第10章

"ButIsupposehe\'sreallygood，"shesaid，"Imean，allthosethingshetoldyouaboutwereonly——"

"Good!"heanswered，fidgeting；"Idon\'treallyknowwhatthewordmeans。"

Hereyesclouded。"Dick，howcanyou？"theyseemedtosay。

Sheltonstrokedhersleeve。

"TellusaboutMr。Crocker，"shesaid，takingnoheedofhiscaress。

"Thelunatic!"hesaid。

"Lunatic!Why，inyourlettershewassplendid。"

"Soheis，"saidShelton，halfashamed；"he\'snotabitmad，really——thatis，IonlywishIwerehalfasmad。"

"Who\'sthatmad？"queriedMrs。Dennantfrombehindtheurn——"TomCrocker？Ah，yes!Iknewhismother；shewasaSpringer。"

"Didhedoitintheweek？"saidThea，appearinginthewindowwithakitten。

"Idon\'tknow，"Sheltonwasobligedtoanswer。

Theashookbackherhair。

"Icallitawfullyslackofyounottohavefoundout，"shesaid。

Antoniafrowned。

"Youwereverysweettothatyoungforeigner，Dick，"shemurmuredwithasmileatShelton。"Iwishthatwecouldseehim。"

ButSheltonshookhishead。

"Itseemstome，"hemuttered，"thatIdidaboutaslittleforhimasIcould。"

Againherfacegrewthoughtful，asthoughhiswordshadchilledher。

"Idon\'tseewhatmoreyoucouldhavedone，"sheanswered。

Adesiretogetclosetoher，halffear，halfache，asenseoffutilityandbafflement，aninnerburning，madehimfeelasthoughaflamewerelickingathisheart。

CHAPTERXXI

ENGLISH

JustasSheltonwasstartingtowalkbacktoOxfordhemetMr。

Dennantcomingfromaride。Antonia\'sfatherwasasparemanofmediumheight，withyellowishface，greymoustache，ironicaleyebrows，andsometinycrow\'s-feet。Inhisold，shortgreycoat，withalittleslitupthemiddleoftheback，hisdrabcordbreeches，ancientmahoganyleggings，andcarefullyblackedboats，hehadadry，threadbarequalitynotwithoutdistinction。

"Ah，Shelton!"hesaid，inhisquietlyfestivevoice；"gladtoseethepilgrimhere，atlast。You\'renotoffalready？"and，layinghishandonShelton\'sarm，heproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhimacrossthefields。

Thiswasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincetheengagement；andSheltonbegantonervehimselftoexpresssomesentiment，howeverbald，aboutit。Hesquaredhisshoulders，clearedhisthroat，andlookedaskanceatMr。Dennant。Thatgentlemanwaswalkingstiffly，hiscordbreechesfaintlysqueaking。Heswitchedayellow，jointedcaneagainsthisleggings，andaftereachblowlookedathislegssatirically。Hehimselfwasratherlikethatyellowcane-pale，andslim，andjointed，withfeaturesarchingjustalittle，likethearchingofitshandle。

"Theysayit\'llbeabadyearforfruit，"Sheltonsaidatlast。

"Mydearfellow，youdon\'tknowyourfarmer，I\'mafraid。Weoughttohangsomefarmers——doaworldofgood。Dearsouls!I\'vegotsomeperfectstrawberries。"

"Isuppose，"saidShelton，gladtopostponetheevilmoment，"inaclimatelikethisamanmustgrumble。"

"Quiteso，quiteso!Lookatuspoorslavesofland-owners；ifI

couldn\'tabusethefarmersIshouldbewretched。Didyoueverseeanythingfinerthanthispasture？Andtheywantmetolowertheirrents!"

AndMr。Dennant\'sglancesatiricallywavered，restedonShelton，andwhiskedbacktothegroundasthoughhehadseensomethingthatalarmedhim。Therewasapause。

"Nowforit!"thoughttheyoungerman。

Mr。Dennantkepthiseyesfixedonhisboots。

"Ifthey\'dsaid，now，"heremarkedjocosely，"thatthefrosthadnippedthepartridges，there\'dhavebeensomesenseinit；butwhatcanyouexpect？They\'venoconsideration，dearsouls!"

Sheltontookabreath，and，withavertedeyes，hehurriedlybegan:

"It\'sawfullyhard，sir，to——"

Mr。Dennantswitchedhiscaneagainsthisshin。

"Yes，"hesaid，"it\'sawfullyhardtoputupwith，butwhatcanafellowdo？Onemusthavefarmers。Why，ifitwasn\'tforthefarmers，there\'dbestillahareortwoabouttheplace!"

Sheltonlaughedspasmodically；againheglancedaskanceathisfuturefather-in-law。Whatdidthewagglingofhisheadmean，thedeepeningofhiscrow\'s-feet，theoddcontractionofthemouth？AndhiseyecaughtMr。Dennant\'seye；itsexpressionwasqueerabovethefine，drynose(oneofthesortthatreddensinawind)。

"I\'veneverhadmuchtodowithfarmers，"hesaidatlast。

"Haven\'tyou？Luckyfellow!Themost——yes，quitethemosttryingportionofthehumanspecies——nexttodaughters。"

"Well，sir，youcanhardlyexpectme——"beganShelton。

"Idon\'t——oh，Idon\'t!D\'youknow，Ireallybelievewe\'reinforaducking。"

Alargeblackcloudhadcoveredupthesun，andsomedropswerespatteringonMr。Dennant\'shardfelthat。

Sheltonwelcomedtheshower；itappearedtohimaninterventiononthepartofProvidence。Hewouldhavetosaysomething，butnotnow，later。

"I\'llgoon，"hesaid；"Idon\'tmindtherain。Butyou\'dbettergetback，sir。"

"Dearme!I\'ve\'atenantinthiscottage，\'saidMr。Dennantinhis，leisurely，drymanner"andabeggarheistopoach，too。Leastwecando\'stoaskforalittleshelter；whatdoyouthink？"andsmilingsarcastically，asthoughdeprecatinghisintentiontokeepdry，herappedonthedoorofaprosperous-lookingcottage。

ItwasopenedbyagirlofAntonia\'sageandheight。

"Ah，Phoebe!Yourfatherin？"

"No，"repliedthegirl，fluttering；"father\'sout，Mr。Dennant。"

"Sosorry!Willyouletusbideabitoutoftherain？"

Thesweet-lookingPhoebedustedthemtwochairs，and，curtseying，leftthemintheparlour。

"Whataprettygirl!"saidShelton。

"Yes，she\'saprettygirl；halftheyoungfellowsareafterher，butshewon\'tleaveherfather。Oh，he\'sacharmingrascalisthatfellow!"

ThisremarksuddenlybroughthometoSheltontheconvictionthathewasfurtherthaneverfromavoidingthenecessityforspeaking。Hewalkedovertothewindow。Therain。wascomingdownwithfury，thoughagoldenlinefardowntheskypromisedtheshower\'squickend。"Forgoodness\'sake，"hethought，"letmesaysomething，howeveridiotic，andgetitover!"Buthedidnotturn；akindofparalysishadseizedonhim。

"Tremendousheavyrain!"hesaidatlast；"comingdowninwaterspouts。"

Itwouldhavebeenjustaseasytosay:"Ibelieveyourdaughtertobethesweetestthingonearth；Iloveher，andI\'mgoingtomakeherhappy!"Justaseasy，justaboutthesameamountofbreathrequired；buthecouldn\'tsayit!Hewatchedtherainstreamandhissagainsttheleavesandchurnthedustontheparchedroadwithitsinsistenttorrent；andhenoticedwithprecisionallthedetailsoftheprocessgoingonoutsidehowtheraindropsdartedattheleaveslikespears，andhowtheleavesshookthemselvesfreeahundredtimesaminute，whilelittlerunnelsofwater，ice-clear，rolledovertheiredges，softandquick。Henoticed，too，themournfulheadofashelteringcowthatwaschewingatthehedge。

Mr。Dennanthadnotrepliedtohisremarkabouttherain。SodisconcertingwasthissilencethatSheltonturned。Hisfuturefather-in-law，uponhiswoodenchair，wasstaringathiswell-blackedboots，bendingforwardabovehispartedknees，andproddingatthecarpet；aglimpseathisfacedisturbedShelton\'sresolution。Itwasnotforbidding，stern，discouraging——notintheleast；ithadmerelyforthemomentceasedtolooksatirical。ThiswassostartlingthatSheltonlosthischanceofspeaking。ThereseemedahearttoMr。

Dennant\'sgravity；asthoughforoncehewerelookinggravebecausehefeltso。ButglancingupatShelton，hisdryjocosityreappearedatonce。

"Whatadayforducks!"hesaid；andagaintherewasunmistakablealarmabouttheeye。Wasitpossiblethathe，too，dreadedsomething？

"Ican\'texpress——"beganSheltonhurriedly。

"Yes，it\'sbeastlytogetwet，"saidMr。Dennant，andhesang——

Forwecanwrestleandfight，myboys，Andjumpoutanywhere。

"You\'llbewithusforthatdinner-partynextweek，eh？Capital!

There\'stheBishopofBlumenthalandoldSirJackBuckwell；Imustgetmywifetoputyoubetweenthem——"

Forit\'smydelightofastarrynight——

"TheBishop\'sagreatanti-divorceman，andoldBuckwell\'sbeeninthecourtatleasttwice——\'

Intheseasonoftheyear!

"Willyoupleasetotakesometea，gentlemen？"saidthevoiceofPhoebeinthedoorway。

"No，thankyou，Phoebe。Thatgirloughttogetmarried，"wentonMr。

Dennant，asPhoebeblushinglywithdrew。Aflushshowedqueerlyonhissallowcheeks。"Ashametokeephertiedlikethistoherfather\'sapron-strings——selfishfellow，that!"Helookedupsharply，asifhehadmadeadangerousremark。

Thekeeperhewaswatchingus，Forhimwedidn\'tcare!

SheltonsuddenlyfeltcertainthatAntonia\'sfatherwasjustasanxioustosaysomethingexpressiveofhisfeelings，andasunableashimself。Andthiswascomforting。

"Youknow，sir——"hebegan。

ButMr。Dennant\'seyebrowsrose，hiscrow\'s-feettwinkled；hispersonalityseemedtoshrinktogether。

"ByJove!"hesaid，"it\'sstopped!Now\'sourchance!Comealong，mydearfellow；delaysaredangerous!"andwithhisbanteringcourtesyheheldthedoorforSheltontopassout。"Ithinkwe\'llparthere，"hesaid——"Ialmostthinkso。Goodlucktoyou!"

Heheldouthisdry，yellowhand。Sheltonseizedit，wrungithard，andmutteredtheword:

"Grateful!"

AgainMr。Dennant\'seyebrowsquiveredasiftheyhadbeentweaked；hehadbeenfoundout，andhedislikedit。Thecolourinhisfacehaddiedaway；itwascalm，wrinkled，dead-lookingundertheflattened，narrowbrimofhisblackhat；hisgreymoustachedroopedthinly；thecrow\'s-feethardenedroundhiseyes；hisnostrilsweredistendedbythequeerestsmile。

"Gratitude!"hesaid；"almostavice，isn\'tit？Good-night!"

Shelton\'sfacequivered；heraisedhishat，and，turningasabruptlyashissenior，proceededonhisway。HehadbeenplayinginacomedythatcouldonlyhavebeenplayedinEngland。Hecouldaffordtosmilenowathispastdiscomfort，havingnolongerthesenseofdutyunfulfilled。Everythinghadbeensaidthatwasrightandpropertobesaid，inthewaythatwesuchthingsshouldsay。Noviolencehadbeendone；hecouldaffordtosmile——smileathimself，atMr。

Dennant，atto-morrow；smileatthesweetaromaoftheearth，theshy，unwillingsweetnessthatonlyrainbringsforth。

CHAPTERXXII

THECOUNTRYHOUSE

TheluncheonhouratHolmOaks，was，asinmanywell-bredcountryhouses——outoftheshootingseason，beitunderstood——thesoulfulhour。Thefermentofthedailydoingswasthenatitsfullheight，andtheclamourofitsconversationontheweather，andthedogs，thehorses，neighbours，cricket，golf，wasmingledwithaliterarymurmur；fortheDennantsweresuperior，anditwasquiteusualtohearremarkslikethese"Haveyoureadthatcharmin\'thingofPoser\'s？"or，"Yes，I\'vegottheneweditionofoldBablington:

delightfullybound——solight。"AnditwasinJulythatHolmOaks，asagathering-placeoftheelect，wasatitsbest。ForinJulyithadbecomecustomarytowelcometheremanyofthosepoorsoulsfromLondonwhoarrivedexhaustedbytheseason，andthanwhomnoseamstressinatwo-pairbackcouldbetterhaveearnedaholiday。

TheDennantsthemselvesneverwenttoLondonfortheseason。Itwastheirgoodpleasurenotto。Aweekorfortnightofitsatisfiedthem。Theyhadaradicalweaknessforfreshair，andAntonia，evenafterherpresentationtwoseasonsback，hadinsistedonreturninghome，stigmatisingLondonballsas"stuffythings。"

WhenSheltonarrivedthestreamhadonlyjustbegun，buteverydaybroughtfresh，orratherjaded，peopletooccupytheold，dark，sweet-smellingbedrooms。Individually，helikedhisfellow-guests，buthefoundhimselfobservingthem。Heknewthat，ifamanjudgedpeoplesingly，almostallwerebetterthanhimself；onlywhenjudgedinbulkweretheyworthyofthesweepingcriticismshefeltinclinedtopassonthem。Heknewthisjustasheknewthattheconventions，havingbeeninventedtopreventmanfollowinghisnaturaldesires，weremerelythedisapprovingsumsofinnumerableindividualapprovals。

Itwasinthebulk；then，thathefoundhimselfobserving。Butwithhisamiabilityanddreadofnotorietyheremainedtoallappearanceawell-bred，docilecreature，andhekepthisjudgmentstohimself。

Inthematterofintellecthemadearoughdivisionoftheguests——

thosewhoacceptedthingswithoutamurmur，thosewhoacceptedthemwithcarpingjocularity；inthematterofmoralshefoundtheyallacceptedthingswithoutthesemblanceofakick。Toshowsignofprivatemoraljudgmentwastohavelostyoursoul，and，worse，tobeabitofanoutsider。Hegatheredthisbyintuitionratherthanfromconversation；forconversationnaturallytabooedsuchquestions，andwascarriedonintheloudandcheerfultonespeculiartopeopleofgoodbreeding。Sheltonhadneverbeenabletoacquirethistone，andhecouldnothelpfeelingthattheinabilitymadehimmoreorlessanobjectofsuspicion。Theatmospherestruckhimasitneverhadbefore，causinghimtofeeladoubtofhisgentility。Couldamansufferfrompassion，heart-searchings，ormisgivings，andremainagentleman？Itseemedimprobable。Oneofhisfellow-guests，amancalledEdgbaston，small-eyedandsemi-bald，withadarkmoustacheandadistinguishedairofmeanness，disconcertedhimonedaybyremarkingofanunknownperson，"Ahalf-bredlookin\'chap；didn\'tseemtoknowhismind。"Sheltonwasharassedbyahorriddoubt。

Everythingseemeddividedintoclasses，carefullydocketedandvalued。Forinstance，aBritonwasofmorevaluethanaman，andwivesthanwomen。Thosethingsorphasesoflifewithwhichpeoplehadnopersonalacquaintancewereregardedwithafaintamusementandacertaindisapproval。Theprinciplesoftheupperclass，infact，werestrictlyfollowed。

Hewasinthathypersenstiveandnervousstatefavourableforrecordingcurrentsforeigntoitself。Thingshehadneverbeforenoticednowhadprofoundeffectonhim，suchasthetoneinwhichmenspokeofwomen——notpreciselywithhostility，norexactlywithcontemptbest，perhaps，describedasculturedjeering；never，ofcourse，whenmenspokeoftheirownwives，mothers，sisters，orimmediatefriends，butmerelywhentheyspokeofanyotherwomen。Hereflecteduponthis，andcametotheconclusionthat，amongtheupperclasses，eachman\'sownpropertywasholy，whileotherwomenwerecreatedtosupplyhimwithgossip，jests，andspice。Anotherthingthatstruckhimwasthewayinwhichthewarthengoingonwasmadeintoanaffairofclass。Intheirviewitwasabaddishbusiness，becausepoorhackBlankandPeterBlank-Blankhadlosttheirlives，andpoorTeddyBlankhadnowonearminsteadoftwo。Humanityingeneralwasomitted，butnottheupperclasses，nor，incidentally，thecountrywhichbelongedtothem。Fortheretheywere，allseatedinarow，witheyesfixedonthehorizonoftheirlawns。

Lateoneevening，billiardsandmusicbeingoverandtheladiesgone，Sheltonreturnedfromchangingtohissmoking-suit，anddroppedintooneofthegreatarm-chairsthateveninsummermadeasemicircleroundthefenderedhearth。Freshfromhisgood-nightpartingwithAntonia，hesatperhapstenminutesbeforehebegantotakeinallthefiguresintheirparti-colouredsmokingjackets，cross-legged，withglassesintheirhands，andcigarsbetweentheirteeth。

Themaninthenextchairrousedhimbyputtingdownhistumblerwithatap，andseatinghimselfuponthecushionedfender。Throughthemistofsmoke，withshouldershunched，elbowsandkneescrookedout，cigarprotruding，beak-ways，belowhisnose，andthecrimsoncollarofhissmokingjacketbuttonedcloseasplumageonhisbreast，helookedalittlelikeagorgeousbird。

"Theydoyouawfullywell，"hesaid。

AvoicefromthechaironShelton\'srightreplied，"TheydoyoubetteratVerado\'s。"

"TheVeaud\'Or\'sthebestplace；theygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing!"drawledafatmanwithatinymouth。

Thesuavityofthispronouncementenfoldedallaswithablessing。

Andatonce，asifbymagic，intheold，oak-panelledroom，theworldfellnaturallyintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；andthatwheretheygiveyouTurkishbathsfornothing。

"IfyouwantTurkishbaths，"saidatallyouthwithcleanredface，whohadcomeintotheroom，andstood，hismouthalittleopen，andlongfeetjuttingwithsweethelplessnessinfrontofhim，"youshouldgo，youknow，toBudaPesth；mostawfullyrippin\'there。"

Sheltonsawanindescribableappreciationriseoneveryface，asthoughtheyhadbeenofferedtrufflesorsomethingequallydelicious。

"Ohno，Poodles，"saidthemanperchedonthefender。"AJohnnyI

knowtellsmethey\'renothingtoSofia。"Hisfacewastransfiguredbythesubtlegloatingofamanenjoyingvicebyproxy。

"Ah!"drawledthesmall-mouthedman，"there\'snothingfittoholdacandletoBaghda-ad。"

Onceagainhisutteranceenfoldedallaswithablessing，andonceagaintheworldfellintoitsthreedepartments:thatwheretheydoyouwell；thatwheretheydoyoubetter；and——Baghdad。

Sheltonthoughttohimself:"Whydon\'tIknowaplacethat\'sbetterthanBaghdad？"

Hefeltsoinsignificant。Itseemedthatheknewnoneofthesedelightfulspots；thathewasofnousetoanyofhisfellow-men；

thoughprivatelyhewasconvincedthatallthesespeakerswereas。

ignorantashimself，andmerelyfounditwarmingtorecallsuchthingsastheyhadheard，withthatpeculiargloatinglook。Alas!

hisanecdoteswouldneverearnforhimthatprizeofpersonsinsociety，thelabelofa"goodchap"and"sportsman。"

"HaveyoueverbeeninBaghdad？"hefeeblyasked。

Thefatmandidnotanswer；hehadbegunananecdote，andinhisbroadexpanseoffacehistinymouthwrithedlikeacaterpillar。Theanecdotewashumorous。

WiththeexceptionofAntonia，Sheltonsawbutlittleoftheladies，for，followingthewell-knowncustomofthecountryhouse，menandwomenavoidedeachotherasmuchasmightbe。Theymetatmeals，andoccasionallyjoinedintennisandincroquet；otherwiseitseemed——

almostOrientally——agreedthattheywerebetterkeptapart。

Chancingonedaytoenterthewithdrawingroom，whilesearchingforAntonia，hefoundthathehadlightedonafemininediscussion；hewouldhavebeatenaretreat，ofcourse，butitseemedtooobviousthathewasmerelylookingforhisfiancee，so，sittingdown，helistened。

TheHonourableCharlottePenguin，stillknittingasilktie——thesixthsincethatshehadbeenknittingatHyeres——satonthelowwindow-seatclosetoahydrangea，thepetalsofwhoseroundflowersalmostkissedhersanguinecheek。Hereyeswerefixedwithlanguidaspirationontheladywhowasspeaking。Thiswasasquarewomanofmediumheight，withgreyhairbrushedfromherlowforehead，theexpressionofwhosefacewasbriskandrathercross。Shewasstandingwithabook，asifdeliveringasermon。Hadshebeenamanshemighthavebeendescribedasabrightyoungmanofbusiness；for，thoughgrey，shenevercouldbeold，noreverlosethepowerofformingquickdecisions。Herfeaturesandhereyeswerepromptandslightlyhard，tingedwithfaithfanaticalinthejusticeofherjudgments，andshehadthatfussysimplenessofdresswhichindicatestherighttomeddle。Notred，notwhite，neitheryellownorquiteblue，hercomplexionwassuffusedwithacertainmixtureofthesecolours，adaptedtotheclimate；andhersmilehadastrangesoursweetness，likenothingbuttheflavourofanappleontheturn。

"Idon\'tcarewhattheytellyou，"shewassaying——notoffensively，thoughhervoiceseemedtoimplythatshehadnotimetowasteinpleasing——"inallmydealingswiththemI\'vefounditbesttotreatthemquitelikechildren。"

Alady，behindtheTimes，smiled；hermouth——indeed，herwholehard，handsomeface——wasreminiscentofdappledrocking-horsesfoundintheSohoBazaar。Shecrossedherfeet，andsomerichandsilkstuffrustled。Herwholepersonalityseemedtocreakas，withoutlooking，sheansweredinharshtones:

"Ifindthepooraremostdelightfulpersons。"

SybilDennant，seatedonthesofa，withafeatherylaughshotabarkingterrierdogatShelton。

"Here\'sDick，"shesaid。"Well，Dick，what\'syouropinion？"

Sheltonlookedaroundhim，scared。Theelderladieswhohadspokenhadfixedtheireyesonhim，andintheirgazehereadhisutterinsignificance。

"Oh，thatyoungman!"theyseemedtosay。"Expectapracticalremarkfromhim？Now，come!"

"Opinion，"hestammered，"ofthepoor？Ihaven\'tany。"

Thepersononherfeet，whosenamewasMrs。Mattock，directingherpeculiarsweet-soursmileatthedistinguishedladywiththeTimes，said:

"Perhapsyou\'venothadexperienceoftheminLondon，LadyBonington？"

LadyBonington，inanswer，rustled。

"Oh，dotellusabouttheslums，Mrs。Mattock!"criedSybil。

"Slummingmustbesplendid!It\'ssodeadlyhere——nothingbutflannelpetticoats。"

"Thepoor，mydear，"beganMrs。Mattock，"arenottheleastbitwhatyouthinkthem——"

"Oh，d\'youknow，Ithinkthey\'rerathernice!"brokeinAuntCharlotteclosetothehydrangea。

"Youthinkso？"saidMrs。Mattocksharply。"Ifindtheydonothingbutgrumble。"

"Theydon\'tgrumbleatme:theyaredelightfulpersons"，andLadyBoningtongaveSheltonagrimsmile。

Hecouldnothelpthinkingthattogrumbleinthepresenceofthatrich，despoticpersonalitywouldrequireasuperhumancourage。

"They\'rethemostungratefulpeopleintheworld，"saidMrs。Mattock。

"Why，then，"thoughtShelton，"doyougoamongstthem？"

Shecontinued，"Onemustdothemgood，one，mustdoone\'sduty，butastogettingthanks——"

LadyBoningtonsardonicallysaid，"Poorthings!theyhavealottobear。"

"Thelittlechildren!"murmuredAuntCharlotte，withaflushingcheekandshiningeyes；"it\'sratherpathetic。"

"Childrenindeed!"saidMrs。Mattock。"Itputsmeoutofallpatiencetoseethewaythattheyneglectthem。Peoplearesosentimentalaboutthepoor。"

LadyBoningtoncreakedagain。Hersplendidshoulderswerewedgedintoherchair；herfinedarkhair，gleamingwithsilver，sprangbackuponherbrow；arubybraceletglowedonthepowerfulwristthatheldthejournal；sherockedhercopper-slipperedfoot。Shedidnotappeartobetoosentimental。

"Iknowtheyoftenhaveaveryeasytime，"saidMrs。Mattock，asifsomeonehadinjuredherseverely。AndSheltonsaw，notwithoutpity，thatFatehadscoredherkindandsquashed-upfacewithwrinkles，whosetinyfurrowswereeloquentofgoodintentionsfrustratedbytheunpracticalanddiscontentedpoor。"Dowhatyouwill，theyareneversatisfied；theyonlyresentone\'shelp，orelsetheytakethehelpandneverthankyouforit!"

"Oh!"murmuredAuntCharlotte，"that\'sratherhard。"

Sheltonhadbeengrowing，moreuneasy。Hesaidabruptly:

"IshoulddothesameifIwerethey。"

Mrs。Mattock\'sbrowneyesflewathim；LadyBoningtonspoketotheTimes；herrubybraceletandabanglejingled。

"Weoughttoputourselvesintheirplaces。"

Sheltoncouldnothelpasmile；LadyBoningtonintheplacesofthepoor!

"Oh!"exclaimedMrs。Mattock，"Iputmyselfentirelyintheirplace。

Iquiteunderstandtheirfeelings。Butingratitudeisarepulsivequality。"

"Theyseemunabletoputthemselvesinyourplace，"murmuredShelton；

andinafitofcouragehetooktheroominwithasweepingglance。

Yes，thatroomwaswonderfullyconsistent，withitsairofperfectsecond-handedness，asifeachpicture，andeachpieceoffurniture，eachbook，eachladypresent，hadbeenmadefrompatterns。Theywereallwidelydifferent，yetall(likeworksofartseeninsomeexhibitions)hadthelookofbeingafterthedesignsofsomeoriginalspirit。Thewholeroomwaschaste，restrained，derived，practical，andcomfortable；neitherinvirtuenorinwork，neitherinmanner，speech，appearance，norintheory，coulditgiveitselfaway。

CHAPTERXXIII

THESTAINED-GLASSMAN

StilllookingforAntonia，Sheltonwentuptothemorning-room。TheaDennantandanothergirlwereseatedinthewindow，talking。Fromthelooktheygavehimhesawthathehadbetterneverhavebeenborn；hehastilywithdrew。Descendingtothehall，hecameonMr。

Dennantcrossingtohisstudy，withahandfulofofficial-lookingpapers。

"Ah，Shelton!"saidhe，"youlookalittlelost。Istheshrineinvisible？"

Sheltongrinned，said"Yes，"andwentonlooking。Hewasnotfortunate。Inthedining-roomsatMrs。Dennant，makingupherlistofbooks。

"Dogivemeyouropinion，Dick，"shesaid。"Everybody\'sreadin\'

thisthingofKatherineAsterick\'s；Ibelieveit\'ssimplybecauseshe\'sgotatitle。"

"Onemustreadabookforsomereasonorother，"answeredShelton。

"Well，"returnedMrs。Dennant，"Ihatedoin\'thingsjustbecauseotherpeopledothem，andIsha\'n\'tgetit。"

"Good!"

Mrs。Dennantmarkedthecatalogue。

"Here\'sLinseed\'slast，ofcourse；thoughImustsayIdon\'tcareforhim，butIsupposeweoughttohaveitinthehouse。Andthere\'sQuality\'s\'TheSplendidDiatribes\':that\'ssuretobegood，he\'salwayssorefined。ButwhatamItodoaboutthisofArthurBaal\'s？

Theysaythathe\'sacharlatan，buteverybodyreadshim，don\'tyouknow"；andoverthecatalogueSheltoncaughtthegleamofhare-likeeyes。

Decisionhadvanishedfromherface，withitsarchednoseandslightlyslopingchin，asthoughsomeonehadsuddenlyappealedtohertotrustherinstincts。Itwasquitepathetic。Still，therewasalwaysthebook\'scirculationtoformherjudgmentby。

"IthinkI\'dbettermarkit，"shesaid，"don\'tyou？Wereyoulookin\'forAntonia？IfyoucomeacrossBunyaninthegarden，Dick，dosayIwanttoseehim；he\'sgettin\'tobeaperfectnuisance。I

canunderstandhisfeelin\'s，butreallyhe\'scarryin\'ittoofar。"

Primedwithhismessagetotheunder-gardener，Sheltonwent。Hetookadespairinglookintothebilliard-room。Antoniawasnotthere。

Instead，atallandfat-cheekedgentlemanwithaneatmoustache，calledMabbey，waspractisingthespot-stroke。HepausedasSheltonentered，and，poutinglikeababy，askedinasleepyvoice，"Playmeahundredup？"

Sheltonshookhishead，stammeredouthissorrow，andwasabouttogo。

ThegentlemancalledMabbey，plaintivelyfeelingtheplaceswherehismoustachesjoinedhispinkandglossycheeks，askedwithanairofsomesurprise，"What\'syourgeneralgame，then？"

"Ireallydon\'tknow，"saidShelton。

ThegentlemancalledMabbeychalkedhiscue，and，movinghisround，knock-kneedlegsintheirtighttrousers，tookuphispositionforthestroke。

"Whatpricethat？"hesaid，asheregainedtheperpendicular；andhiswell-fedeyesfollowedSheltonwithsleepyinquisition。"Curiousdarkhorse，Shelton，"theyseemedtosay。

Sheltonhurriedout，andwasabouttorundownthelowerlawn，whenhewasaccostedbyanotherpersonwalkinginthesunshine——aslight-

builtmaninaturned-downcollar，withathinandfairmoustache，andafaintbluishtintononesideofhishighforehead，causedbyanetworkofthinveins。Hisfacehadsomethingoftheyouthful，optimistic，stained-glasslookpeculiartotherefinedEnglishtype。

Hewalkedelastically，yetwithtrimprecision，asifhehadapleasanttasteinfurnitureandchurches，andheldtheSpectatorinhishand。

"Ah，Shelton!"hesaidinhigh-tunedtones，haltinghislegsinsuchaneasyattitudethatitwasimpossibletointerruptit:"cometotaketheair？"

Shelton\'sownbrownface，nondescriptnose，andhisamiablebutdoggedchincontrastedstrangelywiththeclear-cutfeaturesofthestained-glassman。

"IhearfromHalidomethatyou\'regoingtostandforParliament，"thelattersaid。

Shelton，recallingHalidome\'sautocraticmannerofsettlingotherpeople\'sbusiness，smiled。

"DoIlooklikeit？"heasked。

Theeyebrowsquiveredonthestained-glassman。Ithadneveroccurredtohim，perhaps，thattostandforParliamentamanmustlooklikeit；heexaminedSheltonwithsomecuriosity。

"Ah，well，"hesaid，"nowyoumentionit，perhapsnot。"Hiseyes，socarefullyironical，althoughtheydifferedfromtheeyesofMabbey，alsoseemedtoaskofSheltonwhatsortofadarkhorsehewas。

"You\'restillintheDomesticOffice，then？"askedShelton。

Thestained-glassmanstoopedtosniffarosebush。"Yes，"hesaid；

"itsuitsmeverywell。Igetlotsoftimeformyartwork。"

"Thatmustbeveryinteresting，"saidShelton，whoseglancewasrovingforAntonia；"Inevermanagedtobeginahobby。"

"Neverhadahobby!"saidthestained-glassman，brushingbackhishair(hewaswalkingwithnohat)；"why，whatthedeuced\'youdo？"

Sheltoncouldnotanswer；theideahadnevertroubledhim。

"Ireallydon\'tknow，"hesaid，embarrassed；"there\'salwayssomethinggoingon，asfarasIcansee。"

Thestained-glassmanplacedhishandswithinhispockets，andhisbrightglancesweptoverhiscompanion。

"Afellowmusthaveahobbytogivehimaninterestinlife，"hesaid。

"Aninterestinlife？"repeatedSheltongrimly；"lifeitselfisgoodenoughforme。"

"Oh!"repliedthestained-glassman，asthoughhedisapprovedofregardinglifeitselfasinteresting。

"That\'sallverywell，butyouwantsomethingmorethanthat。Whydon\'tyoutakeupwoodcarving？"

"Wood-carving？"

"ThemomentIgetfaggedwithofficepapersandthatsortofthingI

takeupmywood-carving；goodasagameofhockey。"

"Ihaven\'ttheenthusiasm。"

Theeyebrowsofthestained-glassmantwitched；hetwistedhismoustache。

"You\'llfindnothavingahobbydoesn\'tpay，"hesaid；"you\'llgetold，thenwhere\'llyoube？"

Itcameasasurprisethatheshouldusethewords"itdoesn\'tpay，"

forhehadakindofpartiallyenamelledlook，likethatmodernjewellerywhichreallyseemsunconsciousofitsmarketvalue。

"You\'vegivenuptheBar？Don\'tyougetawfullyboredhavingnothingtodo？"pursuedthestained-glassman，stoppingbeforeanancientsundial。

Sheltonfeltadelicacy，asamannaturallywould，inexplainingthatbeinginlovewasinitselfenoughtodo。Todonothingisunworthyofaman!Buthehadneverfeltasyetthewantofanyoccupation。

Hissilenceinnowaydisconcertedhisacquaintance。

"That\'saniceoldarticleofvirtue，"hesaid，pointingwithhischin；and，walkingroundthesundial，hemadeitsacquaintancefromtheotherside。Itsgreyprofilecastathinandshorteningshadowontheturf；tonguesofmosswerelickingatitssides；thedaisiesclusteredthickarounditsbase；ithadacquiredalookofgrowingfromthesoil。"Ishouldliketogetholdofthat，"thestained-

glassmanremarked；"Idon\'tknowwhenI\'veseenabetterspecimen，"

andhewalkedrounditonceagain。

Hiseyebrowswerestillironicallyarched，butbelowthemhiseyeswerealmostcalculating，andbelowthem，again，hismouthhadopenedjustalittle。Apersonwithakeenereyewouldhavesaidhisfacelookedgreedy，andevenSheltonwassurprised，asthoughhehadreadintheSpectatoraconfessionofcommercialism。

"Youcouldn\'tuprootathinglikethat，"hesaid；"itwouldloseallitscharm。"

Hiscompanionturnedimpatiently，andhiscountenancelookedwonderfullygenuine。

"Couldn\'tI？"hesaid。"ByJove!Ithoughtso。1690!Thebestperiod。"Heranhisforgerroundthesundial\'sedge。"Splendidline-cleanasthedaytheymadeit。Youdon\'tseemtocaremuchaboutthatsortofthing"；andonceagain，asthoughaccustomedtotheindifferenceofVandals，hisfaceregaineditsmask。

Theystrolledontowardsthekitchengardens，Sheltonstillbusysearchingeverypatchofshade。Hewantedtosay"Can\'tstop，"andhurryoff；buttherewasaboutthestained-glassmanasomethingthat，whilestingingShelton\'sfeelings，madetheshowingofthemquiteimpossible。"Feelings!"thatpersonseemedtosay；"allverywell，butyouwantmorethanthat。Whynottakeupwood-carving？……Feelings!IwasborninEngland，andhavebeenatCambridge。"

"Areyoustayinglong？"heaskedShelton。"IgoontoHalidome\'sto-morrow；supposeIsha\'n\'tseeyouthere？Good，chap，oldHalidome!Collectionofetchingsveryfine!"

"No；I\'mstayingon，"saidShelton。

"Ah!"saidthestained-glassman，"charmingpeople，theDennants!"

Shelton，reddeningslowly，turnedhisheadaway；hepickedagooseberry，andmuttered，"Yes。"

"Theeldestgirlespecially；nononsenseabouther。Ithoughtshewasaparticularlynicegirl。"

SheltonheardthispraiseofAntoniawithanoddsensation；itgavehimthereverseofpleasure，asthoughthewordshadcastnewlightuponher。Hegruntedhastily，"Isupposeyouknowthatwe\'reengaged？"

"Really!"saidthestained-glassman，andagainhisbright，clear，iron-committalglancesweptoverShelton——"really!Ididn\'tknow。

Congratulateyou!"

Itwasasifhesaid:"You\'reamanoftaste；Ishouldsayshewouldgowellinalmostanydrawing-room!"

"Thanks，"saidShelton；"thereshe\'is。Ifyou\'llexcuseme，Iwanttospeaktoher。"

CHAPTERXXIV

PARADISE

Antonia，inasunnyangleoftheoldbrickwall，amidthepinksandpoppiesandcornflowers，washummingtoherself。Sheltonsawthestained-glassmanpassoutofsight，then，unobserved，hewatchedhersmellingattheflowers，caressingherfacewitheachinturn，castingawayspoiledblossoms，andallthetimehummingthatsofttune。

Intwomonths，orthree，allbarriersbetweenhimselfandthisinscrutableyoungEvewouldbreak；shewouldbeapartofhim，andheapartofher；hewouldknowallherthoughts，andsheallhis；

togethertheywouldbeasone，andallwouldthinkofthem，andtalkofthem，asone；andthiswouldcomeaboutbystandinghalfanhourtogetherinachurch，bythepassingofaring，andthesigningoftheirnames。

Thesunwasburnishingherhair——sheworenohatflushinghercheeks，sweeteningandmakingsensuousherlimbs；ithadwarmedherthroughandthrough，sothat，liketheflowersandbees，thesunlightandtheair，shewasallmotion，light，andcolour。

SheturnedandsawSheltonstandingthere。

"Oh，Dick!"shesaid:"Lendmeyourhand-kerchieftoputtheseflowersin，there\'sagoodboy!"

Hercandideyes，blueastheflowersinherhands，wereclearandcoolasice，butinhersmilewasallthewarmprofusionofthatcorner；thesweetnesshadsoakedintoher，andwaswellingforthagain。Thesightofthosesun-warmedcheeks，andfingerstwiningroundtheflower-stalks，herpearlyteeth，andhairallfragrant，stolethereasonoutofShelton。Hestoodbeforeher，weakabouttheknees。

"Foundyouatlast!"hesaid。

Curvingbackherneck，shecriedout，"Catch!"andwithasweepofbothherhandsflungtheflowersintoShelton\'sarms。

Undertherainofflowers，allwarmandodorous，hedroppeddownonhisknees，andputthemonebyonetogether，smellingatthepinks，tohidetheviolenceofhisfeelings。Antoniawentonpickingflowers，andeverytimeherhandwasfullshedroppedthemonhishat，hisshoulder，orhisarms，andwentonpluckingmore；shesmiled，andonherlipsalittledevildanced，thatseemedtoknowwhathewassuffering。AndSheltonfeltthatshedidknow。

"Areyoutired？"sheasked；"thereareheapsmorewanted。Thesearethebedroom-flowers——fourteenlots。Ican\'tthinkhowpeoplecanlivewithoutflowers，canyou？"andcloseabovehisheadsheburiedherfaceinpinks。

Hekepthiseyesonthepluckedflowersbeforehimonthegrass，andforcedhimselftoanswer，"IthinkIcanholdout。"

"PooroldDick!"Shehadsteppedback。Thesunlittheclear-cutprofileofhercheek，andpoureditsgoldoverthebosomofherblouse。"PooroldDick!Awfullyhardluck，isn\'tit？"Burdenedwithmignonette，shecamesocloseagainthatnowshetouchedhisshoulder，butSheltondidnotlook；breathless，withwildlybeatingheart，hewentonsortingouttheflowers。Theseedsofmignonetterainedonhisneck，andasshelettheblossomsfall，theirperfumefannedhisface。"Youneedn\'tsortthemout!"shesaid。

Wassheenticinghim？Hestolealook；butshewasgoneagain，swayingandsniffingattheflowers。

"IsupposeI\'monlyhinderingyou，"hegrowled；"I\'dbettergo。"

Shelaughed。

"Iliketoseeyouonyourknees，youlooksofunny!"andasshespokesheflungaclovecarnationathim。"Doesn\'titsmellgood？"

"ToogoodOh，Antonia!whyareyoudoingthis？"

"WhyamIdoingwhat？"

"Don\'tyouknowwhatyouaredoing？"

"Why，pickingflowers!"andoncemoreshewasback，bendingandsniffingattheblossoms。

"That\'senough。"