第1章

Comingintodressfordinner，Ifoundatelegram："Mrs。Stormerdying；canyougiveushalfacolumnforto—morrowevening？Letheroffeasy，butnottooeasy。"Iwaslate；Iwasinahurry；Ihadverylittletimetothink，butataventureIdispatchedareply：

"WilldowhatIcan。"ItwasnottillIhaddressedandwasrollingawaytodinnerthat，inthehansom，Ibethoughtmyselfofthedifficultyoftheconditionattached。Thedifficultywasnotofcourseinlettingheroffeasybutinqualifyingthatindulgence。"I

simplywon’tqualifyit，"Isaidtomyself。Ididn’tadmireher，butIlikedher，andIhadknownhersolongthatIalmostfeltheartlessinsittingdownatsuchanhourtoafeastofindifference。Imusthaveseemedabstracted，fortheearlyyearsofmyacquaintancewithhercamebacktome。IspokeofhertotheladyIhadtakendown，huttheladyIhadtakendownhadneverheardofGrevilleFane。I

triedmyotherneighbour，whopronouncedherbooks"toovile。"Ihadneverthoughtthemverygood，butIshouldletheroffeasierthanthat。

Icameawayearly，fortheexpresspurposeofdrivingtoaskabouther。Thejourneytooktime，forshelivedinthenorth—westdistrict，intheneighbourhoodofPrimroseHill。MyapprehensionthatIshouldbetoolatewasjustifiedinafullersensethanIhadattachedtoit——Ihadonlyfearedthatthehousewouldbeshutup。

Therewerelightsinthewindows，andthetemperatetinkleofmybellbroughtaservantimmediatelytothedoor，butpoorMrs。Stormerhadpassedintoastateinwhichtheresonanceofnoearthlyknockerwastobefeared。Alady，inthehall，hoveringbehindtheservant，cameforwardwhensheheardmyvoice。IrecognisedLadyLuard，butshehadmistakenmeforthedoctor。

"Excusemyappearingatsuchanhour，"Isaid；"itwasthefirstpossiblemomentafterIheard。"

"It’sallover，"LadyLuardreplied。"Dearestmamma！"

Shestoodthereunderthelampwithhereyesonme；shewasverytall，verystiff，verycold，andalwayslookedasifthesethings，andsomeothersbeside，inherdress，hermannerandevenhername，wereanimplicationthatshewasveryadmirable。Ihadneverbeenabletofollowtheargument，butthatisadetail。IexpressedbrieflyandfranklywhatIfelt，whilethelittlemottledmaidservantflattenedherselfagainstthewallofthenarrowpassageandtriedtolookdetachedwithoutlookingindifferent。Itwasnotamomenttomakeavisit，andIwasonthepointofretreatingwhenLadyLuardarrestedmewithaqueer，casual，drawling"Wouldyou——a——wouldyou，perhaps，beWRITINGsomething？"Ifeltfortheinstantlikeaninterviewer，whichIwasnot。ButIpleadedguiltytothisintention，onwhichsherejoined："I’msoveryglad——butIthinkmybrotherwouldliketoseeyou。"Idetestedherbrother，butitwasn’tanoccasiontoactthisout；soIsufferedmyselftobeinducted，tomysurprise，intoasmallbackroomwhichIimmediatelyrecognisedasthescene，duringthelateryears，ofMrs。Stormer’simperturbableindustry。Hertablewasthere，thebatteredandblottedaccessorytoinnumerableliterarylapses，withitscontractedspaceforthearms（shewroteonlyfromtheelbowdown）andtheconfusionofscrappy，scribbledsheetswhichhadalreadybecomeliteraryremains。Leolinwasalsothere，smokingacigarettebeforethefireandlookingimpudenteveninhisgrief，sincereasitwellmighthavebeen。

Tomeethim，togreethim，Ihadtomakeasharpeffort；fortheairthatheworetomeashestoodbeforemewasquitethatofhismother’smurderer。Shelaysilentforeverupstairs——asdeadasanunsuccessfulbook，andhisswaggeringerectnesswasakindofsymbolofhishavingkilledher。Iwonderedifhehadalready，withhissister，beencalculatingwhattheycouldgetforthepoorpapersonthetable；butIhadnotlongtowaittolearn，forinreplytothescantywordsofsympathyIaddressedhimhepuffedout："It’smiserable，miserable，yes；butshehasleftthreebookscomplete。"

Hiswordshadtheoddesteffect；theyconvertedthecrampedlittleroomintoaseatoftradeandmadethe"book"wonderfullyfeasible。

Hewouldcertainlygetallthatcouldbegotforthethree。LadyLuardexplainedtomethatherhusbandhadbeenwiththembuthadhadtogodowntotheHouse。ToherbrothersheexplainedthatIwasgoingtowritesomething，andtomeagainshemadeitclearthatshehopedIwould"domammajustice。"Sheaddedthatshedidn’tthinkthishadeverbeendone。Shesaidtoherbrother："Don’tyouthinktherearesomethingsheoughtthoroughlytounderstand？"andonhisinstantlyexclaiming"Oh，thoroughly——thoroughly！"shewenton，ratherausterely："Imeanaboutmamma’sbirth。"

"Yes，andherconnections，"Leolinadded。

Iprofessedeverywillingness，andforfiveminutesIlistened，butitwouldbetoomuchtosaythatIunderstood。Idon’tevennow，butitisnotimportant。Myvisionwasofothermattersthanthosetheyputbeforeme，andwhiletheydesiredthereshouldbenomistakeabouttheirancestorsIbecamemoreandmorelucidaboutthemselves。

Igotawayassoonaspossible，andwalkedhomethroughthegreatdusky，emptyLondon——thebestofallconditionsforthought。BythetimeIreachedmydoormylittlearticlewaspracticallycomposed——

readytobetransferredonthemorrowfromthepolishedplateoffancy。Ibelieveitattractedsomenotice，wasthought"graceful"

andwassaidtobebysomeoneelse。Ihadtobepointedwithoutbeinglively，andittooksometact。ButwhatIsaidwasmuchlessinterestingthanwhatIthought——especiallyduringthehalf—hourI

spentinmyarmchairbythefire，smokingthecigarIalwayslightbeforegoingtobed。Iwenttosleepthere，Ibelieve；butI

continuedtomoraliseaboutGrevilleFane。Iamreluctanttolosethatretrospectaltogether，andthisisadimlittlememoryofit，adocumentnotto"serve。"Thedearwomanhadwrittenahundredstories，butnonesocuriousasherown。

WhenfirstIknewhershehadpublishedhalf—a—dozenfictions，andI

believeIhadalsoperpetratedanovel。ShewasmorethanadozenyearsolderthanI，butshewasapersonwhoalwaysacknowledgedherrelativity。Itwasnotsoverylongago，butinLondon，amidthebigwavesofthepresent，evenanearhorizongetshidden。Imetheratsomedinnerandtookherdown，ratherflatteredatofferingmyarmtoacelebrity。Shedidn’tlooklikeone，withhermatronly，mild，inanimateface，butIsupposedhergreatnesswouldcomeoutinherconversation。IgaveitalltheopportunitiesIcould，butIwasnotdisappointedwhenIfoundheronlyadull，kindwoman。ThiswaswhyIlikedher——sherestedmesofromliterature。Tomyselfliteraturewasanirritation，atorment；butGrevilleFaneslumberedintheintellectualpartofitlikeaCreoleinahammock。Shewasnotawomanofgenius，butherfacultywassospecial，somuchagiftoutofhand，thatIhaveoftenwonderedwhyshefellbelowthatdistinction。Thiswasdoubtlessbecausethetransaction，inhercase，hadremainedincomplete；geniusalwayspaysforthegift，feelsthedebt，andshewasplacidlyunconsciousofobligation。Shecouldinventstoriesbytheyard，butshecouldn’twriteapageofEnglish。

Shewentdowntohergravewithoutsuspectingthatthoughshehadcontributedvolumestothediversionofhercontemporariesshehadnotcontributedasentencetothelanguage。Thishadnotpreventedbushelsofcriticismfrombeingheapeduponherhead；shewasworthacoupleofcolumnsanydaytotheweeklypapers，inwhichitwasshownthatherpicturesoflifeweredreadfulbutherstylereallycharming。Sheaskedmetocomeandseeher，andIwent。ShelivedtheninMontpellierSquare；whichhelpedmetoseehowdissociatedherimaginationwasfromhercharacter。

Anindustriouswidow，devotedtoherdailystint，tomeetingthebutcherandbakerandmakingahomeforhersonanddaughter，fromthemomentshetookherpeninherhandshebecameacreatureofpassion。ShethoughttheEnglishnoveldeplorablywantinginthatelement，andthetaskshehadcutoutforherselfwastosupplythedeficiency。Passioninhighlifewasthegeneralformulaofthiswork，forherimaginationwasathomeonlyinthemostexaltedcircles。Sheadored，intruth，thearistocracy，andtheyconstitutedforhertheromanceoftheworldor，whatismoretothepoint，theprimematerialoffiction。Theirbeautyandluxury，theirlovesandrevenges，theirtemptationsandsurrenders，theirimmoralitiesanddiamondswereasfamiliartoherastheblotsonherwriting—table。

Shewasnotabelatedproduceroftheoldfashionablenovel，shehadaclevernessandamodernnessofherown，shehadfreshenedupthefly—blowntinsel。Sheturnedoffplotsbythehundredand——sofarasherflyingquillcouldconveyher——wasperpetuallygoingabroad。Hertypes，herillustrations，hertonewerenothingifnotcosmopolitan。

SherecognisednothinglessprovincialthanEuropeansociety，andherfinefolkkneweachotherandmadelovetoeachotherfromDoncastertoBucharest。ShehadanideathatsheresembledBalzac，andherfavouritehistoricalcharacterswereLuciendeRubempreandtheVidamedePamiers。ImustaddthatwhenIonceaskedherwhothelatterpersonagewasshewasunabletotellme。Shewasverybraveandhealthyandcheerful，veryabundantandinnocentandwicked。Shewascleverandvulgarandsnobbish，andneversointenselyBritishaswhenshewasparticularlyforeign。

Thiscombinationofqualitieshadbroughtherearlysuccess，andI

rememberhavingheardwithwonderandenvyofwhatshe"got，"inthosedays，foranovel。Therevelationgavemeapang：itwassuchaproofthat，practisingatotallydifferentstyle，Ishouldnevermakemyfortune。Andyetwhen，asIknewherbettershetoldmeherrealtariffandIsawhowrumourhadquadrupledit，Ilikedherenoughtobesorry。AfterawhileIdiscoveredtoothatifshegotlessitwasnotthat_I_wastogetanymore。MyfailureneverhadwhatMrs。Stormerwouldhavecalledthebanalityofbeingrelative——

itwasalwaysadmirablyabsolute。Shelivedateasehoweverinthosedays——easeisexactlytheword，thoughsheproducedthreenovelsayear。ShescornedmewhenIspokeofdifficulty——itwastheonlythingthatmadeherangry。IfIhintedthataworkofartrequiredatremendouslickingintoshapeshethoughtitapretensionandapose。

Sheneverrecognisedthe"tormentofform"；thefurthestshewentwastointroduceintooneofherbooks（insatireherhandwasheavy）ayoungpoetwhowasalwaystalkingaboutit。Icouldn’tquiteunderstandherirritationonthisscore，forshehadnothingatstakeinthematter。Shehadashrewdperceptionthatform，inproseatleast，neverrecommendedanyonetothepublicwewerecondemnedtoaddress，andthereforeshelostnothing（puttingherprivatehumiliationaside）bynothavingany。Shemadenopretenceofproducingworksofart，buthadcomfortabletea—drinkinghoursinwhichshefreelyconfessedherselfacommonpastrycook，dealinginsuchtartsandpuddingsaswouldbringcustomerstotheshop。Sheputinplentyofsugarandofcochineal，orwhateveritisthatgivesthesearticlesarichandattractivecolour。Shehadaserenesuperioritytoobservationandopportunitywhichconstitutedaninexpugnablestrengthandwouldenablehertogoonindefinitely。Itisonlyrealsuccessthatwanes，itisonlysolidthingsthatmelt。

GrevilleFane’signoranceoflifewasaresourcestillmoreunfailingthanthemostapprovedreceipt。OnhersayingoncethatthedaywouldcomewhensheshouldhavewrittenherselfoutIanswered："Ah，youlookintofairyland，andthefairiesloveyou，andTHEYneverchange。Fairylandisalwaysthere；italwayswasfromthebeginningoftime，anditalwayswillbetotheend。They’vegivenyouthekeyandyoucanalwaysopenthedoor。Withmeit’sdifferent；Itry，inmyclumsyway，tobeinsomedirectrelationtolife。""Oh，botheryourdirectrelationtolife！"sheusedtoreply，forshewasalwaysannoyedbythephrase——whichwouldnotintheleastpreventherfromusingitwhenshewishedtotryforstyle。Withnomoreprejudicesthananoldsausage—mill，shewouldgiveforthagainwithpatientpunctualityanypoorverbalscrapthathadbeendroppedintoher。I

cheeredherwithsayingthatthedarkday，attheend，wouldbeforthelikeofME；inasmuchas，goinginoursmallwaybyexperienceandobservation，wedependednotonarevelation，butonalittletiresomeprocess。Observationdependedonopportunity，andwhereshouldwebewhenopportunityfailed？

Onedayshetoldmethatasthenovelist’slifewassodelightfulandduringthegoodyearsatleastsuchacomfortablesupport（shehadthesestaggeringoptimisms）shemeanttotrainupherboytofollowit。Shetooktheingeniousviewthatitwasaprofessionlikeanotherandthatthereforeeverythingwastobegainedbybeginningyoungandservinganapprenticeship。Moreovertheeducationwouldbelessexpensivethananyotherspecialcourse，inasmuchasshecouldadministeritherself。Shedidn’tprofesstokeepaschool，butshecouldatleastteachherownchild。Itwasnotthatshewassoveryclever，but（sheconfessedtomeasifshewereafraidIwouldlaughather）thatHEwas。Ididn’tlaughatherforthat，forIthoughttheboysharp——Ihadseenhimatsundrytimes。Hewaswellgrownandgood—lookingandunabashed，andbothheandhissistermademewonderabouttheirdefunctpapa，concerningwhomthelittleIknewwasthathehadbeenaclergyman。Iexplainedthemtomyselfbysuppositionsandimputationspossiblyunjusttothedeparted；solittlewerethey—

—superficiallyatleast——thechildrenoftheirmother。Thereusedtobe，onaneaselinherdrawing—room，anenlargedphotographofherhusband，donebysomehorribleposthumous"process"anddraped，astoitsfloridframe，withasilkenscarf，whichtestifiedtothecandourofGrevilleFane’sbadtaste。Itmadehimlooklikeanunsuccessfultragedian；butitwasnotathingtotrust。Hemayhavebeenasuccessfulcomedian。Ofthetwochildrenthegirlwastheelder，andstruckmeinallheryoungeryearsassingularlycolourless。Shewasonlyverylong，likeanundecipherableletter。ItwasnottillMrs。

StormercamebackfromaprotractedresidenceabroadthatEthel（whichwasthisyounglady’sname）begantoproducetheeffect，whichwasafterwardsremarkableinher，ofacertainkindofhighresolution。Shemadeoneapprehendthatshemeanttodosomethingforherself。Shewaslong—neckedandnear—sightedandstriking，andIthoughtIhadneverseensweetseventeeninaformsohardandhighanddry。Shewascoldandaffectedandambitious，andshecarriedaneyeglasswithalonghandle，whichsheputupwhenevershewantednottosee。Shehadcomeout，asthephraseis，immensely；andyetI

feltasifsheweresurroundedwithaspikedironrailing。Whatshemeanttodoforherselfwastomarry，anditwastheonlything，I

think，thatshemeanttodoforanyoneelse；yetwhowouldbeinspiredtoclamberoverthatbristlingbarrier？Whatfloweroftendernessorofintimacywouldsuchanadventurerconceiveashisreward？

ThiswasforSirBaldwinLuardtosay；buthenaturallyneverconfidedtomethesecret。Hewasajoyless，jokelessyoungman，withtheairofhavingothersecretsaswell，andadeterminationtogetonpoliticallythatwasindicatedbyhisneverhavingbeenknowntocommithimself——asregardsanypropositionwhatever——beyondanexclamatory"Oh！"Hiswifeandhemusthaveconversedmainlyinprimejaculations，buttheyunderstoodsufficientlythattheywerekindredspirits。IrememberbeingangrywithGrevilleFanewhensheannouncedthesenuptialstomeasmagnificent；Irememberaskingherwhatsplendourtherewasintheunionofthedaughterofawomanofgeniuswithanirredeemablemediocrity。"Oh！he’sawfullyclever，"

shesaid；butsheblushedforthematernalfib。WhatshemeantwasthatthoughSirBaldwin’sestateswerenotvast（hehadadrearyhouseinSouthKensingtonandastilldrearier"Hall"somewhereinEssex，whichwaslet），theconnectionwasa"smarter"onethanachildofherscouldhaveaspiredtoform。Inspiteofthesocialbraveryofhernovelsshetookaveryhumbleanddingyviewofherself，sothatofallherproductions"mydaughterLadyLuard"wasquitetheoneshewasproudestof。Thatpersonagethoughthermotherveryvulgarandwasdistressedandperplexedbytheoccasionallicenseofherpen，buthadacomplicatedattitudeinregardtothisindirectconnectionwithliterature。Sofarasitwaslucrativeherladyshipapprovedofit，andcouldcompoundwiththeinferiorityofthepursuitbydoingpracticaljusticetosomeofitsadvantages。I

hadreasontoknow（myreasonwassimplythatpoorMrs。Stormertoldme）thatshesufferedtheinkyfingerstopressanoccasionalbank—

noteintoherpalm。Ontheotherhandshedeploredthe"peculiarstyle"towhichGrevilleFanehaddevotedherself，andwonderedwhereanauthorwhohadtheconvenienceofsolady—likeadaughtercouldhavepickedupsuchviewsaboutthebestsociety。"Shemightknowbetter，withLeolinandme，"LadyLuardhadbeenknowntoremark；butitappearedthatsomeofGrevilleFane’ssuperstitionswereincurable。Shedidn’tliveinLadyLuard’ssociety，andthebestwasnotgoodenoughforher——shemustmakeitstillbetter。

Icouldseethatthisnecessitygrewuponherduringtheyearsshespentabroad，whenIhadglimpsesofherintheshiftingsojournsthatlayinthepathofmyannualramble。ShebetookherselffromGermanytoSwitzerlandandfromSwitzerlandtoItaly；shefavouredcheapplacesandsetupherdeskinthesmallercapitals。ItookalookatherwheneverIcould，andIalwaysaskedhowLeolinwasgettingon。Shegavemebeautifulaccountsofhim，andwheneveritwaspossibletheboywasproducedformyedification。Ihadenteredfromthefirstintothejokeofhiscareer——Ipretendedtoregardhimasaconsecratedchild。IthadbeenajokeforMrs。Stormeratfirst，buttheboyhimselfhadbeenshrewdenoughtomakethematterserious。Ifhismotheracceptedtheprinciplethattheintendingnovelistcannotbegintooearlytoseelife，Leolinwasnotinterestedinhangingbackfromtheapplicationofit。Hewaseagertoqualifyhimself，andtooktocigarettesatten，onthehighestliterarygrounds。Hispoormothergazedathimwithextravagantenvyand，likeDesdemona，wishedheavenhadmadeHERsuchaman。Sheexplainedtomemorethanoncethatinherprofessionshehadfoundhersexadreadfuldrawback。ShelovedthestoryofMadameGeorgeSand’searlyrebellionagainstthishindrance，andbelievedthatifshehadworntrousersshecouldhavewrittenaswellasthatlady。

Leolinhadforthecareeratleastthequalificationoftrousers，andashegrewolderherecogniseditsimportancebylayinginanimmenseassortment。Hegrewupingorgeousapparel，whichwashiswayofinterpretinghismother’ssystem。WheneverImetherIfoundherstillundertheimpressionthatshewascarryingthissystemoutandthatLeolin’strainingwasbearingfruit。Shewasgivinghimexperience，shewasgivinghimimpressions，shewasputtingagagnepainintohishand。Itwasanothernameforspoilinghimwiththebestconscienceintheworld。Thequeerestpicturescomebacktomeofthisperiodofthegoodlady’slifeandoftheextraordinarilyvirtuous，muddled，bewilderingtenorofit。Shehadanideathatshewasseeingforeignmannersaswellasherpetticoatswouldallow；

but，inrealityshewasnotseeinganything，leastofallfortunatelyhowmuchshewaslaughedat。ShedroveherwhimsicalpenatDresdenandatFlorence，andproducedinallplacesandatalltimesthesameromanticandridiculousfictions。Shecarriedaboutherboxofpropertiesandfishedoutpromptlythefamiliar，tarnishedoldpuppets。Shebelievedinthemwhenotherscouldn’t，andastheywerelikenothingthatwastobeseenunderthesunitwasimpossibletoprovebycomparisonthattheywerewrong。Youcan’tcomparebirdsandfishes；youcouldonlyfeelthat，asGrevilleFane’scharactershadthefineplumageoftheformerspecies，humanbeingsmustbeofthelatter。

Itwouldhavebeendrollifithadnotbeensoexemplarytoseehertracingthelovesoftheduchessesbesidetheinnocentcribsofherchildren。Theimmoralandthematernallivedtogetherinherdiligentdaysonthemostcomfortableterms，andshestoppedcurlingthemustachesofherGuardsmentopattheheadsofherbabes。Shewashauntedbysolemnspinsterswhocametoteafromcontinentalpensions，andbyunsophisticatedAmericanswhotoldhershewasjustlovedinTHEIRcountry。"Ihadratherbejustpaidthere，"sheusuallyreplied；forthistributeoftransatlanticopinionwastheonlythingthatgalledher。TheAmericanswentawaythinkinghercoarse；thoughastheauthorofsomanybeautifullove—storiesshewasdisappointingtomostofthesepilgrims，whohadnotexpectedtofindashy，stout，ruddyladyinacaplikeacrumbledpyramid。Shewroteabouttheaffectionsandtheimpossibilityofcontrollingthem，butshetalkedofthepriceofpensionandtheconvenienceofanEnglishchemist。Shedevotedmuchthoughtandmanythousandsoffrancstotheeducationofherdaughter，whospentthreeyearsataverysuperiorschoolatDresden，receivingwonderfulinstructioninsciences，artsandtongues，andwho，takingadifferentlinefromLeolin，wastobebroughtupwhollyasafemmedumonde。Thegirlwasmusicalandphilological；shemadeaspecialtyoflanguagesandlearnedenoughaboutthemtobeinspiredwithagreatcontemptforhermother’sartlessaccents。GrevilleFane’sFrenchandItalianweredroll；theimitativefacultyhadbeendeniedher，andshehadanunequalledgift，especiallypeninhand，ofsqueezingbigmistakesintosmallopportunities。Sheknewit，butshedidn’tcare；

correctnesswasthevirtueintheworldthat，likeherheroesandheroines，shevaluedleast。Ethel，whohadperceivedinherpagessomeremarkablelapses，undertookatonetimetoreviseherproofs；

butIrememberhertellingmeayearafterthegirlhadleftschoolthatthisfunctionhadbeenverybrieflyexercised。"Shecan’treadme，"saidMrs。Stormer；"Ioffendhertaste。ShetellsmethatatDresden——atschool——Iwasneverallowed。"Thegoodladyseemedsurprisedatthis，havingthebestconscienceintheworldaboutherlucubrations。Shehadnevermeanttoflyinthefaceofanything，andconsideredthatshegrovelledbeforetheRhadamanthusoftheEnglishliterarytribunal，thecelebratedandawfulYoungPerson。I

assuredher，asajoke，thatshewasfrightfullyindecent（shehadn’tinfactthatrealityanymorethananyother）mypurposebeingsolelytopreventherfromguessingthatherdaughterhaddroppedhernotbecauseshewasimmoralbutbecauseshewasvulgar。Iusedtofigureherchildrenclosetedtogetherandaskingeachotherwhiletheyexchangedagazeofdismay："WhyshouldsheBEso——andsoFEARFULLY

so——whenshehastheadvantageofoursociety？Shouldn’tWEhavetaughtherbetter？"ThenIimaginedtheirrecognisingwithablushandashrugthatshewasunteachable，irreformable。Indeedshewas，poorlady；butitisneverfairtoreadbythelightoftastethingsthatwerenotwrittenbyit。GrevilleFanehad，inthetopsy—turvy，aserenegoodfaiththatoughttohavebeensafefromallusion，likeastutterorafauxpas。

Shedidn’tmakehersonashamedoftheprofessiontowhichhewasdestined，however；sheonlymadehimashamedofthewaysheherselfexercisedit。Butheborehishumiliationmuchbetterthanhissister，forhewasreadytotakeforgrantedthatheshouldonedayrestorethebalance。Hewasacannyandfar—seeingyouth，withappetitesandaspirations，andhehadnotascrupleinhiscomposition。Hismother’stheoryofthehappyknackhecouldpickupdeprivedhimofthewholesomedisciplinerequiredtopreventyoungidlersfrombecomingcads。Hehad，abroad，acasualtutorandasnatchortwoofaSwissschool，butnoconsecutivestudy，noprospectofauniversityoradegree。Itmaybeimaginedwithwhatzeal，astheyearswenton，heenteredintothepleasantryoftherebeingnomanualsoimportanttohimasthemassivebookoflife。Itwasanexpensivevolumetoperuse，butMrs。Stormerwaswillingtolayoutasuminwhatshewouldhavecalledherpremiersfrais。

Etheldisapproved——shethoughtthiseducationfartoounconventionalforanEnglishgentleman。HervoicewasforEtonandOxford，orforanypublicschool（shewouldhaveresignedherself）withthearmytofollow。ButLeolinneverwasafraidofhissister，andtheyvisiblydisliked，thoughtheysometimesagreedtoassist，eachother。Theycouldcombinetoworktheoracle——tokeeptheirmotheratherdesk。

WhenshecamebacktoEngland，tellingmeshehadgotallthecontinentcouldgiveher，Leolinwasabroad—shouldered，red—facedyoungman，withanimmensewardrobeandanextraordinaryassuranceofmanner。Shewasfondlyobstinateaboutherhavingtakentherightcoursewithhim，andproudofallthatheknewandhadseen。Hewasnowquitereadytobegin，andalittlewhilelatershetoldmeheHAD

begun。Hehadwrittensomethingtremendouslyclever，anditwascomingoutintheCheapside。Ibelieveitcameout；Ihadnotimetolookforit；Ineverheardanythingaboutit。Itookforgrantedthatifthiscontributionhadpassedthroughhismother’shandsithadpracticallybecomeaspecimenofherowngenius，anditwasinterestingtoconsiderMrs。Stormer’sfutureinthelightofherhavingtowriteherson’snovelsaswellasherown。Thiswasnotthewayshelookedatitherself；shetookthecharminggroundthathewouldhelphertowritehers。Sheusedtotellmethathesuppliedpassagesofthegreatestvaluetoherownwork——allsortsoftechnicalthings，abouthuntingandyachtingandwine——thatshecouldn’tbeexpectedtogetverystraight。Itwasallsomuchpracticeforhimandsomuchalleviationforher。Iwasunabletoidentifythesepages，forIhadlongsinceceasedto"keepup"withGrevilleFane；butIwasquiteabletobelievethatthewine—questionhadbeenput，byLeolin’sgoodoffices，onabetterfooting，forthedearladyusedtomixherdrinks（shewasperpetuallyservingthemostsplendidsuppers）inthequeerestfashion。Icouldseethathewaswillingenoughtoacceptacommissiontolookafterthatdepartment。Itoccurredtomeindeed，whenMrs。StormersettledinEnglandagain，thatbymakingashrewduseofbothherchildrenshemightbeabletorejuvenateherstyle。Ethelhadcomebacktogratifyheryoungambition，andifshecouldn’ttakehermotherintosocietyshewouldatleastgointoitherself。Silently，stiffly，almostgrimly，thisyoungladyheldupherhead，clenchedherlongteeth，squaredherleanelbowsandmadeherwayupthestaircasesshehadelected。Theonlycommunicationsheevermadetome，theonlyeffusionofconfidencewithwhichsheeverhonouredme，waswhenshesaid："Idon’twanttoknowthepeoplemammaknows；Imeantoknowothers。"Itookduenoteoftheremark，forIwasnotoneofthe"others。"Icouldn’ttracethereforethestepsofherprocess；I

couldonlyadmireitatadistanceandcongratulatehermotherontheresults。TheresultswerethatEthelwentto"big"partiesandgotpeopletotakeher。Someofthemwerepeopleshehadmetabroad，andotherswerepeoplewhomthepeopleshehadmetabroadhadmet。TheyministeredaliketoMissEthel’sconvenience，andIwonderedhowsheextractedsomanyfavourswithouttheexpenditureofasmile。Hersmilewasthedimmestthingintheworld，dilutedlemonade，withoutsugar，andshehadarrivedprecociouslyatsocialwisdom，recognisingthatifshewasneitherprettyenoughnorrichenoughnorcleverenough，shecouldatleastinhermuscularyouthberudeenough。

Thereforeifshewasabletotellhermotherwhatreallytookplaceinthemansionsofthegreat，givehernotestoworkfrom，thequillcouldbedrivenathometobetterpurposeandpreciselyatamomentwhenitwouldhavetobemoreactivethanever。Butifshedidtell，itwouldappearthatpoorMrs。Stormerdidn’tbelieve。Asregardsmanypointsthiswasnotawonder；atanyrateIheardnothingofGrevilleFane’shavingdevelopedanewmanner。Shehadonlyonemannerfromstarttofinish，asLeolinwouldhavesaid。

Shewastiredatlast，butshementionedtomethatshecouldn’taffordtopause。ShecontinuedtospeakofLeolin’sworkasthegreathopeoftheirfuture（shehadsavednomoney）thoughtheyoungmanworetomysenseanaspectmoreandmoreprofessionalifyoulike，butlessandlessliterary。Attheendofacoupleofyearstherewassomethingmonstrousintheimpudencewithwhichheplayedhispartinthecomedy。WhenIwonderedhowshecouldplayHERpartIhadtoperceivethathergoodfaithwascompleteandthatwhatkeptitsowassimplyherextravagantfondness。Shelovedtheyoungimpostorwithasimple，blind，benightedlove，andofalltheheroesofromancewhohadpassedbeforehereyeshewasbyfarthemostbrilliant。

Hewasatanyratethemostreal——shecouldtouchhim，payforhim，sufferforhim，worshiphim。Hemadeherthinkofherprincesanddukes，andwhenshewishedtofixthesefiguresinhermind’seyeshethoughtofherboy。Shehadoftentoldmeshewascarriedawaybyherowncreations，andshewascertainlycarriedawaybyLeolin。Hevivified，bypotentialitiesatleast，thewholequestionofyouthandpassion。Sheheld，notunjustly，thatthesincerenovelistshouldfeelthewholefloodoflife；sheacknowledgedwithregretthatshehadnothadtimetofeelitherself，anditwasajoytoherthatthedeficiencymightbesuppliedbythesightofthewayitwasrushingthroughthismagnificentyoungman。Sheexhortedhim，Isuppose，toletitrush；shewrungherownflaccidlittlespongeintothetorrent。Iknewnotwhatpassedbetweentheminherhoursoftuition，butIgatheredthatshemainlyimpressedonhimthatthegreatthingwastolive，becausethatgaveyoumaterial。Heaskednothingbetter；hecollectedmaterial，andtheformulaservedasauniversalpretext。Youhadonlytolookathimtoseethat，withhisringsandbreastpins，hiscross—barredjackets，hisearlyembonpoint，hiseyesthatlookedlikeimitationjewels，hisvariousindicationsofadense，full—blowntemperament，hisideaoflifewassingularlyvulgar；buthewasnotsofarwrongasthathisresponsetohismother’sexpectationswasnotinahighdegreepractical。Ifshehadimposedaprofessiononhimfromhistenderestyearsitwasexactlyaprofessionthathefollowed。Thetwowerenotquitethesame，inasmuchasHISwassimplytoliveatherexpense；butatleastshecouldn’tsaythathehadn’ttakenaline。Ifsheinsistedonbelievinginhimheofferedhimselftothesacrifice。Myimpressionisthathersecretdreamwasthatheshouldhavealiaisonwithacountess，andhepersuadedherwithoutdifficultythathehadone。I

don’tknowwhatcountessesarecapableof，butIhaveaclearnotionofwhatLeolinwas。

Hedidn’tpersuadehissister，whodespisedhim——shewishedtoworkhermotherinherownway，andIaskedmyselfwhythegirl’sjudgmentofhimdidn’tmakemelikeherbetter。Itwasbecauseitdidn’tsaveherafterallfromamuteagreementwithhimtogohalves。ThereweremomentswhenIcouldn’thelplookinghardintohisatrociousyoungeyes，challenginghimtoconfesshisfantasticfraudandgiveitup。Notalittletacitconversationpassedbetweenusinthisway，buthehadalwaysthebestofit。IfIsaid："Oh，comenow，withMEyouneedn’tkeepitup；pleadguilty，andI’llletyouoff，"

heworethemostingenuous，themostcandidexpression，inthedepthsofwhichIcouldread："Oh，yes，Iknowitexasperatesyou——that’sjustwhyIdoit。"Hetookthelineofearnestinquiry，talkedaboutBalzacandFlaubert，askedmeifIthoughtDickensDIDexaggerateandThackerayOUGHTtobecalledapessimist。Oncehecametoseeme，athismother’ssuggestionhedeclared，onpurposetoaskmehowfar，inmyopinion，intheEnglishnovel，onereallymightventureto"go。"

Hewasnotresignedtotheusualpruderies——hesufferedunderthemalready。Hestruckoutthebrilliantideathatnobodyknewhowfarwemightgo，fornobodyhadevertried。DidIthinkHEmightsafelytry——woulditinjurehismotherifhedid？Hewouldratherdisgracehimselfbyhistimiditiesthaninjurehismother，butcertainlysomeoneoughttotry。Wouldn’t_I_try——couldn’tIbeprevailedupontolookatitasaduty？Surelytheultimatepointoughttobefixed——

hewasworried，hauntedbythequestion。Hepatronisedmeunblushingly，mademefeellikeafoolishamateur，ahelplessnovice，inquiredintomyhabitsofworkandconveyedtomethatIwasutterlyvieuxjeuandhadnothadtheadvantageofanearlytraining。Ihadnotbeenbroughtupfromthegerm，Iknewnothingoflife——didn’tgoatitonHISsystem。HehaddippedintoFrenchfeuilletonsandpickedupplentyofphrases，andhemadeamuchbettershowintalkthanhispoormother，whoneverhadtimetoreadanythingandcouldonlybevividwithherpen。IfIdidn’tkickhimdownstairsitwasbecausehewouldhavealightedonheratthebottom。

WhenshewenttoliveatPrimroseHillIcalleduponherandfoundherwearyandwasted。Ithadwanedagooddeal，theelationcausedtheyearbeforebyEthel’smarriage；thefoamonthecuphadsubsidedandtherewasabitternessinthedraught。

Shehadhadtotakeacheaperhouseandshehadtoworkstillhardertopayevenforthat。SirBaldwinwasobligedtobeclose；hischargeswerefearful，andthedreamofherlivingwithherdaughter（avisionshehadnevermentionedtome）mustberenounced。"Iwouldhavehelpedwiththings，andIcouldhavelivedperfectlyinoneroom，"shesaid；"Iwouldhavepaidforeverything，and——afterall——

I’msomeone，ain’tI？ButIdon’tfitin，andEtheltellsmetherearetiresomepeoplesheMUSTreceive。Icanhelpthemfromhere，nodoubt，betterthanfromthere。Shetoldmeonce，youknow，whatshethinksofmypictureoflife。’Mamma，yourpictureoflifeispreposterous！’Nodoubtitis，butshe’svexedwithmeforlettingmypricesgodown；andIhadtowritethreenovelstopayforallhermarriagecostme。Ididitverywell——Imeantheoutfitandthewedding；butthat’swhyI’mhere。Atanyrateshedoesn’twantadingyoldwomaninherhouse。Ishouldgiveitanatmosphereofliteraryglory，butliterarygloryisonlytheeminenceofnobodies。

Besides，shedoubtsmyglory——sheknowsI’mgloriousonlyatPeckhamandHackney。Shedoesn’twantherfriendstoaskifI’veneverknownnicepeople。Shecan’ttellthemI’veneverbeeninsociety。Shetriedtoteachmebetteronce，butIcouldn’tlearn。ItwouldseemtooasifPeckhamandHackneyhadhadenoughofme；for（don’ttellanyone！）I’vehadtotakelessformylastthanIevertookforanything。"Iaskedherhowlittlethishadbeen，notfromcuriosity，butinordertoupbraidher，moredisinterestedlythanLadyLuardhaddone，forsuchconcessions。Sheanswered"I’mashamedtotellyou，"

andthenshebegantocry。

Ihadneverseenherbreakdown，andIwasproportionatelymoved；shesobbed，likeafrightenedchild，overtheextinctionofhervogueandtheexhaustionofhervein。Herlittleworkroomseemedindeedabarrenplacetogrowflowers，andIwondered，intheafteryears（forshecontinuedtoproduceandpublish）bywhatdesperateandheroicprocessshedraggedthemoutofthesoil。IrememberaskingheronthatoccasionwhathadbecomeofLeolin，andhowmuchlongersheintendedtoallowhimtoamusehimselfathercost。Sherejoinedwithspirit，wipinghereyes，thathewasdownatBrightonhardatwork——hewasinthemidstofanovel——andthatheFELTlifeso，inallitsmiseryandmystery，thatitwascrueltospeakofsuchexperiencesasapleasure。"Hegoesbeneaththesurface，"shesaid，"andheFORCEShimselftolookatthingsfromwhichhewouldratherturnaway。Doyoucallthatamusingyourself？Youshouldseehisfacesometimes！Andhedoesitformeasmuchasforhimself。Hetellsmeeverything——hecomeshometomewithhistrouvailles。Weareartiststogether，andtotheartistallthingsarepure。I’veoftenheardyousaysoyourself。"ThenovelthatLeolinwasengagedinatBrightonwasneverpublished，butafriendofmineandofMrs。

Stormer’swhowasstayingtherehappenedtomentiontomelaterthathehadseentheyoungapprenticetofictiondriving，inadogcart，ayoungladywithaverypinkface。WhenIsuggestedthatshewasperhapsawomanoftitlewithwhomhewasconscientiouslyflirtingmyinformantreplied："Sheisindeed，butdoyouknowwhathertitleis？"Hepronouncedit——itwasfamiliaranddescriptive——butIwon’treproduceithere。Idon’tknowwhetherLeolinmentionedittohismother：shewouldhaveneededallthepurityoftheartisttoforgivehim。IhatedsotocomeacrosshimthatintheverylastyearsIwentrarelytoseeher，thoughIknewthatshehadcomeprettywelltotheendofherrope。Ididn’twanthertotellmethatshehadfairlytogiveherbooksaway——Ididn’twanttoseehercry。Shekeptitupamazingly，andeveryfewmonths，atmyclub，I

sawthreenewvolumes，ingreen，incrimson，inblue，onthebook—

tablethatgroanedwithlightliterature。OnceImetherattheAcademysoiree，whereyoumeetpeopleyouthoughtweredead，andshevouchsafedtheinformation，asifsheowedittomeincandour，thatLeolinhadbeenobligedtorecogniseinsuperabledifficultiesinthequestionofFORM，hewassofastidious；sothatshehadnowarrivedatadefiniteunderstandingwithhim（itwassuchacomfort）thatSHE

woulddotheformifhewouldbringhomethesubstance。Thatwasnowhisposition——heforagedforherinthegreatworldatasalary。

"He’smy’devil，’don’tyousee？asifIwereagreatlawyer：hegetsupthecaseandIargueit。"Shementionedfurtherthatinadditiontohissalaryhewaspaidbythepiece：hegotsomuchforastrikingcharacter，somuchforaprettyname，somuchforaplot，somuchforanincident，andhadsomuchpromisedhimifhewouldinventanewcrime。

"HeHASinventedone，"Isaid，"andhe’spaideverydayofhislife。"

"Whatisit？"sheasked，lookinghardatthepictureoftheyear；

"Baby’sTub，"nearwhichwehappenedtobestanding。

Ihesitatedamoment。"Imyselfwillwritealittlestoryaboutit，andthenyou’llsee。"

Butsheneversaw；shehadneverseenanything，andshepassedawaywithherfineblindnessunimpaired。Hersonpublishedeveryscrapofscribbledpaperthatcouldbeextractedfromhertable—drawers，andhissisterquarrelledwithhimmortallyabouttheproceeds，whichshowedthatsheonlywantedapretext，fortheycannothavebeengreat。Idon’tknowwhatLeolinlivesupon，unlessitbeonaqueerladymanyyearsolderthanhimself，whomhelatelymarried。ThelasttimeImethimhesaidtomewithhisinfuriatingsmile："Don’tyouthinkwecangoalittlefurtherstill——justalittle？"HEreallygoestoofar。