第12章

“Now，“shesaidsuddenly，withasortofdesperation，risingfromherchairandseemingtocommandRodneytofulfilhispart。Hedrewthecurtaininstantly，andshemadenoattempttostophim。Theireyesatoncesoughtthesamespotbeneaththelamp-post。

“He\'snotthere！“sheexclaimed。

Noonewasthere。Williamthrewthewindowupandlookedout。Thewindrushedintotheroom，togetherwiththesoundofdistantwheels，footstepshurryingalongthepavement，andthecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver。

“Denham！“Williamcried。

“Ralph！“saidKatharine，butshespokescarcelylouderthanshemighthavespokentosomeoneinthesameroom。Withtheireyesfixedupontheoppositesideoftheroad，theydidnotnoticeafigureclosetotherailingwhichdividedthegardenfromthestreet。ButDenhamhadcrossedtheroadandwasstandingthere。Theywerestartledbyhisvoicecloseathand。

“Rodney！“

“Thereyouare！Comein，Denham。“Rodneywenttothefrontdoorandopenedit。“Hereheis，“hesaid，bringingRalphwithhimintothedining-roomwhereKatharinestood，withherbacktotheopenwindow。

Theireyesmetforasecond。Denhamlookedhalfdazedbythestronglight，and，buttonedinhisovercoat，withhishairruffledacrosshisforeheadbythewind，heseemedlikesomebodyrescuedfromanopenboatoutatsea。Williampromptlyshutthewindowanddrewthecurtains。Heactedwithacheerfuldecisionasifheweremasterofthesituation，andknewexactlywhathemeanttodo。

“You\'rethefirsttohearthenews，Denham，“hesaid。“Katharineisn\'tgoingtomarryme，afterall。“

“WhereshallIput——“Ralphbeganvaguely，holdingouthishatandglancingabouthim；hebalanceditcarefullyagainstasilverbowlthatstooduponthesideboard。Hethensathimselfdownratherheavilyattheheadoftheovaldinner-table。RodneystoodononesideofhimandKatharineontheother。Heappearedtobepresidingoversomemeetingfromwhichmostofthememberswereabsent。Meanwhile，hewaited，andhiseyesrestedupontheglowofthebeautifullypolishedmahoganytable。

“WilliamisengagedtoCassandra，“saidKatharinebriefly。

AtthatDenhamlookedupquicklyatRodney。Rodney\'sexpressionchanged。Helosthisself-possession。Hesmiledalittlenervously，andthenhisattentionseemedtobecaughtbyafragmentofmelodyfromthefloorabove。Heseemedforamomenttoforgetthepresenceoftheothers。Heglancedtowardsthedoor。

“Icongratulateyou，“saidDenham。

“Yes，yes。We\'reallmad——quiteoutofourminds，Denham，“hesaid。

“It\'spartlyKatharine\'sdoing——partlymine。“Helookedoddlyroundtheroomasifhewishedtomakesurethatthesceneinwhichheplayedaparthadsomerealexistence。“Quitemad，“herepeated。“EvenKatharine——“Hisgazeresteduponherfinally，asifshe，too，hadchangedfromhisoldviewofher。Hesmiledatherasiftoencourageher。“Katharineshallexplain，“hesaid，andgivingalittlenodtoDenham，helefttheroom。

Katharinesatdownatonce，andleantherchinuponherhands。SolongasRodneywasintheroomtheproceedingsoftheeveninghadseemedtobeinhischarge，andhadbeenmarkedbyacertainunreality。NowthatshewasalonewithRalphshefeltatoncethataconstrainthadbeentakenfromthemboth。Shefeltthattheywerealoneatthebottomofthehouse，whichrose，storyuponstory，uponthetopofthem。

“Whywereyouwaitingoutthere？“sheasked。

“Forthechanceofseeingyou，“hereplied。

“Youwouldhavewaitedallnightifithadn\'tbeenforWilliam。It\'swindytoo。Youmusthavebeencold。Whatcouldyousee？Nothingbutourwindows。“

“Itwasworthit。Iheardyoucallme。“

“Icalledyou？“Shehadcalledunconsciously。

“Theywereengagedthismorning，“shetoldhim，afterapause。

“You\'reglad？“heasked。

Shebentherhead。“Yes，yes，“shesighed。“Butyoudon\'tknowhowgoodheis——whathe\'sdoneforme——“Ralphmadeasoundofunderstanding。“Youwaitedtherelastnighttoo？“sheasked。

“Yes。Icanwait，“Denhamreplied。

ThewordsseemedtofilltheroomwithanemotionwhichKatharineconnectedwiththesoundofdistantwheels，thefootstepshurryingalongthepavement，thecriesofsirenshootingdowntheriver，thedarknessandthewind。Shesawtheuprightfigurestandingbeneaththelamp-post。

“Waitinginthedark，“shesaid，glancingatthewindow，asifhesawwhatshewasseeing。“Ah，butit\'sdifferent——“Shebrokeoff。“I\'mnotthepersonyouthinkme。Untilyourealizethatit\'simpossible——“

Placingherelbowsonthetable，sheslidherrubyringupanddownherfingerabstractedly。Shefrownedattherowsofleather-boundbooksoppositeher。Ralphlookedkeenlyather。Verypale，butsternlyconcentrateduponhermeaning，beautifulbutsolittleawareofherselfastoseemremotefromhimalso，therewassomethingdistantandabstractaboutherwhichexaltedhimandchilledhimatthesametime。

“No，you\'reright，“hesaid。“Idon\'tknowyou。I\'veneverknownyou。“

“Yetperhapsyouknowmebetterthananyoneelse，“shemused。

Somedetachedinstinctmadeherawarethatshewasgazingatabookwhichbelongedbyrightstosomeotherpartofthehouse。Shewalkedovertotheshelf，tookitdown，andreturnedtoherseat，placingthebookonthetablebetweenthem。Ralphopeneditandlookedattheportraitofamanwithavoluminouswhiteshirt-collar，whichformedthefrontispiece。

“IsayIdoknowyou，Katharine，“heaffirmed，shuttingthebook。

“It\'sonlyformomentsthatIgomad。“

“Doyoucalltwowholenightsamoment？“

“Isweartoyouthatnow，atthisinstant，Iseeyoupreciselyasyouare。NoonehaseverknownyouasIknowyou……CouldyouhavetakendownthatbookjustnowifIhadn\'tknownyou？“

“That\'strue，“shereplied，“butyoucan\'tthinkhowI\'mdivided——howI\'matmyeasewithyou，andhowI\'mbewildered。Theunreality——thedark——thewaitingoutsideinthewind——yes，whenyoulookatme，notseeingme，andIdon\'tseeyoueither……ButIdosee，“shewentonquickly，changingherpositionandfrowningagain，“heapsofthings，onlynotyou。“

“Tellmewhatyousee，“heurged。

Butshecouldnotreducehervisiontowords，sinceitwasnosingleshapecoloreduponthedark，butratherageneralexcitement，anatmosphere，which，whenshetriedtovisualizeit，tookformasawindscouringtheflanksofnorthernhillsandflashinglightuponcornfieldsandpools。

“Impossible，“shesighed，laughingattheridiculousnotionofputtinganypartofthisintowords。

“Try，Katharine，“Ralphurgedher。

“ButIcan\'t——I\'mtalkingasortofnonsense——thesortofnonsenseonetalkstooneself。“Shewasdismayedbytheexpressionoflonginganddespairuponhisface。“IwasthinkingaboutamountainintheNorthofEngland，“sheattempted。“It\'stoosilly——Iwon\'tgoon。“

“Weweretheretogether？“hepressedher。

“No。Iwasalone。“Sheseemedtobedisappointingthedesireofachild。Hisfacefell。

“You\'realwaysalonethere？“

“Ican\'texplain。“Shecouldnotexplainthatshewasessentiallyalonethere。“It\'snotamountainintheNorthofEngland。It\'sanimagination——astoryonetellsoneself。Youhaveyourstoo？“

“You\'rewithmeinmine。You\'rethethingImakeup，yousee。“

“Oh，Isee，“shesighed。“That\'swhyit\'ssoimpossible。“Sheturneduponhimalmostfiercely。“Youmusttrytostopit，“shesaid。

“Iwon\'t，“herepliedroughly，“becauseI——“Hestopped。HerealizedthatthemomenthadcometoimpartthatnewsoftheutmostimportancewhichhehadtriedtoimparttoMaryDatchet，toRodneyupontheEmbankment，tothedrunkentrampupontheseat。HowshouldheofferittoKatharine？Helookedquicklyather。Hesawthatshewasonlyhalfattentivetohim；onlyasectionofherwasexposedtohim。Thesightrousedinhimsuchdesperationthathehadmuchadotocontrolhisimpulsetoriseandleavethehouse。Herhandlaylooselycurleduponthetable。Heseizeditandgraspeditfirmlyasiftomakesureofherexistenceandofhisown。“BecauseIloveyou，Katharine，“hesaid。

Someroundnessorwarmthessentialtothatstatementwasabsentfromhisvoice，andshehadmerelytoshakeherheadveryslightlyforhimtodropherhandandturnawayinshameathisownimpotence。Hethoughtthatshehaddetectedhiswishtoleaveher。Shehaddiscernedthebreakinhisresolution，theblanknessintheheartofhisvision。

Itwastruethathehadbeenhappieroutinthestreet，thinkingofher，thannowthathewasinthesameroomwithher。Helookedatherwithaguiltyexpressiononhisface。Butherlookexpressedneitherdisappointmentnorreproach。Herposewaseasy，andsheseemedtogiveeffecttoamoodofquietspeculationbythespinningofherrubyringuponthepolishedtable。Denhamforgothisdespairinwonderingwhatthoughtsnowoccupiedher。

“Youdon\'tbelieveme？“hesaid。Histonewashumble，andmadehersmileathim。

“AsfarasIunderstandyou——butwhatshouldyouadvisemetodowiththisring？“sheasked，holdingitout。

“Ishouldadviseyoutoletmekeepitforyou，“hereplied，inthesametoneofhalf-humorousgravity。

“Afterwhatyou\'vesaid，Icanhardlytrustyou——unlessyou\'llunsaywhatyou\'vesaid？“

“Verywell。I\'mnotinlovewithyou。“

“ButIthinkyouAREinlovewithme……AsIamwithyou，“sheaddedcasuallyenough。“Atleast，“shesaidslippingherringbacktoitsoldposition，“whatotherworddescribesthestatewe\'rein？“

Shelookedathimgravelyandinquiringly，asifinsearchofhelp。

“It\'swhenI\'mwithyouthatIdoubtit，notwhenI\'malone，“hestated。

“SoIthought，“shereplied。

Inordertoexplaintoherhisstateofmind，Ralphrecountedhisexperiencewiththephotograph，theletter，andtheflowerpickedatKew。Shelistenedveryseriously。

“Andthenyouwentravingaboutthestreets，“shemused。“Well，it\'sbadenough。Butmystateisworsethanyours，becauseithasn\'tanythingtodowithfacts。It\'sanhallucination，pureandsimple——anintoxication……Onecanbeinlovewithpurereason？“shehazarded。“Becauseifyou\'reinlovewithavision，Ibelievethatthat\'swhatI\'minlovewith。“

ThisconclusionseemedfantasticandprofoundlyunsatisfactorytoRalph，butaftertheastonishingvariationsofhisownsentimentsduringthepasthalf-hourhecouldnotaccuseheroffancifulexaggeration。

“Rodneyseemstoknowhisownmindwellenough，“hesaidalmostbitterly。Themusic，whichhadceased，hadnowbegunagain，andthemelodyofMozartseemedtoexpresstheeasyandexquisiteloveofthetwoupstairs。

“Cassandraneverdoubtedforamoment。Butwe——“sheglancedathimasiftoascertainhisposition，“weseeeachotheronlynowandthen——“

“Likelightsinastorm——“

“Inthemidstofahurricane，“sheconcluded，asthewindowshookbeneaththepressureofthewind。Theylistenedtothesoundinsilence。

Herethedooropenedwithconsiderablehesitation，andMrs。Hilbery\'sheadappeared，atfirstwithanairofcaution，buthavingmadesurethatshehadadmittedherselftothedining-roomandnottosomemoreunusualregion，shecamecompletelyinsideandseemedinnowaytakenabackbythesightshesaw。Sheseemed，asusual，boundonsomequestofherownwhichwasinterruptedpleasantlybutstrangelybyrunningintooneofthosequeer，unnecessaryceremoniesthatotherpeoplethoughtfittoindulgein。

“Pleasedon\'tletmeinterruptyou，Mr——“shewasataloss，asusual，forthename，andKatharinethoughtthatshedidnotrecognizehim。“Ihopeyou\'vefoundsomethingnicetoread，“sheadded，pointingtothebookuponthetable。“Byron——ah，Byron。I\'veknownpeoplewhoknewLordByron，“shesaid。

Katharine，whohadriseninsomeconfusion，couldnothelpsmilingatthethoughtthathermotherfounditperfectlynaturalanddesirablethatherdaughtershouldbereadingByroninthedining-roomlateatnightalonewithastrangeyoungman。Sheblessedadispositionthatwassoconvenient，andfelttenderlytowardshermotherandhermother\'seccentricities。ButRalphobservedthatalthoughMrs。Hilberyheldthebooksoclosetohereyesshewasnotreadingaword。

“Mydearmother，whyaren\'tyouinbed？“Katharineexclaimed，changingastonishinglyinthespaceofaminutetoherusualconditionofauthoritativegoodsense。“Whyareyouwanderingabout？“

“I\'msureIshouldlikeyourpoetrybetterthanIlikeLordByron\'s，“

saidMrs。Hilbery，addressingRalphDenham。

“Mr。Denhamdoesn\'twritepoetry；hehaswrittenarticlesforfather，fortheReview，“Katharinesaid，asifpromptinghermemory。

“Ohdear！Howdull！“Mrs。Hilberyexclaimed，withasuddenlaughthatratherpuzzledherdaughter。

Ralphfoundthatshehadturneduponhimagazethatwasatonceveryvagueandverypenetrating。

“ButI\'msureyoureadpoetryatnight。Ialwaysjudgebytheexpressionoftheeyes，“Mrs。Hilberycontinued。(“Thewindowsofthesoul，“sheaddedparenthetically。)“Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthelaw，“

shewenton，“thoughmanyofmyrelationswerelawyers。Someofthemlookedveryhandsome，too，intheirwigs。ButIthinkIdoknowalittleaboutpoetry，“sheadded。“Andallthethingsthataren\'twrittendown，but——but——“Shewavedherhand，asiftoindicatethewealthofunwrittenpoetryallaboutthem。“Thenightandthestars，thedawncomingup，thebargesswimmingpast，thesunsetting……

Ahdear，“shesighed，“well，thesunsetisverylovelytoo。I

sometimesthinkthatpoetryisn\'tsomuchwhatwewriteaswhatwefeel，Mr。Denham。“

Duringthisspeechofhermother\'sKatharinehadturnedaway，andRalphfeltthatMrs。Hilberywastalkingtohimapart，withadesiretoascertainsomethingabouthimwhichsheveiledpurposelybythevaguenessofherwords。Hefeltcuriouslyencouragedandheartenedbythebeaminhereyeratherthanbyheractualwords。Fromthedistanceofherageandsexsheseemedtobewavingtohim，hailinghimasashipsinkingbeneaththehorizonmightwaveitsflagofgreetingtoanothersettingoutuponthesamevoyage。Hebenthishead，sayingnothing，butwithacuriouscertaintythatshehadreadananswertoherinquirythatsatisfiedher。Atanyrate，sherambledoffintoadescriptionoftheLawCourtswhichturnedtoadenunciationofEnglishjustice，which，accordingtoher，imprisonedpoormenwhocouldn\'tpaytheirdebts。“Tellme，shallweeverdowithoutitall？“

sheasked，butatthispointKatharinegentlyinsistedthathermothershouldgotobed。Lookingbackfromhalf-wayupthestaircase，KatharineseemedtoseeDenham\'seyeswatchinghersteadilyandintentlywithanexpressionthatshehadguessedinthemwhenhestoodlookingatthewindowsacrosstheroad。

CHAPTERXXXI

ThetraywhichbroughtKatharine\'scupofteathenextmorningbrought，also，anotefromhermother，announcingthatitwasherintentiontocatchanearlytraintoStratford-on-Avonthatveryday。

“Pleasefindoutthebestwayofgettingthere，“thenoteran，“andwiretodearSirJohnBurdetttoexpectme，withmylove。I\'vebeendreamingallnightofyouandShakespeare，dearestKatharine。“

Thiswasnomomentaryimpulse。Mrs。HilberyhadbeendreamingofShakespeareanytimethesesixmonths，toyingwiththeideaofanexcursiontowhatsheconsideredtheheartofthecivilizedworld。TostandsixfeetaboveShakespeare\'sbones，toseetheverystoneswornbyhisfeet，toreflectthattheoldestman\'soldestmotherhadverylikelyseenShakespeare\'sdaughter——suchthoughtsrousedanemotioninher，whichsheexpressedatunsuitablemoments，andwithapassionthatwouldnothavebeenunseemlyinapilgrimtoasacredshrine。Theonlystrangethingwasthatshewishedtogobyherself。But，naturallyenough，shewaswellprovidedwithfriendswholivedintheneighborhoodofShakespeare\'stomb，andweredelightedtowelcomeher；

andsheleftlatertocatchhertraininthebestofspirits。Therewasamansellingvioletsinthestreet。Itwasafineday。ShewouldremembertosendMr。Hilberythefirstdaffodilshesaw。And，assheranbackintothehalltotellKatharine，shefelt，shehadalwaysfelt，thatShakespeare\'scommandtoleavehisbonesundisturbedappliedonlytoodiouscuriosity-mongers——nottodearSirJohnandherself。LeavingherdaughtertocogitatethetheoryofAnneHathaway\'ssonnets，andtheburiedmanuscriptsherereferredto，withtheimpliedmenacetothesafetyoftheheartofcivilizationitself，shebrisklyshutthedoorofhertaxi-cab，andwaswhirledoffuponthefirststageofherpilgrimage。

Thehousewasoddlydifferentwithouther。Katharinefoundthemaidsalreadyinpossessionofherroom，whichtheymeanttocleanthoroughlyduringherabsence。ToKatharineitseemedasiftheyhadbrushedawaysixtyyearsorsowiththefirstflickoftheirdampdusters。Itseemedtoherthattheworkshehadtriedtodointhatroomwasbeingsweptintoaveryinsignificantheapofdust。Thechinashepherdesseswerealreadyshiningfromabathofhotwater。Thewriting-tablemighthavebelongedtoaprofessionalmanofmethodicalhabits。

Gatheringtogetherafewpapersuponwhichshewasatwork，Katharineproceededtoherownroomwiththeintentionoflookingthroughthem，perhaps，inthecourseofthemorning。ButshewasmetonthestairsbyCassandra，whofollowedherup，butwithsuchintervalsbetweeneachstepthatKatharinebegantofeelherpurposedwindlingbeforetheyhadreachedthedoor。Cassandraleantoverthebanisters，andlookeddownuponthePersianrugthatlayonthefloorofthehall。

“Doesn\'teverythinglookoddthismorning？“sheinquired。“Areyoureallygoingtospendthemorningwiththosedulloldletters，becauseifso——“

Thedulloldletters，whichwouldhaveturnedtheheadsofthemostsoberofcollectors，werelaiduponatable，and，afteramoment\'spause，Cassandra，lookinggraveallofasudden，askedKatharinewheresheshouldfindthe“HistoryofEngland“byLordMacaulay。ItwasdownstairsinMr。Hilbery\'sstudy。Thecousinsdescendedtogetherinsearchofit。Theydivergedintothedrawing-roomforthegoodreasonthatthedoorwasopen。TheportraitofRichardAlardyceattractedtheirattention。

“Iwonderwhathewaslike？“ItwasaquestionthatKatharinehadoftenaskedherselflately。

“Oh，afraudliketherestofthem——atleastHenrysaysso，“Cassandrareplied。“ThoughIdon\'tbelieveeverythingHenrysays，“sheaddedalittledefensively。

DowntheywentintoMr。Hilbery\'sstudy，wheretheybegantolookamonghisbooks。Sodesultorywasthisexaminationthatsomefifteenminutesfailedtodiscovertheworktheywereinsearchof。

“MustyoureadMacaulay\'sHistory，Cassandra？“Katharineasked，withastretchofherarms。

“Imust，“Cassandrarepliedbriefly。

“Well，I\'mgoingtoleaveyoutolookforitbyyourself。“

“Oh，no，Katharine。Pleasestayandhelpme。Yousee——yousee——ItoldWilliamI\'dreadalittleeveryday。AndIwanttotellhimthatI\'vebegunwhenhecomes。“

“WhendoesWilliamcome？“Katharineasked，turningtotheshelvesagain。

“Totea，ifthatsuitsyou？“

“Ifitsuitsmetobeout，Isupposeyoumean。“

“Oh，you\'rehorrid……Whyshouldn\'tyou——？“

“Yes？“

“Whyshouldn\'tyoubehappytoo？“

“Iamquitehappy，“Katharinereplied。

“ImeanasIam。Katharine，“shesaidimpulsively，“dolet\'sbemarriedonthesameday。“

“Tothesameman？“

“Oh，no，no。Butwhyshouldn\'tyoumarry——someoneelse？“

“Here\'syourMacaulay，“saidKatharine，turningroundwiththebookinherhand。“Ishouldsayyou\'dbetterbegintoreadatonceifyoumeantobeeducatedbytea-time。“

“DamnLordMacaulay！“criedCassandra，slappingthebookuponthetable。“Wouldyourathernottalk？“

“We\'vetalkedenoughalready，“Katharinerepliedevasively。

“IknowIshan\'tbeabletosettletoMacaulay，“saidCassandra，lookingruefullyatthedullredcoveroftheprescribedvolume，which，however，possessedatalismanicproperty，sinceWilliamadmiredit。Hehadadvisedalittleseriousreadingforthemorninghours。

“HaveYOUreadMacaulay？“sheasked。

“No。Williamnevertriedtoeducateme。“AsshespokeshesawthelightfadefromCassandra\'sface，asifshehadimpliedsomeother，moremysterious，relationship。Shewasstungwithcompunction。Shemarveledatherownrashnessinhavinginfluencedthelifeofanother，asshehadinfluencedCassandra\'slife。

“Weweren\'tserious，“shesaidquickly。

“ButI\'mfearfullyserious，“saidCassandra，withalittleshudder，andherlookshowedthatshespokethetruth。SheturnedandglancedatKatharineasshehadneverglancedatherbefore。Therewasfearinherglance，whichdartedonherandthendroppedguiltily。Oh，Katharinehadeverything——beauty，mind，character。ShecouldnevercompetewithKatharine；shecouldneverbesafesolongasKatharinebroodedoverher，dominatingher，disposingofher。Shecalledhercold，unseeing，unscrupulous，buttheonlysignshegaveoutwardlywasacuriousone——shereachedoutherhandandgraspedthevolumeofhistory。AtthatmomentthebellofthetelephonerangandKatharinewenttoanswerit。Cassandra，releasedfromobservation，droppedherbookandclenchedherhands。Shesufferedmorefierytortureinthosefewminutesthanshehadsufferedinthewholeofherlife；shelearntmoreofhercapacitiesforfeeling。ButwhenKatharinereappearedshewascalm，andhadgainedalookofdignitythatwasnewtoher。

“Wasthathim？“sheasked。

“ItwasRalphDenham，“Katharinereplied。

“ImeantRalphDenham。“

“WhydidyoumeanRalphDenham？WhathasWilliamtoldyouaboutRalphDenham？“TheaccusationthatKatharinewascalm，callous，andindifferentwasnotpossibleinfaceofherpresentairofanimation。

ShegaveCassandranotimetoframeananswer。“Now，whenareyouandWilliamgoingtobemarried？“sheasked。

Cassandramadenoreplyforsomemoments。Itwas，indeed，averydifficultquestiontoanswer。Inconversationthenightbefore，WilliamhadindicatedtoCassandrathat，inhisbelief，KatharinewasbecomingengagedtoRalphDenhaminthedining-room。Cassandra，intherosylightofherowncircumstances，hadbeendisposedtothinkthatthemattermustbesettledalready。ButaletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningfromWilliam，whileardentinitsexpressionofaffection，hadconveyedtoherobliquelythathewouldprefertheannouncementoftheirengagementtocoincidewiththatofKatharine\'s。

ThisdocumentCassandranowproduced，andreadaloud，withconsiderableexcisionsandmuchhesitation。

“……athousandpities——ahem——Ifearweshallcauseagreatdealofnaturalannoyance。If，ontheotherhand，whatIhavereasontothinkwillhappen，shouldhappen——withinreasonabletime，andthepresentpositionisnotinanywayoffensivetoyou，delaywould，inmyopinion，serveallourinterestsbetterthanaprematureexplanation，whichisboundtocausemoresurprisethanisdesirable——“

“VerylikeWilliam，“Katharineexclaimed，havinggatheredthedriftoftheseremarkswithaspeedthat，byitself，disconcertedCassandra。

“Iquiteunderstandhisfeelings，“Cassandrareplied。“Iquiteagreewiththem。Ithinkitwouldbemuchbetter，ifyouintendtomarryMr。

Denham，thatweshouldwaitasWilliamsays。“

“But，then，ifIdon\'tmarryhimformonths——or，perhaps，notatall？“

Cassandrawassilent。Theprospectappalledher。KatharinehadbeentelephoningtoRalphDenham；shelookedqueer，too；shemustbe，orabouttobecome，engagedtohim。ButifCassandracouldhaveoverheardtheconversationuponthetelephone，shewouldnothavefeltsocertainthatittendedinthatdirection。Itwastothiseffect:

“I\'mRalphDenhamspeaking。I\'minmyrightsensesnow。“

“Howlongdidyouwaitoutsidethehouse？“

“Iwenthomeandwroteyoualetter。Itoreitup。“

“Ishalltearupeverythingtoo。“

“Ishallcome。“

“Yes。Cometo-day。“

“Imustexplaintoyou——“

“Yes。Wemustexplain——“

Alongpausefollowed。Ralphbeganasentence，whichhecanceledwiththeword，“Nothing。“Suddenly，together，atthesamemoment，theysaidgood-bye。Andyet，ifthetelephonehadbeenmiraculouslyconnectedwithsomehigheratmospherepungentwiththescentofthymeandthesavorofsalt，Katharinecouldhardlyhavebreathedinakeenersenseofexhilaration。Sherandownstairsonthecrestofit。ShewasamazedtofindherselfalreadycommittedbyWilliamandCassandratomarrytheownerofthehaltingvoiceshehadjustheardonthetelephone。

Thetendencyofherspiritseemedtobeinanaltogetherdifferentdirection；andofadifferentnature。ShehadonlytolookatCassandratoseewhatthelovethatresultsinanengagementandmarriagemeans。Sheconsideredforamoment，andthensaid:“Ifyoudon\'twanttotellpeopleyourselves，I\'lldoitforyou。IknowWilliamhasfeelingsaboutthesemattersthatmakeitverydifficultforhimtodoanything。“

“Becausehe\'sfearfullysensitiveaboutotherpeople\'sfeelings，“saidCassandra。“TheideathathecouldupsetAuntMaggieorUncleTrevorwouldmakehimillforweeks。“

ThisinterpretationofwhatshewasusedtocallWilliam\'sconventionalitywasnewtoKatharine。Andyetshefeltitnowtobethetrueone。

“Yes，you\'reright，“shesaid。

“Andthenheworshipsbeauty。Hewantslifetobebeautifulineverypartofit。Haveyouevernoticedhowexquisitelyhefinisheseverything？Lookattheaddressonthatenvelope。Everyletterisperfect。“

Whetherthisappliedalsotothesentimentsexpressedintheletter，Katharinewasnotsosure；butwhenWilliam\'ssolicitudewasspentuponCassandraitnotonlyfailedtoirritateher，asithaddonewhenshewastheobjectofit，butappeared，asCassandrasaid，thefruitofhisloveofbeauty。

“Yes，“shesaid，“helovesbeauty。“

“Ihopeweshallhaveagreatmanychildren，“saidCassandra。“Heloveschildren。“

ThisremarkmadeKatharinerealizethedepthsoftheirintimacybetterthananyotherwordscouldhavedone；shewasjealousforonemoment；

butthenextshewashumiliated。ShehadknownWilliamforyears，andshehadneveronceguessedthathelovedchildren。ShelookedatthequeerglowofexaltationinCassandra\'seyes，throughwhichshewasbeholdingthetruespiritofahumanbeing，andwishedthatshewouldgoontalkingaboutWilliamforever。Cassandrawasnotunwillingtogratifyher。Shetalkedon。Themorningslippedaway。Katharinescarcelychangedherpositionontheedgeofherfather\'swriting-table，andCassandraneveropenedthe“HistoryofEngland。“

AndyetitmustbeconfessedthattherewerevastlapsesintheattentionwhichKatharinebestoweduponhercousin。Theatmospherewaswonderfullycongenialforthoughtsofherown。ShelostherselfsometimesinsuchdeepreveriethatCassandra，pausing，couldlookatherformomentsunperceived。WhatcouldKatharinebethinkingabout，unlessitwereRalphDenham？Shewassatisfied，bycertainrandomreplies，thatKatharinehadwanderedalittlefromthesubjectofWilliam\'sperfections。ButKatharinemadenosign。ShealwaysendedthesepausesbysayingsomethingsonaturalthatCassandrawasdeludedintogivingfreshexamplesofherabsorbingtheme。Thentheylunched，andtheonlysignthatKatharinegaveofabstractionwastoforgettohelpthepudding。Shelookedsolikehermother，asshesatthereobliviousofthetapioca，thatCassandrawasstartledintoexclaiming:

“HowlikeAuntMaggieyoulook！“

“Nonsense，“saidKatharine，withmoreirritationthantheremarkseemedtocallfor。

Intruth，nowthathermotherwasaway，Katharinedidfeellesssensiblethanusual，butasshearguedittoherself，therewasmuchlessneedforsense。Secretly，shewasalittleshakenbytheevidencewhichthemorninghadsuppliedofherimmensecapacityfor——whatcouldonecallit？——ramblingoveraninfinitevarietyofthoughtsthatweretoofoolishtobenamed。Shewas，forexample，walkingdownaroadinNorthumberlandintheAugustsunset；attheinnshelefthercompanion，whowasRalphDenham，andwastransported，notsomuchbyherownfeetasbysomeinvisiblemeans，tothetopofahighhill。

Herethescents，thesoundsamongthedryheather-roots，thegrass-bladespresseduponthepalmofherhand，wereallsoperceptiblethatshecouldexperienceeachoneseparately。Afterthishermindmadeexcursionsintothedarkoftheair，orsettleduponthesurfaceofthesea，whichcouldbediscoveredoverthere，orwithequalunreasonitreturnedtoitscouchofbrackenbeneaththestarsofmidnight，andvisitedthesnowvalleysofthemoon。Thesefancieswouldhavebeeninnowaystrange，sincethewallsofeverymindaredecoratedwithsomesuchtracery，butshefoundherselfsuddenlypursuingsuchthoughtswithanextremeardor，whichbecameadesiretochangeheractualconditionforsomethingmatchingtheconditionsofherdream。Thenshestarted；thensheawoketothefactthatCassandrawaslookingatherinamazement。

Cassandrawouldhavelikedtofeelcertainthat，whenKatharinemadenoreplyatalloronewideofthemark，shewasmakinguphermindtogetmarriedatonce，butitwasdifficult，ifthiswereso，toaccountforsomeremarksthatKatharineletfallaboutthefuture。Sherecurredseveraltimestothesummer，asifshemeanttospendthatseasoninsolitarywandering。SheseemedtohaveaplaninhermindwhichrequiredBradshawsandthenamesofinns。

Cassandrawasdrivenfinally，byherownunrest，toputonherclothesandwanderoutalongthestreetsofChelsea，onthepretencethatshemustbuysomething。But，inherignoranceoftheway，shebecamepanic-strickenatthethoughtofbeinglate，andnosoonerhadshefoundtheshopshewanted，thanshefledbackagaininordertobeathomewhenWilliamcame。Hecame，indeed，fiveminutesaftershehadsatdownbythetea-table，andshehadthehappinessofreceivinghimalone。Hisgreetingputherdoubtsofhisaffectionatrest，butthefirstquestionheaskedwas:

“HasKatharinespokentoyou？“

“Yes。Butshesaysshe\'snotengaged。Shedoesn\'tseemtothinkshe\'severgoingtobeengaged。“

Williamfrowned，andlookedannoyed。

“Theytelephonedthismorning，andshebehavesveryoddly。Sheforgetstohelpthepudding，“Cassandraaddedbywayofcheeringhim。

“Mydearchild，afterwhatIsawandheardlastnight，it\'snotaquestionofguessingorsuspecting。Eithershe\'sengagedtohim——or——“

Helefthissentenceunfinished，foratthispointKatharineherselfappeared。Withhisrecollectionsofthescenethenightbefore，hewastooself-consciouseventolookather，anditwasnotuntilshetoldhimofhermother\'svisittoStratford-on-Avonthatheraisedhiseyes。Itwasclearthathewasgreatlyrelieved。Helookedroundhimnow，asifhefeltathisease，andCassandraexclaimed:

“Don\'tyouthinkeverythinglooksquitedifferent？“

“You\'vemovedthesofa？“heasked。

“No。Nothing\'sbeentouched，“saidKatharine。“Everything\'sexactlythesame。“Butasshesaidthis，withadecisionwhichseemedtomakeitimplythatmorethanthesofawasunchanged，sheheldoutacupintowhichshehadforgottentopouranytea。Beingtoldofherforgetfulness，shefrownedwithannoyance，andsaidthatCassandrawasdemoralizingher。Theglanceshecastuponthem，andtheresolutewayinwhichsheplungedthemintospeech，madeWilliamandCassandrafeellikechildrenwhohadbeencaughtprying。Theyfollowedherobediently，makingconversation。Anyonecominginmighthavejudgedthemacquaintancesmet，perhaps，forthethirdtime。Ifthatwereso，onemusthaveconcludedthatthehostesssuddenlybethoughtherofanengagementpressingforfulfilment。FirstKatharinelookedatherwatch，andthensheaskedWilliamtotellhertherighttime。Whentoldthatitwastenminutestofivesheroseatonce，andsaid:

“ThenI\'mafraidImustgo。“

Shelefttheroom，holdingherunfinishedbreadandbutterinherhand。WilliamglancedatCassandra。

“Well，sheISqueer！“Cassandraexclaimed。

Williamlookedperturbed。HeknewmoreofKatharinethanCassandradid，butevenhecouldnottell。InasecondKatharinewasbackagaindressedinoutdoorthings，stillholdingherbreadandbutterinherbarehand。

“IfI\'mlate，don\'twaitforme，“shesaid。“Ishallhavedined，“andsosaying，sheleftthem。

“Butshecan\'t——“Williamexclaimed，asthedoorshut，“notwithoutanyglovesandbreadandbutterinherhand！“Theyrantothewindow，andsawherwalkingrapidlyalongthestreettowardstheCity。Thenshevanished。

“ShemusthavegonetomeetMr。Denham，“Cassandraexclaimed。

“Goodnessknows！“Williaminterjected。

Theincidentimpressedthembothashavingsomethingqueerandominousaboutitoutofallproportiontoitssurfacestrangeness。

“It\'sthesortofwayAuntMaggiebehaves，“saidCassandra，asifinexplanation。

Williamshookhishead，andpacedupanddowntheroomlookingextremelyperturbed。

“ThisiswhatI\'vebeenforetelling，“heburstout。“Oncesettheordinaryconventionsaside——ThankHeavenMrs。Hilberyisaway。Butthere\'sMr。Hilbery。Howarewetoexplainittohim？Ishallhavetoleaveyou。“

“ButUncleTrevorwon\'tbebackforhours，William！“Cassandraimplored。

“Younevercantell。Hemaybeonhiswayalready。OrsupposeMrs。

Milvain——yourAuntCelia——orMrs。Cosham，oranyotherofyourauntsorunclesshouldbeshowninandfindusalonetogether。Youknowwhatthey\'resayingaboutusalready。“

CassandrawasequallystrickenbythesightofWilliam\'sagitation，andappalledbytheprospectofhisdesertion。

“Wemighthide，“sheexclaimedwildly，glancingatthecurtainwhichseparatedtheroomwiththerelics。

“Irefuseentirelytogetunderthetable，“saidWilliamsarcastically。

Shesawthathewaslosinghistemperwiththedifficultiesofthesituation。Herinstincttoldherthatanappealtohisaffection，atthismoment，wouldbeextremelyill-judged。Shecontrolledherself，satdown，pouredoutafreshcupoftea，andsippeditquietly。Thisnaturalaction，arguingcompleteself-mastery，andshowingherinoneofthosefeminineattitudeswhichWilliamfoundadorable，didmorethananyargumenttocomposehisagitation。Itappealedtohischivalry。Heacceptedacup。Nextsheaskedforasliceofcake。Bythetimethecakewaseatenandtheteadrunkthepersonalquestionhadlapsed，andtheywerediscussingpoetry。Insensiblytheyturnedfromthequestionofdramaticpoetryingeneral，totheparticularexamplewhichreposedinWilliam\'spocket，andwhenthemaidcameintoclearawaythetea-things，Williamhadaskedpermissiontoreadashortpassagealoud，“unlessitboredher？“

Cassandrabentherheadinsilence，butsheshowedalittleofwhatshefeltinhereyes，andthusfortified，WilliamfeltconfidentthatitwouldtakemorethanMrs。Milvainherselftorouthimfromhisposition。Hereadaloud。

MeanwhileKatharinewalkedrapidlyalongthestreet。Ifcalledupontoexplainherimpulsiveactioninleavingthetea-table，shecouldhavetracedittonobettercausethanthatWilliamhadglancedatCassandra；CassandraatWilliam。Yet，becausetheyhadglanced，herpositionwasimpossible。IfoneforgottopouroutacupofteatheyrushedtotheconclusionthatshewasengagedtoRalphDenham。Sheknewthatinhalfanhourorsothedoorwouldopen，andRalphDenhamwouldappear。ShecouldnotsitthereandcontemplateseeinghimwithWilliam\'sandCassandra\'seyesuponthem，judgingtheirexactdegreeofintimacy，sothattheymightfixthewedding-day。ShepromptlydecidedthatshewouldmeetRalphoutofdoors；shestillhadtimetoreachLincoln\'sInnFieldsbeforehelefthisoffice。Shehailedacab，andbadeittakehertoashopforsellingmapswhichsherememberedinGreatQueenStreet，sinceshehardlylikedtobesetdownathisdoor。Arrivedattheshop，sheboughtalargescalemapofNorfolk，andthusprovided，hurriedintoLincoln\'sInnFields，andassuredherselfofthepositionofMessrs。HoperandGrateley\'soffice。Thegreatgaschandelierswerealightintheofficewindows。

Sheconceivedthathesatatanenormoustableladenwithpapersbeneathoneoftheminthefrontroomwiththethreetallwindows。

Havingsettledhispositionthere，shebeganwalkingtoandfrouponthepavement。Nobodyofhisbuildappeared。Shescrutinizedeachmalefigureasitapproachedandpassedher。Eachmalefigurehad，nevertheless，alookofhim，due，perhaps，totheprofessionaldress，thequickstep，thekeenglancewhichtheycastuponherastheyhastenedhomeaftertheday\'swork。Thesquareitself，withitsimmensehousesallsofullyoccupiedandsternofaspect，itsatmosphereofindustryandpower，asifeventhesparrowsandthechildrenwereearningtheirdailybread，asiftheskyitself，withitsgrayandscarletclouds，reflectedtheseriousintentionofthecitybeneathit，spokeofhim。Herewasthefitplacefortheirmeeting，shethought；herewasthefitplaceforhertowalkthinkingofhim。ShecouldnothelpcomparingitwiththedomesticstreetsofChelsea。Withthiscomparisoninhermind，sheextendedherrangealittle，andturnedintothemainroad。ThegreattorrentofvansandcartswassweepingdownKingsway；pedestrianswerestreamingintwocurrentsalongthepavements。Shestoodfascinatedatthecorner。Thedeeproarfilledherears；thechangingtumulthadtheinexpressiblefascinationofvariedlifepouringceaselesslywithapurposewhich，asshelooked，seemedtoher，somehow，thenormalpurposeforwhichlifewasframed；itscompleteindifferencetotheindividuals，whomitswallowedupandrolledonwards，filledherwithatleastatemporaryexaltation。Theblendofdaylightandoflamplightmadeheraninvisiblespectator，justasitgavethepeoplewhopassedherasemi-transparentquality，andleftthefacespaleivoryovalsinwhichtheeyesaloneweredark。Theytendedtheenormousrushofthecurrent——thegreatflow，thedeepstream，theunquenchabletide。Shestoodunobservedandabsorbed，gloryingopenlyintherapturethathadrunsubterraneouslyallday。Suddenlyshewasclutched，unwilling，fromtheoutside，bytherecollectionofherpurposeincomingthere。

ShehadcometofindRalphDenham。ShehastilyturnedbackintoLincoln\'sInnFields，andlookedforherlandmark——thelightinthethreetallwindows。Shesoughtinvain。Thefacesofthehouseshadnowmergedinthegeneraldarkness，andshehaddifficultyindeterminingwhichshesought。Ralph\'sthreewindowsgavebackontheirghostlyglasspanelsonlyareflectionofthegrayandgreenishsky。

Sherangthebell，peremptorily，underthepaintednameofthefirm。

Aftersomedelayshewasansweredbyacaretaker，whosepailandbrushofthemselvestoldherthattheworkingdaywasoverandtheworkersgone。Nobody，saveperhapsMr。Grateleyhimself，wasleft，sheassuredKatharine；everyoneelsehadbeengonethesetenminutes。

ThenewswokeKatharinecompletely。Anxietygaineduponher。ShehastenedbackintoKingsway，lookingatpeoplewhohadmiraculouslyregainedtheirsolidity。SheranasfarastheTubestation，overhaulingclerkafterclerk，solicitoraftersolicitor。NotoneofthemevenfaintlyresembledRalphDenham。Moreandmoreplainlydidsheseehim；andmoreandmoredidheseemtoherunlikeanyoneelse。

Atthedoorofthestationshepaused，andtriedtocollectherthoughts。Hehadgonetoherhouse。Bytakingacabshecouldbethereprobablyinadvanceofhim。Butshepicturedherselfopeningthedrawing-roomdoor，andWilliamandCassandralookingup，andRalph\'sentranceamomentlater，andtheglances——theinsinuations。No；shecouldnotfaceit。Shewouldwritehimaletterandtakeitatoncetohishouse。Sheboughtpaperandpencilatthebookstall，andenteredanA。B。C。shop，where，byorderingacupofcoffee，shesecuredanemptytable，andbeganatvicetowrite:

“IcametomeetyouandIhavemissedyou。IcouldnotfaceWilliamandCassandra。Theywantus——“hereshepaused。“Theyinsistthatweareengaged，“shesubstituted，“andwecouldn\'ttalkatall，orexplainanything。Iwant——“Herwantsweresovast，nowthatshewasincommunicationwithRalph，thatthepencilwasutterlyinadequatetoconductthemontothepaper；itseemedasifthewholetorrentofKingswayhadtorundownherpencil。Shegazedintentlyatanoticehangingonthegold-encrustedwallopposite。“……tosayallkindsofthings，“sheadded，writingeachwordwiththepainstakingofachild。But，whensheraisedhereyesagaintomeditatethenextsentence，shewasawareofawaitress，whoseexpressionintimatedthatitwasclosingtime，and，lookinground，Katharinesawherselfalmostthelastpersonleftintheshop。Shetookupherletter，paidherbill，andfoundherselfoncemoreinthestreet。ShewouldnowtakeacabtoHighgate。Butatthatmomentitflasheduponherthatshecouldnotremembertheaddress。Thischeckseemedtoletfallabarrieracrossaverypowerfulcurrentofdesire。Sheransackedhermemoryindesperation，huntingforthename，firstbyrememberingthelookofthehouse，andthenbytrying，inmemory，toretracethewordsshehadwrittenonce，atleast，uponanenvelope。Themoreshepressedthefartherthewordsreceded。WasthehouseanOrchardSomething，onthestreetaHill？Shegaveitup。Never，sinceshewasachild，hadshefeltanythinglikethisblanknessanddesolation。Thererushedinuponher，asifshewerewakingfromsomedream，alltheconsequencesofherinexplicableindolence。ShefiguredRalph\'sfaceasheturnedfromherdoorwithoutawordofexplanation，receivinghisdismissalasablowfromherself，acallousintimationthatshedidnotwishtoseehim。Shefollowedhisdeparturefromherdoor；butitwasfarmoreeasytoseehimmarchingfarandfastinanydirectionforanylengthoftimethantoconceivethathewouldturnbacktoHighgate。PerhapshewouldtryoncemoretoseeherinCheyneWalk？Itwasproofoftheclearnesswithwhichshesawhim，thatshestartedforwardasthispossibilityoccurredtoher，andalmostraisedherhandtobeckontoacab。No；hewastooproudtocomeagain；herejectedthedesireandwalkedonandon，onandon——Ifonlyshecouldreadthenamesofthosevisionarystreetsdownwhichhepassed！Butherimaginationbetrayedheratthispoint，ormockedherwithasenseoftheirstrangeness，darkness，anddistance。Indeed，insteadofhelpingherselftoanydecision，sheonlyfilledhermindwiththevastextentofLondonandtheimpossibilityoffindinganysinglefigurethatwanderedoffthiswayandthatway，turnedtotherightandtotheleft，chosethatdingylittlebackstreetwherethechildrenwereplayingintheroad，andso——Sherousedherselfimpatiently。ShewalkedrapidlyalongHolborn。Soonsheturnedandwalkedasrapidlyintheotherdirection。

Thisindecisionwasnotmerelyodious，buthadsomethingthatalarmedheraboutit，asshehadbeenalarmedslightlyonceortwicealreadythatday；shefeltunabletocopewiththestrengthofherowndesires。Toapersoncontrolledbyhabit，therewashumiliationaswellasalarminthissuddenreleaseofwhatappearedtobeaverypowerfulaswellasanunreasonableforce。AnachinginthemusclesofherrighthandnowshowedherthatshewascrushingherglovesandthemapofNorfolkinagripsufficienttocrackamoresolidobject。Sherelaxedhergrasp；shelookedanxiouslyatthefacesofthepassers-bytoseewhethertheireyesrestedonherforamomentlongerthanwasnatural，orwithanycuriosity。Buthavingsmoothedouthergloves，anddonewhatshecouldtolookasusual，sheforgotspectators，andwasoncemoregivenuptoherdesperatedesiretofindRalphDenham。

Itwasadesirenow——wild，irrational，unexplained，resemblingsomethingfeltinchildhood。Oncemoresheblamedherselfbitterlyforhercarelessness。ButfindingherselfoppositetheTubestation，shepulledherselfupandtookcounselswiftly，asofold。ItflasheduponherthatshewouldgoatoncetoMaryDatchet，andaskhertogiveherRalph\'saddress。Thedecisionwasarelief，notonlyingivingheragoal，butinprovidingherwitharationalexcuseforherownactions。

Itgaveheragoalcertainly，butthefactofhavingagoalledhertodwellexclusivelyuponherobsession；sothatwhensherangthebellofMary\'sflat，shedidnotforamomentconsiderhowthisdemandwouldstrikeMary。ToherextremeannoyanceMarywasnotathome；acharwomanopenedthedoor。AllKatharinecoulddowastoaccepttheinvitationtowait。Shewaitedfor，perhaps，fifteenminutes，andspenttheminpacingfromoneendoftheroomtotheotherwithoutintermission。WhensheheardMary\'skeyinthedoorshepausedinfrontofthefireplace，andMaryfoundherstandingupright，lookingatonceexpectantanddetermined，likeapersonwhohascomeonanerrandofsuchimportancethatitmustbebroachedwithoutpreface。

Maryexclaimedinsurprise。

“Yes，yes，“Katharinesaid，brushingtheseremarksaside，asiftheywereintheway。

“Haveyouhadtea？“

“Ohyes，“shesaid，thinkingthatshehadhadteahundredsofyearsago，somewhereorother。

Marypaused，tookoffhergloves，and，findingmatches，proceededtolightthefire。

Katharinecheckedherwithanimpatientmovement，andsaid:

“Don\'tlightthefireforme……IwanttoknowRalphDenham\'saddress。“

Shewasholdingapencilandpreparingtowriteontheenvelope。Shewaitedwithanimperiousexpression。

“TheAppleOrchard，MountAraratRoad，Highgate，“Marysaid，speakingslowlyandratherstrangely。

“Oh，Iremembernow！“Katharineexclaimed，withirritationatherownstupidity。“Isupposeitwouldn\'ttaketwentyminutestodrivethere？“

Shegatheredupherpurseandglovesandseemedabouttogo。

“Butyouwon\'tfindhim，“saidMary，pausingwithamatchinherhand。

Katharine，whohadalreadyturnedtowardsthedoor，stoppedandlookedather。

“Why？Whereishe？“sheasked。

“Hewon\'thavelefthisoffice。“

“Buthehaslefttheoffice，“shereplied。“Theonlyquestioniswillhehavereachedhomeyet？HewenttoseemeatChelsea；Itriedtomeethimandmissedhim。Hewillhavefoundnomessagetoexplain。SoImustfindhim——assoonaspossible。“

Marytookinthesituationatherleisure。

“Butwhynottelephone？“shesaid。

Katharineimmediatelydroppedallthatshewasholding；herstrainedexpressionrelaxed，andexclaiming，“Ofcourse！Whydidn\'tIthinkofthat！“sheseizedthetelephonereceiverandgavehernumber。Marylookedathersteadily，andthenlefttheroom。AtlengthKatharineheard，throughallthesuperimposedweightofLondon，themysterioussoundoffeetinherownhousemountingtothelittleroom，whereshecouldalmostseethepicturesandthebooks；shelistenedwithextremeintentnesstothepreparatoryvibrations，andthenestablishedheridentity。

“HasMr。Denhamcalled？“

“Yes，miss。“

“Didheaskforme？“

“Yes。Wesaidyouwereout，miss。“

“Didheleaveanymessage？“

“No。Hewentaway。Abouttwentyminutesago，miss。“

Katharinehungupthereceiver。ShewalkedthelengthoftheroominsuchacutedisappointmentthatshedidnotatfirstperceiveMary\'sabsence。Thenshecalledinaharshandperemptorytone:

“Mary。“

Marywastakingoffheroutdoorthingsinthebedroom。SheheardKatharinecallher。“Yes，“shesaid，“Ishan\'tbeamoment。“Butthemomentprolongeditself，asifforsomereasonMaryfoundsatisfactioninmakingherselfnotonlytidy，butseemlyandornamented。Astageinherlifehadbeenaccomplishedinthelastmonthswhichleftitstracesforeveruponherbearing。Youth，andthebloomofyouth，hadreceded，leavingthepurposeofherfacetoshowitselfinthehollowercheeks，thefirmerlips，theeyesnolongerspontaneouslyobservingatrandom，butnarroweduponanendwhichwasnotnearathand。Thiswomanwasnowaserviceablehumanbeing，mistressofherowndestiny，andthus，bysomecombinationofideas，fittobeadornedwiththedignityofsilverchainsandglowingbrooches。Shecameinatherleisureandasked:“Well，didyougetananswer？“

“HehasleftChelseaalready，“Katharinereplied。

“Still，hewon\'tbehomeyet，“saidMary。

KatharinewasoncemoreirresistiblydrawntogazeuponanimaginarymapofLondon，tofollowthetwistsandturnsofunnamedstreets。

“I\'llringuphishomeandaskwhetherhe\'sback。“Marycrossedtothetelephoneand，afteraseriesofbriefremarks，announced:

“No。Hissistersayshehasn\'tcomebackyet。“

“Ah！“Sheappliedhereartothetelephoneoncemore。“They\'vehadamessage。Hewon\'tbebacktodinner。“

“Thenwhatishegoingtodo？“

Verypale，andwithherlargeeyesfixednotsomuchuponMaryasuponvistasofunrespondingblankness，KatharineaddressedherselfalsonotsomuchtoMaryastotheunrelentingspiritwhichnowappearedtomockherfromeveryquarterofhersurvey。

AfterwaitingalittletimeMaryremarkedindifferently:

“Ireallydon\'tknow。“Slacklylyingbackinherarmchair，shewatchedthelittleflamesbeginningtocreepamongthecoalsindifferently，asifthey，too，wereverydistantandindifferent。

Katharinelookedatherindignantlyandrose。

“Possiblyhemaycomehere，“Marycontinued，withoutalteringtheabstracttoneofhervoice。“Itwouldbeworthyourwhiletowaitifyouwanttoseehimto-night。“Shebentforwardandtouchedthewood，sothattheflamesslippedinbetweentheintersticesofthecoal。

Katharinereflected。“I\'llwaithalfanhour，“shesaid。

Maryrose，wenttothetable，spreadoutherpapersunderthegreen-shadedlampand，withanactionthatwasbecomingahabit，twistedalockofhairroundandroundinherfingers。Onceshelookedunperceivedathervisitor，whonevermoved，whosatsostill，witheyessointent，thatyoucouldalmostfancythatshewaswatchingsomething，somefacethatneverlookedupather。Maryfoundherselfunabletogoonwriting。Sheturnedhereyesaway，butonlytobeawareofthepresenceofwhatKatharinelookedat。Therewereghostsintheroom，andone，strangelyandsadly，wastheghostofherself。

Theminuteswentby。

“Whatwouldbethetimenow？“saidKatharineatlast。Thehalf-hourwasnotquitespent。

“I\'mgoingtogetdinnerready，“saidMary，risingfromhertable。

“ThenI\'llgo，“saidKatharine。

“Whydon\'tyoustay？Whereareyougoing？“

Katharinelookedroundtheroom，conveyingheruncertaintyinherglance。

“PerhapsImightfindhim，“shemused。

“Butwhyshoulditmatter？You\'llseehimanotherday。“

Maryspoke，andintendedtospeak，cruellyenough。

“Iwaswrongtocomehere，“Katharinereplied。

Theireyesmetwithantagonism，andneitherflinched。

“Youhadaperfectrighttocomehere，“Maryanswered。

Aloudknockingatthedoorinterruptedthem。Marywenttoopenit，andreturningwithsomenoteorparcel，KatharinelookedawaysothatMarymightnotreadherdisappointment。

“Ofcourseyouhadarighttocome，“Maryrepeated，layingthenoteuponthetable。

“No，“saidKatharine。“Exceptthatwhenone\'sdesperateonehasasortofright。Iamdesperate。HowdoIknowwhat\'shappeningtohimnow？

Hemaydoanything。Hemaywanderaboutthestreetsallnight。

Anythingmayhappentohim。“

Shespokewithaself-abandonmentthatMaryhadneverseeninher。

“Youknowyouexaggerate；you\'retalkingnonsense，“shesaidroughly。

“Mary，Imusttalk——Imusttellyou——“

“Youneedn\'ttellmeanything，“Maryinterruptedher。“Can\'tIseeformyself？“

“No，no，“Katharineexclaimed。“It\'snotthat——“

Herlook，passingbeyondMary，beyondthevergeoftheroomandoutbeyondanywordsthatcameherway，wildlyandpassionately，convincedMarythatshe，atanyrate，couldnotfollowsuchaglancetoitsend。

Shewasbaffled；shetriedtothinkherselfbackagainintotheheightofherloveforRalph。Pressingherfingersuponhereyelids，shemurmured:

“YouforgetthatIlovedhimtoo。IthoughtIknewhim。IDIDknowhim。“

Andyet，whathadsheknown？Shecouldnotrememberitanymore。Shepressedhereyeballsuntiltheystruckstarsandsunsintoherdarkness。Sheconvincedherselfthatshewasstirringamongashes。Shedesisted。Shewasastonishedatherdiscovery。ShedidnotloveRalphanymore。Shelookedbackdazedintotheroom，andhereyesresteduponthetablewithitslamp-litpapers。Thesteadyradianceseemedforasecondtohaveitscounterpartwithinher；sheshuthereyes；

sheopenedthemandlookedatthelampagain；anotherloveburntintheplaceoftheoldone，orso，inamomentaryglanceofamazement，sheguessedbeforetherevelationwasoverandtheoldsurroundingsassertedthemselves。Sheleantinsilenceagainstthemantelpiece。

“Therearedifferentwaysofloving，“shemurmured，halftoherself，atlength。

Katharinemadenoreplyandseemedunawareofherwords。Sheseemedabsorbedinherownthoughts。

“Perhapshe\'swaitinginthestreetagainto-night，“sheexclaimed。

“I\'llgonow。Imightfindhim。“

“It\'sfarmorelikelythathe\'llcomehere，“saidMary，andKatharine，afterconsideringforamoment，said:

“I\'llwaitanotherhalf-hour。“

Shesankdownintoherchairagain，andtookupthesamepositionwhichMaryhadcomparedtothepositionofonewatchinganunseeingface。Shewatched，indeed，notaface，butaprocession，notofpeople，butoflifeitself:thegoodandbad；themeaning；thepast，thepresent，andthefuture。Allthisseemedapparenttoher，andshewasnotashamedofherextravagancesomuchasexaltedtooneofthepinnaclesofexistence，whereitbehovedtheworldtodoherhomage。

NoonebutsheherselfknewwhatitmeanttomissRalphDenhamonthatparticularnight；intothisinadequateeventcrowdedfeelingsthatthegreatcrisesoflifemighthavefailedtocallforth。Shehadmissedhim，andknewthebitternessofallfailure；shedesiredhim，andknewthetormentofallpassion。Itdidnotmatterwhattrivialaccidentsledtothisculmination。Nordidshecarehowextravagantsheappeared，norhowopenlysheshowedherfeelings。

WhenthedinnerwasreadyMarytoldhertocome，andshecamesubmissively，asifsheletMarydirecthermovementsforher。Theyateanddranktogetheralmostinsilence，andwhenMarytoldhertoeatmore，sheatemore；whenshewastoldtodrinkwine，shedrankit。

Nevertheless，beneaththissuperficialobedience，Maryknewthatshewasfollowingherownthoughtsunhindered。Shewasnotinattentivesomuchasremote；shelookedatoncesounseeingandsointentuponsomevisionofherownthatMarygraduallyfeltmorethanprotective——shebecameactuallyalarmedattheprospectofsomecollisionbetweenKatharineandtheforcesoftheoutsideworld。Directlytheyhaddone，Katharineannouncedherintentionofgoing。

“Butwhereareyougoingto？“Maryasked，desiringvaguelytohinderher。

“Oh，I\'mgoinghome——no，toHighgateperhaps。“

Marysawthatitwouldbeuselesstotrytostopher。Allshecoulddowastoinsistuponcomingtoo，butshemetwithnoopposition；

Katharineseemedindifferenttoherpresence。InafewminutestheywerewalkingalongtheStrand。TheywalkedsorapidlythatMarywasdeludedintothebeliefthatKatharineknewwhereshewasgoing。Sheherselfwasnotattentive。Shewasgladofthemovementalonglamp-litstreetsintheopenair。Shewasfingering，painfullyandwithfear，yetwithstrangehope，too，thediscoverywhichshehadstumbleduponunexpectedlythatnight。Shewasfreeoncemoreatthecostofagift，thebest，perhaps，thatshecouldoffer，butshewas，thankHeaven，inlovenolonger。Shewastemptedtospendthefirstinstalmentofherfreedominsomedissipation；inthepitoftheColiseum，forexample，sincetheywerenowpassingthedoor。Whynotgoinandcelebrateherindependenceofthetyrannyoflove？Or，perhaps，thetopofanomnibusboundforsomeremoteplacesuchasCamberwell，orSidcup，ortheWelshHarpwouldsuitherbetter。Shenoticedthesenamespaintedonlittleboardsforthefirsttimeforweeks。Orshouldshereturntoherroom，andspendthenightworkingoutthedetailsofaveryenlightenedandingeniousscheme？Ofallpossibilitiesthisappealedtohermost，andbroughttomindthefire，thelamplight，thesteadyglowwhichhadseemedlitintheplacewhereamorepassionateflamehadonceburnt。

NowKatharinestopped，andMarywoketothefactthatinsteadofhavingagoalshehadevidentlynone。Shepausedattheedgeofthecrossing，andlookedthiswayandthat，andfinallymadeasifinthedirectionofHaverstockHill。

“Lookhere——whereareyougoing？“Marycried，catchingherbythehand。“Wemusttakethatcabandgohome。“ShehailedacabandinsistedthatKatharineshouldgetin，whileshedirectedthedrivertotakethemtoCheyneWalk。

Katharinesubmitted。“Verywell，“shesaid。“Wemayaswellgothereasanywhereelse。“

Agloomseemedtohavefallenonher。Shelaybackinhercorner，silentandapparentlyexhausted。Mary，inspiteofherownpreoccupation，wasstruckbyherpallorandherattitudeofdejection。

“I\'msureweshallfindhim，“shesaidmoregentlythanshehadyetspoken。

“Itmaybetoolate，“Katharinereplied。Withoutunderstandingher，Marybegantopityherforwhatshewassuffering。

“Nonsense，“shesaid，takingherhandandrubbingit。“Ifwedon\'tfindhimthereweshallfindhimsomewhereelse。“

“Butsupposehe\'swalkingaboutthestreets——forhoursandhours？“

Sheleantforwardandlookedoutofthewindow。

“Hemayrefuseevertospeaktomeagain，“shesaidinalowvoice，almosttoherself。

TheexaggerationwassoimmensethatMarydidnotattempttocopewithit，savebykeepingholdofKatharine\'swrist。ShehalfexpectedthatKatharinemightopenthedoorsuddenlyandjumpout。PerhapsKatharineperceivedthepurposewithwhichherhandwasheld。

“Don\'tbefrightened，“shesaid，withalittlelaugh。“I\'mnotgoingtojumpoutofthecab。Itwouldn\'tdomuchgoodafterall。“

Uponthis，Maryostentatiouslywithdrewherhand。

“Ioughttohaveapologized，“Katharinecontinued，withaneffort，“forbringingyouintoallthisbusiness；Ihaven\'ttoldyouhalf，either。I\'mnolongerengagedtoWilliamRodney。HeistomarryCassandraOtway。It\'sallarranged——allperfectlyright……Andafterhe\'dwaitedinthestreetsforhoursandhours，Williammademebringhimin。Hewasstandingunderthelamp-postwatchingourwindows。Hewasperfectlywhitewhenhecameintotheroom。Williamleftusalone，andwesatandtalked。Itseemsagesandagesago，now。