第9章

Thequestion，forthemoment，seemedtoKatharinetohavereferencetoRalphDenham。

“OnhiswaytoBlackfriars，Imean，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued，“foryouknowthelatestdiscoveryisthatheownedahousethere。“

Katharinestilllookedaboutherinperplexity，andMrs。Hilberyadded:

“Whichisaproofthathewasn\'taspoorasthey\'vesometimessaid。I

shouldliketothinkthathehadenough，thoughIdon\'tintheleastwanthimtoberich。“

Then，perceivingherdaughter\'sexpressionofperplexity，Mrs。Hilberyburstoutlaughing。

“Mydear，I\'mnottalkingaboutYOURWilliam，thoughthat\'sanotherreasonforlikinghim。I\'mtalking，I\'mthinking，I\'mdreamingofMY

William——WilliamShakespeare，ofcourse。Isn\'titodd，“shemused，standingatthewindowandtappinggentlyuponthepane，“thatforallonecansee，thatdearoldthinginthebluebonnet，crossingtheroadwithherbasketonherarm，hasneverheardthattherewassuchaperson？Yetitallgoeson:lawyershurryingtotheirwork，cabmensquabblingfortheirfares，littleboysrollingtheirhoops，littlegirlsthrowingbreadtothegulls，asifthereweren\'taShakespeareintheworld。Ishouldliketostandatthatcrossingalldaylongandsay:\'People，readShakespeare！\'“

Katharinesatdownathertableandopenedalongdustyenvelope。AsShelleywasmentionedinthecourseoftheletterasifhewerealive，ithad，ofcourse，considerablevalue。Herimmediatetaskwastodecidewhetherthewholelettershouldbeprinted，oronlytheparagraphwhichmentionedShelley\'sname，andshereachedoutforapenandhelditinreadinesstodojusticeuponthesheet。Herpen，however，remainedintheair。Almostsurreptitiouslysheslippedacleansheetinfrontofher，andherhand，descending，begandrawingsquareboxeshalvedandquarteredbystraightlines，andthencircleswhichunderwentthesameprocessofdissection。

“Katharine！I\'vehituponabrilliantidea！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed——“tolayout，say，ahundredpoundsorsooncopiesofShakespeare，andgivethemtoworkingmen。Someofyourcleverfriendswhogetupmeetingsmighthelpus，Katharine。Andthatmightleadtoaplayhouse，wherewecouldalltakeparts。You\'dbeRosalind——butyou\'veadashoftheoldnurseinyou。Yourfather\'sHamlet，cometoyearsofdiscretion；andI\'m——well，I\'mabitofthemall；I\'mquitealargebitofthefool，butthefoolsinShakespearesayallthecleverthings。NowwhoshallWilliambe？Ahero？Hotspur？HenrytheFifth？

No，William\'sgotatouchofHamletinhim，too。IcanfancythatWilliamtalkstohimselfwhenhe\'salone。Ah，Katharine，youmustsayverybeautifulthingswhenyou\'retogether！“sheaddedwistfully，withaglanceatherdaughter，whohadtoldhernothingaboutthedinnerthenightbefore。

“Oh，wetalkalotofnonsense，“saidKatharine，hidingherslipofpaperashermotherstoodbyher，andspreadingtheoldletteraboutShelleyinfrontofher。

“Itwon\'tseemtoyounonsenseintenyears\'time，“saidMrs。Hilbery。

“Believeme，Katharine，you\'lllookbackonthesedaysafterwards；

you\'llrememberallthesillythingsyou\'vesaid；andyou\'llfindthatyourlifehasbeenbuiltonthem。Thebestoflifeisbuiltonwhatwesaywhenwe\'reinlove。Itisn\'tnonsense，Katharine，“sheurged，“it\'sthetruth，it\'stheonlytruth。“

Katharinewasonthepointofinterruptinghermother，andthenshewasonthepointofconfidinginher。Theycamestrangelyclosetogethersometimes。But，whileshehesitatedandsoughtforwordsnottoodirect，hermotherhadrecoursetoShakespeare，andturnedpageafterpage，setuponfindingsomequotationwhichsaidallthisaboutlovefar，farbetterthanshecould。Accordingly，Katharinedidnothingbutscruboneofhercirclesanintenseblackwithherpencil，inthemidstofwhichprocessthetelephone-bellrang，andshelefttheroomtoanswerit。

Whenshereturned，Mrs。Hilberyhadfoundnotthepassageshewanted，butanotherofexquisitebeautyasshejustlyobserved，lookingupforasecondtoaskKatharinewhothatwas？

“MaryDatchet，“Katharinerepliedbriefly。

“Ah——IhalfwishI\'dcalledyouMary，butitwouldn\'thavegonewithHilbery，anditwouldn\'thavegonewithRodney。Nowthisisn\'tthepassageIwanted。(InevercanfindwhatIwant。)Butit\'sspring；

it\'sthedaffodils；it\'sthegreenfields；it\'sthebirds。“

Shewascutshortinherquotationbyanotherimperativetelephone-bell。OncemoreKatharinelefttheroom。

“Mydearchild，howodiousthetriumphsofscienceare！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimedonherreturn。“They\'llbelinkinguswiththemoonnext——butwhowasthat？“

“William，“Katharinerepliedyetmorebriefly。

“I\'llforgiveWilliamanything，forI\'mcertainthattherearen\'tanyWilliamsinthemoon。Ihopehe\'scomingtoluncheon？“

“He\'scomingtotea。“

“Well，that\'sbetterthannothing，andIpromisetoleaveyoualone。“

“There\'snoneedforyoutodothat，“saidKatharine。

Shesweptherhandoverthefadedsheet，anddrewherselfupsquarelytothetableasifsherefusedtowastetimeanylonger。Thegesturewasnotlostuponhermother。Ithintedattheexistenceofsomethingsternandunapproachableinherdaughter\'scharacter，whichstruckchilluponher，asthesightofpoverty，ordrunkenness，orthelogicwithwhichMr。Hilberysometimesthoughtgoodtodemolishhercertaintyofanapproachingmillenniumstruckchilluponher。Shewentbacktoherowntable，andputtingonherspectacleswithacuriousexpressionofquiethumility，addressedherselfforthefirsttimethatmorningtothetaskbeforeher。Theshockwithanunsympatheticworldhadasoberingeffectonher。Foronce，herindustrysurpassedherdaughter\'s。KatharinecouldnotreducetheworldtothatparticularperspectiveinwhichHarrietMartineau，forinstance，wasafigureofsolidimportance，andpossessedofagenuinerelationshiptothisfigureortothatdate。Singularlyenough，thesharpcallofthetelephone-bellstillechoedinherear，andherbodyandmindwereinastateoftension，asif，atanymoment，shemighthearanothersummonsofgreaterinteresttoherthanthewholeofthenineteenthcentury。Shedidnotclearlyrealizewhatthiscallwastobe；butwhentheearshavegotintothehabitoflistening，theygoonlisteninginvoluntarily，andthusKatharinespentthegreaterpartofthemorninginlisteningtoavarietyofsoundsinthebackstreetsofChelsea。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，probably，shewishedthatMrs。Hilberywouldnotkeepsocloselytoherwork。AquotationfromShakespearewouldnothavecomeamiss。Nowandagainsheheardasighfromhermother\'stable，butthatwastheonlyproofshegaveofherexistence，andKatharinedidnotthinkofconnectingitwiththesquareaspectofherownpositionatthetable，or，perhaps，shewouldhavethrownherpendownandtoldhermotherthereasonofherrestlessness。Theonlywritingshemanagedtoaccomplishinthecourseofthemorningwasoneletter，addressedtohercousin，CassandraOtway——aramblingletter，long，affectionate，playfulandcommandingallatonce。ShebadeCassandraputhercreaturesinthechargeofagroom，andcometothemforaweekorso。Theywouldgoandhearsomemusictogether。Cassandra\'sdislikeofrationalsociety，shesaid，wasanaffectationfasthardeningintoaprejudice，whichwould，inthelongrun，isolateherfromallinterestingpeopleandpursuits。Shewasfinishingthesheetwhenthesoundshewasanticipatingallthetimeactuallystruckuponherears。Shejumpeduphastily，andslammedthedoorwithasharpnesswhichmadeMrs。Hilberystart。WherewasKatharineoffto？Inherpreoccupiedstateshehadnotheardthebell。

Thealcoveonthestairs，inwhichthetelephonewasplaced，wasscreenedforprivacybyacurtainofpurplevelvet。Itwasapocketforsuperfluouspossessions，suchasexistinmosthouseswhichharborthewreckageofthreegenerations。Printsofgreat-uncles，famedfortheirprowessintheEast，hungaboveChineseteapots，whosesideswererivetedbylittlegoldstitches，andthepreciousteapots，again，stooduponbookcasescontainingthecompleteworksofWilliamCowperandSirWalterScott。Thethreadofsound，issuingfromthetelephone，wasalwayscoloredbythesurroundingswhichreceivedit，soitseemedtoKatharine。Whosevoicewasnowgoingtocombinewiththem，ortostrikeadiscord？

“Whosevoice？“sheaskedherself，hearingamaninquire，withgreatdetermination，forhernumber。TheunfamiliarvoicenowaskedforMissHilbery。Outofallthewelterofvoiceswhichcrowdroundthefarendofthetelephone，outoftheenormousrangeofpossibilities，whosevoice，whatpossibility，wasthis？Apausegavehertimetoaskherselfthisquestion。Itwassolvednextmoment。

“I\'velookedoutthetrain……EarlyonSaturdayafternoonwouldsuitmebest……I\'mRalphDenham……ButI\'llwriteitdown……“

Withmorethantheusualsenseofbeingimpingeduponthepointofabayonet，Katharinereplied:

“IthinkIcouldcome。I\'lllookatmyengagements……Holdon。“

Shedroppedthemachine，andlookedfixedlyattheprintofthegreat-unclewhohadnotceasedtogaze，withanairofamiableauthority，intoaworldwhich，asyet，beheldnosymptomsoftheIndianMutiny。Andyet，gentlyswingingagainstthewall，withintheblacktube，wasavoicewhichreckednothingofUncleJames，ofChinateapots，orofredvelvetcurtains。Shewatchedtheoscillationofthetube，andatthesamemomentbecameconsciousoftheindividualityofthehouseinwhichshestood；sheheardthesoftdomesticsoundsofregularexistenceuponstaircasesandfloorsaboveherhead，andmovementsthroughthewallinthehousenextdoor。ShehadnoveryclearvisionofDenhamhimself，whensheliftedthetelephonetoherlipsandrepliedthatshethoughtSaturdaywouldsuither。Shehopedthathewouldnotsaygood-byeatonce，althoughshefeltnoparticularanxietytoattendtowhathewassaying，andbegan，evenwhilehespoke，tothinkofherownupperroom，withitsbooks，itspaperspressedbetweentheleavesofdictionaries，andthetablethatcouldbeclearedforwork。Shereplacedtheinstrument，thoughtfully；

herrestlessnesswasassuaged；shefinishedherlettertoCassandrawithoutdifficulty，addressedtheenvelope，andfixedthestampwithherusualquickdecision。

AbunchofanemonescaughtMrs。Hilbery\'seyewhentheyhadfinishedluncheon。Theblueandpurpleandwhiteofthebowl，standinginapoolofvariegatedlightonapolishedChippendaletableinthedrawing-roomwindow，madeherstopdeadwithanexclamationofpleasure。

“Whoislyingillinbed，Katharine？“shedemanded。“Whichofourfriendswantscheeringup？Whofeelsthatthey\'vebeenforgottenandpassedover，andthatnobodywantsthem？Whosewaterratesareoverdue，andthecookleavinginatemperwithoutwaitingforherwages？TherewassomebodyIknow——“sheconcluded，butforthemomentthenameofthisdesirableacquaintanceescapedher。Thebestrepresentativeoftheforlorncompanywhosedaywouldbebrightenedbyabunchofanemoneswas，inKatharine\'sopinion，thewidowofagenerallivingintheCromwellRoad。Indefaultoftheactuallydestituteandstarving，whomshewouldmuchhavepreferred，Mrs。

Hilberywasforcedtoacknowledgeherclaims，forthoughincomfortablecircumstances，shewasextremelydull，unattractive，connectedinsomeobliquefashionwithliterature，andhadbeentouchedtothevergeoftears，ononeoccasion，byanafternooncall。

IthappenedthatMrs。Hilberyhadanengagementelsewhere，sothatthetaskoftakingtheflowerstotheCromwellRoadfelluponKatharine。

ShetookherlettertoCassandrawithher，meaningtopostitinthefirstpillar-boxshecameto。When，however，shewasfairlyoutofdoors，andconstantlyinvitedbypillar-boxesandpost-officestoslipherenvelopedowntheirscarletthroats，sheforbore。Shemadeabsurdexcuses，asthatshedidnotwishtocrosstheroad，orthatshewascertaintopassanotherpost-officeinamorecentralpositionalittlefartheron。Thelongersheheldtheletterinherhand，however，themorepersistentlycertainquestionspresseduponher，asiffromacollectionofvoicesintheair。TheseinvisiblepeoplewishedtobeinformedwhethershewasengagedtoWilliamRodney，orwastheengagementbrokenoff？Wasitright，theyasked，toinviteCassandraforavisit，andwasWilliamRodneyinlovewithher，orlikelytofallinlove？Thenthequestionerspausedforamoment，andresumedasifanothersideoftheproblemhadjustcometotheirnotice。WhatdidRalphDenhammeanbywhathesaidtoyoulastnight？

Doyouconsiderthatheisinlovewithyou？Isitrighttoconsenttoasolitarywalkwithhim，andwhatadviceareyougoingtogivehimabouthisfuture？HasWilliamRodneycausetobejealousofyourconduct，andwhatdoyouproposetodoaboutMaryDatchet？Whatareyougoingtodo？Whatdoeshonorrequireyoutodo？theyrepeated。

“GoodHeavens！“Katharineexclaimed，afterlisteningtoalltheseremarks，“IsupposeIoughttomakeupmymind。“

Butthedebatewasaformalskirmishing，apastimetogainbreathing-

space。Likeallpeoplebroughtupinatradition，Katharinewasable，withintenminutesorso，toreduceanymoraldifficultytoitstraditionalshapeandsolveitbythetraditionalanswers。Thebookofwisdomlayopen，ifnotuponhermother\'sknee，uponthekneesofmanyunclesandaunts。Shehadonlytoconsultthem，andtheywouldatonceturntotherightpageandreadoutananswerexactlysuitedtooneinherposition。Theruleswhichshouldgovernthebehaviorofanunmarriedwomanarewritteninredink，graveduponmarble，if，bysomefreakofnature，itshouldfalloutthattheunmarriedwomanhasnotthesamewritingscoreduponherheart。Shewasreadytobelievethatsomepeoplearefortunateenoughtoreject，accept，resign，orlaydowntheirlivesatthebiddingoftraditionalauthority；shecouldenvythem；butinhercasethequestionsbecamephantomsdirectlyshetriedseriouslytofindananswer，whichprovedthatthetraditionalanswerwouldbeofnousetoherindividually。Yetithadservedsomanypeople，shethought，glancingattherowsofhousesoneithersideofher，wherefamilies，whoseincomesmustbebetweenathousandandfifteen-hundredayearlived，andkept，perhaps，threeservants，anddrapedtheirwindowswithcurtainswhichwerealwaysthickandgenerallydirty，andmust，shethought，sinceyoucouldonlyseealooking-glassgleamingaboveasideboardonwhichadishofappleswasset，keeptheroominsideverydark。Butsheturnedherheadaway，observingthatthiswasnotamethodofthinkingthematterout。

Theonlytruthwhichshecoulddiscoverwasthetruthofwhatsheherselffelt——afrailbeamwhencomparedwiththebroadilluminationshedbytheeyesofallthepeoplewhoareinagreementtoseetogether；buthavingrejectedthevisionaryvoices，shehadnochoicebuttomakethisherguidethroughthedarkmasseswhichconfrontedher。Shetriedtofollowherbeam，withanexpressionuponherfacewhichwouldhavemadeanypasser-bythinkherreprehensiblyandalmostridiculouslydetachedfromthesurroundingscene。Onewouldhavefeltalarmedlestthisyoungandstrikingwomanwereabouttodosomethingeccentric。Butherbeautysavedherfromtheworstfatethatcanbefallapedestrian；peoplelookedather，buttheydidnotlaugh。Toseekatruefeelingamongthechaosoftheunfeelingsorhalf-feelingsoflife，torecognizeitwhenfound，andtoaccepttheconsequencesofthediscovery，drawslinesuponthesmoothestbrow，whileitquickensthelightoftheeyes；itisapursuitwhichisalternatelybewildering，debasing，andexalting，and，asKatharinespeedilyfound，herdiscoveriesgaveherequalcauseforsurprise，shame，andintenseanxiety。Muchdepended，asusual，upontheinterpretationofthewordlove；whichwordcameupagainandagain，whethersheconsideredRodney，Denham，MaryDatchet，orherself；andineachcaseitseemedtostandforsomethingdifferent，andyetforsomethingunmistakableandsomethingnottobepassedby。Forthemoreshelookedintotheconfusionofliveswhich，insteadofrunningparallel，hadsuddenlyintersectedeachother，themoredistinctlysheseemedtoconvinceherselfthattherewasnootherlightonthemthanwasshedbythisstrangeillumination，andnootherpathsavetheoneuponwhichitthrewitsbeams。HerblindnessinthecaseofRodney，herattempttomatchhistruefeelingwithherfalsefeeling，wasafailurenevertobesufficientlycondemned；indeed，shecouldonlypayitthetributeofleavingitablackandnakedlandmarkunburiedbyattemptatoblivionorexcuse。

Withthistohumiliatetherewasmuchtoexalt。Shethoughtofthreedifferentscenes；shethoughtofMarysittinguprightandsaying，“I\'minlove——I\'minlove“；shethoughtofRodneylosinghisself-

consciousnessamongthedeadleaves，andspeakingwiththeabandonmentofachild；shethoughtofDenhamleaninguponthestoneparapetandtalkingtothedistantsky，sothatshethoughthimmad。Hermind，passingfromMarytoDenham，fromWilliamtoCassandra，andfromDenhamtoherself——if，assheratherdoubted，Denham\'sstateofmindwasconnectedwithherself——seemedtobetracingoutthelinesofsomesymmetricalpattern，somearrangementoflife，whichinvested，ifnotherself，atleasttheothers，notonlywithinterest，butwithakindoftragicbeauty。Shehadafantasticpictureofthemupholdingsplendidpalacesupontheirbentbacks。Theywerethelantern-bearers，whoselights，scatteredamongthecrowd，woveapattern，dissolving，joining，meetingagainincombination。HalfformingsuchconceptionsastheseinherrapidwalkalongthedrearystreetsofSouthKensington，shedeterminedthat，whateverelsemightbeobscure，shemustfurthertheobjectsofMary，Denham，William，andCassandra。Thewaywasnotapparent。Nocourseofactionseemedtoherindubitablyright。Allsheachievedbyherthinkingwastheconvictionthat，insuchacause，noriskwastoogreat；andthat，farfrommakinganyrulesforherselforothers，shewouldletdifficultiesaccumulateunsolved，situationswidentheirjawsunsatiated，whileshemaintainedapositionofabsoluteandfearlessindependence。Soshecouldbestservethepeoplewholoved。

Readinthelightofthisexaltation，therewasanewmeaninginthewordswhichhermotherhadpencileduponthecardattachedtothebunchofanemones。ThedoorofthehouseintheCromwellRoadopened；

gloomyvistasofpassageandstaircasewererevealed；suchlightastherewasseemedtobeconcentrateduponasilversalverofvisiting-cards，whoseblackborderssuggestedthatthewidow\'sfriendshadallsufferedthesamebereavement。Theparlor-maidcouldhardlybeexpectedtofathomthemeaningofthegravetoneinwhichtheyoungladyprofferedtheflowers，withMrs。Hilbery\'slove；andthedoorshutupontheoffering。

Thesightofaface，theslamofadoor，arebothratherdestructiveofexaltationintheabstract；and，asshewalkedbacktoChelsea，Katharinehadherdoubtswhetheranythingwouldcomeofherresolves。

Ifyoucannotmakesureofpeople，however，youcanholdfairlyfasttofigures，andinsomewayorotherherthoughtaboutsuchproblemsasshewaswonttoconsiderworkedinhappilywithhermoodastoherfriends\'lives。Shereachedhomeratherlatefortea。

OntheancientDutchchestinthehallsheperceivedoneortwohats，coats，andwalking-sticks，andthesoundofvoicesreachedherasshestoodoutsidethedrawing-roomdoor。Hermothergavealittlecryasshecamein；acrywhichconveyedtoKatharinethefactthatshewaslate，thattheteacupsandmilk-jugswereinaconspiracyofdisobedience，andthatshemustimmediatelytakeherplaceattheheadofthetableandpouroutteafortheguests。AugustusPelham，thediarist，likedacalmatmosphereinwhichtotellhisstories；helikedattention；helikedtoelicitlittlefacts，littlestories，aboutthepastandthegreatdead，fromsuchdistinguishedcharactersasMrs。Hilberyforthenourishmentofhisdiary，forwhosesakehefrequentedtea-tablesandateyearlyanenormousquantityofbutteredtoast。He，therefore，welcomedKatharinewithrelief，andshehadmerelytoshakehandswithRodneyandtogreettheAmericanladywhohadcometobeshowntherelics，beforethetalkstartedagainonthebroadlinesofreminiscenceanddiscussionwhichwerefamiliartoher。

Yet，evenwiththisthickveilbetweenthem，shecouldnothelplookingatRodney，asifshecoulddetectwhathadhappenedtohimsincetheymet。Itwasinvain。Hisclothes，eventhewhiteslip，thepearlinhistie，seemedtointerceptherquickglance，andtoproclaimthefutilityofsuchinquiriesofadiscreet，urbanegentleman，whobalancedhiscupofteaandpoisedasliceofbreadandbutterontheedgeofthesaucer。Hewouldnotmeethereye，butthatcouldbeaccountedforbyhisactivityinservingandhelping，andthepolitealacritywithwhichhewasansweringthequestionsoftheAmericanvisitor。

Itwascertainlyasighttodauntanyonecominginwithaheadfulloftheoriesaboutlove。Thevoicesoftheinvisiblequestionerswerereinforcedbythesceneroundthetable，andsoundedwithatremendousself-confidence，asiftheyhadbehindthemthecommonsenseoftwentygenerations，togetherwiththeimmediateapprovalofMr。AugustusPelham，Mrs。VermontBankes，WilliamRodney，and，possibly，Mrs。

Hilberyherself。Katharinesetherteeth，notentirelyinthemetaphoricalsense，forherhand，obeyingtheimpulsetowardsdefiniteaction，laidfirmlyuponthetablebesideheranenvelopewhichshehadbeengraspingallthistimeincompleteforgetfulness。Theaddresswasuppermost，andamomentlatershesawWilliam\'seyerestuponitasherosetofulfilsomedutywithaplate。Hisexpressioninstantlychanged。Hedidwhathewasonthepointofdoing，andthenlookedatKatharinewithalookwhichrevealedenoughofhisconfusiontoshowherthathewasnotentirelyrepresentedbyhisappearance。InaminuteortwoheprovedhimselfatalosswithMrs。VermontBankes，andMrs。Hilbery，awareofthesilencewithherusualquickness，suggestedthat，perhaps，itwasnowtimethatMrs。Bankesshouldbeshown“ourthings。“

Katharineaccordinglyrose，andledthewaytothelittleinnerroomwiththepicturesandthebooks。Mrs。BankesandRodneyfollowedher。

Sheturnedonthelights，andbegandirectlyinherlow，pleasantvoice:“Thistableismygrandfather\'swriting-table。Mostofthelaterpoemswerewrittenatit。Andthisishispen——thelastpenheeverused。“Shetookitinherhandandpausedfortherightnumberofseconds。“Here，“shecontinued，“istheoriginalmanuscriptofthe\'OdetoWinter。\'Theearlymanuscriptsarefarlesscorrectedthanthelaterones，asyouwillseedirectly……Oh，dotakeityourself，“

sheadded，asMrs。Bankesasked，inanawestrucktoneofvoice，forthatprivilege，andbeganapreliminaryunbuttoningofherwhitekidgloves。

“Youarewonderfullylikeyourgrandfather，MissHilbery，“theAmericanladyobserved，gazingfromKatharinetotheportrait，“especiallyabouttheeyes。Come，now，Iexpectshewritespoetryherself，doesn\'tshe？“sheaskedinajoculartone，turningtoWilliam。“Quiteone\'sidealofapoet，isitnot，Mr。Rodney？IcannottellyouwhataprivilegeIfeelittobestandingjustherewiththepoet\'sgranddaughter。YoumustknowwethinkagreatdealofyourgrandfatherinAmerica，MissHilbery。Wehavesocietiesforreadinghimaloud。What！Hisveryownslippers！“Layingasidethemanuscript，shehastilygraspedtheoldshoes，andremainedforamomentdumbincontemplationofthem。

WhileKatharinewentonsteadilywithherdutiesasshow-woman，Rodneyexaminedintentlyarowoflittledrawingswhichheknewbyheartalready。Hisdisorderedstateofmindmadeitnecessaryforhimtotakeadvantageoftheselittlerespites，asifhehadbeenoutinahighwindandmuststraightenhisdressinthefirstshelterhereached。Hiscalmwasonlysuperficial，asheknewtoowell；itdidnotexistmuchbelowthesurfaceoftie，waistcoat，andwhiteslip。

Ongettingoutofbedthatmorninghehadfullymadeuphismindtoignorewhathadbeensaidthenightbefore；hehadbeenconvinced，bythesightofDenham，thathisloveforKatharinewaspassionate，andwhenheaddressedherearlythatmorningonthetelephone，hehadmeanthischeerfulbutauthoritativetonestoconveytoherthefactthat，afteranightofmadness，theywereasindissolublyengagedasever。Butwhenhereachedhisofficehistormentsbegan。HefoundaletterfromCassandrawaitingforhim。Shehadreadhisplay，andhadtakentheveryfirstopportunitytowriteandtellhimwhatshethoughtofit。Sheknew，shewrote，thatherpraisemeantabsolutelynothing；butstill，shehadsatupallnight；shethoughtthis，that，andtheother；shewasfullofenthusiasmmostelaboratelyscratchedoutinplaces，butenoughwaswrittenplaintogratifyWilliam\'svanityexceedingly。Shewasquiteintelligentenoughtosaytherightthings，or，evenmorecharmingly，tohintatthem。Inotherways，too，itwasaverycharmingletter。Shetoldhimabouthermusic，andaboutaSuffragemeetingtowhichHenryhadtakenher，andsheasserted，halfseriously，thatshehadlearnttheGreekalphabet，andfoundit“fascinating。“Thewordwasunderlined。Hadshelaughedwhenshedrewthatline？Wassheeverserious？Didn\'tthelettershowthemostengagingcompoundofenthusiasmandspiritandwhimsicality，alltaperingintoaflameofgirlishfreakishness，whichflitted，fortherestofthemorning，asawill-o\'-the-wisp，acrossRodney\'slandscape。

Hecouldnotresistbeginningananswertoherthereandthen。Hefounditparticularlydelightfultoshapeastylewhichshouldexpressthebowingandcurtsying，advancingandretreating，whicharecharacteristicofoneofthemanymillionpartnershipsofmenandwomen。Katharinenevertrodthatparticularmeasure，hecouldnothelpreflecting；Katharine——Cassandra；Cassandra——Katharine——theyalternatedinhisconsciousnessalldaylong。Itwasallverywelltodressoneselfcarefully，composeone\'sface，andstartoffpunctuallyathalf-pastfourtoatea-partyinCheyneWalk，butHeavenonlyknewwhatwouldcomeofitall，andwhenKatharine，aftersittingsilentwithherusualimmobility，wantonlydrewfromherpocketandslappeddownonthetablebeneathhiseyesaletteraddressedtoCassandraherself，hiscomposuredesertedhim。Whatdidshemeanbyherbehavior？

Helookedupsharplyfromhisrowoflittlepictures。KatharinewasdisposingoftheAmericanladyinfartooarbitraryafashion。Surelythevictimherselfmustseehowfoolishherenthusiasmsappearedintheeyesofthepoet\'sgranddaughter。Katharinenevermadeanyattempttosparepeople\'sfeelings，hereflected；and，beinghimselfverysensitivetoallshadesofcomfortanddiscomfort，hecutshorttheauctioneer\'scatalog，whichKatharinewasreelingoffmoreandmoreabsent-mindedly，andtookMrs。VermontBankes，withaqueersenseoffellowshipinsuffering，underhisownprotection。

ButwithinafewminutestheAmericanladyhadcompletedherinspection，andincliningherheadinalittlenodofreverentialfarewelltothepoetandhisshoes，shewasescorteddownstairsbyRodney。Katharinestayedbyherselfinthelittleroom。Theceremonyofancestor-worshiphadbeenmorethanusuallyoppressivetoher。

Moreover，theroomwasbecomingcrowdedbeyondtheboundsoforder。

Onlythatmorningaheavilyinsuredproof-sheethadreachedthemfromacollectorinAustralia，whichrecordedachangeofthepoet\'smindaboutaveryfamousphrase，and，therefore，hadclaimstothehonorofglazingandframing。Butwasthereroomforit？Mustitbehungonthestaircase，orshouldsomeotherrelicgiveplacetodoithonor？

Feelingunabletodecidethequestion，Katharineglancedattheportraitofhergrandfather，asiftoaskhisopinion。Theartistwhohadpainteditwasnowoutoffashion，andbydintofshowingittovisitors，Katharinehadalmostceasedtoseeanythingbutaglowoffaintlypleasingpinkandbrowntints，enclosedwithinacircularscrollofgiltlaurel-leaves。Theyoungmanwhowashergrandfatherlookedvaguelyoverherhead。Thesensuallipswereslightlyparted，andgavethefaceanexpressionofbeholdingsomethinglovelyormiraculousvanishingorjustrisingupontherimofthedistance。TheexpressionrepeateditselfcuriouslyuponKatharine\'sfaceasshegazedupintohis。Theywerethesameage，orverynearlyso。Shewonderedwhathewaslookingfor；weretherewavesbeatinguponashoreforhim，too，shewondered，andheroesridingthroughtheleaf-hungforests？Forperhapsthefirsttimeinherlifeshethoughtofhimasaman，young，unhappy，tempestuous，fullofdesiresandfaults；forthefirsttimesherealizedhimforherself，andnotfromhermother\'smemory。Hemighthavebeenherbrother，shethought。Itseemedtoherthattheywereakin，withthemysteriouskinshipofbloodwhichmakesitseempossibletointerpretthesightswhichtheeyesofthedeadbeholdsointently，oreventobelievethattheylookwithusuponourpresentjoysandsorrows。Hewouldhaveunderstood，shethought，suddenly；andinsteadoflayingherwitheredflowersuponhisshrine，shebroughthimherownperplexities——perhapsagiftofgreatervalue，shouldthedeadbeconsciousofgifts，thanflowersandincenseandadoration。Doubts，questionings，anddespondenciesshefelt，asshelookedup，wouldbemorewelcometohimthanhomage，andhewouldholdthembutaverysmallburdenifshegavehim，also，someshareinwhatshesufferedandachieved。Thedepthofherownprideandlovewerenotmoreapparenttoherthanthesensethatthedeadaskedneitherflowersnorregrets，butashareinthelifewhichtheyhadgivenher，thelifewhichtheyhadlived。

Rodneyfoundheramomentlatersittingbeneathhergrandfather\'sportrait。Shelaidherhandontheseatnextherinafriendlyway，andsaid:

“Comeandsitdown，William。HowgladIwasyouwerehere！Ifeltmyselfgettingruderandruder。“

“Youarenotgoodathidingyourfeelings，“hereturneddryly。

“Oh，don\'tscoldme——I\'vehadahorridafternoon。“ShetoldhimhowshehadtakentheflowerstoMrs。McCormick，andhowSouthKensingtonimpressedherasthepreserveofofficers\'widows。Shedescribedhowthedoorhadopened，andwhatgloomyavenuesofbustsandpalm-treesandumbrellashadbeenrevealedtoher。Shespokelightly，andsucceededinputtinghimathisease。Indeed，herapidlybecametoomuchathiseasetopersistinaconditionofcheerfulneutrality。Hefelthiscomposureslippingfromhim。Katharinemadeitseemsonaturaltoaskhertohelphim，oradvisehim，tosaystraightoutwhathehadinhismind。TheletterfromCassandrawasheavyinhispocket。TherewasalsothelettertoCassandralyingonthetableinthenextroom。TheatmosphereseemedchargedwithCassandra。But，unlessKatharinebeganthesubjectofherownaccord，hecouldnotevenhint——hemustignorethewholeaffair；itwasthepartofagentlemantopreserveabearingthatwas，asfarashecouldmakeit，thebearingofanundoubtinglover。Atintervalshesigheddeeply。HetalkedrathermorequicklythanusualaboutthepossibilitythatsomeoftheoperasofMozartwouldbeplayedinthesummer。Hehadreceivedanotice，hesaid，andatonceproducedapocket-bookstuffedwithpapers，andbeganshufflingtheminsearch。Heheldathickenvelopebetweenhisfingerandthumb，asifthenoticefromtheoperacompanyhadbecomeinsomewayinseparablyattachedtoit。

“AletterfromCassandra？“saidKatharine，intheeasiestvoiceintheworld，lookingoverhisshoulder。“I\'vejustwrittentoaskhertocomehere，onlyIforgottopostit。“

Hehandedhertheenvelopeinsilence。Shetookit，extractedthesheets，andreadtheletterthrough。

ThereadingseemedtoRodneytotakeanintolerablylongtime。

“Yes，“sheobservedatlength，“averycharmingletter。“

Rodney\'sfacewashalfturnedaway，asifinbashfulness。Herviewofhisprofilealmostmovedhertolaughter。Sheglancedthroughthepagesoncemore。

“Iseenoharm，“Williamblurtedout，“inhelpingher——withGreek，forexample——ifshereallycaresforthatsortofthing。“

“There\'snoreasonwhysheshouldn\'tcare，“saidKatharine，consultingthepagesoncemore。“Infact——ah，hereitis——\'TheGreekalphabetisabsolutelyFASCINATING。\'Obviouslyshedoescare。“

“Well，Greekmayberatheralargeorder。IwasthinkingchieflyofEnglish。Hercriticismsofmyplay，thoughthey\'retoogenerous，evidentlyimmature——shecan\'tbemorethantwenty-two，Isuppose？——

theycertainlyshowthesortofthingonewants:realfeelingforpoetry，understanding，notformed，ofcourse，butit\'sattherootofeverythingafterall。There\'dbenoharminlendingherbooks？“

“No。Certainlynot。“

“Butifit——hum——ledtoacorrespondence？Imean，Katharine，Itakeit，withoutgoingintomatterswhichseemtomealittlemorbid，I

mean，“hefloundered，“you，fromyourpointofview，feelthatthere\'snothingdisagreeabletoyouinthenotion？Ifso，you\'veonlytospeak，andIneverthinkofitagain。“

Shewassurprisedbytheviolenceofherdesirethathenevershouldthinkofitagain。Foraninstantitseemedtoherimpossibletosurrenderanintimacy，whichmightnotbetheintimacyoflove，butwascertainlytheintimacyoftruefriendship，toanywomanintheworld。Cassandrawouldneverunderstandhim——shewasnotgoodenoughforhim。Theletterseemedtoheraletterofflattery——aletteraddressedtohisweakness，whichitmadeherangrytothinkwasknowntoanother。Forhewasnotweak；hehadtherarestrengthofdoingwhathepromised——shehadonlytospeak，andhewouldneverthinkofCassandraagain。

Shepaused。Rodneyguessedthereason。Hewasamazed。

“Shelovesme，“hethought。Thewomanheadmiredmorethananyoneintheworld，lovedhim，ashehadgivenuphopethatshewouldeverlovehim。Andnowthatforthefirsttimehewassureofherlove，heresentedit。Hefeltitasafetter，anencumbrance，somethingwhichmadethemboth，buthiminparticular，ridiculous。Hewasinherpowercompletely，buthiseyeswereopenandhewasnolongerherslaveorherdupe。Hewouldbehermasterinfuture。TheinstantprolongeditselfasKatharinerealizedthestrengthofherdesiretospeakthewordsthatshouldkeepWilliamforever，andthebasenessofthetemptationwhichassailedhertomakethemovement，orspeaktheword，whichhehadoftenbeggedherfor，whichshewasnownearenoughtofeeling。Sheheldtheletterinherhand。Shesatsilent。

Atthismomenttherewasastirintheotherroom；thevoiceofMrs。

Hilberywasheardtalkingofproof-sheetsrescuedbymiraculousprovidencefrombutcher\'sledgersinAustralia；thecurtainseparatingoneroomfromtheotherwasdrawnapart，andMrs。HilberyandAugustusPelhamstoodinthedoorway。Mrs。Hilberystoppedshort。Shelookedatherdaughter，andatthemanherdaughterwastomarry，withherpeculiarsmilethatalwaysseemedtotrembleonthebrinkofsatire。

“Thebestofallmytreasures，Mr。Pelham！“sheexclaimed。“Don\'tmove，Katharine。Sitstill，William。Mr。Pelhamwillcomeanotherday。“

Mr。Pelhamlooked，smiled，bowed，and，ashishostesshadmovedon，followedherwithoutaword。ThecurtainwasdrawnagaineitherbyhimorbyMrs。Hilbery。

Buthermotherhadsettledthequestionsomehow。Katharinedoubtednolonger。

“AsItoldyoulastnight，“shesaid，“Ithinkit\'syourduty，ifthere\'sachancethatyoucareforCassandra，todiscoverwhatyourfeelingisforhernow。It\'syourdutytoher，aswellastome。Butwemusttellmymother。Wecan\'tgoonpretending。“

“Thatisentirelyinyourhands，ofcourse，“saidRodney，withanimmediatereturntothemannerofaformalmanofhonor。

“Verywell，“saidKatharine。

Directlyhelefthershewouldgotohermother，andexplainthattheengagementwasatanend——oritmightbebetterthattheyshouldgotogether？

“But，Katharine，“Rodneybegan，nervouslyattemptingtostuffCassandra\'ssheetsbackintotheirenvelope；“ifCassandra——shouldCassandra——you\'veaskedCassandratostaywithyou。“

“Yes；butI\'venotpostedtheletter。“

Hecrossedhiskneesinadiscomfitedsilence。Byallhiscodesitwasimpossibletoaskawomanwithwhomhehadjustbrokenoffhisengagementtohelphimtobecomeacquaintedwithanotherwomanwithaviewtohisfallinginlovewithher。Ifitwasannouncedthattheirengagementwasover，alongandcompleteseparationwouldinevitablyfollow；inthosecircumstances，lettersandgiftswerereturned；afteryearsofdistancetheseveredcouplemet，perhapsataneveningparty，andtouchedhandsuncomfortablywithanindifferentwordortwo。Hewouldbecastoffcompletely；hewouldhavetotrusttohisownresources。HecouldnevermentionCassandratoKatharineagain；formonths，anddoubtlessyears，hewouldneverseeKatharineagain；

anythingmighthappentoherinhisabsence。

Katharinewasalmostaswellawareofhisperplexitiesashewas。Sheknewinwhatdirectioncompletegenerositypointedtheway；butpride——fortoremainengagedtoRodneyandtocoverhisexperimentshurtwhatwasnoblerinherthanmerevanity——foughtforitslife。

“I\'mtogiveupmyfreedomforanindefinitetime，“shethought，“inorderthatWilliammayseeCassandrahereathisease。He\'snotthecouragetomanageitwithoutmyhelp——he\'stoomuchofacowardtotellmeopenlywhathewants。Hehatesthenotionofapublicbreach。

Hewantstokeepusboth。“

Whenshereachedthispoint，Rodneypocketedtheletterandelaboratelylookedathiswatch。AlthoughtheactionmeantthatheresignedCassandra，forheknewhisownincompetenceanddistrustedhimselfentirely，andlostKatharine，forwhomhisfeelingwasprofoundthoughunsatisfactory，stillitappearedtohimthattherewasnothingelseleftforhimtodo。Hewasforcedtogo，leavingKatharinefree，ashehadsaid，totellhermotherthattheengagementwasatanend。Buttodowhatplaindutyrequiredofanhonorableman，costaneffortwhichonlyadayortwoagowouldhavebeeninconceivabletohim。ThatarelationshipsuchashehadglancedatwithdesirecouldbepossiblebetweenhimandKatharine，hewouldhavebeenthefirst，twodaysago，todenywithindignation。Butnowhislifehadchanged；hisattitudehadchanged；hisfeelingsweredifferent；newaimsandpossibilitieshadbeenshownhim，andtheyhadanalmostirresistiblefascinationandforce。Thetrainingofalifeofthirty-fiveyearshadnotlefthimdefenceless；hewasstillmasterofhisdignity；herose，withamindmadeuptoanirrevocablefarewell。

“Ileaveyou，then，“hesaid，standingupandholdingouthishandwithaneffortthatlefthimpale，butlenthimdignity，“totellyourmotherthatourengagementisendedbyyourdesire。“

Shetookhishandandheldit。

“Youdon\'ttrustme？“shesaid。

“Ido，absolutely，“hereplied。

“No。Youdon\'ttrustmetohelpyou……Icouldhelpyou？“

“I\'mhopelesswithoutyourhelp！“heexclaimedpassionately，butwithdrewhishandandturnedhisback。Whenhefacedher，shethoughtthatshesawhimforthefirsttimewithoutdisguise。

“It\'suselesstopretendthatIdon\'tunderstandwhatyou\'reoffering，Katharine。Iadmitwhatyousay。Speakingtoyouperfectlyfrankly，I

believeatthismomentthatIdoloveyourcousin；thereisachancethat，withyourhelp，Imight——butno，“hebrokeoff，“it\'simpossible，it\'swrong——I\'minfinitelytoblameforhavingallowedthissituationtoarise。“

“Sitbesideme。Let\'sconsidersensibly——“

“Yoursensehasbeenourundoing——“hegroaned。

“Iaccepttheresponsibility。“

“Ah，butcanIallowthat？“heexclaimed。“Itwouldmean——forwemustfaceit，Katharine——thatweletourengagementstandforthetimenominally；infact，ofcourse，yourfreedomwouldbeabsolute。“

“Andyourstoo。“

“Yes，weshouldbothbefree。LetussaythatIsawCassandraonce，twice，perhaps，undertheseconditions；andthenif，asIthinkcertain，thewholethingprovesadream，wetellyourmotherinstantly。Whynottellhernow，indeed，underpledgeofsecrecy？“

“Whynot？ItwouldbeoverLondonintenminutes，besides，shewouldneverevenremotelyunderstand。“

“Yourfather，then？Thissecrecyisdetestable——it\'sdishonorable。“

“Myfatherwouldunderstandevenlessthanmymother。“

“Ah，whocouldbeexpectedtounderstand？“Rodneygroaned；“butit\'sfromyourpointofviewthatwemustlookatit。It\'snotonlyaskingtoomuch，it\'sputtingyouintoaposition——apositioninwhichI

couldnotenduretoseemyownsister。“

“We\'renotbrothersandsisters，“shesaidimpatiently，“andifwecan\'tdecide，whocan？I\'mnottalkingnonsense，“sheproceeded。“I\'vedonemybesttothinkthisoutfromeverypointofview，andI\'vecometotheconclusionthatthereareriskswhichhavetobetaken，——thoughIdon\'tdenythattheyhurthorribly。“

“Katharine，youmind？You\'llmindtoomuch。“

“NoIshan\'t，“shesaidstoutly。“Ishallmindagooddeal，butI\'mpreparedforthat；Ishallgetthroughit，becauseyouwillhelpme。

You\'llbothhelpme。Infact，we\'llhelpeachother。That\'saChristiandoctrine，isn\'tit？“

“ItsoundsmorelikePaganismtome，“Rodneygroaned，ashereviewedthesituationintowhichherChristiandoctrinewasplungingthem。

Andyethecouldnotdenythatadivinereliefpossessedhim，andthatthefuture，insteadofwearingalead-coloredmask，nowblossomedwithathousandvariedgaietiesandexcitements。HewasactuallytoseeCassandrawithinaweekorperhapsless，andhewasmoreanxioustoknowthedateofherarrivalthanhecouldowneventohimself。ItseemedbasetobesoanxioustopluckthisfruitofKatharine\'sunexampledgenerosityandofhisowncontemptiblebaseness。Andyet，thoughheusedthesewordsautomatically，theyhadnownomeaning。Hewasnotdebasedinhisowneyesbywhathehaddone，andasforpraisingKatharine，weretheynotpartners，conspirators，peoplebentuponthesamequesttogether，sothattopraisethepursuitofacommonendasanactofgenerositywasmeaningless。Hetookherhandandpressedit，notinthankssomuchasinanecstasyofcomradeship。

“Wewillhelpeachother，“hesaid，repeatingherwords，seekinghereyesinanenthusiasmoffriendship。

Hereyesweregravebutdarkwithsadnessastheyrestedonhim。“He\'salreadygone，“shethought，“faraway——hethinksofmenomore。“Andthefancycametoherthat，astheysatsidebyside，handinhand，shecouldheartheearthpouringfromabovetomakeabarrierbetweenthem，sothat，astheysat，theywereseparatedsecondbysecondbyanimpenetrablewall。Theprocess，whichaffectedherasthatofbeingsealedawayandforeverfromallcompanionshipwiththepersonshecaredformost，cametoanendatlast，andbycommonconsenttheyunclaspedtheirfingers，Rodneytouchingherswithhislips，asthecurtainparted，andMrs。HilberypeeredthroughtheopeningwithherbenevolentandsarcasticexpressiontoaskwhetherKatharinecouldrememberwasitTuesdayorWednesday，anddidshedineinWestminster？

“DearestWilliam，“shesaid，pausing，asifshecouldnotresistthepleasureofencroachingforaseconduponthiswonderfulworldofloveandconfidenceandromance。“Dearestchildren，“sheadded，disappearingwithanimpulsivegesture，asifsheforcedherselftodrawthecurtainuponascenewhichsherefusedalltemptationtointerrupt。

CHAPTERXXV

Ataquarter-pastthreeintheafternoonofthefollowingSaturdayRalphDenhamsatonthebankofthelakeinKewGardens，dividingthedial-plateofhiswatchintosectionswithhisforefinger。Thejustandinexorablenatureoftimeitselfwasreflectedinhisface。Hemighthavebeencomposingahymntotheunhastingandunrestingmarchofthatdivinity。Heseemedtogreetthelapseofminuteafterminutewithsternacquiescenceintheinevitableorder。Hisexpressionwassosevere，soserene，soimmobile，thatitseemedobviousthatforhimatleasttherewasagrandeurinthedepartinghourwhichnopettyirritationonhispartwastomar，althoughthewastingtimewastedalsohighprivatehopesofhisown。

Hisfacewasnobadindextowhatwentonwithinhim。Hewasinaconditionofmindrathertooexaltedforthetrivialitiesofdailylife。Hecouldnotacceptthefactthataladywasfifteenminuteslateinkeepingherappointmentwithoutseeinginthataccidentthefrustrationofhisentirelife。Lookingathiswatch，heseemedtolookdeepintothespringsofhumanexistence，andbythelightofwhathesawtherealteredhiscoursetowardsthenorthandthemidnight……Yes，one\'svoyagemustbemadeabsolutelywithoutcompanionsthroughiceandblackwater——towardswhatgoal？Herehelaidhisfingeruponthehalf-hour，anddecidedthatwhentheminute-handreachedthatpointhewouldgo，atthesametimeansweringthequestionputbyanotherofthemanyvoicesofconsciousnesswiththereplythattherewasundoubtedlyagoal，butthatitwouldneedthemostrelentlessenergytokeepanywhereinitsdirection。Still，still，onegoeson，thetickingsecondsseemedtoassurehim，withdignity，withopeneyes，withdeterminationnottoacceptthesecond-rate，nottobetemptedbytheunworthy，nottoyield，nottocompromise。Twenty-fiveminutespastthreewerenowmarkeduponthefaceofthewatch。Theworld，heassuredhimself，sinceKatharineHilberywasnowhalfanhourbehindhertime，offersnohappiness，norestfromstruggle，nocertainty。Inaschemeofthingsutterlybadfromthestarttheonlyunpardonablefollyisthatofhope。Raisinghiseyesforamomentfromthefaceofhiswatch，herestedthemupontheoppositebank，reflectivelyandnotwithoutacertainwistfulness，asifthesternnessoftheirgazewerestillcapableofmitigation。

Soonalookofthedeepestsatisfactionfilledthem，though，foramoment，hedidnotmove。Hewatchedaladywhocamerapidly，andyetwithatraceofhesitation，downthebroadgrass-walktowardshim。Shedidnotseehim。Distancelentherfigureanindescribableheight，andromanceseemedtosurroundherfromthefloatingofapurpleveilwhichthelightairfilledandcurvedfromhershoulders。

“Hereshecomes，likeashipinfullsail，“hesaidtohimself，halfrememberingsomelinefromaplayorpoemwheretheheroineboredownthuswithfeathersflyingandairssalutingher。Thegreeneryandthehighpresencesofthetreessurroundedherasiftheystoodforthathercoming。Herose，andshesawhim；herlittleexclamationprovedthatshewasgladtofindhim，andthenthatsheblamedherselfforbeinglate。

“Whydidyounevertellme？Ididn\'tknowtherewasthis，“sheremarked，alludingtothelake，thebroadgreenspace，thevistaoftrees，withtheruffledgoldoftheThamesinthedistanceandtheDucalcastlestandinginitsmeadows。ShepaidtherigidtailoftheDucallionthetributeofincredulouslaughter。

“You\'veneverbeentoKew？“Denhamremarked。

Butitappearedthatshehadcomeonceasasmallchild，whenthegeographyoftheplacewasentirelydifferent，andthefaunaincludedcertainlyflamingoesand，possibly，camels。Theystrolledon，refashioningtheselegendarygardens。Shewas，ashefelt，gladmerelytostrollandloiterandletherfancytouchuponanythinghereyesencountered——abush，apark-keeper，adecoratedgoose——asiftherelaxationsoothedher。Thewarmthoftheafternoon，thefirstofspring，temptedthemtosituponaseatinagladeofbeech-trees，withforestdrivesstrikinggreenpathsthiswayandthataroundthem。

Shesigheddeeply。

“It\'ssopeaceful，“shesaid，asifinexplanationofhersigh。Notasinglepersonwasinsight，andthestirofthewindinthebranches，thatsoundsoseldomheardbyLondoners，seemedtoherasifwaftedfromfathomlessoceansofsweetairinthedistance。

Whileshebreathedandlooked，Denhamwasengagedinuncoveringwiththepointofhisstickagroupofgreenspikeshalfsmotheredbythedeadleaves。Hedidthiswiththepeculiartouchofthebotanist。InnamingthelittlegreenplanttoherheusedtheLatinname，thusdisguisingsomeflowerfamiliareventoChelsea，andmakingherexclaim，halfinamusement，athisknowledge。Herownignorancewasvast，sheconfessed。Whatdidonecallthattreeopposite，forinstance，supposingonecondescendedtocallitbyitsEnglishname？

Beechorelmorsycamore？Itchanced，bythetestimonyofadeadleaf，tobeoak；andalittleattentiontoadiagramwhichDenhamproceededtodrawuponanenvelopesoonputKatharineinpossessionofsomeofthefundamentaldistinctionsbetweenourBritishtrees。Shethenaskedhimtoinformheraboutflowers。Tohertheywerevariouslyshapedandcoloredpetals，poised，atdifferentseasonsoftheyear，uponverysimilargreenstalks；buttohimtheywere，inthefirstinstance，bulbsorseeds，andlater，livingthingsendowedwithsex，andpores，andsusceptibilitieswhichadaptedthemselvesbyallmannerofingeniousdevicestoliveandbegetlife，andcouldbefashionedsquatortapering，flame-coloredorpale，pureorspotted，byprocesseswhichmightrevealthesecretsofhumanexistence。Denhamspokewithincreasingardorofahobbywhichhadlongbeenhisinsecret。NodiscoursecouldhavewornamorewelcomesoundinKatharine\'sears。

Forweeksshehadheardnothingthatmadesuchpleasantmusicinhermind。Itwakenedechoesinallthoseremotefastnessesofherbeingwherelonelinesshadbroodedsolongundisturbed。

Shewishedhewouldgoonforevertalkingofplants，andshowingherhowsciencefeltnotquiteblindlyforthelawthatruledtheirendlessvariations。Alawthatmightbeinscrutablebutwascertainlyomnipotentappealedtoheratthemoment，becauseshecouldfindnothinglikeitinpossessionofhumanlives。Circumstanceshadlongforcedher，astheyforcemostwomenintheflowerofyouth，toconsider，painfullyandminutely，allthatpartoflifewhichisconspicuouslywithoutorder；shehadhadtoconsidermoodsandwishes，degreesoflikingordisliking，andtheireffectuponthedestinyofpeopledeartoher；shehadbeenforcedtodenyherselfanycontemplationofthatotherpartoflifewherethoughtconstructsadestinywhichisindependentofhumanbeings。AsDenhamspoke，shefollowedhiswordsandconsideredtheirbearingwithaneasyvigorwhichspokeofacapacitylonghoardedandunspent。Theverytreesandthegreenmergingintothebluedistancebecamesymbolsofthevastexternalworldwhichreckssolittleofthehappiness，ofthemarriagesordeathsofindividuals。Inordertogiveherexamplesofwhathewassaying，Denhamledtheway，firsttotheRockGarden，andthentotheOrchidHouse。

Forhimtherewassafetyinthedirectionwhichthetalkhadtaken。

Hisemphasismightcomefromfeelingsmorepersonalthanthosesciencerousedinhim，butitwasdisguised，andnaturallyhefounditeasytoexpoundandexplain。Nevertheless，whenhesawKatharineamongtheorchids，herbeautystrangelyemphasizedbythefantasticplants，whichseemedtopeerandgapeatherfromstripedhoodsandfleshythroats，hisardorforbotanywaned，andamorecomplexfeelingreplacedit。Shefellsilent。Theorchidsseemedtosuggestabsorbingreflections。Indefianceoftherulesshestretchedherunglovedhandandtouchedone。Thesightoftherubiesuponherfingeraffectedhimsodisagreeablythathestartedandturnedaway。Butnextmomenthecontrolledhimself；helookedathertakinginonestrangeshapeafteranotherwiththecontemplative，consideringgazeofapersonwhoseesnotexactlywhatisbeforehim，butgropesinregionsthatliebeyondit。Thefar-awaylookentirelylackedself-consciousness。Denhamdoubtedwhethersherememberedhispresence。Hecouldrecallhimself，ofcourse，byawordoramovement——butwhy？Shewashappierthus。Sheneedednothingthathecouldgiveher。Andforhim，too，perhaps，itwasbesttokeepaloof，onlytoknowthatsheexisted，topreservewhathealreadyhad——perfect，remote，andunbroken。Further，herstilllook，standingamongtheorchidsinthathotatmosphere，strangelyillustratedsomescenethathehadimaginedinhisroomathome。Thesight，minglingwithhisrecollection，kepthimsilentwhenthedoorwasshutandtheywerewalkingonagain。

Butthoughshedidnotspeak，Katharinehadanuneasysensethatsilenceonherpartwasselfishness。Itwasselfishofhertocontinue，asshewishedtodo，adiscussionofsubjectsnotremotelyconnectedwithanyhumanbeings。Sherousedherselftoconsidertheirexactpositionupontheturbulentmapoftheemotions。Ohyes——itwasaquestionwhetherRalphDenhamshouldliveinthecountryandwriteabook；itwasgettinglate；theymustwastenomoretime；Cassandraarrivedto-nightfordinner；sheflinchedandrousedherself，anddiscoveredthatsheoughttobeholdingsomethinginherhands。Buttheywereempty。Sheheldthemoutwithanexclamation。

“I\'veleftmybagsomewhere——where？“Thegardenshadnopointsofthecompass，sofarasshewasconcerned。Shehadbeenwalkingforthemostpartongrass——thatwasallsheknew。EventheroadtotheOrchidHousehadnowsplititselfintothree。ButtherewasnobagintheOrchidHouse。Itmust，therefore，havebeenleftupontheseat。Theyretracedtheirstepsinthepreoccupiedmannerofpeoplewhohavetothinkaboutsomethingthatislost。Whatdidthisbaglooklike？Whatdiditcontain？

“Apurse——aticket——someletters，papers，“Katharinecounted，becomingmoreagitatedassherecalledthelist。Denhamwentonquicklyinadvanceofher，andsheheardhimshoutthathehadfounditbeforeshereachedtheseat。Inordertomakesurethatallwassafeshespreadthecontentsonherknee。Itwasaqueercollection，Denhamthought，gazingwiththedeepestinterest。Loosegoldcoinsweretangledinanarrowstripoflace；therewereletterswhichsomehowsuggestedtheextremeofintimacy；thereweretwoorthreekeys，andlistsofcommissionsagainstwhichcrossesweresetatintervals。ButshedidnotseemsatisfieduntilshehadmadesureofacertainpapersofoldedthatDenhamcouldnotjudgewhatitcontained。InherreliefandgratitudeshebeganatoncetosaythatshehadbeenthinkingoverwhatDenhamhadtoldherofhisplans。

Hecuthershort。“Don\'tlet\'sdiscussthatdrearybusiness。“

“ButIthought——“

“It\'sadrearybusiness。Ioughtnevertohavebotheredyou——“

“Haveyoudecided，then？“

Hemadeanimpatientsound。“It\'snotathingthatmatters。“

Shecouldonlysayratherflatly，“Oh！“

“Imeanitmatterstome，butitmatterstonooneelse。Anyhow，“hecontinued，moreamiably，“Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldbebotheredwithotherpeople\'snuisances。“

Shesupposedthatshehadlethimseetooclearlyherwearinessofthissideoflife。

“I\'mafraidI\'vebeenabsent-minded，“shebegan，rememberinghowoftenWilliamhadbroughtthischargeagainsther。

“Youhaveagooddealtomakeyouabsent-minded，“hereplied。

“Yes，“shereplied，flushing。“No，“shecontradictedherself。“Nothingparticular，Imean。ButIwasthinkingaboutplants。Iwasenjoyingmyself。Infact，I\'veseldomenjoyedanafternoonmore。ButIwanttohearwhatyou\'vesettled，ifyoudon\'tmindtellingme。“

“Oh，it\'sallsettled，“hereplied。“I\'mgoingtothisinfernalcottagetowriteaworthlessbook。“

“HowIenvyyou，“shereplied，withtheutmostsincerity。

“Well，cottagesaretobehadforfifteenshillingsaweek。“

“Cottagesaretobehad——yes，“shereplied。“Thequestionis——“Shecheckedherself。“TworoomsareallIshouldwant，“shecontinued，withacurioussigh；“oneforeating，oneforsleeping。Oh，butI

shouldlikeanother，alargeoneatthetop，andalittlegardenwhereonecouldgrowflowers。Apath——so——downtoariver，oruptoawood，andtheseanotveryfaroff，sothatonecouldhearthewavesatnight。Shipsjustvanishingonthehorizon——“Shebrokeoff。“Shallyoubenearthesea？“

“Mynotionofperfecthappiness，“hebegan，notreplyingtoherquestion，“istoliveasyou\'vesaid。“

“Well，nowyoucan。Youwillwork，Isuppose，“shecontinued；“you\'llworkallthemorningandagainafterteaandperhapsatnight。Youwon\'thavepeoplealwayscomingaboutyoutointerrupt。“

“Howfarcanonelivealone？“heasked。“Haveyoutriedever？“

“Onceforthreeweeks，“shereplied。“MyfatherandmotherwereinItaly，andsomethinghappenedsothatIcouldn\'tjointhem。ForthreeweeksIlivedentirelybymyself，andtheonlypersonIspoketowasastrangerinashopwhereIlunched——amanwithabeard。ThenIwentbacktomyroombymyselfand——well，IdidwhatIliked。Itdoesn\'tmakemeoutanamiablecharacter，I\'mafraid，“sheadded，“butIcan\'tendurelivingwithotherpeople。Anoccasionalmanwithabeardisinteresting；he\'sdetached；heletsmegomyway，andweknowweshallnevermeetagain。Therefore，weareperfectlysincere——athingnotpossiblewithone\'sfriends。“

“Nonsense，“Denhamrepliedabruptly。

“Why\'nonsense\'？“sheinquired。

“Becauseyoudon\'tmeanwhatyousay，“heexpostulated。

“You\'reverypositive，“shesaid，laughingandlookingathim。Howarbitrary，hot-tempered，andimperioushewas！HehadaskedhertocometoKewtoadvisehim；hethentoldherthathehadsettledthequestionalready；hethenproceededtofindfaultwithher。HewastheveryoppositeofWilliamRodney，shethought；hewasshabby，hisclotheswerebadlymade，hewasillversedintheamenitiesoflife；

hewastongue-tiedandawkwardtothevergeofobliteratinghisrealcharacter。Hewasawkwardlysilent；hewasawkwardlyemphatic。Andyetshelikedhim。

“Idon\'tmeanwhatIsay，“sherepeatedgood-humoredly。“Well——？“

“Idoubtwhetheryoumakeabsolutesincerityyourstandardinlife，“

heansweredsignificantly。

Sheflushed。Hehadpenetratedatoncetotheweakspot——herengagement，andhadreasonforwhathesaid。Hewasnotaltogetherjustifiednow，atanyrate，shewasgladtoremember；butshecouldnotenlightenhimandmustbearhisinsinuations，thoughfromthelipsofamanwhohadbehavedashehadbehavedtheirforceshouldnothavebeensharp。Nevertheless，whathesaidhaditsforce，shemused；

partlybecauseheseemedunconsciousofhisownlapseinthecaseofMaryDatchet，andthusbaffledherinsight；partlybecausehealwaysspokewithforce，forwhatreasonshedidnotyetfeelcertain。

“Absolutesincerityisratherdifficult，don\'tyouthink？“sheinquired，withatouchofirony。

“Therearepeopleonecreditsevenwiththat，“herepliedalittlevaguely。Hewasashamedofhissavagewishtohurther，andyetitwasnotforthesakeofhurtingher，whowasbeyondhisshafts，butinordertomortifyhisownincrediblyrecklessimpulseofabandonmenttothespiritwhichseemed，atmoments，abouttorushhimtotheuttermostendsoftheearth。Sheaffectedhimbeyondthescopeofhiswildestdreams。Heseemedtoseethatbeneaththequietsurfaceofhermanner，whichwasalmostpatheticallyathandandwithinreachforallthetrivialdemandsofdailylife，therewasaspiritwhichshereservedorrepressedforsomereasoneitheroflonelinessor——coulditbepossible——oflove。WasitgiventoRodneytoseeherunmasked，unrestrained，unconsciousofherduties？acreatureofuncalculatingpassionandinstinctivefreedom？No；herefusedtobelieveit。ItwasinherlonelinessthatKatharinewasunreserved。“IwentbacktomyroombymyselfandIdid——whatIliked。“Shehadsaidthattohim，andinsayingithadgivenhimaglimpseofpossibilities，evenofconfidences，asifhemightbetheonetoshareherloneliness，themerehintofwhichmadehisheartbeatfasterandhisbrainspin。Hecheckedhimselfasbrutallyashecould。Hesawherredden，andintheironyofherreplyheheardherresentment。

Hebeganslippinghissmooth，silverwatchinhispocket，inthehopethatsomehowhemighthelphimselfbacktothatcalmandfatalisticmoodwhichhadbeenhiswhenhelookedatitsfaceuponthebankofthelake，forthatmoodmust，atwhatevercost，bethemoodofhisintercoursewithKatharine。Hehadspokenofgratitudeandacquiescenceintheletterwhichhehadneversent，andnowalltheforceofhischaractermustmakegoodthosevowsinherpresence。

She，thuschallenged，triedmeanwhiletodefineherpoints。ShewishedtomakeDenhamunderstand。

“Don\'tyouseethatifyouhavenorelationswithpeopleit\'seasiertobehonestwiththem？“sheinquired。“ThatiswhatImeant。Oneneedn\'tcajolethem；one\'sundernoobligationtothem。Surelyyoumusthavefoundwithyourownfamilythatit\'simpossibletodiscusswhatmatterstoyoumostbecauseyou\'reallherdedtogether，becauseyou\'reinaconspiracy，becausethepositionisfalse——“Herreasoningsuspendeditselfalittleinconclusively，forthesubjectwascomplex，andshefoundherselfinignorancewhetherDenhamhadafamilyornot。

Denhamwasagreedwithherastothedestructivenessofthefamilysystem，buthedidnotwishtodiscusstheproblematthatmoment。

Heturnedtoaproblemwhichwasofgreaterinteresttohim。

“I\'mconvinced，“hesaid，“thattherearecasesinwhichperfectsincerityispossible——caseswherethere\'snorelationship，thoughthepeoplelivetogether，ifyoulike，whereeachisfree，wherethere\'snoobligationuponeitherside。“

“Foratimeperhaps，“sheagreed，alittledespondently。“Butobligationsalwaysgrowup。Therearefeelingstobeconsidered。

Peoplearen\'tsimple，andthoughtheymaymeantobereasonable，theyend“——intheconditioninwhichshefoundherself，shemeant，butaddedlamely——“inamuddle。“

“Because，“Denhaminstantlyintervened，“theydon\'tmakethemselvesunderstoodatthebeginning。Icouldundertake，atthisinstant，“hecontinued，withareasonableintonationwhichdidmuchcredittohisself-control，“tolaydowntermsforafriendshipwhichshouldbeperfectlysincereandperfectlystraightforward。“

Shewascurioustohearthem，but，besidesfeelingthatthetopicconcealeddangersbetterknowntoherthantohim，shewasremindedbyhistoneofhiscuriousabstractdeclarationupontheEmbankment。

Anythingthathintedatloveforthemomentalarmedher；itwasasmuchaninflictiontoherastherubbingofaskinlesswound。

Buthewenton，withoutwaitingforherinvitation。

“Inthefirstplace，suchafriendshipmustbeunemotional，“helaiditdownemphatically。“Atleast，onbothsidesitmustbeunderstoodthatifeitherchoosestofallinlove，heorshedoessoentirelyathisownrisk。Neitherisunderanyobligationtotheother。Theymustbeatlibertytobreakortoalteratanymoment。Theymustbeabletosaywhatevertheywishtosay。Allthismustbeunderstood。“

“Andtheygainsomethingworthhaving？“sheasked。

“It\'sarisk——ofcourseit\'sarisk，“hereplied。Thewordwasonethatshehadbeenusingfrequentlyinherargumentswithherselfoflate。

“Butit\'stheonlyway——ifyouthinkfriendshipworthhaving，“heconcluded。

“Perhapsunderthoseconditionsitmightbe，“shesaidreflectively。

“Well，“hesaid，“thosearethetermsofthefriendshipIwishtoofferyou。“Shehadknownthatthiswascoming，but，nonetheless，feltalittleshock，halfofpleasure，halfofreluctance，whensheheardtheformalstatement。

“Ishouldlikeit，“shebegan，“but——“

“WouldRodneymind？“

“Ohno，“sherepliedquickly。

“No，no，itisn\'tthat，“shewenton，andagaincametoanend。Shehadbeentouchedbytheunreservedandyetceremoniouswayinwhichhehadmadewhathecalledhisofferofterms，butifhewasgenerousitwasthemorenecessaryforhertobecautious。Theywouldfindthemselvesindifficulties，shespeculated；but，atthispoint，whichwasnotveryfar，afterall，upontheroadofcaution，herforesightdesertedher。Shesoughtforsomedefinitecatastropheintowhichtheymustinevitablyplunge。Butshecouldthinkofnone。Itseemedtoherthatthesecatastropheswerefictitious；lifewentonandon——lifewasdifferentaltogetherfromwhatpeoplesaid。Andnotonlywassheatanendofherstockofcaution，butitseemedsuddenlyaltogethersuperfluous。Surelyifanyonecouldtakecareofhimself，RalphDenhamcould；hehadtoldherthathedidnotloveher。And，further，shemeditated，walkingonbeneaththebeech-treesandswingingherumbrella，asinherthoughtshewasaccustomedtocompletefreedom，whyshouldsheperpetuallyapplysodifferentastandardtoherbehaviorinpractice？Why，shereflected，shouldtherebethisperpetualdisparitybetweenthethoughtandtheaction，betweenthelifeofsolitudeandthelifeofsociety，thisastonishingprecipiceononesideofwhichthesoulwasactiveandinbroaddaylight，ontheothersideofwhichitwascontemplativeanddarkasnight？Wasitnotpossibletostepfromonetotheother，erect，andwithoutessentialchange？Wasthisnotthechanceheofferedher——therareandwonderfulchanceoffriendship？Atanyrate，shetoldDenham，withasighinwhichheheardbothimpatienceandrelief，thatsheagreed；shethoughthimright；shewouldaccepthistermsoffriendship。

“Now，“shesaid，“let\'sgoandhavetea。“

Infact，theseprincipleshavingbeenlaiddown，agreatlightnessofspiritshoweditselfinbothofthem。Theywerebothconvincedthatsomethingofprofoundimportancehadbeensettled，andcouldnowgivetheirattentiontotheirteaandtheGardens。Theywanderedinandoutofglass-houses，sawliliesswimmingintanks，breathedinthescentofthousandsofcarnations，andcomparedtheirrespectivetastesinthematteroftreesandlakes。Whiletalkingexclusivelyofwhattheysaw，sothatanyonemighthaveoverheardthem，theyfeltthatthecompactbetweenthemwasmadefirmeranddeeperbythenumberofpeoplewhopassedthemandsuspectednothingofthekind。ThequestionofRalph\'scottageandfuturewasnotmentionedagain。

CHAPTERXXVI

Althoughtheoldcoaches，withtheirgaypanelsandtheguard\'shorn，andthehumorsoftheboxandthevicissitudesoftheroad，havelongmolderedintodustsofarastheywerematter，andarepreservedintheprintedpagesofournovelistssofarastheypartookofthespirit，ajourneytoLondonbyexpresstraincanstillbeaverypleasantandromanticadventure。CassandraOtway，attheageoftwenty-two，couldimaginefewthingsmorepleasant。Satiatedwithmonthsofgreenfieldsasshewas，thefirstrowofartisans\'villasontheoutskirtsofLondonseemedtohavesomethingseriousaboutit，whichpositivelyincreasedtheimportanceofeverypersonintherailwaycarriage，andeven，toherimpressionablemind，quickenedthespeedofthetrainandgaveanoteofsternauthoritytotheshriekoftheengine-whistle。TheywereboundforLondon；theymusthaveprecedenceofalltrafficnotsimilarlydestined。AdifferentdemeanorwasnecessarydirectlyonesteppedoutuponLiverpoolStreetplatform，andbecameoneofthosepreoccupiedandhastycitizensforwhoseneedsinnumerabletaxi-cabs，motor-omnibuses，andundergroundrailwayswereinwaiting。Shedidherbesttolookdignifiedandpreoccupiedtoo，butasthecabcarriedheraway，withadeterminationwhichalarmedheralittle，shebecamemoreandmoreforgetfulofherstationasacitizenofLondon，andturnedherheadfromonewindowtoanother，pickingupeagerlyabuildingonthissideorastreetsceneonthattofeedherintensecuriosity。Andyet，whilethedrivelastednoonewasreal，nothingwasordinary；thecrowds，theGovernmentbuildings，thetideofmenandwomenwashingthebaseofthegreatglasswindows，wereallgeneralized，andaffectedherasifshesawthemonthestage。

Allthesefeelingsweresustainedandpartlyinspiredbythefactthatherjourneytookherstraighttothecenterofhermostromanticworld。Athousandtimesinthemidstofherpastorallandscapeherthoughtstookthispreciseroad，wereadmittedtothehouseinChelsea，andwentdirectlyupstairstoKatharine\'sroom，where，invisiblethemselves，theyhadthebetterchanceoffeastingupontheprivacyoftheroom\'sadorableandmysteriousmistress。Cassandraadoredhercousin；theadorationmighthavebeenfoolish，butwassavedfromthatexcessandlentanengagingcharmbythevolatilenatureofCassandra\'stemperament。Shehadadoredagreatmanythingsandpeopleinthecourseoftwenty-twoyears；shehadbeenalternatelytheprideandthedesperationofherteachers。Shehadworshippedarchitectureandmusic，naturalhistoryandhumanity，literatureandart，butalwaysattheheightofherenthusiasm，whichwasaccompaniedbyabrilliantdegreeofaccomplishment，shechangedhermindandbought，surreptitiously，anothergrammar。TheterribleresultswhichgovernesseshadpredictedfromsuchmentaldissipationwerecertainlyapparentnowthatCassandrawastwenty-two，andhadneverpassedanexamination，anddailyshowedherselflessandlesscapableofpassingone。Themoreseriouspredictionthatshecouldneverpossiblyearnherlivingwasalsoverified。ButfromalltheseshortstrandsofdifferentaccomplishmentsCassandrawoveforherselfanattitude，acastofmind，which，ifuseless，wasfoundbysomepeopletohavethenotdespicablevirtuesofvivacityandfreshness。Katharine，forexample，thoughtheramostcharmingcompanion。Thecousinsseemedtoassemblebetweenthemagreatrangeofqualitieswhichareneverfoundunitedinonepersonandseldominhalfadozenpeople。WhereKatharinewassimple，Cassandrawascomplex；whereKatharinewassolidanddirect，Cassandrawasvagueandevasive。Inshort，theyrepresentedverywellthemanlyandthewomanlysidesofthefemininenature，and，forfoundation，therewastheprofoundunityofcommonbloodbetweenthem。IfCassandraadoredKatharineshewasincapableofadoringanyonewithoutrefreshingherspiritwithfrequentdraughtsofrailleryandcriticism，andKatharineenjoyedherlaughteratleastasmuchasherrespect。

RespectwascertainlyuppermostinCassandra\'smindatthepresentmoment。Katharine\'sengagementhadappealedtoherimaginationasthefirstengagementinacircleofcontemporariesisapttoappealtotheimaginationsoftheothers；itwassolemn，beautiful，andmysterious；

itgavebothpartiestheimportantairofthosewhohavebeeninitiatedintosomeritewhichisstillconcealedfromtherestofthegroup。ForKatharine\'ssakeCassandrathoughtWilliamamostdistinguishedandinterestingcharacter，andwelcomedfirsthisconversationandthenhismanuscriptasthemarksofafriendshipwhichitflatteredanddelightedhertoinspire。

KatharinewasstilloutwhenshearrivedatCheyneWalk。Aftergreetingheruncleandauntandreceiving，asusual，apresentoftwosovereignsfor“cabfaresanddissipation“fromUncleTrevor，whosefavoritenieceshewas，shechangedherdressandwanderedintoKatharine\'sroomtoawaither。Whatagreatlooking-glassKatharinehad，shethought，andhowmatureallthearrangementsuponthedressing-tablewerecomparedtowhatshewasusedtoathome。Glancinground，shethoughtthatthebillsstuckuponaskewerandstoodforornamentuponthemantelpiecewereastonishinglylikeKatharine，Therewasn\'taphotographofWilliamanywheretobeseen。Theroom，withitscombinationofluxuryandbareness，itssilkdressing-gownsandcrimsonslippers，itsshabbycarpetandbarewalls，hadapowerfulairofKatharineherself；shestoodinthemiddleoftheroomandenjoyedthesensation；andthen，withadesiretofingerwhathercousinwasinthehabitoffingering，Cassandrabegantotakedownthebookswhichstoodinarowupontheshelfabovethebed。Inmosthousesthisshelfistheledgeuponwhichthelastrelicsofreligiousbelieflodgethemselvesasif，lateatnight，intheheartofprivacy，people，skepticalbyday，findsolaceinsippingonedraughtoftheoldcharmforsuchsorrowsorperplexitiesasmaystealfromtheirhiding-placesinthedark。Buttherewasnohymn-bookhere。Bytheirbatteredcoversandenigmaticalcontents，Cassandrajudgedthemtobeoldschool-booksbelongingtoUncleTrevor，andpiously，thougheccentrically，preservedbyhisdaughter。Therewasnoend，shethought，totheunexpectednessofKatharine。Shehadoncehadapassionforgeometryherself，and，curleduponKatharine\'squilt，shebecameabsorbedintryingtorememberhowfarshehadforgottenwhatsheonceknew。Katharine，cominginalittlelater，foundherdeepinthischaracteristicpursuit。

“Mydear，“Cassandraexclaimed，shakingthebookathercousin，“mywholelife\'schangedfromthismoment！Imustwritetheman\'snamedownatonce，orIshallforget——“

Whosename，whatbook，whichlifewaschangedKatharineproceededtoascertain。Shebegantolayasideherclotheshurriedly，forshewasverylate。

“MayIsitandwatchyou？“Cassandraasked，shuttingupherbook。“I

gotreadyonpurpose。“

“Oh，you\'reready，areyou？“saidKatharine，halfturninginthemidstofheroperations，andlookingatCassandra，whosat，claspingherknees，ontheedgeofthebed。

“Therearepeopledininghere，“shesaid，takingintheeffectofCassandrafromanewpointofview。Afteraninterval，thedistinction，theirregularcharm，ofthesmallfacewithitslongtaperingnoseanditsbrightovaleyeswereverynotable。Thehairroseupofftheforeheadratherstiffly，and，givenamorecarefultreatmentbyhairdressersanddressmakers，thelightangularfiguremightpossessalikenesstoaFrenchladyofdistinctionintheeighteenthcentury。

“Who\'scomingtodinner？“Cassandraasked，anticipatingfurtherpossibilitiesofrapture。

“There\'sWilliam，and，Ibelieve，AuntEleanorandUncleAubrey。“

“I\'msogladWilliamiscoming。Didhetellyouthathesentmehismanuscript？Ithinkit\'swonderful——Ithinkhe\'salmostgoodenoughforyou，Katharine。“

“Youshallsitnexttohimandtellhimwhatyouthinkofhim。“

“Ishan\'tdaredothat，“Cassandraasserted。

“Why？You\'renotafraidofhim，areyou？“

“Alittle——becausehe\'sconnectedwithyou。“

Katharinesmiled。