第11章

"Ohno，"shecalled；"it\'snotnotnearly。

"Keeponputtingthemtogether，ifyouloveme。"

"YouknowIloveyou，"answeredShelton，inasmotheredvoice。

Antoniagazedathimacrosshershoulder；puzzledandinquiringwasherface。

"I\'mnotabitlikeyou，"shesaid。"Whatwillyouhaveforyourroom？"

"Choose!"

"Cornflowersandclovepinks。Poppiesaretoofrivolous，andpinkstoo——"

"White，"saidShelton。

"Andmignonettetoohardand——"

"Sweet。Whycornflowers？"

Antoniastoodbeforehimwithherhandsagainsthersides；herfigurewassoslimandyoung，herfaceuncertainandsograve。

"Becausethey\'redarkanddeep。"

"Andwhyclovepinks？"

Antoniadidnotanswer。

"Andwhyclovepinks？"

"Because，"shesaid，and，flushing，touchedabeethathadsettledonherskirt，"becauseofsomethinginyouIdon\'tunderstand。"

"Ah!AndwhatflowersshalltgiveYOU？"

Sheputherhandsbehindher。

"Therearealltheotherflowersforme。"

SheltonsnatchedfromthemassinfrontofhimanIcelandpoppywithstraightstemandacurvedneck，whitepinks，andsprigsofhard，sweetmignonette，andhelditouttoher。

"There，"hesaid，"that\'syou。"ButAntoniadidnotmove。

"Ohno，itisn\'t!"andbehindherbackherfingersslowlycrushedthepetalsofablood-redpoppy。Sheshookherhead，smilingabrilliantsmile。Theblossomsfell，heflunghisarmsaroundher，andkissedheronthelips。

Buthishandsdropped；notfearexactly，norexactlyshame，hadcometohim。Shehadnotresisted，buthehadkissedthesmileaway；hadkissedastrange，cold，frightenedlook，intohereyes。

"Shedidn\'tmeantotemptme，then，"hethought，insurpriseandanger。"Whatdidshemean？"and，likeascoldeddog，hekepthistroubledwatchuponherface。

CHAPTERXXV

THERIDE

"Wherenow？"Antoniaasked，wheelingherchestnutmare，astheyturnedupHighStreet，OxfordCity。"Iwon\'tgobackthesameway，Dick!"

"WecouldhaveagalloponPortMeadow，crosstheUpperRivertwice，andgethomethatway；butyou\'llbetired。"

Antoniashookherhead。Aslanthercheekthebrimofastrawhatthrewacurveofshade，herearglowedtransparentinthesun。

Adifferencehadcomeintheirrelationssincethatkiss；outwardlyshewasthesamegoodcomrade，coolandquick。Butasbeforeachangeonefeelsthesubtledifferenceinthetemperofthewind，soSheltonwasaffectedbytheinnerchangeinher。Hehadmadeablotuponhercandour；hehadtriedtorubitoutagain，buttherewasleftamark，anditwasineffaceable。Antoniabelongedtothemostciviliseddivisionoftheracemostcivilisedinalltheworld，whosecreedis"Letusloveandhate，letusworkandmarry，butletusnevergiveourselvesaway；togiveourselvesawayistoleaveamark，andthatispastforgiveness。Letourlivesbelikeourfaces，freefromeverykindofwrinkle，eventhoseoflaughter；inthiswayalonecanwebereallycivilised。"

Hefeltthatshewasruffledbyavaguediscomfort。Thatheshouldgivehimselfawaywasnatural，perhaps，andonlymadeherwonder，butthatheshouldgiveherthefeelingthatshehadgivenherselfawaywasaverydifferentthing。

"DoyoumindifIjustaskattheBishop\'sHeadforletters？"hesaid，astheypassedtheoldhotel。

Adirtyandthinenvelopewasbroughttohim，addressed"Mr。RichardShelton，Esq。，"inhandwritingthatwaspassionatelyclear，asthoughthewriterhadputhissoulintosecuringdeliveryoftheletter。Itwasdatedthreedaysback，and，astheyrodeaway，Sheltonreadasfollows:

IMPERIALPEACOCKHOTEL，FOLKESTONE。

MONCHERMONSIEURSHELTON，ThisisalreadythethirdtimeIhavetakenuppentowritetoyou，but，havingnothingbutmisfortunetorecount，Ihesitated，awaitingbetterdays。Indeed，IhavebeensoprofoundlydiscouragedthatifI

hadnotthoughtitmydutytoletyouknowofmyfortunesIknownotevennowifIshouldhavefoundthenecessaryspirit。\'Leschosesvontdemalenmal\'。FromwhatIheartherehasneverbeensobadaseasonhere。Nothinggoingon。Allthesame，Iamtormentedbyamoboflittlematterswhichbringmenotsufficienttosupportmylife。Iknownotwhattodo；onethingiscertain，innocaseshallIreturnhereanotheryear。Thepatronofthishotel，mygoodemployer，isoneofthoseinnumerablespecimenswhodonotforgeorstealbecausetheyhavenoneed，andiftheyhadwouldlackthecourage；whoobservethemarriagelawsbecausetheyhavebeenbroughtuptobelieveinthem，andknowthatbreakingthembringsriskandlossofreputation；whodonotgamblebecausetheydarenot；donotdrinkbecauseitdisagreeswiththem；gotochurchbecausetheirneighboursgo，andtoprocureanappetiteforthemid-daymeal；

commitnomurderbecause，nottransgressinginanyotherfashion，theyarenotobliged。Whatistheretorespectinpersonsofthissort？Yettheyarehighlyesteemed，andformthreequartersofSociety。Therulewiththesegoodgentlemenistoshuttheireyes，neverusetheirthinkingpowers，andclosethedooronallthedogsoflifeforfeartheyshouldgetbitten。

Sheltonpaused，consciousofAntonia\'seyesfixedonhimwiththeinquiringlookthathehadcometodread。Inthatchillyquestioningsheseemedtosay:"Iamwaiting。Iampreparedtobetoldthings——

thatis，usefulthings——thingsthathelponetobelievewithouttheriskoftoomuchthinking。"

"It\'sfromthatyoungforeigner，"hesaid；andwentonreadingtohimself。

Ihaveeyes，andhereIam；Ihaveanose\'pour，flairerlehumbug\'。

Iseethatamongstthevalueofthingsnothingistheequalof"freethought。"Everythingelsetheycantakefromme，\'onnepentpasm\'otercela\'!Iseenofutureformehere，andcertainlyshouldhavedepartedlongagoifIhadhadthemoney，but，asIhavealreadytoldyou，allthatIcandobarelysufficestoprocureme\'dequoivivre\'。

\'Jemesensecceuye\'。DonotpaytoomuchattentiontomyJeremiads；

youknowwhatapessimistIam。\'Jeneperdspascourage\'。

Hopingthatyouarewell，andinthecordialpressingofyourhand，I

subscribemyself，YourverydevotedLOUISFERRAND。

Herodewiththeletteropeninhishand，frowningatthecuriousturmoilwhichFerrandexcitedinhisheart。Itwasasthoughthisforeignvagranttwangedwithinhimaneglectedstring，whichgaveforthmoansofamutiny。

"Whatdoeshesay？"Antoniaasked。

Shouldheshowittoher？Ifhemightnot，whatshouldhedowhentheyweremarried？

"Idon\'tquiteknow，"hesaidatlast；"it\'snotparticularlycheering。"\'

"Whatishelike，Dick——Imean，tolookat？Likeagentleman，orwhat？"

Sheltonstifledadesiretolaugh。

"Helooksverywellinafrock-coat，"hereplied；"hisfatherwasawinemerchant。"

Antoniaflickedherwhipagainstherskirt。

"Ofcourse，"shemurmured，"Idon\'twanttohearifthere\'sanythingIoughtnot。"

ButinsteadofsoothingShelton，thesewordshadjusttheoppositeeffect。Hisconceptionoftheidealwifewasnotthatofonefromwhomthehalfoflifemustbeexcluded。

"It\'sonly，"hestammeredagain，"thatit\'snotcheerful。"

"Oh，allright!"shecried，and，touchingherhorse，flewoffinfront。"Ihatedismalthings。"

Sheltonbithislips。Itwasnothisfaultthathalftheworldwasdark。Heknewherwordswereloosedagainsthimself，and，asalwaysatasignofherdispleasure，wasafraid。Hegallopedafterheronthescorchedturf。

"Whatisit？"hesaid。"You\'reangrywithme!"

"Ohno!"

"Darling，Ican\'thelpitifthingsaren\'tcheerful。Wehaveeyes，"

headded，quotingfromtheletter。

Antoniadidnotlookathim；buttouchedherhorseagain。

"Well，Idon\'twanttoseethegloomyside，"shesaid，"andIcan\'tseewhyYOUshould。It\'swickedtobediscontented"；andshegallopedoff。

Itwasnothisfaultiftherewereathousanddifferentkindsofmen，athousanddifferentpointsofview，outsidethefenceofherexperience!"Whatbusiness，"hethought，digginginhisdummyspurs，"hasourclasstopatronise？We\'retheonlypeoplewhohaven\'tanideaofwhatlifereallymeans。"Chipsofdriedturfanddustcameflyingback，stinginghisface。Hegainedonher，drewalmostwithinreach，then，asthoughshehadbeenplayingwithhim，waslefthopelesslybehind。

Shestoopedunderthefarhedge，fanningherflushedfacewithdock-

leaves:

"Aha，Dick!Iknewyou\'dnevercatchme"andshepattedthechestnutmare，whoturnedherblowingmuzzlewithcontemptuoushumourtowardsShelton\'ssteed，whileherflanksheavedrapturously，graduallydarkeningwithsweat。

"We\'dbettertakethemsteadily，"gruntedShelton，gettingoffandlooseninghisgirths，"ifwemeantogethomeatall。"

"Don\'tbecross，Dick!"

"Weoughtn\'ttohavegallopedthemlikethis；they\'renotincondition。"We\'dbettergohomethewaywecame。"

Antoniadroppedthereins，andstraightenedherbackhair。

"There\'snofuninthat，"shesaid。"Outandbackagain；Ihateadog\'swalk。"

"Verywell，"saidShelton；hewouldhaveherlongertohimself!

Theroadledupandupahill，andfromthetopavisionofSaxonialaydisclosedinwavesofwoodandpasture。Theirwaybrancheddownagatelessglade，andSheltonsidledclosertillhiskneetouchedthemare\'soff-flank。

Antonia\'sprofileconjuredupvisions。Shewasyouthitself；hereyessobrilliant，andsoinnocent，hercheekssoglowing，andherbrowunruffled；butinhersmileandinthesettingofherjawlurkedsomethingresoluteandmischievous。Sheltonputhishandouttothemare\'smane。

"Whatmadeyoupromisetomarryme？"hesaid。

Shesmiled。

"Well，whatmadeyou？"

"I？"criedShelton。

Sheslippedherhandoverhishand。

"Oh，Dick!"shesaid。

"Iwant，"hestammered，"tobeeverythingtoyou。DoyouthinkI

shall？"

"Ofcourse!"

Ofcourse!Thewordsseemedverymuchorverylittle。

Shelookeddownattheriver，gleamingbelowthegladeinacurvingsilverline。"Dick，therearesuchalotofsplendidthingsthatwemightdo。"

Didshemean，amongstthosesplendidthings，thattheymightunderstandeachother；orweretheyfatedtopretendtoonly，intheoldtime-honouredway？

Theycrossedtheriverbyaferry，androdealongtimeinsilence，whilethetwilightslowlyfellbehindtheaspens。Andallthebeautyoftheevening，withitsrestlessleaves，itsgraveyoungmoon，andlightedcampionflowers，wasbutapartofher；thescents，thewitcheryandshadows，thequaintfieldnoises，theyokels\'whistling，andthesplashofwater-fowl，eachseemedtohimenchanted。Theflightingbats，theformsofthedimhayricks，andsweet-brierperfume-shesummedthemallupinherself。Thefingermarkshaddeepenedunderneathhereyes，alanguorcameuponher；itmadeherthemoresweetandyouthful。Hershouldersseemedtobearonthemtheveryimageofourland——graveandaspiring，eageryetcontained——

beforetherecameuponthatlandthegrinofgreed，thefoldsofwealth，thesimperofcontent。Fair，unconscious，free!

Andhewassilent，withabeatingheart。

CHAPTERXXVI

THEBIRD\'OFPASSAGE

Thatnight，aftertheride，whenSheltonwasabouttogotobed，hiseyesfellonFerrand\'sletter，andwithasleepysenseofdutyhebegantoreaditthroughasecondtime。Inthedark，oak-panelledbedroom，hisfour-postbed，withbackofcrimsondamaskanditsdaintysheets，waslightedbythecandleglow；thecopperpitcherofhotwaterinthebasin，thesilverofhisbrushes，andthelineofhiswell-polishedbootsallshone，andShelton\'sfacealonewasgloomy，staringattheyellowishpaperinhishand。

"Thepoorchapwantsmoney，ofcourse，"hethought。Butwhygoonforeverhelpingonewhohadnoclaimonhim，ahopelesscase，incurable——onewhomitwashisdutytoletsinkforthegoodofthecommunityatlarge？Ferrand\'svagabondrefinementhadbeguiledhimintocharitythatshouldhavebeenbestowedonhospitals，oranycharitableworkbutforeignmissions。Togiveahelpinghand，abitofhimself，anodoffellowshiptoanyfellow-beingirrespectiveofaclaim，merelybecausehehappenedtobedown，wassentimentalnonsense!Thelinemustbedrawn!Butinthemutteringofthisconclusionheexperiencedatwingeofhonesty。"Humbug!Youdon\'twanttopartwithyourmoney，that\'sall!"

So，sittingdowninshirt-sleevesathiswritingtable，hepennedthefollowingonpaperstampedwiththeHolmOaksaddressandcrest:

MYDEARFERRAND，Iamsorryyouarehavingsuchabadspell。Youseemtobedeadoutofluck。Ihopebythetimeyougetthisthingswillhavechangedforthebetter。Ishouldverymuchliketoseeyouagainandhaveatalk，butshallbeawayforsometimelonger，anddoubtevenwhenI

getbackwhetherIshouldbeabletorundownandlookyouup。Keepme\'aucourant\'astoyourmovements。Iencloseacheque。

Yourssincerely，RICHARDSHELTON。

Beforehehadwrittenoutthecheque，amothflutteringroundthecandledistractedhisattention，andbythetimehehadcaughtandputitouthehadforgottenthatthechequewasnotenclosed。Theletter，removedwithhisclothesbeforehewasawake，waspostedinanemptystate。

Onemorningaweeklaterhewassittinginthesmoking-roominthecompanyofthegentlemancalledMabbey，whowastellinghimhowmanygrousehehaddeprivedoflifeonAugust12lastyear，andhowmanyheintendedtodepriveoflifeonAugust12thisyear，whenthedoorwasopened，andthebutlerentered，carryinghisheadasthoughitheldsomefatalsecret。

"Ayoungmanisaskingforyou，sir，"hesaidtoShelton，bendingdowndiscreetly；"Idon\'tknowifyouwouldwishtoseehim，sir。"

"Ayoungman!"repeatedShelton；"whatsortofayoungman？"

"Ishouldsayasortofforeigner，sir，"apologeticallyrepliedthebutler。"He\'swearingafrock-coat，buthelooksasifhehadbeenwalkingagooddeal。"

Sheltonrosewithhaste；thedescriptionsoundedtohimominous。

"Whereishe？"

"Iputhimintheyoungladies\'littleroom，sir。"

"Allright，"saidShelton；"I\'llcomeandseehim。Now，whatthedeuce!"hethought，runningdownthestairs。

Itwaswithaqueercomminglingofpleasureandvexationthatheenteredthelittlechambersacredtothebirds，beasts，racquets，golf-clubs，andgeneralyoungladies\'litter。Ferrandwasstandingunderneaththecageofacanary，hishandsfoldedonhispinched-uphat，anervoussmileuponhislips。HewasdressedinShelton\'soldfrock-coat，tightlybuttoned，andwouldhavecutastylishfigurebutfarhislookoftravel。Heworeapairofpince-nez，too，whichsomewhatveiledhiscynicalblueeyes，andclashedalittlewiththepaganlookofhim。Inthemidstofthestrangesurroundingshestillpreservedthatairofknowing，andbeingmasterof，hisfate，whichwashischiefattraction。

"I\'mgladtoseeyou，"saidShelton，holdingouthishand。

"Forgivethisliberty，"beganFerrand，"butIthoughtitduetoyouafterallyou\'vedoneformenottothrowupmyeffortstogetemploymentinEnglandwithoutlettingyouknowfirst。I\'mentirelyattheendofmyresources。"

ThephrasestruckSheltonasonethathehadheardbefore。

ButIwrotetoyou，"hesaid；"didn\'tyougetmyletter？"

Aflickerpassedacrossthevagrant\'sface；hedrewtheletterfromhispocketandhelditout。

"Hereitis，monsieur。"

Sheltonstaredatit。

"Surely，"saidhe，"Isentacheque？"

Ferranddidnotsmile；therewasalookabouthimasthoughSheltonbyforgettingtoenclosethatchequehaddonehimarealinjury。

Sheltoncouldnotquitehideaglanceofdoubt。

"Ofcourse，"hesaid，"I——I——meanttoencloseacheque。"

Toosubtletosayanything，Ferrandcurledhislip。，"Iamcapableofmuch，butnotofthat，"heseemedtosay；andatonceSheltonfeltthemeannessofhisdoubt。

"Stupidofme，"hesaid。

"Ihadnointentionofintrudinghere，"saidFerrand；"Ihopedtoseeyouintheneighbourhood，butIarriveexhaustedwithfatigue。I\'veeatennothingsinceyesterdayatnoon，andwalkedthirtymiles。"Heshruggedhisshoulders。"Yousee，Ihadnotimetolosebeforeassuringmyselfwhetheryouwerehereornot。"

"Ofcourse——"beganShelton，butagainhestopped。

"Ishouldverymuchlike，"theyoungforeignerwenton，"foroneofyourgoodlegislatorstofindhimselfinthesecountryvillageswithapennyinhispocket。Inothercountriesbakersareobligedtosellyouanequivalentofbreadforapenny；heretheywon\'tsellyouasmuchasacrustundertwopence。Youdon\'tencouragepoverty。"

"Whatisyourideanow？"askedShelton，tryingtogaintime。

"AsItoldyou，"repliedFerrand，"there\'snothingtobedoneatFolkestone，thoughIshouldhavestayedthereifIhadhadthemoneytodefraycertainexpenses"；andagainheseemedtoreproachhispatronwiththeomissionofthatcheque。"Theysaythingswillcertainlybebetterattheendofthemonth。NowthatIknowEnglishwell，IthoughtperhapsIcouldprocureasituationforteachinglanguages。"

"Isee，"saidShelton。

Asafact，however，hewasfarfromseeing；heliterallydidnotknowwhattodo。ItseemedsobrutaltogiveFerrandmoneyandaskhimtoclearout；besides，hechancedtohavenoneinhispocket。

"ItneedsphilosophytosupportwhatI\'vegonethroughthisweek，"

saidFerrand，shrugginghisshoulders。"OnWednesdaylast，whenI

receivedyourletter，Ihadjusteighteen-pence，andatonceImadearesolutiontocomeandseeyou；onthatsumI\'vedonethejourney。

Mystrengthisnearlyatanend。"

Sheltonstrokedhischin。

"Well，"hehadjustbegun，"wemustthinkitover，"whenbyFerrand\'sfacehesawthatsomeonehadcomein。Heturned，andsawAntoniainthedoorway。"Excuseme，"hestammered，and，goingtoAntonia，drewherfromtheroom。

Withasmileshesaidatonce:"It\'stheyoungforeigner；I\'mcertain。Oh，whatfun!"

"Yes，"answeredSheltonslowly；"he\'scometoseemeaboutgettingsomesortoftutorshiporother。DoyouthinkyourmotherwouldmindifItookhimuptohaveawash？He\'shadalongishwalk。Andmighthehavesomebreakfast？Hemustbehungry。"

"Ofcourse!I\'lltellDobson。ShallIspeaktomother？Helooksnice，Dick。"

Hegaveheragrateful，furtivelook，andwentbacktohisguest；animpulsehadmadehimhidefromherthetrueconditionofaffairs。

Ferrandwasstandingwherehehadbeenlefthisfacestillclothedinmordantimpassivity。

"Comeuptomyroom!"saidShelton；andwhilehisguestwaswashing，brushing，andotherwiseembellishinghisperson，hestoodreflectingthatFerrandwasbynomeansunpresentable，andhefeltquitegratefultohim。

Hetookanopportunity，whentheyoungman\'sbackwasturned，ofexamininghiscounterfoils。Therewasnorecord，naturally，ofachequedrawninFerrand\'sfavour。Sheltonfeltmoremeanthanever。

AmessagecamefromMrs。Dennant；sohetookthetravellertothedining-roomandlefthimthere，whilehehimselfwenttotheladyofthehouse。HemetAntoniacomingdown。

"Howmanydaysdidyousayhewentwithoutfoodthattime——youknow？"

sheaskedinpassing。

"Four。"

"Hedoesn\'tlookabitcommon，Dick。"

Sheltongazedatherdubiously。

"They\'resurelynotgoingtomakeashowofhim!"hethought。

Mrs。Dennantwaswriting，inadark-bluedressstarredoverwithwhitespots，whosefinelawncollarwasthreadedwithblackvelvet。

"HaveyouseenthenewhybridAlgy\'sbroughtmebackfromKidstone？

Isn\'titcharmin\'？"andshebentherfacetowardsthisperfectrose。

"Theysayunique；I\'mawfullyinterestedtofindoutifthat\'strue。

I\'vetoldAlgyIreallymusthavesome。"

Sheltonthoughtoftheuniquehybridbreakfastingdownstairs；hewishedthatMrs。Dennantwouldshowinhimtheinterestshehadmanifestedintherose。Butthiswasabsurdofhim，heknew，forthepotentlawofhobbiescontrolledtheupperclasses，forcingthemtotakemoreinterestinbirds，androses，missionaries，orlimitedandhighly-boundeditionsofoldbooks(things，inaword，intreatingwhichyouknewexactlywhereyouwere)thaninthemanifestationsofmerelifethatcamebeforetheireyes。

"Oh，Dick，aboutthatyoungFrenchman。Antoniasayshewantsatutorship；now，canyoureallyrecommendhim？There\'sMrs。RobinsonattheGatewayswantssomeonetoteachherboyslanguages；and，ifhewerequitesatisfactory，it\'sreallytimeToddleshadafewlessonsinFrench；hegoestoEtonnexthalf。"

Sheltonstaredattherose；hehadsuddenlyrealisedwhyitwasthatpeopletakemoreinterestinrosesthaninhumanbeings——onecoulddoitwithaquietheart。

"He\'snotaFrenchman，youknow，"hesaidtogainalittletime。

"He\'snotaGerman，Ihope，"Mrs。Dennantanswered，passingherforgersroundapetal，toimpressitsfashiononherbrain；"Idon\'tlikeGermans。Isn\'thetheoneyouwroteabout——comedownintheworld？Suchapitywithsoyoungafellow!Hisfatherwasamerchant，Ithinkyoutoldus。Antoniasayshe\'squiterefinedtolookat。"

"Oh，yes，"saidShelton，feelingonsafeground；"he\'srefinedenoughtolookat。"

Mrs。Dennanttooktheroseandputittohernose。

"Deliciousperfume!Thatwasaverytouchin\'storyabouthisgoin\'

withoutfoodinParis。OldMrs。Hopkinshasaroomtolet；Ishouldliketodoheragoodturn。I\'mafraidthere\'saholeintheceilin\'，though。Orthere\'stheroomhereintheleftwingontheground-floorwhereJohnthefootmanusedtosleep。It\'squitenice；

perhapshecouldhavethat。"

"You\'reawfullykind，"saidShelton，"but——"

"Ishouldliketodosomethingtorestorehisself-respect，"，wentonMrs。Dennant，"if，asyousay，he\'scleverandallthat。Seein\'alittlerefinedlifeagainmightmakeaworldofdifferencetohim。

It\'ssosadwhenayoungmanlosesself-respect。"

Sheltonwasmuchstruckbythepracticalwayinwhichshelookedatthings。Restorehisself-respect!Itseemedquiteasplendidnotion!Hesmiled，andsaid，"You\'retookind。Ithink——"

"Idon\'tbelieveindoin\'thingsbyhalves，"saidMrs。Dennant；"hedoesn\'tdrink，Isuppose？"

"Oh，no，"saidShelton。"He\'sratheratobaccomaniac，ofcourse。"

"Well，that\'samercy!Youwouldn\'tbelievethetroubleI\'vehadwithdrink，especiallyovercooksandcoachmen。AndnowBunyan\'stakentoit。"

"Oh，you\'dhavenotroublewithFerrand，"returnedShelton；"youcouldn\'ttellhimfromagentlemanasfarasmannersgo。"

Mrs。Dennantsmiledoneofherrathersweetandkindlysmiles。

"MydearDick，"shesaid，"there\'snotmuchcomfortinthat。LookatpoorBobbySurcingle，lookatOliverSemplesandVictorMedallion；

youcouldn\'thavebetterfamilies。Butifyou\'resurehedoesn\'tdrink!Algy\'lllaugh，ofcourse；thatdoesn\'tmatter——helaughsateverything。"

Sheltonfeltguilty；beingquiteunpreparedforsorapidanadoptionofhisclient。

"Ireallybelievethere\'salotofgoodinhim，"hestammered；"but，ofcourse，Iknowverylittle，andfromwhathetellsmehe\'shadaverycuriouslife。Ishouldn\'tlike——"

"Wherewasheeducated？"inquiredMrs。Dennant。"TheyhavenopublicschoolsinFrance，soI\'vebeentold；but，ofcourse，hecan\'thelpthat，pooryoungfellow!Oh，and，Dick，there\'sonething——hasherelations？Onehasalwaystobesocarefulaboutthat。It\'sonethingtohelpayoungfellow，butquiteanothertohelphisfamilytoo。Oneseessomanycasesofthatwheremenmarrygirlswithoutmoney，don\'tyouknow。"

"Hehastoldme，"answeredShelton，"hisonlyrelationsaresomecousins，andtheyarerich。"

Mrs。Dennanttookoutherhandkerchief，and，bendingabovetherose，removedatinyinsect。

"Thesegreen-flygetineverywhere，"shesaid。

"Verysadstory；can\'ttheydoanythingforhim？"andshemaderesearchesintherose\'sheart。

"He\'squarrelledwiththem，Ibelieve，"saidShelton；"Ihaven\'tlikedtopresshim，aboutthat。"

"No，ofcoursenot，"assentedMrs。Dennantabsently——shehadfoundanothergreen-fly"Ialwaysthinkit\'spainfulwhenayoungmanseemssofriendless。"

Sheltonwassilent；hewasthinkingdeeply。Hehadneverbeforefeltsodistrustfuloftheyouthfulforeigner。

"Ithink，"hesaidatlast，"thebestthingwouldbeforyoutoseehimforyourself。"

"Verywell，"saidMrs。Dennant。"Ishouldbesogladifyouwouldtellhimtocomeup。ImustsayIdothinkthatwasamosttouchin\'

storyaboutParis。Iwonderwhetherthislight\'sstrongenoughnowformetophotographthisrose。"

Sheltonwithdrewandwentdown-stairs。Ferrandwasstillatbreakfast。Antoniastoodatthesideboardcarvingbeefforhim，andinthewindowsatTheawithherPersiankitten。

Bothgirlswerefollowingthetraveller\'smovementswithinscrutableblueeyes。AshiverrandownShelton\'sspine。Tospeaktruth，hecursedtheyoungman\'scoming，asthoughitaffectedhisrelationswithAntonia。

CHAPTERXXVII

SUBROSA

>Fromtheinterview，whichSheltonhadthemixeddelightofwatching，betweenFerrandandtheHonourableMrs。Dennant，certaindefiniteresultsaccrued，thechiefofwhichwasthepermissionaccordedtheyoungwanderertooccupytheroomwhichhadformerlybeentenantedbythefootmanJohn。SheltonwaslostinadmirationofFerrand\'smannerinthisscene……Itssubtlecombinationofdeferenceanddignitywasalmostparalysing；paralysing，too，thesubterraneansmileuponhislips。

"Charmin\'youngman，Dick，"saidMrs。Dennant，whenSheltonlingeredtosayoncemorethatheknewbutverylittleofhim；"IshallsendanoteroundtoMrs。Robinsonatonce。They\'rerathercommon，youknow——theRobinsons。Ithinkthey\'lltakeanyoneIrecommend。"

"I\'msuretheywill，"saidShelton；"that\'swhyIthinkyououghttoknow——"

ButMrs。Dennant\'seyes，fervent，hare-like，werefixedonsomethingfaraway；turning，hesawtheroseinatallvaseonatallandspindlystool。Itseemedtonodtowardstheminthesunshine。Mrs。

Dennantdivedhernosetowardshercamera。

"Thelight\'sperfectnow，"shesaid，inavoicemuffledbythecloth。

"Ifeelsurethatlivin\'withdecentpeoplewilldowondersforhim。

Ofcourse，heunderstandsthathismealswillbeservedtohimapart。"

Shelton，doublyanxious，nowthathiseffortshadlodgedhisclientinaplaceoftrust，fell，backonhopingforthebest；hisinstincttoldhimthat，vagabondasFerrandwas，hehadacuriousself-

respect，thatwouldsavehimfromameaningratitude。

Infact，asMrs。Dennant，whowasbynomeansvoidofcommon-sense，foresaw，thearrangementworkedallright。FerrandenteredonhisdutiesasFrenchtutortothelittleRobinsons。IntheDennants\'

householdhekepthimselftohisownroom，which，dayandnight，heperfumedwithtobacco，emergingatnoonintothegarden，or，ifwet，intothestudy，toteachyoungToddlesFrench。Afteratimeitbecamecustomaryforhimtolunchwiththehouse-party，partlythroughamistakeofToddles，whoseemedtothinkthatitwasnatural，andpartlythroughJohnNoble，oneofShelton\'sfriends，whohadcometostay，anddiscoveredFerrandtobeamostawfullyinterestingpersonhewasalways，indeed，discoveringthemostawfullyinterestingpersons。Inhisgraveandtonelessvoice，brushinghishairfromoffhisbrow，hedescanteduponFerrandwithenthusiasm，towhichwasjoinedakindofshockedamusement，aswhoshouldsay，"Ofcourse，Iknowit\'sveryodd，butreallyhe\'ssuchanawfullyinterestingperson。"ForJohnNoblewasapolitician，belongingtooneofthosetwoPeculiarparties，which，thoroughlyinearnest，ofanhonestyabovesuspicion，andalwaysverybusy，areconstitutionallyaversetoanythingpeculiarforfearoffindingtheyhaveoversteppedthelimitofwhatispracticalinpolitics。Assuchheinspiredconfidence，notcaringforthingsunlesshesawsomeimmediatebenefittobehadfromthem，havingaperfectsenseofdecency，andasmallimagination。HediscussedallsortsofthingswithFerrand；ononeoccasionSheltonoverheardthemarguingonanarchism。

"NoEnglishmanapprovesofmurder，"Noblewassaying，inthegloomyvoicethatcontrastedwiththeoptimisticcastofhisfinehead，"butthemainprincipleisright。Equalisationofpropertyisboundtocome。Isympathisewiththen，notwiththeirmethods。"

"Forgiveme，"struckinFerrand；"doyouknowanyanarchists？"

"No，"returnedNoble；"Icertainlydonot。"

"Yousayyousympathisewiththem，butthefirsttimeitcomestoaction——"

"Well？"

"Oh，monsieur!onedoesn\'tmakeanarchismwiththehead。"

Sheltonperceivedthathehadmeanttoadd，"butwiththeheart，thelungs，theliver。"Hedrewadeepermeaningfromthesaying，andseemedtosee，curlingwiththesmokefromFerrand\'slips，thewords:

"Whatdoyou，anEnglishgentleman，ofexcellentposition，andalltheprejudicesofyourclass，knowaboutusoutcasts？Ifyouwanttounderstandusyoumustbeanoutcasttoo；wearenotplayingatthegame。"

Thistalktookplaceuponthelawn，attheendofoneofToddles\'sFrenchlessons，andSheltonleftJohnNoblemaintainingtotheyouthfulforeigner，withstubbornlogic，thathe，JohnNoble，andtheanarchistshadmuch，incommon。Hewasreturningtothehouse，whensomeonecalledhisnamefromunderneaththeholmoak。There，sittingTurkishfashiononthegrass，apipebetweenhisteeth，hefoundamanwhohadarrivedthenightbefore，andimpressedhimbyhisfriendlytaciturnity。HisnamewasWhyddon，andhehadjustreturnedfromCentralAfrica；abrown-faced，large-jawedman，withsmallbutgoodandsteadyeyes，andstrong，sparefigure。

"Oh，Mr。Shelton!"hesaid，"IwonderedifyoucouldtellmewhattipsIoughttogivetheservantshere；aftertenyearsawayI\'veforgottenallaboutthatsortofthing。"

Sheltonsatdownbesidehim；unconsciouslyassuming，too，across-

leggedattitude，whichcausedhimmuchdiscomfort。

"Iwaslistening，"saidhisnewacquaintance，"tothelittlechaplearninghisFrench。I\'veforgottenmine。Onefeelsahopelessdufferknowingno，languages。"

"IsupposeyouspeakArabic？"saidShelton。

"Oh，Arabic，andadialectortwo；theydon\'tcount。Thattutorhasacuriousface。"

"Youthinkso？"saidShelton，interested。"He\'shadacuriouslife。"

Thetravellerspreadhishands，palmsdownwards，onthegrassandlookedatSheltonwith，asmile。

"Ishouldsayhewasarollingstone，"hesaid。"It\'sodd，I\'veseenwhitemeninCentralAfricawithagooddealofhislookaboutthem。

"Yourdiagnosisisagoodone，"answeredShelton。

"I\'malwayssorryforthosefellows。There\'sgenerallysomegoodinthem。Theyaretheirownenemies。Abadbusinesstobeunabletotakeprideinanythingonedoes!"Andtherewasalookofpityonhisface。

"That\'sexactlyit，"saidShelton。"I\'veoftentriedtoputitintowords。Isitincurable？"

"Ithinkso。"

"Canyoutellmewhy？"

Whyddonpondered。

"Iratherthink，"hesaidatlast，"itmustbebecausetheyhavetoostrongafacultyofcriticism。Youcan\'tteachamantobeproudofhisownwork；thatliesinhisblood"；foldinghisarmsacrosshisbreast，heheavedasigh。Underthedarkfoliage，hiseyesonthesunlight，hewasthetypeofallthoseEnglishmenwhokeeptheirspiritsbrightandweartheirbodiesoutinthedarkplacesofhardwork。"Youcan\'tthink，"hesaid，showinghisteethinasmile，"howdelightfulitistobeathome!Youlearntolovetheoldcountrywhenyou\'reawayfromit。"

Sheltonoftenthought，afterwards；ofthisdiagnosisofthevagabond，forhewasalwaysstumblingoninstancesofthatpowerofsubtlecriticismwhichwastheyoungforeigner\'sprimeclaimtobe"amostawfullyinteresting"andperhapsarathershockingperson。

Anoldschool-fellowofShelton\'sandhiswifewerestayinginthehouse，whoofferedtotheeyethepictureofaperfectdomesticity。

Passionlessandsmiling，itwasimpossibletoimaginetheycouldeverhaveadifference。Shelton，whosebedroomwasnexttotheirs，couldheartheminthemorningstalkinginexactlythetonestheyusedatlunch，andlaughingthesamelaughs。Theirlifeseemedtoaccordthemperfectsatisfaction；theyweresuppliedwiththeirconvictionsbySocietyjustas，whenathome，theyweresuppliedwithalltheothernecessariesoflifebysomeco-operativestores。Theirfairlyhandsomefaces，withthefairlykindexpressions，quicklyandcarefullyregulatedbyasenseofcompromise，begantoworryhimsomuchthatwheninthesameroomhewouldevenreadtoavoidtheneedoflookingatthem。Andyettheywerekind——thatis，fairlykind——

andcleanandquietinthehouse，exceptwhentheylaughed，whichwasoften，andatthingswhichmadehimwanttohowlasadoghowlsatmusic。

"Mr。Shelton，"Ferrandsaidoneday，"I\'mnotanamateurofmarriage——neverhadthechance，asyoumaywellsuppose；but，inanycase，youhavesomepeopleinthehousewhowouldmakememarktimebeforeIwentcommittingit。Theyseemtheidealyoungmarriedpeople——don\'tquarrel，haveperfecthealth，agreewitheverybody，gotochurch，havechildren——butIshouldliketohearwhatisbeautifulintheirlife，"andhegrimaced。"ItseemstomesouglythatIcanonlygasp。Iwouldmuchrathertheyill-treatedeachother，justtoshowtheyhadthecornerofasoulbetweenthem。Ifthatismarriage，\'Dieum\'engarde!\'"

ButSheltondidnotanswer；hewasthinkingdeeply。

ThesayingofJohnNoble\'s，"He\'sreallyamostinterestingperson，"

grewmoreandmoreuponhisnerves；itseemedtodescribetheDennantattitudetowardsthisstrangerwithintheirgates。Theytreatedhimwithasortofwonderonthe"don\'ttouch"system，likeanobjectinanexhibition。Therestoration，however，of，hisself-respectproceededwithsuccess。ForallthesemblanceofhavinggrowntoobigforShelton\'sclothes，forallhisvividlyburntface，andthequickbutguardedplayofcynicismonhislips——hedidmuchcredittohispatrons。Hehadsubduedhisterrorofarazor，andlookedwellinasuitofShelton\'sflannels。For，afterall，hehadonlybeeneightyearsexiledfrommiddle-classgentility，andhehadbeenawaiterhalfthattime。ButSheltonwishedhimatthedevil。Notforhismanners\'sake——hewasnevertiredofwatchinghowsubtlythevagabondadaptedhisconducttotheconductofhishosts，whilekeepinguphiscriticaldetachment——butbecausethatcriticaldetachmentwasaconstantspurtohisownvision，compellinghimtoanalysethelifeintowhich，hehadbeenbornandwasabouttomarry。

Thisprocesswasdisturbing；andtofindoutwhenithadcommenced，hehadtogobacktohismeetingwithFerrandonthejourneyupfromDover。

Therewaskindnessinahospitalitywhichopenedtosostrangeabird；admittingthekindness，Sheltonfelltoanalysingit。Tohimself，topeopleofhisclass，theuseofkindnesswasaluxury，notsignificantofsacrifice，butproductiveofapleasantfeelingintheheart，suchasmassagewillsetupinthelegs。"Everybody\'skind，"hethought；"thequestionis，Whatunderstandingisthere，whatrealsympathy？"Thisproblemgavehimfoodforthought。

Theprogress，whichMrs。Dennantnotunfrequentlyremarkedupon，inFerrand\'sconquestofhisstrangeposition，seemedtoSheltonbutasignthathewasgettingwhathecouldoutofhissuddenvisittogreenpastures；underthesamecircumstances，Sheltonthoughtthathehimselfwoulddothesame。Hefeltthattheyoungforeignerwasmakingaconvenientbowtoproperty，buthehadmorerespectforthesarcasticsmileonthelipsofFerrand\'sheart。