第3章

“ThebarebranchesagainsttheskydoonesomuchGOOD，“Mrs。Sealasserted，lookingoutintotheSquare。

“Butonecan\'tlunchofftrees，Sally，“saidMary。

“IconfessIdon\'tknowhowyoumanageit，MissDatchet，“Mr。Clactonremarked。“Ishouldsleepalltheafternoon，Iknow，ifItookaheavymealinthemiddleoftheday。“

“What\'stheverylatestthinginliterature？“Maryasked，good-

humoredlypointingtotheyellow-coveredvolumebeneathMr。Clacton\'sarm，forheinvariablyreadsomenewFrenchauthoratlunch-time，orsqueezedinavisittoapicturegallery，balancinghissocialworkwithanardentcultureofwhichhewassecretlyproud，asMaryhadverysoondivined。

SotheypartedandMarywalkedaway，wonderingiftheyguessedthatshereallywantedtogetawayfromthem，andsupposingthattheyhadnotquitereachedthatdegreeofsubtlety。Sheboughtherselfaneveningpaper，whichshereadassheate，lookingoverthetopofitagainandagainatthequeerpeoplewhowerebuyingcakesorimpartingtheirsecrets，untilsomeyoungwomanwhomsheknewcamein，andshecalledout，“Eleanor，comeandsitbyme，“andtheyfinishedtheirlunchtogether，partingonthestripofpavementamongthedifferentlinesoftrafficwithapleasantfeelingthattheyweresteppingoncemoreintotheirseparateplacesinthegreatandeternallymovingpatternofhumanlife。

But，insteadofgoingstraightbacktotheofficeto-day，MaryturnedintotheBritishMuseum，andstrolleddownthegallerywiththeshapesofstoneuntilshefoundanemptyseatdirectlybeneaththegazeoftheElginmarbles。Shelookedatthem，andseemed，asusual，borneuponsomewaveofexaltationandemotion，bywhichherlifeatoncebecamesolemnandbeautiful——animpressionwhichwasdueasmuch，perhaps，tothesolitudeandchillandsilenceofthegalleryastotheactualbeautyofthestatues。Onemustsuppose，atleast，thatheremotionswerenotpurelyesthetic，because，aftershehadgazedattheUlyssesforaminuteortwo，shebegantothinkaboutRalphDenham。Sosecuredidshefeelwiththesesilentshapesthatshealmostyieldedtoanimpulsetosay“Iaminlovewithyou“aloud。Thepresenceofthisimmenseandenduringbeautymadeheralmostalarminglyconsciousofherdesire，andatthesametimeproudofafeelingwhichdidnotdisplayanythinglikethesameproportionswhenshewasgoingaboutherdailywork。

Sherepressedherimpulsetospeakaloud，androseandwanderedaboutratheraimlesslyamongthestatuesuntilshefoundherselfinanothergallerydevotedtoengravedobelisksandwingedAssyrianbulls，andheremotiontookanotherturn。ShebegantopictureherselftravelingwithRalphinalandwherethesemonsterswerecouchantinthesand。

“For，“shethoughttoherself，asshegazedfixedlyatsomeinformationprintedbehindapieceofglass，“thewonderfulthingaboutyouisthatyou\'rereadyforanything；you\'renotintheleastconventional，likemostclevermen。“

Andsheconjuredupasceneofherselfonacamel\'sback，inthedesert，whileRalphcommandedawholetribeofnatives。

“Thatiswhatyoucando，“shewenton，movingontothenextstatue。

“Youalwaysmakepeopledowhatyouwant。“

Aglowspreadoverherspirit，andfilledhereyeswithbrightness。

Nevertheless，beforeshelefttheMuseumshewasveryfarfromsaying，evenintheprivacyofherownmind，“Iaminlovewithyou，“andthatsentencemightverywellneverhaveframeditself。Shewas，indeed，ratherannoyedwithherselfforhavingallowedsuchanill-consideredbreachofherreserve，weakeningherpowersofresistance，shefelt，shouldthisimpulsereturnagain。For，asshewalkedalongthestreettoheroffice，theforceofallhercustomaryobjectionstobeinginlovewithanyoneovercameher。Shedidnotwanttomarryatall。Itseemedtoherthattherewassomethingamateurishinbringingloveintotouchwithaperfectlystraightforwardfriendship，suchasherswaswithRalph，which，fortwoyearsnow，hadbaseditselfuponcommoninterestsinimpersonaltopics，suchasthehousingofthepoor，orthetaxationoflandvalues。

Buttheafternoonspiritdifferedintrinsicallyfromthemorningspirit。Maryfoundherselfwatchingtheflightofabird，ormakingdrawingsofthebranchesoftheplane-treesuponherblotting-paper。

PeoplecameintoseeMr。Clactononbusiness，andaseductivesmellofcigarettesmokeissuedfromhisroom。Mrs。Sealwanderedaboutwithnewspapercuttings，whichseemedtohereither“quitesplendid“or“reallytoobadforwords。“Sheusedtopastetheseintobooks，orsendthemtoherfriends，havingfirstdrawnabroadbarinbluepencildownthemargin，aproceedingwhichsignifiedequallyandindistinguishablythedepthsofherreprobationortheheightsofherapproval。

Aboutfouro\'clockonthatsameafternoonKatharineHilberywaswalkingupKingsway。Thequestionofteapresenteditself。Thestreetlampswerebeinglitalready，andasshestoodstillforamomentbeneathoneofthem，shetriedtothinkofsomeneighboringdrawing-roomwheretherewouldbefirelightandtalkcongenialtohermood。Thatmood，owingtothespinningtrafficandtheeveningveilofunreality，wasill-adaptedtoherhomesurroundings。Perhaps，onthewhole，ashopwasthebestplaceinwhichtopreservethisqueersenseofheightenedexistence。Atthesametimeshewishedtotalk。

RememberingMaryDatchetandherrepeatedinvitations，shecrossedtheroad，turnedintoRussellSquare，andpeeredabout，seekingfornumberswithasenseofadventurethatwasoutofallproportiontothedeeditself。Shefoundherselfinadimlylightedhall，unguardedbyaporter，andpushedopenthefirstswingdoor。Buttheoffice-boyhadneverheardofMissDatchet。DidshebelongtotheS。R。F。R。？

Katharineshookherheadwithasmileofdismay。Avoicefromwithinshouted，“No。TheS。G。S——topfloor。“

Katharinemountedpastinnumerableglassdoors，withinitialsonthem，andbecamesteadilymoreandmoredoubtfulofthewisdomofherventure。Atthetopshepausedforamomenttobreatheandcollectherself。Sheheardthetypewriterandformalprofessionalvoicesinside，notbelonging，shethought，toanyoneshehadeverspokento。

Shetouchedthebell，andthedoorwasopenedalmostimmediatelybyMaryherself。HerfacehadtochangeitsexpressionentirelywhenshesawKatharine。

“You！“sheexclaimed。“Wethoughtyouweretheprinter。“Stillholdingthedooropen，shecalledback，“No，Mr。Clacton，it\'snotPenningtons。Ishouldringthemupagain——doublethreedoubleeight，Central。Well，thisisasurprise。Comein，“sheadded。“You\'rejustintimefortea。“

ThelightofreliefshoneinMary\'seyes。Theboredomoftheafternoonwasdissipatedatonce，andshewasgladthatKatharinehadfoundtheminamomentarypressofactivity，owingtothefailureoftheprintertosendbackcertainproofs。

TheunshadedelectriclightshininguponthetablecoveredwithpapersdazedKatharineforamoment。Aftertheconfusionofhertwilightwalk，andherrandomthoughts，lifeinthissmallroomappearedextremelyconcentratedandbright。Sheturnedinstinctivelytolookoutofthewindow，whichwasuncurtained，butMaryimmediatelyrecalledher。

“Itwasverycleverofyoutofindyourway，“shesaid，andKatharinewondered，asshestoodthere，feeling，forthemoment，entirelydetachedandunabsorbed，whyshehadcome。Shelooked，indeed，toMary\'seyesstrangelyoutofplaceintheoffice。Herfigureinthelongcloak，whichtookdeepfolds，andherface，whichwascomposedintoamaskofsensitiveapprehension，disturbedMaryforamomentwithasenseofthepresenceofsomeonewhowasofanotherworld，and，therefore，subversiveofherworld。ShebecameimmediatelyanxiousthatKatharineshouldbeimpressedbytheimportanceofherworld，andhopedthatneitherMrs。SealnorMr。Clactonwouldappearuntiltheimpressionofimportancehadbeenreceived。Butinthisshewasdisappointed。Mrs。Sealburstintotheroomholdingakettleinherhand，whichshesetuponthestove，andthen，withinefficienthaste，shesetlighttothegas，whichflaredup，exploded，andwentout。

“Alwaystheway，alwaystheway，“shemuttered。“KitMarkhamistheonlypersonwhoknowshowtodealwiththething。“

Maryhadtogotoherhelp，andtogethertheyspreadthetable，andapologizedforthedisparitybetweenthecupsandtheplainnessofthefood。

“IfwehadknownMissHilberywascoming，weshouldhaveboughtacake，“saidMary，uponwhichMrs。SeallookedatKatharineforthefirsttime，suspiciously，becauseshewasapersonwhoneededcake。

HereMr。Clactonopenedthedoor，andcamein，holdingatypewrittenletterinhishand，whichhewasreadingaloud。

“Salford\'saffiliated，“hesaid。

“Welldone，Salford！“Mrs。Sealexclaimedenthusiastically，thumpingtheteapotwhichshehelduponthetable，intokenofapplause。

“Yes，theseprovincialcentersseemtobecomingintolineatlast，“

saidMr。Clacton，andthenMaryintroducedhimtoMissHilbery，andheaskedher，inaveryformalmanner，ifshewereinterested“inourwork。“

“Andtheproofsstillnotcome？“saidMrs。Seal，puttingbothherelbowsonthetable，andproppingherchinonherhands，asMarybegantopourouttea。“It\'stoobad——toobad。Atthisrateweshallmissthecountrypost。Whichremindsme，Mr。Clacton，don\'tyouthinkweshouldcircularizetheprovinceswithPartridge\'slastspeech？What？

You\'venotreadit？Oh，it\'sthebestthingthey\'vehadintheHousethisSession。EventhePrimeMinister——“

ButMarycuthershort。

“Wedon\'tallowshopattea，Sally，“shesaidfirmly。“Wefineherapennyeachtimesheforgets，andthefinesgotobuyingaplumcake，“

sheexplained，seekingtodrawKatharineintothecommunity。Shehadgivenupallhopeofimpressingher。

“I\'msorry，I\'msorry，“Mrs。Sealapologized。“It\'smymisfortunetobeanenthusiast，“shesaid，turningtoKatharine。“Myfather\'sdaughtercouldhardlybeanythingelse。IthinkI\'vebeenonasmanycommitteesasmostpeople。WaifsandStrays，RescueWork，ChurchWork，C。O。S——localbranch——besidestheusualcivicdutieswhichfalltooneasahouseholder。ButI\'vegiventhemallupforourworkhere，andIdon\'tregretitforasecond，“sheadded。“Thisistherootquestion，Ifeel；untilwomenhavevotes——“

“It\'llbesixpence，atleast，Sally，“saidMary，bringingherfistdownonthetable。“Andwe\'reallsicktodeathofwomenandtheirvotes。“

Mrs。Seallookedforamomentasthoughshecouldhardlybelieveherears，andmadeadeprecating“tut-tut-tut“inherthroat，lookingalternatelyatKatharineandMary，andshakingherheadasshedidso。

Thensheremarked，ratherconfidentiallytoKatharine，withalittlenodinMary\'sdirection:

“She\'sdoingmoreforthecausethananyofus。She\'sgivingheryouth——for，alas！whenIwasyoungthereweredomesticcircumstances——“shesighed，andstoppedshort。

Mr。Clactonhastilyrevertedtothejokeaboutluncheon，andexplainedhowMrs。Sealfedonabagofbiscuitsunderthetrees，whatevertheweathermightbe，rather，Katharinethought，asthoughMrs。Sealwereapetdogwhohadconvenienttricks。

“Yes，Itookmylittlebagintothesquare，“saidMrs。Seal，withtheself-consciousguiltofachildowningsomefaulttoitselders。“Itwasreallyverysustaining，andthebareboughsagainsttheskydoonesomuchGOOD。ButIshallhavetogiveupgoingintothesquare，“sheproceeded，wrinklingherforehead。“Theinjusticeofit！WhyshouldI

haveabeautifulsquarealltomyself，whenpoorwomenwhoneedresthavenowhereatalltosit？“ShelookedfiercelyatKatharine，givinghershortlocksalittleshake。“It\'sdreadfulwhatatyrantonestillis，inspiteofallone\'sefforts。Onetriestoleadadecentlife，butonecan\'t。Ofcourse，directlyonethinksofit，oneseesthatALL

squaresshouldbeopentoEVERYONE。Isthereanysocietywiththatobject，Mr。Clacton？Ifnot，thereshouldbe，surely。“

“Amostexcellentobject，“saidMr。Clactoninhisprofessionalmanner。“Atthesametime，onemustdeploretheramificationoforganizations，Mrs。Seal。Somuchexcellenteffortthrownaway，nottospeakofpounds，shillings，andpence。NowhowmanyorganizationsofaphilanthropicnaturedoyousupposethereareintheCityofLondonitself，MissHilbery？“headded，screwinghismouthintoaqueerlittlesmile，asiftoshowthatthequestionhaditsfrivolousside。

Katharinesmiled，too。Herunlikenesstotherestofthemhad，bythistime，penetratedtoMr。Clacton，whowasnotnaturallyobservant，andhewaswonderingwhoshewas；thissameunlikenesshadsubtlystimulatedMrs。Sealtotryandmakeaconvertofher。Mary，too，lookedatheralmostasifshebeggedhertomakethingseasy。ForKatharinehadshownnodispositiontomakethingseasy。Shehadscarcelyspoken，andhersilence，thoughgraveandeventhoughtful，seemedtoMarythesilenceofonewhocriticizes。

“Well，therearemoreinthishousethanI\'danynotionof，“shesaid。

“Onthegroundflooryouprotectnatives，onthenextyouemigratewomenandtellpeopletoeatnuts——“

“Whydoyousaythat\'we\'dothesethings？“Maryinterposed，rathersharply。“We\'renotresponsibleforallthecrankswhochoosetolodgeinthesamehousewithus。“

Mr。Clactonclearedhisthroatandlookedateachoftheyoungladiesinturn。HewasagooddealstruckbytheappearanceandmannerofMissHilbery，whichseemedtohimtoplaceheramongthosecultivatedandluxuriouspeopleofwhomheusedtodream。Mary，ontheotherhand，wasmoreofhisownsort，andalittletoomuchinclinedtoorderhimabout。Hepickedupcrumbsofdrybiscuitandputthemintohismouthwithincrediblerapidity。

“Youdon\'tbelongtooursociety，then？“saidMrs。Seal。

“No，I\'mafraidIdon\'t，“saidKatharine，withsuchreadycandorthatMrs。Sealwasnonplussed，andstaredatherwithapuzzledexpression，asifshecouldnotclassifyheramongthevarietiesofhumanbeingsknowntoher。

“Butsurely“shebegan。

“Mrs。Sealisanenthusiastinthesematters，“saidMr。Clacton，almostapologetically。“Wehavetoremindhersometimesthatothershavearighttotheirviewseveniftheydifferfromourown……

“Punch“hasaveryfunnypicturethisweek，aboutaSuffragistandanagriculturallaborer。Haveyouseenthisweek\'s“Punch，“MissDatchet？“

Marylaughed，andsaid“No。“

Mr。Clactonthentoldthemthesubstanceofthejoke，which，however，dependedagooddealforitssuccessupontheexpressionwhichtheartisthadputintothepeople\'sfaces。Mrs。Sealsatallthetimeperfectlygrave。Directlyhehaddonespeakingsheburstout:

“Butsurely，ifyoucareaboutthewelfareofyoursexatall，youmustwishthemtohavethevote？“

“IneversaidIdidn\'twishthemtohavethevote，“Katharineprotested。

“Thenwhyaren\'tyouamemberofoursociety？“Mrs。Sealdemanded。

Katharinestirredherspoonroundandround，staredintotheswirlofthetea，andremainedsilent。Mr。Clacton，meanwhile，framedaquestionwhich，afteramoment\'shesitation，heputtoKatharine。

“Areyouinanywayrelated，Iwonder，tothepoetAlardyce？Hisdaughter，Ibelieve，marriedaMr。Hilbery。“

“Yes；I\'mthepoet\'sgranddaughter，“saidKatharine，withalittlesigh，afterapause；andforamomenttheywereallsilent。

“Thepoet\'sgranddaughter！“Mrs。Sealrepeated，halftoherself，withashakeofherhead，asifthatexplainedwhatwasotherwiseinexplicable。

ThelightkindledinMr。Clacton\'seye。

“Ah，indeed。Thatinterestsmeverymuch，“hesaid。“Ioweagreatdebttoyourgrandfather，MissHilbery。AtonetimeIcouldhaverepeatedthegreaterpartofhimbyheart。Butonegetsoutofthewayofreadingpoetry，unfortunately。Youdon\'trememberhim，Isuppose？“

AsharprapatthedoormadeKatharine\'sanswerinaudible。Mrs。Seallookedupwithrenewedhopeinhereyes，andexclaiming:

“Theproofsatlast！“rantoopenthedoor。“Oh，it\'sonlyMr。

Denham！“shecried，withoutanyattempttoconcealherdisappointment。

Ralph，Katharinesupposed，wasafrequentvisitor，fortheonlypersonhethoughtitnecessarytogreetwasherself，andMaryatonceexplainedthestrangefactofherbeingtherebysaying:

“Katharinehascometoseehowonerunsanoffice。“

Ralphfelthimselfstiffenuncomfortably，ashesaid:

“IhopeMaryhasn\'tpersuadedyouthatsheknowshowtorunanoffice？“

“What，doesn\'tshe？“saidKatharine，lookingfromonetotheother。

AttheseremarksMrs。Sealbegantoexhibitsignsofdiscomposure，whichdisplayedthemselvesbyatossingmovementofherhead，and，asRalphtookaletterfromhispocket，andplacedhisfingeruponacertainsentence，sheforestalledhimbyexclaiminginconfusion:

“Now，Iknowwhatyou\'regoingtosay，Mr。Denham！ButitwasthedayKitMarkhamwashere，andsheupsetsoneso——withherwonderfulvitality，alwaysthinkingofsomethingnewthatweoughttobedoingandaren\'t——andIwasconsciousatthetimethatmydatesweremixed。

IthadnothingtodowithMaryatall，Iassureyou。“

“MydearSally，don\'tapologize，“saidMary，laughing。“Menaresuchpedants——theydon\'tknowwhatthingsmatter，andwhatthingsdon\'t。“

“Now，Denham，speakupforoursex，“saidMr。Clactoninajocularmanner，indeed，butlikemostinsignificantmenhewasveryquicktoresentbeingfoundfaultwithbyawoman，inargumentwithwhomhewasfondofcallinghimself“amereman。“Hewished，however，toenterintoaliteraryconservationwithMissHilbery，andthusletthematterdrop。

“Doesn\'titseemstrangetoyou，MissHilbery，“hesaid，“thattheFrench，withalltheirwealthofillustriousnames，havenopoetwhocancomparewithyourgrandfather？Letmesee。There\'sChenierandHugoandAlfreddeMusset——wonderfulmen，but，atthesametime，there\'sarichness，afreshnessaboutAlardyce——“

Herethetelephonebellrang，andhehadtoabsenthimselfwithasmileandabowwhichsignifiedthat，althoughliteratureisdelightful，itisnotwork。Mrs。Sealroseatthesametime，butremainedhoveringoverthetable，deliveringherselfofatiradeagainstpartygovernment。“ForifIweretotellyouwhatIknowofback-stairsintrigue，andwhatcanbedonebythepowerofthepurse，youwouldn\'tcreditme，Mr。Denham，youwouldn\'t，indeed。WhichiswhyIfeelthattheonlyworkformyfather\'sdaughter——forhewasoneofthepioneers，Mr。Denham，andonhistombstoneIhadthatversefromthePsalmsput，aboutthesowersandtheseed……Andwhatwouldn\'tIgivethatheshouldbealivenow，seeingwhatwe\'regoingtosee——“

butreflectingthatthegloriesofthefuturedependedinpartupontheactivityofhertypewriter，shebobbedherhead，andhurriedbacktotheseclusionofherlittleroom，fromwhichimmediatelyissuedsoundsofenthusiastic，butobviouslyerratic，composition。

Marymadeitclearatonce，bystartingafreshtopicofgeneralinterest，thatthoughshesawthehumorofhercolleague，shedidnotintendtohaveherlaughedat。

“Thestandardofmoralityseemstomefrightfullylow，“sheobservedreflectively，pouringoutasecondcupoftea，“especiallyamongwomenwhoaren\'twelleducated。Theydon\'tseethatsmallthingsmatter，andthat\'swheretheleakagebegins，andthenwefindourselvesindifficulties——Iverynearlylostmytemperyesterday，“shewenton，lookingatRalphwithalittlesmile，asthoughheknewwhathappenedwhenshelosthertemper。“Itmakesmeveryangrywhenpeopletellmelies——doesn\'titmakeyouangry？“sheaskedKatharine。

“Butconsideringthateveryonetellslies，“Katharineremarked，lookingabouttheroomtoseewhereshehadputdownherumbrellaandherparcel，fortherewasanintimacyinthewayinwhichMaryandRalphaddressedeachotherwhichmadeherwishtoleavethem。Mary，ontheotherhand，wasanxious，superficiallyatleast，thatKatharineshouldstayandsofortifyherinherdeterminationnottobeinlovewithRalph。

Ralph，whileliftinghiscupfromhislipstothetable，hadmadeuphismindthatifMissHilberyleft，hewouldgowithher。

“Idon\'tthinkthatItelllies，andIdon\'tthinkthatRalphtellslies，doyou，Ralph？“Marycontinued。

Katharinelaughed，withmoregayety，asitseemedtoMary，thanshecouldproperlyaccountfor。Whatwasshelaughingat？Atthem，presumably。Katharinehadrisen，andwasglancinghitherandthither，atthepressesandthecupboards，andallthemachineryoftheoffice，asifsheincludedthemallinherrathermaliciousamusement，whichcausedMarytokeephereyesonherstraightlyandratherfiercely，asifshewereagay-plumed，mischievousbird，whomightlightonthetopmostboughandpickofftheruddiestcherry，withoutanywarning。

Twowomenlesslikeeachothercouldscarcelybeimagined，Ralphthought，lookingfromonetotheother。Nextmoment，hetoo，rose，andnoddingtoMary，asKatharinesaidgood-bye，openedthedoorforher，andfollowedherout。

Marysatstillandmadenoattempttopreventthemfromgoing。Forasecondortwoafterthedoorhadshutonthemhereyesrestedonthedoorwithastraightforwardfiercenessinwhich，foramoment，acertaindegreeofbewildermentseemedtoenter；but，afterabriefhesitation，sheputdownhercupandproceededtoclearawaythetea-things。

TheimpulsewhichhaddrivenRalphtotakethisactionwastheresultofaveryswiftlittlepieceofreasoning，andthus，perhaps，wasnotquitesomuchofanimpulseasitseemed。ItpassedthroughhismindthatifhemissedthischanceoftalkingtoKatharine，hewouldhavetofaceanenragedghost，whenhewasaloneinhisroomagain，demandinganexplanationofhiscowardlyindecision。Itwasbetter，onthewhole，toriskpresentdiscomfiturethantowasteaneveningbandyingexcusesandconstructingimpossiblesceneswiththisuncompromisingsectionofhimself。ForeversincehehadvisitedtheHilberyshehadbeenmuchatthemercyofaphantomKatharine，whocametohimwhenhesatalone，andansweredhimashewouldhaveheranswer，andwasalwaysbesidehimtocrownthosevaryingtriumphswhichweretransactedalmosteverynight，inimaginaryscenes，ashewalkedthroughthelamplitstreetshomefromtheoffice。TowalkwithKatharineinthefleshwouldeitherfeedthatphantomwithfreshfood，which，asallwhonourishdreamsareaware，isaprocessthatbecomesnecessaryfromtimetotime，orrefineittosuchadegreeofthinnessthatitwasscarcelyserviceableanylonger；andthat，too，issometimesawelcomechangetoadreamer。AndallthetimeRalphwaswellawarethatthebulkofKatharinewasnotrepresentedinhisdreamsatall，sothatwhenhemetherhewasbewilderedbythefactthatshehadnothingtodowithhisdreamofher。

When，onreachingthestreet，KatharinefoundthatMr。Denhamproceededtokeeppacebyherside，shewassurprisedand，perhaps，alittleannoyed。She，too，hadhermarginofimagination，andto-nightheractivityinthisobscureregionofthemindrequiredsolitude。Ifshehadhadherway，shewouldhavewalkedveryfastdowntheTottenhamCourtRoad，andthensprungintoacabandracedswiftlyhome。Theviewshehadhadoftheinsideofanofficewasofthenatureofadreamtoher。Shutoffupthere，shecomparedMrs。Seal，andMaryDatchet，andMr。Clactontoenchantedpeopleinabewitchedtower，withthespiders\'websloopingacrossthecornersoftheroom，andallthetoolsofthenecromancer\'scraftathand；forsoaloofandunrealandapartfromthenormalworlddidtheyseemtoher，inthehouseofinnumerabletypewriters，murmuringtheirincantationsandconcoctingtheirdrugs，andflingingtheirfrailspiders\'websoverthetorrentoflifewhichrusheddownthestreetsoutside。

Shemayhavebeenconsciousthattherewassomeexaggerationinthisfancyofhers，forshecertainlydidnotwishtoshareitwithRalph。

Tohim，shesupposed，MaryDatchet，composingleafletsforCabinetMinistersamonghertypewriters，representedallthatwasinterestingandgenuine；and，accordingly，sheshutthembothoutfromallshareinthecrowdedstreet，withitspendantnecklaceoflamps，itslightedwindows，anditsthrongofmenandwomen，whichexhilaratedhertosuchanextentthatsheverynearlyforgothercompanion。Shewalkedveryfast，andtheeffectofpeoplepassingintheoppositedirectionwastoproduceaqueerdizzinessbothinherheadandinRalph\'s，whichsettheirbodiesfarapart。Butshedidherdutybyhercompanionalmostunconsciously。

“MaryDatchetdoesthatsortofworkverywell……She\'sresponsibleforit，Isuppose？“

“Yes。Theothersdon\'thelpatall……Hasshemadeaconvertofyou？“

“Ohno。Thatis，I\'maconvertalready。“

“Butshehasn\'tpersuadedyoutoworkforthem？“

“Ohdearno——thatwouldn\'tdoatall。“

SotheywalkedondowntheTottenhamCourtRoad，partingandcomingtogetheragain，andRalphfeltmuchasthoughhewereaddressingthesummitofapoplarinahighgaleofwind。

“Supposewegetontothatomnibus？“hesuggested。

Katharineacquiesced，andtheyclimbedup，andfoundthemselvesaloneontopofit。

“Butwhichwayareyougoing？“Katharineasked，wakingalittlefromthetranceintowhichmovementamongmovingthingshadthrownher。

“I\'mgoingtotheTemple，“Ralphreplied，inventingadestinationonthespurofthemoment。Hefeltthechangecomeoverherastheysatdownandtheomnibusbegantomoveforward。Heimaginedhercontemplatingtheavenueinfrontofthemwiththosehonestsadeyeswhichseemedtosethimatsuchadistancefromthem。Butthebreezewasblowingintheirfaces；itliftedherhatforasecond，andshedrewoutapinandstuckitinagain，——alittleactionwhichseemed，forsomereason，tomakeherrathermorefallible。Ah，ifonlyherhatwouldblowoff，andleaveheraltogetherdisheveled，acceptingitfromhishands！

“ThisislikeVenice，“sheobserved，raisingherhand。“Themotor-

cars，Imean，shootingaboutsoquickly，withtheirlights。“

“I\'veneverseenVenice，“hereplied。“Ikeepthatandsomeotherthingsformyoldage。“

“Whataretheotherthings？“sheasked。

“There\'sVeniceandIndiaand，Ithink，Dante，too。“

Shelaughed。

“Thinkofprovidingforone\'soldage！AndwouldyourefusetoseeVeniceifyouhadthechance？“

Insteadofansweringher，hewonderedwhetherheshouldtellhersomethingthatwasquitetrueabouthimself；andashewondered，hetoldher。

“I\'veplannedoutmylifeinsectionseversinceIwasachild，tomakeitlastlonger。Yousee，I\'malwaysafraidthatI\'mmissingsomething——“

“AndsoamI！“Katharineexclaimed。“But，afterall，“sheadded，“whyshouldyoumissanything？“

“Why？BecauseI\'mpoor，foronething，“Ralphrejoined。“You，I

suppose，canhaveVeniceandIndiaandDanteeverydayofyourlife。“

Shesaidnothingforamoment，butrestedonehand，whichwasbareofglove，upontherailinfrontofher，meditatinguponavarietyofthings，ofwhichonewasthatthisstrangeyoungmanpronouncedDanteasshewasusedtohearingitpronounced，andanother，thathehad，mostunexpectedly，afeelingaboutlifethatwasfamiliartoher。

Perhaps，then，hewasthesortofpersonshemighttakeaninterestin，ifshecametoknowhimbetter，andasshehadplacedhimamongthosewhomshewouldneverwanttoknowbetter，thiswasenoughtomakehersilent。Shehastilyrecalledherfirstviewofhim，inthelittleroomwheretherelicswerekept，andranabarthroughhalfherimpressions，asonecancelsabadlywrittensentence，havingfoundtherightone。

“Buttoknowthatonemighthavethingsdoesn\'talterthefactthatonehasn\'tgotthem，“shesaid，insomeconfusion。“HowcouldIgotoIndia，forexample？Besides，“shebeganimpulsively，andstoppedherself。Heretheconductorcameround，andinterruptedthem。Ralphwaitedforhertoresumehersentence，butshesaidnomore。

“Ihaveamessagetogiveyourfather，“heremarked。“Perhapsyouwouldgiveithim，orIcouldcome——“

“Yes，docome，“Katharinereplied。

“Still，Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldn\'tgotoIndia，“Ralphbegan，inordertokeepherfromrising，asshethreatenedtodo。

Butshegotupinspiteofhim，andsaidgood-byewithherusualairofdecision，andlefthimwithaquicknesswhichRalphconnectednowwithallhermovements。Helookeddownandsawherstandingonthepavementedge，analert，commandingfigure，whichwaiteditsseasontocross，andthenwalkedboldlyandswiftlytotheotherside。Thatgestureandactionwouldbeaddedtothepicturehehadofher，butatpresenttherealwomancompletelyroutedthephantomone。

CHAPTERVII

AndlittleAugustusPelhamsaidtome，\'It\'stheyoungergenerationknockingatthedoor，\'andIsaidtohim，\'Oh，buttheyoungergenerationcomesinwithoutknocking，Mr。Pelham。\'Suchafeeblelittlejoke，wasn\'tit，butdownitwentintohisnotebookallthesame。“

“Letuscongratulateourselvesthatweshallbeinthegravebeforethatworkispublished，“saidMr。Hilbery。

Theelderlycouplewerewaitingforthedinner-belltoringandfortheirdaughtertocomeintotheroom。Theirarm-chairsweredrawnuponeithersideofthefire，andeachsatinthesameslightlycrouchedposition，lookingintothecoals，withtheexpressionsofpeoplewhohavehadtheirshareofexperiencesandwait，ratherpassively，forsomethingtohappen。Mr。Hilberynowgaveallhisattentiontoapieceofcoalwhichhadfallenoutofthegrate，andtoselectingafavorablepositionforitamongthelumpsthatwereburningalready。

Mrs。Hilberywatchedhiminsilence，andthesmilechangedonherlipsasifhermindstillplayedwiththeeventsoftheafternoon。

WhenMr。Hilberyhadaccomplishedhistask，heresumedhiscrouchingpositionagain，andbegantotoywiththelittlegreenstoneattachedtohiswatch-chain。Hisdeep，oval-shapedeyeswerefixedupontheflames，butbehindthesuperficialglazeseemedtobroodanobservantandwhimsicalspirit，whichkeptthebrownoftheeyestillunusuallyvivid。Butalookofindolence，theresultofskepticismorofatastetoofastidioustobesatisfiedbytheprizesandconclusionssoeasilywithinhisgrasp，lenthimanexpressionalmostofmelancholy。Aftersittingthusforatime，heseemedtoreachsomepointinhisthinkingwhichdemonstrateditsfutility，uponwhichhesighedandstretchedhishandforabooklyingonthetablebyhisside。

Directlythedooropenedheclosedthebook，andtheeyesoffatherandmotherbothrestedonKatharineasshecametowardsthem。Thesightseemedatoncetogivethemamotivewhichtheyhadnothadbefore。Tothemsheappeared，asshewalkedtowardstheminherlighteveningdress，extremelyyoung，andthesightofherrefreshedthem，wereitonlybecauseheryouthandignorancemadetheirknowledgeoftheworldofsomevalue。

“Theonlyexcuseforyou，Katharine，isthatdinnerisstilllaterthanyouare，“saidMr。Hilbery，puttingdownhisspectacles。

“Idon\'tmindherbeinglatewhentheresultissocharming，“saidMrs。Hilbery，lookingwithprideatherdaughter。“Still，Idon\'tknowthatILIKEyourbeingoutsolate，Katharine，“shecontinued。“Youtookacab，Ihope？“

Heredinnerwasannounced，andMr。Hilberyformallyledhiswifedownstairsonhisarm。Theywerealldressedfordinner，and，indeed，theprettinessofthedinner-tablemeritedthatcompliment。Therewasnoclothuponthetable，andthechinamaderegularcirclesofdeepblueupontheshiningbrownwood。Inthemiddletherewasabowloftawnyredandyellowchrysanthemums，andoneofpurewhite，sofreshthatthenarrowpetalswerecurvedbackwardsintoafirmwhiteball。

FromthesurroundingwallstheheadsofthreefamousVictorianwriterssurveyedthisentertainment，andslipsofpaperpastedbeneaththemtestifiedinthegreatman\'sownhandwritingthathewasyourssincerelyoraffectionatelyorforever。Thefatheranddaughterwouldhavebeenquitecontent，apparently，toeattheirdinnerinsilence，orwithafewcrypticremarksexpressedinashorthandwhichcouldnotbeunderstoodbytheservants。ButsilencedepressedMrs。Hilbery，andfarfrommindingthepresenceofmaids，shewouldoftenaddressherselftothem，andwasneveraltogetherunconsciousoftheirapprovalordisapprovalofherremarks。Inthefirstplaceshecalledthemtowitnessthattheroomwasdarkerthanusual，andhadallthelightsturnedon。

“That\'smorecheerful，“sheexclaimed。“D\'youknow，Katharine，thatridiculousgoosecametoteawithme？Oh，howIwantedyou！Hetriedtomakeepigramsallthetime，andIgotsonervous，expectingthem，youknow，thatIspiltthetea——andhemadeanepigramaboutthat！“

“Whichridiculousgoose？“Katharineaskedherfather。

“Onlyoneofmygeese，happily，makesepigrams——AugustusPelham，ofcourse，“saidMrs。Hilbery。

“I\'mnotsorrythatIwasout，“saidKatharine。

“PoorAugustus！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Butwe\'realltoohardonhim。Rememberhowdevotedheistohistiresomeoldmother。“

“That\'sonlybecausesheishismother。Anyoneconnectedwithhimself——“

“No，no，Katharine——that\'stoobad。That\'s——what\'sthewordImean，Trevor，somethinglongandLatin——thesortofwordyouandKatharineknow——“

Mr。Hilberysuggested“cynical。“

“Well，that\'lldo。Idon\'tbelieveinsendinggirlstocollege，butI

shouldteachthemthatsortofthing。Itmakesonefeelsodignified，bringingouttheselittleallusions，andpassingongracefullytothenexttopic。ButIdon\'tknowwhat\'scomeoverme——IactuallyhadtoaskAugustusthenameoftheladyHamletwasinlovewith，asyouwereout，Katharine，andHeavenknowswhathemayn\'tputdownaboutmeinhisdiary。“

“Iwish，“Katharinestarted，withgreatimpetuosity，andcheckedherself。Hermotheralwaysstirredhertofeelandthinkquickly，andthensherememberedthatherfatherwasthere，listeningwithattention。

“Whatisityouwish？“heasked，asshepaused。

Heoftensurprisedher，thus，intotellinghimwhatshehadnotmeanttotellhim；andthentheyargued，whileMrs。Hilberywentonwithherownthoughts。

“Iwishmotherwasn\'tfamous。Iwasoutattea，andtheywouldtalktomeaboutpoetry。“

“Thinkingyoumustbepoetical，Isee——andaren\'tyou？“

“Who\'sbeentalkingtoyouaboutpoetry，Katharine？“Mrs。Hilberydemanded，andKatharinewascommittedtogivingherparentsanaccountofhervisittotheSuffrageoffice。

“TheyhaveanofficeatthetopofoneoftheoldhousesinRussellSquare。Ineversawsuchqueer-lookingpeople。AndthemandiscoveredIwasrelatedtothepoet，andtalkedtomeaboutpoetry。EvenMaryDatchetseemsdifferentinthatatmosphere。“

“Yes，theofficeatmosphereisverybadforthesoul，“saidMr。

Hilbery。

“Idon\'trememberanyofficesinRussellSquareintheolddays，whenMammalivedthere，“Mrs。Hilberymused，“andIcan\'tfancyturningoneofthosenoblegreatroomsintoastuffylittleSuffrageoffice。

Still，iftheclerksreadpoetrytheremustbesomethingniceaboutthem。“

“No，becausetheydon\'treaditaswereadit，“Katharineinsisted。

“Butit\'snicetothinkofthemreadingyourgrandfather，andnotfillingupthosedreadfullittleformsalldaylong，“Mrs。Hilberypersisted，hernotionofofficelifebeingderivedfromsomechanceviewofascenebehindthecounteratherbank，assheslippedthesovereignsintoherpurse。

“Atanyrate，theyhaven\'tmadeaconvertofKatharine，whichwaswhatIwasafraidof，“Mr。Hilberyremarked。

“Ohno，“saidKatharineverydecidedly，“Iwouldn\'tworkwiththemforanything。“

“It\'scurious，“Mr。Hilberycontinued，agreeingwithhisdaughter，“howthesightofone\'sfellow-enthusiastsalwayschokesoneoff。Theyshowupthefaultsofone\'scausesomuchmoreplainlythanone\'santagonists。Onecanbeenthusiasticinone\'sstudy，butdirectlyonecomesintotouchwiththepeoplewhoagreewithone，alltheglamorgoes。SoI\'vealwaysfound，“andheproceededtotellthem，ashepeeledhisapple，howhecommittedhimselfonce，inhisyouthfuldays，tomakeaspeechatapoliticalmeeting，andwentthereablazewithenthusiasmfortheidealsofhisownside；butwhilehisleadersspoke，hebecamegraduallyconvertedtotheotherwayofthinking，ifthinkingitcouldbecalled，andhadtofeignillnessinordertoavoidmakingafoolofhimself——anexperiencewhichhadsickenedhimofpublicmeetings。

Katharinelistenedandfeltasshegenerallydidwhenherfather，andtosomeextenthermother，describedtheirfeelings，thatshequiteunderstoodandagreedwiththem，but，atthesametime，sawsomethingwhichtheydidnotsee，andalwaysfeltsomedisappointmentwhentheyfellshortofhervision，astheyalwaysdid。Theplatessucceededeachotherswiftlyandnoiselesslyinfrontofher，andthetablewasdeckedfordessert，andasthetalkmurmuredoninfamiliargrooves，shesatthere，ratherlikeajudge，listeningtoherparents，whodid，indeed，feelitverypleasantwhentheymadeherlaugh。

Dailylifeinahousewherethereareyoungandoldisfullofcuriouslittleceremoniesandpieties，whicharedischargedquitepunctually，thoughthemeaningofthemisobscure，andamysteryhascometobroodoverthemwhichlendsevenasuperstitiouscharmtotheirperformance。

Suchwasthenightlyceremonyofthecigarandtheglassofport，whichwereplacedontherighthandandonthelefthandofMr。

Hilbery，andsimultaneouslyMrs。HilberyandKatharinelefttheroom。

AlltheyearstheyhadlivedtogethertheyhadneverseenMr。Hilberysmokehiscigarordrinkhisport，andtheywouldhavefeltitunseemlyif，bychance，theyhadsurprisedhimashesatthere。Theseshort，butclearlymarked，periodsofseparationbetweenthesexeswerealwaysusedforanintimatepostscripttowhathadbeensaidatdinner，thesenseofbeingwomentogethercomingoutmoststronglywhenthemalesexwas，asifbysomereligiousrite，secludedfromthefemale。Katharineknewbyheartthesortofmoodthatpossessedherasshewalkedupstairstothedrawing-room，hermother\'sarminhers；andshecouldanticipatethepleasurewithwhich，whenshehadturnedonthelights，theybothregardedthedrawing-room，freshsweptandsetinorderforthelastsectionoftheday，withtheredparrotsswingingonthechintzcurtains，andthearm-chairswarmingintheblaze。Mrs。Hilberystoodoverthefire，withonefootonthefender，andherskirtsslightlyraised。

“Oh，Katharine，“sheexclaimed，“howyou\'vemademethinkofMammaandtheolddaysinRussellSquare！Icanseethechandeliers，andthegreensilkofthepiano，andMammasittinginhercashmereshawlbythewindow，singingtillthelittleragamuffinboysoutsidestoppedtolisten。Papasentmeinwithabunchofvioletswhilehewaitedroundthecorner。Itmusthavebeenasummerevening。Thatwasbeforethingswerehopeless……“

Asshespokeanexpressionofregret，whichmusthavecomefrequentlytocausethelineswhichnowgrewdeeproundthelipsandeyes，settledonherface。Thepoet\'smarriagehadnotbeenahappyone。Hehadlefthiswife，andaftersomeyearsofaratherrecklessexistence，shehaddied，beforehertime。Thisdisasterhadledtogreatirregularitiesofeducation，and，indeed，Mrs。Hilberymightbesaidtohaveescapededucationaltogether。Butshehadbeenherfather\'scompanionattheseasonwhenhewrotethefinestofhispoems。Shehadsatonhiskneeintavernsandotherhauntsofdrunkenpoets，anditwasforhersake，sopeoplesaid，thathehadcuredhimselfofhisdissipation，andbecometheirreproachableliterarycharacterthattheworldknows，whoseinspirationhaddesertedhim。AsMrs。Hilberygrewoldshethoughtmoreandmoreofthepast，andthisancientdisasterseemedattimesalmosttopreyuponhermind，asifshecouldnotpassoutoflifeherselfwithoutlayingtheghostofherparent\'ssorrowtorest。

Katharinewishedtocomforthermother，butitwasdifficulttodothissatisfactorilywhenthefactsthemselvesweresomuchofalegend。ThehouseinRussellSquare，forexample，withitsnoblerooms，andthemagnolia-treeinthegarden，andthesweet-voicedpiano，andthesoundoffeetcomingdownthecorridors，andotherpropertiesofsizeandromance——hadtheyanyexistence？YetwhyshouldMrs。Alardyceliveallaloneinthisgiganticmansion，and，ifshedidnotlivealone，withwhomdidshelive？Foritsownsake，Katharineratherlikedthistragicstory，andwouldhavebeengladtohearthedetailsofit，andtohavebeenabletodiscussthemfrankly。Butthisitbecamelessandlesspossibletodo，forthoughMrs。Hilberywasconstantlyrevertingtothestory，itwasalwaysinthistentativeandrestlessfashion，asthoughbyatouchhereandthereshecouldsetthingsstraightwhichhadbeencrookedthesesixtyyears。Perhaps，indeed，shenolongerknewwhatthetruthwas。

“Ifthey\'dlivednow，“sheconcluded，“Ifeelitwouldn\'thavehappened。Peoplearen\'tsosetupontragedyastheywerethen。Ifmyfatherhadbeenabletogoroundtheworld，orifshe\'dhadarestcure，everythingwouldhavecomeright。ButwhatcouldIdo？Andthentheyhadbadfriends，bothofthem，whomademischief。Ah，Katharine，whenyoumarry，bequite，quitesurethatyouloveyourhusband！“

ThetearsstoodinMrs。Hilbery\'seyes。

Whilecomfortingher，Katharinethoughttoherself，“NowthisiswhatMaryDatchetandMr。Denhamdon\'tunderstand。ThisisthesortofpositionI\'malwaysgettinginto。Howsimpleitmustbetoliveastheydo！“foralltheeveningshehadbeencomparingherhomeandherfatherandmotherwiththeSuffrageofficeandthepeoplethere。

“But，Katharine，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued，withoneofhersuddenchangesofmood，“though，Heavenknows，Idon\'twanttoseeyoumarried，surelyifeveramanlovedawoman，Williamlovesyou。Andit\'sanice，rich-soundingnametoo——KatharineRodney，which，unfortunately，doesn\'tmeanthathe\'sgotanymoney，becausehehasn\'t。“

ThealterationofhernameannoyedKatharine，andsheobserved，rathersharply，thatshedidn\'twanttomarryanyone。

“It\'sverydullthatyoucanonlymarryonehusband，certainly，“Mrs。

Hilberyreflected。“Ialwayswishthatyoucouldmarryeverybodywhowantstomarryyou。Perhapsthey\'llcometothatintime，butmeanwhileIconfessthatdearWilliam——“ButhereMr。Hilberycamein，andthemoresolidpartoftheeveningbegan。ThisconsistedinthereadingaloudbyKatharinefromsomeproseworkorother，whilehermotherknittedscarvesintermittentlyonalittlecircularframe，andherfatherreadthenewspaper，notsoattentivelybutthathecouldcommenthumorouslynowandagainuponthefortunesoftheheroandtheheroine。TheHilberyssubscribedtoalibrary，whichdeliveredbooksonTuesdaysandFridays，andKatharinedidherbesttointerestherparentsintheworksoflivingandhighlyrespectableauthors；butMrs。Hilberywasperturbedbytheverylookofthelight，gold-

wreathedvolumes，andwouldmakelittlefacesasifshetastedsomethingbitterasthereadingwenton；whileMr。Hilberywouldtreatthemodernswithacuriouselaboratebantersuchasonemightapplytotheanticsofapromisingchild。Sothisevening，afterfivepagesorsoofoneofthesemasters，Mrs。Hilberyprotestedthatitwasalltoocleverandcheapandnastyforwords。

“Please，Katharine，readussomethingREAL。“

Katharinehadtogotothebookcaseandchooseaportlyvolumeinsleek，yellowcalf，whichhaddirectlyasedativeeffectuponbothherparents。ButthedeliveryoftheeveningpostbrokeinupontheperiodsofHenryFielding，andKatharinefoundthatherlettersneededallherattention。

CHAPTERVIII

Shetookherlettersuptoherroomwithher，havingpersuadedhermothertogotobeddirectlyMr。Hilberyleftthem，forsolongasshesatinthesameroomashermother，Mrs。Hilberymight，atanymoment，askforasightofthepost。AveryhastyglancethroughmanysheetshadshownKatharinethat，bysomecoincidence，herattentionhadtobedirectedtomanydifferentanxietiessimultaneously。Inthefirstplace，Rodneyhadwrittenaveryfullaccountofhisstateofmind，whichwasillustratedbyasonnet，andhedemandedareconsiderationoftheirposition，whichagitatedKatharinemorethansheliked。Thenthereweretwoletterswhichhadtobelaidsidebysideandcomparedbeforeshecouldmakeoutthetruthoftheirstory，andevenwhensheknewthefactsshecouldnotdecidewhattomakeofthem；andfinallyshehadtoreflectuponagreatmanypagesfromacousinwhofoundhimselfinfinancialdifficulties，whichforcedhimtotheuncongenialoccupationofteachingtheyoungladiesofBungaytoplayupontheviolin。

Butthetwoletterswhicheachtoldthesamestorydifferentlywerethechiefsourceofherperplexity。Shewasreallyrathershockedtofinditdefinitelyestablishedthatherownsecondcousin，CyrilAlardyce，hadlivedforthelastfouryearswithawomanwhowasnothiswife，whohadbornehimtwochildren，andwasnowabouttobearhimanother。ThisstateofthingshadbeendiscoveredbyMrs。Milvain，herauntCelia，azealousinquirerintosuchmatters，whoseletterwasalsounderconsideration。Cyril，shesaid，mustbemadetomarrythewomanatonce；andCyril，rightlyorwrongly，wasindignantwithsuchinterferencewithhisaffairs，andwouldnotownthathehadanycausetobeashamedofhimself。Hadheanycausetobeashamedofhimself，Katharinewondered；andsheturnedtoherauntagain。

“Remember，“shewrote，inherprofuse，emphaticstatement，“thathebearsyourgrandfather\'sname，andsowillthechildthatistobeborn。Thepoorboyisnotsomuchtoblameasthewomanwhodeludedhim，thinkinghimagentleman，whichheIS，andhavingmoney，whichhehasNOT。“

“WhatwouldRalphDenhamsaytothis？“thoughtKatharine，beginningtopaceupanddownherbedroom。Shetwitchedasidethecurtains，sothat，onturning，shewasfacedbydarkness，andlookingout，couldjustdistinguishthebranchesofaplane-treeandtheyellowlightsofsomeoneelse\'swindows。

“WhatwouldMaryDatchetandRalphDenhamsay？“shereflected，pausingbythewindow，which，asthenightwaswarm，sheraised，inordertofeeltheairuponherface，andtoloseherselfinthenothingnessofnight。Butwiththeairthedistanthummingsoundoffar-offcrowdedthoroughfareswasadmittedtotheroom。Theincessantandtumultuoushumofthedistanttrafficseemed，asshestoodthere，torepresentthethicktextureofherlife，forherlifewassohemmedinwiththeprogressofotherlivesthatthesoundofitsownadvancewasinaudible。PeoplelikeRalphandMary，shethought，haditalltheirownway，andanemptyspacebeforethem，and，assheenviedthem，shecasthermindouttoimagineanemptylandwhereallthispettyintercourseofmenandwomen，thislifemadeupofthedensecrossingsandentanglementsofmenandwomen，hadnoexistencewhatever。Evennow，alone，atnight，lookingoutintotheshapelessmassofLondon，shewasforcedtorememberthattherewasonepointandhereanotherwithwhichshehadsomeconnection。WilliamRodney，atthisverymoment，wasseatedinaminutespeckoflightsomewheretotheeastofher，andhismindwasoccupied，notwithhisbook，butwithher。Shewishedthatnooneinthewholeworldwouldthinkofher。However，therewasnowayofescapingfromone\'sfellow-beings，sheconcluded，andshutthewindowwithasigh，andreturnedoncemoretoherletters。

ShecouldnotdoubtbutthatWilliam\'sletterwasthemostgenuineshehadyetreceivedfromhim。Hehadcometotheconclusionthathecouldnotlivewithouther，hewrote。Hebelievedthatheknewher，andcouldgiveherhappiness，andthattheirmarriagewouldbeunlikeothermarriages。Norwasthesonnet，inspiteofitsaccomplishment，lackinginpassion，andKatharine，asshereadthepagesthroughagain，couldseeinwhatdirectionherfeelingsoughttoflow，supposingtheyrevealedthemselves。Shewouldcometofeelahumoroussortoftendernessforhim，azealouscareforhissusceptibilities，and，afterall，sheconsidered，thinkingofherfatherandmother，whatislove？

Naturally，withherface，position，andbackground，shehadexperienceofyoungmenwhowishedtomarryher，andmadeprotestationsoflove，but，perhapsbecauseshedidnotreturnthefeeling，itremainedsomethingofapageanttoher。Nothavingexperienceofitherself，hermindhadunconsciouslyoccupieditselfforsomeyearsindressingupanimageoflove，andthemarriagethatwastheoutcomeoflove，andthemanwhoinspiredlove，whichnaturallydwarfedanyexamplesthatcameherway。Easily，andwithoutcorrectionbyreason，herimaginationmadepictures，superbbackgroundscastingarichthoughphantomlightuponthefactsintheforeground。Splendidasthewatersthatdropwithresoundingthunderfromhighledgesofrock，andplungedownwardsintothebluedepthsofnight，wasthepresenceofloveshedreamt，drawingintoiteverydropoftheforceoflife，anddashingthemallasunderinthesuperbcatastropheinwhicheverythingwassurrendered，andnothingmightbereclaimed。Theman，too，wassomemagnanimoushero，ridingagreathorsebytheshoreofthesea。Theyrodethroughforeststogether，theygallopedbytherimofthesea。

Butwaking，shewasabletocontemplateaperfectlylovelessmarriage，asthethingonedidactuallyinreallife，forpossiblythepeoplewhodreamthusarethosewhodothemostprosaicthings。

Atthismomentshewasmuchinclinedtositonintothenight，spinningherlightfabricofthoughtsuntilshetiredoftheirfutility，andwenttohermathematics；but，assheknewverywell，itwasnecessarythatsheshouldseeherfatherbeforehewenttobed。

ThecaseofCyrilAlardycemustbediscussed，hermother\'sillusionsandtherightsofthefamilyattendedto。Beingvagueherselfastowhatallthisamountedto，shehadtotakecounselwithherfather。

Shetookherlettersinherhandandwentdownstairs。Itwaspasteleven，andtheclockshadcomeintotheirreign，thegrandfather\'sclockinthehalltickingincompetitionwiththesmallclockonthelanding。Mr。Hilbery\'sstudyranoutbehindtherestofthehouse，onthegroundfloor，andwasaverysilent，subterraneanplace，thesunindaytimecastingamereabstractoflightthroughaskylightuponhisbooksandthelargetable，withitsspreadofwhitepapers，nowilluminedbyagreenreading-lamp。HereMr。Hilberysateditinghisreview，orplacingtogetherdocumentsbymeansofwhichitcouldbeprovedthatShelleyhadwritten“of“insteadof“and，“orthattheinninwhichByronhadsleptwascalledthe“Nag\'sHead“andnotthe“TurkishKnight，“orthattheChristiannameofKeats\'sunclehadbeenJohnratherthanRichard，forheknewmoreminutedetailsaboutthesepoetsthananymaninEngland，probably，andwaspreparinganeditionofShelleywhichscrupulouslyobservedthepoet\'ssystemofpunctuation。Hesawthehumoroftheseresearches，butthatdidnotpreventhimfromcarryingthemoutwiththeutmostscrupulosity。

Hewaslyingbackcomfortablyinadeeparm-chairsmokingacigar，andruminatingthefruitfulquestionastowhetherColeridgehadwishedtomarryDorothyWordsworth，andwhat，ifhehaddoneso，wouldhavebeentheconsequencestohiminparticular，andtoliteratureingeneral。

WhenKatharinecameinhereflectedthatheknewwhatshehadcomefor，andhemadeapencilnotebeforehespoketoher。Havingdonethis，hesawthatshewasreading，andhewatchedherforamomentwithoutsayinganything。Shewasreading“IsabellaandthePotofBasil，“andhermindwasfulloftheItalianhillsandthebluedaylight，andthehedgessetwithlittlerosettesofredandwhiteroses。Feelingthatherfatherwaitedforher，shesighedandsaid，shuttingherbook:

“I\'vehadaletterfromAuntCeliaaboutCyril，father……Itseemstobetrue——abouthismarriage。Whatarewetodo？“

“Cyrilseemstohavebeenbehavinginaveryfoolishmanner，“saidMr。

Hilbery，inhispleasantanddeliberatetones。

Katharinefoundsomedifficultyincarryingontheconversation，whileherfatherbalancedhisfinger-tipssojudiciously，andseemedtoreservesomanyofhisthoughtsforhimself。

“He\'saboutdoneforhimself，Ishouldsay，“hecontinued。Withoutsayinganything，hetookKatharine\'slettersoutofherhand，adjustedhiseyeglasses，andreadthemthrough。

Atlengthhesaid“Humph！“andgavethelettersbacktoher。

“Motherknowsnothingaboutit，“Katharineremarked。“Willyoutellher？“

“Ishalltellyourmother。ButIshalltellherthatthereisnothingwhateverforustodo。“

“Butthemarriage？“Katharineasked，withsomediffidence。

Mr。Hilberysaidnothing，andstaredintothefire。

“Whatinthenameofconsciencedidhedoitfor？“hespeculatedatlast，rathertohimselfthantoher。

Katharinehadbeguntoreadheraunt\'sletteroveragain，andshenowquotedasentence。“IbsenandButler……Hehassentmealetterfullofquotations——nonsense，thoughclevernonsense。“

“Well，iftheyoungergenerationwanttocarryonitslifeonthoselines，it\'snoneofouraffair，“heremarked。

“Butisn\'titouraffair，perhaps，tomakethemgetmarried？“

Katharineaskedratherwearily。

“Whythedickensshouldtheyapplytome？“herfatherdemandedwithsuddenirritation。

“Onlyastheheadofthefamily——“

“ButI\'mnottheheadofthefamily。Alfred\'stheheadofthefamily。

LetthemapplytoAlfred，“saidMr。Hilbery，relapsingagainintohisarm-chair。Katharinewasawarethatshehadtouchedasensitivespot，however，inmentioningthefamily。

“Ithink，perhaps，thebestthingwouldbeformetogoandseethem，“

sheobserved。

“Iwon\'thaveyougoinganywherenearthem，“Mr。Hilberyrepliedwithunwonteddecisionandauthority。“Indeed，Idon\'tunderstandwhythey\'vedraggedyouintothebusinessatall——Idon\'tseethatit\'sgotanythingtodowithyou。“

“I\'vealwaysbeenfriendswithCyril，“Katharineobserved。

“Butdidheevertellyouanythingaboutthis？“Mr。Hilberyaskedrathersharply。

Katharineshookherhead。Shewas，indeed，agooddealhurtthatCyrilhadnotconfidedinher——didhethink，asRalphDenhamorMaryDatchetmightthink，thatshewas，forsomereason，unsympathetic——hostileeven？

“Astoyourmother，“saidMr。Hilbery，afterapause，inwhichheseemedtobeconsideringthecoloroftheflames，“youhadbettertellherthefacts。She\'dbetterknowthefactsbeforeeveryonebeginstotalkaboutit，thoughwhyAuntCeliathinksitnecessarytocome，I\'msureIdon\'tknow。Andthelesstalkthereisthebetter。“

Grantingtheassumptionthatgentlemenofsixtywhoarehighlycultivated，andhavehadmuchexperienceoflife，probablythinkofmanythingswhichtheydonotsay，Katharinecouldnothelpfeelingratherpuzzledbyherfather\'sattitude，asshewentbacktoherroom。

Whatadistancehewasfromitall！Howsuperficiallyhesmoothedtheseeventsintoasemblanceofdecencywhichharmonizedwithhisownviewoflife！HeneverwonderedwhatCyrilhadfelt，nordidthehiddenaspectsofthecasetempthimtoexamineintothem。Hemerelyseemedtorealize，ratherlanguidly，thatCyrilhadbehavedinawaywhichwasfoolish，becauseotherpeopledidnotbehaveinthatway。Heseemedtobelookingthroughatelescopeatlittlefigureshundredsofmilesinthedistance。

HerselfishanxietynottohavetotellMrs。Hilberywhathadhappenedmadeherfollowherfatherintothehallafterbreakfastthenextmorninginordertoquestionhim。

“Haveyoutoldmother？“sheasked。Hermannertoherfatherwasalmoststern，andsheseemedtoholdendlessdepthsofreflectioninthedarkofhereyes。

Mr。Hilberysighed。

“Mydearchild，itwentoutofmyhead。“Hesmoothedhissilkhatenergetically，andatonceaffectedanairofhurry。“I\'llsendanoteroundfromtheoffice……I\'mlatethismorning，andI\'veanyamountofproofstogetthrough。“

“Thatwouldn\'tdoatall，“Katharinesaiddecidedly。“Shemustbetold——youorImusttellher。Weoughttohavetoldheratfirst。“

Mr。Hilberyhadnowplacedhishatonhishead，andhishandwasonthedoor-knob。AnexpressionwhichKatharineknewwellfromherchildhood，whenheaskedhertoshieldhiminsomeneglectofduty，cameintohiseyes；malice，humor，andirresponsibilitywereblendedinit。Henoddedhisheadtoandfrosignificantly，openedthedoorwithanadroitmovement，andsteppedoutwithalightnessunexpectedathisage。Hewavedhishandoncetohisdaughter，andwasgone。Leftalone，Katharinecouldnothelplaughingtofindherselfcheatedasusualindomesticbargainingswithherfather，andlefttodothedisagreeableworkwhichbelonged，byrights，tohim。

CHAPTERIX

KatharinedislikedtellinghermotheraboutCyril\'smisbehaviorquiteasmuchasherfatherdid，andformuchthesamereasons。Theybothshrank，nervously，aspeoplefearthereportofagunonthestage，fromallthatwouldhavetobesaidonthisoccasion。Katharine，moreover，wasunabletodecidewhatshethoughtofCyril\'smisbehavior。Asusual，shesawsomethingwhichherfatherandmotherdidnotsee，andtheeffectofthatsomethingwastosuspendCyril\'sbehaviorinhermindwithoutanyqualificationatall。Theywouldthinkwhetheritwasgoodorbad；toheritwasmerelyathingthathadhappened。

WhenKatharinereachedthestudy，Mrs。Hilberyhadalreadydippedherpenintheink。

“Katharine，“shesaid，liftingitintheair，“I\'vejustmadeoutsuchaqueer，strangethingaboutyourgrandfather。I\'mthreeyearsandsixmonthsolderthanhewaswhenhedied。Icouldn\'tverywellhavebeenhismother，butImighthavebeenhiseldersister，andthatseemstomesuchapleasantfancy。I\'mgoingtostartquitefreshthismorning，andgetalotdone。“

Shebeganhersentence，atanyrate，andKatharinesatdownatherowntable，untiedthebundleofoldlettersuponwhichshewasworking，smoothedthemoutabsent-mindedly，andbegantodecipherthefadedscript。Inaminuteshelookedacrossathermother，tojudgehermood。Peaceandhappinesshadrelaxedeverymuscleinherface；herlipswerepartedveryslightly，andherbreathcameinsmooth，controlledinspirationslikethoseofachildwhoissurroundingitselfwithabuildingofbricks，andincreasinginecstasyaseachbrickisplacedinposition。SoMrs。Hilberywasraisingroundhertheskiesandtreesofthepastwitheverystrokeofherpen，andrecallingthevoicesofthedead。Quietastheroomwas，andundisturbedbythesoundsofthepresentmoment，Katharinecouldfancythatherewasadeeppoolofpasttime，andthatsheandhermotherwerebathedinthelightofsixtyyearsago。Whatcouldthepresentgive，shewondered，tocomparewiththerichcrowdofgiftsbestowedbythepast？HerewasaThursdaymorninginprocessofmanufacture；

eachsecondwasmintedfreshbytheclockuponthemantelpiece。Shestrainedherearsandcouldjusthear，faroff，thehootofamotor-carandtherushofwheelscomingneareranddyingawayagain，andthevoicesofmencryingoldironandvegetablesinoneofthepoorerstreetsatthebackofthehouse。Rooms，ofcourse，accumulatetheirsuggestions，andanyroominwhichonehasbeenusedtocarryonanyparticularoccupationgivesoffmemoriesofmoods，ofideas，ofposturesthathavebeenseeninit；sothattoattemptanydifferentkindofworkthereisalmostimpossible。

Katharinewasunconsciouslyaffected，eachtimesheenteredhermother\'sroom，byalltheseinfluences，whichhadhadtheirbirthyearsago，whenshewasachild，andhadsomethingsweetandsolemnaboutthem，andconnectedthemselveswithearlymemoriesofthecavernousgloomsandsonorousechoesoftheAbbeywherehergrandfatherlayburied。Allthebooksandpictures，eventhechairsandtables，hadbelongedtohim，orhadreferencetohim；eventhechinadogsonthemantelpieceandthelittleshepherdesseswiththeirsheephadbeenboughtbyhimforapennyapiecefromamanwhousedtostandwithatrayoftoysinKensingtonHighStreet，asKatharinehadoftenheardhermothertell。Oftenshehadsatinthisroom，withhermindfixedsofirmlyonthosevanishedfiguresthatshecouldalmostseethemusclesroundtheireyesandlips，andhadgiventoeachhisownvoice，withitstricksofaccent，andhiscoatandhiscravat。Oftenshehadseemedtoherselftobemovingamongthem，aninvisibleghostamongtheliving，betteracquaintedwiththemthanwithherownfriends，becausesheknewtheirsecretsandpossessedadivineforeknowledgeoftheirdestiny。Theyhadbeensounhappy，suchmuddlers，sowrong-headed，itseemedtoher。Shecouldhavetoldthemwhattodo，andwhatnottodo。Itwasamelancholyfactthattheywouldpaynoheedtoher，andwereboundtocometogriefintheirownantiquatedway。Theirbehaviorwasoftengrotesquelyirrational；theirconventionsmonstrouslyabsurd；andyet，asshebroodeduponthem，shefeltsocloselyattachedtothemthatitwasuselesstotrytopassjudgmentuponthem。Sheverynearlylostconsciousnessthatshewasaseparatebeing，withafutureofherown。Onamorningofslightdepression，suchasthis，shewouldtrytofindsomesortofcluetothemuddlewhichtheiroldletterspresented；somereasonwhichseemedtomakeitworthwhiletothem；someaimwhichtheykeptsteadilyinview——butshewasinterrupted。

Mrs。Hilberyhadrisenfromhertable，andwasstandinglookingoutofthewindowatastringofbargesswimminguptheriver。

Katharinewatchedher。SuddenlyMrs。Hilberyturnedabruptly，andexclaimed:

“IreallybelieveI\'mbewitched！Ionlywantthreesentences，yousee，somethingquitestraightforwardandcommonplace，andIcan\'tfind\'em。“

Shebegantopaceupanddowntheroom，snatchingupherduster；butshewastoomuchannoyedtofindanyrelief，asyet，inpolishingthebacksofbooks。

“Besides，“shesaid，givingthesheetshehadwrittentoKatharine，“I

don\'tbelievethis\'lldo。DidyourgrandfatherevervisittheHebrides，Katharine？“Shelookedinastrangelybeseechingwayatherdaughter。“MymindgotrunningontheHebrides，andIcouldn\'thelpwritingalittledescriptionofthem。Perhapsitwoulddoatthebeginningofachapter。Chaptersoftenbeginquitedifferentlyfromthewaytheygoon，youknow。“Katharinereadwhathermotherhadwritten。Shemighthavebeenaschoolmastercriticizingachild\'sessay。HerfacegaveMrs。Hilbery，whowatcheditanxiously，nogroundforhope。

“It\'sverybeautiful，“shestated，“but，yousee，mother，weoughttogofrompointtopoint——“

“Oh，Iknow，“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed。“Andthat\'sjustwhatIcan\'tdo。Thingskeepcomingintomyhead。Itisn\'tthatIdon\'tknoweverythingandfeeleverything(whodidknowhim，ifIdidn\'t？)，butI

can\'tputitdown，yousee。There\'sakindofblindspot，“shesaid，touchingherforehead，“there。AndwhenIcan\'tsleepo\'nights，I

fancyIshalldiewithouthavingdoneit。“

Fromexultationshehadpassedtothedepthsofdepressionwhichtheimaginationofherdeatharoused。ThedepressioncommunicateditselftoKatharine。Howimpotenttheywere，fiddlingaboutalldaylongwithpapers！Andtheclockwasstrikingelevenandnothingdone！Shewatchedhermother，nowrummaginginagreatbrass-boundboxwhichstoodbyhertable，butshedidnotgotoherhelp。Ofcourse，Katharinereflected，hermotherhadnowlostsomepaper，andtheywouldwastetherestofthemorninglookingforit。Shecasthereyesdowninirritation，andreadagainhermother\'smusicalsentencesaboutthesilvergulls，andtherootsoflittlepinkflowerswashedbypellucidstreams，andthebluemistsofhyacinths，untilshewasstruckbyhermother\'ssilence。Sheraisedhereyes。Mrs。Hilberyhademptiedaportfoliocontainingoldphotographsoverhertable，andwaslookingfromonetoanother。

“Surely，Katharine，“shesaid，“themenwerefarhandsomerinthosedaysthantheyarenow，inspiteoftheirodiouswhiskers？LookatoldJohnGraham，inhiswhitewaistcoat——lookatUncleHarley。That\'sPeterthemanservant，Isuppose。UncleJohnbroughthimbackfromIndia。“

Katharinelookedathermother，butdidnotstiroranswer。Shehadsuddenlybecomeveryangry，witharagewhichtheirrelationshipmadesilent，andthereforedoublypowerfulandcritical。Shefeltalltheunfairnessoftheclaimwhichhermothertacitlymadetohertimeandsympathy，andwhatMrs。Hilberytook，Katharinethoughtbitterly，shewasted。Then，inaflash，sherememberedthatshehadstilltotellheraboutCyril\'smisbehavior。Herangerimmediatelydissipateditself；itbrokelikesomewavethathasgathereditselfhighabovetherest；thewaterswereresumedintotheseaagain，andKatharinefeltoncemorefullofpeaceandsolicitude，andanxiousonlythathermothershouldbeprotectedfrompain。Shecrossedtheroominstinctively，andsatonthearmofhermother\'schair。Mrs。Hilberyleantherheadagainstherdaughter\'sbody。

“Whatisnobler，“shemused，turningoverthephotographs，“thantobeawomantowhomeveryoneturns，insorrowordifficulty？Howhavetheyoungwomenofyourgenerationimproveduponthat，Katharine？Icanseethemnow，sweepingoverthelawnsatMelburyHouse，intheirflouncesandfurbelows，socalmandstatelyandimperial(andthemonkeyandthelittleblackdwarffollowingbehind)，asifnothingmatteredintheworldbuttobebeautifulandkind。Buttheydidmorethanwedo，Isometimesthink。TheyWERE，andthat\'sbetterthandoing。Theyseemtomelikeships，likemajesticships，holdingontheirway，notshovingorpushing，notfrettedbylittlethings，asweare，buttakingtheirway，likeshipswithwhitesails。“

Katharinetriedtointerruptthisdiscourse，buttheopportunitydidnotcome，andshecouldnotforbeartoturnoverthepagesofthealbuminwhichtheoldphotographswerestored。Thefacesofthesemenandwomenshoneforthwonderfullyafterthehubbuboflivingfaces，andseemed，ashermotherhadsaid，towearamarvelousdignityandcalm，asiftheyhadruledtheirkingdomsjustlyanddeservedgreatlove。Somewereofalmostincrediblebeauty，otherswereuglyenoughinaforcibleway，butnoneweredullorboredorinsignificant。Thesuperbstifffoldsofthecrinolinessuitedthewomen；thecloaksandhatsofthegentlemenseemedfullofcharacter。OncemoreKatharinefeltthesereneairallroundher，andseemedfarofftohearthesolemnbeatingoftheseaupontheshore。Butsheknewthatshemustjointhepresentontothispast。

Mrs。Hilberywasramblingon，fromstorytostory。

“That\'sJanieMannering，“shesaid，pointingtoasuperb，white-haireddame，whosesatinrobesseemedstrungwithpearls。“ImusthavetoldyouhowshefoundhercookdrunkunderthekitchentablewhentheEmpresswascomingtodinner，andtuckeduphervelvetsleeves(shealwaysdressedlikeanEmpressherself)，cookedthewholemeal，andappearedinthedrawing-roomasifshe\'dbeensleepingonabankofrosesallday。Shecoulddoanythingwithherhands——theyallcould——

makeacottageorembroiderapetticoat。