第2章

Theworstofitwasthatshehadnoaptitudeforliterature。Shedidnotlikephrases。Shehadevensomenaturalantipathytothatprocessofself-examination，thatperpetualefforttounderstandone\'sownfeeling，andexpressitbeautifully，fitly，orenergeticallyinlanguage，whichconstitutedsogreatapartofhermother\'sexistence。

Shewas，onthecontrary，inclinedtobesilent；sheshrankfromexpressingherselfevenintalk，letaloneinwriting。Asthisdispositionwashighlyconvenientinafamilymuchgiventothemanufactureofphrases，andseemedtoargueacorrespondingcapacityforaction，shewas，fromherchildhoodeven，putinchargeofhouseholdaffairs。Shehadthereputation，whichnothinginhermannercontradicted，ofbeingthemostpracticalofpeople。Orderingmeals，directingservants，payingbills，andsocontrivingthateveryclocktickedmoreorlessaccuratelyintime，andanumberofvaseswerealwaysfulloffreshflowerswassupposedtobeanaturalendowmentofhers，and，indeed，Mrs。Hilberyoftenobservedthatitwaspoetrythewrongsideout。Fromaveryearlyage，too，shehadtoexertherselfinanothercapacity；shehadtocounselandhelpandgenerallysustainhermother。Mrs。Hilberywouldhavebeenperfectlywellabletosustainherselfiftheworldhadbeenwhattheworldisnot。Shewasbeautifullyadaptedforlifeinanotherplanet。Butthenaturalgeniusshehadforconductingaffairstherewasofnorealusetoherhere。

Herwatch，forexample，wasaconstantsourceofsurprisetoher，andattheageofsixty-fiveshewasstillamazedattheascendancywhichrulesandreasonsexertedoverthelivesofotherpeople。Shehadneverlearntherlesson，andhadconstantlytobepunishedforherignorance。Butasthatignorancewascombinedwithafinenaturalinsightwhichsawdeepwheneveritsawatall，itwasnotpossibletowriteMrs。Hilberyoffamongthedunces；onthecontrary，shehadawayofseemingthewisestpersonintheroom。But，onthewhole，shefounditverynecessarytoseeksupportinherdaughter。

Katharine，thus，wasamemberofaverygreatprofessionwhichhas，asyet，notitleandverylittlerecognition，althoughthelaborofmillandfactoryis，perhaps，nomoresevereandtheresultsoflessbenefittotheworld。Shelivedathome。Shediditverywell，too。

AnyonecomingtothehouseinCheyneWalkfeltthatherewasanorderlyplace，shapely，controlled——aplacewherelifehadbeentrainedtoshowtothebestadvantage，and，thoughcomposedofdifferentelements，madetoappearharmoniousandwithacharacterofitsown。PerhapsitwasthechieftriumphofKatharine\'sartthatMrs。

Hilbery\'scharacterpredominated。SheandMr。Hilberyappearedtobearichbackgroundforhermother\'smorestrikingqualities。

Silencebeing，thus，bothnaturaltoherandimposeduponher，theonlyotherremarkthathermother\'sfriendswereinthehabitofmakingaboutitwasthatitwasneitherastupidsilencenoranindifferentsilence。Buttowhatqualityitoweditscharacter，sincecharacterofsomesortithad，noonetroubledthemselvestoinquire。

Itwasunderstoodthatshewashelpinghermothertoproduceagreatbook。Shewasknowntomanagethehousehold。Shewascertainlybeautiful。Thataccountedforhersatisfactorily。Butitwouldhavebeenasurprise，notonlytootherpeoplebuttoKatharineherself，ifsomemagicwatchcouldhavetakencountofthemomentsspentinanentirelydifferentoccupationfromherostensibleone。Sittingwithfadedpapersbeforeher，shetookpartinaseriesofscenessuchasthetamingofwildponiesupontheAmericanprairies，ortheconductofavastshipinahurricaneroundablackpromontoryofrock，orinothersmorepeaceful，butmarkedbyhercompleteemancipationfromherpresentsurroundingsand，needlesstosay，byhersurpassingabilityinhernewvocation。Whenshewasridofthepretenseofpaperandpen，phrase-makingandbiography，sheturnedherattentioninamorelegitimatedirection，though，strangelyenough，shewouldratherhaveconfessedherwildestdreamsofhurricaneandprairiethanthefactthat，upstairs，aloneinherroom，sheroseearlyinthemorningorsatuplateatnightto……workatmathematics。Noforceonearthwouldhavemadeherconfessthat。Heractionswhenthusengagedwerefurtiveandsecretive，likethoseofsomenocturnalanimal。Stepshadonlytosoundonthestaircase，andsheslippedherpaperbetweentheleavesofagreatGreekdictionarywhichshehadpurloinedfromherfather\'sroomforthispurpose。Itwasonlyatnight，indeed，thatshefeltsecureenoughfromsurprisetoconcentratehermindtotheutmost。

Perhapstheunwomanlynatureofthesciencemadeherinstinctivelywishtoconcealherloveofit。Butthemoreprofoundreasonwasthatinhermindmathematicsweredirectlyopposedtoliterature。Shewouldnothavecaredtoconfesshowinfinitelyshepreferredtheexactitude，thestar-likeimpersonality，offigurestotheconfusion，agitation，andvaguenessofthefinestprose。Therewassomethingalittleunseemlyinthusopposingthetraditionofherfamily；somethingthatmadeherfeelwrong-headed，andthusmorethaneverdisposedtoshutherdesiresawayfromviewandcherishthemwithextraordinaryfondness。Againandagainshewasthinkingofsomeproblemwhensheshouldhavebeenthinkingofhergrandfather。Wakingfromthesetrances，shewouldseethathermother，too，hadlapsedintosomedreamalmostasvisionaryasherown，forthepeoplewhoplayedtheirpartsinithadlongbeennumberedamongthedead。But，seeingherownstatemirroredinhermother\'sface，Katharinewouldshakeherselfawakewithasenseofirritation。Hermotherwasthelastpersonshewishedtoresemble，muchthoughsheadmiredher。Hercommonsensewouldassertitselfalmostbrutally，andMrs。Hilbery，lookingatherwithheroddsidelongglance，thatwashalfmaliciousandhalftender，wouldlikenherto“yourwickedoldUncleJudgePeter，whousedtobehearddeliveringsentenceofdeathinthebathroom。ThankHeaven，Katharine，I\'venotadropofHIMinme！“

CHAPTERIV

Ataboutnineo\'clockatnight，oneveryalternateWednesday，MissMaryDatchetmadethesameresolve，thatshewouldneveragainlendherroomsforanypurposeswhatsoever。Being，astheywere，ratherlargeandconvenientlysituatedinastreetmostlydedicatedtoofficesofftheStrand，peoplewhowishedtomeet，eitherforpurposesofenjoyment，ortodiscussart，ortoreformtheState，hadawayofsuggestingthatMaryhadbetterbeaskedtolendthemherrooms。Shealwaysmettherequestwiththesamefrownofwell-simulatedannoyance，whichpresentlydissolvedinakindofhalf-humorous，half-

surlyshrug，asofalargedogtormentedbychildrenwhoshakeshisears。Shewouldlendherroom，butonlyonconditionthatallthearrangementsweremadebyher。Thisfortnightlymeetingofasocietyforthefreediscussionofeverythingentailedagreatdealofmoving，andpulling，andrangingoffurnitureagainstthewall，andplacingofbreakableandpreciousthingsinsafeplaces。MissDatchetwasquitecapableofliftingakitchentableonherback，ifneedwere，foralthoughwell-proportionedanddressedbecomingly，shehadtheappearanceofunusualstrengthanddetermination。

Shewassometwenty-fiveyearsofage，butlookedolderbecausesheearned，orintendedtoearn，herownliving，andhadalreadylostthelookoftheirresponsiblespectator，andtakenonthatoftheprivateinthearmyofworkers。Hergesturesseemedtohaveacertainpurpose，themusclesroundeyesandlipsweresetratherfirmly，asthoughthesenseshadundergonesomediscipline，andwereheldreadyforacallonthem。Shehadcontractedtwofaintlinesbetweenhereyebrows，notfromanxietybutfromthought，anditwasquiteevidentthatallthefeminineinstinctsofpleasing，soothing，andcharmingwerecrossedbyothersinnowaypeculiartohersex。Fortherestshewasbrown-eyed，alittleclumsyinmovement，andsuggestedcountrybirthandadescentfromrespectablehard-workingancestors，whohadbeenmenoffaithandintegrityratherthandoubtersorfanatics。

Attheendofafairlyhardday\'sworkitwascertainlysomethingofanefforttoclearone\'sroom，topullthemattressoffone\'sbed，andlayitonthefloor，tofillapitcherwithcoldcoffee，andtosweepalongtableclearforplatesandcupsandsaucers，withpyramidsoflittlepinkbiscuitsbetweenthem；butwhenthesealterationswereeffected，Maryfeltalightnessofspiritcometoher，asifshehadputoffthestoutstuffofherworkinghoursandslippedoverherentirebeingsomevestureofthin，brightsilk。Shekneltbeforethefireandlookedoutintotheroom。Thelightfellsoftly，butwithclearradiance，throughshadesofyellowandbluepaper，andtheroom，whichwassetwithoneortwosofasresemblinggrassymoundsintheirlackofshape，lookedunusuallylargeandquiet。MarywasledtothinkoftheheightsofaSussexdown，andtheswellinggreencircleofsomecampofancientwarriors。Themoonlightwouldbefallingtheresopeacefullynow，andshecouldfancytheroughpathwayofsilveruponthewrinkledskinofthesea。

“Andhereweare，“shesaid，halfaloud，halfsatirically，yetwithevidentpride，“talkingaboutart。“

Shepulledabasketcontainingballsofdifferentlycoloredwoolsandapairofstockingswhichneededdarningtowardsher，andbegantosetherfingerstowork；whilehermind，reflectingthelassitudeofherbody，wentonperversely，conjuringupvisionsofsolitudeandquiet，andshepicturedherselflayingasideherknittingandwalkingoutontothedown，andhearingnothingbutthesheepcroppingthegrassclosetotheroots，whiletheshadowsofthelittletreesmovedveryslightlythiswayandthatinthemoonlight，asthebreezewentthroughthem。Butshewasperfectlyconsciousofherpresentsituation，andderivedsomepleasurefromthereflectionthatshecouldrejoiceequallyinsolitude，andinthepresenceofthemanyverydifferentpeoplewhowerenowmakingtheirway，bydiverspaths，acrossLondontothespotwhereshewassitting。

Assheranherneedleinandoutofthewool，shethoughtofthevariousstagesinherownlifewhichmadeherpresentpositionseemtheculminationofsuccessivemiracles。Shethoughtofherclericalfatherinhiscountryparsonage，andofhermother\'sdeath，andofherowndeterminationtoobtaineducation，andofhercollegelife，whichhadmerged，notsoverylongago，inthewonderfulmazeofLondon，whichstillseemedtoher，inspiteofherconstitutionallevel-headedness，likeavastelectriclight，castingradianceuponthemyriadsofmenandwomenwhocrowdedroundit。Andhereshewasattheverycenterofitall，thatcenterwhichwasconstantlyinthemindsofpeopleinremoteCanadianforestsandontheplainsofIndia，whentheirthoughtsturnedtoEngland。Theninemellowstrokes，bywhichshewasnowapprisedofthehour，wereamessagefromthegreatclockatWestminsteritself。Asthelastofthemdiedaway，therewasafirmknockingonherowndoor，andsheroseandopenedit。Shereturnedtotheroom，withalookofsteadypleasureinhereyes，andshewastalkingtoRalphDenham，whofollowedher。

“Alone？“hesaid，asifhewerepleasantlysurprisedbythatfact。

“Iamsometimesalone，“shereplied。

“Butyouexpectagreatmanypeople，“headded，lookingroundhim。

“It\'slikearoomonthestage。Whoisitto-night？“

“WilliamRodney，upontheElizabethanuseofmetaphor。Iexpectagoodsolidpaper，withplentyofquotationsfromtheclassics。“

Ralphwarmedhishandsatthefire，whichwasflappingbravelyinthegrate，whileMarytookupherstockingagain。

“IsupposeyouaretheonlywomaninLondonwhodarnsherownstockings，“heobserved。

“I\'monlyoneofagreatmanythousandsreally，“shereplied，“thoughImustadmitthatIwasthinkingmyselfveryremarkablewhenyoucamein。Andnowthatyou\'rehereIdon\'tthinkmyselfremarkableatall。

Howhorridofyou！ButI\'mafraidyou\'remuchmoreremarkablethanI

am。You\'vedonemuchmorethanI\'vedone。“

“Ifthat\'syourstandard，you\'venothingtobeproudof，“saidRalphgrimly。

“Well，ImustreflectwithEmersonthatit\'sbeingandnotdoingthatmatters，“shecontinued。

“Emerson？“Ralphexclaimed，withderision。“Youdon\'tmeantosayyoureadEmerson？“

“Perhapsitwasn\'tEmerson；butwhyshouldn\'tIreadEmerson？“sheasked，withatingeofanxiety。

“There\'snoreasonthatIknowof。It\'sthecombinationthat\'sodd——

booksandstockings。Thecombinationisveryodd。“Butitseemedtorecommenditselftohim。Marygavealittlelaugh，expressiveofhappiness，andtheparticularstitchesthatshewasnowputtingintoherworkappearedtohertobedonewithsingulargraceandfelicity。

Sheheldoutthestockingandlookedatitapprovingly。

“Youalwayssaythat，“shesaid。“Iassureyouit\'sacommon\'combination，\'asyoucallit，inthehousesoftheclergy。Theonlythingthat\'soddaboutmeisthatIenjoythemboth——Emersonandthestocking。“

Aknockwasheard，andRalphexclaimed:

“Damnthosepeople！Iwishtheyweren\'tcoming！“

“It\'sonlyMr。Turner，onthefloorbelow，“saidMary，andshefeltgratefultoMr。TurnerforhavingalarmedRalph，andforhavinggivenafalsealarm。

“Willtherebeacrowd？“Ralphasked，afterapause。

“There\'llbetheMorrisesandtheCrashaws，andDickOsborne，andSeptimus，andallthatset。KatharineHilberyiscoming，bytheway，soWilliamRodneytoldme。“

“KatharineHilbery！“Ralphexclaimed。

“Youknowher？“Maryasked，withsomesurprise。

“Iwenttoatea-partyatherhouse。“

Marypressedhimtotellherallaboutit，andRalphwasnotatallunwillingtoexhibitproofsoftheextentofhisknowledge。HedescribedthescenewithcertainadditionsandexaggerationswhichinterestedMaryverymuch。

“But，inspiteofwhatyousay，Idoadmireher，“shesaid。“I\'veonlyseenheronceortwice，butsheseemstometobewhatonecallsa\'personality。\'“

“Ididn\'tmeantoabuseher。Ionlyfeltthatshewasn\'tverysympathetictome。“

“Theysayshe\'sgoingtomarrythatqueercreatureRodney。“

“MarryRodney？ThenshemustbemoredeludedthanIthoughther。“

“Nowthat\'smydoor，allright，“Maryexclaimed，carefullyputtingherwoolsaway，asasuccessionofknocksreverberatedunnecessarily，accompaniedbyasoundofpeoplestampingtheirfeetandlaughing。A

momentlatertheroomwasfullofyoungmenandwomen，whocameinwithapeculiarlookofexpectation，exclaimed“Oh！“whentheysawDenham，andthenstoodstill，gapingratherfoolishly。

Theroomverysooncontainedbetweentwentyandthirtypeople，whofoundseatsforthemostpartuponthefloor，occupyingthemattresses，andhunchingthemselvestogetherintotriangularshapes。

Theywereallyoungandsomeofthemseemedtomakeaprotestbytheirhairanddress，andsomethingsomberandtruculentintheexpressionoftheirfaces，againstthemorenormaltype，whowouldhavepassedunnoticedinanomnibusoranundergroundrailway。Itwasnotablethatthetalkwasconfinedtogroups，andwas，atfirst，entirelyspasmodicincharacter，andmutteredinundertonesasifthespeakersweresuspiciousoftheirfellow-guests。

KatharineHilberycameinratherlate，andtookupapositiononthefloor，withherbackagainstthewall。Shelookedroundquickly，recognizedabouthalfadozenpeople，towhomshenodded，butfailedtoseeRalph，or，ifso，hadalreadyforgottentoattachanynametohim。ButinasecondtheseheterogeneouselementswereallunitedbythevoiceofMr。Rodney，whosuddenlystrodeuptothetable，andbeganveryrapidlyinhigh-strainedtones:

“InundertakingtospeakoftheElizabethanuseofmetaphorinpoetry——“

Allthedifferentheadsswungslightlyorsteadiedthemselvesintoapositioninwhichtheycouldgazestraightatthespeaker\'sface，andthesamerathersolemnexpressionwasvisibleonallofthem。But，atthesametime，eventhefacesthatweremostexposedtoview，andthereforemosttautlyundercontrol，disclosedasuddenimpulsivetremorwhich，unlessdirectlychecked，wouldhavedevelopedintoanoutburstoflaughter。ThefirstsightofMr。Rodneywasirresistiblyludicrous。Hewasveryredintheface，whetherfromthecoolNovembernightornervousness，andeverymovement，fromthewayhewrunghishandstothewayhejerkedhisheadtorightandleft，asthoughavisiondrewhimnowtothedoor，nowtothewindow，bespokehishorriblediscomfortunderthestareofsomanyeyes。Hewasscrupulouslywelldressed，andapearlinthecenterofhistieseemedtogivehimatouchofaristocraticopulence。Buttheratherprominenteyesandtheimpulsivestammeringmanner，whichseemedtoindicateatorrentofideasintermittentlypressingforutteranceandalwayscheckedintheircoursebyaclutchofnervousness，drewnopity，asinthecaseofamoreimposingpersonage，butadesiretolaugh，whichwas，however，entirelylackinginmalice。Mr。Rodneywasevidentlysopainfullyconsciousoftheoddityofhisappearance，andhisveryrednessandthestartstowhichhisbodywasliablegavesuchproofofhisowndiscomfort，thattherewassomethingendearinginthisridiculoussusceptibility，althoughmostpeoplewouldprobablyhaveechoedDenham\'sprivateexclamation，“Fancymarryingacreaturelikethat！“

Hispaperwascarefullywrittenout，butinspiteofthisprecautionMr。Rodneymanagedtoturnovertwosheetsinsteadofone，tochoosethewrongsentencewheretwowerewrittentogether，andtodiscoverhisownhandwritingsuddenlyillegible。Whenhefoundhimselfpossessedofacoherentpassage，heshookitathisaudiencealmostaggressively，andthenfumbledforanother。Afteradistressingsearchafreshdiscoverywouldbemade，andproducedinthesameway，until，bymeansofrepeatedattacks，hehadstirredhisaudiencetoadegreeofanimationquiteremarkableinthesegatherings。Whethertheywerestirredbyhisenthusiasmforpoetryorbythecontortionswhichahumanbeingwasgoingthroughfortheirbenefit，itwouldbehardtosay。AtlengthMr。Rodneysatdownimpulsivelyinthemiddleofasentence，and，afterapauseofbewilderment，theaudienceexpresseditsreliefatbeingabletolaughaloudinadecidedoutburstofapplause。

Mr。Rodneyacknowledgedthiswithawildglanceroundhim，and，insteadofwaitingtoanswerquestions，hejumpedup，thrusthimselfthroughtheseatedbodiesintothecornerwhereKatharinewassitting，andexclaimed，veryaudibly:

“Well，Katharine，IhopeI\'vemadeabigenoughfoolofmyselfevenforyou！Itwasterrible！terrible！terrible！“

“Hush！Youmustanswertheirquestions，“Katharinewhispered，desiring，atallcosts，tokeephimquiet。Oddlyenough，whenthespeakerwasnolongerinfrontofthem，thereseemedtobemuchthatwassuggestiveinwhathehadsaid。Atanyrate，apale-facedyoungmanwithsadeyeswasalreadyonhisfeet，deliveringanaccuratelywordedspeechwithperfectcomposure。WilliamRodneylistenedwithacuriousliftingofhisupperlip，althoughhisfacewasstillquiveringslightlywithemotion。

“Idiot！“hewhispered。“He\'smisunderstoodeverywordIsaid！“

“Wellthen，answerhim，“Katharinewhisperedback。

“No，Ishan\'t！They\'donlylaughatme。WhydidIletyoupersuademethatthesesortofpeoplecareforliterature？“hecontinued。

TherewasmuchtobesaidbothforandagainstMr。Rodney\'spaper。Ithadbeencrammedwithassertionsthatsuch-and-suchpassages，takenliberallyfromEnglish，French，andItalian，arethesupremepearlsofliterature。Further，hewasfondofusingmetaphorswhich，compoundedinthestudy，wereapttosoundeithercrampedoroutofplaceashedeliveredtheminfragments。Literaturewasafreshgarlandofspringflowers，hesaid，inwhichyew-berriesandthepurplenightshademingledwiththevarioustintsoftheanemone；andsomehoworotherthisgarlandencircledmarblebrows。Hehadreadverybadlysomeverybeautifulquotations。Butthroughhismannerandhisconfusionoflanguagetherehademergedsomepassionoffeelingwhich，ashespoke，formedinthemajorityoftheaudiencealittlepictureoranideawhicheachnowwaseagertogiveexpressionto。Mostofthepeoplethereproposedtospendtheirlivesinthepracticeeitherofwritingorpainting，andmerelybylookingatthemitcouldbeseenthat，astheylistenedtoMr。Purvisfirst，andthentoMr。Greenhalgh，theywereseeingsomethingdonebythesegentlementoapossessionwhichtheythoughttobetheirown。Onepersonafteranotherrose，and，aswithanill-balancedaxe，attemptedtohewouthisconceptionofartalittlemoreclearly，andsatdownwiththefeelingthat，forsomereasonwhichhecouldnotgrasp，hisstrokeshadgoneawry。Astheysatdowntheyturnedalmostinvariablytothepersonsittingnextthem，andrectifiedandcontinuedwhattheyhadjustsaidinpublic。

Beforelong，therefore，thegroupsonthemattressesandthegroupsonthechairswereallincommunicationwitheachother，andMaryDatchet，whohadbeguntodarnstockingsagain，stoopeddownandremarkedtoRalph:

“ThatwaswhatIcallafirst-ratepaper。“

Bothoftheminstinctivelyturnedtheireyesinthedirectionofthereaderofthepaper。Hewaslyingbackagainstthewall，withhiseyesapparentlyshut，andhischinsunkuponhiscollar。Katharinewasturningoverthepagesofhismanuscriptasifshewerelookingforsomepassagethathadparticularlystruckher，andhadadifficultyinfindingit。

“Let\'sgoandtellhimhowmuchwelikedit，“saidMary，thussuggestinganactionwhichRalphwasanxioustotake，thoughwithoutherhewouldhavebeentooproudtodoit，forhesuspectedthathehadmoreinterestinKatharinethanshehadinhim。

“Thatwasaveryinterestingpaper，“Marybegan，withoutanyshyness，seatingherselfontheflooroppositetoRodneyandKatharine。“Willyoulendmethemanuscripttoreadinpeace？“

Rodney，whohadopenedhiseyesontheirapproach，regardedherforamomentinsuspicioussilence。

“Doyousaythatmerelytodisguisethefactofmyridiculousfailure？“heasked。

Katharinelookedupfromherreadingwithasmile。

“Hesayshedoesn\'tmindwhatwethinkofhim，“sheremarked。“Hesayswedon\'tcarearapforartofanykind。“

“Iaskedhertopityme，andsheteasesme！“Rodneyexclaimed。

“Idon\'tintendtopityyou，Mr。Rodney，“Maryremarked，kindly，butfirmly。“Whenapaper\'safailure，nobodysaysanything，whereasnow，justlistentothem！“

Thesound，whichfilledtheroom，withitshurryofshortsyllables，itssuddenpauses，anditssuddenattacks，mightbecomparedtosomeanimalhubbub，franticandinarticulate。

“D\'youthinkthat\'sallaboutmypaper？“Rodneyinquired，afteramoment\'sattention，withadistinctbrighteningofexpression。

“Ofcourseitis，“saidMary。“Itwasaverysuggestivepaper。“

SheturnedtoDenhamforconfirmation，andhecorroboratedher。

“It\'sthetenminutesafterapaperisreadthatproveswhetherit\'sbeenasuccessornot，“hesaid。“IfIwereyou，Rodney，Ishouldbeverypleasedwithmyself。“

ThiscommendationseemedtocomfortMr。Rodneycompletely，andhebegantobethinkhimofallthepassagesinhispaperwhichdeservedtobecalled“suggestive。“

“Didyouagreeatall，Denham，withwhatIsaidaboutShakespeare\'slateruseofimagery？I\'mafraidIdidn\'taltogethermakemymeaningplain。“

Herehegatheredhimselftogether，andbymeansofaseriesoffrog-likejerks，succeededinbringinghimselfclosetoDenham。

Denhamansweredhimwiththebrevitywhichistheresultofhavinganothersentenceinthemindtobeaddressedtoanotherperson。HewishedtosaytoKatharine:“Didyouremembertogetthatpictureglazedbeforeyourauntcametodinner？“but，besideshavingtoanswerRodney，hewasnotsurethattheremark，withitsassertionofintimacy，wouldnotstrikeKatharineasimpertinent。Shewaslisteningtowhatsomeoneinanothergroupwassaying。Rodney，meanwhile，wastalkingabouttheElizabethandramatists。

Hewasacurious-lookingmansince，uponfirstsight，especiallyifhechancedtobetalkingwithanimation，heappeared，insomeway，ridiculous；but，nextmoment，inrepose，hisface，withitslargenose，thincheeksandlipsexpressingtheutmostsensibility，somehowrecalledaRomanheadboundwithlaurel，cutuponacircleofsemi-

transparentreddishstone。Ithaddignityandcharacter。ByprofessionaclerkinaGovernmentoffice，hewasoneofthosemartyredspiritstowhomliteratureisatonceasourceofdivinejoyandofalmostintolerableirritation。Notcontenttorestintheirloveofit，theymustattempttopractiseitthemselves，andtheyaregenerallyendowedwithverylittlefacilityincomposition。Theycondemnwhatevertheyproduce。Moreover，theviolenceoftheirfeelingsissuchthattheyseldommeetwithadequatesympathy，andbeingrenderedverysensitivebytheircultivatedperceptions，sufferconstantslightsbothtotheirownpersonsandtothethingtheyworship。ButRodneycouldneverresistmakingtrialofthesympathiesofanyonewhoseemedfavorablydisposed，andDenham\'spraisehadstimulatedhisverysusceptiblevanity。

“YourememberthepassagejustbeforethedeathoftheDuchess？“hecontinued，edgingstillclosertoDenham，andadjustinghiselbowandkneeinanincrediblyangularcombination。Here，Katharine，whohadbeencutoffbythesemaneuversfromallcommunicationwiththeouterworld，rose，andseatedherselfuponthewindow-sill，whereshewasjoinedbyMaryDatchet。Thetwoyoungwomencouldthussurveythewholeparty。Denhamlookedafterthem，andmadeasifheweretearinghandfulsofgrassupbytherootsfromthecarpet。Butasitfellinaccuratelywithhisconceptionoflifethatallone\'sdesireswereboundtobefrustrated，heconcentratedhisminduponliterature，anddetermined，philosophically，togetwhathecouldoutofthat。

Katharinewaspleasantlyexcited。Avarietyofcourseswasopentoher。Sheknewseveralpeopleslightly，andatanymomentoneofthemmightrisefromthefloorandcomeandspeaktoher；ontheotherhand，shemightselectsomebodyforherself，orshemightstrikeintoRodney\'sdiscourse，towhichshewasintermittentlyattentive。ShewasconsciousofMary\'sbodybesideher，but，atthesametime，theconsciousnessofbeingbothofthemwomenmadeitunnecessarytospeaktoher。ButMary，feeling，asshehadsaid，thatKatharinewasa“personality，“wishedsomuchtospeaktoherthatinafewmomentsshedid。

“They\'reexactlylikeaflockofsheep，aren\'tthey？“shesaid，referringtothenoisethatrosefromthescatteredbodiesbeneathher。

Katharineturnedandsmiled。

“Iwonderwhatthey\'remakingsuchanoiseabout？“shesaid。

“TheElizabethans，Isuppose。“

“No，Idon\'tthinkit\'sgotanythingtodowiththeElizabethans。

There！Didn\'tyouhearthemsay，\'InsuranceBill\'？“

“Iwonderwhymenalwaystalkaboutpolitics？“Maryspeculated。“I

suppose，ifwehadvotes，weshould，too。“

“Idaresayweshould。Andyouspendyourlifeingettingusvotes，don\'tyou？“

“Ido，“saidMary，stoutly。“FromtentosixeverydayI\'matit。“

KatharinelookedatRalphDenham，whowasnowpoundinghiswaythroughthemetaphysicsofmetaphorwithRodney，andwasremindedofhistalkthatSundayafternoon。SheconnectedhimvaguelywithMary。

“Isupposeyou\'reoneofthepeoplewhothinkweshouldallhaveprofessions，“shesaid，ratherdistantly，asiffeelingherwayamongthephantomsofanunknownworld。

“Ohdearno，“saidMaryatonce。

“Well，IthinkIdo，“Katharinecontinued，withhalfasigh。“Youwillalwaysbeabletosaythatyou\'vedonesomething，whereas，inacrowdlikethis，Ifeelrathermelancholy。“

“Inacrowd？Whyinacrowd？“Maryasked，deepeningthetwolinesbetweenhereyes，andhoistingherselfnearertoKatharineuponthewindow-sill。

“Don\'tyouseehowmanydifferentthingsthesepeoplecareabout？AndIwanttobeatthemdown——Ionlymean，“shecorrectedherself，“thatI

wanttoassertmyself，andit\'sdifficult，ifonehasn\'taprofession。“

Marysmiled，thinkingthattobeatpeopledownwasaprocessthatshouldpresentnodifficultytoMissKatharineHilbery。Theykneweachothersoslightlythatthebeginningofintimacy，whichKatharineseemedtoinitiatebytalkingaboutherself，hadsomethingsolemninit，andtheyweresilent，asiftodecidewhethertoproceedornot。

Theytestedtheground。

“Ah，butIwanttotrampleupontheirprostratebodies！“Katharineannounced，amomentlater，withalaugh，asifatthetrainofthoughtwhichhadledhertothisconclusion。

“Onedoesn\'tnecessarilytrampleuponpeople\'sbodiesbecauseonerunsanoffice，“Maryremarked。

“No。Perhapsnot，“Katharinereplied。Theconversationlapsed，andMarysawKatharinelookingoutintotheroomrathermoodilywithclosedlips，thedesiretotalkaboutherselfortoinitiateafriendshiphaving，apparently，lefther。Marywasstruckbyhercapacityforbeingthuseasilysilent，andoccupiedwithherownthoughts。Itwasahabitthatspokeoflonelinessandamindthinkingforitself。WhenKatharineremainedsilentMarywasslightlyembarrassed。

“Yes，they\'reverylikesheep，“sherepeated，foolishly。

“Andyettheyareveryclever——atleast，“Katharineadded，“IsupposetheyhaveallreadWebster。“

“Surelyyoudon\'tthinkthataproofofcleverness？I\'vereadWebster，I\'vereadBenJonson，butIdon\'tthinkmyselfclever——notexactly，atleast。“

“Ithinkyoumustbeveryclever，“Katharineobserved。

“Why？BecauseIrunanoffice？“

“Iwasn\'tthinkingofthat。Iwasthinkinghowyoulivealoneinthisroom，andhaveparties。“

Maryreflectedforasecond。

“Itmeans，chiefly，apowerofbeingdisagreeabletoone\'sownfamily，Ithink。Ihavethat，perhaps。Ididn\'twanttoliveathome，andI

toldmyfather。Hedidn\'tlikeit……ButthenIhaveasister，andyouhaven\'t，haveyou？“

“No，Ihaven\'tanysisters。“

“Youarewritingalifeofyourgrandfather？“Marypursued。

Katharineseemedinstantlytobeconfrontedbysomefamiliarthoughtfromwhichshewishedtoescape。Shereplied，“Yes，Iamhelpingmymother，“insuchawaythatMaryfeltherselfbaffled，andputbackagainintothepositioninwhichshehadbeenatthebeginningoftheirtalk。ItseemedtoherthatKatharinepossessedacuriouspowerofdrawingnearandreceding，whichsentalternateemotionsthroughherfarmorequicklythanwasusual，andkeptherinaconditionofcuriousalertness。Desiringtoclassifyher，Marybethoughtheroftheconvenientterm“egoist。“

“She\'sanegoist，“shesaidtoherself，andstoredthatworduptogivetoRalphonedaywhen，asitwouldcertainlyfallout，theywerediscussingMissHilbery。

“Heavens，whatamessthere\'llbeto-morrowmorning！“Katharineexclaimed。“Ihopeyoudon\'tsleepinthisroom，MissDatchet？“

Marylaughed。

“Whatareyoulaughingat？“Katharinedemanded。

“Iwon\'ttellyou。“

“Letmeguess。YouwerelaughingbecauseyouthoughtI\'dchangedtheconversation？“

“No。“

“Becauseyouthink——“Shepaused。

“Ifyouwanttoknow，IwaslaughingatthewayyousaidMissDatchet。“

“Mary，then。Mary，Mary，Mary。“

Sosaying，Katharinedrewbackthecurtaininorder，perhaps，toconcealthemomentaryflushofpleasurewhichiscausedbycomingperceptiblynearertoanotherperson。

“MaryDatchet，“saidMary。“It\'snotsuchanimposingnameasKatharineHilbery，I\'mafraid。“

Theybothlookedoutofthewindow，firstupatthehardsilvermoon，stationaryamongahurryoflittlegrey-blueclouds，andthendownupontheroofsofLondon，withalltheiruprightchimneys，andthenbelowthemattheemptymoonlitpavementofthestreet，uponwhichthejointofeachpaving-stonewasclearlymarkedout。MarythensawKatharineraisehereyesagaintothemoon，withacontemplativelookinthem，asthoughsheweresettingthatmoonagainstthemoonofothernights，heldinmemory。Someoneintheroombehindthemmadeajokeaboutstar-gazing，whichdestroyedtheirpleasureinit，andtheylookedbackintotheroomagain。

Ralphhadbeenwatchingforthismoment，andheinstantlyproducedhissentence。

“Iwonder，MissHilbery，whetheryourememberedtogetthatpictureglazed？“Hisvoiceshowedthatthequestionwasonethathadbeenprepared。

“Oh，youidiot！“Maryexclaimed，verynearlyaloud，withasensethatRalphhadsaidsomethingverystupid。So，afterthreelessonsinLatingrammar，onemightcorrectafellowstudent，whoseknowledgedidnotembracetheablativeof“mensa。“

“Picture——whatpicture？“Katharineasked。“Oh，athome，youmean——thatSundayafternoon。WasitthedayMr。Fortescuecame？Yes，IthinkI

rememberedit。“

Thethreeofthemstoodforamomentawkwardlysilent，andthenMarylefttheminordertoseethatthegreatpitcherofcoffeewasproperlyhandled，forbeneathallhereducationshepreservedtheanxietiesofonewhoownschina。

Ralphcouldthinkofnothingfurthertosay；butcouldonehavestrippedoffhismaskofflesh，onewouldhaveseenthathiswill-

powerwasrigidlysetuponasingleobject——thatMissHilberyshouldobeyhim。Hewishedhertostaythereuntil，bysomemeasuresnotyetapparenttohim，hehadconqueredherinterest。Thesestatesofmindtransmitthemselvesveryoftenwithouttheuseoflanguage，anditwasevidenttoKatharinethatthisyoungmanhadfixedhisminduponher。

Sheinstantlyrecalledherfirstimpressionsofhim，andsawherselfagainprofferingfamilyrelics。SherevertedtothestateofmindinwhichhehadleftherthatSundayafternoon。Shesupposedthathejudgedherveryseverely。Shearguednaturallythat，ifthiswerethecase，theburdenoftheconversationshouldrestwithhim。Butshesubmittedsofarastostandperfectlystill，hereyesupontheoppositewall，andherlipsverynearlyclosed，thoughthedesiretolaughstirredthemslightly。

“Youknowthenamesofthestars，Isuppose？“Denhamremarked，andfromthetoneofhisvoiceonemighthavethoughtthathegrudgedKatharinetheknowledgeheattributedtoher。

Shekepthervoicesteadywithsomedifficulty。

“IknowhowtofindthePolestarifI\'mlost。“

“Idon\'tsupposethatoftenhappenstoyou。“

“No。Nothinginterestingeverhappenstome，“shesaid。

“Ithinkyoumakeasystemofsayingdisagreeablethings，MissHilbery，“hebrokeout，againgoingfurtherthanhemeantto。“I

supposeit\'soneofthecharacteristicsofyourclass。Theynevertalkseriouslytotheirinferiors。“

Whetheritwasthattheyweremeetingonneutralgroundto-night，orwhetherthecarelessnessofanoldgreycoatthatDenhamworegaveaneasetohisbearingthathelackedinconventionaldress，Katharinecertainlyfeltnoimpulsetoconsiderhimoutsidetheparticularsetinwhichshelived。

“Inwhatsenseareyoumyinferior？“sheasked，lookingathimgravely，asthoughhonestlysearchingforhismeaning。Thelookgavehimgreatpleasure。Forthefirsttimehefelthimselfonperfectlyequaltermswithawomanwhomhewishedtothinkwellofhim，althoughhecouldnothaveexplainedwhyheropinionofhimmatteredonewayoranother。Perhaps，afterall，heonlywantedtohavesomethingofhertotakehometothinkabout。Buthewasnotdestinedtoprofitbyhisadvantage。

“Idon\'tthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，“Katharinerepeated，andthenshewasobligedtostopandanswersomeonewhowishedtoknowwhethershewouldbuyaticketforanoperafromthem，atareduction。

Indeed，thetemperofthemeetingwasnowunfavorabletoseparateconversation；ithadbecomeratherdebauchedandhilarious，andpeoplewhoscarcelykneweachotherweremakinguseofChristiannameswithapparentcordiality，andhadreachedthatkindofgaytoleranceandgeneralfriendlinesswhichhumanbeingsinEnglandonlyattainaftersittingtogetherforthreehoursorso，andthefirstcoldblastintheairofthestreetfreezesthemintoisolationoncemore。Cloakswerebeingflungroundtheshoulders，hatsswiftlypinnedtothehead；

andDenhamhadthemortificationofseeingKatharinehelpedtoprepareherselfbytheridiculousRodney。Itwasnottheconventionofthemeetingtosaygood-bye，ornecessarilyeventonodtothepersonwithwhomonewastalking；but，nevertheless，DenhamwasdisappointedbythecompletenesswithwhichKatharinepartedfromhim，withoutanyattempttofinishhersentence。SheleftwithRodney。

CHAPTERV

DenhamhadnoconsciousintentionoffollowingKatharine，but，seeingherdepart，hetookhishatandranrathermorequicklydownthestairsthanhewouldhavedoneifKatharinehadnotbeeninfrontofhim。Heovertookafriendofhis，bynameHarrySandys，whowasgoingthesameway，andtheywalkedtogetherafewpacesbehindKatharineandRodney。

Thenightwasverystill，andonsuchnights，whenthetrafficthinsaway，thewalkerbecomesconsciousofthemooninthestreet，asifthecurtainsoftheskyhadbeendrawnapart，andtheheavenlaybare，asitdoesinthecountry。Theairwassoftlycool，sothatpeoplewhohadbeensittingtalkinginacrowdfounditpleasanttowalkalittlebeforedecidingtostopanomnibusorencounterlightagaininanundergroundrailway。Sandys，whowasabarristerwithaphilosophictendency，tookouthispipe，litit，murmured“hum“and“ha，“andwassilent。Thecoupleinfrontofthemkepttheirdistanceaccurately，andappeared，sofarasDenhamcouldjudgebythewaytheyturnedtowardseachother，tobetalkingveryconstantly。Heobservedthatwhenapedestriangoingtheoppositewayforcedthemtoparttheycametogetheragaindirectlyafterwards。WithoutintendingtowatchthemheneverquitelostsightoftheyellowscarftwistedroundKatharine\'shead，orthelightovercoatwhichmadeRodneylookfashionableamongthecrowd。AttheStrandhesupposedthattheywouldseparate，butinsteadtheycrossedtheroad，andtooktheirwaydownoneofthenarrowpassageswhichleadthroughancientcourtstotheriver。AmongthecrowdofpeopleinthebigthoroughfaresRodneyseemedmerelytobelendingKatharinehisescort，butnow，whenpassengerswererareandthefootstepsofthecoupleweredistinctlyheardinthesilence，Denhamcouldnothelppicturingtohimselfsomechangeintheirconversation。Theeffectofthelightandshadow，whichseemedtoincreasetheirheight，wastomakethemmysteriousandsignificant，sothatDenhamhadnofeelingofirritationwithKatharine，butratherahalf-dreamyacquiescenceinthecourseoftheworld。Yes，shedidverywelltodreamabout——butSandyshadsuddenlybeguntotalk。Hewasasolitarymanwhohadmadehisfriendsatcollegeandalwaysaddressedthemasiftheywerestillundergraduatesarguinginhisroom，thoughmanymonthsorevenyearshadpassedinsomecasesbetweenthelastsentenceandthepresentone。Themethodwasalittlesingular，butveryrestful，foritseemedtoignorecompletelyallaccidentsofhumanlife，andtospanverydeepabysseswithafewsimplewords。

Onthisoccasionhebegan，whiletheywaitedforaminuteontheedgeoftheStrand:

“IhearthatBennetthasgivenuphistheoryoftruth。“

Denhamreturnedasuitableanswer，andheproceededtoexplainhowthisdecisionhadbeenarrivedat，andwhatchangesitinvolvedinthephilosophywhichtheybothaccepted。MeanwhileKatharineandRodneydrewfurtherahead，andDenhamkept，ifthatistherightexpressionforaninvoluntaryaction，onefilamentofhisminduponthem，whilewiththerestofhisintelligencehesoughttounderstandwhatSandyswassaying。

Astheypassedthroughthecourtsthustalking，Sandyslaidthetipofhisstickupononeofthestonesformingatime-wornarch，andstruckitmeditativelytwoorthreetimesinordertoillustratesomethingveryobscureaboutthecomplexnatureofone\'sapprehensionoffacts。

Duringthepausewhichthisnecessitated，KatharineandRodneyturnedthecorneranddisappeared。ForamomentDenhamstoppedinvoluntarilyinhissentence，andcontinueditwithasenseofhavinglostsomething。

Unconsciousthattheywereobserved，KatharineandRodneyhadcomeoutontheEmbankment。Whentheyhadcrossedtheroad，Rodneyslappedhishanduponthestoneparapetabovetheriverandexclaimed:

“IpromiseIwon\'tsayanotherwordaboutit，Katharine！Butdostopaminuteandlookatthemoonuponthewater。“

Katharinepaused，lookedupanddowntheriver，andsnuffedtheair。

“I\'msureonecansmellthesea，withthewindblowingthisway，“shesaid。

Theystoodsilentforafewmomentswhiletherivershiftedinitsbed，andthesilverandredlightswhichwerelaiduponitweretornbythecurrentandjoinedtogetheragain。Veryfaroffuptheriverasteamerhootedwithitshollowvoiceofunspeakablemelancholy，asiffromtheheartoflonelymist-shroudedvoyagings。

“Ah！“Rodneycried，strikinghishandoncemoreuponthebalustrade，“whycan\'tonesayhowbeautifulitallis？WhyamIcondemnedforever，Katharine，tofeelwhatIcan\'texpress？AndthethingsIcangivethere\'snouseinmygiving。Trustme，Katharine，“headdedhastily，“Iwon\'tspeakofitagain。Butinthepresenceofbeauty——

lookattheiridescenceroundthemoon！——onefeels——onefeels——Perhapsifyoumarriedme——I\'mhalfapoet，yousee，andIcan\'tpretendnottofeelwhatIdofeel。IfIcouldwrite——ah，thatwouldbeanothermatter。Ishouldn\'tbotheryoutomarrymethen，Katharine。“

Hespokethesedisconnectedsentencesratherabruptly，withhiseyesalternatelyuponthemoonanduponthestream。

“ButformeIsupposeyouwouldrecommendmarriage？“saidKatharine，withhereyesfixedonthemoon。

“CertainlyIshould。Notforyouonly，butforallwomen。Why，you\'renothingatallwithoutit；you\'reonlyhalfalive；usingonlyhalfyourfaculties；youmustfeelthatforyourself。Thatiswhy——“Herehestoppedhimself，andtheybegantowalkslowlyalongtheEmbankment，themoonfrontingthem。

“Withhowsadstepssheclimbsthesky，Howsilentlyandwithhowwanaface，“

Rodneyquoted。

“I\'vebeentoldagreatmanyunpleasantthingsaboutmyselfto-night，“

Katharinestated，withoutattendingtohim。“Mr。Denhamseemstothinkithismissiontolectureme，thoughIhardlyknowhim。Bytheway，William，youknowhim；tellme，whatishelike？“

Williamdrewadeepsigh。

“Wemaylectureyoutillwe\'reblueintheface——“

“Yes——butwhat\'shelike？“

“Andwewritesonnetstoyoureyebrows，youcruelpracticalcreature。

Denham？“headded，asKatharineremainedsilent。“Agoodfellow，I

shouldthink。Hecares，naturally，fortherightsortofthings，I

expect。Butyoumustn\'tmarryhim，though。Hescoldedyou，didhe——

whatdidhesay？“

“WhathappenswithMr。Denhamisthis:Hecomestotea。IdoallIcantoputhimathisease。Hemerelysitsandscowlsatme。ThenIshowhimourmanuscripts。Atthishebecomesreallyangry，andtellsmeI\'venobusinesstocallmyselfamiddle-classwoman。Sowepartinahuff；andnexttimewemeet，whichwasto-night，hewalksstraightuptome，andsays，\'GototheDevil！\'That\'sthesortofbehaviormymothercomplainsof。Iwanttoknow，whatdoesitmean？“

Shepausedand，slackeninghersteps，lookedatthelightedtraindrawingitselfsmoothlyoverHungerfordBridge。

“Itmeans，Ishouldsay，thathefindsyouchillyandunsympathetic。“

Katharinelaughedwithround，separatenotesofgenuineamusement。

“It\'stimeIjumpedintoacabandhidmyselfinmyownhouse，“sheexclaimed。

“Wouldyourmotherobjecttomybeingseenwithyou？Noonecouldpossiblyrecognizeus，couldthey？“Rodneyinquired，withsomesolicitude。

Katharinelookedathim，andperceivingthathissolicitudewasgenuine，shelaughedagain，butwithanironicalnoteinherlaughter。

“Youmaylaugh，Katharine，butIcantellyouthatifanyofyourfriendssawustogetheratthistimeofnighttheywouldtalkaboutit，andIshouldfindthatverydisagreeable。Butwhydoyoulaugh？“

“Idon\'tknow。Becauseyou\'resuchaqueermixture，Ithink。You\'rehalfpoetandhalfoldmaid。“

“IknowIalwaysseemtoyouhighlyridiculous。ButIcan\'thelphavinginheritedcertaintraditionsandtryingtoputthemintopractice。“

“Nonsense，William。YoumaycomeoftheoldestfamilyinDevonshire，butthat\'snoreasonwhyyoushouldmindbeingseenalonewithmeontheEmbankment。“

“I\'mtenyearsolderthanyouare，Katharine，andIknowmoreoftheworldthanyoudo。“

“Verywell。Leavemeandgohome。“

Rodneylookedbackoverhisshoulderandperceivedthattheywerebeingfollowedatashortdistancebyataxicab，whichevidentlyawaitedhissummons。Katharinesawit，too，andexclaimed:

“Don\'tcallthatcabforme，William。Ishallwalk。“

“Nonsense，Katharine；you\'lldonothingofthekind。It\'snearlytwelveo\'clock，andwe\'vewalkedtoofarasitis。“

KatharinelaughedandwalkedonsoquicklythatbothRodneyandthetaxicabhadtoincreasetheirpacetokeepupwithher。

“Now，William，“shesaid，“ifpeopleseemeracingalongtheEmbankmentlikethistheyWILLtalk。Youhadfarbettersaygood-night，ifyoudon\'twantpeopletotalk。“

AtthisWilliambeckoned，withadespoticgesture，tothecabwithonehand，andwiththeotherhebroughtKatharinetoastandstill。

“Don\'tletthemanseeusstruggling，forGod\'ssake！“hemurmured。

Katharinestoodforamomentquitestill。

“There\'smoreoftheoldmaidinyouthanthepoet，“sheobservedbriefly。

Williamshutthedoorsharply，gavetheaddresstothedriver，andturnedaway，liftinghishatpunctiliouslyhighinfarewelltotheinvisiblelady。

Helookedbackafterthecabtwice，suspiciously，halfexpectingthatshewouldstopitanddismount；butitboreherswiftlyon，andwassoonoutofsight。Williamfeltinthemoodforashortsoliloquyofindignation，forKatharinehadcontrivedtoexasperatehiminmorewaysthanone。

“Ofalltheunreasonable，inconsideratecreaturesI\'veeverknown，she\'stheworst！“heexclaimedtohimself，stridingbackalongtheEmbankment。“HeavenforbidthatIshouldevermakeafoolofmyselfwithheragain。Why，I\'dsoonermarrythedaughterofmylandladythanKatharineHilbery！She\'dleavemenotamoment\'speace——andshe\'dneverunderstandme——never，never，never！“

UtteredaloudandwithvehemencesothatthestarsofHeavenmighthear，fortherewasnohumanbeingathand，thesesentimentssoundedsatisfactorilyirrefutable。Rodneyquieteddown，andwalkedoninsilence，untilheperceivedsomeoneapproachinghim，whohadsomething，eitherinhiswalkorhisdress，whichproclaimedthathewasoneofWilliam\'sacquaintancesbeforeitwaspossibletotellwhichofthemhewas。ItwasDenhamwho，havingpartedfromSandysatthebottomofhisstaircase，wasnowwalkingtotheTubeatCharingCross，deepinthethoughtswhichhistalkwithSandyshadsuggested。

HehadforgottenthemeetingatMaryDatchet\'srooms，hehadforgottenRodney，andmetaphorsandElizabethandrama，andcouldhaveswornthathehadforgottenKatharineHilbery，too，althoughthatwasmoredisputable。Hismindwasscalingthehighestpinnaclesofitsalps，wheretherewasonlystarlightandtheuntroddensnow。HecaststrangeeyesuponRodney，astheyencounteredeachotherbeneathalamp-post。

“Ha！“Rodneyexclaimed。

Ifhehadbeeninfullpossessionofhismind，Denhamwouldprobablyhavepassedonwithasalutation。Buttheshockoftheinterruptionmadehimstandstill，andbeforeheknewwhathewasdoing，hehadturnedandwaswalkingwithRodneyinobediencetoRodney\'sinvitationtocometohisroomsandhavesomethingtodrink。DenhamhadnowishtodrinkwithRodney，buthefollowedhimpassivelyenough。Rodneywasgratifiedbythisobedience。Hefeltinclinedtobecommunicativewiththissilentman，whopossessedsoobviouslyallthegoodmasculinequalitiesinwhichKatharinenowseemedlamentablydeficient。

“Youdowell，Denham，“hebeganimpulsively，“tohavenothingtodowithyoungwomen。Iofferyoumyexperience——ifonetruststhemoneinvariablyhascausetorepent。NotthatIhaveanyreasonatthismoment，“headdedhastily，“tocomplainofthem。It\'sasubjectthatcropsupnowandagainfornoparticularreason。MissDatchet，Idaresay，isoneoftheexceptions。DoyoulikeMissDatchet？“

TheseremarksindicatedclearlyenoughthatRodney\'snerveswereinastateofirritation，andDenhamspeedilywoketothesituationoftheworldasithadbeenonehourago。HehadlastseenRodneywalkingwithKatharine。Hecouldnothelpregrettingtheeagernesswithwhichhismindreturnedtotheseinterests，andfrettedhimwiththeoldtrivialanxieties。Hesankinhisownesteem。ReasonbadehimbreakfromRodney，whoclearlytendedtobecomeconfidential，beforehehadutterlylosttouchwiththeproblemsofhighphilosophy。Helookedalongtheroad，andmarkedalamp-postatadistanceofsomehundredyards，anddecidedthathewouldpartfromRodneywhentheyreachedthispoint。

“Yes，IlikeMary；Idon\'tseehowonecouldhelplikingher，“heremarkedcautiously，withhiseyeonthelamp-post。

“Ah，Denham，you\'resodifferentfromme。Younevergiveyourselfaway。IwatchedyouthiseveningwithKatharineHilbery。MyinstinctistotrustthepersonI\'mtalkingto。That\'swhyI\'malwaysbeingtakenin，Isuppose。“

DenhamseemedtobeponderingthisstatementofRodney\'s，but，asamatteroffact，hewashardlyconsciousofRodneyandhisrevelations，andwasonlyconcernedtomakehimmentionKatharineagainbeforetheyreachedthelamp-post。

“Who\'stakenyouinnow？“heasked。“KatharineHilbery？“

Rodneystoppedandoncemorebeganbeatingakindofrhythm，asifheweremarkingaphraseinasymphony，uponthesmoothstonebalustradeoftheEmbankment。

“KatharineHilbery，“herepeated，withacuriouslittlechuckle。“No，Denham，Ihavenoillusionsaboutthatyoungwoman。IthinkImadethatplaintoherto-night。Butdon\'trunawaywithafalseimpression，“hecontinuedeagerly，turningandlinkinghisarmthroughDenham\'s，asthoughtopreventhimfromescaping；and，thuscompelled，Denhampassedthemonitorylamp-post，towhich，inpassing，hebreathedanexcuse，forhowcouldhebreakawaywhenRodney\'sarmwasactuallylinkedinhis？“YoumustnotthinkthatIhaveanybitternessagainsther——farfromit。It\'snotaltogetherherfault，poorgirl。

Shelives，youknow，oneofthoseodious，self-centeredlives——atleast，Ithinkthemodiousforawoman——feedingherwitsuponeverything，havingcontrolofeverything，gettingfartoomuchherownwayathome——spoilt，inasense，feelingthateveryoneisatherfeet，andsonotrealizinghowshehurts——thatis，howrudelyshebehavestopeoplewhohaven\'tallheradvantages。Still，todoherjustice，she\'snofool，“headded，asiftowarnDenhamnottotakeanyliberties。“Shehastaste。Shehassense。Shecanunderstandyouwhenyoutalktoher。Butshe\'sawoman，andthere\'sanendofit，“headded，withanotherlittlechuckle，anddroppedDenham\'sarm。

“Anddidyoutellherallthisto-night？“Denhamasked。

“Ohdearme，no。IshouldneverthinkoftellingKatharinethetruthaboutherself。Thatwouldn\'tdoatall。OnehastobeinanattitudeofadorationinordertogetonwithKatharine。

“NowI\'velearntthatshe\'srefusedtomarryhimwhydon\'tIgohome？“

Denhamthoughttohimself。ButhewentonwalkingbesideRodney，andforatimetheydidnotspeak，thoughRodneyhummedsnatchesofatuneoutofanoperabyMozart。Afeelingofcontemptandlikingcombineverynaturallyinthemindofonetowhomanotherhasjustspokenunpremeditatedly，revealingrathermoreofhisprivatefeelingsthanheintendedtoreveal。DenhambegantowonderwhatsortofpersonRodneywas，andatthesametimeRodneybegantothinkaboutDenham。

“You\'reaslavelikeme，Isuppose？“heasked。

“Asolicitor，yes。“

“Isometimeswonderwhywedon\'tchuckit。Whydon\'tyouemigrate，Denham？Ishouldhavethoughtthatwouldsuityou。“

“I\'veafamily。“

“I\'moftenonthepointofgoingmyself。AndthenIknowIcouldn\'tlivewithoutthis“——andhewavedhishandtowardstheCityofLondon，whichwore，atthismoment，theappearanceofatowncutoutofgray-

bluecardboard，andpastedflatagainstthesky，whichwasofadeeperblue。

“ThereareoneortwopeopleI\'mfondof，andthere\'salittlegoodmusic，andafewpictures，nowandthen——justenoughtokeeponedanglingabouthere。Ah，butIcouldn\'tlivewithsavages！Areyoufondofbooks？Music？Pictures？D\'youcareatallforfirsteditions？

I\'vegotafewnicethingsuphere，thingsIpickupcheap，forI

can\'taffordtogivewhattheyask。“

Theyhadreachedasmallcourtofhigheighteenth-centuryhouses，inoneofwhichRodneyhadhisrooms。Theyclimbedaverysteepstaircase，throughwhoseuncurtainedwindowsthemoonlightfell，illuminatingthebanisterswiththeirtwistedpillars，andthepilesofplatessetonthewindow-sills，andjarshalf-fullofmilk。

Rodney\'sroomsweresmall，butthesitting-roomwindowlookedoutintoacourtyard，withitsflaggedpavement，anditssingletree，andacrosstotheflatred-brickfrontsoftheoppositehouses，whichwouldnothavesurprisedDr。Johnson，ifhehadcomeoutofhisgraveforaturninthemoonlight。Rodneylithislamp，pulledhiscurtains，offeredDenhamachair，and，flingingthemanuscriptofhispaperontheElizabethanuseofMetaphorontothetable，exclaimed:

“Ohdearme，whatawasteoftime！Butit\'sovernow，andsowemaythinknomoreaboutit。“

Hethenbusiedhimselfverydexterouslyinlightingafire，producingglasses，whisky，acake，andcupsandsaucers。Heputonafadedcrimsondressing-gown，andapairofredslippers，andadvancedtoDenhamwithatumblerinonehandandawell-burnishedbookintheother。

“TheBaskervilleCongreve，“saidRodney，offeringittohisguest。“I

couldn\'treadhiminacheapedition。“

Whenhewasseenthusamonghisbooksandhisvaluables，amiablyanxioustomakehisvisitorcomfortable，andmovingaboutwithsomethingofthedexterityandgraceofaPersiancat，Denhamrelaxedhiscriticalattitude，andfeltmoreathomewithRodneythanhewouldhavedonewithmanymenbetterknowntohim。Rodney\'sroomwastheroomofapersonwhocherishesagreatmanypersonaltastes，guardingthemfromtheroughblastsofthepublicwithscrupulousattention。

Hispapersandhisbooksroseinjaggedmoundsontableandfloor，roundwhichheskirtedwithnervouscarelesthisdressing-gownmightdisarrangethemeversoslightly。Onachairstoodastackofphotographsofstatuesandpictures，whichitwashishabittoexhibit，onebyone，forthespaceofadayortwo。Thebooksonhisshelveswereasorderlyasregimentsofsoldiers，andthebacksofthemshonelikesomanybronzebeetle-wings；though，ifyoutookonefromitsplaceyousawashabbiervolumebehindit，sincespacewaslimited。AnovalVenetianmirrorstoodabovethefireplace，andreflectedduskilyinitsspotteddepthsthefaintyellowandcrimsonofajarfuloftulipswhichstoodamongthelettersandpipesandcigarettesuponthemantelpiece。Asmallpianooccupiedacorneroftheroom，withthescoreof“DonGiovanni“openuponthebracket。

“Well，Rodney，“saidDenham，ashefilledhispipeandlookedabouthim，“thisisallveryniceandcomfortable。“

Rodneyturnedhisheadhalfroundandsmiled，withtheprideofaproprietor，andthenpreventedhimselffromsmiling。

“Tolerable，“hemuttered。

“ButIdaresayit\'sjustaswellthatyouhavetoearnyourownliving。“

“IfyoumeanthatIshouldn\'tdoanythinggoodwithleisureifIhadit，Idaresayyou\'reright。ButIshouldbetentimesashappywithmywholedaytospendasIliked。“

“Idoubtthat，“Denhamreplied。

Theysatsilent，andthesmokefromtheirpipesjoinedamicablyinabluevaporabovetheirheads。

“IcouldspendthreehourseverydayreadingShakespeare，“Rodneyremarked。“Andthere\'smusicandpictures，letalonethesocietyofthepeopleonelikes。“

“You\'dbeboredtodeathinayear\'stime。“

“Oh，IgrantyouIshouldbeboredifIdidnothing。ButIshouldwriteplays。“

“H\'m！“

“Ishouldwriteplays，“herepeated。“I\'vewrittenthree-quartersofonealready，andI\'monlywaitingforaholidaytofinishit。Andit\'snotbad——no，someofit\'sreallyrathernice。“

ThequestionaroseinDenham\'smindwhetherheshouldasktoseethisplay，as，nodoubt，hewasexpectedtodo。HelookedratherstealthilyatRodney，whowastappingthecoalnervouslywithapoker，andquiveringalmostphysically，soDenhamthought，withdesiretotalkaboutthisplayofhis，andvanityunrequitedandurgent。HeseemedverymuchatDenham\'smercy，andDenhamcouldnothelplikinghim，partlyonthataccount。

“Well，……willyouletmeseetheplay？“Denhamasked，andRodneylookedimmediatelyappeased，but，nevertheless，hesatsilentforamoment，holdingthepokerperfectlyuprightintheair，regardingitwithhisratherprominenteyes，andopeninghislipsandshuttingthemagain。

“Doyoureallycareforthiskindofthing？“heaskedatlength，inadifferenttoneofvoicefromthatinwhichhehadbeenspeaking。And，withoutwaitingforananswer，hewenton，ratherquerulously:“Veryfewpeoplecareforpoetry。Idaresayitboresyou。“

“Perhaps，“Denhamremarked。

“Well，I\'lllendityou，“Rodneyannounced，puttingdownthepoker。

Ashemovedtofetchtheplay，Denhamstretchedahandtothebookcasebesidehim，andtookdownthefirstvolumewhichhisfingerstouched。

IthappenedtobeasmallandverylovelyeditionofSirThomasBrowne，containingthe“UrnBurial，“the“Hydriotaphia，“andthe“GardenofCyrus，“and，openingitatapassagewhichheknewverynearlybyheart，Denhambegantoreadand，forsometime，continuedtoread。

Rodneyresumedhisseat，withhismanuscriptonhisknee，andfromtimetotimeheglancedatDenham，andthenjoinedhisfinger-tipsandcrossedhisthinlegsoverthefender，asifheexperiencedagooddealofpleasure。AtlengthDenhamshutthebook，andstood，withhisbacktothefireplace，occasionallymakinganinarticulatehummingsoundwhichseemedtorefertoSirThomasBrowne。Heputhishatonhishead，andstoodoverRodney，whostilllaystretchedbackinhischair，withhistoeswithinthefender。

“Ishalllookinagainsometime，“Denhamremarked，uponwhichRodneyhelduphishand，containinghismanuscript，withoutsayinganythingexcept——“Ifyoulike。“

Denhamtookthemanuscriptandwent。Twodayslaterhewasmuchsurprisedtofindathinparcelonhisbreakfastplate，which，onbeingopened，revealedtheverycopyofSirThomasBrownewhichhehadstudiedsointentlyinRodney\'srooms。Fromsheerlazinesshereturnednothanks，buthethoughtofRodneyfromtimetotimewithinterest，disconnectinghimfromKatharine，andmeanttogoroundoneeveningandsmokeapipewithhim。ItpleasedRodneythustogiveawaywhateverhisfriendsgenuinelyadmired。Hislibrarywasconstantlybeingdiminished。

CHAPTERVI

Ofallthehoursofanordinaryworkingweek-day，whicharethepleasantesttolookforwardtoandtolookbackupon？Ifasingleinstanceisofuseinframingatheory，itmaybesaidthattheminutesbetweennine-twenty-fiveandnine-thirtyinthemorninghadasingularcharmforMaryDatchet。Shespenttheminaveryenviableframeofmind；hercontentmentwasalmostunalloyed。Highintheairasherflatwas，somebeamsfromthemorningsunreachedhereveninNovember，strikingstraightatcurtain，chair，andcarpet，andpaintingtherethreebright，truespacesofgreen，blue，andpurple，uponwhichtheeyerestedwithapleasurewhichgavephysicalwarmthtothebody。

TherewerefewmorningswhenMarydidnotlookup，asshebenttolaceherboots，andasshefollowedtheyellowrodfromcurtaintobreakfast-tablesheusuallybreathedsomesighofthankfulnessthatherlifeprovidedherwithsuchmomentsofpureenjoyment。Shewasrobbingnooneofanything，andyet，togetsomuchpleasurefromsimplethings，suchaseatingone\'sbreakfastaloneinaroomwhichhadnicecolorsinit，cleanfromtheskirtingoftheboardstothecornersoftheceiling，seemedtosuithersothoroughlythatsheusedatfirsttohuntaboutforsomeonetoapologizeto，orforsomeflawinthesituation。ShehadnowbeensixmonthsinLondon，andshecouldfindnoflaw，butthat，assheinvariablyconcludedbythetimeherbootswerelaced，wassolelyandentirelyduetothefactthatshehadherwork。Everyday，asshestoodwithherdispatch-boxinherhandatthedoorofherflat，andgaveonelookbackintotheroomtoseethateverythingwasstraightbeforesheleft，shesaidtoherselfthatshewasverygladthatshewasgoingtoleaveitall，thattohavesattherealldaylong，intheenjoymentofleisure，wouldhavebeenintolerable。

Outinthestreetshelikedtothinkherselfoneoftheworkerswho，atthishour，taketheirwayinrapidsinglefilealongallthebroadpavementsofthecity，withtheirheadsslightlylowered，asifalltheireffortweretofolloweachotherascloselyasmightbe；sothatMaryusedtofiguretoherselfastraightrabbit-runwornbytheirunswervingfeetuponthepavement。Butshelikedtopretendthatshewasindistinguishablefromtherest，andthatwhenawetdaydrovehertotheUndergroundoromnibus，shegaveandtookhershareofcrowdandwetwithclerksandtypistsandcommercialmen，andsharedwiththemtheseriousbusinessofwinding-uptheworldtotickforanotherfour-and-twentyhours。

Thusthinking，ontheparticularmorninginquestion，shemadeherawayacrossLincoln\'sInnFieldsandupKingsway，andsothroughSouthamptonRowuntilshereachedherofficeinRussellSquare。Nowandthenshewouldpauseandlookintothewindowofsomebooksellerorflowershop，where，atthisearlyhour，thegoodswerebeingarranged，andemptygapsbehindtheplateglassrevealedastateofundress。Maryfeltkindlydisposedtowardstheshopkeepers，andhopedthattheywouldtrickthemiddaypublicintopurchasing，foratthishourofthemorningsherangedherselfentirelyonthesideoftheshopkeepersandbankclerks，andregardedallwhosleptlateandhadmoneytospendasherenemyandnaturalprey。AnddirectlyshehadcrossedtheroadatHolborn，herthoughtsallcamenaturallyandregularlytoroostuponherwork，andsheforgotthatshewas，properlyspeaking，anamateurworker，whoseserviceswereunpaid，andcouldhardlybesaidtowindtheworldupforitsdailytask，sincetheworld，sofar，hadshownverylittledesiretotaketheboonswhichMary\'ssocietyforwoman\'ssuffragehadofferedit。

ShewasthinkingallthewayupSouthamptonRowofnotepaperandfoolscap，andhowaneconomyintheuseofpapermightbeeffected(without，ofcourse，hurtingMrs。Seal\'sfeelings)，forshewascertainthatthegreatorganizersalwayspounce，tobeginwith，upontrifleslikethese，andbuilduptheirtriumphantreformsuponabasisofabsolutesolidity；and，withoutacknowledgingitforamoment，MaryDatchetwasdeterminedtobeagreatorganizer，andhadalreadydoomedhersocietytoreconstructionofthemostradicalkind。Onceortwicelately，itistrue，shehadstarted，broadawake，beforeturningintoRussellSquare，anddenouncedherselfrathersharplyforbeingalreadyinagroove，capable，thatis，ofthinkingthesamethoughtseverymorningatthesamehour，sothatthechestnut-coloredbrickoftheRussellSquarehouseshadsomecuriousconnectionwithherthoughtsaboutofficeeconomy，andservedalsoasasignthatsheshouldgetintotrimformeetingMr。Clacton，orMrs。Seal，orwhoevermightbebeforehandwithherattheoffice。Havingnoreligiousbelief，shewasthemoreconscientiousaboutherlife，examiningherpositionfromtimetotimeveryseriously，andnothingannoyedhermorethantofindoneofthesebadhabitsnibblingawayunheededattheprecioussubstance。Whatwasthegood，afterall，ofbeingawomanifonedidn\'tkeepfresh，andcramone\'slifewithallsortsofviewsandexperiments？Thusshealwaysgaveherselfalittleshake，assheturnedthecorner，and，asoftenasnot，reachedherowndoorwhistlingasnatchofaSomersetshireballad。

ThesuffrageofficewasatthetopofoneofthelargeRussellSquarehouses，whichhadoncebeenlivedinbyagreatcitymerchantandhisfamily，andwasnowletoutinslicestoanumberofsocietieswhichdisplayedassortedinitialsupondoorsofgroundglass，andkept，eachofthem，atypewriterwhichclickedbusilyalldaylong。Theoldhouse，withitsgreatstonestaircase，echoedhollowlytothesoundoftypewritersandoferrand-boysfromtentosix。Thenoiseofdifferenttypewritersalreadyatwork，disseminatingtheirviewsupontheprotectionofnativeraces，orthevalueofcerealsasfoodstuffs，quickenedMary\'ssteps，andshealwaysranupthelastflightofstepswhichledtoherownlanding，atwhateverhourshecame，soastogethertypewritertotakeitsplaceincompetitionwiththerest。

Shesatherselfdowntoherletters，andverysoonallthesespeculationswereforgotten，andthetwolinesdrewthemselvesbetweenhereyebrows，asthecontentsoftheletters，theofficefurniture，andthesoundsofactivityinthenextroomgraduallyassertedtheirswayuponher。Byeleveno\'clocktheatmosphereofconcentrationwasrunningsostronglyinonedirectionthatanythoughtofadifferentordercouldhardlyhavesurviveditsbirthmorethanamomentorso。

Thetaskwhichlaybeforeherwastoorganizeaseriesofentertainments，theprofitsofwhichweretobenefitthesociety，whichdroopedforwantoffunds。Itwasherfirstattemptatorganizationonalargescale，andshemeanttoachievesomethingremarkable。Shemeanttousethecumbrousmachinetopickoutthis，that，andtheotherinterestingpersonfromthemuddleoftheworld，andtosetthemforaweekinapatternwhichmustcatchtheeyesofCabinetMinisters，andtheeyesoncecaught，theoldargumentsweretobedeliveredwithunexampledoriginality。Suchwastheschemeasawhole；andincontemplationofitshewouldbecomequiteflushedandexcited，andhavetoremindherselfofallthedetailsthatintervenedbetweenherandsuccess。

Thedoorwouldopen，andMr。Clactonwouldcomeintosearchforacertainleafletburiedbeneathapyramidofleaflets。Hewasathin，sandy-hairedmanofaboutthirty-five，spokewithaCockneyaccent，andhadabouthimafrugallook，asifnaturehadnotdealtgenerouslywithhiminanyway，which，naturally，preventedhimfromdealinggenerouslywithotherpeople。Whenhehadfoundhisleaflet，andofferedafewjocularhintsuponkeepingpapersinorder，thetypewritingwouldstopabruptly，andMrs。Sealwouldburstintotheroomwithaletterwhichneededexplanationinherhand。Thiswasamoreseriousinterruptionthantheother，becausesheneverknewexactlywhatshewanted，andhalfadozenrequestswouldboltfromher，nooneofwhichwasclearlystated。Dressedinplum-coloredvelveteen，withshort，grayhair，andafacethatseemedpermanentlyflushedwithphilanthropicenthusiasm，shewasalwaysinahurry，andalwaysinsomedisorder。Sheworetwocrucifixes，whichgotthemselvesentangledinaheavygoldchainuponherbreast，andseemedtoMaryexpressiveofhermentalambiguity。OnlyhervastenthusiasmandherworshipofMissMarkham，oneofthepioneersofthesociety，keptherinherplace，forwhichshehadnosoundqualification。

Sothemorningworeon，andthepileoflettersgrew，andMaryfelt，atlast，thatshewasthecenterganglionofaveryfinenetworkofnerveswhichfelloverEngland，andoneofthesedays，whenshetouchedtheheartofthesystem，wouldbeginfeelingandrushingtogetherandemittingtheirsplendidblazeofrevolutionaryfireworks——forsomesuchmetaphorrepresentswhatshefeltaboutherwork，whenherbrainhadbeenheatedbythreehoursofapplication。

Shortlybeforeoneo\'clockMr。ClactonandMrs。Sealdesistedfromtheirlabors，andtheoldjokeaboutluncheon，whichcameoutregularlyatthishour，wasrepeatedwithscarcelyanyvariationofwords。Mr。Clactonpatronizedavegetarianrestaurant；Mrs。Sealbroughtsandwiches，whichsheatebeneaththeplane-treesinRussellSquare；whileMarygenerallywenttoagaudyestablishment，upholsteredinredplush，nearby，where，muchtothevegetarian\'sdisapproval，youcouldbuysteak，twoinchesthick，oraroastsectionoffowl，swimminginapewterdish。