwithaconcussionthatstirredthebarbelowtoitsdepths。Hebangedthearmsofthechairwithhisfist，andsworeagain。\"Ofalltheaccursedfoolsthatwereeverspawned，\"hewaschanting，\"I，Bechamel——\"whenwithanabrupttapandpromptopeningofthedoor，StephenenteredwiththeBourbon。
THEMOONLIGHTRIDE
XXIV
Andsothetwentyminutes’lawpassedintoaninfinity。WeleavethewickedBechamelclothinghimselfwithcursingaswithagarment，——thewretchedcreaturehasalreadysufficientlysulliedourmodestbuttruthfulpages，——weleavetheeagerlittlegroupinthebaroftheVicunaHotel，weleaveallBognoraswehaveleftallChichesterandMidhurstandHaslemereandGuildfordandRipleyandPutney，andfollowthisdearfoolofaHoopdriverofoursandhisYoungLadyinGreyoutuponthemoonlightroad。Howtheyrode！Howtheirheartsbeattogetherandtheirbreathcamefast，andhoweveryshadowwasanticipationandeverynoisepursuit！ForallthatflightMr。HoopdriverwasintheworldofRomance。Hadapolicemanintervenedbecausetheirlampswerenotlit，Hoopdriverhadcuthimdownandriddenon，afterthefashionofaheroborn。HadBechamelariseninthewaywithrapiersforaduel，HoopdriverhadfoughtasonetowhomAgincourtwasarealityanddraperyadream。ItwasRescue，Elopement，Glory！Andshebythesideofhim！Hehadseenherfaceinshadow，withthemorningsunlighttangledinherhair，hehadseenhersympatheticwiththatwarmlightinherface，hehadseenhertroubledandhereyesbrightwithtears。Butwhatlightistherelightingafacelikehers，tocomparewiththesoftglamourofthemidsummermoon？
Theroadturnednorthward，goingroundthroughtheoutskirtsofBognor，inoneplacedarkandheavyunderathickgrowthoftrees，thenamidstvillasagain，somewarmandlamplit，somewhiteandsleepinginthemoonlight;thenbetweenhedges，overwhichtheysawbroadwanmeadowsshroudedinalow—lyingmist。
Theyscarcelyheededwhithertheyrodeatfirst，beingonlyanxioustogetaway，turningoncewestwardwhenthespireofChichestercathedralrosesuddenlynearthemoutofthedewynight，paleandintricateandhigh。Theyrode，speakinglittle，justararewordnowandthen，ataturning，atafootfall，ataroughnessintheroad。
Sheseemedtobetoointentuponescapetogivemuchthoughttohim，butafterthefirsttumultoftheadventure，asflightpassedintomeresteadyridin@@hismindbecameanenormousappreciationoftheposition。Thenightwasawarmwhitesilencesaveforthesubtilerunningoftheirchains。Helookedsidewaysatherasshesatbesidehimwithheranklesgracefullyrulingthetreadles。Nowtheroadturnedwestward，andshewasadarkgreyoutlineagainsttheshimmerofthemoon;andnowtheyfacednorthwards，andthesoftcoldlightpassedcaressinglyoverherhairandtouchedherbrowandcheek。
Thereisamagicqualityinmoonshine;ittouchesallthatissweetandbeautiful，andtherestofthenightishidden。Ithascreatedthefairies，whomthesunlightkills，andfairylandrisesagaininourheartsatthesightofit，thevoicesofthefilmyroute，andtheirfaint，soul—piercingmelodies。Bythemoonlighteveryman，dullclodthoughhebebyday，tastessomethingofEndymion，takessomethingoftheyouthandstrengthofEnidymion，andseesthedearwhitegoddessshiningathimfromhisLady’seyes。Thefirmsubstantialdaylightthingsbecomeghostlyandelusive，thehillsbeyondareaseaofunsubstantialtexture，theworldavisiblespirit，thespiritualwithinusrisesoutofitsdarkness，losessomethingofitsweightandbody，andswimsuptowardsheaven。Thisroadthatwasamereruttedwhitedust，hotunderfoot，blindingtotheeye，isnowasoftgreysilence，withtheglitterofacrystalgrainsetstarlikeinitssilverhereandthere。Overhead，ridingserenelythroughthespaciousblue，isthemotherofthesilence，shewhohasspiritualisedtheworld，alonesavefortwoattendantsteadyshiningstars。Andinsilenceunderherbenigninfluence，underthebenedictionofherlight，rodeourtwowandererssidebysidethroughthetransfiguredandtransfiguringnight。
NowherewasthemoonshiningquitesobrightlyasinMr。
Hoopdriver’sskull。Attheturningsoftheroadhemadehisdecisionswithanairofprofoundpromptitude（andquitehaphazard）。\"TheRight，\"hewouldsay。Oragain\"TheLeft，\"asonewhoknew。Soitwasthatinthespaceofanhourtheycameabruptlydownalittlelane，fulltiltuponthesea。Greybeachtotherightofthemandtotheleft，andalittlewhitecottagefastasleepinlandofasleepingfishing—boat。\"Hullo！\"saidMr。
Hoopdriver，sottovoce。Theydismountedabruptly。Stuntedoaksandthornsroseoutofthehazeofmoonlightthatwastangledinthehedgeoneitherside。
\"Youaresafe，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，sweepingoffhiscapwithanairandbowingcourtly。
\"Wherearewe？\"
\"SAFE。\"
\"ButWHERE？\"
\"ChichesterHarbour。\"Hewavedhisarmseawardasthoughitwasagoal。
\"Doyouthinktheywillfollowus？\"
\"Wehaveturnedandturnedagain。\"
ItseemedtoHoopdriverthatheheardhersob。Shestooddimlythere，holdinghermachine，andhe，holdinghis，couldgononearertohertoseeifshesobbedforweepingorforwantofbreath。\"Whatarewetodonow？\"hervoiceasked。
\"Areyoutired？\"heasked。
\"Iwilldowhathastobedone。\"
Thetwoblackfiguresinthebrokenlightweresilentforaspace。\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，\"Iamnotafraidofyou。Iamsureyouarehonesttome。AndIdonotevenknowyourname！\"
Hewastakenwithasuddenshameofhishomelypatronymic。\"It’sanuglyname，\"hesaid。\"Butyouarerightintrustingme。I
would——Iwoulddoanythingforyou……Thisisnothing。\"
Shecaughtatherbreath。Shedidnotcaretoaskwhy。ButcomparedwithBechamel！——\"Wetakeeachotherontrust，\"shesaid。
\"Doyouwanttoknow——howthingsarewithme？\"
\"Thatman，\"shewenton，aftertheassentofhislisteningsilence，\"promisedtohelpandprotectme。Iwasunhappyathome——nevermindwhy。Astepmother——Idle，unoccupied，hindered，cramped，thatisenough，perhaps。Thenhecameintomylife，andtalkedtomeofartandliterature，andsetmybrainonfire。I
wantedtocomeoutintotheworld，tobeahumanbeing——notathinginahutch。Andhe——\"
\"Iknow，\"saidHoopdriver。
\"AndnowhereIam——\"
\"Iwilldoanything，\"saidHoopdriver。
Shethought。\"Youcannotimaginemystepmother。No！Icouldnotdescribeher——\"
\"Iamentirelyatyourservice。Iwillhelpyouwithallmypower。\"
\"IhavelostanIllusionandfoundaKnight—errant。\"ShespokeofBechamelastheIllusion。
Mr。Hoopdriverfeltflattered。Buthehadnoadequateanswer。
\"I’mthinking，\"hesaid，fullofaraptureofprotectiveresponsibility，\"whatwehadbestbedoing。Youaretired，youknow。Andwecan’twanderallnight——afterthedaywe’vehad。\"
\"ThatwasChichesterwewerenear？\"sheasked。
\"If，\"hemeditated，withatrembleinhisvoice，\"youwouldmakeMEyourbrother，MISSBEAUMONT。\"
\"Yes？\"
\"Wecouldstoptheretogether——\"
Shetookaminutetoanswer。\"Iamgoingtolighttheselamps，\"
saidHoopdriver。Hebentdowntohisown，andstruckamatchonhisshoe。Shelookedathisfaceinitslight，graveandintent。
Howcouldsheeverhavethoughthimcommonorabsurd？
\"Butyoumusttellmeyourname——brother，\"shesaid，\"Er——Carrington，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，afteramomentarypause。
WhowouldbeHoopdriveronanightlikethis？
\"ButtheChristianname？\"
\"Christianname？MYChristianname。Well——Chris。\"Hesnappedhislampandstoodup。\"Ifyouwillholdmymachine，Iwilllightyours，\"hesaid。
Shecameroundobedientlyandtookhismachine，andforamomenttheystoodfacetoface。\"Myname，brotherChris，\"shesaid，\"isJessie。\"
Helookedintohereyes，andhisexcitementseemedarrested。
